Another's Favor by ebhg

Rating: T

Pairings: Merthian/Arwen

Spoilers: Series 1-4 and up to episode 4 of Series 5.

Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to BBC.

A/N: Thank you so much to all who have reviewed! A little whump in this chapter, but nothing too crazy;)


Summit Stumbling Block

King Arthur and Merlin stood on the battlements of the castle a month later, watching as the various different monarchs made their way to the city. It had been a busy month, filled with meetings and preparations of the citadel as well as the surrounding town. Everyone had been working from dawn till dusk for the past week, and the castle and city nearly glistened.

Arthur felt a certain sense of nostalgia as he watched the different processions approaching the city in the distance. It seemed like just yesterday that he had stood in the very same place with his father, watching a similar scene. Yet it also seemed like a lifetime ago. Now his father was gone and it was Arthur's turn to broker peace.

Merlin stood quietly beside Arthur, glad that the long-awaited day had finally arrived. Between the preparations for the peace talks and his lessons with Mordred, Merlin felt as though he had hardly sat down. Though he had given a grateful Mordred a break from his lessons in the last week so that they could both attend to their other duties. Merlin had been surprised by how much he enjoyed teaching; he had expected to be much more nervous about it, but Mordred had proved to be an excellent student and a quick learner. While his apprentice wasn't mastering spells at quite the same speed Merlin was capable of, Mordred was not far behind.

"It is a shame that Finna did not stay to see this," Arthur mused.

"She did not want to be away from the Catha any longer. She has been with them since she was a young girl."

"I understand. I could never leave Camelot, and not just because I am king. This is my home."

"Mine as well," Merlin murmured, a smile growing as more travelers became visible.

"There's Nemeth's colors," Arthur said, nudging Merlin in the arm with his elbow.

"Mithian will be pleased," the warlock replied, his grin growing wider. "She was just saying how nice it would be to see her father again so soon."

"And there's Caerleon's banner as well as Gawant's. If I'm not mistaken that farthest group is King Olaf's."

"Let's hope he left the Lady Vivian at home this time," Merlin laughed.

"Do not even mention that incident," Arthur groaned.

"What? That's how I knew that Gwen was your true love," Merlin teased. "She kissed you and the enchantment broke, thus she's your true love."

"How were you so sure she was the one?! I didn't even know that until she was gone," Arthur said, furrowing his brow in thought.

"Please, it was obvious that you fancied Gwen. It was obvious then and it's obvious now. The only one who couldn't see it was your father," Merlin argued. Arthur fell quiet at the reminder and Merlin allowed him a moment of undisturbed silence.

"Am I actually going to be able to accomplish this?" Arthur asked, following the progress of the processions anxiously as they drew ever closer.

"Things are moving forward, Arthur. This is really happening and you will see it through," Merlin said, smiling supportively at his king.

"Then let's hope that things go smoothly," Arthur said, chuckling humorlessly.

"Do they ever?" Merlin asked.

"Of course not, but there's always hope," the king answered with a grin of his own.

"There is that," Merlin agreed.

"Come on, we've got some visitors to greet," Arthur replied, hitting his First Advisor in the shoulder before turning away from the battlements and heading for the stairs. The king moved swiftly through the halls, Merlin right at his side. Guinevere and Mithian met them just inside the entryway, allowing the four of them to position themselves on the front steps along with the Knights of Camelot just as Queen Annis' contingent entered the courtyard.

"King Arthur, we meet again," Annis greeted in a strong, carrying voice.

"Queen Annis," Arthur replied, then gestured to Gwen. "May I introduce to you my wife, Queen Guinevere."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Guinevere greeted, nodding to the Queen of Caerleon.

"I have heard much about you, Guinevere, The Common Queen," Annis replied, eyeing Gwen shrewdly. "I think you're hardly common, though, are you?"

Gwen smiled meekly in response, and Annis turned to Merlin beside Arthur.

"And you, Lord Merlin. Emrys of the Druids, Court Warlock of Camelot. Newly married to Princess Mithian of Nemeth. Definitely not such a fool after all."

"Queen Annis," Merlin acknowledged with a nod. "It is a pleasure to see you again."

"Your Highness," Mithian greeted.

"Would you be so kind, dear Merlin, to juggle for me again sometime? You may not be a fool, but I've yet to be entertained quite so well as when you performed in Caerleon."

"Ahh..." Merlin said, blushing under Annis' questioning gaze.

"He would be delighted to," Arthur answered, and Merlin gave Annis a forced smile.

"Of course I would," the warlock said, ignoring the gleeful grin on Arthur's face. Annis looked between the two men for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Please show Queen Annis to her guest chambers," Arthur entreated a nearby servant as the Queen of Caerleon composed herself.

"I have never met a king quite like you, Arthur Pendragon. Nor have I ever met such a Court Warlock, as you say. I look forward to what the next week brings. This should be interesting."


They repeated the official greeting several more times that morning. King Rodor and Prince Gavin received a special welcome from Merlin and Mithian before they returned to the task of welcoming Kings Olaf, Lot, Odin and Alined as well as Lords Godwyn and Bayard. Last of all to arrive was Sarrum of Amata. As the numerous royal guests settled into their quarters, Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin and Mithian met briefly in the royal chambers before they began preparing for the opening feast.

