Dragon Twins

A/N: I'm happy that everyone seems to like this story so far, and that no one seems to mind the long chapters. For now I'm sticking mostly to cannon with some minor changes but at this point it will start to veer further and further away until cannon is only barely there in the sense of the main event of the chapter lol. I haven't even finished half of the first season yet so…yeah. Hopefully my reference photo links aren't annoying anyone, I just feel like adding them in so ya'll can look if you want to, or ignore them if you don't. I do try to describe them as best I can though.

Guest: I'm also a major Mergana shipper, but also a Merdred shipper…so torn lol. I haven't watched past season 1 episode 6 yet but I know Morgana goes evil at some point and the thought of it just kills me. Morgana is manipulative but for the right reasons and I like that…plus she's so caring to Gwen and I hate the thought of that being lost later in the show.

Thecrazyonex: I'm glad you're enjoying it. Marlena is, in my mind, a bolder version of Merlin with less of a filter. For these first few episodes/chapters I'm mostly going to stick to the plot with some subtle changes and twists that will lead into bigger and better things. Eventually I will divert almost entirely from cannon.

HPuni101: I'm having a field day with Marlena lol. Also, I was hoping someone would catch that rebellious knight bit…congrats, you get a cookie. I didn't want them to have the same destiny, I wanted her to be different from her twin in her role. As for Marlena and Arthur…you shall see. I don't use Betas but I'm always open to suggestions from my readers for future chapters.

Daydreamer06980: I'm not even entirely sure who is going to end up with whom lol. My characters have taken on a life of their own now. Uther to me is a very conflicted character…at least from what I've seen. He used to utilize magic, probably enjoyed it…but Nimueh ruined it and made him hate it by not telling him the true consequences of what she was going to do to give them a child. I believe if he'd had someone willing to talk to him and show him the good side of magic again that he might have changed for the better…so that's where I'm taking my story in terms of him and Marlena.

Chapter 3 – The Mark of Nimueh

Merlin and Marlena are following Gaius as he goes to look over corpse in the middle of one of the streets of the lower town. Merlin eyes the body nervously, still talking to Gaius, while Marlena stays several feet away from it.

"Aren't you sacred?"

"Of what?"

"That you might catch whatever it is."

"I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time there's nothing really to be scared of."

Gaius turns over corps to reveal a white skinned, white eyed face, making Marlena reel back and turn away from the sight. Merlin glances at her in concern even as he snarks at Gaius to try and get a laugh out of his sister.

"You were saying?"

"People mustn't see this. They'll panic."

They load the body onto a large cart and start wheeling it back up to the main castle. As Merlin and Gaius wheel the body over the castle drawbridge Gwen approaches carrying a bunch of flowers. She peers curiously at the sheet covering the cart while Merlin tries to distract her.

"What are you doing?"

"Er...just moving something."

"Looks heavy."

"Er, it's nothing really. Erm...someone got you flowers?"

"Oh! No. I picked them for Lady Morgana. Would you like one? A purple one…purple suits you…not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you."

"Thanks. Well, er..."

Merlin looks nervous and unsure as he sticks the flower in his neckerchief. Marlena watches the two with fond amusement; her brother never was really good with female attention. She remembered a time in their old village when a girl had flirted with him for weeks and he hadn't even realized it until she tried to kiss him. The soft laugh from her made everyone look at her curiously but she just waved them off.

"Just remembering something from when we were a bit younger. Remember Lara, Merlin?"

Her teasing tone brought a bright blush to Merlin's cheeks and he started stuttering. Gwen's raised eyebrow had Marlena explaining the whole thing to her and both women soon had Merlin laughing with them.

"Aww…poor Merlin. That's a lovely dress Marlena."

Marlena wore a deep orange colored linen dress with fitted sleeves and a silver belt that was basically just silver circles connected together to form a chain. She liked the dress well enough, and it was quite pretty with such a bold color.

"You can thank you mistress for that. She apparently decided I needed an entire wardrobe…and his majesty apparently agreed with her. Several servants came in this morning and delivered an actual wardrobe full of dresses…I've never had so many dresses in my entire life Gwen…"

"You'll be fine. If you ever need advice just see me or Lady Morgana, speaking of…I've got to go tend to her now."

"Er...see you Gwen."

"Bye Merlin."

Once they got the body to Gaius chambers they laid it out on one of the worktables while Gaius started looking at the body with magnifying glass.

"I've never seen anything like this before."

"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?"

"No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?"

"You think it's caused by magic?"

"Merlin!"

