Chapter 2

"Merlin."

Gaius puttered about the room preparing porridge for breakfast. No sounds of shifting or grumbling were forthcoming.

"Merlin!"

Nothing.

"Merlin, it's time to wake. You don't want to be late. Time to get up now!"

Nothing.

The old man's brows furrowed. He hadn't heard his ward come in last night. A spike of worry shot through him. What if he hadn't come home at all? It was never a good thing when that happened. He found himself wishing that just once Merlin would spend time in the tavern like any other young man relaxing after a long day's work. So far, that had never been the case, despite what he told the Prince.

Gaius hurried up the steps and pushed open the door. His first reaction was relief to find his ward there. His relief evaporated as he examined Merlin's dusty, dirty appearance. He was sprawled out, still in his boots and clothing from yesterday. His thin face was grey and drawn, his eyes sunken. There was a heaviness to his breathing that made Gaius uneasy. He closed the shutters to block any intrusive light that could disturb Merlin's sleep and quietly exited.

Gaius stood in contemplation, facing Merlin's door, his unease growing. Merlin looked truly terrible, the very definition of overworked and undernourished. Perhaps he should purchase some fresh bread and butter to go with the meager porridge. And perhaps some milk, lentils and eggs. Merlin's diet needed improvement, that much had been clear for a long time but now it looked imperative. He added honey to the pot to have it ready in case Merlin were to wake before his errands were complete. Then he stepped out the door to send a message that Merlin was ill and someone else would be needed to wait on the prince.

Message sent, he returned and retrieved his coin purse from its hiding spot and began counting out his coins while starting on his own bowl of porridge.

Quiet reigned for a while until there was a single forceful knock and Gaius barely had time to sigh before the prince flung open the door.

"Where is he!"

"Still a bed, my Lord. Please do not disturb him."

"So Merlin really is ill? He seemed just fine yesterday." Arthur sounded unconvinced.

"I am concerned for his health, Sire. He didn't so much as stir when called. His breathing is off and he looks truly exhausted."

Arthur frowned, crossed the room and stepped up to carefully peer in at his servant. Gaius wasn't exaggerating. Merlin looked awful. His frown deepened and he retreated.

"As you can see, Sire, he needs rest, and if it isn't too much to ask, he needs his duties lightened."

"Certainly, if you think he really is ill."

"I am speaking not only of today but also of his daily activities, Sire."

"Gaius, I hardly think he's being overworked," he scoffed. "He has the same responsibilities as other servants and they seem fine."

"I beg to differ, my Lord. He works as your manservant and also runs errands for me and has duties here as my apprentice. He also has duties as a member of the household staff. He is strong but I think he could handle the strain better if he were given a chance to rest and eat occasionally during the day."

"I'm sure he takes breaks, Gaius."

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. He came under a disapproving scrutiny and the old man's dreaded eyebrow rose.

"Really, Sire? Do you send him away to eat with the others in the kitchen? Or does he bring his lunch to your chambers with your own? I know he doesn't eat with me."

Arthur fought not to squirm uncomfortably. Gaius nodded.

The old man turned and removed a pot of thin porridge from the fire and set it on the table.

"Merlin is still young, Sire, just on the cusp of manhood, and his body is still growing and maturing. I fear that he is malnourished for the amount of work he does and it is taking a toll. I was just heading to the market to purchase something better for him."

"I see. Well, I can certainly do without him this morning on the training grounds. He may rest as long as you deem needful. We can discuss his workload later."

"I will send him along with your lunch at midday if he awakens in an improved condition, Sire."

"Fine. That'll be fine, Gaius, thank you. I appreciate your efforts on his behalf and I'll try to pay more attention to his needs since the idiot appears to need to be told when to put food in his mouth." He nodded awkwardly and left.

A comically pronounced groan announced Merlin's awakening at late mid-morning. Gaius looked up as the door opened and Merlin emerged and took a seat on the steps. He tangled a hand in his dark locks and squinted at the window then at Gaius.

"He's sacked me. Hasn't he."

"No."

The young man groaned again.

"Great. He'll be planning some elaborate revenge, then, like getting me assigned to cleaning the middens. I think I'd prefer him to sack me."

