The Trusted Prince
Merlin looked around the room and his eyes locked on Arthur. He glared at him as Arthur gave him a wide smile. He hated this.
Merlin's relationship with Arthur had grown over the last few weeks. He knew that Arthur wasn't a bad guy and that he was someone under a lot of pressure due to his status. Merlin didn't blame him.
But Arthur had started to trust Merlin. Everything that happened with Valiant and the Anfac had help to build it.
"Nice hat."
Merlin turned to Gwen.
"Thanks."
He felt ridiculous in the 'official ceremonial robes' as Arthur called them. Merlin couldn't see anyone else wearing the god awful hat.
He looked up and caught Morgana's eye. He grabbed the hat of his head and tried to smooth down his hair. Gwen starts to laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"I think it is cute."
Merlin blushes slightly.
"I don't know what you are on about." His eyes returned to Morgana.
"If it is any consolation, she thinks very highly of you." Gwen said as everyone moved towards their seats.
Merlin didn't really pay attention to Bayard words or what was happening. It was a peace treaty. Nothing could go wrong.
"Merlin, I need to speak to you."
He looked down at the serving girl he ran into earlier.
"What is it?"
"Not here, please. I don't know who else to tell."
Merlin nodded and followed her out.
"Stop!" Merlin said as he rushed to Arthur's side. "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!"
He took the goblet out of Arthur's hands.
"Merlin, what are you doing?"
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison." Merlin said, not taking his eyes off Bayard.
"This is an outrage!" Bayard exclaimed. "I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged."
Uther turned to Merlin.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?"
Merlin looked over at 'Cara'.
"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think it's poisoned now."
"He was seen lacing it."
"This is absurd!" Bayard said.
Uther thought for a few minutes.
"He'll drink it." He said, pointing to Merlin.
"But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Arthur argued.
Merlin thought that Arthur's concern for him was flattering and then he realised if he did die, his destiny would end here.
"And if he lives?" Bayard said.
"Then you have my apologies and you can do with him as you will." Uther replied.
Merlin brought the goblet up and toasted to Bayard and Arthur before drinking it. He had never had wine before and he enjoyed the sweetness of it.
I could get use to this. Merlin thought as he finished it off.
He waited for a few seconds before saying anything. "It's fine."
"He's all …" Merlin heard Uther start.
The blood felt like it had all rushed to his ears and he couldn't hear anything. Spots plagued his vision and his throat felt dry.
Merlin never remembers hitting the floor.
Arthur stood at his fire place.
He needed to go and get that flower. He needed to go and save Merlin. He didn't know where this feeling came from but in the last few weeks Arthur had started to trust Merlin and his judgement. There was something about Merlin that just made Arthur want to trust him. He would say that it was a familiarity but Arthur was sure that he had never met Merlin before.
"Say what you like about the food, but you can't beat out feast for entertainment."
Arthur turned towards the door and saw Morgana standing there.
"Morgana, I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were alright."
"You had Merlin to deal with."
Arthur smiled. "He has had the same effect on you."
"How is he?" Morgana said, sounding worried.
"He will die if I don't get this flower that can save his life. But…" Arthur said, trailing off.
"But Uther won't let you."
Arthur sighed and dragged a hand through his hair.
"Damn Uther. Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right and damn the consequences." Morgana said before looking at the floor. "And yes. If you are talking about Merlin having a slight familiarly then yes he has had the same effect on me. I don't want him to die."
Arthur nodded.
"Could you cover for me?"
Morgana smiled up at him.
"It will be my pleasure to take as much of the blame as possible."
"How is it possible?" Uther spat as silently as he could.
"Sire he is unconscious. He wouldn't be able to hear anything you say."
"I don't want anyone else find out."
The King started to pace.
"What is up Sire?"
"I thought he was dead. I thought I was rid of him. I thought he … I thought I would never have to deal with him again."
"Who?" Gaius said, trying not to let on the he knew what the king was on about.
"Balinor." Uther said through his teeth. He pointed towards Merlin. "He looks exactly the same as he did when he was younger."
"Couldn't it just be …" Gaius started.
"A coincidence. Balinor must still be alive."
Gaius could feel his heart beating in his chest.
"I know you smuggled him out of Camelot all those years ago."
Gaius let out a long sigh.
"I didn't know whether to be upset or angry or happy." Uther continued. "I just thought I would never see him again."
Uther looked down at Merlin.
"How much does the boy know of his family?"
"If he knows anything sire, he hasn't told me."
"Good, good. We need to keep it that way. He can never know that he is …"
Uther stopped as the door of the physician's chambers opened.
"I'm sorry milord. I hoping I haven't interrupted anything but I was just wondering how Merlin was." Morgana said.
"I need a word with you Morgana. Now!" Uther said, pushing past her out of the chamber.
"No change Morgana." Gaius said.
Morgana nodded before following Uther.
"Still alive, then?"
Merlin looked at the door and smiled at Arthur.
"Oh, yeah, just about." He paused. "I understand I have you to thank for that."
"Yeah, well, it was nothing. A half decent servant is hard to come by." Arthur said, trying to shake it off. "I was only dropping by to make sure you're alright."
Merlin nodded.
"I expect you to be back to work tomorrow." Arthur said.
"Oh yeah, of course, bright and early."
Arthur nodded and turned to leave.
"Thank you." Merlin said. "You didn't have to save my life."
"You saved mine. Only returning the favour."
