A/N: Sorry for the late update, been super busy with school and work. So here and extra long chapter for you, hope you like it, please tell me what you think!
Chapter VIII
We were all summoned to the great hall for the trial of Kyrian. They were all there; the King, Queen, the Knights, Gaius and Merlin. Kyrian was brought in by the guards. He looked furious. The King was standing on the podium with his Queen seated behind him, both of them looking graceful and magnificent, there was no doubt about who ruled this land. The Knights were scattered around and in front of the podium in small groups. Merlin and Gaius were standing on the opposite side of the Ile that had been created. The Queen had left me in the care of Elian. The guards let go off Kyrian. The King looked down at him, another person would feel small but apparently Kyrian did not.
"Kyrian" the King started, his voice clinging through the hall.
"Can you tell us why you attacked Merlin yesterday?" Kyrian kept silent starring straight ahead.
"Kyrian!" Kyrian looked up bored.
"I did him a favour, like you said Sire, he is useless."
"You nearly killed him!"
"Nearly isn't good enough. Besides you can easily get a new and better manservant."
"I don't want a new manservant!" The Queen coughed. The King looked around.
"So that is your reason?"
"No, Sire"
"Then what was?" Kyrian was silent again.
"Leon"
"Yes, Sire"
"What did you hear yesterday?"
"I heard Kyrian threaten Merlin, Sire."
"How?"
"By telling him he..." Leon trailed off.
"Yes, Leon" the King urged him.
"By telling him he couldn't protect Pádraigín from him if Merlin wasn't there."
"I see. Merlin, can you confirm this information."
"I do, Sire" Merlin answered the King with a nod. The King turned back towards Kyrian.
"Kyrian, what have you to say for yourself?"
"I might have said that. But my main point was to get him to fight back. I wanted some competition."
"Then why did you continue when I told you to stop?"
"I didn't hear you, Sire"
"Pádraigín?" The King turned to me now, So did every other head in the great hall. I didn't like it.
"Yes, Sire."
"Do you have any idea why Kyrian would threaten Merlin about you and why Merlin would react like he did?"
"I..." I looked around, finishing with Merlin.
*Tell them* I heard in my head. So I took a deep breath and started.
"Ever since we were children he's always been rather protective about me... Not only me, all his friends. I guess that is in his nature. Kyrian has threatened me more than once with Merlin present..."
"That is a lie" Kyrian shouted. Before anyone could react Kyrian had knocked down the Guard and taken one sword and was running towards me.
"She is lying, a witch!" Before he could stab me or I could protect myself Merlin came jumping in between. It all went by in slow-motion. I was about to raise my hand, Merlin jumped in between me and Kyrian shouting "No!" and Kyrian made a strike with his sword. It his Merlin on the arm and he fell to the floor. Merlin was sliding over the floor and hitting his head to the wall. I looked at Merlin, I heard Kyrian shout in frustration and I looked away from Merlin unconscious body and saw Kyrian go for another strike at me. This time the Knights were prepared. Elian and Gwain drew their swords and it didn't take them long to unarm Kyrian, Percival took a tight grip on Kyrian arms two other Knights joined in and pointed their swords to Kyrian throat.
"Stop" the King shouted, he looked furious.
"How dare you fight against you own."
"He's just a servant" Kyrian spat back.
"Still, he is a citizen of Camelot, a friend."
"He's not mine" Kyrian looked insane spitting and trying to get loose. The Knights did not let him go. The King stepped down from the podium and walked to Merlin, Gaius was already there.
"Gaius take care of Merlin, you, you and you" he pointed at three knights I did not know the name off, they stepped forward.
"Follow Gaius and take Merlin with you." I looked after them as they left the hall.
"ha, ha, ha" Kyrian was laughing the King turned to him looking furious again.
"What's so funny" he asked coolly.
"Your down fall" Kyrian said laughing again. "You care so much about the peasants, it is your weakness, you even married one" Laughing again, this time Elian answered before the King could.
"That's you Queen you're talking about, your QUEEN and you are speaking to the KING of Camelot!"
"So? He's still weak" Kyrian spitted on the floor at the kings feet. The King looked up slowly.
"You have disappointed me Kyrian. I thought you were a worthy knight of Camelot. It seems I was wrong. Because of your actions and your words I have no other choice but to take your knighthood away from you, since you are not worthy of them. Also since you have insulted me, my Queen and my country in every way possible I should have you hanged."
