Amelia's POV
Amelia and Gwen find Anne and Merlin in the Antechamber to the side of the Throne room, peeking their heads through the doors.
They come up behind them and the four of them watch Arthur, in a white ceremonial robe, kneel in the Throne room.
"What's he actually doing?" Gwen whispers.
"Thinking," Anne replies.
"About?"
Amelia can imagine the sly look on Merlin's face as he replies, "You."
Gwen hits him and Amelia snorts.
"Shhh." Merlin hisses as he closes the door while the others snigger.
Merlin turns to Amelia and Gwen once the door is closed. "He has to decide upon a quest."
"Wait is this the one where he has to 'transcend' his body so he gets a vision of the quest?" Amelia pulls a face as she speaks.
Gwen looks at her confused. "How's crouching on his knees all night going to help?"
"Somehow it does," Anne mutters.
"And both of you are going to stay here and watch him?" Gwen asks looking amused.
"Gwen, this is one of the most important days in a prince's life." Merlin retorts.
"Oh." Gwen presses her lips together so as not to laugh while Amelia doesn't bother at all.
—
Amelia tries to hold in her laugh when she finds Anne and Merlin asleep on the floor the next morning as she follows Uther and the Council down the steps and into the Throne room, which causes the couple to wake.
Uther touches Arthur's shoulder, startling him out of the trance. "It is time." He declares. Arthur stands and turns to them. "What is the quest you have chosen?"
"I can see but one path, sire. I am to enter the realm of the Fisher King and find the golden trident spoken of in the legends of The Fallen Kings." Arthur announces.
"You do understand that if you are to prove yourself worthy of the throne, you must complete this task alone and unaided," Uther asks.
"I do."
—
Gaius warns them that the Perilous Lands is not somewhere people return from. Legends says that despite the Fisher King being wounded in battle, some believe the Fisher King's still alive, kept from death by his magic.
Amelia, Anne, Gwen, and Morgana shop in the Market in the Lower Town. They are observing the fabrics at one stall when an old woman suddenly grabs Amelia's arm causing her to startle. Morgana turns to her in worry.
"Please, please, just spare me a few minutes of your time, Sisters." Morgause. Amelia reluctantly nods and she and Morgana go with her.
"My Ladies?" Gwen calls out in concern. Anne sends Amelia a look, a look that says 'is this a double agent situation?" Amelia gives her a nod and Anne relaxes.
"It's alright, Gwen. We won't be a moment." Morgana replies calmly.
The three sisters slip round the corner and hide in a secluded corner. Amelia already feels dread before Morgause opens her mouth, she can already imagine what her older half sister will ask of her.
"We must be quick, Sisters. This enchantment will not hold for long." Morgause urgently tells them. "Tell me, what has Arthur chosen as his quest?"
"He sets out tomorrow for the Perilous Lands." Morgana diligently reports.
"How perfect." Morgause grins. Amelia tries not to react at the glee on her face. Morgause pulls out a bracelet with an orange jewel in the middle that glows. "Present this to the Prince as a token of your good wishes." Amelia reluctantly takes it. "When the time is right, one of you must make a likeness of the Prince and bind it to the gift using the skills that I have taught you both. When he does not return, you, Morgana, will take your rightful place as sole heir to the throne of Camelot."
Amelia and Morgana quickly return to the stall. Amelia's good mood is no longer there.
"My Ladies! Are you alright?" Gwen immediately asks them.
Amelia looks at her confused. "Why wouldn't we be?" She lets out a slight chuckle that ends when she sees Anne frowning.
"I... I thought..." Gwen stumbles.
"That poor woman didn't have a penny to feed her family. We felt duty bound to help her, Gwen." Morgana tells her. She pulls Amelia away with her. Amelia glances back at the two women in worry.
—
Amelia knocks on Arthur's door anxiously. Morgana had lovingly given the job of giving Arthur the bracelet to Amelia, who hadn't been able to refuse or warn the others so Arthur doesn't wear it as Morgana will get suspicious.
"Yes?" Arthur calls through the door. Amelia opens it and sees that he sits at his table.
"I'm sorry Arthur," Amelia says as she enters.
"What is it?" Arthur asks.
Amelia wrings her fingers together as she walks over to stand by the chair at the table. "I'm worried." She really is. She's worried about whether they'll succeed in stopping her sisters.
