Bayard continues to talk unaware of the Pendragon's annoyance. "And may the differences from our past remain there. To your health, Uther."

Artura arose with everyone else at they all lifted their glasses into the air for a toast. "Arthur." Bayard cries pointing towards Artura.

She sent him a smile waving her glass at him. She began to bring the goblet to her lips but stopped when Bayard continued, "The Lady Morgana."

Artura didn't even try to take a sip this time knowing there was more to be said. She just wanted a drink and to enjoy the rest of the party. Morgana's nods towards Bayard, Artura could tell that Morgana felt the same about the party.

"The people of Camelot." Bayard finished loudly.

Once again Artura brought up the cup to her lips feeling positive that it was all over but her father grinned as he shouted. "And to fallen warriors on both sides."

With those final words everyone started to drink Artura could practically taste the drink before it touched her lips.

"Stop!" Someone shouted followed by Merlin running in fear planted on his face. "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!"

Merlin grabbed the goblet from Artura's hand and taking a few steps away so Artura couldn't take it back.

"What?" Uther cried glaring holes into Merlin.

Artura sighed wishing she didn't have such an idiotic manservant. "Merlin, what are you doing?" Sue growled.

Merlin hesitated for a second before replying, "Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison."

"This is an outrage!" Bayard bellowed clearly upset about said accusation.

Bayard men were quick to fly into action pulling out their swords. In response so did the knights of Camelot. Artura had her own sword drawn and glancing at Morgan's she realized she had a kitchen knife in hand gleefully ready to fight.

"Order your men to put down their swords." Uther commanded more of his guards rushing in. "You are outnumbered."

Bayard growled, "I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged!" This was an insult to him and his kingdom. It made sense, he would be happy.

Uther turned sharply towards Merlin towering over the young man. "On what grounds do you base this accusation?"

Merlin looked ready to faint in fear which wouldn't get them any answers so Artura jumped in telling her father she could handle Merlin. Artura skirted around the table grabbing Merlin's hand harshly. "Merlin, you idiot. Have we been at the sloe gin again?"

Merlin frowned shaking his head. Artura took the goblet back sending Merlin a look of utter disappointment.

"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think why you think it's poisoned now." Uther demanded. He wanted this treaty more than anyone so if Artura's manservant was going to ruin it he was going to be beyond pissed.

Merlin shrunk back hiding slightly behind Artura in fear. "He was seen lacing it." Merlin said quietly.

"By whom?"

Merlin glanced over towards the door before gulping, "I can't say."

Bayard took a step forward. "I won't listen to this anymore."

Uther rounded the table extending his hand towards Artura. "Pass me the goblet." Artura knew better than to argue with the King and handed to goblet. "If you're telling the truth..."

"I am." Bayard interrupted sounding very confident.

Uther's face hardened. "Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther challenged raising an eyebrow.

Bayard took a calming breath she's thing his sword and reached out for the goblet. Uther pulled in back shaking his head. "No. If this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself."

Artura admired her father's stubbornness and dignity of giving Bayard a chance to live. Bayard let out a royal snort, a bit, unimpressed.

Uther turns back towards Merlin holding out the goblet. "He'll drink it."

Artura's heart raced and her stomach did a somersault. "But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Artura argued. She would not let Merlin die for her sake.

"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther argued eyeing her.

"And what if he lives?" Bayard asked taking another step forward. On instinct Artura pointed her sword towards him threatening.

"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Uther arranged keeping an assured amount of calmness in his voice. Artura could guess that it was due to the fact that Uther didn't care for Merlin at all.

Gaius stepped forward his voice trembling. "Uther, please! He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!" Artura looked at Gaius sadly but knew that Uther's mind had been made.

"Then you should've schooled him better."

Artura turned towards Merlin needing to stop this madness. "Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake. I'll drink it."

Artura went to grab it from him but he backed up hugging the goblet to his body. "No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright." Artura watched as Merlin's hand arose shaking as he toasted towards Artura and Bayard. Taking on last deep breath he put the goblet to his lips and took a nice long gulp of the drink.

