Sins of the Father
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin,' Kilgharrah begins.
Morgause watches Arthur through a magic crystal in her Enchanted Fortress, 'hider eft funde. On þisse ne middangeard. Arthur Pendragon, a great destiny awaits you. The battle for your soul is about to begin,' she announces.
Arthur shivers at this announcement.
'Morgause,' Percival frowns at the woman who was behind his family's deaths.
In the Hall of Ceremonies the king is appointing his knights while Morgause makes her way up fighting with the guards.
'She is a good fighter,' Gwaine admitted.
'That's the only good thing about her,' muttered Merlin.
'She corrupted Morgana,' Arthur scowled.
'She was there for Morgana at a time no one else was,' sighed Merlin. 'Like Gaius was for me so she took Morgause's beliefs into her heart. There was other reasons too,' Merlin sighed thinking of the poisoning.
'Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot,' the king walked among the knights using his sword to knight them. 'You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur. Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title.'
The entire court turns to the door at the sound of sword fighting outside. A knight enters. The newly made knights of Camelot draw their swords as the knight approaches. Arthur steps forward and the knight drops gauntlet in front of Arthur, who picks it up.
'I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity,' Arthur asks.
The knight removes the helmet to reveal a wealth of long blonde tresses.
'That was a shock,' Arthur said, 'I've never fought a woman.'
'My name is Morgause,' the witch introduces herself.
Uther and Arthur consult Geoffrey of Monmouth, 'I've searched the records going back more than 300 years. I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge,' the Keeper of Records informs them.
'There's never been an occasion where woman are considered,' Gaius said. 'Woman don't commonly chose to fight so no rules for or against.'
'There must be some way to put a stop to this,' the king demanded.
'According to the Knight's Rules, it appears her challenge is perfectly valid,' the Keeper of Records says.
'It seems there's nothing we can do,' the prince said.
'We don't know anything about this woman! I will not let you face her in combat!' the king said.
'I accepted the challenge. If I refuse to fight, it'll be seen as an act of cowardice,' Arthur retorted.
'She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her,' the king warned.
'Yes, Arthur,' agreed Merlin with a grin.
'She's a sorceress,' Arthur said.
'She wasn't using magic,' Merlin replied, 'I would have sensed it!'
Arthur scowled at this pronouncement.
'I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code. Then be seen to break it myself. I must face her tomorrow,' the Crown Prince announced.
Lancelot nods at this in complete agreement.
Morgana watches Morgause practicing in the Square.
'She recognizes her,' Merlin muttered.
'How?' asked Arthur.
'Same mother,' Gaius explained grimly.
'How complicated is all the relationships in your family?' asked Gwaine.
'She's not family,' Arthur growled.
'No but she is your half-sister's, half-sister,' Merlin grinned.
Arthur just rolled his eyes.
'Who is she? Why would she challenge Arthur? It seems no one's ever heard of her,' Gwen said worriedly.
'I feel as if I've met her somewhere before,' Morgana admitted.
'Really? Where could you know her from?' asked Gwen shocked.
'I don't know,' Morgana frowned.
In Arthur's chambers Merlin and Arthur are speaking.
'Do you know why she challenged you?' the warlock asked.
'I'm the King's son. Perhaps she believed she will prove herself,' the prince suggests.
'Yeah, but you don't want to fight her, do you?' asks the prince's servant.
'Yes,' the knights all said.
'Your not the one who flung Morgause into a wall,' Merlin grinned at his mentor.
'I have no choice. If I refuse to fight her, I'm a coward. If I kill her, what am I then? What is it?' Arthur said desperately.
'You've never faced a woman in combat. What if you hesitate? She could use that to her advantage,' the warlock warned.
'You think she's going to defeat me,' Arthur demanded.
Arthur blushed and Merlin grins.
'I'm just saying. You need to be cautious, because it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword,' Merlin said.
'And ruthless,' added Percival.
'Since when do you know anything about combat? I need you to take a message to Morgause for me. If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice. You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge,' Arthur said.
Merlin enters Morgause's chambers and is cornered with Morgause's sword, 'what do you want?' the witch demands.
'I have a message from Prince Arthur. He wants you to withdraw your challenge. Arthur has no desire to fight you. Now, if you withdraw, he will grant you safe passage through the kingdom. Leave now, while you still can,' Merlin offered.
'If Arthur has no desire to fight me, perhaps he should withdraw,' suggests the witch.
'Arthur never withdraws from combat even when's he's all but dead,' Gwen frowned worriedly.
'No. He'll, he'll never do that. It's not in him to withdraw,' Merlin said.
'I'm not the only one who knows Arthur,' Gwen said.
'Then we have that in common,' Morgause said.
'If you fight him, he will have to treat you as he does any other opponent. It won't matter that you're a woman,' Merlin warned.
'I do not ask for special treatment,' Morgause said.
'Arthur has no quarrel with you. Why would you challenge him?' asks Merlin.
'Her quarrel with Uther,' Merlin said.
'My reasons are not your concern,' Morgause said.
'Don't put Arthur in a position where he's forced to kill you,' Merlin warned.
'Who's to say Arthur's life won't rest in my hands?' questions Morgause.
Uther enters as Merlin prepares Arthur for the fight.]
'You gave her a chance to withdraw. Whatever happens, you are not to blame,' Merlin said.
Arthur enters the tournament grounds where Morgause is waiting.
'The fight is by the Knights' Rules. And to the death,' the king says.
'But neither of you die,' notes Percival.
Merlin grinned and Arthur sulked.