"What is your impression of everyone's attitude?" Arthur asked.

"Obviously Rodor is on our side," Gwen said, nodding at Mithian. "I think Annis is as well."

"If they aren't already, I think Godwyn and Elena and maybe even Bayard and Olaf are as well," Mithian added. "Odin is a questionable one. He seemed rather cool and distant when Merlin and I greeted him. He didn't hide his lust for me very well the last time we interacted."

"That is an understatement if ever I've heard it," Gwen said, her features darkening at the memory of Odin's leering gaze upon her friend. "I'm afraid that were it not for the truce signed then, he would be difficult now."

Everyone nodded, but Arthur looked at Merlin shrewdly.

"You're not blathering. In fact you're being very quiet, Merlin. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were thinking," Arthur said, hoping to provoke the warlock into voicing what was on his mind.

"I agree with Gwen and Mithian..." Merlin began.

"But?" Arthur asked, raising his eyebrow inquisitively.

"Lot is another questionable one, though I doubt he would fight peace. I believe he mostly wants to maintain his own sovereignty. I wonder about Alined, though. His letter was one of the most vague, but I know he has nothing against magic. One I didn't see amongst the Wessex party this time was the man Alined had with him years ago. If I remember correctly, his name was Trickler, and he was a sorcerer. Not a weak one, either. The effort he went through then to disrupt the peace talks... Something about him doesn't sit right."

"He is a slimy fellow, isn't he?" Arthur agreed. "Are you absolutely sure this Trickler is not with him now?"

"He hasn't been seen; Alined is accompanied most notably by the young Prince Anwyl, in addition to a small company of knights and servants," Guinevere answered.

"Prince Anwyl? I was not aware that Alined had a son. The rumors I've heard left little doubt as to Alined ever having children," Mithian mused.

"You're correct that Alined has no son; Anwyl is his nephew by his sister. She apparently died several years ago, and as Alined is childless, Anwyl has become the heir apparent. He's only just come of age," Arthur replied.

"I don't feel that Alined and his nephew get along very well. Alined implied that Anwyl would mostly be staying in their rooms or on the grounds for the duration of the talks. There seemed to be some tension between them," Merlin added, to Mithian's agreement. Arthur nodded.

"We'll keep an eye on Alined. I believe that we are all of a like mind in regards to the other rulers. But what of Sarrum of Amata? He is the least known of all the monarchs here."

Merlin's face instantly darkened. The warlock was particularly uneasy at the arrival of the ruler of Amata; it had been rumored that it had been he who captured Morgana and imprisoned her for two years.

"It has been said that he held Morgana, and in extremely inhospitable conditions. I don't think he's very favorable of magic," Merlin said thoughtfully.

"Did these rumors also say if he imprisoned Morgana for her crimes or simply because of her magic? Because if he was trying to keep her from harming others, I cannot fault a man for doing something that I might have done myself, had I managed to hold Morgana prisoner," Arthur argued.

"I know," Merlin agreed. "I just get an uneasy feeling around him."

"One of your funny feelings?" Arthur asked.

"Something like that," Merlin agreed.

"Then we should keep an eye on him as well," Mithian said and Guinevere quickly agreed.

"He did not seem very amicable when we greeted him."

"We'll proceed with caution where he's concerned, then," Arthur confirmed. "For now, we'd best get ready for the feast. It wouldn't do for the hosts to be late."


In the bustling corridors of the citadel, it was not difficult to go unnoticed. Nobles and servants from ten different kingdoms added even more chaos to the usually busy passageways. One wandering Lord of Camelot was practically invisible amongst the masses. Turning down a less-used corridor, Lord Vidor found himself in front of the guest chambers assigned to Sarrum. The warlord had an impressive reputation, one which the disgruntled noble hoped to use to his advantage. Vidor slowed and looked up and down the corridor before knocking on Sarrum's door. A tall stern-faced man answered the door and looked Lord Vidor up and down.

"Who shall I say is calling?" the servant asked.

"I am Lord Vidor of Camelot. I have business with your master."

Silently, the servant stepped back, gesturing for Vidor to enter. The noble waited in the main part of the chamber while the servant disappeared into the curtained-off sleeping area. A moment later the curtains were drawn back and a shorter, heavyset, bald man emerged.

"Who are you?" the ruler asked suspiciously.

"I am Lord Vidor of Camelot."

"You told my man you had business with me. What business do you mean? I've had no dealings with you in the past."

"I am here because there is a plague on this land and I am the only one who sees it," Vidor sneered.

"You mean the warlock?" Sarrum asked, his interest instantly piqued.

"Yes. He was a nuisance as a manservant, utterly uncultured and insubordinate. No sense of who his superiors really were."

"Then it turns out that the whelp has powerful magic, and now he has the king's ear. His favor. That bothers you?" Sarrum drawled knowingly.

"Of course it does. He's a filthy bastard with no connections and no sense of propriety, but now he's the king's First Advisor and he's managed himself a pretty princess for a wife. I say he's hoodwinked them all."

