Amelia's POV
Once again Arthur has done something stupid. He has killed a Unicorn despite the fact that they are incredibly vulnerable and rare as there are only a few left. Arthur however does not understand this and had just thought about how great it would look for Camelot if it had one. Idiot.
It is not long before Camelot begins experiencing the consequences of Arthur's actions. Amelia realises this when she sees Arthur, Uther and some Guards rushing out of the Castle gates and coming back looking very concerned. Turns out the crops had failed suddenly despite having looked perfectly healthy days earlier.
Amelia stands in the Physician's Chambers with Merlin and Gaius watching Gaius mixing various liquids etc., trying to figure out a medical reason for this sudden crop failure.
"Any ideas what caused the crops to die?" Merlin asks him.
"I'm here to complete all the tests. No disease I have heard of could spread through the entire Kingdom in a single night." Gaius responds.
"What could kill all the plants other than a disease?" Merlin asks.
"Not all plants," Amelia says. "Hedges and trees near the crops are healthy and unharmed."
"Unfortunately, you can't eat trees and hedges." Gaius quips.
"It's only killing plants we can eat?" Merlin realises.
"It appears so," Gaius says.
"If it's not a disease, it must be magic," Merlin says. Amelia agrees with him because what else can it be.
"We can't assume that, Merlin. Perhaps there is something in the soil and water that can explain it. I can't tell the King it's caused by sorcery until I'm completely certain."
—
They have to begin rationing and Villagers are having to stand in a long queue for a Guard to give them grain.
The livestock begins either to die or has been eaten. Food and water are deficient as well. People begin fighting over food. Amelia and Anne along with Morgana and Gwen begin sneaking out Castle kitchen food to hand out to families with small children.
Of course, things get worse. When Gwen tries to get water from the well and instead there is only sand. Turns out the underground reservoir is full of sand as well. No water left.
Anne and Merlin decide to jointly try to turn the sand into water in Merlin's Chamber.
They sit with a bucket of sand and his magic book open in front of them while Amelia stands off the side watching.
"Gréot gecymen, lecan. Gecymen gé drýe wæter." Merlin chants but nothing happens.
It is then that they all notice that Gaius had entered.
"We were... We were just, er..." Anne stumbles.
"I was hoping either of you might be trying to turn it back into water. I know I've cautioned against using magic, but if ever there was a time to use both of your talents, it's now." Gaius takes a seat in a chair.
"Well, I wish I knew how. We've tried everything. If it is magic, it's more powerful magic than I possess." Merlin says sadly.
What are they going to do? The repeated hunts for the 'sorcerer' has meant that Amelia has been too afraid to even get out her notes to see what will happen.
—
Anne's POV
Anne and Merlin are just entering the Square when Anne hears a voice call out their names.
"Merlin. Anne. You do realise there's a curfew?" Arthur calls, walking over to them from the direction of the Drawbridge.
"Oh, I was just heading home. My chores took me longer than I thought." Anne replies.
"Yeah, I was in your Chambers, hunting for the rat." Merlin then pipes up.
"Did you find it?" Arthur asks.
"No."
"So you have been outwitted by a rat?" Anne watches them amused.
"They do say rats are very intelligent."
"It's true," Anne says causing them to turn to her. "They are the only animals besides humans and some primates to possess the ability to think."
They both look at her oddly. "Sorry, something Amelia says." She mutters. She herself does not really understand what that means.
"Well more intelligent than Merlin, it would seem. Go home. It'd be embarrassing to have to lock up my own servant for breaking the curfew. And I doubt Amelia would be pleased if I arrested Anne."
Arthur looks to the left of them as if seeing something by the Courtyard Corridor. "What was that?"
"What?" Merlin asks as he glances over. Anne looks as well but she cannot see anything.
Without answering them, Arthur runs toward the Courtyard Corridor. Anne looks at Merlin and they both chase after him. Arthur jumps over the Courtyard Corridor ledge. Anne then sees a figure ahead as they chase it down the Upper Corridor, down some stairs, and down the Wrought Iron stairway to the Burial Vaults where they lose him.
Arthur signs to her and Merlin that they should go the other way so as to cut the person off. They nod and Anne turns the other way as instructed, but notices that Merlin had begun to follow Arthur.
"That means you go the other way and cut him off," Arthur says irritably, gesturing behind Merlin.
"Okay," Merlin says.
Anne gives Merlin a smile and they both head in the opposite direction of Arthur. They loop round. However, they end up back at the Wrought Iron stairway without seeing anyone. Then Anne sees a man's silhouette as he briefly rounds the corner. Arthur has her and Merlin go the opposite direction again. After looping around, they end up back at the Wrought Iron stairway again.
