A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews, alert and favs! I was pleasantly surprised that you thought Arthur is in character. It's treading a fine line with him. It's a challenge to write. So, there's more of him in this chapter. This one took a long time to get right. All mistakes are mine! Enjoy.

Chapter 7

Gaius' chambers were too small to handle all the wounded after the dragon attack, so Arthur had ordered the sick beds set up in one of the citadel's ground floor rooms. Having just finished cleaning the bandages of the man lying unconscious in a corner of the room, Gwen looked up at the sounds of footsteps.

"Gwen, have you seen Gaius? I can't find him anywhere."

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she took in Merlin's appearance. Layers of dust greased his breaches, tunic and jacket. His dark hair pointed every which way, as if he'd just gotten out of bed. His normally sparkling blue eyes seemed dulled. Though, she admitted to herself, she wasn't currently a sight for sore eyes either. Blood spatters greased her dress and hands, and she felt worn out. But that didn't keep the shock from her face. "What happened to you?"

"What?"

She couldn't tell whether Merlin looked paler than usual because he covered one side of his face with his hand. She reached out but he pulled back.

"Oh yes. That. Arthur had me running around the destroyed battlements all morning and then well, I had a nasty run in with the ground."

Was it her imagination or did he brush over this so-called incident with a bit too much ease?

"Gwen, what about Gaius?"

Unconvinced he was telling the truth, she dipped a clean cloth into a bowl of water next to her on the bed. "He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Apparently some of the surrounding villages also suffered from the dragon's attack." She stood up to gently pull his hand away. A nasty cut ran the length of his cheek bone, red and swollen, the wound was clearly infected. Although she'd seen far worse these past few days, worry rose, but she got a grip on herself and wiped the dried blood from his face. "Gaius went to treat the wounded and do his rounds after that."

He looked pained.

For a second she thought she'd hurt him, so she pulled her hand back. "Why, what's wrong?"

"For how long?"

His anxious tone of voice drained away, sending her worries into overdrive. Merlin knew how long a trip like that would take. He knew the answer as well as she did. "A couple of days. He tried to find you. But perhaps you'd been summoned to the council chambers by then."

He nodded and took in the half a dozen wounded occupying the beds. "Will you manage by yourself? Do you want me to do something for you?"

A tired smile tugged at her lips as her heart warmed. No matter how he felt, he still thought to offer his help. She didn't dream of taking him up on it though. "There's no need, thank you. The last of the severely wounded died this morning. As awful as that sounds, this means the worst is behind us. You know Gaius wouldn't have left otherwise." She sighed. "Besides, what else am I to do? At least the work keeps me occupied." She covered his wound with a herbal disinfectant.

"You haven't met Mathylda yet?"

"Not yet. Seeing as Morgana is gone, I'm probably being overlooked." She wasn't remotely sorry if this was the case. "I'm sure she'll get around to me sooner or later."

"I'm sure Morgana's okay," he whispered.

She nodded. "Arthur will find her," she spoke with conviction. "He will not rest until he does." Her attention was drawn to the crystal around his neck. "I heard Tagan made you guys wear that."

"Yes." He took in a deep breath. "I have chores to finish, but my offer stands. If you need me?"

"Go," she smiled. "Arthur probably needs you more than I do." She felt glad he was there to help. Like he always was. Another worry wriggled its way to the surface. "How is he holding up?"

Merlin shrugged. "You know him." He didn't elaborate.

When it came to Arthur, Merlin never divulged too much information. She understood, for as servants they had a certain integrity to protect. Guess she just had to find out for herself. Cheered up at the prospect of looking up the man she loved, she nodded, let Merlin go and went back to work.

Here and there a few candles lid the dining hall, but supper had tasted bland to Arthur. They'd burned the desiccated bodies in the square, and he couldn't get rid of the lingering smell.

"What news so far?" His father took a sip from a goblet as they exchanged daily reports.

The king enjoyed the comforts of a good wine in the evening, but Arthur doubted this was the case now. Irate tension in his father's voice betrayed he had little patience dealing with this recent threat of this sorcerer born with magic. A few days ago, Arthur had caught his father staring out the window, concern for Morgana contorting his features. He'd hated to see him like that, felt the same burning need to find her. "I've talked to Geoffrey, Gaius and Tagan here, father." He nodded at the scribe sitting across from him at the table. "Whoever these servants belonged to was betrayed from within."

