A/N:

Really sorry this has taken so long to get this next chapter up! The last two weeks have been a nightmare - work problems, laptop going up in smoke (literally), rewriting this chapter! It's true, everything happens in threes!

Anywho, rant over! Thanks for everyone who continues to read and review this story, it really means a lot! Thanks also to Cori, who is absolutely the best beta a girl could have - not only does she check up on me to make sure I'm still in the land of the living, but she's a great help with making my ideas flow effortlessly!

So, here's Love, Magic and Snakes! I'm hoping to get chapter 10 up for the weekend as I've got a weeks holiday! Fingers crossed!


LOVE, MAGIC AND SNAKES

Arthur winced painfully as he was directed up the stairs to his chambers, Merlin taking most of Arthur's weight on his slender frame. As Arthur stepped upwards, still in shock, his left hand pressed against the cold stone walls for extra support. Just moments after Morgana had told him about snake demons, Arthur's knights were under attack from snake demons. Coincidence, Arthur thought as he paused at the top of the stairs. There's absolutely no way that those could have been the same things that Morgana dreamt about. He could see Sir Galahad was already at his chambers with a large basket full of things that Merlin had asked the knight to get after Arthur had refused flat out to let Gaius tend to him when there were other people who would need the old physician more. Managing a small smile for his favourite knight, Arthur pushed himself away from Merlin and tried to walk on his own to his chambers. Merlin hovered by Arthur's side with a hand on the small of Arthur's back, gently guiding the injured prince.

"Did you get everything?" Merlin asked, and Arthur took the opportunity to open the large doors himself, mostly because they stopped him from falling face first onto the floor.

"Yes, Merlin. Everything you instructed me to get is in here, including the herbs and bandages. I've had a maid put a large bowl of water in your chambers, as well as a large cauldron with boiling water for the herb teas you want to make," Galahad answered, and Arthur could feel the pair of them watching him closely.

Murmuring his thanks to Sir Galahad, Arthur pushed the doors open and semi-stumbled into his room. He heard the door quickly shut behind him, and Merlin rushed ahead of him to place the basket onto the table, where the food from earlier still lay untouched. The maid could have taken the food away, Arthur silently grouched and felt Merlin push him towards the bed. Sitting gingerly on the bed, Arthur watched as Merlin made sure he wasn't going to pass out before going to the basket and taking things out. From the little that Arthur knew about plants and herbs, he suspected there were ones for pain relief and swelling reduction, for infection fighting and for strength. I just hope Merlin knows how to mix them properly, Arthur joked and saw Merlin narrow his eyes at him. You know, it's like he can tell what I'm thinking, even when I'm not saying anything. Merlin returned to pulling things out of the basket before he busied himself with the cauldron of hot water. Arthur watched with mild curiosity as Merlin dropped some plants into the water and stirred, before coming back to take a knife from the table.

"What do you think you're going to be doing with that?" Arthur asked, and Merlin stood in front of him, face etched with worry yet highlighted with the merest traces of relief.

"I'm not going to have you stretch your arms up over your head so we can get this chainmail and tunic off," Merlin stated simply and climbed onto the bed behind Arthur. Arthur heard the fastenings for the chainmail being undone and soon the weight of the armour was eased off from his shoulders. "Does that feel better?"

"I guess," Arthur answered and looked downwards at his hands, unsure of how to cope with all the feelings threatening to overwhelm him. He felt the tunic fall from his shoulders and Merlin got off of the bed and knelt down in front of him. "What?"

"Talk to me, Arthur," Merlin answered, and Arthur looked away, jaw set in the stubborn way that usually indicated that he wasn't going to play nicely. Merlin sighed, got up and looked at him. "I can't make you talk to me, but what happened just now? If you don't talk about it, it'll eat you up, you know?"

