A/N: Hello again. It's only been like, what, two days? I last updated Wednesday night so... that's close enough. I was gonna try and wait longer before updating with another part but I can't. I can't do it. I want to update now. Right now. You'll be glad to know that I'm already busy at work on The Poisoned Chalice. But unfortunately my already terrible writing habits will be even worse soon, but for a good reason! I recently acquired a new job and my first day is tonight! But as always, while I'm working (during the downtimes, don't worry) my mind will be busy at work thinking up and planning parts for the upcoming chapter
I actually don't know why I told you any of that. I just like sharing. I feel like my Author Notes never actually pertain to the chapter or story. It's just me interacting with y'all. So. I've wasted enough of your time'interacting'. Please continue on to the chapter and enjoy! Please read and review! Praises, and constructive criticism, are always most welcomed! Much love.


The Mark of Nimueh: Part 2

That night at dinner the trio sat in silence. Perhaps the cause was from the lingering conversation they had before. Or maybe it was due to the excess of dead bodies that seemed to be accumulating in their chambers. Silverware scraping against plates was the only sound that echoed through the room. As the sunlight outside died the group retreated to their respective beds.

As Adrielle slumbered a strange scratching sound pierced through her unconsciousness. As she lied in bed and listened to the sounds she originally thought she heard rats scurrying in the shadows. As she grew closer to consciousness she realized the sound she was hearing was of pages being flipped through. Old, wrinkly pages.

Adrielle rolled over in her bed and spotted the top of Merlin's shaggy head peeking over his bed. Before she could think to question him about what he was doing Merlin stood up quietly and snuck out of the room.

Adrielle rolled back over and stared at the ceiling as Merlin crept quietly out of their room and out into the night. Eventually the only sounds distinguishable to her were the crickets outside, the occasional shuffle of guards on duty, and the ever reverberating snores from Gaius.

The sound of claws against the hard floor echoed throughout the room as they drew closer to Adrielle. They stopped when they reached the foot of Adrielle's bed. There was a moment of silence and then a heavy object came jumping up onto the foot of her bed. Adrielle sighed as Beacon circled on top of her legs before settling down and lying there.

After they had turned the stone statue into a real dog and were able to bring Valiant's snakes to life they were still faced with a problem. The snakes had been vanquished but that still left Merlin and Adrielle with the once stone Rottweiler. Merlin had suggested reversing the animation spell, turning it back into a statue, but Gaius thought otherwise. Merlin's plan would require magic - learning and mastering yet another spell. Even though his was a completely appropriate excuse to use magic, Gaius would rather sell the dog or set him free. Apparently Gaius thought their magic needed an excuse to be used and even then the best excuses, in Adrielle's mind, weren't good enough. But Adrielle's idea had been the winner. She had just batted her eyelashes, flashed some convincing puppy dog eyes, and smooth talked her way into keeping the dog for themselves.

'Having a dog will help keep us out of trouble'.

'It'll distract us from using our magic when we shouldn't.'

'You let us keep Merlin.'

Adrielle had drifted back off to sleep before Merlin could slink back into their room and divulge all his successes or of his shortcomings. When Adrielle woke next it was to Beacon's warm breath on her face and his tongue scraping her cheek.

"Okay, okay, boy. I'm waking up," she cooed groggily. She scratched the top of his head affectionately as she pulled herself out of bed. She was somewhat surprised to find Merlin's bed sloppily made. She frowned, hoping it was due to him oversleeping and being late yet again to serve Arthur and not due to something much worse. Perhaps Merlin had failed and ran away during the night, the guilt being too much for him to bear. Or that he had been caught and dragged back to the dungeons.

Adrielle shook those thoughts from her mind and dressed herself for the day ahead. Gaius didn't look too alarmed or distressed as he served her her porridge.

"Good morning," Adrielle greeted. The nagging part of her brain was oddly paranoid that something had happened to Merlin. She was sure though that if anything had she would have been alerted to it almost immediately. Unless he had run away. If Gwen's father was well again, if Merlin had succeeded, then he must just be off tending to the Prince.

