The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part Two
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. His name: Merlin,' Merlin's eyes flash bright gold.
Merlin is lying in the dragon's cave, sweaty as he wakes.
'I didn't think you'd answer my call,' Merlin said.
'He had to,' Gaius said.
'Yeah I know,' Merlin said.
'Merlin, I could not resist a dragonlord, even if I wanted to,' Kilgarrah reminded the young dragonlord.
'I'm grateful, thank you,' Merlin said.
'Lie still,' Kilgarrah ordered.
'Ow,' Merlin moaned.
'Whimp,' Arthur said fondly.
'I'd like to see you do any better,' Gwaine snorted.
'What hurts?' asked Merlin.
'The serket's poison is powerful. I have given you an enchantment that will help you heal, but it will take time,' the dragon said.
'Never thought I'd be pleased that the Great Dragon lived,' Leon said.
Arthur strides into the physician's chambers who was bent over his desk.
'Where is that half-wit?' demanded Arthur.
'Conversing with a should be dead dragon,' Gwaine laughed.
'Merlin?' asked Gaius.
'I've got no socks, no breeches, and an archery session to go to,' striding towards Merlin's room. 'Merlin!' Arthur called.
'Well I'm sorry that your psychotic half sister and her half sister attempted to murder me,' Merlin said drily.
'How was I supposed to know,' snapped Arthur.
'I thought he was with you, Sire,' Gaius replied.
'Don't try and cover for him,' Arthur ordered pointing towards Gaius.
'I wasn't,' Gaius replied.
'He didn't come home last night, I can't find him,' frowned Gaius waving a white feathered quill around.
'When you do, you can tell him he's the target,' Arthur said exiting the physician's chambers leaving a worried Gaius.
'Oh that's nice,' snorted Merlin. 'I'm now the target for both Pendragon siblings.'
That night Morgana sneaks through the castle up a spiral staircase and peeks around the corner at some guards. Then descends to the burial vaults, sets fire to some brush and places it in a notch in the wall to create smoke in the corridor above. Leon spots the smoke and the guards investigate, leaving the corridor empty.
'They shouldn't have all gone,' groaned Arthur. 'When we get back I'm retraining the guards on proper security measures. And Leon you should have told someone to stay behind.'
'Sorry sire,' Leon said quickly to the angry reagent.
Morgana watches them leave with a smirk. Morgana sets off at a quick pace to the King's chambers where she finds Uther gazing vacantly up at her.
'A face I've seen all too much of,' murmurs Arthur.
She smirks at her father and wraps a string around the mandrake root and strangles it several times causing it to squeal. Uther becomes more terrified with each scream the root makes.
In the dragon's cave Merlin wakes up quite suddenly shocked to realise that he's slept a whole day a way. He struggles up.
'You shouldn't have let me sleep,' Merlin said.
'You needed rest,' Gaius said.
'Kilgarrah was quite right to make you sleep,' Hunith agreed.
'I would have done the same if I had found you,' agreed Gaius.
'I had no choice, young warlock. The venom was too strong, even for your great powers,' Kilgarrah said softly.
'The venom usually kills instantly unless you have enough magic to delay the onset,' Gaius explained, 'but it will cause almost immediate unconsciousness so the effect is the same. The fact that Merlin was able to stay awake long enough to call Kilgarrah using more magic shows how powerful he is.'
'I don't have time,' Merlin said sharply standing up. 'I need to get back to Camelot. The kingdom is in danger and...it's my fault. I should've listened to you,' Merlin admits. 'Should never have trusted Morgana,' Merlin said bitterly.
'Something we all feel,' sighed Arthur.
'You more than most,' Gwen smiled sadly.
'I don't know what I'd do if my sister betrayed me like that,' Elyan added.
'Luckily you'll never have to worry about that,' Gwen said sternly.
'I know, Gwen, you've got too good a heart to betray us,' Elyan replied.
'So did Morgana once,' Arthur sighed.
'That Morgana is gone,' Gaius said.
'You did what you felt was right, and that shows great courage,' Kilgarrah said.
'He's right,' Arthur agreed.
'But trust is a double edged sword,' warned the Great Dragon.
'Sounds like something father would say,' murmured Arthur.
'Don't compare Kilgarrah to Uther,' Merlin said, 'he'd likely eat you for that.'
'Right,' Arthur gave Merlin a disturbed look.
'I thought...because she has magic, I thought we were the same,' Merlin said.
'You really are very lonely,' Gwen said.
'All magical peoples are in this time,' Merlin sighed.
'In some ways you are,' Kilgarrah said.
There was an outcry at this.
'No,' Merlin said sharply. 'I will never be like her.'
'No you won't,' Gwen agreed steely eyed.
'Bloody dragons,' muttered Gwaine.
'You have learnt an important lesson, Merlin. Your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing. But I fear that your futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love,' Kilgarrah said.
'One of the great prophecies,' murmured Gaius.
'Really?' asked Merlin.
'There are so many about the two of you,' Gaius said. 'I learnt them when I was studying magic as a young man long before the prophecies came to pass.'
'I need to get back to Camelot,' Merlin said.
'You're not yet fully recovered, Merlin, and it's more than three days' walk,' Kilgarrah warned.
'How did you get back in time?' questioned Percival.
'Kilgarrah,' laughed Merlin.
'You flew a dragon,' Gwaine said envious.
Merlin smiles at this, 'I've no intention of walking,' Merlin said.
Merlin rides the dragon to Camelot with a lot of laughter and woops.
'Having fun?' laughed Gwaine.
'It's in his blood,' Gaius said. 'A lot of past Dragonlords have had one dragon which they travel through the skies with.
'Woo! Whoa. Ha-ha! Woo!' laughed Merlin letting go of the dragon and waving his hands in the air.
'Be careful, Merlin,' groaned Hunith.
Merlin grinned, 'it was fun.'
'Why can't you enjoy horses that much,' muttered Arthur.
Merlin shrugged, 'I'd choose a dragon over a horse any day.'
Kilgharrah drops Merlin off in the clearing near Camelot.
'This is as far as I go,' Kilgarrah said.
'Good that no one noticed a dragon flying about,' Arthur said.
'That would cause problems,' agreed Leon.
'Father would have probably sent us off to slay it,' Arthur mused.
'Thank you. I won't forget this,' Merlin promised.
'Be careful, young warlock. The great battle for Camelot has begun. You must be strong. For Arthur's destiny and the future of Albion lie in your hands,' Kilgarrah warned.
'No pressure,' muttered Merlin.
