The young wizard has finally stood up, walked into his room and and has there dropped on his bed. But he couldn't find any sleep. Every time he closes his eyes, the mob follows him. Again and again he sees the picture of how they wanted to bring him to the stake. He protects the people of Camelot and they want to burn him. Again and again he hears their calls. Again and again he sees the faces of the angry crowd demanding inlet into the castle. He sits up. Lost in thoughts, he stares down on the ground, as Arthur enters his room and sits down on Merlin's bed.
"I have not thanked you." He smiles at his friend. "Thank you Merlin." Merlin nods. He still isn't in the mood for a smile. "Merlin, I'm sorry for what happened. I.." Merlin shakes his head. "They won't accept me. They will never do, don't they? I've been fooling myself all these years. I always thought that if you have accepted me, it will be different. But nothing has changed. They hate me and they hate my magic." A tear runs down his face. "Merlin, they don't know you. But I do. Don't give up. They will accept you. Like I do. If you give up now, Mordred wins." Stunned the young sorcerer looks at his king. "What do you mean?" Arthur looks into his eyes. "Merlin, only together we a strong. Mordred tries to isolate you. I'm sure he has stirred up the people. Sir Leon has told me of an old man dressed in black who was ringleaders and instigator. You know what that means. He used the same aging spell like you. That is why, we could not find him."
Merlin closes his eyes. "The old man at the fountain in the courtyard. I have felt his presence. I just could not place it." Arthur nods. "I don't understand why he is doing that? Why he stirs up the people against the magic? He cuts it into his own flesh." Merlin looks up. "He does not care. He has nothing to lose. He's already dead. All he wants is to destroy you and Camelot." Arthur smiles. "And for that he has to push you to the sidelines. He wants to hurt you. Do not let it happen. Don't let him sow distrust. He will not succeed." He puts an arm on Merlin's shoulder. "Merlin, the people will accept magic again. Until then, you're still have my trust. And the trust of your friends, Gaius and Gwen, Sir Gwaine and Sir Galahad. We trust you. Trust yourself. Mordred will not succeed today. Camelot remains strong. Because we are strong. The foundations, trust and loyalty are not that easy to destroy. Not, if we don't allow it." He smiles. Now even Merlin can smile a little. "Thank you My Lord."
"Come on, we need to rebuild the lower town again. We have much work." The king stands up and pulls Merlin up. Both are facing each other as they shake hands. Just as Arthur turns to the door, Merlin stumbles and falls on his bed. Arthur looks down at him. Horrified, he bends down and holds him tight. "Merlin, Merlin what is it? Talk to me!" Merlin, who has pulled together, sits down on the bed. The young wizard is pale. His pulse is racing and his heart beats like a drum. Horrified, he looks up to his king. He can hardly find the right words. Stammeringly he struggles to keep his composure. "Arthur, something terrible has happened. Something unbelievably terrible. I can't... " The young wizard shakes his head. Sad, endlessly sad and with pain in his eyes he has still not found the right words.
Arthur sits down beside him on his bed again. "Merlin, you tell me right now what's going on!" Merlin shakes his head. He fights back tears. Desperate, he fights against it. "My magic, I felt something. Something terrible .. a shock .. displacement... I don't know how to describe it. Last time I felt it when Morgana has sacrificed someone at Samhain." Arthur looks at him. "What are you saying? Has anyone freed the Dorocha?" Merlin shakes his head. "No, not that. But somebody sacrificed a soul." Arthur jumps up. "Please what? Someone has sacrificed a soul? A human sacrifice? Are you sure?" Merlin nods. Anxiously he looks up at his king. "I do not know for what purpose. But I'm afraid it isn't a good sign. It was so powerful it almost tore me apart. Up in my insides, I felt this sacrifice... and that scares me..and that scares me incredible.."