Gaius awoke with a start. The storm continued to rage on angrily as Gaius looked around the room. He had heard the thunder roll, but he was almost certain he had heard something else. Something didn't feel right. He couldn't place his finger on what he had heard.
Gaius rose, and made his way over to his desk. Grasping a candle, he bent towards the fire place to light it. Slowly he made his way around the room to light the few candles that had gone out. It was then, he noticed the front door wasn't shut fully. Nearing it, he gasped as he saw a red stain upon it. It was in the shape of a hand print.
Gaius slowly reached out to close it, but something else caught his eye. Slowly he opened the front door. If it wasn't for the torches in the corridor, Gaius would never have noticed the crimson trail that now led up the stairs.
"Upon...my..word.." Gaius stammered, faltering backwards.
The sight of blood seemed too reminiscent of the nightmares that seemed to haunt his sleep. His mind suddenly cleared and he turned on his heel, slamming the door shut behind him. He rested against the door, and looked down. Blood lay splattered across the room. The moment his eyes began to follow the trail, he felt his throat grow dry.
Gaius glanced up and stared straight ahead, his eyes focusing on the barren room at the foot of the stairs that was now blanketed by darkness. No sooner had he looked to Merlin's room, did a flash of lightning dart across the sky. He then saw the figure that lay, crumbled on the floor.
"MERLIN!" Gaius yelled, breaking into a run.
Gaius stopped briefly at the dining room table and grabbed his medic kit. He grunted as his legs protested the climb up the stairs to Merlin's room. The moment he entered the room, he felt his knee's start to falter.
Merlin lay curled up tightly on his side, with his knee's pulled up to his chest. He was shaking vehemently. Gaius stopped short of Merlin as he saw a crimson stain spreading from where Merlin lay.
"Merlin..?" Gaius asked, his voice shaking.
Gaius fell to his knee's as he crouched down before Merlin. Merlin had his eyes closed tightly. He was breathing rapidly, each breath as shaky as the last. Gaius knelt forward and placed his hands on Merlin's neck. A weak pulse barely met Gaius's trembling fingers.
Gaius leaned back, and saw Merlin was looking right at him. His eyes were barely open. Gaius saw Merlin's gaze fall to the spreading pool of blood, and back to him. Gaius saw multiple tears fall as Merlin's face crumbled. Merlin opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it promptly.
"Don't speak Merlin..." Gaius soothed.
"Can you move?"
Merlin burst into tears as his strength seemed to fade away. He couldn't help it. He was exhausted, his side was on fire, not to mention the poison that was still coursing through his veins.
"Shhhh...Easy Merlin..." Gaius soothed again.
"Where are you injured?"
Gaius stooped over, and pulled Merlin up. Gaius gasped as Merlin's dead weight met his grasp. Merlin's head bobbed forward as he felt Gaius jolt him upright. Merlin pulled his head up, and looked to Gaius. Bracing Merlin's shoulders, Gaius stopped, and tried to look Merlin in the eye.
Merlin fell forward, burying his head in Gaius's chest and shivered mightily. Gaius promptly held Merlin tighter as he felt the warlock's frame shudder. Merlin cried harder as he felt Gaius wrap his arms around Merlin. Gaius did not move until he felt Merlin calm himself.
Gaius pulled back, and placed his arms under Merlin's. He stood slightly and pulled Merlin up to a stand. The moment Merlin was on his feet, he felt a warm fluid radiate from his side.
"No..no...no..." Merlin mumbled.
"Merlin!?" Gaius yelled.
Merlin seemed to lurch forward, clasping his side. He moaned falling forward suddenly. Gaius steadied him and tried to pry Merlin's arm away from where it rested. Merlin jerked back, breathing loudly.
"Gaius...please..." Merlin cried.
Gaius gently helped Merlin to his cot. Merlin sat down and leaned forward. Gaius knelt down and allowed Merlin to rest his head on his shoulder. Gently he moved Merlin's arm and gasped as he saw Merlin's entire tunic was saturated in deep crimson.
"Merlin..." Gaius gasped.
"It's no use Gaius.." Merlin stammered.
Merlin placed his arms around his middle, and held tightly. He groaned as the pain seemed to grow at the slightest movement. Merlin began to breathe loudly, and his whole frame grew taught. With all his might Merlin tried to summon his magic. Gaius gasped as he a familiar golden hue flash across Merlin's eyes.
"Merlin, no..." Gaius chided.
