Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Valiant and The Mark of Nimueh
Arthur still didn't know what to think.
Merlin was his best friend, he had been a loyal servant for years.
Arthur trusted him with almost everything…
Yet Merlin did not trust him in return.
Yes, Arthur knew it was against the law to practice magic and if Merlin had told him he would have been sentenced to death. But it still hurt to know his best friend didn't trust him. Arthur sighed once more. He glanced around the cave.
Gwaine was annoying Elyan, while Percival was trying to keep a straight face. Leon and Tristan were talking about god know's what. And Gwen and Isolde were chatting away like they had been friends for years. Gaius and Taliesin were currently talking about something to do with Merlin, Arthur only knew this because he had heard Gaius speak his name.
Arthur suddenly found himself missing Merlin, much more than he would care to admit. Merlin was friends with everyone, but whenever he saw Arthur on his own he would join him, even if Arthur was in a foul mood. Arthur looks up as Taliesin speaks up but he was too distracted by his thoughts to catch what Taliesin had said.
Gwaine grinned, "Storytime!"
Percival looks at him, "Have you been drinking again?"
"Maybe."
Leon shakes his head, "The one time I forget to check his water skin."
Elyan pats Leon's shoulder, "Knowing Gwaine, it wouldn't have made a difference."
Percival nods, "For every one hiding place you know, there is about a hundred you don't."
"I wouldn't say a hundred," Gwaine mutters. "But Percival's right."
"Looks like we'll have to start full body searches before patrols," Leon sighs.
Taliesin clears his throat, "If you don't mind, I would like to get started with the story."
Leon quickly nods, "Of course."
Everyone quickly finds somewhere to sit.
)o(
"Our story starts with the Knight Valiant," Taliesin began. "Quickly making his way through a small indoor market. He was on his way to pick up a special shield, one made by magic. He finally came to a stall, with a rather shifty looking owner. He asked for the shield and the man led him behind the stall. The man promised he will win with this shield. A picture of three green snakes on a yellow background cover the front of the shield. The Knight Valiant demands to see how the shield works. The seller is quick to show him, summoning three green snakes from the shield with no more than a couple of words. As the seller explains how the shield works, he hands the shield to the Knight Valiant."
"How does the shield work?" Elyan asks.
"When given an order, the snakes would come out the shield," Gaius explains. "One bite from them was fatal."
"After the Knight Valiant was given the shield, he commanded the snakes to kill the seller and they, of course, follow his orders. So that is how the Knight Valiant came to be riding through the forest and up to the gates of Camelot. Once within the city walls, he quickly entered the tournament.
"Meanwhile in a field near the walls of Camelot Prince Arthur and Merlin were training. Much to the discomfort of Merlin. Not long after that Merlin returned to the Physicians Chambers dropping armour as he went. Gaius just laughed as he asked Merlin how his day was. Gaius forced Merlin to sit down before he started stretching out Merlin's arms. While Merlin just complained about all the work he still had to do. Using magic, he moved a book across the table and it flipped open causing Gaius to hit Merlin over the top of the head."
Everyone looks at Gaius, who shrugs, "It was no hardship, compared to having your head chopped off. He had to learn to be more careful."
"Merlin just complained if he could feel his arms he would have picked it up. Merlin and Gaius have a quick disagreement about him getting his head chopped off before Merlin started complaining about how it was unfair to be made Arthur's manservant after saving his life. Gaius and Merlin then get into a debate about duties and how much pressure they're under. Arthur may have been the future King, but the fate of the whole kingdom rested on the shoulder of Merlin.
"Merlin quickly made his way through the lower town, making his way to Gwen's house. So, Merlin and Gwen spend a couple of hours together, as Gwen taught him about armour. She was the blacksmith's daughter after all. And thanks to Gwen the following day Merlin was ten times better at putting on Arthurs' armour. But Arthur still found something to complain about. After Arthur snapped at him, he forgot to hand Arthur his sword in his haste, giving Arthur yet another reason to yell at him. And so, the tournament began both Arthur and the Knight Valiant win all their matches. As the knight Valiant speaks with Arthur during a break, Merlin couldn't help but feel there was something off about him."
"Why was that?" Arthur asks. "He hadn't used the snakes yet."
Gaius smiles, "He could sense the magic, even though he didn't have the shield with him. Merlin's magic also lets him sense what a person is like. You have all seen how Merlin sometimes dislikes people for no reason and they then turn out to be bad."
