Amelia's POV
Amelia is in her Chambers with Morgana, Gwen and Anne when Merlin suddenly bursts in.
"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?!" Morgana exclaims in surprise. They all turn to look at him.
"The Guards are after him. I didn't know what to do." It is then that Amelia spots the young boy that Merlin had dragged with him into her Chambers. He looks pale and dazed but also somewhat scared. She feels drawn to him. Like he is familiar. As if she knows him. She does not know if it is because of her memories of the show trying to push through or another reason but that was how she feels all the same. She notices that Morgana has a similar look on her face.
Suddenly knocking on the door and a "My Lady? My Lady?" snaps her and Morgana out of it and she points over to the corner of her Chambers where an alcove is covered by a curtain. "In there." She waits until Merlin and the boy are behind the curtain to open the door.
She sees a Guard she knows called Patrick standing in front of her with others loitering behind him. "I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady. We're searching for a young Druid boy. We believe he came this way."
"I haven't seen anyone. It's just me, the Lady Morgana and our maids." She says, trying to seem as calm as possible.
"Best keep the door locked till we find him."
"Of course. Thank you." She closes the door and runs to check on the boy along with Morgana, Gwen and Anne. Merlin is crouching on the floor with the unconscious boy in his arms. He lifts his hand to reveal that it is covered in blood and a wound on the boy's arm. They all look at each other in worry.
—
It was not long before Uther announces the execution of the Druid man who had come with the boy.
Amelia sits next to the boy, who lies awake, in the alcove that they had placed him in though he has now been given some blankets. She has been feeling very protective of him and feels the need to be near him. Morgana and Merlin watch from the window to the Square below as the Druid man is waiting to be executed.
She hears Uther begin his speech. "People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people."
"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you." The Druid man says boldly.
"I can't watch this," Morgana says to Merlin and leaves the window and sits down on the floor, cradling Mordred. Amelia hears the swing of the axe and suddenly she hears the boy yell, "No!", in her mind before her mirror breaks. She sees Merlin flinch so she knows he had heard it and possibly Morgana, who looks at the mirror shaken. She can feel the Druid boy breathing heavily next to her.
—
It is later in the day that Amelia hears a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Anne says to her and Morgana.
Merlin enters holding a bundle. "How is he?"
"He's sleeping. He's very pale. We worry he may have lost a lot of blood." Anne says, walking back over with Merlin to where Amelia crouches over the boy and Morgana stands behind her.
By this point, Amelia has checked her notes and realised that this boy is actually Mordred. The boy who will grow up to kill Arthur. Her notes said she should still save Mordred as this did not mean for definite that the future where he kills Arthur will happen. Even if it does not, she still feels the need to protect him. She cannot explain it.
"Has he said anything at all?" Merlin asks.
"Nothing. He won't even tell us his name." Morgana says remorsefully.
"You know, er," Merlin says awkwardly, scratching his head and leaning against the wall, "for a moment there earlier, I-I thought you were going to hand us over to the Guards."
"I'm glad you have so much faith in us, Merlin," Amelia says shortly. Does he not know her at all? She can see how she feels on Morgana and Anne's faces.
"No, no, sorry." Merlin hurriedly says. "Erm, I meant, you and Morgana are both the King's wards. You're taking a huge risk helping the boy. And he would show no possible mercy to Anne." This causes them all to soften.
"I wouldn't see an innocent child executed," Morgana says.
Anne nods along with her. "What harm has he ever done anyone?"
"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlin says.
"Uther's wrong," Morgana says strongly causing Merlin to lift his head in surprise though Amelia does not as she has always known that Morgana has felt this way.
"You believe that?" Merlin asks.
"She's right. What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?" Amelia then says, standing up. Morgana nods. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Amelia asks Merlin, who is staring at her and Morgana.
"Nothing," Merlin says, ducking his head.
"Why are you helping him?" Morgana asks, looking accusingly at him.
