Hello everybody! I am back! Yes I remember that I announced that chapters here will be updated only twice a month, which means this was supposed to be next Sunday, but I just wanted to do it today. So unfortunately, today you will be getting just half of the part.

Well, guess what? Today I went to watch Spiderman- No way home! And guys, I can promise you, the movie is a masterpiece! It contains everything a brilliant movie should hold and I just want to say that i loved that movie. It was one of the best movies I ever saw! So I will request you all to give it a go, book your tickets to your nearest theatres and just enjoy your 2 and a half hour mesmerizing journey. It's one of the best movies that I ever saw, and I can promise you that you will not regret it. Just give it a go!

Now, moving ahead, thanks to @OechsnerC thankyou very much for giving some of your precious time to my story and leaving your reviews. They all give me motivation to do more and continue with my story. Thank you very much.

Let's move to the chapter now.

The witchfinder - 1

Alexia was sitting with Gwen and Morgana. They didn't know when it started but since the time Alexia was held hostage as Morgana, the three ladies grew incredibly close. The fact that Alexia and Morgana have bonded on their blessings of magic, merely gave strength to the cause. So, like many other days, these three girls were sitting in the royal chambers of Lady Morgana, all the while chatting and gossiping about the ongoings of castle, and its latest spice, Uther's marriage with troll.

But for some uncertain reasons, Alexia wasn't feeling quite well. There was something wrong, that was about to happen, it also didn't help that she decided to spend her time with Morgana and Gwen, rather than going with Merlin to collect woods. The guilt was just making things worse for her.

Meanwhile, Merlin was walking through the forest, with firewood in his hands, helping other peasants with their work. But from his face, his disinterest was definitely clear. As he moved forward, covering a small distance, few of the firewood fell from his hands. Looking down, he sighed in irritation, before deciding to leave them there only, rather than bending to collect them. Reaching a spot near a tree, he placed all the wood on the ground, before looking back and sitting on the fallen tree trunk.

Sighing, he looked around, as he felt the absence of his best companion that he always had since the time he came to Camelot. His eyes fell on the smoke that was rising not too far away from him, as an idea striked the young boy. Raising his hand, he stared at the smoke before he chanted, "Hors, beride รพรก heofonum." His eyes flashed gold as his face adorned a small smile, witnessing the smoke taking the shape of a running horse. Entranced by its beauty, he tilted his head to a side as he saw the running horse fading back to smoke.

Sighing, he stood up and bent to pick up his wood when, all of a sudden, a woman grasped him from his back, making Merlin gasp in shock.

"Did you see it?" the lady asked. When she saw confusion on his face, she cleared, "The smoke, did you see it?"

Suddenly, Merlin looked a bit panicked, before finally speaking up, "No, I saw nothing."

"Are you blind? You were right here! It was magic, I tell you. There's sorcery here. We must tell the King." The woman shouted before running off, despite Merlin's attempts to stop her.

"No! Wait!" Merlin tried but nothing happened.

In the throne room, Uther could be seen standing in front of his throne, while Arthur stood behind his. The room was filled with council members, as they stood at their places. Merlin, Alexia and Gaius were standing beside each other.

"It was sorcery you saw, and you're certain of it?" Uther asked, looking at the woman.

"Yes, Sire." The woman answered. Gaius looked at Merlin at this.

"And you swear this before your King?" Uther asked again.

"I swear it." The lady swore.

"Perhaps your eyes deceived you, a trick of the light." Arthur suggested.

"The smoke was alive, I tell you. I feared for my life." The woman said. Merlin rolled his eyes at that.

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded." Uther announced.

"Thank you, Sire." The woman bowed her head, before she was escorted out of the room by a guard.

"It cannot continue." Uther muttered.

"I will hunt down those responsible, Father. I promise they will not escape unpunished." Arthur assured his father.

"No. Stronger methods are called for. Send for the Witchfinder." Uther commanded as the courtiers gasped at that. Moragana gasped, as fear entered her eyes, while Alexia's eyes widened in fear as she realized what was going to happen.

"Sire, is it necessary to resort to such measures?" Gaius asked, afraid for the three magicians residing in the castle.

"The Witchfinder is a trusted ally, Gaius. His help will be invaluable." Uther said. Gaius gave a grave nod. "Of course." While Merlin looked confused and Alexia gulped.

