Chapter Three – Of ladies, hags, and falling chandeliers.

A/N: Yes, those words above are not in title caps for a reason. Looks better.

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Merlin pulled up the sleeves of his new tunic and itched his arms, the fabric causing him to incur a rash. Gaius frowned, then went to grab a salve. He handed it to Merlin, and Merlin just gave Gaius a funny look. "It should help with the rash." Gaius said simply, rubbing it into Merlin's forearm. The itching subsided, and Merlin looked relieved. "You realize, you have to represent your family now, Merlin? You'll have a seat beside Arthur, or near him, no doubt. Your family was always held in the highest regard in the eyes of Camelot. Your father and I were Uther's most trusted advisors." Gaius said sadly, brushing his robe off.

"You knew my father?" Merlin asked, and Gaius nodded. Merlin began to ask him a question, but the bells rang, signalling the beginning of the feast. Merlin stood, and Gaius came after him, carrying a book in his hands. He placed it in his pockets, and Merlin walked towards the throne room, where everyone had begun to sit. He noticed the Lady Helen walking as well, and as she passed in front of a piece of glass, he swore he saw an old woman's face in the reflection. Merlin looked at her oddly, and once again heard the chime of bells, but nothing else. The throne room was full of the most esteemed lords and ladies of Camelot, and with House Pendragon sitting at the end of the room. Arthur waved to Merlin, pointing to the seat directly to his right. Merlin sat, and Arthur nodded at him.

"Glad to have you Merlin. My father has exciting news for you, but let us enjoy this banquet." Arthur whispered in Merlin's ear, and Merlin felt almost like he belonged, though he was acting a life he didn't know. The Lady Helen bowed to Uther, then Arthur, and as the people ate, she began to sing. Her voice was angelic, and Merlin felt the urge to be enthralled, though he fought it, instinctively. He heard the voice in his head again, and concentrated on that, trying to determine what it was saying.

"Emrys! This witch only wants to harm Arthur. You mustn't let her do that!" the voice called, and Merlin scoffed. "Look around you Emrys. Her voice has put the people to sleep." Merlin looked around the room, and saw cobwebs forming around people, and everyone's eyes closed. He looked to Arthur, and tried to wake him. He turned back to the Lady Helen, and she gazed at him, her voice calling out to him, encouraging him to sleep. Merlin shook his head, raising his palm, and called out, his eyes flashing gold, "Swigen!" She merely laughed, and her voice grew louder, and the voice echoed once more.

"Emrys! She is using power of the Old Religion! Such petty magic won't work on her. Think big!" Merlin frowned, then looked at his knife sitting on his plate. Making a fist with his hand, the knife rose, and he threw his hand in Lady Helen's direction. The knife pierced her heart, and her voice quieted, though she was not dead. Her beauty began to fade, and she was once again the old hag that had cursed Uther days before. She pointed at Arthur, and began to cast a spell, but Merlin was too quick, making a gesture at the chandelier above her, he broke the chains holding it in place, and it crushed her, causing her thrall to be broken. Uther was the first to wake, jumping and pointing at the hag, shouting sorcery, but she was already dead. He noticed the knife in her heart, and looked at the only other person awake.

"Did you stab her?" Uther asked, incredulous. When Merlin nodded, Uther broke out in a smile. "Well done my boy! You shall be rewarded, in full!" Merlin tapped Arthur awake, and he just stretched and yawned, causing his father to turn red. "Arthur! Wake up!" Arthur's eyes shot open, and Merlin chuckled under his breath. The banquet was called off, and Uther stopped Gaius and Merlin, asking them to stay. "Gaius, let me ask you something." Gaius bowed and Uther walked towards them, placing his hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Your ward here did us a great service. He saved myself, and my son, and possibly the whole kingdom! You are getting on in your years, surely you don't need the headache of having a ward." Gaius began to protest, but Uther raised his hand. "I am prepared to take Merlin in as my ward, relieving you of your duty to him. You will be paid, of course. I see great potential in the boy, and I wish to have him train and study, you do understand, don't you Gaius?" Gaius nodded, his eyes sad, and Merlin just hung his head. Uther smiled, and called out for a servant. He came running, and bowed to Uther and Merlin. "I am releasing you to Gaius, our physician for the time being." The servant nodded, and Gaius turned to leave. "You may come visit the boy whenever you wish, Gaius." Gaius just thanked Uther, and left.

Merlin and Uther walked around the castle, making small talk, and Uther stopped them on a grassy rooftop. "Merlin, the real reason I have taken your care, is because I fear Arthur is lonely. I know I may seem rather rough, but he is my son. This does seem to be the only way I can keep him company. But I feel I owe something to your father. He helped me in more ways than one. Go now, it is getting late. Your quarters are next to Arthur's. Your servant should wake you in the morning. I'll see to it that your belongings are brought in." Merlin nodded, and walked to his chambers, lying on the bed, relishing the softness of the pillows and the mattress. He felt bad, but he couldn't just disobey the king, but he was sure Gaius would forgive him.

Gaius sat on Merlin's bed, and pulled the book out of his robes that he had meant to give to Merlin that evening. It was a tome on the Old Religion, but he didn't want Merlin to hold such an object under the king's direct watch. He thought he would slip it into Merlin's belongings, which he knew would be sent for, so he did just that, and set off to bed.

A/N: Sorry its short this time, wrote this before bed. Two updates in one day, heh. Read and review.

Thangnefedd a fo gyda chi i gyd.