The Witch's Quickening
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy,' Kilgharrah intones. 'His name, Merlin,' Merlin's eyes flash gold.
A knight and guards escort a cart to Camelot.
'Halt,' Sir Radnor orders.
The knight sees a man lying in the road and dismount where the man is mumbling.
'What are you saying?' asks Sir Radnor.
'Bandits,' Alvarr whispered.
Bandits attack the party, killing everyone. Sir Radnor turns around and Alvarr puts a sword to his back, 'always watch your back. Didn't they teach you that? Well, aren't you going to beg for your life,' asked the sorcerer.
'Of course not,' Arthur looked affronted, 'he's a knight of Camelot.'
'A knight of Camelot does not beg,' Sir Radnor said.
Alvarr brings him to his knees, 'indulge me.'
'I'd rather die,' Sir Radnor replies.
'Who am I to deny a man his last request?' Alvarr asks and kills Sir Radnor.
Enmyria hands Alvarr chainmail from a guard.
'We must go if we're to make Camelot by nightfall,' Alvarr says.
Mordred removes his hood and smiles.
'Mordred,' Arthur shivered knowing he was one day going to grow to kill him.
The cart party enters the Lower Town at night in the pouring rain and the guards check the cart, 'all clear. Carry on.'
'It is way too easy to sneak in an out of Camelot,' Merlin muttered.
'Which you do all the time,' Gaius reminded him.
Merlin just grinned at this.
Alvarr dismounts in the Square and two fake guards take a barrel off the cart to carry it inside.
'Take the north door straight ahead. Keep going,' Mordred telepathically tells Alvarr.
'Where are they going?' asked Percival.
Merlin wakes from the telepathy.
'The telepathically woke you,' Percival said.
'Always does,' replied Merlin.
Merlin tries to listen in on the telepathic conversation.
'Keep going. Hurry!' orders the druid boy.
Fake guards carry the barrel inside the castle.
'Halt!' a guard orders.
'They're going to be stopped,' Arthur said convinced.
Merlin snorted, 'the guards never stop anyone.'
'Folge min bebod,' Alvarr incants and the real guards die.
'That has to be dark magic,' Arthur hated magic like that.
'Obey my command,' Merlin translated, 'on humans it takes away their free will so yeah. But if it was used on, for example, a boat it would just steer it.'
Arthur frowned and nodded.
Merlin walks down the Corridors searching for Mordred's party.
'Keep going. It's not much further now,' Mordred instructs.
Alvarr and the fake guards stop and Alvarr begins removing the knight disguise, 'wait in the Forest of Brekkba by the fork on the north ridge,' orders Alvarr.
The fake guards open the barrel and help Mordred out of it.
'Are you ready?' asks Alvarr.
Mordred nods. Mordred and Alvarr run up the step into the palace, Merlin stops to listen in the Upper Corridor and continues to pursue them.
'Be careful. At the end of the corridor. Morgana's Chamber is next,' instructs Mordred.
'Morgana,' groaned Arthur, 'should have known. But you did, didn't you?'
Merlin nodded, 'but I'm a servant and Morgana's the king's ward.'
'Tospringe,' Alvarr's spell open's Morgana's door.
'Morgana,' Mordred greets with a smile.
Morgana wakes, 'Mordred,' she smiles.
The warning bells sound.
Arthur marches down a corridor with guards, 'what do you mean you lost them? They could be dangerous!' Arthur tells his guards.
Merlin steps around the corner. Arthur grabs him by the throat and shoves him against the wall.
'Didn't realise it was you,' muttered Arthur.
'I realised that,' shrugged Merlin.
'Merlin?' Arthur asks surprised.
'Morgana's chamber...' Merlin sputters.
'He's going to get the wrong idea,' Gwaine laughs.
'I wasn't in Morgana's chambers,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'Oh, sorry,' Arthur lets go of Merlin's throat.
'Morgana's...they're... in Morgana's chambers,' Merlin sputters.
Arthur bolts.
Morgana hugs Mordred in Morgana's chambers, 'I thought I'd never see you again.'
'It would be better for everyone if they never met ever again,' Merlin said grimly.
'Why?' asked Percival.
'Just trust me they're better off apart,' Merlin said, 'not that Morgana's particularly good on her own,' Merlin admits.
'I found the boy wandering in the woods, lost and alone, hunted by Uther's men,' Alvarr explains.
'Who are you?' asks Morgana.
'My name is Alvarr. I, too, have been hunted by Uther since I was a child,' Alvarr admits.
'You have magic?' asks Morgana.
'Yes, My Lady. As did my parents, and their parents before them,' Alvarr explains. 'They were fortunate to live in a time of peace, before your king declared war on sorcery.'
'Everyone dealt differently with it,' Merlin said, 'some worse than others.'
'I, too, have known Uther's cruelty,' Morgana says.
'Magic is not a crime. It is a gift. I wish to walk free and without fear,' Alvarr says.
'Who doesn't?' asked Merlin sadly.
Morgana nods.
'The boy said you would understand,' Alvarr agrees.
'What are you doing in Camelot? You take a great risk in coming here,' Morgana says.
'We came to see you,' replies Alvarr.
'And steal,' added Merlin.
Arthur and Merlin walk with guards to Morgana's Chambers.
'Are you sure about this?' Arthur demands.
'Definitely. I...saw them with my own eyes,' Merlin assures the prince.
'Well I heard them,' Merlin said.
