A Warrior's Heart ( A Merlin fanfiction )

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"Give her some air!" Arthur shouted, looking at the state of Aurora on the ground in Leon's arms. "Everybody make way!" He orders as the crowd parted in two huge waves.

He glanced at Leon, "Bring her to her chambers. I will call Gauis."

-

"Here, here, set her down gently." Gauis said. Arthur had ran all his way to his chambers to get Gauis, then to Aurora's with Merlin and Gwen behind him.

"What happened?" Gwen asked worriedly.

After a few short tests, and his own confirmation, Gauis said, "I am afraid she has fallen ill. The reason I do not know why. She might have drunk something poisonous."

"She was drinking a cup of water. I saw it before I asked her hand in dancing." Leon spoke up.
"We have to find out who did that and what the cause for her sudden illness and fast. Aurora might not have all week. She can die." Gauis informed them.

"Search the castle. Whoever places that poison in her cup must be her enemy! Exclude no one and arrest those who are suspicious!" Arthur orders.
"Yes, my lord." Leon nodded, running towards the door and out.

"Please hurry!" Gwen called after him.

Gauis tapped the edge of the bed, thinking, "While they do that, we will find out who is behind this." He said.
It all dawns to Merlin, Gwen and Gauis to think while Arthur joins Leon in the search for this culprit.

"Who would do such a thing?" Gwen thought aloud.
"What they did is very risky. Poisoning the Captain of Camelot would risk putting themselves in great danger. Had Uther been here to see this, they would already been executed." Gauis noted.

"Whoever did this is lucky Uther isn't here to see this." Merlin agreed.
"Aurora is one of Uther's favored Captain, and warrior. He trusts her with his life. He knows she would do anything to protect Camelot." Gauis glanced at him.

"Merlin, who were in the kitchens preparing for the ball?" Gwen asked.
"The usual. I was there to wash Arthur's clothes." Merlin answered.
"Have you seen anyone suspicious?" Gwen queried.

Merlin rubbed his chin, "I've seen a woman..if that's what you're saying. Her head was covered in hood, and she's meddling with the cups."
"Who would be in the kitchens unnoticeable?" Gwen frowned.

"Now that I've think of it, Princess Mithian wasn't in her chambers thirty minutes before the ball, and she wasn't in the ballroom when Arthur had addressed the crowd with his speech." Merlin explained.
"Why suspect her? It could be anyone." Gwen said.

"Unless," Gauis pointed out, "Princess Mithian really hates Aurora, seeming that she has married her old friend-Sir Leon. But it couldn't be of jealously, could it?"

"There is only one way to find out." Merlin gave Gauis a knowing glance.

-

Two vials of pink liquid are plunked on the wooden table in Aurora's chambers. Gauis had gathered both Gwen and Merlin to sit in front of him.

"These potions will make you see reality. It will make you see Mithian's true form. Or her maid's. That way we will know if the princess truly is what she is." Gauis explained. "But remember, you have to make sure you kill this thing before sunrise. Once you do, Aurora will wake up. But if you don't before sunrise, Aurora will face death."

Gwen looked at the vial in front of her, "Is this safe at all?" She has that disgusted look, she has never tried Gauis's potions before, but she trusts him.

"Very safe," Merlin told her, sounding not very convincing at all. "I will do the killing, Gwen, you will distract her. Our plan would totally work!"

Gwen cringed, "We'll see about that." She said as she plucked open the lid of the vial, staring at it before she gulped the whole liquid down.

-

"Search all the chambers," Arthur orders, he himself kicking down the door to the kitchens. The cooks are all surprised, letting out horrified gasps as knights entered, making pots and ingredients fall.

"Excuse us, we are searching for evidence. Who is in charge of the water Aurora drank during the ball?" Gwaine called, peering through cupboards.

One cook timidly raised up his hand, "I was. But then a woman took over, she was wearing a hood, and she pushed me out of the way."

"Does this woman have any distinguishing features?" Elyan asked, approaching the man.

"She seems to have the eyes of the night. I only took one look in her before she escaped." The cook answered, "She seems to have a regal walk. She was very clumsy, too. She fell down and I found this," he took out a piece of emerald green fabric out of his pocket, "It is made of the finest silk."

Elyan took it from him, and examined it, before handing it over to Arthur.
"You're right," Arthur agreed, "Whoever wore this is of regal blood. No one in Camelot would have these types of clothing." He handed the fabric to Leon, "Search all chambers. I want this culprit found."