The screams that echo in the halls draw the curious and the concerned. The first few to arrive in response to the screams are too stunned to anything other than to add their own voice to the screams. In the Chaos the slow moving figure in black is ignored. The figure, obviously a woman from the slight shape and the silken cloak, had her hood pulled forward as she moved along the walls. If anyone could see inside the deep folds of the hood, they'd see the woman smiling despite the occasional wince of pain.
Pushing through the crowd forming at the entrance to the King's Chamber, Prince Arthur finds himself stunned to temporary inaction. How do you choose between a father and a spouse? It is the blood that makes the choice for him, and once decided Arthur is quick to hurry to Uther's side. Dropping to the floor, Arthur gently pulls his father onto his lap. "Father, you can't die," he whispers as he places his hand firmly over the bleeding wound.
"Arthur …..was Morgana. …didn't know. " Uther says in a weak voice. "your mother … loved her ….. I love… you."
"Has someone sent for Gaius?" Arthur calls out. His eyes look at the ogling servants and then to Merlin's still form. "Has someone sent for help!"
Several silently nod their heads in response to the Prince's query. Mary, the King's chambermaid hesitantly moves forward. Tears stream down her face as she offers the Prince a towel. "I'm so sorry My Lord. All I could do was scream."
"Mary, you can help now." Arthur says as he takes the towel and quickly presses it against the King's wound in hopes to stay the bleeding. Nodding to the cluster of servants just inside the door, the Prince continues, "Get one of them to help you. I want you to try to move the furniture that the Prince Consort is tangled in. Be very careful. Do not move anything that will move him. Only try to move everything that can be moved away from him."
Mary nods her head as she presses her lips together nervously. It seems that being given a task is all that the woman needs to settle her nerves and get her moving. "Yes, My Lord." She says before quickly hurrying to the other servants. Pushing two servants towards the tangle of furniture, Mary and the others set about slowly clearing away the furniture.
"Arth ….ur," Uther says, drawing his son's attention.
"Save your strength Father, Gaius will be here soon." Arthur whispers as he presses the towel a little firmer against his father's wound. "Everything will be alright."
"I wanted ….to believe." Uther says, staring blankly up at the ceiling. "….miss her …."
As the King's mind drifts, several Knights and Gaius arrive. For the King the noise and the activity all fade to a memory of a fair beauty that had so effortlessly glided into his room such a short time ago.
Bending over his desk, reading over the details of latest tax receipts, Uthur doesn't even look up when his door opens. It was time for lunch so he expected someone to enter. "Put it on the table by the window. You can come back later to retrieve the dishes." He says without looking up.
"Can you not make time for me my love?" a soft voice asks.
With a furrowed brow, the King looks up ready to shout at who ever had the gall to speak in such a manner. The words that he might have spoken fall silent as he catches sight of the woman before him set his heart aflutter. "Ygraine? It cannot be you …" He says rising to his feet.
"Did you not remove the ban on magic?" Ygraine asks as she takes a tentative step towards the King. "Has it not been said that all things are possible with Magic?" Smiling and tilting her head with a flirting flutter of her lashes. "Did it not give us our son? Surely if it could do that then it is but a small matter to have me stand before you at this moment."
Pain rips Uther from his memory, and he gasps as he is lifted and carried to his bed. "Be careful. Arthur has managed to lessen the bleeding and I don't want the wound reopened." Gaius says as he supervises the movement of the King. "Arthur keep the pressure on the wound as best you can." As two knights move the pale form of the injured King, the Court Physician pauses a moment to look upon the still unmoving form of his Ward.
"It's …too late." Uther mutters as his eyes flutter closed.
"It's not your time Father! You are needed!" Arthur shouts in a panic.
Cloth is quickly cut away from the King's body, and the wound is fully revealed. From the Court Physician's furrowed brow and deep frown, it seems clear that the news is far from good. Still, no one is giving up and the King gasps again as he is gently rolled so that Gaius can fully inspect the wound. Uther's eyes are glassy and unfocused as he stares at his longtime friend.
A great sadness passes between the two older men. Good byes were never easy. Sad as they might be, the King does not dwell upon the present. His mind drifts back to the events that brought them to this point.
