It's here! Sorry it took so long. Thank you to all those who gave us feedback, both positive and negative.
For those you that are frustrated about the LotS crew and Merlin protagonists not understanding each other: We are starting to create fluctuations in their opinions about each other. These fluctuations range from getting close to the truth, to even more dreadful misconceptions. Do not expect them to suddenly get hunky-dory with each other. This will be a long process, especially since we are enamored with dramatic irony.
Also, at some point as we were writing this, something strange happened. Fern demanded to see her the moment I had time (no, that's not the strange part). I go into her room, and she hands me a bandanna. She then told me to gag her because she wanted to get some phonetics right. Should I be worried? No, because I'd do it again!:) Case. End. Point. Anyway, those sounds of the gagged person are exactly what I heard from Fern. (Yes, I complied with a psycho lady.)
P.S. NO SLASH
"Gwen, you work so hard," Morgana feigned a smile.
Gwen nodded tersely, "It's nothing, my lady."
Morgana gently caught Gwen's wrist gently. "You do yourself injustice. How about the day off?"
Gwen gave Morgana a terrified smile. The last time Morgana offered time off, she did so with the intention to do magic. Gwen remembered hiding behind the screen and witnessing a horror. She still wasn't sure exactly what she'd seen. However, Gaius had confirmed her suspicions. Morgana had changed, and not for the better.
"Thank you. Would you like me to lay out anything for you before I leave?" Gwen asked.
"That won't be necessary."
"Of course."
Gwen curtsied. She left and headed for Gaius', even though she knew that there probably wasn't anything either of them could do about Morgana.
Zedd, Richard, and Cara stood in the midst of a small band of soldiers. These men owed there allegiance to a neighboring king known as Cenred. Apparently Morgana's sister was well connected.
Cenred's men were dressed like a bunch of thugs. Richard had to keep reminding himself that most of the soldiers had been hiding for months as spies. Or so their captain said. Richard didn't like that man. He didn't know know why.
The captain approached Richard. "We're expecting more men to arrive in the next day or so," he informed.
Richard nodded in acknowledgment.
The captain leaned toward Richard. "You'd better hope that little lady can do what you say she can," the captain hissed.
Richard flushed angrily. "Kahlan is very capable."
"I have a reputation hanging on whether the citadel is ready to be taken upon King Cenred's arrival," the captain pressed as though his words should have carried some weight.
Richard was disgusted. Was this man's priorities really so misplaced? Or was it just a front?
"Your 'reputation' as far as Kahlan is concerned is safe. The rest of your 'reputation,' however, depends on you and your ability to put your men into position," Richard replied crossly.
If this plan didn't work, more was at stake than some captain's reputation.
"Come," Morgana said, "Arthur should be alone right now."
Morgana had done extensive inquiries on Arthur's patrol route. None seemed accurate so far. However, Morgana was confident Arthur would be here this time. She had always thought that the informant of this location was the most reliable of her list of informants. He should be on patrol. And alone.
Morgana and Kahlan stood in an empty corridor. Kahlan was disguised as the courtier that had claimed Zedd had thralls. Shortly after dismissing Gwen for the day, Morgana had lured the real courtier into her bedroom with idle talk. After having tricked the courtier into looking into the enchanted mirror, Morgana offered a drugged drink. That courtier was now sleeping behind Morgana's screen. She wouldn't wake until Zedd lifted the spell purposefully. Morgana figured that the woman was probably brainless enough that no one would miss her. If someone did, playing stupid shouldn't be hard.
Thump, thump, thump. The footsteps echoed towards them.
"Do you think that's him?" Kahlan asked in a hushed voice.
An armored figure appeared from around a corner and marched down the hall. This man was a well trusted knight. But he wasn't Arthur.
What is this? Morgana thought. This wasn't like Arthur. The plan to remove Arthur as a threat revolved around Arthur acting like Arthur. Well, this poor fool would pay for this mistake.
"You," Morgana called in a commanding tone.
"Lady Morgana?" the knight replied. He looked mildly curious.