"Where is he?" Arthur demands.
"I didn't see anyone," Merlin says.
"He was right here! Don't tell me you let him get past the two of you."
"Arthur, no one passed us," Merlin says.
"Are you blind?!" Arthur says, practically yelling.
"Have you thought that perhaps he got past you?" Anne says, annoyed that Arthur is blaming them.
Before Arthur can answer, a voice interrupts them, "Are you looking for me?" They turn and an old man is standing there in a white cloak with his hood up and holding a staff in his right hand. "I am Anhora, Keeper of the Unicorns."
"Camelot is under curfew. What's your business here?" Arthur asks him.
"I have come to deliver a message," Anhora says.
"And who is this message for?"
"It is for you, Arthur Pendragon."
"Is it you who's responsible for killing our crops, turning our water into sand?"
"You alone are responsible for the misfortune that has befallen Camelot."
"Me?! You think I'd bring drought and famine upon my own people?" Arthur asks angrily.
"When you killed the Unicorn, you unleashed a curse. For this, Camelot will suffer greatly."
"If you have put a curse on Camelot, you will lift it, or you will pay with your life." Arthur is getting increasingly angrier.
"The curse was not my doing." Anhora talks as if he is speaking to a child.
"Undo the curse or face execution." Maybe he is right to as Arthur is not listening.
"Only you can do that. You will be tested."
"You're under arrest." Arthur reaches for Anhora, but he disappears and Arthur stumbles.
"Until you have proven yourself," Anne spins around to see that he had reappeared on the stairs, "and made amends for killing the Unicorn, the curse will not be lifted. If you fail any of these tests, Camelot will be damned for all eternity."
—
Amelia's POV
Anne comes to her the next morning and tells her of the events that had happened last night and the challenge this Anhora has set for Arthur.
"Do you think it's true?" Anne asks.
"Well, it makes sense considering what the legends say about Unicorns. That misfortune comes to anyone who slays a Unicorn." Amelia says.
"The issue is that Arthur doesn't believe it's his fault. He's convinced Anhora's responsible for it." Anne says.
"Well, let's hope we will, along with Merlin, make Arthur see sense," Amelia argues.
Anne nods before placing Amelia's breakfast on the table in front of her. "Less for breakfast again I'm afraid."
"Yeah but more than the starving people in the Kingdom are getting," Amelia says. "I'm in no position to complain. You should join me."
"No, I—" Anne tries to say.
"Anne." She stops. "You are doing more hard work than I am. You deserve it."
—
Amelia walks to Arthur's Chambers hoping that Merlin has made progress with Arthur but when she reaches the door she hears Arthur yelling.
"Then you're a fool. You cannot trust a single word a sorcerer says. You'd do well to remember that. Now, I think I've figured out what Anhora's next move is going to be, and when he makes it, we're going to be waiting."
Before she can move, the door suddenly opens to show Arthur standing on the other side. "Hello?" She says awkwardly.
Arthur huffs. "I assume Anne has told you. You can come to the stakeout tonight. We'll need a pair of extra eyes. Bring Anne." He then storms past her.
Amelia steps into the room and turns to Merlin. "Going well then?"
Merlin scoffs. "He's not listening."
"Well Arthur, despite evidence to the contrary, is not a complete idiot. He will see reason."
—
Amelia and Arthur have left Merlin and Anne near the grain store to keep watch but when they return, Amelia sees Merlin leaning against a pillar near the grain store with his eyes closed, smacking his lips and Anne slumped next to him. Arthur walks up to them and hits Merlin with a broom.
"Don't you worry about keeping watch, Merlin. You just make yourself comfortable." Arthur says sarcastically.
"Why not tell off Anne?" Merlin asks.
"Because she's Anne," Amelia says as if it explains everything. She thinks it did.
Anne smiles cheekily at him. Merlin sighs and smacks his lips.
"Stop smacking your lips. It's annoying." Arthur tells him.
"I'm thirsty."
"We're all thirsty, Merlin," Amelia says. Merlin sighs.
"Pst! Someone's coming," Arthur says, drawing his sword and Merlin follows him into the grain store. Amelia draws out her dagger. They see the intruder's silhouette.
Arthur motions to Merlin and Anne and mouths, "You go over there and come in." Merlin and Anne nod. They step off to the side. Amelia and Arthur walk into the room.
"Show yourself, before I run you through," Arthur says. A man edges around the corner with a shovel in one hand and a sack of grain in the other.
"Who are you?" Arthur asks.
"My name is... My name is..." the man stumbles nervously.
"Speak up!" Arthur demands.
"My name is Evan, My Lord." He says. Merlin and Anne come out of hiding. Merlin carries a scythe hook while Anne carries a broom. Amelia makes a note to get Anne a good dagger.