"Why now Ygraine?" Uther says as he closes the distance to the vision of the woman that holds his heart. Reaching up, the King tenderly brushes the back of his fingers against the woman's temple. In that instant, Uther relished the feel of his fingers against the fair soft skin. This was something he'd not done in decades. "I have missed you Ygraine, so much has happened, so much you've missed."
"You and your hatred of Magic kept me away." Ygraine says in a soft voice that did nothing to soften the accusation of the words. "Each death you forced upon magic drove those who loved you further out of your reach."
"I've learned Ygraine, I've changed and grown better for it." Uther says with sorrow as he gathers the woman he loves into a tender embrace. "You are with me now."
"It is your time Uther." Ygraine says as he lifts a hand to gently brush against the King's cheek.
Catching sight of Merlin entering his chambers distracts the King and his words make little sense. "Sire, I don't know who or what it is, but your wife Ygraine is long dead." Merlin said. The woman in his arms was warm, and just as he had remembered.
The King smiles as Ygraine rises up on her toes to whisper in his ear. "Your end has come Uther, you have failed to act in time. You must pay for the pain you've dealt your people and your daughter."
The pain of his memory mingles with the pain of present and the King moans in pain.
"Can you use Magic?" Arthur asks as it seems his father grows weaker with each breath. "Gaius, you have to try."
"I can try," Gaius says hesitantly as he reaches out a hand to rest over Uther's wound. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare" he whispers forcefully. His eye glow gold and after a moment the Court Physician releases a breath of frustration. "I'm not powerful enough, I 'm sorry." Looking to the still form of the Prince Consort, Gaius frowns deeper. "There is nothing more I can do, the blade struck his heart. It is a mortal wound."
"You …..will….be" Uther says, forcing his words out as he struggles for breath. "great…..king." Uther eyes search out for his son, and he clumsily moves his hand to rest over Arthurs. "…..proud." he says.
Arthur chokes in grief at his father's words. "If I am, father, it is because you have taught me so….." He says as he leans down to kiss his father's forehead. Still unwilling to submit to the inevitable, Arthur looks to Gaius. "Could Merlin save him?"
Gaius looks to his ward, still lying where he had fallen, guarded by the chambermaid Mary and Sir Gwaine. "Perhaps he could. He has the power of that there is no doubt, but he's still unconscious and we don't know the extent of his injuries."
"See to him and his injuries. If he is able to help without doing himself harm, then there is still a chance." Reaching out, Arthur stops Gaius from moving towards Merlin. "Gaius, if you can rouse him, do not tell him that my father is dying. You know him as well as I and he'll place the needs of others ahead of his own."
Nodding with understanding, the Crown Prince releases the Court Physician and he moves to check on Merlin. Gaius is across the room in a moment, and he gingerly lowers himself to kneel beside his Ward. Skillful hands quickly assess the injured young man. "No broken bones, though a possible concussion." He mutters aloud. "He has a great deal of bruising though." Gaius says with a frown. Hesitantly, the elder man holds a hand over Merlin's abdomen. Whispering a spell with glowing golden eyes, nothing appears to happen. The lack of apparent success seems to upset the physician.
"What's wrong?" Gwaine asks in a low voice. "What did you just do?"
"Nothing," Gaius is quick to say, "Merlin has some very deep bruises. Help me get him onto his back….." he says as he gently lifts a leg to move away the last piece of furniture that remains tangled with the unconscious warlock. "Support his neck and head. I'll support his back."
"You're hiding something," Gwaine says as he continues to speak in a low voice.
"Later," Gaius snaps harshly. "Other matters come first." Looking up into the worried eyes of the chambermaid Mary, he issues out a quick order. "Hurry back to my chambers and bring back the stretcher. You'll find it on the back of the door." Pausing, the physician grows impatient. "Hurry, there's no time to dawdle."
Rolling Merlin onto his back extracts a low moan from the unconscious young man. His face twists in agony and his mouth moves to form a low whisper, "Morgana…."
"Has the witch gone mad?" Gwaine exclaims in disbelief. "To strike at the King and the Crown Prince's consort is asking to be hunted."
"Now is not the time Gwaine." Gaius councils.
"Gaius!" Arthur calls out.
