Chapter 4

Warning/s: A bit of pain description. Gwaine…just Gwaine.

A/N: Right. I meant to mention in the last chapter about how this story ISN'T Mergana…but guess who keeps forgetting to put stuff in her author's notes?

*facepalm*

And I know this is really short, and you guys do deserve better, but the one after this is pretty long, and you can't be too mad at me because…

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY :D

So there. You can't be mean to the birthday girl.

So, in the traditional Hobbit style of giving away presents on your birthday, here is chapter 4…

Disclaimer: I so totally own Merlin…series 5 on DVD. Guess who got it today from her grandparents?

A crippling pain shot through his stomach like a bolt of lightning. It left behind a trail of poisoned fire, slowly burning him from the inside out. The flames licked at his brain, boiling it until he could no longer think straight. Cramps started in his lower legs and fingers; his arms began to seize up and refused to move where he commanded them.

Morgana watched him writhe with a smile that gave him the final clue he needed.

"Your lipstick," Merlin gasped. "It's poison?"

"Not lethal, so don't fret," Morgana cooed. Her smile vanished and her face became emotionless once more. "Just so painful you'll wish it was lethal." When he failed to respond, she quipped, "Have nothing to say?"

Merlin couldn't find the strength to make any kind of retort.

Upon seeing that she failed to get anything from him, Morgana called in annoyance, "Guards! Take him to the dungeons." She exited the room, calling over her shoulder, "Don't be afraid to be too rough."

"Merlin!" Gwaine called, sprinting up to the servant in terror. "Hide me!"

The startled man replied, "What? Why? Gwaine, what have you done?"

"I may or may not have dyed the King's ceremonial shirt bright pink…"

Merlin sighed in exasperation. "Gwaine…" He rubbed his hands over his face and then groaned in defeat. "Fine. I give up." Juggling the two trays he was holding so they were both balanced on one arm, he grabbed an empty wicker basket and slid it down to his elbow, then picked up a bundle of herbs lying on a table in the kitchen. "Follow me."

"MERLIN!" Arthur yelled, stomping into Gaius's chambers with a wad of bright pink material thrown over his arm.

Merlin turned round with an innocent expression on his face. "Yes, sire?"

Arthur eyed him curiously and then said, "Have you seen Gwaine, by any chance?"

"No…why, what's he done?"

"Dyed my ceremonial shirt pink, and we have those nobles arriving in less than an hour. Sort it, will you?" Arthur didn't wait for a reply and threw his shirt at Merlin's face.

"Of course, sire," Merlin called after him as he stormed out back into the corridor.

"That was close," Gwaine laughed, clambering out of one of the many barrels and casting oats all over the floor.

"If Arthur finds you before I've managed to fix this," Merlin warned, "you will die. Death will occur."

"Which is why he won't. Cheers, Merlin!" Gwaine said jovially, heading towards the door. He opened it to find Arthur about to enter again, and paled.

"Gwaine!" Arthur yelled, backing Gwaine into the room.

"Thanks for everything, Merlin, but I've gotta dash!" Gwaine dodged past Arthur and out into the castle.

The pain had subsided to a dull, throbbing ache in his stomach. It was constantly there and constantly painful but at least it was not as strong as it had been.

For Merlin it was a tolerable pain and more of a nuisance than anything else. At least he could bear to move and think now.

A/N: Review please? *bats eyelids* Especially because it's my birthday! You know, grand old age of 14…I need to start doing stuff with my life now, I'm seriously having an existential crisis.

Thanks to my lovely beta :)