Warning: Death of an important person

Months have passed. Months of suffering. Guinevere was kidnapped by Morgana and imprisoned in a dark tower. In her rescue by Arthur and his knights, Elyan was killed.

Gwen is back, and yet she is not the same as before. Mary thinks it is because of the grief for her brother. She herself knows how long and painful this time can be. And yet, she misses her friend terribly.

Mary's feelings for Merlin grow deeper and the two try to steal away from the castle as often as they can and enjoy their time together. Merlin works a lot for Arthur though, and Gaius keeps Mary on her toes with herbology and anatomy. She can't shake the feeling that the old man is deliberately trying to keep her away from Merlin.

Often in the evening she is so exhausted that she falls into her bed without having seen Merlin all day. What she doesn't notice is, how Merlin sneaks into her room every evening, lovingly tucks her in, and presses a kiss to her forehead, before laying himself to rest.

Today is a sunny day and Mary is trying to remember the bones of the human body. She keeps looking outside where the warming spring sun is shining. Today is Gwen and Arthur's wedding day and they have gone out for a picnic together. Merlin accompanies them.

Mary hopes that Gwen will be distracted and laugh more. Suddenly the door swings open and Merlin, Arthur and Gwen enter the physician's office.

Mary immediately sees that Arthur is hurt. She quickly gets fresh water and bandages, while Gaius looks at the wound. Merlin tells how they had been attacked by two men on the way to the picnic. Arthur fell from his horse and received the injury. Finally, Arthur was able to incapacitate the two bandits.

Gaius says: "You were lucky, sire. That fall could have broken your neck."

"What about the men who attacked us. Have they been questioned?" asks Arthur.

Leon joins them just then and answers the question he heard, "I'm sorry, Sire, their wounds were fatal. We could not learn anything from them."

Merlin says, "One thing we do know. It was no accident, that they were there."

Leon has the king's saddle on his arm, "Sire. We found your saddle on the forest trail. The girth was loosened and sewn back together. It should break, Sire."

Arthur takes a closer look at the spot on the saddle. "It seems, Merlin, that you may be...right about this one thing." turning to Leon he says, "Bring me that stable boy. Stefan is his name!"

Mary gasps and Gaius puts his hand on her arm.

A short time later Stefan is brought before the king. Before that, they search Stefan's hut. They find a red thread in it. The same thread that was used to sew the saddle together.

Mary stands at the very back of the throne room and tries to keep her breathing under control. She presses her hands against the cool wall behind her, trying to hear what is happening in the room despite the roaring in her ears.

Sir Leon is about to say, "The thread we found in the boy's home, matches the one used to sabotage your saddle."

Arthur looks at his stable boy seriously, "Who told you to do that, Stefan?"

"No one. No one told me to do anything, Sire."

"Are you saying you acted alone? No one helped you, no accomplice?"

"I know nothing of the things you speak of. I did nothing, Sire, except take care of your horse and tack as usual."

"The evidence is staring you in the face. You can't deny it."

"Sire...I swear on the life of my..."

"Just give me their names. Why are you protecting them? They can't help you now. Just give me their names."

"I don't have any names. There are no names."

"Then you leave me no choice. Although it causes me great sorrow, I must accuse you of treason. Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"You are my king, Sire. I would never harm you. Never."

Arthur shakes his head,"Stefan Seward, by virtue of my office, I hereby sentence you to death."

Stefan is led from the hall to the dungeons. Merlin looks concerned at Mary, who sinks to the floor whimpering.

Gaius nudges Merlin, "Go, get Mary out of here and take her to her room. I'll bring her something to calm her down later."

Mary notices two strong hands gently picking her up. She immediately realizes it's Merlin and wraps her arms around his neck and leans her tear-soaked face against his chest. He carries her to her room and waits with her, until Gaius arrives with a sedative potion. Only when she is asleep, does Merlin leave her room and go to Arthur. He asks him, "How long have you known Stefan?"

"He has been my servant since he was a boy."

"Do you really think he is capable of treason?"

"What I think doesn't matter. The facts speak for themselves."

"Arthur, to sentence him to death..."

"The law is the law, Merlin, whether you like it or not."

With that, Arthur leaves Merlin standing.

After Merlin checks on Mary again, he helps Gaius with dinner. "Why would Stefan want Arthur dead? It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe he's holding a grudge, a swelling anger."

