Chapter 3:
Elaine waited in the center of the market, pacing down the stalls of the different vendors. A small parcel wrapped in brown cloth clutched in her hands. Her eyes lazily gazed around the enclosed space, people walking by the girl in a too nice of a dress for this area. Their paces were fast, their work had already started for the day despite it only being in the late morning. A few walked at a slower pace like Elaine, but they also stood out against the plainness of the commoners.
"Elaine!" Gwen called cheerily, waving to her friend with a bundle of lilac flowers in her hands.
"Gwen," Elaine said smiling in relief. "I have been waiting for you. You're late."
"Oh I'm sorry," Gwen apologized, linking her arm with Elaine's and leading the way to the castle. "It's just such a beautiful morning, the time must have slipped past me. Can you forgive me?"
Elaine smiled and nodded her head, "Of course. You're my only friend. Without you I'd be stuck conversing with old men for the rest of my life."
Gwen managed to frown though her eyes still held their cheeriness, "That's not true. Morgana's your friend."
Elaine chuckled, "Barely, we only talk when we are stuck at functions together. Outside of that…" Elaine pondered for a moment. "Yeah, that's the only time we talk."
"What about when I'm around?"
"Then we only talk to you." Elaine smiled, "It's not a problem. I'm not the kind of person that has a lot of friends and with your cheery disposition, I won't ever need to."
"Elaine," Gwen said with a disapproving tone.
"Look there's Merlin." Elaine said quickly, effectively changing the conversation away from herself.
"Where?" Gwen asked, searching the crowd; head turning to and fro, her tight curls bouncing against her cheeks.
"Over there, with Gaius." Elaine said, pointing at the tall, brunette head she could see sticking out above the crowd. "They're the ones pushing the cart."
Gwen picked up her pace, dragging Elaine after her. "What are you doing?" She asked them, her cheery and sweet smile back on her face.
They stopped the cart; Merlin hurriedly came around to the back of the cart where we were standing. "Uh-" Merlin adjusted the blanket that covered whatever was in the cart, "Just moving something."
"Looks heavy," Gwen said as she and Elaine tried to get a peek at it.
"What's in it?" Elaine asked curiously, her hand reaching towards the blanket before Merlin jumped in the way.
"It's nothing really." Merlin pointed at Gwen's bundle of flowers. "Someone got you flowers?"
"Oh!" Gwen replied effectively distracted. "No." She said, a blush creeping on to her face. They smiled at each other as Elaine fought the urge to make any comments about their sickeningly sweet display. "Would you like one?" Gwen asked him, picking a small flower out of the bundle. "A purple one."
Merlin smiled shyly, taking the flower from her hand.
"Purple suits you."
"This is new," Elaine thought, staring at the two of them wide-eyed.
"Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you." She quickly added on, trying to make up for what she thought was offensive. But from the way Merlin looked at her, he thought nothing of her comment except for embarrassment.
His smile of that embarrassment stretching across his face. "Thanks. Well… uh-" He fumbled for a moment then tucked the flower into his ascot. They shared a pause full of awkward smiles.
"Well, we should go." Elaine said, interrupting this whole tragic moment and tugging on Gwen's arm.
Merlin nodded, hurrying to the front of the cart to help Gaius pull it. "See ya."
"Bye," Gwen replied watching him go, her sunny attitude now faded. When Merlin glanced back, she waved at him with the flowers in the same hand.
Elaine watched her, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Really, Gwen?"
"What?" She asked confused.
"Nevermind, I'm not going to be the one to burst your bubble on that." Elaine said, rolling her eyes heavenwards.
"Can I help you?" Elaine asked incredulously, watching the guards shift through the shelves in the library, knocking down books to the floor. She jumped forward when one guard knocked down an old tome from the top shelf, expertly catching it before it could hit the ground. "This is an illuminated manuscript of Sir Hamilton's life and legacy." She scolded the guard, "You brutes can't just come in here and start destroying everything!"
"Elaine!" Grandfather yelled appearing from behind a bookshelf. "It's horrible!"
"What is it?" She asked going to him as soon as she saw her grandfather.
Prince Arthur following behind him, "A fatal sickness is spreading throughout Camelot, we believe it's from magic. Gaius hasn't found a cure."
"No, not that." Geoffrey said steering Elaine towards the guards. "Look at what they are doing to the books. It's horrible!" He repeated, letting go of her and walking to the guards. Each time they would carelessly move a book, he would be there to correct it and lecture them on their clumsy attitude.
Elaine turned to the prince, "Magic? In Camelot?" She asked confused. "That can't be true- There's nob- That's- no. You must be wrong." She shook her head in denial.