In the physician's chambers Gaius is murmuring in his sleep.
'Good dream?' asked Merlin cheekily.
Merlin runs in and shakes Gaius awake.
'You need to wake up,' Merlin whispers.
'Why are you whispering?' asked Percival.
Merlin shrugged, 'just in case anyone heard.'
'Merlin! Where have you been?' Gaius demanded slowly getting.
'I don't have time to explain,' Merlin replies half pulling Gaius out of his bed.
'Are you alright?' asks Gaius as Merlin helps him into his jacket.
'Morgana is in league with Morgause; she's plotting against Uther,' Merlin said.
'What?' Gaius asked shocked.
'You really had no idea?' asked Arthur.
'None until Merlin told me,' agreed Gaius.
'She's responsible for his visions. Come on, hurry up. There's something I need to show you,' Merlin said.
Gaius and Merlin walk through the corridors where they open the door to the king's room which is topsy-turvy when Merlin and Gaius enter. Merlin and Gaius exchange a worried look and start looking for Uther. Uther is crouched in a corner. Gaius kneels down next to the broken king.
'Uther? Uther!' Gaius says softly.
Uther paws desperately at Gaius while he stares over Gaius's shoulder. Gaius looks to where Uther is looking terrified but sees nothing. Uther starts sopping and sees a sopping wet Ygraine dripping water onto the floor with five drowned children in the middle of the room.
'Please!' begs the late queen.
Uther as Merlin rushes to the bed and dives underneath the bed where removes the mandrake root, and throws it in the fireplace. The root screams as it dies causing Merlin to flinch back at the sound and put a hand to his ear. Uther relaxes slightly.
'It was an enchantment, Sire,' Uther looks at his physician desperately. 'You need to rest,' Gaius speaks softly.
Merlin helps Uther into bed and tucks the king back into bed. Gaius pours medicine into Uther's cup.
'Please drink this, sir. It will help you to sleep,' Gaius said.
'Do you carry around medicine all the time?' questioned Merlin.
'It was already in the room,' explained Gaius. 'In case he had another fit.'
Gaius feeds Uther the drink who drinks it.
Back in the physician's chamber Merlin and Gaius are speaking about recent event.
'We must tell Uther what Morgana has done,' Merlin said.
'He'd never believe you,' sighed Arthur.
'Are you mad? He'd have both our heads if we made such accusations. He'd look on it as treason,' Gaius said.
'We can't just let her get away with it,' Merlin said.
'We all know what she is now,' Arthur said grimly. 'I just wished it hadn't taken so many lives to achieve it.'
'He dotes on her every word, Merlin,' Gaius warned.
'She is his daughter,' sighed Hunith.
'But...if he knew,' Merlin said.
'You've seen how blind he is to her faults. Besides, the root is gone now. It can do no more harm,' Gaius said.
'Thank goodness,' Arthur murmured.
'No, you don't understand. I heard Morgana and Morgause. There's more to their plan, I'm sure of it,' Merlin said.
In Morgause's cave Morgause watches Cenred's army in a crystal as they march through a valley.
Cenred's army march towards Camelot. The Knights of Camelot watch Cenred's army from a hill and then ride off through the woods.
In Arthur's chambers Merlin opens the curtains and Arthur turns sleepily in his bed to get away from the light. Merlin turns around to a jumbled mess that his the prince's chambers.
'What happened?!' Merlin asked incredulously.
'This is what happens one day without a servant?' questioned Merlin shaking his head.
'What happened? I've had to make do without a servant, that's what's happened,' Arthur said crossly.
'It had only been a day,' Merlin retorted.
'Like your room's any better,' Gaius said.
'I'm too busy cleaning up after Arthur, doing chores for you and fighting for my destiny to keep my room tidy,' Merlin grumped.
'You were just as messy in Ealdor,' Hunith said fondly.
'I wasn't gone for that long,' Merlin retorted.
'I wasn't,' Merlin agreed with himself.
'Boys,' Gwen shook her head.
'Without my permission,' Arthur replied.
'What if I was dying?' questioned Merlin.
'I wouldn't be complaining!' Merlin stated.
'Arthur,' Gwen reprimanded.
'I didn't know,' Arthur defended himself.
'But you're not. So where've you been?' questioned Arthur.
'He's already told you,' Gwaine glared at the prince.
'I was dying,' Merlin replied quietly.
'I don't have time for this. The future of the kingdom rests upon my shoulders. Do you have any idea what that feels like?' demanded Arthur.
'Just a little,' Lancelot shook his head.
'Well...' Merlin trailed off.
'Merlin. I should have you thrown in the dungeons. So, what've you got to say for yourself?' Arthur asked.
'Do you have to take out your stress on your poor servant?' huffed Merlin.
'If it's you?' questioned Arthur. 'Yes.'
'Prat,' Merlin said fondly.
'You've not had your breakfast this morning, have you?' Merlin asked.
'You should know,' Gwen laughed, 'you bring him his breakfast.'
'I'll have you for breakfast!' Arthur shouted getting up out of his bed.
'That could be misconstrued,' laughed Gwaine.
'Gwaine,' Arthur, Merlin and Gwen shouted.
Arthur picks up a goblet and chucks it at Merlin.
'What is it about you throwing stuff at me?' asked Merlin.
'Oh, no wonder this place is such a mess!' Merlin complained.
'I have to hand it to you, Merlin, you've got guts,' Leon laughed.
'Or lacks common sense,' Gaius shook his head.
'I think it's Arthur whose brave for chucking stuff at Emrys,' Gwaine said. 'He could smite you with lightening.'
Arthur throws another object which smashes on the wall behind Merlin's head.
'A servant of Arthur has to be quick on their feat if they want to remain bruise free,' Merlin said grinning.
'Oi,' Arthur said.
'Why do you think you never kept servants for more than week?' Leon shook his head.
'Oh, yes, I can see you've got all the makings of a great king,' Merlin said sarcastically.
'Not the time,' Lancelot shook his head.
Arthur throws his clothes at and Merlin ducks out of the room.
'Run away,' Gwaine grinned.
'What a brave warlock,' Arthur rolled his eyes, 'running away from clothes.'
'Well I couldn't exactly use magic on the king's son,' Merlin rolled his eyes. 'Not if I wanted to keep my head.'
In Morgana's chamber Gwen finishes making Morgana's bed.
'May I clear away the dishes, My Lady?' asks Gwen.
Morgana does not answer as she stares out the window having spotted Merlin as he walks through the square with Arthur.
