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Merlin doesn't remember how he got here, hell he doesn't actually know where he is. Actually that's a lie, he vaguely remembers a fight with Morgana... Again. He comes round with a groan, not opening his eyes just yet as he takes stock of his body, nothing new hurts which is strange as it's Morgana we're talking about here, usually she's more than happy to cause new scars for the future.
He slowly opens his eyes, looking around carefully to see if Morgana is still lurking around to monologue as usual. But she isn't, it feels like she hasn't been here for awhile if her fading magic signature is any indication. It's strange, but Merlin isn't going to question his luck in getting out of an interaction with Morgana with out a scratch or having to listen to her ramble madness for half an hour.
So, he brushes himself off and makes his way back to Camelot, gathering herbs as he goes. It isn't until he gets to the outter walls of the lower town that he feels off, his head begining to pound painfully, enough that he has to lean against a wall as he holds it. He thinks about getting to Gaius as maybe Morgana has actually done something to him after all, when he hears a whispered "how could you do this to me, to Camelot?" It sounds like Arthur's voice, but he's no where near, probably in a meeting or complaining that Merlin isn't cleaning his royal socks.
Yet there's something about it that sets Merlin on edge, Arthur's voice has sounded upset, betrayed. He hadnt, no he can't have, if he'd have found out about his magic then Arthur would have said something to him right? He shakes his head, pushing down the pain and discomfort and setting off towards the castle again.
Yet the closer he gets to the castle, the worse the pain in his head gets and the worse that feeling of something going on with Arthur becomes. He stops as he rounds the corner, a sudden feeling of dread over taking him in a way he's never felt even when Uther was still alive.
He barely gets to his and Gaius's chambers, before he collapses, with his eyes screwed shut, Arthur's face comes to him as if in a vision. It's a glare like he hasn't seen since the night he dressed as dragoon to try and save uthers life, there's genuine hatred there and it scares Merlin more than anything because he doesn't understand why, doesn't understand what he's done.
The next time he opens his eyes, he's in a patient cot with Gaius sat beside him "my boy, you're awake. You had me worried for awhile there" he says, checking his temperature and pupils, before raising his eyebrow for an explanation, but Merlin doesn't know what to say.
That dread he felt earlier is much worse now he's actually in the castle and he can't think of what he's done to upset Arthur so badly "Merlin?" Gaius asks, voice starting to get concerned now, because Merlin is never quiet and when he is it's a bad sign.
Merlin swallows once, twice before he opens his mouth to speak "Arthur hates me" he whispers, causing Gaius's eyebrow to go even higher, before a look of exasperation grows on his face "what did you do this time?" He asks, because he knows his ward is forever upto something.
Yet all Merlin can do is shrug helplessly as he doesn't actually know, which only makes the exasperation on Gaius's face grow "all I know is that he's really angry with me, Gaius." He says shakily, the fear that he's felt since he got back starting to bleed into his voice now, causing the exasperation on Gaius's face to turn back to concern again as he's never heard Merlin like this even after his most dangerous of escapades.
Before either of them can say anything else, especially to do with Merlin's magic because if Arthur's angry enough for Merlin to be this scared that's the only reason Gaius can think of, the king himself barges in "Gaius where is that dollop-Merlin?!" Arthur cuts himself off, startled because Merlin all but throws himself off the patient cot and backs away with a look of genuine fear on his face.
Gaius moves after him, both to steady him after his episode earlier and to protect his ward, especially if Arthur knows about his magic. Arthur stays exactly where he is, looking confused and hurt as he's never seen his friend act like this towards him before "Merlin, it's me. Arthur, your king" he says, voice far gentler than it usually is with Merlin and yet that seems to make things worse as Merlin continues moving backwards, shaking his head as he can only see the glare and the hatred from earlier.
Arthur looks to Gaius, who shakes his head as he doesn't know what's going on either "he came back from gathering herbs and collapsed, he woke up saying you hate him and that you're really angry" the physician explains, only confusing Arthur further "could he be under a spell? As far as I'm aware there was nothing wrong between us when he left the castle" Arthur responds, wanting to help because Merlin looks seconds away from fainting or throwing up, perhaps both and Arthur hates seeing his friend in distress.