"Those with magic should never be trusted," Sarrum agreed. "What is it you want me to do about it?"

"Your reputation as a leader of assassins is unparalleled. I want you to get rid of the warlock before the end of the week."

"Such a dangerous request, if the man is as powerful as they say."

"Hogwash. I've seen him do nothing to prove that he's such a powerful sorcerer."

"It was said that he defeated Morgana," Sarrum argued. "Such a claim is not to be taken lightly."

"You held the witch prisoner, did you not?" Vidor asked.

"I did," Sarrum said smugly. "I suppose this warlock shouldn't be too difficult. He's hardly more than a boy. In fact, I have something in mind that should do the job properly."

"That's more like it. You will be rewarded handsomely when he's dead," Vidor said imperiously.

"I had better be," Sarrum said, the threat clear to both men.

"I'll see you at the feast," Vidor said happily, as though he hadn't just ordered the death of the king's most trusted advisor. Sarrum smirked at the noble's swift change of mood.

"I wouldn't miss it."


"Pulling at that jacket won't make it any less form-fitting, Merlin."

"Sorry. It's just that I'm not used to these tailored clothes yet. I liked my old jacket, even if the tailor thought its shape resembled a burlap sack. It was comfortable. What's the matter with a bit of comfort?"

"I agree. I thought you looked rather fetching in your old clothes, but you're complaining to the wrong person about comfort in clothing," Mithian chuckled ruefully, raising an eyebrow and tilting her head towards her handmaiden who was lacing the princess tightly into her gown.

"We ladies do suffer to look pretty. Is that tight enough?" the girl asked cheerfully.

"Yes, we do, and that's just right. Thank you Tillie, that will be all."

"You're right of course. You women are utterly mad," Merlin chuckled, moving closer to his wife as the handmaiden curtsied and made her exit. Mithian raised her eyebrow at him as he reached to caress her cheek and pull her against him.

"You've got a mischievous glint in your eye," Mithian said, her smile playful and teasing. "What are you planning Merlin?"

"Do we really have to go to the feast?" Merlin asked. "We wouldn't be missing much, surely."

"I think it would look rather poorly if we didn't go," Mithian chuckled. Merlin scoffed and leaned down to bring his lips to Mithian's, kissing her softly for a few moments.

"It wouldn't hurt to be a little late," he rationalized as he pulled back to look pleadingly at her. "We've been so busy lately, I've hardly seen you."

"I just finished getting ready," Mithian countered, though she was leaning further into Merlin's embrace as she said it.

"So did I," Merlin chuckled, kissing his wife again.

"Some of us can't just vanish our clothes on a whim."

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" Merlin asked ruefully.

"I'm afraid not, my love. I'll forever imagine your little bottom running away from Hunith's scoldings," Mithian teased impishly.

"I'd rather you didn't imagine that," Merlin groaned, then grinned mischievously. "Perhaps I can turn your mind to something else?"

"We'll be late," Mithian said, smiling as Merlin leaned in to kiss her tenderly.

"Only a little bit," Merlin admitted, resting his forehead against hers.

"Just a few minutes then," Mithian agreed, and Merlin smiled as he quite willingly allowed her to divest him of his rather restrictive jacket.


The gathered kings and nobles were moments away from being seated for the feast when Merlin and Mithian entered discreetly from a side door. Arthur turned as the door quietly closed to his right and raised his eyebrow at his Court Warlock's tardy entrance. Merlin smiled and confidently led Mithian to where the king and queen were standing.

"What part of 'it wouldn't do for the hosts to be late,' did you not understand? Need I ask where you have been?" Arthur asked, grimacing as Merlin patted down his unruly hair and shook his head with an innocent smile.

"Can you really consider Mithian and me as hosts though? I thought that honor was strictly yours and Gwen's," Merlin answered cheekily.

"If I have to be here on time then so do you," Arthur complained. "Destiny and all that rot, right?"

"Arthur, leave them alone," Gwen said, smiling at Mithian knowingly. "You remember what that first year was like."

"And the second," Merlin muttered, recalling the many times he'd had to wait for Gwen to robe herself so that he could tend to his manservant's duties.

"Hush, Merlin," Mithian chuckled, smiling at the way Merlin and Arthur were avoiding each other's eyes. A kitchen servant approached them, and bowed respectfully to the king and queen.

"My Lord, Cook would like me to tell you that the food is ready to be served."

"Excellent," Arthur replied. "We'll be seated immediately. Tell Audrey to move ahead."

As the servant scuttled away, Arthur moved to stand before the head table and called everyone's attention.

"Your Excellencies, the feast is about to be served, please take your seats as we celebrate the opening of this historic event. May we work together in the next week to establish lasting peace."

As the guests all moved to their seats, Merlin looked to where Mordred and the other knights were seated, chuckling to himself at the devilish grins on the more senior knights' faces. Gwaine, Elyan and Percival began miming floppy ears beside their heads, to which Mordred scowled. Then his eyes flashed as Mordred whispered under his breath and the three of them began bleating loudly like goats. Leon began laughing uproariously at his fellow knights' predicament as Mordred gave a satisfied smile.

