Lose Before You Find Chapter 4
Footsteps echoed in a rhythm of rapid pacing in the court room, back in Camelot. It had been a week since the attack in the forest. An entire week since the knights had returned with the two disheveled men, one bleeding and one in a pained shock. Leaving most of the supplies back at the camp, Percival and Elyan had offered to stay behind to pack up what was left as Leon, Gwain, Arthur, Mordred and Merlin rushed home to Camelot.
It was Mordred who had screamed Emrys and woken Arthur from his dream; and had fought tooth and nail to come with the knights, to not let Merlin leave him, to not be abandoned in a time of need. It truly terrified the child that Merlin was going to be leaving for Camelot for God knew how long. Since the knights had very little time for any form of an argument, they took the younger with them, instead of forcing him to return to his home village, letting Mordred ride with Gwaine as they made haste for the kingdom. Arthur had ridden up ahead, Merlin being secured tightly in his arms.
"How is he, Gaius?" the words flooded out and demolished the silence of the courtroom before the physician could make it into the chamber fully. The poor man was a wreck, hair a mess and wrinkles multiplying by the second, having not slept since taking in his latest patient. Although, no one else seemed to be doing any better.
"Not well, My Lord. His breathing has not yet gotten any better and his temperature is continuously fluctuating. I am lead to believe that the arrow has not pierced his lung. However, the arrow itself… well… I believe it was enchanted." He stated, worry and depression dictating his tone. "I'm looking into what the enchantment is exactly, but I fear that it is beyond my capabilities of healing."
A long-suffering sigh silenced any further explanation on the dying man's condition, fingers threading through hair that was greased and mussed from a lack of bathing, sleeping, eating, and basically any other necessity to one's personal health. "The boy… Mordred he-"
"The child is sleeping, I gave him a drought to aid the process. He would not rest otherwise." Gaius stated, his eye brow quirked in a way that indicated his questioning of Merlin's sudden ward.
"Thank you, Gaius… Please-… Please let me know if anything changes."
The elder nodded his head solemnly and exited the throne room with that certain hobble that always defined so much of his character. The large wooden doors banged shut with a depressing ring of finality, especially in the 'click' of the latch, leaving the grieving man to his own devices. He was leaning up against the closest windowsill to the throne, tears blinding his already cloudy vision.
A single crystal tear rolled down a flushed cheek as the over bearing silence of the room finally cracked Arthur's remaining composure. More soon fallowed the first tear and they formed steady streams.
"Merlin, you idiot…. This is all my fault."
_-X-_
"I don't think that he hated you… not completely." Mordred said as he sat at Merlin's bedside in the King's bedchamber. Arthur himself was seated at Merlin's opposite side, looking over at the younger Druid and giving a curious frown as silent consent for a continued explanation. It had been the first thing Mordred had said to the King or any of the Knights that wasn't in a foreign language or a guttural yell to be with his mentor.
"Any time he talked about you, he always sounded distant, but I could tell he still missed you. Even after what you did." The boy pressed on and Arthur flinched at the last part. "He would sometimes talk about coming back to Camelot, one day. When you were ready, but I guess that never happened like he planned." He chuckled, but it was sad and empty, almost scared. Arthur noticed how desperately Mordred was clinging to Merlin's hand and how he was shaking from his effort to hold back tears. The boy was scared to death for Merlin and Arthur was doing nothing to comfort him. Arthur was simply sitting in silence and letting this boy's inner turmoil consume him.
If anything, Arthur owed it to Merlin to help his… Ward? Pupil? That was never really been cleared up, so Arthur figured that talking about this boy's relations to Merlin might prove a helpful distraction, at the very least. The king scratched the base of his neck, then looked down at Merlin. "He means a great deal to you?" He asked, half knowing the answer, and half wanting to know just how much Merlin had impacted this young Druid's life.
Mordred nodded, "He guided me when I was full of hatred for you- um... for Camelot- or-" It was obvious he didn't know what to say in the presence of the King himself. Arthur smiled weakly and waved his hand as a sign for Mordred to continue and not feel the need to show any formality. "Um... A few months ago... My friend, well not really- anyway... She was killed by one of Camelot's knights who was on patrol. She didn't do anything wrong. He just saw that she and the rest of her settlement were Druids and he and the rest of his patrol started to cut them down." Mordred's eyes darkened as his empty hand clutched the fabric of his trousers. "I hated them for it. I was so angry and hurt and I was so willing to join Morgana-" He stopped. "I just wanted to avenge her, protect the rest of my people. Morgana always seemed to have similar ideals. I didn't know she was… I didn't want to kill innocent people, I wanted to make the death of my people not be in vein." Arthur was seething. Camelot's Knights. His Knights had killed in cold blood. Druids were peaceful, that much he knew, and the Knights on patrol were only able to injure others if provoked through violence.
"You had every right to be hateful. I have no excuse for what happened, but I can assure you that the men will be punished to the fullest extent. How did…" He gulped down a lump in his throat. "How did you meet Merlin?"
"He came and found me. It was awkward at first, neither of us could look the other in the eye. I thought he hated me and he thought I hated him." Mordred cracked a smile and it slowly began to spread. "We got past it, though. He started training me, teaching me how to use my magic properly. We would always work on spells and he's taught me a great deal of the healing arts. I can even make a tree grow form nothing now, because of what he's taught me." Arthur's eyes widened significantly, but only for the purpose of showing his awe of the idea. "He saved me- in a way. He's like an older brother to me. I don't know ho-" He was abruptly cut off by screaming and both of the men nearly jumped out of their skin as Merlin let out a second blood curdling cry of agony.