'What were you doing down there?' asks Arthur.
'Following the voices in his head,' grinned Gwaine.
'I heard voices in my...' Merlin trails off.
'In your?' Arthur questions.
'In my chambers, and I thought I should investigate,' Merlin admits.
'Frankly, Merlin, it's hard to believe,' Arthur says.
'Well that's because it's not true,' Percival said.
'It was mainly true,' Merlin shrugged.
'I-'Merlin began
'For once, you've shown some real initiative,' Arthur finishes.
'I show initiative a lot,' Merlin said.
Morgana is still clinging to Mordred in their chambers.
'I will not stand by and watch innocent people destroyed, and I am not alone. Many have already joined me. Many more join every day,' Alvarr says.
Gaius winces at this remark.
'But not in the way that many more innocent will die,' Merlin said.
'Alvarr, this is a war you cannot win. Uther has an army at his disposal,' warns Morgana.
'It does not matter how many you are if you wield a weapon powerful enough. When I was a child, my parents told me of a crystal. It was taken from the sorcerers in the last days of the Great Purge,' explains Alvarr.
Merlin shivers remembering what he had seen in it.
'Taken? By Uther,' asks Morgana.
'She's the thief,' Arthur realised then groaned, 'and I put the blame on you.'
'And I couldn't tell the truth,' Merlin sighed.
'It is here in Camelot, locked within the vaults beneath us,' Alvarr agrees.
'The vaults are impregnable. You could never get it out,' Morgana warns.
'No, I could not,' agrees Alvarr. 'But you could.'
'Me?' asks Morgana.
'You are the King's ward. No one will suspect you,' the sorcerer says.
'Except me,' Merlin said, 'but he's right no one suspected for a whole year after she returned.'
'Morgana, you are our only hope,' begged Alvarr.
Arthur and guards approach Morgana's Chambers. Arthur and Merlin listen at the door. Arthur kicks the door in. Morgana bolts up in bed, 'what on earth do you think you're doing?' she demands.
'She's too good a liar,' groaned Merlin.
'I-'Arthur looks around. 'I'd reason to believe that there was an intruder in here.'
'Right now, Arthur, the only intruder is you,' retorts Morgana.
'Camelot has been infiltrated. Did you not hear the warning bell?' asks Arthur.
'Of course I did! I was hoping I'd be safe in my chambers,' retorts the witch.
'Well, if you'd just permit me to search your room...' Arthur began.
'You should of,' Merlin muttered.
'I know,' agreed Arthur.
'You'll do no such thing! Arthur, do you think that if there was someone in my room I wouldn't know about it?' demands Morgana.
'Doesn't mean you have to be honest about them being there,' Gwen said.
'Please accept my apologies,' Arthur replies.
They exit and Arthur closes the door.
'I don't understand,' Merlin says.
'Oh, I'm sorry, Merlin. Which bit didn't you understand? The making a fool out of me, or making a fool out of yourself?' Arthur was angry.
'There was someone in there. I know there was,' Merlin says.
'A word of advice, Merlin. In the future, stick to what you do best. Nothing!' Arthur says angrily.
Merlin listens at the door. Mordred listens from the other side. Merlin leaves and Morgana climbs out of bed.
'We owe you our lives, My Lady,' Alvarr thanks.
'You're safe for now, but Uther will not rest till he's found and killed you both,' warns Morgana.
'And all other magic users,' Merlin sighs.
'You will help us, then?' asks Alvarr.
'Please, Morgana, we need you,' begs Mordred.
'Yes. I will. Of course I will,' Morgana agrees.
Merlin exits his chamber holding his head.
'Late night?' asks Gaius.
'I thought Merlin had been involved in the disturbance, he usually is,' Gaius explained.
'You could say that,' Merlin agrees.
'I hear there was a disturbance, an intruder in the city,' Gaius comments.
'Yeah, I heard talking. In my head,' Merlin explains.
'That sounds really bad,' laughed Gwaine.
'I'm not mad,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'They had magic?' asks Gaius.
Merlin nods, 'and I recognised the voice. It was Mordred.'
'When did you find out his name?' asked Percival.
'Arthur told me,' shrugged Merlin.
'The druid boy? What's he doing here?' asks Gaius.
'He was guiding someone to Morgana's Chamber,' Merlin explains.
'You sure? She and the boy had a kind of bond,' Gaius says.
'Yeah, but this is about more than that,' Merlin says.
'What do you mean?' asks Gaius.
'What if they'd been caught? Whatever they were doing, they were prepared to die for it,; Merlin explains grimly.
Morgana sneaks in. She takes a set of Arthur's keys. She turns around and Merlin is standing there.
'I can't believe you got me into trouble for that,' Merlin muttered.
'Merlin! I was looking for Arthur,' Morgana lies.
'Really?' asks Arthur, 'because it looks like your stealing my keys!'
'He's out training,' Merlin reminds her.
'Of course,' Morgana smiles.
'He, er, he trains every day. The same time, same place,' Merlin says.
'Caught,' Gwaine grins.
'I-I just wanted to apologise for last night. Another time, perhaps,' Morgana says.
Morgana sneaks down to the vaults and steals the crystal.
'She's getting worse,' sighed Gwen knowing what Morgana would be like in such a short time.
That night Arthur is having is food served.
'Come on, Merlin, I'm starving,' complains Arthur.
'Well, you know what they say: good food takes time to prepare,' Merlin replies.
'And this taste sensation took exactly how long?' questions the prince.
'Nearly five minutes,' Merlin admits.
'Oh wow a life time,' laughs Gwen.
'Really? Five minutes,' Arthur raises and eyebrow.
'You need that long, you see? To let it thicken,' Merlin grins.
'Thicken,' Arthur mutters as the warning bells sound.
Arthur and Merlin enter the Vaults.
'The Crystal of Neahtid. The locks are not damaged,' Arthur sees.
'What does it do?' asked Arthur.
Merlin tensed, 'it's not harmful but what it shows you,' Merlin shivers.
'What does that tell you?' asks Merlin,
'It tells me that somebody stole my keys,' Arthur says.
'Morgana,' agreed Merlin with a growl.
'Was it precious, this crystal?' asks Merlin.
'Of course it was precious. It wouldn't be down here otherwise, would it?' Arthur retorts.
'Right,' Merlin nods.
'Whoever it was knew exactly what they were looking for,' Arthur says.
'Well the witch would,' growled Merlin.
'You're starting to sound like Kilgharrah,' Gaius shook his head.
'I know,' Merlin grimaced.
'Apparently,' agrees Merlin.
'Apparently? That's all you've got to say? Tell me, Merlin? Whose job is it to ensure that my chambers are locked at all times? Whose job is it to ensure that something like this never happens?' Arthur demands.
'I couldn't stop the Lady Morgana from entering you chambers,' Merlin muttered.
'Sorry,' Merlin says.
Arthur and Merlin stand before Uther.
'You're sorry? That's not good enough. Did they force their way in?' demands Uther.
'No, Sire,' admits the prince.
'Then how did they gain access to the vault?' demands the king.
'They stole the keys,' Arthur admits.
'How is that possible?' demands the king.
'Someone broke into my chambers,' invents Arthur.
'Lying to your father, Arthur, tut, tut,' laughs Gwaine.
'This is a grievous loss, Arthur. The Crystal of Neahtid was locked away for good reason,' warns Uther.
Merlin snorts, 'you don't even know what it does.'
'Why is it so important?' asks Arthur.
'It is an instrument of magic. In the days of the Purge a great many sorcerers died trying to protect it. Whatever it is, it's important to them,' Uther explains.
'It is from the cave where magic began,' Merlin explained, 'it is of huge significance to use even when few are powerful enough to use it.'
'I've seen it and I can't use it,' Gaius said.
'You hated being left with it,' Arthur remembered.
'It was calling to me,' Merlin attempted to explain.
'I'll search the town, find out what I can,' the prince promises.
'You'll find nothing there,' Merlin sighed.
'Arthur, this crystal cannot fall into enemy hands,' warns the king.
'I'll agree to that,' muttered Merlin.
'Yes, Sire,' Arthur bows.
Merlin and Arthur walk down the corridor.
'Arthur? Thank you,' Merlin thanks.
'For what exactly?' asks Arthur.
'For-'begins Merlin.
'Lying to my father to save your worthless hide?' questions Arthur.
'Yes,' Merlin agrees.
'If you ever put me in that position again, I'll clap you in irons myself. And Merlin, you'd better hope we find that crystal,' warned the prince.
'It wasn't my fault and just be glad I was there to find it,' Merlin frowned.
In the physician's chambers Merlin and Gaius are talking, 'Morgana stole the crystal?' asks Gaius.
'I'm certain of it. I caught her in Arthur's chambers. She must have taken his keys,' Merlin explains.
'Can you prove any of this?' asks Gaius.
'No proof no explaining to the king,' Merlin sighs.
'Not exactly, but…' Merlin trials off.
'Merlin,' Gaius warns.
'She did it. I'd bet my life on it,' Merlin says exasperated.
'Merlin, you go accusing the King's ward without proof, that's exactly what you'd be doing,' Gaius warns.
'I've known it all the time,' Merlin said.
'I know. You're right,' Merlin sighs.
'Doesn't make sense. Why would Morgana steal such a thing?' asks Gaius.
'Mordred,' Merlin said.
'Uther said it was an instrument of magic,' Merlin explains.
'There are many legends about the Crystal,' admits Gaius.
'What do they say?' asked Arthur.
'Is it some kind of weapon?' Merlin asks.
'Must be why else would she steal it,' Arthur said.
'It was dangerous but not a weapon,' Gaius warned.
'That I don't know,' Gaius sighs.
Arthur looked disappointed.
'You've heard of it?' asks the warlock.
'Indeed. The sorcerers of the past believed it held the secret of time itself,' explains Gaius.
'What?' asked Percival.
'The future,' shrugged Merlin, 'for those of us who cannot naturally See.'
'What do they mean by that?' asks Merlin.
'I'm not sure,' admits Gaius.
'Something Uncle Gaius doesn't know,' grinned Hunith, 'this has to be a first.'
'I'm not all knowing, you know, Hunith,' Gaius told his niece.
'The crystal's an artefact of the Old Religion,' explains Gaius. 'There is only one who could tell you more,' Gaius adds.
'Kilgharrah,' Percival said.
Arthur frowned.
Merlin has entered the Dragon's Cave once again.
'I need your help,' Merlin calls.
'I'm sure you do, young warlock, but first you must honour your promise,' agrees the Great Dragon.
'But he wasn't released until after Morgana left,' frowned Arthur.
