Chapter Two- The one way trip to Dreamland.
I woke up with a sudden chill. My eyes sprung open and my top was dripping. Arthur stood grinning with a brown, wooden bucket in his hands whilst Gauis stood behind him, a sympathetic look on his face.
"That's a shame, for a second we thought you were dead," Arthur grinned, sarcastically. I mumbled rolling in my wet clothes before getting up and out of my soaked bed. Arthur pushed his armour onto my chest so I held it, then he let go. "Go on then, I told you last night to do it, seems someone had a tiring day yesterday. Where were you anyway?"
Glaring at Gauis, I hoped he wouldn't say it, but he did. "He has been in the tavern, Sire."
"All day?" Arthur questioned before looking back at me, with his nose wrinkled up.
"Speaking of that, Merlin I have a lot of chores for you too." Gauis said, receiving an unimpressed look from me. Arthur let a small chuckle escape from his lips before leaving the room.
"Thanks for that, Gauis!" I said, picking up on Arthur's habits.
"Where were you yesterday, Merlin?" Gauis asked with serious concern.
"I was with Kilgharrah. Aithusa has gone missing ever since Morgana's plan to take over Camelot the second time were ruined." I replied. It wasn't a total lie. Aithusa was really missing but Kilgharrah and I were not talking about such matters.
"Aithusa will return, you are a Dragon Lord, you can call Aithusa back." Gauis smiled before making us both some breakfast.
A short while after, I made my way to Arthur's chambers with his newly polished armour to find him unconscious on the floor. I threw everything in my hands onto his table before charging over to him. I put two fingers to his neck. He still had a pulse. He still had a weak pulse.
"Guards!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Come on, Arthur, wake up!" I begged. I then heard a scream down the hallway. My head shot up to look at the door. It was closed. I didn't close it when I came in, did I? I must have, I'm being silly. Wait, how could I if I had Arthur's entire armoury in my arms. I could hear more screams. Blood churning screams. I ran to the door. I rattled it but it wouldn't budge. Arthur's eyes tried to open but something was holding him back.
"Arthur can you hear me?" I asked. He mumbled something very quietly and I took that as a yes. He was watching the door, very carefully. I followed his gaze. The handle was slowly and quietly moving. I dragged Arthur behind the screen and waited for this person to walk in. I hid behind where the door would cover me if it was to be opened.
Immediately, it swung open at full force. "Arthur? Merlin? We're under attack!" A familiar ruffled voice boomed. It was Sir Gwaine.
"Gwaine!" I laughed, relieved, coming out from behind the door.
"Merlin? Where's Arthur?" He asked, for the first time I could see fear glint into his eyes.
"He's unconscious, behind the screen there." I walked over and Gwaine followed.
"Alright then, easy does it," Gwaine heaved Arthur into his arms. "Merlin, just lead me the way." Gwaine put all his trust into me. I couldn't let him down, Arthur down or Camelot down.
Once out of Arthur's chambers we saw a memorable sight. It was silent. There were no guards. Everyone was unconscious, in a deep sleep. My first thought covered my mind like an eclipse, darkening out everything else, just that single thought: Gauis. I pushed my way down the hall and down flights of stairs, passing numerous rooms. Gwaine, finding it extremely difficult, managed to keep up.
I entered the Physicians chambers and found to my dismay Gauis and Guinevere lying on the floor, barely breathing. I felt my eyes sting as tears built up into my eyes. I swallowed, pushing them back.
"Come on then, looks like we've got a lot of work to do. Starting with finding out how this happened. Right, so you and I are the only ones not affected, right?" I asked Gwaine whilst laying down Arthur on the table.
"Right," Gwaine agreed before slowly his eyes felt heavy. "Merlin..." He fell to his knees before flopping to the side. I began to panic. I felt his neck for a pulse, I couldn't find one. I scanned the room looking for a potion from Gauis that I could use. None were any use.
What do I do? I was going to have to do this alone.
I began rummaging through Gauis' shelves when I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I watched myself as I fell to the ground. My arms began to feel floppy and week. My stomach turned over. Even shoulders felt numb. Then my neck felt as if it had liquidised and my head fell to the floor after the rest of my body. I felt the air around me being sucked away. My eyes wanted to fall but I pushed them open with all my strength. But it was no use. I was too weak so I let them fall.