"Merlin…" Arthur whispered loudly, pressing his ear against Gaius's door after knocking it.
The door opened revealing Merlin, who seemed to be eagerly awaiting Arthur's arrival.
"Arthur!" Merlin said anxiously, allowing Arthur in.
"Is Gaius here?" Arthur asked quickly peering over to the kitchen.
"No… no he's tending your father right now… what's happening right now? What's your father saying?" Merlin said shaking his head as he listened hard for Arthur's next words.
Arthur was about to answer but shook his head. His mind was jammed from the outpouring of Merlin's questions colliding with his own questions for Merlin. A sense of urgency was in the air as Arthur and Merlin faced each other, each trying to gather as much information from each other as quickly as possible.
"Merlin, first, what the hell happened out there?" Arthur asked pointedly, desperate for an inkling of unspoken leads that could help them fully understand Morgana's intention.
"Everything Ector and I told you is what happened. I visited Myldred and she looked all pretty and everything, and right when I turned to leave, Morgana attacked..."
"Didn't you say you got hurt? You said you were dying.." Arthur asked shaking his head, searching for wounds or injuries on Merlin, and instead observing Merlin's pristine health and demeanor.
Merlin winced immediately. Of course Arthur would ask that. And of course Merlin forgot that looking healthy would contradict his account that he almost died.
"Gaius treated me right now. Ector did too right after he found me... " Merlin explained noticing Arthur looking completely mazed.
"But what did she do?" Arthur asked.
Merlin's heart raced and he pondered about what Morgana did to him. "Earlier today, I went through the most pain I've felt in my entire life. My insides - Arthur - it felt like it was ripped apart and lit on fire. I couldn't even get up because my back and neck was locked from looking up, and every time I'd try to lift my hand up, my rib pierced my insides even more, stinging my entire arm. The worst part of it all was she was yelling at me, mercilessly attacking me, yelling at me for something. She wouldn't even give me a chance Arthur. If it weren't for Ector, I'd be dead right now." Merlin said all at once, not realizing he zoned out.
Still troubled, Arthur nodded his head pausing in his thoughts.
"You aright now, Merlin?" Arthur asked uneasy.
"I'm okay now... "Merlin said coming out of his thoughts, slowing leaning against the edge of the kitchen table.
"Did you get any indication at all as to where she might head next?" Arthur asked looking at Merlin very hopefully.
"No... No, Arthur, I have no idea..."Merlin replied, his gut plummeting. He watched Arthur curse to himself. "Arthur, what's your father saying?"
"My father is going to hunt for Morgana after the tournament. In the mean time he's sending out the knights and guards to parole the area and report any suspicious behavior."
"Tournament? Arthur, he's still planning on holding the tournament after this?" Merlin said almost dumfounded.
"Yes Merlin…" Arthur said shamefaced, shifting to his side and looking away.
"Unbelievable… how is the King going to catch her during the tournament if she comes? Everyone will be in the stadium watching the fights" Merlin asked, slowly noticing Arthur look at him reluctantly.
"My father wants you to help us with that..."
"Me?" Merlin said taken aback. Though very surprised, Merlin felt quite honored that the King had so much faith in his abilities. As he began imagining sitting in the war room scrolling out maps of Camelot and suggesting plans of attack, Arthur's voice burst Merlin's bubble.
"It's not what you're thinking..."
"What do you mean? What is it?" Merlin asked with hesitance.
Arthur seemed to have been envisioning something disturbing that caused Merlin to feel unnerved
"My father wants to capture Morgana in a trap during the tournament the day after tomorrow and basically wants to use you as the bait since she's after you to get killed so much. My knights would be around to capture her."
Arthur's words reminded Merlin of his thankless role in Camelot and felt like a pair of shoes tossed over a cliff. So this is how Uther valued him. Just the other day Uther was treating Merlin to royal breakfasts after helping Uther regain his life from Morgause's poison. Now he was the worm in Uther's fishing trip.
"Right…should I feel honored about this?" Merlin replied resentfully trying to meet Arthurs avoiding eyes.
