Chapter VII
Left and right, no matter where she turned people were falling asleep. The king's ward didn't know what was happening, but there was that irking feeling in the back of her mind that told her it had something to do with a certain blonde haired brown eyed half-sister.
It first started with Gwen. It wasn't a surprise as the poor girl had been by her side throughout the entire day. Her maid couldn't go half an hour without yawning and would appear unfocused throughout all of their interactions. Luckly enough when her friend finally collapsed it was in her chambers, Morgana was their to break her fall and call the guards for help to carry her onto her bed.
Gwen seemed to be the first but soon other guards and people she happened to stumble across fell asleep as well. For some reason this sleeping spell was only happening within the palace's walls and Morgana was powerless to stop it. The king was still awake, but just barely as he and his advisors were gathered trying to find a way to contain the scandal before it reached the lower town. Gaius, miracle worker that he was, was also able to provide some sort of temporary antidote that would allow for Uther to stay awake for longer before succumbing to the curse's affects.
A sharp knock drew Morgana out of her thoughts as she stood from beside the chair she had placed next to her bed to watch over her friend.
"Enter."
She saw as the king and the court physician entered her chambers.
"My lord." She said bowing slightly before turning to Gaius. "She's over there. She just collapsed, I didn't want to move her too much."
Gaius nodded going to inspect Gwen while also keeping an eye out for anything magical that may be radiating from the King's ward and her maid.
"How long ago did she collapse. You should had the guards put her in the adjoining servant's quarter's what if you had caught the sickness as well." The king berated moving to grab a hold of his ward's hands.
"I feel fine, I just want her to get better. I was told Gaius had some sort of antidote?"
Gaius nodded, "Yes, unfortunately, it won't do Gwen any good. The potion is meant to be taken the moment the individual starts feeling any affects of drowsiness."
Morgana gulped, this was her fault somehow. She could feel it. "But she will be okay. Won't she?"
Gaius nodded letting out a soft yawn. "She and everyone should make a full recovery."
Another knock sounded and Morgana called for them to enter. "Hello Your Highness, Milady, Gaius. A scout has returned from Idirsholas on Prince Arthur's orders."
Uther nodded for him to continue, "He is waiting outside…". Leon trailed off noting the other's in the room.
"Bring him in then." The king barked turning slightly to Morgana for permission without actually asking. She nodded back at him then went to close the curtain so her bed and Gwen would be closed off from view before Leon led the man in.
After all the formalities passed the scout, a civilian from Idrisholas, finally reported, "The prince and the knights of Camelot are scouting Idrisholas' castle. They've asked me to tell you that they plan to ambush and trap the sorceress Morgause. They will return tomorrow evening if everything goes to plan with the witch as their prisoner. Or to gather reinforcements."
Uther nodded before turning to Gaius, wondering if he had informed the Prince of the witch before he left and failed to mention it.
The physician cleared his throat, "Merlin was with me when I was informed of the witch, Sire. He made sure to inform the Prince when they headed out."
The king turned to the man, "Thank you for delivering the message. Sir Leon have some servants set up a guest chamber for him for the night before he heads off." Leon nodded before dismissing himself the scout following his lead.
Morgana went to close her door before turning to the king, "What does Morgause have to do with any of this?" She asked feigning ignorance.
"Who knows why sorcerers do anything. We can only assume she plans to make a play for Camelot. Do not worry, Morgana. Arthur will stop her and be back before you know it."
She nodded her hand grasping at her dress just barely grabbing at the ring to feel some comfort.
"Sire? Could it be possible that we may have a traitor in Camelot?" Gaius asked hesitantly keeping an eye on eye on the seer to see if she reacted in anyway.
"You believe her to have an accomplice?"
"A spell of this magnitude at such a great distance isn't possible for a sorceress like Morgause. It would take immense power for her to do this and she would be weakened and vulnerable for an indefinite amount of time." Gaius paused waiting for the information to sink in and for both royals to read between the lines. "The only way for her to do something like this and not be vulnerable is for her to enchant a person or thing with her power in Camelot to act as an anchor."
Morgana's eyes widened slightly unable to restrain a gasp to escape her lips drawing the attention of both men. "Who could do such a thing?"
"Who indeed. We can only hope that Arthur is successful in capturing her." Gaius looked through his messenger back pulling out a potion and handing it to Morgana.
"Take this when you start feeling any symptoms of drowsiness." Gaius said handing her a potion that would neutralize any anchor spells placed on her.
She nodded, "Thank you."
