Camelot, Sunday Morning Fandom Time

[bitch_prince]

It had not been a good night for poor old Gaius. While Merlin had been released in the wake of his arrest, Gaius himself had been cast into a cold cell. Occasionally, Aredian would visit, and the visits were less pleasant every time. Sometimes because of actions, though those weren't the worst

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Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

All the staff and all the courtiers of Camelot were called to the audience chamber in the morning. The King had been in the strangest mood, and they all knew about the court physician incarcerated by the Witchfinder. To say the air was tense would be a severe understatement.

Aredian marched in, followed by two guards. The guards were pulling Gaius along with them. The old man looked sodden and desperate, his feet dragging with every step. With a motion, Aredian ordered him to be cast to the ground. "Confess."

"I am guilty," Gaius choked out. His eyes could scarcely flick up to find Uther. "I have practiced sorcery. I conjured the smoke, I have been practicing magic in Camelot in public-- the faces in the well-- I-- I am the sorcerer who conjured the toad from his mouth--"

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

He could barely even bear to see Gaius like this. What had Aredian done to him?

But Arthur had to, he realised. This had been part of the royal family's orders, and he could not escape the consequences of his actions. Not without turning out to be a coward. He'd have to see this one through.

"You've betrayed me, Gaius," said Uther. Even he sounded stricken. "Betrayed your friends. And above all, you've betrayed yourself."

But Arthur wasn't looking at his father. Or at Morgana, who was slowly starting to hyperventilate. His eyes were tracking right across the room and at Merlin's face.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

Where there was a look that wouldn't be out of place on a Disney character who was just about to cry. Because Merlin had this skill when it came to doe eyes and Arthur.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

Arthur's fingers tensed on the arms of his throne.

"Then by the laws of Camelot," Uther continued, oblivious to the exchange, "I sentence you... to death." And then he turned away from it all, stepping back towards his throne so that his face was hidden from the public.

"The magic shall be purged from this sorcerer by fire!" Aredian proclaimed, triumphantly. "He shall be put to death before nightfall!" He beckoned the guards to drag Gaius back up off the floor. "Bear witness and heed this lesson!"

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

"You liar!" Merlin started, moving forward because now was the time for dramatics. After Gaius lied to get him out of jail.

Brilliant move, Merlin.

"Liar--!"

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

Arthur's training afforded him the ability to predict which way his opponent would move by a single twitch of a muscle, or a flick of an eye; Merlin was laughably transparent in comparison.

He was up and out of his seat before Merlin had even moved, pacing forward to intercept him. He caught Merlin firmly around the waist and dragged him out the doors through which Gaius had only just disappeared.

Merlin was not getting himself under suspicion again. Arthur refused to let it happen.

[[ open to reactions and side-threads from here, guys! Arthur and Merlin will be proceeding onwards and out of the audience chamber... ]]

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

Once again forgetting that whole magic thing, Merlin struggled futiley in Arthur's grip to get back there and... do something. Maybe claw Aredian's eyes out like a girl turn him into a newt. "Let me go."

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

Thankfully, since he'd forgotten about that whole magic thing, Arthur was using another skill afforded to him by his training - the ability to keep scrawny, waif-like flailing morons under control with his upper body strength - to keep him from doing any damage.

Instead, he dragged Merlin aside for a few ticks until the guards had passed by again. "Shut up," he hissed.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

"He's going to kill Gaius," Merlin snapped back, attempting waif-fu and getting a flail of gangly limbs.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

"And he's going to kill you, if you don't watch yourself," Arthur said, jerking him back hard to make him quit it.

The guards' footsteps were fading slowly as they got further away.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

"Gaius is innocent," Merlin replied, dropping his voice thankfully. "You know he is."

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

"Yes."

Waiting another beat to make sure they were gone, Arthur finally shoved Merlin forward again. Towards the dungeons. "But I can't save him. Now keep your voice down, I'm trying to break the law."

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

"What?!" Merlin, inside voice.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

"I'm trying to get you in to see him," Arthur hissed, letting go of him. "Please do reciprocate and try to keep the whole castle from finding out."

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

"...you are?" Merlin stopped, staring at him. Oh, those damn doe eyes were back.

Re: Audience Chamber, Morning

[bitch_prince]

Oh, thank God, Merlin had recovered his inside voice. Miracles were yet of this world.

"It's all I can do," Arthur said, sighing. (Damn those doe eyes.) "And I doubt I've bought you much time."

He gripped Merlin's arms again, but not as a restraint, this time.