'I didn't free him yet,' Merlin agreed. 'I tried avoiding freeing him at all but in the end I had no choice,' the warlock sighed.
'I said I would set you free, and I will,' Merlin said.
'Unfortunately,' Arthur scowled, 'do you know how many died?' he demands.
Merlin nodded, 'I still can't get over them; the dead lying there,' Merlin's eyes were haunted.
'Lucky Arthur defeated him,' Leon took over.
'How?' asked Hunith. 'I know Uther somehow managed to wipe them out, but how?'
Arthur shrugged, 'I don't remember it only Merlin told…' Arthur trailed off. 'It was you,' he said.
Merlin gave a sad smile avoiding his mother's eyes and nodded.
'When?' demands the imprisoned Kilgharrah.
'When I know that Camelot is safe. Will you please trust me?' begs Merlin.
'Why should I?' asks Kilgharrah.
'Because you don't have a choice,' Merlin retorts.
'What is it that you wish to know?' Kilgharrah asks.
'What is the Crystal of Neahtid?' Merlin asks.
'To those who know how to use it, the Crystal holds great knowledge,' replies the Great Dragon.
'How?' asked Percival.
'Magic,' Merlin said mysteriously.
'Well we realised that,' snorted Arthur.
Merlin grinned, 'just thought I'd remind you.'
'Like I can forget,' mutters Arthur.
'What kind of knowledge?' Merlin asks warily.
'The knowledge of what is, what has been, and what is yet to come,' explains the dragon.
'I saw so much,' Merlin looked distant and sad, 'not all good.'
'Do you mean it can show you the future?' asks Merlin.
'Amongst other things, yes,' agrees the Dragon.
'The Crystal has been stolen,' Merlin tells the dragon.
'By who?' asks Merlin.
'The Lady Morgana,' Merlin says.
Kilgharrah laughs, 'that witch does not have the power to wield the Crystal.'
'She seemed very powerful,' muttered Percival.
'She is,' agreed Merlin, 'but not then.'
'Does the druid boy?' asks Merlin.
'Mordred?' questions Kilgharrah.
'How did he know his name?' asked Arthur.
'How does Kilgharrah know anything,' shrugged Merlin.
'It is possible. Why do you ask?' asks the Dragon.
'I believe that they're involved in this together,' Merlin replies.
'They were,' Merlin said grimly.
'Once before I warned you of the druid boy. It is his destiny to bring about Arthur's doom! It may be that time is upon you,' warns the dragon.
'Not then,' sighed Merlin, 'but I'm still worried about him, even now.'
'What do you mean?' asks Merlin.
'The ancient prophecies speak of an alliance of Mordred and Morgana united in evil, but this union must be stopped, whatever the cost,' the Great Dragon says.
'To the best of my knowledge Morgana and Mordred haven't met since Morgana went truly off her rocker,' Merlin said grimly.
Gwen turns down Morgana's bed for the night, 'thank you, Gwen. That'll be all.'
'Nearly done,' Gwen smiles.
'It's fine, Gwen. You can go,' Morgana repeats.
'I should have realised that she was up to no good,' Gwen said, 'she was acting very strange.'
'Won't take a moment,' Gwen assures her lady.
'I said you can go!' Morgana finally snaps.
'Already she was distancing herself from me,' sighed Gwen.
'My Lady,' Gwen curtsies and leaves.
Morgana pulls out the Crystal.
Re-dressed, Morgana sneaks out of Camelot.
'How did you both sneak out?' Arthur groaned.
'The guards are really bad,' Merlin shrugged, 'and neither of us even had to use magic.'
Merlin follows her to Alvarr's camp.]
'Morgana!' Mordred runs to Morgana and hugs her.
Morgana gives the Crystal to Alvarr, 'It's my hope that with time Mordred will master the Crystal,' Alvarr says.
'Luckily he never got that chance,' Arthur said.
Merlin nods.
'And when he does, we will strike Uther down,' Alvarr declares.
'She's planning to assassinate father again,' sighed Arthur.
'She's hated Uther for a while,' Gwen said, 'but their methods I didn't agree with.'
'Uther and all who serve him,' Alvarr says.
'Including you,' Merlin said.
'That's why you got involved?' asked Merlin.
'If Alvarr won then he would crown himself king,' Merlin said. 'There's also the fact that I wouldn't want you to loose your father because you love him and it would turn you against magic.'
Arthur nodded understanding.
'All who serve him?' Morgana asks.
'She still cares for you at this point,' Lancelot pointed out to the prince.
'Until I happened,' agreed Merlin with a sigh.
'If we are to win this war, there can be no half-measures. I see this troubles you,' Alvarr said.
'She just wanted to live in peace at that point,' Merlin said, 'not take control. It was my fault she changed so much.'
'Yes. Yes, it does,' agrees Morgana.
'My Lady, we fight for our very survival, as do you. The boy. He told me you have magic. You need not be afraid,' Alvarr comforts her.
'I know. I'm sorry. I've become so used to concealing the truth,' Morgana admits.
'Tell me about it,' Merlin sighed.
'Believe me, I understand what that feels like,' Alvarr assures her.
'Every day I must look Uther in the eye knowing that if he were to discover who I really am, he'd have me killed,' Morgana admits.
'Do you think he would?' asks Gwen.
'I don't know,' admits Arthur.
'He was prepared to use magic to cure her when she fell down the stairs,' Merlin said suddenly.
