Chapter Nine, Capturing the Goblin

Goblin-Gaius stalked towards the library knowing exactly where to find the book he needed to frame Merlyn, even with the real Gaius screaming inside his head to leave Merlyn alone. He couldn't do that otherwise he'd be trapped inside that box for another fifty years. It was him or Merlyn.
"Ah, Gaius," Geoffrey said, as he spotted his old friend, or who he thought he was, entering the library. "I've been meaning to come and see you. I got this terrible pain in my leg."
"It's hardly surprising," said Goblin-Gaius rudely. "When it has to support that enormous gut. Lose some weight, fatty." He said, shocking Geoffrey, who stood there shocked and appalled with a hand to his chest.

Goblin-Gaius stalked off to where he knew the trick bookcase was and pushed down the right shelf causing the bookcase to spin around into the secret room with him holding on to it.
"Ah ha." Goblin-Gaius said, spotting the book of enchantments on the shelf. Grabbing it he headed off towards the King.

***

While that was happening Merlyn was wandering around the castle trying to find Arthur to update him on the Goblin situation. Unbeknownst to her a warrant had just been signed for her arrest.
"Arthur?" Merlyn called, as she entered his chambers only to find them empty. Sighing she left the room to continue on with her search when she heard footsteps behind her, looking over her shoulder she saw two guards with the person she had been looking for.
"Arthur!" Merlyn called, walking closer towards him, frowning at the sad look on his face and how he could barely meet her eyes. "Arthur?" She questioned, wondering what the hell was going on.
"Arrest her." Arthur said, turning away from her.
"What?" Merlyn asked, feeling angry and betrayed. "Arthur, what are you doing?" She asked, when the guards grabbed her.

But he didn't answer her. Instead he led the way to the Council Chambers where the full Council was awaiting them. She was angry and confused until she saw Goblin-Gaius standing beside an angry and pacing Uther.
"Is it true? You, are responsible for the afflictions that I and other members of the Court have suffered?"
"WHAT?" Merlyn asked incredulously. "NO!"
"Gaius." Uther called, not believing Merlyn at all.
"I found this in your room." Gaius said, stepping forwards with a large brown leather bound book in his hands. "It's a book of spells and enchantments."
"He's lying. That's not Gaius." Merlyn said, throwing a glare at Gaius and one at Arthur. "He's been possessed by a Goblin. I know how it sounds, but it's the truth! We've been hunting it, Arthur's been helping us." Merlyn insisted, at their sceptical looks. 

"Is this true?" Uther asked Arthur.
"Yes father." Arthur replied.
"Why did you not mention this?" Uther hissed.
"I tried, before you insisted I arrest Merlyn. You wouldn't listen." Arthur said, angry and frustrated. He looked over to Merlyn with a sad puppy dog look as he muttered sorry to her with tears in his eyes. He knew she felt betrayed by him. He saw it as clear as day on her face when he ordered her arrest.
"The girl is reduced to making the most desperate and ridiculous accusations. I'm only sorry she dragged Prince Arthur into this." Goblin-Gaius spoke up.
"She hasn't dragged me into anything!" Arthur argued hotly.
"You seriously expect us to believe that Gaius is a Goblin?" Uther asked Merlyn, ignoring Arthur.

"It's the truth!" Merlyn shouted.
"I fear that magic has corrupted you." Goblin-Gaius said in a fake sad voice. "It pains me more than I can tell you."
"I seriously doubt that." Merlyn said venomously, eliciting murmurs to go around the Court.
"My Lord, I have been harbouring a sorceress. For that, I offer the most sincere apology." Goblin-Gaius apologised.
"You were not to know, Gaius." Uther said, clapping Gaius on the shoulder. "She's fooled us all." He said glaring at Merlyn.
"Father, I cannot allow this! It's madness! Merlyn isn't a sorceress!" Arthur insisted.
"How'd you know?" Uther asked shrewdly. "There's no mark to tell. They leave no trace."
"I know Merlyn, she has a good heart. There is no evil in her. I know this for sure. She's saved me more than once and has fought alongside me and the Knights to save Camelot on numerous occasions. Why -" Arthur beseeched, but was cut off.

"Enough!" Uther said firmly to Arthur, before he turned towards Merlyn. "You have been found guilty of using magic and enchantments. In accordance with our laws, you will pay with your life. Take her away!" Uther ordered, leaving Arthur speechless as tears filled his eyes as he could do nothing but watch as the love of his life was dragged from the room. Although, he did see the smug looks on Morgana's face but also Gaius too as he waved at Merlyn. He would not let this happen.

