THE TORMENTED SOUL
CHAPTER TWO
MERLIN'S TORTURE
"You're not going to work today Merlin?" Gaius wondered watching Merlin taking his time over his breakfast.
"No, Arthur will have to manage without me. I don't feel like going this morning."
"Have you two had words or something? This is not like you my boy."
"Well it's Arthur that has the problem, seems he's ashamed of being around me." Merlin answered telling only half a story.
"But you're his servant, how can he be ashamed of that?"
"Gaius please, I really don't want to talk about it. I think that I may go for a walk and try to clear my head."
"What if Arthur asks for you?"
"Tell him what you want," Merlin answered whilst leaving through the door, "just don't say I'm in the Tavern."
"Right!" Gaius answered watching Merlin leave.
Agravaine entered Arthur's room hoping to get some insight on Merlin. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine thank you for asking." Arthur replied.
"You don't look fine Arthur. Did you tell Merlin last night then?"
"Yes I did and it wasn't very pleasant either." Arthur answered looking extremely sorrowful and somewhat regretful.
"It had to be done Sire, you know that." Agravaine glanced at the floor seeing a water stain and thinking the worse, he began to question Arthur. "Sire, isn't that a water mark on the floor?"
"What!" Arthur replied a little confused. "Oh that…well I knocked that over in anger after Merlin left yesterday."
"Did you drink any first?"
"Uncle, what's with all these questions. No I didn't drink any, but Merlin did."
"Merlin!"
"Yes, Merlin was thirsty so he had a drink of water. That okay with you, or do I need to explain more?"
"No Arthur, that's perfectly fine with me." Agravaine answered concealing his happiness.
Merlin walked in contemplation, wondering who really was behind the breakup between himself and Arthur. The air was fresh and clean as he took in a deep breath, but something didn't feel quite right. Looking around he felt uneasy, like someone was with him. He continued to walk a little further into the meadow, still feeling uneasy. "Who's there,…" he shouted, "show yourselves!" No-one answered, yet he could not shift this sense of overwhelming doom. Turning suddenly he felt as if someone had touched him on the shoulder, yet he remained alone. "Come on Merlin, pull yourself together," he said through gritted teeth. "This is all in your mind."
"Gaius," Arthur said stopping him as he walked towards him in the corridor.
"Something I can do for you Sire?"
"Yes, actually there is. Where is Merlin this morning? He didn't come to work, not that I was actually thinking he would."
"Is there something going on between the pair of you? Merlin says no, but I have my doubts."
"Nothing for you to worry over. If Merlin does turn up, tell him to come and find me. I want to explain about last night."
"That you're ashamed to be seen with him you mean?" Gaius answered , letting Arthur know that he was partially aware of what happened the previous night.
"It's that what he told you?"
"Yes Sire, he did. Quite frankly I feel for him, he was so upset this morning when he left."
"Left!" Arthur said startled.
"He's gone for a walk Sire, nothing more."
"That probably means he's drowning his sorrows in the Tavern then." Arthur looked at Gaius with concern.
"Well he said that he wouldn't be going there."
"And you believe him. This is Merlin we're talking about?"
"Sire." Gaius bowed before leaving, not giving Arthur the answer he was seeking.
"Show yourselves. You don't want to be messing with me!" Merlin continued shouting out to an invisible force. Grabbing his head, shaking it violently Merlin still felt the presence of another. Turning suddenly form the corner of his eye he saw a figure, but couldn't make it out. Then just as soon as he noticed it, the presence was gone. He turned once more seeing the same image yet again. "No this can't be happening," he said to himself. Dropping to his knees, he hit the grass violently with both hands. Trying to stand up he felt a force push his shoulders down, like pushing him into the ground. "Get off me!" he pleaded, then everything went dark.
Morgana made her way to the castle ensuring that no one would see her and waited impatiently for Agravaine to arrive. Expecting him to be ready with the information, she waited the good news.
"My Lady, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Agravaine pleaded for forgiveness.
"You better have some news then and it better be good."
"I have My Lady. One of them has definitely taken the water."
"Who?" Morgana's eyes lit up in delight.
"Merlin has drunk the water."
"Just Merlin, not Arthur then?"
"Yes, just Merlin. That I am assured of."
