AN: HEY I AM SO EXCITED.
Because the Poisoned Chalice is one of my favourite episodes of season 1. I've been looking forward to this episode since The Dragon's Call lol.
This chapter is super special awesome! Know why?
BECAUSE IT'S ALL OF THE POISONED CHALICE. YES, NO PART 1 OR 2. JUST ONE WHOLE CHAPTER.
Now, won't keep you waiting!
DISCLAIMER: MERLIN IS NOT MINE.
Enjoy!
Today was the day that Bayard was coming to sign the peace treaty. Needless to say, I wasn't very excited.
Okay, that was a total lie. I was about to meet an actual King! From another Kingdom! Who, okay, was convicted of trying to poison Arthur, but who cared?
I was walking in the corridors when I saw Merlin carrying all of Arthur's stuff. "Why do I always get landed with the donkey work?" He asked Gaius.
"You're a servant Merlin. It's what you do," I said, walking up behind Gaius.
"My arms will be a foot longer by the time I get this all inside." Merlin complained.
"It's character building." Gaius explained. "As the old proverb says, 'Hard work breeds," Gaius paused, trying to think of a way to continue. "A harder soul." He ended lamely.
"There is no way that is a proverb, you just made that up." Merlin accused him.
I chuckled and moved to leave, when somebody tripped in front of Merlin. Being someone raised to help anybody when they need it, I instantly come back. "Sorry." The voice said.
"No, it's all right. Let me give you a hand with that." Merlin said, bending down to help her. I did the same thing.
She and Merlin looked up at the same time, and my heart stopped when I realize that it was Nimueh. Merlin looked at Nimueh in awe, and Nimueh pretended to look the same way. We all stood up at the same time. Gaius must have sensed that something was wrong with me, because he gave me a look. I quickly shrugged it off.
"Hello," Merlin said, extending his hand. "I'm Merlin."
"Kara." Nimueh said, taking his hand. "You're Arthur's servant." She stated. "It must be such an honour."
"Oh yeah, it is." Merlin said, trying to impress the girl. Even though there was nothing humorous about this situation, I had to fight to keep a laugh in, though I was kind of half jealous. I know, I was really weird. "Well, someone's got to keep the place running."
Gaius gave Merlin a pointed look, which Merlin pretended to ignore. "Thank you Merlin." Nimueh said. He looked a bit confused at first, then laughed to himself when he realized that he was still holding a piece of clothing from Nimueh's basket. "Oh, yeah. No problem." He put it back on top of the basket.
"It was nice meeting you." She said in a far off voice. I tried not to roll my eyes. I regained my composture when she turned and curtsied to me. "My Lady." Then she left.
Merlin watched after her, smiling the whole time. I didn't really know why, but I got really angry at that. I snapped my fingers in front of him. "Shouldn't you be busy running the place?" I asked, somewhat bitterly. I walked past a laughing Gaius, who was shaking his head. He followed after me, and stopped me by taking my hand.
"Liz, are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
I nodded, a sweet smile plastered on my face. "Of course Gaius, why would I not be?"
Gaius just shook his head. "Well, you looked like you had seen a ghost when you got a look of Cara's face."
I shook my head, dismissing it. "No, I just feel like I've met her before, is all."
"Have you?" Gaius asked.
I shook my head again, and looked after where Nimueh left. "Trust me, Gaius. I'd never forget that face." I could tell Gaius was going to ask me something about my cryptic response, but I quickly made up an excuse. "I'm sorry Gaius. I have to go see Morgana about something." Then I turned around, and walked away, double time.
Okay, Merlin in the show's clothes looked completely hilarious, but Merlin in real life's clothes were somehow even funnier. I guess it was because I actually got to see it in real life. But either way, I had to conceal my laughter at the head of the table.
I saw Nimueh and Merlin making a bit of eye contact again, and got mad again. This guy seriously couldn't see her evil? Hang on, you totally said that you evil. But it's clear on Nimueh! OH MY GOD, LIZ, STOP. PEOPLE WERE STARTING TO STARE AT YOUR WEIRD FACIAL RESPONSES TO YOUR OWN MIND CONVERSATION.
