Chapter 52: The Witchfinder
It had been only two weeks since the announcement of Lady Morgana's engagement to Robb Stark. Camelot was abuzz with wedding preparations. Ned was staying in Camelot with Robb and Jon whilst Catelyn had headed back to Winterfell with Lancelot, Sansa and Arya. Anakin and Arthur found themselves spending time in the training grounds with Robb and Jon whilst training the knights.
Morgana suddenly found herself being the centre of attention. Something she hadn't felt since she became Uther's ward. She was getting married and if Gwen hadn't been beside her helping her, she didn't know what she would do. Robb's mother had been helping her when she came to Camelot but still the reality hadn't sunk in, she was getting married and while she loved Robb, it was a big adjustment.
As for Merlin, he found himself wanting to be alone more, which worked out fine for him because he would tend to his chores for Anakin, Arthur and Gaius and keep away from Morgana and Robb. He didn't remember much about the night in the tavern after the engagement feast but something told him he said something which bothered Robb.
Flashback
Merlin was coming back from another trip into the woods, he had been gathering firewood. Anakin and Arthur had started taunting him that "woods" meant "tavern" something he denied and Morgana was still defending him against their taunts. It had been a few days since the tavern celebrations and Robb had been trying to talk to him and this afternoon would be another attempt.
"Ah Merlin there you are!" came Robb's voice as Merlin halted on the steps, arms full of wood as he cringes. He hoped to get to Anakin and Arthur's rooms undetected. Robb approached Merlin as he slowly turned around
"Merlin, I've been trying to talk to you since the night in the tavern" he tells him as Merlin laughs
"If it's about Arthur denying that he was too drunk and passed out, he is too proud to admit defeat and Anakin will side with him, they won't listen to me" he tells him as Robb shakes his head
"No, it's what you said about Morgana" he tells him. Merlin froze. Oh god! What did he say? He could barely remember that night as Robb goes on "Merlin, what did you mean when you said you wished Morgana could feel the same for you, the way you feel about her?" he asks "Are you in love with Morgana?" he adds
Merlin was quiet. He didn't want to say yes for fear of what Robb would say and probably tell him to end but he did have feelings for Morgana but then Arthur's words were in his head about how she can't be even his friend. Merlin shakes his head
"Oh that" he chuckles "No, of course not. I know nothing can happen" he lies "I'm happy for you and Morgana. She's my friend, nothing more" he assures him though he hated lying. Robb curiously looked over at him and Merlin took a deep breath before he saw him smile
"Thanks Merlin, you're a good friend" he tells him "I'll see you around" he adds moving off as Merlin sighs in relief. He had to lie because who knows what would have happened and who else would have discovered his feelings for Morgana.
End of flashback
Once more on this day, Merlin found himself in the forest, gathering wood for Anakin and Arthur's fireplaces. He moved through the forest passing some of the male villagers from the lower town out gathering and chopping wood for their homes. Merlin carries on before some of the pieces he was carrying fell onto the ground. He sighs.
Camelot was still a good walk away and being out in the forest was peaceful and relaxing. He decided to take a break and placed the wood down in front of him looking around. He takes a seat on the log behind him sighing. It truly was a beautiful sight and Merlin then noticed the white smoke a few meters from him. It trailed idly in the air.
Merlin tilts his head before he decides to have some fun with his magic. He stretches out one hand and recites a small spell. He then watches as the smoke transforms into an image of a horse, it started to gallop on the spot as Merlin smiles. It had been a long time since he was able to use his magic, especially with Robb, Jon and Ned around. Merlin smiles at the image once more before it slowly disappears once more.
Merlin lowers his head before he decides he better get back to Camelot. He gets up then bends down to pick up the wood pieces and doesn't hear the footsteps behind him until they pull his jacket. "Hey!" they cry startling Merlin. It was one of the young women from the lower town out in the forest "Did you see it?" she asks, her voice in a panic.
"The smoke?" she goes on "Did you see it?" she breathes. Merlin quickly shakes his head. He thought he had been alone
"No, I saw nothing" he lies as the woman shakes her head
"Are you blind!?" she exclaims "You were right here!" she tells him "It was magic, I tell you!" she cries. Merlin is stunned keeping quiet as the woman goes on "There's sorcery here" she insists "We must tell the King!" she exclaims .
