Note: Disclaimer, don't own Merlin or its characters. This is a long chapter I have to move things along. So there will be lots of "XXX" to hint on scene changes and whatnot. Next chapter will be this long as well, but it won't be posted till later in the month. Unless I get over 6 reviews then I might be nice and post it sooner. Yes, I am using the blackmail technique. I am hooked on reviews and I want more….
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Potion of Love
Chapter Seven: Start of a Journey
"This is it!" Gaius exclaimed as he pointed at the picture of the herb in one of the pages of the book Merlin had fetched for him. "Come on get up and get dressed we have lots of work to do before you go attend to Arthur." The physician stated happily as he threw Merlin a shirt from the many laying around his room and went back to his table.
Merlin stared down at his erection; he could see it through his thin clothes. Why had he had that type of dream about Arthur and why in the world had his body reacted to it? He bolted from the bed when his mind failed to present him with an answer and looked franticly for his clothes. Picking up a fairly clean set he moved to change. Once he was dressed and his lower body had calmed down, he opened the door and stepped out.
"It says here that the herb was often used for concoctions of extreme difficulty and skill. It was used mainly for potions of entrapment and of the heart." Gaius trailed off as he remembered the King's words on his visit the day before. "A love potion, now that makes sense." Gaius concluded as he slapped his hand on the book and removed his glasses setting them down.
"Merlin, the King was in here yesterday. He asked for something for his ailment. When I asked him what the side effects were he clearly explained those shown by a person suffering from extensive heat exposure." Gaius said as he looked back at the page with the herb on it. "But now that we know someone tried to slip him something, those effects could easily be due to the potion as well."
"How do we get rid of it? How do we stop it?" Merlin asked now that his own suspicions had been confirmed. Arthur was in fact under a spell and a love one to top it off. Everything that had happened the day before suddenly made sense. Merlin felt his face get red as he reached the conclusion that Arthur was in love with Merlin, or at least he thought he was due to the potion.
"I don't know there are quite a few love potions that use this herb, you will have to narrow it down." Gaius replied as he continued reading. "It mentions here that this herb's side effect include prolong effects of the spell or potion used and very hard to remove."
"That could prove to be troublesome." Merlin stated. "Not to mention that there are about 636 love spells that we know of" Complained Merlin as he moved to wash up. Gaius just shrugged and moved back to his mess. "I don't know Merlin but let's hope it comes to us." The day had just begun and they didn't' have much time. There was no way of knowing if the spell would stay permanent or if it required to be reversed in a specific time after it was consumed.
Merlin moved about in a hurry. Everything that he had gone through yesterday seemed meaningless now. Finding a cure far outweighed the embarrassment that would come today when he faced Arthur again. Merlin tried to calm himself by reminding himself that all he had to do was keep his distance from Arthur.
"You will be late; you better get a move on Merlin" Gauis called out to Merlin as he moved about cleaning his mess. "I will see what I can find in the meantime." He said to Merlin's back. "Thanks Gaius." And with that Merlin was gone.
XXX
Merlin paused outside of Arthur's chambers. He was carrying Arthur's breakfast, an array of meats, sausage, and cheese. After a few questioning stares from the guards for his hesitation, he opened the door and stepped inside. Merlin's eyes scanned the room until they rested on Arthur. The King lay under the covers sound asleep, his blond hair sticking in all directions.
With a sign of relief Merlin set the plate down on the table and moved to open the curtains. Merlin was in no hurry to wake Arthur so he took his time. After reassuring himself that Arthur's actions the day before had been caused by the love potion he had unsuspectingly taken, Merlin turned around and called out "Rise and shine, your highness." A hint of teasing could be heard in Merlin's voice, he couldn't blame his friend no matter how much he tried and found himself forgiving the King before he was even fully awake.
Arthur just replied with a grunt. The sleepy King turned his face in the other direction, away from the sunlight and then covered his face with a pillow when his action failed to block out the light. The realization of what had happened the day before and the fact that Merlin was in his chambers hit Arthur hard and quick, he bolted from the bed.
"Merlin," Arthur yelled as he rushed to his manservant and grabbed him by the shoulders. Merlin flinched from the pressure, but stood still, he wanted this part over and done with. "I am sorry Merlin, I wasn't thinking." Arthur claimed as his eyes met Merlin's. The King held his breath as his eyes scanned Merlin's face in fear of what his manservant's reaction would be.
