IV: The Deadliest of Plagues
Princess Clarissa walks through the castle halls with Merlin smiling as they head towards the magic room; Arthur walks out of his room, seeing the two magic-users talking, growing a little jealous of their closeness. "Merlin!" He shouts, not able to stop himself as they both turn to face the prince. "I need you now!"
"Can't it wait? It's his day off," Clarissa questions him, and he smiles at her, having a soft spot for her.
"Sure, of course," He replies and watches as they walk away.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
The powerful High Priestess Nimueh stands in her cave on the Isle of the Blessed, creating a magical beast out of clay, the water from the basin helping mould the clap. She takes out a magical egg with runes. She shuts the casing, clicking the lock shut. "Berbay odothay arisan yeldo." She recites the incantation, tapping the magical egg that begins to glow, and a faint heartbeat comes from inside. The High Priestess places the egg into the basin's water, and it travels through a series of underground water tunnels, popping out in a man-made cavern. The magical egg begins to crack from the inside, something trying to break out, and Nimueh shifts the water of her basin to watch the Kingdom of Camelot and its people from her cave. "Bebiede þe arisan ealdu."
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius and Merlin walk into the lower town, looking over the corpse lying in the middle of the street as people walk by. "Aren't you scared?" Merlin asks as he cautiously steps around the body.
"Of what?" Gaius asks him as he kneels down next to the deceased male.
"That you might catch whatever it is," He reasons as he moves into a crouch.
"I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time, there's nothing really to be scared of." He turns the corpse over, revealing a deadly white-skinned, white-eyed face.
"You were saying?" The Warlock questions.
"People mustn't see this. They'll panic," Gaius warns him, and Merlin takes a blanket from nearby to cover up the dead body.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen and her father, Tom, get ready for their day of work. "Dad, here's your sandwich," Gwen tells her father as she rushes around their small cosy home.
"Ooh," He walks over to their kitchen table, sniffing the packed lunch. "Mmm, what's in it?" He asks her.
"It's smoked pigeon. But I'd say there's more smoke than pigeon." She jokes, making Tom laugh.
"You're such a good girl to me," He compliments her with a bright smile.
"And I've done you some watercress soup tonight," She informs him as she collects everything, beginning to head off to the castle.
"Don't tell me, with more water in it than cress?" He jokes, making his daughter laugh, and they pull each other into a hug.
"I'll see you later," She pulls out of the hug.
"'Kay. bye," He waves her off as she heads off to work.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Lucy walks out of the flower shop; seeing Gwen, she quickly pays for another set of flowers and rushes to catch up with her fellow maid. "Gwen, wait up!" She calls out; Gwen hears her and stops, seeing the blond running towards her.
"What are you doing here?" Gwen asks her, and Lucy holds out the small bouquet of flowers.
"These, the ones in Clarissa's room, are wilting, and you told me about wanting to cheer up Morgana; I thought these might help." She tells her, and Gwen smiles at her friend.
"I'll pay you back," She tells her,
"Don't be ridiculous; you're my friend," She smiles, linking their arms.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin and Gaius wheel the corpse over the castle drawbridge when Gwen and Lucy approach the pair with the small cart. "What are you doing?" Lucy asks, startling the Warlock, who moves to the back of the cart, trying to keep them away.
"Er...just moving something," Merlin replies.
"Looks heavy," Gwen comments.
"Er, it's nothing really. Er...someone get you both flowers?" He asks, seeing the bouquet of flowers in their hands.
"Oh! No!" Lucy giggles. "Would you like one?" She asks and picks a small purple one. "A purple on. Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you."
"Thanks. Well, er…" He stutters, sticking the flower in his scarf.
"Aww," Gwen mutters with a smile.
"Er...I-I will see you...around," He stutters and turns back to the cart.
"Bye," She waves as Gaius and Merlin cart away the dead body, both women unaware."Oh, why didn't you stop me?" She huffs as she walks away with a groan.
"I thought it was sweet," Gwen argues.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen walks into Morgana's chambers with the flowers, smiling, and Morgana, hearing the door, comes to greet her. "You look happy," She comments to her maid with a bright smile.
"Lucy helped get these for you," Gwen tells her.
"Oh, that's so sweet; I'll have to thank her later," Morgana smiles, taking the flowers, smelling their floral scent.
"Something to cheer you up. We know you're not sleeping well," Gwen replies with a soft smile.
"You cheer me up," Morgana retorts.
"Would you like me to put them in water for you?" Gwen asks, and Morgana nods; she takes them and walks into the main room to find a place to put them.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Lucy enters Clarissa's chambers; hearing the Princess huffing, she walks inside with a smile, still holding the flowers and sees her behind the screen. "Oh, thank God, you are here, I need help with this damn corset," Clarissa groans, and Lucy laughs softly as she puts the flowers down.
