Amelia's POV
One night Amelia sneaks into the corner of the Council Chambers out of sight. She had seen Arthur, Merlin and some Knights rushing back into the Castle after a hunt, carrying a body with distraught looks on their faces.
She hides behind one of the columns in the corner and listens as Arthur describes a beast that they had been confronted with. It had the strong body of a leopard and the fearsome head of a snake. Amelia knows that this is the next episode from her notes.
After Arthur finishes, Gaius confirms her thoughts, "The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast."
"Surely that's a myth," Arthur says.
"According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval." Gaius continues undeterred.
"Gaius, it's an old wives' tale," Uther says. Again with not listening to Gaius.
"Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the City." Arthur mediates.
"Then we must kill it. Arthur, gather the Guard together. You ride at dawn." Everyone, except Uther and Gaius, leave the room.
"I beg you, Sire, do not dismiss this. The beast is an omen. I've seen it come before, the night your wife Ygraine passed away." Gaius pleads.
"I've told you not to speak of that night again. I have conquered the Old Religion. Its warnings mean nothing to me now. Arthur will destroy the beast and we will no longer suffer at its hand." You should not be so sure Uther.
—
That night, Amelia's dreams are not pleasant. She sees flashes of images. It is of Kilgharrah flaming before it becomes Merlin yelling "NO!" then Arthur and Merlin running in the woods, Arthur lying sick in bed, and the Questing Beast, just like Arthur had described.
She bolts up in bed screaming.
Faintly she hears someone calling her name but she does not respond as she is still trapped in the terror of her dream.
"Amelia? Amelia?! Wake up."
Someone then grabs her arms and she struggles against them but as she does, the voice breaks through.
"Wake up, it's me! It's Anne! Stop it! It was just another dream." She realises it is just Anne trying to calm her. Anne's face is in front of her, hands stroke her face.
"It was terrifying," Amelia says.
"Oh, it's going to be alright." Anne hugs her.
—
Amelia gets very little sleep that night. When she is asleep she would have the same dream and when she is awake the images of the dream kept flashing through her mind. She still feels hysterical from her dream by the time dawn breaks.
She hears voices in the Square and sees Arthur speaking to his Knights in the Square. She immediately rushes from her Chambers, still in her nightgown, to the Square in the desperate hope she can stop him. It is one thing to read in your notes that Arthur is going to be harmed but to see it in her dream and knowing that not everything is set in stone so he can still die, makes her panic.
"For the love of Camelot!" Arthur cries.
"For the love of Camelot!" The Knights reverberate.
Amelia bursts through the door of the Castle and runs down the steps to where Arthur and Merlin stand with the Knights in front of them.
"Arthur!" She cries.
"Amelia, what are you doing?" Arthur asks, turning to her.
"You cannot face this!" She cries, now reaching him. She tries to grab him, but Arthur struggles with her.
"Amelia, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of." Arthur says. He doesn't understand!
"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!" She begs.
It is at this moment that she hears Morgana emerge from the Castle. "Amelia? What is going on?"
Amelia does not respond to her and continues to struggle with Arthur. "She probably had a bad dream, Sire. I'll take her to see Gaius." Merlin murmurs to him.
Amelia looks at him feeling betrayed. "No! I will not let you go!" She has to keep fighting!
"Please, Merlin, get her inside," Arthur says, ignoring her.
"No!" Amelia cries. Arthur hands her off to Merlin and motions for the Guards to come down. Merlin guides her up the steps towards where Morgana and some Guards are coming towards them.
"I will make sure he's safe, Amelia. I promise." Merlin murmurs to her.
She shakes her head at him. "No!" Merlin hands her off to the Guards. "No!" Guards lead her inside.
"What happened Amelia?" Morgana asks her, coming to stand next to her. She takes Amelia away from the Guards to her Chambers.
"I had a dream! Arthur is in danger! He might die if he goes! You have to believe me!" Amelia tries to explain.
"Do not worry I believe you," Morgana tells her and with that reassurance, Amelia drops off to sleep as soon as she is placed in her bed.
