V: Our Friend is Dying
Princess Clarissa sits in her room, bored as she looks through the treaty that Lord Bayard and King Uther will sign in a few hours from now. Then, Lucy, her faithful maid, walks into the room with her dress for tonight, making sure that they are both ready for the welcoming of Lord Bayard and the feast. "You're not still reading that, are you?" Lucy asks her as she hangs the dresses up for them both to wear to the feast.
"I need to make sure that it's fair on both sides; we get something, they get something," Clarissa replies as she puts the piece of parchment down on her table in front of her.
"Well, they'll be here soon, so get yourself ready," Lucy tells her, and Clarissa sighs, getting up from her chair.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Nimueh in her cave below the Isle of the Blessed as she stands at her stone basin, she drops some of her blood into the water, reciting a spell; before dropping a single flower petal into the water, she disturbs the water, it shifting to see Merlin in the water, pulling out the petal and placid it on the side of a silver goblet. "Merlin," She mutters with venom, dripping from
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Lord Bayard and his men arrive in Camelot and are escorted into the throne room where he meets Uther and his men; they all walk, meeting in the middle of the room. "Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard of Mercia. The treaty we sign today marks an end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people." Uther, the man, grasping arms, both parties applauding while Nimueh disguised as a simple maidservant watches Merlin with evil intent.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Merlin walks along the upper corridor, passing Gaius while carrying a heavy bag, helping prep for the feast tonight. "Why do I always get landed with the donkey work?" Merlin asks his guardian.
"You're a servant, Merlin. It's what you do," Gaius reminds him.
"My arms will be a foot longer by the time I get this lot inside," The Warlock argues.
"It's character building. As the old proverb says, hard work breeds…." He tries to think up something fast. "...a harder soul."
"There is no way that's a proverb," He argues lightly with a shake of his head. "You just made that up."
"No. I didn't," He denies as Nimueh walks over to them, her hands full of folded clothes to hide her agenda and to appear as if she belongs; she fakes a stumble, falling at Merlin's feet.
"Sorry," She fakes an apology.
"It's alright," He assures her as he looks down at her, watching her picks up her mess.
"Excuse me," She says softly as the Warlock and Gaius share a look.
"Let me give you a hand with that," He says and drops what's in his arms, crouching down, catching Nimueh's eye, helping her collect her things before they both stand to their feet. "Hi, I'm Merlin," He holds out his hand, she accepts, shaking hands.
"Kara. You're Arthur's servant. That must be such an honour," She fakes interest as she looks at him.
"Oh, yeah. It is. Well, you know, someone's got to keep the place running." He jokes a little, trying to impress her.
"Thank you, Merlin," She fakes sincerity as she looks at him, standing to her feet.
"Hmm?" He hums and looks down at the pillow, picking it up for her. "Oh, right. Yeah." He hands it over. "Er, no problem."
"It was nice meeting you," She replies and walks away while Merlin watches her leave.
"Shouldn't you be busy running the place?" Gaius teases him with a laugh.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Nimueh craftily walks through the castle corridors towards Bayard's guest quarters; she hides behind one of the walls to avoid a guard before rushing towards his door, finding it locked. "Alysan Duru ronne," She incarnates, making the door's lock release and the door slowly opens; she enters the room walking over to a box on the table, taking off the top, revealing two silver goblets inside. She puts down the pieces of material, hiding her real reason for entering the castle, taking them off to reveal an identical goblet to the smaller two; she quickly replaces it with the enchanted one.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Merlin arrives at Arthur's chambers with the bag of clothes for the feast, placing them on the table; he reels back from the face, smelling them. "When's the last time these were cleaned?" Merlin asks him, smelling the foul clothes.
"Last year some time. Before the feast of Beltane," Arthur answers with a shrug.
"Did it end in a food fight?" He asks the Prince.
"Don't all feast?" He asks the Warlock rhetorically.
"I wouldn't know. The heirs and graces of the court are a mystery to me." He replies as Arthur puts on the red jacket, inspecting it.
"Not tonight, they won't be," He announces.
"I'm gonna be at the banquet?" The Warlock asks him in shock.
"Not quite. You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry," He explains as he takes off the jacket, handing it to his manservant. "If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches, I don't see why you should get out of it. Be sure to polish the buttons." He moves over to stand behind his screen. "Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?" He asks as he walks back out.
"Won't this do?" He asks, gesturing to his attire.
"No. Tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot." He tells him and holds out the clothes for Merlin.
"You can't be serious," He looks at the item of clothing along with the hat with distaste.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Clarissa stands behind her screen as Lucy helps her into the dress, both ready for the feast. "Why did you choose red?" Lucy asks her friend. "Was it perhaps to show Prince Arthur how stunning you look in his colours?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Lu. Artie will never love me the way I do about him." Clarissa sighs as Lucy finishes up.
