Nine; Patience Is A Virtue
Camelot had settled in it's regular routine after the tournament had ended, and the citizens were glad for it. Gaius, Lynette, and Merlin walked the streets doing their daily deliveries. The trio had come to enjoy the peace and Lynette adored the lower town. She often thought she should make more time to visit, but there was always something to be done. It was days like this that Lynette felt a genuine smile graced her lips as she watched children play in the streets.
"It's so beautiful today." She murmured.
Gaius nodded as he hooked his arm through hers, "Indeed."
Merlin followed behind them holding most of Gaius' stuff, "You know when you mentioned a nice outing I didn't imagine being a pack mule."
Lynette let out a light laugh as she took one of the basket's from his hands before returning back to her father's side. Up ahead was a small group of children hovering over something and whispering. Lynette surged forward to greet them, but was horrified to find they were fascinated by a corpse. She shooed them all home and swore them to secrecy as she flagged Merlin and her father over. Both were very disturbed at the way he looked.
"Aren't you scared?" Merlin asked, as Gaius knelt down to examine it.
"Of what?" He asked
"That you might catch whatever it is." Merlin answered.
Lynette leaned over and brushed the man's hair back to reveal his handsome features. He looked slightly older than her and yet he was still in his prime. His clothes suggested a low born servant and he had nothing of value on him. She had thought it to be a mugging by poison, but fatal herbs were being monitored.
"I'm the court physician, Merlin." Gaius explained as he moved the corpse over to get a better look. "This is part of my job. Most of the time there's nothing really to be scared of."
Merlin took a step back in disgust, "You were saying?"
Lynette sighed, "This is unlike any poison I've seen, father."
"People mustn't see this. They will panic." Gaius replied and together they covered him with a nearby rag.
Lynette went with Merlin to fetch a wheelbarrow and together they placed the man's body on the cart in order to transport him. Merlin did most of the heavy lifting, while Lynette did her best to move people out of the way. She was doing a wonderful job, but had failed to see Gwen running towards them with a bundle of flowers in her hands.
"What are you doing?" The servant asked.
"Er... just moving something." Merlin answered, although it wasn't very convincing.
"Looks heavy."
"Merlin can handle it." Lynette said with a small smile.
"Earm, it's nothing really. Erm... did someone get you flowers?" Merlin asked in an attempt to steer the conversation away from the corpse they were failing at hiding.
"Oh! No." Gwen replied with a light giggle. "Would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you."
Lynette and Gaius watched in amusement as the two fumbled through another awkward conversation. If Merlin wasn't so key to court Morgana, Lynette thought that they would make a sweet couple. The girl watched as Gwen tried to reverse each compliment she gave and Merlin did his best to reassure her. Finally, the two's awkwardness began to die down and Lynette took a step forward to be next to Gwen.
"Shall I accompany you on a visit to Morgana this morning?" The golden haired beauty asked.
Gwen smiled, "She would be delighted to see you."
The two of them waved as they entered the castle through a separate entrance. Lynette followed as they took a winding staircase up and into Morgana's room. The girl was freshly dressed for the day as she pulled her dark tresses over her shoulder. Uther's ward is more than delighted to see the two girls as Gwen hands over her hand picked wild flowers.
"You look happy." Morgana said as she smelled the flowers with a gentle smile.
"That's because she saw Merlin this morning." Lynette teased.
Gwen blushed, "I picked these for you."
"Oh, that's so sweet." Morgana said.
"Something to cheer you up. I know you're not sleeping well." The girl responded.
Lynette looked at her friend in worry, "Why didn't you tell us?"
Morgana shrugged. "It's nothing new. I just hope I can grow to master it so I can sleep in peace."
"Well hopefully these bring a small amount of joy to your morning." Gwen responded.
"You cheer me up." Morgana said.
"Would you like me to put them in water for you?"
Gwen didn't wait for her answer as she left to fetch a vase for the bouquet. Morgana and Lynette sat down for a morning of gossip as they exchanged class information. It was a lovely way to spend her morning, but Lynette couldn't get the dead man to leave her alone. She felt that those who were deceased had more to say when they are dead rather than when they are alive.
Lynette spent the remaining hours of the morning in the company of her two friends, before finally returning to the Physicians' Chambers. When she opened the door she found her father hunched over the body of the village man with a magnifying glass. Merlin sat in a corner holding one of the books from Gaius' massive collection. The boy looked less than pleased at Gaius' interest in the corpse.
"I've never seen anything like this before." Gaius muttered.
"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" Merlin asked.
Lynette shook her head as she came to sit beside Merlin, "If it was we would have seen more bodies. The plague also wouldn't have struck in the heart of Camelot. It would have started with outlying villages before making its way to the center of the kingdom."
