Arthur distractedly started to prepare for the knighting ceremony. Merlin as usual was lounging on his bed paying no heed to how much he was messing up the sheets. His servant had told him the clothes were neatly folded on the second shelf of his cupboard. The people often joked that Turner and William, the princes servants, were the least worked people in all of Camelot. With each of the brothers helping one another instead of them.
"There must be a traitor in our midst." Arthur sighed, "How else would those bandits know where to find us?"
"Dunno, who would betray you?" Merlin answered looking at him intently, "Are you going to get dressed?"
"Yes, in a minute. I do not know why you are so impatient." Arthur sighed approaching his cupboard, "What do you think about Percival?"
"Very big." Merlin scoffed.
"Does that make him a traitor?" Arthur tested, opening the cupboard and fetching his shirt. Raising a confused eyebrow at the look of shock on Merlin's face as he walked away.
"I know you think I can't find my own clothes but really Merlin." He laughed as he slipped behind the screen to change.
"Percival has been loyal to us, plus Cenred's army killed his family, he hates Morgana." Arthur mused, "It's wrong for me to suspect him."
There was a quick snapping sound, like an arrow hitting wood and Arthur looked out to see Merlin standing nervously by his bedpost with something behind his back.
"Are you alright?" Arthur asked, "You've been acting strange, and what was that noise?"
"Nothing, get your ears checked." Merlin snapped.
"Alright, alright." Arthur held up his hands in mock surrender and gathered his belt.
"Grab my ceremonial sword would you?"
"Ceremonial sword…yes that'll do it." He heard Merlin mutter to himself from behind his back.
"You know, sometimes I think you're the only one I can trust Merlin." Arthur sighed sadly, "After Morgana's betrayal and fathers…illness."
"Arthur!" Gwen exclaimed, it was unlike her to burst in without asking.
"Gwen." He smiled stepping to the side, he was about to ask her what was wrong when there was a heavy thump and Merlin was sprawled out on the ground. It didn't take a genius to see he'd just run into the stone pillar at Arthur's side at full force.
He began to stir and Arthur went to offer him a hand but froze when to his complete surprise, Gwen picked up a nearby bucket and smashed it against Merlin's skull. Knocking him out again.
"Gwen what is the meaning of this?" He cried, "Why did you attack him?"
"He was about to cut your head off with a sword." He replied breathing heavily.
"What! That's preposterous!" Arthur yelled, "Merlin would never-"
"Hurt you?" Gaius finished, as he entered, "Not in his right mind no."
"What are you two on about?" The future king exclaimed feeling thoroughly out of the loop.
…
They slumped Merlin over a chair and Gaius examined his neck, Arthur made a face when he saw a deep black shadows moving underneath his brothers skin like a worm.
"I thought as much." Gaius murmured.
"What is it?" Gwen asked.
"A Fomorroh." Gaius replied, "In the days of the old religion they were used by the dark priests to control people's minds. Somebody with a high skill for magic has inserted it into Merlin and is using to complete a task, that task appears to be to kill you, Arthur."
"We all know who could of done it." Arthur growled, "Morgana turned my own brother against me!"
"Relax Arthur," Gaius soothed picking up a knife, "I will remove it and then Merlin will be back to his old self."
The physician dabbed the prince's neck until the shadow stopped moving, paralysed by whatever the cloth had been soaked in. The king looked away as Gaius dug the knife into Merlin's neck and after a few minutes, extracted the head of what appeared to be a snake. Gwen gagged.
"Is that it?" She asked.
"I believe so." Gaius sighed, "Let's wait until he wakes up but I believe he is healthy."
…
While his brother rested Arthur spent the day speaking to councillors and members of parliament in an effort to discover whom this traitor was. Eventually he had no choice but to call upon his uncle.
"Uncle, you and three other members of my council were aware of the treaty." Arthur said simple, no beating around the bush, "It brings me no pleasure to suspect you."
"Arthur you cannot seriously believe that I would betray you!" His uncle exclaimed.
"As I said it brings me no pleasure, but none the less you are a suspect." Arthur sighed.
"Let me give you less reason to doubt me." Agravaine replied gently, "You are all that is left of my dear sister, your mother. Betraying you would be betrayed her, and that I could never do."
He looked at his Uncles face, he seemed sincere and he was right. Though he had seen little of Agravaine he knew that he loved his mother dearly. His father, that was another matter but he was always civil at least.
"And remember, it was your brother who you discussed routes with." Agravaine added.
"Merlin hated the route, he complained the entire way." Arthur defended.
"Did he do that because he hated the route or because he knew that something was waiting there for you?"
"Uncle this is ridiculous, Merlin is as loyal as they come. I will not have you speaking about him this way!"
…
"Rise and shine!"
The peacefully dark room was suddenly flooded with light, Arthur groaned and opened his eyes. Merlin was grinning at him.
"Merlin!" He growled throwing a pillow at him, "Where's Turner?"
"I told him to go get your breakfast and give me the honour of waking you!" Merlin smiled.
"Yay." Replied Arthur flatly getting out of bed, "You're feeling better then?"
"Oh yes!" Merlin replied, as he passed Arthur a goblet of water, "Never better!"
Arthur smiled, it really did seem like his brother was back at least that's what he thought until Merlin turned and he spotted the moving black mark on his neck. The goblet froze halfway to his lips. Uh oh.
Quietly he stood and discreetly poured the water out the window, better safe than sorry.
"Forgive me for this Merlin." He sighed.
The young prince turned around just in time for Arthur to bring the goblet down on his head.
Arthur's POV as promised! This is my only story now that I've finished the others I was working on. But I still have Mid term exams to work on so I will not be super fast.