The morning after Merlin merged, Arthur went hunting for Gedren, determined to bring him before the king. Gaius meanwhile, watched Merlin's statue-like body, tucked safely away in his room.
Arthur found him in the Rising Sun, drinking and laughing with other patrons.
His fury having simmered for most of the morning, Arthur went right up to him and grabbed him firmly by the shoulder. Gedren tensed and turned on his stool.
"Well well well, it's the prince," said Gedren, half drunk and unpredictable. "What do you want, pipsqueak?"
Grabbing him by the front of his filthy shirt, Arthur slammed the older man down onto the floor, his emotions boiling over. Merlin was as angry as he was. They both lost it and their control broke.
From where he lay on the floor, Gedren stared at Arthur in terror as his eyes flared red and a horrible sound rasped from his mouth. It was several voice together and sounded like the devil.
"You dare be so carefree while I suffer a fate worse than death? Arthur's face smiled but there was no humour in it. It was predatory and Gedren's fear worsened. You will go before the king and confess all you've done.
There was no missing the 'or else' in those words.
Gedren scrambled to his feet and ran out the door. As people turned to stared open-mouthed at Arthur, he returned to normal.
He was not willing to answer questions on what had just happened so he left.
"Did you have to make such a show? Couldn't you have done something other than take over my vocal cords?" he asked Merlin as he made his way back to his chambers.
All he felt was a shrug. Merlin hadn't spoken a word since his return and the only thing Arthur could get from him was a feeling or sensation; Merlin could turn his thoughts into a sensation, but couldn't actually talk. At least not yet.
It wasn't long before Uther called for Arthur. On entering the throne room, the prince wasn't surprised to see Gedren leaning against a column. The look on his face was indecipherable.
The king wasted no time. "Confirm for me what Gedren has told me, Arthur."
Dread churning in his stomach, Arthur told his father – without mentioning magic at all – everything that had happened since Gedren's arrival.
"I see," said Uther. "And Gedren here tells me you threatened him at the tavern not half an hour ago."
Arthur felt Merlin's panic and tamped down his own. He sighed. "I was tired of playing his head games," he said with a sideways glance. "I wanted him to stop bothering Merlin."
Uther's gaze hardened. "And yet he says magic was involved.
Arthur felt his face pale. Merlin was in full panic mode. He'd been the cause of the magic.
Oh no. Now what?
