I still do not own a Jet.
I don't own Merlin either.
This was not good, it was the worst possible thing that could happen and it was too late to do anything about it. Merlin paced back and forth from one side of the room to the other. He stopped and looked at Arthur sitting at the table, he scowled at the king. How could he just sit there, Arthur didn't even have the sense to be worried didn't he understand what this meant.
"oh for goodness sake Merlin, I don't know what you're so worried about." Arthur finally spoke after watching Merlin pace for longer than he should have.
"you've been my advisor for several months now. Agrivaine finding out is not that big a deal"
"No," Merlin said stopping and turning to the king.
"it wouldn't have been a big deal had he not gone and told the old council members"
"what are you so worried about?" Arthur asked
"it just means that I have to acknowledge your position sooner than we'd originally planned"
The king sat back in his chair and smiled, Arthur hadn't minded letting Merlin get used to his new position as a member of the council and his head advisor however he had been trying to figure out a way to bump up the time for it to be officially official. Agravaine walking into a closed council meeting and discovering Merlin, whom he and everyone he had talked to in the castle which was mainly the lords believed was only allowed into the council meetings to serve. Was to the king's uncle's shock not only sitting at the council table sharing his opinion on something that should have been none of his concern seeing as he was only a servant, but he was sitting at the right hand of the king and everyone including the king were actually listening to him as if his opinions mattered.
Agravaine had not fully entered the room so at the time no one had realized that he had seen Merlin sitting at the table before he noticed the door opening and quickly stood up taking the jug that was on the table and stepping back to were as far as Agravaine was concerned he should have been in the first place.
Agravaine stepped fully into the room and bowed to Arthur, he had then reported the arrival of two of the Lords and their wives that Arthur had invited to Camelot for the Yule feast that Arthur had decided to hold this year, it was something that had not been done in Camelot for over twenty years. So far it was a mild winter so there was snow but not so much that it hindered travel too much.
It wasn't until the next day before Arthur found out what Agravaine had seen when Lord Graise who was visiting for the Yule feast had approached him and told him what Agravaine had told him. The Lord had been upset at the idea that any of the lords who had served on the king's council for so many years would be replaced by a mere servant. It was preposterous and surely Agravaine must be mistaken or making it up.
Which led to Arthur summoning his Uncle to the council chambers to find out how many people his uncle had told.
Merlin had started pacing when Agravaine had informed his not happy with his uncle-nephew that he had spoken with all four of the ex-council members that had arrived for the Yule festivities.
"Sire, I don't believe it's wise to have a servant on your council," Agravaine said.
"the boy is only a peasant, a servant who until not long ago was suspected of kidnapping Lady Morgana. While it was fortunate they returned safely and his name was cleared he is still just a servant. What could he possibly be able to contribute to a council of his betters"
Arthur had perfected hiding his irritation at people talking with prejudice arrogance about Merlin when his father had gotten it into his head that Merlin must have been helping Morgause when she had taken him and Morgana almost two and a half years before. So Agravaine was unaware of how irritated the king was becoming.
"Lord Agravaine," Arthur said addressing his uncle by his title.
"Merlin has been advising me for years, I have found that things go far better when I listen to him. His experience living as a peasant as you call him gives him a perspective that people like lord Graise don't have. He has also been Gaius's apprentice for several years and his time away with Morgana that you mentioned has given him a unique perspective."
"Sire you would insult the lords you have dismissed from your council by replacing them with the boy who still serves them drinks when they visit for dinner," Agravaine said.
"I can not help but feel concerned."
"Uncle, when you discovered that Merlin was advising me, rather that voice your concerns to me you went and voiced them to your fellow lords. I cannot help feel you have no regard for me as your king"
"Sire that's not true, I have the highest regard for you. You are not only my king but my sisters only son" Agravaine argued
"Then why did you go and tell the Lords about something that your king had obviously chosen to keep secret?" this time it was Merlin who spoke.
Agravaine glared at him, how dare a peasant speak to him like that. It was bad enough he was undermining his chance to instill doubt in the minds of the people of Camelot in Arthurs ability as a king.
"I do not answer to "
Just then, Sir Leon rushed into the room cutting Agravaine off.
"Sorry sire, but you really need to see this" Sir Leon said as he walked over to the window and pulled back the drapes.
There were tiny snowflake sized orbs of different colored lights floating with the falling snow. It was beautiful and obviously magical. Arthur stood up and walked over the window followed by Merlin, Morgana, and Agravaine.
Merlin glanced over at Morgana as she walked up to stand beside him, he raised his eyebrow she shrugged in response.
"When did this start?" Arthur asked
"about ten minutes ago sire," Leon told him.
"the lights don't seem to be damaging anything, but the people are apprehensive."
"has anyone been hurt?" Morgana asked.
"Thankfully no" Leon said.
"when the appeared there was a bit of a panic and everyone rushed to get to cover"
Arthur stepped back from the window and turned to Merlin and Morgana.
"Morgana, you've been studying the histories of Camelot's connection with magic right?" He asked.
"Yes, but I haven't read anything about glowing snow or floating lights," Morgana told him.
Arthur looked at Merlin, his eyes questioning.
"I haven't come across anything like this before either" Merlin told him.
Arthur turned his attention away from the window. He wasn't certain what to do, magic was not his area of expertise. He knew what his father would have done, the king almost shuttered at the thought.
"were not going to figure out what going on just standing here," Morgana said heading toward the door.
"I'm going to the library to see if we can find anything on magic lights, I'm hoping Geoffrey will be able to help"
"good idea," Arthur said with a thoughtful nod.
