Summary:

Based just before season 3 episode 8 ( The Eye of The Pheonix)

In this chapter, Merlin and Arthur prepare for Arthur's perilous quest to retrieve the trident of the Fisher King. During training, Merlin discreetly intervenes to help Arthur win a duel against Castor.

Morgana and Gwen interact with Arthur and Merlin in the courtyard, revealing underlying tensions. Arthur and Gwen share an unexpected kiss before he departs for the quest.

Merlin senses the magical properties of a bracelet Morgana gave Arthur but leaves to find Gwaine for help.

The chapter sets the stage for a dramatic and dangerous journey ahead for Arthur, with intrigue and secrecy surrounding Morgana's true intentions.

Chapter 2 – Destinies Entwined

Merlin yawned and stretched as the early morning sunlight crept into his room, disturbing him from his restless slumber. The events of the previous night had left him with a troubled mind, and he had struggled to find peaceful sleep. He could already hear Gaius bustling in the adjoining room, preparing breakfast, as the physician's schedule always began at the break of dawn.

With a grumble, Merlin rose from his bed and dressed for the day ahead. He knew he had a few hours before he would need to attend to Arthur, and he was determined to make the most of them.

As Merlin stumbled out of his room, he was immediately greeted by the enticing smell of his usual breakfast porridge. Sitting down at the table, he found a steaming bowl of the hearty meal, along with a pitcher of water. Gaius, already at the table, greeted him with a warm smile.

"Morning," Gaius said as he settled into his chair.

Merlin grumbled a response and sat down opposite Gaius. "You're up on time," Gaius remarked, noting that Merlin was not typically an early riser.

"Didn't sleep well," Merlin confessed, stifling a yawn.

"Morgana?" Gaius inquired, recognizing the source of Merlin's restlessness.

"Am I that obvious?" Merlin asked as he spooned a mouthful of porridge.

Gaius smiled understandingly. "I only noticed because she's been on my mind as well."

The two sat in companionable silence, focused on their breakfast, both reluctant to delve any deeper into their concerns about Morgana and her dark intentions.

As they finished their breakfast, Merlin couldn't help but inquire about the quest that Uther had mentioned during the recent council meeting. "When I was in the council room the other day, Uther had mentioned a quest that Arthur would take up... I haven't heard of any dangers threatening Camelot," he said.

Gaius explained, "It's not like that. It's a tradition that each young prince must complete to prove they are ready for the throne."

Merlin listened intently, curious about the nature of this tradition. "I remember when Uther completed his. He chose his quest when he was young, thought of a lake beast, and brought back its head to show his victory."

Merlin couldn't hide his disbelief. "So, you're telling me that the heir to the throne has to once again put himself in mortal danger to prove what?"

"To prove bravery and honour, Merlin. These things are an important part of being royal," Gaius explained as he gathered his bag and prepared for his rounds.

Merlin let out a sigh, knowing that Arthur would most likely choose something ridiculously dangerous, and he'd once again find himself trying to save the prince from a perilous situation.

Merlin was up early and, for once, managed to fetch Arthur's breakfast without a mad dash through the castle. He arrived at Arthur's door, knocking politely with his free hand. When no response came, he entered the prince's chambers and placed the breakfast tray on the table. Moving to the large windows by the bed, he seized the curtain's end and, with a grin, exclaimed, "Rise and Shine!" He then yanked the curtains open, startling Arthur from his slumber as the room was suddenly flooded with sunlight.

"Merlin, have you forgotten how to knock?" Arthur grumbled, shielding his eyes from the invading morning light.

Merlin, still in high spirits, retorted, "Well, Sire... I did knock, you just couldn't hear anything over your wild boar snoring." He playfully dodged the pillows Arthur tossed his way. After breakfast and helping Arthur into his chainmail, they headed straight for the training grounds as there were no meetings that morning.

In the armoury, Arthur playfully tossed heavy swords, boards, and even a crossbow in Merlin's direction as a payback for their earlier exchange. Merlin, wearing a sarcastic smile, rolled his eyes while struggling to carry the load of weaponry.

As they arrived at the training field, Merlin lagged, encumbered by the weight of the equipment. They were greeted by a group of knights. "Good morning, Sire," Sir Leon called out, followed by the rest of the knights. After the pleasantries, Arthur began the training session. "First, we'll work on duelling. Some of you need to improve your accuracy and speed... Sir Castor, that means you in particular."

