CHAPTER NINE,
episode six, a remedy to cure all ills.

ISABELLA Valour smiled happily as Estella Marilyn walked into her chambers with a bouquet of flowers one evening. "Look what just arrive for you."

Morgana and Gwen walked in through the hallway curiously. Having seen Estella walk around with a huge bouquet, naturally, they wanted to know the gossip. "Who are they from?" Isabella asked the maid.

"There was no name," Estella shook her head, shrugging as she set them down on the vanity.

"Probably Arthur." Gwen suggested.

Isabella looked at the three girls and grimaced. "How disappointing."

They all shared a laugh as Isabella admired them, before moving to her wardrobe to change into her nightgown, Morgana and Gwen returning to Morgana's chambers for the night.

Isabella was glad to be able to sleep after a long day. Estella blew out the candles in her room as the Princess laid in bed, her curtains drawn. "See you in the morning," Estella smiled.

"Goodnight, Stella." the Princess smiled, before turning over, unaware of the danger she had just put herself in.

THE Princess didn't wake up the next morning. When Estella walked into her room, suprised she wasn't already awake, she shook the Princess a few times. When she realised it was no use, she ran as fast as she could to the throne room where the king, Morgana and Arthur were having breakfast.

"Estella," Morgana frowned, the first to notice her distress. The king looked up with a slightly annoyed frown, however Arthur looked concerned.

"Ah, and where is Isabella this morning? She hasn't joined us like usual." the king asked.

"She has not woken up, sire! I have tried to shake her awake—! I fear...." Estella spoke between shakey breaths, shaking her head frantically as the three Pendragon's eyes widened. Merlin, who was stood by the table looked stunned as he began to walk towards Estella with a concerned frown. Merlin gently placed a hand on Estella's shoulder to calm her down, looking down at her in worry.

Arthur had never got up from his chair so quickly, Morgana following closely behind as Uther stood up from his chair, the goblet's knocking over, water splashing onto the table.

Two days later, Gaius arrived back to her chambers. Uther had called him there every day since. "Her body seems to have closed down." Gaius spoke in confusion as Arthur began to pace around the room.

"Why?" Uther asked in a panicked tone, he had grown to care for the girl like a daughter over the past months. "It was nothing she ate, her meals are tested multiple times by different people. It cannot have been that.."

When Gaius didn't reply, Morgana spoke up in distress, "you don't have an answer, do you?" All three pendragon's, Gaius, Estella and were stood around the ( they hoped ) sleeping princess with worry.

"I'm afraid not." Gaius whispered with a small frown, looking over at the Princess.

"Nothing you have tried so far has worked." Uther spoke, standing up. "It has been nearly two days! What do you know?"

"I fear she may have some form of inflammation of the brain." Gaius answered honestly.

Arthur spoke up, "what could've caused such a thing?"

"An infection, possibly." Gaius guessed, the back of his hand pressed against Isabella's forehead. "Rest assured I will do everything in my power to cure her. Believe me." he promised.

"Thank you, Gaius." Arthur nodded slowly.

Gaius left the chambers, only to find Merlin by the steps, questioning about Isabella's health. Gaius shook his head slowly, lowering his voice, "she's all but dead, Merlin." he whispered quietly.

"No, you're going to cure her. You must." Merlin said reassuringly, almost trying to convince himself.

Gaius sighed. "Don't you start. I have tried everything."

"I was wondering..." Merlin began as Gaius snapped his head up to look at Merlin. "Maybe I could help."

"If you are suggesting magic—" Gaius began as Merlin cut him off immediately.

"Isabella knows about me. Surely she would want me to use my powers to help her if I could?" Merlin whispered.

"Have you forgotten what happened with Gwen's father?" Gaius asked, his eyes wide as Merlin sighed and nodded understandingly. "This is not a magical illness, it must be cured by conventional means. We keep trying."

PRINCE Arthur stepped outside the palace and onto the courtyard where a man with his cloak hood up stood, looking down at the puddles. "What is your business here?" he asked, having heard the unknown man had been standing around the courtyard each night.

"My name is Edwin Muirden, and I have a remedy to cure all ills." Edwin spoke, Arthur noticed the large scar on his face and Arthur's face turned, but he knew if there was a chance Edwin knew how to cure Isabella, he would have to listen.

"Is that so?" Arthur asked suspiciously as Edwin smiled humbly.

"I beg an audience with the King." he bowed slightly as Arthur turned away.

"Our court has a physician." he spoke, but before he could leave, Edwin spoke up. "I hear Princess Isabella is gravely ill."

Arthur stopped walking and turned around quickly. "That is no concern of yours." he snapped, suddenly feeling angry.

