Merlin you've poo on your face
Chapter 4
Arthur had Merlin pack up and walk all the way back to Camelot instead of riding. When they
reached the courtyard Arthur immediately ordered guards so take him to the dungeon, to be
dealt with the next day. After all it was Gwen's birthday and Merlin wouldn't ruin it!
It wasn't long till word of Merlin being detained spread. Gawain was the first and only to
approach the king about it.
"Sire could you please give me an explanation on why Merlin is rotting in the dungeons?"
"Because he belongs there." a tight jawed answer.
"I don't think-"
"Leave it for now!"
One look at Arthur told you one thing, "Don't ask". He had that familiar look in his eyes that was
only present when he had been betrayed. It was the look when the Lady Morgana betrayed
him, when Lord Agravaine betrayed him…Everyone was on egg shells around him except for
Gwen and the only other person who would have dared to approach him in this state was locked in the dungeons.
It wasn't long before Gaius went to pay Merlin a visit, he had been almost certain that Merlin
had revealed himself somehow. After all he hadn't seemed normal, not that he ever was…
Merlin are you alright? What happened?" The older man whispered. He saw the swollen and
discolored part of his face that had been hit earlier that day.
"Gaius?" Merlin said from the corner of the cell.
"I don't know what I did wrong!" He sounded as though he may cry.
"Merlin what happened?"
When Merlin finally did relate the tale to Gaius he was quiet for a long while.
"Gaius?"
"Yes Merlin, let me consult my books."
And then he was gone. Gawain was the second to visit him not long after Gaius and by then
Merlin was crying quietly.
"Merlin what happened?" Whispered Gawain; the guards eyed them trying not to look too
interested. Merlin didn't answer.
"Come on now you can tell your old mate Gawain."
So Merlin told the tale once more and Gawain exclaimed.
"What were you thinking?! Do you wasn't Arthur to kill you, You know how jealous he gets!"
"Gawain!" Arthur's voice came from behind him.
"Leave Merlin be, he is not to have any more visitors for the rest of this day."
Merlin watched as they left, his face tear stained swollen and sad.
During the feast Gwen's expression was long while Arthur smiled, well at least his mouth did
not his eyes, they were cold. Gawain didn't pretend to be the least bit joyous, he didn't drink
one drop! And the rest of the inner circle looked sad and confused. Gaius on the other hand
was nowhere to be seen.
"Ah, here come the performers, they came all the way from King Adelmound's Kingdom, at
least he knows talent when he sees it." Arthur commented to Gwen.
"Will you at least go talk to him?"
"Gwen we are not discussing Merlin tonight! It's your birthday and whatever foolishness has
taken ahold of him is not going to ruin your celebrations."
"But I cannot help but think of him! How can I enjoy myself knowing he is locked up down there
like a Sorcerer to be beheaded at first light?"
"He betrayed us Gwen!" Now Arthur was not smiling.
"Maybe he has some sort of lasting effect from when you two where in each other's body's and
its only now presenting its self or he was enchanted by someone? You must admit he has not
been himself!"
Arthur stared quietly watching the performers.
"Arthur!"
"Alright!"
The Cells where dark and there where only a few torches burning because there was only one
prisoner at the moment. When Arthur came to the cell that held Merlin he saw that the young
man was sleeping on the pile of hay that was always provided and covered with the scratchy
cloth otherwise known as a blanket that was put there in. The dungeons where always a damp
and rather unsavory place to be. Arthur knew this well having been put here himself in his
youth by his father for punishment, like a common criminal. But here was Merlin, his very best
friend who had betrayed him and violated his wife, and why?
And still his heart broke to see him this way. Why would he do such a thing in broad daylight in
front of the one person who it should be kept secret from? Thinking on it now with a semi-
cooler head upon his shoulders Arthur came right up to the bars of the cell.
"Merlin!" He called.
Merlin stirred slowly.
"A-Arthur?"
"Get up and come here I need to speak with you."
Merlin did as he was commanded and came up to the bars facing Arthur.
"Explain to me why you forcefully kissed my wife Guinevere."
"I love her. Is that wrong?"
"Merlin she is my wife!" Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing Sire, I never meant to cause you such anger."
"Merlin-"
He just stared at his friend on the other side of the bars.
"Has some one enchanted you?"
"No!"
"Why else would you proclaim to love Gwen so strongly?"
"Because I do, I love all of you so much! Gaius, my mother, Lancelot Gawain, El-"
"Alright I get it! But you don't kiss them"
"Arthur I think I understand what Gawain was talking about, you and your jealousy."
"What-"
Before Arthur could inquire to what Merlin was referring to his lips where met with Merlin's
through the bars as he was pulled in closer for the kiss that was being given to him.
He easily enough freed himself from Merlin's grasp and feeling a bit dazed asked.
"Wh- What the hell are you doing?"