Kahlan looked behind her to make sure no one was coming.
"Could you tell me where Arthur is?" Morgana asked.
Before he could answer, Kahlan grabbed his neck. Both Kahlan and the knight's eyes turned black. The knight dropped to his knees.
"Command me mistress," the knight said in awe. The first time Morgana saw Kahlan take control, or "confess" as Kahlan called it, she was unnerved. But this was the third time. The shock had worn off.
Kahlan sunk to the ground in exhaustion. "Stand up," she said, "I need information."
The knight stood. "Of course, Mistress." He looked like an eager puppy.
"I was told that the prince was supposed to be patrolling through here," Kahlan said. "Is that information correct?"
"He was going to, Mis—"
"Don't call me 'Mistress,'" Kahlan added quickly just in case somebody walked in while they were talking. "Continue."
"He changed his mind and asked me to do it instead. He was very discrete about it."
"Why?"
"He had something to do that he thought was more important."
"Any ideas what?"
"None."
At that, Kahlan basically ordered the knight to act "normal" until she gave him further orders.
Merlin glowered at Arthur. He was on the verge of humiliating his master by way of magic. Maybe he'd make Arthur bray a little. The only thing stopping Merlin was the thought of Gaius' face. But Merlin wanted to punish Arthur so badly. Today, Arthur's behavior was giving a whole new meaning to the word 'prat.' Merlin clutched his polishing rag and took a deep breath.
"Where are your boots?" Merlin demanded. He couldn't believe he was being forced to ask that. If Arthur thought he could hide his own boots and force Merlin to run about like a mad man looking for them in order to polish them... Either Arthur produced his boots, or Merlin wouldn't polish them.
"It's part of your job to keep track of them," Arthur's voice was filled with mischief, "Look! There's some on my feet."
"I guess that must be the only pair you want polished," Merlin snapped. "If you take them off and hand them to me, I'll polish them."
"I don't have time to take them off. You need to polish them right now."
"Then you don't have time for me to polish your boots," Merlin replied with finality. And you don't have time to sit in here and pester me, Merlin added silently. Arthur had neglected most of his duties today just to act like a brat. Merlin had given up pointing that out hours ago. Why hasn't anyone come to check on Arthur! Why was Arthur suddenly behaving so negligent? Arthur could be looking for the crazy crew. Was he? No! Arthur had spent most of the day bothering Merlin!
Merlin sighed and moved on to complete other chores. He would polish Arthur's boots when that prat started being more reasonable. Merlin wondered if Arthur's ridiculousness had anything to do with Merlin not running to help last night when the warning bell sounded. Things like that normally upset Arthur. However, Merlin didn't think the extra prattish-ness had anything to do with last night's warning bell. First, Arthur wasn't overly demanding when he asked why Merlin didn't come. Then, Arthur didn't even berate Merlin about laziness and uselessness after Merlin explained that he didn't hear the bell. (Merlin didn't mention that he suspected Gaius had drugged him just in case.) Instead, there was a look of... shocked understanding. Merlin only got a glimpse of it, but he was almost certain he saw it.
Thump!
Merlin whirled around. Arthur was trying, and failing, to look innocent. A chair was lying on its side. Arthur had 'accidentally-on-purpose' knocked over yet another chair. That was the final straw.
"I'm not picking that up." Merlin strode to the door.
"Where are you going?" Arthur asked in surprise.
"To muck out the stables."
Arthur grinned in triumph as Merlin stormed out of the room. Nobody ever volunteered to clean the stables. Merlin least of all. Merlin, being enchanted, was most likely using the stables as an excuse to visit the escaped sorcerers. Arthur would follow and then force them to release their hold on Merlin. Arthur would happily kill them if he had to.
Arthur poked his head out the door in time to see Merlin turn a corner. Arthur quickly crept down the hall to keep Merlin in sight. Arthur straightened at the sight of a passerby. From then on he struggled to not look conspicuously like he was following his own servant.