"I find that hard to believe," She scoffs lightly.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Everyone sits in the banquet hall while Uther and Bayard stand in the centre of the room in front of the treaty. Arthur stands alongside Clarissa as they watch like everybody else. Lucy sits with her father at one of the tables and looks over to see Merlin and Gwen, seeing Merlin's feathered hat; even Gwen can't help the chuckles that escape her lips. "Nice hat," She compliments him.
"Thanks," He replies, a little salty, and he catches Nimueh's eye, taking off his hat fast to save from the embarrassment. Lucy watches him, sees him eyeing the beautiful sorceress, and Gwen notices her friend's downcast look at the oblivious Warlock as he stares smitten at the supposed handmaiden.
"She's pretty, isn't she? For a handmaiden, I mean," Gwen comments to him with a little hostility in her voice.
"She's pretty for a princess, let alone a handmaiden," He replies, and she nods with a hum as Uther finishes signing the treaty and grasps arms with Bayard in friendship. The crowd breaks out into applause, and Gwen steps away from Merlin to stand by Morgana and Lucy at their table.
"People of Camelot, for a great many years we have been mortal enemies, and the blood of our men stains the ground from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia. And though we remember those who have died, we must not allow any more to join them." Bayard speaks to the room filled with the people of Camelot and Mercia sitting among the room as Uther moves over to his side of the hall to his chair, sitting down. One of the serving girls walks over carrying a box that contains the goblets. "As a symbol of our goodwill and of our newfound friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, Uther, and to your son, Arthur, in the hope that our friendship may last." Nimueh rushes over to Merlin with fake anxiousness on her face.
"Merlin, I need to speak to you," She announces with anxiety in her voice.
"The wounds we received in battle…." Bayard continues his speech.
"What is it?" Merlin asks her.
"Not here, please. I don't know who else to tell," She tells him, her voice shaking with fake fear, and he leaves with the sorceress, and Gaius takes notice.
"Tonight, we toast a new beginning for our people. We look towards a future free from the toils of war." Bayard speaks to the room.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Nimueh and Merlin walk out into the corridor to talk in peace away from the rowdy feast inside. "It wasn't until I saw him give the goblet to Arthur that I released…." She spins her tale.
"Whoa, slow down. Start from the beginning," Merlin advises her.
"Two days ago, I was bringing Bayard his evening meal. We're supposed to knock. He didn't expect me to walk in…." She explains her false accusation.
"So, what are you trying to say?" He asks her, not connecting the dots.
"If he knows I said anything, he will kill me," She warns him.
"I would not let that happen to you, I promise," He tries to reassure her. "Please tell me what you saw."
"Bayard is no friend of Camelot. He craves the kingdom for himself," She informs him with lies.
"Kara...tell me. What has Bayard done with the goblet?" He asks her, wanting to hurry to stop whatever it is that's about to happen.
"He believes that if he kills Arthur, Uther's spirit will be broken, and Camelo will fall." She adds.
"What has he done with the goblet?" He asks her with urgency.
"I saw him putting something in it," She lies through her teeth.
"What?" He looks at her in shock.
"I shouldn't! He'll kill me!" She shakes her head, faking her terror.
"Please, tell me! Was it poison?" He asks her, and she nods her head, confirming his words; he races back to the banquet hall while leaving behind a smirking Nimueh.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
"And may the difference from our past remain there. To your health, Uther," Bayard starts wrapping up his long speech as everyone now in their seats stands for the toast. "Arthur," The blond Prince begins to drink from the special goblet. "The Princess Clarissa," He adds, making the prince stop; she smiles with a nod. "The Lady Morgana," She nods to him in thanks. "The people of Camelot."
"And to the fallen warriors on both sides," Uther adds, and everyone begins to drink from their goblets when Merlin barges into the room.
"Stop!" He shouts as he runs into the hall. "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" He warns the blond as he runs towards him, taking the goblet from his master.
"What?" Uther demands from the manservant.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur demands answers.
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison," He answers.
"This is an outrage!" Bayard snaps in fury as he and his men draw their swords, as do the knights of Camelot.
"Order your men to put down their swords," Uther demands as more guards rush inside. "You are outnumbered."
"I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged!" He retorts in anger.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asks him.
"I'll handle this," Arthur assures his father and skirts around the table towards his manservant. "Merlin, you idiot. Have we been at the sloe gin again?" He asks him.
"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think it's poisoned now." Uther demands of the Warlock.
"He was seen lacing it," He announces.
"By whom?" The King asks him.
"I can't say," He replies with his head down.
"I won't listen to this anymore," Bayard spits.
"Pass me the goblet," The King demands, and Arthur hands it over to his father. "If you're telling the truth…."
"I am," He replies.
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" He questions, and Bayard sheaths his sword back in his scarab and reaches for the goblet. "No. if this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Bayard can't help the snort from escaping, and Uther holds the goblet up to Merlin. "He'll drink it."
"But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Clarissa snaps as she gets up from her seat.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth," Uther argues.
"And what if he lives?" Bayard asks.
"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will," The King tells him.
"Uther, please! He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!" Gaius speaks out, worried for the boy.