'If he had found out the truth I don't think he physically could have had her executed,' Gaius agreed.
'You have been very brave,' Alvarr says.
'I don't want to be brave. I just want to be myself. I don't want to be alone anymore,' she confesses.
'Which is why she turned to the dark they offered comfort where nobody else had,' Merlin sighed. 'I don't know how I would have turned out if I didn't have the support of Gaius.'
'You are not alone. You're here with us. You need never be alone again,' assures Alvarr.
Morgana and Alvarr lean in, but Morgana pulls back, 'I must be heading back. The castle will be waking soon.'
'Farewell then, My Lady Morgana,' Alvarr bids her goodbye.
Morgana leaves and Mordred returns, 'where's Morgana?' the boy asks.
'She could not stay,' explains Alvarr.
'Will we be seeing her again?' the child asks.
'Yes, Mordred. You can be sure of that,' confirmed the warlock.
Mordred leaves and the red witch comes along, 'nicely done.'
Alvarr grabs Enmyria and pulls her down onto his lap.
'They played her,' Lancelot said.
'Apparently so,' Merlin agreed.
'Didn't you see?' asked Percival.
'I only stayed for as long as was safe to get back to Camelot again,' Merlin shrugged.
'You played her well,' Enmyria compliments.
'You make it sound like a good thing,' Arthur glared at the screen. 'Was this part of the reason Morgana that Morgana betrayed us?' asked the prince.
'I don't know but I don't think it's the main reason,' Merlin sighed.
'What happened between you and her?' asked Lancelot.
'Nothing good,' Merlin replied tensely.
'It was not hard. She is very beautiful, after all,' Alvarr and Enmyria kiss.
'She kisses him after that?' asked Gwen.
'Apparently,' Hunith too looked very unhappy about that.
In Gaius' chambers Merlin is relaying the events he had witnessed.
'Alvarr has a fearsome reputation,' Gaius warns.
'You know of him?' asks Merlin.
'I know he's a sorcerer, and that he and his band of renegades have threatened to overthrow the King,' Gaius tells him.
'Do you blame them?' asked Merlin.
'You agree with him?' asked Arthur.
'His methods and targets, no,' Merlin said. 'But his reason; no.'
'He sounded pretty determined,' Merlin says.
'He's a fanatic, and his supporters follow him unthinkingly, blinded by his charisma,' Gaius says.
'Well, it worked on Morgana,' Merlin says.
'So it would seem,' agrees Gaius.
'And the druid boy. Alvarr's using him too. He seems to think the boy can harness the power of the Crystal,' Merlin says.
'Could he?' asked Arthur.
Merlin shrugged, 'he never got that chance but Kilgharrah thinks he could have so most probably.'
'We can't let this happen, Merlin,' Gaius tells the warlock.
'But if we can't go to Uther, what can we do?' asks Merlin.
'We can bend the truth a little,' Gaius tells him.
'Bending the truth is something we're very good at,' grinned Merlin.
In the Council chambers Gaius stands before the king, 'you know the whereabouts of the Crystal?' asks the king.
'I believe so, Sire,' admits Gaius.
'I see. How did you come by this information?' asks Uther.
'In my capacity as physician I have dealings with many people. They hear things, Sire, and they see things. Last night I was confronted by one such man who told me that the Crystal had been stolen by a band of renegades led by a man called Alvarr,' lies Gaius.
'Who exactly was this informant?' asks the king.
'Merlin,' Percival said.
'I think it would only be fair to protect their identity, Sire. If news of the betrayal were to reach the renegades, it could indeed endanger their life,' Gaius invents.
'I couldn't point the blame at the King's ward,' Gaius said.
'You have no idea how much trouble that caused,' muttered Merlin.
'Very well,' Uther agrees.
'Where is this Alvarr hiding?' asks Arthur.
'Practical as always,' Leon tells his commander.
'He was last seen in the Valley of Chemray, Sire,' replies Gaius.
'Summon the guards, Arthur. I want this matter investigated without delay,' orders the king.
'Yes, Father,' Arthur leaves.
'Thank you, Gaius. Once again I am in your debt,' the king thanks.
Morgana follows Arthur down the corridor.
'Arthur, you're not seriously thinking of going on this mission, are you?' the witch asks.
'She didn't want me to go,' Arthur said understanding.
'No, I'm not thinking of going on this mission. I am going on this mission,' Arthur told her.
'But you're chasing nothing but a rumour,' Morgana tries.
'An accurate one,' Merlin looked insulted.
'We know but you didn't tell us it was accurate,' reminded Arthur.
'I couldn't accuse Morgana,' retorted Merlin.
'True,' agrees Arthur, 'but for now it's the only lead we have to go on.'
'You're wasting your time. I assure you,' lies Morgana.
'Morgana. I never knew you cared,' Arthur says.
'Not about you,' Gwen said, 'about Alvarr.'
'And Mordred,' added Merlin.
'What are you talking about?' Morgana asks.
'I can look after myself, you know. It's a combination of raw talent and hard training that makes me-'Arthur begins.
'Yes, I know. That makes you so utterly obnoxious,' Morgana completes.
'I have to agree with her there,' laughed Merlin.
Morgana rides out at night. Arthur's party rides out the next morning where they pause on a hillside.
'Gaius'd better be right about this,' Arthur said.
Morgana walks to the camp where Alvarr and his men spring out of hiding, ready to attack.
'Paranoid,' Percival noted.
