Chapter 11: Informant

Merlin stood leaning against the wall next to the window. As Arthur revealed the name of the traitor to the group, a small smirk spread across Merlin's face as he took in their shocked and surprised expressions. Sir Leon was the first to speak up.

"Are you sure about that sire? I mean surely..." Arthur cut him off, holding up his hand.

"I know, it is difficult to believe. It is not easy to accept treachery of any kind, but that it should come from my own uncle," Arthur paused and took a deep breath. "No Leon, I will not let his position absolve him of suspicion. After all," his voice softened, "If we've learned anything in the last year, it is that the closer to you the traitor is, the easier it is for them to go undetected." The room was silent. He didn't need to say her name. They all knew he was referring to Morgana. 'If only they knew,' thought Merlin. How much had both Morgana and Agravaine gotten away with because of their relations to the crown? Only he knew the extent of it. He had decided not to divulge a lot of it to Arthur to protect him, especially the truth about Uther's death.

"Now, I have received information, from a reliable source, that has seen Agravaine consorting and meeting with Morgana. Unfortunately, at this time, I have no hard evidence with which to confront my uncle," Arthur said, "and we've agreed it is best not to make him aware that we suspect anything."

Merlin held his breath as Gwaine asked the question that he had feared would follow. "Um, who is 'we' sire? If you don't mind my asking." He glanced at the other knights. Merlin could see they were all trying to figure out which one of them had managed to keep this a secret from the rest.

"For my own reasons, I cannot reveal them at this time." Arthur said.

"Forgive me, my Lord," Sir Leon chimed in, "but how do you know that you can trust this source?"

"Yeah, how do you know they aren't trying to sow seeds of mistrust among the court?" Gwaine blurted. The other knights echoed their agreement to these statements. Merlin was impressed that Arthur kept his cool and let them get out their questions and doubts, but then again that's what made him such a great king. It was Gwen's voice that silenced the room.

"Is that where you went today Arthur? To meet with your informant? Is that why you didn't tell anyone?"

Arthur answered quickly, glad to draw attention away from whom they were talking about. "Yes, yes it was." Merlin smiled, it wasn't a complete lie, and it told everyone in the room, that the informant was not among them, which he was sure only confused them more. Who else could the King trust besides them? The look on Gwaine's face was especially comical.

"That doesn't answer the question though," Leon continued. "Forgive me My Lord, but how do we know that this source can be trusted?"

"I know, and I am asking you to trust me." Arthur stood straight, however his voice was pleading, not commanding. It did not instill confidence in the knights. There was a silence, and for a moment Merlin had hoped that they wouldn't question Arthur, and would accept his word, and that they could move onto the next phase, the important phase of the plan, but that hope was short lived.

"Sire," Gwaine spoke up, and Merlin rolled his eyes. Why did he always have to be so ornery? "You know we are all loyal to you, we, well mostly them, would gladly die for you." He tried to lighten the mood. "But there have been rumors," a pained look crossed his face. "It's just, well, we're worried about you."

"Gwaine's right," Elyan chimed in. "You have been acting a little strange lately and we just want to be sure," Elyan couldn't bring himself to say it, but everyone at the table knew what question had remained unspoken. All the other knights held their breath, unsure of how the King would react.

"You all think I'm mad don't you?" Arthur said bluntly. He had expected them to retreat and deny his statement. Merlin was surprised when they sort of looked at each other guiltily, not meeting Arthur's eyes. "I see." Arthur said in a defeated voice. He turned slightly and looked at Merlin. He shrugged his shoulders and surprised Merlin by saying out loud, "Well it looks like the charade of sanity is over. What do we do now?" Arthur didn't say it quietly, and the knights looked terrified.

"Arthur?" Gwen said reaching out her hand. He turned to her, "Just a moment, please. I need to have a word with someone." He looked back at Merlin. He could tell it had pained Arthur to do that, but he was making a point. Merlin was annoyed at him in that moment for forcing this issue. They had argued about this. Merlin wanted to be kept a secret. Maybe if he didn't look as frightening as he did it wouldn't be so bad, he wanted to spare anyone else, especially Gwen, having to see his repulsive face, but it was more than that. The less people who knew about him, the less chance Agravaine and Morgana would discover his deception. However, Arthur wanted the others to know, to understand that really, he wasn't crazy. And, Arthur had a good point, it would be a way of proving that Merlin was in fact real, not just a figment of his imagination. Merlin couldn't argue with that.

"Sire? Who are you talking to?" Leon said hesitantly, afraid of the answer. Merlin could only imagine what it looked like from the knights' perspective. After the rumors and Arthur's behavior earlier, it was looking like he may not be able to keep his secret, for Arthur's sake.