"That is not like you," Arthur remarks.
Amelia chuckles, trying to stay calm. "I can't help it. I keep thinking something is going to happen to you."
"I'll be fine," Arthur reassures her.
"I'm serious." Amelia insists. She wishes she could tell him everything. "Listen to me Arthur, it keeps going round in my head."
"Amelia, I really…"
Amelia quickly sits. "I want you to do something for me." She needs to get this over and done with.
"What?" He asks fondly, which makes Amelia feel worse as she pulls the bracelet off her wrist and shows him it.
"Wear this? It's to keep you safe." The complete opposite really.
Arthur takes it. "Thanks." He almost looks quite touched.
"Of course you do not have to. I will understand." Amelia quickly adds.
"I have to or Morgana will get mad that I didn't accept a gift from you." Arthur jokes somewhat seriously.
"But I—"
"Amelia, I want the bracelet."
Amelia smiles reluctantly and stands, glad to have it over and done with but annoyed. Arthur stops her. "But in exchange you both have to do something for me."
Amelia rolls her eyes fondly and chuckles. "Of course."
"Will you both look after my father when I am gone?" Arthur requests.
Amelia swallows uncomfortably before giving him a smile, which she thinks is a bit tight. "Do not worry, we will." She reaches forward and hugs him tightly.
—
In the Main Square Arthur bows to Uther, Amelia, and Morgana, who stand on the stairs with the Council standing behind them, and they bow back. They watch as he mounts his horse.
"You look troubled, Sire," Morgana says with false concern.
"He is sole heir to the throne, Morgana." He tells her.
"Don't worry. I am certain a Pendragon will rule over Camelot for a long time to come." Morgana smirks with Amelia, whose smile drops once Morgana looks away.
Arthur and Merlin nod to each other. Amelia sees the moment Merlin's gaze is magically drawn to the bracelet. He and Arthur exchange a few words before Merlin looks at Amelia with a questioning look on his face. Amelia responds with a worried look.
—
Amelia rushes to warn them and eventually finds them in the Library where they're already searching. Anne and Gaius are flicking through books while Merlin stands on a ladder, looking through the shelves.
"Oh, good," Amelia says when she arrives. "I was coming to tell you."
"We cannot find anything," Anne says. "Merlin insists it is not a jewel and we have searched every stone imaginable."
"Merlin is right. It is enchanted and Morgana and I's job is to drain Arthur with a binding." Amelia explains.
"That means…" Gaius grabs a book from a shelf next to Merlin's legs. "Here." He points at a page that shows the bracelet.
"Gaius, that's it!" Merlin cries, jumping down from his ladder.
"Then it's not a stone, Merlin. It's an Eye of the Phoenix." Gaius declares.
"Phoenix?" Anne questions.
"Some call it the Firebird. Its eye burns with a fire that consumes the life force of anybody it comes in contact with." Gaius explains.
"I have to go after him," Merlin concludes.
"I will come with you." Anne declares.
"This is not a task to be undertaken lightly. You both will need help."
Anne and Merlin ride out of Camelot. Amelia can't go with them to save Arthur as Morgana will be suspicious. So, she reluctantly stays behind.
To excuse Anne's disappearance to Gwen and Morgana, Amelia and Gaius say she is unwell. Amelia uses this as an excuse to get away from Morgana, explaining it as visiting Anne to 'check on her health'.
—
Amelia grimaces as she makes an effigy and sets it on fire that night. She prays that Arthur will keep alive until Merlin, Anne, and Gwaine, who they had gone in search for, get to him on time meanwhile Amelia has to play her evil spy part. Morgana had decided that they should take turns doing it as they should both receive the satisfaction of destroying Arthur. Amelia can't refuse as why wouldn't she want to and she can't pretend that she can't do it because of any limits in her magic as she and Morgana are of equal strength. Pushing it onto Morgana will also make her just as bad as she feels right now as she uses magic to relight the burnt effigy in a box.
Using magic, Amelia relights the burnt effigy in an oriental box Morgana has given her. Suddenly the door opens without so much of a knock. Amelia snaps the box closed and stands up as Gwen enters. She places her body in front of the box so as to hide it.
