A/N: The chapter starts with some Arwen action. I did not feel very confident in writing this section, but felt the reconciliation needed between the two at this point was necessary for the story to progress.
I have taken longer than I wished to get this chapter ready so am very sorry for the delay. I hope anyone reading has not been put off!
On with the story then...
Not long after Gaius had left his chambers, Arthur's thoughts turned to his betrothed; a mixture of contrition and anxiety swirling in his mind. The fact that he'd actually entertained the idea of Guinevere being unfaithful, made his stomach twist with guilt. Surely he trusted her enough to know that anything she'd felt for Lancelot was long past? Wasn't it obvious that the Guinevere he knew and loved would never have behaved that way?
To add to his worries, it seemed Guinevere's safety was still something to be concerned about. After all Gaius and Merlin had told him and with an enraged Agravaine still on the loose, it was reasonable to assume that she may be his next target. Deciding that the safest place for her would be by his side, Arthur sent a contingent of four guards to the Physician's rooms to bring Guinevere safely to him (with orders to explain clearly that they were there for her protection only).
A little while later a gentle knock sounded on the King's door and feeling suddenly anxious about the upcoming encounter, Arthur sent Merlin to answer it while he collected himself. Merlin opened the door to reveal a teary eyed, clearly shaken Guinevere and as he made an inconspicuous exit, Gwen took one hesitant step into the room.
As soon as the two occupants locked gazes upon each other any bitterness or doubt was immediately washed away by the affection and tenderness that flowed between them. Gwen ran toward Arthur, doing her best to stifle the sobs which tried to escape her mouth and the two embraced silently, their physical touch saying much more than words ever could. After some time, Gwen pulled back but kept her hands upon Arthur's upper arms.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you Arthur."
"No Guinevere, you have nothing to be sorry for. You were under the influence of magic. It is I who should apologise. I should never have entertained the idea that you would be unfaithful."
"But, I should have been stronger Arthur."
"Don't Guinevere. It is Morgana and ... Agravaine who are to blame. They would have used whoever they needed, in any manner possible, just to get what they wanted."
"And what did they want Arthur? Did she really want me dead? I can't ..." Gwen had put the pieces together herself after Gaius explained to her about Lancelot being a Shade and the details of her own enchantment. If Arthur had believed what he'd witnessed take place in the Council Chambers she would have been exiled or possibly even executed. She had served Morgana for over ten years and been her closest confidante and friend for most of that time. How could the compassionate, morally principled girl she'd been so close to, have changed so much as to want her dead?
"There's nothing of the old Morgana left Guinevere. She's been driven mad by her hatred and need for revenge." Arthur took a few steps away from Gwen as he spoke and gave a short incredulous laugh. "It's ridiculous really. She claimed to hate my, our father, because of those very same qualities. Yet she's a crueller tyrant than he ever was. Anybody standing in the way of what she wants is at risk; no matter who they are or how many they number. Not to mention how innocent."
"Do you think if we had've realised what was going on earlier, that we could have saved her?"
Gwen had wondered more than once if she'd somehow let her friend down. Looking back, it was obvious that all Morgana's nightmares were the stirrings of her magical abilities, not merely the nocturnal illusions brought on by a tired mind than she had supposed at the time.
Arthur returned his beloved's gaze for a moment before dropping his head.
"I don't know Guinevere. I dread to think what my father would have done if he knew she had magic."
Arthur had alternated between feeling guilty that he had not recognised his sister's need and done something to help her and being resigned to the knowledge that there was nothing anyone could have done as magic sent everyone it contaminated mad.
"Perhaps if she had gotten help? Gone to the Druids perhaps?" Gwen asked half heartedly.
Arthur shook his head, dismissing the notion silently. For one thing there was no way Uther would have allowed it and secondly, given the way they'd been treated by Camelot in the past, who knows how the Druids would have responded.
"I doubt there was anything that could have stopped her," he concluded solemnly.
Arthur pulled Gwen toward him again and she nestled into the warmth of his strong chest gratefully.
A little under two candle marks later Arthur and Merlin were alone again. Gwen had been settled into the adjoining chambers and extra guards had been posted. Merlin had taken the opportunity earlier to secretly place a few wards of protection near the windows and doors when he had gone in to light the fire and turn back the bedclothes.
Sir Leon had the unfortunate task of reporting to the King that Agravaine still hadn't been located. His men had been searching constantly for the entire time and were beginning to flag. The majority of the guards had been awakened from a night's rest to join the search parties after already having put in a full day's work. Many of the knights had not had a particularly taxing day, having spent it watching the tournament and then attending the feast, but even they were running out of energy.