The shout through the door has all three of them looking at the door, Merlin and Marlena wincing slightly as they'd forgotten about Arthur. Merlin opened the door just enough to speak to him without letting him see the body.

"Erm...I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late. Gaius needed our help this morning."

"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it. I trust Marlena will be coming with you to tend to my rooms?"

Arthur furrows his eyebrows when he sees the flower in Merlin's scarf and Merlin looks down at it, his face flushing bright red again as he hears his sister snickering behind him.

"Gwen gave that to him earlier. Apparently she thinks purple is a good color on him."

Arthur rolled his eyes and spoke again before turning to leave. Merlin closed the door quickly and grumbled at Gaius while Marlena laughed at him.

"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now."

"Okay."

"Gaius..."

"I heard."

"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?"

"'Cause that's the way it is. You're a servant."

"What...if he knew who I was, what I've done..."

"You'd be a dead servant…as would I brother dearest. Magic is outlawed remember?"

"Right, get this covered up."

"Hey, I'm not your servant."

"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up…the King is waiting."

In the King's Council Chambers Gaius leaned over the body of a dead servant as the King watched on anxiously. At some point during Gaius' examination of the body Uther had come to stand beside Marlena and was absently stroking her hair, much to Arthur's amusement as he kept smirking at her until she stuck her tongue out at him. He gave her a wide-eyed incredulous look as she snickered softly. Uther just rolled his eyes at them both and turned to Gaius, demanding answers that the physician was afraid to give.

"What's happened to him?"

"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today."

"Why didn't you report it to me?"

"I was attempting to find the cause."

"What did you conclude?"

"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one."

Gaius was clearly nervous about something and the King pounced on it like a cat with an injured mouse.

"What are you concealing from me?"

"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and its spreading fast."

"What is the cause?"

"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery."

Uther growls softly and pulls Arthur to the side, speaking to him in low quiet tones so as not to be overheard, though Marlena catches a few words here and there and none of what she hears reassures her in the least bit.

"We must find who did this."

"I will, father."

"Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates, and lend the physician your manservant."

"Merlin? But..."

"I'm going to need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly."

"Yes, father."

"Majesty?"

"Yes Marlena?"

"What if…what if this dark magic…what if it can only be stopped with…with light magic?"

"There is no such thing as light magic Marlena…magic corrupts all who wield it."

"I respectfully disagree Majesty…I have seen magic used for good. I cannot believe that someone who would heal the sick, save people's animals and crops, stop a fire to rescue a child…I cannot, and will not, believe that anyone who would do that could be evil."

"I am in no mood for this discussion Marlena. Go with Arthur and help with the searches. You can search the rooms of the women so as to avoid any sort of…impropriety."

"Yes Majesty."

Arthur takes Marlena and a number of guards with him to search the city while Merlin and Gaius walk through the town on their way back to Gaius' chambers. Merlin sees another sick man, sitting against a house, and feels compelled to help the poor man but Gaius refuses to let him do anything.

"Gaius? Gaius. He's still alive."

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him."

"But we haven't tried."

"If we don't know what the disease is, then how can we cure him?"

"With magic."

"Take a look around, Merlin. They're suspicious of everyone. This is not the time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the source of the disease."

Marlena follows Arthur around, her head hanging down more than usual and Arthur continuously glances at her in concern. He can somewhat understand the point she made with his father, but still…they're dealing with dark magic in this case and she should be able to understand the need to find the one causing it.

As they're searching the houses Marlena breaks away from Arthur and the guards so he follows her. He spots her going into an alleyway but when he gets there he sees her cradling a little girl who's crying into her dress. Marlena is rubbing soothing circles on the little girl's back and murmuring to her in a soft crooning voice. She looks up at Arthur, her eyes pleading with him to leave the little girl alone with her, and he gives a short nod before backing out of the alley and returning to the search.

Marlena eventually rejoins him as they head up to the castle…and Arthur is not looking forward to having to search Morgana's rooms. Back in the Physician's chambers Gaius heats a vial of liquid over a small flame while Merlin looks a bit green at the smell of it.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach."

"Will that tell you who did it?"

"No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind."

Merlin looks upset, remembering his sister's reaction to the events earlier in the council chambers and the horrified look on her face at the thought of anyone using magic to harm others.

"Why would someone use magic like that?"

"Magic corrupts. People use it for their own ends."

"But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't."

"It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it. Magic itself is neutral Merlin."

Arthur and the guards burst into the room and Arthur begins issuing orders to the men. He glances back at the door and sighs softly.

"Over there. Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town."

"What for?"

"A sorcerer."