Uther and Bayard shook hands, and we all clapped. Then Bayard began his speech. "People of Camelot. For a great many years, we have been mortal enemies. The blood of our men stains the grounds, from the walls of Camelot, to the gates of Mercia." A woman brought the box containing the goblets. "And while we honour those that died, we must not allow anymore to join them. As a symbol, of our good will, and of our new found friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets." Bayard took them out of the box. "To you, Uther, to your son, Arthur," Then to my surprise, he took another goblet out. "And to Elizabeth, your Lady of Camelot."
Okay, hang on. Was I supposed to get a goblet from Bayard? I didn't remember Morgana getting one.
"In the hope that our friendship may last." Bayard finished.
I looked over to Merlin, and saw him leaving with Kara. My heart started to beat really quickly. He couldn't drink the poison. He couldn't. He'd get poisoned. I was going to have to find a way to make him not.
In the next two minutes. Very clever, Lizzie.
"Tonight, we toast to a new beginning to our people. We look to a future free from the toils of war." Bayard continued.
Man, when Arthur was saying that Bayard's speech was boring, he wasn't kidding. We didn't hear the rest of it in the episode because we heard Nimueh telling Merlin about the goblets instead.
I had almost fallen asleep when Bayard's servant brought the goblets to us. "And may the differences from our past, remain there." He raised his goblet. "To your health, Uther. Arthur." Arthur went to drink from his goblet, and I almost slapped it out of his hand. "The Lady Elizabeth." Bayard said, inclining his goblet to me, to which I raised it. "The Lady Morgana." Bayard turned in a circle, gesturing to everyone in the room. "The people of Camelot."
"And to fallen warriors on both sides." Uther added solemnly.
I was about to finally sip from my goblet when Merlin ran it. "Stop! They're poisoned! Don't drink it."
'They are'? What was he talking about? It was only when Merlin grabbed the goblet from Arthur and my hand's did I realize that my goblet was laced too. God dammit, Nimueh!
"What?" Uther asked.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked in disbelief.
"Bayard laced Arthur's and Elizabeth's goblets with poison." Merlin announced to everyone in the room.
"This is an outrage!" Bayard yelled, drawing his sword, his men doing the same thing. Camelot's Knights drew their swords as well. "Tell your men to put down their swords," Uther told him, as more guards came rushing in. "You are outnumbered."
Bayard considered it, then said, "I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged."
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asked Merlin.
"I'll handle this." Arthur said, going over to Merlin. "Merlin, you idiot." He grabbed Merlin and took the goblets from him. "Have we been at the slow gin again?
"Unless he wants to be strung up, he will tell me why he thinks it's poisoned." Uther said, looking Merlin dead in the eye.
"He was seen lacing it." Merlin answered his King.
"By who?" Uther asked.
Merlin hesitated, but then said, "I can't say."
"I won't listen to this anymore." Bayard told Uther.
"Pass me the goblets." Uther said to Arthur, who did so. Uther strolled up to Bayard.
"If you're telling the truth-" Uther began.
"I am." Bayard insisted, cutting Uther off.
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther said.
Bayard put his sword away, and motioned for the goblets.
"No," Uther said. "If this does prove to be poison, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Uther turned and held the goblets out to Merlin. "You drink it."
I shook my head in disbelief and walked up to Uther. "But if they're poisoned, he'll die. And there are two goblets, double the poison." I pointed out.
Uther nodded. "Then we will know if he was telling the truth. He will drink half of each goblet."
Merlin took the goblets as Bayard asked, "And what if he lives?"
"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Uther told him.
"Uther please, he's just a boy. He doesn't know what he's saying." Gaius pleaded.
"Then you should have schooled him better." Uther simply replied.
"Merlin, apologize, this is a mistake, I'll drink it." Arthur said, moving to the goblets.
I panicked. Come on brain, think! "No, you are the Prince of Camelot." I say, putting a hand in front of Arthur. Without thinking, my feet moved to the goblets. "I'll drink it." I suddenly blurted. Had I ever mentioned how smart you were, brain?
"No, no no." Merlin insisted, pushing me gently back. "It's all right." He looked Bayard dead in the eye.