"It was a spur of the moment decision." Amelia knows he is lying. "What do you think we should do with him? He can't stay here."
"We have to find a way to get him back to his people," Anne says resolutely.
—
That night she and Morgana eat with Uther. It is odd sitting opposite the man knowing what she is hiding in her Chambers. She had not wanted to do this but Morgana told her that they need to keep suspicion away from them as much as possible.
"You seem troubled, Morgana, Amelia. Is something wrong?" Uther asks. Amelia squirms uncomfortably with how he can perceive this.
"No, My Lord." Morgan quickly says with fake enthusiasm. "We are sorry we are not better company."
"I'm merely concerned for your welfare, that's all."
"Thank you, My Lord. All is well." Amelia says. Then Arthur enters.
"What news of the hunt for the Druid boy?" Uther asks him as Arthur walks up the table past her and Morgana to lean on a chair near Uther.
"We have conducted an extensive search. The boy is nowhere to be found." Arthur informs him.
"You mean you failed to find him?"
"Perhaps he's already left the City," Arthur suggests. Amelia watches the exchange intensely for any news.
"You're telling me that a wounded boy is able to evade the Guards and escape the City?" Uther asks in disbelief. "Nonsense, someone's hiding him. I want him found."
"He's just a boy. What harm can he do?" Amelia cannot help but slightly smile at that.
"He is a Druid, and that makes him dangerous." This causes Amelia to frown again.
"The Druids would see your father's Kingdom destroyed," Morgana says, wisely diverting attention from the possibility they would hide the boy.
"I had no idea you were such an authority on Druids," Arthur says accusingly to her.
"Morgana is right. Double your efforts."
"Yes, father." Arthur resigns to his father's wishes.
"Keep searching until you find him."
—
It is the next day that Mordred turns for the worse. By the time Merlin arrives, he is feverish.
Merlin checks on Mordred while Morgana and Amelia crouch next to him. "He's burning up. How long has he been like this?"
"Since early this morning. I think his wound may be infected. We need Gaius before it gets any worse." Morgana says worriedly.
"No. We can't involve Gaius. It's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself." Merlin says.
"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he's sick. We need a Physician." Amelia tells him.
"I'll treat him." Merlin decides.
"Merlin, do you know how to treat an infected wound?" Morgana asks doubtfully.
"Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner." As soon as he finishes, Amelia hears footsteps and knocking at the door. She quickly stands up with Morgana, who closes the curtain, and she goes to open the door while Morgana sits at a table in the centre of the room.
"Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?" She says sarcastically as he walks past her into the room. She can see Guards standing in the hall. Well, at least this time they do not barge in and begin searching immediately.
"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call. I'm looking for the Druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your Chambers." Arthur responds with equal sarcasm.
"You're not searching my Chambers." She says to him.
"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire Castle. Only take a few minutes." She glances over to where Merlin and Mordred are and catches Merlin's eye and gives him a panicked look before quickly turning back to Arthur.
"I'm not having you mess up my things."
"I'm not interested in your things, I'm just looking for any evidence that the Druid boy's in the Castle," Arthur says, walking through the room, picking up odd objects.
"Perhaps the Druid boy's hiding in your Chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know." Morgana pipes up. Amelia sniggers at that causing Arthur to look at her annoyed.
"It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant." Arthur seems irritated, which is good as this makes him less focused.
"If you can't even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?" Morgana asks, walking over to her as they follow Arthur's movements.
"Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities. And, as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."
"Well, I'll save you the trouble," Amelia says.
"Trust me, if I could find him, I would." Arthur continues to potter around the room.
"The Druid boy's hiding behind the screen." She says. Arthur glances over at the curtains. She hopes Merlin has hidden. She can see Morgana look at her in alarm in the corner of her eye but she continues. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on." She gestures her head towards the curtains. She's teasing him at this point; it is the best way to deal with Arthur.
"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?" Arthur demands.