"How many times, Merlin? How many times must I drive it into that thick skull of yours that your magic is a secret to be guarded with your life? What were you thinking?" Gaius yelled as the trio entered the physician's chambers, with Gaius rushing ahead in his anger, and Merlin following him with a worried look. Alexia closed the door as soon as they entered.

"I...I wasn't thinking." Merlin confessed to a very angry Gaius.

"Well think, boy, think!" Gaius yelled, making Alexia wince a bit.

"It was just a bit of fun." Merlin defended himself.

"It was magic and it was seen." Gaius pointed and Merlin sighed.

"You're right. I'm sorry." Merlin apologized.

"You must hide the book. Anything that can connect you both to sorcery in any way." Gaius said looking at the pair.

"What? Now?" Merlin asked shocked.

"Yes, now, Merlin. The man that Uther has sent for, I know him." Gaius replied, his tone grave.

"The Witchfinder?" Merlin asked.

"Hmm, some know him by that name. I know him as Aredian. He is a force to be reckoned with." Gaius informed the young boy.

"But I'm not a witch. Look. No dress or anything." Merlin said cheekily, spreading his arms. But Gaius didn't look amused, while Alexia slapped her hand on her forehead.

"I'll get the book." He said as he noticed the reactions he got.

In night, a person could be seen in fog, entered the gates of Camelot, on his large horse-drawn cage. He entered the square as a guard approached him. Aredin got down from his seat, as he looked at the guard.

"I am expected." He simply said.

From the window of Morgana's chambers, Gwen and Morgana could be seen looking at the man.

"Is that him?" Gwen asked in whispers.

"Yes." Morgana replied.

"What's that cage for?" Gwen asked in confusion.

"It hardly bears thinking about." Morgana answered shaking her head as she thought about the horrors this man would bring. The man suddenly looked up at Morgana's windows, drawing a gasp from her.

In the Council chambers, Uther entered the room, followed by Arthur and few of his questions.

"So where's he been all this time?" Arthur asked.

"In foreign lands. Wherever the pursuit of sorcery takes him." Uther replied.

"He does all this in your name?" Arthur asked.

"The Witchfinder serves no one. He's a law unto himself." The king said coming to a halt, along with his son.

"Do you smell it?" a voice came out of nowhere. Uther and Arthur turned to see Aredian. "Do you smell it, Uther?" Aredian asked.

"Aredian." Uther greeted.

"It's all around us, the foul stench of sorcery. It's infected your great city like a contagion." He took few steps forward.

"I welcome you to Camelot, Aredian. Thank you for making such haste to be here." Uther said as he shook his hand with Aredian.

"Well, let's hope I'm not too late, hmm? For every hour counts in the war against sorcery. Unchecked, it spreads like a disease. It seeks out the young and the old, the weak and the able, the fair and the foul of heart alike. You've grown lazy, Uther. You've grown idle. Your once noble Camelot is rotten to the core. You stand on the brink of dark oblivion." Aredian said, as he moved around the room, stopping at the end of the table.

"I am at your disposal, Aredian. The knights will aid you in any way they can." Arthur offered, drawing attention from Aredian.

"You must be Arthur." Aredian observed the prince.

"I must be." Arthur confirmed.

"You're a great warrior. The finest this kingdom has ever known." Aredian said with a small smile.

"Thank you." Arthur accepted the praise.

"So you won't be offended when I say that I shall have no need of you or your knights. The subtle craft of sorcery can only be fought by yet subtler means, methods honed over decades of study, methods known only to myself." Aredian said moving few steps further.

"We are grateful for your help." Uther said.

"But gratitude alone can't keep a man alive. You must put food in his belly." Aredian smirked.

"I will pay your price, Aredian, whatever it may be." Uther assured and Aredian nodded.

"I will bid you goodnight." Aredian wished, walking towards the exit.

"Aredian, when do you begin?" Arthur asked.

"I've already begun." He said looking over his shoulder.

Aredian peered at Gaius and Merlin from around a corner as they walked down the street.

"Gaius, isn't it? I never forget a face." Aredian greeted.

"Nor I, Aredian." Gaius greeted back.

"A physician now, I hear. You always did have a thirst for knowledge." Aredian prompted.

"Scientific knowledge." Cleared the physician.

"Of course." Aredian nodded with a sharp smile before looking at Merlin. Gaius noticed that.