The sorcerer's body writhed and bent as a way to suppress the growing anguish, but that only made the wound in his chest worse. His torso began to rise and fall quickly and sweat now stained the pillow. Both Arthur and Mordred were frozen, fear clinging to their hearts with vice-like grips, before finally they simultaneously screamed for the guards to fetch Gaius.
_-~X~-_
Merlin was dying. That much was obvious to anyone within a fifty foot radius of the castle. He was dying in the most painful way possible. If he wasn't passed out with labored breathing, he was thrashing and screaming in agony. After a rushed and panicked observation, Gaius had deduced that the arrow had a delayed torture enchantment on it, so as to ensure that if the arrow didn't kill him first, the poison would. The poison would keep Merlin alive for a month while he practically burned from the inside in a blind agony.
It had been almost two weeks.
By this point Arthur was absolutely desperate. He couldn't stand this a minute longer and he hadn't been able to stand it a minute longer for the entirety of these past weeks. He didn't know what to do...and that was the most efficient torture for Arthur that could ever be conjured. He'd have preferred to take the cold burning arrow head to the skull and suffer in its throes rather than this emotional anguish. He'd rather die himself than watch Merlin undergo torture and be helpless to do anything about it. Arthur spent his whole life working to be strong and powerful, to work for the good of his people. And now he was nothing but a useless prat, pacing around Gaius' quarters in frantic thought, ignoring the world around him.
It probably wasn't the best place for him to be to work out a solution, or to have any sort of peace from the agonized cries of his dying friend. But Arthur had refused to leave Merlin's side nearly the entire two weeks. He'd even gone as far as to sleep there on the floor of all places. He'd complain any other day about how he wasn't a dog and should have a proper bed but now even as people insisted he return to his chambers Arthur kept his place at the foot of Merlin's bed exactly like a faithful hound loyal till the end of his master. All pride seemed to have temporarily abandoned the King in favor of blind grief and panicked search for a resolution. But he found none and he was pacing again, huffing and mumbling to himself and trying to block out Merlin's harsh sounds. Leon - the Knights having taken it upon themselves to remain in the room with their King and his servant in shifts - sat worriedly in the corner, watching Arthur wear a hole into the floor.
Mordred was also there, surrounded by books upon books of medicinal magic and potions, trying to find anything familiar to what he had been taught. Nothing. Merlin had taught him a great number of things, but this, this was something beyond Mordred's capability of understanding. Gaius was even floored by the strange enchantment, having in all his years never come across one that caused such violent pain. On the 19th day of the cruelty, Merlin stopped breathing. His chest stilled and his body went limp for only a few seconds, but the still moments of quiet stunned the whole room into fearing the worst. Then it started up again, worse than ever before and one had to wonder how a man could continue screaming for so long without losing his voice. But what truly shocked the chamber's residents was the fact that Merlin's left pectoral began to glow a fierce amber gold, burning through his tunic and igniting the whole room in an ethereal tinge. Almost as quickly as it had started, Merlin passed out, the glow faded away and in its place, a stark red symbol had burned itself into his skin. The mark showed some semblance to a crescent moon, within its curve, a small sun. No one knew why it had appeared, or what the symbol meant for the warlock it had embedded itself upon. Two more days past with less screaming, but higher fevers and the symbol on Merlin's began to spread in spidery tendrils underneath the skin.
Then came that moment, that glorious beacon of hope when they finally had something to go on - some piece of information that might just help them to save Merlin's life instead of simply watching him die.
They discovered that the form of magic was of Druid origin, but not the spell itself, meaning that the Druids had not directly planned the attack. The only problem was that the enchantment could only be cured by a Druid healer, Gaius had explained, not trying to place blame on a society that would never harm Merlin. Arthur wouldn't have blamed them anyway, but one could never be too careful. Mordred looked around the room nervously, wringing his hands as Gaius and Arthur spoke, until whatever was eating at him burst forth and he called Arthur over. He brought the two of them out into the corridor.
"I… I think I know someone who might be able to help him." He winced as he prepared for Arthur to strike him. He should have thought of this first, said this immediately, but… A small part of Mordred had hoped that they would have found something before so he wouldn't have to betray that woman who had been like an older sister to him, like a mother to him all his adolescence. "My- my encampment, we have a healer… I- I should have told you- but, I was scared she would, you might…" He was stopped by a warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Arthur smiling kindly down at him.
"You have nothing to fear from me or my kingdom any longer. Thank you." Was all he needed to say before they began to make preparations. Mordred gave them the location of the camp and a small piece of parchment with the symbol etched onto it, however, the boy stayed behind to aid Gaius.
It's what Arthur had been holding out for, had been praying for because if they got to the end of this without a snifter of hope it would only mean that he'd made Merlin suffer so horribly for no reason at all. But now there was a goal, a chance and Arthur wasn't about to pass that up - no way.
"Come on, men! We can make it by nightfall if we keep up this pace!" Arthur ordered even though it truly was a horribly difficult task. Not only were the horses exhausted but so were the men, each obviously struggling to maintain their focus for lack of sleep and food. However the King, who had slept and eaten less than any of them currently had hawk-like focus, honed in on the end goal with thoughts of Merlin, Merlin, Merlin... pushing him ever onward without thought for himself even though the difference in him was beginning to show quite dramatically. He'd lost a fair amount of weight as well as how much his skin had actually paled, a ghastly shade of white that emphasized dark circles underneath sunken blue eyes. The matter of vanity aside, no one would deny that Arthur had gained something back in his eyes that not a soul would have thought to be returned.
Though the knights had silently been against it, they kept their ragged pace and did make it to the settlement by morning the next day, the sun just beginning to rise into the clear blue sky. It was a humble village, small huts and clothing strings adorning the clearing fittingly. The clopping of the horse's hooves must have woken the Druids, or at least some, because within moments, almost a dozen were barricading the entrance to the camp. Well, the men at least, the woman and children stayed sheltered in their homes, fearful of why Knights of Camelot would come here of all places. They had done nothing wrong, had made no grievances against the King or any of his court. Why the sudden appearance? One man was brave enough to dare step forward.
