Thank you to all those who have reviewed.
We have a quote that applies to the whole story, but mostly this chapter:
"It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." -A Scandal in Bohemia (Sherlock Holmes)
The characters here need to learn that. But they refuse :P
Enjoy! (And please review.)
Kahlan found the camp in the woods. She ignored the men that looked like thugs and rushed straight for Richard.
"Richard, it's me," Kahlan called out. He wouldn't recognize her in this disguise.
"Kahlan," Richard answered.
They embraced. Kahlan almost collapsed in Richard's arms. She was so exhausted. She had never confessed so many people in one day before. She hated stealing anyone's freewill, but didn't see much of a choice in this case. The land of the living was running out of time.
This new place still baffled her. It wasn't affected by the tear in the veil, unlike the rest of the land of the living. She wondered how it was protected. Or was this even the land of the living? Of course it had to be. It was a part of it. Somehow. Somewhere. This certainly wasn't the underworld.
"Kahlan are you alright?" Richard asked tenderly.
"I have so much to tell you," Kahlan said. She recounted the events of the day. She started by explaining that several knights were confessed, but not Arthur. The prince was never where he should be. She recounted what she saw in the stables and what Morgana said about it.
"That doesn't make sense," Richard said.
"I saw him behave like mindless slave," Cara added.
"But didn't you also see him act against his master the day before? I wonder..." Zedd said thoughtfully.
"What?" Richard asked.
"Some people will behave one way and then suddenly act completely different. This can happen within a moment. Their emotions and even beliefs can swing in opposite directions. Merlin might be insane," Zedd explained.
"You think we're dealing with a wizard that is insane as well as extremely powerful," Richard summarized.
"But Merlin was completely justified in what he did in the stables," Kahlan said sadly.
"How would you know? I thought you didn't hear what they were saying," Cara quipped.
"I didn't. But there is something else." Kahlan then related seeing Arthur buy rope and what Morgana said in Arthur's chambers.
"So he wasn't joking," Cara said pensively.
"What?" Kahlan asked, startled.
"I overheard Arthur accuse Merlin of liking a few different women. Merlin said that he wouldn't tell if he did like a particular girl because he was afraid Arthur might steal her..." Cara explained. "Arthur hit him."
"That poor girl... How many other maidservants have been harmed by that man?" Kahlan asked rhetorically. "And how many times has Merlin helped? Morgana believes Merlin was probably helping."
Nobody Answered. The air was thick with horror. After a moment of silence, they discussed the situation a little further. They agreed on a new assessment of Arthur and Merlin. Arthur wasn't simply using his royalty to be irresponsible; he was even abusing the maidservants of Camelot. And Merlin, he was the most dangerous type of enemy. He was both intelligent and unstable. He would be unpredictable. To make matters worse, Merlin was a wizard. A wizard that not even Cara could stop.
Arthur dragged himself to bed. The light was just barely creeping over the horizon. Arthur slept fitfully, knowing that Merlin would be barging in to wake him in any minute.
Thunk!
No, Arthur thought, that noise has no relevance to me. He gripped his pillow tighter.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Sccccraaaaaaatch! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
It sounded as though somebody was stomping through his room. The screeching rattle of his curtains rang through the air. The sunlight stabbed Arthur's eyes.
"Rise and shine!" Merlin's voice was manically chirpy. He came with the intention of being as annoying as possible. Starting with the way he woke Arthur up. He had slammed the door on the way in and made as much noise as he thought he could get away with. He had even scraped a chair across the floor. Merlin's plans for revenge didn't stop here. He planned to be extra clumsy today. He would drop Arthur's clothes on the floor several times before finally giving them to Prince Prat. Then—
Suddenly Merlin's revenge plans dissipated. Arthur sat up. And he looked awful.
"Arthur, I think you need to go back to sleep," Merlin said hastily. He quickly closed the drapes as though it would undo the fact that Arthur was awake.
"No, I'm fine," Arthur grumbled firmly.
"Really, Sire. I can make up some stupid excuse for you to not be at breakfast... and I'll probably get thrown in the stocks. Just go back to sleep."
