| i rearranged the order of this episode and his father's son so that this one occurred first so just a head up as i know some of you first time watchers are reading chapters as you finish episodes of merlin |

"illyria is the only person in this castle that i completely trust. to question her loyalty to camelot is to question my own."

[4.5 — A Servant of Two Masters]

"Five gold coins says Gwen demolishes him."

"How could you have such little faith in me, Gwaine?" Leon asked, scoffing.

"I apologize, my friend," Gwaine said, putting his hands up in defense. Then he turned back to Percival. "Make it twenty."

Lia, Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, and the knights were gathered on the training grounds. It was time for Gwen to face off against Leon to see if she was worthy of being Lia's personal guard. Similar to the test for the Knights of Camelot, she had to last for a full minute in a fight against Leon the same way they had to fight against Arthur.

Gwen had threatened to stab Leon if he even dared to go easy on her — and Arthur backed the threat up, taking the protection of Lia very seriously. If she could hold her own against the best of the knights, she could protect the Princess.

Bets had been placed, and everyone gathered to watch the showdown. There had been lots of trash talk — mainly from Gwaine and Elyan — and it was even better considering that Gwen and Leon had been friends since they were children. It would make the outcome more interesting and give the winner bragging rights for some time.

Arthur and the knights had crammed together on a bench, and Lia sat on the grass, leaning against Arthur's legs. Merlin had the sandglass in hand, in charge of keeping time. Gwen and Leon were standing across from each other, stretching and swinging their blunt swords around.

"Are you going to give a ridiculous speech like Arthur does before potential knights face him?" Lia asked, turning her head to smirk at him.

"My speeches were not ridiculous," he said, scoffing.

Lia cleared her throat and straightened her posture before speaking in a low tone, imitating Arthur. "Right, you jumped up dung beetle, this is it. The final test. Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot. Fail, and you're no one. You face the most feared of all foes, the ultimate killing machine. You face me."

The others snickered while Arthur lightly yanked on Lia's braid as he pouted. "I don't sound like that."

"She was spot on," Elyan said, chuckling.

"That was an exact quote from you," Merlin added. "At least Leon doesn't sound so pretentious now that he conducts the trials."

"I am not pretentious," Arthur complained.

"Don't worry," Gwaine said, clapping him on the shoulder. "If Lia wanted to be with someone who wasn't pretentious, she'd be with me."

Lia giggled as Gwaine playfully winked at her. Then she grabbed Arthur's hand and kissed it comfortingly. "Let's just get this fight going. Gwen isn't facing the ultimate killing machine, so I think she has a good chance."

Once they finished teasing Arthur, they focused on Gwen and Leon. Merlin was the one to start the duel, announcing for them to begin as he turned the sandglass. Leon was the first to attack, charging at Gwen. Being smaller and faster than him, she easily dodged the attack and spun around, hitting him on the back with the hilt of her blade.

They continued to fight, neither one holding back surprisingly. Leon fought just as if he was facing one of the male knights. Gwen held up well against him, parrying each of his blows. And then just as the minute came to its end, Gwen disarmed Leon, sending his sword flying off. Instead of calling the fight there, she swiped at his legs and knocked him on his back. With a smug smirk on her face, Gwen stood over Leon, her sword pointed at his neck.

He sighed and let his head drop on the grass. "I'm never gonna hear the end of this, am I?"

"Absolutely not," Percival said, grinning.

"You, Merlin, and Arthur should start a club of knights who have been beaten by a girl," Gwaine teased.

Leon, who Gwen helped to his feet, glared at Gwaine. "Would you like to fight her? Or Lia?"

Gwaine whistled lowly and leaned back. "Nah, I think I am good. It's easier to just make fun of you."

"Congratulations, Gwen," Lia said, getting up and walking over to her friend and new guard, leaving the boys to tease Leon. She hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek. "I've never felt safer."

Gwen chuckled and shook her head. "Thank you, but we both know you can protect yourself well enough. Arthur did this so we can still spend time together. I'm not complaining though, as it isn't as labor-intensive as being a servant and it pays better too."

"I'm not complaining either," she said, linking their arms. "Now you get to join me for boring council meetings and long banquets."

"We can be bored together."

| | |

"Lia, the King has returned. He requests your presence in the council chambers," Clement said, stepping into Lia's room.

Gwen entered behind her. After passing her test and being made a guard, she was offered a room in the castle that was right next to Lia's so that she'd be quick to arrive if there was any danger. It was also convenient, as Gwen was meant to accompany Lia whenever she left her room — or at least when she wasn't sneaking out of her room late at night to visit a certain baby dragon.

"Oh, they're back so soon. Good," Lia said, getting up from her desk. "I hate when Arthur goes with the knights. It's astounding how much of my free time is spent just annoying him and Merlin."

"That's always been your favorite pastime," Gwen said, smiling.

While they walked to the council chambers, everyone else was already gathered. Gaius had just stepped in, noticing the lack of a certain servant.

"Where's Merlin?" he asked.

"He's alive. Last I saw of him, he was still alive," Arthur quickly said, not wanting to discourage Gaius. Then he looked to Leon. "Dispatch patrols at first light. Scour every inch of that forest."

"Yes, Sire," Leon said. He nodded to the other knights and they all exited.

"We'll find him, Gaius," Arthur said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will."

"I hope so," he muttered. Then he looked over his shoulder at the door. "Lia will not take this well."

Guilt had been eating Arthur alive ever since Merlin was injured and then they were separated in the rockslide. He didn't know how he was going to look the woman he loved in the eye and tell her that he had lost her brother and had no idea where he was or if he was okay.

Of course, he couldn't wallow in guilt for long because soon, Lia was entering the council chambers. She was talking quietly with Gwen, but when her eyes landed on Arthur, they lit up as they always did, and she quickly crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him.

