CHAPTER THIRTY THREE,
episode two, goblin's gold.

PRINCESS ISABELLA walked through the courtyard of camelot as merlin came practically galloping past her, almost shoving her over in the process. "merlin! come back here." she exclaimed after steadying herself.

"can't! in a hurry, goodbye!" the boy yelled back, running into the castle as she scoffed in disbelief.

"oh, no you don't!" she yelled back, causing merlin to yelp and run faster as she chased him up the stairs.

she chased him all the way to arthur's chambers, just as arthur was entering himself. they found merlin on the floor by arthur's bed, the prince's chambers in a mess. "merlin, i really hope for your sake, you have a good explanation for this." arthur scoffed.

"you think hiding under the bed will save you, you little toad! you almost knocked me over!" isabella cut the prince off, who raised his brows, looking between the two of them with a sigh.

"i wasn't! i didn't! i do have an explanation! a good one!" merlin scrambled out as isabella stared at him in annoyance.

"explanation for what, may i ask? almost knocking me out or hiding under the bed and messing up arthur's room?" isabella adjusting her tiara and put her hands on her hips.

merlin stood up with a wide smile. "i am spring cleaning."

"one, it is not spring and it certainly isn't clean in here. and two, you may be cleaning however you nearly killed me for what reason exactly?" isabella sassed as merlin's face dropped and he gasped.

"killed you? don't be dramatic." he pointed a finger, one hand on his hip as arthur blinked slowly, "i merely nudged you. and two, it's not clean because i've only just started."

"uh, okay, and then what after you nudged me? what happened then? huh? i called you back and you continued to gallop away like a horse! an injured one at that since you are a very slow runner." she smiled, proud of herself for the insult. inside, merlin was also proud at how far her english was coming along, but he enjoyed teasing her.

"well—"

"okay, okay, enough. please, i think im getting a headache listening to you both bicker. merlin, knock isabella out again and you'll be beheaded." arthur sighed, it was his turn to put a hand on his hip, merlin gasped at his words.

the door suddenly opened slightly, but none of them took any notice. "okay, you wait until i finish cleaning. it will be clean as spring. you'll be able to eat dinner off the floor."

arthur rolled his eyes at his words as isabella had a concerned look on her face as to why she would even want to eat off the floor. however they all jumped as a loud smash could be heard somewhere. "what was that?" arthur spoke up in confusion.

"since merlin is so brave and likes killing the royals, he should go and look." isabella said with a sarcastic smile.

luckily, that was exactly what merlin wanted. "let's hope it's a royal!" merlin joked, making isabella crack a smile, "you both make yourself comfortable, i'll go look."

"he's such a strange boy." isabella thought out loud, shaking her head.

"did he actually knock you over?" arthur asked as isabella began to laugh, shaking her head no.

"no, he just nudged me like he said. i just find it humorous to annoy him." she grinned.

"humorous? that's a new word for you." arthur hummed as isabella smiled proudly.

"morgana taught me it. she said she finds it humorous that i believe merlin and estella have feelings towards one another. i asked what that meant and she said it meant funny. sort of." she said, walking out of his chambers.

"that is humerous." arthur agreed with the ward as isabella scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"well, you're as blind as a bat so of course you find it funny...and that was a smiley." she replied as arthur's brows furrowed.

"a what?" he choked out a laugh.

"a smiley." she said as if it was obvious.

"do you mean a simile?" the boy corrected as her face fell, and she scoffed at him.

"no, i'm pretty sure sir leon told me it was a smiley." a hand went to her hip again as arthur shook his head, a laugh escaping his lips.

"okay, i'm sure you're right." he lied, trying not to laugh.

isabella eyed him with a frown before leaving, on route to find sir leon to see what it was he actually said. however, on her way, one of the knights told her she was requested in the uther's chambers.

she entered the room, noticing sir leon she sighed in relief. "i've been looking for you! oh good heavens—" she gasped in horror as she took notice of the king. he was bald!

"isabella!" arthur snapped in disbelief as the king crossed his arms in embarrassment.

"my apologies...but...well..it looks—" she let out a deep breath, "it looks wonderful, sire."

"i'll see what i can do," gaius half smiled half grimaced, and that was when isabella realised it wasn't on purpose.

TWO DAYS later, things were going missing. isabella's gold from her chambers had disappeared and she was on her way to tell the king in the king's chambers however gaius was about to 'treat' him so she waited. he sat the king down and began to place some sort of liquid on his head.

nothing could have prepared isabella for what happened next.

gaius had slapped the king's head. isabella's jaw dropped and so did the king's, to which the physician began to pat and slap uther's head.

"is it really necessary to slap my head like that?" the king spoke in slight shock as isabella covered her mouth to stop her from laughing.

"completely and utterly necessary!" gaius snapped. isabella widened her eyes, "we must restore the circulation to the scalp. you do wish for your hair to grow back, my lord?"

