A/N: Ok, ok... I know, I suck! But work has been crazy, uni has been even crazier and on top of that, someone I worked with saw fit to give me a cold... Anyway, here is the next chapter. I will finish this story, I promise, but I have to prioritise and my fics have been pushed down by real life (trust me, if I could sit at my pc and type for you guys, I would).
But! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I typed it in stages and I hope it flows well and that there isn't any OOC-ness.
Love it? Hate it? Let me know! I thrive on constructive criticism!
Ever so sligjht spoilers for 1.13 again- basically just a brief mention.
Enjoy!
The sun rose over Camelot and a new day dawned. Beams of light filtered through the windows of the physician's chambers, gently rousing the old man from his sleep. Gaius blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Sighing, he stood up and stretched.
After dressing and preparing two bowls of porridge for his and Merlin's breakfast, Gaius began gathering together all he would need for the day's appointments. He had begun preparing his herbal remedies, pestle and mortar in hand, when there was a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," Gaius called.
The door opened. It was Gwen, who smiled as she entered. "How is he?"
Gaius frowned. "What do you mean, my dear?"
Gwen returned the frown. "Merlin… didn't he wake you when he got home last night?"
"No, he didn't," Gaius said, wondering what kind of trouble his young ward could have gotten himself into this time. "Was he supposed to?"
"I told him he needed to have his head looked at!"
Gaius suppressed a laugh and instead gave a small smile. "I think many people suggest that on a regular basis."
Though the worry was there on her face, Gwen couldn't help but give a little laugh at that. But her expression quickly became sombre again. "We were attacked last night," she told him, quietly. "Morgause was with Morgana. She was in the castle!"
Any trace of mirth that had been on Gaius's face vanished. He turned and headed toward Merlin's bedroom without a word, Gwen close behind him. The old man opened the door with a small bang which made the young warlock jump and wake up and fall onto the floor.
Merlin sat bolt upright and started at Gaius and Gwen standing in his doorway. He frowned. "What?"
"Why didn't you wake me last night?" Gaius asked, maybe a little too harshly.
Comprehension dawned on Merlin's face. "Oh, that." He stood up and stretched. "I didn't want to disturb you."
Gwen walked forward. "But what about your head?"
Merlin waved her concerns away. "It's fine. Hard as a rock."
"And about as smart as one sometimes," Gaius told him. "I want to know everything that happened. Now." He turned and headed back downstairs. Gwen went with him.
Merlin rolled his eyes and sighed, but followed all the same.
While they ate their breakfast, Merlin and Gwen told Gaius what had happened last night, Morgana and Morgause attempting to do… something to Gwen (they still had no idea) and how Merlin had pushed her out of the way instead. Merlin told them he heard footsteps and followed them to Morgana's chamber, rather than the powerful magic he felt; he could tell Gaius later.
During the retelling of the previous night's events, Gaius stood up and began to examine Merlin's head for any signs of swelling and trauma. And despite Merlin swearing he was fine, the elderly physician insisted on a thorough check, which yielded the good news that Merlin's head was, indeed, fine.
"I told you," Merlin muttered.
"Maybe it knocked some sense into you," Gaius told him.
"Wouldn't count on it," Merlin quipped, a goofy smile spreading across his face. When he was met with two solemn expressions, he frowned. "I'm fine. Why are you two worrying?"
"We don't know what she did to you, Merlin," Gwen said softly. "Everything seems ok now, but what if something happens to you later on?"
"I'm sure I'll be fine, Gwen," Merlin told her, laying a hand on hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"I hope so," she smiled then sighed. "I'd better go. Morgana will be wondering where I am."
"Remember," Merlin said quickly, "you have no idea what happened last night."
She nodded and smiled. "I'll see you later." And then she was gone, closing the door behind her.
Gaius turned and stared at Merlin, his gaze stern and steely. "What?" the young man asked.
"Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Gaius, I'm fine. Really, I am. There's no need to fuss."
He sighed and the harshness in his attitude seemed to dissolve. "I do worry about you, you know."
Merlin frowned slightly. "I know… but you don't need to." He offered a comforting smile to his guardian. "Although, the part about me hearing footsteps wasn't exactly true."
"What do you mean?"
"I was leaving Arthur's chambers when I felt this… immense rush of power," Merlin told him. "It felt similar to the power I've felt on the Isle of the Blessed. I followed it to Morgana's chambers, and not a moment too soon… I don't think Gwen would have survived the impact."