"Welcome home, My King," she greeted softly. However, when Arthur did not hug her back or greet her with a kiss as he always did, she knew something was wrong. Lia stepped back and studied Arthur's solemn expression. "What's wrong."

But Arthur stayed silent, a somewhat grimace on his face.

"Did something happen?" Lia pressed. When Arthur again did not reply, Lia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll go get it out of Merlin. Where is he? Out mucking the stables?"

Lia moved to leave the council chambers, but Arthur grabbed her wrist, stopping her. She looked up at him questionably, growing impatient. Finally, Arthur managed to speak up. "Illyria, it is Merlin."

Immediately, she feared the worst — Lia assumed Arthur had somehow found out about Merlin's magic and thrown him in the dungeon. "What about Merlin?"

"He's alive," Arthur started, and fear crept up on Lia. "At least, last I saw him, he was alive."

"Arthur," Lia said in a low tone, "where is Merlin?"

"I don't know."

| | |

Merlin jolted awake as he was doused with a bucket of cold water. He struggled to move and realized that his hands were bound and hanging from the ceiling. He craned his head to find Morgana circling around him like he was her prey — and in a way, he was.

"Good morning," she greeted in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"Is it?" he muttered, glaring at her.

Morgana pouted. "Oh, don't be like that. We have a lot of catching up to do. After all, I haven't seen you since you condemned my sister to a slow and painful death, thwarted my plans to take over Camelot, and forced me to live in a hovel."

"Couldn't do me a favor, could you? Let Arthur know. He still thinks of me as an underachiever, but I'm quite proud of those accomplishments," Merlin shot back. "I can die happy."

"Oh, you're not going to die. Oh, no," Morgana said, leaning in close with a pleased smirk on her face. "I'm not going to make it that easy."

| | |

"Illyria, stop!"

"I'm going!"

"No, you aren't," Arthur said. He grabbed the sword out of her hand and tossed it back on her bed.

As soon as Arthur had regretfully revealed that Merlin was gone, Lia had gone into a panic, worrying about him. She had rushed to her room and instantly began packing, claiming that she was going to go after him. But when she'd put something in her back and then turn to grab something else, Arthur would pull it back out. They had been arguing for a good fifteen minutes about her running off in the woods to search for him.

"Illyria, the sun goes down in less than an hour. You can't see in the dark, and more importantly, you don't know where to look for him," Arthur explained, sighing.

"Well, someone has to search for him!" she snapped, trying to go around Arthur.

He gently grabbed her shoulders and steered her away from the door. "Leon and the others are leaving as soon as the sun begins to rise to find him. But with those mercenaries still out there, I cannot let you go. Trust me, Merlin will be found."

As Arthur ran his hands down her shoulders and grabbed her hands, Lia's lip began to tremble and tears finally welled in her eyes. "We have to find him," she whispered, beginning to get choked up. "T - the temperature is dropping and there are bandits out there and we have no idea where Morgana is hiding. I - I can't - I can't lose—"

Arthur pulled LIa into his chest as she cried. She knew that Merlin could take care of himself, especially with his magic, but that did nothing to stop her from worrying and fearing the worst. Too many people had died lately for Lia to be optimistic about Merlin's condition.

"Merlin is surprisingly resilient. In all my years of knowing him, he's never gotten kidnapped or even injured. We will find him, and he will be alright," he said in a comforting and determined tone. Arthur gently wiped the tears off of her cheeks, and then she leaned into his touch. "I will bring him home to you. I promise."

| | |

"You know, there's one thing I don't understand, Merlin," Morgana said. She was cleaning Merlin's wound as he continued to hang from the ceiling, not being nearly as gentle as Lia or Gaius would have been. "You're Arthur's servant, nothing more. Yet, time and again, you've proved yourself willing to lay down your life for him."

"What are you doing?" he asked, struggling to get the words out. He didn't understand why Morgana hadn't killed him yet.

"Have you never seen Gaius clean a wound before?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"All right, I know what you're doing. What I don't know is why," he snapped.

Morgana harshly grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her as she glared at him. "I believe I asked you a question first. Why are you so loyal to Arthur?"

"I don't expect you to understand, Morgana," he muttered. "You have no sense of duty, no sense of loyalty."

"You're wrong. Don't think I don't understand loyalty just because I've got no one left to be loyal to."

"You had Lia," Merlin said under his breath. "But you turned on her. You brought her worst fears to life all because she does not love you and—"

Morgana's fingers dug into Merlin's wound, causing him to cry out in pain. "Do not think for even a second you understand Lia's feelings for me."

Merlin laughed bitterly. "You are delusional if you still think she'd ever choose you over Arthur."

"Well," Morgana said, smirking. "You'll be helping me take him out of the equation."

With her hand over his wound, Morgana said an ancient incantation, and her eyes began to glow. Slowly, Merlin felt himself slip away as he lost consciousness, fearing what he would wake up to.

| | |

The following day had been unbearable for Lia. She was far too jittery and no matter where in the castle she was, she stood near a window to keep an eye out for the returning patrol and Merlin. Throughout the day, Arthur had kept her at his side — both to help comfort her and ease her worries, but to also make sure she did not run off to daringly try and rescue Merlin. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost both of them.

It was not until late in the night when the patrol finally returned, regretfully without Merlin. Lia sat next to Gaius in the council chambers, tightly holding his hand under the table as Agravaine and Leon stood before the council to give their report.

"We have scoured the forest," Agravaine told them.

"Scour it again," Arthur ordered without hesitation.

"Sire, there is no sign of Merlin," Leon told him.

The Agravaine walked around the table to Arthur's side. "None... but this." He then placed a scrap of brown leather on the map that was sitting in front of Arthur. The fabric was torn from Merlin's jacket and was coated with blood. Lia felt like she couldn't breathe as she stared down at it. "I am sorry you've lost such a loyal and—"

Lia cut Agravaine off when she suddenly stood from her chair and hastily left the room, fresh tears beginning to fall. Arthur watched her go with a defeated look on his face, knowing there was little he could do to comfort her when he was almost as torn up about Merlin as she was.