Morgana smiled with delight. "You have done well Agravaine. Now you must keep an eye out for the changes in Merlin. Report back to me as soon as you have any news. I will look forward to it." she replied then left happier then she'd arrived.
Merlin's eyes flickered as he began to wake up. Unsure how long he had been lying on the ground, he sat himself up gathering his thoughts. Still feeling confused as to what had taken place, he stood up and headed hurriedly back to Camelot. All he wanted at that point was to get as far away from the area as possible.
"Merlin, you've come back at last." Arthur said intercepting him on his return.
"Yes, why wouldn't I have?"
"Are you okay? I would say you look like you've seen a ghost."
"Don't be so stupid Arthur." Merlin said walking briskly away.
"Gaius!" Merlin called out upon returning home.
"What is it? What's is wrong Merlin?" Gaius could see the distress on the young lad's face.
"You're going to think me stupid…"
"Sit down Merlin and tell me what's bothering you?"
"Gaius…" he said clutching his head, confused as to what he had just encountered. "…something strange happened in the meadow. I felt a presence, yet no one was there. Yet I know I saw something," he tutted whilst shaking his head.
"Do you think you're seeing things? Was someone using magic?"
"I don't know…maybe. I feel different, like sometimes wrong.
"And Arthur, does he know?"
Merlin shook his head, "No, not yet but…"
"What Merlin?"
"…he suspects. I need to talk to him, though I'm not sure how I can tell him."
"Merlin, there is obviously something both you and Arthur are hiding. Unless you tell me, how can I begin to try and help you." Gaius was feeling for Merlin, he could see the distress he was encountering.
Merlin looked long and hard at Gaius. There was nothing more he wanted than to confide in Gaius about his affair with the King…but he couldn't for Arthur's sake. "Not yet, you've got to trust me." he said as he stood. "Please Gaius don't say anything about this to anyone." Merlin begged. "I need to go now."
Arthur sat in his chambers alone and upset. Had he actually done the right thing by telling Merlin they could no longer be as before? If it was so, then why did he feel so bad? His inner silence was broken as Merlin entered his chamber.
"Merlin, good to see you."
"Really, I thought you were pleased to see the back of me?"
"Of course I'm not. I'm actually pleased to see you." Arthur noticed Merlin's gaze suddenly appeared to look right through him. It was if he was transfixed onto something behind him. "Merlin, are you alright?" he asked then turned around to see what Merlin was staring at. "What are you looking at? There's nothing there you idiot. God you'd be scared of your own shadow," he continued having to shake Merlin to bring him to his senses. "What's got into you?"
"What…um sorry," Merlin answered suddenly aware of his surroundings. That overwhelming fear had happened yet again, and this time in Arthur's chambers. "I need to talk to you about something?"
"Like what?" Arthur asked.
"Who told you that we were together? As far as I was aware no one knew anything. You do know that whoever it was is plotting against us don't you?"
"Don't be so ridiculous Merlin."
"I'm not being ridiculous and you're not seeing it for what it is. Who told you Arthur …tell me." Merlin pleaded.
"My uncle."
"Agravaine. How on earth could he have known?" However, Merlin did not wait for a reply. Going in search of Arthur's uncle, he was about to get the truth.
Merlin lay in wait for the challenge with Agravaine. Eventually he saw him approaching. Now would be his chance.
"Merlin, can I do anything for you?" Agravaine asked.
"Oh I think you've done enough damage already."
"Sorry I don't understand what you are talking about."
"You may have convinced Arthur, but you won't convince me. Who put you up to this, who are you working for?"
"You should be more aware of who you are talking to. You cannot speak to me in this manner."
"Oh I know exactly who I'm addressing. You are nothing but a traitor. Just you wait until Arthur finds out." Merlin answered, before leaving Agravaine to contemplate that his plot to bring him down may have just been found out.
"Agravaine, why have you come here. You have news? " Morgana asked surprised to see him back so quickly.
"It the boy Merlin My Lady. I think he suspects."
"What!"
"He has challenged me, demanding to know who is behind this."
"And you told him nothing I hope."
"No My Lady, nothing."
