5. The Evil Plot Thickens
~ Gwen ~
Breathing in the earthy scent of the forest, Gwen tried to lose herself in the peaceful tranquillity of the moment. It truly was a beautiful day in Camelot, the sun shining brightly through the trees, but it could do little to distract her from her current grief.
After the horror of what Arthur and Gwaine had found yesterday she had barely been able to sleep, her mind too busy thinking on all the horrors that Merlin could be going through while she rested in her bed. The little sleep she managed to have was plagued with nightmares that had her up before the sun had even started to lighten the sky. In the dark, she had dressed and gone about her chores with a single-minded determination of someone trying desperately to distract themselves from horrible thoughts.
It had almost been a relief when he had she had stopped by Gaius' after her breakfast chores to check in on him. It was quickly apparent that the old physician was taking Merlin's disappearance hard if the dark shadows under his eyes were any indication. She quickly offered her services, ignoring his half-hearted protests and helping to cut and crush ingredients for the many salves and medicines that were needed throughout Camelot.
It had been midmorning by the time the silence had been broken, with a frustrated noise Gaius had thrown his tools down and sat down heavily on the stool behind him.
Gwen had rushed to his side, concerned. "What's wrong, Gauis?"
"I have run out of half of my stores. I don't have what I need to make these salves but neither do I have the time to go out and replenish my ingredients. Merlin would have usually–" He cut himself off, his hands gripping the edge of the table tightly. Gwen laid a hand over his.
"I can help you. Just tell me what you need and where to get it. I might not have the same eye as Merlin but I can fill in until he is found."
"If he is found."
"You have to believe that he is still alive Gaius! I trust he is still out there. Staying strong until Arthur can rescue him and bring him home to us."
"The piece of him they found yesterday speaks differently." He looked over at the glass jar that was sitting on the corner of his desk, where Merlin's ear was floating in a strange liquid that Gaius had said would keep it from rotting. There was apparently a procedure that could reattach the ear on Merlin - provided they could find him.
His voice was filled with so much grief and sorrow, so unlike the man who Gwen has seen weather battles and crises with steady hands and heart. To see him so hopeless was truly terrifying and she whacked him on the back of the head, hoping to knock the dark thoughts from his head.
"Enough of talk like that! Arthur has men out looking for Merlin day and night. He will find him." She willed her own voice not to shake and show her doubts, and his head whipped up to look at her in surprise. It was rare she raised her voice in such a way, but it seemed to be the only way to make the stubborn men around her see sense.
"Now tell me what plants you need."
.
With a list of instructions and description of the plants needed Gwen had left Gaius' chambers and headed towards the main exit.
Just as she reached the massive stones steps at the entrance to the castle her path was blocked by Arthur's uncle, Agravaine. Gwen quickly dropped into a curtsey.
"My Lord," she greeted before going to move around him.
"Guinevere, isn't it?" He asked and she stopped again, surprised that he would even remember her name when he had barely spared her a glance in the past.
"Yes, my lord?"
"What has you in such a rush this morning?" He asked, smiling in what Gwen supposed was meant to be friendly but only had her feeling more uncomfortable.
"I have been helping Gaius with his salves and medicines this morning and he is in need of some ingredients quite urgently. I am on my way to collect what he needs," .he curtsied again and went to carry on but a hand on her arm had her stopping again. She tensed at his touch and turned back to face him, pulling her arm from his grip in the process.
"Surely not into the forest? You know it isn't safe for a woman to venture out there alone. Not after the dreadful business with Arthur's own manservant going missing."
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I will be fine. I won't be venturing far." She had to work at keeping her voice level as to not betray her nerves. She liked to think herself an excellent judge of character and the longer she talked with Agravaine the less comfortable she felt in his presence.
"No, I insist. In fact, let me send some of my personal guards with you to ensure you are safe." He started ushering her down the hall and she could do nothing but smile stiffly and accept his gracious offer, even though her skin was crawling.
.
An hour later had her walking on the wide roads that cut through the woods outside Camelot, accompanied by four guards Agravaine had forced her to accept. Thankfully they were silent, leaving Gwen to her thoughts and allowing her to focus on keeping an eye out for the plants Gauis had carefully described to her.
Caught up as she was in scanning the undergrowth Gwen did realise how far off track they had gotten until they were already quite deep into the woods.
"Where did the path go?" She looked around, a little alarmed when she didn't immediately recognize her surroundings.
