Hello, my Merlin fans, I am back! I know it has been forever.

The past couple of months have been hard on me. I do not want to go into details. Let's just say that my stress level in nearly at maximum. I'm asking you all to Please be patient with me. I want to update quickly, but I don't want any rushing or mistakes with the chapters. That's why it's taking a long time for me to update. I want to thank you all, my readers, for your patience, continuing to read my stories and your positive reviews. It means a lot to me. Anyways, here's the next and final chapter of the episode.

Also, I do not own anything except my OCs Sam, Josh, and Courtney.

SAM'S POV

Waiting for Morgana to return to her chambers from her talk with Uther was like waiting for snow to melt. Merlin and I had been hiding there all morning. I was lucky I didn't have to work in the gardens today. When word came out that Morgana and Mordred did not escape, it didn't surprise me. I knew they would have gotten caught, but did I stop them? A sharp pain twisted in my heart at the answer. No. I should have changed the episode, but what if that meant I secured Arthur's fate?

Merlin must have sensed my discomfort as he placed his arm around my shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Sam."

I looked up and asked softly, "Will it? What if something worse would happen? You know Uther is going to kill the boy."

Before Merlin could reply, Morgana burst the door open and sprinted into her chambers. Her eyes were red as tears continue to slide down her cheeks and I noticed that her neck was starting to form a red handprint. I distinctly remembered that Uther had his hand around her throat when she tried to convince them to let Mordred go and winced for her.

"Oh my gosh Morgana, are you ok?" I asked as I rushed to her aid. She shook her head as she started to tremble. I looked back at my brother and said, "Merlin, go fetch me a cloth with cold water. Now!"

Without any hesitation, he grabbed the items I asked for and he handed me the damp cloth. I lead Morgana to a chair before I started dabbing her neck trying to cool off the steaming handprint. After taking a few deep breaths and calming down, I asked her again what happened. With a small quivering voice, she answered, "He ordered the boy's execution for tomorrow morning."

I slowly stood up and looked at Morgana in shock as Merlin closed eyes. He placed his hand on another chair and I could see his knuckles turning white. Morgana gradually stood up and looked down at the ground.

"I promised that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to him," she said meekly.

"This is horrible. He's just a little boy," I said.

Merlin shook his head and looked at the Lady of Camelot. "You can't blame yourself, Morgana. You tried your best."

Morgana shook her head. "It's not enough. I should have done more!"

I rubbed her shoulder and tried to comfort her. "Everything will be fine. We'll figure something out."

"He's in the dungeons now, Sam. There's nothing more we can do," Merlin insisted.

Morgana was shaking in anger and walked to Merlin. "I will not let him die. Can I count on both of you for your help?" Silently, Merlin and I nodded our heads. Morgana thanked us before she walked right up to me and grabbed my hands. "Sam, you need to do something for me."

I smiled and replied, "Of course, I will do anything."

"I need you to talk to Arthur."

My smile instantly disappeared. "On second thought, I take back the "anything" part."

She was not letting go of my hands. "Please Sam!"

"Why me? Why should I do it? You were with the boy! You should talk to him," I tried to persuade her. Truth be told, I didn't want to be near Arthur right now. All these feelings that I had for the Prince was starting to scare me. Could I just for once stick to the script!

"I have known Arthur ever since we were children. He will listen to you, Samantha." I shook my head and stared right into Morgana's eyes. My heart dropped when I saw tears forming in her brown pupils. "Please, I am begging you."

I sighed and looked down at the ground. I hated giving in. "Fine, I'll do it. If I'm not back less than 15 minutes or if you hear screaming, find me before I do something drastic to that prat."

Morgana immediately smiled as she hugged me. Looking behind her shoulders, I could see Merlin looking conflicted. I release Uther's ward before exiting her chambers to find the prat.

As I walked around the corner, I paused for a moment when I saw Arthur was talking to his father. Every time the King spoke, he was very frustrated and snarled at his son. I knew they were talking about Mordred's soon-to-be execution. I waited a few moments as the King disappeared around the corridors. I took a deep breath before walking towards Arthur.