"Seems I will have to try a little spell to make Merlin suffer more then. He will not defeat me; he is only after all a servant." Morgana stood beside her scrying fount, searching with in the water for Merlin. "Na mben sis!" she chanted, "Soon Merlin your mind will no longer be your own."
"How did you get on with Arthur?" Gaius asked seeing Merlin come back to his chambers.
"It happened again. The feeling of dread happened in Arthur's chamber this time. He must suspect by now something is going on."
"Did you get a chance to talk to him about what was worrying you?"
"Oh yes, I certainly did that." Merlin answered more happily.
A new day dawned as Merlin woke much more contented. Despite the previous day's antics, he'd had a reasonable good night's rest. He rose with the knowledge that he was onto Agravaine, but saddened that he hadn't found out who he was working for. Fully intending to go to work, he freshened up and quickly got dressed. Gaius greeted him as he made his way down the steps from his room.
"You look much brighter this morning. Take it you had a good night's sleep then?"
"Considering all things going on…yes I did have a good night. No weird feelings, or feelings of doom."
"But you still don't know the cause of the trouble?"
"No, not yet," he replied sitting himself down to eat the breakfast Gaius had served up for him. "I will get to the bottom of it all, no matter what?"
"Just be careful. If Arthur is not aware of his uncle being involved, you'd better tread carefully." Gaius warned him.
"I know. I will have to ensure that I'm right, before talking to Arthur. He'll never believe his uncle is involved; he can't see that bad side in him."
Merlin finished his breakfast deep in thought. His intention was to track Lord Agravaine down and use force if necessary to get to the truth. He was fully aware where he would be and now would be his chance. Grabbing his jacket he headed out of the door, avoiding being seen he lay in wait once for the traitor.
"We meet again Agravaine," Merlin said stopping him entering the castle.
"Merlin, what do you want now?"
"The truth would be nice. Who are you working with?" he asked once more.
"I'll tell you nothing." Agravaine said trying to push pass Merlin.
Merlin watched as he passed. Infuriated, his eyes turned golden, causing Agravaine to fly through the air, landing face down. "You will tell me what I wish to know," he demanded.
Startled and winded Agravaine rose to his feet. Walking towards Merlin he drew his sword. "You have magic?" he asked.
"I was born with it. Sorcery is part of Camelot; it is part of me." Merlin stood his ground, "Your sword will be no good against me."
"We'll see about that." Agravaine leapt forward ready to attack. "Does Arthur know you have magic? In that case am I right in saying you are Emyrs?"
"That is what the druids call me and no Arthur doesn't know yet." Merlin stood firm with his arms outstretched. "Make one more move Agravaine and you will regret it."
"You've been in court all this time by Arthur's side. I am impressed how you've managed to deceive him."
However, Agravaine did not stop. Lurching towards Merlin, he was ready to attack. Merlin was left with no choice as once again he magically sent Agravaine flying through the air. This time the traitor landed hard, hitting his head against the stone wall. This would be the last encounter, Lord Agravaine was dead.
Merlin turned, leaning down to ensure that the traitorous Agravaine was actually dead. Feeling mixed emotions over what he had just done, he turned again and headed for Arthur's chambers. He managed to make it to the Armoury room, before the overwhelming feeling of doom shadowed over him once more. Feeling that someone was behind him he turned suddenly fully expecting on of the Knights to be present …no-one was there.
Leon knocked on Arthur's door, entering before being asked.
"What is it?" Arthur enquired watching Leon enter hurriedly.
"Sire it's Lord Agravaine."
"What has uncle done now?"
"Sorry Sire…he's dead."
Merlin felt cold as if someone was walking over his grave. Time and time again the feeling of doom returned, only this time Merlin couldn't shake it off. "Get of me; leave me alone; go away!" Merlin screamed at the top of his voice, loud enough for others to hear. Collapsing to his knees Merlin shook uncontrollably. Fear set in as he lost control; a blank expression fixed on his face; he needed help and he needed it now.
"What happened?" Arthur wondered looking at Agravaine's body.
"Looks like he fell Sire. Must have hit his head hard enough to kill him." Leon answered sympathetically.
"Get him inside before anyone sees him." Arthur ordered.
Arthur followed behind his men as they carried his uncle's body back inside. The route took them past the Armoury room where Merlin lay in desperate need of help.
