The Coming of Arthur Part One
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin,' Kilgharrah says as Merlin's eyes flash gold.
'We owe so much to Merlin,' murmured Gwen.
In woods in Cenred's kingdom. Knight of Camelot lie dead including Sir Leon. The banners of Camelot lay fallen around the bodies of their men.
In Camelot in the Council Chamber of Doom the council meet. Arthur has in his hands a scorched piece of red fabric bearing the Pendragon crest. Uther grabs the cloth of his son and heir. Uther turns away from Arthur to inspect the cloth.
'It was Cenred who did this, you're certain of it?' Uther questioned.
'Yes, My Lord. His messenger has only this minute departed Camelot. Cenred said that the patrol trespassed on his land and an example had to be made,' Arthur said.
Hunith winced, 'Cenred is a cruel man and an even crueller king.'
'How many dead?' Uther demanded.
'All of them, Sire. Every last man,' Arthur said as the other nobles looked down in respect for their fallen.
Leon shivered, 'I can only thank the druids for my life.'
'But whose life had to be exchanged for yours?' asked Merlin frowning.
'I don't know,' admitted Leon.
'It is possible that one of the druids was already dying,' Gaius said. 'They offered their own life in exchange for Leon's.'
'The knights?' asked Uther.
'All lost. Edric, Oldof, Osric, and Sir Leon,' Arthur replied.
Uther looks up sharply. Merlin and Gaius share a look.
Back in the Cenred's woods druids make their way through the fallen checking the bodies.
'Here!' The druid shouts.
The druids surround the body of Leon. One druid places a hand with a tattoo of the druids on his hand. Leon's eyes fluttered slightly showing that he was still hanging onto life.
'Quick! Help me. We do not have much time. Ready?' the druid asks and the druids pick up Leon.
In the Druid cave. The druids lay Sir Leon down on a blanket. Leon stirs slightly. The druid lays a hand on Leon then looks sharply up at the other druids.
'His spirit leaves him. We must hurry,' the druid says and gets up.
The Druids chanting, 'Buthed gwared, hrag pob ailed, hrag pob evnis boyd un thilis. Buthed gwared, hrag pob ailed, hrag pob evnis boyd un thilis. Buthed gwared, hrag pob ailed, hrag pob evnis boyd un thilis. Buthed gwared...'
'What does that mean?' asked Leon curiously.
'Out of a violent death. Quickly make it no longer useless. Quickly breath now. Help him and cure him,' Merlin said quietly.
'Neither you nor Nimueh needed words to control the Cup of Life,' frowned Arthur.
'Nimueh was a powerful High Priestess with decades of experience with the Magic of Life and Death,' Gaius said gravely, 'and Merlin is Merlin.'
'Welcome back,' the Druid greeted as Leon returned to full strength.
Back in the Council Chamber of Doom at Camelot. A grinning Arthur shakes a newly returned Leon's arm. Uther stands just behind the two knights. Morgana is seated and smiles lightly; a smile which is probably fake.
'We thought you were dead for sure,' Arthur said shaking Leon's hand.
'I was dead, or as good as, until the druids found me,' Leon said causing Arthur to step back and the smile vanishing from his face.
Merlin winced, 'did you not realise that saying you had survived due to magic and the druids would get the druids in trouble?'
'I hadn't thought of that,' Leon admitted. 'They saved my life with nothing to gain from it. I knew they were a peaceful people even if they had magic! Why do you think I came to the conclusion that the King was wrong so quickly?'
Merlin nodded, 'thank you, Leon.'
'Druids?' Uther asked causing the smile to vanish from Merlin's face also.
'Of course, the king's not happy,' Merlin said bitterly. 'If other people are saved by magic then they are evil but when it is his children suddenly he cares!'
'Yes, My Lord. I owe them my life,' Leon said.
'That I do,' sighed Leon.
'How did they heal you? You were as good as dead, you said,' Uther said approaching the knight.
'I don't know,' admitted Leon.
'I couldn't say that they had used magic,' Leon said.
'It was obvious they had,' Gwaine pointed out.
'Did they use magic?' Uther demanded.
'Well, I...' Leon trailed off.
'Yes or no, it's a simple enough question,' Uther said sharply.
'Not when your life is on the line,' Merlin said bitterly.
'I only know that I drank from some kind of cup, Sire,' Leon said.
'And so Uther and Morgana found out the location of the Cup of Life,' Merlin said grimly.
'Cup?' Uther demanded.
'It was extraordinary, My Lord,' Leon said causing Morgana's interest. I have known nothing like it. From the moment it touched my lips, I could feel my life return to me.'
'As another was taken,' sighed Merlin.
Morgana looks interested at Leon's admission. Uther looks concerned and more than a little bit frightened understanding what the Cup of Life was. Gaius looks grave him too knowing what the Cup was.
'Well, your trials have left you weary, I'm sure. We must let him rest,' Uther said.
Uther claps Arthur on the back and strides out of the Chambers. Arthur places an arm on Leon's and leads him out of the chamber. Morgana still looks interested as she watches Leon and Arthur leave. Merlin glances sideways knowing that Morgana is planning;
'And so her plan was hatched,' Gwaine shook his head. 'I can understand her trying to kill Uther considering what he does to her people even Arthur and Merlin and the knights. But innocent lives are on the line here! And you already noticed.'
'I always notice when Morgana is planning something,' Merlin replied.
In Sir Leon's chambers Leon is now in bed under his covers. Gaius examines Sir Leon sitting beside Leon on the edge of Leon's bed. Gaius places a hand on his head checking the knight's temperature.
'Is that it?' Leon asks.
Gaius gets up, 'that's it. He's exhausted, Sire,' Gaius turns to Arthur who is beside him, 'and severely dehydrated, but given time he'll make a full recovery.'
'Thank you, Gaius,' Arthur said.
Arthur smiles and nods remaining in the room with his knight and friend. Gaius meanwhile walks out of the room with Uther following behind. Merlin, meanwhile, swings his satchel over his back and follows the king and his mentor out.
'The good thing about being a servant is the king barely sees you,' Merlin said.
'Which is why you have a knack of knowing things you are not supposed to,' Gwaine laughed.
In the corridor Gaius strides down the corridor with Uther and Merlin following behind him. Uther and Gaius discuss Leon's miraculous recovery.
'Well?' Uther asks.
Gaius stopped and turned around to talk to the king, 'it's remarkable, Sire. He bears no sign of any kind of wound. He's in perfect health.'
'And the cup he spoke of?' asked Uther.
'From his description, I would say it was the Cup of Life,' Gaius says and Merlin looks at Gaius with surprise.
'We should have taken it with us,' Merlin sighed.
'If we had Leon would have died,' Gaius said.
'But many others would not,' Leon argued.
'You are aware of its power, Gaius,' Uther said stepping closer to Gaius.
'I am, indeed, Sire. But the druids are a peaceful people. They would only ever use the Cup for good. Sir Leon is surely proof of that,' Gaius said.
'Be that as it may, according to Sir Leon's description, the druids' cave lies within Cenred's kingdom. It is imperative that we get to the Cup before he does,' Uther said.
'If Uther had left it,' sighed Merlin. 'It may have been safe.'
'Only may?' asked Gwaine.
'Morgana had heard Leon's story,' explained Gaius. 'If we could find it so could Cenred and Morgause.'
'My Lord, druids are secretive by nature,' Gaius said as Merlin watches with a dark look on his face.
'Made even more so by the times we live in,' Merlin said bitterly.
'They will have the Cup well hidden,' Gaius shook his head. 'Might it not be wise to leave it where it is?' questioned Gaius.
'Rather than have it where Morgana can easily access it,' agreed Merlin.
'I'm not prepared to take that risk,' Uther replied.
Uther turned and strode off walking past Merlin who was acting like he hadn't heard the conversation. Merlin looked worried and looked up at Gaius. Gaius had the same worried, grim expression on his face.
'So instead you remove it from the safe place to a castle with a traitor in it,' Gwaine said.
'We were unaware of Morgana's duplicity,' Arthur said angrily.
'And the Cup never made it to Camelot anyway,' Merlin said.
In the Physician's Chambers that night Merlin and Gaius are sitting opposite one another.
'I thought the Cup was destroyed with Nimueh when I defeated her on the Isle of the Blessed,' Merlin said in a hushed voice.
'It would have been better if it had been,' Leon said grimly.
'The cup cannot be destroyed,' Gaius said grimly. 'It will exist long after we are gone.'
'The Cup cannot be destroyed. It's magic is eternal, unbound by time or place,' Gaius said in a low voice.
'But why does Uther fear it so much?' asked Merlin urgently.
'I had no idea it could be used for anything other than exchanging lives,' Merlin explained. 'I knew in the wrong hands that could be dangerous as the Magic of Life and Death can cause great harm as has been proved in the past.'
'You mean my mother,' Arthur said.
'Actually I meant your father and the Great Purge that followed,' Merlin replied.
'Because the Cup can be used for evil as well as good,' Gaius explained.
'As everything can be,' Merlin said.
'I don't understand,' Merlin said.
'Like that's new,' laughed Arthur.
