Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter forty-seven: His father's son and a servant of two masters.
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In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man his name…. Merlin.
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Merlin runs, chased by a large group of men. He leads them into a dead end and trips, a throwing axe only just misses him and he quickly pulls out the ground and gets to his feet. He goes as far as he can glances round, before turning to face the men and raising the throwing axe. As they inform him he's trapped, one of the men is shot and Arthur and the knights appear. The men are quickly caught or killed. As they prepare to leave for Camelot, Agravaine appear with the man who was leading the chase on Merlin…. He bears the royal seal of Caerleon and in fact their king. That night Arthur and Agravaine talk and the king of Caerleon is being held prisoner. Agravaine informs Arthur it is no coincidence that these attacks have started after Uthur death…. Enemies of Camelot believe Arthur to be weak. Agravaine tells he must force the king of Caerleon to sign a treaty or he is to be killed, but Arthur refused to kill someone in cold blood and all the while Merlin listens to the conversation knowing what Agravaine is trying to do.
Gwen glares at Arthur. "Why did you use Merlin as bait, when you knew event your best knights wouldn't have stood a chance against them alone?"
"Agravaine said we couldn't risk a knight getting injured," Arthur answers, looking anywhere but at Gwen. "Merlin was the only servant we had with us."
"What so you would risk the life of your best friend, just because Agravaine told you to?" Gwen demands.
Arthur doesn't answers, Merlin had told him time and time again not to trust Agravaine and he had never listened…. Agravaine and Morgana had bought Camelot to its knees.
"To be fair," Gwaine speaks up. "Merlin was the fasted runner…. And he could have defeated them all with a snap of his figures."
"In case you've forgotten, Gwaine," Leon mutters. "Magic is illegal. If Merlin had used magic, he would have been killed."
"Or worse," Percival adds. "Morgana could have found out about his magic."
The following morning Merlin wakes to find Arthur gone. He quickly gets up and finds Arthur, sitting alone, thinking not far from the camp. Merlin hands Arthur a cup and sits down, he asks Arthur if he's been up all night and Arthur answers he's been thinking. When Merlin tells Arthur king Caerleon will never sign the treaty and Arthur reminds Merlin, Caerleon bought this upon himself. Merlin just turns to look at Arthur, he had never sought to humiliate his enemies in this way and has always shown mercy in battle, so why not do that now? Arthur just tells Merlin he has no idea what it's like to make decisions that affect the whole kingdom. Later that day, like Merlin said, Caerleon refuses to sign the peace treaty and Arthur is forced to kill him, Agravaine just smirks and Merlin looks away shaking his head.
"Careful, Arthur," Gwaine grins. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself by thinking too hard now, would we?"
Arthur glares at Gwaine. "Least I know how to use my brain!"
"Just not very well it seems." Gwaine mocks.
"Merlin's right," Leon speaks up. "You have always shown mercy in battle and you have never sought to humiliate your enemies."
Elyan nodes. "You have always shown yourself to be fair and just."
"Could you honestly not see that by killing the king of Caerleon, you would start a war?" Tristan asks.
"I trusted by uncles judgment," Arthur answers. "I never believed he'd betray me."
"Merlin knows better than most, what it feels like to make decisions that affect the future of the whole kingdom," Isolde mutters. "He had to make choices that most kings would struggle to make and with little guidance and support."
"I know." Arthur answers.
Gaius shakes his head in disappointment. "Everyone makes mistakes, but you must trust your own judgement. Listen to the council of others, but always do what you believe to be right and fair…. You are the king, people turn to you and you alone."
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Back in Camelot, Gaius watches Merlin, Arthur, Agravaine and the knights arrive. Arthur and Agravaine walk through the castle and Agravaine tells Arthur he made the right choice. Arthur enters his chamber and is greeted by Gwen, Agravaine watches until Merlin walks past him and he quickly walks away. Later that night Merlin speaks with Arthur as he works, he asks Arthur if he regrets killing Caerleon, Arthur answers he had to show he was strong and Merlin asks if compassion isn't also a show of strength. Merlin tries to get Arthur to speak more, but Arthur tells him he doesn't need friends, he must rule this kingdom alone. Elsewhere the body of king Caerleon has been bought before Queen Annis, who sees her husband has died, but not from a battle wound and she swears all of Camelot will pay for killing her husband. Back in Camelot Arthur is sitting alone in the council chamber, when Agravaine knocks and enters and he wishes to speak to Arthur. Agravaine tells Arthur that the people do not wish to see him marry the daughter of a blacksmith, that he most marry for the good of the kingdom and do what is expected of him
Gwaine snorts. "Yeah, the right choice for starting a war."