"I know" Merlin replied with a grin moving his gaze away from the King and resting on anything but the bare chest in front of him. His heart was threatening to beat out of his chest and he hoped Arthur couldn't hear it. He couldn't understand why Arthur's half nakedness bothered him. He had seen his friend practically naked many times. "You do?" Arthur said shocked as he slowly let Merlin go, utter relief showing on his face.
"Yes, you're an idiot and your brain doesn't always work as it should." Merlin stated as he moved about the room picking up dirty clothes from the floor and frowning when he saw the state of Arthur's wardrobe. He really wondered how Arthur did it to get the room in such a mess in so little time. "Besides, the heat gets to us all. I forgive you Arthur, it's forgotten, and can we not talk about it anymore." Merlin ended the conversation and started to pick out Arthur's clothes for the day.
"The heat, right…" Arthur whispered to himself as he looked at Merlin. He could feel the same heat sneaking up on his body, the desire he had when he had kissed his servant. Clenching his fists he moved to his changing screen. He had to control whatever this was; he couldn't risk losing Merlin as his friend.
Merlin handed Arthur his red shirt and black trousers. It was awkward between them and neither knew what to say. Arthur changed in silence and then moved from behind the screen to the bed to put his boots on. Merlin moved towards the King once he was done with his boots to tie the lace on his shirt and put his belt on. Both let out a small gasp as Merlin's arms went around Arthur's waist and both missed the fact that the other had done so. For a moment time seemed to stop as Merlin nervously fidgeted with the belt and Arthur fought against his need to straighten his servant and kiss him then and there.
"Merlin I…" Arthur paused when a knock on the door brought them both back. "Enter" Arthur found himself saying, he was getting quite annoyed at the interruptions. Merlin stepped away from him having finished dressing the King. Arthur turned his attention to the door and saw Leon step in again, but this time he had a content look on his face. "Sire, you wanted me to inform you once the messenger from Lord Godwyn's kingdom arrived. He is waiting for you in the throne room." He declared as he waited for the King to signal his dismissal.
Arthur waved his hand and stated "I will be there shortly." Turning his attention back to Merlin once the door was closed he grinned evilly. "Merlin, I have a great way to make it up to you for the way I acted. I know it's inexcusable, but I hope this will fix it." Merlin tilted his head to the side as he looked at Arthur with a curious look on his face. He wondered how Arthur planned to make it up to him for almost molesting him in his bath water.
Grabbing a piece of cheese and a sausage from his plate Arthur moved to leave. Merlin rushed over to him and placed Arthur's sword on his scabbard and followed closely behind. The silence reached them again as they made their way to the throne room. Just as Arthur was about to open the door he turned to Merlin. "That reminds me I have assigned a new servant to help you with washing my clothes and sheets. You will give her the items and have her return them to you once she is done." With that he entered the throne room.
"What? I don't need any help." Merlin started to argue as he entered behind Arthur. "It is not up for discussion Merlin you will do as I say." Arthur whispered as he turned around again and then back as he made his way to his throne welcoming the messenger as he went.
"How was your trip? I hope it was peaceful." Arthur said to the man, he was in his mid-forties and wore similar clothes like Merlin's but with finer detail. "It was without interruptions sire." The man replied as his brown curly hair bobbled with his movements. He handed Arthur a letter and stepped back. "Lord Godwyn sends his greetings and an invitation." the messenger continued as Arthur opened the letter and read it.
Arthur clasped his hands together and stated with great joy "Tell Lord Godwyn that I gladly accept his invitation. I will have my written response ready for you before you depart. For now rest and enjoy a hot meal." The knights escorted the messenger out leaving only Arthur, Merlin, and Leon in the throne room.
Leon stepped forward and informed the King that the provisions Lord Godwyn wished to trade were already being stored and rationed among the people. "Good, I will prepare my thanks to Lord Godwyn for his generosity." Arthur concluded as he motioned for Merlin to follow him.
XXX
"You did like I suggested." Merlin grinned sheepishly as he fixed Arthur's sheets, his excitement obvious in his voice. "I don't know what you are talking about Merlin. I simply hinted that our alliance could be used in other then war and suggested a trade with Lord Godwyn." Arthur replied sarcastically as he continued writing his letter to Lord Godwyn.
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's response; he had used Merlin's exact words. When was Arthur finally going to admit that he wasn't that daft? Setting down the now puffed up pillows Merlin moved to pick up the basket with Arthur's dirty clothes and paused at the door. "What is the name of the servant that will be helping me?" Merlin asked.
