Hey guys XDD I'm sooooooo sorry this is late I haven't been able to get onto the internet since it broke UGH! I hate it, but anyway here it is and I hope you like it.
Be the way you may notice that there are several parts that I have not included in this chapter which are in the original episode, and that is because I thought it would seem better without them, but anyway please review and tell me what you think, and maybe give a few ideas what you want to happen because I still don't know where I'm going to take this X33
Chapter 7: The Labyrinth of Gedref (part 2)
Arthur remained behind Merlin and as they entered Merlin's chambers, not knowing what to say or think he ran over to the bedside, to sit with Gwen. He could feel his eyes watering, not knowing what he would do without her.
"W...What...what's wrong with her?" He sobbed picking up her lying hand and holding it to his face.
"I am not sure sire, it is a illness I have never come across" replied Gaius coming over, holding a small bottle, and poured the contents into Gwen's mouth.
"Well is there anything you can do?" Arthur asked glancing up at Gaius. Merlin remained stood near the door, watching his master fall apart.
"At this moment I am not sure" Gaius replied "but I will do everything I can" he reassured. Merlin looked up to face Gaius; Gaius gave in the look as in to give Arthur some time alone.
"We'll just be outside if you need us" explained Merlin hoping that the prince would look up at him and give him that gorgeous smile that lit up his day every day, but he didn't Arthur's face stuck facing Gwen not looking up for anything. As Merlin pulled the door shut he heard small pleads from Arthur, begging for Gwen to live.
It had not been five minutes until Arthur called Merlin's name, "Yes sire" Merlin replied running into the room. "I think it would be better if she was laid more comfortably, I shall take to my chambers where she will rest!" instructed Arthur tears running down the side of his face.
"I don't think that's a good idea here she can get the medical attention she needs" Merlin said trying to change Arthur's mind.
"I shall take her to my chamber's" he shouted in reply. "Now make sure you open the doors as I carry her" he ordered. Merlin just nodded his head and followed his orders. Arthur moved back to Gwen and gently slid his arms under her as if she was so fragile that she was about to break. He slowly picked her up and took each step slowly as if he was trying not to wake her. As they made their way to the courtyard Merlin remained ahead of Arthur. In time they took their first steps into the courtyard, as they walked the heads of people nearby rose and stared at the sight. It wasn't Merlin who they were staring at, he was walking through the courtyard as he did any other day, they were staring at the sight that followed. Their eyes were fixated to the prince of Camelot walking through the kingdoms courtyard carrying a servant and crying, it wasn't a sight that was often seen in Camelot, and many of the people did not know what to think, however they simply sunk their heads and looked at the floor in sadness, many of the town's people knew Gwen and believed she was a lovely women and many people also believed that one day she would make a man a very good wife.
"Move Merlin" instructed Arthur as he staggered into his chambers, and brushing Merlin's shoulder as he passed. He moved over to the side of the bed and slowly laid Gwen down, being ever so careful not to lay her in an awkward position. Arthur rose from his knees and began to pace the room, putting his hand to rest it on the back of his head
"You know I'm sure she's going to be ok, Gaius is doing everything he can" muttered Merlin
"Oh yeah then where is he now?" Shouted Arthur. Merlin remained standing looking in amazement in what the prince had just said.
"Since you've developed feelings for Gwen you've changed...I don't know who you are anymore" said Merlin sadly, tears beginning to well up in his sparkling blue eyes. Arthur stopped and took a minute to look at Merlin. Deep down Arthur knew he had changed, and he wasn't the Arthur Pendragon everybody knew and loved, just because he was smitten with a mere servant. Merlin couldn't bare it longer and rushed out of the room, he couldn't stand to be in the same room as the prince any longer, he knew now what it had taken him so long to understand. He loved Arthur, as much as he tried to deny it, his love grew stronger.
Arthur could not believe what his servant, and as he thought trusted friend had just said. It had left him stuck for words. So much was welling up in his head, he need to get out and get some fresh air but who would be here to take care of Gwen. Just then a slight knock came at the door, and Morgana slowly revealed herself, and closed the door behind her.