"It's just over that rise," one of the guards said, pointing back in the direction they had come. "But you mentioned needing to get some plants from the stream bank so we are taking a shortcut to get there."
Gwen nodded, the logic made sense but didn't entirely ease the worry in her gut of being alone in the woods with four strange men. After a couple more minutes of silent walking the guard's words were confirmed when they happened upon a small stream and Gwen saw the plants she needed growing up in clumps along the bank.
Opening the cloth bag she had brought with her Gwen started to carefully pull the plants from the bank, taking care to not crush the leaves or damage the roots. She had just finished filling her bag when she felt a rush of wind hit her out of nowhere, the power of it almost bowling her into the water.
Shooting to her feet she looked around in growing horror, finding her four guards scattered across the forest floor, out cold.
Dread clawing in her belly Gwen turned, eyes catching on the figure that stepped from the shadow of the trees. It was Morgana, dressed in rags, looking gaunt and feral. Her once glossy hair now hung in tangles around her pale face and green eyes that used to shine with warmth were now cold and cruel when they meet Gwen's own.
Driven by instinct alone, Gwen started to run.
~ Morgana ~
The next day had Morgana rising early, eagerly anticipating putting her new plan into motion. If things played out the way she predicted Gwen would be taking a trip into the forest and Morgana planned to be ready and waiting to spring her trap.
Before setting out, she made sure to set up her workbench will all the necessary items and ingredients she would need for the ritual later and ate a quick breakfast of cold rabbit stew.
Stepping out of her hovel her eyes alighted on the small shack she had left Merlin in last night and supposed she better check on her guest; if only to confirm that he still lived.
Releasing the spell keeping the door barred she pulled it open and took a step into the darkness, summoning a few glowing orbs to light up the space.
Merlin was against the opposite wall, curled defensively in on himself, looking as gaunt and pale as a corpse. Only the slight rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive
Curious, Morgana stepped closer until she could reach out and nudge him with her boot. He whimpered, curling tighter around himself in response but didn't wake so Morgana nudged him again, a little harder this time.
This time Merlin lurched into awareness, eyes wild as he searched the area around him before locking gazes with Morgana. The flinch he gave at finding her so close gave Morgana immense satisfaction.
"Good morning, Merlin. I trust you slept well." She smiled when no answer was forthcoming. He merely hunched in on himself more and continued to stare at her warily.
Morgana reached for her waterskin where it hung against her hip, watching as he tracked her movement, his tongue flick out to lick at his cracked lips upon seeing what she now held.
"Would you like some water?" She asked him sweetly. His eyes flickered up to her face again, gaze searching and it was a long moment before he gave her a slow hesitant nod, the movement barely noticeable.
She uncorked the waterskin and stepped even closer to him, forcing him to crane his head up to keep his eyes on her and the water she held in her grip.
Upending the waterskin she let the water start to pour out onto the dirt at her feet. Merlin watched the stream of water for a second before lurching forward to get his mouth under the stream, nearly choking himself in the attempt to swallow as much water as possible before it ran out.
When the last dribbles of water were gone Morgana stepped away from the wet patch of ground and the half soaked Merlin, satisfied that he wouldn't perish from thirst before she returned from her hunt. He was eyeing the wet ground with desperation, having barely managed to swallow more than a few mouthfuls of water.
"What do you say, Merlin?" His eyes darted back up to her and he stared in confusion until he realized what she wanted from him.
"Thank… you…" he rasped out, sounding like it pained him to utter the words in her presence. She smiled again, satisfied with her progress.
"Well, I would love to stay and chat, but I have places to be. I shall leave you in your present company a little longer." Morgana turned to leave.
"Please." The word was barely audible, a hoarse whisper but it was enough for her to pause and see how far he would go.
"Don't leave me here," Merlin spoke again, voice coming stronger.
"You will have to ask me nicer than that Merlin." Morgana taunted, turning back to face him. At her response, she saw Merlin hesitate, looking conflicted before his expression hardened and he refused to answer.
"Very well. Enjoy your day." She backed out the door and all at once Merlin's resolve faltered and he scrambled forward desperately.
"No! Please, let me out! Please!"
But Morgana had already made it past the threshold and slammed the door on his pleas, reinforcing it with magic.
She heard him screaming and pounding on the door but it did nothing to change her mind as she walked away. He was so very close to being broken now and she couldn't wait to play with what was left.
.