Arthur pursed his lips, looking disapprovingly at Geoffrey. "It's true. Gaius has confirmed it." He gestured towards the guards, "That's why we are doing this. We're looking for anything about magic."
"Well, you won't find anything. King Uther had everything destroyed during The Great Purge." Elaine told him, crossing her arms defensively. "You're only wasting our time and harming important books. Books that I know you don't care about and have never bothered to read, but others do and have." She said boldly, realizing that it was too bold, she ducked her head. "Sorry, Prince Arthur, I don't mean any offense."
Prince Arthur looked at her curiously, a contemplative expression fixed on his face. "You haven't changed a bit have you?"
Elaine blushed, "I like to think that I got wiser."
Prince Arthur smiled, "I wouldn't." He called out to his men, "We're finished, move on!" He followed them out the door, looking back at Elaine. "My lady, I'm sorry for the intrusion."
Elaine smiled to herself, watching him walk away. "Elaine!" Geoffrey yelled, interrupting whatever thoughts were going through Elaine's head.
Gwen's father is dying.
Elaine had gotten the news when she was walking in the gardens. Gwen had ran to her crying, telling her everything. It had been a beautiful day: birds were singing, sun was shining, with a light breeze that smelled of the daisies that were growing. The grass was green, the sky was blue, and the few puffs of clouds looked like cotton dotting the sky.
He's dying: Tom is dying.
Yet with those few words, all this had faded from Elaine's mind; what once was sweet now was bitter with sickness. She is used to death, Elaine has known its pain. She felt like it has shrouded her; their familiarity with each other is something Elaine has resigned herself to. But this wasn't Elaine's pain, it was Gwen.
A man I have known since childhood and have eaten many meals with is dying.
She's losing her father.
Gwen had experienced pain before, but it was old. Pain that had been forgotten as a entity, but remembered in the name. She had experienced pain from loss— from abandonment.
She's lost her mother.
She's lost her brother.
But not like this. Not someone that she shared many memories with, someone she needed, someone who she thought was always going to be there. Gwen is a good person, kind and compassionate.
My best friend is going to become an orphan.
Like me.
But she can't be like me.
She's better than me.
But that could be destroyed, by pain. Pain can turn something sweet to bitter. It's happened before, it can happen again. It happened with Elaine.
And I'm going to let this happen?
You are.
Gwen is gone now, after the pain had been drowning her, a small part of it lifted and she could think. Her thoughts of her father, and his limited time, are now her only ones. So she ran again, this time home. Her hopes for a cure has been dashed by Gaius, and now there was only dread for what was to come.
Elaine was left standing alone in the garden, alone. Her thoughts not far from Gwen's in similarities. They both had fear and sadness, but not for the same people. Gwen's fear and sadness only for her father, even faced with a tragedy her thought were selfless. Elaine felt sadness for Gwen, she knew what she was going through. Had experienced before. But her fear, her overwhelming fear, was for herself. What she would risk in helping, and what she would risk in not. What she could lose, and how a promise stopped her from taking action.
She's in jail.
Gwen's in jail.
For healing her father.
For doing what she had to do.
With magic?
But she can't use magic.
So who healed him?
"Merlin!" Elaine yelled barging into the Physician's room. Her thundering voice and loud steps sent the message that she wasn't here on a social call.
"My lady?" Merlin asked confused, jumping to his feet at the sight of her. Gaius not far behind him, quickly closing a book they had open.
"How are we fixing this?" Elaine demanded, "We're fixing this. We need to help her. We have to help Gwen."
"I- uh." Merlin stuttered trying to gather a coherent sentence when Morgana marched in right behind Elaine.
"They're bring forward the execution." Morgana said, looking at Gaius and Merlin then noticing Elaine. A small nod of her head and a crinkle around the eyes showed that some happiness was brought to the two of them when they realized that they weren't alone in wanting to help their friend. "We have to prove Gwen's innocence."
"We're trying." Gaius told both of them.
"How can we help?" Elaine asked.
"Please," Morgana added without thinking, even in the face of desperation, she was kind.
"We need Arthur." Merlin stated coming from around the table.
"Arthur?"
"How can he help?"
"There's a monster, an afanc, in the water supply-"
Elaine looked at Gaius recognising the creature from its name, her brow furrowed.
"-That's whats causing the plague."
"We must tell Uther." Morgana said, baffled why they hadn't already.
"The afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen-" Gaius said when Elaine finished his sentence coming to the realization.
"He would blame her for it." She said dejectedly, her and Gaius sharing a look.
"So what are we to do?" Morgana asked.
"We need to destroy it then the plague would stop and Uther may then see sense." Merlin said quickly.
