Lancelot

Merlin finished lighting the last candle.

He wanted to light them all by magic but he knew it was too dangerous to do it.

Everything seemed perfect. Except Merlin felt sad.

He had gone with Morgana to go and ask the Dochraid for help with the coin. But the Dochraid had told him to away and that he was no friend of Morgana or the Old Religion.

Merlin had told Morgana that it was fine and he should be getting back to Arthur anyway.

He could tell that she didn't want him to leave.

Merlin could hear Gwen's laughs from up the street.

Why couldn't he have the happiness that they had?

They could be free and live with their power and love and yet Merlin had to hide everything to remain alive.

Merlin slipped out of the back door and when to the window.

Arthur pulled Gwen in to her home and removed the blindfold.

He was pleased that his idea of the candles worked and that Merlin hadn't accidentally burnt down her house in the process of lighting all the candles.

Arthur took Gwen's hands and led her to a chair and knelt down in front of her.

"Guinevere, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Arthur said not able to take his eyes off of Gwen.

Gwen smiled brightly and bolted forwards, bring Arthur into a hug.

Arthur was confused by this response. "Is that a yes?"

Gwen pulled back and became her old bubbling self. "Oh sorry! Yes, yes. Yes."

Arthur smiles as wide as she is as he placed the ring on her first finger.

Merlin was glad that his friends were happy. He was still himself. But Arthur needed to be stopped and the only way to do that was to break his heart.

Merlin's eyes turned black.


"How is he?" Merlin says as he enters the hovel.

Morgana left Lancelot's side.

"He is learning fast. Soon he will be able to convince everyone he's the Lancelot that we all knew and loved. I thought I would enjoy moulding his mind but it has left me curiously sad. He was once so mighty and now he is nothing but a shade. I should be sorry to see him go."

Merlin smiled. "Maybe I could help? See we need Gaius to believe it as well. He believes that I am out of your control but we need to make sure of it."

Merlin walked and stood in front of Lancelot.

"If Gaius asks you, you know that I have magic and you will guard that secret with your life. You found out when the griffin attacked Camelot. If you need something else to say to Gwen so that she believes you more is that you would die for her 100 times over and that she told you that her feelings for you would never fade."

Lancelot nodded as if he knew what Merlin was talking about.

"Did she say that?"

Merlin turned to Morgana.

"Well she actually said as long as I live, my feelings for you will never fade."

Morgana looked at Merlin.

"What and then the next second she is all over Arthur?"

"Yep that led to Lancelot saying that his feelings didn't matter and that he wouldn't come between them. Then he told me to tell Gwen that she has changed me forever, but some things cannot be."

"Oh that's harsh. No wonder he gladly walked into the veil."


Merlin watched as Arthur caught the decorated ring on his lance and took it to Gwen. He looked pleased with himself.

"I've got to hand it to you. If nothing else, it's certainly an original engagement present." Merlin said catching Arthur's helmet and watching him dismount. "Well, as romantic gesture go, you could've given her flower or had a song written. But instead you give her two days of sweaty men knocking the sense out of each other."

Arthur had seemed to ignore most of what Merlin said. "Exactly as it should be. My father had a tourney before his wedding. It's tradition."

"So it's not even an original gesture."

Arthur looked towards Gwen. "I think my future wife understands."

Another rider came onto the field.

"Who on earth is that?" Arthur said.

Merlin smiled. "I have no idea."

The rider catches the ring and brings it to Gwen like Arthur did.

Then he pulled off his helmet.

"Lancelot." Arthur whispered as he turned to nod towards him and Merlin.


The members of the round table and Agravaine sat round for dinner.

They had all asked Lancelot for his story.

"I fear I remember very little after the moment I stepped through the veil. My story will not be as illuminating as I would like."

Arthur just smiled. "We're just please to see you. Pleased and amazed."

