Greetings fellow Merlin fans! Today's chapter features ... oh well let's just see, shall we? :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin! Only a few really crappy done DVD boxes... Really, I hope that wherever you live they put more effort into the DVD sets of Merlin.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

It turns out that a knight walking through the halls of the castle side by side with a cat is not something that happens often in Camelot. At least if the stares both of them were getting were anything to go by. Literally every person, be they servant, guard, knight or guest, turned to look at the pair. Most of them looked either surprised or confused. Sometimes both. Merlin had even seen one girl rub her eyes in disbelief and a man check his drink, most likely under the assumption he was drunk. In Merlin's honest opinion they were overreacting. This was far from the strangest thing that had happened in Camelot. The time Uther was in love—excuse me, enchanted by a troll came to mind and Merlin had to stifle a laugh—or whatever his cat-alternative of laughing would be. Despite Merlin's urgings to Kilgarrah that, yes, Uther marrying a troll was a very serious matter, in hindsight, he had to admit it was in fact hilarious. Maybe he'll find this whole deal hilarious later on as well, but for now...

'Well this clearly isn't suspicious at all.'

Lancelot swallowed his answer. If he started answering a cat, which other people hadn't even heard speak to begin with, he'd only draw even more attention to them. If that were possible... He was feeling hot with embarrassment and his posture had gone all stiff and tense from it all. Since when was the castle so big? Weren't they there yet?! The knight suppressed the urge to walk faster, thinking Merlin, still unused to his new body, wouldn't be able to keep up.

They turned another corner. Finally! There it was! Both of them had never been so glad to see a door in their lives. After a quick glance to see if no one was around, Lancelot did speed up, rushing the final metres to the door and swung it open with more force than necessary. Merlin half-ran, half-tumbled after him. Once they were both inside Lancelot closed the door, leant against it and let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

"That was unexpectedly stressful."

'You don't say.' Merlin replied, feeling his muscles relax significantly now that they were alone again. 'Should've seen your face though.' He added with an amused purr. Lancelot grabbed the nearest book and threw it at his friend who effortlessly diverted the object's path. A glint of gold eyes and the book lay harmlessly to the side. The warlock-gone-cat looked rather pleased with himself so much so he'd almost forgotten their purpose there.

As if reading his mind Lancelot walked over to a pile of books on the floor and picked up the one on top. "We better start looking." He said with a small gesture at, well, everywhere since he could hardly see a spot in the room without books.

'No need. I know which book we need.' Merlin answered. At least, he hoped that book was all they needed. If there wasn't a recipe for a reversal potion in the book he'd found the spell in, he would have no choice but to search elsewhere. Merlin feared that would be pointless though. If even the source material had no recipe why would other references?

"What does it look like?" Knowing which book to look for made things a great deal easier, much to the knight's relief. He could hardly imagine how long it would've taken to check every single one of Gaius' books.

'It's fairly thick and has a brown cover and is uh… square-shaped…' Merlin clumsily explained. Lancelot glanced around. Great, that description only fitted about 99% of all books in sight. He raised an eyebrow at Merlin, "Anything else?"

'No, it's just… very book-like.' The young warlock finished lamely. What more could he say? It's not like it would just have MAGIC & SORCERY written on it in bright rainbow-coloured letters!

'It should be around here somewhere…' Merlin tried to remember the last place he'd read the book. It had been when Gaius had left so… Following his train of thoughts Merlin searched around the chair and table. He had had to leave pretty abruptly himself not long after Gaius (on Prince's orders of course) and hadn't thought much about where he'd left the book. Merlin thought it wise not to inform Gaius of his carelessness once he got back. Then again, if he didn't find a way to revert back to normal he had a lot more to explain than a misplaced book.

Whilst Merlin was checking the ground, Lancelot looked at the higher places, such as on the table. He opened some books on a random page, briefly examined its contents and put them back when they seemed to contain nothing magical. After a few books he came across one he couldn't read at all.

"Merlin," Lancelot turned to his companion and showed him the book, "is this the one?"

'Let's see.' Before Lancelot could hand it over, the book floated out of his hands towards the young warlock. Lancelot noticed a happy glint in his golden eyes, a colour which was rather fitting for a cat.