"Good morning," Gaius greeted in return. Adrielle decided to keep her concerns and worries to herself for now. Gaius wouldn't know about their attempt to save Tom via magic unless it was absolutely necessary. "Hurry up and eat your breakfast, Adrielle. We'll need to meet in the Council Chambers as soon as possible. We must alert the King to how the curse is being spread."

"So it is most definitely the water?" Adrielle pressed.

"I'm afraid so. I've conducted several tests on the water sample Merlin brought me. All of them have yielded the same results," Gaius explained. He picked up a small vial that sat on the table and held it out to her. "I placed this flower in the water not a few hours ago and it is already dead. The flower is usually a vibrant amber colour and now look at it. It seems to resemble to victims almost identically. The petals are a mix of a pale white and purple with bluish veins as well."

"So then what can we do next? We know what's spreading the curse but how do we stop it?" Adrielle questioned.

"That my dear, I still do not know. If we can find the sorcerer and stop them that will surely end the curse. As for treating those who will continue to get sick, I do not know."

~xx~

Inside the Council Chambers stood the King and his son apprehensively waiting to hear the results of Gaius' tests. Gaius had requested an audience with the Prince and King as soon as he had awoken this morning. The physician and his young apprentice came strolling through the doors, bowing respectively first, before entering the hall. Gaius set the contaminated sample down onto the table before the royals. Arthur reached out curiously to examine the vial.

"Don't touch that!" Adrielle cried out suddenly. Arthur's arm stopped where it was and came back to rest at his side. He came to look at the young girl and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. She lowered her head slightly, mumbling a quick apology for speaking out of term so abruptly.

"You're not out of place, Adrielle. I've had this flower in the water for no more than a few hours," Gaius said.

"What's the matter with it?" Arthur questioned.

"It's contaminated; contaminated with some magical curse. The water is the force that is spreading this disease, and it's spreading like a wild fire," Gaius clarified.

"Where is this water from?" the King asked, gesturing to the water sample.

"The pump from where the people take their daily supply," Gaius answered.

"We have to stop the people from using it," Arthur alerted.

"But Sire, the city cannot survive without water."

"We have to find this sorcerer!" the King exclaimed, turning away from the trio.

"I don't believe they are in Camelot," the Prince admitted.

"Then extend the search to the villages!" the King ordered.

"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom," Arthur continued.

"And I can't stand by and watch our people die." Arthur nodded and exited to continue his search.

"Adrielle, you may go back to your chores. I'd like a moment alone with the King," Gaius said quietly to his young apprentice. She nodded, still leery of speaking out of term again, and left the two to their business.

As Adrielle crossed the foyer her eyes caught the familiar brown curls and chocolate-brown eyes.

"Gwen," she said while approaching her. "How are you? How's your father? I know things last night...things weren't looking so good."

"It's truly a miracle, Adrielle," Gwen said, her face brightening up suddenly. "He's completely well. Almost as if nothing ever happened to him."
"Really?" Adrielle remarked. "That's incredible!

"I know, it's amazing. I-I can't explain it. Do you have any idea?" Gwen asked looking towards her friend.

"I've only been training as a physician for a couple of weeks now. Perhaps this disease isn't always fatal. We don't know everything about this illness. Maybe your father was spared by God. I'm happy for you, Gwen. Truly," Adrielle said with a warm smile. "I'd love to stay and chat but I have some business of Gaius' to attend to."

"And I have some laundry to attend to," Gwen replied with a grin. "It was lovely to see you."

"You, too. I'll be seeing you around."

The two girls smiled and said their goodbyes to each other. Adrielle smiled to herself as she walked through the castle.

So her idiot brother had discovered a way to save Gwen's father from the disease. She just hoped nobody of extreme importance noticed and took suspicion. But Gwen was no sorcerer. Neither was her father. Would someone really incriminate them, whether they were guilty or not, of sorcery because they had saved a life? She guessed she understood arresting those who used for the wrong means; for murder, for deceitful purposes, but for saving a life? That's exactly what Adrielle's aim was as a physician; to heal the wounded and save lives. Was magic that big of an issue to the King that no matter how it was used, whether it be good or bad, it made no difference? There were no gray areas when it came to magic apparently. It was wrong no matter how it was used. Only black and white areas, and magic was drowning in the black.

