Title: Dark Magic

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1473
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, oc's
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough!
Spoilers: No spoilers in this post

Beta: Fantasyy-Freak, you are wonderful!

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

Chapter 6

As Arthur was pacing up and down his room, he still couldn't believe how foolish he had been. Why had he trusted that man anyway? He sighed as he turned around. He was about to go for a walk, when he saw the old man standing in the doorway.

"You," Arthur nearly yelled, anger boiling up in his chest.

"Me," the old man simply replied, remaining polite as though Arthur's tone didn't interest him, "you are still failing, Arthur. Merlin has lost his way and he won't find it back without help."

"I just saw Merlin," Arthur said, still angry, "he is absolutely fine."

"He was then," the old man said, walking further into the room and heading for the window, "the poison needed time to work."

Arthur watched the old man gaze outside the window. He cursed himself for falling for this again, for not calling security or simply arresting this man himself. This man was old so he wouldn't be able to resist that much.

"I don't believe you," Arthur said instead, "who are you?"

The old man turned around, a smile covering his face and Arthur knew that this meant that he wouldn't hear the truth about his last question.

"Merlin needs your help," the old man simply said, "but be careful Arthur, he must not die."

"Or it will have great consequences, right," Arthur said, rolling his eyes. He still wasn't sure if he should trust this man or not. What if he was speaking the truth and Arthur didn't believe him? Merlin was just a servant, he was his friend, he was Guinevere's friend and she would never forgive him should something happen to Merlin while Arthur did nothing to help him.

"Merlin is vital for the future," the old man said, "he cannot die."

Arthur took in a deep breath. If Merlin needed his help, then he would get it and if this man was lying, then what harm would it bring? Arthur would soon enough find out and then he would arrest him.

"What will happen?" Arthur asked as he watched the man gazing outside the window again. As he turned around, Arthur could swear that for a moment, he could see relief in his face.

"He is under the influence of that sorcerer, his mind is twisted now."

"What do you mean twisted?"

"Merlin isn't Merlin anymore," the man answered, "his thoughts grow darker by the second and soon it will be too late for him to turn back, to turn normal."

Arthur felt a weight fall on his chest. How could this be true? How could Merlin be having dark thoughts while he was actually the one that always believed in the good in every person.

"Merlin having dark thoughts doesn't make him unstoppable. He can't handle a sword," Arthur said, suddenly realizing that stopping Merlin wouldn't be that hard. The old man gazed into Arthur's eyes.

"He is poisoned," the old man said, "dark magic runs through his veins now."

"The sorcerer from the forest gave him magic?" Arthur couldn't believe this.

"Dark magic," the man corrected him, his gaze filling with concern as he thought about it.

"But I thought magic was neutral, that it all depends on the way you use it so if Merlin can find a way to manage the magic until we can cure him then..."

"No," the man interrupted him, "the sorcerer from the forest corrupted him Arthur, and now his thoughts aren't truly his anymore. You must save him."

"Before it is too late," Arthur said, understanding what was expected of him now, "and when is it too late?"

"When he kills a human," the old man answered, fear evident in his voice.

"Gaius!" Gwen called out. As she entered the room she saw Gaius slumped towards the floor, pain written all over his face. She hurried over towards him and placed her hands around his shoulders. She couldn't stop him from falling down, but at least their landing was quite soft. She gently nudged him, trying to wake him up.

"Gaius," she called out again, "wake up and open your eyes for me."

As if he had been listening to her his eyes fluttered open. Pain was still very visible in them and all Gwen could think about was how she would be able to ease it for him. She only wished she knew what was wrong.

Gaius with Gwen's help stood up again, still feeling very weak.

"Easy," Gwen warned him, seeing how he nearly lost his balance.

"Thank you," Gaius said, his voice nothing more than a whisper. With Gwen's help he sat down at the table on the exact spot where only moment ago Merlin sat. Glancing at the apple Gaius swallowed heavily. It had turned completely black as if death himself had touched it. Gwen followed Gaius' gaze and she too was shocked at the state of the apple.

"What happened Gaius," she asked. She needed to know because something was very wrong, the color of the apple proved that immediately.

"Merlin," Gaius answered and the confusion became even more apparent on Gwen's face. "He is poisoned by a rather powerful sorcerer. He isn't himself anymore."

Gwen took both Gaius' hands into her own and took a good look at the injuries covering his wrists. His fingers seemed bruised and swollen as if they had been crushed while burn marks covered the skin on his wrists.

"Merlin did this?" she asked, still shocked. She couldn't believe that Merlin would hurt anyone, let alone hurt Gaius.

"Merlin isn't himself, Gwen, don't forget that," Gaius said, "and we must help him."

"Let me take care of these wounds first," Gwen said, not accepting any form of protest, "then we'll help Merlin."

Gaius nodded his head. He couldn't risk letting these wounds become infected, because how was he going to help Merlin then? He still couldn't believe that this was happening and a sigh escaped his lips.

Gwen took a bowl of clean water and a towel and started cleaning the wounds. She too couldn't believe what Gaius had just told her. It all seemed surreal.

"We have to go to Arthur," Gwen said as she carefully placed the wet towel on Gaius' wrist, "he'll know what to do."

"I believe Merlin is going to find Arthur himself," Gaius said, trying to forget the pain he was feeling right now. That was difficult to do however, but Gaius kept trying.

"Then Arthur will surely stop him," Gwen said hope flaring up in her voice.

"Merlin is powerful," Gaius explained, "that sorcerer gave him dark magic." Gaius prayed that nobody would ever find out the truth. Merlin's magic has always been there, the poison simply changed it and now it was used for all the wrong purposes.

"But how will we save him then?" Gwen sounded desperate again.

"I know someone who might know the answer," Gaius answered, "I will go and find him. In the mean time go to Arthur and tell him about the poison and about Merlin possessing magic now."

"Gaius," Gwen put away the bowl which held light red water, "you are in no condition to do anything for the moment, you're in pain and you need rest."

Gaius threw her a warm smile, thanking her for the concern.

"Just give me that little flask with the yellow stuff in and I'll be fine," Gaius still smiled.

As Gwen took it and gave it to Gaius she asked: "What is that?"

"A painkiller," Gaius now took a small sip from the flask, "a very effective one may I say. It is very powerful. One sip and you won't feel pain for over two hours."

Gwen now smiled as well. She knew that it wouldn't have mattered to Gaius whether he had that painkiller or not. He would do anything to help Merlin.

"Now," Gaius said, "you find Arthur," he stood up and walked away from the table, "as soon as I find out more, I will find you."

Gwen nodded and turned around, ready to leave the chambers.

"And Gwen," Gaius said, waiting until Gwen turned around again to face him, "make sure Uther doesn't find out about this. This magic isn't Merlin's fault but the King will certainly not see it that way."

Gwen nodded again and then she left Gaius alone with his thoughts on whether or not his plan of finding the one that could possibly help Merlin was actually a good idea.

AN: Well, that was the new chapter...I hope it was liked. The next chapter is still in progress, but I will try and update as soon as possible. In the meantime, let me know what you thought about this chapter!