It's been around a week since the tournament. Since then it has been the same routine.
Do stuff for Arthur. Do stuff for Gaius. Do more for Arthur. Then speak to either Gwen, Morgana, Leon, or Ewan. Sometimes two of them at once but she usually found one of them. Put Arthur in his night clothes, take his dinner tray and then go to bed.
She noticed that Morgana, right after the tournament was nervous around her still. Giving her worried glances and watching her more intensely. But soon it went away and she became the loving Morgana she had met when she first came to Camelot.
She could feel that the people liked her. Which was odd, since the people I'm Ealdor had hated her. Hell, even Uther had laughed at some thing she had said once. (A story for another day.)
When Gaius got the call that a man had clasped in the lower town he and Merlin went down their as fast as they could.
"Aren't you sacred?" Merlin asked nervously. As Gaius crouched down next to the man on the floor.
"Of what?" He asked looking at her for a moment.
"That you might catch whatever it is." She stated as if it were obvious.
"I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time there's nothing really to be scared of." He said and turned the corpse over. They both jumped at the sight. The mans veins were turned a light blue and their eyes white.
"You were saying?" She asked half sarcastically and half scared.
"People mustn't see this. They'll panic." Merlin nodded and grabbed a random persons blanket on a drying rope. When the woman came out to yell at the girl Merlin handed the woman three gold coins.
"Sorry." The lady looked from the cloth to the coins. Nodded and went back inside. (Sorry I know that it wasn't needed, it was just odd that they just took someone's cloth.)
Once they got the man on the cart and covered they started pushing him to the castle.
At the blacksmiths house Gwen would be seen walking around getting ready for the day.
"Dad, here's your sandwich." She said and handed the sandwich to her dad, the blacksmith Tom.
"Ooh. Mmm, what's in it?" He said smelling it and smiling.
"It's smoked pigeon. But I'd say there's more smoke than pigeon." She said blushing as her father laughed.
"You're such a good girl to me." He said and side hugged her.
"And I've done you some watercress soup tonight." She said pulling out of his grasp and walking towards the door.
"Don't tell me, with more water in it than cress?" He called after her.
"Hey!" She called turning around.
"I'll see you later. Love you." She said and walked out to hear a small and sweet response.
"K. Love you too."
Once Gwen was outside she went over to the forest and picked flowers. After that she went and grabbed some cloth to tie them. Once the flowers were ready she started to walk over to give them to Morgana. Once she got to the square entrance she saw Merlin and Gaius.
"What are you doing?" She asked kindly.
Merlin turned around and saw Gwen and smiled. "Er...just moving something."
"Looks heavy." Gwen said looking at the cart but Merlin readjusted the cloth so she couldn't see.
"Er, it's nothing really." She said and trailed off and saw the flowers. "Er...someone got you flowers?" She asked happily.
"Oh! No." She said quickly and giggled."Would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you." She said handing Merlin a purple flowers which she puts behind her ear.
"Thanks. I'll see you around. Maybe later at Morgana's." she said as Gaius started to move the body once more.
"Yeah definitely!" Gwen called at the retreating forms of the physician and his ward.
Morgana was usually awake by the time that Gwen showed up. Sometimes she'd be dressed sometimes not, but she was awake at least.
When Gwen walked in she had a big smile on her face.
"Good morgning Morgana." She said practically bouncing.
"Good morning." She said skeptically and continued to watch the serving girl. "You look happy."
"I picked these for you." Gwen said and handed her the flowers.
"Oh, that's so sweet." She said and looked at the flowers. Purples and blues. Her favorite.
"Something to cheer you up. I know you're not sleeping well." Gwen said sympathetically
"You cheer me up." She said as she tuned to find a vase.
"Would you like me to get water for you?" She left at Morgana's nod. It took her till Gwen got back but she found a vase.
"I've never seen anything like this before." Gaius said looking at the man.
"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" She asked still wary to be so near it.
"No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?" Gaius said. Merlin knew what that meant.
"You think it's caused by magic?" She asked but stopped at a shout.