Uther looked towards his ward, "It would be best if you stayed here to avoid catching any symptoms, but if you do make sure to call Gaius or myself."
"Of course, my lord. Thank you."
As Uther dismissed himself, Morgana couldn't help herself from reaching out and stopping the physician in his tracks.
"Would you mind, staying with me." Morgana saw as the physician eyed her in concern and hesitance as he looked at the door that the king had just exited. "Please Gaius. I-"
Gaius nodded turning to close the chamber doors.
Morgana paced in front of her bed as she saw the physician reading her latest entry. She couldn't help her eyes being drawn towards the curtains where her maid laid unconscious.
"You had a dream of Morgause and the knights of Medhir."
Morgana mumbled a yes softly avoiding the physicians gaze.
"You saw her and Arthur fighting? Did you see anything else. What of Merlin? You wrote that a knight was after him."
"I don't know Gaius! It was just a dream. I don't- I. I Didn't see anything else all I could tell you is that I saw Morgause here in Camelot. Her and Arthur were fighting somewhere in the palace. I couldn't possible tell you where."
Gaius nodded sympathetically before asking again about the well being of his nephew.
"Merlin was okay. I saw him escape one of the dark knights. Merlin was fine... He was with me, we were watching over the king. He had, Uther I mean, had fallen asleep… That isn't going to happen right? Gaius? Tell me that it was just a dream. You gave Uther a sleeping draught he should be fine right? Everyone is going to be okay."
Gaius didn't know what to tell her. It seemed like she truly did not know the extent of Morgause's plans and she did seem worried for the prince and king, but how could he tell her the truth. How could he shake her entire world and watch it crumble. She would be afraid for her life if she was aware of the power she possessed.
"Gaius please!"
"It was a dream. What else could it be. Everything will be alright." Lie after lie slipped past his lips, "Arthur and Merlin will make sure of it."
Morgana nodded in relief, "Gaius, about Morgause?"
Gaius raised a brow for her to continue.
"Do you really think she could have enchanted someone… that there is a traitor in Camelot."
"It's a possibility. It is also likely that this person does not know that they are enchanted."
"If someone was enchanted, would there be a way to… un-enchant them. Possibly?"
"There are potions that can help, but one would need to be sure of what type of enchantment the individual was cursed with. Its not always simple to break a curse."
"Right, of course." She agreed not really understanding what he meant in its entirety. "Thank you, Gaius. You should go. I am sure you must be busy looking after the city."
"That you are right, Milady. But know that if you ever need me, I will always be here for my favorite patient."
She smiled her eyes gleaming with unshed tears as she went over to hug the physician before he left. As the door closed behind her the young witch couldn't help reach under her dress to un tie the ring and put it in her palm. How could this small little trinket cause so much trouble. She wished she could just get rid of it, but Morgause needed her. She knew her sister had magic, but she wasn't evil. She must have a plan and as much as it pained Morgana she had to give her the benefit of the doubt. She slid the ring on her finger and made her way back towards the chair to watch over Gwen.
"I am sorry. I promise everything will be okay." she spoke tearfully hoping her friend would forgive her.
While Morgana remained in her chambers in an attempt to do no more harm. Gaius went about his rounds making sure that everyone was alright. Although, more people kept falling asleep it did seem that his potion helped in delaying the inevitable. Morgana seemed apologetic if she was indeed aware of the enchantment that Morgause place. He was also feeling the effect of the curse most likely due to the prolonged contact within the king's ward's presence but having seen her grow up, having been there to help her with every bruise and ailment, she was one of the few people he couldn't turn a blind eye to. At least to an extent. He fell not long before the afternoon and had two guards carry him to his chambers and lay him on his medical cot. The guards falling asleep soon after exiting the physician's chambers in the hallway.
It was a little after midday when the guards sounded the warning bells as more people in the lower town started falling asleep. Friends and neighbors helping those who fell asleep into their own homes for the time being while some few knights patrolled to prevent any disorder, misdoing, or thievery from occurring. Everyone was worried and despite the king's reassurance the people couldn't feel the tension in the air as more and more of their own fell.
Almost everyone retreated to their own homes making it difficult to track how fast and who was affected, but it did make the knight's jobs a lot easier knowing that everyone was safely in their homes.
The king was also doing what he could to make sure that the people remained calm and quash any dissent from the nobles. He had taken the anti-sleeping potion that Gaius handed him the minute he was feeling drowsy, but the feeling never fully went away. The want to go to sleep being held off by sheer force of will. He watched as each of his servants, guards, advisors, all started falling asleep and the fear that he would soon fall as well had his heart pounding. He could not leave his kingdom defenseless. He had to hold out and wait for Arthur to march through Camelot's gates. He trusted that if he fell his son would be able to keep the city safe, he just had to fight a bit longer.