"Looks like he's been paying attention in your lessons," Mithian chuckled.

"Yes, he has," Merlin said proudly, though he raised his eyebrow at his apprentice once Mordred looked his way. The younger man sheepishly restored what was left of the knights' dignity and Merlin nodded his approval when Mordred again looked his way questioningly.

"Are you teaching him magic or pranks?" Arthur asked, also witnessing the exchange between his knights.

"Magic, of course," Merlin laughed. "Pranks just come naturally."

"So it would seem," Arthur said, giving his friend a mock scowl.

"The simpleton incident was totally isolated," Merlin argued, and Arthur laughed at the warlock's quick defense.

"Merlin!" Gwaine, Percival and Elyan strolled over to the table as servants brought in platters of food and jugs of wine and mead.

"What is it now?" Merlin asked.

"You taught him to do that, didn't you?" Percival asked shrewdly.

"Among other things," Merlin said vaguely.

"Seems young Mordred is a fast learner with magic as well as the sword," Percival said appraisingly. Gwaine crossed his arms and gave Merlin a disgruntled look.

"Mordred says he's not allowed to drink mead tonight. Are you really going to be such a task-master?" Gwaine asked, grinning at the warlock.

"I said no such thing, I may have strongly suggested it, but there was no order implied. Go ahead, offer him some, perhaps this time he'll give you the goat's ears."

"Where's the fun in that?" Gwaine chuckled good-naturedly. "How about you? Wouldn't you like to join the men again tonight?"

"I know you're only offering to tease me. That's alright, though, Gwaine, I'll stick to the wine and let you keep your shiny locks just as they are."

"Such a spoilsport," Gwaine chuckled.

"Are you sure Merlin?" Elyan asked. "I think I rather like the thought of Gwaine having to go bald, even if it is only for a few hours."

"Go sit down and stop pestering my husband," Mithian said with an indulgent grin.

"Of course, My Lady," Gwaine said, and the three knights dropped into exaggerated bows before returning to their seats. Merlin laughed and smiled at Mithian before the both of them shook their heads in fond exasperation and tucked into their food.

After the first courses were finished, Merlin let his eyes rove over the room, observing how the visiting monarchs were getting along. Rodor and Annis seemed to be conversing amicably with Bayard and Olaf, who had thankfully left Vivian at home. Odin had a sour expression and he kept to himself, despite being seated between Lot and Alined. The latter of the two only just masking his disdain for what was going on around him. Prince Anwyl sat removed from his uncle between two knights of Wessex. Merlin smiled sympathetically at the seemingly bored young royal and scanned his eyes over the rest of Alined's table. Merlin hadn't seen Trickler anywhere in Alined's party, but the warlock was sure that whatever new servant accompanying the king of Wessex would have magic.

Princess Elena sat between Prince Gavin of Nemeth and her father. Though Lord Godwyn was still the ruler of Gawant, Elena had been taking on more and more of his duties as Godwyn grew older. Merlin smiled at the friendship that seemed to be flourishing between the Princess of Gawant and Mithian's brother.

"More wine?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, please," Merlin said, helpfully handing his goblet to the new servant who stood behind him. Mithian held her glass out as well, but the servant shook his head.

"So sorry, Princess Mithian, but I'm all out. I'll go get another jug," he promised, turning to head back towards the kitchens.

"Would you care for some of this?" Merlin asked, offering his goblet to Mithian.

"Oh no, that's fine, I can wait. I've not entirely finished this glass ," Mithian said with a smile.

"Alright," Merlin said, taking a deep drink from his glass before putting it down with a wince.

"Something wrong?" Mithian asked curiously, her brow furrowing slightly.

"The bitter wine seems an especially bitter vintage," Merlin explained, grimacing as he moved his tongue around the sudden, thick coating that seemed to cling to his mouth and throat. "Gwaine?! Did you give me something?" he called.

"No, I haven't, Knight's Honor," Gwaine said, looking at Merlin with concern.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked, overhearing the warlock's question.

Merlin tried to cough a bit to clear his throat, but the more he moved his tongue around, the thicker the residue seemed to get. Merlin's mind started to feel sluggish and his hearing began to fade in and out. Blinking slowly, Merlin tried to shake his head to clear it, but found that he could hardly move and his vision began to take on a yellowish-green hue.

"Mi-Mith..." he tried, but he couldn't force the words out before he slumped over in his chair, face pale and his lips an alarming shade of blue.

"MERLIN?!" Mithian cried, standing so quickly that her chair toppled to the floor. The princess grabbed ahold of the coat that Merlin had been fiddling so much with earlier and straightened him in the seat. "Can you hear me?!" Mithian pleaded as Gaius and Daegal came rushing over. The gathered rulers looked on in stunned silence as Merlin began to cough, bringing up a foamy white liquid.

"Merlin?!" Arthur asked. "What's wrong with him?"

"I'm afraid he's been poisoned, Sire," Gaius said, his calm yet steely voice betraying his quiet fury that someone had poisoned his foster son. "We need to get him to my chambers, quickly. Daegal? Run ahead and get a tincture of rue and yarrow prepared."