"In our experience, you don't need any help looking like a fool," Morgana says, seemingly catching on to what Amelia is doing and moving to stand next to her.
"What are you waiting for?" Amelia says, smirking. "Take a look."
"Why don't you go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is that you do all day?" He says pettily before walking around them and out of the room.
"Bye, Arthur. Good luck with the search!" Morgana calls after him while Amelia gives him a little wave.
Once the door closes Amelia looks at Morgana and both sigh with relief. Before Morgana suddenly hits her on the arm.
"Ow!" Amelia exclaims. "What was that for?!"
"Oh, you know," Morgana says accusingly.
Amelia pouts and rubs her arm.
—
Merlin leaves to get supplies to work on Mordred's wound but ends up taking quite a while.
Amelia opens the door for Merlin to enter when he finally comes back. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry. Once Gaius gets talking about anatomy, there's no stopping him." He says before crouching next to Morgana over Mordred and begins treating Mordred by slathering some sort of gunk over the wound.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Morgana asks doubtfully.
"I'm doing my best," Merlin tells her.
"I'll get you some more water," Morgana says, standing up. Amelia takes her spot. She notices Merlin stop in his treatment and stare at Mordred, who is staring back. They must be talking to one another in their minds.
"Speak to me." Merlin suddenly says out loud.
"I don't know if he can't speak, or... he's just too scared to," Morgana says, having walked back over to them, carrying a jug of water. She puts it down next to Merlin.
—
It is not long before Amelia sees that Merlin's treatment has not worked. Mordred turns feverish again.
Amelia crouches next to Mordred tending to him with Morgana on her other side watching her intently. She knows that Gwen and Anne stand behind them watching them worriedly.
"Let us care for him for a while. You both need to sleep. You'll make yourselves sick if you go on like this." Gwen says. Now that she says it, Amelia realises that she has hardly been sleeping these past nights, neither has Morgana.
"His fever's getting worse," Morgana says turning to her, wordlessly refusing to move.
"Morgana. Amelia." Amelia then hears in her head. She snaps her head towards Mordred. Morgana does the same.
"Did you hear that?" Amelia asks the others.
"What?" Anne asks. Did Anne not hear?
"He said our names," Morgana says.
"Did he? I didn't hear anything." Gwen says.
They startle slightly when there is a knock on the door then relax when hearing, "It's Merlin." Gwen stands up and opens the door before walking back with Merlin in tow.
"How is he?" Merlin asks.
"He's getting weaker. Whatever you did yesterday, hasn't worked. We have to ask Gaius for his help." Amelia tells him. Merlin scratches his head looking like he is about to disagree.
"After all you've done, you can't give up now! Please! If he doesn't receive treatment, he'll die!" Morgana begs.
"Ok."
Merlin comes back with Gaius, who immediately begins to examine Mordred. Amelia and Morgana crouch next to him watching worriedly while the others stand behind them.
"I will treat the boy, but as soon as he's well, you must get him out of Camelot. And woe betide anyone caught helping him." Gaius peels back Mordred's bandage. "Well, one thing we know for certain."
"What's that?" Merlin asks.
"You're no Physician," Gaius says looking at him. Merlin looks down embarrassed. This causes Amelia to smile for the first time in hours.
—
After Gaius has treated Mordred, Amelia, Anne, Gwen, Morgana and Merlin congregate in the Market in the Lower Town. Amelia observes the Guards stopping a man pulling a cart out through the gate.
"The Guards are searching everyone leaving the town," Gwen tells them what they can already see.
"There is another way out. There's a secret door in the Armoury. It leads to the Lower Town. I'll take the boy out that way." Merlin then says.
"No. It's too dangerous. I'll do it." Morgana says.
"But I-I'm good with secret doors and things," Merlin argues.