It was midmorning by the time Morgana felt the magical tingle of her outer wards be triggered, pulling her from the gory task of skinning her latest hunt.
Putting the rabbit aside she quickly traversed the forest to the area her wards had been disturbed and found Gwen in the process of picking a selection of plants on the stream edge. There were four guards with her that Morgana recognized as Agraviane's own - who she knew had been instructed had lead Gwen far enough into the forest for her magical wards to pick them up. However, despite their loyalty to her, there was a farce to maintain.
With a powerful wave of magic, she knocked them to the ground, rendering them all unconscious so she could focus on the real prize.
Gwen jumped to her feet, looking at the fallen guards in horror before locking eyes with Morgana across the clearing.
Her face paled and after a frozen second of shock, she started running.
She was quick - much faster than Morgana had expected – but Morgana enjoyed a good chase. She let Gwen get ahead of her, just far enough to think she had a chance before thrusting her hand out and speaking the words that pushed Gwen to the ground and pinned her there, trapped and helpless.
Morgana took her time walking over to her newest prize, a smile growing on her face as Gwen glared up at her - all fiery defiance and anger. Morgana was reminded why she had like her former maid so much.
"Hello Gwen, it's been a long time."
~ Merlin ~
Merlin hit the door just as it closed, once again enveloping him in darkness. He screamed and pounded at the wood until his body grew too weak and his voice gave out again.
This time the darkness was worse. More oppressive with every second longer he was forced to spend in the company of the Mandrakes. He had seen a glimpse of freedom and now who knew how long Morgana would leave him here to rot.
"You truly are pathetic, aren't you Merlin," a voice spoke on his left and Merlin jerked back, finding Arthur suddenly at his side, seated against the wall.
"Please, leave me alone," he moaned, covering his remaining ear even though he knew it wouldn't help.
"Why Merlin, anyone would think you weren't pleased to see me. Or is it that you can't stand seeing the consequences of your actions?" He gestured down at his body that was still a crushed, bloody mess. Merlin averted his eyes from the sight, feeling sick.
"Don't look away from me!" The command in Arthur's tone had Merlin's eyes shooting back to the glowing figure but the accusations in his blue eyes were too much and Merlin had to refocus his eyes over the apparitions left shoulder, desperately reminding himself that none of this was real. Morgana's visit had reminded him of that and he hoped he could cling to that truth before he lost his mind completely.
"You can't hide from this."
"Please," he begged again, closing his eyes feeling wretched, the little water he had in his empty stomach threatening to come up.
"I said, LOOK AT ME!" The apparition screamed in response and Merlin thumped back against the wall in shock, eyes opening wide as Arthur moved into his personal space.
Merlin wondered then what would happen if he was to reach out and try and touch Arthur in that moment. Would the illusion shatter? Or would his mind feed him the lie of solid flesh under his touch. Would it even make a difference when the words being spoken would still tear into his heart. When each hateful accusation had already seared themselves into his brain.
Merlin already knew that no matter how much he fought to remind himself of what was real, no matter how much he cried and yelled and begged, he couldn't stop his worst nightmares from manifesting in front of his eyes.
So slumped against the wall, with Arthur's sneering face inches from his own, Merlin gave up trying to fight. Taking every poisonous word Arthur spat at him in silence and hating himself just a little bit more in the process.
.
After what felt like hours the apparition of Arthur finally left him alone. Merlin was still slumped back against the wall, feeling numb and hollow in more ways than one. It was only the sound of the door being unlatched that had Merlin snapping back to awareness.
Rolling onto his knees in a painful motion Merlin forced himself to focus. He might only have one chance to get out and he knew he couldn't afford to waste it.
When the door finally creaked open Merlin scrambled forward to grab hold of Morgana's skirt, far past pride and desperate enough to do almost anything to get out of the shack and the company he was forced to endure.
He felt her tense in surprise at his action before a hand come down to rest on his head.
"Oh, my dear Merlin. Did you miss me?" Her hand stroked softly over his head, fingers sliding gently into his hair before they gripped tight and jerked his head up sharply. Merlin let out a pained whimper at the action but didn't fight it, looking up at Morgana pleadingly.
"You poor thing, you did." She let go of him abruptly and pulled her skirts from his grip while stepping back out of his reach. Without her support, he fell face-first into the dirt but quickly pushed himself back up, terrified that Morgana was going to once again lock him in the dark. Instead, he found her waiting just outside the door, looking at him expectantly.
