Amelia's POV

Arthur, Merlin and the Knights return from a patrol, so Amelia makes her way down to the Armoury to greet them. She passes Arthur on her way and the two of them share a tense but awkward look as they pass each other by. Amelia and Arthur haven't talked except when they have to – and even then, it is short sentences – ever since Arthur banished Gwen.

Percival had argued that because of what happened with Gwen, they should delay their wedding further. For her fiancé, it's mostly because he doesn't want to hurt Arthur with the reminder of his failed wedding so soon afterwards. Amelia had agreed for the reason that she just isn't in the mood currently because of the loss of Gwen.

She enters just as Gwaine tosses Merlin a small bag.

"What's that?" Merlin asks as Amelia walks up to Percival to kiss him.

"Salt. Pour it in a circle at the foot of your bed, helps to protect you from evil spirits." Gwaine explains, deadpan. Amelia frowns. Eh?

"Really? Does that work?"

"Absolutely. And if it doesn't, Gaius can always put it on his supper." Gwaine jokes.

"Very funny." Merlin remarks before walking out of the room. He gives Amelia a nod as he leaves.

"What's going on?" Amelia questions.

Leon shrugs. "Merlin's just being superstitious." He dismisses.

"Why?"

"We found an Old Religion shrine by the Druids. Merlin warned us it was cursed." Percival explains, giving Amelia a knowing look.

A shrine? Amelia remembers Morgause teaching her and Morgana about them. The Druids built shrines to bring rest to tormented souls as they were so badly wronged that they could not find peace in the other world. The ancient rituals were done to heal the ground to try and bring the souls of the victims to rest, but the magic that binds the earth is delicate and is easily undone. Anyone who disturbs a resting place risks releasing the spirit.

Gwaine scoffs. "More like Merlin is getting scared of Gaius' bedtime stories."

"It was strange though." Leon admits.

"What do you mean?" Amelia asks.

"Just to have one so close to Camelot."

Indeed. Amelia doesn't quite understand why her body has been overcome with this chill. There's something in her mind, nagging at forgotten memories as if to try and tell her why this shrine is so important. Her mind suddenly snaps back to an old and forgotten memory.

Amelia has ridden off quite far when she suddenly hears screaming in the distance and the clashing of swords. She knows Arthur was leading his first mission and is worried that he is in some sort of trouble, so Amelia quickly climbs off her horse and rushes towards the noise, a bit stupid she knows, with her dagger in hand.

Though when Amelia arrives, she wishes she hadn't. It appears to be a camp in disarray with everything strewn everywhere. People are running and screaming from men with the Camelot symbol on their clothing. Bodies are also strewn everywhere as well.

As Amelia turns looking at the terror around her, she notices Arthur standing not too far off from her with a horrified look on his face, her own face likely mirroring his own, as he looks from what is happening in front of her.

"I-I don't… I tri—" Arthur stutters. "I tried to! B-but they w-would not listen!" He looks close to tears.

"You have to tell them, Arthur! They are hurting children!" Amelia urges.

"I-I don't know h-how!" Arthur tearfully tells her.

Amelia can't stay here anymore so she looks away from Arthur, shaking her head, and flees back to her horse.

Oh. She had forgotten about that day. Her head injury had knocked it out of her. Literally. Her eyes well as she remembers the utter distraction that had been laid before her with a young Arthur frozen in place as his own men lay waste.

She is so frozen in place and lost in her mind that she doesn't hear Percival calling her name until he shakes her shoulder.

"Amelia?!"

Amelia shakes her head and turns to Percival, placing a false smile on her face. "Yes?"

Percival squeezes her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, yes of course." Percival frowns at her doubtfully and she can see Leon and Gwaine doing the same. "Really, everything's fine." Amelia insists.

Percival reluctantly nods and doesn't protest as Amelia quickly leaves the room.

Amelia notices that throughout the conversation, Elyan hadn't spoken a word. Amelia pities him. Like her, he hasn't been quite the same since Gwen's banishment himself.

—

The Knights and the Tavern folk are cheering over an arm wrestling match between Percival and Sir Brennis.

Amelia stands quietly in the middle of it, only smiling when those around her, like Percival, Leon and Gwaine, look at her. Her mind is too caught up in old memories.

Those screams from so long ago echoing in her mind. Could the shrine be the same place where that attack had taken place so long ago? That hadn't happened too far from Camelot, so it could be.

