Alaia Skyhawk: CHAPTER 50! AND 700 REVIEWS! (Trumpet fanfare) Well I certainly have to say that this is a perfect sub-ep to reach this milestone with, embarrassing Arthur just before what promises to be a very serious real episode, and adding some pre-episode fluff with Gwen, was a nice way to prepare for it. Now, without further ado, here's part 3 :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
~(-)~
Chapter 50: It's a Matter of Perception ~Part 3~
Arthur sat in his room, reading a book while trying not to give in to the urge to start pacing. Three more days, it had been three days since the attempt to modify the errant spell had failed, and Merlin and Gaius were forced to find a way to break it. So far, during the times of day when he wasn't doing his normal chores, Merlin had rushed up here with another possible counter-spell. He'd now tried close to a dozen, some from his spellbook and others he and the physician had attempted to create. From those attempts all of them had failed miserably, one even causing Arthur's 'female' voice to sound squeaky for almost an hour.
Sufficient to say, Arthur had refused point black to talk to the warlock during that time... Merlin had kept bursting into laughter every time he'd opened his mouth, and to make it worse there were only two days left of Gaius' ban on the prince speaking. They were running out of time.
Swearing quietly under his breath, and grimacing when he heard that irritating female overtone, Arthur could sit still no longer and got up. He paced back and forth, wanting to scream in frustration except that he couldn't... Well, not unless he got his silence book out. He crushed that urge, because knowing his luck Merlin would walk in while he was venting his frustration in that way. No, he would deal with this in a dignified manner as befitted a prince.
He kept pacing.
There was a knock on his door, a flicker of hope rising in the prince as he wondered if it were Gwen again. That hope was crushed when a different voice called out to him.
"Arthur? May I come in?"
He cringed. This was the last person he wanted to see. He went to the door and opened it, gesturing her to enter before he closed the door behind the woman who had tried to kill him a couple of weeks ago.
Morgana smiled at him, seeming sympathetic.
"I thought I'd come give you some moral support. I know you hate to be cooped up like this."
Arthur strode over to his desk, picking up his slate and writing something on it. He held it up.
'I'm fine.'
Morgana shook her head in amusement.
"Stubborn as ever, I see. You never were the one to admit to being down, even ill, and look where it got you this time."
He sighed, looking irritated. At least today he could get away with short answers without appearing to be rude, to write a full answer on a slate would take too long for him to be expected to do so.
'Very amusing for you.'
She laughed, the very picture of her 'normal' self. If he hadn't known for certain that she'd used magic to try and take his life, he'd never have guessed it. She walked over to the hearth, warming her hands a little at the fire before speaking again.
"Arthur, would you like to come out for a ride with me tomorrow? The fresh air would probably do you good, and you'd certainly be less bored than you obviously are now."
It was lucky that Arthur had his back to her at that moment, because he'd almost choked at the thought. Him, going out for a ride with her without Merlin in attendance as well? Not likely.
He turned, shaking his head with a slight frown and scribbling on his slate again.
'Gaius said stay indoors.'
The moment she read that message, she looked at him with pity.
"Oh you poor thing. You're not even allowed down to the training fields?"
Arthur shook his head, sitting down as he once again wrote.
'Gaius thinks too tempting to correct knight's mistakes.'
She laughed outright at that one, turning to face him.
"He's got that right. The day you could sit by and not correct your knights as they train, is the day the underworld will freeze over." She continued to chuckle. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me tomorrow? Or we could have supper together, I can ask Gwen to set up a meal in the council chambers, there's no one in there right now."
The door opened behind her, Merlin pushing it open with his back as he entered with a tray. Morgana's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, Arthur feeling his armlet cool slightly even as he sighed inwardly in relief. Thank the gods that Merlin had decided to come up early; it was the perfect excuse to get rid of Morgana.
The prince glanced at her, shrugging slightly as Merlin nodded in greeting to her and set the tray on the table. Since the prince's supper had already arrived, she had no further reason to remain in the room.
She remained silent for a moment, before speaking cordially.
"Well I guess that would be a no then. Enjoy your meal, Arthur, and I hope you're better soon."
As soon as she was gone and the door closed, Merlin glanced at it and snorted quietly.
