How To Hide a Werewolf King … Or Perhaps Not
To say that King Gorlagon was flabbergasted that Merlin, Sir Biclarel and Sir Melion's half-witted plan that they had quickly come up with actually worked, would not be an understatement. They had opted to hide him under a giant tapestry – to say that Gorlagon was set to protest at the idiocy was not an understatement but it did not stop his fellow werewolves and the servant. If he thought this was the end of it, Gorlagon was soon proven wrong.
The King of Rheged was nigh on dazed that the Knights had managed to lure away the extra guards away from the physician's tower with the lie that they had come to relieve Sir Galahad and Sir Lanval of their duty. The two guards in question had not even considered that their brothers-in-arms could be lying!
Well, that was not entirely true. Galahad had given both Biclarel and Melion an assessing look, as though he was trying to decide if they were capable enough to guard the physician and his family. If Gorlagon had not known any better, he would have thought that the Knight was guarding an extension of the Royal Family.
Biclarel and Melion had given the Knight their best confident smiles and had not flinched under Galahad's silent interrogation. It was Lanval who pulled his comrade away, grumbling about 'over-intense nonsense'.
To make matters worse, they had walked by the strange, tapestry-covered, wolf-sized object that had been beside Sir Biclarel without so much as giving Gorlagon a sideways glance. They had not been the first and the King continued to dwell in his disbelief at how easily blind-sided King Arthur's Knights really were.
It was a miracle that no assassins had managed to slip into Camelot as of late! Gorlagon knew it had not been for a lack of effort, though. The closest one had come had been Myror; the supposedly deadliest assassin the whole Isle of the Mighty. He had been hired by King Odin to avenge the death of his eldest son and heir. And his favourite.
After all, the fool had two other sons, but Pelleas could practically turn everything to gold with a simple touch according to Odin. It had always been rather laughable to Gorlagon at how blind Odin was to his grief. Pelleas had challenged a man who even by reputation was more talented with a sword than he could ever be, and had made a challenge to the death just for the sake of his pride.
He had died an honourable death, according to the Knights' Code and his father was making enemies left, right and centre due to a temper tantrum. Odin was a pathetic excuse for a King and Gorlagon was very much looking forward to the day that he could dethrone him. It mattered very little to the King of Rheged that Arthur and Odin had settled their differences with a rather tenuous truce.
What Odin did to King Rodor of Nemeth, who was twice the commander and twice the King Odin could ever be, Gorlagon could never forgive.
That, and the King of Rheged was going to advise the King of Camelot to sharpen his men's wits because this was utter madness!
The Werewolf King sighed as Biclarel and Melion beckoned him to follow and he trudged after them, making sure that the tapestry was over him.
This is most undignified; he could not help but grumble to himself.
Dignity does not come into survival, Your Highness.
Gorlagon really had to get used to the fact that someone could actually hear him through his dormant Link. Sir Biclarel gave him an apologetic smile. But all three werewolves soon hit a bit of a snag: the physician's tower was not unoccupied. Both Knights nigh on skidded to a halt when they realised that Ganieda was there, entertaining Prince Clarion and Princess Caelia with some of Gaius's potion books while little Prince Aneurin napped on Gaius's bed.
Ganieda's head had shot up immediately at the door opening, and was now looking at them with slightly furrowed brows.
"Sir Biclarel, Sir Melion – where is Merlin?" the warlock asked with undisguised concern.
"He is safe," Melion reassured her immediately. "He has gone to find the King."
Ganieda nodded in understanding and then soon spied the giant, tapestry-covered shape behind the werewolves and she frowned even more. For a moment, her mind raced all over the place, trying to find a reasonable explanation for what she was seeing only for a look of tired resignation to pull itself onto her countenance.
"You didn't," was all she stated.
Biclarel and Melion attempted to look innocent, which did not really work very well.
"What?" Biclarel sounded even less innocent which made Gorlagon want to put his face into his paw.
Ganieda did not answer verbally. She rose to her feet and marched over to them with a sense of purpose, causing both Werewolf Knights to tense ever so slightly. Gorlagon stayed stock still but it was no good. None of them knew that Ganieda's strongest magic was related to animals, hence the warlock was not so easily bamboozled.
"How stupid do you think I am?" Ganieda shook her head in disbelief. "This is one of my cousin's plans?"
"Well," Melion grinned wryly. "We managed to fool everyone up until now."
Ganieda put her face into her hands in disbelief. She shook her head despondently before raising her head.
"The King was enchanted by the plant?" was all Ganieda asked further.
This caused Clarion and Caelia to look up from the books they were reading.
"I'm afraid so," Biclarel confirmed to her easily. "And the Queen …"
He was about to confirm everything that Ganieda had feared but he tailed off when he noticed that the young Crown Prince and his sister were watching them unblinkingly. He didn't need to continue because Ganieda knew enough. She had already suspected the answer; her eyes fell closed for a moment.
"Take His Highness to Merlin's room," Ganieda made the call before common sense returned to her. "No one in their right mind would search in there.
Biclarel and Melion hurried the still-blanketed Werewolf King towards the wooden door at the end of the chambers, Gorlagon once more huffing as he was marched towards a room that was most certainly not fit for a King. Ganieda followed closely behind, still baffled at the audacity of Merlin and the Knights.
