Title: Dark Magic

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1549
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, oc
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough!
Spoilers: No spoilers in this chapter

Fantasyy-Freak, thanks for all the wonderful help!

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

AN: My apologies for the late update, I hope I will be able to post the next chapter sooner! I got kind of caught in another story for Merlin, but I assure you, I have not forgotten about this one! I wanted to thank everyone who left a review, that always brightens up my day.

Anyway, here is chapter 8, enjoy!

Chapter 8

As Arthur ran forward, he felt each muscle scream at him, trying to come to a halt, but Arthur knew he had to do this, he knew Merlin needed to be stopped.

Merlin lifted his hand and Arthur felt a sudden weight fall on his arm holding the sword. For a second he tried to ignore it, but the heavy weight soon caused pain and Arthur was forced to drop the sword. He couldn't believe Merlin had just used magic against him. Feeling how the pain disappeared again, Arthur reached down for his sword again, but Merlin had anticipated this move.

He ran forward and kicked the sword away while lifting his hand again and Arthur screamed out in pain as he felt a sudden sharp pain cross his face. Blood started running down over his lips and his breathing came out faster, sharper. He was in a fight and he didn't know how to defend himself. With every move he made, Merlin stopped him with magic.

Two guards suddenly ran into the room, obviously having heard the noise.

"Don't kill him!" Arthur warned them. No matter what happened Arthur needed to believe that there was still hope for his servant, that Merlin could be saved. If this was truly the work of a poison then surely it could be cured by a medicine, an antidote.

"How considerate," a smile crossed Merlin's face. Turning to the guards, he lifted both his hands and the two guards flew backwards against a wall, knocking them unconscious.

"I don't want to kill them," Merlin said as he turned to face Arthur again.

"You want to kill me." Arthur was trying to get control over his breathing, but he still couldn't help but gasp for more air.

Merlin laughed a laugh that Arthur was starting to hate.

"Then do it," Arthur said, spreading his arms to show that he was unarmed and ready to be defeated, "kill me so that this is over because I am not in the mood for games."

"Now now, Arthur," Merlin said his voice serious again, "you really want to give up already?"

Arthur didn't answer him; there was no point in doing so. All that he was hoping for was that Merlin wouldn't be able to do it. He prayed for the poison to not work properly and that Merlin wouldn't be able to go as far as killing a person or in this case, a friend.

"What are you waiting for?" Arthur asked, nearly yelling. He had noticed the doubt in his eyes and he was planning on taking advantage of that. Merlin could change his mind any moment now, he would hesitate for only a second, but that would be long enough for Arthur to knock him out. Once that was done, Gaius could find a cure and Merlin would return to his old clumsy self.

Suddenly, all doubt disappeared from Merlin's eyes. He lifted his hand and Arthur knew that this time, he would feel more than pain. Merlin's gaze was as cold as stone, only filled with hate and anger.

Arthur held his breath as he waited for the last blow to come. He still couldn't believe that he was to die at the hand of a sorcerer, a sorcerer who used an innocent man to kill him. Arthur swallowed. He was to die by the hand of Merlin.

And then the blow came, but it wasn't he who fell down, it was Merlin. Behind him stood the old man again, his hands lifted but no weapon lay in them.

"I knew you were a sorcerer," Arthur said. Even though he had always suspected it, he couldn't believe he had just been proven right. "But you saved me."

Arthur looked at Merlin who lay motionless on the floor. This was his chance. He had to tie Merlin up, and warn Gaius about this and soon everything would be alright again.

"You must find Gaius," the old man said.

"I know," Arthur kneeled down beside his young servant. He took both his arms and laid them on his chest.

"Rope will not hold him down for long," the old man said, understanding Arthur's plan.

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Arthur asked, irritated. Whatever he did, it was never right or good enough. He stood up and faced the man head on. "I can't let him run around freely now can I? I saw the look in his eyes, he is prepared to kill now and he will do so without hesitation."

"You must hurry," the old man simply said, still appearing calm, "you must find Gaius, he has the answer."

"All that hate and anger," Arthur sighed, gazing at Merlin again, "he was so..."

"Those feelings aren't his," compassion could be heard in the man's voice, "everything he feels or thinks, that all belongs to that sorcerer from the forest, don't forget that."

"So I need to find Gaius," Arthur said.

"Yes."

"And why should I trust you? You are a sorcerer, who knows; maybe you are working with that other sorcerer." Arthur said his voice full with distrust.

"Gaius has the answer," the man repeated, "find him before Merlin is lost."

Arthur glanced at the unconscious Merlin again and when he looked up to the man, all he saw was empty air. Annoyed by the sudden disappearance, Arthur dragged the two guards outside and locked Merlin up inside. It wouldn't stop him for long, but it would buy Arthur time to find Gaius and stop this madness.

Arthur headed down to Gaius' chambers when he saw Gwen running towards him, panic written all over her face.

"I was just looking for you," Gwen smiled not very convincingly, "there is something wrong with Merlin."

"I know," Arthur said, "that is why I need to find Gaius."

"He is searching for a cure and he sent me to you to tell you about Merlin but apparently, you know all about that already." Gwen reached for the cut in Arthur's face. When touching it, Arthur pulled his head back in pain.

"You need that looked after," she said.

"I need to find Gaius," Arthur knew he had to stay focused, "do you know where he went looking for a cure?"

Gwen shook her head and Arthur sighed. He could be anywhere and there was no time to start searching the entire castle and let alone the entire city. Just as he was feeling desperate, Arthur saw the physician running towards him and Gwen. He looked at Gaius' hands, expecting a potion to be in them, but they were empty and looked like they hurt, but when Arthur looked at Gaius' face again, no pain could be read in them, only determination.

"Do you have a cure?" Arthur immediately asked when Gaius stood in front of him.

"I do," Gaius answered, "but I can't do it alone. Where is Merlin?"

"I locked him up in my chambers, but that won't hold him for very long. What can I do?" Arthur watched Gaius swallow heavily.

"That sorcerer from the forest," Gaius explained, "he must be killed before Merlin kills another person."

Arthur already knew that, but he didn't tell them as he couldn't possibly explain to them how he had this information.

"He hasn't yet," Arthur simply said, "but he won't hesitate much longer."

"What do you mean?" Gwen's voice was filled with panic.

"He's just..." Arthur searched for the right words, "Merlin isn't Merlin anymore, his thoughts are no longer his."

"He's capable of killing?" Her panic changed into shock.

"We won't let him," Arthur reassured her while all he could think of was whether or not he would be able to keep his word. Again he was reminded of the little time they had so Arthur turned to Gaius.

"So that sorcerer needs to die?" Arthur asked, needing to hear it again.

Gaius only nodded.

"Then let's find him."

"Gwen!" Morgana came running towards them and by the look on her face, everybody knew that she too had seen Merlin and knew that something was going on.

"I have searched all over for you," Morgana said, relieved, "I saw Merlin and he was..."

"Not Merlin," Arthur finished her sentence before turning to Gwen, "Guinevere, you explain everything to Morgana and Gaius and I will find that sorcerer."

Gwen only nodded before she and Morgana walked away. Gaius and Arthur headed down their own way and left the castle, making sure Uther didn't notice anything as he would surely execute Merlin should he find out about the situation. Arthur only carried a sword and knife and he wasn't sure that when it would come to Gaius needing to fight, he would be able to.

"What happened to you?" Arthur asked, looking at his hands which were burned and bruised.

Gaius sighed deeply and watched his own fingers as he moved them.

"Merlin." was all he said.

AN: That was it for this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what your thoughts are because they really help me write better and faster.

Have another nice day!