Chapter 40

Gwen paced the floor outside of Gaius and Merlin's living quarters, her mind in conflict, Morgana had seemed so distraught over something, something someone had done to her. She had said 'he' but when Gwen had asked if it was Arthur the sorceress seemed shocked and a little confused by it.

She couldn't work out why Morgana would not tell her what happened or who had done this thing to her,

Gwen slumped against the wall, then when she had run into Merlin he had acted strange, he like Gwen had once been a friend to Morgana and had helped Kara in her quest to save her, but now it was like he couldn't get far enough away from her.

He had not been to see her or even spoke about her since she had arrive

A dark thought crossed her mind, she didn't even want to think it could be possible, Merlin was so pure of heart, always helping others

She was so caught up in her troubling thoughts that she didn't hear Arthur call out her name, she jumped when his hand touched her arm

"Arthur!?" she exclaimed as her heart raced

He gave her a small smile "You seemed lost in thought, anything I can help with?" he asked though his own eyes looked distant, he shook the rain from his hair

"I feel like I should be asking you the same thing" Gwen returned his smile, seeing the difficulty in his eyes "Is everything alright Sire"

Arthur exhaled and leant on the wall next to her, listening to the rain for a moment before crossing his arms over his chest

"I've had a lot to think about over the past couple of days" he replied tiredly "And then earlier I spoke with Morgana, she was hesitant to tell me something" his eyes became distant again

"I had a similar interaction with her" Gwen admitted

Arthur faced her

"What did she say?" he inquired

Gwen shook her head "Nothing, not really, she started to say about something that had caused her to run away but she clammed up and refused to say"

The pair stood there for a moment

"Is that why you are now here?" Arthur asked

Gwen frowned "I'm not really sure"

Now confusion crossed Arthur's features "She didn't mention Merlin to you?"

"What? No" Gwen's voice sounded shocked but deep down inside it was like Arthur had confirmed something

The young King huffed "I am getting tired of being left in the dark" he made a move towards the door "I am getting answers one way or another"

He burst through the door making to old physician jump

"Sire?" he clasped a hand over his chest trying to steady his shocked heart

"Gaius I apologise for the intrusion but I need to speak with Merlin now" his voice held anger

"MERLIN" he yelled out

Gwen rushed in after him in time to see the back door open, to where Merlin's room was, the young man came out, looking around at everyone who stared at him

"Arthur?"

The king marched towards him and grabbed a hold of his shirt, dragging him to the chair in the middle of the room, the young warlock stumbling slightly

"Sire? What's going on?" Gaius asked, watching as Arthur dumped Merlin in the seat forcibly

"I am getting answers" he glared down at his servant "And Merlin is going to tell me everything"

"Arthur" Gwen's tone was warning

"Guinevere please" Arthur silenced her

He turned back to face Merlin, arms crossed his chest

Merlin shifted uncomfortably under Arthur's intense gaze

"What did you do to Morgana?"

Silence fell in the room as everyone watched the young warlock, his face looked broken, his breathing unsteady, like he was trying to hold in his emotions, he didn't say anything though and Arthur was losing his patience with it, it was obvious now that Merlin was keeping something

"What did you do?" Arthur's voice echoed around the room

Merlin looked back up at him, tears in his eyes, his mouth opening to say something but no noise came out

"Merlin?" Gaius stepped forward, he too seemed confused by why Arthur was demanding this

The warlock couldn't hold the tears in as he looked to Gaius, the man who had cared for him for so long

"I thought…" he began, sniffing back his tears "I thought it was the only way to save Arthur and Camelot" he took a deep breath and wiped away the tears that covered his cheeks

Arthur glared down at him, fearing he already knew what Merlin had tried to do but needed to hear the young man admit it

Gwen could feel tears stinging her own eyes

"Say it" Arthur growled

Merlin dropped his gaze to the floor, hanging his head in shame

"I didn't know what else to do, Morguase had twisted her so much" his words were rushed "I didn't know what else to do"

Arthur's hands balled into fists, he stepped forwards and grabbed Merlin's shirt again forcing him to look him in the eyes

"Say it" he whispered, almost pleading for the truth

"I poisoned her"

Everything went deathly silent, Arthur and Merlin's eyes stayed locked, the king not releasing his hold on the red shirt

Gwen couldn't believe her ears, she stared at Merlin, she didn't want to believe but the words had come from the man himself and there could be no denying it now, she glanced to Gaius. The old man's face looked broken, he turned away from them and sat at his desk, head in his hands

Arthur released Merlin and stormed out of the room

Merlin couldn't bring himself to look at Gwen, he buried his face in his hands in shame

Gwen had a thousand more questions, she wanted to be angry, she wanted to yell but she found she couldn't even speak, she followed after Arthur, wiping the tears from her eyes, composing herself before returning to her duties