"What grudge would he be holding? He loved his work, he was proud of it. And Arthur respected him, I know he did! He always treated him fairly and well."

"Merlin, you can't always know what's going on in someone else's mind. But I think, like you, that there's something funny going on. I myself always experienced Stefan as loyal and dutiful."

"There's someone else involved. Maybe Stefan is being threatened...I need to find out who, so they can't strike again."

After dinner Merlin takes a bowl of stew and goes to the dungeons. He wants to try to talk to Stefan, to maybe find out something about a possible accomplice. When he gets to the dungeon, Mary is standing outside the cell door talking to Stefan. "There must be something we can do. I don't believe it was you! Please Stefan, I can't bear to lose you."

She rests her forehead against the bars and Stefan puts his hand around hers. "Mary, I'm glad I met you. You are an extraordinary girl. Thanks to you, the last few years have been the best of my life. Don't worry about anything. Everything will be fine."

Merlin steps up and puts his free hand on Mary's shoulder. Startled, she turns around. He sees that her eyes are puffy from so many tears. Merlin calls for Gwaine, who is on guard duty, and asks him to escort Mary back to her room. Obediently, she goes along with Gwaine.

Merlin enters the cell, which is unlocked for him by a guard. "I thought you'd like something to eat." He sets the bowl down for Stefan, "Cooking is not Gaius forte, as you know."

"Well, at least it's not beet soup. Thank you, Merlin."

"I'd like to help you, Stefan, if I can."

"You heard the king. No one can help me."

"I know you, Stefan. Whatever you did, I'm sure you meant no harm."

"I didn't do anything. On my honor, I didn't."

"But something did happen, didn't it?"

"No..."

"Stefan, please! I know you're innocent. Just tell me what happened."

"No, they'll..."

"Who?"

Stefan puts the plate down and leans closer to Merlin, "It was a few days ago. One of the horses came down with colic, so I had to sleep in the barn to take care of it."

Stefan falters. Merlin encourages him, "It's okay, keep talking."

"That night, I was awakened by a noise. There was someone tampering with the king's saddle. I knew something was wrong. I tried to run and warn someone...But they saw me. They said if I told anyone about what I had seen...They would grab Mary. They would grab her...and cut her neck." Stefan looks down at the floor.

Merlin asks in horror, "Who did it?"

"I can't."

"Stefan, please, tell me! This is your only chance. You'll be hanged if you don't..."

"And they'll kill Mary if I do."

"Stefan, I can help you. I can protect Mary!"

"No. If it means I die instead of her, so be it."

Merlin sits next to Stefan for another moment, but he doesn't say another word. Merlin takes the empty plate and leaves the cell. Stefan calls him back again and says, "Merlin, please promise to take care of Mary. I know she cares a lot about you and I can see it in your eyes, what she means to you!"

"It's going to be hard on her, when you die," Merlin replies sadly.

"You will catch her. I know you will. Tell her how much I valued her friendship! Farewell Merlin!"

Affected, Merlin goes to the king and tells him about the conversation with Stefan. He tells him that Stefan is simply afraid to tell the whole truth because he was threatened.

Arthur wants to talk to Stefan immediately, but Gwen stops him and asks him to wait, until the next day, when Stefan has had a chance to sleep on it again. Merlin finds her reaction a bit questionable, but leaves the two alone.

He goes back to Gaius and asks him, "Have you noticed anything unusual about Gwen lately?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, why?"

"I'm not entirely sure."

"Something she said? Something she did?"

"No, it's nothing specific. It seems to me that ever since she returned from the dark tower, she hasn't been herself."

"Is that surprising? She lost her only brother. Elyan was the only family she had. And grief changes people, Merlin."

"I know that. But..."

"Besides, we can only guess what Morgana did to her."

"That's what worries me. I'm still going to check on Mary. She was down in the dungeons with Stefan."

Gaius looks a little worried, "Then I guess the tincture was a little too weak. Speaking of which. Is there something you two aren't telling me?" Merlin somewhat nervously takes a piece of bread and plucks it into small pieces. "Merlin?"

"You mustn't get angry..." Gaius frowns. Merlin continues, "We've been through so much together. We've grown closer over the years. I couldn't help it, and neither could she. I...I have..."

"Well say it my boy!"

"I asked her to be my wife. And she said yes."

