hi guys! You lot have been completely awesome and wonderful and lovely, so I thought I'd get off my backside and write you another chapter! I think I've got this all planned out now so the next lot should be quicker too. See, this is what happens when you send me nice reviews! This chapter is dedicated to IreneGypsy because her review made me laugh :) (I'm guessing you're female?)
disclaimer: I do not own Merlin...yet 3:)
Arthur was tiring. He had been searching for his wife for what felt like hours, though actually it had been mere minutes, sprinting through corridor after corridor and barking orders at everyone he saw. Suddenly he heard a call of "Sire!" and he turned to see Leon coming up behind him, with Guinevere just behind. Arthur felt relief course through him. She looked out of breath and worried, but completely unharmed.
"Guinevere" he began, but then just ran to her and held her close, stroking her hair and inhaling her familiar scent. "You're safe." She pulled away and smiled up at him.
"I'm fine," she agreed. "I was in Gaius' chambers with Merlin, then I left to go get something and I ran into Leon. He's explained everything. Then the bells began to ring and we came to find you." She peered up at Arthur, still clinging to him.
"Where do you think he is?"
"I don't know." Arthur muttered. Lancelot couldn't be in a corridor or someone would have seen him by now, so he must be hiding in a room somewhere. Somewhere out of the way.
An idea flashed across Arthur's mind but he dismissed it, because that was ridiculous. Why would Lancelot go there? Although, the fact that none of them had checked Gaius' rooms indicated that maybe that was a good hiding place...
There were a hundred other places that Lancelot was more likely to be, but just to be safe, Arthur decided to check. After all, it was Lancelot who had hurt Merlin last time, wasn't it, he thought, then he pushed that whisper out of his mind. He wouldn't be there. Lancelot would be in the armoury, or the throne room, or else be out in the forest by now. But still, he had to check.
"I'm going to look in Gaius' rooms," he informed the others. He saw panic flash across Gwen's eyes as she thought of Merlin and felt a need to reassure her, so he added, "I'm sure he isn't there, but it's worth looking." She nodded, then followed him through the castle to the physician's quarters. By the time they had reached their destination, Arthur had completely convinced himself that Lancelot would not be inside.
Which is why, when he burst through the door, he felt a deadly mixture of shock and rage course through his veins like poison. And how fitting that was, for Lancelot was bending over Merlin who was thrashing and moaning like he was being burned from the inside out. Arthur scanned the room, and saw Gaius, unconscious, on the floor. He saw the empty glass vial next to the bed. And then all he saw was red.
He pulled out his sword and approached the man who had now looked up at him. Lancelot smiled darkly, but then pulled out his own sword and...held it over Merlin's chest. Arthur froze. He heard Guinevere gasping behind him, out of the corner of his eye he saw her run to Gaius, heard Leon calling frantically for guards.
He locked eyes with the man who no longer deserved that title, for he certainly wasn't human.
"One more step and he dies," Lancelot hissed, and Arthur couldn't remember ever feeling so powerless. He stepped backwards, and the shade's smile grew.
"Very good."
Merlin moaned again, and when he glanced over Arthur saw the unnatural pallor of Merlin's skin and the immense pain on his face.
"Tell me what you have done to him," Arthur ordered, and to his surprise Lancelot just tutted.
"I thought that was obvious, Arthur. I poisoned him."
At this casual confession Arthur felt himself stiffen, and when he spoke again his voice was low and dangerous.
"Heal him. Give him the antidote or you'll have the whole of Camelot to answer to."
"My my," Lancelot replied, eyes widening in mock surprise. "The whole of Camelot, eh? You must be fond of him." Arthur gritted his teeth. He could see Guinevere tending to Gaius in his peripheral vision, and was disturbed to see that the old man had not stirred.
No one moved for a minute, and all was quiet except for Merlin's fevered moans. Arthur suddenly took one step forward and with a flick of his sword he disarmed the shade, sending his sword spinning off into the corner. His victory was short lived, however.
"Impressive," Lancelot commented, "but if you don't let me go...I won't tell you what I poisoned your little friend with, and I assure you he will die a slow and painful death."
Arthur froze again, and there was a split second of silence before Merlin whined once more, limbs still thrashing as he struggled.
Gaius was still out cold. Leon had not returned. Guinevere was kneeling over the physician in the corner. Merlin was in pain, and Arthur didn't know what to do.
He couldn't let Lancelot go, not after what he'd done. Not after this.
But he couldn't let Merlin die, either.
Could he let Lancelot live if it meant that Merlin would too?
"I suggest you act quickly, Arthur" Lancelot snarled. "He won't last much longer. In fact," he paused, and there was a wicked gleam in his dark eyes, "it's almost... magical that he's still alive. Most victims of this particular poison are dead by this point."
Arthur could hear his heartbeat thrumming in his ears, and he fought to stay controlled, if not calm. He needed to keep his head clear.
Merlin, Lancelot.
The innocent man with the kind heart, lying in the little bed. Merlin. Clumsy, funny, stupid, oddly wise Merlin. His best friend, though he would never admit it. The only man who would dare to insult the King of Camelot, and the only man Arthur completely trusted. The idiot from Ealdor. His manservant.
Or the inhuman monster that was staring at him with triumph in his eyes. A perfect imitation of a noble man, except for the evil and the hatred on his face. This creature was dangerous. He was working with Morgana for goodness sakes - although from the letter Arthur had found it seemed he had gone rogue. Uncontrollable, then. Insane, evil, and uncontrollable.
Merlin... or Lancelot?
"I cannot endanger my kingdom for one man." He heard himself say, as if from a long way away.
"Very well," said Lancelot, and he reached for his sword as Arthur approached. But the sword was on the other side of the room, and by the time this information had flitted into his skull, Arthur had stabbed him in the stomach.
Lancelot fell to his knees, a startling amount of blood pouring from his wound. He looked up at the King with deep hatred in his eyes.
"Tell me."
Lancelot tried to laugh, but had no strength left and his face contorted with pain.
"Never."
Arthur moved his bloodied blade and pressed it against Lancelot's throat.
"Tell me, or I will force it out of you."
"You don't get it, do you Arthur," the shade rasped from the floor. "I'm dead anyway. Why on earth would I tell you now?"
Suddenly, Merlin screamed. Arthur stopped himself from covering his ears and just listened to that broken scream echoing through the castle.
Just as suddenly, Merlin fell silent.
Arthur looked at Lancelot. "You bastard" he spat, and watched as the shade collapsed completely on the floor.
