Goodbye Arthur

Chapter 3

Morgana walked quickly through the corridors of the palace, skillfully evading the guards, her long red cloak flowing out behind her. She was deep in thought not paying attention much to where she was going as she knew the path that she was headed for she had made it several times. Before she knew it she was outside of Gaius' door. She rapped three times and heard movement inside after a little bit, but then the movement stopped. After waiting for a moment she pounded on the door and this time she head someone getting up.

"Merlin, how many times have I told you...." said Gaius pulling open the door. "Morgana. Forgive me, my lady. How may I help you? A sleeping drought?" He stopped when he saw her expression. "Is everything alright?"

"Gaius, it's Merlin." Gaius' eyes widened and he quickly grabbed his coat and bag of healing supplies. The pair hurried back to the castle both absorbed in their thoughts. Gaius was overcome with worry about his ward and Morgana's thoughts were mixed: confused about what happened to Merlin, slightly happy to see him in pain, scared about what could make his eyes so hollow and scared, suspicious about what had happened. They were soon outside Morgana's chambers and Morgana stopped before pushing open the door. "Brace yourself. I'm not entirely sure about what happened. Gwen is with him."

"Oh my," said Gaius as he walked to the bed and saw Merlin so pale and covered with blood. 

"I'll leave you," said Morgana. Gwen and Gaius started to say something but she was already gone. 

"Gwen what happened?"

"I don't know Gaius. I was leaving Morgana to head home when I was knocked over by him. It looked like he was headed towards her room." Gaius frowned slightly. "Well I'm not sure, he burst out a room. Sorry I can't tell you anything more. Should I fetch Arthur?"

"No." Gaius turned around suddenly. "We need to get him back to my rooms as soon as possible. Can you carry him?"

"I think so, but Gaius what...?"

"Not here... I want to check for myself after we get back to my rooms. We must hurry and try be gentle Guinevere." Gwen gulped and nodded before gentle lifting the small figure of Merlin into her arms. Merlin moaned in pain and Gaius waved a bottle under his nose and he passed out. 

Meanwhile Morgana met with her sister Morgause in the Darkling Woods. "What happened Sister?" asked Morgana. 

"What do you mean?" asked Morgause confused.

"To Merlin. He knows very well who I am, but yet he sought me out to help him. So I want to know what happened to him."

"Where was he found?" Morgause seemed nervous.

"You didn't have something to do with this ... this rape did you sister?"

"Morgana..."

"Oh my god." Morgana put her hand over her mouth.

"Sister listen please. I cast a spell of wanting over Arthur. So that when his emotions got to much. For example if he got annoyed with Uther then it would become a murderous rage."

"So what you are saying is..."

"Arthur has feelings for his manservant and he raped him."

"Because of your spell."

"Morgana listen to me. It may not seem like it but this is good." Morgana stared at Morgause in shock. "Arthur now has a weakness."

"If this is how you plan to take down Uther through Arthur, through distasteful measures. Through having innocents raped, I will have no part in it." Morgana stepped back and set her face in stone. "Even if that person is Merlin. 

"Morgana please listen to me. This is war, there is bound to be casualties and mistakes made. Do not forget that the boy tried to poison you."

"Perhaps... or was it because you tried to destroy Camelot and having the fail-safe in my life line."

"Morgana, listen to me. Merlin will not stay long. He will leave Camelot and Arthur will follow him. Just give me time to do my work."

"No, this has crossed the line. I may want Uther dead but I want for the people live in safety. I cannot do that knowing that I allowed for you to have a boy raped. You need to step back and examine your morals." Morgana turned and walked away, Morgause calling after her.

"Morals? Says the woman who wants the death of her family, that she has lived with for her entire life." Morgana frowned but walked faster.