"Why are you here? We are a mere people living among one another. We have caused no reason for your arrival, what brings you?" he asked, stiff with anxiety. A few of the men watched their comrade with baited breathe, some ready to defend the man should he be persecuted and others ready to haul ass.
Arthur dropped down off of his horse, watching the terrified people scatter and back away from him. He made no sudden moves, standing with modesty, but purpose as he took a few brief steps forward and then stopped, allowing his presence to be taken in. A moment later he slowly unsheathed his sword, brandishing the blade in wary caution before he slowly outstretched his arm, moving the sword away from himself and in a gesture of peace he dropped his weapon with a meaningful clatter. He turned to look at his Knights, urging each of them to do the same, the gesture of good faith intended to alleviate the anxiety of an unprompted attack - their visit was not for any causing of anxiety or dismay. A moment later he raised both his hands to display he was unarmed as he looked around the settlement with as gentle an expression he could manage while being so desperate.
"Please, we have not come to harm any of you!" Arthur announced, hoping at least one of them may respond to his attempts so that he could ask for the assistance he needed. "I am disarmed -should you be honorable I pray you do not attack. I come in need of help." Arthur said clearly, voice raised a bit so that all of them may hear instead of just this one man.
Many of the camps inhabitants had relaxed at the sight of the dropped sword, even more so when the rest of the knights fallowed suit. Though even then, they were skeptical looks at Arthur's proclamations of peace. No one attacked, however, the knights took note of this with relief. The villagers were all silent for a while, before a small girl stepped forward, ignoring the protests from her mother. She stepped up to Arthur and looked him up and down, almost like she was sizing him up for a fight.
"What do you need help with?" she asked innocently, being the ten year old she was. Multiple Druids looked to Arthur, wondering the same, but too scared to ask. God Bless the innocence of a child… Leon thought when he recognized the evaporating tension in the camp as the people watched the child.
Arthur slowly lowered his hands, certain to make his posture as non-threatening as it could possibly be, glancing warily around the onlookers and stopping to look at the worried mother. "I will do her no harm. I give you my royal word." Arthur promised, sincerity clear in his tone as a man's honor was bound in his word. He paused thoughtfully, uncertain of how to approach the question at first...but he felt the patient gazes on him and eventually began to speak, addressing them and not just the young girl. "My name is Arthur Pendragon, son of Uther and Ygraine, rightful ruler of Camelot! Let me begin by saying I...understand your trepidation. Camelot's relationship with the Druids and indeed, all magical beings is strained at the very best...ashamedly cruel at its very worst. But though I know there is no forgiveness for me, nor the sins of my father...I do not come for myself. I come for my dear friend...he is dying, very slowly, very painfully. And I am not a man worth his life...he was wounded while looking after one of your own, a young boy. This man took him as an apprentice, a ward; he is a good man. And to watch him suffer beneath a curse such as this is...an unbearable fate. I beg of you all, any of you...if there is any help you can give then do not give it for me. Give it for a good, honest man who in all his days has done nothing but bring kindness and light to all he befriends. I come in his name...I wouldn't ask this of you if it wasn't the only option I have. I need your help...Rather...Merlin needs your help."
All the Druid's went into a stupor at Arthur's selfless admonishing. They never would have thought that the very King of Camelot would ever show any sort of remorse for what the whole of Camelot had done to those with connections to magic, but here Arthur was. It was even more of a shock when he all but begged for their help. The girl gave Arthur a small, confused look, tilting her head slightly, resembling a very small puppy who was trying to make a distinction of a new or odd sound.
The first man once again spoke up, "I see no reason we should believe anything you have to say. I had many friends and loved ones who were tricked into giving help only to be turned in to the court of Camelot and burned." He accused hatefully, but his tone held more sadness than anything. Others nodded their heads in agreement, making it known that they had all suffered at the hands of Arthur's family. The King winced visibly.
"I understand that and I am not proud of the things my family and my kingdom has done. I know that you can never truly forgive me for the crimes I have so vainly committed, but I will hope that you can find it in your hearts to help a dying man of your own kin." At that, many gasps were heard from the crowd. The phrases 'Our kin?', 'It can't be!' And 'It must be Emrys' were scattered among the people as many tried to decipher what the young Lord meant.
Suddenly, the girl grabbed Arthur's wrist and started tugging him into the camp. The Druids split to create a path, a silent acceptance to Arthur's request, though some seemed reluctant to grant such kindness to such an enemy of their kind.
"Come on! Nira is our settlements healer. She'll help anyone! I'll bet she can help your friend!" she said optimistically, dragging him through the small village. The knights went to follow, but they were held back. They began to argue, not feeling comfortable with allowing to let their king (slightly mentally unstable King) go off alone with the small child to God knows where, but Arthur looked back at them and gave a signal to stand down. Leon frowned, but nodded, along with the rest of the knights. The lot was quickly preoccupied, however, when the Druids started to assault them with questions on who exactly the young King was talking about. Arthur made no further remarks to the Druid people though he still proceeded to emulate nothing but gratitude for the help as he was led towards a rather grand hut, like the kind Arthur used on long hunting trips with Merlin and the Knights.
"Niraaaaaa! Someone needs to see you- right now!" The youth called as she pulled Arthur into the tent, small crystals and feathers hung from hooks in the ceiling, books and scrolls littered the floor which was covered in elegant, yet worn fabrics and pillows. A few trunks and chests lay about the perimeter and two cots lay in the center, behind the support beam that held the entire thing together, making it known that this was definitely a healers tent. From behind a small stool, a young woman, nearly 20 years of age, if that, stood up greet her guests. She was tall, lean, with bright green eyes and hip length dirty blond hair. She was rummaging through a sack before she finally looked up.
