Eleven; It's Our Secret
Lynette followed Merlin back to the council chamber, where she could hear Uther and her father discussing alternatives. Merlin looked slightly perplexed beside her as they stood outside. Her mind wondered about Gwen down below and whether she was staying warm as winter began sweeping over the kingdom. He glanced at her only once before pushing the doors open, making up his mind as he strutted in like he owned the place. Lynette tried to follow, but she was too stunned at Merlin's actions. All she could do was watch as her cousin tried to save Gwen.
"It was me!" Merlin announced, garnering all the attention on himself. "It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!"
"Merlin!" Lynette hissed as she stopped by his side, but the damage had already been done.
Everybody was now staring at the serving boy in front of them. Watching half in shock and half in amusement as Lynette tried to tug Merlin away, desperate to reverse what he had set in motion. Uther looked less than impressed by the display of heroism, and Arthur appeared ready to panic at how much of an idiot his manservant was being. Merlin simply ignored the mass of attention he was receiving as he stared the king down, ready to give his life for his friend.
"Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!"
"Merlin! Are you mad?" Gaius asked as he stood from his seat among the councilors.
"I cannot let her die for me," Merlin said, but his gaze never left Uther. "I place myself at your mercy."
"He doesn't know what he's talking about," Gaius said, looking at the king.
"I do." Merlin countered.
"Then arrest him," Uther said, dismissing the matter with a wave.
Lynette gasped, "This is madness!"
"Father, please!" Arthur agreed. "I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer."
"Did you not hear him?" Uther asked.
"Yes," Arthur admitted reluctantly.
"He admitted it," Uther stated before looking at Lynette. "Unless I heard him wrong?"
Lynette shook her head, knowing better than to argue with Uther before his council. She would much rather do that privately, where she would be sure her words would reach past his ego. Arthur came to stand beside her as he said, "He saved my life, remember."
"Why should he fabricate such a story?" Uther asked.
Arthur gestured to the court physician, "As Gaius said, he's got a... grave mental disease."
"Really?"
"He's in love." Arthur finally stated.
"What?"
"With Gwen."
Lynette shook her head at Arthur's foolish attempt to save Merlin. It was well known among those that knew Gwen best that she had a slight crush on the boy, but it did not mean those feelings were reciprocated. Merlin looked over at Lynette for backup, but the damage had already been done. All Lynette could do was watch as chaos ensued. The King appeared less than appeased with the information, finding it had nothing to do with the current charges. While Arthur continued to make things worse with his less-than-convincing story.
"I am not," Merlin said, with a pointed look at Camelot's prince.
"Yes, you are." Arthur retorted.
"No way."
"I saw you yesterday with that flower she'd given you."
"Lynette received a flower as well." Merlin spat. "She's not in love with her."
Arthur chuckled as he put his arm around Merlin's shoulders, "It's alright. You can admit it."
"I don't even think of her like that!" Merlin replied as he looked between Lynette and Gaius for help.
"Perhaps she cast a spell on you," Uther stated, and the room went silent.
Lynette watched the king with worried eyes, knowing he did not make such a statement lightly, as she waited for him to continue. The council members also looked to be holding their breath, with Arthur watching his father with narrowed eyes. While the prince had meant well in his declaration, perhaps his words had the opposite intentions. It wasn't until Uther released a low chuckle that the tension in the air seemed to disappear, and Lynette slumped against a chair in exhaustion.
"Merlin is a wonder," Arthur began as he shook Merlin's head with his hand. "but the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer."
Although the king was inclined to agree with his son, he was still less than pleased with the disturbance. After dismissing the manservant, Lynette took him down the hall to where they could speak alone. Merlin tried his best to hold in his outburst until they were away from the guards, but the moment he glanced at Lynette, he knew he was in trouble. She was looking at him in the same manner his mother did when he would make a poor judgment call.
"What were you thinking?" She asked.
Merlin flinched at her tone, "I was trying to save Gwen."
"By getting yourself killed in the process?"
"I wasn't thinking," Merlin muttered. "I just acted."
"And that's the problem," Lynette said, catching every word.
"She's right, dear boy."
The two servants turned to find Gaius walking toward them, looking less than pleased at what had happened. He gestured for them to follow as they descended toward the physician's chambers, silence encompassing the short trip. They passed the council doors once more along the way, where she caught Arthur's eye briefly before continuing. A slight blush colored her cheeks, but she looked down and allowed her curtain of golden locks to hide her from view.
"Arthur's the idiot," Merlin stated as he opened the physician's chamber door.
"No," Gaius said. "He was right to do what he did. And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity."
"What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die."
"Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames," Gaius explained. "You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!"
"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it," Merlin said, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it."
Lynette held her head in defeat as she breathed, "Merlin, I think that's a good thing."
