A/N: I admit I struggled with the episode at first. I found it difficult finding room for Amelia and/or Anne at first but I got into the swing of it. 😅
—
Amelia's POV
Halig the Bounty Hunter arrives again and instead of bearing gifts, he comes reporting that a Druid girl, whom he had captured and was planning on bringing Uther, has escaped in Camelot with someone's help. Uther naturally offers his Knights to help with the hunt and there are sentries at the gates.
Due to her head injury, Amelia again doesn't remember anything. She'll have to look at her notes later when something happens as this may not be an episode.
—
Anne's POV
Anne quickly notices Merlin is quite distracted and is obviously up to something. She watches as Merlin goes through the queue at the gate where the Bounty Hunter is expecting everyone. Halig shakes his head at Merlin but then looks at him as Merlin passes by. Anne frowns.
She sees Merlin move in the direction of the tunnels and she follows him in the dark as he makes his way through them with a torch and a care package.
Merlin slows and turns a corner. Anne slows herself and quietly peaks her head round the corner. Her eyes widen when she sees a young girl sleeping under Merlin's jacket. Merlin hadn't gotten involved, had he?
"Freya?" Merlin whispers touching her shoulder. The girl, Freya wakes and shrinks from him.
"It's all right. It's okay. It's me. It's Merlin." Merlin whispers reassuring her. "And look..." Merlin shows her what he brought. Freya stuffs the food in her mouth. Merlin sets up the candles. Anne leans back round the corner to just listen as they could look in her direction and see her.
"It's good," Freya says.
"Believe me, it's fit for a prince." She looks and sees Merlin light candles with magic and a tattoo on Freya's arm.
"Is that a Druid symbol?" Freya nods.
Oh god, this is bad! He had helped the Druid girl escape! Anne is all for helping those with magic but going against a Bounty Hunter and the fact that this girl is apparently cursed, makes Anne fearful.
"Were you born a Druid?" Merlin asks her.
"Why are you asking me all these questions?" Freya asks instead.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
"I'm sorry."
"I understand," Merlin says.
"You could never understand." Is this to do with her curse?
"I know what it's like to keep secrets."
Anne knows that what she is feeling right now is jealousy. She can see how close the two are becoming. She hopes Merlin does not feel uncomfortable talking to her.
"Does anyone know you have magic?" Freya asks.
"Only you. And three other people. They know, but I'm not sure all of them understand." Merlin answers. Did Merlin count Anne among those that don't understand? She hopes not.
"I wish I was like everyone else, but..." Freya trails off.
"You always know, deep down, you're not?" Merlin finishes.
"Because I'm cursed."
"Freya, don't say that. Magic doesn't have to be a curse. It can be a gift. Look. Hoppaþ nu swicae swá lig flÃehen." Anne looks round the corner to see Merlin float the flames from the candles.
"Beautiful," Freya mutters.
They smile at each other. Anne decides she cannot watch anymore and leaves.
—
Anne confronts Merlin when he walks out of Gaius' Chambers. She had seen Gaius leave and the place is secluded so she knows they will be safe.
"I saw you, Merlin." She says in lieu of hello. "What do you think you are doing?"
"What are you talking about?" Merlin asks not very innocently. Anne honestly doesn't know how he keeps his magic secret if he's this bad at lying.
"You know. I saw in the tunnels." Anne tries to explain without giving too much away.
Merlin's façade falls. "Please don't tell. She's doing nothing wrong."
"They say she's cursed," Anne says instead.
Merlin looks outraged. "She has magic! She's doing nothing wrong!"
Anne recoils then recovers. "Even the Druids fear her Merlin. I think there's more to her than meets the eye."
"How can you be so judgemental!" Merlin yells. Anne's eyes widen. She hadn't thought the conversation would go like this plus she worries he's being too loud.
"I'm not!" Anne exclaims but not as loud as Merlin. "I'm worried for you!"
"I really thought you of all people would understand what it is like to be hunted for who you are." And with that Merlin walks away. Anne feels tears build up in her eyes but they don't fall.
—
Amelia's POV
Anne rushes to Amelia's Chambers and once there blurts out how Merlin is hiding the Druid girl.
"He's what?!" Amelia exclaims once Anne finishes explaining what's happened.
"I know, how can he be that stupid?" Anne rants.