Gaius looks back at his ward, noticing that there's something not quite right with his eyes now and nods, as perhaps the king is on to something "I shall do some research and see what I can do to help him" he responds, causing Arthur to nod and leave the room so that Merlin doesn't actually faint and hit his head on the steps to his room.
It takes awhile, especially with Merlin working himself and his magic up as he tries to figure out how he's slighted Arthur, but eventually Gaius comes across a spell to create false memories as well as the symptoms. Every single one of them match Merlin's and so he gets to work creating a counter spell, surprised that Merlin's own magic hasn't already tried fighting against what surely must be Morgana's work.
It takes even longer to actually do said spell, mainly because Merlin won't stand still long enough for Gaius to concentrate, but also because memory magic is a tricky thing and he doesn't want to mess it up because that would lead to much worse problems.
He has to get Merlin to drink some camomile tea to distract him long enough that he stays still so he can do it, gentle hands on his head as he does the spell, hoping to the gods that not only does it work but also that Merlin's own magic will help it along as it has done before when Gaius or kilgharrah have helped him.
It takes a few minutes, in which Gaius has multiple heart attacks because oh god's it's not worked, before Merlin once again grips his head and groans in indescriable pain. Gaius holds him up as he collapses again, counting the seconds and watching his breathing. It's the longest 15 seconds of Gaius's life before Merlin groans again and looks around confused "Gaius?" He asks, looking bewildered as to how he's here.
Gaius takes a seat beside him, once again checking him over. That look in his eyes from earlier, god knows how he's missed it when Merlin first woke up, is gone "what do you remember, my boy?" He asks, hoping this isn't a repeat of Fomorroh and Merlin doesn't remember anything that happend.
Merlin pauses for a second "I was fighting Morgana, I think she knocked me out, I remember walking back to the castle but then my head hurt and something was going on with Arthur" he responds, which explains alot and how Morgana managed to actually get the memory spell into the warlocks mind.
Gaius nods along "it seems she cast a false memory spell on you, my boy. She wanted you to think that Arthur hated you" he explains, causing Merlin to roll his eyes as that's exactly the sort of thing Morgana would do to try and get Arthur's allies away from him so she could have another go at taking over Camelot.
Gaius gives him an amused look, already knowing what he's thinking "Arthur is aware of what happened, he came looking for you. He's very worried about you" he continues, causing Merlin to stare at him like he's lost his mind, which tells Gaius that this is indeed another Fomorroh like aftermath "go see him, I'm sure he and Gwen would be happy to see you" he finishes off as Merlin hasn't seen Gwen in awhile.
It does the trick, because he finishes his cup of camomile tea, which he somehow hadn't spilt during that whole thing and dashes out the door like nothing happend, leaving Gaius to shake his head, that fond exasperation from earlier back full force.
Merlin crashes into Arthur's chambers like usual, as if he hadn't looked at Arthur scared to death just over 2 hours ago "merlin, you'll break that door one day- Merlin!* Arthur says, cutting himself off for the second time today, a look of hope that if his friend is going around being his annoying self again that he's okay.
Merlin just grins cheekily at him "you say that every time and it hasn't happened yet" he responds, making Arthur roll his eyes and Gwen laugh quietly.
Arthur gives him a good look over "you're alright then?" He asks, needing to know properly because he never wants to see Merlin look that scared of him ever again "I'm fine, Morgana did a false memory spell to make me think you hate me" he responds, causing Gwen to gasp and Arthur to look upset as he could never hate Merlin.
He yanks Merlin close, mostly so Gwen can fuss over him and make sure he's okay, before he says "we'll be extra vigilant from now on, take gwaine with you when you leave the castle walls" he says seriously, even though he knows that Merlin and gwaine will definitely get into mischief that he will no doubt hear about through Leon or annoyed council members, the thought amuses him either way.