"Rue and yarrow, in a tincture," Daegal repeated, taking off for the physician's chambers at a dead run.

"How has he been poisoned?!" Arthur demanded, his voice carrying across the now-silent room.

"It was the wine," Mithian said, her voice breaking as tears began to stream down her face. "A servant just came and refilled his glass. Merlin said that it tasted especially bitter."

Gaius immediately scooped up the glass, giving the remaining contents a whiff and frowning in consternation before looking at Merlin's pale face. Guinevere and Gavin moved to the princess' side, trying to pull her away, but Mithian still clung to her husband's jacket. Just then, Merlin began to gag as he opened his eyes and looked around weakly.

"Merlin!" Mithian cried, trying to make eye-contact with the warlock, but his eyes remained stubbornly unfocused and glazed.

"Hold still, Merlin," Gaius entreated as Merlin struggled to move, his body retching involuntarily.

"Percival!" Arthur called, and the knight did not hesitate to answer his king's summons.

"What do you need, Sire," Percival said respectfully, none of the joking demeanor he'd had earlier left in his countenance. Arthur looked to Gaius, and the physician nodded.

"Please carry Merlin to my chambers, and quickly," Gaius requested. Percival nodded and moved to take the thin warlock from his chair. Gavin had to forcefully pull his sister away from her husband as Percival bent down and hoisted Merlin in his grip, the warlock's arms dangling limply as Merlin struggled ineffectually against the poison. Percival led the physician out of the hall, Gwaine and Mordred following behind. Arthur watched them go, wanting to follow, but knowing that he couldn't.

Gwen moved to wrap her arms around Gavin and Mithian, offering comfort and support even as her heart ached for her best friend. King Rodor came to his children, putting a hand on Gavin's shoulder as Mithian sobbed into the prince's chest.

"Merlin will be fine," Gwen said, though her voice quavered with uncertainty.

"Mithian?" Gavin asked worriedly as his sister trembled and sobbed in his arms.

"We had best take her to the physician's chamber as well," Rodor advised, eyeing the curious stares they were attracting.

"Guinevere, go with them and keep me informed, please," Arthur requested, his eyes showing his worry. "Leon?"

"Yes, Sire?" the knight replied, ready to perform whatever task his king asked of him.

"Mithian said that a servant gave Merlin the wine. Find that servant and bring him to me."

Leon nodded respectfully and immediately left the hall. Arthur turned and scanned the room for his servant.

"George," he called out upon seeing the fastidious manservant. "I want all the wine thrown out, and a new barrel opened. I want you to personally oversee it."

"Of course," George replied, bowing low and scurrying away even as everyone pushed their goblets away nervously. Arthur turned back towards the gawking monarchs.

"We'll soon have fresh wine; please continue to enjoy the feast."

"How very tragic. What does this mean for the peace talks?" Alined asked, his voice oozing with false sympathy. Arthur looked to the unctuous king and composed himself, locking away every trace of emotion.

"We will continue as planned. We have not come this far to give up after one act of aggression. Now please, finish your meals and we will retire for the night."

Arthur sat down, forcing himself not to look at the empty seats on either side. Nor did he look up when Elyan came to sit supportively beside him. The king forced himself to remain in his seat as the room began to swell with conversation once more. He could hear forks, spoons and knives clinking as the others resumed their meals, but Arthur could not make himself take another bite. He reminded himself again and again that Merlin was stronger than a little poison; he had already proved as much many years before.


Gaius followed Percival as quickly as his elderly frame would allow, grateful once again for his new apprentice and his ability to arrive ahead of them to begin preparing a hasty antidote. The physician held the goblet in his hand, hoping that he would have enough time to discover the poison used if the rue and yarrow were not effective against the poison.

"Gaius?" Percival asked, pausing to let the physician catch up to him.

"What is it?" Gaius asked, looking over Merlin.

"His eyes," Percival answered, nodding to the warlock in his arms. Gaius looked at his former ward and was stunned to see Merlin's half-lidded eyes continuously swirling with muted gold.

"His magic must be helping him resist the poison. It's a good thing," Gaius assured Percival. Gwaine and Mordred caught up to them then, looking at Merlin's ever-paler face with alarm. Gaius gestured for Percival to keep moving. "Let's hurry."

As they entered the last corridor before the physician's chambers, Gwaine ran ahead and opened the door, allowing Percival to enter without delay. The knight moved swiftly to the patient's bed and laid the warlock down, alarmed at how shallow Merlin was breathing and how pale his face was. Gaius immediately searched for Merlin's pulse and frowned at its slow, irregular pace.

"He's breathing rather shallowly and his pulse is very slow. We need to get that antidote into him now," Gaius said, looking at Daegal questioningly.

"Yarrow and rue, ground and infused with a tincture of fresh water and alcohol," Daegal replied, handing a small vial to the physician just as the door burst open and Prince Gavin strode in, supporting a pale, trembling Mithian, Guinevere and King Rodor right behind.