Arthur forced himself out of bed. He staggered slightly for a minute. His exhaustion allowed him to come to an irrational conclusion. Merlin's behavior this morning was proof that he was being controlled. Arthur's reasons were completely garbled. It was something about being woken up and then told to go back to sleep.
Morgana sat beside Uther at breakfast. Arthur came in. Morgana noted that he looked exhausted. He must have been implementing his plan. Perhaps she could wheedle information out of him.
"Arthur," her voice was laced with feigned concern, "are you alright? You look terrible."
Arthur looked at her wanly. "I had trouble falling asleep."
Ah, so Arthur didn't want anyone to know he had been about last night. She looked for a discrete way to call Arthur on his lie. She was tempted to say, 'It's difficult to sleep when you're not in bed.' However, that would require her to explain how she knew that. She wondered if Merlin looked just as weary. He probably did. Perhaps Morgana could comment on how strange it was that both Merlin and Arthur looked ready to collapse. She silently debated on whether to point this out in front of Uther. He very well might not find anything strange about it...
Merlin walked around the table into sight and poured water into Arthur's goblet. Morgana twitched with shock. Next to Arthur, Merlin looked extremely well rested and perky. It was amazing considering how obvious it was that Merlin was still in a lot of pain from his broken rib. Did Merlin manage to enforce that he didn't want to be involved in whatever Arthur had planned? What could Arthur be doing that would make Merlin so adamant about uninvolvement? (A/N: Yes, I know that's not a word. But, dang it, it should be.) Morgana could barely contain herself. Even if her plan to remove Arthur's free will wasn't so foiled, Morgana would want to know out of pure curiosity.
After breakfast Morgana positioned herself to intercept Arthur. Should would wheedle out the information.
"Arthur, I need to speak to you," Uther said.
Morgana's heart sank. Well, at least she would find out when Arthur got confessed later today.
Merlin scrubbed at the floor furiously. Normally, he would have waited until Arthur was out of the room... But Merlin was at wits end. It seemed Arthur was determined to repeat the same pattern of the day before. He was still knocking over chairs and hiding his own things. However, the sleep deprivation was finally affecting Arthur's mood. Instead of being mischievous, like yesterday, he was very cantankerous. Every 'prank' was pulled with a humorless attitude.
For some odd reason, Arthur's attitude reminded Merlin of a child who was grudgingly doing his chores. Merlin shook his head. There was no reason for Arthur's behavior to strike him like that. It wasn't as though anyone would demand that Arthur knock over every chair in his room. Or empty most of the contents of his drawers. Or unmake the bed without so much as lying on it. Or attempt to 'accidentally' knock over Merlin's bucket.
In retaliation, Merlin made Arthur slip and fall onto his backside. Merlin bit his lip. He probably shouldn't have made Arthur fall.
By midday Arthur's antics stopped angering Merlin. Now every crash, clatter, and unreasonable demand caused Merlin's worries to deepen. Why hadn't Arthur gone to bed the night before? Did Arthur think staying up all night would help him find the escaped sorcerers? No, Arthur wouldn't be cooping himself in here. Besides, Arthur tended to involve Merlin in any crazy plans. Unless Arthur had become paranoid about spies stuffing their ears against the chamber doors... Paranoid. Arthur just might be paranoid. Merlin had seen a frenzied look in his master's eyes. Arthur was paranoid. Merlin was now sure of it. But why was he paranoid? Merlin couldn't come up with an answer for that. However, the manservant was certain there would be no reasoning with prince until his royal highness took a nice, long nap.
"Arthur," Merlin said warily.
Arthur grunted in acknowledgment. He was leaning against the table, swaying slightly as he was trying to keep himself as erect as possible.
"Maybe you should take a nap," Merlin suggested.
"No, Merlin."
"Arthur, you're exhausted," Merlin said desperately, "You need to rest!"
Arthur clenched his jaw. Merlin was right; Arthur needed to sleep. But he couldn't afford to rest. "Merlin, this isn't the time for that."