"They might find something faster if more people were looking" Merlin suggested.
"I'd rather you stayed with me," Arthur said
" I wasn't suggesting I go," Merlin told him
"but I know that some of the servants know how to read"
Arthur nodded in understanding then turned to Agravaine, Arthur knew he needed to deal with his uncle but right know he wanted the man occupied and away from Merlin. His uncle's suble glares at his future court sorcerer hadn't gone unnotice by the king.
Agravaine frowned as he observed Arthurs reaction to the lights. Uther would have been up in arms, he would have already called his knight and ordered which ever sorcerer was doing this to be found. No matter how harmless it seemed it was still magic and unwelcome in Camelot.
Arthur on the other hand was calm, He seemed to be being rational about the magic. As if he didn't believe it to be a threat or wouldn't until the lights did something. Agravaine snapped out of his observations when Arthur turned his attention to him.
"what about Gaius your majesty?" Agravaine asked.
"is he not Camelot's expert on magic, perhaps he may know what these things are"
"Gaius left the city early yesterday morning," Merlin told him.
"really," Agravaine said
"how convenient, a man know to have dabbled in magic leaves the city the day before a magical attack"
"little floating lights are not an attack," Merlin said
"and he's gone to one of the lower towns to help their local cobblers with delivering her first baby"
"beside" Arthur spoke.
"Gaius has my trust, I know him well enough to know this is not him"
"of course your majesty, I apologize. I should not have made the suggestion" Agravaine said.
"I accept your apology Uncle," Arthur said.
"I want you to go and find as many people who know how to read as you can. Send them down to help Morgana in the Library"
"Yes Sire," Agravaine said with a bow before turning and walking out of the room.
Arthur watched as his uncle turned and walked out of the room, he didn't need to look at Merlin to know his friend was watching the man as well. They would have to figure out what to do about Agravaine later right now they had more pressing matters.
Gwen and Diha stood watching the strange glowing lights floating around the city. Some of the servants stood back from the window watching the lights curious but nervous. Gwen did her best to reassure the servants that had become aware of the unusual phenomenon. Thankfully most of the servants were working and hadn't noticed or been informed about the lights.
Diha had come from Essetire after the kingdom had merged with Camelot, while she was a little wary it was more about not knowing what was going on and less about the magic. The lights were beautiful both the servant and future queen couldn't help but notice.
Gwen kept finding her attention drawn to them as they danced through the air, she noticed that even though the door was open and nothing was blocking them the lights stayed outside. She looked down at the snow that had blown onto her feet through the open door.
"My Lady, perhaps we should close the doors" Diha suggested.
Gwen didn't respond her eyes transfixed on the lights as they seemed to have changed directions and had started flying in a slow swirling pattern instead of the speratic movement they had been making before. Gwen and Diha stepped back when a couple of the lights floated through the door and into the castle. A couple of the servants gasped and shied away from the lights that started flying around the room.
"everyone stay calm," Gwen told them as she moved to help Diha close the door.
Suddenly one of the lights stopped directly in Gwen's line of sight, she found herself unable to look away it was so close all she could focus on was the glowing orb. Brights colors seemed to swirl and pulse together, Gwen could almost hear a faint sound she could quite place. Then the light flashed brighter before flickering out.
Diha frown reaching out or her shoulder to get Gwen's attention. Her hand stopped in mid-reach when one of the lights stopped only a few inches in front of her face drawing her gaze. As the light flickered out she found herself relaxing the wariness of the light forgotten.
Gwen and Diha looked at each other a grin forming on their faces, they turned and looked at the few servants that were with them. They each had the same relaxed and happy look on their faces. Gwen giggled as she moved to push the door open and she and the servants ran outside.
Agravaine sat under the table, He had crawled under there after the little light stopped in front of him then disappeared. He knew there was something he was supposed to be doing but he couldn't really remember what it was or bring himself to care. After all, it was Arthur that had told him to do whatever it was. He didn't what to do anything Arthur said. Arthur was the reason he couldn't play with his sister Igraine or his brother Tristian anymore. Igraine's life had been traded for Arthurs, it wasn't fair.
Igraine was smart and nice and sweet and the best sister ever and Arthur came and made her go away. She would never come back to play hide an seek or ride horses with him or read to him at bedtime. He'd never get to see her smile or hear her laugh. All because of Arthur, it wasn't fair and he didn't like him and he should have to go away like he made Igraine go away.
"what are you doing under there?" a voice asked.
Agravaine looked over to see the face of a middle-aged servant. A cook judging by the way he was dressed, which made sense considering he was in the kitchen.
"are you playing fort? Can I play?" the man asked.
" I'm not playing, I'm hiding" Agravaine huffed.
"Why?" The man asked curiously as he crawled under the table and sat down beside the lord.
He held out a sweet cake that Agravaine hadn't noticed he was holding offering it to him.
"here, my mum always says I should share"
Agravaine took the sweet cake and bit into it, then remembering his manners he thanked him over the food in his mouth.
Arthur and Merlin entered Gaius's chambers in search of the books on magic that the physician kept in his personal library. Arthur had placed Leon in charge of making sure the lights didn't cause too many people to panic. Arthur had suggested seeking Gwen's help. Having been a servant since she was nine years old she had a repor with the servants and would know the best way to calm them.
Merlin having no idea where to start grabbed a couple of books on magical creatures and phenomenon. Books that until Arthur had changed the law on reading about magic had been hidden away. Uther had allowed Gaius to keep the books for just in case something happens on the grounds that no one but the physician was to read them and only if there was an imminent magical threat.