Merlin purred happily. Sometimes all he wanted to do was have a little fun with his magic. Gaius had told him not to abuse it in any way, and certainly not to make chores easier. Things that could be done with your own two hands shouldn't be done with magic, he said. But right now, Merlin thought, he didn't have any hands to begin with so what other choice did he have? The thing Merlin liked most though was Lancelot's expression. It wasn't one of fear or anger, no on the contrary, it was pure awe and wonder. Merlin hoped that one day Arthur and the rest of Camelot would smile like that when they witnessed magic, good magic, instead of the prevailing prejudices clouding their minds.

"MERLIN!"

If Merlin had thought Gwaine's voice had been loud, it was nothing compared to Arthur. The noise rang through Merlin's head with the intensity of a thousand thunderstorms, making him lose his concentration, and the book dropped on the floor, right on top of him.

The door was flung open. Lancelot turned to it to see a very annoyed prince of Camelot.

"Sire!" He stuttered, nearly tripping over some books when he tried to straighten up. He gave a small bow to his liege.

"Lancelot?" Arthur raised his eyebrows, surprised at the sight of his knight. "What are you doing here?"

Lancelot didn't know what to answer and luckily for him he didn't have to for Arthur quickly changed the subject. "Never mind. Have you seen Merlin? That idiot hasn't shown up all day! I even had to-" The prince stopped short. He really didn't want his finest knight to know how he had struggled with his clothes that morning. Up until the point he'd fallen over in the effort which alerted the guards outside whom Arthur promptly ordered to dress him. All the while doing his utmost best to keep his dignity, which according to him he succeeded in. According to the guards, well, it wasn't really there place to speak out, now was it?

There was a silence as Arthur looked expectantly at Lancelot who supposed he had no choice but to answer.

"Yes, Sire. I have seen Merlin." He answered simply. Arthur made a twirling hand gesture indicating he wanted Lancelot to elaborate further but the knight just blinked.

"Well? Is he here?" Merlin could hear the impatience in Arthur's voice. He desperately wanted to take a peek from under his cover to watch the conversation unfold but he dared not move from his spot under his book-turned-tent lest the prince might notice and come to investigate. Merlin wasn't sure whether Arthur would recognize him like Lancelot had. He could perhaps recognize the magic book though and that would spell trouble for sure.

"Yes, Sire."

Merlin cringed at that answer. He knew Lancelot wouldn't risk lying ever again and Merlin would never ask that of him again either. He'd seen what that had brought about once before and that was more than enough. On the other hand, he also knew that Lancelot would never betray him. Merlin felt sick in his stomach. Lancelot was caught in this situation and it was all his fault. The warlock could only imagine the mental strain his friend was under right now. He couldn't stand for that. He wouldn't.

'Lancelot just-'

"However," Lancelot interrupted Merlin's attempt of communicating as well as stopped Arthur who was about to head over to Merlin's room to drag his servant out. "I'm afraid he will not be able to attend to you today, Sire."

As things now stood that was indeed true.

For brief moment Arthur was confused but then he rolled his eyes. "Of course. I should've known." Merlin was slightly curious as to what conclusion the prince had come. It didn't sound like a positive one...

"Sire?" Lancelot was just as curious. Arthur seemed pretty convinced he had figured out exactly what had happened. The knight knew that couldn't be the case of course.

"He was at the tavern again yesterday evening." There wasn't the slightest doubt in the statement. After all, the prince reasoned, how else could he have not reacted to last night's ruckus?
Merlin mentally groaned. So it had come to this point, huh? Gaius -or anyone else- didn't even need to lie anymore; Arthur just automatically assumed he'd drunk himself into a stupor!

Lancelot had to stifle a laugh. The fact that Merlin of all people had gotten himself such a reputation was so ridiculous that it was funny. Arthur didn't seem to agree and looked far from pleased.

"Sire, if I may," Lancelot supposed he should attempt to mend his friend's reputation a bit, "a hangover is not the cause for his absence this morning." Besides the knight didn't put it beyond his prince to storm into Merlin's room-hangover be damned. It wouldn't make for much of a cover.

"Oh?" He didn't sound convinced but opted to listen to his knight.

"He's..." Lancelot paused for a brief second. Merlin could feel his heartbeat speed up. What would he tell Arthur? He held his breath, muscles tensing in anticipation. "Merlin's not feeling himself today."

