The poisoned chalice
Nimueh stood in her cave, and dropped some of her blood from her hand into a stone basin.Running her fingers through the water of the basin, Nimueh began to chant, "Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Swilte ar ond calan, drædan morðor, to Camelot he cymþ!"
An image of Merlin and Alexia laughing and cleaning some of Arthur's armor appeared in the basin, and then the water cleared. Nimueh picked something out of the water and attached it to the inside of a silver goblet. She then held it up, as in a toast, and said menacingly, "Merlin."
In Camelot.
" How are you feeling being yourself again?" Merlin asked Alexia.
" Merlin, this is about tenth time you are asking me since past few days. But it's fine. I never knew Uther will understand. I thought, I was going to be sacked." Alexia told him.
Merlin nodded.
" Arthur said that he made him agree. But I don't know why he did this." Merlin said.
" I wish I could know. But let's leave it. I am enjoying it." She said with a smile.
" Oh yeah! You will. The manservant turned into a maidservant, that too a beutiful one." Merlin said laughing, as he remembered the reaction of servants when Alexia entered in trousers, tunic and jacket with long dark brown hair.
Alexia smirked. " Did you just confess, that I am beautiful?" She asked with a playful smirk.
Merlin became a bit red.
" I think we must continue with our work." Merlin said. Alexia laughed.
" Oh my god! The great Merlin! The biggest chatterbox, is quite." Alexia said dramatically.
In return, a nearby goblet was tossed at her, which she obviously ducked.
" You should stop remaining in Arthur's company!" Alexia exclaimed.
After some time, Bayard and his party arrived in Camelot. The two groups met in the throne room, approaching each other at the same speed. The tension in the room was almost palpable.
The two kings and their parties met in the middle of the throne room. The two kings stared at each other for a moment before Uther stated, "Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard of Mercia. The treaty we sign today marks an end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people."
Nimueh was standing in the background as a servant in Bayard's party, while in the forefront Uther and Bayard grasped arms. Both parties applauded while Nimueh stared down Merlin, who was standing in the background with Alexia.
In one of the castle hallways, Merlin passed Gaius while carrying a heavy bag.
"Why do I always get landed with the donkey work? Alexia is with Morgana doing some girls thing." Merlin complained as he passed Gaius.
Gaius laughed and stopped in the hallway. "You're a servant, Merlin. It's what you do."
"Alexia is also a maid. My arms will be a foot longer by the time I get this lot inside." Merlin complained again, shrugging his shoulders slightly.
"It's character building." Gaius said, still laughing slightly. "As the old proverb says, hard work breeds...a harder soul."
Merlin just gave him an unbelieving look. "There is no way that's a proverb. You just made that up." Merlin said, incredulous.
"No. I didn't." Gaius denied.
Nimueh passed through carrying a load of fabric and pillows. As she passed, she faked a fall right in front of Merlin.
"Sorry." Nimueh said sweetly, gathering up the things that had fallen.
"It's alright." Merlin said, exchanging looks with Gaius.
"Excuse me." Nimueh said, sounding like the servant she was pretending to be.
"Let me give you a hand with that." Merlin said, crouching down to help pick up some of Nimueh's things.
When Merlin crouched down, he catched Nimueh's eye. They both stood up, still staring at each other. Merlin had a slight smile on his face, slightly distracted by the beautiful girl in front of him. Unknown to her Alexia was noticing everything from down the corridor.
"Hi. I'm Merlin." Merlin said, offering his hand and still wearing that smile.
Merlin shook Nimueh's hand.
"Cara." Nimueh said. "You're Arthur's servant. That must be such an honor."
"Oh, yeah. It is. Well, you know, someone's got to keep the place running." Merlin said highly. Gaius crossed his arms and gives him a pointed look from behind Cara.
"Thank you, Merlin." Nimueh said, nodding at the pillow Merlin was still holding.
"Hmm?" Merlin asked, distracted.
Merlin looked down at the pillow he picked up for her.
"Oh, right. Yeah. Er, no problem." He said, putting the pillow on top of the pile she was holding.
" Merlin!" Alexia called him with an extra sweet voice.
" Arthur is calling us and we have to leave." She said grabbing his arm.
" I think you will excuse us." She said giving Nimueh an extra sugar coated smile. And then dragged him towards Arthur's chambers, while glaring daggers at Nimueh.
