I know it was because of Merlin that the witchfinder came to Camelot in the show. But this Merlin knows better but I loved this idea.
Words: 2,929
Gaius really should get a real apprentice. Merlin offers to help wherever he needs while he stays. He is staying with him for nothing, after all, it's the least he can do. Gaius gives him a list of tasks that seem never-ending. Merlin doesn't mind, he likes helping Gaius. He just fears what the man will do when he leaves. He's not getting any younger but day by day, more problems arise.
Merlin can't deny how strange it is to be in the heart of Camelot. But it's not as bad as he'd thought. It's only been a whole day since the whole troll thing but Merlin figures he's walked nearly every inch of the castle. No one looks at him in suspicion, no one questions his presence. It's almost like he'd always been there.
He hasn't seen Arthur since the prince suggested he stay another night. Merlin hopes he won't mind if he stays a little while longer than that. There's just so much Gaius needs help with, he doesn't feel right leaving so soon. It's not like he has anywhere else to be. And he has no one waiting for him. Not anymore.
He ran into Gwen while running errands for Gaius. He's surprised it hadn't happened sooner. He saw her once during the troll situation but he doesn't think she saw him. If she had, she said nothing of it. As like outside the walls, Gwen offers him a kind smile and sweet words. It's as if she's telling him not to worry, his secrete is safe with yet another person. All without speaking the words. Merlin could have hugged her.
It's because of this that Merin has a bright smile on his face. Gaius's next task is simple. Deliver a sleeping draught to the Lady Morgana. He holds empathy for the young woman, he's no stranger to nightmares himself. Maybe he should try one of these elixirs too.
"Hello?" Merlin lightly knocks on the open door and carefully peers inside. He knows Gwen is Morgana's maid but she'd been on her way to do laundry earlier, he's sure that will keep her busy for a while. "Anyone here?"
"Yes?" Merlin will never admit to flinching. A tall, pale, dark-haired woman appears seemingly out of nowhere. She looks at him questioningly and he shakes his thoughts back in order.
"I'm Merlin," He introduces himself. "I'm helping Gaius, he asked me to deliver this." He holds out the jar and Morgana smiles kindly as she takes it from him.
"Thank you, Merlin," Morgana moves to set the bottle beside her bed and Merlin swears she's floating across the room. The exact definition of elegance.
"It's no problem," He assures her.
"How do you know Gaius?" Merlin had expected to be excused so Morgana's question surprises him.
"H-he's my great uncle," That revelation should not have surprised Merlin. He never could have imagined that he had any family left in the world. He's never been happier about being wrong. It's one of the reasons he can't bring himself to leave. "On my mother's side." He offers the information freely and Morgana accepts it happily.
"I didn't know Gaius had much family. Have you known him long?"
"No," Merlin admits. "I only recently learned of our relationship but I do wish to get to know him better."
"So you'll be staying in Camelot then?"
Merlin can't help but wonder why she's still talking to him. She's so...exquisite and the king's ward! And he's just...Merlin. "Maybe. I haven't decided," He's not sure if he can stay. "But I'd like to." That much he knows.
"I do hope you stay," Merlin releases a breathy laugh and looks down. His cheeks suddenly feel warmer than before. "It would be good for Gaius."
"Right," Merlin mumbles and nods. "If that will be all, my lady."
"Yes, thank you, Merlin." With a small, awkward bow, Merlin turns to leave.
Gaius's chambers are empty when he returns. The physician is out doing his normal rounds, Merlin knows. He said something about shopping around in the lower towns on his way back. Merlin takes this time to start on the list of chores he was given.
In the middle of tidying one of the cluttered tables, the door slams open. This causes Merlin to jump and drop a glass onto the floor. He winces when it breaks.
"You must leave," Merlin barely has time to turn to see the prince before he's being grabbed by the shoulders.
"What?" Merlin questions as he's manhandled across the room. "Arthur?"
"My father, he's hired the witchfinder," Arthur informs Merlin urgently. He releases the warlock and looks around. "Gather your things, now."
Merlin feels his heart drop. "Witchfinder? Why?"
"He didn't say," Arthur shakes his head and glances at the door. It's as if he expects the guards to bust through any second to arrest Merlin. "Have you done something?"
"No!" Merlin immediately denies. This he knows for sure because it's starting to bother him. He hasn't done magic since stopping that troll. "Of course, I haven't." When Arthur looks unconvinced, Merlin swears. "I promised. Have I ever lied to you?"
Clenching his jaw, Arthur shakes his head. "Get your things," He repeats. "You're getting out of town."
"Won't that be suspicious?" Merlin questions while moving to his room.
"It won't matter if you're gone."
"Does that mean I can never come back?" Merlin feels a crushing sadness at the thought. Leave and never see the only family he has left. After all this time he thought he was alone. Then he finds out he isn't, only for that to be taken away from him again. Some of this must show in his expression because Arthur purses his lips in thought.