'Many centuries ago, it fell into the possession of a great warlord. One night, he gathered his army before him. He took a drop of blood from each and every man and collected it in the Cup. Such was the vessel's power that the soldiers were made immortal where they stood,' Gaius explained.
'So they could not be killed,' Merlin said.
'That is what immortal means,' Arthur said drily.
'The carnage they wrought was beyond all imagining. The King's no fool. He knows that the forces of the Old Religion are rising against him once more. Heaven forbid that the Cup should fall into the hands of Morgause,' Gaius said.
'Morgana,' Merlin understood.
'With Such a weapon at their disposal, Camelot would be all but lost,' Gaius said grimly.
'It almost was,' sighed Arthur. 'We were doomed for sure when the immortal soldiers turned to dust,' Arthur said at which Lancelot and Merlin got a very shifty look. 'Let me guess it was you two,' Arthur sighed.
'Of course,' shrugged Merlin.
'More Merlin than me,' Lancelot added.
In a secluded corridor where the shields of various houses are displayed. Uther stands apparently inspecting the shields. Arthur approaches Uther who turns around to greet his only soon who he has called to meet in secret whilst Morgana eavesdrops.
'You called for me, Father?' questioned Arthur.
'Cenred is our sworn enemy. We cannot risk him getting his hands on the Cup of Life,' Uther said.
'Especially with him allied to Morgana and Morgause,' Leon said grimly.
Arthur nodded, 'even then I knew Cenred was allied with Morgause.'
Arthur nods, 'I know, Father.'
'You must retrieve it. Your mission must remain secret; you can speak to no one of this,' Uther says as Morgana listens in nearby.
'Bit late now that Morgana knows,' Leon said grim remembering the horrors that had occurred.
'I will take only my most trusted men,' Arthur said.
'Any patrol will be noticed,' Leon disagreed shivering as he remembered breathing his last breaths.
'That's what my father said,' agreed Arthur.
'Which is why only the two of us went,' Merlin said.
'We've seen what happened to the last patrol that entered Cenred's land. You must go alone. I'm sorry to place such a burden upon you, but there is no one else I can trust,' Uther said.
'I understand, Father,' Arthur replied.
Arthur nods and turns to leave his father. Uther remains standing looking worried for both son and kingdom. Morgana too turns to leave from her hiding spot and walks down the corridor her heels banging on the floor.
'How did you not hear the heels?' asked Gwaine.
'I was already gone by that point,' Arthur pointed out.
'Then how didn't your father hear?' asked Merlin.
'My father, Merlin, had a lot on his mind,' Arthur said.
In Arthur's Chambers Arthur is packing for the quest the next day. Further in his chambers by his bed Merlin stands also packing. Merlin has a white shirt swung over his arms as he pack the clothes for the next day.
'You will be ready by sunrise, won't you Merlin?' Arthur demands.
'If I don't know where we're going, how do I know what to pack? Will it be hot? Will it be cold? Will it be wet? Will it be dry?' Merlin rants.
Gwen giggled, 'it's a secret mission I doubt there's going to be lot's of time for changing clothes.'
'Don't be such a girl, Merlin. We're not going on holiday,' Merlin said.
'Holiday? What's a holiday?' Merlin begins to pack a red Camelot cape.
'Servants don't get holidays,' Merlin said. 'We're lucky to get a day off!'
'Not that,' Arthur said pointing at the cape. Nothing bearing the crest of Camelot. We're going under cover.'
'This is ridiculous. Are you going to tell me where we're going or not?' demanded Merlin.
'Can't you guess?' asked Lancelot, 'considering that Leon just returned from Cenred's lands.'
'I knew that we were going for the Cup of Life,' Merlin admitted, 'and it was likely in Cenred's lands but Cenred's lands is a very big place.'
'Well, I can tell you it will be dangerous,' Arthur said.
'I knew that,' Merlin rolled his eyes. 'It almost always is for us!'
'Great,' Merlin muttered.
'And I can tell you we will be travelling through bandit infested lands,' Arthur said.
'Well that narrows it down,' muttered Lancelot. 'Most of the border lands are bandit infested because kings care nothing for them.'
'Terrific. Then where?' Merlin repeated.
'I can't tell you that,' Arthur said.
'You don't know where we're going,' Merlin said nodding.
Gwen laughed, 'I don't think that's going to work.'
'No, Merlin. I know where we're going. It's just, I can't tell you, that's all,' Arthur said.
'Right, 'cause if you do, you'll have to kill me, I suppose,' Merlin said grinning.
'Immediately and without hesitation,' Arthur replied seriously and straight faced.
'I'd like to see you try,' snorted Merlin.
Merlin's grin turns into a grimace, 'great,' Merlin murmurs causing Arthur to give a closed mouth grin. 'It'll be a surprise. I love surprises. Who doesn't love a good surprise?' Merlin asks sarcastically going back to the cupboard as Arthur looks up at his servant.
'Good surprises – yes,' agreed Lancelot, 'but we both know that this isn't a good surprise.'
In the castle basement Morgana dressed in a purple velvet dress walks through the castle her dress flaring in the draft. At the end of the corridor through a metal grate a fire roars. Morgana walks through the gate and looks around grinning and turning around as Morgause moves from behind her.
'It really is too easy for invaders to get into Camelot,' Merlin said.
'What is it you wanted to tell me, Sister?' Morgause asks entering the cell with Morgana.
'Arthur rides at dawn. He's been sent to recover some kind of cup. The Cup of Life, they called it?' Morgana questions.
Morgause's eyes widened, 'the Cup of Life? Are you sure?'
'I heard every word,' Morgana replied.
'How long I have searched for it,' Morgause murmurs looking behind Morgana and walking around behind her sister.
'It must have gone missing when Nimueh died,' Merlin said.
'The Druids must have liberated it before it fell into the wrong hands,' agreed Gaius.
'Is it as powerful as they believe?' asked Morgana turning to the direction her sister was going.
Gwaine rolled his eyes, 'of course it is. You don't call something the Cup of Life if it is not powerful!'
Morgause turns around to face Morgana sharply, 'oh, yes. Trust me, Sister, with the Cup in our possession, Camelot would soon be at our mercy. Where is the Cup now?'
'It's in the hands of the druids. All I know is that their camp lies within Cenred's kingdom,' Morgana replied raising her eyebrows suggestively the beginnings of a smirk on her face.
'Then perhaps Cenred will be of use to us again. He has spies everywhere. If he can have Arthur followed...' Morgause trailed off.
Merlin groaned, 'that's how he found us.'
'We led Cenred straight to the Cup,' Arthur said hollowly.
'Then Arthur will lead us all the way to the Cup itself,' Morgana said smiling.
'Which was unfortunately exactly what happened,' Merlin said grimly.
In Morgana's Chambers. Morgana watches Merlin and Arthur ride out of the Square.
Merlin and Arthur ride through the woods. Merlin's horse splashes through a puddle. Spies watch them and ride to Cenred's castle.
In Cenred's throne room Morgause stands.
'Which way was the Prince heading?' asks Morgause.
'For the Forest of Essetir, My Lady,' replied the rider.
'Send word to the scouts in the area; they must be prepared,' Cenred says from his throne.
'Yes, Sire,' the rider replied turning and leaving.
'Can your scouts be relied upon?' asks Morgause.
'Unfortunately,' muttered Arthur.
'Of course. I handpicked them myself,' Cenred replied.
'Why does that not reassure me?' Morgause questions.
'Do not concern yourself, My Lady. The Cup of Life will soon be in our hands, and when it is, Camelot will be ours,' Cenred says.
'If you hadn't been betrayed,' Merlin said not sure to pity the king of the lands Merlin was born in or feel he got what he deserved.
Morgause inclines her head towards the king, 'you forget yourself, Cenred. It is Morgana that will take the throne, not you or I.'
'I make no claim upon the throne, only the spoils of victory,' Cenred replies.
'You will get what you deserve, Cenred. I can assure you of that,' Morgause says stroking Cenred's chin before walking away.
'By that she means death,' Merlin said grimly.
In the woods Merlin and Arthur ride on slower than they were previously.
'We're going to Cenred's kingdom, aren't we?' Merlin asked.
'I'm surprised it took you that long to realise that,' Arthur said.
'Especially considering you were born in Essetir,' added Lancelot with a laugh.
'What makes you say that?' asked Arthur.
'Er, we're in the Forest of Essetir and we're not stopping,' Merlin pointed out.
'The way I travelled to Camelot all those years ago,' murmured Merlin.
'You can think what you like, Merlin,' Arthur said.
'Oh, come on. You might as well tell me,' Merlin said.
'Who on earth is Merlin going to tell in the middle of nowhere?' asked Lancelot.
'Then I'd have to kill you, I told you that,' Arthur said.
'You'd never kill me,' Merlin grinned, 'even if you could.'
'Go ahead. I mean, I'm probably going to die anyway. Look at what happened to the patrol that came here! Dead, the lot of them!' Merlin said looking around at Arthur.
'Sir Leon survived,' Arthur pointed out.
'Only thanks to the druids and the Cup of Life,' Merlin said.
