Merlin's Sister

The Witchfinder Aftermath

Gaius cleaned the main chamber of his rooms. Kenna was cleaning her and Merlin’s chamber. Arthur for whatever reason, needed Merlin. Gaius wondered if Arthur didn’t just know more and was keeping Merlin close incase his father thought back and noticed something. A toad, Gaius thought with a chuckle. He heard foot steps behind him. It was Uther.

He looked around at the mess awkwardly. “Gaius, I'm glad I found you here.”

“As am I, My Lord. It thought I'd never see these chambers again,” Gaius said carefully.

“If anything was damaged in the search, I'll be only too glad to replace it,” Uther offered.

Gaius almost snorted in disdain. Another bribe to keep quite. “You're very kind, My Lord.”

Uther sighed, “Adrian. I can still scarcely believe that he was a sorcerer.”

“Indeed. Is there some reason you wish to see me?” Gaius asked boldly. He had no interest in entertaining the king tonight.

Uther shuffled his feet like a child. “Yes. I, er...I wanted to say I'm sorry if you suffered at his hands.”

Gaius whipped around. For the first time in years he challenged his king. “But I did not suffer at his hands, Uther. I suffered at yours. He worked for you, My Lord. He was merely following your orders.”

“But I was deceived,” Uther tried to defend himself pitifully.

“No. You were deceived long before Adrian, for you deceived yourself. You see foes where there are friends, you see sorcerers where there are but servants. I am not the first to be wrongly accused in your war against magic, and not all have been as lucky as I,” Gaius accused him.

Uther looked down guiltily. “I assure you, Gaius, every measure will be taken to ensure that nothing like this will happen again.”

“I hope that is true, for all our sakes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do,” Gaius turned back to his mess. This was one of hundreds of messes someone had cleaned for the king. In the past it would be him or Geoffrey who did it. Now it seemed the responsibility had been passed down to Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, and Kenna.

~~

Uther sighed and walked out of the room. He couldn’t fault his old friend for being angry with him. This just another mistake he had made since Ygraine had died. As he walked down the hall someone behind him said, “Sire, wait!”

He turned around and saw the girl, Kenna, walking out of the chambers he had just vacated. He hadn’t realized she was in there. He glared at the girl. For what-ever reason he felt he should blame her and her brother for all the things that hadn’t gone according to plan since they got here. The girl in particular. Her brother at least refused to look him in the eye.

“What do you want?” He growled.

Most would have shaken in their boots at the tone he used, but Kenna stood tall. “You should know that despite what he says now, Gaius will forgive you.”

He sighed, “Thank you, now I mu-“

“That, however, doesn’t mean anyone will forget what you did,” She interrupted him. “Gaius will tell you less concerning magic, Arthur will think twice before carrying out an order, and Morgana will spend less time with you.”

“And why would you say that?” He asked her in a deadly tone.

“Doubt,” She disclosed. “You planted a seed of doubt in each of their minds, accusing someone so close to yourself. It makes not just them but much of your court, question if your persistence in you war on magic isn’t a form of madness. If you won’t hesitate to accuse then in the future.”