"I owe everything to the Madhavi people." Lancelot looked around at his friends. "When they found me, I was near death. Luckily for me, their customs dictate that they must give food and shelter to the needy." He sighed. "I was certainly that."

Merlin smiled. So far their plan had worked.

"Where did they find you?" Sir Leon questioned him.

"On one of the silk road passes, high in the Feorre Mountains."

"That's Cenred's kingdom."

"I travelled with them for many weeks, deep into the deserts of the south. Then slowly my strength returned. When I was able, I earned my passage the only way I know how. By the sword." Lancelot smiled. "Then I slowly made my way north." "You made your way home." Arthur said.

"Of course milord." Lancelot said.

"We can't thank you enough for what you sacrificed on the Isle of the Blessed. It will be remembered always."

Lancelot stood up. "I would like to propose a toast. Merlin, grab a drink as well."

Merlin poured himself a drink and could see Agravaine glaring at him. It wasn't going to work because Merlin held more power than he would ever dream of.

"To the people I hold most dear. To Camelot."

"To Camelot." They all said.


Merlin met Morgana in the woods that night.

"Everything going to plan?"

"Yes, they believed the story and we are well on our way of making Gwen fall in love with Lancelot again. Yet I fear that her love for Arthur may be too much."

Morgana smiled. "I have that sorted."

Morgana gave Merlin a bracelet. "Give this to Lancelot to give to Gwen and I am sure that we will see a change in Gwen's affections."

Merlin smiled back. "Are you sure you are okay?"

Morgana looked up at Merlin. "Of course. It was just a little shock you know."

"I meant it Morgana, I will never allow him to hurt you."

Morgana nodded before leaving.


The tournament was over just as quickly as it started. It was Lancelot and Arthur in the finial and Lancelot had proven that he was a noble and loyal as he once was.

Now Gwen was under Morgana's spell and going to meet Lancelot.

Merlin just had to get Arthur away from Agravaine.

"Arthur, Gwen wishes to see you quickly in the council chambers."

Arthur smiled. "Why?"

Merlin shrugged. "I have no idea just she said it was urgent and she wanted to see you alone."

"I am sure whatever you wanted to say to me uncle can wait, can't it?"

Agravaine sighed. "Of course."

Arthur walked towards the council chamber.

"My threat stands. If I see you anywhere near Morgana, I will not hesitate to kill you." Merlin said to the older man.

"Hmm … how would Arthur feel after he finds out that his own manservant killed his Uncle or had magic?"

"How would he feel if he found out his uncle had been consorting with his sister?" Merlin said with a smile.

For the first time someone noticed Merlin's eyes go black.

"The fomorroh has made you into something wonderful." Agravaine said. "Leave Morgana. Together we can rule to world."

"If I rule the world, it would be with Morgana at my side." Merlin said before he left towards to council room.


Arthur was heartbroken.

Merlin was scared to leave him due to his anger. But this was an anger that Merlin had helped create.

"Arthur, why don't we go out and train? It will take your mind off it."

Arthur remained starring out of the window.

"You are dismissed Merlin."

"Arthur..."

"I HAVE DIMISSED YOU MERLIN! NOW LEAVE!"

Merlin bowed and left towards the physician's chambers.

"You lied to me." Gaius said when Merlin entered.

"Sorry Gaius."

"You said that you were back. I believed you."

At that point, Merlin noticed Agravaine sitting there.

"Don't threaten me Merlin. I will get my revenge somehow."

"Yes, okay I get your point." Merlin said walking towards Agravaine. "But who has Morgana? I cannot allow you to take her from me."

Agravaine stood up and stared at Merlin. "What has it done to you? I liked the annoying servant that thought I was behind everything."

Agravaine left.

"You lied to me Merlin."

Merlin turned his attention back to Gaius. "I had to. I couldn't tell you that Morgana had visited me and forgave me for not telling her about my magic."

Merlin stormed into his room, wondering what stunt Agravaine would pull next.