The warlock set the books down on the table and grabbed a couple more before settling himself at the table. Arthur watched as Merlin raised his hand out over the books and cast a wordless spell. The warlocks eyes glowed gold and the books open the pages flipping till each stopped on a page somewhere near the middle. Except for one book that just flipped all the way through and closed. Merlin pulled the closest book over to him and read the page.
It was a reference to guiding lights, Guiding lights will when the need is great enough appear and guide a lost person to safety. Guiding lights can also be created subconsciously be people with magic in their blood if someone they have a personal connection to is lost and in trouble and the person cannot get to them.
"like that time you sent the light when I was looking for the mortius flower," Arthur observed
"yes, but I don't think that is what these light are," Merlin said reaching for one of the other books.
Arthur stepped over to the small window and moved the draping to peak outside while Merlin read the next book.
This one was about ghost lights, a ghostly light sometimes seen at night or twilight over bogs, swamps, and marshes.
"so not ghost lights," Merlin said closing the book.
Arthur looked out the window, he narrowed his eyes focusing on the courtyard below. Was that Diha throwing a snowball at one of the guards? A small group of the servants looked like they were having an all out snowball fight while a few were laying down in the snow moving their arms and legs about.
Arthur was so focused on the oddly acting people that he didn't notice the little lights floating towards him.
"Merlin," Arthur said.
"you should come take a look at this"
"What is it?" Merlin asked pulling the third book toward him to see if that one had anything useful. It was about fireflies and how from a distance they can look like little orbs of light flickering through the air. So not useful as the lights floating around Camelot were definitely not fireflies. It wasn't even the correct season for them and they tended to stay in the wooded areas.
"There's a group of servants outside," Arthur said
"their acting"
"Acting how?" Merlin asked as he closed the book and stood up turning to join Arthur at the window.
Merlin stopped in midstep, one of the little lights had floated in through the window Arthur had open and stopped right in front of the king. Arthur's eyes were focused on the orb, he was starting to get an almost hypnotised look on his face. Merlin
blinked and caught sight of an orb of light floating into his line of sight. He wasn't sure what the lights were doing but he's rather he and Arthur kept their wits about them.
Merlin raised his hand palm out and uttered a spell, his eyes flashed and a small burst of wind pushed the orbs of light back out the wind which Merlin promptly used his magic to close. Arthur blinked a couple times and looked around his eye settling on Merlin.
"are you alright?" Merlin asked looking Arthur up and down. He stepped closer and searched Arthur's eyes for he wasn't sure what.
"yeah, I'm alright," Arthur said stepping away from the window,
"what was that?"
"I don't know, but you looked like it was hypnotizing you," Merlin told him as guided Arthur to sit down. He poured him a drink of water from the jug on the table. He turned and started scanning the spines of the books on one of the bookshelves in the physician's chambers.
"that might explain the servant's weird behavior," Arthur said thoughtfully.
"what?" Merlin asked turning from the bookshelf to look at Arthur.
"what do you mean the servants are acting weird?"
Arthur gestured needlessly to the window.
"Diha and some of the other servants are outside having a snowball fight with some of the guards," He told him.
Merlin frowned worriedly. If the lights had affected the servants and tried to effect him and Arthur who knew what it had done to anyone who had made contact with them.
"if anything I'd say their acting like children"
"uh Arthur, wasn't Diha helping Gwen today?" Merlin asked.
Arthur's eyes widened and he set down the goblet he had been about to take a drink from standing up.
"stay here and keep looking" Arthur ordered as he headed out the door.
Merlin's eyes flashed gold as the king ran out of the room and he uttered a spell in an effort to give his friend some protection.
Morgana turned from the shelf with another load to bring to the table, she and Geoffery had most of one of the tables covered in open books and half of the table beside it. She and the elder librarian had been searching the books for the past half hour with little to no luck. There wasn't much about floating lights and the little they found didn't quite fit.
Morgana started skimming through what felt like the hundredth book but was only the sixty-seventh or sixty-eight when the door was pushed open. The witch looked up to see Gwen skip into the room, a smile brightened her face when she saw Morgana. Morgana was shocked when Gwen ran over to her and knocked the wind out of her with a clingy hug.
"Gana" Gwen exclaimed happily throwing her arms around Morgana.
"Gwen," Morgana's hands went to Gwen's elbows keeping her from toppling onto her.
"are you alright?" She asked searching her friends face concerned at her odd behavior.
Gwen giggled and stepped back looking around. Her eyes landed on the books on the table and lit up.
"are you reading stories?" She asked not answering Morgana's question.
"can I read them too?"
"No," Gwen smile fell from her face "Gwen I'm trying to figure out what all those lights are," Morgana told her.
The smile returned.
"aren't the light so pretty," Gwen said.
"well yes, I suppose they are," Morgana said her eyes meeting Geoffrey's in a silent mutual 'what is wrong with her?' before turning her attention back to Gwen who had picked up one of the books and was attempting to read it sideways.
"Gwen" Morgana spoke
"yes," Gwen said holding the book allowing the pages to fall open the turning it and repeating with the pages falling the other way. Morgana reached out and gently took the book from her closing it and placing it on the table.
"Gwen, did you see the lights up close?" Morgana asked. She had a sneaking suspicion about Gwen's strange behavior.
"or perhaps, did one touch you?"
"the colors were all swirly and it made a funny sound," Gwen said cheerfully as she bounced on her toes looking around.
