It was just revelation after revelation these days. Arthur was starting to feel like every time he saw Merlin, he learned a little more about what had really been going on these last ten years.
Merlin's father had died right in front of him, the same as Arthur's, but unlike Arthur, Merlin had had no choice but to hide that fact from everyone. Arthur couldn't even imagine what that had felt like and then the dragon was a whole other story. Arthur could remember so well when the Great Dragon attacked Camelot. What he could hardly believe is that apart from that one incident the dragon had helped him and to top it all off Merlin was that dotterly old man sorcerer who kept popping up. The level of his obliviousness was becoming quite staggering to the point where Arthur almost didn't want to think about it.
Even so he couldn't deny that Merlin's powers were impressive. So impressive in fact he felt sure Merlin could have cured Mordred on his own without the Disir's help. It had likely been Merlin's plan all along for Arthur to go back to see them to try to save Mordred. He'd probably known what decision the Disir would give him and hoped Arthur would bring magic back to the realm. There was, of course, a chance he was giving his friend too much credit though if recent events had taught him anything it was that all the work and none of the credit had become Merlin's motto.
Arthur still hadn't decided if he was going to ask Merlin this directly or if he was happier not knowing.
Speaking of Merlin, Arthur hadn't seen the warlock yet this morning. Usually Merlin showed up every morning with some silly phrase to get the King out of bed, but today Arthur awoke to the sun shining in between the curtains. Turning to the side, Arthur saw his wife still asleep. He got up quietly to close the curtain so as not to wake Gwen.
Until recently Arthur would have assumed Merlin's absence meant he was in the tavern, but as that was no longer likely Arthur was almost worried. He tried to tell himself he was being silly. Who could possibly be a threat to Merlin after all? Everything was probably fine.
It wasn't until he'd gone looking for breakfast and ran into Gaius in the hall that Arthur learned how right he'd been to worry.
"Poisoned!" Arthur exclaimed. "How is that possible?" There was no way an outsider got in so totally undetected last night and who had the power to take Merlin off guard?
"I don't understand it either," Gaius replied. "But he's in a bad way." Without another word Arthur followed Gaius to Merlin's bedside.
Arthur looked down at his friend. Merlin's skin was so pale, his eyes closed. He looked close to death. The sight chilled Arthur to his core.
"What do you need for an antidote?" Arthur asked Gaius.
"I wish I knew," Gaius answered. "But as I don't know what poison was used I have no way of making an antidote."
"There must be something we can do, Gaius!"
"Ironically it's Merlin's magic we need here," Gaius replied. "I feel certain his power would be enough."
"He's unconscious," Arthur reminded the old man. But then Arthur had an idea. "Do you know of any other magical healers apart from Merlin that we could call on?"
"Yes but I fear it would take too long to get them here," Gaius replied. "Our best bet is to learn what poison was used which means finding out who did this."
Arthur was about to ask if Gaius had any idea where to start an investigation when the look on his face told Arthur he already did.
"Out with it Gaius," the King ordered. "I can tell you already think you know who did this."
"Yes but you won't want to hear it," Gaius replied.
"Tell me," Arthur snapped. He hated seeing Merlin like this.
"One of the last things Merlin told me before I found him like this was that Gwen tried to get him to drink her wine," Gaius stated.
"So what?" Arthur snapped.
"On your mission to save Gwen, Merlin was given a warning," Gaius began. "That the one saved would become a threat. I believe Morgana has done something to Gwen."
"That's impossible," Arthur scoffed. "I'd know."
"No you wouldn't," Gaius replied and with that he walked away from Merlin's bedside and towards his desk where he opened a book. "When I was young I heard talk of an ancient ritual of the old religion called Tiana Diaga. The ritual uses the mandrake root to bring unimaginable terror to it's victim. When it was over their will was no longer their own. They were slaves of the high priestess for the rest of their lives."
"And you think this is what happened to Gwen?" Arthur said, disbelieving. "That's quite a leap, Gauis. Merlin's magic is common knowledge now. Maybe this is someone who isn't happy with the law change."
"I told you before that the Druid's call him Emrys," Gaius continued. "Morgana has been seeking to kill Emrys for many years now. She believes that Emrys will be her doom. I don't believe it is a coincidence that Merlin has been targeted so soon after Gwen learned of his magic."
Arthur didn't say anything. He didn't want to believe it.
"Even if Morgana wasn't told directly that Merlin is Emrys I feel certain she'd have figured it out once she learned of his magic," Gaius continued. "I had hoped she didn't know but this means she's surely found out."