"My assistant, Merlin." Gaius introduced the boy, knowing it would be too suspicious not to do so.

"Merlin." Aredian nodded.

"May your investigation prove fruitful, Aredian. However, you'll have to excuse us, we have work to do." Gaius said before he and Merlin turned to leave.

"Naturally. Merlin?" He called the leaving boy, as the said warlock turned to look at him. "I have a few questions I would like you to answer. Please be at my chambers in an hour." Aredian said while Merlin nodded. Both Aredian and Gaius along with Merlin, went on their ways respectively.

In Morgana's chambers, Alexia was sitting beside Morgana.

"Have you noticed his gaze, it brings down shivers for me. I haven't felt such scared in my life. What if he did find out?" Morgana asked, as she looked at Alexia worried.

Alexia sighed.

"I won't lie Morgana, this man is definitely dangerous. I can only suggest you to not display a single hint that might connect you with sorcery." Alexia advised. Morgana looked at her, fear creeping in her eyes as she nodded. Alexia patted her hand lightly, smiling a bit.

"I will leave now." She said as she stood up and left the room.

Alexia returned back to her chambers as she looked at Merlin sitting there, his hands below his chin while his left foot was tapping on the floor rapidly. He was definitely in some deep thoughts.

"Merlin?" Alexia called, moving beside him. The said boy looked at her as he sighed, taking her hand.

"You are not fine." Alexia observed as the said boy merely nodded.

"I am actually scared." He said, as he looked towards the window. The girl frowned at that.

"What happened?" She asked placing her hand on his shoulder.

Merlin stared at her for a moment before he launched into the events.

Merlin and Aredian could be seen sitting inside the Aredian's guest room. Aredian dipped his quill in the ink before he inspected it and when satisfied, asked Merlin.

"You are aware, then, that sorcery has been practiced in the vicinity of Camelot?" Aredian asked the young warlock, who even if uncomfortable, was trying his best to remain calm and confident.

"Yes. I mean, apparently." Merlin replied.

"No, no, it cannot be denied. There was a witness." The witch finder said, while straightening his page.

"Yes, I know." Merlin agreed.

"Do you also know that the woman has named you as a witness?" The man asked. At this, Merlin raised his head and looked at him confused.

"But..." He argued.

"I've already spoken to her. She was quite clear on the matter." Aredian stoped him.

"But I wasn't a witness." Merlin said, frowning.

"Oh, sorry. Perhaps I misheard. Do you deny that you were present at the time of the incident?" He asked, clearly twisting his words.

"No, I, I was there." The younger male confessed.

"Well, so you saw it, the horse conjured from the smoke?" He interrogated.

"I saw the smoke, but...it was only smoke. I saw nothing else." Merlin answered.

"Are you saying that she lies?" Aredian asked.

"I didn't say that. I said I didn't see what she saw." Merlin pointed.

"Hmm. Well, how can that be, I wonder? How can one person see something and the other not?" Aredian asked, looking straight into his eyes.

"I can't explain it." Merlin whispered, his voice calm as he stared back.

"I'm at a loss as to explain it myself." Aredian chuckled. "Unless it was you who performed the magic." He finally spoke up.

Merlin stared at him, his face blank, but the slight clenched jaw was definitely the only expression of his feelings.

"It wasn't." He replied softly.

"Can you prove that it wasn't?" Aredian asked, his eyes surveying Merlin for and discomfort.

"No." The boy ducked his head.

"Hmm. That'll be all." Aredian said, leaning back on his chair.

Merlin stood up, but was interrupted.

"For now." He said.

Merlin gave a light nod before he left.

Alexia gasped as Merlin recounted the events of his day.

"Why didn't you tell me that he was going to interrogate you?" Alexia asked.

Merlin just gave a sigh.

"I didn't want you to worry." He answered softly. Alexia's eyes melted at that. She moved a bit forward, wrapping her arms around him, as she took in his scent and smiled to herself. Each and every day, her feelings were just growing for him.

"Stop being a self-sacrificing idiot! I care for you Merlin, and any problem of yours is not a burden or worry for me. Please share these things with me." Alexia mumbled. Merlin nodded at that.

"So what next?" He asked.

"We have to see." She replied.

It was during the day when the court was called and Aredian was standing infront of the king with three ladies.

"Speak, do not be afraid." He told them, standing behind one of them.

