In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlyn.
I'm sitting on top of a hillside overlooking Camelot, along with other peasants as we collect firewood. I'm wearing a steel gray dress with a dark gray corset, tan boots, and my hair pinned back with a hair piece Gwen made me. My mind wanders as I stare off towards the city, and to a specific prince that can't seem to leave my thoughts lately.
"Hors, beride þá heofonum." I whisper without thinking, the smoke taking the shape of a running horse before fading back to smoke. A woman runs over and grabs my shoulder aggressively shaking it as she stares at where the horse was.
"Did you see it? The smoke, did you see it?" She hurriedly questions and I wring my hands as I shake my head.
"No-No, I saw nothing." I assure her nervously, mentally cursing myself for being so careless.
"Are you blind? You were right here! It was magic, I tell you. There's sorcery here. We must tell the King." She insists before running off and I softly mutter curses and I try to catch up to her before she can reach the king.
"No! Wait!" I call out as I follow, but I'm too late as she runs straight up to the guards at the palace doors and demands to meet with Uther. I quickly make my way to the physician's chambers to inform Gaius before we're called before the throne room to hear the woman swear she feared for her life over the smoke horse and I suppress an eye roll before she is escorted out and Uther summons someone called the 'Witchfinder' which makes my skin crawl at the name. Morgana immediately bombards me with mental questions as soon as we leave the council chambers and I try my best to answer all of them.
"How many times, Merlyn?! 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 reprimands and I sigh, my head resting in my hands from my spot at the workbench as I worry over what's to come from this 'Witchfinder'.
"I…I wasn't thinking." I answer quietly, scared that this is the screw up that will result in a pyre.
"Well think, girl, think!" He retorts and I remove my hands from my face as I get defensive over his reaction, already feeling guilty and stupid enough over this.
"I did it without thinking, it wasn't intentional Gaius." I repeat and he sighs, the worry for me clear in his eyes.
"It was magic and it was seen." He corrects and I sigh, my eyes shining with fear and regret as I look towards my mentor, clearly concerned for me.
"You're right. I'm sorry." I apologize and he sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder before he resumes his pacing.
"You must hide the book and inform Morgana to do the same. Anything that can connect you to sorcery in any way." He instructs and I telepathically relay the message to Mor, informing her I'll be round tonight after Arthur's in bed to explain everything.
"No, not mentally, you must go now, Merlyn. The man that Uther has sent for, I know him." He corrects and I raise a brow at the heightened fear involving this 'Witchfinder' which makes me even more nervous.
"Who is he? The Witchfinder? Sounds awfully cryptic." I mumble and Gaius stops his pacing to face me.
"Hmm, some know him by that name. I know him as Aredian. He is a force to be reckoned with." He replies and I feel a pit forming in my stomach at the current mess I've thrown myself into.
"But I'm not a witch. Look. No pointy hat or broomstick." I joke, trying to diffuse the tension in the room, and instead my mentor sends me a glare. "I'll get the book and go to Morgana's."
After I quickly assist Arthur prepare for bed, my unusual behavior did not go unnoticed by him thanks to the new dynamic we've established, I took longer than I anticipated leaving his chambers. I finally enter Mor's chambers and she's sitting on the bed with Gwen floating around the room finishing her tasks for the night. I telepathically inform her of my misstep this morning and she chides me, the student teasing her teacher for being careless and I roll my eyes at her ever present humor. Suddenly, we hear someone enter the square with a large horse-drawn cage and the guards approach him as Gwen, Mor and I walk over to the window to investigate.
"Is that him?" Gwen inquires as she prepares the bed for Morgana and I share a mental conversation with Mor before she answers.
"Yes." She replies, fear shining in her green eyes as she relays her fear for me in my head and I smile at my friend reassuringly.
"What's that cage for?" Gwen continues and I suppress a shudder at the thought.
"It hardly bears thinking about." "I don't want to know, Gwen." Morgana and I answer simultaneously and Aredian looks up at the window, straight at Morgana, causing her to gasp in surprise and I clutch her hand in support. The next morning, I quickly put on a sunset orange long sleeve dress, tan lace up corset, tan boots and I put my hair in an updo with strands falling loose around my face.
"Gaius, isn't it? I never forget a face." A voice calls out and we turn to see a man wearing all black with a black hat approach us as we're walking in the lower town, and my blood runs ice cold in my veins as he comes to a stop.