"The mercenaries," Arthur said, wanting to get the council meeting over with so he could go and find Lia. "What news of them?"

"We found no trace," Leon reported.

"Surely sent by that snake Alinor," Agravaine suggested, covering up his and Morgana's tracks.

"It can't be," Arthur insisted, giving him a pointed look. "How? Our route was known only to a few within Camelot."

"Then there's only one conclusion we can draw," Leon stated. "We have a traitor in our midst."

Slowly, Gaius eyed Agravaine who kept his face impassive. He knew the mercenaries and Merlin's disappearance was his and Morgana's doing. And if Merlin wasn't found, Gaius also knew that it would not be long before Lia went after Agravaine for taking her brother from her.

| | |

Arthur stirred from his sleep groggily the next morning not to the sound of Merlin barging in with some annoying phrase, but to the sound of the morning bells. He had been up late the previous night, staying by Lia's side as she went over every scenario of what could have happened to Merlin. When he opened his eyes, he saw the blurry outline of someone standing at the foot of his bed, and for a moment, he let himself think that Merlin had returned.

However, once he was more awake, he saw that it was a very proper-looking servant who just happened to dress in colors similar to what Merlin wore. Arthur propped up on his elbows and peered at the man. "Who are you?"

"I am your new manservant, Sire. Sire. I have polished your armor, sharpened your sword, selected your clothes. There is a slight chill in the air today, sir. And now, if you would allow me, I would like to serve you breakfast," the servant said, standing straight with his hands behind his back.

Arthur looked to the side at the table to see it almost overflowing with bread and cheese and fruit. Had Merlin ever brought him so much food, he'd suspect him of trying to make him fat.

"What's your name??" Arthur asked.

"George, Sire, at your service," he introduced. Then he unfolded a napkin and placed it over Arthur's chest, who was still lying in bed.

"George, listen, George, this is all very impressive—" George took an extra pillow and put it behind Arthur's head, helping him to sit up. "Very impressive, indeed, but I already have a manservant. All right, he's shabby looking, he has appalling manners—" George handed Arthur a goblet of wine. "—he's extremely forgetful. He seems to spend most of his time in the tavern." Then a plate. "But he is my manservant." Arthur looked at the cup and plate in his hands before shoving them to George, who was prepared to give him a fork. "To be honest, I quite like it that way."

Then Arthur threw the napkin at George and scrambled out of bed, leaving the new servant rather confused about the King's behavior.

| | |

After getting ready — all on his own and without George — Arthur quickly found Lia and told her that he was going after Merlin. He didn't know why he was surprised to find her already dressed in clothes meant for traveling with her sword at her hip. He tried to argue against her going with him for all of five minutes before giving up, and the couple exited the castle to get their horses.

"What if the mercenaries have not left the forest?" Arthur asked as they stepped outside.

"Don't worry," she said in a teasing tone. "I'll protect you if you get scared." Arthur managed a smile as they walked over to their horses, which George had insisted on fetching. "Thank you for this. For not giving up."

"Just as you, I do not accept the patrol's findings. I will not sit here and take their word that Merlin's gone — I won't rest until we at least try." Lia smiled and squeezed his hand appreciatively. "And I may not have Merlin's mindless chattering, but I'll at least have you to keep me company now."

"I may have invited someone else on the off chance that you locked me in my chambers to stop me from coming," Lia admitted, smiling sheepishly.

And then Gwaine rode up on his horse, ready to set off on the search. Arthur looked between the two and sighed. "This trip is going to be unbearable, isn't it?"

"For you," Lia and Gwaine said in sync, both chuckling afterward.

And for the most part, the ride out of Camelot was unbearable for Arthur. Lia and Gwaine had gone on telling bad jokes and discussing some castle-wide hiding game that Arthur didn't dare question them about for fear of getting a headache. From what he could tell though, all of his knights were involved.

They also told funny stories about Merlin, both staying optimistic that they'd find them because the alternative was far too unthinkable. Arthur wasn't quite sure if he found comfort in them as they made him fear he'd be stuck with George for the rest of his life if Merlin wasn't found.

"You know what I like about Merlin?" Gwaine asked as they swiftly moved through the woods. "He never expects any praise. All these things he does just for the good of doing them."

"I mean, I usually make cookies for him. Well, now I have Clement make them because someone ordered me to be banned from the kitchens," Lia said, cutting her eyes to Arthur who smirked at her.

"I'm banned too," Gwaine reminded her. "Elyan and Leon are the only ones still allowed in there."

"And Elyan's pushing his luck," Arthur murmured.

"Soon, we'll have to start outsourcing the other knights to help us steal food," Lia said, sighing. "Another reason we need Merlin back. No way will George help us with our shenanigans."

"He has the personality of a wet napkin," Arthur complained.

"Why is the napkin wet?" Gwaine asked, earning an eyeroll from Arthur.

"Why would you ask such a dumb question?" he asked, scoffing.

"No, no," Lia said, taking Gwaine's side. "Is it water? Beer? Chicken grease?"

"There's a story there," Gwaine added. "Have some imagination—"

Arthur suddenly held out his arm for them to be silent, sensing something. They heard a muffled groan in the distance, so they dismounted and drew their swords.

"Declare yourself," Arthur ordered as they approached the hiding spot.

A moment later, someone struggled to move onto the path. Lia hardly recognized him as he was covered in mud, but he laughed heartily when he saw the three of them. She rushed past Arthur, who lowered his sword in surprise.

"Merlin!" she shouted, wrapping him in a big hug, not caring about the mud that got all over her face and clothes.

"I thought we'd lost you," Arthur said, laughing as he clapped him on the back.

"Never scare me like that again, Lin," Lia said, pulling away.

