Holy water cannot help you down

A thousand armies couldn't keep me out

I don't want your money

I don't want your crowd

See I have to burn

Your kingdom down

Holy water cannot help you now

See I've had to burn your kingdom down

And no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out

I'm gonna raise the stakes, I'm gonna smoke you out

-Seven Devils, Florence + The Machine

"My Lord it seems the drugs I gave you have taken hold. Your body is now paralyzed," Uther's eyes began to close but Edwin shook him, "Now, open your eyes. My Lord I want my face to be the last you see. You took my childhood from me. And now finally, I take my parents revenge. Within a few hours, the beetle will eat into your brain. And you will suffer. Just like they suffered all those years ago. And I long to hear you scream, as they scream the night you gave the order for the fires to be lit. With your death, magic will return to Camelot. Bebeode þe arisan ealdu."

The bug crawled into the King's ear.

"Goodbye, Uther Pendragon."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Look what just arrived for you." Gwen held up a bouquet of flowers.

Morgana smiled, "Who are they from?"

"I don't know. Arthur maybe."

Morgana rolled her eyes, "How disappointing."

"Who'd you like them to be from?"

"I don't know. Tall, dark stranger?"

()()()()()()()()()()()()

(Several Days Later)

"My name is Edwin Muirden, and I have a remedy to cure all ills."

Arthur crossed his arms, "Is that so?"

"I beg an audience with the king."

"Our court has a physician."

Arthur turned to walk away.

"I hear the lady Morgana is gravely ill."

Arthur stopped and turned towards the stranger, "That is none of your concern"

"I might be able to help her."

"Our physician has the matter in hand."

Edwin nodded and bowed, "I will be at the inn, if you change your mind."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

"I will not allow you to kill Uther."

Edwin sneered, "You've never had a problem letting people die before."

Gaius shook his head, "Your parents were practicing dark magic, just like you."

"And how do you purpose to stop me?"

"Wáce ierlic."
Edwin smirked, "I think you meant: vaki ierlic."
Gaius was thrown against the wall and Edwin began to speak, "Have you forgotten everything, Gaius? You're getting too old. I have a cure though. Forbæme yfel."
A ring of flame circled Gaius.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

"May I ask who is to be the next court physician?"

"None of this was Edwin's idea. Initially he turned down the offer."

Gaius looked towards the sorcerer, "I'm sure."

Uther sighed, "It has not been easy decision, but… the younger man, new ideas."

Gaius nodded slowly, "Yes."

"You're hesitant. Is there a reason you oppose his appointment?"

"Sire…"

Edwin interrupted, "If you have anything to say, then say it now, Gaius."

When Gaius said nothing Uther spoke, "This is difficult for both of us."

The old physician bowed, "I thank you for your patronage. It has been an honor and a pleasure to server your family, for all these years."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Gaius walked past the sleeping guards, going lower in the dungeons of Camelot, until he stopped at her cell door.

"I'm leaving Camelot."

Elin put down her book and opened the door.

"Good."

Gaius flinched at her cold tone.

"You haven't changed much."

"No."

Gaius sighed, "Elin…."

"What. What could you possibly say to repair out relationship Gaius?"

She made to move forward, but her foot didn't get past the inside of her door before it was stopped by an invisible barrier, "I am in here because of you. I will spend the rest of my life here because of you. Because your friendship with the king was more important than ours. You lured me into here. And you almost killed Balinor"

She backed away, "What do you want? It wasn't to say goodbye."

"Watch over Merlin. You're the closest he has to family in Camelot right now."

"What about you? He's taken a shine to you."

Gaius smiled sadly, "And I him. But I am not his father. Nor was I the one who Balinor had promise to watch over him."

Elin sighed then nodded, "I will make sure he stays safe."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Merlin ran to Edwin's chambers ready to rush him to the king, but was stopped short when he saw the scene in front of him.

"What are you doing?"

Gaius spoke first, "He was trying to kill the king. I couldn't let him."

"I can rule the kingdom not. And with you at my side, we can be all-powerful."

Merlin shook his head, "No. Now release him!"

()()()()()()()()()()()()

The ceremony to reinstate Gaius was over, and Merlin and Gaius were walking through the lower town.

"Of course, it's all ridiculous. I didn't save Uther. You did."

Merlin shook his head, "No, no. I'm happy for someone else to take the credit. You were prepared to sacrifice your life to save me."

Gaius looked at the younger man with an expression of bafflement, "Where did you get that from?"

Merlin's brows furrowed, "I thought..."

"No. I didn't do a thing. You saved me and Uther," Gaius frowned thoughtfully, "maybe you are a genius."

"You think so?"

Gaius smiled, "Well, almost. One day."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Elin went up to the threshold of her cell and moved her feet forward experimentally.

It stopped in the middle of the frame.

The witch smiled and went back into her cell, humming a tune that she learned from Josiah when he had a good day.

She practically felt the unease come from the knight that she called Eraik, he never liked it when she hummed.

Not that she could blame him. She never did anything good when she was in a good mood.


So. 27 followers. That is more than amazing. I mean, that's better than ice cream and French fries. Which is awesome by the way. Thank you amazing people who are better than ice cream and French fries.

Hi. Umm so don't know what to type right now. I feel like there's more to say though. It'll come back to me later.

(Inserting regular end of end note begging for reviews here)

-Bye! Have a nice whatever time of day it is for you! Night

P.S

The ice cream flavor I tried French fries with is vanilla in case you're curious enough to try it.