Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.

Chapter 7 A Lesson in Vengeance

Merlin, Arthur, and Gwen are riding their horses and stop by the forest.

"Beautiful day for a picnic on our anniversary," Arthur says.

Merlin rolls his eyes as he dismounts his horse.

"You remembered," Gwen replies.

"Actually, I told him," Merlin says.

"Merlin," Arthur gasps.

"What?" he asks innocently. "I did."

There is a loud noise. Arthur's horse rears up. The girth snaps, causing Arthur to fall. Bandits attack, but Arthur kills them.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Arthur asks.

Merlin shrugs his shoulders. However, as he turns, he smiles.

xxx

Leon tells Arthur that the girth was messed with. They arrest Tyr, the man responsible for making the girth. He insists that he has nothing to do with what happened.

"You've been awfully quiet about all this, Merlin," Gaius tells him.

Merlin has to think of something quick to say.

"I'm just shocked is all," he says. "Arthur's known Tyr since they were boys."

"Do you really think he could do something like this?" Gaius asks.

"Arthur seems to think so," Merlin answers. He then shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know."

"Well, we know one thing. Tyr didn't do this alone

xxx

Tyr is found dead the next morning in his cell. Little did anyone know that it was Merlin who had killed him?

"Gaius, can I speak with you?" Gwen asks.

Gaius turns, surprised he had not heard her come in.

"Of course. What seems to be the problem?" he asks.

Gaius notices Gwen look at the room Merlin slept in for a moment.

"Have you noticed anything different about Merlin?" she asks.

"Nothing unusual, but Morgana did have him prisoner," Gaius tells her.

"I can only imagine what she put him through," Gwen says.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Gaius replies.

Gwen gives him a grateful nod and leaves. Little did they know Merlin is meeting with Morgana as they speak? Gwen runs into Merlin in the corridor on her way from Gaius's.

"Merlin," she says in a shocked tone.

"Gwen," he replies, equally stunned.

"Arthur has been worried sick," she tells him.

"Really?" Merlin asks.

"A patrol was attacked not an hour ago," Gwen explains.

She has no idea that it was Merlin who had attacked them.

"I did not know," Merlin says convincingly. "Sorry I frightened you."

xxx

Merlin once again goes into the forest to meet with Morgana.

"You've done well, Merlin," Morgana tells him.

He gives her a nod.

"Thank you, my lady," Merlin replies.

"However, you now must pass your job onto someone else," Morgana says. Merlin gives her a puzzled look as she hands him a vial. "Put this in the queen's drink."

"As you wish," Merlin replies. Merlin wakes up the next morning, an awful feeling in his gut. He has no idea how he has gotten in his bed. "Gaius!"

Gaius comes, a bit out of breath from wither running or going up the stairs.

"Are you all right?" he asks.

Merlin shakes his head as he pulls a shirt over his head and sits down on his bed.

"I don't know. I don't remember being rescued," he tells Gaius.

Gaius joins him on the bed.

"I believe you were under Morgana's influence," he says.

"Gaius, what is it? What did I do?" Merlin asks, knowing that look in the old man's eyes. Gaius tells him. "Why would she just let me go?"

It did not make any sense.

"It is strange," Gaius agrees.

xxx

Merlin finds a piece of cloth the next day while in the woods. He recognizes the material. After all, he has washed it plenty of times.

"I think Morgana has found someone new to finish what I started," Merlin tells Gaius.

"Who?" Gaius asks.

Merlin hands him the piece of cloth.

"Gwen," he replies.

"It makes sense. She was getting suspicious about you," Gaius says.

"Where is she now?" Merlin asks.

"She should be…" Gaius begin to say. He stops when the horrible realization hits him. "Oh no."

Merlin knows it, too.

"Eating with Arthur," he says what Gaius cannot.

Merlin runs to warn Arthur, but it is too late. Arthur is slouched over in his chair. Merlin is blamed for poisoning Arthur.

xxx

Gaius is able to get an aging potion to Merlin in the cell.

"Who are you?" one of the guards asks Merlin after he breaks out and is now aged.

"That's a damn fool question. I am who I am and I am who I was and I am who I will always be. Now, excuse me," old Merlin says.

"But we didn't let you in," the other guard replies.

Old Merlin rolls his eyes.

"Something interesting in you tea, is there?" he asks. "You let me in not ten minutes ago. Now, goodbye," He sneaks into Arthur's chambers. "How is he?"

He is now his normal self again.

"Not well. Only your magic can save him," Gaius tells him.

Merlin puts his hand on Arthur's chest and says a spell. He backs away with tears in his eyes as Gaius's checks.

"Merlin," a weak Arthur mumbles.

"Well done, Merlin," Gaius says.

Merlin leaves to go back to the cells.

xxx

Merlin is laying on his stomach, asleep, when Gwaine and Gaius wake him.

"The king would like a word with you," Gaius says as Gwaine opens the cell.

Merlin scratches his head and smiles. He happily gets up and goes straight to Arthur's chambers.

"Merlin! I'm actually glad to see you," Arthur tells him when he enters.

"Haven't lost your humor I see. How are you?" he asks.

"I'm all right," Arthur says. There is a questionable look in Merlin's eyes. "Merlin, I know it wasn't you."

"Thank you," Merlin replies.

He tries to tell Arthur about Gwen, but Arthur stops him before he can.