A/N: Another chapter is here! I am sorry for the delay but my computer crashed and I lost all my data. Luckily I had backed up most of my documents for work and university but I lost many of my personal projects, including this story. I have been rewriting the ending chapters from memory.

I am grateful that you al have stuck with me and my story throughout the past few years. It's the readers (and their reviews) that keep me writing and not giving up on my work. THANK YOU!

Now, enjoy the next chapter of Ligna et Lapides!

*This story is set during season 4. Arthur is king but Gwen is banished and Lancelot is dead.

Disclaimer: Merlin is property of BCC.

Chapter 15 (A Murder Most Foul)

Sir Gwaine stalked silently among the bustling servants. It was quickly nearing the evening meal and the kitchens were busy. Gwaine usually didn't venture into the kitchens at this time but he had recently made an exception.

The bearded knight had been meticulously plotting over the last three days and it was finally time to put his plan into action. Three days ago, when the trial had ended, Gwaine had made an oath to kill the ex-Lord Harris and seek justice for his friend, Merlin. As executioner, the commoner decided on the most subtle way to do the deed: poison. Hemlock, to be specific. Eventually, Gwaine stumbled upon the problem of how to administer the poison without drawing to much attention to himself. And so, after a few hours and much alcohol, the knight settled on poisoning Harris' food or drink.

Finally, upon spying the object of his venture, Gwaine deliberately wove in between several people to finally stand at her side.

"Jezebel," he breathed her name into her ear.

Startled, the kitchen maid quickly spun and accidentally smacked into the knight's chest.

"Sir Gwaine!" Jezebel exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Gwaine smiled down at the petite blonde. "I came to see you."

Jezebel looked around frantically. "You can't be here, I'm working."

The commoner knight playfully pouted.

"Oh alright," Jezebel sighed, taking pity on the man. "Just let me get my order first."

Gwaine nodded and beamed in satisfaction as he watched the kitchen maid rush off to pick up her assigned food to be delivered.

Over the past two days Gwaine had been wooing Jezebel with flowers and compliments. He had even stolen a kiss or two. The knight had purposefully selected Jezebel as the object of his affection because of her status in the kitchens. Jezebel was in charge of distributing the food to the prison guards and the prisoners down in the dungeons.

Gwaine had been watching Jezebel for the past hour. She had already taken down two plates of food for both the guards on duty. She was now back in the kitchen to prepare food for the last remaining person in the dungeons, its sole prisoner: Harris.

Just then, Jezebel returned with a plate of food in one hand and a jug of water in the other. "Shall we?" she shyly asked.

"My lady," Gwaine said, bowing low before offering her his arm.

The blonde kitchen maid giggled before accepting the proffered arm. Together the two exited the kitchens and began the trek towards the dungeons. While walking Gwaine made pleasant conversation and attentively listened to Jezebel's answers. When they had almost reached their destination Gwaine stopped.

"My dear," he addressed Jezebel. "I only just remembered that I am on duty tonight." But noting the woman's downcast expression he continued, "I shall try to see you later tonight but, in the mean time, I have something for you to remember me by." Gwaine pulled out a white Hellebores flower from his red cloak.

"A Winter Rose!" Jezebel sighed, moved by the flower's beauty.

"A rose for a rose," the knight acclaimed flatteringly. He moved forward to tuck the Hellebores behind a stray strand of golden hair.

Jezebel beamed. "Thank you, Gwaine." Then, seizing the tender moment, Jezebel leaned in and stole a quick kiss.

Gwaine blinked, thoroughly, but pleasantly, surprised. The bearded man then tilted his head down and deepened the kiss. Gwaine then took advantage of the distraction and successfully emptied a small dosage of hemlock into the jug of water Jezebel was carrying. A few moments later the deed was done and the romantic moment passed.

"I'll be thinking of you," said Jezebel.

"And I you."

And, smiling affectionately at each other, the two parted ways.

A some time later, when the knight was positive Jezebel had returned to the kitchens, Gwaine made his way down into the dungeons. As he neared the bottom of the long, winding stone stairs when he heard good-humored laughter and the sound of rolling dice.

"Jarvis! Georg! How goes the watch?" Gwaine called, recognizing the two palace guards on duty.

"Ah, Sir Gwaine," Georg greeted. "You rarely grace us with your presence anymore."

Jarvis snickered.

It was, in fact, Jarvis and Georg who were first in charge of guarding Gwaine when he was arrested for attacking a noble, all those years ago. After the incident was long forgotten, and now that Gwaine was a knight, the three became acquainted. They often accompanied one another to the pub and participated in friendly gambling games. Unfortunately for them, Gwaine had become very close friends with his fellow commoner knights. So much so that he rarely met with his other acquaintances anymore.

"What brings you voluntarily down to the dungeons?"

Gwaine smirked and spread his arms out in a grand fashion. "An invitation!"

"Oh?" George questioned.

The two guards looked a each other, confused by the elated statement.