"You look shattered" Morgana said walking over to stand beside Arthur.
"Thanks, not the best welcoming I've had in a while" replied Arthur, Morgana smiled and lowered her head.
"How is she?"Morgana said breaking the silence, and looking up at Arthur. "I've never seen you like this with a servant"
"I love her Morgana, and I don't know what's going to happen" said Arthur urgently. The kind of reply Morgana wasn't expecting. Morgana didn't know how to react until her womanly instincts took over pulling Arthur into a tight embrace, Arthur didn't resist and slowly hugged Morgana back.
A knight walked in coughing under his breath to get the two's attention. "Sorry to interrupt sire... my lady" he said bowing his head "But the king has informed me to tell you that throughout the kingdom there has been more of an outbreak many of the towns people becoming ill"
"Thank you please inform the king that you have told us" answered Morgana showing the knight to the door, when the knight exited, Arthur swiped his arm across the table pushing all of the objects that were sat on the surface.
"What the hell are we to do?" yelled Arthur leaning against the bed post, scaring Morgana for a few seconds.
"If I hadn't of killed that unicorn then none of this would have happened" he sighed Morgana was unsure of what to say the saddened prince and decided to leave the room. As she was exiting in to the corridor outside the room, she bumped into Merlin who was just coming round the corner.
"I'm so sorry" he said steadying himself.
"Do not worry Merlin, no harm done" she replied gave him a half smile and walked off.
Merlin entered the room, to see Arthur getting into his armour.
"Erm... Arthur, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to find Anhora, and to lift this curse once for all, I will not let my people die for one of my stupid mistakes" he said angrily and finishing putting his armour. "Stay here and look after Gwen"
"But Arthur..."
"Merlin, please don't try to stop me because you know you can't" He interrupted him, leaving the room.
Merlin ignored his masters instructions and followed him, "OH come off it you don't even know where you're going" he said hoping that might change Arthurs mind.
"I did some research in the archives and now I have rough idea where I'm going... so don't even go there Merlin I know what you're trying to do and it's not going to work"
By this point they had reached the stables and to quickly avoid the rest of the conversation Arthur mounted his horse and rode off, leaving Merlin standing there watching go.
'I have to do something' he thought to himself, he had no idea what could happen to Arthur if he didn't go with him. "Oh for god's sake" he said aloud and went to fetch another horse to go after Arthur.
He ran into the stables, wondering what horse he should take, Arthur's horse was one of the best in the realm, and would take one like it to catch up, he decided to take a horse which was the sibling to Arthur's.
It was half an hour before Merlin could see Arthur in front, he had found it hard to keep up. Galloping away Merlin remained a steady pace behind Arthur, he hoped that the prince would not turn around, otherwise he would stop and order Merlin back to Camelot.
As their journey grew in distant, Merlin realised that his horse was beginning to feel the strain of running so far, this horse was good but against Arthur's there was a wide margin of superiority.
Arthur rode for miles through woodland until he could make out the vast Labyrinth of Gedref in the misty valley below. Once he had crossed the valley he came across a large maze that covered many miles of land. He slipped down from his horse and tethered it beside the maze entrance. Uncertainly, he stepped inside and gingerly made his way back and forth through the eerie labyrinth.
After many twists, turns and dead ends, Arthur finally found a large, light opening in the maze. He could hear the lapping of waves and walked through to see Anhora standing on a rocky shore. Beside him was a wooden table laid with two silver goblets. Sitting sheepishly at one end was Merlin, he had followed his master into the maze, but was caught by Anhora.
"Merlin?" he questioned entering the clearing.
"I'm sorry" he replied.
"Let him go! I will take your test, but not till he's released" Arthur ordered.
Anhora answered, "That is not possible. Merlin is part of the test please sit. If you refuse the test you will have failed and Camelot will be destroyed." Arthur was shocked at Anhora's reply. "I thought I told you to stay at home" scolded Arthur, taking a seat at the table to face his servant.