Arthur looked up from his scroll and wrinkled his forehead as he tried to remember the name. "Elveny and just leave the basket in the corridor outside, she can pick it up and leave it there once she is done." Arthur called back as Merlin opened the door and did as he was told. There was no reason for yet another servant to step into his chambers, Arthur thought as he turned his attention back to his writing.
Merlin stepped back in and pointed at Arthur's breakfast. "Are you not going to eat it? I did go throw a lot of trouble getting it." Merlin teased, his mood feeling much better now that the awkwardness was dissipated a bit. "Trouble, Merlin that is your job. Stop whining and read this letter." Arthur teased back as he handed Merlin the scroll of parchment. He would never admit but Merlin had a way with words.
"It sounds nice," Merlin replied handing the scroll back. "Nice," Arthur practically shrieked. "It is kingly and straightforward."
"Yes, but the man just saved your starving people you could show a bit more humility and thankfulness." Merlin commented as he moved to clean the fireplace. "Well here you write it Merlin since you volunteered so eagerly." Arthur mocked as he threw Merlin the scroll.
Failing to catch the scroll Merlin bend over to scoot it up. "Prat" he said under his breath, but just loud enough for Arthur to catch it. "Idiot" Arthur replied and just like that everything was forgotten. Merlin left to finish the letter and retrieve the forgotten armor from the armory wondering what the invitation mentioned earlier could mean.
Arthur looked up from his desk to tell Merlin to have the council be notified to convene in an hour, but was met with an empty room. A smile crossed Arthur's face, Merlin sure could move when he wanted to. He was glad that everything was fixed between them now. All he had to do was control himself and avoid any repeats like what had happened with the bath.
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Evelyn made her way to the castle with higher spirits. Today she would see Arthur and even though she had to do manual labor it was worth it. That was the only way she would be able to find out who had touched the King and activated the potion.
Once she reached the King's chambers she made to open the door but was stopped by the guards. "I am here to pick up the King's dirty clothes and sheets." She declared as her chest buffed out with anger. How dare they block her path again, still they did not move but one of them pointed to the basket resting against one of the walls.
Evelyn turned her gaze at the basket and her face turned red with pure anger. What? She was not even permitted to enter the King's chamber that was absurd. Grabbing the basket she marched down the corridor towards what she feared was pure torture.
After asking several servants she found her way to the place where the laundry was done. "Is that the King's clothes?" one of the other servants asked her as she placed the basket on the ground. "Yes, they are." Evelyn declared with fake pride. "Then you better take those there after you are done; they are dry and belong to the King. Merlin washed those yesterday but hasn't been by to pick them up. I hope he is ok." The girl ranted on.
Evelyn rolled her eyes as she huffed. It looked like she was stuck as a servant until she corrected this mishap. She was going to be Queen she would see to it and then she would dismiss this Merlin fellow who had given her extra work.
After the washing was done she hanged the clothes and retrieved the dry ones. Making her way back to the King's chambers her mood got better. Maybe she would run into the King on her way there. With that thought in mind she increased her pace.
XXX
Merlin opened the door to the armory and stepped inside. Arthur's armor was still were he had left it. He sat down to polish the already shinny armor. He could just take it back and Arthur would never know, but he would and it didn't hurt to shine it a bit more. Maybe the sun rays would reflect off his armor and blind him causing him to fall off his horse. Merlin could dream.
"What is so funny, Merlin?" Gwaine asked as he entered the armory in full chainmail and saw Merlin smiling to himself. "Gwaine, tired of getting beaten already?" Merlin teased at his friend as he turned in his direction. "Me, beaten, you must be confusing me for her highness." Gwaine laughed as he sat down next to Merlin. "I don't get beaten." He declared and slapped Merlin in the back.
"I am just polishing Arthur's armor before I take it to him." Merlin replied flinching at the impact and set to polishing again. "Well I will leave you to it." Gwaine said as he moved towards the door. "Oh, did Arthur finish that wine he got the other day?" the knight asked as he opened the door.
"The wine," Merlin asked and then as realization hit him called out "Wait, Gwaine who gave it to him do you know?" But before Gwaine could reply he was distracted by Percival who called him back to the training. He had been found out and could not sneak away from it any longer. With a parting glance Gwaine left leaving Merlin alone with his unanswered question.
