Kenna was sitting with Gaius and Morgana as he explained to the king's ward the dangers of healing people they treated with magic. That morning he had caught her enhancing a patient's pain medication to reduce the pain further for longer. Despite her good intentions, such things often got people burned if they were noticed.
"You should know this better than anyone, Morgana," Gaius said. "You are the king's ward, after all."
"I know, Gaius, I know. It's just the old man has been complaining for weeks that his joints have been getting worse. I didn't think a little boost would hurt anything." She pleaded.
"I understand, believe me. Even Merlin thought the same at some point, but to be caught would mean the pyre for everybody involved, not to mention, a few who weren't." Gaius put a hand on her shoulder. "It's best to do the best we can manually for the time being. Getting caught now would do us no good. Hopefully things will change when Arthur's king."
Morgana just nodded. She had heard the very same speech just after she had discovered her magic. Both times, it had seemed like he was trying to convince himself as well.
They had all just started doing their respective jobs when Leon ran through the door. He asked. "Where's Merlin?"
"Where he always is at this time: working for Arthur. What's this about?" Gaius asked worried.
"We've come to arrest him, by order of the King." Leon looked like he had to swallow a rock, but he got the words out. He ran out unable to deal with the looks on their faces.
"I'm going to find my brother!" Kenna said, and ran out of the chambers. They had expected this after their standoff with Jonas. He and Katrina wouldn't just allow him roam freely with as much knowledge as he had. Especially now that they knew he had a partner. Their only consolation was that they didn't know who was helping him. Most of the castle didn't even relies that Kenna had returned.
Arthur was thinking along the same lines, at least as far as warning Merlin. He found him quickly in his room. Shutting the door, he said, "You need to get out of here. The King's ordered me to arrest you."
He tried to push him towards the back exit, but Merlin asked, "What?"
"Katrina's accused you of taking her seal." He tried leading him to the back again, but Merlin still refused.
"But I didn't," Merlin insisted.
"I don't want to know, and you haven't got time to explain. If you value your life, you'll leave Camelot right now," Arthur said.
"Arthur, she is a troll, and she's trying to set me up," Merlin said.
"We've been through this," Arthur argued. He didn't want to start this argument now.
"I'm telling the truth. I saw her," Merlin implored.
"I don't care. You need to leave, Merlin," Arthur said as guards began banging on the doors.
"Sire!" Leon shouted but it sounded more like a warning.
"Go. Go!" Arthur finally got him out the back entrance. The guards got into the room just as Arthur sat at his desk. They looked around but saw no one else.
"What? You don't honestly think he's here do you?" Arthur almost smirked. Leon couldn't hold back a little grin as they left the room.
Kenna burst into the room once all the guards disappeared. "Where did you send him?"
Arthur looked at her in surprise. He wasn't even aware she had returned. "I just told him to run. He might be going to look for Katrina though. He seems to think she's a troll.
"Thank you, and of course she is. It's obvious. She's absolutely revolting and Jonas is half-gremlin. You realize you should listen to my brother more right?" She ran out of the room.
"She hasn't even been back two days, and she's already more updated than I am," Arthur muttered and returned to his paper work.
It was almost dinner before Arthur was called before the king and new queen. He was starting to understand what Kenna meant when she said it was obvious. The way she acted and now as he looked at her he could see a slouch in her poster, her teeth where more crooked than the day before, and her hair was messier. Any noble born woman would never allow anything like that to happen.
"I fear he may have slipped through our net," He tried to explain to his father.
"You're very quick to give up the chase," Katrina growled. She had noticed him studying her.
"That is because I know my quarry is long gone," Arthur said as evenly as he could.
"How can you be so certain?" She demanded.
"Well, despite appearances, Merlin isn't stupid. He must have gotten wind that we were looking for him and left. His sister is surprisingly well informed. I wouldn't put it passed her to have warned him," Arthur said. Kenna had already hidden herself so she was in no danger.