"An invitation," Gwaine continued, "to lose."

The two palace guards grinned. The solicitation to gamble easily accepted.

"You, my friend, have definitely come to the right place," Jarvis commented, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "We just happen to have a new pair of dice and they need a testing."

As Jarvis fetched the dice off the table Georg asked, "What is your wager?"

"Work duty."

"We're listening," Jarvis commented.

"I wish to see a lady friend tomorrow morning," Gwaine easily lied. "But I have guard duty in the morning. If I win I want the loser to take over my duty tomorrow. If I lose I shall take over the remainder of the winner's duty tonight."

The two guards thought about the offer.

After a moment Jarvis said, "Alright, I'm in."

"Agreed," Georg stated, nodding his head.

"Excellent!"

After some debate, the three gamblers decided on playing 'Liar's Dice'. This was a game of betting on the summation of the roll. Essentially each player rolled some dice, looked at them, and then covered them so no one else may see. In turn, each player would bet on how many dice have the same face value. If someone calls a bet and the originally better was wrong then the caller wins. But, if a player makes an impossible bet another player may call him a liar. And, if they were lying, that player wins.

Gwaine, Jarvis, and Georg each took up three dice and rolled. They quickly covered their dice and peered at them in the torch light. After some deliberation Gwaine made the first call.

"Two 3's."

Jarvis smirked. "Three 4's."

"Four 4's," Georg claimed.

Gwaine peeked at his dice again. "Six 5's."

"LAIR!" Jarvis and Georg announced together.

The commoner knight grinned. "Alright. Call them."

Then, in one grand motion, all three revealed their dice. And there in front of them was Gwaine's call – six 5's. Grumbling in defeat, Jarvis declared, "Again!"

The next half hour included much amusement and a fair amount of taunting and bluffing. Eventually, Gwaine strategically lost, earning him the punishment of taking over Georg's post for the rest of the evening. Even after the bearded knight's defeat the three continued to talk until it was time to do rounds.

"I'll go," Gwaine urged, upon seeing Jarvis stand up. "After all, I did lose."

The guard chortled in reply. "That you did."

"Just be careful," Georg put in, "There are still some icy patches down there."

Gwaine comically saluted at the duo before picking up a torch and continuing down the darkened tunnel. It took several minutes of careful maneuvering around patches of black ice to make it to his desired destination.

At the sound of approaching footsteps the ex-Lord looked up from his prone position. "Who's there?" Harris voiced.

Gwaine came to a complete stop in front of the dungeon cell. Lit by the light of the torch, the bearded knight could fully see his victim.

"Who's there?" Harris questioned again. "Come out into the light so I can properly see you."

Gwaine said nothing.

"Coward! Show yourself!"

Smirking slightly, Gwaine finally answered. "I have."

"What?"

"I am completely in the light," the commoner stated.

"Then how can I not see you?" Harris inquired. The prisoner attempted to stand up and face the man who could not be seen with his eyes. However, the ex-Lord's legs were numb and refused to comply. After a few seconds Harris gave up and returned to his prone position.

"What's happened?" Harris asked slowly. He tried to catch his breath, which was coming out in quick gasps.

"It seems the poison has finally taken hold," Gwaine answered, his voice completely devoid of emotion.

"Poison?"

"Hemlock."

Harris inhaled sharply before coughing. His rib cage rattled as he attempted to gain a sufficient supply of air.

"The paralysis typically begins in a person's legs," Gwaine commented casually. "Eventually the hemlock causes nausea, tremors, and a shortness of breath." The knight gazed down at the man in the cell. "Loss of sight is not uncommon either."

"What? How?" Harris gasped between short breaths.

"Your water," Gwaine coolly explained.

Then, before Harris could continue questioning his executioner, a seizure took hold of his body. The ex-Lord temporarily stopped breathing as his body spasmed on the cold, hard stone ground. Harris' abdominal muscles clenched in pain, causing his to throw up his recently eaten dinner. His hands helplessly clawed at his throat while he desperately attempted to catch his breath. After a minute or so the seizure stopped.

While the prisoner panted on the floor Gwaine stated, "It won't be long now."

"You," Harris paused briefly, gasping, "won't get away with this."

"I already have."

Gwaine watched the man for another few seconds before another seizure took hold. Confident that his victim's end was near, Gwaine turned away from the dungeon cell and rushed to raise the warning bell.

"Sound the alarm!" the bearded knight called out to Jarvis and Georg, acting paniked. "The prisoner has been poisoned!"

But by the time the bell had been rung and the appropriate help had been summoned, Harris was dead.

A/N: Finally, Harris has gotten what he deserved. The question now is: what will happen when Arthur begins an investigation into the suspicious death of Harris? Who will be suspected? What will Merlin think of his abuser's murder?

Hopefully, I can begin to wrap up this story and tie up all the loose ends. No gaurentees when the next chapter will be up. But thank you for waiting patiently. You guys are great!

Thanks for all the support!

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