"Merlin!" She could hear the anger in Arthur voice. She slowly walked towards the door and looked back at Gaius for help. He just shrugged and went back to work. She opened the door to see Arthur standing there with his arms crossed.
"Erm...I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late." She said and pointed towards the body. "I was a little busy."
"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it." He says dryly. She watches as he looks her up and down and watch as his eyebrow furrow at her hair.
"Someone got you flowers?" He asked half annoyed and half plainly.
Merlin confused touches her hair and feels the flower Gwen gave her. "Oh, no. Gwen, she gave it to me." She said and smiled.
"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now." He said and left. She nodded and closed the door turning to Gaius.
"Gaius-" she started but was cut off.
"I heard." He interrupted.
"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?" She said walking back down to her mentor.
"Cause that's the way it is. You're a servant."
"Wha...if he knew who I was, what I've done..." She trailed off.
"You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up." Gaius ordered.
"Hey, I'm not your servant." She said laughing.
"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up." He said teasing her back.
When he and Merlin arrived they could see that a serving boy, Roger, if Merlin remembered correctly, on the floor dead. With blue veins and white eyes.
"What's happened to him?" Uther to Gaius.
"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today." He said still investigating the man.
"Why didn't you report it to me?" He said angrily.
"I was attempting to find the cause." Gaius explained and Uther nodded.
"What did you conclude?"
"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. A scientific process is a long one." Gaius said pulling his I'm hiding something from you face.
"What are you concealing from me?" Uther said knowing the look on his friends face.
"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast." Gaius said avoiding the question.
"What is the cause?" He asked more sternly.
"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery." Gaius said hanging his head.
"We must find who did this." He said to Arthur who nodded.
"Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician Merlin." Uther said looking at the girl.
"Merlin? But..." Arthur said lookinng confused.
"I'm going to need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly." He told Arthur as he started to walk away.
"Yes, father." Merlin could see a torn face on Uther.
"And Arthur." Arthur turned around. "Be careful." Uther said, his voice thick of emotion. Merlin smiled fondly at the moment as Arthur's smile grew. Arthur nodded and left.
Merlin and Gaius were walking through the town and watched Arthur and his party as they went door to door searching.
"Who's to say that it was even someone in Camelot who did this?" Merlin asked Gaius, who merely shrugged.
"Uther is a paranoid man." Gaius said sadly. Merlin nodded in agreement and saw a man with the sickness.
"Gaius? Gaius. He's still alive." She said crouching down next to the sick man. He reached for her hand, which she quickly grasped back.
"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him." Gaius said trying to pull her away.
"Hello. I've got you." She said quietly to him and put a hand on his cheek.
"Thank you. I didn't want to die alone." He croaked out. She smiled sadly at him.
"What is your name?" She said distracting him from the pain.
"Brolin. Yours?" He said his eyes dropping.
"My name is Merlin." She said her eyes tearing up.
"Merlin. Beautiful." He said she let out a wet chuckle.
"Goodnight Brolin." She said as his eyes closed. After a moment his chest stopped moving. Merlin let a tear roll down her face and quickly composed herself.
She stood up to see a small crowd had formed smiling sadly at her. She smiled back, tears still rolling down her face.
"That was incredibly kind of you Merlin." Merlin jumped and turned to see Arthur.
"It was least I could do, since we don't have a cure yet." Arthur nodded. He walked up to her and put a hand on her arm.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Well, as fine as anyone could be." She let go of a shaky breath and smiled.
"I should go. We need to find a cure." She said walking after Gaius.
"What are you doing?" She asked as Gaius held a vial over a flame from her seat.
"I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach." He said in a monotone voice.
"Will that tell you who did it?" She said her nose scrunching up in disgust.
"No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind." He said still distracted by the vial.
"Why would someone use magic like that?" She said standing next to him.
"Magic corrupts. People use it for their own ends." Gaius said not realizing how he said what he meant.
"But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't." She said slightly offended.
"It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it. Like any other weapon." He finishes with the vial.
Just then the Arthur and many other guards storm into their chambers.
"Over there." Arthur said pointing to the area around the corner. "Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town." He said looking at Gaius and Merlin.
"What for?" Gaius asks annoyed.