"Outwitting your army in the process," Katrina sneered.
"It appears so," Arthur conceded.
"I thought your men aspired to the same high standards that my father instilled in you," Katrina said to Uther. Arthur could see his father becoming angrier at the thought of letting her down.
"When I led the army, they did," Uther growled. Arthur tried to keep his face neutral.
"We don't even know if he's still in Camelot. He could be anywhere," Arthur tried to reason.
"And that's a good enough reason to give up?" Katrina snapped.
Arthur sighed, "No, I'm not. It's just that I believe our resources would be better..."
Uther cut him off, "I've had enough of your excuses. We both have. I want the boy found."
"Sire. My Lady," Arthur bowed and exited the throne room. He decided then he would be the one to run the troll though.
The next day Gaius walked over to a couple of barrels that's hadn't been used in weeks. He looked around to ensure there was no one to see him before knocking on tops. Merlin and Kenna popped out of the respective barrels with a groan.
"That was comfortable," Kenna said sarcastically.
"I haven't had to do that for many years," Merlin said. "I'm having flash backs."
"A necessary evil, I'm afraid," Gaius sighed. "They picked up the trail that we left, but it won't fool them for long. Gwen is getting worried. One of you should inform her and Morgana that you are both still in the city."
"Then we'd better get busy. We have a lot to do today," Kenna stretched out her sour muscles.
"And Merlin, Kenna, be careful. The guards are still searching for you," Gaius warned them.
"We will. Don't worry so much," Kenna grinned.
Gaius just shook his head. Those two couldn't stay out of trouble if their lives depended on it. It didn't help that it usually did.
Arthur was once again called into the throne room before the king and queen. He had a horrible feeling this one would end much the same as the last one did. He was going to feel the need to murder his stepmother. He bowed and waited for the couple to address him.
"There's something important that I...we wish you to address. For too long, the people have had it easy. They've grown fat off our indulgence of them," Uther started. Arthur could already hear the trolls influence in his father's voice.
"How so?" He asked, almost eager to her the excuse the troll was going to use.
"We provide peace, protection, food. They give us very little in return," Uther said.
"Most of our people are poor. They survive on the few crops they're able to grow," Arthur said.
"That is what they would have us believe." Katrina said as if were a huge conspiracy.
"It's what I see every day," Arthur said looking her in the eye.
"We're introducing a new tax," Uther said. It was as if he hadn't heard a word Arthur said.
"The people must for the sanctuary that Camelot provides," Katrina grinned harshly.
"You can't. The majority are barely able to get by as it is," Arthur argued.
"Those who refuse to pay it will be arrested and publicly flogged," Uther said, ignoring his son, yet again.
"We've lived this way for years. You've never suggested anything like this before," Arthur said.
"Maybe not to you, but the King confided in me that he has been considering this for some time, haven't you?" Katrina looked to his father. He saw something flash in her eyes, and his father adopted a dazed look.
"Yes, I have. You are to begin the collections at once," Uther agreed. Arthur bowed and stormed out of the throne room.
Merlin snuck into the troll's room. If he was going to be accused of stealing something, he may as well do it. It might not her seal, but it would be just as important to her. He saw Jonas sleeping where the queen should have been and made extra sure to be careful as he walked to the cabinet. He whispered, "Tospringe." And the lock opened. Luckily, there was one bottle left. He looked it and fled the room.
As Merlin did this, Kenna had informed Morgana and Gwen they were still in the city. They all met in the Gaius's chambers eager to see what Merlin had found.
"I saw her drink some of this potion and a patch of troll skin on her arm disappeared," Merlin explained, showing them the bottle.
"It must be pretty powerful magic to physically change her like that," Kenna said. She looked at it with disgust.
"Could you make a potion that looks and tastes the same as this?" Merlin asked Gaius.
"I don't know." Gaius said. "Yes, I suppose so, but without the troll magic, it wouldn't have the same effect."
