It was a few days after Arthur sent the later to Arrietty. Bayard, the ruler of the county of Merica, had come to Camelot to sign a treaty between their two countries.
The entire court of Camelot was there, Merlin and Arthur included, Arthur at his father's side, Merlin in the crowd, as the monarch and his entourage marched up to Uther.
"Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard, of Merica." Uther began, "The treaty we sign today marks an end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people."
Uther and Bayard grasped at the wrists, signifying their commitment to the treaty. Both parties raised up a round of applauds, nobody aware of a certain chambermaid staring at certain man servant.
Later on, Merlin was carrying a heavy bag as he walked pass Gaius. "Why do I always get landed with the donkey work?" He asked the older man.
"You're a servant, Merlin." Gaius pointed him, "It's what you do."
"My arms will be a foot longer by the time I get this lot inside." Merlin complained.
"It's character building." Gaius told him, "As the proverb says hard works breeds …" Gaius struggled for a moment when he realized there was no proverb that matched up to what he was saying, "A harder soul."
"There's no way that's a proverb." Merlin declared, knowingly, "You just made that up."
"No." Gaius lied, "I didn't."
Just then, one of Bayard's chambermaids, a pretty, peitie girl dressed in blue, her brown hair tucked into a cloth, tripped, falling right in front of Merlin. "Sorry." She apologized, as Merlin leaned down to help her.
"It's alright." Merlin assured her.
"Excuse me." The girl continued, as she gathered the things she has dropped.
"Let me give you hand with that." Merlin offered, crouching down to help her up. He couldn't help but notice he caught the young woman's eye. As they stood up together, he said, "Hi. I'm Merlin."
The pair shook hands. "Cara." The girl introduced herself, "You're Arthur's servant. That much be such an honor."
"Oh, yeah." Merlin responded, putting on a little, "Well, you know, someone's got to keep the place running."
"Thank you, Merlin." Cara said, before walking away.
"Hmm?" Merlin responded, not getting what she was talking about.
In explanation, Cara gestured to the pillow he had picked up for her.
"Oh right." Merlin replied, "Yeah. Er, no problem."
"It was nice meeting you." Cara told him almost sheepishly before walking off.
Merlin watched the girl walk away until Gaius, amused by the whole situation, quipped, "Shouldn't you be busy running the place?" Then he laughed.
"Cara" walked up to the door of Bayard's guest chambers murmuring under her breath, "Alysan duru ronne."
Just like that, the doors opened for her. Entering she found a box and opened it, revealing two sliver goblets. Taking one out, she replaced it with an identical one of her own.
Soon, there would be a rather large stumbling block of her way.
Meanwhile, in Arthur's chambers, Merlin dropped the bag of Arthur's clothes down and reeled back when he got a look at them, the things were absolutely filthy. "When's the last time these were cleaned, Merlin exclaimed, actually covering his face.
"Last year some time." Arthur answered, "Before the Feast of Belthne."
"Did it end in a food fight?" Merlin balked, still stunned at the state of the garments.
"Something like that." Arthur admitted, "I use to think Colony events could get pretty wild sometimes, then I came here. I'm honestly surprised no one's died at one of these feasts. Well, at least no one's die at any I've attended."
"I wouldn't know." Merlin replied somewhat snarky, "The airs and graces of court are mystery to me."
Arthur couldn't help but smile at his friend's comment before saying, "Not after tonight they won't be."
That took Merlin by surprise. "I'm going to be at the banquet?"
"Not quite." Arthur answered, "You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry. If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches, I don't see why you should get out of it. "
"Doesn't your religion teach temperance in regards to alcohol?" Merlin asked, "And you know, not treating others in the wrong ways you have been treated or something like that?"
"It's do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Arthur corrected, "But this is a monarchy, not a theocracy."
Alright, I kinda walked into that one. Merlin thought.
"Be sure to polish the buttons." Arthur instructed, ending the conversation, "Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?"