Once the door to Merlin's room was firmly shut, the warlock wasted no time in getting rid of the sheets over the giant wolf. Ganieda studied the Werewolf King closely; the wolf was twice the size of any normal wolf and the haughtiness of the nobility as well as unadulterated rage swam in the eyes of Gorlagon.
"I am sorry this happened to you, Sire," Ganieda stated sincerely.
For a moment, Gorlagon didn't answer, but soon he growled back. "You and me both, girl."
Biclarel was about to translate for the King when Ganieda chuckled. "Your Queen caught you off-guard, didn't she?"
Stunned, all three werewolves openly gaped at the hidden warlock. Ganieda really could not help but grin herself at this point.
"You … You understand him?" Melion whispered in disbelief. "How …?"
Ganieda did not answer; she simply smiled knowingly at the Knight.
Is she like me too? Or is she a witch …? The thought crossed Gorlagon's mind easily. For a moment he wanted to growl, but then the King paused. The differences between this peasant girl and his wife were stark. Accolon was vindictive and envious while Ganieda – from what the King observed – had barely an ill bone in her body and had a sweet, kind disposition that he saw within her cousin.
That alone earned her the benefit of the doubt.
"Yes, she did. A mistake I will not allow to happen again," Gorlagon reassured through barks and growls. "If I see her, I will rip her throat out for this treason!"
Ganieda gave him an empathetic look. "The entire castle is on high alert. They will try to kill you on sight. You have to stay hidden."
Gorlagon's lips curled into a sneer. "You need not point out the obvious, girl."
Melion stepped into the conversation at this point. "How do we turn you back into human form, Your Highness?" he wanted to know.
"My plant," Gorlagon growled. "You will need my plant."
Before the King could continue, there were several knocks on the door from two sets of different knuckles. The adults in the room all took a fortifying breath.
"Ganieda? What is going on in there?" Princess Caelia called.
"We heard growling! Is it the wolf? May we see it? Please?" Prince Clarion added.
"Please don't kill it! I am sure it didn't mean any harm," his sister quickly put in. "Maybe it was hungry and thought Ettare was food!"
Ganieda, Biclarel and Melion exchanged a look between them, all of their eyes starting to bug out of their sockets. A silent debate ensued for a little while before Melion completely lost his patience.
"Don't do! Children do not know how to keep a secret for the life of them!" he hissed.
"But these are more precocious than most their age," Ganieda argued back just as softly.
"Are you mad? All the King has to do is look at them sternly and they will cave," Melion retorted back just as easily.
Gorlagon forgot decorum for a moment and snorted, letting out a wolfish chuckle. The two Werewolf Knights and the warlock looked to the Werewolf King in bewilderment. "Not even I could get my own children to confess their deeds, even when they got caught. I am always rather impressed with their cunning, though I advise you not to tell them that. It will only encourage them."
Biclarel grinned and looked at his old friend. "I think that statement is overwhelmingly in their Highnesses' favours."
Melion looked set to protest once more but Ganieda was already heading to the bedroom door. "Sorry, Melion, you have been overruled!" she stated brightly.
"Overruled? My word counts more than yours!" the Knight scowled and his jaw clenched.
"Prideful, isn't he?" Gorlagon commented wryly to Biclarel, giving the Knight a look of commiseration. Melion this time could definitely not say a word; his jaw simply clenched even more as chuckles at his expense continued to rise.
Ganieda opened the door; Prince Clarion and Princess Caelia looked rather stern for their doing.
"The wolf is not hurt, is he?" Princess Caelia immediately wanted to know.
Ganieda smiled reassuringly. "Would you like to see for yourself, Your Highness?"
The warlock opened the bedroom door wider so that the young Royals could poke their head around the door frame and look into Merlin's tiny room. The children looked with fascination around for a moment, as though they could not believe their eyes at how someone was able to live in such small a chamber. Then, the Crown Prince and his sister looked upon the form of their father, in full wolf form. For a moment, both children tensed up and could only blink. Then, very slowly, as though they were afraid of agitating the giant creature, the Royals approached their father, who was looking on in undisguised amusement. Once they were close but at a safe enough distance, both children reached out to pat the snout of their father.
Ganieda hid her amusement behind her hand while Biclarel's grin turned into a full smile. Melion simply shook his head in disbelief at how trusting the Prince and Princess really were.
"He's beautiful," Caelia commented in awe.
Gorlagon grinned unabashedly at his daughter's compliment.
"His eyes look a bit like Father's," Clarion's sharp observation caught everyone off-guard soon enough.
The King of Rheged had not expected his son and heir to be that blunt, because he started gaping at the child that he rarely spent much time with. Indeed, the only time Gorlagon paid much attention to his eldest son was when his tutors and martial instructors gave the King reports on Clarion's progress.
"What makes you say that, Your Highness?" Ganieda asked carefully, but curiously.
"They're the same colour, and Father gets this hard look in his eyes whenever he gets angry or has pressing matters of state," Clarion explained, not looking away from his lupine father. The young boy seemed to consider something for a moment and let his hand fall away from the wolf before turning to the two Knights of Camelot and Merlin's cousin. "It's Father, isn't it? The wolf?"