Merlin raised an eyebrow, "And you know how?"
"I read." Lynette replied. "I can lend you the volume if you'd like."
"There are multiple?"
"Children." Gaius called to get their attention back on task. "No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?"
Merlin looked at his mentor in surprise, "You think it's caused by magic?"
"It would explain why I couldn't find a poison to match the man's symptoms." Lynette muttered.
"Merlin!"
Merlin was quick to speed toward the door as Lynette and Gaius stood in front of the corpse. The door flung open to reveal an irritated Arthur, but Merlin's body blocked him from entering. The prince looked less than pleased at his servant's action.
"Erm... I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late."
"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it." Arthur stated, but stopped whatever insult would undoubtedly follow.
Lynette laughed as Arthur noticed the flower that Gwen had given Merlin early. In fact she would say the prince was less than pleased that Merlin might have an admirer. Merlin stared at him confused before looking down, and muttering, "Oh, er... Gwen, she gave it to me."
Arthur nodded his head, "Right. Well, tell Gaius and Lynette, my father wants to see them now."
"Okay." Merlin closes the door and turns toward his family, "Gaius…"
"I heard." Gaius replied as he put away his things.
"He wasn't exactly quiet about it, Merlin." Lynette added as she tied her hair up with Arthur's golden ribbon.
"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?" Merlin asked.
"Because that's the way it is. You're a servant."
"Wha... if he knew who I was, what I've done…" Merlin tried to point out, but Gaius shut him down.
"You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up."
Merlin scoffed, "Hey, I'm not your servant."
"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up."
Merlin looked at Lynette, but she only shrugged, "Anything I say will just fall on deaf ears."
"Lynette." Gaius called. "The king is expecting us dear. Best not be late."
"Not deaf yet." Merlin said as the two followed Gaius to the council chamber.
Upon entering it, another body lay in the middle of the room with the entire court whispering around him. Lynette and her father ventured forward and did their preliminary tests. The body almost mirrored the other in symptoms and this made Lynette more than a little frustrated.
"What's happened to him?" Uther demanded.
"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today." Gaius answered honestly.
"Why didn't you report it to me?" The king asked.
"I was attempting to find the cause." Gaius replied.
"What did you conclude?"
"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one." Gaius said.
Lynette stood to look the King in the eye, "What my father is too humble to say is that we would rather not incite chaos. Especially since we are not sure of the cause nor how it is spread."
Uther narrowed his eyes at Lynette, "What are you concealing from me?"
"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast." Gaius interjected.
"What is the cause?"
"Unknown." Lynette stated, but her father said the forbidden word.
"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery."
A fire was lit behind Uther's eye as he turned to Arthur, who had been watching the entire exchange silently, "We must find who did this."
"I will, Father." The prince promised.
"Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates." Uther ordered and looked over at Merlin. "And lend the physician your servant."
"Merlin? But…" Arthur began to protest, but stopped.
"We need Gaius and Lynette to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly." Uther reprimanded.
"Yes, Father." Arthur says and leads some of his knights away.
Lynette goes to help Merlin with the body when Uther beckons her over, "The ribbon in your hair. Where did you get it?"
Lynette touched the golden fabric and felt fear course through her. Part of her hoped the king would not notice, but his eyes were sharper than she gave him credit. She untied the ribbon and held it out for Uther to see. The king's eyes softened from his previous rage as a soft sigh could be heard leaving his lips.
"Igraine."
Lynette smiled, "Arthur gave it to me as a promise."
Uther glanced up at her, "And what would that be."
"That he would come back safely." Lynette replied as she smiled down at the fabric. "He told me this was his mother and that it was one of his prized possessions. His only connection to her. He wanted me to keep it safe for him."
Uther nodded, "Igraine would have wanted you to have it. She was your godmother after all."
Lynette's eyes widened, "I had no idea."
Uther chuckled, "When she found out your mother was pregnant at the same time as her they spent hours talking. At first I didn't approve, but the joy on Igraine's face every time she saw her and finally you was enough. She loved you very much."
Lynette felt a tear escape as she whispered, "I hope she sleeps in peace."
"As do I, Lynette." Uther replied as he handed the ribbon back and left her in peace.
When Lynette returns to her father's chambers she finds Merlin reading another book on herbs. He looked bored to death as he turned the pages absentmindedly. Lynette smiled as he looked almost ready to sleep, but stopped when he saw Gaius heating up a vial of liquid. Lynette made her way over to him to take a closer look.
"What are you doing?" Merlin asked.
Gaius didn't even bat an eye as he replied, "I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach."
Merlin looked completely grossed out and Lynette laughed at his expression, "Will that tell you who did it?"
