A/N: This story is pretty short in comparison to my other ones, but I've got a planned sequel (that involves Gawain; bonus!) so don't worry :) And the first few chapters are super short but they get longer as the story goes on so fear not dear readers! Unless you like short chapters (which I completely abhor)...if that is the case, then I suppose later on you can just take breaks in between?
Merlin grinned as he waited for Giaus to respond to his joke, his face falling a bit when the old man merely let out a forced chuckle in response. They were standing in the palace's throne room as farmers and workers alike from various lands surrounding Camelot took turns voicing their problems to the king, neither of them paying much attention or completely sure why their presence was required. Arthur and Gwen were seated side by side at the far side of the room, sneaking glances and hidden smiles whenever there was a lull in complaints.
Merlin was in the process of trying to come up with another humorous comment when the doors reopened and yet another peasant girl entered the room. It seemed Arthur hadn't noticed her entrance, as he and Gwen continued their hushed conversation with no sign of ceasing.
"I seek an audience with Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot," the girl declared in a strong voice, and all Merlin's thoughts of funny comments were forgotten as the entire hall fell silent. Merlin turned to see a tall young woman with light blue eyes and a single blonde braid that hung down her back standing in the middle of the room. She confidently stared straight ahead at the king, her face set in determination. There was something painfully familiar about her and Merlin was sure he'd seen the girl before, despite the fact that she claimed to hail from a villiage he'd never heard of.
"And why does a girl from Largon need my help?" Merlin heard Arthur ask once he pushed aside his attempt to figure out how he knew the girl and tuned back into the conversation. He noticed the king's voice was slightly flecked with annoyance, but Arthur's attention was now fully focused on the girl.
"My people are dying," she told him, and Gwen sat up a little straighter in her gilded chair. "A strange sickness struck the town a fortnight ago and already sixteen people have died, including the only man with any medical knowledge. I was sent to get help before our entire town is wiped out; please, sire, we need your help," she told him, her tone changing from informative to pleading as she concluded.
Arthur's face had softened as she'd spoken, and he assured her that he would send his best man to assist the people of Largon.
"Giaus will set off immediately," Arthur decreed, only to have the elderly man clear his throat and step forward.
"You must forgive me sire, but I have a number of other patients infected with a rare stomach sickness that I must attend to. I'm afraid I can't risk leaving them unattended for more than an hour at a time," he said apologetically. Arthur didn't appear daunted by Gaius' speech, and simply gestured to the physician's left.
"Then Merlin will go in your place," he declared, and Merlin instinctively straightened when the girl glanced over her shoulder at him. He realized her blue eyes were quickly scanning his form as if analyzing how well he'd do in a fight; he smiled at her, hoping her off-putting stare was simply a result of worry for her family.
"Are there no other physicians in Camelot?" the girl asked, turning back to Arthur, and Merlin blinked. He tried not to feel insulted as he watched the corner Arthur's lips twitch into a smile.
"He may not look like much, but I'm confident Merlin's entirely capable of helping rid Largon of this mysterious sickness," he said. The girl looked as if she strongly wanted to protest, but nodded after a moment of hesitation.
"Then it's settled; Merlin, you'll leave immediately," he said, signaling the end of the audience. Merlin nodded, then turned to hurry after the girl as she quickly exited the room.
"This way," Merlin called as she started off down the wrong hallway, and the girl paused. For a moment he thought she would simply continue down the corridor just to defy him, but she turned and followed him towards the apartment he and Gaius shared.