Adrielle watched as her brother sauntered down the hall towards her. She figured the Prince had caught up with his servant, after leaving their earlier encounter, and undoubtedly given a new list of chores for him to do. Merlin had probably agreed begrudgingly and stalked off to complete his tasks. He acknowledged his sister with a quick look before trying to walk past. Before he could brush past her she pulled him into a small alcove.

"What are you doing?" Merlin protested.

"Is it such a crime to want a nice friendly chat with my dear brother?" Adrielle teased with a playful pout.

"What do you want?" he repeated.

"Someone's grouchy. I guess that happens when you sneak off in the middle of the night and then leave again before the crack of dawn," she countered with a brief smirk. Merlin paused for a moment and decided how to act, knowing he'd been caught. He decided lying and feigning innocence was his best tactic.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Merlin moved to try and leave the small alcove but Adrielle was quicker, stepping directly in front of his path.

"Oh I think you do," she fired. She cut off another one of Merlin's attempts to leave before responding, this time softer. "Look I'm not here to interrogate you or lecture you. I wanted to praise you, I guess. Thank you for what you did; for Gwen."

"What? You know?" Merlin asked surprised.

"Yes I know. In addition to being extremely clever and perceptive, I ran into Guinevere earlier. She told me of her father's miraculous recovery. You really did a lot for her," Adrielle said.

"I couldn't watch her suffer, knowing I could do something to help," Merlin shrugged.

"I know. You're a good friend, Merlin," she said with a gentle smile.

"You're not about to hug me or anything, are you?"

"No I'm not going to hug you. Just…good job," she said while briefly patting his shoulder. The pair of siblings stood there for a second before breaking out into identical smiles and snorts of laughter.

A woman's frantic pleas erupted down the hallway.

"No, please!" the woman's voice cried. "You've got to listen to me! I've done nothing wrong!"

Adrielle's eyes widened as the cries became louder and more defined. She soon realized it was Gwen who desperately called for help. Gwen turned her head as she passed the alcove Merlin and Adrielle were hiding in.

"Merlin! Adrielle! Please you have to help me! I'm innocent I swear!"

Adrielle and Merlin stepped out from their hiding place and began to follow behind. Two guards practically dragged the distraught Gwen through the corridors towards the Council Chambers. Adrielle spotted Arthur down the hall walking determinedly.

"What the hell is going on? What do you think you're doing?" Adrielle interrogated as she closed the distance between herself and Arthur.

"My job."

"Your job? And that includes tormenting innocent young women?" Adrielle scoffed. "What has she done?"

"She's been accused of practicing spells and enchantments," Arthur clarified.

"What? That's preposterous! Gwen is one of the kindest and most gentle people I've had the pleasure of meeting. You seriously think she's a sorceress?" Adrielle continued heatedly.

"The facts stack up against her and the evidence speaks for itself," Arthur replied.

"The facts?" Adrielle said while crossing her arms defensively.

"Yes, the facts," Arthur repeated. "Her father received a miraculous recovery from the illness that's been wiping out the fair people of Camelot. No one else has recovered. It's suspicious that he's the only one."

"Oh like you know so much about medicine. How do you know he didn't recover naturally? It's a miracle but who says magic is involved?" Adrielle countered again.

"Because, you're forgetting the evidence that we have against her."

"Evidence?" Adrielle repeated again.

"Yes, the evidence," Arthur continued. It was obvious he was beginning to grow tired of the young girl's ignorance. "We discovered a magical poultice under Tom's pillow. The only person who's been there is Gwen."

"A poultice?" Adrielle repeated again.

"Is there an echo in here or are you just deaf?" Arthur scoffed. "I can't just turn a blind eye."

Arthur brushed past the young girl and continued on to his destination. Adrielle made to follow behind the Prince and his guards when a hand gripped tightly onto her upper arm and dragged her away from the scene. She turned her head quickly to see Gaius pulling Merlin and herself down the corridor.

