Merlin Season 6

Episode 3: Through the Looking Glass

In the dark woods, under the cloak of a bitter cold night, three undesirable men, with rotting teeth and scraggly hair, sat around a fire as they rummaged through a large beautifully decorated trunk. They laughed as they made jokes about the whimpering, yet saucy lady they had ambushed as she was traveling with her entourage. Pulling out sparkling jewelry, covered with sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, and fine silk dresses they discussed the price they would fetch for each item. Their boisterous laughter and slurred speech came to a sudden stop when hollow laughter from numerous voices echoed through the trees. Each of the men were on their feet with their swords in hand.

"Who's there?" a large man with long dark hair asked first, he wore a long brown cloak. He whipped around when he heard laughter behind him. "Show yourself, you coward."

"Mwah ha," the hollow laughter continued. "We are the guardians of the forest," a voice echoed. "Did you think you would get away attacking an innocent, and may I add a very beautiful woman, in my forest? You are surrounded, now throw down your weapons and leave my forest." The hollow voice roared through the trees.

The three men looked at each other with puzzled faces and then they threw their heads back and laughed at the absurdity of the faceless voice.

A round man with a large mustache, whose belly shook when he laughed said, "Do you think us fools? You are nothing but a coward who is hiding in the trees trying to trick us into giving you are loot. We will not fall for your trick."

Again the laughter of numerous voices shook the trees' leaves, then the voice said, "I have given you fair warning."

Up in the trees, hiding behind a large branch full of leaves a young man about sixteen, with short, dark wavy hair, a strong jaw and a long lean body squatted down. He lifted his bow and arrow aiming for a rope in a tree across from him that held back another arrow in a crossbow he had positioned earlier. With a smirk he released his arrow and it cut through the rope. The arrow in the crossbow fired, whizzing through the air and narrowly missing the round man's foot.

Again the young man shot his arrow into the trees surrounding the camp unleashing arrows, from the many hidden crossbows, upon the three men. The men danced around their small fire as the arrows shot at their feet. When one arrow hit the third man, an older man with protruding shoulder bones under his torn gray coat, in the foot, he threw down his sword and ran into the dark forest.

"Wait up," the other two called.

When they were gone, the young man climbed down the tree and proceeded to put the contents of the trunk back inside. "Morons," he scoffed under his breath.

In and inn, not too far away, a beautiful young woman with golden hair sat at a table whimpering dramatically. An elderly woman attending her, patted her hand and said soothingly, "You should be gratefully, Lady Annabeth, that all they took was your trunk."

"Grateful?" Lady Annabeth sneered dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. "My finest dresses were in that trunk."

"True," the elderly woman continued in a whisper, "but your father's guards fought bravely to protect you."

Lady Annabeth sniffed, "They should have given their lives to protect my trunk."

The door to the inn opened and the young man from the forest walked in. He was dressed in high black boots, brown breeches, a loose light blue shirt and a long, leather black coat. He came to Lady Annabeth and sat down. "Your trunk has been returned and one of your men is bringing it to your room as we speak." He then grabbed Lady Annabeth mug of liquid and drank it in one gulp. "Like I said, all too easy. In fact, I think I wasted too many arrows on those cowards."

Lady Annabeth eyes lit up with joy, "Thank you, Sir Gareth. I should have never doubted you."

Gareth smiled, "About my payment?"

Looking astonished, Lady Annabeth said, "Are you not a knight of Camelot. Should you not have done this feat as a duty to the realm?" Then she batted her long lashes, "Or as a service for a young beautiful lady."

"I am not a knight yet," Gareth said. "I am on my way to Camelot now to join my brother, Gwaine, as a knight. But I need money to make my journey."

With a huff, Lady Annabeth said, "Well consider this your first act of duty." She crossed her arms.

Gareth leaned forward, "Am I under the correct assumption that you refuse to pay the sum you promised me?"

Lady Annabeth swallowed a little intimidated by Gareth's strong glare. His eyes were a deep gray. "In my defense, you asked for a ridiculous amount as payment and I only agreed because I did not believe you would be able to retrieve it."

Gareth gazed at the high and mighty lady for a moment, then he stood up abruptly. He bowed and began to take his leave but then turned back toward Lady Annabeth, "Before I go, I should inform you that not all the contents of your trunk were retrieved." A smile of pure mischief lit up Gareth's face, "I am truly sorry for your loss."

Before Lady Annabeth could yell in outrage, Gareth was out the inn's door. He patted his pocket full of jewels, he wasn't a knight…yet.

As Gareth began untying his horse, he caught movement in the corner of his eye. He looked in the direction he had seen the movement and gasped. His older brother, Gwaine, stood not ten feet away. "Gwaine?"

Gwaine took off behind the inn. Gareth ran after him. When Gareth reached the back of the inn, Gwaine had disappeared. He frantically looked around, with only light from the moon to aid him, until he saw him in the distance standing inside the forest behind the inn. Gwaine inclined his head toward his younger brother then turned and ran deeper into the dark forest, Gareth followed.

Once in the forest, Gareth stopped to catch his breath. "Gwaine," he called out. "Why do you hide from me?"

Gwaine then stepped out from behind a tree. His transparent body caused Gareth to step back. Gareth looked at his brother's ghostly form with confusion. "No," Gareth moaned. "Tell me you are not some spirit."

