The Nightmare Begins.
The harsh Winter was starting to yield to the fast approaching spring, but it was not going quietly. A fierce storm ravaged Camelot, winds crashing into the stone citadel walls and racing through the narrow streets with a low sorrowful howl that had young children crawling into their parent's beds in terror. Lightning struck the highest towers, one bolt daring to hit the castle roof causing a brief fire, extinguished by the heavy downpour of cold rain.
But it was the sudden explosion of the windows in Lady Morganas chambers and the roaring fire that has the King in uproar. The fire was almost blamed on the young handmaiden for leaving a lit candle, but both servant and mistress swore that the flame had been snuffed.
"She could've been burnt alive." Uthers voice was stony as he surveyed the damage in his wards chambers. Morgana was in another set of chambers with Gaius and her handmaiden, the young woman terribly shaken by her close call.
"Lightning struck the castle roof last night, that could've started the fire." Arthur pondered, thoughtfully. It wasn't an unreasonable thought, but he was too late to redirect his father's thoughts.
"What other explanation is there?"
"Someone started the fire deliberately." Uthers voice was almost certain, he had made up his mind about the cause of the fire with little evidence.
The prince was unsettled by his father's quick judgement and swift response. Since the events of the previous moon, when Camelot was attacked by the long dead sorcerer Cornelius Sigan, the King and his closest advisors had been investigating the people of Camelot and starting a terrifying list. Arthur had read the list, heart in his throat, but whilst he had not recognised any of the names there were a lot of people under suspicion of using or consorting with magic.
His father's paranoia had grown as he poured though the records. Every unexplained incident, any offense or accusation…bloodlines.
As he argued against the unlikeliness of anyone getting past the guards Uther was insistent.
"Well I can. They used magic. Arrest all those we have under suspicion."
"That's going to take time."
His father whirled on him, getting into his face. For a moment Arthur was afraid of the look in his father's eyes, as if he were a stone's throw away from madness.
"My ward has been attacked. Time is something we do not have."
Merlyn watched her Uncle at work, brewing up a new potion for the Lady Morgana. But it was not the medicine she was studying. Her Uncle was her touchstone. The only person other than her mother to truly know her, perhaps more due to his knowledge of the magic that sung in her veins. He was teaching her magic, how to best understand and embrace the gifts she had been born with.
Yet he was trying to keep Morgana from hers.
Could he not see how terrified the Lady was? Could he not see her desperation for answers? She knew that Gaius could not see the possibilities around Morgana like she could. How her magic was starting to merge, getting stronger by the day. It was literally tearing her apart.
She had overheard the conversation between Gaius and Morgana before entering. Both parties dropping the matter on her arrival. She had settled the Lady to bed before returning to confront her Uncle.
"I was helping clear up Morgana's chambers earlier. The window was blown out into the courtyard below."
"Hmm."
"It's odd, isn't it? If lightning struck the window like Arthur said, you'd think the glass would've fallen inside of the window. It was magic. You know it was. More importantly, so does she."
"Morgana knows nothing for certain."
"Which makes it even worse. She isn't sure what's happening to her and it's tearing her apart."
"What would you have me do?"
"Talk to her. Tell her she'll be ok. Tell her that her powers aren't something to be afraid of."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"She's not you Merlyn. You are not the same."
"I know she's a royal…"
"It's not about that. Merlyn. You have a pure heart. A destiny. You were meant to be. I love Morgana dearly, I have known her since she was a babe in arms. But she does not have your good heart, your compassion and empathy. One of the reasons the purge came to be is because those who practiced magic had abused it. It became corrupted. The Druids retreated and the High Priestesses on the Isle of the Blessed became greedy, power hungry and vengeful."
"Maybe I could speak to her. Stop her from going down that path. I understand what she's going through…" Perhaps it was her own renewed fear over her own new abilities, the way her own magic was evolving at too fast pace, but Merlyn felt desperate herself. Maybe if she could help Morgana, she could find a way to help herself.