"I see you think you can help yourself to our grain reserves. My father has ordered that looters be executed." Arthur says.
"Please, My Lord. I-I do not steal for myself. I have three children they have not eaten for two days. They are hungry." Evan begs.
"It's the same for everyone," Amelia says.
"I... I know that it is wrong to steal. I couldn't bear to see them starve."
"And could you bear for your children to see you be executed?" Arthur asks. Evan shakes his head, close to tears.
"Then you should go home. If you're caught stealing again, I will not spare you."
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you." Evan smiles, puts down the sack of grain and shovel, and starts to leave.
"Wait." Arthur picks up the sack of grain and tosses it to Evan. "Use it sparingly. It might be the last food you and your family get for some time."
"You have shown yourself to be merciful and kind, My Lord. This will bring its own reward." Evan says before leaving.
—
The next day water returns. Amelia sits in Morgana's Chambers with Anne, Morgana and Gwen, gulping down water.
"I think I'm in love." Amelia declares. The others laugh at her. "Don't laugh! Do not tell me none of you are not enjoying it!"
"Not to the same level you are Amelia!" Morgana says chuckling.
"Whatever."
"I wonder what caused the water to come back?" Gwen questions.
"Seems a mystery," Anne says but shares a knowing look with Amelia. Amelia knows what she is thinking. Arthur showing mercy and pity for that man last night and the water returning can't be a coincidence.
—
Amelia stands next to Morgana and Arthur in the Main Square watching even more people continue to queue outside the grain store.
"Who are they?" Amelia asks.
"They've come from the outlying Villages in search of food. There's not enough rations to feed the people who are already here." Arthur says.
"You shouldn't blame yourself. I'm sure you're doing everything you can." Morgana says, trying to reassure him.
"It is not enough," Arthur mutters before he leaves and Gwen approaches them.
"Did you manage to find any more food?" Amelia asks. Gwen pulls a cloth back from her basket revealing some bread.
"Kitchen?" Morgana asks. Gwen nods.
"Share it out amongst the children and old people. Make it go as far as you can." Morgana tells her and Gwen steps away to begin her task.
—
Amelia, Anne, Merlin and Arthur search through the woods. They are all spread out in the same area.
"I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for," Merlin says.
"You're looking for footprints or broken branches. Anything that would indicate someone passed that..." Arthur trails off and cries, "Anne! Merlin! Amelia! He's here!"
Amelia runs towards the voice but only finds Merlin with no Arthur or Anne insight.
"Arthur?!" Merlin calls. Amelia then hears what sounds like sword fighting and runs towards it. She hears Merlin follow.
"Arthur?! Arthur?!" Amelia calls. She and Merlin climb up into a clearing to find Arthur lying on the floor looking defeated while Anne stands behind him. Looking disappointed.
"What happened?" Merlin asks.
"He failed the test. He let his pride get the better of him." Anne answers. "Camelot is doomed."
—
Turns out that is true as the last remaining supplies of grain has rotted.
Amelia stands with Merlin and Arthur on the Balcony watching people continue queuing in the Main Square.
"They do not yet know that there is worse to come," Arthur tells them.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks.
"My father is going to stop distributing food to the people. They are to be left to starve."
"Will he not ask other Kingdoms for help?" Amelia asks.
Arthur shakes his head. "He believes we will be attacked once others realise we are weak." So Uther has made the decision to prioritise his own ego over his own people. Typical.
"I had a chance to lift the curse. And I failed them." Arthur continues.
"You weren't to know you were being tested." Merlin tries to reassure him.
"My people are starving. Camelot is on the verge of collapse. And it is all my doing."
—
Merlin had gone to Anhora to ask that Arthur be given another chance. Anhora has given it and Arthur needs to go to the Labyrinth of Gedref where he will face a final test. If he fails, the curse will destroy Camelot. Anhora has not told Merlin what the test is.
Merlin had told her and Anne this after Arthur had rushed off on his own to do it, determined to succeed even if it meant he would die.
"We must go after him," Anne says. "We cannot let him die."
Amelia agrees and all three of them head off after Arthur.
—
They arrive at the Labyrinth and enter. After following many twists and turns, they are suddenly confronted with Anhora in the middle of it.
"You said Arthur would face a test. And here you are, preparing a trap for him." Merlin says accusingly.
"The trap isn't for Arthur. It is for you." Anhora says ominously. "Gehæftan." He chants and before they can react, they are all wrapped in vines from the labyrinth hedges.
They are taken to the exit by the sea. There is a table with two chairs and two goblets on a stony beach. Anhora has Merlin take a seat while Anne and Amelia are told to stand at the side with Anhora next to them.