'I'm offering you a final chance to withdraw. I suggest you take it,' Arthur warned but Morgause took no heed to Arthur's words. 'Then you leave me no choice.'
They fight. Arthur catches Morgause in the arm, but allows her to pick up her sword.
'Very chivalrous,' nodded Lancelot.
She disarms him and presses her sword to his chest.
'Not so chivalrous,' muttered Lancelot.
'She is a sor – er sorry,' Arthur looked at Merlin, 'evil sorceress.'
Merlin smiled at this glad that Arthur was getting used to the idea that sorcery did not necessarily mean evil.
'Make me a promise and I will spare your life,' Morgause said.
'What is it you ask?' Arthur asked.
'Come to me three days hence and accept the challenge I set to you,' Morgause said.
'And the nature of this challenge?' asked Arthur.
'That is for me to decide. Do I have your word that you will accept, no matter what?' asks the witch.
'You have my word,' Arthur promises.
Gaius tends to Morgause's wounded arm in her chambers.
'You're fortunate the wound isn't too deep. You seem familiar. Have you visited Camelot in the past?' the physician asked.
'I was here many years ago. I was just a baby at the time. I doubt you'd remember me. I'm grateful for your help,' Morgause replies.
Arthur is slumped over the table in his chambers.
'It could've been worse,' Merlin tried to console the prince.
'I was beaten by a woman,' Arthur reminded the warlock.
'She could have killed you,' Merlin reminded him.
'How, exactly, could it have been worse?' Arthur groaned.
'You could be dead,' Merlin said.
'At least I wouldn't have to face everyone. I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life. I was defeated by a girl,' Arthur put his face in his hands.
'It's actually quite funny when you think about it,' Merlin laughed.
Arthur glared at his friend.
Arthur just looked at the boy.
'Or not,' the powerful, young warlock quickly backtracked.
'No. It's like you said. I was hindered because I was fighting a woman. I was worried I was going to hurt her. That's why she won,' Arthur said.
'I don't think so,' Gwaine grinned.
'You didn't look hindered,' Merlin said.
Arthur once again glared at his friend.
'I'll stop talking now,' Merlin said quickly.
Morgana knocks on Morgause's chambers' door and enters.
'I didn't mean to intrude. I wanted to introduce myself. I'm the Lady Morgana,' Morgana introduces herself.
'I know who you are,' Morgause smiled.
'How is your arm? You were wounded,' Morgana noted.
'It'll heal soon enough. You look tired,' noted the witch.
'I haven't been sleeping,' the seer admitted.
'I know for myself how troubling that can be,' Morgause agreed.
'Is she a seer too?' asked Percival.
'I don't know,' admitted Gaius. 'I hadn't seen her since a very young child but her sister is ...'
'Could it be that we've met somewhere before?' asked Morgana.
Morgause shakes her head, 'I'm glad we have met now.'
'That's a beautiful bracelet,' Morgana said.
'It was a gift. From my mother,' Morgause explained. 'Please, I would like you to have it. It's a healing bracelet. It will help you sleep.'
'I couldn't. You must be tired. I will leave you to rest,' Morgana left.
'I hope you will remember me fondly,' Morgause said.
Later that night Morgana stirs restlessly in her sleep.
'What do you reckon she's Seeing?' asked Percival.
'It could be nothing important or it could be a catastrophic event,' Gaius said.
Morgause watches her and hold up her bracelet, 'gefultuma híe þæt heo onslæpe,' she enchanted and places her bracelet at the end of Morgana's bed and Morgana stops twitching.
'It really does help,' Merlin said.
Morgause prepares her horse for travel. Arthur leads his horse out of the drawbridge gate and stops, 'congratulations on your victory. You're a skilful swordsman. Woman. Swords...swordswoman,' Arthur corrected.
Morgause walks over to his horse.
'You have a beautiful horse,' she comments.
Arthur looks at his horse and Morgause's eyes glow.
'That's how,' Arthur murmurs.
'I shall expect to see you three days hence,' Morgause says.
'How will I find you?' Arthur asks.
'When the time comes, you will know your way,' the sorceress answers mysteriously.
'If I don't show up it might be because I don't know where I'm going,' Arthur looks frustrated.
'The path you must follow will become clear to you,' the sorceress says mysteriously.
'The clarity,' Gwaine rolled his eyes.
She mounts her horse, 'I should thank you for allowing me to retrieve my sword.'
'I'm starting to wish I hadn't,' Arthur admitted.
'You showed yourself to be a man of honour. You inherited that trait from your mother,' Morgause adds.
'Wait Morgause knew your mother?' Percival said surprised.
Arthur shrugged his shoulders.
'She would have been only a young child when Ygraine died,' Gaius said.
'You knew my mother?' Arthur turned to look at the witch.
'I knew her very well,' Morgause agrees.
'Wait!' Arthur said but Morgause rides off.
The next afternoon Gwen tries to shake Morgana awake who is still asleep in her chambers.
'Morgana, Morgana, Morgana,' Gwen shakes her mistress awake.
'I was fast asleep,' Morgana said tiredly.
'It's nearly midday,' Gwen said.
'I was so shocked,' Gwen said, 'Morgana never sleeps late; she always woke early because of her dreams.'
'And you say I'm bad at waking up,' Arthur said.
'You are,' Merlin said, 'and you don't have the excuse of not sleeping, ever, due to dreams!'
'I can't remember the last time I slept so well,' Morgana said.
'Never,' Gaius sighed.
'I'll fetch you some clothes,' Gwen said.
