"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Gwen asked as Arthur passed her, looking huffy.
"Me? I'm fine. Other than the fact my servant keeps moping around over a glorified horse and my chambers have rats."
"Rats?"
"Yes! Apparently that beast is as useful as Merlin. What's the point in having a cat if it can't catch rodents?"
"I'm sorry."
He waved it off. "My father's summoned me."
She curtsied as he marched off then went to his chambers.
Merlin was inside, glaring at Cavall.
"Arthur said he's got rats?"
"Apparently."
"He also said you're moping about the unicorn?"
He sighed and sat down on Arthur's bed. "It was the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I wish you'd been there."
"I'm sure it was lovely," she said, coming over to pet Cavall. The cat melted into her touch, to Merlin's obvious disappointment.
"It was more than lovely, it was… I can't even explain it. I don't understand how Arthur can have taken any pleasure from killing it."
"Men and their hunting." She blushed as she realized what she said and looked up to see Merlin with a raised eyebrow. "I just mean, men like Arthur really like to hunt and they feel accomplished when they get a rare kill. You're a different sort of man. A softer sort. N-not that that's a bad thing. I really like that about you. I mean -"
"I get it," Merlin chuckled.
"Gréot gecumen lecan… Gecumen gé drý wæter."
"Someone's coming," Gwen said and Merlin shoved his book under Arthur's pillow.
The prince came marching in, looking annoyed. As soon as the door was shut, he said, "Can't you make yourself useful and fix this?"
"I've been trying," Merlin sighed, pulling the book back out.
"We think whoever did this is blocking certain magic. Anything to do with water won't work and he can't make any plants grow," Gwen explained.
"Then we need to find out who did this."
"I still haven't found a spell to track magic," Merlin said, flicking through the book. "I might need another book. I've read this whole thing through."
"I'll think about it. In the meantime, have you or your beast caught that rat?"
"Arthur, he can disappear into thin air. He didn't have to talk his way out of anything."
"We all know you'd never intentionally do anything that could harm your people," Gwen said, cutting between them before they could really get into it.
"You're blaming me too?"
"No one is blaming you."
"You just think it's my fault."
"No, none of us had any idea what would happen if a unicorn is killed, that anything even would happen. You literally called it a glorified horse."
"What?" Merlin shouted, sounding horrified and offended on the creature's behalf.
"It is a glorified horse."
The warlock threw his hands in the air and left the room.
"It's a magic horse, Your Highness. Killing it might have released something. I'm not saying it's your fault, any of your men could have made the killing blow."
"But it was me," Arthur sighed. "So what do you think I should do if you're so convinced?"
Gwen frowned, thinking. "This Anhora said you would be tested right? So you just need to be on your guard and make sure you pass whatever the tests are."
"So you just want me to wait around while my people starve?"
"Of course not. What you would normally do in a crisis like this?"
Arthur looked considering. "We've been having a problem with looters, so I would probably monitor the stores."
"Then do that, just be ready for whatever happens."
"I owe you some thanks," Arthur said, stopping Guinevere in the hall.
"No, You-"
"Yes, if you hadn't gotten through to me -"
"You would have made the same decision. Besides, Merlin was the one who was sure Anhora was telling the truth."
"Yes, well, I can't say anything to him. He'd get a big head."
"I'm sure he'd say the same to you."
Arthur smiled as she realized what she'd said and immediately grew flustered.
"I-I just meant - I meant no disrespect, Your Highness, I just -"
"It's fine, Guinevere."
"I sh-I should be getting back to Morgana," she said before curtsying and fleeing down the hall to the sound of his laughter.
"Did you really serve him rat?" Gwen asked, lifting her skirts as she carefully stepped over a root.
"He wanted food. Besides, he made me eat some as well."
"Remind me never to eat anything you make for Arthur," she joked and Merlin blushed as he held up a branch for her to duck under.
"You… might want to warn Morgana too."
