Merlin stories

A change of mind... and body

   Merlin went into Arthur's chambers and pulled back the shades, "Rise and shine." Arthur rolled over in bed half asleep. He looked around the room and sat up quickly in confusion, then at his hands. Merlin looked at the prince in confusion as he stumbled out of the bed. Arthur looked over, at a mirror, and started laughing. "Arthur?" Merlin slowly walked closer. "Aaah, Merlin." He chuckled at his own voice, "It's nothing, simply I was having this dream where I was a strange creature and well, it's so different than what things truly are." "Okay?" Merlin went back to preparing Arthur's things for the day and getting breakfast ready. Arthur covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing. "I need to leave. For a hunting trip. Today." Merlin look to Arthur, "We just went hunting the other day." Merlin complained. "Not with you, alone." "Why?" Arthur started getting dressed, "I don't have to tell you." Arthur grabbed his sword and started to leave. "What about breakfast?" Merlin started to follow him. "I'm not hungry." Arthur closed the door behind him leaving Merlin utterly confused. He went after Arthur, but it was no use. Arthur was determined to leave, fast. 

   Merlin went back his chambers to speak with Giaus. He told Giaus all that had happened. "He just left?" Giaus questioned. "Yeah." "That is strange indeed." Merlin tilted his head and started squinting, "Do you hear something?" "No." Merlin put his hand to his head, "It's strange, I can swear I hear someone, but only mumbles. I could swear it was Arthur..." "Now, don't go thinking you get to laze about just because Arthur's gone. I need you to go gather some Sticklewart." Merlin sighed as he left for the woods. The rest of Merlin's day was uneventful. He had gone back to the castle doing chores here and there. It was getting late, but Arthur hadn't returned yet. He was going to go back to his chambers, but Uther stopped him, "Merlin." "Sire." Merlin bowed his head to the king. "Where is Arthur? I haven't seen him all day." "Hunting, Sire." "He went by himself?" "He wouldn't let me go with." " I wonder why. When did he leave?" "This morning." "And he still hasn't returned?" "No, sire." Uther looked at Merlin with lack of approval and walked away. 

   He got inside and went straight to his room and fell down onto his bed. Merlin closed his eyes and started to relax when Giaus called for him, "Merlin!" He sighed and got up, going down to Giaus. Uther was standing near the door, "My lord." Uther put up his hand, "You were the last one to talk to Arthur, did he say anything about where he was going?" "No sire, he was acting a bit strange then he just left." "Have you ever gone hunting anywhere with him to place where you would have to spend a night in the woods?" "No sire." Uther put his hands on his hips, "I'll send out a search party at once." He was about to leave when he bumped into Arthur. "Arthur?!" "Hello Uther- Uh father, I just came here for Merlin, I have an errand for him." "Where have you been?" "I was out hunting, though I hate to admit it, I got a bit lost upon my return." Uther let out a laugh of relief and put his hand on Arthur's shoulder, "Well I'm glad you're safe." Uther left and Arthur went up to Merlin, "Merlin, I am starving, could you get me something to eat from the kitchen, bring it to my room." "Sure." Merlin said. Merlin walked past Arthur and Giaus. "Giaus, did you bring Morgana her sleeping draft yet?" "No, not yet sire." "I think she was asking for it earlier." "I'll take it to her right away." Giaus bowed his head and left." After Giaus closed the door Arthur went straight to Merlin's room. He rummaged through the mess coming up empty handed. He looked down under the bed and noticed a loose floor board. He ripped it up and found what he was looking for. The book of Magic, "That's what I thought." Arthur left and went back to his chambers.