Merlin grinned. "Exactly. If I can replace this potion with one that isn't magical."
Morgana caught on to what he was saying rather quickly. "Ah, so Katrina will keep taking it, but it'll no longer work."
"And she'll turn into a troll. Think you can do it?" Merlin asked.
"I don't know." Gaius sighed.
"We have to make the switch before morning or Jonas will notice." Kenna said skeptically.
"Then it's going to be a long night," Gaius sighed.
The next morning they all gathered again to see what Gaius had come up with. The new bottle he had looked exactly like the first. Kenna was impressed with how well he did with just one night to prepare.
"What's in it?" Merlin asked.
"Nothing too potent. Rat's guts," Gaius said.
"Nice," Kenna snorted.
"Toad paste. Take two toads, grind them up..." Gaius laughed when Morgana said, "No, we get the picture."
"Horse dung. Crushed sheep's eyeball," He continued.
"Oh, lovely," Gwen screwed up her nose at the thought.
"Pond scum. Three wolf spiders. And what potion isn't complete without a dash of sheep's brain?" Gaius finished.
"Sounds delicious," Merlin said sarcastically.
"Good, because you're going to taste it," Gaius said with a grin. Kenna was proud of his mischievous tone.
Merlin's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "No way."
"It's completely harmless," Gaius assured him.
Merlin downs a small sip. "Er, no," He gags. "That is...ugh. That is disgusting."
"Yes, to you, but not to a troll," Kenna grins. Morgana and Gwen have equal looks of disgust and horror on their faces.
"I can't even believe you let him put that in his mouth," Morgana said.
"Thank you!" Merlin exclaimed. A slight blush appeared on her cheeks, but only Kenna noticed. She grinned. 'Another noble/servant couple,' she thought. 'This will be fun.'
Arthur walked out of the main square in the citadel. He was going to check on the collection of the new taxes. His father had insisted that he use the king's knights. Many were overzealous in their attempts to impress the king. He worried about how far they would go to get the peasants money. To his anger, but not surprise, one of the peasants on was their knees with one of the knights standing over him. Arthur stormed over to the scene and said, "What do you think you're doing?!"
The knight growled, "He's refusing to pay the King's tax."
"You- you ask for too much," The peasant stuttered bravely. He looked to Arthur imploringly. "I've given all I can."
The knight rose his hand to strike him, "That's not enough!"
Arthur grabbed the knight's hand and shot him a lot. "Let me see."
The knight handed him a bag of coins. Arthur sighed. This was going to get him put on the troll's list. "Release him."
The knights looked at him, astonished. "The King said..."
"Release him. Give them back their money. All of it," Arthur demanded and the peasants began to bow. Arthur decided it would be better just to face the music. Uther would hear of this soon and he would want answers. But as he turned around he saw Guinevere and she was smiling. He decided he didn't truly care.
Arthur stood before his father. He looked angrier than Arthur had seen him in a long time. The troll sneered at him from her perch on her throne. "I gave you a direct order."
"The people cannot afford to pay the tax." Arthur said.
"Don't tell me you're naïve enough to take them at their word?" Katrina snorted.
"We have their loyalty, their goodwill. Do not forsake that by making unreasonable demands." He watched the troll to see her reaction.
"Is it so unreasonable for a king to expect his subjects to obey him?" Katrina said.
Arthur just glared at her. "They'll starve!"
Uther scoffed, "Nonsense. They've grown too soft. Remember, these are your subjects, not your friends."
"And why can't they be both?" Arthur challenged him.
"Because we rule the people, not the other way around," Uther snarled.
Arthur almost stopped there. He almost gave up arguing simply because he could stand to disappoint his father. But then he remembered Guinevere's face when he gave the money back to the peasants. He steeled himself and said, "I think you're wrong."
"I beg your pardon?" Uther and the troll both looked completely shocked at the turn of events. It was unheard of for the prince to argue with his father.
"I said you're wrong. Without the people, there is no Camelot. We're as much their servant as they are ours," Arthur said calmly.