"Do you think Agravaine knew that Merlin knew he was a tratior?" Leon asks. "Agravaine just seemed to glare at Merlin as he went past."
Gaius shakes his head. "Agravaine didn't know until much later…. I believe Morgana simply told him to be wary."
"Morgana knew Merlin played a part in stopping all of her plans, didn't she?" Gwen asks.
"I believe so," Gaius answers. "From what Merlin told me of his time as Morgana's prisoner, she also blamed him for Morgause's death as well as the failure of all of her plans."
"A king needs friends," Percival speaks up. "All those who rule alone become cold and heartless."
"Not much different to Uthur." Tristan adds.
"My father was a strong king!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Who had a heart of stone and ruled with an iron fist," Tristan answers. "His enemies feared him, yes, but so did many of his allies…. The people feared him too, it only took one person to say you were sorcerer and you'd be guilty without so much of a trial."
The following day a messenger rides towards Camelot, while Arthur is training with the help of Merlin. As Merlin holds the punch bag steady, he comments on how Arthur seems tense…. Agitated, on edge, angry. Arthur corrects Merlin saying its controlled aggression, as he punches the bag off the hook, knocking Merlin and the bag to the ground. Seconds later Leon arrives and tells Arthur an army has crossed the border, Caerleon's queen has sent them. Arthur gather the council and tells them they ride out at dawn to face Queen Annis's army. Merlin just watches on, as Agravaine smirks to himself. Elsewhere Morgana has just entered Caerleon's castle, where she is caught by a couple of guards, who bring her before Queen Annis. Morgana speaks of wanting revenge on Camelot and offers Queen Annis her help. Back in Camelot Merlin is complaining about the trip they will be making the following day, not long after Arthur leaves the castle and makes his way down to Gwen's house.
"Controlled aggression?" Elyan asks. "Why Merlin ever agrees to train with you, is anyone guess!"
"It's not like he had a choice," Leon speaks up, before Arthur can answer. "Merlin was Arthur's man servant."
Gwaine grins. "Then it's a miracle Merlin never quit and forced Arthur to put up with George…. And his brass jokes!"
"Gorlois would turn in his grave, if he could see what Morgana has become," Gaius sighs sadly. "He was a good and honourable man."
Isolde shakes her head. "She doesn't want revenge in her father's name…. It's her who wants it."
"What did Morgana do?" Percival asks. "I don't remember seeing her standing with Queen Annis's army."
Taliesin answers. "She, with Agravaine help, placed an enchantment she hoped would make Arthur lose, it is only because of Merlin that you didn't."
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After entering Gwen house, Arthur tells Gwen they can no longer be together, it is no longer appropriate and he must do what is expected of him. Gwen is quite clearly upset and as Arthur leaves she warns him not to be talked into things and believe in his heart, because only then he'll be the king he wants to be. The following day, Camelot's army depart with Arthur at the lead, while Gaius and Gwen watch from a window. Gaius tells Gwen not to worry and Gwen tells him the fate of this kingdom rests on his shoulder alone, or so Arthur thinks. Arthur watches Caerleon's army, with Agravaine at his side, they go to battle at first light the following morning. Later that night, Arthur watches Merlin and the knights as they sit around a fire, laughing and joking. Merlin looks up and spots Arthur watching them, the knights look round as they notice Merlin gaze, Arthur nodes and makes his way back into his tent. After Merlin and the knights talk, they all enter Arthur's tent. They tell Arthur, they would all lay down their lives for him and will gladly fight in his name. Once they are gone Merlin and Arthur talks and Arthur tells Merlin he had a choice, he could have let Caerleon live, but instead he killed him…. He had bought this war upon Camelot himself.
"You would give up the women you love, just because your uncle told you to?" Tristan turns to Arthur. "If you would give up the women you love simply because someone told you to, then you do not deserve her."
Arthur turns to Gwen. "I'm sorry, Guinevere, I truly am."
Gwen smiles slightly. "I knew it wasn't really you who was saying it, it was Agravaine…. But you must always trust in your own judgement…. You have a good heart, Arthur, listen to it."
