Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Three: Making plans.
Arthur, Gwen, Isolde, the Knight's, Gaius, Alice and Merlin were gathered around the table in Arthur's chambers. A map was spread over the surface of the table and a couple of smaller maps and papers lay around the edge.
Alice and Gaius were both fussing over Merlin. Gaius was sure the arrow had been tipped with poison but so far Merlin was showing no signs of being poisoned. Alice had successfully healed Merlin's shoulder, as Merlin still hadn't quite mastered healing himself.
He could heal anyone else with no trouble at all, but when it came to healing himself he just couldn't get it quite right. It usually wasn't a problem, as Merlin magic often healed injuries automatically. Gaius was probably right, the arrow was poisoned, it would explain why the injury didn't heal like it normally would.
"Rodor is taking refuge here, by the ancient tomb of King Loath," Arthur explains, pointing to a location on the map on the table. "That's three leagues from our border."
"Can Mithian lead us there?" Leon asks.
"She is recovering well." Gaius answers, turning his attention away from Merlin. "But she still needs more rest."
Alice and Merlin share a knowing glance.
"Now, our only chance of getting Rodor back are with speed and stealth." Arthur nodes. "With just a small group of knights and Mithian to lead us."
"And be over the border and back again in a matter of hours." Elyan adds.
"Exactly." Arthur agrees.
"Sire," Gaius speaks up. "If I may?"
"Yes Gaius." Arthur waves Gaius to continue.
"Odin has long been after your blood," Gaius points out. "If he finds out about this, you could have an entire army at your backs."
"That's true," Arthur nodes. "But Odin doesn't know where Rodor is and we do. By the time he has realised what has happened, we'll be long gone."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Merlin cuts in. "As I've already explained Mithian was lying. Odin isn't working alone."
Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose. "Why would she lie to us? What reason could she possible have for lying to us?"
"I never said she was doing it of her own free will," Merlin points out. "I can feel Morgana's magic on her… I'm guessing Morgana and Odin have formed an alliance. My guess is she needs Odin's army, as the Saxons still haven't regrouped and formed a strong hold since Ismere."
"But what would Morgana want with Nemeth?" Tristan spoke up.
"Nothing," Merlin answers. "It's a test."
"A test for what?" Percival asks.
"To see what Odin's army is made of." Gwaine answers, working out what Merlin had been thinking.
Merlin nodes. "My guess is Morgana most likely knows Mithian is here and if Morgana knows Mithian is here, she'll most likely know what Mithian is doing. In turn she'll know your plan, Arthur. You won't have much time to pull this off… If Morgana informs Odin of what you're doing, he won't waste the chance to kill you and that will only work to Morgana's advantage, if he does."
"Then, we'll camp overnight in the forest of Gedriff and leave with the rising sun." Arthur informs the group.
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"Merlin!" Gaius calls, as Merlin headed across the physicians chambers towards the door. "Before you leave could you deliver this to Princess Mithian?"
Merlin turns and glances at the small bottle in Gaius' hand.
"Why can't you do it?" Merlin asks, curiously.
"Alice has gone down to the lower town," Gaius explains. "And I have to stay here in case something happens. Now off you go."
Merlin rolls his eyes and heads out the chamber. He knew he should have left as soon as the meeting was over! He didn't mind doing chores for Gaius and Alice, but now wasn't a good time, King Sarrum could have already declared war and Merlin would have to be there if he did.
But thinking about it, King Sarrum's messenger wouldn't get to their kingdom for days yet even if he had declared war, so Merlin supposed he still had time. Who knew, King Sarrum might even decide to overlook it this one time, however unlikely that was.
Elsewhere in the castle, Mithian watches as Morgana opens a window and casts a spell.
Mithian had no doubt she was summoning her raven, in order to send a message to Odin. Odin had no doubt laid ruin to her and her fathers' kingdom by now, she just hoped her people were safe and had escaped before Odin let his men loose on them.
It was one thing Odin was renowned for, being brutal.
He was almost as feared as King Uthur had been and King Sarrum still was. Only Odin never seemed that interested in wiping all those with magic out of existence. But given the opportunity to claim more land, he'd cut down anyone who stood in his way.