Merlin shakes his head but it was too late, the woman was already starting to run off "No, wait!" he calls back to her however she would not stop. She was heading back to Camelot and Merlin feared for what she had seen. He was the only one out here and so would she accuse him of being a sorcerer?
Back in Camelot, the woman was true to her word and was insistence to report to the King of what she had seen. Merlin now stood in the throne room beside Gaius. He had briefed him just before about what had happened out in the forest and Merlin knew afterwards he would hear more from his friend.
The woman now stood beside a knight in front of Uther, with Morgana behind him to the right whilst Anakin and Arthur stood across from her to the listening to the story. Uther was taking the woman's story seriously.
"It was sorcery you saw, you're certain of it?" he asks her as she nods
"Yes, sire" she quickly replies just as Gaius glanced over at Merlin who remained silent as Uther then asks
"And you swear this before your king?" seeing her nod once more
"I swear it" she insists as Anakin spoke up
"Perhaps your eyes deceive you" he suggests "A trick of the light" he adds. He really was hoping this was merely nothing. Ever since he and Morgana found out about what was happening to them, he didn't even have to look at Morgana to know she was worried too.
The woman shook her head "The smoke was alive, I tell you" she cries "I feared for my life" she adds as Uther nods
"I thank you for bringing this to my attention" he replies as Merlin feels another lump in his throat as Uther goes on "Your loyalty will not go unrewarded" he assures her as she nods
"Thank you sire" she breathes before the knight leads her away as Uther lowers his head
"It cannot continue" he tells the room. It had been going on far too long and he wished for it to stop once and for all. Arthur speaks up
"Anakin and I will hunt down those responsible, father" he promises him "We promise they will not escape unpunished" he adds as Uther knew exactly what to do
"No" he replies "Stronger methods are called for" he explains before he then looks around the chamber "Send for the witchfinder!" he exclaims. Gaius straightens up. Uther ordering for the witchfinder to come to Camelot meant he was serious but Gaius feared for Merlin. He stepped forward
"Sire, is it necessary to resort to such measures?" he asks as Uther shakes his head
"The witchfinder is a trusted ally, Gaius" he reminds him "His help will be invaluable" he assures him. Gaius simply nods
"Of course" he agrees although he was not pleased with Merlin who unfortunately had no idea that a simple relaxing moment in the forest would bring such tension to the city.
Not even inside their quarters and Gaius was already laying into him as they exited the throne room as Merlin had expected.
"How many times Merlin, must I drive it into that thick skull of yours that your magic is a secret to be guarded with your life!?" he exclaims entering their chamber as Merlin closes the door behind them. "What were you thinking?" he asks him as Merlin moves into the room
"I...I wasn't thinking" he stutters as Gaius places his hands on his bench
"Well, think boy, think!" he exclaims as Merlin shrugs
"It was just a bit of fun" he innocently replies as Gaius shakes his head
"It was magic and it was seen!" he snaps back as Merlin sighs
"You're right, I'm sorry" he admits as Gaius then goes on
"You must hide the book, anything that can connect you to sorcery in any way" he explains moving away from the workbench as Merlin takes a seat. He looks over at Gaius who was giving him a stern look on his face
"What now?" he asks simply as Gaius snaps again
"Yes, now Merlin" he replies "The man that Uther has sent for, I know him" he reveals as Merlin tilts his head
"The witchfinder?" he asks as Gaius continues on
"Some know him by that name" he begins to reply "I know him as Aredian" he confesses going on "He's a force to be reckoned with" he warns him as Merlin tries to make light of the situation
"But I'm not a witch" he jokes "Look, no dress or anything" he chuckles referring to his clothes however Gaius was not laughing. Merlin straightens up, the smile dropping from his face. "I'll get the book" he then says and hurries off to his room.
It appeared that news of Uther's summons for the Witchfinder had spread throughout the castle and it wasn't long till it had reached Ned, Robb and Jon. Robb and Jon had never heard of the Witchfinder and Ned couldn't believe his old friend had reached out for such a man, making the situation serious.