—
Anne's POV
After Amelia's dream, coupled with the myths she had heard growing up, Anne has been anxious ever since Arthur, Merlin and the Knights had headed off to find the questing beast.
Her worst fears are met when, while she is with Gaius in his Chambers, Merlin suddenly bursts in and clears a table with one sweep. Guards come in after and place a stretcher with Arthur in it on the table.
"What's happened?" Gaius asks as he looks at Arthur's wound. "He's been bitten." Anne feels herself going pale. She knows what this means. She steps forward to the other side of the table to look herself.
"I tried to save him," Merlin says.
"You must tell the King," Gaius says to the Guards, who leave to do just that.
"There must be something you can do," Merlin says, almost sounding like he is pleading.
"I wish there was."
"I'll find a cure." Merlin bolts to his Chamber.
"Merlin!" Gaius calls.
"Trust me!" Merlin says, entering his Chamber.
"Can you hear me, Sire?" Anne asks Arthur's unconscious body but she gets no response.
"Here." Merlin brings out his magic book.
"The King'll be here any moment!" Gaius says worriedly.
Merlin places the book on a table. "He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do." He says desperately.
"That is a lament of all men," Gaius says unhelpfully.
"Gaius, he's my friend," Merlin begs.
This seems to get through to Gaius, who says, "Then save him." Stepping back from the table.
Merlin uses magic to flip through the book. "Gestathole." He chants but nothing happens. He flips through the book again. "Thurhhaele." Nothing happens.
"Maybe the spells need time to take effect," Merlin says, now even more desperate.
"The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn," Anne tells him. She hates her words as soon as she speaks them but she knows they are the truth.
She then hears Uther's voice echoing down the corridor. "Where is the Prince?! Where is my son?!"
Uther enters. "Arthur!" He cries as soon as he spots him.
Merlin quickly magically closes his magic book.
"Do something, Gaius!" Uther begs.
"I am trying, your majesty," Gaius says.
"Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die." Merlin tells him.
Gaius seems to give him a look. "I will do everything in my power."
Uther desperately picks up Arthur himself. "I'll bear him to his Chambers."
Uther walks through the Square with Arthur in his arms, Anne, Merlin and Gaius following. Uther collapses in his grief. Four Knights come to bear Arthur inside as the King weeps on his knees. Merlin looks on heartbroken and Anne sees Morgana opening a window and watching the scene below. Anne cannot help but think about how Amelia will feel.
—
Amelia's POV
The dreams keep continuing though not always the same. Sometimes in a different order. In others, she can hardly remember what she had seen when she wakes up.
Amelia can tell something is occurring from the noises outside her Chambers and the look on Morgana's face seals it for her.
"Morgana?" Amelia asks when she enters. "What has happened?" She stands up from her bed.
"Your dream…" Morgana hesitates. Amelia feels she knows what Morgana is about to say before she says it. "It… Arthur's been bitten by the questing beast."
Amelia feels herself go ashen. She stumbles and Morgana reaches out and catches her. She realises she is mumbling "No" repeatedly over and over again without even realising it.
"It might not mean he is going to die. Remember how our dreams do not always come true." Morgana tries to comfort her, bringing her over to a seat by the window, but Amelia barely hears her.
She knows that Arthur may not die but others might. Or if not, there is going to be much suffering before it is over.
—
Anne's POV
Anne cannot bear to tell Amelia that her dream has begun to come true and instead goes with Merlin to the Dragon to hopefully find out what they can do.
"I have failed Arthur, failed in my destiny," Merlin says as soon as they reach the platform and see the Dragon sitting in front of them.
"And yet, you would not be here if that were true." He says.
"He was bitten by the Questing Beast. He's going to die." Anne tells him.
"Does he still breathe?"
"Only just." Merlin answers.
"Then there is still time to heal him." The Dragon says.
"I've tried. I cannot save him." Merlin says. Anne puts a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.
"You do not know how to save him." Anne cannot help but smile slightly, there is still hope!