'She knows you've survived,' Gwen said worriedly.
'We were locked in a silent battle for much of the year,' Merlin agreed.
'Morgana?' asked Gwen looking at her mistress with concern.
'I was thinking about what to wear,' Morgana lies with a smile before turning back to the window looking out angrily.
'Sure you were,' Gwaine said sarcastically.
'I must dress,' she smiles before leaving the window.
'She had been acting so different since her kidnapping,' Gwen said. 'I thought she had been affected by whatever had happened. It wasn't for a while that I realised she was no friend anymore.'
In Uther's chambers Uther is sleeping peacefully when Morgana kneels down and checks under the bed for the madrake root.
'She guessed you'd have removed it,' Arthur said.
'Not hard to work out,' replied Merlin.
'Have you lost something, My Lady?' questions Gaius.
'My earring. I thought I might have dropped it when I was in here yesterday,' Morgana lies.
Merlin snorted at this, 'does she really think I wouldn't have told Gaius?'
'How is he?' asked Morgana.
'Like you care,' Morgana said bitterly.
'Much better. We found the source of his sickness. He was being enchanted,' Gaius tells her and she looks at him.
'I think she already knows,' Gwaine said drily.
'Really,' drawled Arthur.
'Enchanted,' Morgana said acting surprised.
'Like you don't know,' Arthur was still bitter about his sister's betrayal.
'You need not worry, My Lady. He'll make a full recovery,' promised Gaius.
'I don't think she wants him to,' Gwaine added.
'We know, Gwaine,' Elyan shook his head.
'That is a relief,' Morgana lied.
'Sure it is,' Gwaine rolled his eyes.
'Indeed, My Lady,' Gaius pretended to not see right through her.
Merlin is walking casually down a corridor when Morgana pops out of an alcove pulls him into it.
'Pretty witches pulling you into alcoves,' Gwaine rolled her eyes.
'She may be pretty but she really isn't my kind,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'I don't know how you managed to escape, but I do know one thing: if you breathe a word of what you saw, I will make your life a very short and painful one. Just think how Uther would react if he learned that a serving boy had tried to poison his beloved ward,' threaten Morgana.
'I wasn't stupid enough to say anything,' Merlin said insulted.
'Only because of Gaius,' reminded Hunith.
Morgana struts off with a smirk as Merlin watches her go.
The knights of Camelot ride into the castle.
In the council chambers Leon is speaking about what they've seen.
'I estimate they will reach the city within two days,' he tells the council.
'Under whose banner do they march?' questions Arthur.
'Cenred's, Sire. We knew he was amassing an army...' Leon trailed off.
'How many men?' asks Arthur.
'20,000 maybe more,' Leon estimates.
'I fear that news of the king's illness has spread beyond our borders. Cenred sees an opportunity,' Arthur said.
'Then we must find a way to appease him,' Leon said.
'Not what my father would do, he wouldn't bow to our enemies,' Arthur said.
'You are not your father,' Gwen said.
'Follow your heart rather than what your father would do,' Merlin added. 'If war can be avoided by peaceful means then avoid it although in this case war was unavoidable. It left me in a very tricky position to be a citizen of Esetria but serve their enemies. It's why I haven't gone home since then.'
'Forgive me, Sire, we are outnumbered two to one,' Gaius said.
'What concessions will Cenred insist on? What territories will he demand?' demanded Arthur.
'We do not have to give him anything, but it could buy us valuable time,' suggested Gaius.
'It shows weakness, Gaius. There's only one course of action open to us,' Arthur said.
'You were right,' Merlin sighed, 'but diplomacy should be the first course of action but with men like Cenred it is useless.'
'You are a lot smarter than you act,' Arthur shook his head.
'Thank you sire,' smiled Merlin.
Arthur walks over to his father's throne and sits on the throne displaying himself as leader, 'we must prepare the city for siege,' Arthur says.
'Are you sure that is wise?' questions Leon.
'The castle is our strongest weapon. No army has ever taken Camelot,' Arthur told him.
'Except the fact that we have a traitor in our midst,' muttered Merlin darkly.
'But what about the people in the outlying villages?' questions Leon.
'Give them refuge within the city walls,' Arthur tells him.
'And what of their houses, their livelihoods? Cenred will destroy everything in his path,' warns Leon.
'But they will have their lives. Go. Ready the army,' orders Arthur.
In the corridor Merlin and Arthur are walking along.
'You did well in there. I mean it. I was impressed. We're talking siege engines, and battering rams, and catapults. You made a tough decision whe...you're risking hundreds of...' Merlin was saying.
Arthur turned around and looked at his servant, 'do you know what?' asked Arthur.
'What?' asked Merlin.
'I'd really prefer it if you just kept quiet in these situations,' Arthur said.
'I was making you nervous again,' Merlin guessed.
'I am just trying to help,' Merlin replied.
'Well, you're not,' Arthur told him.
'I know you don't mean that; you're just worried. But you don't need to be. Look what we've got,' Merlin said.
Arthur raised his eyebrows, 'what?' asked Arthur.
'You and...me,' Merlin said.
'Emrys and the Once and Future King,' agreed Gwaine.
'Merlin, what exactly are you going to do?' questioned Arthur with a bewildered expression on his face.
'Go all warlock on you,' grinned Gwaine.
'I'm going to be at your side, like I always am, protecting you,' Merlin said.
'No wonder we have such good luck,' Leon shook his head.
'God help me,' Arthur said.
'You have no idea how many times I've saved your life,' Merlin said.
'I'm beginning to,' Arthur muttered.
In the countryside Cenred's army are riding towards Camelot. Morgause and her bloodguard ride towards Cenred and his guard.
'My dear Morgause,' greets Cenred.
'Cenred,' greeted Morgause simply.
'My army shall be here by nightfall,' Cenred tells her.
Morgause smiles at this.
'I'm glad that pleases you,' Cenred tells her.
'He's besotted,' Gaius shook his head.
'You'd understand love blinding you,' Merlin said.
'As would you,' Gaius added.
Merlin nodded sadly thinking of Freya.
'I'll wait and see if you deliver before I say that I am pleased,' Morgause replies.
'And when I do?' questioned Cenred.
'Then I will give you a feast that you will never forget,' Morgause replied.
Cenred smiles at this and Morgause smiles back.
Arthur is gazing out of his window when Gwen knocks on the open door and enters nervously. Arthur turns around.
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...' Gwen trailed off.
'How can you accidentally enter a room?' questioned Gwaine.