"A sorcerer." Arthur turns to look at the table full of notes.
"But why would they be here?" Merlin asks also very annoyed. They did not have time for this.
"I'm just doing my job." He said and shrugged sympathetically.
"We've nothing to hide. Go on, then. Search." He said and sat down, knowing that it would take some time.
"All these books and papers?" Arthur said pointing to Gaius's work.
"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish." Arthur pulled a face. He turned around to see a door.
"That's your room, isn't it Merlin." Arthur said pointing to the door and looking at her.
"Yes, Sire." Merlin said confused. How the hell did he know?
"And what do you expect to find in there?" Gaius asked in a voice that was almost angry.
"I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments." He said and walked into the room.
"What've you done with the magic book I gave you?" Gaius whispered. Merlins eyes widened as she looked at the door.
"Merlin, come here. Look what I found." She hears Arthur call. She looks at Gaius who just looks back at her. She slowly walks into her room to see Arthur standing in front of her desk.
"A diary? Really Merlin. I knew you were a girl but that's even girly for you." He says and picks up her book.
"Ha ha ha. Very funny." She said angrily. Her eyes searched the room when she spotted her book on the floor. She magically made the cover fall off of her bed over the book.
Arthur looks around but doesn't see the book. He nods to Merlin and walks back over to Gaius.
"How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?" He said looking at the vial of stomach slime and made a face of disgust.
"It depends on how many interruptions we get." Gaius said standing.
"Of course, I'm sorry." He said and told his guards to leave. On his way out he turned to Merlin, nodded with a small smile and left.
"We have to hide that book." Gaius said going off to get something off a shelf.
"No. We must use it." She said emphasizing the word 'use'.
"Don't be stupid." He warned her.
"If I have this legacy then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks." She exclaimed.
"Oh and use magic while the entirety of Camelot is on high alert. It would be suicide." He snapped at her.
"I could have cured Brolin." She said and looked down.
"I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, But Merlin-"
"It is when it would save a life!" She said loudly.
"It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading."
"So How can we do that?" She asked defeated.
"Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all." He said and started to look through books.
Later that day Arthur stood in front of his father.
"We searched everywhere, the entire city." Arthur told his father.
"Nothing?" He asked disbelievingly.
"I don't know where else to look." Arthur admitted defeated.
"I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell."
"Father?" Arthur asked worried knowing where this was going.
"And cordon off the lower town."
"What about the people who live there?" Arthur asked panicked.
"Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city." He said defeated.
Arthur bows and exits with out a word.
"What's different about this victim?" Gaius asked Merlin as they both stare at the Lady Pryborne.
"Er...she's a woman."
"Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?"
"Erm...she's a courtier." She said as Gaius smiled.
"She hasn't spoken to any townspeople. So it's not spread by contact. They probably ate different foods. I doubt they breathed the same air." She said to herself then smiled up at Gaius.
"Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?" She said proud of herself and Gaius smiled.
"Merlin, you're a prodigy." Gaius said proudly handing Merlin a bucket. Merlin takes the bucket and runs out the room
"It's time to get up, Dad. Dad?" When her only response was a moan Gwen frowned. She walked over to her father. When he turned she yelped.
"Gwen." His veins were turning blue and his skin was much paler than usual. In a panic she ran as fast as she could to Gaius. On her way she ran past the well that Merlin was collecting water from.
"Gwen?" She called to the running girl but when she got no response she panicked. "Gwen!" She said grabbing her bucket, now filled with water, and ran after her friend.
"Gwen!" Gaius said in shock as she burst through the doors.
"Gaius." She said and ran to the man.
"You have the sickness?" Gaius asked but Gwen shook her head.
"My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have." She practically begged the man.
"Gwen, I have no cure." Was all the man could manage.
"I am begging you!"
"What's wrong?" Merlin asks as she enters the room.
"My father. Sick" Was all she could manage between sobs.
"Oh Gwen." She said and pulled her friend into a hug. Once her sobs had quieted Merlin pulled back to look her in the eyes.
"Guinevere. I promise you I will do everything I can to help your father. But right now your father needs you. He needs you to be the strong woman I know you are. Go to him." Gwen nodded while recomposing herself. She smiled a small smile and went back to her father, strong.