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Arthur was sitting on his desk with his feet on top of it when Merlin entered. Setting his feet back on the floor he raised his eyebrows. "Well Merlin that was quick." Merlin set the armor down on a shelf to the side and handed Arthur the scroll.
"Well your brain does work at times, it truly is a mystery." Arthur commented as he finished reading the scroll, writing a few more lines and singing it he handed it back to Merlin. "Deliver it to Lord Godwyn's messenger and have him depart in the afternoon. We will be departing in the morning."
"We are going to visit Lord Godwyn's kingdom?" Merlin asked confused as he looked at the new lines Arthur had added. It was rare now that Arthur did any traveling besides his usual hunts and random patrols he accompanied his knights in. Arthur rarely left his kingdom now that he was King; Merlin suspected he feared leaving it unguarded even though there were plenty of knights to protect it.
"Of course Merlin, how am I to make it up to you then?" Arthur continued to tease. "Making me ride on horseback for days, force me to sleep out in the open, go about feeding the horses, setting up your tent, and cooking for you is how you are going to make it up to me?" Merlin stated as he moved his head back slightly.
"No Merlin, you are to cook for me and a few other knights who will be coming with us." Arthur said as he raised both his eyebrows at Merlin followed by one of his own grins. Sometimes Merlin wondered if more torture was how Arthur repaid his servants or maybe it was just him that he enjoyed giving such gestures of gratitude.
"Get a move on Merlin, you still need to pack our things, get the horses ready, and muck out my stables. Don't think I have forgotten you failed to do that yesterday." Arthur triumphantly said as he waved his hand towards the door. "And one more thing let the council know that they are to convene immediately."
Merlin just flared his hands in the air and retreated to deliver the letter. Arthur was indeed a royal arse, he had not been wrong in his first assumption of him.
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Evelyn almost slammed into a servant as she reached Arthur's chambers, the same young man with dark hair and ivory skin she had seen the day before in the courtyard. He seemed upset and wasn't paying attention to where he was going. Shaking her head at his pathetic apology and his retreating form she continued on her way.
Once again she was welcomed with spears blocking her path. This was getting ridiculous, she had found out that servants went in to give him his food when his manservant failed to and he had been dressed various times before by others in the past. Giving up when the guards failed to retreat their spears she set the basket of clean clothes back where she had first picked it up.
The ones she had washed were still drying so at least she had another reason to try again. Maybe she would go inquire on a loose tonged servant when the shifts were made. Servants had a way with gossip. She never knew the other guards might be more easily persuaded to let her in. Also she was curious to know who this Merlin was, he could be a way to get closer to Arthur after all she was pretty appealing to a man's eye.
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Merlin had delivered the letter to Lord Godwyn's messenger, told the council that the King wanted a meeting with them right away, and was now again back in the stables. He would have to find some time to wash his own clothes. If this kept up he would find himself naked with nothing clean to wear.
Taking the rake that was still where he had left it the day before he began his work. Pausing ever so often, Merlin cursed Arthur's name and his seer ego. He had practically assaulted Merlin just hours ago, demanded forgiveness, and when he got what he wanted went back to being a total prat.
After much raking the stables looked much cleaner, he moved to place fresh hay. He really didn't want to be left alone to ponder, his attention kept going back to earlier that morning. What had caused him to have such a dream? As if he wanted to dream of Arthur and definitely not in that sense. Merlin blamed Arthur for it as well; after all he was the perverted one who had tried to jump Merlin.
Shaking his head in an attempt to erase those unwanted thoughts Merlin looked at his work. He could not grasp why Arthur insisted that Merlin was such a horrible servant. He wasn't built for sword practice, or maze, or any fighting weapon in general, and he did fall and stumble quite a lot, but he finished his duties as best as he could.
He admitted he did use magic here and there, but most of the time he contained the desire to use it and did the actual manual labor. With one final nod at the horses he left. There was still the matter of finding the love potion and the spell to reverse it.
As Merlin entered Gaius' and his chambers he found his poor friend fast asleep in his bed. Gaius had searched through the night in an attempt to find the herb that he had not slept. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the sheets on his friend were raised to an acceptable length.
The potions that needed to be delivered were neatly set on one of the tables with a note next to them. "If you will be so kind to deliver these..." Gaius's handwriting simply stated. The physician had been so kind to label each bottle with the name of its recipients. With one final look at his friend's sleeping form he exited the room.