"I may be able to help her." Edwin remained calm, only irritating Arthur further.

"Our physician has the matter in hand." he argued, turning to leave.

Edwin simply bowed in response, before calling out, "I shall be at the inn, incase you change your mind."

Arthur frowned directly at him and continued walking into the palace. "Prince Arthur?" somebody spoke gently, he turned around and smiled lightly when he saw who it was.

"Delilah," he acknowledged.

"How is she?" Delilah asked, having being close with the Princess, she was worried.

"She's...not doing so well. But Gaius is treating her."

"She will be alright though, won't she?" Delilah asked as Arthur paused, before nodding. "I hope so."

GAIUS stood by Isabella's body, the king and Arthur with him as he regretfully turned to them both. "I cannot preserve her life much longer. She has hours, maybe less."

Arthur scoffed in disbelief as he walked over to them, "we cannot let her die!" he exclaimed, sitting on the chair by Isabella's bed.

"Arthur, please." Uther spoke sternly as he sat down, taking notice of the Prince holding onto the Princess's hand.

Arthur sighed before sitting up straighter in realisation. "There's a man. He came to the castle yesterday. He claimed he can cure Isabella."

"That is ridiculous. He doesn't know what's wrong with her." the king frowned, Gaius also looking suspicious.

"He says he has a remedy to cure all ills." Arthur argued, watching as Gaius's eyebrows narrowed.

"Impossible." Gaius spoke up, looking to the king.

Arthur sighed, "please, father. For Isabella's sake we should at least hear him out. I cannot loose her." he admitted. "And neither can Camelot."

"He's probably some chartalan hoping for a quick shilling." Gaius disregarded.

Arthur groaned, "I don't care! This is Isabella we are talking about or have you forgotten? If she is about to die, what harm can it do? Give him his shilling if there's a chance he can save her!"

Gaius looked at Uther who glanced at Isabella before nodding. "Send for him." he whispered. Prince Arthur smiled in relief and rushed off to go to the inn to find the man.

AFTER  a few hours, having spoken with the king, Gaius, Merlin and Arthur in the throne room, Edwin stood over Isabella's bed with a curious look on his face.

"Sire, I would be grateful if you could have everyone leave the room. I require peace and privacy." Edwin asked timidly as Uther hesitantly nodded.

Arthur also looked hesitant, but agreed and left the room as Edwin walked back over to Isabella. "That includes you, Gaius." he said, noticing the older man was still stood in the room.

"But I am eager to learn from your methods." Gaius admitted, a hint of suspicion in his tone as Edwin's face faltered.

"Now is not the time for giving instruction. I will need all my concentration." He snapped slightly, although still trying to remain humble infront of the king.

"Gaius." the king spoke gently. Gaius couldn't refuse his closest ally, even if he was suspicious. He nodded and swiftly left the room.

Edwin gently moved Isabella's head to the side. As the creature inside his box hissed, Estella walked in with a frown, looking over at the two of them.

"Why are you spying on me?" Edwin stood up straighter with a slight glare.

"Oh, I'm not. I am Princess Isabella's maid."

"Then fetch me some water." Edwin ordered as Estella raised a brow.

"Fetch?" Estella asked in confusion.

Edwin noticed the accent and sighed. "Bring me water." He repeated.

Estella frowned. "Someone should be with her. I have known her all my life, she'd want me here." she replied worriedly.

"Do you want to be responsible for her death?" Edwin suddenly snapped as Estella widened her eyes at his outburst.

"I-no, of course not—"

"Then you will bring me some water... now!" Edwin repeated as she raised a brow, and turned around to leave, not before muttering a few curse words in French.

Once she had left, Edwin leant over Isabella again, waving his hands over her face and muttering incantations. The tissue in his hand placed against her now bleeding ear, and then within seconds, the beetle-like creature crawled out.

"Fantastic news, your Majesty!" Edwin spoke as he rushed down the stairs which led to Isabella and Morgana's separate chambers. Uther, Arthur, Estella, Gaius and Merlin stood at the bottom of the steps with curious eyes.

"You will be glad to hear it is not an inflammation of the brain." he smiled as Gaius raised a brow.

"What is it then?" Arthur asked.

"It is a cerebral haemorrhage." Edwin revealed as Gaius uncrossed his arms in disbelief.

"Haemorrhage? I don't think so." Gaius shook his head certainly.

"I found this trace of blood in her ear." Edwin spoke, lifting up the tissue as Uther's eyes widened.

"God in Heaven." The King whispered in horror.

