The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part One
A figure of Merlin standing in water appears as Kilgarrah speaks.
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy.
'I'm still a boy then,' groaned Merlin.
Hunith shook her head fondly at her son, 'you'll always be my boy.'
Gwaine chuckled at this.
His name: Merlin,' Merlin's eyes flash bright gold.
The knights of Camelot lead by Arthur are surveying their fallen comrades who have been slain in battle. Arthur signals for a halt whilst Merlin surveys the grounds worriedly.
'Check for survivors. Seems their attackers headed north! Come on!' Arthur ordered.
'Do you think we should be going after them?' questioned Merlin.
'You are such a girl's petticoat,' Arthur tells his manservant.
'Hey,' Merlin said insulted.
'Merlin is the bravest of us all,' Lancelot spoke out.
'Thank you Lancelot,' Merlin grinned in triumph.
'Brave or stupid,' questioned Arthur.
'Sometimes I think he is a bit of both,' Gaius said.
'If I was the king would have had me executed by now,' Merlin said insulted.
There was a solemn silence after this.
Uther stands gazing out of the window of his throne room as Gaius approaches the king.
'Sire, how many more men are you going to lose in this quest?' questions Gaius.
'As many as it takes,' the king responds.
'I need to speak to you as a friend,' Gaius said.
'I have no time for friends,' Uther replies harshly.
'I can see where the princess gets it,' Gwaine grinned.
'What's that supposed to mean?' demanded Arthur.
'Just that you tend to take all the burdens upon yourself despite the fact that you have people around to offer counsel and support,' Gwen said softly.
'Then I'll speak to you as your physician. This is madness. She has been missing for more than a year now. When are you going to stop?' Gaius demanded.
'I had no idea that she was his daughter,' Gaius said.
'It explained a lot,' Arthur sighed.
'When Morgana is found,' Uther said sharply.
The knights, Arthur and Merlin are riding through darkened, foggy woods.
'Ow,' moaned Merlin.
'Is there something wrong with you?' Arthur demanded.
'I've been on a horse all day,' moaned Merlin.
'Riding dragons is fine but riding a horse and you complain,' Gaius shook his head.
'When did Kilgarrah give you a lift?' questioned Lancelot.
Merlin grinned, 'you'll see.'
Hunith groaned, 'I'm not going to like this am i?'
Merlin avoided her eyes, 'um no.'
'Is your little bottom sore?' questioned Arthur mockingly.
'Yes. It's not as fat as yours,' Merlin replied cheekily.
'Merlin,' Hunith and Gaius said together.
'What?' asked Merlin.
'It's not nice to call people fat,' Hunith reprimanded.
Merlin just grinned.
'Arthur has a very nice-'Gwen began then broke off blushing.
'I did not need to hear that,' groaned Elyan.
'You know, you've got a lot of nerve for a wimp,' Arthur said.
'Was that a compliment?' asked Merlin eyes glinting.
'He's not a wimp,' Lancelot defended his friend.
'I may be a wimp, but at least I'm not a…' Merlin thinks for a moment, 'dollophead,' Merlin retorted.
'Merlin,' Hunith said again. 'You've spent far too much time with Will.'
'The troublemakers of the village,' grinned Merlin.
'Explains a lot,' Gwen shook her head fondly.
'There's no such word,' Arthur reported.
'Not around nobles,' agreed Gwaine with a grin.
'It's idiomatic,' Merlin said in explanation.
'What is it with you and long words?' asked Gwaine.
'I live with Gaius,' Merlin said as explanation.
'If any you had common sense to go with it,' Gaius said with a smile.
'It's what?' Arthur asked.
'And you call me stupid,' Merlin shook his head.
'I knew what it meant,' Arthur said. 'I just didn't think you did.'
'So you were testing me,' Merlin said sounding mock hurt.
'You need to be more in touch with the people,' Merlin told him.
'Describe "dollop head",' Arthur said.
'In two words?' questioned Merlin.
'Yeah,' Arthur said.
'Er...' Merlin pretends to think about it. 'Prince Arthur,' Merlin said.
Gwaine burst out laughing whilst the other knights are holding in their grins, Gwen shakes her head in amusement, Gaius and Hunith just sigh in exasperation.
Arthur spots something and gestures to his knights. They find an abandoned camp where noises are heard. The horse startles but Arthur calms it. Arthur gets off his horse pulling out his sword. Figures are seen in the fog. The knights to slip off the horse and Arthur gestures to them silently giving them directions. Merlin follows behind Arthur looking around warily. An arrow is shot and a knight falls. The bandits leap out of the trees.
'On me!' Arthur shouts to his knights.
The bandits rush out swinging swords around and a fight ensues. Arthur parries with bandits and Merlin grabs a sword, but it's knocked out of his hands by the bandit who backs him into a tree.
'Your pathetic with a sword,' snorted Arthur.
'Ah but there is more than one way to fight,' Merlin's eyes glint mischievously.
'Magic,' Gwaine grinned. 'Those bandits don't stand a chance.'
'Ecg geteoh þing to,' Merlin whispers.
'What?' asked Arthur.
'Invite materials to sword,' Merlin grinned. 'I made that up myself.'
'Of course you did,' muttered Arthur.
The attacker's sword magnetises, metal tools attach to it and the bandit falls backwards. Merlin grins.
'Proud of yourself?' asked Gwaine.
'Yes actually,' Merlin agreed.
Merlin attempts to approach Arthur who is still battling the bandit but Merlin is stopped by a bandit with an axe. He dodges the axe a few times until it becomes imbedded in a tree. Before the bandit can pull the out with a flash of gold eyes Merlin topples a tree on the axe weilding attacker. He looks and grimaces at the sight of said attacker.
'I remember when I had old man Old Man Simmons banging on our door after you almost crushed his house the same way,' Hunith shook his head.
'My childhood was riddled with incidents like that,' Merlin grinned.
'I wasn't surprised really with Balinor being your father,' Hunith said. 'You have no idea how many times I wished he was here to help you when you were so alone.'
'Me too,' sighed Merlin.
Arthur felt awkward at the fact that it was his father, mother and his birth that had split up the family. How many other families had his father torn apart; his own, Gwen's, Merlin's. Merlin saw this and shook his head.
'It wasn't your fault,' Merlin said sharply.
Merlin gets up and starts to run towards Arthur but trips on his way to help Arthur. Merlin notices a bandit that comes up behind Arthur intending to run him through with his sword whilst Arthur is distracted with fighting his comrade. Merlin looks around desperately and picks up spear magically and throws the spear at the bandit. Arthur finishes his duel and looks around for the person who threw the spear when he spots Merlin still on the forest floor.
'We're not playing hide and seek, Merlin!' Arthur tells him.
'Brilliant time for this conversation,' Leon shook his head.
