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Phantomshadow99
XXXXXX
Goblin's Gold
Evaine was sat at her desk, glancing behind her when someone knocked at the door. Anna opened it, allowing Gaius enter.
"What can I do for you?" Evaine asks, standing from her seat.
"It's more a question of what I can do for you," he says, before grabbing Anna's face and looking her over. Evaine frowns, watching as Anna tries to glance at her but Gaius holds her firm. "Ah, it seems you're developing the symptoms already," Gaius mutters, letting go of her face.
"Symptoms for what?" Anna asks, glancing at Evaine.
"The most severe and terrifying infection that is sweeping through Camelot like a plague," he explains.
"I haven't heard anything about an infection," Evaine says.
"That's because those who catch it are immediately struck dumb. Fortunately I have developed a very effective cure," Gaius says, showing the two a bottle. "It is yours in exchange for a gold coin."
"Very funny," Anna says, smiling.
"Is it? I don't hear anyone laughing," Gaius says.
"You've never charged me for remedies before," Anna says, sharing a look with Evaine.
"Then I've clearly been a fool. Do you wish for a cure, or do you wish to walk around with a face covered in boils and your nose dripping with snot?" Gaius asks.
"Boils?" Anna asks.
"Big, pussy boils. Bigger than you've ever seen," he answers.
"I'll fetch a coin," Evaine says, knowing her friend needs it. Evaine moves to the chest at the end of her bed, opening it and taking out a coin.
"A most wise decision," Gaius says, Evaine handing him the coin and Anna taking the potion from him. They watch him leave, Evaine moving back to her desk as Anna takes a sip of the potion.
"Thank you, Evaine," Anna says, and Evaine smiles, waving it away.
XXXXXX
Evaine and Anna stand next to one another as the council gathers before Uther.
"There have been instances of vandalism around the palace, as well as a number of thefts. I, myself, was a victim. Unfortunately, the thief managed to elude me," Arthur says, his voice trailing off as the court looks to Gwen, the noise of her fart echoing in the room. Morgana farts next, then Anna, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
"Are you alright?" Evaine whispers, and Anna just closes her eyes.
"Double the guard. I want the perpetrator found," Uther states, moving in his seat and farting.
"Yes, my lord," Arthur says, as Uther and the others begin farting.
"The council is dismissed! Now!" Uther shouts. Everyone rushes out, except Uther, Arthur, Gaius and Evaine.
"Gaius, is there anything you can do to treat this?" Uther asks, and Evaine shares a look with Arthur as he farts once more.
"Yes sire, I believe I can," Gaius says, smirking.
XXXXXX
The next day, the council meet once more, but Evaine holds Anna's hand as Merlin is brought forth by guards.
"Is it true? You were responsible for the afflictions that I and other members of the court have suffered?" Uther asks.
"What? No," Merlin answers, shaking his head.
"Gaius," Uther says. Gaius moves to pick up a book.
"I found this in your room. It's a book of spells and enchantments," Gaius announces. Evaine shares a look with Merlin, her eyes wide in shock.
"He's lying. That's not Gaius," Merlin says.
"What are you talking about?" Arthur asks.
"He's been possessed by a goblin," Merlin explains.
"The boy is reduced to making the most desperate and ridiculous accusations," Gaius states, and Evaine frowns in confusion.
"You seriously expect me to believe that Gaius is a goblin?" Uther asks.
"It's, it's controlling him. Gaius is still in there...somewhere," Merlin explains wearily.
"Do you have any proof of these accusations?" Arthur asks.
"No!" Merlin admits.
"I fear that magic has corrupted you. It pains me more than I can tell you," Gaius says, and Evaine frowns.
"I really doubt that," Merlin states.
"My Lord, I have been harbouring a sorcerer. For that I offer the most sincere apology," Gaius says, hiding a smile.
"You were not to know, Gaius. He's fooled us all," Uther says.
"It's not me that's fooling you," Merlin argues.
"Silence! You've been found guilty of using magic and enchantments. In accordance with our laws, you will pay with your life. Take him away!" Uther instructs, Anna hugging Evaine tightly at the words as Evaine tries to calm her. She meets Merlin's eyes as he leaves.
Later that night, Evaine is woken by the warning bell, and she hears someone enter her room quietly. She unsheathes her sword beside her bed, leaving her bed and stepping forward. She gasps as her sword flies out her hand and someone steps forward, placing their hand over her mouth. Her eyes widen on seeing who it is.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, Merlin!" she shouts quietly, the warlock smirking at her.
XXXXXX
"We need to force the goblin out of Gaius," Merlin says, Anna keeping close to the door as Merlin and Evaine spoke at the table.
"And how do we do that?" Evaine asks.
"I don't know. I'll try to sneak back to Gaius's chambers. Maybe I can find something in one of his books," Merlin says.
"What can I do?" she asks.
"Well, we need to convince Arthur. Maybe if you speak to him, he might listen to you," Merlin tells her, and she nods.
"Of course, I will speak with him now," she says, and Merlin nods, moving to the door. Evaine watches as Merlin takes Anna's hands, leaning down and kissing her quickly before slipping out. Anna sighs happily, turning to Evaine with her finger pointed at her.
"Not a word," Anna reminds, and Evaine smiles.
"I should go speak with Arthur," Evaine says, passing her friend and leaving for Arthur's chambers. She walks quickly, passing through the familiar corridors until she reaches his door, knocking loudly. She frowns as she hears a honking noise inside. "Arthur? Arthur, it's Evaine. Can I come in?" she asks, another honking noise following in answer.
