I meant to have this chapter up a couple of days ago, but a horrible cold over took me. Anyways I'm better now, and you get to enjoy the newest chapter.
Hope you like it!
Guinevere made her way silently through the corridors of the castle. She couldn't believe what she had just seen, but there was no denying it. Morgana had been smiling; she knew something about Arthur and Merlin's disappearance.
There was only one person Gwen knew she could confide in about this strange turn of events. "Giaus?"
Meanwhile back at the Magic Box, Merlin was getting tired of flicking through page after page of spellbook after spellbook. He leaned an arm against the table, and allowed his eyes to close.
"Merlin."
Not even a minute later Merlin's eyes snapped open. He could have sworn he had just heard the dragon. "Did you hear that?" He asked Tara. She looked up from the dusty book she had been immersed in.
"Hear what?" She looked around. There were only a few customers wandering around the small shop, and the rest of her friends were all gathered at the check-out counter.
Merlin gazed around. "Sorry, I must've, must've dozed off." He rubbed his eyes, and returned to reading. Serenadellatrovella - Of the House of Dellatrovellas described travel to other dimensions as a crackpot dream only ever considered by those with serious, and possibly dangerous delu-
"Merlin."
"There it is again!" Merlin shouted, causing Tara to drop her book in fright. "It sounds like it's coming from over there." Merlin walked purposely towards the bookshelves. A ripple of mumbles broke out from the customers, who were all giving him suspicious looks.
As Merlin began hunting through the books, several of the customers backed out of the store. "Xander!" Anya smacked her boyfriends arm. "Do something! He's scaring away my customers! My paying customers, with money they want to give to me!"
Xander rubbed his now painful arm. "Alright pal, you're creeping the people out why don't you just go back to reading?" But Merlin wasn't listening. The voice was getting louder, and more insistent.
"Merlin."
"Merlin!"
"MERLIN!"
"MERLIN! MERLIN!"
Merlin squeezed his eyes shut against the noise. It was almost unbearable. Reaching blindly, Merlin's hand closed around a deep red book. Immediately the shouting ceased. He opened his eyes, and stared down at the book.
Albion.
Giaus listened patiently as Gwen explained everything she had seen and heard. He had been expecting something like this since Merlin and Arthur's disappearance. "Tell me, Gwen are you willing to attempt to get Morgana to open up to you?"
"If it means getting Arthur and Merlin back; you know I'd do anything."
Giaus nodded. "Good, then tonight when you're helping her prepare for bed, bring up the disappearance. I have no doubt she won't reveal the entire plot, but she may let something slip. Anything she says that seems suspicious you must report back to me. Understood?" Gwen nodded. "This plan can be potentially dangerous; if you feel like she's catching on do not push the matter. I don't want to lose you as well."
As always Gwen arrived at Morgana's bedroom, and set about preparing her room for the evening. Morgana sat at her vanity plaiting her hair. "No word from Arthur yet?" Gwen said cautiously as she fluffed out several pillows.
"Hmm? No, no word yet." Morgana replied, not looking up from her reflection.
Gwen watched her out of the corner of her eye. "It's a bit odd isn't it? For Arthur to just leave without a word?"
"Yes I suppose it is, Gwen do pay attention that's my favourite quilt, and you almost threw it on that candle."
Gwen moved the candle to a safer location. "Sorry M'lady." Silence filled the room. Gwen bit her lip. "Did Arthur, say anything to you. Before he disappeared?"
"No." Morgana said sharply. "Why?"
"Well you and Arthur were always so close. I thought perhaps he-"
Well you thought wrong." Morgana sighed before smiling at her friend. "Thank you Gwen, I think I can handle everything from here."
"Are you sure? I could-"
"Gwen, it's late. Go home, and get some rest." Morgana said as she ushered her maid to the door. Gwen frowned at the closed door; she was not giving up that easily. She settled herself behind a large curtain, and waited. For what she wasn't quite sure herself.
About an hour later Gwen was just beginning to nod off when she heard a door creak open. Gwen peered through the crack in the curtains. She watched as a cloaked Morgana made her way down the corridor. Gwen gave her more than enough space before following.
Morgana led her to another corridor that was located in a barely used part of the castle. "Sister?" As Gwen watched the blonde woman named Morgause appeared almost as if out of nowhere.
"Morgana, why have you summoned me here? Has something happened?"
Morgana shook her head slightly. "No, but I fear that my maid Guinevere suspects something." Gwen sunk further into the shadows at the mention of her name.
"And you think she may be a threat?"
"You mustn't underestimate her, Sister. She has managed to capture the heart of Arthur, which in itself is no small feat. She could be dangerous."
Morgause nodded; she reached into her satchel, and pulled out an orb filled with glowing violets, and red swirling colours. "Very well, you know what you must do." Morgana took the orb.
Gwen stayed frozen in place until both witches had disappeared.
