In Search of Remembrance ~ Part 4a~ Pieces of the Past

[gfeather]

Pieces Of The Past

Merlin spent more time in his room hunched over the red book of magic late into the night, slotting memories back in place from the time when he first put the words to parchment. Writing hadn’t been a skill he possessed for long, relatively speaking, so it was perhaps unsurprising that it was not one that returned to him easily. The painstaking process of committing his knowledge into the book had been a time consuming one, but three centuries of waiting had given him the opportunity. He remembered despairing at ever finding Arthur again and the weariness those years had brought. He had also remembered that his book contained more than just remedies and enchantments.

At the back, concealed from even his own eyes until now, was an account of all his previous lives as best as he had been able to remember them. There were pages upon pages recounting times before the Roman invasion of Albion and the eventual battles and rebellions against the invaders from across the sea. Over the days and weeks he read through his recollections, slowly drawing forward the memories that accompanied them and began slotting them into place within his mind. The jumble was becoming more ordered, like a puzzle with a great many pieces or perhaps more like a broken jar he was trying to reassemble. There were cracks and gaps and things that still didn’t seem to fit, but the overall shape of the jar was returning bit by bit.

His interactions with Arthur had been nearly overwhelming the first week after the large scale return of his memories, with thoughts and emotions breaking through the walls he had built in his mind to keep them contained. There were times when he nearly slipped and called Arthur by the wrong name or reached out to touch him in a way that was certainly not appropriate. He longed to be near Arthur even though doing so was quietly making him insane. A brush of a hand could bring back a hundred memories, both innocent and impure, of times when they were close. His ears were nearly constantly burning with embarrassment and his tongue was sore from having to bite back the words that threatened to spill out. In short, it was a trial, but one he wouldn’t wish to escape for anything. His magic sang and his heart ached and he wanted nothing more than to be at Arthur’s side.

His relationship with Gaius had been another shift in his life. Though the physician still found it difficult to see Merlin as more than the young man he appeared to be, they had become companions more than mentor and apprentice. He remembered Gaius having a wicked sense of humour and with the odd joke they developed an easy rapport. It was still a lot like learning the science of medicine all over again and the gentle prodding and reminders were made with such kind intent that Merlin didn’t find himself annoyed when Gaius slipped into instruction mode here and there. Gaius also took advantage of the extensive experience Merlin had to ease some of his burdens as court physician. Within the workroom, Merlin was often left to tend the many experiments and preparations Gaius had on the go and to assist those with minor ailments and afflictions that came knocking on the physician’s door.

Merlin was busy skimming through a large book on medicinal plants to find a specific one he had written about in his red book when a knock came at the door. Looking up, he saw Lady Morgana and smiled at her.

“Good morning, my Lady,” he greeted.

She smiled weakly back at him and glanced around. “Good morning, Merlin. Is Gaius in?”

“Sorry. He’s attending Lord... um what was his name? The one who arrived last night.”

“It’s Lord Daned. I guess I’ll come back later.”

“Is there a problem? Perhaps I could help you.”

She looked hesitant, and glanced back down the corridor for a moment, then came into the room, shutting the door behind her. Though she was impeccably dressed as always, Morgana looked agitated as she moved to sit in the chair across from him at the table.

“It’s the dreams again. I don’t know why I keep coming to Gaius for help with them. Sometimes I’m certain there isn’t really anything to prevent them and he’s just humouring me,” she said, her voice broken.

Merlin tucked a bit of parchment into his book to mark the page and set it aside to give Morgana his full attention. “He’s not just humouring you. Gaius is really concerned about your nightmares. He just hasn’t found the right thing for them yet.”

Morgana looked at him mournfully. “I just want them to stop. They scare me. I wish I wasn’t like this.”

His heart ached to see Morgana so upset and not be able to help her as he wanted to. It hadn’t been difficult for him to see that her nightmares were more than that. Gaius had occasionally brought him along when examining her after a troubled night and magic practically radiated off of her skin. Merlin knew that Gaius suspected she had some form of Sight, but had outright refused to tell Morgana that, let alone give her some useful instruction on how to control her gift. It was something of a sore point between the two of them, especially since the return of Merlin’s memories, but he had promised not to go against the physician’s wishes. It was a dangerous thing for Morgana, but Merlin suspected she had a notion that her dreams were not just dreams either.

“It will get better, I promise. Has Gaius ever given you herbs to burn in your hearth before you go to bed at night? Sometimes the smell of those can make your sleep better.”

“Are you an expert now, Merlin,” Morgana teased.

Merlin grinned and blushed a bit. “No, but my mum used to burn sage and rosemary in the fire if I was having trouble sleeping. The scent was soothing.”

Strictly speaking, this was true, and Morgana didn’t need to know that the mother he was referring to was not the one who lived in Ealdor. She had worried about him in a similar way to Hunith, though, and the comparison sprang to mind easily. He brushed aside the strangeness of having multiple mothers for the time being and focussed on Morgana’s worried face.

“I suppose it can’t do any harm and it certainly can’t be worse than some of the things Gaius has made me drink in the past,” she said.

Merlin went over to the rack were several bunches of herbs from the garden were hanging to dry. He took a bundle of sage and a few sprigs of rosemary and wrapped them in a square of linen for her. With what he hoped was a slightly simple, unpretentious smile, he handed her the bundle. “Give it a try. I hope it helps.”

“Thank you, Merlin. Perhaps a mother’s wisdom is what I need,” she said and glided from the room.


“You’re going to have to do something about Morgana, Gaius. You can’t keep putting her off like this,” Merlin told Gaius that evening over supper.

“Did she stop by again today?”

Merlin nodded.

“What did you say to her?”

“Nothing of consequence. I gave her some sage and rosemary to burn before bed. It won’t do much,” he said pointedly, “but she might find it soothing.”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“I can’t stand to see her suffer, Gaius. The Sight is a great burden, even when an individual has training and support.”

“As long she continues to believe they are merely nightmares, she will be safer from Uther. If she discovers it is magic, she will have to keep it a secret from him.”

“I have the feeling Morgana would be quite adept at keeping it secret.”

“It would only add a further burden to her.”

“If she doesn’t get control of her gift, it will manifest in a different way. You know this, Gaius. Magic will find a way to express itself if the path it is meant to take is denied. I’ve battled with this my entire life, lives, whatever.”

“She’s not like you, Merlin.”

“No, she’s terrified and alone.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“But it’s true.”