"It was nice meeting you." Nimueh said from behind. She then turned and walked away, and Merlin watched her leave while being dragged by Alexia.
Nimueh sneaked through the halls past a guard and arrived at Bayard's guest quarters. She checked the doors to see that they are locked. After checking the hall around her, Nimueh chanted, "Alysan duru ronne."
The door opened with a slight creak, and Nimueh entered the empty room. She closed the door behind her, and then opened a box with two silver goblets inside. She replaced one of them with an identical looking one that she enchanted earlier.
In Arthur's chambers, Merlin set down Arthur's clothes for the feast and reeled backwards, covering his face at the terrible smell.
"When's the last time these were cleaned?" Merlin asked, trying to shake them.
Arthur thought for a moment, and then replied, "Last year some time. Before the feast of Beltane."
"Did it end in a food fight?" Merlin questioned, helping Arthur to slip the jacket on.
"Don't all feasts?" Arthur asked.
"I wouldn't know. The airs and graces of the court are a mystery to me." Merlin said, brushing off and fiddling with the jacket.
"Not tonight they won't be."
"I'm gonna be at the banquet?" Merlin asked, happily.
"Not quite. You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry." Arthur said, shrugging out of the jacket. "If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches, I don't see why you should get out of it."
" Alexia?" Merlin asked.
" She is with Morgana, Morgana asked me to lend Alexia to her today. Don't know what they are planning." Arthur said with a shrug.
Merlin frowned.
"Be sure to polish the buttons." Arthur said, shoving the jacket at Merlin. "Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?" He asked, going behind his changing screen.
"Won't this do?" Merlin asked, motioning down at himself.
"No. Tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot." Ducking behind the screen once more, Arthur brought out the clothing and held them up for Merlin to see.
"You can't be serious." Merlin said, shocked.
In the Hall of Ceremonies, Bayard signed the treaty. Merlin stood at the back, wearing a red cape and a giant red feathered hat. Gwen and Alexia who are standing right next to Merlin, chuckled at Merlin's feathered hat.
" What the hell is that Merlin?" Alexia asked in whispers, containing her laughter.
"Oh Alexia! Don't be mean, it's such a nice hat." Gwen giggled
"Thanks." Merlin nodded, making the feathers in his hat bob. Arthur looked back at Merlin and smirked, and raised his eyebrows in amusement.
Alexia shook her head at their childish behaviour.
Merlin catched Nimueh's eye and took off the hat, trying to smooth down his unruly hair.
Gwen noticed his gaze, and she didn't look please. "She's pretty isn't she? For a handmaiden, I mean."
"She's pretty for a princess, let alone a handmaiden." Melrin said, still staring at Nimueh.
Alexia nudged her elbow in his stomach.
" Ow!" He squeaked.
" You are going to break my ribs one day Alexia." Merlin said.
" Oh really! Then be serious and stop your stupidity." She scolded.
Merlin and Gwen frowned as Alexia left the place to stand beside Lili, another kind hearted maid.
Uther finished signing the treaty and grasped arms with Bayard. The crowd stood and applauded and Gwen left Merlin and walked over to Gaius.
"People of Camelot," Bayard began, "for a great many years we have been mortal enemies, and the blood of our men stains the ground from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia. And though we remember those who have died, we must not allow any more to join them."
A serving girl brought in the box with the goblets, and stopped at the king's side.
Bayard opened the box and pulled out the goblets. "As a symbol of our goodwill, and of our newfound friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, Uther, and to your son, Arthur, in the hope that our friendship may last."
Nimueh approached Merlin with fake anxiety in her voice. "Merlin, I need to speak to you."
"The wounds we received in battle..." Bayard continued, while Merlin listened to her.
"What is it?" Merlin asked, looking slightly concerned.
"Not here, please. I don't know who else to tell." Nimueh said, looking slightly panicked. Merlin glanced towards the room, and then left with Nimueh. Gaius and Alexia noticed and watched them leave.
"Tonight we toast a new beginning for our peoples. We look towards a future free from the toils of war." Bayard said, still talking in the background.
Nimueh and Merlin stopped to talk in a corridor.
"It wasn't until I saw him give the goblet to Arthur that I realized..." Nimueh said, talking fast.
"Whoa, slow down. Start from the beginning." Merlin asked.