"Nor I, Aredian." Gauis responds, looking over the man, and I try to remain as unassuming as I can, hoping he'll forget I'm standing there altogether.
"A physician now, I hear. You always did have a thirst for knowledge." Aredian retorts, almost like he was implying something about Gaius.
"Scientific knowledge." Gaius agrees, not giving anything away while I stare at my boots peeking out beneath my orange dress, wishing silently I wore a more muted color.
"Of course." Aredian comments, a silent exchange seemingly happening between the two.
"My assistant, Merlyn." Gaius introduces me, causing me to tense up as I'm forced to meet eyes with the person sent to locate the witch- me.
"Merlyn, what an unusual name." He replies and I try to force a smile as I wring my hands behind my back so he can't see my nervous tell.
"May your investigation prove fruitful, Aredian. However, you'll have to excuse us, we have work to do." Gaius explains, rather shortly dismissing the witchfinder from conversation and I silently thank him.
"Naturally. Merlyn? I have a few questions I would like you to answer. Please be at my chambers in an hour." He demands before we begin to head back to the physician's chambers, while I widen my eyes at Gaius. As the hour comes to an end, I'm standing outside the guest chambers, trying to calm myself enough to open the door. Aredian guides me to a chair in front of the desk and I wring my hands in my lap, trying to keep a straight face.
"You are aware, then, that sorcery has been practiced in the vicinity of Camelot?" He inquires, dipping his quill in ink, taking note of my responses.
"Yes. I mean…apparently." I answer, trying to sound as calm as I can when facing the man that could seal my fate.
"No, no, it cannot be denied. There was a witness." He reminds me and I remember how terrified the woman had been of a simple horse appearing in the smoke.
"Yes, I know." I reply, again cursing myself for being so careless to end up in this position.
"Do you also know that the woman has named you as a witness?" He informs me and my mouth dries, and I let go of my hands in complete shock.
"But…"
"I've already spoken to her. She was quite clear on the matter." He interrupts and I try to think of how I'm going to talk myself out of this.
"But I wasn't a witness." I argue, having never said anything about seeing it.
"Oh, sorry. Perhaps I misheard. Do you deny that you were present at the time of the incident?" He questions, and I frown, not knowing what to say without implicating myself.
"No, I-I was there." I confirm, wringing my hands once again.
"Well, so you saw it, the horse conjured from the smoke?" He surmises and I shake my head
"I saw the smoke, but…it was only smoke. I saw nothing else." I explain and he stops his writing, looking at me with a raised brow.
"Are you saying that she lies?" He asks me, and I mentally debate on what I should say next.
"I didn't say that. I said I didn't see what she saw." I argue back, not wanting the woman to be punished for my stupidity.
"Hmm. Well, how can that be, I wonder? How can one person see something and the other not?" He questions, obviously not believing my story and I picture the huge wooden pyre in fear.
"I can't explain it." I reply quietly, not knowing what else to say.
"I'm at a loss as to explain it myself. Unless it was you who performed the magic." He states, not a question this time and I feel my heart quicken as I realize that he's found me out.
"It wasn't." I insist, knowing I can't say anything else.
"Can you prove that it wasn't?" He inquires and I freeze for a moment before I sigh, looking up at him.
"No."
"Hmm. That'll be all." He dismisses and I get up to leave, not before he adds, "For now."
The next morning I'm wearing a white dress with a maroon sleeved corset, and maroon fabric on the skirt with tan boots and my hair in a simple updo, curls framing my face. In the throne room, Aredian presents three women who have information about the sorcerer while I wring my hands in front of me.
"Speak, do not be afraid." He encourages and Morgana sends me a comforting smile as she notices my nervousness.
"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 woman rambles and I knit my brows at her story, not sure what she's talking about.
"I haven't done anything, I promise." I whisper to Gaius and I notice him nod slightly at my words. As the other women tell their equally wild tales, one of goblins and another of a man spitting out toads, I feel myself grow more worried with the outcome.
"The sorcerer laughs in your face. Even now magic flourishes on the streets of Camelot." He informs the king, who believes every word he's saying. "Yet it is the truth, My Lord. Fortunately I've utilized every facet of my craft to bring this matter to a swift resolution." He continues confidently and Uther raises a brow.