"Which is why we need Arthur." Elaine said, looking at Morgana thoughtfully.
"He's our best chance, but he won't want to disobey the king."
"Leave that to me." Morgana said determinedly, striding out of the room.
Merlin and Elaine following after her when Gaius gave the keys to Merlin. "I finally see why Gwen likes you." Elaine told him, looking at Merlin under a new light.
"What?"
"Well, besides the obvious." She said, gesturing vaguely to his face.
"Huh?" A blush creeping on to Merlin's face despite the fact that he hadn't figured out what she meant.
"Well, you- uh." Elaine smiled teasingly, trying to fight the blush that matched his. "You know-"
"No, I don't know." He said shaking his head.
"Well, you're- it's not-" Elaine pursed her lips, trying think of her words carefully. "Well, um- you're kind of easy on the eyes."
"Easy on the eyes? Wha-" Merlin's mouth opened, shocked. "Oh!"
"Yeah," Elaine said, looking away from him; wondering how she gets herself into these kind of messes.
"You-" Merlin laughed sheepishly. "You think that about me?"
"No!" Elaine said quickly, "What I meant was- Gwen, she- and I sort of- but not really- you're not my type."
"Not your type?" Merlin asked, not sure if he should be feeling offended. "What's your type?"
"Well, I haven't really thought-" Elaine sighed, make it stop. "Blondes… maybe."
"Like Arthur?"
"No, he's too Arthur-y."
"Ah," Merlin said. Nodding his head understandingly, "Arthur-y because that makes sense."
"I-" Elaine burst into laughter, the situation causing her to snap from her and Merlin's ridiculous conversation. Merlin joined in with her, their amusement from their equal amount of weirdness that had gone on too long.
"Merlin?!" Prince Arthur yelled, interrupting their laughter. "You're wasting time."
Merlin sprang forward, "I-?" He asked incredulously. Leading the way out of the castle and past the large pyre being built in the center of the courtyard. He didn't finish his sentence as the sight of it caused all of their moods to drop, the seriousness of their situation sparked their fierce determination.
Merlin unlocked the door that led to the water supply underneath Camelot. Arthur lit one of the torches and lead the way down the dark, stone staircase. His sword was drawn as the four of them walked down the tunnels. "You better be right about this, Merlin." He said as if his time was being wasted, but from the small hitch his voice made, Elaine thought differently.
A long hiss went through the air causing Morgana to gasp and Elaine pick up her pace, moving closer to the man with the sword. Prince Arthur looked back at the two girls, "You should stay here." He told them, his steady gaze moving around the tunnels.
Morgana's eyes hardened, "I'm coming with you."
"No."
"Scared I'll show you up?" Morgana asked, a familiar smirk on her face.
"Father would slam us all in chains if he knew I endangered either of you two."
"Good thing he doesn't know about it then."
"I'm telling you, Morgana turn back. Why can't you be more like Elaine, she's listening to me." He said, waving his hand at the silent girl.
Elaine rolled her eyes and stepped towards Merlin, "Don't pull me into this."
Prince Arthur frowned, "You could get hurt." He reasoned.
"So could you," Morgana said, striding past him with her torch lighting the tunnel. "If you don't get out my way."
Elaine followed after her, "I'm with her." She told the prince cheekily, grinning at the back of Morgana's head.
"How are we going to find it?" Morgana asked after we had turned down another tunnel.
"Just hope we do before it finds us."
Elaine frowned and stepped away from the prince, walking besides Merlin. Why would you say that? She wondered, a shiver creeping up her back.
A snarl came from behind Elaine, causing her to spin around. The hairs on her neck sticking up, "Stop." She said, her voice hushed.
"What?" Merlin asked, turning around also.
"It's just a shadow." Prince Arthur told her, ignoring the two of them.
Just a shadow my foot. Elaine continued to glance behind as they followed along the tunnel. Her hands clenched into fist, heart pumping and every fiber of her being telling her to protect herself.
They reached the large underground well without consequence, the afanc still hidden from them. "Spread out." Arthur told them, pointing at a tunnel for Merlin and Morgana. He nodded his head at Elaine, miming her to stay put.
Oh sure, make the youngest one stand by the pool of water. Elaine turned around her eyes going to the foggy surface of the water. The deep… dark… not-scary-at-all water.
Prince Arthur had only taken a few steps down his tunnel when he turned around to face the well. "Elaine-"
Elaine's eyes widened in fear, she pointed behind Prince Arthur. That's not a shadow, that's the-
A low growl came from the dark form behind the prince, slowly he turned around. The afanc stood up on its hind legs, a loud roar coming from its mouth. Swinging its paws as Prince Arthur spun away from its claws. Elaine ran forward to help the prince, but the beast had already disappeared again.