"...get on with it then." uther then sighed.

isabella bit her lip as gaius began slapping his head again, back and forth, and she accidentally let out a loud laugh. causing both gaius and the king to stop and stare at her seriously.

noticing the look on uther's face, her smile dropped.  "i'll be going now."

"yes, i think that's for the best." the king said sarcastically as isabella hurried out, loud laughter could be heard through the hallway, completely forgetting about her stolen gold.

isabella then made her way to her own chambers, however passed morgana on the way and stopped when she held out her hand. morgana was unsure if isabella was still suspicious of her. "izzie," she smiled.

"hi, ana. have you seen estella? my corset needs tightening and the silly lace is all the way down here and i can't reach." isabella complained, motioning to the bottom of her back as morgana chuckled.

"no, i believe she is with merlin. i can help with the corset." morgana offered as isabella smiled, nodding.

they headed into her chambers and stood by the mirror, however morgana decided it was the perfect time to take all of her anger out and tie the corset so tight isabella almost couldn't talk let alone breath. "morgana that is—way too—cough—tight i can barely—talk!"

"oh, silly me!" morgana laughed slightly, carefully undoing it a little bit.

isabella let out a breath and laughed along with her as there was a knock at the door. "come in," isabella called out.

"your grace, you are requested in the throne room." sir leon smiled lightly as isabella nodded, thanking him and turning to leave.

"cannot have a moment of peace." she sighed.

once she entered, she immediately had to put on a blank face to stop herself from laughing seeing the king wearing a hideous hat to cover the baldness. arthur was stood in front of the king so isabella moved to stand by the side of the thrones. "there have been instances of vandalism around the palace as well as a number of thefts. i myself was a victim, unfortunately the thief managed to elude me."

"and me as well, i came to tell you earlier however you were receiving your... treatment." isabella bit her lip to stay serious as the king sent her a look but nodded slowly.

all of a sudden, a fart could be heard as isabella widened her eyes and looked over to where estella was stood. her jaw dropped as she let out a small giggle. the king and morgana slowly turned to look at estella, before facing arthur again.

"my apologies, it is tradition in france to fart after bad news." estella lied through her teeth as isabella laughed even louder.

arthur glanced at isabella who was laughing to herself and shook his head in bewilderment. "estella, no need to be—" isabella began, however was cut off by morgana farting.

"good heavens." isabella said in disbelief as morgana widened her eyes. "are you following french tradition?"

the king widened his eyes and turned back to arthur, "double the guard." he ordered, trying to ignore the two. "i want the perpetrator found—" he cut himself off by farting as a hand went to isabella's mouth.

"im so glad you all are following this false french tradition." she said through giggles as gaius looked over and sent her a wink which she laughed at.

"yes, my lord..." arthur responded awkwardly as the king squinted his eyes and let out a really loud fart.

arthur had to cover his mouth to stop his laughter as isabella had to turn around, one hand on her mouth and one hand on her throne to steady herself. "the council is dismissed!"

morgana, estella and the king farted once more when nobody moved. "now!" the king yelled as everyone rushed to leave.

"isabella, we need to talk." a voice spoke quietly, she turned to see merlin, and instantly realised something was wrong.

"go on." she nodded.

"a few days ago, i was in the library, a restricted section if you will. and i heard rattling...i opened the chest and a little ugly goblin exited and now long story short he got loose in the castle and now he has taken over gaius who is doing all the thefts, making the king bald and the others fart!" merlin rushed out as isabella listened in shock.

"why would you open the chest?" she sighed, putting her head in her hands.

"that's all you took from all of that?" merlin sighed in annoyance as isabella rolled her eyes.

"okay, okay... so how do we stop gaius the goblin?" she sighed, merlin's face fell.

"i thought you would know! you're the one who knows about all the bloody legends." he exclaimed in annoyance.

"oh for goodness sake merlin." isabella sighed, shaking her head. "can't you figure out a spell?" she whispered.

"arthur!" merlin called out, seeing arthur walk towards them with two guards. isabella sent him a look, which said do not say anything!

arthur looked at merlin before looking down. "arrest him."

"what?" both merlin and isabella echoed.

the guards grabbed hold of merlin as isabella frowned, "arthur, what are you doing?" she asked in shock.

he ignored her and the guards followed him back to the throne room, so of course, isabella followed. "is it true?" the king said.

isabella moved to stand next to her throne, seeing gaius the goblin stood next to the king with a smug look in his face. "you are responsible for the afflictions that i and other members of the court have suffered?"

"what?" merlin asked in confusion, isabella also frowned. "no!" merlin scoffed.

"gaius." the king nodded for him to go ahead.

"i found this in your room. it's a book of spells and enchantments." gaius held it out to merlin.

"he's lying." merlin immediately said as isabella stood up.

"my apologises, however there is no way merlin is smart enough to read and recite spells." she said honestly, shaking her head and looking at the king who looked thoughtful.

