Gwen opened the door to Morgana's room to reveal "Merlin" she smiled "it's good to see you, sire".
"It's good to see you as well, is Morgana awake"?
"She is and she is very grateful for the gift you sent this morning your highness". It was Morgana, looking as radiant as ever, who answered in the stead of her maid.
Merlin looked up at his lady "Gift"? he asked her surprised. She kept her eyes on Merlin, she was so happy he took her advice and regrew his beard. "The lilies you sent earlier Merlin".
"Forgive me Morgana, but the only flowers I have brought you are the ones I carry in my hands right now. I am curious about this other supposed admirer, however" he said offering the bunch of wild lilacs he spent the morning collecting himself. Gwen who had moved away to adjust her lady's wardrobe smiled at herself. The lady and prince had not kept their affection for each other hidden, though not explicitly stated, everyone in the palace had accepted that Prince Merlin and the Lady Morgana were promised to each other.
"It really isn't important Merlin there have been lots of citizens who have sent me gifts over the years to thank me for any small comfort I may have provided".
"Well if such is the case, there really is no point me taking offence. Now to the reason for my being here, I was hoping you would consent to dine the midday meal with me". There was nothing she would have liked more, Merlin and her had not had a single, quiet moment together in the time since the last rise of the whole moon. "Gwen"?
"Yes my lady"?
"Could you kindly have a mid-day meal for the prince and I sent here in a while"?
"Of course my lady". Morgana smiled at her maid.
"Thank you, Gwen, that will be all". The young maid bowed to the Royals and left.
They spent the morning together talking and then they dined together before Merlin left Morgana with a gentle kiss on the cheek. He had to meet with his father regarding some border reports.
The next Morning, the King and Princes were found in Morgana's room, the atmosphere tense, the lady had not roused when Gwen had tried to wake her so she ran to summon Gaius who was currently examining her mistress. Merlin was sat at Morgana's bed holding her palm in his while Arthur and Uther stood back at its edge.
"Gaius"? Merlin asked not taking his eyes of the woman who lay pale on her bed.
"I am sorry sire, but it seems the lady has contracted a severe brain hemorrhage".
"How could this have happened she was perfectly healthy just the last evening"? It was Uther who has raised the question
"What Morgana is suffering from is something that can occur at anytime father, and it's almost always fatal". Merlin answered, his tone cold as ice. He let his hand gently move over Morgana's forehead and hair.
"Merlin" his father put a hand over his shoulder and squeezed.
"Father, please, there is nothing you can say to me at this moment that is going to make anything better, kindly leave me be". Uther not seeing any way to get through to his younger son left the room to think.
Once their father had left Arthur turned to Gwen "Gwen could you afford my brother and I some privacy with Morgana and Gaius, we will ask for you if required". The distraught girl seemed to hesitate yet bowed and left the room. "Merlin, isn't there anything you can do"?
Merlin turned to his brother "If this is caused naturally Arthur we will require a powerful healing spell and a skilled sorcerer to wield it, my magic is too forceful for such a delicate procedure. Illness of this nature is difficult to heal only because the extent of the damage cannot be estimated even with magic". Arthur stared at his brother, his tone had been too clinical, to detached when he spoke.
"Gaius could you please give us a moment". The older man bowed and left the room as requested. "Merlin..." but before Arthur could say anything further Merlin added.
"I am not giving up Arthur, but I cannot afford to let my grief overwhelm me either, or I will be of no use to anyone least of all Morgana. Could you please lock the doors"? Arthur did as he was told and came back to stand by the unoccupied area near the bed.
"I thought you said you couldn't do this kind of magic".
"I can't, what I can do is determine the nature of the illnesses occurrence. Even when naturally occurring such an illness would show some sign before extending to such a grievous state. He looked up at his brother "Morgana has shown no such symptom in the past".
Merlin rested his hand over Morgana's forehead and closed his eyes and let his natural magic flow into her and explore, it had hardly been there a moment before he sensed it; a foreign entity within her, moving causing damage. This he could deal with, unlike a suspected natural hemorrhage this was a contained threat, a magical threat, but a contained one nonetheless and once he was done dealing with it, the sorcerer responsible would witness the true extent of Emrys' wrath.
Letting his instinctual magic take hold, welding it more gently than he had ever before, he'd leave learning the actual spell for later, he pushed the creature out of Morgana. Arthur watched quietly as Merlin's eyes snapped open, irises flashing gold before he let go of Morgana's brow to take a cloth from the heap Gaius had discarded on the bedside table. He saw his brother wipe the cloth over Morgana's ear and draw it back stained with specks of blood and something solid. "What is that"? He asked coming closer. Merlin opened the cloth to show his brother the creature that was the cause of Morgana's sickness.
"Many sorcerers use enchanted insects to do their bidding. It's dark magic but still acceptable in certain circles".
"Your insinuating Morgana was attacked by a sorcerer".
"No Arthur, I am stating the pure fact that a sorcerer tried to kill the woman I love and they are going to pay for it dearly"! Arthur had no doubt that whoever had done this would not escape justice. He could see the fury dancing in his brother's eyes a look he had seen on Merlin's countenance merely a handful of times in the past. When Merlin spoke again his voice was much calmer "She will recover now but I need Gaius to check her again he will be able to heal any leftover damage".
Edwin waited in the courtyard, his plan had worked perfectly, the Pendragons would have no choice but to enlist his service or the Lady Morgana would die. Arthur had just entered the courtyard, he was on his way to report Morgana's recovery to the King when a guard has relayed an urgent request from a visitor. As he walked towards the stranger he couldn't help but notice the burn scar that marred the right side of the man's face. "What is it you require"?
"My name is Edwin Muirden and I have a remedy to cure all ills".
"Thank you but we already have a physician, two in fact". Arthur stated as he began walking away, however, before he could go far he was stopped by the stranger's call.
"I have heard the Lady Morgana has taken ill perhaps I could be of assistance".
Arthur stopped but did not turn, had it been any other time, had he not know what had caused Morgana's illness or of magic for that matter, he would have probably at some point considered the man's offer. Now however this seems just too much of a coincidence. Taking a steadying breath Arthur turned to the man. "Follow me," he said in a deceptively neutral tone. He knew Merlin was in his room, now that Morgana was recovering he had decided to take his rest there. Arthur led the man to the door and knocked. On being invited, he entered with the stranger.
"Arthur, what is the meaning of this"? Merlin could sense the man's power, a sorcerer, his eyes narrowed. "He says he has a remedy to cure all Ills and he knows of Morgana's illness as well".
Edwin could not help but feel a sense of foreboding "Forgive me my lords, but perhaps it's best I am allowed to examine the Lady Morgana"?
Both the older prince and man were suddenly startled when they heard the door behind them close and lock with a loud bang. It was only when he saw the gold fade from the younger prince's eyes, that Edwin realized what a grave mistake he had made. After that, all he knew was excruciating agony.
That very evening Edwin, weakly kneeling at Arthur's feet, confessed to his crime before Uther and was put to flames the very next day. Arthur and Merlin were commended for yet another triumph against magic.