So I wanted t have this up last weekend, but on the days I had set aside for writing I got really sick, so I apologize for that. Anyway, once again thank you to everyone who has reviewed and encouraged me to continue writing. Also, I think you all should know that not everything I hint at in these chapters, most specifically this one and the last one, will appear in this fic. I plan on having at least two more fics in this series and a lot of the stuff that I hint will be coming will appear in one or both of those. Of course, a lot of the tiny foreshadowing that I have can apply to more than one fic because it's vague enough to have several meanings. I just thought you should all know that I'm mean since I won't be answering all of your questions as to what a certain line means anytime soon. I like to drag things out as you may have realized from my Merlin whump. Have fun!
Arthur watched as the little girl hugged Merlin's legs fondly. Merlin had the innocence and kindness of a child and seeing him with this one was heart-warming. Eventually the girl pulled away and backed up a step or two and Arthur was amused to see how dazed Merlin looked. But he soon mirrored the boy's shock as he saw the little girl give Merlin a deep curtsy.
Arthur saw a movement in the corner of his eye and he turned just in time to see each one of the fifty or so people assembled near them, almost as one, bow their heads. The prince's jaw dropped as the heads lowered and even some of the biggest and strongest-looking men, obviously town leaders and protectors, got down on their knees in a sign of respect.
Arthur stole a brief glance at Merlin and the others and saw that they were just as astonished as he was. This was perhaps the highest sign of respect and gratitude there was and, if possible, Arthur was even more stunned by it than Merlin.
Suddenly one of the men on his knees slowly got up and walked over towards them. Though his face looked young and timeless, the streaks of grey in his hair betrayed that he was older than he looked. He had a single, old, puffy scar that ran down the length of his face and somehow it didn't make him ugly, but rather made him more likable, as if he was someone who you knew you could trust.
The man stopped before Merlin and bowed his head before saying. "My name is Jacob," he stated, "You have saved our whole village. We owe you our thanks. If there is anything, anything at all we can do to repay you we'd do it in a heartbeat. There is nothing worse than watching the ones you love die, but you put a stop to it. Just say the word and it you can have it." Jacob smiled and Arthur got the impression that he was the leader of this village. He spoke for all of them.
"Yes, Em-Merlin," the girl said, "let us do something for you."
Arthur saw Merlin's gaze flicker to the girl's, but he already could tell that Merlin had no intention of taking these people up on their offer. He was far too selfless.
But Arthur, on the other hand, was a different story. He remembered what he had sworn to himself only a few hours ago, when he had just learned the full truth of the idiot's condition. He had made a promise to himself as he watched his manservant grimace in pain even during sleep. This was something he had to do.
"Yes, actually," Arthur interjected before Merlin had had a chance to decline the offer. "There is something you could do."
Jacob turned his attention on Arthur and gave him a slight nod to signal that he was to continue. Arthur had seen the man around earlier in the day and had seen the looks thrown his way. Though he had the feeling that while most of the credit for the death of the beast belonged to Merlin he and Gwaine were not completely left out of the gratitude either. They were traveling with Merlin and that was more than enough to make these people warm up to them.
"Before we came here," Arthur began, hoping against hope that Merlin wouldn't put up much of a fight against this, "we were traveling on a very important mission that lives depend on. We still have that quest and we cannot afford to delay any longer, but…." He pointed to Merlin, ignoring the suspicious looks Merlin was throwing his way, or as suspicious as he could look considering how tired he seemed. "But, as you can see, Merlin is greatly injured. It would be very dangerous for him to continue to travel with us in his current condition and we can't stay here, and I was wondering—"
"If we would look after him," Jacob cut in and guessed correctly. "Of course, it would be our honor to make sure he heals properly. It's the least we can do." Once again he smiled, something that it seemed everyone but the three of them had been doing since the creature's death. It may be dead, but Arthur knew at what cost.
Merlin's head jerked towards him and there was an accusing and indignant glare on his face as Arthur knew there would be. "What?" he exclaimed. "No, I'm not staying." Merlin turned his gaze to Jacob. "The offer is very nice, but I'm not going to let you go off on your own, Arthur." His attention returned to the prince. "Look at what we've encountered already. You'll likely get yourself killed!"