"But why would he be here?"

"I'm just doing my job. My father has us searching everywhere."

"We've nothing to hide. Go on, then. Search."

Marlena comes in behind the men, albeit at a much slower pace. Merlin goes to her immediately, his face radiating concern at seeing how pale she looks.

"Lena? Are you alright? Gaius? Can you check on her?"

"Marlena dear? Look at me. What is wrong?"

"I can't…I can't do this…everyone is so frightened…all these bloody guards are terrifying the children…please just make it all stop…"

Arthur looks over at her with guilt written all over his face as she buries her face in her hands and tries to get herself back under control. He feels horrible at how pale and upset she is from all of this and mentally curses his father for making her assist him in the first place.

"Gaius? What are all these books and papers?"

"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish."

"What's this room up here?"

"That's our room, Sire."

Arthur heads up the small steps into the room, wincing a bit at how tired Marlena's voice sounded.

"And what do you expect to find in there?"

"I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments."

"What've you done with the magic book I gave you?"

Gaius leans in and whispers to Merlin who just stares at him with wide eyes, remembering that he'd left it on the floor by his bed.

"Merlin, come here. Look what I found."

Merlin enters the room to find Arthur gesturing between the cupboard and the mess on Merlin's side of the room…which looks vaguely like a wind tunnel had swept through it.

"I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard. You should get Marlena to teach you how to keep things clean…her side of this room is damn-near spotless."

Arthur turns to Marlena's side and snorts loudly at the enormous wardrobe taking up almost the entire wall. He opens it to peek inside and just stares in open-mouthed shock at the sheer number of dresses, both ordinary and fancy, that are hanging inside.

"Dear gods…why did my father let Morgana go so far with all of this? When is she ever even going to wear this many dresses?"

Merlin gives Arthur a wry grin as he spots book on the floor and magically covers it with his bed sheet. Arthur shakes his head and then looks under the bed, but misses the book and exits the room with Merlin trailing behind him.

"How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?"

"It depends on how many interruptions I get."

"Of course, I'm sorry. We're finished here. Marlena? You stay here and rest, I only have Morgana's room left for tonight in terms of women's rooms."

"Have fun with that one Sire…I'm afraid she might try to bite your head off if you go through her drawers."

"I fear you may be correct…"

Arthur winces at the thought and then leads the guards out of the room but pauses next to Marlena and rests a hand on her shoulder for a moment to comfort her. As soon as they're gone Gaius rounds on Merlin and the two end up in a heated argument about using magic while Marlena grows more and more frustrated with both of them.

"We have to hide that book."

"No. We must use it."

"Don't be stupid."

"If I have this legacy then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks."

"You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad? Merlin, your life is destined for more important things."

"But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great warlock I'm supposedly going to become?!"

"There will come a time when your skills will be recognized."

"When?! How long do we have to wait?"

"Patience is a virtue, Merlin."

"Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?"

"Your time will come."

"I could cure that man we saw."

"I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin..."

"It is when it would save a life."

"It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading."

"Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!"

"A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town."

"So what can we do?"

"Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all."

"What good is having magic if we can't use it to help anyone?! I'm tired of watching people die Gaius! The first day we came here a young man lost his head for using magic while his heartbroken mother vowed revenge! What kind of life is that?! Tell me! I can't keep living like this Gaius…I can't!"

Marlena finally snapped at them both, screaming in anger, fear, and frustration before storming out of the room entirely. She had tears in her eyes as she ran through the halls of the castle, bumping into Arthur briefly and dodging his hands as he tried to reach out to her. She ignored his calls and kept running; leaving the castle and heading outside to the stables where she found Arthur's horse laying in his stall and curled up against the animal's side. The horse seemed to know she needed comfort as he curled his neck around her a bit and pressed his nose against her back, making soft chuffing sounds as she cried against his side.

Arthur had just finished searching the rooms of a very angry Morgana, and his ears were still ringing from her screaming and screeching, when Marlena ran into him. He noticed her tears and tried to stop her but missed. When she ignored his calls he went to his father, anger twisting his face as he barged into his father's private rooms.

"Father!"

"Arthur? What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"Why did you make Marlena go with me today? Do you have any idea how upset it made her? I had to arrest several people for simple little magical items that normally would have been ignored…I had to disrupt families and the guards were terrifying to the children…and Marlena had to see all of that. By the time we reached the Physician's chambers she was pale and shaking…I was afraid she was going to faint father. I made her stay there while I handled Morgana but she just ran past me in the hall…crying and ignoring my efforts to reach her."