"You allow him to address you in this manner?" The troll said in a scandalized manner.
"No I do not. It will not be tolerated. You will take your men down into the town and go to every house collecting the payments I demand," Uther glared at his son, demanding obedience.
"I will not," Arthur said.
"Get out of my sight," Uther growled.
Arthur bowed as respectfully as he could and left the room without so much as a glance back. He wasn't the least bit sorry.
Merlin listened from his vantage point in the troll's room. She entered in her troll form, and said, "Jonas, it's time for my potion."
"Are your plans progressing as you'd hoped?" Jonas asked.
"Yes, and I must admit, that crown will look rather fetching. All that gold and them lovely jewels." Katrina grinned as he gave her the potion. "Now, would you care to accompany your queen?"
Jonas looped his arm through hers, and they almost skipped out the room. It was a little disturbing to see them so happy.
'Now what did she say about a crown…..?' Merlin thought. 'The only way she'd get a crown is if…. Arthur!'
He darted out of the room to find the prince.
In the end, Gwen beat him there. She knocked on the door and heard an irate, "Yes?" She opened the door and poked her head through in her usual nervous fashion.
He looked up, saw her, and just as nervously said, "Come in. Guinevere!"
Gwen shuffled in with her head slightly down. "I saw what you did earlier. The people owe you a debt of gratitude."
Arthur sighed. He didn't think that was true. "The people owe me nothing. My father is still going to impose the tax."
Gwen shook her head. "Will he not be persuaded?"
"Not by me. He can't stand the sight of me." Arthur snorted. "You should've heard the way he spoke to me."
"That's not true. The King loves you." Gwen insisted. "I'm sure he was angry, but you're still his son. Everyone appreciates what you did. They know you tried, and they won't forget that."
"Maybe he's right. One day I will be the King of Camelot, and I cannot be a friend to the people as well as their ruler." He hung his head.
That's not true, and you will prove it when you become King. You've a kind heart, Arthur. Don't ever change. Not for anyone." Gwen put a hand on his arm.
Of course, it was right at that moment Merlin burst in and said, "The king's going to give the troll your title!"
He then seemed to notice how close they were standing and how alone they were. He raised an eyebrow. Arthur cleared his throat and Gwen took a step back. They decided not to mention the slight blush on both their cheeks.
Leon came in next and said, "The King has sent for you." He looked at Merlin and said, "And he isn't here." And walked out.
Merlin sighed, "That's what I was saying he's going to revoke your title as crown prince and heir. He's giving it to the troll."
"I'll deal with this," Arthur said.
Arthur stalked into the throne room to see his father and the troll sitting on their thrones. 'Have they even moved in the hour since I have been here?' he wondered.
"Father?" He addressed the king.
"I'm relaxing your duties, revoking your title," The king said emotionlessly.
"What?" He hadn't expected the king to be so straightforward on the matter. He saw the troll grin triumphantly.
"We live in dangerous times, I cannot allow you to undermine my authority," The king said.
"You've always welcomed my counsel in the past," Arthur said the shock sinking in.
"You stood against me for all the people to see," Uther said angrily. It was the first emotion he had shown since Arthur walked in.
"I'm sorry. Any future grievance I have will be held in private," Arthur assured.
"No, it's too late for that," Uther growled.
"Father, this is..." Arthur was cut off.
"You are to be disinherited, with immediate effect. You are no longer Crown Prince of Camelot," Uther snapped at him.
"Sire, Arthur is your son, your natural heir..." Gaius stepped in.
"Gaius..." Arthur gave him a look. His father was not in the mood to be reasoned with. He wouldn't take any one else down with him. "You've always taught me to be true to my heart, and that's all I've ever tried to do. To be the man you wanted me to be. Someone you were proud to call your son."
"My decision is final," Uther became emotionless again.