Now that question had everyone stumped, including Princess Caelia, who stopped mid pat and just stared her father into his grey eyes with bewilderment. Once more, Biclarel, Melion and Ganieda exchanged looks in a silent debate, this time arguing the case of whether or not they should lie to the Crown Prince of Rheged's face. This time, there was overt internal conflict in all three of them.
It was one thing to admit that there was a wolf. It was entirely another to admit to the children of the Werewolf King that their father was the wolf.
The tension was palpable, and Gorlagon could not take the suspense anymore. Indeed, it was the first time that the King of Rheged truly felt any sense of trepidation. The idea of his own children fearing or despising him, it was almost too much for him to bear. In a rare act of genuine affection, Gorlagon leaned in and gave his children each tentative lick-kisses, which made both Prince Clarion and Princess Caelia giggle.
"Papa, stop, that tickles!" Caelia managed to say through giggles.
One might have reasonably expected the King to stop at this point, but in typical fatherly fashion, Gorlagon gave his eldest children a lick each before stopping, letting out a growly chuckle.
However, the good mood was quickly replaced by surprising seriousness. The Prince and the Princess looked at the adults and gave them – all three – a pointed look. "Who did this to our father?" it was Clarion who decided to ask the question on both their minds.
Oh bloody hell, Gorlagon clearly heard Biclarel and Melion curse internally at the exact same time. The King looked on in overt amusement, clearly wanting to see how exactly the servant and the two Knights were going to answer that blunt question.
"Your Highness, it isn't easy to explain," Ganieda started off carefully.
As she already had gauged, the children were not phased by this in the slightest.
"That is not an answer, Ganieda!" Princess Caelia scolded.
The warlock cursed internally. For once, Ganieda felt herself put her head in her hands, trying to gather patience before she raised her head and looked at them with deadly seriousness. "Your father is enchanted, by his plant. Magic was used to turn him into a wolf."
You could have heard a feather drop to the ground.
Clarion and Caelia both blinked in surprise, almost in perfect unison, before their serious expressions returned.
"Who did this?" was the predictable next question that Ganieda dreaded.
This time, none of the adults offered any kind of direct answer. Magic was easy to confess to, in comparison to the revelation that their mother was responsible for what happened.
"If you do not know, that is fine," Prince Clarion reassured quickly. "We just want to know if you know."
Biclarel decided to step up this time. "We do not have any evidence but … we have our suspicions."
Before the children could press the matter further, everyone's ears pricked up when they heard the door to the physician's tower open and they heard Gaius come in, muttering under his breath. It was in that moment that Ganieda felt her heart skip several beats.
Uh oh.
How in the name of the gods were they going to hide Gorlagon from Gaius?!
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"Will I never be rid of you?" Queen Accolon spat with undisguised vitriol after her long-standing rival had the audacity to survive yet another attempt of setting the magical plant on fire. Already the plant had withstood five blazes plus the Queen's fireplace.
Ever since the mention of evidence disposal, the Queen of Rheged had been hard at work ever since she had sent all of her guards away to help the Knights of Camelot in their quest to find the lupine intruder, trying to dispose of the evidence of her crime and the only instrument that could be used to turn her husband back into his human form. The problem was, the stubborn plant was literally refusing to die.
It was immune to being cut in any lethal way; it was immune to being torn from the ground; and burning it only seemed to make it thrive! With each murder attempt that it survived, Accolon became increasingly more agitated. By this point, she had disregarded everything in the world around her in exchange for focus on her buried rage.
It would have been amusing to Guinevere, who was witnessing the entire pathetic display, had it not been so petty and juvenile. The Queen of Camelot knew that the judgemental, snobby Queen had her issues – but even she could not have waged the depths that the Queen of Rheged hated one gods-be-damned plant! Guinevere had not folded her arms in such a long time, but now she did find herself taking the stance of a disapproving mother.
This could pose a problem for Morgana's plans; the High Priestess needed to be informed of this sooner, rather than later.
I think Morgana might have misjudged the Queen somewhat, Guinevere sneered to herself. She needs to know about this. If one plant is going to pose this much of a problem, some more powerful magic may be needed.
Suddenly quite adamant, Guinevere left the Queen of Rheged's chambers, not that the latter seemed to register or even care. Guinevere found the journey back to her chambers almost too easy. Once there, the Queen rushed to the desk she shared with the King and sat down to quickly quill a note to Morgana.
Morgana,
I do not wish to cause undue alarm, but we may have a situation regarding Queen Accolon. Her hatred for one plant is almost all-consuming and I fear she may entirely lose her mind and thus lose her usefulness.
How would you like me to proceed?
Also, King Gorlagon has not been found yet.
Guinevere
The Queen of Camelot rolled up the tiny scroll and hid it in one of her rings. Then, she headed towards the Bird Master's quarters to request one of his messenger birds. Of course, all the while Guinevere was preparing a believable excuse, just in case the Bird Master asked any potentially awkward questions. After all, she had been borrowing quite a few birds lately; no excuses were needed this time because the Bird Master was not in his quarters.
Guinevere could hardly believe her luck as she sent the bird off. So far, almost everything had gone to plan.
She would have likely felt apprehension and relief at the exact same time had she known that her concerns were shared by Morgana. The High Priestess had gone down to the lake with Aithusa to bathe when her puppet's bird had arrived. At first, Morgana had been rather irritated that Guinevere had bothered her with this, but then Morgana considered the ramifications of Accolon's obsessive hatred.