'Well you're there,' Arthur said. 'To save us if needed.'
'Right, so that gives me, what? A one in forty chance of making it?' Merlin asks looking around at Arthur again.
'Rather less, actually. There are only two of us,' Arthur said.
'That really helps,' Lancelot shook his head.
'So I'm not probably going to die, I'm definitely going to die,' Merlin said once again turning round to look at Arthur.
'Always the pessimist, Merlin. Who knows, maybe, just this once, we'll have no trouble,' Arthur says.
Immediately afterwards a balding man pops up from behind the bushes with a blow dart in his mouth. Arthur gets shot in the neck with a tranquiliser dart. Arthur's eyes roll and he places a hand to his neck.
'Great timing, Arthur,' Merlin said shaking his head.
'Maybe you're right. If past experience is anything to go by,' Merlin said.
Merlin apparently hasn't noticed that Arthur's horse is now horseless due to it's rider being drugged and fallen off his horse. Merlin then too gets shot in the neck with a tranquiliser dart. Everything goes dark.
'You really are completely oblivious to anything non-magical, aren't you, Merlin,' Arthur said. 'You didn't even notice that I had fallen off my horse!?'
A blurry Arthur and a crowd of men look down on Merlin as Merlin struggles to consciousness in an old bell tower. Merlin blinks blearily up. Arthur bends down and slaps Merlin's face to wake him up.
'And you say I'm abrupt with the wake ups,' Merlin said.
'Merlin,' Arthur said warningly. 'Shut up.'
'What was that you were saying about me being a pessimist?' Merlin asked.
Gaius sighed, 'Merlin, not the time for "I told you so".'
'Must've slipped my mind,' Arthur said.
'Sure it did, princess,' laughs Gwaine.
Arthur bends down and offers Merlin a hand to help Merlin stand up. Gwaine pushes in from the back of the crowd of men where he comes up behind Arthur and puts a hand on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur grabs Gwaine's arm without looking.
'Touch me again, you die,' threatened Arthur.
'Hello to you too,' laughed Gwaine.
'Gwaine?!' Merlin grins in surprise.
'See that's how you say hello,' Gwaine laughs.
'But he didn't say hello,' pointed out Arthur.
'He was happy to see me,' Gwaine said.
'I was unaware who it was,' Arthur huffed, 'and we were locked up somewhere with a group of unknown hardly the best place for greetings!'
'No manners you royals. Merlin, old friend, you look terrible,' Gwaine said clapping both hands on Merlin's thin shoulders.
'And what were you saying about greetings?' asked Leon raising his eyebrow.
'Likewise,' Merlin grins back.
'Men,' laughed Gwen.
'What are you doing here?' asked Arthur.
'Well, you know, wrong place, wrong time, wrong drink,' Gwaine said.
'Same as always,' Leon shook his head.
'Nothing's changed there, then,' Arthur commented.
'That's just not fair,' Gwaine said punching Arthur lightly in the arm.
'You started the bar fight when we met,' Gwaine pointed out.
'But not the one where I found you,' Merlin said.
'But Arthur didn't know that,' Gwaine said.
'Where exactly are we?' asked Arthur.
'The bell of an old castle. Belongs to a fellow names Jarl,' Gwaine said.
'Never heard of him,' Arthur admitted.
'Lovely bloke,' Gwaine said folding his arms. 'Slave trader.'
'We're going to be sold as slaves?' Merlin looks horrified.
'Who'd want you as a slave?' Arthur asked.
'Plenty actually,' Merlin said grimly. 'Why do you think even in Essetir where magic is permitted I hid what I was?'
'Why?' asked Leon.
'Because we were close enough to Camelot for Uther to take an interest in a child with magic,' Merlin said. 'He came after my father despite Ealdor not being in his lands even if it risked war with Cenred. I couldn't say he wouldn't do the same a second time.'
'Then there was Cenred who would try to enslave Merlin,' sighed Hunith.
Jarl approaches from above, 'right, you filthy vermin. Which one of you's ready to face my champion in the arena?' Jarl said putting his hands on his hips. 'No volunteers? Well, I shall have to choose one of you toe rags myself, then. Let me see. How about you?' Jarl points at Merlin.
Hunith groaned, 'why is it always Merlin?'
Merlin looks around, 'me?'
'I hardly look like a warrior,' Merlin said.
'Death or glory, boy. You should be honoured,' Jarl said.
'Who is this so-called champion? Can he crush nothing but weaklings like this?' Arthur asked.
'I could beat you if I wanted to,' Merlin said.
'You think you could offer a better contest?' asked Jarl.
'I guarantee it,' Arthur said walking forward.
'Arthur, no,' Merlin said.
'Very well. But if you lose, I'll feed your little friend to the crows piece by stinking piece. Are you ready, my champion?' asked Jarl.
'I am,' Gwaine said.
'I was not expecting that,' Lancelot said.
'No neither were we,' agreed Merlin.
Merlin and Arthur turn around and look at Gwaine in shock. Gwaine just smiles at his friends and would be competitor.
Meanwhile in Cenred's throne room Morgause walks around Cenred's throne. Cenred is sitting in the throne whilst Morgause is walking around the throne.
'How could you let this happen? You let Arthur slip through your fingers,' Morgause says pacing.
'He was taken before my men could get to him,' Cenred said.
'Taken?' Morgause says twirling around with a flip of golden hair. 'By whom exactly?'
'The slave trader, Jarl. He's been working our western border for months,' Cenred says.
'And you let him?' asked Morgause.
'We have an understanding. He doesn't bother me, and I don't bother him,' Cenred said.
'And who cares about your people?' Arthur demanded angrily.
'Not every king is like you will be,' Merlin said quietly.
'And where is this Jarl now?' Morgause demanded.
'Don't worry, Morgause. I'll find him soon enough,' Cenred assures Morgause.
'We escape first,' Merlin said.
'I take it the fire was thanks to you,' Arthur said.
'Naturally,' Merlin replied.
'See that you do,' Morgause said turning to storm out of the throne room.
'Are you threatening me?' demanded Cenred.
Morgause turns with her curls swinging behind her, 'trust me, Cenred, when I am threatening you, you'll know about it,' Morgause promises then turns to walk out of the room with a clip clopping of heals.
'And he then he dies,' Merlin said grimly.
In Jarl's fortress cheering men push Gwaine and Arthur into the centre of the crowd.
'Gentlemen, the rules are simple. One man lives and one man dies,' Jarl says as his men cheer. 'If you cannot or will not finish off your opponent, I'll kill you both,' Jarl says and tosses swords at their feet. 'Let battle commence!'
Gwaine and Arthur look disgusted as Jarl's men cheer. Gwaine and Arthur turn to look at each other disgusted. Gwaine and Arthur then bend down to pick up their swords as Cenred's men cheers.
Merlin looks on frown where he is held by one of Jarl's men. Then Gwaine and Arthur begin to fight. Gwaine swings at Arthur first and one of the crowd roars. The two men swing and slash swords.
'You two really don't hold back do you?' Lancelot shook his head.
'No,' agreed Merlin crossly.
'We had to make it look real,' Arthur said.
'Take it easy, will you?' Arthur questioned.
'It's got to look real, hasn't it?' Gwaine said.
'Fine. If it's real you want...' Arthur growled.
Leon shook his head, 'you really shouldn't have said that,' Leon sounded amused.
Arthur twirls his sword in his hands. Gwaine and Arthur continue fighting crossing swords with one another. They pause, drop their swords and wrestle to the ground. The crowd rushes in on them whilst Merlin is still struggling in Jarl's man's arms. Arthur is squashing Gwaine's face with his hand. Arthur looks up at Jarl and his men. Merlin is still trapped in the arms of one of the men.
'So far, so good,' Arthur said.
'What happens next?' Gwaine asks.
'Please tell me you have a plan,' sighed Gwen.
'Er...there was no next,' admitted Arthur.
Leon sighed, 'Arthur you of all people should know the importance of a plan.'
'At least someone can think fast in tricky situations,' Merlin said.
'Finish him!' Jarl orders.
'Forbaern aeltaewlice,' Merlin whispers.
The fire suddenly explodes from it's holder and spreads along the ropes above. The crowd's jaws drop in surprise and they scatter. Gwaine, Arthur, and Merlin take the opportunity to escape whilst Jarl and his men are distracted.
Gwaine, Arthur, and Merlin run out of the castle at break neck speed. The three men stop in the woods. Merlin is leaning on a tree. Arthur is leaning on his knees with his sword dug into the ground. Only Gwaine seems to be unaffected by their run.
Gwaine smirks, 'seems I'm the fittest of us all.'
Arthur did not look happy, 'we'd just been drugged after spending days travelling.'
'And I'd been fighting multiple enemies for Jarl,' added Gwaine.
'Well, that's somewhere I'll not be in a hurry to see again,' Gwaine panted.
'I thought you said you were fit,' smirked Arthur.
'I'm standing on my own power,' Gwaine pointed out.
'I'd like to point out that I'm not trained,' Merlin said.
'Best stay out of trouble, then,' Arthur said panting as he stood up properly.
