Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Fourteen (IV)

"I am." Bayard interrupted sounding very confident.

Uther's face hardened. "Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther challenged raising an eyebrow.

Bayard took a calming breath she's thing his sword and reached out for the goblet. Uther pulled in back shaking his head. "No. If this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself."

Artura admired her father's stubbornness and dignity of giving Bayard a chance to live. Bayard let out a royal snort, a bit, unimpressed.

Uther turns back towards Merlin holding out the goblet. "He'll drink it."

Artura's heart raced and her stomach did a somersault. "But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Artura argued. She would not let Merlin die for her sake.

"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther argued eyeing her.

"And what if he lives?" Bayard asked taking another step forward. On instinct Artura pointed her sword towards him threatening.

"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Uther arranged keeping an assured amount of calmness in his voice. Artura could guess that it was due to the fact that Uther didn't care for Merlin at all.

Gaius stepped forward his voice trembling. "Uther, please! He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!" Artura looked at Gaius sadly but knew that Uther's mind had been made.

"Then you should've schooled him better."

Artura turned towards Merlin needing to stop this madness. "Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake. I'll drink it."

Artura went to grab it from him but he backed up hugging the goblet to his body. "No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright." Artura watched as Merlin's hand arose shaking as he toasted towards Artura and Bayard. Taking on last deep breath he put the goblet to his lips and took a nice long gulp of the drink.

Artura watched him carefully searching for signs of him about to die. Gwen also took a step forward worried about her friend.

Merlin stopped stood for a second dread in his eyes as he announced, "It's fine."

Uther nodded shoving Merlin towards Bayard. Artura had to force herself to not drag Merlin back over to her side. "He's all yours." Uther said frowning at the young man.

There was a sigh of relief that filled the room. It came a bit to soon as Merlin's hands flew to his neck making choking sounds before falling to ground unconscious.

Uther turned to the boy anger swept through as he shouted towards Bayard. "It's poisoned. Guards seize him!"

Artura was by Merlin's side in an instance she wished he would open his eyes and call out his bluff laughing hysterically. Yet, she knew Merlin wasn't that sort of man he was too honest to play such a prank.

Gwen and Gaius raced over to Merlin. "Merlin. Can you hear me? We have to get him back to my chambers. Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison." Gaius said urgently.

Artura nodded scooping Merlin into her arms. The three raced towards Gauis's Chamber's hoping that they would have time to save him. Gwen being to the wisest of them all grabbed the goblet so Gaius could identify the poison.

--

Gwen was the last to enter the Chambers just as Gaius gave orders to Arthur and Gwen. "Lay him on the bed quickly; he's struggling to breathe. Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel."