Hello, guys! I have been doing some general planning for the story and have a layout for the rest of it now. I will be doing a different book for each season as these words are adding up in my document in Google Docs and it would be easier for me if we split it five ways. Also, I think it would be easier for you guys to sift through the story then as it would be better sorted. Since I will be doing that, it means that this book will be ending soon. This is the second to last episode in the first season which would mean that we would only have one more chapter after this one. It's not true. I might be doing the next episode in two parts, but I might not because then you guys would have to wait longer for the second part. Also, there will be another chapter after that chapter that will not be canon with the series and more of a focus on Elaine and a wrap up to her plot-line for this book. She will be having a different plot-line in each one that will be specific to her. This book has been about Nimueh and the beginning of Elaine's magic, next will be about her family heritage and ambitions. So thanks guys for reading, and I hope it's a lovely reading for you!

Chapter 11:

Elaine glanced up from the book she had been rebinding and down the row of bookcases that filtered in moonlight to shine upon the flagstones. The lone candle flickered next to Elaine as the ringing in her ears simmered back to silence. She had felt the pulsing of the magic crash into her like powerful waves washing over her skin. The strength behind the magic could be felt from behind the stone walls, awakening the storm inside her, causing her hairs to rise and tiny bumps to break out along her arms.

Elaine didn't hesitate as she stood from her seat, using both of her hands to keep the candle steady, and left behind her materials on the table. She headed for the one she assumed caused the disturbance. Elaine strode confidently into the quarters passing the sign that read "Physician's chambers". She gave a slight pause when she realized Gaius was still awake and busy at his workstation, he was also surprised when he caught sight of the girl standing at the doorway if his raised brows were any indication.

"Elaine? Is something wrong?" Gaius inquired as his eyes searched over her body, assuming that the reason for her intrusion was medicinal.

Elaine quickly shook her head, "No, I'm fine." She answered, absentmindedly rubbing at the bumps on her arm. She hoped the act would give her a semblance of comfort and distract from how shaken she was from the feeling of magic. She stepped over to him and sat down on the bench next to him, facing towards the door, turning her head to peer at his writings.

Merlin exited his room and trudged down the steps as his eyes instantly locked onto Elaine's. His face losing the dazed look as he realized that she had felt it to.

Gaius's brow furrowed as his apprentice entered the room, finding it no coincidence that they had met in the middle of the night with the same glazed expression. "Can't sleep?" He prompted Merlin, garnering the boy's attention.

"Something woke me," He replied, focusing on Elaine again with a questioning look. His ruffled black hair brushing against his furrowed brows.

Gaius glanced up from his papers at Merlin, his spectacles sliding down his nose, his gaze shifted between Elaine and Merlin. "What was it?"

"I don't know," Merlin walked over to Elaine, his eyes wandering around the room and coming to rest on Elaine again. "A feeling." He said as she blinked and averted her gaze from him, her throat tightening.

"What kind of feeling?"

Merlin looked to his mentor, his blue eyes solumn from his thoughts, "Powerful magic." He spoke in subdued tones, then clarified his response. "Here. In Camelot."

The door abruptly swung open as Gwen rushed into the room, her cloak hastily tied around her neck and Elaine promptly sprung out of her chair at the sight of the clearly distressed girl. Gwen held up her skirts as she ran to her friends, letting Elaine catch a hold of her as she refilled her lungs with air.

"Gwen? What's wrong?" Merlin asked, shocked by her entrance as was Gaius and Elaine.

"My father has been arrested," She answered, her hand grabbing onto Elaine's arm for support, they both needed it.

Elaine's face twisted from surprise to anger, "Tom? What for?" Although she knew that Gwen had only one father and that his name was indeed Tom, the idea that the gentlest blacksmith in all of Camelot had been arrested was ridiculous.

"They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer!" Gwen answered, her words stumbling over each other as she rushed to speak. "They are charging him with treason!"

Elaine and Merlin shared a hasty look as they wondered the truth in her words after feeling the strength of magic not ten minutes ago. Gaius assured Gwen placatingly, "Everything will be fine. Your father will be treated fairly and the truth of his innocence will be known by the king."

Elaine and Merlin shared another look at his words, believing otherwise from experience, unfortunately Gwen caught this look. "Elaine? Merlin?" Her voice hitched, "Is he right?"