He looked surprised when he saw me walking to him. "Sam, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you. Is there someplace we could talk in private, please?"

Arthur studied my face trying to see if I was hiding something. He sighed before he grabbed my wrist. "Come with me," he said sternly as he dragged me through the corridors.

Normally, I would be yelling at him for manhandling me. However, the thought of Mordred losing his head was at the front in my mind. I had to swallow my pride as Arthur dragged me to his chambers. Once he opened his doors, he led me to his room. "What is it that you need to speak to me about?" He asked me as he quietly closed the doors.

I took a deep breath and replied, "I need to talk to you about the Druid boy." As I heard the door shut, Arthur groaned as he placed his head on the door. "I know what will happen to him. Is there any chance that he can be released?"

"Sam…"

"I know he's a Druid, but he is still a boy! It's not his fault he was born as one," I said as I interrupted Arthur. "What if you were that boy? Wouldn't you want your life to be spared?"

I looked at Arthur's back waiting for a reply. I was about to open my mouth to speak again when Arthur said, "Let me guess, you were involved in this too?"

I softly chuckled and rubbed my hands together. "Involved how?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as Arthur banged on the door. My eyes widened in surprise as he marched right up to me. I moved back until my back hit the table and he placed his hands on the table trapping me like an animal. I had never seen him this angry, not even when he was under a spell.

"What I mean is that you are involved with the boy. Morgana is already in trouble and if I hear that you were involved too, my father won't take kindly to you like he did with Morgana."

"Look can't we just-"

Before I could finish my sentence, he leaned towards me quickly. At first, I thought he might kiss me, and I immediately thought of slapping him, but the thought of that disappeared when I saw his eyes turn cold. "Tell me the truth, Samantha! Were you involved with that Druid boy?"

"Arthur stop, you're scaring me!"

"Were you involved?"

"Arthur please-"

"ANSWER ME!"

Before I could defend myself, the doors opened with a bang. Arthur immediately moved out of the way, releasing me as Morgana rushed right into the room.

"Arthur Pendragon! Don't you dare hurt Samantha!"

I was so relieved to see Morgana, but I knew I had to get out of this room immediately. "I'll um… I'll go search for Merlin," I said before I rushed out of the room, leaving Morgana to confront Arthur.

3RD POV

As they watched the frightened servant girl run out of the room, Arthur closed his eyes with frustration. "Make yourself at home," he said to Morgana.

Morgana crossed her arms and glared at the Prince. "I cannot believe you would harm, Sam."

Arthur ridiculed as he answered back, "I didn't touch her if that's what you are implying."

"No but you clearly frightened her!"

"It wasn't my intention."

"Not your intention?" Morgana scoffed. "You trapped her to the table and scared her to death."

Arthur looked down, recalling Sam's terrified look. Ever since Sofia, Arthur made a promise to himself that nothing bad would happen to the maidservant. Because of his temper, he broke his own promise.

Morgana calmed down before saying, "Look, I didn't come here to fight. I do need to talk to you. You can't let your father execute the boy."

Arthur's glare returned at the mentioned of the boy. This was going to be a long day.

SAM'S POV

I was shaking like a leaf as I continued to search for Merlin in the Main Square. When I finally found him, I swiftly wiped away an escaped tear from my eye. Merlin looked concerned as he came up to me.

Before he could open his mouth, I beat him to it. "Don't ask."

I heard a shrill sound behind me. I looked to see the executioner sharpening his axe. I gulped at the sight of the deadly weapon. Merlin grabbed my shoulder and steered me away. "Just don't look at it," Merlin thought to me.

I felt tears coming back as I thought to Merlin, "I can't get the thought of the boy's fate out of my head."

I didn't even realize we were walking back to Arthur's chambers until Merlin opened his doors. My eyes widened when I stared right at Arthur. I could see he was staring back at me and he took a step forward. I instantly took a step back, bumping into my brother. Arthur stopped his advance and cast down his eyes.

"Sorry. Were we interrupting something?" Merlin asked.

I immediately said, "Yes, we can leave now."

