Title: The Curse

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1557
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, Morgana
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough!
Spoilers: No spoilers in this post

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

Chapter 11

Previously

Seeing how Merlin was walking further and further away from him, Arthur headed out on his own path, one that led to the castle, one that would lead him to the book because he knew he had to retrieve it, no matter what Merlin wanted.

* * *

When Merlin arrived at Gaius' chambers, he took a moment to think about what he was going to say before he entered. He couldn't just tell him about his situation, it would be too blunt and Gaius would certainly not be able to handle it, even Merlin didn't know yet how to handle it.

The door opened and Merlin was surprised to gaze upon Gwen. "Merlin!" she smiled when seeing him. "Gaius will be so thrilled to see that you are alright, he was very worried."

"Oh," Merlin smiled back, "then I have to go in and talk to him."

"Before," Gwen quickly said, stopping Merlin from entering the room, "when you came back with Arthur and I saw how good you looked, I didn't get the chance to tell you how happy I was."

Merlin looked Gwen in the eyes, waiting on her to say more. A smile filled her face again, making her eyes shine brightly.

"I am happy that you are still around, Merlin," she continued, "I wouldn't know what to do if I lost my friend, if I lost you."

Merlin now smiled as well. He opened his arms and welcomed Gwen into his embrace.

"I would never dare leaving you," Merlin said once they released each other. There was a moment of silence in which the friends simply smiled at each other. Both of them enjoying it as they had thought never to be able to do this again; just looking at each other. Merlin felt saddened that that possibility was still out there, but he didn't want Gwen to know.

"Well, you better get in there," Gwen finally said.

"Yeah," Merlin was still smiling, "see you around."

Gwen nodded and walked away, Merlin gazing at her, hoping this wasn't their final goodbye. It couldn't be, this couldn't be the end. Merlin swallowed heavily and prayed that he would see her again.

When entering the chamber, Gaius immediately jumped up from his seat and hurried over towards his ward. He embraced him in his arms and then took a good long look at him.

"You still have ten fingers, two legs, a head," Gaius started laughing, "I am glad to see you again, Merlin."

"Me too," Merlin smiled.

"Well," Gaius asked, his voice exited, "how did it go? What did Nimueh say?"

"Oh, that, well, euhm." Merlin was lost for words. Should he tell Gaius or keep it a secret for now? He still had until the next morning, no need to get Gaius worried already then. Merlin realized that he was lying to himself when seeing how Gaius was already looking at him with a frown filling his face. He couldn't lie, he had to tell him the truth.

"Nimueh said she wanted a book," Merlin answered, "an old book containing secrets of magic. She said Uther had it and that he knows how important it is, but Arthur can't give it to her, she will use it for evil."

Gaius turned absent for a few seconds and Merlin knew he was searching his mind for any information.

"I think I know what book she is talking about," Gaius eventually said, "Uther stole it from her many years ago and he had it locked away safely inside a vault in his bedchambers. If Arthur is after it now, he will know where to look for it, he is one of the few that know about this vault."

"Being the King's son has it privileges," Merlin sighed. He had to stop Arthur.

"But surely Arthur must understand that he can't give Nimueh this book," Gaius said, confusion filling his eyes. "Why is he so willingly to steal it? There must be so many possibilities to get out from under the deal."

"There is a deadline-" Merlin couldn't help but stop after he had said that word. How funny was it that of all words, he chose that one. "Gaius, if Arthur doesn't give her that book, she will kill me."

Gaius turned to shock. His mouth popping open a little and his hands starting to shake. "But...you were cured, you were all better."

"If she doesn't have to book back tomorrow at first light, I will die," Merlin knew he had to be clear about this for Gaius to understand as he would surely go into denial.

"But Nimueh can't get her hands on that book, she would become unstoppable!"

"That is why I have to stop Arthur from giving it to her," Merlin explained, "now I know where he is heading to."

"But then you will die," Gaius protested. It was as if he was being thorn apart by his thoughts, by Merlin's fate.

"I know." Was all Merlin said.

"This is not the time to play the hero, Merlin!" Gaius took a step closer to his ward again and placed his hand on his shoulder. "You have your whole life still ahead of you, your destiny-"

"-is to protect Arthur and that is what I am doing right now."

"You'll die," Gaius said again. He didn't seem to believe it and he wasn't sure if Merlin believed it or even understood it properly. Making a decision to die for someone is...well, life-changing and you can't reverse it once it is done. He gazed Merlin straight into his soft blue eyes.

"I will come back, I promise you, Gaius, after I have stopped Arthur from finding the book, I will come back to you. This is my home," Merlin smiled at Gaius, "if there is any place I want to-"

"-do not say such things," Gaius interrupted him. He sighed before taking Merlin back into his arms. Merlin did nothing to stop him.

"Hurry," Gaius said when releasing him. Merlin nodded and ran outside, knowing what he had to do, knowing he couldn't fail.

* * *

As Morgana was walking through the halls of the castle, she spotted Arthur from a distance. He was going to his chambers as the road he took led him there and Morgana decided to catch up with him. She wanted to speak with him about Merlin, she simply wanted to be his friend.

"Arthur?" she asked when finally walking next to him.

"What do you want, Morgana?" Arthur asked.

He appeared rude and cold and this wasn't what Morgana had expected. Everything should be alright now. Merlin was well, word spread that Leon and the knights were out to find Ava and so the curse would soon be lifted, but then why was he so...worried?

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I am busy," Arthur answered, not even looking at her.

Morgana swallowed heavily. She didn't know what to do or say. Something was going on, there was no other explanation.

"Is there something I can do?" She watched how Arthur turned his head and looked her in the eyes. He finally came to a halt and Morgana turned to face him.

Arthur seemed to be thinking about something and Morgana grew anxious to know what that was.

"I can trust you, can't I?" Arthur eventually asked.

"Of course!" Morgana frowned as she was now at a complete loss. What had happened for Arthur to behave like this?

"I need you to keep my father busy," he said, "at least for a little while."

"Why, what are you going to do?"

"I need to do something which he would never approve," Arthur explained, "now can you do that for me?"

"I know something is going on," Morgana wasn't satisfied with this, she wanted to know the full truth, "you can tell me."

Arthur sighed with frustration. He looked around as if to see if anyone was around and when he saw that they were all alone, he gazed back at Morgana.

"I have to steal something," Arthur explained, not sure that what he was doing was such a great idea, "if I don't, something horrible will happen so I have to do it, do you understand?"

Morgana only nodded. She could see the worry written all over Arthur's face which immediately had her worried. It had to be bad if even Arthur, the always so cool and calm Prince, was worried.

"This has something to do with Merlin, hasn't it?" she asked before Arthur started walking away from her.

"Yes," Arthur simply answered, "he isn't as safe as everyone thinks. Morgana, if you see Merlin, keep him away from Uther's chambers, please, he would only try to stop me."

Morgana nodded again.

"Thanks," Arthur faintly smiled and then he walked away, leaving Morgana alone with her thoughts which only held Merlin. She couldn't believe that her friend might get hurt after all.

AN: So now Morgana is involved as well, if that won't cause any problems... What will happen next will be revealed soon, but what I can tell you is spoilers so if you don't want to know, don't read on......... that in one of the next chapters, a huge twist will take place and that one character might be hated for a while then. =)

Until then of course, this chapters will have to be good enough to keep you wanting for more so I hope I did a good job. See you later!