"What is it?" Morgana asked concerned, running from her tunnel to Arthur and Elaine. "Are you alright?"
Prince Arthur glanced at Elaine, his eyes roaming her, checking to make sure she was okay, before returning to Morgana. "Yeah." He said breathless.
"Did you see it?" Merlin asked joining us.
"Yeah." Elaine said still shocked from the thought of Gwen made her heart slow, and her face became more calm; the worry of Gwen outweighing the worry for herself.
"What did it look like?" Merlin asked.
"It's quick-" Prince Arthur said.
"-And ugly." Elaine interjected.
Morgana screamed, the afanc appearing in front of her. It roared like before, standing on its back legs. Prince Arthur darted forward aiming his sword at its stomach, but the afanc swiped the sword away before the blade could make its mark. It growled one more time then disappeared again into the dark tunnels.
"Where is it?" Prince Arthur asked, turning each way to find the beast.
A low growl came from all tunnels. "I think it's gone this way!" Merlin yelled, he took a few steps down the tunnel, going to lead the way, but Prince Arthur was already in front of him. Taking long strides, his boots quietly pounding against the ground.
The tunnel ended at the intersection of another tunnel, a growl filled the air as a shadow stalked alongside another tunnel. The shadow got bigger and bigger until they could see it's whole form in the light.
Slowly Prince Arthur advanced upon the beast, clutching his sword and torch. Each time he tried to stab the afanc, it would swipe at him and he would be forced to dart away. Morgana stepped forward to help, holding her torch in front of herself. The afanc roared at Morgana and knocked her torch out of her hand.
Elaine picked up the fallen torch, recognising that the beast was distracted by its light. She drew the creature away from Morgana, instincts taking over her as she waved the fire in front of its face. Prince Arthur came beside her, holding his own torch like Elaine; his sword was still at his side as the prince's eyes searched for an opening.
The afanc reared up on its hind legs, roaring at Prince Arthur and Elaine. "Arthur, use the torch!" Merlin yelled.
He listened and did as Merlin said, swinging his torch at the afanc's exposed chest. Instantaneously, the wind picked up within the tunnels and a gust of air blew the flames at the afanc. Wrapping around the creature as it howled in pain.
The light from the fire caused both Prince Arthur and Elaine to look away from its intensity. They both still glanced at it though, Prince Arthur making sure that the afanc was being destroyed. Elaine wasn't watching that, she was watching as the fire seemingly curled around the beast in such a way that it couldn't have been natural.
With one last dying howl, the afanc was gone. Nothing left from where it used to be. The four young adults stared at where the beast had been, varying expressions on all of their faces: expressions of surprise, horror, amazement, and suspicion.
"Surprise!" Elaine yelled when Tom and Gwen walked in through their front door. Their table was lit from a candelabra; several foods littered it, all personal favorites of Gwen's. Tom smiled at his daughter, he and Elaine had planned this when Elaine had given the news that Gwen was going to be released.
Gwen grinned in surprise, walking over to Elaine and hugging her tightly. "Thank you," She whispered in Elaine's ear, the low light shining on her watery eyes.
Elaine pulled away from her friend, "It was your dad's idea. He deserves all the credit." She said gesturing at Tom.
Tom laughed, "I just said I wanted to do something special for when she got home. I didn't mean let's throw a feast."
"Well, you weren't very specific, Tom." Elaine teased, "I had to improvise on such short notice."
Gwen laughed, looking at all the sweets on the table. "Where did you get all of this food?" She asked, "You didn't cook this did you?"
"God, no." Elaine replied, laughing at the thought. "I got it from the castle."
Gwen frowned, she picked up the vaguely familiar candelabra. "This to?" She asked, amusement in her eyes.
"Yeah, pretty isn't it?" Elaine crossed her arms, grinning at the gilded candle.
Gwen gasped, "Did you steal it?"
"Oh please, no one will notice it's missing, it's from the bad side of the library." She took the candelabra from Gwen. "Besides we can consider it reparations for what Uther did to you." She said bitterly, setting it back in its original spot at the center of the table.
"Well, we shouldn't let this food go to waste." Tom said, eagerly sitting down at the table.
"But what about-"
"Oh, she'll return it when she goes back." Tom interrupted. "Now Gwen sit. This is all for you after all."
Gwen pursed her lips, a smile tugging at the corners. Less reluctant than she would have admitted, Gwen sat down next to her father."You didn't steal the food too did you?"
"Define steal."
"Elaine!"