"Please stay back and out of the way," Gaius demanded, gesturing for Daegal to evaluate the Princess before turning hurriedly to Merlin. Percival and Gwaine helped to prop Merlin up; at the movement, Merlin roused and began gagging again before pulling in a few ragged, labored breaths.

"Here, Merlin," Gaius instructed, putting the vial to the warlock's lips and tipping the contents into his mouth. Merlin swallowed reflexively, but began choking as he gagged on the antidote. "Lay him back down," Gaius said hurriedly, even as Merlin grabbed a hold of the physician's arm and looked at the physician in undisguised alarm as his body stiffened.

"Gai-" Merlin grunted, the words cutting off as his eyes rolled back and his body began to seize.

"Merlin!" Mithian cried out, and Gavin had to grab his sister around the waist to keep her from throwing herself towards her husband.

"What's wrong?!" Gwaine asked in alarm, his eyes wide as he took in his friend's condition.

"The poison is reacting to the antidote. I was expecting this. Come on Merlin," Gaius chided hopefully even as he struggled to keep Merlin from seizing right off the bed. Mordred stepped forward, adding his hands to Gaius' on the warlock's chest.

Suddenly, Merlin began vomiting a frothy liquid and Gaius rushed to turn him onto his side.

"That's it, get it out, Merlin," The physician encouraged.

"That's good then?" Mordred asked worriedly, grimacing at the sick splattered on the floor.

"I believe so," Gaius answered, though he hurried to roll Merlin back onto his back when the warlock began to seize once more.

"What is happening?! Mithian asked, her terror evident in her voice.

"He must have been given a significant dose of the poison," Gaius said, his voice taut with his own considerable fear and anger.

"Can I help him?" Mordred asked, his eyes shining with anxiety as he helped Gaius hold the warlock in place.

"You know the spell?" Gaius asked, and Mordred nodded.

"Merlin taught them to me a few weeks ago."

"Then it can't hurt to try. The poison doesn't seem to have been altered or strengthened through magic, but you may be able to make the antidote work faster," Gaius explained hurriedly. Mordred nodded, looking down at Merlin determinedly.

"Ábýweþ sé dréores. Þurhhæle!" As the gold faded from Mordred's eyes, Merlin stopped seizing, but stiffened as his back arched off the bed.

"Try again!" Gaius encouraged when Mordred's face crumpled. The younger man nodded, and closed his eyes for a second before trying again.

"Ábýweþ sé dréores. Þurhhæle!"

With a final shudder, Merlin's body stilled and he sank back onto the bed to lay unconscious. His breath was still rasping, but the deep blue color of his lips was fading as he drew in more even breaths, restoring a healthier, reddish hue.

"What now?" Percival asked. Gwaine paced around restlessly, pausing only to look hopefully at Merlin before growling under his breath and resuming his pacing. Suddenly Merlin drew in a deep, rattling breath, his unfocused eyes flying open and darting around the room just as Mithian escaped her brother's arms and rushed to the foot of the bed. Gaius rushed to turn Merlin on his side as the warlock began hacking with a wet cough. Mordred looked from Merlin to Mithian, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Merlin?!" Mithian called, scrambling around the bed she moved hastily towards Merlin's pale, weak form.

"Mithian?" the warlock asked, his voice little more than a raspy whisper as his dull eyes locked with Mithian's.

"I'm here Merlin," the princess reassured him as she sat beside him on the edge of the cot.

"What happened?" Merlin asked, rolling onto his back and looking around him in confusion. Gwaine and Percival stepped forwards.

"What did I tell you, mate?" Gwaine said, his sense of humor kicking in. "If you were drinking a man's drink, this would never have happened."

"You were poisoned, Merlin," Gaius explained sternly, his eyebrow nearly raising to his hairline.

"Again?! Lovely," Merlin responded sarcastically, allowing his eyes to fall closed as his mind drifted in groggy weariness.

"I think we know why," Mordred offered, causing everyone to look at the young knight.

"To stop the peace talks?" Rodor asked, his brow furrowing.

"Why Merlin, and not Arthur? There's more to it than that!" Gwaine objected. "Odin wasn't exactly pleased when Merlin here married the object of Odin's lustful affections. And we know he has resorted to assassins in the past."

"I believe we should consider the possibility," Rodor agreed grimly. "While I hope that Odin has put more faith in our most recent truce, I cannot deny that he sent me a very abusive letter on the subject of my choice of suitor for Mithian."

"Exactly," Gwaine said. "He's been glowering at Merlin all night."

"Perhaps that is just what the assassin hoped we would believe," Mordred interjected. "Odin may begrudge Merlin's marriage, but there are plenty that hate or envy his power and position in Arthur's court. Not only that, his revealing himself as Emrys has been the catalyst behind these talks. As good a king as Arthur is, we would not be where we are today if Merlin hadn't revealed his magic."

"If someone wanted to stop the peace talks, why not kill Arthur?" Gavin argued, repeating Gwaine's question.

"And risk Merlin's ire?" Mithian asked, laughing humorlessly. "Even before his magic was revealed it was common knowledge that Merlin would protect Arthur even to the detriment of his own life."

