Season 1 Episode 13.
Story 13: Until the Day I Die
Chapter 5: The Crystal Caves
The last person to find out was Morgana. It was right after she sent the creature to get rid of Merlin's powers.
Merlin had rushed to Arthur's chambers. He knew there was only one way of getting his powers back and more importantly, he knew Arthur wasn't going to like it.
Merlin barged into Arthur's chambers without knocking. He never knocked anymore. He knew Arthur was faithful to him and he had no fear of walking in on something he shouldn't.
For the first two years, the council pestered Arthur about taking a queen, but Arthur refused vehemently every time. All of a sudden, they stopped. Arthur had puzzled over it for weeks, but had eventually decided that the council knew Arthur would not change his mind on the matter.
Arthur looked up and couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. It had been nearly ten years and Merlin still affected him the same as he always had. Arthur's smile faded as he took in the distress in Merlin's expression.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked as he rose to his feet. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Mordred. He must have told Morgana about my powers," Merlin whispered. "She sent a creature, Gaius called it a gean canach."
"What happened?" Arthur asked anxiously.
"It took my powers," Merlin said quietly. He felt so helpless. "I can't use my magic."
Arthur froze. He didn't know what to say to that. Merlin's powers were as much a part of him as his arm or his leg. "I'm so sorry," Arthur whispered. "I never should have trusted Mordred. You were right all along. It was a stupid plan."
"No," Merlin disagreed. "It was wise. You hoped that by keeping Mordred close to you, you would notice if he did something to try to kill you. If you had thrown him aside, this would only have happened sooner."
"I could have had him jailed," Arthur said. He knew his words weren't true, but he felt too guilty to not try and think of a way he could have prevented this.
"For what? Being destined to kill you? Don't be stupid," Merlin told him. He knew Arthur was going to try to blame himself. Merlin walked over to Arthur and gently placed his hand on his cheek. He could feel the rough stubble that Arthur hadn't had a chance to shave off yet. "It's not your fault. I should have known Mordred would seek his revenge. I should have been more careful."
"Is there anything you can do?" Arthur asked him hopefully. He knew Merlin wouldn't abandon him. Powers or not, Merlin would be by his side.
"There is," Merlin said hesitantly. "There is a place in the Valley of the Fallen Kings. The Crystal Caves. It is the birthplace of magic. I may be able to find someone who can restore my magic there."
"You can't," Arthur said worriedly. "The Valley of the Fallen Kings is teeming with bandits. Without your powers, you would be helpless against them."
"I have to," Merlin told him. "I can't just leave you unprotected. Without my powers, I can't help you and I can't just let you die!"
"Then I'm coming with you," Arthur said stubbornly.
"You know as well as I that you can't," Merlin said with a sigh. He wished he could take Arthur with him. He hated parting from Arthur. Arthur always managed to get hurt when they weren't together. But Merlin knew it was necessary. Just this once, he knew it was necessary. "You have an obligation to your people, to your knights. You are marching out to battle tomorrow. If you are with me, there will be no one to guide your men."
Arthur groaned. He hated when Merlin made sense. Arthur stared at the table he had been working at for several minutes before he thought of a solution. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than Merlin going with no protection. And he knew Merlin would go. Whether Arthur approved it or not, Merlin would travel to the place where he could get his magic back. "Take Gwaine with you," Arthur said.
"What?" Merlin asked startled.
"Ask Gwaine to accompany you. Gwaine is one of my most loyal knights and he is without a doubt the best swordsman. He will be able to protect you on the way to the Valley of the Fallen Kings," Arthur said. "Once you get there and get your powers back, you will be able to find your way back to me safely. Gwaine could meet us at Camlann."
Merlin winced. No matter how many times he had tried to convince Arthur against it, he still insisted on marching to Camlann. He didn't care if he would meet his death there. He felt owed it to his people. Reluctantly, Merlin agreed. He left to go ask Gwaine to accompany him. Arthur stared at his table. He would never be able to concentrate on his battle plans now. Arthur cursed Mordred and Morgana. Why now? Why did they have to target Merlin now? They were so close. If this battle proved to be fatal to Morgana, he and Merlin would be able to tell everyone about their relationship. He had known that with Merlin's powers, he and Merlin would be safe. He trusted Merlin with his life. But now, he was afraid.
Merlin returned an hour later to tell him that he and Gwaine would be departing within the hour. Merlin briefly kissed Arthur before he went to prepare for his travels. Arthur went to Gwaine's house to personally thank him for escorting Merlin. Arthur knew that his relationship with Merlin was a secret, but it wouldn't be strange for a king to thank his knight for protecting his manservant.
When he was about to knock on the door, he heard voices. Gwaine was saying goodbye to a woman. Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes. He had seen Gwaine with this girl a couple of times. He truly seemed to have feelings for her. Arthur waited until Gwaine told her where he was going and she wished him safe travels to knock on the door.
Gwaine called for him to enter. The girl, Eira curtsied to Arthur, then left with one last nervous look at Gwaine. "My lord," Gwaine said surprised.
"I just wanted to thank you for escorting Merlin to the Valley of the Fallen Kings. He is seeking something there that could mean the difference between our victory or our defeat. It is of utmost importance that he arrive there safely. I am trusting you with this task. Please be careful," Arthur said quietly.
Gwaine had to resist his eye roll. Practically the whole kingdom knew about Arthur's feelings for Merlin. He didn't know why Arthur tried to hide it. "I won't let you down my lord," Gwaine promised. Arthur nodded and began to leave. Gwaine was struck by the fear and hopelessness that spread across Arthur's face. He was really frightened for Merlin. "Arthur?" Arthur turned to look at Gwaine curiously. "I'll keep Merlin safe. I won't let any harm come to him."
"Thank you," Arthur said sincerely. "I know I don't say this enough, but Merlin is my friend. I don't want to see him come to any harm." With that, Arthur walked out the door.
"Right. Friend," Gwaine said, shaking his head after the door closed. Gwaine finished fastening his boot then went to wait for Merlin outside of the stables. He knew they were traveling on foot, but this was where they had decided to meet.
Arthur wasn't standing far from the stables. He had intended to see Merlin off and wish them luck, but he was distracted by a shadow sneaking into the castle through the servant's entrance. Arthur groaned. He didn't know if he was going to see Merlin again, but every instinct was yelling at him to follow the shadow.
Reluctantly, Arthur made himself move. He had to trust that Gwaine would be able to keep Merlin safe. He had to trust that he would get to see Merlin again, that they would be reunited in Camlann.
Arthur followed the shadow. He made sure to stay a discrete distance away. The person was wearing a black cloak and seemed to be searching for something. Finally she found it. They were in the back of the castle, towards the windows that faced the lower village. There was a crow sitting on one of the windows.
The person took off her hood and Arthur was shocked to see that it was Eira, the girl Gwaine was so besotted with. She attached some sort of note to the crow and whispered, "Morgana Pendragon." The crow flew off.
Arthur felt his blood go cold. He acted on instinct. He lunged towards the girl and restrained her. "What did you tell her?" Arthur demanded. He knew the girl would be uncomfortable. He had twisted her arm and pressed it to her back.
"Nothing," the girl lied.
"Tell me," Arthur warned.
"I didn't tell her… Ah!" The girl screamed as Arthur twisted her arm harder. He hated to do this, but he needed to know what she had shared with Morgana. "I just told her Gwaine was escorting Merlin to the Valley of the Fallen Kings so I wouldn't have anything further to tell her. Please, I didn't mean any harm."
"Guards!" Arthur yelled. He didn't have any time to spare. Merlin would be walking straight into a trap. Arthur needed to get to him. Eira wouldn't realize how valuable that information would be to Morgana. Without his powers, Merlin would be defenseless against Morgana. She could finish him off without a second thought.