The long Banquet Hall was filled with guests from the two kingdoms, red and blue garb clashing against each other from each side of the room. Nobles standing around the edge of the hall in their finery as everyone's eyes were on King Uther and King Bayard. The stress of their bodies were evident from across the room as they signed a document calling for a stalemate.
Elaine stood next to Gaius watching the proceedings. Her grandfather had to miss them because a terrible cold had put him on bedrest. The drafty library wasn't helping his health, Elaine constantly reminding him of this wasn't helping either.
Elaine watching her king bend down to scrawl his name as Prince Arthur turned his head to look at his servant. Merlin's garb was flamboyant and even included a large hat with an even bigger and more ostentatious feather. The four teens smiled in amusement at Merlin, it being the only entertainment in the whole room.
Elaine's eyes reverted back to the proceedings, believing that if she stared any longer at Merlin she might laugh. And if she did, then she was afraid Gaius or some other adult might scold for acting like a child. Besides, she did think it was interesting what was happening. The affairs between the two warring countries had gone long back in time, and the current signing for peace was something that would go down in history. She doubted anything else would be even more famous than this. Her eyes drifted through the crowd as everyone began clapping for the kings that had clasped hands. Then following Gwen as she made her over to herself and Gaius.
"What's wrong?" Elaine asked her, knowing that Gwen's frown was not from boredom but rather irritation.
Gaius shushed them before Gwen could reply, King Bayard having started his speech. "People of Camelot, for a great many years we have been mortal enemies." Elaine's eyes went behind the king, a pretty young woman garnering her attention. "The blood of our men stains the ground from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia." Elaine frowned, the blue wrap that hid the hair of the woman also managed to distort her looks from the other side of the hall. "And though we remember those who have died, we mustn't allow anymore to join them. As a symbol of our good will and of our new found friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, Uther, and your son, Arthur, in the hope that our friendship might last."
Elaine brow furrowed as the woman went to Merlin and quickly pulled him out of the hall, her face looking anxious. Elaine's expression became even more confused at this, the woman seemed familiar but the expression she held of worry was not one Elaine had seen before on that face. "Tonight we toast a new beginning for our peoples as we look towards the future, free of the toils of war." Elaine turned her head towards the doors that they exited out of, no longer paying attention to the ceremony. A breath she didn't realize she had been holding was exhaled when Merlin rushed back into the room.
"Stop! It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" Merlin yelled, running to Prince Arthur and taking the goblet out of his hands.
"What?" King Uther asked him, lowering his own goblet from his lips.
Elaine looked back towards the doors, wondering where the young woman was.
"Merlin, what're you doing?" Prince Arthur asked astounded; Gaius walking forward to stand behind Morgana, confusion written over his face.
Elaine glanced at Merlin, watching as he faced the opposite king stubbornly. "Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison!"
"This is an outrage!" Bayard yelled, brandishing his sword. All of the knights following suit, even Morgana picked up the knife on her table.
"Order your men to put down their swords." King Uther commanded as guards entered the hall. "You're outnumbered."
"I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged," He told Uther, showing obvious discomfort at the many weapons with pointed ends pointed towards him.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" King Uther asked Merlin
"I'll handle this father." Prince Arthur said coming from around the side of his table and grabbing Merlin's arm. "Merlin, you idiot, have you been at the sloe gin again?"
"Unless you want to be strung up, you'll tell me why you think it's been poisoned." King Uther leaned forward, his threatening tone not fazing Merlin. "Now."
"He was seen lacing it."
"By whom?"
Merlin glanced at the door, down, then back at the king. "I can't say."
"I won't listen to this anymore," Bayard's voice interrupting them, King Uther and Merlin leaned away from each other.
King Uther stepped out from behind his table, "Give me the goblet." He told his son, walking towards Bayard. "If you're telling the truth-"
"I am." Bayard told him.
"Then you have nothing to fear." King Uther replied, raising the goblet towards him. "Do you?"
King Bayard sheathed his sword and reached for the goblet, willingly.
"No." King Uther said, "If this does prove to be poisoned. I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Bayard scoffed as Uther turned around and held the goblet towards Merlin. "He'll drink it."
"But if it is poisoned, he'll die." Prince Arthur reminded his father, stepping in front of Merlin instinctively.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth."
Elaine frowned and reached out, grabbing on to Gwen's hand. The act performed by her subconscious, seeking solace in her friend. Her eyes were fixed on Merlin, wishing that this wasn't happening. A stiffness in her shoulders told her that the all too familiar servant girl was also watching.
"And what if he lives?" King Bayard asked, his soft voice sending shivers down both of the girls backs.