You idiot! You don't tell him that! You don't just demand that he talks to you! Merlin lifted Arthur's legs up and pulled at the soft leather boots gently, having noticed Arthur favouring his right leg all the way up to their chambers. He could see the left ankle was swollen , and after some gentle prodding and moving, Merlin was happy to find it wasn't broken. Just a nasty sprain. Merlin set to work trying to pull Arthur's breeches down. Arthur wasn't being a big help, and Merlin could see that he was lost in thought. If only I knew what you were thinking, Arthur. Placing his hands around Arthur's hips, Merlin battled to get the breeches down and after a few minutes of struggling, managed to get the breeches off, exposing hidden scratches, grazes and bruises on Arthur's legs. Anger flared up in Merlin at the knowledge that Arthur had received those from the way in which the snake demon had tossed him backwards like a rag doll. But at least you know they're extremely strong, Merlin's rational side that thought didn't bring much comfort for Merlin as he looked down at Arthur in his undergarments.

Going to the table, Merlin gathered some of the herbs and put them into the stone mortar before adding some of the hot water. Picking up the pestle, Merlin began to crush the herbs together, eyes watching Arthur as he did so. The smell of the fragrant herbs seemed to stir Arthur, because the young prince lifted his head and looked at Merlin, who smiled back gently. Arthur laid his head back down, and Merlin transferred the mortar contents into a large bowl before repeating the process several more times. Need to make sure I have enough, Merlin thought, and he picked up the bowl of water along with the cloths and moved to Arthur's side. Resting the bowl in the centre of the bed as gently as he could, Merlin went back to the table and retrieved the crushed herbs. Easing himself onto the middle of the bed, Merlin took one of the cloths and dunked it into the water.

"You know, I've never known you to be this quiet," Merlin joked and dabbed at the congealing blood on Arthur's chest, grimacing at the thought of how much it must be hurting Arthur.

Not wanting to press the issue, Merlin slowly wiped away the blood to expose the gash. Without the blood or clothing around it, Merlin breathed a sigh of relief as he realised it wasn't as bad as what he had first thought. It was actually a long scratch and looked about a quarter of an inch thick at its deepest, spanning from the outer edge of Arthur's right collar bone all the way diagonally across his chest, ending at the top of his left hip bone. You were lucky, Merlin thought and instantly tried to think of something else, not wanting to face the alternative. Rinsing the cloth, Merlin carried on cleaning away the blood as best he could in the deafening silence that filled the room. Why won't you talk to me, Arthur? Why won't you let me in? Picking up the bowl of crushed herbs, Merlin warned him of possible pain and began to apply the herbs thickly, making sure that the immediate area around the scratch was covered too. Merlin could see Arthur's jaw lock, and it was evident the blonde was in a bit of pain, but the herbs needed to be applied.

As the poultice slid against Arthur's skin, Merlin began to speak of anything that might distract Arthur from the pain. He spoke of other servants, of the other knights, even of Ealdor and the new friendships they had forged there. Yet there Arthur lay, quiet and still, his eyes looking at the far wall blankly. I should have done something sooner, Merlin quietly thought. If I had, maybe you wouldn't have been this badly hurt. I'll make it up to you, Arthur, I promise. With Arthur lost in his own thoughts, and Merlin quietly berating himself, both were completely oblivious to what was happening. Merlin's hand glowed with a warm light, and the poultice that he had in his hand took on the same glow. As Merlin spread the poultice across more of the wound, the glow transferred itself to Arthur and seemed to sink beneath his skin. Arthur breathed deeply every time the poultice was applied and as Merlin gazed at the prince, he saw blue eyes looking at him.

"What is it?" Merlin asked, hands reaching for the clean strips of material as he helped Arthur into a sitting position.

Arthur felt nimble hands deftly pulling the material around his chest and wondered how he would say what was on his mind. He looked down at his hands, which bore a few scratches and slight bruising around the knuckles. In the silence of his room, Arthur began to talk.

"I could have died, Merlin," Arthur began, and he set his jaw stubbornly, in an attempt to keep his emotions in check. Arthur felt Merlin momentarily slow in securing the bandages before he resumed speaking. "I know that I've faced death before, countless times, head on, but this time... this time it was different, like it was highly probable that I was due to die today."