"I'll try," he promised. Then he studied Lia's face and grinned. "You've got a little something," he said, gesturing to the entire left side of her face, which was covered in mud from hugging him.

She rolled her eyes and lightly shoved him, careful because he had been injured. "So do you, you clotpole."

"That's my word."

| | |

After eating with Gaius and leaving the physician totally confused about Merlin's odd behavior and newfound interest in poisons, Merlin set off to enact his plan as the Fomorroh writhed under his skin, controlling his mind. It was a wonder how Merlin hadn't been a part of the group that was banned from the kitchens. As he finished preparing a meal for Arthur and dousing it in aconite poison, he bumped into Audrey, the head chef.

"You stink worse than your food," he snapped before brushing past her.

One of the assistants snickered to herself, earning a glare from Audrey. "Back to work. Or I'll be using your face to scrub that pot clean."

Merlin continued on his way to Arthur's chambers, hoping to have no more interruptions. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Gwaine was walking in the other direction and intercepted him.

"Ah, Bog Man," he greeted, stopping Merlin from passing as he sniffed the plate of food. "I have to say, you're smelling better."

Gwaine pulled off his glove with his teeth and tried to swipe some food from the plate, but Merlin held it out of reach. Gwaine kept trying to get to the roast chicken, but Merlin was able to avoid his grasp each time. "This is food for the king of Camelot, and is not meant to be soiled by your filthy fingers!"

As Merlin grumpily hurried off, Gwaine watched him go with a pout on his face.

Finally, Merlin made it to Arthur's chambers, however, he stopped when he saw Lia inside. She had already brought Arthur his lunch — likely having asked Clement or Gwen to fetch it from the kitchens for her.

"Thank you, Lia," Arthur was saying, staring lovingly at her. "That's very kind to let Merlin rest some more."

"Oh, I might've known," Merlin said, narrowing his eyes at Lia who was pouring a drink for Arthur.

"Hello, Merlin," Arthur greeted.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Uh, lunch," Arthur replied, looking down at his plate.

With an annoyed look on his face, Merlin turned to look at Lia, who was smiling at him. "Look, I know you like to take every opportunity to be by his side, but this is just getting ridiculous. You're not even a servant. You'll be pouring his bathwater next. Or is that what you'd like just to get a glimpse—"

"Merlin!" Lia interrupted, her face going red. She refused to look at Arthur. "Is something wrong with you?"

"This is what's wrong," he said, pointing to the food she had brought.

"I was just trying to help. I thought you needed some rest," she told him gently. "You've been through a lot."

"Rest? No, no, I don't need rest. Do you know how long it took me to prepare this meal?" Merlin asked. As he did so, he swapped out the plates in front of Arthur. "I cooked it myself."

"I think this is just a case of a simple misunderstanding," Arthur said, switching the plates back.

"Ah, yes. Well, you would take her side, wouldn't you?" Merlin grumbled, glaring at Lia once more for interfering.

"Excuse me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Merlin, I think you must be tired. You've been through quite an ordeal."

"I just want to resume my normal duties," Merlin insisted in a firm tone.

"Well, I'll be pleased to have your assistance preparing for the knighting ceremony later," Arthur told him. He handed Merlin's plate of poisoned food back to him.

"Thank you, Sire," he said with a tight smile.

Merlin glared at Lia once more, who smiled uncertainly at him, wondering what had gotten into him. He started to leave but turned to say something. However, Lia raised an eyebrow almost challengingly, and Merlin seemed to think better of it and left quickly. With his plan ruined, he angrily tossed the plate of food into a pig pin as he passed, not caring for the effect the poison would have on the animals.

"I don't know what's gotten into him," Lia mumbled, shaking her head.

"And to think, yesterday, you were sobbing uncontrollably at the thought of losing him," Arthur said, a smirk on his face. "Now that he's safe and sound, you've remembered how much of a nuisance he can be."

"True," she said, sighing. "But he's my nuisance so I'll keep an eye on him for the next few days to make sure he's really alright."

| | |

When Leon was finished on the training grounds, he made his way to the armory to return his sword. As he was putting it away, he spotted Merlin searching for something amongst the many weapons.

"What are you after?" he asked, knowing his way around the armory better than the servant did.

"Arthur wants a crossbow," Merlin lied while loading the small crossbow in his hands.

"That one's ancient," Leon noted. "Probably wouldn't hurt a fly."

Merlin thought it over for a moment and then turned to Leon with a curious expression on his face. "Well, if you did want to hurt a fly, or even a human, what would you use?"

"You would use a thing of beauty like this," he said, moving across the room and pulling a shiny, new crossbow off the wall. "Carved from fifty-year-old ash." Leon admired the crossbow before handing it to Merlin with a smile. He watched as the servant held it in a firing position. "Um, be careful with that—"

Merlin's finger had barely brushed the trigger, sending an arrow flying across the room and into a barrel, blowing it apart. He stared at the weapon with his mouth hanging open.

"Will that do the job?" Leon asked.

"Oh, yes. That will do the job nicely," he said, grinning excitedly.

"Er, what is the job, exactly?"

"To kill Arthur," Merlin replied gleefully while grabbing some arrows.

Of course, Leon didn't take him seriously and smiled. "He's driving you mad, is he?"

"Not for much longer," Merlin said, passing Leon with the crossbow thrown over his shoulder. Leon laughed heartily, knowing Lia would likely fill him in on whatever annoying thing that Arthur had done recently.

Merlin wasted no time in heading to Arthur's room to set up his trap. He carefully rigged Arthur's wardrobe so that when it opened, an arrow would launch, killing whoever was in the way. Making sure to stay clear, he performed a test shot and sighed happily when the arrow lodged into the bedpost.

