When albion needs it most

Chapter 10

Arthur's shower did not last as long as it usually did. The King's mind was filled with dirty thoughts of things he wanted to do during the night. Merlin was going to regret forcing him into silence earlier in the day. Well, regret was a strong word. He was going to enjoy it by the end; that Arthur was sure about.

He got out of the bathroom, ready to put his plan into action, his mouth smiling at the images of his ideas crossing his mind. He got dressed with a light tunic and trousers that he had brought into the bathroom. Arriving half naked into the bedroom had been a good idea for him before for it had resulted in some of the best sex he ever had. But he dressed anyway, the pleasure of being undressed by the wanting hands of his partner was worth the extra trouble of initiating sexy time while wearing clothes.

He walked out of the bathroom, expecting Merlin to rush in for his turn, and was surprised when he didn't. The King heard some laughs coming from the bedroom. He approached it, worried, only to find the sorcerer lying on the bed, head hanging out upside down. Light shapes of many colors were floating around the room. Some of the figures were animals, other creatures the King would never had imagined too see.

"Merlin," he exclaimed out of surprise.

"Aaaaaarthur," he spoke slowly, turning around onto his belly.

The warlock was acting abnormally. He was acting like a fool, not the fool he usually was, but a drunken one. Things were wrong. The man was not drunk when they had left the fair. Arthur was pretty sure his friend had not drank that much when they were out in the tavern. What was wrong with Merlin?

He approached cautiously, uncertain of which move he would do next. His sexy thoughts pushed aside as he was inspecting his friend's state. Merlin could barely move by himself, his body limp as he crawled out of the sheets. He wobbled towards him. The brunet grabbed his face, pulling his face closer. "Are you the real Arthur?" he asked with a whisper, inspecting the King's eyes.

"Merlin what do you mean?" he grabbed the wizard's shoulders, trying to steady him. The brunet was so out of it he was afraid he would fall any moment.

"You know, the real Arthur, not another hallucination."

"Hallucinations," he repeated with confusion.

"Oh-oh!" the warlock exclaimed. "You don't understand. You're the real one."

Arthur had never seen Merlin in such a state. He changed his strategy. The man was obviously so out of it he couldn't keep his thoughts private. He pushed Merlin onto the bed, forcing him to sit on the mattress. Behind the brunet he saw some stain on the sheets. A dark spot that was damaged by ashes rested on the pale blanket. He pulled them closer, finding a white stick. He recognized the thing, some people from the other world told him about the product. Drugs. He observed them, pulling the joint apart. The herbs inside of it were unknown to him.

"What is this," he asked as he shoved the product in Merlin's face, a little more angry than he should have been.

"That's nothing," he laughed off, pushing his arm out of his way, but the King did not allow him to escape. He grabbed his face, forcing the warlock to look at him.

"Merlin, what is this," he asked again, this time calmer.

"Druid herbs," he explained carelessly. "They amplify one's magic"

The King stayed perplexed. Gaius had talked to him about his friend's magic, saying that there wasn't a stronger wizard in the world. If his friend was the strongest sorcerer to have ever lived, why did he need to amplify his magic, especially when they were having a quiet night in after a few drinks. What had caused him to consume the herbs during his shower?