"Of course, why didn't you just wait?" She asks as she joins her behind the screen,
"Because I thought I could do it, but apparently not," She grumbles as Lucy tightens the corset. "Thank you," She hugs her maid, and they both walk out from behind the screen; Clarissa notices the flowers. "Oh, thank you, I was going to get some myself, but these are gorgeous, thank you." She places the flowers into her vase with a smile.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius looks over the deceased body with his magnifying glass, careful not to touch it as Merlin stands by the examining table. "I've never seen anything like this before," Gaius remarks.
"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" Merlin asks him with worry.
"No. I hear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?" He poses the question/
"You think it's caused by magic?" The Warlock questions.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouts as he makes his way to the door, and Merlin steps away from the examination table, opening the door before Arthur can come in and see the body.
"Erm...I'm on my way. Sorry, I'm late," Merlin apologises.
"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it," Arthur sighs and furrows his brow when he sees the flower in Merlin's scarf; Merlin looks down, seeing his gaze.
"Oh, er...Lucy, she gave it to me," He blushes.
"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now," Arthur orders.
"Okay," He smiles, closing the door. "Gaius."
"I heard," Gaius cuts him off.
"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?" He asks in a huff.
"'Cause that's the way it is. You're a servant," He points out.
"Wha...if he knew who I was, what I've done…." He says as he walks over to the table.
"You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up,"
"Hey, I'm not your servant," He complains.
"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up," He tells him, and Merlin covers the body.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius walks into the council chambers to see the dead body of one of the servants on the floor; he kneels down next to him, checking his pulse. "What's happened to him?" Uther questions the court physician as he paces the floor nervously.
"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today," Gaius informs him as he kneels next to the dead body.
"Why didn't you report it to me?" Uther demands an answer.
"I was attempting to find the cause," He replies calmly.
"What did you conclude?" The King questions.
"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. A scientific process is a long one," He tries to explain.
"What are you concealing from me?" He demands.
"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast." He informs them.
"What is the cause?" He asks him
"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery." He confirms the King's worst fears, and he pulls his son aside
"We must find who did this," He orders Arthur.
"I will, father," He promises.
"Conduct door to door searches," Uther whispers, full of fear. "Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant."
"Merlin? But-"Arthur tries to argue.
"I'm going to need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cue. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly." He warns his son.
"Yes, father," He replies and walks out of the room with Clarissa.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Arthur and Clarissa walk down the hall; he stops her in her steps; he looks at her, seeing the worry on her face. "Do you think this is magic?" He asks her, and she nods.
"This is dark, powerful magic, something that no one should unleash." She tells him with fear. "Whatever is causing this is an ancient power."
"Would you be able to find anything out?" He asks her.
"I could look into my books, and I can ask Gaius for help; he knows more than anyone." She tells him, and he nods.
"Thank you," He smiles and walks off, leaving the Princess, who heads for her magic room.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Arthur and a group of guards search the city for the supposed sorcerer that is causing the plague. Merlin and Gaius walk through the town as they search, and the Warlock sees a sick man leaning against one of the buildings. "Gaius?" Merlin calls out as he comes to a halt. "Gaius. He's still alive," He announces as he walks over to him, as the sick man reaches out for help.
"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him," Gaius tells him, hating that there is no cure.
"But we haven't tried," He argues.
"If we don't know what a disease is, then how can we cure him?" The scientist points out.
"With magic," The Warlock reasons too rashly in the street for everyone to hear.
"Have a look. They're suspicious of everyone." He warns him, pointing to the guards searching the street, and pulls Merlin away. "This is no time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the source of the disease."
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius stands in his chambers as he takes a vial of stomach contents from one of the plague victims and walks over to his work desk heating the vial of liquid. "What are you doing?" Merlin asks his guardian.
"I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach," Gaius explains.
"Will that tell you who did it?" He asks as he watches.
"No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind." He replies, and the door opens; they both turn to the door to see the Princess storm into the room.
"I have to agree, this is anciently dark magic," She announces and places a small spellbook on the table.
"Why would someone use magic like that?" The young Warlock.
"Magic can corrupt someone. People will use it for their own greed ends," Clarissa explains to him.
"But not all magic is bad. We know it isn't," He points out.
"It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it," Gaius tells him, and Arthur, along with several guards, burst into the room without notice.
"Over there," Arthur orders the guards, pointing around the room. "Sorry, Gaius, we're searching every room in town."
"What for?" Gaius asks the prince.
"A sorcerer," He replies, and Clarissa hides the spellbook.
"But why would he be here?" The court physician questions.
"I'm just doing my job," Arthur sighs and looks at Clarissa as he passes to look around the room.
"We've nothing to hide. Go on, then, search," Gaius encourages them and Arthur noses around Gaius' messy stack of books and papers.
"All these books and papers?" The blond asks as he looks through.
"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish." He tells him, and the Prince cringes, walking away, seeing the door heading to Merlin's room.
"What's this room up here?" He asks the residence.
"Er...It's mine," Merlin answers.
"And what do you expect to find in there?" Gaius asks.
"I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments." The Prince informs them.
"What've you done with the magic book I gave you?" Gaius questions in a soft voice, careful of the guards.