"So, this witchfinder, he goes around hunting down anyone with magic?" Robb asks his father. They were sitting at the table in Ned's room. Robb had gone straight to his father after being with Morgana. She seemed distraught and worried about this witchfinder and after listening to his father, it didn't sound good. "And Uther believes someone with magic is here in Camelot?" he adds as Jon shakes his head
"Why would they come to Camelot where they know magic is banned?" Jon asked as Ned sighs
"Uther told me that some people with magic, wish to use magic against the King and his family and he doesn't want to put his children in harm" he explains "I can relate, I would not want your mother, sisters or brothers in danger" he admits
Jon then asks "Then you would summon a witchfinder?" he asks as Ned is silent for a moment before he answers him
"I've never met him but as long as he protects my family, I would do what I must" he admits as Robb then spoke again
"Morgana seemed really upset about this news" he points out "Her kind heart and compression for others is one of the things I love about her" he reveals. Ned nods over at his son
"Uther will ensure no harm comes to her but with you here as well, you'll be there to look after her" he reminds him. Robb nods in agreement as Jon smirks
"You're just encouraging him to find more time for her" he teases knowing how much his brother was falling in love with her. Robb glares over at his brother making him laugh even harder. Robb then had another question
"Do you think this witchfinder will find anyone here?" he asks as Ned then gets to his feet to move towards his window.
"I hope not. I can only hope they're long gone from Camelot. I may not like magic but I don't want to watch someone be killed especially if they've not yet committed a crime" he admits. Robb nods. He didn't always agree with his father but he understood what he meant, whoever this person was, they were out in the woods, they hadn't tried to harm the King or his family.
That evening as nightfall set over Camelot, the courtyard was empty except for the guards stationed at their posts. In the low light it was too dark to see much as a lone horse pulled a cart with a large wooden cage on top of the cart. Inside the cart, there was chains hanging from the top as a lone figure at the front of the cart. The horse moved through the lower town before turning the corner moving across the drawbridge into the courtyard.
The horse came to a stop metres before the steps. The figure was wearing dark coloured clothing and a large black rimmed hat. A Camelot guard came forward just as the figure descended off the cart, around his waist was a black belt and hanging from the belt were silver chains with various trinkets and keys. He folded his hands at the front of his body before he then raised his head
"I am expected" he told the guard in a low deep voice whilst at the same time watching his arrival from her room was Morgana and Gwen, curious to see just what this witchfinder looked like
"Is that him?" Gwen whispers as Morgana nods
"Yes" she softly nods as Gwen moves up alongside her
"What's that cage for?" she asks as Morgana shakes her head
"It hardly bears thinking about" she confesses. They watch him adjust the horse's saddles right before he turns around to look up at their window. Morgana gasps before she pulls back hoping he didn't see her. She didn't feel comfortable knowing this man was a witchfinder and she and Anakin only recently discovered they possessed magic.
At the same time down in the council chamber, Anakin and Arthur were with their father trying to find out more about this witchfinder. They were curious to know how their father knew about him being too young to remember previous encounters and for Anakin, he feared what this witchfinder may uncovered while he was here.
"So where has he been all this time?" Anakin asks his father as they entered the council chamber as Uther answers him
"In foreign lands, wherever the pursuit of sorcery takes him" he reveals as Arthur then points out
"He does all this in your name?" as Uther shakes his head
"The witchfinder serves no one. He is a law unto himself" he explains. Anakin and Arthur exchanged a glance. So their father had never met this man yet his reputation was well known. It is then all three heard a deep voice
"Do you smell it, Uther?" they asks as Uther, Anakin and Arthur all turned to see a figure, the figure from the courtyard emerge from behind one of the columns. Anakin and Arthur were confused. How did he get in here without them knowing about his arrival already?