"I am sorry, younger brother. I am as you guessed."

"But how?" Gareth moaned. "Did you die in the war against the Saxons?"

Gwaine shook his head. "The cause of my death is why I have come to visit you."

"If it is fowl-play, I will avenge you."

Gwaine smiled showing no teeth and then said, "There is a great evil in Camelot. I was killed because I discovered this secret."

"Tell me everything," Gareth said holding back the emotion in his throat.

"There are those in the walls of Camelot who walk closely with the king who wish him harm. They are using magic to gain his trust and then they intend to destroy him and all of Camelot. The people of the Old Religion cannot be trusted."

"Then I will warn the king."

"No, he will not believe a stranger over his own friends and his knights, even if you are my brother. You must reveal the threat without be detected."

Gareth frowned, "How can I do that?"

Gwaine lifted his arm and opened his fist. A small mirror, the size of a coin rested in his palm. The mirror had a hole where a leather strap, long enough to hang around a neck, was tied to it. "Wear this," Gwaine told him. "This mirror will reveal those whose intentions are evil. Find a way to get close to the king, but be carefully not to be known unless suspicion should fall on you."

With a nod, Gareth took the neckband and hung it around his neck. When he looked up, Gwaine was gone. With his shoulders slumped he made his way back to his horse.

Mordred watched Gareth ride off with his horse. He wore a satisfied smile. He pulled out an identical mirror, though slightly larger than the one he gave Gareth, out of his dark blue cloak. The mirror reflected the road ahead of Gareth. As he looked into the mirror the angry whispers of the dead sorcerers he had heard since he rose from his grave grew louder. Their voices caused Mordred to jerk his head around and twitch his left eye. "Shut up," he shouted. The whispering ceased but only for moment, always just a moment.

Back in Camelot, knights gathered in groups of five and six, were spread out over the grassy hill side training with swords, maces and other various weapons. In the armory room, Arthur impatiently waited for Merlin to bring him his chainmail, armor and sword.

With arms loaded high, Merlin began making his way toward Arthur, the metal clanged at he walked.

"Don't forget my mace," Arthur called out. "I'll be needing that today, too."

Sighing, Merlin turned around and grabbed the mace that was laying against the stone wall.

"And throwing daggers," Arthur added.

Merlin tucked the heavy and pointy mace under his arm and shifted the armor to his left hand. He managed to grab a few daggers lying on a table.

"You know what," Arthur appeared to be thinking. "We have a lot of new recruits, I think they should also practice with the spear. I would like to see how good their arms are. Grab that too."

With a look of pure irritation, Merlin again turned back to the assortment of weapons. He could feel the mace under one arm and Excalibur under the other arm, were slipping. He squeezed his arms tighter to his side. The muscles in his arms burned but he held on as he turned his head to the side and grabbed a spear with his teeth. Success! He turned back around just to have one end of the spear hit the wall which jolted his whole body causing everything he was holding to fall to the floor. The clanging metal echoed in the armory as it hit the stone floor.

Arthur looked up from the training schedule he was going over raising his brow, but not in surprise. "Was holding only what you can carry too complicated to figure out?"

Merlin threw Arthur a stubborn glare. "You'll be surprised how much I can carry." His eyes glowed, as they did the armor, spear, mace, daggers and Excalibur levitated off the ground and started floating toward Arthur.

Merlin stood by Arthur and asked, "Anything else you'd like to practice with today?"

Arthur shook his head and scowled at the objects in the air.

Almost all the floating objects had made it to Arthur and Merlin, the only weapon that remained in the air was the mace. But before the mace made it, the door to the armory flew wide open and Leon stepped in. Merlin quickly inclined his head upward so that the mace was floating just above Leon.

Leon bowed and said, "All the new recruits have signed in, Sire. You'll be pleased with the amount of brave young men that are willing to serve their king and people."

Arthur nodded, doing his best not to look up at the floating mace. "That's good. I will be out in a moment. I have just a few things I'd like to discuss with Merlin," he put a hand on Merlin's shoulder and squeezed, "first." He turned his head toward Merlin and scowled. Merlin had plastered a completely innocent look on his face as he tried not to show the pain Arthur was causing in his shoulder.

Leon bowed and existed.

As soon as the door was closed, Arthur rounded on Merlin so fast that Merlin lost his concentration and the mace clattered to the ground. "How on earth did you ever manage to hide from me that you had magic, for so long?" he shouted softly. "Have you always been this foolish? Or is it because now that I know, you are taking less precautions and becoming more incompetent?"

"Hmm," Merlin pondered rubbing his shoulder. "I don't think I am using magic any more than I usually did. Perhaps now that you know, it's you who has become less foolish and incompetent then you were before."

Arthur grabbed his gauntlet and made as if he was going to hit Merlin, and then said, "Forget it. I don't have time for this right now." Then he pointed his finger in Merlin's face, "I don't want to see you using magic to do your chores anymore. There is no point risking you being found out for something so meaningless."

"That's okay," Merlin shrugged, "I've had a lot of practice hiding it from you before."

"Merlin," Arthur growled.

With a smug smile, Merlin began helping Arthur put on his chainmail and armor. In another ten minutes they were outside with all the new recruits on a bright sunny day.