Merlin raised his goblet to Bayard. I gave him a look pleading not to do it. He just gave me a weak smile, then tipped half of Arthur's goblet into his mouth, then half of my goblet.
We all watched in anticipation as Merlin swallowed the equivalent of one goblet. He looked from Bayard to Uther, and said, "It's fine."
"He's all yours." Uther said, sitting down.
"Like hell he is." I said, then try to go in front of Merlin. But stupid Arthur held me back. I turned to glare at him, when I heard choking.
We all turned to Merlin, who looked like he was trying to claw the fire from the poison out of his throat. Then without warning, he dropped to the ground. I don't know what came over me, but I dropped to the ground next to him. "Merlin!"
"He's poisoned!" Uther said, standing up.
You had no idea how much self control I had to use not to yell, 'No shit, Sherlock!'
Bayard, his knights, and the Knights of Camelot all drew their swords. I looked over to Morgana, and she had her own knife out. I looked back to Merlin, and gently touched his face. "Merlin?"
Gaius came down next to me. I made room for him to examine Merlin. "Merlin? Can you hear me?" Gaius asked. He looked to Arthur. "We have to get him back to my chambers. Bring the goblets, I have to identify the poison." Arthur picked Merlin up, and Gwen grabbed both goblets. Well, no way was I staying here.
I followed them all into Gaius's chambers. "Lay him on the bed quickly. He's struggling to breath." Gaius told Arthur.
"Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel." Gaius asked her. I went to get the towel, and Gwen got the water.
"Is he going to be alright?" Arthur asked.
"He's burning up." Gaius told him.
Gwen handed him the bucket, and I gave him the towel. "You can cure him, can't you Gaius?" Gwen asked.
"I won't know until I can identify the poison." Gaius answered, laying the towel on his forehead. "Pass me the goblet."
Gwen handed it to him. Gaius inspected it. " There's something stuck on the inside." Gaius got up and went to his table.
"What is it?" I asked, getting up to follow him, and Arthur followed me.
"It looks like a flower petal of some kind." Gaius answered, taking the petal out.
"His brow's on fire." Gwen called out to him.
"Keep him cool; it'll help control his fever." Gaius told her, going to take a book out. He stopped on a page. "Ah. The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower." Gaius read, looking at Arthur and me. "It can only be found in the caves deep beneath the Forest of Balor. The flower grow on the roots of the Mortaeus tree."
Arthur pointed to the dragon thing on the page before it. "That's not particularly friendly.
Gaius read on."A Cockatrice. It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death." Arthur looked over to Merlin as Gaius continued to talk. "Few who have crossed the Mountains of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive."
Arthur paced a decent distance from the table and pondered for a minute. "Sounds like fun." He said finally, walking to the door.
"Arthur, it's too dangerous." Gaius protested.
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?" Arthur asked.
"The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not for much longer. Eventually he will die." Gaius explained solemnly.
Arthur nodded, then left. I looked over to Merlin, who looked like he's getting worse by the second. "Yeah. A lot of fun." I went and ran after Arthur.
"Hey! Wait!" I called after him. He slowed down, but didn't stop running. I rolled my eyes. "I'm going with you."
Arthur shook his head. "No, you're not."
"Yes, I am." I argued.
"Lizzie, you could get yourself hurt." He told me.
"So could you." I retorted. "Merlin risked his life for me too. I'm coming. No arguments." I walked past Arthur. "Meet me at my chambers, I'm going to change. You leave without me I swear you will regret it." I said, running to my room.
After wearing nothing but dresses for the past couple months, it felt really weird wearing trousers and a shirt. Don't get me wrong, it felt totally nice. Just a little weird.
Arthur and I walked behind Uther. "What's the point of having people to taste for you if you're going to get yourself killed anyway?"
"We won't fail, no matter what you think." Arthur insisted.
"Arthur, you are my only son and heir. Elizabeth, I had been entrusted with your care by your parents. I can't risk losing the both you for the sake of some serving boy."
"Oh, because his life's worthless?" Arthur asked.
Uther stopped walking and faced us. "No, because it's worth less than yours."