"Won't this do?" Merlin asked, gesturing to his own clothes, puzzled.
"No." Arthur answered, pulling out a set of clothes, of his own, "Tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot." Arthur unfurled a long red garment that could easily be confused a slightly oversized version of one of Gwen's pettifores, embossed with a hold dragon on the chest.
"You can't be serious." Merlin almost deadpanned, staring at the insult to all good taste.
"Oh, it gets worse." Arthur informed him.
"How?" Merlin asked.
That evening. Merlin stood relunatly in the man-pettifore, with a ridiculous hat on his head, sporting an enormous feather as the feast went on around him.
As Gwen walked past him, he snaked, "Nice hat."
"Thanks." Merlin responded flatly. That was when he caught Cara's eye again from across the room. Not wanting to seen in this ridiculous getup in front of her, he quickly took off the hat.
Gwen couldn't help but notice his gaze. "She's pretty, isn't she? For a handmaiden, I mean."
"She's pretty for a princess, let alone a handmaiden." Merlin replied, all eyes on Cara.
Alright, then. Gwen thought, her lips becoming a thin crease. "Mmm."
Uther finished signing the treaty and grasped arms with Bayard, symbolizing said treaty. The crowd applauded and Gwen left Merlin.
And so, Bayard began that infamous boring speech Arthur mentioned. "People of Camelot, for a great many years we have been mortal enemies, and the blood of our men stains the ground from the Walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia. And though we remember those who have died, we must not allow anymore to join them."
A serving girl, not Cara, brought in the box with the goblets as if on cue, which it probably was.
"As a symbol of our goodwill, and new-found friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, and to your son, Arthur, in hope that our friendship may last." Bayard finished.
That was when Cara approached Merlin, suddenly very anxious. "Merlin, I need to speak with you."
"The wounds we receive in battle." Bayard continued.
"What is it?" Merlin asked.
"Not here, please." Cara pleaded, "I don't know who else to tell."
As he listened to the speech, Gaius was the only one who noticed Merlin and Cara sneaking out into the hallway. While he hoped he was just being paranoid but he had sneaking suspicion that more was going on than they simply couldn't wait.
"Tonight, we toast to a new beginning for our peoples." Bayard was saying unaware to what was happening in the hall, "We look towards a future free from the toils of war…"
When they finally got out into the hallway, Cara finally spoke, "It wasn't until I saw him give the goblet to Arthur that I realized…" Her voice trailed off.
"Whoa, slow down." Merlin urged, "Start from the beginning."
"Two days ago, I was bringing Bayard his evening meal." Cara explained, "We're supposed to knock. He didn't expect me to walk in…"
This clearly wasn't going anywhere did. "So, what are you trying to say?" Merlin asked, terrified of the answer.
"If he knows I said anything he'll kill me." Cara sobbed, apparently terrified.
"I will not let that happen to you; I promise." Merlin vowed urgently, "Please tell me what you saw."
"Bayard is no friend of Camelot." Cara told him, "He craves the kingdom for himself."
"Cara…tell me." Merlin urged, "What had Bayard done with the Goblet?"
"He believes that if he kills Arthur Uther's spirit will be broken and Camelot will fall." Cara continued.
"What has he done to the goblet?" Merlin pressed, though everything was clicking together.
"I saw him putting something in it." Cara finally said.
"What?" Merlin demanded.
"I shouldn't!" Cara exclaimed, "He'll kill me!"
"Please tell me!" Merlin insisted, "Was it poison?"
Cara nodded.
Instantly, Merlin ran back to the Hall of Ceremonies, hoping it wasn't too late, unaware of the young woman smirking behind him.
In the Hall of Ceremonies, Bayard was finishing his speech. "And may the diffences of the past remain there." He raised his own cup int the air, "To your health, Uther."
Everyone stood for the toast.
"Arthur." Bayard began.
Arthur stood.