Gaius was adamant. He recognized the same madness that the Prince had glimpsed in his father, he had survived the first purge. If Camelot was to descend into a second troubled time, he had to protect Merlyn by any means necessary.
"No. You must never reveal your secret. Not to anyone."
"If not me, then someone else."
"Who? This is a kingdom where magic is outlawed, or have you forgotten that?" Gaius slammed the book he had given up reading with a loud bang, his frustration with his niece growing.
"There are those who still practice it. What about the Druids? You said that they help people like this."
"Uther's vowed to destroy them. The druids cannot help her. It would be suicide."
"Then who can?"
"I will. Like I've always done. You cannot get involved in this. No good can come of it. I mean it, Merlyn. Stay out of it!" The two starred at each other for a long moment before Merlyn spun on her heel, leaving the room without another word.
Gaius sighed and sat heavily into his chair, rubbing his forehead. He shouldn't have lost his temper. But he could not risk Merlyn.
He did not see Merlyn until the end of the day when they had their evening meal. They were civil to each other, but both so burdened and worried it was a quiet affair. It was late when a loud banging on the door woke them. Gaius was needed. The old man gathered his things and left quickly so Merlyn was alone when Lady Morgana rushed into her chambers, sobbing hysterically. The Knight who followed her looked uncomfortably worried. Merlyn sent him on his way quickly as the Lady sobbed in her arms.
Morgana calmed as Merlyn set her in one of their rickety chairs. But the conversation that followed left Merlyn shaken and heartbroken.
"I'm scared, Merlyn. I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening. Please."
"I don't want any more remedies. They won't do any good. It's magic, Merlyn."
"Then you believe me? You think it's magic too. Please, Merlyn, I just need to hear someone say it so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it."
Merlyn knew she could not break her word to her Uncle. But more than that the words would not leave her lips. She knew she could not share her secret with Morgana, but her Lady's pain greatly distressed her. She had to be able to do something.
Even a visit to the Great Dragon left her without a cause of action. The old Dragon refusing to help her and his warning ringing in her ears.
"She cannot be trusted…. It would be better if the Witch never knew the true extent of her powers."
The damaged trust between the pair made it easier for her to ignore his words, but still they prayed on her mind. What she hated most was, that whilst she believed what she had told the great Dragon, that Morgana had a good heart, she also believed she could be easily corrupted. Fear and Hatred were powerful emotions and Morgana had both.
By the time Gaius returned, she was back in her bed trying to sleep.
Arthur looked up from his conversation with Sir Leon as Merlyn entered his chambers, the heavy drapes in her hands. He noticed Glyndwr watching Merlyn carefully as the pair started to hand the material over his draughty windows. An idea floating around in his head.
He saw Glen's face as Sir Leon continued. "I've included the details of everyone we suspect of consorting with sorcerers, witches, or druids."
His manservant paled, looked to the Prince, back at Merlyn and then back at his task, attempting to appear normal. Merlyn did not appear to have reacted, but if Arthur had not been looking right at her, he would have missed the quick dart at the parchment in his hands.
He waited until Sir Leon had taken his leave before making a show of reading the names. They were all strangers. No Gaius, No Merlyn.
"I don't recognize any of these people." He said sighing, setting the parchment on the table the pair were using to sort the drapes. "What about you?"
Glen shot Arthur a puzzled look, knowing his Master did not share information like this. He still looked at the list and shook his head in the negative.
"No I don't know any of them." Glen told him truthfully.
"What about you, Merlyn." Said Arthur, inviting her to look. The maidservant looked down at the list, her blank, casual expression dissolving into sad pity as she read the list.
"No. I don't know any of them." She said sadly. "Poor things."
"They are suspected of consorting with Magic users or worse, Merlyn." The Prince rebuked her, so sharply Merlyn jumped at his tone.
"Yes, Sire." She said. "And they are certainly going to pay for it." Her own voice held an edge. Because she knew as well as he that this was not the first round up since Sigan. And it was well known what had happened to those who had been accused. Some were still in the dungeon. Other had burnt at the stake.