Amelia is startled out of her thoughts when she hears a crack. Percival has actually broken Sir Brennis' wrist. Amelia smirks spitefully to herself as she thinks of how annoyed Arthur will be since he's planned a training session tomorrow morning.

Amelia turns to Leon who's been cheering and applauding Percival. "Where's Elyan?"

Leon shrugs. "Said he wanted an early night. He's still not over what happened with Gwen."

He turns from her and Amelia's face drops into a frown. His blaséness about Gwen being banished, about a lot of the Knights' blaséness, has been really upsetting her. She can't understand why everyone, even Merlin, Anne and Gaius at times, has seemingly forgotten Gwen. Except for Amelia and Elyan.

—

Amelia doesn't sleep well that night as she is overcome with this strange chill. It's almost like she can sense a presence in the Castle.

Gaius gets called to Elyan's Chambers later that morning and Amelia follows after him, trying to keep her mind off things. When they arrive, Elyan is lying on his bed with eyes wide and staring. He doesn't react to those in the room.

"He was acting strangely at training." Leon begins to explain, he and Gwaine stand in front of Amelia and Gaius as they explain what happened.

"What do you mean?" Gaius questions.

"Arthur switched things up in training. Elyan went at Merlin a bit too hard."

Amelia rolls her eyes, of course, this is partly Arthur's fault. "Is that why I saw Anne and Sir Geraint carrying an exhausted Merlin to his Chambers?"

Gwaine and Leon look guilty.

"That behaviour is out of character for Elyan, that's for sure." Gaius says, bringing the conversation back to the patient.

"Then he started panicking when we got to the Armoury." Leon adds.

Amelia sees the beginning of a bruise as she leans over Elyan, who doesn't react to her presence. She turns to them with a raised eyebrow. "And which idiot thought it was a good idea to punch him?"

Leon looks at Gwaine. Amelia turns her pointed look to Gwaine.

Gwaine shrugs. "He kept struggling, yelling at nothing."

Gaius sighs, he turns to examine Elyan, sitting on the bed next to him.

"Why doesn't he speak?" Leon wonders.

"I don't know." Gaius admits. "It's strange."

"It's like he's lost his mind." Gwaine blurts out.

Amelia looks at Gwaine, exasperated. "Thanks, Gwaine, but I think we'd all prefer to listen to Gaius' medical opinion over yours."

Leon looks at Gwaine and shakes his head.

Gaius stands. "Perhaps you'd leave us alone to treat our patient."

They start to head out, but Gwaine pauses and turns to them. "It would be better if Arthur didn't know of this."

Amelia is surprised. Not that she wants to talk to Arthur anyway, but why keep this a secret?

Gaius is also confused. "Why do you want to keep it from Arthur?"

Gwaine hesitates before replying, "Elyan hasn't been himself recently. He hasn't said anything, but he's clearly upset about his sister's banishment."

Amelia narrows her eyes. Of course, he's upset, why wouldn't he be?

"Yes, it must've been hard for him to see that happen to Gwen." Gaius responds, glancing back at the almost comatose Elyan.

"We wouldn't want Arthur to think that Elyan's loyalties are divided." Leon adds.

Good point, wouldn't be good for Elyan. Amelia and Gaius share a look and she can see he agrees with her.

"Well, I'm sure the King doesn't have to know about every accident that happens in Camelot." Amelia concedes.

Gwaine smiles slightly, reaching over to squeeze her forearm briefly to show his gratitude. "Thank you, Amelia, Gaius."

"Thank you." Leon reverberates before they both leave.

Amelia places a hand on Elyan's shoulder. "Elyan? Elyan, it's Amelia, can you hear me?" Elyan doesn't move. "Blink if you can hear me." There's still no movement from him.

Gaius sighs. "Doesn't seem like he'll respond." Gaius reaches down to pick up his medicine bag, the top drops to the floor and as he bends to pick it up, Amelia can see that Gaius spots something.

"What is it?" Amelia asks.

Gaius doesn't reply and simply crouches down, pushing back the duvet. Amelia crouches next to him and sees what it is. It's the circle of what could be salt.

Gaius touches it, smells it, and tastes it. Amelia grimaces as she watches Gaius taste it.

"Interesting." Gaius murmurs.

"What are you thinking Gaius?" Amelia wonders.