'Shut up, Gwaine,' Arthur glared at his knight.
'No. Come in, please,' Arthur greeted her.
Gwen walks towards Arthur who is leaning against his desk.
'How is your father?' Gwen asks.
'I could do with him here,' Arthur said.
'You need more faith in your abilities,' Gwen said.
'You should have more faith in yourself,' Gwen said repeating herself.
'Stop repeating yourself,' laughed Gwaine.
'What are the people saying?' asks Arthur.
'They are glad that you have taken charge,' Gwen replies with a smile.
'I've committed them to a siege. There's going to be casualties, Gwen,' Arthur said.
Gwen steps forward and places a hand on Arthur's arm, 'I trust you, Arthur. More than Uther. More than any man. Worry is not a wise counsel. Forget everything else. You have to follow what you believe is right.'
'Not what your father would do,' added Merlin.
Arthur places his hand over Gwen's. Gwen looks up at him. They look at each other's lips until Gwen and steps back.
Elyan breathed a sigh of relief glad that he didn't have to see his baby sister kiss Arthur or any other man again.
'I should go, Sire,' Gwen said quietly and turns and begins walking towards the door.
'There's no need to call me that,' Arthur called after her.
Gwen looks back towards him, 'there is every need, Sire,' Gwen replies with as smile as she leaves whilst Arthur looks down at his arm where she had placed her hand on his.
Morgana watches the citizens of Camelot prepare for the siege with a smirk. She then pulls her hood up and walks down the corridor past guards who take no notice of the king's ward.
Morgause and Morgana meet up in the clearing in the woods where Morgause's horse is crazing just behind them.
'Where have you been?' asks Morgana.
'Clingy,' muttered Gwaine.
'What's the betting they discuss me,' Merlin said.
'I'm not betting,' snorted Lancelot, 'it's obvious they will. You just like getting in the way.'
'Yup,' agreed Merlin with a grin.
'What's wrong, sister?' asks Morgause.
'It's Merlin. He's alive. He's back in Camelot. He has thwarted us. He destroyed the mandrake root. Your enchantment's been broken,' Morgana informed her sister.
'Do not worry. The root has already done its work, and Cenred's army are less than a day from the city,' Morgause says.
'Then it is time?' asks Morgana.
'Are you ready? Morgana? Cenred's army are mighty, but they cannot bring down the city on their own. You, too, must play your part,' Morgause tells the younger witch.
'Tell me what I must do,' Morgana says.
Morgause holds up a staff.
'The skeletons,' Arthur scowled.
'I don't think she's the one who stopped them,' Leon said.
'It wasn't,' Merlin said bitterly.
'Merlin,' grinned Gwaine.
'Why am I not surprised?' Arthur shook his head.
'It's carved from the Rowen tree that grows at the very heart of the Isle of the Blessed. Only the high priestesses and their Bloodguard have ever set eyes on it,' Morgause explains.
'That's not how it's supposed to be used,' Merlin said angrily.
'It was formed to help those who have lost people get some peace by having last words with their loved ones,' Gaius explained. 'It is just a shame that it can also summon armies of the dead.'
'My magic is still weak. I do not have the strength to wield such an instrument,' Morgana says shaking her head.
'Do not worry. The staff will guide you. It carries its own power,' Morgause reassured the young witch.
Morgana takes the staff, as Morgause watches the young witch carefully who smiles wickedly, 'I will not fail you,' promised Morgana.
'And I will not fail Arthur,' Merlin said grimly.
Morgause nods, 'I know,' Morgause smiles before turning back to her horse.
Peasants stream into Camelot from the outlying villages as the guards watch them enter.
In the palace Merlin drags bags of supplies up the steps.
'Merlin, where have you been? I've been calling for you,' Arthur said coming down the stairs.
'Doing my job,' Merlin said sounding a little insulted.
'Gathering provisions,' Merlin informed the prince as others weave around him. 'Twenty-five salted cod, fifteen dried capers, and one smoked boar,' Merlin said pointing at other bags.
'What on earth for?' Arthur asked as knights pass Arthur.
'You really can be dense,' Percival said.
'We're preparing for a siege,' Merlin reminded him.
'Yes, not a banquet,' Arthur replied as another knight runs past him.
'You know what you're like without food. We could be trapped in here for weeks, months, even,' Merlin informs him as another knight runs past them. 'Look what I've got for your breakfast,' Merlin holds up a jar of pickled eggs as other knights run past him. 'Your favourite. Pickled eggs,' Merlin said.
Soldiers continue to prepare for the siege passing shields and weapons to one another. Arthur walks through the infirmary which is still being set up giving instructions to Sir Leon. Arthur catches sight of Gwen who smiles at her prince and gives her a nod.
In the courtyard Arthur continues his conversation with Leon with Merlin following along behind them.
'Has everyone from the outlying villages been given shelter?' asks Arthur.
'As best we can, Sire. They amount to almost 9,000 so far, but they're still coming,' Leon informs the prince.
'How long will our provisions last?' asks Arthur.
'See provisions are important,' Merlin said.
'Depends, Sire, on what losses we sustain,' Leon replies.
'Cenred?' asks Arthur.
'Our scouts report he'll be upon us a matter of hours,' Leon says.
Arthur sits by his father's bedside looking teary eyed when Merlin enters.
'Sire,' whispers Merlin not wanting to interrupt his time with his father. 'It's time.'
Arthur gets up and places his hand on his sleeping father whilst Merlin looks away slightly to give them privacy.
'I promise, I will not let you down,' Arthur tells the sleeping king and leaves the king's chambers.
Arthur and Merlin look out at the enemy army amassed on the other side of the castle walls. Arthur then turns away from them. Arthur leads his knights past his army in the Square. In a lower chamber, Arthur steels himself as his knights sharpen their swords and prepare their crossbows. Arthur watches them sadly.
'Was this your first proper battle?' asked Hunith.
'Without my father,' Arthur replied.
'You still had me, your advisers, Gwen, your knights,' Merlin said, 'your never alone even if you feel it.'
'Either are you old friend,' Arthur replied.
'But I can never confide in you about anything magical,' Merlin sighed.
'You can now,' smiled Gwen.
In Arthur's chamber Merlin helps Arthur on with his armour. He pulls a little too tightly on the vambrace strap.
'Sorry,' Merlin whispers.
'I thought you weren't nervous,' Gwaine grinned.
'It's not like you to get nervous, is it, Merlin?' asked Arthur sorting out his armour himself.
'Merlin is many things,' Arthur said, 'nervous on the eve of battle he has never been.'