"Oh? And did your doll get a tear again- Oh..." Her eyes widened as she saw the King. He entered humbly as the young lady took notice of him. And though any other day, regardless of her Druid origin Arthur was likely to be charmed by her beauty, the King remained morose, the only thought in his head being Merlin's pained wailing as he writhed in anguish.
"May I be so bold as to assume you know who I am? Judging by your reaction - as well as common sense - my presence is rather a shock. I do not mean to be so terribly blunt but you see time is not my ally. My friend is in grave danger and great pain...I have come to you seeking help." Arthur confessed, ducking his head in a respectful gesture rarely received by anyone other than nobles and even then it was very scarce.
Collecting her wits about herself, Nira strengthened her posture and laid down her bag. "You're arrival is quite a shock, I must admit." Her eyes shown with emotion, Arthur knew pain when he saw it, although he failed to see contempt; any hatred or anger. She looked down at the girl and smiled. "Lillith? Go back with your aunt. I need to speak with our guest." Lillith gave a nod and skipped out of the tent. Nira's leaned against her tent's support post. Something in her eyes told Arthur that Nira had a clue as to why he was there
"You must truly be desperate... Coming here, of all places. Tell me, what is your friend's condition? Surely your own physician can heal him." She stated, going to a stack of books and rifling through the tent. "You may sit if you wish." She gestured to a small stool.
Arthur was pleasantly surprised by how easily the woman accepted his presence and as such Arthur loosened up just a little, though retained his humbled behaviors...though he made an active effort to be amiable and gave her a kind smile even though at this time he really didn't feel like smiling, especially not after hearing what had happened to her. What his bloodline had done. "You have no idea how desperate I am." He walked over just a few paces, looking down at one of the open books curiously, blinking as he realized he couldn't read any of the text, foreign runes etched in the covers. The language made him nervous to see as well as thoroughly curious - though he'd never admit it. "He's in absolute agony - it is a curse we believe. The enchantment... My court physician, Gaius was researching the curse and said it is of Druid origin. So, I came to your settlement in hopes of finding someone who may help. It is torture every waking moment for him...the screams are...unsettling." Arthur said with an obvious grimace, looking thoroughly displeased by even the memory of Merlin's cries. He then remembered the parchment that Mordred had given him just before the departure. He scrambled for it as it was crumpled in his pocket. He tried to flatten it for a minute before handing it to the healer. "This is a sketch of a mark on his chest. It had burned itself on his flesh only a few days ago." He briefly explained.
Nira listened to Arthur's description intently and gave a hard, concentrating look to the parchment, closing her eyes and nodding. "Yes... I know the curse that is now plaguing your friend. I'm sorry... I was to believe that such harmful charms her locked away from most anyone with magic. Only the highest in the land can even have an inkling of its existence..." She trailed off, her brow creasing in thought, then she snapped her hand holding the parchment to stiffly reside at her hip.
"Now wait a moment- No. I can't-" She growled in frustration and grasped the bridge of her nose. Arthur felt his heart sink a little at the sight. If Nira refused, then how could anyone possibly hope to bring Merlin back from death's door?
"Please, if you won't do it for me, do it for a man of your own kind." He knew that saying that was a mistake the minute the words passed his lips, if Nira's reaction was anything to go by. Her eyes were wide with surprise and questioning, her lips drawn into a thin line.
"My kind?"
"Yes, your kind."
"You mean magic?"
"Yes."
"They have magic?"
"...Yes."
"You're asking me to heal someone of your court who holds the ability to do magic." It wasn't a question. Arthur didn't say anything this time. He only nodded his head and looked to the woman with earnest.
Nira let out a breath and for a second, one split moment, Arthur could have sworn she looked pleased, but it was soon smothered by pure power and venom.
"Arthur Pendragon," she began, her tone low and threatening, but at the same time, amiss, sad, searching even. Arthur couldn't fathom what she was searching for, but he was prepared to give it to her. "Your father slaughtered thousands of my people. He waged war on a populace who had done no wrong as a whole and we paid dearly for his cruelty. Wives lost their husbands, men turned on their own brothers, and children watched their parent's burn and bleed. My own family and friends were butchered before my eyes. That is only the surface of his bloody excesses. He carried out these horrid crimes under no clear reason and you have done no better than he." Arthur flinched at her suddenly authoritative tone, making it known that he did not have any power over them and that he was the enemy. An enemy asking for a favor, no less.
"You have led plenty of raids against my people and the race of magic. You and you alone have persecuted my people these last years. You cannot hide behind the guise of your father's orders." She kept going, and every word that left her lips sent a twinge of regret and pain in Arthur's heart. "And now you ask for my help. Me, of all people. You have executed and persecuted my kind for years, and now that you have one of magical descent in your court, you think you can just come in here like I owe you anything?"
Arthur didn't know what to say to that. He only shook his head and looked down, but Nira wasn't quite done.
"What will happen if I do help him, hm? Will he stay and the rest of us are confined to live in fear? How is that just? If magic is to be helped in Camelot, than the rest of us must follow.-" She was cut off by a sudden burst of weak laughter.
"You know,...He said something just like that before the attack..." he looked up at Nira with pleading eyes and, on shaking feet, knelt before her, an act that was unheard of for any King to do. "I realize your hatred for my blood line and me personally. I... I don't blame you, but I will tell you this. These past months have shown me what my father has done- What I have done. And I'm determined to set it right again. If he is healed, or even if he is not, I plan to repeal the ban on magic. It will be free once more, but-Please... I need your help. I'm begging you for the sake of the kingdom and a man who has done too much for us all to suffer this fate. I am begging you… At least consider it."
