Merlin swallowed the goblet looking bravely at Arthur.
There was pity in Merlin's eyes; Arthur was sure of it. Arthur looked lost and confused as his brave new servant swallowed the possibly poisonous drink. Relief swept over him as Merlin looked confused at the chalice.
"He's yours," Uther spat.
Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it….
Merlin collapsed to the floor. His insides were on fire.
His vision collapsed slowly at first, and then…. it was gone. Two eternally long second later and he was unconscious.
His body hurt. His dreams were unpleasant. The pain brought him to some level of awareness; still sight and the ability to hear were gone. He was stuck in a personal hell. He was twisting with pain that even given about 1400 years, he would never fully forget.
Hours turned into days. He could have stopped this. He had memories of the future. How had he let this happen?
His resolve to change the past/future strengthened as he writhed.
So much he would change…
Arthur completed his quest… just like last time. Gaius gave Merlin the antidote. After seeing no improvement he hugged/comforted Gwen. Merlin's weak body and new found awareness managed to tease the two. "Ew, Gaius you could be her grandmother."
A day later Merlin freed the Dragon. He barked ordering him away from Camelot without permission. They met in the woods.
"I can't remember the exact location of the egg." Merlin was frustrated. "We will find it! One way or another… Last time she was ok… I will find her; it is my destiny. I will contact the druids they will help us."
"We have not heard word, but we have a city now. We will watch and listen."
Merlin promised her by name to find her. He spoke quietly to the wind, willing his voice to find and sooth her.
With a name, she hatched far from the great dragon and far from her dragon lord.
Merlin returned home. He would change the future; passion to do so was fueled by his new failure.
He creeped back into the castle and the first person he saw was Morgana. He would change her.
"Morgana, Arthur needs you may I escort you?" Merlin inquired. Gwen looked at him oddly. Morgana seemed surprised.
"I just spoke with him," this lie was getting tricky.
"I was instructed to bring you somewhere he could give you a special token." He smiled and winked at Gwen allowing Morgana to see the gesture and assume Arthur was going to woe her. She still had a crush on her half-brother.
"He is full of surprises today. Gwen, you are dismissed." Morgan motioned Merlin and Merlin brought them to an unused guest chamber.
"Morgana Ihavemagic" like ripping off a bandage it came out of his mouth too fast to feel the fear while saying it.
Both of their eyes went wide.
"O-oo…oh" She looked at him as if he had two heads.
"I was born this way," He continued.
She just stared.
"I'm not evil. I just want to help you and Arthur." He had such confidence in his voice he sounded like a king giving a decree.
"I… know you're not evil," was all she managed.
She shook her head and continued, "why are you here? You are right under Uther's nose!" She smirked and then her face straightened.
"You need to leave!"
"No, I won't. I will serve Arthur till the day I die."
Morgana was already stunned; she couldn't look more stunned. Every sentence more shocking that the last. 'Ihavemagic' was still ringing in her head.
"I have to go. If you need me, if you're scared, find me." He smiled whole heartedly at her, "The royal prat is waiting."
'She knows I'm Emryst' was all he could think as he scrambled toward Arthurs chambers. Some many had died to keep that secret; to protect him. He was a young warlock; unable to protect himself. He knew more this time. He knew his power and how to control it. He would change the outcome.
"Merlin, where were you?"
Merlin shrugged.
Arthur shook his head in disbelief. "Gaius want's you on some herb gathering treck. Polish my armor and you can go."
On his trek he ran across a griffin, terrorizing a town. He wanted to kill it, but there were too many witnesses. He had to lure it away.