Elaine smiled to comfort her friend, their hands still grasped together. "Camelot does offer fair trials to her denizens. Morgana will make sure that Tom is given that opportunity. Merlin and her can convince Arthur to help, also." She told her soothingly, believing reason will calm her down enough to stop hyperventilating.

Gwen nodded, her gaze moving between Merlin and Elaine. "What about you?" She questioned the girl she had latched onto. "You will help, won't you?"

Elaine's gaze shifted to the ground as her smile turned bitter, "I'll do what I can."

Gwen squeezed her hand to make Elaine meet her gaze again, "You will talk to the king? Vouch for father's character?" She glanced at Merlin for support, "You have standing in the court. You are a lady, that must mean something."

Elaine wished for hole to crawl into at the moment, Gaius jumped to her rescue as he took Gwen's hand and led her to the door. "You should go talk to your father before we do anything else. Learn what he has to say about this." He said to her, Gwen nodding her and letting herself be ushered out of the room. Merlin followed after them with Elaine beside his side at a slower pace than them, her cheeks burning.

The quiet murmurs of voices drifted down the hall to where Gaius, Merlin, and Elaine waited, the obtuse guards watched over Gwen and Tom in the flickering torchlight. Despite the agreement that the conversation would be private, Elaine continued to lean forward to catch a better glimpse of the two. The cell bars obscured her view of Tom, but she could make out the shape of his form in the shadows.

Gwen returned to Elaine's side, her eyes filled with unshed tears and her face was like stone, the only sign of her lack of strength was the way she griped onto her skirt.

"What'd he say?" Merlin asked without hesitation, his concern for Gwen was clear in his voice as he stepped away from the wall towards her. His blue eyes focused on her with a determination they all shared.

"He said Tauren came to him at the forge," Gwen spoke rapidly, her eyes meeting Merlin's and Gaius's bluntly as her face was pointed away from Elaine's. "Offered to pay him a fortune. Not to make weapons. For an experiment or something."

"An experiment?" Merlin repeated, he and Gaius sharing a questioning look.

"Tauren didn't say," Gwen answered, "But he used some kind of stone. Some kind of magic." Elaine began to notice how tired and sick Gwen appeared at the news.

Gaius stepped in at this moment, taking over for Merlin, tenderly pulling Gwen away as Elaine followed like a disoriented dog trailing after them with a nonplussed expression. Gaius led them to his quarters and settled Gwen in Merlin's bed after giving her a draught to calm her mind, Elaine waited by the door as she watched Gwen fall asleep and tried to ignore the twinge in her chest after Gwen hadn't spoken a word to her. She followed Gaius out of the room to where Merlin was standing, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"She's sleeping now," Gaius told Merlin, his voice hushed.

"I don't understand it," Merlin told them, his eyes on Gwen in the other room then shifting to them as they turned away from the door. "What would a sorcerer want with Tom?"

Elaine spoke up before Gaius could, "He owns the finest forge in Camelot, no doubt Tauren wanted the best blacksmith for his experiment and Tom fit that role." Her brow quirked from the looks they gave her and Elaine realized she spoke with more bitterness than expected.

Merlin frowned, "What was the experiment?"

"When Tom was arrested, they found gold on him." Gaius answered, a light dawning in Elaine's eyes as she came to the conclusion he was speaking of.

Merlin didn't understand, still confused and unsure of what he was insinuating. "So?"

"From what Gwen was saying," Gaius looked to the aforementioned girl, his face clouded with concern. "Tauren's experiment bears all the hallmarks of alchemy."

"Alchemy's impossible, isn't it?"

Gaius was able to make his smile seem dour, "To change the very nature of one thing to another has defeated all those who have tried. But, if you use magic." He paused, letting his sentence hang in the air as wonder and understanding crossed Merlin's face.

"Do you think that's what woke me?"

"It's possible, I suppose."

Elaine gained their attention when she said aloud what they hadn't been thinking, "That's great while you two are concerned for some glorified rock, Tom is going to be sentenced to death and Gwen-" She pursed her lips and focused her sour expression away from where the girl slept. "It doesn't matter what they experiment was because a renegade sorcerer is involved, a good man will lose his life."