The tent was silent, the only sounds being those from the bustling residents of the settlement outside. Arthur kept quiet and waited to see what the healer would do. Would she turn him away? Would she cut open his throat while his guard was down? Would she-
"Get up. I don't like being bowed to." Nira finally said as she grabbed Arthur's upper arm and yanked him to his feet, a much easier task than it should have been. "I must be out of my mind." She grumbled, but Arthur knew that she had accepted his request and his offer.
"I'm quite glad that you are. Thank you." He smiled gratefully, but Nira only waved off the gratitude with a pliant smile of her own. Arthur noticed that her eyes were clear, that her posture was confident and calm. She knelt by a stack of books and sifted through each on until she reached the assumed needed page.
"The spell works for one month exactly. How long has your friend been like this?" She asked, tucking the book under her arm and going to lift a small vile of crushed leaves to the light coming from the small opening from the tent flap. "Go on, tell me before I change my mind." She pressed after a few moments of Arthur floundering for words, although her words were no longer forceful, simply putting what needed to be put with an efficiency that Arthur was clearly lacking.
"A little over two weeks..." Arthur said, voice desolate as his stomach plummeted through the floor. They had almost no time left. A month? It would take them an entire day to get home at the very least and that was if nobody collapsed from the exhaustion first. Which was very likely going to be him first considering the sort of condition he'd let himself get into. He clearly wasn't the same put-together, collected man he normally was. This had shaken him more than he ever thought possible and he wanted nothing more than to simply be back in Camelot right now, awakening from some horrible dream which he could shrug off with a little training before Merlin brought him dinner and they could spend the afternoon together.
At the word 'Two', Nira practically froze and dropped the vile, letting it roll on the ground. "Two?" She looked surprised, like it almost didn't make any sense. "My God." The woman said fondly before moving about to collect multiple herbs and bottles. "I've heard stories of men with hearts of stone and strength twice as strong die within a couple of days of being exposed to that spell. It may last for a month, but that's if the victim is willing to live and fight. Most men would lose their will to live from the pain... He must be a fighter..." She chuckled to herself. "Can't believe it, honestly... Unless..." She creased her brow again, staring at her hands with a hard look. "What's your friend's name again?" she asked and this time Arthur was ready with an answer.
"Merlin, of Ealdor." He said quickly.
Her eyes shot open and her body went rigid. "Merlin… That- that makes sense." Her gaze went distant as her hands deftly shot about the tent to grab things. "That makes sense… Emrys. Mordred."
"Mordred! Yes, he sent us here in the first place." Arthur cried and for his statement, Arthur was smacked upside the head with a leather sack. "Hey!" He cried, gripping his abused skull.
"That's what you should have started with, you prat!" She barked, but not with venom, merely exasperated and slightly impatient. Arthur felt his throat tighten at the familiar insult. "You know Merlin, and Mordred… They were together, weren't they…" Arthur could have sworn that tears began to form in her eyes, "Is Mordred…?"
"Uh, no. Mordred is safe and in Camelot. No harm has or will come to him." He swore and Nira nodded her head, seeming to believe him. However, Nira rapidly switched dispositions and became fully enraged. The King watched with slight awe as Nira began a full on tirade of brutal insults in her native tongue, (although Arthur was sure he heard some words that would have shocked some men at the tavern,) grinding her teeth and glaring at inanimate objects.
"I'll kill him. Kill him, bring him back to life, and then kill him again just to spite that Idiot! Dammit, I should have seen this coming! It all makes sense that he would-!" Her voice started to grow in volume and panic seeped into the edges of her words. Arthur's eyebrows raised in mild surprise as Nira trailed off into her own little world, even if he too had been mildly lost in his own thoughts, absolutely sickened by the thought of Merlin suffering so much. Nira let out a shout of joy as she came across a long roll of parchment, littered with words and incantations. One was circle din blue ink. A blue Ink that Nitra had given to Melrin.
"Kill who? What makes sense?" Because none of this was making any sense to Arthur.
"That- that utter Pillock! I told him to be careful. Told him to stop-" Nira's eyes once again grew dark, but with a poisonous hatred filling her features. "That witch will pay for every drop of blood." She bit out venomously and bustled around her home with even more fervor. It seemed as though she had forgotten Arthur was still there, especially when she knocked into him and let out a grunt. "Oh! You're here... How long have you been standing there?" She asked, seeming to have just lost her mind, now coming back to reality and gaining back her (Average?) demeanor of being level headed.
Arthur rested a hand on the woman's shoulder to steady her for a moment.
"I've been here the entire time. You mention someone called Emrys. Who is that?" Arthur inquired with a curious frown, wondering if this 'Emrys' may be able to help their situation any or if perhaps this woman was just a bit mad.
Nira's eyes widened. "You... You don't know who... Right, he never wanted you to..." She looked to the ground in thought before popping her head back up to smack Arthur upside the head.
Again.
"I know what you're thinking and I'm not crazy! I just know something you don't." she quipped. "Merlin can tell you himself." the dirty blond stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I know how to heal him, I believe, but we must make haste!" she said busily as she pulled away from Arthur to grab a satchel and start filling it with bottles and vials, along with some leather pouches filled with only God knew what.
Arthur frowned at the abrupt smack to the head and flailed a bit, resisting the urge to hit a lady. However much of a Lady this girl actually was. Though for whatever strange reason she made him smile a bit. The way she ambled about the place was...pleasant to watch and her obvious lack of care for title or class was comfortingly familiar. It reminded him of Merlin in a way. Because really that man had two left feet sometimes but on occasions Arthur caught the servant carrying himself with a certain air of dignity that made him seem so...powerful. The King had never admitted this...nor would he, but he most certainly thought it. He eventually gave a curt nod at her determination to hurry and Arthur's focus returned to him, jaw set in determination.