"You don't have enough-"
Merlin whimpered falling sideways. Gaius caught him and wrapped his arms around Merlin's shoulders. Gaius stood and sat next to Merlin. For a moment Gaius held Merlin, trying to soothe the trembling warlocks pain away.
"There's...more..." Merlin uttered quietly.
"What do you mean 'more'?" Gaius asked, facing Merlin.
Merlin moaned as he felt a surge of poison pass over him. Gaius leaned forward as he heard Merlin moan. He saw Merlin had closed his eyes tightly. Merlin couldn't help it as he felt the tremors start. Gaius felt Merlin jolt suddenly, and gasped as he saw Merlin shake his head.
"Gaius, you might want to-" Merlin spat.
Merlin's entire frame started to convulse as the poison pulsated forth once more. Gaius saw Merlin's jaw clench as Merlin hunch over. Gaius held tightly to Merlin's shoulders.
"Merlin!" Gaius yelled.
Leaning over, Gaius saw Merlin had his arms wrapped around his legs. Glancing over, Gaius saw Merlin's wound was bleeding again. Gaius took a hand and moved it to cover Merlin's side.
"No..." Merlin groaned.
"Merlin, I have to-" Gaius pleeded.
"Gaius!" Merlin interrupted, his voice shaking.
Gaius gasped, and put his hand back on Merlin's shoulder. He knew enough to tell when Merlin needed him to trust him. With in moments Gaius felt Merlin's trembling start to lessen.
"I'm sorry...I ...Oh please..no.." Merlin sobbed.
"Merlin, are you all right?" Gaius yelped.
"Sick..." Merlin stuttered, swallowing hard.
Letting go of Merlin's shoulders, Gaius rose and found an empty bucket. Quickly he brought it over and placed it before Merlin. Merlin groaned as he glanced at the bucket.
"Merlin, what is it?" Gaius asked.
Merlin groaned in response as he summoned his magic. Gaius clasped his shoulders again, gasping as he saw the warlocks eyes turn golden. Merlin's whole body heaved as he leaned forward. The heaves seemed to take a massive amount of energy, as Gaius felt Merlin growing weaker after every surge.
With a final surge, Merlin sighed as he felt his stomach calm itself. He coughed as he felt his throat grow dry suddenly. He was breathing heavily when Gaius spoke.
"What was that?" Gaius asked.
Merlin shook his head, as he groaned loudly.
"Merlin, please.." Gaius pleaded.
"Tell me..."
"So...tuh..tyrrd" Merlin stammered, faltering sideways.
Gaius sighed as he rose to a stand, still holding onto Melrin's shoulders. Gently he helped Merlin lay down. Looking down, he saw the bucket on the floor. Gaius stooped down and picked it up. Slowly he made his way down the steps and stopped by the fire place.
A sudden knock at the door cause Gaius to jump. Nearly dropping the bucket, Gaius placed it on the floor. He wondered over to the door as quickly as he could.
"Gaius?" A voice called out from the other end.
Gaius opened the door slowly.
Arthur walked in the moment Gaius opened the door. His face was completely ashen as he looked to Gaius. Gaius didn't need to second guess that the king had seen the crimson trail leading up to his chambers.
Arthur's breathing was quick and raspy as he searched every feature on the physician's face for a sign. Any sign that would tell him weather or not his one fear had been qualmed.
"Is he?" Arthur stammered.
A groan emanated from the upstairs room. Both Gaius and Arthur turned at the sound. Arthur stared at the room in disbelief. It wasn't until he saw something move from inside the room that he turned and looked to Gaius.
"When!?" Arthur demanded.
"Stop...yuhling...at...Gaiuzz-" Merlin slurred.
Arthur gasped as he heard the voice that he'd nearly forgotten. Tears pooled in the kings eyes as he heard how hallow Merlin's voice sounded. Gaius watched as Arthur looked to him, jaw agape. A sly smile worked it's way across Arthur's face as he recognized the same dour tone Merlin often used in their brotherly banter.
"And I suppose...You're gonna get up off that cot n' stop me?" Arthur retorted, rolling his eyes.
Arthur took a step towards the upper room, but paused when Gaius took hold of Arthur's shoulder. Gaius gently turned the king towards him and braced him with an arm on each shoulder.
"Arthur?" Gaius spoke warningly.
"You must steel yourself sire..."
"Gaius I don't understa-" Arthur stated.
"He's very weak..." Gaius interrupted.
