The Sorcerer's Slave
Chapter 11
Merlin makes it back to Camelot two days later, riding the horse that he had purchased from Jarl, using Llamri's saddle. He goes directly to the stables where he dismounts, wincing from the pain from his injured shoulder, and removes his packs and bedroll from the horse. Tyr comes out to see who it is.
"Merlin!" Tyr exclaims. "You made it back. I was worried when Prince Arthur came home with the patrol riding Llamri."
Merlin closes his eyes in relief: Arthur was home and safe. "Yeah, Arthur took his own horse, and left me this one."
"That's funny. He didn't mention that you were with him."
"Oh. Well then. Best we don't mention it either, yeah?"
"Sure," Tyr agrees, puzzled. He adds with a smile, "I'm glad you're home."
Merlin leads his horse into the barn to tend while Tyr chatters on about doings in Camelot, happily telling Merlin that his father is doing much better with the ointment that Gaius had concocted and resting easy with the sleeping draught that Merlin had prepared.
xXx
After helping Tyr in the stables, Merlin crosses the courtyard to Gaius's chambers. When he enters the room, laden with his pack and bags, Gaius looks up from his workbench and gasps. He had been concerned about Merlin when Arthur returned on his own the day before with the Camelot patrol, riding the horse that Merlin had taken from the stables. Arthur had not mentioned Merlin when he spoke about his ordeal.
He rushes over and hugs Merlin in relief that he made it home safely. He releases Merlin, looks at Merlin's torn and bloody tunic under his jacket and reaches out to touch the cheek bone under Merlin's left eye, which has developed a swollen, angry purple bruise.
"What happened, Merlin?"
Merlin reaches up to swat Gaius's hand away. "That's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Sit down. Take off your bloody shirt, Merlin. I can tell you're injured," Gaius says. Gaius fills a basis with water as Merlin complies. Gaius points to the basin he places on the table near the cook-fire. "Warm it, please."
Merlin glances at the water and it heats up. Gaius dips a cloth and starts to clean the wound in Merlin's shoulder. Merlin winces at the sting, but he is more concerned about Arthur. "What of Arthur? I know he made it back, but how is he?"
Gaius says gently as he works, "Arthur has healed physically, but he was troubled by bad dreams last night. What happened?" He looks up from his attention to Merlin's arm. "I got your message with the bird. Where did you find him?"
"He was captured and made a slave, Gaius." Merlin leans forward with his elbows on his knees, hands clasped, shaking his head in sorrow.
"Hold still a moment." Gaius applies a healing ointment and wraps a bandage around Merlin's upper arm and shoulder. "Who took him and why?"
"I don't know. When I found him a slave trader named Jarl was holding him for sale. But Malus, that angry sorcerer I met before, was there with Jarl." Merlin takes a deep breath. "He enchanted Arthur, to control him. They broke him. And then they sold him to me. They didn't know who I was, in my disguise as an older man." Merlin pauses again, and shudders looking at Gaius, his eyes filled with pain. "I bought him as a slave, Gaius."
"Merlin, you saved him." Gaius reaches out and pats the younger man's twined fingers in reassurance and understanding.
"I bought a slave. I bought Arthur." Merlin lowers his head in shame. "It was the only way I could get him away. His will was gone. He wouldn't resist; he couldn't fight it."
"Merlin, you did the right thing."
Merlin looks up, hopeful at Gaius's words. He continues, "I took him to Balinor's cave. I tried to bring him back, but could do it only in stages. It was working, slowly, but the enchantment was strong. He was in physical pain, and he had visions, troubling visions. He suffered from them, and would call out to his father, his mother, Lancelot. He kept saying 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' He was in such pain! I could hardly bear to watch it."
Merlin rubs his face with his hands, shakes his head. "He ran away before he was completely himself – some instinct pushed him to overcome his pain and to attack what he saw as a threat. He saw only a middle-aged man he thought was another evil sorcerer." He takes a shuddery deep breath. "But it was me. He ran away from me."
"Yes, but you saved him and he made it home safely. He was found riding bareback on Llamri by a Camelot patrol. He was in a bit of a daze and uncertain how he got there. But he knew who he was."
"Is the enchantment gone? How can I help him heal, Gaius?"
"I don't know, Merlin. I just don't know," Gaius admits. "Only time will tell if he can be completely healed."
"I must go to him." Merlin jumps up from his chair and runs up to his bedroom for a clean shirt. He grabs his jacket and heads for the door at a run intent on getting to Arthur.
As he enters the courtyard, he sees Agravaine coming down the grand staircase. Agravaine spots him, and calls out angrily. "Merlin! Come over here. Where are you going?"
Merlin nears Agravaine at the base of the staircase. "I must see Arthur." Merlin continuers walking past Agravaine, who reaches out and grabs Merlin firmly by his good arm, stopping him from climbing the stairs. "Let go."
Merlin tries to wrest his arm from Agravaine's grip, but the older man only tightens it more firmly, shoving him against the pedestal to King Bruta's statue. Arthur's safe return has infuriated Agravaine. Somehow he knew it was all Merlin's fault, even though Arthur hadn't mentioned Merlin finding him. They were close, so close to Morgana's own return as Camelot's prodigal daughter to claim her throne when Uther died. All these hopes were shattered when Arthur rode up to the Citadel with the patrol mounted on Llamri – the horse that Merlin had stolen from the stables.
Agravaine's fury and dislike of Merlin fuel his words and actions and he again shoves Merlin roughly against the pedestal. "No. You cannot see him unless he summons you."
"But . . , " Merlin starts to explain, "I'm his servant. He'll be expecting me."
Agravaine shouts for the guards, then snarls at Merlin, "you left Camelot when you were ordered to remain. Arthur will decide your punishment."
"No, wait. I'm not a slave; I should be free to go when I want. Let me talk to him. I can explain," Merlin pleads.
"Too late for that." Agravaine shoves him again hard against the pedestal. "And there's a little matter of stealing the prince's horse."
"She was returned."
"Yes. But not by you. Arthur brought her back." Agravaine summons the guards to approach them with a motion of his free hand. "Horse theft is a serious crime, Merlin. You should be flogged for this."
"No! Please!" Merlin tries again to get free of Agravaine's grip, to climb the steps to go to Arthur's rooms, but he is held fast. "Lord Agravaine, you don't understand. I left Camelot to look for Arthur! I didn't run away."
"Take Merlin to the cells," Agravaine says coolly to the guards, giving Merlin a hard shove in their direction.
