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At Camelot: Gaius gets taken by Alator and his people on Morgana's orders. Merlin and Arthur are in the throne room, after Agravain tells Arthur Gaius left Camelot on the account of Agravain’s believes that Gaius betrayed Arthur on there last quest, Agravain left the throne room and Merlin was trying to convince Arthur that Gaius is innocent and didn’t leave Camleot on his own accord. It was proving to be of no avail though because Arthur didn’t believe him, but he did understand and sympathize with Merlin because Gaius was Merlin’s father figure.
“Can you really believe this?” Merlin asks after Agravain leaves
“Gaius admitted he knew the sorcerer who killed my father” Arthur replies
“And that makes him a traitor?”
“How else do you explain his actions?”
“There lies, Gaius would never betray you”
“I know this is hard for you to believe but Gaius admitted his guilt” Arthur said
“He would never leave without saying goodbye to me” Merlin replied
After that Merlin accused Agravian of lying and Arthur wasn’t happy seeing as Agravian is his uncle.
“Merlin! I have already had my heart broken once today. I don't want to lose another friend.”
A little bit after that Arthur leaves the throne room and leaves Merlin to his thoughts.
In Gaius’s chambers
Merlin is sitting on the ground going through Gaius’s stuff when someone comes in, he looks behind him hoping it is Gaius but he is disappointed to know it is just Gwen.
“I was hoping you were him,” Merlin says sadly. Gwen is a little taken aback, because that is not normally how you greet a friend, but she understands, Gaius means alot to Merlin.
“Arthur told me what you said,” Gwen replies.
“Agravain is behind this,”
“Well I can talk to Arthur but Agravain is his uncle, he would never think anything bad of him.”
“Yeah” Merlin replies
Gwen laid a reassuring hand on Merlin’s shoulder and then got up to leave, when she was close to the door,
“Gwen?”
“Yes Merlin?”
“You really love him don’t you? Arthur?”
Gwen was confused for a minute, Merlin has known about her love for Arthur for years and yet he asks this now?
“Yes I do Merlin, you know that, it is no secret to the castle, why do you ask?”
“I think I am in love with somebody also”
“That's great! Who?”
“I can’t quite say but you are very close to him”
“It’s not my brother is it?” Gwen asks
“No, definitely not” Merlin replies
“Is it a knight of the round table?”
“Something like that”
After that little conversation Gwen leaves, she thinks she may already know who Merlin talks of but she didn’t ask because she has some stuff to sort out. Then she will focus on her boyfriend's love life. Gwen got to Arthur’s chambers to try and talk to him about Gaius.
“Arthur, do you really think Gaius is guilty of being a traitor? We have known him all our lives.”
“He has admitted his guilt Guinevere, he has admitted to consorting with the sorcerer who killed my father. Plus my uncle has believed him to be so” Arthur replies
“So? Arthur I know you love your uncle but that doesn’t always make his words right.”
“Where is this coming from? You have been talking to Merlin haven’t you?”
“Yes I was, you know how much Merlin cares for him, plus Gaius would do anything to save this kingdom and yet instead of believing a loyal friend's word, you believe Agravain’s.”
“It was not for Merlin to question my uncle's word, to accuse him of lying”
“And you don’t think at all by believing the word of one man without hearing out the other you're not chasing away good friends?”
“Look, Agravain is all that's left of my mother”
“I understand that Arthur, but you trust people too much”
“I trust you more than I trust anyone else”
“I am not sure how much I believe that, I am not even sure you believe that”
“What do you mean?”
“I think there is one in this kingdom who you would give up your life for, someone who isn’t me, I would be lying if I said I didn’t also have feelings for someone else.”
“Are you saying you are breaking up with me?”
“I am sorry Arthur, but I think you should go chase after the one who loves you before he leaves Camelot.”
“I am confused, he?”
After that Gwen left the chambers leaving Arthur to his thoughts, it was then when he realized what he needed to do.
Merlin was in Agravian’s chamber looking for evidence of Gaius’s abduction, he then found a box under his bed, he tried to open the box to no avail, his eyes flashed gold and the box came unlocked. He looked through some of the books including a sorcerer one. Finding nothing anywhere so far, he picked up a boot and came across brown sand. He brushed it off the bottom of the boot with his finger. He then got up and left the chamber.