"Gwen?!" Amelia exclaims in surprise. "What is it?" She realises her tone is a bit sharp when Gwen looks a little alarmed.
"I just wanted to see if there's anything you needed," Gwen murmurs.
Amelia gives a shaky smile but it's the best she can do right now. "Oh, no, no. I am fine, thank you, Gwen." She wants to explain everything to Gwen but to do so, many other secrets would be revealed.
"Is something burning?" Gwen then questions. Not good.
"It's nothing. Incense box of Morgana's." Amelia hurriedly explains. "She did not really say only that I had to keep a hold of it.
"Are you sure? Do you want me to go and get her?"
"No!" Amelia yells, startling Gwen. Amelia knows she's looking at Gwen with wide, fearful eyes. "I-I mean I am fine. You should go see to Morgana." Amelia realises herself that her voice is a bit high pitched. She thought she had improved on the lying front but apparently not.
Despite looking suspicious, Gwen leaves.
—
Anne's POV
They eventually find Gwaine in the middle of a Tavern brawl it seems as they have to dodge flying objects and watch Gwaine be shoved across the bar.
"Hello, Gwaine!" Merlin greets cheerfully. Anne looks around at all the angry faces uncomfortably.
Gwaine looks up. "Ah! Merlin! Anne! How are you?" He stumbles as he gets up to stand beside them.
A man clears his throat, drawing their attention. "Give me my money." He demands.
Anne, Merlin, and Gwaine glance at each other before fleeing. They run through the town, chased by the man and his friends. They duck behind a table. Anne peeks out and sees the man has seen them.
"Guys. Run!"
They again run, ducking into an archway of a stone fort and climbing up the stairs to be at a higher level. They pause for a moment.
"Remind me again what you two are doing here." Gwaine huffs.
"Arthur is in trouble, we need your help," Merlin explains.
"What kind of trouble?"
"There!" The man chasing them cries and they bolt again.
"He's gone to the Perilous Lands," Anne tells him.
"What, you serious?"
"Yeah."
They reach the end of the fort and all that lies below them is a cart of hay near their horses. The group chasing them has now reached the top of the stairs of the stone structure.
"Just now, sounds pretty attractive. All right." Gwaine remarks as he looks at the men chasing them.
Anne, Merlin, and Gwaine climb onto the fort wall and look down.
"All right, go for the horses," Gwaine says.
"You have got to be joking." Merlin huffs.
Gwaine shrugs and throws Merlin over the edge of the Castle wall onto a stack of hay, then he turns to Anne. "Ladies first."
Anne rolls her eyes at him to appear annoyed with him but the smile on her face gives her away. She jumps, landing next to Merlin with Gwaine landing next to them soon after.
"Come on." Gwaine urges.
They laugh as they ride away.
—
"So, how has Camelot been since I have been gone?" Gwaine asks as they slowly trot through the forest of Ander.
Anne snorts. "You mean how has Amelia been?"
"Look, I tried to be subtle." Gwaine defends.
Merlin scoffs. "You are the least subtle person we know!"
"All right. Though how is she? Has she missed me?" Gwaine wiggles his eyebrows.
"Oh yes, she pines for you and stares longingly out of the window wondering when you will ever be able to return," Anne remarks sarcastically in a dramatic fashion.
Merlin laughs while Gwaine rolls his eyes.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia sits at her dresser as Gwen fixes her hair while Morgana lounges on one of the chairs in the Chambers. The air is tense and Amelia feels herself shaking, worried about what will Morgana do if she thinks Gwen has worked them out.
"You're so good to us, Gwen. Thank you." Morgana says sickeningly sweet. Amelia had mentioned to Morgana that Gwen might be suspicious but she seems to be laying it on a bit thick.
"It's nothing." Gwen hurriedly dismisses though it is clear she's lying.
Morgana gives a pointed look to Amelia through the mirror. Amelia swallows thickly knowing it is her turn. "You're upset with me. I know, I was sharp with you last night. I'm sorry."
She meets Gwen's eyes through the mirror and hopes the pleading look and the fear in her eyes will get Gwen to let it go, particularly in Morgana's presence.
Gwen frowns but then shakes her head dismissively. "It's forgotten." She answers. Amelia relaxes and gives her a grateful smile.
