Chapter eight: Telepathy
Ariana stirred to a rotten egg smell directly under her nose and she sat up sputtering. "Easy." Merlin said. "She's awake Gaius."
"Good." She saw an older man looking at a vial he was holding up. He turned to her and handed her the vial. "Drink this later, it'll help you sleep."
"Before I drink it, tell me this." She shook her head. "Does this sleeping draught contain lavender by any chance?"
Gaius nodded. "It does."
"Then I shan't take it." She pushed it aside. "Lavender causes my skin to turn all red." She turned to Merlin. "How's Morgana?" And who is this man?
Gaius. He's the court physician and I'm his apprentice.
"She's fine." Gaius said. "Her headache has subsided, she's resting comfortably now."
Was she having any fits or anything? Did you observe a violet light in her eyes?
Yes. Merlin said. It was more a violet blue though.
What?! That's impossible! That means….she must have met the one! But who? She blinked. Gwaine! He's going to break the spell!
Morgana and Gwaine! Merlin shook his head slightly. No way. Gwaine's a scoundrel. Morgana won't have anything to do with him!
And Morgana has a bit of a rebellious side to her. Morgana's very good with a sword as is Gwaine. I can imagine those two could talk for hours on swordplay and things like that.
That's beyond the point. He can't afford her and hates most nobility.
I'm sure Morgana would love to be free of this lifestyle. I think they make a cute couple, upon deeper reflection.
Merlin frowned slightly. Ariana, do you think Uther would let her marry Gwaine anymore than he'd let Arthur marry Gwen? He's all ready been banished from Camelot and he's not supposed to even set foot here!
If it's meant to be, love will find a way.
Why do people always say that when there's no rational point to an argument anymore?.
"princess Ariana," Gaius said tapping her shoulder. "did you hear me?"
she blinked. "No, I'm sorry. what did you say?"
"Are you allergic to any herbs other than lavender?"
"No, just lavender, which is too bad, because I think the flower is quite lovely."
"Not the color?" Merlin asked.
She wrinkled her nose. "No the color is rather beastly."
Merlin chuckled as she grinned. Gaius was eyeing them rather suspiciously as he poked through his valise containing his vials. A bang on the door caused all of them to turn towards the door.
"Come in." She called. She was still in her dress she wore earlier today and not in her nightclothes.
But to her dismay, Uther came in the room. "How is she Gaius?"
"She appears to be fine sire."
She nodded. "I am fine. What is it you need of me sire?"
"Are you up to receiving a visitor?" She nodded. "Good, your first suitor has arrived, King Griffith of Legometas." Ariana stiffened and stared at Uther. "He is anxious to see you."
Ariana was silent before saying coldly. "Tell him that I don't wish to see him ever again, I don't want to hear his name spoken in my presence again." She flopped back onto the comforter and stared up at the canopy covering her bed. "That is the end of this discussion."
"You said you were up to receiving visitors." Uther said. "It is my wish that you meet with him."
"I didn't say I was. You asked me and I didn't answer." Merlin noted her fingers digging into the covers, a sign that if Uther pushed her much more, she'd explode. "My answer is, no, I don't feel well enough."
Uther wasn't paying attention to her or her excuses. "You have no choice. Either you come down and meet him, or I will have him visit you up here."
Ariana jumped up, out of the bed, her angry eyes were a fluorescent blue, and her red hair hung about her face. "I said no! and I mean no!"
"You have no choice!" Uther shouted. "If you're not down in five minutes, we will come up here!"
"You'll be sorry for this!" She screamed as he stomped out of the room. "You mark my words!"
Ariana inhaled wrong and lapsed into a fit of coughing. She groaned as she hacked in aggravation. She threw her hands up in the air, stomped to her closet and grabbed a red dress that seemed to match her angry attitude.
Calm down Ariana.
She spun around and glowered at Merlin. Don't you dare tell me to calm down when I'm furious!
I know, but it won't help your situation any will it?
She groaned. No, but it certainly makes me feel better! Griffith! Here? I told you! he's the one who married my sister! Does Gaius know you have magic?
Yes.
"Good!" she said. "because I am tired of this mental telepathy at the moment!"
"Ariana," he hissed "at least keep your voice down!"
"Fine." She plopped on the bed. "I'll try my best, but I am good and mad."
"So I gathered." He smirked.
She jumped up. "Gaius! Where's that potion?"
"No, Ariana." Merlin said with a slight smile on his face. "You can't run away from your problems."
She studied him with that impish look on his face and she felt almost all of her anger melt away as she smiled back. "if you're releasing a calming spell on me, it's not working all the way Merlin."
"I wasn't planning on it." He said. "But now that you mention it, it would seem like a good idea."
"Merlin!" Gaius said sharply. "We must go now. Here's another draught for your pain."
"Gaius," he said. "she knows all ready."
"Merlin." Gaius frowned at him.
"Oh it's all right." She said. "I've sworn I wouldn't tell and I won't. But right now, I would like to talk to Merlin, if you can spare him."
Gaius exhaled. "You're going to get him into trouble."
"I won't."
"But you can't promise that."
"I'll work on my memory erasing then." She said. "That I can promise."
Gaius left the room muttering under his breath. Merlin winced as he smartly shut the door. "He's going to talk to me about that."
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand talking about this in my head a moment longer!" She jumped up and attacked her hair. "Griffith! Here! Oh! I'd rather marry Uther than be in the man's company for one second!" She spun around. "He is that detestable!"
Merlin patted the seat beside him and she plopped down beside him. "Everything will be all right."
"Unless Uther makes me marry him."
"He wouldn't do that."
"You don't know that."
"I do." He grinned at her. "You're too strong to allow him to force you into something like that."
"But am I strong Merlin?" She asked as she folded her hands. "I don't think so. I may act strong, but like Arthur, I use my words to cover what I'm really feeling. It's scary to be the only one of your kind Merlin." She dropped her gaze. "And I am scared Merlin. It's so scary being a woman, for at times." She exhaled. "And if you don't think I'm bold in saying this….I'm glad I have you as a friend, even if you don't talk much."
He laughed lightly. "That you know of." She arched a brow at him and he nervously stood up. "I better go. you have to make a scene down in the throne room. I wish I could see it."
"And," she picked up the flaming red dress. "I intend to do just that." She hesitated. "Can you find Arthur and ask him to linger where I will be? In case something happens, I'd like him to bear witness."
"As you wish."
"I insist." Griffith is the type of a man who attempts to make love to his wife's sister. Even though she's been dead for a month, don't expect him to consider than any intimate boundaries are wrong. He sees what he wants and takes it and woe to anyone who stands in his way."