Uther scowled at Arthur but his expression slowly turned pained as his son continued on and he glanced out of his window in time to notice a dark-haired female running into the stables and sighed softly. He turned back to his son and gave him a more solemn look.

"I know where she has gone and I will speak to her. Continue the searches."

"Yes Father."

Arthur gave him a stiff bow before stomping out of the room. Uther headed down to the stables and peeked into several stalls until he found her, curled up against his son's horse. The sight was rather amazing to him as Arthur's horse was well known for disliking anyone that wasn't Arthur, though he should have expected Marlena to be the one to charm the ornery beast. He carefully entered the stall, scowling at the horse when it snorted at him in warning, and approached the young woman. There were drying tear tracks on her cheeks and he felt guilt eating at him for having a part in her being so upset.

"Marlena? Look at me little one."

"Majesty? I'm…I'm sorry…I should go…"

"Hush child. Come here."

Uther held his arms open and she hesitantly curled into him. He kept his tone low and soothing, rubbing her back and trying all the tricks he'd used on Mrogana whenever she was upset.

"I apologize little one, I should not have sent you with Arthur today."

"It's alright Majesty…that's not…that isn't why I was crying."

"Then what caused these tears?"

"People are dying…and I know light magic could save them…but magic isn't allowed here…it just hurts to see so much suffering and not be able to use a resource that could help."

"Magic is evil and corrupting…"

"No Majesty…it isn't. Magic itself is neutral…neither good nor evil…the evil is in the hearts of men. Even men without magic can be cruel and evil to others…just look at Valiant for a prime example. Most people with magic only use what little they have to help their families and their neighbors. Yes, there are those that are evil and use dark magic…but there are also those that are good and use only light magic."

"What would you have me do little one? I cannot allow sorcery to run rampant again…dark magic is too dangerous."

"I agree…but…you could…maybe allow one person…one who uses only light magic…to be allowed to use it…only to keep Camelot safe and protect those who live here…"

"Do you know such a person?"

"I can't say Majesty…not unless I have a guarantee of their safety."

"I shall think on this little one. In the meantime…I believe you need some rest in a proper bed."

"Yes Majesty."

When she tried to get up he pulled her closer and lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to Gaius' chambers and handing her off to her brother who put her to bed after giving the King a very confused look. Gaius had a curious look on his face at the tender expression his old friend wore while looking at his young female charge and hoped that it might mean Uther's hardened heart might finally be thawing out again.

The next day bodies covered in sheets are laid out in the courtyard while Uther and Arthur meet in the Council Chambers where Arthur gave his report to his father on the results of the searches, the news was not promising.

"We searched everywhere, the entire city."

"Nothing?"

"Just a few minor enchanted items that could have been purchased anywhere. I don't know where else to look."

"I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell."

"Father?"

"And cordon off the lower town."

"Why?"

"Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading."

"What about the people who live there?"

"Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city."

Arthur bows to his father and reluctantly exits the room. Uther sits in his throne, staring out the massive window and thinking about his discussion with Marlena…wondering if perhaps her idea had some merit. Perhaps he would speak to her again, learn more of her view on magic and perhaps consider bringing back the position of court sorcerer or sorceress…perhaps.

Back in the Physician's chambers the twins were helping Gaius examine yet another body, this one was a courtier unlike the previous victims...and female as Merlin so helpfully pointed out. Marlena stood against a wall, quietly watching as Gaius tried to subtly guide her brother to the correct conclusions, snorting softly in amusement every time Merlin said something vaguely idiotic.

"What's different about this victim?"

"Er...she's a woman."

"Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?"

"Erm...she's a courtier."

"Ah."

"How does that help us?"

"Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?"

"Erm...that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople."

"Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact."

"Oh, and they probably ate different food."

"Good. Anything else?"

"Erm...I doubt they breathe the same air."

"So what's the only thing they do share?"

"Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?"

"Merlin, you're a prodigy."

Marlena snickered at the sarcasm from Gaius, prompting Merlin to stick his tongue out at her and get hit in the head by Gaius for it. Gaius handed a bucket to Merlin who reluctantly left the room to go and fetch water from the well in the lower town. Marlena remained behind with Gaius, her mind was spinning and trying to figure out why she felt the need to be around the King and to try and convince him that magic isn't all bad. It was confusing and distressing, but she felt like she had to do this. Merlin and Gaius kept glancing at her in concern, noting how distracted she seemed to be. Gwen came bursting into Gaius chambers and managed to pull Marlena away from her thoughts as her friend was panicking.

"Gwen!"

"Gaius!."