"But you can tell us how?" Anne probes.
"Perhaps. It will not be easy." The Dragon says.
"I will do anything," Merlin says.
"Anything?" This question causes a pit to form in Anne's stomach. This reminds her that the Dragon is not always trustworthy.
"Please, just tell me what I have to do!" Merlin says. Anne chews her lip. Maybe she is worrying over nothing. Hopefully.
"Very well. The Questing Beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the Old Religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him."
"But the Old Religion died out centuries ago." Merlin points out confused.
"The Old Religion is the magic of the earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men." The Dragon says.
"But how can that help us save Arthur?" Anne asks.
"You must find those who still serve it. Those who hold dominion over life and death."
"Where?" Merlin asks.
"Go to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed, where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation." The Dragon explains.
"Thank you. Thank you." Merlin says gratefully.
They turn to go but before they do, the Dragon speaks one last time, "And Merlin, the young Pendragon must live, no matter what the cost."
—
They are walking hurriedly towards Gaius' Chambers when Merlin turns to her.
"I'll go alone. You do not need to come." He says.
"Why not? I can look after myself!" Anne says.
"I'm sure you can but this is my destiny let me do this. Promise me."
"But—"
"Please. You need to be here for Amelia." As she analyses his face she can see that he is not taking no for an answer.
"I—" She tries to argue again but the desperate look on Merlin's face stops her. "Fine!" She promises reluctantly. Anne turns and instead heads to Amelia's Chambers. And if she stomps as she goes then she will not admit it.
As she walks there, she cannot help but wonder what this cost is. The way the Dragon had said it felt very ominous.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia learns from Anne, who had finally come to her, that Merlin is going to head to the Isle of the Blessed to plead for Arthur's life. This does not reassure Amelia at all as she knows that a life is the cost and that Merlin will be offering himself.
She continues to drift between consciousness and unconsciousness. Never aware of which with the nightmares continuing as she wakes, the images flashing through her mind. She can't get any rest.
She does not know how long it has been but when she has one moment of clarity she looks out of her window and can see that it is dark. A crowd has gathered outside Arthur's window holding candles.
—
Anne's POV
Merlin arrives back in Camelot a couple of days later. Anne finds out when Gaius and Merlin both enter Arthur's Chambers, where she is caring for him, carrying a decorative canteen.
They only briefly glance at her before they begin giving Arthur the water. Anne realises that Merlin has found a cure but she wonders at what cost.
Uther then enters. "What are you doing, Physician? What are you giving him?"
"It's a... It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant, an ancient remedy for poisonous bites." Gaius supplies but Anne knows that it is likely not the true story.
"A cure?"
"We hope."
"Do you really think it will have some effect?" Uther asks.
"It's our last resort, Sire. Perhaps you should allow him to rest." Gaius suggests.
"I will not leave him." Anne follows Gaius and Merlin as they exit, chewing her lip nervously. Uther sits by Arthur's bedside.
Anne walks with Gaius and Merlin down the Red Ribbon Corridor when suddenly Merlin is grabbed by the arm and pulled into an alcove. This causes Anne to turn around and she sees it was Amelia who still looks like she has not properly slept in days and her blue eyes are glazed over as if she's in a trance.
"Please, Merlin, you must beware. This is only the beginning." Merlin pulls away and continues down the corridor. Amelia, however, had barely reacted to Merlin pulling away from her and instead stands there for a few moments before walking away. Anne walks with her in concern. Her words form a pit in Anne's stomach.
—
Amelia's POV
Arthur wakes that night and while she is pleased that he is not going to die, Amelia knows that this is only the beginning. Merlin believes that he has sacrificed himself for Arthur but he does not truly know the cost of what he has done.
She knows that Anne and Morgana are concerned about her but Amelia can't bring herself to care.
There is a thunderstorm that night which does not help her sleep. In fact, it seems to make her dreams worse. She can't tell what is occurring as the images came in too quick of a succession.