Two guards rushed to Arthur's aid. "Lock her up," Arthur said, pushing the girl towards one of his knights. "She has been collaborating with Morgana. She will be executed at dawn."
"No. please sir! I didn't mean any harm. I swear," Eira pleaded. Her begging fell on deaf ears. She had endangered Merlin. To Arthur, that was inexcusable.
Arthur started to search for Sir Leon. Despite his diligence, it was a long time before he located him. "Sir Leon," Arthur said carefully. "There is something of utmost importance I must see to. The girl, Eira, has betrayed Gwaine and has revealed the location of a secret place Merlin and Gwaine have gone to. I must leave soon if I wish to catch them before they walk straight into a trap. It would be detrimental indeed if Morgana were to meet them there. If that happens, Camelot may be doomed."
Leon's jaw dropped. He quickly recovered himself. "What do you wish me to do my lord?" He asked uncertainly.
"I need you to carry out Eira's execution at dawn and then I need you to march to Camlann. Sir Gwaine, Merlin, and I will meet you there if all is successful," Arthur told him.
Leon was about to object, but he swallowed his complaints. Merlin was in danger and he knew there would be no dissuading the king. "As you wish my lord," Leon said with a bow.
Arthur departed after that. He had the stable boy prepare a horse. He hoped that by going on horse, he would be able to overtake them. He didn't have much hope. The Valley of the Fallen Kings wasn't far by foot and they had a couple of hours head start on him. They would probably be arriving within the hour. It would take Arthur at least two to get there.
Arthur hopped on the horse the moment it was deemed ready and took off. He didn't stop once. There was no need to on such a short journey. The sun was peeking at the horizon as Arthur neared the caves.
Arthur passed Gwaine when he was only minutes from the caves. He couldn't help the fear that rose in him when he saw Gwaine was alone. When Gwaine saw him, he scrunched his forehead in confusion. Arthur shook his head. "Go to Camlann. Leon will need your assistance. Merlin and I will be there soon," Arthur promised. He had no idea if that was true, but he had to hope it was.
Arthur entered the caves. He heard footsteps running towards the cave. He ducked into a tunnel. Merlin was already here. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw Morgana enter the caves. He had been right.
Arthur sneakily followed Morgana, his hand resting on Excalibur. He remembered what Merlin told him when he had explained exactly what Excalibur was. It was the only weapon that could kill Morgana.
Arthur followed her until he saw Merlin. Merlin was holding a single crystal as if it alone held all the answers he could possibly desire. Morgana was sneaking up behind him, holding a dagger in her hand.
"Merlin!" Arthur called, terrified.
He had called Merlin just in time for Merlin to duck under Morgana's swing and get far enough away to be out of her range. Morgana kept an eye on Arthur as she began her attack on Merlin.
"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked angrily. "Do you know how reckless this is?" Merlin ducked as Morgana used magic to make the dagger shoot towards him.
"Eira told Morgana that you would be coming here," Arthur told him. "I couldn't let you walk straight into a trap!"
Merlin side stepped the dagger. "But you put yourself in danger. And now who's going to lead your men to battle?" Merlin asked.
"I gave Leon his orders. He used to lead the knights until I became old enough. I believe him capable of doing this," Arthur explained.
He watched as Merlin did an awkward sideways jump to avoid the dagger and winced as Merlin's arm made a sickening noise as he fell to the ground. Merlin brushed off the jarring pain the impact had caused. He quickly got to his feet. "You still shouldn't be here," Merlin warned. "You're as defenseless as I am against Morgana."
"I couldn't just leave you," Arthur told him quietly.
"You should have anyway," Merlin told him. He allowed himself to take deep breaths as Morgana ceased her attack on him. She was looking back and forth between Arthur and Merlin curiously.
They could see the exact moment that Morgana realized that there was something more between them than king and manservant. Arthur took advantage of her distraction and plunged Excalibur through Morgana's back. He could feel it twist as it scraped across bone. He pulled it out and watched as her shocked expression twisted with pain. She fell to the ground.
In the split second before the light faded from her eyes, she understood.