Artura watched him carefully searching for signs of him about to die. Gwen also took a step forward worried about her friend.

Merlin stopped stood for a second dread in his eyes as he announced, "It's fine."

Uther nodded shoving Merlin towards Bayard. Artura had to force herself to not drag Merlin back over to her side. "He's all yours." Uther said frowning at the young man.

There was a sigh of relief that filled the room. It came a bit to soon as Merlin's hands flew to his neck making choking sounds before falling to ground unconscious.

Uther turned to the boy anger swept through as he shouted towards Bayard. "It's poisoned. Guards seize him!"

Artura was by Merlin's side in an instance she wished he would open his eyes and call out his bluff laughing hysterically. Yet, she knew Merlin wasn't that sort of man he was too honest to play such a prank.

Gwen and Gaius raced over to Merlin. "Merlin. Can you hear me? We have to get him back to my chambers. Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison." Gaius said urgently.

Artura nodded scooping Merlin into her arms. The three raced towards Gauis's Chamber's hoping that they would have time to save him. Gwen being to the wisest of them all grabbed the goblet so Gaius could identify the poison.

--

Gwen was the last to enter the Chambers just as Gaius gave orders to Arthur and Gwen. "Lay him on the bed quickly; he's struggling to breathe. Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel."

Gwen watched as Arthur laid Merlin on a cot. He made sure Merlin wasn't going to throw himself off on accident before turning towards Gaius. Much to Gwen's surprise Arthur appeared surprisingly calm for the urgency he had shown just a few minutes earlier.

Gwen grabbed a bucket near Merlin's room along with a clean towel.

"Is he going to be alright?" Arthur's voice betraying his face.

"He's burning up." Gaius responded not yet having a true vertic to give.

Gwen sat down next to Merlin dabbing his forehead asking, "You can cure him, can't you Gaius?"

Gaius sighed fixing his glasses. "I won't know until I can identify the poison. Pass me the goblet." Gwen's hands swiftly passed him the goblet feeling extremely anxious about the whole situation.

Gaius brought the goblet over to his work desk pulling out his magnifying glass looking inside the empty goblet. "Ah. There's something stuck on the inside."

Gaius placed the magnifying glass down grabbing his tweezers instead. "What is it?" Arthur asked leaning towards Gaius.

Slowly Gaius pulled a damp, thin, purple object. He placed it down the goblet replacing it with the spyglass inspecting it as he spoke. "It looks like a flower petal of some kind."

"His brow's on fire." Gwen announced her eyes darting around for something to help Merlin more than the wet cloth was.

"Keep him cool; it'll help control his fever." Gaius orders. Gwen gives a nervous nodded before going back to dabbling his face.

Gaius raced over to his bookshelf his finger scanning the titles. His eyes brighten as he pulls out a book with a worn out flower. He flipped through comparing it too picture the pictures.

He lifted it up walking back over to the three. "Ah. The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower. It can only be found in the caves deep beneath the Forest of Balor. The flower grows on the roots of the Mortaeus tree."

Arthur's breath hitched, "That's not particularly friendly."

Gaius nodded. "A Cockatrice. It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death. Few who have crossed the Mountains of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive." Gaius teased glancing up at Arthur.

"Sounds like fun." Arthur said, letting out a nervous laugh.

Gaius gave him a sharp looking shaking his head. "Arthur, it's too dangerous."

Arthur showed a split second of agreement before shaking his own head. "If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?"

Gaius's eyes fell as he skimmed the words of the page before drawing a conclusion. "The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not for much longer. Eventually he will die." His voice was grave and broken. He gulped probably forcing down the tears.

Gwen was less successful as a few tears rolled down her caring face.

--

Gaius pulled Artura out of the room to discuss with her privately.

"Artura you are honestly thinking of doing this." Gaius said worried for Merlin and her safety. Artura put on a brave face nodding. "I care for Merlin as my own son, but you are like my daughter I don't want you to risk your life for Merlin."

