Disclaimer: All characters and settings featured in this story belong to the BBC Merlin TV show and its respective creators, writers, and production team. This work is a fan-created tribute and a manifestation of affection for the original series. No copyright infringement is intended, and no financial gain is sought from the creation and sharing of this story.

Author's Note: Hello Everyone! First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for taking the time to read my work. I've been an ardent admirer of the Merlin series for as long as I can remember, and when I witnessed the reactivation of the official Twitter account, it sparked a wave of inspiration within me.

This story comprises additional scenes and episodes that I've often daydreamed about—moments that delve deeply into the enchanting romance of Arthur and Gwen, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship shared by Merlin, Arthur, the knights, Gaius, Morgana, and the entire kingdom of Camelot. Your support and appreciation mean the world to me, and I hope you enjoy this journey through the magical realms of Merlin.

Chapter 1 – Destinies Entwined

The sun had just begun to rise over the castle walls, casting its golden glow over the cobblestone streets. Its gentle light slowly trickled its way through the streets and alleys of the lower town, illuminating the facades of buildings and market stalls that were beginning to come to life. The kingdom had just started to wake, and Camelot's subjects were starting their typical morning routines. With their colourful stalls, market vendors were setting up shop, and the rich aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, enticing passersby.

Amid this lively scene, people exchanged warm greetings, with cheerful "Good morning!" echoing through the streets. The lively chatter of the townsfolk mingled with the distant sounds of horses and livestock as they began their day. The kingdom had transformed into a vibrant and bustling tapestry of life, where the promise of a new day was as fragrant as it was full of promise.

The castle, too, stirred to life as dawn broke. Servants bustled through its labyrinthine halls, ensuring every detail was meticulously prepared for the day ahead. The tantalizing aroma of breakfast wafted from the kitchens, and the castle's valiant knights embarked on their morning patrols.

A single servant, in particular, sprinted through the halls, skillfully balancing a tray laden with succulent meats and an assortment of fresh fruits. His hurried pace led to a few accidental collisions with fellow servants, causing him to teeter dangerously on the edge of losing his precious cargo. After a series of close calls, Merlin arrived at his destination gasping for breath, but miraculously with his delivery intact.

Pushing through the grand oak doors, Merlin entered Prince Arthur's chambers, only to find the prince already up and waiting. "You're late... again," Arthur chided with evident irritation in his voice.

Merlin huffed as he set the tray of food on the table, "Sorry, I was up late assisting Gaius. But I didn't forget your breakfast," he retorted with a hint of cheekiness.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "Oh, wow, Merlin. After all these years, it's truly heartwarming to see you grasp the bare minimum of your job," he quipped. He seated himself at the table and started his breakfast, while Merlin diligently set about tidying up the room.

"You know, Merlin, if your duties become too overwhelming, I could easily find a handful of servants who'd consider it an honour to take your place," Arthur mused between bites.

Merlin chuckled in response, fully aware of Arthur's jest. "I doubt you'd find anyone willing to endure you for long, to be honest. But, by all means, give it a try."

At that moment, they shared a knowing glance that spoke of their unbreakable bond. Beyond their roles, they were close friends who trusted each other implicitly. "And let's not forget," Merlin added with a wink, "you'd miss my charming personality."

Arthur couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the morning dissipating into camaraderie.

After breakfast and the morning tidying, Merlin turned his attention to helping Arthur prepare for the demanding day ahead. Merlin held no envy for Arthur's responsibilities, fully aware that most of his time was consumed by the intricate affairs of the kingdom. The first item on Arthur's schedule was a council meeting, typically drawn-out affairs filled with tension, involving discussions with his father and the kingdom's lords.

Following that, there were rigorous training sessions with the knights, additional meetings, a scheduled patrol, meticulous review of important documents, and a quiet dinner in Arthur's chambers since there were no special occasions warranting the grandeur of the great hall. It was a taxing routine, but Arthur bore the weight of his princely duties with stoic determination.

Dressed in his customary red tunic and brown breeches, with chainmail layered on top, Arthur set out toward the council room, Merlin following closely behind. As they rounded a corner, Arthur collided with someone approaching from the opposite direction.

It was Gwen, on her way through the castle's bustling halls, carrying a bundle of laundry she had collected from Morgana's chambers earlier that morning. Oblivious to the prince's presence in her haste to complete her chores, Gwen walked right into Arthur. The collision sent them both sprawling to the ground, and the laundry she had been carrying scattered around them, marking their unexpected landing.