A rather loud mraww resounded through the room. It had escaped Merlin and he didn't even realize it. Lancelot's manipulation of words was astounding. He hadn't said a single lie and yet hadn't betrayed Merlin either. Merlin grinned, briefly wondering what that looked like in his cat form.

Lancelot did his best to ignore Merlin's meow and carried on when he noticed Arthur look in the direction of the book. "Therefore I fear he may be unable to attend to you for the day," he thought for a second before adding, "maybe even longer." After all, Lancelot had no idea whether the book Merlin was currently hiding under really held the solution to their cat problem or not.

No matter how Arthur looked at it, it was suspicious. How did Lancelot even know this in the first place? Why didn't he tell Gwaine when he'd send him to check on him? Then again all Gwaine had done as a report was grin like an idiot and saying "he has a good reason, trust me." Whatever that had meant. Lancelot picked up on the prince's questions and spoke again, "My apologies for not informing you sooner, Milord, but I deemed it more important to tend to Merlin's health forthwith."

The seriousness in Lancelot's tone took Arthur aback a little. "Yes of course." He replied. Another question came to mind almost simultaneously. "What exactly is wrong with him?"

Lancelot smiled slightly, "I am afraid I am no physician." Evasive, but not a lie. Arthur nodded, "No of course not."

A silence fell over them. Merlin did his best not to make a sound, whilst Lancelot did his best not to glance in the direction of the book or to let his expression betray anything. Arthur thought for a moment. Something felt off to him but he couldn't quite place it. He narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the knight for any sign of something abnormal.

Lancelot tilted his head slightly, "Is something amiss, Sire?"

"...No, it's nothing." Arthur decided to ignore the feeling. After all what could be wrong? "I better get back." He concluded and headed back towards the door. "Oh right," hand at the door he turned to Lancelot again, "Since yesterday's feast was cancelled it will be held tonight. I'll be expecting you."

"Sire." Lancelot bowed slightly. "Does this mean Rhys has recovered?" Merlin was grateful for the question. He'd been wondering about the condition of the young recruit himself. In his hurry to flee the guards he hadn't had time to check whether the boy was alright.

"Yes, he's fine." Arthur reassured, "It's a strange case though." A contemplative look came over the prince. He shook his head to clear his mind. "At any rate, Lancelot, you may return to your duties once you've tented to Merlin."

"Sire." Arthur answered Lancelot's bow with a nod and left.

A sigh of relief ran through Lancelot's head as he let out one of his own. Merlin crawled out from under the book. His eyes flashed gold and the book was flipped over. Times like these Arthur's reluctance to admit he cares came in handy. Else he might've asked further or asked to see Merlin personally.

'Lancelot, that was amazing!' Merlin couldn't help but commend his friend at his display of word manipulation. Lancelot chuckled at the praise. A way with words was a necessary skill for any friend of Merlin's in the know. He refrained from saying that out loud though lest it might upset the young warlock.

"Well we better make sure we fix your condition now." Lancelot said, drawing attention away from Merlin's praise.

Merlin nodded. 'On it!' He said as he hit the open book with his left paw. He got comfortable in front of the book and with a flash of gold the pages flipped over rapidly. It didn't take Merlin long to find the correct page. Lancelot walked over and squatted down next to his friend. He looked at the text but could make neither head nor tail out of it. The only thing he understood was a very informative drawing of a cat on bottom right of the page. Merlin's now grey-blue eyes flicked from left to right as he scanned the page.

The page turned.

Merlin kept reading in silence. His ears twitched nervously the further he got. Another page was flipped.

A growl resonated from Merlin's body. That couldn't be good. Lancelot regarded his friend whose tail was flicking left and right in annoyance now. Merlin didn't even notice.

"No good?" Lancelot asked carefully. He knew the answer. Merlin's cat-body betrayed his emotions and thoughts before the boy himself even knew he had them.

'There is no recipe for a potion.' Merlin answered; gaze still locked on the book, mind going through other possible alternatives. But if there was no potion, no one to say the spell and he couldn't say it himself then what other method was left? Perhaps he could wait until the magic tires him out so much he reverts back on his own? But right now he still hadn't felt any of the strain he usually felt when he transformed into Dragoon.

"Perhaps there is one in one of the other books" Lancelot offered but Merlin shook his head. 'I doubt it.' He answered grimly.

It would seem he'd just have to hold out an entire week as a cat.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!

See you next chapter!

Chibiscuit