A/N. The response has been awesome, thank you for reading and reviewing. The new nicknames I have for Agravaine make me giggle. My sister and I call him Agrapaine, now we have Pervavaine, Aggravating and Frollo to add to the mix :') Just to clarify, Morgana has no idea what Agravaine's actually using the potion for. Thank you beadybonbons.

Chapter 3

The spell had worked perfectly; disappearing almost as soon as he had released it. Agravaine hovered over Gwen's motionless body, lingering to admire her frame. Beauty like that did not belong on a serving girl. A princess somewhere had been robbed of attributes that befitted a future Queen. Trembling he reached out a forefinger and stroked the smooth outline of her face. Her eyelids fluttered and he quickly drew his hand away. She was still unconscious. Every fibre in his being rejected having to copulate with a peasant, but after today he would finally be free from the longing and able to aid Morgana with her plans. Agravaine's skin buzzed with anticipation. He might as well enjoy what he could.

The firm knock at the front door sent Agravaine's heart thudding madly against his chest. Panicking, he looked wildly around the small cottage, cursing the fact Gwen's poor nature meant a lack of hiding spaces. Realising there was no escape, Agravaine kept deathly still, listening to see if the knocking persisted. Maybe the adrenaline rushing through his body had conjured up the intrusion to unnerve him.

"Gwen?" Agravaine recognised the voice. Elyan. One of the 'knights' Arthur had included in Camelot's nobility. Arthur claimed the man had been knighted because he had shown bravery and was a skilled fighter. Agravaine thought it more likely Guinevere was the reason for Elyan's knighthood. It was proof Arthur's judgement was undeniably corrupted by the woman that lay before Agravaine. Revulsion swept over him – it was a familiar feeling.

"Gwen, I need my cloak," Elyan continued, knocking sharply on her front door once again. "You promised." Agravaine remained frozen in position, willing the man to leave. To his horror, Elyan slowly opened the door.


"I'm coming in," Elyan warned as an afterthought, stepping into his sister's cottage. Looking over at Gwen who lay asleep on her bed, he tiptoed over to the table where his red cloak lay neatly folded. Picking it up, he inspected the now sewn-up collar.

"Good old Gwen," Elyan grinned. Gwaine had stepped on the edge of his knight's cloak during a hunt and managed to create a hole so big, Elyan thought there was no chance of saving it. Gwen had offered to restore it in time for the knightly duties he had to perform for the day. As he continued to admire Gwen's handiwork, he thought he saw a dark shape move behind him. Swinging round, Elyan realised that he had left the door ajar and scolded himself for being so careless in times that were wrought with threats from Morgana's supporters. He quickly shut the door, convinced himself his brain was just not functioning properly at this early hour and turned back to his sister's sleeping form. Elyan frowned. Something did not feel right. It was too still – too quiet. Gwen normally fussed a lot more than this while she slept. Elyan should know; he had been hit in the eye enough times when they had shared a bed as children.

Weaving his way through her furniture to the bed, Elyan placed a hand over her shoulder and shook her lightly. He did not want to frighten her if it turned out she had just been asleep. Receiving no reaction, Elyan shook her a little harder.

"Gwen," he whispered sharply. "Gwen!" She would not wake. Elyan surveyed the empty room, now acutely aware of an unnatural presence in the air. Desperate and unsure about what to do, Elyan lifted her motionless body from the bed and made his way over to Gaius's cabin.


"Wait a moment!" Gaius grumbled, shoving the spell books he had been perusing under a sheet. He loved Merlin like a son, but early morning was the only time the boy was not thundering though the house grousing about the tasks Arthur had set for the day. It was when Gaius could have a little quiet time to himself. Usually. He made his way to the front door that had just been pounded upon and opened it up to find a dishevelled Elyan struggling to hold up his sister.

"Gaius! Something's wrong," Elyan tried to explain. Gaius swiftly helped Elyan carry her over to a bed, instantly reverting to the gifted physician he was.

"What happened?" Gaius questioned, examining her comatose body carefully.

"I don't know. I tried to wake her up…" Elyan trailed off, unable to keep the anxiety from his voice.

Gaius looked up as Merlin descended from his bedroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Elyan? What are you doing he-" He spotted Gwen on the patient bed and rushed over to her side.

"What's happened?" Merlin asked, looking to Gaius for the answer.

"That's what I'm trying to find out," Gaius replied. "Her breathing is laboured but the important thing is she is breathing."

