The day dawns pleasantly over Camelot, with the golden rays of the sun casting a warm glow over the castle grounds. Merlin was already up and about, diligently performing his chores and making deliveries for Gaius. His movements were swift and purposeful, yet there is a lightness in his step, a glint in his eye that betrayed his underlying excitement.
As he crossed paths with Arthur, their eyes met and a playful smile danced on their lips. The air between them crackling with unspoken words and flirty glances, a secret language that only they understand. Little did they know, their silent exchange did not go unnoticed. Morgana, ever observant, caught a glimpse of the subtle cues and her curiosity was piqued.
"What are you up to?" She asked nobody in particular, her suspicions growing as Merlin walked into the palace with Arthur following a few minutes later.
Morgana trailed Merlin discreetly, her steps silent and her presence concealed by the shadows of the palace. She watched as Merlin turned a corner into the tapestry room, a thought crossing her mind as Arthur carefully crept into the room to meet Merlin. "Arthur?" She asked as she peered through the keyhole, her eyes widening in shock as she watched Merlin and Arthur share a tender kiss, her disgust intensifying as Merlin pushed Arthur up against a wall in a feverish display of passion.
Determined to exploit this newfound knowledge, Morgana's malice took hold as she hurried back to her chambers, her mind racing with schemes 'This is my chance. I finally have the opportunity that I need' she thought as she retreated to her chambers "It's time that someone knocked you down to size, Merlin" she thought as she rummaged through her draws for a small brown bag, stuffing some petals, thorns and cutting off a small bit of her own hair to put into the bag before concealing it with some string, her.
With the poultice in hand, Morgana made her way to Arthur's chambers. She slips inside unnoticed, her movements calculated and deliberate. Placing the concoction under Arthur's bed, ensuring it was in arms reach. As she exits the room, she concocts an excuse to re-enter, her mind already formulating the next step of her plan as she used magic to lock the door.
"George!" Morgana called, getting George's attention and causing him to turn around.
"My lady, how my I help?" George asked.
"I've ran out of parchment and Arthur said I could use some of his, but the door is locked" Morgana lied, spinning a tale.
George nodded, walking over and pulling some keys out of his pocket "Allow me". Blinded by a desire to assist Morgana, George opened the door just as a knight walked over.
"What's going on here?" The knight asked.
'Perfect' Morgan thought to herself "Prince Arthur said I could use a few sheets of his parchment, as I have unfortunately ran out of my own supply".
The knight nodded, following George and Morgana into Arthur's chambers.
Morgana strode over to Arthur's desk, picking up a handful of parchment sheets. Her eyes noticing the quill that was perched on the corner of the desk, a devious thought springing to mind as she moved to walk away from the desk; deliberately bumping into the corner and falling to her knees.
"My lady!" The knight rushed over to help Morgana to her feet "Are you hurt?"
"Just my pride" Morgana answered as the quill rolled under the bed. She quickly hid the devious smirk on her face as George knelt down to fetch the quill.
"There's something under here" George stated before he stood up, holding the poultice.
"What's that?" Morgana asked as George opened the bag.
The knight grabbed the bag and his eyes widened "Sorcery!"
Feigning concern, Morgana ran out of Arthur's chambers with a knight and George in tow. Without delay, Morgana rushed to Uther's chambers, throwing the door open, her face is a masking righteous indignation as she held up the poultice for Uther to see. "My lord," she begins, her voice laced with earnestness, "This was found this under Arthur's bed. It is a clear attempt to harm him, and I fear Merlin is behind it."
Uther's face darkened with anger and suspicion. The wheels of Morgana's deception have been set in motion, and the consequences for Merlin could be dire. Little did Uther know that the true mastermind behind this sinister plot, was standing right before him, cloaked in the guise of a concerned ally. "What was found?"
Morgana strode over and handed Uther the small bag "I believe it to be a love potion. It even has dark hair in it".
Uther's blood began to boiled as he rummaged through the small bag, sweeping it in anger before he looked at his knights "I want him found and arrested immediately!"
The knights marched out of Uther's chambers with steely determination, their mission clear. They navigated the grand hallways of the palace, their armour clinking rhythmically with each step. It did not take long for them to reach Gaius's chambers, where Merlin was peacefully enjoying his lunch, unaware of the storm that was about to descend upon him.
"Aha, there he is!" one of the knights exclaimed upon spotting Merlin. Without any warning, they seized him, wrenching him from his seat.
"What is the meaning of this?" Guias protested, but his cries fell on deaf ears. The knights, unyielding, dragged Merlin through the palace corridors, their grip like iron.
"What's going on?" As Merlin struggled against his captors, the palace buzzed with whispers and curious glances. The echo of their steps reverberated through the stone walls, a prelude to impending doom. "Guias!" He called as the physician hurried after hi. Meanwhile, Morgana, with a façade of genuine concern, hurriedly sought out Arthur. She had to ensure that Arthur was aware of the 'danger' that Merlin posed, solidifying her fabricated narrative.
She eventually found Arthur in the training yard, his brow furrowed in concentration as he practiced his swordsmanship. "Arthur!" she called out breathlessly, rushing to his side. "You must come quickly. Something terrible has happened."