Truth to be told he'd spend most of his time with the court genealogist, which really wasn't how he liked to spend his afternoons. He'd contemplated letting Merlin do the job, his servant seemed to revere books, but the man was behind on his chores as it was. Although his confrontation with Mathylda was one he'd just as soon forgot, it had clarified Merlin's position. They couldn't be friends, not ever. And if Arthur kept allowing him in, trouble would rise. Like today, when he'd realized Mathylda had hit Merlin hard enough to draw blood. He shouldn't care, couldn't afford to care.

He'd seen red.

That couldn't happen again. He attributed his fall out to lack of sleep, and his sense of honour. Servants just didn't get this kind of mistreatment in Camelot. Spending his time in the hall of records had set his thoughts straight, so that he could focus on their latest findings again. "The castle was under siege, about to be over run."

"Are you sure?" His father seemed to take an interest. " I've been told this citadel has never been taken."

"The citadel as you know it didn't yet exist back then," Tagan pitched in. "The castle only had one defensive wall plus a few stables and dwellings housing the staff."

His father sat back. "How long ago was this?"

"We can only guess," Tagan shrugged. "Probably somewhere around Sigan's time."

"We only know this much because from that day on, albeit sparingly, records were kept up to date." Arthur explained. "Apparently the ruling king got wind of a traitor in their midst. Fear ran rampant. There wasn't enough time to do a thorough search, so in an effort render this traitor harmless, he rounded up most of the staff and had them locked up."

"Not executed then?"

Arthur didn't always agree with the harsh measures his father took to protect the kingdom. But executing your entire household went beyond any mistreatment of servants he could think of. He thought he smelled the burning bodies again. "No."

"Well, no wonder the castle fell," his father spoke in that condescending voice of his. "Do you see, Arthur, why it is important to sentence those suspected of treason to death at once?"

"Yes father." He reluctantly admitted. "In the end Camelot was conquered." When no one commented, he went on. "In order to heighten defences, the victor then had an extra wall built, lining the one already standing, thereby creating the ramparts as well as more 'storage' area. He must have found the servants in the dungeons and thought them too much of a liability to keep around."

"And the source of the betrayal?"

"We don't have any names." Arthur sat back. "Just facts."

"From what little we've been able to gather, there was sorcery at hand," Tagan offered.

"Just as I thought." His father fell silent for a while, mulling things over. "If we're not careful, history will repeat itself. We must protect Camelot at all costs."

Tagan nodded. "I couldn't agree more."

"Are you making any progress finding this sorcerer?"

"It has only been a day, Sire." Tagan wiped his mouth. "But I've managed to narrow down the list. Just as in the past, all evidence point toward those of lower standing."

"Good." His father sounded pleased.

"Sire, if it's all right with you, I want to start questioning those on the list on a more personal level."

Arthur furrowed his brow. "Are you sure that's w-

"I couldn't agree more," his father interrupted him. "Use the dungeons, it's what they're there for. Arthur, I want you to make sure Tagan gets everything he needs. He'll be reporting directly to you."

Not thrilled at the prospect of hosting these angst ridden sessions wasn't the only reason Arthur hesitated to comply. "Father, as soon as I'm done here, I want to ride out to find Morgana."

His father's jaw tightened. Arthur held his gaze, let his guard drop a little. He expected a short answer, a stern non-negotiable negative, but instead, his father's face softened.

"More then anything I would have you search for her."

Not having anticipated his father's sudden sympathy, Arthur found himself listening, knowing what was to come.

"But I have a kingdom to protect," his father pressed. "I cannot let you go until this sorcerer has been taken care of. You have a responsibility to your people. They rely on you to keep them safe."

Knowing how much Morgana's loss had affected his father, Arthur admired his strength now, his ability to put the needs of his people before his own. As a good King should. He doubted he'd ever be that strong. If finding those bodies in the wall had taught him anything it was that they could not let their guard down. He shivered at the thought to how close they'd come to losing Camelot in the past few days, how easily their enemies had gained entry using magic. A sorcerer growing as mighty as Tagan had foretold, could wipe them out in one fell sweep. Especially if he'd already infiltrated the royal household. They needed to find him before he got powerful enough to do so. That didn't make staying put any less painful. The longer they waited, the colder Morgana's trail went.