Merlin was just as ornery as he normally would have gotten about Arthur's behavior... maybe even a little more so. But then, Arthur was being more obnoxious than usual, and Merlin was still aching from a broken rib. However, that really didn't matter considering that Arthur didn't know how the mind control worked. Was it constant? Or could they flip it on or off whenever they wanted? Then, whether they were constantly in control or not, did they just influence some of his thoughts? Or did they control his every action?
Arthur had been suspecting that Merlin was helping the sorcerers against his will. Arthur wasn't certain until the events of last night. Someone broke into the vaults and stole the witch's sticks. This person had done so without forcing the lock... and without stealing Arthur's keys. At first, Arthur had thought Merlin stole only one key. But then Arthur carefully counted the keys. None were missing. Maybe Merlin didn't steal a key. He wouldn't have to. He could have made an impression in something. That had to be why Merlin took so long on some of his errands yesterday. To top it off, Arthur didn't see Merlin last night after the warning bell sounded. Most people cowered in a corner upon hearing the bell. But not Merlin. That man always rushed to Arthur's side. Merlin being the thief would explain why he "didn't hear it."
As Arthur snuck (while trying to not look like it) several paces behind Merlin, he wondered if Merlin was telling the truth about not hearing the bell last night. Maybe the sorcerers could take complete control for periods of time, leaving the victim with no memory of the event.
Arthur reached the citadel entrance. Merlin was already outside. Arthur cautiously poked his head outside. No sign of Merlin. Arthur raced out the door and halted half way down the steps.
He bit back a curse. He had lost him. How had he lost track of his injured manservant? Fine. Change of plans. Arthur ground his teeth and stomped to the stables. He would wait in the stables for a period of time. Probably a fairly short period of time. Then, once Merlin returns, Arthur will ask where Merlin had really gone. Arthur would use having gone to the stables and waited as evidence against whatever lie Merlin would try.
Arthur burst into the stables. He froze. What he was seeing couldn't be true.
Merlin was mucking out the stables.
Merlin closed his eyes and turned away from Arthur in frustration. What did that royal prat want now? Merlin had been even willing to work in the stables to avoid Arthur. Then, hopefully Arthur would be doing something useful (preferably away from his room) when Merlin returned from the stables. But no, Arthur was determined to cause Merlin as much pain as possible.
Turning back to Arthur, Merlin said tartly, "Do you want me to ready your horse, Dollophead? Or are you just trying to make this job harder too?"
Dollophead? At least Arthur could be certain Merlin wasn't being controlled right now. But then again, Arthur couldn't be certain of how much of Merlin's behavior was influenced by the enchantment, or if these sorcerers could have found out that Merlin speaks like that to his master.
"No, I just wanted to make sure you were actually working," Arthur replied.
"Yes, I work," Merlin snarled, "Unlike you."
"I beg your pardon, Merlin."
"Have you done anything today? Anything other than harass me? Oh," Merlin paused as though suddenly remembering something, "you've eaten. How many duties have you neglected?" Merlin pointed his filthy pitchfork at Arthur.
"Get that out of my face!"
Merlin ignored Arthur and continued, "Yes, you might want a day off occasionally. I understand that. But of all days, you choose today."
"Merlin," Arthur cut in firmly.
"Did you know that a pack of insane sorcerers are threatening Camelot right now?"
"Merlin," Arthur said more forcefully this time.
"But what are you doing? Preventing your servant from getting anything done. What—"
"Merlin! Shut. Up. And put that down!"
Merlin stabbed a pile of hay and dung. He stared at Arthur fiercely.
"Is it so bad that I wanted to check on you?" Arthur asked, trying to sound innocent.
"Check on me? Do I need to fling dung at you?"
"I'll put you in the stocks if you do that."
"It'd be worth it. I'd be away you. And, maybe you would realize that you have more important things to do."
"I was going to go for a ride. But on second thought, I think I'll stay here and supervise your work."
Merlin grabbed the pitchfork and scooped a heap of dung. He positioned himself to be ready to fire at the moment of provocation.
"You wouldn't," Arthur stated.
