Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin (I wish I would!)
A/N: I did my best to avoid language mistakes but as my native tongue is German there may still be many to be found. Please accept my most humble apology in advance!
As to the plot of this story: After I wrote 'Abandoned' – my first fanfiction ever – as a mostly "Arthur-centred" piece, I wanted to write a story that focuses more on Merlin and on magic. The result is, as I fear, less tragic and dramatic than "Abandoned", but then it is also more "canon" than my first story. The story is therefore rated "K", although I want to have some real combat action in the second half. I hope you'll enjoy it. Please review!
The legacy of Cornelius Sigan
Introduction
Slowly and painfully, Merlin regained consciousness. The young warlock opened his eyes and found himself face to face with the King of Camelot kneeling at his bedside. As always, he felt small, vulnerable and, in a peculiar way, guilty under Uther Pendragon's scrutinizing look. As always, he had to stifle a sigh of relief when the King's gaze left him.
Uther rose to his feet. "Gaius, he is awake now. But he seems to be still in pain." From somewhere behind the Pendragon the old Court Physician of Camelot shuffled to the bedside, one of his inevitable potions ready in his hand. "Merlin, thank heaven, there you are again. Come on now, drink this!" The King smiled at the young man's grimace. Gaius' potions were Masterpieces when it came to combination of active agents, dosage and digestibility but for their taste….!
Merlin swallowed the lot in one big gulp and laid down on the soft pillow of what he only now identified to be a very luxurious bed. The young warlock actually rested in the room of Camelot's Crown Prince and Uther's only son, Arthur Pendragon. Confused, he looked around him and stroked the satin and velvet bed coverings tentatively. Finally he looked at the two others helplessly. "What happened? Why am I here? And where's Arthur?" He saw the King starting to say something but in this very instant a startling memory came back to him and he jumped out of the bed. "Arthur! He told me to protect you. They are already on the march to destroy Camelot! I must…..must...."
When he collapsed on the floor he found himself in the arms of the King. Stunned and disbelieving he gazed into Uther's worried face. "My Lord….?" He started to say but Uther interrupted him, speaking with more gentleness than Merlin would ever have guessed this man to be capable of. "It's all right, everything is going to be fine, now don't fuss" and with that Uther, of all people, helped him back into the bed. Never letting go of Merlin's gaze the King lowered him down once again. "Now, tell me! Where is my son?"