When Arthur and the knights finally reached Camelot they couldn't help, but notice the gates were closed and two of the guards on watch were slumped over. Altogether the knights pushed the gate upwards allowing Merlin to slide through the bottom. Merlin went towards the ropes and started going about raising the gates so the rest of the men could pass.
The knights went to check on the guards and quickly confirmed that they were sleeping.
"What is this?" Sir Phineas asked taking note all the barred doors and sleeping knights and guards who had fallen asleep patrolling.
"I don't know." Arthur stated, "but I have a feeling I know who's behind it."
"Arthur we need to go. If this is Morgause we have to make sure your father-"
"Right." The prince said cutting his servant off, "Merlin and I will go check on my father."
"We can search to see if anyone is awake here." Sir Wilson spoke moving towards one of the houses.
"We can also sound the warning bells if the witch makes it into the citadel."
Arthur nodded approving as Sir Tom made his way towards the bell ready to sound it at first sight of the blonde haired sorceress.
As servant and master passed through the lower town, making their way towards the front steps of the palace, Merlin once again noticed the wretched cart from his vision.
"Arthur."
The prince turned to him slightly to let him know he was listening but not slowing down his pace.
"I know you want to find your father, but I need to check on Gaius."
Arthur paused abruptly, "Go. Find me afterwards."
Merlin nodded watching as the prince sprinted off round the stairs. Merlin then turned and took a quick detour back to get the cart before heading to see his uncle.
"Gaius!" Merlin yelled out as he entered the room ignoring the sleeping guards lying about.
Merlin sighed heavily as he noticed his guardian sleeping soundly on a cot. At least he didn't pass out on his bench. He'd complain about his back far too much.
Merlin looked around and noticed the pile of potions and books, finally finding a note that Gaius must have left for him.
His actions were interrupted the warning bell ringing. Merlin quickly read the note. The note gave vague instructions in case someone else came across it but Merlin understood and headed towards his room. He removed the floorboard and took out his magic book before heading back and flipping through all the earmarked pages with sleeping spell counter curses and curse breaking.
He moved towards Gaius, trying one counter spell after another before giving up and turning back to the bench picking up two bottles of the anti sleeping draught for him and Arthur. He quickly glanced at the curse breaking spells trying to put them to memory before throwing the book back into his room and closing the door behind him. He needed to go to Arthur, but that scratching, gut wrenching feeling took over making him look towards one particular shelf. Towards one particular bottle, and while his heart was pounding in his chest screaming for him to leave it, his mind became calmer once he had it in his grasp and put it inside his bag alongside the others.
As Arthur reaches his father's chambers, after first swinging by the throne room, he can't help but try to barge right in. The door however had other ideas, it was locked, causing the prince to topple over in a disgruntled heap.
Luckily for Arthur, the ruckus he was causing signaled to the king that someone was outside.
"Arthur?" Uther asked through the opposite side of the door. To Uther, his son being at the door seemed the only possibility since everyone had fallen. He also doubted a sorceresses' first instinct was to try and break a door down by force instead of using magic.
The king unlocks and opens the door watching as his son scrambled up as he rose. If it were any other circumstance Uther would berate Arthur for the lack of decorum, but instead moved to grasp his arm; the knight's equivalent of a manly embrace.
"You're awake!" Arthur exclaimed in astonishment. However his excitement was cut short as the warning bell sounded.
"Father the witch is-"
"I know son. Gaius did what he could to stop her, but his draughts only prolonged the inevitable. Even now I can…" Uther trailed off as yawned and started falling backwards, only for Arthur to jerk him forwards with his arm causing his father to regain himself for a moment. Arthur moved his arm to his father shoulders to guide him inside his chambers to his sit by his table.
"We need to get to Gaius, he can give you another dose."
"Arthur, Gaius fell awhile ago… He was one of the first." Uther spoke slow and sluggish resigned to his fate, now that his son was home.
"Well hold on a bit longer, maybe-"
"Arthur, I've been waiting, keeping myself awake, I… you need to keep Camelot safe in my absence."
"Father, she has the knights of Medhir with her. I alone can't defeat them."
"You must. Find Morgana, you must protect her."
"Morgana?! Is she still awake."
Uther smiled softly, which in retrospect would terrify all other servants, knights and courtesans, before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he finally slumped over in his seat.