—

Amelia and Gaius are discussing their concerns with Anne in the Physician's Chambers with a book open in front of them when Merlin angrily storms in. Percival is with the other Knights; Amelia had declined joining them.

"I'm done! Trying to be nice to Arthur. I cook, I clean, I'm always there for him." Merlin rants. "Not to mention that small matter of saving his life more times than I care to remember. Do I get any thanks? No. All he ever does is shout at me."

Anne frowns at her husband in concern and gets up to rub his shoulder. Amelia notes the slight waddle in her walk now.

Amelia rolls her eyes in response to Merlin's words. "Well, what do you expect from his gracious majesty?"

Gaius closes his book. "I fear we may have more important things to worry about than Arthur shouting at you."

"What is it?" Merlin asks, sitting down next to his wife, smiling softly at her.

"Do you know if Elyan disturbed anything yesterday at the shrine?" Amelia asks. She hears her voice catch at the end of her sentence and sees Anne look at her in concern.

Merlin shrugs. "I'm not sure."

Anne sighs. "You need to be sure, Merlin."

"I don't know. He may have done. I tried to warn them. You know what they're like. They don't listen." Merlin retorts exasperatingly.

"I'm sorry, Merlin." Gaius concedes. "It's just that I'm deeply concerned for Elyan. He hasn't spoken a word since he regained consciousness and Amelia and I could find no physical symptoms to explain it. The only thing we could find was a pile of salt at the foot of his bed."

Merlin's face drops. "Oh, no."

Anne frowns. "Merlin?"

"He's trying to ward off an evil spirit." Merlin replies softly.

The other three share an incredulous look.

"With a pile of salt? That's utter nonsense." Gaius scoffs.

"Elyan believes it to be true." Merlin argues.

Amelia sighs shakily. "Then Elyan may have disturbed the spirit at the shrine."

"What? What will that do to him?" Merlin questions, worriedly.

"I dread to think what horror it might unleash. You must tell Arthur what happened at the shrine. You must tell him that Elyan is possessed." Gaius urges.

"Well, I'm not sure he'll believe me, not in the mood he's in." Merlin says.

"What else can we do?" Amelia retorts.

—

Merlin leaves to tell Arthur Elyan is possessed. Amelia returns to her room and it's not long before she hears commotion in the corridor. She opens her door as Sir Brennis and Gregory turn the corner.

Amelia steps out and approaches them, she notes that she can see other Knights and Guards flittering about. "Sir Brennis, Sir Gregory, what is going on?"

The two Knights glance at each other awkwardly before Sir Brennis sighs and turns to her. "It's Sir Elyan, he attacked the King."

Amelia's eyes widen in shock. "Elyan, attack the King? That can't be right."

Sir Gregory shrugs. "Well, he's been off since his sister was banished, maybe it was only a matter of time."

Amelia glares at the Knight who quickly realises his mistake and avoids looking at her. Sir Brennis shakes his head at him.

"You better find him then." Amelia says calmly.

The two Knights nod and run off. Amelia frowns once they're gone. She knows Elyan is upset about Gwen's banishment, as Amelia is, but he never held any against Arthur, unlike Amelia. Could this be the work of the spirit?

—

Elyan is found that night and is thrown into the Cells. Amelia stands in the Council Chambers the next day as Agravaine advocates for the Knight's death. Amelia stands just behind him and spends most of the time glaring at his head.

"Elyan must be tried and punished in accordance with our laws." Agravaine argues.

"But that would mean putting him to death." Arthur counters.

"Well, so be it. You can't afford to show favouritism."

"What if Elyan wasn't acting of his own volition?" Amelia tears her eyes away from Agravaine and looks at Arthur in surprise. Is he actually listening for once?

"What do you mean?"

"Merlin believes that Elyan has been possessed by some kind of spirit." Arthur explains.

"And I agree with him." Amelia says, coming to stand next to Merlin.

"Oh. I have no doubt they're just trying to protect their friend." Agravaine remarks patronisingly.

Amelia glares at her uncle. "Unlike you Agravaine, Merlin has often been proved right. Why else would Elyan attack Arthur?"

"His motive is obvious. He seeks revenge." Agravaine retorts, turning to Arthur. "You banished his sister from Camelot."

"We know Elyan, and no matter what he feels about his sister, he would never attack Arthur." Merlin rebuffs.

"Arthur, you must see. All this talk of possession and spirits, it's just a ruse to save Elyan's neck." Amelia is very close to strangling Agravaine's neck.