None of them bode well for Morgana's plans. The Isle of the Mighty relied on good trade with Rheged; take that away, and soon all the Kingdoms would bow before her, begging for mercy. Morgana felt her jaw clench.
It would seem that once more, a disguise was needed. One that was even better than the Hilda persona she had crafted. One that no one could look through.
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Merlin could easily admit that he had more than enough experience with running from one end of the castle to the other, whether it was for an errand, a job of Arthur's or it was to save Arthur's life but it was on this occasion that the warlock surprised himself by almost breaking his own running record. Merlin dodged guards, panicked servants and apprehensive Knights of Camelot and Rheged in his bid to get to the guest chambers and get a twig of that plant before the Queen could destroy it.
However, Merlin could also count how many times people had gotten in his way, whether they were friends, colleagues or enemies. He could also say how many of those times occurred during life and death moments, and of course – it seemed that the Sisters of Fate were determined to add one more to that rather extensive list.
"Merlin? Merlin! There you are! Slow down!"
"Merlin, the King wants to see you!"
"Merlin, go easy on us, would you?"
The warlock reluctantly slowed down and turned to look at Percival, Mordred and Tristan; the latter was clutching his sides from some reason. Merlin could only guess at why.
"What does Arthur want?" Merlin tried not to sound agitated. "If he is upset that I haven't found the King yet, I have a lead-"
"Merlin, there is no wolf," Percival cut across his friend, looking slightly apologetic as he did so. "It's a trick; Arthur is worried about you."
"Though he did not use those words exactly," Tristan added. "But he did send us to find you when he saw Ganieda bring the Royal children back safely."
Merlin stayed silent for a moment to process this information. Arthur actually knew the wolf was a trick? How? The fact that Arthur was almost openly worried about him made the warlock smirk only a little bit.
"Well, you can go back to Arthur and assure him that I haven't been mauled," Merlin stated a little too brightly for the taste of the three Knights, even doing a little playful twirl for the three of them. "Now, if you don't mind-"
"Merlin, where are Biclarel and Melion?" Tristan wanted to know, frowning. "Ganieda said they went with you."
"They did," Merlin confirmed easily, almost shrugging nonchalantly as he spoke. This was not the first time that he had to lie on his feet. "I sent them to relieve Galahad and his partner from guard duty."
This took Tristan by surprise and made Mordred's eyes narrow.
"And they listened to you?" Tristan could barely believe his ears.
"I was as surprised as you are! But apparently, they are trying to make amends for their recent behaviour," Merlin lied smoothly.
You found King Gorlagon, didn't you?
Of course, Mordred saw right through his idol's rather weak attempt at smoke and mirrors. This made Merlin's eyes turn steely for a moment before he answered.
It is as suspected. The wolf is the King and the one responsible for this circle, is Queen Accolon. The plant was used to enchant him – apparently it is the anchor for his Blood Curse. To turn the King back, we need that plant.
Mordred nodded in understanding.
"Be that as it may," Percival pulled all the attention back onto him, "we need to get you back to Arthur before he sends another search party to find you."
Of all times the cabbage head gets worried about me … Merlin grumbled to himself.
It was rather endearing to witness; Mordred could not help but comment through a grin.
The warlock could not keep the irritation off his countenance, regardless, judging by the contrite smile Percival gave him. Merlin knew that he was not going to be able to weasel his way out of this summons and thus, reluctantly followed his friends back to where Arthur was waiting, in the council chambers, surrounded by panicked courtiers. Gwaine, Leon, Marrok, Kay and Bedivere were standing at each entrance of the council chambers, all of them looking equally annoyed as each other by the behaviour of the Court.
Currently, the King was attempting to quell their concerns.
"All Knights and guards are on duty; they have searched this castle from top to toe and they cannot find the wolf."
"How did the creature get into the city in the first place?" came the umpteenth demand from one of the women.
"A better question is, why?" sniffed one of the old guard from Uther's days. "Really, Sire, we had nothing like this when your father-"
"How it got in, we are investigating," it was Leon who cut the pompous Baron off with a cold tone. "As for why, we have a theory that it may have caught whiff of food from just outside the citadel and decided to investigate. It is true that Camelot has had no wolves for a good many years, but they live all over the country. You cannot fault an animal for doing what is only natural, and travelling if food is scarce elsewhere."
"If it will make you all sleep easier tonight, I will ensure that there are more guards placed at the entrance to your chambers and the entrance to your corridors," Arthur added through his very well-practised Kingly smile.
Merlin found himself grinning rather proudly at how his friend was handling this impossible situation.
For now, the courtiers settled. Judging from their facial expressions, not all were convinced that this would be enough to pass a more peaceful night, but none dared to object to their King. Leon made the most of their silence and called forth some guards to escort the nobles back to their chambers and make sure that they would stay there. Once they were dealt with, Arthur raised his eyes to meet those of his best friend, a wry smile spreading on his countenance.
"Percival, Mordred, Tristan; thank you kindly. Did you find him hiding in a broom cupboard?" Arthur could not help but tease as he approached.
Merlin rolled his eyes while the Knights chuckled softly. "You wished to see me, Sire?" Merlin asked dutifully. "If so, I have to tell you that I haven't found King Gorlagon yet, nor the wolf-"
"Merlin, there is no wolf. At least, not a wild one."