Merlin maneuvered through the halls with his cart. He like Arthur also paused at the throne room. After making sure that neither prince or king were there he moved to head towards the King's chambers when he heard the clanging of metal footsteps. Merlin hid behind a statue and carefully peeked out. This was his first mistake as the knight zeroed in on his position. Merlin tries to make a dash down the hall , leaving the cart behind, with the knight on his heels. His second mistake was turning towards a dead end. The knight approached him his sword at the ready. Merlin quickly rushed towards the knight and ducked out of the swords way, however the knight was too quick and sliced Merlin's arm similar to his dream. Merlin eyes turn gold as he instinctively calls on his magic to send the knight flying backwards buying him enough time to run towards the King's chambers.
The moment Merlin turned into the corridor Arthur opened the king's door, his sword at the ready before taking note of his presence and more importantly the wound on his arm.
There was some debating and despite the servant saying he was fine Arthur had already ripped part of the king's sheets to create a make shift bandage for him to wrap his wound in. Next Merlin told Arthur that they should tie up the sheets and make a gurney to help carry the king around. Merlin even made to grab two pillows to make the king more comfortable, even though he rolled his eyes as he placed them under the kings head.
"Gaius was asleep by the time I got there, but I found the draughts he was working on. I got one for each of us."
Merlin said pulling the two bottles out of his bag and handing one to the prince.
Arthur nodded about to uncap it and take it right that second before Merlin stopped him.
"Gaius left a note. He said to take it when we start feeling the curses affects."
The prince pocketed the bottle, "The knights of Medhir have entered the palace, that means Morgause is not far behind. We need to find Morgana and Gwen, make sure they're safe."
Both men carefully helped maneuver the king only to pause as they saw the long flight of stairs that would lead to Morgana's chambers. Merlin took quick note of one of the alcoves and moved to hide the king there for the meantime as they went to check in on Morgana.
Reluctantly, Arthur agreed and the two rushed up the stairs before barging into her room. Merlin hesitated slightly remember how scared she was along with where she hid. Arthur in turn was quickly drawn towards the bed where Guinevere was sleeping soundly.
"Morgana", Merlin whisper-yelled, "It's Merlin and Arthur. If you're here come out."
Arthur turned to look at Merlin, about to retort that Morgana wasn't there and wouldn't just leave Gwen, when her sister came out of her hiding spot slowly lower her fists. She took a quick cautious look towards Gwen before turning back to Merlin and her adoptive brother and rushing to hug him.
Arthur held her tightly, "It's just us. You're safe."
"Arthur I-"
The loud sound of doors being blasted open stopped her in her tracks. Her half-sister must have reached the palace and made her own entrance. She turned to look towards her window her eyes watering still in fear and relief.
"We need to move!" Arthur commanded grabbing his adoptive sister by her arm and dragging her towards the door not ready to argue with her. Morgana struggled under his grasp.
"Was that? Where are the other knights? Arthur hold on?" Morgana asked question after question trying to keep up with the prince's pace. "We can't leave Gwen!"
"She's a servant Morgause won't harm her she'll come after you and the king." Merlin spoke from behind her.
Morgana nodded, finally getting Arthur's hand of her arm. "Everyone was falling asleep. Gaius did everything he could. The king too but…"
"We know. I spoke to father. Did you take your potion already."
Morgana was about to shake her head no before hesitantly saying that she had.
The three had just made it down the steps when Arthur stops and brings Uther out of the alcove. The occasional bang of Morgause magically slamming doors open sounding.
Contrary to popular belief (Arthur) Merlin did have the capabilities to think strategically. In fact, one of the things he had been thinking of was ways to protect the king when he and Arthur were riding back to Camelot. The only thing he didn't account for was losing the cart during his fight with the dark knight.
"There's a cart in the hall near the throne room" Merlin told Arthur motioning to Uther.
"The throne room is the first place Morgause will go to if she hasn't been already."
Merlin nodded, "I know."
Morgana looked towards the two quickly catching on to their train of thought. "You can't possibly be serious. We can't go back there!"
Arthur turned to Morgana, "You're right. We can't. I can." Arthur turned towards Merlin and then his father. "You two need to get my father to safety. I'll try and find the cart and bring it back."
The king's ward looked about to complain her eyes wide with worry.
"Morgana, please just do as I say." Arthur said speaking sternly before turning to Merlin. "We can't take him back to his chambers."
"The armory?" Merlin offered up, remembering the secret tunnel that led out of the city. "We can use the tunnels to hide."
Arthur nodded, "You two head to the armory. I'll meet you there as soon as I can."