'Like that's going to happen,' snorted Merlin.
'You can't exactly talk,' shot back Gwaine.
'Hey I was never in trouble until I decided to be Arthur's protector!' Merlin retorted.
'I could say the same to you,' Gwaine said.
'You could do, but I wouldn't have any idea what you're talking about,' Merlin said.
'Oh, come on. You must have done something to end up in a hole like that,' Gwaine said as Merlin gets off his tree and approaches his friends.
'Actually, we're on a quest,' Arthur said.
'I thought it was supposed to be a secret,' Lancelot said raising his eyebrows.
'It was,' laughed Merlin.
Arthur scowled at Merlin, 'I'm not the one who told Gwaine what the quest was.'
'Well he already knew we were on a quest,' Merlin pointed out. 'What harm would it do to tell him what we were doing? He's helped us out before without saying anything about our questing!'
'We're looking for the Cup of Life,' Merlin said causing Arthur to smack the back of Merlin's head.
'Arthur,' Gwen said putting her hands on her hips. 'What have I said about hitting Merlin?'
'Sorry, Gwen,' muttered Arthur.
'It's not me you have to say sorry to,' Gwen said.
'Sorry, Merlin,' Arthur said a lot more reluctantly.
'Ow. What?!' Merlin asked.
'What part of the word "secret" did you not understand?' demanded Arthur.
'It...Gwaine,' Merlin said looking confused.
'Gentlemen. Gentlemen. It seems whatever it is that you're after, you could use a little help,' Gwaine said.
'Exactly,' agreed Merlin. 'You have to say having a third person would do nothing but help us!'
In the bell tower fortress Jarl stands with his hands on his heads looking furious. His men stand around him.
'No one makes a fool of Jarl. No one. I want to know who they are and where they're hiding!' Jarl shouts grabbing hold of the bandit closest to him who nods rapidly in fear and is pushed away by Jarl.
'My Lord,' one of the bandit says and brings Arthur's bag.
'What's that?' Jarl demands.
'It was confiscated from the prisoners, My Lord. It may hold some clues,' Jarl suggests.
'It's good that we didn't bring any crests,' Arthur said.
'I don't want clues. I want blood! Jarl shouts in the face of the bandit.
Jarl takes the bag off of the bandit and turns away from the man. Jarl empties the bag and finds nothing. He throws the bag to the floor and it jingles. Jarl frowns realising there must be a hidden pocket so pick the bag back up and cuts open the inside with a shiny dagger and finds coins and a sealed note.
Jarl smiles, 'well, well, well. It seems we were entertaining royalty,' Jarl laughs.
Merlin groaned, 'of course they would find out who we were. Why did you bring the note?'
Back in the woods the trio continue on their quest. They are now on foot Merlin and Arthur having lost their horses when being kidnapped by Jarl. Arthur is in the lead followed by Gwaine and Arthur.
'How many horses do you think we lose?' asked Merlin curiously.
'So according to Merlin here, if you tell me where this Cup is, you have to kill me,' Gwaine said.
'That's correct,' Arthur said.
'You may as well tell me, then. I mean, let's be honest, you couldn't kill me even if you wanted to,' Gwaine said.
'Yeah? Try me,' Arthur replied.
'I already did. Back in the arena. I had you banged to rights, did I not?' Gwaine demanded.
'He has a point,' Gwen said.
'That was just a game,' Arthur said.
'Oh, a game, right. I won that game, did I not?' Gwaine asked.
'You knights are to competitive,' Merlin said.
'No, you didn't. One more minute...' Merlin trails off.
'Oh, you flatt...' Gwaine trails off.
'One more minute and you both would've been dead. Neither of you won. You're plan was a half-baked disaster, and if it was not for that fire we would all be pushing up daisies,' Merlin said pushing through a shocked Arthur and Gwaine.
'So in other words it's thanks to you that we're alive,' Gwaine said.
'Yes,' Merlin said.
In Cenred's darkened, fire-lit throne room Jarl has an audience with the king. Jarl stands in front of the throne which Cenred is sitting in. Morgause is as always standing behind Cenred's throne to his right hand.
'You're certain it was Arthur?' asked Cenred.
'Oh, yes. It was the Prince, alright. Matched your description exactly. Had his servant with him. Him and another man,' Jarl said.
'And you have proof of this?' Morgause asks.
'Unfortunately Arthur took his seal,' Merlin muttered.
Jarl took the letter with the seal out of his pocket with a lot of jangling from the money in his pocket. Jarl gave the letter to Morgause who read the letter. Morgause then passed the letter to Cenred.
'Where were they headed?' asked Cenred.
'West to the Forest of Gedney. They've no horses. Their tracks told us as much. You'll soon run 'em down,' Jarl said.
'And now they know where your headed,' Lancelot groaned.
'We knew they would,' pointed out Arthur, 'considering they find us and take the Cup of Life.'
'And injure you,' added Merlin.
'Excellent,' Cenred said nodding.
'Always glad to be of help to, er, people of qualities such as yourselves. Perhaps some small compensation for my, er, time and trouble? Jarl asks raising his eyebrows.
Merlin winced, 'Cenred might have given him compensation because Jarl is useful to him in finding information and people. Morgause, on the other hand, has a knack of murdering her allies as much as her enemies.'
'Except Morgana,' Lancelot said.
'Except Morgana,' agreed Merlin.
'Oh, my dear man, how remiss of me. You will have your reward this instant,' Morgause says.
Jarl starts to smirk expecting to be paid for the information he had brought the king and his sorceress. Instead Morgause's eyes glow gold. Morgause kills Jarl by throwing him into a wall with magic. Jarl screams as he is thrown with magic. Morgause and Cenred smirk at one another.
Merlin winced, 'see.'
'None of us were doubting you,' Lancelot said quietly.
'We all know what Morgause is,' Arthur adds disgusted.
In the forest the trio come to a valley outside the druid cave. Both Gwaine and Arthur have their swords out.
'Well, don't tell me. We're actually here,' Merlin said.
'No need to sound surprised,' Arthur said disgruntled.
'Easy, Merlin. Wouldn't want to rile the Prince,' Gwaine said.
Arthur sword still out makes his way down into the lush valley. Merlin and Gwaine follow the prince. Arthur, Gwaine, and Merlin enter the cave where candles are lain. Inside the cave there is evidence of the druid camp.
'It has to be here somewhere,' Arthur says.
'It would have been better had we never found it,' Merlin said.
'I know,' agreed Arthur.
Arthur sheaths his sword. He sees a cloth move. Arthur approaches slowly and carefully. Arthur pulls a small druid boy out of hiding. Merlin does not look happy with Arthur's action to the druid boy.
'Arthur,' Gwen scolded. 'The boy has done no harm leave him be.'
'I know,' Arthur said.
'Where is it? Hmm?' Arthur shook the boy.
'Arthur,' Gwen said shocked. 'He's a child. You had no right to threaten him!'
'Where's the Cup? Tell me,' Arthur ordered.
'Never mind,' Gwen said sharply and harshly. 'That do you really think that boy knows anything!?'
'Gwen, I'm sorry,' Arthur said. 'I know I shouldn't have done it. I was just desperate.'
'When we get back I hope you begin to build bridges with the druids and all magical people,' Gwen said sharply.
'I will,' Arthur promised. 'I owe the magical people a lot.'
'Let him go, Arthur. He's just a boy,' Merlin said looking distressed.
'Where is it?' Arthur demanded ignoring Merlin.
The Druids surround them.
'Arthur,' Merlin repeats.
Gwaine draws his sword.
'They won't harm you,' Gaius assured the knight. 'Druids never do.'
'Stay out of this, Merlin,' Arthur ordered.
'No, Arthur, really,' Merlin said nodding at the druid leader approaching them.
Arthur looks up and pulls his sword out and turns it on the boy, 'one step closer...' Arthur threatens.
'So now you are threatening to kill a child,' Gwen said as though she'd never seen Arthur before.
'There is no need for violence, Arthur Pendragon. The boy has done you no harm. Release him,' the druid said.
'Not without what I came for,' Arthur said.
The druid leader smirked, 'you seek the Cup of Life, do you not?'
'How do they know that?' frowned Arthur.
'What else would you be there for?' asked Merlin. 'You already said you were not leaving without something. I somehow doubt that they have two powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands objects of the Old Religion.'
'I do,' Arthur agreed.
The druid leader pulls out the Cup, 'it is yours. Please, now, the boy.'
'Well that was very easy,' Lancelot commented.
'Probably wouldn't have been had I not been there,' Merlin said
There is a silence as the boy continues to look terrified and the druid leader held out the Cup of Life. Arthur lets the boy go and pushes the boy towards the druids. Arthur then grabs the Cup, but the druid leader doesn't let go.
'You mettle with a power you do not understand, Arthur Pendragon. By taking the Cup of Life you risk more than you know,' the druid leader warns.
'Is he talking about what Morgana did?' asked Gwen.
'It seems like it,' frowned Merlin.
'It is possible that this man is a seer,' Gaius said. 'It would explain how he knew what you were after and warned what would come.'