"Somehow I don't think that's likely." He turned to Arthur. "Gwen came and told me Morgana was planning to visit you, so I hurried and got your supper early so I could get her to leave. I figured you wouldn't want to talk to her without someone else around to make sure she behaves."
Arthur took a deep breath, opening the silence book he was presently keeping on his dining table rather than the mantelpiece; he was using it so much right now that to walk over there so often had proven a nuisance.
"She wanted me to go out on a ride with her tomorrow, I told her Gaius said I had to stay indoors."
Merlin raised his eyebrows.
"Sudden offer to go riding, so soon after she tried to kill you, I don't like the sound of that."
"Neither did I." Arthur sat, picking up the first piece of his supper. "You need to find a way to fix this, Merlin. We're almost out of time."
Merlin sighed, grim.
"I'm trying, really, I'm trying."
~(-)~
It was a rather downtrodden warlock that entered Gaius' chambers a short while later, sitting at the table set ready for supper and literally banging his head down onto it. He began to mutter into the wooden surface, Gaius setting down a sandwich for him with an expression of understanding.
"We'll keep looking, Merlin, that's all we can do."
Merlin sat up, dejected.
"But we've searched every book you have about magic that alters the way a person perceives things or their senses. We've tried every possible spell that might work from my spellbook, and we've even been making spells up to try and do it. You should have seen Arthur's face after that one I made up to try and mute the female voice, all I managed to do was make it squeak for half-an-hour." He sighed, running his hands through his hair. "If there was ever a time I wished I wasn't so powerful, it's now. My mistake is so strong that everything I try to undo it either goes awry or bounces off it."
He started to reach for the pile of books on the end of the table, intending to resume looking for a solution. Gaius stopped him though, indicating he should eat his supper.
"Then why don't you finish that and go for a walk. Clear your head a bit, maybe go chat to Liam for a while to ease some of your stress. You'll be able to concentrate better after that, because right now you're so worked up you might miss something that would help."
Merlin sighed, unable to argue with that.
"Alright. Liam should be heading to the servant's dining room soon, so if I head down after this I should get down there not too long before he does." He finished off his supper, chewing through it slowly for ten minutes before getting up and heading for the door. "I'll be back in an hour or so."
He left the physician's chambers, slowly strolling to the servant's dining room. There was no need to hurry, Liam would be giving Sir Fernir his supper about now, so it would be about half a hour before the blond would have cleared up after that and taken the tray back to the kitchen.
The dining room was fairly busy, but most of those in there were almost done and about to leave. Merlin placed himself at the end of one of the tables to wait, watching the door as the room gradually emptied until only he and one other remained.
Just over half an hour after he's sat down, Liam entered and paused in surprise when he saw him. He picked out some food from what was laid out, heading over and sitting beside his fellow retainer.
"How's Prince Arthur? He looked really fed up when I took him his dinner today."
Merlin sighed.
"Grumpy, what do you expect? He's been banned from speaking for a week, and kept indoors for all that too. He's bored out of his mind."
Liam grimaced a little in sympathy, both for the prince and for his friend. Having to deal with a grumpy prince morning and night must be hard. He was only taking the midday meal and even he hadn't wanted to stay in Arthur's presence for too long. After thinking that through for a moment, he sighed and then glanced about.
"Hey, Merlin, did you hear about the ghost?"
Merlin stiffened slightly, before looking at him and shaking his head innocently.
"No, I don't think so. What ghost?"
Liam leaned in, murmuring quietly.
"I was taking clean sheets to Sir Fernir's chambers the other day, when a spirit spoke to me out of thin air asking for me to free it. It was terrifying, I ran away from the passage as fast as I could, but I found out yesterday that I'm not the only one who's heard it."
Merlin felt really awkward right now, as anyone would if their practical joke was being told back to them as a spooky story.
"So who else heard it?"
Liam glanced around again before answering.
"You know the two guys who used to beat on me before I became a retainer? Well they heard me talking to Maria about it last night and they came over. It turns out it went after them the same day it spoke to me. It followed them around the stables for nearly an hour, pleading for them to set it free. We think it might be the spirit of a dead sorcerer or something; maybe the one they say killed themselves in the dungeons before they could be burned at the stake. It would make sense after all, they died in a cell, so their spirit might be trapped here haunting the castle."
