Thanks again to reviewers
The italics are nightmares
Fire.
Fire, screaming and blood. So much blood.
The walls of Camelot were falling and bodies lined the streets, bodies of people who he knew. Gwen was lying there amongst the dead; reaching towards him, begging for help, betrayal on her sweet face.
Then there was the laugh, the cackle that came from the flames.
"Well, well, Warlock you kept your promise after all."
The shadows spoke to him, taunting him.
"It's your fault, all your fault. You killed them."
Then the shadows became Arthur
"You killed me. You murdered me Merlin, now Albion will fall and it is all your fault!"
The fire was upon him, swallowing him, smoke was in his eyes, his lungs and the scorching heat was unbearable! He screamed, begging, but it would not stop!
All the while there were the voices.
"It's your fault Merlin."
"… Your fault Merlin."
"…Fault Merlin."
"…Merlin."
"Merlin!"
"Merlin! Wake up!"
He was being shaken. The burning was still there but it was far less intense. He was in a bed. How did he get here? Was that Arthur's voice? No it couldn't be.
"Merlin you have to wake up, you're having a nightmare."
That was Gaius; he must be in his chambers. How did he get here? What happened?
Reluctantly, Merlin opened his eyes to be greeted by the two worried looking faces of Gaius and Arthur. He felt heavy, dizzy and above all else, blatantly confused. He tried to get up but was pushed gently back down into the bed.
"Arthur, could you get some water?" The physician asked noting the heat still emanating from his charge.
The prince just nodded sharply, gave Merlin a concerned glance and left.
"What's going on?" Merlin asked wearily, his voice not quite working, as it should.
"You're ill Merlin, you collapsed. I told Arthur it was a cold, however it's somewhat more serious. It seems that when you were partly possessed by Sigan, he left some of his energy in you." Seeing the alarmed look on Merlin's face, he continued quickly.
"Not enough to influence you, but just enough to have an effect on your body, culminating in your illness and probably your nightmares, you will recover soon but before that, I would like some answers." He gave Merlin a stern look but before he could ask, Arthur had entered the room again, bucket in hand.
Gaius placed a rag into the water, and then laid that on Merlin's brow.
"Now Merlin, tell me. Why didn't you inform me of your nightmares, or that you weren't feeling well?" Gaius inquired gently
"And why haven't you been eating?" Arthur all but bellowed.
Before Merlin had a chance to stammer out an answer, the chamber doors opened revealing a servant.
"Prince Arthur, the King requests your presence immediately, sire. There's been a disturbance in the lower town, sire, he says its urgent." He then bowed and scurried off.
After growling angrily and glaring at the stunned Merlin, Arthur stormed away.
Gaius stared at Merlin.
"Well, I'm waiting."
Ok it wasnt a cold, but Gaius couldnt say about Sigan in front of Arthur.
What is the disturbance in the lower town? you'll find out next chapter.
please review.