Arthur still didn't want to believe it.
"Do all you can for Merlin," Arthur said. "I will look into who might have done this."
With that Arthur left, his mind racing faster than his quick stride. If what Gaius was right? Arthur felt certain there was no way to save Gwen without Merlin's aid. The idea made Arthur feel weak and dependent. He was the King and yet completely helpless to save those he cared most about.
Assembling the Knights of the round table, Arthur informed them of Merlin's condition and tasked them with investigating it's cause. Which guards had been on duty? Had they seen anyone around last night, even someone they recognized and didn't suspect?
"And finally I have one more thing to ask of you," Arthur addressed his knights. "With magic no longer outlawed, Merlin came forward to tell us who he really was. Now because of that he is in danger. I ask if there is anyone else in my kingdom who has magic they are keeping hidden to come forward. Your help might be Merlin's only chance."
There was silence, just as Arthur had expected.
"Failing that, I ask you to spread the word among my people," Arthur replied. "Healing magic is required in Camelot."
Just when he was about to dismiss everyone to go about their tasks, someone cleared their throat rather loudly drawing all eyes to them. When Arthur turned he realized who wished to speak.
"Yes Mordred," Arthur said.
"I-" Mordred began. "Well I-"
"We haven't got all day," Arthur reminded his knight. "Do you have information that could help save Merlin?"
Mordred nodded. Arthur gestured for him to continue, but it seemed words were failing him. Instead Mordred raised his hand and whispered something under his breath.
Arthur had heard words like that before when Merlin performed magic. He knew what was happening even before he saw the candle flames dance.
"There will be time for stories later," Arthur said to his youngest knight. "Right now I ask that you go help Gauis and do all you can to save Merlin."
Mordred gave a slight bow and left the room. Arthur then set the rest of the knights to get to work. Soon he stood alone in the hall, with just his thoughts.
Mordred had magic. Not just Merlin. At first he was surprised, but then he remembered. It had been almost ten years since he and Morgana had saved that little Druid boy from Uther's noose. Arthur had always known the man he'd knighted had been the same boy he'd saved, but the idea that the boy had magic simply hadn't occurred to him. After all, Arthur had never seen the boy Mordred use magic before. It would have been enough that Mordred just lived with the Druids to get him executed by Uther. Arthur had always assumed that while some Druids had magic not all did. The ones he'd met hadn't been nearly powerful enough to prevent the kings hanging them. Then again maybe the problem here was that Arthur was comparing all magic to Merlin's magic. Though Merlin had never admitted it, Arthur felt certain that Merlin's power was great enough to escape any attempts at overpowering him. Even if his magic had been discovered in Uther's day, the King would have failed to capture Merlin if the warlock hadn't wished to be caught.
What was it again that Gauis had said about Merlin's magic: that he was the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth. Somehow the words meant more now than they had at the time Arthur heard them. The King was starting to comprehend their full meaning.
But even so Arthur had to know if his beloved wife was to blame or not. He hadn't told any of his knights anything about his suspicions towards Guinevere. Despite all the times that Gaius and Merlin had been proved right over the years, Arthur still needed to see it with his own eyes to believe it so he went to see his wife.
She greeted him with a smile and a kiss like she always did. In fact, there was nothing at all in her behaviour or tone that could be construed as unusual. She seemed upset about Merlin's condition and regretful there wasn't anything she could do to help.
"I know you're upset," Gwen consoled him. "No matter how much you two harp on each other I know Merlin's your friend." Her tone was so kind, so reassuring. He wanted more than anything to believe that this was his Guinevere.
"He is," Arthur replied.
"Are you sure there isn't anything I can do to help?" Gwen asked again.
"Nothing," Arthur said. He allowed his wife to comfort him a moment before making an excuse and leaving.
By now Arthur hoped one of his knights might have found something, anything. He wanted to be doing something rather than just waiting around for his best friend to die. Eventually Arthur found Percival. Unfortunately, he hadn't found anything.
"There is no evidence of a break in," Percival explained. "Not a single guard noticed anything out of the ordinary."
"Did they see anyone they knew?" Arthur asked next. "Anyone familiar, seen out of place?"
"Nothing relevant. The guard just said the queen was out of her chambers last night," Percival replied.
"Thank you," Arthur replied and was at once moving again. The King walked into Gaius's chambers just moments later to check in on Mordred and Merlin.
"I've done all I can, my lord," Mordred said.
"That along with the rue and milfoid I've administered," Gaius added. "Seems to be helping, but I have no idea if it will be enough."
