The party of foreigners that had been traveling towards Camelot had "disappeared" and that had made Arthur extremely nervous. He spent several days going to meetings with advisers, his uncle, and of course with his father. However, the meetings with his father were the kind where he listened to the man slip further into his past and the only words from his mouth were unsolicited confessions of various sins. Gaius and Uther's two dedicated manservants, a father and his son, had decided that only they should tend to the failing king and when asserted that this should be so, Arthur realized that these men knew everything already. He didn't want to be surprised by the revelation, but he was. It was Gaius, especially, that hurt him. He realized that the elderly man could have he would have kept Uther's secrets even from Arthur. It was to late, of course. Arthur had already heard the most shameful confessions. The only thing that salvaged his respect for the physician was that Gaius never attempted to say that the words were the product of delusion or confusion – he simply said, "there are just some things no one needs to know."
Gaius's role in Uther's care was minimal. He prescribed and administered medicines to keep the king calm, to help him sleep, and to ease his usual aches and pains that accumulated from a difficult life. However other than that, Gaius continued with his usual routine. Uther, at one time, had commanded his respect. Time had changed that a bit. Uther still commanded Gaius's loyalty, but no longer held his respect – that had fled sometime after Merlin had arrived at the castle. Perhaps it was due to the Witchfinder. Perhaps it was when Uther had commanded that Merlin drink from the poisoned chalice or when he crushed the flower that would have saved the boy's life? Perhaps it was when Uther tried to hire a scarred man who pushed Gaius out of a job so that he could try to get his revenge by killing the king? Perhaps it was just one morning when dawn broke and Merlin had come down stairs, smiled at Gaius, and went to work – Arthur didn't know. Arthur wasn't sure. However Gaius's lecture stayed with him. Gaius had been used and he felt it. Gaius was an extraordinary man to still be loyal and yet harbor resentment. Arthur could not help but feel humbled by his professionalism.
Gaius had assured him that Merlin was fine and would return to work soon, but Arthur could not understand how. He had no memory of what Merlin looked like, but he remembered the smell. He remembered something had been terribly wrong. He also knew that even though his manservant was the luckiest person alive, he was still just flesh and blood. He couldn't remember what it was that Merlin wanted, but he knew Merlin had asked him for something.
Arthur asked George if there was perhaps something he should do for Merlin to help him return to work faster, "not that I don't appreciate your efforts, but I am sort of used to him and I prefer the way he does things. You understand, don't you?" George had said that he understood. "perfectly." Of course he understood perfectly, George did everything perfectly. He probably even pissed perfectly. If there was a way to die, neatly and without inconvenience, George would accomplish that as well. Perfect George was helpful, of course, when asked about Merlin. He suggested new clothes to replace what was damaged when the boy was injured.
"In fact," droned George as he flowed around the room adjusting things or was he dusting things, Arthur couldn't tell – he moved so fluidly, "You might show Merlin some appreciation for his hard work and length of time in service. Most employers do, so he won't take it as pity, if you make such a gesture. It is traditional. Merlin might appreciate a jacket for winter as well as one for summer. A few tunics, he only has three. His blue one has faded to grey – I believe he tried to dye it and it turned a weird purplish color. His red one faded to orange and then pink.. A few more neckerchiefs, as they do come in handy. His trousers, both brown I believe, were also in need of replacing. I haven't seen him wear anything other than those two and losing one would mean he has no spare."
The young royal stared at his temporary manservant, he knew George was good – but he hadn't realized that he paid attention to Merlin as well as Arthur. It gave him goosebumps. It was as if this servant had been interfering or watching them. Perhaps he knew something about Emrys? Arthur bit his lip, maybe George was really the secret warlock himself? Arthur hoped not. George was cold towards him. He did not seem invested in his well being, in fact, George only seemed to care about household duties.
"Arrange it," commanded Arthur and he dug into the bag at his belt and dug out a coin and placed it into George's hand. George however did not retract his hand. He kept it stretched out with his palm open. Arthur's hand went back and dug out two more coins. The temporary manservant kept his palm out and he coughed a little. Angry, Arthur spewed, "Isn't it enough?"
"Only if you want him to sew the articles of clothing himself, Sire, and not to have a coat," replied George.