'The only Seer I've ever met is Morgana,' Merlin said, 'and to this day she blocks out her powers rather than having learnt how to control them.'
Arthur looks angry and grabs the cup off of the Druid leader, 'I'll take my chances, thanks. Let's go.'
'Never ignore warnings,' Merlin said with a sigh. 'I learnt that the hard way.'
Arthur and Gwaine begin to back out of the cave with their swords still drawn. Arthur and Gwaine then turn to leave. Merlin goes to follow them and turns to walk out of the cave. The druid leader watches the trio go.
'Emrys,' the druid said telepathically.
'See what I mean,' Merlin said.
'How did he recognise you?' asked Arthur.
'I'm not sure,' admitted Merlin. 'Some druids just seem to recognise me whilst some don't.'
'Gaius do you know?' asked Gwen.
Gaius shook his head, 'whatever it is that makes some magic users sense Merlin I do not. It may be their powerful enough to sense it as Mordred and a druid leader are powerful but if that were so Morgana and Morgause would sense it too although the fact they have turned to the Dark arts might block certain senses.'
Merlin turns and looks at the Druid Leader as he speaks telepathically, 'Tthe Cup is in your care now. Guard it well. The future of this land depends on it.
Merlin flinched, 'I failed at that point,' he said hollowly.
'You think,' Arthur said bitterly.
Back in the woods outside the Druid's cave Merlin runs to catch up with Arthur and Gwaine.
'Hard work this quest business,' Gwaine said.
'It would have been better had we not succeeded,' Merlin said grimly.
'Trust me, it's a great deed we did here today,' Arthur said.
Arthur flinched, 'no it was not.'
'Are you sure the Cup wasn't safer with the druids?' Merlin asked.
'And away from Morgana,' Merlin muttered.
'They can't be trusted, Merlin. No one can. The only safe place for the Cup is the vaults of Camelot,' Arthur said.
'With Morgana there I don't think so,' Merlin added.
'Yes I get it,' Arthur said bitterly. 'Would you stop bringing it up how foolish this whole quest was! We should have left sleeping dogs lie.'
'Sorry, Arthur,' Merlin said. 'It just sometimes seems that with every step forward there is another two back.'
'Yeah,' Arthur said, 'but now we're all on the same page now.'
'Yeah, but we have to get it there first,' Merlin said.
'You just had to open your mouth,' Arthur groaned.
Cenred watches them with his soldiers, 'get the Cup. Then kill them.'
'We're approaching the border of Cenred's lands. Beyond the forest lies Camelot,' Arthur said.
'And food and water and a nice hot bath,' Gwaine said.
'Gwaine,' Leon said. 'You do remember that Uther has still exiled you from Camelot.'
'Yeah, yeah, I know,' Gwaine said, 'but I could find a tavern somewhere along the way to get a bath, a drink and food.'
'Quiet. Listen,' Arthur said.
'For once Arthur senses danger before Merlin,' Leon muttered.
'It wasn't magical,' Merlin pointed out.
'I don't hear anything,' Merlin said.
'Exactly,' Arthur said.
'Never satisfied, you city types. It's too noisy, it's too quiet...' Gwaine trailed off as Cenred's men jump out of hiding.
'Hey I'm not a city type,' Merlin defended.
'And I'm a hunter,' Arthur said. 'If the forest goes silent that means they have fled from a bigger threat.'
'Run!' Arthur shouts.
A soldier chasing Arthur shoots him in the leg with a crossbow causing Arthur to fall unconscious. The soldier takes the Cup from Arthur's bag. Merlin uses magic to knock the soldier back, but the Cup goes flying too and drops into the hands of Cenred's men below.
'Arthur,' cried Gwen.
'Damn,' muttered Arthur.
'I know,' Merlin said guilt ridden at losing the cup and what it meant for Camelot.
'Merlin?!' Gwaine shouts.
Merlin looks over at the injured Arthur then down below at Cenred's men. Then back at Arthur. Merlin chose his friend over the Cup of Life. Merlin ran over to Arthur and Gwaine's side as Cenred's men ran off.
'Promise me Merlin never to choose me over something as potentially dangerous as the Cup of Life again,' Arthur said grimly.
'Arthur-'Merlin tried.
'Promise me,' Arthur repeated.
'I promise,' Merlin repeated feeling the vow to his king take hold of his magic.
It is night time in the woods. Gwaine and Merlin have made camp for the night. There is a fire that is all the light that Gwaine and Merlin have to inspect Arthur's wound. Merlin pulls back the torn clothes from Arthur's wounds.
'Right. That doesn't look too great,' Gwaine said.
'Arrow must've been poisoned,' Merlin said reaching over Arthur to place a hand on Arthur's sweaty head to take his temperature. 'He's got a fever, we need to keep him warm.'
'I don't get it. Why all this bother over a cup?' asked Gwaine.
'What?' demands Gwaine when everyone looked at him. 'I didn't know what the Cup was!'
Merlin puts his jacket over Arthur, 'because in the wrong hands it can become a terrible weapon.'
'Not so great Cenred's got it, then,' Gwaine said.
Merlin turns to look at Gwaine, 'it's worse than you can possibly imagine.'
In Cenred's castle the army gathers in the area lit only by torches. Morgause walks through the ranks of Cenred's army bearing the Cup of Life in her hands. Cenred follows behind the sorceress looking around at his army.
'Loyal friends, our time is at hand. From today no sword will fell you, no spear will stop you short. Your blood will not be spilled in vain, but in victory. You march with the mightiest weapon of them all: immortality,' Cenred announces.
'Gegadre anne here fram þisse bune ond heora blod. Swa þæt hie ne abygð ond ne swilteaþ naht, ac leofaaþ a on ecnesse,' Morgause incants and cuts a soldier's hand and pours the blood into the Cup which drips inside the cup as Morgause smirks.
'So what does that mean?' asked Lancelot always eager to learn more about magic but having no talent for the art himself.
'I gather the entire army and their blood by this Cup. So that they won't submit and they'll never die but they'll live forever,' Merlin replied.
'Dark or Light?' asked Arthur frowning.
'Dark,' Merlin said sharply.
'Magic involving immortality almost always is,' added Gaius.
'Almost always?' asked Merlin.
'Unless the Triple Goddess gifts you with immortality as with the Fisher King and a few select others,' Gaius replied.
In the Council Chamber of Doom Uther paces concerned for his son. Uther turns to Leon who is looking fit and healthy once more. Leon is dressed in chain mail and red cloak. Morgana in a green silk dress stands behind Uther with her arms folded.
'Arthur should be back by now,' Uther worries.
'I'm sure there's a simple explanation, Sire,' Leon said.
'You know as well as I do he's been gone too long. Take a patrol, as many men as you need. Whatever it takes, find him,' orders Uther.
'What happened to it being too dangerous for a patrol too go into Cenred's kingdom?' asked Lancelot.
'Arthur was in danger,' Merlin said simply.
'Uther has never behaved rationally when those he cares about are in danger,' Gaius said. 'Look what happened when Ygraine died.'
'Then when Morgana went missing,' Merlin said.
'It will be even more dangerous for the Knights in Cenred's kingdom,' Arthur said grimly. 'Now that Cenred's army is immortal.'
'Morgause's,' corrected Gaius. 'The Cup bind the soldiers to the caster. Cenred's army is loyal only to Morgause likely how Cenred was killed.'
'It won't be any more dangerous out of Camelot than in it,' Gaius said grimly.
'He's right,' Elyan said remembering being at Camelot when the Immortal Army invaded; when his skills with a sword failed him. 'Trust me.'
'I do,' Arthur replied remembering the little that Arthur had seen of the invaded Camelot.
'Yes, Sire,' Leon says and leaves.
'You show great strength, My Lord,' Morgana said.
'What's she planning now?' asked Arthur bitterly.
'Who knows,' Merlin scowled.
'Does she know that Morgause got the Cup?' asked Arthur.
'You'd expect her to,' Merlin said, 'but considering that she's still keeping up her act with Uther who she hates more than anyone in the world I'd say no.'
'She kept up her act even when she had us captured,' Gwen pointed out, 'so maybe she was just being cautious in case things went downhill – again!'
'Unfortunately fighting an Immortal Army was beyond even me,' Merlin said bitterly. 'I knew how to end the spell but getting to the Cup of Life was the hard part.'
'How did you do it?' asked Arthur.
'Excalibur,' Merlin said.
'What do you mean?' asked Uther.
'Day after day you must send your only son into danger,' Morgana said.
Hunith shivered, 'I can honestly say I have no idea how he does that.'
'Not a responsibility any father would wish to bear,' Uther said.
Morgana places her hands on Uther's arms, 'you must try not to worry. He's the First Knight of Camelot and your greatest warrior. He's made it home safe in the past. Why should this time be any different?'
Uther smiles, 'you're right,' Uther says placing a hand on Morgana's cheek. 'Of course you are,' Uther says and walks away leaving a smirking Morgana behind.
'She knew,' Merlin said grimly.
In the campsite the night is darker. The fire is almost out letting off only smoke. Merlin sits beside it as Arthur shivers under Merlin's coat looking sweaty. Merlin looks worried and opens his mouth to say anything before closing it again.