  Merlin was putting Arthur's food on the table when Arthur came in. Arthur had the book behind his back, and he walked past Merlin and slipped it into a drawer. "You got lost in the woods?" "Shut up Merlin." Merlin looked over at Arthur, "I'm don't mean anything by it, only it's not like you to get lost. You know these lands so well." "Well, we all make mistakes. You can go now." Merlin looked around, "You're going to get ready for bed by yourself?" "Yes Merlin, I can take care of myself. Go." Merlin felt a bit hurt, "Yes, sire." He went back to his chambers where Giaus was getting ready for bed. "Somethings not right with Arthur." Giaus looked up, "What is it now?" "Just everything about him is... off." "Are you sure?" "I know Arthur better than he knows himself, something definitely wrong." Merlin walked up to his room, "What the hell?" He quickly went back down the the main room, "Were you in my room?" "No. Why?" "My things are everywhere." "That sounds like you room every day." Merlin went back in his room, "No this is different." He looked down at the lifted floor board, "No. Nonono." He rushed over and knelt down in front of the empty hiding spot. "It's gone!" "What's gone." Giaus went up the stairs and stood next to Merlin. "The book of magic! Who could have possibly known it was here?" "Who else knows of your magic?" "Just you. Well, and Lancelot... The dragon? Could he have told someone?" "You better go find out." Giaus motion toward the door. Merlin ran out of the room down to the lowest depths of the castle.

    Merlin had a torch in hand while he descended the stairs to the dragons lair. When he got to the bottom he was surprised to see the dragon clutching onto the rock that he normally sat on with confidence. "Merlin!?!" The dragon exclaimed. "Thank god you're here! You have to help me!" "You want me to help you?" "Yes! Start with telling me what the hell is going on!" "I was going to ask you the same question. Do you know what's happening to Arthur?" "I AM ARTHUR YOU IDIOT!" Merlin's shoulders slumped and his expression went blank, "What?" "When I went to bed I was just fine, but when I woke up I WAS A DRAGON" "What?" "Don't just stand there, Help!" In Arthur's anger and confusion he just yelled and sort of accidentally breathed fire right towards Merlin. He quickly put up his hand and blocked it. "Merlin! I'm so sorry! Wait, how did you?" Merlin's arm fell limp at his side, "What?" "Hello? Are you even there? What are we going to do?" Arthur adjusted his grip on the rock and looked around nervously. Merlin just stared at Arthur for a moment when he came to a horrifying realization, "If you're in the body of the dragon then that means the you that I've been talking to is... Stay right here!" "It's not like I really have an option. Merlin! Hurry back."

    Merlin ran through the halls of the castle, straight to Arthur's chambers. He was filled with fear when he saw there was no one there. He stopped to think, if he were the dragon with free roam of the castle where would he go? Merlin's eyes shot wide open as he made his way for the kings chambers. He barged in the room where Arthur and Uther were raising glasses. "No stop!" Uther furrowed his brow and looked at Merlin, "What do you think you're doing?" "Don't drink that." "Merlin," The great dragon said, "It's perfectly fine, I bought the wine myself it is a gift for my father. I'm sure that it is safe." "It's not that it's..." Merlin was drawing a blank, but he's had to get out of situations like this before, "It's the cups." He gulped, "Th-the cups are ... poisonous. The soap they were cleaned with had a mold on it. Consumption of it could lead to vomiting, headaches or in some cases death." Merlin was out of breath and in full panic mode. "I was told to gather dishes that were cleaned... with the soap. So I need to take these." The great dragon couldn't help but smile a little, "Well, maybe another time father. I think I'll retire now if you don't mind." "Of course." Uther said handing Merlin the cup. The boys left the room and stood in the hallway a moment. "Poisonous soap?" The great dragon crackled as he walked away, "Good one Merlin." Merlin ran after him ,"Wait!" "It's alright Merlin, I won't try to kill Uther again. At least not tonight. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow!" Merlin stopped. Even if he did catch up he wasn't really sure what he'd do. he went and dumped out the cups, then made his way back to Arthur.

   Down in the dragons lair Merlin found Arthur still clutching the rock, "Where were you?" "Stopping you from killing your father." "What are you talking about?" "If you, Arthur, are in the body of the great dragon then where's the dragon?" Merlin put his hands on his hips. "The dragon is walking around looking like me?!" Merlin nodded. "Great. This is just great. What the hell are we going to do."