Memory Trials

by MegRising

Destiny has gone wrong and it's time for someone to interfere. Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, Hunith, and the knights must discover secrets they never knew and change destiny before it's too late. A watching the show fanfic.

5. The Mark Of Nimueh

The Mark of Nimueh

"Hm, the Mark of Nimueh," says Arthur thoughtfully. "I have no idea what that is referring to. I wonder if it will be the same with most of these names for the groups of memories. Do you know what it's referring to Gaius?"

"I'm afraid I don't remember specifics besides that Nimueh is a sorceress you will likely see a few times throughout these viewings," says Gaius.

"It has to do with the Afanc and the water plague that was wrought upon Camelot," says Merlin.

"What the hell is an Afanc?" asks Gwaine confused. Merlin just gestured to the screen not particularly feeling like explaining something that will be shown soon.

"This is not going to be pleasant to see," says Gaius as the memories returned to him. He'd seen the many bodies of this plague. It was probably one of the worst plagues Camelot had ever seen, not shocking, considering it was caused by dark magic.

"Well it was a horrible time in Camelot," says Gwen sadly. "And I remember the plague very little since I was in the dungeons for the most part."

"Why were you in the dungeons?" asks Elyan worriedly.

"I wrote about it in my letters to you, but you might have missed that one. There was this horrible plague, and Dad got sick and then suddenly got cured..." she stops suddenly, and her eyes go wide. She stares at Merlin, who now has the guiltiest look on his face.

"You healed our father?" asks Gwen.

"Er, yeah. Sorry about that," says Merlin. "I didn't think you'd get the blame and be accused of sorcery. I was new to the whole Camelot investigation and sentencing process."

"It's okay, Merlin, I promise. You and I both know it's not the only time I was nearly executed, and I always got out of it okay," says Gwen lightly. "I'm grateful you helped and gave me that time with father I wouldn't have had otherwise."

Arthur winces at this but says nothing. He knows it's all his father's fault and slightly his in this case. He pulls Gwen closer to him, and she snuggles with him.

"You were nearly executed more than once?" says Elyan loudly.

Elyan is in shock at exactly how much he missed. He never meant to not be there for his family while he was out finding himself. He didn't remember these details from the few letters he'd managed to receive from Gwen during his travels. However, he did miss many of the letters she sent as he moved around frequently.

Gwen pats his arm and says, "Everything turned out okay in the end; you'll see."

"Gaius did try to warn me about the consequences, but while I was trying to do something good, it backfired like many things seem to do eventually," says Merlin.

Everyone hears the slight sadness in his tone.

Gwaine wishes he could help, but he knows from past experiences that he can't say anything that would help until he knows the whole story.

Hunith knows her son has been through a lot, but it is only now that she realizes he blames himself more than she thought when things go wrong. Hopefully, when his friends see his point of view, they will understand him.

Gaius knows Merlin had a lot of learning to do when he first arrived in Camelot, and unfortunately, it was Gaius who had to teach him as no one else could. He knows his own fear played a role in how he advised Merlin and the way he reacted to things. He'd seen so much horror throughout the great purge, and he'd quickly grown attached to Merlin and was constantly afraid for him. His disillusioned worldview affected him more than he ever thought before he met Merlin. He hopes that now he can help Merlin before he becomes like him.

A woman in a red dress stood over a carved-out stone basin full of water. She had clay in her hands and molded it into a shape only known to her. She put the clay in a white egg-shaped container and closed it shut.

"She's quite beautiful," says Gwaine while raising his eyebrows.

"She's a murderer," says Merlin with a tense expression.

Gwaine's expression quickly changes to shock, and then he says, "Though now that I can see closer, I don't see much to write home about." Not that Gwaine writes home anymore.

Merlin smiles tensely.

"Berbay odothay arisan yeldo," said Nimueh as she put her hand over the white egg. It began to glow.

"That sounds very similar to the spell you used last time," says Leon thoughtfully.

"It does have some of the same words because it's about bringing something to life, in this case, it's not a scared dog but a monster," says Merlin.

Nimueh placed the magic egg container into water. It traveled through the underground waterways to a manmade cavern. The egg began to crack open in the water.

"Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, aliese hine, to Camelot he cymþ," said Nimueh.

Nimueh began to watch Camelot from her water basin.

"Hold on, magic can do that? Allow them to see us directly?" asks Arthur worriedly. The implications of this kind of magic do not bode well for Camelot's safety and secrets. How could they ever trick or hide anything from Morgana if she could summon images of what they were doing?

"Yes and no," says Merlin. "Nimueh can do this here because she's very powerful, and I was more inexperienced. She's watching her creature and very short glimpses of what's going on based on what she's done. However, Morgana can't even do this now because of the magical wards I put up. It stops a lot of things; basic scrying, that's what we call it, is included." Merlin had only been able to put up the most basic wards that prevented magical spying; of course, maybe now that everyone knew about him, he could make them better and more obvious, something that would protect against more physical attacks. That is if they still want him to come back home when this is all over.

"Thank goodness for that," says Gwen. Arthur can't help but agree.

Gaius and Merlin examined a corpse in the street in the lower town as the bells tolled.

"Aren't you scared?" asked Merlin.

"Of what?" asked Gaius.

"That you might catch whatever it is," said Merlin.

"I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time, there's nothing really to be scared of," said Gaius.

He turned over the corpse, which revealed that the poor man had unnaturally pale white skin and white eyes with popping blue veins.

"Whoa," says Gwaine. "Poor fellow."

"You were saying?" asked Merlin.

"People mustn't see this. They will panic," said Gaius.

"Thank goodness it was reported so quickly and wasn't contagious in the typical way," says Arthur

"We are forever grateful for your experience and wisdom, Gaius," says Gwen. Gaius nods in thanks.

Merlin walked over and grabbed a nearby cloth to cover the body as people walked by.

Gwen and her father were getting ready at their home.

Gwen gets teary-eyed at the sight. Even though these days weren't pleasant for her, getting to see her father happy and healthy here was sad and beautiful.

Elyan looks at his father and only feels guilt. He hadn't been there for a few years before he died, and they were never able to patch things up between them. He'd been hoping to return with something that would prove himself to his father, but as the days went by, he never found anything he considered enough to excuse the way he left. Then, it was just too late to come back. He was too embarrassed to talk to them too often. He knows now that the only thing he can do is be there for Gwen and their friends. It's the only way he can make things right.

"Dad, here's your sandwich," said Gwen as she handed it to him.

"Ooh. Mmm, what's in it?" asked Tom as he sniffed it.

"It's smoked pigeon. But I'd say there's more smoke than pigeon," said Guinevere as she gently tapped on the food.

Elyan glances at Gwen knowingly and says, "You were having money issues?"

"Just a little bit," answers Gwen. That particular year had been rough due to low yield from the fields. The prices had gone up a bit, and they'd had to make do. She'd been luckier than most because of Morgana, though. Morgana always somehow ended up with more food than she could eat and gave Gwen some every time. Most castle servants got some food from the kitchens, but it wasn't the same as what the nobles and knights got: quality or quantity. Gwen will always be thankful to Morgana for that.

"We did okay, though," says Gwen.

"I should have been there," says Elyan, shaking his head.

"I forgave you a long time ago; there is no need to revisit old pains," says Gwen.

"You're such a good girl to me," said Tom with a laugh.

"And I've done you some watercress soup tonight," said Guinevere as she grabbed some flowers nearby.

"Don't tell me, with more water in it than cress?" asked Tom.

Gwen's eyes close in recognition. "That watercress soup. That's what made him sick. It was all my fault."

"Gwen, listen to me," says Merlin. "You made your father dinner. That's all you did. The only person who's at fault for anyone getting sick is Nimueh."

Gwen smiles in thanks but can't help but think that if she had just made something else her father wouldn't have nearly died, and she wouldn't have been accused of sorcery.

Gwen laughed and they hugged.

"I'll see you later," said Guinevere.

"Okay. Bye," said Tom.

"I still miss him so much," says Gwen.

Elyan feels so many mixed emotions watching his father and sister through the memories. He knows he grew a lot during his time on his own, but he doubts if it was worth it. He missed so many important instances in Gwen's life and hadn't been there for her or their father when they needed him.

Merlin glances over at Gwen and Elyan and says, "The ache of them being gone never goes away, but it does eventually get easier to carry with you every day."

Hunith wants to hold Merlin tight and never let him go. Only getting to meet his father once had taken a great toll on him, especially losing him the way he did. She would never stop feeling guilty for never trying to tell Merlin who he was so he could find him sooner. Maybe if she had, Balinor would be alive today.

Silence descends on the group. Not everyone understands how Merlin understands the pain of losing someone so close to you. However, it was clear from his eyes and tone that he did. They are starting to realize that Merlin is done with all pretense. He wasn't just hiding the magic from them but everything they never knew about him. He is showing them everything, including his pain.

The only people Arthur could remember Merlin losing were his friend from Ealdor and Lancelot, though since Lancelot is sitting next to him, Arthur is confused. The tone sounded much deeper and darker than can be caused by one dear childhood friend, though Arthur supposes only memories can tell him what really happened.

Arthur didn't know what else to do, so he gave Gwen a warm hug and apologized again. He can't help but wish he'd done more back then to help her. However, back then, he hadn't been strong enough to go against his father in something so serious. He also doesn't remember the exact details of what occurred back then. He hoped he acted better than he remembered.

Merlin and Gaius wheeled the body over the castle drawbridge. Gwen approached carrying the flowers she had at home.

"What are you doing?" asked Gwen.

"Er... just moving something," said Merlin.

"Looks heavy," said Gwen, trying to get a peek.

"Earm, it's nothing, really. Erm...someone got you flowers?" Merlin asked, trying to distract her.

"You didn't have to do that," says Gwen, laughing. "I helped Gaius all the time with injuries and such."

"I just wanted to protect you from the ghastly sight," says Merlin. "And I don't think I knew that yet."

"Well, thank you anyway," says Gwen.

"Oh! No." she giggled. "Would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you…"

"Thanks. Well, er...," said Merlin.

Merlin stuck the flower in his scarf. Gwen smiled at the display.

"That was still so sweet of you," says Gwen, laughing.

Merlin smiles at the cute memory of their early friendship.

Though Arthur wants to call Merlin a girl, even he can't bear to ruin the nice moment before what he's sure will follow.

"Er... see you," said Merlin.

"Bye," said Gwen.

Gwen entered Morgana's Chambers with the flowers in her hand.

"You look happy," said Morgana.

"I was," says Gwen sadly. "Honestly, before Merlin came to Camelot, I didn't have a lot of friends either besides Morgana, and I was still her maidservant. I knew nearly everyone in the castle, but I think nobody felt comfortable getting too close to me because I was close to Morgana. Then Merlin came, and he was in the exact same position as me, and we just clicked. It was a breath of fresh air, and I'll always be grateful that you came to Camelot."

Merlin stands up from his seat, rushes over, and gives Gwen a big hug. It is very awkward as she's sitting between Arthur and Elyan, but he does it anyway. He forgets how much he needs to hear things like this. He rushes back to his seat before he creates more awkwardness.

"Thank you, Gwen. I needed that," says Merlin with a watery smile.

"Of course, Merlin," says Gwen, smiling at him, though surprised. They haven't been able to spend much time together recently, and Gwen knows now that must change. These memories of their early friendship remind her of how different things are these days. She's been so busy being Queen and learning her duties that she'd forgotten how much they both needed each other.

Merlin clears his throat and faces the memories again.

"I picked these for you," said Gwen.

"Oh, that's so sweet," said Morgana.

"Something to cheer you up. I know you're not sleeping well," said Gwen, holding out the flowers for Morgana.

"You cheer me up," said Morgana.

"Would you like me to put them in water for you?" asked Gwen.

Morgana nodded and Gwen took the flowers back and walked away to get a vase.

"You really were friends," says Elyan in surprise.

"Yes, we were. I wish I could have reached her or done something to help her, but it was too late when I noticed what she'd become," says Gwen sadly.

Merlin's happiness from earlier quickly evaporates. They will all see what happened, and he is not looking forward to it.

"There wasn't anything you could have done, Gwen, trust me," says Merlin. Gwen notes Merlin's odd tone but knows now isn't the time to discuss that topic.

Merlin and Gaius were in Gaius' Chambers examining the body. Gaius was holding a magnifying glass close to the unnatural body.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Gaius.

"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" asked Merlin.

"No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?" asked Gaius.

"You think it's caused by magic?" asked Merlin.

"There was no doubt. No natural plague or sickness could cause any of the symptoms presented," says Gaius.

"Merlin!" Arthur suddenly yelled, knocking at the chamber door.

Merlin opened the door before Arthur walked in and saw the body.

"Erm... I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late," said Merlin.

"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it," said Arthur.

"You didn't tell me you were helping Gaius!" says Arthur in surprise.

"I didn't think it would matter to you at the time," says Merlin shrugging.

Arthur wonders again just how often Merlin was late for decent reasons. Watching this, he starts to get the idea that Merlin is always going to have a good reason.

Arthur furrowed his brow when he saw the flower in Merlin's scarf. Merlin looked down at it.

"Oh, er... Gwen, she gave it to me," said Merlin.

"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now," said Arthur who then promptly left.

"Okay," said Merlin.

Merlin closed the door.

"Gaius...," said Merlin.

"I heard," said Gaius.

"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?" asked Merlin.

