Hello! Sorry for the long wait. I have time off. Please review, it really helps, and thank you to all those who have reviewed! I really appreciate the feedback and I love that you are enjoying this story. It is nearly finished!
Chapter 9
Arthur had his cheek pressed into the side of Merlin's head, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, taking a deep breath as he hugged him, laughing in relief as he took in Merlin's natural scent that he always smelled like - a bit pongy - but alive, and, it was familiar, and it felt like home.
"Arthur-" Merlin said, as he tried to sit up and cough, a bit choked by the force of the hug.
"Oh - sorry," Arthur said a bit awkwardly, leaning away. "How do you feel?" Arthur swallowed, looking at him carefully.
"I've been better," Merlin said honestly, clearing his throat as he raised his eyebrows at him.
Arthur smiled, then laughed, and put a hand on Merlin's shoulder. Merlin smiled back, and then yawned.
"Arthur - I know I haven't exactly been awake for very long - but I'm actually pretty… tired… now…" he said apologetically, his eyelids already drooping, as he fumbled with the covers, trying to pull them around him.
"Of course," Arthur said instantly. He helped Merlin, bringing the sheets around and tucking him in, and Merlin looked at him, and Arthur took in a deep breath, and looked straight at his servant. "You get some rest, Merlin. No worrying about me, OK? That's an order."
Merlin frowned at him, trying to process the request, but then he closed his eyes unable to resist sleep any further, and slowly relaxing in his bed once more.
Athea came back inside, hearing talking. She saw Merlin close his eyes and go back to sleep, as Arthur looked up slightly teary eyed at her. She smiled at him and he clenched his jaw muscles and wiped his eyes, standing up and making his way over to her.
"He woke up," Arthur said, looking tearful, hopeful, and slightly in shock. "Does that mean he's going to be alright?"
Athea smiled smally and went over to where Merlin was laying, and felt his forehead, as he moved a bit in his sleep.
"I think so, yes," She said, looking back at Arthur. "He does need rest, now, Arthur. Quiet rest."
"Oh, of course, uh, yea. Anything."
"Good. I'll stay with him."
"Oh, no Athea, you don't need to do that – I could fetch John, the physician – and I'm sure some of the knights won't mind watching him either. You should get some rest. And tomorrow – I thought you would like to, maybe, explore the castle; the town."
"Ok," She nodded, and smiled. "I would love to that, actually."
John was fetched to their room, and Athea kept him caught up with what was going on.
"You must alert Arthur, or anyone at once, to come and find me if anything is wrong," She was saying. "It shouldn't be, though. I am quite confident my magic completely healed him." She smiled, pleased at herself.
Arthur blinked at her, then looked at John.
"Of course," John bowed his head. "If he wakes, I know the perfect soup to make for him."
"And tell me as soon as he does wake," Arthur said to him importantly.
"Yes, sire."
Arthur took one last look at the sleeping Merlin, and went outside with Athea. He took her to a guest bedroom, one of the smaller ones next to Borin, but just then he had another idea, but Athea was already making herself at home in the room. She seemed to like it very much.
"Thank you, Arthur," She said warmly.
"Of course," He brushed it off, and bade her a good night. As he left, he went up to Morgana's chambers. He was thinking of offering this to Athea to stay in for the night, but now he's glad he didn't. It was still basically untouched – covered in dust, and spider-webs, and it was cold and smelled damp. He would order some servants up here immediately to clean it. In case Athea wanted to stay longer. And he hoped she would – if Merlin was better. He then thought of Merlin, and instead of fetching the servants now, which he knew he could, and was the way for so long, he went to bed, and would call for them tomorrow to clean it.
The next day, after Athea had had breakfast with Arthur and Gwen in the hall, Gwaine met the two lovely women outside and offered at once to show Athea around the castle.
"I know all its nooks and crannies', trust me," Gwaine was saying, smirking.
"I don't think you know as much as Merlin," Gwen smiled knowingly.
"That might be the one exception…" He admitted. Gwen smiled and went off to do her royal duties. Athea nodded to Gwaine and he beamed, leading the way around the castle, planning to show her the secret hiding places, maybe even the crypt, and after that the town, so she could see the market and the village people, but Gwaine decided it was probably best probably not to show her the tavern…
Arthur was sitting in his room staring blankly at his royal documents when he was notified by a servant when Merlin woke up, just as the sun was setting. He went at once, and as he got to Merlin's rooms, John was helping Merlin to eat some soup, and he looked a lot better.
"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed jubilantly, striding in the room. "You're awake!"