Before Arthur could dismiss us, Morgana beat him to the punch. "It's ok, Arthur. I trust both of them."

He exhaled from exhaustion. Arthur beckoned us to come in. I was cautious for a moment, but Merlin placed his arm on my back to lead me in the room. I accidently flinched as Merlin closed the door behind us. To avoid Arthur, I stared at my boots, trying to make them seem interesting.

Not wanting to look disappointed, Arthur cleared his throat. "We're going to break the Druid boy out of the dungeons."

"You can't do that." I looked at Merlin in shock. Did he just tell the Future King what he can or can't do?

"Merlin, are you insane?" I shushed at him.

"We can't help him," he thought to me. "The dragon warned us that the boy is dangerous."

"You do realize that you just told the Future King of Camelot and Uther's ward an order like you're their boss?" I hissed in his mind.

Merlin's face paled when he realized what I just revealed to him. He gulped as he looked back at Arthur and Morgana. Morgana narrowed her eyes at my brother. "We have to. Uther's going to execute him at dawn."

"What Merlin means is that it's too dangerous, especially for you Morgana," I insisted.

Merlin nodded his head and pointed at me. "Exactly what I was trying to say." He looked at Morgana as he tried to persuade her, "You've already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time, he'll never forgive you."

"I'm not worried for myself," Morgana stated.

"Merlin's right." All three of our heads turned to the person who said that testimony. Arthur raised one of his eyebrows at us. "What? I admit that sometimes Merlin is correct… this is a rare occasion."

I started to giggle a little bit. However, my smile instantly dropped when Arthur caught my eyes. I looked down at the ground, trying to avoid his gaze. Arthur sighed before continuing to speak. "When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect you being involved," he said.

Merlin nodded his head. "It's suicide."

"Maybe there is a way Morgana can help, like distract Uther," I suggested.

Morgana looked at me in disbelief as Arthur smiled at me. I didn't want to admit it, but I felt my heart leap at his smile. Nope, I have to be strong. Remember, he scared you, Sam. Do not fall for his cuteness. It's there to hide is arrogance and hot-headedness.

"Excellent idea. Morgana, do what Sam suggested. You must go to my father and apologize. Dine with him. He cannot hold you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes," explained Arthur.

"You need me if the plan is to work. You can't do this on your own," Morgana retorted.

"Merlin and I will do it!"

Merlin looked at me with bewilderment. Did I say that out loud? "Us? Sam, no we-"

"Yes, Sam and Merlin will do it," Arthur said as he interrupted Merlin. "I'm going to take the boy out through the burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off."

Merlin's thoughts hit my head, instantly recalling what Kilgharrah said to us. "Do not protect the boy." I started to regret speaking up as Merlin tried to argue with Arthur. "No- no, we can't..."

"Merlin. Do you understand?" Arthur asked firmly, silencing my brother. "If you both are not there to meet us, we'll surely be caught."

Merlin nodded his head. As we watched Arthur leave his chambers, I looked at Merlin and we both knew one thing. We need to talk to Kilgharrah… now.

As we passed the guards at their post, which caused me to think they should be fired from their posts, Merlin and I each grabbed a torch and walked down to the cave. I shook my head when I saw Kilgharrah was sleeping.

"Hey lizard, wake up! We need to talk to you right now," I shouted.

I swear I could see him rolling his enormous eyes. He slowly raised his head and looked at us. "There's no need for name calling, Samantha. I knew you were coming back," he snapped to me.

Making sure that there was no more arguing, Merlin stepped forward and said, "We need to know why you told us not to protect the boy."

"Again, emphasize on little boy," I said to the dragon.

Kilgharrah narrowed his eyes and said, "You seek my counsel and yet you choose to ignore it. Even your sister senses an evil presence to the boy."

"No, I did not," I said.

"Yes, you did!"

"Did not!"

It was Merlin's turn to roll his eyes at our childish behavior. "Enough of this please! Just tell us why."

The dragon sighed before saying, "If the boy lives, you cannot fulfill your destiny. And you, Samantha, will never save Camelot and fulfill your destiny."