"I...I was drawing water from the well, Sire, when I saw them: faces in the water. Terrible faces, like people who were drowned, screaming. Screaming." The girl broke into sobs at the end.

Everyone started whispering to each other while Merlin leaned towards Gaius.

"I haven't done anything, I promise." Merlin told the physician.

"Tell them what you saw." He prompted the other one.

"A goblin dancing on the coals. it was dancing in the flames, and it spoke, Sire. My heart near stopped for fear of it." The lady in the middle said.

"As you've heard, My Lord, the incident in the woods was only the beginning, hmm?" Aredian told the king before he motioned the girl at the end to speak.

"There was a sorcerer, Sire, in the square. There were creatures jumping right out of his mouth." The terrified girl spoke up.

"And what manner of creature?" Aredian asked.

"Toads, Sire. Great green, slimy things as big as your fist." The lady gasped, trying to controll her fear while Uther looked terrified.

"The sorcerer laughs in your face. Even now magic flourishes on the streets of Camelot." Aredian mocked.

"I can scarcely believe it." Uther muttered, his face showing his mortification.

"Yet it is the truth, My Lord. Fortunately I've utilised every facet of my craft to bring this matter to a swift resolution." Aredian smiled proudly.

"The sorcerer? You have a suspect?" Uther asked, standing up.

"Oh, I do, My Lord. I regret to say, they stand among us in this very room." He said, as Morgana took a heavy breath and Alexia looked at the man with wide eyes. "My methods are infallible, my findings incontestable! The facts point to one person and one person alone: the boy, Merlin!" Aredian yelled.

Merlin looked stumped while Alexia swiftly took his hand, but couldn't realise if it was to comfort him or herself. Morgana looked at the boy with a frown while Arthur suppressed a scoff as he stared at the witch finder in amusement.

"Merlin? You can't be serious." He said.

"This is outrageous! You have no evidence!" Gaius shouted.

"The tools of magic cannot be hidden from me. I am certain that a thorough search of the boy's chamber will deliver us all we need." Aredian pointed.

Uther looked thoughtful as he stared at him.

"Merlin?" He asked.

"I have nothing to hide from him." Merlin replied confidently.

"Very well. Guards, restrain the boy. Let the search begin." Uther commanded turning back, while gaurds came and held Merlin.

Alexia suppressed her tears as she saw the gaurds taking him. She couldn't allow herself to fall weak.

Guards smashed Gaius's possessions in his chambers in their search for magical objects, while Gaius and Alexia stood there at side watching them.

"Careful, please! That's my life's work!" Gaius shouted as the gaurds scattered all the papers from the upper shelf.

"Comb every inch. The sorcerer is a master of concealment." Aredian ordered, his voice indicating his glee.

"There's nothing here, Aredian!" Arthur said, exasperated.

"I'll be the judge of that. Over there behind this tapestry." He pointed as a guard scrambled over there. "In there, upend that stool." Another one picked it up before smashing it. "Be sure to check for hollow legs. In there within those powder jars." He commanded as sir Leon moves to the jar before breaking one of them. A bracelet with yellow stone fell out.

His eyes fell on it as he picked it up.

"Here!" Sir Leon shouted. Aredian took it from him.

"An amulet of enchantment. Were you aware, physician, that your assistant kept instruments of sorcery?" Aredian asked, looking at Gaius. Alexia clenched her fists as she remembered how the amulet got there. Her eyes were glistening with rage and anger.

"No." Gaius answered. Aredian smirked.

"Well, our work is done. I must inform the King." Aredian said as he turned to leave.

"Aredian!" Gaius called from behind, making the man stop and Alexia take a step towards him. "I know for certain that that amulet does not belong to Merlin." Gaius said.

"Oh? Well who does it belong to, then?" Aredian asked, daring him to deny.

"It belongs to me." Gaius answered, making Alexia gasp.

"Gaius!" Alexia yelled, her eyes glistening with tears.

Gaius just gave her a nod.

The door to Merlin's cell is opened to reveal Arthur. Merlin looked up.

"You're free to go." Arthur said as a gaurd enters to escort Merlin out. As they were passing by the corridor, Merlin saw Gaius being escorted in.

"Gaius? What's going on?" Merlin asked.

"Say nothing, Merlin. Do nothing. Promise me!" Gaius yelled back while Merlin was pushed out by the gaurd.