"Because that's the way it is. You're a servant," said Gaius.

"It was procedure and normally I would have just walked in, but Father was anxious, and I had to get back to the Council Chambers as quickly as possible so I couldn't wait to be sure Gaius could hear me or, to be honest for you to let me in," says Arthur.

"I didn't want you to see the body either, though I guess you had to see one anyway," says Merlin. "That's still a stupid procedure, and I'm glad this kind of thing never happened again because it would have grated on me like nothing else."

"Wha... if he knew who I was, what I've done..." muttered Merlin.

"You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up," said Gaius.

"That was kind of harsh, don't you think, Gaius?" asks Lancelot.

"Yes, it was harsh, but it was true. Especially at this time, I fear what would have happened if Merlin had been discovered by Arthur or, worse, his father," says Gaius, shaking his head.

"I also honestly needed the reminder because while it wasn't exactly nice to be a magic user in Ealdor, it wasn't chop your head off dangerous," says Merlin.

Arthur unknowingly echoed Gaius' thoughts from earlier. Arthur also didn't want to consider what he would have done then. At the same time, hearing Gaius so harshly say that Merlin would be dead if he (Arthur specifically) knew what Merlin had done is startling, and he can't help but contemplate the horrible repercussions that could have happened.

"Well, that's not something we have to worry about anymore," says Arthur quickly.

"We haven't seen all the memories yet," says Merlin quietly.

Arthur gives him a look, but no one comments on the statement. So far, they've only seen Merlin try to save people, yet Merlin seems determined to warn them that things will change later. It leaves everyone with an ominous feeling.

"Hey, I'm not your servant," said Merlin.

"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up," said Gaius.

"Gaius aren't you supposed to have an assistant?" asked Gwen. She's been reading up on royal procedures and roles and was certain that the court physician was supposed to have a dedicated assistant.

"Yes he is supposed to have an assistant," says Arthur.

After some thought, he says, "I know that when Merlin arrived, he was supposed to help you a little bit with being a physician, but he was never officially given the role, was he?" asks Arthur.

Gaius says, "No, he was not. My previous assistant had left shortly before he came to Camelot, and we were supposed to hire someone, but your father never got around to it, and a lot of those duties fell to Merlin."

"And then he quickly got hired as my manservant, yet Merlin has still been filling that role ever since, hasn't he?" asks Arthur. Arthur can't imagine how much work Merlin had to do for himself and Gaius, not to mention if he got roped into other tasks with regular castle servants.

"Yes, he manages a lot of those responsibilities," says Gaius, cautiously, unsure where this is going.

"Seems like you had a lot of jobs Merlin. Gaius's assistant, Manservant to the prince now King, and then you still do whatever magical shenanigans you do to protect us," says Percival thoughtfully.

Arthur was again taken aback. He knew Merlin helped Gaius occasionally but never knew how much Merlin had on his plate. He should have known. He resolves to ask Merlin for more details later but he knows something he can do now to help Gaius, a fully formed plan comes to mind.

"Gaius what if we finally hired you an assistant? I mean, we should have a while ago, but especially with me becoming King and whatever else he gets up to, Merlin never had time to be both my manservant and physician assistant. So, when we get back, we'll hire a dedicated assistant. It would be their only job," says Arthur.

"That sounds nice," says Gaius unsurely. He'd grown used to Merlin always being around and helping him out. It will be different but better for Merlin in the end, and likely for him.

"What say you, Merlin?" asks Gwen. She could tell both of them had conflicted feelings about it though everyone knew it would be beneficial.

"I think this is a great idea, though I will miss always helping. I did sometimes feel overworked with everything I had to do," says Merlin. He remembered the one time he yelled at Gaius while Arthur was 'away' and was grateful that he wouldn't have to do it all anymore. Merlin knows he will miss working closely with Gaius. He wonders what exactly Arthur has in mind for him when they get back.

A group of people were gathered around a body inside the council chambers.

"What's happened to him?" asked Uther.

"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today," said Gaius.

"Why didn't you report it to me?" asked Uther.

"I don't care for that tone," says Hunith, frowning.

"I was attempting to find the cause," said Gaius.

"What did you conclude?" asked Uther.

"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one," said Gaius.

"What are you concealing from me?" asked Uther.

"I don't understand," says Hunith. "You have been a part of Uther's court for a long time, and his first reaction is to ask you what you are concealing from him instead of just asking for an update or estimate on how long you would need before sharing your findings? I mean, I know in this case you wanted to be sure it was magic before you told him, but he should trust you."

"He had his reasons, and since I've been a part of his court for so long, he knows me better than anyone else," says Gaius.

"That and he's a bad liar," says Merlin with a shake of his head.

"I'm afraid Merlin might be correct; I'm not a great liar, though I do my best when it's necessary." He hated how much it had been necessary, but that was life in Camelot.

Everyone wondered what it felt like to lie to save lives, what it meant to lie as a necessity nearly every day.

"Sounds exhausting," says Leon. He hated lies, and he's always been straightforward. He's never tried to be anything but himself, though he has become less reserved over the last few years with the round table. He will never really be able to understand what being forced to lie would feel like.

"It was," says Merlin in agreement.

"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast," said Gaius.

"What is the cause?" asked Uther.

"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery," said Gaius.

Uther pulled Arthur aside.

"We must find who did this," said Uther in a commanding tone.

"I will, Father," said Arthur.

"Conduct door-to-door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant," said Uther.

"Merlin? But...," said Arthur.

"You already needed him that badly?" asks Gwaine with a laugh.

"Well, he hadn't been in yet that day so there was a lot to do. Plus, I could have used help organizing the searches," says Arthur shortly.

Merlin and Gwaine give each other matching looks that say we know better. Gwaine smirked to himself, happy that he had Merlin smile again.

"We 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 cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly," said Uther.

Uther signals to the guards to prepare.

"Yes, Father," said Arthur.

"Uther seems more afraid of people trying to cure the sickness than the sorcery causing the illness," says Hunith reproachfully.

"He knows that people will turn to magic if they might die anyway," says Gaius factually. "He knows that fear of death keeps some from using magic but if the other option is death it would be worth the gamble."

Everyone ponders on this.

Arthur and the guards searched the Lower Tower, questioning people and checking everywhere. Merlin and Gaius walked past them when Merlin noticed a sick person sprawled on the ground.

"Gaius? Gaius. He's still alive," said Merlin.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him," said Gaius as he turns away from the man.

"But we haven't tried," said Merlin refusing to move.

"Isn't there anything you could have done for him, Gaius?" Gwen says sadly.

"No, unfortunately not. Even an examination would have been a waste of time. At the stage, he was at, he was nonverbal and wouldn't have been able to tell me anything I didn't already know or suspect. I do wish I could have eased his pain, but time was limited, and we needed to confirm the cause of the spread," says Gaius.

"If we don't know what a disease is, then how can we cure him?" asked Gaius.

"With magic," said Merlin.

"Have a look. They're suspicious of everyone. This is not the time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the source of the disease," said Gaius.

"You wanted to heal that man you didn't know with magic?" asks Gwen in surprise.

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't know what specific spell I would need or anything, but I figured if it was a magical sickness, then I could cure him with magic, and I thought it would help. I hadn't seen any yet still alive when I was with Gaius. I wish I could've helped him. I wish I had healed him. It probably would have made your dad's healing less conspicuous," Merlin says.

"You mean to tell me that if you hadn't been afraid for your life and known the right spell…" Arthur asks, "That we could have saved most of those who died during this plague?"

"Yes, Arthur, I could have saved all of them that I found quick enough," Merlin admits sadly.

Arthur wishes things could have been different. All those citizens could be alive now if Merlin had been allowed to heal them.

"I hate to say this, but in the interest of transparency, this entire plague wouldn't have happened if not for your father's actions. The sorceress started the plague in revenge for the great purge. I know that is a lot, but I want you to understand. I'm sure more details will be shown later," says Gaius.

Arthur isn't sure what to think about that.

Gaius heated a vial of liquid in his chambers just a bit later the same day.

"What are you doing?" asked Merlin.

"I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach," said Gaius.

"Will that tell you who did it?" asked Merlin.

"No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind," said Gaius.

"Why would someone use magic like that?" asked Merlin.

"At the time I couldn't conceive a reason why someone would use magic like that. I just didn't understand what would lead someone to cause sickness in an entire population and cause such devastation," says Merlin.

"And now?" asks Gwen, noting that Merlin said at that time.

"I understand why she did it. I understand her pain, but it doesn't excuse what she's done," says Merlin with a frown.

"What do you mean her pain? You mean from the great purge?" asks Arthur. He was struggling to understand the kind of pain that would cause such murderous intent towards innocent people.

"Yes, but she had other reasons as well," says Merlin.

Arthur wishes Merlin would answer a question for once, but he knows it's probably best to wait until the memories show it. It'll be easier to understand that way, and he knows he can only deal with so many revelations at once.

"Magic corrupts. People use it for their own ends," said Gaius.

"But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't," said Merlin.

"It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it," said Gaius.

"See," says Merlin. "Gaius agrees with me."

Arthur rolls his eyes but smiles. Then, Arthur gives it some more thought. They fought bad magical things all the time, and non-magical things as well. He saw evil magic do crazy things against them, but if it was on their side? Not just in the background, but if Merlin had been allowed to display his powers outwardly to stop enemies, he wonders how much that would help them. He wonders how quickly other situations would have been solved with Merlin's outward help.

'Something to remember,' he thinks.

Arthur and several guards suddenly burst into their chambers.

"Over there," Arthur said to a guard while pointing to the corner of the room. "Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town."

"What for?" Gaius demanded.

"The sorcerer," said Arthur.

"But why would he be here?" asked Gaius.

"Because he lives there," says Gwaine with a laugh.

Percival and Merlin laugh. Merlin is delighted that Gwaine seems to be becoming less quiet and more himself now.

"I'm just doing my job," said Arthur.

"We've nothing to hide. Go on, then. Search," said Gaius.

"What's all these books and papers?" asked Arthur shuffling through a few on the table.

"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish," said Gaius. Arthur quickly backed away from them.

"Arthur, dear, I know you don't like reading science things, but they won't burn you," says Gwen, shaking her head with a smile.

"I was forced to read a lot of thick tomes when I was a kid, about knight procedures and politics. I don't want a repeat of that," says Arthur.

"Well, thank goodness you had such an aversion to them because on that particular bookshelf on the wall, there were some books about magic—no magic spells, but enough that if you had shown them to your father, I could have gotten in trouble," says Gaius.

"Really?" asks Percival.

"Yes, and they have helped solve many issues when we didn't know what we were up against," says Merlin.

"What's this room up here," asked Arthur.

"Er, it's mine," said Merlin.

"You were so nervous," says Arthur in surprise. He almost forgot he and Merlin wore the necklaces because it hadn't changed much recently.

"I mean, you are searching my room, which has a magic book in it," says Merlin, watching Arthur fiddle with the necklace. Merlin also forgot that Arthur can now feel what past him was feeling and is still not sure how to feel about it.

"I just didn't realize how nerve-racking it must have been for you," says Arthur.

"I mean, of course, it wouldn't occur to you. You have nothing to hide, and I had everything to hide," says Merlin.

"And what do you expect to find in there?" asked Gaius.

"I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments," said Arthur.

"What've you done with the magic book I gave you?" asked Gaius quietly.

Arthur couldn't believe it, but the nervousness shot up even more.

Merlin looked toward his room worried as Arthur entered his room.

"Merlin, come here. Look what I found," said Arthur.

"Well, it can't be the spell book," says Elyan reasonably. It still feels weird to say spell book.

Merlin entered his room.

"I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard," said Arthur as he closed Merlin's cupboard. The room was covered with clothes all over the floor. Merlin let a breath escape as Arthur turned back around.

Merlin spotted his magic book on the floor and magically covered it with his bed sheet.

Hunith smacked Merlin on the head again. "You left it on the floor!" she yells.

Merlin rubs his head and says, "Sorry, I didn't realize they would do searches. I'd been using it briefly to see if there was a way I could heal someone, but I hadn't found anything yet. I should have put it away as soon as Uther ordered the searches. But hey, I covered my tracks."

"With a bedsheet," says Percival dryly.

"I think it's a great cover," says Gwaine.

Arthur looked under the bed but missed the book. He then left Merlin's room. Merlin gave a glance at the book on the floor before he followed Arthur out of his room.

"Merlin mate, when you are hiding contraband, you don't glance at it when they are searching for it," groans Lancelot.

Gwaine laughs.

"Might I remind all of you that this was like month one for me in Camelot? I didn't know much about anything. I didn't know about the kinds of searches they did or how bad it was. I wasn't used to hiding stuff in my own home. I never had to hide anything from Mum," says Merlin.

"I'm sorry, Merlin. That does sound hard to figure out and figure out quickly," says Percival.

"And now you'll have to unlearn that," says Arthur in a warning tone.

"You got it, sire," says Merlin in a similar tone.

"We should also go over procedures regarding how we do searches as we discussed before; I mean, there we, and I'm not just blaming you, Arthur, but the group in general, that we need to be more productive and less destructive when searching for evidence," says Leon.

"While I completely agree with you Leon," says Merlin, "I don't know how useful any of the searches for magical things are without someone who knows about magic. You all know some of what to look for, but the searches are kind of useless without knowledge of magic or magic itself to find things hidden with magic." Merlin didn't want to push, but he needed them to know just how easy it was for someone with magic to hide things.

