The Adventures of Merlin

The Lady Morgana

    It had been nearly a year since Balinor had died. Merlin and Arthur never spoke of those few, strange days. Things had gone back to normal between them. Arthur accepted that Merlin was special, that he was the last dragon lord. Merlin had thought of sharing his magic with Arthur, but it never seemed to be the right moment. Uther was preoccupied in his search for the missing Morgana. No one had seen her since she was taken by Morgause. He kept sending out one search party after another with no avail. There was word of a group of bandits hidden in the forest so Arthur, Merlin and a group of knights had been sent out to find them.

   The air was foggy, but they could tell there were people. The knights dismounted their horses and drew their swords. A lone Bandit ran out first screaming, weapon at the ready. More and more started to appear and a fight broke out. It went the same way every other fight went. Merlin saved both Arthur and himself with magic, but Arthur would think he was hiding. Then Merlin would insult Arthur under his breath and get back into the fight. The knights soon killed all the men from the camp, but they kept their guards up because they thought they heard something. A figure started to appear in the fog. It was a woman, disoriented and scared. "Morgana?" Arthur lowered his sword. Merlin was shocked, but mostly scared. The last time he saw her he had poisoned her.

   They took her back to Camelot and she got cleaned up. The was no more dirt and she got a clean dress. Everyone was so happy to see her, except Merlin. Arthur had been comforting her, as he left Merlin followed. "Merlin?" Morgana stopped him, "I want to speak with you." Merlin didn't want to face her, but he did. "I know you tried to poison me." "I didn't want to." His voice was quite and sorry. "You were just trying to save your friends. I would have done the same." "Really?" "I was foolish, I don't think I realized what I was doing." Merlin let out a sigh of relief, "I swear, I didn't want too. If there's anyway I can... I just wish I could show you how sorry I am." "It's alright Merlin." Morgana smiled. "I was wondering, what happened to Morgause?" "What?" "She took you. What did she want?" Morgana lost her smile, "I don't know. I guess she lost interest in me once she realized I couldn't help her take over Camelot."Merlin didn't quite believe her, he just nodded and walked away.

   Morgana had fooled them all. She had spent the last year with her sister, being corrupted. Morgana taught to hate Uther, to want him dead, she was driven by anger towards his actions towards those with magic. That night she sneaked out of the castle to meet her sister. Morgause gave her a Mandrake root. When Morgana returned to Camelot she placed it under Uther's bed. Morgana left his chambers with a smirk. The next day Uther started to act strange. No one could figure out what was wrong, but it only got worse. Giaus had him confined to his room. Merlin stayed with Arthur as he visited his father. They entered the room to find Giaus gathering his supplies. "Any change?" Arthur asked sitting in a chair next to his fathers bed. "I'm afraid not sire. I'm not even sure what's wrong." Giaus dropped a vile that rolled across the floor.

    "I'll get that." Merlin said crouching on the floor. The vile had rolled next to Arthur's feet, Merlin looked under Uther's bed as he got up. He got back down and dabbed his fingers in a black ooze that dripped down, "Giaus? What is this?" Merlin reached up and pulled out a strange object covered in the goo. "A Mandrake root? It's a powerful and evil magic. Quick throw it in the fire!" Merlin ran to the other side of the room and tossed it into the fireplace. He quickly covered his ears as it screeched, "What is that?" Merlin winced at the sound. "What is what?" Arthur was confused, as to why was that thing under his under his fathers bed. "We need to find out who put that there." Giaus ignored Arthur's question, knowing only those with magic could hear the scream of the Mandrake. "Who had access to the kings chambers?" Merlin questioned. "And who would have such magic?" Giaus added. Merlin started to leave the room. "Where are you going?" Arthur asked. "I might know who it is, but I'm not entirely sure." Merlin ran out the door. "Wait!" Arthur started to follow but he stopped because he heard his father stirring in his sleep. "Sire, I think it's best if we stay with your father as he recovers. Merlin can take care of himself." Giaus didn't know what Merlin was up too but he trusted him. Arthur reluctantly went back next to his father.