Yeah, I know! Two chapters in one day! Amazing! I am now officially on Thanksgiving break so I have plenty of time to write! I am so excited! Enjoy!
-EBOP
Morgana fumed as the king ordered her to be brought to the council chambers to await the Lady Helen. She placed a neutral smile on her face when the doors were opened and the famous singer walked in. Uther stood and approached the beautiful woman.
"Lady Helen. Thank you so much for coming to sing at our celebrations." Lady Helen smiled tightly.
"The pleasure's all mine." She curtsied and bowed her head in respect.
"How was your journey?" Uther reached her and offered his hand. The Lady Helen sighed and placed her hand in his.
"Oh, the time it took, Sire." Uther brought her hands up and kissed her knuckles lightly.
"Well, it's always worth the wait." He complimented with a bright smile. She smiled in return, but it was a small, painful smile.
"It will be." Morgana watched irritably as Uther tried to charm the woman who would be singing in the celebration of all the needless death from the past twenty years. Finally, Lady Helen said she was weary from her travel and was escorted to her room. Morgana quickly took her leave to return to her chambers, ignoring the exasperated look the king shot at her.
She was halfway to her own chambers before she decided that she needed a sleeping draught to help her sleep. She adjusted her route and walked toward Gaius chambers.
Back in the physicians chambers, Merlin and Gaius were discussing the book of mythical creatures Merlin had been reading.
"Unicorns are fascinating! My favorite creatures I've read about!" Merlin was saying, eyes alight with passion. The door to their chambers opened and Merlin's jaw nearly dropped. Morgana entered and she looked as beautiful as ever. He quickly looked away and hid the book of mythical creatures under a book about herbs.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you so late at night. But, I am needing a sleeping draught." Morgana signed to Gaius and Merlin. Gaius smiled gently and stood to get the needed vial. Morgana looked over toward Merlin and smiled at him.
"The Lady Helen is here. Uther made me stand and have a fake smile to welcome her." Her smile turned into an angry frown. Merlin stood and moved in front of her.
"I know you hate celebrating the deaths of so many, so do I. Today reminded me that no one is safe. That man was simply buying supplies." Merlin frowned as well. Morgana dipped her head to hide her angry tears. She felt Merlin's hands under her chin and she looked back up. She saw the sadness and worry in his eyes.
"But you have to keep up appearances. I don't want you to get in trouble with Uther. Again." Morgana smiled at him and she forgot her worries. Merlin saw her tears had disappeared so he let her chin go. Gaius walked up to them.
"Here you are. Remember, it is wise to already be in bed when you swallow the draught. It will have immediate affect." Morgana smiled her thanks and left. Merlin smiled slightly as he turned to Gaius. His father's eyebrow was up as he was studying him.
"What?" Merlin was turning red under his father's gaze.
"Oh nothing. Here, take this preparation and note to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice." Merlin nodded and left without another word.
Merlin walked up a spiral stairway and across the balcony corridor. He entered the Lady Helen's guest chamber quietly and noticed she was not in the room. He placed the potion bottle on the small vanity table. His magic thrummed and he frowned as he began to look for the source. He noticed an effigy and a small book, the magic coming from them made him cringe. Dark magic was the only thing that would make his own magic retreat into himself.
He didn't notice the Lady Helen walking into the room as he placed down the effigy and book quickly. He turned and froze as he saw the woman, who had to be the Lady Helen, glaring at him. And, apparently, yelling at him.
"What are you doing in here?" Merlin quickly turned back around to grab the note that Gaius wrote out and handed it to her. It simply read: 'For your voice.'
Merlin quickly left the room after giving her the note, not wanting to write out any more explanations. Merlin walked into the physician's chambers quietly and into his room. He fell on his bed and the emotional stress from the day caught up to him. He fell asleep immediately.
The next morning, Gaius entered his son's room and gaped. Clothes, books, and boots were everywhere. He grabbed Merlin's foot and waited until Merlin opened his eyes.
"Have you seen the state of this room?!" Gaius asked, trying not to laugh. Merlin did laugh and shrugged.
"It just happens."
"By magic?" Gaius raised his eyebrow.
"Yeah; I must have been really tired if I lost control while I slept. That hasn't happened in three years!"