"You have the sickness?"

"My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have."

"Gwen, I have no cure."

"I am begging you!"

"I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve."

"I'm sorry, Gwen."

Gwen runs out of the room, crying in despair, and both twins feel their hearts breaking for their friend, though Merlin seems a bit more passionate about doing something stupid.

"There must be something we can do."

"My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers."

"But that'll be too late for Gwen's father."

"I fear you may be right."

Gaius puts some of the water in a vial, and places a flower in it while Merlin stomps into his and Marlena's room. She knows he's upset but she isn't sure what he's thinking. When she follows him he tells her his plan and she sighs softly.

"I don't think it's a good idea Merlin. They're searching for any evidence of magic in all of Camelot. If you get caught I can't protect you."

"I have to do something Lena…"

When night falls Merlin checks that Gaius is asleep and the twins sneak out of the castle and head for Gwen's house. They freeze as a pair of guards are making their rounds, afraid they'll be spotted as they're in a vulnerable spot.

"What about over...in there?"

"Certainly, sir."

The guards poke spears into haystacks, searching for anyone that might be hiding after curfew. Merlin whispers a soft spell to cause a distraction.

"Onstyrian, onbregdan."

The door across the street creaks open and a guard slowly creeps up to inspect it and Merlin makes the door hit him in the face. Marlena gives him a disapproving look for that but follows him to Gwen's house. Gwen is kneeling by her father's bed, her head laying next to his hand and it was obvious she'd cried herself to sleep that night. Merlin placed a poultice under Tom's pillow and the two whispered the soft words of the healing spell Merlin had found in the book.

"þu fornimst adl fram guman."

Merlin slips out of the house and Marlena goes to follow, but she quickly rushes back in and removes the poultice as Tom wakes. He looks at her for a moment and then smiles softly before whispering to her to run to bed. Marlena leaves and sees Tom wake Gwen, making her smile as she and Merlin return to their room. As soon as they get back Marlena tosses the poultice into the fire.

"What the hell was that Lena?! He saw you!"

"Hush Merlin…you'll wake Gaius. I had to remove the poultice. If we'd left it and they searched that house…which they will when they see he is miraculously better, what do you think would happen to Gwen?"

Merlin's face pales dramatically and Marlena knows she's made her point. She slips into her bed and feels Merlin crawl in behind her instead of going to his own bed. He whispers softly to her and she smiles a bit before falling asleep.

"You should talk to the dragon soon Lena…he can help you understand your destiny."

"I will Merlin…goodnight brother."

The next day there are even more covered bodies laid out in the Square. Gaius and the twins are called into the Council Chamber. Arthur lifts the vial of tainted water, with a dead flower floating in it, and eyeballs it warily.

"Don't touch it Sire. I had this in the water for no more than a few hours."

Uther's look of concern grows as he questions Gaius, the answers he receives only making the lines of worry on his forehead grow deeper.

"Where's the water from?"

"It's from the pump in the lower town, from which the people take their daily supply."

"We have to stop the people from using it."

"The city cannot survive without water."

Uther grows more and more agitated as Arthur becomes the next target of his ire. Marlena watches on, feeling her stomach tightening with the urge to do something…anything to make it better.

"We have to find this sorcerer!"

"I don't believe that they're inside Camelot."

"Then extend the search to the villages!"

"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom."

"And I can't stand by and watch our people dying."

Arthur nods to his father and leaves the room, Gaius and Merlin following. Merlin glances back at his sister when she doesn't follow but she waves him off and approaches her King. Uther looks at her, his expression softening at her hesitant approach.

"It's alright, Marlena. You may approach me without fear. Something is on your mind little one?"

"Yes Majesty…though I am unsure if you would be willing to hear what I wish to say."

"Come to me later when I am in a better mood and I promise you I will hear you out little one. Now go on…off to your duties. Someone has to keep my son on track."

"Yes Majesty."

The two share amused smirks over Arthur's inability to take care of himself before Marlena heads off to find Gwen, and ends up finding her brother who informs her that he just left Gwen with Morgana.

"She said her father is back to his normal self."

"That's a big relief."

Arthur has seen Gwen's father back at his forge and speaks to him about his miraculous recovery. His guards search the house but find nothing out of the ordinary so he goes to ask the man some more questions.

"Tom, are you certain you saw nothing strange last night? Anyone hanging around that normally wouldn't be?"

"Not really…there was an old woman I'd never seen before but I thought I might have been seeing things. She was looking in through the window…her lips moved but I didn't hear anything…and then I started to feel better and she vanished."