'Dollophead,' muttered Merlin.
'What?' Merlin demanded. 'I save his life then he goes and tells me I'm a coward.'
Merlin gets up of the floor.
The battle is won. Arthur, the knights and Merlin stand around in the empty camp when they hear a twig snap in the woods. Arthur investigates with caution drawing his sword and signalling for the others who make signs of following to remain behind. A figure stumbles out of the fog. Merlin shows recognition before it is revealed to be Morgana.
'Morgana,' Arthur breathes putting away his sword.
The knights ride into Camelot red cloaks trailing behind them.
Morgana lies in bed whilst Gaius checks her over for sign of hurt. Gwen watches on worried.
'You need to rest,' Gaius tells her.
Morgana nods turning over looking sad.
'She's a brilliant actress,' Gwaine mused.
'Too good,' Merlin said grimly.
'I'll stay with her,' Gwen tells Gaius the two of them discussing the noblewoman at the door.
'Call me when she wakes, Guinevere,' Gaius tells the serving girl.
Gaius takes his satchel and leaves the castle as Gwen watches Morgana sleeping.
Uther is standing in a passageway beside a griffin. He turns away from the window when he hears the court physician approach.
'How is she?' questioned Uther.
'How can she not see how much the king cared for her,' sighed Gwen. 'How much we all cared for her,' Gwen said.
'Because of me,' Merlin said.
'She had already made her decision to betray Camelot,' Gaius said.
'She didn't know what she had signed up to,' Merlin retorted.
'What is done is done,' Hunith sighed.' We can't change it.'
'She'll be fine,' Gaius reassured the king.
'There's nothing wrong with her?' questioned Uther.
'Nothing physical,' Gaius agreed.
'May I see her?' Uther asked.
'Best wait 'til morning,' advised Gaius.
'Time to get Merlin out of Camelot,' Gaius said.
'Why didn't she tell anyone?' asked Arthur, 'you'd be executed for that.'
'She feared I would tell them about her possessing magic if she did,' Merlin then snorted, 'like anyone would take my word over the king's ward.'
'Yes, of course,' the king walks towards the stairs and Gaius walks in the opposite direction. Uther then stops and turns back towards Gaius, 'Gaius, thank you,' Uther nodded which Gaius returns.
Gaius looks sad and turns to go to his quarters.
In the physician's quarters Merlin is sitting among bottles and burners looking worried when Gaius walks in.
Merlin gets up, 'did you talk to her?' Merlin demanded before Gaius could even sit down.
'She's sleeping,' Gaius said grimly.
'Did she say anything about me?' Merlin asked.
'It's lucky she valued her position as spy over Merlin's life,' Gaius said.
'On Morgause's request I'm sure,' snorted Merlin. 'Morgause is the planner whilst Morgana let's her anger rule rather than her head.'
'Something she gets off father,' sighed Arthur. 'I just wish she could see she was wrong.'
'We all do,' agreed Gwen putting a hand on Arthur's.
'Nothing as yet,' Gaius said grimly as he puts down his bag.
'Well, she's going to,' Merlin said.
'Does she know your secret, Merlin? Does she know you have magic?' demanded Gaius.
'No but she knows enough to have had me executed back then,' Merlin said grimly.
'No, she doesn't. No one does,' Merlin assured him.
'Good. Because if Uther finds out ...' Gaius trails off.
'He'll have me executed,' Merlin agreed.
'She knows I tried to poison her, she knows that,' Merlin retorted.
'Hard not to,' Arthur said bitterly.
Merlin winced at the harshness in his voice.
'You had no choice. Camelot was dying. Morgana was the source of the enchantment. Either you poisoned her, or the kingdom fell,' Gaius sighed.
'I doubt my father would see it like that,' Arthur said.
'No he would not,' agreed Gaius.
'But Uther won't know that. All she'll say is I tried to kill her,' Merlin retorted.
'We can't be sure, Merlin,' Gaius tried to reassure him and then walks off.
'Not great at the whole comfort thing, are you?' Hunith shook her head.
'What do you think Uther will do to me?' Merlin asked nervously.
Gaius stands up from where he his bent over and turns back to Merlin, 'let's just wait and see what tomorrow brings,' Gaius suggested.
It is the morning and Merlin is sleeping in his bed when Gaius comes in and watches him sleep.
Merlin,' Gaius said.
Merlin moves sleepily at his mentor's voice.
'Arthur's requested your presence,' Gaius tells him. 'In Morgana's chambers!'
Merlin looks up at Gaius.
Merlin enters Morgana's chambers where Arthur is sitting beside Morgana on her bed.
'I was kept in a cell for almost a year. I thought I'd go mad,' Morgana said.
'I wish that was the cause of her insanity,' Arthur said. 'Rather than it being our fault.'
'Me too,' Merlin said rather guiltily.
'You had no choice,' Hunith tried to comfort her son.
'I know but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with,' Merlin said.
'Which is why you have such a good heart even when people mean you harm you still feel guilty about hurting them,' Gwen said softly.
'How did you escape?' asked Arthur.
'They moved me about a week ago. I don't know why. It may have been the patrol from Camelot,' suggested Morgana.
'A bit convenient,' Arthur shook his head. 'It was all there if only I had wanted to see it.'
'The patrol found you?' asked Arthur.
'I wouldn't be surprised if she killed them just to make her story seem realistic,' Merlin said bitterly.
'I thought I was gonna be free. But then I saw them killed. Every one of them cut down. But that night, the bandits were distracted by their spoils. I took my chance. When I saw you, I couldn't believe it,' Arthur took his half sister in his arms. As they were hugging Morgana turns to look at Merlin who looks grim. Morgana lets go of Arthur as Merlin swallows, 'I think I need to rest.'
'Everything's gonna be alright. You're safe now,' Arthur promised.
Arthur gets up and leaves. Merlin begins to follow him but is called back by Morgana.
'Merlin,' Morgana calls him back. 'I want to speak to you,' Merlin looks towards the door that Arthur's disappeared through then back at Morgana. 'I know what you did. You tried to poison me.'
'I didn't want to,' Merlin said chokingly.
'It's alright, Merlin. I understand. You were just trying to protect your friends,' Morgana said.
'I counted her as one of my friends,' sighed Merlin. 'To chose between one friend and the rest of your friends was horrific. It wasn't until the last possible minute did I do it.'
'I would have done the same,' Morgana said.
'You didn't honestly believe she would forgive you just like that?' asked Percival incredulously.
'I wanted to,' Merlin said. 'I figured I was wrong pretty quick … quicker than the rest of you,' Merlin muttered.
'Really?' asked Merlin hopefully.
'I was so naïve, Merlin. I don't think I really understood what I was doing,' Morgana said.
'That was true,' sighed Merlin.