Back in the cave
Gaius woke up to Morgana’s face.
“Get on with it Morgana, do what you will to me”
“I wouldn’t be in such a hurry if I were you, but I may spare you if you give me the information I am after.”
Gaius raised an eyebrow at that sentence and then asked what that information was.
“I am looking for Emrys”
“I don’t know of anyone called Emrys”
“This is Alator, he is not a normal torturer, he is a priest of the catha, his methods go beyond”
“Do what you will Morgana, you will never get the information out of me”
“I was rather hoping you’d say that”
It was then that Morgana left the cave and left Alator to his ways of getting the information out of Gaius, which he did get the information, Gaius let Alator know that Emrys was in Camelot and revealed that his true name was Merlin and then mentioned that Merlin is destined to bring peace and magic back to Camelot and unite the land of albion.
Back in Camelot:
Merlin reentered the physicians chamber when he saw someone sitting at the table.
“What are you doing here?” Merlin asked
“Now is that any way to greet the King of Camelot?”
“I am busy”
“Take a seat Merlin”
Merlin sat down on the bench across from Arthur. Merlin is a little saddened because that was always his place when Gaius was around, he was also a little frustrated to say the least. Here Arthur sits, the man Merlin has been in love with for years now, and yet Merlin isn’t sure Arthur returns his affections.
If it isn’t enough Merlin has to watch Arthur and Gwen day after day, now Arthur has shut him down when he was trying to stand up for Gaius, and he is holding him up from going to find where Gaius is. If only Arthur knew of Agravains true intentions, but of course Gaius made that perfectly clear that he didn’t want Arthur knowing months ago when Morgana found out Merlin's second name and how Agravaine knew. Arthur’s voice cut off his train of thought.
“Merlin, I now realize how harsh I was with you an hour ago. I know how much you care for Gaius, he is your father figure. If this were my father I would be doing the same, speaking up for him, heck I would even be going to find him right at this moment.”
“I actually am planning on that” Merlin replies. He continues
“Unfortunately I have no idea where he is, no evidence of where he is, except some sand, possibly”
“Oh? Show me it maybe I can figure out where it came from”
Merlin then held his finger out, and Arthur took it. Merlin blushed a little bit, letting his thoughts go to how it would be if Arthur was holding his hand, but then realized he needed to get his head back in the game.
“I recognize that, it's from a cave I have been in. Before I became King, I happened upon it. Should I be worried about how you came across this particular sand?”
“It doesn’t matter, could this be the place Morgana is holding Gaius?”
“Is that what this is about?”
“I know you believe he is a traitor but he has been abducted, Arthur, and I am going to go and find where.”
“I will have Agravain tend to the castle and go with you to this place”
“Then we have no time to lose”
Merlin and Arthur then set out to the location, they then decided to sit down and start a fire. Before they could though, Arthur figured he would go look for some firewood, while Arthurs back was turned, Merlin casted the spell, his eyes went gold and the fire started. Arthur then set the wood in the pit and was surprised to find out the fire was already lit. He looked into his pocket to find the lighter. Arthur then looked back at Merlin who looked lost in thought. Arthur decided for once he wasn’t going to let the matter go. Arthur wasn’t sure exactly how the fire started but he is sure it has something to do with magic. Turning to Merlin he took him out of his thought process.
“Merlin?”
“Yes?”
“How was that fire started? I have the only lighter”
Merlin was panicked, he had to think of the perfect lie.
“Oh um, I picked one out from Gaius’s chamber.”
“Really? I haven’t seen any kind of lighter in Gaius’s chamber the last few times I have been in there. I have only found books.”
“Well I took it a long time ago and just kept it in case I needed it.”
Arthur could tell he was lying. He didn’t know how but he could tell.
“Well then pull it out, let me see it.”
Merlin was flustered. He didn’t know how he was going to plan this. Maybe distract Arthur and then magically make a lighter appear? As he was thinking, Arthur started talking again.
“The fact that you are hesitating shows me that the fire was not started by any kind of lighter, but by something else.”
Merlin was about to respond when they heard a sound. Saved by the wavern, he thinks.
“We should get out of here and find Gaius,” Merlin says.
“We will talk about this later,” Arthur replies.
Once Merlin and Arthur came to the cave they started out to find Gaius.
