"So? What's wrong with me?" Arthur demanded, drained and angry from his match.
"Someone's definitely put something in your drink, nothing too serious. A simple anti-poison should set you straight."
"So I was poisoned?"
"It's nothing serious Arthur." Gaius reassured him. Merlin rolled his eyes, fed up of Arthur's repetitive whining.
"My father will hear about this." Arthur muttered. Merlin rolled his eyes. Again.
"Will he be fit to compete tomorrow?" Merlin asked, Arthur perked up at the word 'compete'.
"He'll be fine." Gaius shouted, not turning back to the Prince and his serving boy. "Now you head back up to your chambers, I'll send Merlin to bring the anti-poison." Arthur nodded and left Merlin stood over Gaius.
"It is just as simple as you said right? It's not magic is it?" Merlin asked, keeping his voice down as Arthur had only just left.
"Not in the poison, but we can't promise that magic wasn't used to get into the castle. Everything that passes Arthur's lips is tested and secured. There must have been some sort of magic used to trick the guards. We can't be sure of anything yet, take this to Arthur or he'll be convinced he's dying." Gaius instructed, giving Merlin a small vial of liquid with a cork lid.
Merlin nodded, rushing after Arthur, surprised to find he'd made it all the way to his room, even if he was lying panting on his bed. A little melodramatically.
"I have the anti-poison." Merlin announced. Arthur threw his arm off the side of his bed, his hand waiting to be united with the glass vial that would reinstall his strength. Merlin gave it to him and stood back, dodging the cork stopper as it was thrown from Arthur's bed to be picked up by Merlin next time he cleaned under the wardrobe.
He downed the liquid in one gulp and sat up tenderly.
"It's not going to be instant Arthur." Merlin stated cautiously.
"I know."
"Get some sleep and you'll be fine for the final." Merlin sighed, backing away slowly, leaving Arthur to wait for the effects of the anti-poison to kick in and eventually fall asleep.
Merlin made it out without Arthur demanded something unfeasible and closed the door slowly behind him, making sure not to disturb the dust on the floor, let alone Arthur. Soon arriving back in Gaius' chambers, Merlin quizzed him on the possible sorcerer in Camelot.
"Do you think it's Oliver? Trying to sabotage the competition?"
"I'm not sure. I've only seen him when he's competing. Have you seen him outside the arena? Do you even know what he looks like?"
"I've never seen him without his armour on."
"There's definitely something suspicious about him, but who knows if it's linked with Arthur's minor poisoning."
"You don't have to say minor anymore; he's not here."
"Anyway, we just need to keep our eyes peeled. If we see something strange, we report back, got it?" Gaius questioned, drilling into Merlin's head.
"Understood."
"No investigating it yourself or getting into trouble Merlin."
"You know me, Gaius!"
"I do, that's why I said it."
"I don't get into trouble!"
"No, it finds you. Then latches onto Arthur, then almost kills you, him and several other knights before you utter a spell and save the day. Somehow." Gaius ranted, raising his eyebrow and letting one corner of his lip raise closer to his ear. Merlin smirked.
"Am I really that predictable?" Merlin asked disbelievingly.
"Yes." Gaius answered. Merlin chuckled and headed towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To look for suspicious things."
"At this time of night?"
"Why not?"
"You're an incredibly easy target Merlin."
"You underestimate me Gaius. I won't be long. I'll be back before you know it." Merlin called as he continued out the door.
"I doubt that." Gaius muttered, returning to the work he had been doing before Arthur interrupted.
Merlin wondered aimlessly through Camelot, pushing through the people looking for somewhere to sleep before viewing the final of the tournament the next day, letting angry market stall owners argue with people from all the villagers from the smaller villages that don't understand the format of how things work in Camelot. Surprisingly enough he didn't interfere; he didn't need to jeopardise Gaius' business with the herb sellers. And he didn't want to get into the trouble Gaius foresaw.
It was when he reached the lower town, darkened and shadowed from the lowering sun, that he realised he didn't actually know what he was looking for, who he was looking for or why he was looking for it or them. He turned round and headed back to the castle, ready to face Gaius and admit he didn't actually have a clue what he was doing.
He passed the training field, expecting to see at least one sword or shield that had been left by the Knights just so Merlin had to clear it up, but he didn't. He saw a Knight. A Knight he recognised as Sir Oliver. Still in full armour, readying himself for the final the next day. Merlin paused, looking around for Anna in the late evening haze and not finding her. He turned back to Oliver, seeing him practise sword movements and stances. Merlin was mesmerised; he didn't have the same aggression Arthur had, his style was a lot more strategic. But then he buckled, reigniting the injury he attained in the first day. Merlin jumped, ready to help, but Oliver took one long, slow breath and stood, looking straight at Merlin. He walked over, slowly but surely, and handed him the sword. Of course, the Knight's had left something. Oliver nodded and walked away, leaving Merlin in awe and in need of a trip to the equipment store. Oliver confused Merlin, but that would all end tomorrow.
Tomorrow night Merlin got to spend with Anna.
Harry Potter reference! Up there somewhere ^^ Go read it with the wonderful Tom Felton in mind; you'll love me for the mental image of Tom Felton with a wooden stick that's now in your minds. I mean a wand, of course ;)
Anyways, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo this November, so there probably won't be any updates until December. But you guys should be used to waiting for this :L But I do have most of the next chapter and the rest of the fic planned so updates SHOULD be more regular when I get back :)
Reviews are appreciated…(L)