Leon considers this. He's always seen magic as evil, but when the druids healed him with the cup, it made him reconsider everything he thought he knew. Still, the thought of having a magical person on their side was hard to grasp completely.

Leon was also not impressed with the process he had just witnessed with the knights. With everything going on with Morgana and his frequent trips across the land, he hasn't had time since he's been put in charge of the knights to devise and train them in better procedures. He decides to use this time to plan new training.

"A topic to revisit later, Leon; please make sure to note it," says Arthur. Arthur was slowly but surely trying to understand magic, but the thought of it being used so casually was still startling to him. Arthur wasn't immediately opposed to the idea but he wanted more time to understand all the possible ramifications. Arthur was embarrassed at the same time because he missed the book, but he knew it was for the best that he did. Leon nods and scribbles on his parchment.

Merlin was ecstatic that the possibility of magic being used openly was on the table and that everyone seemed to be coming around to it. He just hoped it would stay that way.

Arthur walked up towards Gaius.

"How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?" asked Arthur.

"It depends on how many interruptions I get," said Gaius.

"Of course, I'm sorry," said Arthur.

He turned to address the guards, "We're finished here."

They all exited the room. Gaius closed the door behind them all.

"We have to hide that book," said Gaius.

"No. We must use it," said Merlin.

"I still thought we could help," says Merlin, shaking his head.

"You should have been able to help," says Arthur. "It's not your fault the laws of Camelot are preventing you from saving lives. That isn't right." Merlin agrees but doesn't feel the need to make Arthur feel worse about it.

"Don't be stupid," said Gaius.

"It wasn't stupid, though," says Gwaine. "You just wanted to help people."

"Maybe not stupid but misguided," says Merlin.

"I shouldn't have said it was stupid, Merlin; for that, I'm sorry," says Gaius. Merlin stares at Gaius in surprise.

"What do you mean, Gaius? You were only trying to warn me of the consequences of healing someone with magic," says Merlin.

"Yes, but I did it too harshly. You should have been able to heal them like you wanted to. I should have warned you of the consequences but left the choice up to you. I let my own fear of the consequences stop you from doing a lot of things that maybe you should have. But it's only because I saw the horrors of the great purge and didn't want something to happen to you. But it's because of my own feelings and complacency against using magic that I didn't encourage your use of it as I should have," says Gaius.

"But you were right?" Merlin asks, confused. "With all that happened afterward, it was a huge risk to heal anyone."

"But I was also wrong. I was so fearful from my time living under Uther's purge and the after-affects that I didn't want to try and find a way," says Gaius. "The idea you had of healing everyone might have worked had we planned it better. Or with my guidance, you wouldn't have left the poultice there or would have found a spell that worked and left no trace."

"There might have been a way," says Percival. "But we can only learn from the past and do better going forward."

Arthur hopes that after this, they can find a way to be better in a way that works for everyone.

"If I have this legacy, then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks," said Merlin.

"You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad? Merlin, your life is destined for more important things," said Gaius.

"I'd say that makes you a little mad," says Gwaine, smiling.

"But also, someone with a good heart," says Gwen.

"But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great warlock?!" demanded Merlin.

"There will come a time when your skills will be recognized," said Gaius.

"When?! How long do I have to wait?" asked Merlin.

"Well, at least I don't have to wait anymore," says Merlin, groaning at his past eagerness. He's no longer as excited about everyone knowing everything he has ever done, but there is no stopping it now.

Gaius is a little sad to see the reminder of the bright, happy, and eager young man who came to Camelot so many years ago. That Merlin went through so much over the years, Gaius fears he only exists in memories now.

"Patience is a virtue, Merlin," said Gaius.

"Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?" asked Merlin.

"Your time will come," said Gaius.

"I could cure that man we saw," said Merlin.

"I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin...," said Gaius.

"It is when it would save a life," challenged Merlin.

"He has a point, and you know it, Gaius," says Hunith frowning.

"At the time, I didn't want to admit it," says Gaius. "Here comes this bright young boy storming into my life, and in him, I saw everything I wasn't doing with my position. I hadn't tried to heal someone with magic in decades. I hadn't tried to turn the King's mind in many years. People with magic used to feel comfortable enough come to me for help. But a few years after the purge and a few near misses where I almost got caught, I kept telling myself I couldn't help everyone and that it was best to keep my position to help where I could in Camelot. I thought I could help by trying to make bigger changes in time. I began to focus more on the general people of Camelot instead of the few magical people who could have used my help. I essentially gave up on magic in Camelot. Merlin showing up showed me how much I lost of myself."

No one really knows what to say to that.

Leon was born during the purge but has no memories of life through the purge or directly after. He knows his father had conflicted thoughts throughout the purge and after but tried to do what he thought was best. His own experience with magic had forced him to reevaluate his opinion though it wasn't an easy process.

Gwen had only experienced life after the purge and has really only witnessed the bad things in magic, besides her fathers healing which she'd never thought about much due to the other things going on at the time. She'd seen Morgana change and had attributed that to her magic because it was really the only other thing that changed. She could see how foolish the correlation was now but even with her lack of knowledge on what caused the purge she'd still jumped to the conclusion that magic was evil. Probably becasue she grew up hearing horror stories about magic.

Elyan has seen a lot in his travels and come across all kinds of different people, including magical. He never dealt directly with them and primarily tried to stay out of there way in his own dealings, as the feelings and his history growing up in Camelot also gave him a negative view of magic. Not to mention the last few years dealing with Morgana gave him a distinctly negative view of magic. But these past few episodes had showed him a more personal perspective than he ever thought he would see of someone with magic. Gaius' explanation also explained even more about the complexities of life as a magic user.

Gwaine had been outside of Camelot for most of his life and knew already that magic wasn't inherently evil. But he never saw the point in mentioning the good magic in Camelot because it seemed that in no one in Camelot practiced the good kind of magic he saw through his travels. Giaus himself seemed to have all but given up on the idea of good magic in Camelot before Merlin started changing things. He never really knew how the purge came about or what it was like living in Camelot until he ran into Arthur and Merlin in that tavern. But he could see that Gaius and Merlin had a strong bond and hoped that these conversations and realizations helped both of them.

Hunith was proud of Gaius for admitting that he wasn't always right. As much as she respected Gaius and appreciated all that he had done for Merlin over the years she had been concerned to see how much Gaius brushed him off regarding magic. Though she understood Gaius had good intentions and was just trying to keep Merlin safe, It infuriated her to see her boy's good ideas and kind heart be squashed by Gaius' fear and compartmentalization. Her talk with Gaius earlier hadn't been in vain it appears.

Percival had grown up close to magic and had only seen it's good side until he travelled around and then moved to Camelot. He can't imagine how conflicting it must have been for Gaius to to live in Camelot when the purge began and through its after effects.

Though Lancelot would say he knew Merlin the best out of the knights he'd always tried to encourage Merlin and be there for him when he needed it. He hadn't been there much before he eventually moved to Camelot and really got to understand Merlin and Gaius' bond. Still he'd never thought Gaius had been wrong in cautioning Merlin before and it made him think that if these were Gaius' actions after his experience through and after the purge, what must it be like for Merlin and by proxy for Giaus to see Merlin going through similar experiences.

Arthur had always known the purge was a big thing that affected many different people and even though his father is the one who began it, he knows that he also was never the same from what some have told him after Uther's death. He's known Gaius his whole life and never realized how much pain it probably caused him. Gaius must have been so conflicted these past decades. And Arthur never knew.

Most of the group were decades younger than Gaius and hadn't really experienced the Great Purge in person. Though many in the room had scary experiences in Uther's court, they didn't grow up during the purge itself. Many realize they couldn't really understand how that affected Gaius.

"I'm sorry Gaius. We can't really imagine what that must have been like for you. I know I've experienced some horrors in Uther's court but it was only occasionally and I generally felt safe in Camelot," says Gwen.

"I wonder what that would be like," says Merlin with an offhanded laugh. Arthur frowns at that.

"Do you not feel safe in Camelot?" asks Arthur. Merlin turns serious, and Arthur can tell he's considering the thought carefully.

I don't know," says Merlin slowly considering how to explain it.

"I can say for myself that it's hard to feel safe when you know any second that your very existence could mean your death," says Gaius. Merlin nods in agreement. Arthur can't fathom the idea that his home that he cherishes doesn't feel safe for two of the most important people in his life, but he knows it's a painful truth he'll need to reconcile with if he wants to make positive changes for the better.

"It's only now that we've been given this time to stop and watch over everything that I realize how the purge affected me. I knew it made people angry and resentful of Camelot and Uther, but I never thought about how the events changed me. I was forced to shut off an important part of myself to stay in what had become my home, and I feared the consequences of getting caught with magic again. As a result, I began to fear that part of myself. And then I projected that fear onto Merlin as well. I'm sorry my boy for that. We can only guess at the damage I may have done," says Gaius gravely.

"You don't know what you are saying," says Merlin, shaking his head in disbelief. "You didn't do anything wrong. You only wanted to keep me safe, and I was nowhere near careful enough in the beginning. You only did what you thought was right."

"I'm not so sure," says Gaius.

"Gaius, you've been there to see all my mistakes, of which there have been plenty, and what do you always tell me? You say better days are ahead, and I can do better next time. You would say I'm more than one mistake. You need to be as kind to yourself as you are to me," says Merlin.

"I'll try my boy. I can promise I'll try," says Gaius.

"It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading," said Gaius.

"Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!" yelled Merlin.

"A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town," said Gaius.

"Well, you were right about that of course," says Arthur. "We never found her." He points at the screen.

"Well you don't really have to worry about her anymore," says Merlin.

"Let me guess," says Gwaine eagerly, "You found her?"

"Yes," says Merlin plainly. He refocuses on the memory, clearly closing the discussion for now. Gwaine, hoping for a good story, turns to Merlin in disappointment. He is about to ask for more information when the look on Merlin's face stops him. He can wait.

"So what can we do?" Merlin sighed.

"Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all," said Gaius.

"I was mistaken here too. It wasn't science that got us our answers," says Gaius. "If I had left it science alone, we might all be dead." Merlin shakes his head as if to argue, but he can't. Gaius sighs in resignation. Maybe reviewing these memories will help Merlin realize he wasn't the only one who made mistakes.

Nimueh, in her cave, watched the Afanc in her stone basin as a woman drew water from the spout in the Lower Town.

The Lower Town has covered bodies lined up in the courtyard.

"That's so many people," says Hunith.

"Yes, it was one of the worst plagues I can remember," says Arthur.

Arthur entered the Council Chamber, where Uther was waiting.

"We searched everywhere, the entire city," said Arthur.

"Nothing?" asked Uther.

"I don't know where else to look," said Arthur.

"I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell," said Uther.

"Father?" asked Arthur.

"And cordon off the lower town," commanded Uther.

"Why?" asked Arthur.

"Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading," said Uther.

"Did he not care about the people?" asks Hunith, slightly shocked. She knew Uther had a ranking of people in his head, but one of the things she gave him credit for was his aim to protect his people, or at least in the best way he knew how. Seeing him just abandon the lower town shocked her, and she already had a very low opinion of him.

"I think he did, in his way. He was trying for a quarantine, but I obviously didn't agree," says Arthur.

"What about the people who live there?" asked Arthur.

"Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city," said Uther.

Arthur bowed and exited.

"I didn't disagree with him either," says Arthur, frowning.

"You did the best you could in that circumstance, Arthur. You gave your opinion but backed off when warned. He was still the king. There wasn't much else you could do in that case," says Leon.

Arthur nods in thanks but still can't bring himself to agree.

Gaius and Merlin examined another corpse in their chambers.

"What's different about this victim?" asked Gaius.

"Er... she's a woman," said Merlin.

"Sometimes I do wonder whether your magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?" asked Gaius.

"Gaius!" says Hunith. "That's a fair observation if he hadn't seen any sick women yet." She frowns at him.

"Yes, Hunith, but at this point, I'd seen quite a few and assumed Merlin had as well. In fact, he helped me examine several bodies, but I think coincidentally they were all men, and I didn't realize," says Gaius.

"Erm... she's a courtier," said Merlin.

"Ah," said Gaius.

"How does that help us?" asked Merlin.

"Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?" asked Gaius.

"Erm... that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople," said Merlin.

Gaius gave him a pained look.

"Again, Gaius, another fair observation. Especially since we haven't dealt with many plagues in Ealdor, not ones to this scale. I don't know why you must give him that face when that was the point of working him through it. You're helping him scientifically figure it out. You've had years of experience. He'd had what? A month?" asks Hunith.

"Mum, it's fine. We were pressed for time, and I think Gaius had hoped that after examining all those bodies, I'd figure it out like he had. But to be fair, I didn't really examine them closely because they freaked me out, so that was my bad," says Merlin with a shrug of apology.

"Still, I could have been kinder in walking you through it as my point was to teach you and help you learn not make you feel bad," says Gaius.

"Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact," said Gaius encouragingly.

"Oh, and they probably ate different food," said Merlin.

"Good. Anything else?

"Erm... I doubt they breathe the same air," said Merlin.

So what's the only thing they do share?" asked Gaius.

"Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?" asked Merlin.

"Merlin, you're a prodigy," said Gaius.

"You actually kind of are Merlin," says Gaius. "I'll miss that when I get this new assistant. You picked up on the medicine and herbs fairly quickly."

