It had been three days since Elena's unexpected arrival in Camelot. She had slept through most of that time, having caught a fever somehow despite all of Gaius' efforts. It didn't seem too bad, but she tossed and tuned in what appeared to be fever induced nightmares keeping both Gaius and Merlin awake late into the night since they could not really do anything about them. It was in early mornings that she'd calmed down enough for Gaius to administer sleeping draughts and other medicines that left her in deep sleep for half a day. Morgana and Gwen had stopped by to check on her a few times, and Merlin had all but completely abandoned his duties as Arthur's manservant to help Gaius; the prince had come to see what was keeping Merlin once and after finding out the rather precarious situation Elena was in, he left Merlin with Gaius completely.
By the end of the week Gaius was sure she was dying. Merlin had paled at that declaration and looked helplessly at him for a while before asking if he could do something. Gaius sent him off to clear his head and stopped to look at the sickly pale Shield. The fever had not lessened, the wound was infected despite all treatment and Elena had not woken at all in four days – which meant she'd eaten nothing since that small bowl of broth he and Merlin managed to pour down her throat in her one lucid moment.
This was turning out to be quite a disaster the likes of which Gaius hadn't had since his youth and humble beginnings as a physician.
Merlin had managed to convince him to sleep that night, and was left watching over their patient. The old physician was suspicious at first, but still did as Merlin urged, hoping that the boy would be trying to do magic to save Elena's life despite the fact that it was likely futile.
And Merlin was planning to do just that. Once Gaius was asleep, he crept back to his room to get the magic book Gaius gave him and spent the next hour or so trying to find a spell that the dragon reassured him will work.
He'd gone to see the dragon when Gaius sent him away. To his immense surprise the dragon appeared to know about Elena and even shared that she was meant to help him fulfil his destiny, protecting both him and the prince. According to the dragon Merlin could heal Elena despite the fact that she as a Shield was immune for lack of better word to all and any magic. Well, apart from his.
Merlin had a distinct feeling he was missing something when dragon spoke of Elena's part in the destiny and how his magic could affect her, but the dragon didn't offer any further information and simply flew off once he told Merlin what could have been considered a riddle.
At present, Merlin had found the spell the dragon mentioned and started reading over it, making sure he knew it well before attempting to heal Elena. She was strangely silent and still this night, which was worrying, since before she mumbled and tossed in feverish dreams.
Merlin wasn't sure how long he'd spent trying to learn the spell, but the stillness of the room was getting to him and he decided that he'd not get any better reading anymore and leaned over Elena, whispering the spell. On first try nothing happened, and Merlin tried his best not to be disappointed, thinking of how long it took him to master the animation spell that saved Arthur's life in the fight with Knight Valiant.
So he tried again. And again. And again, until he was sure it wasn't going to work, but he tried once more anyway – because really, what was there to lose at this point?
It worked.
He felt his magic react, rush through him at the summons, and Elena's breathing eased. He was suddenly exhausted, but fought his fatigue to check on the wound – it was far from completely healed, but it didn't look infected anymore and seemed to be mending quickly now. In his excitement, Merlin quite forgot that he wasn't going to tell Gaius that he used magic, dropping his book and scrambling to his mentor's cot.
"Gaius! Gaius!" the old physician awoke quickly to see his ward almost bouncing with a wide smile next to his bed. "Elena is better!"
The physician reserved judgement, telling Merlin to calm down and be quiet, which the young warlock promptly ignored, rushing back to Elena's bed and plopping down on a stool, watching impatiently as Gaius conducted his usual checks. To the physician's immense surprise Elena was indeed better: her fever was gone almost completely, her breathing and heartbeat were steady and much stronger than when he went to sleep and the wound showed no signs of ever being infected. In fact it was well on the mend.
"Well done, my boy," Gaius smiled at his ward who stared at him in surprise before giving him a blinding smile. "I cannot say for certain when she will wake, but you saved her life. Pack away your book and go to sleep, Merlin. Elena is well enough to be left alone now."
Elena woke just before midday the next day. Merlin had been cleaning the chambers while Gaius organised his potions and prepared more, keeping a careful eye on the slumbering girl, so he was first to notice the signs that she was finally waking up.
"Merlin, fetch a cup of water. Elena is waking," Gaius ordered his ward and hastened to the bed with a remedy already in hand. Elena shifted and groaned slightly, blinking her eyes open and squinting at her surroundings.
"Elena!" Merlin exclaimed happily, almost spilling the water in his haste to get back to the bed. "You're awake! How are you feeling?"
"Like death warmed over," Elena coughed, her voice scratchy from disuse Gaius took the cup from Merlin and added the remedy in before giving it back. "How long was I asleep?" She rasped taking the cup Merlin offered with a grateful smile.
"Over a week, my girl," Gaius sat down on a stool next to her bed after checking her again. "You gave us quite a scare."
"Sorry," Elena smiled sheepishly, glancing between them. "What did I miss?"
"Not much, I think," Merlin smiled widely, still unable to wipe the look of happiness from his face. "Lady Morgana and Gwen had been in here to see you every other day and even Arthur stopped by once."
"Really," Elena looked sceptical. "Arthur stopped by to see how I was doing?"
Merlin blushed. "Well, yes…"
Elena chuckled, weakly. "Right."
"Merlin had been watching over you," Gaius said with a look of veiled mischief. "He also healed you last night."