"You let him die Uther Pendragon and I will never forgive you." I told him.
"What is this fascination with the serving boy?" Uther asked me.
How was I supposed to explain that I had a baby crush on Arthur's manservant? "This serving boy saved your son's life, on more than one occasion, I might add." I told him.
"We can save him. Let us take some men-" Arthur said.
"No." Uther said.
"-We'll find the antidote and bring it back." Arthur said, ignoring what Uther said.
"No." He repeated.
"Why not?!" We both asked at the same time.
"Because one day I will be dead and Camelot will need a king. I'm not going to let you jeopardize the future of this kingdom over some fool's errand." Uther practically yelled.
"It's not a fool's errand. Gaius says that if we can get the antidote..." I tried saying.
"Oh, Gaius says? That's exactly what makes it so." Uther said sarcastically.
"Please, Father." Arthur pleaded. "He saved my life. I can't stand by and watch him die."
"Me neither." I said.
"Then don't look." Uther said, venom dripping off of his tongue. "This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're going to be King. It's something you'll have to get used to."
"I can't accept that." Arthur said.
"You're not going." Uther said, trying to end the discussion.
"You can't stop us." Arthur argued.
"Damn it, Arthur, that's an end to it! You're not leaving this castle tonight." Uther said, turning to leave.
"He might not be going, but I am," I said. Uther turned around with a death glare. "I'm not the heir to Camelot. And you of all people are certainly not going to stop me." I spun on my heel and stormed out.
"I am your King!" Uther bellowed.
"Does it look like I care?" I called out to him, still walking.
I asked one of the stable boys to get my horse ready, since frankly, I still didn't know how. I mean, I'd ridden a few horses in my life, back when I had the time to ride horses. Past couple years had been nothing but homework, school, getting into college, then college, then more homework. I watched him step by step. I grabbed the horse's reign, then walked her out of the stable. I ran into somebody, and almost crash to the ground, but two strong arms held me up. "Are you okay Elizabeth?" Arthur asked.
I nodded. "I'm fine."
"Wait for me? I'm going to go get a horse." He went to walk into the stables. I smiled at him. "What made you change your mind?"
He shrugged. "I just did what any noble King would do." He smiled at me, then goes inside. I smiled, and made sure I had everything before I left.
Arthur came back out. "You ready?"
I nodded, and I climbed on top of my horse. I was so glad I remembered how to get on a horse. How embarrassing would that be?
Arthur and I rode across the drawbridge. Some guards tried to stop us, but they moved out of the way of the running horses. From what I remembered, the poison was being accelerated. We better hurry with this antidote!
After we rode through the mountains and forest, I got bored out of my mind. Riding on a horse could be painful! I would never take cars for granted ever again!
Arthur saw a girl, who could only be Nimueh. "Lizzie, hang on."
I wasn't really paying attention, because I was looking around for the Cockatrice. I knew it was somewhere, but I wasn't sure the exact location.
Arthur stopped his horse, and began to tie it to a tree. I snapped back into reality and slid off my horse. Just as Arthur went to Nimueh, I grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?"
He gestured to the woman. "I'm going to see if she needs help."
He moved to leave again, but I tugged on his arm again. "Arthur, we have to get Merlin the antidote. He's going to die soon!"
Arthur eased my iron grip off of him. "Relax, Lizzie. Merlin has a few days. This will only take a minute." He left again, but turned around. "You can leave or come if you want."
I didn't want to stand here alone, and I wanted to make sure Nimueh didn't decide to try anything. "I'll come."
We slowly approached Nimueh, who was sitting on a fallen log, with those fake bruises on her arm.
I stood behind Nimueh, and Arthur crouched in front of her. "Hello? Are you alright?" Arthur asked.
Suddenly, the Cockatrice roared. I yelped, and Arthur said, "Stay back."
Arthur circled the beast. The Cockatrice lunged, Arthur rolled under it as it jumped, then threw his sword, killing it. Nimueh and I grimaced, but I'm pretty sure her's was fake. Arthur looked at her and she got up and backed away in pretend fear. She accidentally bumped into me, and quickly turned. Her eyes widened when saw me. I guess she was waiting for me to recognize her. I went along with her little game, and decided not to.