"It's safe," Clarissa answers as Arthur enters Merlin's room.
"Merlin, come here. Look what I found," Arthur calls for the Warlock, who rushes into his messy room to see the Prince standing in front of his empty cupboard. "I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard." Arthur looks under the bed, careful to look for anything, and Merlin exits the room, and Arthur finishes his search, heading back out to the main room. "How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?"
"It depends on how many interruptions I get," Gaius replies.
"Of course, I'm sorry." He apologises. "We're finished here," He orders the guards, and they exit the room; Gaius closes the door behind them, leaving the two magic-users and himself.
"We are lucky that the book is somewhere safe," Gaius comments.
"We need to use it," Merlin argues.
"Don't be stupid," He snaps.
"May-" Clarissa tries to say, but they talk over her.
"If I have this legacy, then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks." The Warlock argues back.
"You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad? Merlin, your life is destined for more important things." He warns him.
"But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great Warlock?!" He asks, and Clarissa rubs his arm, knowing how hard it is to want to learn in the open.
"There will come a time when both your skills will be recognised," Gaius tells the two young magic-users.
"When?! How long do we have to wait?" Merlin asks.
"Patience is a virtue, Merlin," He tries to calm the boy.
"Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?" Clarissa asks him in shock.
"Your time will come," Gaius tells them.
"We could cure that man we saw," Merlin tells him, and Clarissa looks in shock.
"I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin…." He says, trying to calm him down.
"It is when it would save a life," Clarissa tells him.
"It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading," The court physician tells them.
"Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!" Merlin snaps.
"A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town." Gaius remarks.
"So, what can we do?" Clarissa asks him with a sigh.
"Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all." He tells them, and Clarissa huffs, storming out of the room; Merlin races after her.
"What are you going to do?" He asks her.
"I'm going to find one of the most potent healing concoctions I can find that will save everyone, and if not, there's always science to help." She says, and he stops for a second before smiling and running after her.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Nimueh watches the magical beast she sent into Camelot from her stone basin in her cave hidden on the Isle of the Blessed. She watches as people draw water from the spout in the Lower Town and bodies under white sheets covering part of the castle's courtyard.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
After a long day of searching the city, Arthur enters the council chambers, but finding nothing, he approaches his father. "We searched everywhere, the entire city," Arthur informs his father.
"Nothing?" Uther asks him in shock.
"I don't know where else to look," Arthur admits.
"I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell." He demands.
"Father?" He questions in surprise.
"And cordon off the lower town," He orders.
"Why?" He asks.
"Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading," He tells them.
"What about the people who live there?" He asks him.
"Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city," He tells him and Arthur bows before exiting the room.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius and Merlin examine another corpse on the examination table the next day. "What's different about this victim?" Gaius asks his ward.
"Er...she's a woman," Merlin answers.
"Sometimes, I do wonder whether your magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?" He asks.
"Erm...she's a courtier," He answers, looking at her higher-end clothing.
"Ah," Gaius smiles.
"How does that help us?" He asks.
"Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?" He asks his ward.
"Erm...that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople," He points out, and Gaius looks at him with a pained expression.
"Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact." The court physician informs him.
"Oh, and they probably ate different food," Merlin jumps in.
"Good. anything else?" He asks him.
"erm...I doubt they breathe the same air," He replies.
"So what's the only thing they do share?" He asks the Warlock.
"Water. Water?" He guesses. "You think the disease is spread through water?"
"Merlin, you're a prodigy," He smirks and hands over a bucket, and he walks out, heading for the lower town well.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen gets herself ready for her day of work, tying her cloak, feeling a little colder than yesterday, and sees that her dad hasn't gotten up yet. "It's time to get up, Dad," She tries to wake him, but he doesn't move. "Dad?" She walks over to his bed and turns him over, seeing him gravely pale.
"Gwen," He groans; she panics and runs out of her home.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen runs through the streets towards the castle, crying; she passes Merlin as he makes it to the well, taking some water samples. "Gwen? Gwen!" Merlin calls after her and grabs the bucket with water, and runs after her.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen makes her way into the palace, down to the court physician's chambers, slamming the door open in a hurry. "Gwen!" Gaius exclaims in shock.
"Gaius," She weeps.
"You have the sickness?" He asks her, and she shakes her head.
"My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have," She sobs.
"Gwen, I have no cure," He tells her with dread.
"I am begging you!" She pleads.
"I wish there was something, anything, but so far, the remedy is beyond what I can achieve," He takes her hand, "I'm sorry, Gwen." He tells her and runs out of the room in tears.
"There must be something we can do," Merlin asks him.
"My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers," He replies, wanting to do more.
"But that'll be too late for Gwen's father," He demands.
"I fear you may be right," He says and puts some of the water in a small jar and places a flower in while Merlin goes out of the room, heading for Clarissa's magic room, hoping she's found a cure.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin walks into the magic room to see Clarissa standing in front of her herbs shelf, and he sees one of her spellbooks open on the desk. "Did you find something?" Merlin asks her as he stands on the other side of the desk.