'She had still sided against us,' Gaius said.
'But, believe me, I have seen the evils in this world. I have seen firsthand what it is that Uther fights against,' Morgana said.
'I don't agree with Uther anymore than I do with Morgana,' Merlin said. 'After all by Camelot's laws I should have been drowned at birth.'
Arthur winced at this.
'Merlin,' Hunith said.
'Sorry, it's just hard sometimes,' Merlin shrugged. 'Why do you think I look on the bright side of things. It's better to look at the good than get bitter about the bad which just creates vengeful people like Morgana, Morgause, Nimueh.'
'You don't know how much I regret everything that I've done.' Merlin walks towards Morgana, 'I just...hope that you can forgive me,' Morgana said.
'I am so sorry for everything you've been through. It's good to have you back,' Merlin smiled.
Merlin is in Arthur's chamber scrubbing the floor when Arthur walks in Merlin grins up at him. Arthur looks at him oddly.
'Honestly what's wrong with your servant smiling at you?' questioned Gwaine rolling his eyes. 'Greg and I are great friends we go drinking together and everything.'
'How you managed to get a servant who likes the tavern as much as you I'll never understand,' Arthur said exasperated.
'Better than a bootlicker,' Gwaine replied.
Arthur looked like he wanted to agree but decided against it so said nothing watching the TV.
'What are you looking so happy about?' Arthur asked warily.
'The sun is shining, we found Morgana, and I have just finished all my chores,' grinned Merlin.
'Hmm,' Arthur mused doubtfully.
'Er, do you have to go in there right now?' questioned Merlin getting up and stopping his master from going any further.
'I hope you haven't been cheating with magic again,' frowned Gaius.
'I never cheat with magic on my chores where anyone can walk in on me,' Merlin said insulted. 'Well mostly … anyway …'
'Why?' asked Arthur sceptically.
'Er, I just washed the floor,' Merlin said innocently.
'Don't worry, I won't slip over,' Arthur promised clapping Merlin on the back and moving beginning to take his brown shirt off.
'You haven't completed your chores have you,' Gwen shook her head.
'I have just as soon as he goes in there. He'll leave muddy boot trails and throw his clothes all over the place. Soon as he enters I'll have to start all over again,' Merlin ranted.
'Yes, mother,' laughed Gwaine.
'I'll turn you into a toad,' Merlin muttered.
'You really have no idea, do you?' Merlin said exasperatedly.
'All you have to do is wipe it,' Arthur said shirt off and turning to face Merlin using hand motions to demonstrate it to Merlin.
'Arthur,' Gwen reprimanded.
'That's what you get for falling in love with a maid,' Leon laughed.
'How would you know?' Merlin asked doubtfully.
'It's not like you ever tidy up after yourself,' Merlin said.
'I beg your pardon, Merlin?' Arthur acting offended placing the hand holding his shirt to his chest.
'It's just, you've never had to do it,' Merlin said almost politely.
'Oh, I know how to use a cloth and bucket,' Arthur replied chucking his shirt behind his changing curtain.
'Oh, yeah,' challenged Merlin turning away from the prince.
'You were just asking for it,' laughed Lancelot.
'It's easy,' Arthur said with a grin on his face walking towards the servant. 'Here, let me show you,' Arthur takes the cloth from Merlin and picks up the bucket from the floor. 'Hmm? Hmm,' Arthur soaks the cloth in the bucket and wipes Merlin's face with it.
'Would you like me to show you how to use the bucket?' questioned Arthur.
'You two act like Nelly's twin boys,' Hunith shook her head.
'They're six,' Merlin said sounding insulted.
'I'm more mature than a six year old,' Arthur said. 'Merlin no.'
'Who is it saving your royal backside,' Merlin retorted.
'You're both as bad as each other,' Gwen shook her head.
'No,' Merlin shakes his head.
Arthur dumps the bucket of dirty water over Merlin's head anyway taps the bucket twice then walks back into his room leaving Merlin standing with a bucket over his head.
'That's cruel,' Gwen said trying and failing not to look amused.
In the throne room the guards admit Morgana who walks toward the dais where Sir Leon is giving Uther his report.
'The grain stores are running low, but we're expecting supplies from the northern borders before the end of the week,' Leon is saying.
'That's enough. Leave us,' orders Uther after spotting his daughter. He waves the knight away and stands to greet Morgana.
Morgana continues her walk down the hall and Uther rushes to meet Morgana the two meet in an embrace both with smiles where it is revealed that Morgana is holding a handkerchief. They drew away from each other but keep contact Uther regards her with tears of joy which he wipes promptly wipes away with a handkerchief.
'You should sit,' Uther suggested.
'No, no. That's all I've done for the past year. Sit. And pray that you hadn't given up on me,' Morgana said.
'Never,' Uther promised.
'I don't know why. I wouldn't blame you. You've done more for me than any guardian. You've always cared for me, loved me like I was your own daughter,' Morgana said.
'When did she find out?' asked Arthur.
'Not for a while yet,' Merlin said.
'You knew,' Arthur said accusingly.
'I overheard Uther admitting it to Gaius when she fell down the stairs,' explained Merlin.
'Why didn't you say anything?' asked Arthur.
'A servant who spills their employees don't remain servants very long,' Gwen explained.
'Like Randel,' agreed Merlin.
'And yet I've insulted you, defied you, hurt you. I don't know why you put up with me. But I promise, in the future I will show you the love and respect that you deserve,' Morgana promised. I will leave you to your council,' Uther kisses Morgana's hands and Morgana walks back to the entrance where no one could see her smirking.
The moon his high when Morgana robed in purple velvet sweeps across the castle and on a white stallion rides to a cave guarded by the Bloodguard.
'She's not very subtle,' Gwaine said.
'Yet the guards all missed her,' moaned Arthur. 'How?'
'When you get used to their routine it's easy. As the King's ward she'll know the routine so be easily able to slip past them,' Merlin said.
'You've snuck out too many times,' Gaius shook his head.
'You wouldn't be able to set up wards to stop this kind of thing happening?' questioned Arthur.
'Are you asking me to use magic?' grinned Merlin.
Arthur glared, 'can you do it?'
'Of course,' Merlin said. 'Why do you think my book as remained undiscovered? The space under the bed is warded to stop all but me and Gaius getting into the space under the bed. You just think it's impossible to remove the floorboard. It's tied to the stone in the Staff. Your father looted enough magical objects,' scowled Merlin, 'that I'll be able to do the same but it will have to be different probably a ward that stops those with malicious intent from sneaking out or in.'
At the cave she leaves her horse and walks past the guards who nod at her and into the heart of the cave. Morgause appears as Morgana lowers her hood.
'My sister. How have you fared?' Morgause greeted the younger sister.
'Camelot has welcomed back its daughter with open arms,' Morgana replied.