Uther looks straight at him "Aredian" he replies as Aredian steps forward
"It's all around us" he goes on "The foul stench of sorcery" he reveals seeing Uther tense up as he continues "It's infected your great city like a contagion" he explains as Uther moves towards him
"I welcome you to Camelot, Aredian" he informs him adding "Thank you for making such haste to be here" he admits as Aredian continues over towards him
"Well, let's hope I'm not too late, hmm?" he asks seeing Uther, Anakin and Arthur look confused as he explains himself: "For every hour counts in the war against sorcery", he warns them going on. "Unchecked it spreads like a disease, it seeks out the young and the old" he cautions him as neither Uther or Arthur notice Anakin keeping quiet and concerned as Aredian goes on "The weak and the able, the fair and the foul of heart alike" he insists. "You've grown lazy, Uther" he admits
Anakin and Arthur were both surprised by this accusation because their father for 19 years ensured magic was banned and those executed, although perhaps the incident with the trolls had let him with his beliefs. Aredian continues "You've grown idle" he tells him. "Your once noble Camelot is rotten to the core"
"You stand on the brink of dark oblivion" he warns him just as Anakin steps up beside his father
"Arthur and I are at your disposal, Aredian" he informs him "The knights will aid you in any way they can" he assures him as Aredian towards the two princes
"You must be Anakin and Arthur" he replied in a cold voice as Arthur nods
"We are" he replies as Aredian goes on
"You both are great warriors. The finest this kingdom has ever known" he tells them as Anakin nods
"Thank you" he replies however as Aredian wasn't finished
"So you both won't be offended when I say that I shall have no need of you both or your knights?" he asks them going on "The subtle craft of sorcery can only be fought by yet subtler means" he explains "Methods honed over decades" he continues "Methods known only to myself" he insists. Arthur looks to his brother as Anakin only keeps silent once more
Uther only then replies "We are grateful for your help" he insists as Aredian then says
"Gratitude alone can't keep a man alive" he reminds him "You must put food in his belly" he suggests as Uther nods in agreement.
"I will pay your price Aredian, whatever it may be" he promises him as Aredian nods starting to move away
"I will bid you good night" he says as Anakin then needed to ask
"When do you begin?" he asks. Aredian stops in his steps but did not turn around
"I have already begun" he reveals. His response stunning the king and the princes and Anakin did not like how he said that.
The following morning, unaware of Aredian's arrival in Camelot last night, Merlin was doing some morning chores with Gaius in the marketplace. They didn't know that Aredian was watching them from the distance. As they pass him, he steps out from the shadows moving towards them
"Gaius, isn't it?" he asks seeing them turn around "I never forget a face" he admits. Gaius looks straight at him
"Nor I, Aredian" he replies as Aredian moves closer towards them
"A physician now, I hear" he observes "You always did have a thirst for knowledge" he reminds him as Gaius corrects him
"Scientific knowledge" he replies as Aredian nods
"Of course" he replies going on "And your friend Obi Wan, has he become a physician too?" he asks as Gaius shook his head
"No, Obi Wan spends his time away from Camelot most times but he offers to help me with my work" he explains as Aredian then look over at Merlin who kept quiet knowing it was his fault Aredian was here. Gaius then went on "My assistant, Merlin" he introduces
Aredian looks straight at him "Merlin" he repeats in his cold, deep voice as Gaius decided they needed to keep moving.
"May your investigation prove fruitful, Aredian" he tells him going on "However, you'll have to excuse us. We have work to do" he insists. Gaius then turns and pushes Merlin on as Aredian nods
"Naturally" he replies before he calls out once more "Merlin?" he says. Merlin stops and turns back towards him a curious look on his face as Aredian goes on "I have a few questions I would like you to answer" he reveals "Please be at my chambers in an hour" he insists. Gaius glances over at Merlin who stiffens but says nothing and instead continues on with Gaius leaving Aredian to head back up to the castle. Merlin wondered just what these questions would be.
Whilst Aredian was adapting his surroundings in Camelot, Robb was spending time with Morgana, finding her more different ever since Uther summoned the witchfinder to Camelot. He found her still in her chambers and they were now sitting on the edge of the bed. She was in her long white dress as he kept an arm around her holding her close.
