Melanie didn't know what to do. She needed Excalibur but didn't know how to get it. She decided that the only way to get it was go straight to Merlin.
"Hello Mel." He greeted as she stepped into Gaius's chambers. He was cleaning out a caldron. "How are you feeling?"
"Better thank you." She began playing with the sleeves of her dress. "Can I talk to you a moment?"
"What's the matter?" He put the caldron down and sat on a bench, inviting her to sit with him.
"Do you remember when we were younger and I would have visions?"
"Of course. You would only tell me and your parents about them. I thought they stopped."
"They did for a while." She pulled at her sleeves again. "It wasn't until I was sparring with Arthur, when I was hurt, that I had another one."
"I knew you weren't that easy to best." He put a hand on her shoulder. "What did the vision show you?"
"It showed me Arthur dying. Him and Gwain." Her eyes glassed over with tears.
"I've seen the same thing in the crystal cave."
"I need to find a way to stop this from happening." Her voice cracked but she would let no tears fall. "I cannot let Arthur die. Or Gwain."
"Of course but how?"
"I need Excalibur." She said finally. "Where is it?"
"Arthur has it."
"Damn." She wracked her brain for a new idea. "Then I need your help. Not the get it but something else."
"Of course."
"In two days time, a woman will come asking for help. I will be able to recognize her when she comes but I need help convincing Arthur of her true plans."
"What is so important about her?"
"She will get information from one of our knights about our plans. That information will go straight to Morgana. Separating Arthur's most trusted from him resulting in his death."
"Will revealing this woman's treachery save Arthur's life?"
"If it doesn't we are all doomed." A single tear fell and she struggled to prevent the rest. "We cannot let any of them die."
"We will not let that happen I swear to you." He pulled her into a hug.
"I did the one thing I swore I would never do Merlin."
"What happened?"
"I fell in love. With Gwain."
"What is so bad about that?" She sat up and looked Merlin in the eyes. Blue on Silver.
"All my life I've wanted to be a knight. Protect the kingdom and defend the land. How can I focus on that if all I can see is Gwain?"
"You are a strong warrior Melanie. Stronger than any I've ever met. Falling in love will not change that. You know your duty and you will not stray from it."
"I'm worried I'll fail." She began fiddling with her hands. A habit she'd had since she was young. "That, if it came down to protecting the kingdom or Gwain, I'd chose Gwain."
"The fate of the kingdom is not on your shoulders. Don't act like it is. We will end this. You and I. Together."
"Thank you Merlin." She wiped away remaining tears and hugged her old friend.