"Our king is well respected among his peers, with existing treaties with more than one monarch here. Killing Arthur would make him a martyr," Percival said.

"And killing Merlin wouldn't make him one?" Gwaine scoffed.

"Perhaps our cowardly fiend does not realize Merlin's true import. Perhaps they only realize that poisoning Merlin is the most sure way of undermining Arthur's position and resolve. Surely there are those who are opposed to our goal of uniting the kingdoms?" Rodor asked.

"Of course," Mithian answered, even as Gwen nodded.

"I don't think that's all. I think this was a personal attack, just as much as a political one, but not one from a jilted suitor," Mordred said, and Gavin's eyes widened in realization.

"What makes you think so?" Gwen asked, her brow furrowing at the thought of someone wanting to hurt Merlin. It was Gavin that answered, his voice tight with the thought.

"The entirety of every magic user's hope is predicated on Merlin's ability to help Arthur usher in the golden age. Without him, there is no hope for magic. If you wanted to oppose the return of magic, what better way would there be than murdering Emrys? "

"I think you're right," Merlin whispered, his eyes scanning the room once more. "Where's Arthur?"

"He's still at the feast. He couldn't leave with all the other monarchs there," Gwen answered. "We need to let him know that you're alright."

"And my mother, too. She wasn't at the feast. She didn't want to be there with so much royalty attending. Someone needs to tell her what happened before she hears the rumors tomorrow."

"I'll go tell Arthur," Gwaine volunteered, his restlessness apparent to them all.

"And I will go tell Hunith," Rodor said. At Gavin's questioning smirk, Rodor chuckled. "My son, this is something that no parent ever wants to hear. I think that as a father, I am well suited to informing Hunith in a way that will spare her too much grief."

"As you say, father," Gavin said, turning to Merlin and Mithian with a knowing grin. Merlin chuckled weakly, his eyes drifting shut in exhaustion as Gwaine and Rodor left to perform their chosen tasks.

"Merlin?" Mordred asked, causing the warlock to force his eyes open and look questioningly at his apprentice.

"Yes?" Merlin asked when Mordred seemed to hesitate.

"Why does Mithian share your magical signature?"

"What?!" Gaius asked, looking at his foster son and Mithian in astonishment. Merlin looked steadily at the physician as Gaius reached out with his own senses, confirming the signature shared between the pair, though Mithian's measure of it was dim compared to the brightness of Merlin's.

"It's a long story," Merlin chuckled weakly.

"Funnily enough we have some time," Gwen said with an encouraging smile. Gaius looked at the queen, torn between insisting that Merlin needed rest and satisfying his curiosity over this new mystery.

"He gifted me with his magic before we were married," Mithian explained, sparing Merlin the effort of telling the story. Gaius furrowed his brow.

"How on earth did you do that?!" the physician asked. Merlin shrugged his shoulders minutely.

"I don't know. It... just... happened..." the warlock explained, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier with each word.

"I think rest is needed," Gaius insisted, eyeing everyone sternly. Percival nodded and he, Gavin and Mordred slowly left the room. Daegal busied himself with tidying the worktable as Guinevere settled herself comfortably in a chair by the hearth to wait for Arthur.

Mithian smiled sadly at Merlin's pale, sleeping face, brushing the hair off his forehead before tucking herself into the narrow space on the cot beside her husband. Mithian laid her head on his chest in order to hear Merlin's now-steady heartbeat and closed her eyes, exhausted by the upheaval of the evening.


Arthur sat quietly through the rest of the feast. He was entirely grateful when Queen Annis stood and urged the others to retire. Only then did Arthur feel as though he could gracefully leave the hall and head for the physician's chambers. Gwaine had come into the hall nearly thirty minutes previously and had given one curt nod and a lopsided smile. The tension that had settled around Arthur's shoulders fell away like a heavy millstone left to tumble down a hillside.

He had traded a triumphant expression with Elyan, who had not left his side. Arthur had hoped that Leon would have reported back with the servant in question before Arthur made his exit, but he had not. It gave the king a heavy sense of dread as the implications set in; it had been no accident or mistake, but a deliberate attempt on Merlin's life, and the perpetrator had apparently disappeared into thin air. Arthur hadn't so much as looked at the man who had come to fill Merlin's goblet, a point which made the king wonder if he was as aware of his servants and staff as he ought to be.

Arthur paused in the hall outside Gaius' chambers, taking a deep breath and composing himself before he opened the door. Guinevere stood up as soon as he entered, coming to meet him with a comforting embrace.

"How is he?" Arthur asked, eyeing the patient's bed where Merlin slept with Mithian beside him.

"Gaius and Daegal got him an antidote, and Mordred used magic to make it more effective. It was close, but not as close as the first time he was poisoned," Gwen answered.

Arthur nodded soberly, looking around the room for the first time. Gaius was sitting quietly beside the fire with King Rodor and Hunith. Daegal was sitting at the table grinding some herbs into a powder.

"Will he be able to participate in the talks?" Arthur asked, looking towards Gaius questioningly.

"I believe he should be fine with some rest," the physician answered, coming to stand beside the king and queen.