Elyan turns to Arthur. "You are never alone."
"We will always fight by your side." Percival adds.
Leon nodes. "We would go to hell and back for you."
"I'd even give up going to the tavern for you, princess." Gwaine grins.
"I will offer my aid, in any way possible," Gaius speaks up. "And I know Merlin will do the same."
Later that night Arthur exits his tent. Merlin wakes to see someone leaving the camp and quickly follows, not before tripping over and falling into a tent. Arthur turns and the noise but quickly keeps walking. Arthur enters the Caerleon camp and the guards take him to Queen Annis, where he asks instead of going to battle, Arthur offers for her champion to fight there champion in battle whoever wins, wins the battle also. Suddenly Merlin is dragged into the tent, he had followed Arthur. As they return to their camp Arthur tells Merlin to never do that again. The following day Arthur calls the knights together, plus Agravaine and tells them what he has done. Arthur declares himself the champion, Agravaine smirks and Merlin shakes his head. In the Caerleon camp, Queen Annis and Morgana are talking, Queen Annis thinks what Arthur has said is a trick. Morgana knows Arthur will fight, he would rather risk his own life than that of his men and Queen Annis realises that Morgana wants the throne for herself and needs Arthur to die in order for that to happen.
Leon shakes his head. "You shouldn't have entered an enemy camp alone, Arthur."
"He wasn't alone," Gwaine grins. "Merlin followed him."
"I was trying to stop a war…. It was the only way I could think of that would prevent hundreds of lives being lost on either side." Arthur answers.
Percival shakes his head. "Merlin had every right to follow you, you could have entered that camp and Queen Annis could have ordered for you to be killed or worse Morgana could have been there."
"I had no reason to believe Queen Annis would kill me in cold blood." Arthur answers.
"You killed her husband!" Tristan snaps. "She had every right to kill you on sight!"
"I think Queen Annis is starting to see Morgana for who she really is," Isolde mutters. "If she was truly Gorlois daughter, she would have no desire for the throne."
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Later that night while Arthur is asleep, Agravaine steals his sword and sneaks out into the woods. Morgana soon appears and Agravaine hands the sword over. Morgana quickly enchants it and tells Agravaine, Arthur is as good as dead. The following morning Merlin is helping Arthur with his amour, once Merlin is finished, Arthur turns and give Merlin a ring and tells him to give it to Guinevere. Merlin wishes Arthur luck and Agravaine appear to tell Arthur it's time, Arthur draws his sword and Merlin watches Arthur and Agravaine leave. Elsewhere Queen Annis and Morgana are speaking with Caerleon's champion, Morgana tells him he must show Arthur no mercy and that Arthur must die. And so the battle between Arthur and Caerleon's champion begins, Morgana watches from beside Queen Annis and Agravaine watches, smirking, from Camelot's front line. Not long into the battle Morgana mutters a spell, the spell she placed on Arthur's sword the night before is now completed and Arthur's sword suddenly becomes incredibly heavy, Merlin notices something is wrong. After working out Agravaine and Morgana must have done something, he uses magic to stop Arthur from being killed and at last Arthur wins, but he doesn't kill the Caerleon champion.
"Why did you not have guards?" Isolde asks.
"We were about to go to war," Arthur answer. "It was unlikely someone would try and kill me when they could simply wait for the battle."
"But you had agreed to single combat," Tristan points out. "You'd only be fighting the champion Caerleon."
Gwaine grins. "They'd have to be one hell of a good assassin, to get through a whole army. Arthur tent was at the centre of the camp."
"Agravaine could have killed him," Isolde points out. "And only Gaius and Merlin would have suspected him."
Leon shakes his head. "Thank god Merlin was there…. You would have been dead three times over."
"Do I ever win anything on my own?" Arthur asks. "So far Merlin has helped me every time."
"He's also beaten two armies almost single handily." Elyan adds.
Percival grins. "And killed griffins and other magical on his own."
"Battled sorcerers and other magical beings, on his own." Gwaine laughs.
"He's stopped assassins all by himself in front of hundreds of people," Gwen smiles. "And drank poison for you."
"Saved your life while he was on his death bed." Tristan agrees.
"He even saved Uthur." Isolde adds.
"Okay, Okay," Arthur sighs. "I don't need reminding, it would just be nice if I did something on my own for once."
