First things first, I don't own Merlin, and this story starts during season 2 episode 6, so I suggest that if you haven't, you watch it before you read. Now, let's begin the story!
After assuring Gwen that Merlin would be fine, Gaius reentered his chamber to see a girl sitting at the table, only a blanket covering her body. She seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite put his fingers on it. The mysterious girl had striking blue eyes, prominent cheekbones, waist length raven hair that curled at the end and not even the loose blanket could hide the fact that she was well endowed. Then she smiled, a smile Gaius would recognize anywhere.
"Merlin?!"
"Yeah!" He answered happily. "Now I need not worry about being caught and can still protect Arthur." He explained, and Gaius nodded, still a bit overwhelmed, afterall it's not every day your male ward turns himself into a girl to save Camelot from an evil Queen who is also a troll.
"Now, I better get busy!" Merlin said, getting up and walking towards the door. Gaius coughed pointedly.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" He questioned and looked at the blanket Merlin was wearing.
"Oh. I don't suppose you have any spare dresses?" He sheepishly asked and Gaius sighed before walking over to a closet and pulling a slightly dusted blue dress out. He shook it, causing the dust to fly around the room, making Merlin cough.
"Here you go." He told his ward, presenting him the dress. Merlin took it and was about to ask why Gaius even owned such a thing in the first place, but decided that discussion could wait. First he had to get into the dress and get the potion.
With Gaius' help and after a bit of struggling and whining, Merlin was finally dressed, and with a small spell had managed to make his boots a bit smaller. It was a good thing the long dress hid them from sight.
Luckily, Merlin easily found Lady Catrina, who was scratching her arm as she hurried back to her chambers. As she entered, Merlin stood himself on a small chair to look through the window.
Once the Lady entered her chamber she made retching sounds, like she was gonna throw up. Her servant managed to convince her to take the potion again, reminding her of all the power and wealth she would get. If the King wasn't such a tyrant, the disguised sorcerer thought, I might have felt sorry for him. He watched in wonder as the troll skin disappeared from her skin.
Noticing she was going to exit her chambers, Merlin quickly ran and hid behind a corner.
Arthur stood in front of his father and Lady Catrina, wondering why he had been summoned, when the King started speaking: "There's something important that I," then he looked at Catrina and corrected himself, "that we'd like you to address. For too long the people have had it easy, they've grown fat of our indulgence of them."
"How so?" Inquired the prince.
"We provide peace, protection, food. They give us very little in return." The King answered.
"Most of our people are poor, they survive on the few crops they're able to grow." Arthur argued, not liking where this was heading.
"That is what they would have us believe." Stated the Lady Catrina.
"It's what I see everyday." The prince countered.
"We're introducing a new tax." Announced Uther, and the Lady Catrina added: "The people must pay for the sanctuary Camelot provides."
"You can't. The majority are barely able to get buy as it is." The prince said, not wanting his people to suffer. Besides, what had even brought this on? Everything had seemed fine just a few weeks ago.
"Those who refuse to pay it will be arrested and publicly flogged." The King told him, no emotion in his voice.
"We've lived this way for years, no one suggested anything like this before."
"Maybe not to you! But the King confided in me that he has been considering this for some time, haven't you?" Catrina asked, taking the hand of her beloved.
"Yes, I have." Uther answered. Then he ordered: "You are to begin the collections at once."
Merlin once again stood outside the Lady Catrinas chamber, her servant was snoring inside and Merlin took a deep breath before carefully entering the chamber and moving towards the cupboard, where he knew the potion was being kept. Suddenly Catrinas servant started twitching, turning in his bed and for a terrifying second, Merlin thought he might actually wake up, but luckily he didn't.
Quickly Merlin got the potion and hurried back to Gaius' chamber. He handed him the potion.
"I saw Lady Catrina take this potion, and a patch of troll skin on her arm disappeared." Merlin explained. "Do you think you can make a potion that looks and tastes exactly the same as this?" She asked.
"Well, yes, but without the troll magic it won't have the same effect." The old man said.
"Exactly!" Merlin exclaimed. "If I can exchange this potion with one that isn't magical…"
Understanding dawned on Gaius' face as he mused: "So Catrina will keep taking it, but it'll no longer work."
"And she'll turn into a troll. Think you can do it?" Asked Merlin.
"I don't know."
Ignoring Gaius' words Merlin continued: "We'll have to make the switch before morning, or Jonas will notice."
"Yeah, it's going to be a long night." The physician foretold.
Gaius cryptically regarded the two potions, they at least looked the same.
Merlin chose that moment to loudly close his door and come down the stairs, yelling: "So what's in it?!"
"Nothing too potent." The old man said, listing the ingredients.
"Sounds…delicious." The young warlock commented, sounding very disgusted.
"Good, 'cause you're going to taste it." The physician said, holding the potion towards Merlin.
"No way."
"It's completely harmless." Gaius assured him, but that was not the problem here.
"Uh, no!" Merlin said, but it was obvious his resolve was weakening. Tentatively, his feminine han moved in the direction of the potion, and he slowly dipped the tip of his finger inside it.
