Alexandra's Point of View:
Today is a big day when the kingdom of Mercia and Camelot would sign off on a peace treaty. The Great Hall was quite crowded with both the knights of Camelot and the knights of Mercia. Merlin and I were on the left side of the hall. From this side, we had an excellent view of everyone. I scanned the hall because today would be the day if someone were to strike. My search was easily interrupted by the king. The ceremony quickly began as King Uther welcomed Lord Bayard.
"The treaty we sign today marks an end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people," King Uther said. The kings firmly held each other's arms leaving the people around them to slowly applaud.
Most servants including me were tasked with carrying luggage for the new guests we had and readying the rooms. However, we were far too occupied. Merlin, Gaius, and I were walking in the hall when a servant girl rounded the corner and ran into Merlin. It was obvious to me and Gaius that Merlin thought the girl was pretty. Although her hair was wrapped in a blue turban, it shone a chocolate brown. Her eyes were like the morning sky and her lips the color of a rose. I had to admit I would be attracted to her, but instead, I was envious. With short introductions and Merlin returning a pillow Kara that she dropped, we continued walking.
"Shouldn't you be busy running the place?" Gaius teased.
"No, he's too busy giving googly eyes at the servant girl," I joked. He lightly shoved me and I giggled in response. Merlin was honestly just too easy to pick on. While Merlin was helping Arthur get ready, I decided I would visit Morgana since the feast was later. I did not need help finding her chambers this time. I approached the door and rapped on it lightly.
"Come in," I heard her say. I shuffled in to see Gwen styling the lady's hair. As my eyes lay upon her, I was in awe. Her dress was a deep purple that clung to her skin. Blue sheer materials raced down her arms with a gold bracelet fastening the material to her arms. The same blue color was a gem on her gold belt that showed off her waist. I wish I could own something close to the dresses she owned.
"Morgana, your dress is stunning and compliments your skin so well!" I excitedly said.
"Oh Alexandra, you're such a doll."
"You'll impress all the knights," I commented.
"I'm not trying to impress any knight," she said knowingly. I looked to her for a further explanation, but it was clear that she was gonna keep this lover a secret.
"Would you mind holding this piece of hair Alex?" Gwen asked. I complied and made my way over to the two girls. We talked for a while until it was about time for the feast. Gaius and I stood behind Morgana and Merlin was across from us. When I saw what he was wearing, I stifled a laugh. He had a huge red hat on with an even bigger red feather extending from it. A red cape engulfed his body. It was nice to see him in something. I laughed this time, and Gaius nudged me to be quiet. Merlin ripped the silly hat off his head, when he made contact with Morgana. She smiled giggling at him too. A thought crept into my mind, but I pushed it away. Lord Bayard signed the treaty. The room erupted in applause. Bayard began his speech. Arthur warned me about how boring they can be, but at least Arthur got to sit.
"People of Camelot, for a great many years we have been mortal enemies. The blood of our men stains the ground from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia. And although we still remember those who have died, we must not let anymore join them. As a symbol of our goodwill and our newfound friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, Uther, and to your son, Arthur in the hope that our friendship may last." I saw Merlin leave the room, and that worried me. Merlin was a lovely person, but he wasn't always the smartest. I tried to follow him, but Gaius stopped me. I do not think Gaius saw Merlin leave. Lord Bayard was still talking, but all I could worry about was what did Kara want with Merlin. Everyone started to rise which brought my focus back. I smiled as Arthur tried to drink from his goblet, but Lord Bayard just kept talking.
"Stop! It's poison. Don't drink it." Merlin exclaimed. Oh, you got to be kidding me. Merlin ran to Arthur and snatched the goblet. I moved from Gaius's side to Arthur's leaving enough distance between Merlin and myself.
"What?" the king questioned.
"Merlin, what do you think you are doing?" Arthur fiercely said.
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison," Merlin claimed. I knew something would happen. I guess that Kara told Merlin that, but what happens if she can't be trusted?
"This is an outrage!" Lord Bayard said and his men pulled their swords. The knights of Camelot did the same as Uther ordered Bayard to put down the swords. "I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged," he said.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asked.
"I'll handle this," Arthur said moving towards Merlin with me not too far behind, "Merlin, you idiot, have you been at the slow gin again?"
Uther then said, "Unless you want to be strung up, you'll tell me why you think it's poisoned."
"He was seen lacing it."
"By whom?"
"I can't say."
Lord Bayard said annoyed, "I won't listen to this anymore." Arthur passed the goblet to Uther.
"If you're telling the truth then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Lord Bayard put his sword away and used his free hand to reach for the goblet until Uther drew his hand back.
