Rated: T - English - General - Reviews: 12 - Published: 03-04-14 - Updated: 03-13-14

id:10162808

A/N: Very short, semi-lazy update. There really were not a lot of gaps in this episode that I thought needed to be filled - or I'm just excited to write an angsty chapter for the next episode, who knows. I was originally going to include a little drabble of Arthur talking to Morgana about Merlin's "confession," but they already kind of touch base on that towards the end of the episode, and I didn't really like how the scene came together (felt too OOC). Also, side note, I don't ship Gwen/Merlin, but you have to admit she was adorable towards him when the show first began. (;

Series 1, Episode 3 "The Mark of Nimeuh" Missing Scenes:

1. Morgana's conversation with Gwen in the dungeon.
2. Guinevere reflecting on Merlin's promises and her demise while in her cell.

[A mysterious illness plagues Camelot. Gwen's father falls ill but miraculously recovers due to Merlin's intervention. She is found guilty for using magic as a result.]

1.

"Gwen?" Morgana asked gently, staring at the small pile of dirty rags that was her servant. Gwen stood to face Morgana through the bars of her dungeon cell, her cheeks were tear streaked, her hair littered with hay, her clothes lightly stained. This was not the same Guinevere that Morgana had seen only that morning with a smile on her face, humming softly. The light was gone from her.

"My lady," Gwen said shakily, absently combing at her disheveled locks and bowing slightly. "I am so sorry." Gwen couldn't bring her eyes to Morgana's. She knew her lady believed her innocence; Morgana had been the only voice of defense on her behalf before the court. No, her sorrow was not with concern that Morgana believed her betrayal; it was for the fact that she was going to be forced to leave her lady's side. Gwen had been in Morgana's servitude since the two were children. Though they led starkly different lives, there was an unspeakable, unbreakable bond between them. Guinevere even dared to think of her lady as a close friend.

"Don't be," Morgana said. "This is all just a terrible misunderstanding. Uther will see reason - he has to." There was desperation and denial in her voice.

"I'm afraid," Gwen whispered, pulling slightly at her shackles, head bowed. "You never really think about it, do you, you know? But, I just..."

"You're not going to die Gwen," Morgana said stubbornly.

"Lina-" Gwen began, her voice cracking. She brought a hand to her mouth for a moment, trying to regain her composure.

"Lina?"

"She would make a great servant," Gwen pushed through. "I mean, obviously my recommendation counts for little, but she is good at her work and very kind, and-"

"Gwen, stop. Please," Morgana begged. "I don't want another servant."

"Thank you," Gwen said, tears falling once more. "It has been an honor, my lady."

Morgana just shook her head, her own tears threatening to spill over and destroy whatever facade of comfort she thought she could wear in the presence of her servant. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, and replied hoarsely, "No. Thank you. I will do everything I can to get you out of here... I promise." And with that, Morgana forced herself to turn away, the sobs already aching in her throat. She ran the moment she was out of Gwen's view, barely noticing Merlin as she hurried up the stares.

2.

Her execution had been moved up. From her cell window, she could see the pyre being built. She had stood watching in sick fascination for a few moments before the fear had pulled her to the floor. Her muscles spasmed inward, twisting everything towards her gut as she lay in the fetal position trying not to cry out. She lay that way for a long while, unable to combat the fear until her mind and body grew fatigued. Slowly her limbs relaxed, and though she was wide awake, staring at the dirty walls, she felt nothing. Empty, cold, alone. Waiting for the end. The hours dragged cruelly, and Gwen could find little in the way of distraction or relief - save one voice. She almost believed she had imagined it, that she had drifted off unknowingly and dreamed his words into reality.

"Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will." There had been something innocent and assured in Merlin's voice. It made Gwen's heart leap for a moment, feeling returning, stretching across the emptiness. She was afraid to hope; it was a luxury she could not afford. But it wasn't hope that filled her - it was warmth. She had few friends, but look how hard they would fight for her. She cursed Merlin under her breath slightly as the tears returned, a mixture of guilt and grief, love and loss taking over. She resolved herself to focus only on their faces - her father, her lady, and Merlin. And with that image, she found herself drifting into a restless sleep.