XXX
Arthur was feeling much better; he had managed not to ravish his manservant the moment his eyes laid on him. The meeting with the council had been short and to the point. He had presented them with his answer one day early and everyone had seemed happy about the outcome. The treaty with neighboring kingdoms would sustain them enough until the crops they replanted grew to edible lengths.
Even though only Lord Godwyn had agreed to the treaty so far, he now had more time to get more kingdoms to do the same. After all Lord Godwyn had stated he thought the trade idea beneficial to both parties and claimed others would too. Arthur was suddenly in the mood for some sparing so he made his way to the training ground. His knights had had enough slacking for one day.
Merlin had not been back so he would have to settle with a light match since he was not in his armor. He was the king, dressing himself once in a while was acceptable, but he was not going to put his own armor on when he could get away with it.
He spotted Sir Gwaine, Sir Leon, and Sir Percival along with a few newer knights sparing. A devilish grin reached his face as he walked towards Gwaine. He had every intention of making Gwaine pay for his embarrassment at the tavern the day before.
Swinging his sword he took Gwaine slightly by surprise as the knight greeted him. Arthur knocked him a few steps back. Gwaine smiled his sheepish smile in response as he regained his ground. "Aw, sire you finally decided to get off your lazy royal bum and join us" Mocked the rugged knight as he easily deflected every attack from the King's sword with his own.
Everyone else had stopped, even Leon and Percival, and stared at the fight as the King and fellow knight were equally matched. Some would even vouch that Gwaine had an advantage over Arthur, but they would never admit it out loud or within ear shot of the King. Many swings later no victor was acknowledged and training resumed.
Arthur spent the rest of the day occupied. He did everything he could to stay away from his manservant even jumping into hidden corridors as a glimpse of red and blue caught his eye. The King was managing his control over his emotions very well.
Merlin was quite busy himself preparing for tomorrow's departure and his endless reading on love spells. He would think that how many times Arthur found himself under them Merlin would have memorized at least half of them. So the rest of the day and afternoon passed without incident. Even Gaius managed to get himself up, eat, and help the young warlock in his search.
XXX
The morning came and Merlin was awakened from his dreams by Gaius again. He really didn't understand the need for royals and their obsession to wake up so early. Putting his book back in its hiding spot Merlin got dressed. He and Arthur were to leave on their trip to Lord Godwyn's kingdom.
"You will have to talk to Arthur and find out who gave him that wine. We can then interrogate the person responsible for it." Gauis stated as he rummaged through his parchments and scrolls on his desk. "They can tell us what spell was used. It will help us find the counter spell with more ease. If the spell is already in effect we don't know what the person responsible might make him do." Gaius said with a sense of dread.
"Gaius we don't have much time, we leave in an hour." Merlin answered as he put his coat on and took his traveling bag. "I don't think we have to worry much about the other part you said." Merlin said as he moved to the door. "Why is that Merlin, do you know who Arthur is pining after?" Gaius asked as he stared at Merlin. "Uh no, I mean I might have an idea and it's safe to say that Arthur won't be doing anything to harm Camelot any time soon." Merlin finished as he took some provisions and stuffed them into his bag.
"Well at least take this, it's a reveal spell. It will tell you who the love potion has attached the King to." Gauis commented as he handed Merlin a piece of parchment. Merlin took it and stuck it in his bag. "Once the words are spoken it will mark the recipient of his affections with his name. The effect will only last a few days."
A guard interrupted their conversation as he knocked on the door and opened it without waiting on a response. "The King has requested your presence, he is ready to depart." The guard said and then left.
Merlin followed him out turning back to Gauis and sending him a look that stood for a silent "sorry." Gaius nodded his final goodbye. Gaius hoped that once they returned it wouldn't be too late to reverse the spell. Being besides the King was the best place for Merlin at the moment, he could keep a better look on him Gaius thought to himself.
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Authors notes:
I didn't want to spend another six chapters writing another day, so I squished it into one. Evelyn is back, she is so sneaky and I hate her. But that is ok because we are supposed to hate her. So excited to finish the next chapter, here is a hint; there will be a few juicy tent scenes and finally lots of unanswered questions will be answered. *Hugs her imaginary Merlin plushy* There is a thought maybe I should make one. Also I need your help. How many days would you say the trip from Camelot to Lord Godwyn's kingdom would take? I was unable to find that out and I want to include it in the next chapter.