"Gwen, did you touch it?" Morgana asked while going over in her mind if she had read anything about swirling colors and or sounds in connection with lights, nothing came to mind. Morgana started to wonder if there was anything to find on what was going on, perhaps this was the first time this had ever happen and there was no precedent.
"no, it vanished before I could," Gwen said
"alright Gwen," Morgana said.
The lady noted that for some reason she felt like she was speaking to a child, Gwen was sort of acting like one anyway.
"would you like to help me and Geoffery figure out what the lights are?" She asked.
Gwen's smile brightened (if that was possible) and she nodded eagerly. Morgana gestured for her to sit in the seat she stood beside. Gwen sat down and Morgana pulled an open book over for her to read. Morgana couldn't help notice Gwen using her index finger to follow the line she was reading. It was something Gwen had done when Morgana had first insisted since Gwen had to tend her during her lesson she should be allowed to learn as well. She hadn't needed to do it in years. It made Morgana suspect something, yet if what seemed to have happened to Gwen's mind had happen?
"Gwen, how old are you?"
"twenty-two, you know that Gana," Gwen told her.
"right, of course, how silly of me," Morgana said
"what do you think of Arthur? Do you like him?"
"oh yes I like him a lot, I love Arthur more than any of the other boys," Gwen told her.
Gwen motioned for Morgana to come closer, Morgana bent over bringing her face closer to Gwen's.
"I'm going to marry him, " Gwen said in a conspiratorial whisper.
"really," Morgana said in a mock I didn't know that tone straightening back up.
She looked over at Geoffrey who was watching the interaction between the two ladies. There was a slite glimmer of amusement in the elder man's eyes.
"Gwen stay here and help Geoffrey will you?" Morgana said stepping away from the table.
"Alright," Gwen said.
Morgana made eye contact with Geoffery and gave him a, 'keep an eye on her look'. Geoffery nodded his understanding, Morgana headed out of the Library. She focused her powers and called out to Merlin with her mind.
""Merlin, is Arthur with you?""
""no, the servants are acting strange so he's gone to see what's going on. He's looking for Gwen too""
""Gwen's in the library, by any chance are the servants acting like children?""
""their playing in the snow so yes I'd say so. Why?""
""because Gwen is acting like one as well, she seems to remember how old she is and everything but she has the mentality of a child""
Morgana stopped just as she passed a slightly open door, she could here Agravaine speaking to someone. She backed up and peered around the door as she pushed it open. She didn't know what task Arthur had given him but she knew he would have given him a task. So what was he doing in the kitchens?
Agravaine and one of the servants, one of the head cook's assistance from the way he was dressed sat under the table. Their backs were turned to her and they showed no sign of having heard her come in. Morgana glanced around the room, she wondered were the other kitchen servants were. She turned her attention back to the to men under the table, they were eating sweet cakes.
""I think Agravaine's been affected as well""
""are you sure""
""does sitting under a table in the kitchen with a servant eating sweet cakes sound like something Agravaine would do if he wasn't acting like a child?""
There was a moment of no response from Merlin.
""Merlin?""
""sorry I was just picturing Agravaine sitting under a kitchen table like a child""
""Merlin this is serious""
""I know, I know. Wait, I thought you were in the library""
""I was, then Gwen came in with the mentality of a child, a happy child but a child. I wanted to see how many others are affected""
""well I know Diha and some of the servants are behaving like children, and possibly some of the guard""
""possibly some of the guards?""
""Arthur saw Diha and a couple other servants start a snowball fight with them,""
Morgana looked at the two men under the table, she decided they were fine where they were. She turned and continued her search for people affected by the lights.
""where are you and Arthur?"" Morgana spotted a couple of servants and lady Fremont playing chase in and out of the guest chambers.
""I'm in Gaius's chambers looking through some of his books on magical lore, Arthur's gone to see what's going on in the courtyard""
""you let Arthur go off on his own with magic light messing with people's heads?""
"" I wouldn't say I let him, besides the light are making people act like children. How much trouble could they give him?""
There was a moment of silence from both of them.
""I'm on my way to find him now, meet us back in the library""
Merlin grabbed the jacket that he had left in the physician's chambers and ran out heading down the stairs after Arthur.
As he hurried through the castle he noticed some servants and nobles in varying degrees of child-like behavior. Including some that obviously had the mentality of bullies when they were children.
Merlin stopped and backed up turning down a hallway he had just passed when he heard Gwaine's voice.
"leave him alone" Gwaine's voice came from around the corner.
Merlin was surprised to see Gwaine standing in between Sir Hugh and one of the servants. Gwaine seemed to be defending the frightened servant from sir Hugh, which seemed odd to Merlin since sir Hugh was known to have little to no tolerance for bullies.
"what's going on?" Merlin asked
"mind your place servant" sir Hugh sneered
"don't talk to my friend like that" sir Gwaine said giving sir Hugh a good shove into the wall behind him.
Sir Hugh scowled and pushed himself back up his fist raised to hit sir Gwaine. Merlin move quickly catching Sir Hugh's fist in his hand and twisting the knight's arm behind his back and forcing him to his knees, he did not have time for this.
The servant that sir Gwaine had been defending looked at Merlin and sir Hugh in shock, while sir Gwaine had a smirk on his face.
"how dare you, I'm a knight you can't do this" Sir Hugh complained.
"Duncan, what happen?" Merlin asked ignoring the knight he still had on his knees.
"I don't know, I was just taking the sheets from the nobles guest chambers down to the laundry" The servant answered not taking his eyes off of Sir Hugh.
