Artura hovered over the map of the citadel. She had searched every inch and corner of the place, and had yet to find anyone that showed any sign of being a sorcerer.

"We searched everywhere, the entire city." Artura explained looking over to her father.

His face hardened. Artura never did like her father, but really couldn't stand him when magic was involved. He certain fly got tunnel vision I'm able to see anything, but the evil it possessed. "Nothing?"

Artura looked over the map again. "I don't know where else to look."

Uther shared her frustration sighing. "I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell."

She was confused. 'How did this stop the disease from spreading?' "Father?" She asked searching for his reasoning. Her father though often blinded never did anything for no reason.

He however ignored her pouting towards a section of the lower poor part of town. "And cordon off the lower town."

"Why?" She wanted to understand her fathers view point for nothing made sense at the moment.

Uther pointed harshly at the area explaining calmly, "Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading."

Ruling a kingdom was hard. They had to think of the people in both situations. Artura often found she was the one to point out the ones in the worst condition for her father seemed to miss them at times. "What about the people who live there?"

Uther sighed, Artura forgot how much pressure her old man must always be in and yet she never felt bad for him. How could she feel bad for a monster. Sympathetic maybe but never would she allow herself to feel bad. "Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city." Uther's argument was fair. He did for once think of the people in the part they were to section off. He rubbed his hand on his face.

His tiredness became very apparent to Artura. He was obviously stressed, concerned, blinded, and overworked. These things often lead to both getting angry and yelling at each other. Something surprising neither enjoyed.

So Artura became the better but not bigger man. She gave her father a respectful bow before leaving her father to his cruel mind.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gaius stared at the newest victim of the disease. He decided it was time to test Merlin's wisdom and observation skills. "What's different about this victim?"

There laid a woman of higher class. She had died that morning and the guards were quick to bring her up just had he done the others. Gaius took interest in her and had her laid out for Merlin and him to inspect.

Merlin looked over at her think about the other victims they had seen. "Er... she's a woman."

Gaius sent him a slight glaring shaking his head disappointed. "Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?" Gaius pried wanting Merlin to use the little of the brain he had.

Merlin scanned her again searching for something else. Her clothes were a lot nicer than anyone else. In fact he had seen her in the castle once. She was spending some time with Morgana. "Erm... she's a courtier." Merlin guessed looking over to Gaius for what he hoped would be his approval.

Gaius's eyes sparkled. "Ah." Merlin and found the answer. He was so proud of his apprentice at the moment.

Merlin was quick to dismiss any reason for Gaius to be proud as he tilted his head confused. "How does that help us?"

Huffing Gaius proceeded to explain, "Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?"

Merlin thought about grinning as he replied, "Erm... that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople."

Gaius felt as if someone had just slapped his face. He showed the pain off to Merlin truly embarrassed by the young man. "Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact."

Merlin smiled glad he was catching. Slowly a more part of it dawned on him. "Oh, and they probably ate different food."

Gaius returned the smile nodding eagerly. "Good. Anything else?"

"Erm... I doubt they breathe the same air." Merlin said thing of Arthur and how highly he thought of himself. He could imagine the guy trying to breath the same air as he did.

Gaius nodded, "So what's the only thing they do share?" This was it Gaius knew it this boy was not a complete idiot like Arthur claimed him to be.

"Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?" Merlin was now a bit confused. Water did make the most sense yes. Especially based off how quickly it all spread and how it wasn't just the poorer dirty parts of the city getting sick.

Gaius patted his back sending him a compliment, "Merlin, you're a prodigy."

Then he smiles placing a bucket into his hands. Merlin down at the bucket frowning he got up leaving towards the Lower Tower well to get a sample.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gwen danced around her house her spirits were high. She was ready for another day of adventure. "It's time to get up, Dad. Dad?" He didn't answer and a worried frown spread across her face. She turned her beloved father over.

"Gwen." Tom groaned. Gwen gasped he was sick and that means he could die. She gave him an extra blanket before racing towards the castle tears streaming down her face. She ran past the well and Merlin.

