Title: Tread the Precipice
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: MA
Warning: Dark themes, blood and medieval medical procedures.
Summary: Merlin took Arthur's place as a victim of the assassin's bolt. Fate is fickle however and what does this mean for the one destined to be the once and future King? Sequel to Gaze on Oblivion.
Chapter 3
Gaius' Chambers, Camelot
Throwing his soiled clothes in a heap Arthur washed himself down with the help of a cold bucket of water that had probably been sitting there for days. It crossed his mind to call for hot water but who would prepare it? Gwen would probably do it but that was hardly fair, he'd only just asked her to treat him as an equal and not a Prince. Gaius was busy and his knights would probably just give him one of those looks. Then there was Merlin. Merlin who even if he was fit and able would take too long and either get the temperature too hot or barely warm. Merlin who would slosh the water all over the floor, forget to have a towel waiting and be too skittish to help him bathe.
This thought made Arthur's brow knit in frustration. He had grown up being served by a literal army of men and women and not one had ever baulked at dressing him, bathing him or seeing him in all states of dress and undress. It was not something he had given much thought to; he was their prince and he supposed to them it was a job, a task. Had a maid ever given him an appraising look? Had a stableman ever let his eyes wander on him more than was appropriate? Yes to both, and Arthur had, on occasion, taken advantage of such admirers. But for each and every one they knew that it was nothing more than a bit of fun; no future in it and certainly no need for hesitation or awkwardness around the princely person.
Merlin had been obnoxious and sometimes outright belligerent and now when Arthur thought about it quite a dithering klutz especially when they were alone.
I love you Arthur Pendragon
The last thing Merlin had said to him, even if it was with magic. Arthur knew now his own feelings for Merlin and it would seem a strong possibility that Merlin returned the same desire. It was not just that he had said 'love' or that he had almost given his life. The proof was in the hundreds of hidden glances, the flash of a smile that brightened Arthur's day better than any springtime sun and, well it was spoken through his eyes.
Merlin had not grown up at court and was simply unable to hide his emotions and thoughts as easily as Arthur.
For all this evidence he had almost lost Merlin without ever doing anything about it. How many nights had they slept side-by-side, even on the same bed when necessary? He may be an inept servant but Merlin had never made a move and this both frustrated Arthur as he thought about it, and also made him respect Merlin a little more.
The man was a sorcerer; he could have powers beyond anyone's knowledge and this put him above a simple prince – yet he did not use his powers for his own desire. Merlin lay out there and did not know that his prince did indeed love him back.
Wiping at the moisture on his cheek Arthur looked at the tear in confusion. The crown-prince of Camelot does not cry. At least, that is what he had believed up until this very moment. Laying back on Merlin's bed clad in only his underclothes Arthur breathed in the scent that still clung to the surprisingly soft blanket.
It was all Merlin. Earthy but with some kind of fruity tang probably from those peaches he was always munching on.
More tears fell and Arthur let them. It was not for loss but how close he had come to losing everything that mattered.
Today he was allowed to cry.
King's Audience Chamber, Camelot
Uther held the cross-bow and pursed his lips in anger. This weapon had almost killed his son and revealed the treachery lurking in his own court.
"And you have the person responsible?"
"No sire," gulped the guardsman but stood his ground. He was well aware that if King Uther was displeased he could easily find himself in the dungeons or worse. "It was found atop the bakery, from that point he had vantage over the entire market and north-gate – this was a planned attack my lord."
The king glared at the man but held his anger, he had a feeling this man had more to say. "Go on."
This emboldened the guardsman who stepped forward and held out his hand for the cross-bow. Uther gave it and the man turned it over and brought the lever mechanism close for Uther to see. "The white substance is flour sire, and when I first studied it there was fresh dough – put there I believe to make us believe the baker is responsible."
Uther shifted in his seat and brought up a gloved hand to stroke his jaw in consideration. "You have spoken with the baker?"
"Missing," shrugged the guardsman. "Probably dead. But I am almost certain it was not him my lord." The man's confidence seemed to crumble as Uther glared at him but he continued anyway. "The morning's bread was already baked, and he would not prepare fresh dough until the evening, flour on the mechanism would implicate the baker but fresh dough actually absolves him."