“Merlin, I can’t. I can’t keep more than I already am from the king. Don’t ask me break my oath to him.”

“Because you haven’t done that already by not informing him of what you know about Morgana’s condition? You’re a bit selective when it comes to that oath.”

“Don’t.”

Merlin heaved a heavy sigh and regretted his words. “Sorry, Gaius. That was uncalled for.”

“But not exactly untrue,” Gaius admitted.

“I shouldn’t have said it anyway. I know you’re in a difficult position.”

“Uther is completely irrational when it comes to the subject of magic. Even though he cares for her as his own, I fear for Morgana should Uther ever discover her talents.”

“I understand that, but I still believe it would be easier to protect her from harm if she was taught a little control. Perhaps teaching her some meditation and focussing techniques would be all it takes.”

“Perhaps, or it might make it worse, Merlin. Either way she is in a risky position, and so are you.”

“Some risks are worthwhile.”

“But is this one of them? If the worst happened, could you leave? Would you?”

“You know the answer to that already.”

“And you know the situation with Morgana is far from straight forward.”

Merlin nodded, but without much conviction. Gaius was right that he wouldn’t, couldn’t, leave Camelot and Arthur if he was exposed. And teaching Morgana illicit magical practices, not to mention revealing himself to her, was risky. It made him feel like a coward, though. He didn’t like to think of himself as a coward, but standing by and watching her troubles while doing nothing struck him as a very cowardly thing to do. It may be Arthur he was drawn to but he had compassion for those around him. Doing nothing seemed like a waste of his own talents.

Not for the first time, he mentally cursed at Uther Pendragon.


Merlin didn’t see Morgana again for several days, though he noticed Gwen looking tired and concerned. When asked, she told him that Morgana still slept fitfully, but hadn’t woken screaming in terror for a few nights. Merlin had thanked her and given her another packet of rosemary and sage to burn, despite feeling like a fraud for even suggesting it. It was better than nothing, he supposed.

He was sitting on the edge of the training field, watching Arthur lead the knights through their drills while trying to repair the dented links of a hauberk without magic when one of the castle pages came pelting towards him.

“Merlin! Gaius has sent for you,” the boy panted. “And the king asks for Prince Arthur to meet with him as soon as training is finished for the day.”

“Has something happened?” Merlin asked, handing the gasping page a water skin.

“It’s the Lady Morgana. She’s taken ill.”

“Oh dear. Thanks for coming so quickly. I’ll let Arthur know. Are they in Morgana’s chambers?”

The page nodded.

Merlin set aside the heavy mail shirt and waved Arthur over. The prince scowled at him, but when he noticed the page he raised an enquiring brow at Merlin.

“It seems Morgana has taken ill. Gaius has asked for me to assist him.”

“Then you’d best get moving.”

“Of course. Your father has also asked for you to go see him as soon as you’re finished here.”

“We’re nearly done. Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

Merlin nodded and hurried up to the castle, afraid of just what might have happened with Morgana.


Merlin paced back and forth in Arthur’s rooms while the prince stared sullenly at the flickering candles. Neither of them had spoken and Arthur’s supper sat untouched on the table.

Arthur broke the silence. “It’s been two days.”

“Gaius will find a cure. He always does,” Merlin said with a confidence he did not feel.

“Merlin, I may accuse you of being simple, but even I know you’re not a complete idiot. Gaius has lost many patients in the past, because not all patients can be healed. He can’t cure everything.”

“He’s doing his best. I’m certain he’ll find something.”

Arthur didn’t respond to this reassurance, just kept staring at the candle. Distractedly he said, “There was a man waiting outside the castle gates this morning. He said he had a remedy to cure all ills.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“So did I. He hasn’t even seen her. How could he possible know how to heal her? I wish it were true though.”

“Me too, Arthur,” Merlin agreed quietly.


The next day, despite his scepticism, Arthur persuaded Uther to let the man in to see Morgana. Her condition was worsening and despite searching late into the night for possible cures, Merlin and Gaius hadn’t found anything they could possibly use, scientific or magical. The king was obviously growing desperate and allowed the traveller, Edwin Muirden, to examine Morgana.

Merlin had tried to be open-minded when he met Edwin, but there was something about him that didn’t sit right. It wasn’t the webbed scars that marred one side of his face or the many boxes of instruments and devices Merlin was sent to fetch. It was something intangible, a lack of sincerity about him that raised Merlin’s hackles. If that hadn’t been enough to trigger his concern, Merlin knew something was definitely not right when Edwin insisted everyone leave the room while he performed his diagnosis. Gaius frowned and exchanged a concerned glance with him. Neither Arthur nor the king seemed to think the request odd, but with the exception of highly unpleasant procedures or examinations of a more delicately personal nature, a physician did not normally force concerned family from the room, especially not royalty.

Merlin reluctantly left the room and went to stand beside Gaius while they waited in the corridor.

“Something’s not right about him,” Merlin said under his breath.

Gaius gave a very small nod. “I know.”

“I can’t believe the king would just let him-”

“Merlin, I know.”

“But what are we going to do?”

Gaius pressed his lips into a thin line and glared at the door. “We wait until he provides his miracle cure, and then find out what he’s really after.”

They didn’t have long to wait. All too quickly, Edwin appeared from the room, a spring in his step and a bloodstained piece of gauze in his hand.

“Good news, your Majesty. The Lady Morgana is not suffering from an inflammation of the brain,” Edwin informed them.

“What was it?” the king asked.

Edwin spoke with a distinct tone of smug satisfaction. “A cerebral haemorrhage.”

“A haemorrhage? I don’t think so,” Gaius protested immediately.

Edwin gave the physician a condescending look. “I found this trace of blood in her ear.”

Merlin felt a stab of worry in the pit of his stomach as he watched the expression on Uther’s face change from curiosity to concern.

“Good heavens,” the king murmured.

“The severity depends upon the location and size of the bleed,” Edwin continued with obvious pleasure at having the king’s full attention. “If not treated, it can lead to coma... and eventually death.”

Uther turned his sharp gaze on Gaius. “How could you have missed this?”

“I didn’t see any blood,” Gaius said coldly.

Merlin glanced between the king, Gaius and Edwin, watching the conversation that was not being spoken aloud. A quick glance at Arthur showed him to be doing the same thing, watching the situation warily. Arthur had a small frown pulling at his lips and his jaw was tense. It was an expression he had seen many times before and he hoped it meant what it had the other times he had seen it.