"I have; it's a non-magical remedy my grandmama used on my father; it has a few herbs that are used in magic but only with a spell. Why? What's wrong?" She asks him, seeing the dread on his face.
"Gwen's father has got the sickness," He informs her, and she gasps, taking out a small bag, putting the mixture of crushed herbs, handing it over to the Warlock.
"Show this to Gaius first, tell him about it, then give this to Gwen, tell her to put the bag over his head, setting it alight, it will burn slowly through the night. The vapours should help to heal him of whatever it is. Merlin, you can't go behind Gaius' back; the King will hunt down whoever gave it to her. Like I said, the herbs seem magical to non-magic-users." She warns him, and he nods, taking the bag of herbs and running out of the room. "Please work," She prays.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin rushes into Gaius' chambers to see his guardian still pondering over the body of the courtier, and the Warlock places the bag of herbs in front of the physician. "Where did you get this?" Gaius asks him, looking at the small cloth bag, smelling them, and recognising some herbs. "This is magic; I can't let you use this," He tells the Warlock, who smugly shakes his head.
"Rissa made them with a bunch of herbs, some used in the practice of magic, but there have been no incantations," Merlin explains, and Gaius looks at him in shock.
"I see, and how will these help?" He asks, handing the bag back over.
"She said to put it over their head, setting it on fire, she said it will burn slowly through the night, and the vapours get to work," He explains, and Gaius smiles.
"I don't see why this won't work; I will make sure to talk with her in the morning; you best hurry; the curfew is about to begin," He warns him, and he nods with a smile, seeing that the sun is setting and hears the great bell ringing.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin sneaks out of the King's Palace through the night, careful not to be seen by the guards that continue searching the town as everyone stays within their homes. "What about over...in there?" One of the guards orders another guard.
"Certainly, Sir," He replies and guards poke spears into haystacks while another guard approaches Merlin's hiding spot.
"Onstyrian, onbregdan," Merlin recites the incantation and the door across the street creaks open, gaining the attention of the guard, and he walks near, and the door hits him in the face, he falls to the ground unconscious. Merlin makes his way to Gwen's house, and he knocks quietly but loud enough for Gwen to wake; she goes to the door to see Merlin standing there.
"Merlin? What are you doing here?" She asks him, rubbing her eyes trying to wipe the sleep away.
"Gaius came up with a potential temporary cure for the sickness," He informs her, and she smiles with glee, and he hands over the bag of herbs. "Just put this over his head, burn it, don't worry, it will burn slowly over the night. I'm sorry it isn't a guarantee; I do hope it work," He tells her, and she hugs him.
"Thank you," She pulls out of the hug, and he walks off, quickly, heading back to the castle, and Gwen quickly hangs the bag over her father's head and takes a candle, moving it to the corner, seeing the bag starting to burn. She smells the herbs and walks away to her room with a hopeful smile.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Tom wakes the next morning, sees the bag hanging over his head, walks over to Gwen, sees her sleeping in her bed, and touches her head, waking her. "Father?" She questions in shock.
"Gwen," He smiles, seeing him much better than he was yesterday.
"It worked! She smiles and hugs her father.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Nimueh continues to watch Camelot from her stone basin as more covered bodies layout in the castle's courtyard.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa stands in the council chambers as Arthur reaches for the glass vial controlling the tainted water with a flower in. "Don't touch it!" Gaius warns him, and Clarissa takes his hand away. "I had this in the water for no more than a few hours."
"Where's the water from?" Uther asks the physician.
"The pump from where the people take their daily supply," He answers.
"We have to stop the people from using it," Clarissa suggests to the King,
"The city cannot survive without water," Gaius points out.
"We have to find this sorcerer!" Uther snaps.
"I don't believe that they're inside Camelot," Arthur informs his already unsteady father.
"Then extend the search to the villages!" He snaps at his son.
"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom," He points out.
"And I can't stand by and watch our people dying," The King seethes, and Arthur nods, exiting the room.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin walks along the hall, passes Morgana's chambers, and hears Gwen humming as she gathers Morgana's clothes. "How's your father? Is he feeling better?" He asks her.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, it's incredible. It's a miracle cure," She tells him with a bright smile.
"His skin's clear, back to normal?" He asks her.
"Yes," She answers.
"Great, I'm glad he's better," He smiles.
"Thank you, both you and Gaius," She tells him.
"Of course, we're glad it worked," He waves awkwardly, and she waves back as he leaves a smiling Gwen.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Tom works at his forge as the townspeople watch him with suspicion, and Arthur approaches him with guards. "The story is you were sick," Arthur questions him.
"Not anymore," Tom answers.
"Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?" He asks him, trying to find the cause for his returned health.
"Oh, you're joking. I felt like death itself, not enough strength in me to stir the air." He answers.
"Then...what happened?" The Prince asks the blacksmith.
"Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before." He answers.
"That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?" He asks him.