"If you are caught, Uther will execute you. The boy's my responsibility. I'll smuggle him out of the Castle." Amelia opens her mouth to protest that he actually isn't her's as Mordred is in her Chambers not Morgana's but then Morgana says, "I'm not letting you do this either Amelia." She pouts.
"Well, you'll need a key for the door," Merlin says.
"Who has it?" Anne asks.
"Arthur," Merlin says in almost defeat.
—
Amelia stands in her own Chambers while Morgana dresses in Gwen's clothes. She herself helps Mordred get dressed for the journey. She is nervous about tonight as annoyingly enough her notes say nothing about whether tonight will be a success.
"It'll have to do." Morgana sighs. "I feel I've put you in danger without ever stopping to ask how you feel about it. I'm sorry." She says to Anne and Gwen who stand in front of her.
"Me too," Amelia says, walking over to them.
Anne shakes her head while Gwen says, "I know how it feels to face the threat of execution. And I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
"And I would have done something if you had not anyway," Anne says.
There is knocking and a "It's Merlin." Gwen goes to open the door. Amelia goes back over to Mordred.
"We're going to get you out of Camelot. We won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise." She says, crouching down. He gives her a nod.
"Are you ready?" Merlin asks, now in the room.
Morgana nods. "Did you get the keys?"
Amelia can see Merlin starring at Mordred. Does he know Mordred's future?
"Yeah." He says, snapping out of it and showing Morgana the key. "Er, the door is behind the shield at the far end of the Armoury." Morgana nods in understanding taking the key.
"I'll pack you some food and water for the journey. Be careful." Gwen tells her.
Gwen and Merlin leave for Gwen's house to get the food and ready horses and wait for Morgana and Mordred to meet them. It was decided that Amelia going with them would raise too many suspicions and Anne does not need to go as they already have enough people on their specific jobs. So all Amelia can do is wait with Anne and hope for the best.
—
Gwen's POV
Gwen prepares some travel supplies. "I hope they're OK. Morgana and Amelia really care about the boy. I've never seen them this way with anyone."
"I'm sure they just want to protect him," Merlin says.
Gwen cannot help but think that is not the whole truth. "Hmm." She frowns in thought.
—
Amelia's POV
The plan had not worked and Morgana and Mordred had been caught. Mordred is taken down to the Dungeons to await execution while Morgana stands in the Council Chambers silently steaming with anger in front of a similarly angry Uther. They are both like two bombs waiting to blow.
Amelia and Arthur stand off to the side. She is not in trouble as Morgana had only confessed to herself hiding the boy.
"All this time, you've been hiding the boy in my own palace. How could you betray me like this?" Uther demands of her while leaning against his chair at the end of the long table that is placed in the room. His voice gets angrier the longer he speaks.
"I would not see him executed," Morgana says with strange calmness.
"I've treated you like a daughter. Is this how you repay me?" Uther asks of her as he walks closer.
"I did what I thought was right."
"You think it's right to conspire with my enemies against me?"
"How can this child be your enemy? He's just a boy." Her facade breaks.
"He is a Druid," Uther says as if it explains everything.
"Is that such a crime?" Morgana asks sarcastically.
"His kind would see me dead and this Kingdom returned to anarchy and you would help them." He stops walking, now directly in front of Morgana.
"Then punish me..." Morgana says strongly, stepping towards Uther before continuing in a soft begging tone, "but spare the boy. I beg you."
"Make arrangements for the boy to be executed tomorrow morning," Uther says over his shoulder to Arthur, who does nothing except look at his feet, while he walks back up the length of the table.
"No! Please. He's done nothing." Morgana cries, walking after him.
"Let this be a lesson to you." He says stopping and turning to her.
"You don't have to do this," Morgana begs.
Uther ignores her and turns to Arthur, "Do you hear me? I want him executed at dawn."
"Yes, Father," Arthur mutters. Amelia puts her hand on his shoulder in comfort. Uther continues walking.