Arthur paused for a moment and turned his head to the side, his gaze taking in Merlin who was apparently focused on securing the bandages. Turning his head away, Arthur continued.

"I've never felt so scared, Merlin, so out of my depth. I was staring death in the face and all I could do was stand stock still and wait for it to happen. So many things flashed through my mind, but the one that made me feel desperately sick was the thought that I wasn't going to see you again, be with you."

Again, Arthur paused and inhaled deeply, before letting his breath out slowly. What else could I tell him, to let him know how I feel? A slight frown creased across Arthur's brow as slender arms encircled his waist, and Merlin's legs wrapped around him, almost as though Merlin knew exactly what he needed. Warm lips pressed a kiss onto the base of his neck, and Arthur placed his own hands over Merlin's. How is it that you always seem to know what to do, what I need?

"When that—that snake reared up to kill me, I knew it was all over, but then the spear erupted through the creature's body. I never felt so relieved, Merlin, that I was going to live another day. Then to find out that it was you who hurled that spear... I don't know how to describe how I felt, but I was so glad it was you."

Another kiss was placed onto his neck, and Arthur smiled, a small smile that began to chase away the dark thoughts that had filled his head only seconds before.

"What will you ask for, Merlin?" Arthur asked and glanced out of his window to see the beginnings of a setting sun. Has it really been that long since the fight?

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it. I've been preoccupied with a prince who likes trying to get himself killed."

Arthur gave a small laugh and looked at Merlin with a turn of his head, noses rubbing together gently. With a squeeze of his hands, Arthur pulled Merlin's hands away from his waist and began to stand up, which proved difficult as Merlin kept his legs firmly around his waist. Pinching the soft skin on Merlin's big toe, Arthur quickly stepped to the side and walked to the window. He could hear Merlin muttering under his breath, and Arthur thought he heard the words 'idiot' and 'prat' mixed in with other, more colourful language. Arthur smiled, but then he reached the window, and his smile disappeared.

The bodies of the knights that had fallen hours earlier were only now being placed onto wooden carts, the horses whinnying and moving about nervously. Blood stained the ground, and everyone tried their best to avoid stepping in it, yet Arthur wondered what good avoiding the now congealing blood would do. He could see Uther standing in the middle of the courtyard, apparently oblivious to what was going on around him as he spoke with Sir Galahad. Yet Arthur's eyes were constantly being drawn to the knights that had now filled one cart, their red capes soaked in their blood and their bodies with parts missing. That could have been me, Arthur found himself thinking. If Merlin hadn't thrown that spear, that would have been me. As the cart began to rumble off towards the lower part of Camelot and another took its place for the rest of the fallen knights, Arthur felt Merlin stand beside him, watching things below.

"I'll need to speak to father," Arthur stated and observed Sir Galahad bowing to Uther and walking off towards the lower part of Camelot, following the cart. Arthur sighed gently and added, "How am I supposed to tell him that I have no idea as to why we were attacked without warning, or for what cause my knights gave their lives?"

"Maybe you should just tell him the truth," Merlin answered, and Arthur felt his arm get rubbed briefly. "That you have no answer to either of those questions."

Arthur thought about that for a moment, weighing up the possible outcomes in his mind. Turning away from the window, Arthur looked at Merlin, who stared right back.

"I know the answer to one question, at least," Arthur replied and at Merlin's puzzled look, Arthur elaborated. "The only way that Camelot could have been suddenly attacked is by magic. Don't look at me like that, Merlin, how else could it have happened? If they had used the secret tunnels under Camelot, they would have ended up in the dungeon area. If they had come through the main road, our archers would have seen them and would have sounded the alarm. If, and this is a big if, they managed to get through the gates, the peasants would have alerted us by screaming and fleeing. It had to have been magic."

"Only the evil kind," Merlin quickly added, and Arthur raised an eyebrow at the statement. He watched Merlin fidget, which usually meant that the young man knew more than he was letting on.