"Merlin, are you sure what you're doing is wise? What if he complains to the king" Duncan asked.
Gwaine snickers at that.
"please, all bullies are the same he won't want to admit a servant got the drop on him," Sir Gwaine "besides, if he does try and get Merlin or you in trouble I'll make sure Arthur knows what really happen"
Merlin looked at Sir Hugh thoughtfully a frown of concentration on his face, Hugh was definitely affected but Duncan and Gwaine seemed alright.
"actually the sir Hugh I know is not a bully," Merlin said as he released the knight and stepped back, the knight rubbed his arm and glared at him as he slowly stood up.
"in fact the sir Hugh I know has no tolerance for bullies"
"could have fooled me," Sir Gwaine said
"Sir Hugh did you come into contact with any of the lights that are floating around Camelot?" Merlin asked the knight.
"maybe" Hugh looked at him suspiciously.
Merlin gave a slight nod and turned to Gwaine and Duncan, they both had a slightly confused look on their faces so Merlin guessed neither was aware of what was going on. Merlin quickly explained to them about the lights and the suspected effect they were having. He directed Duncan to keep any eye out for any one acting strangely, before sending him on his way. And for goodness sake don't' make direct eye contact with any of the lights.
"Gwaine I need you to take Hugh back to his chambers" Merlin instructed.
"see if you can find a couple of guards for his doors,"
"right, gladly," Gwaine said grabbing a hold of Hugh's arm when the knight decided to try a move away from them.
"hey," Hugh started to complain when Gwaine grabbed a hold of his arm.
"I don't have to do what either of you says. I'm a noble and your just peasants"
"once that's done I need you to keep an eye out for anyone who might be affected like Hugh has been" Merlin instructed ignoring Hugh.
"most of the people that have been affected are just playing and not really causing any harm."
"right, but there could be more child hood bullies among them" Gwaine noted.
"I'll keep an eye out, and I'll see if I can track down the round table knights"
Merlin watched for a second as Gwaine pulled Hugh down the hall toward the knight's wing.
By the time Merlin found Arthur and they got to the library Morgana had already returned. Arthur has left the unaffected knights and guards to keep on eye on the people that had been affected. Gwen looked up from the book she was reading and squealed happily when she spotted Arthur. The look on Arthurs' face when Gwen stood up on the chair and jumped onto him throwing her arms around his neck when he approached her was almost comical.
" hi Arthur" Gwen said happily.
"um hi Gwen," Arthur said setting her down so her feet were touching the floor.
Morgana allowed herself a slight smile at Arthurs reaction to Gwen's antics.
"so we know the lights are making anyone they come in contact with act like children," Arthur said
"yes, but they also seem to have all their memories," Morgana said "so they know how old they are and who everyone is to them at this point in their lives"
"actually I think the lights are returning the personalities they had as children," Merlin said.
"that's what I said," Arthur told him the you idiot unsaid.
"no, it's not," Merlin told him.
"I think if everyone was just acting like a child their base personalities would still be the same as their adult personalities"
Arthur, Morgana, Geoffery and even Gwen gave him a, what? Look.
"I came across sir Hugh and Sir Gwaine when I was looking for Arthur, Gwaine was fine but he had to step in when he found sir Hugh acting like a bully toward Duncan" Merlin explained
Arthur frowned, he remembered Hugh had been a bit spoiled as a kid. Hugh had been one of the boys that had been egging him on when he had first met Merlin and Merlin had stood up to him when he had been picking on his former servant. He knew Hugh had been an entitled brat, but he had matured and had changed from being a brat to standing up against people he saw as bullies. It had actually been Merlin's indirect influence that had encouraged the knight to change.
"I knew Hugh had an entitled attitude, but I never noticed he acted like a bully," Arthur said. Looking back Arthur realized that's what Hugh had been, He found it disturbing that he'd never noticed.
Morgana rolled her eye. The only reason Arthur hadn't notice was because his attitude level had just been barely below bully level and Hugh had been one of the nobles that used to suck up to him. Some people still did just more subtlely, speaking of subtle sucking up.
"I found Agravaine under a table in the kitchen eating sweet cakes with a servant," Morgana said
"that would explain why it's just us in here," Arthur said looking around.
"I instructed him to find as many people who could read as possible and send them down to help"
"perhaps we should focus on the problem at hand" Geoffery suggested.
Everyone nodded their agreement, it didn't matter who was doing what exactly just that they know what to look for.
"so far we haven't been able to find anything relevant," Geoffery said
"there are references to lights and spells involving lights but so far nothing that fits what you've all said is happening"
"oh-oh," Gwen said excitedly.
"what if someone made up their own spell and that why we can't find anything cause it's completely new"
Everyone looked at Gwen, Merlin and Morgana gave each other a why didn't we think of that look.
"um, that is a good theory." Arthur said "but it's a little out there"
Gwen huffed and sat back down her arms crossed, her face scrunched up in a pout. Arthur was taken back by her reaction, he hadn't seen her pout ever. Of course she would have been passed that phase by the time he'd really met her. Gwen had been Morgana's servant for a while before Arthur had officially met her. For the first couple years Arthur and Morgana's schedule had been so different that they wouldn't see each other till dinner. Morgana had had a different servant for dinner and her evening needs since Gwen had been a child and was too young to stay passed dinner time or dark depending on the time of year.
"it's not so far-fetched" Geoffery noted.
"spells don't create themselves"
Gwen smiled and sat up straighter at Geofferies observation.
"so the question is who did it and did they get the effect they wanted," Morgana said leaning against the table.