Standing Uther brushed past him and stalked around the room. "An assassin enters Camelot, attacks the crown-prince and escapes… all without anyone seeing him and you say he also has the time to place blame on one of my own citizens?"
"Yes sire," the guardsman whispered, scared to say more.
"You are aware that magic was used during the incident," continued Uther, his gaze becoming penetrating.
"Um," gulped the guardsman loudly. "My investigation has concentrated on the assassination attempt, I was informed the… the magic was after the event, sire." The last was gasped out, as if he thought Uther might strike him down on the spot.
Stalking right up to the other man Uther breathed slowly. "So you have decided that the crime here is not magic related, so your investigation is flawed."
"With respect my lord," spoke Morgana from the side. "Magic saved Prince Arthur, a weapon made by men almost killed him. If magic was the perpetrator Arthur would be laying on Gaius' table and not Merlin. Guardsman Jarrod was perhaps correct in following a line of inquiry that searches for a normal man, and not a sorcerer."
Avoiding looking directly at Morgana Uther returned to his throne. "Camelot was locked down within minutes of the attack; if the assassin is indeed not a sorcerer then he will still be hiding within the walls. A search must be conducted of every building." The king's eyes locked on Jarrod. "If you are correct then he will be found, if not." Uther shrugged and Jarrod found it hard to breath.
The dungeon suddenly sounded like a better alternative.
The Alley outside Gaius' Chamber, Camelot
"What was that?" said Sir Gallfoy and half drew his sword. From a street over they could hear a commotion and the knights hesitated. Guarding this door was important but safe-guarding Camelot was their duty. Any hesitation was overcome when a scream pierced the air and they immediately ran towards the noise.
Seconds later a figure clad in black slipped down the wall and checked the alley. Finding it clear he cracked open the door and peered inside, luckily the knight sitting by the door was asleep if the soft snores were anything to go by. Stepping silently inside the figure surveyed the large chamber.
Only the knight and a figure lying on the table were visible. The only light came from a lamp across by the window and it was not bright enough to see more than a few shapes, certainly not enough to tell if the body on the table was Prince Arthur.
Even if it wasn't the assassin knew he must be on the right track. Three knights would not be guarding a servant's quarters. Payment was only forthcoming on success and if that meant a little extra danger then all the better. Henry, for that was the name he used these days, crept closer to the table. The dagger came out of its scabbard with barely a sound and he raised it above the prone figure.
Darkness allowed no features apart from a mop of hair to show. It had to be Arthur though, who else would be in the physicians' rooms? While hiding throughout the day Henry had heard wild stories ranging from the King actually being dead to Arthur being alive and unharmed. The assassin knew he had hit Arthur squarely in the chest, he'd seen the bolt enter and the prince go down. He may survive that wound but not this one.
The door across the room suddenly burst open and light poured forth. The figure standing in the doorway yelled out "Merlin!" and Henry blanched, recognising the voice as Arthur. He stared down to see the Prince's manservant staring up at him, not a drop of fear in his eyes even though a dagger was hanging over him.
Gaius' Chambers, Camelot
Merlin thrust out his fist and it connected with the assassin's kidney. The pain made the man draw away, giving Merlin the chance to reach out and grab one of Gaius' instruments, luckily the long bladed scalpel. As the man turned back and tried to stab him Merlin blocked the blade and counter-thrust, he missed but managed another deflection from the assassin. This happened half-a-dozen times in quick succession and Merlin was a little amazed he could do such a thing.
His arm was quickly tiring and his chest was extremely painful so he tried to draw on his magic to throw the man across the room. The power was there but it felt like water slipping through his fingers, he just couldn't focus it. The man knocked his scalpel away and thrust down, Merlin braced himself for more pain when there was a dull crack like thunder and the man went flying across the room in a cloud of purple light. He hit the wall and crumpled down just as the knight by the door jumped in with his sword.
It had all happened in a matter of moments but one thing Merlin knew for sure – that burst of magic had not been his.
He looked across at Arthur who stood, his hand still outstretched with a look of amazement and horror on his features.
More importantly Merlin saw the flash of gold fade from Arthur's eyes.
"That is impossible," whispered Merlin. Yet he knew it for what it was.
Arthur was a sorcerer.
Tbc…