'Any who practice magic are,' sighed Merlin.
'Morgana?' Alvarr asks in surprise.
'Alvarr,' greets Morgana.
'Doesn't she care that he was read to attack her?' asked Lancelot.
'She understood why he was like that,' replied Merlin.
'What brings you here?' asks Alvarr.
'Arthur's been sent to capture the Crystal. The knights of Camelot are almost upon us,' warns Morgana.
Alvarr sends his men away and walks with Morgana.
'How has this happened?' asks the sorcerer.
'I don't know. I only know that we've been betrayed,' Morgana replies.
'Or followed,' corrects Elyan.
'How much time do we have?' asks Alvarr.
'An hour, maybe two. I cannot say for sure,' the witch confesses.
'Then we must be prepared for them,' Alvarr says.
'What can I do to help?' asks Morgana.
'You can flee while you still have the chance,' Alvarr told her.
'Morgana won't like that,' Arthur said, 'even now I know she'll never flee at the word of a man she'll throw herself into the fray.'
'Except now she's fighting against us,' Sir Leon reminded the prince.
Morgana scoffs.
'See,' Arthur said.
'Nobody contested you,' Gwen said softly.
'Morgana, I am grateful for all that you have done, but a battlefield is no place for you,' Alvarr kisses her cheek.
Arthur and Merlin's party heads to the renegades camp.
'I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions. You spend the whole time terrified,' Arthur is saying.
'I'm trying not to give myself away,' Merlin said. 'The fear of execution would make anyone quiet.'
'I'm not terrified,' denies Merlin.
'Yes, you are. I can tell you are,' Arthur returns.
'No you can't,' Merlin argues.
'If you weren't scared, you'd be talking rubbish as usual,' Arthur says.
'I was deep in thought, honestly Arthur you complain when I'm noisy and when I'm quiet,' Merlin complained.
'Arthur likes your banter,' Gwen smiled.
'Well, I am talking rubbish as usual. I mean, I am talking as usual, so clearly I'm not scared,' Merlin babbles.
'I was trying to put my act back in play when Arthur was seeing under the act,' Merlin said.
'Out of all the acts you could have used it would be the idiot,' groaned Arthur.
'You love it really,' grinned Merlin.
They stop at a fork in the road.
'Where now?' asks Arthur.
'No idea,' admits Merlin.
Gaius raises his eyebrows.
'It looked very different in the light,' Merlin blushed.
'I thought you said Gaius gave you directions?' Arthur asks.
'He did. He, er...he just didn't tell me about this part,' Merlin explains in a lie and then dismounts and listens.
'What are you doing?' asked Hunith.
'Listening,' replied Merlin.
'Merlin, this is your fault!' Arthur's voice sound muffled.
'I knew you never listen to me,' Arthur said.
'Only when your being a prat or I'm busy,' Merlin shrugged.
'They're coming!' Mordred informs the renegades telepathically.
'...we wouldn't be here in the first place!' Arthur's voice says distantly.
'Your still not listening to me,' complained Arthur.
'I was listening to two conversations at one,' retorts Merlin.
'Warn the others,' orders Mordred telepathically.
'Merlin, I am talking to you!' Arthur realises his servant isn't listening to him.
'...the Crystal. Warn the others!' Mordred continues.
'Morgana...' Mordred says.
Arthur dismounts.
'...the Crystal. Warn the others! They're coming,' Mordred is thinking.
'What on earth do you think you're doing?' Arthur demands.
'Finding Alvarr's camp,' Merlin grins at the present Arthur.
'Well I can see that now it's hardly my fault that your idiot act means no one can take you seriously,' Arthur said.
'Others can see me under the act it's just you who's too self absorbed to see under his own nose,' Merlin grins.
'You really don't know who I am, do you?' asks the prince.
'Not really,' Merlin shrugged.
'The renegade camp...' Merlin seems out of focus.
'They're coming. Hurry,' Mordred says again.
'It's that way,' Merlin said suddenly.
'And you know this because?' Arthur asks.
'He's Merlin,' shrugged Gwaine, 'he has a knack of knowing more than he should.'
'I know it because...because of...' Merlin stutters.
'I give up,' Arthur turns to go back to his horse.
Whilst Uther's son's back is turned Merlin magically creates a footprint in the mud.
'So that's where the footprints came from,' Arthur said, 'I knew I should have seen them.'
'Because of this!' Merlin points to the footprints.
'So? It's a footprint. Who says it belongs to a renegade?' asks Arthur.
Merlin magically creates more footprints, 'more.'
'Follow me!' orders the prince.
The party sneaks through the woods and finds the camp.
'I told you. Didn't I tell you?' Merlin whispers.
'I hate it when you're right,' Arthur muttered.
'He usually is,' Percival said.
'You really should listen to him more,' Gwaine frowned at the prince.
Arthur's party sneaks into the camp. Arthur straightens out of his crouch and sticks his sword in the ground as he checks the campfire, 'well, whoever was here, they're not here anymore.'
'Don't jinx it,' groaned Gwen.
'Yes, they are,' Merlin looks around as arrows hit a couple of knights.
'Take cover!' Arthur orders.
The renegades run into the camp. Morgana can hear the battle as she's riding back to Camelot.
'Run, Mordred!' Alvarr shouts.
Merlin magically extends a branch to trip Mordred. Mordred uses magic to throw spears at the two guards pursuing him. He smirks, and then looks straight at Merlin.