"Just my daughter, Gwen, for all I know," He answers and Arthur leaves, letting Tom go back to work. The Prince and guards search Gwen and Tom's home and find the burnt bag with herbs inside.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gwen hums as she carries away the vase full of dead flowers from Morgana's chambers when Arthur and two guards enter. "Seize her!" Arthur orders them, and they grab both her arms.
"No!" She gasps as they drag her out of the room.
"Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot that you did practice enchantments." Arthur recites the crimes, knowing something isn't right as they drag her out of the room and Morgana, hearing the struggle, comes into the room.
"Gwen?" She calls after her friend.
"But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!" Gwen cries out.
"I found a bag of magical herbs in her house," He explains.
"Oh, that's ridiculous," Morgana scoffs in disbelief.
"Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?" He retorts.
"Well, she's innocent! I know she's innocent," She argues.
"What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye!" He argues back and exits the room, leaving an angry Morgana.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Arthur walks in front as the guards drag Gwen down the corridor, hating the situation. "No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong!" Gwen begs as she tries breaking away. "You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!" She turns her head and sees Merlin coming out of one of the rooms. "Merlin! Merlin, please help me!" She pleads with him. "Why won't you listen to me?!" She yells at the guards, and Gaius comes out behind his ward, taking him by the arm escorting him back to their chambers.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Morgana storms out of her room and heads for Clarissa's room; she barges into the room, earning Lucy and Clarissa's attention. "They've arrested Gwen for being the sorceress!" Morgana exclaims, and Clarissa quickly storms out of the room with Lucy and Morgana rushing after her.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
The guards escort Gwen into the council chambers before the King on the charges of using witchcraft. "Please listen to me; I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!" She pleads as they drop her to the floor.
"Well done," Uther congratulates his son, who stands next to him.
"Why will no one believe me?! I've done nothing wrong! I didn't do anything!" She sobs, and Clarissa enters the room as the courtiers leave.
"What are the charges?" She demands as Morgana and Lucy enter.
"We found a bag of magical herbs," Arthur informs her.
"That was my doing, Sire," Gaius says as he walks into the room with Merlin.
"You've found a cure?" Uther asks him. "By using magic?"
"No, Sire, the herbs I used can be used in the use of magic, but there is no certainty that it will be permanent; that is why we must find the sorcerer." He explains, and Uther dismisses the guards.
"What do you mean? Why save this girl's father?" He asks his trusted friend.
"That was my doing," Clarissa jumps in. "I asked him to."
"What if it hadn't worked?" The King questions his ward.
"I believe in Gaius," She says and looks at the physician, who smiles at her.
"Very well, will you be able to help others with this concoction?" He asks the physician, who sneaks a peek at Clarissa, who nods her head stiffly.
"I believe so; though it may take some time, we must find whoever is responsible for this plague," Gaius tells him.
"Very well, the girl will be imprisoned until we are certain," Uther orders, and the guards escort Gwen out of the council chambers; Morgana clings onto Clarissa as they watch.
"I know, Gwen. She's my maidservant, not an enchantress," Morgana argues.
"Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye," He snaps.
"I've seen the way the girl works," Clarissa snaps back. "Her fingers are work, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this? Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers?"
"Like an idle King!" Morgana quips.
"You have no right!" Uther snaps at the girls.
"You have a right to cast a judgement on that girl or anyone else!" Morgana unleashes on him.
"I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this!" He tells them.
"But you're accusing the wrong person!" Clarissa exclaims.
"She's right, Father. You hear the word magic; you no longer listen." Arthur jumps in, and Clarissa looks at him, glad he's standing up for Gwen.
"As King, I must put the citizens first." Uther sneers at his son. "If keeping her imprisoned until this Plague is gone and Gaius can keep the death count down."
"I understand that, but she's done nothing wrong; she was begging for help; if she could do all of this magic, then she would have cured everyone," Arthur argues. "That's the kind of girl she is."
"I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand," He looks to his son. "I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die, or the whole kingdom may perish."
"I understand that," Arthur sighs a little as he watches his father clutching his little throne in fright before sitting, trying to calm him down.
"One day, you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom." He warns them.
"I know. Witchcraft is an evil father," He lies through his teeth and spares a look at Clarissa. "So is injustice. Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. it would be where the punishment fits; the crime."
"I fear you're right," He ponders, and Morgana leaves in a huff, heading for the dungeons, and Clarissa drags Arthur out of the room, leaving Uther alone.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" Arthur asks her as they walk through the castle corridor.
"I may have had something to do with it," She answers with a smile. "But I never intended for Gwen to pay the price."
"That's not your fault; my father will always fear magic," He replies, and she sighs.
"I wish we didn't have to hide," She sulks. "I should go talk to Gwen. Find who is doing this, please, Arthur."
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin goes down the stairs to the dungeons, passing a weeping Morgana on the wrought iron stairway, and walks to Gwen's cell. "Gwen," He calls out to her, and she tries to get to the cell door, but the chains don't reach; he sees her tear-stained face, feeling guilty.
"Thank you," Gwen says.
"What for?" He asks her.