"Maybe not," Merlin argued, "If we find Tauren we could get him to confess and he could take Gwen's father's place."

"Won't work." She replied, crossing her arms tighter as she shook her head. "When Uther hears the word sorcery, he turns into a headless chicken flailing as it runs around and sends people to the executioner."

Merlin opened and closed his mouth, fighting the image that came over his mind from her words. A part of him believing that she had a point, a point made with oddly vivid imagery.

Merlin head raised as he had the feeling of powerful magic wash over him again, he looked to Elaine once it had passed. "Elaine, the-"

"I know." She interrupted him, not taking the effort to open her eyes as she leaned against the bed from where she sat on the ground. "I felt it too." She shifted and pulled the blanket tighter around her, as if it could protect her from the cold feeling that magic brought.

Merlin frowned and stared at the floorboards, the knot in his stomach caused him to shift in his chair. "How come we can feel it?" He asked her, thinking of the stone somewhere in Camelot. "I don't think I've felt powerful magic like this before."

Elaine sighed, "Don't overthink it, Merlin. It's magic not science."

He frowned, it wasn't much of an answer to his question. In fact, it wasn't an answer at all, more of a deflection. "How come we can feel it, but Gaius couldn't?"

"Gaius can barely feel his own magic." Elaine smirked at her own teased, opening her eyes to look at Merlin and gauge his reaction.

"Why is that?" Merlin questioned, wondering how much truth there was in her joke.

"Magic can fade if there isn't any strength in it." She held out her arm and demonstrated its movement. "It's like a muscle, don't use it often enough and it will deteriorate."

There was a lull in their conversation as Merlin thought over what she said and Elaine went back to dozing next to the sleeping form of Gwen. Gaius had explained to them last night that the draught he had given her will make her sleep till late the next afternoon, since then Merlin and Elaine hadn't left her side. The door creaked open and Morgana entered the room. Elaine hurriedly getting to her feet at her entrance, throwing her blanket at Merlin to get him up.

He struggled to his feet, batting the blanket away from him and sending an irritated look to Elaine. "Morgana?" He prompted, stepping next to her beside the foot of the bed as Elaine stepped away from them.

"How is she?" Morgana asked with anxious eyes focused on Gwen, ignoring their antics.

"She's doing okay." Merlin answered with the same worry as her.

"We should let her rest." Morgana told them, Merlin exited the room and down the steps with her. Elaine stayed behind, wanting to stay by Gwen's side just in case she needed her, but after Morgana sent her a stern look, she hurried to follow in their steps.

"Morgana, have you spoken to Uther?" Merlin questioned softly, hesitating to stand close to her as Elaine paused at the top of the steps; she had paused in her stride once Morgana's gaze moved off of her. "He must realize this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the king."

"I know that. Of course I do," Morgana replied then paused from hesitation in her next words. "but Uther… Uther only sees enemies."

Elaine looked away from them and back at Gwen, recognising the tone Morgana was using; it hurt to listen to it, but it was a different kind of hurt than before because now it was for the one person that could possibly deserve better.

"But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met."

"But he was seen with Tauren. That makes him an enemy." Elaine could hear the steps of Morgana as she walked away.

"Then there's little hope?"

The steps paused, "There's no hope, Merlin. None at all." The sound of heels continued, there was the sound of a door opening then closing and Morgana was gone. Elaine could hear his deep exhaling of air and feel his presence behind her as he turned his gaze to Gwen.

Elaine rushed down the corridor, catching a glimpse of Gwen at the end where the stone turned. "Gwen!" Elaine called, she frowned when the girl refused to slow in her stride. She hadn't seen Gwen since yesterday evening when she had woken up. It was now morning, and Elaine had heard that her friend had showed up to work for Morgana.

She caught up to her and pulled on her arm, spinning the girl around to face her. "Gwe-" Elaine sprang away from the servant girl, shock flashing across her face. "You're not Gwen."

"No, my Lady."

Elaine's brow furrowed, and she looked the poor girl up and down; she had looked so much like her from behind. "Where's Gwen?"

The girl looked around then back at Elaine helplessly, "I don't know, my Lady."