"I see…"

Arthur heads to Morgana's rooms to ask Gwen if she saw anything. She tells him she was asleep when her father got better and Arthur knows he has to take her to his father because none of it makes any sense to him. He has the guards bring her to his father's chamber, passing Merlin and Marlena in the hall. Gaius drags Merlin back to his chambers but Marlena manages to sneak past Gaius and follow Arthur. In the Physician's chambers Gaius whirls on Merlin with a very stern look on his face.

"What've you done?!"

"What?"

"I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good."

"I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him. Marlena agreed with me."

"Did she? Or did she follow you to keep you from getting yourself killed? Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?"

"Well then, all I have to do is...I'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic."

"It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!"

"But she didn't! Marlena removed the poultice and burned it. They have nothing to tie Gwen to it at all."

In the council chambers Arthur and the guards drag Gwen into the room, not noticing Marlena slip in behind them and stand in the shadows. Uther does notice her but keeps his silence and allows her to stay.

"Please listen to me I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!"

Gwen is pleading, crying, and begging. Uther looks to Arthur for an explanation and Arthur reluctant tells him what he's found out.

"Her father was deathly ill last night, and today he was back at his forge as though nothing had happened. I found nothing suspicious in the house and, though Gwen was the only one home last night…she claims to have been sleeping when her father recovered. Tom claims there was an old woman he did not recognize, one he'd never seen in Camelot before now, who was whispering something through their window and he started to feel better. I am not sure what to think father."

"Why will no one believe me?! He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!"

"I believe you. Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally. I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress."

"Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye. A man cannot naturally recover from near-death overnight Morgana."

"I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this? Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!"

"You have no right!"

"You have no right to cast a judgment on that girl!"

"I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this!"

"But you're going to sentence the wrong person!"

"She's right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen."

Yes, maybe she did magic, but to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. One's the act of, of kindness, of love, the other of evil. I don't believe evil's in this girl's heart."

"I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish."

"I understand that."

"One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom.

"I know you believe witchcraft is an evil, father, but so is injustice. Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. It would be one where the punishment fits the crime.

"What would you have me do?"

"Majesty?"

"Come little one…you may speak your mind."

"I believe Gwen, and her father. I have to. I was…born with a unique…gift…of sorts. I can sense when someone around me has magic…I can see it. It's like…a glowing band around their bodies…the brighter it is the stronger their magic. I also figured out what the colors mean…each color represents the type of magic they specialize in."

"The girl…Gwen…did you see anything to indicate magical ability?"

"No Majesty. That's why I believe her. He father said he saw an old woman…someone he didn't recognize…perhaps she is the one you should be searching for?"

"I will give you and Arthur until tomorrow night to find any other source for this plague…if you fail I will have no choice but to sentence that girl to death to save us all."

"Thank you Majesty…I will not fail."

Marlena, Morgana, and Arthur all leave the room, heading down to Gaius' chambers to have a conference with Merlin and Gaius to figure out their next step. None of them notice the calculating look on Uther's face as he watches Marlena leave. While everyone else was in the Council Chamber Merlin and Gaius were discussing how to fix the problem.

"This is my fault…I should turn myself in so they'll let Gwen go…I caused this."

"Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!"

"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it."

"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot."

"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat."

"I don't think you'll find one big enough. Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water."

Gaius and Merlin go to the entrance to the underground water supply. Gaius motions to the basin and Merlin puts a bottle in the water to collect a sample.

"The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample. Good. Let's take it back and examine it."

A horrible looking creature rears up out of the water and Gaius grabs Merlin before making a run for it. As they stumble back into the light outside they both pant for breath.

"What the hell was that?"

Gaius pulls Merlin back to his chambers and starts flipping through his books to try and identify the creature. Once he finds it he turns the book so Merlin can see it.

"Here. It was an Afanc."

"An...a what?"

"A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer. Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?"

"That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then."

"Have you got a better idea?"

Merlin heads out the door just as the others come rushing in. Merlin grabs Marlena and tells the others they'll be back soon. Gaius just shrugs and motions to the book as Morgana and Arthur both look concerned.

"Relax you two…they'll be fine. Merlin and I went down to the main water supply and were nearly attacked by this…an Afanc."

Gaius went on to explain what it was and how hard it would be to kill. Merlin pulled Marlena behind him until they reached the Dragon's cave.

"Hello?"

"Hello, young hatchlings."

"We need to know how to defeat an Afanc."

"Yes, I suppose you do."

"Will you help us?"

"Trust the elements that are at your command."

"Elements? But what is it I have to do?"