Morgana finds the magic bracelet at the end of her bed.
In the council chambers Uther and Arthur are talking.
'And what is to be the nature of this challenge?' asks Uther.
'She didn't say. But I gave her my word that I would accept it no matter what,' Arthur explains.
'You should never have made such a promise. You have no idea what she might ask of you,' the king says.
'Yes, Arthur,' agrees Merlin.
'Shut up, Merlin,' Arthur rolls his eyes.
'She had her sword to my chest. I had no choice. Morgause said that she knew my mother,' Arthur adds.
'She told you this? Obviously she's lying. She's playing on your affections for your mother to lure you into a trap,' warned the king.
'Well that was true,' muttered Merlin.
'That makes no sense. She spared my life,' Arthur said.
'It confirms my suspicions. I believe Morgause is an enchantress,' announced the king.
'Well that's true,' Arthur admits.
'How else could she have defeated you?' demands Arthur.
'She didn't use magic,' Merlin reminds them.
'I don't believe she was using magic,' Arthur said.
Merlin nods in agreement.
'And you would know for certain if she were? Under no circumstances will you go to meet her, or accept this challenge,' orders the king.
'Did he really think that would stop you?' sighed Gwen.
Merlin and Arthur just grin at each other.
'I gave her my word!' Arthur repeats.
'I don't care what was said to her. You will remain in Camelot,' the Camelot's king orders.
'I want to hear what she knows about my mother,' Arthur repeats.
'She knows nothing. She is lying. You will not go to her. I forbid it,' the King forbids.
'So I am to break my word?' the prince demands.
'Escort my son to his chambers. Under no circumstances will he be allowed to leave,' the king orders the guards.
'You're confining me to my chambers?' Arthur demands.
'I felt like a child,' groaned Arthur.
'I am protecting you from your own foolishness!' the king retorts.
Merlin walks to Arthur's Chambers, confused to see the guards before he enters.
'Why are the guards outside the door?' Merlin asks confused.
'To keep me in,' scowled Arthur.
'My father has confined me to my chambers and has forbidden me from accepting Morgause's challenge,' Arthur said.
'Where is his nobility and honour?' asked Lancelot.
'Died,' Merlin said thinking "with your mother" but didn't say that knowing how Arthur would feel to saying that.
'Well, maybe he's got a point. You, you don't know what she might've asked you to do,' Merlin said.
'Did the great warlock just agree with Uther Pendragon,' laughed Gwaine.
Merlin scowled, 'shut up, Gwaine.'
'I gave her my word,' Arthur repeats what he has said to his father.
'So, I take it we're going anyway,' Merlin said.
'You're smarter than you look,' Arthur nods.
'I still can't tell if that's an insult or a compliment,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'Insult,' Arthur said.
'Gather some supplies, we leave tonight. Oh, and Merlin ...find a way to get me out of here,' the prince orders.
In the physician's chambers Merlin and Gaius are talking.
'How's Arthur?' asked Gaius.
Merlin grins, 'you mean after being defeated by a girl in front of the whole of Camelot? I've seen him happier.'
'I think you're enjoying this, Merlin,' Gaius said.
'Completely,' Merlin grins.
Arthur glared at his warlock.
'Maybe a little,' Merlin admits and seeing a rope the warlock pretends to grind something for Gaius while sneaking the rope under his clothes with a whispered enchantment of, 'ic þé geháta, searubunden.'
'I can't believe you snuck something by Gaius,' Hunith said.
Merlin grinned, 'I do every now and then.'
Merlin enters Arthur's chambers where the prince now dressed in chainmail.
'I got the supplies,' Merlin said who has seemed to have put on weight.
'Merlin, is it my imagination, or are you getting fat?' asked Arthur.
Merlin lifts his shirt to reveal the rope wrapped around his torso.
'Did the guards not notice?' asked Percival.
'I'm just a servant,' Merlin said.
'Servants are supposed to be invisible,' adds Gwen.
'Useful for someone like me,' Merlin said.
Merlin prepares to anchor Arthur as he climbs out his window, 'are you sure you're strong enough to hold me?' the prince asks.
'Yeah. I'm stronger than I look,' Merlin said nonchalantly.
Arthur slides halfway down the wall when the rope runs out much to Merlin's surprise.
'What are you doing? Lower the rope!' Arthur shouts up.
'There is no more rope! I don't know if I can hold on much longer!' Merlin cries.
'Merlin, do not let go of the ro-'Arthur stops half-way through his word when Merlin lets go of the rope.
The rope slips and Arthur falls face first into a pile of dung.
Gwaine laughs and even Gwen smiled slightly.
'Oh shut up,' scowled Arthur.
Merlin and Arthur ride through the woods.
'Which way? Do you actually know where we're going?' Merlin asks.
'No,' Merlin grinned.
'It's this way. Come on. What is wrong with this horse? It's even dumber than you, Merlin!' Arthur complains.
'But the horse does,' Merlin adds in.
'Where are you going? I thought you said it was left?' Merlin said.
'It's not me! It's the horse! Morgause told me. When the time comes, you'll know your way,' Arthur said.
'So the horse knows where we're going. Great,' Merlin follows Arthur.
Gaius enters Merlin's chambers.
'Come on, Merlin. Merlin?' Gaius opens Merlin's Chamber realising it is empty.
'So he left an empty chamber, again,' Gaius sighed.
'I'm always doing that,' grinned Merlin, 'drives Gaius mad.'
'Father, too,' agrees Arthur.
'Merlin does it more,' Gaius groaned.