Merlin glances at the breadcrumbs in front of him, apprehensive that Gaius will react angrily. But all remains silent. Cautiously, Merlin lifts his gaze and looks into the physician's fatherly face. Tears glisten in his eyes and he smiles at him.

"You're not angry?"

"Oh Merlin. I'm old, but I'm not stupid! I've seen how you feel about each other for a long time, haven't I? At first I wanted to talk you out of it and even now, I look at it with concern. But at the same time I see how happy you make each other. You need each other. I am very happy for you and I hope that everything will turn out well. Come on over here, let me give you a hug." Merlin gratefully puts his arms around the old man. Gaius asks, "Who knows? And when is the great day?"

"No one knows but you. Gwaine suspects it. We were going to wait a little while until things quieted down."

Gaius nods agreeing, "Good! Well go on and check on her. She needs you now!"

Merlin goes to Mary, who is asleep in her bed. He quietly lies down next to her and looks at her. His heart feels light being near her, despite his concern for Stefan, and he's glad that Gaius has responded so well. It is not long before he falls asleep next to Mary, with a smile on his lips.

He is awakened in the morning by Gaius, who looks at him sorrowfully, "Merlin, be quiet and don't wake Mary. You must come with me to the cells."

Quickly, Merlin gets up. He realizes that something terrible must have happened.

As soon as they are in the dungeons, he sees Stefan lying on the floor of his cell. A pool of blood around him and Merlin immediately realizes, that he is dead. Arthur is also standing there.

Gaius examines Stefan and says, "The blade pierced his heart. He barely suffered, I'm glad to say."

"Did you talk to the night watch?" Arthur asks Leon.

"They saw nothing out of the ordinary, Sire."

"What about the guards? Why didn't they sound the alarm?"

"Sire, we found this in a fireplace in the guard room." Leon shows a charred piece of cloth.

Gaius smells it and says, "Clary wort. A powerful soporific, sire."

Arthur shakes his head in resignation and sighs, "I was an idiot. I should have spoken to him, when I had the chance."

Merlin looks at him, "Arthur..."

"What?"

"Whoever did this, was no stranger to Camelot. He knew the castle like the back of his hand."

Arthur nods, "Yes, I think so too. I'll have to tell Mary. I know she maintained a friendship with Stefan. I hope that Gwen, Gaius or you can catch her in her grief. I saw yesterday how much she was affected by his conviction."

Arthur makes his way to Mary and Merlin is left alone with his thoughts. He can't shake the uneasy feeling, that Gwen is somehow involved.

As Merlin heads back to Gaius, he runs into Gwen, who is just coming in from a side door, that leads outside into the woods. "Gwen? I've been looking all over for you. Arthur is beside himself with worry."

She looks at him in surprise, "Well, there was nothing to worry about, I was just walking in the meadow. Since Elyan died...sometimes I need some time to myself."

"I understand. But be careful. Just an hour ago, a patrol was attacked in the woods."

"I had no idea. Thank you, Merlin. I'll be more careful next time." she turns and leaves. Merlin's uneasy feeling just got stronger. Gwen wasn't speaking the truth, he's sure of it.

When he gets to Gaius' chamber, the old man is examining Gwaine, who is one of the men attacked in the forest. Mary stands next to him and watches Gaius. She looks pale and endlessly sad, but composed. Gaius says, "Fortunately, nothing is broken. Do you remember anything?"

"Nothing. All of a sudden I was chasing them through the trees, right after that I was flat on the ground."

"Are you sure it was magic?"

"Without a doubt. And powerful."

Merlin asks, "Morgana?"

"Quite possibly. But why was she there?"

"Maybe she was meeting someone."

"Why would she come so close to the fortress?" now Arthur, who is also standing in the room, asks Merlin.

"Maybe she had to, because the one she met was here in Camelot."

"Well, until we have more, that's pure speculation. Gaius, Merlin, see what you can find in the woods. Maybe we missed something."

Gaius and Mary set about preparing everything for a tour of the woods. Arthur goes back to his duties and Merlin sits down next to Gwaine, "I don't think it's over."

Gwaine looks at his friend questioningly, "What do you mean?"

"Whoever attacked Arthur, what's to stop them from trying again?"

"They don't stand a chance, the fortress is on alert. Every entrance, every exit is guarded. Trust me, Arthur is safe as long as he's in Camelot."

