A/N:Hey Guys, this is the betaed version of chapter 4. I want to quickly thank everyone who reviewed the unbetaed version. I'm glad everyone enjoys George and his jokes (although when I was testing them on my friends and family I got threats hrmmm).
So here is the betaed chapter 4 and original A/N. Enjoy!
A/N: Hello Merlin Fans.
First of all, I would like to apologize for the Delay. I have actually had this chapter written for a week now and have sent it to my beta. Unfortunately she has not been able to beta it for me yet, and as I am deep within chapter 5, I thought that I'd at least get this copy up and get confused about what I've posted, what I have to post and what isn't to be posted yet (That is something I would totally do, being as scatted brained as I am :/)
I will replace this chapter with the betaed one as soon as I receive it. So for now, please excuse my frankly terrible spelling and grammar. Spell check can only do so much and the only reason I past GCSE English is because I mastered the art of writing complete twaddle that the markers want to read so that they can not fail you due to spelling and grammar.
I must also apologize, as I sort of lied in my last authors note.Said The Liar 13 whilst guessing the identity of my cameo had accidently gave me a idea for part of this chapter I was struggling on. So while you didn't correctly guess the mysterious character (Kilgharrah has a bigger role to play and I will say nothing on Morgana), I dedicate Freya's role to you. My real cameo is still a surprise :D
I would once again like to thank all the reviews, favs and alerts this fic has received.
So here is the Unbetaed chapter 4. I promise that I will replace it as soon as possible.
Chapter 4
"Why thank you Sir Obvious for your report." Merlin's attempt to break the tension and cover up his fear fell flat. Realising this, Merlin stared hard at his mentor. "What's wrong with me Gaius?"
"I wish I could tell you Merlin. I've never seen this before, but I don't think it's natural." The old man bent down to retrieve the fallen shirt.
"You think this is caused by Magic?" The warlock yelped loudly, before looking around at the door to see if anyone had heard the M-word and was now about to burst in to investigate. Since Morgana's second take-over, the citizens of Camelot had become even more paranoid about magic - many had believed that Morgause, Morgana's half sister, was the true power behind the first takeover 2 years ago, and was simply using the ward as a Spy. Once the witches had been driven out, many believed that it was unlikely that they would be able to invade like that again, despite this, news of the elder sister's death had still been treated with relief. However, the revelation that Morgana was just as powerful as the deceased priestess, if not more so had shook Camelot deeply causing everyone to jump at shadows.
Seeing as there appeared to be no angry guards about to burst in to arrest him for sorcery . . . again, Merlin continued in a whisper "Magic? Like a curse or something? You think it's Morgana? But why me, why not Arthur or Gwen?"
"Now Merlin, don't be hasty. This may just be a manifestation of your powers. You are unique, my boy, so it stands to reason that you could contract diseases differently or develop odd characteristics. Throw in your heritage and you become even more of a riddle."
If this was meant to reassure his patient, it wasn't working. However Merlin was adept at hiding his emotions and thoughts, although rarely from the elder man, and managed a convincing smile all the same.
"You're probably right, Gaius. But what do we do now?"
They both knew that this must be kept a secret from everyone else, especially Arthur. While not as fanatical and quick to accuse as his father, the blonde royal's hatred of magic ran just as deep, if not deeper than the late King. This, along with Arthur's quick temper, could mean that he would lash out in blind rage - even at his closest friend.
"Well at the rate this is spreading, it would probably be best if you took the day of tomorrow."
A look that practically screamed 'Like Arthur would allow that' was aimed at the healer.
"We will get a servant to fill in for you with the excuse that I need your help researching rumours of an illness from the outlying villages."
"If you say so Gaius, I still think Arthur will come storming in here tomorrow calling me a lazy idiot . . . Really if he knew how much I actually do for him, he wouldn't be so quick to call me lazy, and don't say he has his own burdens to bare Gaius, I am well aware of them, and if you ask me the Knothead wouldn't last a day in my shoes."
"Well it's a good thing he doesn't have to then isn't it? Now off to bed with you, boy." Merlin nodded with a sharp 'Yes Sir!' and marched to his room, for what he knew would be another dream-plagued sleep.
The lake glistened beside him as he rested on its banks, basking in the moonlight. Those knights caused him no trouble; in fact they ran for the hills at only the barest hint of fang. He chuckled. They had probably expected a game beast or where misinformed on the true might of his kind.
Ripples on the lake drew his mind back to the present. He knew this lake. To those of strong magical will, or those close to death's domain, this was the gateway to Avalon. But to him, this lake was close to his heart. It was here that his friend, one of the few who could truly call themselves a knight and embodied all the good that comes with the title, was laid to rest for the final time here when his remains were called upon and used for evil. It was here that his beloved resides, bound until the end of magic to its rocky shores.
As if summoned by that reflection, a figure rose from the waters, but caused barely a wave in its mirrored surface. Her hair, like his scales, was the colour of a raven's wing. Her skin was as moonlight on the lake and her eyes were the shade of the wood of the trees that surrounded the lake. She was beautiful, his treasured Freya.
"Merlin, I haven't much time."
He was shocked. Her voice, sweet as a birds song, caressed him, urged him to answer. He tried to speak, but to his dismay only growls tumbled from his throat.