“Please,” Edwin said with false humility, “let us just thank the fates that more medicine to stimulate the circulation to her brain was not administered. Can you imagine what that might have done?”

“It may have increased the bleed,” Gaius stated.

The king looked horrified. “Is there a cure?”

“See for yourself,” Edwin said with a sweeping gesture and an insincere smile.

Uther hurried up the stairs and everyone else followed him eagerly, but Merlin hung back, still watching. When he poked his head around the door, he saw Morgana looking pale and drawn, but awake, with Uther hovering at her bedside. Edwin was watching the scene with immense satisfaction and Gaius appeared to be holding back his anger, just barely. Arthur looked up to see Merlin hovering at the door and raised an inquiring eyebrow. Merlin pointedly glanced between Edwin and Gaius and received an acknowledging nod. Arthur had seen it too. It wasn’t much, but at least the stranger’s miracle cure had not blinded everyone.

Merlin arrived in Arthur’s chambers with lunch to find the prince staring across the courtyard in the direction of Morgana’s window.

“Arthur? I brought you lunch since your father said he would be dining alone with Edwin.”

Arthur turned to look at him with a mildly annoyed expression. “Are you ever going to learn to address me properly?”

“Oh, I know how, but I still think it’s ridiculous.”

“I should have you thrown in the stocks for a day or two.”

“But you won’t. Not unless I get caught in public.”

“I’m still the prince when we’re alone.”

Merlin shook his head smiling. “But you’re not, or at least you don’t have to be. You can just be yourself.”

“Worst servant ever,” Arthur said, but he was smiling.

“I blame my master,” Merlin shot back.

Arthur’s smile faded a bit when he sat down to his meal. Merlin puttered about putting away shirts that had been delivered from the laundress, but looked up when Arthur spoke.

“What do you think of Edwin?”

Merlin set down the shirt he was holding and turned to look directly at Arthur. “I think... I think that he was able to cure Morgana far too easily. I also think he chose his words to cast Gaius in the poorest light possible.”

Arthur nodded. “I noticed the look he was giving Gaius. I’m not sure I trust him. I mean, I’m very relieved Morgana is better, but I agree it was too easy.”

“Miracle cures don’t exist. There are lots of remedies that work very quickly and effectively but they are the exception, not the rule.”

“What about the blood?”

Merlin shook his head. “Gaius checked for that. I was there and he told me what he was looking for while he did it. I think the king might have even been in the room. Gaius doesn’t make a habit of hiding what he’s doing.”

“I spoke with my father before he left to dine with Edwin. He said something about having the man do a review of Gaius’ work.”

Merlin rolled his eyes. “Wonderful.”

“I suggested that since you are studying the science of medicine that you might be best to assist him.”

“Because I don’t have enough to be doing?”

“No, because you don’t trust him, and I don’t think I do either. If you’re acting as his dogsbody, you can keep an eye on him.”


Merlin entered the rooms Edwin had been given to use and looked at the various instruments already assembled on the tables. Gaius had some interesting implements for his scientific experiments, but these were very different. Copper tubes coiled around and emptied into canisters with strainers and spigots. There were small burners and clamps holding pieces together at precarious angles. He had seen many things in many lives, but perhaps Edwin had travelled beyond the shores of Albion in his studies. There were books with foreign scripts he did not recognize and unusual ingredients in stoppered glass jars. Merlin wondered if everything actually had a purpose, or if Edwin had assembled a collection of strange items just for show.

He picked up a carved wooden box, one that Edwin had insisted on carrying himself when they went to Morgana’s room, and cautiously lifted the lid. Inside were dozens of dead beetles. Merlin looked at the lid more closely and noticed a label, but it was written in a script he could not decipher.

“Those beetles have the most amazing powers of healing,” a voice from behind him said.

Merlin snapped the lid of the box shut and spun around to see Edwin hovering at the door.

“Sorry,” Merlin apologized, “I was just curious. You have lots of equipment that I’ve never seen before.”

Edwin smiled, but it did not put Merlin at ease. “It has been a long time since Gaius learned his craft. It’s only natural that he is a little behind the times.”

“Where did you study?”

“I have travelled many places and studied under masters in foreign lands. There is much I learned there that is new to these shores. Those beetles, for example,” Edwin said gesturing towards the box.

“How do they work?” Merlin asked in what he hoped was an innocent, slightly dim witted manner. He didn’t want to raise suspicions in the man.

Edwin took the box from his hands. He opened it and looked at the contents with a genuinely warm smile. “Hand me that jar with the blue powder and I’ll show you.”

Merlin picked up the jar Edwin had indicated and attempted to decipher the label. Once again, the script was one he did not recognize. Edwin accepted the jar and flicked off the lid. He sprinkled a pinch of the powder over the insects and murmured something nearly inaudibly under his breath. The box of beetles shivered and squirmed with life and Edwin held it up to Merlin to see.

“They are nearly lifeless without the powder, but can be easily revived. This makes it easy to store and transport them. When active, they seek out sources of bleeding and their saliva works to stop the flow. That is what cured the Lady Morgana. They can access places a human hand cannot.”

“That’s incredible,” Merlin said with a grin, though inside he cringed. He doubted magical beetles were the great remedy Edwin purported them to be and it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise to him that Edwin had used magic. He did a poor job of concealing it, but then perhaps it had been a test.

“I’ve learned many amazing things, things far beyond the skill of your mentor. I could teach you,” Edwin offered.

Merlin shuffled his feet nervously. “Perhaps. If you have the time.”

“There will be time enough,” Edwin said. “But for now we should attend to the task at hand. I wouldn’t want to keep the king waiting.”


Gaius had been sullen and dismissive when Merlin had returned late in the evening and appeared to have stayed awake all night when Merlin emerged from his room the next morning. He was muttering about family vendettas, but seemed too upset to have an actual conversation with Merlin. Arriving in Arthur’s rooms that morning didn’t improve the company either. The prince was already dressed and had clearly been up and about the castle for some time.

“Did you learn anything about this Edwin character yesterday?”

Merlin nodded. “I don’t think he is who he says he is.”

“Oh?”

“Well to start with, he knows Camelot far too well for someone who claims to have only visited a few times in his youth.”

“That doesn’t mean much.”

“Not on its own, no, but I think Gaius may have a notion of who he really is. He insisted Edwin was familiar to him and stayed up all night going through books of some sort, perhaps his old medical notebooks. When I saw him this morning he was angry, but wasn’t in a mood to talk.”