"For coming to see me," She replies.
"I'm sorry," He tells her.
"It's not your fault," She tells him.
"Well…" He mutters, still feeling guilty for her current situation, and he knows Clarissa also feels that way, though he wonders what will happen to Gwen.
"It's alright. Don't worry about me. There's no point crying about it. I mean...I mean, I'm not saying that you were going to cry about me. Obviously, I don't think that." She stutters over herself.
"Oh, Gwen. I can't have this happen," He mutters.
"Please. One thing. You...you don't have to, but…." She tries to ask him.
"What?" He asks her.
"Remember me," She whispers.
"You're not going to die. I'm not going to let this happen," He tells her and leaves, bumping into Clarissa as she steps down the wrought iron stairway; he glances at her, knowing she feels just as guilty for Gwen's incarceration. She walks off, her head held high, a lesson she's learnt well as she walks towards Gwen's cell, seeing one of her closest friends in there because of her.
"Gwen, I'm sorry, I wish I could get the King to free you, but he will not budge." She tells her as she stands.
"It's not your fault. I'm lucky to still be alive, or my father." She tries to smile.
"I will find a way to get you out of here, I promise," She tells her and rushes out of the dungeons.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Uther sits in the council chamber as the council, and his son and Clarissa go over what to do next now that Gwen is imprisoned and a temporary cure is being worked on. "What do we do now? How do I protect my people? My men have closed down the water pumps." Uther questions.
"But the emergency supply won't last for much longer," Gaius warns him. "We have to find a way of cleansing the water of the disease. The cure is only temporary.""
"But how?" The King asks him.
"We should ration the water emergency water supply, alert everyone to ration it, and we should search for what kind of magic could pollute our water system," Clarissa Suggests.
"I think it best that the Princess help me; her knowledge of magic from her old home may come in handy," Gaius suggests, sharing a look with the brunette.
"I agree," Uther says, surprising some of the council.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa walks into Gaius' chambers and the physician and finds Merlin standing at his work desk, pondering over something. "So, what's the plan?" Merlin asks as he sees the two of them.
"We need to make as many temporary cures as possible; I'll write you a list of ingredients; you'll have to get more. I don't have enough in my magic room. I will look through my books to find what could cause our water to be poisoned." She orders and starts writing down a list of herbs and where to find them around Camelot; she hands the list to Merlin and walks out of the room.
"When did she become my boss?" Merlin asks Gaius, who grins at him.
"She is older and more knowledgeable about magic; she is your boss, and she's royalty; she's both our boss." Gaius reminds him. "And she's teaching you magic, remember that."
"I know, I've learned a lot, but when did I become her dogsbody?" He asks him.
"Just do what she said; this cure will help many people; we need to hurry." He tells him, and Clarissa comes back into the room.
"Gaius, do you know where our main water supply comes from?" She asks him, and he nods.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Gaius, Merlin and Clarissa walk down to the tunnel water supply, getting to the underground entrance, unaware that Nimueh is watching them from her stone basin. "The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample," Gaius orders Merlin, who gets out a bottle from his pocket and puts it into the water. "Let's take it back and examine it." They go to leave, and the beast rears up out of the water, spooking them.
"What the hell was that?" Merlin questions in shock and Gaius takes the Warlock by the arm, and they leave with Clarissa trailing behind them.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa walks around her magic room; after seeing the beast down in the water tunnel, she remembers when she was younger, studying with her mother, she was looking up magical beasts. She finds the book she was looking for and rushes out, heading to talk with Gaius and Merlin.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa barges into the physician's chambers to see Gaius getting to work with the herbs, crushing them in a large bowl as Merlin starts bagging them. "I found it. Here." She places the book down on the workspace. "It was an Afanc."
"An...a what?" Merlin asks her.
"We really need to get you to read more books." She sighs, looking at Gaius, who nods in agreement. "It's a beast born of clay and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer."
"Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" Gaius wonders and looks at the multiple shelves that house his books, and even Clarissa thinking of the large bookcase of books on every subject on magic back in her magic room.
"That could take days," Merlin points out.
"Have you got a better idea?" Gaius asks him, and the warlock thinks over his options and walks out, leaving the other two to share a look.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin walks down the steps to the Dragon's cave underneath the King's Palace; he looks around, not seeing the Great Dragon with the help of the torch in his hand. "Hello?" He calls out.
"Hello," Kilgharrah replies as he flies down to the rock facing the warlock. "The great warlock returns, as I knew he would.
"I need to know how to defeat an Afanc," Merlin tells him.
"Yes, I suppose you do," He chuckles.
"Will you help me?" He asks him.
"Trust the elements that are at your command," He replies cryptically.
"Elements? But what is it I have to do?" The Warlock asks the Great Dragon.
"You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other," Kilgharrah tells him.
"I...I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do." He asks him, but he doesn't get an answer as Kilgharrah flies away. "No! Please, help me!" He shouts after the giant reptile.
"I have," The Great Dragon laughs as he disappears into the darkness.