"Well come along Merlin, I don't have all day." Hardly able to believe her words Merlin cautiously crawled out of the doorway squinting against the bright light that hurt his sensitive eyes.
Once they adjusted he looked towards the surrounding forest longingly, imagining for a perfect moment that Arthur and the knights would burst through the undergrowth and rescue him. But almost immediately his daydream was tainted by memories of his time in the shack. He saw Arthur, broken and bloodied, and he could hear the angry words of the knights as they condemned him as a freak and abomination.
"That's right Merlin, no one is coming for you. It's better if you just accept that. Now come along, unless you would like to stay in the shack?"
Merlin frantically shook his head, words currently beyond him, and crawled as fast as his battered body would allow after Morgana back towards the main house.
By the time they made it to the inside of her hovel, Merlin was shaking with exertion and ready to drop where he was. Morgana also seemed to realise this and moments later he felt himself being lifted off the floor with the same spell she had used on him yesterday.
His eyes went to the bloodied patch of floor he had been tied above previously and he struggled ineffectually against the invisible grip of the spell, unable to stand the thought of more torture on top of what he had already suffered.
But instead, he was moved to the other side of the hovel and dropped onto a sturdy wooden chair. Morgana was there a moment later and he felt his arms being pulled back and bound behind the chair.
Merlin gasped out in silent agony as her rough movements stretched the barely healed burn on his chest and pressed his torn up back against the unyielding wood. He squeezed his eyes shut and attempted to breathe through the pain, not wanting to give Morgana any more satisfaction at his suffering.
It was only after the pain dulled to a manageable ache that Merlin realised there was a third person in the hovel with them. His eyes widened when he recognised Gwen tied to the chair across from him, unconscious but looking relatively unharmed.
"Ah, I see you have noticed our new guest. I brought a friend to keep you company." Morgana stepped behind Gwen and stroked down the side of her face lovingly.
"Please." He rasped out, his throat too dry and abused to make a sound much louder. "Please, let her go."
"Why ever would I do that?"
"Whatever she has done to you, it is nothing compared to my crimes. Please, spare her and hurt me instead. I deserve it."
"You really mean that don't you?" Morgana tutted, "but think of all the fun we could have, together." Her hand came down to grip Gwen's jaw, fingers digging into her flesh in a painful-looking grip.
It was enough to pull Gwen from unconsciousness and she jerked awake, immediately beginning to struggle in Morgana's grip, eyes wide and panicked.
She then locked eyes with Merlin across the table and he heard her horrified whisper of his name. He knew he must look bad, after all the abuse he had suffered, barely able to lift a smile in response. But he hoped his reaction was enough to show he was still alive and fighting.
"Isn't this a lovely reunion."
Merlin tried again, levelling a glare at Morgana and speaking with as much authority as he could muster in his current state. "She is innocent in this. Let her go."
Morgana only laughed like he had said something funny, stepping away from Gwen to approach him, circling around behind his chair until he could no longer see her. His hair was twisted into another painful grip and Merlin's breath stuttered in panic.
"What happened to your manners, Merlin?" Morgana asked, and he heard a rustle of cloth before the familiar feel of the edge of a blade pressed up against his neck. Merlin went very still.
"Must I teach you another lesson?" He felt the blade slide across his skin and up the column of his throat until it touched the junction where his remaining ear was.
Merlin jerked his head away at the threat, unable to control his reaction but Morgana just twisted her fingers tighter until he was immobilized in her grasp.
"No, please," Merlin gasped, panic choking the words.
"Leave him alone!" Gwen's voice rang out, "haven't you caused him enough pain already!"
"He deserves much worse than this," Morgana spat the words but her grip loosened on his hair and the knife disappeared from his neck moments later. "But there will be time enough for that later."
Merlin slumped forward when Morgana released him, trembling with renewed fear at what had almost happened – again. He kept his eyes on the ground, listening carefully to the sound of Morgana as she moved away from him but even then he couldn't relax. Not when he knew how quickly Morgana could change her mind.
"Merlin?" Gwen's quiet call drew him out of his shock and he turned his head towards her.
"Are you- I'm so glad you are alive." Her voice shook.
"You can't get rid of me that easily." His attempt to lighten the mood fell horribly flat but Gwen laughed a little anyway. There were tears in her eyes and he looked away, unable to stand her sorrow and know he was to blame.
"How– Is Arthur... did he…" Merlin struggled to find the words but he needed to know that Arthur was safe. That he hadn't, in fact, killed him in that rockfall.