Throughout the morning, and most of early afternoon, the new recruits proved their skill in swordplay, hand to hand combat, the mace and every other weapon that could kill a man. There was one who stood out above the rest, a teenage boy with short wavy brown hair, a strong nose and a tall lean body. He was quick on his feet in combat and even quicker at throwing insults that enraged his opponent.

"Who is that?" Arthur asked as the young boy dodged the meaty fist of his opponent.

Leon looked down at his scroll. "His name is Gareth, he is only fifteen. He is our youngest and as you can see our most talented recruit."

"Along with being the most obnoxious one." Arthur put a finger to his lip, "He reminds me of someone."

Merlin agreed.

Gareth slid under his opponent's legs and kicked the back of his opponent's knees causing him to collapse forward on his knees. "Did that hurt, because it looked like it hurt," Gareth mocked.

His more muscular opponent roared as he rolled back on to his feet, but no matter if he was on his feet or off them it made no difference, Gareth was too fast.

"Come on," Gareth continued, "You're so slow you're moving backwards. I know I'm good but you make me look even better." Gareth's muscular opponent was tiring out because all the taunting had angered him to the point that he began swinging wildly. "I hope this isn't your only carrier option." Out of steam, Gareth's large opponent fell to the ground without Gareth throwing one punch. "Nap time."

Gareth proved his superior skills in all areas of combat but he excelled at the bow and arrow. At the end the training all the new recruits gathered. Arthur stood before them higher up on the hill. "You all have done very well today. You've made your king proud. Tonight we will be having a feast, to which you are all invited to. It is a feast that will be in honor of the men that we lost. I know that many of you are eager to go off to battle, but don't misunderstand me when I say, I hope that there will be peace in our land for many years. As honored as I would be to fight beside anyone of you, I pray that that day will not come soon, if ever. Now clean up and come back prepared to feast."

The new recruits began to disperse with high spirits as they anticipated the coming feast that night. Arthur signaled for Gareth to come forward.

"Sire," Gareth bowed slightly which did not go unnoticed by Arthur.

"You are very skilled for your age," Arthur said.

Gareth shrugged. "I know. That's why I want to be a knight. I was kind of hoping for more of a challenge," he stated like it was a simple fact. "It's been a long time since I have been able to test my skills."

Arthur smiled, amused. "You may be full of confidence, but there isn't an ounce of humility in you."

"Humility is for the weak," Gareth scoffed.

"Humility is for everyone," Arthur said with conviction placing a hand on one of Gareth's shoulders, "even for a king."

Gareth watched as Arthur turned away, his eyes cast downward frowning.

That night the feast was in full swing and spilled out into the Citadel. With all the mourning for fallen soldiers and the work that had to be done in securing Camelot and its people's safety, there had been no rejoicing for some time. Merlin watched from the sidelines with the smell of savory meat and hot bread causing his mouth to water. He helped fill knights' glasses every now and again, attended to the party guest's needs with the rest of the servants. He was startled though when Arthur beckoned him to come over with a simple wave of his hand. Merlin grabbed a full pitcher and brought it over ready to fill Arthur's cup, but as he neared closer he noticed that Arthur's cup was still full.

"Your Highness," Merlin said, waiting for Arthur's orders.

"I want you to take a seat and join us," the king said, he kept his focus on his plate of food that he was eating.

Merlin frowned like he was unsure if he had heard right. "Sire?"

"You heard me," Arthur smiled, finally looking up. "You have as much right as anyone of my knights to join the table. So you are off duty tonight, now take a seat before I think up more chores for you to do."

Merlin could only stare back at Arthur stunned. Arthur called another servant forward, the young servant woman led Merlin to an empty seat. Gaius smiled as Merlin passed him. Merlin was elated and yet slightly uncomfortable as he took his seat feeling underdressed in his blue shirt and red scarf.

The young woman filled Merlin's glass with purple liquid and placed a plate full of roasted chicken, boiled potatoes, a chunk of white cheese and hot bread before him. He looked up from his plate at Arthur who was smiling at him with his glass raised.

What was even more surprising than finding himself at the table that night, was that not a single knight looked at him as if he didn't belong. Arthur, Gwen and Gaius were the only ones that knew what Merlin had done to help them win the battle against the Saxons but the knights still seemed to respect Merlin even without that knowledge.

Without further thought, Merlin began to dig in. He had made it through his chicken and most of his potatoes when he heard a lady's high pitched scream. He looked up and to his horror he saw a tray of freshly cooked chicken floating in the air and landing right before Percival who was sitting a few seats down from Merlin. The scrape of many chairs sounded throughout the room as the knights stood.

"He's a sorcerer!" the young servant woman, that led Merlin to his seat, squealed, pointing a finger at Percival and backing into a wall.

Merlin's eyes caught a flash of light. His head turned in the direction he saw it coming from. There was a shadow that lingered for a few moments just outside the window and then disappeared.

"What happened?" Arthur demanded, looking from Percival to the servant woman and then throwing an accusing look Merlin's way. Merlin shook his head and lifted his hand waving off the accusation. Arthur turned back to the servant woman.

The young servant woman muttered, "Sir Percival asked for more chicken and when I went to fetch it I saw him use magic to make it fly right to him."

Percival stood up to defend himself, "Your Highness, I don't know what happened. I swear I didn't use magic. I was just thinking that that freshly roasted chicken looked good and then it came right toward me."