"and if the desired effect was to get Camelot's people to return to their child hood attitudes what purpose would it serve," Arthur said.
"we know that some of the knights have been affected" Merlin noted
"who ever is responsible could be trying to cripple Camelot's defenses," Arthur said
Gwen giggled, Arthur looked down at her confused.
"how is that funny?"
"we have Merlin and Morgana," Gwen said
Merlin smiled it was nice to know that even in her current enchanted state Gwen still had confidence in them.
Morgana thought for a minute about the info they'd gone over, she reached over and cleared a space on the table.
"I have an idea," she said.
Arthur stood in the door way with his hand on the hilt of his sword while Merlin walked out onto the knight's practice field. It wouldn't do much good against the lights but it made him feel more secure. He noticed some of the knights practicing on the other end of the field if you could call it that. The way they were handling their swords it looked more like kids playing at sword fighting. Merlin had insisted that he needed to stay back for what he needed to do, Arthur was skeptical he figured it was more likely that Merlin wanted him to be able to get back inside and close the door if the lights tried to affect him again.
Merlin walked out onto the field, most of the lights had disappeared but there was still some floating around. Quite a few of them were floating around the knight's practice field. Morgana needed one of the lights for the spell she wanted to try, if it worked the spell would back trace the source of the glowing orbs. He placed the small bag he had down and pulled out the small jar that Geoffery had found for them to use.
He placed a couple strands of hair that he'd taken from his own head and said a spell under his breath. Then he set the jar down and stepped back and waited. He looked up watching the lights as they started circling around, one of the lights got closer and closer to the jar until it finaly went in side. As soon as the light was in the jar Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the lid he had been holding in his hand flew over and closed the jar.
Merlin picked up the jar and walked back to the door were Arthur was waiting for him. Arthur eyed the knights at the other end of the field, not one of them had batted an eye when Merlin cast his spell. He wasn't sure if he was glad they didn't have a problem with someone performing magic since he had informed the knight of his plans to change the laws on magic or concerned that they didn't notice. Merlin did his usual being able to read Arthurs face thing, he placed his hand on Arthurs should catching his attention.
"They would have noticed if they weren't under and enchantment," Merlin said.
"Come on Morgana's waiting for this," He said stepping back inside.
The Prince and the warlock made there way back to the library with only one distraction. Arthur's jaw had dropped when he happen to glance out the window and saw Lord Fremont climbing out on the wall and gargole statue out side his room. A couple of servants that were obviously not affected were franticaly trying to get him to go back inside.
"he's spry for an old guy" Merlin observed.
"yeah but if he falls he'll get seriously injured," Arthur said as he turned to run back around to were the lords rooms were.
His attention was caught again when he hear a cry of distress, he stopped and looked out the next window. Lord Fremont had slipped and was hanging onto the neck of the gargole statue but was visibly slipping. Arthur swore as Lord Fremont lost his grip and started falling toward the ground. He was going to land among some of the servants that were making snow men.
Merlin's eyes flashed and time slowed down, he quickly looked around. Spotting what he needed his eyes flashed again and a several matress flew out of the windows and landed under were Lord Fremont would land. Time returned to normal and Lord Freemont landed unhurt on the pile of matresses. Merlin heard Arthur let out a sigh of relief.
"you forgot I could do that didn't you?" Merlin asked they walked up to the door to the library.
"No" Arthur denide as he open the door.
Merlin walked passed as he held the door open for him giving him a sure you didn't look.
Morgana took the jar from Merlin and placed it in the middle of the table, ignoring her friends banter.
She had gotten Gwen to move and sit in a chair at one of the other tables, Geoffery sat in the seat beside hers keeping her from trying to get closer to were the spell was going to be cast.
"are you sure this is safe?" Arthur asked
"it'll be fine, just give us some space." Morgana said, she caught Merlin's eye and shrugged.
"go stand with Gwen," Merlin said making a shooing motion with his hand.
Arthur glared at him but did what he was told.
Morgana nodded signaling Merlin that she was ready, Merlin's eyes flashed and the lid came off the jar. The light floated out of the jar but before it could get to far Morgana cast a shield spell around it preventing the light from going any more than six inches in either direction.
Morgana held her hand up palm out toward the light and focused her magic on the light, the shield she put around it would prevent it from going anywhere but it wouldn't shield it from her magic.
"edhwierfte be déman 'a earfojlæne ðú" Morgana cast the spell. ( return to whom ever sent you)
The light stopped and started to flicker, when it started moving again it was floating circling in the opposite direction that it had been before.
"do you think it worked?" Merlin asked eyeing the floating orb.
"only one way to find out," Morgana said, she removed the shield spell.
Arthur instinctlivly stepped inbetween Gwen and Geoffery unsure what was going to happen. He relaxed when the light headed toward the door rather than toward them.
"come on," Melrin said as he started to follow the light.
Arthur and Morgana moved to go with him, Gwen moved to go with them. Geoffery grabbed a hold of her hand stopping her. Gwen looked at him, then back at her friends who were leaving with out her.
"why don't you stay with me," Geoffery said giving her a gentle smile.
Gwen wanted to go with her friends, but Geoffery was her friend to and if she went with them he's be left alone.
She resigned her self to stay with Geoffery when she saw the others were already gone.
The light led them to a small house in the lower town near the edge of the city. A lot of the people had been affected over half the cities grown-ups were acting like children. Arthur had had to step in on a few people who hadn't been affected but obviously didn't understand why some people were acting the way they were. The king had to stop a one sided fight between a shop owner and a person who's personality had regressed to that of a toddler who didn't understand that she had to pay for the apple.