Sir Castor stepped forward, his curly brown hair framing his chiselled face and broad shoulders. He had clearly taken offence to what Arthur had said, but he knew better than to question his prince's authority. Merlin couldn't help but smile slyly, knowing that Arthur would undoubtedly push Castor to his limits after their earlier conversation about Gwen and Morgana.

The fight began, and Arthur didn't hold back, determined to push Castor to his limits. He parried and struck with precision, his movements fluid and practiced. Castor struggled to keep up, his skills no match for the prince's expertise. Merlin watched the duel unfold, amused by the turn of events and the prospect of Arthur's victory.

Most of the knights had stopped their own practice duels to watch, their attention fixed on the intense battle between Arthur and Castor. Some of them winced as they saw Castor's struggles and Arthur's dominance. The atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation as they awaited the outcome of the duel.

Castor in a panic gripped Arthur's belt and pulled him over his shoulder and slammed him to the ground. Arthur lay on his back clearly winded. Castor started smiling at the crowed. Merlin didn't like the gloating Castor was indulging in, as he looked so sure of his victory. From the back of the crowd, Merlin quietly muttered a spell. The ground directly below Castor suddenly became slippery, turning into a slimy mess. As Castor attempted to make his final move towards Arthur, he lost his footing and fell face-first into the ground. Laughter erupted from the crowd as they witnessed Castor's unexpected tumble. Fortunately, no one seemed to have noticed that Merlin was the cause of the mishap.

Arthur stood up and regained control of the situation. With a final blow, he knocked Castor to the ground, pressing his sharp sword against Castor's neck. Trembling and beaten, Castor stared into Arthur's eyes, fearing for his life. The crowd fell into silence, and then applause and cheers erupted as Arthur declared the practice over. He handed his sword to Merlin and ordered Castor to get checked out by Gaius, before instructing everyone to go about their day. The knights and spectators cheered as Arthur and Merlin left the training grounds, Arthur looking dishevelled, covered in mud and dirt, with stains on his face and armour.

Merlin chuckled. "Well, it went better than I expected," he replied, grateful that Castor got his just desserts. "And scrubbing your armour is a small price to pay for the satisfaction of seeing that arrogant smirk wiped off Castor's face." They headed back to the castle, knowing that Castor would think twice before challenging Arthur or making inappropriate comments about Gwen in the future.

As the pair headed into the main gates of the castle they bumped into Morgana and Gwen in the courtyard. Morgana and Gwen looked elegant and radiant. Morgana's gown was a rich forest green with intricate gold outlining, making her look like a lady of the court. Her hair was impeccably styled and adorned with gold earrings that sparkled in the morning sun. She exuded confidence and grace.

Gwen, in contrast, wore a simpler outfit, but it accentuated her natural beauty. She sported a violet smock with a pale yellow corset, a humble yet tasteful choice. Her hair was neatly arranged in a simple bun, and she carried an empty wicker basket.

Morgana playfully commented on Arthur's appearance, "My, my, Arthur, you look quite a sight for sore eyes."

Gwen curtsied politely. Arthur, slightly flustered by Morgana's comment and Gwen's presence, tried to regain his composure. "Indeed, the practice was quite successful," he responded, his eyes briefly lingering on Gwen before he quickly looked away.

Morgana, perceptive as ever, couldn't help but notice the unspoken tension between Arthur and Gwen. She decided to change the topic.

"I heard that Uther is arranging a feast tonight in honour of some upcoming challenge," Morgana inquired curiously, her tone laced with subtle slyness that only Merlin could detect.

"Ah, yes," Arthur replied with a knowing grin. "You know my father – he loves to make everything a grand announcement." "We won't keep you any longer." Morgana added, "Gwen and I are off to the market."

As the two girls headed off, Gwen gave Arthur a polite smile before walking away with Morgana. Merlin couldn't shake off his concern as he knew Morgana all too well. He couldn't help but wonder what her true intentions were regarding the upcoming feast.

Merlin and Arthur made their way to Arthur's chamber. Merlin promptly prepared a bath for the prince. Arthur began the task of scrubbing away the dirt and mud from the training session. Merlin, meanwhile, kept himself busy by arranging an outfit for the feast tonight.