"There must be something we can do." She turned to the man once Gwen was out of earshot.
"My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers." E said putting water in a jar.
"But that'll be too late for Gwen's father." She cried. How could he be so calm?
"I fear you may be right." He said placing a flower in the jar while Merlin stormed off into her room.
That night Merlin peaked into the main room to see Gaius asleep. She smiled and ran out of her room as quietly as she could.
She could hear the guards speaking from her spot.
"What about over...in there?" She heard a guard say.
"Certainly, sir." Guard A poke spears into haystacks. While Guard b approaches Merlin's hiding spot.
"Onstyrian, onbregdan." She whispers and a random door across the street creaks open. Both guards walk over to the door letting Merlin make her escape and continue on her way.
A moment later she arrives at the blacksmiths. She walks in to see Gwen sleeping next to her father. Merlin puts a poultice under his pillow and runs out.
"þu fornimst adl fram guman." She watches as the poultice glows. Once the glowing stops Tom sits up.
"Father?" She asked shocked.
"Gwen." He said and hugged his daughter.
"What's happened? I can't believe it!" She says her eyes tearing up.
"Me neither my dove. Me neither." He said into her hair.
The next morning Gaius called for Uther and Arthur.
Arthur reaches for the glass vial with the tainted water and flower in it, but Gaius slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch it. I had this in the water for no more than a few hours." Gaius said putting the vial on the table.
"Where's the water from?" Uther asked.
"The pump from where the people take their daily supply."
"We have to stop the people from using it." Arthur proclaimed.
"The city cannot survive without water." Gaius said sadly.
"We have to find this sorcerer!" Uther yelled and slammed his hand against the table. Almost knocking down the vial but luckily Arthur caught it.
"I don't believe that they're inside Camelot." Gaius said taking the vial and putting it on a shelf away from them all.
"Then extend the search to the villages!" Uther told Arthur.
"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom."
"And I can't stand by and watch our people dying." Uther said and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Arthur stayed silent for a moment then looked around the room.
"Where's Merlin?" He asked Gaius.
"She is still asleep. Though she is usually up by now." Gaius said confused, and walked up to Merlins door.
"Merlin?" He knocked on her door.
"Merlin my girl wake up!" He said and still got no response. Finally he opened the door to see Merlin sleeping, her back to the door.
Arthur walked passed Gaius and shook her.
"Merlin wake up." He said turning her and froze at the sight.
Her veins. They've started to turn blue.
She opened her eyes and looked confused.
"Arthur? I thought I was off until we found a cure." She said sitting up. Gaius and Arthur just continued to stare at her. Once she sat up she shook her head.
"My head hurts. Can I have something for it Gaius? It's nothing serious, at least I don't think." She said standing.
They both just continued to stare at her in horror. Much to Merlin's dismay.
"Look. I know my hair looks crazy but that doesn't mean you both get the right to just stare at me like I have grown a second head." She said and pushed them out.
"Leave I have to get dressed." With that she closed the door.
Both men just stared at the door for a moment longer.
"How can she be walking around like that? I mean most people are weak once the get the blue veins." Arthur asked Gaius amazed if her strength and scarred for her the girl.
"I have no idea sire." He said just as dumbfounded.
"Do you think she knows?" Just at that moment they both heard a yelp.
"She does now." Gaius said as she walked out.
"You see it too right? Like I'm not crazy." She asked, surprisingly calm.
When both boys nodded she let out a shaking breath. And just walked into her room once more.
The boys looked at each other once again and back at the door. Moments later she walked back out looking fine.
"How did you do that?" Arthur asked.
"Make up. Now Gaius what do we do to cure this?" She asked incredibly relaxed.
They looked at each other once more and ack at the girl.
"I am not in shock. In fact I feel awful. So I'll ask again. What do we do to cure this?" She said sternly.
"Right. Well. I- um... I'm going to bed more water." Gaius stuttered out. Merlin nodded and walked out to get more water.
While walking back with he bucket she saw Gwen, who was practically skipping.