'I'm not nervous,' Merlin defended himself.
'No?' asked Arthur.
'Because I trust in your destiny,' Merlin replied.
'Have you been on the cider?' asked Arthur as Merlin pulls out the king's sword.
'Why does everyone think I'm a drunkard?' asked Merlin.
'Merlin barely drinks,' Gwaine added, 'he always refuses to.'
'Accidents happen,' Merlin said drily.
'When Will persuaded Merlin to get drunk when they were sixteen Will ended up with donkey ears and Old Man Simmons couldn't stop singing Sir Patrick Spens for a week,' Hunith shook her head fondly.
Gwaine laughed, 'I have to get you drunk.'
'Not if you want my head to remain attached to my neck,' snapped Merlin.
'Arthur would never let that happen,' Gwaine replied.
'I'd have no choice until I'm king,' Arthur replied.
'It is your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known. Your victory today will be remembered...by every age...'til the end of time,' Arthur takes his sword off of the manservant. 'Just trust in yourself,' Merlin said.
'How is it that you only ever show wisdom in times of stress?' asked Arthur.
'Because that is when wisdom is needed,' Merlin said, 'other times you need someone to calm things down.'
'There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of...I don't know what it is. I don't want to say...it's not wisdom,' Merlin shakes his head. 'But, yes. That's what it is,' Arthur said.
'He is wiser than he acts,' Gaius said.
'I like playing the idiot,' Merlin said. 'It makes people underestimate me and makes my friends laugh. I like making people happy.'
Merlin smiles at this comment.
'You only ever comment me before going into battle,' Merlin said, 'not after or during but before.'
'Don't look so pleased. The rest of the time you're a complete idiot,' Arthur told him.
'Just ruin it why don't you,' Gwen shook her head.
Morgana watches the soldiers file out of the castle from the window in her chambers.
The knights are pulling out their swords when Arthur enters. The young prince greets his troops and raises his sword, 'for the love of Camelot!' the shouts.
'For the love of Camelot!' echo the knights raising their own weapons.
Arthur leads them out. Other soldiers prepare barricades in the lower town using benches and any other weapons that they have.
Cenred's troops are amassed on the edge of Camelot. Cenred and Morgause are mounted near the forest with their guards as they watch his troops set fire to the trebuchets.
'Fire!' shouts Cenred.
The trebuchets launch flaming material at the walls of Camelot and Cenred's troops advance on the city still firing the trebuchets. The fire lands on the barricades that the knights have set up.
Uther wakes with a shout finding that Camelot is under siege and gets out of bed.
Cenred's army breaks through the gate and advances towards the barricade. Arthur and his knights fend them off. Arthur slashing the enemy army with his sword. Uther descends the steps into the Square dressed in his armour looking upon the flames, battle and clash of swords. He draws his sword and runs across the drawbridge up to Leon.
'Hold the line!' orders Leon.
Sir Leon catches sight of Uther.
'You need to go back, Sire,' orders Leon.
'Ordering the king, now, Leo,' Gwaine's eyes twinkled.
'Leo,' a disgruntled Leon said.
'I remember when I called you that,' laughed Gwen.
'You couldn't pronounce my name,' reminded Leon.
Uther pushes past Sir Leon to reach the front line.
Merlin enters and glances over at Morgana.
'Gaius. One of us needs to keep an eye on her,' Merlin tells his mentor.
'Don't worry, I am,' Gaius tells the warlock.
'You mustn't let her out of your sight. I need to get back to Arthur,' Merlin said.
A fireball lands in the square shocking the infirmary inhabitants. There are screams heard. Merlin rushes out of the infirmary back into the battle. Morgana has heard the conversation. Merlin runs into the courtyard another fireball hits flames going everywhere knocking Merlin to the ground. Cenred's men use ladders to climb the battlements, Camelot's army defends. Those on ladders and those on the battlements slashing sword to sword. The knights manage to knock one ladder down. The men on the ladder scream as they fall. Cenred's men continue to catapult flames into the castle whilst Cenred and Morgause continue to watch on their steeds from the woods. The two smirk at each other. Arthur catches sight of his father.
'Father!' shouts Arthur pushinghis way to Uther and drags him away from the front line.
'What are you doing?' demanding the king.
'Protecting you,' Arthur said.
'He knows,' Gaius smiled sadly. 'You are his most precious thing. He had no wish for you to go into battle on your own.'
'You're not well,' tells his father.
'Your father's pride will not allow him to falter,' Gaius chuckled. 'Telling him he was too weak to fight will make him more likely to fight.'
'This is my kingdom!' Uther tells his son as Arthur drags the king away from the battle front sword still in hand.
'See,' Gaius said.
'I know,' Arthur nodded.
Uther gets hit by a lone, stray arrow and collapses into Arthur's arms. Arthur catches the king in his arms. Arthur looks back at the overwhelmed barricade.
'Pull back! Retreat!' Arthur orders his men.
Arthur continues to drag his father back but the knights have no choice but to defend their attackers who give them no chance to move back. Merlin arrives as the knights retreat and Cenred's men launch themselves over the barricade in full force.
'Forbærnen,' whispers the warlock.
'Thanks,' Leon said, 'we needed that.'
'Hence why I did it,' Merlin replied.
Merlin's spell sends up a wall of fire to block the enemy and allow Camelot's troops time to retreat. Merlin rushes over to Arthur who is still carrying the wounded king.
In the infirmary Gaius is tending to a wounded man while Morgana watches him. While the physician is busy Morgana takes her chance not be watched to leave. Gaius looks back up and sees Morgana leaving. Gaius leaves the infirmary to follow the witch to see the flames around the castle. The old man follows Morgana into the castle. Morgana rushes into her chambers to her bed where she reaches under it retrieving the staff. Gaius enters Morgana's chambers finding them apparently empty whilst Morgana is hiding behind the door.
'How did you miss her?' asked Merlin. 'It is the most obvious hiding place ever.'
Gaius leaves and Morgana smirks at this.
Down in the citadel Arthur helps his father to the well.
'You must get back to the battle, we're losing the lower town,' Uther orders his son.
'It's already lost, Father,' Arthur tells him.
'And the citadel?' questions the king.
'Safe for now,' Arthur assures him.
'It must stay that way,' Uther told him.
'You have to trust me, Father. I know what I'm doing,' Arthur assures his father.
Arthur pulls the arrow out of Uther's leg with a groan.
'You must rest. When you're well again, you will still have a kingdom, I promise you that,' Arthur vowed.
