"Ic us bisen hræð tán hwanon," Merlin whispered, holding his hand over the empty slip of parchment he'd found among Agravaine's abandoned possessions. Suddenly, the blank surface began to fill with line after line of Morgana's harsh, yet elegant script.
Appropriate, he mused sadly to himself, his eyes filling with unbidden tears as he remembered performing the same action on Lancelot's behalf for another reason entirely.
Then again, was it so different? No, the purpose behind his intervention hadn't changed. It was the deep desire for the world to see Lancelot as he truly was... or as he had been. Sir Lancelot – faithful, honorable, unselfish, and so very brave.
This will make it right, he swore to himself as he studied the forged letter in his hands. When this is discovered, they'll know the truth.
He pulled out a second sheet of parchment, and then a third, repeating the familiar spell until the pages were filled. Satisfied, he sank back on his heels to check over his handiwork.
Agravaine,
The spell is complete. I've resurrected Lancelot as a shade, and as we speak, he's on his way to Camelot under the thrall of my command.
Agravaine, you must remember that this man is merely a shadow of who he once was, and has no memory of his former life. Although I've done my best to fill his head with the necessary information, he is a ghost, a phantom, incapable of human emotion or free will. Therefore, you must guide him, and make sure to intervene on his behalf if anyone becomes suspicious of his motives.
Do not fail me, Agravaine. I will not see Guinevere seated upon my throne.
Morgana
My Lady Morgana,
The servant girl is proving to be more of a challenge than we expected. It seems she truly loves Arthur, for she reacts to our Lancelot with nothing more than distant politeness.
I believe the enchantment you have prepared to be a necessary measure, my lady. I will meet you at our appointed time and place, to ensure that it is carried out according to your specifications.
Your loyal servant,
Agravaine
Lancelot,
You've done well in your task. I have no further use for your services, save one. You are to end your life by suicide – a dishonorable end to a dishonorable man. Nothing will pain my dear brother more, save what has already been done.
Agravaine will provide you with the means by which my instructions should be carried out. See to it without further delay.
Morgana
The cruel words pained Merlin deeply, knowing his version must be close to the truth of what had happened. He had to take a moment to collect himself before tucking the letters away in the box, locking it again with a shaky word. When he reached the doorway, his eyes carefully searched the empty corridor before he turned back and murmured a different incantation.
Wrinkling his nose in disgust as a swarm of large, stinking bugs began to invade the chamber, Merlin let out a chuckle of triumph. He'd done it.
To his immense frustration, it took Arthur nearly three days to comment on the malodorous smell. It was a testament to how wary the other occupants of the palace were to mention Agravaine's name in the king's presence that they said nothing, even as they walked around with a permanent look of revulsion on their faces.
"I'll need you to polish my armor, then scrub the floors and then... what on earth is that awful smell? Have you forgotten to bathe again, Merlin?"
"Sire, I believe the odor is coming from your uncle's former chambers," Merlin said, both nervous and relieved now that the moment had come. "It's stronger outside his door than it is in any other area of the palace."
"Didn't I tell you never to mention him again?"
"You asked! What do you want me to say?"
"Search the castle," Arthur said shortly. "Find and get rid of it, whatever it is. The smell is going to put me off my lunch."
Unable to help himself, Merlin snorted and muttered under his breath. "Of course, sire. Can't see you miss a meal, with the way you're underfed."
Arthur took a step closer, glaring at him suspiciously. "What did you say?"
Merlin cleared his throat and spoke more loudly. "I said I'll see to it immediately, and that it must be something dead."
"Oh. Yeah, you're probably right."
Merlin had the bugs contained and the box in his possession in under ten minutes. He couldn't present his findings so quickly without arousing suspicion, however, so he idled around the castle, lighting fragrant rushes to chase the last of the odor away. After he'd finished, he stopped by to pay a visit to Gwen.
Queen Guinevere opened the door to her sumptuous chambers, which were separated from Arthur's by a heavy brocade curtain. "Merlin!" she exclaimed, smiling happily as she realized it was her old friend who had come to visit. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"My Queen," he said with a grin, giving a respectful bow.