Arthur stormed out of the throne room, but before he was even all the way out the door, he heard his father say, "Queen Catrina will be named as rightful heir to the throne. The ceremony will begin forthwith."
The entire court was present at the crowning of the queen. Even Arthur was forced to attend. Kenna and Gwen attended because Arthur and Morgana needed servants. Luckily, Katrina, underestimating Kenna's threat to her, had given up the search for her. Even Merlin was able to get in. Of course, he had to hide in case one of the guards saw him, but he was able to see everything and would be able to cast the revealing charm from his vantage point.
The ceremony began when Geoffrey said, "We are gathered here to bear witness to the naming of Queen Katrina as the rightful heir to Camelot. Are you willing to take the oath?"
"I am," Katrina said.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Camelot, to uphold the laws and customs of the land?" He began her oath.
"I...do," She said. She reached up to her neck to scratch an itch. Kenna looked up to see he brother cover his mouth. She looked to Jonas. He was watching the queen in horror. He knew what was happening. He scanned through the crowd until his eyes fell on Kenna. She grinned evilly, batted her eyes, and gave a little wave. To anyone looking it would seem flirty, but Jonas would see the threat under it.
"Will you, to your power cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgments?" Geoffrey droned on. You could see he had no interest in doing this.
"I will," Katrina said. She scratched an itch.
"Will you, to the utmost of your powers..." Geoffrey was cut off by Katrina scratching yet another itch. "...maintain the laws..." Scratch.
"Yes, yes." She cut his off verbally as well this time.
"I'm sorry, you-you must let me finish. The wording must be exactly right to be binding," Geoffrey tried to explain.
"Well, get on with it then. I mean, really, where did you dig up this old crone from?" Katrina said to Uther.
"She's right. Get on with it," Uther demanded dazedly.
"Will you, to the utmost of your powers..." He started again.
"Yes, yes."
"...maintain the laws and customs..."
"I will, I will."
"...of the land, and serve the people of Camelot?"
"Yes! Just shut up and give me the crown!" The entire crown audibly gasped.
"Will you just hurry up?!" Katrina growled as he presented the crown. She snatched it from his hands and ran out of the room.
Uther yelped in surprise, "Katrina!"
She didn't even looked back when he called after her again, "Katrina!"
He and some of the witnesses to the incident ran after her. The guards pointed him to the throne room.
"Katrina!" he called once again. "Whatever's the matter?"
"I'm sorry..." She hid her arm that had already transformed. "I don't know what came over me. I, I just suddenly felt so hot. I, do you know, I think I need to be on my own, alright?"
Merlin snapped the doors shut behind them, but nobody noticed. At the moment only Uther Arthur, Gwen, Kenna, and Morgana were in the room. With everything going on, he was sure he could get away with a little magic without being noticed.
Uther gave the troll a concerned look. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'm, I'm fine. Really, thank you. I just..." She stammered looking for an escape.
"Fýrbendum fæst," Merlin chanted quietly in the back.
"Come on. Come on," Katrina fought against the spell, still desperately looking for a way out. She ran to the door and began tugging on the handles. "Open!"
"Let me." Arthur tried to offer until he noticed he arm. "What's that?!"
"What's happening? Somebody help her!" Uther said not realizing what was going on.
She then lost control and completely transformed into the hideous troll Merlin insisted she was. Arthur yelped out, "You're a troll!"
"How dare you speak about her like that?!" Uther growled at his son. He couldn't see what she looked like threw the spell.
"What is wrong with you? Look at the state of her!" Arthur insisted.
"I don't believe it," Morgana took in the disgusting sight of her. The troll snatched the door open, making it fly off wall.
"She just ripped a door off its hinges. Doesn't that tell you something?" Arthur looked to his father.
"Enough!" Uther growled.
"She's a troll! A giant...grey..." Arthur trailed off.
"Stinking," Kenna suggested.
"Stinking troll!" Arthur agreed.
"Stop it! Haven't you hurt her feelings enough? Insult my wife again, it'll be the last thing you ever do." He pulled her out of the room leaving the whole party speechless.
