THE TORMENTED SOUL
CHAPTER THREE
ARTHUR'S PAYBACK
"You sent for me Sire?" Gaius asked Arthur.
"Yes I did, come with me…" Arthur grabbed Gaius' arm, leading him into a small ante chamber, "…I need you to look at something for me."
"What is the problem?"
"Gaius, my uncle is dead." Arthur tried to explain. "I want you to check him over and find the cause."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sire," Gaius replied.
"Really, I would have thought most people would be happy with the news." Arthur answered abruptly.
Gaius was methodical in his examination. "Looks simple to me Sire, he sustained a massive blow to the head."
"Is that all?"
"What else do you want to hear?" wondered Gaius unsure where this was leading.
Arthur paused, looking at his uncle. "Magic, I believe magic was involved."
"Really Arthur are you sure?"
"You of all people know when magic has been used Gaius. Why are you denying it's a possibility?" Arthur asked wondering what Gaius was hiding.
"It looks straight forward to me Sire. That's all I can tell you." Gaius left wondering if Merlin may possibly be the cause of this incident.
"So do you believe Merlin is in love then?" Percival asked Gwaine as they entered the Armoury room.
"Well he's definitely in love. You must have seen the change in him recently. He's been so happy."
"Well now you mention it…" Percival stopped mid-sentence. "What was that noise?"
"What noise? I didn't hear anything." Gwaine said looking around the room.
"That noise," Percival continued hearing a groaning sound.
"Oh that noise." Gwaine looked around, searching for the source of the sound. "Percival come quick!" he screamed noticing Merlin curled up on the floor.
"What is it?" asked Percival.
"It's Merlin, something's wrong. Get Arthur quickly, I'll stay with him."
Arthur hurried to the Armoury room, he needed to get to Merlin fast.
"Gwaine!" Arthur screamed.
"Here Sire," Gwaine called from around the corner.
Arthur headed towards Gwaine's voice. He halted suddenly seeing Merlin curled up on the floor, his eyes open and transfixed. "What happened? Come on let's sit him up on the stool and get him off this floor."
With Arthur's help, Gwaine sat Merlin up as he continued to shake uncontrollably.
"Shall we get Gaius?" Gwaine asked Arthur, knowing that they needed help.
"No, there's no time. We'll lift him up and carry him, it will be quicker. You up for that?"
"That goes without saying Arthur," Gwaine said swooping Merlin up from the stool with Arthur's help.
Arthur opened the door to Gaius' chambers nearly taking it off the hinges. Entering quickly he headed for the bed that was kept for emergencies.
"What's going on?" Gaius said alarmed when he saw Merlin being carried in.
"Merlin was found curled up on the ground shaking and unresponsive. Thought it would be quicker to just get here rather than wait." Arthur told Gaius trying to convince him.
"Yes Sire, you did the right thing. Sit him on the bed, let me look at him." Gaius carefully checked Merlin over thoroughly. "Can you hear me Merlin?" he continued waving his hands in front of Merlin's face, but getting no response.
Gwaine and Arthur sat either side of Merlin, keeping him upright. It appeared that Merlin could not even take his own weight and he had not spoken since he had been found.
"Merlin," Arthur whispered gently "can you speak and tell me what's happened?"
"Here Merlin, take this for me." Gaius placed a beaker into Merlin's hands, hoping that he would be able to hold it.
"Let me do it Gaius," Arthur said after seeing Merlin not even able to lift his hands. "Come on my friend, swallow it for me." Tenderly Arthur helped Merlin take the drink as Merlin appeared to calm in his presence.
"What's that you've given him?" Arthur wanted to know.
"A sedative Sire. A little Henbane, just a small amount. It would be better for him to sleep for now."
"I'll stay," Arthur said to Gwaine. "You can go for now, there's nothing you can do."
"If you're sure Arthur?" Gwaine answered.
"I am and thank you for your help." Arthur said gratefully.