"Good," Arthur answered, nodding in satisfaction.

"Except..." Guinevere trailed off and bit her lip as she looked at her husband pleadingly.

"What?" Arthur asked curiously.

"I don't think he should," the queen answered.

"He's my First Advisor and Court Warlock. He has been responsible for drafting the new laws concerning magic, why shouldn't he participate?" Arthur asked in confusion.

"Because someone tried to kill him tonight, and we need to find out who," Gwen reasoned.

"Not that I'm disagreeing, but how is Merlin not helping me with the peace talks going to accomplish that?"

"Because he'll be helping me," Guinevere answered.

"Helping you?" Arthur asked. "How?"

"You will do what you do best, and negotiate peace with the other kingdoms. I'll do what I do best and get to the bottom of things. I have got to find out who tried to assassinate our Court Warlock."

"Guinevere, no, it's too dangerous-"

"She's right," a raspy voice interrupted Arthur's protest. The king whirled around to see Merlin struggling to sit up with Mithian's help.

"What?!" Arthur protested as Hunith and Rodor came to join the discussion.

"She's right," Merlin repeated, his voice getting stronger. "Someone tried to kill me tonight, and that someone is still here. I think we have a good idea of a couple different suspects; we discussed them just earlier this afternoon. We need to get proof to bring before the other rulers, or we run the risk of allying ourselves with someone willing to destroy what we are working so hard to accomplish."

"And you think that you are the best suited to such a task?" Arthur asked, looking at Merlin dubiously.

"Arthur, what do you think I've been doing for the last seven and a half years?" Merlin asked wryly. "Only I had to do it without telling you what I was doing, or did you really think I'd spent all that time in the tavern?"

Arthur scowled at the grin on Merlin's face.

"Part of what made you so effective was that secrecy," Gaius argued. "Many times you were underestimated by the foes you fought against."

"Then tell everyone that I'm still recovering, or that I died! I can work in secret until we find proof," Merlin reasoned.

"I cannot pretend you are dead," Hunith said, eyeing Merlin sternly. Gwen and Mithian nodded.

"No, neither can I," the princess agreed.

"In any case, it's too risky, someone would notice you," Arthur argued.

"I once evaded arrest for several days, never once leaving the castle. I think I can go unnoticed."

"Did it ever occur to you that I was the one leading the search efforts then and I wasn't exactly trying very hard?" Arthur retorted.

"I know you didn't try very hard, you thought I'd been under your bed the whole time," Merlin laughed.

"Be that as it may, Merlin," Mithian interrupted before Arthur or Merlin could say anything more. "The castle is hosting several other rulers and their knights and servants. It will be a lot harder to get around without being noticed; you're too recognizable these days."

"Then I'll disguise myself," Merlin reasoned. "I'll become Dragoon again."

Arthur's eyes narrowed and he pointed his finger at Merlin taking a deep breath to argue further when Gwen interrupted.

"I don't think that particular disguise will work."

"Exactly!" Arthur agreed triumphantly.

"Why not?" Merlin asked.

"You were almost executed as Dragoon, for one, and for another, the soldiers and knights of Camelot have chased Dragoon through the halls too many times. In that disguise, you might cause the stir we're trying to avoid by hiding your identity in the first place," the queen answered.

"She's right," Gaius argued. "You could try using magic to disguise yourself in other ways, changing hair color and facial features, for example."

"We can't have a strange man wandering around the castle with the queen and myself," Mithian reasoned. At Merlin's raised eyebrow, Mithian laughed. "I didn't stay behind when you went to the Cauldron, and I'm not going to do it now."

Merlin smiled and nodded, grateful for Mithian's support.

"How about a strange woman then?" Arthur asked, looking smugly at his Court Warlock. Merlin's smile immediately fell.

"Excuse me?" Merlin asked, eyeing Arthur suspiciously.

"You heard me. A woman. You wouldn't attract any undue attention as a noble woman being escorted by the queen and Princess Mithian."

"That's how I got Leon out of the city when Morgause and Morgana had the Cup of Life," Guinevere agreed excitedly.

"You want me to be a woman?" Merlin asked in disbelief.

"I've always said you're a big girl," Arthur retorted. Merlin scowled.

"You'll make a... lovely woman," Hunith said, trying her hardest to suppress the urge to giggle.

"Mother!" Merlin argued. "You're supposed to be on my side here!"

"We'll have to find a dress to fit him though," Gwen said, her brow wrinkling in concentration.

"When did we agree that I'd be a woman?!" Merlin asked.

"Have you got a better idea?" Arthur asked cheekily. Merlin scowled, knowing that the effort of protesting was futile.

"That settles it then. Tomorrow, you'll be..." Arthur trailed off, thinking.

"Princess Dolma, my sister," Rodor offered. "She's not been seen outside of Nemeth in many years. No one would question her identity or her presence with Mithian and Queen Guinevere."

"Excellent," Arthur said, turning to Merlin with a smug grin. "I can't wait."


A/N: Hee hee hee:) Yep, I did it. I couldn't have left out one of the best parts of series 5! Next chapter, DOLMA!