"I'll fetch Arthur," Merlin called over his shoulder and he tore out of the room before Gaius could stop him. He returned a few minutes later with Arthur hot on his heels.

"Gaius?" Arthur came to a halt at Gwen's bedside, his face ashen with shock. "I don't understand. I was with her a few moment's ago…" He reached out to feel her forehead which burnt into his palm. Biting his lip, he lightly traced the outline of Gwen's fingers, almost unaware that he had an audience.

"Sire…" Gaius prodded gently. "I'll need to do a full examination."

"Of course," Arthur looked up and nodded, feeling a little disorientated. Realising Gaius meant for them to leave the room, Elyan steered Arthur through the doorway. As soon as the room was clear, Merlin attempted a few spells to no avail. He waited as Gaius performed the examination.

"It looks like sorcery could have played a part in this," Gaius finally spoke, his face twisted with confusion. "It acts like a sedative yet gives off the symptoms of a fever…I cannot figure it out." Merlin watched Gaius sit down dejectedly, knowing he felt he had failed Arthur.

"What should we do now?"

"I don't know Merlin. I fear we may just have to wait until she wakes up – and hope that she does." Listening to the pacing footsteps of Arthur and Elyan outside of the cabin, Gaius cast a weary glance in Merlin's direction.

"Perhaps you should tell the King."


When Gwen finally awoke later that night, she found Merlin sitting by her bedside. As if he knew what her first question would be, Merlin smiled and whispered down to her.

"He's at a court meeting." Merlin knew she would have blushed if she had not been so pale. "He's been here all day…he only left a moment ago."

Gwen gulped. Her throat was incredibly dry and Merlin held a glass of water close enough for her to sip. Clearing her throat she tried to speak and failed.

"Why am I here?" Gwen croaked on her third attempt, taking in the decadent room and comfortable bed she was sleeping on.

"Arthur insisted we move you to more 'fitting quarters'," Merlin grinned ruefully. "I'm going to get Gaius ok?" Gwen nodded, the motion making her feel light-headed.

Gaius appeared shortly afterwards, relief that Gwen had managed to wake up evident on his face.

"What happened to me?" Gwen asked him, her voice clearer now.

"We fear that someone may have drugged you," Gaius answered her gravely. As if the words were a trigger, Gwen remembered feeling faint in her room and the face that appeared over her. She shuddered involuntarily and Merlin, who had been watching her closely, noticed her reaction.

"Gwen, did you see anything?"

"I'm not even sure if what I saw was the truth…it could have been a dream," Gwen replied hesitantly. If she told them who she suspected there would be dangerous consequences, she knew that. Besides, who would believe her over the uncle of a King?

"Gwen, anything you saw could be of great help to us," Gaius pointed out. She slumped, defeated under their expectant gazes.

"Gwen you can tell us anything," Merlin encouraged.

Taking a deep, Gwen finally admitted that she had seen someone before she fainted. Almost immediately she felt lighter – as if the knowledge had been weighing her down for some time.

"Who was it?" Merlin sat up quickly, causing Gwen to shrink back. Gaius glared at him, watching him wince apologetically before taking Gwen's hand with a reassured grasp.

"Gwen, someone was trying to hurt you," Gaius appealed to her, lowering his voice. "There's every chance they could do it again."

"You can't tell Arthur," Gwen pleaded with Gaius. "There's no point worrying him over something I can't prove. Promise me. Merlin, you too."

"I promise," Gaius conceded, turning to Merlin and waiting for him to do the same. Merlin sighed.

"I promise I won't tell Arthur who you saw," he said carefully. Satisfied that they would keep their promises, Gwen gave them the three words they had been expecting but needed to hear.

"It was Agravaine."


Agravaine paced his chambers nervously; awaiting the moment Arthur would burst into the room with guards and finally uncover his treachery. It had already spread around the court that Gwen had awoken and was well. What would she tell them? Agravaine was uncertain but there was a chance Gwen had seen his face before the smoke had claimed her. He had been too eager.

Agravaine moaned as it dawned on him that he was no closer to clearing his poisoned mind than he had been a month ago. Sitting at his desk, he thought back to his moment at Gwen's side. He had been so close…he almost had her, but yet again he had been thwarted by a commoner. Agravaine struck the table in frustration. He had no choice but to abandon his plan for the time being. Today had been too risky.