"The sorcerer? You have a suspect?" He questions, not expecting a fast solution.
"Oh, I do, My Lord. I regret to say, they stand among us in this very room. My methods are infallible, my findings incontestable! The facts point to one person and one person alone: the girl, Merlyn!" He announces and I gasp as everyone turns to me in shock, Arthur looking as if he'd be struck by a blow to the stomach and Morgana with horror visible in her jade green eyes.
"Merlyn? You can't be serious." Arthur retorts, a disbelieving tone in his voice, while he tries his best not to look at me his eyes find mine and I feel a tear slide down my cheek at the fear in his eyes- fear for my life.
"This is outrageous! You have no evidence!" Gaius cries out enraged, and I'm thankful to have played the dumb, unassuming servant card because everyone seems to think it impossible.
"The tools of magic cannot be hidden from me. I am certain that a thorough search of the girl's chamber will deliver us all we need." He insists, smirking in pride and I continue wringing my hands as I try to remain calm.
"Merlyn?" Uther questions, not needing to actually ask the question and I let go of my hands as I straighten, trying to portray confidence as I look to the king, noticing Arthur's worried glances towards me.
"I have nothing to hide from him, Your Highness." I reply, surprised with how confident my voice sounded and I hear Morgana's tearful reassurances in my head as the guards take me by each arm and escort me out of the council chambers to a cell. A while later, Arthur comes to the cell and opens the door, causing me to wipe my tears and a guard escorts me out of the cell, only to see Gaius being lead to the cell in my place. "Gaius? What's going on?" I call out and he gives me a stern look.
"Say nothing, Merlyn. Do nothing. Promise me!" He shouts back and I exhale shakily as I walk back to the physician's chambers, only to find everything ransacked and broken. I finally let go, weeping as I clean the mess I've caused all over a stupid illusion in a cloud of smoke. I visit Morgana to warn her of Aredian, thinking this witch hunt won't be satisfied with one. After I'm finished with Mor, as I'm sneaking to the dragon's cave to see Kilgharrah, I see Gaius being dragged out of the cell and he looks awful.
'What is wrong, young witch? You look so pale.'
"I did a stupid thing. Stupid, stupid thing. And now Gaius is going to pay for it." I inform him, wringing my hands as I think back to his condition as they were taking him from the cell.
'Gaius means nothing to me.'
"But he means a great deal to me!" I exclaim, a tear falls from my eye and Kilgharrah softens.
'Very well. Tell me what has happened.'
"A witch finder has come. He's arrested Gaius for sorcery, but I am the sorcerer." I explain, knowing that although I'm not really a sorcerer in their eyes it's one and the same.
'Yes, I suppose you are.'
"Well, I'm going to confess. It's the only way to save him." I voice out loud, thinking of the future I was supposed to have, and how I ruined it over something so minuscule.
'Then your stupidity continues.'
"I won't sacrifice a friend to save myself!" I shout, tears falling freely now as I think of what Gaius is enduring because of me.
'Bravely spoken, but Gaius is already doomed. If you confess, the witch finder will just burn you both.'
"But it's my fault! Don't you understand?" I sob out, guilt crushing me to the very core as I think of Gaius dying for my mistake.
'All too well, young witch. But understand this: if you were to die, you would endanger the lives of all those that rely upon you, both living now and those yet to be born.'
"Well, there must be something I can do. There must be. Please help me." I beg him, desperate to save the life of my mentor and friend.
'Merlyn, I see you are distressed by this, but I cannot help you because I do not know how to.'
"I can't just stand by and watch Gaius die! I can't!" I retort, not giving up on finding a way out of this for Gaius.
'I am sorry.'
After leaving Kilgharrah, Mor telepathically informs me that she was brought before Aredian and she fears he knows about her as well. I couldn't sleep, so I instead began reading through all of the books I can possibly find hoping for some way out of this mess. The next day, I simply threw on a blue dress with black detailing on the sleeves and skirt, a black corset and my tan boots. I hurriedly set my hair in a loose plait before rushing to the council chambers to hear the reason why Aredian's summoned us. Aredian throws Gaius to his knees before the court, and Gwen gently grabs my wrist as I step forward intending to stop him.
"Confess! Confess!" He taunts Gaius and I see my mentor look up at me for a moment, defeat clear in his eyes.