The warlock felt his brain literally stop working for a single second. Merlin had his mouth open to lie again but soon felt his mouth close in absolute shock. All he felt able to do, was blink.
What?
"Do you need to clean your ears out, Merlin?"
Did I say that out loud?
"Yes, you did, Merlin," Arthur's amusement continued. "And I should be offended that you are so surprised – I am not a complete idiot, you know."
Merlin suddenly regained his senses and his brain started to work again. "Well you do have your moments," the warlock could not help but sass. "So, it would stand to reason you have your clever moments now and again."
The Knights chuckled softly while the King gave his friend a playful whack around the head. Merlin was the first to get the conversation back on track.
"So, there is no wolf? How do you know?"
"I saw Ettare's body," Arthur answered solemnly. "Gaius ran me through the autopsy. Someone made it look like the girl was attacked by a wolf, possibly using magic. Then, Leon told me that on patrol, they found the carcass of a boar. It had been mauled by wolves; except they were bigger than normal. More akin to the magical kind."
Merlin blatantly refused to look in Marrok's direction at this point. It seemed that he would need to have a word with the werewolves about where were actually the best hunting spots, away from the citadel!
"And this is important?" Merlin once more played the role of the fool.
"Yes, Merlin, it is," Arthur looked like he really wanted to roll his eyes. "Because Morgana has wolves too, remember?"
Ah yes. Ismere – how could Merlin forget?
The answer was never, because Ismere was one of the few places that actually still haunted Merlin's nightmares.
"I remember," Merlin reassured coolly. "She has a dragon and a pack of wolves, which you think she has sent here?"
"Not the dragon – just the wolves," Gwaine responded whilst trying to keep the amusement out of his voice, and failing quite overtly.
"For what reason? To kill Arthur?" the warlock continued to play dumb as best as he could manage. "If that is the case, why did it go to King Gorlagon's chambers?"
"We don't think they were here to kill Arthur," Leon informed him truthfully. "We think Morgana is prioritising the treaty with Rheged above Arthur's life right now, because with Gorlagon as an ally, the throne would be more difficult to obtain."
"After all, Gorlagon really is not friendly to anyone with magic," Percival added grimly.
"He would be more than happy to help Camelot put that witch back in her place," Tristan smirked.
"So, where is the wolf and where is the King?" Merlin questioned innocently.
"Well, we don't know – you have not found him yet," Arthur pointed out, shaking his head. "Really, Merlin, I am surprised you can find your own backside sometimes!"
"Well, I was busy doing what you told me to do when I got escorted here," the warlock took great pleasure in sassing the King back.
"Shut up, Merlin," came Arthur's rather predictable answer.
"You know that I am right," Merlin did not even try to hide the smugness in his voice. "Speaking of missing Royals, have the children been found yet?"
"Of course. They are with Ganieda at the physician's tower. They are perfectly safe," Marrok reassured him with a lopsided grin. "Tristan did end up with a bump and a bruise though, courtesy of the Crown Prince!"
Tristan huffed as snickers rippled around the room and Merlin turned to him with a grin. "I am never going to live this down, am I?"
"You got beaten by a child?" Merlin really had to bite into his cheek.
"His Royal Highness took his guard duty seriously," Tristan grumbled.
"He got whacked by a pan," Mordred supplied Merlin happily with the information.
"Oh boy! Shouldn't we take him to see Gaius? Those pans are no joke!" Merlin could attest to that; he had to dodge enough of those pans when Cook was in one of her moods.
Tristan glowered at him. "I will be fine!"
"Prince Clarion may have actually knocked some sense into him, instead of out," Gwaine could not help but tease his comrade further.
"I'll knock some sense into you if you don't watch it!" Tristan shot back.
It was at this point that the King decided to rein his Knights back in. "Enough. We still have a job to do. Forget Morgana's wolf; find King Gorlagon. Merlin, I cannot believe that I am actually going to say this, but you have the night off."
Those words were music to Merlin's ears. That meant he could get back to Ganieda, the Royal children and … wait …
Ganieda and the children were back home? Where he had sent Melion and Biclarel to with …
Oh no.
The realisation hit Merlin but the warlock kept his countenance as he bowed to Arthur and quickly made his escape, his friends chuckling because they interpreted his behaviour as excitement. In reality, the warlock could feel his heart pounding even in his ears as he raced back home.
Emrys, where's the fire? Mordred's teasing question drifted into his head.
Melion and Biclarel took Gorlagon to my home!
Oh …
Merlin was more than a little relieved when he saw that Galahad was no longer on duty. He would have no doubt gotten a lecture about running in the corridor, as the Knight tended to do because he was concerned about the potential 'unsafe situations' it could cause. As much as Merlin loved the mother hen, he could not deal with Galahad's fussing at present. Hence, there was no one to stop him from charging through the door.
"Merlin, really! How many times do we have to have this discussion?" Gaius chastised him as he continued cooking an extremely late dinner, the Royal children giggling at the fact one of their favourite Camelot servants was getting told off by his guardian. Ganieda, who was sitting between them with Prince Aneurin on her lap, grinned at her cousin. Biclarel and Melion, funnily enough, were sitting on the doorsteps to Merlin's room.
Noting this, Merlin's eyes narrowed a little.
Had they …?
No … surely not …?