Arthur walked slowly up to her. "It's alright. We're not going to hurt you,.
Speak for yourself.
Arthur pointed to the bruises and cuts on her arms. "Who did that to you?"
"My master." She said in a pitiful voice. "I ran away from him, but then I got lost." Nimueh lied. "Please don't leave me."
"We won't. We're not going to." Arthur said, coming closer to us, practically standing next to me.
"Speak for yourself," I muttered. And either Arthur heard me, or he chose to ignore me. I think it was the first one though.
"You two can take me away from here?" Fake hope in her voice.
I shook my head. "Not yet. There's something we have to do first." I looked into the direction of the cave mouth.
Nimueh's eyes traveled there too. "Why have you come to the caves?" She asked, as I went to get my horse.
Arthur followed me. "We're looking for something. It can only be found here."
"What is it? I know this place; I could help you." Nimueh offered with fake sincerity.
"It's a type of flower that only grows inside the cave. It's very rare." Arthur explained.
"The Mortaeus flower? I know where they are. I'll show you." Nimueh offered, beginning to walk to the cave.
Arthur looked to me. I just shrugged, but I think he knew me better than that. He knew I had a bad feeling about this. While in truth, I had a horrible feeling about this.
But we did need the flower, so I began to follow her anyways. Once we were deep enough in the cave, Nimueh pointed to the flowers. "There they are."
The beautiful, powerful flowers were on the across a large gap with a narrow ledge and long drop. Arthur and I looked down, then to each other.
"Keep back from the edge. Don't worry. We'll be out of here soon." Arthur tried to assure Nimueh.
I wasn't letting him go there alone, so I extended my hand. One look from my face showed that there was no room for argument, so Arthur grabbed it, and we slowly and carefully crossed to the flowers.
Behind us, Nimueh began chanting. "Eorthe, lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me."
At her spell, the caves began shaking. Nimueh continued. "Eorthe ac stanas hiersumie me. Ic can stanas tobrytan..."
"What are you doing?!" Arthur half asked and half yelled.
"...hiersumie me." Nimueh finished.
Arthur dropped his torch as the rock fell out beneath us. We quickly exchanged a look, and we jumped to the opposite ledge. We barely latched on. Oh, man, such intense pain. I never thought I'd actually have to thank high school PE class!
"I expected so much more." Nimueh said with venom.
"Who are you?!" Arthur yelled.
"The last face you two will ever see." She said menacingly.
Then, THE GIGANTIC SPIDER from the episode crawled over the rocks.
"It seems we have a visitor." Nimueh said.
Okay, this was really embarrassing, but I had an intense fear of spiders. I didn't remember what happened, but ever since I was a kid, I'd always hated them. And I must have carried that trait here, because Arthur looked over to me worriedly. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head. "Get it out of here!"
Arthur and I edged away from the spider. Arthur drew his sword and killed it while dangling from the ledge, I breathed a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about, I guess.
"Very good." Nimueh congratulated. "But he won't be the last. I'll let his friends finish you both off, Arthur Pendragon and Elizabeth Malinor. It's not your destinies to die at my hand." Then she left with the torch, Arthur and I dangling from the ledge. In the complete dark.
Damn bitch.
"Who are you?!" Arthur tried again.
I groaned. "Save it, Arthur. She's not going to tell us."
I was guessing he turned to look at me. "You knew. You knew something was off when I went to help her."
Busted! "I, just felt like I've seen her before." I was getting so good at lying wasn't even funny.
Arthur didn't say anything back, because the light that Merlin radiated in the episode came to us.
"Come on, then! What are you waiting for?! Finish us off!" Arthur shouted.
"No Arthur." I said quietly. "I think it's trying to help us."
The light floated above us, and Arthur began climbing until he's pulled himself onto the ledge. I moved to climb too, but suddenly felt a sharp pain through my knee. It was so painful, I let out a yelp and nearly let go of the ledge.
"What? What is it?" Arthur asked.
I looked down to my leg. "It's my leg, I think I pulled something." Arthur grabbed me by the arms, and helped me up to the ledge. Who were we kidding, the man lifted me up and onto the ledge.