"I…I am a sorcerer, Sire. I am responsible for conjuring the smoke. I'm guilty of practicing magic in Camelot, the goblin, the faces in the well, I…I am the sorcerer who conjured the toad from his mouth." Gaius admits, causing disbelieving whispers throughout the room.
"You've betrayed me, Gaius. Betrayed your friends. And above all, you've betrayed yourself. By the laws of Camelot, I must sentence you to death." Uther spits out and I gasp softly, tears welling up in my eyes.
"The sorcerer will be purged of his magic by means of fire! He shall be burnt at the stake tomorrow at dawn! Bear witness and heed this lesson!" Aredian announces and guards drag Gaius out of the room. I glare at Aredian's cocky smirk and I yank out of Gwen's grip determined to at least throw a punch.
"No! You're a liar." I shout, charging towards him but before I can get close, Arthur grabs me around the waist and both arms and escorts me out of the room, telling the guards he'd handle the situation. Arthur leads me to the dungeons and lets go of my arms, which I use to my advantage and smack him on the chest.
"You should've let me bloody hit him, the liar!" I exclaim, tears falling down my face now that we're alone and he takes me in his arms, rubbing circles on my back as I cry for a moment before I break away. "Am I being arrested?" I ask quietly, wiping the tears from my face as he sighs.
"Of course not, Lyn. I'm the one breaking the law." He informs me, opening Gaius's cell and I inhale sharply at seeing my mentor looking so broken. "I can only give you a few minutes." He explains and I kiss his cheek before he exits to wait outside the door. I rushed to Gaius's side, checking for any major injuries. .
"They wouldn't let me see you, there was nothing I could do." I inform him, tears pooled in my eyes again and he nods softly.
"I know. I understand." He assures me and I take his hand in mine, squeezing it softly as I feel a tear fall.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe Uther would do this to you." I mention, knowing the two were old friends and yet he's abandoned him to his fate.
"He had no choice. Once Aredian had found the amulet…" Gaius trails off and I raise a brow at the mention of the item.
"I didn't even know you had such a thing." I comment, having never seen anything like that in his chambers.
"It isn't mine." He admits and I look at him sharply, wondering why he would've done that.
"Why did you say it was?" I question, although I fear I already know the answer as he gives me a knowing look.
"I was trying to protect you." He replies as if it were obvious and I exhale shakily at his revelation, trying to come up with something to say and Gauis most realize that. "It's alright, Merlyn. You don't have to say anything."
"Yeah, I do. The amulet isn't mine either." I inform him and he looks shocked, having thought it was mine.
"Then how did it get there?" He inquires and I suddenly am hit with the realization.
"Aredian. There's no other explanation." I answer instantly and Gaius seems confused.
"But why?" He voices, not understanding why the witch hunter would frame him.
"It doesn't matter why. All that matters is, if I can prove he planted it, you're saved." I comment and Gaius takes my hands again firmly.
"No. You must let this go." He demands and I shake my head furiously, refusing to give up.
"No, you're falsely accused. I have a chance to prove that. I must take that chance." I retort, knowing he would do anything to prove I was innocent if our places were reversed.
"No, Merlyn. You must not. I don't want to die, but neither do I want you to die. And die you surely will if you get too close to Aredian. He will trap you, Merlyn. He will manipulate you, and without ever meaning to, you will incriminate yourself. You must let this go." He instructs and I choke out a sob as he gently squeezes me hands.
"I must let you go?" I repeat, tears rapidly falling from my eyes as Gaius nods sadly.
"To do otherwise would be an act of suicide." He states, before embracing me in a hug until Arthur comes back inside, regretfully informing us our time is up. As I walk out of the dungeons, the reality of it all hits me and I feel my knees buckle as Arthur catches me. I cover my mouth as I sob, feeling the guilt and grief flow through me. Arthur holds me, gently whispering reassurances and kind words to soothe me, which eventually works and he escorts me to the physician's chambers. The next day, I sit in a plain blue dress with a gray knitted shawl wrapped around my shoulders as I watch a pyre being built in the square from the window in the physician's chambers.
"Merlyn?! He won't let go! He won't stop!" Gwen exclaims, rushing into the chambers and I rise from the bench, walking over to comfort my friend.