“Anything else?”

“Well, I won’t say I’m exactly an expert on everything there is to know about medicine, but I think Edwin was making stuff up. He didn’t review Gaius’ work, he invented mistakes.”

“Can you prove it?”

“Do you think the king with believe either me or Gaius at the moment?”

Arthur pushed away from the table angrily and walked to the window. “No, probably not.”

Merlin intentionally left out the part where he had caught Edwin using magic. He hated having to hide is magic so much and wanted to share his secret with the prince, but he knew it wasn’t time. Exposing Edwin, however, was not likely to make Arthur more receptive to the idea of Merlin having and using magic. It also wasn’t going to do a thing to convince the king. Uther had made his mind up not to believe Merlin’s word, and he doubted that was going to change now. He was glad his word was enough for Arthur, though, even if it didn’t help them much.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you something more useful.”

“You did fine, Merlin. I think Father has made up his mind anyway. Edwin asked for an early audience this morning.”

“No.”

“I’m afraid so. I’m supposed to fetch Gaius in time for the beginning of council.”

Merlin saw the regret written on Arthur’s face and though is softened the blow, it still hurt. “What will happen to Gaius?”

“He’ll be given a suitable pension and allowed to remain in his rooms for the time being.”

“Then perhaps we can find a way to fix this.”

“How do you propose we do that?” Arthur asked.

“I don’t know. Give me some time to think about it.”


Merlin couldn’t bear to go to the council chambers to watch what he knew would happen there and spent the morning attending to his chores for Arthur instead. It was mindless and gave him time to contemplate what to do. He wondered if there was a way to expose Edwin’s magic without bringing it directly to the king and facing Uther’s disdainful glare once more. It would take time to see an appropriate opportunity, he supposed, though Edwin had mentioned teaching him. That would give him the chance to stay close, and hopefully protect anyone from harm, but it would also put him in a dangerous position if suspicion was cast on his motives and behaviours.

When Merlin returned to Gaius’ workroom at midday, he saw his friend packing his things.

“Did Uther cast you out?”

Gaius shook his head. “No, but I can’t stay.”

“We can find a way to fix this. If we work together, I’m sure we can. Arthur will support you, as well. He is suspicious of Edwin.”

“So he should be.”

“What do you know?”

“His parents were executed during the Purge. The scars on Edwin’s face are from when he tried to pull them from the pyre.”

“Did you tell the king this?”

Gaius shook his head. “I would think you’d have learned by now that Uther is a stubborn man who does not listen when his emotions are high and he has already made up his mind. He is exceptionally protective of Morgana. He will hear nothing from me.”

“Nor, I’m certain, from me. What do we do?”

“You must be careful, Merlin. Edwin is here for revenge. When he has the opportunity, he will strike against Uther. I cannot be here when he does. He is clever, I’ll give him that. I have no wish to be framed for plotting against the king, which is likely something he will attempt to do. Edwin bears a great deal of malice towards me as well. I suggest you stick to Arthur’s side to avoid getting yourself caught in the middle.”

“Where will you go?”

He smiled wearily. “It has been too long since I have left the city. I think Hunith is overdue for a visit, wouldn’t you say?”

“Don’t tell her, about the past. I think it would only hurt her.”

“I won’t because it doesn’t matter. You are her son in all the ways that count and even if you are also more than that, there are bits of her in you now. You aren’t the same as you were before, not entirely.”

“For good or ill.”

“For good, old friend, for good.”

“Take care, Gaius. I’m certain you’ll be asked to return in very short order.”

“I will see you then. Be safe.”


Although Arthur was upset to hear that Gaius was leaving right away, he hadn’t sounded particularly surprised when Merlin told him. Despite assurances from the king that he was welcome to remain in the city, the castle even, it really had been in Gaius’ best interests to get as far from Camelot as possible before Edwin could find a way to engineer a disaster to lay at the old physician’s feet. As it turned out, Edwin’s patience for exacting revenge only lasted two days.

Merlin woke and stretched out in the small but comfortable bed in the servant’s quarters attached to Arthur’s rooms. The prince had decided it would be best for Merlin to keep as close to his side as possible in the absence of a suitable mentor. That this situation would give Arthur twenty four hour a day service in addition to providing an alibi should something go wrong did not escape Merlin’s attention. He couldn’t find it in himself to be too irritated by the prat, however. The bed was the softest he had ever slept on, with real feather pillows and proper linen sheets. The close proximity to Arthur had also seemed to help speed his nocturnal processing of the multitudes of memories still jumbled in his mind. On his way through Arthur’s rooms to fetch breakfast, Merlin took the opportunity to make sure the figure restlessly shifting in the oversized royal bed was in the process of getting up.

“When Gaius comes back, I’m officially lodging a complaint about my bed. If the one I have here is what I’m entitled to as your manservant, I refuse to sleep on that awful mattress again.”

From somewhere under the rumpled covers, Arthur said, “You’re only entitled to it if your body is sleeping in the bed in that room. Otherwise, it’s back to straw mattresses for you. Feather beds are only for servants who are at my disposal at all hours of the day and night.”

Merlin huffed. “Figures. Still, it might be worth it. It’s a very nice bed.”

Arthur sat up, hair sticking up in all directions, and gave him an exasperated expression that fell a bit short of true annoyance. “Is there some reason you feel the need to stand around chattering instead of fetching my breakfast?”

“Just checking to see that you’re awake. Is there anything in particular you want today?”

“Efficiency.”

“Fine. See if I give you a say in your breakfast again,” Merlin said loftily and left for the kitchens.

When he returned, Merlin found the prince out of bed and dressed far too informally for council.

“Not dressed for council this morning?” he asked.

“I want to get out of the castle for the day. I told father last night that we would be out hunting today. Weren’t you paying attention?”

“Not really. I was too busy trying not to spill anything and get shouted at again.”

Setting down the tray of food, Merlin removed the bowl of porridge he had wedged onto it for himself and sat down to eat.

Arthur goggled at him. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like?” Merlin asked.

“Insubordination.”

“What? You wanted breakfast efficiently and it’s here, well before first bell,” Merlin observed. “That does mean that I didn’t take the time to eat my own breakfast in the kitchens like I normally do. Which would you rather, a longer wait or sharing a meal with me?”

Arthur sighed heavily. “Father did tell me that privilege came with trials as well. You really are rubbish as a servant.”

