Arthur stood there so stunned, that he had forgotten the old woman he was helping. "Gauis are you sure he didn't get up. That he not just walking around confused," Arthur asked, not wanting to believe that someone who kidnap Merlin.
"I sure of it sire, Merlin was in no condition to get out of bed. Let alone walked down the stairs without falling. I sure of it, someone kidnapped him." Gauis said, sounding sure about everything, he had just told Arthur. For a moment Arthur and Gwen stood there still shocked by the fact that Merlin was missing.
At the moment Arthur finally spoke up by saying in a loud and authorized voice. "Gauis, please have Lancelot and Gwaine come to see me at once."
Gauis stood silent for a moment, before casually cleaning his throat to speak. "Sire, both Gwaine, and Lancelot are away searching for the warlock. I doubt that they will be back any time soon." Gauis stated as Arthur and Gwen laid the old woman on an empty nearby bed.
"That right I had forgotten about that, fine bring me, Percival and Leon," Arthur ordered. While at the same time sounding a bit annoyed. Of course, he knew, that finding the warlock was the key to stopping the curse. But at the same time, Merlin going missing made things more complicated.
"I will find them at once sire." Gaius bowed his head then walked away in search of the two knights. For a moment Arthur nor Gwen moved from where they were standing.
They were both snapped back to reality, by the elderly woman's loud cries of pain. "Gwen I going to go and check on Anne for a moment. Remember if you feel unwell, please go rest." Arthur said to her in a calm and strong voice, hoping she might heed his advice.
Gwen getting sick was one thing that Arthur feared the most. She gave him a quick kiss though she couldn't muster a smile, not with all the pain and suffering around her. "I promise just please find Merlin. End this before more die," Gwen begged as she fought back the urge to cry.
Arthur stood there silent looking into his wife's eyes, seeing how worried she was for Merlin and their people. He quickly pulled Gwen into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"I promise Gwen, one way or another I will bring Merlin home. I will stop this from killing any more of our subjects." Arthur told her while doing his best to hide the fear, that they might not find Merlin alive.
Arthur and Gwen stood there for what seemed like hours, but slowly Arthur pulled away from her. After giving her one last kiss he walked away from her, and towards Gauis chambers.
While Gwen took a moment to say a silent prayer, for Merlin and for all those who were sick. Once she was done she took a deep breath, before returning her attention to the elderly woman. When Arthur first stepped into Gaius's chambers, he noticed that it was the way they had left it.
There was no sign of a struggle, but he kept wondering if Gauis was right that Merlin was taken. If he was the next question would be who, sure Arthur knew that he had enemies. But Merlin, it was hard for Arthur to think of anyone who disliked Merlin.
Sure at first Arthur couldn't stand Merlin, but now years later he had become his greatest friend. Still trying to figure out who could have done it, he slowly walked over to the bed Merlin was laying on earlier. Laying his hand on the bed, he couldn't feel the heat on the bed anymore.
Which told him that Merlin had to left there bed, shortly after they had left the room. As Arthur started to scan the room not seeing anything missing. Nothing to tell him who took his friends which caused him to pick a book up and throw it across the room.
The book hit the wall next to the doorway that leads to Merlin's room. Arthur took a step towards the stairs and was about to go up. When he heard the sound of light footsteps coming his way. As he turned around he saw the servant girl Fanny walk in her eyes peeled to the ground.
"Is there something that you need?" He asked not really in the mood to talk to anyone instead he wanted to find out what happened to his friend. Really there was nothing else that Arthur would think of, expect to bring Merlin home and stopping the illness. That was killing his people and causing so much pain.
Hearing Arthur's question made Fanny flinch at his tone, and she found herself still unable to look up at him. But after a moment she took a deep breath before slowly allowing her eyes to meet his though keeping very quiet she spoke in a low tone. "I'm sorry to bother you my king, but I found something in your cousin's personal belongs when I was putting things away for her."