"Of course it isn't," Merlin said sarcastically.
"I think it's time to visit Arthur's chambers," Morgana suggested determinedly. She and Kahlan had spent the morning trying to corner as many commanders as possible. However, that was difficult without Arthur's willing (or, in a sense, unwilling) help. Morgana tried mentioning this to Kahlan earlier, but that woman stubbornly insisted on continuing the tactics of yesterday. Yes, they were getting several knights confessed, but most of them didn't have a ranking high enough to be of much importance in the battle to come. Actually, they would play an important part no matter what, just not crucial one. Morgana and Kahlan needed the support of the commanding officers in the army. Most importantly, they needed the support of Arthur, the captain of the guard.
"Wouldn't Merlin be there?" Kahlan asked cautiously.
"Of course." Morgana looked confused. "Why would that matter?" Then Morgana almost laughed. That was Kahlan's reason for not confessing Arthur now? Merlin?
"We need to get Arthur alone."
"It's not like Merlin could do anything about it." Morgana smirked, "We could have Arthur tie up Merlin until you're ready to confess him too. Besides, even if you didn't confess Merlin, who could he tell? No one would believe the word of a servant over the word of Arthur or Uther's precious ward." Morgana loaded the last two words with malice.
"You're not at all worried about what Merlin would do since he is Arthur's loyal sorcerer?"
Morgana laughed, "Ha, he's no sorcerer." Whatever gave Kahlan that idea? Whatever gave anyone that idea? Merlin's only power was Arthur's backing. It didn't matter how intelligent he was. Without Arthur Merlin was nothing to be afraid of.
"You didn't know?" Kahlan asked in surprise.
"Merlin is not a sorcerer," Morgana replied dangerously. It wasn't remotely funny anymore. The entire idea was repulsive. Merlin was not Morgana's kin in any way!
"Yes—"
"No," Morgana cut Kahlan off with finality, "he is not a sorcerer. He never could be. He's a traitorous wretch, but no sorcerer would ever side with Uther and Arthur. Not even him. Not even if he was a sorcerer. Merlin is not a sorcerer."
"Traitor? What—"
"Gizelle!" A voice shouted.
A noble man burst free of a nearby crowd. He bolted for Kahlan and grabbed her hands.
"Gizelle," he gasped, "I've been so worried. Where have you been? Your father is furious."
"Tell him I'm sorry, but I have some extremely important things to do," Kahlan said smoothly. "I'll come home once I've finished."
The man's face twisted with confusion, "What things? Gizelle, your father thinks we tried to run away together. He barged into my home when you didn't return last night. He's convinced that he caught me just in time. If you don't go home, I will be forced to duel your father. I don't want to kill your father, Gizelle."
"I will come home. I will. And I will explain everything," Kahlan lied gently. "But not now. There is something I must do."
"But what Gizelle? Please go home."
"You love me, right?" Kahlan asked.
"Of course I love you. But you need—"
Kahlan forced herself to stop his mouth with a kiss.
"Then trust me," she said softly as she pulled away. "Everything will be alright. Please, just stall my father for as long as you can."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please, do this for me."
The man nodded sadly, "Please try to be quick."
Once Gizelle's lover was out of sight Morgana pressed, "As you said, there is something you must do. It's time to confess Arthur."
"No." Kahlan strode away from Morgana. No, Arthur couldn't be confessed. Not in the presence of an insane, yet loyal sorcerer.
"Sire?" Merlin said carefully. He would try to reason with Arthur one more time.
"Merlin?" Arthur replied grumpily.
"Don't you think you should retire for the night?"
"No! Merlin, I've already told you that I can't do that."
"You said you couldn't take a nap," Merlin retorted.
"It's important I—" Arthur stopped. He'd forgotten the reason he was about to prematurely give Merlin. He settled for imperiously telling Merlin, "I can't tell you." Arthur tried to make it sound as though his father had given some secret orders.