“Hey!” Merlin objected, waggling his spoon at Arthur in disapproval, “I may have had a rough start, but you can’t say I don’t get things done properly for you, even when I’ve spent the day working with Gaius.”

Arthur looked at him speculatively for a long time then reluctantly dipped his head. “With the exception of your clumsiness while serving at banquets, not to mention your appalling hunting skills, I suppose that is mostly true.”

They spent a few minutes eating in silence before Arthur asked, “Where do you suppose he is now?”

“Gaius? Well he said he was going to visit my mother in Ealdor. If you’re riding full out a person can make the journey in a day and a half, but I doubt he’s moving that quickly. He might be near the ford at Tinneur.”

Arthur nodded. “He will be able to come back. I’m sure it’s just a matter of-”

A knock at the door interrupted the prince and Merlin jumped up to answer it. When he opened the door, he found Sir Leon on the other side, a worried expression written on his features. Merlin stepped back to allow the knight in.

“Sire,” Leon said with a nod.

“Sir Leon. What is it?”

“It’s the king. When his manservant brought him breakfast this morning, he wouldn’t rouse.”

“What?”

“We tried everything but he’s so deeply asleep he’d be dead if he wasn’t still breathing.”

Merlin sucked in a sharp breath and met Arthur’s eyes. There was a moment of recognition between them, then Arthur sprang into action. “Has someone sent for the physician?”

Sir Leon nodded. “As soon we realized it was not natural sleep, a page was sent to fetch Edwin and I came to get you myself.”

Arthur nodded. “I will go to the king’s chambers directly. While I am occupied there, I want the guard on alert. Don’t sound the bells, but have the gates to the city closed immediately. I don’t want anyone leaving.”

“Sire?”

“It is just a precaution. No one is to leave, regardless of rank or station.”

“Very well. I will see to it myself.”

“Thank you, Leon.”

The knight dipped his head in acknowledgment and departed swiftly.

Merlin shut the door and turned to face Arthur. The worry he saw there mirrored the worry Merlin felt himself.

“Shall we take odds on whether the new Court Physician has a cure?”

“Don’t try to be funny, Merlin. I just hope you’ve managed to learn something of use from Gaius.”

“I’ll do my best.”


Uther Pendragon lay in bed as pale and lifeless as Lady Morgana had just a few short days ago. The king’s manservant, a man of advancing years called Kenrick, was seated on a small stool by Uther’s bedside looking shocked and worried and there were a number of guards and knights keeping watch on both sides of the doors, but the Court Physician was conspicuously absent. Merlin followed along in Arthur’s wake and waited to see how his prince would deal with the situation.

“I was told the Court Physician was sent for right away. Where is Edwin?” Arthur asked, for all the world looking and sounding like he didn’t already have a strong suspicion of what the answer would be.

“The page returned a few minutes ago saying he wasn’t in his chambers. I’ve sent a messenger to look through the castle for him and two to the town. I’m certain he’ll be here shortly,” Sir Owain said.

“Good,” Arthur said with a nod and turned to the man sitting by the bed. “Kenrick?”

The man jerked his head up as if slapped and stumbled to his feet. “Sire!”

“I’ll sit with him now,” Arthur said, his voice surprisingly gentle to Merlin’s ears.

Even in what was certainly a bad situation, he kept catching glimpses of the man he knew before. As the memories of Arthur in the past began to mesh with his knowledge of this man, the headache inducing disorientation faded more and more. Arthur was always a devoted son, regardless of who his parents were. Kenrick accepted the dismissal, casting another worried glance at his master as he left.

Arthur took the stool beside the bed and cast a long look at his father. “It seems just like it was with Morgana.”

Merlin nodded, not certain he had the right words to respond.

“Did he tell you how he had cured Morgana?” Arthur asked.

“He has a box full of beetles. He said they find the sources of bleeding and their saliva helps the blood to clot.”

“Do you think that’s what wrong with my father? Is he haemorrhaging?”

Merlin leaned over the edge of the bed and looked carefully into the king’s ears. “Have a look yourself, but I don’t see any blood. Then again, I didn’t see any in Morgana’s ears either.”

Arthur repeated Merlin’s examination, frowning deeply. “No, you’re right. There’s nothing there to see.”

Merlin bumped into the bedside table as he was backing away from the bed and his hand knocked a small single dosage bottle to the floor. It didn’t shatter, thankfully, and he picked it up to have a closer look. The bottle was unlabeled, but the contents smelled strongly of aconite. He frowned.

“I thought the king took arnica before bed. Gaius said he has pain from an old battle wound and needs it to sleep sometimes.”

Arthur turned to look at him. “He does. He’s taken that potion regularly for years.”

“This isn’t that medicine. I smell aconite and possibly mandrake,” Merlin said.

He took a small bit of residue from the lip of the bottle and swiped it across the tip of his tongue with a finger. Moments later half his tongue felt numb.

“Sssit! Dat’ss po’en.’”

“Are you alright?”

He nodded. “I’s jus my dongue. Dis isn’ one of Gaius’ medicines.”

“You think Edwin gave it to him?”

“Who else?”

“Would a bottle of it be enough to put him into a coma?”

“I don’ think sso, bu paralysis for sure. Something else ma’e him unconscious,” Merlin said, struggling to get the words past his useless tongue.

“If this paralysed him, he’d be helpless against... anything.”

Sir Owain rapped on the doorway, “Prince Arthur?”

“Yes Owain?”

“The messengers weren’t able to find the physician anywhere in the castle or the town.”

“Wonderful. Sound the bell. Find Edwin and arrest him.”

If Sir Owain was in anyway surprised by these orders, he didn’t show it. The knight turned on his heel in a swirl of red cloak and strode swiftly away down the corridor signalling for the other knights who were at the door with Uther’s regular guards to follow. When they had left, Arthur turned to Merlin.

“I want you to go down to the rooms where Edwin was staying and see if you can find anything useful. I imagine you’d know better than I would what to look for.”

Merlin nodded. “I’ll ssee wha’ I can fin’ if Ewin lef’ anything.”

“I’ll send messengers out on horseback as soon as possible to find Gaius. I hope he won’t have crossed the border before they reach him. Camelot isn’t exactly on the best of terms with King Cenred at the moment,” Arthur continued to rattle on, more talking himself through what needed to be done than actually giving commands.

Merlin reached out and placed a calming hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “We’ll fix this.”