Evaine hesitates, opening the door and looking around. "Arthur? Arthur?" she asks, walking towards the bed. She rounds the corner, and sees Arthur hunched down on the floor, a pair of donkey eyes on his head. Evaine gasps, moving closer to him.
"What's happened to you?" she asks, and Arthur begins to bray angrily, pointing at himself and around him. "Did Gaius do this to you?" she asks, nodding in realisation. Arthur brays. "He's a goblin," she tells him, and Arthur brays once more. "Poor thing," Evaine whispers, kneeling down next to him. She begins petting one of his ears. Evaine smiles as Arthur leans into her hand in pleasure, before braying at her angrily.
"Sorry. Merlin's working on a plan. We'll figure out what to do. Stay here," she tells him, standing and hurrying back to her room. Merlin has returned from his own task, and she explains to him and Anna about her talk with Arthur.
"Arthur's a donkey?" Merlin asks.
"He has the ears of a donkey. And the voice. He- he's braying," Evaine explains.
"He's...braying," Merlin says, before bursting out laughing.
"It's not funny, Merlin," Evaine says, smiling herself.
"No. No, no, of course not. Arthur with the ears of a donkey, what's funny about that?" Merlin repeats, smiling as Anna laughs.
"He just looked so pitiful. I've never seen Arthur look like that. Did you find anything?" Evaine asks, sitting next to Anna.
"I think so," Merlin answers, pointing to a page in the book he had found. "If the host body dies, the goblin dies with it. So, if Gaius is dying, the goblin will be forced to leave him," Merlin explains, and Evaine and Anna share a glance.
"You want to kill Gaius?" Anna asks.
"Just briefly. Once the goblin's out of Gaius, we have to trap it in a box lined with lead. It's the only container that will hold it," Merlin tells them.
"Where do we get a box lined with lead?" Evaine asks.
"Leave that to me. Meet me in Gaius' chambers," Merlin answers, glancing at the two before leaving.
XXXXXX
Anna keeps watch at the door, Evaine assisting Merlin in making a poison and antidote.
"Hurry up!" Anna whispers, glancing at the two.
"I'm doing my best. Gaius normally deals with anything to do with poisons," Merlin tells her. He finishes the poison, pouring it over the gold and jewellery in the stolen money chest. "As soon as the goblin's out of Gaius, you must give him the antidote. We only have a few seconds or Gaius will, you know, die," Merlin tells Evaine, and she nods.
"He's coming!" Anna whispers. Merlin shuts the chest, putting it back in the hiding place as Evaine takes the antidote, running to hide in Merlin's chambers with Anna, Merlin running after them. Gaius enters, taking the chest out and licking the coins inside.
"Ugh, that's disgusting," Anna mutters. Gaius begins to stumble, and the three exit the chamber, Merlin holding a box.
"You've poisoned me. You poisoned Gaius!" Gaius shouts.
"Leave his body while you still can!" Merlin tells the goblin. A gold light buzzes out of Gaius' ear, and Evaine rushes to Gaius' side. Anna helps Merlin try and trap the goblin as Evaine pours the potion into his mouth. She glances back, seeing Merlin has successfully trapped the goblin. Merlin rushes to Gaius, who's stopped moving.
"Please! Come on, you stubborn old goat!" Merlin shouts, Gaius' eyes opening slowly.
"Who are you calling an old goat?" he asks, smiling.
XXXXXX
"You mean to tell me it was you who was responsible for the, er...baldness, the flatulence, the boils, and Arthur's donkey ears?" Uther asks, Gaius stood before him and the court.
"I fear I was, My Lord. Or at least the goblin was while I was possessed by it," Gaius explains.
"Magic has the power to corrupt even the most honourable of men," Uther comments, and Gaius nods.
"Indeed. Though, I must assure you that Merlin was entirely innocent," Gaius says, Merlin stepping forward.
"Then he is pardoned," Uther states. They all look at the box that moves with the goblin inside.
"May I suggest it is kept where no one will ever open it?" Gaius asks.
"See that it's placed in the vaults. Gaius...do you know who was responsible for releasing the goblin in the first place?" Uther asks, and Evaine and Anna glance at one another with a smile.
"I'm afraid I've no idea, My Lord," Gaius says.
"Now. Secure it now," Uther tells his guards, the box still rattling. Evaine smiles at Arthur, the two leaving the council chamber at the same time.
"My Lord," she greets. Anna smiles, walking beside Merlin and leaving Evaine alone.
"Evaine. The, er...events of the last few days, I, er...I think it would be best if we...never spoke of them," Arthur says.
"I don't even know what events you're referring to," she says with a smirk. Arthur smiles slightly, pointing behind them.
"I need to train my men," he states, and she nods.
"I will join you. I have been in need of some fresh air lately," she says, walking in step next to Arthur to the training grounds, before she joins Gaius, Merlin and Anna.
"I see you've been busy undoing the goblin's magic," Gaius whispers to Merlin, making sure his voice is quiet so Anna doesn't hear.
"As usual, I get no thanks whatsoever," Merlin mutters back.
"Since releasing the goblin was entirely your fault, Merlin, I'm not sure you deserve any thanks," Evaine says, smiling at her friend.
"Wha...Arthur doesn't know that," Merlin says.
"For your sake, you better hope it stays that way," Anna tells him. They watch as Arthur manages to knock the knight down, Arthur laughing along with the other knights. Evaine smirks as his laugh turns into a bray. The other knights stop laughing, but grin silently as Arthur clears his throat.
"Merlin," Gaius whispers.
"Just one more day. It's too good," Merlin answers, smiling.