"Talk about a bad use of time." As soon as Merlin heard Arthur enter the room, he used the bed curtain to hide the arrow while he tried to pull it out. "There's a potential traitor in our midst and I have to prepare for a knighting ceremony. Maybe it's one of the knights who wants to kill me." Merlin finally pulled the arrow out and ran to shut the wardrobe before Arthur could see his trap. "Maybe it's you," Arthur said, chuckling as he looked to Merlin. Then he noticed how Merlin had tensed up and rolled his eyes. "Don't look so worried, Merlin. I don't really think you want to kill me."

"Besides," he added, chuckling. "Illyria would certainly let me know if you did."

| | |

Lia, accompanied by Gwen, was heading back to the castle after spending the afternoon in the markets. They had gotten some fabric, and Gwen was going to teach Lia how to make a dress. She knew how to sew, but only enough to fix a hem or patch a hole.

"You know, I can carry all the fabric. It's not like it's heavy," Lia noted. She had half the stack of new fabrics in her arms and Gwen had the other. "You're my guard after all. You're meant to be ready for battle at a moment's notice."

Gwen playfully rolled her eyes, knowing that Lia wasn't being serious. "If you die in the second it would take me to drop these and grab my sword, then Arthur is free to fire me."

"Well, I think me being dead sort of puts you out of the job anyway," she joked. Then she noticed a large group of people crowding around something and murmuring quietly. "What do you suppose that's about?"

Gwen only shrugged as Lia nodded her head to the crowd. The pair wandered over, gently moving through the crowd to see a pigpen. All of the pigs inside were dead, and Lia gasped at what she saw. The half-eaten tray of food that Merlin had tried to feed Arthur was laying in the grass.

"What?" Gwen asked, wondering why Lia looked so troubled all of the sudden.

"Hold these," Lia said, putting the rest of the fabric in Gwen's arms. "I gotta get that chicken."

Lia hardly explained her thoughts to Gwen as she reached over the fence and grabbed the silver tray off the ground. Then the two of them rushed to the physician chambers to see Gaius — and hopefully not Merlin.

Careful not to touch the food with his hands, Gaius used some forceps to hold the chicken up to his nose and smell it. He shared a nervous look with Lia. "Aconite."

"I knew it," she breathed out, rubbing her forehead. Then she looked to Gwen, who didn't recognize the name. "Wolfsbane to you. The most deadly poison known to man."

"What was it doing on Arthur's food?" Gwen asked with wide eyes.

Gaius paused as the realization hit him. "Merlin took some from here earlier."

"He was really angry when he realized Arthur wasn't going to eat it," Lia stated, remembering how odd he had been acting.

"He has been behaving very strangely," Gaius noted, voicing the same concerns that Lia had.

"But why would Merlin want to kill Arthur?" Gwen asked.

"Merlin wouldn't," Lia said in a firm tone.

"Not if he was in his right mind," Gaius added.

"Something did happen to him in the woods," Lia said, growing upset. "Something horrible. We have to find him quickly."

The three of them rushed off, looking around every corner for the servant before he could do something rash. As they headed towards Arthur's chambers, they passed Leon. Lia quickly halted and called after him.

"Have you seen Merlin?" she asked.

"He was in the armory," Leon told her.

"What did he want in there?" Gaius asked before Leon could continue down the hall.

Leon smiled and leaned closer, chuckling. "A crossbow. I think Arthur must be getting on his nerves."

"Why?" Gwen asked.

Carefully, Leon checked to make sure the corridor was empty before whispering. "He said he was going to kill him."

Leon was far too busy laughing at the ludicrous idea to notice the worried expressions on their faces. After thanking Leon — they also had to pretend to laugh at the situation — the three of them ran to find Merlin, hoping they weren't too late.

They ran right to Arthur's chambers, where Merlin's booby-trap had failed to work. In a quick attempt to get it over with, Merlin charged at Arthur with a sword just as Gaius and Gwen burst in.

"I know, I'm late," Arthur told them, unaware of the oncoming attack.

Just before Merlin could strike him, Arthur moved, causing Merlin to run right into a column and fall over. Hearing the sword clatter to the ground, he turned to see Merlin unconscious on the floor. He stared at Merlin with a puzzled look before shrugging and grabbing the sword before strolling out, blissfully unaware of the danger he was just in. Lia gave him a fake smile as he passed, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead before leaving.

Merlin began to wake, but Gwen noticed and acted quickly. She grabbed a metal pitcher and smashed it over his head, knocking him right back out.

"Nice hit," Lia breathed out nervously.

The three of them dragged Merlin all the way back to the physician chambers with minimal odd looks from passing guards. While Lia tied Merlin up to be safe, Gaius searched through an ancient book, quickly finding the entry he needed. As he read, Lia and Gwen grimaced, watching as some kind of creature crawled under the skin of Merlin's neck.

"I feared as much," Gaius muttered to himself.

"What is it?" Gwen asked.

"Whatever it is, it's gross," Lia said, looking away from the writhing creature.

Gaius handed the book to Gwen, who held it in between herself and Lia to read. "It's a Fomorroh. Whoever put it there was very highly skilled."

"What does it do?" Lia asked.

"In the days of the Old Religion, they were used by the High Priestess to enslave the minds of their enemies. Once a thought was planted, the victim would not stop till they'd accomplished it," he explained. "First we must paralyze the serpent."

Lia quickly grabbed a bowl and handed it to him. It had a small pouch saturated in a paralytic solution inside. Gaius dabbed the pouch over Merlin's neck, and a few moments later, the Fomorroh grew still under Merlin's skin.

"Is it dead?" Gwen asked hopefully.

"Sadly not. Merely dormant," he told her. "Now for the tricky bit. Lia, your hands are steadier than mine. Get the blade."

Lia grimaced as she grabbed the small knife. She made a small incision on his neck just over the Fomorroh. Gwen looked away, not wanting to watch as Lia then dug the small creature out of his neck. She held in a gag as Gaius instructed her to throw it into the fire, which she was happy to do. Then she rushed to a bucket of water to wash her hands.