Arthur lowered his sword, concern sweeping over him when he saw the 'distressed look on Morgana's face "What's happened?"
"I have just seen some guards dragging Merlin through the palace. Their headed to the thrown room!" Morgan answered, faking her concern for Merlin.
Arthur's eyes widened as his thoughts raced through his mind, all leading back to his fear of Uther finding out about him and Merlin. Without hesitation, he began to sprint towards the palace, his knights and Morgana following him as he hurried towards the throne room.
Time seemed to slow down as Arthur raced through the palace, before barging into the large hall, his blood running cold when he saw that Merlin was kneeling on the floor; his hands bound behind his back and a fresh black eye staining his face "What is the meaning of this?!"
Merlin looked towards the voice, his heart soaring when he saw that Arthur had arrived "Arthur".
"Merlin!" Arthur went to run over to aid the warlock, but a guard held him back "Get your hands off of me!" He roared in anger.
Uther rose from his throne, storming over to Merlin before he grabbed the young man by his chin. Forcing him to look up at the furious king "Address my son again and I'll cut out your tongue! Do you understand me?!'
"Yes, my lord!" Merlin answered.
Uther shoved Merlin to the floor before looking at Arthur "You are about to witness a dark magic, son. You must stay back to prevent him from cursing you" he informed as he unsheathed his sword.
"Merlin would never harm anyone!" Arthur protested.
"Do not be so certain of that" Uther stated before he glared at Merlin "Conjure up gold, sorcerer".
Merlin did nothing, he knew that using magic would cause Uther to have him killed "I cannot, sire".
With a swift sudden movement, Uther backhanded Merlin across the face. The assault causing Arthur to instantly grow angry as he pushed against the arms of Uther's guards.
"Don't you dare lay one finger on him!" Arthur shouted, his rage causing his strength to grow as the guards struggled to hold him back.
"Yup dare defy your king?" Uther shouted at Merlin, ignoring Arthur's protests. "I ordered you to conjure up gold!"
"I cannot!" Merlin exclaimed, confused by how Uther could have found out about his secret.
"LIAR!" Uther shouted at Merlin.
"Leave him alone!" Arthur shouted, thrashing around as he tried to get to Merlin. His eyes widening as Uther raised his sword to strike Merlin "I love him, father!"
The room went silent, everyone but Merlin staring at Arthur. The captive warlock was clenching his eyes shut, until Arthur's words finally registered in his brain and he turned to look at the prince.
"Please, father. Don't hurt him!" Arthur pleaded.
"So the rumours are true?" Uther lowered his sword, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small bag that Morgana had planted. "You dare enchant my son? You dare threaten the prince of Camelot?" He shouted at Merlin.
"I did not enchant him, sire!" Merlin pleaded his case "I love him with all my heart! I would never harm Arthur!"
Uther scoffed before he hit Merlin around the face, the force knocking Merlin to the floor "You do not 'love' my son! You have blinded him with your magic, he doesn't love you! He could never love someone of your kind!"
"Leave him alone!" Arthur managed to push the the guards and he rushed to Merlin's side, helping him up and stroking back his hair "It is alright, I am here" he reassured before he turned his gaze to Uther, glaring up at the king "How dare you harm him! Merlin has done nothing wrong and he would never hurt me!"
Merlin sniffled "I meant what I said".
Arthur nodded as he looked at Merlin "I did too".
Guias took the opportunity to speak up in Merlin's defence, sure that he could reason with the king as he had done many times before "Please, sire. Merlin has been a loyal servant to Arthur for years, he would never harm the prince. They nearly developed feeling for each other, through their close bond".
Arthur had an idea that he was certain would work, he was desperate for anything to save Merlin "I relinquish my right to the thrown! We will leave Camelot and never return. Please just release him, father!" He pleaded, holding Merlin close to protect him.
Uther stared long and hard at Arthur before he gesture for his guards to approach "The sorcerer is to be burnt at the stake in two days. Cease him!"
Arthur's heart sank as he was pulled away from Merlin, his beloved being yanked from his grasp as he thrashed around "No! You cannot do this! Merlin!" He yelled as he desperately fought against the guards in an attempt to get to Merlin.
"ARTHUR!" Merlin cried as he was dragged away from Arthur, his life flashing before his eyes as the severity of the situation sank in. He was condemned to death at the stake.
"NO!" Arthur pushed passed the guards, running over to Merlin "Merlin!" He wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist and tried with all of his might to pull him free.
Merlin's eyes filled with hot tears as he was wretched from Arthur's arms, the prince pressing a desperate kiss against his lips before they were pulled apart from each other.
"Restrain the prince!" Uther ordered.
It took four knights to pull Arthur away from Merlin, holding him down on his knees as Merlin was dragged away. Their arms aching as the prince thrashed around and fought against their efforts, breaking three of the four men's hands and fingers as he battled to get to Merlin.
"I love you, Merlin! I'll always love you!" Arthur yelled.
"I love you, Arthur!" Merlin yelled back as he was dragged away. His gaze falling on the Morgana's malicious smirk, before he was finally pulled out of the thrown room. The terrible realisation of Morgana's betrayal hitting him full force as he was dragged through the palace 'that conniving bitch'.