"Then you should've schooled him better," Uther snaps at him.
"Pot, kettle," Clarissa sneers under her breath; even though she knows Arthur can be good, Uther is not above that hurtful comment.
"Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake. I'll drink it," Arthur says.
"No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright," Merlin argues and toasts to Bayard and Arthur, then drinks from the goblet as Nimueh watches with glee. Though Lucy gets up from her seat, her father tries to stop her, but she steps towards him in her anxiety. "It's fine," He takes a gulp from the goblet. For a moment, everyone is silent, seeing that nothing has immediately happened to the manservant.
"He's all yours," Uther announces, and Lucy sighs in relief, but it all stops when Merlin starts to choke, falling to the floor unconscious. "It's poisoned. Guards seize him!" He orders, and Lucy rushes to Merlin's side and the princess and prince while Nimueh makes her escape. Gaius and Gwen crouch over Merlin's unconscious body.
"Merlin. Can you hear me?" Gaius calls out to him, but there's no response. "We have to get him back to my chambers. Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison." He orders the others, and Arthur picks Merlin up from the floor; Lucy grabs the goblet as the five rush out of the room to save the poisoned warlock.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur rushes into Gaius' chambers carrying the unconscious Merlin with the physician following behind with Clarissa, Gwen and Lucy. "Lay him down on the bed quickly; he's struggling to breathe," Gaius instructs the prince, who lies him down on the cot in the middle of the room. "Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel." She turns around to grab what he requested.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Arthur asks him with worry.
"He's burning up," Clarissa informs him as she holds her hand to his forehead.
"You can cure him, can't you, Gaius?" Lucy asks him as she sits on the other side of the bed, holding his hand in hers.
"I won't know until I can identify the poison. Pass me the goblet," He instructs, and Lucy hands over the item; he inspects it, seeing something stuck to the edge. "Ah," He plucks the petal from the inside of the rim of the goblet. "There's something stuck on the inside."
"What is it?" Arthur asks.
"It looks like a flower petal of some kind," He replies as he examines it.
"His brow's on fire," Lucy says as she takes the damp cloth, pressing it to his forehead.
"Keep him cool; it'll help control his fever," He tells her and she continues to tend to the Warlock while Gaius pulls out one of his many books. "Ah," He finds the page. "The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower. It can only be found in the caves deep beneath the Forest of Balor. The flower grows on the roots of the Mortaeus tree." He informs the others, and the royals move out to look over the book.
"That's not particularly friendly," Arthur comments as he points to the drawing of the hideous creature that patrols the forest.
"A Cockatrice," Gaius tells him. ""It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death. Few who have crossed the Mountain of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive."
"Sounds like fun," The Prince comments and walks off.
"Arthur, it's too dangerous," Clarissa warns him.
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?" He asks her,
"The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not for much longer. Eventually, he will die." Gaius confirms, and Arthur rushes out of the room, and Clarissa runs after him.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gwen rushes into Morgana's chambers as Lucy stays with Merlin and Gaius down in the physician's chambers. At the same time, Clarissa and Arthur try to talk to Uther about setting a party to go find this Mortaeus flower. "My Lady, I am so sorry I haven't been here to attend to you." She apologises.
"Don't worry, I'm alright. How's Merlin?" Morgana asks her friend.
"If Arthur comes back with the antidote in time, he'll be fine." She replies.
"Then he'll be fine," She assures her, and Gwen sighs, not too sure if that is true. "You should be with Lucy. I'll manage. I know what he means to you all. Go."
"Thank you," Gwen quickly leaves to help her friends.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur walks along the central corridors in his chainmail with his father. Clarissa has gone to her magic room to find anything to help Gaius before leaving. "What's the point of having people to taste for you if you're going to get yourself killed anyway?" Uther questions as he walks.
"I won't fail, no matter what you think," Arthur tries to reason with his overly stubborn father.
"Arthur, you are my only son and heir. I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy." He tells him.
"Oh, because his life's worthless?" The Prince asks him.
"No, because it's worth less than yours?" The King corrects his son.
"I can save him. Let me take some men," He tries to get him to agree.
"No," He stands with his answer.
"We'll find the antidote and bring it back," He tries to reason, but Uther is too stubborn.
"No," He answers again.
"Why not?!" He snaps.
"Because one day I will be dead, and Camelot will need a king. I'm not going to let you jeopardise the future of this kingdom over some fool's errand." The King snarls back.
"It's not a fool's errand. Gaius says that if we can get the antidote…." He tries to tell him.
"Oh, Gaius says? That's exactly what makes it so," He snaps, even though the man is his oldest friend.
"Please, Father. He saved my life. I can't stand by and watch him die," He argues, feeling compassion like Clarissa always preaches to him.
"Then don't look. This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're going to be King. it's something you'll have to get used to." He reminds Arthur of something that he's reminded daily of from the man in front of him.
"I can't accept that," He tells him honestly.
"You're not going," The King finalizes his decision.