"I'll go ready the Knights." Arthur announced before running off, calling out to his men as he approached, picking his sword up from the grass as he passed by it to return it to his sheath. "She will help us. Come, men, ready your horses!" The knights had rested and let the horses drink some water. After Lillith had come back with a grin on her face, the Druids had offered food and drink to the tired men and did the same to the king once came back out. The horses were readied quickly and Nira came over to them not long after, wearing an emerald robe, showing off her stature, though it was brought down a peg by how worn it looked. She had readied her own horse and gesture for Arthur to go forth. The King opened his mouth to give the command, but the girl, Lillith, suddenly burst forward from the crowd and latched onto his boot. Nira quirked a brow, but smiled all the same in a fond way that Merlin sometimes gave to the Knights or to some of the children in Camelot. Honestly, the similarities were becoming a bit haunting.
"Please let Nira come back. And Mister Emrys, I miss his stories about you." The child pleaded and Arthur was at a loss for words. Let Nira come back…? Right, Knights, Druid being taken away on short notice… Of course. He nodded to Lillith and reached down to lock their pinkies in a childish promise, but one he would keep nonetheless. He began to ask about the 'Stories', but Nira cut him off and shooed the girl away with a brief goodbye and the locking of pinky fingers.
"Lead the way." She encouraged and within moments, they were all in a steady pace for the kingdom. The knights (and horses) were glad to see that although the pace was urgent, it was not as rough on their animals as when they were first in search of the settlement. Arthur couldn't help but notice the way Nira looked back to the people of her village and turned back almost immediately with a look that made it clear she didn't expect to return.
When the King and Healer were well up ahead of the knights and out of ear shot, Arthur spoke.
"You seem convinced that you won't be coming back." He stated, looking ahead at the road and not looking over. Nira shrugged and smiled sadly.
"I have accepted the fact that my life may be sacrificed for the greater good." She replied.
"The girl… You promised her you'd come back." He noted plainly, kicking his horse to pick up its pace, he was followed immediately.
"I said I accepted the fact that my life may be taken, I never said I didn't plan to fight for it. Just as you promised Merlin you would save him. I made a promise to fight." Nira looked over at him and grinned. "I plan to fight for the Prophecy, for my friend, and…" She trailed off when Arthur suddenly looked at her. "Merlin and I share a special relationship. We're friends with common beliefs and interests. He's told me a great deal of his past and future plans. Can't say we haven't argued, but I value him higher than any man."
"You love him." Arthur said, feeling a twinge of shameful jealousy. Nira chuckled and shook her head.
"Don't we all?" She shook her head again. "No, I'm not in love with Merlin. I love the man he is, yes, the man he wishes to make out of the common person, the King he wishes to make out of you." Her eyes flashed with emotion and her smile spread infectiously throughout her whole being. Arthur, surprisingly, smiled back, allowing the confidence she had in both Merlin and himself to seep into his own soul. "Anyway, I have already been told that Merlin has been saved for someone else." Her eyes were twinkling with mischief.
"Who?" Arthur found himself asking, leading his horse to come a bit closer to hers, bust she suddenly laughed and broke into a challenging gallop ahead of the party.
"For my King!"
_-~X~-_
The group, against Arthur's wishes stopped and made camp for the night, only about a hundred miles out of Camelot. The night air blew past in small gusts, rustling leaves and forcing the branches to sway from their places high above the heads of the travelers. Off in the distance, an Owl stalked in the dark and swooped down to snatch its dinner of an innocent field mouse, its claws taking hold of the poor creature and flying off with the cover of night being to its advantage. The small rodent didn't even have time to feel fear before its neck was snapped. The Knights unloaded the horses and began to set up camp, pitching tents and setting up a small camp fire. Arthur fidgeted as he sat by the flames, wringing his hands and disregarding any attempts from his Knights at getting him to eat. Small chidings of: 'He will be fine, My Lord.' And 'Merlin lasted this long; he can last one more night.' Only spurred on Arthur's anxiety. Nira was also uneasy, glancing at each of the knights and making eyes contact for a brief moment before they would turn their gaze away. A pregnant silence fell over the party and stayed that way for a long while. Finally, Nira cleared her throat and stared at Arthur.
"My Lord, you must eat." Arthur didn't seem to be paying attention, Nira rolled her eyes and grabbed a piece of dried meat, flinging it at the King's face. The Knights stared, wide-eyed at the girl, then at Arthur and back at Nira; Gwaine was smirking at her like a proud mentor. "If you don't eat, you'll be condemning all of us to dragging your sorry ass back to Camelot, something I refuse to do. You'll be of absolutely no use if you're too weak to hold up a sword," Arthur glanced up, but went back to fiddling with his fingers. "And no use to Merlin. Now eat." That got his attention, the Knights looked shocked that she would actually give Arthur an order. The Blond man blinked at the meat, before glancing at Nira and giving a small sigh through his nose.
"I suppose." He finally conceded and chewed on the meat, reaching over to snag a hunk of bread form the open bags of food. Gwaine and Percival looked over at each other and grinned, Elyan smiled and went back to his own, Leon kept his eyes trained on Nira, truly impressed with this child. Eventually, the tension melted away and Nira made conversation with each Knight in turn. Elyan and she had an exchange on his past experience in other kingdoms while aloof. Gwaine shared his many Tavern stories and Nira was able to counter with a few of her own, to everyone's delight. Percival was even able to talk with her about her past involvement with marriage ceremonies and the different customs of the Druids. Leon, to everyone'd dismay, began a debate on tactics and strategies of chess and battle. Arthur watched and listened to each set of dialogue with earnest and smiled to himself at what he was witnessing. Knights with a Druid. His Knights, conversing and enjoying the company of this Druid who possessed Magic. If this didn't prove to Arthur what was possible for the future of his kingdom, he didn't know what would.
