One thing I know for certain. That whoever did this lives among us. Whoever did this has betrayed us all. She looked around the room. Someone who is free to roam the citadel as they please, someone who has access to the king's stables, the king's prison, even the king's food. There is only one I know of. She paused dramatically, and Merlin had a sinking feeling in his gut. Merlin.

The knights all looked at Merlin, then back at Gwen. While they showed mild hesitance, none of them spoke up. None of them tried to argue that Merlin couldn't (wouldn't) attempt to kill the king.

And all of them escorted him to the dungeons.

Merlin. I'm sorry about what happened to you. Truly. Soon as I heard, I told them it couldn't have been you who poisoned me. I had the cook confirm your alibi.

Merlin bowed his head. Thank you.

I also told them you simply weren't bright enough to organize an assassination attempt.

He knew that was simply Arthur's way of trying to make light of a serious situation; something they had done since they met. That didn't mean he liked it. That's very thoughtful.

The king came first. The king (always) came first. And yet Merlin couldn't help but feel betrayed. Leon, who he had spent the most time with, who had seen his devotion to the king countless times. Percival, who had been one of Lancelot's best friends, who had heard countless of his deeds from before Merlin met him. Mordred, who Merlin trusted as far as he could throw him (without magic), but knew of him as Emrys and Arthur as the Once and Future King. And Gwaine. Gwaine, who had been Merlin's friend before Arthur's.

And that didn't even matter. Because now he was nursing a heavily bruised arm and an even more bruised trust.

I can't do this anymore, he whispered to himself. I don't know if I can fight for people who won't fight for me.

Did you say something, Merlin? Arthur had looked up from his writing, and apparently Merlin hadn't been as quiet as he thought he had been.

He forced a smile on his face. (he doesn't remember the last time he smiled for real) Only that you make more of a mess than a dozen babies just learning to walk.

Oi! When he threw a goblet at Merlin's head, he didn't have the energy to dodge it.