Sooooo, I'm not sure if anyone out there even cares, but I've neglected this story and one of my other stories for like 5-6 months! It was a bad case of writer's block...and laziness. Well, I did also move a couple of weeks ago. Does that count? ;) Anyway, this is unfortunately a short chapter. But it's a start. :) Hopefully the next chapter won't be too far behind!

"Gaius, there must be something," Arthur insisted. He leaned across the table, his eyes intent on the older man.

Gaius looked as if he had aged ten years as he pulled off his spectacles and rubbed his forehead. "My lord, the only option we have at this point is to deceive your father. Is that a risk you're willing to take?"

"Yes, anything. Just tell me what I have to do."

Sighing, Gaius glanced warily around him. "It might involve…"

"Magic?" Arthur prodded.

"Yes."

Arthur pondered this momentarily. "Count me in," he finally replied.

The apothecary door burst open. Startled, Gaius and Arthur turned simultaneously to see Rowan walk in. Looking confused at the newcomer, Arthur mumbled something about coming back later, but Gaius stopped him.

"I think we can trust him," Gaius whispered. "The boy is serving as an apprentice."

"Are you certain?"

"No, but at this point we could use all the help we can get. He could be an ally...Rowan! What are you doing?"

The boy was pouring all of the vials on the table into a large mixing bowl before Gaius pulled them away from him.

"I…don't know," Rowan said sleepily. "Don't these need mixed?"

"No!" Gaius bellowed, the irritation thick in his voice. "Those vials were ready to be delivered, and now you've ruined them!"

"Sorry," Rowan mumbled as he backed off.

"And you really think we should trust him?" Arthur said as he watched Rowan clean up his mess.

"I'm beginning to seriously doubt what I just said."

Arthur sighed. "Well, I suppose he's better than nothing."

Gaius nodded and approached Rowan, who was still attempting to put things in order. "Rowan, can you stop what you're doing for a moment?"

Hesitating at first, Rowan set down his cloth and glanced sheepishly at the older man. "What have I done wrong now?"

"Nothing. In fact, you've been one of my quickest learners. Rowan, I'm sure you're aware of Merlin's…situation."

Brow furrowed, the boy seemed to be concentrating hard. "Merlin's in prison."

"Yes, yes he is. And I'm sure you also know about the charge that's been brought against him."

"Sorcery," Rowan mumbled.

"Precisely. And the crime for sorcery in Camelot is—"

"Death," Rowan interrupted, his expression darkening.

Arthur stepped forward. "Rowan, we need your help."

"M-my help? What can I do?"

"We're going to rescue Merlin."

Rowan placed both hands on his head and began to rock back and forth. "No…I can't. I can't…."

"Boy, what's wrong?" Gaius placed a hand on his shoulder. Rowan shrunk away from him.

"Nothing! I just…can't."

Arthur shook his head, casting a worried glance to Gaius. "Rowan, I can't make you do anything you're not comfortable with, but if you dare breathe a word of this to my father…"

"Can't…can't….can't…" Rowan continued to mumble.

"What's wrong with him?"

Gaius observed him closely. "I'm not sure, but this isn't the Rowan I know."

"Oh, and what's that supposed to mean?"

"There's something odd about him, and I intend to find out." Gaius turned to Rowan, his expression stern. "Rowan, have you been to see Merlin?"

Rowan shook his head fiercely.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You seem to be upset by something."

"No…no…no…"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Well, this is turning into a very productive conversation. Is 'no' the only word in your vocabulary?"

Rowan suddenly turned and glared at the prince. "No, and if you weren't such a prat, you'd leave me alone!"

Arthur blinked. "What did you just call me?"

"You heard me," Rowan mumbled, averting his eyes.

"Did you call me a prat?"

"Maybe."

Arthur attempted to keep his voice steady. "Seems like you've been hanging out with Merlin too long."

"Merlin…Merlin…" Rowan scratched his head, his eyes vacant.

"This isn't Rowan," Gaius said firmly.

"How can you be sure?" Arthur asked as he continued to eye Rowan warily.

"It's all in the eyes. He's been enchanted."

"What, enchanted to mimic Merlin?"

Gaius removed his spectacles. "I believe he is Merlin."

Arthur blinked. "What…how…"

"It's just a hunch, but doesn't it seem odd to you that Rowan is wearing Merlin's scarf?"

"What...that still doesn't..." Arthur drifted off as he stared at the fabric around Rowan's neck. At the same moment, 'Rowan' reached up and scratched his head...in a suspiciously similar way to Merlin. Arthur turned back to Gaius. "Alright, I'm listening. So where is this Rowan?"

"I believe they've switched places…Rowan is Merlin. And Merlin is Rowan."

Arthur shook his head. "So this Rowan is a sorcerer?"

"Apparently."

"And…he's taking Merlin's place?"

Gaius's expression darkened. "It would appear so. We need to-"

The physician was cut off by the rich tones of a trumpet.

Arthur turned abruptly. "That's coming from the courtyard."

"And if I'm not mistaken, that's your father's voice I hear. The execution is taking place early."

Without another word, Arthur turned and marched toward the door.

"Sire, where are you going?"

"I'm going to save this Rowan…or possibly Merlin. Will you help me?"

Gaius nodded. "I will."