Arthur and Merlin run back to the fight.
Outside Cenred's army continues to throw flames at the castle. Cenred rides back to Morgause.
'The lower town is ours,' Cenred said gleefully.
'That will hardly fill the pages of history,' Morgause says coolly.
'She's one hard witch to please,' Gwaine said.
'Are you trying to please her?' questions Merlin.
'Course not,' Gwaine sounded insulted.
'What of the citadel itself?' questions
'Their defences are strong. Time for you to deliver your side of the bargain,' Cenred says.
'Patience, Cenred. You will not be disappointed,' Morgause tells him.
'If only we didn't have out own sorcerer,' Arthur said.
'Warlock,' corrected Merlin.
Morgana makes her way down the steps past the guards as Uther is brought to the infirmary.
'Where's Gaius?' Merlin asks Gwen.
'I don't know,' Gwen said.
'Morgana's disappeared,' Gaius tells Merlin.
Morgana enters the burial vaults and smirks. Merlin bursts into Morgana's room looking for her. Morgana drives the staff into the stone floor. Merlin feels the jolt of magic.
'You felt that?' asked Percival.
'I who have dominion over life and death could feel it more than Morgana could even begin to comprehend,' Merlin said. 'I could feel the wrongness of what she was forcing the dead to do.'
Morgause breathes in the power of the Rowen staff.
'Does she have power of life and death?' asked Arthur.
'How else do you think she brought your mother to the land of the living?' asked Merlin.
'Enough of your games, Morgause. What has happened to your traitor?' demands Cenred.
'For such a great king, you have very little patience,' Morgause tells him.
'Which was his ultimate downfall,' Arthur said.
'The time for patience is over!' Cenred tells her sharply turning to look at the blond.
'You need not worry much longer. No army can fight on two fronts. Not even the knights of Camelot,' Morgause says.
'Unfortunately that's true,' Arthur said grimly. 'If the dead hadn't been vanquished…' he trailed off.
'No need to thank me,' Merlin said.
'Okay I won't,' Arthur returned.
Gwen just shook at her head at the two of them.
Morgana watches the Rowen staff shoot energy beams at the tombs around her.
'Well at least she hasn't mastered life and death at this point,' Merlin said.
'Do you think that's what she's doing now learning more magic?' asked Arthur.
'I fear that is the case,' Gaius said.
Arthur and his soldiers fend off the enemy knocking more ladders containing Cenred's men over. One of the soldiers near him gets stabbed and Arthur helps him down from the battlements.
Morgana watches skeletons burst through their tombs around her with a smirk.
'She's so evil,' Gwen shivered remembering a time before magic and Morgause.
Arthur helps the wounded soldier through the square.
'Take him to the hospital,' Arthur orders a couple of men.
Arthur hands the wounded soldier off to a couple of men. Merlin comes down the steps looking for Morgana.
'Merlin!' shouts Arthur. 'Where the hell have you been?'
'Trying and failing to keep your sister under control,' Merlin said a little crossly.
'She's not my sister,' Arthur scowled. 'Siblings are like Gwen and Elyan not a witch who wants to murder me, kill my friends and allies, destroy what I stand for and take my crown.'
'Sorry,' Merlin said.
'We used to be siblings and I wish for that back but no more,' Arthur sighed.
Gwen put a hand on Arthur's.
'Nowhere!' Merlin lied running toward the prince.
'You're starting to make a habit of this. What's your excuse this time?' asked Arthur.
'Morgana,' Merlin said, 'it seems if someone goes missing Morgana's behind it.'
Merlin stops to gape at something behind Arthur.
'Come on, Merlin. You can do better than that,' Arthur tells him.
Merlin points behind Arthur. Arthur turns to see an army of skeletons behind him. Arthur fights one parrying blows with the sound of metal on metal and stabs it.
'That won't help any,' warns Gaius, 'you can't kill something that is already dead with mortal weaponry.'
'Where's Excalibur when you need it,' Arthur muttered,
'At the bottom of a lake,' Merlin said.
'Where is it now?' questions Arthur.
'Inaccessible,' Merlin said simply.
The skeleton shrugs and keeps fighting. Arthur attempts to chop it's head off to no avail. Merlin picks up a sword off a barrel and fights a skeleton.
'When did you learn how to fight?' asked Arthur.
'With a sword?' asked Merlin. 'I've attended enough training sessions to have picked up the basics.'
They parry blows still.
'You can fight fairly well,' mused Lancelot, 'with practice and proper lessons you could be quite decent.'
'I prefer to fight in less than legal ways,' Merlin replied.
'But sword fighting would come in quite useful to compliment the magic,' Percival said.
'What is this teach Merlin how to fight day?' asked Merlin.
Merlin cuts off the skeletons hand.
'You've done better than the princess here,' laughed Gwaine.
A knight takes on the skeleton while Merlin slashes at the arm on the ground which is coming towards him using it's fingers as legs.
Arthur and Merlin rush up the steps on the Griffin staircase, but stop half way.
'You need to warn Gaius. Tell him to seal off the hospital,' Arthur orders.
'But what about more injuries,' Gwen says.
A skeleton is heard approaching. Arthur turns to face the skeleton entering the castle. Merlin watches the silhouette approach.
'Merlin! Do as I say!' Arthur orders.
Merlin rushes up the steps as the skeleton comes into sight. Arthur draws his sword preparing to fight.
In the infirmary Gaius is patching up Uther.
'I have to get out there,' Uther tells the physician.
'Doesn't he have any faith in me?' asked Arthur.
'He does,' Gaius said, 'but it doesn't mean he doesn't worry.'
'Like the fact that you have faith in your knights but still insist on leading them,' Merlin said.
'No, Sire. You're still weak from the medicine I gave you. I told you that...' Gaius begins.
'I cannot watch my kingdom fall and do nothing,' the king interrupts his advisor.
'Arthur will defend it,' Gaius assures the king keeping a hand on the king.
Merlin enters the infirmary at a run, 'Gaius,' Merlin calls.
Gaius turns to see his ward just entering the infirmary. Gaius leaves Uther to talk with Merlin.
'You need to seal off the hospital,' Merlin repeats Arthur's words.
'So you can do what your told,' Arthur shakes his head.
'When I agree with the rules,' Merlin replied.
'The castle is under attack from within,' Merlin explained.
'What are you talking about?' asked Gaius.
'Good they haven't reached the infirmary yet,' sighed Arthur.
'Morgana, she summoned an army of the dead. They're everywhere,' Merlin explained starting to leave again.