"You said it's my destiny to protect Arthur," Merlin retorted back. "How can a single child stop our destiny?"

"Then you have the answer you seek."

I looked at Merlin to see he finally realized what Mordred's purpose in life was. He shook his head with disbelief. He stared at me to confirm it.

I exhaled as I said meekly, "Kilgharrah is indicating that the boy will kill Arthur in the future."

Kilgharrah nodded his head and replied, "It seems that is up to both of you. You have it in your power to prevent a great evil."

I shook my head and murmured, "We can change the future."

Merlin must have heard me because he said, "Sam is right. The future isn't set in stone! There must be another way to save the boy and Arthur!"

"You must let the boy die."

I raised my head and hissed out, "He's just an innocent boy. We basically be murderers and that doesn't sit well with us, especially me!"

Kilgharrah moved his head closer to mine and said, "There is no other way. You must let the boy die."

I could see the conflict in Merlin's blue eyes. Without uttering a word, he marched out of the cave. I was about to follow him when Kilgharrah's voice halted my tracks. "Samantha, I am warning you. If you do not let the boy die, then Arthur will not live. And your life will never be the same."

I turned around and said firmly, "Ok, now you listen to me. You were the one who brought me here. I would be at home right now having dinner with my family or going to the movies with my friends. I am stressed out, tired and angry."

"The boy-"

"The boy's name is Mordred! He is a human being! Not some mindless weapon! I have my own destiny! You brought me here for a reason, and this is what I am going to do. I can and will save both Arthur and Mordred. I will not let Mordred go to the dark side. I can change their fate and I will save them!"

Without a second thought, I ran out of the cave, feeling Kilgharrah's glare on my back.

The sun set when we reached the physician's chambers. Gaius had supper ready for us, but I declined since I had completely lost my appetite after my talk with Kilgharrah. I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. After 30 minutes of mindless drawing in my notebook and trying to get some sleep, I got up from my bed and slowly opened my door. Without anyone noticing me, I could overhear Gaius' and Merlin's conversation.

Gaius could see Merlin hardly touched his dinner as he said to his nephew, "I assume it's the plight of the Druid boy that's causing your forehead to wrinkle like a lizard's elbow."

I looked at Merlin to see he was contemplating on what to say. "Would you let something terrible happen if it meant you'd stop something even worse happening in the future?"

Placing down his spoon, Gaius said, "I suppose it depends on what the 'terrible' and 'even worse' things were."

"One of them is bad, really bad. And the other, it's..." Merlin paused as he recalled what the dragon told us. "Unthinkable."

"It sounds as if you've already made your decision. You can only do what you believe to be right, Merlin." I closed my eyes as I felt tears slowly creeping into my eyes. I knew Merlin decided to let Mordred die from the episode, but seeing it in real life, it hurts. "I just hope it doesn't involve you putting yourself or your sister in terrible danger," Gaius said softly.

"For once, you don't have to worry." Merlin looked at his uncle and said sternly, "I'm going to do anything."

After hearing what Merlin said, I slowly closed the bedroom door. My mind was reeling of plans to fix this problem. I swiftly rushed to the trap door in the bedroom floor. I moved the carpet and said the magic words. I felt my eyes burning before the trap door popped open. I immediately grabbed the magic book and starting to search for the single spell that I needed to save both the Future King of Camelot and Arthur's future murder.

About 15 minutes after finally finding the perfect spell, I quickly placed the book back in the trap door, said the magic words to close it, and threw the carpet back to hide it. I grabbed my notebook and continued to draw the picture I was working on ever since the episode started. My head snapped up to see Merlin walking in with a bowl of oatmeal.

He slightly smiled as he placed the bowl on our bedside table. "Gaius thought you might want something to eat if your appetite is better."

I narrowed my eyes and turned back to my drawing. "I already said I'm not hungry." I looked at the paper and realized I was drawing a future Mordred as a knight of Camelot. In my drawing, he was smiling as he stood proud. How can his character turn to the dark arts when he was so young and pure of heart now?