Merlin couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "This quest..." he began, "What's the deal with it?" Arthur, busy changing, replied from behind his screen, "What do you mean?"

Merlin chuckled, but when Arthur appeared, it was clear that the subject was no laughing matter. "I mean, isn't it a bit ridiculous?" Merlin asked, his laughter dying down.

Arthur's expression hardened. "Ridiculous? How so?"

Merlin realized he might have touched a nerve and quickly backpedalled, "I mean, it's just, you know, doing some crazy thing to prove you're brave. It's a bit unconventional, don't you think?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow and responded seriously, "Merlin, it's a tradition, and it's more about proving one's honour and devotion to Camelot than doing something 'outrageous.'" He went back to getting dressed, leaving Merlin to ponder the importance of this tradition.

As Camelot slipped into the evening Gwen was busying herself with setting out an outfit for Morgana to wear to the feast. Gwen meticulously selected an elegant purple silk gown with intricate blue lace accents, believing it would look stunning on Morgana. She placed it on the bed, taking great care in arranging it. For accessories, she chose a delicate silver headband and a pair of beautiful earrings to complement the dress.

Morgana emerged from behind her screen, clad in a flowing white silk robe. "I think I might wear my hair down this evening," she stated, casting a warm smile at the outfit Gwen had selected. "Perfect," Gwen replied, her smile genuine.

Morgana took a moment to reflect. Her loyalties had indeed shifted, and she was no longer a supporter of the kingdom she had once called home. Playing the role of the dutiful ward turned her stomach. Nevertheless, she couldn't deny the fondness she held for Gwen, her dear friend. But when the time came, Morgana harboured doubts about whether she could truly rely on Gwen, who had always shown unwavering loyalty to Camelot and, above all, to Arthur.

"Morgana?" Gwen's voice interrupted Morgana's thoughts. "Sorry, Gwen, I was just lost in thoughts about the dress," Morgana fibbed. "I was wondering if I could perhaps skip the feast tonight. It's Elyan's birthday, and I wanted to put together a small dinner for him," Gwen inquired. "Of course, I'm sure I can manage getting ready for bed by myself," Morgana replied.

Gwen smiled as she helped Morgana into the dress, meticulously lacing up the back. She gently placed the metal band on Morgana's head and added the earrings, completing her outfit. "How do I look?" Morgana inquired. "Absolutely beautiful," Gwen replied with a warm smile.

"Well, you should be on your way. Tell your brother I said happy birthday," Morgana. With a smile, Gwen made her out of the chambers. Morgana almost felt bad for playing her part in kidnapping Gwen's brother... almost.

Before departing for the feast, she retrieved her red cloak from the cupboard and laid it out on the bed. She knew she had to be vigilant tonight. Whatever this quest entailed, she was determined to figure it out and find a way to use it against Uther.

Morgana entered the grand hall, her facade of a gracious smile firmly in place as she greeted the lords and ladies already in attendance. She proceeded to the grand table where King Uther and Prince Arthur were seated.

"Morgana," Uther welcomed with a nod.

"My king," she replied politely through gritted teeth.

"You look as lovely as ever," Uther remarked as she took her seat. Merlin appeared behind her and dutifully filled her glass, and she acknowledged him with a cold, taunting smile.

Merlin couldn't help but shiver as he moved away. The Morgana he once knew, full of kindness and warmth, was now replaced by someone consumed by hatred. He alone seemed to grasp the transformation, while Arthur and Uther remained blind to the stark difference. They likely attributed her changes to the trauma of her supposed kidnapping, unaware of the malevolence she now concealed.

The grand hall buzzed with the presence of lords and knights as King Uther rose, commanding everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for your attendance!" he began. "I have some important news. It has come to that time in a young prince's life when he takes on a challenge of the utmost importance. Tonight, Arthur will select a quest to prove his right to rule. I remember embracing this challenge when I was his age. Let us all raise our glasses to our prince."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Arthur acknowledged them with a beaming smile. Morgana listened intently, her mind busy memorizing every detail, eager to report back to her sister and solidify their plans.

As the feast continued with laughter and merriment, Uther and Arthur engaged in a discussion about the importance of the quest. The weight of this responsibility suddenly bore down on Arthur, creating immense pressure. Tonight, he would prepare to enter the throne room alone and spend the entire night waiting for the right quest to choose him.