"Well, we can't really judge considering we hid Mordred here." Amelia counters. It hurts that Merlin feels like he can't talk to either of them about this.
"But this is different." Anne insists.
"How?" Amelia raises an eyebrow. Is this jealousy?
"Not like that!" Anne exclaims blushing.
"Like what then." Amelia concedes.
Anne lets out a huff. "It's different because apparently, she's cursed."
Amelia frowns. "You sure that isn't just rambling of some ignorant people?"
"No! I followed Merlin and I heard her talk about it. Implying it was more than having magic and being a Druid that makes her different." Anne explains. "I don't know what to do, he hates me."
Amelia rolls her eyes. "He doesn't hate you. He's just upset right now."
"But what do we do?" Anne asks, looking contemplative.
"Perhaps show him that we're supportive?" Amelia wishes she can help but she doesn't know anything at the moment.
Anne nods.
Once she has left, Amelia looks for her notes to help her to find out if this is an episode and what to do. And- they aren't where they used to be! Amelia swears this was where she always put them but no. They are gone. She is on her own. Did she put it elsewhere? She can't remember, her foggy memory is returning again.
Amelia is unsure of whether to get involved or not as she doesn't know how much help she will be with no foreknowledge whatsoever. She hadn't read ahead as she felt somewhat afraid to look into the future, her's sort of. What use is she to any of them?
She hopes this isn't another episode.
—
Amelia is with Gaius, Arthur and Uther as they crowd around two bodies of two people who had been killed in the night in the Lower Town. Guards hold back the crowd. She knows she doesn't know anything, and that is making her feel vulnerable, but maybe she can gather information.
"I think they've been killed by some kind of wild animal," Gaius says from his crouched position.
"Have you're men been able to track the creature?" Uther asks Arthur who is also crouching.
"That's the strange thing," Arthur says as he stands, "'cause the ground is soft. Obviously a bear or wolf would leave some mark. But there are no tracks."
"Then what are these?" Gaius points to some nearby.
"Human footprints." Amelia observes.
"But they're leading away from the bodies. Did someone escape the attack?" Gaius asks.
"No one's come forward," Arthur replies.
"Could the person who made these be responsible?" Uther asks Gaius as he walks over to said prints.
"I don't believe so. These wounds could only've been inflicted by a beast of considerable size." Gaius explains.
"And if this was done by neither a man nor beast, there's only one other explanation. It must be the work of a magical creature." Uther concludes. Amelia's eyes widen. Could this be this Freya girl?
—
Anne's POV
Anne doesn't know how reassured she is after leaving Amelia. Especially after she tells her of the two bodies.
She hasn't been able to find Merlin since their argument. Either he's avoiding her or he's too busy with Freya.
She heads to Gaius' Chambers to hopefully find him.
She hears Merlin call, "I might be late." Then the door opens and he almost collides with Anne.
"Oh." She exclaims in surprise. "Merlin I just want to—"
"Oh don't worry I forgive you." Merlin cheerfully says before he continues walking.
Anne gapes after him and steps inside the Chambers to find Gaius looking through a book.
"What's up with him?" Anne asks.
"I have no idea," Gaius mutters.
Anne decides it's better to see what Gaius is up to. "What are you doing? Is that the magical creature?" She points to the image on the page. Gaius raises an eyebrow. "Amelia told me."
"Yes, and you can help." He hands her another book. Great. Well, at least Amelia is not here complaining.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia walks into her Chambers after being with Morgana for the better part of the day when she hears someone rummaging in the direction of where her wardrobe is. She walks over and finds Merlin looking through her wardrobe. He's lifting dresses and holding them to his body as if measuring them.
"Merlin?" He spins around at her voice, still holding one against his body. "I'm sure there's an obvious explanation for why you are going through my clothes."
"There is," Merlin says but doesn't expand.
"Which is?"
He glances around before blurting, "Moths."
"Moths?" Amelia asks disbelievingly.
"Yes. The Castle's overrun with them." Merlin says folding her dress.
"Really?"
Merlin turns back to the wardrobe. "I was just checking that they hadn't got in here as well."
"And have they?" Amelia asks though she doesn't believe him and has now worked out he's clearly up to something.
"That's, that's totally infested. We'll have to burn it." Merlin picks out a new dress.