Hence why all kingdoms that shared a border with his kingdom had such heavily fortified borders and were ready for war at a moment's notice. Nemeth's border had been well protected, Odin should never have been able to get past it… No doubt Morgana had been responsible for that success.
As Morgana is busy with the raven she has summoned, Mithian takes a chance and tries to sneak past her. She needed to find Merlin, he was the only one who could help her now. Mithian reaches towards the door handle, when she's suddenly thrown back by magic and is slammed into the edge of the a table on the other side of the room and is forced to grab hold of it to stop herself falling to the floor.
A knock at the door cuts off whatever Morgana was about to say as she forced to re-enchant herself. As soon as her form had changes back to that of Hilda the maid, the door to the room swings open and Merlin stops in.
"Sorry," Merlin apologises, giving Hilda a strange look. "I did knock."
"No need to apologise." Hilda answers.
Merlin forces himself to smile and hold out a small bottle. "Gaius sent me, it's a draught for the princess."
"How thoughtful!" Hilda smiles sweetly. "Thank you, Merlin."
"How did you know-" Merlin begins, before stopping himself and glancing at Mithian. "Good night, Princess. Good night…"
"Hilda." Hilda answers, her smile twitching slightly.
Merlin nodes. "Good night then, Hilda."
As soon as Merlin leaves, Hilda turns to Mithian, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"I would not test me if I were you." Hilda warns. "You would not enjoy the consequences."
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Merlin sat down at the table in Gaius' chambers and rest's his head in his hands, staring at nothing as he's lost in thought.
Alice who was working at one of the benches across the room, studies him as she begins to grind down some herbs needed for a potion she and Gaius would be making later, in preparation for Arthur's mission.
"You got something on your mind," Alice informs Merlin with a knowing look. "What is it? Maybe I can help."
"I don't know, it's just..." Merlin pauses for a second. "There's something not quite right about Hilda."
"Is she ill?" Alice asks. "Should I go and see her?"
"No, it's not like that." Merlin answers. "She's not unwell. You must know what I mean, Alice, you've been around her. There's just something that feels odd about her and I can't work out what it is… But both she and Mithian are surrounded by Morgana's magic."
Alice nodes. "There is indeed something 'off' about her, as you put it. Ever since I first came in contact with Hilda, I have been trying to work out what it is that seems wrong. The only conclusion I can come to is that she is under an enchantment."
"You think Morgana has enchanted her?" Merlin asks.
"It would explain why you can feel so much of Morgana's magic around her and the princess." Alice replies. "That's not all that troubles you."
"You're as bad as Gaius!" Merlin mutters. "It's Mithian… When I delivered the potion, I could see fear in her eyes… Fear like I've never seen her show before and I have seen Mithian face down things that would have knights running for cover… It's not the Mithian I know."
"The Mithian you knew had not been forced to flee her kingdom, or watched her people fall at the hands of King Odin."
"That's not all," Merlin continues to explain. "Something's not right between Mithian and Hilda. Hilda claims she has been Mithian maid for a long time, but I have never once seen her before. The act like strangers…"
"They've both been through a terrible ordeal, Merlin." Alice points out. "Their relationship is bound to be strained. If what I suspect is true and Hilda is enchanted, she won't be acting like her normal self. And just because you have never meet Hilda before, does not mean she wasn't there before."
"I have visited Nemeth many times, Alice." Merlin answers. "I have spoken with Mithian's maid and it wasn't Hilda I spoke with. I have never seen Hilda before, never meet her before, nor heard her even mentioned!"
"Then you must exercise caution," Alice warns Merlin. "If you truly believe Hilda isn't who she tells herself to be, then she is not to be trusted. But be careful, Merlin, if Hilda is a spy for Morgana, she will not hesitate to harm those who get in her way."
Merlin nodes. "I'll be careful."
"Now hurry up," Alice smiles slightly, waving at Merlin to move. "Arthur leaves in the hour and you have work and matter to attend to in your kingdom and supplies to pack."
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Hello, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and sorry it's taken be longer than usual to update. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.