Royalty's Heart

VIII. The Poisoned Chalice (Part II)

DUNGEONS

Gwen checked the cells for Cara/Nimueh.

MORGANA'S CHAMBERS

"I expressly ordered Arthur not to go!" Uther yelled.

"I'd say it worked like a charm, too," Morgana told him.

"Not another word!"

"My lips are sealed."

"I should've put him under lock and key."

"You can't chain him up every time he disagrees with you."

"Just you watch me! I will not be disobeyed! Especially by my own son!"

"No. Of course you won't." She sat down at her desk to write.

Uther approached her. "You knew about this, didn't you? Morgana... don't lie to me."

"Arthur's old enough to make decisions for himself."

"He's just a boy."

"Have you seen your son recently? You have to let him make his own mind up."

"Even if it means letting him go to his death?"

EXT. OUTSIDE - DAY

Arthur rode on his horse through the countryside and soon approached a large forest.

Arthur rode through the mountains. Nimueh watched him from her stone basin. She pulled up her hood and left her cave.

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

Eliora stirred restlessly. Gaius inspected Eliora's rash. Gwen entered.

"Let me guess, she wasn't there," Gaius said.

"No one has seen her since the banquet," Gwen replied. "Who is she?"

"Not who she claims to be."

"But you know, don't you?" Merlin questioned as he tucked his friend's hair back.

"Cara. Though, that's not her name. Not her real name, anyway."

"Then who is she?" Gwen wondered.

"A powerful sorceress."

"Well, we should tell Uther. Maybe he could send riders out after her."

"No, she'll be long gone. It's impossible to know where, though. Oh, no."

"What?" Merlin and Gwen questioned.

"She knows the only place an antidote can be found is the Forest of Balor. Arthur could be walking into a trap."

"Arthur. Arthur," Eliora mumbled.

FOREST OF BALOR

Arthur led his horse through the forest.

Arthur led his horse through the forest. The Cockatrice hid under fallen tree. Arthur led his horse through the forest. He heard Nimueh's fake crying and approached her as she sat on a fallen log with fake bruises.

"Hello?" Arthur called. "Are you all right?" The Cockatrice roared behind him. "Stay back."

Nimueh smiled as Arthur faced the beast. The Cockatrice lunged, Arthur rolled under it as it jumped, then threw his sword, killing it. Nimueh grimaced. Arthur looked at her and she got up and backed away in pretend fear.

"It's all right," Arthur reassured. "I'm not going to hurt you. Who did that to you?" He pointed to her bruises.

"My master," Nimueh replied. "I ran away from him, but then I got lost. Please don't leave me."