"Then you'll have my apologies." King Uther said, handing Merlin the goblet. "And you do with him as you wish."
Prince Arthur looked at his father with indignation, surprise written over his face.
"Uther, please, he's just a boy." Gaius said, managing his anger. "He doesn't know what he's saying."
"Then you should have schooled him better." Was King Uther cold reply.
"Merlin apologise," Prince Arthur said, looking at his servant in surprise and irritation. "This is a mistake." He said, backing towards his father.
"I'll drink it." Merlin said his voice not wavering, stepping towards King Bayard in defiance.
Elaine's jaw dropped in surprise, Gwen's hand gripping onto hers tighter than before. This boy is going to get himself killed, if the poison doesn't do it or King Bayard doesn't, then Prince Arthur or Gaius definitely will. Even I might.
"I'll drink it!" Prince Arthur yelled in frustration, trying to get the goblet out of Merlin's hand.
"No, no, no." Merlin repeated, not letting him and the goblet be separated. "It's alright."
King Bayard crossed his arms in front of his chest, his chainmail clinking together. They stared at each other as Merlin raised the goblet to his lips, neither one letting the other gain anything. He looked back towards Gaius as he slowly drank from the cup. Silence settling in the room after Merlin had gulped all of its contents. "It's fine." Merlin said surprised, evicting sighs from everyone in the court.
"He's all yours." King Uther said, waving his hand at Bayard as he and Morgana sat back down.
A choking sound suddenly came from Merlin, he reached under his chin, his hands clenched. Prince Arthur watched, as Merlin collapsed to the floor; Prince Arthur's expression of shock and Merlin's of confused discomfort."It's poisoned!" Prince Arthur yelled, falling on his knees next to Merlin to try and help him. The cup clattering away on the stone floor.
"Guards, seize them!" King Uther shouted, jumping to his feet and pointing his finger accusingly at Bayard.
Gwen pulled away from Elaine, rushing to Merlin along with Gaius. Elaine turned away from the scene the ringing of the cup filling her ears. Facing towards the doors, her eyes caught the disappearance of red and blue fabric. Without thinking she followed after it. "Merlin, can you hear me?" She could faintly hear Gaius say.
Elaine hurried down the corridor finally recognising the woman at the end of it. Despite all odds of her being here, there wasn't a doubt in Elaine's mind that it was her. Dressed in the red and blue servant clothes, her dark hair and porcelain skin were now unmistakable. "Wait!" Elaine called, not daring to speak her name.
The woman turned around, catching the sight of Elaine, she quickly disappeared down a dark staircase. Not pausing for a moment, Elaine hurried after her. Catching the figure at the bottom, "Why are you here? Are you here to see me?" She asked, happiness bursting inside of her. Forgetting about reality for the moment. "I thought after I left on bad terms that we would never see each other again. I'm so glad I was wrong, I've missed you. Merlin- Why were you talking to him earlier? Oh- Merlin!" She grabbed on to the woman's arm, "Come on, you can help him."
"Elaine, enough." The woman interjected, removing her hand from her arm. "I didn't think you'd be here. I thought you were home."
"This is my home."
"I meant your real home, where your parents are from."
"My mother is from here."
"Your father, Elaine."
"I don't- We shouldn't talk about that." Elaine stepped away from, back towards the staircase. "Merlin, the poisoning. You need to help him."
"There wouldn't be sense in that."
"What do you mean? Nimueh, please."
"Why don't you help him, Elaine?" Nimueh asked her coldly, staring at her accusingly.
"You know why I can't."
"You haven't changed a bit have you? Shame, I saw much potential in you."
"Why are you here if not for me?" Elaine asked curiously, suspicion growing as the gears turned in her head . "Did you-? Did you have anything to do with that?"
"Yes."
"What!" Elaine yelled fiercely, grabbing on to Nimueh again.
"That's why I'm here." Nimueh replied, her eyes flashing with a fire that was reflected in Elaine. "To make it safe for people like us."
"I'm not like you. I don't hurt people, especially innocent people like Merlin."
"You're right, you're not." Nimueh said, roughly shrugging of her hand again. "Merlin is not as innocent as you might think." Elaine glared at her as Nimueh smirked, they backed away from each other. "Look at him closer, he's not as stupid as he looks." Nimueh said, walking down the hall. Leaving Elaine alone with her conflicting thoughts.
Once night had officially fallen and after two different riders had gone off into the darkness, Elaine snuck into the Physician's room. Both Gwen and Gaius had fallen asleep by Merlin's side, Gaius soft snores filling the room's silence. Elaine went to the side of the cott; Gwen had fallen asleep on the other side, her head and arms resting on the side next to Merlin's. Elaine observed her friend, not even slumber could hide the worry on her soft face.