Gaius and Uther march to Arthur's Chambers. Uther sees the open window and turns to his guard.
'You've been guarding an empty room. Send out a search party! Find Arthur and bring him back to Camelot! Do you have any idea what Morgause might want with Arthur?' he turns to his friend.
'I'm afraid I don't,' Gaius shook his head.
Merlin and Arthur are still riding through the woods.
'What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want to do?' Merlin asks.
'I'm not expecting it to be easy, Merlin. That's why it's called a challenge,' Arthur said.
'So you'd do anything she asks of you?' asks Merlin.
'I gave her my word. It's a question of honour,' Arthur explained.
The knights all nod; Merlin rolled his eyes.
'What if she challenges you to do something even less honourable than breaking your word?' Merlin asks.
'Merlin,' Hunith hits her son over the head.
'Mother,' groaned Merlin.
'I can't believe you implied that,' Gwaine laughed.
'Will you stop rabbitting on? We're in Odin's territory. We could be attacked at any second,' Arthur said.
'Don't jinx it,' begged Gwen.
'I just think it's strange to agree to do something when you don't know what it is,' Merlin said.
'One more word out of you, Merlin, and you'll be taking the challenge in my place,' warned the prince.
'How's that honourable?' asked Lancelot.
They're attacked by Odin's men.
'Why do you always have to jinx it?' asked Gwen with a groan.
'Gar onbærne,' Merlin whispers and set one of Odin's spear on fire.
Arthur finishes off other attackers.
'Don't worry, Merlin. I'll deal with this, you lie there, make yourself comfortable,' Arthur said.
'Sorry,' Arthur said.
'I'm used to it,' Merlin shrugged.
'Maybe we should turn back. The woods could be full of Odin's men,' Merlin suggested.
'I thought you knew Arthur,' smiled Gwen, 'he never turns back!'
'I know, I know,' Merlin nods.
'You can go back if you want to, I won't stop you,' Arthur said.
'And Merlin never leaves Arthur's side,' adds Gaius.
'You don't know anything about Morgause! You don't know what she's gonna ask you to do! We don't even know where we're going, we're following a horse!' Merlin said.
'Morgause said she knew my mother,' Merlin said suddenly.
There's a knock at the door of Morgana's chambers, 'Gaius, come in,' Morgana calls.
'Good day, my dear. I brought you your sleeping draught,' Gaius comes in.
'I could've saved you the trouble. I had the best night's sleep I can remember,' Morgana smiles.
'No nightmares?' Gaius seems surprised.
'Surprised?' asked Percival.
'Very,' agreed Gaius.
'I can't tell you what a relief it is. I only wish I could thank Morgause for her gift,' Morgana smiles.
'Morgause gave you that bracelet?' asked Gaius surprised.
'You know the bracelet,' Percival said.
Gaius nodded.
'She told me it would help me sleep. She spoke the truth. Gaius, what is it?' Morgana asks seeing Gaius' worried look.
'Nothing. I'm merely surprised that it's so effective,' Gaius said.
'I feel as if I somehow know Morgause,' Morgana admits.
'I don't see how. But I'm pleased you're feeling better,' Gwen smiled.
Merlin and Arthur sit at their campfire that night.
'What was your mother like?' Merlin asked.
'You'd never mentioned her and I didn't like to ask,' Merlin explained.
'You did then,' Percival stated.
'Arthur mentioned her,' explained Merlin.
'I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes,' Arthur explained.
'Merlin's father was gone before he was born,' Hunith said.
'So I'm one up from Merlin,' Arthur understood.
'Why did he leave?' asked Percival.
'It's complicated,' Hunith didn't look at Uther's son. She may not have blamed the son but it still hurt.
'I'm sorry,' Merlin said.
'I barely know anything about her,' admitted Arthur.
'Can't you ask your father?' asked Merlin.
'He refuses to talk about her. It must be too painful for him. Sometimes it's as if she never even existed. I still have a sense of her. Almost as though she's part of me,' Arthur tried to explain.
'I understand,' Merlin nods.
'That's the same with my father. I never knew him. And my mother's barely spoken of him. I've got this...vague memory. It's probably just my imagination,' Merlin gave a sad smile.
'How?' asked Hunith.
'Either their shared magic or Merlin creating something out of nothing,' Gaius said.
'His father had magic, too?' Gwen asked surprised.
'Was it father?' asked Arthur quietly.
'He's not dead,' Hunith said.
Merlin and Gaius winced having never spoken about it. Merlin gave Gaius a "help me" look. Gaius just shrugged not knowing what to say to his niece.
'I'd do anything for even the vaguest memory,' Arthur admitted.
'Well you got that,' Merlin gave his friend a smile.
'Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause? To see what she knows about your mother?' asked Merlin.
'Is that so wrong?' Arthur asked.
'No,' everyone said together.
'No,' Merlin said at once.
'I should get some rest,' Arthur turned in for the night.
Gaius enters the king's dining chambers where Uther is eating.
'My Lord, I must speak with you. It concerns Morgause,' Gaius says.
'What is it?' asked Uther.
'While I was treating her wound, I noticed that she wore a bracelet,' Gaius explained.
'I knew you recognized the bracelet!' Percival smiled.
'And I agreed with you,' Merlin said.
'Go on,' Uther said.
'And it bore the mark of one of the Great Houses, the Great House of Gorlois. There is only one person, other than Morgana, who would have cause to wear such a bracelet. That is, a half sister,' Gaius said.
'I thought you said they had the same mother,' frowned Arthur.