Arthur wondered how they would resolve the assistant issue. It was true that Merlin worked well with Gaius in healing and herb gathering, but he seemed to be doing a lot more pressing things than his other actual job of serving Arthur. And now, apparently, he's been running around protecting Camelot? There was no way Merlin could do it all, not now that they knew everything. But they would need someone Gaius and Merlin could work with easily.

Gaius handed Merlin a bucket. Merlin took it and walked to the Lower Town well.

Gwen tied her cloak as she got ready in her home.

"It's time to get up, Dad. Dad?" asked Gwen.

She turned her Dad over and sees the pale white face and bright blue veins across his face.

"Gwen," said Tom weakly.

"It was so horrible seeing him like that," says Gwen softly. She nestled into Arthur's shoulder, avoiding looking at the visual anymore.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there Gwen," says Elyan sadly.

"It's alright Elyan. You're here now," says Gwen, grabbing and holding Elyan's hand as she turns to face him. "That's what matters." Elyan was grateful Gwen was so forgiving. Just looking at the visual of his father was unpleasant, and he couldn't imagine seeing it in person. Not to mention the fact that seeing him like that came with the knowledge that he was going to die.

It's clear Tom has the plague. Guinevere panicked and ran to the castle crying, passing Merlin at the well.

"Gwen? Gwen!" yelled Merlin.

Merlin grabbed the bucket of water and took off after her.

Elyan was surprised that Merlin was so caring to Gwen, and it made him feel better that she had someone like him there for her when he hadn't been.

Gwen smiles fondly at Merlin, she'd been too distressed back then to notice him following her, but it made her feel loved all the same.

Gwen entered Gaius' Chambers.

"Gwen," said Gaius surprised.

"Gaius," said Gwen crying.

"You have the sickness?" asked Gaius.

Guinevere shook her head in the negative.

"My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have," said Gwen.

"Gwen, I have no cure," said Gaius.

Merlin entered the Chamber.

"I am begging you!" Gwen pleaded.

"I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve," said Gaius.

Gaius took her hand.

"I'm sorry, Gwen," said Gaius.

She ran out of the room as fast as she had run in.

"I feel I must apologize to you, Gwen. I was in such a shock and hurry that I didn't take enough care of my words. I should have been kinder to you. I've had enough experience that I should know how to talk to patients' families," says Gaius.

"Thank you, Gaius. I appreciate that. I do know you were under a lot of stress you were still fairly kind, so I never held it against you," says Gwen.

"There must be something we can do," said Merlin as he walked further into the room, having overheard what Gwen said.

"My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers," said Gaius.

"But that'll be too late for Gwen's father," said Merlin.

"I fear you may be right," said Gaius sadly.

"I wasn't even close to finding out how to cure it. I was starting to determine the cause of contamination," says Gaius.

Gaius put some of the water in a jar and placed a flower in it. Merlin went to his room. Gaius gave him a look before returning to watch the flower.

Merlin got out of bed and checked on a snoring Gaius. He grabbed his magic book. He sat down on his bed and started going through the book.

"I should have known," says Gaius, shaking his head.

Merlin snuck out of the Castle and walked towards Gwen's House in the Lower Town. The guards were patrolling. Merlin turned a corner and saw guards coming his way. He quickly pushed himself flush against a house and hid behind some boxes as the guards got closer.

"What about over...in there?" said one guard pointing.

"Certainly, sir," replied the other guard.

The guards poked haystacks with pitchforks as they checked for the sorcerer. A guard approached Merlin's hiding spot.

"Onstyrian, onbregdan," Merlin whispered.

"What does that mean Merlin?" asks Lancelot.

"Oh this one's pretty simple I'm just asking the door to move," says Merlin.

A door across the street creaked open. One guard who approached Merlin's position turned toward the sound and walked toward the open door cautiously. The door suddenly swung out and it hit the guard in the face, knocking him down to the ground.

"That's just embarrassing," says Leon. Arthur shakes his head.

"Merlin, you didn't have to knock him out!" says Arthur.

"How else was I going to get past?" Merlin shrugs unapologetically. Arthur rolls his eyes.

Merlin took off to Guinevere's house and saw through the window that Guinevere and Tom were sleeping. Merlin quietly entered the house and put a poultice under Tom's pillow.

"þu fornimst adl fram guman," Merlin whispered.

The air around Tom's glowed gold. Merlin quickly left the house and watched them outside the door. Tom woke up and touched Guinevere's head, which was resting on his bedside.

"In case anyone was curious I basically asking the poultice to help overcome the sickness in Tom," says Merlin.

"Thank you, Merlin," says Gwen. She beams at him.

"No problem. I'm happy I could help. I mean I'm still terribly sorry I nearly got you killed but at least I could cure him," says Merlin.

"Father?" asked Guinevere.

"Gwen," said Tom.

"What's happened? I can't believe it!" said Guinevere happily.

"He looked so much better even in the dark. The pale skin and blue veins had already faded," says Gwen. She shudders at the memory of the sickness. Elyan hugs her close. "I was just so happy he was talking."

Merlin smiled and then left to go back to his Chambers.

Gwen hugged her father.

Back in the cave, Nimueh continued to watch through her stone basin as more covered bodies were laid out in the Square.

"I know she was in pain, but this was just cruel," says Merlin, crossing his arms with another glare at Nimueh. He knows she is dead by his own hand, but he will never forget what she put him through. He knows she was lashing out at Camelot for everything done to her and others with magic, and he understands that, but she killed so many innocent people through this plague alone.

Arthur looks over in question, but Merlin, not even looking at Arthur, waves his hand in a you'll see gesture.

In the council chambers, Arthur reached for the glass vial with the tainted water and flower in it.

"Don't touch it. I had this in the water for no more than a few hours," said Gaius.

"Where's the water from?" asked Uther.

"The pump from where the people take their daily supply," said Gaius.

"We may have to stop the people from using it," said Arthur.

"The city cannot survive without water," said Gaius.

"We have to find this sorcerer!" said Uther.

"I don't believe that they're inside Camelot," said Arthur.

"Seems I was right she was never even close to the city," says Arthur.

"Yeah, I'm so surprised Uther didn't listen," says Merlin, rolling his eyes.

"Then extend the search to the villages!" yelled Uther.

"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom," said Arthur.

"And I can't stand by and watch our people dying," said Uther.

"Oh, so he did care a little bit," says Hunith.

"He did care about his people in his own way. He obviously didn't want townspeople to get hurt…" Leons says but tapers off.

Arthur continues the explanation, "It's more that he thought the only way he could protect the people was by eliminating magic and maintaining his strength and power. He felt that was the best way to keep people safe. He was wrong, of course, but that's how he saw things."

Hunith nodded. It was true she saw very little good in Uther, but she always tried to understand different perspectives, even if that person was wrong.

Arthur nodded and exited.

Merlin approached the door of Morgana's Chambers. Gwen hummed as she gathered Morgana's clothes. Merlin poked his head in the door as Gwen turned around.

"How's your father? Is he feeling better?" asked Merlin.

"Yeah, it's incredible. It's a miracle," said Gwen.

"His skin's clear, back to normal?" asked Merlin.

"Yes," answered Gwen.

"Great!" said Merlin happily.

"I wanted to make sure that he was okay; there was no telling if it would revert since I'd never tried to do a spell like that before; I'd never even used a poultice before," says Merlin.

"You don't seem surprised," said Gwen.

"No, no, I am. It's a miracle," said Merlin quickly.

"Yes, because that was believable. No way anyone will be suspicious of you there Merlin," says Gwaine laughing.

"Hey, I did my best, okay? And it was Gwen!" says Merlin. "She's the most perceptive besides me and Gaius. I couldn't help it."

Gwen smiles at this. She has never really considered herself perceptive, but she always felt she had decent instincts.

Arthur wondered if that was what had drawn him to Gwen. Before his Knights came to Camelot, it had been tough for him to let his guard down and be who he wanted to be. But he remembers those early days with Gwen when she would call for him to do the right thing that she seemed to know he wanted to do. He never even had to say a word sometimes, she just knew. She'd always seen and trusted the man he was inside.

"But how did you know he was well?" asked Gwen curiously as Merlin accidentally fully entered Morgana's Chambers and the door shut behind him. Merlin glanced at the door in slight betrayal, as he was now stuck answering questions, then turned back to face Gwen.

"Er... because you're smiling," said Merlin.

"That was good or at least better," says Gwaine.

"That's really weird because I haven't told anyone, but you know. How could you know?" asked Gwen.

"But apparently not good enough. In case people don't say this enough, you're a genius, Gwen," says Percival.

"I've always thought so," says Merlin. "She could always give good advice."

"You guys are so sweet," says Gwen fondly. She's glad she was being recognized for something like this. It's not often that a woman is recognized for wisdom or perceptiveness and she was grateful she was around people who did recognize that. She tried her best to understand people and build solid relationships with the people around her. Looking around at those in the room, she knows she has.

"Yeah. Alright. You finally found out, I'll tell you," said Merlin. He swallowed loudly, "I'm psychic."

"No, you're not," said Gwen as she giggled.

"I just thought he was being funny," says Gwen. I did consider the thought that you might be psychic for like a week after this, though." Gwen smiles at the memory.

"I was just being funny. But I was also covering my ass," laughs Merlin.

"It's true," said Merlin.

"Alright, what am I thinking?" asked Gwen.

"That I'm not psychic," said Merlin.

"You're strange. I... I don't mean that in a nasty way. You're just funny. I like that," said Gwen laughing.

"Erm, er, I'm pleased for you," said Merlin.

"Thank you," said Gwen.

"What for?" asked Merlin.

"For saving our father's life, Merlin, thank you since I didn't get a chance to at the time," says Elyan.

"I said it then, and I'll say it again, thank you," says Gwen.

"Of course," says Merlin.

"Don't know, just for asking," said Gwen.

"I didn't like to see you upset. I have to...get on," said Merlin pointing towards the door.

"I hated seeing you so upset. I just kept thinking about how I would feel if I lost my mother," says Merlin looking at Hunith in worry.

"It's not something I would wish on anyone," says Arthur sadly.

"No it's not," agrees Merlin. Arthur gives him a funny look because as far as he knew Merlin never met his father. However, he could sense something different in his demeanor and tone. Gwaine glances at Merlin and sees the deep sadness below his almost neutral face. If Gwaine hadn't known that Merlin met his father just briefly before he died, he isn't sure he would be able to see it. He wondered if that would be one of the stories they saw soon.

He waved awkwardly. She waved back. Merlin left the room. Guinevere smiled.

Townspeople had gathered and were watching Tom back at work at his forge in the lower town. Arthur approached Tom with guards with a shocked face.

"The story is you were sick," said Arthur curiously.

"Not any more," said Tom.

"Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?" asked Arthur.

"Oh, you're joking. I felt like death itself, not enough strength in me to stir the air," said Tom.

"Then... what happened?" asked Arthur.

"Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before," said Tom.

"I wonder why that would be?" asks Merlin curiously.

"I don't remember him having any serious illness before," says Gwen, looking at Gaius.

"Nor can I.." says Elyan confused. At least nothing he read about in the letters or that Gwen had told him about later.

"He was actually diagnosed with something we call a blacksmith black lung," says Gaius. "We aren't sure exactly why, but many blacksmiths develop lung issues as they age, and the longer they are in their craft, the worse the symptoms. I believe it is caused by a buildup of the gases and residue in the lungs. Merlin, with his magic as strong as it is, must have healed that as well with his poultice," says Gaius. Merlin looks surprised at this new information.

"Why did he never tell us?" asks Gwen sadly.

"He didn't want to worry you, and honestly, at this point, there isn't much we can do except recommend more ventilation and fresh air. He had a fairly mild case at the time as well," says Gaius.

Elyan wonders if he had stayed working in the forge if he would have developed that issue after a time. He still occasionally works in the forge and decides he will make sure to do as Gaius suggests.

"That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?" asked Arthur.

"Just my daughter, Gwen," said Tom.

"Dad always was way too honest," says Elyan with a shake of his head.

"He could've said no one, and we wouldn't have known where to look next," says Arthur. How he wishes Tom had said anything else, but he knows that this is also his guilt talking. Arthur should've tried to steer the investigation better or even talked to Gwen privately before bringing her to his Father. He'd not felt right about Gwen's arrest from the beginning, and maybe if he'd been more proactive, things wouldn't have been so tense.

"I believe he didn't even think you would consider he'd been cured magically since he didn't consider that either," says Gwen.

Arthur and the guards left Tom who went back to work. Arthur and the guards approached Guinevere and Tom's house and began searching it. A guard pulled out the glowing poultice from under Tom's pillow.

"I really was an idiot back then," says Merlin. "All I had to do was go back for the poultice after you left for the day, and there would have been no evidence. I should never have left it there once it had completed the healing, which should have been completed overnight."

"We all make mistakes, Merlin, and additionally, you had no experience with this kind of magic; you wanted to make sure it held," says Gaius sensibly.

"Still," says Merlin shaking his head at his past self.

"Merlin, I told you I don't blame you; I promise. Everything worked out okay," says Gwen firmly.

Merlin gives her a look and nods, but Gwen knows this isn't over yet. Merlin carries a lot of blame, and she realizes he has been there for a while, but now he's letting them see it. Gwen wonders if this is part of Merlin's promise of honesty or if he can't help himself comment on his past. Either way, she feels comfort in the fact that Merlin is opening up about his thoughts and feelings.

