Chapter Two

Merlin moved back from the window, and felt a little dizzy so he sat down on the floor under the window. He put his head in his hands and took some careful breaths.

Arthur pulled his desk chair out of the way and crouched down in front of him.

"Merlin?" he asked frowning with concern. Merlin looked at the prince with new eyes. Arthur's aura was a deep purple, it radiated from him like a thick comfortable cloak, and he thought he could see a hint of sparkle there, not much perhaps just a left over from whatever spell Nimueh had done to bring him into being. It was a tiny spark that could be cultivated, if he chose it, but that was unlikely for the time being. Merlin closed his eyes focusing on his breathing pushing back the power of the veil, when he opened them again, Arthur was still there looking at him getting more worried.

"Sorry," said Merlin sheepishly, "that many full spirits reaching out at once, it's a little overwhelming." He sat up fully still looking at Arthur's worried face, "I'm okay now," he smiled a little embarrassed.

"Okay," said Arthur not entirely convinced, "What about the spirits following that man says that I'm in trouble?"

"They're all restless spirits, half of them are trying to build their energies to avenge their own deaths, and the rest are calling out a warning."

"What warning?" asked Arthur.

"Beware, The Gleeman's lies, he'll kill the prince before your eyes."

"A poem?" Arthur laughed a little, "These spirits seem pretty jolly in their warning."

"It's not funny Arthur, I don't know why they're rhyming, maybe the afterlife is boring. Gleeman is a murderer, the ten spirits that follow him all say so, and his latest victim a young duke's son, Lester of Coria is sitting next to you, he's saying that he was murdered a month ago, at Gleeman's last stop, apparently his stepmother wanted her own son, in line for the title."

"Merlin that's not funny, you can't go around accusing noble women of murder," said Arthur suddenly stern.

"I'm not accusing her," said Merlin frowning, "I wouldn't do that without proof, after four years I know you never take me at my word. Maybe you'll take Lester's word for it." Merlin's eyes rolled back in his head.

"Merlin!" cried Arthur, jumping to stop him from hitting his head on the wall. Merlin sat up suddenly and blinked.

"Wow!" he said, "That's different."

"Merlin?" asked Arthur frowning.

"No," said Merlin his voice had changed, he was now high pitched and nasal, "I'm Lester, son of Ian Duke of Coria."

"Merlin this isn't funny," said Arthur.

"I'm not Merlin, I told you already," Merlin's entire posture had changed, he was sitting up straighter and he was gesturing with his hands as he spoke, Merlin always spoke with his arms at his side or held behind his back. "I'm Lester, Merlin's here too still, but he's letting me use his voice so you can get my story right from me, instead of him having to relay everything to you." Arthur looked unconvinced, "Let me see, what's a noble thing I can tell you that someone like Merlin wouldn't know. Hmm, you know I can't tell you how surprised I was that Merlin could see me, he's a servant your know?" Lester pulled Merlin's face into a look of distaste, "and the fact that you know what he can do!

"That's a shock considering everything my father ever told me about Camelot, I mean one of my father's servants was executed when she accompanied him to a meeting, she wasn't a magic user she just had a pendant with markings from the old religion on it, one of the guards heard her curse in the old tongue and that was it, burned at the stake!

"This was fifteen years ago mind you, but he was really shaken by it, my father hasn't had the trouble with magic that you have here, but honestly I got the feeling he thought it was a bit harsh. Of course he never told King Uther that he basically steered clear of having relations with you guys again. It's a shame really the castle is gorgeous…oh sorry Merlin's giving me a bit of a prod here to get on with my story."

Arthur blinked a little taken back; this was definitely not Merlin, Lester with Merlin's face smiled at him it was a cocky smug smile that didn't belong on that face.

"So," said Lester, "several weeks back it was my birthday, there was a feast of course the whole thing," he rolled his eyes, "too much fuss and bother really, but Father insisted, so I went along. My stepmother well, she's never exactly been what I'd call nice to me, and you see my real mother died when I was two, of a fever, my father never really got over it, his court advisor said I needed a mother figure, so when I was nine he remarried to my stepmother, my mother's cousin they weren't exactly friends. It took her ten years with my father to conceive, to be honest I don't think even my father likes her all that much. Six months ago she had a son, she's all over him like a rash I pity the poor kid to be honest with you, anyway my father's all about my 19th party in our land it's when we're deemed of age you see and he's getting a special medallion made because now I'm of age I'm officially the heir to his title. My stepmother faked indifference, but could be found screaming at anyone who came near her with anything about the party. My father wasn't happy about it at all, and they had words, when at the last minute she told us about the planned entertainment I assumed she'd done it just to curry favor with my father.

"I didn't know he was an infamous assassin; Gleeman I mean come on! What kind of a name is that for an assassin? Anyway they did the show they did the tricks, the he asked for a volunteer, the next thing I know I'm being pushed into the center of the hall for a display of bravery and skill," he rolled his eyes again, it was kind of freaking Arthur out.

"This Gleeman, he's a dab hand with a whip see, he did this thing where he put out a stand full of candles without damaging them. Then he handed me the 'volunteer' a piece of paper. About this big," he held out his hands about shoulder width apart, "I stand about twenty feet away and he cracks that whip and it just flicks down the paper, without even coming close to me. The crowd was very impressed. Then he had me double up the paper and hold it again, and he whips it split in two perfect. Then one of his helpers takes the torn pieces from me and rolls a couple up into a tube, then he has me hold it between my teeth. Then the helper lights the damn thing, I would have dropped it, but the helper held it to my lips telling me it's okay, anyway, so Gleeman whips the lit paper out of my mouth before I get burned, but the paper smoked some and I have to admit I inhaled.