Merlin enters Gaius's chambers to find everything ransacked. Alexia could be seen sitting on the tool, her eyes dried up from crying.

Merlin rushed to her.

"Alexia?" He called, placing his hand on her cheek. She raised her head, a cut on her forehead becoming visible.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice containing his rage.

Alexia threw herself upon as she burst into tears.

"They took him! Merlin! Gaius took the blame for you." Alexia cried as she wrapped her hands around him.

Merlin looked shocked before he rubbed her back.

"What do you mean? On what basis?" Merlin asked.

Alexia sobbed.

"They found an amulet. Gaius thought it was yours, so he took the blame and now is going to be punished." The girl answered.

Merlin froze at that. What amulet? How did that amulet came here?

"I didn't have any amulet Alexia." Merlin yelled.

Alexia sniffed as she nodded.

"I know. It was planted by Aredian. He is a fraud Merlin. He plants evidence and executes innocent people. He is a cheat." The girl told him.

Merlin couldn't help but gasp at that. The man was a fraud. And he framed him and Gaius.

"We have to do something." Merlin said.

Alexia looked at him as she nodded.

"I know. We have to stop him."

Uther and Arthur were eating dinner with Aredian.

"Gaius served me with unfailing dedication. Without his knowledge, his wisdom, I would not be sitting here today." Uther confessed, greatly upset with today's events.

"You show great faith in him, Sire. Great faith, indeed, considering he was known to practice sorcery." Aredian pointed with a smirk while taking a sip from his goblet.

Arthur looked surprised at that.

"Gaius? You are mistaken."

Uther shook his head. "No, Arthur. He speaks the truth. I'm well aware of his past, but I have every reason to believe he's turned his back on sorcery." He explained.

"Until now." Aredian spoke up again.

"We don't know that. And this amulet you found, it could just be a stupid mistake." Uther thought.

"Or maybe he's fallen back into old habits." Aredian retorted.

"We must give him the benefit of the doubt, surely?" Arthur snapped back.

"Why?" Aredian asked, silencing Arthur. The young prince looked at him while aredian merely raised a brow.

"Anyway, there's a sure way to establish his guilt." Aredian shrugged after a few moments.

"I know your methods are effective, Aredian, but Gaius is an old man. He could not withstand such treatment." Uther expressed.

"It's the only way to rid your mind of doubt." Aredian said simply, making Uther think as he took a leisure sip.

Gaius woke up with a jerk as Aredian splashed water on him, coughing loudly.

"What time is it?" He asked.

Aredian gave a smirk. "Time for you to confess." He left the cell motioning the gaurds who moved to Gaius, picking him up.

Sitting on a chair in the interrogation room Gaius was speaking in his defence."The amulet was a relic from the past, a keepsake."

Aredian stared at him.

"But such artifacts are banned on pain of death. Surely, you must know this?" He pointed.

"I was wrong to have kept it. I'm grievously sorry for it." Gaius stated simply. Aredian raised a brow at that.

"Well that's a good start. It's an excellent start, but not nearly enough, I'm afraid."

"Aredian..." Gaius tried. But was stopped to speak further when Aredian called out..

"Gaurds!"

The gaurds throw Gaius in his prison cell, making him stumble and look at the closing door.

After than Gaius was brought out for questioning many times.

"Was your conscience clear when you practiced magic in the days of the Great Purge?"

"I have not used magic for many years."

"...that your assistant kept instruments of sorcery?"

"It belongs to me."

"So if someone else were to practice magic?"

"No."

"You're an enemy of this kingdom, you're an enemy of your king!"

"No. My conscience is clear. I'd like a drink of water, please."

"And you shall have one, when you've confessed."

"Then I shall die of thirst, Aredian."

Aredian merely gave a shrug at that.

Alexia and Merlin could be seen sitting in Gaius's destroyed chambers. Their hopes vanishing as the time was passing.

"I can't believe I could do something so stupid." Merlin mumbled to himself, pushing his head in his hands. Alexia just sniffed, her eyes red from crying, just like her nose.

"We have to save him. If i remember correct, Gaius was nearly on the pire before you finally exposed Aredian." She replied, her voice hoarse and wavering.

"How?" Merlin asked.

"He lays traps for others. It's time he falls in one of his own." Alexia answered determined.