Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Chapter 6 A Servant of Two Masters
Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights are riding towards the Valley of the Fallen Kings when they are attacked. Merlin is able to save Arthur from one of the men, but is too late to help himself when a mace slams into his chest. Arthur grabs him and they hide.
"How are you?" he asks.
Merlin is still clutching his chest as he leans against a tree.
"I'm a dead man," he replies.
"No, you're not," Arthur tells him.
"Don't lie. You've never been at it," Merlin says, trying to laugh.
The next morning, Arthur awakes to hear they are being followed. He wakes Merlin.
"I'd love to stay here, but we have to leave now," Arthur replies.
He pikes Merlin up, carrying him over his shoulders.
"Just leave me," Merlin says.
He is clearly still in pain.
"Yeah, right," Arthur replies. He has to sit Merlin down to fight. In the end, Merlin uses his magic to block himself from Arthur. "Merlin!"
Rocks block his pack now.
xxx
Merlin is woken up to Morgana throwing water on him. He does not know how long he has been out for.
"Good morning," she says.
"Is it?" Merlin asks, taking heavy breaths.
He notices now that his arms are raised up, tied to the ceiling. He is too weak to free himself.
"You have thwarted my plans for the last time," Morgana replies.
"Let Arthur know that, would you? He thinks me an underachiever, but I think I've done quite well. I can die happy," Merlin says sarcastically.
"Like I'd make it that easy?" Morgana asks.
Merlin's expression changes. He did not like the sound of that.
xxx
Arthur has been looking for Merlin, but with no luck.
"We'll find him, Gaius," he says.
Meanwhile, Morgana is cleaning Merlin.
"What are you doing?" Merlin asks.
"Don't worry, Arthur can have you," Morgana replies.
In Camelot, Arthur is presented with a piece of Merlin's jacket. Sir Leon suggests they have a traitor because no one was supposed to know their route but a few. As Arthur begins to think of who it could be, Morgana uses a Fomorroh, a snake looking creature, on Merlin. It is buried in his neck as he is consumed by one thought. To kill Arthur.
xxx
Meanwhile, Arthur is getting aggravated with his new manservant.
"Not that this isn't impressive, but I already have a manservant. He may be shabby looking and forgetful, but to be honest, I quite like it that way," Arthur says. He quickly gets ready and has Gwaine join him in searching for Merlin. Arthur has to silence Gwaine from talking when he hears something. "Declare yourself!"
Merlin comes into view, covered in mud. Arthur laughs and throws his sword to the ground.
"Merlin," he yells out. He walks off to him and takes the filthy Merlin in his arms, completely forgetting for a moment that Gwanie was there. "I thought we'd lost you."
"Can't get rid of me that easily," Merlin replies with a laugh.
xxx
Gaius and Gwen begin to think something is wrong with Merlin when he starts to act not like himself.
"He sounded almost jealous," Gwen says, recalling what had happened during breakfast earlier that morning.
"And I found Arthur's meal that Merlin had attempted to give him was poisoned," Gaius replies.
"We have to stop him," Gwen says. "Whatever he's planning, it can't be good."
When they get to Arthur's room, Merlin is rushing behind Arthur with a sword, but he trips and falls to their relief. Gaius grabs Merlin and takes him to remove the Fomorroh from the back of Merlin's neck. It seems to work for a while.
"I need this after a long day," Arthur says later the next day. Merlin nods and makes Arthur's bath. "With all this talk about traitors, I feel like I can't trust anyone anymore." Arthur goes to undress when Gaius and Gwen runs in and knocks Merlin out with a pitcher. Gaius drags Merlin out. Arthur gasps as he walks out, completely nude. "Guinevere!"
He quickly grabs a pillow and covers himself.
"Arthur," Gwen gasps in surprise.
"You're not Merlin," Arthur replies.
"There's a problem with the bath water," Gwen explains. "He's gone to remedy it."
xxx
Gaius takes the snake from Merlin's neck once again. This time with more knowledge on what it is and how to kill it.
"What is that?" Merlin asks in disgust as Gaius wakes him. "Arthur's socks?"
Gaius sighs in relief.
"I'm trying to stop you from killing the king," he explains.
"Yeah right," Merlin says. He even starts to laugh at this thought. He stops when he notices Gaius is not laughing with him. "Oh."
It all starts to come to him.
"Merlin, you will try to kill Arthur again," Gaius tells him.
"How do I stop it?" he asks.
"You need to kill the mother beast," Gaius says.
"In Morgana's hut?" Merlin asks. Gaius nods. Merlin groans. That was one place he did not want to see again. Ever. "Great."
He turns himself into old Merlin. He is able to get the Fomorroh and destroy it.