Jacob seemed hesitant. Obviously he wanted to help Merlin in any way that he could, but Arthur could tell that he only wanted it to be voluntarily.
"Give us a moment," Arthur said to the leader, then turned and pulled Merlin off to the side, ignoring the venomous glare that Gwaine was shooting at him for not being included or consulted.
"Merlin," Arthur said, making eye contact with the boy, something he rarely ever did. It was far too serious. "Listen to me. I thought all about this while you were sleeping. This is the best option we have."
Merlin just shook his head at Arthur's words. Sometimes the boy had a stubbornness that rivaled that of Arthur's father.
Arthur sighed. He knew he would have to be really persuasive if he was going to convince Merlin. In truth, though, part of him hated this idea just as much as Merlin obviously did. He didn't know these people and leaving Merlin in their care was one of the last things he wanted to do. Even though he knew that these people wouldn't possibly hurt him. Still, he was uneasy leaving Merlin in the care of someone who he himself didn't trust completely and totally.
But then Arthur remembered the sinking feeling that had resonated in his chest when his body had finally been freed of the beast's grasp and he had ran to Merlin's side, only to realize how hurt he was. Seeing Merlin covered in his own blood and with a heavily mangled arm had been enough to nearly cause Arthur to throw up. But it wouldn't have done him any good.
He was the Crowned Prince of Camelot. He had been training from a very young age to fight and think well and to not let anything scare him or get under his skin. And most things didn't, at least, not enough to leave a lasting impression on him. But there were a few things, a few nightmare scenarios that chilled him to the bone and weren't worth thinking about. And something bad happening to Merlin, losing him, frightened him to the core of his being. Nothing bad could ever happen to Merlin, not now, not ever. There had already been far too many times when he had let something happen to the idiot.
After watching Merlin get tortured half to death several years ago Arthur had made a promise, not only to others, but also to himself, that nothing even remotely close to that would ever, ever occur again.
And so when he had seen Merlin lying motionless and drenched in blood he had felt his heart stop and his whole world tip. If it hadn't been for Mercy's skill and presence of mind Merlin might not even be still…and that thought terrified him.
This wasn't even the first time since beginning this quest that Merlin had had paid a horrible price for saving them. And that blew him away, too. He had always known deep down, if he bothered to look, that Merlin was far from useless and he had seen the boy save lives on plenty of occasions. But this was now the second time that Merlin had saved both him and Gwaine from a magical creature that they had been unable to lift even a finger against. He didn't know why or how, but Merlin had managed to keep himself together long enough to kill the spider in the clearing, even though Arthur himself had been reduced to being mercilessly attacked by his own memories, and outrun the wolf and avoid being paralyzed. For some reason Merlin had managed to stay on his own two feet on both of these occasions and Arthur knew without a doubt that he wouldn't be alive right now if it weren't for him.
But Mercy had informed him, not long after Merlin had passed out from the pain, of the state of his arm. Merlin had gotten hurt in the past, but this time…this was something he would never fully recover from.
Hearing that Merlin would never regain full use of his arm again had felt like a blow to Arthur. Merlin always got better, he always turned out okay and none the worse for the wear, but because he had saved Arthur's life that would no longer be the case.
Merlin was so innocent and kind and loving, he was the last person who deserved this. Arthur himself had done things he wasn't proud of; out of anyone he should have been the one to get hurt.
After he had learned the full extent of the damage Merlin had suffered, and Mercy hadn't spared any details, he had made a vow to himself. Merlin had saved him, saved them both and he had paid a horrible price for it. He had done more than enough on this quest; Arthur wouldn't let him get hurt again.
"No, Arthur," Merlin interrupted his thoughts, "I'm not staying here." There was a strong determination in his tone that Arthur knew he would have to push hard to budge.
"Merlin," Arthur pleaded, "Look at yourself. You're hardly strong enough to stand on your own and you have a dozen injuries." Arthur adverted his eyes. "Mercy told me about your arm…the last thing we need is to injure or hurt it more." He looked back at Merlin with renewed vigor. "I know you're worried about everyone back home and that you want to see this through, but you've done enough. Stay here, rest, get back your strength and on our way back once we have stopped the storm we will come back here and take you home." He gave Merlin the most earnest look he could. There was no joking or sarcasm or even prattishness in his tone now. Arthur Pendragon was completely serious.