"Where did you learn it?" Arthur suddenly blurted during a moment of calm. All movements stopped and several pairs of eyes stared back at him. The Knights looked surprised, almost dazed; had they forgotten that she could perform magic? Nira, however, did not look shocked, only calculating as her eyes pierced through his and began searching for any sign of ill-intentions. Arthur knew she would find none. Their eyes stayed locked for a solid minutes, before the Druid shrugged and leaned forward, hands clasped and gaze now transfixed on the burning flames of the fire separating them.
"I began training and studying the art of magic at a very young age, I would watch me father use it for healing and would always pester him to teach me even the simplest of spells. Our camp was far from Camelot, so he would instruct me in the ways of medicinal and elemental magic. It came very easily to me, naturally, my father realized, so he soon sent me to train with the High Priestesses, letting them train me to reach my full potential. They taught me to heal, to guide, to manipulate the elements to bend to my will, to become one with the earth and make contact with the natural magic that flowed within itself. I'm an advanced learner, by the age of twelve I had already mastered most elemental magic and could make a tree sprout from the earth." She paused, her hands suddenly shaking and her eyes watering. "The Priestesses allowed me to leave for home to see my family, as a reward of sorts. I thought they were simply being generous, but now I know that they had sent me away to protect me. Not two days after I left, every person at the foundation was slaughtered, burned and tortured. I came to no better when I reached home. Red was dripping from every body, so many screams… Children I had known were lying dead, women who I would watch and help with laundry were being raped and bludgeoned. I could only watch as a knight of Camelot cut down my mother right in front of me, my father clutching to me as he was stabbed to death… And they laughed." Nira's eyes were stone, keeping to the fire and retaining a placid expression, not allowing any form of expression to become apparent, but Arthur saw her hands clasped painfully in front of her, her knuckles bone-white. She blinked a few times before seeming to regain her composure. "My apologies," She said calmly.
"No, it's nothing to apologize for." Was all Arthur could say. Really, how could he have been so blind to allow innocent people to have been butchered at the hands of his father and knights? "No one should have to undergo something like that, and I know that you could not have been the only one. I only wish I would have known sooner. I would have tried to stop it."
"Do not lie to me. You feared the wrath of Uther as much as any of us." Nira accused, hands still shaking, but her eyes once again free of pain, a small smirk on her lips. She was not angry with Arthur; no, not even with the Knights who attacked, but she hated Uther with a passion. However, no matter how much she hated Uther and what he did to her kind, she would never hold it against Arthur and his men. The King actually laughed a bit at that, because, to a point, it was true. He was always so afraid of letting his father down and speaking out against him was always unthinkable to Arthur. But now, it all seems so insane. How could he have thought that all connected t magic were somehow evil? That it was just of him to turn blind eyes to the begging of mercy. How could have been so bind to think that Merlin would be like Morgana?
"Very well, but please, forgive me and my kingdom for the lack of insight to understand the existence of bad, as well as good magic." Arthur bowed his head and soon each knight did the same. All the men, however, leapt up with small cries of surprise as they felt invisible hands smack the back of their heads. Nira was rolling her eyes, stifling a laugh as Gwaine flailed and fell into Percival's arms, having (been pushed) tripped while in mid-jump.
"That's all you ever think of with magic, isn't it? Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, Black and White. There are no differences when it comes to magic." Nira began and all the men grumbled a bit before listening intently. "Magic is a constant force, a path of eternal energy that can be wielded, it is no different than a blade. Tell me; your knights, your guards. Do you know each one of them as closely as a brother? Yet you place a sword in their hands and give them your trust. It is exactly the same. Should you place a sword in Gwaine's hand, it shall be used for only good and for the benefit of his people, place that same blade in the grasp of one of Morgana's men, then it will only be used for bloodshed." She broke off abruptly form Gwaine's sudden outburst.
"Why me? Why is it always me, why don't you pick on Percival? Corrupt him a bit!" Said Knight blushed and looked down at his hands. Nira smirked knowingly and glanced between the two because Gwaine had yet to remove himself from Percival's lap. It wasn't hard to see what she was trying to convey, but she turned away from the subject mercifully.
"As I said before, the sword remains a constant presence. It cannot change, only the heart and mindset of those who possess it. Magic is no different. Magic is a sword, Arthur." She was suddenly speaking to Arthur alone and turned to face him more accurately. "It is only as good or evil as the heart of the person who wields it. It is a force that you cannot wipe clean from existence. Many believe this, but the fear you and your father drove into the land has poisoned everyone's judgment." By the end, Nira was still clam as she could be, but she seemed tired, or relieved, none of the men could tell which. Arthur's hands were shaking, but he was able to stand and kneel before Nira, placing a hand over hers.
"I swear that once this is over, Magic will be restored. You have my word." He promised. Nira smiled gently and stood, bringing Arthur with her. She still didn't like being bowed to.
"And I swear, I will do everything in my power to heal Merlin. You have my word." She promised with the same level of sincerity and at that point, Arthur was actually beginning to believe that this would work out, that Merlin would be alright and life in Camelot would finally be changed for the better.
"So, Nira, how did you meet Merlin?" Elyan asked, Gwaine, Percival and Leon all nodded and looked to her, but she looked right at Arthur.