"Thanks Gaius, but he risked his neck for me and if there is something I can do to help, which I can, I'm not going to hesitate to do it." Artura announced.

Gaius felt so much stress and terror. "You father would never allow it Artura." Gaius reminded.

Artura took a deep shaky breath. "Well he is just going to have to get over it, isn't he." Artura's voice was small as she spoke.

Gaius knew how cruel her father could be at times. Artura was often afraid to confront him. "You care for Merlin don't you."

"Of course I am not some heartless beast like my father." Artura growled, glaring at the wall in front of her. Gaius raised a brow as her face reddened the message he was trying to send finally reaching her. "No!"

Gaius shushed her chuckling. "Fine, but do it all as Arthur, please." Gaius pulling out a handful of bottles.

"Why?" Artura asked stuffing them inside her pockets.

Gaius stared into the distance. "I think this a bit bigger than what we know right now and Arthur needs to be there for it."

"But Alice is so much more inconspicuous Gaius no one can go after the throne if they don't know it's throne." Artura argued. She need freedom otherwise she just might fall apart.

"Not this time Artura, please just trust me." Gaius begged his eyes full of so much care and love. Artura sighed but nodded.

"Take care of his Gaius I'll go as fast as I can." Artura promised pulling him into a hug before racing down the stairs and to her father.

--

Artura did her best to appear confident as she walked down the corridor with her father. The truth was she wanted to run, nothing scared her more than asking him permission to do something she already knew he didn't approve of.

Uther sighed shaking his head slowly. "What's the point of having people to taste for you if you're going to get yourself killed anyway?" Uther inquired glancing over at her.

"I won't fail, no matter what you think." Artura promised. She had to do this one thing for Merlin. She wasn't entirely sure what he did for her but she knew that there would be little chance of repaying him. She would take this opportunity to give him back what he needed to regain, like his life.

Uther stopped placing a caring hand on Artura's shoulder. "Arthur, you are my only dau...son and heir. I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy." Artura's heart skipped a beat as she heard the start of the word daughter came. It was a start she hoped to being free of the nasty potion.

She was quick to get over his mistake processing the last of his words. "Oh, because his life's worthless?" Artura growled loudly taking a step back from him.

"No, because it's worth less than yours." Uther urged stepping towards her.

Artura clenched her jaw her chest tightening. She thought of how many times she had heard her father speak about people being lower than they were and she was fed up with it. "I can save him. Let me take some men." Her voice quiver but was still firm.

"No."

Artura was a little taken aback by the response. She was, yes, use to her father not agreeing but he normally gave a reason or room for argument. This time he was calling it was over and there was nothing left to discuss. He proved by turning on his heels sharply and continuing onward.

Artura groaned her hand drawn into fist almost breaking the skin. "We'll find the antidote and bring it back." Artura explained her eyes darting around for backup.

"No." Uther replied again is voice raising.

Artura stopped no longer feeling the chase was worth it. "Why not?!" She cried her stare showed much pain.

Uther snapped around his face was red.as he took a threatening step towards Artura. He pointed as accusing finger at her as he spoke, "Because one day I will be dead and Camelot will need a king. I'm not going to let you jeopardise the future of this kingdom over some fool's errand."

Artura took a step towards him unwilling to give up the fight. Her voice shook, "It's not a fool's errand. Gaius says that if we can get the antidote..."

Uther cut her off his face hardening and the room temperature dropped. "Oh, Gaius says? That's exactly what makes it so." He growled as he neared.

Artura didn't dare take another step the confidence she had had moments before leaving her. She pinched her nose as a last minute argument. "Please, Father. He saved my life. I can't stand by and watch him die."

"Then don't look. This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're going to be King. It's something you'll have to get used to." Uther spoke slowly as if Artura was a child and was the only way to get the point across. He was still a solid foot away but it felt like he was looming right over her.