Merlin stared at him, his cold and discomfort forgotten, and he heard the plea in his master's voice. A big part of him wanted to listen to Arthur, not only so he could get the rest his body desperately desired, but also because it was intensely rare for Arthur to, for once, not be hiding his true emotions. But Merlin knew that he just couldn't. He couldn't let Arthur go on without him. Who knows what danger he could get himself into, or worse….what the price that someone may have to pay in order to stop the storm was? Whatever the price was, if it did exist, Merlin was determined to be the one to pay it. He would not let anything happen to Arthur. Physical pain and even his own safety didn't matter when it came to protecting Arthur…and it never would.
"Arthur," Merlin sighed, "I'm going with you. You can't get me to stay behind. You can't deny that after what happened today I might just be capable of saving your life, and no matter how remote that chance is I have to take it. We are in a foreign territory, who knows what you might run into. You may call me an idiot, and I guess you're right because I'm staying with you. You can't get rid of me." Merlin tried to give a reassuring smile, but it had no effect.
But Merlin's resolve nearly broke when he saw the pain in Arthur's eyes. "I made a promise," Arthur said quietly, almost as if he knew he couldn't win, "to some of the people who care about you back home that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. I've already broken that promise. But you and I both know that Gaius would kill me if I brought you back home dead.
"By rights you shouldn't even be here. You're a servant, Merlin; you shouldn't have to come on perilous quests with me. That already goes above and beyond the call of duty. I know that for some stupid reason you think it's your job to save me, but it's not. You may be lazy some days, but you have always done far more for me than was ever expected of you." Arthur ducked his head a bit in shame. "I know I-I haven't always treated you the way I should. But you have already given your arm for me; you don't need to give anything else." Arthur's voice hardened and his eyes turned to steel. "If I have to I'll have Mercy sedate you to keep you here. You're not coming with."
Arthur was very stubborn, but even he was really no match for the resolve that Merlin had. When that boy was truly determined nothing could stop him. "If Mercy or anyone in this town tried to stop me then I'd run away from them, or slip away when they weren't looking." Merlin's eyes were now just as hard as Arthur's. "Mercy couldn't keep me asleep forever; it wouldn't be good for my health. One way or another I'd find a way to follow you, Arthur, plus, I don't really think any of these people, especially Mercy, would drug me or keep me here against my will. Face it, I'm coming with you."
Arthur's stomach fell and dread welled up inside him. He could see it on Merlin's face that he had lost. No matter what he did Merlin wouldn't be staying behind. Arthur suddenly got an intense feeling of foreboding…Merlin was coming with them…and he was going to suffer for it.
Arthur looked down at the boy's arm and imagined all the other injuries Mercy had told him about. The manservant was half dead already…how much more could he take?
"All right," Arthur said, not looking at Merlin as he conceded, "but you're not going to be doing anything even remotely strenuous, understand?"
Merlin gave one of his impish grins—a grin that for a little while Arthur had been afraid he'd never see again—and replied, "Why, Arthur, your concern is touching."
Arthur wanted to give a retort, but he simply didn't have the energy to be making jokes and bantering with Merlin right now. He couldn't shake the feeling that something horrible was going to happen to Merlin because of this and until he got the idiot home in one piece he wouldn't be able to truly smile. The sense of powerlessness that this whole situation, and indeed this whole quest, was giving him reminded him all too clearly of those long and agonizing days all those years ago when he had watched, helpless, as Merlin was tortured. In truth, Arthur had been scared out of his mind for Merlin when he had seen his arm and that feeling still hadn't left him. Maybe it never would.
Merlin fingered the object around his neck absently. Already he was missing Mercy and her kind, easy-going and understanding nature. She was one of the few people who had readily accepted his magic without even asking any questions. She didn't ask if he had ever used it to hurt anyone or if he was secretly evil. In fact, she hadn't even asked what it was like. She had treated him like a normal person and hadn't let her knowledge of his magic affect how she behaved around him.
The horse beneath him jolted just slightly, but it was more than enough to make the pain that was already almost beyond his tolerance spike and he barely managed to suppress the agonized groan that tried to push pass his lips.