Elaine's gaze shifted to Merlin's pained face, sweat beading on his temple. Slowly— tentatively, she reached forward her fingers grazing across his brow. Getting on her knees, she leaned over him; Elaine's fingers staying near his eye. She glanced to make sure Gwen was still asleep when she opened his eyelid. Gold. His irises were filled with it, its swirling amber depths. She was right.
"He's getting hotter," Gwen told Gaius, patting the cool cloth against Merlin's forehead.
The morning sunlight streaming in from the window, the only light filling the room. Gaius hurried over to Gwen, his worried expression bringing concern to Elaine. Soft, mumbled words were coming from Merlin's mouth.
"What language is that?" Gwen asked confused, bringing the cloth away from his face.
"None," Gaius said. "I'm afraid the fever is taking hold." He said, only glancing at Elaine after Gwen had gone back to patting Merlin's head. "None of those words are his own. His pulse is weaker."
Elaine looked away from them, hiding her confusion and bitter smile from Gaius. She looked at Merlin's wrist when she noticed a red welt on his pale skin. "Gaius, what is this?" She asked holding up his arm so they could see.
"That can't be right." Gaius said confused, "The rash isn't supposed to appear until the final stage."
"What does that mean?" Gwen asked worried and confused, setting the cloth in a bowl of water. She followed Gaius over to a table, watching as he bent over a large book using a magnifying glass to read the page.
"It says here that once the rash appears, death will follow within two days."
"But you said he had four days."
"Something's increasing the flower's potency. It warns that the effect of the mortaeus flower will be more effective if an enchantment is used during the flowers preparation."
There was a clatter as Elaine had accidently knocked the bowl of water from the stand next to Merlin. "An enchantment?" She asked nervously, picking up her mess.
"But Bayard's no sorcerer." Gwen added confused.
"No he isn't." Gaius said, staring into one of the corners of the room.
"Then who did this?" Gwen asked.
"It can't have been." Gaius said his voice hushed, but Elaine managed to hear him despite being across the room. "She wouldn't dare come here."
"She- who?" Elaine asked, her eyes widening as she carefully put the bowl back on its rightful place.
"Unless…" Gaius looked at Gwen, ignoring Elaine.
"Unless what?" Gwen asked.
"What happened to that girl?"
Elaine jumped involuntarily, but nobody noticed her. Tucking her hands behind her back, hiding the fact that they were shaking. He knows? How does he know?
"What girl?"
"Just before Merlin burst into the hall, one of Bayard's serving girls took him outside."
"She had dark hair, very beautiful."
"Find her. Quickly." Gaius told Gwen; she nodded rushing out of the room.
"Arthur…" Merlin whispered as Gaius went and sat back down by him.
"Do you think Gwen's going to find her?" Elaine asked him.
"I hope so."
I don't.
"Did you find her?" Elaine asked Gwen as soon as she entered the room. Gaius looking up from where he was examining Merlin's rash.
Gwen she her head tiredly, "No one has seen her since the banquet. Who is she?"
"Not who she claims to be." Gaius said his voice hard, Elaine frowning at his words.
"But you know, don't you?" Gwen asked him, both of the girls looking at him suspiciously.
"Kara. Though, that's not her name." He stood up, "Not her real name anyways."
"Then who is she?" Gwen asked desperately, stepping towards Gaius.
"A powerful sorceress."
"Are you sure?" Elaine asked him, trying to hide how interested she really was.
"I am."
"Then maybe we should tell Uther, maybe he can send riders out after her."
"No!" Elaine said involuntarily causing both of them to swing their heads towards her. "She'll be long gone," She amended. "A sorceress would hide her tracks."
Gaius nodded, "She's right, it'll be impossible to know where she's gone." His face became shocked and worried, showing that he had an epiphany, "Oh no."
"What?"
"She knows that the only place an antidote will be found is the forest of Baloch. Arthur could be walking into a trap."
"Arthur..." Merlin said, gasping for breath. "Arthur…" He repeated, all eyes on him as he let out a groan of pain. A string of incoherent words following, only Gwen not knowing their true meaning. "Arthur, it's a trap. It's a trap." He repeated, Gwen and Gaius sitting down on the side of his bed.
"He's fever's getting worse, isn't it?" Gwen asked Gaius as Elaine paced at the end of the bed, her hands gripping each other.
"The poison's setting in," Gaius said, patting his forehead with a wet cloth as Merlin began chanting again. Shushing him as Gwen and Elaine looked at Merlin with confusion. "Gwen, could you fetch me some more wolfsbane?" He asked her, "And take Elaine with you. I'm afraid she might wear a rut in the stone."