"You realize how dangerous this is?" He asks the boy. "If he finds you out, they'll be nothing I can do. You will be put to death."
"I didn't do anything wrong," Merlin's voice is soft, filled with nothing but honesty.
An unreadable look passes over Arthur's face but it's gone in the blink of an eye. "Fine," He sighs. "If you truly did nothing then he'll have no reason to suspect you. Just act normal...If that's even possible for you."
Merlin is about to throw a quip back but stops himself. "Why are you helping me?" He doesn't fear Arthur stabbing him through the back anymore. But going out of his way to warn him about this? He wouldn't have suspected that.
The Prince stares at him a moment before answering. "I'm returning the favor," Marching towards the door, Arthur opens it and says over his shoulder. "Don't get into trouble."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Merlin huffs before turning back to his chores.
"I'm in trouble," Merlin slams his hands down on Arthur's desk. The young man slowly looks up from the paper in front of him and stares at the warlock.
"One thing, Merlin," The prince holds up a single finger to emphasize his point. "One thing is all you had to do. It's not that difficult!"
"Easy for you to say! You're the prince. Aredian has it out for Gaius and therefore me," Merlin gestures to himself and Arthur buries his face in his hands with a groan. "He wants to talk to me! What am I supposed to say?"
Arthur looks up to respond. "If you value your head, you'll lie."
"I'm a terrible liar!" Merlin all but shouts. "I start sweating, my vision blurs, my brain stops working."
"No change there, then," Arthur snarks and Merlin rolls his eyes. "If you didn't do anything then you have nothing to worry about."
"It doesn't matter," Merlin insists. "My whole existence is wrong to that man. I wouldn't put it past him to lie."
"You would do good not to repeat that," Arthur warns. "My father trusts Aredian."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it doesn't." Looking to the ceiling, as if praying for patients, Arthur slowly turns back to Merlin.
"This is why you should have left when you had the chance," Running his hand through his hair, Arthur looks from the door and back to Merlin. He furrows his brows. "How did you get in here, anyway?"
"I'm pretty sure I'm still your servant. Or that's what people think," The warlock shrugs.
"Hmm,"
"Hmm?" Merlin repeats the hum with furrowed brows. "What's 'hmm' mean? Arthur?...Arthur?"
Witnesses come forward. They say they saw images in the smoke, toads jumping out of a man's mouth and other absurd things. Merlin stands beside Gaius while all this is told to the king. He glances at Arthur to see the prince is already looking at him. The warlock just barely shakes his head.
Aredian questioned him only hours earlier. Merlin told the truth for the most part. The witchfinder didn't believe him either way, Merlin could tell.
After the findings are stated, Aredian states he knows who the sorcerer is. Though he knows he's done no wrong, Merlin's breath hitches. As his name leaves the witchfinder's mouth, Merlin fears his heart has stopped. He looks to Arthur but the prince can't do much but scoff at the claim. He knows the accusation is true, even if he believes Merlin innocent of these charges.
Merlin is taken away by the guards while others set off to search his and Gaius's chambers. He paces the length of his cell and bites his nails. Every noise makes him jump and his heart beats erratically in his chest.
Sometime later, the cell door opens. Merlin flinches and turns to come face to face with the prince. "Arthur, I swear-"
"You're free to go," The prince cuts him off with a blank look. Merlin should find comfort in those words, he should be jumping with joy. But something about Arthur's expression only causes his stomach to drop.
Gaius confessed and is arrested in his place. Merlin tries to argue but the older man makes him promise not to. He can't break his word to Gaius.
The place is trashed when he returns. Books are thrown everywhere, pages torn out. Glass is broken and littering the table and floors. Grain, sand, and potions of all kind lie ruined on the floor. Merlin feels tears fill his eyes as he observes the destruction.
"You need to leave," Arthur speaks softly from behind him. Merlin sniffs and wipes his eyes before turning. He shakes his head.
"He'll kill Gaius, I can't let that happen."
"He almost killed you," The prince reminds him.
"I have to help Gaius!"
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Arthur raises his voice as well but he's not quite shouting.
"I don't know," Merlin admits quietly. "But I can't leave, not when he's in danger."
Arthur clenches his jaw and exhales loudly through his nose. "So be it. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Merlin stands before Kilgharrah, his shoulders hanging low. He doesn't know how much longer Gaius can last, not with the way Aredian is treating him. And all because of Merlin. He tells the dragon what's happening in the hopes that he can help. Merlin is young, he's seen a lot in his few years but he doesn't have all the answers. He lacks wisdom and knowledge. But Kilgharrah has lived hundreds of years. If anyone has a solution, it will be him.
Merlin says he's going to confess, the tells the dragon. He's already come close, he can't watch Gaius suffer any longer, he can't let him sacrifice himself. Not just to save him.
"He'll only burn you both," Kilgharrah shakes his head in return. Merlin argues that it's his fault but the dragon speaks words that make him think twice. So many people rely on him, Kilgharrah says. He'll only be letting them down.