Rising to his feet as fast as his old bones will allow, the Court Physician hurries to the Kings side. Uther's breath is soft and shallow, and his eyes are unfocused and glazed over in pain. For a moment it seems as if he's fading as his eyes drift closed, and those standing around his bed hold their breaths. Suddenly the King takes two deep gulps of air and reopens his eyes, focusing upon his son. Uther smiles, silently sending the love and pride he feels for his only child. In a sense, this is the King's goodbye. The moment passes as quickly as it had come. Life fades from the King's eyes as he takes his final breath.
With a sigh of sadness, Gaius reaches out to check for a pulse at Uther's neck. Finding none, he gently closes the King's eyes. "I'm sorry My Lord," he says in a low, grief filled voice. Taking a sheet from the table near the bed, the Court Physician respectfully covers the King's body. Tears flow freely around the room, showing no prejudice as lowly servants, noble Knight, and the Crown Prince all shed tears of grief for the loss of their king.
.
.
The events that follow the death of a King are overwhelming. As a singular event, it takes a team of servants to clean and prepare the body for a week's viewing, messengers are sent out to alert the kingdom of the death and notice for the army to prepare should a neighboring kingdom decide to launch an attack to gain land in a time of morning, Burial vaults need to be properly finished for entombing the body, foods and supplies must be procured from the local farms or stores, hunters are dispatched to gather the meats needed to host the not only the meals for the wakes that would be hosted over the week of viewing.
Adding to the matters related to the death of the King, preparations and planning needed to be conducted for the coronation that would take place following the burial of the King. There was very little time for a family's grief or any consideration for personal matters. Sadly, the time needed by the servants to prepare Uther's body was the only time open for Arthur to see about his husbands injuries. Fortunately, Gaius had moved the Prince Consort to their private chambers, so the Crown Prince could see to the preparations while watching over Merlin's care.
At the moment, Arthur was carrying a heavy burden. Not only had his father died, but he had also lost a child and now waited for Merlin to wake from the injuries received during Morgana's attack upon the King. While he had not publicly wept, the Crown Prince's eyes were red and his entire presence spoke of the grief he felt.
"Why hasn't he come around?" Arthur asks from his perch at the end of the bed. Merlin's pale complexion only increased the angry appearance of the bruises that covered the left side of the Warlock's body. The salve that Gaius was applying did little to disguise the painful looking injuries.
"He's hit his head pretty hard." Gaius says as he carefully spreads the salve over his Ward's bruises. "There is also a chance that his Magic is protecting him while it focuses on healing his internal injuries."
"You mean while his body dissolves and discards what little there was of the child we lost?" Arthur asks with a slight catch of pain in his voice.
"There was nothing that could have been done, Sire." Gaius says with his own voice carrying the grief felt over the losses they'd experienced that day. "I'm sure Merlin's thoughts at the moment had been to help your father."
Nodding his head, Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose. "I do not want it known that Morgana took two lives this day. It is bad enough she's likely pleased with killing my father. I'll not have her gloating over our loss of a child."
"Saddly, I think you are right. No good would come of her knowing your private grief." Gaius says pausing his work to glance at the Prince. "You've been given a heavy burden this day, but as a whole the good will of the kingdom is with you."
A soft knock at the door interrupts any further discussion as it draws the attention of both the Crown Prince and the Court Physician. "Enter!" Arthur calls out.
Sir Leon opens the door slightly and pokes his head into the room. "Sire, they're ready for you." The Knight says respectfully.
"Thank you, I'll be right there." Arthur replies as he rises up from his seat on the bed. Glancing to Gaius, the Crown Prince reaches out a hand to rest upon the Court Physician's shoulder. "I realize it may not be appropriate, but if Merlin needs me send word with one of the Knights."
"Of course," Gaius replies.
.
.
A soft knock on the door of the Prince's chambers draws Gaius from his drifting thoughts. Rising up from his chair beside Merlin's bed, the Court Physician soundlessly pads across the room to open the door. Finding Teresa with William in her arms at the door, Gaius beckons her in. "Merlin has not yet regained consciousness." He says with a glance over his shoulder to the figure lying in the bed.