"Exactly, what if he's not safe here? What if Camelot is the most dangerous place for him? Who had access to the stables? Who knew the layout of the cells? Who knew, that Stefan would do anything to protect Mary? You must stay close to Arthur and protect him with all your might."

"You have my word on that, Merlin."

Reassured, Merlin gets up and walks out of the room. What he doesn't see is, that he had been overheard by Gwen the whole time.

Mary and Merlin walk through the forest. Slightly behind them, Gaius follows. Merlin looks to Mary. He couldn't tell her yet, that Gaius now knows everything. But he worries about the effect Stefan's death will have on her. He knows she is faking her composure with all her might.

Suddenly Merlin stops. Mary looks at him in surprise. He senses a power, close by. He walks toward it and finds a twisted branch snaking up a tree. "Gaius!"

The old man rushes over and looks at it, "Yeah, that's definitely not normal."

"That was Morgana, I'm sure of it."

"Are you sure we're in the right place?"

"Gwaine said he saw someone here."

"There, on that branch." Gaius finds a piece of cloth that had been torn away during the chase. Mary has already gone on, to look for some more herbs. After she returns, they all go back to the castle together, to get a better look at the piece of cloth. Mary, after emptying the herbs on a table, goes out into the castle courtyard for some fresh air. Merlin watches her go with concern, but says nothing. He knows, she needs the quiet to grieve undisturbed. Seeing her like this also breaks his heart a bit.

With Gaius, Merlin looks at the piece of cloth more closely. Gaius looks through the magnifying glass and says. "A piece of imported silk. Merchants charge a small fortune for it. Whoever this belongs to is very rich."

"What is this? An embroidery?" Merlin points to the edge of the piece of cloth.

"Indeed. Woven threads of silver and gold. Only someone of the highest rank, can afford such a thing." Merlin nods. His suspicions are only reinforced.

When Mary returns toward evening, Merlin is still sitting in front of the piece of cloth with his head propped up in his hand. Mary bundles the herbs on the table and hangs them to dry. Then she sits down next to Merlin and puts her hand on his back, "What's bothering you?"

"This piece of cloth we found in the woods today. I have a suspicion who it belongs to, but I need proof, or Arthur will never believe me."

Mary picks up the piece of cloth and looks at it with a furrowed brow. Merlin looks at it, "What?"

"It's a piece of cloth from one of Gwen's dresses. I have the dress with me because I wanted to mend it. Merlin. You mean the traitor is Gwen?" She looks at him in horror.

Merlin stands up abruptly. "Mary, we have to go to Arthur's. They're having dinner right now. Hurry!"

Merlin and Mary run off.

When they finally arrive at the King's chambers, Arthur is slumped in the chair at the table. Mary rushes to him and feels his pulse, which is very weak. She finds an oily fluid near his ear and a terrible fear spreads through her mind.

She looks at Merlin and says, "Quick! Help me put him to bed and then get Gaius as fast as you can."

Merlin does just that and is back with Gaius a little later. Mary is cooling Arthur's forehead and the knights and Guinevere also hurry into the room. Gaius stands next to Mary and checks on the king.

After a short while he stands up and says, "Mary is right. Everything points to the king being poisoned."

Gwen looks at Gaius, startled, "Are you sure, Gaius?"

"Pretty sure. The sweating, the skin change, the traces of tincture on the ear. They all point to the use of henbane."

"Is there no hope?"

"This poison is deadly, my lady. You can slow its effects, but I can't guarantee it."

Mary watches her friend's reaction closely. She looks honestly frightened. But now Gwen says, "One thing I know for sure. The one who did it, lives among us. Whoever did it betrayed us all. Someone who can move freely in the fortress. Someone who has access to the king's stables, the king's prison...Even to the king's food. The only one I know is...Merlin!"

Mary's blood freezes in her veins and she claws into the mattress of the bed, "No, Gwen...you can't really think that!"

Gwen looks at her friend and says, "Maybe you even helped him. The way you always spend time together!"

Gaius gets angry. "Mary and Merlin are under my protection. I vouch for both of them, your Highness."

Gwen says coolly, "Guards, capture Merlin and lock him up. Mary and Gaius will be placed under observation."

Shortly after Merlin is locked up and Mary is in her room, Gaius goes to the Queen. She looks at him and asks, "How is Arthur?"

"No change."