"How's your father? Is he feeling better?" She asked Gwen once she caught up to her.
"Yeah, it's incredible. It's a miracle." She said smiling.
"His skin's clear, back to normal?"
"Yes." She said as she grabbed Morgana's lunch.
"That's wonderful!" She said and hugged Gwen.
"Thank you." She said pulling back.
"What for?" Merlin asked slightly worried. She couldn't have found out! Could she?
"For what you said before . About me being strong."
"I didn't like to see you upset. I have to...get on."
She wave and went back to Gaius.
Arthur and his guards were on another patrol when they saw Tom working. Arthur walked up and Tom smiled at the man.
"Good morning Sire. What can I do for you?"
"Good morning. Just answer a few questions, I you could." When Tom gestured for him to continue he did. "The story is you were sick."
"Not anymore." He said happily and smiled.
"Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?" Arthur suggested.
"Well, my daughter tells me that I looked just like the others. You know, blue veins and white eyes. I suppose it could have been different but I highly doubt it."
"Then...what happened?" Arthur asked confused.
"Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before." He said and picked up his hammer and went back to work.
"That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?" Arthur asked calmly to not draw suspicion.
"Just my daughter, Gwen." He said not realizing what he had said.
Once Arthur left, he and the guards searched Tom and Gwen's house. After a moment of searching they found a poultice under Tom's pillow.
Gwen was taking out the flowers she got yesterday when they came. Arthur and his guards stormed in and grabbed her.
"Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot, that you did practice enchantments." Once Arthur finished they started to drag her off.
"Gwen?" Morgana asked as they dragged her off.
"But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!" She pleaded.
"What are you doing?" Morgana asked Arthur.
"I found a magic poultice in her house." He stated sadly.
"Oh, that's ridiculous." She said scoffing. The thought of Gwen as a sorceress? Unimaginable, not only is she the pure meaning of good. She'd be to scared to even study in Camelot.
"Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?" When Morgana didn't have an answer he left.
Gaius and Merlin were walking to get more herbs when they heard yelling from the council room.
They both ran to see what it was. Once they got their they saw Gwen in the floor mumbling to herself about how she didn't do it. Whatever it was.
"Why will no one believe me?! He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!" She shouted and Merlin paled.
"I believe you. Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally." Morgana said running to stand next to her maid.
"And what of this poultice that was found?" Uther asked, Gwen only looked more confused.
"What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice!"
"It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion." Uther said standing from his throne.
"I can't!" She said tears running down her face.
"I will show you no mercy." He said and Merlin almost fell she was so upset.
"I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!" She tried to explain but Uther only heard rambling.
"If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty..." he started but was cut off.
"But I told you, I...". She tried but the guards pushed her for speaking.
"It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death." Gwen could only shake her head. As she was pulled away she could only cry.
It was then that Merlin and Gaius were forced out, along with the other courtiers.
"I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress." Morgana said angrily.
"Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye."
"I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this? Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!" She yelled at him.
"You have no right!" She yelled back.
"You have a right to cast a judgment on that girl!" She yelled louder.
"She's right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen." He said trying to stop their yelling.
"You saw it for yourself. She used enchantments."
"Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. Why would she even allow her father to become sick in the first place? Wouldn't she have just told him to not get water from their? Or make the water safe to drink instead. Father it just doesn't make sense." Arthur tried to explain.
"I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish." Uther said calming down a little.
"I understand that." Arthur said sadly.
"One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom."
"I know. Witchcraft is an evil, father. So is injustice. Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. It would be where the punishment fits the crime." He hated saying that. Sorcery is evil, it really wasn't. If it could heal how could it be bad.
"I fear you're right. She's played with fire, and sadly she must die by fire."
Merlin hurried down the stairs to the dungeon to pass Morgana. Morgana had tears on her face and just continued walking.
"Gwen." She said when she saw the girl. Gwen looked up her eyes red. She wanted to walk up to the bars but her chains stopped her.
"Thank you." Gwen said tears still running down her face.
"What for?" She asked confused. It was her fault she was here. Not that Gwen knew.
"For coming to see me." She said and smiled a small smile.
"I'm sorry." Merlin said crying.