Arthur met his gaze for a long moment, allowing some of his concern to show in his face. Then his face shuttered and shook his head. “You sound like more of an idiot than you normally do. See about fixing your tongue while you’re at it.”

Merlin grinned weakly and muttered a quiet, “Prat,” and left to see what he could find in Edwin’s rooms.


Looking around, Merlin was surprised the page who had been sent to fetch Edwin hadn’t noticed the physician’s things had been largely packed up and the room left relatively empty. There were a few odds and ends left behind, like Edwin had been rushing, but little of any value or use remained. Merlin was doubtful that he would have been able to make sense of Edwin’s things, even if everything had been left behind. The script and language the man seemed to favour was one Merlin had never learned. It bore no resemblance to Greek or Latin in sound or script. He didn’t have the first clue how to decipher the writing. He also doubted there would be anything in Gaius’ rather extensive library to assist the king.

Instead, Merlin did a quick survey of the room to make certain there was nothing useful there and headed downwards. The only one in the castle he imagined might have a solution was the dragon. He was a bit reluctant to visit Kilgarrah, now that he remembered the day of the dragon’s capture and Balinor’s role in it, but he couldn’t come up with a better solution. Dragons had a healing magic all their own they could impart to humans if they wished. It was an outside chance, but Merlin knew he had to try.

Stepping onto the ledge of the cavern, Merlin called out into the darkness. “Kilgarrah? I need to speak with you.”

Immediately there was a clank of chains and the flapping of wings. The dragon landed heavily on raised stone across from him and glared. “I know why you’re here Emrys.”

“Well that should save us time, then.”

“For me, perhaps, but not for you. I won’t give what you want.”

“The king will die if I can’t find something to save him. I’ve never seen creatures like the beetles Edwin had. I don’t know how to control them.”

“Then Uther will die and your destiny can be fulfilled.”

“Kilgarrah, tell me how to cure him!” Merlin commanded.

Kilgarrah scoffed. “I am not yours to command yet, warlock. You may be my kin, but you are not yet a dragonlord.”

“Balinor’s still alive? But I was certain...”

“I don’t know where that traitor disappeared to, but he lingers on, as I do. I do hope his life has been equally confining and miserable.”

Merlin’s mind was racing at that information, but he shook his head to clear it. “That may or may not be his fate, but that’s not what I came here to discuss.”

“You will not persuade me. I have waited for the death of Uther Pendragon for twenty years,” the dragon said with pleasure.

“How can you be so eager for a man to die?” Merlin asked his voice bitter.

Kilgarrah’s lip curled. “Give me a reason why I should not.”

“Because Arthur isn’t ready yet,” Merlin stated. “This can’t be how he is meant to become king.”

“There are many paths leading to the same destiny.”

Merlin glared. “But some are better than others.”

“Arthur cannot become king without Uther’s death,” Kilgarrah stated.

Merlin shook his head and began pacing along the small ledge. “I don’t deny that, but now is not the time. I know it isn’t.”

“I think you have the mistaken impression that you have all the time in the world. You do not. If you and Arthur fail to achieve your destiny this time, there will be no more chances.”

Merlin stilled and turned to look over at the dragon, his face guarded.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that you are Emrys, the immortal, but Arthur is not and was never meant to be. Whatever it was you did to grant him these additional existences is failing. You nearly destroyed yourself, binding Arthur to you as you did, but the magic you used is slowly returning to you.”

“How did I do that? I don’t remember binding Arthur to me.”

“I do not know the finer details of any of your lives, let alone one so long ago. I doubt, however, that it was something you tried to do intentionally. Your actions certainly would have crippled you for a long time. I doubt you were able to use your magic properly for close to a century. At least not until you were reborn again. You have noticed your powers increasing with each life, have you not?”

“I have been born to magical parents six times since. I have felt the magic I gained from them each time. It is different from my own.”

“That may be true, but you are also regaining your own powers every time you come into contact with Arthur. You are the most powerful warlock that has ever or will ever exist, but you also need your other half. Arthur’s purpose is to ground you and help you to keep your magic stable.”

“Then how is it Arthur was never meant to share this existence with me? Will I not always need his help to be stable?”

“Had you succeeded at your task the first time, the energy created would have been more than sufficient to grant Arthur immortality, and far easier to do than tearing a chunk of your own magical essence and forcing it into him.”

“But where would the energy come from? You said our destiny was to unite Albion and bring peace.”

“Perhaps security is a better word than peace, but unity certainly. The people of Albion have not been fully united with the land they live on since the invaders from across the sea first arrived. A king of a united people is needed to re-establish the severed ties. This will not be simply conquering the kingdoms of men. Once the people have come together under one banner, their leader, their king, must then connect them to the earth.”

“How do we do that?”

“There is no one way, warlock, but the how will be clear when the time comes.”

“And the time hasn’t come yet. There is a lot Arthur needs to do to prepare for this. Taking the throne before he’s ready isn’t going to help him.”

“Uther’s reign has made the disconnection a hundred fold worse! His rule undermines your future day by day.”

“That may be true. He may be a terrible king, doing terrible things, but he is still Arthur’s father.”

“In this life.”

“This life is the only life Arthur remembers!” Merlin shouted in anger and frustration. “You said it would become clear when the time comes. I say it’s clear the time hasn’t come. If you won’t help me, if you can’t see past your anger at the man who wronged you, then I will find a cure myself. You may know many things, Kilgarrah, but you know nothing of the human heart.”

Merlin spun on his heel and stormed up the dusty staircase, for once the one to decide their conversation was over.


Merlin was apprehensive about returning to the king’s chambers without any real idea of how to cure Uther, but he didn’t see the point of delaying it either. The guards at the door let him through without hesitation and Merlin entered to find Arthur sitting alone at his father’s bedside. His shoulders were slumped and when he looked up at the sound of the door closing his expression was one of resignation, not hope.

“You didn’t find anything, did you?”

Merlin shook his head. “There wasn’t much left in the room. I don’t know how the page didn’t notice the lack of personal effects. Some of the bulkier instruments were left behind, but Edwin and all of his things are gone. I imagine he took off sometime in the night.”

Arthur nodded in agreement. “That seems most likely. Do you think Gaius left any books that might be of use?”

“I’m not sure. A lot of what Edwin had was very foreign and written in scripts I’ve never seen in Gaius’ library. If there’s something there, it may take me some time to find it. I’m not an expert on these things.”

