Title: Dark Magic

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1170
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough!
Spoilers: No spoilers in this post

Beta: Fantasyy-Freak, thanks for all the wonderful help!

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

Chapter 5

"Merlin!"

With a gasp, Merlin woke up and his breathing quickened as he felt completely disorientated. Where was he? What was happening? Merlin searched for the one who had woke him up and soon found Arthur's worried and yet slightly annoyed face. Why was he here? Why did he seem worried and irritated?

"Arthur?" It was as if he needed to be certain of the fact that Arthur was standing only a few feet away from him.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked, the annoyance now completely gone. He took a step back as if he was trying to get a more complete picture of his servant.

Merlin thought about that question for a moment. He felt good, his arm didn't even hurt anymore and he had actually slept pretty well. He couldn't remember his dream anymore, but somehow it seemed to have been an important one.

"I'm fine," Merlin eventually answered, thinking that his dream probably didn't matter that much, "you were worried about me?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I know you can't handle much and I don't want you to miss work because a lot needs to be done."

Merlin smiled, his eyes lighting up.

"What?" Arthur now asked as he knew that smile. It meant that Merlin was having an idiotic thought which probably was not even true.

"Nothing," Merlin said, still smiling, "just...you were worried about me."

"Shut up," Arthur said, annoyed again. He walked out of Merlin's room while he couldn't believe that he had been fooled like that by an old man. It was obvious that Merlin was fine. He was delusional perhaps, but that was normal for Merlin. Arthur couldn't wait until he would see that man again because this time he wouldn't hesitate to arrest him.

"Don't be late for work tomorrow," Arthur called out just as he exited Gaius' chambers.

"I wouldn't dare," Merlin called back

As Arthur now left the chambers, Gaius entered.

"Gaius," Arthur greeted him quickly while passing him by.

"Sire," Gaius said, having to be polite and respectful. He even bowed his head, but as he looked up again, Arthur was already gone. It seemed he was in a hurry so Gaius decided not to think about it anymore. As he closed the door behind him, entering his chambers, he saw Merlin leaving his room.

"Feeling better?" Gaius asked.

"Absolutely," Merlin still had a smile covering his face, "in fact, I'm hungry."

"So your arm doesn't hurt anymore?" Gaius asked, frowning as he found that hard to believe.

"Its fine," Merlin reassured him, taking an apple and biting in it. He noticed Gaius watching him closely and Merlin laughed, not being able to believe that everyone found it hard to believe that he was in fact fine.

"What was Arthur doing here?" Gaius couldn't help it, but questions just kept popping up in his head. "He seemed to be in a hurry."

"He came to see if I was alright," Merlin answered, shrugging his shoulders as he took another bite from the red apple.

"That was kind of him to do." Gaius now started gathering books which he then put away on a bookshelf.

Merlin laughed without humor, making Gaius stop what he was doing to look at Merlin as he didn't understand the behavior.

"I found it quite rude actually," Merlin explained.

"Rude?" Gaius still didn't understand.

"I have a scratch on my arm and he thinks I am dying." Merlin sat down at the table, playing with the red apple as he was tossing it from his one hand to his other.

"He was just worried," Gaius said, taking a step closer to Merlin, "he doesn't think you're weak."

Merlin looked Gaius straight in the eye, seriousness covering every inch of his face and for a moment, Gaius thought he saw anger flash in his eyes.

"That's just it, Gaius," Merlin nearly whispered, tossing the apple again, "everyone thinks I am weak, that I am just a servant who can't handle anything."

"I don't think that," Gaius said, still not understanding what was going on or what had gotten into Merlin. This wasn't like him so something must be going on.

"Well of course you don't," Merlin said, "You don't even think I deserve to have magic."

"Merlin!" Gaius was shocked to hear that Merlin could say those things, those lies. "And stop playing with your food!"

Merlin's fingers clenched around the apple as he slowly placed it down on the table. His eyes didn't unlock with Gaius'.

"I do what I want," Merlin said, slowly standing up now, "and honestly, I'm done listening to people telling me what to do when they don't even care about me or who don't even know me."

"I know you, Merlin, and that is why I know that this isn't like you."

"See," Merlin took a step closer to Gaius who quickly took a step back again, "that is what proves that you don't know me at all."

Gaius didn't answer. He was too shocked to be able to say anything at all. All he could do was look at Merlin who suddenly seemed all wrong.

"You're sick," Gaius said once he found his voice back, "that arrow was probably poisoned and is now corrupting your thoughts. You need to fight this."

Merlin laughed too loud for Gaius to like it.

"Who says there is anything to fight, who says that this isn't me?"

"Merlin, please let me help you," Gaius was now nearly begging him.

"Don't you understand? I don't need help, I don't want help," Merlin said, "for the first time since ever, I feel strong, I feel in charge and I think it is time for Arthur to stop treating me like a weak and helpless servant."

"I can't let you leave," Gaius said, shaking his head. He took a step forward as he wanted to touch Merlin, but he had not seen Merlin's next step coming.

For a second, Merlin's eyes flashed gold and Gaius felt how all of a sudden, a force seemed to hold him there in place. A weight on his chest made it difficult to breathe while his wrists and fingers felt like they were on fire.

"I won't be home for dinner," Merlin said, no emotion in his voice. He turned around and walked out of the room. Gaius still felt all the weight pressing down on his chest and he fought to stay awake.

A warm substance started running down over his upper lip and Gaius soon tasted blood as he carefully licked it with his tongue. His nose was bleeding. His vision was growing dark and the last thing he remembered was a high panicked voice calling out his name.

AN: Only 30 minutes till midnight here and then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I just wanted to use this opportunity to wish everybody the best of
luck in 2010. May everything that you wish for come true.

In the mean time, enjoy this story and I hope to be able to post the next chapter as soon as possible. Let me know what you thought about this chapter!