Merlin barely managed to stifle his laughter at the sight of his master and dear friend tumbling to the ground. Arthur's initial irritation melted into amusement once he realized that Gwen was the cause of their collision.

"I'm so sorry, sire," Gwen exclaimed, swiftly gathering the scattered garments from the floor.

Arthur, displaying a chivalrous grace, helped Gwen to her feet and assured her, "No need to apologize. It was my fault."

As he looked at Gwen, even in her flushed state of embarrassment, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. That morning, Gwen had chosen a simple blue gown paired with a white corset, and she had artfully braided her hair, with a few strands gracefully framing her face. While the court was filled with ladies bedecked in jewels and extravagant gowns, none could hold a candle to Guinevere's natural allure in Arthur's eyes.

"Are you unharmed?" Arthur inquired, concern evident in his eyes as he checked Gwen over, realizing he might have caused her injury.

"I'm fine, the only casualty being Morgana's gowns," Gwen replied with a chuckle. Despite the slight disruption to her morning routine, she couldn't help but feel glad about this accidental encounter with Arthur. Their time together was rare, and their relationship was shrouded in uncertainty. It had only been a few weeks since Arthur had once again proven himself her hero, rescuing her brother Elyan from the clutches of Cenred. After their safe return to Camelot, Arthur had indirectly admitted his feelings when she had given him two silk dresses as part of their cover story. Yet, their relationship remained undefined, a puzzle they were both still unravelling.

Merlin couldn't help but grin at the pair, being one of the only people who knew their strong feelings for each other.

"Arthur, what is taking so long?" a commanding voice boomed, and the trio turned to find a displeased King Uther. "Sorry, Father. I was just helping Guinevere... I mean, Morgana's maid, after I caused her to fall," Arthur explained.

"As a prince, you should concern yourself less with this maid and more with your princely duties. Come now!" Uther declared, marching around the corner and into the council room, leaving the lords behind.

Arthur glanced down at Gwen, his eyes heavy with a sense of sorrow and annoyance at his father's comment. Gwen responded with a gentle smile, filled with understanding. She offered a respectful curtsy, shared a kind smile with both Merlin and Arthur and then made her way on. As Arthur watched her depart, his gaze showed a hint of sadness. With a sigh, he entered the council room, with Merlin by his side.

The council meeting continued with discussions ranging from taxes and punishments to land disputes. Arthur, now in the middle of giving a report on the latest patrol, remained at the forefront, while Merlin skillfully blended into the background. These gatherings had always struck Merlin as excruciatingly dull, and he often found his mind wandering through the endless list of chores he had to attend to.

However, his disinterest was suddenly shaken as the conversation turned intriguing. Uther introduced the topic of a forthcoming quest that Arthur would undertake to prove his right to rule. Arthur's eyes lit up with excitement, and one by one, the lords chimed in to emphasize the quest's significance. Uther, in turn, began to recount the tale of his own youth as a prince and the quest he had completed.

With no more matters to discuss, the council meeting drew to a close. Uther was the first to exit, giving his son a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Subsequently, the lords departed, leaving Arthur and Merlin alone in the room.

Merlin, curious about the quest, asked, "What's this quest all about?"

Arthur sighed in mild exasperation, "Merlin, do you possess the capability to pay attention, or is that one of the skills conspicuously absent from your repertoire?"

"I'll explain it later. You may be content with being late, but I am not," Arthur stated as he rose from his seat and made his way toward the training grounds. Merlin simply shook his head and trailed after him.

Training proceeded as usual, with Arthur driving the knights to their limits, his customary arrogance on full display. After a good session of camaraderie with the knights, Arthur and Merlin moved on to fulfill the royal duties.

As they strolled towards the courtyard, Merlin couldn't help but notice a slight limp in Arthur's right leg. Concern flickered in his eyes as he inquired, "Are you alright?"

"Perfectly fine," Arthur nodded, attempting to mask the limp. "Sir Leon has certainly improved on his follow-through, caught me slightly off guard," he chuckled.

"Are you sure you don't need me to send for Gaius?" Merlin pressed, his concern unabated.

"No, Merlin, I appreciate the concern, but it's just a minor sprain, and I won't let it interfere with my normal duties. I'll retire to my chamber to review some documents before heading out for a local patrol," Arthur replied, slowly making his way towards his chambers.