"Two days ago, I was bringing Bayard his evening meal. We're supposed to knock. He didn't expect me to walk in..."
"So, what are you trying to say?"
"If he knows I said anything, he will kill me." Nimueh said, false fear in her voice.
"I would not let that happen to you, I promise. Please tell me what you saw." Merlin replied, his voice sounding confident.
"Bayard is no friend of Camelot. He craves the kingdom for himself."
"Cara..." He paused as a servant walked by in the hall. "Tell me. What has Bayard done with the goblet?"
"He believes that if he kills Arthur, Uther's spirit will be broken and Camelot will fall."
"What has he done with the goblet?" Merlin asked again, sounding firm.
"I saw him putting something in it." She revealed.
"What?"
"I shouldn't! He'll kill me!" Nimueh said, panic filling her voice.
"Please, tell me! Was it poison?" Merlin asked. Nimueh nodded in response.
Merlin ran back to the Hall of Ceremonies but collided with Alexia.
" Merlin! Come with me." Alexia commanded.
" I need to save Arthur." He yelled in low voice.
Alexia turned to Nimueh.
Before she could say anything, Merlin freed himself and ran to the hall.
" Merlin!" Alexia called from behind.
She then turned to Nimueh.
" You!" She pointed irritated.
Nimueh acted to be scared.
" Stop your act! I know who you are. And I am going to tell Uther right now." Alexia said and turned to leave.
" Ic þé wiþdrífe !" She said from behind blasting Alexia in the wall, knocking her out.
Bayard was still speaking as Merlin came in. "And may the differences from our past remain there. To your health, Uther."
Everyone stood to toast, raising their goblets.
"Arthur. "
Arthur started to drink, but was interrupted.
"The Lady Morgana."
Morgana nodded in response. Arthur waited.
"The people of Camelot."
Arthur started to drink, looking annoyed when he was once again interrupted.
"And to fallen warriors on both sides." Uther finished
Everyone started to drink, until Merlin rushed in.
"Stop!" He yelled. "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!"
Merlin ran up to Arthur and took his goblet.
"What?" Uther said, sounding less than impressed.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked, irritated.
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison." Merlin revealed to the banquet hall.
"This is an outrage!" Bayard said, drawing his sword. The rest of his knights followed suit, followed by the knights of Camelot.
"Order your men to put down their swords." Uther said calmly as Camelot guards rushed in. "You are outnumbered."
"I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged!" Bayard yelled.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asked, this time directed at Merlin.
"I'll handle this." Arthur said as he skirted around the table. "Merlin, you idiot. Have we been at the sloe gin again?"
Arthur grabbed Merlin, took the goblet, and pushed Merlin away from Bayard.
"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think why you think it's poisoned now." Uther ordered, leaning on the table in front of him.
"He was seen lacing it." Merlin said confidently.
"By whom?" Uther questioned
"I can't say." Merlin glanced behind the king, where Nimueh was watching from behind a pillar.
"I won't listen to this anymore." Bayard said.
"Pass me the goblet." Uther ordered. Arthur handed it to him.
"If you're telling the truth..." Uther said, his voice trailing off.
"I am." Bayard said his voice full of confidence.
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther said, meeting Bayard's gaze.
Bayard immediately sheathed his sword and reached for the goblet.
"No. If this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Uther said darkly, turning and facing Merlin. Bayard snorted in derision at the thought.
Uther held the goblet up to Merlin. "He'll drink it." Uther stated, much to the consternation of the Prince.
"But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Arthur argued.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther said as Merlin reached out and grabbed the goblet.
"And what if he lives?" Bayard questioned, clearly expecting this to be the case.
Uther turned back to Bayard. "Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Merlin stared down at the offending goblet with an unreadable expression.
"Uther, please! He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!" Gaius protested
"Then you should've schooled him better." Uther replied, not a shred of sympathy in his voice.
"Merlin, apologize. This is a mistake. I'll drink it." Arthur said, grabbing for the goblet.
"No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright." Merlin replied, holding the cup away from Arthur's reach.
Merlin toasted to Bayard and Arthur, then drank as Nimueh watched with glee. Gwen took a few steps forward in her anxiety as they all watched to see what would happen.
Merlin stared down at the cup, and then looked up at Uther and Bayard, who scoffed. "It's fine." Merlin finally stated.