Gaius assembled the council. They all saw the state of the queen and were determined to make the king hear what they thought of it. Gaius knew with how the king was behaving it would only lead to executions, so he devised a plan so that the king would hear what they had to say but it wouldn't, hopefully, get anyone killed.
"I wasn't aware we were due to convene the council. What's this about? Come on, someone speak up," Uther demanded. It was the first time he was without the queen in days.
"I'm afraid it's your wife, Sire." Gaius explained.
"Yes, what about her?" The king said.
"It's a rather delicate matter, Sire." Gaius said respectfully.
"Gaius, you've been my trusted advisor for many years. You can speak as you will," The king said.
"I don't suppose it's escaped your notice, Sire, but we just...just wanted to make absolutely certain. You do realize your wife is a troll, Sire," Gaius said with a nervous laugh.
"I beg your pardon?" Uther said.
"At least that's the way she looks to us. What with the warts and the nose..." Gaius said gently.
"And the smell," One of the council members chimed in.
"The smell? What?" The king looked thoroughly confused.
"She also has, what appears to be, a set of fangs," Gaius said.
"What?" The king said.
"I wouldn't really say they were fangs. More like tusks," Leon suggested.
"Yes, they are more like tusks. Not that we're saying that's necessarily a bad thing. I just thought I ought to point it out to you in case it had passed you by," Gaius said in a fake cheerful voice.
Uther stood up from the table and stood over Gaius. "The next person to insult Queen Catrina will be charged with treason, and beheaded according to the laws of the land."
Without saying another word, the council fled the room. 'That could have gone better,' Gaius thought.
"Uther must be enchanted. It's the only explanation," Gaius said as he paced through the chambers.
It was late enough that only Merlin and Kenna were in the physician chambers. After they spoke with Gaius, they were going to find separate hiding places in the castle, though Kenna would likely inform the other members of their little rebellion of the most current events. The queen had reinstated the price on Kenna, but most of the guards would turn a blind eye for her.
"I could have told you that, Gaius," Kenna said teasingly.
"Which is why we have to find a way to break it," Merlin finished for him. He began flipping through the books Gaius kept hidden away. He had yet to find anything on trolls.
"You won't find anything in your magic books. Troll enchantments are too strong," Gaius shook his head.
"Then what are we going to do?" Kenna asked.
"You must speak to the dragon. If there's a way to break Katrina's hold on Uther, he'll know it. But be careful, dragons and trolls have been close allies in the past," Gaius explained.
Kenna sighed. She had half expected this. However, they would be lucky to get anything out of him with how hard he would laugh at the situation. Uther marrying a troll would be the highlight of his imprisonment. She would probably find it funny herself once it blew over to, so she wouldn't judge him so much.
Merlin opted to visit the dragon while Kenna went to speak with Arthur, Morgana, and Gwen. That suited Kenna just fine, as it was easier to explain what was going on when she knew who knew what. Merlin knew she was up to something, and that it had nothing to do with the current crisis, but he trusted her judgment so he let believe he was completely oblivious. He knew she was pushing Gwen and Arthur together, and that it was working. He saw proof of that earlier, speaking of which he would need to speak with Arthur about that later.
When Merlin arrived in the dragon's cave, he immediately explained the situation. Kenna had said he would likely laugh but he hadn't expected it to be this hysterical. He eventually got tired of the dragon's cackling and said, "This isn't funny."
"Oh, it is, it is. The thought of Uther marrying a troll! Was it a very public affair?" The dragon said hopefully.
"Public enough," Merlin sighed. The dragon was set off again. "Don't laugh! If she can't be stopped, Arthur won't become King. Albion will never be born."
The dragon finally calmed himself and agreed, "I'm sorry. You are right, of course."
"How can we break the enchantment?" Merlin asked.
"These are not trifling tricks. Troll magic is very powerful," Kilgharrah warned.