Elena turned to Merlin, who blushed crimson. "You did?" when the warlock nodded shyly, Elena smiled and touched his arm to make him look up. "Thank you, Merlin. For everything. You, too, Gaius. I won't be here if it weren't for you two."
Now both men were almost blushing at the heartfelt gratitude.
"It was the least we could do," Gaius hedged. "Now. You better eat something, Elena. It had been a while since you last had any food and you need strength to recover completely."
"It's a good thing that we'd stopped by the kitchens then," came a voice from the doorway. The trio turned to see Gwen and Morgana, both smiling widely at the sight of Elena awake and holding a few plates and a pitcher. "It's almost midday and I hoped we could eat here with you. There should be enough food for everyone here," Morgana showed the plates piled high with food.
"Certainly, my lady," Gaius invited the women inside, closing the door behind them. Merlin had taken a bench and dragged it to Elena's cot, creating a makeshift table, and brought stools and chairs over while Morgana and Gwen set the food and pitcher with cups on the bench.
"How are you feeling?" Morgana asked Elena while everyone was seated. Elena smiled at the concern in the Lady's voice.
"I'm much better, thank you," she took the bowl Gaius handed her gratefully. "Gaius and Merlin are truly miracle workers."
"They are!" Gwen agreed heartily, helping Elena sit up and taking the extra pillow Merlin had procured to prop the still weak girl up. "Now eat – it won't do to have you sick from hunger now that you are finally better."
Despite Elena's protests, Morgana and Gwen were determined to make sure she ate and drank plenty, fussing over her while they ate. Gaius sat back and watched the youngsters as they chatted, asking Elena about where she was from and what she liked; Elena answered their questions and asked plenty in return, so curious in all and everything. Finally Gaius decided that it was enough excitement for now.
"I must interrupt you here," he finally stepped into the conversation. "Elena had just woken up and is still recovering. We should let her rest."
Morgana and Gwen's demeanour instantly changed to concerned and they quickly excused themselves with the plates, promising to come by later to check on Elena again and keep her company if she will be up to it. It was obvious that Elena was already exhausted again, still not well after the brush with death.
"Well," Elena sighed and closed her eyes, "that was…intense." She opened one eye and glanced at Merlin. "Are they always like that?"
Merlin nodded. "They are."
"They are both very kind," Elena said quietly, sinking back into the pillows. "In fact, besides the King and that crazy magician everyone had been very kind. Are all people in Camelot like that?"
"Most of them, yes."
"I think I like this place better than where I am from," Elena's voice turned to whisper and before Merlin could ask why she was asleep again.
It took another two days before Elena was able to stay awake entire day. Gaius was very strict on what she could and couldn't do and any kind of movement was out of question. So, it was either Morgana or Gwen keeping her company or Gaius, or the numerous books. Merlin had gone back to work, but popped in to check on her wellbeing through the day, sometimes even sneaking her some treat he snatched from the kitchens.
Third day found Elena sitting up on her own, talking animatedly with Morgana about sword fighting and horse riding and making plans to learn both while she had the chance. Gwen and Morgana had rounded up some maids and organised a bath for Elena, along with some clean clothing and now Elena, while still forbidden from stepping further than a few feet from the cot without supervision, was looking and obviously feeling wonders better than a week ago.
The discussion of merits of short swords against long swords was interrupted by the King entering the room with a loud flourish, startling Morgana into jumping to her feet and Elena bolting upright and cringing as the sudden movement pulled her still healing wound. Gaius trailed into the room after the King, giving Elena a concerned look when he noticed her pallid face.
"Just pulled the wound, Gaius. I'll be fine," she smiled softly and allowed Morgana to ease her back into the bed. The King watched the scene with impassive and slightly impatient look, waiting for the women to acknowledge him.
"Gaius mentioned that you are well on your way to recovery," Uther said without preamble, looking Elena over critically. She nodded and the King continued, "We also discussed the possibilities of your return to your homeland, but had been unable to find any solutions; in light of this, I have a proposition."
"What kind of proposition?" Elena asked curiously, sitting up a little straighter and assuring Morgana that she was alright.
"You have seen that magic threatens this kingdom constantly. I offer you to stay here until you find your path home, assisting us in defending Camelot against the evils of magic."
"But I am one person. Besides, I know nothing about being a Shield or magic or fighting for that matter," Elena shrugged. "If push comes to shove, I'd be useless."
"Which is why, your efforts will be concentrated on Prince Arthur until you learn more. Arthur oversees the Knights' training and you will join them to learn what you must," the King replied resolutely. It was quite obvious that he was determined to convince Elena to stay and protect the prince and his kingdom and had something to counter any argument she could make. "Meanwhile, Gaius and Geoffrey would be searching for other incidents of this nature and possibilities for your return."
Elena thought about the proposition, looking between the resolute King, hopeful Morgana and desperately trying to appear impassive Gaius. "Alright," she finally said. "Where do I start?"
I apologise for the wait. My use seem to be a little fickle in when I write and what I write. I know that this chapter is slow and probably rather boring and I promise that things will begin happening very soon. I was planning to actually start with the series themselves, adding Elena to the show as it goes. I am open to suggestions - if anyone has ideas, please share them, since I have no set in stone plan on what shall happen.
Thank you for reading and please review.
Lia