"You can't stop me," The Prince threatens him.
"Damn it, Arthur, that's an end to it! You're not leaving this castle tonight," He shouts, and Arthur turns to head for his chambers.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur storms into his chambers in a huff, tossing his sword onto the table and leans over the fireplace when Morgana enters. "Say what you like about the food, but you can't beat our feast for entertainment." She jests.
"Morgana, I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were alright," Arthur sighs and turns to face her.
"Disappointed actually, I was looking forward to clumping a couple around the head with a ladle," She jokes, sharing a smile with the prince.
"I'm sure the guards could have handled Bayard and his men," He replies.
"Yeah, but why let the boys have all the fun? Clarissa would agree," She comments.
"Morgana, you shouldn't get involved. It's dangerous," He warns her.
"Spare me the lecture; I've already had it from Uther," She snips with distaste.
"If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one," He replies and thinks of Clarissa, who is diligently trying to help in her magic room.
"Not that I listen to him. Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right and damn the consequences." She tells him, knowing her friend well.
"You think I should go?" He asks in her surprise.
"It doesn't matter what I think," She says and stands by the table as he walks over to her.
"If I don't make it back, who will be the next king of Camelot? There's more than just my life at stake," He questions.
"And what kind of king would Camelot want? One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant?" She questions and draws his sword on the table. "Or one who does what his father tells him to?" She presents Arthur with his sword.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
After making his decision, Arthur rides across the drawbridge with the guards trying to stop him. "Halt!" A guard shouts, trying to stop the prince. Still, he rides past the guards out of Camelot as Nimueh watches from the safety of her cave of the Isle of the Blessed in her stone basin and sees him meet with another horse as black as night; the prince comes to a stop for a second.
"We don't have time to talk; hurry," Clarissa shouts, and they race away from the capital.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
"He's getting hotter," Lucy announces as she replaces another damp towel onto Merlin's forehead, still in Gaius' chambers.
"Him. Liffrea, wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf." Merlin mutters under his breath, and Gwen comes into the room.
"What language is that?" Gwen asks, and Lucy shares a look with Gaius.
"None. The fever's taken hold. None of those words are his own. His pulse is weaker," Gaius replies as he checks over the boy and finds a large circular rash on the Warlock's arm.
"What is it?" Lucy asks him, seeing the rash also.
"That can't be right. The rash is not supposed to appear until the final stage." He announces to Lucy's horror.
"What does that mean?" Gwen asks as Gaius checks his book with a magnifying glass.
"It says here that 'once a rash appears, death will follow within two days.'" He reads aloud.
"You said he had four days," Lucy argues.
"Something's increased the flower's potency. It warns that 'the effect of the Mortaeus will be more rapid if an enchantment is used during the flower's preparation.'" He reads and wishes Clarissa was here.
"An enchantment? But Bayard's no sorcerer," Gwen points out as she hands another damp towel to Lucy, who places it on the steaming forehead of the unconscious warlock.
"No, he isn't," Gaius agrees.
"Then who did this?" Lucy asks, promising pain to whoever had done this to Merlin.
"It can't have been. She wouldn't dare come here. Unless…" He thinks to himself aloud.
"Unless what?" Lucy asks him.
"What happened to that girl?" He asks the women.
"Which girl?" Gwen asks him.
"Just before Merlin burst into the hall, one of Bayard's serving girls took him outside." He replies, and Lucy knows who he is asking for.
"She had dark hair. Very beautiful," Lucy answers.
"Find her. Quickly," He tells them, and Gwen rushes out of the room to find the woman.
"Arthur...swa…" He mutters, and Lucy strokes his cheek.
"He'll find it; Clarry will see to it," She promises.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gwen rushes down into the castle dungeons and sees the cells full of Lord Bayard and his men along with servants. Still, he can't see the familiar face of Kara, the persona of Nimueh, and rushes back up the stairs to return back to Gaius' chambers.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Uther paces within Morgana's chambers as she stands at her table, watching him as word of Arthur and Clarissa's disappearance from the castle grounds. "I expressly ordered Arthur not to go! And Clarissa has gone with him!" He snaps in anger.
"I'd say it worked like a charm, too," Morgana says with sass, happy the two are gone to help Merlin.
"Not another word!" The King snaps at his ward.
"My lips are sealed," She replies.
"I should've put them under lock and key," He sighs.
"You can't chain them up every time they disagree with you," She retorts with a sigh of her own.
"Just you watch me! I will not be disobeyed! Especially by my own son!" He sneers.
"No. of course you won," She replies and sits at her table as she begins to write, and Uther approaches her.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" He asks her, and she doesn't look him in the eye. "Morgana...don't lie to me."
"Arthur and Clarissa are old enough to make decisions for themselves," She points out, avoiding the question.
"He's just a boy, and she's just a girl," He tells her, though the two of them are in their mid-twenties.
"Have you seen your son and ward recently? You have to let them make their own minds up." She tells him.