"The Lady Morgana." Bayard said.
Morgana nodded.
"The people of Camelot." Bayard continued.
Arthur put the cup to himself.
"And to the fallen warriors on both sides." Uther added.
Every began to drank as Merlin ran in shouting, "Stop! It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" Then he ran up to Arthur and grabbed the goblet out of his hand.
"What?" Uther balked.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur demanded, mortified.
"Bayard's laced Arthur's goblet with poison!" Merlin explained urgently.
Bayard, perhaps understandably, was more than little upset by the accusation. "This is an outrage!" He and his men drew their swords.
So did the knights of Camelot. "Order your men to put down your swords." Uther ordered as the guards rushed in. "You are outnumbered."
It was then the Uther decided he should check to make sure the accusation was ligitament. "On what grounds do you base these accusations?"
That was when Arthur spoke up, as since it was his servant/friend/possible murder victim at this point was the one who was about to cause an international incident here. "I can handle this." He said, skirting the table to get over to Merlin. "Merlin, you idiot." He hissed in a whisper, "Have you been at the slow gin again?" He grabbed the goblet back from Merlin.
"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think it's poisoned now." Uther threatened.
"He was seen a lacing it." Merlin answered urgently, suddenly wishing he had taken the time to come up with a better plan. Then again, he hadn't exactly had the time.
"By whom?" Uther asked, annoyed by the undetailed answer.
"I can't say." Merlin told him. Cara had been terrified. He couldn't just hand her over to Bayard to do God-knew-what to her. Or Uther, for that matter, who probably wouldn't consider that she had been helpful. Just that she was Merican.
"I won't listen to this anymore." Bayard snapped.
"Pass me the goblet." Uther ordered Arthur, who immediately handed it to him, "If you're telling the truth…"
"I am. "Bayard insisted.
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther challenged.
Seeing what Uther was getting at, Bayard sheathed his swoar and reached for the Goblet, intent on proving his innocence.
However, Uther suddenly changed his mind. "If this does prove to be poison, I want the pleasure of killing you myself."
Bayard snorted, as he didn't know the goblet had actually been tampered with.
That was when Uther held the goblet up to Merlin. "He'll drink it."
That was when Arthur started to panic, because, Merlin had a tendency to be right about this sort of thing. "But if it's poison, he'll die!"
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther reasoned.
"I'm actually more concerned with the first part." Arthur responded, "There has to be another way to test it. What about one of the actual food testers?" It felt cold, offering up someone else like that, but they knew what they were getting into when they took the job and Arthur couldn't really think of any other ideas!
"And what if he lives?" Bayard spoke up.
"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him what you will." Uther offered.,
"Uther, please!" Gaius pleaded, "He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!"
"Then you should have schooled him better." Uther snapped.
"Merlin, apologize." Arthur part demanded, part pleaded, "This is a mistake. I'll drink it."
"No, no, no, no, no." Merlin cut them all off, "It's alright." Really Merlin was scared as Hell, but if it proved he was telling the truth, he was alright with it. He toasted to the royals around him, as everyone watched, Gwen taking a few steps forward in her anxiety as he drunk. Merlin found, to his horror, nothing happened. "It's fine."
The air in the room went from tense to relieved and rather awkward.
"He's all yours." Uther told him, with a hand wave.
Gwen sighed in relief, even though she knew Merlin was probably in for worse trouble.
The suddenly, feeling his throat swell up, Merlin started to choke and then fell to the floor, unconscious.
"It's poisoned." Uther declared, enraged, "Seize him!"
Meanwhile, Arthur was more concerned about Merlin, crouching down over him, Gaius and Gwen quickly joining him.
In the chaos, no one noticed "Cara" slipping out with smile on her face.
"Merlin." Gaius called out urgently, "Can you hear me?" When he got no response, he declared, "We have to get him back to my chambers. Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison."
Arthur threw Merlin over his shoulders as Gwen grabbed the goblet and they all ran for it.