"That's it?" Gwen asked, hoping that it was over.

"I believe so," Gaius said.

Lia sighed in relief. "We have old Lin back, and Arthur is safe once more."

"Let us hope so."

Lia squinted at Gaius, who was beginning to close up the cut on Merlin's neck. "Well, you don't have to sound so ominous about it."

| | |

That night, after a long day of trying to figure out who had betrayed them, Arthur had settled on one conclusion. He slowly entered Agravaine's chamber, who was sitting at his desk. When he realized he wasn't alone, he rose to his feet.

"Arthur. What an unexpected pleasure," he greeted with a smile. However, Arthur wasn't smiling.

"There's something I wish to discuss with you, Uncle," he said, stepping further into the room with his hand resting on his sword.

"Of course."

"I'm afraid I don't take the matter of the traitor as lightly as you do."

Agravaine's face fell. "Sire, I hope you don't think I meant—"

Arthur put up a hand to silence him. "I have been looking into how the mercenaries discovered the route through the forest. None of the knights had the opportunity to betray me. I have questioned the counselors. Only three were aware of the treaty. Of those, none but yourself knew of the route I was planning to take."

"Are you seriously suggesting that I—"

"It brings me no pleasure to doubt you, Uncle," Arthur interrupted.

"Then let me reassure you that you have no reason to doubt. You are all that is left of my dear sister," he said, stepping closer. "If I betray you, Arthur, I betray her, and that I will never do."

Agravaine could see that Arthur still was not convinced. "Have you truly questioned everyone? Even your precious princess?"

Arthur's expression grew darker as he glared at Agravaine, who realized he had made a mistake. Accusing Lia of being the traitor had been just as bad as being the traitor himself. "Make no mistake, Uncle, Illyria is the only person in this castle that I completely trust. To question her loyalty to Camelot is to question my own, and you will not do so again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sire. I apologize," Agaravaine said, quickly bowing his head. But he still had to cover his tracks. "But there is one other person who knew your route. Gaius."

| | |

The next morning, Merlin was up with the sunrise, even earlier than Gaius. The physician woke to the sound of Merlin noisily gathering supplies off the workbench. He sat up and looked at Merlin, who was grinning brightly.

"How do you feel?" Gaius asked him.

"Never better."

"It's great to have you back," he said. Then he noticed the somewhat confused look on Merlin's face. "What do you remember?"

"About what?" Merlin asked.

"I take it that means nothing," Gaius said, shaking his head. Lia would certainly have fun explaining it all to Merlin. But Gaius cut his thoughts off when Merlin turned and he spotted the Fomorroh writhing in Merlin's neck once more.

"I got a feeling today is going to be a good day," Merlin said, getting his things together to leave.

Gaius watched him go with a horrified expression, knowing they hadn't stopped anything, just prolonged it. He quickly got up and dressed, knowing he would need Lia and Gwen's help once more.

| | |

"My father prepared me well for being king, but he told me nothing of the loneliness of the job," Arthur complained from behind his changing screen. Merlin was on the other side pouring his bathwater and not really listening to Arthur go on. Instead, he was focused on the bath-salt-looking mixture that he poured into the water. "What it's like to have all eyes on you, waiting for you to provide the answer. In all the years I watched him, he never wavered in his certainty. He was strong, he was sure. And I'm not in that place yet."

Merlin smirked down at the bubbling and foaming water, knowing he was finally about to complete his plan.

"I value the guidance of others. Maybe I've been foolish to do so," Arthur said. Merlin wasn't listening and instead put a sword in the bathwater. When he pulled it out, the metal was melted and deformed. "Everyone has their own agenda. It feels like I can trust no one anymore."

While Arthur continued to voice his doubts as he undressed, he was non the wiser to Gaius, Gwen, and Lia entering his room. Spotting Merlin, Gwen rushed forward, grabbing the pitcher from the day before and knocking him out once more. She tossed the pitcher to Lia and then caught Merlin before he could slump over and dragged him behind a column while Gaius turned to help keep him up. Lia put the pitcher down just as Arthur wandered out from behind the changing screen.

"Is that how you see it, Merlin — Illyria!"

Lia was so concerned with pretending like nothing was wrong with Merlin that she almost didn't register that Arthur was completely naked as she greeted him. "Arthur." But then her eyes traveled south and she gasped, quickly averting her eyes with red cheeks. Arthur scrambled for a pillow before glancing at Gaius — Gwen was thankful she had time to hide behind the bed to avoid being seen and, well, seeing him.

"Gaius," Arthur awkwardly greeted, clearing his throat. With the pillow hiding him from view, Lia nervously glanced at him, seemingly frozen on the spot. They couldn't exactly drag the unconscious Merlin away until Arthur left. "You're not Merlin."

"No," Lia answered, an uncomfortable smile on her face. She had to pinch herself when her eyes traveled down again of their own will. "There was a problem with the bathwater."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's cold," she lied. "Very cold." Arthur stepped forward to look at the bathtub, and Lia kept talking quickly. "Merlin's gone to remedy it. I don't think you can have a bath today!"

Arthur looked up sharply, hearing the urgency in her tone. Lia tried to cover up her panic with an uneasy smile, but then her eyes went down again and she grew even more flustered. She needed to focus on Merlin, not Arthur's lack of clothing.

"Right," Arthur said a bit awkwardly. His face was just as red as Lia's. "Good job I'm not very dirty, then."

"It's a good job indeed," Lia said, laughing nervously.

Gaius chuckled with her, trying to help keep Merlin hidden with Gwen and ease the tension — of course, the latter bit wasn't really possible. Arthur stood there, not taking his eyes off Lia as they all grew more uncomfortable. He was waiting for them to leave, but they couldn't.

Eventually, he got the hint and awkwardly side-stepped behind the dressing screen. As soon as they were clear, Gwen got up and began dragging Merlin out of the room. Once they were in the hallway, both she and Gaius let out snorts of amusement, laughing at how horrible that had gone.