With Arthur on his way and no immediate tasks, Merlin seized the opportunity to slip into his shared chambers with Gaius, eager to delve into his enchanted books during the precious moments of solitude he had.

As he entered the room, Merlin was greeted by Gaius, who was hunched over a desk, busily concocting a rather foul-smelling potion.

"You're back early," the old man smiled.

"Yes, Arthur didn't need any services until dinner," Merlin replied. However, once he had fully entered the room, the noxious odor hit him, and he instinctively covered his nose with his hands. "What on earth are you making?" he exclaimed, the pungent smell causing his eyes to water.

Gaius turned back to his work and explained, "Yes, sorry about that. I'm making a healing draft for boils. The innkeeper has a very nasty pair on his feet."

"Nice," Merlin quipped sarcastically as he hurriedly made his way to his own room.

On the other side of the castle, Gwen was diligently adding her personal touch to Morgana's chambers. She made a habit of rising early so she could pick fresh flowers to brighten up Morgana's room. In the past, Morgana had eagerly anticipated the daily surprise of new blooms Gwen had chosen, but since her abduction by Morgause, she seemed to pay little mind. Gwen couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Morgana had changed, and something about her was different. She missed her friend deeply.

Morgana was currently out on a horseback ride, a pastime she cherished, and one of the few things that still brought her joy. She had been away for over an hour, providing Gwen with ample time to begin preparing Morgana's chambers for the evening, with a little extra time to spare.

With the chamber prepared, all that remained for Gwen to do was prepare a bath, a task she would attend to after dinner. She had already laid out the oils and an assortment of flower petals for Morgana's bath. In the past, Morgana had been plagued by unsettling dreams and had difficulty sleeping, so Gwen had always added lavender to her baths to help soothe her lady. Though Morgana's nightmares had become less frequent since her return to Camelot, Gwen continued to add lavender to the bath, just in case, as a comforting gesture.

As Gwen made her way to see Gaius, she took the opportunity to help out where she could. Along her journey to the physician's tower, she exchanged greetings with fellow servants and shared small smiles with the knights. However, her path was interrupted by a particular knight, Sir Castor.

"Good afternoon," he greeted with a smile, his eyes revealing a hint of desire. Gwen felt a shiver of discomfort as his gaze lingered a bit too long on her corset. She responded with a polite but reserved nod, then quickly continued her way, eager to put some distance between herself and the uncomfortable encounter.

"Gwen!" Gaius called out with merriment in his tone. He always cherished her visits, appreciating her kindness and willingness to assist him with tasks when she had the time.

"Let me guess, Morgana is off riding, and you've completed all your tasks," Gwen smiled at the old man. Gaius knew her so well, and since the passing of her father, he had become a consistent source of comfort for her. Most of her evenings were spent with Gaius and Merlin, discussing the challenges and events of the day.

"Yes, Morgana won't be back for a few hours, so I thought I could maybe help out," Gwen said, observing the growing mountains of books that seemed to have taken over nearly every available surface in the room. "Or maybe tidy up," she laughed, gesturing to the cluttered room.

Gaius chuckled, "In my old age, my memory isn't what it used to be, so I thought I would just double-check a few herbs and remedies," he explained with a hint of embarrassment. Gwen was always willing to lend a hand, and her presence was a source of warmth and comfort to the old physician.

"I wouldn't call it old age, but rather the accumulation of wisdom," Gwen remarked with a fond smile. She couldn't help but notice Merlin's absence. "Where's Merlin?"

"He's in his room. He had a rather brief morning too," Gaius answered, gesturing toward the closed door at the back. "In fact, I was just about to summon him to take this to Arthur," he added, holding up a brown jar.

Gwen's concern was unmistakable, and it brought a smile to Gaius's face. He had long since noticed the budding affection between the young couple.

"Don't worry! It's just a soothing balm," Gaius reassured her. "Merlin mentioned that he had a slight limp after training, so it's probably just a sprain."

Gwen's demeanour instantly calmed. "You could bring it to him," Gaius suggested.

Gwen hesitated for a moment but then managed to reply, "I... uh... sure." She tried to maintain her composure, her heart fluttering at the thought of delivering the balm to Arthur.

Gaius handed the jar to Gwen with a warm smile and sent her on her way. As she left, he let out a bittersweet sigh, fully aware of the challenges the young couple faced. It was evident that Arthur had deep feelings for Gwen, and it saddened him to think that they might never be able to be together.