"Gwen? Gwen!" Merlin cried chasing after her a bucket of water in hand.
~~~~~~~~~~
They raced into Gaius' Chambers. Gaius spun around eyes wide his attention on the terrified young women. "Gwen!" Gaius said grabbing her arm searching for symptoms of the sickness.

"Gaius." Gwen replied hiccuping as her tears continued to flow.

"You have the sickness?" Gaius asked scanning the girl worried about the sweet girl she was.

Gwen bit her lip shaking her head. She attempted to pull herself together. "My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have." Gwen pleading going into another round of sobs. Gaius pulled her it a warm hug drawing circles on her back for comfort.

Gaius pulled her back looking her dead in the eye so she could see how much this hurt him to say, "Gwen, I have no cure."

"I am begging you!" Gwen quivered the news piercing her very soul.

Gaius frown deepened. He loved this young woman she was kind and inspiring he hated breaking news to people, especially people he was close to. "I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve." Gaius reaches out taking her hand. "I'm sorry, Gwen."

Gwen gave him a small nod rushing out of the room. She was going to spend as much time with her father as she could today. As the door closed Merlin flipped around turning to Gaius desperate. "There must be something we can do."

Gaius took the bucket grabbing a bottle taking some out so could inspect it. "My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers."

Merlin sighed once again frustrated, "But that'll be too late for Gwen's father."

Gaius returned his sigh nodding, "I fear you may be right." Gaius grabbed a flower placing it in the water watching to see how it affects the flower. Merlin stormed into his room pulling out a forbidden book.
~~~~~~~~~~
Forcing himself to stay awake until he heard Gaius's sweet sounding snores for an hour to make sure he was undoubtedly asleep. Tiptoeing towards his door he peeked his head out for his final check.

He slipped back into his room, his book of spells in hand. He swiftly left the room successfully making no noise.

He hid behind a barrel after getting past them undetected. "What about over...in there?" A guard suggest pointing at a pile of hay.

The other guar nods agreeing, "Certainly, sir." Both stabbed their spears into the haystack. Merlin has a feeling they were looking for three sorcerer.

After finding no magician inside this guard made his way over to Merlin's hiding spot. Panic raced through his body.

"Onstyrian, onbregdan." Merlin whispered. The door to an inn across from Merlin creaked open drawing the attention off the in conning guard.

All rush over towards the door to investigate. Unfortunately, the guard closest to the door got a welcoming smack to the head baby said loving door.

Merlin snuck further away from the guards and closet too Gwen's house. Merlin made his way over to their small window peering through it.

Gwen and Tom both were in a deep slumber. Gwen laid at the foot of his bed holding his hand. Merlin smiled at the young girl before making his way into their house and slipping a poultice underneath his pillow. "þu fornimst adl fram guman." Merlin chanted.

He watched as Tom's skin returned to its original color, before Merlin took his leave giddy about how happy Gwen was going to be tomorrow. He took a last glance through his window. Tom had lazily awoken placing a fatherly hand upon Gwen's head.

Gwen's head popped up her eyes very much widened. Tom smiled pulling the young women into a tight hug exchanging words Merlin could not hear.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gaius placed a jar of water in front of Artura and Uther with a hint of a smile due to his discovery.

Artura leaned down to look at it, but right before she could touch it Gaius spoke out. "Don't touch it. I had this in the water for no more than a few hours."

Uther and Artura turned looking at Gaius. Uther placed a hand on his hip asking, "Where's the water from?"

His subtle smile faded as he informed the King, "The pump from where the people take their daily supply."

Artura frowned upon the knowledge knowing where the solution would lead. "We may have to stop the people from using it." This worried her for no one could live without water for long.

"The city cannot survive without water." Gaius argued glaring at her. She took a step back giving Gaius a clear view of the King.

"We have to find this sorcerer!" Uther growled slamming a fist upon the table.

She sighed, "I don't believe that they're inside Camelot." She rests her head on her hand scanning the maps once again.

Uther glared at her angry for her incapability to find a sorcerer. "Then extend the search to the villages!"

Once again Artura found herself sighing. "We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom." Artura looked at her father. Her father expected so much from her something impossible like finding someone who could be out of their kingdom by now.

"And I can't stand by and watch our people dying." Uther says pointedly. Artura's shoulders fall and gives her father an obedient bow leaving them.