"The severity depends upon the site and volume of the bleed. If not treated, it can lead to coma and eventually... death." Edwin spoke as Arthur widened his eyes,

"Well, hurry up and treat her then—!"

"Arthur," the King held his hand up to stop him. "How could you have missed this?" he asked Gaius in disbelief who looked confused.

"Sire, I was there every night and day and I did not see any blood." Gaius spoke sternly.

"Oh, please." Edwin said, amused as Merlin raised a brow at him. "Just thank the fates that you did not administer more rosemary to stimulate the circulation. Can you imagine what that might have done?"

Uther turned to look at Gaius in shock, motioning for him to explain. "It may have increased the bleed." Gaius explained briefly to the King.

"Is there a cure?" Arthur asked in a panic, shocked at how careless Gaius had been.

"See for yourself." Edwin smirked.

The Princess looked relieved when her trusted ally's and Edwin walked in with shocked gasps. "Isabella." Arthur sighed in relief. She lifted her hands up for Arthur to take so they could hug.

She still looked sick, and was even paler than usual however Arthur thought she looked beautiful. "This is truly a miracle." Uther smiled gratefully as he watched the Prince and his Princess embrace, Isabella's arms wrapped tightly around his neck, "Oh, thank Heavens."

Isabella didn't let go, she could sense the fear from Arthur, despite her not knowing what truly had happened. The Prince eventually sat next to her, resting his head on hers as she smiled, looking up at gaius. "Thank you, Gaius." she spoke, as he shook his head.

"No, it was Edwin. He cured you." the king spoke up as Edwin walked into the room shyly.

"Creep." Estella mumbled in French to Isabella.

Isabella tilted her head, but smiled politely. "Well, thank you." she replied, before looking up at Merlin and Arthur, confused.

"What exactly did Edwin give you?"

"I have no idea." Isabella spoke suspiciously, but noticing the stern look on Uther's face, she smiled. "But I am thankful he did." she corrected as he bowed.

"Izzie! Oh, thank Heavens!" she heard the familiar voice of Morgana squeal, practically pushing Arthur off the bed to hug the girl, Gwen following with a happy smile. "Ana!" Isabella practically yelled. "Gwen!"

"How come you look more happy to see Morgana than me?" Arthur scoffed bitterly.

Isabella shrugged with a small smile as Morgana climbed into bed next to her, taking Arthur's place, her arms around Isabella's shoulders as the king smiled fondly at their friendship.

"I am so grateful for this, Edwin. You do not realise what you have done for this Kingdom." the king whispered to the man who bowed.

ONCE Isabella was feeling better Edwin had asked for an audience with the king. She sat in the throne room with the three Pendragon's as Edwin walked in with a small smile. Isabella noticed Arthur was stood behind her throne, rather than on his own and looked up at him with a soft smile.

"I have been through the court medical records with a fine-toothed comb, sire." he spoke, and Isabella guessed he meant something he and the king had discussed the night before when Edwin dined with him.

"And were your findings satisfactory?" the king asked as Edwin smiled guiltily.

"With regret, I would have to say they were not."

"How so?" the king sat up slightly with a frown.

"Gaius is a great man, thorough and dedicated..." the man trailed off as Isabella sat up to look over at Arthur who also looked confused. The princess winced slightly when she tried to sit up straighter, but ignored Arthur worried glance.

"But?" the king raised a brow, wanting more. Isabella tilted her head as Edwin sighed, acting guilty.

"His methods are outdated. He has failed to keep up with the latest developments. This has led to a number of errors."

"No." Isabella spoke up suddenly as Edwin and the king turned to her, confused.

"Sorry?" Edwin asked, looking slightly irritated.

"We are not pardoning Gaius if that is what you are suggesting. You cannot. He has been here for years, he is like a grandfather to me, Arthur and Morgana and is a very dear friend to you, my Lord. I know it is not my place to say, but you cannot let him go." she said sternly as both Morgana and Arthur nodded their heads in agreement.

"She is right." Arthur spoke up.

"I agree with you, Isabella. Gaius has served me well for twenty five years." Uther turned back to look at Edwin, almost like he didn't want to agree to his words.

"Yes, and one cannot blame him for the infirmity those years has brought...age can be a terrible curse." Edwin began with a dramatic sigh, "I suggest, perhaps...it is time—"

"I will not listen to this." Isabella announced, shaking her head as she stood up and walked past the man with a distasteful look on her face. Arthur got up to follow her, grinning in excitement.

"I apologise on their behalf." the king spoke as Morgana then sat up.

"You should not be sorry. Izzie was simply speaking the truth." She said firmly.

"Morgana." the king sighed, "no." she cut him off and stood up to leave as Isabella and Arthur smiled from their position outside the throne room.