Merlin looked unimpressed. "Well staying up all night is very taxing." Arthur stiffened, but said nothing. Merlin continued, "And spending the past two days babysitting me..." Merlin spoke as though he were pensive. "Or was I babysitting you?"
Arthur crunched back the urge to throw something at Merlin. He didn't want to give Merlin an invitation to leave. Arthur shook his head. He couldn't think straight. Did he just admit to Merlin that he had no intention sleeping tonight?
"Shall I get your dinner ready?" Merlin inquired, trying to sound innocent.
Without thinking, Arthur nodded.
Merlin stood alone in Gaius' chamber. He was staring at the potions. A stew sat on a nearby table. All that was left to do was drug it. One way or another, Arthur Pendragon was going to get some sleep tonight. The less side effects the better. Merlin didn't want Arthur to be sluggish. However, sluggish had to be better than cantankerous and paranoid. But then, Merlin didn't need anything that would last the entire night. Just an hour would do it. If Arthur woke at all tonight, then he would fall asleep before realizing anything.
Merlin inched his fingers toward a vial. He hesitated. Should he ask Gaius' permission first? Maybe he'd wait until Gaius came back. But Merlin didn't want to keep Arthur waiting very long for his dinner. Who knew what horrors he might wreck if left alone too long in his loony state. And what if Gaius said no? Merlin certainly wasn't going to put up with another day of Arthur grumping around. That is, not if he could help it.
Merlin set the stew on the table. Arthur lifted the bowl and ate standing. Merlin winced. When the potion takes effect Arthur will hit the floor. Hard.
As Arthur began to faint, Merlin's eyes flashed. A pillow flew onto the the floor to catch Arthur's head and the stew levitated. Merlin quickly locked the door, leaving the stew floating mid-air for a moment.
Using magic, Merlin lifted Arthur onto the bed. It wouldn't go over well if Arthur woke up on the floor. Merlin dumped the rest of the stew into the fire. The smell would be gone by morning. He blew out the candles and magically sealed the servants' back entrance into the room.
As Merlin left Arthur's chamber he placed the same seal on the front doors. By drugging Arthur, Merlin felt that he had left his royal highness in a vulnerable position. He wanted to make sure no one took advantage of Arthur's predicament.
Just as Merlin turned away from the door he heard Morgana's voice. He didn't know what she said. Instinctively, Merlin ducked behind a tapestry.
Morgana urgently slapped her hand on the door.
"Arthur!" She called in a falsely frightened voice, "Arthur, please let me in."
No answer.
"Oh, Arthur, I'm terrified." Morgana banged her fist on the door.
Still no answer.
"Arthur," she whimpered pathetically.
The door answered with a snore.
"He's pretending to sleep!" Morgana hissed indignantly to Kahlan.
Taking inspiration from the empty hall, Morgana cried, "Arthur, there are no knights in the castle. None. I'm so scared. The castle is defenseless."
No answer.
Morgana grabbed the handle and shook the door violently. "Arthur!" she squeaked.
No answer.
Morgana sighed, "I think somebody has already enchanted him."
"What does him being attracted to someone have to do with this?" Kahlan asked.
Morgana had the words stuck in her throat for a moment before she spoke, "Enchanted, as in under a spell that affects his judgment."
Morgana stared at the door contemplatively.
"There is another way in," she said.
Merlin had watched as Morgana futilely called for Arthur. Merlin had to repress snickers as Morgana feigned terror. It was such a pathetic sight. Morgana had reduced herself to this?
However, at the same time, Merlin felt uneasy. What did Morgana want with Arthur? What made her so willing to fake fear and claim the castle was unprotected? The citadel's protection could round a corner at any moment.
And why was that courtier here? Wasn't she the one that claimed Cara was a succubus? She was one of the most brainless people Merlin was ever forced to listen to. Morgana must be getting desperate for allies. Allies to do what exactly? Why did Morgana even enlist help? What damage did Morgana want to inflict on Arthur that she couldn't do herself? Merlin wondered vaguely how Morgana talked the courtier into all this. But why would Morgana even want to try getting this help? Again, Merlin considered that Morgana was getting desperate for allies. But that still didn't make sense!