"What have you done? I warned you two!" Gaius pressed angrily. He let go of Merlin and Adrielle's arms once they had happened upon a deserted hallway. When neither twin answered his accusations, Gaius continued. "Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good."

"I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him!" Merlin argued in his defense.

"Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?"

"Well then, all I have to do is...we'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic," Merlin offered.

"Oh, no! It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!"

"But she didn't!" Adrielle interjected.

"It's too late," Gaius repeated, calming down. "There's nothing you can do for her now. The King thinks she is the cause of this illness and he will stop at nothing to eradicate her and the disease."

Adrielle sank back onto her heels and brought her hand up to chew on her fingernail. She couldn't let Gwen die. There was a small shred in her that hoped the King would be lenient. Maybe he wouldn't sentence her to death for using magic. Maybe he'd think up another form of punishment for Gwen. It might not be fun, it was called punishment after all, but at least she'd still be alive. It was a long shot, but she couldn't lose all hope for her only friend.

"C'mon," Merlin said quickly. He grabbed onto his sister's wrist and pulled her along before Gaius could say another word. The two ducked behind a pair of courtiers and members of the Court and snuck their way into Gwen's trial, hiding behind two pillars.

"Please listen to me I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!" Gwen begged. The guard's released Gwen from their grip and sent her falling to the ground forcefully before her King.

"Well done," the King said with a nod to his son.

"Why will no one believe me?!" Gwen asked hysterically. She looked around the room as she spoke, searching desperately for supporters. Anyone who would believe her innocence. Merlin and Adrielle ducked their heads back guiltily as Gwen's eyes swept past them. "He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!"

"I believe you," Morgana declared as she entered the chamber, coming to stand by her handmaiden. "Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally."

"And what of this poultice that was found?" the king questioned.

"What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice!"

"It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion," Uther ordered.

"I can't!" Gwen sobbed.

"I will show you no mercy."

"I am not a witch! I don't know how to stop the illness!"

"If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty," the King proclaimed.

"But I told you, I-"

"It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment," the King said, cutting her off, "and under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death."

"No," Gwen breathed in disbelief. She had always respected her King. He may have been a bit on the harsh side, but she couldn't believe he was condemning her to death for a crime she hadn't committed. How come no one was speaking for her other than Morgana? Gwen had grown up in Camelot. Her mother had been a maid in Sir Leon's house when he was younger. The two grew up together. How could anyone suspect her of having magic?

"I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you."

"No! No!" Gwen cried, her hoarse voice becoming louder with desperation.

"Take her away!" The King ordered while stalking back to his seat upon his throne. The two guards from earlier picked Gwen up by her arms and dragged her away to the dungeons.

Adrielle and Merlin watched helplessly as their friend was taken to her fate before sneaking back out with the courtiers..

~xx~

Back in their chambers neither Adrielle nor Merlin's moods lightened. A storm had 'gathered' as the day progressed. The sound of rain pelting the castle created a steady rhythm to reflect their moods. Thunder rumbled nearby as a flash of lightning illuminated the darkened sky. Adrielle's muscles tightened apprehensively as Merlin began to speak.

"I thought I was doing good," Merlin started somberly. "I thought that curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple."

"An easy solution is like a light in a storm, Merlin. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbour," Gaius lectured.

"I can see that now," Merlin mumbled.

"How many times have I warned you two about the responsibilities of being a warlock?" Gaius said solemnly. It wasn't meant to be patronizing but more sympathetic, almost pitying. Another bolt of lightning cracked through the air causing Adrielle to jump again. Her knee hit the table hard, causing her to curse under her breath.

"Are you alright?" Gaius asked.

"She's afraid of thunderstorms," Merlin answered almost automatically.

"Really? You know there's nothing to be afraid of with a storm?"

"Yes, I know," she replied annoyed. "Everyone always tells me that. I tell myself that all the time, but it still doesn't make any difference."