"I must have misheard you," Merlin lied.
"Let's get on with it," said Arthur, glaring at Anhora.
"There are two goblets before you. 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 of you may only drink from a single goblet." The sorcerer explained.
"What kind of ridiculous test is that? What does that prove?" Arthur questioned.
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted"
Arthur was highly agitated, but Merlin studied the goblets thoughtfully
"Let's think about this. What if I drink from my goblet first?" Merlin suggested
"If it's poisoned, you will die," said Arthur.
"And if it's not, you will have to drink from yours and you will die," nodded Merlin."There must be a way round it."
"It's perfectly simple," Arthur pointed out. "One of us has to die. We have to determine which goblet has the poison. Then I'll drink it."
"I'll be the one to drink it" Merlin interrupted
"It's my doing. I'm drinking it!"
"It's more important that you live," Merlin insisted. "You're the future king, I'm just a servant."
"This is no time to be a hero, Merlin. It really doesn't suit you" Arthur informed.
"What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not the poisoned, I will then drink yours"
"He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet. I had no idea you were so keen to die for me"
"Trust me I can hardly believe it myself" Merlin replied making Arthur laugh.
Arthur was impressed with Merlin's bravery and loyalty.
"I'm glad you're here, Merlin," he smiled.
All of a sudden Merlin had an idea. "I've got it! We pour the liquid into one goblet and then we can be sure it's poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and from a single goblet." Merlin said sitting back impressed with his theory.
"You never cease to surprise me. You're a lot smarter than you look" Arthur replied.
Surprised Merlin answered "Is that a compliment?"
"Look out!" cried Arthur, pointing. Merlin spun round to see what the danger was, only for Arthur to snatch up the goblets and pour the liquid into one.
"No! I will drink it" Merlin shouted
"As if I'd let you" Arthur replied.
"You can't die. This isn't your destiny."
"It seems you're wrong again" stated Arthur.
"Listen to me!" Merlin shouted again, trying to persuade Arthur.
"You know me, Merlin. I never listen to you." And with that Arthur brought the goblet to his lips and swallowed its contents. After drinking it he slid off the stool to the ground. Merlin rushed to catch his master's limp body and desperately trying to wake him.
"Arthur! No!"He said frantically. Turning to Anhora he said "What have you done?" and turning back to the lifeless prince. "Arthur! No! Arthur, Arthur, come on! come on! No... come on please." He begged shaking the prince. "Please! Let me take his place please!" he said begging Anhora.
"This was Arthur's test not yours."
"You've killed him. I was meant to protect him." Merlin shouted.
"He is not dead. He has merely consumed a sleeping draught. He will come round shortly" said the sorcerer gently.
"What?" asked Merlin confused.
"A unicorn is pure of heart. If you kill one, you must make amends by proving that you also are pure of heart. Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours. He has proven what is truly in his heart. The curse will be lifted." Once Arthur groaned and began to move, Anhora was gone.
By the time the pair got back to Camelot, they could see many people that had been diagnosed with the illness, where walking around, getting on with their daily jobs once again. However there was one person who had been diagnosed with the illness who they could not see. Where was Gwen? Once Arthur had realised Gwen was not among the towns people, he got down from his horse and ran to his chambers, barging into people, and dodging barrels that stood in his way. There was one thing, nothing was going to slow him down.
He reached his chambers and slammed the door open, which flung against the wall, causing a loud banging sound. He saw the Lady Morgana lent over the side of the bed, and it looked like she was crying.
"Morgana what is it?" he asked
"Oh Arthur" she cried running over to the prince and into his arms. Automatically he put his arms around her and held her against him.
"How's Gwen?" he asked.
"She's... she's... dead" Morgana wept, burying her head into his chest.
"What? NO! She can't be" he stammered, he looked over Morgana's head, to see Gwen lay in his bed, dead.
There you go I've finally finished it. I hope you like it please R&R xxx