'I shall never forgive this, Emrys, and I shall never forget,' promises the child.
'That's what made him my enemy,' Merlin said, 'and by extension Arthur's.'
Mordred runs off and the guards check the fallen renegades. Alvarr is the last man standing. He attacks as Arthur approaches but Arthur easily disarms him.
'Give me the Crystal,' orders the prince.
'Why should you care?' asks the sorcerer.
'So it won't be in your hands,' Arthur suggests.
Arthur nods for guards to hold Alvarr, 'what use is it to you?' demands the sorcerer.
'None,' agreed Merlin, 'but you're dangerous.'
Arthur starts patting him down.
'You're a fool. How many lives have been lost this day? And for what?' demands Alvarr.
Arthur takes the crystal.
'You cannot wield the Crystal,' Alvarr cries.
Arthur walks away.
'You do not have the power! None of you do!' Alvarr claims.
'That's not quite true,' Merlin frowned.
Arthur pulls out the Crystal as he passes Merlin who is transfixed by it.
'The power is drawing you to it,' Gaius said.
'And I left you alone to guard it,' Arthur groaned.
Merlin nodded looking pale.
Merlin sits next to a campfire, his head in his hand. Arthur walks over and lies down next to it, 'Merlin, check the horses are fed and watered. Merlin?'
'You seemed distracted,' Arthur said.
'Well I was worried about Morgana's betrayal and trying to resist the lure of the Crystal of Neatid,' Merlin shrugged.
'Sorry,' Merlin realises his master was talking to him.
'Not the right answer,' Arthur told him.
'What?' asks Merlin.
'Something on your mind, is there?' asks Arthur.
'It's just...when we entered the camp...it was a trap, wasn't it? They knew we were coming,' Merlin says.
'Yeah, so?' Arthur asks.
'How did they know?' asks Merlin.
'Well, they're sorcerer's aren't they? Probably used magic or something,' Arthur shrugs.
'It's not that easy,' Merlin rolled his eyes, 'magic needs time and direction they'll only know your there if they're either watching one of you or expect you to be there.'
'Now, I need you to guard this with your life,' Arthur holds out the Crystal in a cloth bag.
'He's going to look in it,' Hunith sighed. 'He's always been too nosey for his own good.'
'Why me?' asks Merlin.
'You're a servant it's your job,' Gaius reminded his apprentice.
'I can hardly very well guard it when I'm asleep, can I?' Arthur tells the servant.
'Servants need sleep too,' reminded Gwen.
'I'd been fighting,' Arthur retorted.
'So had I,' Merlin said.
'Well I didn't know that,' Arthur said.
'Well I wasn't exactly fighting conventionally or even legally,' Merlin replied.
'Neither can I,' Merlin reminds his friend.
'Who said anything about you sleeping?' Arthur tosses the Crystal to Merlin, who catches it, then drops it on the ground.
'You would drop it,' snorted Arthur.
'I felt the magic,' Merlin replied. 'And I was still trying to resist it.'
Time passes, the fire goes out. Merlin grabs the Crystal pulls off the cloth bag and looks into it.
'Knew it,' sighed Hunith.
He sees the Great Dragon flying, himself surrounded by fire, Camelot smoking in destruction, the dragon breathing fire.
'You saw that,' Arthur looked surprised.
'Whenever I see the future it's always bad,' Merlin shivered.
'You've seen the future at other times?' asked Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
'You still let the Dragon out,' Leon said.
'I didn't have much of a choice,' Merlin explained. 'He wouldn't tell me how to stop of the Sleeping Curse if I didn't swear to release him which I couldn't break.'
Merlin sees himself crying.
'That happened,' Arthur remembered Balinor's death and wondered if they had some sort of connection.
He drops the Crystal and holds his head.
Alvarr kneels before Uther and the court in the council chambers.
'So, you admit to stealing the Crystal of Neahtid?' asks the king.
'Well it's not like there's no evidence,' Arthur said, 'even if he didn't admit it. It would still be obvious it was him.'
Merlin nodded.
'I do,' Alvarr admits.
'You admit to plotting against your King?' asks the king.
'I do,' Alvarr admits.
'And you acted alone? You were not aided or abetted by any citizen of Camelot?' asks the king.
'I acted alone,' Alvarr lies.
'He protected Morgana,' Lancelot said surprised at the loyalty.
'It was in his interest to leave her,' Arthur frowned.
'Sorcerer's are loyal to each other when we have no one else,' Merlin explained.
'Then I find you guilty of treason. You are an enemy of Camelot, Alvarr. You are sentenced to death,' orders the king.
'Then I die with honour. To be an enemy of Camelot is no crime,' proclaims the sorcerer.
'Take him away,' orders the king.
'You, Uther, you are the criminal,' shouts the convict.
'I agree with that but he acted out of pain. I only pity him,' sighed Merlin.
The court members exit and Morgana waves the guards to leave and shut the door.
'She's not going to be happy,' Merlin frowned.
'How many more must you kill before you're satisfied?' demands Morgana.
'I could ask you the same question,' scowled Merlin.
'He was guilty. He confessed his crimes. You heard him as well as I,' the king tells her.
'His only crime was to defy you,' Morgana retorts.
'Why are you defending this man? He was a sworn foe of Camelot. You know this,' Uther says.
'So is she, so am I, so is a lot of innocent people,' Merlin scowled.