'Having a hard time thinking up an excuse to get rid of Gwaine?' snorted Arthur.
'How did you know?' asked Merlin.
'I know that you want to … heal me,' Arthur said tripping over the use of magic. 'I also know you won't risk doing it in front of other people.'
'Even if I would never turn you into the king,' Gwaine said and then paused, 'or the princess.'
'I know,' Merlin said. 'It's just hard for me to get past the fear and tell people. I've never actually told anyone except Freya and she was like me.'
'Gaius saw you do magic to save his life,' Arthur understood. 'And Lancelot found out when you two killed the griffin.'
'Mother always knew,' Merlin added.
'And Will?' asked Lancelot gently.
'I was playing with my magic,' admitted Merlin. 'Will was bored. We were always getting in trouble together,' Merlin smiled wistfully. 'He found me whilst I was playing with fire.'
'Almost burnt Old Man Simmons house down,' Hunith said amused.
'You seem to have a knack of almost killing this Simmons fellow,' Arthur said.
'I know,' Merlin laughed.
'It's not funny,' Hunith scolded her son.
'I know,' Merlin said seriously.
'We need more firewood,' Merlin said nodding.
'You're right about that,' Gwaine said.
'Honestly,' Gwaine said. 'Do you think I didn't know you were trying to get rid of me? I didn't know why of course but I knew you were.'
'Do you want to go and get some?' asked Merlin gesturing with his hands.
'Not really. Thanks for asking,' Gwaine said.
'There's wolves out there,' Merlin pointed in the direction of the forest, 'bears, boars...' Merlin trailed off.
'Exactly,' Gwaine said nodding.
'I'm not a warrior, I can't defend myself like you,' Merlin said shaking his head slightly.
Arthur snorted, 'Merlin you may be no warrior but you are able to defend yourself better than I can!'
'Never too late to learn. Merlin, don't you know when someone's joking with you?' asked Gwaine and Merlin lets out a puff of laughter. 'Gwaine: If I die collecting firewood,' Gwaine said using his sword to help him stand up, 'keep it to yourself. I got my reputation to consider.
Arthur grimaced, 'dying collecting firewood hardly the stuff of legends.'
Gwaine laughs and turns to run off into the dark woods. Merlin instantly kneels over Arthur, who is shivering with a fever. Merlin places a hand above Arthur's sweaty forehead. Merlin looks up as he thinks of the spell.
'Geh'ælan,' Merlin's eyes flash gold but nothing happens as Arthur continues to shiver. 'Geh'ælan,' Merlin tries again his eyes flashing gold but Arthur continues to shiver.
'So what does that mean?' asked Arthur to everyone's shock who wasn't completely comfortable with magic thanks to his upbringing. 'Heal together.'
'Come on. Arthur, come on,' Merlin begged.
'Healing has never been one of my strong suits,' Merlin said.
'To effectively heal you have to understand the body and how to heal it. In order to know how to direct your magic into the body,' explained Gaius.
Merlin flushed, 'so you're saying that it's my absolutely pathetic knowledge of the physician's art that keeps me back.'
'You should really work on that,' Arthur said causing everyone to start. 'What? I would much prefer the next time that I need healing for Merlin's idiocy not to almost kill me!'
'There better not be a next time,' Gwen threatened.
'You know there will,' Merlin said. 'You know what Arthur's like.'
'My life wasn't anywhere near as chaotic until you arrived,' Arthur informs Merlin.
'I came when you needed me,' Merlin said.
'You do realise that you are encouraging magic use,' Lancelot said.
'Yes,' Arthur said. 'I am planning to legalise magic again. I know it's going to be hard and I'm still not completely comfortable with magic yet but I'm going to try and get over what my father taught me about magic.'
From the windows of Cenred's castle Cenred and Morgause watch the immortal army depart each carrying a fiery torch. The army marches as one with no mind of their own only Morgause's control. A guard is at the door.
'Magnificent, aren't they? My army of immortals,' Cenred says.
'Morgause's,' corrected Merlin.
Past Morgause apparently has the same thought as current Merlin because she turns around sharply, 'your army?'
'Well, they are my men,' Cenred says looking sideways at Morgause.
'But it is Morgause's spell,' Merlin said darkly, 'making Morgause their mistress.'
'Correction: they were your men. It is I that made them immortal. They are bound to me now,' Morgause says.
'Do not think for one moment that you can cross me, My Lady,' Cenred says.
'This is Cenred's death isn't it,' Arthur asks.
'It looks like it,' Gaius agrees.
'Cross you?' Morgause turns to her ally. 'Never. Ic bebiede þe ðine cyning cwellan!' Morgause incants her eyes flashing gold causing a soldier in the room lifts his sword.
Cenred laughs, 'what are you doing?' Cenred demands moving to take his sword from his back.
'Have I not always been honest with you, Cenred?' Morgause asks softly.
Arthur grimaced, 'he has to give her that. Unlike with us Cenred knew that they were allies of convenience only and she made it quite clear that she wasn't opposed to killing her.'
Cenred draws his sword, 'stop. Stop, you answer to me not to her.' Cenred and the soldier slash swords before runs the soldier through with a sword, but the man does not fall.
'He does know the soldier is now immortal?' asked Merlin. 'A mortal sword is not going to help any.'
'Morgause. Morgause, make him stop. Make him stop!' Cenred shouts as the soldier disarms Cenred and knocks him to the floor.
'Did I not say that, when I threatened you, you'd know about it?' Morgause asks as the soldier raises his sword. 'Well,' Morgause shrugs, 'now you know.'
'Morgause, please...!' begged Cenred as the soldier runs Cenred through as Cenred chokes and then lies still on the floor.
Hunith sighed, 'Essetir is a mess from having a dead unmarried heirless king and as he came to the throne by force there are no relatives that can be called upon.'
'I've heard,' Merlin said darkly thinking of council meetings.
'King Pellam is the king currently,' Arthur said.
'For now,' Hunith sighed, 'but it is likely he'll be assassinated in the coming months.'
'It is what happens when you don't have an heir to the throne,' Gaius says grimly.
A group of Knights of Camelot see Morgause's army marching through a valley. There seems to be an unending stream of them.
'My God. Alright, come on,' Leon said.
'We had to get back to Camelot,' Leon said, 'and warn the King before they came. Not that it did any good.'
The knights run back on foot through the trees but mounted immortal soldiers come after them. The sound of screams and dying is in the air as the knights are slaughter where they stand. Leon unhorses a soldier. The immortal soldier and Leon cross blades with one another.
Leon runs him through with a sword but he doesn't die. The immortal soldier just looks down at the sword in his stomach and pulls it out much to Leon's horror. Leon is forced to flee from the undying army but the horsemen gallop after Leon swords in their arms.
In the forest dawn is just breaking with the sounds of birdsong. At the campsite Gwaine is sleeping slumped against a big tree. Merlin lies head to foot beside Arthur on the ground. Arthur coughs awake and stirs looking around at the makeshift campsite. Arthur feels for the Cup on his own body but when he cannot find it Arthur sits up suddenly.
'Where's the Cup?' Arthur demands as he wakes up.
'So you did manage to cure him,' Gwen said happily.
'I don't think so,' Merlin said. 'I think you healed enough on your own to walk.'
Merlin starts suddenly at Arthur's demand. Gwaine wakes, batting his eyelashes. Merlin leans up slowly looking saddened at what had happened to the cup. Arthur continues to look around for the cup.
'Where's the Cup?' Arthur demands looking around.
'Cenred's men, they took it,' Merlin said.
'Then what are we still doing here?!' demands Arthur.
'We could hardly carry you all the way back to Camelot,' Merlin said.
'You were unconscious,' Merlin said.
'Always an excuse, Merlin,' Arthur says.
'It was you who got shot,' Merlin snorted.
'And it was you who doesn't listen to Gaius enough to heal me,' Arthur snapped.
Arthur tries to get up but yells in pain from his wound ending up on his hands and knees. Merlin and Gwaine get up and run to help him. Arthur is able to stand with support from Merlin after Merlin and Gwaine help him up.
'We have to get back to Camelot before it's too late,' Arthur gasps.
'It already is,' Merlin said grimly.
In the Council Chamber of Doom Leon has arrived back to report his findings to the king. Morgana is present leaning on her chair as she watches the men talk. Gaius is stood by the pillar whilst Uther and Leon speak.
'We must convene the Council of War,' Uther says.
'They cannot be stopped. The soldiers, Sire, they will not fall,' Leon says.
'What are you saying?' Uther asks.
'Your paranoia brought your own downfall,' Merlin said.
'Merlin,' Arthur said warningly.
'What it's true,' Merlin said. 'Once again your father plays with forces he doesn't understand and get's his fingers burned!'
'They will not die,' Leon said.
'Gather the knights. Prepare whatever defences you can,' Uther ordered.
'What defence can you offer against those that cannot be killed?' asked Arthur.
'A sword forged in dragon breath,' Merlin said.
'Which you hid in a bloody lake,' Arthur said. 'So what use is that?'