Just as Merlin began to consider that the courtier was not all that she seemed, she spoke:
"What does him being attracted to someone have to do with this?"
Merlin fought to hold back laughter as Morgana explained, "Enchanted, as in under a spell that affects his judgment."
Merlin suddenly froze as Morgana's words sunk in. 'I think somebody has already enchanted him.' Morgana wanted to enchant Arthur.
"There is another way in."
Merlin's blood ran cold, threatening to freeze with the rest of his rigid body. He barely breathed. He was afraid the slightest sound could hide Morgana's explanation.
But her explanation never came. She strode away wordlessly with the courtier in tow.
Merlin slid out from behind the tapestry. He started to follow Morgana and the courtier. Then a patrol appeared. And it was going in the same direction as the women. Merlin reconsidered. He didn't want to follow them any length with a patrol around. Besides, what other way in was there other than through the servants' quarters? That way was also shut to Morgana. Merlin was certain there wasn't any other way into Arthur's chambers. Unless she wanted to use the windows. He couldn't imagine Morgana scaling the walls. But it couldn't hurt to take extra precautions.
Merlin lifted the seal on the door just long enough to magically secure the windows as well. As he did so he imagined Morgana telling the courtier to scale the walls for her. After all, that courtier might be dumb enough to do it. Maybe there were perks to having an idiot for an ally.
Merlin hid behind the tapestry once more. An irrational part of him took over, saying that Morgana might somehow have a way to bypass the seals. He sat behind the tapestry because he recoiled at the thought of staying the night in Arthur's chambers.
After Merlin had been hiding there for a little while, he began to realize that he was being paranoid. Paranoid like Arthur. But he still held onto to idea that sitting behind a tapestry would do some sort of good in this instance. As he considered going back home Morgana appeared again.
She approached Arthur's door, looked about warily, then produced a set of keys. She selected one and inserted it into the lock.
"Argh," Morgana groaned, "It's not that one." She proceeded to try another key.
How did she get a set of keys? Merlin thought. She must have been the one who freed the crazy crew and stole the witch's sticks. But where did she—No. Surely, it's not that set of keys. Surely the locks were changed after the Crystal of Neahtid was stolen.
As Morgana tested each key, Merlin wondered how to tell Arthur the locks needed changing. Morgana might not be getting in to Arthur's chambers, but Merlin couldn't seal off any other doors.
"Fine! I'll try the vault key."
Morgana thrust the vault key into the lock. She grunted as she viciously twisted the key. She was determined to make that door unlock.
Snap!
The vault key broke in the lock.
Shaking the key stub, Morgana hissed, "How is it that the vault lock wasn't changed, but Arthur's lock was?" She closed her eyes for a moment, then said to the courtier, "We're coming back tomorrow morning. You know this can't wait much longer."
"I'm not going to try anything while Merlin's there," the courtier insisted.
Morgana rolled her eyes, "For the last time, Merlin is not a sorcerer."
The courtier jutted her jaw defiantly.
"Fine, we'll come back early tomorrow. Before Merlin comes."
The courtier nodded her assent.
"I suggest we get as much sleep as possible." Annoyance rang through Morgana's voice as she left with her unlikely ally.
Terror coursed through Merlin. How did the courtier know? And why hadn't she already turned him in? Merlin wondered if this courtier had magic. It would explain why Morgana chose this bubble-head to be an ally. It might also explain why she hasn't turned in Merlin. But how did she know?
But there was one thing Merlin did know. Even if he didn't like it. He hesitated in front of Arthur's door before accepting his duty. He had to be the one who answered the door in the morning.
Please review! (We now accept anonymous reviews too.) Also, we do write with the audience in mind. We can't (and won't) comply with every request. But if we see small ways to make this more enjoyable, we do it. It's hard to do that when you don't know what the audience is thinking. So, please review.
Also, we don't actually think they didn't change the locks. It's that way for the purposes of the story. Besides, they don't say otherwise in the show. What did Morgana do with those keys?