"Merlin, I'm not expecting you to be thrilled by this…" Arthur said looking up. "I tried to speak to my father …but..."
Merlin nodded slowly and averted his gaze. Arthur didn't need to further explain what resulted in his attempt to dissuade his father of this brutal plan.
"Look Merlin, " Arthur began in faux motivation that reminded Merlin of the pep talks Arthur would give his knights before a battle. "Ector was able to stop her once and he's not even a knight! We have the best knights in Camelot Merlin, Sir Leon, and Sir Todd…. I know they will do their best to protect you and stop Morgana before she even scratches you."
Merlin's nerves began to increase in potency as he began to realize the reality of the situation. Basically, Merlin was going to die if he had to do this. Camelot's knights were not going to be able to take down Morgana, and Merlin couldn't explain to Arthur that what Ector did was not a quick slash of the sword and punch in the air. It was magic that stopped Morgana. And if Merlin were to use magic himself to stop Morgana, Merlin would be seen by the knights surrounding him and be turned in.
The door swung opened startling the two boys as they observed Gaius walking in. Gaius paused in alarm and bowed slightly to Arthur, "My Lord" Gaius greeted, raising himself up.
Arthur nodded to Gaius respectfully.
"I'm sorry Gaius… I just wanted to have a word with Merlin."
"That is no problem sire. Though I had advised Merlin that he needs his rest after all that's happened today." Gaius said staring at Merlin.
"Of course..." Arthur said tensely, releasing his grip from the kitchen table. He turned back to Merlin, who looked quieter than ever. "I'll talk to you tomorrow Merlin." Arthur said, hoping for a reaction, though receiving just a little nod from Merlin.
And with that Arthur walked away.
After the door closed, Gaius turned to Merlin, interested in what Arthur had to say.
"What did Arthur say Merlin?"
"He said the King wants to use me as bait that helps catch Morgana during the tournament." Merlin said treating the situation with mocked disregard
"But that's a risky thing to do Merlin! How would you survive such a thing?"
"Well Uther doesn't really care and Arthur seems to think his knights will stop Morgana."
"But Morgana was stopped by magic…The knights know none of that. It's not like Ector is there to save you again!"
A sudden fire sparked in Merlin's belly. Ector!
"Merlin what is it?" Gaius asked, noticing Merlin altered posture.
"Gaius! you are brilliant!" Merlin said heading for the door. "Where's Ector staying right now?"
Gaius, baffled as ever, turned to Merlin. "He's in the south end where the King always puts his guests! Merlin where are you going?" Gaius asked, watching Merlin hasten for the door.
"I need to ask Ector a question!" Merlin said, heart pacing as he grinned at Gaius.
*knock …. Knock…*
Merlin endured his anticipation to meet Ector outside Ector's door and hoped with his heart Ector wasn't sleeping. He pressed his ear and to his relief, the door opened immediately.
"Merlin!" Ector answered, allowing Merlin to come in. "What brings you here?"
Merlin walked in and noticed Kay and Bedivere settled in their own beds taking their boots off after having changed into lighter clothing.
"Ah! Merlin! Welcome to our humble room!" Kay declared with an impressive smile. He lifted his slender yet muscular arms up to present his comfortable bed beneath him, the fully draped windows, and the intricately designed furniture placed around. It was thanks to Merlin their room was neat and clean, for Merlin usually had to tend the room.
Bedivere chuckled while watching Kay boast about the room, as he dropped his left boot on the floor.
"You're very lucky." Merlin grinned, before returning his glance to Ector.
As a thud on the floor sounded from Bedivere dropping his right boot, Merlin began.
"Ector, I just wanted to know – how exactly did you stop Morgana today..?"
"Just a general attack spell Merlin. Nothing fancy really. Just enough force to strike a blow on her. Oh and I did mix it up with a spell to protect you." Ector recalled.
"A protection spell? Is there anything that works for a long period of time?"
"Ha ha… if that was the case, I'd try and be King someplace, right Bedivere!" Kay interrupted, smirking as he turned to Bedivere on the bed to the left of him.