She then sees a figure entering Camelot on foot. A trembling diseased hand opens the door to the Gaius' Chambers. This causes her to bolt awake screaming.
Morning comes and Amelia learns from Anne and then Morgana that Merlin's mother had arrived last night and is deathly ill. Amelia knows that this is a consequence of Merlin's bargain.
She perceives that she should leave her Chambers to go comfort Merlin or talk him out of doing anything stupid but she can't bring herself to leave the room. The terror state she has been experiencing seems to prevent her from doing so. She understands that Anne will look after him.
—
Anne's POV
Her and Merlin immediately rush to the Dragon's Cave after learning that it is Merlin's mother that is to be sacrificed.
"You knew this would happen! You had me trade my mother's life for Arthur's!" Merlin yells as soon as they step onto the platform.
"You said you would do anything." This makes Anne feel even angrier than she already is. How can he be so careless?
"Did you know his mother would die?" Anne asks through clenched teeth.
"I knew the price would be a heavy one." Again he did not seem to care.
"But you sent me anyway." Merlin accuses.
"We need Arthur to live."
"I'm not one of you!" Merlin yells.
"Neither am I!" Anne glares at the Dragon. What is the point if they just let their own family die for the sake of this destiny?
"We are creatures of the Old Religion. It is the source of your power." The Dragon says.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Merlin asks. He looks at Anne as if she could explain but she shrugs. She had grown up with no one telling her anything.
"Your destiny is to protect the young Pendragon until he claims his crown, and when he does, magic can be returned to the realm. Only then will I be free." Anne now realises how selfish he is.
This angers Merlin as well. "Oh. So that's all you cared about? I thought you were my friend."
"I am more than that, Merlin. I am your kin." Despite the many times she had told Amelia off for wanting to commit violence, Anne really wants to hit him. How does this excuse what he has done?
"No. The only family I have is my mother, and you had me murder her."
"Her life has not been taken in vain. We will achieve great things together, you and I."
"You will never be released, for what you've done! I'll make sure you never see the light." Merlin says, beginning to turn away.
"Merlin!" The Dragon cries and breathes fire at him.
"Gescildan!" Anne cries and blocks the flames.
"You won't see us again," Anne says as her and Merlin leave the Cave with the Dragon yelling after them.
—
Anne bursts into Amelia's Chambers making said woman jump.
"Anne?" She asks but Anne ignores her and begins pacing angrily. She is only stopped when Amelia stands and grabs her by the shoulders. "Anne!"
"Sorry." She mutters. "It's just the Dragon. I could never imagine someone would be so selfish! He let Merlin sacrifice his own mother just so he could be free!" Her voice raises as she continues to rant.
She looks up and sees the frown on Amelia's face. "Sorry," Anne says, "I know you care about him."
"Don't," Amelia says, "I always knew he seemed to have some ulterior motive." Yet Anne cannot help but feel bad for her.
"Still. You have been speaking to him since you were eight. He was your friend. There would be an attachment there." Anne reminds her.
"I know," Amelia sighs tiredly, "but there it is. He has too much anger and resentment to think of others."
Anne stays silent but then her eyes widen in horror when she realises something. "Oh no!"
"What?" Amelia asks.
"Merlin is going to try to sacrifice himself again to save his mother. That was probably the initial cost, a life. It is why his mother is dying, it is so that Arthur can live. Merlin will offer himself again. Is it selfish of me to hope that someone else will die?"
"No," Amelia says. "It makes you human."
"But now he definitely will try again and it might happen!" Anne then turns and rushes to Gaius' Chambers, hoping to catch Merlin.
—
Anne catches up to Merlin in one of the corridors. He seems to be heading towards Arthur's Chambers from Gaius'. She realises he must be doing his rounds of goodbyes.
"Merlin!" She cries colliding with him.
He makes a startled noise as he catches her, gripping her shoulders. "Anne?"
"I know what you are going to do Merlin! You cannot do this! I need you!" She pauses realising what she just said. "Camelot needs you!"