Gaius's brow creased. "The Isle of the Blessed?"
"Yes."
He thought for a moment. "Whatever they were planning for Gwen could not have been anything good…"
For the first time since the attack, Merlin felt the coils of fear in the pit of his stomach. "Do you think they meant to kill Gwen or… do something else?"
"I'm afraid I have no idea, Merlin." Gaius sounded grave.
Great, Merlin thought.
"Right," he said, jumping out of his seat, "and on that cheery note, I'd better be heading off myself. Arthur's breakfast won't serve itself." He made his way to the door.
"Merlin."
He turned back to Gaius.
"Be careful."
Merlin smiled. "You know me, Gaius." He left their chambers and closed the door behind him.
"All too well, my dear boy," Gaius muttered to the now empty room. "… That's the problem."
As usual, Prince Prat had woken up on the wrong side of the bed, although Merlin's mind was a little preoccupied with what Morgana and Morgause were plotting to take much notice. That backfired on him, however, when a silver platter came clanging down on the top pf his head.
"OW!" Merlin yelled, his hands clutching the top of his throbbing skull.
"Have you been paying attention to a single word I've been saying?"
Merlin looked up and saw Arthur's face was an inch away from his own. "Something about mucking out your stables?"
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Lucky guess." He stalked over to his desk and started rifling through a stack of parchment. "I'll say it again, Merlin, I need you to tidy my room, clean and repair my armour, press my ceremonial robes, polish my sword and, yes, muck out my stables." He looked at Merlin. "Have you got that?"
Merlin bit his tongue to prevent a retort from earning him another blow to the head. Instead he gave a small smile and a bow. "Yes, Sire."
"And I want it done before tonight's ceremony."
"Yes, Sire."
Arthur made a small amendment to the top piece of parchment and blotted it before looking up. "Good." He strode past his manservant and left the room.
Merlin sighed and went to gather Arthur's robe from the wardrobe.
I can drop this off in the washroom to be pressed while I get the other tasks done, he thought, but as he got to the door, he found Arthur was blocking his way.
"One more thing, after you're done with that-" he indicated to the cloak bundled in Merlin's arms, "- it's time to train the new recruits." He smiled widely before he set off down the corridor.
Merlin stared after him for a few seconds and sighed. "Sounds like fun."
And it was.
It was very fun…
For Arthur.
Merlin had the ever joyous task of being the target for a number of drills and after a little while his legs were like jelly and his arms felt strangely numb.
"Come on, Merlin!" Arthur shouted after he'd dropped the shield for the third time. "We haven't even started jousting yet!" There was a chuckle from the fresh faced recruits, but no doubt they'll be roaring like the rest of the seasoned Knights of Camelot in no time.
"And I know just where you can shove your lance, you dollop-headed prat!" Merlin muttered under his breath as he bent down to pick up the shield. It was looking a little worse for wear, with deep gouges in the wood from many-a strike from mace, sword and dagger alike.
When Merlin looked up, he saw Gaius standing next to the Prince, muttering something unintelligible from across the field. He made his way over.
"Merlin, you're dismissed from training practise," Arthurs told him once he was within earshot.
The young Warlock frowned. "Why? What's going on?"
Gaius had a sheepish look about him. "I do apologise for taking you away from your work, my boy, but I need your assistance."
Arthur patted the old physician on the shoulder. "If you ever need anything Gaius, you know where I am."
Gaius bowed his head in respect. "Thank you, my Lord."
Merlin dropped the shield among the training equipment and followed Gaius off the grounds. Once they could no longer hear the clash of steel upon steel, Merlin turned to Gaius. "What's wrong?" There must be some reason that Gaius would prevent him from performing his duties for Arthur, most likely a magical one.
"I just… need you to help me fetch some water from the well." Merlin frowned at him. "The strength in my arms are not what they used to be, you know," Gaius explained. Merlin narrowed his eyes, but chose to say nothing. He helped Gaius get his water then returned to the castle in order to complete his chores for the day.
In the corridor outside Arthur's room, Merlin saw Gwen standing around attempting to look inconspicuous. She smiled when she saw him.
"Do you know where Arthur is?"
Merlin frowned. "Arthur's training the new recruits."
Surely she knows that, he thought. He always trains at this time…
She laughed and shook her head. "Of course he is," she stammered. "I'll- I'll just… come back later." She turned and headed down the corridor and turned and waved her goodbye to Merlin before turning the corner.
