Chapter Text
The castle courtyard bustled with life as the late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the stone. Servants moved briskly between errands, kitchen staff darted to and from the side entrances, and knights on patrol loosened their cloaks in the warmth. Merlin moved among them, his stride quick and erratic as he muttered to himself about how “Lady Ennis and her nerves could bloody well wait.”
He was on an errand for Gaius - just a bundle of calming herbs wrapped in cloth - but the castle seemed more crowded than usual, and Merlin, in his impatience, took a shortcut through the inner courtyard by the western wall.
He perked up at the sight of Gwen across the way, standing with a basket hooked over her arm while having a conversation with a cook.
Nothing was unusual about the scene, but just above her on the ledge about three stories up, a wooden flower box shifted. An iron hook anchoring it to the stone struggled and bent under the weight of soaked soil.
The strain proved too much, and the hook pierced through the wood of the box, splintering it and pitching it forward. Soil and petals began to fall, and Merlin was the first to catch the movement from the corner of his eyes.
“Gwen -!” Merlin shouted.
Gwen sensed the disturbance and looked up, instantly screaming and dropping her basket to protect herself from the blow.
Every eye in the courtyard was on the scene, but Merlin couldn’t keep still.
He raised his hand in an instant, a jolt of power surging through him, turning his desperate eyes to an otherworldly gold.
The flower box was hurled sideways into the wall where it smashed completely and crumpled to the ground. Wet dirt spilled like guts over the splintered edges of the box, while the remains of the flowers lay buried under the debris.
The bustling yard had gone completely still. The cook gawked at the sky. A guard at the courtyard gate had frozen completely, mouth agape.
Merlin just began to comprehend what happened.
“Did… did anyone see that?” Gwen’s voice rang out, fueled by panic.
Whispers broke among the servants and the cook backed up a step as if to distance herself from the scene.
“No wind could’ve done that.” Sir Leon appeared from near the stables and approached the box.
Merlin swallowed hard. This is not good.
“Are you alright, Lady Gwen?” he asked.
She nodded quietly, still stunned to silence.
“Everyone, return to your duties!” Leon shouted, and the servants and staff quickly snapped to it, just as startled by the order as the incident that had taken place before them.
Merlin held the herbs tight to his body and made a break past Gwen as quick as he could, trying his best not to look her direction as he passed.
As he made his way through the corridors, he heard whispers already spreading like wildfire through the castle.
“Did you hear what happened?”
“It was definitely magic!”
“Who do you think did it?”
“Do you think the king knows already?”
Sweat beaded on Merlin’s brow as he ran up the worn steps to Gaius’s lodgings.
“Oh, I am in a lot of trouble.” He said to himself.
The door creaked open suddenly as Merlin slipped inside, the scent of crushed chamomile and dried mint smacking into him.
The usually calming herbs could not abate his anxiety this time, though, and he fretted over what to say to Gaius, if anything.
The wizened man in question peered up from his workbench to look at his ward as he stumbled in. “You’ve sure taken your time for someone in such a rush.”
“Right. Sorry.” Merlin said between breaths. “I did try to take a shortcut through the west courtyard.” He placed the herb bundle on the table clumsily, causing some to fall to the floor.
Gaius lifted an eyebrow at him.
“Sorry.” Merlin said again, then reached to collect the fallen herbs.
Gaius placed the vial he was working with on his bench and stood, making his way closer to study the frantic young man.
“You look paler than usual.” He remarked.
“Do I?” Merlin replied quickly, not meeting Gaius’s gaze. “Feel fine though.”
He moved to the basin and busied himself rinsing his hands, but the water splashed too hard, too fast and went everywhere.
“Merlin…” Gaius addressed him, concern heavy in his voice. “What happened?”
“Sorry, what was that?” he asked, using an old rag to clean up the water that had been thrown onto the floor.
Gaius approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
“Tell me what happened.”
Merlin let out a breath, slow and quiet, like it might carry his problems away if he exhaled carefully enough. “There was… a bit of an accident in the courtyard.”
“No one was injured I hope?”
“No, no. No one was hurt.” Merlin went on. “A flower box broke off one of the windows. Gwen was standing under it, and it was falling so fast. It would have hit her but…” He stopped.
“ Merlin. ” Gaius whispered, astounded. “Tell me you didn’t -”
“I had to,” Merlin cut in. “There was no time to think, Gaius! No time to weigh the consequences, she was just there , and the box was falling -”
Gaius placed both hands firm on Merlin’s shoulder and looked him square in the eyes. “Tell me no one saw you, Merlin.”
Merlin hesitated.
“ Merlin .”
“I don’t know,” he said finally. “Maybe. A few people were nearby. Sir Leon, some maids, a cook, a stablehand or two… I just got out of there before anyone could ask questions.”
Gaius sighed, stepping back and rubbing a hand over his face. “The court is a place of whispers, Merlin. It won’t take much for a frightened servant or an overzealous guard to suggest sorcery.”
“I know ,” Merlin snapped. Then his voice softened again. “There’s already whispers in the corridors. And I wish it wasn’t, but it was a fairly obvious display. Someone’s going to report it to Arthur. He may know already. But if I hadn’t -”
“I’m not blaming you,” Gaius said, more gently now. “You did what you felt you had to. I would’ve done the same if I could. But if Arthur hears of this…”
Merlin sank into the chair by the fire, the warmth doing little to calm the knot in his chest. “He’ll call for an investigation.”
Gaius didn’t answer at first. He only turned toward the window, staring out at the sky.
“I think,” he said after a pause, “you should be prepared for that very possibility.”
The sound of a sharp knock at the door rippled through the air, cutting the building tension in two.
Merlin startled, jumping upwards from his seat like a frightened deer.
Gaius looked to the door with a frown and the knock came again - firmer this time.
He wandered to the door while Merlin fidgeted with his hands by the fire, trying his best to act natural.
Gaius opened the door to find Arthur standing tall, arms crossed, impatience already set in his brow.
“Gaius.” He greeted.
“A pleasure to see you, sire.” Gaius greeted. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“I’ve come for Merlin, actually.” He stated, peering past the man into the room. “He’s here isn’t he?”
“Ah, yes. He is.” Gaius stated, not moving from his spot at the door.
“...Mind if I come in?” Arthur asked awkwardly, having decided not to wait any longer for an invitation.
“Of course.” Gaius said, snapping to his senses and stepping to the side.
“Come on, Merlin. You’re coming with me,” Arthur said, briskly stepping towards him as if Merlin had already agreed.
“I am?”
“Yes. I’m needed in the throne room immediately.”
“I see. Well then you had better hurry over - don’t need me slowing you down.” Merlin said, trying his best to emulate his carefree attitude, using it as a thin veil to mask his fraying nerves.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. “Merlin. You are to accompany me. Your presence is required too.”
Merlin’s stomach dropped. “Me?”
Arthur rolled his eyes, exasperated. “Yes, you. Now are you going to question everything I say or are we going?” He gestured to the door.
“I just…” Merlin cast a glance at Gaius, who watched them both with quiet apprehension. “I’m not sure I’ve finished my work here.”
“ Merlin .” Arthur’s tone sharpened.
“Right. Coming.” Merlin acquiesced, knowing Arthur’s patience was nearing its limit.
As he walked through the door with Arthur, Merlin glanced at Gaius again, eyes searching, but Gaius only gave a subtle shake of the head, urging silence.