Calm Before the Storm

Chapter Twenty-Six

26. Classic Double-Cross

Magdelena entered the ruined chambers. Papers and books littered the floor, her boots crunched with each step as broken bottles, and vials laid in piles of partially wet potions and salves. She grabbed the broom that was in the corner and began to sweep the messes she could. Picking up books and papers as she moved through the chambers. She held in her tears at all the ruined work of herself and Gaius, and the empty feeling she had from his lack of presence. 

The door opened, she assumed it was Merlin so she continued her work, "You should get Princess to order some servants to clean this mess up," if his voice hadn't given him away the nickname for the King certainly did, "His knights and orders are the ones that made the mess in the first place." 

"All the more of a reason to do it myself," she says turning to look at Gwaine who gave her a rather sad smile, "What brings you here? If you are in need of a hangover potion you will have quite a wait."

"No, I came to check on you and Merlin," he says walking forward taking the broom out of her hands, "How are you doing by the way?" 

"Don't worry about me Gwaine," she says going to take the broom back but he throws it across the room, "Gwaine I need to finish cleaning this mess. I have to clean this up."

Gwaine went and took a seat on the bench staring at her carefully while she moved to sit down beside him. She smiled at him carefully, wondering what was actually going on in the knights head. Before either had a chance to continue their conversation Merlin entered shocked to find Gwaine sitting there. 

"What are you doing in here?"

"Got bored of playing soldiers," Gwaine says with his normal amount of sass, "And I thought I'd come and see how you two were." Merlin looks at him, opening the door for Gwaine to use. 

"I'm busy."

"Doing what?"

"What do you think?"

"Looking for Gaius."

"I know everyone thinks he's a traitor," Merlin says sounding annoyed with this fact, "but he's not. He's been abducted, Gwaine. He may even be dead."

"Probably don't need my help, then," Gwaine says, "You got Maggie after all."

Merlin and Gwaine began to look at something carefully, while Magdelena moved around the still messed up room gather a few of the medicine that survived the search of the knights throwing them into a bag. She moved to Merlin's chambers and quickly changed into some brown leather pants, her normal working boots, with the same pugged white shirt with corset, belt and arm cuffs that she had worn on the mission she lost her powers. 

She walked out in time to catch the last part of their conversation, "Iron ore's pretty rare in Camelot. In fact, I've only seen it once, on a patrol."

"Where?"

"Er...ridge of Kemeray," Gwaine says, "they've been hewing iron from rocks there for hundreds of years."

"Wonderful, I packed some medicine that wasn't ruined in the raid," she says holding up the leather satchel she was holding up, "We can stop to get some food from the kitchen or just survive on what we find should we get hungry." 

"Maggie I know you want to come but I'm not sure it is the best idea," Merlin says giving her a look, she knows he is refering to her lack of powers. 

"Not going to happen Merlin," she says sternly, "I am coming to help you search for Gaius. I can use a sword if I need to. I can find us food if I have to. So either we go together or I will go on my own."