"I know how you must feel about Merlin. Believe me, when I say how sorry I am. I don't think you and Mary had anything to do with it. Merlin is clearly closest to the king. And Stefan was Mary's friend. The evidence against Merlin is overwhelming."

"You did what had to be done, Guinevere. You had no choice in the matter. I understand that." replies Gaius coolly.

"Thank you. Is there no hope, Gaius? None at all?" Gaius notes that Gwen says all this very unemotionally.

"I will not lie to you. Arthur's time has almost come. But until the king breathes his last, there is still hope."

Gaius goes straight to Merlin in the dungeon. "You were right, Merlin. Whatever Morgana did in the Dark Tower, she has power over Gwen and is using it to get to Arthur."

"Can you save him?"

"The poison is too strong, too vicious. Your magic is the only hope."

Merlin grabs the bars and jiggles them briefly, "You've got to get me out of here somehow."

Gaius looks around and is about to leave. Merlin asks, "How is Mary?"

"She's distraught."

Gwen keeps up her act and stays at Arthur's bedside. She speaks to him and even cries. Mary is also standing next to the king's bed, trying to make sense of it all. Gwen, who was pretty much the person in the woods with Morgana, and her clearly evident despair at the bedside of the love of her life.

Mary weeps inwardly for Gwen, for Merlin, Stefan, and for the king. She feels an emptiness inside her and thinks she is drowning in it.

Meanwhile, Gaius sends Merlin a blue tincture. Merlin recognizes it immediately and knows that it is the tincture to reverse the aging spell. He smiles to himself and a little later walks out of the dungeon as an old man. He pretended to the guards, that he had visited the prisoners.

As soon as Merlin is outside, he transforms back into his young self. No sooner has this happened and he is seen by guards sneaking around in the dark and the warning bells are rung. The courtyard in front of the castle is instantly filled with guards and knights looking for the intruder. No one seems to have recognized him, however, as it is already very dark.

Merlin uses his magic to extinguish all torches and other light sources and begins to climb up the outer wall to Arthur's room. More than once he almost slips and he is glad, when he finally reaches the top. Looking through the window, he can see Gwen and Mary standing next to Arthur's bed. Gaius comes in and asks Gwen to get to safety. She initially resists, but Gaius insists and promises her to watch Arthur, until the intruder is caught. Gaius, of course, knows that it is Merlin. Mary, on the other hand, seems confused.

Mary leans against the wall and kneads her hands. Gaius walks up to her and places his hands on her arms. "Don't be so nervous, Mary."

"I can't help it. Stefan is dead, Merlin is in the dungeon, and Arthur is dying. I'm crushed by all the suffering right now, and I don't know what to do next."

Thick tears roll down her cheeks, as the ajar window is pushed open behind her and Merlin exhaustedly climbs into the room. Incredulous, she looks at him, "Merlin! How did you get here?"

He smiles at her and wipes the sweat from his brow, "Gaius helped me."

Mary wraps her arms around his neck and squeezes him tightly, "Thank God! I thought I was going to lose everyone today!"

Merlin closes his eyes and breathes in her scent of fresh herbs and earth. Then he looks at Arthur, who is lying pale on the pillow. He disengages himself from Mary, walks up to the king, and asks, "How is he?"

Gaius replies, "His heart will soon stop beating. I fear he is very near death." Merlin grabs Arthur's chest. Mary sees how agitated Merlin is.

Faltering, he says, "The sickness is so deep in him. I don't know if my power can bring him back." his voice breaks.

Gaius says, "You can do it, Merlin!"

The young warlock wipes tears from his eyes and looks from Gaius to Mary. She nods at him and he leans over the king. He places both hands over his chest and begins to speak, "Ic the thurhaele thinu licsar mid thamsundorcraeft thaere ealdan ae! " His eyes light up golden and he stands like that for a moment, exhausted. Then he rises and makes room for Gaius, who immediately examines the king.

Mary stands next to Merlin and takes his hand. He is trembling with exhaustion. Gaius feels the pulse and then looks regretfully at Merlin and Mary. Merlin sobs and Mary can't hold back her tears either.

But suddenly the king takes a deep breath, turns on his side and murmurs : "Gaius..."

The physician looks at Merlin joyfully, "Merlin! Well done, my boy." He hugs him and Mary beams too. Merlin laughs in relief. Gaius says, "You'd best get back to your cell before you're missed."