Merlin was now almost overcome by the urge to burst out laughing. It was amazing how things like this could take on a life of their own as soon as people starting connecting unrelated things to it. He kept a serious face, although it was a struggle to do so.
"Well it hasn't hurt anyone so far, I don't think we need to be worried about it."
Liam stared at him.
"Are you serious? Ghosts can curse people. The castle was probably protected until the Great Dragon died, but now that it's gone evil spirits can wander it again."
Merlin was about to rubbish that statement before he paused. Wait, what was that? He regarded his friend carefully.
"What was that about the Great Dragon? Why would it being here stop ghosts cursing people?"
Liam began to explain in a hushed murmur.
"Back when I was still serving Lord Hargren, he told me about a legend that dragons could break almost any curse put before them... if you trusted them not to eat you for asking. That's why the castle was protected before it escaped and was killed, because any ghosts would have been chased away by its presence under it."
Merlin was gaping at him, immediate inspiration striking him. He got up, smiling.
"You'll have to tell me more about that legend later, it sounds interesting." He shrugged. "I'd better go, I have a lot of work to do in the morning."
Liam smiled back, waving as Merlin strolled away.
"Don't let Gaius work you too hard."
"I won't."
Merlin left the dining room, turning the corner at a casual pace before breaking into a flat out run the moment he was out of Liam's sight.
~(-)~
"Gaius!"
Merlin burst into the physician's chambers, rushing over to the shelf where all the books on magical creatures were kept. The physician, who had been sat near the fire reading, flinched in surprise at the entrance before rising to his feet.
"What is it, Merlin?"
The warlock glanced over his shoulder, before yanking down the book he knew had a fair bit about dragons in it.
"Have you ever heard about the legend that dragon's can break curses?"
Gaius frowned, heading to a different part of the bookshelf.
"Of course I have." He pulled down a book, flipping through it to a particular page and showing it to his ward. "Dragons are beings of such powerful magical energy that certain spiritual beings cannot approach them. That power also gives them the power to overwhelm a number of related curses, although they are by no means able to break every type of curse there is. Their range of being able to do so is small, but useful. Dragons who travelled with Dragonlords often spent a great deal of time exorcising regions that were haunted by the lingering spirits of the dead."
Merlin looked up from the book, his expression hopeful.
"Do you think Kilgharrah might be able to break the spell I put on Arthur?"
Gaius, realising what Merlin is getting at, stared at him.
"He might just be able to..."
Merlin dashed out of the room without another word.
~(-)~
It was warm, and ever so comfortable, tucked beneath the thick blankets of his bed and laid atop the thick mattress he always missed whenever he camped out while on patrol or a trip, or when he stayed in a shabby inn or something on a few rare occasions. He could suppose it was something he took for granted, that when home here in Camelot he would always be able to get a comfortable night's sleep.
"Arthur! Wake up!"
The half-dozing prince jolted upright in bed, the warlock who had just woken him dashing across the room to the dressing screen and starting to gather clothing together.
Arthur scowled at him, keeping his altered voice lowered although his displeasure was still easy to hear.
"Merlin, what on earth are you doing?"
Merlin, now finished gathering clothing, went over to the prince and tossed them onto the bed before going to get his boots.
"Do you want to sound normal again, or not?"
That got the prince moving. He got out of bed, quickly dressing and leaving with the warlock as soon as he was ready. They slipped out of the castle, sneaking past patrols and heading for the city gates. It was at this time that Arthur wondered where they were going.
"Why are we leaving the city?"
His whisper caused Merlin to turn, the warlock smiling.
"I just found out that dragons can break some curses, so there's a chance Kilgharrah might know how to break the spell I put on you. I'd have gone to ask him alone, but why make two trips when it's easier to just bring you along on the first one?"
Arthur felt hope rising, hurrying Merlin to get moving again.
"Let's hope he does, because the day after tomorrow I'm supposed to start talking to everyone again."
They made it out of the city, going to the usual clearing half a mile away and waiting for the dragon to arrive. It didn't take long, Merlin had called him before he'd gotten to the prince's chambers, and it was with a great deal of curiosity that he gazed down at the pair when he landed.
"Well now, what is it this time, young warlock?"