Arthur sighed heavily and looked down at the floor. He knew that he wanted to see Merlin more then anything. But the king felt his stomach churn as he didn't know if he could handle seeing Merlin in a bad way.
"I've seen many battle wounds Gaius." Arthur stated.
"Be that as it may..." Gaius answered.
"Morgana used a special kind of magic on Merlin..."
"What do you mean!?" Arthur stammered, his tone growing angry.
A sudden creak of the floor boards caused both Gaius and Arthur to jump slightly. Turning on his heal, Arthur and Gaius stopped their debate as they watched a pale figure stumble slowly towards them.
Merlin barely had his eyes open as he made his way towards Gaius and Arthur. He groaned slightly as he bumped into the table. Bracing himself against the table he looked to Arthur. With all his might Merlin opened his eyes as wide as he could and spoke.
"Arrre...yuh...gonna stopp...yuhling..." Merlin slurred.
"Orr...will I ...havve...tuh...Have to..."
Merlin's voice trailed off as he felt his arms begin to buckle under his weight. The room began to spin as Merlin suddenly remembered he had lost great deal of blood. Groaning, he sat down on his usual bench and rested his head upon the table.
"Merlin!?" Gaius boomed.
"I thought I told you to-"
"I'm sorry Gaius..." Merlin spoke, his voice muffled
Merlin's head jarred up suddenly as he looked to Gaius.
"I heard..Arrth...n' I juss had tah..ssee..."
A sudden chill cause Merlin's voice to trail off. Gaius heard Arthur wince as both men saw Merlin shudder. Arthur made his way to Merlin's side and rest his hand upon Merlin's shoulder, wincing as he felt Merlin flinch at his touch. Arthur crouched down and stared at Merlin.
"I dare say you'd blow away at any given moment..." Arthur stammered.
"We need to get him warm and dry.." Gaius stated.
Merlin shivered again.
"No...i'm...fffine...rrrealy.." Merlin quipped.
"Shut up Merlin." Arthur retorted, whilst smiling.
Merlin gasped as he heard the banter he had so longed to hear. Tears began to pool as he saw Arthur smile kindly at him. The whole trek home Merlin had thought of nothing more, then the very moment when he would be safe. Safely home. Safely surrounded by those he held in a most high regard. Merlin swiveled in his seat as he felt the dam burst. Merlin lurched forward as first cry fall from his lips. He hadn't the strength to quell his sorrow any more.
Arthur gasped as he saw Merlin turn away. He was puzzled as to why Merlin hadn't answered in his usual surly manor. It wasn't until he saw Merlin's shoulders shake that he knew something wasn't quite right. The moment he heard Merlin sob softly, he rose and made his way around Merlin. Sitting on his haunches Arthur placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder.
Merlin began to sob loudly as he felt Arthur tighten his grasp. Merlin had no idea one could feel so many different things at once. He was embarrassed at his emotional outburst whilst feeling content and safe. All his feelings were mingled with the pain that seemed to radiate from his side.
"Merlin, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to-" Arthur stammered, sniffing.
Merlin glanced up and met Arthur's gaze. He smiled briefly and dabbed his eyes with his sleeve. He then glanced sheepishly at the floor.
"You haven't upset me Arthur..." Merlin interrupted.
"I can't..help...it.."
More tears fell as Merlin's shoulders began to shudder. Arthur took Merlin's other shoulder and pulled him into a hug. Merlin cried harder as he felt Arthur wrap his arms around his frame. Arthur glanced up and looked to Gaius who had been standing back watching the two from afar. Gaius didn't stop the tears that fell as he saw Merlin finally let go of the facade he always seemed to put up around Arthur.
Arthur cocked his head slightly as he saw the old man's tears. Gaius smiled, and wiped his eyes dry. He then walked over and rested a hand on each man's shoulders. Looking to Arthur he spoke gently.
"Two brother's...have been reunited Arthur." Gaius stated glancing back and forth between each man.
"It's an overwhelming fact for even me to behold."
Arthur nodded, sniffing heavily.
"I'm...sorry...I'm sor-" Merlin cried, pushing back.
Arthur held tight to Merlin's shoulders.
"Merlin..." Arthur soothed.
"It's all right..."
Merlin's chin quivered as he heard the reassuring tone of Arthur's voice. His hand shook as it rose to dry his eyes. A sudden crack of thunder caused Merlin to shiver. He pulled his arms around his middle, holding tightly to his side.
"Arthur...I need to tend to his wound..." Gaius stated, stepping back.
"And we need to get some broth into his belly..." Arthur added, rising to a stand.