"Even if it means letting him go to their death?" He asks her, knowing the rumours surrounding the forest the two are venturing towards as they speak.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Nimueh watches from her stone basin in the cave under the Isle of the Blessed as Arthur and Clarissa ride through the mountains on their quest to save Merlin. She pulls up the hood of her cloak and leaves the safety of her cave to meet them with plans of her own to stop them from saving the dying warlock.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Merlin stirs in the cot restlessly in Gaius' chambers as the physician inspects the rash on his arm as Gwen enters the room. "Let me guess, she wasn't there," Gaius confirms.
"No one has seen her since the banquet. Who is she?" Lucy asks him.
"Not who she claims to be," He replies.
"But you know, don't you?" Gwen asks him.
"Kara. Though that's not her name. Not her real name, anyway," He tells them and hopes Arthur and Clarissa are safe on their quest.
"Then who is she?" Lucy asks him.
"A powerful sorceress," He reveals, but not the whole truth.
"Well, we should tell Uther. Maybe he could send riders out after her," Gwen reasons, want to stop the one who poisoned her friend.
"No, she'll be long gone. It's impossible to know where, though." He replies, and a thought occurs to him, "Oh, no."
" What?" Lucy asks him, seeing the look of dread on his face.
"She knows the only place an antidote can be found is the Forest of Balor. Unfortunately, Arthur and Clarissa could be walking into a trap," He informs the girls, and Merlin starts to murmur their name as he stirs in his sleep.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur and Clarissa lead their horses through the forest when a Cockatrice hides under a fallen tree, waiting to pounce. Merlin, back in Camelot, still unconscious and bedridden, mutters under his breath as he watches them, worried for the both of them. As they trot through the forest, Arthur hears crying from a distance; they move towards the noise seeing her crying as she sits on a fallen log with bruises marking her arms. "Hello? Are you alright?" Clarissa asks her as they approach, and the Cockatrice roars behind them.
"Stay back," Arthur tells the girls as he unsheathes his sword along with Clarissa, their backs to Nimueh as she smiles at their unfortunate encounter with the beast. The Cockatrice lunges, Arthur rolls under the beast as it jumps. He thrusts his sword, killing the beast instantly Nimueh grimaces with distaste, wiping that look off her face as the two royals look over at her. She gets up, backing away, pretending to be in fear of the two strangers.
"It's alright. We're not going to hurt you. Who did that to you?" Clarissa asks her, pointing to the bruises marking her skin.
"My master. I ran away from him, but then I got lost. Please don't leave me," Nimueh begs them.
"We won't. We're not going to," Arthur assures her.
"You can take me away from here?" She asks them, faking her innocence.
"Not yet. There's something we have to do first," Clarissa tells her, and they look at the mouth of the cave.
"Why have you come to the caves?" She asks them, though she already knows the answer.
"We're looking for something. It can only be found here," He replies.
"What is it? I know this place; I could help you," She tells them.
"It's a type of flower that only grows inside the cave. It's very rare," The Princess informs the sorceress.
"The Mortaeus flower? I know where they are. I'll show you," She tells them, and they enter the cave with lit torches for light.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
"Arthur, Rissa, it...it's a trap. It's a trap," Merlin mumbles from the cot in Gaius' chambers.
"His fever's getting worse, isn't it?" Lucy asks the physician.
"The poison's settling in," He informs her.
"Eft gewunigen wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume." Merlin mumbles a spell.
"Shh. Could you fetch me some more Wolfbane?" He asks Gwen.
"Yes, of course," She replies and rushes out of the room.
"Merlin, you must fight it," Lucy whispers into his ear.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Nimueh leads Arthur and Clarissa into a corner of the caves with a lit torch as they walk into the dark cave. "There they are," Nimueh announces as they make it into the centre of the cave, where there's a large gap with a narrow ledge and a long drop with the flower across from them.
"Keep back from the edge. Don't worry. We'll be out of here soon," Arthur assures her and starts moving along the narrow ledge over the long drop in the centre.
"Eorthe, Lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me," Nimueh speaks softly, and the save begins to shake. "Eorthe ac stanas hiersumie me. Ic can stanas tobrytan..."
"What are you doing?!" Clarissa snaps as she looks at the woman.
"...hiersumie me." She continues the spell, and Arthur drops his torch into the gap as the rock falls out beneath him.
"Arthur!" She shouts as the narrow ledge disappears under their feet; Clarissa grabs onto the edge by Nimueh's feet as Arthur jumps for the opposite wall and catches himself on a small ledge.
"I expected so much more," Nimueh comments as she looks at both royals.
"Who are you?!" He demands an answer.
"The last face you two'll ever see," She replies, and a giant spider crawls up the side of the cave wall. "It seems we have a visitor," Arthur edges away from the spider, drawing his sword, killing the spider still dangling from the ledge. "Very good. But he won't be the last. I'll let his friends finish you off. Arthur Pendragon and Clarissa Lovechild. It's not your destiny to die at my hand." She says and leaves with the torch, leaving the two royals dangling alone in the dark.