'Where are you going?!' asked Gaius shouting after his ward.
'To try to stop her,' Merlin replied leaving the infirmary.
Merlin runs down a stairway carrying a sword.
Camelot soldiers robed in red defend against Cenred's army robed in grey fight slashing sword against sword on the drawbridge. Sir Leon is seen attacking several of Cenred's men. He moves back from the front line pushing other knights forward. Leon turns to see the skeleton army crossing the drawbridge towards him. Several other knights turn and see the same thing.
'That's all we needed another army to defend against,' Leon said darkly.
'Especially an unkillable army,' Merlin said grimly.
More skeleton soldier advance with swords.
'On me!' calls Leon.
The knights and the undead begin to fight.
In the infirmary Arthur is speaking to Gaius.
'We can't fight a battle on two fronts,' Arthur told the old man.
'Keep still,' Gwen tells her as shebandages Arthur's hand. Arthur winces, 'I don't know how much longer we can hold the citadel. We need to get my father to safety.'
Gwaine snorted, 'typical think of the king before everyone else. Shows how much you care about the people.'
'I do care about the people but without the king then Cenred will be able to take Camelot with no opposition,' Arthur said sharply.
Uther is slumped against the in the infirmary obviously injured and exhausted.
'How? We no longer control the lower town. There's no escape, Arthur,' Gaius tells the young prince.
Merlin enters the burial vaults and Morgana turns to look at him.
'You should leave now while you still can,' warns Morgana with a smirk.
'You have more to worry about than Merlin,' Gwaine grins.
'I'm always underestimated,' Merlin grinned, 'until I manage to defeat them.'
'Morgana, please. I beg you. Women and children are dying,' Merlin said trying to get closer to staff to stop it from raising the dead. 'The city will fall,' Merlin tried to reason with her.
'She's passed the point of no return,' Gaius sighed.
'I just fear I pushed her that way,' Merlin sighed.
'She's always had ruthlessness about her and manipulated men around her,' sighed Arthur.
'Good,' Morgana said coolly.
'No, you don't mean that,' Merlin said desperately shaking his head.
'I have magic, Merlin. Uther hates me and everyone like me. Why should I feel any differently about him?' demanded Morgana.
'It's not only Uther you are hurting,' Merlin sighed, 'all of this is only making people hate and fear magic more.'
'You of all people could change Uther's mind. But doing this? Using magic like this will only harden his heart,' Merlin retorted.
'He was willing to use magic to save her life. I don't think he'd have ever killed her,' sighed Merlin.
'You don't have magic, Merlin,' Morgana snapped shaking her head.
'Err yes he does,' Gwaine said.
'How could you hope to understand?' demanded Morgana.
'I understand more than she could ever hope to understand,' Merlin sighed. 'She's only had to live in fear a few years. I've felt like this my whole life.'
'I do understand, believe me,' Merlin said desperately.
'I notice you don't agree that you don't have magic,' commented Percival.
'If I had your gifts, I would harness them for good. That's what magic should be for. That's why you were born with these powers,' Merlin told her.
'Like you do,' Gwen smiled.
'Many do,' sighed Merlin, 'but they'd be cut down all the same. There were more good magic users before the purge. Before we had to live in fear and hatred and secrecy. Before we watched those we loved executed before our eyes powerless to stop it. Many want revenge for those they have lost or just want out.'
'You don't know what it's like to be an outsider. To be ashamed of how you were born, to have to hide who you are,' Morgana snapped.
'I've been doing it my whole life and I'm not evil,' Merlin muttered.
'No but you always had me,' Hunith sighed. 'Then Gaius and Lancelot.'
'When Merlin first came here he believe he was a monster,' sighed Gaius.
'Do you think I deserve to be executed because of who I am?' Morgana demanded.
'Because of what you are – no,' Merlin said, 'because of what you've done – unfortunately murder is punishable by death whether magical or non-,magical.'
'No,' Merlin said quietly shaking his head. 'It doesn't have to be like this. We can find another way.'
'I believe Arthur is that other way,' Merlin said.
'There is no other way,' Morgana said coolly shaking her head.
'There are plenty of other ways that do not involve murder and treachery,' Arthur snapped.
Merlin nods as he backs up away from her.
'You gave up just like that?' asked Arthur.
'There was no reasoning with her,' sighed Merlin.
Merlin walks behind a pillar and tries to dash around the other side to reach the Rowen staff. Morgana knocks the sword out of his hand and draws her own. Morgana advances on him and Merlin backs up.
'You can fight skeletons but not Morgana,' Arthur shook his head.
'I didn't want to fight Morgana,' Merlin sighed, 'I only do so out of necessity.'
'What are you going to do? Kill me?' questions Merlin.
'You don't think I can?' questions Morgana pointing her sword towards Merlin's throat.
'Well she's failed before,' Merlin shrugged, 'so has everyone whose ever tried to kill me.'
'If you're going to do it, make it quick,' Merlin told her.
Morgana slashes at Merlin. Merlin ducks and picks his sword up from the floor. The warlock and the witch parry blows.
Leon and other soldiers continue to fight between Cenred's army and the skeleton army. The knights of Camelot standing back to back trying to halt to invading armies at once. Leon fighting with the skeletons whilst in the burial vaults Merlin and Morgana continue fighting. Merlin ducks missing Morgana whilst Morgana attacks forcing Merlin to defend himself with his blade. The two of them stand blade to blade whilst on the drawbridge the fighting continues. In the burial vault Merlin and Morgana continue fighting slashing violently at each other. Morgana disarms Merlin backing the warlock into a wall. Merlin avoid her attacks, Morgana gets off balance and Merlin ducks behind a tomb.
'Feoll bu brand!' whispers Merlin.
'Fall dwelling like a weapon,' Gaius translated.
'I wanted to turn the environment we were into a weapon against Morgana so that's what I said,' explained Merlin.
Merlin's spell collapses part of the vault roof on top of Morgana, knocking her out with a yell. Merlin picks up a sword and runs to the Rowen staff.
'Snæde!' Merlin slices through the staff.
'Cut,' smiled Gaius, 'simple and effective.'
'Could it be done without magic?' asked Arthur.
'No,' Gaius said.
'How did they not work that out?' demanded Arthur.
'I'm the last one you would expect to have magic,' laughed Merlin, 'plus you need to have conquered life and death to destroy it which is very advanced magic.'
'Let's hope Morgana never conquers it,' Gaius said grimly having no idea that was exactly what the witch was currently doing.