"What happened?" I question, judging by her tone she's scared of something.
"The Witchfinder's questioning Morgana again. I'm worried, Lyn. She's close to breaking point." Gwen admits and I sigh, tired of Aredian's antics.
"Yeah, that's what he does. He breaks you down and in the end you confess whether you're guilty or not." I retort and Gwen raises a brow, confused by my words.
"What do you mean?" She pushes and I sigh, wringing my hands.
"Gaius was set up. Aredian planted that amulet." I inform her and her eyes widen at my accusation.
"But why would he do such a thing?" She asks, not understanding why he'd plant evidence.
"Aredian is paid to catch sorcerers. Maybe he doesn't care whether someone is guilty or not. Maybe he gets confessions by lying, by planting evidence, just as long as he gets a confession, he gets his money." I suggest pacing as I put the theory together and Gwen looks appalled by this.
"But even if this is true, what can we do without proof?" She points out and I smirk, giving her a knowing look and she frowns.
"Get some." I simply reply, before quickly explaining that I'm going to go check his room before sneaking down the corridor. I'm snooping around in the guest chambers when I notice a cupboard.
"Tospringe." I mumble and the cupboard unlocks, revealing flower petals, but before i can see anything else, I hear someone coming.
"Dæfte þæt bedd." I whisper, remaking the bed before I duck underneath it until he leaves the room again and I run back to the physician's chambers where Gwen's waiting. I grab a stack of books from the shelf and we begin flipping through them.
"This is hopeless!" Gwen cries out in frustration and I sigh, giving her a reassuring look, before I go back to my book.
"Keep looking." I instruct as I flip to the next page of the book and start skimming the pictures instead.
"We don't even know if this flower means anything." She argues and I wonder if this must be how Gaius feels when I ask so many questions.
"No we don't, but it's all we've got." I remind her before I find the matching picture. "Here. Belladonna." I point to the picture, showing Gwen the passage.
"'For the alleviation of ulcers, allergies, and muscular inflammation…' This is hopeless, Merlyn." She laments, seeming to give up but I continue reading and I tap her arm to gain her attention.
"No, wait. Listen, 'Under certain conditions, a tincture of the flower can produce hallucinations.'" I read and she doesn't seem to understand what I just did.
"So?" She questions and I scoff, thinking back to the 'goblins, toads and faces'.
"Aredian's witnesses. It wasn't magic they were seeing, it was visions." I insist, beginning to understand just how Gaius was framed.
"It makes sense, if he's faking the evidence. But how can we prove it?" She voices, while I ponder the different ways the women could've been dosed.
"No, Aredian's too clever to have given the tincture to them directly. The witnesses, they must've got it from someone else." I state, confident that he would never get his own hands dirty if he could help it.
"They could've been getting it from anyone." Gwen replies and I wring my hands as I think of how he managed to get three different sources.
"Is there anything, anything at all that these people had in common?" I question and Gwen shakes her head, just as baffled as I am.
"They were all women?" She suggests and I shrug not really thinking that it would make a difference.
"No, that doesn't tell us anything." I refute but Gwen gives me a look and I begrudgingly smile, gesturing for her to continue.
"Yes, it does. What's the one thing only women would buy? Things to make them look beautiful." She finishes and my eyes widen as I understand what she's referring to and we run through the lower town, towards the apothecary. Gwen knocks on the door and an older man steps outside.
"Gwen?" He questions, recognizing her before gesturing for us to follow him inside.
"Do you sell a tincture of Belladonna?" She inquires and I can see the confusion on his face at her question.
"What's this all about?" He wonders, looking between the two of us, clearly confused.
"Please, it's important." I explain, my eyes pleading with him to answer the question.
"Well, I, I think I've got some somewhere, but what you'd be wanting with eye drops in the middle of the night, I really don't want to know." He informs us, beginning to look for the eye drops and Gwen and I turn to each other.
"Eye drops." Gwen repeats in understanding as he hands the bottle to us and I inspect it.
"Yes. Women use them to make their eyes more beautiful." He explains and I suspect I know how the women were given hallucinations.
"Where did you get this?" I demand, having a good idea what happened but he has to confirm.
"Well, my usual suppliers." He tells us but I have a feeling he isn't being entirely truthful.
"Sure you didn't get it from someone else?" I ask him, and I see the annoyance in his faze but also a touch of fear so I realize I've touched a nerve.