"You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other."

"I- I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do."

"What can I help you with, young sorceress?"

"I'm just…confused. I keep feeling this urge to be near the king and to make him feel better…I keep telling him things about magic…what is happening?"

"It is your destiny young hatchling. You are the only one who will be able to reach through the King's hatred and anger…to bring him back to the light. You must show him that magic is not evil, nor are all who use it."

"How the hell am I supposed to do that without getting myself killed?!"

The dragon flies off and both twins yell out in protest…but the dragon ignores their calls and vanishes into the darkness with a deep chuckle.

"No! Please, help us!"

"I have."

"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks."

"That was such a great help…giant bloody lizard."

Before they headed back Marlena told Merlin that she had informed the King of her ability to sense magic, though he still didn't know she had it. Merlin looked worried about it but allowed her to reassure him that all was well. Arthur had taken Morgana back to her rooms to calm her down by the time Merlin and Marlena returned. Merlin immediately began searching through one book after another, amassing a pile of books all around him. Marlena was busy searching her mind for anything that she might have picked up in her travels that could help. Gaius came in and took a look at all the piles of books and heaved a sigh.

"Merlin, what are you doing?"

"Looking for a book."

"You going to tell me which one?"

"A book on elements."

"Elements?"

"Yes. Which one would I find them in?"

"Well, most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process."

"But how would they help us kill the Afanc?"

"Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements."

"What about the other two?"

"Well, perhaps they will destroy it. You want fire…wind and fire. How did you find this out?

"Erm...I just knew, you know? Part of my powers."

"Oh for the love of…Gaius…we've been talking to the Great dragon. He told us to trust in the elements at our command."

"I see…What else did he tell you?"

"That I am only one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously."

"And who's the other side?"

"Arthur."

"And you, my dear? What did he tell you that has you looking so pensive?"

"My destiny is apparently to bring King Uther back to the light and help him to remember the good part of magic. I don't know how I can possibly do that without getting killed Gaius…"

Before Gaius could answer Morgana and Arthur came bursting back into the room, both out of breath and clinging to each other in a rare show of solidarity.

"We have to prove Gwen's innocence."

"We're trying."

"Please, just tell me what I can do to help."

"We need Arthur to go with us to the lower caverns and kill the Afanc…it's the only way to stop the plague."

"Well, we must tell Uther."

"The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it."

Marlena moves to a table and pulls out several vials of liquids and some sort of waxy substance. She starts mixing them together until the wax is just a bit softer with the liquids mixed into it. Arthur watches her curiously, balking a bit when she asks for his sword.

"What the hell is that…that stuff?"

"It's a special mixture that was taught to me by someone I met in my travels. He would coat his sword with it and then set it on fire. The sword would blaze for a good ten minutes or so before going out…unless he stabbed something with it. The fire burns very hot and catches very quickly on anything it touches…it's also very hard to get off. Once I light the blade you'll have to be very careful not to hit yourself with it."

"I haven't hit myself with my sword since I was twelve Marlena."

"Good…then you should be just fine."

Morgana and Arthur walk into the Square with Merlin and Marlena who lights several torches before they descend into the tunnels.

"You'd better be right about this, Merlin."

They hear low growl and Morgana gasps softly. Arthur turns to the two females, concern on his face as he tries to convince them to stay behind. Neither woman was about to let that happen.

"You two should stay here."

"I'm coming with you."

"No."

"Scared I'll show you up?"

"Father will slam us both in chains if he knew I'd endangered you…either of you for that matter."

"Well good thing he doesn't know about it then."

"I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt."

"You could too...if you don't get out of my way."

Merlin just looks amused while Arthur rolls his eyes, realizing Morgana is not going to listen to him…as usual.

"Marlena? Am I to assume you won't be listening to me either?"

"I'm not leaving my brother."

"Right…I figured as much…bloody stubborn women…"

"How are we going to find it? "

"I just hope we do before it finds us."

They keep moving, not realizing the Afanc is creeping out of the shadows behind them as they reach the water source.

"Spread out."

The foursome splits up, each taking a different little side tunnel. Arthur hears growl and the Afanc swipes at him from behind, and then disappears. Morgana rushes to his side, Merlin and Marlena close behind her.

"What is it? Are you alright?"

"Yeah."

"Did you see it?"

"Yes…barely."

"What did it look like?"

"You mean other than ugly, Merlin?"

"It-it's quick. I couldn't get a good look."

The Afanc comes up in front of Morgana and she screams. Arthur goes to stab at it, but it disappears again before he can.

"Where is it?"