"Yes. Well, you can clean it up without magic. And then I want you to get me some herbs: henbane, wormwood, and sorrel."
Merlin groaned as he stood and started to clean up the room. Merlin left after and retrieved the three herbs for Gaius. It was midday before he got back from the forest. He remembered that last night he had felt dark magic in the Lady Helen's room and he needed to talk to Gaius about it. He was not in their chambers, so he dropped off the herbs and continued to search. After an hour, he decided to go see Gwen and see if she had seen Gaius.
Merlin walked through the castle, smiling and waving to everyone he knew. Merlin approached the open door and knocked. Not seeing Gwen immediately, he walked in but stared at Morgana as she walked from behind her changing screen. She smiled brightly at him.
"Merlin!" He beamed at her.
"Hi! Do you know where Gwen or Gaius is?" He didn't see Morgana's face fall as she shook her head.
"No, I believe Gwen was getting a gown for me. She should be here soon. And I have not seen Gaius since last night." Merlin simply nodded.
"Are you going to the feast tonight?" Morgana asked suddenly. Merlin shrugged.
"I can go, since I am the ward of the Court Physician. But, I have no desire to go." Merlin answered with a small frown. Morgana nodded.
"You know, I've been thinking. Just because I'm the King's ward, that doesn't mean I have to accompany Arthur to the feast, does it? If Arthur wants me to go, then he should invite me, and he hasn't. So do you know what that means?"
Merlin simply stared at her, not understanding where she was going with this conversation. Not knowing what to say, Merlin simply shook his head.
"It means I'm going by myself." Morgana smiled at him, Merlin shook his head.
"I'm sure Arthur will ask you to go with him. I would not worry about going by yourself." Merlin said and he touched her shoulders to support her. He was confused when she rolled her eyes and turned away from him.
Gwen entered at that moment and called out to Morgana.
"Milady, I am back." Gwen approached the nonmoving man and touched his shoulder. He turned his head and smiled at her.
"Have you seen Gaius?" Merlin asked her and she shook her head.
"No, I have been busy getting Morgana ready for the feast tonight." Merlin stopped paying attention after Gwen said no, he had turned slightly to look at Morgana. When he turned back he asked; "Do you need any help with anything?"
Gwen had an amused look in her eye as she repeated what she said. She smirked at the way he flushed red and bolted from the room without a goodbye. Gwen turned toward Morgana and noticed her irritated look.
"What did my idiot brother do this time?" Morgana laughed and shook her head as she walked behind her changing screen.
"I told him that Arthur has not asked me to accompany him to the feast and that means I would be going by myself."
Gwen grinned and nodded her approval as she placed a gown over the changing screen for Morgana to put on.
"And he told me that I should not worry about going by myself. He is sure Arthur will ask me." Gwen cringed.
"Well, he is a man. They really do not understand subtle hints. Especially Merlin." Gwen said as she went behind to fasten Morgana's dress.
"I may need to be more blunt in the future. So, it's whether I wear this little teaseā¦" Morgana looked at herself in the mirror, then held up a maroon gown.
"Or give them another night they'll really remember." Gwen giggled as Morgana went behind the changing screen once more.
Several hours later, the two women left the room to head down toward the banquet hall. Morgana held her head high as she walked into the room, knowing that all the men were staring at her. She winked at Gwen.
"I told you this dress would make them drool." Gwen concealed a laugh as she walked toward the servants table to grab a pitcher of wine and a cup. She filled the cup for Morgana and handed it to her. She then looked for Merlin, after glancing around the large banquet hall, she saw him leaning on the wall closest to the doors. He was staring at Morgana with a slack jaw.
"She looks great, doesn't she?" She asked as she approached him. Merlin shook his head and turned toward the door, Gwen stepped in front of him.
"Don't run away from the question." Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Yes, she looks amazing. Like a princess." He left the hall abruptly and Gwen frowned but returned to her work as a servant.
Merlin was looking for Gaius. He still had a funny feeling about the Lady Helen. When he found Gaius cleaning up for the feast, he spoke of his worries.
"You should come back to the feast, if something happens, you can protect us." Merlin glared at the table in front of him, not noticing the vials on the shelves vibrating. Gaius grabbed his face and made him look at him.