"I promise you Morgana, you will not fear the witchfinder because I'll ensure he has no reason to talk with you" he insists as Morgana rests her head on his shoulder. He didn't know about her nightmares or magical abilities but she hoped Robb was right. He continues to rub her back "I'm sure he will find who he is looking for, bring him to the King and then he's gone and we can go back to planning the wedding" he tells her
Morgana looks up at him smiling "What would you do if he found the sorcerer and they were someone close to us?" she asks. She didn't want to reveal too much but she was curious.
Robb is silent for a moment. He hadn't really thought about that but unlike his father, he felt differently about magic, like his friends Anakin and Arthur.
"I don't know. Perhaps try to fight to free them, defend them. My father thinks likes Uther but I don't" he admits. He then sees her looking more worried so he places both hands on her face, "Is there something you want to tell me?" he asks seeing her shake her head with a small smile before they then shared a tender gentle kiss before she wraps her arms around him holding him close. She only hoped Robb was right about protecting her against the witchfinder but little did both of them know, Aredian's methods could be sneaky.
Whilst Morgana had Robb looking out for her, Merlin, unfortunately had already been asked by Aredian to submit to questioning his quarters. Merlin sat opposite him as Aredian sat at the desk, writing on the parchment in front of him. He dipped the ink into the skull inkwell before writing more notes.
Merlin attempts to keep his nerves hidden. He dare not make it seem like he was nervous or perhaps Aredian would suspect him of what happened in the forest. Aredian then spoke in his deep voice "You are aware then, that sorcery has been practiced in the vicinity of Camelot?" he asks him
Merlin stutters "Yes..." seeing Aredian look up at him before he quickly adds "I mean, apparently" he admits as Aredian then goes on
"No, it cannot be denied" he informs him "There was a witness" he reminds him. Merlin nods
"Yes, I know" he replies. This was truth because in the throne room, the woman pointed that out already.
"Did you also know that the woman has named you a witness?" he asks as Merlin then tries to change his mind
"But..." he starts to argue before Aredian goes on
"I have already spoken to her" he reveals "She was quite clear on the matter" he insists as Merlin shakes his head
"But I wasn't a witness" he lies seeing Aredian start to lift the parchment up staring back at him. He was taken aback by that response
"Sorry, perhaps I misheard" he replies "Do you deny that you were present at the time of the incident?" he asks once more as Merlin sighs
"No, I was there" he admits as Aredian goes on
"So you saw it?" he asks him "The horse conjured from the smoke?" he adds as Merlin then answers it
"I saw the smoke, but it was only smoke" he insists "I saw nothing else" he adds as Aredian questions him once more
"Are you saying that she lies?" he asks him as Merlin shakes his head
"No, I didn't say that" he tells him "I said I didn't see what she saw" he argues as Aredian then goes on
"Hmm, how can that be, I wonder?" he curiously asks going on "How can one person see something and the other not?" he asks him as Merlin shakes his head
"I can't explain it" he tells him and this was more truth because he really couldn't without revealing his secret. Aredian then goes on
"No, I'm at a loss as to explain it myself" he confesses with a chuckle. Merlin sighs as he then adds "Unless it was you who performed the magic" he suggests. Merlin immediately shakes his head
"It wasn't" he quickly replies as Aredian then asks
"Can you prove that it wasn't?" There was silence between Merlin and Aredian for several moments with just stares.
"No" Merlin sighs as Aredian simply nods
"Hmm" he breathes looking down at his work "That will be all" he tells him. Merlin then gets up to leave but not before Aredian was finished. "For now" he adds in a cold voice and Merlin was not happy with that last part. Had he just dug himself further into trouble?
As the sun began to set beyond the city, Aredian had summoned a meeting with the King about his investigation. The knights and council advisors were also present along with Ned, Robb and Jon. Morgana sat in her seat as did Anakin and Arthur. Uther sat in his throne as Aredian stood meters away walking behind three young women. Gaius and Merlin stood at the back as Aredian spoke
"Speak" he tells the young woman "Do not be afraid" he assures them. The woman standing in the middle spoke up
"I..." she stutters "I was drawing water from the well, sire when I saw them" she reveals, fear in her voice "Faces" she tells him "In the water, sire, terrible faces" she cries "Like people who were drowned" she goes on "Screaming, screaming!" she exclaims.