None had been released.
Arthur dismissed her with a nod and she left the room.
"Was that wise?" Glen asked him in a hushed voice after the door closed behind her.
"I wanted to see how she reacted." Arthur defended. "But there was no recognition. She didn't know anyone on that list."
"No. There was only pity for those poor souls." Glyndwr muttered. Arthur shot him a dark look.
"I'll say the same to you. They have been accused."
"I apologize, Sire." Said Glen although his tone suggested otherwise. "It just seems these days that people are guilty until their innocence is proven. I always thought someone's guilt should be proven before they were tortured and burned alive."
"You forget your place, Glyndwr." Arthur retorted sharply. Snatching his sword from his manservant's hands. But his words would come back to haunt him the very next day.
"All the prisoners will be executed unless the Lady Morgana is returned to Camelot."
Merlyn was furious at herself as she trudged through the forest, covering her tracks as she went. She had used the list to find someone who knew where the Druids where camped and taken the Lady Morgana to them. She had not foreseen the Kings reaction. The tyrant was going to execute the prisoners, guilty and innocent alike, unless the Lady Morgana returned.
Helping Morgana had seemed like the right thing to do. She had watched night after night as Morgana had battled with dreams and nightmares that haunted the darkest hours. Dreams that had had her waking up screaming. But the consequences of her actions were devastating.
She had to get Morgana back to Camelot as soon as possible. She hurried over uneven ground, careful to disguise her path. Arthur and his Knights were not far behind her. Soon she reached the small camp. It was quiet, a few druids going about their daily chores.
She saw Morgana walking with an older man, completely relaxed in a way she had not seen before. They entered a tent nearby and Merlyn slowly made her way closer, careful not to attract attention.
"Is it magic?" At last Morgana would get the answer she had waited for…
"Of a kind, yes." Came the kind, deep voice of the man. "But it will be many years before you're able to understand it fully, let alone use it. This isn't something to be afraid of."
"It is if you have Uther as your guardian." Merlyn closed her eyes in sorrow, the bitterness in Morganas voice making her want to weep "If he found out, he'd have me killed."
"He won't"
"But if he did..."
"We won't let that happen. You're safe here. You shouldn't be scared of Uther. You should pity him." Although the Druid talked sense, even Merlyn struggled with that thought.
"Pity? Why?" Even as Morgana asked the question that had sprung into Merlyns head, she answered it in her heart. And the Druid man shared her own conclusion.
"Because he's a broken man, consumed by fear. His hatred of magic has driven goodness from his heart."
"I've always been taught that magic is evil, that it corrupts your soul."
"Uther told you this. Just because he decrees it, doesn't make it so. In time you will learn that magic isn't a dark art that must be shrouded in secrecy. It can be a force for good."
Merlyn desperately hoped this was the case.
It was Sir Seth who saw the faint campfire smoke. The Knights turned as on as they headed deeper into the forest. With every step, a weight settled on Arthur. Ill-forgotten memories trespassing on his thoughts. He had neglected to pass on his father's orders to his troops, to wipe out the encampment. But some of the older Knights, those who had many years loyalty to his father, would know the Kings wishes. He himself had no wish to slay any unarmed and defenseless man, woman or child.
Never again.
When the Druid left Morgana to her thoughts, Merlyn quickly entered the tent, surprising her Ladyship.
"Merlyn! What are you doing here?"
"I've come to take you back to Camelot."
"Then I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey. I'm never going back!"
"You have to." Merlyn insisted coming closer.
"Why? You're the one who said I should seek out the druids."
"I know, but I never realized what the repercussions would be. The King thinks you've been kidnapped. He won't stop until you're found. He's arrested dozens of people. He's going to execute them all."
"If I return, the same fate awaits me." Morgana tried to shake it off, but Merlyn saw a flicker of conscience.
"Uther doesn't need to know about this. I won't tell a soul, you have my word."