"Can't keep me asleep forever," Merlin replied jokingly, clearing his throat.
Arthur came over to where Merlin was laying more upright in his makeshift bed, and looked to John, who nodded to him.
"He is doing well, sire," The physician said, smiling.
"Good. Thank you. That will all for now John," Arthur said. John went to leave. "Oh, and could you tell Athea he is awake?"
"Of course, sire," John bowed and left.
Arthur looked back to Merlin, who was sipping his soup. He sat down and made himself comfortable on the chair next to him. Merlin still looked quite pale, sweaty, and in general, weak, but he was better.
"How do you feel?" Arthur asked.
"Fine. Great," Merlin said, raising his eyebrows, licking his lips as he put the soup down and rested back on his pillow with a sigh.
"Really. How are you doing?" Arthur looked concerned.
"Erm-" Merlin frowned at him. "Well, my head's a little fuzzy," Merlin smiled. "But I'm fine. Really."
Arthur nodded, his eyes the lightest of blues.
"So…You gonna tell me about who, you know…cured me? I only heard it briefly from John."
"Yea, about that…It's – complicated," Arthur pressed his lips together.
"I'm all ears," Merlin replied complacently.
So Arthur sighed, and started from the beginning.
"So…you – you used magic? You went to a known sorceress?" Merlin exclaimed.
"She was my cousin. I knew her," Arthur implored. "Or, I hoped I did. Look, I know it was a risk but – well, I was right about her. She helped you…She healed you, just like she healed so many others – like she healed me all that time ago."
Merlin nodded. "Yea, but..." Merlin sighed as he tried to sit up a bit, and Arthur frowned, not wanting him to strain himself, as Merlin stared at him. "You did all that – for me? I - Arthur, you didn't have to-"
"Of course I did," Arthur interrupted. "Merlin, I couldn't – I can't lose you, ok?" He said seriously. "I just - can't. Me and you, we're like two sides of the same coin, remember?"
Merlin's lip twitched into a smile.
"And, I can't…fulfil my destiny as king without you. I don't want to. You've done so much for me – and I wanted to repay the debt. In any way I can."
Merlin stared at him.
"Thank you, Arthur," He said sincerely. "You went to a sorcerer - for me? That, er - that means a lot. And, it's progress. I'm glad you can see more of the good that's out there."
Arthur nodded. "Yea, well that's mainly down to you. And - well, I'm sorry. You know, after Gaius died, I was worried about you, but I didn't do enough – I thought I was giving you space, but I wasn't there for you, and-"
"Arthur, stop. Look, yes, it's been - hard, but I'm ok." Merlin looked tired.
"You know I'm here. If you ever want to talk."
"Yea," Merlin smiles. Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder and smiled. Just then the door knocked and was warily opened, and they turned to look as Athea came in.
"Good evening," She greeted them both, striding over to them. Merlin looked at her carefully.
"You must be Merlin," Athea smiled warmly at the man on the bed as she went over and laid the back of her hand on his forehead. He blinked and looked up to her, his mouth opening slightly in surprise. "Do you feel alright?"
"Y-yes," He stuttered. "You're – Athea? The sorceress? Arthur's cousin?"
"Yes, I am."
"Thank you. Thank you for saving me," He said almost incredulously.
"That's my pleasure. Though you are very strong, Merlin. And can I say, Emrys," Her tone shifted to one of awe. "It is an honour to finally meet y-"
"Ah, no, you don't have to do that," Merlin interrupted her. He had had enough of that.
She smiled humbly. "Of course. I am simply glad to be of service to such a great man, and king," She smiled at them both. "And, I - I really like it here in Camelot." She directed towards the both of them. Arthur looked towards Merlin, then back at Athea.
"You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like, Athea."
She looked taken aback. "What – really? I can stay here?"
"Of course you can. You saved my servant – you came all this way with me– and, well, I am in your debt. Whatever you need, is yours."
Athea smiled graciously. "Thank you - Arthur-"
"Ah, there is no need to thank me, Athea," He interrupted her.
"I was just going to say – you're a better man than your father, Arthur. Always were, and – I'm so glad to be here, in this new age for us all, with you as our King."
Arthur looked at her, his mouth slightly parted in surprise.
"Long live the King," Merlin said, and Athea looked at him and smiled. "Long live the King," she repeated.
Arthur nodded. "And long live all those who serve him."
Athea smiled and laughed, and went in to hug him. He was warm and big around her shoulders, and she felt happy, happier than she had been for a long time.