'They do but Morgause was adopted by her mother's second husband, Gorlois,' explained Gaius. 'So she has every reason to wear the bracelet.'
Arthur nodded, 'as does Morgana even though she is a Pendragon!'
Again Gaius nods.
'I was led to believe that the child had died,' Uther said.
'The child lived, My Lord. She was smuggled out of Camelot shortly after her birth,' Gaius explained.
'How do you know this?' asked the king.
'It was I who entrusted the child to the High Priestesses of the Old Religion,' Gaius explained.
'You should've told me, Gaius,' the king said.
'She was just a child,' frowned Merlin.
'I had sworn a solemn oath, My Lord. I'm only breaking it now because I fear what Morgause might do,' Gaius admits.
'Turn son on father,' Merlin muttered.
'Does Morgana know?' asked Gaius.
'Now,' Arthur muttered darkly.
The others heard and everyone but Hunith went very tense and grim. Hunith knew that Morgana had become an enemy but not knowing exactly what had happened or how bad it was she couldn't understand the other's reaction.
'I don't believe so,' Gaius admitted.
'It would be better they never meet,' Merlin said thinking of what he had been forced to do after they met and what he had done to Morgana's soul.
'Morgana must never find out she has a half sister. I will not have her loyalties divided,' the king ordered.
'Bit late for that,' Arthur murmured knowing Morgana already felt a lot of anger, hatred and most importantly fear towards their father.
'Of course. The High Priestesses will have trained Morgause from birth. Her magic will be powerful,' warned Gaius.
'Then we must hope the search party finds Arthur before he reaches her,' Uther said.
Merlin and Arthur come to a lake with a waterfall.
'Dead end?' asked Percival surprised.
'Wait,' Arthur said.
'It seems your horse has brought us to a dead end,' Merlin said.
Arthur's horse walks forward to the water.
'Now where's he going?' Arthur said surprised.
'I think you're going to get wet,' laughed Merlin.
'So are you,' laughed Gaius.
'How do you know I'm going to follow him?' demanded Merlin.
'You're insistently loyal to Arthur,' Lancelot said.
'You don't say,' Lancelot shouted back.
'Arthur?' Merlin calls back to him and nudges his horse to follow them into the lake.
Merlin enters a tunnel behind the waterfall and emerges from a wood to find Arthur staring up at a Enchanted Castle.
'Where are we?' Merlin asked.
'I don't know,' Arthur admits.
'If we weren't sure Morgause was a sorcerer before, we can be certain of it now,' Merlin said.
'That must've been how she defeated me. She was using magic,' Arthur said.
'No she wasn't,' Merlin repeated.
'I know,' Arthur said tensely.
'Hmm, it didn't look like she was,' Merlin commented.
'And what would you know about magic, Merlin?' demanded the prince.
'I wonder?' Elyan commented.
'Nothing,' Merlin said ironically.
'Nothing at all,' smirked Gwaine.
They dismount and enter into a chamber empty except for a block of wood with an axe.
'Are you to chop wood?' asked Percival; that didn't sound like Morgause!
'Now what?' Arthur asked.
'Maybe we should ask the horse. Well, there's no one here,' Merlin said quickly.
Morgause now in a dress appears at the stop of the stairs, 'you kept your promise.'
'I always do,' Arthur said.
'What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?' Arthur asked.
Everyone waited tensely.
'Place your head on the block,' Morgause picks up the axe.
'No!' everyone cried.
'You gave me your word that you would do anything I asked,' Morgause reminds them.
Gwen groaned, 'what am I going to do with you!'
'Arthur, don't,' Merlin cried.
'Listen to him,' Percival said.
'Would you break your word?' asked Arthur.
Percival hesitated, 'no,' he admits.
'Knights,' Gwen and Merlin muttered together.
Arthur kneels to place his head on the block.
'What are you doing? I won't let you do this!' Merlin cried.
'Stay out of this, Merlin!' orders the master.
Morgause begins to swing the axe, then puts it down.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that nothing had happened.
'You have shown that you are truly a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon, and for that I will grant you one wish. Tell me what it is that your heart most desires,' Morgause offers.
'I don't like this,' Percival frowned.
'You said you knew my mother. Tell me all that you know about her,' Arthur asked.
'Perhaps you would like to see her,' suggests the sorceress.
'To see the dead,' frowned Gaius, 'that's powerful magic!'
'I want that more than anything,' Merlin said.
'As you wish,' Morgause nods.
Sir Leon and other knights stand before Uther in the council chambers.
'The search party were unable to pick up a trail. There is no sign of Prince Arthur anywhere,' Sir Leon said.
'I trained you,' Arthur said, 'I know how to not leave any tracks!'
'Redouble your efforts. Send riders to the outlying villages,' orders the king. 'I want my son found!'
'Yes, My Lord,' Sir Leon nods.
The knights leave the king, 'it chills me to think what Morgause has planned for Arthur.'
'Had she chosen to, she already could have killed him. I believe she has some other purpose in mind,' Gaius said.
'The death of Uther and Arthur's soul,' Merlin said.
'Morgause told Arthur that she knew his mother,' Uther said.
'She knew Ygraine?' asked Gaius surprised.
'She knew the true reasons around mother's death,' Arthur said tense.
'I don't know! Perhaps it's a lie. She knew that it would tempt Arthur to go to her,' Uther says.
'You think that Morgause knows the true circumstances to Arthur's birth?' Gaius understands.
'She did,' Arthur closed his eyes in guilt.