"that's not gaius." merlin suddenly said as isabella mentally sighed.

arthur pulled a face and looked at gaius, and then back at merlin. "what are you talking about?" arthur asked.

"he's been possessed by a go...blin." merlin said, however realised how stupid he sounded and stopped talking.

"the boy is reduced to making the most desperate and ridiculous accusations!" gaius scoffed in offence.

"you seriously expect me to believe that gaius is a goblin?" the king turned to merlin as isabella bit her lip in worry.

"it's controlling him. gaius is still in there...somewhere." merlin continued.

"do you have any proof of these accusations?" arthur tried to help merlin out, and isabella needed to think of something.

"merlin did go to the library and regrettably was in the restricted section, but only because the book gaius wanted was in there. merlin told me as soon as he left that he saw something small and green in there, but didn't get a good look...this was a few days ago now. right before the thefts first started ." isabella spoke up with a shrug, trying to make it sound as believable as possible.

"silence, silly girl! maybe you're the goblin!" gaius fired back as isabella's jaw dropped.

"excuse me?" she asked between scoffs, her face was priceless.

"gaius, you do understand making those types of accusations towards royalty will get you beheaded." arthur said seriously as gaius silenced himself.

"my apologies...however i feel that magic has corrupted merlin. it pains me more than i can tell you." gaius said falsely and dramatically.

"i really doubt that." merlin said bitterly as they all turned to glare at him.

"my lord, i have been harbouring a sorcerer. for that i offer the most sincere apology." gaius continued as isabella widened her eyes.

"you were not to know, gaius." the king waved him off. "he's fooled us all."

"it's not me that is fooling you!" merlin sighed, trying to explain as the king cut him off.

"silence! you have been found guilty of using magic and enchantments in accordance with our laws, you will pay with your life." he said angrily.

"no!" isabella widened her eyes, looking at the king in disbelief, understanding what was happening.

"merlin is not a sorcerer. there is no way." estella called out from behind gwen, tears in her eyes, uther would be lying if he said he understood all of that since estella'z accent was so strong.

"my dears, i know it is hard to believe because merlin is your allies, however he is a dangerous individual that has fooled us all." gaius said sincerely as isabella shook her head again.

"take him away!" the king ordered. the guards dragged merlin away as gaius sent him a polite wave.

"this is outrageous. you are all fools!" isabella shook her head, leaving the room and ignoring the king's angry calls.

"ignore her, she is just upset, she doesn't mean it." arthur defended, seeing the look on uther's face.

the king nodded understandably, and let it go. isabella was a very lucky girl, if it was anyone else, they would be beheaded on the spot. however, isabella could get away with murder. tears brimmed in her eyes as she made her way down to the dungeons. the guards were hesitant, but let her speak with merlin for a few moments. "hey," he whispered as she walked up to the bars.

"i'm going to get you out, okay?" she said seriously, her voice just above a whisper. "i'll replace their keys with a set of fake ones."

merlin shook his head with a small chuckle. "i'm serious, merlin. you can't die. listen, when they are asleep i will come back and ill get you out of here. i promise." she nodded.

"but what if you get caught?" he asked worriedly as she shook her head.

"i won't."

"isabella."

"fine! if i get caught i will...i don't know ill think of something." she sighed, merlin nodded slowly at her, watching as she turned to leave and he was all alone again.

OF COURSE, isabella's plan had worked. however, around an hour after she helped merlin escape, the warning bell sounded. she made sure she was tucked up in bed so it didn't look suspicious.

in the morning, immediately the council were requested in the throne room. isabella decided to act as shocked as possible when the news came out.

she entered the throne room and sat on her throne, "what has happened? what were the warning bells sounded for?" she asked arthur when he walked in.

"merlin has escaped. it seems somehow he managed to obtain a set of keys." he explained, making her eyes widen.

"escaped? how is this allowed to happen?" gaius suddenly exclaimed, causing arthur to look a him in confusion. "incompetence!"

the king looked at gaius with a frown. "i didn't mean to speak out of turn, my lord." gaius apologised, bowing his head.

the king nodded slowly. "no, gaius is right. this is unacceptable! the guards should be punished."

at this, arthur's frown deepened and it was clear he was on merlin's side. however, he nodded, "i shall see to it personally."

"search the town, i want merlin found." the king ordered as arthur glanced at isabella who was looking back at him.

"yes, sire. oh and isabella, morgana said she wanted you for something." arthur lied as isabella hummed and stood up to join him.

once the two were out of sight, arthur turned to her. "did you help merlin? i swear, i won't tell a soul, i just need to know."

isabella looked back up at him. she was going to say no, but then she saw the emerald ring on her finger, and the one on his and she sighed, knowing that if they wanted to make things work, lying would not be the right thing to do. "the guards were asleep. anything could've happened." she left it at that.

he nodded at her understandingly. "do you know where he might have gone to so i know where not to look?" he whispered as isabella shook her head.

"i don't." she responded, the both of them not knowing of the person listening in to their every word with a small smirk.

next chapter is wild