"Yeah, of course." She said standing up from her seat, she tugged on Elaine's arm, leading the way out of the Physician's room. Speaking words of hope to Elaine about Merlin getting better, but neither of the girls were paying much attention to them.
Gaisu and Elaine could hear loud, rushed footsteps approaching the room and the door soon opened by Gwen. "How is he?" She asked, upon entering.
"Have you got the mortaeus flower?" He asked, rushing to each other.
"Here." Gwen said, handing it to him and going to Merlin's side by Elaine.
"His breathing's much worse." Gaius said dropping the leaves inside a small cup, grinding its contents. He looked at Merlin with concern, pausing his movements.
"Why have you stopped?" Elaine asked Gaius, looking up from where she had been staring at Merlin's wane face.
"The poison was made using magic, we may need to use magic for the antidote."
"But we can't," Gwen said. "It's forbidden, even if we could."
"I'll try and make it work without." Gaius said, continuing his grinding of the contents. "Oh. I need some fresh water." He said handing Gwen a small decanter, he looked at Elaine. "She might need some help."
Elaine nodded understanding what he couldn't say, she stood and ran after Gwen. They ran down to the well, filling the decanter then running back, not daring to waste anytime. Gwen handed Gaius the decanter full of water, he mixed it with a bubbling green paste. Gwen and Elaine sat down on either side of Merlin, Gwen taking Merlin's hand as soon as she was near him.
"Hold his nose," Gaius told Gwen as she did what he said, he came to the side of the bed next to her. He poured the liquid down his mouth, "Swallow, Merlin, swallow it." He said beseechingly.
They stared at Merlin, all had expressions of desperate worry as they watched his pale face. Gwen leaned back when nothing happened, "He's stopped breathing?" She asked confused when his chest stopped moving. "What's happening? Gaius?"
Gaius leaned forward, pressing his ear against Merlin's chest. Listening for a heartbeat, after not hearing anything, Gaius leaned back. "His heart has stopped."
"He's dead?" Gwen asked brokenly, staring at Merlin hopelessly.
"He can't be." Gaius shook his head in denial, "He can't be." He repeated, standing up. "It was his destiny." He said angrily.
"It's my fault." Gwen said, "If I'd have got here sooner… If I'd been quicker." Her voice was rough with unshed tears. "No, no, no." She cried, standing and embracing Gaius.
"It was me," Gaius said, holding her close. "I should've looked after him better. It's my fault." He said, kissing the top of her head.
Elaine continued to stare at Merlin, her face blank of expression. Quietly, she moved her hand, touching Merlin's palm. It was cold, but at her touch a warmth flooded through it. A smile spread across her face as Merlin's eyes opened. They stared at each, Merlin surprised by the look of complete relief on her face.
He turned his head at the sound of Gwen's distraught over his death. "That's disgusting." Merlin said, his voice hoarse. "You should be ashamed of yourself you're old enough to be her grandfather." He said, lifting his himself to his elbows.
"Merlin, you're alive." Gaius said happily, large smiles on both of their faces.
"No, I'm a ghost come back to haunt you." He joked, his own unique grin on his face.
Instantly, Gwen was on him, pressing her lips against his in a quick kiss. Elaine's jaw dropped as she watched, slowly a smile of astonishment spread across her face as she looked at Gwen.
"Sorry," Gwen said. Shocked by her own behavior. "I'm just… I thought you were dead."
"It's fine," Merlin said, his feverish face shocked with a dimwitted grin. "It's more than fine." He stared at her, then noticed the awkward tension with Elaine and Gaius. "Um… what happened? The last thing I remember was drinking the wine."
"Gwen," Elaine called, following her out of the physician's room. Once she caught up to her, a mischievous smile spread across Elaine face. "So? He a good kisser?"
"Elaine!" Gwen said astounded by her lack of decorum, a fierce blush spreading across her face. "I don't think that's any of your business."
"Oh… so not a good one then?" Elaine teased, winking at Gwen.
"Elaine, stop!" Gwen said, her dark skin turning red.
"You can't really blame him, though." Elaine said, with a faux comforting tone. "He did, after all, just die and you didn't give him much warning."
Gwen started giggling, happiness bubbling inside her. "He didn't need any warning."
Elaine gasped, linking her arm with Gwen's. "So he was good?" Gwen continued to giggle, answering Elaine's question. "Who knew our Merlin had it in him?"
Thanks for reading :) There were a few ironies I added in their for laughs, hope you found them. Any and all reviews, comments, or criticisms appreciated!
~D.C.