"He's all yours." Uther said with a wave of his hand, and Bayard unsheathed his sword.
Gwen sighed in relief, while Nimueh watched with a determined expression. Bringing a hand up to his throat, Merlin began to choke and fell to the floor unconscious, the cup rolling away with a clang.
"It's poisoned. Guards seize him!" Uther shouted. Everyone in the room, from Camelot and Mercia alike, pulled out their sword. Even Morgana pulled out a long knife.
Arthur crouched over Merlin, and was soon joined by Gaius and Gwen. In the background, Nimueh left the banquet hall.
"Merlin. Can you hear me?" Gaius asked, prodding the unresponsive boy and forcing an eye open. "We have to get him back to my chambers." Gaius told Arthur, who proceeded to pick him up. "Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison."
Arthur carried Merlin out of the room, and Gwen grabbed the goblet before quickly following.
Arthur entered the physician's chambers carrying Merlin. Gaius and Gwen followed close behind.
"Lay him on the bed quickly; he's struggling to breathe. Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel." Arthur and Gwen quickly followed his instructions laying Merlin out on the cot.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Arthur asked as he helped situate Merlin on the cot.
Meanwhile Alexia woke up with a groan.
She looked around and heard clanging.
" Shoot! Merlin!" She cursed and ran to physician's chambers.
She opened the door with a bang startling Arthur, Gwen and Gaius.
" Merlin!" She exclaimed. Gwen pointed at him and Alexia ran to him.
" No! This idiot. Gaius that servant. That servant girl cara. She was no servant. We have to save him Gaius. Please." Alexia blabbered.
" Alexia calm down. Only then he can cure him." Arthur calmed her.
Alexia nodded.
"He's burning up." Gaius muttered.
"You can cure him, can't you Gaius?" Gwen asked, handing him the water soaked cloth.
"I won't know until I can identify the poison." Gaius replied, placing the cool rag on the forehead of his ward. "Pass me the goblet." He waved.
Gwen handed it to him before sitting at Merlin's side.
Gaius looked at the goblet, and immediately noticed, "Ah. There's something stuck on the inside."
"What is it?" Arthur asked, standing up to join him.
Gaius used tweezers to pull out the object. "It looks like a flower petal of some kind." He surmised
"His brow's on fire." Alexia said.
"Keep him cool; it'll help control his fever." Gaius said distractedly as he studied the petal.
Alexia tended to Merlin while Gaius pulled out a book from one of his stacks and began flipping through it.
He stopped when he found a similar looking flower, and compared the picture to the petal. "Ah. The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower. It can only be found in the caves deep beneath the Forest of Balor. The flower grows on the roots of the Mortaeus tree." Gaius read.
"That's not particularly friendly."Arthur commented, looking at a picture of a reptilian creature.
"A Cockatrice. It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death. Few who have crossed the Mountains of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive." Gaius read, and then he looked up at the prince.
Arthur paced for a moment, before stating in a serious voice, "Sounds like fun."
"Arthur, it's too dangerous." Gaius argued.
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?" Arthur asked pointedly.
"The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death . He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not for much longer. Eventually he will die." Gaius stated. Both Arthur and Gaius looked down at the ailing warlock before Arthur walked out without another word.
Nimueh strode through the halls with a confident smirk, before she went out of Camelot.
Gwen entered Morgana's chambers, where the young woman was taking embellishments out of her hair.
"My Lady, I am so sorry I haven't been here to attend to you." Gwen apologized, looking slightly frazzled.
"Don't worry, I'm alright. How's Merlin?" Morgana asked, looking worried.
"If Arthur comes back with the antidote in time, he'll be fine."
"Then he'll be fine." Morgana assured the other girl.
Gwen sighed.
"You should be with him." Morgana said. "I'll manage. I know what he means to you. Go." She insisted, motioning towards the door.
"Thank you." Gwen curtsied slightly before rushing back out of the door.
Arthur walked with Uther through one of the castle corridors. Arthur was dressed in his chainmail and carrying his sword in the sheath.
"What's the point of having people to taste for you if you're going to get yourself killed anyway?" Uther said, walking fast.
"I won't fail, no matter what you think." Arthur retorted.
"Arthur, you are my only son and heir. I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy."