In a flash of silver the staff is destroyed. Merlin staggers back.
Up in the corridor Arthur is till fighting a skeleton. Suddenly the skeleton that Arthur is fighting crumbles falling down into a pile of bones.
'Thank you Merlin,' Merlin put in.
Arthur rolled his eyes at the servant.
The skeleton that another knight in another corridor is fighting also crumbles into a pile of bones. Out on the drawbridge the skeleton Leon is fighting crumbles into a pile of bones. Sir Leon rejoins the fight against Cenred's army with the added force the knights of Camelot push the fight past the training grounds gate. Those on the ladders up to the battlement are being pushed off in the dozens.
'And so we won,' Arthur said.
'Thanks to Merlin,' Gwen put in.
'Alright thank you Merlin,' Arthur said grudgingly.
'All in a days work,' smiled Merlin putting his feet up on a small table.
'Feet off the table, Merlin,' Hunith said.
Merlin did.
'The great warlock still listening to mother,' Arthur teased.
On the edge of the battlefield Morgause frowns at what is happening.
'Your traitor has failed us just as I knew they would. I'm calling off the siege,' Cenred decided.
'At least he's no idiot,' Arthur said.
'You can't!' snapped Morgause.
'I cannot take the city unaided. That was not our bargain!' Cenred replied.
'You have failed me, Cenred,' Morgause tells her ally.
;I would rather fail you, Morgause, then watch thousands of men die,' Cenred replies.
'He doesn't take pointless risks,' Hunith says, 'although he only gets involved if he has something to gain.'
'He had nothing to gain from thousand being killed by the knights of Camelot,' Arthur said.
'And not gaining Camelot in the end,' added Leon.
The next day fires are still burning on the outer walls of Camelot.
In the throne room Merlin rushes up to Arthur, 'sire,' the servant speaks.
'You were going to tell me the truth, weren't you,' sighed Arthur.
'I couldn't contradict what had just been said by the king in front of all the men,' Merlin replied.
'I understand,' Arthur sighed, 'if only there wasn't the barrier between nobles and commoners that stopped you coming forward a lot of pain could have been spared.'
'Or more added,' Merlin said, 'we'll never know what would happen if it wasn't this way.'
'What is it, Merlin?' asked Arthur.
'I need to tell you something about Morgana,' Merlin said walking in with Arthur and the other nobles.
'It's all right. We know what happened,' Arthur said.
'You thought we'd discovered her treachery,' Arthur groaned.
'We both misinterpreted each other's meanings,' shrugged Merlin.
'You do?' asked Merlin surprised as Arthur walked up the steps to the throne to stand behind his father.
Uther stood on the top step in front of his throne, 'in my time, we've won many battles, but none so important as this. Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you, and I salute you all. Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst, one who was almost the undoing of us,' Merlin and Gaius shared look. 'However, we have to thank the one person who outwitted them,' smiled Uther as Merlin blinked.
'You thought he was talking about you,' Lancelot said.
'Well it was,' Merlin said a little bitterly.
'And who - almost singlehandedly - turned the battle,' Uther said.
'Go Merlin,' cheered Gwaine.
'The Lady Morgana,' Uther decreed raising a hand to her as the others began clapping the traitorous witch.
'Yeah right,' snorted Gwaine.
'That must have been a pain thinking you were finally getting recognition-'began Arthur.
'I didn't do it for glory,' snapped Merlin.
'I know,' Arthur said quickly.
'What annoyed me was that I still had to watch Morgana carefully and keep you from revealing too much to her which you always did,' Merlin sighed.
Morgana came towards Uther taking her guardian's hand.
'For it was she who bravely entered the vault,' Morgana smiles at Uther's words.
'To plant the vessel,' Merlin glared at the screen.
'Found the magical vessel, and destroyed it,' Merlin and Gaius share a look.
'I think you'll find that was Merlin,' Gwaine said.
'We know,' everyone said.
Morgana lets go of Uther's hand as Uther continues to speak, 'we must be vigilant! We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic,' Merlin and Morgana catch each other's eyes.
'Against the dark forces of magic yes but not the light forces,' Merlin said.
'And ensure that they never penetrate our walls again,' Uther said.
'With Morgana living in Camelot that's never going to happen,' snorted Merlin.
Merlin and Morgana glare at each other.
In the physician's chambers Merlin and Gaius and sit down to dinner.
'Why is Uther so blind to her true nature?' asked Merlin.
'Parents are always blind to their children's faults,' sighed Hunith.
Gaius shook his head, 'I don't know, Merlin. It's a mystery,' Gaius replied.
'That we have now solved,' Merlin said.
'Uther told me,' Gaius reminded him.
'And I overheard and Uther pretty much admitted it to me his self and Morgana let it be known to whole of Camelot,' Merlin added.
'But Morgana will try again,' warned Gaius.
'Again and again and again,' Merlin groaned.
'I'll be ready for her,' Merlin vowed.
'Always,' agreed Merlin.
'You must be careful,' warned Gaius.
'I'm not afraid of her, Gaius,' Merlin said.
'I've faced better trained magical people than Morgana,' Merlin agreed.
'You should be,' Gaius said.
'No. All I feel for her is...sad. She's become so bitter, so full of hate,' Merlin sighed.
'Like so many persecuted to,' sighed Merlin.
'Don't let that happen to you, Merlin,' warned Gaius digging into his stew.
'I won't,' Merlin said.
'You've got too good a heart to become twisted like Morgana,' agreed Hunith.
'Nothing could ever make me that angry,' Merlin said.
'Not even Arthur in morning?' asked Gwen.
'Not even Arthur in the morning of a hunt when he hasn't had a proper meal for a few days,' laughed Merlin.
'I'm not that bad,' Arthur said.
'Yes you are,' Merlin said.
'Merlin!' shouted Arthur.
Arthur enters looking angry, 'get your lazy backside out here.'
'What did you want?' asked Gwaine.
'My room was a mess,' Arthur shrugged.
'Stop chucking things then,' Gwen rolled her eyes.
'Then I wouldn't need a servant,' replied Arthur.
'To dress and feed you, to muck out your stables, to stop you getting killed every few days,' Merlin replied.
'That's not a servants job,' Arthur said.
'But it is mine,' Merlin replied, 'and being a servant gives me a perfect place to keep an eye on you constantly.'
'Second thought,' Merlin said.
'Don't blame you,' Gwaine said. 'Never could handle being a servant and any regular job I was booted out of for being drunk on the job.'
'Somehow I'm not surprised,' Gaius shook her head.