She had heard a rumor about Gwen's father being healed and hoped he would find answers there that wouldn't get people close to her in trouble.
~~~~~~~~~~
Merlin raced towards Morgana's chambers desperate to speak with Gwen and find news about her father's good health.

He slowly opened the door peering inside. "How's your father? Is he feeling better?" Merlin asked. Gwen was in a better mood that much was for sure. She had flowers and her steps her light.

"Yeah, it's incredible. It's a miracle." Gwen beamed practically bursting with excitement.

Merlin grinned at the young lady pulling himself inside the room. "His skin's clear, back to normal?" He had to make sure the spell had worked well without any side effects.

"Yes." Gwen nodded her smile spread across her whole face causing her eyes to twinkle.

Merlin smiled matched her as his body was flooded with relief. "Great!"

Gwen paused her mini part of excitement she looked over at him suspiciously. "You don't seem surprised."

"No, no, I am. It's a miracle." Merlin said slightly taken aback.

This however didn't drop her question, but brought upon another. "But how did you know he was well?"

His heart raced and his smile faltered as he searched for a solid lie. "Er... because you're smiling." Merlin reasoned suddenly wanting to get away from Gwen and her many questions.

Guinevere took a step towards him curious. "That's really weird because I haven't told anyone, but you know. How could you know?"

He was too deep to back down know he had to come up with a fun joke that would house her to not be suspicious. "Yeah. Alright. You finally found out, I'll tell you." Merlin sell lower before continuing, "I'm psychic."

Gwen giggled, "No, you're not." She placed a hand over her mouth trying to hide her laugh.

Shrugging Merlin replied, "It's true."

Gwen took led her eyes playing along. "Alright, what am I thinking?"

Merlin tapped his chin pretending to stare into her mind before gasping replying, "That I'm not psychic."

Gwen gave Merlin another round of giggles her cheeks going a little pink. "You're strange. I... I don't mean that in a nasty way. You're just funny. I like that."

Merlin could feel the heat rushing to his face as he scratched his neck looking away. "Erm, er, I'm pleased for you."

Gwen heart swelled smiling at the kind young man. "Thank you."

His eyebrows scrunched together confused. "What for?" he asked.

She opened her mouth about to give a witty respond, but stop realizing she didn't have one. Shrugging she gave him a simple answer, "Don't know, just for asking."

"I didn't like to see you upset. I have to...get on." Merlin replied also shrugging.

They stood in silence for a couple of seconds. Gradually it grew awkward and uncomfortable so Merlin gave a small smile waving then turned and left. Sighing once he was out the door giving himself a personal lecture about being more cafe about his exposure to magic.
~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile that was happening Artura was dealing with another part of Merlin's idiotic use of magic.

Artura approached the well known blacksmith, Tom. He was also Gwen's beloved father, who had recently gotten the sickness. Yet, it appears he is fine now.

"The story is you were sick." Artura pointed out stopping in front of the man.

Tom banged his piece of metal before responding, "Not any more." He sent another wack to the object he was making whipping away sweat.

Artura was confused Gaius knew the cause but had made no mention of a remedy how was this man healed. "Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?" Artura offered praying it was so.

Tom snorted finally placing down his work. "Oh, you're joking. I felt like death itself, not enough strength in me to stir the air."

This to say the least confused her. He felt like death and now he showed no signs of being near death. "Then... what happened?" She needed more information before jumping to any strange conclusions.

Tom shrugged, "Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before."

'Weird,' Artura thought. This spelled some magical work all over. "That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?"

Tom clearly wasn't the magician at work for he was dying and would have had no straight to heal himself. That and he would know that it was in the water and would've avoided it.

Tom tilted his head a little, "Just my daughter, Gwen."

Artura smiles at the kind blacksmith offering him a small nod. Tom returns it before turning back to his work.

Instead of heading back to the castle like she had originally planned she and her guards went over to Gwen's house to pay them a visit.

Artura instructed them to be careful with the things in the house not to send either into a panic since no one was home to know they were going through their house.

A guard inspects a bed pulling out a glowing poultice from underneath the pillow. Artura took the poultice inspecting it a little before giving the guards a nod and they all exited the house.
~~~~~~~~~~
Artura walked into the Counsel Chambers asking to speak with her father alone. Everyone in there gave her a respectful nod and quickly left the room.