"What have these people done to you? Why are you so full of hate?" Morgana cries, marching towards Uther and grabbing his arm. Uther grabs her throat and presses her against a chair back.
"Morgana!" Amelia cries, stepping forward but Arthur stops her by pulling her back with his arm around her waist.
"Enough!" Uther yells. "I will not hear another word! Do not speak to me until you are ready to apologise for what you've done." Uther lets go of her throat causing her and the chair to rock back slightly before leaving. Arthur lets go of Amelia and follows.
Amelia rushes up to Morgana. "Are you alright?" She asks, reaching out her hand to touch Morgana's throat.
Morgana nods tearfully and grabs Amelia's hand and takes them out of the room.
—
They now stand in Morgana's Chambers with Merlin perching himself on a table and rocking the chair back and forth with his left hand on the other side of the room.
"I promised that we wouldn't let anything bad happen," Amelia says tearfully, feeling terrible for bringing Mordred hope.
"You can't blame yourself. You tried your best." Merlin says quietly. He has been in a strange mood ever since he had returned from collecting the key.
"It's not enough," Amelia says. Morgana makes a noise of disagreement.
"He's in Jail now. There's nothing more we can do." Merlin says, sounding as if he has already given up.
"We will not let him die," Morgana says with tears in her own eyes, walking over to him. "Can we count on your help?" Merlin pauses before nodding.
"Thank you," Amelia says to him before she and Morgana both leave.
—
She and Morgana go to Arthur's Chambers and wait for him there hoping to reason with him. Arthur enters to see Morgana sitting in a chair at his table and Amelia standing next to her.
"Make yourself at home." Arthur sarcastically says, taking off his coat.
"You can't let your father execute the boy," Morgana says, not wasting any time.
"You're lucky he's not executing you." He says angrily as he drops his coat over the back of the chair nearest to him before moving to his belt and turning to Amelia, "Are you telling me he really was behind the screen when I came to search your Chambers?" Amelia nods looking down. Arthur turns away from them in frustration. "I should not be surprised you two are working together."
"We know you believe your father's wrong to execute him," Morgana says.
"What I believe doesn't matter. My father's made up his mind. He won't be talked out of it. I tried." Arthur says, chucking his belt onto his bed and picking up a goblet and walking past them to stare out of a window.
"Then the time for talking is over," Amelia says, walking up behind him, Morgana behind her.
"Whatever you're thinking, it's not going to happen," Arthur tells them.
"We have to get the boy back to his people," Morgana says.
"No. Forget it." He glances over his shoulder to them briefly.
"I can't believe you'd let an innocent child die!" Amelia exclaims.
"It's too late. He's been caught." He looks at them before looking back out the window. "I have no choice," Arthur says resigned.
"And is this how you will rule when you are King? You're not like your father." Morgana says persuasively.
"I will not betray him." He says, looking directly at them.
"If I know you at all, you won't stand by and let this happen," Amelia tells him. Arthur turns away again. "You will not let a child be killed just for who they are."
"Please." Morgana steps closer. "If you won't do this for the boy, then do it for us." Amelia can tell by what she can see of his face that they had convinced him.
—
Arthur sits in the chair Morgana had originally been sitting in while Amelia and Morgana stand on either side of him. They are discussing the plan they had come up with when Merlin enters.
"Sorry. Was I interrupting something?" He asks, not fully entering the room as they all stare at him.
"Nothing you need concern yourself with. Go make yourself useful, muck out my horses." Arthur orders.
Before Merlin can leave, Amelia pipes up, "We trust Merlin." Morgana nods in agreement.
Arthur motions for Merlin to enter and Merlin steps in closing the door. "We're going to break the Druid boy out of the Dungeons."
"You can't do that," Merlin says. Amelia frowns at him.
"We have to. Uther's going to execute him at dawn." Morgana says also frowning.
"I mean... it's too dangerous." Merlin backtracks. "Morgana you have already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time he'll never forgive you. And I doubt he will forgive Amelia as well as he will then know she has been apart of this for the whole time."