"There has been no sign yet Sire but you have my word that we will not give up until Agravaine has been apprehended." Leon was fully aware of how much this betrayal would be hurting Arthur and he, along with several of the knights, had made it a personal mission to avenge his torment.
"We've been over the entire castle twice; catacombs and towers included." His explanation was not meant as an excuse but more a reassurance that no area of the castle would remain unturned in their continuing efforts.
Arthur was sitting at his desk as Leon reported but stood up and paced over to the window before replying. "He has intimate knowledge of the castle's geography Leon, which he will be putting to good use I have no doubt."
"That is to his advantage Sire, but he is only one man. With as many as we have looking for him, sooner or later he will be found."
Arthur was itching to join the search himself but had thus far managed to restrain himself.
"And you are sure he hasn't managed to leave the castle already?" The exhaustion was clear upon Arthur's face as he spoke and his voice held a trace of self doubt that was not usually part of his demeanour.
"All the exits are covered Sire, by double the usual complement of guards. There's no way he could have gotten out." Leon shook his head slightly, glancing toward Merlin as he stood quietly off to the side.
Closing his eyes momentarily and squeezing at the bridge of his nose, Arthur turned away from the knight.
"I'll report in another candle mark Sire." The curly headed knight spoke quietly and waited for Arthur's nod before taking his leave.
Merlin was beyond tired. He had not had a proper night's sleep in days, what with researching, tracking Agravaine and worrying about what was going to happen. However spent and exhausted he felt though, he knew Arthur would be suffering more. It was at times like this, when the very fabric of Arthur's life had been torn apart (again), that the young King needed him most. Not that the arrogant prat would admit it of course, but Merlin provided him with exactly the sort of bracing reassurance that he required when his self doubts had been given reason to surface.
Arthur stared out the window for a few minutes more before finally speaking again. "Merlin. What you said about me not listening to you in favour of ... my uncle. Well, you're right and for that, I am sorry."
"Arthur, there's no need ..." Merlin tried to interject but was hushed into silence by Arthur raising a hand.
"No Merlin. You tried to tell me some time ago that Agravaine's motives were ... questionable."
Merlin locked eyes with the King as he swung around to face him.
"I reacted badly and... it is no excuse but perhaps I was thinking with my heart rather than my head." Of everyone he had associations with in Camelot, it was Merlin who stood at his side, regardless of the danger he placed himself in or of the seeming helplessness of the situation. He'd been so relieved to have his uncle's experience and counsel when his father was no longer able to act as King, that he'd cast Merlin aside in favour of blood ties. "You have shown me unquestioning loyalty and honesty in all the years you have been in my service Merlin and that should count for more."
Merlin swallowed hard, all the lies and evasions he'd subjected Arthur to over the years sitting like a dead weight in his belly. Many were the times when he'd craved some recognition for his efforts but now, when Arthur was finally delivering, it felt wrong; undeserved.
"Arthur, I'll always do whatever it takes to help you become the King I know you can be." Arthur was staring at him with a perturbing tender expression. The intensity of the night's happenings needed some lightening up so Merlin conjured up his best cheeky grin before speaking again. "No matter how bigger prat you are."
Thankfully his efforts paid off as Arthur's face broke into a small smile and he managed a huff of laughter in return.
An urgent rapping at the door, shortly after the next fruitless report from Sir Leon, interrupted Arthur's continued brooding.
"Enter!" he called out hopefully, standing up from where he was seated at his desk as he spoke. His heart thumped apprehensively at the notion that his Uncle had been caught and was now awaiting him in the dungeons.
"Sire!" Sir Gwaine burst through the door; his anxious expression together with his hurried approach was a clear give away that something significant had occurred. (Not to mention the proper use of Arthur's title.)
"What is it Gwaine?" Arthur replied in a clipped tone.
"It's Lancelot." The knight glanced worriedly toward Merlin before continuing. "He's dead."
"What?" Arthur failed to hide his surprise as he replied; that had certainly not been the news he was bracing himself for. "How?"
"Leon's with him now, but you better come and see for yourself." Gwaine replied, unusually straight faced and sombre.
Merlin was on the point of correcting his friend - how could something that was never really alive, be dead - but the utter absurdity of the situation seemed to overrule his intention to speak.
Arthur grabbed his sword from where he'd discarded it earlier on the side table and set off resolutely toward the knight's quarters. Gwaine let the King lead on, lingering slightly so that he drew level with Merlin.
