Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Ten:
Gaius watched as Merlin loaded Daegal's body onto a cart, as he prepared to take Daegal's body to Lake Avalon.
"His life had only begun," Merlin said. "It can't go on, Gaius."
"Gwen?" Gaius guessed.
"We have to do something about her," Merlin nodded.
"Yes," Gaius agreed. "But the question is, what?"
Merlin began to pull the cart away, with a determined look on his face. As he left the castle, the sound of running footsteps caught up with him.
"Emrys," Mordred greedy telepathically.
"Sir Mordred," Merlin greeted out loud as they passed a group of guards returning from patrol.
"I wished to talk to you," Mordred said.
"What about?" Merlin asked, as they walked through the lower town.
"The queen," Mordred answered. "I believe she knew about the attempt on the King's life. She knew what King Sarrum was going to do Emrys."
"I heard a rumour," Merlin said. "King Sarrum held Morgana prisoner. That was why Arthur was so keen to talk to him. He wanted to know how to do the same… Why would Morgana have Gwen form an alliance with someone who once captured her and could do the same again? There had to be something different, something that meant King Sarrum wouldn't be able to capture her again."
"Sir Gwaine spoke of a white dragon," Mordred replied. "King Sarrum caught the dragon and Morgana willingly gave herself up for the sake of the dragon."
"Aithusa," Merlin muttered sadly.
"Aithusa?" Mordred repeated confused, as they left the city walls.
"The white dragon," Merlin explained. "I am the last Dragonlord, Mordred. I failed in my sacred duty and Aithusa has paid a terrible price."
"You are the last Dragonlord?" Mordred asked in surprise. "Arthur tells tales of killing The Great Dragon and how the last Dragonlord was killed by Cenred's men."
"The gift is passed from father to son, in death," Merlin answered. "Balinor was my father… He died saving my life. As for Kilgharrah, I sent him away and ordered him to never attack Camelot again."
Mordred nodded.
"Mordred," Merlin suddenly turned towards him, pausing as they reached the edge of the forest. "Come to Gaius's chambers tonight and we will discuss what can be done about Gwen… Maybe you'll know something me and Gaius don't."
"Of course, Emrys," Mordred bowed his head.
)o(
As the wind died down around him, Merlin found himself standing in the caught yard in front of the tower he called home when he wasn't in Camelot. All around him, people were going about their daily lives with the aid of magic. Merlin smiled, it was good to be home. He quickly headed towards the tower entrance. He couldn't stay here long, as much Mas he would have liked to.
"Emrys," A voice from behind him greeted.
Merlin turned to find Alator walking towards him.
"Alator," Merlin smiled.
"I was not aware you would be returning to us," Alator said, as he caught up with Merlin.
"I need to speak with Alice," Merlin explained sadly. "And it's a conversation I'd rather have in person… Daegal died. I was distracted and missed my chance to heal him…"
"I am sorry, Emrys," Alator rested a hand on Merlin's shoulder.
Merlin nodded and continued to walk towards the tower. His wasn't a conversation he was looking forward to. Alice cared deeply for all of those who studied and had studied under her, but she and Daegal had been especially close.
As Merlin entered the tower he thought about going straight to the top level, it'd been too long since he had last seen Freya and their children. Telling Arthur he'd been to see his wife just reminded him of how much he missed her and how long it'd been since they had last seen each other.
He'd visit them after he spoken to Alice.
Merlin stopped outside the door leading to Alice's infirmary, which was open to anyone who needed help. He raised a fist, but paused as he was about to knock on the door. How could he face Alice and tell her the news? How could he tell her, he'd failed to save Daegal because he'd been distracted? But had he truly been distracted? Or just too scared to heal Daegal with the King and Knights of Camelot so close by?
Shutting his eyes for a moment, Merlin let out a sigh and opened his eyes with a determined look. Alice deserved to hear the news from him personally and that was the reason he had come here. He knocked on the door and waited.
"Come in," He heard Alice call.
Merlin opened the door slowly and stepped into the infirmary.
"Merlin, my dear," Alice smiled warmly as she caught sight of Merlin. "What brings you here unannounced?"
"I need to speak with you," Merlin answered.
"Of course," Alice gestured to a bench on the far side of the room. "Come, sit down."
Merlin walked over to the bench and sat down, he looked down at his hands as Alice sat down next to him.
"What is it, my dear?" Alice asked.
"I'm sorry, Alice," Merlin suddenly started talking. "It's Daegal… He… He died. I'm sorry, I was distracted and missed my chance to heal him… I-"
Merlin was interrupted as Alice pulled Merlin into a tight embrace, with surprising strength for a women of her age.
"Sometimes," Alice told him. "There are those too far gone to even be saved by the healing arts of magic. A signal moment of distraction wouldn't have made a bit of difference, my dear. Not everyone can be saved, as much as we'd like to."
)o(
"Hello, Freya," Merlin said, causing Freya to jumps and spin round from where she'd been folding some freshly washed cloths.
"Merlin!" Freya exclaimed.
And suddenly Merlin's arms where filled with his wife, as Freya threw her arms around Merlin's neck and hugged him like her life depended on it. She pulled back and suddenly the two of them were kissing. When the two of them finally broke apart, Merlin was slightly out of breath.
"I can't believe you are here," Freya said. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"It wasn't planned," Merlin answered truthfully. "Daegal died and I had to tell Alice… But I couldn't leave without seeing you."
Freya nodded sadly, "I'm sorry."
"So am I," Merlin muttered.
Suddenly Freya was hugging Merlin again.
"How long can you stay?" Freya asked with her arms wrapped tightly around Merlin.
"Not long," Merlin answered. "Mordred knows about Gwen. She was part of an attempt on Arthur's life… Something good came of it, though. King Sarrum is dead."
Freya pulled back and a look of shock covered her face.
"King Sarrum is dead?" She repeated in disbelief.
Merlin nodded.
Freya smiled slightly.
"A lose of a life is never something to celebrate," Freya said. "But I am glad he is dead. But let's not talk about such things, it has been too long since we've had each other's company."
It wasn't until dusk had begun to settle across the land that Merlin finally made his way back to Camelot. After a tearfully good bye to Freya and their children, Merlin had used the same spell as before and returned to Lake Avalon. From there he had walked back to Camelot, dragging the cart back with him. He reached the city, just as the guards were changing over for the night.
When he finally made it back to Gaius's chambers, Mordred was already there waiting for him. Gaius was working on a potion across the room and watched with curiosity as Merlin approached where Mordred was sitting.
"Sir Mordred," Merlin greeted.
"Emrys," Mordred answered.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.