'She has no idea just how much Camelot's daughter she was,' Merlin said grimly.
'Uther does not suspect?' questioned Morgause taking Morgana's hands.
'He loves her too much to see the evil in her heart,' sighs Gaius.
'He laps up my lies like the snivelling dog that he is,' Morgana said coldly.
'And the boy?' Morgause questioned.
'Merlin? He believes I've changed. And he's right. Soon he will see exactly how much,' Morgana said coldly.
'That's true,' Merlin said.
'You told me you were dying,' Arthur remembered.
'Not again,' groaned Hunith.
'The sisters don't like being followed,' shrugged Merlin.
'You've done well,' Morgause takes the handkerchief from Morgana. 'The tears of Uther Pendragon have only begun to fall,' Morgause told her.
'Would it have worked without the tears?' questioned Arthur.
'No,' Gaius said. 'That allowed the mandrakes cries to get inside the head of Uther otherwise he would not hear it as he is not magical. Magical people can here it but are not susceptible to their madness inducing qualities even with the right potion because they can here where it is coming from.'
'That's how you found it?' asked Arthur.
'Sort of,' replied Merlin.
Morgause drops the handkerchief with Uther's tears into a giant cauldron filled with boiling mud where it is sucked below the surface. Next Morgause drops in a large root next which screams making Morgana flinches putting a hand to her ears.
'She doesn't know much,' Percival commented.
'No,' agreed Merlin, 'as I said Morgause was the brains behind everything. I just fear what she's learning out there right now. There are a lot of sorcerer's with no love for Uther who would be only to willing to bring the fall of their persecutors.'
'The mandrake root is very special,' laughs Morgause. 'Only those with magic can hear its cries. But for those without magic, the magic pierces the very recesses of the soul,' Morgause explains as she mixes the dark substance in the cauldron, 'twisting the unconscious into the very image of fear and dread,' Morgana smirks at this explanation. 'Uther Pendragon will find that his great kingdom counts for nothing, when he has lost his mind,' the two witches smirk at each other again.'Mid þæm wundorcræft þæs ealdan æwþ ic þe hate nime Utheres wopdropan ond þa gemengan mid his blod. Sy he under wittig ond deofol seocnes his heorte afylþ.'
'With the power that the ancient I curse you fervidly,' Merlin murmured. 'I take Uther's tears and mix those with his blood. Evil spirit sickness causes his heart to fall. That's dark,' Merlin shivered.
'No kidding,' muttered Arthur.
Morgause's eye glow as she completes the spell. She pulls out the muddy root and hands it to Morgana.
The mandrake root hangs under Uther's bed, dripping mud onto the floor as gaius and Uther speak.
'How is Morgana?' questioned Uther.
'She seems to have made a remarkable recovery, My Lord,' replied Gaius.
'Hard not to when you've not been kidnapped,' Arthur said bitterly.
'She was always like that as a child. Very brave. She inherited much from her father,' Uther said as he pulled on his jacket as was given to him by his servant.
'Too much,' Merlin muttered darkly.
'I don't think he's talking about Gorlois,' Leon said.
'Gorlois was loyal to a fault and never blinded by hatred,' Gaius said.
'Gorlois was a great man,' Uther agreed.
'Indeed. I trust she will be well enough to attend the feast,' Uther changed the subject.
'I see no reason why not,' Gaius agreed.
'Thank you, Gaius,' Uther said.
The mandrake root is seen again as Gaius leaves.
'Why couldn't you hear the mandrake?' asked Percival.
'I'm a sorcerer or not a warlock. Only those born with magic can hear them naturally,' explained Gaius. 'Of course if I was practicing then I would be able to hear it.'
In the training grounds Arthur fights two opponents while blindfolded and beats them both.
'Not great recruits,' chuckled Leon, 'if they can't win two against one blindfolded man.'
'It has become much easier now that have a pick amongst all available,' Arthur said.
'Rather than lazy nobles who have never worked a day in their lives,' grinned Merlin.
'Merlin,' Arthur growled.
'What?' Merlin asked innocently. 'It's true.'
'Let's change weapons,' Arthur said pulling off his blindfold. 'What'd you think?' Arthur chucks the blindfold at Merlin and picks up a goblet.
'I've seen better,' Merlin replied.
'Course. Well, you are the expert at fighting with your eyes closed,' Arthur said.
'Just because I don't fight with a sharp pointy thing doesn't mean I don't fight,' Merlin sounded insulted.
'But you didn't see what I did when we rescued Morgana,' Merlin retorted.
'You never do,' Merlin agreed.
'Probably better that way,' Lancelot told him.
'Because you were hiding behind a tree,' Arthur replied.
'That I fell,' retorted Merlin.
'No. I was not,' Merlin retorted.
'I'm not going to use the blindfold,' Arthur walks back towards the knights swinging his sword. 'I'm just going to fight like Merlin here,' Arthur pretends to whimper holding his sword timidly. '"I'm Merlin, don't hurt me,"' pretends to whimper as the other knights laugh. Arthur grins at them as Merlin looks annoyed 'Ready?'
Arthur fights with the two knights again. One knight begins swinging his mace as Arthur ducks away from it. He begins to parry sword blows with the other knight. With a flash of gold eyes Merlin magically pulls the sword out of Arthur's grasp. Arthur gets hit in the stomach with a mace and falls face first into the mud.
'Merlin,' Arthur said annoyed, 'do you know what that looked like.'
'That's why you don't insult a warlock,' laughed Gwaine.
It's night and Camelot is having a feast. Uther stands up raising his glass with Arthur and Morgana on either side of him who have brought along Gwen and Merlin.
'Standing here, seeing so many happy faces, seems almost like a dream. I can tell you, I have not felt like this in a long time,' Uther smiles.
'What, drunk?' Arthur jokes getting a laugh out of the other nobles.
'What does the king look like drunk?' questioned Gwaine.
'Gwaine,' everyone moaned at once.
'Drunk with happiness. I would have searched the entire world, the seas, the skies, the stars, for that smile,' Morgana smiles and looks away apparently embarrassed. 'To have it stolen from me was like a blade to my heart. Morgana, there are no words. You mean more to me that you will ever know,' Morgana looks touched. 'To Lady Morgana,' Uther raised his goblet in toast.
'To Lady Morgana,' everyone raised their goblets with the king.
Merlin smiles at the side whilst Morgana and Uther engage in a hug. Morgana looks sad and conflicted before placing on a mask of indifference.
'She did feel some care for him,' murmured Arthur.
Uther then began to fall where Morgana helps him.
'It's begun,' sighed Arthur.
'I need some air,' Uther said turns and leaves the hall as Morgana sits back down and smirks.
'How did no one notice her evil smirks?' asked Gwaine.