Merlin frowned again and headed into Arthur's room to start tidying.
Throughout the course of the day, Gaius and Gwen seemed to pop up where ever Merlin went. Gaius just happened to be checking on some of the Knights when Merlin was repairing Arthur's armour and polishing his sword, and Gwen was conveniently strolling past the stables as he was scattering fresh straw for the horses. Although they seemed surprised at running into him again, Merlin knew exactly what they were up to.
As touching as it is, he thought, it's really starting to annoy me.
Once he was done with the stables, Merlin made his way home in order to clean up before collecting Arthur's robes for the ceremony that evening. Pushing his front door open, his mind intent on ridding himself of the smell of manure, he was greeted by the sight of Gwen and Gaius sitting awkwardly at the dining table.
He sighed. "You can drop the act," he told them. He closed the door behind him.
The pair looked at each other.
"I don't know what you're talking about, my boy," Gaius said airily. Gwen shook her head in agreement with Gaius.
Merlin stared at the two of them. "I'm fine," he told them hotly. "You can stop 'bumping' into me now." He moved to the wash basin, which, thankfully had some water in it. He grabbed a cloth and began scrubbing his face. After a few moments, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Gwen.
"I'm sorry, Merlin," she said softly. "We just… wanted to make sure you were ok." Her expression was remorseful and… a little sad.
Merlin sighed, feeling a little guilty himself. "I know you did," he smiled. "But I'm fine, really." He looked at them both. "You're going to wear yourselves out running around after me, especially the way Arthur has me running around after him."
"But we don't know what she was planning to do," Gwen said softly.
"I know," Merlin said softly. He thought a moment. "Look, instead of chasing after me to see how I'm doing, I'll just tell you if anything is the matter… ok?"
Gwen considered this for a moment. "Will you?"
"Yes."
"… You promise?"
Merlin supressed an eye roll. "Yes, I promise."
"The slightest thing," Gaius interjected, "no matter how small, you'll tell us? Right away?"
Merlin looked at the both again. "I promise to tell you, both of you, if anything strange happens to me. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, I promise I will tell you."
The young maid and old physician stared at him for a few moments before accepting his promise. They smiled at him and Gwen kissed him on the cheek. "I hope you don't have to."
Merlin smiled at her. "So do I."
"Well, I'd better go. Morgana will be getting ready for the ceremony soon."
"Be careful," Merlin told her as she left the room. She smiled and shut the door behind her.
Gaius sighed. "I still worry about you, even when you haven't had some sort of enchantment or other cast upon you," he told his young ward.
"I know," Merlin replied. He returned to scrubbing the muck off his face.
The ceremony passed without incident, unless you count the newly commissioned Knight being hoisted up, then dropped almost immediately afterwards, by a few of his drunken comrades. Merlin kept a close eye on Morgana throughout the night, but she seemed not to take any notice of him.
She wouldn't dare try anything here, he thought, not right under Uther's nose. She's not powerful enough yet to subdue the guards and, ward or not, Uther would not hesitate to hang her for the magic she possesses.
After getting a more than drunk Crowned Prince of Camelot safely to bed, Merlin made his way back home.
"How were the festivities?" Gaius asked as he came through the door.
"Oh, the usual," Merlin told him, plonking himself down on a chair. "Arthur and the valiant Knights of Camelot managed to drink their weight in mead and wine and probably won't remember how they made fools of themselves in the morning."
Gaius smiled. He made his way over to where Merlin was sat and took a seat nearby. "Merlin… I am sorry. About earlier today."
Merlin smiled softly. "It's ok, Gaius. I know you and Gwen only care about what happens to me. But I promised I'd tell you if anything strange happened, and I will."
Gaius nodded his approval. "Good. Although I'll still be keeping an eye on you."
"You always keep an eye on me, Gaius," Merlin laughed.
"Well, with all the trouble you manage you get yourself into, clearly I'm not doing a good enough job," Gaius told him. Merlin chuckled, then yawned. "Go on. Bed."
Merlin stood up. "See you in the morning."
"Goodnight, my boy."
This time, Merlin managed to get himself undressed and into his night clothes before falling asleep and as his chest gently rose and fell with the steady rhythm of his breathing, the young sorcerer slept peacefully without any idea of the danger he was soon to face.
A/N: Again, I'm really, really sorry for not updating sooner and I hope you can forgive me. And, Nadia, I hope the wait has been worth it!
Please R&R and let me know what you think!