Gwen hummed as she carried a vase full of flowers in Morgana's Chambers. Arthur and the guards entered quickly.

"Seize her," said Arthur pointing at Gwen.

"No," said Gwen in denial. The guards grabbed her and she dropped the vase full of flowers.

"I was a bit terrified," says Gwen. "I had no idea what was happening."

"I am sorry that we scared you. I should've known you had nothing to do with the plague. You were always so kind to everyone," says Arthur. He wants to shout at his past self but barely refrains. He'd known Gwen in the periphery for years, and she'd always been kind. He'd known that Morgana and her shared a close bond, and they both genuinely cared about each other. Hell, he even witnessed her taking her food to people she'd known needed it.

"Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot, that you did practice enchantments," said Arthur.

Morgana entered her chambers in a rush.

"Gwen?" asked Morgana.

"But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!" pleaded Guinevere.

Elyan is visibly upset at his sister's plight. But he reminds himself that this is in the past, and there isn't anything he can do about it now. He had not known how much had happened to her during his time away. He knows she has grown up in the years he's been away, but he hadn't known that she has been in such dire situations.

"What are you doing?" asked Morgana.

"I found a magic poultice in her house," said Arthur.

"Oh, that's ridiculous," said Morgana.

"It's still a surprise to see how quickly she defended you," says Percival. "Every time Morgana comes up, it is hard to reconcile the person she once was with the person she is now."

Gwaine can't help but agree.

"Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?" asked Arthur.

"Well, she's innocent! I know she's innocent," said Morgana earnestly.

"She just knew," says Gwen. "She would always yell and scream at any injustice where she could."

"She didn't even have any proof either way," says Elyan. Elyan is continually surprised by the closeness between Morgana and his sister. Gwen didn't talk about Morgana these days, especially not about their shared past. He wonders how the change in Morgana came about and how Gwen dealt with it.

"Why would she need any?" says Merlin. "This was Gwen we are talking about."

What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye!" stated Arthur.

"I seem to have done that either way," says Arthur.

"What do you mean sire?" asks Leon confused.

"Even these first few memories have shown just how much I've missed in Camelot. How blind I've been. Not just to Merlin's shenanigans but to my father as well. I should've known that he wasn't the man I thought he was. I've been blind to so many things and often at other's expense," says Arthur with a squeeze of Gwen's hand.

"But Arthur that's not solely your fault. He raised you since you were a child, and so, of course, you would follow his lead when it came to it. And remember, you weren't even crown prince yet; you couldn't go against him any more than you did. And just because other people, me mainly, kept stuff from you doesn't mean you were turning a blind eye. I am sorry, though, because there is going to be more of my shenanigans, as you so put it, that you don't know about coming up. Please don't take it personally," says Merlin.

"Not to mention, in this case, Arthur, there really was an evil witch who caused a horrible plague at large; you owed it to the people to investigate properly," says Leon.

"We will just make sure we do better in the future," says Percival.

"Yes, we will," agrees Gwen. She looks over to Arthur, who is still lost in thought. He is still blaming himself for her imprisonment, but she knows they will do better together.

Arthur exited and Morgana scoffed at his back.

Arthur and the guards dragged Gwen down the Upper Corridor and down the hall.

"No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!" pleaded Guinevere.

Arthur winces. He readjusts his hand in Gwen's. He knows she doesn't want to hear more apologies from him, so he says nothing, but the guilt lingers.

Guinevere turned her head as Merlin and Gaius approached her.

"Merlin! Merlin, please help me!" she begged him. Merlin ran toward her as she was being dragged away.

"Why won't you listen to me?!" Gwen asked the guards.

Gaius grabbed Merlin's arm and forcibly pulled him down the hall in the opposite direction of Gwen.

"Gaius, why didn't you let Merlin help her?" asks Gwaine, confused. Surely, just going to help Gwen wouldn't have been too bad.

"Gwen had been accused of sorcery. If Merlin had gone with them to argue her case, he might have been accused of being an accomplice. And since he actually had magic, they could have found proof that he practiced," explains Gaius.

"I see," says Gwaine.

"Still, I am sorry, Gwen, I've been on that side of the guards, and I can imagine how scared you must have been," says Gaius.

"Yes, it was all a bit scary. I've never been on the wrong side of the guards before. But I understand why you did what you did, and I made it out safe, and that's what really matters," says Gwen warmly.

Arthur frowns. He could feel Merlin's anguish and desperation to help Gwen through the necklace. He wondered if it was making his own guilt worse, but he knew he had his fair share of guilt in this situation. He doesn't even want to think about what his life would be like if he'd never gotten to know Gwen as he does now. She'd seen the real him more than anyone had besides Merlin and wasn't afraid to challenge him when needed, where sometimes even Merlin wouldn't. He thinks back and realizes that Gwen was nearly executed multiple times over the years. During this instance, his father sentenced her to die because of their relationship and Arthur's refusal to abandon it. Hell, Arthur himself could have sentenced her to death according to the laws of Camelot for what happened with Lancelot, and that also would have been a grave mistake even if it had been her choice to betray him. It wouldn't have felt right.

"Please listen to me!" pleaded Guinevere.

Merlin and Gaius entered their chambers and Gaius slammed the door behind them.

"What have you done?!" Gaius demanded.

"What?" asked Merlin.

"I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good," said Gaius.

"He was Gaius," says Hunith sternly. She didn't appreciate the way Gaius was explaining the situation to Merlin. As his mother, she knows that he has a really good heart. He always was a kind child, waddling around the village and talking to anyone and everyone, especially those who didn't appear to have anyone. It got harder for him as he grew older and the village's suspicions about Merlin grew, but he always tried. It worries her to see the changes in him that she's noticed whenever he comes to visit and here in this space. She can tell, however much he tries to hide it around her, that his time in Camelot has fundamentally hardened him. He is no longer the sweet and trusting boy she'd known. She knows that his good and kind heart is there but worries about the damage that's been done to it and why he would have to hide it. She worries that Merlin no longer believes it's there. And she wonders and is scared to find out why.

"I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him," said Merlin.

"Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?" asked Gaius.

"Well then, all I have to do is... I'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic," said Merlin.

"That's not a bad plan is it? It might take a lot, and he'd have to be careful, but he could do it, and Gwen would be off the hook.." says Hunith

"Merlin wouldn't have been able to cure everyone, and once we'd found the poultice, it was too late to deny it was by magic," says Arthur. "My father was still abundantly cautious and worried that there was someone else to help her and increased guard presence in town. There was no way Merlin could have found and cured everyone without getting caught."

"It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!" yelled Gaius.

"But she didn't!" yelled Merlin.

Merlin turned back to the door of their chambers in a rush.

"Oh, and how are you going to prove that?!" Gaius demanded.

"Gaius can I talk to you?" asks Hunith. She stands up and gestures to the corner of the room. Gaius nods and then stands up to follow. Merlin looks at both of them concerned but doesn't do anything. Nobody could hear but they could see Hunith whispering furiously.

"Gaius I sent Merlin to you so you could help him understand and find a purpose for his gifts. I didn't want you to discourage him or make him feel like his gifts couldn't be used. Did it ever occur to you that you had the best shot at keeping him safe and allowing him to learn magic safely? You know Camelot and Uther better than anyone you could have protected him best," says Hunith.

"That's doesn't mean I have immunity!" says Gaius. "You saw how Uther questioned me I could barely keep myself safe over the years."

"But you already were protecting him! However your lack of support could have gotten him in more trouble. Even in this past episode if you had helped Merlin it wouldn't have turned out such a mess. Do you even understand how much he's changed over these past few years?" asks Hunith harshly.

"I'm sorry Hunith. I was scared for him. I know I should have done more to help him but at the time it seemed like all I could do." Gaius says as he considers how much Merlin has become more like him and maybe not in the best ways.

Hunith takes a deep breath. "And I know you've done a lot for him. I know you've kept him safe this whole time and I can't put into words just how much that means. But I'm worried about the damage you might have done to him."

She squeezes her eyes shut, "Talk to him. And apologize for being too harsh. You owe him that at least."

"I'll talk to him I promise. I only want what's best for him," says Gaius as he nods. They both go back to thier seats near Merlin. Merlin looks at the two of them in confusion.

"Mum I hope you don't blame Gaius. I needed this lesson and needed it quick. If I was going to survive in Camelot, I needed to learn the consequences of my actions. I had to feel the responsibility and guilt to learn how to help properly in Camelot," says Merlin. He knows what Gaius said was harsh but after Gwen nearly got killed because of him, he needed to understand and feel that pressure, so he knew how to help better in the future. "I couldn't do any good if I was dead or worse got others, namely my friends, killed trying to save others." He finishes in a matter-of-fact tone.

Gaius frowns. Yes, he'd needed Merlin to understand the consequences of his actions. But seeing it back like this, it was clear he'd been a bit hard on a boy who just wanted to help.

Arthur didn't like what he was seeing. Here was a kind a good soul who wanted to cure someone of a terrible sickness that led to death, and the laws of the land forbid it. Merlin and Gauis' fear wasn't something he was expecting nor for it to manifest the way it was. Merlin shouldn't have had to bear such a burden and the consequences that followed from trying to spare lives.

"Sorry everyone I needed a quick word with Gaius,' says Hunith. The group decides not to comment on the obviously heated discussion for now.

Merlin stopped momentarily to think, then left the chambers.

"Oh, I know that stance. That's the same stance you had during that horrible winter when the village elders were planning on unequally sharing the harvest and giving more to certain people and less to others, not even based on need. Merlin got so furious he accidentally made the harvest double as it was collected. I'm not sure how no one noticed, but maybe they just thought it looked like it was less than it was. He's about to do something reckless," says Hunith shaking her head.

"Of course he did that. And of course he's about to do something reckless, it's Merlin," says Gwaine with a smirk.

Arthur entered the Council Chambers and the guards dragged Gwen in behind him. Merlin was stationed behind a pillar as he listened to the court proceedings.

"I don't believe you were supposed to be there, Merlin," says Leon pointedly.

"Er no but to be honest it's really easy to sneak in the throne room if you time it right," says Merlin.

"Are you serious?" says Leon. This was news to him and after glancing at Arthur, he assumes it was news to him too.

"Just how easy?" asks Arthur.

"You just have to be careful and watch for when the guards stationed in the corridors swap there is an alcove right outside the throne room just in front of the door where you can hide and it's quite easy to sneak in with bigger groups," says Merlin.

"Well that needs to change," says Arthur. Leon makes a note of it on his parchment.

"Please listen to me I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!" yelled Guinevere.

The guards dropped her on the floor of the chambers.

"Well done," Uther said to Arthur.

"I wouldn't call that well done I didn't even find the real culprit and worse nearly got Gwen killed," says Arthur holding Gwen close as if to protect her from the scene.

Elyan, also wanting to make sure Gwen was okay, was holding her hand steady while glaring at Uther in the memory.

"Why will no one believe me?! He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!" pleaded Guinevere to the court.

Morgana entered the Council Chambers.

"I believe you. Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally," said Morgana.

"Morgana had a good point but I think it was too late. No one else had survived. But another good point would be if Gwen had created the sickness could she not have made her and her father immune? Or she would have just known how to avoid the sickness in the first place since she would have known what was causing it?" says Merlin.

"Yes, except Uther's an idiot when it comes to magic isn't he? So little things like logic don't matter," says Gwaine with an eyebrow at Arthur in challenge.

Athur didn't have the energy to disagree even half-heartedly. Not that he thought he should, but it was something he would have done before they started reviewing the past.

"And what of this poultice that was found?" asked Uther.

"What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice," said Gwen.

"It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion," commanded Uther.

"I can't!" yelled Guinevere.

"I will show you no mercy," said Uther.

"I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!" yelled Guinevere pleadingly.

"I was so scared. I never thought I'd be accused of sorcery, never mind this horrid sickness," says Gwen with a shake of her head.

"If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty...," said Uther.

"But I told you, I..," said Gwen.

"It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death," said Uther.

"No," said Gwen in denial.

"I'd never been on the wrong side of the King before it was terrifying," says Gwen.

"I'm so sorry,' says Arthur.

"Oh Arthur, it's no one's fault but Uther's. I'm saying this to you too, Merlin," says Gwen knowingly.

Merlin couldn't help but feel guilty regardless of Gwen's assurances. If he had done things differently, Gwen wouldn't have been arrested or nearly executed.

"I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you," said Uther.

"No! No!" yelled Guinevere.

"Take her away," commanded Uther.

The guards forcibly dragged Guinevere backwards out of the room.

"Please, no! I'm innocent! Please, please, no! Please help me! Please, I beg you! No!" yelled Guinevere.

Elyan and Arthur look pained at her cries. Arthur apologizes again.

The Courtiers left the Council Chambers. Merlin left looking angry and regretful. Morgana watched Guinevere get dragged off, then turned to Uther.

"I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress," said Morgana.

Arthur is quiet but looked thoughtful.

"Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye," said Uther.

"The only credit I'll give Uther is that he sort of has a point here. Sorcerers can be anyone, and they don't have a specific look. At the same time, he's an idiot if he thinks all sorcerers can hide intent like that. I swear after a while I could just tell when someone was evil or wanted to harm Camelot or Arthur. There is definitely a sense," says Merlin.

Arthur didn't know what to think about that. He'd trusted people who shouldn't have been trusted and hadn't known any better until he saw them betray him. Merlin had, though. He distinctly remembers Merlin yelling at him about Agravaine and being colder to Morgana towards the end of her time in Camelot.