"I have to save her." He says sadly. "If the balance of the world needs a life, then Nimueh must take mine."
"What about Camelot?" Anne asks. "Your destiny."
"What is the point if my mother needs to die to fulfil it?"
Anne reaches forward and hugs him. She notices she is crying when a wet patch forms on Merlin's shoulder. "Goodbye then." She pulls back and kisses him on the cheek. He looks at her in surprise and nods clearing his throat awkwardly. His cheeks seem red. Anne realises how close they are and quickly pulls away and flashes him an awkward smile.
"I'll tell Amelia your goodbyes. Make things less difficult. She will not let you go if you go to see her." Anne says, trying to clear the air.
Merlin nods before continuing on his way. Anne then realises how warm her cheeks are meaning that she is blushing. She walks to Amelia's Chambers hoping it will go away. She wonders why her heart is also hammering in her chest.
—
Amelia's POV
She is sitting in her Chambers with Anne the next day, waiting anxiously to find out what has happened at the Isle of the Blessed. Anne paces while Amelia sits on her bed staring in the distance.
Suddenly her door bursts open and Merlin appears.
"Oh Merlin," Anne says awkwardly, Amelia wonders why. "I thought you would be leaving straight away." Anne flicks her eyes in Amelia's direction.
Merlin ignores her and raises his hand, which Amelia now notices, holds a piece of paper. "Gaius is sacrificing himself! We have to stop him."
Amelia grabs it and reads what it says.
Dear Merlin, My life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it, very little that will be remembered. In contrast, Merlin, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you, and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest warlock ever. To have known you has been my greatest pleasure, and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honour. You are and always will be the son I never had.
"We must do something." She says, looking up at the other two people in her Chambers.
"Right. Amelia, you stay—" Anne begins but Amelia stops her.
"No, I'm coming to. I have spent enough time sitting in my room in fear."
Anne and Merlin seem to accept this though still look unsure. Amelia knows she looks like she is in a right state. She won't be surprised if her blue eyes have bags underneath them and her brown hair is like a bird's nest.
—
They travel to the island, that sits in the middle of a misty lake. They get on a boat that floats into what appears to be a ruin. Once they get to the edge and get off, Amelia registers that she can hear chanting.
"Ic, séo héahsácerd, þe ácwile strengþe ealdan æwfæstnesse!"
"Stop!" Merlin cries once they enter they enter what seems to have once been a courtyard with Nimueh standing in the middle. She stands by a stone table and Gaius is slumped at her feet.
"Back again so soon, warlock?" Nimueh asks, smirking as if she has no care in the world. "And you have brought friends?"
"Gaius?" Anne calls in worry.
"What have you done?" Merlin demands.
"Your mother is safe. Isn't that what you wanted?" Nimueh asks.
"But is Gaius dead?" Amelia asks. "Have you killed him?" She tries to look around Nimueh to see if Gaius is truly dead. This cannot be the end of Gaius, surely?
"It was his wish," Nimueh says, again with the careless attitude.
"How dare you! You have killed him!" Anne yells.
"I bid my life for Arthur's, not my mother's, not Gaius'!" Merlin's voice raises in volume the longer he speaks.
Nimueh meets his volume. "The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies! Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken." Her voice then lowers. "Gaius knew this."
Amelia can't take seeing Nimueh act like she's in the right any longer. "Do not act as if you are innocent. It is not the Old Religion that has done this. You were the one who made it happen!" Amelia cries out.
Nimueh looks at her in surprise but recovers quickly and again smirks at all of them. "Come now. We are all too valuable to each other to be enemies."
"No! We share nothing with you!" Merlin yells.
"With my help, Arthur will become King." And her previous actions had helped?!
"I will make Arthur King. But you will never see that day." Merlin says ominously before sticking his hand out in Nimueh's direction. "Ástríce!"
Before the bolt of light and fire could hit her, Nimueh sticks up her hand and uses the back of it to absorb his attack. Oh god, what are they going to do now?
"Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. I am a Priestess of the Old Religion." As she speaks, Nimueh uses the same hand that had absorbed Merlin's attack to begin circling it to build up a ball of flames before chanting, "Forbærne!" And sending it flying in their direction. Before it can hit them, Amelia, Anne and Merlin are able to duck out of the way and it hits the wall behind them. Amelia gasps in pain from the motion of landing hard on the floor despite it being grass. Well, this is going to be more difficult than she thought.
They all stand as Nimueh walks over to them with another fireball in her hand. "You, too, are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me." While Nimueh is entirely focused on Merlin, Amelia feels herself being pulled and grasps that it is Anne pulling her behind some stone that sticks out in the middle of the courtyard.
"Stay here," Anne whispers before going back to where the conversation had continued in the meantime. Amelia does as she is told. Anne and Merlin are the ones with the power to stop Nimueh.
Merlin had clearly given Nimueh an answer she's not happy with as Nimueh then says, "So be it. Ácwele!" The fireball in her hand surges forward and hits Merlin directly in the chest knocking him down. Smoke emanates from his chest. Anne rushes forward about to chant her own spell but Nimueh simply flicks her hand to the side and Anne is thrown into the stone, that Amelia stands behind, knocking her out. Amelia darts forward to her side. Thankfully there seems to be no mortal injuries only those that will give Anne a concussion.
"Pity." Amelia looks up and sees that Nimueh is standing over Merlin who is still on the floor. Amelia frowns in worry. "Together we could've ruled the world." Nimueh walks away. Merlin then, thankfully, gets up and glares at her.
"You should not have killed my friend." He says causing Nimueh to turn and look at him. He looks up raising his hand to the sky. The clouds start to form together and begin to rumble. Merlin then uses the power from the clouds to strike Nimueh down with a bolt of lightning. There is a crack and a flash of light when it hits her. Amelia quickly looks away as the light becomes too bright, she hears a screech and when she looks back there's nothing left when it clears.
Merlin rushes towards Gaius. "Gaius! Gaius!" He cradles an unconscious Gaius.
Amelia then hears coughing and looks down to see Anne coming round. "Anne!" She cries in relief and hugs her. She hears a rumble and the sky begins to pour down rain.
"Oh hello, what did I miss?" Anne mumbles.
"Nimueh is gone but we need to go to Gaius," Amelia tells her, skipping to the point. Anne looks past her, in the direction of Merlin and Gaius. She stands up, stumbling slightly. Amelia puts an arm out to catch in case she falls and when she does not, they both hurry towards the stone table.
"Gaius?! Gaius?!" Amelia cries, launching herself to the floor in front of Gaius. Anne crouches next to her.
"No! No!" Merlin shouts crying. Amelia bends her head down, she swore that he was supposed to live longer than this but maybe her notes are wrong and that things have changed.
When she begins to think he is truly dead, she hears a voice, "Merlin."
Amelia looks up and sees that Gaius is coming round.
"Gaius. Gaius. Gaius, you're alive!" Merlin cries but this time with happiness. Amelia feels herself being pulled into a hug by Anne as she laughs in relief.
"What did you do?" Gaius asks wearily.
"Nimueh's dead," Amelia says.
"Meaning that Merlin has restored the balance of the world," Anne says.
"Merlin you amaze me." Gaius splutters. "You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great warlock of you yet."
"So you believe in me now?" Merlin asks with a smile on his face.
"Well, I would do if...if you could stop this blasted rain." This causes all of them to begin laughing this time. Amelia can't tell if the liquid running down her face is tears or rain but she does not care, not when Gaius is alright.
Eventually, they are able to get Gaius up and they leave the Isle of the Blessed as the sky begins to clear.
Amelia can't help but smile in relief. She and the others have gotten through the first season. She feels herself relax. However, once they reach Camelot, her relief is soon over when she recalls, not only of what she remembered of the legends but also her notes, that this is not over and there is worse to come. That just because they have gotten over this hurdle doesn't mean they are done.
—
Merlin will return.