At the moment that Arthur heard that his eyebrows arched wondering what she had found. He took a deep breath before taking a step towards her, keeping his back straight as he walked. "What did you find?" Arthur asked while watching her body language carefully.
"A book, my king. A book that I believe might be filled with magical spells and maybe other things to do with magic." Fanny said in a low voice, slowly letting her eyes gaze up. But as soon as Fanny's eyes made contact with Arthur's, they darted back down.
Arthur however never allowed his eyes to leave Fanny, instead, he watched her closely. Though he was shocked to hear Anna had a book of magic, he did his best to keep his temper in check. "Show me, Now!" He ordered, his voice rising as he spoke the last word to her.
That little rise in his tone, made Fanny jump back fearing he could get angrier. Once she recovered from the shock, she then replied in a low tone. "As you wish, sire." Then she turned around and walked out of the room, keeping her eyes peeled to the floor.
Arthur slowly followed behind but stopped at the doorway looking back into Gaius's chambers. "I swear Merlin, one way or another I will bring you home so you better hang on," Arthur vowed in a low tone, after taking one more look he closed the door and walked away.
The walk to Anna's chambers was quiet and uneventful, there was barely anyone around. Most of the guards and servants were busy looking for Merlin or tending to the sick. So when they finally arrived at Anna's chambers, it was no surprise to see a guard posted out front.
Arthur knocked three times, after waiting a couple of minutes they heard no response. Arthur opened the door and soon discovered that Anna was nowhere to be found. He then turned around facing Fanny, Arthur not looking impressed his cousin didn't remain in her room.
"Where is it?" Arthur asked sounding angrier than he did when they were in Gaius's chambers.
Fanny again jumped back, before slowly walking pass him heading towards a wooden trunk. Opening it slowly she neatly places other books down beside the trunk. As she lifted the books, she checked the title of each of them.
As she placed the last two books down, she handed the forbidden book to Arthur. Once the book was in his hand, he opened it and scanned through it. Arthur's looked hurt and angry as he threw the book at the wall closest to the window.
"Guards!" Arthur screamed at the top of his lungs so all could hear. As soon as he finished three guards stumbled into the room.
But before they could say anything, Arthur spoke with a stern voice. "Arrest my cousin, bring her to the throne room."
The guards bowed, before leaving the room and spending out to find Anna. Once they were gone Arthur went to collect the book, from where he threw it.
"I am sorry to cause you so much pain, my king. But I knew your father law about magic, and when I saw the book." Fanny spoke in a low voice, not daring to look Arthur in the eye.
However, Arthur looked at Fanny letting out a loud sigh. "You did the right thing, especially since this sickness was caused by magic. I saw the spell that describes this death on Camelot to a tee. Hopefully, if she the one who did this her death will end it." Arthur spoke leaving the room and making his way to the throne room.
When Arthur first entered the throne room, he found it was completely empty. As Arthur thinks back, the only time he could recall it being empty was when his father died. Shaking his head lightly he sat down on the throne, placing them beside him.
It wasn't long after he had sat down, that Anna was being dragged in by her arms. "Arthur, my king why have you had me arrested." She asked in a fearful voice, as she was still being held in place by two guards.
Arthur glared at her before standing up and throwing the book in front of her. "This book of spells were found in your room, filled with spells and potions For your crimes I find you guilty, you will be beheaded at dawn tomorrow." Arthur kept his voice stern, did all he could not break as Anna started to cry."
"Arthur please, that's not my someone must have planted it.
Please believe me, I your only family left" Anna begged, hoping he would see that she was telling the truth.
But in the end it didn't work, Arthur turned his back to her.
Arthur waved for the guards to take her away. As Anna was being led out she started to scream. "Arthur please, don't do this! I'm innocent you know I am, please ARTHUR!" The door shut behind them, leaving Arthur feeling confused.
But as Anna was being lead out, Fanny watched as her closely. Once she was out of sight, Fanny lifted her hood giving an evil smile. "Now to inform my queen, she will be pleased that all is going to plan."