Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Four:
Merlin poured the Belladonna potion into pitcher of wine he'd just collected from the castle kitchen as he stood outside the door to the royal chambers. He quickly entered and walked over to the table Arthur, Gwen and Gaius were sitting at enjoying an evening meal.
"Wine, my Lady?" Merlin asked.
"Not tonight, Merlin," Gwen answered, with a smile.
Merlin quickly turned and looked at Arthur and Gaius for help. He couldn't force Gwen to drink it… Well he could, but he doubted Arthur would be too happy if he grabbed Gwen by the nose, forced her head back and poured the drugged wine down her throat.
"A toast," Arthur held up his goblet.
"My Lord?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"A toast to..." Arthur paused. "A toast to the Queen!"
"Me?" Gwen questioned, confused. "What have I done?"
"Just being yourself, Your Highness," Gaius smiled.
"You're very kind, Gaius," Gwen smiled at him sweetly. "But shouldn't it rather be to Camelot?"
Merlin poured wine into Gwen's goblet.
"Not at all," Arthur disagreed. "There would be no Camelot without your support and council. I couldn't rule this kingdom without you, Guinevere."
"To the Queen," Merlin and Gaius said.
"Yes, to my queen," Arthur agreed rising his glass and taking a sip of his wine.
Gwen smiled and took a drink from her own goblet. Merlin quickly moved to her side.
"You haven't eaten, my Lord," Gwen said, seemingly unaffected by the Belladonna in her wine.
"No, I have-" Arthur began to say.
Only to be cut off as Gwen passed out. Merlin moved quickly and caught hold of Gwen before her head hit the table. Arthur quickly pushed his chair and got his feet. Gaius stood up too and moved to check on Gwen as Merlin disappeared out of the room.
"You're sure this is safe, Gaius?" Arthur demanded, staring down at the unconscious Gwen.
"I'd stake my life on it, Sire," Gaius tried to reassure Arthur.
"You may have to," Arthur replied.
Suddenly Merlin came back into the room wheeling a wheelbarrow with cloth folded on top of it.
"She's still a Queen!" Arthur exclaimed, upon seeing it.
"It was the best I could do," Merlin defended himself.
"We have to hurry, Sire," Gaius interrupted before an argument could start.
Arthur gently picked Gwen up and placed her in the wheelbarrow and Merlin quickly covered her with the cloth.
"There," Merlin said, taking a step back. "No one will know."
"Be careful..." Arthur threatened.
Merlin nodded and began to wheel the wheelbarrow out of the royal chambers, Gaius leading the way.
"Gaius, you're sure this is going to work?" Arthur called after them, causing them to pause.
"You'll be amazed at how much license old age lends you, Sire," Gaius smiled. "Merlin, come. We meet at the Darkling Woods, Sir Mordred is waiting with the horses."
"Merlin, if you drop her..." Arthur threatened again.
"I know," Merlin called over his shoulder. "I lose my head."
"Just so we're clear," Arthur nodded.
With that Merlin and Gaius leave and the door shut with a bang behind them.
)o(
"Keep up, boy!" Gaius called, as they walked through a castle passing two guards. "Keep up!"
The guards move out the way and let Merlin past and Gaius stopped to talk to them.
"Why I keep him is beyond me," Gaius said with a shake of his head.
The guards let out a laugh and Gaius followed after Merlin.
"Are you alright?" Gaius asked as he caught up with Merlin.
"She's a lot heavier than she looks," Merlin answered, panting slightly.
"That might very well be grounds for treason," Gaius pointed out.
"Oh, dear," Merlin muttered and nodded up the corridor they were in. Sir Gwaine and Sir Tristan were walking towards them.
"Ah!" Gwaine greeted cheerfully. "Gaius and Merlin!"
"And a barrow of linen," Tristan added.
"Sir Gwaine," Gaius nodded to them. "Sir Tristan."
"Planning on changing a bed?" Gwaine asked.
"Or perhaps to run up some clothes?" Tristan questioned.
Merlin rolled his eyes, but quickly pulled the wheelbarrow backwards sharply as Tristan reached for the sheet covering Gwen, almost running over his own foot in the process.
"Don't touch that!" Gaius quickly stepped forward. "Not unless you want to risk an attack of Red Thrush Fever."
"I've never heard of it," Gwaine glanced at the wheelbarrow warily.
"Ah, then you are fortunate indeed," Gaius answered. "More fortunate than the young man who just died in these very bedclothes. They have to be burned immediately. The last thing Camelot needs is an outbreak of Red Thrush Fever. Is it not?"
"Yes, of course," Gwaine nodded.
"Sorry," Tristan apologised.
Gwaine and Tristan stepped aside to let Merlin past.
"Gaius?" Gwaine called after them, as they continued down the corridor.
"Sire?" Gaius stopped and looked back.
"What is the name of the unfortunate young man?" Gwaine asked. "So that I may send something to his family."
"Timothy," Gaius answered after a moments pause.
Merlin and Gaius continued on their way once more, but as they turned the corner at the end of the corridor, Gwen's hand slipped from under the blanket at the same moment Tristan looked back at them.
)o(
Arthur stood next to Mordred, the horses waiting behind them, as they waited for Gaius and Merlin to arrive. Gaius suddenly appeared through the trees, but there was no sign of Merlin.
"Where's Merlin?" Arthur said, moving forward.
"It's alright, Sire," Gaius said. "He's not too far behind."
Merlin appeared out of the trees, wheeling the wheelbarrow and completely out of breath.
"What kept you?" Arthur demanded, moving forward to check on Gwen.
"Do you have any idea how steep those slopes are?" Merlin asked, gasping for breath.
Arthur pulled back the sheet and stared at Gwen for a moment, a small smile on his face.
"She looks so innocent," He said. "Perfect."
"She still is, Sire," Gaius approached Arthur. "The only evil in her is Morgana's. Come, you must be on your way."
Arthur picked Gwen up and walked towards the horses. Merlin quickly hugged Gaius goodbye.
"Good luck, my boy," Gaius whispered in his ear.
Merlin pulled back and smiled, before hurrying over to his horse and pulling himself up into the saddle. Mordred moved his horse to stand beside Merlin's, as they waited for Arthur.
"Will this work, Emrys?" Mordred asked telepathically.
"Hopefully," Merlin answered.
"Let's go," Arthur ordered, from where he was sitting on his horse with Gwen in front of him.
"What happens if the spell doesn't work?" Mordred asked, as they began riding through the darkening forest.
"The queen will be lost forever," Merlin replied.
"What about you?" Mordred questioned.
"What about me?" Merlin glanced at Mordred.
"You are the one who's going to cast the spell, are you not?" Mordred said. "What will Arthur do to you if the spell doesn't work?"
"I honestly don't know," Merlin answered. "Arthur can be unpredictable… But if the death of his father is anything to go by, he'll try and kill me in his anger and grief."
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.