Merlin sat down on his bed and sighed. "Sam, it's the right thing to do. The dragon said the boy will be Arthur's undoing and we will never fulfill our destiny."

I slammed my notebook shut. I was so sick and tired of Kilgharrah! "Screw that dragon! I will not be responsible for helping kill a boy, who is like us! I just can't believe we're not going to help Arthur save him."

Before Merlin could defend himself, I nearly jumped when I heard the warning bells. I rushed to my window to see guards running through the courtyard. Arthur must have gotten Mordred out of his cell by now. I turned my head to see Merlin was just sitting on his bed. "Merlin, we have to do something."

He didn't even look up at me as he replied, "You heard what the dragon said. That boy will kill Arthur!"

I instantly sat down next to him and said, "Yeah but… What if there is a way to change his fate?"

All of a sudden, we both heard a voice in our heads. A voice of a small magic child. "Emrys. Emrys. Where are you, Emrys? Emrys. Help us. Please! They're coming. Fidelma. Please, do not abandon me! You said you would protect me no matter what!"

After hearing that last part from Mordred, my heart crumbled. I did promise to protect him. I looked at Merlin to see he was not fazed by the child's plea. I could feel my head pounding with choices. I know what will happen in the future. I've read so many books about King Arthur. And yes, even though I missed the final episode of "Merlin," I know what happened to Arthur and Mordred. On the one hand, if Mordred gets killed, I can save Arthur from his future death. But I am not a murder! I can't be part of killing an innocent boy. Kilgharrah said Mordred will kill Arthur in the future. However, there is a big speedbump to that path… me. I can change their fate! I can fix this problem, that way both Mordred AND Arthur can live… no pressure. I just needed to convince Merlin to help me save Mordred.

I pressed my hand to my forehead when I hear Mordred's voice again. "I'm scared, Emrys. They will kill me. Fidelma, are you there? Don't do this. Don't ignore me. I know you can hear me."

Then I remembered when I babysat one of my neighbor's kids and we watched the movie "Brave." A quote from the movie hit me like a freight train. Maybe I could change the fate to this story. I looked at my brother and said softly, "I remember one thing Mother told me when I was afraid of my destiny and my magic." Merlin looked up at me as I continued to say, "There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it. If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?"

Merlin's head snapped up and looked into my hazel eyes. I could see the conflict dawning in his. Mordred had one more plea as he cried out in our minds, "I thought you were my friend. We're the same. I don't want to die. Emrys! Fidelma! Emrys! Fidelma! Emrys!"

After hearing my begging and Mordred's cry for help, Merlin instantly jumped out of bed. He grabbed my hand and we rushed out of the chambers. I slightly squeezed my brother's hand, thanking him for making the right decision. At least I hope it's still the right decision. We came to a halt as we saw the guards walking across the drawbridge. As they passed us, we rushed to the dungeon gate. Instantly, we saw two people peering through the gate: One man and one child.

"Hey, are you both OK?" I asked both Arthur and Mordred as Merlin and I got to the gate.

Instead of giving me a reply, Arthur sneered at us as he asked, "Where the hell have you been?!"

"We had trouble getting out of the castle," said Merlin.

I smiled and continued to say, "But we are here now."

I looked at Mordred to see he was glaring at us, mostly Merlin. I felt a shiver going down my spine. I knew he was thinking Merlin was willing to get him killed. Mordred looked at me and his glare softened.

Arthur shook his head and hissed at us, "Well, get this gate off, they're coming!"

"Keep your voice down you nincompoop! If you speak louder, then you will get caught," I whispered back as I tied the grappling hook to the rope.

As Merlin placed the hook to the gate, Arthur looked offended at me. "What on earth did you call me?"

"Will you both keep quit," Merlin hissed out.

We both grabbed the rope and pulled it. My hands started to burn from the rough contact. I should have worn gloves! After a few more tugs, the grappling hook ripped the gate off the wall. Mordred immediately ran to me and grabbed my hand. All four of us ran into the forest as we could hear shouts from the dungeon.

As Merlin was getting the horse ready and Arthur looking around to make sure we were not followed, I knelt down to Mordred and placed my hands on his shoulders. Making sure that only Mordred could hear me, I softly whispered a spell.