"I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, 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!" yelled Morgana angrily.

"Merlin?" says Arthur with a question in his eyes. "Why do you do all those things if you could just…not?"

"Well, I won't lie. I do often use my magic to do my chores," says Merlin thoughtfully.

"I've told him not to so many times, but he never listens," says Gaius exasperated.

"I tried to tell him too, but at least it was in the safety of our homes most of the time. He did fell a tree with magic, but I mainly blame Will for that one," says Hunith with the same exasperated tone.

"To be fair, at least in Camelot, I don't have time to do my chores the long way! I have to snoop, research, sneak, and then find and deal with threats against Arthur and everyone else in Camelot! I also help Gaius when he needs me to do deliveries and get supplies in the forest," says Merlin.

"That does seem like a lot," says Percival. He remembers seeing Merlin always moving and doing something in the Castle. He never seems to sit still.

Gwen, as she used to be Morgana's maid, understood more than anyone there how much responsibility it was to serve royalty. Morgana was even easier than Arthur, though, as she didn't have to go to as many meetings and hardly was allowed to wear amour. And she remembers the number of times Merlin helped her regardless. Mostly with getting her water and firewood for Morgana, which she now realizes would probably be really easy for him if he used magic to help.

Arthur didn't realize how much Merlin had to do until now. It now made sense why Merlin was always late and forgetting certain things. He writes down on his parchment to figure out Merlin's actual necessary duties. He isn't quite sure how things would change, yet he isn't sure he would want a completely new manservant, but he also doesn't know what position Merlin would have when they got back. He'd need to talk to Merlin before any decisions as well. He isn't sure he's ready for a magical position, but the laws would also need to be repealed before Merlin could start to do magic openly, which is a whole can of worms.

"I know you probably get tired of us saying this but it is so strange to see Morgana on the side of good. She's going to war for Gwen against Uther," says Percival shaking his head.

"She was really the only one who could," says Arthur. 'And it didn't always turn out well for her."

"You have no right!" yelled Uther.

"You have no right to cast a judgement on that girl!" yelled Morgana.

"I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this" yelled Uther.

"But you're sentencing the wrong person!" yelled Morgana.

"She's right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen," said Arthur.

"I didn't know you spoke up. Morgana never said," says Gwen surprised.

"I felt like I had to do something. You'd been at Morgana's side for years and I knew she cared for you and you for her. You'd always been the epitome of kindness. I couldn't see you causing the illness. Also, the fact that magic was used for healing added to the doubts I was having at the time about his beliefs about magic," says Arthur.

"You saw it for yourself. She used enchantments," said Uther.

"Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. One's the act of, of kindness, of love, the other of evil. I don't believe evil's in this girl's heart," said Arthur.

Gwen kisses Arthur on the cheek. He smiles at her.

"I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish," said Uther.

"I understand that," said Arthur though he didn't finish the sentence.

Arthur frowns. "I honestly didn't understand but obviously I didn't know what to say or how to say it. I wanted to say I understand that he has to take precautions, but it shouldn't be at the expense of innocent people."

"One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom," said Uther.

"I know. Witchcraft is an evil, father. 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," said Arthur.

"I don't think it's an evil now," says Arthur quietly. Merlin smiles at him and it's all the proof he really needs.

"Wise words Arthur," says Gaius with a proud smile on his face. He's proud of Arthur for trying to convince his father to do what was right, especially since it was hard for him to do at the time.

"Unfortunately, Father didn't heed them. And I just made it worse," says Arthur.

"I fear you're right. She's played with fire, and sadly she must die by fire," said Uther.

Merlin winces. As someone with magic, the pyre was one of his biggest fears. After Uther died, it lessened somewhat as he didn't think Arthur would do that to him, but it was still ingrained in him.

Morgana left the Council Chambers in a huff. Arthur paced the Council Chambers.

Merlin and Gaius were sitting in their chambers.

"I thought I was doing good and that curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple," said Merlin.

"It should have been simple," says Leon with a shake of his head. As a knight of Camelot, he had a duty to try to save and protect those in Camelot. It saddened him that Merlin could have saved so many lives if he had been allowed to use magic.

"Leon's right," says Arthur. "As King, it's supposed to be our duty to protect and care for the people. Letting them die when we could have saved them isn't doing our duty." He wouldn't let something like this happen again. Arthur couldn't bear the amount of guilt Merlin was feeling at Gwen's plight. It was adding to his own and making it worse. He couldn't take the necklace off though, he needed to know.

"An easy solution is like a light in a storm, Merlin. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbour," said Gaius.

"A fair point Gaius but he was just trying to help," says Gwaine with a look at Gaius.

"Still, it was a lesson I needed in Camelot," says Merlin, slightly chiding Gwaine.

"I can see that now," said Merlin.

"How many times have I warned you about the responsibilities of being a warlock?" asked Gaius.

"I must see her," said Merlin.

He got up and left the chambers.

Merlin walked down the stairs to the dungeon. He passed a crying Morgana on the Wrought Iron Stairway.

"Oh, Morgana," says Gwen with sorrow. It was sometimes hard to remember the good days, and seeing these memories brought back memories she had tried to bury when Morgana betrayed them. She wished she could have helped her somehow and that they could still be as close as they used to be, but she knew that there was nothing she could do at least in their current time.

"Gwen," said Merlin when he finally reached her cell.

Guinevere tried to get to the cell door, but her chains won't stretch that far. It's clear she'd been crying.

"Thank you," said Gwen.

"What for?" asked Merlin.

"For coming to see me," said Gwen.

"I'm sorry," said Merlin.

"It's not your fault," said Gwen.

Merlin opens his mouth, but Gwen shoots him a look and says," I already told you it's not your fault. I would rather be in jail, afraid for my life, than have had my father die before his time. I think it's a fair trade-off."

Merlin seems reluctant to accept but eventually nods his head. Gwen knows that he hasn't fully forgiven himself but hopes she can help him lessen the blame he feels for this situation.

"Well...," said Merlin.

"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," said Gwen.

Elyan smiles in a strained sort of way, given the situation, but the familiar rambling is comforting.

"Oh, Gwen. I can't have this happen," said Merlin.

"Please, one thing. You, you don't have to, but…," said Gwen.

"What?" asked Merlin.

"Remember me," said Gwen.

"Like any of us could ever forget you," says Lancelot with a small smile. Everyone nods in agreement. Gwen again remembers the lonely days before Merlin came to Camelot. She never imagined she'd have her brother back and this group of friends who have become family. Not to mention the love of her life, Arthur.

"You're such a sweet girl, Gwen," says Hunith, "and so strong." Here, Gwen was sentenced to die, and yes, she was crying, but she was strong enough to hold it together and only wanted to be remembered. Hunith doesn't know if she'd react the same under such circumstances.

Gwen felt even more comforted by Hunith's words. Ever since her and Elyan's Mum died when she was very little, she'd lacked a mother figure. It was one of the things she and Arthur understood about each other in a way no one else could. It was nice to have an older woman around who understood things the boys couldn't, and getting her approval meant the world.

She got up and hugged Hunith, shocking the woman slightly but not for long before she returned it. Gwen sat back down beside Arthur. She didn't notice Merlin's ecstatic smile.

Merlin loves having his mother around, though he worries about her reaction to the memories; a small part of him, for some reason, had feared how the part of his life in Ealdor, mainly his mother, would fit in with his life in Camelot. Of course, he didn't need to worry.

Uther was consulting with his advisors in the Council Chamber.

"What if burning this witch doesn't stop the poison? How do I protect my people? My men have already closed down the water pumps," questioned Uther.

"But the emergency supply won't last for much longer. We have to find a way of cleansing the water of the disease," said Gaius.

"But how?" asked Uther.

"Well...," said Gaius.

The council doors burst open, and Merlin rushed in.

"Here it is," says Gwaine.

"It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!" Merlin exclaimed.

The Council members only sit in the chairs and stared back at him in silence.

"Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!" yelled Merlin as if it needed clarifying.

"MERLIN AMBROSIUS!" shouts Hunith her eyes wide. "Tell me you did not tell the entire court of Camelot, including Uther, that you are a sorcerer,"

"Sorry Mum, I can't say that. But don't worry, everything turned out fine," says Merlin, trying to comfort his mother.

"You had to say it twice," says Arthur in exasperation.

"I wasn't sure they heard me the first time," says Merlin shrugging.

Hunith huffs a bit but calms down. Her son is alive and healthy right now.

Gaius stood up to address Merlin.

"Merlin! Are you mad?" asked Gaius.

"I cannot let her die for me," Merlin replied.

"Oh, Merlin," says Gwen sadly.

Merlin turned to face Uther, "I place myself at your mercy."

"What was your plan here, Merlin?" asks Leon. He knows Merlin did it to save Gwen, but it seemed inadvisable.

"Well, I was kind of hoping if I promised to heal everyone and solve the problem, he would let me live," says Merlin with a shrug. "I don't know what would have happened, I guess, since it didn't really go to plan."

"It doesn't really seem like you had a plan, Merlin," says Arthur. "You're lucky I helped."

"I don't know about helped," mumbles Merlin.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," said Gaius.

"I do," said Merlin.

"Then arrest him," commanded Uther.

"Father, please! I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer," claimed Arthur.

"Oh, really no way at all?" says Gwaine with a smirk.

Merlin laughs after a glance at Arthur.

Arthur flushes.

"Did you not hear him?" asked Uther.

"Yes," said Arthur.

"He admitted it," said Uther.

"He saved my life, remember," said Arthur after a beat.

"More than once at this point," says Merlin with a smile at Arthur. Arthur rolls his eyes.

"Why should he fabricate such a story?" asked Uther.

"As Gaius said, he's got a... grave mental disease," said Arthur.

"Really?" asked Uther.

"And here starts Uther's unshakable faith that I was a complete dunderhead," says Merlin. "At least it was useful in getting me out of situations in the future."

"So, what you are saying is thank you?" says Arthur.

"Sure, Arthur, that's definitely what I was saying," says Merlin.

"He's in love," stated Arthur.

"What?" asked Merlin.

"With Gwen," said Arthur.

Gwen clapped a hand to her mouth to cover her smile and laugh. None of the lords talked to her, and certainly, neither Merlin, Arthur, nor Gaius had ever told her what happened. She hadn't even known Merlin tried to take her place.

Elyan glances suspiciously at Merlin until Gwen notices, nudges him, and shakes her head.

Gwaine's jaw drops. Then he bursts out laughing. "Mate, how do you find yourself in these situations?"

"It just happens," says Merlin, shrugging in good humor.

Uther grinned at the statement processed in the silence.

"I am not," said Merlin quickly.

Percival shakes his head with a smile, "That's not going to help your case. It just looks like denial now."

"I know that now," says Merlin with a huff.

"Yes, you are," said Arthur.

"No way," responded Merlin.

"I saw you yesterday with that flower she'd given you," said Arthur.

"Yes, because the only way a man could like a flower is because a girl he fancied gave it to him," says Merlin, rolling his eyes.

"Pfft Shsh, I'm not in love with her," said Merlin.

Arthur walked over to Merlin and put his arm around Merlin.

"It's alright. You can admit it," said Arthur.

"I don't even think of her like that!" yelled Merlin.

"Never really?" says Arthur. He'd thought Merlin might have liked Gwen early on, but he is also certain Merlin had liked Morgana at some point. He'd always been a bit curious about Merlin's love life since Merlin never mentioned anyone.

"I think I thought I liked her…" Merlin starts with a glance at Gwen. He'd promised Arthur honesty. She nods in agreement. "But I confused my brotherly feelings for romantic ones."

"It was the same for me. I thought I liked Merlin for a while when he first came to Camelot, but we were always meant to be more like brother and sister," says Gwen.

Arthur feels an unexpected surge of relief at that. It'd been a worry in the back of his mind that he might've hurt Merlin by him and Gwen falling in love. Though Merlin has always been extremely supportive of their relationship it was an unanswered question he's always had regarding Merlin's early days in Camelot. He had already hurt Lancelot, he knew, and even though they were past it, he felt relieved that he hadn't hurt Merlin the same way.

"Perhaps she cast a spell on you," said Uther quietly.

Arthur looked up towards his father worriedly. Uther snickered. Other council members snickered as well and Arthur smiled in relief.

"Thank God he was in a good mood and found it funny," says Arthur.

"Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer," said Arthur as he stared Merlin down.

"What's with the look you gave him?" asks Percival curiously.

"I was warning him to let me handle it," says Arthur.

"A warning I actually took this time," says Merlin.

"Don't waste my time again. Let him go," said Uther. Merlin awkwardly turned around and left the Council Chambers. Gaius stood up and bowed, then followed Merlin out.

"You might be the only person to admit to magic openly and get away with it," says Arthur in disbelief.

"I mean you helped," says Merlin with a shrug.

Arthur lets out an exasperated huff.

Merlin entered Gaius' chambers and started ranting about the situation.

"Arthur's the idiot," said Merlin.

"You're lucky I'm going to let this slide this time," says Arthur.

"No. He was right to do what he did. And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity," said Gaius.

"What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die," said Merlin.

"But it wasn't your fault, Merlin. It was Uther's. Arthur, I want you to remember that too," says Gwen.