"What can we do to make it up?" Morgana asks cheerfully. "How about we give you some time off considering all the extra work you have been doing since Anne has been ill." Gwen looks suspicious and looks at Morgana. "Don't look at me like that. I'm sure we can look after ourselves for one night."
"That's very kind of you, My Lady," Gwen replies after some slight hesitation.
Amelia sighs and stands as she speaks, "Well, I am glad that is sorted."
Amelia and Morgana move to leave the room, but Gwen stops them. "Before I go, I'll make sure everything's ready for both of you when you return."
"That is sweet. But do not stay too late." Morgana insists before they leave the room.
"It does seem she didn't really see anything." Amelia hurriedly says once they are walking away from the room.
"Seems so." Morgana murmurs. "But we mustn't let our guard down until we are completely sure."
"Gwen wouldn't dare." Amelia insists, trying to keep her friend out of danger.
"Maybe, but, if necessary, we will have to use the information that she has feelings for Arthur if we need to put a stop to her." Morgana decides.
Outwardly Amelia smirks, pleased, but on the inside, it feels as if everything is twisting up and she feels sick.
—
Gwen's POV
Gwen cannot keep her mind off what was happening with Morgana and Amelia. Something is going on and by her behaviour, Gwen believes Morgana is getting Amelia to do something she does not want to do.
As she is tidying the Chambers of the two wards before taking her time off when it crosses her mind to do some snooping in their Chambers, particularly Amelia's as she had been hiding something the night before.
Gwen begins opening the cupboards when she sees an oriental box that she swears is Morgana's. This causes her to pull it out to have a closer look. She opens it to find a mound of some material she cannot work out. Gwen leans forward to give it a sniff and realises it has the same smell that she had sensed the night before. This must be it.
Before she can do any more, Gwen gets startled by movement near Amelia's Chambers and hurriedly puts the box back where she had found it. She slips behind a screen just in time as the door opens and Morgana steps inside.
"Gwen?" Morgana calls out. Gwen holds her breath and stays still.
Morgana seems satisfied that no one is inside and closes the door before walking straight towards the cupboard Gwen had been rummaging in before. Gwen watches as Morgana pulls a box out of the cupboard, and sets it on the table as she watches from behind the screen. Morgana closes her eyes and when she opens them, they are golden and a small fire erupts inside the box.
Gwen stands there in shock, just about holding in a gasp of fear and surprise as she watches Morgana smile at what she had done. Does Morgana have magic?! And God knows what she has been making Amelia do, the poor girl had been terrified ever since last night. Also, if Gwen thinks about the two wards ever since they had returned, Amelia had been more in her shell, more skittish every time she is around Morgana but always seems very relaxed and carefree when she is not around.
—
Anne's POV
They reach the bridge that leads to the Perilous Lands. Gwaine motions for Merlin and Anne to stay put while he scouts the bridge. They nod and as soon as he leaves, head straight for the bridge.
Suddenly, a short man appears in front of the bridge. Merlin automatically reaches out and grabs Anne's arm, pushing her behind him protectively.
"So, Magic and Hope have arrived." He speaks.
Merlin's eyes bug out of his head. Anne does not blame him; this man knows about Merlin's magic somehow. "What?" He stammers.
The man shakes his head at Merlin. "There is nothing to be afraid of. Your presence is essential if Arthur is to succeed on his quest."
"How do you know about Arthur? Who are you?" Anne demands to know.
"The Keeper of the Bridge." The man reveals. "I only wish to see the Fisher King's lands restored and prosperity reign again. Until your and Hope's mission is complete, this cannot happen."
"It's not our mission, it's Arthur's," Merlin says in confusion.
"That's what you choose to believe." The Keeper of the Bridge shrugs. "It's no accident that Arthur chose this path or you two chose to follow him."
Anne hears footsteps behind them, and Merlin and her turn around to see Gwaine walking up to them.
"Ah, finally! Strength has arrived, the quartet is complete." The Keeper of the Bridge exclaims.
Gwaine draws his sword. "Who's he?"
The Keeper of the Bridge quickly turns Gwaine's sword into a large flower. "I mean no harm to either of you. And I'd thank you to mean no harm in return."
"Where's my sword?" Gwaine questions.
"It will return to you once you reach the other side." The Keeper of the Bridge replies calmly.