Once I was on the ledge, Arthur sat me down as best as he could. I took my dagger out of my pocket (he, did I mention I get a dagger? Ooh, the perks of being in the 6th century! You can carry weapons and it's totally not illegal!). Arthur spotted the Mortaeus flower on the wall, and moved to get it.
"Leave them Arthur, Lizzie." I heard.
I frantically looked around me. I knew Merlin's voice over was in the show, but was'm guessing not in real life. Maybe it was like that thing with Mordred, where Merlin and him could talk to each other through their heads. Maybe I was picking up radio signals or something.
Suddenly, we heard spider screeches, and they began crawling towards us.
"Go. Save yourself. Follow the light." God dammit, there's the voice again!
It took a bit of time, but Arthur climbed to the flower and managed to grab one. He handed it to me, and I held on to it.
Arthur leaned down to try and help me up. I just shook my head. "Go." I whispered.
"What?" He asked, astonished.
I gave him a serious look. "We need to get that flower to Merlin. If I go with you, I'll only slow you down." I held out the flower to him. "Take it. Leave me, just go."
Arthur shook his head. "No."
"Merlin needs this Arthur, just go!" I said furiously.
Arthur shook his head again. "I am not leaving without you."
I nodded slightly and sniffled a little. "Okay." I relented.
Arthur helped me up, and we quickly climbed, me trying as hard as I could, and stupid Arthur actually waiting for me. We needed to get to Merlin as soon as possible.
"Faster. Go faster. Follow the light!" Merlin's voice said in my head.
'Hey, I'm trying as hard as I can buddy.' I thought back. I wondered if he heard it.
Arthur and I got out of the cave. He helped me back on my horse, and we rode back to Camelot.
So of course the first thing that Uther did when we got to Camelot was throw us in jail.
I sat in the corner of the cell, resting my leg while Arthur argued with Uther.
"You disobeyed me." Uther stated.
"Of course we did, a man's life was at stake." I said.
Arthur nodded at what I said. "Do not let Merlin die because of something we did."
"Why do you care so much? The boy is just servant." Uther said.
"He knew the danger he was putting himself in, and he knew what would happen if he drank from those goblets, but he did it anyway. He saved our lives." Arthur stated.
"There's more." I piped up, and they both looked to me. "There was a woman at the mountain. She knew we were there for the flower. I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison us."
"Of course it was." Uther dismissed.
Arthur gestured to me. "Elizabeth's injured, won't you allow her treatment?" Arthur yelled.
"No!" Uther bellowed. "This is hers and yours punishment for disobeying me."
With great struggle, I stood up. Arthur came over to me. "The flower, Lizzie."
My hand went to my belt pocket. "What about it?"
"We need to get it to Gaius." Arthur explained.
I frantically shook my head and whispered to him, "I know Uther, and the first thing he is going to do is get rid of it."
Arthur shook his head. "I know my father too, and he wouldn't." He gestures for the flower again. Reluctantly, I gave it to him.
Arthur turned to Uther. "Gaius knows what to do with it." Uther took the flower, and, just as I predicted, crushed it into his fist.
"NO!" Arthur yelled.
"You two have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're both let out in a week. Then Elizabeth may get treatment, and you can find yourself another servant."
Uther dropped the flower just outside our cell door. The guards locked the door, and Arthur desperately reached for the flower. I bent down. "Here, my arms are thinner." I reached over, and grabbed the flower. Now all we had to do it wait for Gwen. Clock was ticking, Gwen...
Third Person's POV...
Gaius looked from Merlin to Gwen. "He hasn't got much longer. Have Arthur and Liz gotten the flower?"
Gwen shook her head. "I don't know. Uther won't allow anyone to see them. Is there nothing we can do to help?"
"Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him." Gaius told her.
"And we have to find out if Arthur and Liz have it." Gwen said pacing. "I could sneak into the dungeon." She suggested.
"That would be very dangerous." Gaius warned her.
"I've got to. Merlin will die if I don't." Gwen insisted.
And as if on cue, Merlin began struggling even more with his breathing.
The old physician looked from his patient to Gwen. "Be careful."
Liz's POV...