Gwaine grins. "I think the princesses' pride has been damaged."
After the battle is over, Queen Annis and Arthur speak. Queen Annis asks Arthur why she spared her champion and Arthur tells her it was not victory he wanted it was peace. Back in the Caerleon camp, Morgana approaches Queen Annis and the two of them speak, Queen Annis tell Morgana that she is full of bitterness and hate. Morgana tells Queen Annis she will never give up until all of Camelot bowed before her, but as she leaves Queen Annis tells her she is more like Uthur than she wants to believe. Arthur and his army return to Camelot where they are welcomed back like heroes, as they enter the courtyard Arthur tells Merlin he should have listened to him. Later while Arthur is lying in bed, there is a knock at the door and Gwen enters with some water. Arthur gives Gwen a small bunch of flowers and tries to apologise to Gwen. They finally make up and share a kiss.
"I am glad there is peace between Caerleon and Camelot," Arthur nodes. "Caerleon are a strong ally."
"Morgana is never going to give up is she?" Gwen asks sadly.
Gaius shakes his head. "She won't give up until she has the throne."
"Well then," Gwaine mutters. "We need to get Merlin back, if Morgana was to attack now, we would be defenceless."
Taliesin speaks up. "The Morgana you know is dead. She died when she released Mordred, her body is now possessed by the soul of another and she has little interest in Camelot."
Elyan turns to Arthur. "If you ever break my sister heart again, I will harm you, possibly even kill you. King or not, no body hurts my sister and gets away with it."
"I wouldn't be able to live with myself, if I ever hurt Guinevere," Arthur replies. "I promise you I will do all in my power to make her happy."
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In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man his name…. Merlin.
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Merlin, Arthur and the knights are riding through the forest, Merlin suddenly notices they are about to enter the valley of the fallen kings. Merlin quickly warns Arthur nothing good ever happens in the valley of the fallen kings and no one in their right mind would use it. Arthur tells Merlin, the path is a secret, no sooner has he said that, they are ambushed and are soon in the middle of a fight. As Arthur fights, a man on horseback wielding a sword, rides towards Arthur and Merlin uses magic to save him. But as Merlin turns, a horse man wielding a mace rides towards him and before Merlin can react, the mace strikes him and Merlin falls to the ground injured. Not long after, Arthur supports Merlin as they make their way through the woods and hide from the men who had ambushed them. Arthur and Merlin stop to rest and Arthur checks Merlin's injury. The two of them sit talking for a while, Merlin tells Arthur will he be called a hero after he dies and Arthur tells him not to be such a coward, he isn't going to die. Merlin just laughs slightly and tells Arthur, while he's alive he's a coward, but once he's dead he's a hero and Arthur just tells him that's how it works, but Merlin tells him, it's not if you're the king.
Tristan snorts. "Nothing is going to stay secret for long with Agravaine being in on all your plans."
"He was a trusted member of the council," Arthur answers. "We never had any reason to suspect him."
"Merlin and Gaius did." Percival points out.
Elyan nodes. "Following Agravaine advice almost started a war."
"You should have worked it out," Gwaine adds. "Merlin clearly didn't trust him and neither did Gaius."
"Merlin!" Gwen gasps, as she sees him fall to the ground.
Isolde grips Gwen's arm. "You know he's well, he survived this."
"I know," Gwen answers, still slightly horrified. "But unlike us, Merlin has no one to save him…. He has no secret protector. He can't even heal himself with magic, due to fear of being executed!"
"Merlin truly is a hero," Leon speaks up. "And one of the bravest men I'll ever have the honour of knowing."
The following morning Arthur walks as he hears the men from the day before, close by. Arthur quickly picks Merlin up and begins making his way through the woods. Merlin tells Arthur to leave him behind, knowing he'll only slow Arthur down, but Arthur tells him to stop joking and then completely ignores him. At last they come to a crevice, Arthur spotting men at the other end, puts Merlin down and begins to fight them. As more men approach Arthur from behind, Merlin uses the last of his strength to cast a spell, causing a rock slide and stopping the men from getting to Arthur. Agravaine leads the men carrying Merlin towards Morgana, where Merlin unconscious form is thrown before her. Morgana isn't the slightest bit pleased Agravaine has only bought her a servant and tells him so. Agravaine goes to kill Merlin, but Morgana stops him, by saying he'll be useful. Soon after she leaves and Agravaine has to return to Camelot but before Morgana leaves she tells him if Gaius tells Arthur who he's really fighting for, she'll have no further use for him.