Gwaine grimaces and crosses the bridge. The Keeper of the Bridge turns to Anne and Merlin.
"The Fisher King has waited many years for this day. Do not deny him what he wishes." He tells them. Anne and Merlin nod and walk across the bridge. "Remember, nothing is as it seems."
—
Gwen's POV
Feeling frantic, Gwen hurries to Gaius' Chambers that night. She had wondered about talking to Amelia about it but decided not to in case she is wrong about her and she tells Morgana. She cannot talk to Anne either as she is unwell and Gwen does not want to bother her.
She knocks frantically on the door until Gaius opens the door and Gwen quickly steps in.
"I'm sorry to wake you." Gwen apologises.
"Don't be silly," Gaius reassures her as he closes the door and turns to her.
"I'm not sure who else I can talk to." Gwen shakily admits.
"What is it, child?"
"It's Morgana. Just her I-I think." Gwen tells him.
"What's happened?"
Gwen swallows thickly before explaining, "Amelia had this box, I, I thought it was hers but Morgana took it and h-her eyes, it was like they were on fire. What do I do, Gaius? Morgana is using magic."
"Everything may not be as it seems, Gwen." Gaius dismisses but Gwen shakes her head.
"No, no. I know what I saw." She argues. "I have known Morgana for so long, I didn't want to believe it, but she... she isn't the person I knew. She has changed, Gaius. I have seen the way Amelia fears her, how she acts falsely when with her. She looks terrified. I don't think Morgana means well to any of us anymore."
Gaius sighs. "I wish I could say otherwise, but I fear you're right. Amelia is doing her best to keep an eye on her and we must help her."
Gwen stares at him in shock. It is one thing to wonder and another when it is confirmed.
—
Anne's POV
They had camped for the night and continue moving the next morning. Anne had not been able to sleep as the sounds of large pheasants screeched during the night. Anne, Merlin, and Gwaine soon reach The Dark Tower.
When they stand on a hill looking at the tower in the distance, they soon spot some sort of creatures flying in the sky. It is quickly realised that they are hunting something and that something is Arthur.
It is only once they are closer do they see that the creatures are quite like the Dragon, only smaller. Gwaine explains them as being Wyverns, distant cousins of the Dragons. They quickly crawl under the portcullis that covers the entrance to the tower and split off in search of Arthur.
Anne cannot find him but then hears what sounds like Arthur yelling and quickly follows the sound, meeting up with Gwaine along the way.
"How many times do I have to get it into your thick skull? I am supposed to be doing this alone!" Arthur yells at what Anne assumes is Merlin.
A wyvern is about to attack them, but Gwaine stabs it through the back and kills it before it can. Anne can see Arthur from where she is standing, he looks weak and sweaty, but he is still alive.
Anne is still behind Gwaine, so Arthur cannot see her as he grumbles, "Great. This just gets better and better. Are Amelia, Anne, Gwen, and Morgana here too? Are we going to have a tea party?"
Gwaine moves a little out of the way, and Arthur's eyes practically bug out of his head when he sees that Anne is in fact here.
Anne waves a little as she says, "Hello, Arthur... so... how is the quest going?"
Arthur turns to Merlin and thunders, "You idiot! How can you bring her here too?! She is going to tell Amelia everything, who will then tell Morgana, who will tell everyone!"
"Excuse me!" Anne exclaims in mock outrage though she knows he is somewhat right though she knows Amelia will not be telling Morgana anything.
"We don't have time for this." Gwaine cuts in. "There're more Wyverns on their way. We need to get out of here."
"I'm not leaving without the trident." Arthur protests as he stands up and strides off and out the door. "It was the whole point of this quest."
"Do you want us to help you? Or do you want to do this alone?" Merlin calls after him.
"Merlin!" Arthur exasperates.
Gwaine rolls his eyes while Merlin and Anne exchange smiles before they shake their heads and go after him. As Anne passes Merlin, he passes the Eye of the Phoenix to her.
"Can you keep that safe?" He whispers, and Anne nods as she pockets it.
—
They all trail after Arthur up a spiral staircase when Merlin stops them, "Look at this. Looks like a Throne room."
Anne, Gwaine, and Arthur come back down the stairs to see Merlin had stopped to look through a doorway.
"If the trident's going to be anywhere..." Arthur murmurs.