Gwen looked confused for a moment before figuring out what he was asking, "Arthur is fine. He was found by the rest of the knights the day after the attack." Merlin felt relief wash over him so strongly that he slumped forward in the seat.
"They have been out in the woods ever since looking for you." Gwen continued, "We have all been worried sick."
"He has?" Merlin hates how small and doubtful his words sound.
"Yes!" Gwen insisted, leaning forward as much as she was able to meet his lowered gaze. "He has barely spared himself a moment's rest. He and all the knights ride out every day to search the woods. Just you wait, Arthur will find us both."
Merlin nodded, desperately hoping that would be the case – while there was still something of him worth saving.
.
After their brief exchange, Merlin fell silent, lacking the energy required to hold a conversation. But Gwen - bless her - continued to keep talking in a soft whisper, telling him all about what he had missed in his absence. Her quiet voice was soothing and Merlin started to nod off, his body shutting down after his night spent with the Mandrakes.
It only felt like a few seconds passed before he was jolted back awake at the thump of something heavy hitting the wooden table in front of him. Flinching at the loud noise Merlin raised his eyes to find Morgana standing before him and Gwen, a golden medallion in one hand and a large metal bowl sitting in front of her on the table.
"It's finally time to introduce our final guest of the evening."
She looked down at the medallion in her hand and started to chant carefully pronounced words that had her eyes glow gold and the fire flare in the metal bowl before her. Merlin felt goosebumps rise across his exposed flesh as Morgana's raw magical power filled the space around them before she channelled it into the object in her hand and dropped it in the flames.
The fire flared up before a strange hissing sound started up and then, uncurling from the flames, a creature emerged.
It looked like a writhing mass of snakes, their dark scaled bodies glinting in the candlelight. Multiple heads hissing angrily but as Morgana stepped forward they turned in her direction and quietened down.
"I take it neither of you has met a Fomorroh before?" Morgana asked after a long moment, reaching out to stroke the head of the closest snake absentmindedly as she spoke.
Both Merlin and Gwen remained silent, their attention focused solely on the writhing mass of snakeheads that made up the beast, their chorus of hissing strangely hypnotic.
"It is a creature of dark magic and in the days of the old religion, they were revered by the high priestesses, as they allowed them to control people's minds. A Fomorroh will suck the life force out of anyone it is used against, everything that makes you you will be gone, and in its place, there will be just one desire."
Morgana paused here, probably for dramatic effect, as she approached her two captives. Circling around Gwen and Merlin so they had to crane their necks to keep her in view.
"How best serve your master."
A smirk formed on her lips and she turned back towards the Fomorroh while pulling the knife from her dress pocket. Grasping one of the tiny snakeheads between her fingers she cut it free from the main body with a quick swipe of her blade.
The tiny snake, writhed in her palm yet remained healthy and alive while a new snakehead grew out of the stump she has left behind. The Fomorroh hissed in displeasure but quietened again after a few moments.
She turned back to them. "With this, I can bend the will of anyone I please. My desires will become your obsession. My demands, your only thought and you will not be able to find rest until my will is done."
Merlin felt himself grow cold at the implications of Morgana's words and what that would mean for Gwen.
"I'm sure you can take a guess about what I most desire."
"Leave her alone!" Merlin shouted as Morgana approached Gwen, the cut-off snake writhing between her pinched fingers.
Gwen cried out in panic and jerked as far back from Morgana as her bonds would allow. Morgana ignored both of them as she grabbed Gwen's hair in a tight grip and pulled Gwen's head roughly down until the back of her neck was exposed.
"You will kill Arthur Pendragon."
Merlin strained at his bonds, ignoring the pain in his body that his struggles brought him as he tried in vain to do something to help Gwen. He even attempted summoning his magic, whispering the words of a spell that should blast Morgana back away from Gwen. But nothing happened except a small breeze that pushed at Morgana ineffectually. In the end, he could do nothing but watch in horror as the Fomorroh head was brought to Gwen's skin and wormed its way under her skin, twisting and writhing into position.
Gwen seized up at the intrusion, a single keening noise of pain escaping her before she fell limp and still in her bonds.
Morgana let go of her tight grip on Gwen's hair and stroked the curls underhand back over her neck, hiding the writhing mass in the back of her neck.
"Gwen?" He called faintly, terrified that perhaps she was dead.