"The party broke up not long after that. I was glad, because I was getting dizzy, I thought it was the wine my father had insisted I try, but it wasn't; there was something on that paper. I stumbled back to my chamber, sat on my bed; my manservant was still at the banquet hall getting things tidied up. I remember thinking what am I supposed to be doing now? Then Gleeman walks in he's wearing a dark cloak, and he just pulled a dagger out and stabs me, right here," Lester put Merlin's hand on his chest, "I was so out of it, I didn't really understand what was happening, until the pain hit, Gleeman was gone, I was now lying down on my bed, dagger still in my chest up to the hilt. I actually think it was long enough to have pierced the back, so not a dagger more of a short rapier maybe. I could feel the blood pooling at my back, and all I could think of was I was going to die and I hoped I'd see my mother," Lester sighed and sat back.

"Then what?" asked Arthur.

"Then I was dead," said Lester rolling his eyes again, "Jees, I'm new to being a ghost and all, but you could use some tact mister."

"I mean how did you end up here?" asked Arthur. Lester shrugged Merlin's shoulders.

"I just did, not all the time, but sometimes, other times I'm in my chambers where I died, or with my father or even with my little brother. A lot of the time I don't know where I've been it's just blank, my next moment could be hours or weeks from now. I like being with Gleeman the least, he's killed two other people since I joined his little gang of victims."

"Why stay with him then?" asked Arthur.

"I just thought it's a strong connection for someone to have isn't it? He's the man that killed me." He paused as if listening, "Merlin says the same, that soldiers are often followed by their dead. Most are just shadows, after images without substance. He says I'm a restless spirit that's why I'm self aware."

"Why are you restless?" asked Arthur.

"I was murdered at nineteen!" cried Lester, "I never even got to have a life outside learning how to be a proper duke. Do you know what it's like to be the only son a widowed noble?"

"Well actually…" Arthur started.

"It sucks! I did all that work for nothing! I never even got to have a girlfriend! And this guy gets to run around and keep killing people! That's so not fair! You know what the stupid thing is?"

"What?" asked Arthur.

"I was thrilled when my stepmother had a son, I thought great two sons! Insurance, my father will loosen up his legacy is assured and I might be able to get some slack! Also company, I'm sure you know how lonely it is being sole heir. Now, not only do I never get the life I've dreamed of my brother is going to be raised by that woman, and my father will never see that she's capable of murder. When Steven comes of age I wouldn't put it passed her not to call Gleeman for another party, except this time with my father as the volunteer," Lester sighed, then Merlin's hand twitched and his shoulder jerked up, and then Merlin's eyes rolled back in his head.

"Lester?" asked Arthur.

"No," said Merlin hoarsely, "Lester's gone." Merlin looked pale and a little shaky.

"Are you okay Merlin?" asked Arthur.

"It was little draining," said Merlin he was sweating a little and his voice shook slightly out of breath. "I've never done that before, let a spirit speak through me. Gaius told me it was possible, but he didn't say…" Merlin he trailed off.

"He didn't say what?" said Arthur, "that it could hurt you? You look like death Merlin, how could you take a risk like that without knowing what it could do to you?"

"I had to get you to listen," said Merlin, he was blinking like he was struggling to stay awake.

"Come on," said Arthur pulling Merlin's arm over his shoulder so that he could support him as they stood. "I'm taking you to Gaius."

"I'm fine," said Merlin taking his arm back and promptly collapsing to the floor.

"You certainly look fine," said Arthur looking down on Merlin blinking up at him in surprise. "Come on," Arthur reached down and pulled Merlin up again this time Merlin didn't struggle. He leaned on Arthur and they made their way to the door. In the hallway, Lancelot saw them and rushed to help.

"What happened?" asked Lancelot grabbing Merlin on the other side and bring his arm over his shoulder.

"Dizzy spell," said Merlin, "Gaius said it might happen."

"Let's get you to Gaius," said Arthur not even blinking at the off the cuff lie.

"I can take him, sire," said Lancelot, "I'm sure you have other things to do."

"Council Meeting," said Merlin dully.

"Right," said Arthur, he knew Lancelot was giving him a graceful out, he hadn't even thought what it would look like if he was seen carrying his servant around the castle. "I'll check in with you later," he said to Merlin and let Lancelot take his weight.

"Remember Lester," said Merlin.

"I will," said Arthur and walked towards the great hall.

"Who's Lester?" asked Lancelot as he helped Merlin walk slowly to Gaius's chambers.

"A messenger, he left a warning for Arthur," said Merlin as they reached the door.

"What warning?" Lancelot asked warily. Merlin pushed the door open.

"Thank you for your help, I can get it from here."

"Is there anything else I can do for you Merlin?" asked Lancelot looking at his pale face worried.

"Look after Arthur today, I may not be able to come to the feast, just don't let him volunteer for anything okay?" Lancelot frowned, but nodded.

"You know you can trust me don't you Merlin?"

"Of course!" said Merlin surprised, he smiled at Lancelot, "I do trust you Lancelot, it's just that some things, you're better off not knowing." He patted the knight's arm, and turned to go.

"You don't have to bear it all alone you know," said Lancelot. Merlin didn't turn around.

"Yes, I do," he said and let the door shut behind him.

Author's notes: Okay so I splurged a little on this chapter, so sue me you guys are worth it! Hope everyone is enjoying it so far and don't forget to try one of my extra special brownies before you leave, I've give you a hint the special ingredient is more chocolate! :) Later Cynic.