Merlin looked at his finger in disgust before letting it touch his tongue. Immediately he was coughing, trying to get that horrible taste out of his mouth.
"Ugh, that is disgusting." Merlin complained, wiping his tongue on the back of his hand.
"Yes, to you, but not to a troll." Gaius stated, not even sounding the least bit sorry.
Damn Pendragons! If they didn't always go and fall for love spells, Merlin would not be sitting on the stairs as a girl and trying some disgusting potion.
"I can't even believe you had me put that in my mouth." Merlin exclaimed.
"Yes. And now try the original."
Merlin gave a girlish whine, he could hear Arthurs voice in his head, saying God, you're such a girl Merlin. The worst thing, the prat would be right. Right now there's no denying that he is physically a girl.
Just like the first time, he immediately coughed and spit the substance out.
"Does it taste roughly the same?" Inquired Gaius.
"Yes, it's horrible!" Merlin responded.
"Are you sure? Cause if there's too big a difference Catrina will notice."
"It tastes exactly the same." Merlin claimed, sounding rather annoyed. Must be those girl hormones making him more prone to mood swings.
Gaius smelled the potion for the sake of carefulness and said: "Let's hope she thinks so too."
After making sure the room was empty, Merlin quickly snuck in there and placed the fake potion in the cupboard, when suddenly he heard footsteps approaching. Oh fuck! Heart nearly beating out of his chest, Merlin frantically looked around and ran into the closet, just in time. A second later Jonas was putting his stuff on the table.
Merlin looked through the gap and saw Jonas ready to pour himself a drink. Shit! The cupboard was still open! Careful not to be seen he whispered: "Fýrbendum fæst"
Jonas walked over to the cupboard, but seeing nothing wrong, he simply returned to his weird sitting position and drank whatever it was.
Arthur was taking a walk through the lower town, his thoughts wandering to his idiot manservant. I wonder if he's okay. Hopefully he hasn't been eaten by any wild creatures yet. Nah, they wouldn't go for Merlin, he's all skin and bones.
The prince was pulled out of his musings when he saw two knights holding an old man down. Horrified he asked: "What do you think you're doing?"
"He's refusing to pay the Kings tax." One of the knights responded.
"You ask for too much. I've given all I can." The old man spoke up.
"It's not enough!" The knight stated.
The bystanders, including Gwen, were looking at him expectantly.
"Let me see." Arthur demanded. He looked inside the small satchel. The mans last coins, how could they so cruelly take this from him? He gave the man his money and ordered: "Release him."
"The King said-" The knight argued, but Arthur would have none of it.
"Release him!" He repeated, and the crowd gave him grateful looks, their hearts warmed by their princes' kindness.
"Give 'em back their money, all of it."
The people bowed gratefully as he walked away. He hoped he had made the right choice.
"I gave you a direct order." The King said.
"The people cannot afford to pay the tax." Arthur argued, trying to defend his actions.
"Don't tell me you're naive enough to take them at their word." Queen Catrina spat.
"We have their loyalty, their good will, do not forsake that by making unreasonable demands." The prince warned.
"Is it so unreasonable for a King to expect his subjects to obey him?" Demanded Catrina in a rather mocking tone.
"They'll starve." Arthur claimed, getting rather frustrated by this discussion.
"Nonsense. They've grown too soft. Remember these are your subjects, not your friends." Uther spoke, standing up from his throne.
"Why can't they be both?" Arthur asked, thinking about the friendship he and his manservant shared.
"Because we rule the people, not the other way around." The King answered.
"I think you're wrong."
At Arthurs words the Queen gave her husband a horrified look and Uther advanced towards his only son. "I beg your pardon."
"I said you're wrong, without the people there is no Camelot. We're as much their servant as they are ours." Arthur claimed, not letting himself be intimidated by his father.
Now Catrina also got up from her seat, coming to stand behind Uther. "You allow him to address you in this manner?"
"No, I do not. It will not be tolerated. You will take your men down into the town and go to every house, collecting the payments I demand."
"I will not." The prince responded, holding his ground.
"Get out of my sight." Uther angrily whispered.
Arthur cast one last long look at his father, waiting for his features to soften, but as it was not about to happen, he left the room, feeling angry and hurt.
Merlin didn't know how much time had passed since he had sneaked into Catrinas chamber, but standing still in a closet was definitely not one of his favorite the door opened and the Lady Catrina entered the room in a rather unladylike manner and snapped: "It is time for my potion."
"Are your plans progressing as you hoped?" Asked Jonas while getting the potion.
"Yes."
Then the disguised troll took the potion into her hand, but out of nowhere her face scrunched up and she walked over to the closet, all the while making weird sounds.
This is it, thought Merlin, I've been discovered.
Turned out Merlin this was one of the few times Merlin was wrong, the troll just looked into the mirror and touched her hair, saying: "I must admit, that crown will look rather fetching. All that gold and them lovely jewels." She smiled, and it made her look so ugly, even in human disguise, that Merlin had trouble believing he ever found her pretty.
Then came the moment of truth, as she downed Gaius' fake potion. She didn't seem to notice any difference and simply straightened up, letting Jonas lead her out of the room.