"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot," Gaius added.
"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat," Merlin stated, causing a giggle to escape Lynette.
"I don't think you'll find one big enough."
"That's not the problem," Lynette said with a smile, her anger lessening. "I don't think they're in style anymore."
Merlin chuckled as Gaius snorted, "Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water."
"Where do you propose we look?" Merlin asked.
Gaius looked guiltily over at Lynette, and she frowned, "I'm not going to like this. Am I?"
To say that Lynette was less than pleased with her current location would be an understatement. Her father's theory of the cause of the pandemic had led the three servants to stare into the abyss of what was Camelot's aqueducts. The dark tunnels had minimal light sources; the further down they went, she could hear little feet scampering. Her body shivered from the cold as she followed closely behind her father, with Merlin leading the way with a newly lit torch.
"The water from here supplies the whole town," Gaius informed them as he handed Merlin a glass bottle. "Take a sample."
Merlin did as he was told, placing the small bottle into the murky water below. Lynette watched as the light from his torch left little flecks of gold in the water below, feeling mesmerized by the waves as they rippled out. She entered a trance as the water pulled her thoughts into its depths, and only the feeling of her father's arm wrapping around her shoulders broke her focus. She looked up at him to find a slight smile on his lips as he leaned forward to kiss her forehead, making her feel comforted despite their surroundings.
"Through all this, I forgot to ask how you are doing, my dear," He began. "So, how are you?"
Lynette returned his smile as she replied, "I'll be better once we find a cure for this illness and free Gwen."
Gaius nodded, "As will I, darling. As will I."
Merlin whirled around to them with a big grin as he said, "I'm fine too. Thanks for asking."
Lynette laughed as Gaius shook his head, "Let's take it back and examine it."
As the group began their ascent back to the castle, Lynette could hear an unnaturally low growl below them. When she turned around, she found the source, a horrifying creature with slick skin and razor-sharp teeth. It rose from the depths of the aqueducts, and its focus stayed solely on the family. Lynette moved closer to her father, who had grabbed his medicine bag, ready to wack the creature if it came too close. Merlin tried to swat at it with his torch, placing his body in front of the two, but it vanished as quickly as it had come.
"What the hell was that?"
Lynette shook her head and replied, "I don't know, but I'm not staying to find out."
Gaius took hold of Lynette and Merlin's arms, pulling them away from the creature and back toward the castles. Merlin had to keep Lynetee from stumbling as they continued to run until they reached the physician's chambers, where they assumed it was safe. Once they barred the doors, Lynette began testing the water while Gaius and Merlin poured over many books to locate the creature. From the looks of things, it didn't seem to be going well until Gaius finally slammed a book down in triumph.
"Here." He said, pointing to the picture. "It was an Afanc."
"An...a what?" Merlin asked.
"A beast born of clay and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer." Lynette read off from behind her father's shoulder.
"Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" Gaius said as he looked up at the shelves lined with endless books.
"That could take days. Gwen will be dead by then." Merlin stated.
"Have you got a better idea?" Gaius asked.
Merlin left the two to rifle through the books, stating he had a different idea. At first, Lynette didn't feel comfortable letting him go, but she conceded. They needed to find a way to defeat the Afanc, and Lynette sat on the windowsill, pouring over books to do so. All she had read so far was how it was connected to its water source but not how to defeat it. According to her books, it claimed to be undefeatable, and the more she read and turned each based, the less she liked their chances.
The afternoon light streamed through the small window as the sun dipped low in the sky, bathing her hair in a golden hue. Lynette's eyes grew heavy as the light disappeared entirely, feeling defeated at the lack of information she was finding. Merlin returned and grabbed another book, yet they both kept finding that each book seemed to either claim it was a myth or tell her what she already knew. Just as she was about to nod off from exhaustion, the doors banged open to reveal Morgana with a sense of urgency in her step as she came gliding through.
"They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence." Morgana announced as she brought Lynette into a tight hug.
Lynette knew better than most what Gwen meant to Morgana. The three of them had been close friends since Morgana arrived in Camelot. The King's ward didn't view either as mere servants anymore but as dedicated and highly loyal members of her chosen family. Lynette squeezed her tighter as both tried to rid themselves of any final thoughts of losing Gwen. Instead, they focused on the positive and what they could do to prevent her death.
"We're trying."
Morgana looked slightly discouraged as she whispered, "Please, just tell me what I can do to help."
Merlin glanced up from where he was hunched over, an idea emerging as he stated, "We need Arthur."
"Arthur?"
"There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply," Merlin explained, hoping the ward would catch on. "That's what's causing the plague."
Morgana's eyebrows furrowed together, "Well, we must tell Uther."
Gaius shook his head as he took her hands and patted the top, "The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it."
