Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Merlin characters.

AN: (Any and all mistakes are completely my own.)

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Nothing's Lost or Forgotten

Chapter 7

Merlin left Arthur's chambers with a faint smile on his face. It seemed the Prince wasn't the prat Merlin thought he was. Though he would never admit that in front of Arthur. Turning into another hallway, Merlin tried to think of the list of chores he still needed to complete. Gaius had asked him to take some medicine and bring it to some people in the lower towns. Arthur had given him the task of cleaning his clothes and mucking out the stables. He might not even remember where the stables were, but he clearly knew they needed to be cleaned!

Before Merlin could decide what he would do first, however, he felt his arm being pulled back. He spun on his heels, turning to see who it was that wanted his attention. He was surprised to be looking into the eyes of Caleb.

"I'm glad to have found you," Caleb sighed with relief, "I have been searching for you all day."

"What is wrong?" Merlin immediately asked. He glanced around to see if they were alone in the hall. They were and so Merlin focused back on Caleb.

"It was a woman," Caleb whispered, a gaze of panic in his eyes, "she came to the village."

"A woman," Merlin repeated, "Nimueh?"

"I don't know her name," Caleb said, "but she was furious. She wanted Arthur, but of course he is here with you."

"What did she want with Arthur?" Merlin asked. He could feel that something horrible had happened or was about to happen.

"I'm not sure," Caleb said, thinking back, "she didn't say much. She needed Arthur or at least something of him." Caleb took in a deep breath. "She talked about an amulet and about magic that wouldn't work unless she had something of the Prince."

"That's what she took," Merlin said, understanding it now, "the amulet comes from the vault here in Camelot."

"I came to warn you as quickly as I could," Caleb said. He still appeared fearful, though.

"You did well," Merlin said, "and Nimueh won't bother you again."

"She attacked us, Merlin," Caleb said, his voice soft, "some people of the village are wounded, but they'll live."

Merlin was starting to understand why Caleb looked so tired and defeated.

"She was strong, Merlin," Caleb took in a deep breath, "my magic was useless."

"Thank you for coming," Merlin smiled faintly, "for warning me."

Caleb only nodded. "I must go," he said, "I promised my father that I wouldn't stay gone long. He hates it that I come to Camelot."

"Of course," Merlin said.

Caleb throw the young servant a faint smile. "Goodbye, Merlin."

-o-o-

Merlin hurried to Gaius, not thinking about his chores anymore. He needed to tell the physician about the amulet and they needed to find out what exactly its purpose was. It must be something important and dangerous if Nimueh had gone through all the trouble of getting it.

Reaching Gaius' chambers, Merlin stormed in. He found him working on some medicine, but that would have to wait.

"I know what Nimueh took," he blurted out.

"You do?" Gaius frowned.

"An amulet," the young sorcerer explained, a faint smile on his face, "Caleb came to me, he said Nimueh was looking for Arthur because she needs something of him in order for the amulet to work properly."

"Did Caleb see this amulet?" Gaius asked, "could he describe it?"

"No," Merlin sighed, knowing that this would make it difficult to find out what amulet Nimueh took exactly.

"There is an inventory," Gaius said, suddenly remembering, "of all the things stored away into the vaults. We should be able access it and find out what amulet Caleb was talking about."

Merlin smiled.

"I will go to Geoffrey, he has the inventory in his possession," Gaius said.

"He'll just allow you to look into those papers? You know he is very protective over books and...other stuff." Merlin just found that hard to believe Geoffrey would allow Gaius access to those things. Merlin couldn't even count the times anymore when he had to snuck into the library to get a certain book.

"He owes me a favor," Gaius chuckled.

Merlin could only laugh.

-o-o-

Merlin couldn't stand the wait anymore. Gaius had been gone for over two hours already and all that Merlin could think of was Nimueh. Every minute he just sat there, she could be planning to get to Arthur. What was taking Gaius so long? Just as he was about to go and find Gaius himself, the physician entered, a faint smile on his face.

"Does that mean you have good news?" Merlin asked hopefully.

"I know what amulet has been taken," Gaius started, "but I'm afraid you won't like what it does."

"Just tell me," Merlin encouraged him.

"It's some kind of channel," Gaius explained, "it is meant to take power from one person and pass it on to whoever holds the amulet."

"That's why Nimueh wants something of Arthur," Merlin immediately understood.

"You must put something in the amulet, something personal", Gaius said, "and then that person will slowly lose the power it once possessed."

"Don't tell me how it ends," Merlin groans.

"If Nimueh gets her hands on something of Arthur," Gaius sighed, "a lock of hair perhaps, then she will take his power until death follows."

"I have to stop her," Merlin said. He started pacing up and down the chamber, trying to think of a way to get the amulet back.

"A ritual needs to be performed," Gaius explained, watching Merlin closely, "a very delicate one. Nimueh won't be able to travel with the amulet, not for a few days at least."

"So this means that she needs to stay in one place?" Merlin needed to hear Gaius confirm this.

The old man nodded. "Until the ritual is complete, of course."

"And when is that?"

"When she placed something of Arthur inside the amulet," Gaius sighed.

"Then I must stop her," Merlin was determined of his words, "I must get the amulet back before she gets her hands on Arthur again."

"Where will you find her?" Gaius asked, his eyes wide as he found it difficult to believe she would be found that easily.

"I know where she is," Merlin said, "Arthur remembers a cave. If what you said is true, she will still be there. I don't know where it is exactly, but I have a pretty good idea."

"It's dangerous, Merlin" Gaius said, his gaze sad, "Nimueh knows every tunnel of that cave, she has the upper hand."

"She won't expect me," Merlin countered, "she doesn't even know that we know about the amulet. If anything, she'll think that I'll stay with Arthur to make sure that he's safe."

Gaius swallowed heavily. "Promise me that you'll be careful."

Merlin smiled. "I'm always careful."

AN: Another chapter is. Done much happens, but we know what Nimueh took and why. A fight between Nimueh and Merlin is imminent so stick with me and action will happen soon!

Thanks for reading this chapter!