Arthur wasn't as surprised this time by the wave of guilt and desperation he felt both from himself at the situation and from Merlin in the memory. He wishes he could have been there for Merlin earlier in this situation, but he knows they can't change it now.

"Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!" yelled Gaius.

"Thank you for talking sense into him Gaius," says Hunith. She was never one to hold grudges or stay angry easily.

"I try," says Gaius tiredly.

"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it," said Merlin.

"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot," said Gaius.

"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat," said Merlin sarcastically.

"I may have a new idea for your servant's outfit," says Arthur with a grin.

"Forget I said anything," says Merlin.

"I don't think you'll find one big enough. Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water," said Gaius.

Gaius threw a water pouch and Merlin and then they both head out of the Chambers.

Gaius and Merlin walked to the underground entrance to the water supply. Gaius unlocked the water supply door with a key. Merlin lit the torch in his hand from the nearby fire.

Nimueh, still in the cave, watched Merlin and Gaius through her stone basin. She followed their progress as they approached the water supply.

"It's creepy to see her spying whenever she wants," says Elyan.

"I'm not surprised," says Merlin, angrily staring at Nimueh.

"You really don't like her, do you?" asks Gwen.

"You can say we didn't get along. I know she was angry, but there were so many better ways for her to help magical people than hurting the people of Camelot. It only furthered people's belief that magic was evil," says Merlin.

Merlin and Gaius reached the water supply in the caverns.

Gaius turned to Merlin and said, "The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample."

Merlin grabbed the bottle from Gaius and stuck it in the water.

"Let's take it back and examine it," said Gaius.

An Afanc suddenly burst out from the water supply. Merlin and Gaius watched it appear and disappear just as quickly.

"What the hell was that?" demanded Merlin.

"What was that?" asks Gwaine a little perturbed.

"That is what is called an Afanc," says Merlin. "I'm sure Gaius will tell us more shortly in the memory."

"Oh," says Gwaine. "A what?"

Gaius grabbed Merlin's arm and pulled him out of the caverns.

Gaius and Merlin were standing together in their chambers as they examined a page in a book.

"Here. It was an Afanc," said Gaius pointing at the page.

"An...a what?" asked Merlin.

"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?" asked Gaius. Gaius looked over at his shelves of books.

"Oh. Sounds about right," says Gwaine knowledgeably. Percival shoves him lightly.

"I've always wondered how you both go about research. The few times I helped Merlin, it was always pure chaos," says Gwen with a laugh.

"It's pretty much always chaos," says Merlin, laughing with her.

"That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then," said Merlin.

"Have you got a better idea?" asked Gaius.

Merlin looked thoughtful.

"That means yes," says Hunith.

Merlin walked by the pyre being built in the Square on his way to the dungeons. He walked up to Guinevere's cell and saw her lying on the cell floor in a heap.

"Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will," said Merlin.

Merlin stood up quickly and left the cells, clearly unable to watch her in this state.

"Thank you for giving me a bit of hope, Merlin. It meant the world to me, especially since I was accused of witchcraft. The implications weren't lost on me, and I know it could have been bad for you to be too close by association," says Gwen.

"I want to thank you as well. I wasn't there when Gwen needed me, and I'm so grateful that she had you there with her to save our father and then her," says Elyan. He stands up and, to Gwen's shock, gives Merlin a firm hug. Elyan has never been a big fan of physical contact, though he obviously puts up with it for her, but not anyone else. It warms her heart to see her blood brother get along so well with her brother in all but blood.

"Er, yeah, no problem. It was the least I could do since I got her into this and I couldn't just leave her," says Merlin.

Merlin walked down the long passageway to the Dragon's Cave. Merlin entered the cold dragon's cave.

"Hello?" asked Merlin into the abyss.

"Hello," said Kilgharrah as he flew down and landed on a big outcropping of rock in the center of the cavern. "The great warlock returns, as I knew he would."

"Know it all," says Merlin.

"I need to know how to defeat an Afanc," said Merlin.

"Yes, I suppose you do," said Kilgharrah.

"He knew, and he didn't think to warn you?" asks Arthur indignantly.

"Yeah, Kilgharrah isn't the overtly helpful type, at least not during this time," says Merlin.

"Will you help me?" asked Merlin.

"Trust the elements that are at your command," said Kilgharrah simply.

"Elements? But what is it I have to do?" asked Merlin.

"You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other," stated Kilgharrah.

"I, I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do," said Merlin.

"See what I have to deal with?" says Merlin, pointing at the memory.

"Yes, Merlin, we all see what a poor, poor soul you are to deal with an annoying, know-it-all dragon," says Gwaine sarcastically.

"That's all I wanted to hear," says Merlin.

Kilgharrah stretched his wings and flew off the rock.

"No! Please, help me!" yelled Merlin.

"I have," said Kilgharrah as he laughed, which echoed across the cavern.

"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks," said Merlin sarcastically.

"He barely gave you anything to go off of," says Arthur in surprise.

"I think he wanted Merlin to work for it," says Percival thoughtfully.

Merlin looks at him in surprise. "What?"

"I mean, he didn't know you and probably wanted you to learn how to do some things on your own, so maybe he wanted to give you just enough to find the information yourself," says Percival.

"Sounds like something he would do," says Merlin with a huff. "I mean, I wouldn't care as much, but the situation is usually time-sensitive, and it would have been nice to get the answer sooner."

Arthur entered the Council Chambers where Uther is there staring at a burning candle.

"Have you found anything more?" asked Uther.

"I've tried. I can keep looking," said Arthur.

"People are dying, we can't delay any longer. We must kill the witch. Bring her execution forward to tonight," commanded Uther.

"Oh goodness," says Hunith in worry. She knows Gwen is fine, but watching everything made her nervous, regardless.

Arthur slightly bowed his head and exited the Council Chambers.

"I should've done something more. Seeing this back, it's so clear that my father was wrong, and his actions in this situation alone cost so many lives. Merlin could have healed everyone quickly if he hadn't feared being killed for it, and Gwen had nearly been executed for something she hadn't even done. I should've tried to talk him down or just done something more," says Arthur.

"Arthur, you did try to talk him down, but we all know what Uther was like. His mind was set, and you did something in the end; don't forget," says Gwen.

Arthur sighs but doesn't comment.

Merlin was frantically searching through the books as Gaius entered their chambers.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" asked Gaius.

"Looking for a book," said Merlin.

"You going to tell me which one?" asked Gaius.

"Gaius being sassy I didn't expect that," says Gwaine in surprise.

"Oh, Gaius can be very sassy when he wants to be," Merlin confirms.

"A book on elements," said Merlin, still searching.

"Elements?" asked Gaius.

"Yes. Which one would I find them in?" asked Merlin.

"Well, most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process," explained Gaius.

"Really?" asks Arthur.

"Yes. The elements are quite essential to life and magic. The world is run by the elements, and the elements influence magic differently. Magic influences the elements as well. It's all connected," says Gaius.

"But how would they help me kill the Afanc?" asked Merlin.

"Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements," said Gaius.

"What about the other two?" asked Merlin.

"Well, perhaps they will destroy it. You want fire. Wind and fire. How did you find this out?" asked Gaius.

"Erm... I just knew, you know? One of my powers," Merlin explained halfheartedly.

"I hope you know I knew you were lying," says Gaius with an eyebrow.

"Thanks for not putting me on the spot," says Merlin. "I didn't know how to bring up Kilgharrah and wasn't eager to start that conversation."

"Just so you were aware," says Gaius.

"What else do your powers tell you?" asked Gaius.

"That I am only one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously," said Merlin.

"And who's the other side?" asked Gaius.

"I think that might be Arthur," said Merlin.

"What does that mean?" asks Arthur in confusion. "Two sides of the same coin?"

"It means, sire, that you both want the same things in the end. It means that you are different with your own skills and perspectives but together you can do amazing things. It's also about your connection and how important you are to each other," says Gaius.

Arthur decides to take some time to think about it.

Their chambers doors burst open, and Morgana rushed in.

"They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence," said Morgana.

"We're trying," said Gaius.

"Please, just tell me what I can do to help," said Morgana.

"We need Arthur," said Merlin.

"Arthur?" asked Morgana.

"There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague," said Merlin.

"Well we must tell Uther," said Morgana.

"The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it," said Gaius.

"So, what are we to do?" asked Morgana.

"We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop, and Uther may see sense," said Merlin.

"Did you really think he would see sense?" asks Arthur.

"I mean I thought it was our best chance. If the plague stops, then he doesn't need to have someone to blame," says Merlin, shrugging. "Killing Gwen wouldn't have solved the problem, and we could easily say Gwen couldn't have conjured it."

"And that's why you need Arthur," said Morgana.

"He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King," said Merlin.

"I was supposed to be finding the source of the plague; how would I have been disobeying the King by killing this Afanc?" asks Arthur.

"Because you were supposed to be getting ready for the execution and starting your search in the outer town. Though we found the source, we didn't find the sorcerer your father wanted," says Merlin.

"Still," says Arthur.

"Leave that to me," said Morgana.

Morgana walked out of their chambers in a rush. Gaius handed Merlin the keys to the water supply tunnels.

Arthur entered his chambers and found Morgana waiting for him.

"You alright? Sorry about all this," said Arthur as he pointed to the mess on the table. "Merlin's not been in today."

"Poor Merlin," said Morgana.

"Yeah," said Arthur.

"To offer to give up his life to save Gwen's. I certainly can't imagine any man loving me so much," said Morgana.

"No, I certainly can't imagine that either," said Arthur.

"Hah," says Gwaine with a laugh.

Morgana smirked.

"That's because you're not like Merlin. He's a lover," said Morgana.

"Are you Merlin," when Merlin looks confused, Arthur continues, "A lover?"

"I mean, ideally, I'd be. I don't like hurting people, but it's unavoidable here in Camelot—at least for now. I have you all to protect, and I can't just try and make peace with everyone, as I've learned that not everyone will accept peace. But hopefully, someday, everyone will be at peace, and me and the people I care about won't have to be fighters," says Merlin.

"Yeah, maybe that's because I haven't found the right person to love," said Arthur.

"I have now," says Arthur to Gwen. She smiles.

"Sadly the age of gallantry seems to be dead. You look around and all you see are small men, not big enough to fill their armour. There's not one of them that' s able to stand up for what is right," said Morgana.

Arthur smirked at Morgana's obvious manipulative insult.

"Did she always go straight to manipulation?" asks Elyan uneasily.

"She was always great at it, though during this time, she used it for good," says Arthur. "Growing up with her, though, I got good at seeing it. Well, at least until she turned. She mostly used it on our father to get what she wanted."

"I sometimes forget you grew up with her sire," says Percival, shaking his head. "That must be strange."

"It is," says Arthur.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Arthur after a beat.

Morgana and Arthur walked into the Square where Merlin had been waiting for them. Arthur drew his sword. They opened the tunnel door and Arthur lit a torch before they descended.

They walked down the long tunnel.

"You'd better be right about this, Merlin," said Arthur.

"I usually am," says Merlin with confidence.

The sound of a low growl startled them all. Morgana gasped.

"You should stay here," said Arthur.

"I'm coming with you," said Morgana.

"No," said Arthur.

"Scared I'll show you up?" asked Morgana.

"Father will slam us both in chains if he knew I'd endangered you," said Arthur.

"Well good thing he doesn't know about it then," said Morgana.

"Would he really have blamed you if she got hurt?" asks Hunith in confusion.

"Yes, undoubtedly," says Arthur. "He was always very protective of her, and if she'd gotten hurt and I didn't at least try hard to stop her, he'd blame me."

"But that wouldn't have been your fault. She made her own decision to follow you both down there. He shouldn't have treated her like she couldn't make her own decisions or that you were responsible for her decisions; it isn't fair to either of you," says Hunith.

"Huh," says Arthur. He always acted like Morgana's older brother, so he tried to keep her safe and happy. He'd always felt like he had failed her, though he knew she made her own choices. It doesn't make the guilt go away.

"I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt," said Arthur.

"'So could you... if you don't get out of my way," said Morgana as she pushed past Arthur.

Merlin was highly amused by the exchange as he glanced between the two of them.

The knights understood Merlin's amusement but couldn't bring themselves to enjoy it as much as Merlin had because of their history with Morgana.

Arthur just rolled his eyes at Morgana.

"How are we going to find it?" asked Morgana.

"I just hope we do before it finds us," said Merlin.

Arthur suddenly turned around on a whim.

"Stop," said Arthur.

"What?" asked Merlin.

"It's just a shadow," said Arthur finally.

They kept walking forward, further into the cavern. The Afanc creeped along in the shadows behind them.

"It was indeed not just a shadow," says Gwaine in a funny voice.

The group finally arrived at the water source after a few minutes in tense silence.

"Spread out," said Arthur pointing in different directions.

"Why not stay together? Why split up when you have strength in numbers?" asks Hunith.

"Normally, we wouldn't have split up in this situation," explains Arthur. "But we didn't have much time to save Gwen, and we needed to find that Afanc quickly, so we split up."

"Oh," says Hunith.

They split up. Arthur heard a growl turned in that direction. The Afanc swiped at him from behind, then disappeared.

"I never realized how close it was," says Arthur with his eyes wide.

"It's been closer before," says Merlin offhandedly.

Arthur doesn't say anything but stares at Merlin.

Morgana rushed to him at the sound.

"What is it? Are you alright?" asked Morgana.

"Yeah," said Arthur.

"Did you see it?" asked Merlin, arriving at the spot.