"A guard saw Gwen last night," Arthur said. "I'm not saying I totally believe you but it's worth investigating. I'm going to follow her tonight and see where she goes."
"She is sure to meet with Morgana," Gaius cautioned. "Do not go alone, sire."
"I'll join you," Mordred offered. "That is if I am still a knight."
"Indeed you are," Arthur smiled at Mordred. "Honestly I should have guessed about you, being raised by the Druids, barely escaping execution for magic as a child. It's just been so many years."
"I've spent most of my life since then learning to hide my magic," Mordred replied.
"And you've done a remarkable job," Arthur said kindly. "The one thing I still don't understand is why Merlin has always been so against you. You two are surely kin, are you not?"
"That I do not know," Mordred replied. "But Merlin has never trusted me. If not for Morgana and you I doubt he would have helped me escape Uther ten years ago. He even tried to kill me once long ago."
"And yet here you are trying to save his life," Arthur said, slightly in awe.
"I'm determined to prove myself to Emrys," Mordred answered. Arthur couldn't help but admire Mordred's selflessness in this matter. As far as Arthur was concerned Merlin and Mordred had quite a lot in common though he felt sure if Merlin were awake he'd deny it.
"Tell me is your magic strong enough to match Morgana's should we encounter her tonight?" Arthur asked.
Mordred shook his head. "I am not as powerful as Merlin. I might be able to help us escape but I could not go up against her."
"That will have to do," Arthur said.
Now came the waiting. Arthur went back to his desk to pretend to work. His mind was too wound up to actually pay attention to what was on the pages. Even the upcoming visit from Sarrum of Amata wasn't enough to keep him focused. He'd instructed Gaius to send him word if there was any change with Merlin. It did sound as though Mordred's magic had at least given them more time to save Merlin, but still he kept looking up expecting to see someone at the door with news. Arthur didn't like waiting.
When it was late enough as to not to seem suspicious Arthur went to bed. Once Gwen joined him, Arthur pretended to be asleep. His hopes that Gaius was wrong shattered as he felt Gwen get out of bed. His fake snoring seemed to have done the trick. He heard her move around, likely getting dressed and then the door opening and closing.
After a moment he got up, dressed and followed her. Arthur had instructed Mordred to watch the doors of his chambers for Gwen's departure then join Arthur. Sure enough when Arthur opened the door he saw Mordred there.
"Can you see the path ahead like Merlin can?" Arthur asked in a whisper.
"I little," Mordred replied in kind "Though not as adeptly as Emrys."
"Anything you can do to keep us on her trail would be helpful," Arthur whispered back.
Silently they followed the queen, leaving the castle and going into the woods. When Gwen stopped in a small clearing he was no longer surprised to see Morgana there to greet her.
It felt like his heart had been crushed. A part of him wanted to draw his sword and charge the two women for betraying him. Even if Morgana's betrayal was old now he still remembered the kind person she'd once been and Gwen, his Gwen. He could hardly believe she was capable of this. It was only Gaius's words that steadied his hand. Guinevere had been tortured until her will broke. She hadn't betrayed him willingly. It was Arthur's job to get her back and his only hope at saving Guinevere was the warlock back in Camelot on his deathbed.
No reviews on that last chapter. :( But still I wanted to update again. I really would love to hear what you think of how I've changed the plot. With Morgana knowing Merlin has magic way sooner this felt like the most logical path for her. I decided she'd want to get rid of Merlin before going after Arthur especially since in the canon that is exactly what she did the second she found out about Merlin being Emrys. Just since this is sooner she as a spy in Camelot so turns to poison instead of magic sucking worms. (I might have a plan for that magic worm a bit later ;)
I thought of writing a scene from Morgana's pov but decided that would be too confusing so I have just shown what she's done through Merlin and Arthur's eyes. Also I don't know if I could write her well enough anyway.
Sneak Peek Chapter 07
Merlin couldn't help but be wary. Whenever he looked at Mordred all he could see was the vision that dying man had given him of Mordred killing Arthur. But then again it seemed like Mordred had just saved his life.
"No need to look so worried," Mordred replied. "I shall not let the king come to harm. You need to focus on healing yourself. Your magic is alot stronger than mine."
So Merlin tried. He summoned what little energy he had left and tried a healing spell, but he didn't have the strength to complete it.
"It's no use," Merlin said, gasping for air. He still felt so weak.
"I'm sorry but I have to go," Mordred said. "It's dark and I should be helping the King follow Gwen." And with a slight bow of the head, Mordred left.
"There has to be something we can do," Gaius continued once Mordred was gone.
"I do have another idea," Merlin answered.