"Alright mate?" he asked, placing a hand on the warlock's shoulder. Gwaine was well aware of how close Merlin and Lancelot had been. Before the incident at the sundered veil, he had often seen the two with their heads together, laughing and sharing private thoughts and he could still remember the look of abject misery on Merlin's face as they left the Isle of the Blessed that fateful day.
Merlin glanced at him and gave a grim nod before setting off after Arthur.
"I'm fine Gwaine," he answered stoically. The real Lancelot had been lost to him some time back and Merlin done all his grieving then. All he felt now was a sense of anger at how disrespectfully the knight's memory had been treated and how his reputation had been so unjustly sullied.
A short while later the three arrived at the scene. Gaius was examining the body and looked up over the rim of his spectacles as the King and his ward entered.
"Sir Leon. What's going on?" Arthur asked his second in command who was standing beside the old physician, a sombre expression on his features.
"Sire. The guard outside was found unconscious by one of the younger knights; Sir Lionel. Suspecting that something was amiss, he entered to find Lancelot as you see him now." Leon nodded toward Shade Lancelot's body which was lying still and lifeless on the flagstones beside the fireplace.
"Agravaine." Arthur spoke barely above a whisper, spitting out his Uncle's name like it left a sour taste upon his tongue.
"It appears so Sire." Leon replied, eyes downcast. "This was beside him on the floor." Leon handed Arthur a small piece of parchment.
You have served your Mistress well Sir Lancelot.
There is one further task I now require of you.
My messenger will give you a vial, the contents of which I command you to
swallow.
This will deliver you back to the resting place from
whence you were summoned.
The Lady Morgana.
Arthur read through the letter in horror, the blood draining from his face as he was once again forced to confront the true evil of his half sister. The hand writing was unmistakably hers and the identity of the 'messenger' was more than likely another member of his family; Agravaine.
The world before him started to blur and he felt his legs go weak.
Merlin had been reading the letter over Arthur's shoulder and as he saw his friend sway slightly, he reached out a bracing hand to steady him. Knowing Arthur would be severely embarrassed by this seeming show of weakness, Merlin did his best to keep his efforts of aid out of eye line of everyone else in the room.
He too felt sickened; both by the faint, barely perceptible echo of Morgana's dark magic which was seeping from the parchment and by the indirect meaning in the words themselves. Like an old horse that could no longer pull the plough, this once brave and noble knight had been put out for slaughter; he had been callously used then discarded by the heartless witch in her latest quest to harm Arthur.
After a few moments, Arthur shrugged away from Merlin's hold as he pulled himself together.
"Where's the guard? Has he been questioned?" He addressed Leon in a slightly frantic tone.
"Did he actually witness my Uncle's presence?" Somehow or other, he needed to find the depth of his uncle's involvement with Morgana.
Leon glanced to Gaius. "He is resting in my chamber's Sire. I will let you know when he is in a fit state to speak with you." The physician delivered in his usual implacable tone, his eyebrow raised admonishingly.
"This is a matter of urgency Gaius! I need to know the extent of my uncle's involvement in this treachery!"
"I realise that Sire and I will do my utmost to assist." Gaius struggled to his feet again, eyes never leaving the Kings. "If you will permit me to report my findings here sire?"
Arthur brushed a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "Of course Gaius," he nodded toward the old physician. "I apologise for my lack of ... patience."
Gaius inclined his head in acceptance. "It quite understandable Sire."
As Gaius started to explain the signs on the body and what type of poison they pointed toward, an exchange of voices could be heard just outside the doorway. Almost immediately a wide eyed Gwaine entered, hair flying as he skidded toward Arthur.
"There's been a sighting! It looks like he's heading for the stables!" The knight announced rapidly.
Knowing that every second counted if they wished not to lose the trail, Arthur took off as fast as he could, Merlin close behind him. Every instinct Arthur had told him to pursue his quarry himself, whether it was appropriate behaviour for a King or not. Right now there was nothing he needed more than to be personally involved in bringing his treacherous relation to justice.
A/N: As much as Bamf!Merlin taking out Agravaine in the tunnels during the last ep of Series 4 was epic, I kind of wanted Arthur to be the one to deal with his traitor Uncle.
To every one in the UK - happy series 5 watching on Saturday! In Australia we have to wait just over a week longer, which is not bad considering. One thing I'm wondering though; there has been so much talk of moving the show to an 8.30pm timeslot and how much more 'grown up' it is but Channel 10 is still showing it at 6.30pm. Does this mean there will be edits in the verion we see or are the rating systems different?
