Joknotor Corner:
Disclaimer; I do not own Merlin, or any of its assets.
Altered destiny
Chapter One: Hidden feelings
Gwen hated waiting. Ever since she was an infant, the serving girl had been pushy and impatient, especially when she was waiting for someone. Her father, Tom, her brother, Elyan, even Merlin, although she thought of him like a brother, so it was just like having another Elyan around; but today, her thoughts were focused on someone else: Arthur. It was true, she was only a lowly servant, while Arthur was the prince of Camelot; the mightiest kingdom in all the realm, but it was also true that they shared a mutual attraction to each other. While she unsure of their relationship in the future, one thing was clear; Arthur and Merlin had been gone for over a week now, and there was no indication that they would return anytime soon.
Morgana could read Gwen like a book; they were both worried about Arthur, but somehow Gwen seemed even more concerned about him. This, of course, could easily be attributed to the fact that Morgana found herself thinking more and more about Merlin. Her thoughts drifted to the way he always seemed to make her feel better, his goofy smile, his sharp features and slender body…She snapped back to reality, silently cursing herself for such thoughts, and turned her attention back onto Gwen. Morgana knew about her friend and Arthur's special relationship, and knew better than to go and blab to Uther, thereby driving a stake in the pure and innocent love that the unlikely couple so dearly cherished. A love she was actually quite jealous of, as it was her wish, no, her desire to share the same bond with her adopted brother's servant.
Once again forcing herself to focus, Morgana placed a gentle hand on Guinevere's shoulder, giving her a kind look and saying, "Don't worry Gwen, I'm sure they'll both be back safe and sound in no time. "Of course, my lady," Gwen said resignedly, "I'll be going now, is there anything else you need?" Morgana smiled sympathetically, and decided that, although Gwen was leaving a tad bit earlier than usual, she'd give the poor girl a break, and said "I think I can manage; you get some sleep, alright?" Curtsying, Gwen simply nodded to Morgana, as talking was a very strenuous task for her at the moment, and left.
Morgana spent a very long, sleepless night in her chambers. She could have blamed it on the storm raging outside her window, or her usual string of nightmares, but she'd have been lying through her teeth. The one time she did fall asleep, she awoke only a few hours later, after having what seemed to be, at first, a most pleasant dream about she and Merlin, laughing and wandering through a field together, like a real couple would. Then, unexpectedly, the course of her dream shifted, to the hall of a ruined castle, with Merlin standing in the middle, Arthur unconscious behind him. For what seemed like centuries, Merlin stood there, until a sword ran straight through his gut, which he took willingly, in an attempt to save Arthur. When his opponent drew another blade, Merlin's eyes shone like a ring of fire, and in turn a vortex of flames consumed his armed counterpart, killing him on the spot, but slowly. The dying man's screams awoke Arthur, who wore an expression of both relief and, more prominently, horror; as he rushed to Merlin's side, Morgana woke from her dreaded nightmare, screaming Merlin's name.
It was only moments later that she heard the bell tower ringing a celebratory chime, which could mean only one thing; Arthur was back. Rushing to the window that looked over the courtyard, Morgana heard the voices of joy turn to cries of sadness. Dreading the cause of said mood change, Morgana forced herself to see what the commotion was about. When she did see him, she could have sworn Merlin was dead, as his skin was so pale, but when Arthur tore through the crowd to Gaius' chambers, she knew she had to go too. She pulled on a gown, and rushed to the physician's quarters, praying that Merlin would still be alive when she got to him.
As Morgana swung open the door to Gaius' quarters, her eyes fell upon the most heartbreaking sight she had ever seen. Merlin was lying on the examination table, which was now soaked in blood. Merlin's blood. Behind her, Morgana could hear the rugged breath of Uther Pendragon behind her. Almost instantaneously, Arthur sprang up, pushing them out of the room, and saying "Not now, father. I'm fine, just take Morgana and wait outside."
Once he was sure they wouldn't be disturbed, Arthur said to Gaius "Isn't there something you can do for him." Looking shaken to the point of breaking, Gaius said "I'm sorry sire, but he has lost a great deal of blood, even though the wound's been stitched up, I fear he has not the proper amount of blood left to survive…" cutting him short, Arthur pounded his fist against the wall, while exclaiming rather loudly "FUCK!" Gaius looked shocked at the prince; he had never seen the young man so agitated about anything, ever. "What about magic?" The older man nearly had a fit after hearing Arthur use the word so freely. "S-Sire?" Gaius stuttered. "I already know he has magic, Gaius, so is there not some sort of spell that can help him?" without a moment's hesitation, Gaius sprung from his seat, grabbed a container of what seemed to be a greenish dust, sprinkled it over Merlin's closed wound, and called out; Myro Tarmey Emrys Aran Murah!
The effect was damn near instantaneous, as the color returned to Merlin's face, and his breathing slowed. Both Gaius and Arthur sighed in relief; Merlin would live. When Gaius asked how he found out about Merlin's power, Arthur recanted their tale of how they encountered his half-sister Morguese, and how she had tried to kill Merlin after she not only failed to kill Arthur, but discovered the sorcerer's identity as the powerful Emrys. They had defeated her, done some serious talking, and then proceeded to be ambushed at Fyrien Castle by none other than King Cenred, whom Merlin killed to save Arthur, after which he had made haste back to Camelot. "Well, that's one more heart attack to add to the list." Both men started to laugh, when Uther, Morgana, Gwen and all of Camelot's knights burst into the already cluttered room.
"Arthur!" Uther began, but Arthur was in no mood to talk; he simply unsheathed his sword and beckoned for his father to do the same. "What are you..?" Uther tried to say, but Arthur, eyes filled with pure hate, spoke in a cool, deadly voice, which woke Merlin instantly. "Is it true my mother died because you asked the sorceress Nimueh to allow my mother the ability to bear a child?" Merlin cautiously got up, trying his best not to deepen his wound, and whispered in Arthur's ear "Not here you stupid dollop-head." However, the strain of his actions took their toll on Merlin, as Arthur had to react lightning quick to catch his friend, who was already in the process of fainting. Staring coldly at his father, he managed to get out the word that everyone decided to do, save for Gwen and Morgana "Leave." After everyone in the room had filtered out, Arthur and Gaius lifted Merlin into his bed, and Arthur refused to leave his side until he had recovered. Morgana and Gwen didn't want to leave either, but Gaius insisted, saying that there was nothing they could do for Merlin. Morgana had to physically restrain herself from bursting into tears right there, but as Gwen slowly figured out why her Mistress was so shaken, she smiled empathetically, and escorted Morgana back to her chambers, where she spent another sleepless night.