"So, Merlin spends the evening reading a book whilst using his magic to get all his chores done. Suddenly Gaius threw the door to his room open. And Merlin's lets everything drop to the floor. Gaius is not too pleased that Merlin was using magic again. But Merlin didn't get into much trouble."
"Merlin used his magic to do his job?" Arthur asks, slightly shocked.
Gaius nods, "If he didn't he would be up all night doing it. The amount of work you gave him to do…"
)o(
"As all the Knights lined up in the Great Hall, the Knight Valiant and Morgana start to talk. As they flirt Arthur does not look impressed. The Knight Valiant vowed that he would win just so he can take the Lady Morgana to the winner's feast. So as Morgana and Arthur talk, Arthur successfully managed to insult Morgana, who told Gwen she hoped the Knight Valiant would win, just to see Arthur lose.
"The following morning Merlin made his way to pick up Arthur armour, as he did so he heard a hissing noise. Following the sound, he came upon the Knight Valiant's shield, as he traced the design of the shield, one of the snakes blinked. Merlin jumped back as Knight Valiant presses his sword to Merlin's neck."
"The knight Valiant threatened Merlin," Gwaine yells, in anger. "If I ever meet him, he'll be sorry."
Arthur smiles slightly, "Don't worry, I killed him."
"Merlin quickly leaves after that. Merlin set out Arthur's armour and quickly helped him into it and wished him luck as he left. Gaius and Merlin stand watching as the fights began. But soon a Knight is injured whilst fighting the Knight Valiant, who used the magic shield to win. As Gaius rushed over to help, Merlin watched him go, as he commented to Arthur.
"Later that night, Merlin rushed into Gaius chamber asking how the injured Knight was. Gaius told him that it was strange, the Knight had a snake bite on his neck. As Gaius told Merlin without the venom from the snake, he could not make a cure. Merlin worked out that he had been fighting the Knight Valiant at the time. Merlin quickly hurried away, towards the Knight Valiant's chambers, where he watched through the door as Valiant fed the snakes in the shield some mice. After Knight Valiant heard Merlin at the door, Merlin run and was forced to hide behind a pillar, so he didn't get caught. Returning to Gaius Chambers, Merlin explained what he had seen. Merlin decided he needed to tell Arthur, but Gaius told him it was useless, without proof the word of a servant would never be taken over that of a knight's."
Arthur sighs, "That really needs to change, I have seen many people punished for telling the truth about someone who is a higher class than them."
Elyan nods, "It was the same when I first become a Knight. Because I was not of noble blood, many of the other knights would not listen to a word I said."
Percival nods in agreement, "It was like that for me too."
The following morning Merlin helped Arthur with his armour as they both talked about the next Knight Arthur was about to face. As Arthur fought Merlin watched the Knight Valiant before Gaius appeared behind him. They had a quick talk and Merlin pretty much said he was not going to do anything about Valiant, but Gaius did not believe him. Arthur and Valiant both kept winning their fights until they both ended up in the final. Gaius stopped beside Merlin as the guards carried the body of a dead Knight away. Merlin knew the Knight Valiant was going to kill Arthur in the final.
"Later that night, Merlin sat beside the first Knight to be bitten by the snakes and didn't even look up as Gaius entered. Gaius told Merlin he was right and that they had to find a way to stop the Knight Valiant, they needed proof. So, the two of them decide they need to get the cure so the bitten Knight could tell Uther what the Knight Valiant had done. So, Merlin quickly set out to get one of the snakes.
"After checking to see where the Knight Valiant was, Merlin quickly made his way to the Knight Valiant's chambers and used magic to unlock the door. Entering the room, he picked up a sword and pointed it at the shield. He kneeled down to see if there was a way to get the snakes to come out the shield. Suddenly he jumped up and spun around as there was a noise from the corridor. Behind him, one of the snakes rose out of the shield and went to strike Merlin. Spinning around Merlin cut the snakes head off. Dropping the sword Merlin picked up the snakes head and quickly run from the room, passing the Knight Valiant as he does so."
"What Merlin did was brave," Gaius mutters. "If he had been bitten by one of those snakes, he wouldn't be with us today."
Taliesin shakes his head, "Merlin would be alive, there is something even Merlin has not told you, Gaius. Merlin knows the truth about his name, Emrys, I'm surprised you did not work it out."
