Story Behind the Scars

The Poisoned Chalice

Merlin isn't the first to wake up this time. By the time he had Leon and Percival are already awake. "How long have you guys been awake?" Leon shrugs slightly. "I'm not sure. A while." Merlin nods and gets off of his bed. "Did you get any sleep?" To Merlin's relief they all nod their head. "Well that's good at least. But how come you woke up so early?" They both shrug. "No reason." Merlin tilts his head slightly. "Alright then." He joined the two at the fire pit, although the fire had gone out. Merlin stared at the logs for a few seconds and they burst into flames. Leon laughs faintly. "That's handy." Merlin smiles at him. "Sorry. I know you probably aren't used to seeing magic being used so openly." Leon shakes his head solemnly. "No I'm afraid not. Although witnessing it first hand... It's nothing at all how Uther described it. It's not evil it's magnificent." Merlin smiles at Leon, thankful for him saying so. "Thank you for saying that Leon. It really means a lot to me." He laughs at himself a little. "Just wait till the druids hear about this. Actually... that's a level of praise I don't think I'm ready for." Percival watches him carefully for a second. "Why would the druids be that thankful to you?" Mordred, who has just woken up in time to hear the question, laughs from his bed. "Cause he's somewhat of a legend to us Druids." Merlin shakes his head in dismay as Mordred walks towards the three. "What do you mean?" Mordred laughs again. "What I mean, is that there isn't a Druid alive who doesn't know Merlin's name." Merlin looks up at him with a raised eyebrow. "You sure about that? Plenty of them don't know my birth name." Mordred rolls his eyes at Merlin's sass but sits down and explains. "Yes yes, but that name doesn't matter to us, no offence, your name in the prophecy is what's important." Merlin rolls his eyes softly. He isn't too fond of how highly a lot of Druids hold him. Not too much time passes before the others are awake and joining the group at the fire. About 15 minutes after they had all woken up Merlin stands up a little. "Ready to get started?" His friends nod quickly and follow him to the mouth of the cave.

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The memory starts with a woman's hand outstretched, blood trickling down one of her fingers. The angle quickly changes to show her face reflected in the water she's looking into.

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Merlin immediately pauses the memory. "Merlin? You okay mate?" Merlin nods slowly. "Yeah just thinking." The knights wait for him to stop mumbling. "I thought this happened later on. Oh wait no this is the second time she attacks Camelot as revenge against me..." Merlin nods his head in confirmation of his own thoughts. His head snaps quickly up soon after. "Right sorry about that. Let's continue." All the knights nod in response casting a weary look at Merlin which he simply shrugs off. "I'm fine. I forgot she attacks Arthur this time, partly cause I don't really remember much of it. So I was just a bit confused." The knights nod quicker in response this time as Merlin starts the memory again.

~~

Nimueh stirs the water lightly in her scrying fountain and begins to incant a spell. "Diegol cyntte, gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Diegol cynette gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Swilte ar ond calan, drædan morðor, to Camelot he cymþ." She swirls the water once more and an image of Merlin, polishing Arthur's armour appeared in the fount. Nimueh reaches for a goblet and picks out a clear petal from within the water. She places the petal on the inside of the goblet, raising it up in front of her she enchants it. "Merlin."

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The next scene shows hundreds of mounted knights riding into Camelot. However it quickly cuts to the Knights of Camelot and King of Camelot, as well as Merlin and a few more servants, walking towards the middle of the throne room. Towards their guests. A group which is made of the visiting kingdoms King, chosen knights and a few servants on his part as well. The two King's meet in the middle of the room. "Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard of Mercia. The treaty we sign today marks an end to war and beginning to a new friendship between our people." Uther holds his arm out towards Bayard. He takes it only a second later as both groups of Knights and servants start clapping. The shot turns to Nimueh, in disguise as a servant staring at Merlin, the faint ring of magic and blood lust in the air.