"No, if this does prove to be poisoned, then I want the pleasure of killing you myself," Uther said. King Uther pointed the goblet to Merlin, "He'll drink it."
"But if he drinks it, he'll die," Arthur said worriedly.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Without thinking I opened up my mouth and said, "I'll drink it." Everyone's eyes shifted in my direction. I continued my thoughts because I needed to convenience them to let me drink it. Merlin would be throwing his destiny away if he drank it. "If it is poisoned, you will know he was telling the truth and can reward him. If the accusations are false and I live, then I am at your disposal, my Lord."
"Alexandra, you can't be serious!" Arthur and Merlin exclaimed. The king seemed to be debating my words. His face moved with each thought. He handed the cup to me.
"Merlin apologize, and Alexandra give me the goblet. I'll drink it," Arthur reached for what rested in my hands. I had cupped my hands around the handle of the goblet making a silent toast before I slugged down the red wine. The room was quiet with anticipation.
"There is something in here," I stated pulling out a petal. I started to walk towards Gaius until I suddenly couldn't breathe. I started grunting and gasping for air. My hand clung to my throat scratching at something invisible. Out of nowhere, my legs gave out and I clasped to the floor. The goblet rolled out of my hand when my body hit the ground.
3rd Person Point of View:
Arthur raced to Alexandra's side and so did Merlin. The knights from both sides drawled their swords. Gaius opened Alexandra's palm and grabbed the petal. Merlin grabbed the goblet. Finally, Arthur lifted Alexandra in his arms and raced towards the physician's chambers with Gwen following. Arthur laid her on the bed in the room both she and Merlin shared. Gaius and Merlin were examining the petal while Gwen was trying to cool Alexandra's body temperature. She was sweating profusely, and she was stirring in the bed a bit. Arthur left the room and stood behind Gaius as he and Merlin compared the petal to a flower they found in a book.
"The petal comes from the Mortaeus Flower and one poisoned by it can only be healed by a potion, made from the leaf of the very same flower," Gaius examined.
Merlin continued, "The flower can be found deep in the cave through the Forest of Baloch."
"That doesn't look particularly friendly," Arthur pointed at a creature with wings in the book.
"It's a cockatrice and it guards the forest," said Gaius, "the venom is potent and a single drop would mean certain death. Few have made it across and come back alive." For a minute the room was silent, Gwen was pressing the rag to Alexandra's head, Merlin and Arthur were pacing, and Gaius left pondering.
"Sounds like fun," Arthur said.
"It's too dangerous for you, your highness," Gaius commented.
"And am I supposed to trust that Merlin can get the antidote and get back here safe?" Arthur questioned leaving Merlin looking offended. "If I don't get this antidote, what happens to Alexandra?"
"The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. She may hold out for four, or five days but not for much longer." Merlin was already packing some supplies for his journey. He would not wait around for everyone to decide when his sister was dying. And so he left the room preparing for what was ahead of him. Arthur stormed out of the room.
Kara fled Camelot, although anger pulsed through her. She wanted Merlin, the warlock dead, not his sister. His sister's death would be a good distraction, though.
Arthur confronted his father about the matter. He needed to ask permission; however, Uther had another lecture in mind. Uther would not risk his only son being in danger for the sake of some servant girl. Arthur questioned his father with anger, but Uther said that her life was worth less than his son's. Arthur pleaded with Uther to let him take some men and receive the antidote, but Uther disagreed and would not risk his son. Arthur returned to his room and rested with frustration against the fireplace. Morgana taking her queue entered after him. Although she joked around, she convinced Arthur that sometimes you have to do what is right and damn the consequences. She told him that the people want a King that can make his own decisions that one that listens to their father. Arthur rode out unto the night with one thought in mind, to save Alexandra.
It was morning now as the sun rose higher than the windows letting in some light. Alexandra was stirring and reciting random spells. Gwen looked at Gaius concerned. Gaius tried to cover the tracks by saying Alexandra's fever has taken hold, none of the words were her own, and that her pulse was weaker. A red rash caught Gaius's eye that laid on Alexandra's wrist. It was quite big and in the shape of a circle. The rash was not meant to appear until the final stage. This left Gwen confused and Gaius worried. Gaius told Merlin and Arthur that she had four days, but with the flower's potency she only had two. The flower had been enchanted, and Bayard is no sorcerer. Gaius stumbled as the realization hit him. It couldn't be and she wouldn't risk it. Gaius sent Gwen to find the servant girl Merlin was talking to before the interruption at the feast.
"Arthur..." Alexandra mumbled with some enchantments.