After a few moments, Arthur bursts out onto the beach and spots them further along.
"Merlin? Anne? Amelia?" Arthur calls.
"I'm sorry," Merlin says.
"Let them go. I'll take your test, but not till they are released." Arthur bargains.
"That is not possible. Merlin is part of the test. The others as witnesses. Please sit. If you refuse the test, you will have failed and Camelot will be destroyed." Anhora replies.
Arthur takes a seat. "I thought I told you to stay at home," Arthur says to them before turning to Anhora. "Let's get on with it."
"There are two goblets before you. One of the goblets contains a deadly poison, the other goblet, a harmless liquid. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but each of you may only drink from a single goblet." Anhora says.
Arthur scrunches up his face. "What kind of ridiculous test is that? What does that prove?"
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted."
"Let's think about this. What if I drink from my goblet first?" Merlin says. Amelia chews her lip anxiously. She wishes she knows how this is going to end.
"If it's poisoned, you'll die," Arthur says.
"And if it's not, then you'll have to drink from yours, and you'll die. There must be a way around it."
"It is perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. And then I'll drink it."
"I will be the one to drink it."
"This is my doing. I'm drinking it."
Amelia's eyes dart between them nervously. She is too afraid to say something, worrying that she will divert the course and make things worse.
"It is more important that you live. You're the future King. I'm just a servant." Merlin says.
"This is no time to be a hero, Merlin. It really doesn't suit you." Arthur says. Arthur clearly cares about Merlin, no matter what he says.
Merlin sighs. "What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not poisoned, I will then drink yours?"
Arthur glances over to Anhora. "He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet. I had no idea you were so keen to die for me."
"Trust me, I can hardly believe it myself," Merlin says sarcastically.
Arthur snorts. "I'm glad you are here, Merlin." He turns to Amelia and Anne. "All of you." He gives them a small smile. Amelia tries to return it and she sees Anne try to do the same.
Arthur sighs.
"I've got it. Right, we pour all the liquid into one goblet and then we can be sure it is poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and it will be from a single goblet." Merlin says.
"You never cease to surprise me. You're a lot smarter than you look." Arthur jibes.
"Is that actually a compliment?"
"Look out!" Arthur suddenly yells. Amelia along with Anne and Merlin glance over to where he points. But when they turn back after seeing nothing, Arthur has taken the two goblets and poured all of the liquid into one of them, holding it to drink.
"No! I will drink it!" Merlin cries.
"As if I'd let you."
"You can't die. This isn't your destiny." Merlin says desperately.
"It seems you're wrong again."
"Listen to me!"
"You know me, Merlin. I never listen to you." Arthur toasts Merlin. Then Anne and Amelia.
"Arthur!" Amelia shouts. But Arthur drinks it.
"No! What have you done?" Merlin exclaims. Arthur falls off the chair, unconscious.
"Arthur! No!" Merlin tries to shake Arthur awake. Amelia and Anne rush over. "Arthur. Arthur. Come on! Arthur, come on. Come on. Come on! No... Come on."
"Oh god." Anne sobs.
Merlin turns to Anhora. "Please. Please! Just... let me take his place!"
"This was Arthur's test, not yours," Anhora says calmly. Amelia frowns in confusion. Is something else going on?
"You've killed him! I was meant to protect him!"
"He is not dead. He's merely consumed a sleeping draught. He will come round shortly." Anhora explains.
"What?" Amelia says.
"A Unicorn is pure of heart. If you kill one, you must make amends by proving that you also are pure of heart. Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours. He has proven what is truly in his heart. The curse will be lifted."
—
Amelia, Anne, Merlin and Arthur ride into Camelot and dismount. Townsfolk are carrying around platters joyously all around them. Amelia breaks into a smile and turns to Anne, who has a similar expression. They hug in celebration.
Gaius comes up behind them. "Anne, Merlin, Arthur, Amelia, there is good news! The crops are growing once again! They are bringing in the harvest!"
"You did it," Merlin says to Arthur.
Uther comes up to them then. "Is this your doing? Is the sorcerer dead?"
"He won't be troubling us anymore," Arthur says.
"Good, make sure the grain reserves are re-stocked," Uther says before walking away.
"I'll see to it," Arthur says then muttering to Amelia, Merlin and Anne. "There's something we must do first."
—
Amelia, Anne and Merlin all stand around in the forest as Arthur lays the Unicorn's horn in a burial mound of stones.
"I should never have ended your life. I'm sorry." Arthur says. They all begin to lay stones over the grave.
"Hey….." Merlin calls. Amelia looks up and sees a Unicorn standing there in the distance among the trees.
"Wow…." She whispers in awe.
The Unicorn looks at them before walking away.