Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Eleven (III)

Artura's smirk faltered for a half a second before she walked closer to Merlin basically growling at the idiot. "Yes, you are."

Merlin's nose scrunched up as he shook his head denying it once again, "No way."

This frustrated Artura why could he just use that useless brain of his and catch on. Artura rather not have to arrest another one of her allies. "I saw yesterday with that flower she'd given you." She pointed out.

His cheeks became flushed as he found himself a little flustered and yet he continued to ignore it, "I'm not in love with her."

She stood next to the poor guy as she wrapped her arm around his shoulder. She gave his neck a small squeeze warning him to be careful about his next few words.

"It's alright. You can admit it." Artura encouraged giving him a small smile.

Merlin pushed against her arm glaring at her. "I don't even think of her like that!" he said his voice raising a little.

All had been watching the two's little scene until finally Uther spoke up, "Perhaps she cast a spell on you."

Artura looked over at her father worried she needed him to believe that Merlin was no sorcerer mostly because he couldn't have been one.

Lucky for her a few snickers wrapped around the room before they all fell into a round of laughter. Artura joined in patting him on the back.

"Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer." Artura wrapped up happy that Merlin want being sent into the jail cells as well.

The laughter faded quickly as Uther flowered at the boy. "Don't waste my time again. Let him go." The guards stepped back and Gaius escorted him before he could cause another scene that Artura couldn't get them out of.
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Gaius's Chamber doors were thrown open followed by an upset warlock. "Arthur's the idiot." Merlin growled, eyeing Gaius as he came in behind.

Gaius frown also upset, and yet for an entirely different reason. "No. He was right to do what he did. And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity." Gaius said his voice giving away to his annoyance.

"What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die." Merlin remind as if that justified his actions.

Gaius had to somewhat agreed, but it still did not excuse his idioticness. "Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!"

Merlin scolded pooping himself down on the bench his eyes wandering towards the jar of water. "Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it."

Merlin in a way wished he had understood for then he would have to keep up with the lie. To Merlin's dismay all of his actions just made Arthur jump to the conclusion that he had romantic feelings for Gwen.

Gaius patted the poor boys back feeling a but sympathetic. Merlin was almost fighting the world on his own. Emphasis on 'almost', Gaius promised he would be alone and so here he was ready to do what he could to be there for Merlin.

"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot." Gaius pointed out.

"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat." Merlin grumbled allowing his head to softly hit the table.

Chuckling Gaius picked up the jar swirling the water a little. "I don't think you'll find one big enough. Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water." Gaius said determined. He too was fond of Gwen she was like his granddaughter.
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A women of young age stood in a cave with a filled basin in the middle. She watched the water as an illusion of Merlin and Gaius appeared. A smile that spreads like butter found it's way upon her face.
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To think he could've died from nearly slipping on the damp floor. This trip in the water cavern was proving to be a dangerous one from someone so clumsy.

There stood a gorgeous pool of water. Even without the sun's light it shine a bright blue. Gaius's hands shook as he passed Merlin a veil. "The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample."

Merlin nods taking the bottle and carefully dipping it into the water. Once the bottle was full the two arose to their feet.

"Let's take it back and examine it." Gaius advised.

They took one last glance as the gorgeous water only to pause. The water began to bubble and creature burst through the water lunging at them.

"What the hell was that?" Merlin shouted jumping away from the water.

Gaius and Merlin scrambled out of the room getting one last look at the muddy beast.
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Book after book was skimmed and sometimes read a little. However no matter what book they looked through they couldn't find the beast that was lurching in the water supplies.

Suddenly Gaius's head was thrown up and his eyes were wide with realization. He speedily reached his box shelf. His fingers hovered over each book as he read the cover before going on. Once he found what he was looking for he pulled out the giant book slamming it on table.

He flipped to a page poured at the beast declaring, "Here. It was an Afanc."

Merlin rushed over to Gaius. "An...a what?" Merlin asked have never heard of the creature or name before. He looked over at Gaius.

Gaius adjusted his glasses on his nose before reading. "A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer."

Gaius turned to Merlin sighing, "Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" In unison both turned their heads towards the stack of books now knowing they had to do it all over again only with a different question in mind.

"That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then." Merlin complained not excited to get to the books once again. Merlin liked solving problems with magic not all this research and science.

Gaius's brow raised. "Have you got a better idea?" Merlin bit his lip before nodding he excited the chambers.

He was headed towards the dungeon to visit another one of his dear friends. In the courtyard Merlin found some of the kings workers beginning to build the pyre for Gwen's execution.

A lump in Merlin's throat formed he couldn't let this happen. He found Gwen lying on the cold hard ground of the cell fast asleep. "Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will." Merlin promises before heading deeper inside.
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A.N: Oh man it's so hard to choose whose point of view for certain scenes especially when you have characters coming in and out of the scene. I love Morgana in like the whole first season she was so cool kind and strong. Also I'm thinking that if I don't like a chapter and it has no effect on the next one I just might skip it.

Issue #11: In this episode it's hard to keep Arthur/Artura from seeming like a bad guy because she is so with her father for the most part. And writing that scene where she told everyone Merlin was in love was also difficult because I have no idea what her feelings towards Merlin are like.