After a while of Mordred and Elijah talking Elijah ended up falling asleep. Thus, signaling for Mordred to leave. As requested, Mordred took Elijah’s sword with her. However, she couldn’t help but feel as though he was trying to tell her something. Since he had mentioned the pommel she began messing with it as she went out the door to see Merlin.

“How did the reunion go?” Merlin asked with a pleasant smile as she walked out.

“It went well. However, he seemed a bit on edge and it seemed like he wanted me to do something with his sword. Something about the pommel?” Mordred replied as she gave Merlin the sword.

“Well, we might as well take a look at it.” Merlin said curiously as he looked over the sword hilt.

“Excuse me, Arthur. What kind of visitor did he have earlier? He seemed a bit shaken up over it.” Mordred asked Arthur.

“Oh, yeah. It was kind of strange. A sword wielding man with a mask and a long cloak-” Arthur started to say.

“Wait, did you say he had a mask?” Mordred interjected.

“Yeah, he said he couldn’t take it off because of some curse. They talked for a bit and then he disappeared. It was the strangest thing. I didn’t even see him leave.” Arthur answered as best he could. Without saying anything Mordred angrily stormed into the house and up to Elijah’s bed. Merlin on the other hand instantly began fiddling with the pommel until a secret compartment opened up. Inside was a small cloth with a note written on it. It said:

Merlin killed your father, not Micheal. I’m so sorry for lying to you. ~ Elijah Langston

Merlin gritted his teeth before chanting a few words under his breath. As he did the cloth turned to dust in his hands and scattered all over. Then with a few more words under his breath, Elijah began spasming in his bed much to Mordred’s surprise.

“Elijah! Elijah!” she yelled desperately as she tried to stop his spasming. Though it was no use. As he suddenly stopped and his body went lifelessly limp. She looked over his body in terror as she began to step back. She couldn’t believe it. Her friend, was dead. Slumping to her knees she began to weep. Her tears of sorrow soon turned to hatred as she bit her lip until it bled.

Meanwhile, Merlin was recreating the cloth he had destroyed. This one though, had a different message. This one made it seem as though Micheal had been after Elijah for some time and didn’t want to endanger Mordred. Although, he wasn’t sure how accurate it was. Merlin knew that in Mordred’s now emotional state, she wouldn’t hesitate to believe it and redirect her anger towards the Masked Man. thus, allowing him to continue with his plans without being hindered by her.

Merlin waited outside for Mordred who came out of the house teary eyed. That said, her facial expression gave off no signs that she was sad. It only gave off the burning aura of hatred. One that Merlin had grown accustomed to seeing her wear. For him, this was the best face for her to wear. Yet, he kept a fake face of comfort and concern for her. One in which she would no doubtably fall on when she was about to break. He hated the hassle it created but he dealt with it to further his goals. If he was alone then no one would trust him. However, if an influential human was always with him to back up his claims then he wouldn’t have to resort to any unreasonable methods. She was the perfect puppet.

“Arthur, your father needs to be attended to.” Mordred said as she walked out towards Merlin.

“Mordred, I think you should see this. It was inside a secret compartment in his pommel.” Merlin said as he held out the cloth. Taking it from him, she read it and instantly grew furious. Throwing the cloth on the ground he could hear her cursing Micheal under her breath.

“That fool… he couldn’t have trusted me to protect him while he was alive?” she said out loud without even realizing it.

“I don’t think it was a matter of trust.” Merlin replied.

“What do you mean?” she asked as she didn’t quite understand what else it could be.

“He was in love with you. Even if you never acknowledged him he was always trying to protect you and stay by your side until he couldn’t anymore.” Merlin said casually.

“He. what?” she said in disbelief. However, the words he spoke hit her far harder than Elijah’s death did. Tears began to reform in her eyes before streaming down her face with no control. “Are you telling me that all this time he was in love with me and I never even bothered to acknowledge him? That I only made him suffer from my selfishness and ignorance?”

“I would be lying if I said no. however, I don’t think he would ever want you to think you were a burden on him. In fact, he probably just wanted you to be happy.” Merlin said before wrapping his arm around her and leading her away.

“Thanks…” she responded and she leaned into the warmth of his comfort.