Merlin you've got poo on your face
Chapter 11
Gaius hadn't told Merlin? Why hadn't he thought before opening his mouth? Indeed Gaius was wise, If Merlin knew nothing Merlin was safe, now he knew something was afoot and even though he left without another word his posture spoke of not giving up so easily. Arthur sighed and closed his door when he could see Merlin no more
They were attempting to protect him that was what this was all about, Merlin thought on his way to George's servant quarters; despite his frustration with Arthur's earlier secretiveness he had to smile because again Arthur had proved deep down under that annoying royal hide he cared; they were friends.
"Merlin!" It was Gwen's concerned voice and her gentle hand on his forearm that got his attention.
"Are you alright?"
"wha- oh! Yes I'm fine, no I mean for now, for now I'm fine."
"What does that mean?" Her brow was furrowed with confusion.
"I'm normal right now but I'm slowly turning back into a royal kisser."
"So you mean to say you are going to be in love with everyone again?"
"Yes that just about sums it up!" He huffed heavily and waited for Gwen to say something. She just kept staring at him as if she was thinking about telling something or not. In the end she didn't say anything.
"You know don't you? You know Gaius has a cure and not even you are going to tell me about it?"
She averted her eyes and stepped away from him.
"Well it's dangerous that's all I can tell you. Try not to worry Merlin, you'll be your old self again soon Arthur won't let you down. What are you doing anyway?" She changed the subject.
Merlin looked around as if he had only just noticed his surroundings.
"I went to see you and Arthur to apologize for my behavior as of late. You know with the things I did."
"Well it wasn't your fault so you don't need to apologize." She gave a small smile.
"You should go rest, I trust Arthur gave you the day off?"
"That he did, Its just sad It took something like this to get one, but I have to fetch George first so he can attend to Arthur." They both scrunched up their faces. Then they sniggered.
"Gwen?"
"Yes?"
They both stood silent, what was the point? He had to rely on himself after all it was always like this, if he ever got help in his endeavors he was grateful but his destiny rested on his shoulders alone and even thought Arthur had his own destiny Merlin too carried a great deal of it as well.
"It's nothing, never mind; I've got to get George."
"Yes, well I'll come check on you later, and Merlin." Gwen again rested her hand gently on his arm. "It's going to be alright."
It was later on that day Gaius brought him something to eat. Gaius had knocked on the young man's door with no answer forth coming from the other side so he invited himself in. There sat Merlin body drawn up knees under his chin and a look of deep contemplation spread over his face.
"Merlin what are you doing?"
Merlin didn't answer; he only glanced in the old man's direction for a moment then went back to staring at his toes.
"Merlin-"
"Why? Why are you lying to me? Is it because you don't think I can help?"
"Merlin I only meant to protect you."
"How?"
Gaius sighed and moved further into the room handing the bowl of vegetable stew to Merlin.
"You are in no state to go gallivanting around who knows where to do battle with ferocious magical beast! You are not in control of yourself."
"You know I have to, why are you making this harder? Arthur needs me weather he know it or not. I can't stay this way much longer." He said desperation creeping into his voice. "Whoever did this to me, why they did it I don't know, but it can't be for anything good."
"I know, and I can't help but want to protect you. Merlin you have to understand that I will do all I can to help you-"
"Then tell me about the cure." Merlin's face was hard.
Gaius stood taking in the serious expression, was it always to be this way? One magical event after another disrupting their lives, making Merlin's miserable. The boy seemed much lighter and hopeful in those first few months when he had arrived in Camelot, but times were darker now, and the bright eyed boy had become terribly burdened and there was less of a shining light in his eyes, especially since Uther had died. It wasn't his fault but he had put so much hope into healing the dyeing king thus securing a future for his people in the time of Arthurs rule, that it had broken him in more ways than one.
So Gaius told him slowly and reluctantly; told him everything he knew which wasn't much. A magical plant called the Defaeco which would cleanse his body of all impurities, and a tale of a beast that guarded it.
"Great so a beast couldn't get away without one of those. Are there any other dangers I should know about? You know like on the way to the Defaeco?
"Nothing besides the usual."
"Possible run ins with bandits, wayward Sorcerers or if we get luck both"
"Merlin tell me how are you feeling?"
"Tired, like my eyes are getting heavy and it's getting harder to keep them open."
"You better eat then and get some rest."
"I don't want to go to sleep I think If I fall asleep I'll fall back under the spell sooner. I don't know how to explain it. "
"It's alright, I understand, but fighting it won't help either. At least you have the sense to keep your secret under the influence of it, at least we have that."
And they did, as idiotic as Merlin was under the blasted love spell he didn't reveal his magic and that was more than either of them could ask for.