"I'm sorry. I'm never going back. These are my people. They're like me. I don't feel so alone here. Do you understand?"
"I do. But while I don't believe Magic is evil. I know guilt and sorrow can do as much damage as hate. Magic or no. Those people in the dungeon were yours yesterday. Can you live with yourself if they die because you chose to run? I don't think you could."
She knew she had shocked Morgana with her bluntness. But there was no time. Less than she knew as the opening to the tent was suddenly pulled back.
"Morgana, we must go. Who are you?"
"I-it's alright, she's a friend. What's wrong?"
"Knights of Camelot! We must run!"
They ran from the tent, as guards burst out of the trees, running after the fleeing Druids.
Hello Emrys.
The familiar voice caused Merlyn to whirl around, surprised to see the young Druid boy she and Morgana had risked so much to save.
The one who was destined to kill Arthur.
"This way!" Another voice, one not inside her head sent a bolt of fear. Arthur was here, heading toward Morgana and the Druids helping her run. For the first time she noticed Morganas heavy limp.
"We've got to keep moving!" The older Druid insisted pulling Morgana along.
"My leg, it's too painful!" Morgana sobbed in obvious pain.
"I'll try to create a diversion." Merlyn pulled her hood up over her face and started away, startled by the sudden desperate grip Morgana took of her wrist.
"No, Merlyn, you can't!"
"You have to get out of here! I'll be fine. Go!"
"I'll never forget this." Morgana promised her as she reluctantly let her maid go, Mordred and the Druid pulling her in the opposite direction.
Merlyn rounded the tent before allowing her barely tapped magic to surface.
Bene læg gesweorc.
Before the last syllable was uttered, thick dark mist appeared around her, spreading out and encompassing the fight, covering the druids escape and disorientating the guards. She saw Arthur pause in the fog, searching through the thick clouds for a path. Scrambling up the steep side of the gorge, Merlyn jumped over onto another outcropping, getting his attention. Her long dark hair and clothes might make the Prince mistake her for Morgana and lead him and his men away from the camp.
She her Arthur and his men pursue her. Ducking under a protruding rock, she held her breath as they jumped right over her. Once they had cleared she crawled out running back. But a familiar scream told her it was for naught. The Guards had found them anyway.
"Prince Arthur! We have the Lady Morgana!"
Mordred appeared in the clearing before her. The young boy running from three guards. She hesitated a moment. Was it fear of exposure? Or was it something darker that stopped her immediately intervening? Was she to protect Mordred? Or Arthur. Her stomach clenched. Only a moment past, but she knew it had occurred.
Her intervention was unnecessary, Mordred turned and flashed his eyes, throwing the three guards back, their necks broken. He turned to Merlyn, their eyes locked.
Did the boy know?
Mordred turned and ran disappearing into the trees. Merlyn ran in the opposite direction toward Camelot.
By the time Merlyn returned to Camelot, Morgana and Arthur had been welcomed back with open arms. She quickly changed out of her muddy clothes, leaving the herbs she had gathered on her way back to the Citidel, on the table for her Uncle.
It had rained heavily on her trek back, her hair damp and plastered to her head. Despite the new clothes a chill had settled in. But she had to check on the Lady Morgana before she surrendered to her bed.
Morgana was tucked up in bed when she entered, her ladyship reaching out a hand to bid her closer.
"Merlyn, you are back."
"I wanted to check you were ok. My Lady."
"I am fine." Morgana said, taking Merlyns hand and gripping it tightly. "I am glad you are back. What was said at the woods..."
"You can trust me, My Lady. I won't tell anyone."
"I believe you. Thank you, Merlyn. I know now who I really am. And it isn't something to fear. Maybe one-day people will come to see magic as a force for good."
"Maybe. I'm glad it brought you peace."
"Thank you, Merlyn." Morgana squeezed her hands tightly, her eyes gleaming with something Merlyn had never seen before.
"I will leave you to rest, My Lady." Merlyn gave her a small smile before extracting her hand.