Arthur was leading the charge when they got into Gaius' chambers. "Lay him on the bed, quickly; he's struggling to breath." Gaius instructed, "Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel."
"Is he going to be alright?" Arthur asked, not even trying to hide his fear, stepping back to let Gaius do his work. He knew he was no doctor.
"He's burning up." Gaius said, partially to them, partially to himself.
"You can cure him, can't you Gaius?" Gwen asked desperately.
"I don't know until I can identify the poison." Gaius answered, "Pass me the goblet." Gwen did, he Gaius almost immediately almost immediately saw something bright yellow in the cup. "Ah. There's something stuck on the inside."
"What is it?" Arthur asked, as Gaius pulled it out.
"It looks like a flower petal of some kind." Gaius told him, outwardly the calmest among them.
"His brow's on fire." Gwen informed Gaius of Merlin's state, franticly putting a cloth on Merlin's forehead.
"Keep him cool; it'll help control the fever." Gaius instructed.
As Gwen tended to Merlin, Gaius pulled out a book, trying to identify the flower. After what felt like forever, he said, "Ah. The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus flower can only be saved by a potion made by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower. It can only be found in the caves beneath the Forest of Balor." He flipped the page to show a picture of strange creature with a lot of teeth.
"That's not particularly friendly." Arthur noted.
"A Cockatrice." Gaius responded, "It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death. Few who have crossed the Mountains of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive."
Of course not. But out loud Arthur quipped. "Sounds like fun."
"Arthur, it's too dangerous." Gaius warned.,
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?" Arthur questioned.
Gaius gave an honest answer. "The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not much longer. Eventually, he will die."
Then what choice do I have? Arthur thought.
And so, Arthur wrote another hasty letter to Daisy.
You know I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important. He wrote, Especially after what you did for Gwen, but Merlin only has days. I'll try to get the flower in time, but if you could send some detox solution, anything else that might help, please. Send it.
Maybe that would buy them some time.
Meanwhile, Gwen went to check on Morgana in her chambers. "My lady, I am sorry I haven't been here to attend to you." She told her weakly.
"Don't worry, I'm alright." Morgana assured her, far more concerned with someone else at the moment, "How's Merlin?"
"If Arthur comes back with the antidote in time, he'll be fine." Gwen told her, trying not to think about what would happen if Arthur didn't come back in time. Or that he might not come back at all.
"Then he'll be fine." Morgana responded, confidently. As much as she was sometime frustrated with him, she knew that Arthur wouldn't let them down when they needed him.
Gwen sighed, still worried anyway.
"You should be with him." Morgana told her, "I'll manage. I know what he means to you. Go."
"Thank you." Gwen said, before leaving.
Meanwhile, Arthur was following Uther down to the red ribbon corridor, trying to convince him to let him go get the antidote. It wasn't going well.
"What's the point of having people to taste for you if you're going to get yourself killed anyway." Uther was saying.
"I won't fail, no matter what you think." Arthur argued.
Uther turned around. "Arthur, you are my only son and heir. I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy."
"Oh, because his life's worthless?" Arthur challenged, as he knew good and well this was what Uther meant.
"No, because it's worth less than yours." Uther corrected.
Of course, because that makes it so much better. Arthur thought, but out loud was trying to get on Uther's good side so he would let him go. "I can save him. Let me take some men." Surely it sounded more sensible to go with a group than alone. Surely, he'd agree to that.
"No." Uther said, before turning back around and starting to walk again.
"We'll get the antidote and bring it back." Arthur insisted.
"No." Uther repeated.
"Why not?!" Arthur demanded, getting frustrated, to say the least. There was another human life at stake, why was this even up for debate?
Uther whirled around again. "Because one day I will be dead and Camelot will need a king. I'm not going to let you jeopardize the future of this kingdom over some fool's errand."