'They didn't want to,' Merlin said.
Uther exits the castle and stands at the door hearing something that apparently wasn't there.
'Who's that? Arthur?' Uther calls.
Uther walks to the well and looks inside when he suddenly is grabbed by a wet, slender hand. It is Ygraine who screams.
'Mother,' Arthur whispered pale faced.
'Please. Please!' begs the late queen.
Arthur shuddered, 'no wonder he was driven mad seeing images like that.'
'AHHHH!'Uther continues screaming, curls up in the foetal position and rocks back and forth as guards run to check on him.
-
In the king's chamber Arthur sets Uther down on the bed with Merlin, Morgana and Gaius following behind.
'Putting him in the room with the mandrake won't help any,' Percival said.
'I was unaware that it was cursed,' sighed Gaius. 'At his age and with his experience it would be understandable for…' Gaius trailed off at the look Arthur was giving him.
'Careful,' Morgana tells her brother. 'Is he going to be alright?' asked Morgana as she made up the king's bed.
'Like you care,' Arthur scowled.
'He should sleep 'til morning,' Gaius told her not answering the question.
Morgana holds onto the king's hand until the others leave the room where she drops his hand apparently disgusted and smirks at the sleeping broken king. Mud from the mandrake continues to drip onto the floor.
Merlin and Gaius are making their way along a corridor with a tapestry of a phoenix when Arthur catches up with them.
'For a king who hates magic he sure has a lot of statues and tapestries of magical creatures,' Merlin commented.
'They were there before his time,' Gaius explained.
'What could've made him like this?' Arthur questions.
'I've no idea,' Gaius replied.
'Gaius, he was lying on the ground crying,' Arthur says as the two commoners turn around to him.
'Exhaustion,' Gaius said simply.
'I don't think that's going to work,' Hunith sighs.
'Gaius. What aren't you telling me? What's wrong with him?' Arthur approaches the physician who looks very grim. 'Tell me,' Arthur demanded.
Gaius sighs, 'when I found him, he was mumbling. Most of it was incoherent, but...' Gaius trails off.
'What?' demanded Arthur.
'He kept mentioning your mother's name,' Gaius replies.
'He never talks about her,' Arthur frowned.
'He claimed that he saw her. In the well,' Gaius said.
'Did the guards see him in this state?' Arthur questioned.
'The people would panic at the idea that their king was mad,' Arthur said.
'I think you're worrying too much,' Gaius told him.
'He has good to reason to worry,' Hunith said.
'If the people get to know about this...' Arthur trailed off.
'It would not be good,' agreed Gwen.
'We say that he was ill, but now he's recovered,' Gaius tells him.
In Morgause's cave Morgana and Morgause are speaking.
'Already the rumors are spreading,' Morgana said sounding triumphant.
'The mandrake's poison does its work well,' Morgause sounds pleased.
'Soon all of Camelot will believe that their king is going mad,' Morgana agreed.
'And a kingdom without a king is ripe for the picking,' Morgause tells her.
'When do you go to Cenred?' questions Morgana.
'Weren't you in an alliance with him?' questioned Merlin.
'Out of convenience only,' replied Arthur. 'You stay out of my kingdom, I stay out of yours. It was to stop the bloodshed on the borders as Cenred chucked his men at us to try and take Camelot. He knew we were the stronger so backed down out of fear. Father had no wish to lose his armies where no one would win. It fell when we appeared weak.'
'Tomorrow,' Morgause tells her.
'And he will do as we wish?' questioned Morgana.
'Cenred wishes only to please me,' replied Morgause.
'Sounds as if their relationship isn't purely professional,' grins Gwaine.
'Then your time with him has been well spent,' Morgana said.
Morgause places another mandrake in the cauldron which screams as Morgana smirks.
The castle guard are patrolling when Morgana comes sneaking back in with the new mandrake in her bright red cloak.
'Lady Morgana,' a guard spots her.
'That's why you don't wear bright colours whilst sneaking in,' Merlin said.
Gaiusjustshook his head.
'Even when they do see her she's above suspicion because of who she is,' Arthur shook his head.
'I was just taking a stroll,' Morgana lies.
'At this time of night,' snorted Arthur.
The guard hears and sees the mud dripping from a new mandrake root that Morgause gave her.
'What's that, My Lady?' questions the guard.
'Nothing,' Morgana lies.
'You're bleeding,' the guard says.
'I'm fine, really,' Morgana insists.
'You're wounded,' the guard opens Morgana's cloak and Morgana stabs him and the guard falls over the wall.
'He was trying to help her,' Lancelot said sounding furious.
Morgana enters her own chambers and places the mandrake root in her chest.
'My Lady,' Gwen calls.
Morgana looks down at her muddy cloak and tosses it behind her bed just before Gwen enters.
'What do you think would have happened if I caught her?' asked Gwen.
'Best not to think on it,' Gaius told her.
'I saw the light, wanted to make sure you were alright,' Gwen said.
'I thought she'd had one of her nightmares,' explained Gwen.
'I'm fine,' Morgana reassured her maid.
'You're still dressed,' Gwen notes.
'I'll prepare myself for bed,' Morgana tells her.
'You sure?' asks Gwen.
'That will be all, Gwen,' Morgana tells her.
Gwen curtsies and goes to leave her mistress. Not before turning back around to give Morgana a wary glance.
'She had changed from the friend I once knew,' Gwen sighed.
Morgause rides on her white horse with her two guards on black horses. They enter a castle with knights bearing the crest Escetaria are sharpening their swords. They stride into the throne room where a dark haired man with two swords turns around.
'To what do I owe this pleasure?' Cenred asks.
'If you will not leave your castle, then I must come to you,' Morgause says.
'I see that you've lost none of your audacity,' Cenred replies with a smirk and small laugh.
'I wish I could say the same. But I find the great King Cenred cowering in his chambers when he should've met me at the border,' Morgause said angrily. 'Perhaps he has lost his nerve. Perhaps he is a coward,' Morgause suggested.
'Good relationship they have,' muttered Gwen.
One of Cenred's men draws a sword before he can do anything Morgause throws him backwards with a look.
'I thought you said it was impossible to use magic without words,' Percival frowned.
'Powerful High Priests and Priestesses just need to think the words to incant,' explained Gaius. 'That's what I thought Merlin was doing at first before I realized how impossible Merlin is.'
'I live to be a contradiction,' grinned Merlin.
Cenred's other men draw their swords. Morgause's guards copy the motion. Cenred holds up a hand to stop his men.
'You are very beautiful when you're angry,' Cenred tells her.
'She's flirting,' Merlin shakes his head.
'Is that why you continue to defy me?' questioned Morgause.
'Well, you wouldn't like it if I made it easy for you,' Cenred replied.
Morgause laughs at this remark.