"There must be something I can do. There must be," He pleads. "Please, help me."
"I cannot help you," Kilgharrah sounds remorseful when he speaks. It only makes Merlin slump in defeat. "Because I do not know how to."
"I can't just stand by and watch Gaius die, I can't!"
"I am sorry."
Having received no answers from the dragon, Merlin returns to his chambers. Despite having learned nothing, he's still determined to help Gaius. There's no way he can stand back and just let this happen. He'll do whatever it takes to save his uncle.
Gaius confesses. Merlin feels his chest tightening at that moment. Every second that passes makes him feel more and more helpless. How is he supposed to help Gaius? With the evidence and his confession.
Arther has to drag him out of court. If he'd been thinking clearly, he wouldn't have shouted at Aredian, wouldn't have called him a liar no matter how true it is. But he wasn't thinking. The man is slimy, scum of the earth. He doesn't care about the truth, only his money and reputation.
"Relax, I'm not throwing you in jail," Arthur says and shoving him away. "Though I should, for more than that scene you just caused."
"Then what are you doing?"
"Breaking the law," Pulling out his key, Arthur opens and cell and gestures Merlin in. "I can only give you a few minutes."
Merlin and Gaius embrace in a hug. He might not have known the man long but they're family. It's like his soul knew it before he did. They're kin, connected in ways few can be. He doesn't know what he'd do if he lost Gaius. Especially so soon after finding him.
They speak briefly but it's enough. But it's enough. Merlin thought the amulet was Gaius's. Gaius thought it was his. But if it isn't either of theirs, then who's? The only answer presents itself to Merlin and though Gaius asks him not to do anything, this time, that's a promise he can't make.
Aredian is questioning Morgana. Merlin knows the man is just painting lies on lies. A small part of Merlin's mind reminds him that though the man lied, Merlin is a sorcerer. The boy thinks not of it as he and Gwen hurry to find evidence that the witchfinder is lying.
He sneaks into the man's room. The guest chambers he's staying in. The desk is littered with papers, nothing of interest. But the locked cupboard hinds within hope.
Though he's almost caught, Merlin manages to get away before Aredian catches him. He knows he would be done for if the man caught him snooping around his room.
The flower peddles lead them to a clue that leads them to another. Gwen is the one to break the riddle and she takes Merlin down to a shop. It's closed this late and night but the man opens up to her anyway. It takes some convincing, but he admits that Aredian sold him the eyedrops and made him lie. Merlin holds his breath until the man confesses.
It's still their word against Aredian's. Merlin heeds Gwen's advice about undeniable evidence and makes another trip to the witchfinder's room. By the time he's finished setting everything in place, Gaius is being let to his execution.
"I'll speak to Arthur,"
"No, let me," Gwen insists and Merlin doesn't have time to argue. He believes if Arthur is going to listen to anyone, it would be her.
Merlin doesn't breathe again until Gaius is off the pyre. Arthur stopped it just in time to save Gaius and before he knows it, the young warlock is standing in front of the king to present him with their evidence. He's never shaken so much in his life.
Aredian denies everything. Of course, he does. But with the confession from the shopkeeper and the evidence found in the man's room, there's no way out of it. In a last-ditch effort, the man tries to take Morgana hostage but it ends with the man tumbling to his death. Merlin has never liked death, never wished it upon anyone. Not for long, anyway. But today, he doesn't feel remorse for this loss of life.
"Was Aredian really a sorcerer?" Arthur asks this question in the confines of his room. His voice is quiet but firm, no one else but Merlin able to hear him.
"No," Merlin admits. He's yet to lie to the prince and if it means keeping his trust, he never will. "But he was lying," Merlin feels the need to reinforce. "I didn't think he'd die."
"It's probably for the best," Arthur's admission earns him a surprised look from Merlin. The warlock refrains from commenting. Sighing, the young prince moves to sit behind his desk. He props his elbows in the service and intertwines his fingers. "If you're staying, you might as well make yourself useful. And this way I can keep an eye on you."
Surprised once more, Merlin takes a step closer. "So you're alright with me staying?"
"You know what they say, you should keep your enemies close."
"Who says that?" Merlin questions with furrowed brows. Arthur shrugs.
"I don't know, someone. Probably," Leaning back in his seat, the prince rubs his chin before holding up a finger to him. "If you step out of line one time-
"You'll run me through," Merlin finishes for him.
"So you can listen," Arthur hums in appreciation. "Good. Now let's see, my stables need to be mucked out, my dogs need to be walked, the laundry has piled up-"
Merlin groans as he listens to the prince continue to list chore after chore but really, there's nowhere else he'd rather be.
I finished this in a hurry.
Merlin is officially Arthur's servant! Now we know where the two of them stand at the moment.
I haven't decided on the next installment will be about. I don't want to follow episode by episode but I will use some of them as guidance. If there's anything you guys want to see happen, just let me know!
'-'