Elaine sighed, "Fine, then you're no use to me." She looked the girl over again, "Get yourself a new dress, that's too much like Gwen's. I'll pay for it," She gestured at the girl's hair. "And put your hair down, it would like better." The girl almost broke her neck as she nodded and scurried away from Elaine. She made a face as the girl practically ran away from her, her eyes narrowing the servant disappeared behind a turn in the hall.

A long wail rose from the window behind her, Elaine's heart dropped as she recognized Gwen's voice in the broken sounding yell. She ran out of the door at the side of the corridor, knowing the sound had come from the courtyard. She caught her breath when Elaine saw her friend rush down the steps to her father's side.

Or what had been her father, the man's corpse was covered with a coarse blanket and his legs were peeping out from underneath. Gwen sobbed and her shaky hand covered her mouth, following alongside the cart that carried Tom. Elaine reached her side as it passed underneath the gates, Gwen instantly latching onto her as she shook like a leaf in the wind. Elaine grimacing at the sight of the kind man, she was trying to quell her own tears as Gwen sobbed into her shoulder. Incoherent words sobbed into the cloth as they followed behind the cart, their minds numb from the shock and gravity of his loss.

After Elaine regained her wits, she led Gwen back to Gaius and Merlin, hoping that they would know what to do now. She tried to ignore the weight on her chest as she watched her desolate friend follow after Elaine with an empty expression.

Once they arrived, Gaius had offered another draught, but Gwen had refused it. He left after that, telling Gwen that he would make the arrangements for her father. Elaine stayed with her in Merlin's room, the girls sitting on the bed as Gwen stared into space. Her tears were gone, and Elaine couldn't help missing them once she saw how her friend had become. It was how a normal person would be, but Elaine had always held Gwen in such high esteem that she she didn't believe her to be like any normal person.

Merlin entered the room, quietly shuffling to lean his back against the post in his room. His eyes met Elaine's when Gwen didn't look away from the wall. "All right?"

She nodded, and Elaine touched her hand against her friend's arm for support. Gwen shook her head, "I still don't understand." She leaned away from Elaine's touch to look at Merlin. "Why would he try to escape? His trial was this morning."

Someone knocked on the door, and they turned their heads in a synchronized motion to see Arthur enter the room. Gwen got to her feet and clasped her hands, surprise was evident on her tired face. "Sire."

He sighed and softly closed the door behind him, he walked over to her with a solemn expression. "Guinevere, I want you to know that your job is safe." Gwen shifted under the gazes of Arthur and Merlin as Elaine continued to stare at Arthur with a hard look. "And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that." The girl's blonde head swiveled between her prince and friend, a bad feeling her chest. "I know that under the circumstances, it's not much, but anything you want… anything you need…" He glanced at Merlin before meeting her eyes again. "All you have to do is ask." Arthur hesitated before leaving, turning away then back towards Gwen. "I'm sorry."

Elaine frowned at the expression that went over Gwen's face, it was unfamiliar. A mixture of surprise, gratitude, confusion, and something else that she couldn't put her finger on. "Thank you, Sire." Gwen replied sincerely.

"Elaine!" Merlin called, entering the library with the sound of thudding footsteps that echoed on the stone. Elaine grimaced as he rushed over to her side, setting aside her book onto the desk. "Gaius has found out what stone we're dealing with."

Elaine pursed her lips and pulled Merlin out of sight, "I thought I made it clear that I don't care about the stone." She reminded him, her hands gripping onto him harshly.

Merlin nodded, "I know, but I thought you might know something about it that could be helpful."

Elaine let go of him as her mouth formed an 'o'. "You came here to ask me for help?"

"Well," Merlin paused, he had thought that he had made that clear. "Yes."

She shook her head and furrowed her brow, trying to lose the odd feeling in her chest. Once she thought about it, Elaine couldn't remember the last time someone had asked for her help. She usually had to barge her way into a situation that someone she cared about was in, they would usually turn to someone older or wiser for help. Or dragon-y-er in Merlin's case. "What stone is it?"

"The Mage Stone."

Elaine chuckled, "The Mage Stone? Gaius must have gotten confused, because that has been lost for centuries."

"That's what the book said, but think about it." Merlin grabbed onto Elaine's shoulders, his excitement spilling over his words. "It has the power to transform the nature of things."