Anne takes a step inside of the room and immediately the stone beneath her foot depresses. She gasps as the trap door is triggered, but Gwaine, who thinks quickly, pushes Anne into the room to prevent her from being squashed by the trap door.
"Anne, watch out!" He calls out as Anne drops to the ground.
Too late; a stone door had fallen into place, trapping Anne inside of the Throne room. She immediately scrambles to her feet and begins banging on the stone door. "Merlin! Arthur! Gwaine!" Anne calls out, hoping one of them would answer back. She groans when she does not get a response.
"So, Tarian, you have arrived." A voice from behind Anne whispers and she nearly jumps out of her skin at the sound.
Anne spins on her heel to see the back of a throne. Cautiously, she walks toward the throne and gasps at what she sees when she gets to the front.
It is, in fact, The Fisher King. He looks eons old. He seems too lively to be considered dead, but he looks too old to be considered alive. He is pale and slim, his cheeks caving into his face. The only thing keeping him alive is whatever shred of magic he has left in him. Anne's eyes travel down to the golden trident that he is holding tightly in his hands.
Anne clears her throat before asking, "Are you the Fisher King?"
The Fisher King slowly blinks as he nods his head. "Yes, Tarian."
"Wait, who is Tarian?" Anne asks with a frown.
"Why, you are." He confirms. "That is what you are known as amongst the Druids. 'Tarian' means 'shield', and you are Emrys' shield, his protector."
Anne does not quite understand but moves on. "So, you are still alive." She more states than asks.
"For now."
There is a loud slam against the wall, and Anne looks up sharply to see it starting to shake from her friends trying to save her. "That is—"
"Your friends, Courage, Strength, and Magic." The Fisher King confirms. "Without their help, you would not be here."
"But why am I here?" Anne questions. "If anything, Merlin should be. He is the one who is Emrys."
"Yes, but he is not the one that needs to speak to me." He says.
"What is it you want?" Anne asks.
The Fisher King sighs. "I want an end to my suffering."
Anne looks at him sympathetically. "You want to die." She cannot imagine what this man has been through all this time.
"I have been waiting all these years for the arrival of a new time: the time of the Once and Future King."
Anne smiles slightly. "I have heard these words before."
"You will hear them again." The Fisher King confirms. "You are Emrys' shield and protector, he will need you by his side with everything that he does. As the time of the Once and Future King dawns, my time can finally come to an end. This is why you were brought here. For this is not Arthur's quest, but it is yours. Arthur thinks that the prize is the trident—" He lets it go, the trident making a loud clanging noise as it drops. "But the real prize is something far greater."
The Fisher King holds up his hand, and a closer inspection reveals a small vial of water. "Water from the Lake of Avalon. I've kept it safe these years, waiting for the right person to claim it. And that is you. You are the chosen one."
"You have got this all wrong." Anne insists. "All of this is Merlin's destiny, not mine!"
"Yours and Emrys' destinies are intertwined, Tarian." The Fisher King states. "You are his destiny, and vice versa. You must help him in everything he does as he helps you. You must give this vial to Emrys, for Albion's time of need is near and during that time, the two of you will be separated. You must have hope that the bond between the two of you is strong enough to save Albion. Emrys' powers are great, but he will need help." He holds out the vial. "Tell him when all seems lost, this will show him the way."
"Thank you." Anne takes the vial from him.
"I have given you a gift. Now you must give me one in return." The Fisher King tells her.
Anne frowns. "But I have nothing to give."
The Fisher King stands, moaning in pain as he does so. "I think you do."
Anne mulls it over, then pulls out the Phoenix Eye bracelet. "If I give you this, you will die."
The Fisher King holds out his arm and nods. Anne nods, drops to one knee, and places the bracelet on the Fisher King's wrist. The Phoenix Eye glows. Anne looks away as the Fisher King is whisked away in a cloud of smoke.
She looks back at the throne tearfully when the wind dies down and hears a, "Thank you," whisper in her ears.
The stone door opens partially then and Arthur rolls under it. Anne quickly gets up, whipping the tears on her cheeks.
"Anne." The Prince murmurs.