"What aren't you telling me, Merlin?" Arthur asked, and Merlin's head whipped around to look at the prince. "And don't tell me nothing, because I know when you're not telling me something."

Merlin looked at Arthur, and for a moment, he wished he could be inside Merlin's head to see what the other man was thinking. Merlin nibbled his lower lip, and Arthur wondered why the other man was so hesitant in answering him.

"I think it was black magic, Arthur..."

Morgana lay quietly in her chambers, cheeks tear stained and eyes reddened from crying. The demons she had seen attacking the knights and Arthur were the same as those in her dream and the implications of this scared her deeply. Uther had sent her to her chambers as soon as the fighting was done and no one had disturbed her since, not even Gwen. A wash bowl with now cold water was on the long table in her room, along with a platter of bread, cheese and fruit. Lying atop her bed sheets, Morgana looked up at the ceiling and prayed that she wouldn't fall asleep tonight, or any other night, for fear of what else she might see.

"You shouldn't be afraid, Morgana." A female voice suddenly spok,e and Morgana sat straight up on the bed, her head whipping to the window where a lady stood, gazing out across the courtyard.

"Who are you, and how did you get into my room?" Morgana asked icily and eyed the large wooden doors which were closed. Edging slowly off the bed, Morgana kept her eyes on the woman.

"I wouldn't run to the door, if I were you," the woman spoke, and she turned to face Morgana with a small smile on her ruby red lips. A snake was wrapped around her neck and a graceful hand held the creature's head up, forked tongue flicking out to taste the air. "You see, I could kill you before you made it to the door, and well, I don't like making messes unless I'm prepared to clean up afterwards. So I suggest that you stay in your bed."

Morgana looked over at the woman and took in her appearance. Black hair cascaded down the right side of her head and fine chains of silver intermingled with the waves and curls. Her lips were now turned up into a smile as she walked towards Morgana in an almost see-through robe that caused Morgana to blush. I've never seen anything like it, Morgana thought, and she couldn't help but admire the curves and gentle structure of the woman's body as she moved. The woman came to stand in front of Morgana, the snake in her hand hissing.

"My name is Elizabeth, and how I came to be in your room is irrelevant," Elizabeth answered and motioned for Morgana to sit down. Morgana eyed the woman and slowly sat down on top of her bed. "That's much better, don't you agree?"

"I wouldn't agree with anything that you say," Morgana spat back, and she felt anger swell up inside her. How dare she come into my chambers and order me around like a servant! "What do you want?"

"Want," Elizabeth spoke slowly, as though savouring the word that fell from her lips. Lifting the snake off her neck, Elizabeth placed the creature onto Morgana's bed and watched as it slowly slithered to the other side. "I want you to deliver a message to Merlin. Tell him that times are changing. Tell him that not even he, with all of the gifts that he has, will be a match for what is to come. Tell him that no matter how hard he fights to protect King Arthur, the King will fall and so will Camelot, and then the world."

"Prince," Morgana corrected, and Elizabeth arched a perfect eyebrow at the statement. "It is Prince Arthur, not King. Uther is King. And you spoke of 'we'. There's more than one of you?"

Elizabeth laughed gently and took hold of Morgana's jaw with her hand. Morgana squirmed, trying to shake off the grip, but Elizabeth's fingers held firm. The woman stared into Morgana's eyes, and Morgana felt a tingly sensation spreading through her body.

"I think I will make you my slave, Morgana. An attitude of your calibre needs to be tempered, and I will see to it that you become one of the first to serve me. You will deliver these messages to Merlin, and you will see to it that he understands the severity of the situation. Time draws short and I have more pressing things to attend to."

Morgana woke to a fully darkened room and as she sat up on her bed, a hissing noise filled her ears. As she turned to look for the noise, a snake, the same as in her dreams, stared up at her from where it lay curled on the bed. Morgana let out a scream and the snake lunged forwards.


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