"I think it's gone this way!"

The Afanc creeps slowly out from around corner and comes into full view. Arthur swings at it and loses his sword and the creature also swipes away Morgana's torch. Marlena swings her torch at it but the creature swipes at her, knocking her to the side and making her hit her head on the stone walls. She sits there stunned for a moment before she grabs Arthur's sword and uses Merlin's torch to light the waxy substance. The blade blazes to life, dancing with fire as she carefully hands it to Arthur. When Arthur swings the blade at the Afanc and slices into it Merlin whispers a spell to increase the wind in a quick gust to make the flames even more effective.

"Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan."

The Afanc bursts into flames and is incinerated completely, nothing left of the creature but mud and ash. Marlena collapses against a stone wall for a moment until Arthur steps in front of her, offering a hand. She allows him to pull her upright as Merlin is guiding Morgana out of the tunnel already, Morgana looks more pale than normal but otherwise seems fine.

As they exit the tunnel they are met by Gaius and Uther, both of whom look very concerned. Uther checks Arthur and Morgana visually before turning to look at Marlena. The poor girl is clinging to Arthur for support, her head spinning dangerously. As she looks up at the King's concerned face her eyes roll back into her head and she passes out in Arthur's arms. Arthur carries her to Gaius' chambers and lays her in her bed. Gaius announces that she has a minor concussion and just needs rest and water.

The next morning Gaius goes to the council chamber to report to Uther on the progress that had been made overnight.

"Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are now recovering."

"Good. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before."

"It's conjured from clay by powerful magic…the type that can only be invoked by an ancient sorcerer…one that has the power to mirror the spirit of life. I found this at the water source."

Gaius shows the King a cracked egg shell with a strange mark on the side of it. Uther's scowl deepens considerably at the sight of it.

"It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire."

"Will I never be rid of her?"

"Sire."

"Leave me!"

Everyone leaves the room and Uther slumps in his throne, memories of the past plaguing him at this recent turn of events. Down in the dungeons Merlin, Morgana, and Marlena wait with Gwen's father as she is finally released. Gwen and her father share a hug, and Gwen hugs the rest of them as well…thanking them all for saving her. After Gwen and Tom leave Morgana turns to Merlin with a sly look on her face.

"Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me."

"My secret?"

"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did."

"You do?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

"You did?"

"I understand why you don't anyone to know."

"Well, obviously."

"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?"

"Er...no. I- I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden."

"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman."

"Gwen?"

"It's our secret."

Morgana smiles as she leaves and Merlin heaves a large sigh. Marlena had tensed up at Morgana's initial words but, once it became clear what she really thought the secret was, ended up laughing so hard she was nearly crying. Merlin just pouted at her and turned to leave, Marlena following him and still laughing. Sir Leon watched them walk by and couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him at hearing the bright happy laughter of the dark-haired twins. Uther heard the laughter as he left the council chamber to head to his son's rooms, intending to tell Arthur how proud he was of him for his action the previous night, and stopped in his tracks. He closed his eyes for a moment to savor the sound, a small smile gracing his lips as he resumed his little journey. Merlin and Marlena sit down to dinner with Gaius, a delicious boiled fish dinner with roasted vegetables on the side. Merlin is almost halfway done with his fish when a though occurs to him and he freezes in mid-bite.

"This fish didn't come from the water, did it?"

"Well, where else is it going to come from? The water's fine now. That's not your biggest worry. This was the work of a very powerful sorcerer. I only hope you two didn't come to her attention."

"Doubt it. Well, no one else seems to appreciate my skills…our skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am…to see Lena for who and what she is."

"One day, Merlin. One day."

"One day what?"

"One day people won't believe what an idiot you were."

"Thanks."

The three shared fond laughter, not realizing that someone far away from Camelot was watching them, anger and jealously stirring in her cold heart.

"Merlin…you will pay for this…"

Nimueh had only seen Merlin using magic and thought that Marlena was normal…if sympathetic…and so she would target the boy. If he was gone then the Pendragons would be vulnerable to her attacks once more and she could rid Albion of the entire family.

A/N: 27 pages…I am clearly more ambitious than I thought lol. Hope you all enjoyed this one. I diverged a bit away from cannon but I think it works nicely. The next chapter will be interesting…to say the least. Tom will be making more of an appearance, and we'll have more Uther and Marlena interaction as well…and of course…another feast for Morgana to play "Medieval Barbie" with Marlena lol.

Images for Marlena's orange dress and Arthur's flaming sword can be found on my Pinterest board for this story. The link is on my profile page.