"We have patrols out there," his father spoke as if reading his thoughts. "Sooner or later, they will find her."

He nodded, then faced Tagan. "When will you start?"

The scribe had stayed silent. Arthur caught him studying him, apparently following the conversation with interest. "First thing tomorrow."

Arthur eyed the man, warily. Tagan was after all an expert in finding out the truth behind words. He suddenly wished he'd had this conversation with his father in private. "When you say, of lower standing, who exactly are we talking about here?"

No answer.

"If I'm to sit in, I need to know the details."

"Leave us." His father addressed the guards and servant present in the room. "Tagan," he commanded.

"Very well." The scribe leaned in. "All evidence point toward your household staff, my Lords."

"Our staff?" Arthur didn't know of anyone among them, who fit the description of a sorcerer born with magic.

"There's three of them I want to question first thing in the morning."

Arthur found Tagan studying him once more, the scribe's face unreadable. However, he'd been trained from birth to keep any discomfort from showing, so Arthur rewarded the man with an unreadable expression of his own.

"Your previous manservant, Manfred. Elliot, the kitchen boy, and Merlin."

He briefly faltered before he managed to regain his composure. Arthur was sure Tagan had noticed though. The thought that Merlin was a powerful sorcerer was ludicrous. Almost hilarious even. It brought a smile to his face. "Merlin is loyal to a fault."

Tagan leaned back. "Oh?"

"I trust him with my life."

"I'm not saying I suspect him, Sire. I merely want to question him."

"About what?"

"As your personal servant, he's been present at most of the events that have taken place recently. He may have seen something, heard of something that will lead us to this sorcerer. Tell me, would you say he's a perceptive sort of lad?"

He was, actually. But Arthur wasn't about to tell Tagan that. "He has seen all I've seen. I doubt he could tell you anything more than you already know."

"You'd be surprised, Sire. I've learned to listen to what's not been told, rather to what is. Also, sometimes people are not aware they've seen anything at all, until I point out the obvious."

Arthur didn't like it, but also couldn't see any fault in what Tagan what saying. It made sense Merlin might have seen something. "All right."

"Excellent, I will round them up tomorrow."

"No, I'll bring Merlin in."

Tagan shot him a stern look but Arthur held firm. Not even his father could persuade him from this. He was tired, and didn't feel like explaining himself. It had nothing to do with Merlin having wormed his way into his life. He was his servant. It was the honourable thing to do.

His father waved the problem away, obviously finding it unworthy of his attention. "See to it, Tagan."

The scribe bowed in deference, shot Arthur one last look and left the room.

To be honest, all Arthur wanted now was a hot bath and his bed. It took another half an hour though, to relay the last of his reports concerning some skirmishes in the lower town. Finally, he gave his father a respectful nod and headed for his chambers, not seeing how this week could possibly grow any worse.

Her most treasured possession, cleaned and oiled with care for years, now lay broken before her on her desk. Every time Mathylda set eyes on what was left of her spindle, anger boiled inside, and she had to reprimand herself that a tug-of-war between her and the prince of Camelot was not going to get her what she wanted. "And?"

Tagan sighed. "Arthur is hard to read. Even for me."

"Not from where I was standing," she said, fury dripping from her voice as she recalled how he had the gall to discipline her!

"He has a strong sense of justice, Mathylda. I've told you that, before."

"Yes, but will he be trouble?"

"I do not think so. He carries a heavy burden of responsibility. His concern for Camelot will help us rein him in. Today's meeting told me that much. As long as we stay on Uther's side, we have all the leverage we need."

She nodded. "We cannot keep this charade up forever, Tagan."

Tagan glared at her. "Don't let this incident with Arthur get to you, Mathylda. Don't do anything rash! We need the sorcerer if we want to succeed."

"Oh don't worry. The prince told me to find another way. So I already have." A cruel smile twisted her features. "In fact, this will give me the opportunity to get even better 'acquainted' with the boy."

"I don't care how you do it, Mathylda. Just make sure to prepare him for tomorrow. If all goes well, we should get our first taste of victory then."

Mathylda watched him leave. Smiling in anticipation, she waited for Merlin to arrive.

TBC

A/N: All Merlin next time, I promise!