Arthur sat supporting Merlin's tired body, keeping his arm around him as Merlin's head rested on his shoulder. Gaius noticed the tenderness between the pair, something he hadn't noticed before.
"Sire…" Gaius said looking at Arthur holding Merlin tightly, "…it's time we lay him down. The sedative is beginning to work."
"Yes…yes of course. How long will he sleep for?"
"With a bit of luck until tomorrow."
Time moved on, late into the night. Merlin lay comfortably with Arthur sitting beside him, holding firmly onto Merlin's hand he stroked it gently in reassurance. Standing up he leant over the bed gently kissing Merlin's forehead. "I love you Merlin," he whispered.
Gaius sat by his desk pretending to be busy, but kept a close eye for any changes.
"Sire, isn't it about time you left?" Gaius said tapping Arthur on the shoulder.
"No, I want to stay. What do you think happened? This isn't the first time something like this has occurred. I've noticed it a couple of times."
"Me too. It first happened the day you had that argument with him. Don't you think now is the time to tell me what went on?" Gaius enquired.
"Possibly, if you're ready to hear the truth. Merlin and I…um Merlin and I are in love. That night I broke it off with him."
"Why?" asked Gaius.
"Because my uncle said it could never be, although Merlin did wonder how he could have found out. I'm beginning to think he was right. Now it may be too late," Arthur continued looking at Merlin.
"Merlin will be fine Sire, once he's woken up. What we need to know, is what happened when he was with you. Can you remember him doing anything that day, that you didn't?"
"Nothing, oh except drink some water. You think that…"
"Yes, I think the water may have had something in it."
"Come to think of it, Agravaine was the one who fetched the jug. He must have put something in it."
"Yes, but Agravaine must be working for someone. If the water was meant just for you, then there is only one person it could possibly be." Gaius said looking at Arthur.
"Morgana! She wanted to take my place on the throne for a long time. This is just like her, but why Merlin?" Arthur asked.
"Morgana doesn't care who she takes down, as long as she gets what she wants."
"Well she gone too far now. I swear to God she's going to pay for this." Arthur replied angrily.
"Go and get some sleep. We will discuss this in the morning when Merlin wakes up. He may be able to give more information then."
Arthur walked slowly back to his chambers. Merlin had been right all this time and as usual he hadn't listened. He would make it up to Merlin that's for sure once he was awake. Never would he treat his friend in this way again. A good night's sleep and a clear head is what was needed.
Merlin slept well and was quite refreshed as the new day dawned. "Gaius!" he called out.
"Good you're awake. How are you feeling now?"
"Tired, but okay."
"That'll be the sedative I gave you. It was the only way of getting you to sleep."
"What happened?" Merlin asked slightly confused.
"Another one of those attacks. This time quite bad. You were found in the Armoury room on the floor. Arthur brought you back here."
"Arthur!" Merlin answered startled.
"Yes, he's told me all about you. He still loves you Merlin, you know that."
Merlin's eyes brightened at the thought of Arthur still wanting him. "I need to see him."
"Not today, you still need to rest. I'll let Arthur know you're awake. I'll make some breakfast and we'll take it from there."
Arthur sat in solace in his chamber. The only disturbance was a knock on the door bringing him back to reality. As Gaius entered the room, he rose from the chair to greet him. "Gaius!" he said concerned. "Merlin is he…"
"He's fine Sire. He's awake but still tired. It took a lot out of him yesterday."
"Has he said anything more about what happened?"
"Not yet, although he does wish to talk to you."
"Send him to me will you?"
"It would be better for you to come to him. I would prefer to keep an eye on him for a while, just in case."
"In case of what?"
"We are not sure if this might happen again."
"I'll walk with you then." Arthur stated making his way out of the door.
"Gwaine!" Leon shouted. "What's this I hear about poor Merlin?" he asked , concerned for his servant friend's welfare.
"Hard to explain. He had some form of turn, attack, fit or something. It wasn't pleasant to watch I know that." Gwaine answered.