"Pleasure" Kyrian said with a smile.
"But I do fear you might become a hero, which you do not deserve. I there for ban you from the grounds of Camelot, you are never to come back here again. If you do I will hang you!... "Take of his knighthood and send him away" He said to the two knights holding Kyrian.
"With pleasure... I mean yes, Sire" The Knights took a laughing Kyrian with them out off the hall. The rest of the people gathered there also walked out. In the end only the King, Queen and I were still in the hall.
"Sire? my Lady?"
"Yes, Pádraigín" The King didn't look angry anymore, rather concerned and anxious.
"I was wondering, well thinking actually, that Kyrian doesn't seem quite well. In his head I mean."
"What's you point?"
"Well... Won't he be a danger to himself and others? Wouldn't he be a danger to Camelot?"
"He is to humiliated about losing his position to try and attack Camelot."
"Alone, yes. But he could get allies. He might be potty now but he isn't stupid and he is a good fighter not to mention he knows a lot about Camelot security."
"Yes I'm sure he does and if is so smart as to remember it, he will not attack Camelot."
"Yes Sire, I'm sorry Sire." I made a bow "My Lady" and left the room.
Halfway through the Queen called me
"Pádraigín"
"Yes my Lady?"
"You may go and see Merlin. I will not need your help or service anymore today."
"Thank you my Lady"
I made another bow and hurried out of the hall. When I had closed the door behind me I ran through the corridors to Gaius quarters. I walked the last corridor down and knocked on the door, Gwain opened.
"Oh, hello Pádraigín" He said and held the door open for me.
"Hello" I said as I entered the room. Merlin was laying on a bed in the middle of the room.
"Ah, Pádraigín, your good with herbs aren't you?"
"Yes, sir"
"No need to call me Sir, call me Gaius." He smiled at me. "Could you collect some herbs?"
"Off course" I was already halfway to the door when Gaius said
"Take Gwain with you" I looked up in surprise.
"I don't trust Kyrian, please just go with Gwain."
I smiled "off course, coming Gwain?" I was already out of the door. "Coming" I heard behind me. "See you later Gaius" Gwain soon caught up with me.
"Why the hurry?"
"Oh...I just need to clear my head"
"And the best way to do that is by picking herbs?"
"No. By being outside among the trees."
"Good one"... "So where do we pick these herbs?"
" They usually grow where there are stones." I replied.
"I know a good stony place not far from here"
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"This way"
We walked out off the Castle and Eira joined us.
"Hey girl, coming out?"
"Woof, woof"
I laughed "Come on then" Eira jumped around our legs until we were outside of the walls of Camelot. We walked in silence until Gwain asked.
" So Kyrian is to be sent off tonight. What do you think about it?"
"He is a danger to himself and everyone around him."
"You think he should be killed?"
"No. Locked up"
"Harsh"
"No. If he is locked up he can't do anyone any harm"
"True, but one cannot lock someone up for the rest of their life"
"I know, but now he is a danger to Camelot. What if..." I trailed off.
"What if... what?!"
" Nothing." I answered more because I didn't really know what I meant either. "Oh here they are!" I picked the herbs and put them in the bag Gwain had brought with him. Eira was sniffing around, now and then rolling around on the forest floor. It was a relief to be out in the forest breathing the fresh air and be outside of the castle and the tension there. But I could not appreciate it for long, Merlin needed the herbs. When we had picked the herbs I sighted deeply.
"What's wrong?"
"Sorry?"
"You sighted, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just.. I just sighted."
"Come on, I know a short cut"
" Ah I have heard of those before. Usually they are long cuts"
"What an awful local sense that person must have had. Do I know him?"
"Yes. I suppose he had and maybe you do know him"
"This way come along."
"Eira" I called, she followed us barking.
Gwain was right it was a shorter way back to go. Before I knew it we were already at the walls of Camelot.
"Know anymore shortcuts?
"Actually I don't" He smiled "But I know a less crowded one.
I followed Gwain through the small streets of Camelot and he was right, they were less crowded as we came to the front door of the castle Kyrian was led out in a tight grip by the guards. He looked at me and spit on the ground.
"We aren't finished yet. we've just started."
Gwain took a step in front of me and held an arm out to protect me. "Just go Kyrian" he said coldly. Kyrian gave him a cold look and the guards pushed him forward again.