"Did the King let you off for the night?" Ganieda asked jovially.
"Yes, he did. I think he took a bigger blow to the head than Tristan did," Merlin joked back. Prince Clarion flushed in embarrassment as the adults chuckled.
"Well, that means you are for once early for dinner," Gaius stated brightly. "I assume Arthur is going to keep up the search for King Gorlagon?"
A quick look was exchanged between the cousins. The children also became more tight-lipped.
"He is," Merlin confirmed, clearing his throat.
"Well, let us hope they find him soon. If these patrols continue into tomorrow, I will have to get up early in order to complete my rounds on time," Gaius sighed. "Ganieda, would you like to come with me?"
"Of course, Uncle," Ganieda replied brightly.
"What kind of rounds are you going on?" Princess Caelia asked curiously.
"Oh, it's all very boring," the court physician smiled kindly. "We need to collect herbs from the woods and from traders. Then we need to do a routine check on some patients who are still recovering."
"Oh. Our court physician could learn from you. All he does is wait for the traders to come to him and sends his assistants to do all the hard jobs," Prince Clarion pulled a face. "He even sings to his leeches!"
"I just think it is because he's lonely but Clarion thinks he's strange," Caelia explained.
Gaius chuckled. "It is a little strange. But I think you may be onto something, Your Highness. I used to do some strange things too before Merlin came to live with me. After that, I did not have much cause to be lonely."
"You never had children?"
"No. Nor a wife, though I was engaged once," the physician answered truthfully as he started plating. Merlin settled next to the young Princess. "Ganieda and Merlin are my sisters' children, but I have also considered them as mine for a while."
"You have been more than a father to us," Merlin was all too happy to confirm, Ganieda nodding in agreement.
It was during dinner that Merlin had gotten the answer to the question of Where in the Name of the Gods was King Gorlagon?
Gaius had made extra chicken stew to accommodate the extra dinner guests. Biclarel and Melion had come to get some food, which took Merlin by surprise; then, Biclarel headed towards Merlin's room. Naturally, this was noted.
"Sir Biclarel, where are you going? We have more benches!" Gaius called.
The Werewolf Knight slowed his pace and Merlin saw the thoughts whir in Biclarel's head. Clearly, the Knight was trying to come up with some kind of excuse. It was Melion who stepped in.
"Biclarel doesn't like people watching him eat," the Knight quickly explained. "It's why he barely touches a morsel at banquets."
Biclarel looked rather pink at this point; Merlin bit into his cheek to stop himself from laughing. But importantly, Gaius bought the fib because he gestured to the Knight to go into Merlin's room. As soon as the Knight was inside, Merlin turned to his own dinner as he opened the Link with his cousin.
You hid the King in my room, didn't you?
No, we hid him in the broom cupboard – yes of course we did! You should be glad Uncle Gaius wasn't here because the scene was ridiculous.
Ganieda was more than happy to vent.
What do you mean?
What do you mean?! Merlin, Biclarel and Melion came in with a walking tapestry! How in the name of the gods did you manage to keep your head on your shoulders for so long if this is the level of ridiculousness is normal?!
No one noticed-
I noticed, Merlin! The children noticed!
Wait … they know?
Yes, they know! Of course they know. They are not stupid!
Merlin could not argue there.
So – I have a werewolf in my room.
A werewolf King, but yes.
Merlin found himself grinning as he tucked into his stew. We are not winning the fight for the bed, you know that, right?
Ganieda had to use every ounce of self-control to not snort into her own food. I was not intending to fight His Majesty in the first place. I am sleeping on a bench tonight. You will have to make some excuse to Gaius about why we have swapped beds.
Why do I have to deal with Gorlagon? Merlin nigh on pouted.
Because I am not sleeping with a Royal werewolf in my bed! If Aunt Hunith ever found out, she will have a fit.
And she won't if it's me?!
Less. You don't have to deal with the 'there is a strange Royal werewolf in a lady's bed' nonsense!
Merlin wished that he had a good rebuke to that, but he really did not. He knew that his mother – and Gaius – would indeed faint if they ever discovered that Ganieda had slept with a King in wolf form in her bed, even if nothing untoward had happened. Merlin knew just how hypocritical it was, as did Ganieda; the problem was, the times they lived in were not the most open-minded, and Ganieda knew it was not going to be so for the most part for the coming one thousand years and more. Though even with her Sight, Ganieda knew it would be a toss-up between the people who would have found their current situation funny and which would have a fit.
You're right. I'll take the bed tonight and hedge my bets that the King won't chew my face off in his sleep.
Merlin!
Both cousins at this point were chortling into their food, which caused the Royal children and Gaius to give them both disapproving looks.
"Merlin, Ganieda!" Gaius chided. "Mind your table manners."
"Sorry, Gaius," both chorused once they were able to and had swallowed their mouthful, not looking all that contrite, which made the elderly physician fold his arms rather sternly.
"You are not setting a good example to the children," he continued to scold.
Both warlocks were unable to answer on the account of having their hands against their fists while trying not to start laughing, which would inevitably lead to a spray of stew into Gaius's face since they had both just taken another spoonful.
Princess Caelia was most indignant on Gaius's behalf. "You clearly were not struck by your governess enough. Our governesses give us a good strike on our knuckles if we misbehave."