"But his Druid name means…. My poor boy," Gaius sighs sadly.
"Gaius what is it?" Gwen asks, taking his hand.
"Merlin is doomed to a lifetime spent alone."
"What do you mean?"
Gaius just shakes his head.
)o(
"Not long after that Merlin set out to tell Arthur. While Gaius set about making the cure. As Merlin explained what he knows to be true, Arthur thought he's making it up, finally, Arthur made him swear he was telling the truth after Merlin told him he knows his word counts for nothing.
"The following day Uther speaks with the Knight Valiant and the King believes Valiant's word over Arthur's. The Knight who could have told them the truth was bitten by the snakes a second time after the Knight Valiant ordered it. After Merlin stepped in to tell the King, he saw the snakes come alive, Valiant orders them to stop. As Merlin followed Arthur from the hall he glared at Valiant."
"He should be careful," Gwaine mutters. "Everyone I've ever seen Merlin glare at, have ended up dead."
"Are you saying Merlin kills everyone he glares at?" Percival asks, still finding it hard to believe Merlin had killed anyone. Even though they had seen him kill Mary Collins.
"No, I'm just saying they end up dead. I mean, think about it, the only people Merlin truly glare at are evil and they always end up dead."
"That's usually because Merlin kills them," Gaius mutters, thinking about all those Merlin had killed to keep Arthur and Camelot safe.
"After being made to look a fool in front of his father and most of the court Arthur fires Merlin. After knowing Arthur will not pull out of the tournament Merlin headed down to the Great Dragon's cave, to tell him he has failed. After the Dragon talked to Merlin, he got a riddle as an answer much to his annoyance, he still believed there is nothing he can do."
"You fired Merlin!" Tristan gasps. "Even though he risked everything to warn you of the truth."
Arthur bows his head slightly in shame, "I was angry. I needed someone to blame, Merlin was there. He was the one who told me about it after all."
Tristan just shakes his head, "From what I have seen of Merlin he only speaks the truth about people. You would do well to trust him. I guess you are just lucky Merlin didn't truly give up on you."
"How did you work that out?"
"If he had given up on you, you wouldn't be alive today."
"Knowing that Arthur was truly going to die. Merlin sat down on the castle steps, knowing there was nothing he could do. Gwen appeared beside him and they talk. Finally, Gwen managed to get Merlin to believe it was his job to save Arthur to prove that he was right all along. Suddenly Merlin got an idea when he saw a statue of a dog holding a shield, at the bottom of the steps."
"I always wondered what he needed that dog for," Gwen mutters. "But I didn't ask at the time. Merlin seemed to know what he was doing, so I just went along with it."
"Gaius was more than surprised when Merlin bought in a statue of a dog. He asked Merlin what he was doing, and Merlin half explained his plan, leaving Gaius even more confused. Once Merlin had got the statue into his room, he pulled his spellbook out from under the loose floorboard under his bed. He started casting a spell."
"So that why we never found anything when we search Merlin's room," Leon mutters.
"Why did you need to search his room?" Isolde asks.
"Merlin has been accused of sorcery about six times," Leon answers. "So, we have had to search his room to find evidence."
Elyan smiles, "There is so much we don't know about him. He quite clearly isn't the idiot we believe him to be."
"Morgana had a dream about Arthur dying in the fight and woke yelling his name in terror and fear. She walked over to her window to find Arthur training in the yard below. After repeating the spell countless more times Merlin gave up, before leaving to ask Arthur to withdraw from the final. But Arthur will not. The following morning Merlin was still sitting up casting the spell and was still failing, he had been up all night trying to cast it.
"Elsewhere in the castle Morgana is helping Arthur with his armour, she told him to be careful. Outside the Knight, Valiant is sharpening his sword. Merlin kept muttering the spell, half asleep, so didn't notice as the stone dog turned into a living one."
"He turned that stone statue of a dog into a real living dog!" Gwen gasps.
Gaius nods, "Merlin's power is truly something amazing."
"Merlin muttered the spell again and the dog barked. Merlin jumped to his feet with a slight smile, before the dog run at him and he bolted from the room. He passed Gaius who had come to tell him the tournament is about to start. Merlin told him not to go into his room but failed to say why. So, Gaius went and had a look once Merlin had left and was quite surprised to find a dog in Merlin's room. Merlin raced through the castle, toward the field. He stopped by the wall and watched for a moment, once it was safe he quickly cast the spell and the snakes burst from the shield. Everyone quickly stood in horror and fear, seeing that it was true that the Knight Valiant was cheating. Arthur won the fight and killed Valiant after Morgana grabbed a sword and threw it to Arthur after Arthur lost his own."