Agravain came into Morgana's hut and informed her Arthur and Merlin were out to find Gaius.
Morgana and Agravain then set out to the cave.
“You go deal with Gaius, he already knows to much, I don’t want him to speak of what he’s seen, I will deal with Merlin and Arthur”
Merlin and Arthur were halfway to Gaius’s location when one of Alators guards happened upon them. He and Arthur clashed swords for a couple minutes. The guard was about to kill Arthur when Merlin’s eyes flashed gold and sent the man flying. Arthur looked back at Merlin. He figured that couldn’t have been a coincidence. First the fire and now a man somehow goes flying through the air. Someone has magic and Arthur knows it isn’t him, and even if Morgana came, she wouldn’t come to their rescue. Figuring he has more important things to worry about, he goes to look for Gaius when he sees Agravain with a sword to Gaius’s throat.
“What on earth are you doing uncle?”
“Checking to see if he’s alive”
“Is he?” Arthur replies
“Yes you can see his breath on the blade” As Agravain shoves the sword towards Arthur. Arthur pushes the sword away with his own.
“What are you doing here?” Arthur asks
“Following you, I saw you and Merlin leave and I figured how weird it was that you gave me the responsibility of taking care of the castle so I figure I would look to see where you went”
“So you agree Gaius has been abducted?”
“Of course I do”
“Kinda funny, you know of Gaius’s abduction and you are here and had a sword to Gaius’s throat.”
“I told you I was checking for breath”
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“Believe what you will, we must get back to the kingdom”
Arthur however didn’t want to leave the cave without Merlin. Agravain mentioned that they needed to go urgently and he wanted to leave Merlin there. He said he could handle himself.
“So your actions keep getting more suspicious,” Arthur tells his uncle.
Merlin is just stepping into a corner when he feels himself being pushed back to the ground. He looks and sees Morgana levitating a dagger towards him.
“You continue to be a thorne at my side” Morgana says
“What have you done to Gaius?”
“Well Gaius has some information that he was reluctant to give me”
“What information is that?”
“The whereabouts of the sorcerer Emrys, he had a choice to give me the information willingly and he chose not to take it, so I had to take different, necessary measures.”
“If you hurt him,”
“Why are we discussing his fate when it is time to discuss yours? Not whether you are going to die alone in this god awful place, that's gonna happen anyway, but rather how am I going to do it? Or more precisely, how painful?.”
Back with Arthur, Agravain, and Gaius, Alator happened upon them and informed them that he will be escorting Gaius back to Camelot with the help of Agravain or Arthur.
“Who are you?” Arthur asks
“I am Alator of the catha and I was asked to get information from Gaius”
“What kind of information?”
“The information of the sorcerer Emrys”
Arthur opened his mouth to question further when they heard a commotion.
Arthur went to where Merlin was and he spotted someone with Merlin
“Morgana?”
“Oh hello dear brother”
“What are you doing here?”
“Extracting information”
“From Merlin?”
“Oh no, I was actually about to kill Merlin, I was extracting information from our beloved physician, and this imbecile got in my way as always. So I figured I would do something about it, but I am so happy that you join us, that means I get to kill two birds with one stone. Or, technically speaking, two idiots with my magic powers.”
“Let me guess, information that would bring down the kingdom?”
“Wow, Arthur, you are smarter than I thought. I can bring down the kingdom if Emrys doesn’t intervene.”
“Who is Emrys?”
“No idea, that is what I want Gaius to tell me”
Then Agravain and Alator appeared before them.
“I know who and where Emrys is” Alator said
Morgana was so excited to hear that news. She has been waiting so long, afterall. Ever since the Khalids,
“Then tell me”
“It’s me! I am Emrys!” Merlin shouts. He figures what else does he have to lose? Morgana seemed like she was going to kill him anyway.
“You?”
Morgana at first was confused. How on earth can a lowly servant be that powerful? Oh well, she guesses she really will get to kill two birds with one stone. She was already about to kill Merlin, and now this newfound information is even more motivation. Not only that but she can also kill Arthur. She is getting so excited now. If anyone told her she could get so many things she has been looking for in one day, her brother's untimely death, Emrys out of the way, and the throne of Camelot, she would have told them they were crazy. Also now no one will be her doom.