'Is it any wonder he wanted you dead? You, who have persecuted his kind day after day, year after year?' demands Morgana.
'Killing Uther isn't the answer,' sighed Merlin.
'I will hear no more of this, Morgana!' Uther says.
'Because you're an arrogant fool. You were deaf and blind to the very needs of the people you profess to serve and protect! The people will tolerate it no longer!' Morgana shouts.
'I said enough!' Uther looks angry.
'They are rising up against you! From this day forward, I do not know you. From this day forward, I disown you,' Morgana heads for the door.
'The end of Morgana's favourable relationship to father,' sighed Arthur.
'You will go to your chambers!' Uther orders.
Morgana pauses at the door and looks at Uther.
'And you, Uther, you will go to hell,' Morgana says coolly.
'So will you,' Merlin frowned.
Merlin's stares at his soup he's supposed to be eating.
'Merlin? Is there something interesting in there?' asks Gaius
'Sorry?' asks Merlin not listening.
'I was thinking of what I'd seen,' Merlin sighed.
'What's the matter?' asks Gaius.
'It's the Crystal. It harbours a terrible power, Gaius,' Merlin answers hollowly.
'It's locked away now. It can do no harm. Unless the damage has already been done,' Gaius understands.
'I held it. I knew I shouldn't. I knew no good would come of it, but it compelled me to look. I couldn't resist it. I saw things, terrible things,' Merlin looks distant.
'Then you've already paid the price,' Gaius says softly.
'But what I saw has not yet come to pass, and I am scared, Gaius. I am really scared of what the future may hold,' Merlin admits.
'It was awful to witness,' agrees Leon.
'There is nothing on this earth that can know all possible futures, even the Crystal,' Gaius says kindly.
'It still happened,' Arthur frowned.
'But what I saw, it was so real,' Merlin tells the old man.
'It was real, but it was just one reality,' Gaius reassures the warlock.
'That came to pass,' Merlin sighed.
'The future is as yet unshaped. It is we that shape it. It is you, Merlin. The decisions you make. The actions you take. Remember that. Eat your soup before it gets cold,' he finishes.
Morgana prepares for bed; 'Gwen, could I have my sleeping draught?' asks Morgana.
'Why is she doing that?' asked Percival.
'I think it has to do with Alvarr's escape,' Arthur said.
'I didn't think you needed it anymore,' Gwen looks surprised.
'She doesn't,' Gaius said.
'Last night the nightmares returned,' Morgana lies.
'You weren't even in bed last night,' muttered Merlin. 'Trust me I know I was there.'
Gwen fetches the bottle and hands it to Morgana.
'Sleep well,' smiles Gwen.
Morgana, now dressed, goes down to the dungeons. The guards stand and bow when she arrives, 'please, this is not an official visit. I'd like to see the prisoner, if I may.'
'And they just let her?' asked Arthur.
'She's the King's Ward,' Gaius said.
'Sorry, My Lady, the prisoner's to see no one. The King's orders,' the guard tells him.
'That doesn't apply to the King's ward, surely?' smiles Morgana handing him wine.
'Thank you. This might help to ease the long night ahead,' the guard thanks the lady.
Morgana pulls a pitcher of wine from beneath her cloak and hands it to the guard.
'The sleeping potion,' Gwen understood.
'My Lady. I was not expecting you,' Alvarr greets.
'I've come to say goodbye,' Morgana says.
'It was gracious of you to think of me,' Alvarr answers.
'It will not be easy, but you must prepare yourself for what lies ahead,' Morgana tells the man.
'I am prepared,' Alvarr assures the witch.
'I've done what I can to ease your passage,' Morgana tells the condemned man.
'In other words she's going to help him escape,' Arthur frowned.
'I could not ask for more,' Alvarr thanks.
'Good luck. My thoughts will be with you,' Morgana tells him.
'Thank you, My Lady,' Alvarr says.
Morgana waits in her room.
Alvarr raises his hand to the cell door, 'tospringe! the door opens. Alvarr sneaks past drugged guards.
'Do you know what's happened to him?' asks Arthur.
Merlin shook his head.
The one that Morgana spoke with wakes and grabs Alvarr's leg. Alvarr stabs him. Alvarr exits Camelot as the warning bells sound.]
In the council chambers Arthur is reporting to the king.
'We've searched the citadel, the town, and every corner of Camelot,' Arthur informs the king.
'But he's gone?' inquires the king.
'Yes, Father,' admits Arthur.
'How? How has he escaped?' demands the king.
'It appears that the guards were drugged,' explains Arthur.
'That means he had help. Someone,' Uther looks at Morgana who just walked in, 'here in Camelot.'
'Does he suspect Morgana?' asked Elyan.
'If he does he didn't say anything,' replied Arthur.
'Afraid it looks that way,' agrees Arthur.
'Let this be understood, whoever has done this, they have betrayed me. They have betrayed the kingdom. If I ever discover who it was, they will rue the day they were born,' warns the king.
Merlin is sleeping that night when Kilgharrah contacts him.
'Merlin,' calls the dragon.
'You don't free him yet,' Arthur said.
Merlin wakes in his bed.
'I am waiting, Merlin. You gave your word. Now set me free, Merlin,' the dragon continues to ask.
Merlin covers his ears attempting to block out the voice.
'I saw what he did in the Crystal I didn't want to let him free,' Merlin explained.
Arthur nodded pleased.
'Merlin!' Kilgharrah calls angrily.