Gwaine grins, "Saved by a girl, princess?"
"She did not save me!"
"Yes, she did," Gwen answers. "Well so did Merlin, if it wasn't for Merlin, Morgana would never have been able to save you."
Arthur nods, "Fine, it's Merlin's fault."
"Gaius and Merlin stood watching, as Arthur and Morgana entered the hall for the feast. Merlin quickly told Gaius what he said earlier was true, so Gaius just told him Arthur owes it all to him. Arthur and Morgana quickly had a disagreement and parted ways. Morgana walked over to Gwen and started complaining about Arthur. While Arthur walked over to Merlin and started complaining about Morgana. After a moment Arthur finally rehired Merlin, after saying he didn't need saving."
Everyone looks at Arthur.
"Okay, okay," he sighs. "I do need 'saving' some of the time."
"More like all of the time," Gwaine snorts.
"What was that, Gwaine?" Arthur asks with a dangerous edge to his voice.
"Nothing, princess."
)o(
Taliesin smiles slightly at the group. It was clear they all missed Merlin, but they were not ready to see him yet. They had to learn everything, they had to understand everything, they had to see and understand the reasons for everything Merlin had done. They had to truly trust each other. Clearing his throat, Taliesin gets everyone's attention. "It is time for the next story, so please take a seat,
"Our story starts deep in some caves many miles from Camelot," Taliesin begins. "The witch Nimueh stood over a basin of water creating a creature of water and clay, an Afanc. Once she has completed it, she placed it in an egg and sent it through the water, to Camelot. Where the egg hatched in the water supply.
"Gaius knelt down beside a body, while Merlin stood not far behind, worried that he might catch whatever the person had died of. After Gaius told him there was nothing to worry about, he turned the body over. The skin is ghostly white, with blue veins visible through the flesh and their eyes were a milky white colour, no sign of the pupil. Gaius and Merlin shared a look, knowing if people saw this, it would cause them to panic. Merlin grabbed a nearby blanket and helped Gaius cover the body.
"Gwen had just prepared her father, Tom, his lunch for the day. Gwen and her father quickly shared a couple of laughs and Tom headed out to work, whilst Gwen arranged some flowers. Gwen made her way up to the castle where she caught up with Gaius and Merlin, who were pulling a cart with some bodies on it between them. Merlin quickly changed the subject when she asked what they are doing, by asking about the flowers Gwen was carrying, in return, Gwen gave Merlin a flower, a purple one. Merlin and Gwen part ways. Morgana noticed how happy Gwen looked, as she gave her the flowers.
"What was the laugh?" Elyan asked. He and his father had never really seen eye to eye.
"I believe it was 'More smoke than pigeon' and 'More water than cress'," Gwen answers with a giggle.
Elyan smiles, "Sounds like you and father."
Gwen smiles sadly, "I miss him."
"So do I," Elyan mutters, pulling his sister into a hug.
"So, Gaius and Merlin started to examine the body. Gaius and Merlin quickly concluded that this was caused by magic. But before they could speak further, Arthur yelled Merlin's name from outside. Merlin quickly answered the door and they quickly exchanged some words, before Arthur gave Merlin an odd look. Merlin quickly explained the flower was from Gwen. Returning to Gaius, they have a quick disagreement on Merlin being a servant, a dead servant and a dogsbody."
"What was that about?" Tristan asks.
Gaius smiles, "Merlin."
"Gaius and Merlin quickly made their way to the main hall, where a servant lay dead. Uther quickly asked Gaius why he didn't tell him when they found the first body. After a quick discussion on it, Uther told Arthur, to find who was responsible for the enchantment and Merlin would be helping Gaius until the cure was found, much to the annoyances of Arthur.
"As Arthur and the guard's started door to door searches. Merlin and Gaius quickly made their way through the lower town. They found someone who was ill and still alive, Merlin knew he could save them with magic. Gaius quickly dragged Merlin away before he could do anything to help the person. The risks were too high. If Merlin got caught, he would be killed."