Arthur was standing there confused for a minute but then realized how many things were starting to make sense now, the many times his life has been saved Merlin was around him, the fire starting magically, and the man flying up in the air. Arthur was slightly mad, after all this was his best friend, he also has feelings for this man, and yet Merlin couldn’t find it in him to tell him his secret.
Arthur also begins to wonder if Merlin was the old sorcerer who killed Arthur’s father. Arthur wondered if Merlin was using an aging spell. Then he realized that why would Merlin betray him like that? To kill a king is treason to the crown and such actions would put someone in the dungeons. It was then that he realized all the occurrences of the day he first happened upon that Dragoon. His servant went missing, Gaius said Merlin was in the tavern and Arthur believed him. After that when Dragoon disappeared and Merlin appeared behind the corner, Merlin let the sorcerer run straight past him, even though Dragoon was an old man. Arthur was thinking it was because Merlin was drunk from spending the day in the tavern but is now doubting those thoughts.
One thing for the moment is certain though, Agravain has something to do with recent events. It was how he found his uncle with Gaius, it was how his uncle was trying to place blame on Gaius the day they went to the valley of the fallen kings and how the men happened upon him and Merlin.
Arthur knew Agravain betrayed them the moment it happened, he just didn’t want to believe it before and he let two good friends down by doing what he did. It is now though, seeing him and Morgana at the same place that he realizes everything of what his uncle has to do with this. So he addressed Agravain.
“Uncle, consider yourself banished from Camelot. I know now your part to play in all of this and I knew the day Merlin got taken who betrayed me. I just didn’t want to believe it because you are family and you were a reminder of my mother seeing as I never knew her, but in my disbelief I have caused hurt to trusted friends. I will have a traitor in Camelot no more. You can just go back with Morgana.”
Agravain was more than happy to hear this news. Finally he can be rid of Arthur and the whole kingdom. He also figures he can still take part in Arthur’s downfall. Heck, Morgana is just about to kill Arthur right now so when she takes the throne he will be at her side. For now though, he will play Arthur’s game.
Arthur then turned to Merlin
“As for you Merlin-”
“I am in love with you Arthur!” Merlin interrupted Arthur. Merlin continued,
“I am sorry for what I have kept from you all these years, but I can’t hold my feelings in any longer, and I figured Morgana is going to kill me now anyway. If she doesn’t, I figured you would for my magic once we get back to Camelot so I figure I would let all this out now. I am in love with you, and it kills me seeing you and Gwen together all the time with all these thoughts in my head.”
Arthur didn’t really know what to say to all of that. He’s glad that his feelings aren’t one-sided. As far as killing him when they got back to Camelot, he isn't sure what he is going to do but he is sure it won’t be death, maybe if Arthur didn’t have feelings for Merlin he would banish him from Camelot with his uncle at the very least, but alas, he can’t be without him. He will figure it all out later though. For now they need to get out of the cave and back to Camelot. Then there is the whole Morgana potentially killing them thing.
Morgana was literally just standing there enjoying the show. The part where Merlin confessed his feelings towards Arthur was probably the best part in her opinion. Maybe she doesn’t have to kill them now that she thinks about it.
Arthur is in love with Gwen and that thought alone already kills Merlin, his words, and if she lets them all go, Arthur will actually kill Merlin because of his magic when they get back to Camelot. Without Emrys, there will be no one powerful enough to defeat Morgana and she can overtake Camelot without having to kill anyone at the moment. Now Morgana is wondering why all this news just came up today. This news would have been perfect years ago when she was trying to overtake Camelot, but now it makes sense as to why Merlin is so loyal to Arthur. On the other hand, killing Arthur will still be fun. Plus the people of Camelot will yield to her once Arthur is dead.
However it is about when exactly she should do it. Now will be better, seeing as he has no one but a weak sorcerer to protect him, but she would love to let him go now and catch him by surprise and when he is at his weakest in the castle where no one can protect him. Yes, she thinks she will do that.
Morgana puts the dagger down.
“You three are free to go” Morgana says
Arthur is very confused but he figures he won't just sit there thinking about it, she could change her mind, so he grabs Gaius, with the help of Alator, and then tells Merlin that it’s time to go with them.
Merlin is also very confused but he wants to have a conversation with Morgana before he leaves.