"But what if it is true? I'd be executing an innocent man. More than that, I'd be executing a friend." Arthur argues. Is Arthur actually redeeming himself here? The next stop will be unbanishing Gwen, but she doubts he'll do that.

"You cannot be seen to allow someone to try and kill you and then escape punishment. You will appear weak. That puts the whole of Camelot in peril."

"Arthur..." Merlin prompts.

Arthur turns to them. "Leave me."

Amelia clenches her fist, disappointed and irritated that Arthur is taking Agravaine's side again.

"All of you."

Amelia smirks at Agravaine's slightly bewildered face as she follows Merlin out with Agravaine not far behind. Small victories.

—

Amelia and Merlin join Anne, Percival and Gaius in the latter's Chambers. They have filled in Percival with what's been happening.

"Agravaine is just pushing for Elyan's execution." Merlin says, pacing.

"I would not be shocked if Arthur listens to him, he mostly does." Amelia snidely comments.

"Arthur may have no choice but to sentence Elyan to death." Percival points out.

"We can't allow that to happen." Anne argues.

"What do you propose we do?" Gaius questions.

There must be a way of ridding Elyan of the spirit that possesses him." Merlin persists.

"But that would require very powerful magic." Amelia points out.

"I must master it to save Elyan's life."

"Right then." Amelia declares. "Once we get that done, we just need to break Elyan out of the Dungeons." She shrugs. "Easy enough."

Percival blinks at Amelia in surprise. "You're... joking, yes?" Amelia turns to the rest of them. "About how easy it is to break out of the Dungeons?"

Gaius, Amelia, Merlin and Anne just share a smile and start to laugh as Percival sighs.

—

Merlin heads off that night to break Elyan out of the Cells but when he returns with a wound on his forehead, he explains that it went wrong. Elyan hadn't taken the bait and had knocked Merlin out. The Knight was gone when Merlin had awoken.

Gaius treats Merlin's head wound. Anne flitters worriedly around him, clutching her round stomach.

"Just before he jumped me, there was a presence there. I could sense it." Merlin explains.

"It was Elyan who was supposed to be knocked out, not you, Merlin." Amelia remarks with a slight grin.

Gaius stops treating him and Merlin quickly begins heading for the door. "I must find Arthur. Elyan could make another attempt on his life."

"After Elyan's escape, Arthur was put under heavy guard. There's little more you can do to protect him." Percival says, stopping him.

"This shrine... do you think you could find it again?" Gaius wonders, looking at Merlin and Percival.

Amelia feels the colour drain from her face.

"I'm not sure I want to." Merlin admits. "You said I was never to go there again."

"We have to find out all we can about this spirit." Gaius argues. "Unless we know what we're dealing with, we won't be able to help Elyan or Arthur."

Amelia isn't happy about this. What if it's the camp she worries it is?

—

Amelia feels sick as they approach the camp, once they reach the edge and can see the hanging fabrics in the trees.

Merlin and Percival are leading Amelia and Gaius to the shrine. Suddenly, Merlin stops.

"Merlin?" Gaius questions.

"It's just through these trees." Merlin says, nodding ahead.

They enter the shrine. Amelia feels like her heart is in her throat. The camp is exactly like how she remembers it. This camp is the one Arthur attacked all those years ago. Amelia feels the tears well up in her eyes as a slight breeze picks up causing the fabrics to hauntingly flitter.

"What are we looking for?" Percival questions.

"I'm not entirely sure. But remember, don't disturb anything." Gaius replies.

"Trust me, I won't." Merlin remarks. Percival echoes him.

Amelia nods silently, unable to bring herself to speak.

They split up to look around. Amelia stays still, frozen in place as she watches the cloth waving eerily in the wind. Voices whisper in the wind and Amelia swallows down a sob.

The sound of a crunch of wood startles Amelia out of state and she turns sharply as Percival and Merlin do.

Gaius is standing over a broken branch. He brings his hand up apologetically. "Sorry!" He whispers. Amelia sighs in relief and begins moving through the camp.

It's then that Amelia hears what sounds like crying as well as whispers coming through a gap in the rocks. She walks through to find a well filled with water sitting amongst the moss and rocks. She looks into it and wishes she hadn't as the wailing voices and shouting get louder and louder. She remembers the children running and screaming as the Pendragon symbol overruns the camp. Amelia is finally able to pull away but realises she has begun to properly cry.