"There has to be a way," Merlin pleaded.
"The only way you could break this enchantment is if Uther were to cry tears of true remorse," The dragon sighed.
"How do we make him do that?" Merlin asked perplexed.
"That I can't answer. Uther's heart is cold as stone. He's never been sorry for anything," He said bitterly.
"Thanks, I think," Merlin sighed and started out of the cave.
"And young warlock, last time you were here your sister made a promise that she would do well to remember. My advice isn't free," The dragon said.
"I'll remind her of it," Merlin promised. The dragon nodded and Merlin left.
Kenna entered the prince's chambers. Morgana and Gwen had already been informed of what was going on. She found him curled up in his bed in an admittedly un-princely fashion. She almost wished she could capture the image to show to the others. She yanked his covers off him to startle him awake.
"Kenna!" He whisper-yelled.
"You're the one who insisted I update you on every possible development," She shrugged.
"Yeah but I didn't say you should wake me up at ungodly hours of the night," He grumbled. "What's going on he said.
She walked over to his wardrobe and began shifting threw it. "Merlin was sent to the dragon to find a way to break the enchantment over Uther. This afternoon he threatened to hang the entire court over Katrina, so Gaius is becoming rather nervous. Also Leon mentioned Bayard was planning to visit."
"Great, just what we need," he said sarcastically.
She threw a shirt at his bare chest. "Come on let's see what Merlin's found."
Kenna and Arthur entered the room just after Merlin. He raised an eyebrow at them, but Kenna just rolled her eyes.
"So," she asked, "did you find what we need?"
"Yep, he has to cry tears of true remorse to break the enchantment," He said.
"Well, that's not going to be easy. Uther's heart is closed to everyone," Gaius sighed.
"Well, not everyone." Kenna grinned and looked to the prince, "Arthur."
He suddenly felt a lot more nervous about the situation. Merlin grinned, "Then there's only one course of action we can take. Uther must see his son die."
Merlin looked excessively excited about the idea. Arthur's eyes widened. "I have to die?"
"No. Well, yes. It... not exactly. It's...Gaius has a potion that gives the appearance of death without the actual dying bit. It's fine. There's nothing to worry about. It'll only bring you to the brink of death." Merlin said cheerfully.
"Oh, only to the brink," Arthur scoffed.
"We haven't got a choice," Kenna said certainly. "We have to make your father cry."
"He doesn't care about me anymore," Arthur said sadly. Kenna sighed. It was the first time he showed how much the situation was affecting him.
"Nonsense. That's Catrina's influence. I've known your father for many, many years. There's never been anyone or anything he's treasured more than you. It's perfectly safe. A single drop of the antidote will reverse the effects immediately," Gaius reassured him.
"Antidote. What antidote? You didn't say anything about the antidote!" He glared at Kenna.
"I didn't think it was important," Kenna shrugged.
"The potion will lower your heart rate and breathing. For all intents and purposes, you will be dead," Gaius explained.
"And the antidote reverses the effects?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. If it's administered in time," Gaius bit his tong.
"If it isn't?" Arthur asked his eyes like saucers.
"You will be dead," Gaius cleared his throat.
"You just said it wasn't important!" Arthur snapped at Kenna.
"I suppose it is a bit important," Kenna rolled her eyes.
"Merlin will have the antidote. Once I have administered the poison...er, the potion, he'll have half an hour to get it to you," Gaius said.
"Don't be late," Arthur said to Merlin.
"Am I ever?" Merlin grinned.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Gaius asked Arthur seriously.
"It's the only way to save Camelot," Arthur sighed. He gulped down the poison. After he waited for a second he shrugged his shoulders. Kenna stood behind him to catch him, but when he swayed he fell forward instead of backwards. She just shrugged her shoulders and stepped over him.
"Time to break the bad news to Uther," she sighed.