"Yes," said Arthur.

"What did it look like?" asked Merlin.

"It... it's quick," Arthur stuttered, just a little in shock.

"Wow, Arthur never would have guessed. It was quick, honestly," says Gwaine, shaking his head.

"It was the strangest creature I've ever seen at this point in time," says Arthur defensively.

"Okay Arthur," says Gwaine.

The Afanc came up in front of Morgana, who screamed in fear. Arthur slashed at it, but it disappeared again.

"Where is it?" asked Arthur.

"I think it's gone this way!" yelled Merlin, directing toward one of the tunnels.

They walked together in the direction of the Afanc. The Afanc creeped slowly out around a corner into full view. Arthur swung at it and, in the scuffle, lost his sword. It also swiped at Morgana's torch, and she dropped it. Arthur circled the Afanc with his torch.

"Arthur, use the torch!" yelled Merlin.

Arthur swung the torch wildly at the Afanc.

"Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan," said Merlin.

"How did I not hear that?" asks Arthur out loud.

"Well, you don't seem to be very observant, sire," says Gwaine

"What does that mean, Merlin?" asks Leon.

Merlin was surprised Leon was curious about magic, but he answered, "It means Air is thee in fire's heat but defeat the hostile. It asks the elements to combine to defeat the evil hostile that's attacking. And Arthur, from what I remember, I don't think I talked that loudly. I think Pahoren might've increased the sound so we could hear it," says Merlin.

"Oh well, at least I wasn't completely oblivious," says Arthur with relief.

"Not this time," says Merlin under his breath.

Arthur raises his brow, and Merlin looks away.

Arthur looked down at the ground as the flames from his torch joined the conjured wind and suddenly flew into the Afanc incinerating it in a flash and a screech.

"And down goes the beast!" cheers Gwaine.

Nimueh watched the Afanc go up in flames in her stone basin.

"Merlin. Mah!" yelled Nimueh.

"That's not good, is it?" asks Arthur.

"No, it's not," says Merlin.

She splashed the water in anger.

Uther laughed over some parchment with his advisors in the Council Chambers. Gaius entered the chambers and walked over to Uther.

"It's very good," said Uther.

"He's laughing and smiling even though his people are dying, and he's about to have an execution?" asks Hunith.

"He'd just received the news a half hour earlier that the sickness was no longer spreading," says Arthur. "But even so, I agree there were still many dead to mourn."

"Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are recovering," said Gaius.

"Good. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before," said Uther.

"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," said Gaius.

Gaius pulled out the cracked Afanc shell and showed it to Uther. He turned it over and showed Uther a red symbol on it.

"It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire," said Gaius.

"Will I never be rid of her?" asked Uther in a shaky voice.

"He knows or knew Nimueh personally?" asks Arthur in surprise.

"Yes sire. I'm sure more details will be given shortly," says Gaius. Gaius gives Merlin a significant look, and Merlin returns it but they can't exactly discuss what they will do when Arthur learns the truth.

"Sire," said Gaius.

"Leave me!" demanded Uther.

Everyone exited the Council Chambers in a rush. Uther walked to the throne and sat down, a sombre expression on his face.

"I've never seen him act like this," says Arthur in shock. "Who was she?"

Gaius sighs, "She was a part of the court for a while. Uther named her court sorceress."

"Camelot had court sorcerers?" asks Arthur in surprise. Merlin is also surprised. Given how Camelot was when he arrived, he assumed that even before the Great Purge, Camelot had always had a slightly negative view of magic, but now it turns out that was not the case.

"Yes. It was a very prestigious position and was the only magical position in Camelot at the time. Sorcerers had already begun to get a bad reputation, though this position remained until the Great Purge," says Gaius.

Down in the dungeons, Tom, Merlin, and Morgana were standing outside the cell with the guards. The guards opened Gwen's cell. Gwen's father, Merlin, and Morgana walked into the cell.

"Dad," said Guinevere at once. Tom rushed to hug her.

"Oh, my little child," said Tom.

Gwen's eyes water. Elyan holds her in his arms.

Gwen peeled herself away from her father and faced Morgana.

Guinevere reached out to grasp Morgana's hand.

"Thank you," said Guinevere.

"Don't thank me. It was more Merlin," said Morgana.

"Really?" asked Gwen.

"He's the real hero here," said Morgana.

"I don't know what to say," said Gwen.

"I didn't do anything," shrugged Merlin.

Everyone looks at Merlin in surprise.

"Merlin," says Lancelot in fond exasperation. "You literally helped defeat the Afanc, did the research that determined it was an Afanc, and tried to take Gwen's place in prison. You nearly did everything yourself."

"Fine, but again, I'm the one who got her sent to prison, so I didn't want any credit," says Merlin.

"You don't know how to take credit for your successes, do you?" says Leon, who is also shaking his head. He knows Merlin is not a knight, but most knights love to talk up their victories.

"He never has been," says Hunith fondly.

"I'm- I'm grateful to you all," said Tom to both Morgana and Merlin. He then turns to Gwen. "Come on, Gwen. He grabbed her and Tom and Guinevere walked out of the cells.

"Father hated seeing me in the cell," says Gwen. "He wanted me out of there as soon as possible he said, in case Uther changed his mind. He spent the entire few days I was there trying to petition the King to no avail. But he only visited twice. He couldn't handle it."

"That's our Father for you. Never afraid of fire or the machines in the forge but he was terrified of the people he loved being in pain. You know," says Elyan with a laugh, "I got stung by a bee as a child, and he ran to get our mum to help me. He hovered over me for the next few days. He couldn't stand either of us crying." Elyan shakes his head.

Morgana paused just before leaving the cells.

"Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me," said Morgana.

"My secret?" asked Merlin.

Arthur gives Merlin a questioning look before Merlin sarcastically returns it.

"Just in case anyone was curious," says Merlin in exasperation, "Morgana didn't know about my magic. She's talking about something else."

Arthur felt a little silly. Of course, Morgana didn't know. If she'd known, she probably wouldn't have left Merlin alone.

"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did," said Morgana.

"You did?" asked Merlin.

"I saw it with my own eyes," said Morgana.

"You did?" asked Merlin.

"I understand why you don't anyone to know," said Morgana.

"Well, obviously," said Merlin with a breath out.

Arthur felt the flicker of fear come up as Merlin, in the memory, feared what it meant that Morgana knew about his magic. Arthur wondered if this particular fear of Merlin's would ever go away.

"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?" asked Morgana.

"Er...no. I, I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden," said Merlin with a bit of relief.

Arthur felt the happiness and relief that Merlin felt at the fact that someone else knew his secret.

"You look so happy," says Gwen.

"Yeah, I mean, Gaius is great, and he's always been there for me but I was excited to have someone else who knew about my magic and…" Merlin trails off.

"I'm old," finishes Gaius. "It's not the same as someone his age, his friends, being able to know who he is."

Merlin blushes but doesn't disagree. Everyone considers what it must have been like for Merlin to constantly hide such a big part of himself from nearly everyone who knows him. It must not have been easy.

"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman," said Morgana.

"Gwen?" asked Merlin.

"Not her too!" says Gwaine with a laugh. "Sorry to be the one to tell you this Merlin but Gwen is married."

Merlin rolls his eyes.

Gwen nearly laughs aloud at Merlin's expression. Gwen had never told Morgana about her feelings for Merlin, and Gwen never would have guessed that Morgana would say such a thing.

Morgana put her finger to her lip.

"It's our secret," said Morgana.

Morgana smiled as she walked out of the cells.

Merlin sighed.

Arthur feels a wave of disappointment come through from Merlin. He can only imagine how lonely Merlin must have been to carry his secrets mostly alone. Then comes Morgana, who claims to know his secret, and he thinks he can relax and be himself around her, only to be mistaken. He wonders how often Merlin wanted to tell him and others about his magic but wasn't able to or interrupted.

Merlin and Gaius eat dinner in their chambers.

"This fish didn't come from the water, did it?" asked Merlin.

"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 didn't come to her attention," said Gaius.

"Oh, but I did," says Merlin.

"Yeah, mate, she didn't seem happy with you," says Gwaine.

"She was not," Merlin confirms.

Arthur wonders what he means, but he's given up on asking for information that should soon show up in his memories.

"Doubt it. Well no one else seems to appreciate my skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am," said Merlin.

"One day, Merlin. One day," said Gaius.

"One day what?" asked Merlin.

"That became kind of a mantra of mine," says Merlin quietly.

"What did?" asks Arthur.

"One day. That one day in the future, everyone would know who I was, what I had done, and what I could do. And everything would be okay. Everyone would be safe and happy, and it would be a time of peace and prosperity throughout the land. But I'll admit lately, it's been a bit harder to keep the mantra going. That's probably why we are here. I wouldn't say I gave up, but it was starting to feel like that one day would never come," says Merlin.

Everyone is quiet as they process what Merlin is saying. He had been in Camelot for many years now, and they couldn't imagine the patience he must have had waiting for this day of peace they hadn't yet managed.

"How did you keep going?" asks Gwen.

"I just tried to have faith. I had to remember that I was fighting for the people I cared about and that I was the only one who could do it," says Merlin.

"But it's not enough anymore, is it Merlin?" asks Percival.

"What do you mean by that, Percival?" asks Leon, confused.

"I mean that it's extremely hard to keep waiting and waiting for something, but nothing changes around you. When I lost my family, I lost my way as well. I ended up fighting for entertainment," Percival clears his throat and looks down.

"Percival, you don't have to talk about this right now if you're not up for it," says Lancelot kindly.

"No, I think it's time. I've kept my disgrace to Lancelot and myself, but it hasn't helped me. I'm not proud of it, but I thought it was all I was good for. I kept telling myself that I would get out of there one day and live a different life. I would use my strength to help people who needed it and make the world a better place. But months passed, and any escape plan I tried failed. And nothing changed. I stopped picturing that someday I would be free, and I gave up. I accepted that being entertainment was my fate until Lancelot showed up," says Percival.

"I was trying to make amends for my time with Hengist by helping others get away from what was left of his group and others like it. I tried to help people find better lives like you three did for me," says Lancelot to Gwen, Merlin, and Arthur.

"I don't know that I could have done it without Lancelot. He could see that I didn't know what I wanted yet and said I could come along with him until I figured it out. And now I'm here. But for a while, I stopped believing that anything would change. I couldn't keep up hope for something that seemed would never come," says Percival.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you Percival. We are glad you are here with us now," says Gwen with teary eyes. She gets up and stands before wiping her eyes and looking at him. "Can I give you a hug?" she asks Percival.

Percival looks surprised but nods with a small smile.

"I'm glad you found your way to Camelot," says Arthur to Percival. "Life in Camelot would not be the same without you."

"And Merlin, you felt this too? That nothing would change in Camelot?" asks Arthur, trying to understand.

"Honestly, I don't know. I wanted to believe that things would get better, but it was more like a faint hope than a firm belief, especially with everything that happened with your father and Morgana," says Merlin. He wasn't sure how he would explain what happened with Uther, but now didn't seem like a good time to explain.

"Well, I can't imagine what that would be like but I can try. And we can only try from here to make sure that things do change for the better for everyone," says Arthur. Gwen squeezes his hand with a nod.

"One day people won't believe what an idiot you were," said Gaius.

"Thanks," said Merlin.

"Well, I will say it is nice to know that sometimes you are still an idiot, though I'll admit it's less than I thought before," says Arthur with a smirk.

Merlin laughs. This time, the insult didn't seem to hit as hard as it has been hitting lately. This time, he knew Arthur didn't mean it.

As they toasted each other, Nimueh watched them from her stone basin.

"Merlin, you will pay for this!" said Nimueh.

"Great, now you have an angry sorceress after you," says Gwaine.

"It wasn't the last," says Merlin.

"Well, that's not a good sign," says Arthur with a sigh.

"Merlin, may I speak with you a moment?" says Gaius. Arthur raises his brow but doesn't say anything.

"Uh, sure," agrees Merlin, confused. They walk off towards the side to have a more private conversation though Hunith hovers nearby trying to stay out of the way but needing to know what is being said between them.

"I need you to understand that I'm not infallible. I make mistakes just like everybody else, and it's important that through this, you recognize that. Already in these first few memories, I see how much pressure and fear I put on you, and I fear it wasn't for the best," says Gaius.

"But you've always tried to help me," says Merlin, shaking his head.

"Because I care about you. And because I care about you, I worry about you. And I'm afraid that I let that fear and worry influence how I acted with you too much, and I tried to keep you safe; that's the only way I knew how. By discouraging your use of magic in many cases and trying to stop you from doing certain things that I thought were dangerous. But I'm not always right and I need you to be able to accept that," says Gaius.

"You've always been so wise and helped me through so many things when no one else could. I've always looked up to you. It's hard for me to imagine that you could be wrong, especially since when you warned me and I didn't listen, things always turned out badly. But I'll do as you say and I'll think on your words," says Merlin seriously.

Hunith smiles and mouths, "Thank you" to Gaius as they return to their seats. Gaius nods in response.

"It looks like the next memory is called The Poisoned Chalice," says Leon reading the canvas.

"Oh brother," says Merlin groaning. He hated how naïve he was in his early days and his early dealings with Nimueh were just about the worst of it.

Arthur frowns. He remembers the poisoned chalice and the meeting with Bayard of Mercia. He knows he won't like revisiting this memory.

Arthur sighs. "Well let's get on with it."