"It's not your fault." If only she knew.
"It's alright. Don't worry about me. There's no point crying about it. I mean...I mean, I'm not saying that you were going to cry about me. Obviously I don't think that." She said quickly. And Merlin had to smile. Still awkward and flustered.
"Oh, Gwen. I can't have this happen."
"Please, one thing. You, you don't have to, but..." She trailed off suddenly unsure of herself.
"What?" Merlin asked.
"Remember me." Merlin nodded and ran off.
'I can't let this happen.' She thought to herself.
Merlin ran to the council room. She stood and wiped the tears off her face, wiping the make up off as she did.
"It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!" Merlin said running into the room. The entire court stared at her.
"Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!" Once she said this Gaius stood and walked up to the girl.
"Merlin! Are you mad?"
"I cannot let her die for me." She whispered to Gaius then turned to Uther. "I place myself at your mercy."
"She doesn't know what she's talking about." Gaius's tried to explain.
"I do." Merlin said strongly.
"Then arrest him." Uther said as the guards walked over.
"Father, please! I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorceress!" Arthur said standing as well.
"Did you not hear her." Uther asked dryly.
"Yes, but she saved my life, remember." He said almost desperately.
"Why should he fabricate such a story."
"Well look." Arthur said walking up to the girl and rubbing her face.
"Ow stop." She said trying to push him off. But failed. After a moment her sins were visible.
"Father. She is sick. And Gaius told me that a side affect can be hallucinations and crazed thoughts." Arthur said looking at Gaius.
"Really?" Uther looked at Gaius.
"Well, some have been known to act crazy moments before death."
"Moments before death?" Uther asked looking at the girl worriedly.
"Normally, from what we have seen. But Merlin is a strong young woman and has been of her feet all day. I do not believe that she is close to death." Gaius said walking over to her.
"I am not crazed! It was me." She said but they all only stared at her sadly.
"Merlin." Uther said and she turned to him, shocked he spoke so kindly. "I believe you. But you at the moment are not in the condition for a trial. If you go and rest, we will have a trail when you are well enough. I will not punish the maid until then. Do you understand?" Uther said slowly, earning shocked looks from many in the room.
Merlin wanted to respond but she finally felt the sick. Her headache had comeback but worse and she suddenly felt dizzy. She couldn't think straight.
She nodded weakly and clasped. Arthur, who was still next to her caught her last moment before she fell.
"Arthur, get her back to her chambers." Uther said waving him off. Arthur nodded and picked her up.
"Did you mean what you said? About waiting to kill Guinevere?" Arthur asked.
"I do not know. I do not know if the plague will end if she dies. I must make her stop it." Arthur nodded to his father and left.
"Gaius, go she needs you." Gaius nodded and ran after Arthur.
When Merlin awoke it was almost night. Gaius was out but had left Merlin out some foods and some medicines.
She stood and put the make up back on and left for Morgana.
When she arrived she didn't even knock.
"I know how to prove Gwens innocence." When Morgana heard Merlin she jumped.
"How?"
"I need to know that you'll agree no matter what?" At Morganas nod she continued. "To save Gwen we need to find what's wrong with the water."
Merlin and Morgana made it to the water around an hour later.
"Search for something out of the ordinary." Merlin said to Morgana. They continued around for a while but couldn't find anything.
"I can't find anything Merlin! Nothing seems unusual." Morgana said giving up.
"Well, lets are some of the water from here to Gaius. The plague might be stronger here." Merlin said handing the ward a bottle. They both put their bottles in the water and waited.
Once they were full both ladies went to pick it up but a screech was heard as a monster, looking like clay, ran by.
"What the hell was that?" Morgana asked as Merlin pulled her out.
Once they made it back to Merlin's chambers they started looking at books. It took a couple of hours but eventually they found it.
"Here. It was an Afanc." Morgana said pointing to her book.
"An...a what?"
"A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer." Morgana read.
"Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" Merlin said looking at the shelf but stopped herself. "That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then."
"Well, what do you suggest?" Morgana asked.
"Just stay here. And if you have to drink water, drink the boiled water. It's the safest we've got." Merlin said before running out.