"Merlin came to my settlement a few weeks after his… after he took leave of his duties. He is a Warlock, the greatest the world has ever known, a man who is revered in my culture. Met him when he stumbled into my tent and nearly knocked me over. We began talking, sharing spells; he would tell me of his life in Camelot and all he did, why he no longer lived there. In turn, I told him of my past and we made a mutual agreement that we were of equal standing. He told… He is very dear to me, just as he is to any of you." Arthur cocked his head to the side of the bit, feeling that there was something crucial that Nira was not telling them, but chose not to push it. The night went on for a few more hours, less drinking and more conversation, allowing questions to be asked, answered and even avoided, for stories to be shared and to be taken in with great consideration. When they all finally went to bed, Arthur offered Nira his tent, but she declined with a chuckle and a grin to the stars.
"I prefer to watch the knight before I sleep. Much more beautiful, when it's the last thing you see that day." Arthur considered the words, and then grabbed a blanket to lie on the grassy earth beside her, the last vision of his day being a gorgeous night sky and a thousand stars blinking over his head.
_-X-_
As they neared the Citadel the next morning, all of the riders noticed something was off right away. For one, the ground seemed too worn, as if it had been a very busy travel road which was tred upon daily, but that wasn't the case at all. It was a secret route that Arthur had known about for safe passage through the woods. Something had rode across this path. Something big.
The air was also different, thicker, even. It hung heavy around them and labored their breathing a bit. The horses could obviously sense it too, as they began to whinny and turn away from the path. Nira's was the only one that stayed remotely calm as she rubbed his neck and whispered caring words of love and encouragement into his ear. There may have been a few magical words in between croons, but Arthur passed it off as exhaustion and the fact that he was a few paces ahead of her.
When the stench of burnt wood and rubble filled the air, the group kicked their horses and began to speed towards the kingdom, their fears being confirmed as they saw billowing streams of smoke emitting from within the lower towns and- dear God, the castle itself seemed damaged as well. Arthur's eyes widened, even more dread making him slow, before bolting at full speed for the main gate, Nira and the rest of his knights following close behind.
It was horrifying. As if a hurricane, tornado, and meteor shower had struck the entire city all at once. Fires were scattered about the lower towns, pieces of wood and stone fell from roof tops and smoldered in the aftermath. Men, woman, and even children littered the streets as they tried to recuperate and figure out what to do. Tried to guide themselves without a leader. Without a King.
"Men! Dismount and help all you can." Though Arthur wanted desperately to help each and every wounded citizen that he passed, he needed to get to the castle and find out what exactly happened. His knights nodded and dismounted instantly, running off in different directions to help the fallen civilian. As they rode past the main gates, the number of people wounded or even dead were increasing and the result was an even more sickened Arthur and Nira.
"Sire!" A young knight wheezed out as he used his sword for support while he staggered towards the pair. "My Lord… t-they just… It was so quick, we-.. We… couldn't prepare and…" He was stopped by his own coughing fit. Nira instantly was off her horse and helping him to stand up right, rubbing his back to soothe his wretched hacking. "They just stormed the city… Just came in and- we did try to fend them off, but- there was nothing we could do, it was like all the forces of the earth wouldn't allow us to fight back…They had a dragon! Fire rained from the sky. It was magic, Sire." Nira paused, but didn't retreat from holding up the young man.
"Morgana." Arthur confirmed, looking from the knight to Nira, then back again. Having already gotten off his horse, he placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezed. "Good man, take care of yourself, then help who else you can." He instructed. When the knight went to perform his duties, Nira placed a hand on Arthur's arm, eyes comforting, pleading and warning all at the same time, telling hi to prioritize and take extreme caution. Arthur was beginning to realize that Nira was very good at knowing exactly what to say with only her eyes.
"It seems they have come and gone. They must have been looking for something. I don't think anyone could launch an attack like this for just anything, even an overthrow would take less. It was too short to take full control anyway, but too extravagant to simply be a robbery of the treasury. A distraction perhaps?" In any other case, Arthur would have been impressed of Nira's essential deduction of the situation, but he had more important things to worry about, like why the hell Morgana would make such a statement of attack, only to retreat and take nothing…. At… all… Oh God. A distraction. Of course. This whole thing was a distraction to get to the most important asset. Nira seemed to realize it at the same time as they made eye contact. In moments the two had run through the halls of the palace to Arthur's chambers to see what was within.
An empty bed and an open window. Blood was stained all along the wall to their left and a knight lay dead by the bed. Mordred was unconscious near the dining table, a small head wound on his temple and a burns all along his hands.
Nira rushed in to help Mordred, trying to check his vitals and croon him into waking him up. He was badly bruised, obviously from trying to protect the missing Sorcerer….. Missing Sorcerer….Missing…. Arthur's gut churned and flipped at the thought.
Merlin had been kidnapped, while on death's door with very little borrowed time. Before Arthur could try to think of a new plan to save his missing warlock, the Warning Bells rang through the halls of the castle and in the distance, he could vaguely make out a running guards panicked words:
"Damn! It's a second raid! Quick, get as much ammunition as you can! Run!"
This was no longer simply about Merlin, Arthur thought with horror gripping his chest, this was about his duty as King to protect his kingdom and people. Mordred suddenly groaned and mumbled something in the Druidic tongue. Nira looked over to him and her eyes shimmered with tears, but her mouth was smiling. Arthur couldn't ask why before the deafening sound of a dragon rang through the air and shook the very walls of Camelot. The Healer and the King spared one last look to each other, before Arthur ran out of the room to call orders to his men. This is what Merlin would have wanted, Arthur thought. This is the man Merlin was trying to make out of him.
And he refused to let him down.
(A/N: Thank you all so much for the support for this fic, this is the longest chapter yet and I'm pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoy my OC and PLEASE ask me questions and REVIEW! It always spurs me on to write more and quicker so you'd be helping yourself if you just type a little something! Hopefully the next chapter will be up be up very soon!)