"Where was it, Arthur?" Her father asked keeping his eyes trained on the maps.

Artura approached cautiously not sure what sort of mood he was in. "We found this in Gwen's house, sire." Artura place the poultice onto the table in front of her King. "Her father was miraculously healed with only him and Gwen in the room."

Uther was quick to scoop it up looking it over. "Arrest her for the use of magic."

"Father," Artura said and her father glared at her. She had a feeling he was going to snap at her for challenging him but she felt the next few words could help her dear friend.

"If I may father," Artura asked. Uther sighed, but waved for her to continue. "I do not believe Gwen is the sorcerer nor Tom."

Uther raised a brow holding the poultice in front of her. "And why is that?"

"Father if they were surely they would've known about this disease and how it is spread and would have avoided the water at all cost." Artura reasoned. She did not wish to arrest Gwen, she was a dear friend and she had a feeling Gwen wasn't going to have much of a voice when she was arrested so the argument had to happen before.

Uther swelled on that note for a second before coming up with a good response. "Perhaps, but how do you explain why this poultice was inside her house. And a dying man couldn't not have done this work so it was her daughters work."

"Father please think about this reasonably." Artura pleaded.

Without much of a warning Artura stumbled back her cheek stinging. A hand flew to her cheek touching it gingerly. He had slapped her and she was surprised to have stayed on her feet. Luckily he drew no blood but the slapped hurt like crazy.

"How dare you question me and tell me I am being unreasonable. You are the one being unreasonable. Do not let personal feelings get in the way of seeing the truth that is clearly placed right in front of you blind face." Uther growled grabbing her face so she stared him right in the face.

Artura did her best to fight against her father's grip keeping her eyes focused on anywhere but the king.

"I thought I had raised you to be an heir. Not someone who choses their heart over their brains. Arthur you are going to have to make tough decisions, some that could bring harm to those important to you. However, it is you job to push all feelings aside and do what is best for this blasted kingdom.

"The proof leans towards Guinevere. She is putting on a front for us all acting like she is sweet and caring, but in reality she is a demon spawn trying to lure us all into her trap. Arthur I don't want you to get caught you are the only hope this kingdom has once I pass on. Do not fail or argue with me or I will treat you as I do any other servant and thrown into the jail cells we both know a creature like you really belongs.

"Now I said arrest her and that is what you will do. You will be shown the witch no mercy or emotions. Don't not let her last few moments be a win for her. She will lose this fight and we will continue on to safety with no thought of the ugly monster she really is." Uther ordered.

He once again broke down all protection hitting her every nerve. Gwen was Artura's first real friend that was a girl she could never put her in harm's way. Maybe her father was right she loved Gwen's company and that was why she seemed for a reason for her not to be one because she earnestly could live with the idea that her first friend lied to her.

Artura shoved all her emotions away putting on a blank face the face of a strong fearless warrior. Her father was right once again. She bowed deeply apologizing for her behavior before leaving the room gathering her guards to go do as her father asked and arrest her dearest friend.
· · · · ·
Artura hesitated before opening the door the Morgana's chambers. Her guards filled behind her.

Unfortunately, Gwen was quickly spotted. Artura pushed the bottle cap on her emotions before pointing towards Gwen. "Seize her." Her ordered keeping her eyes from looking at the young women.

The guards nodded rushing over to her. Gwen took a step away crying, "No."

Gulping Artura forced herself to look at Gwen as she announced why she is going to be taken away by guards. She felt she owed Gwen to look at her while she did something she would pray she would never have to do again. "Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot, that you did practice enchantments."

Artura wished this would be quick and without much drama. She didn't want to listen to her friends pleads for they where like a hammer to her bottle of emotions.

Of course when doing a bad deed luck would not be on your side. And so in walked Morgana. Her brow instantly frowned and she rushed closer to the situation.

"Gwen?" Morgana asked as if hoping we were arresting some other girl that looked similar to Gwen and was in her private chambers.

Gwen's cheeks were already stained with tears. "But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!" Gwen pleaded. Each words broke Artura but she was quickly to put the broken pieces back together.