"She is a witch you know" he said looking back at me. "Just look at how she's got everyone wrapped around her finger" The guard gave him a big push forward. Kyrian gave a rabble of bad language as the disappeared out of the castle walls into the town.
"He doesn't seem that potty anymore" I said
"No, but still. You a witch! ha, ha, ha. Arthur would have his head for even suggesting it. Magic is evil and you are all but evil aren't you?"
I was silent
"Pádraigín?"
"Sorry."
" I was only joking you know. About you being evil and all that."
"I know. Let's get these herbs to Merlin shall we?"
"Sure, this way" Gwain led the way, we walked in silence. When we arrived at Gaius, Gwain knocked on the door and Gaius opened.
"How is he?" Gwain asked quietly.
"Still week, did you find the herbs?"
"Yes we did" Gwain handed over the bag.
"Good"
"Can I help?" I asked.
"Yes, you can" I stepped inside.
"Well I need to go" Gwain said. "See you Gaius, Pádraigín."
"Bye" I said before turning around and continue inside the room. Gaius closed the door and walked after me.
"What can I do?"
"You can bath his face, he has got a fever."
I nodded and hurried to the bed and started to work. As i bathed Merlin forehead I couldn't help myself but to talk to him.
"You can fight this Merlin. I know you can"
Gaius came with the herb paste.
"We need to put it on the wound and it will take away the infection. "
I took of the bandages. It was not a deep cut but it was rather big. It went from one side off the arm to the other. "I stopped the bleeding but he has lost quite a lot of blood, it is not helping that he is unconscious either. It weakens him more."
I was quiet. I knew I could mend Merlin in a heartbeat well the wound at least. But if I did Gaius might tell the King and I would lose my head. But Merlin was worth it. I decided to see if the herb paste would work first. I took the bowl of paste and put the past in and around the wound. Gaius handed me some clean bandages and I put these around Merlin arm. I finished it off with a little knot.
"You are good with this, you could became a good Physician."
"Maybe, I don't see how though"
"I'm teaching Merlin, he learns slowly but I think he starts to get it. You could learn too"
"You mean if Merlin can learn it, anyone can?"
"Did I say that? How rude of me"
"I would love to learn, but I do not know anyone who can or would teach me."
"You know Merlin" He looked at me for a long time. I broke free from his questioning gaze and looked at Merlin.
"If he makes it, I'll ask him"
Gaius nodded in approval and raised from his seat and left Merlin in my care. I bathed Merlin forehead. He still had a fever. I sat there for hours, after a while Elian came to tell me that the Queen wouldn't be needing my services for a while. I only nodded as a response. I noticed that nothing really mattered anymore to me, only Merlin. I thought it was strange how so much had changed in so short time. All I could ask myself was why. Around noon Eira came along. Gaius opened the door for her and she came straight to the bed and lay down at Merlin feet. I sighted and she looked at me with her knowledgeable eyes. They often reminded me about an owl. Gaius came to sit next to me for a while.
"What an extraordinary dog you have"
"Yes, she is something special" Eira looked up as if she knew we talked about her.
"One would have thought she would be shy among all the people, as you have lived so secluded."
"Yes. But I believe she does better here in Camelot then I. She makes friends so easy."
"So do you" I looked at him, I didn't understand.
"I mean; the King, the Queen and the knights are all very fond of you, not to forget to mention Merlin."
I looked down shyly I wasn't used to the attention of being so well noticed.
"It's a bit magical how you two get everyone to like you"
There was that word again 'Magic'. I looked startled and froze. Before Gaius would notice my reaction I started to bath Merlin face again. Gaius looked at me suspiciously but let it rest.
"Do you stay for dinner?"
"If I may"
"I insist" He walked to the fireplace and put the kettle over the fire.
Dinner was good. Not like the food the King and Queen got but a lot better than the broth from the kitchen that I got every morning and evening. It reminded me more about the food I used to eat in the forest.
"You eat my dinner with bigger delight than Merlin" Gaius laughed "He usually makes a lot of faces while eating." He went thoughtful "Though I must say they are entertaining enough"
I smiled "Is he really that horrible towards your cooking skills? I know Hunith to cook very, very well but there's no need to look down at yours"
Gaius smiled "Well he is getting better at appreciating my dinner skills, besides I like to experiment from time to time." I smiled back. "Yes that must be it"
Merlin mounded. I left my dinner and hurried to him. Gaius followed I took a quick look and then Gaius said what I already knew.