Merlin walked into the cave entrance and stood for a moment.
"Hello?" She called. She waits a moment for Kilaharrah to land. When he did he frowned.
"You have the plague." He said staring at her. Merlin nodded.
"I need to know how to defeat an Afanc." She said getting to the point.
"Trust the elements that are at your command. Merlin you must be careful. You are weak, I can sense it."
"Elements? But what is it I have to do?"
"You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other."
"So I need Arthur's help?" At the dragons nod she smiled.
"Thank you. Though what to you mean by the elements?" He only shook his head and flew off.
When Merlin stormed back into her and Gaius's chambers she saw that the latter had still yet to return.
"Where do you think Gaius is?" Morgana asked once she heard Merlin.
"Probably helping people with the sickness. What are Afnacs made off?" Merlin asked and Morgana went back over to the book.
"I believe it said that they were made of earth and water. Why?"
"Earth and Water, two main elements. Do you think that fire and air could destroy it?" She said realizing.
"Well it would probably be weak to them." Both women were lost in thought.
"We need Arthur's help." Merlin said suddenly.
"Leave that to me." Morgana said and stormed out.
Morgana stormed into Arthur chambers, without knocking, making him jump.
"Ever heard of knocking?" He asked sarcastically.
"We can prove Gwen is innocent." She said.
"We?" Arthur asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
"Me and Merlin. We went to the water source and saw an Afnac. A creature of clay that is created by powerful sorcerers. If we destroy the beast then the Magic of the curse will be lifted."
And how to you suggest we kill it?" Arthur asked standing.
"Easy. A monster made of clay. We need fire." She said.
"Alright. I'm in." He smiled at her.
Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana were walking down a tunnel, all holding torches.
"You shouldn't be here Merlin." Arthur said looking at her.
"And why not?" Morgana asked ready to go all feminist on his ass.
"She's sick." He stated as if it were obvious. But when Morgana gasped he realized she did know. Morgana turned to Merlin and stopped her.
"What the hell are you doing here? Go home and rest!" Morgana demanded shocking Arthur with her profanity.
"There is no way your gonna keep me from helping her." Merlin growled and Arthur nodded.
"How are we going to find it?" Morgana asked after a moment of silence.
"I just hope we do before it finds us." Merlin said as they continued. They heard another screech and both Arthur and Merlin stood ready to fight while Morgana looked more frightened.
They look around but see nothing. Suddenly there's a flash I front off all their faces and Arthur's knocked down to the floor. Both ladies run over to him.
"What is it? Are you alright?" Morgana asked helping him up. At Arthur nod they continue to look around.
"Were did it go?" Merlin asked just then it jumped in front of her.
Arthur then jumped in between them and started to wave the torch in its face making it back up.
'Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan.' Merlin changed quietly as a wind came in from nowhere and caused the fore to grow and kill the Afnac.
Far off in another cave a woman with brown hair and blue eyes in a red dress yelped in anger as she watched Merlin destroy her monster in the cauldron.
"Merlin!" She screamed as she splashed the water, causing the image to disappear.
"Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are recovering." Gaius said walking towards the king.
"Good. I assume that Merlin is better?" The king asked.
"Yes, she made a very fast recovery and is already back on her feet." Gaius smiled as did the king.
"I'm glad. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before."
"It's conjured from clay by powerful magic. The type that can only be invoked by an ancient sorcerer. One that has the power to mirror the spirit of life. I found this at the water source." Gaius said showing him a large fracked egg.
"It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire." Gaius said sadly.
"Will I never be rid of her?" He asked Gaius sadly.
"Leave me!" He suddenly shouts causing all the others to leave.
As the guards let Gwen out her father ran to her.
"Dad!" She said and hugged her father.
"Oh, my little dove." He said into her hair. A tear falling down his face.
"Thank you!" She said grasping both Merlin and Morgana's hands.
"Don't thank me. It was more Merlin." Morgana said stepping aside. At those words Gwen looked at Merlin with wide eyes.
"Really?" Before Merlin could respond Morgana cut in.
"She's the real hero here. She did it all while sick." Merlin glared at Morgana but smiled at Gwen.