"Mordred, I want you to promise me something." He looked shocked to hear me say his name in his mind. Before he said anything, I continued to speak in his mind. "I had a… bad feeling that something will happen in the future... when you get older. Something you will do in the future that will destroy Albion. You are special Mordred and there are horrible people who will use you for evil."

His eyes turned into fear and he softly whimpered. Making sure that Arthur and Merlin were not watching us, I released the boy. I pulled a stone necklace out of my satchel. It was a brilliant amber that glowed in the moonlight and in its center was a miniature dove. Mordred was in awe of the necklace, like he had never seen anything so beautiful. I placed the necklace around his neck as I thought to him, "Do not be afraid, Mordred. This necklace will protect you from bad men. Your destiny is not set in stone. You can change you destiny and save your gifts. Promise me that you will never take this necklace off and remember that only you decide who you are. Not the men with darkness in their hearts."

Mordred lightly touched the necklace. He looked up and thought to me, "I promise Fidelma. Thank you for believing in me."

He instantly wrapped his arms around my neck. I was shocked to feel him hug me. I hesitantly hugged him back and closed my eyes, praying to God to protect this boy and hoping I made the right decision for keeping him alive and following the episode.

"Sam, we need to leave now," I heard Arthur say behind me. I immediately released Mordred and stood up. Merlin lifted the small boy up onto the horse in front of Arthur. "If my father asks where I am, I've gone on a hunting trip. You'd better make yourself scarce, or they'll execute you both in his place," he said to us.

I grabbed Merlin's hand and smiled at Arthur. "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Please be safe, both of you."

Arthur smiled at me and replied, "I promise, Sam."

My smile dropped when I looked right at Mordred. His face was stone as he thought to us, "Goodbye, Emrys and Fidelma. I know that someday we will meet again."

The same uncertainty feeling crept back into my soul. I was frozen in fear as I watched Arthur and Mordred gallop away. I snapped back into reality when Merlin tugged my hand and led me back to Camelot. I looked behind me one last time to see the horse disappeared into the forest. Did I make the right decision of letting Mordred live?

3RD POV

Arthur and Mordred were running in the woods, trying to find the Druids. Suddenly, they spotted three men wearing dark cloaks. They knew they found the druids. Mordred released Arthur's hand and ran to the man named Iseldir, the leader of the druids. Iseldir grabbed Mordred's hand before saying to the prince, "We are forever indebted to you, Arthur Pendragon, for returning the boy to us."

Arthur nodded his head before replying, "You must not let it be known that it was I who brought him to you."

"We will tell no one. You have my word."

The druids turned to leave, but Arthur stopped them again. "Wait." He looked at the boy and said, "I don't even know your name! At least tell me your name."

The boy looked at Iseldir, silently asking permission to tell him. After Iseldir confirmed, the boy looked at the prince and said, "My name is Mordred."

Arthur did not know why, but he felt a chill when they boy finally spoke to him. Hearing his name for some reason did not feel good to Arthur. Ignoring the bad feeling, Arthur smiled and said, "Good luck, Mordred."

As Arthur rushed back to his horse, the druids and Mordred walked deeper in the forest. Iseldir noticed Mordred was deep in thought. Whet he didn't realize was that Mordred was fidgeting with his new stone necklace. "What is it Mordred? What is on your mind?" Iseldir asked the boy.

Mordred stopped touching his necklace. He looked up at Iseldir and said, "Nothing, I am alright." Iseldir nodded his head. Mordred had lied. He was thinking about what Samantha did for him and what she said about his future. Slightly looking back at Camelot, he thought of one thing before he and the other druids disappeared into the dark forest.

Thank you Fidelma. I will keep my promise.

And done! The episode "The Beginning of the End" is finally complete! Now to my Red Rose Nightmare chapter! It will take a while before I update both stories. Please like, follow, and comment on this chapter! If you have any suggestions or ideas for future episodes, let me know. Until then…

Grapejuice101

P.S. Happy Late Thanksgiving!