"We are not worried for ourselves," Amelia says.
"Merlin's right," Arthur says causing Amelia to look at him. "When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect Morgana then possibly Amelia of being involved. If he doesn't already."
"It's suicide," Merlin says. Amelia wonders if Merlin has been informed about Mordred's future, probably has by now for definite due to how he is acting.
"Morgana you must go to my father and apologise. Both of you dine with him, he cannot hold either of you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes." Arthur says, thinking this through.
"You need one of us if the plan's to work. You can't do this on your own." Morgana tells him.
Arthur thinks for a moment before smirking, "Merlin will take your place."
"Me?" Merlin questions.
Arthur stands, walking over to stand in front of 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."
"No- no, I can't..."
"Merlin. Do you understand? If you're not there to meet us, we'll surely be caught." Merlin nods after hesitating. Arthur then leaves the room. Amelia hopes that Merlin will pull through despite what Kilgharrah tells him.
—
That night, Anne helps Amelia get dressed for dinner in her Chambers.
"Thank you." She says after Anne ties her necklace behind her neck and turns around and sees Anne's expression.
"What is it? What's wrong?" She asks.
"You're risking so much for this boy." Amelia opens her mouth to protest put Anne continues. "Trust me. I am all for saving someone being persecuted for their magic. I can relate to that but you don't know anything about him. You don't even know his name."
"There's a bond between us," Amelia says. She does not know how else to explain it even to Anne who she knows would understand the most out of everyone.
"Enough to risk Uther's wrath?" She understands where Anne is coming from.
"It's like nothing I've ever felt before. Perhaps I was always meant to help him," She says earnestly.
"How can that be?"
"I don't know. I can't explain it." She says, desperately hoping Anne will understand. Anne sighs and shakes her head.
"I must meet Morgana and go to Uther," Amelia says tiredly, walking towards the door.
"Good luck," Anne calls after her. Amelia turns and nods her head.
—
Amelia walks behind Morgana as they enter the Council Chambers to where Uther is eating as she knows that Morgana needs to lead this one.
"I have come to apologise, My Lord," Morgana says with tear stained cheeks. She can really put on a performance. "You have been generous and kind and fair. And I owe you everything. I truly don't know what came over me. I acted without thinking of the consequence. My behaviour was unforgivable." She sounds as if she is about to burst into floods of tears as she gasps for air.
"I am glad you've seen sense. I hope Amelia will learn by example," he nods towards her, "Dine with me. Both of you. Let's put this," he coughs awkwardly, "unfortunate incident behind us."
—
The warning bells begin to sound after she and Morgana had sat in their seats and had begun to eat. Amelia cannot help but look up in worry.
"Guard!" Uther calls and a Guard enters. "Find out why they've sounded the warning bell."
"Yes, My Lord."
Amelia feels a hand touch hers and she looks up to Morgana, who is trying to give her a comforting smile. She squeezes the hand placed on hers to say thank you.
Eventually, a Guard re-enters the room. "My Lord. I regret to report that the Druid boy has escaped from the Dungeon."
"What!? How?" Uther exclaims, standing up.
"My Lord, he was assisted by some accomplices. The Guards are searching Camelot as we speak."
"Find him and his accomplices and kill them," Uther orders angrily as he walks to the end of the table where Morgana and Amelia sit.
"Yes, My Lord." The Guard then leaves.
"If I discover that either of you were somehow involved in freeing this boy, the consequences will be extremely severe." Uther now stops next to them and looks down with hard eyes.
"My Lord, you know we respect you too much to ever betray you like that," Morgana says as innocently as possible.
"I made promises to your fathers that I would protect you both." He bends down and is more at their eye level. "But if you cross me again, I will break those promises without a second thought." Uther leaves and Morgana scowls while Amelia blinks shakily.
What is going to happen next?
—
A/N: thank you for the reviews