Merlin smiled that secretive smile of his but there was a sadness and grief that Merlin couldn't express.
'You somehow got it back,' Arthur snorted.
'But Sire...' Leon tried.
'He won't be persuaded,' Gaius sighed. 'When Uther has decided on a path very little can dissuade him off that path.'
'Do it!' shouted Uther.
'We still needed to defend our people,' Arthur said. 'To our last breath.'
Leon moves back slightly when he is shouted at by the king. Unseen Morgana smirks. Leon bows and exits with court members leaving only Uther, Morgana and Gaius. Uther turns to Gaius looking terrified.
'And still the one person you don't want there is there,' Merlin complained.
'Cenred. It must be. How? The location of the Cup was secret,' Uther said.
'There's only one explanation, Sire,' Gaius said as Morgana smirked. We have a traitor in our midst,' Gaius said as Morgana continues to smirk.
'I wished I had been able to say who,' Gaius sighed, 'but Uther would never have believed me or anyone he loved Morgana too much.'
'Which is why it broke him when he saw what she had become,' Arthur sighed thinking of the shell of a man his father had become over the past year.
On the stairs Camelot's army prepares for war. The armoury is lit only by a fire. The knights have formed a chain up the stairs which they use pass bundles of bows to each other to get them outside as quickly as possible. A knight runs up the stairs carrying a crossbow.
In the courtyard the knights of Camelot gather. Uther watches from his window as he looks down.
In the armoury the knights are sharpening swords. Leon pulls on his gloves. Other knights test their crossbows.
In Morgana's Chambers Gwen shakes her head and bites her lip as she watches the gathering immortal army from out of the window. Morgana enters and watches as Gwen shakes her head.
'Gwen?' Morgana asks.
'Is it true they attack at dawn?' Gwen turns around to look at Morgana.
'Were you asking as her friend or knowing she was behind this?' asked Merlin softly.
'I don't know,' admitted Gwen. 'A bit of both I suppose and I didn't know then that Morgana was behind that … evil.'
'I'm afraid so,' Morgana said.
'And no word from Arthur?' asked Gwen shaking her head.
'Nothing,' Morgana said smirking.
'That would give away what side Morgana was on,' Arthur said darkly.
'Yeah,' Gwen agreed sadly.
Gwen shook his head, then all is lost. We'll be massacred, every last one of us.'
'No we won't,' Merlin said assuredly.
'Don't give up hope, Guinevere,' Arthur said quietly.
'Not everyone has to die,' Morgana said walking over to Gwen.
'She killed innocent people to try and get us to submit,' Leon said angrily.
'What do you mean not everyone?' Gwen asked.
'Those that defy them, those that choose to fight, they will surely die. But those who do not resist, those that choose to welcome change, they will have a future here. Everyone has a choice, Gwen,' Morgana told her.
'But siding with Morgana would have been the wrong one,' Gwen said. 'Never mind she'd tried to kill me too many times before me to ever side with her again.'
Gwen nodded and swallows, 'you know I have always been loyal to you, Morgana. And I always will be,' Gwen lies.
'I thought it would easier if she at least believed I was on her side,' Gwen said.
'She didn't,' Merlin said quietly. 'That was why she had you and Leon's footsteps traced so she could find Arthur.'
'And you,' Arthur said.
'And me,' agreed Merlin.
Morgana smiles and takes her hands, 'then have no fear. No harm will come to you, I promise you that.
Gwen smiles and nods. Morgana hugs her whilst Gwen looks uneasy. Morgana smirks out at the army of torch wielders.
Arthur walks over a hill followed by Gwaine and Merlin. Arthur is limping slightly from the leg wound he had obtained when the Cup of Life had been stolen. They stop when they see a burning village in the distance.
'What the hell happened?' Gwaine asks.
'I don't know. We need to hurry. We're still a day's march from Camelot,' Arthur said and limps down the hill.
'When did you get to Camelot?' asked Leon.
'In time to see Morgana crowned Queen,' Arthur said grimly.
Arthur is knelt down beside the bodies of the knights that have been slaughtered by Morgause's army. Gwaine and Merlin stand behind the Prince. Gwaine has his hand on his sword. Arthur stands up.
'Camelot patrol,' Arthur says.
'There's not a single enemy body,' Merlin said.
'There wouldn't be,' Gaius said.
'He's right. This wasn't a fight, this was a slaughter,' Arthur said.
'Who could've done such a thing?' Gwaine asks at which Merlin gets a dark look knowing exactly what could have done such a thing.
'An immortal army,' Lancelot said grimly.
'An army of men that cannot die,' Arthur said whilst Merlin looks disgusted at what Morgause has done. 'Come on,' Arthur said limping on past the bodies.
Arthur who is still limping but in the lead, Gwaine, and Merlin climb over another hill to find smoke rising from Camelot. Arthur, Merlin and Gwaine stops looking horrified. Arthur continues to limp down the hill.
The walk to the castle is strewn with bodies of Camelot's army. Fires burn beside the knights. Arthur limps unaided through the body strewn battle field. Gwaine and Merlin walk behind the prince.
'They never stood a chance,' Arthur said and limps on as Merlin looks around horrified.
'We didn't,' agreed Leon said darkly remembering his fellow knights being slaughtered before him.
In the Lower Town bodies are strewn through the street. Arthur struggles to open Gwen's front door.
'What happened to not killing those who didn't resist,' Percival.
'Morgana was just trying to get Gwen on side,' Merlin said bitterly.
'Why?' asked Gwen quietly. 'Do you think some part of Morgana-'
'No,' Merlin said sharply. 'Morgana wanted Arthur and she knew with your relationship he would come to you or you would go to him.'
Gwen nodded, 'which is exactly what happened.'
'Here, let me,' Gwaine says.
Gwaine kicks the door in. Gwaine and a limping Arthur enter the darkened house with their swords drawn. Merlin looks around the house warily. Elyan jumps up with a battle cry causing Arthur and Gwaine take defensive stances.
'Elyan!' Merlin calls.
'At least one of you has a brain,' Gwen smiled.
'Oi!' the other three men say.
'Since when does Merlin have a brain?' demands Arthur.
'Hey,' Merlin retorted.
'I'm sorry,' Elyan said.
'Don't be,' Arthur said sharply. 'You have every reason to be suspicious.'
'Where is everyone?' Arthur demanded.
'I- I thought that...' Elyan seems distressed as Merlin closes the door.
'Elyan, please, What happened?' demanded Arthur.
'They came out of nowhere, a mighty army. Weapons were useless against them. Th-they were men, Sire, but not men. Nothing could kill them. Nothing,' Elyan repeated.
'Wh, Where's your sister? Where's Guinevere?' Arthur demanded.
'She was in the citadel when they attacked,' Elyan said.
'Then there's still hope,' Arthur said.
'Sire, the citadel's been taken,' Elyan said.
Arthur, Gwaine, Merlin, and Elyan exit Gwen's house. Arthur is limping badly.
'Let's go,' Arthur says.
'Arthur,' Leon said. 'You will do no one anyone good if you kill yourself by pushing yourself too hard!'
'How much longer can he keep going like this?' Elyan asks.
'Not long I fear,' Gaius says.
'I don't know,' Merlin admits.
Arthur continues in the lead limping forward. Gwaine follows behind him. The two commoners are behind the two of noble blood. Arthur moves debris that has been forgotten during the invasion.
In the citadel Merlin and Arthur appear at the bottom of stairs. The four go up the stairs. Arthur half hopping up the corridor.
Arthur's head appears around the side of the corridor checking to see if Morgana and Morgause have any guards. Merlin's head appears too. They watch as Morgause's army dressed in black with a red tree symbol run down the stairs.
'Morgana's crest,' murmurs Arthur bitterly.
Arthur pulls Merlin away as the Immortal Army continues to run past them down the stairs.
In a corridor littered with the red cloaked bodies of the Knights of Camelot the four men appear. Arthur limps over the fallen bodies of his comrades. Then Arthur suddenly stops struggling to stand.
'You can't keeping going like this,' Gwen said softly nibbling her lip worriedly.
'Where now?' Gwaine asks.
'Now, er... Now we, er...' Arthur grunts.
'Arthur,' Merlin said clapping a hand on Arthur's back, 'you can't go on.'
'He's right,' Arthur Gwen said softly.
'We must. We must find the others...' Arthur trails off.
'We'll be fine,' Gwen assured her king.
'You can't go on without treatment,' Merlin said.
'I'm surprised he got so far,' Gaius said.
'So am I,' Merlin agreed.
'Adrenaline probably,' Gaius said.
'...Guinevere and my father,' Arthur says.
'We'll survive,' Gwen says.
'Elyan,' Merlin said.
'Yeah?' Elyan asks.
'Do you know your way to the dungeons?' asks Merlin.
'Yeah, I think so,' Elyan replied.
'Elyan, how do you know where the dungeons are?' demanded Gwen angrily.
'I insulted the wrong nobleman,' shrugged Elyan.
'I know what that's like,' Merlin said with a laugh.
'It's not funny,' Arthur growled.
'Yes it was,' Merlin said.
'Elyan,' Gwen sighed. 'What am I going to do with you?'