"Are you feeling alright?" Gwen says her eyes tearing up.
"I feel fine." She smiles at Gwen even more and nods.
"I'm- I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen." He said looking at them both and pulled Gwen away with her.
Merlin and Morgana watched as they left with smiles on their face. When they made eyes contact Morgana looked like she had an inner battle with herself. Finally she shook her head and gained this smirk.
"Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me." She said and Merlins eyes widened.
"My secret?" She squeaked out.
"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did."
"You do?" Merlin was practically shaking with fear.
"I saw it with my own eyes, and I understand why you don't anyone to know." Morgana said.
Merlin giggled nervously. "Well, obviously."
"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?" She asked nervously.
"Er...no. I- I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden." Merlin said happy that Morgana accepted her.
"Yeah, I mean today only really proved my theory. I had suspected when Valiant attacked Arthur and you used the dog statue. And when I went to your rooms later, instead of a statue dog, it was an alive dog." She said and laughed.
"Well, I suppose that is hard to miss." Merlin laughed as well.
"But you really don't mind if I talk to you about it?" Morgana asked suddenly nervous again.
"No. In fact I encourage it. I mean no one's ever been you know accepting of it. They usually just hate me so it would be nice to have someone on my side." She smiled.
"Well, I have to go. Dinner with Uther. Goodnight Merlin." Morgana said and left.
Merlin walked into her chambers slowly to see Gaius standing there.
"I know that face. What did you do?" Gaius asked and crossed his arms.
"Well, Morgana might have found out about my magic." She said sheepishly.
"What!" Gaius yelled.
"But it's okay because she said she'll keep it a secret and yeah. Plus it will be nice having someone to keep me out of trouble." Merlin quickly said to try and calm him down.
Gaius was about to continue but was cut off by a knock at the door.
Merlin walked up and slowly opened the door. Leon and Ewan stood there both with flowers in their hands.
"Leon! Ewan!" She said happily and noticed the flowers. "Who are the lucky ladies?" She asked and guests red them to come in.
"Well. Actually there for you." Leon said once they walked in.
"Me?" She said confused.
"We heard you had gotten the sickness and we figured you would be lonely recovering, so we came to keep you company for a while. But it's obvious that you are already recovered." Ewan said and looked at the ground sheepishly.
"Awwww you two are so sweet. Thank you for thinking about me. I would still however like the company. I haven't seen either of you in days!"
"We've been busy looking for the sorcerer who contaminated the water." Leon explained as the three of them sat down, Gaius walking off into his room.
"Have you heard who's coming next week?" Ewan asked.
"No who?" Merlin asked looking at Leon.
"King Bayard to sign a treaty." Leon said rolling his eyes.
"He'll cause trouble." Ewan joked causing the other two to laugh. The three continued to talk for almost another hour when Ewan stood.
"Well, we have a busy day tomorrow. And you need rest. Come on Leon." He said walking towards the door. Leon nodded and turned back to Merlin.
"I'm happy your better Merlin. I hope you like the flowers, we didn't know what kinds or colors you liked." Leon said scratching the back of his neck.
"I love them. Thank you Leon. It has been a stressful week and I needed just something to make me smile." She said affectionately.
"They made you smile?" Leon asked hopefully.
"You made me smile Leon." She poked his chest. Leon blushed and looked to the ground.
"Well good night Merlin. See you tomorrow." Leon said leaving.
When the door closed Ewan started laughing. Causing Leon to look at him confused.
"You have it bad." Ewan said between laughs. Leon waited for his laughs to quiet as they stopped in the middle of the square.
"I don't know what your talking about!" Leon tried to deny but was shut down by Ewans questioning glance.
"I men she is kind, and funny, and selfless, incredibly smart, and beautiful." Leon said looking at her window.
"I don't think she really sees you like that." Ewan said making his infatuated smile deflate a little.
"I know. But still. Could it kill me to try?" Leon said and Ewan laughed again clapping his arm around Leon's shoulder and walked off.
Far off back in her cave Nimueh smiled. Merlin would pay for what she had done.
Merlin was in for a surprise.
Hey I hoped you enjoyed!