"It's not funny," Lia muttered as they made it to the physician chambers.

"It sounded funny," Gwen said, lifting Merlin onto the table.

"Let's just get this out for good this time so I can forget all about that," she said, sighing.

While Gaius went to get some supplies, Gwen leaned in to whisper in Lia's ear. "Do you really want to though?"

Lia couldn't help but giggle as she elbowed Gwen, getting her to be quiet. Gaius returned with the book from before and began explaining how the Fomorroh was still inside of Merlin and controlling him.

"So, let me get this straight. If you kill one, another grows in its place," Gwen stated, grimacing at the turn of events.

"I've heard such stories in the past, but never thought they were true," he told them. Once again, Gaius dabbed at Merlin's neck with the paralyzing concoction. "That will silence it for a while."

Lia then opened a metal canister with strong fumes leaking out and held it under Merlin's nose. He suddenly jerked awake, coughing as he sat up.

"What is that? Arthur's socks?" he asked, taking in a deep breath and rubbing the back of his sore head. Gwen and Lia both laughed in relief, knowing the real Merlin was back, at least for a little while. He looked at the three of them confused. "What are you trying to do to me?"

"I'm trying to stop you from killing the king," Gaius stated.

Merlin laughed, thinking the idea was preposterous. But then he groaned and leaned over, feeling that something wasn't right inside him. Gwen helped him down from the table while Lia fixed some food for him. Shortly after, Lia had Gwen leave them alone simply because they couldn't discuss his magic around her.

"So, you don't remember anything?" Lia asked as Merlin shoved a handful of berries in his face. The Fomorroh had hardly kept him well fed.

"I remember Morgana conjuring the snake, but... nothing more. No," he told them. Then he glanced at the book with all the information about the creature.

"Lucky for us you're such a bad assassin," Gaius joked.

"Well, all is well now. I feel fine," Merlin assured them.

"For now the serpent is dormant and when it wakes, your mind will be Morgana's once more and nothing will stop you from killing Arthur," Gaius explained, making sure he understood how severe the situation was.

"But how do we get rid of it if it keeps growing back?" Lia asked. "I think Gwen's having far too much fun knocking you out."

"There's only one way, I'm afraid," Gaius said. "You have to kill the mother beast."

Merlin's face fell as he looked at the drawing of a creature in the book. "The creature that lives in Morgana's hut? Great. How long have I got? How long before this thing wakes up?"

"A day, no more," he guessed. "And I wouldn't face her alone."

"Don't worry, I won't be there at all," Merlin said, jumping up and grabbing a potion bottle from across the room. "Well, not exactly. She won't recognize me if I'm eighty years old."

"Well, what should we say if Arthur asks for you?" Lia asked before Merlin could rush off.

"Er, tell him I'm anywhere." Before the door could close, Merlin poked his head back in and glared at Lia. "Anywhere but the tavern."

Once Merlin was gone, Gaius spotted the pleased smile on Lia's face as she picked at the remaining berries on Merlin's plate. "That's exactly where you're going to say he is, isn't it."

Lia chuckled and kissed Gaius on the top of his head before heading out to return to her room. "He should know better, Gaius."

| | |

After having what was probably too much fun with his run-in with the knights, Old Merlin set off for Morgana's hovel. She was not alone when he arrived. He watched from the edge of a ridge as Morgana exited with Agravaine at her side. He headed back to Camelot, but instead of going back inside, Morgana walked off in the opposite direction.

Taking the opportunity, Merlin snuck into her home. He searched through her things, careful not to break anything to leave behind a trace of his presence. However, his carefulness had been useless as Morgana returned a moment later, catching him.

Merlin was prepared for a fight, but Morgana seemed to be terrified. She dropped the firewood she had been holding and backed out quickly, identifying him as Emrys from her vision. Merlin was surprised and thought it over for a moment, but then shrugged her behavior off and continued searching for the creature he needed.

Eventually, Morgana managed to creep back in slowly, shaking with fear.

"You're not real," she whispered more to herself.

"Whatever you say!" Merlin barked, causing her to jerk back as he continued searching.

She slowly moved forward and pulled out a dagger just as Merlin found the Fomorroh in a jar. "You're just my imagination."

"That's right. I'm not really here. Just pretend that I'm not really here and I'll just get this and go," he said, grabbing the jar.

Morgana moved to strike him, but she barely made it two steps before Merlin threw her backward into a shelf. He fled from her hut, but Morgana chased after him. She raised her hand and chanted a spell that knocked Merlin off his feet, and the jar went flying. Morgana smiled in relief at her success, thinking that the great Emrys wasn't as threatening as she initially thought.

And Merlin didn't feel very threatening as she stood over him. His old and aching body sure felt the pain of her spell.

"So, Emrys," she said, smirking down at him with a dagger in hand, "it seems you'll not be my doom after all."

She raised her weapon to strike, but Merlin said a much more powerful spell that threw her back into a tree. Morgana couldn't manage to move as Merlin got up and stood over her, his hand outstretched to attack.

"If I'm to die by your hand, you can at least tell me who you are," she said weakly. "Did Arthur send you?" Merlin simply ignored her. "But you're no friend of his. Magic has no place in Camelot. It never will. Not until I take the throne." Merlin's scowl softened somewhat as she continued. "Please spare me. I only want what is rightfully mine. Who is rightfully mine." At the mention of who was obviously Lia, Merlin narrowed his eyes, hating how she still viewed Lia as a possession. "Perhaps... it could still be so."

Merlin had been too distracted as Morgana flicked her hand. The dagger shot from behind Merlin, but he quickly dodged it. Morgana sat up and her eyes glowed as she threw him with a turn of her head. Morgana grabbed the Fomorroh jar and began to walk off.

