I Don't Belong Here

✦Past Mistakes✦

Okay, so... I don't want to miss any of the episodes. However, this one is all about Gaius, some backstory on him, past mistakes and actions, etc. I can't see a way of writing this from Y/n's perspective without having her follow Gaius around and that just doesn't make sense. I want to write as much of this story in Y/n's perspective as I can without missing any episodes, so a solution to this is a summary of the episode so you know what happens but I don't really waste time on nonsense and unnecessary stress.

So, without further adieu, here's a summary of the sixth episode of the first season:

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Morgana becomes deathly ill due to a brain-eating beetle that a young sorcerer has planted in her room. She is in a coma for three days before the young sorcerer comes to the palace, claiming that he can cure her with a remedy that cures all ills. Y/n and Gaius, of course, are grateful but also suspicious of the young man. Not only does his half-burned face give Y/n the heebie-jeebies, but she can just sense something off about him; the same way she sensed something off with Kara/Nimueh. She examined Morgana herself and even she could tell that there was no cerebral bleeding. She's seen enough head injuries in her life, even before she decided to become a vet, to know if there's a fucking hemorrhage.

Arthur and Uther are convinced so they let him cure her. He plants blood in her ear and says that she had a cerebral hemorrhage, not a brain infection as Gaius diagnosed. Uther believes his old friend made a mistake and allows the young man, Edwin, to convince him that Gaius is simply getting too old.

Merlin is assigned to Edwin as a servant for his stay. Merlin finds a box of beetles in Edwin's room. Y/n is with him and she smiles, recognizing the runes engraved on the box. Merlin lets her read them and the beetles inside come to life (she's been practicing magic for the purposes of healing since she has to take care of her boys). Edwin catches them, thinks Y/n is the one with magical properties, not Merlin. Merlin kinda likes the guy when he speaks of magic so fondly, but Y/n is still not liking the vibe. Not to mention the beetles. Those were ground beetles. Typically not harmful to humans but definitely carnivorous. With the help of magic, those little pests could be capable of serious damage.

Gaius checks the records of the Great Purge (when magic was wiped from the land) and discovers that Edwin is a child from that time and his parents (who were dark sorcerers) were burned at the stake. Edwin was burned while trying to save them. Didn't work, clearly. Edwin threatens to expose Y/n of being a witch if Gaius goes to the king about this. Obviously, Gaius is surprised that Edwin thinks Y/n is the sorceress but concludes that she's probably doing it to protect Merlin.

Edwin is allowed to look over Gaius's records and he lies, saying that Gaius had made many mistakes over the years. This convinces Uther to retire Gaius. When Y/n learns about this from Arthur, she nearly loses it. Luckily she keeps her cool. She kept her suspicions to herself because she didn't know how Arthur would react.

Then, Edwin paralyzes the king, sticks a beetle in his head, then goes on his merry way. Uther is, obviously, surprised and terrified of his fate. Gaius, after some serious self-reflection with the great dragon, Gwen and himself, comes back and confronts Edwin. The young man traps Gaius in a ring of fire.

Meanwhile, Arthur finds his father in a coma in his bed and rushes to find Edwin. He finds Y/n and Merlin, tells them and the two immediately go to Edwin's chambers while Arthur searches somewhere else.

They find Gaius is trouble. Edwin tries to convince Y/n to rule the kingdom with him. She refuses and he sends an axe at her with magic. Merlin saves her with his cool mind-levitation trick which throws Edwin off. Merlin sends the axe at Edwin and kills the man. The fire goes out, freeing Gaius. Merlin and Gaius go to save Uther while Y/n goes to stall Arthur. Merlin saves Uther with magic, Gaius is super duper proud of him and the king and kingdom are saved.

Gaius is reinstated as the court physician and made a free man. (I have no clue what that means but that's what they said so ima go with it) Y/n and Merlin are so happy to have Gaius back, Arthur is happy to have his adopted sister and father safe, and Gaius has finally done something rather than turn a blind eye as he did in the past. Uther also told Gaius that when it comes to the fight against magic, Gaius is the only one he can trust. Which is ironic since Gaius learned that in order for Arthur, Merlin and Y/n to unite the land of Albion (with magic), Uther must die. Yikes.

Just because I feel like it, there were some moments between Arthur and Y/n in the time the two were together. Y/n paid it no mind, but let's be clear, Arthur is in serious denial of liking her (he totally does, btw, but is too thick to realize it).

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Okay, big take-aways from this episode summary:

- Y/n knows a bit of magic and is getting better.
- Gaius and the Great Dragon know each other, and Gaius did not-so-good things during the Great Purge.
- Arthur is in denial of liking Y/n.
- Magic beetles are a thing and Y/n knows her dangerous animals and insects shit.
- Uther trusts Gaius in the fight against magic when really, Gaius is helping Merlin and Y/n change the world for the better with magic.

Anyway, that was the episode. The next one is definitely more action-packed with evil magic and Arthur in danger so that'll be a good one. Just didn't want to miss any episodes. Hope this was still enjoyable!