"Merlin is the most self-sacrificing man I know." Leon mutters. "I've never known anyone quite like him."
Elyan nodes his agreement. "He asked to be left behind, even though he knew if he was, he would more than likely die or be tortured for information."
"To think," Gwaine mutters. "If we had all known about Merlin's magic, he could have just healed himself and we would have lost him."
Percival thinks for a moment. "But if we all knew about Merlin's magic, then so would Agravaine. If he told Morgana…."
"She'd know he is Emrys." Isolde speaks up.
Gaius nodes. "That was the one advantage we had. Morgana never knew who Merlin truly was and of that we can only be thankful."
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Sometime later in Morgana's hovel, Merlin is woken up by a bucket of water being thrown over him and he struggles to get his footing as he is chained to the roof of the hovel. Morgana tells him, they have a lot of catching up to do, they hadn't seen each other since Merlin condemned her sister to a slow and painful death and how he stopped her from taking over Camelot. Merlin tells her, once she killed him, could she tell Arthur all he had done, because Arthur still believed him to be useless and Morgana just tells him, she not going to make it that easy for him. Elsewhere Leon and the other knights are making their way through the trees, looking for Arthur and Merlin. They quickly return to Camelot and Arthur promises Gaius they'll find Merlin. Back in Morgana hovel Morgana is asking Merlin why he's so loyal to Arthur and Morgana treats Merlin's wound.
"If she knew Merlin was responsible for the injury Morgause suffered," Isolde mutters. "How did she not work out Merlin had magic?"
Percival thinks for a moment. "Maybe the injury could have been caused without magic."
"No," Elyan speaks up. "Morgause had powerful magic, you couldn't have got that close to her to cause an injury like that."
"Anyway Merlin didn't kill Morgause, Morgana did." Gwaine speaks up.
"But only because," Leon answers. "Merlin doomed her to die…. She wouldn't have lived much longer if Morgana hadn't killed her."
Gaius nodes. "Morgause only lived as long as she did because of her magic…. I'm not sure any kind of healing spell could have healed that wound, without a life being given. The damage caused was too extensive."
Arthur smiled. "I'm glad Merlin is such a loyal friend…. Even if he acts like an idiot most of the time."
"And it seems the princess is unable to give someone a complement without adding an insult on the end." Gwaine grins.
"Shut up, Gwaine."
Back in Camelot Agravaine is telling Arthur, they have searched the whole forest but there is still no sign of Merlin, all they found was a single piece of burnt jacket. Arthur doesn't understand how anyone could have known about their route, it was secret, Leon concludes they must have a traitor and Gaius just looks at Agravaine. Back at Morgana's hovel, Morgana is casting an enchantment, while Merlin watches. Once the enchantment is complete, a Fomorroh rises from the flames and Morgana tells Merlin about it. Morgana places one of the Fomorroh's heads in Merlin's neck, where it will take control of his mind and make him kill Arthur Pendragon. The following morning Arthur is woken up by George, who he mistakes for Merlin for a second and it turns out George is a bootlicker. Arthur quickly explains to George he already has a manservant before getting up and leaving. Sometime later Arthur is leaving the castle and Gwen tries to convince him not to go alone, Gwaine appears and informs her Arthur will not be going alone and Arthur been doomed to a day of mindless chatter. Sometime later in the woods, Merlin wakes up covered in mud, close by Arthur and Gwaine are riding. Hearing a noise Arthur stops and dismounts, soon after Merlin stumbles into view and Arthur greets him in a hug.
"Do you think Agravaine knew about Morgana's plan?" Leon asks.
Gaius shakes his head. "I don't believe he did."
Elyan shivers, as he sees the Fomorroh, it reminded him of the Nathair Morgana had used to torture him. "How did Morgana learn so much dark magic? Morgause couldn't have taught her all of it, she was too ill."
"It is possible," Taliesin speaks. "That she was given spell books and taught herself, but like Merlin teaches himself magic."
"I take it Merlin wasn't at the tavern." Arthur mutters.
"He never is," Gwaine grins. "Instead he was off in the woods beating up the knights of Camelot."
Leon, Elyan and Percival all glare at him.