"Of course I'm sure. If it's all the same to you, I'd like to get some sleep." He comments, obviously wanting us to leave and I shoot Gwen a pleading look since he seems to like her.
"It was Aredian who gave you the Belladonna, wasn't it?" Gwen asks, having figured out what I had and I see a flash of surprise on his face before he calms himself.
"Don't know what you're talking about." He insists and I frown, not wanting to waste any more time.
"But you know that Gaius is going to be executed tomorrow, don't you?" I press, and I see a flash of guilt cross his features as I fix him with a stern glance Gaius would be proud of.
"That has nothing to do with me." He retorts and I slam my hand on the workbench, startling him and I feel my eyes welling up with tears, both of frustration and denial.
"That has everything to do with you! Aredian's witnesses saw visions . Visions produced by the Belladonna in these eye drops! If we can prove this, we have a chance of saving Gaius. Please." I beg, needing his help to free Gaius and I see his features soften.
"He forced me to sell it. He-he said he'd kill me if I said anything to anyone." He admits and I smile as I have a witness that can exonerate Gaius.
"It was him? It was Aredian?" Gwen asks, wanting to make sure he was speaking of the Witchfinder and the old man nods.
"Yes, it was him." He confirms and I Gwen and I share a victorious smile.
"Thank you." We tell him simultaneously before we rush back to the physician's chambers to get the belladonna petals
"That's it. We've got everything we need." I inform her but she doesn't seem very convinced. "We've got a witness as well. Surely that's enough?" I question after seeing the expression on her face.
"It's still just our word against Aredian's!" She argues and I sigh, knowing she's right but there's not enough time.
"Gwen, we don't have a choice! By dawn tomorrow Gaius will be dead." I remind her, wringing my hands and she places her hand on mine reassuringly.
"Merlyn, we've only got one chance at this. We've got to give Uther something he cannot deny. Something not even Aredian can talk his way out of." She explains and I think for a moment before squeezing her hand and heading to the door.
"I'll be as quick as I can." I call over my shoulder as I sneak to Aredian's guest chambers. I quietly enter and walk over to the cupboard.
"Hlyste min níehst bebod." I whisper, raising my hand in front of the cupboard before walking over to the bed, reaching my hand over his throat. "Ceolwærc." After finishing the last piece of my plan, I sprint back to the physician's chambers where Gwen is still waiting for me.
"Merlyn! Where have you been?" She questions and I know that I can't tell her what I was really doing.
"It's done. Everything's in place." I reply cryptically, and she gives me a questioning look in return.
"But it's too late! Gaius has already left the dungeons!" She informs me and I exhale quickly, not having expected him to be taken yet.
"Then…then we'll have to delay the execution." I remark, hurriedly trying to think of anything else to do.
"How?" She asks, and I think of one person who could help me save Gaius.
"Arthur. I'll speak to Arthur." I voice, her giving me a small smile and I nod, knowing that if anyone could help, Arthur could.
"Then tell me what else needs to be done so I can make myself useful." Gwen demands and I smile at my friend, before telling her of my last task. I run into the main square to find Aredian drag Gaius rather roughly to the pyre.
"Easy there! Show some respect!" Arthur shouts and I feel my heart tighten at his concern for my mentor.
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur, you've got to stop this." I call out, shoving my way over to him, and he turns towards me, sympathy shining in his eyes as he takes in my bloodshot eyes and tear stained cheeks.
"I can't, Lyn. You know I can't." He reminds me softly and I lean closer, so nobody else can hear.
"Gwen and I have proof that Gaius is innocent." I inform him and I see him battle with himself before he frowns.
"My father's already passed sentence. There's nothing I can do." He explains and I scoff, feeling tears well up in my eyes once more.
"You can do the right thing, Arthur Pendragon! You can show some faith in a loyal friend, or whatever I am or you can stand by and watch an innocent man die!" I exclaim quietly and Arthur gives me a look to lower my voice before people notice our proximity.
"Merlyn.."
"You did it once before to Gwen's father; are you really willing to let it happen again? And you can stop looking at me like that, I know my place in public. I thought you were a prince, so start behaving like one or look for a new... servant!" I continue angrily, and I see an emotion flash across his eyes as Aredian moves the torch to light the pyre and I gasp, turning away sharply.