"No.." Merlin spat, moaning.
"No?" Arthur asked, looking to Merlin.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"I don't think he'll be able to keep any food down." Gaius stated.
"I don't underst- " Arthur spat.
"Look at him Gaius! He's wasting away before our very eyes!"
"Merlin?" Gaius asked gently.
"You must tell us what Morgana did to-"
"Poison.." Merlin stuttered.
"Poison!?" Arthur yelled, standing suddenly.
"I should've known Morgana would stoop so low."
"What kind of poison Merlin?" Gaius asked, placing a hand on Merlin's back.
"Man...drake.." Merlin slurred.
Arthur gasped as he saw Gaius pale as the words fell from Merlin's lips. The look that now befell Gaius's face spoke of dread. Gaius looked to Arthur and shook his head.
"I'm afraid there's only one way to truly rid Merlin of the poison." Gaius stated.
"Please Gaius..." Merlin stammered, glancing to Arthur and then to Gaius.
"I...can't... I won't...I-"
"Merlin, we have no choice..." Gaius answered softly.
"What do you mean Gaiu-" Arthur asked, furrowing his brow.
"He means to rid my stomach of all it's contents Arthur." Merlin interrupted dryly.
Arthur swallowed loudly.
"You're gonna make him...sick...on purpose Gaius?" Arthur asked.
Merlin sighed heavily and buried his head in his hands.
"It won't take much." Gaius stated.
"You've ...got that right!" Merlin added, frowning.
"I haven't been able to keep anything down for-"
"No, there has to be another way Gaius!" Arthur interupted.
Gaius shook his head slowly, and rested a hand on the kings shoulder. He sighed heavily as he looked to Merlin. Merlin was fully aware of what Gaius planned to do, but he was frightened. Because while Arthur was oblivious, Merlin knew that magic was the only thing that would fully rid him of the poison.
"Arthur, can you do something for me?" Gaius asked, turning to the king.
"Anything Gaius..." Arthur answered.
"Please go inform your knights that Merlin has returned." Gaius stated.
"And I'm sure Gwen will want to know as well."
Arthur hesitated before answering.
"Are you sure you'll be all right till I return Gaius?" Arthur asked.
Gaius noded.
"Very well." Arthur conceded.
"And I shall have a serpent clean up the..."
Arthur stopped when he saw more tears make their way down Merlin's cheek. Merlin turned his head away as he felt shame start to seep forward. Merlin jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"My boy..?" Gaius asked.
Merlin swiveled in his seat and faced his mentor. He warbled as the motion caused his head to spin. Gaius steadied him with each hand bracing the warlocks shoulders.
"You've nothing to be ashamed of." Gaius soothed, his voice wavering.
Gaius shook Merlin gently to drive home the fact. Merlin looked down and shook his head. More tears fell as Merlin realized Gaius hadn't changed in his ability to read his mind.
"Ashamed?" Arthur asked, crouching down.
Merlin glanced up and caught Arthur's gaze for a moment. Quickly he looked to the floor and shrugged.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked loudly.
Merlin tensed as he heard Arthur raise his voice. Gaius winced and looked over to Arthur.
"Really Arthur?" Gaius chided.
"Must you raise your voice now, of all times?"
Arthur sighed heavily.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked.
Merlin continued to stare at the floor. His mind continued to reel over how much he was causing Gaius and Arthur to worry. He was also mad at himself for not having grown more in strengthening his magic.
"I truly am an idiot." Merlin spoke suddenly.
"You'd think, that after all we've been through..."
Merlin looked up and met Arthur's gaze.
"You'd think I'dve learnt how to defend myself better." Merlin stated.
"Or..or.. how to endure torture longer..."
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled.
Merlin jumped when he heard the tone in Arthur's voice. Arthur closed his eyes briefly as he fought to find the words to say to Merlin.
"The only thing that went through my mind whilst you were gone was..." Arthur stated.
But the moment the words fell from his lips, Arthur felt a lump rise in his throat. The past two months had gone by so slowly with out Merlin. And still it had seemed as if he was forever doomed to call out for Merlin, only to find silence answering him yet again. He hadn't really let it sink in that Merlin was finally home. Merlin saw Arthur's face crumble as he sought to find the words to say. Gaius reached over and placed a hand on the king's shoulder. He patted it gently. Arthur sniffed and cleared his throat.
"Merlin if anyone is to be ashamed..." Arthur stammered, his voice trembling.
"It should be...me.."