Gwen made her way through the corridors, reminding herself to slow down and not appear too eager as she headed to deliver the soothing balm to Arthur.

When she reached Arthur's door, Gwen paused and began to fuss about her dress, ensuring she looked as presentable as possible. She sighed, realizing that these actions were somewhat silly. After all, she was just a servant in a simple dress, and she knew that her station in life would never allow her to be more than that.

Gwen pushed open the door and was met with the sight of Arthur hunched over his table, surrounded by a mounting pile of documents. A trace of annoyance flitted across his face, but it quickly vanished when he realized who had entered. "Guinevere," he smiled, and blush coloured his cheeks.

"I... um... sorry to disturb you, sire. I... Gaius sent me," she explained with a slightly awkward smile. Gwen was typically known for her composure, but around Arthur, she couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.

Arthur looked puzzled, as he had no recollection of requesting Gaius's services. "He mentioned that you may have injured yourself this morning after training," Gwen continued, moving closer to the table.

"Merlin," Arthur sighed with a hint of frustration. "I was not injured, it was just part of the training," he clarified.

"Thank you, though, for bringing this," he pointed at the jar Gwen had placed on the end of the table. "It's a soothing balm, and Merlin was just looking out for you," Gwen smiled, fully aware of Arthur's tendency to maintain a macho facade.

"Well, I would be a fool to argue," Arthur said with a warm smile. He rose from the table and walked over to Gwen, settling down beside her. A comfortable silence fell between them as they gazed at each other, both reluctant to break the silence and return to the stark reality of their situation.

"I should go, Sire," Gwen said quietly.

Arthur looked down and sighed heavily. As Gwen turned to leave, he reached out and gripped her arm, causing her to face him. "I'm sorry about this morning," he mumbled.

"I ran into you, Arthur... I mean, Sire," Gwen pointed out.

"No, I meant what my father said," Arthur admitted. Gwen shook her head, but deep down, she knew Uther was right. Arthur was the prince, and he shouldn't concern himself with her, which brought a sad smile to her face.

Arthur couldn't help but notice the shift in Gwen's expression. He gently lifted her chin, turning her face to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked in an intense, intimate connection, and his gaze slowly descended to her lips. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her beautiful, inviting lips. They were like a magnetic force, drawing him closer, and all he desired in that moment was to kiss her.

As Gwen noticed where Arthur's gaze was focused, she found herself instinctively glancing down at his lips. The world seemed to fade away, and in that moment, all she desired was for Arthur to lean in and kiss her. It had been far too long since they had shared a kiss. The last time had been during the rescue of her brother in the forest, and they had come incredibly close to kissing when she showed him how to light a fire. However, their moment had been abruptly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Merlin and Morgana. The memory of that missed opportunity lingered in the air between them.

It was as if the memory of that missed opportunity had a gravitational pull, snapping Gwen and Arthur back to reality. They slowly pulled away from each other. Gwen made her way to the door and turned to face him.

"Use the balm, Arthur," she said, her voice filled with warmth and concern. Her words made Arthur smile.

With that said, Gwen left the room. Arthur let out a deep sigh filled with frustration and self-recrimination. Why couldn't he just lean in and kiss her? The answer was clear in his mind. It was because he couldn't bear the aftermath, knowing that stolen kisses would be the only thing he could offer Gwen. And she deserved so much more than that.

The day continued on its usual course. Arthur diligently worked through his documents and then headed out on patrol. Gwen was occupied with assisting Morgana with her hair, and Merlin had just emerged from his room, having been lost in a trance for hours. Each of them, in their own way, was preoccupied with thoughts and responsibilities, while the castle went about its daily routine.

"You're alive then?" Gaius called out, returning from his rounds.

Merlin chuckled in response. Once he started reading the books that Gaius had given him, he found it difficult to stop. He relished the opportunity to learn more about magic and how he could harness its power. Magic was banned in Camelot, and if he were caught, he could face execution. So, Merlin had to make the most of the limited time he had to indulge in his studies.

"Learn anything useful?" Gaius inquired, setting his satchel down on the table.

"Yes," Merlin replied with excitement. He appreciated Gaius's unwavering support for his magical studies, fully aware that if Merlin were ever caught, Gaius would face the same dire consequences.

The two delved into discussions about new spells and potions that Merlin could experiment with. They shared laughter and Merlin listened intently to stories Gaius recounted from his own days of practising magic. Their time together was filled with warmth and camaraderie, as they shared their mutual passion for the mystical arts.