"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks," Merlin shouts after him.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Arthur walks into the council chamber with his father, waiting for his report of the day's events. "Have you found anything more?" Uther asks his son.
"I've tried. I can keep looking," Arthur tells him.
"People are dying; we can't delay any longer. We must kill the sorcerer that did this." Uther tells him. "Find them." Arthur bows his head before exiting.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin searches through Gaius' books in their chambers as he tries to find a book on the elements when Gaius walks into the room. "Merlin, what are you doing?" He asks him as he watches him/
"Looking for a book," The Warlock answers.
"You going to tell me which one?" He asks.
"A book on elements," He answers.
"Elements?" He repeats.
"Yes. Which one would I find them in?" He asks the man of science.
"Well, most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process." He answers him.
"But how would they help me kill the Afanc?" He asks, and Clarissa walks in just as he says this.
"Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements." She tells him.
"What about the other two?" The Warlock asks the Witch.
"Well, perhaps they will destroy it. We'll need fire. Wind and fire," Clarissa explains.
"How did you find this out?" Gaius asks Merlin.
"Erm...I just knew you know? One of my powers," He lies, and Clarissa sees it, knowing she'll need to talk to him later.
"What else do your powers tell you?" He asks him, not buying it either.
"That I am only one side of the coin. The brighter side, obviously," He smiles.
"And who's the other side?" Clarissa asks him.
"I think that might be Arthur," He informs her, and she cringes a little.
"They're starting a trial for Gwen," Morgana announces as she walks into the room with Lucy not far behind her. "We have to prove Gwen's innocence."
"We're all trying," Clarissa tells her.
"Please, just tell me what I can do to help," Morgana asks her best friend, worried for their friend locked up in the dungeons.
"We need Arthur," Merlin tells her.
"Arthur?" Lucy questions in surprise.
"There's a monster, an Afan, in the water supply," Clarissa explains. "That's what's causing the plague."
"Well, we must tell Uther." Morgana reasons.
"The Afanc's a creature forged by magic," Gaius tells her. "Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd most likely blame her for conjuring it."
"So, what are we to do?" Morgana asks the small group.
"We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop, and Uther may see sense." Merlin explains.
"And that's why you need Arthur," Lucy summarizes.
"He's our best chance. But we won't want to disobey the King." He retorts.
"Leave that to me," Morgana tells him and walks out of the room with Lucy and Clarissa; Gaius hands over the key to the water supply tunnels.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
After a long day, Arthur walks into his chambers and sees Clarissa sitting at his table, having waited for him. "You alright?" He asks her. "Sorry about all this," He points at the mess on the table she sits at. "Merlin's not been in today."
"He's been a bit busy," She smiles.
"Yeah, I know," He sighs as he collects the items off the table.
"He's very sweet; he seems to genuinely care about others." She comments.
"Is that a dig at me? You know I've got to do my duties," He argues lightly.
"I know, you've got a lot of responsibility as future King of this kingdom." She replies. "And it wasn't a dig."
"So, what can I help you with? I doubt you're here just to talk," He remarks, and she smiles at him.
"You know me so well. We've found the source of the plague," She announces to his surprise as he looks at her.
"You're serious?" He asks her and sits down in the seat facing hers.
"Indeed I am. We're going to need your help," She tells him.
"What is it? What is it that's causing this plague?" He asks her, and she shows him the drawing of the beast lurking in the water supply tunnel.
"Afanc, a creature of dark ancient magic, and we're going to need you along with magic to kill it." She informs him, and he nods.
"Well, we better get to killing," He smiles and gets up from his seat, and Clarissa joins him.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa and Arthur walk out of the castle to meet Merlin, Morgana and Lucy in the courtyard before they head down to the water tunnel, Arthur opens the door as Clarissa lights a torch, and they descend the stairs. "You'd better be right about this, Cissy," Arthur warns her playfully, and they hear a low growl, making Morgana and Lucy gasp in fright.
"You two should stay here," Clarissa tells them.
"We're coming with you," Lucy tells them.
"No!" Arthur tells them.
"Scared we'll show you up?" Morgana teases him.
"Father will slam us three in chains if he knew we'd endangered you," Arthur points out.
"Well, good thing he doesn't know about it then," She smirks at him.
"I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt," He warns her.
"You could you...if you don't get out of my way," She warns him back, Lucy and Merlin watch on amused, and Clarissa smiles at her friends and sees Arthur rolling his eyes at her. "How are we going to find it?"
"I just hope we do before it finds us," Merlin comments, and Arthur sees something in the corner of his eye and spins around.
"Stop," He orders the others.
"What?" Merlin asks him.
"It's just a shadow," He sighs, and they keep moving when the Afanc creeps out of the shadows behind the group, and they reach the water source. "Spread out," They all split up; Clarissa forms a fire in her hand as she looks around. Arthur hears a growl from within the darkness, and the Afanc swipes at him from behind, then disappears, and Morgana, who is closer, rushes to his help.
"What is it? Are you alright?" She asks him as she checks over him.