"He lies," another servant said trembling in fear. "Camelot is under attack by sorcery. We are all doomed."

The room filled up quickly with more terrifying cries. Some of the knights cried in outrage that there was no way Sir Percival was a sorcerer while others dared them to deny what they saw with their own eyes.

Arthur slammed his fist down hard on the table, knocking a few cups over spilling the purple liquid that ran along the table and onto the floor. "Silence!" Everyone went still. Arthur looked at Percival and then closed his eyes thinking for a moment, when he opened them again he said, "Guards, take Sir Percival to the dungeon. We will hold him there until we can get to the bottom of this."

The guards did as they were commanded. Percival didn't put up a fight. Seeing him taken away by the guards seemed to calm a few fears. Merlin again looked up at the window where he had seen that flash of light and the shadowy figure. He left his seat and came to stand next to Gaius. "This is Mordred's doing," he hissed.

"I don't doubt that."

Gareth climbed down one of the outside walls that surrounded Camelot. The mirror his brother had given was already safely put back underneath his shirt. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief but sucked it back in when he caught a glimpse of his brother's ghost behind a tree. "Gwaine," he called out.

Gwaine turned and headed deeper into the woods. Gareth followed, jogging to catch up. Just when he was on his brother, Gwaine disappeared. Gareth swiveled around to find Gwaine was now behind him.

"I did as you asked," Gareth started. "You were right. It was someone in Arthur's close circle that was a threat. It was a knight named Percival."

Gwaine nodded, "I thought as much. We were close as fellow knights of the realm. But I fear your task is not yet complete brother."

"What do you mean?" Gareth frowned.

"Percival is not the only one that has infiltrated King Arthur's circle. You must find all those that threaten him if the king and Camelot are ever to be safe."

Gareth placed his hand over the mirror under his shirt. His face showed unease and hesitation. "Are you sure?"

"I gave my life for king and crown. I sought you out beyond the grave because I was so sure. Will you do this for me, brother? Will you do this for your king?"

Gareth paused for only a moment, then nodded.

"I think one of Arthur's servants saw me tonight. I am not sure because he was sitting down with the knights."

Gwaine, who appeared like he was about to leave, turned back around. "Merlin."

Gareth shrugged, "I am not sure if that is his name but he was the same servant who stuck by Arthur's side today."

"Stay away from him," Gwaine commanded.

"Is he dangerous?" Gareth laughed at the very thought. "I'm pretty sure I could break him in half without even trying."

Gwaine's spirit grew larger, looming over Gareth. "Do as I say, and stay far away. He doesn't look like much but he has a keen eye and he will stop you from completing your mission if he catches you again."

"I understand."

Gareth watched as his brother disappeared and then turned back to Camelot.

The events of the feast spread quickly through Camelot that night and even to the villages bordering her. Fights broke out in the streets as neighbor argued with neighbor about what was to be done. The knights were sent out that night to curb the people's fears but the people attacked the knights with harsh words. Percival was another knight, just like Mordred, who sat at King Arthur's round table. There was no telling how many other knights possessed magic and, there for, was a threat to the people.

In the dungeon, Percival sat against a wall in his cell listening to all the commotion outside. The sound of footsteps coming down the stone stairs brought him back to his surroundings. Leon and Arthur appeared. Percival stood up to greet them and then said, "Arthur, please believe me. I did not use magic. I don't know how that tray of chicken flew to me. I..."

Arthur held up his hand. "I believe you. This is no doubt Mordred's doing."

Leon agreed with a nod and then asked, "Did you see anything or anyone out of the ordinary?"

With an impish look Percival answered, "I had a plate full of delicious food," was his only observation. "So unless you're asking me if the bread was a tad too dry or the potatoes undercooked, I saw and noticed nothing."

Arthur and Leon shook their heads.

"We will get to the bottom of this, so hold tight for now," Arthur said.

Percival nodded.

"And I'll make sure to tell the cooks your observation of their food," Leon added as if it was just as important.

"Uh," Percival said, "I'd rather you not. I found that that only angers them and then you have to be careful what you eat for a few days."

Arthur and Leon both chuckled.

Merlin and Gaius sat waiting up in Arthur's chamber room discussing what happened. Arthur entered the room along with Gwen a few moments later.

Merlin stood and asked, "How is Percival doing?"

"He'll be fine for a few days," Arthur said, "as long as the quality of food he is accustomed to eating remains the same. What have you figured out?"

Gaius answered, "We searched through the dining hall and found nothing out of the ordinary that would suggest there was an enchanted object. Merlin can sense magic."

Arthur turned to Merlin.

"I didn't feel anything. Even when the tray of chicken was in the air I sensed nothing. Magic normally leaves a lingering sensation but when Gaius and I searched the hall it felt normal."

"Tell Arthur what you think you saw," Gaius said.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I thought I saw a flash of light and a shadow just outside one of the windows of the dining hall."

Gwen asked, "Are you sure it wasn't some lightning in the distance and perhaps a curtain?"

"I can't be certain, it happened very fast and the movement of the shadow was very fluid, kind of like a curtain flowing." Merlin sounded like he was trying to convince himself that it was nothing that he saw.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Why do you want it to only be a curtain that you saw? What else do you think it could have been that was outside the window up that high?"