"What he's trying to say is a protection spell only lasts a few seconds. They are useful if you know exactly what the person will do to you and at what time..." Ector clarified to Merlin while glaring at Kay. Kay visually sulked and plunged back into his bed to get a feel of its resilience.
"Well... do you know any other spell that works? Where a person can't see you using it..?"
Although Merlin was able to instinctively conduct very small spells since an early age, the more powerful the spell was, the more likely he resorted to voice it out loud.
"Well, the only thing I can think of is using a spell while you are invisible Merlin..."
Merlin shook his head. He needed to be visible for Morgana, but his spells against her needed to be hidden. "That won't work..." he sighed a little frustrated, scratching his head.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Bedivere asked quietly. Merlin looked up at Bedivere. His reserved presence continuously intrigued Merlin.
"The King wants to catch Morgana during the tournament the day after tomorrow. And he wants me to be the bait to help the knights catch her. "Merlin said ignoring Kay's scoff. "The knights are never going to be able to stop her and I can't use magic in front of them. So either way, I may end up dead."
"Run away Merlin!" Kay jeered. "This is the way they treat you? Typical of Uther. You aren't a knight Merlin! You need to think about your own self here, not them! "
Ector and Bedivere contemplated silently.
"Why don't you do it Ector?" Bedivere suggested coming out of his thoughts, as Ector looked up. "Since you are not competing in the tournament, you can go with Merlin and attack Morgana from the sidelines if she comes. You can also chant the protection spell every couple seconds. And just so you don't get caught, you can be invisible."
The three men stared at Bedivere stunned.
"Gah! I told you Beddy! Stop the fighting and get into being a battle strategist!" Kay said throwing his socks at him.
Merlin smiled. He had to admit, Bedivere had a pretty great idea.
"Well, I can do it Merlin, that's not a problem..." Ector said turning back to Merlin. "I'm assuming you know the invisibility spell?" Ector postulated.
Merlin gut plummeted.
"I thought you would know. Isn't it a common spell?' Merlin said recalling the time Alvarr shown up invisible.
Ector smiled faded.
"No Merlin… it's not. Only a few people would know this spell. I thought you would be one of them since you are... you know... Emrys."
"But- when I met Alvarr, he knew..."
"Oh Alvarr would know it alright…" Ector said. "His mother worked with the high sorcerer, the Seeker, and was able to pick up on certain spells and most likely taught Alvarr."
"Wait...the Seeker! I think I know where I can find the spell! Alvarr gave me a book the Seeker authored- the Niwe Steorra. It has a load of spells!"
"Oh the Niwe Steorra will absolutely have it Merlin! It's good that you have it..."
A rush of gratitude flowed through Merlin's mind when he thought of Alvarr. If Alvarr didn't convince Merlin to take it, after Merlin objected to using the Niwe Steorra, he'd be in trouble right now.
"Then we have everything we need! So you'll be able to do it?" Merlin asked, slightly trembling in amazement.
"Absolutely." Ector responded, feeling a sense of strong responsibility.
Merlin turned to the other two, affirming the plan was flawless as possible.
*knock knock knock*
Merlin turned to the door; his heart beating. Who could it be?
"The King has a message to all the tournament competitors." A servant with a squeaky voice called from the other side of the door.
Ector swung the door open and took the letter from a scrawny servant boy with dusty blonde hair and blemished skin. Merlin nodded at him and smiled before the door was closed.
A gush of air brushed Merlin's arms as Kay ran over to fetch the letter from his father's hands. He scanned over the letter.
Merlin glanced at the letter and it seemed to depict the program for the tournament and a sketch of the tournament pairings and rounds.
"Oh Bedivere!" Kay said looking up, still gripping the letter. "If we win all our fights, we are going to face each other in the third round!"
"Lucky for you, you'll lose the first round." Bedivere said smiling, lying back on his bed as he closed his eyes. He then jolted up with a scowl after a goblet flew through the air and hit him on the chest.
"Think quick Beddy."