Arthur decided to make his exit, bidding his father and Morgana a goodnight. Quietly, he left the hall, avoiding any unnecessary attention. Merlin followed closely behind, and they both entered his chambers.

In the stillness of the night, Merlin assisted Arthur in his preparations for the night. No words were spoken, for Merlin sensed the heavy burden on Arthur's mind. The weight of the task and its significance was finally sinking in. The castle was now quiet as they made their way to the throne room in silence.

As Arthur entered the room, darkness and silence enveloped them. Merlin positioned himself by the door, keeping it slightly ajar to maintain a watchful eye on his friend.

Meanwhile, Gwen and Elyan found themselves engrossed in laughter as they listened to Sir Leon's anecdotes about their mother's time working in his family's home. Elyan expressed his appreciation for Leon's presence and the wine he had brought as a gift. Gwen, her face radiant with joy, was grateful to have her brother back, and her spirits had been lifted since his return.

As they enjoyed the camaraderie, Leon noticed the positive change in Gwen and was content that his friend was happier. They raised their glasses in a toast, celebrating Elyan's return. After a while, Leon took his leave, heading toward the guard tower. Elyan offered to assist Gwen in cleaning up and thanked her for organizing the evening.

Gwen smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for staying." She couldn't help but reflect on how Arthur's support had made the evening possible, even though she didn't say it aloud.

Gwen, still brimming with contentment from the evening, finished clearing up with the help of her brother, Elyan. Her heart was lighter with him back home, and the evening's laughter had warmed her to the core. As she hugged Elyan goodnight and he made his way to bed, Gwen felt invigorated but not the least bit tired.

Wanting to be diligent and take advantage of her newfound joy, Gwen decided to return to the castle to prepare for the next day. She had a sense of duty, and she felt a slight pang of guilt for leaving Morgana earlier than planned.

Upon entering the castle, Gwen was greeted by the deep silence of the corridors. She instinctively knew that the feast had concluded, and the castle had now descended into the quiet of the night. As she made her way towards Morgana's chambers, Gwen noticed Merlin standing by a slightly ajar door leading to the throne room. Intrigued, she approached Merlin, her eyes locked on the opening and a small, curious smile gracing her face.

Merlin shifted to the side as Gwen approached, allowing her to join him by the slightly ajar door. They both peered into the throne room and saw Arthur sitting in solitude, deep in thought.

"What's he doing?" Gwen whispered; her curiosity piqued.

Merlin responded with a grin, "Thinking."

"About?" Gwen inquired, her confusion growing.

Merlin chuckled softly and leaned in, "You."

Gwen giggled at the unexpected response and fell lightly on the door. Realizing they might interrupt Arthur's thoughts, the pair quickly closed the door, choosing to remain discreet. Merlin filled Gwen in on the details of the quest and Arthur's responsibilities, explaining the importance and pressure of the situation.

"So, you're just going to stay here all night and watch?" Gwen questioned her concern for Merlin's well-being evident in her tone.

Merlin then explained the significance of his presence during this time and why it was important to support the prince.

Gwen smiled, understanding the gravity of the situation, and shook her head affectionately. She wished Merlin good luck and continued her way, leaving him alone to watch over Arthur during the long night.

Gwen finally arrived outside Morgana's chambers, and she assumed that her mistress would be asleep by now. However, when she approached the door, she noticed the flickering light of a candle seeping through the gap beneath it. Without knocking, Gwen quietly entered the room.

Morgana appeared startled and was in the process of putting on her cloak when Gwen walked in. Gwen, concerned for her mistress, asked, "My lady, is everything alright?" She looked at Morgana and the cloak, sensing that something unusual was afoot.

Morgana, trying to provide a believable explanation, replied, "I... Well, I wanted to check on Arthur. I know he's in the throne room and I feared for a chill in the air." Gwen nodded in understanding, even though she felt there was more to the story.

Morgana was clearly annoyed when she asked, "Why are you back? I thought you went home for the night." Gwen, slightly taken aback by Morgana's tone, explained, "I felt bad leaving early and thought I would get started on some laundry for tomorrow. I'm sorry if I startled you, my lady."