Later in Cenred's chambers the king and sorceress are seated as Cenred pours Morgause a drink which she takes a sip of as Cenred sits down across from her.
'I'm certain you've not come all this way just to drink, Morgause,' Cenred tells her.
'You know me well,' Morgause replies.
'Extremely well,' agreed Cenred. 'And yet, somehow, we're still close.'
'I've come to talk to you about our old friend, Uther Pendragon,' Morgana replied.
'Friend,' Gwen said.
'I think they need to look up the definition of friendship,' Merlin agreed.
'Yes. I have heard the sad news. He's finally lost his mind,' Cenred didn't sound upset as he took a sip of wine from his goblet.
'Camelot is weak, weaker than it's been for years. The kingdom is vulnerable, just as I promised,' Morgause promises.
'Thanks to Morgana,' Arthur said bitterly.
'Yet it doesn't change the fact the citadel is still impregnable,' Cenred agreed.
'If only they didn't have a spy,' Leon shook his head. 'No wonder they always managed to get in.'
'But we always defeated them,' Arthur said.
'You mean Merlin defeated them,' retorted Lancelot.
'So, even without his wits, Uther is too strong for you,' Morgause taunted.
'It's only his caution that kept him alive for so long,' Arthur said.
'Most of the kingdom hated him,' agreed Merlin.
'It was much better before he took of Essetir,' sighed Hunith.
'I don't remember it like that,' Merlin murmured.
'You were only three,' Hunith said.
'You're a woman of great courage, Morgause, but I don't think with my sword. An assault on Camelot cannot be undertaken lightly,' Cenred told her.
'You forget. We have an ally in the court,' Morgause reminds him.
There were scowls at the mention of Morgana's betrayal.
'That is no guarantee. Traitors blow like the wind,' Cenred told her.
'Not this one. She can be relied upon until the end. You can be certain of that,' Morgause promises.
In the council chambers Morgana is listening to the crown prince's reports.
'We've had reports that mercenaries are streaming into Cenred's kingdom,' Arthur is telling his father.
'Do we know why?' questioned Uther.
'There is rumour that Cenred is amassing an army. I think we should send a patrol out to assess the situation,' Arthur suggests.
Uther stares past Arthur apparently seeing something.
'Father?' Arthur asks worriedly.
Arthur turns to see what his father's staring at apparently there's nothing there. The court looks back at Uther. Uther sees a small drowned boy standing in the council room, dripping water all over the floor. Uther stands up and points at the boy.
'Leave me alone. Get out of here,' shouts Uther.
'Father, will you...' Arthur tried approaching the king.
'I said get out! Get out!' Uther pushes him off 'I'll have you hanged!' Uther shouts.
Arthur and Sir Leon restrain Uther and drag him from the room as the king is still shouting.
'You hanged! You...! You...!' Uther continues to shout.
Gaius and Merlin are standing in the corridor discussing the king's apparent madness.
'There must be some explanation,' Merlin says.
'During the great purge, Uther drowned many he suspected of sorcery. And some, God help them, were children, killed for the magic they were born with.
'And you wonder why you are targeted by magical people,' Merlin said darkly. 'When you would happily murder children,' the objects in the room began to shake with Merlin's anger.
'Merlin,' Hunith warned softly.
Merlin took a deep of breath air, 'sorry.'
'It's okay,' Gwen smiled sadly.
Maybe his conscience is playing tricks with him. Whatever it is, we can no longer hide this,' Gaius shakes his head and Merlin nods. 'A king's hold on his people's a very fragile thing, Merlin. If they start to lose faith in him, I fear for Camelot,' Gaius warns.
The warning bells sound and both Merlin and Gaius leave in a hurry.
Beneath the drawbridge Gaius, Sir Leon, and Merlin lean over the body of the guard Morgana stabbed that has just been found.
'Take this man to my chambers,' Gaius orders Leon. 'I need to speak to Arthur as a matter of urgency.'
The knights and Leon hurry to pick up the body.
In the council chambers Gaius reports his preliminary findings to Arthur and Morgana.
'Soon as Morgana came back we had an attack,' Arthur muttered. 'How did I not put two and two together?'
'Who would suspect Lady Morgana?' questioned Leon.
'The sentry must've been attacked at some point during the night,' Gaius said.
'Who could've done this?' Arthur asks.
Gaius hands Arthur the dagger Morgana used to stab the guard.
'That is a sigil of the Bloodguard,' Gaius explained.
'The Bloodguard?' asked Arthur taking dagger.
'Warrior priests sworn to protect the high priestesses of the Old Religion,' Gaius explained.
'Aren't there any High Priests?' asked Percival.
'There are,' Gaius said, 'often High priests were both warrior priests and high priests rather than priestesses although both groups were capable of defending themselves.'
'Surely they were wiped out during the Great Purge,' Arthur said.
'The Bloodguard were pretty much like knights they used both sorcery and the blade to defend their leaders. They could be honorable or dishonorable depending on their priest or priestess as well as their own personality,' Gaius explained.
'Not all of them,' Gaius replied with a small shake of his head.
'So you believe there is a traitor in Camelot?' questioned Arthur.
'There was,' Arthur said grimly.
'I did not know who it was yet,' Gaius said.
'And he was killed before he could reveal Morgana's true allegiances,' Leon shook his head.
Morgana looks away at this moment.
'Bit obvious there,' muttered Gwaine.
'It is possible, Sire. The sentry will be able to tell us soon enough,' Gaius.
'He's still alive?' questioned Arthur as Morgana looks up surprised.
'Indeed,' agreed Gaius.
Morgana walks through the halls and into the physicians chambers were she looks around.
'Gaius?' she shuts the door behind her. 'Merlin?' she calls.
'We were working,' Gaius said grimly.
'He should have been guarded given the vital information he had,' Leon said.
'Thatwaswhy it was kept between only myself, Morgana, my servant and physician that he was alive,' Arthur said.
'Too bad that that it was Morgana behind this,' Gwaine muttered darkly.
When Morgana realizes she's alone she passes the guard who is turning restlessly in his sleep and goes to the cupboard where she looks through Gaius's shelves and takes a bottle of poison.
'What is it about people plundering my poisons,' Gaius muttered.
'Why do you keep all the poisons?' asked Elyan.
'Didn't you know Gaius goes around poisoning people in his sleep,' Gwaine laughed.
Merlin rolled his eyes, 'antidotes to poisons can only be made with the original poison,' Merlin said to everyone's shock. 'What?' Merlin spoke into the sudden silence. 'I'm not really an idiot you know,' he said sounding insulted.
Out in the corridor Gaius and Merlin walk toward the physician's chambers and enter. Soon as they enter Morgana comes out of hiding and leaves with an angry look in Merlin's direction.
'She really hates you,' Gwen sighed.