"The paste is not working"
"Do we have something else we can try?"
"Not that I know off but I will have a look in my books"
Gaius went down with his nose in his books. I hurried to get some fresh water and started to bath his forehead again.
After a few hours his temperature was still high. Gaius came back.
"I have not found anything in my books that will help him" he said. I was having an argument with myself in my head. When suddenly Merlin started to talk, the fever had become worse.
"Pádraigín" he mumbled a few times. Gaius looked at me. "Pá...drai...gín... he...lp" he mumbled again.
"What on earth can he mean?" Gaius wondered.
"I know, but I can't" I looked at Merlin "Please don't make me, please"
"Make you do what, he's unconscious"
I didn't care anymore. I looked around quickly it was just Gaius here. "Fine" I said. I took of the bandage from his arm and cleaned out the paste.
"What are you doing?" Gaius asked
"Saving him" I said coolly. I put my hands over his wound and concentrated. I felt the heat go through my hand and through my fingers. Gaius looked at me as if in shock. I knew it had worked for Merlin started to breath slower and he stopped mumbling. Gaius looked from me to Merlin and back again. I took away my hand from Merlin arm, there was no more than a red line where the flesh wound had been only half a minute ago. The wound looked weeks old.
"I don't believe it" Gaius exclaimed. I looked up, I never been so calm after using my powers near anyone. Cause I knew I'd done the right thing for once. It was what Merlin had asked of me. Gaius starred at me for a moment and I looked back calmly.
"You've got magic to... That's why he is so protective about you isn't it?"
" I don't know why he is so protective about me but yes, me and Merlin are the same. Only his destiny is bigger than mine."
I looked down on his sleeping face, free from pain now the wound was healed.
"You know about his destiny?"
"I've heard stories told by the druids."
"You've been with the druids?"
"No... well I've met them now and then. I do not trust them but they do not harm me so I do not fear them."
"No, you won't need to with those powers you have. It's better than what Merlin ever achieved. And you do it without speaking to. How fascinating."
He looked at Merlin and then at me again
"How long?"
"Sorry?"
"How long have you had magic?"
"I was born with it; I could move objects before I could talk. My parents were scared of people finding out"
"I bet they were. But your parents didn't have magic?"
"Not that I know off. I never saw them use it. And they didn't like it when I did. They were scared of me then"
"Who knew except for your parents?"
"Why all these questions?" I asked suspiciously.
"Oh, sorry I'm just curious, the only one like you I've ever met is Merlin"
"Well there is your answer to your question" I answered.
There was a knock on the door. Gaius went to open it was the King, he entered I turned to him and nodded. "Sire" he gave a small nod back and turned towards Gaius.
"How is he Gaius?"
"The fever has broken, you can see for yourself"
As the King walked towards Merlin I turned around and saw that the bandage was still of the wound. I gave it a quick look and the bandage tolled into place as did the blanket. Neither the King or Gaius had noticed the movement. As the King approved I stepped aside. The King gave Merlin one long look and said.
"You've done a good job Gaius as always"
"I've had good help" The King looked at me .
"Yes, I heard you are good with herbs. Must have been good living in the wild"
I nodded "It was, Sire"
"well I see Merlin is in good hands." The king hesitated "How long until he wakes up?"
"I don't know, Sire. Depends on him"
"He's strong he'll make it" The King mumbled. Then looked at Gaius and said "Thank you Gaius, you're doing a great job"
"Well if it wasn't for Pádraigín... herbal knowledge he..."
"Well, thank you both then"
"Sire," Both me and Gaius said with a little bow.
"I'll see you later Gaius" The King said and left the room.
"Well done" Gaius whispered and nodded towards the blanket. then sighted deeply.
"It will not be easy having two of you" he mumbled
"You won't turn me in will you?" I felt I was panicking.
"Off course not child. Don't be silly. Besides Merlin would never forgive me if I did. And you are no danger to Camelot"
I stood still waiting but Gaius only smiled at me.
"You need to excuse me. I need to do my rounds but Merlin will be fine in your hands." and he left.
It was only me, Eira and Merlin left.
"What do you think?"
Eira only looked at me with her knowledgeable eyes sighted and lay down her head again.
"Yes I suppose you are right" I sighted and sat down to watch over Merlin.