"Go away."
"What if someone else, like say my father, saw you. You could get a lot worse than the stocks. You could get beaten."
"What?" Merlin thrust down the pitchfork and pointed at his broken rib. "Are you going to give me another one these?" Then, while still pointing to his broken rib, Merlin pointed to the other side of his rib cage, saying, "Maybe you'll make my other side match!"
Arthur looked stung. He would never do that. He only broke Merlin's rib to save Merlin's life. Arthur hadn't even meant to break any part of Merlin. Arthur had been suggesting that he might not be able to stop his father from arranging for Merlin to be beaten... or killed.
"Fine," Arthur threw his hands up, "Fine. Get my horse ready."
What else could Arthur do? He didn't have anything else to do after having delegated all his duties for the day.
Morgana and Kahlan walked about the castle, hoping to figure out what Arthur was doing instead of his usual duties. And if they needed to stop him. They wandered outside near the stables. The stable door was open. Two men were standing inside and arguing. Neither of the women were close enough to hear anything said.
"There he is," Kahlan said, referring to Arthur who was arguing with none other than his manservant.
Morgana turned just in time to see Merlin point a disgusting pitchfork at Arthur's face. "Do you think Arthur is about to have horse droppings on him?" Morgana asked nonchalantly. She unconsciously edged forward, hoping to catch some of the conversation even though that was impossible at this distance. She wondered if they would be able to get close enough to eavesdrop unnoticed.
"I doubt it. Merlin seems to idolize his master too much for that." As Kahlan spoke, a part of her doubted her own words. Why was Merlin shoving dung in Arthur's face anyway? This behavior didn't fit quite right with what Kahlan knew about Merlin.
Morgana snorted. Did Kahlan really think Merlin idolized... anyone? He respects Gaius. He is loyal to Arthur. But idolize? Never. Morgana was familiar with Arthur's complaints about Merlin's insolence. She didn't hear about it nearly as often as she used to, but she still heard about it from time to time.
"What?" Kahlan asked, looking startled "He clearly isn't very intelligent. I think he just blindly follows Arthur," Kahlan said in a voice filled with pity. However, doubt continued to prick the back of her mind. Merlin being an idiot could explain why he would poke a pitchfork in his master's face. But then, if he's so blindly subservient, why would he threaten his master? Such an action spoke of free thinking, or at least some sort of strong dissatisfaction—including the irrational kind—of the circumstances.
"Don't let him fool you," Morgana spoke with pure hatred, "Yes, he's loyal to Arthur. But I've learned the hard way that he only plays the fool." Merlin. The man who promised to keep her secret safe. He realized what was happening in Camelot—proof that he isn't an idiot. He kept his promise; he didn't reveal her secret. But he used Morgana's trust against her. He betrayed her. Even if he didn't break his promise, he betrayed her.
"What do you mean?" The contempt in Morgana's voice shocked Kahlan. There was clearly more to this story.
"Merlin is smart enough to be a problem. And Arthur trusts him more than he trusts most people," Morgana said coldly.
"I doubt that could possibly be true..." Kahlan replied in confusion. Morgana's words did not line up with everything Kahlan had heard about the crowned prince. Or of what she had heard and seen of Merlin. However, Merlin seemed very comfortable expressing his feelings right now. He was even in the posture to toss the dung right now. Seeing that did echo truth to Morgana's words. Kahlan didn't know what to think about this revelation. Nothing seemed to properly fit together anymore. She was obviously missing a piece of the puzzle. She suddenly wanted time alone to ponder the conflicting information. She wanted to return to the woods and discuss everything with her companions. She couldn't do that now though.
Merlin threw down his pitchfork. He pointed to one side of his chest ostentatiously, then the other. It looked strange. Why would someone point to both sides of his chest like that? Arthur flung both of his arms in the air in exasperation. Merlin strode over to one of the horses and readied it. He slammed the reins into his master's hands. Arthur scowled at Merlin and galloped out of the stable. Morgana and Kahlan raced to follow him.
