Summary: Uther has sent Arthur and Merlin on a dangerous quest - retrieve the Cup of Life from the Druids, make sure neither Cenred nor Morgause get their hand on it... and make it out alive. As Gwaine joins them, will the unity of Courage, Strength and Magic be enough to complete the life-threatening mission? And what about the rest of the Round Table?

Details/Disclaimer: Merlin and anything from the series belong to the BBC. So does the original episode, The Coming of Arthur (both parts) on which this and the sequel of this story is based upon.This is merely my own version of events but I recommend watching the episodes first, as most of this makes sense only after watching them.

This is the second part of the trilogy The Rise and Fall of a Queen.

Enjoy!

Tazz~

The Rise of a Queen

Chapter Five: Wisdom's Safety

Word count: 1276

"Where now?" Gwaine asked. They were in a small passageway – they had been sneaking through the castle, hiding from the constantly marching guards who were all over the castle.

"Now , er..." Arthur paused, panting. "Now, we, er..."

"Arthur, you can't go on," Merlin said, gripping his shoulder. "I know I closed the wound, but something's obviously gone wrong."

"We must. We must find the others; Guinevere and my father."

"Elyan," Merlin turned to him. "Do you know the way to the dungeons?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Go with Lancelot, try and find the others. Gwaine, you're with us."

"I'm going with them." Arthur pushed himself off the windowsill he was leaning against, and tried to follow.

"No you're not," Gwaine said for Merlin, and twisted him so that he was leaning on his shoulder. Merlin took his other side, and together they half supported, half dragged Arthur in the opposite direction.

"Merlin, that's an order."

"To hell with your orders, you're coming with us."

Gaius' chambers were dark and empty, and Merlin desperately hoped the old man was alright. At first Merlin thought – and prayed – that Gaius would have been used as a physician to tend to Morgause's wounded, but then he remembered Morgause wouldn't have any wounded, and he hoped Gaius wouldn't be deemed unnecessary.

But when he heard the sound of breaking glass coming from a small cupboard, he was overjoyed to find his guardian hiding away, completely safe, with no wounds to speak of.

After a quick, very relieved, embrace, Merlin got Gaius to check over Arthur, also bringing him up to speed with all the happenings since they had left, and Gaius did the same, with more detail than Elyan's hurried recount.

From his examination, Gaius deduced that Arthur was just dehydrated and starved, much like they all were – it had just seemed worse due to his limp, which, he reasoned, was pain caused by the cauterising. He added that Merlin had done well, but next time, would it be so hard to use a painkilling spell? At that, Arthur tried to throw a nearby cup at him, but he merely ducked, apologising profusely.

The physician made Arthur eat some bread and water while he watched, then, at his request, gave him something for the pain, informing him that it would take effect instantly, although he wasn't sure for how long.

Lancelot and Elyan looked around the stone wall. Their position gave them a good view of Uther being dragged away by two guards bearing the black and red crest that was all over the castle.

"Where are you taking me? I am the King!" Uther said indignantly. No will of their own, the soldiers on either side didn't reply. "I demand to know!" His demands were unanswered as he was hauled away.

"Where do you think they're taking him?"

"From the direction, and given the situation, I say our best guess is the throne room," Lancelot murmured quietly. "We should follow to check, then head up to Gaius' – that probably where the others are."

Merlin placed the spell book Gaius had given him three years ago into the small bag he was packing. He hesitated for a moment, thinking, than reached back into the compartment under his floorboards, and took out a small, but ornate, glass vial, studying idly. Water from the Lake of Avalon, he thought to himself, and remembered the rest of the Fisher King's words. He put it in the bag.

He closed his door and entered Gaius's chambers in time for Elyan and Lancelot to run in, bearing news of the King's whereabouts.

"They're taking him to the throne room as we speak," Lancelot informed him breathlessly.

"This may be my last chance." Arthur got up for the bench he had been sitting on, and picked up his sword.

"Arthur, there's too many of them; you'll never make it."

"I won't leave my father here to die alone," Arthur said firmly. He turned to the others in the room. "Gwaine, Elyan, Lancelot, take Gaius to the woods beyond the castle. I hope we meet again," he added with a ring of finality. The nodded solemnly, Gwaine patting him on the back in a comradely manner, and the four of them left. "Merlin, you should go with them."

"Nah, I've seen the woods already," he joked. They grinned at each other, before leaving the empty room.

The balcony above the throne room gave them a good overview of the room, and they would only be seen if someone purposely looked upwards. Surprisingly, given the number of guards that had been patrolling the castle, no one was up there, so the two had placed themselves lying down, face pressed to the bars,

The large room was filled with guards in formation, save for a small aisle, up which Uther was being pulled now. On the dais on which the thrones rested on, he was forced down into a kneeling position, as Morgause stepped forward to talk to him.

Kilgharra flew onwards through the storm. The fragile connection between him and Grettir was very close to snapping – they were far away from each other, and that added fact that he was a dwarf made the mental communication between them poor.

"The witch is soon to be crowned," the words only just reached him. He growled in frustration – it was very annoying knowing that this had to happen for the Round Table to be assembled. He pushed his anger away – such emotions would not help.

"And the young warlock, Magic?"

"The boy and Courage remain within the castle, as does Integrity. They two are soon to leave, and reunite with Honour, Strength and Wisdom,"

"Thank you Grettir. Inform the Priests to be ready within the next four days. The battle will take place the day after."

"As you wish."

"Well, Uther... How the mighty have fallen." Arthur bristled, angered at the way his father was being spoken to. He moved as if to get up, but Merlin held him down.

"The guards are immortal; they'll cut you to ribbons. What use are you dead?" he hissed. Arthur tried to think of a retort, but failed and didn't speak, realising Merlin was right.

"I don't think you'll be needing this anymore." She removed the crown from his head.

"This is unlawful!" he attested. "You cannot do this; you have no right to the throne!" His voice built up to a yell.

"No she does not." Morgana's cool voice floated through the air. "But I do." She smiled. And with that smile came away every fake one, every false moment, every lie, exposing the real Morgana, one only Merlin and Gaius had seen.

"You," Uther mouthed, realising the traitor. Morgause moved aside for Morgana, who looked down at Uther with a mixed expression of hate and disgust, as well as a smirk of satisfaction.

"I am your daughter after all." Arthur stiffened. Merlin looked at his reaction, but chose not to say anything. "Don't look so surprised," she added in response to his shock. "I've known for some time now." She stepped backward, and placed herself regally on the throne behind her. At Morgause's nod, a guard pushed forward Geoffrey, the Librarian, who was holding a crown. His look of fear was enough to prove he wasn't doing it willingly.

"By the power vested in me," he began. Morgana turned to Uther, who looked down, unable to watch his treacherous daughter's plans succeed. "I crown thee Morgana Pendragon..." Uther met her eyes once, then looked away again. "Queen of Camelot."

The reign of Uther Pendragon was over. A new era had begun.

Gaius's chapter SUCKS but I don't know what to do, so we'll have to deal xD

EDIT: Don't ask me how I can do it... I honestly don't understand: how can I write some of the episode, but not other scenes? xD