Frustrated Arthur fished out a handful of coins and thrust them into George's hand, his voice loud and snapping, "That's all. Okay? That's all. Merlin better have enough tunics, trousers and jackets now. If he doesn't, you are going into the stocks and you'll pay for the rest!"
There was a glint in George's eye, he bent deeply at the waist, "this should cover everything nicely, Sire."
"Make sure you do. While you're out. Go down and tell Geoffrey I want every book he has on prophecies and magical creatures. Curses. That sort of thing. Also run by Gaius's ask him if he has any ideas how I could go about getting a magic book. Don't be surprised, he used to practice in the days before the purge. Get going and I want chicken for dinner. Herb bread. And wine!" barked Arthur.
Oh the kitchen staff was going to love this request.
George flowed gracefully out of the room with handful of coins tightly held in his hand. He was sure Arthur had slipped and put a gold coin or two in there. That would be very helpful for his plans.
What Arthur didn't know was that the servant society of Camelot had already settled the matter about Merlin's lack of clothing. Several of the maids had moaned about how the boy hadn't one decent item left since he entered Arthur's employment. Arthur was forever throwing things at Merlin and his clothes were threadbare from his attempts to get them clean. Arthur also liked making the boy work in the stables and gave him demeaning, disgusting jobs. Merlin, without his mother, only attempted keeping clean. Only recently did the other members of the household realize that the boy spent most of his money on sending items to his mother. The apothecary man had let it slip that items made by Merlin were the boy's way of making money to bring the woman to Camelot. Suddenly every maid and seamstress was recommending his soaps and lotions to the noble ladies hoping that Merlin would be able to afford to move his mother soon.
Seamstresses from the lower town made Merlin three summer trousers and three lined winter trousers. It was the same for the tunics. The jackets they had made at the tanners. Now with George getting the money from Arthur they could replace their coins – and George had more than a little left over for other niceties. Merlin might be returning to work soon. George normally worked as a scribe doing part time work helping Geoffrey, but now – well he had other plans. He wasn't sure the how, but he knew the what.
It was starting to get cold. It wasn't clear if it was a natural cold or because the magic outside. It didn't matter, the citadel wasn't well stocked with firewood and no one was willing to venture out since Merlin got struck down. Everyone was trying to ration what little fuel they had. Certainly there were other things they could burn, but it was to damp to dry horse dung. There wasn't enough hay for the stables. There wasn't enough grain to make it through winter for the farmers in the outer regions couldn't make their donations. At first, the storm didn't seem to be like it was more than a light show with a few flakes for decoration. Now it was a threat. Only the really stupid or brave would even think of trying to leave the castle now – it was so depressing!
Aggravaine paced in his chambers. It was painful not to be able to contact the Lady Morganna. To not to be able to receive her instruction was like being cut off from sustenance. She motivated him to be better than himself. She challenged him. How was he supposed to get his Divine Inspiration if his Goddess was beyond his grasp?! His knees buckled and he allowed the pull of the earth to drag him down. The impact of his flesh and bone into the unforgiving stone was painful – in a good way. He felt – grounded in his agony. He could once again – think.
Oh if only he could find that warlock, Emrys. Finding Emrys would be dangerous, the warlock would have to still believe he was Arthur's loving uncle. And if he was still alive, he was probably still undiscovered. He'd already interviewed all the nobles and none claimed to have any connection. The only person who made sense was that stubborn physician, but Gaius wasn't talking. The only person that got him to talk had turned on Morganna! Was the knowledge itself an enchantment that guaranteed loyalty? No, it can't be. Morganna, that gorgeously gloriously smart girl, would have warned him of it – if it were possible.
At least they knew what he looked like. She had gotten a good look at the warlock when he attacked her viciously. The old man had freed Merlin from her control, no doubt at Gaius's request. It made sense that he would need Merlin to be beside Arthur. The boy was stupid, but loyal. He could see things and go home to the old physician and run his mouth and then the old men could take over and run the show. Merlin was only good for tattle telling and attempted murder. He had tried to poison the beautiful Morganna after all. One day, Aggravaine would kill the boy himself. He vowed it. He desired that as much as he desired revenge against the Pendragon's.