Gwen rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. "Don't be silly. Come in!"
Merlin followed her into the lovely room, reflecting on how much her life had changed since the day he'd met her – a shy, simple serving girl that bore little resemblance to the strong, confident woman she'd become. And yet, the essence of who she was, her sweetness, kind nature and open honesty, were just the same as they'd always been. She'd make a great queen, and a wonderful wife for Arthur.
The thought made him feel warm inside and now more than ever, he knew without a shred of doubt he was doing the right thing.
"What's in the box?"
"Um, I'll tell you in a minute," he said awkwardly, not quite sure how to broach the subject. "Can we sit down?"
Belatedly, he realized it was far from proper protocol for a servant to ask a queen for a seat at her table, as if he were a noble guest who might expect such an honor. Gwen didn't seem to notice, however, and if she did, it was obvious she didn't care. She only smiled, ushering him to the elegantly gilded table that was situated by the window.
"Shall I call for some refreshments?" she said with a mischievous grin. "Perhaps some lovely desserts? Every servant should know what it feels like to be waited on for a change. I'm ashamed to admit I've been enjoying the privilege a little more than I should be."
He looked at her fondly as she poured him a glass of wine. "You've worked hard all your life, Gwen. You deserve to relax and be taken care of, don't you think?"
She leaned closer with a twinkle in her eye. "It's maddening! I don't know what to do with myself! Arthur insists I mustn't lift a finger to take care of the laundry, or cook, or wash the windows and I... I'm bored out of my mind! It's no wonder so many of these royals look so sour, with nothing to do all day but eat and drink while counting the cracks in the walls."
Merlin burst out laughing, a merry sound that was quickly joined by Gwen's helpless giggles.
"R-Remember that one with the red hair?" she barely managed to sputter out. "The one from Mercia who came for a visit during one of the tournaments a couple years ago? What was her name... Lady Alina?"
Merlin affected a pinched, haughty looking expression, which brought on a fresh round of mirth. Gwen let out a loud snort between gales of laughter and then looked abashed, pressing her lips tightly together in a valiant effort to regain composure.
"Forgive me," she said as solemnly as she could manage. "That was undignified."
"Not half as undignified as Lady Alina ordering you to pluck the hair from her upper lip!"
"Merlin!" she gasped in amused surprise. "How did you know about that?"
"B-Because she visited Gaius that night for a remedy, claiming some incompetent serving girl had botched the job so badly that she... she..." he broke off with another howl of laughter.
"What on earth is going on in here?" demanded a suspicious voice from the doorway. They jumped in surprise, turning in their chairs to face a stern looking Arthur.
Gwen wiped all traces of amusement from her face, then stood up to greet her husband. "Merlin just stopped by for a visit. We were sharing some memories."
"Merlin should be busy with his chores. He should know better than to..."
"To spend a little time with an old friend? To make the queen happy?"
Arthur opened and closed his mouth several times, as if he didn't know how to deal with the situation. "Guinevere, I know you're fond of him," he finally told her in a placating voice. "But he has a job to do. He can't just..."
"Stop by in the middle of the day, when he should be off polishing your armor or performing whatever menial tasks you demand of him?"
"Well, yes," he said, looking flustered. "Besides, you know it isn't proper. Not that I mind if he's a servant, of course, but some people might think..."
"Arthur, you married a servant. Surely the kingdom isn't going to fall apart if the queen chooses to share a little conversation with one. Besides, there are dozens of pages and serving boys lounging about the castle. Your armor isn't going to rust over if you give Merlin a break every now and again."
"Well," the king faltered in the face of his new wife's stern observations. "He should have asked for permission first. That's all I meant."
"He already has permission," Gwen countered sweetly, reaching up to wind her arms around his neck. "From me. Didn't you encourage me to speak up, Arthur? Weren't you the one who said I was queen now, and that my wishes should be obeyed without question?"
If Arthur had any further objection, it was melted away by the soft kiss she planted on his jaw. All was serene for a time, until his eyes shifted from her to Merlin, and then to the mysterious box that sat forgotten in an empty chair.
He raised a curious eyebrow. "What's that?"