"Who are you?!" Arthur shouts as the two royals cling onto the sides of the cave.
"Does that matter?!" Clarissa snaps as she tries to get her footing to push herself up the ledge to get them out of there. "We're both in trouble here!" She tries pushing herself up, but the rock under her feet, she lets out a cry as she tries catching her feet.
"Cissy! You okay?!" He asks as he tries to move.
"Yeah! But we need to get that flower and get back to Merlin!" She replies.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
"Arthur, Rissa. It's too dark. Too dark," Merlin mumbles to himself and Lucy strokes his cheek as she wipes away the sweat off his brow. "Fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme. Fromum feohgiftum."
"Merlin," She whispers, and Gaius pulls down the blanket, seeing Merlin holds a glowing ball of light in his right hand.
"What are you doing?" Gaius questions the unresponsive warlock.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
A small ball of pure light floats down from the top of the cave towards the two royals. "Come on, then! What are you waiting for?! Finish us off!" Arthur shouts at the ball of light as it floats above him, and he pulls himself onto the ledge carefully. The light moves higher, but Arthur sees the famous Mortaeus flower on the wall not far from his hand.
"Leave them, Arthur," Merlin mutters as he tries to get the two of them to leave.
The large spiders' screech and crawl towards the two royals.
"Go. Save yourselves. Follow the light," Merlin mutters, trying to get them to safety.
Arthur climbs to the flower, struggling to grab the item under stress from the oncoming trouble. Still, he grabs the flower, putting it into his pouch on his belt as the spiders keep crawling towards them. Clarissa secures her footing and climbs up to the entrance as Arthur races to the top.
"Astrice," Clarissa spits as her eyes flare golden, flames igniting from her hand, thrusting her hand out, scorching the spiders.
"Faster. Go faster. Follow the light! Move. Climb," Merlin mumbles in worry.
Arthur makes it to the top of the cave, and the ball of light disappears as well as from Merlin's hand, and Clarissa rushes out of the cave to meet with Arthur.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur and Clarissa race on their horses back to Camelot. Unfortunately, the guards on the battlements spot the two royals. "Inform the King! Arthur and Clarissa have returned to Camelot!" Gregory, one of the guards, shouts to another, who runs into the castle as the two royals ride up to the drawbridge gate of the castle but are blocked by guards on their way. "I'm sorry, Sire, Princess. You're both under arrest, by order of the King."
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur and Clarissa stand in separate cells down in the dungeons of the castle. "You both disobeyed me," Uther snaps at them as he paces in Arthur's cell.
"Of course we did; a man's life is at stake. Do not let Merlin die because of something we did." Arthur snaps back at him.
"Why do you care so much? The boy is just a servant," Uther questions the two young royals.
"He knew the danger he was putting himself in, and he knew what would happen if he drank from that goblet, but he did it anyway. He saved Arthur's life, again." Clarissa snaps at him.
"There's more. There was a woman at the mountain. She knew we were there for the flower. I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison me." Arthur tells his father.
"Of course it was," Uther argues with him, hating being wrong, and Arthur pulls out the flower from his belt.
"Gaius knows what to do with it," He tells him, and Uther takes the flower from his son.
"Put us in the stocks for a week, a month even, we don't care. Just make sure it gets to him. I'm begging you," Clarissa pleads with him, and the King crushes the flower in his hand.
"NO!" The two royals shout.
"You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're both let out in a week. Then you can find yourself another servant," He tells them as he steps out of the cell and drops the flower just outside the cell door, and the guards lock it behind the king. Arthur lies on his stomach, trying to get the flower, but it's just beyond his reach.
"Hang on," Clarissa whispers and her eyes flare gold, the flower swiftly breezing towards the blond prince.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gaius sits on Merlin's left side of the bed as Lucy sits on his right, holding his hand for dear life as the physician checks him over with dread. "He hasn't got much longer. Has Arthur and Clarissa got the flower?" Gaius asks the girls, though Lucy has not left Merlin's side.
"I don't know. Uther won't allow anyone to see them. Is there nothing we can do to help?" Gwen asks him.
"Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him." He tells her with a sigh of defeat.
"And we have to find out if they have it. I could sneak into the dungeon," Gwen suggests an idea.
"That would be very dangerous," Lucy points out, worried for her friend.
"I've got to; Merlin will die if I don't," She reasons and sees the bags under Lucy's eyes from the stress and lack of sleep and sees that Merlin is struggling to breathe.
"Be careful," The two warn her and she runs out of the room.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gwen walks down the wrought iron stairway leading to the dungeons with two plates of food and approaches the guard. "Good for the prisoners," She fibs, and the guard unlocks the doors for her.
"Set it down over there," Arthur tells her, not paying much attention to her, and she places it down on the small table and hands over the other plate to Clarissa on her table; the Prince gets up, going to the table. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Clarissa says, and she turns to leave.