"Hush, my love. I came to warn you. The time is coming where the Dragonlords and their Kin strengthen their bonds. When this happens, you must be out of Camelot. I fear for not only your safety, but also that of the citizens."
Confused and saddened, he stretched out and gently nudged her. With a serene smile she stroked her hand along his snout.
"This is all I can say Merlin, but I am glad that the old religion has given me the chance to see you again. I have missed you and our time grows short."
She sat down on the grass, directing him to lay his head on her lap. Dancing her fingers across his scales, he listened as her voice spoke of everything and nothing as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Merlin bolted up right, heart beating hard like a drum. For the first time since these dreams had begun he remembered, well at least part of it. Tears dripped down his face as the words of his long-dead love echoed in his ears.
'The time is coming where the Dragonlords and their Kin strengthen their bonds...'
Confused, Merlin flopped back onto the bed.
'Dragonlords and Kin? Bonds? What does that mean?' he muttered. Although his heart was glad as he had gotten to see his love again, his confusion overrode it. Why did he dream of her? And did it have something to do with the changes he was undergoing?
Shaking the thoughts from his head, Merlin allowed a wide grin to split across his face. He had the day off! Gaius was going to send a message to the master of staff that he needed his ward for the day and would need a replacement. Merlin leapt from the bed and practically skipped to the door, thoughts of what he was going to do today running happily through his mind.
All happiness drained out of him as he froze in the doorway. Gaius was stood in the main chamber, a diabolical grin creeping across his face. The reason for the old medic's glee was behind him, the main table was piled high with books, many still sporting a thick layer a dust, showing just how long it had been since they had last been read.
The first thing that struck Arthur as wrong as he gradually awoke was just that, he never gradually awoke. Ever since that fateful day when a young idiot farm boy was awarded the position of manservant to the prince, Arthur was awoken to a cheerful greeting and the sun shining into his eyes. No matter what the time, early, late or on time, Merlin never failed to have an annoying call to wake him up.
The second worrying fact was the silence. No crashes, no 'oomph's' of pain as a certain servant walked into objects in plain view. Now normally, the King would enjoy the silence, but when Merlin was involved, lack of noise was never a good thing.
The third and, in the blonde man's mind, the worst clue was the figure by his bed. Dressed in a brown jacket over a blue tunic with a neckerchief, normally associated with only one man in Camelot, slung around his neck, it was easy to mistake him for the loyal idiot. However as the royal's eyes focused, he realized it wasn't Merlin who stood there, oh no it was someone much worse.
"Good Morning Sire. It is a beautiful day with no breeze, your sword has been sharpened, your dogs have been walked, your clothes selected and you have a knighthood to bestow this afternoon so I have arranged for your official garb to be freshly laundered and returned in time. Now Sire, breakfast is prepared and waiting for both you and her highness."
George's bland tones dispelled any hope that Arthur was still dreaming. With a groan, he sat up and looked over at the efficient man.
"Where is that lazy excuse of a manservant?"
The King wandered over to the dressing screen whilst listening to the servant reply.
"The court physician sent word that someone is needed to replace his ward for a while. It seems Gaius has heard rumours of a rare disease from the outlying villages and needs Merlin's assistance in researching the disease and to help in making a cure."
The monotoned voice caused Arthur to pause momentarily in his dressing.
Whilst the excuse made sense and he knew Gaius was determined to turn his ward into a respectable physician even with the constant jobs he was assigned. But something wasn't right. Normally when Merlin was required for physician duties he would ask Arthur the night before, the King would jokingly refuse and Merlin would say he was doing it anyway. Instead Arthur only found out about his friends absence today and he hasn't even heard these rumours. Something wasn't right.
Emerging from behind the screen, Arthur nodded at the other man in the room. "Start to clean this room George. I'm going to go check on that lazy excuse of a servant. He probably spent last night in the tavern and has somehow managed to get Gaius to cover for him." With that the blonde king stormed from the room, leaving one confused servant and one giggling Queen behind.
Said Queen walked up to George and laid a delicate hand upon his shoulder.
"Don't worry about that, Arthur's just worried that's all."
George turned around and bowed at the ex-servant.
"As you say your highness."
Uncomfortable with the honorific, Gwen quickly reassured the servant.
"Oh please call me Gwen, or Guinevere. Either is fine George."
As stoic as ever, George nodded at Gwen as he spoke.
"As you wish my lady." Slightly more confident with the woman's gentle nature and smile, George nervously continued. "Would you like to hear a joke?" At the Queens happy nod the servant cleared his throat.
"What do you say to a metal horse with a cold? Brass you."
Gwen blinked. Did he just make a brass joke? That had to be the oddest thing she had ever heard, and she was best friends with the eccentric Merlin! Too polite to say what was really on her mind, Gwen smiled and gave a small laugh.
"That was very funny George. Did you come up with that yourself?"
George was happy his joke went over well. He secretly hoped that the royal couple would eventually hire a second servant to help the overworked Merlin and that he would get the position. If they liked him, he might be able to get the job. With that in mind, he delivered a second joke, missing the fleeting look of disbelief that fluttered over Gwen's face.
"What do you say to a swearing metal man? Don't be brass!"