The light floated into the house through the open window, Merlin glanced at Arthur and Morgana before slowly pushing the door. A little girl sat at a small table reading a book, she sighed glumly and slowly turned a page. The girl blinked and sat up straighter with a surprised look when the light floated over and hovered over the page she was reading.
Merlin cleared his throat to get her attention, when she saw the three people stepping inside two of them obviously nobles she quickly closed the book and moved to stand in front of it and the light. Arthur raised an eye brow at her as he walked over looked down at the book that was on the table. He picked it up and handed it to Merlin who had stepped over to the table as well. Morgana closed the door and looked around the room, it looked like the girl was home alone. Morgana stepped closer to the girl and sat down so that she was more level with the small child.
"hello, I'm Morgana, and these two are my friend Merlin and my brother Arthur," She said giving the obviously nervous girl a friendly smile.
"what's your name?"
The girl looked up at Arthur and then at the book in Merlins hands nervously.
"I didn't cast any spells," She said.
"I was just reading, the new king said we could read about magic"
Merlin smiled giving Arthur an amused look, the child didn't realize who Arthur was. Arthur would have rolled his eyes at his friend but he had more important things to deal with. Arthur neeled down so he was more level with the girl.
"your not in trouble," He said to the girl
"what's you name?"
The little girl looked around at each of the people that were there with her.
"Mahealani," she said
"Mahealani, can you tell me where you got the book you were reading," Morgana asked
Mahealani was silent, but her eyes darted to a cupboard before moving back to Morgana and Arthur.
Merlin placed the book back down on the table, he stepped over and sat in the chair the girl had been sitting in. He gentle took a hold of her hand causing her to turn and look at him. When his hand touched hers he felt a small spark of magic, he looked at Morgana then turned his attention back to Mahealani.
"Mahealani, where are your parents?" He asked
Arthur opened his mouth to ask what that had to do with anything, but Morgana placed her hand on his arm and shook her head giving him a don't look.
"papa's working," Mahealani said sadly
"he's always working, he never plays with me any more"
"I bet you wish he would huh," Morgana said
Mahealani nodded, she started twirling her thumbs nrervously.
"what about your mom?" Morgana asked
"doesn't she play with you"
Mahealani shook her head, her eyes started to glissen over.
"Papa said the men in capes took her away and she wasn't allowed to come back"
"what men in capes?" Arthur asked he was getting a bad feeling about this.
Mahealani shrugged, all I remember was that I was sick then Mama gave me something and I wasn't sick anymore. Then the men red capes came and took her away. Then papa got real sad and stopped playing with me, he's always at work.
"did you happen to see anything in your book that might help get your dad to play with you again?" Merlin asked
Mahealani glanced at the book then back at the three grown up, she was to scared to answer.
"do you remember you said the king said it was okay to read about magic?" Arthur asked
Mahealani nodded, still not answering.
"well I happen to be the king," Arthur said, Mahealani's eyes widened in surprise.
"so I know your telling the truth, but we need to know if you read anything that would get your dad to play with you"
"I'm not a sorcer," Mahealani said almost crying."I was just reading, I didn't cast any spell"
Arthur looked up at Merlin and Morgana helplessly, he hadn't ment to make her cry. Merlin sighed and picked up the book to take with them. The child was obviously to distressed about getting caught reading a book on magic to give them a straight answer.
The three of them huddled over by the door to figure out what to do about the girl. Morgana glanced at her, she gave her a smile then turned her attention back to the conversation.
"I rememeber just a short time after Morgause took the two of you, I came back from one of my patrol looking for you. One of my the knights informed me that a sorceress had been turned over by one of her neighbors." Arthur said in a low voice. "apparently her daughter and the neighbors son had both been sick, they both recovered but the daughter of the woman accused of sorcery got better faster"
"it would have been just like Uther," Morgana said "it wouldn't have mattered that she used magic to heal her child only that she used magic"
"I can't say for sure about her mother but Mahealani definatily has magic, but I don't think she knows," Merlin told them.
"how can you be so sure?" Arthur asked
" I felt it when a touched her hand," Merlin told them.
"she probably cast the spell with out realizing what she was doing," Morgana said glancing at the girl who was watching them from her seat at the table.
"how do you not know your casting a spell"
"I used magic for years before I could comprehend what I was doing" Merlin pointed out.
"yeah but you and Morgana were born with magic," Arthur said
"it's possible her mother was a witch and not a sorceress" Merlin pointed out
"and if she was it's possible her daughter is one to," Morgana said
"which would mean she was born with magic" Arthur concluded.
Morgana stepped away from them and neeled back down beside Mahealani, she gave the girl a soft smile.
"Mahealani do you like books," Morgana asked
Mahealani smiled she nodded her head.
"how would you like to see a room full of lots and lots of books?" Morgana asked
"really?" She asked
"yeah, I'll take you to see them right know if you like," Morgana said standing up and offering the girl her hand.
Mahealani stood up and took Morgana's hand.
"what about my papa, he says I'm not suppose to leave the house when he's at work"
"don't worry, we'll leave a note for your papa," Merlin said
Arthur watched as Morgana led the girl out of the house, he grabbed onto Merlin's arm.
"what are two doing, we can't just take her back to the castle," He said
"she can't be anymore than eight years old, we can't just leave her here alone plus we might need her to reverse the spell." Merlin told him.
"besides you try telling Morgana to leave her by herself"
Arthur sighed and followed Merlin out the door, had a point. When Morgana made up her mind it was made up.
