Merlin and the Doctor

Part 6-Mess..or not

After what seemed like an age Amy and Merlin arrived back at Camelot. It was getting dark, and Merlin led Amy back up to her chamber to find it empty.

"Where are they? I told them not to move. Stupid Doctor stupid Rory"

She looked around and saw that the fruitbowl had been overturned again. She was just about to call ot when Rory appeared from under the bed.

"Sorry, I thought you were... well.. Doesn't matter now"

Rory looked terrible. He was covered in banana skins, rotten tomatos, cabbage leaves and, worst of all, horse droppings. Rory was suprised she couldn't smell him before and she covered her nose and mouth with her hand to stop herself gagging

"What happened?" She asked Rory

"Um.. how long have you got?"

Merlin decided this was his time to leave, and closed the door quietly behind him. Amy noticed him out of the corner of her eye but let him go.

"So" She said, sitting down on the bed "What happened" She gestured for Rory to join her.

"Well. I decided to have a walk in the castle," He started "And it's very big, so I may have got lost a tiny bit. Anyway, I went into the Queens chambers, had a look, gave her an ice pack which I probably shouldn't have done and left. Then I decided 'I should have a look outside' and went into the town, which was very nice by the way, and then this.. this Ginormous man came up to me, and shoved me in the stocks"

"Did you get a look at him?"

"Not really. He was very ugly, oh, and he stank"

"You can talk"

Rory laughed, and Amy laughed with him. Then the doctor walked in.

"Hello, having fun. Amy, got that thing back?"He asked before noticing Rory "Hello Rory, you look different. Is something different?

"I'm covered in rotting vegetables and poo"

"Yes, thought there was something, I'm just going to...um.."

The Doctor flung a wet wipe at Rory, and very quickly left the room.  

"Let's get you a bath" Amy said, as she ruffled Rory's hair and walked out.

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Merlin went over to Gwen's chamber to see how she was doing. Gaius was next to her bedside, and he turned around instantly when he heard the door open. He looked scared, but relaxed when he saw that it was Merlin.  

"How is she" Merlin asked, coming over towards the bedside 

"Better. Not fully recovered, but definitely getting better. I've given her a potion to help her relax. all this other Physician's idea. He definitely seems to know what he's talking about, but he's a bit..." He struggled for the word 

"Different?" Merlin suggested 

"Yes. Anyway. another man came in, said he was training in science and medicine, and gave her this. It's taken the swelling down. It isn't magical, or I don't think it is, I can't see any signs of enchantment" 

"No, I don't think so. I'm not sure what else it could be. That was probably Rory by the way. He's nice, seems nice anyway" 

"Merlin, is there something you're not telling me?" 

"No"

"Good. I'll need these" He passed a list over to Merlin

"Why can't you get them?"

"Merlin, when you are as old as me you will understand. Anyway, I need to stay by her bedside in case anything happens"

"Fine"

Merlin made his way towards Gaius' chambers. As soon as he opened the door, however, he could see that something was different. Everything was too neat. All of Gaius' potions and remedies in their little glass bottles were arranged in neat rows on the shelves, not in their usual mess which usually ment that he and Gaius knew where everything was. 

The book that Gaius had been reading was no longer on the table open where he left it, but on the shelf with a number of other books that were usually piled up anywhere there was space. 

Merlin looked around the room, but he couldn't see anyone. He went up the small staircase and door into his room, and was glad to find that it had been untouched. He quickly checked the loose floorboard where he hid the book of magic that Gaius had given to him many years ago. It was missing.