Elaine smiled and pushed his hands off of herself, "Alright, maybe this could be it. But we would be dealing with some serious magic, are you ready for that?"

"I am," He grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Plus, I have you my walking-talking magic book."

Elaine rolled her eyes, "Don't call me that." She ducked out from underneath his arm. "And don't touch me. We aren't that close."

He grinned and tried to put his arm around her again. "Sure, we are."

Elaine fought to keep the desk between them, they danced around it; him trying to get closer, and her trying to keep the distance."Why can't you be afraid of me like you are with Morgana?" She teased, smirking as her words had the effect on him as she had been hoping.

"I'm not afraid of her!" He stammered, his ears turning bright red. "It's just-" He huffed, "She's a woman- and is the king's ward- and is intimidating. And you're-"

Elaine's brow quirked as they paused in their steps, her smirk fading from her face.

"You're like my little sister." He replied, confused when she went rigid at his words, he had meant them to be good. "What?"

She turned away from him and headed for the door, his hands clenched into fists. She stopped in her stride, "I can't leave, this my library." She turned to face him, her expression haunted and seething."Get out."

Merlin left, but he didn't stay away as long as Elaine had hoped him to, returning the next day with an apologetic expression. "Are you still mad at me?" He questioned softly, holding his hands up in surrender.

Elaine leaned back in her chair, resting her chin in her hand. "No, I'm not the type to hold grudges." She told him, despite it not being truthful. Grudges took a lot effort, and she didn't have the strength to hold one against her friend.

"I suppose that's good for me then." He joked half-heartedly, his familiar grin crossing his face and tugging a smile across hers.

"I suppose it is." She glanced around and pulled the other chair towards her, gesturing Merlin for sit. "What is you want?"

"Morgana has become an ally of Tauren." Merlin said bluntly, rushing to get the words out as if he couldn't hold them in for a moment longer. "They are conspiring to kill Uther."

Elaine's brow quirked, "Huh." A bitter smile crossed her face and she rubbed at it with her hand to keep it hidden. "Let me guess, the dragon told you to let Uther die."

Merlin's head cocked to the side, "How'd you know?"

"And Gaius said to save him."

Merlin nodded, a perplexed expression coming to his face. "Are you a seer? Is that how you know?"

Elaine laughed, "No!" He blushed and slouched his shoulders as she continued to giggle. A part of her was surprised that he know enough to assume she was one. The other found it hilarious that he would ask her if she was one. "You're predictable and so are they! Whenever you get yourself in these predicaments, you always go to them for advice, but since you're here that means that their advice did not help you at all."

His shoulders slouched even farther down, "No. It didn't. What do you think I should do?"

Elaine frowned and raised one finger up, "First off, you should get involved because things tend to go better when you do." She held up two fingers, "Second off, Morgana won't go through with it. She does care about Uther, he is a sort of father figure to her. Tom's death isn't enough to change that."

"Then why should I get involved if Morgana won't go through with it?"

"Because she is getting in league with a dangerous and angry man. When things go south, and they undoubtedly will, you should be there for help. Background stuff like you usually do."

He nodded in understanding, "Anything else?"

"Yes." She raised another finger, "Third, I think you're forgetting the one person you should actually be asking about this."

"Who?"

"Gwen."

"Merlin! Wake up, Merlin!" Elaine shook his shoulder, trying to get the boy to get up after having found him unconscious on the grass. His staff had been in his hands and was now lying a foot away from his outstretched hand.

He groaned and pulled himself up, "Elaine? What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice silently incoherent from exhaustion.

"Gwen told me what happened and wanted me to make sure you were okay." Elaine helped him to his feet and handed him the staff," After I saw you ran out of the castle with this, I thought you could use some help. Guess I was right."

"Yeah…" He cleared his head and struggled to climb the hill while using his staff for support. They reached the top and saw before them the scene of Morgana and Uther hugging. It could have been heartwarming scene, if Tauren's fallen body hadn't been next to them.

"Come on," Merlin took of Elaine's shoulder once Uther and Morgana had left the hillside. "Let's go back."

Elaine nodded and turned away, "Yeah. Right behind you." She replied watching as he started on the path back to Camelot. He never noticed when she had disappeared for one moment and returned the next with a slight bulge in the pocket of her cloak.