"If it was not Percival that performed magic," Gaius said, "then it was someone close by. And since we are all thinking of the same person..."

"You believe that Mordred was here tonight," Arthur finished.

"Or that it was just a curtain," Merlin added hopefully.

Raising one brow, Arthur asked, "Over the years, how often, Merlin, have your suspicions been wrong?"

Merlin rolled his eyes, thinking back. "Almost never."

"Then why are you trying to deny them now?"

Gaius was the one to answer, "Merlin doesn't like the idea that Mordred can now move in and out of Camelot undetected. If that is what Mordred is doing, then that means he has become a very powerful warlock in a short time. He may be more of a threat than Nimueh, Morgause and Morgana combined."

"If Mordred is in Camelot then we need to find him." Arthur said. "I will send my knights to look but if someone else or something else is doing his dirty work for him then we need to find out who or what." Arthur directed his last comment to Merlin, clearly giving him the task.

Merlin and Gaius nodded, bowed and then left the room. As they made their way back home, Gaius said, "Seems like Arthur is giving you greater responsibility now."

"I know," Merlin responded sounding a little nervous.

"That doesn't make you happy? You've always wanted him to see you more than a servant, and clearly, now he does. He relies on you."

"That's what makes me nervous. Before, if I messed up or failed, no one pointed a finger at me, now if a fail..."

"Trust in yourself."

"I just can't get out of my head what I saw in the crystal, that somehow in the future I will fail Camelot."

"Trust in yourself," Gaius said again.

"Is that the only advice you can give me?"

"Trust in the destiny you choose."

Merlin rolled his eyes. Gaius smiled.

The next morning, a large crowd of angry and frightened people had gathered in the Citadel demanding to know what their king intended to do. Many wanted an execution just as King Uther had done in the past. Arthur stood high above them gazing down at the crowd with a deep frown on his face. "People of Camelot, I assure you that every measure is being taken to find out what happened last night."

"We know what happened!" someone in the audience cried.

Another voice shouted, "A sorcerer has yet again infiltrated Camelot, and who's to say it won't happen again or that there aren't now more among us?"

Merlin's feet began to shuffle, this was far worse than ever before. When Merlin had first come to Camelot and witnessed his first execution he felt that the people took pity on the young man who was slain. There was no pity in the eyes among this crowd, not even for a knight as loved as Percival. Merlin was comforted when Gwen reached over and lightly touched Merlin's elbow.

"Calm down and be silent!" Arthur commanded firmly. "I will not execute anyone, knight or other without a full investigation and a trial. Go back to your homes, stay off the streets as much as possible until this matter is solved."

The crowd remained where they were demanding more to be done, but Arthur said no more as he turned his back to them and went back inside.

Early afternoon, Gareth lined up with the rest of the new recruits on the training ground. Most of the knights were still out searching for an intruder in Camelot. After all the new recruits were accounted for and then divided into large groups for training, Gareth managed to slip away while the new recruits were being placed in their groups. He expertly made his way up the back wall and into the castle. He hid behind a tapestry letting a few servant pass him. Once they had passed Gareth pulled out the mirror and faced it toward them.

One of the servants was complaining about all the cleanup that needed to be done from last night's feast along with the rest of the chores she had to do that day. "Sometimes I wish I had more than two hands so I could get things done twice as fast and then enjoy the rest of my day off my feet."

In the small round mirror, the servant woman's reflection shone clearly. Mordred watched on the other side of the mirror that reflected everything Gareth pointed his mirror at. A small smile pulled at his lips. "Wish granted," Mordred said. His eyes glowed as he muttered a few words of the Old Religion.

Back in the castle the servant woman's body turned stiff for a few moments and then she fell to the floor.

"Maddy," the other servant, an older woman, spoke. "Are you all right?"

Maddy slowly pushed herself off the ground, with not two hands but four. Maddy screamed as she gazed in horror at four hands and four identical arms that came out of her side. The second pair of arms had ripped through the side of her dress.

The older servant woman cried, "Sorcery! Sorcery!" She backed away from her young servant friend as she continued to point an accusing finger.

Two guards came running down the hall, they froze when they saw the strange scene before them.

"I heard her wish for more than two hands," the older servant accused frantically, "and now she has four."

Maddy sat crying on the floor as four hands covered her face.

With slight hesitation, the two guards took Maddy, who began hysterically deny that this was not her doing, by grabbing under both sets of arms and taking her straight to the dungeon.

As the day continued, two more knights, a member of the council and a cook were all seen using magic. The dungeon cells began to fill and the fears of the people of Camelot rose.

"This is madness," Merlin declared as he entered Gaius's home late afternoon. "Not a sign or trace of Mordred anywhere, yet I know this somehow is his doing. If Mordred is not in Camelot then how his he performing magic here?"

"Take a look at this," Gaius said opening a book. On the left page was a picture of a broken mirror and on the right was writing. "I have been searching through every book I could find to see if there is a way to perform magic from a great distance. Most require enchanted objects but once the object leaves your hands you do not have control of the magic it performs. I believe these spells are too focused, too precise to be the cause of an enchanted object. So while I was going through my books I too saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye." Gaius picked up a glass beaker, "It was this bouncing the sunlight coming through the window. You could have seen something bouncing or reflecting light from inside the dining hall last night. And that got me thinking." He then pointed to the drawing of the broken mirror. "This here says that if you can enchant a mirror and then break it, the two pieces will stay connected no matter how far apart they are. It's possible that Mordred can use a mirror to conduct or control magic from far away."