Aredian nods "Mmm, mmm" he simply murmurs at the same time Merlin leans in towards Gaius
"I haven't done anything, I promise" he whispers as Aredian moved on to the next girl, standing to the left of the first girl
"Tell them what you saw" he tells her as she speaks
"A goblin" she reveals "Dancing on the coals, it was, dancing in the flames" she says "And it spoke, sire, my heart nearly stopped for fear of it" she admits, lips trembling. Robb looks over at Morgana, noticing she felt quite upset before she glances over at Anakin just as Aredian went on
"As you've heard, my lord, the incident in the woods was only the beginning, hmm" he reveals as Uther pulls back in his seat, looking worried as the woman went on
"There was a sorcerer, sire, in the square" she insists "There were creatures jumping right out of his mouth" she cries as Aredian then asks her
"What manner of creature?" he asks as she answers him
"Oh toads, sire" she replies "Great, green, slimy things as big as your fist" she exclaims as Aredian looks over at Uther
"The sorcerer laughs in your face" he points out "Even now, magic flourishes on the streets of Camelot!" he exclaims as Uther shakes his head in disbelief
"I scarcely believe it" he mutters as Aredian goes on
"Yet it is, the truth my lord" he assures him "Fortunately, I've utilised every fact of my craft to bring this matter to a swift resolution, hmm" he informs him as Uther slowly gets to his feet
"The sorcerer..." he breathes "You have a suspect?" he asks him as Aredian nods
"Oh, I do, my lord" he promises him "And I regret to say they stand among us in this very room" he informs him.
No one noticed Morgana or Anakin tense up in their seats, fearing that he had discovered, sneakily, who they are as Aredian goes on "My methods are infallible!" he exclaims "My findings incontestable!" he cries "The facts point to one person and one person alone" he insists
Merlin curiously looks around the room as Morgana and Anakin keep quiet and struggle to hide their worries however Aredian was about to shock them once more
He turns towards Merlin and Gaius "The boy, Merlin!" he declares pointing straight at the stunned young man. Arthur laughs
"Merlin?" he asks in disbelief as everyone is silent hearing him go on "You can't be serious" he says looking to his brother for agreement because in the years they've known Merlin, he had shown no signs of having magic and if he did, maybe he wouldn't come off as a clumsy or lazy.
Gaius was quick to defend Merlin "This is outrageous!" he exclaims angrily "You have no evidence!" he argues as Robb, Ned and Jon watch the outburst go on. Jon leans in towards his father
"Merlin's no sorcerer. I've seen him work and he displays no signs of using magic to complete his work" he mutters. Ned listens to him, believing he had no reason to lie however Aredian explained himself further
"The tools of magic cannot be hidden from me" he informs them "I'm certain that a thorough search of the boy's chambers will deliver us all we need" he insists as Uther, still stunned, looks over at the boy he had come to know as a loyal servant to his sons
"Merlin?" he asks him. Merlin remains calm
"I have nothing to hide from him" he simply replies. Uther nods going on
"Very well, guards, restrain the boy" he orders taking a seat back on his throne "Let the search begin" he says as the two guards moved to restrain Merlin and the rest headed out to his quarters followed by Gaius. Aredian kept silent. Morgana had hurried from the chamber followed by Gwen, Anakin and Robb whilst Jon and Arthur moved out after them. Aredian was the last to leave. The remaining two were Uther, still in his seat and Ned who approached his friend.
"Do you believe this boy is the sorcerer?" he asks his friend who sighs, shaking his head
"I don't know what to believe" he confesses "Merlin has been loyal to my sons for six years. He saved their lives shortly after he came to Camelot. I've never seen him use any form of magic and Gaius is one of my trusted friends. He wouldn't hide anything from me" he admits
Ned then moves up beside his friend "Then perhaps the sorcerer is still out there and he is framing this boy. You need to keep Aredian searching for them or he will come after your sons, Morgana or even my sons" he insists
Uther listens to his friend. He was right in a way, and perhaps Merlin was being framed and he did not want to put his family or Ned's family in danger. There was an upcoming marriage and a sorcerer could jeopardize the union of Camelot and Winterfell.