“I’ve sent someone to fetch Gaius. I hope he’s able to find him in time. I can’t believe father let someone have such power at court so quickly! What was he thinking?!” Arthur said pushing up out of the stool and pacing the room.

“Arthur... why don’t you go walk the battlements or spar with one of you knights or pester Morgana or something. Get out of the room for a bit. I’ll sit with him for you,” he offered.

Arthur looked ready to protest, but glancing at the king’s unresponsive form seemed to change his mind. “I should check on how the search of the city is going. I’ll return shortly.”

Despite his initial reluctance, the prince departed swiftly and soon Merlin was alone with the king. He was angry with Kilgarrah for refusing to help, but he could understand the creature’s position. Uther had done many things that made Merlin’s life exceedingly difficult as well. If it weren’t for Arthur...

Merlin pushed away the thought before it could fully form and stood next to the bed. With his hands on either side of the king’s head, he loosened his grip on his magic a bit and tried to sense if there was anything there he could work with. His magic tended to work best on instinct anyway, and it was all he could come up with. The feeling of energy skittering across the surface of his skin wasn’t nearly as strong when he was around Arthur, but he had always been able to sense magical objects and creatures by the way their magic rubbed against his own. The power rippled strangely over his left hand and Merlin tried to grab hold of the strange current with his own magic. The feeling of it made his skin crawl, but in moments the small black body of a beetle emerged from the king’s ear.

Its legs writhed and twitched in response to Merlin’s magic surrounding it and he intensified the force of his hold until the creature curled in on itself and died. At least, Merlin was pretty sure it was dead. He would be certain to burn it, just in case.

Setting the beetle down beside the empty bottle on the side table, Merlin leaned in to see if the beetle had left any visible signs of damage, but there wasn’t even a trace of blood. He wondered how long it would take for Uther to regain consciousness and control of his limbs. The miniscule amount of potion that he had brushed across his tongue had been strong enough that his tongue still tingled. It had most likely been made more potent through incantations.

Merlin had enough time to closely examine the beetle, readjust the sheets and tidy the room from the disturbance left behind by several frantic men in armour knocking things out of place before he noticed Uther begin to rouse. He wasn’t sure how the king would react to his presence, but the sound of booted feet and the unmistakable thrill his magic gave let him know Arthur had returned from getting his breath of air. When the door opened, Merlin leapt from the stool and hurried Arthur over.

“I think he’s waking up.”

“Really?! What did you do?”

Merlin did his best not to fidget as he gave what he hoped was a plausible explanation. “I thought I saw something moving in his ear and I grabbed at it. It was one of those beetles Edwin had, like I thought.”

Arthur sounded a little breathless when he spoke. “Good work. Thank you, Merlin.”

He shrugged a bit and stepped back to allow Arthur to perch on the edge of the bed and take his father’s hand.

“Father? Can you hear me?”

“Arthur?”

“Yes.”

“That man... Edwin... He was...”

“False. I know. He fled the city sometime in the night. I’ve already sent a group of knights out to arrest him.”

“He was...”

Uther struggled to speak and appeared to still be having difficulty moving. Merlin took a few steps closer and said gently, “The potion he gave you was very potent, your Majesty. I expect it will take your body several more hours, if not another day or two to regain full control again.”

“You... Gaius is...”

Arthur interrupted. “I’ve sent the two best riders out to find him.”

“I should take these back to his workroom, actually,” Merlin said, picking up the empty bottle and the dead beetle. “I imagine Gaius will want to examine them.”

“Right,” Arthur said, “Go ahead. Is there anything else we should be doing?”

Merlin shrugged and hoped he looked at least somewhat uncertain. If Arthur stopped to think about it much, he might start to wonder at his sudden knowledge of healing. Hesitantly, he said, “Rest is probably what he needs, to give him the chance to recover from the potion and the beetle and everything.”

Before Arthur could say anything more, Merlin lifted the bottle and the insect, gave an apologetic half shrug and left the room.


If Gaius had actually been trying to keep his destination a secret from Merlin, he certainly hadn’t gone to any effort to cover his tracks. Granted, the old man probably thought it wasn’t likely for Merlin to leave Camelot and follow him, but saying he was going to visit Hunith in Ealdor didn’t seem all that likely either. The old physician had been right to put some distance between himself and the castle, but Gaius was dedicated to the king and had known as well as Merlin that Edwin was likely to make a move against Uther sooner rather than later. Gaius would want to be close and somewhere he might be of use, and an out of the way village in a foreign kingdom wasn’t either of those things.

It had taken Merlin next to no time to find the entry in a dusty old record book from the library that contained the record of Edwin’s parents, their arrest date and location and record of execution. They had been from a relatively inconsequential village a day’s journey by foot from Camelot. It was close enough to have regular trade and visitors to the city as well as strong family connections with people who had come to Camelot to learn a trade or find other work within the castle or city. If Edwin were looking for a familiar place to retreat to and disappear, his home village was as likely a place as any.

Which was how Merlin found himself on a theoretically borrowed horse riding as swiftly as he dared down the road away from Camelot. He had left the castle as soon as he realized where Gaius must have gone and the sun was low on the horizon at his back when the village came into view. It was reasonably quiet in the street, most people already at home with their families, but there was bright light and loud voices spilling from what must be the tavern. Merlin dismounted, bringing his horse to the stable behind the tavern and giving the boy there a coin for his trouble, thankful he had at least had gotten into the habit of keeping a few coins tucked away in a pocket. A quick glance at the other horses confirmed Merlin’s suspicions that Gaius had not headed for Ealdor. The man’s grey cob was busy munching hay in the second stall from the door, looking as contented as if he had been there all his life.

Inside the tavern it was noisy and almost oppressively hot. The summer night was pleasantly warm outside, but within the confined room sweat clung to the necks and faces of the men gathered around the tables drinking ale. The room was crowded, with assorted farmers, labourers and travellers finding camaraderie with each other, but Gaius was not to be seen anywhere. Merlin squeezed through the press of people towards the bar, and waved down the barmaid.

As politely as he could while practically shouting over the din, Merlin asked, “Has an older man, a traveller, been in here today?”

She smiled at him and leaned across the countertop. “You looking for the physician?”

“Yes.”

“He went up to his room after supper. He might be busy though. Some fellow with some horrible scars on his face was just in here looking for him. He went upstairs not long ago. I hope the physician can help him, poor bastard.”

Merlin’s heart began to race. “Which room is he in?”

“Upstairs, third door on the left.”