"Percival! Merlin! Gaius!" Amelia steps back and holds her head, drying her eyes but that doesn't help as the tears continue to fall.

"What is it, Amelia?" Gaius questions as he, Percival and Merlin approach.

"It was awful. It was awful. People were dying and- and—" Amelia tries to speak but she can't. Percival presses a kiss to her forehead.

"Something terrible happened here." Merlin finishes.

Percival pulls Amelia from the well with his arm wrapped tightly around her.

Gaius studies the well. "These runes are in the Druid tongue. I also found this." Gaius holds up an arrow. "There are crossbow bolts scattered all around."

"This was Uther's doing, wasn't it?" Merlin says rhetorically.

"It must be revenge for Uther's crime that the spirit seeks." Percival concludes.

Amelia can't bring herself to tell them how wrong they are.

—

When they return, Amelia retreats to her room to rest and just hide away from the world. But she emerges when she hears news that Elyan had attacked Arthur as a meeting had been called.

Amelia knows she looks terrible when she enters the Throne room, the red eyes and tear tracks on her cheeks don't help, but it's confirmed by the concerned looks Percival, Merlin, Anne and Gaius are sending her. When she had entreated the room where everyone was waiting, Arthur had tried to step forward to comfort her, but Amelia had taken a step back causing him to stop. Arthur looks hurt when Amelia then accepts Percival's comfort. For once, Amelia is glad to see Agravaine appear.

"The palace is secure. No one is able to get in or out, and we're searching the Lower Town even as I speak." Agravaine reports. "Fear not, my lord, Elyan will be hunted down and slain. I'll see to it personally." Amelia grits her teeth, now she's less glad.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Agravaine nods and exits. Arthur turns secretively to Percival, Amelia, Anne, Gaius and Merlin.

"You know that isn't Elyan or you wouldn't have let him go." Merlin states.

Arthur nods, agreeing. "When Elyan spoke to me, it wasn't with his voice. It was the voice of a boy, a child."

"That must be the voice of the spirit that now possesses him." Percival theorises.

Arthur turns to the Physician. "What do you know about the shrine, Gaius?"

"I believe the site was once a Druid camp." Amelia glances at Arthur at those words but Arthur remains blank faced. "There is evidence that the camp was attacked. Your father was relentless in his persecution of the Druids. Many died. I believe it is one of those tormented souls that now possesses Elyan."

"And that's why he seeks his revenge." Arthur finishes, turning away. Amelia gives Arthur an angry look. Isn't he going to admit it?

"The spirit craves peace." Gaius explains further. "He wishes to find his proper place in the other world, but the unjust nature of his death has denied him that."

"Is there anything that can be done to change this?" Arthur asks, turning to them.

"In Druid lore, only the atonement of the perpetrator can bring the spirit peace."

"But Uther's dead. He can't atone for what he did." Anne points out. Amelia simply continues looking at Arthur.

"Indeed."

"What about Elyan?" Arthur asks.

"Elyan is no longer the man you knew. The spirit has a hold on him that may be too powerful to break. All we can hope is that he'll be found before he has a chance to enact his revenge." Gaius replies.

"And if we do find him?"

"Then I fear you have no choice... but to kill him."

—

"Arthur… apologised, for attacking the Druid camp?" Amelia repeats slowly. She hadn't thought he would confess to it or even go to apologise to the spirit.

Merlin nods. Amelia had joined Anne for her check up with Gaius – she's close to term now so Gaius wants to keep an extra eye on her and the baby – as Merlin hadn't turned up since last night.

Suddenly, Merlin burst in with Arthur and carrying an unconscious Elyan. Arthur soon made his escape after he tells Gaius that Elyan needs to be treated and left Merlin to explain.

Anne beams. "Well, that's great, isn't it? Arthur's one step closer to accepting magic!"

Amelia doubts that. "Let's not jump ahead of ourselves, this is still Arthur brought up by Uther and while he still listens to Agravaine, who knows?"

"You were brought up by Uther and you're not full of hatred for magic." Merlin says.

Amelia decides not to mention the whole other life part. "No, but I was completely terrified when I learnt I had magic, fearful I would be corrupt."

Gaius looks up from where he'd been checking over Elyan. "What's important is that Elyan is freed and is going to make a full recovery and the boy is at peace."

And Gwen is still banished. Arthur probably wants them to play happy families now. Yeah right.