Morgana spun towards Artura a flame burning in her eyes. "What are you doing?" She demanded.

"I found a magic poultice in her house." Was all Artura offered her face nearly blank.

Morgana rolled her eyes chuckling. "Oh, that's ridiculous."

Unimpressed with Morgana's argument she placed the one her father had just drilled into her. "Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?"

Morgana huffed clearly frustrated. "Well, she's innocent! I know she's innocent." Artura snorted for that was the weakest agreement she had heard all day.

"What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye!" Artura responded almost robotically. She wished Morgana had given a proper fight or that it was a real fight. For fights were something Artura understood not this stupid game of placing blame.

She seemed to have nothing else to say she Artura rolled her eyes and left the room waving for her guards and Gwen to along as well.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gwen struggled against the guards. She had no idea what they were talking about and wasn't going to be arrested without giving a fight.

She screamed, cried, pleaded, and begged, but none of her words ever seemed to reach their ears. Arthur wasn't her favorite person on the planet but he had always been just and slightly reasonable. Yet he didn't even give her a backwards glance. He just marched straight on his face might as well been blank.

"No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!" Gwen tried again her throat raw from her yelling so much.

This time she got a small reaction. His head turning slightly towards her only for it to snap back into place.

Gwen's eyes searched around desperately for someone to help her to listen and stand by her side. There stood who she hoped would be her hero Merlin.

She pulled hard against her captures leaning towards Merlin. "Merlin! Merlin, please help me!" She watched as Merlin faced was covered in concern and fear. The soldiers pulled her back and she turned her head back to them snapping, "Why won't you listen to me?!"

She turned back to Merlin in hopes of assistance. He tried to come to the rescue but Gaius pulled him back leading Merlin away from her. His eyes didn't leave to poor girl.

"Please listen to me!" Gwen cries one last time before giving up letting her foes win and following them only walking as slow as she could.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gaius might as well of thrown Merlin into his room. As Merlin stumbled knocking over a bottle of pain relieving medicine.

"What have you done?!" Gaius growled.

Eyes wide for shock Merlin was taken aback, "What?"

"I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good." Gaius seethed.

Merlin frowned guilt crashing down upon him. "I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him." Merlin's voice cracked he felt terrible and Gaius getting angry with him was my helping him at all.

Gaius ignored Merlin's guilt. He knew Merlin felt awful, but while he felt awful Gaius was going to drill it in his brain to never do it again. Or at least think of the consequences before doing it. "Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?"

Merlin's eyes looked down at his shoes suddenly finding them very interesting. "Well then, all I have to do is... I'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic." Merlin declared searching for a good answer.

Gaius wanted the shake the boy like crazy. He was an idiot, he went around doing magic without thinking about the drawbacks. How he was still alive was anyone's best guess.

"It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!" Gaius reminded Merlin.

Regret was a good word to disclose how Merlin felt. No he didn't regret healing Tom, he regretted not doing it in a way that would've kept his friend from being caught in the crossfire.

"But she didn't!" Merlin said exasperated. He knew what he had to do, even if he never lived to see another day it would be better then Gwen shying because of his recklessness.

Merlin races towards the door desperate to help her. She was his first friend and only friend in Camelot. That is if Gaius didn't count as one, which Merlin considered him more of a father figure and less of a random friend.

"Oh, and how are you going to prove that?!" Gaius asked worried for Merlin's safety. Sure he was mad but Merlin was like a son to him already even if they hadn't known each other for that long.

Merlin pauses at the door giving it some thought. It all dawned on him how much he was willing to risk and so he pulled the door open for what he thought might just be the last time.
~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
A.N: Oh man Arthur's character in this episode is terrible he seems so obedient and doesn't even hesitate to arrest Gwen. He really does change throughout the show. How I'm going to display this change later on I've got bio idea. I feel like each episode or chapter keeps getting longer so sorry about the long chapters. I just got a lot to say, so uh sorry. Not to mention the argument I added totally contradicts what Uther tells Gwen later so oops and all's well that ends well.

Issue #10: Like I mentioned before Arthur's obedience that Artura wouldn't have. Especially since Artura is friends with Gwen when she is out and about as Alice.