"Burn it?!" Amelia exclaims. "I like that dress!"
"Yeah," Merlin says in a tone that implies it is obvious. "And if we don't stop them, we'll all be walking around naked."
Amelia raises her eyebrows. "Merlin I know you're lying. This is me you're talking to plus Anne has told me what you're up to, so…"
Merlin sighs. "I'm helping her get out of Camelot."
"And you need my dress?" Amelia questions.
"Please she needs a disguise. The Bounty Hunter is hunting her." Merlin begs.
Amelia sighs. "Fine take the dress, it's not like I have a shortage. At least you're not burning it."
Merlin smiles. "Thank you." He leaves. Amelia wishes she knew if he succeeds in getting Freya out.
—
Not long later Amelia gets approached by Arthur.
"Why's Merlin wandering around with one of your dresses?" He asks.
Amelia panics but tries to not appear so. "Uh… he's experimenting."
"Experimenting?"
"Yes! You can't judge people Arthur." Amelia tries to look very disappointed in him so he doesn't ask any questions.
"I'm not!" Arthur defends. "I just didn't expect it."
Amelia rolls her eyes and leaves.
—
The warning bells sound and Amelia rushes to where the crowd is and follows Uther, who she sees pushing through the crowd.
"The beast has struck again?" Uther asks Gaius, who stands by a cart with a couple of bodies covered in a sheet. Amelia sees Anne standing next to Gaius and they share a worried look.
"I'm afraid so. The wounds match those of the previous victims." Gaius replies.
Arthur approaches from the other side. "The man who saw it spoke of a huge black cat with wings."
"I was right." Uther declares. "This is not the work of a natural creature."
"Are there any tracks this time?" Amelia asks.
"Just human footprints again." Arthur answers.
"Can you identify this monster?" Uther asks.
"I will need more time to investigate," Gaius replies. Amelia knows that he probably knows already by the look on his face.
"Oh, come on. You always have theories in these matters."
"This time, Sire, I prefer to wait till I'm certain." Gaius turns away.
"There is no time to waste, Gaius," Uther calls after him.
"I'll report back to you before the day's out, Sire," Gaius replies.
"I'll provide some extra eyes, your majesty." Anne curtsies and follows Gaius.
Amelia quickly follows. "Gaius you know who and what it is don't you?"
Gaius reluctantly nods as the three of them walk to his Chambers. "We need to talk to him."
—
Merlin is in there packing. Amelia's eyes widen, is he leaving as well? He hadn't told her that!
"Gaius, I was just..."
"Merlin, sit down. We want to talk to you." Gaius says to him.
"Is everything alright? You look worried." Merlin asks his eyes flickering around. The four of them sit down.
"The beast struck again last night. There are two more deaths in the Lower Town." Amelia says.
"Do you know what it is yet?" Merlin asks.
"Once more there were no tracks around the bodies, but human footprints were leading away from them," Gaius replies.
"Right." Merlin looks distracted.
"It doesn't seem to add up. The footprints would indicate a human was responsible, but the wounds inflicted are definitely the work of some kind of beast." Gaius continues.
"Strange." Amelia frowns at Merlin, not quite understanding his tone.
"Yes." Anne agrees. "Until Gaius remembered what Halig said about the Druid girl, that she's cursed."
This gets Merlin's attention. "What's that got to do with the monster?"
"The ancient chronicles speak of a heinous curse," Gaius explains. "It dooms its victim to turn at the stroke of midnight into a vicious, bloodthirsty beast. The writers of old called this creature a Bastet: a monster of nightmare that inhabits the twilight world between the living and the dead. Merlin, I want the truth. Did you release the Druid girl from the cage?"
"Of course not!" Merlin insists looking down.
"There was a time when you thought twice before lying to me," Gaius says.
"Have you told on me, Anne? It wouldn't be a surprise considering you told Amelia." Merlin accuses.
"I didn't!" Anne defends wide-eyed. She looks at Amelia in panic.
"Just speak the truth, Merlin," Amelia says trying to divert him away from Anne.
"I did what was right," Merlin admits.
"You know the creature and the girl are one and the same," Gaius tells him.
"You're wrong. Freya is just a girl." Merlin's voice is full of emotion.
"Merlin, please think about what he's saying. You know it is the truth." Amelia tries.
"Where is she now?" Gaius asks.