"Calm down. I know you are against going to the feast. But, we might need you. Think of Gwen, or Morgana. You don't want them in danger." Merlin stood and nodded once. The two of them walked to the banquet hall. Merlin stayed by the doors as Gaius sat down at a table to begin eating.
The feast was going slowly, until the Lady Helen entered and Uther stood to give a speech.
"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."
Merlin watched the Lady Helen closely, he saw her mouth open and he assumed she was singing. He then noticed that everyone in the hall was beginning to fall asleep and he frowned. The cobwebs covering the court made Merlin act. He looked around and saw that a chandelier was directly above her form. He placed a spell in his mind and the chandelier fell directly on her. He started to walk forward to see if she was dead or unconscious, but her form changed to show Mary Collins! The old woman glared at Arthur and pulled a dagger out of her sleeve. Merlin acted immediately and slowed time, thanking the gods that he was close enough to the wall not to be noticed disappearing from one spot and appearing in another.
He grabbed Arthur and pulled him out of the way, Arthur, not expecting to be thrown to the ground after an induced sleep, pushed Merlin away with a growl. Arthur stood and then, looked on with shock as there was a dagger in his chair, where his heart was. He looked down at Merlin who had the wind knocked out of him. Uther, coming out of shock, looked at the deaf man with gratitude.
"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid." Merlin simply looked at the King, not understanding what he was saying. Arthur itched to tell Merlin what his father said, but knew it would make his father upset to know that he had learned Merlin's language behind his back. He looked over to Morgana and saw the same irritation cross her face. Gaius quickly stood and approached the high table.
"Milord, if I may. I will tell Merlin what you have said." Uther simply nodded and Gaius quickly interpreted for Merlin.
Merlin quickly shook his head. Uther shook his head also and began to turn toward the court.
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded."
Merlin stared at Gaius and started signing quickly. Gaius spoke for him.
"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness."
"No, absolutely. This merits something quite shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."
Arthur gaped at his father, as did Morgana and Merlin. Gaius kept his face indifferent.
"Father?" Arthur asked unsteadily. The king was not listening as he had the court musicians start up music again as the guards took away Mary Collin's body. Merlin simply turned to Arthur and pointed outside. Arthur quickly followed, as did Gaius as his, 'interpreter.'
"What just happened?" Arthur asked Merlin.
"I could ask you the same thing!" Merlin said, still in shock.
"Well, you saved his life, and now you are his manservant." Gaius said with a straight face.
"How is that fair?!" Merlin glared back toward the banquet hall.
"Now I do not have to worry about father yelling at me for learning your language. You are my servant, I have to learn it to communicate." Arthur looked happy about that, while Merlin turned an glared at him.
"Now, on top of being Gaius assistant and learning magic to help Camelot, I have to take care of you! I still don't see how this is fair." Merlin began to storm off, only to have Gwen and Morgana step in front of him as they exited the banquet hall.
"Merlin! Are you ok!?" Gwen rushed toward him and gave him a bone crushing hug. His frustration ebbed as he hugged his sister.
"I am fine too, thanks for asking!" Arthur called out. Gwen backed out of Merlin's hug and smirked at him, before remembering her place and curtsying.
"Sorry, milord. I am pleased to see you are ok." Merlin started to walk away again, but Morgana stepped in front of him and placed her hands on his forearms. He stopped and looked at her.
"Seems you are a hero." She said, he shook his head.
"Only in the right place at the right time." Merlin deflected. Morgana smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek. She smirked at his shocked face and beckoned Gwen to follow her. Merlin's eyes followed Morgana as he gently touched his cheek. He turned to see Gaius and Arthur looking at him expectantly.
"It seems you have won her affection." Gaius said as his eyebrow rose higher on his forehead. Merlin shook his head quickly.
"No, it was only because she thinks I am a hero." Merlin saw Arthur laugh and he glared at him.
"Come on, I need to show you how to be a servant."
"I am not going to be a bootlicker." Merlin grumbled as he fell into step next to the prince. Gaius watched the two friends walk away, hope spreading through his heart. The golden age of magic was coming sooner that he had hoped.