Gaius sighs, "It has always been hard for Merlin. He could have saved all those people, he knew he could, which made it worse. But I could not let him be killed. Every death Merlin could have prevented causes him guilt, even if it was not his fault to start with. He still wakes up screaming some nights, the voices of the dead haunt his sleep. Even those who died because of Uther, before he was born."
Isolde looks at Gaius, "I cannot begin to imagine what that must feel like. But why do the dead haunt him in such a way."
"Because Merlin does not have magic, he is magic. He is pure magic in a human form. He is not truly human, he is a creature of the Old Religion. Magic flows through his veins like blood. All those who have magic, part of their souls are bound to it. Their deaths are remembered by magic, so, therefore, it haunts him."
"Merlin isn't human!" Arthur asks, shocked.
Gaius shakes his head slightly, "He is magic in a human form."
Everyone looks shocked.
"That's why you said: 'he doomed to spend a lifetime alone'," Gwen mutters.
Gaius nods, "That is not the only reason, but yes, I meant that too."
"What is the other reason?" Arthur asks.
Gaius just shakes his head.
)o(
"Gaius and Merlin returned to their chambers to keep looking for a cure. Merlin still couldn't believe magic could be used for such evil. Suddenly Arthur and some guards burst into the room and began looking around. As Arthur goes up to Merlin's room, Merlin remembered he hadn't hidden his spellbook. So as Arthur called Merlin up to his room, Gaius and Merlin both feared the worst. Luckily Arthur hadn't spotted the book, so Merlin quickly used magic to hide it."
Everyone laughs, apart from Arthur.
"What's so funny?" he demands.
"It just is, Sire," Leon laughs. "He used magic to hide a magic book while you were in the same room as him. And you didn't even notice."
"After finding nothing Arthur and the guards left. After they had gone, Gaius quickly shut the door and turned to Merlin. They have a quick disagreement on the use of magic. Back in her cave, Nimueh watched as the Afanc does it work, smiling all the while. The castle courtyard was now filled with bodies, Uther was not pleased that Arthur had failed to find the sorcerer. He ordered the lower town to be cut off and no one was allowed out after the dusk bell had sounded.
"Back in Gaius chambers' Merlin and Gaius were checking the next body. After a couple of questions from Gaius Merlin worked out the answer, one Gaius already knew. The illness was spreading through the water. Handing Merlin a bucket, Gaius sent Merlin down to the well to get some water.
"Gwen who was leaving for work tried to wake her dad. When he didn't resound, Gwen went over to him. Only to find he had the illness, in a panic Gwen run from her house, crying as she went. She ran past Merlin who was at the well, he called after her, but she doesn't stop. Grabbing the bucket, he ran after her. She burst into Gaius chamber and begged him to help, but there was nothing he could do. Merlin came in not long after, just before Gwen run out. He knew he had to do something, even if it meant using magic."
Gwen smiles, "He is a true friend."
"Later that night, Merlin slipped out the castle and down to Gwen's home, after finding a cure in his spellbook. Sneaking past the guards was no trouble for Merlin. Getting into Gwen's house wasn't a problem either. As quietly as he could, Merlin cast the spell to cure Gwen's father. No sooner was the spell compete Gwen's father began to heal. Merlin smiled as Gwen and her father hugged."
"See, I told you Merlin cured our father," Gwen smiles. "Merlin truly is my best friend."
Elyan smiles back, "We will have to thank him, next time we see him."
"The following day Nimeuh smiled as she saw even more bodies in the courtyard of Camelot Castle. Gaius told Uther and Arthur of his findings, how the illness is spreading through the water. Uther demanded that the sorcerer was found. Merlin found Gwen cleaning, humming to herself. He quickly asked how her father was, and she told him he was all better. Merlin smiled and turned to leave when Gwen noticed Merlin didn't seem surprised. Merlin quickly joked that he is psychic, but then told her it was because she's happy again.
"Arthur and the guards appeared at Toms' blacksmith and started asking about him being sick. Arthur and the guards checked Gwen's house and found the poultice Merlin used in his spell. It was still glowing gold. Arthur and the guards arrested Gwen, while Morgana yelled she has done nothing wrong. Merlin watched as Gwen is dragged away, Gaius quickly dragged Merlin away, they needed a plan to prove Gwen had done nothing wrong.