"Wait a minute," He stops her and places the plate back down, and walks to his place on the floor. "I couldn't possibly eat this; it's disgusting. The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone." Gwen goes back, picking up the plate, and smiles when she sees the flower on the plate, hidden from prying eyes. She quickly leaves the cell with the plate and tries to run up the stairs, but the guard stops her.
"You. wait!" The dungeon guard orders her, and she comes to a halt, turning around as the guard approaches her, picking over the plate, grabbing some bread. "Waste not, want not, eh? We're not all as precious as our Royal Highness." He jokes, and she turns to leave just as another serving girl comes down the steps passing Gwen with two plates and cups.
"Food for Prince Arthur and Princess Clarissa." She announces to the guard's surprise.
"Stay where you are!" He orders, but she drops the plate to the ground with a crash and dashes up the rest of the steps.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gwen rushes into the Gaius' chambers with the Mortaeus flower in hand, hoping the guards will not come in to take her away just yet. "How is he?" She asks as she walks over.
"Have you got the Mortaeus?" He asks her.
"Here," She hands over the yellow flower.
"His breathing's much worse. We have to hurry," Lucy tells him, and he walks to his workspace as Gwen sits at Merlin's sickbed as Gaius begins crushing the flower leaf but stops as a thought occurs to him.
"Why have you stopped?" Lucy asks him.
"The poison was created using magic. We may need magic to make an antidote," He reminds the girls.
"But we can't. It's forbidden. Even if we could," Gwen comments, and the other two share a look.
"I'll try and make it work without it. Oh, I need some fresh water," He asks Gwen, who gets up from her seat as he hands over a bowl, and she rushes out of the room, and he lifts the smaller bowl holding it. "Sythan…" He begins to recite the spell but stops to Lucy's shock as he looks around and feels nervous about practising magic again. "Sythan arrest wearth feasceaft funden. Denum æfter dome. Dreamleas gebad he gewinnes longsum." The potion sizzles and foams for a moment after the spell and in time as Gwen runs back into the room, handing him the bowl of water before rushing to Merlin's side with Lucy. "Thank you," He pours the potion into a small cup and goes over to Merlin. "Hold his nose," He tells Lucy, who pinches his nose closed as Gaius pours the potion into Merlin's mouth. "Swallow, Merlin. Swallow it."
"He's stopped breathing. What's happening? Gaius?" Lucy asks him in a panic, moving away from his side as he puts his ear to Merlin's chest.
"His heart has stopped," He confirms, and Lucy stops the sob that breaks from her mouth.
"He's dead?" Gwen asks him in shock.
"He can't be. He can't be. It was his destiny," Gaius mutters to himself as he stands up.
"It's my fault. If I'd have gotten here sooner. If I'd have been quicker," Gwen blames herself as she gets up and cries in Gaius' arms.
"No, no. It was me. I should've looked after him better. It's my fault," Gaius blames himself as Lucy holds herself, trying to keep on her feet.
"That's disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself. You're old enough to be her grandfather," Merlin comments as he awakens to see Gwen and Gaius hugging.
"Merlin. You're alive," Gaus sighs in relief.
"No. I'm the ghost come back to haunt you," He jokes, and Lucy comes out of her shock, grabbing his face, kissing him fully on the lips, before pulling away.
"Sorry, I'm just...I thought you were dead," She blushes as she pulls away.
"It's fine. It's more than fine," He replies with a blush matching hers. "...erm...what happened? The last thing I remember is drinking the wine." He asks them.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Gaius enters the council chambers while Uther consults with his advisors as they prepare for battle with Mercia. "Sire, forgive the interruption, but may I speak with you?" Gaius requests as he walks over to the King.
"Not now," He dismisses his old friend.
"But, Your Highness, it is important," He informs him.
"Word of Bayard's arrest has got back to Mercia. We're about to be attacked," He informs the physician.
"I feel that what I have to tell you may have some bearing on your plans. please, it will only take a moment," He strongly suggests, and Uther listens, stepping aside with Gaius. "I know who tried to poison Arthur.
"So do I. He's locked in my dungeons," He replies with certainty.
"It wasn't Bayard. The poison was magical. And I'd recognise the hand that made it anywhere, Nimueh." He announces to the King's horror.
"You must be mistaken," He tries to brush it off.
"I wish I was," He replies.
"It can't have been. We'd know her. That witch's face is not easily forgotten," He reasons with a shake of his head.
"She's a powerful sorceress. She can enchant the eye that beholds her. We never knew it was her," He retorts confidently.
"Have you any proof?" The King asks him with fear.
"The poison used against Merlin was made more potent by the use of magic." He reveals
"Are you saying that she conspired with Bayard to kill Arthur?" He asks, jumping to the wrong conclusion.
"No, Bayard is innocent. Look at what's happening. This is what she's wanted all along. A war to bring strife and misery to Camelot," He corrects him, spinning it a little.
"How long before Bayard's armies reach our walls?" He asks one of his advisors.