"It's fine for you, Gwaine," Leon mutters. "He just knocked you out."
Elyan nodes. "The humiliation."
"And you tell me not to attack powerful sorcerers." Gwaine mocks.
"I must admit," Percival speaks up. "I feel slightly better knowing it was Merlin, not some weak-looking old man."
Tristan glances at Arthur. "You really care about him, don't you?"
"He's my best friend," Arthur answers. "And I know he would never have given up on me."
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Back in Camelot, Gaius and Merlin are sitting down to eat. The Fomorroh begins to effect Merlin, he not only insults Gaius but also his cooking. Merlin quickly asks Gaius what the strongest poison he has is and Gaius tells him, after Merlin explains he had a chance to poison the bandits' food. Merlin takes some of the poison telling Gaius you never know when might need to kill someone. Down in the kitchen Merlin insults the cook and her food, to the amusement of one of the kitchen staff and puts poison all over Arthur's food. On the way through the castle Merlin runs into Gwaine, who tries to steal some of Arthur's food, Merlin insults Gwaine and stops him from stealing the food. Reaching Arthur's chamber, Merlin finds Gwen has already served Arthur lunch, which ruins Merlin's plan. Gwen and Arthur notice there is something off about Merlin's behaviour and share worried glances.
Gwaine starts laughing and is forced to hold his sides, as he watches Merlin insult Gaius. "Your face Gaius…. Ha-ha…. You have to admit that was funny."
Gaius coughs. "Remember where Merlin got that poison from, Gwaine."
Leon and Elyan shakes their heads as Merlin insults the cook.
"He's either really brave or really stupid." Leon mutters.
Elyan nodes. "Nobody insults the cook, unless they want burnt food for a month."
Percival grins as Merlin insults Gwaine and stops him from stealing food. "Was that a look of betrayal?"
Gwaine pouts slightly. "Merlin always lets and/or helps me steal food, even from the royal plate."
"So that's why when ever Merlin delivers my food the plates half empty," Arthur mutters, glaring at Gwaine. "I should have known."
Later that day, Merlin is pacing and Gaius asks Merlin if he's alright and Merlin simply insults him again, telling him two heads are better than one, but not when one of them is his. Down in the weapons room, Leon helps Merlin find a crossbow, after Merlin tells him Arthur wants a cross bow. Merlin fires it and it destroys the barrel, he tells Leon it'll do the job perfectly and thanks him. Leon asks Merlin what the job is and Merlin tells him it's to kill Arthur, Leon just asks if Arthur driving him mad and Merlin answers not for much longer. Merlin sets up a trap in Arthur's wardrobe, he tests to see if it works and it does. Arthur enters not long after and Merlin quickly hides the arrow, which is stuck in one of the pillars. Sometime later Gwen and Gaius are checking the food Merlin had planned to give to Arthur, after it had killed a pig in the lower town. Gaius tells Gwen what poison was used and Gwen can't understand why Merlin would want to kill Arthur. They go in search of Merlin and find Leon he tells them Arthur must be getting on Merlin's nerves because Merlin asked for a crossbow…. To kill Arthur with.
Gwaine grins. "You have to admit, even when he's enchanted, he still has wit."
"Merlin is never that rude." Gwen points out.
Gwaine snorts. "Unless he's talking to Arthur."
"But that's only in good jest." Gwen answers. "Plus he never insults us, it's only Arthur."
"The royal treatment." Gwaine grins.
Elyan grins. "No one would ever believe Merlin wanted to kill Arthur."
"This is not funny," Arthur snaps. "Merlin had been enchanted by Morgana…. If Agravaine had found out he would have blamed Merlin to cover his own back and I would have had no choice but to kill him."
Leon shakes his head. "It was quite amusing, you have to admit, I hadn't laughed that hard for quite some time."
"Is no one worried about my life? My life was at stake!" Arthur asks.
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In Arthur chamber Arthur is changing behind a screen and Merlin is resetting the trap. Arthur asks Merlin option on the different knights being traitors, even while Merlin is enchanted he still convinces Arthur Percival isn't a traitor. As Arthur goes to the wardrobe, Merlin watches, but the trap fails to go off. Arthur goes back behind the screen and Merlin checks the trap, just missing the arrow as it fires. Arthur begins to question Elyan loyalty and asks Merlin for his ceremonial sword, which gives Merlin an idea. He charges at Arthur with the sword, but runs into a pillar and knocks himself out, Arthur turns to find Merlin unconscious and just grabs his sword and leaves the room passing Gwen and Gaius. As Merlin wakes, Gwen knocks him out with a water jug. Back in Gaius's chamber, Gaius explains to Gwen what the creature in Merlin's neck is. Gaius quickly cuts the Fomorroh out of Merlin's neck with a knife and Gwen looks away.
