Gaius shook his head as he tried to process what he had just been told. He knew Merlin was hiding something but this was a much bigger problem then he Gaius expected. Gaius needed to find Merlin a cure before Merlin got himself to any more trouble. Of course Gaius had no idea what enchantment Morgana used or any idea how to make the cure. Then there was the factor that if Merlin found out what Gaius was planning then he would run to Morgana.

Gaius looked down at Merlin snoozing at the table. He really did feel bad for Merlin. Merlin clearly did not want to betray Camelot but in his mindset pleasing Morgana was the only option. Last time she brainwashed Merlin she took his mind, this time she took his heart. The love that she had forced onto him had turned him into a puppet.

He would have to tell Arthur. The last thing Camelot needed was Arthur telling Merlin secrets that Morgana could use or Merlin convincing Arthur to start a pointless war. Arthur would be able to play along and keep Merlin out trouble while Gaius worked on the cure.

"Morgana?" Merlin muttered in his sleep.

Gaius sighed. He would have to see Arthur as soon as possible.

Arthur woke up to a sharp knock at his door. He looked down to Gwen who was still asleep in his arms. He gently pulled her out of his embrace and walked to the door. He opened the door to find a guard standing outside his door.

"Sorry Sire to deserve you this late. Gaius has requested your presence immediately. It is urgent." the guard said

"Give me a minute. I will be down soon." Arthur replied as he shut the door.

He walked across his chambers and pulled on a shirt. He left his chambers and walked down the hall. He really hoped this issue would not be to bad and he could go back to bed soon. He really did not want to have to deal with the King of Marcia with a bad nights sleep. He met Gaius alone in the throne room.

"You needed to see me?" Arthur asked

"Yes. Have you noticed a difference in Merlin lately." Gaius asked

Arthur nodded "Yea he has been acting a little different. Is there something going on?" Arthur asked

"It seems that Merlin once again found himself in trouble." Gaius said

Arthur could not help but feel a little relived. Yes, Merlin probably got himself into a dilemma, but then again what was new? Merlin probably screwed something up and now he was trying to hide it. It was normal, right? Then again he could not help but wonder why Gaius had woken him so late.

"What did the idiot do now?" Arthur asked

He was met by Gaius serious glare. "Merlin has been enchanted by Morgana."

Arthurs eyes widened. No, not that again. It had only been a few months since Gwen herself had been enchanted by Morgana. It was hard to watch as magic corrupted Gwen's mind. He had nearly lost her forever. Now he might have to go through the same thing but this time they may not win. Magic was a tool used for complete darkness. He hated the thought of Merlin being under it. Merlin may be a fool, but he was still Arthur's trusted friend.

"Are you sure?" Arthur asked

Gaius nodded "I kept noticing Merlin's strange behavior. No matter what I said he would not tell me what was wrong. As time went by his actions got more and more suppose. I eventually had to resort to drugging him to get answers. It is clear by the way he was talking I am sure he is not in his right mind."

"Do you happen to know which enchantment Morgana used and how to cure it." Arthur asked as he noticed he was no longer in the least tired.

"I believe that Morgana has used some kind of love spell. I am not sure which or how to cure it." Gaius replied

Arthur raised his eyebrow. "Merlin loves Morgana?"

"Yes, she had forced such a strong enchantment on him that he is basically a slave. He does not want to betray Camelot, but in his mind he has really no choice. At the moment he would kill himself to make her happy." Gaius explained

"Can you find a cure?" he asked

He shuttered as he thought of the love spell he was put under with Lady Viven.

"I will try." Gaius said "But it is going to take time."

"So we lock Merlin up until we find a cure." Arthur asked

"No." Gaius was quick to answer. "Merlin can not know we know he is working for Morgana. He would fled Camelot at just the slightest suspicion Even if he managed to lock him up, knowing him he would find an escape. Or if we were able to keep him captive then Morgana could come. We need to pretend to trust him until we know for sure how to cure him."

Arthur nodded. He understood where Gaius was coming from but he was not to keen on having a traitor inside Camelot. He knew Merlin was enchanted and it was not his fault but he could not put his kingdom at risk. Then again he really did not want to loose his friend.

"Did you find out what they are planning?" Arthur asked

"Nothing much yet." Gaius said "Seems like Merlin has just been giving Morgana information. Apparently she just told him to start a war with Marcia."

Arthur pinch the binge of his nose. "What do I do to stop him?" he asked. He did not want to have to deal with a war right now.

"Don't let Merlin influence your choices. Do your best to keep peace with Marcia for the moment. Don't share any information that could be useful to Morgana. Try to have a few knights keep an eye on him all times from a distance, but only tell them. The less that know the better. Most of all, keep up the act as if nothing is wrong." Gaius said

"I understand." Arthur replied

"Good night sire." Gaius said "Promise me to remember that no matter what Merlin does it is not of his own will."

"I know." Arthur said as he waked to bed.

So tomorrow not only did he have to make sure the king of Marcia was happy, but also had to keep an eye on his trusted manservant who at any moment would betray him. He sighed. It was going to be a long few days.

.............

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