'It wasn't your fault,' Gwen placed a hand on Arthur's but seeing Lancelot's look quickly let go guiltily.
'I fear that more than anything,' admits Uther.
'Considering you almost killed Uther he has reason to,' Gaius said.
'I had good reason to,' Arthur said.
'But it would have destroyed you and Camelot!' Merlin said.
Arthur nodded.
Merlin and Arthur wait for Morgause to prepare her spell.
'Are you sure you want to do this?' hisses Merlin.
'If you were granted the same opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?' asked Arthur.
'In a heartbeat,' Merlin said.
'Uther won't forgive you if he finds out you've collaborated with a sorcerer,' warns the warlock.
'Hark who's talking,' Arthur raises an eyebrow.
'What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong?' Arthur asks.
Merlin smiled at this.
'You really think that?' Merlin asked hopefully.
'Yes I do, now,' Arthur said looking at Merlin. 'It takes seeing all this to make me realise this!'
Merlin positively beamed at this.
'Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe. Morgause is a sorcerer, she has caused us no harm. Surely not everyone who practices magic can be evil,' Arthur said.
'Now we're not,' agreed Merlin, 'but I didn't trust Morgause!'
'Why?' asked Percival, 'I mean you were right but…' he trailed off.
'Instinct,' Merlin shrugged.
'Instinct?' asked Percival.
'Merlin has very strong instincts,' explained Gaius, 'which is why you should listen to them!'
'We don't actually know why she's doing this,' Merlin said.
'It is time. Close your eyes. Arásae mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe. Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna w'æs,' incants the witch.
There is a strange gust of wind and a young blonde woman appears in their mist.
'Arthur,' the mother of the prince asks her grown up son.
'So that's your mother,' breathed Gwen.
Arthur nods.
'You've got her colouring,' Gwen notes.
Arthur smiled at this.
Arthur opens his eyes.
'Arthur,' repeats the dead queen.
'Mother,' Arthur breaths.
'My son,' Ygraine greets bitter sweetly.
'It must be so painfully and joyous to meet the son you never got a chance to know, even just for a minute,' Hunith smiled sadly at the boy.
'Or your mother,' Arthur agrees.
'Or your father,' adds Merlin.
Everyone but Gaius turn to Merlin.
'What?' asks Hunith breathlessly.
'Later,' Merlin looked around he thought that this wasn't a conversation for the others to over hear on.
Ygraine goes to Arthur and hugs him.
'When I last held you, you were a tiny baby. I remember your eyes. You were staring up at me. Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life,' the dead mother admitted.
'I'm so sorry,' Arthur said.
'It wasn't your fault,' Gwen repeated.
'I'm sure your mother was quite prepared to die for you,' Hunith says, 'I know I'd die a thousand times over for Merlin!'
'And I'd do the same for you,' Merlin replied.
'You have nothing to be sorry for,' Ygraine assured her son.
'It was my birth that caused you to die,' Arthur said.
'It was Uther not you,' Merlin said, 'you had no choice in the matter!'
'No, you are not to blame,' Ygraine assured her son.
'I cannot bear the thought that you died because of me,' Arthur said.
'I don't have to anymore,' Arthur sighed, 'now I have to blame my father,' Arthur said bitterly.
'Do not think that. It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened,' Ygraine said.
'What do you mean?' Arthur demanded.
'It is not important. What matter's is that you lived,' Ygraine shook her head.
'She has the same knack of saying things without thinking as Gwen as,' Elyan said.
'Why should my father feel guilty?' Arthur asked again.
'It is better left in the past,' Ygraine said.
'That's true,' agreed Gaius.
'You cannot leave me with more questions. Please,' Arthur said.
'Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive,' explained Ygraine.
'But how was I born? Tell me,' Arthur told his mother.
'Your father betrayed me. He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help in conceiving a child. You were born of magic,' explained Ygraine.
'Under his own laws I would be executed for being connected to magic!' Arthur frowned.
'So would he,' Merlin said.
'That makes the king rather a hypocrite,' Lancelot said.
Arthur winced at this but he was right.
'That's not true,' Arthur didn't want to believe it.
'I'm sorry, Arthur. Your father has deceived you as he deceived me. To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that,' Uther's wife said.
'But not that it would be Ygraine's life taken,' Gaius said, 'or he would never have done so, not even for an heir!' he gave Ygraine's only son a sad look.
'No,' Arthur whispered.
'He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue. It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you. Now I see you, I would have given my life willingly. Do not let this knowledge change you,' begged the mother.
'That means don't attempt to murder your father,' Merlin said.
Arthur looks back up and Ygraine is gone.
'No! Bring her back!' Arthur begged.
'I cannot. Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever. I am truly sorry that your learnt of your mother's fate in this way. I can only imagine how it must feel to discover your father is responsible for her death. It is an unforgivable betrayal,' the witch manipulated.
'She's manipulating you,' Percival said.
'Are you surprised?' asked Arthur.
Morgause leaves the warlock and the prince.
'Are you alright? Arthur?' Merlin calls after his master.
'Of course he's not,' Percival said, 'and for good reason!'
'I know,' Merlin sighed, 'tryst me I know!'
'Fetch the horses. We're returning to Camelot,' Arthur orders coldly.
Merlin and Arthur return to Camelot. Arthur dismounts in the square and grabs the sword from his horse before walking up the steps into the castle.
'What are you going to do?' Merlin calls after the prince.
Arthur keeps walking not answering Merlin.
'I don't like where this is going,' murmured Lancelot.
Gaius comes up to Merlin.