Though he was grateful that the people of the village, which he had learned was called Landar, had provided not only him but Arthur and Gwaine as well with horses, he almost wished to be walking in the hopes that that might lessen his pain. But he doubted it would. In all probability walking would only make him feel worse and hurt his arm more, not to mention the fact that he was hardly strong enough to stay on his feet at the moment anyway.
It was nearly dark now and Merlin had been in terrible agony for over four hours straight and there had been a point, perhaps a half an hour ago now, when he had been so desperate to just rid himself of the pain for just a moment and finally relax that he had tried a spell to take away his discomfort. It had backfired by shooting bolts of pain into his head and eyes and he had nearly blacked out. And that's when Merlin had gotten really scared.
Not long before he had left Mercy had asked him if there was a spell he could perform to heal himself or lessen the pain. Merlin had told her that normally he didn't try to heal himself since healing magic was tricky and difficult and he could end up seriously hurting himself if he tried while injured. And he had been right, but the intense pain that he had suffered from the simple pain-reliever spell he had tried was far more extreme than it should have been. With an easy spell like that at worse it wouldn't have worked and maybe caused his head to pound a little…but nearly passing out? His magic was a lot stronger than that.
But his chest felt heavy and he was starting to have some difficulty breathing and he was cold throughout no matter how hard he tried to get warm. Something, without a doubt, was happening to him. Something was affecting his magic, draining it. Before he had hoped that he was just imagining the pull against his magic that he could feel and he had tried to pass off the cold as just a reaction to all that he had been through. But now he could clearly feel it and he knew he didn't have much time left. Whatever was inside him was killing him. It was slowly draining the life out of him and he had no idea how to stop it. In his current condition his magic would be unable to do anything against it and he doubted that they'd find something or someone that would be able to help him.
He had a feeling he knew where the sickness inside of him had come from. After his encounter with the spider only a few days ago he had felt weak and tired from the exposure to the evil magic. Now just earlier today he had gotten attacked and bitten by yet another evil, magical creature that caused its victims to get sick and die. Merlin could do the math.
But all the others who had gotten sick had been cured when the wolf had died, so Merlin didn't know why he was still deteriorating.
Merlin wondered if maybe he should inform Arthur about the illness coursing through his veins, but he had just barely managed to get Arthur to let him come. Of course, even if Arthur had tried to make him stay behind it wouldn't have worked. Merlin was supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived and it was supposed to be his destiny to protect Arthur no matter what. One way or another Merlin would have followed the prat…nothing would have been able to stop him.
But telling him now might only further worry him and delay their quest, which they couldn't afford to do right now. The illness was slowly killing him that much he knew, but he wasn't going down without a fight. Unfortunately he had no idea how to get the disease out of his system. Not to mention he was currently in so much pain that he was having trouble seeing straight, let alone thinking clearly.
He now knew why the creature was able to freeze its victims so it could easily finish them off. In the heat of the moment when he had been fighting the wolf he had made up a spell on the spot. A spell that was the exact opposite of the beast. It was warm, strong, and full of life. In fact, within the flames that he had shot at it contained the essence of life. The creature drained life from its victims through the sickness that infected them. However, this time, Merlin didn't think that fire was going to help him. He could hardly set himself ablaze.
Merlin fingered the necklace that Mercy had given him once again. He remembered fondly the moment when she had handed it to him. It had been just as he and Arthur and Gwaine had been about to leave. Out of all the gifts that the people of Landar had generously bestowed upon him, this had to be his favorite.
"Are you sure that you don't want to take any painkillers with you? Just in case?" Mercy asked.
Merlin gave her a sad smile. "I wish I could, but the fallout of taking one would be far worse than the pain I'm in. I might as well free myself from temptation." Merlin bent down to lift up one of the bags so he could put it on the horse that the townspeople had provided, but Mercy beat him to it.
She hoisted the bag onto the horse and gave him a reproachful look. "Merlin, you shouldn't even be standing right now. That in itself is pushing my healing instincts; it's taking all my power not to force you to lie down. But you and I both know that you shouldn't be lifting anything right now. Your right arm may be almost back to normal by now since dislocations don't cause pain for too long, but you're still far too weak to be doing anything but resting. Come on, you told me that you are a physician's apprentice; you should know better than that."