Arthur was troubled. Gaius had told him that they may never know what had caused Guinevere's mysterious illness, but in the few days since the incident she had become quieter and somewhat distant. Observing her closely over lunch, he noticed that her face had also become a little gaunt.

"Are you okay?" Arthur had asked, grasping her free hand tightly.

"I'm fine," Gwen had answered, giving him a brief smile. Arthur studied her, noting that the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her words. Deciding not to push things after what had happened, he refrained from challenging her. He would have to find out some other way – which was why later that evening he had called for Merlin.

"What do you mean?" Merlin answered, feigning innocence.

"Guinevere seems troubled. I want to know if you know anything about it." Arthur sat at the desk in his study whilst Merlin stood fidgeting in front of it.

"She was ill, it's only natural that she still feels a little weak," Merlin reasoned. Arthur remained unconvinced.

"Merlin, don't ask me why but she seems able to confide in you," Arthur persisted, failing to see the glaring hypocrisy. Merlin bit back a retort and was glad for it, as Arthur's expression clearly showed how upset he was about Gwen. "Please, Merlin, is something else wrong with Guinevere?"

Merlin wavered, unsure whether he should bring the issue up. Last time, he had questioned Agravaine's loyalty when Gaius had been thought a spy and Arthur had shut him down. Not to mention Merlin had sworn to Gwen he would not mention it to their King. Though technically, Merlin had said that he would not tell Arthur she had seen Agravaine. There was nothing wrong with pointing Arthur in the right direction. Agravaine was becoming too dangerous and Merlin feared what he would do next.

"Arthur…how much do you trust Agravaine?" Arthur frowned at the unexpected question.

"Merlin…" he warned.

"I know, he's your uncle," Merlin replied quickly. "I'm just asking, how much do you actually know about him?"

"I know he is the brother of my mother and therefore a friend to Camelot," Arthur responded evenly. "What has this got to do with Guinevere?"

There was no way around this, Merlin thought to himself. For the good of the kingdom and the safety of his friends he had to come out and say it.

"I don't trust him as far as Gwen is concerned."

"Why?" Arthur looked completely bewildered. "Agravaine wouldn't do anything to harm Guinevere, you know that."

"Really?" Who was it that suggested you should end things with her?" Merlin argued. Arthur groaned, immediately regretting telling him that during one of their rides.

"I told you, he was worried about what the people would think," Arthur dismissed. "Anyway, what does it matter? I came to my senses."

"And you could tell he wasn't happy about it. He will never accept Gwen as a Queen!"

"Really Merlin, I don't think he has a choice…" Arthur said slowly, smothering a smile to Merlin's frustration.

"This is serious," Merlin countered impatiently. All thoughts of discretion were forgotten as he grew steadily more exasperated. "Agravaine has already hurt Gaius, how far does he have to go until you see him for what he really is?"

"Now Merlin, you can't-"

"His attentions towards Gwen are not innocent! Are you so blind that-"

"Enough!" Arthur cut in sharply, bolting up from his desk. All traces of amusement had vanished from his face. "Need I remind you that Agravaine is a high-ranking member of the court and I am your King? Know your place."

Merlin's face crumpled and Arthur faltered, automatically feeling guilty. He could not back down though. Acknowledging Merlin's claims would mean he did not trust the only loyal living relative he had left. He could not lose that; not the only connection he had left to his mother.

"Thank you for your concern, Merlin," Arthur said calmly, sitting back down at his desk. "I have some work to be getting on with." Merlin watched Arthur for a minute as he shuffled papers and avoided his gaze. The conversation was over. Arthur was not ready to see Agravaine as a traitor. Realising there was nothing Merlin could do now while tensions were high, he left the room without a word.

Arthur waited until Merlin had gone before dropping the papers he was holding. He drooped in his chair, defeated. Thinking back to their lunch, Arthur remembered Agravaine had also been in attendance and unusually quiet. He recalled how Guinevere had looked at his uncle and withdrawn her hand from his. Arthur thought she had been embarrassed to display her affections so openly in front of Agravaine. But there had been something else in her eyes. Fear? Arthur wondered, confusing himself further. Why would Guinevere be afraid of his uncle? An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of his stomach, but Arthur refused to acknowledge it. Doing so would open the door to dark realisations he could not bear the thought of. It terrified him.

A/N. The next chapter (the big one) should also be up this week, sorry this one took longer to post that I would have liked. Please comment and review if you wish – they really do make my day