Simple Words Chapter 23, a merlin fanfic

See Chapter 1 for warnings & info

Author's Notes: All plot, no smut. I know, it's a miracle!

Morena wasn't sure who she expected to see on the other side of the door, but it definitely wasn't Arthur. She hadn't expected him to have a spare second until the ceremony. For her part, Morena was still trying to get used to staying in the guest quarters instead of serving someone in them. The fine linens, the lavish dresses hanging in the closet, it was all far too strange. "Arthur... come in." He looked worried, almost frightened. "Are you well?"

Merlin saw the young woman over Arthur's shoulder from where he was. She was beautiful. Striking. She was also a servant. Though they'd never spoken, he'd seen her in the kitchens when he retrieved trays of food for Arthur. The thought made his heart constrict. Arthur was getting married to someone whose station was no higher than his own had been. /Doesn't matter. She's still a girl./ He sighed at the thought and leaned back against the stone wall, wondering if talking to her was a good idea at all.

"Yes, I'm fine... thank you..." Arthur avoided Morena's kind gaze; the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. "Something has happened, and I need your help." Taking her hands in his own, the prince sat down and finally met her eyes. "Merlin has returned, and he... had been bought by a slaver. Morena, I have to find some way to free him!"

Morena's eyes widened. "Oh, Arthur..." She has to take a breath to gather her thoughts because her husband's gaze speaks of a good deal more than desire to help a friend. There is hay stuck in his hair, and she isn't so foolish as to mistake the smell of sex still clinging to him. /Ah./ She'd always believe that Arthur's pain over Merlin's departure came from guilt and the agony of losing a dear friend. /Lovers, then.../ Though her heart clenched, the young woman whispered, "Arthur, is what the servants are whispering about him true? Does Merlin have magic?" She'd heard something one of the guards whispered about "keeping it from the prince" and wondered if Arthur had heard a breath of Uther's search for the boy.

Arthur's eyes widened. He should have realized all of Camelot would be gossiping about Merlin; it angered him deeply to have Merlin reduced to whispered talk. He almost protested, wanting to deny the truth about his lover in order to protect him... Only there was no hiding the facts from Morena when Arthur so desperately needed her help and understanding. "Yes, yes he is," he admitted softly. "Father wanted him executed the moment he laid eyes on him. Merlin, he... belongs to a... friend of my father's and, if it wasn't for that fact, I dread to think of what might have happened."

Morena nodded her understanding and considered for a moment. This could be the opportunity she'd been wanting, a perfect window... She met Arthur's gaze once more and favored her husband with a hint of a smile. "Is it possible to bring him here? For me to speak with him? I think that between us, we may be able to find something... As it is, the wedding may cool Uther's temper somewhat. He may think me unworthy, but I believe he is pleased with the thought of an heir for his son."

The reminder of Morena's pregnancy brought on a pang of guilt in Arthur's heart. He wished that he could truly return her feelings, but he belonged to Merlin and he always would. "Yes, he's waiting outside," the prince replied, straightening as he left the room and urged Merlin inside. He cleared his throat, "Merlin, this is Morena... She's agreed to offer us her help." As awkward as the situation was for the three of them, Arthur couldn't help feeling relieved that he and Merlin had an ally on their side.

Merlin stood nervously just inside the door. He wasn't sure he could have even walked over the threshold if Arthur's hand hadn't been on the small of his back urging him forward. "Um, hello," Merlin ventured uncertainly.

"Hello," Morena answered with a hint of a smile. She should have hated him on sight, but the young man's nervous, uncertain demeanor and the shaky smile on his lips were far too endearing. "First, I have something that may help you." The woman rose, revealing that the folds of her gown only barely hid the fact that she had a baby growing inside of her. From the locked cupboard at the foot of her bed, she produced several vials and liquids, mixing carefully and finally passing the mug into Merlin's hands. "I understand that you've been given drugs. Something to make you... more pliable?"

Merlin flushed. The way she spoke the words made it clear that whoever she'd spoken to knew as well as Arthur had just what Julian did with his slaves. "Yes," he agreed, still edgy and now embarrassed on top of it.

