Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the show Merlin, BBC does.

AN: The idea for this story just struck me last night and I have been writing ever since. This is my first full length Merlin fanfic that isn't a crossover, so I hope you like. This story is set about a month after the season 2 finale.

The Tablet of Melkor

Chapter 1

Darkness fell over the city of Camelot, and as the full moon rose, a silent figure shrouded in a dark cloak watched as the teeming city all turned in for the long night ahead. The figure looked on as the castle guards changed, and knew this was the time to make his move. While the soldiers were distracted he slipped past them and like a shadow he flitted from post to pillar, and only slowed down once he finally opened the doors to the great castle.

The cloaked figure now seemed more relaxed, though still cautious and with practiced ease moved forward only pausing to look at the sign which pointed the way to the Court Physician.

Merlin tossed and turned, his sleep for once as fitful as the Lady Morgana's. He didn't dream, but for some reason he seemed to be completely in an unconscious state of nervousness. And with good reason. For when Merlin's movements finally settled, the cloaked figure entered the room silent as a ghost. The figure removed his hood and a sallow faced, grim looking man glared down at the young man.

Softly the man lift his hand, directing it at Merlin, and began to speak softly.

"At amlyga hun at bod ddewin."

And a slight sheen a white light came from Merlin briefly for a second, and he lowered his hand, as the light faded.

He smirked then looking at the sleeping young man. "Sleep well Emrys," he said condescendingly, "because it shall be the last you get!"

Merlin awoke with a start, his head pounding a tattoo into his brain. He had never slept so badly in his life, and despite his sometimes stressful life, he'd never had a problem sleeping like he did the night before. He lay down on his pallet and closed his eyes, trying to will his body to catch another few minutes of shut eye. But Gaius was having none of it.

"Merlin, get down here and have breakfast. I need you to fetch me some herbs before you go to work!" he old man called from downstairs.

Merlin sighed and sat up and dressed quickly before going downstairs to start another long day.

"Will you EVER be on time?" Arthur grumbled and Merlin stumbled into the Prince's chambers, late as usual.

"Just wait for the day when I am," Merlin countered. "You wouldn't know what to do with yourself."

Arthur rolled his eyes and Merlin grinned as he set down the platter of food he was carrying and Arthur seated himself and began to eat.

There was a knock on the door suddenly. "Enter," Arthur called.

The door opened and a soldier bowed briefly to Arthur before speaking. "The king requests your presence immediately."

"I can't explain it sire, at least four have already fallen into a coma, and this is no illness I'm aware of. It is similar to the ailment that Morgause inflicted on Camelot, except no one was sick before falling into unconsciousness," Gaius was explaining to Uther, as soon as Arthur and Merlin entered the throne room.

"So it must be sorcery," Uther declared.

"That is indeed the only conclusion I can come to," Gaius agreed.

"Arthur you must find the—" and suddenly Uther stopped his eyes growing wide.

Merlin was surprised to see that the king was staring straight at him. What is going on? He wondered, and then he saw a flicker in his vision, and looked down to see his palms glowing with an unnatural light. As he raised one hand a chair next to him rose with the hand. What was happening? He tried to use his magic to stop it, but it seemed for once his power refused to be controlled. Another chair lifted in the air.

"Sorcery!" Uther declared angrily. "Those golden eyes alone are the mark of a sorcerer, but to perform magic right in front of me!"

"Merlin?" Arthur asked shock and horror dawning on his face.

"Seize him," Uther declared. "He will be put to death tonight!"

AN: By the way for those wondering the spell is actually Welsh. I remember hearing in one of the commentaries that they used Welsh for some of the spells in the show so that is what I am using for this story. Comments are great appreciated!