'Do you blame her?' sighed Merlin.
Gaius and Merlin have just entered the physician when Merlin looks over the guard with a grim look on his face when he realizes the man has been killed.
'Gaius,' Merlin calls over and Gaius puts his stuff down and joins his ward by the man's bed. Gaius checks the guard's pulse realizing that he is dead looks down. 'You said he was recovering.'
'I thought he was,' Gaius admitted.
'Then what happened? You don't think it's strange?' questioned Merlin incredulous.
'Not for a poisoning,' Gaius said grimly.
Gaius nodded, 'very,' Gaius agreed.
That night Merlin places a potion bottle on Uther's bureau and pulls up Uther's blankets as the king is lost in the grips of a nightmare. Merlin hears mud dripping from the mandrake and looks down to see some mud goo on the floor. Morgana approaches and feels the mud good in his hand frowning as Morgana enters the room. Merlin slips under the bed to hide from her, bumping into the mandrake root where he hears it's scream. Merlin ducks behind it just before Morgana pulls off the root without looking and exits. Merlin realizes that Morgana is the traitor and follows the witch through the hall into the lower town hiding behind buildings in an attempt to remain undetected by Morgana. Morgana continues on hearing something and turning back as Merlin ducks behind another building.
'Not great at remaining undetected,' laughed Arthur.
'Better than you,' muttered Merlin.
'What was that?' asked Arthur.
'Nothing,' Merlin said quickly.
Morgana apparently deciding she had imagined it goes on pulling her hood over her head.
Merlin watches Morgana go hidden from behind a tree. Then follows when she goes on. He sees her standing in a clearing as Morgause and her Bloodguard appear on their steeds. Merlin recognizes her as she slips off her horse and joins Morgana in the clearing.
'So you were the first to know,' Arthur said.
'I wanted to tell you but knew you would never believe me,' Merlin said.
'Sorry you had to wait. There was much to discuss,' Morgause said striding towards Morgana.
'Discuss is that what they call it these days,' snorted Gwaine.
'Yes granddad Gwaine,' Elyan jibed back.
'But your visit was successful?' questioned Morgana reaching for Morgause.
'Cenred's army ride for Camelot on my command,' Morgause replies.
Morgana smiles for once honestly happy, 'there is nothing you cannot do,' Morgana says.
'Sisterly bonding how sweet,' Gwaine shook his head.
'It is you that gives me strength, sister. How goes the battle for Uther's mind?' inquired Morgause.
Arthur looked murderous at this.
'When Cenred marches on Camelot, he will find a kingdom without a leader,' Morgana replies with a smile.
'Hardly,' Gwen said.
'They always seem to underestimate you,' Merlin agreed.
Merlin attempts to get as close as he can without the two sisters hearing him.
'Finally we are ready,' Morgause says.
'Not quite,' Morgana turns to Merlin's hiding spot causing Merlin to flinch back behind the rocks. 'Merlin suspects me,' Morgana replies.
'She knows your there,' Arthur said.
'I'm more powerful than they are,' Merlin retorted. 'Plus they always underestimate me which gives me an advantage.'
'Has he told Arthur?' questions Morgause as Morgana approaches Merlin's hiding spot.
'Not yet, but he will,' Morgana replies.
Merlin shook his head, 'Arthur would never believe ill of Morgana. He cared too much about her.'
'Well, then we must stop him,' Morgause states approaching her sister.
'That will not be difficult,' Morgana assures her older sister.
'Why?' queries the High Priestess.
'Because he's already here,' Morgana replies looking to where Merlin is hidden.
'You just can't have single moments of peace,' groaned Hunith.
Merlin shrugged, 'can't help it.'
Merlin jumps up from his hiding place where Morgause looks surprised whilst Morgana glares at her poisoner.
'Did you really think I was that stupid, Merlin?' Morgana questions.
Merlin runs through the trees as Morgana laughs. He's chased and captured by the Bloodguard.
In Arthur's quarters Arthur is working on some reports when Gaius enters.
'How are you, Sire?' questions Gaius.
'It's not me who's sick,' Arthur replied.
'It can't be easy to see your father this way,' Gaius say sympathetically.
'It wasn't,' agreed Arthur. 'It still isn't.'
'It's not magical this time,' Gaius said.
'No, he's heartbroken,' agreed Lancelot.
'No. He's always been so strong. He lifted his kingdom from its knees, Gaius. To see him now...' Arthur trailed off.
'I am sure that, over time, he will recover. But until then, we have to make plans, Arthur. We need you to assume control,' Gaius suggested.
'Like you're doing now,' Gwen smiled sadly.
'For the same reason,' Arthur sighed.
'That's ridiculous,' Arthur snapped.
'Camelot needs a leader. It falls to you. You must fulfil your role as regent. This is not just me talking. Members of the court have spoken,' Gaius said.
'So now you've taken to whispering behind my back. What kind of treason is this?' demands Arthur.
'The kingdom needs a ruler,' Merlin said, 'as your father was unable to do so it fell to you to do so otherwise Camelot would fall. It just scared you.'
'It's for the good of the kingdom,' Gaius told him.
'I'm not going to usurp my father,' Arthur retorted.
'You didn't usurp him,' Gwen sighed. 'You're just helping him until he gets back on his feet.'
'If that ever happens,' sighs Arthur.
'The palace is awash with rumours. The people are restless,' Gaius warns.
'I swore allegiance to my King, and as long as there is breath in his body, it is my duty to uphold that,' Arthur retorted.
'Arthur, please,' Gaius tried to reason with the prince.
'You are giving up on my father. That is something I will never do,' Arthur replied.
Merlin wakes, bound in chains blinking in the dawn light up at the trees. The Bloodguard drag him in front of Morgause.
'You intrigue me, Merlin. Why does a lowly servant continue to risk everything for Arthur and for Camelot? You know the answer, but you're not telling me. Why? Come on. Time and again you put your life on the line,' Morgause begins circling the bound servant. 'There must be a reason,' Morgause crouches down beside Merlin.
'Can't they sense your magic?' asks Lancelot.
Merlin shook his head, 'they can't sense what they can't comprehend.'
'I believe in a fair and just land,' Merlin replied.
'And you think Arthur will give you that?' questions Morgause.
'I know it,' Merlin replied.
'You really think that?' Arthur asked.
'I know it,' Merlin replied.
'And then what?' Morgause stands up.
'She really doesn't get loyalty,' Arthur shook his head.
'You think you'll be recognised, Merlin? Is that it?' Morgause begins circling Merlin again. 'All this so, one day, you can be a serving boy to the King? No. There's something more. Something you're not telling me, isn't there?' Morgause asks.
'A lot I'll never tell you,' agreed Merlin.
'I told you,' Merlin retorted.
