Chapter one
Merlin belongs to BBC
Right after the episode 1x10
They followed the tracks of two people. There was no sign of struggle or fight. Who passed by was not forced to do so, whoever went that way, did so spontaneously.
Uther, Arthur, Sir Leon and Sir Bedwyr were trying to find Morgana. Guinevere, the King's Ward maid, anxiously ran through the corridors of the castle, telling the Crown Prince that, in the short space of time it took the servant to fetch her mistress her sleeping draught, his adoptive sister was gone from her quarters,. Of course, a brief absence wasn't enough to conclude that the Lady Morgana was kidnapped. However, Gwen waited for quite some time, believing that her ladyship would be back in no time, until the servant looked out, through the bedroom window, and saw the two sentinels who were supposed to guard the front gate knocked out.
Fearing the worst, Gwen promptly awoke the sentries and asked them what had happened. They said they found the Lady Morgana, barefoot and only in her sleeping gown, trying to get past them and go into the forest. Alarmed by the unusual behavior of the noblewoman, they tried to stop her, but were surprised when the person in question knocked the guard who spoke to her with a hook, and punched the other in the stomach, leaving both unconscious.
Soon after, Gwen reported the events to Prince Arthur, which, in turn, warned the king and the later, gathering a small contingent of men, went chasing after the young noblewoman.
At the sight of Morgana's nightwear on the forest floor, the king – fearing that his daughter was under a spell, therefore, with no control of her own actions and probably in her birthing suit –ordered the guards to return to the castle and awake Gaius, the court physician, so that he could discover exactly what evil hat afflicted her ladyship. With the search party reduced to four men – the king himself, Prince, Sir Leon and Sir Bedwir – Uther continued to track down his daughter with a bad feeling.
The four men found another piece of clothing among the trees, definitely designed for males. The king felt his heart clench in his chest, listening a clear voice in his mind "the shame of my daughter for the shame of yours! When this happens, you'll know that the debt is paid. "
Soon they reached a clearing, noting two pale figures, with black hair, in the center. A man and a woman, naked, apparently having intercourse. The man, who was identified by the Prince as his servant, Merlin, was moving his hips against the woman's backside. The king wished with all his strength that the female they found were not his daughter, despite all the evidence pointing towards that conclusion.
Uther let the anguish appear on his face, ordering the prince to hit the servant in the head, in order to make him unconscious while the king himself would stop the young woman, already preparing his cape in order to preserve the lady's modesty. The Knights remained read for action, in case it would be necessary to intervene.
Stealthily, Arthur stood behind Merlin, slamming the hilt of his sword into the back of the servant's head, making him collapse. At the same time, Uther tried to pull Morgana away and cover her up with his cape.
Unexpectedly, when the king was a mere foot away from the young lady, she rolled to her side. Then, staring to her assailants, she showed them her red eyes.
Seeing his daughter, the king was breathless. That color was mark of Sidhe magic, like that one time he saw it, in that dream he had many years ago.
Without any warning, Morgana quickly diminished the distance that separated her from the King, hitting him with a kick on the head, causing him to lose balance and fall into the forest ground. Before the prince could understand the situation, he also received a precise blow from his adoptive sister, a punch in the ribs, hard enough to leave him stunned.
The other knights stepped in to help their liedges, but they were also overwhelmed by the martial superiority of the enchanted noblewoman. After other hits that left the four men on the ground and full of bruises, Morgana placed Merlin on her shoulders, as one who carries a hunt prize, and again entered the forest.
Still dizzy with the beating received, the king commanded Sir Leon:
"Leon, head back to the castle and tell Gaius to bring anything that might knock Morgana out."
"Also, bring shields, Sir Leon." Arthur said.
"Don't do it! Arthur, the intent is to leave her unconscious, not hurt her. If she strikes a shield with her bare hands, that will get her hurt! "Uther protested.
"Father, we are the ones who can hurt themselves with Morgana's strength and accuracy! Is there any part of your body that does not hurt after the sequence of kicks and punches she struck? "Arthur asked incredulously.
"She ... did not mean to! This is only happening because of witchcraft! You saw her eyes! They were red! I will not let her pay for a crime she did not commit, nor let anyone hurt her! I'll protect her! "Uther said.