"I thought perhaps he would respond well to the sounds of his son." The nanny says with worry. "T'is a sad thing that's happened today. And I was thinking that there is nothing like the sound of a child's voice to lighten one's heart."
"It's worth a try." Gaius says sweeping his hand towards the bed. "Be warned though. Merlin's bruising is a fearful sight. Try not to let it shock you or William will sense your distress."
"I'll not let it upset me. I promise." Teresa says with conviction. With her jaw set as a means to prepare for anything that she might see, the Nanny silently crosses the room. Taking a seat in the chair beside the bed, she props young William beside his parent. "William has missed you this past week my lord. The Prince has been wonderful and has spent a good amount of time with the boy, as did the King." The Nanny's voice drops off, and her words faulted at the mention of the King. "Still, he's spent a good bit of time in the garden with the Prince, Gwen, or myself. He seems to really enjoy his time there as you well know."
At that moment, William begins to sing sounds which brings a smile to both Gaius and Teresa. It is a delicate sound sung with innocence that can only be applied to a child. Unexpectedly, Merlin turns his head to the sound. Encouraged, Gaius takes a step closer to the bed. "Merlin?" the elder man asks.
"Wha…?" Merlin says in a groggy tone.
"You've been hurt and we need you to wake up." Gaius says, growing more hopeful with each word.
"Morga…." Merlin mutters, his dry mouth finding it hard to form words.
William beings his singing again, and Teresa gently scoops up the infant and moves him away from the bed as Gaius takes her position in the chair. Moving closer to the wardrobe, Teresa quietly watches the Court Physician attempting to fully wake the Prince Consort.
"That's right. Morgana attacked the King and you when you came upon her." Gaius says quickly. "You've been unconscious since it happened this morning."
"Saw….Arthur….kiss…. Gwen." Merlin says, straining to form words.
Standing up, Gaius quickly retrieves a goblet of water. After slipping an arm under Merlin's shoulders, the Court Physician places the goblet to the injured man's lips. "Drink slow, and only a little bit. Too much may upset your stomach."
Taking a few small sips, Merin coughs but seems more comfortable after the sips of water. "Thank you." He says weakly. "The King?" he asks as his eyes flutter open though they do not seem to be focusing.
"I'm afraid the King did not make it." Gaius says sadly. "Morgana dealt him a mortal blow."
"My fault…." Merlin says with a voice that cracks with painful emotion.
"Merlin, you cannot take the blame for something another has done." Gaius scolds gently.
"Was upset." Merlin argues weakly. "Didn't think fast."
"The only person who is at blame is Morgana." Gaius says insistently.
"She used magic to disguise." Merlin says with eyes that appeared to be growing heavy. "Looked like Ygraine." Wincing with pain, he drags his hand along the blanket until his fingers brush over his stomach. "Hurts…..is okay?" he asks with his eyes opening slightly so to stare directly into Gaius's face.
Gaius doesn't answer. Instead he looks away, to avoid the answer. "You need to sleep Merlin. We'll talk again when you wake next."
Exhausted and in pain, Merlin's stubbornness flickers in his fingers stretch out and he begins to recite the spell that will reveal the presence of a growing life. When the Warlock's eyes glow gold nothing comes of the spell. A tear escapes from his eyes, and Merlin repeats the spell, only to receive the same results.
"I'm so sorry Merlin." Gaius says as he reaches out to take the hand that rests upon Merlin's stomach. "You suffered heavy bruising. The trauma of the fall was just too much."
Slowly drawing his hand away from Gaius, Merlin turns his head to face away from Gaius and Teresa. "I'm tired." He says flatly.
Frowning, Gaius reaches out and gently rubs Merlin's shoulder. "We'll talk later Merlin, perhaps when Arthur returns."
"I think I'll take William to put him down for the night." Teresa says uncomfortably as she makes her way towards the door. "I'm glad the young Prince was able to visit for a little while."
"It was an excellent idea, Teresa." Gaius says as he follows Teresa to the door. "I firmly believe that the visit helped draw Merlin from his sleep. Well done."
Teresa's eyes brighten at the praise. "Thank you for saying that, Gaius." Pausing to look back to the bed she sighs. "I hope the Prince Consort is feeling better in the morning."
"I'm sure he will be." Gaius says, "Good Night Teresa."