"Well?" Arthur asked him, "What do you want me to do?" He gestured towards the table, "They think I've lost my mind, and probably the entire palace." Merlin glared at him. The Ciarmhaic was stirring up hatred and irritation in his mind and Merlin had to close his eyes momentarily to try and beat it back down, and focus on the issue at hand.

"You know my thoughts on the matter, but I suppose you're right." Merlin crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. "Do what you want."

"Will you help me?" At that point Gwen had gotten out of her chair and come to stand beside Arthur, one hand in his, the other on his shoulder. He turned towards her, "I'm fine really." He kissed her on the cheek and took both her hands in his. Merlin sighed. "You know I will." Arthur nodded, looking back towards the group, who were sitting, very tensely, waiting.

"I know you all think I've lost my mind, and what I'm about to tell you will probably confirm that, but please hear me out." He paused to be sure he had their attention, and motioned for Gwen to join the others back at the table. She let go of his hand reluctantly and sat down.

"The person who informed me about my uncle is someone who I trust completely, perhaps now more than ever. He has always been there for me, for Camelot and I have no reason to doubt him now. The informant that you all want to know about so badly," Arthur braced himself, "is Merlin."

The reaction from the knights was what was to be expected. Disbelief, disappointment, worry and shock. "Sire," Sir Leon said. "We know Merlin's death was hard for you, but he is gone."

Merlin decided not to drag out the issue. He made sure that his hood was up so that his face was hidden, no need to scare them unnecessarily, and made himself visible to the whole room. Because they were focused on Arthur, and Merlin's distance from the table, they didn't notice him until he spoke.

"I may be dead, but I am not gone." All four of the knights jumped out of their chairs. Gwaine drew his sword, the others hands at the ready. Gwen let out a small shriek of surprise and drew closer to Arthur.

"Who are you?" "How'd you get in here?" The questions flew from the knights. Merlin smirked under his hood. Gwaine made to advance, but Arthur stopped him.

"Please Gwaine. Weapons are useless against the dead." Merlin continued. A look of confused horror appeared on Gwaine's face, and he backed up to the table. The others stood frozen in terror.

"Gentlemen please, sit down." Arthur intervened. He looked back at Merlin as the knights slowly re-took their seats at the table. Merlin gestured with his hand for Arthur to continue. "As I was saying, Merlin has informed me that the traitor that we are looking for..."

"Merlin?" Gwen moved quickly towards him. Merlin was caught off guard, he hadn't expected that. She got within two arm's length of him before he made himself invisible to everyone, including Arthur. She stopped, surprised. Merlin saw the disappointment and pain on her face as she turned back towards Arthur. "I, I don't understand." She said in a shaky voice pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

"I know." Arthur said in a gentle voice. He addressed the others. "I know that this is difficult to understand, trust me, I've been struggling with it all day, but Merlin is real. He is here." Arthur looked back towards where Merlin was. "You're still here right?" Merlin moved away from the wall, he didn't want to be rushed by Gwen again. He strode over and positioned himself at the end of the table opposite Arthur.

"Yes Arthur, I'm still here." Merlin appeared, causing the knights to jump once again. Gwen, Gwaine and Leon began asking questions simultaneously. Merlin held up his hands, indicating silence. Once he was visible Merlin had decided to keep his head down, to be sure his face was not seen so he could not see Arthur. "Do you want to explain, or should I?" Arthur would know he was addressing him, and he did.

"I think it is best, if they hear it from you." Arthur said. "Please Gwen, come sit down." Merlin heard her move across the floor and the scraping of the chair as she sat.

"Okay then," he said, and began to tell them the events of the last two days. He told them of being summoned by Morgana and her plan for Arthur, but left out the part about his appearance and the Ciarmhaic. He told them of how, before his death, he had followed Agravaine once and seen him meeting with Morgana. "I have no doubt that he is involved, seeing as I confronted him earlier this evening." He heard Arthur take in a breath. Merlin hadn't told him about that. "And he knew exactly what Morgana's plans were for Arthur. I'm sure that he has been helping to spread the rumors around the castle about Arthur."

Merlin paused to collect himself, he wished he could look up and see how they were reacting to him. "We need to know how Agravaine intends to use Arthur's apparent insanity to his and Morgana's advantage. So tomorrow, Arthur and I are going to keep up the pretense that Arthur's not quite right in the head," Merlin paused, "well more than usual anyway." He heard Gwaine snicker and Arthur cleared his throat. Merlin continued quickly. "I will later pressure or trick Agravaine into revealing his plans and persuade him to update Morgana on my progress. When he sneaks out to go to her, one of you will follow him, and the rest will be waiting to catch him when he returns. Then Arthur and the court will have their proof, and maybe just maybe, we can thwart Morgana." Merlin raised his head slightly.

"Any questions?"