Arthur cried out as he was thrown into the wall. Rolling over, he ducked behind a mound of books, watching, dismayed, as Merlin sent wave after wave of red, pulsating energy through the room. What was it he had said…? 'Too much power'. Could it be that he had no choice but to let the energy go? Arthur looked at Gaius, who was crouched behind a table, but only got a shrug and a helpless expression from him. He was distracted when Merlin spoke again.
"Someone get… the window… open… Now!"
Not stopping to wonder just what Merlin was up to, Arthur wove his way around the room and shoved open the window. Turning back to Merlin, he had to duck as a streak of light shot over his head and out into the open air. After a couple of minutes, the light ebbed away, and Arthur got to his feet. Merlin stood, leaning against the table, a pained expression on his face.
"Had to let it out…" he gasped, "It burned…" He tried to push himself upright, but fell back onto the bench.
"Goddamn… curses…" he groaned, and collapsed to the floor.
Gaius reached him first, and placed a hand on his forehead.
"He's feverish…" Gaius placed a hand on his chest, "And completely drained…"
"What do you mean drained?" Arthur asked, confused. "He just had power coursing through him, didn't he?"
"Yes, Sire. But he got rid of all of it, including his basic levels of energy. He's practically in a coma…"
"Damn… is he gonna be okay?"
"It's hard to say… he may consciously choose to remain this way, so that he can keep control…"
"Well… What can we do?"
"I don't know. The druids may have an answer…"
Arthur helped Gaius lay Merlin on the low bench and turned to the knights. "Everybody okay?" he asked, and was met with nods and assertions. "Good. Bedivere? Percival? Leon? Find Arvin and prepare to ride out. We leave within the hour. "
There was a chorus of "Yes Sire" and they all head out. Gwaine turned to Arthur.
"And what about me? You can't leave me out of this one…"
"I need you to stay and watch Merlin and Archie."
"But the kid hates me…"
"Then this will be chance for you two to bond…"
"But I…"
"No buts Gwaine. That was an order." Gwaine frowned,
"Yes Sire."
Arthur entered the courtyard just as Leon and Arvin did. One of the Sorcerers that had become guards, Arvin had immediately got on with all of the others, and had quickly earned Arthurs trust, though that had been partly down to Merlin trusting him as well.
"Arvin…" Arthur called out, "Leon told you what happened?"
"Yes Sire. And I can tell you that the news is spreading through the town. There are a lot of unhappy people…"
"I trust that Gally is working on it?"
"Yes. If the sorcerer that did this is still in Camelot, He will find him."
"Good Man."
Arthur mounted his horse, shortly followed by Arvin and Leon, and they set off, heading for the Druids caves.
Arthur called for a halt when Percival's horse lost its footing and nearly skidded down an embankment.
"It's getting too dark to travel." He looked around, spotting a clearing. "We'll make a camp in the clearing and head out in the morning."
Within minutes, they had a fire going and food cooking. Watching Arvin placing spells around the clearing to warn them of intruders, Arthur wondered how is father could have refused such skills. Magic made life so much easier…
"Food's up." Leon called, and ladled some into bowls. Sitting in a circle, facing the others, Bedivere sighed.
"Makes you wish Merlin were here, eh guys? He makes a damn good stew…"
Laughing at the disgruntled look on Leon's face, they all started eating.
Gaius placed a bowl of soup and some bread in front of Archie.
"Come on, Eat up. You've been asleep for days…" Archie picked at the bread and stared at Merlin's unconscious form. Turning to Gaius, he said,
"Why won't he wake up? I never fell unconscious…"
"You are not as powerful as Merlin… It's harder for him to control the curse's effects." A thought struck him, and he wondered why he had not thought of it before.
"For all we know, " he continued to Archie, "The curse could have been intended for Merlin, and you were just a carrier…"
"Well… Can we get it out of him?"
"Arthur will do whatever he can. The druids might have the answer."
"Might? Gaius…"
"Don't worry about it Arch, now come on. Eat."
Archie sighed but pulled the bowl towards him. As soon as he had the first spoonful, he realised he really was hungry. Leaving Archie to his food, Gaius head over to the book case, but he had barely reached for a book when he heard Merlin voice.
"Gaius…" His voice was whispery, faint, and Gaius hurried to his side.
"Yes Merlin?"
"Is Arch okay?" Archie left his food and ran over,
"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you okay Merlin?"
"I'm fine Arch. Good to see you up and about again, huh?" He turned his head to Gaius.
"It's a trap. Arthur… He's walking into a trap. I felt it. There are a group of people planning to ambush him and the others before they reach the druids." He groaned and clenched his hands.
"It's burning again Gaius… There is so much… Power…" seeming to snap out of whatever had a grip on him, he opened his eyes, his expression pained.
"Tell Gwaine… have to warn Arthur… They were working for Morgana… Now they have taken things… into their own hands… have to warn..." he gasped and pulled himself into a ball. "Gaius! I can't control it… Sleep… Need to sleep…"
Gaius placed a hand on Merlin's forehead and muttered a few words, softly, under his breath. He had not told Arthur that he had magic… After everything with Uther… This just seemed easier. Anyway, he did not have much strength left for magic. In fact, he barely had enough to put Merlin to sleep. But he managed it. Merlin body went limp, and he started breathing easier.
"Sorry Merlin…" Gaius muttered, and turned to Archie, who, fortunately, hadn't seen the magic.
"Go find Gwaine. We have to get him to warn Arthur." Archie ran off, and Gaius left shortly afterwards. This meant that he didn't see the small blue orb that appeared in Merlin's hand. Did not see it start to grow and take shape. And didn't realise that Merlin was using the extra energy to his own advantage. Slowly but surely, the blue light morphed into a humanoid shape, and details began to emerge. Gaius entered the room just as the pale blue, life size form of Merlin grinned. He didn't have time to say anything and could only stare as the copy spoke.
"Maybe this curse could be useful… eh Gaius?" A quick grin and the misty version of Merlin started to fade, shortly it had vanished.
Gaius looked down at Merlin's unconscious body and a smile slowly spread across his face. Merlin had actually created a shade. Of himself. The art had long been lost, but then that was Merlin. If it had worked properly, and it appeared that it had, Merlin could send his shade anywhere. It would almost be like the actual Merlin was there. Gaius grinned. Arthur was going to get a shock…