The prince hurried through the castle and ran straight into a young woman, she was about to fall, but thanks to Arthurs quick instincts, he quickly wrapped an arm around her waist.
He looked down into her breathtaking blue eyes, wide with shock. It took her a few seconds to realize that she had just been caught by the prince of Camelot. To the princes' disappointment she quickly scrambled out of his hold, nearly tripping over her dress. Now, as she stood infront of him, he could tell she was about 2 or 3 inches shorter than him, and her simple blue dress complimented her eyes. Something about her felt familiar, but he just couldn't put his fingers on it.
"I'm sorry, sire. Are you alright?" Merlin asked, not referring to Arthurs physical state, but more his emotional one.
"Uh, yes. I am fine." The prince answered, looking at the raven haired beauty once more. He could use some company… "What is your name?"
Merlin was at a loss of words. Arthur had just asked for his name. He obviously couldn't say Merlin, racking his brain he blurted out "Emrys."
"Emrys…" Arthur repeated, liking how easily the name rolled of his tongue. "Well, Emrys, accompany me for a walk through the forest." He said, more like ordered.
Merlin had the word 'prat' on the tip of his tongue, but thought better of it. It certainly won't do him any good to insult the prince now, he could do that when he was once again looking like himself. Besides, Arthur looked quite troubled, and as his friend, Merlin felt inclined to help him, even if he is a clotpole. He nodded and Arthur flashed him that brilliant smile of his and held out his arm. Merlin looked confused for a few seconds, but remembered that he was a girl right, and hooked his arm into Arthurs.
They didn't talk a lot, just some small talk, but the silence didn't feel awkward at all, it was comforting and both young adults found themselves lost in thought. But all good things come to an end, and so, once the castle was in sight, they bid each other farewell.
Sometime later Arthur was sat in his chair, staring off into the distance. The walk had been nice, but it was only a brief distraction, and now that he was alone, he tried to think of ways not to disappoint his father and do the right thing at the same time. His rather fruitless musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in."
He felt a sting of disappointment when it was Gwen who entered, he had hoped that maybe it was his father, despite the knowledge that his father would never make the effort of coming to his chambers just to speak to him. Another part of him had hoped it would be Emrys, or maybe Merlin, even if that was rather unlikely since he was being hunted right now.
"Guinevere." He said, trying not to let her see his disappointment.
"I saw what you did earlier; the people owe you their gratitude." She told him as she walked towards him.
"The people owe me nothing, father is still going to impose the tax." Arthur muttered, not bothering to conceal the bitterness in his voice.
"Can he not be persuaded?" The maidservant timidly asked, a shimmer of hope shining in her eyes.
"Not by me. He can't stand the sight of me." The young man admitted.
"That's not true, the King loves you."
"You should have heard the way he spoke to me." He exclaimed, getting out of his chair.
"I'm sure he was angry, but you are still his son." Gwen tried to reason. "Everyone appreciates what you did", she continued," They know you tried and they won't forget that."
Arthur didn't seem to have heard her as he supposed: "Maybe he is right. One day I will be the King of Camelot, I cannot be a friend to the people as well as their ruler."
"That's not true! And you will prove it when you become King." Gwen interrupted, moving even closer towards the prince. "You have a kind heart Arthur, don't ever change, not for anyone."
Their moment was interrupted by a knock on the door and Sir Leon entered.
"The King has sent for you."
Arthur, followed by Sir Leon, walked into the throne room, which was already filled with knights and Gaius, his father and his stepmother.
"Father." The prince greeted.
"I'm relaxing your duties, revoking your title." King Uther explained.
"What?!" Arthur couldn't believe it. This had to be some sort of nightmare, there was just no way his father, however cold he might act at times, would do this.
"We live in dangerous times, I cannot allow you to undermine my authority."
"You've always welcomed my council in the past." Arthur stated.
"You stood against me for all the people to see." Uther argued.
"I'm sorry, any future agreements I have will be held in private."
"It is too late for that." The King said, walking towards his throne.
"Father-!" Arthur exclaimed, moving towards the man, but he was interrupted by said man.
"You are to be disinherited, with immediate effect. You are no longer crown prince of Camelot."
"Sire, Arthur is your son, your natural heir-" The court physician started, but Arthur stopped him.
Then the young man crossed the distance between himself and his father, now only a few inches away from the King, he began to speak.
"You've always taught me to be true to my heart and that's all I've ever tried to do. To be the man you wanted me to be, someone you are proud to call your son."
Uther looked at his son for a few moments before saying: "My decision is final."
Arthur stared at him disbelievingly and the turned around, wordlessly leaving the room.
Taking the parchment out of his wives hands, the King proclaimed: "Queen Catrina will be named as rightful heir to the throne. The ceremony will begin forthwith."
Then he sat down, the queen intertwining their hands and giving the audience a sharp look. Leon hesitantly started clapping, the others soon joining in, but it was clear no one welcomed this change.
Well, that's it for the first chapter. How did you like it? Some feedback would be appreciated, and feel free to point out any language mistakes I might have made.