She shot him a look. "You didn't."
He waved his hands around. "She came in while the pot was right there on the table and asked if we had any food, what were we supposed to do?"
They shared a look then burst out laughing.
"M-Morgana can nev-ver know. She'd never for-forgive either of you," she said through her giggles once they'd calmed some. "What are we looking for out here anyways? Do you think we can find some wild food?"
"I doubt it. Can't you hear that?"
She frowned and tried to listen. "I don't hear anything."
"Exactly." He jumped down a short ledge then held his hands out to help her down. "The animals are all gone. They've probably sensed the curse and fled. Either that or their food's gone as well and they migrated to find more elsewhere."
"So the hunters will be coming back empty as well," she sighed. "Why are we here then?"
"I want to try and find Anhora. We have to persuade him to give Arthur another chance. You've seen how Arthur's taking this. He knows it's his responsibility and he'd prove his worth and lift the curse, given the chance, you know that."
Before she could respond, a voice behind them spoke.
"You have faith in Arthur?"
They spun around to see an elderly man in pale robes.
"Anhora," Merlin whispered to her before stepping towards the man. "I trust him with my life."
Gwen frowned at the man's blank expression and stepped next to Merlin, taking his hand. "As would I."
The man considered them for a moment. "Arthur must go to the Labyrinth of Gedref. There, he will face a final test. If he fails, there is no hope. The curse will destroy Camelot."
They both looked around for him as he seemed to disappear when they blinked.
"Wait! What kind of test will he face?" Merlin called.
"That is for Arthur alone to discover," Anhora said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere.
Gwen shook her head at Merlin's face when he came out of Arthur's chambers. "Let me guess: he told you to stay here, but you're going to go anyways."
"I can't let him go alone," he said, turning to her. He blinked. "What are you wearing?"
She brushed her hands self-consciously over her tunic and trousers. "I'm coming with you."
"But it could be dangerous."
"Both tests have been tests of character. What's dangerous about that?"
He frowned. "It could be dangerous getting there."
"Then I'll have you to protect me. Please, Merlin, I want to help you both."
He bit his lip, then nodded. "Okay, but stay close to me."
"Great, I've already packed our bags and gotten the horses ready."
"… You need to knock it off or Arthur's going to expect even more from me as a servant."
"Merlin? Guinevere?"
Guinevere gave Arthur an apologetic expression and Merlin said, "I'm sorry."
Arthur glared at the old man standing off to the side of the table the two were sitting at. "Let them go. I'll take your test, but not till they're released."
"That is not possible. They are part of the test. Please go to the table."
Arthur glanced at it, but otherwise ignored the man's request.
"If you refuse the test, you will have failed and Camelot will be destroyed."
He ground his teeth and walked over to the table. "I thought I told you to stay at home. Why did you bring her here?"
"I made him," she said.
Arthur sighed and turned to the man. "Let's get on with it."
"There are two goblets before them. One of the goblets contains a deadly poison. The other goblet, a harmless liquid. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but each may only drink from a single goblet. You must choose who drinks from which."
"What kind of ridiculous test is that?" Arthur snapped. "What does that prove?"
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted."
"Let's think about this," Merlin said, eyeing the goblets. "What if I drink from my goblet first?"
"If it's poisoned, you'll die," Arthur said.
"And if it's not, then Gwen'll have to drink from hers, and she'll die. There must be a way around it."
"It is perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. And then I'll drink it," Guinevere said firmly.
"I will be the one to drink it," Merlin argued.
"Arthur needs you. I'm drinking it."
"Isn't this supposed to be my decision?" Arthur huffed and they turned on him.
"Choose me, Arthur. It's my duty to serve you."
"You both are destined for greater things. I'm just a servant."
"We don't even know which is poisoned," Arthur pointed out.
"What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not poisoned, I will then drink yours?" Merlin said to Guinevere.
"He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet."