"It's alright. The fault is not yours. This should help to clear your head and," Morena added quietly, "and allow you access to your magic again."

Caught halfway through taking his first sip, Merlin very nearly choked. "You-"

"It's alright. It seems that Arthur has a very definite type." She offered her husband a smile that was warm if a bit sad and stretched her hand out, twirling one finger in the direction of the mug. The leaves within swirled gently at the motion, and she shrugged. "I fear that my skill is not on par with your own if the stories are any indication. I have more in common with Gaius than with you, but... we need to help one another, and I may know a way to do that." The woman paused, visibly pained at the next bit of information she needed to share. "One of the kitchen boys who has been serving Uther and your master this evening has said that the two of them have made an... and arrangement. It is not uncommon for them from what I understand, but it... I fear that..."

Merlin drained the last of the cup and set it aside before meeting the woman's dark gaze. He was mystified by her casual acceptance of his presence and the fact that she seemed to know well that he and Arthur were a good deal more than friends. "What kind of arrangement?"

"A trade. One of Uther's servants for you. Just for the night," she added hurriedly, "but I... I understand that... that the requirements may be more than simply bringing meals and drinks."

The thought made Merlin's face go even paler, and he dropped into the closest chair. "What can we do?"

Morena looked to her husband and asked, "Can you wait outside for us? I would like to speak with Merlin alone."

Arthur balked at Morena's proposal; the idea of Merlin willingly stepping into the lion's den filled him with dread. He could already imagine his father's reaction... But, what exactly was Morena implying by 'other duties'? Although he did not press the subject, Arthur determined to question her about it later. "Of course," he finally agreed, his longing gaze settling on Merlin. "I want to check and be sure no one is searching for you." With that, the Prince took his leave of his wife and his beloved.

Merlin had to bite his lip to keep from asking Arthur to stay. It wasn't that he was scared of Morena, just uneasy at the idea of being left alone with Arthur's wife. He had no idea what she had in mind or what to say to her. He was saved from figuring something out when the young woman herself began to speak.

"Merlin, it was important that I clear the drugs from your system for a reason. I am going to ask you to do something, and... it is your decision whether you do what I ask or not. I want you to make that decision with a clear head." The woman's dark eyes searched Merlin's face, and she finally smiled before going back to bustling around the room and mixing yet another potion. Merlin realized that she did indeed remind him of Gaius, sure and easy in every movement and measurement. "We have the same problem, you and I: Uther." She glanced back over her shoulder to see Merlin's eyes widen slightly. "Arthur may be my husband, I may be carrying his child, but I will not have my son or daughter hiding who they are because they could be killed by their own grandfather."

Merlin felt a swell of sympathy at the thought. He'd struggled his whole life with being something he wasn't supposed to be. If there was something he could do, could he really let Arthur's child suffer? "What do you want me to do?"

The woman sat and passed a small vial into Merlin's hand. "If you are taken to Uther's rooms - and I think that you will be - put this in his drink." She saw the look on the sorcerer's face and shook her head. "I have no intention of killing the man, Merlin. I may think that Uther Pendragon is a pale excuse for a human being, but he is... he is also Arthur's father. I will not cause Arthur the pain of losing the one parent that he has left. But I will see that he no longer sits on the throne. Once Arthur is in power, there will be a chance at last for magic to return to Camelot. It could change everything for us, for the people... and it could begin with you."

Looking down at the vial in his hand, Merlin bit his lip. Surely Arthur would not approve even if Uther survived whatever the potion would do. "What... what does it-"

"It will be slow. A sickness. He should be well through the ceremony tomorrow, perhaps even for a day or two after. Then things will change... hopefully quickly enough for you to be kept here. Either way, Arthur will be able to demand your return. You are a citizen of Camelot and were taken against your will. Uther could release you now, but we both know that he will not."

Merlin nodded his understanding and agreement. "If Arthur were to find out what I-"

"Then he shouldn't," Morena said firmly. There was something in her eyes that stopped Merlin's tongue once again. "There is no need for him to know."