Arthur knew that he should go down for dinner, but right now, he was feeling too depressed to even move, let alone muster enough energy to be social. He was filled with heartbreak and confusion- heartbreak that Merlin didn't remember anything about them, and confusion as to why. Was it some evil spell?
Arthur was startled out of the stupor he had sunk into by someone knocking on the door. "Who is it?" he called out.
"It's me, Sire," came Gaius's voice. "May I come in?"
Arthur was silent, and Gaius started talking again. "I have some news about Merlin."
Arthur instantly got up and opened the door to reveal Gaius standing there. "Come in," Arthur said, and Gaius walked in and sat down, with Arthur following him. "You said you had
news about Merlin?"
"I do, your Majesty," replied Gaius. "I have strong reason to believe that someone cast a curse on Merlin." Ignoring Arthur's look of horror, Gaius continued. "It was supposed to get rid of all of his memories, but Merlin's magic defeated it before it could do that. It still managed to wipe the last few years of his life away."
"Is- is there any way to reverse it?" asked Arthur.
"I don't know," replied Gaius. "But-"
"There is," said a stranger's voice from behind Arthur. He whirled around, drawing his sword, to see a man wearing a long black cloak standing behind him. "At ease, King Arthur," the man continued. "I come to help you, not harm you."
"Who are you?" demanded Arthur.
"You can call me Emrys," said the man.