"I have to go see her," Merlin said getting up from his seat suddenly. Adrielle watched as her brother hurried from the room, shoulders forward and head hung just the slightest. She wanted to follow and go to comfort her only friend in Camelot, but as another bolt of lightning struck closer to the castle Adrielle felt her chest tighten uncomfortably.

It's okay, Adrielle. You're fine, she reprimanded herself. She swallowed hard as her breaths started coming in shorter stretches.

"Adrielle, are you alright? You're looking a little pale," Gaius observed.

"Yeah, I'm f-fine," she said with an involuntary shake.

"Why don't you go and get some rest," he suggested.

"It won't do any good. I couldn't sleep through all this even if I wanted to," she sighed.

"How about an anxiety draft? I'll need to make a stronger batch, but I have a small supply that should hold you over until then."

Gaius stood from his seat and moved over to his bookshelf filled with tinctures, poisons, and pre-made remedies. Glasses clinked against each other as he rummaged through them, searching diligently for the one he wanted. He returned to the girl a moment later with a vial that appeared empty. Only a small amount of light orange liquid remained inside.

"I'm afraid this won't give you full relief from your anxiety, but it should be enough to calm you from," the physician dictated. "Does this happen to you everytime it rains?"

"More or less," she admitted. "It's the thunder and lightning that...that give me problems. It's not so bad when it's just raining. Although I do get a bit apprehensive then because I know it could start thundering at any moment."

"Then I shall prepare more of the draft to keep on tap in the case of a storm."

"Thank you," Adrielle replied quietly, taking the vial from him. She popped the top off and quickly shot the sour potion down.

"It's no problem, my dear. It is my job after all. Why don't you do something active to help distract you?" He suggested.

"I could help you with the potion?"

"That won't be necessary, not today. I'm afraid I have a Council meeting to attend to right now, but I'll make sure to make your draft later this evening. Why don't you go for a walk around the castle," Gaius said before leaving. Adrielle remained seated as she watched another bolt of lightning streak the sky. Her heart felt calmer and her breaths came easier to her, but the storm still made her feel inexplicably nervous.

She felt something warm and furry nudge her hand before coming to rest on her leg. Adrielle looked down to see Beacon resting his head on her and looking up at her.

"What is it, boy?" she cooed. He let out a whine as thunder rumbled farther off in the distance. "Are you afraid of storms, too?"

Her response was yet another sad whimper.

"Maybe I'll share some of the draft with you," she cooed again. She brought her hand up to scratch behind his ears affectionately. The rottweiler let out a sound in appreciation and leaned his head back into her hand. Adrielle smiled at the dog before her thoughts drifted to Gwen.

It seemed fitting, almost eerily coincidental, that the weather was as foul as it was while her poor friend was rotting away in a prison cell. Gloomy. That's the word she would use to describe it. Their moods perfectly copied the gloomy clouds that hung low over the city. Adrielle couldn't let her friend die. She felt just as guilty as Merlin, even though it had been him who cured Gwen's father. It was he who was the true sorcerer in this case, but she had been just as willing to use her magic. Maybe if she had taken the initiative to save Tom she would have done a better job of cleaning up her evidence. That nagging, pessimistic, and almost realist part of her, told her that nothing would have turned out differently had she been the one to cure the man. Even if they had no explicit evidence, the King would still charge Gwen with treason and sentence her to death.

What would the King do once Gwen was - she couldn't even bring herself to think about the fate that awaited Gwen. When her sentence was carried out and the plague did not cease, what would his next course of action be then? Would he continue to pursue innocent people who did not have magic, or even those who did, until the contagion was contained. Gaius was right, whoever had the power to create a disease like this they would not be found simply searching Camelot.

Maybe if we find the true sorcerer and stop them the disease will stop. Maybe if we can do this before Gwen's...execution...the King will pardon her.

It was a long shot, Adrielle thought, but it was their only chance to save her innocent friend.

I need to go see Gwen, Adrielle decided.

~xx~

Adrielle walked silently through the empty corridors. The storm had seeped into the hallways and turned them cold forcing sane townspeople to retreat close to their fires.