Merlin couldn't help but smile fondly at the rebuke that reminded him so much of Gaius. "I guess I'm just having trouble breaking my servant habits. I'm not used to having other people do something for me," he defended lightly. That was the wonderful thing about Mercy; it was so easy to open up to her. Merlin couldn't remember the last time he had confided in someone as much as he had in Mercy over the past couple of hours.
Mercy gave him a sad look. "You're so much more than a servant, Merlin." She shot a glance at Arthur who was talking with Jacob. "And one day Arthur will realize that. I can feel it. And then I know everything will be okay."
Merlin instantly felt a bit better. Mercy and her words of comfort were like a ray of sunshine after being in the dark for far too long.
"But until then," the healer continued with a glint in her eyes, "I want you to have this." She held out her hand and then opened it to reveal a small silver necklace. While the chain was simple, the pendant was very interesting. It was what looked like a small woven cage, masterfully carved. Merlin recognized it as the one he had seen on her when he had first woken up and just as before he felt the small glimmer of power inside it. His eyes were drawn to the whitish blue stone within the wooden cage and he felt his magic try to reach out to it. There was something about this simple, yet oddly powerful in a small way, stone that puzzled him and filled him with curiosity.
"It was given to me by my brother," Mercy said. "Several years ago, just after our parents died, he made the wooden egg, as I call it, to house this small stone. I don't know where he got the stone, but he said that it would bring me good luck and keep me from harm. I have worn it ever since that day and I can't help but feel like it protected me from the wolf, considering that I was one of the last to be paralyzed by it. Of course, there was some speculation among the villagers that the people who succumbed quickly to the beast's disease were those who were naturally depressed or weak. The rumor is that those who were strong, not just physically, and held on to hope and were full of life in some way were better able to resist the creature's magic. You see, the people who first became ill were loners, people who were sad and alone and seemed to be without any fight in them. But some of the happiest, most hopeful people I know didn't get sick 'til the very end. It's just a theory, but it makes some sense. But, personally, I like to believe that my brother's gift protected me." She held out her hand towards Merlin again. "Here, take it."
Merlin stared at the beautiful necklace that his magic was certainly drawn to and felt humbled and awed that she would give something so obviously precious to him. He shook his head. "I can't." Mercy's face fell. "It's beautiful, but I can't take something that you care about so much. I don't deserve it. This was from your brother, you should keep it."
Mercy slowly closed her hand around the necklace and looked straight into Merlin's eyes. "My brother gave me this to protect me. Now you're here and you saved me, saved us all, from the biggest threat we have ever encountered. I don't think I need this anymore," she said earnestly and sincerely. She lowered her voice. "But I know who you are and I've seen a glimpse of your life. You need this far more than I do. Yes, it does remind me of my brother and I love the warmth those memories give me. But you saved me and I know that my brother would give anything to pay you back for that if he could…so maybe he can through this." She spread out her arms and gestured to the houses around her. "This whole town has given you some token of their gratitude, now let me do the same." She opened her hand once more. "I know that today will not be the last of your pain. You will continue to suffer for years to come. My only hope is that this may lessen your pain as much as it can."
There was really nothing Merlin could say to that. He was honored that she would give this to him so he wouldn't insult her by refusing it a second time. "Thank you," he said as he reached out and took it hesitantly. He slipped it over his head and it slid down his neck. Immediately he felt the pulse of magic grow stronger and he looked down at it, liking the way it hung and it comforting weight it had. "Only if you're sure," he said.
Mercy nodded in confirmation and smiled at the sight of it on him. "It looks good. I think it was always meant to be yours." Her eyes suddenly turned sad and she reached forward and gently hugged him. Merlin couldn't help but find it funny that he had gotten more hugs today than he usually got in a month. He should get permanently injured more often.
When she pulled away Mercy said, "I'm going to miss you, Merlin. You know, when I first saw you I thought you were my brother...coming back to save us. You actually look a lot like him." Tears began to well up in her eyes. "But it's your hearts that are the most similar. Luke always did everything for others, never even once thought for himself." Her face turned pained and serious. "And that's what got him killed. I know you would do anything for Arthur, Merlin, but I know the last thing he would want would be to be left without you. Take it from someone who knows…being the one left behind hurts more than dying. I hope neither you nor the prince ever has to go through that."