"So what are we to do?" Morgana asked as she looked over at Lynette.
Lynette held up her book, "The books only tell us how it was formed, not how to defeat it."
Merlin nodded, "We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop, and Uther may see sense."
"And that's why you need Arthur," Morgana answered.
"He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King."
Morgana smirked, catching on to the raven-haired boy's plan as she spoke, "Leave that to me."
Without another word, Morgana left the room dragging a confused Lynette behind her. Merlin and Gaius watched in amusement, already knowing the inner workings of Morgana's plan. Although Arthur would do anything for his citizens, he had one weakness that Morgana knew how to exploit. Arthur was extra sweet when any request came from the lips of his beloved Lynette. Even if the two of them didn't realize it.
Lynette was deeply loathing Morgana's fashion sense as she stood outside Arthur's chambers. The light blue dress was of a finer quality than she was used to wearing, and Morgana had styled her hair in elegant waves. Part of her hair was tied with the golden ribbon belonging to Camelot's late queen, as a subtle touch that made Lynette raise a brow. While Lynette was uncomfortable in the finery, she had to admit the color looked stunning.
The young woman twitched and pulled at the dress's sleeves as she tried to calm her nerves. She wasn't really sure why she was nervous. It was Arthur! Nothing had changed between them except time, but something had changed. Earlier in the council chambers, he had looked at her with something other than friendship, which terrified her. Lynette wasn't sure what this meant or if she was even ready to find out.
Stealing her nerves, she opened the door to find Arthur leaning against the window again, his nose scrunched up in thought. She knew the face well, and when he turned to look at her, a small smile broke onto his face as he took her in. Lynette walked into the room and over to his side, where she had intended to stand beside him. However, the prince of Camelot had other ideas as he pulled the blonde into an embrace.
"You alright?" He murmured as he leaned his head on her shoulder. His arms wrapped around her waist, and her back pressed firmly into his chest. "Sorry about all this. Merlin's not been in today."
Lynette shrugged, careful not to jostle too much in his arms, "I don't think the state of your chambers is what you should be worried about."
"Yeah." He breathed.
Lynette stayed silent momentarily as they watched orange and red hues light up the sky. Her nerves had turned into fitful butterflies in her stomach as Arthur gently swayed them as his hold around her tightened. She stiffened ever so slightly, overcome with the sensation to flee, but it wasn't because it was uncomfortable. It was because it felt right, and that worried her.
She knew how this would end. She knew that regardless of her relationship with the royal family, she would never be able to be with Arthur because of her station. No matter how much she may want it at this moment. No matter how much either of them desired it. In her eyes, Camelot and the welfare of her people came first, and Lynette would not stand in the way of that.
"Arthur, what are we doing?" She whispered.
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, not bothering to mask his confusion.
Lynette turned in his arms so they were now pressed chest to chest. She felt her breath hitch as her brown eyes met his deep blue ones, unsure of the look she saw. Arthur's breath tickled her face as he unconsciously leaned forward, but Lynette stopped him by pulling away and stepping back. It was clear to her that they now needed boundaries, and she would be the one to set them.
"We found what was making the people sick," Lynette said, missing the hurt look in his eyes when she pulled away from him.
"What do you want me to do?"
Lynette was surprised he didn't ask more questions. He appeared to completely trust her, and the blonde didn't know what feelings his trust was based on. Part of her wanted to believe it was due to being childhood friends and that she'd earned it over time, but his previous actions just now spoke volumes. The prince appeared to be falling, and she couldn't be the one he fell for. Not when it would only bring hardship to Camelot and her people.
Lynette gestured for him to follow as she headed for the door, "Follow me and bring your sword."
Arthur did as she said, and together the two made their way down to where Merlin and Morgana were waiting for them. Morgana wore a triumphant smirk, but it fell when she noticed the tension surrounding the prince and servant. Merlin looked just as perplexed with Lynette's acting but made no move to push her. Instead, he pulled her into a side hug as the girl came to stand beside him.
"You'd better be right about this, Merlin," Arthur said.
Merlin said nothing and opened the gate, but Lynette didn't follow them. Morgana turned to look at her and found that she looked hesitant. However, she couldn't figure out if it was Arthur she was reluctant to follow. Merlin returned to his cousin's side and tightly pulled a cloak he held around her shoulders. Lynette sent a grateful smile his way as she tried to calm her nerves.
Merlin came to her rescue as he said, "Why don't you go wait with Gwen?"
Lynette nodded, "Alright. Be safe."
Lynette didn't say anything more than that as she raced back to the castle, not seeing the confused look on Morgana's face nor the hurt expression on Arthur's. In Lynette's mind, she was doing the right thing. The blonde was distancing herself from getting hurt in the future. However, at this time, it was all she could do not to run back into his arms.