"The King then questioned Gwen but didn't believe her to be telling the truth, so she was sentenced to death. Morgana and Uther spent some time arguing before Morgana stormed off. Gaius and Merlin sat at a table talking, they needed to a way to prove Gwen to be innocent. Merlin then made his way down to the dungeons and spoke with Gwen, where he promised Gwen he'd find a way to save her. Merlin quickly made his way through the castle and confessed to Uther that he is the sorcerer but was saved by Arthur."
"Merlin has a death wish," Percival mutters. "He must seriously have a death wish."
Gwaine laughs, "He just told everyone the truth and yet no one believed him."
Gwen smiles, "He was willing to take my place in the flames. I do not know many who would do that for a friend."
Gaius nods, a look of pride on his face, "You may not know it yet Gwen but both times you were accused of witchcraft Merlin has taken your place, the second time he escaped the flames by a couple of meters."
"What?" Arthur yells. "How could I not know this?"
Gwen thinks for a moment, "It was Merlin! You mean to say that was him?"
Gaius nods, knowing she was thinking about Dragoon the Great.
"But he killed…"
Gaius shakes his head, "Morgana killed him, Gwen, with Agravaine's help."
)o(
"After Gaius yelled at Merlin for being so stupid, the two of them set out to find what was in the water. The two of them quickly make their way down to the underground lake where all of Camelot's water came from and start looking around. Unknown to them Nimeuh was watching them. As they made their way through the tunnels, they finally came to the edge of the water. Merlin took a sample, something moved below the surface of the water as he did so. As they turn to leave the Afanc reared up out the water. Gaius and Merlin quickly hurried back to the castle and set about looking for the creature they had just seen in Gaius vast collection of books. Finally, they find it but have no idea how to defeat it. Knowing Gwen will die if he does nothing, Merlin goes to see her before he headed down to talk with the Great Dragon."
"Does Merlin always talk with the dragon?" Tristan asks. "So far he has ever time."
"Merlin and the dragon are kin," Gaius replies. "They are drawn to each other."
"The Great Dragon gives Merlin his answer in the form of another riddle, leaving Merlin to work it out. Arthur went to see his father, who moved the execution forward. Gaius returned to find Merlin going through books. After Merlin told him what he looking for, Gaius gave him the answer he needed. The Afanc was made from Earth and Water, so, therefore, it could only be destroyed by Fire and Air. Morgana suddenly appeared telling them that they were moving forward the execution, demanding that they help her save Gwen. Merlin quickly explained what was going on and how they would need Arthur's help.
"So, Morgana and Merlin set out to get Arthur's help. Morgana pretty much blackmailed Arthur into helping while Merlin waited for them in the courtyard. So, Arthur, Merlin and Morgana make their way down to the underground lake, where they were faced by the creature. As Arthur waved the torch at the creature Merlin summoned a wind, destroying the creature in a storm of fire and wind. Unknown to Merlin, Nimeuh was watching, so she swore an oath to kill him for what he had done."
Gaius sighs, "And she did."
"What do you mean?" Gwaine exclaimed. "Merlin is alive."
Gwen shakes her head, "The poison. When Arthur went to get the cure, Merlin died, but only for a couple of minutes, before he came back to life."
"Merlin and Nimeuh also battled to the death on the Isles of the Blessed. Merlin also died then, but only for a couple of seconds, but you'll see all that later."
"Gaius quickly spoke with the King, telling him, the egg bared the Mark of Nimeuh. Uther was shocked, Nimeuh and himself went back a long way and not all that history was good. So, it ended with Gwen being released and Gaius warning Merlin that he may have to watch his back if the sorcerer responsible knew what he had done."
"So not only does Merlin have to save Arthur, he also has to save himself with magic while keeping it all a secret, so he doesn't lose his head," Elyan mutters.
Gaius shakes his head, "Merlin does not always manage to save himself. He has died, been hurt and nearly discovered more times than you can dream of. Some he has not even told me about, I only know because I have seen the scars that cover his body. Merlin is truly alone, he has no one to watch his back. No one has the power to, those Merlin fight, like Nimeuh, are often High Priestesses of the Old Religion or of equal power. Merlin is the only person alive more powerful than them, he alone has the power to destroy them. That's how Merlin has lost so many he loves because they save him at the cost of their own lives. You think you know Merlin, but you do not. Merlin lets no one get close to him, at least not anymore, because he knows they will all die in the end.
)o(
Hey. I'm thinking about writing up all the episodes like this. Let me know what you think.
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.