“Thank you,” he said distractedly and pushed his way across the crowded room towards the stairs.

The noise of the main room dropped to a background hum when Merlin reached the top of the stairs, but the sound was replaced by the pounding of his heart in his own ears. When he reached the door, he didn’t even knock, just jerked at the handle and slammed his shoulder against it. Naturally, the door was bolted. Without stopping to check that no one was watching, he waved his hand at the door and the bolt clicked out of the way.

Merlin burst through the door to find Gaius pinned against the wall, surrounded by flames. Edwin stood, silhouetted in the window, with his hood drawn up and the light of the fire dancing on the webbed scars of his face.

The cruelly satisfied smile on Edwin’s face fell when he noticed Merlin. “What are you doing here, boy?”

“Stopping you.”

Edwin thrust out a hand, shouting, “Forbaerne!”

The flames licking at Gaius’ feet leapt and spread along the floor towards Merlin. Merlin reached out his arms like he was calling for an eager puppy and drew the flames up into his hands. They flickered and danced in his palms, but the magic skittering along his skin would not let them burn him.

“You’re a sorcerer and you’re working as a Pendragon’s servant!?!” Edwin said in disbelief.

Merlin shook his head, hands stroking the dancing flames into a swirling ball of fire. “No, I’m the Sorcerer and I serve the Once and Future King.”

Magic poured through his hands and Merlin thrust the fiery ball away from him. There was a brief moment when the shock written on Edwin’s face turned to fear, and then the man was engulfed in flames. In a matter of seconds, the magical fire consumed him and left nothing but a small pile of dust and char on the floor.

The fire that had surrounded Gaius and trapped him against the wall flickered out and died, leaving the old man shaken and clutching at the wall. Merlin offered him a steadying hand and asked, “Are you alright?”

“I think so,” Gaius said shakily and allowed himself to be guided towards a chair. “How did you know that I was here?”

“Were you really trying to hide it from me?”

“No, but I also hadn’t expected you to leave the city. I’m glad you did though.”

“I want to find those beetles Edwin had and destroy every one of them.”

“Is Uther...?”

“Recovering. Edwin gave him a very powerful potion to paralyse him and it will probably take him some time to fell entirely well again, but Uther is still alive.”

“Thank you, Merlin. You probably won’t get the praise you deserve from others, but you should.”

“Probably not. I sort of... well I snuck out of the city, while the gates were meant to be locked down, without telling Arthur, so I’m not expecting praise so much as the stocks from him when we get back. Are you feeling up to riding back tonight, or shall we wait until morning to leave?”


In the end, Merlin returned to Camelot in the night, hoping his absence would not have been noticed... or at least not seen as remarkable as it would be if he returned on the open road the next day with Gaius in tow. The physician’s workrooms were still as Merlin crept in quietly in the dim light cast by the descending moon, until he stubbed his toe on the leg of a table and cursed. Someone gave a startled gasp, and Merlin saw the shadowed figure of a person slumped in a chair beside the cold hearth. The person stood bringing their face into the pale light coming in through the high window.

“Morgana?” Merlin said in surprise.

She gave him a weak smile. “Are you alright, Merlin?”

“Of course. What are you doing here? I mean, not that you aren’t welcome to come and go as you please, but it’s an odd hour for a social call.”

Morgana’s voice sounded haunted. “I dreamt again tonight.”

“What did you dream of?” Merlin asked gently.

“Fire. I dreamt I saw a man engulfed in fire. For a moment when I woke, I thought it might have been you.”

“I’m safe.”

“What about Gaius?”

“Gaius is safe too. I expect he’ll be back in the city by midday.”

“Was it Edwin that made me sick?”

Merlin nodded. “He had these beetles-”

“That’s all I wanted to know. I don’t want to think about it too much.”

“It has nothing to do with your dreams though,” Merlin said softly.

Even in the dim light, Merlin could see the anxiety write itself on her features before she turned away from him.

“Of course not. They’re just dreams,” she said, her voice shaking audibly.

“Do you truly believe that?”

Morgana stood impossibly still, like a deer with its ears pricked up at the sound of a snapping twig, ready to run. Merlin felt himself still as well, both wanting to speak openly with her and terrified of revealing himself. They stood frozen like that in the dark for a long time before Morgana’s shoulders slumped and her head dropped.

“No,” she whispered, “normal dreams don’t become reality.”

“I was thinking that maybe there is some better way to help you.”

“Not more potions and tonics. I’ve had enough of foul tasting sleeping aids that leave me feeling muzzy-headed and tired all the time.”

“I wasn’t thinking of medicines, my Lady.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of reading,” Merlin offered by way of explanation, which in itself was true, “and there are ways of focussing the mind, breathing and meditation, that can help people suffering from mental distress.”

She looked at him sharply. “Are you suggesting I’m going mad?”

“No, no, not at all,” Merlin said hastily, “I just thought that if dreams come from within the mind, mental focus might help make it easier to make sense of them. To see them for what they are.”

“What are they, Merlin? If they aren’t just bad dreams, what are they?”

“A gift. And a burden.”

“I saw a man burn to death! How is that a gift?” she shouted at him.

“A talent, then. One that is both amazing and terrifying.”

“I don’t want this gift, or talent, or whatever it is,” Morgana said, starting to cry.

Merlin pulled her into an awkward hug and held her as she wept. “It will get better. I promise.”

“It hasn’t. Gaius has been treating me for years and nothing makes it better.”

“Perhaps it’s time to try a different method.”

“Do you think it will actually help?”

“I hope so, but I doubt Gaius would approve. He cares a great deal and wants to protect you.”

“I know how to keep a secret. I get the impression you know how as well.”

“So long as it isn’t harmful,” Merlin agreed.

“Arthur was in a right state last night when he couldn’t find you,” Morgana said, a note of amusement creeping into her voice, “but then, he obviously didn’t look very hard for you, did he?”

Merlin grinned at her. “Did he check the library?”

“Of course not.”

“Well, no wonder he didn’t find me then.”

“Goodnight, Merlin. Thank you.”

“Goodnight, my Lady.”

Morgana nodded and left. Merlin quickly put the books of magic he had taken from Edwin’s things in his hiding place with his own book and carefully cast a concealing enchantment on the loose floorboard. He managed to make it back out of the workroom without bumping into anything else and hurried through the quiet corridors. He slipped into the servant’s room attached to Arthur’s and gratefully curled up to sleep for what little remained of the night.


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