As the bells chimed throughout the kingdom, signalling the approaching end of the day, Merlin realized he was running late once again. He hurriedly made his way to the kitchen, pleading with the cook for assistance to expedite the preparation of the prince's dinner. In a rush, he snatched up the plate and grabbed a pitcher of wine from a cupboard, then dashed to Prince Arthur's chambers, anxious to make sure he wasn't tardy with the evening meal.

Merlin burst into the prince's chambers, once again forgetting to knock. He stood there, expecting to be scolded, but instead, he found an empty room.

Merlin quickly set to work preparing the table with food. Just as he had finished, Arthur burst through the door, throwing his weapons to the ground with a frustrated expression.

"You look surprised," Merlin remarked.

"Well, yes, Merlin, finding you here on time is a rarity," Arthur replied with a wry smile.

Merlin assisted Arthur in removing his armor, and the prince was relieved to be free of the heavy burden and the weight it carried.

Merlin noticed that Arthur appeared frustrated, and he decided to inquire about what was troubling the young prince. Arthur sighed and began to explain what had annoyed him.

"On patrol, Leon and I passed through the lower town and walked by the guards. Sir Castor was boasting about his conquests," Arthur explained, causing Merlin to shudder as he knew precisely what Arthur meant by "conquests."

"If his father and my father weren't childhood friends, I would kick him off the guards," Arthur continued with irritation. "But he always talks about the women of the court. Why did this one bother you?" Merlin asked, filling up Arthur's wine cup.

"Well, this idiot... made a comment about Morgana just as I walked past. Then Leon stated that it would be foolish for any man in the whole of Camelot to make such a distasteful comment," Arthur explained, his frustration evident.

Merlin's feelings of distrust and even resentment toward Morgana were strong, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort and displeasure at the knight's disrespectful comments about his former friend. Despite the changes in their relationship, some things still struck a nerve with him.

"He quickly apologized and looked embarrassed," Arthur continued.

"Good, at least he did that," Merlin remarked, picking up Arthur's weapons and placing them in their appropriate spots.

Arthur sighed, his anger clearly escalating. The incident had clearly gotten under his skin.

"What else?" Merlin asked cautiously.

"Sir Castor brought up Guinevere and said how he would... love to have a go," Arthur replied, his anger now fully evident.

"All the knights laughed and agreed. Leon was the only one who shook his head in disgrace," Arthur explained, his frustration growing.

Arthur tossed his cup across the room in anger. "Castor knew he had hit a nerve already with the Morgana comment but was surprised by my anger when he spoke about Guinevere. He had the nerve to say that he didn't realize she was spoken for," Arthur continued, now pacing around his chambers. Merlin hurried to pick up the cup, noting the clear dent in it from its impact with the wall.

"Let me guess, you had to pretend that she wasn't," Merlin commented, his own disgust evident. He shared Arthur's sentiments, and he couldn't stand the arrogance of certain nobles who believed they were superior to others. Gwen was a far better person than someone like Castor, and she certainly didn't deserve to be treated this way. He couldn't imagine how Arthur felt, and it pained him to see his friend so distressed.

"Well, it's not exactly like she is spoken for, Merlin," Arthur said with frustration. He hated that he couldn't punch Castor in the face or openly express how important Gwen was to him. "All I could say was that regardless of who the woman is, to speak so disdainfully about any woman is a stain on their honour and the honour of Camelot."

Arthur stopped pacing and looked defeated, and Merlin felt a deep sense of sympathy for his friend.

"Guinevere would not waste her time on a man like Castor," Merlin said, trying to provide some comfort.

"I know... she deserves the world," Arthur replied sadly. "Merlin, I want to be alone. You may retire for the night," he said, heading toward his bed.

Merlin gave Arthur a sympathetic smile and began clearing away the food, leaving the prince to his thoughts.

After cleaning the dishes, Merlin made his way to his chambers. He was pleasantly surprised to find Gaius sitting with Gwen. Dinner was prepared, and the two of them were engaged in a warm and pleasant conversation. It was clear they had been waiting for him. The meal may not have been fit for the royal standards, but to Merlin, it was perfect. The sight of Gaius and Gwen together brought a genuine smile to his face.

"Merlin," Gaius called, "just in time."

Merlin took his place at the table, and the trio began their meal. They talked about their respective days, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. Gwen started to recount her encounter with Knight Castor, which made Merlin choke slightly on his food as he recalled his earlier conversation with Arthur.