"It appears I am not wanted here." they heard Edwin sigh dramatically before they walked away from the throne room.

"I cannot believe we all stormed out like that." Arthur laughed in disbelief, subtly holding onto Isabella's arm to steady her. He had noticed she was still a little weak.

"Not used to going against your father are you?" Morgana snickered as Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Oh, shut up."

"If Uther decides to cast Gaius out we must fight... well, not literally...but we have to stand up for him." Isabella spoke firmly as Arthur smiled admiringly, bright blue eyes meeting her brown as she smiled at him.

"I agree." Morgana nodded, causing the two to look away from each other.

Arthur sighed before nodding, "yes, me too."

THE 'trio' had learnt of Uther retiring Gaius, and out of protest, burst dramatically into the throne room where Uther sat. They had spent what felt like hours arguing with the king, which was very risky but at that moment they didn't care.

Isabella, Estella and Gwen did not trust edwin one bit. Estella revealed there had never been blood in Isabella's ear, and even though Isabella continuously told Uther, he only shouted at her for 'believing a servant'.

The group were heartbroken when they learnt that Gaius had left camelot, however Isabella had suddenly awoken in the middle of the night with a bad feeling. Usually, after waking up she was able to go back off to sleep, but this time was different. Something wasn't right.

She put on her emerald green cloak over her nightgown and quietly left her chambers, deciding to search around. She heard shouts coming from Edwin's room and hurried in. Her eyes widened, she had walked in at the worst time possible. She ducked seeing a hammer flinging across the room, hitting Edwin.

Merlin turned around when he heard her gasp, and both he and Gaius, who had a ring of fire surrounding him looked stunned. "Isabella! I...I didn't mean—"

"Are you both alright?" she ignored him, rushing over to hug Merlin, and then Gaius too when the fire disappeared, saying how she had missed him.

"...thank you, Merlin." Gaius breathed. Merlin then hurried to collect Edwin's things as the two frowned.

"What are you doing?" Isabella asked curiously, completely ignoring Edwin's dead body.

"Uther is ill. The same thing you had, Isabella. Edwin said he used these to cure you. Maybe I can too." Merlin explained as Isabella and Gaius hurriedly walked over.

"Elanthia beetles." Gaius identified with wide eyes.

"They are magical." Merlin confirmed as Gaius nodded.

"Healing." Isabella suddenly spoke. They turned to her in slight confusion before Gaius nodd d.

"Yes. They can be enchanted to enter the brain, feed on it until they devour the person's very soul, but also can be used for healing it. You must go to uther."

The three reached Uther's chambers where the King laid, looking almost dead as Isabella widened her eyes slightly. "How did you know about the healing?" Gaius asked Isabella.

The Princess shook her head, unsure, "I don't know...I just had a feeling." She said as Gaius nodded knowingly.

"How do we get the beetle out before it kills him?" Merlin asked.

"It can only be magic." Gaius told him. Merlin sighed.

"You cannot use magic on Uther! He would kill you." Isabella whispered in horror.

"We don't have a choice." Gaius shook his head.

"Gaius!" Merlin exclaimed quietly, disagreeing with him.

"There are times when it is necessary. It is your right." Gaius whispered.

Merlin's eyes filled with worry. "I don't know how." he admitted.

"If you don't, he is going to die." Gaius told him.

"No pressure." Isabella pulled a face, looking at the king and then to Merlin who walked over to Uther slowly.

Isabella tilted her head curiously as Merlin put his hands over Uther's ears. His eyes turned a golden colour as he whispered an incantation.

Isabella was astonished at how powerful Merlin was, and he didn't even know it yet.

After a few moments, Merlin opened his eyes and pulled his hands away as a elanthia beetle crawled onto his hand. Gaius and Isabella sighed in relief.

"Magnificent! You are truly incredible, Merlin. Outstanding. A genius, even." Isabella shook her head in awe, and Merlin let out a relieved laugh, tears in his eyes as the king began to stir, which they as their cue to leave.

"I, my family, and my Kingdom are deeply indebted to you. and in honour of this, I not only reinstate you as court physician, but henceforth you are a free man of Camelot."

The court of Camelot cheered and clapped as Uther gave Gaius his seal, and Isabella smiled fondly, glad Gaius was back as the man shook Merlin's hand, who looked extremely happy.

The only thing that made it painfully upsetting for Isabella and Gaius was the fact that Uther believed it was Gaius who had saved him. He continuously praised and thanked Gaius for it.

Merlin would never be recognised or praised for the things he has done and will do for Camelot.

i hate this man so much😭this episode is so irritating