"Wait!" Arthur calls out, delaying the execution, and I send him a grateful smile as he nods before I run back inside to gather the belladonna tincture.
"Sire, the witnesses saw nothing but hallucinations induced by the Belladonna in these eye drops." I inform him nervously holding up the eye drop bottle as proof, which he takes from me.
"And you bought this Belladonna from this man?" Uther questions and all of the witnesses nod in agreement.
"Where did you get it from? Don't be afraid, no harm will come to you here." Uther encourages the apothecary and he glances at me before speaking.
"The Witchfinder. He gave them to me" The apothecary testifies and I cast a glance to Morgana, who looks tired but she sends me a smile as I take in her appearance worriedly.
"Did he tell you what it was for?" Uther asks, and the apothecary shakes his head.
"No. Only that if I did not sell it, he'd have me burnt at the stake." He informs the king and Uther angrily looks to Aredian.
"How do you answer to these accusations?" Uther asks of him and Aredian stands with his arms crossed.
"They're absurd. The girl has clearly concocted these lies in the hope of saving her master." He retorts, dismissing my claims and I place my hands on my hips in annoyance.
"Then you won't mind if we search your chamber, will you?" I inquire, wanting to see his reaction.
"Silence! You have no authority here!" Uther scolds me and I bite my tongue to keep any of the several choice responses from flowing past my lips.
"Father…let's settle this once and for all. If what Merlyn says is wrong,she must bear the consequences. But if there is some truth in what she says…" Arthur suggests, quickly glancing at me apologetically before continuing and I feel the corner of my mouth turn upwards at the thought he'd sulk over me being cross with him.
"I have nothing to hide." Aredian cockily answers and I hear Mor laugh in my head at the thoughts running through mine. Aredian, Arthur, Uther, and Morgana and I all watch the guards toss the room.
"You're wasting your time." Aredian groans, and I supress a smirk as Arthur looks up at the cupboard.
"The cupboard over there." Arthur instructs a knight and when opened, dozens of amulets drop out along with a stash of belladonna tincture is inside.
"These things don't belong to me! This is a trick! *cough* That girl plots against me!" He accuses and I grin at him as he tries to clear his throat, spitting out a toad in the process.
"Sorcerer!" Uther exclaims and Aredian grabs a dagger, along with Morgana.
"Aredian, think carefully about what you're doing. You will never escape from Camelot alive." Uther warns him, looking at his beloved ward who I can tell is trying to play the damsel in distress.
"I will if you value the life of your ward. Hmm?" He responds and I wink at Morgana, who telepathically begs me to let her handle him and I laugh in her head.
"Forbærnan." I whisper causing the dagger's handle to heat up, making Aredian drop it. I notice Mor stick her leg out just as he steps backward, tripping him into falling over a box and out the window. Later, I'm wearing a pale yellow dress, tan lace up corset, tan boots and my hair in a messy plait as I'm visiting with Morgana in her chambers. I gave her a few more pages of spells to memorize and burn, while we go over the few spells she has learned we discuss the events of the last few days. As I'm walking into the physician's chambers, Gaius is setting the table for supper.
"What I don't understand is how you knew he'd concealed the evidence in his chamber." Gaius comments and I take a bite of food, avoiding his gaze.
"Oh, uh, just a hunch, really." I mumble unconvincingly and he smirks slightly.
"I see. And the toad?" He inquires and a laugh escapes me before I can stop it before I sober myself.
"That I, er…ahem, I, er…can't explain." I inform him before taking another bite as he watches me.
"I can hardly explain it myself. Unless, of course, you put it there." He insists and I sigh, rolling my eyes playfully.
"Okay, Gaius, fair enough. I promise I will never save your life again." I reply, knowing he figured me out.
"Promise?" He questions and I smile, knowing that I'd do it all again just to save him, but he doesn't need to know that.
"Absolutely." I promise, before the two of us share a laugh, which we both needed after the last few days.
"Honestly, Merlyn, the toad was a step too far." He chimes and I shake my head, remembering the toad falling from his mouth causing me to giggle again.
"Oh the git deserved it. Besides, you should've seen the look on his face." I retort and we break into fits of laughter once more, the stress of the last few days disappearing as I eat dinner with the closest thing to a father I've ever had.