"I rather doubt that. He appeared to be concerned when he visited this morning. Here. Come eat."

Merlin's eyes widened as he approached the table.

"What are we celebrating?" he asked.

"Nothing. I know you're not used to it, my boy, but this should be a normal meal. I'm afraid I've failed you and haven't fed you well enough."

"Nonsense, Gaius! Why would you say that!"

"What other conclusion can I come to when I see you so worn out that you cannot even get yourself ready for bed properly or wake when I call you. I know you don't like me to mention it but you are like skin and bones."

"Gaius, you already do too much for me!" he protested, "I'm fine. Really! I was tired because I had a little adventure last night. Oh! Wait!"

He hurried up to his room and came back to hand his mentor a scrap of parchment.

"Can you read that?" he asked before shoveling food into his mouth.

Gaius scanned the few lines Merlin had copied and looked up, fiercely stern.

"Where did you find this, Merlin? What was this adventure?"

Merlin swallowed mightily.

"I was just on my way home last night when," he stopped for a large gulp of milk, "I came across a room I hadn't ever seen before. I could feel something different, like a tug at my magic. When I put my hand on the wall it went right through a disguised doorway. The room it led to was full of old books and writing stuff."

Gaius couldn't have looked more surprised.

"I believe you may have found Sigan's schoolroom! I'd begun to think it a myth but it must be real."

Merlin's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Sigan!" He had no fond memories of that evil git.

"Yes, remember that Camelot was built with the aid of ancient sorcerers, most notably Cornelius Sigan. Their magic kept the might of the citadel untouchable. Their residual magic reinforced the spells that held the very stones together. When Sigan became too strong and refused to hold himself accountable to the king's laws, the king at that time had him killed."

"Yeah. And that worked out so well," Merlin interrupted.

"The king's favor turned to the priestesses on the Isle of the Blessed. Their power, based on the isle, did not threaten his stronghold. He could keep them at arm's length or pull them closer as needed. They were much more comfortable allies than the sorcerers at the citadel. So, until Uther had a.. ah..falling out with Nimueh, the priestesses were in favor and the sorcerers were not."

"And now no one is in favor," Merlin snarked under his breath, spooning currant compote over a chunk of seed bread.

Gaius nodded and continued, "Uther depends on the might of his own wealth and power to defend the citadel now. No army has ever breached it but since the Purge, the magic would have been depleted, leaving the castle to be only as strong as any other well constructed building. The extra protection would have dwindled to almost nothing. It sounds as though you may have found the heart of the citadel's ancient magic, Merlin. The schoolroom was a place where skilled sorcerers met and studied the magic of other lands and other ages. This.." Gaius waved the parchment, "looks like a dissection of a transportation spell. I can only make out the basic roots of several words but it is definitely about magic."

"I wonder if there could possibly be even more rooms hidden away. I want to go back," Merlin murmured.

"Merlin," Gaius began in a tone of reprimand, "I understand your curiosity but after your encounter with Sigan, I should hardly think I need to remind you that it's dangerous. He practiced the darkest, most predatory and selfish forms of magic. I hate to think what could be unleashed."

"I'll be careful! Seriously, it just looks like a sort of dusty old study hall. It's in terrible shape. The ceiling has mostly fallen in already. It's so strange to think that there is a whole tower right in the middle of the citadel that can't be seen. It's amazing!"

"It's dangerous," Gaius countered. "I don't like hearing that it called out to you. And I don't want to see you risking discovery. You could walk out of what appears to be a solid wall just as one of the knights or servants are passing. I think you should leave it alone, Merlin."

"Gaius, it's covered by a tapestry. I can listen for footsteps before I come out. And I'll just go at night when the corridors are deserted."

"You mean you'll sacrifice more sleep when you're already exhausted from work."

"I'm alright, Gaius. I promise it'll just be a quick visit."

"At least wait until you've regained some strength. You really overdid it this time, my boy."

"I know. I'm sorry. But I feel better now."

"Then you'd best clean up and go take the Prince his lunch. I promised to send you along at midday if you'd recovered."

Merlin wiped his mouth and stood to hug his father figure. "Thanks, Gaius. I don't know what I'd do without you."