'Well, you can take your secret to your grave.Weorc untoworpenlic,' Morgause incanted.
'Suffering not be destroyed,' murmured Gaius. 'How did you get out?'
'I have friends in high places,' Merlin grinned.
'Kilgarrah,' Hunith summarized.
Merlin's chains glow and tighten from the magical binding around Merlin who looks up fearfully.
'You chose to poison one of my own. You may regret that,' threatens Morgause.
'I'll always regret that,' agreed Merlin.
Morgause and the Bloodguard leave.
Gaius is making porridge for breakfast in his chamber.
'Merlin,' calls Gaius dumping another spoon of porridge into a bowl.
'He's not there,' Gwaine teased.
'I realize that,' Gaius said, 'I thought he'd slept in.'
'Again,' Arthur shook his head.
'Hey I'm not that bad,' Merlin said sounding insulted.
'You're going to be la...' Gaius trails off as he opens Merlin's door to find Merlin's bed hasn't been slept in.
'You have no idea how many times that's happened,' Gaius said.
'And I thought he gave me nightmares,' Hunith said.
'Can't help it if trouble revolves around me,' pouted Merlin.
'Did you seriously just pout?' Arthur asked.
'Err no,' Merlin lied.
In the wood Merlin is still in chains, 'abricaþ benda,' Merlin attempts to break the chains.
'A bit simple,' Gaius told him.
'Sometimes simple s the best,' Merlin replied.
'Like Merlin then,' Arthur laughs.
'Why is it simple?' asked Elyan.
'Break the chain,' Merlin explained. 'But apparently Morgause had made them impossible to break.'
The chains glow, but don't break.
Merlin attempts to break the chains again, 'Abricaþ benda!'
The chains glow, but don't break again. Merlin takes a breath and tries another spell, 'Isen fæstnunga onlucan me!'
'Iron fastening release me,' Gaius said, 'more powerful but useless if they've been enchanted to resist magic.'
The chains glow, but Merlin's attempts to free himself fail. Merlin hears something in the woods.
'Somethings coming to get you,' Gwaine sing song.
'That's not funny,' Gwen said, 'or have you forgot about the serkets.'
'Merlin you really can't avoid trouble,' groaned Hunith.
In Morgana's chambers Gwen is tending to her mistresses flowers when Gaius enters.
'Have you seen Merlin?' asked the physician.
'Not since yesterday,' Gwen said looking at the old man.
'Is there a problem?' asked Morgana striding up to Gaius and Gwen.
'You'd know,' Gwen said bitter about her ex-first friend attempting to kill her best friend.
'I'm not sure,' Gaius frowned.
'Did you suspect her?' asked Arthur.
'Not then,' Gaius sighed.
'What is it?' asked Morgana.
'Merlin didn't come home last night,' frowned Gaius.
'I do that a lot,' Gwaine grinned.
'I don't spend a lot of time at the tavern,' Merlin retorted. 'Or with less than honourable women.'
Gwaine grinned at this.
'Merlin only goes missing when trouble is afoot,' Gaius said grimly, 'and with Cenred amassing his army it was worrying.'
'That's not like him,' Morgana frowned.
'No,' agreed Gaius.
Morgana watches Gaius go with a smirk.
In the wood the serkets continue to approach Merlin who is still bound in chains and beginning to look very scared, 'min strengest miht hate þe tospringan!' Merlin tried another spell.
'Make my strong power open you,' Gaius translated. 'That will only work with the strongest of warlocks and witches but not on those chains.'
'I know that now,' muttered Merlin.
'How did Kilgarrah release you?' asked Gwaine.
'Dragons are creatures of magic. No mortal magic will work on them,' Gaius explained.
The chains glow, but Merlin's attempt to free himself fails and the serkets com ever closer.
In Uther's chambers Arthur sits by his father's bedside who is sleeping for once peacefully. Morgana enters the chambers and embraces her half brother with carefully schooled expression.
'I need him to get better,' Arthur tells her.
'You know I don't think she agrees,' Gwaine said mock seriously.
'Not the time,' Merlin muttered.
'I know,' Morgana said.
Arthur sniffs water eyed, 'I'm glad you're here,' Arthur sniffs.
'Better for Camelot had we not found her,' Merlin sighed.
'At least you can take the moral high ground,' Hunith said.
'Can I?' asked Merlin.
'Yes,' everyone agreed.
'I'll make sure he's looked after, don't worry,' Morgana promises as the mandrake continues to drip mud onto the floor.
'Sure you will,' Merlin said sarcastically.
'I was such a fool,' Arthur said.
'No you weren't,' Gwen said. 'You see the best in people.'
'As Kilgarrah says it is both my strongest asset and greatest weakness to see goodness in people,' Merlin said. 'The same is true for you.'
'I'll have to meet Kilgarrah at some point,' Arthur said.
'Just don't expect him to make much sense,' Merlin warned. 'He's sure to speak in riddles.'
In the woods Merlin is still in the chains and is now encircles by serkets.
'Call Kilgarrah,' begged Hunith.
'Awendaþ eft wansæliga neat!' shouts Merlin and several of the serkets retreat back.
'Avert back the terrible beast,' Gaius translated.
'Terrible is right,' agreed Hunith.
Merlin's spells fend off a couple scorpions and he tries another spell.
'Forlætan me a...!' Merlin shouts again.
'Let me go,' Gaius translated.
But before Merlin can complete his enchantment one stabs him in the back. Merlin throws the scorpion that stabbed him with a flash of his eyes but the poison his already sinking as he bends over gasping desperately.
'You're just lucky that dragons have healing properties,' Gaius said gruffly.
'Nice to know you care,' snorted Merlin.
'Ω δρακον, έάω μαλερός σοφόνους φθέγγομαι τείδε άναδικέω!' roared Merlin.
'Dragon lord speak,' Gaius looked intrigued.
'You can't learn how to speak dragon lord,' Merlin reminded his mentor.
'I know,' Gaius smiled.
'It means "O dragon, permit the appeal for an audience to speak here, fierce, wise-minded one,' Merlin translated.
'Nothing like flattery to get you out of a tough situation,' snorted Gwaine.
Merlin falls to the floor after completing his chant.
Cenred amasses his army on a hillside leading them to Camelot as Morgause watches Cenred's army from her crystal with a smirk on her face. The scorpions continue to approach Merlin who is exhausted as the poison continues to sink in. Just as they are about to get him The Great Dragon arrives and breathes fire on them.
'Go Kilgarrah!' cheered Gwaine.
Merlin is in amongst the fire as the serkets not harmed by Kilgarrah retreat back. Merlin faints from the poison sting and the smoke fumes. Kilgarrah picks up the young Dragonlord from the flames and flies off with Merlin safely in his talons.
'Thank the gods for Kilgarrah,' Gaius said.