"Sleep well." Morgana bid her as she left the room.
It was at the foot of the stairwell that she saw him. Or he saw her. Leaning against the underside of the stairs stood the crowned Prince, watching as she left the Lady Morganas chambers.
"This has got to stop."
Merlyn turned to face him, puzzled.
"Curfew. Merlyn. This has to be the hundredth time I've caught you."
"I've told you a thousand times not to exaggerate." Too tired to catch her tongue Merlyn bit it as the Prince was startled into a laugh. He had missed this. The cheeky comebacks, the way she stood up to him. The way she turned red whenever she was embarrassed.
"I was in the forest, collecting herbs when you returned with the Lady Morgana. I wanted to check she was alright before I went to bed."
"She is fine. Gaius says her ankle would heal as new with rest." He was relieved by this although unsettled. His father seemed blind to it, but he had noticed the change in the Lady Morganas demeanor almost straight away. There was a calmness with in her, one she had appeared to lose many months ago.
And she did not act like a kidnapped victim.
"That is good to hear."
"Your shivering!" He said suddenly, stepping closer than he had allowed in days. Arms automatically going to her arms to rub some warmth into her. "Your hair is wet, you little fool. You should have dried off properly."
"Yes. Sire."
The Prince went to pull her closer when they froze, realizing what he was about to do. Reluctantly he stepped back and released her arms.
"You had better go. Get warm."
"Sire." She replied quickly turning away but hesitated. "The Prisoners, Sire. Are they…"
"Still prisoners. In the dungeon." He noticed her shoulders relax. "The trials will start next week."
"Good Night, Sire." She whispered. Leaving him behind.
He wasn't sure if he bought her story. Spending the day out gathering herbs when her mistress was missing. He would have believed it if she said she had gone out looking for Morgana, he realized. If there was one thing in his ever-changing world he was certain about, it was that Merlyn looked after those she cared for. Would do anything for them.
He hated this. A surge of anger flared though his veins as he walked to the window over-looking the courtyard in time to see the object of his thoughts cross to the other side, her shoulders hunched up against the cold as she hurried to her room. He bumped his clenched fist against the stone ledge as he thought.
It was a hesitant Merlyn who entered his chambers cautiously. Quite a pitiful sight really with her wet hair and lips tinged blue with cold. He felt boneless with relief. Although he had found her discarded clothes on his return from attending Lady Morgana, it wasn't till he saw his niece with his own eyes that he believed her to be safe.
"I'm sorry, Gaius." She started, cutting off when her uncle crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. His relief plain to see. "I thought you'd be angry with me."
"I was." He confessed as he pulled her towards the fire. Concerned by the shivering in her limbs. "Right up to the moment you walked in. Then I was just grateful that you're back safe and sound. If a tad waterlogged."
Merlyn let out a weak giggle. Huddling as close to the small fire as she'd dare.
"Morgana knows the truth. The druids told her she has magic, sorry."
"It's not your fault, you were only doing what you thought was right."
"We both were, what happens now?"
"You must take care of her. And hope that Uther never discovers the truth about her powers. Or yours."
"I feel like I don't know anything about my powers anymore." She confided. "It almost comes too easily now. I must focus more, be more in control all the time. I can understand how fear can warp your perceptions."
Gaius handed her the brew he had been concocting to ward of the chill he saw coming.
"I firmly believe you will master this Merlyn. This power was meant for you. It will not be more than you can handle."
"But can I learn to control it and stay in Camelot?" She asked him plainly. "You know as well as I, everyday it gets more and more dangerous to be in the Citadel. The servants are constantly whispering. The people believe a second purge is coming. Soon."
"We will cross that bridge when we have to." Gaius promised her, laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She smiled before she turned to look at the fire, two worried faces gazing unseeingly into the flames.
A/N
As always thank you all for taking the time to read my story and especially for those who review.
Sorry its not as long as I wanted but it wasn't an episode I was particularly inspired to write. but invaluable to the storyline.
Until next time.
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Merlin.