Uther ran down the hall. Gaius had burst into the throne room exclaiming Arthur was dead, and the king dashed to the physician's chamber. Merlin and Kenna had been forced to hide in a closet down the hall to avoid the troll who was trailing after the king with a nervous look on her face.
He found Arthur's 'body' on the floor where they left him. He rolled him over and said," My boy."
Merlin and Kenna raced down the hall with the antidote. As they turned a corner, Jonas Jumped out and hit Merlin over the head with a vase. When he saw Kenna's face though, he immediately regretted even coming to Camelot. He started to run but she yanked him back and put him in a headlock. She kicked her brother. He startled awake and they realized the bottle was busted on the floor.
"Your neckerchief!" Kenna suggested.
Merlin began soaking up the fluid with the peace of cloth.
Uther, meanwhile, was still kneeling over Arthur.
"It was my fault. I pushed you away. My son. My son." He sounded like he was sobbing.
The troll knew she would be done for if he didn't do something soon. "Come away. There's nothing you can do for him now."
"I killed him. I killed my only son!" The king sobbed.
She could feel the enchantment fading. "No, no, no, no. Nu meaht þú begalan. Nu meaht þú..."
The troll pulls on his arm and Uther finally turns around, tears streaming down his face. He sees the creature posing as Lady Katrina and pulls away in disgust.
"Katrina? What kind of trickery is this?" Uther demands.
"How I've suffered these last weeks. Allowing you to touch me! Having to share a bed with you!" The troll growled.
"Ugh," Uther felt sick at the thought.
"It's repulsive," She groaned.
"I know the feeling," Uther said sarcastically.
"Ooh, I've been looking forward to this," The troll raised her arm to swat at the king.
He yelled, "Guards! Seize... it!"
Merlin brought antidote-sopped neckerchief to Arthur and squeezes out one drop to revive him. Kenna watched from the hall still holding Jonas. Arthur tried to attack Troll. He was still weak from the poison though so the troll avoids him and said, "Is that any way to treat your dear old stepmother?"
"Fléoge hrægl." Kenna whispered, and the troll fell backwards. The guards rushed forward and dragged her to the dungeons. One of the guards took Jonas from her and threw him in with the troll.
The three of them looked to each other and grinned.
Arthur stood before his father. Uther looked rather uncomfortable, but given the situation that was understandable. He cleared his throat and said, "I'd like to thank you for exposing this attack on our state. Once again, magic was used to strike at the heart of Camelot."
"You mean your heart. How many nights did you share a bed with a troll?" Arthur said with a snort. Kenna was proud. He had just purposefully disrespected the king.
"Obviously I was under its spell." Uther defended himself. He shifted in his throne. "I did many things that I...regret."
"Father, I really don't want to know the details," Arthur laughed. Uther chuckled a little too.
After his audience with his father, Arthur began to look for Kenna and Merlin. He saw Merlin walk into the hall and he followed him.
"Merlin. I want you to know that I never doubted you. All right, maybe I did, but it's your own fault. You have a suspicious look about you. Shifty. Like you've got something to hide." Arthur rambled. He didn't really know how to say thank you properly.
"I am an open book," Merlin snorted.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe that for a second. However, I do know that without your help, I'd still have a troll for a stepmother."
Merlin nodded and went in for a hug.
Arthur had gone to turn away to see if he could find Kenna when he noticed. "Well, thanks. Whoa. What are you doing?"
Kenna who had just walked into the hall watched and held back laughter. Neither noticed her presence.
Merlin looked a little startled. "I thought you were going for a hug."
"No." Arthur shook his head.
"No." Merlin repeated.
Kenna couldn't hold it in anymore and began laughing. She walked over to the boys and threw her arms around them. "Come on, boys. Morgana and Gwen are rather cross with us for not letting them in on our little plan. We have to make it up to them."
Suddenly both boys looked incredibly nervous. They hadn't even thought to tell them about telling the girls. They both groaned. It was going to be a long… however long it took Morgana and Gwen to forgive them. Kenna laughed at the looks on their faces.