If Morganna had been enough for Uther as an heir, Ygraine would still be alive. However, he had committed adultery. He had lied. He deceived. He desired a male heir. He murdered. He needed his precious male heir eliminated and Morganna needed placing on the throne. It was she who was legitimate. She wasn't created unnaturally with magic. She merely had magic. She would be able to unite those who had magic with those who hadn't any magic. She would be able to do so much good. She was a sensitive and bright child with a passionate heart. Aggravaine did not blame her for being angry – he was angry as well. He respected Morganna for her strength and for her conviction. She deserved his loyalty and more.
If only he could talk to Morganna. She might be able to help him. Without her, he didn't see how he would be able to try force Emrys out of hiding and still be able to keep his motives – secret. While Uther's laws were still active, Arthur would have no choice but to enforce the law no matter how good the warlock's intentions were – it was part of his oath as heir. He had to enforce his father's laws and until he was actually king – no matter what.
Still on his kees, the cold spreading up through his legs – numbing his thighs, Aggravaine made himself a promise. If he couldn't find Emrys on his own, he would have to find a way around the storm. The only way to start to do that was to tell the truth to Arthur and point out that the castle would fall to starvation and the cold if they couldn't leave for supplies before the real winter settled in. He had to admit that just maybe in the struggle to find a way to deal with the magical menace – Aggravaine might find a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Merlin was sick of Gaius being stubborn. No didn't mean that he couldn't leave? Right? It only meant that he didn't have permission, it wasn't sanctioned, and he wasn't going to get any help – right? Kilgharrah and Aithusa were still pleading with him. Day and night, they chanted his name. They didn't do it constantly, but they did it enough so that he couldn't rest or concentrate on anything but them. His mind constantly wandered to the field where he met Kilgharrah. He couldn't help but imagine how big Aithusa had gotten. It hadn't escaped his notice that Aithusa did not call him Merlin. He tried to answer them back, but they didn't hear him. Well if they did hear him, they didn't change saying his name over and over and over again. Wrapped in bandages wearing his only trousers and his nightshirt, he lay in bed with a blistering headache.
Merlin... Kilgharrah said in tones that suggested he had something juicy to offer his Dragon Lord, as if that was really going to lure Merlin out of the castle. He would go if he could. Technically he could. He just wasn't keen on angering Gaius. However, he could practically hear Aithusa whimpering. He was just a baby... it hurt.
He was losing money like this. He couldn't make his products for the apothecary, but he also couldn't pick herbs as well. It was snowing. They only had a limited amount of supplies for the winter. This wasn't a good thing. The dragons might have the answer, but he had to get to them to find out what they had to say. Gaius was having none of it. It was rare not to have to worry about Arthur going hunting or doing something stupid. Right now nothing could come in and nothing could get out – well except for the desperate or the lucky and Merlin's desperation was growing by the minute!
Sure, he understood that he had gotten hit by lightning, but Nimueh herself had hit him in the chest with a bolt once and that hadn't taken him out. He'd experienced it once before. Sure, not one the same scale, but he was still alive. That had to count for something.
If he could go out there, he might be able to do something. If he could try some magic without being seen, he might be able to stop the storm and return things back to normal. He would then have to go back to babysitting Arthur, but he had enough rest now. He had not skipped one meal in days. He had not broken a sweat either. He had no idea if Arthur was sleeping. This was a perfect time to talk to him. Things were calm-ish. There were no visitors. He might be able to slip in a comment about Gwen. He might even of been able to smuggle himself out to get word to his mother to get ready to move, but once again the reality of it was – Gaius was being uncooperative, unrelenting, and unyielding in his decision to let Merlin even attempt to go out.
Sooner or later, Merlin had to talk to Arthur about Gwen. He had to get the two of them talking or he would never get them back together. It was obvious that Arthur missed her, but the more time went by the more stubborn the prat would bound to be! He might even get used to being miserable and then he might even develop the Uther tendency to rule without his heart. That would be a big problem. Arthur needed to use his heart or he would be a disaster.