***

Later that night Arthur went to visit Merlyn in the dungeons after drugging the guards, but she had her back to him.
"Merlyn. Merlyn, love, please look at me. I'm sorry I didn't want to. I promise I would never do anything to harm you, I've tried again and again to make my father listen..." Arthur trailed off, resting his head against the bars when still Merlyn said nothing. But he saw her quickly swipe her hand across her cheeks and knew she was crying which only succeeded in making him feel terrible.
"I won't let this happen Merlyn. I swear. I love you." Arthur whispered before he left the dungeons.
Once Merlyn was sure Arthur was gone she turned around and saw the keys hanging from the guards belt. She couldn't let Arthur be implicated and she was still mad. She had felt betrayed by both Gaius and Arthur but she knew it couldn't be helped, but that didn't mean she couldn't be upset and angry about it.

"Cæga, cume her." Merlyn incanted, staring focused at the keys. As her eyes turned golden the keys floated towards her, but when the guard turned towards her she made the keys freeze. Only to relax when he stayed asleep, she floated the keys the rest of the way and unlocked the cell door and snuck out of the dungeon. She needed help. And the only person left who she could go to was Gwen. As she was sneaking through the Lower Town the Warning Bell started ringing so she ran as fast as she could knowing there were some guards chasing her without even having to look. Finally managing to shake them off she snuck into Gwen's house through the back door wincing as it creaked.
"Gwen, it's me." Merlyn whispered, from the back of the house knowing she'd startled her friend.

"Merlyn." Gwen sighed in relief, setting down the candlestick as she peered around the screen smiling at her best friend. "What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you, I am..." Gwen rambled.
"You believe me?" Merlyn asked with wide eyes.
"Of course I believe you, Merlyn." Gwen said, pulling the shorter girl into a fierce hug. "You're my best friend and you've done nothing but good for Camelot, plus I know you'd never hurt me."
"Thanks Gwen. I really needed to hear that." Merlyn muttered, tears in her eyes.

***

The next morning after Arthur had informed the Court that Merlyn had escaped and Gaius hadn't acted like himself, he now fully believed Gaius was in fact a Goblin. Not that he ever doubted Merlyn to begin with so he made a plan, trying to obtain evidence so he could help Merlyn. Only the Goblin knocked him out with his own helmet and when he came to he found out he had the ears and tail of a donkey and if it couldn't get any worse he brayed like one too. He let out a frustrated noise only to bray once again as he now realised he would be completely useless to help free Merlyn and trap the Goblin.
While down in Gwen's house, Gwen and Merlyn were trying to come up with a plan to free Gaius from the Goblin. 
"We need to force the Goblin out of Gaius." Merlyn said, as she peered through the window at the guards checking everyone in the Town.
"How do we do that?" Gwen asked curiously.

"I don't know, but I'll try to sneak back to my chambers and see if there's a book that can help." Merlyn thought aloud.
"What can I do?" Gwen asked eager to help her friend.
"We may need Arthur and I won't be able to get anywhere near his chambers." Merlyn said hesitantly, knowing after what happened the other day Gwen wouldn't be able to face the Prince of Camelot, even if they were slowly becoming friends through her. "Please Gwen. This could be my only chance. If we don't free Gaius then I'm going to die." Merlyn begged.
"Okay. I'll see what I can do." Gwen said resigned, but she was also determined to help her friend.

***

"Arthur's a donkey?" Merlyn asked, trying not to laugh.
"He has the ears and tail of a donkey... and the voice. He's braying." Gwen said, also trying not to laugh. But when she saw Merlyn's face they both burst out laughing. "He looked so pitiful." Gwen laughed. "Did you find anything?"
"I think so." Merlyn said pointing to the open book on Gwen's dining table. "If the host body dies, the Goblin dies with it. So if Gaius is dying, the Goblin will be forced to leave him."
"You want to kill Gaius?" Gwen asked incredulously.
"Only temporarily." Merlyn muttered. "We'll have an antidote on hand but we'll only have a small window to administer it. Once it's out we have to trap it in a box lined with lead." Merlyn continued as she peered out of the window. "I know where to get it, don't worry. Just meet me in my chambers." Merlyn said, before she took off once the coast was clear.