Arthur's brow furrowed as he thought over the old man's words and an idea came to him. But first, he needed to know which goblet was poisoned.
"I've got it!" Merlin said. "Right, we pour all the liquid into one goblet and then we can be sure it is poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and it will be from a single goblet."
"That's it!"
"You never cease to surprise me. You're a lot smarter than you look," Arthur said, relieved.
"Is that actually a compliment?" Merlin asked, smiling.
Arthur looked down at them for a moment, then glanced up. "Look out!" he said, pointing. When they turned, he grabbed the goblets and poured all the liquid into one. He set the empty one down and stepped back with the other.
"What are you doing?" Merlin said and Guinevere shouted Arthur's name as they both reached for him.
"He said someone had to drink, he didn't say it had to be you." He looked up at Anhora. "I choose myself for this goblet."
Anhora just watched.
"You can't do this!" Guinevere said
"You can't die! This isn't your destiny!" Merlin said, trying to stand up but he seemed to be magically sealed to his seat.
"It seems you're wrong again."
"Listen to me!"
"You know me, Merlin. I never listen to you," Arthur said, raising his glass to the warlock.
"Arthur!"
"Make sure this idiot gets back okay," he told Guinevere, toasting her as well.
"Don't do this, Arthur," she said, tears forming in her eyes.
Arthur downed the liquid as they both shouted, "No!"
The last thing he heard was Merlin asking, "What have you done?"
Arthur groaned.
"He's waking up!"
Arthur scowled and cracked his eyes open just enough to see Merlin's face hovering over his own. "Even dead, I can't get away from you."
"Nope."
"Your Highness," Gwen said and Merlin moved back so he could see them both. "Thank God, we were starting to worry we'd have to carry you to your horse."
Arthur sat up and looked around to see he was still on the beach, though the table, chairs, and Anhora were all gone. "What happened? Why am I still alive?"
"Anhora lied," Gwen said. "It wasn't a deadly poison, it was a sleeping draught."
"What?"
"He said that by sacrificing your life for ours - or trying to, anyway - you proved you were pure of heart like a unicorn," Merlin said. "The curse is gone."
"You're sure?"
They shared a look. "Well, it's what he said. I suppose we won't know until we return to Camelot."
Arthur nodded and rose to his feet. "Let's go."
If the sorcerer had lied once, who's to say he wouldn't again.
Such thoughts proved thankfully to be unfounded as they could see the results being lifted as soon as they made it into the city.
"She's beautiful," Gwen gasped as they watched the unicorn walk through the trees.
"I told you."
"Can I…"
Arthur rolled his eyes and marched forward.
"Arthur!"
"Don't be such a girl, Merlin. Either it will run away or it won't."
"Prat," Merlin huffed, but followed with Gwen right behind him.
The unicorn slowed as they approached, but didn't stop.
Likewise, Arthur slowed his approach, raising his hands. "Easy there, girl," he said, using the soft voice he used for new foals and pups that were just starting to be trained.
Merlin cleared his throat as the unicorn snorted and turned away. "It's a stallion."
Arthur glared at him. "You couldn't have said that sooner."
Merlin shrugged with a smirk.
Gwen rolled her eyes at them and stepped ahead with her hand outstretched. "Hello there. May I pet you?"
She could see it watching her through its wild mane until it stopped and turned its head to her. Slowly she approached to run her hand down its neck.
She smiled at Merlin as he came up to its other side and he smiled back.
"Before either of you get any ideas, we're not keeping it. We've already got one magical beast too many at the castle."
"I told you, Cavall doesn't have magic," Merlin huffed before chuckling when the unicorn leaned down to nibble at Gwen's skirt.
"I wasn't talking about Cavall."
"Yes, you were," Gwen said. "Now stop fighting and come pet the unicorn."
"I miss the time when servants actually listened to me," he muttered as he came over to stroke its flank.
"No, you don't," Gwen and Merlin said at the same time before devolving into laughter.