As they ran Kahlan asked, "What do you think that was about?" She was resigned to the fact that she clearly didn't fully understand the situation.
"I'd say that whatever Arthur has in mind, Merlin doesn't like it," Morgana said shrewdly. She silently speculated that, whatever it was, Uther wouldn't approve. Too bad she didn't know what it was. It had to be a truly insane plan for Merlin to be so violently opposed to it. She knew that Arthur had convinced Merlin to participate in numerous mad plans in the past. If only she knew what they were up to, perhaps she could get them caught. Uther could do her work for her. Arthur's plan was already foiling her plans. She had a feeling that it would continue to make catching Arthur difficult.
They were barely able to keep sight of Arthur. He dismounted just when they thought they'd lose him. They found themselves in the market. Arthur purchased a rope. Then he remounted and galloped away. The women didn't bother chasing him this time. It was hopeless.
Why did Arthur buy rope? This question particularly bothered Morgana. As crown prince, Arthur had access to whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. That definitely included rope. Nobody in the citadel would question Arthur wanting rope. Why did he bother buying it?
After cleaning the stables, Merlin managed to get five minutes worth of work in. Then Arthur returned. His eyes were gleaming with mischief. Merlin's heart sank. He could see by the look on Arthur's face that he hadn't given up on the torture-Merlin-as-much-as-possible ambition.
Merlin tried to figure out why Arthur was acting more (than usual) like an overgrown child. Arthur was running low on sleep lately. Could that be it? No, this wasn't the first time Merlin had dealt with a sleep deprived Arthur. The lack of sleep was probably aiding Arthur in being a menace, but it wouldn't be the whole reason. Enchanted? Unlikely. Arthur's actions didn't seem quite consistent with that. Nervous breakdown? Merlin hoped not! What could he do to fix that? Avoiding Uther? That was so unlikely, it was laughable. It didn't sound like Arthur. Besides, his behavior was liable to create the opposite effect. Harebrained plan? Maybe. Merlin couldn't decide the exact likelihood of that.
Merlin shook his head irritably. He couldn't make heads or tails of the whole ordeal.
The time for Arthur to retire to bed couldn't come soon enough.
Arthur waited a few minutes after Merlin left. Then Arthur leapt out of bed and threw his clothes back on. He grabbed his sword and the rope he had purchased earlier that day, around when he realized Merlin might be controlled in his sleep. Arthur bolted after Merlin. Arthur would follow Merlin back to Gaius', then wait for Merlin to emerge in his sleep.
It didn't take long for Arthur to catch up with Merlin. Arthur followed at a long distance. Occasionally, Merlin would stop, look around warily (forcing Arthur to duck out of sight), then shrug and continue on. This continued until Arthur realized that Merlin was no longer walking in the direction of Gaius' chambers. Maybe Merlin didn't need to fall asleep first to suffer from the effects of the enchantment.
After stalking Merlin through a few more corridors, Arthur decided to pounce. He locked his manservant's arms behind his back.
Merlin yelped in surprise. He couldn't see who his assailant was. He struggled helplessly against the force pinning him to the ground. Even if he didn't have a broken rib, the attacker was much stronger than him. Should he resort to magic? One wrong move would be disastrous. If the attacker was Arthur or someone like him, then not only was using magic (probably) unnecessary, but would also cause Merlin's death. If it was the crazy crew, he'd get a fate worse than death if he didn't act fast enough.
Merlin strained to see who it was. He tried to at least see if there was a way to inconspicuously use magic. A way to buy him time and a look at the assailant. Suddenly, Merlin felt his neckerchief being removed from his neck and shoved into his mouth. Somehow, that seemed like insult to injury. He was roughly pulled to his feet and pushed into a nearby room. He was quickly thrust into and strapped to a chair. Merlin could finally see his attacker.
"Afa!" Merlin's voice was muffled by his own neckerchief. "Wha aha huwing?"