Adrielle looked up suddenly as her brother rounded a corner at the far end of the hallway, looking determined.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" she called. When he disregarded his sister she called out louder to him. "Merlin!"

Still no response.

Adrielle quickened her pace so she could cross paths with her brother sooner. Before she could get to him face to face he turned to his right abruptly and pushed the doors to the Council Chambers open.

"It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!" Merlin declared loudly.

Adrielle skidded to a stop and stood there in the hallway looking dumbfounded at her brother. What the hell did he think he was doing? She scurried herself into the Council Chambers and stood in disbelief behind her brother.

"Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!" he repeated.

"Merlin! Are you mad?" Gaius insisted.

"I cannot let her die for me," Merlin said aside to the physician.

"Merlin, what the bloody hell do you think you're doing? You're going to get yourself killed!" Adrielle hissed under her breath while grabbing onto his jacket forcefully.

"What needs to be done," Merlin whispered to his sister. Merlin turned his attention back to the King before speaking. "I place myself at your mercy."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," Gaius apologized to the King.

"Yes, I do."

"Then arrest him," the King ordered. The two guards left their post and began to approach the young boy.

"Father, please! I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer," Arthur spoke up.

"Did you not hear him? He admitted it," Uther said.

"He saved my life, remember," Arthur almost pleaded.

"Why should he fabricate such a story?"

"As Gaius said, he's got a...grave mental disease."

"Really?" the King inquired, leaning forward in his chair suddenly intrigued.

"Yes!" Adrielle spoke up. She didn't know where Arthur was going with this but she had a feeling he was trying to get Merlin off the hook. "Yes, Sire, it is true. I just hope it's not hereditary."

"And what is this grave disease?" the King deplored.

"He's in love."

Adrielle had to bite her tongue hard to keep her composure. She hadn't expected Arthur to pull this out from under his sleeves but oh was she glad this was it. She suspected that Merlin and Gwen had feelings for each other, no matter how briefly formed they were, they still existed. Adrielle briefly wondered if even Arthur could see it by the way Gwen and Merlin interacted.

"What?" Merlin asked incredulously.

"With Gwen," Arthur added.

Yup, the Prince definitely has eyes, Adrielle thought to herself. Uther and other members of the Council smiled and let out amused chuckles.

"I am not," Merlin said definitively.

"Yes, you are," Arthur argued.

"No way. I'm not in love with her," Merlin continued defensively. Arthur moved across the room and wrapped an arm around Merlin's shoulders goodheartedly.

"It's alright. You can admit it,"Arthur almost sang.

"I don't even think of her like that!" Merlin persisted. Merlin could deny it all he liked but Adrielle could notice the faint flush of pink start to show in his cheeks.

"Oh come now, Merlin, it's alright. You can admit your feelings, dear brother," Adrielle pipped in.

"I do not have feelings for her!"

"Perhaps she cast a spell on you," the King said with a wicked grin. Again the King and members of the Council snickered humorously at the young and foolish boy.

"Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he's such an idiot," Arthur said before giving the young boy a noogie. "There's no way he's a sorcerer."

"Don't waste my time again. Let him go," the King ordered. Adrielle let out a sigh of relief as the two guards moved back to their original posts. Gaius stood and bowed before excusing himself from their meeting before ushering Merlin and Adrielle from the room.

~xx~

"Arthur's the idiot!" Merlin said irritated once they had returned to their chambers.

"No. He was right to do what he did," Gaius reprimanded. "And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity."

"What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die," Merlin sighed angrily.

"Surely there's something else you could do, anything else, rather than condemning yourself!" Adrielle argued.

"She's right, you don't prove Gwen's innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!" Gaius

"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp!" Merlin mocked. "But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it."

"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot."

"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat," Merlin joked.

"I doubt there's one big enough," Adrielle poked.

"I doubt there's one big enough!" Merlin said in a high-pitched imitation of his sister.

"Anyways, forget that," Gaius continued. "If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water. Come on, you two."

"Where are we going?" Merlin wondered.

"On a little adventure," Gaius replied.