Merlin quickly uttered a spell that summoned a huge whirlwind. Morgana paused at the great sign of strong magic as Merlin rose to his feet, continuing the spell. Morgana tried to fight it off, but Merlin overpowered her, and she was thrown high into the air before landing on the hard ground, knocked unconscious.

He practically collapsed from the sheer effort but knew he could not rest yet. He grabbed the Fomorroh jaw and found a safer spot to rest. After lighting a fire, he opened the jar and tossed the hissing beast into the fire, chanting a spell to ensure it died for good. As soon as it was gone, he felt a change, knowing that the Fomorroh was no longer a threat.

He no longer wanted to kill Arthur, but the same couldn't be said the other way around.

| | |

Arthur angrily drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair. Merlin had only just stepped into the room when Arthur began glaring at him. Lia had slipped in as well and was giggling in the corner. "Two whole days in the tavern."

Merlin balked at the accusation, shaking his head. "I'm not quite sure it was that long."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't get rid of you on the spot," he ordered.

"B-because you'd have no one to polish your armor, make you breakfast, organize your clothes," Merlin listed off.

"Ah, well, that's where you're wrong," Arthur stated. "George!" A second later, George entered from the hallway, and Merlin looked him up and down, wondering who he was. "Merlin, meet George. George is, perhaps, the most efficient servant I've ever seen. He'll be spending the rest of the week teaching you."

"Teaching me?" Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If you wish to remain in my service," Arthur said with a smug smile.

"We will start in the armory," George said. "Lesson one is my favorite. Polishing."

Arthur was trying not to laugh as he met Lia's gaze. "Yes, that's my favorite, too," Merlin said in a flat tone. George nodded his head, indicating for Merlin to follow him. Before exiting, Merlin stopped and turned back to Arthur. "Tell me something—" Arthur bit the inside of his cheek to hide his smile and put on a serious expression as Merlin walked back. "—If he's so good, why don't you just give him the job?"

Finally, Arthur dropped his little act and shook his head. "He's seriously boring. I've never met anyone so dull. The man makes jokes about brass." Then he pat Merlin on the shoulder who looked as if spending a week with George was the worst thing in the world. "Anyway, off you go. It'll be fun."

Merlin forced an overly fake smile before nodding and walking to the door. As he looked back, Arthur gave him a smug grin. Once Merlin was gone, Lia finally pushed off the wall and walked over to Arthur, who was laughing to himself.

"You're cruel," she said, giggling. "He's already been through so much, and now you're torturing him with George's presence."

"It's what he deserves," he told her. Then he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her onto his lap. "And if you didn't want him to get in trouble, then you could have lied instead of telling me he was actually at the tavern. Hell, you could've told me he was possessed by some magical creature, and I would have believed you."

Lia bit her lip to hide her grin. "That does sound more adventurous than the tavern."

"It certainly would have explained this disastrous week," he said, sighing. "I have much more to worry about than Merlin potentially being an alcoholic."

"Everything will work out fine," Lia assured him, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"And you'll stand with me even if it doesn't?" Arthur asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I could likely survive anything with my princess at my side."

Lia smiled softly and leaned her forehead against his. "You cannot get rid of me that easily, My King."

"Good," he murmured against her lips.

| | |

"So, did you get a good look?"

"Stop, Gwen."

"I mean, you can't tell me you weren't curious."

"Guinevere!" Lia exclaimed, her cheeks going red.

She and Gwen were sitting on Lia's bed, and Lia was doing everything to avoid looking Gwen in the eye as she questioned her about the embarrassing incident with Arthur. It had started innocently enough, with Lia admitting that Arthur had asked about it. Of course, she had lied and said she hadn't seen anything and then found an excuse to leave the room rather quickly.

Unfortunately, Gwen was too nosy for her own good.

"C'mon, Lia," she said, grinning wolfishly. "You must have gotten a good look."

"What does it matter if I did?"

"It matters because we don't really get to know until we get married. I mean, just last month, Lycee, the handmaiden for Lady Georgina, said that her mistress cried on her wedding night — and not for a good reason," Gwen said, earning a giggle from Lia. "So, tell me, Lia, is it something to cry over?"

Lia looked around her room, making sure that Clement hadn't wandered in before leaning in close. "Let's just say it is fitting of a king."

Gwen squealed loudly, and Lia laughed before grabbing a pillow and hitting her with it. She tried to shush her, but Gwen grabbed another pillow and hit her with it. Soon they were laughing so loud that those passing in the hallway could hear.

As someone opened the door, their laughing quickly ceased and they looked at them with innocent expressions. The very man they had been gossiping about stuck his head inside and smiled.

"You two seem to be having fun," Arthur noted. Lia and Gwen shared a look and giggled quietly. Arthur chuckled cluelessly as he watched them. "Illyria, I was wondering if you wanted to join me for dinner?"

"Of course," she said, scrambling off the bed. Before she joined him, Gwen grabbed her arm and whispered something in her ear. Her face flushed and she shoved Gwen gently, who was snickering to herself.

"What'd she say?" Arthur asked, tilting his head with an adorable smile on his face.

Lia bit her lip and shook her head before linking her arm with his. "Oh, nothing important. So, what's for dinner?"

Arthur led Lia from her chambers, glancing back once at Gwen who was biting down on her fist to keep from laughing. He was almost certain that "nothing important" meant something really important. He also suspected they might have been laughing at him based on the looks on their faces when he came into the room.

"You weren't talking about me, were you?" he decided to ask.

"Of course, not," she assured him, taking his hand in hers. "We were making fun of something stupid Gwaine had said to Gwen."

"Gwaine does say some pretty pathetic things to her," Arthur said, chuckling as he believed her lies. "Do you know what he said just the other day in the markets?"

As Arthur went on, he forgot all about the laughing scene he had walked in on, just as Lia had hoped. And Lia walked with him, arm in arm, to dinner, a smug smirk on her face, now looking a little bit more forward to marrying Arthur than she already was.