"Yeah," He replies as the others rush over to them.
"Did you see it?" Clarissa asks him.
"Yes," He answers.
"What did it look like?" Lucy asks him.
"It...it's quick," He answers, and the Afanc comes up in front of Morgana, surprising her, making her scream, Arthur rushes to her, about to attack, but it disappears again. "Where is it?"
"I think it's gone this way!" Merlin replies, and they walk after it as the Afanc creeps slowly out around the corner into full view of the group; Arthur swings his sword at the beast, who swipes it away from the Prince. The beast swipes away Morgana's torch that Clarissa gave her, leaving them in almost darkness; Arthur circles it with a torch, trying to find it.
"Artie, use the torch!" Clarissa tells him, and he listens; swinging the torch, Merlin moves Lucy out of the way, trying to keep her safe.
"Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan," The two magic-users recite the spell, creating a strong wind, catching fire from the torch, blowing the flames into the Afanc, incinerating the magical creature.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Nimueh from her cave watches in her stone basin the incineration of her Afanc by the hands of Merlin and Clarissa. "Merlin! Clarissa! Mah!" She splashes the water in anger.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Uther sits in his council chambers with his advisors, the people of the kingdom all returning to health and the King laughs over some parchments. "It's very good," Uther chuckles.
"Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are recovering." Gaius informs the King as they walk over to the side to talk privately.
"Good. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before," He comments as he looks at his oldest friend.
"It's conjured from clay by powerful magic. The type that can only be invoked by an ancient sorcerer. One that has the power to mirror the spirit of life. I found this at the water source." The court physician fishes out the Afanc's egg from his bag. "It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire."
"Will I never be rid of her?" Uther asks his friend.
"Sire," Gaius says in a soft tone.
"Leave me!" The King shouts, and the advisors and Gaius leave the King to sit on his throne moping.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Tom, Merlin, Lucy, and Morgana wait as the guards open Gwen's cell; Clarissa rushes down, joining them as the cell door opens. "Dad!" Gwen exclaims as she rushes into her father's arms.
"Oh, my little child!" He smiles as he hugs her close to his chest; she reaches out to grasp Morgana's hand.
"Thank you!" She says to the others.
"Don't thank me. It was more Clarissa and Merlin," Morgana tells her.
"Really?" Gwen asks in surprise at the mention of Merlin as opposed to Clarissa.
"They're the real heroes here," Lucy smiles as she takes Gwen's hand.
"I don't know what to say," She smiles, and Merlin shrugs.
"I didn't do anything," Merlin tells her.
"It was our pleasure," Clarissa tells her.
"I'm...I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen," Tom says to the others, and he walks out with his daughter, Clarissa sighs and walks out with Lucy behind her, leaving Morgana and Merlin, who watch them leave.
"Merlin," Morgana calls out to him, and he stops, watching Lucy. "I wanted you to know your secret's safe with me."
"My secret?" He echoes in confusion, remembering being careful.
"Merlin, don't present. I know what you did," She says, taking a step towards him.
"You do?" He asks her a little nervously.
"I saw it with my own eyes," She informs him.
"You did?" He asks her in dear.
"I understand why you don't want anyone to know." She says.
"Well, obviously," He tells her, thinking of something completely different.
"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?" She asks him.
"Er...no. I...I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden." He smiles with relief.
"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Lucy's a very lucky woman." She smirks.
"Lucy?" He repeats in shock, and Morgana puts a finger to her lips.
"It's our secret," She smiles and walks away, leaving Merlin to sigh; he knows he has a thing for Lucy, but she's like Morgana, someone of a high station, and with his magic, he's not sure he'll ever have a relationship.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Clarissa sits at her table in her chambers with Arthur eating their supper, talking after the most stressful week it's been. "So another problem averted, though this one was far deadlier," Clarissa comments as she drinks from her goblet.
"Yeah, it was; I'm glad it's over with, seeing all of the people dying; I couldn't bear it anymore." Arthur sighs and takes a bite of his food.
"I could tell; we were all feeling it, it's a terrible thing to witness, but we defeated the beast. But I fear it's only the start," She warns him as she finishes her goblet.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Merlin and Gaius sit down to eat in their chambers, Gaius serving up the food; Merlin looks at it a little worried. "This fish didn't come from the water, did it?" Merlin asks his guardian
"Well, where else is it going to come from? The water's fine now. That's not your worry. This is the work of a very powerful sorcerer. I only hope you and Clarissa didn't come to her attention." Gaius comments.
"Doubt it. Well, no one else seems to appreciate my skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am." He scoffs.
"One day, Merlin. One day," He promises the young Warlock.
"One day what?" He asks his guardian.
"One day, people won't believe what an idiot you were," He teases the young man.
"Thanks," He laughs, and they toast to a successful job done.
~ OTHERWORLDLY ~
Nimueh watches Camelot recover from her plague, Merlin and Gaius enjoying their dinner, Arthur and Clarissa talking from within her stone basin. "Clarissa, Merlin, you will pay for this!" She vows, seething in anger.