Chapter 13-The Witchfinder

Hey guys, my laptop has broken so I'm currently uploading from my phone :S which means uploading is taking longer. I'm hopefully getting it back fully repaired this week (fingers crossed) so updates should become more frequent. Anyway I don't own Merlin but laudine, Elizabeth and Kay are all my own creations. Enjoy...

When I got up in the morning I had no idea that this was where I was going to be! Sitting in the Council chambers listening to a woman tell the King how she had seen magic. Not just any magic, magic which sounded like it belonged to Merlin. A quick look at his face told me all I needed to know.

"It was sorcery you saw and you're certain of it?" Uther questioned. The woman nodded her head, Uther looked down at her, "And you swear this before your King?"

"I swear it," the woman said.

"Perhaps your eyes deceived you, a trick of the light," I suggested, just wishing she would agree so this could stop.

The woman nodded her head violently, "The smoke was alive, I tell you. I feared for my life."

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

The young woman nodded, "Thank you."

One of the knights escorted her out. Uther sighed heavily, "It cannot continue."

"I will hunt down those responsible, father. I promise they will not escape unpunished," Arthur swore stepping forward.

Uther shook his head, "No. Stronger methods are called for. Send for the Witchfinder."

All the courtiers gasped. I spoke, "Sire, is it necessary to resort to such measures?"

"It's too late Elizabeth, after what happened before your wedding. I called him in then, he should arrive tonight and we will be ready," Uther informed me.

"Of course, My Lord," I said bowing my head and staring hard at Merlin.

When we were excused from the hall, I grabbed Merlin's arm and dragged him to my chambers. It was there I turned on Merlin, "How many times, Merlin?! How many times must I drive it into that thick skull of yours that your magic is a secret to be guarded with your life?! What were you thinking?!"

Merlin staggered backwards as if I had just hit him instead of yelled, "I...I wasn't thinking," he admitted.

Before I could continue my ranting my door was swung open violently hitting the wall behind it. I turned to see Laudine standing there with Kay next to her, the expressions on both their faces ones of complete panic, "Is it true? Is he coming?" Laudine questioned, her voice giving out as she spoke.

I nodded my head unable to speak. Laudine let out a sob as Kay pulled her into his arms as if he was trying to hide her from the world, he looked at me over her head, "Can't you persuade Uther to stop him?"

"You know I have no power over him, especially not when it comes to magic," I said softly.

Merlin looked between us all in confusion, "You know him?"

"Yes," I answered calmly before changing the subject, "You must hide the book. Anything and everything that connects you to sorcery. Laudine and Kay will do the same for us."

"Who is the Witchfinder?" Merlin asked again.

He looked like he wasn't going to give up. I sighed, "His name is Aredian and he is cruel and evil."

"But I'm not a witch. Look. No dress or anything," Merlin joked, but stopped when he realised none of us were laughing, "Okay, I'm listening."

"When we met him back home. My father called him in, we needed to find the sorcerer who was killing all our crops," I started to explain.

Kay broke in, "He accused all of us, but Elizabeth and I couldn't be touched so he went for Laudine…" he stopped unable to say anymore.

Laudine looked up and at Merlin when she spoke, her voice full of agony at the memories, "He…he tortured me. For days, trying to make me confess to something I didn't do."

I took a deep breath wiping away a tear that had come down my cheek. The memories were constantly in the back of my mind and I would never forgive myself, "It took me three days to get the real culprit and my father banned Aredian from our lands at the point of death," I finished before grabbing Merlin's hands, "I shouldn't have snapped earlier Merlin I'm sorry, but you have to stay safe, promise me."

Merlin nodded seriously, "I promise."

"It's late," I said breaking the silence that had fallen after Merlin's agreement, "You boys should go. He'll be here soon."

The next two hours were spent in almost total silence. Laudine worked in the corner while I sat at the desk, sorting through the letters I had been sent regarding the changes to my wedding plans. It was only when I heard the sound of a horse-drawn carriage that I looked outside. Below in the darkness of the square stood a man in a cloak which I would recognise anywhere.

"Is that him?" Laudine spoke behind me.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Did he bring the cage?" Laudine asked softly, the fear obvious in her voice.

"Yes," I whispered. Laudine let out a sob, I took Laudine's hands into mine staring straight into her eyes, "I will never let anyone hurt you every again. I will make sure that he cannot hurt anyone else. I promise you Laudine."

"Thank you Elizabeth," Laudine smiled at me for the first time since this had started.

I hugged Laudine in my arms "You are my truest friend, and I'm so sorry that I couldn't have stopped him earlier last time, but I will not make the same mistake again."

There was a knock on the door and I moved away from Laudine to answer it, I opened the door to see one of the guards standing there, "The King wishes to see you."

I nodded, looking back at Laudine before I walked along the corridor quietly. The castle was abandoned at this time, most people having already gone to sleep. The air seemed colder but I guess that was just my own fear making it so. I paused outside the Council Chamber taking a deep breath before knocking and entering, "My Lord," I said bowing my head to Uther and completely ignoring Aredian standing there.

"Elizabeth," Uther nodded. Arthur smiled gently at me.

Finally I turned to Aredian, "Lady Elizabeth, I never forget a face."

"Nor do I Aredian," I said coldly.

"How is your servant, Laudine, wasn't it?" he asked me smiling sickly at me.

I stared harshly back, "She is very well thank you. Have you tried to blame anyone else of sorcery without proof recently?" Uther coughed loudly interrupted the argument I had started, "I'm sorry My Lord. It's been a long day," I apologized immediately.

"I am at your disposal, Aredian. The knights will aid you in any way they can," Arthur said stepping forward.

"You must be Arthur," Aredian said looking down at him.

Arthur stopped short of shaking his hand, obviously feeling uncomfortable, "I must be."

"You're a great warrior. The finest this kingdom has ever known," Aredian complimented him.

"Thank you," Arthur nodded, looking cocky.

I rolled my eyes waiting for the insults I knew would come, "So you won't be offended when I say that I shall have no need of you or your knights. The subtle craft of sorcery can only be fought by yet subtler means, methods honed over decades of study, methods known only to myself."

Before Arthur could answer back Uther stepped in, "We are grateful for your help."

"But gratitude alone can't keep a man alive. You must put food in his belly," Aredian pointed out coldly.

Uther just nodded, "I will pay your price, Aredian, whatever it may be."

"I will bid you goodnight," Aredian said walking away.

"Aredian, when do you begin?" Arthur called after him.

Aredian turned around and smirked at me, his eyes betraying the true evil that lies inside, "I already have."

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Until next time

Artistic-Blue-Eyes

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