By a stroke of luck, Gaius had to help with a delivery of a baby. Some poor woman in the lower town was having her first child and she was abnormally large in the belly. It had been a difficult pregnancy and Gaius had been summoned to her bedside a few times to make sure that she and the baby were doing well. Merlin knew the woman and he liked her. She and her husband baked bread. It was much better than the bread that the palace cooks made, but he would never say within ear shot of anyone. It just tasted better and he liked to buy a loaf of it for dinner, sometimes, to share with Gaius.
Not without a bit of guilt, as soon as Gaius left Merlin made his decision to sneak out. He propped himself up on his elbows, cracking the wrappings. Merlin cursed the physician and the knight for being so complete about his wrappings. Not only had they bound him tightly but they had glued the bandages on with honey. It was hard now that it had crystallized and made him properly unable to do anything for himself. Embarrassment wasn't enough to kill him, but it felt like it sometimes. After a bit of time and some maneuvering, Merlin finally got to his feet.
He stood in the narrow beam of light from the half opened door to his room and pulled at the chord that held up his trousers. His nightshirt would not be so easy, but luckily his control on his magic was much more precise than it had ever been before. Now it was time for the unpleasant part.
"laete þæt windas," intonated Merlin with the customary flash of Gold. The wrappings shattered their crystalline hardener and slowly began to remove themselves from Merlin's body. Usually Gaius would soak them off, but Merlin hadn't the time or the luxury – and with the wrapping went what little body hair he had as well as dead skin. Ashen and white, surrounded by a cloud of airborne honey crystals that shone faintly in the light – Merlin took a shuddering breath to stabilize himself. He was finally free. His eyes were full of tears, but it was worth it. He'd be able to silence the dragon's pleas and it would be nice to be able to tend to his bodily needs without assistance, Gaius did afford him as much dignity as he could. However...
"I saw Gaius on the stairs outside, he said it was alright to bring you these," said George professionally with wide eyes at the top of the ladder with the door wide open, in his arms was a large parcel wrapped in crude cloth.. Merlin was still standing naked in a cloud of honey with bandages at his feet. He was a sight. No sign of being harmed recently other than the discarded bandages, blinking wildly at the intruder.
"Oh. Okay. Thanks," said Merlin stunned.
As if he just walked in on Arthur getting out of the bath, George stepped into the warlock's room without fear and placed the parcel on the end of the bed. He put his hands behind his back and looked respectfully away, "We had your clothes and jacket replaced. We also had a few extras made. Arthur paid for the services."
We had... We also had... Arthur paid... That did not go unnoticed, however Merlin didn't say anything. He did pull at the string holding the package together and pick up a blue tunic and put that on as quickly as possible, followed by winter trousers. George handed him a red neckerchief.
"T-t-thanks," muttered Merlin not quite knowing what to do or what to say. His thoughts about meeting the dragons had been temporarily arrested.
"You'll find there are two sets of seasonal clothing," George said while indicating item from item now that Merlin had messed up the presentation in an attempt to preserve lost modesty, "One for winter weather, one for summer and we commissioned two sets of jackets. Only the winter jacket is finished. We had that one made first due to the snow that is falling now. Your former jacket was ruined. We had the new ones done in the same style since it suits you and there was no way to ask if you had any desire to change. Is there anything else you might need?" asked George, seriously, as if he were waiting on Arthur. He used the same gentle but firm tones that he always used, but normally servants weren't formal with servants and Merlin felt like he just got a tour of a gift.
"You didn't have to," said Merlin nervously as if George were trying to trick him. Gold dust still hung in the air around him. He smelled like honey. Bits of it clung to his hair and his new clothing.
George looked at the mess, "I'll clean that up while you're gone."
"You don't have to," said Merlin holding up his hands, "Look I'm not going to do anything to you. You don't have to be scared. I won't enchant you or attack you. Just please don't tell anyone and don't think any differently of me. I'm still the same person. I'm not evil, I was born this way. I..."
The other servant started to laugh and that stopped Merlin's panic attack dead before it had gone any further. It was the first time in years that George had actually laughed. Granted it was more of a shuddering wheeze sound than a proper belly laugh, but for the perfect servant – it counted as out right merriment! He smiled a bit, the outward part of his mouth slightly turned up at a strange angle. He held Merlin's gaze for a moment before he said as softly as he could, "Please trust me, Merlin. I don't mean you any harm."