Morgana couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Gwen had been nothing but a loyal and caring friend, and she didn't deserve to be treated with such annoyance. Morgana knew that Gwen was genuinely trying to be helpful.

"Gwen, I appreciate your help, but you should get some rest," Morgana said with a smile, though there was a hint of annoyance in her tone. She turned away; she rolled her eyes knowing that there was no way she could leave the castle now.

Gwen left Morgana's chambers and made her way home, still puzzled by the events of the night. As she walked past the throne room, she couldn't contain her laughter when she saw Merlin pass out on the floor, snoring loudly.

Finally reaching her home, Gwen was eager to get some much-needed rest. Her energy was depleted, and she quickly undressed, crawled into bed, and drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep, leaving behind the mysterious events of the evening.

Merlin had an eventful morning. First, he was abruptly awakened by the King, which was always a nerve-wracking experience. However, the real shock came when Arthur revealed his chosen quest: travelling to the Perilous Lands to retrieve the trident of the Fisher King. This quest was known for its danger and the life-threatening challenges that awaited any who dared to undertake it. Merlin couldn't help but worry for his friend's safety, but he knew he had a crucial role to play in supporting Arthur throughout this perilous journey.

After a discussion with Gaius about how dangerous and treacherous the quest was, Merlin made his way to the prince's chambers. He knew he needed to talk to Arthur about the risks and what lay ahead on this perilous journey. When he arrived at the chambers he noticed that Arthur was nose-deep in various maps.

A heated disagreement erupted as Arthur adamantly conveyed to Merlin that he would embark on the quest alone. "But Arthur," Merlin protested, concern etched across his face. "No, Merlin, I have to face this challenge on my own," Arthur asserted firmly, his eyes remaining fixated on the maps splayed across his table. Defeated and deeply worried for the prince, Merlin retreated from the room.

With a heavy heart, he hastened to the stables to ensure that Arthur's horse was prepared for the perilous journey ahead. Meanwhile, inside his chamber, Arthur sought a moment of solitude to reflect on the daunting challenge that lay before him, his mind filled with thoughts of duty, destiny, and the weight of Camelot's future.

While Arthur made his preparations for the perilous quest, Morgana and Gwen ventured into the bustling market. They had been trying on new dresses, lost in laughter and merriment when their joy was interrupted by an unexpected encounter. An old woman, dressed in sombre black attire, grabbed Morgana's arm with a sense of urgency and determination.

Gwen, immediately concerned for her lady's safety, started to follow them, but Morgana assured her that she would be alright and asked her to stay at the stall for just a minute. Gwen hesitated but ultimately complied with her request, watching the two women as they walked away.

Time seemed to pass slowly as Gwen waited, anxiety gnawing at her, fearing the worst. When Morgana finally returned with the old woman, Gwen felt a rush of relief. However, as the mysterious woman passed by, Gwen noticed something peculiar. The reflection in her eyes bore an uncanny resemblance to Morgause, but when she tried to point this out to Morgana, her lady quickly silenced her.

Morgana explained that it was her duty to help the less fortunate, and with that, the carefree moments they had shared at the market stall ended abruptly. Morgana walked away, and Gwen couldn't help but wonder what was concealed in her pockets.

After their return to the castle in sombre silence, Gwen tried to dismiss the image of Morgause and the mysterious woman from her mind. To be fair, her thoughts had been preoccupied ever since Morgana shared the news about Arthur's chosen quest, so it was likely she imagined it.

Upon reaching Morgana's chambers, Morgana abruptly dismissed Gwen, citing a headache and her need to rest. Gwen felt slightly puzzled but decided to give her mistress the space she requested and busied herself with some extra chores she had to do.

Arthur was finishing up his preparations when he heard a knock. He called for the person to enter and smiled when he saw Morgana enter.

"Morgana, what do I owe the pleasure?" Arthur asked. Morgana smiled. "I just wanted to wish you luck and safe travels," she said. Lying had become second nature to Morgana, and the new discovery that Arthur was her brother spurred her actions. She knew he wasn't responsible for their father's actions, but he was collateral damage.

"I appreciate it, Morgana, but you know me; I always make it back," Arthur commented. Morgana felt her hatred growing. He was right; he always came back, and with him in the way, her claim to the throne would be meaningless in the eyes of the kingdom. She brought out the bracelet she had been hiding.