"It's not a fool's errand." Arthur argued, "Gaius says that we can get the antidote…"
"Oh, Gaius says?" Uther marked, "That's exactly what makes it so."
Well, he IS your adviser! Arthur thought, but out loud pleaded, "Please father. He saved my life, again. I can't stand by and watch him die." Plus, there were the incidents that Uther didn't know about that had Arthur very motivated to save Merlin. He owed him that much.
"Then don't look." Uther responded coldly, "This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're going to be the king. It's something you'll have to get use to."
"I can't accept that." Arthur insisted.
"You're not going." Uther insisted right back.
"You can't stop me." Arthur told him. He might sound like petulant child, but he didn't care.
"Damn it, Arthur, that's an end to it!" Uther snapped, "You're not leaving this castle tonight!" Then he marched off, ending the conversation.
Arthur stormed into his chambers, tossing his sword onto the table, then leaned against the fireplace, seething. How could his father be so heartless?! He was really just going to let Merlin die, like he nothing. Like he was expendable…
Then again, to Uther he was.
He was so angry he didn't notice Morgana walk in until she spoke. "Say what you want about the food, but you can't beat our feasts for entertainment."
Arthur looked up, but didn't completely turn around. "Morgana, I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were alright."
"Disappointed, actually." Morgana responded," I was looking forward to clumping the couple around the head with a ladle. "
"I'm sure the guards could have handled Bayard and his men." Arthur assured her.
"Yeah, but why let the boys have all the fun?" Morgana quipped.
"Morgana, you shouldn't get involved." Arthur somewhat snapped at her, scared at the possibility of using anyone else, "It's dangerous."
"Spare me the lecture, I've already had it from Uther." Morgana responded.
"If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one." Arthur informed her.
"Not that I listened to him." Morgana responded, "Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right, and damn the consequences."
"You think I should go?" Arthur asked.
"It doesn't matter what I think." Morgana told him.
"If I don't make it back, who will become the next king of Camelot?" Arthur challenged, trying to justify not going, in way of something he didn't even believe, "There's more than just my life at stake."
"And what kind of King would Camelot want?" Morgan challenged, "One that would risk his life to save the life of a lowly servant." As if to emphasize her point, she drew Arthur's sword from the table, "Or one who does what his father tells him to?" She presented Arthur with the sword.
Arthur took it without a second thought.
Arthur silently prayed as he road across the drawbridge.
"Halt!" The guards shouted, but Arthur just rode past them and into the forest.
After riding for a good half hour or so, Arthur was about to take the turn that would eventually lead him to the forest of Balor, when he heard another set of hoofbeats behind him. For a minute he thought he had been caught when a voice exclaimed, "Thank God I found you!"
Arthur turned around to find Daisy, on a mounted horse, walking up to him.
"Daisy?" Arthur asked, "What are you even doing here?"
"You told me you were going into a dangerous forest possibly fight against a creature that can rip you to shreds, and shares the same name with a mythological creature that can turn you to stone, no way I'm letting you do that alone." Daisy replied, "Don't worry, I sent the medicine for my replacement."
"How did you even know I was going to be on my own?" Arthur asked.
"Because your dad doesn't strike me as the guy who would put a lot of man power into saving the help." Daisy counter, "I'm surprised he let you go at all."
"Well…" Arthur's voice trailed off.
"He doesn't know you're out here?" Daisy balked, more than a little annoyed.
"He will. "Arthur responded, "I left a note."
Daisy gave him a look as if to say, Really?
"He refused to let me go." Arthur explained, "To him, Merlin's expendable. But I—I can't let him die. Not when there's something I can do about it."
"Alright, then." Daisy relented, "Let's go."
As the pair took off, neither of realized they were being watched Neimh, who had fled Camelot and was now watching from the stone basin. She had only wanted to take off an obstacle to her revenge but this was just too good.
It was a shame about the girl, though.
"I'm sorry, my dear girl." Neimuh said into the bowel, "But you should have made better choices in friends."