Gulping she didn't look him in the eyes as she announced. "I can't accept that." She pressed her lips together as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Another step, more like a stomp, as his chin was raised high. He pointed to the ground as he snarled, "You're not going."

Artura snorted, shaking her head. She took a few steps to grow the space between them. "You can't stop me." She turned quickly ending the conversation there.

"Damn it, Arthur, that's an end to it! You're not leaving this castle tonight." Uther yelled as he stared down Artura. She glanced back at him but before she could give in, she continued on her way to Morgana's for guidance although she planned to drop by her room first.

Her conversation with her King had only caused her to second think her action and she needed someone to reaffirm them.

--

Morgan's watched as Arthur stormed into his room clearly upset. A small smile graced her face as she entered in after him.

"Say what you like about the food, but you can't beat our feast for entertainment." Morgan's teased. Arthur didn't find it funny, but rather sighed leaning his arm against the wall not looking at her.

"Morgana, I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were alright." He apologized looking over at her frowning.

Morgan's could see the weight of his father on his shoulders. There was little she could do to help though. She neared his table his finger trailing the sword as she spoke, "Disappointed actually. I was looking forward to clumping a couple around the head with a ladle."

Arthur pushed down a laugh shaking his head. "I'm sure the guards could have handled Bayard and his men."

Morgan's grinned as she made her way over to him. Her head leaned over his shoulder. "Yeah, but why let the boys have all the fun?" Arthur turned his head towards her eyeing her.

"Morgana, you shouldn't get involved. It's dangerous." Arthur lectured another long tired sigh being released.

Morgan's stepped away glaring. "Spare me the lecture, I've already had it from Uther." She didn't want to be told by another what she could and couldn't do especially Arthur. He knew not what ridicule and disappointment people felt towards women and fighting.

Arthur actually chuckled pulling away from the wall rounding his table. "If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one."

Morgan's now stood at the head of his table. She looked towards Arthur realizing that the young man was lost on what to do.

"Not that I listen to him. Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right, and damn the consequences." Her eyes never left Arthur's as she talked. His eyes lower wanting to believe her but he couldn't seem to fight the voice in the back of his empty skull.

"You think I should go?" Arthur asked pacing back and forth. They both could seem to sit still. They shared an equal amount of concern for Merlin he was always so caring to them both. That was not something they received often so when they did get those people quickly filled a hole in their hearts.

Morgan's shrugged indifferent. "It doesn't matter what I think."

She was right of course her opinion didn't really make a difference in a decision already made by the king. Arthur scrunched up his face for a second before releasing it. He took an exhausted breath. "If I don't make it back, who will be the next king of Camelot? There's more than just my life at stake." Arthur pointed out. He threw his hands up into the air exasperated.

Morgan's pondered on those words for some time going back to his sword. She slowly drew the sword listening as it sighed in relief. "And what kind of king would Camelot want? One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant?

"Or one who does what his father tells him to?" She presented the sword to him. She smiled know her words had lead him towards the answer he wanted. He took the sword pulling her into a side hug before grabbing a few thing a and running off the save Merlin.

--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--_

A.N: I'm so happy. My friends taking the ACT so she's been hopefully studying so I haven't been distracted by her recently so I actually had time to write this. While I was writing the argument with Uther and Artura I was done just saying theme motion so I was looking up ways to describe how to show frustration instead of just saying it and a website suggested a book and I realized my sister who has that book at the house so I took it and I'm so excited. I used if for the last little half so hopefully you guys can tell a difference and you like it because I'm very excited about it. I'm now ahead on publishing which is good these last three things I have released haven't been edited at all the others have been spelled checked and stuff not these ones, but when I finish the episode it will be for sure. Thanks for continuing to read.

Issue #14: it's hard to match what the characters do in the real show not that I follow it that much but they have a few action sues and always get ahead of myself. Not sure if that's an issue but it's a struggle so whatever.

Ugh I also just want Morgana to know should I go back and have it so she knows or should it remain a mystery?