"You're saying, if there's a piece of a mirror here and Mordred has the other piece he can channel magic through it."

"It's a possibility."

"But if there is a piece of the mirror here, how is it getting around? Magic is not happening in one place but all over."

"Someone must be carrying it, if this is what is happening."

Merlin's eyes widened, "That's it! The shadow that I saw with the flash of light. But who could have possibly been outside the window? That window is high off the ground."

"It would have to be someone very athletic."

"You mean a knight."

"Or a new recruit. This all started yesterday when they all arrived."

"And all the Knights of the Round Table were inside will the new recruits ate out in the Citadel. Anyone of them could have broken away and not have been noticed."

Gaius looked grim as he said, "You had better go and tell Arthur."

Merlin found Arthur sitting at his table in his room with his hands over his face. He didn't even look up when Merlin entered the room. "You better have good news for me, Merlin, because I just got accused of being weak by some of the council members for not executing swift judgment."

"They called you weak right to your face?" Merlin asked astonished.

"No," Arthur said, "But they certainly implied it by how often they said, 'When Uther was king he did this and he did that.' I have tried to be better king than my father, more compassionate, more opened and not allowing fear to blind me."

"This is not your fault. This is Mordred's doing."

"Whether it is or whether it's not, unless we find the source, things are going to get worse."

"Well I think Gaius might have found the source."

Arthur indicated that he was listen by looking up and leaning forward on his hands.

"Gaius believes that Mordred is able to conduct magic from far away using a broken mirror. If you enchant a mirror then even if it breaks the pieces of the mirror are still connected. Mordred might have one mirror while the other mirror is here in Camelot. I think the flash of light I saw just outside the window was light reflecting off a mirror. Someone here is doing Mordred's work for him."

Arthur stood, "Every place that magic has been present has been inside the castle walls. If there is someone working with Mordred then he is highly skilled in stealth."

"And probably very athletic, someone who might be in training, perhaps?"

"Are you accusing one of the new recruits?"

Merlin nodded, "The problem did start when they arrived."

Sitting back down, Arthur said, "Then we have a problem. I can't very well order a search of the new recruits things, it will show distrust, and if the search got out to the people then they too will lose faith in the future knights of Camelot. After the fight against the Saxons and now all this, we are barely holding together as kingdom. If we are going to find out who is behind this, then we must do it quickly and quietly."

"I have an idea. This person climbed the outside wall without being seen. If you could present a test tomorrow morning as a training exercise we might be able to narrow the field of suspects down."

Arthur stood again and clapped a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "Just when I think you've squeezed out the very last of your intelligence, you go and have a brilliant idea."

"I've come up with many brilliant ideas," Merlin defended.

"Yes, and every time you do, it surprises me."

"Then I must surprise you an awful lot."

Arthur let out a small laugh.

The next morning the new recruits gathered just outside Camelot's walls. Arthur stood before them fully dressed in his armor. "Today we are presenting to you a new challenge, a contest to see who among you has the courage and the skill to scale this wall. In battle there are many times that our enemies hide behind their stone walls, they may be holding prisoners. Or what if Camelot was taken and we needed to find a way back in to take it back from our enemy. This is why today we wish for you to prove your skills in this area."

Most of the new recruits looked up at the tall, stone wall showing eagerness to overcome such a challenge. A few looked scared but hid it behind calm faces. Among the new recruits Merlin saw one among them who appeared almost bored with the challenge before him. Gareth watched as his fellow new recruits began to scale the wall. He shook his head and laughed as one would slip and fall. Merlin couldn't help but notice there was something familiar with the way Gareth laughed, it reminded him of someone.

Large piles of hay were laid out at the base of the wall to catch any who should fall and fail to make it to the top. Very few made it to the top and those that did were so slow and clumsy about it that Merlin and Arthur shook their heads. Then it was Gareth's turn. An awe went through the crowd when Gareth stepped up to the large, looming wall and began to climb. His fingers found their way between the cracks with such ease that he was able to pull himself up to the top in less than half the time of anyone else. He reached the top in a matter of minutes and held up his arms as his fellow new recruits cheered.

"Either he's our man," Arthur said, "or the real culprit was smart enough to know this was a trap."

Gareth's arms were still raised as the young men beneath him continued to cheer. Merlin's eyes glowed as he used his magic to look closer at Gareth, he saw a faint ping of light coming through the part of Gareth's shirt that was loosely tied. "It's him," Merlin told Arthur. "I can see the mirror."

Arthur turned to Merlin with a frown, "From this far away?"

"I've got spectacular eyesight, remember?"

"Oh, right."

Gareth followed the rest of the new recruits for lunch as they began making their way back into the walls of Camelot. Most of the new recruits were congratulating him by ruffling his already messy brown hair. He laughed as he pushed them away but stopped when he saw Gwaine waiting for him in the woods. With a quick excuse that he left something behind, he again followed his brother deeper into the woods.

Gwaine barely waited for Gareth to get there before he began to speak, "Why haven't you shone the mirror on someone lately? I told you how important it is to eradicate this evil in Camelot, King Arthur's life depends on it."