After distracting Geoffrey long enough to sneak into the library, grab the box from the secret room and sneak out again, Merlyn ran towards her chambers where Gwen was waiting to set up the next part of the plan that she was the most nervous about. Once there Merlyn grabbed the poison they needed and poured it over the gold coins and other stolen items knowing Gaius would come in and lick it while Gwen kept watch. Once she was sure she had enough over the contents Merlyn quickly put the box back in the hiding place and gave the antidote to Gwen.
"As soon as the Goblin's out of Gaius, you must give him the antidote. We only have a few seconds or Gaius will die." Merlyn said seriously.
"Don't worry Merlyn. Everything will be fine." Gwen assured, even though she was as nervous as Merlyn was.

Hiding in Merlyn's bedroom they couldn't help but wrinkle their noses in disgust as Gaius licked the gold coins.
"Eurgh! That's disgusting!" Gwen muttered, looking a little green.
Once the poison started to take effect they came out of hiding with Merlyn carrying the lead box.
"You've poisoned me." Goblin-Gaius muttered, swaying on his feet. "You've poisoned Gaius."
"Leave his body while you still can." Merlyn ordered, her hand on the latch ready to open the box at any second. Gaius groaned as a ball of golden light came out of his ear and started causing havoc around the room as he sent Gwen flying causing her to drop the antidote and knock others to the floor as well. In the befuddle she couldn't find the right one.

While Gwen was trying to find the right antidote to give to Gaius, Merlyn was trying to catch the Goblin. Once she saw Gaius was dying she became more invigorated to catch the Goblin and help Gwen save her uncle. In her efforts she caught the Goblin in her mouth, (when she'd been about to speak and the Goblin saw its chance and had tried to possess her). She held her breath as she jumped towards the box and spat it into the lead lined box before quickly closing the latch.
"Let me out. I promise I won't do it again." The Goblin begged, but Merlyn ignored him as she started searching through the vials of potions for the right one before administering what she felt and hoped was the right one.
"Come on uncle! Please! Come on, you stubborn old goat!" Merlyn shouted frustrated.
"Who are you calling an old goat?" Gaius asked weakly, causing Gwen and Merlyn to sigh with relief.

***

Once Merlyn had cured Arthur of the donkey ears, the tail and the braying, and Gaius had regained enough strength, he asked for a Council meeting and had a guard take the box to Uther.
"You mean to tell me it was you who was responsible for the baldness, the flatulence, the boils, and Arthur's donkey ears?" Uther asked incredulously.
"I fear I was, My Lord, or at least the Goblin was while I was possessed by it." Gaius said regretfully.
"Magic has the power to corrupt even the most honourable of men." Uther said almost to himself.
"Indeed. Though I must assure you, that Merlyn was and is completely innocent." Gaius added.
"Then she is pardoned." Uther muttered. "Do we have any idea on how the creature escaped?" He asked.

"I'm afraid not, My Lord. May I suggest it's placed where no one will ever open it?" Gaius suggested, as Arthur opened his mouth to argue with his father on the lack of apology to Merlyn.
"See that it's placed in the vaults." Uther ordered.
"Of course father." Arthur agreed.
"Now. Secure it now." Uther ordered, jumping away from the rattling box that had growls coming from within.

Later that day Arthur came to visit Merlyn as she walked through the town with Gaius.
"Merlyn, can we talk?" Arthur asked.
"I'll see you later, my dear girl." Gaius said, kissing Merlyn's forehead.
"Merlyn, I'm so sorry for all that you've gone through these last few days and I'm sorry for my part in it." Arthur began, once Gaius left. "I know I broke your trust, no don't deny it. I saw it on your face. I will do all I can to earn it back, I promise you." Arthur swore, taking Merlyn's hand and kissing the back of it after making sure no one was around or watching them.
"Arthur..." Merlyn began but he cut her off.
"Nope. I won't hear of it. So first, I want to give you this." He said pulling his other hand out from behind his back and handing her a bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers. He knew how much she liked them.

"Thank you Arthur. They're beautiful." Merlyn said, taking the flowers and inhaling the gorgeous aroma as a pink blush spread across her cheeks.
"You're welcome." Arthur said, smiling at the large smile on her face. He will do anything and everything to win Merlyn's trust back even if it's the last thing he did. Seeing her look at him with betrayal broke his heart, so he fully intended to fix hers.

Spells:

* Cæga, cume her. Meaning = Keys, come here.