He called her name again, voice coming stronger this time, the noise causing Gwen to stir as little. Relieved Merin continued to call out to her until Morgana turned to backhand him viciously into silence.
The resounding smack of skin against skin was enough to wake Gwen completely and her head came up, brown eyes searching her surroundings in confusion before settling on Morgana and Merlin.
Instead of the fear and anger from before she instead looked relieved, relaxing in her bonds.
"Oh, my dear," Morgana crooned as she approached Gwen, "how are you feeling?"
"I am well, my lady." Gwen looked up at Morgana reverently. "I only wish to know how best to serve my mistress."
Morgana's answering grin was sharp. "Easy enough. You must kill Arthur Pendragon."
"No!" The word ripped itself free from Merlin's throat, "Gwen, don't listen to her! Please, remember who you are!"
Merlin's voice cut off completely a second later when Morgana hissed a simple silencing spell his way. Gwen for her part only sneered at him and waited patiently as Morgana cut the ropes binding her before sliding from the chair to kneel on the earth at Morgana's feet.
"It shall be done, my lady. I will not fail you."
Morgana stroked her hand over Gwen's upturned face and Merlin felt sick watching as Gwen leaned into the touch eagerly.
"Go." At the command, Gwen stood and swiftly moved to leave. Merlin tried to gain her attention one final time but Gwen barely spared him a glance before disappearing out the door.
~ Gaius ~
It was almost supper time when Gaius finally got up from his workbench, his back protesting at his hunched potion he had been in all day. He had managed to catch up on most of his orders, the work keeping his mind busy and off the horrible fate that might have befallen his ward.
There were only a few that were waiting on ingredients he had sent Gwen to gather. He paused in his preparations for making tea. Gwen had never returned after she had insisted on gathering his ingredients for him. It was enough to have a cold feeling settle in Gauis' gut.
All thoughts of tea forgotten, Gauis rushed out the door and through the halls, each step accompanied by another horrible thought of what might have happened to her out in the woods.
He checked in all the places he would expect to normally find Gwen. But with each new place he visited without a glimpse of her the more frantic he got until he decided to visit Arthur directly. If anyone would have seen Gwen around, it would be Arthur.
The turning the next corner, he nearly ran into her. She was carrying a tray and by a stroke of luck managed not to drop it.
"Oh, Gwen! Thank goodness I found you!" He hunched over, regaining his breath after his frantic race through the halls. "I was concerned something bad had happened in the woods!"
"Why ever would you think that?" She asked, but didn't look that interested in the answer, fidgeting in a way that revealed her impatience.
"After I sent you into the woods to gather plants for my tonics you never returned. After Merlin's disappearance, I was concerned you had been caught up in something terrible."
"Yes, well I had far more important chores to do now didn't I? I couldn't spend all my time looking after a decrepit old man and picking flowers." Gaius was taken aback by how cutting and dismissive her words were.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have Arthur's meal to serve before it gets cold."
"Yes, yes, of course. I do apologize." Gaius replied faintly, moving out of her way automatically.
He turned, watching as she moved down the hall and had the urge to follow her. There was something not quite right with the way she had been acting and after spending years with Merlin and his magical mishaps he always trusted his gut when something felt wrong.
Giving in to the urge, Gaius snuck behind her at a distance, arriving at the entrance to the King's chambers just as Gwen was placing her tray of food in front of an exhausted-looking Arthur. Gaius held back, waiting to see how things would play out before jumping to any conclusions.
"I'm not hungry Gwen," Arthur said, barely giving the food a glance as he studied a map on his desk intently.
"You must eat. Keep your strength up." Gwen insisted, pushing the plate of food closer.
Arthur looked up and his expression softened, "always taking such great care of me, Guinevere."
"Of course, Arthur." She smiled back at him but the expression dropped from her face as soon as Arthur turned his back, searching through a stack of maps behind him. Gaius crept closer, something wasn't right about the whole situation.
His fears were confirmed moments later when Gwen picked up the knife from Arthur's dinner plate.
"Arthur!" Gaius cried out in warning, rushing forward when Gwen launched herself at Arthur.
Having heard his cry Arthur spun around but it was too late and Gauis could only watch in horror as Gwen brought the knife down, burying it in Arthur's chest.
I really can't help myself with these cliffhangers... sorry 😜Feel free to scream at me in the comments hehe
(note: I posted this late at night so apologies for any formatting issues. Also, this chapter is unbeta'd so sorry for any mistakes!)