Gareth looked from his brother and then down to the ground, "I'm not sure about this, Gwaine. Every person that has shown their ability to use magic seems so surprised. They don't act guilty."

"They're experts in the art of deception," Gwaine told him, impatiently. "Can't you see that?"

"Maybe so, but this doesn't feel right."

Gwaine's spirit grew as he growled angrily. "I have come back to give you this important task. I gave my life for Camelot and for Arthur. Are you my brother or are you a coward?"

Gareth pushed his shoulders back, "I am your brother."

"Then finished what you started, what I started," and with that, Gwaine disappeared.

"Yes, brother," Gareth said and then turned and walked away looking deeply discouraged and confused.

When Gareth got back, Sir Leon approached him, "The king wishes to speak to you."

"Is this about how much more advanced I am then the rest of these beginners? Because it's about time."

"I imagine," Sir Leon said with a straight face, then he turned to lead Gareth away.

As Gareth followed he turned back to the rest of the new recruits and gave them a smug smile. Then Gareth was led to the throne room, he saw Arthur sitting on the throne with Merlin at his side. He glanced around the room, but besides Sir Leon, no one else was in the room. Sir Leon closed the doors behind him leaving Gareth to stand alone before the king and oddly his servant.

"How is it that you have come to be so skilled?" Arthur began in a casual tone, resting against the back of his chair.

Gareth went to one knee and answered, "When you have lived most of your life on the run you have to learn or die."

"Why have you been on the run for so long?"

"My father was a wealthy lord and a tyrant. My mother fearing for the life of my older brother and me, she had us taken away. I have been on the run until a few years ago when word of my father's passing reached me."

Arthur frowned at this new knowledge but then his face became impassive again. "Who is your brother?"

Gareth's mouth tightened as he hesitated to answer but he answered honestly, "Sir Gwaine," he mumbled.

Arthur took in a deep breath and looked up at Merlin then back down to Gareth, "I am sure you have heard that he was killed in battle."

Gareth nodded.

"Was he the one that taught you?"

"Yes, sire. At least most of the skills I have."

"He was a brave knight and a great man. Did you come to Camelot to join the knights because of him?"

Again Gareth nodded.

"Do you know why Gwaine stood out among other men?"

Gareth shook his head, "No, sire."

"He was honest about who he was, his purpose and what he hoped for. He was a man that could trusted. Gareth," Arthur said raising one brow, "can you be trusted?"

Merlin watched as Gareth paled. He did not answer for over a minute as he contemplated his answer to Arthur's question. Then Gareth reached into his shirt and pulled out a piece of a mirror tied to a leather strap that was around his neck, "I do not know, Your Majesty."

Leaning forward, Arthur continued, "Explain to me why."

With a quick swallow Gareth began, "A few days ago, while I was on my way to Camelot my brother's spirit appeared to me."

As strange as the story started Arthur did not interrupt.

"He told me that he was killed because he discovered that there were sorcerers in Camelot and that they meant to do you harm. He gave me this mirror and said that it would reveal those who could not be trusted. But since I have used the mirror many have proven to possess magic that seem so innocent. I am not sure if the mirror is mistaken or if my trust in my brother is what is mistaken." Gareth kept his head low.

Arthur leaned forward on to his knees as he mulled over all that Gareth had told him. "Gareth, you are a victim of a great deception. Do you remember the infamous knight Mordred who proved to be a sorcerer and betrayed me to join Morgana?"

"I heard the stories."

"Few know this, but he is alive, and he wishes to escalate the fear of magic so that those who possess magic will have no choice but to join his forces against those who do not."

Gareth's eyes widened in shock, "Do you mean to tell me that my brother is somehow tied to Mordred beyond the grave?"

Arthur shook his head, "No, I believe Mordred used magic to deceive you into believing he was your brother."

Gareth fell into his hands, moaning, "Then I have been the cause of this chaos. For this, I must die so that all those innocent people I have hurt do not have to suffer."

With a smile Arthur said, "You are like your brother, honor above all else, even your own life. Guards!"

Two guards entered the throne room. "Take Gareth to a cell and lock him up."

Gareth got up and went without a fight.

As soon as he was gone Merlin asked, "You're not going to sentence him to die, are you? You heard him, he's a victim."

Arthur shook his head at Merlin in disbelief. "For someone who always talks about what a great king I am, you certainly think of me as a heartless one, sometimes. Nope, I already have a punishment in mind for him and it will not only take care of two of my problems but maybe even three."

Merlin was about to ask what three problems he was talking about when the mirror that Gareth left on the ground began to rise. It then flew toward his throat like a disc. Merlin was quick to put up his hand and stop the mirror mid-flight. There was great force pushing the mirror, Merlin's arm began to shake. "Mordred has gotten stronger." A bead of sweat ran down Merlin's face as he continued to fight against Mordred's magic. As he did, the mirror tilted forward until Merlin could see his reflection. Then his reflection disappeared and Mordred was now in the mirror but he was not alone. All around him Merlin saw dark shadows with gold eyes. This was were Mordred was getting his power.

Arthur pulled out Excalibur and with one swing shattered the mirror in to hundreds of pieces that fell to the floor. "That took care of it."

"I'm not so sure," Merlin said as the tiny, sharp pieces of the mirror rose into the air and pointed themselves at Merlin and Arthur. The sharp pieces flew at them like hundreds of tiny daggers.