"No." Merlin looks like he is about to cry.
"She's killed already, and she'll kill again. She can't stop herself." Gaius warns.
Amelia doesn't want to do this to Merlin but what else are they going to do?
"Please, Gaius," Merlin says and Gaius stands causing the rest of them to do the same. "Where are you going?"
"To Uther," Gaius says walking to the door.
"I'm begging you! Just give me some time to get her out of the City, please." Merlin begs.
"I'm sorry. I can't let more innocent people die." He closes the door. Merlin turns to Amelia and Anne.
"Something needs to be done, Merlin," Anne says. Merlin grabs the bags and runs off.
—
Merlin returns upset and runs up to his Chamber. Amelia and Anne share a look before cautiously following. Merlin glances at them when they enter but turns away and continues lying on his bed.
"Merlin?" Amelia asks quietly sitting next to him. Anne does a similar thing on the other side and places her hand on his shoulder.
"She's gone," Merlin says in a broken voice.
Gaius enters. "I had no choice, Merlin. Uther had to be told."
"They won't find her. Apparently, she's gone." Amelia says quietly.
"I'm sorry." Gaius sits on the bed. "I do understand how you must feel, Merlin."
Amelia frowns. How can he?
Merlin shakes his head. "You could never understand while Anne and Amelia would." He looks to Gaius. "But do you know how it feels to be a monster? To be afraid of who you are?"
"Freya's very different from you. She's dangerous." Gaius insists.
"Whatever she is, and whatever she's done, she doesn't deserve to die," Merlin argues.
"Let's just hope she's safe. Somewhere far away." Anne adds.
Warning bells sound and they sit up straight. Merlin bolts out of the room with Amelia and Anne behind him. Amelia is sick of just sitting on her hands.
"There she is! Stop!" Amelia hears a Guard yell once they are outside the Castle. They run in that direction.
They run into the Square to find a panther like creature with wings surrounded by multiple Guards and Knights of Camelot with Arthur in front.
It's growling at them all until its eyes land on where Amelia, Merlin and Anne stand and it stops. Amelia notices that it's injured. Suddenly a small stone statue falls from above the Bastet. Gold fades from Merlin's eyes. It hobbles back before flying off instead of attacking.
—
Amelia, Anne and Merlin find a growling Bastet in the tunnels.
"You're all right. You're safe now." Merlin places his hand on its head. It calms. Then runs further back into the tunnels so they quickly follow.
Freya is weeping and lying naked in another part of the tunnels and Merlin places his jacket over her. Amelia holds Anne back, she feels as if they're intruding.
"You must hate me." Freya weeps.
"No." Merlin sounds as if he's almost crying himself. Amelia doesn't blame him as she feels tears begin to sting her eyes.
"I'm a monster. I tried to tell you." Freya continues undeterred.
"I know."
"I wasn't always like this." Amelia sees it's causing the girl a lot of pain to speak.
"Shh. You shouldn't try to talk."
Anne lets out a quiet sob before placing a hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet. Amelia places her arm around Anne's shoulders.
Freya ignores him. "There was a man. He attacked me. I didn't mean to hurt him, but I thought he was going to kill me."
"It was an accident," Merlin argues. Amelia agrees with him, it sounds like self-defence.
"His mother was a sorceress, and when she found out that I'd killed her son, she cursed me to kill forever more." Freya continues to explain as she weeps. She turns away and hisses in pain.
"I'm going to make you better, Freya." Merlin insists.
"No, Merlin, the wound's too deep. Please go." Freya tells him.
"No. I'm not leaving you here." Merlin argues.
—
Merlin takes her to the Lake of Avalon. Amelia lets Merlin do it alone as it is certain Freya is going to die and Amelia doesn't want herself or Anne to intrude. He returns to Gaius' Chambers and Amelia sees the devastation on his face. Anne runs up to him and pulls him into a tight hug where he clings to her. Amelia steps forward and guides him to sit down.
Gaius enters. "Merlin, I was so worried."
"I'm sorry, Gaius." Merlin's voice is hoarse.
"Where's the girl?" Gaius walks over to them.
"She's gone. She's dead." Merlin's voice cracks slightly and Amelia squeezes his hand.
Gaius pulls Merlin into a hug. "I'm sorry, Merlin. Truly, I am."