Arthur looked angry at his father's dismissal of a human life. "Oh, because his life's worthless?"
Uther turned to face him. "No, because it's worth less than yours."
"I can save him. Let me take some men."
"No."
"We'll find the antidote and bring it back." Arthur continued, trying to talk some sense into his father.
"No."
"Why not?" Arthur exclaimed.
"Because one day I will be dead and Camelot will need a king." Uther stated matter-of-factly. "I'm not going to let you jeopardize the future of this kingdom over some fool's errand."
"It's not a fool's errand. Gaius says that if we can get the antidote..." Arthur tried to explain, but he was cut off.
"Oh, Gaius says? That's exactly what makes it so." Uther scoffed.
"Please, Father." Arthur said, lowering his tone, taking a different approach to persuade his father. " He saved my life. I can't stand by and watch him die."
"Then don't look. This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're going to be King. It's something you'll have to get used to." Uther turned to walk away.
Arthur shook his head slightly. "I can't accept that." He argued.
Uther turned back halfway. "You're not going."
"You can't stop me." Arthur stated.
Uther raised his voice in annoyance that his son is arguing with him. "Damn it, Arthur, that's an end to it! You're not leaving this castle tonight."
Arthur watched him walk off, his jaw set in anger. He then threw the door open to his chambers with a bang, stormed in, and tossed his sword angrily onto the table. Looking angry and frustrated, Arthur leaned over the fireplace and stared into the fire as Morgana entered.
As she stood in the doorway, she started up with, "Say what you like about the food, but you can't beat our feast for entertainment."
"Morgana, I'm sorry, I should have made sure you were alright." Arthur said, looking slightly contrite.
"Disappointed actually." Morgana replied, walking into the room. "I was looking forward to clumping a couple around the head with a ladle."
"I'm sure the guards could have handled Bayard and his men." Arthur scoffed
"Yeah, but why let the boys have all the fun?"
Arthur looked back at her over his shoulder. "Morgana, you shouldn't get involved. It's dangerous."
Morgana rolled her eyes as she replied, "Spare me the lecture, I've already had it from Uther."
"If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one." Arthur said heavily, the result of that conversation still fresh in his mind.
"Not that I listen to him. Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right, and damn the consequences."
Arthur turned to look at her. "You think I should go?"
"It doesn't matter what I think."
"If I don't make it back, who will be the next king of Camelot? There's more than just my life at stake." Arthur reminded her.
"And what kind of king would Camelot want?" Morgana questioned, grabbing the hilt of the sword lying on the table. "One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant?" Morgana drew Arthur's sword. "Or one who does what his father tells him to?"
Morgana presented Arthur with the sword, awaiting the answer to her question.
Arthur rode fast across the drawbridge. The guards took notice at the noise, and tried to stop him with a cry, "Halt!" Arthur ignored them, and the guards were forced to jump out of the way or risk being trampled by a running horse.
In her cave, Nimueh watched events unfolding from her stone basin.
"He's getting hotter." Alexia said as she tended to Merlin's fever.
As Gaius walked around the table to join her, Merlin began muttering, "Him? Liffrea, wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf."
' what are you saying Merlin? "Him? The Lord of wonder endowed him with world's renown." what does this mean?' Alexia thought to herself.
Gaius looked panicked for a moment before Gwen, who was standing beside them, turned to him with a questioning look. "What language is that?"
Gaius thought fast. "None. The fever's taken hold. None of those words are his own. His pulse is weaker." When he put Merlin's arm down, the sleeve bunched up slightly, showing a large circular rash on Merlin's arm.
"What is it?" Alexia asked, seeing Gaius' concern.
"That can't be right. The rash is not supposed to appear until the final stage." Gaius muttered, looking up at Alexia, before going back to check the book.
" Gwen can you please bring some water?" Alexia asked.
Gwen nodded and left.
"What does that mean?" Alexia asked, following him.
Gaius checked his book with a magnifying glass. "It says here that 'once a rash appears, death will follow within hours." He said.
Alexia's eyes widened.
" No! No! You read it wrong Gaius. There must be some mistake. It can't be possible." She said.
Gaius looked at her sadly.
" No dear! It's true." Gaius said.
" He won't survive Gaius. Arthur can never be back in hours!" She exclaimed.
" I know." Gaius sighed.
" I have to do something." She said and ran out of the room.