"Any more news this morning?" Leon continued.
"Just seen Gaius. Merlin is awake and fine, but he doesn't want him doing anything today."
"So Merlin's got the day off. That'll be a first," Leon said smiling.
"Arthur!" Merlin said, as his King strode into the room with Gaius following behind.
"Well you look much better than when I last saw you. You gave us all a scare you know."
"Sorry about that." Merlin answered as though he had to apologise. Merlin remained on the bed as both Arthur and Gaius pulled up a chair to sit beside him. Still looking pale and fragile, Merlin did his best to remember what happened. Having moments of forgetfulness frustrated him immensely.
"Take your time Merlin. Piece it together slowly." Gaius said looking at him.
Arthur took hold of Merlin's hand in reassurance. "Don't worry, Gaius knows all about us." Arthur said letting Merlin know everything was fine.
"I only remember drinking the water, everything after that is confusing. Although I do remember challenging Agravaine . He has something to do with this. You must ask him Arthur."
"Merlin my uncle is dead. I believe magic was used to kill him." Arthur said looking at Merlin expecting a reaction.
"Dead!" Merlin replied startled and shaken.
"We believe …" Arthur thought it best to explain, "…that Morgana has something to do with this. It pains me to admit it, but Agravaine must have been working with her. The water you drank was contaminated with some form of potion."
"Something to make you lose your mind." Gaius said interrupting.
Annoyed, Arthur glared at Gaius, then continued to explain the situation to Merlin. "I believe Morgana is trying to take over the throne. She will stop at nothing and I'm sorry you've been caught up in this. She will pay for this you mark my words."
"What are you planning to do?" Merlin asked.
"Don't know yet, anyway you needn't worry. All you have to do is rest. Take it easy for a change. Look after him Gaius, although I know you will." Arthur said as he left the pair behind.
"Arthur is going to do something stupid." Merlin said after Arthur was gone. He tried getting up, but was still feeling wobbly as he fell back onto the bed.
"I told you to take it easy Merlin. Do as you're told for once."
"Gaius, Arthur is up to something, surely even you can see that." Merlin pleaded.
"I've summoned you all here, because I need to say something to you all." Arthur said to his Knights in the council chamber. "I believe that what happened to Merlin was Morgana's doing. She will pay for this and I fully intend to challenge her. I will be going alone as this is personal. If I do not return, I make one thing clear, that you look after and protect Merlin for as long as he lives. I will be leaving immediately and do not know when I will be returning. You are knights of the round table and I expect you to fully live up to the code that you live by. That is all I have to say."
"But Sire," Leon said stepping forward, "I believe I speak on behalf of us all, when we say we are more then willing to join you in this fight."
"Thank you, I appreciate that, however this is my half-sister and I must deal with it alone." Arthur said grateful to his men for coming forward.
"What's a matter with you Merlin?" Gaius asked, wondering why Merlin looked so glum.
"Agravaine," Merlin said with a deep sigh.
"What about him?"
"He's dead Gaius. The last thing I remember was challenging him. I killed him didn't I?"
"More than likely. It was magic that was used."
"If Arthur ever found out …"
"Well he's not going to find out. I'm not going to say anything," Gaius said attempting to convince Merlin everything was fine.
"I need to talk to Arthur." Merlin demanded.
"Somehow I really don't think you're going to listen to me are you?"
"No, not this time." Merlin said standing up still unsteady on his feet.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted seeing the King in the corridor running hurriedly towards him. "You're going to Morgana aren't you?"
"What gave you that idea?" Arthur asked surprised to see Merlin there.
"I know you too well."
"Well you're not coming Merlin, so go back home."
"But Arthur," begged Merlin.
"No Merlin, just for once do as you are told. You're still recovering and I don't want you slowing me down."
"Morgana is a high Priestess. You can't defeat her Arthur. You need me there."
"What do you think you can do to help Merlin? You're just a servant, nothing more." Arthur said abruptly, heading out of the castle.