Arthur covered his face but Merlin, slowing down time, uttered a word in the old language and fire erupted from his hands melting the glass instantly leaving nothing left.

Arthur dropped his arms and sighed with relief. "I would have led with that," he said.

"Right." Merlin rolled his eyes. "Because now that you know I have magic, you have become an expert in how I should use it."

With a smug smile Arthur retorted, "Well it's about time you realized."

"What?"

"I'm superior to you every way."

"Yep, still arrogant."

The next morning Arthur ordered all the prisoners to be released. He called for the people to be gathered. Merlin stood with him just inside the doors that led to the balcony. Looking through a window Merlin asked, "What are you going to tell them that would explain all this?"

Arthur took a deep breath, "The truth."

"If they learn that Mordred is alive won't it make things worse, even increase their fears."

"Maybe, but how can I expect my people to trust me if I am not honest with them?"

Merlin nodded that he understood then asked, "The whole truth?"

Arthur answered with a raised brow, "No, do you think I'm stupid?"

"Not entirely," Merlin answered honestly.

Arthur gave Merlin a glare before he opened the doors and stepped on to the balcony to greet his people that had gathered in the Citadel. The buzzing of hundreds of voices stopped once Arthur raised his hands to get their attention. Everyone turned to listen.

"I have gathered you here today to tell you that I am releasing all the prisoners."

The people instantly began to reject this in loud and angry voices. Arthur again had to silence them. "There is something you must know," he said raising his voice over them. "Mordred is alive."

Many gasps were heard throughout the crowd.

"He was seen over a week ago at the base of the White Mountains. I confronted him there and learned of his plan. He wishes to start a war, not between the five kingdoms but with those belonging to the Old Religion, the people of magic. What happened the last few days was a part of his plot. He wants us not to trust each other, not to rely on one another. He wants us to accuse each other falsely, he wants to strike fear in the heart of Camelot and then feed that fear until it becomes the source of our destruction. I do not tell you this to bring further fear of magic into your lives but to remind you that magic is not the enemy."

Merlin could see the surprise on everyone's faces when Arthur declared that magic was not the enemy. This was not what King Uther had preached to them.

"Mordred is the enemy and if we forget that, then Mordred will win. Camelot now faces a threat far greater than anything it has faced before and it has taken root in these walls. Fear of the unknown, fear of what we cannot see coming, and fear of each other will drive us a part." Arthur paused for a moment and looked out as all the people of Camelot turned with sober faces. He took in a breath and said with firm conviction, "We can stand as one and defeat our enemy or we can stand a part and fall. I leave the choice up to you." Then he turned without another word and walked back inside.

Merlin watched as he walked away disappearing deeper into the castle. The people down below stood quietly and then slowly left one by one.

In the dungeon Arthur stood outside the bars that held Gareth. Merlin stood not too far behind him.

"You brought a lot of trouble to Camelot," Arthur began, "and you must face proper punishment for it, whether you were deceived or not."

Gareth hung his head low. "I know Sire, and I do not disagree. I will accept whatever judgment you pass, even execution."

A smile touched Arthur's lips. "I do not believe execution is necessary. You did, after all, confess to the crime. You believed your actions to be for the good of Camelot and the king. Your punishment, though you may prefer execution, is to be Merlin's assistant."

"What?" both Gareth and Merlin exclaimed.

"You will help Merlin as he serves me," Arthur explained.

Gareth scoffed, "You mean to make me a servant, to a servant?"

Arthur's blues eyes were steady on Gareth. "Prove your loyalty and then you shall have a chance at becoming a knight once again."

There was a moment of silence before Gareth conceded with a nod.

As Arthur left Merlin followed at his heels. "Why are you making him my assistant?"

"This will kill three birds with one stone," Arthur said.

"What three birds?"

Arthur turned to face Merlin, "One, Gareth needs to be punished. Two, this will teach him humility and three..." Arthur smiled and let whatever he was going to say trail off.

With wide, outraged eyes Merlin asked, "What's the third one? Arthur? ARTHUR!"

Check out my first published novel, A GRIM AWAKENING: THE FOREST OF HOLLOW. It is now up for sale. If you are interested, search it up on Barnes and Noble, or Amazon. Also, there is a book trailer on Youtube!

Here is a synopsis -

Awaken to a grim world once hidden before your eyes.

There must be something wrong with 13-year-old, Ian Grim. Why else would Mitchel Trent, who everyone believes to be the nicest guy in school, bully him? Why did everyone at school give him nasty looks and whisper about him in spiteful gossip? Even teachers didn't like him. They always made him sit in the far corner of their classrooms where it was easy to ignore him. Even more hurtful, was the fact that Ian's own father blatantly ignored him. If it wasn't for his loving mother; his fun, yet psycho, younger brother; and his own sparkling sarcastic personality; Ian might think his life was a bit difficult. That is, until his mother goes missing one night.

In a twist of cruel irony, his father finally pays Ian's some attention only to threaten his life and force him on the run. Desperate for answers, Ian is compelled to accept help from Mitchel, the "nice" bully from school. That's when Ian learns that his mother was taken by the Reaper

If Ian wishes to save his mother, he must first survive his father. And in order to do that, he will need to learn of the spirit world, discover his own power, and embrace his role in an ongoing shadow war, before the Reaper tears his world apart.