"So do I," Merlin replied seriously, but then his face brightened. "Thank you, thank you for all you've done. I owe you a lot."
"Not as much as this town owes you, Merlin," Mercy said and Merlin could see the tears of parting begin to leak back into her eyes. "I'll keep all your gifts safe until you come back, Merlin, I doubt you'll be able to carry them all with you now."
Merlin nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Assuming we come back from this quest alive." He turned his gaze away from Mercy and glanced around him, drinking in the harmless and peaceful village. But as he did so he caught a glimpse of something moving in the corner of his eye and he turned his head sharply to see it. Off in the woods surrounding the village he could see a figure, a very odd figure. It looked a lot like something he had once seen in one of Gaius' books. He squinted, trying to make it out, but then, right before his eyes, it vanished.
"I'm sure you will, Merlin," Mercy assured, bringing the warlock's attention back to her and away from what he thought he saw. "I have a feeling that you're a lot harder to kill than you look." Her voice turned thoughtful. "You said that you were trying to stop a great storm from destroying your home? Well, that might be the same storm that passed through here a couple of weeks ago. Only the outskirts of it touched us, but it was enough to nearly uproot houses. If the full force of the storm reaches your home there will be nothing left." A look of horror crossed her face as she realized for the first time how important their quest was.
"Exactly," Merlin said grimly, forgetting about what he thought he had seen in the distance. "I just hope we can find a way to stop it, since it's obviously magical, in time. That's why we're looking for anything powerful enough to do this."
"Well," Mercy said pensively, "there are some old rumors of a device powerful enough to do anything, to destroy anything. If that is the device you're looking for then have hope. You're very close."
And it was those last three words that did give him hope. They had very little time left. At best they had five days and even that would be cutting it very close. If they didn't find the object they were searching for soon…then Merlin's home and so many people that he loved, Gaius, Gwen, and others, would die. Merlin felt his resolve strengthen. He would not let that happen. He did not go through all of this just to fail. No matter what the price or how much pain he was in he would save Camelot. The alternative was unthinkable.
Gaius looked out over the kingdom of Camelot and heaved a sigh. He knew that wherever Merlin was he was doing his absolute best to save them all. But the storm on the horizon was far too close for comfort now and the people in the outlying villages had already been evacuated to the city.
Gaius knew in his heart that Merlin wouldn't let them down, but he couldn't help but worry for the boy. He had had a well of dread inside him ever since Merlin had come to Camelot. Dread that his secret would be found out and he would be killed. But in the last year or so, ever since Morgana's disappearance and Merlin's confrontation with the Great Dragon, the dread in his gut had increased and continued doing so. Every day he got more and more afraid of what might happen to Merlin and he was starting to realize that it wasn't just fear. Surrounding Merlin there seemed to be a great sense of foreboding, as if something horrible and unspeakable were going to happen to him. And it was a feeling that Gaius couldn't shake.
But ever since the boy had left on this quest he had known, deep inside him, that this was the beginning of something terrible, something evil. Merlin had a big destiny, that was for sure, but Gaius was starting to realize that his destiny might be the end of him.
He could feel it in the small spark of magic inside him that something dark was coming and soon everything would come crashing down.
So he wished, he hoped, he prayed that his instinct might be wrong, that Merlin would be okay. Because the storm clouds brewing on the horizon of Merlin's future were far more frightening, far more destructive, and far darker than the ones currently traveling towards Camelot.
Gaius stared at the gathering clouds in the distance and shivered. He knew that they were an omen of things to come.
So, yeah, I didn't get everything that I wanted in this chapter, but I got enough. If my muse stays consistent for more than two days at a time the next chapter will feature a glimpse of Merlin's humanity, meaning that we'll see that he does have a breaking point. Also, it should have a brief end to Merlin's pain in there. See, I can be nice to him. So, please review and tell me what your favorite parts of this chapter was and if you see any typos then let me know. I try to always fix them, but sometimes I just don't catch them.