'Merlin. I'm relieved to see you're safe. Where's Arthur?' he asks.
Merlin walks around Gaius to face the wall of the Courtyard Corridor.
'Merlin's angry,' Hunith sighed.
'For good reason; I've lived in fear for my whole life because of Uther. I pitied him to find he himself had conspired with sorcery and he hated it because his ignorance had turned around and bit him in the bum!' Merlin ranted.
'I'm not the only one who father hurt with what he did!' Arthur said, 'so many innocents, so many would be good people turned to the dark out of fear… Morgana,' he sighed.
'Arthur was born of magic. Wasn't he? Uther used magic,' Merlin was obviously upset.
'Merlin-'Gaius begins.
'All those people he's executed...he's as guilty as they are. He sacrificed Arthur's mother! He as good as murdered her!' Merlin ranted.
Arthur winced at these words.
'Sorry,' Merlin said, 'I wouldn't have said that if you were around.'
Arthur nodded, 'I know you're a good friend.'
'Everyone needs friends, even princes,' Merlin said.
'People should know the truth about what he's done. How could you not tell me?' Merlin demanded.
'I feared you would tell Arthur and what he would do,' Gaius explained.
'I feared what Arthur would do if he ever found out,' Gaius explained.
'Oh, he's found out now,' Merlin realises something and runs up the steps into the palace.
Uther's looks over some papers with Sir Leon when Arthur enters the council chambers looking furious.
'This isn't going to end well,' Gwaine said he knew signs of a fight and when he saw them.
'Arthur. Where have you been? I have had search parties out looking for you. Arthur?' Uther questions when his son continues to glare at his father.
'I know...what you did to my mother,' Arthur says tensely.
'That will get his attention,' sighed Gaius.
'I had no idea what you were talking about,' Leon said, 'and you never did tell me!'
'Even if I thought it wasn't true it still hurt,' Arthur explained.
'Leave us. No one is to enter,' orders the king.
Sir Leon exits and closes the doors.
'What are you talking about?' Uther asks.
'You know exactly what,' Arthur says bitterly.
'You were so desperate for an heir, you were prepared to use magic,' Arthur says brokenly.
'Did Morgause tell you this? She's lying,' the king lies.
'He continues to lie to me, even now,' Arthur said.
'My mother is dead because of your selfishness and arrogance. Her blood is on your hands,' Arthur said.
'No. That's not true. But Morgause would have you believe that,' Uther said.
'Because its true,' Arthur and Merlin say together; Arthur hurt and Merlin angry.
'This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them,' Arthur proclaims.
Gaius nods sadly.
'You would believe a sorcerer's lies over the word of your own father? I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you,' the king insisted.
Merlin snorted, 'typical blame sorcery on your lies.'
Arthur nods at this.
'You have hunted her kind like animals!' Arthur shouted.
Merlin winces at this knowing how true it is.
'How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?' demanded the king.
'Too many,' Merlin's eyes are haunted.
'Those who practice magic will stop at nothing to destroy us! I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom!' Uther insists.
'Hardly,' Gwaine said, 'I've been to many kingdoms many which allow magic and they have far fewer magical attacks than here.'
'That's because there's harmony there,' Merlin said.
'You speak of honour and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!' the prince shouts.
Merlin doesn't say anything but he looks like he agrees.
'I am your king, and your father. You will show me some respect!' demands the king.
'After finding out that he's the reason for his mother's death?' asked Lancelot.
Arthur throws his gauntlet at Uther's feet, 'have you lost your mind?' Uther looks at his son's gantlet shocked.
'Pick it up,' commands the prince.
'Arthur, I implore you, think about what you're doing,' Uther tries again.
'Pick it up,' the Crown Prince demands again.
'I will not fight you,' Uther says.
Arthur draws his sword, 'if you choose not to defend yourself, I will strike you down where you stand.'
'Arthur don't become your father,' Gwen sighed, 'he killed my father, too, but killing him in cold blood will make you as bad as he!'
'I know,' Arthur sighed, 'luckily I have Merlin to protect me from myself.'
'You are my son. You will not strike an unarmed man,' Uther said.
'I no longer think of myself as your son,' Arthur declares.
'I've never thought of you as Uther's son!' Merlin adds, 'you're a good man, far better than he could ever be.'
'Thank you, Merlin,' Arthur gives Merlin a sad smile.
'Then strike me down,' Uther says.
Arthur strikes, but Uther parries, 'I don't want to fight you,' Uther tries once again to reason with his son as they fight.
'Arthur, stop this!' Uther cries again.
Merlin runs up the Stairway as Pendragons fight. Merlin runs through the Criss-cross Corridor whilst the Pendragons continue to fight. Merlin reaches the door to the Council Chamber, but Leon blocks him.
'Let him through,' Elyan says, 'he needs to stop this!'
'I know,' Leon said, 'that's why I disobeyed orders. I just can't believe I've killed people… and they - you,' the knight looks at the warlock. 'Because of one man's guilty grief!'
'Me neither,' agrees the future king.
'The King has forbidden anyone to enter!' Sir Leon says.
'Let him through,' groaned Gwen.
'They're going to kill each other!' Merlin shouts.
The Pendragons are still fighting. Arthur disarms Uther and is about to strike, but Merlin opens the doors.
'Thank goodness,' sighed Gwen, 'Merlin's here!'
Arthur nods in agreement.
'Arthur! Don't! I know you don't want to do this!' Merlin shouts at the prince.
'Listen to him,' urged Gwen.
'My mother is dead because of him!' shouts Arthur.