"Father, she does not need your protection. The last few minutes proved that Morgana is fully capable of taking care of herself. She is practically a war machine! None of us could see or predict her moves! This shouldn't have happened, Camelot's army is the best of all Albion, with the training you gave us! We are used to train with our eyes closed! And yet, we seem to be toddlers compared to Morgana! What we need is tranquilizer darts to stop her! And some sort of protection, I don't think none of us can survive another attack!" Arthur said, without pausing for breath.
Looking from one Pendragon to another with indecision, Sir Leon decided that the most suitable person to solve that madness was Gaius, and then he ran towards the castle. The other men waited there.
After awhile, the knight returned, bringing the court physician, two shields and small darts. Gaius brought a mixture in a jar, to cause fainting.
"Good job, Leon. Pass me one of the shields. "Arthur said. The captain of the troops obeyed.
Noting the features and bruising of the other men, the doctor asked what have happened.
"Gaius, Morgana was the victim of a spell, she is completely out of control. She and your ward ... "The king answered, pausing, still processing the reality" ... the two of them ..." Uther joined his hands, making a gesture that should represent the act.
Briefly, the king assumed an air of defeat, soon replaced by an expression of anger
"This is all caused by magic! And Sidhe magic! Damn creatures! This happening reinforced what I already knew, all magic is evil, it corrupts those who use it. It can only bring misery". Uther said, gritting his teeth.
"My lord, I believe the best thing to do is knock the Lady Morgana out, and take her back to the castle. Also, concerning Merlin, my king, he has no blame in the debacle. You yourself found that the cause of this nightmare is Sidhe magic. I hope that you may find mercy in your heart to deal with him. Merlin is like a son to me, and I'm very concerned about his well-being. "Gaius pleaded to the king.
"I cannot promise anything Gaius, the boy may have taken advantage of my ward. If that is the case, he will be executed immediately. "Uther said.
"Father, we're talking about Merlin! He wouldn't take advantage of any woman! He would be incapable of even notice that a female may be interested in him! I'm not even sure if he is attracted to women, since he often acts like a girl! It is impossible that he could do something so despicable. "Arthur defended his friend's virtue.
"We'll see, Arthur. He is still a man, and Morgana ... Enough of this subject! Let's go after them! "Uther said irritably.
"Yes, sire," the others answered at the same time.
The king led then, resuming the search for his daughter.
"There she is!" Said Arthur, pointing toward his foster sister. "Sir Leon, prepare a dart, it's impossible to miss at this distance!"
The knight wet the tip of the dart with the mix provided by the physician, handing the object to the young prince. Uther grabbed his son's arm and said:
"Aim where you do not hurt her much! Avoid her neck and any other sensitive region. "
"Understood, Father." Arthur replied.
The prince threw the dart, hitting her in the shoulder. Still, Morgana turned her head towards the men, but before she could move more, she fell on top of Merlin. The king jumped from his hiding place, covering the lady with a red cape and holding her in his arms. He was followed by Arthur and Gaius. First, the physician checked if the girl had normal vital signs, while the prince used his own cloak to cover his friend, who was also unconscious and had a small bump where the hilt of the sword hit him.
As if out of nowhere, the Sidhe Uther found thirty-five years ago appeared and commenced to speak:
"Finally, Uther Pendragon! Now you understand my pain, the anger I felt when you brought shame upon my name! Your daughter is dishonored! And I had my revenge! "The fae spoke, only to disappear as inexplicably as it had appeared.
With tears in his eyes and clenched teeth, Uther replied:
"Damn you! Come back here, you coward! Face my wrath! Come back here, so I can thrust my sword through your filthy body! "Yelled the king, but was not heard by the Sidhe, who was no longer there.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, the king took a few moments to inform the other men.
"What happened here today ... the truth cannot be spread ... I want everyone to swear by their lives and honor ... to keep this a secret." Uther announced to the others.
All present agreed, vowing absolute secrecy.
"Sir Leon, Sir Bedwir and Gaius … accompany me back to the castle. Arthur, wait at the edge of the forest, until the guards leave their post, and then bring the boy. When you return, I want to speak with him in private." Uther said in a somber tone.