"Here," she said, presenting the bracelet. "I found this in the market and wanted to give it to you as a token of good luck." Her smile grew when he accepted the bracelet. "Thank you! I will truly treasure it!" They embraced, and as Morgana dropped her smile, she couldn't hide the venom in her eyes. She said her goodbyes and left the room.

After a while, Arthur could hear the court gathering outside in the courtyard from his room. He knew they had gathered to bid him farewell and offer their best wishes for the impending quest. Arthur took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the weight of their expectations and the enormity of his chosen task.

As he stepped outside, he was taken aback to find Gwen waiting for him. She had been stationed outside his chambers for a while, anxiety gnawing at her heart ever since she learned of the perilous quest he had selected. The prospect of losing him had filled her with dread, and she couldn't bear the thought of never seeing him again.

After working up the courage, she ventured to his door, determined to convey her feelings, but when she finally reached her destination, her nerves got the best of her and she could not knock. Gwen silently berated herself when the door opened, revealing Arthur, who was clearly surprised to see her standing there.

"I know you have to go," Gwen blurted out, struggling to contain her emotions. "I just..." Her voice quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Arthur gazed at Gwen with a mixture of understanding and regret.

"I'll be careful," Arthur assured her with a small, comforting smile. Her concern touched him deeply, and he found her breathtaking. "For me," Gwen pleaded.

Arthur couldn't resist the pull he felt towards her. Without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her. Gwen was initially taken aback, but as their lips met, she responded to the kiss. It was as if the world around them vanished, leaving only the two of them, no titles, no quest, just their connection. Reluctantly, he pulled away, his heart full, and with nothing else to say, he smiled at Gwen before walking away to embark on his quest.

Gwen stood there, still in shock, hardly believing what had happened. A small, delighted smile graced her lips. She often wondered why she held onto her affection for Arthur, fully aware that nothing could come of it. But it was moments like these that reminded her why she had fallen in love with him. With a rosy blush forming on her cheeks, she went on her way, her heart aflutter.

Arthur walked through the halls, a cocky grin on his face following the unexpected but delightful kiss with Gwen. However, his elation soon faded as he stepped outside into the courtyard and was met with somber faces among the court. His father, Uther, in particular, stood there overlooking the courtyard with Morgana at his side.

After a speech from Uther and the bowing of heads, Arthur mounted his horse while Merlin held the reins. Just as Arthur lifted himself onto the saddle, Merlin felt a wave of magic. He instantly looked down at Arthur's wrist, where a silver bracelet adorned with a gemstone was pulsing and calling out to Merlin. Arthur, oblivious to the pulsing sensation, saw Merlin staring at the bracelet. He explained that Morgana had gifted it to him as a good luck present. When hearing this, Merlin's stomach instantly dropped.

Arthur began his journey, leaving Camelot and Merlin behind. Uther looked incredibly troubled, causing Morgana to comment, "You seem troubled, my Lord." Uther then went into detail about how worried he was for his heir. "It's alright. I think a Pendragon will rule Camelot for a very long time," Morgana said, hiding a sly smile. Uther had no idea what she had planned.

She left the courtyard and headed to her chambers. She had much work to do for their plans to succeed.

The courtyard slowly emptied, and Merlin rushed to his rooms to ask Gaius more about the suspicious bracelet. With Gaius's assistance, he realized how much danger Arthur was in. Merlin knew he couldn't help Arthur alone.

"We need help," he stated to Gaius, who nodded in agreement. It was as if a light bulb had switched on in Merlin's mind. Jumping to his feet, Merlin ran up the stairs and collected a satchel he had prepared earlier. Gaius was confused, "Merlin," he called. "Where are you going?"

Merlin ran down the steps from his room. "I'm going to find Gwaine. If anyone can help, it will be him," Merlin called out, heading for the door.

"But Merlin, do you even know where to find Gwaine?" Gaius asked with concern.

"In his last letters, he wrote about a village a few miles outside of Camelot's borders. If he is not there, then someone would know where he is... he isn't exactly a quiet guy," smiled Merlin.

"Okay, but promise me you will be careful," Gaius asked. He knew Merlin would do anything to keep Arthur safe, even at the cost of his own life.

"I will," Merlin said, and with that, he departed.