Percival glances at Arthur. "You thought I was the traitor?"
"I didn't know who I could trust," Arthur answers. "I was suspicious of everyone…. Morgana was a highly trusted member of the court and close to the king, I thought it could have been anyone."
Percival thinks for a moment. "I don't remember telling Merlin about my family."
"No," Leon answers. "You didn't. Lancelot told him."
Percival nodes. "He did, I remember now."
"So," Elyan mutters. "You thought anyone who would sacrifice themselves for you was a traitor? I'd only ever hurt you if you hurt Gwen."
Arthur nodes. "I know."
Gaius shakes his head. "I should never have destroyed the Fomorroh head."
Elsewhere Arthur has gone to see Agravaine. He explains to Agravaine all the reasons why he suspects Agravaine to be the traitor and Agravaine is quick to defend himself. Agravaine tells Arthur, if he betrays him, he's betraying all that is left of his dead sister and that is something he'd never do. When he sees Arthur is thinking he quickly adds, Gaius also knew the route. The following day, Merlin gets up and enters the main chamber, but as he shoved bottles into his bag, he wakes Gaius up. As Merlin leaves, Gaius notices the Fomorroh is back in Merlin's neck, but before Gaius can do anything Merlin leaves. Merlin who has just prepared Arthur a bath, trips a powder into the bath and it begins to bubble. Elsewhere Gaius and Gwen are quickly making their way through the castle. As Arthur talks to Merlin, as he getting changed, Merlin dips a sword into the water and pulls it out, it's almost completely destroyed.
"So close yet so far." Gwaine sighs, shaking his head.
Leon looks at Arthur. "How could you even think it was Gaius? He was one of Uthur's most trusted advisers!"
"I know," Arthur answers. "But I didn't want to believe Agravaine would betray me…. Betray my mother."
Gwen grips Arthur's hand. "We all should have seen Agravaine true nature…. If more of us had known, maybe we would have been believed."
Arthur shakes his head. "Even if the whole court told me Agravaine was a traitor, I don't think I would have believed them…."
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Gwen and Gaius enter the room and Gwen once again knocks Merlin out, Gaius quickly hides Merlin behind a pillar. Arthur suddenly appears from behind the screen, naked, much to Gwen surprise and Arthur embarrassment. Gwen quickly explains, Arthur can't have a bath because the waters to cold. Once they return to Gaius quarters, Gaius wakes Merlin up, once the Fomorroh head is dormant. Once Gwen is gone, Gaius explains to Merlin what has happened and he also tells Merlin how to stop the Fomorroh, by destroying it. Merlin quickly comes up with a plan to destroy the Fomorroh and prepares to leave. Gaius asks him what he should say if Arthur asks where's gone and Merlin answers anywhere but the tavern. Merlin rides into the woods and dismounts before hiding to cast the spell to change him into Dragoon, he returns to his horse, but is unable to climb up.
Everyone, but Arthur and Gwen, burst out laughing. Gwen goes slightly red and Arthur shifts slightly.
"'You're not Merlin.'?" Gwaine asks. "Do you always walk around naked whole Merlin's around?"
Arthur glares at Gwaine. "Merlin was my man servant, he should have been there."
"He was," Elyan grins. "Just hidden behind a pillar."
Leon grins. "The water was cold? That was all you could come up with?"
"I couldn't have said the real reason," Gwen points out. "Or otherwise Merlin could have been killed for treason!"
All the knights suddenly groan as they see Dragoon struggling with his horse, they all know what's coming next.