Merlin grimaced, starting to flush with embarrassment.
"Well, I sort of had an accident while casting the Speaking Spell on Arthur, I cut it off short when someone knocked on his door and... I made it so that people around him who hear him think he's speaking with the voice of a woman. I've tried everything I can think of to fix it, but I've had no luck... I was hoping you could help."
Kilgharrah stared down at the cringing youth, glancing at a bemused looking Arthur before resuming looking at the warlock. He then began to chuckle.
"You never cease to amaze me with the trouble you can get yourself into. Only you could unintentionally transform something as simple as a partial Speaking Spell into a spell like that... Aren't you lucky then..."
Arthur's hope rose further, as he spoke to the dragon and winced slightly at the female part of his voice.
"So you can break this?"
The dragon remained silent for a moment after he spoke, clearing his throat as he pushed back the laugh that had wanted to emerge.
"Indeed I can... Stad gan iarraidh draiocht, teith as me cumhacht!"
The dragon's voice rolled like muted thunder, a shiver passing through the air between him and the prince. Both the prince and Merlin felt the errant spell shatter under that command, the former clearing his throat and speaking experimentally.
"Ummm." A smile came to his face when he heard only his own voice, widening further as he gazed up at Kilgharrah. "Thank you! You have no idea how good it is to have my voice normal again."
The dragon chuckled.
"I can well imagine. Now, Merlin, perhaps you would like to try that Speaking Spell again, while I am here to ensure no further mishaps."
The prince and the warlock turned to each other, Merlin a little reluctant but agreeing.
"Yeah, it's too useful a spell to abandon using it just because of one mistake. I'll be careful when I cast it from now on." He pointed at Arthur before the prince could say anything to object, uttering the incantation. "Labhair guth, teigh. Bean ta cluin, fear ta cluin, araon coisir an cluas sin ta togair."
"Merlin!"
Arthur's exclamation was pointless, although he did look relieved when he realised that this time the spell hadn't gone awry. He then flinched as Merlin spoke directly into his ears.
"See, I told you I could do this properly."
Beside them the dragon regarded the scene, before lowering his head and breathing over a startled Merlin. He then straightened up and opened his wings ready to fly away.
"Call the knowledge of that counter-spell a gift... just in case you suffer this mishap again. Farewell."
Merlin groaned at the tease as Kilgharrah flew away, before he and Arthur headed back to Camelot. They were passing through the lower town when the prince took a detour, pausing by a certain maid's door and knocking on it while nearby Merlin shook his head.
A few moments later a sleepy looking Gwen answered it, blinking in surprise when she saw who was outside.
"Arthur... Merlin..."
The prince smiled.
"Just to let you know that things are back to normal. I thought I'd stop by on our way back to the castle."
She started to smile, but then frowned in puzzlement.
"Where have you been then?"
Merlin glanced at Arthur, who left this decision up to the warlock. Merlin decided that for now there were some things she didn't need to know.
"We went to see a friend of mine, as a last ditch bid to fix my mess up. Luckily he knew what to do, and taught me how to fix it in case I mess up again in the future. Everything's fine now."
Her smile returned.
"That's good to hear, although..." She looked at Arthur, teasing. "I think I may miss hearing your feminine side."
Arthur started to flush, while behind him Merlin had to cover his mouth not to burst out laughing. He sighed.
"Good night, Guinevere."
He turned and walked away, as she chuckled and watched him go.
"Good night, Arthur, Merlin."
The door closed, Merlin hurrying to catch up to the prince who elbowed him the moment he arrived beside him.
"I still haven't forgiven you for this. I think a week of mucking out the stables might just do the trick though."
Merlin looked around innocently, murmuring quietly.
"Are you sure you want to do that... Now that I know a counter-spell, I could make you sound like a girl any time I want to."
Arthur stopped in his tracks as Merlin continued onwards down the street, before striding after him.
"You wouldn't dare."
Merlin chuckled.
"I don't know, maybe if you change your mind."
There was silence, broken only by the sound of their footsteps, until the prince muttered.
"Fine, you don't have to muck out the stables for this."
"I knew you'd see it my way."
~(-)~
Alaia Skyhawk: Hehehehehe. See you guys at the next update!