Anne sighs and gives him a small smile as she steps around the throne. Arthur walks forward and slaps her on the arm while looking around. Merlin pulls her into a tight hug and kisses her for a few moments. Gwaine sighs and gives Anne a hug himself when she and Merlin pull apart.
"Ha!" Arthur exclaims causing them to turn to him. "Look what I found!" Arthur holds up the Fisher King's trident. "Let's get out of this place."
Anne, Merlin, and Gwaine exchange a look. Gwaine scoffs and follows Arthur out of the room. Anne looks back at the throne.
"Anne?" Merlin calls from the entrance to the Throne room.
"Coming," Anne replies and leaves the room.
—
The four of them reach Camelot's border at the edge of a field where they stop.
"This is the border. By Uther's decree, I can go no further." Gwaine announces.
"I'm sorry, Gwaine. Nothing I can do to change that." Arthur apologises.
"Maybe one day," Anne suggests.
"Yeah. When Camelot gets itself a half-decent King." Gwaine remarks cheekily.
"Careful…" Arthur warns. Anne and Merlin snicker. "He is my father."
"Well, you can't have everything, heh?"
"Where will you go this time?" Merlin questions.
Gwaine licks his finger and sticks it in the air. "I think I'll ride south."
"You can't keep living like that," Merlin tells him.
"Yeah, but it's fun trying."
Arthur nudges his horse forward and begins walking his horse through the field.
"Thanks, Gwaine," Anne says with a smile.
"Hmm." Gwaine nods. "Say hello to Amelia for me."
Anne chuckles. "Of course." She and Merlin nudge their own horses after Arthur.
"I'll remember this, Gwaine," Arthur calls over his shoulder.
—
Amelia's POV
Gwen lights candles in Amelia's Chambers. Amelia approaches the window and sees Arthur riding into the Main Square. Her shoulders drop in relief and shock. She hardly notices her hand going lax on the cup she's holding; the water pours out until she drops it entirely.
Amelia barely hears Gwen move to stand by her and say, "My Lady?"
Amelia feels like she's going to sob in relief as she watches Arthur dismount in the Square.
"Arthur! Oh, thank God!" Gwen gasps.
Amelia recovers enough to turn to Gwen with a wide smile. "Yes, thank God! I must go see him!"
She runs past a surprised Gwen and towards the Castle entrance. Amelia knows she needs to calm down a bit so Morgana doesn't get suspicious of why she is so pleased.
Amelia runs into Arthur in the corridor and wraps him in a big hug. Arthur laughs tiredly.
"I'm all right Amelia." He says softly with a smile.
Amelia pulls back and smiles at him. "Good."
Arthur then looks over her shoulder and says with a grin, "Morgana! Are you not pleased I am back?"
Amelia's smile dims slightly when she hears her sister's name and her fake response, but she doesn't think Arthur notices as he pushes past to wrap his sister in a hug. Amelia watches Morgana's smile drop into a glare as soon as her head is over Arthur's shoulder. Amelia plays along and pulls her own face of annoyance and irritation despite feeling the complete opposite.
—
Arthur presents the trident at Court the next morning. Amelia sits next to Morgana, who is barely concealing her hatred that her brother is still alive.
"Arthur, I don't know what pleases me more," Uther declares, "to be in possession of such a precious artefact, or to know that you have finally proved yourself to be the man I always hoped you would be." He clasps his son's shoulders in some sort of hug.
"Thank you, Father."
"I have no doubt that you will one day make a fine King." Uther praises. The Court applauds as father and son walk out of the room. Amelia and Morgana stand to do the same but Amelia sees the hate in her sister's eyes and it frightens her to the core.
—
The Fisher King had been alive but had asked Anne, who had met him, to end his suffering with the Eye of a Phoenix bracelet but before she did so, the King had given Anne a vial of water.
Gaius holds up the water vial as the four of them observe it in the man's Chambers.
"It's from the Lake of Avalon?" Amelia asks.
"That is what he told me," Anne affirms.
"Interesting," Gaius murmurs.
"You think?" Merlin questions.
"Well, it must have some significance," Gaius says.
"Maybe..."
"Do you believe his warnings?" Amelia asks Gaius.
"Well, we already know of one enemy within our walls," Gaius says.
"Morgana," Merlin utters.
"Her abilities are growing. Whether the Fisher King is right or wrong, we'd be foolish to ignore his words."
—
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