"A day. Maybe less. We should send cavalry out to meet them," Sir Cador replies as he looks over the map.
"Instruct your men not to leave Camelot until I give the word." The King orders the knight.
"Sire," He confirms, bowing as he makes his leave to tell his men.
"You are making the right decision, Sire. Do you think Arthur should be told the truth about Nimueh?" Gaius asks him the dreaded question on his mind, planning on telling the Princess of the powerful sorceress and gets the answer he knew was coming as Uther looks at him with a shake of his head.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Clarissa steps out of her cell as she's released and moves away as the guards release Arthur and Bayard and his representatives. "I deeply apologies for Uther's mistrust in you, but you must understand, Camelot, like many, have; I think we can help each other out." She tells him, and he looks at her, intrigued.
"What is it that you want?" He asks her.
"It seems Uther's fears were correct that an evil sorceress was behind this, trying to frame you for attempting to poison Arthur." She announces, and he looks at her, a little surprised. "I think we can work in each other's favour; the treaty is still valid if you don't attack us for a grave mistake. If you still wish to part as allies, we can hunt down this sorceress together, and the trading agreement is best for the both of us." She explains, and he looks at her, impressed.
"You remind me of your father," He comments, and she looks at him surprised. "You talk very diplomatically; it reminds me of our time together before his tragic demise. You make a very winning case. Tell Uther the treaty still stands, thanks to you," He tells her and walks past her with his people, all of them smiling at the princess. While watching the whole thing, Arthur smiles, clapping as Clarissa stands there; she turns around with a big grin on her face.
"I'm very impressed, Cissy," Arthur comments, and she walks over to him, linking her arm with his.
"Of course, I'm an impressive person," She replies sassily, and he smiles with a laugh as they walk out to see Bayard off and talk with Uther.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur, Clarissa, Morgana, and Uther watch from the battlements as Lord Bayard and his men ride away from Camelot. "You've done well, Clarissa," Uther comments as they watch.
"Thank you, Uther, he seems to agree," She replies.
"Okay. Let the bragging begin. How'd you manage it?" Morgana asks Arthur.
"I'm not sure. All I do know is I had help." He tells her honestly, though at first, he did think it was Clarissa, she denies it was her. "Someone knew I was in trouble and sent a light to guide the way."
"Who?" She asks him, intrigued.
"I don't know. But whoever it was, I'm only here because of them," He confesses to her.
"I'm glad you're back," She replies before leaving.
"Arthur?" Uther calls for his son, who steps to his side as Clarissa steps aside to wait for the Prince. "The woman you met in the forest, what did she tell you?"
"Not much. She was too busy trying to get me and Clarissa killed. It was strange, though." He replies.
"In what way?" He asks, curious.
"We were at her mercy. She could have finished us off, but she chose not to. She said it wasn't our destiny to die at her hand." He informs his father.
"You must've been scared," He guesses.
"Had its moments," He shrugs it off.
"Those who practice magic know only evil. They despise and seek to destroy goodness wherever they find it. Which is why she wanted you dead. She is evil." He tells him, and Arthur has to fight the eye roll at his father's words.
"Sounds as if you know her," He points out.
"I do. To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all. You did the right thing. Even though you were disobeying me. I'm proud of you, Arthur, and Clarissa. Never forget that." He tells him, patting his shoulder before leaving. Clarissa walks over to stand by him.
"What did he say?" She asks him.
~ MYSTERIOUS ~
Arthur and Clarissa walk into Gaius' chambers to see Merlin still recovering, having not seen him since they got back. "Still alive, then?" Arthur jokes and Clarissa slaps his arm.
"Oh. Yeah, just about. I understand. I have you both to thank for that." Merlin replies.
"Yeah, well, it was nothing. A half-decent servant is hard to come by. I was only dropping by to make sure you're alright. I expect you to be back to work tomorrow." He tells him.
"Oh yeah, yeah, of course, er, bright and early," Merlin replies.
"That's rubbish; take your time to recover, Merlin," Clarissa tells him, and they turn to leave.
"Arthur, Rissa. Thank you," The Warlock says.
"You too. Get some rest," The blond says, and the two royals exit the room.
"Arthur may give you a hard time, but at heart, he's a man of honour. There aren't many who'd have risked what he did for a servant." Gaius points out to the young Warlock.
"It all would've been for nothing if you didn't know how to make that antidote." Merlin points out.
"Eat your dinner," He instructs.
"I still don't understand why she went to all the trouble of framing Bayard. She could've just kept quiet and killed Arthur," He questions.
"But destroying Arthur and Camelot wasn't all she was after. She knew you would be forced to drink that wine. It was you she wanted to kill. Seems someone else knows you're destined for great things, Merlin." He tells his ward, who smiles back at him, unaware that Nimueh watches him from her stone basin.
Hey, as you may know, this is the last of five chapters, and I will be going onto the next story, which is The Devil's Empress, a Satan is a Part-Timer. Thank you all for reading, commenting and showing interest; I hope to get back as soon as possible.