I heard footsteps, and Gwen's gentle voice. "Food for the prisoners."
The guard unlocked the door, and let Gwen in. Arthur gave me a look that said, 'Let me handle this.' So I did. I knew what his plan was anyway.
"Set it down over there." He told her.
She put it down on a small table and took a step back. Arthur got up and went to the table. "Thank you." He told her.
Just as Gwen turned to leave, Arthur called out to her. "Wait a minute." He pus the plate back down and sat next to me again. "We couldn't possibly eat this, it's disgusting. The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone." Arthur said the last part very pointedly.
Gwen went back to pick up the plate and sent us a secret smile when she saw the flower on the plate. She took it, and left.
We hear the commotion a few minutes later, and know the deed has been done. I sigh, and lean my head back on the wall.
Merlin was safe.
Third person POV...
After Merlin healed from the antidote, Gaius went to see Uther. Uther, who was preparing for the invasion from Mercia, went off to the side to speak with his old friend. "I know who tried to poison Arthur." Gaius told him.
"So do I. He's locked in my dungeons." Uther said, going back to his strategies.
Gaius stopped him. "It wasn't Bayard. The poison was magical. And I'd recognise the hand that made it anywhere: Nimueh."
Uther's face grew very grave. "You must be mistaken."
Gaius sadly shook his head. "I wish I was."
"It can't have been. We'd know her. That witch's face is not easily forgotten." Uther tried to convince him.
"She's a powerful sorceress. She can enchant the eye that beholds her. We never knew it was her."
"Have you any proof?" Uther said, somewhat frantically.
"The poison used against Merlin was made more potent by the use of magic." Gaius explained.
"Are you saying that she conspired with Bayard to kill Arthur?" Uther asked.
Gaius shook his head. "No, Bayard is innocent. Look at what's happening. This is what she's wanted all along. A war to bring strife and misery to Camelot."
Uther turned to his Knights. "How long before Bayard's armies reach our walls?"
"A day. Maybe less." Sir Cador answered. "We should send cavalry out to meet them."
Uther shook his head. "Instruct your men not to leave Camelot until I give the word.'
Sir Cador bowed. "Sire." The rest of the Knights followed suit, and they all left.
"You are making the right decision, Sire." Gaius told him. "Do you think Arthur should be told the truth about Nimueh?" Gaius asked. But that did nothing but leave the King puzzled.
Elizabeth's POV...
Gaius handed me a vial of something. "Drink up. It'll make you feel better."
"Thanks Gaius." I said, taking the lid off.
I'd just raised it to my lips when Gaius said, "Be mindful of the-"
I tasted a horrible tar flavour in my mouth. I coughed to try and get it out. "Taste." Gaius finished.
I wiped at the excess medicine that dribbled to the corner of my mouth. "Now you tell me!"
Evil Merlin just laughed at me. I nudged him. "I could have you thrown in the stocks for that."
"Hey, give me a break. I almost died today." Merlin pointed out.
"Fine. But only because you almost died today." I teased.
Someone knocked on the door, and Arthur entered. "Still alive, then?"
Merlin turned in his seat. "Oh. Yeah, just about. I understand I have you and Lizzie to thank for that."
"Yeah, well, it was nothing. A half decent servant is hard to come by. I was only dropping by to make sure you're alright. I expect you to be back to work tomorrow." Arthur told him.
"Oh yeah, yeah of course, er, bright and early." Merlin stammered. I guess the poor boy thought because he nearly died, he would get a break. I nudged him. "Merlin? I might give you a break, but remember, Arthur never will."
TBC...
Oh GOD that was long! Must have been the longest I've ever written! And all before 11:30 PM where I am...can I get a 'what what'?
Okay, I just embarrassed myself.
Aww, who loved the two little Liz and Arthur moments? I sure did! (That's cause I ship them though...)
Anyways, next up is Lancelot! SO SUPER PUMPED FOR LANCELOT. Lancelot may be in one whole chapter too. We'll see.
Liz's outfit on Polyvore! They'll be two: Her outfit for Bayard's speech, and her outfit for getting the flower for Merlin.
REVIEW! THANKS! STAY TUNED!