"What did he do?" Merlin asked, his discomfort evident.

"Nothing really... I just... he stares a lot, and he's just sleazy," Gwen laughed.

"Are you alright?" she asked, noticing Merlin's obvious unease.

"Yeah... I just don't like him," Merlin replied, choosing not to mention the earlier events. He quickly changed the subject, sharing a humorous story to lighten the mood.

With dinner concluded and laughter shared, it was time for the three of them to retire for the night, as they appeared visibly tired from the day's events. Merlin offered to walk Gwen back to her home, but she initially refused. Gaius, concerned for her safety in the dark, insisted, and Gwen eventually agreed. The two of them set off on the walk together.

The pair had left the castle and ventured into the courtyard. Merlin told a joke that made Gwen burst into giggles, and their laughter echoed through the quiet Camelot, heard for miles. Unbeknownst to them, they had an audience.

Up in his window, Arthur watched the two with a sad smile. He had been busy in his chambers, grappling with more of the kingdom's stressful documents, but the sound of Gwen's mesmerizing laugh outside in the courtyard had called him to investigate. He looked down from his window and observed Gwen and Merlin, their arms linked as they laughed their way to her house.

Arthur was glad that Merlin was ensuring Gwen got home safely, but a pang of jealousy hit him as he realized he couldn't do the same. He racked his brain for a solution, but it seemed impossible for a prince to walk a peasant girl home without causing suspicion.

He continued to watch as the pair made their way out of the courtyard and disappeared among the castle walls into the lower town. Gwen didn't live far, so he knew she was in safe hands. With his thoughts consumed by the events of the evening, he decided to try and get some sleep, drifting into a dream where Gwen featured prominently.

As they approached her home, Gwen turned to Merlin and gave him a warm hug, wishing him a pleasant night as she headed inside. She welcomed the comforting scent of the burning candles as she settled into her dwelling. The sounds of her brother snoring in the back of the house filled the air, and she secretly loved it. Before her brother's return, she had lived alone after her father's passing. Gwen sometimes dreaded going home to a dark and empty house, but now she had Arthur to thank for bringing this newfound joy into her life. With a sigh, she got ready for bed, and her dreams were filled with thoughts of Arthur.

Merlin walked back up to the castle from Gwen's home, enjoying the mid-spring evening as summer drew closer, making the night pleasantly warm. He gazed up at the stars, trying to count them as he strolled along. The beauty of the night sky always brought him a sense of peace.

As he approached the castle, his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a red cape darting up a little-known entrance. A sense of dread washed over him, and he instantly knew who it was. Morgana had clearly returned from one of her secretive outings, likely meeting with Morgause. The question that weighed on his mind was what dark plots they were concocting now. He knew he would have to keep a close watch on their actions.

Merlin couldn't help but feel a deep sadness, for Morgana had once been one of the kindest and most loving people he knew. But her embrace of dark magic had twisted her soul, leaving nothing but darkness in its wake.

Merlin couldn't help but wish that he could reveal his true self to Morgana and show her the good that could be done with magic. However, he knew all too well that the person she had become would only use his abilities for his own downfall, and it pained him to think that the woman he once cared for was now his enemy.

As Merlin entered the quiet castle, the only sound that reached his ears was the distant footsteps of the patrol guards. He contemplated whether he should go to Morgana's chambers and confront her, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Confronting her directly would likely be futile, and he would have to wait to see what evil plans she had in store. The thought of her sinister schemes terrified him, as there had been too many close calls already, and he had nearly lost his friends because of her.

Seeking some guidance and solace, he entered the physician's quarters and was relieved to find Gaius still awake. Merlin recounted what he had witnessed, and Gaius listened in silence. "We have to be vigilant," Gaius finally said. "Merlin, there isn't much more we can do. Going to Uther and Arthur is off the table as they are blinded by their affection for her. We just need to stay watchful." With that, Gaius dismissed Merlin to get some rest, wishing his ward a good night.

Merlin clambered into his chambers; his mind weighed down by the recent events. He began removing his blue tunic and scarf, replacing them with his night clothes. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of dread. His worries for Camelot had grown, and he knew that he would have to confront Morgana once again. She was becoming more powerful with each passing day, and he feared that he might be too late to stop her this time.

That night, as Merlin drifted off to sleep, his dreams were plagued with horrific images of Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, and everyone he cared about in grave danger, and he woke up with a heavy heart.