Merlin looks at his mentor in disgust, "There are guards on every floor and every staircase. How do I get back down there?"

"The same way you came up."

"Of course..." Merlin dreads the descent down the outside wall. Mary escorts him to the window and kisses him gently, before he climbs out, "I'll see you later. Thank you for saving the king!"

The next day, the sun is shining and Mary walks with Gwaine to the dungeon. She walks lightly. Gwaine opens the cell door to Merlin's dungeon. Merlin is lying on a bench, asleep. Mary gently strokes his hair, until he awakens. "Good morning, Merlin!" Merlin stretches sleepily.

Gwaine says, "If you have a moment, the king would like to speak with you."

Merlin knocks on the door of Arthur's room a little later and goes in. Arthur sits at the table and looks up, "Merlin! This is one of the two, if not three moments in my life, when I am truly glad to see you."

"My thoughts exactly, Sire. How are you?"

"Like death. Well, death warmed up, at least."

"I can imagine."

"It seems we've both survived an ordeal. Come sit with me."

Arthur points to a chair and Merlin sits down. "It really wasn't that bad. Once you get used to the eternal night and the rats, the moldy pillows, a bucket of your own..." tries Merlin to lighten things up.

Arthur looks at his friend seriously: "Merlin. I'm sorry for what happened to you. I really am. As soon as I heard, I said it couldn't have been you. Mary confirmed your alibi that you were with her in Gaius' chamber at the time of the crime. I also told them you just weren't smart enough to organize an assassination."

"That's very considerate. Arthur..." Gathering all his courage, Merlin continues, "I need to talk to you about something."

But Arthur waves it off, "Sorry, Merlin, another time. They're waiting for me in the council chamber. Thanks to Guinevere, new evidence has come to light." Merlin blinks in confusion.

Arthur leaves his room and Merlin follows him. An uneasy feeling rises in him. When he arrives in the hall, he finds Mary near the door and stands beside her.

Arthur speaks, "The Queen found these vials in my chambers. They bear a certain mark, as you see." Merlin only now sees a man standing before the king. Arthur continues, "Thanks to her tireless efforts, she was able to track them down. This is your sign, is it not?" Arthur shows the vials to the man.

"This is my mark, yes."

"What does this vial contain?"

"It is valerian, sire."

"How does it work?"

"It stuns the subject."

"And this one?" Arthur holds up a second vial.

"Henbane. It's a poison, my lord."

"A deadly poison. It is only thanks to the skill of my physicain and healer that I am still alive."

"I'm sorry, my lord. I delivered it, I admit. I didn't know it was for you. I was really too scared to ask."

"Too afraid to ask whom?"

"The one who acquired it."

"Did you recognize this person?"

"I can't say for sure, but I thought it was Morgana Pendragon." the man stammers nervously, and is then led away.

Arthur says, "Because of the Queen's vigilance, the truth has been revealed. Each of us is in her debt. Long live the Queen."

The hall joins in, "Long live the Queen!"

Only Mary, Merlin, and Gaius remain silent. Mary notices Merlin clenching his hands angrily. She puts her hand on them reassuringly. Gwen's eyes meet Merlin's and they both stare at each other.

Later, in Gaius' chambers, the three sit at the table and talk about what happened. Mary says, "There must be a way to heal Gwen."

Gaius replies, "It's not that easy, I'm afraid. My knowledge doesn't extend that far."

Merlin stares ahead of him and says, "She knows I know she's playing a double game. I must somehow make Arthur see, that she is not the Guinevere we know and love." Mary nods.

After a while, Gaius clears his throat, "Now, on to another subject. I think you will have to communicate your intentions soon. Most people suspect something anyway!"

Mary looks at Gaius, startled, "What do you mean?"

"Calm down, my dear. Merlin has told me everything. And as much as your love for each other worries me, I'm even happier for you and wish you all the happiness in the world. Personally, I think you've waited long enough for each other. I am not completely innocent, I know that. But now, for once, you should be able to celebrate your happiness."

Mary beams and wraps her arms tightly around Gaius: "Thank you! Thank you for your understanding and support. I love you so much!" Gaius wipes a tear from his eye. Merlin smiles back at him. Mary steps back again, a deep sadness settles around her and she then says seriously, "But I want my best friend to be at the wedding. As long as Gwen is under Morgana's spell, I cannot and will not take that step. Do you understand?"

Merlin and Gaius nod in unison.