As Dragoon continues to try and climb onto the horse, Leon, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan approach him from behind. After they force Dragoon to move away from the horse, Dragoon speaks with them and Leon only just stops Gwaine from running Dragoon through. After Dragoon threatens the life of the king, Gwaine gets knocked out. And Leon and Percival are thrown into Elyan, who are all then used as stairs. Dragoon rides off into the woods laughing to himself. Elsewhere in Morgana's hovel, Agravaine is informing Morgana he's made Arthur suspect Gaius as the traitor. As Agravaine and Morgana leave Morgana's hovel, Dragoon watches from above, before making his way down and entering the hovel. As Dragoon searches for the Fomorroh, Morgana enters carrying fire wood, which she drops at the sight of Dragoon and flees from the hovel. Not long after, Morgana appears again and tells Dragoon, he's just her imagination, but as Dragoon steals the Fomorroh, Morgana charges at him with a dagger and Dragoon wordlessly sends her backwards.
Arthur shakes his head. "You are supposed to be the best knights in the realm…."
"Your knights are the best in the realm, you say?" Tristan can't help but mock. "Yet an old man uses them as steps up to his horse."
"He wasn't just any old man," Leon mutters. "He was Merlin."
Elyan nodes. "And he has magic."
"The powerful magic." Gwaine adds.
Arthur grins slightly. "So why was the fact 'a powerful sorcerer' used you as steps for his horse, not included in your reports?"
All the knights shift slightly, but no one answers.
"I'm waiting." Arthur mutters.
Isolde smiles. "You might have to waiting a while."
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Dragoon quickly flees the hovel, but Morgana catches up and sends him flying across the small clearing, but as she goes to kill him, he casts a spell and sends her crashing to the other side of the clearing. Dragoon approach her and Morgana tells him Camelot will never friend of his. Morgana suddenly casts a second spell and Dragoon is thrown sideways, Morgana grabs the Fomorroh and goes to leave. But Dragoon casts a spell summoning a whirlwind, Morgana tries to stop it, but isn't powerful enough and she is soon no longer a threat for the time being. Dragoon collapses back to the ground, weakened by such a powerful spell, before picking up the Fomorroh and destroying it.
Leon glares at Morgana. "How did she recover so quickly? She caught up with him pretty fast."
"She didn't," Elyan mutters. "Merlin had aged himself to eighty years old."
Gwaine grins. "He was slow and Morgana caught up."
"Morgana did look incredibly frightened, when she saw Merlin though." Percival points out.
Arthur nodes. "I've never seen her that scared of anyone…. Not even Uthur when he yelled at her."
Gwen winces as she watches Merlin and Morgana fight. "He quite clearly more powerful than her…. But why didn't he cast any counter spells?"
"Air based spells," Gaius explains. "Are harder to create counter spells for, due to their speed and strength."
"Why didn't he just kill her then?" Isolde asks. "He could have killed her."
"I think," Gaius answers. "Merlin had more pressing matters to deal with."
Back in Camelot, Gaius pulls the remains of the Fomorroh head from Merlin's neck and Gwen soon enters. Gwen quickly informs him Arthur is not in a good mood, so Merlin quickly goes to see Arthur. Arthur tells Merlin if he wanted to remain in his service he had to spend the week training with George. But as Merlin follows George he stops and asks Arthur why, if George is so good, doesn't he just give George the job. Arthur quickly explains to Merlin how boring George is and he even makes jokes about brass! Elsewhere Agravaine is riding through the woods towards Morgana's hovel, upon entering the hovel Agravaine finds the place a complete mess and quickly goes in search of Morgana. He finds her unconscious in the woods and quickly carries her back to her hovel.
Gwen couldn't help but laugh as she watched Merlin go off to 'train' with George.
Isolde looked at her, slightly confused. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because," Gwen finally replies. "For a couple of weeks after the 'training' was complete, Merlin acted like the perfect servant…. I'm sure if Merlin had kept it up much longer Arthur would have gone mad."
Gwaine grins. "Yeah, the princess did nothing but sulk."
"I did not sulk!" Arthur snaps.
"Could have fooled me." Gwaine laughs. "How we survived training…."
"I think I still have the bruises." Elyan jokes.
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Hey hope you liked that chapter, I'm planning on getting the next chapter up by Friday. I would just like to recommend RiverOfAntDecGoldSwanMerlock's RP Here's the link if you want to join: www . /forum/Merlin-RP/159587/ (no spaces for some reason it won't let me type fan fiction. net, but I'm sure everyone knows the fan fiction web address) then go to the cannon claiming and oc creator page and choose a character or create your own (Merlin, Freya, Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Mordred, Kara, Morgause and Morgana Pendragon are already taken, but all the others are still up for grabs :)).
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.