The Eye of the Phoenix
"Ha! Look what I found! said Arthur, as he held up the fisher kings trident happily, "let's get out of this place."
Merlin and Gwaine exchange a look. Merlin looked back at the fisher kings throne before following Arthur from the room.
They made their way quickly back outside, away from the fortress. The journey back was slow, and they stopped to camp as night fell upon them. They all sat quietly around the fire.
"Why did you follow me Merlin?" asked Arthur, he didn't sound angry, but confused. Merlin hesitated before replying, "Gauis heard a rumour that Morgause knew of your quest. He believed she could have enchanted something you wore to drain your energy, and you would eventually have died."
Arthur looked stunned, "Morgause...? but how...?"
Again Merlin hesitated, he kept his eyes on the fire as he replied. "One of Gauis' patients saw her watching you as you rode through the lower town. He told only Gauis as he couldn't be sure. Gauis told me to check for any signs of sorcery. I saw a mark on the bracelet you wore. She must have enchanted it as you rode past. You were unconscious when I found you, and as soon as I removed it, you woke."
Arthur again looked shocked as he rubbed his wrist where the bracelet had been.
"We didn't want to worry your father as we had no proof, so I asked Gwaine to accompany me and..." Merlin trailed off and shrugged.
"I don't know what to say" said Arthur quietly. "I think that would be 'thank you'" replied Gwaine with a frown. "What, for ruining the quest?" Arthur snapped. Gwaine looked at him disapprovingly, "if I had a friend who risked his life to save me from danger I would thank him. If Merlin hadn't followed you, you would have died" he said with a frown, crossing his arms and leaning back.
Arthur paused, at a loss for words. "Gwaine you are right" he said, prodding the fire with a stick, "thank you both." He nodded at them both in turn, and they returned the gesture. Gwaine and Merlin exchanged another look and Merlin shrugged.
They heard a loud screech in the distance. "Pheasants again Merlin!" said Gwaine with a laugh, as he got up to grab some more firewood.
Merlin turned to Arthur, "Arthur you mustn't let Morgana know her bracelet was used to curse you, she...she would be upset if she knew it nearly caused you harm." Arthur nodded, "I'll tell her I lost it...though that might upset her too" he joked.
They chatted quietly for awhile, Merlin and Gwaine told of their daring escape from the tavern. Arthur looked at them sternly, but smiled in spite of himself when Merlin explained how they had jumped off a wall into the hay below.
Gwaine asked about Grettir, the keeper of the bridge "who was he?" he said with a confused frown, "he called me 'strength'" he said with a laugh, though sounding somewhat proud. Merlin shrugged and glanced over at Arthur. Arthur frowned "I know I met him... I can't remember what he said though. To be honest I don't remember much before you took that bracelet off me Merlin" he admitted.
Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, the last thing he needed was Grettir announcing his arrival as magic to Arthur.
They soon settled down for the night to sleep, glad to be on their way home tomorrow.