Gwen had just finished helping Geoffery put away all the books they'd already read from the tables when Morgana came in with a little girl. She was followed by Arthur and Merlin who was carrying a semi thick book. Melrin set the book down on the table and Morgana introduced the little girl as Mahealani. Morgana introduced Gwen and Geoffery to Mahealani and suggested Gwen show Mahealani the books she liked best. Gwen took Mahealani to look through the book shelves.
Merlin explained what they suspected had happen to Geoffery, who was in the know about Merlin and Morgana's powers, and Arthur's plans to gradualy change the laws so as not to shock everyone with the change.
"you think she cast the spell without knowing," Geoffery asked
"yeah, and since she wasn't aware she did she can't tell us which spell it is," Arthur said
Merlin open the book and stepped back, he looked around to make sure Gwen had Mahealani distracted. If she didn't know she had magic there was no way to tell how she'd react him having it.
"what are you doing?" Arthur asked when Merlin put his hand out over the book.
Merlin gave him a what do you think look, his eyes flashed gold and the pages started to turn they landed on a page near the beginning of the book. The light theys used to back trace the spell hovered over the page, it spun around and disapeared.
Morgana leaned over and read the page along with Merlin.
The light of childhood, used to remind those who have the need to remember what it's like to be a child. The spell will last until sleep over takes the enchanted.
"so they just need to go to sleep?" Arthur asked.
"I guess so," Morgana said.
"I could cast a sleep spell, I suppose" Merlin suggested not sounding at all like he wanted to.
"or we could just wait for the spell to play out since we know it wasn't cast with a malevelolent purpose."Morgana suggested
Merlin and Morgana looked to Arthur to see what he wanted to do. Arthur threw his up and gave a dramatic sigh.
"fine, I don't suppose it will hurt to let them play," He said
"but we need to let the knights and people not affected know what happening, and something needs to be done about the remaining lights"
"I think the page beside it has the capping spell," Merlin said
"fine," Arthur said "you take care of that and Morgana and I will spread the word about the lights"
Arthur and Morgana headed back out of the library to let the others know what was going on.
Merlin called Gwen and Mahealani back over to the table.
Diha stretched and yawned as she woke up, she opened her eyes and looked around. She was surprised to find her self laying on the floor with a bunch of pillows around her. Gwen was laying above her their bodies making sort of wriggly T shape. They each had a blanket to keep warm and a few more of them held up by strategecly place chairs. Gwen yawned and opened her eyes, both women looked at each other confused.
The two women crawled out from the makeshift tent, they looked around realizing they were in Morgana's room.
The owner of the room smiled at them from the table, she had breakfast for three set up on the table. They could see the twinkle of amusment.
"good morning," Morgana said
"good morning," they both said
"um how did we get here?" Diha asked
Morgana gestured for them to sit down which they moved to do.
"give it a minute, it will come back to you," Morgana told them.
Gwen and Diha frowned in confusion, but then frowns dropped from their faces and their eyes widened when they started to remember what had happen the day before.
"did I make Arthur have tea party with me complete with fake tea," Gwen asked not sure if she should trust her memories.
"hey what happen to Mahealani?"
"Merlin took her home and made sure her papa was there and unaffected by the enchantment before he left," Morgana told them. It had turned out Diha's father really had been at work and had had no idea what was happening. He had not been happy when he had gotten home and his daughter wasn't there. Merlin had to explain about the people under the enchantment and the concern with leaving the girl on her own without knowing if he was affected or not. He didn't think it was a good idea to mention that Mahealani had unknowingly cast the spell in the first place and they'd needed her to make sure no more people were affected. Morgana agreed that it would be best for them to hold onto the book until Mahealani understood and could control her magic.
"oh god I started a snowball fight with gaurds," Diha said
"that's nothing, Agravaine's the one that built a snow fort on the training field and proclaimed himself grand high king of Snowalot" Morgana laughed. "then Gwaine organized the building of another snow fort which he named fort apple-mead."
" I remember that, I helped build apple-mead. Then we started a snowball war with Snowalot"
"really?" Gwen asked "I would have loved to have seen that"
"yeah, and Gwaine wasn't even affected by the lights," Morgana said
They were silent for a moment, Then all three of them burst out laughing.
Agravaine woke up on the floor in the great hall with Lord Fremont and a bunch of servants including one that had been using his leg as a pillow. He sat up and looked around at the room full of make shift blanket and pillow forts.
"did you sleep well my Lord"
Agravaine turned to see Arthur watching him from his throne, with Merlin standing beside him. The servant had a hint of humour in his eye. Agravaine open his mouth to ask what was going on, but then he started to rememeber. Sitting under the table with the servant who had been using him as a pillow. Building the snow fort and making the same servant his vasire of snowballs.
"or should we call you grand high king of snowalot" Arthur mused rubbing his chin in mock thoughtfulness.
Agravaine's face went red with embarasment. The lord found himself less concerned with his nephew's servant having a seat on the council, for now.
And this is the end of the chapter.
This one took a while for my plot gremlins to write, I had to work a lot during the past month, It's to be expected when you work for a department store during the christmas season.
I am still working on Agravaine, I think he'll still be a pain in the rear. However I think it was his partnership with evil Morgana who does not exist in this universe that made him a signifficant threat. With out Morgana while he may try to undermine anygood influenced Arthur has actually learned to listen to Merlin and might not be so quick to listen to the uncle he hadn't seen for years before his father died.
I hope this chapter brings a smile to your face and maybe a chuckle to your lips.
As always reviews and constructive critism are welcome.