'You've been imprisoned too,' Elyan defended.
'Wrongfully,' Merlin said guiltily.
'I thought we'd been over this,' Gwen said quietly. 'My arrest was not your fault. You saved my father's life something that I can never pay you back for.'
'She's right Merlin,' agreed Elyan. 'We owe you.'
'You don't owe me anything,' Merlin said. 'It was the right thing to do.'
'Go with Gwaine. See if you can find them,' Merlin said to which Gwaine and Elyan left.
'I'm glad that someone is there to think rationally,' Gaius said giving Arthur a disapproving look. 'You were in no condition to fight. You'd only hold them back if you tried!'
'I'm going with them,' Arthur said.
'No, you're not,' Gwen said putting her hands on her hips and glaring at the man she lived.
'No, you're not,' Merlin said pulling Arthur's arm over his back.
Gwaine laughs, 'Merlin thinks like Gwen.'
'That's disturbing,' Arthur commented.
'That's an order,' Arthur said.
'Since when does Merlin ever listen to orders?' laughed Gwaine.
'No, to hell with your orders. You're coming with me,' Merlin said.
Merlin puts Arthur's arm around his shoulder and drags him down the corridor. Arthur is still limping even on Merlin's back. When Morgause's army make an appearance Merlin drags Arthur into an alcove. Soon as the men have gone Merlin helps Arthur along.
In the Physician's Chambers Merlin let's go of Arthur pushing him on top of the bench. Arthur does not look happy with his manservant. Arthur grabs hold of his neckerchief glaring at the manservant.
'You're disobeying orders, Merlin. I'll have you in the stocks for this,' Arthur said.
'Arthur,' scolded Gwen. 'He's just looking after you.'
'As always,' laughed Merlin.
'Fine,' Merlin said leaving Arthur to go to the shelves. 'Now, stay put and try not to move that leg,' Merlin muttered.
'Somehow I don't think Merlin's taking your instruction seriously,' laughed Gwen.
'When does he ever?' Gwaine laughed.
'I'm not going to change now,' laughed Merlin. 'You'd get bored.'
Merlin looks for a potion on the table whilst Arthur lies quietly on the bench but Merlin then hears a rattling in the cupboard. Merlin runs back to a twitching Arthur where he picks up Arthur's sword and goes to check it out. Merlin slowly approaches the cupboard and he yanks the door open. A frightened Gaius appears inside.
'Gaius!' Merlin says grinning in surprise and happiness.
'Merlin!' Gaius says hugging his ward.
'You could look happier to see me,' laughed Merlin.
'I thought Morgana or Morgause or their army had found me,' Gaius said grimly.
'Are you alright?' asks Merlin.
'All the better for seeing you,' Gaius replied smiling as Arthur groans forcing the two magic users to turn to their prince.
'Merlin is the most powerful person I know,' Gaius said. 'Of course, I was reassured that he was around.'
'Even though it took me time to find a way to defeat the army,' Merlin said.
'You may be powerful,' Gaius said quietly, 'but you are still only one man.'
'Arthur,' Gaius says and moves to go to Arthur but Merlin stops him.
'Do you really think that I'd be there without Arthur?' asked Merlin.
'I tried to heal him using magic, but it didn't work,' Merlin whispered.
'Because I'm rubbish at healing,' Merlin said.
Gaius nods and goes to Arthur, 'this may hurt a bit, Sire,' Gaius says as he inspects the wound.
'Ah,' Arthur moans.
'The wound's infected,' Gaius says.
'I knew that,' Merlin said.
'I'll have to redress the leg to reduce the inflammation,' Gaius said.
'No, no, no, no. We haven't got time. Just give me something to keep going,' Arthur said trying to sit up.
'Yes, Sire,' Gaius said not sounding very happy with that idea.
'It's the army of immortals, isn't it?' Merlin asks.
'Who else?' Arthur said bitterly.
'We'll be lucky to get away with our lives, any of us,' Gaius said.
'Well luckily we all did,' Gwen said.
In the Dungeons Gwaine and Elyan peek around the corner to see Uther being dragged out of a cell by immortal soldiers.
'Where are you taking me? I am the King! I demand to know!' Uther demands.
Arthur sighs knowing this was the last time he saw his father when he was still sane. Seeing what Morgana had become broke something within Uther that Arthur knew he would never get back. Only now did Arthur wonder whether it was guilt. Did Uther know that it was his own hatred and prejudice of magic that drove Morgana down the path she went?
In Merlin's Chamber Merlin pulls his magic book and from the floorboard under his bed and packs it in a leather bad. Merlin then looks around. Then Merlin takes the Avalon water vial from under his bed and packs it in the bag.
'Your most important things?' Gwen asked.
'If we were to defeat the Immortal Army I needed to know how,' Merlin replied.
In the Physician's Chambers Gaius hands Arthur a potion. Arthur downs the potion as soon as he is handed it.
'The effect will be instant, Sire, but I cannot guarantee how long it'll last,' Gaius warns.
'Thank you, Gaius,' Arthur says.
The door opens and Gwaine and Elyan enter, 'the King, Sire, he's alive,' Elyan says.
'On the way to see his daughter being crowned,' Merlin said darkly.
'Where is he?' demands Arthur standing up.
'They're taking him to the throne room as we speak,' Gwaine said.
'This may be my last chance,' Arthur said bending to pick up his sword.
'I thought they were going to execute him,' sighed Arthur.
'Arthur, there's too many of them. You'll never make it,' Merlin said.
'I won't leave my father to die here alone.' Arthur turns to Gwaine and Elyan, 'Gwaine, Elyan, take Gaius and make your way to the woods beyond the castle. I hope we meet again,' Arthur instructed and Gwaine, Elyan, and Gaius leave. Arthur turns to Merlin, 'Merlin, you should go with them.'
'Do you really think I'd leave you alone to face an army of Immortals alone and injured?' Merlin asks.
'Nah, I've seen the woods already,' Merlin said casually.
Arthur grabs Merlin's shoulder with a smile and the two of them sneak through the corridors. They hear approaching guard and hide behind a door until the guard passes. Arthur stumbles on their way out of hiding.
'The potion's effects are already fading,' Gwen frowned.
'Are you alright?' asked Arthur.
'Keep moving,' was the prince's only response.
In the throne room the Immortal Soldiers gather. From below you can see Merlin and Arthur's head on the balcony as they crawl to the edge of the balcony above the Throne Room. Immortal soldiers force Uther to his knees in front of Morgause.
'Well, Uther, how the mighty have fallen,' Morgause says.
Arthur makes a furious move.
'What the hell are you doing?' Gwen demanded. 'They're immortal! What do you think you are going to do! Oh Arthur,' Gwen took her love in her hands, 'you'd be useless to us dead.'
Merlin grabs Arthur and whispers, 'the guards are immortal, they'll cut you to ribbons! What use are you dead?' Merlin whispers looking distressed at the angry look on his prince's face.
Leon nodded at Merlin in respect, 'thank goodness, sire, you have Merlin there to keep you safe.'
'I don't think you'll be needing this anymore,' Morgause says as she removes Uther's crown.
'This is unlawful. You cannot do this. You have no right to the throne!' Uther shouts angrily at Morgause.
Morgana then appears behind her sister, 'no, she does not,' Morgana says as Uther looks horrified. 'But I do.'
Morgana smirks a red lipped smile her red lipstick outlining her pale face, night black hair and white dress. Morgause smirks and moves away from Uther. Morgana takes her place. Uther continues to look horrified.
'I am your daughter, after all,' Morgana says.
'She's younger than you right?' asked Elyan.
'Yes,' Arthur shrugged.
'From what little the king said I believe the king took comfort in Vivian after Queen Ygraine passed on,' Gaius said awkwardly.
'That's what I thought,' Elyan said, 'so why does Morgana claim that the throne is her right when she's the younger?'
'Because she wants the thrown and won't listen to reason,' Merlin said simply.
'Even if she was the older she wouldn't have the right to the throne,' Gaius contributed.
'No,' agreed Merlin grimly. 'She's illegitimate and a girl.'
'Never mind my father is still alive and has not abdicated,' Arthur said.
'Don't look so surprised. I've known for some time,' Morgana said.
'Well I didn't,' Arthur said darkly. 'I didn't know anything! All this came as a complete shock to me!'
'It did to us all, sire,' Leon sighed.
Shock dawns on Arthur's face. Merlin looks at Arthur but does not say anything. Morgana sits on the throne. Morgause nods to a soldier, and the soldier shoves Geoffrey of Monmouth forward, the crown in his hands. Uther looks down away from his daughter.
'By the power vested in me, I crown thee Morgana Pendragon, Queen of Camelot,' Geoffrey says.
'Why did Geoffrey consent to crown her?' asked Arthur bitterly.
'I doubt he had much of a choice,' Merlin pointed out. 'He would have been killed had he not done what the witches had said.'
Geoffrey places the crown on Morgana's head. Uther looks down distress clear on his face. Merlin frowns from above. Immortal soldiers push Uther into a bow. Morgana and Morgause smirk. Arthur watches in horror.