Lynette and Gwen giggled together as Lynette leaned against the cell bars. Night had fallen, and the group had yet to return with news on the Afanc. To keep from worrying, the two began reminiscing about their childhood and the games they would play when they were children. Lynette felt excited to spend valuable time with her friend, but she did wish it was under better circumstances.
Gwen sighed, "The amount of grief we gave our fathers that time we fell asleep in the fields."
Lynette laughed, "That I blame on Morgana. She had made a bet with Leon that she could go all day without running into Arthur. The best way to avoid a prince was to avoid the castle altogether."
Gwen smiled, "I can't remember why she made that bet, though. Do you?"
Lynette shook her head, "Not a clue."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps clambering down the steps. Lynette stood ready to keep the guards from taking Gwen, even if it caused her to be arrested. She began to shake with adrenaline but was surprised and relieved to see Tom round the corner, followed closely by Morgana and Merlin. Morgana and Merlin wore identical smiles of joy as Lynette moved out of the way for Tom to enter the cell.
"Dad!"
The trio watched in relief as Tom brought Gwen into a warm embrace, rubbing her shoulders to provide warmth. Lynette handed over her cloak, and Tom wrapped the garment around the girl's shoulder to ward off more of the cold. She watched the exchange fondly as she felt Merlin wrap an arm around her shoulder. She leaned her head on his shoulder as the two smiled at the sight of the reunion between daughter and father.
"Oh, my little child!"
Gwen reached out to grasp Morgana's hand, "Thank you!"
Morgana shook her head, "Don't thank me. It was more Merlin."
"Really?" Gwen asked as her eyes turned to the raven-haired boy.
Merlin blushed at the attention of the three women, rubbing the back of his neck. Lynette felt incredibly proud of her cousin and the relationships he had begun to build. At first, she had been worried about how the boy would do in Camelot, especially given his secret. However, he continued to surprise her with his genuine desire to do good and help others. Lynette leaned over and kissed Merlin's cheek, and he broke out in a bashful grin.
"He's the real hero here," Morgana answered.
Lynette teased, "Don't let Arthur hear you say that."
Gwen smiled, "I don't know what to say."
Merlin shrugged, but he couldn't hide the red tint on his ears, "I didn't do anything."
Tom shook his head, "I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen."
Tom and Gwen left the dungeon leaving Merlin, Morgana, and Lynette to stand in the doorway of the now-empty cell. Lynette wanted to ask how the battle with the Afanc went, but she figured Merlin would tell her later. As Merlin and Lynette tried to leave, Morgana called, "Merlin. I wanted you to know your secret's safe with me."
Lynette's eyes widened as she looked at her cousin, "What?"
"My secret?" Merlin asked.
"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did."
"You do?"
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Lynette looked at Merlin, who sheepishly replied, "You did?
Morgana nodded, "I understand why you don't want anyone to know."
"Well, obviously."
"But I won't tell anyone," Morgana said. "You don't mind me talking to you about it?"
"Er...no. I, I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden." Merlin breathed as Lynette looked between the two in mild panic.
"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a fortunate woman."
"Gwen?" Merlin asked as Lynette doubled over laughing, completely missing Morgana's last statement before leaving them alone.
"I swear, Merlin," Lynette whispered as she dragged Merlin back to her father's chambers.
When they arrived, they were just in time for dinner, a large helping of soup. Lynette went to sit across from her father, with Merlin moving to sit beside her. While the soup in front of them looked questionable, Lynette knew better than to say anything. She was too hungry to question her father's twisted sense of irony and ate it quietly, allowing the bland taste to fill her stomach.
"This fish didn't come from the water, did it?" Merlin asked, moving his spoon around in the bowl.
"Well, where else will it come from? The water's fine now. That's not your worry." Gaius began with a raised eyebrow before continuing to a potential cause of the disturbance. "This is the work of a mighty sorcerer. I only hope you didn't come to her attention."
"Doubt it," Merlin said with a sigh, not noticing the looks he was receiving as he continued. "Well, no one else seems to appreciate my skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am."
Lynette smiled as she touched his shoulder, "I see you."
"As do I."
Merlin smiled, "Thanks."
"One day, Merlin. One day." Gaius muttered
"One day what?" Merlin asked.
"One day, people won't believe what an idiot you were."
Merlin shook his head as he ate another spoonful of the wish soup, "Thanks."
Lynette laughed as she listened intently to how Merlin had helped Arthur defeat the Afanc. The more she listened to his tale, the more guilty she felt about leaving. Not when they faced the Afanc alone, but when the girl had pushed him away. Although she knew she was doing it to protect her heart, Lynette couldn't forgive herself if it ended up doing more than just leaving him with a broken heart.