"No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind."
Lynette looked over at him, "Is there no way this could be a natural substance of some kind? I would rather not wish another witch hunt on the citizen's of Camelot."
"I'm afraid so my dear."
"Why would someone use magic like that?" Merlin asked.
"Magic corrupts." Gaius answered. "People use it for their own ends.
"But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't."
"You're right Merlin. It's not." Lynette said.
"It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it." Gaius explained.
Merlin seemed to ponder this as Lynette moved to grab another book off the shelf. As she was reading through another potion that might help reverse the effects of the poison when Arthur barged into the room. Behind him were Sir Leon and Sir Pellinore and both looked less than pleased to be intruding on Gaius.
"Over there." He ordered, before turning to Gaius. "Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town."
"What for?" Gaius asked.
"The sorcerer." Arthur replied.
"But why would he be here?"
"I'm just doing my job."
Lynette scoffed, "And Uther thinks your going to find a pointy hat in between all these books? Honestly!"
Arthur winced, "I don't mean to-"
"We've nothing to hide. Go on, then. Search." Gaius said, but his tone was less than friendly.
"What's all these books and papers?"
"Spells." Lynette quipped and Arthur sent her a look.
"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish." Gaius answered, but the look on Arthur's face said it all.
"What's this room up here?" Arthur pointed toward the back room.
"Er, it's mine." Merlin spoke up. "I share it with Lynette."
"And what do you expect to find there?" Gaius asked, not at all happy having grown men go through his daughters' things.
"I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments." Arthur said as he entered the room.
Lynette followed after, less than pleased, "You are not going through my things."
"King's orders." Arthur said as if that would save him from her wrath.
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh really."
Arthur looked genuinely scared as he continued to search her rooms, before calling out, "Merlin, come here. Look what I found."
Merlin enters the room to find it in a bigger state than when he last left it. Lynette was fuming as she shot daggers at Arthur from afar. It was why the prince chose to stay on Merlin's side of the room. Lynette caught Merlin's eye and saw the fear as he subtly gestured to the spell book on the ground.
"What did you want to tell Merlin, Arthur?"
Arthur winced at her tone, "I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard."
While Arthur is preoccupied Lynette watches in awe as Merlin uses his gift to magically cover the spell book with part of his bed sheet. Arthur looks back towards the two before peeking under the bed for good measure. He completely misses the hidden book as he leaves the room.
Lynette and Merlin follow him back down into the main chamber as Gaius stands there with his hands on his hips. Arthur glances behind him to see a fuming Lynette before walking towards the door in an attempt to get as far away from her as possible.
"How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?" Arthur asks.
"It depends on how many interruptions I get." Gaius replied.
Arthur nodded, "Of course, I'm sorry. We're finished here."
"I would hope so." Lynette says.
Arthur doesn't say another word as he closes the door behind him. Gaius locks the door before turning to the two in irritation. Lynette walks over and engulfs her father in a large hug before going back to her desk to finish reading about the potion.
"We have to hide that book." Gaius states.
Merlin sheepishly rubs his neck, "No. We must use it."
"Don't be stupid."
"I don't think that's his plan." Lynette offers. "More he wants to fight fire with fire, so to speak."
Merlin nodded, "If I have this legacy then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks."
Gaius looked between the two, "You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad? Merlin, your life is destined for more important things."
"But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great warlock?!" Merlin yells.
Lynette shushes him, "There are guards outside Merlin. Watch your volume."
"There will come a time when your skills will be recognized." Gaius explained.
"When?! How long do I have to wait?" Merlin asked.
"Patience is a virtue, Merlin."
Lynette nodded, "It's a skill best learned over time."
Merlin folded his arm over his chest, "Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?"
"Your time will come."
"I could cure that man we saw."
"What man?" Lynette asked.
"Gaius and I saw one that was still alive." Merlin explained.
"Oh how horrible." Lynette whispered, "Why can't he do anything?"
"I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin…" Gaius tries to explain once more, but is cut off by Lynette.
"Isn't this more of a hard road?" She asked. "If he's caught he could lose his life, while trying to use his powers for good."
"It is when it would save a life." Merlin spat.
"It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading."
Lynette couldn't argue with there, but Merlin appeared he could as he yelled, "Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!"
"A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town."
Merlin sighed in defeat, "So what can we do?"
"Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all."
Lynette pulled up a chair as she turned to another page in her book as she muttered, "I truly hope you are wrong that someone would use magic this way."
Gaius glances over at her, but says nothing. He understands why she's mad and he doesn't mind at all. In fact he hopes to be proven wrong in hopes of swaying people's belief that magic isn't always evil. Sometimes it's just a tool in the hands of an evil person.