That statement seemed to give her brothers an idea because both Clarion and young Prince Aneurin used their wooden spoons to sharply tap Ganieda on the knuckles. Princess Caelia then followed her own advice and struck Merlin once. Both warlocks yelped, jumped about two feet into the air and were soon rubbing their knuckles, looking wounded.
"Owwwww!" Merlin complained. "What was that for?"
"Boys, really?" Ganieda scowled down at the Royal princes. "That hurt!"
Gaius could only chuckle, looking quite smug.
"Now I see why Tristan was bruised," Merlin added dramatically.
"I didn't hit you that hard," Caelia protested, pouting a little.
Merlin then smirked as another juvenile idea sprung into his head. "No, you didn't," he agreed. "But you did hit me hard enough to turn me into the Tickle Monster!"
"Nooooooooo! Not the Tickle Monster!"
Gaius had to put one finger in each ear at the princess's squealing but was soon chuckling away as Merlin chased the rambunctious princess around the physician's chambers while her brothers giggled. To say that Melion watched the proceedings slightly shellshocked, would be an understatement. Naturally, all of Gaius's attempts to get them both to settle went completely unheeded.
"Merlin, stop that!"
"Merlin, be careful before the princess collides into my potion bench!"
Not only that but Biclarel and Gorlagon risked exposure by opening Merlin's door slightly and peeping out through the crack in the door to see what was going on. King Gorlagon did let out a rather loud bark of laughter that Melion had to cover up as his own burst of loud laughing, which only sent the children into more floods of giggles.
It was safe to say that all three nobles were thinking the exact same thing.
Only in Camelot could the image of a princess being chased by a servant calling himself the Tickle Monster be absolutely hilarious.
The sound of her father's barking laughter did pull Caelia back down to earth and the princess allowed Merlin the Tickle Monster to grab her and give her two tickles before marching her back to her seat and to finish her food. Just in time too, because soon George, who was now sufficiently recovered after a nap but still walking with a limp, had come to collect the Royal children whilst armed with a knife from the kitchens.
Just in case.
Merlin could not lie, but the sight of his uppity friend with a weapon was slightly amusing, especially after knowing that George had lost a sight with a crate. But apparently, George had orders from both the Queen of Camelot and the Queen of Rheged to fetch the children, put them to bed as best as he could and stay with them for the rest of the night until morning. Clarion, Caelia and Aneurin pouted but with the promise from Merlin and Ganieda that they would come and see them in the morning or the afternoon, they complied and went quietly with their still swollen protector.
Not soon after that, Galahad and Lanval had returned – still confused as to why they had been relieved in the first place – to take over from Biclarel and Melion. Though the Werewolf Knights had been most reluctant to leave, a silent, reassuring glance from the warlocks was enough to allow them to find Marrok.
Which soon meant that Camelot's resident sorcerers and one hidden werewolf were left to their own devices for the evening. Gaius went straight to bed while Ganieda stayed up a little while longer to read up on transformation magic. As for Merlin, he had made a bath, though not for himself. Gorlagon was face with yet another surprise when the brass tub was brought into the small room and then filled with a good few buckets of warm water, and then Merlin gestured silently for him to enter the tub.
At first, the Werewolf King was most reluctant. He was only used to bathing with his manservant around, not another King's; but Sir Biclarel had a point. Dignity really did not come into play when it came to surviving. Plus, he was covered by fur, so there was no need to be bashful. Gorlagon quietly padded over to the tub and dipped one paw into the water to check the temperature before carefully climbing in.
Bathing in wolf form really was dreadfully inconvenient! Especially due to his lupine size and weight, he did slosh quiet a bit of the water on the floor, which Merlin immediately started to mop up a little. As best as he was able to, Gorlagon washed his fur and muzzle before leaping out of the tub and – perhaps giving slightly into his more wolfish instincts – shook himself dry, sending water flying.
It was all that Merlin could do to not scold the Werewolf King as though he were one of Arthur's hunting hounds.
Merlin did catch some of the brunt of the water droplets, which made Gorlagon smirk a little and the warlock faux-scowl back at him. As he watched the strange servant work, the King of Rheged could not help but wonder why Merlin was not simply using his magic to do all the work.
After all, if Ganieda had magic, surely Merlin did as well? Or did magic run in only one side of the family? Gorlagon read at some point that such a phenomenon did occur.
The warlock finished moping and drying the mess in his room as best as he could manage, he then turned to the thing he had for once been dreading to face the most: his bed. Merlin stared at it as though it were some dangerous mythical creature he was meant to slay to protect Camelot, and then turned to look at the lupine King of Rheged, who was watching him with haughty concern.
What are you doing? You can't make a King sleep on the floor, Merlin scolded himself. Werewolf or not.
Merlin sighed deeply to himself and then looked at Gorlagon before silently gesturing to his bed with his head. The King blinked in shock at him; Merlin for a moment thought that the King had not understood what he meant but the shake of the lupine head in the negative soon told Merlin Gorlagon had but refused.
For a moment, the servant wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose. He did not have the energy to have an argument with a werewolf about who was going to take the bed. So, against his better judgement – no doubt blinded by fatigue – Merlin's eyes bled golden and with one move of his hand, his telekinesis picked Gorlagon up by the scruff of his neck and plonked him firmly down onto Merlin's less-than-royal bed.