Arthur pressed a finger to his lips. Merlin rolled his eyes. Is this really happening? Merlin thought. What was Arthur afraid of anyway? Someone walking in? Someone would probably think, 'Oh, Prince Arthur must be punishing his servant. That's nice,' and then walk off unconcerned.
Arthur untied the neckerchief and dropped it into Merlin's lap.
"What are you doing?" Merlin demanded.
"I'm the one asking questions here," Arthur said in an authoritative voice which earned an exasperated look from Merlin.
"Yeah," Merlin said blandly, "what are you—"
"What are you up to?" Arthur interrogated.
Merlin wasn't sure he heard that right. "What?"
"You heard me. What were you doing?"
"Chores?" Merlin gave Arthur a concerned look.
"Don't lie to me."
"Lie to you? Arthur," Merlin said slowly, "some of the chores you gave me require me to work right now. And, some I have to do because you wouldn't let me do them earlier, Dollophead. For example..." Merlin rattled off a long list of chores.
After Merlin had named about third chore on the list, Arthur began to feel like an idiot. "Sorry," Arthur said sheepishly. He quickly untied Merlin.
Merlin wasted no time in leaving. To Merlin's dismay, Arthur followed.
"What!" Merlin almost yelled. "Never mind. I don't want to know." If this was what Arthur wanted to do, fine. Merlin would have to just bore out that idiot. He would pretend Arthur wasn't there. Eventually, that clotpole would get bored and leave.
Merlin finished his to walk to his first chore. He started scrubbing dishes. Before long, Arthur left the room. But every few minutes he would whip his head back in. Merlin wished Arthur wouldn't. It was making the hair rise on the back of his neck.
It was three hours later. Arthur was still hoping to catch 'Merlin,' to no avail. Leaving and suddenly coming back didn't work no matter how many times he tried. He eventually quit that tactic. It was probably too obvious. Enchanted Merlin wouldn't dare try to pull anything right now when he knows he's being watched.
Merlin had ignored Arthur the entire time. Now he was returning to Gaius' chambers, presumably to go to bed. Back to the sleep control theory. Arthur decided to patrol the corridors Merlin would have to cross to leave Gaius' chambers. He wouldn't stand directly outside the door just in case Gaius had to leave and help someone in the middle of the night. It would probably give the poor old man heart failure. However, Arthur would still know if 'Merlin' got up in the night.
Morgana peaked outside her room. A patrol marched by. She waited until it turned a corner.
"It's clear!" she whispered urgently.
Morgana and Kahlan quickly shuffled into the hall. They dragged the courtier Kahlan was disguised as behind the nearest tapestry. After walking to and fro, observing the hiding spot from different angles, Kahlan nodded in satisfaction. Nobody would see the sleeping courtier unless the tapestry was pulled away.
Morgana and Kahlan slipped through the halls toward Arthur's chambers. Arthur would have been in bed hours ago. And nobody would be there to protect him from confession. Arthur couldn't (at least certainly wouldn't) delegate sleeping in his bed. However, despite that knowledge, a small part of both women expected to find a random knight when they snuck into his room.
There was no knight this time. And no Arthur either.
"Where is he?" Kahlan asked, "Do you think..."
"That he's doing whatever it was Merlin didn't want to do? Yes. I also think Merlin is out of bed, helping him," Morgana replied. What was Arthur doing? The rope wasn't enough of a clue. He could want to do any number of things with that. Then she realized something else.
"Oh no," Morgana lamented. She placed her palm on her face. "This is my fault."
"It couldn't be your fault," Kahlan said soothingly.
"No, it is. I gave my maidservant, Gwen, the day off. Arthur must have found out." Morgana's voice then turned hopeful, "She doesn't have the day off tomorrow though. We can catch him then."
Kahlan mulled over events of the day as she returned to the woods. She felt a lump in her throat. There was so much to tell her companions. She pitied the poor maidservant.
Please review. It helps our writing.
Also, we will take a short detour to write the first chapter of a Merlin fanfic. It's been decided that we will alternate between writing chapters for this crossover and another fic. Alternating like this will help us write the chapters faster and focus more easily as we're writing them.