“Why would you let us go?” Merlin asks Morgana
“That is not your concern” Morgana replies
“I am sorry for what I have done to you in the past”
“You think that matters now? You have stepped in my way many times before and prevented me from taking over Camelot many times before. I only am keeping you alive because Arthur will end your life once you three get back to Camelot.”
“I wish for a fresh start between us”
“Oh you do, do you?”
“Please, I didn’t wish to poison you, Morgause had a spell on Camelot and you were the source, if I didn’t do what I did, the whole of Camelot would have been destroyed and my destiny would have been failed.”
“So it is about yourself then?”
“It is not anymore, I swear that if you rejoin Camelot, I will never make that mistake again”
Morgana didn’t say anything after that. What could she say? Even if she were to rejoin, which, who knows if Arthur will allow her back, there is also the matter of Merlin not being alive when she gets back. Which brings back the reason why she wants to take the throne of Camelot. To bring magic back so those with magic don’t have to live in fear. Those like her.
“You don’t have to do anything now, just think about it.”
With that Merlin left after them. Once they got back to Camelot, Arthur apologized to Gaius for not believing him, and Gaius told him among the people in Camelot, somebody else is out to protect him. Arthur is pretty sure he already knows who Gaius is talking about and he figured he would inform Gaius as much. Gaius was surprised. Arthur then told Gaius to get some rest.
“Oh and Arthur?”
“Yes Gaius?”
“It wasn’t Merlin who killed your father, Morgana cursed a necklace to the left hand path and Agravain put it around your fathers neck so any healing spell Merlin used would prevail”
“Thank you for informing me of this Gaius”
Arthur was setting out to find Merlin when suddenly he heard “Arthur!” Arthur turned around.
“Morgana?”
“Don’t kill him Arthur! I won’t let you kill Merlin!”
“I wasn’t planning on killing Merlin, Morgana”
“Oh you weren't? Thank god!” Morgana says, relieved, she looks like she ran here. Arthur didn’t think Morgana cared about Merlin that much, but then again she did just find out that Merlin had magic like her.
“I was hoping you would come back to Camelot and rejoice in my plans to lift to ban on magic”
“Are you serious Arthur? Of course I will!” Morgana was so excited, she doesn't know what changed her brother's mind but she is ok with not taking the throne of Camelot if it means Arthur will lift the ban on magic.
Merlin was in the courtyard looking at where the pyre is normally set up and is surprised that it is not yet set up.
“Merlin!”
Merlin turned around and found Morgana
“You changed your mind about coming to Camelot then I see?” Merlin said
“Yes of course! I also forgive you for you have done, as long as you forgive me for my crimes”
Merlin and Morgana then hugged and made up. Merlin was glad they were friends again. Arthur happened upon them. Morgana excused herself so these two love birds could talk alone. Merlin was surprised to see Arthur.
“Merlin, I wanted to speak with you about some things”
“Yes?”
“First, I would like to apologize for not believing you about Agravain, I know at times I trust too much. I would also like to ask you a question”
“What is it Arthur?”
I would like to start courting you, then at some point in our lives I would love for you to be King and rule by my side”
Merlin was stunned but also excited! This was the best day of his life, Arthur isn’t going to kill him, Arthur feels the same feelings he feels, and Morgana is back. He feels like his destiny has now been fulfilled.
It was at court the next day that Arthur announced that he wishes to lift the ban on magic. Not everybody agrees with him but they will come around. Merlin also accepted his proposal to start courting, happily, he may add. Alator came to Camelot and was accepted, which of course was something he was happy about. Arthur figured in time he will make Merlin King and rule by his side but for now they are going to work on their relationship. He also decided to make Morgana court sorceress and Merlin is going to teach her his talents.
Agravain came back and asked for forgiveness which Arthur accepted on the account that he wishes for Agravain to work with Gaius seeing as Merlin got new chambers and Morgana is his apprentice, Arthur figured he would make Agravain Gaius’s apprentice, it is a lower status then what he had before, but Arthur figured he wants Agravain to prove to Arthur he can trust him again and they needed to start somewhere.
Morgana was more than happy to work with Merlin. His powers are incredible. She is also very happy for Merlin and Arthur’s newfound relationship and she hopes one day she can find happiness as well. For now though, Morgana feels as though she got everything she could possibly wish for in one day.