It had all happened so fast that Gorlagon had not had any time to make a whine of protest or even wrap his head around what had just occurred. By the time that the King of Rheged had gotten his bearings, Merlin had settled on the floor, near the door, using his scarf as a pillow and his jacket as blanket.
Now, a sight such as this was not uncommon. Gorlagon had at least two servants sleeping in the ante chamber next to his chambers back home and they did not have a bed. But it was the sight of Merlin on the floor that shocked the Werewolf King. He had just seen first-hand a sorcerer – a man who Gorlagon would normally believe could not feel an ounce of human empathy – not only lift him onto his bed, but he was willingly lying on the floor with barely anything to cover him.
The King of Rheged made a decision and acted on it before he could reconsider it. Just as Merlin's magic had done, Gorlagon carefully picked up the servant by the scruff of his neck, lifted the lightweight servant up with very little effort and plonked him down before Merlin could get his bearings and curled up on the small, stiff bed and closed his eyes, feeling pleased with himself.
Merlin indeed had not expected the King to turn the tables on him. For a moment, the warlock blinked at the giant wolf in his bed in sheer confusion, before he chuckled softly and curled up on bed with the Werewolf King snoozing against his back.
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"What happened to the two of you? You seem … troubled?"
Marrok could normally read his friends; both Biclarel and Melion were normally open books when it came to the expression on their countenances. But this look was one that Marrok had never seen before, especially on Melion's face. Disbelief, confusion, amusement and emotional exhaustion all blended together in an odd mix. It was one of those nights where Marrok knew a hunt would help his friends.
But considering everything at present, he knew that a hunt was out of the question.
Biclarel and Melion looked like they could have used it; most likely they were going to go to bed instead now. If they could even get some sleep before morning, it would be a miracle.
"Merlin is odd, and I don't think his magic has anything to do with it," Melion sighed as he collapsed into one of the chairs in Marrok's chambers, starting to stare into the fire.
Marrok frowned in confusion and turned to Biclarel for an explanation.
Biclarel smiled softly. "Melion is struggling to get used to Camelot culture," he explained simply. "As am I but …"
"So, what happened?" Marrok pressed.
"Merlin chased Princess Caelia as the Tickle Monster," was not the answer Marrok expected to come out of Melion's mouth. Dryly.
Marrok did not even try to disguise his confusion. "I see …" he cleared his throat. "I take it you three did find the King then?"
"We did," Melion confirmed, amusement laced clearly in his tone. "We hid him under a tapestry."
Again, not the answer Marrok expected.
"And hid him in Merlin's rooms."
Marrok pinched the bridge of his nose in sheer disbelief before looking up and looking at Biclarel, hoping to see any sign of levity in his friend's eyes. Alas, he found none. His friends were being serious. Marrok could not help himself – he started chortling with laughter.
It seems the Camelot madness has already gotten to us … he thought to himself.
"And you didn't get caught?" Marrok managed to ask eventually.
"Somehow," Biclarel was shaking his head despondently. "I still do not know how we managed to pull that one off."
"Indeed. Though, at least we now know the Queen of Rheged is indeed a traitor," Marrok pointed out. "If we can transform the King back and bring him before Arthur, we can foil Morgana and both the Queens' plan, whatever it may be."
"Isn't it obvious?" Melion sneered as he turned to look at them from his chair, eyes shining dangerously. "Morgana wants her brother's throne but doesn't have the numbers to do it. The majority of the Kingdoms are either friendly to Camelot, allied, or neutral. Only King Alined holds any animosity but he's a fool and Morgana would not want to debase herself to make an alliance with him. So, what better than to ally herself with a Queen Regent who rules a Kingdom on behalf of her son until he is off-age?"
Marrok and Biclarel exchanged a look.
"You think that is the motive?" Biclarel was in disbelief.
"It's what I would do if I despised my husband and knew his secret. The son would be easier to control and for a while, the Queen would have real power," Melion answered easily. "It became obvious ever since the King told us what had happened."
"So, what do you think their next move will be then?" Marrok asked curiously.
"One of two things," Melion sounded dower at this point. "The Queen will try to renegotiate the treaty to be more favourable to Rheged …"
"Or?" Biclarel pressed.
"Or, she will be so consumed with trying to get rid of the evidence that she will lose sight of everything else and Morgana … will have to intervene."
Marrok and Biclarel exchanged a look. They really did not like the sound of that.
"Which would mean, Morgana is coming to Camelot," Marrok stated gravely.
"Indeed," Melion growled. "And when she does, we will be ready for her this time."
"So, what do we do with the plant?" Biclarel asked. "Merlin said he would deal with it."
"And so, we let him," Melion responded simply. "After all, I don't think a plant is a match for the most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived."
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I know, I know, I am mean – teasing Morgana's arrival and she doesn't show in this one. Don't worry; she will definitely be here next chapter! Poor Gorlagon has to deal with the Camelot madness – and can't resist the charms of Merlin that the warlock doesn't even realise he has!
But will Gorlagon remain 'hidden', or will Gaius eventually find out, either by going into Merlin's room or someone telling him? Or will Morgana and the Queens find him first?
Stay tuned to find out!
Yes, I know. The chapter is tardy. I have been so unbelievably busy with work, a somehow busy social life and had several ill days … it was hectic beyond belief. Thank you everyone for being so patient with me.
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