'So is mine,' adds Gwen and Elyan together.
'Killing your father won't bring her back. You've lost one parent. Do you really want to lose another?' Merlin asks.
'No,' Arthur says, 'now I've all but lost him to his own insanity, no!'
'Listen to him, Arthur,' Uther agrees.
'Arthur, please, put the sword down,' begs the powerful warlock.
'You heard what my mother said! After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live? He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!' Arthur cries about to strike down his father.
Gaius enters.
'Morgause is lying! She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Everything...everything your mother said to you...those were Morgause's words,' Merlin lied.
'You lied to protect me,' Arthur understood.
'And I'd do it again,' agreed Merlin calmly.
'You don't know that!' Arthur doesn't look at his faithful servant.
'This has been her plan all along! To turn you against your father,' Merlin said. 'And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed! This is what she wants!'
'That's true,' Gaius nodded, 'the people would be panicked if they realised that their new king had killed their old king.'
'Listen to him, he's speaking the truth,' Uther said.
'More lies,' Arthur said bitterly.
'Swear to me it isn't true! You are not responsible for my mother's death! Give me your word!' Arthur said.
'I swear on my life, I loved your mother. There isn't a day passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her,' Uther promises.
'Not purposely,' Gaius agrees.
Arthur drops his sword and falls to his knee, slumping against his father's chair, 'my son, you mean more to me than...than anything.'
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry,' Arthur sobs.
'It's not your fault,' smiles Gwen.
'It's Morgause's,' adds Percival.
'And Uther's,' Merlin says.
'You are not to blame,' Uther said.
Arthur stares out the window in his chamber when Merlin enters.
'I am indebted to you, Merlin. I had become...confused. It is once again clear to me that those who practice magic are evil and dangerous,' Arthur said.
'Sorry,' Arthur said, 'no wonder saying things like that that you didn't confess in me.'
'And that is thanks to you,' Arthur thanks.
'Not something I want to be thanked for,' Merlin muttered.
'Glad I could help,' Merlin says unhappily.
Merlin enters his and Gaius' chambers where Uther is waiting.
'Shock of my life,' muttered Merlin, 'thought he was going to arrest me for magic.'
'My Lord,' Merlin greets.
'I wanted to thank you in person for your actions yesterday. You are a loyal servant to Arthur. I am most grateful,' thanks the king.
'I was just doing my duty,' Merlin said.
'You've proven yourself to be a trusted ally in the fight against magic,' the king adds.
There's a complete and utter silence then Gwaine busts out laughing and everyone else follow.
'He wouldn't say that if he knew,' Gwaine laughed.
'Tell me about it,' Merlin said.
'Me?' Merlin asked shocked.
'Those who practice magic will seek to exploit Arthur's inexperience. They will attempt to corrupt him. We must be extra vigilant,' Uther said.
'I will keep my eyes peeled,' Merlin promises.
'Only for evil sorcerers,' Merlin said.
'I know you will,' Uther nods.
'If you ever speak of what happened between myself and Arthur to another living soul, I will have you hanged,' warned the king.
'Such a nice, caring, gentle soul,' Merlin muttered.
'You'd just saved his life!' Lancelot said in outraged.
'And stumbled on his darkest secret,' Merlin adds.
'Right, of course. Yes, My Lord,' Merlin nods hurriedly.
Uther exits and Gaius enters looking at Merlin in surprise.
'Was that Uther I saw just leaving?' asked Gaius.
'Yeah. He just popped in to say hello,' Merlin replied.
'Merlin, what did he want?' Gaius asked.
'He wanted to thank me for being a trusted ally in the fight against magic,' Merlin looked like he was going to start laughing again.
'How you've managed to keep that head on your shoulders is a mystery beyond our greatest minds,' Gaius shakes his head.
'Did you mean in terms of arrogance or literally?' Merlin asked.
Gaius thought for a moment, 'both,' he finally said.
'Uther should be grateful,' Gaius told him.
'He was,' Arthur said.
'Your life would've been easier and safer if you'd let him die,' Gaius informed the warlock.
'It would,' agreed Hunith a little sadly.
'You must have been tempted,' Gaius comments.
'Maybe for a moment. But Arthur wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if he'd gone through with it. It would have destroyed him,' Merlin said.
'Thank you, Merlin,' Arthur says.
'I'm proud of you, Merlin,' Gaius finally says.
'Arthur's thanking me, Uther's grateful, you're proud. I've never been this popular,' Merlin shakes his head.
'After everything that's happened that's all you can say?' asked Arthur with a shake of his head.
'I'm not used to so much praise I was embarrassed,' Merlin said.
'But your always going on about how many times you've saved my life,' Arthur said.
'I want freedom and for my friends to see who I am not praise,' Merlin explained.
'I'm almost certain it won't last,' Gaius tells his ward.
'Did it?' asked Hunith.
'Course not,' grinned Arthur.
'Just let me enjoy the moment,' Merlin leaned back and crossed his feet on the table.
'Merlin,' Hunith scolded.
Morgause gazes into her crystal in her fortress.
'Where did she get her castle from?' asked Arthur suddenly.
'Created it magically,' suggested Merlin.
'Used an abandoned castle,' suggested Gaius.
'Killed for it,' Percival suggested.
'ætíe mé þá þé ic séce,' Morgause incants and sees Arthur and Uther sitting down laughing with one another.
'That won't please her,' Merlin commented.
Morgause looks very angry at this.
'See,' Merlin grinned.
'No one doubted you,' Gaius smiles proudly at his apprentice.