Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, its characters or its magic.
AN: Any and all mistakes are mine. I am currently watching all the episodes of Merlin that have commentary. I can't believe how funny some of them are. Really, go watch them if you haven't already!
Tears of an Angel Chapter 11The heat was too much to bear. Merlin closed his eyes, tears running down his cheeks. Against his closed eyelids, his visions were slowly fading. He could still hear cries, but at this moment, he didn't know whether it were his cries or those of a thousand others inside his mind. The smoke entered his mouth, sucked into his lungs, but he didn't have the strength to cough. It was like everything was numbing after having been through excruciating pains.
A darkness began to rise, one that threatened to consume him. He was frightened, not knowing what would happen once he was completely absorbed by it. Would he ever wake up or was this the end? His end? Thoughts raced through his mind during the short few seconds that he still had. He thought of Arthur and his future as King. He thought about Guinevere, imagining her with a beautiful gown as a Queen. He thought of Gaius and Lancelot. He thought of...it became too difficult to think.
Pain that had numbed his legs and stomach now reached his arms and neck. His skin burned, knifes seemingly cutting through it like he was mere butter. He wanted to scream, but his throat had swollen, no more sound able to escape it. All that he could see now, was darkness. No more unfamiliar faces, no more visions. It had ended. After all these days, he was free. He would have been joyful, if he wasn't dying at the moment.
The fire reached a new hight, but he no longer noticed. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't think anymore. The darkness had swallowed him and he drifted away into a silence.
-o-o-
Lancelot knew that time was running out. The sun had completely risen above the horizon, announcing the new day. A new, terrible day. He found himself running through the lower streets of Camelot and, judging by the few people that were present there, something was happening on the main square. Merlin's execution. He didn't bother looking back. He could hear Alec and Annabeth running behind him, following his every move.
As they got closer to the castle, Lancelot noticed the smoke rising into the air. His heart skipped a beat. He couldn't be late. Merlin depended on him and he was going to fail. Having his death on his consciousness would be a burden Lancelot wouldn't be able to bear. He picked up the pace, sprinting now. He ran into people, knocking them over, but he didn't waist time apologising.
The sight he saw when reaching the main square horrified him. Merlin stood amidst a large fire, his eyes closed and his cheeks wet. Fire and smoke surrounded him, rising higher until the young sorcerer was completely swallowed by it. Lancelot pushed forward, through the mass of people, needing to reach Merlin.
The King had spotted him and the Knight's intentions were clear. "Stop him!" Uther's voice was commanding, his hand pointing towards Lancelot. Guards instantly rushed forward, drawing out their swords and ready to attack. Lancelot, spinning around on his heels, looking away from Merlin, quickly drew out his own sword. With a flick of his wrist, the sword turned elegantly in hand. It was an easy move, but the guards seemed impressed, their attack haltering for a moment.
It was long enough. Lancelot stormed forward, charging at the guards and fought them bravely. He didn't need to win, all that he needed to do, was to buy them time. Alec and Annabeth rushed forward as well, standing directly before the fire now. Their hands rose and their words melted together. "Ddiddyma'r danio." Their eyes turned golden while wind and rain erupted, the fire instantly dying out.
Again, Uther's voice sounded through the square. More panic seeped through his voice, the mere sight of sorcerers stressing him. "Kill them!" he bellowed. More guards rushed forward and the citizens of Camelot, alarmed and distressed, ran in all different directions. It caused enough distraction and panic for Alec and Annabeth to run up the extinguished. They untied his burned hands, Merlin's body instantly falling forward, but Alec caught him gracefully.
Lancelot didn't hesitate. He joined them, his eyes widening when setting first sight on the young servant. "My God," he breathed. Merlin's skin was burned red and black. He could barely breathe anymore, only a rasping sound escaping his lips. As every second passed, more color drained from his face, his body going limp in Alec's arms. "Save him," Lancelot begged, kneeling down. Behind him, he could hear more guards approach, but for the moment, his entire attention was directed at Merlin.
"He's very weak," Annabeth sighed, her hand feeling his pulse, "Ysgyfain bod rhyddha." Her eyes flashed golden, a spell starting to take effect on Merlin as he coughed, his lungs becoming clear of smoke. It wasn't enough, however, and his breath was still shallow. "Chwisg'n ddawfn." Her eyes changed color again and this time, Merlin stopped coughing. He stopped moving all together and Lancelot feared that he had died, but his chest still moved up and down slowly. He had fallen into a sleep.
"Lancelot," Alec said, still holding onto Merlin tightly as he pointed towards the middle of the main square. The Knight turned his head, seeing two dozen guards approach them. The King had disappeared from his balcony, no doubt hurrying towards them now through the halls of the castle. Lancelot's gaze was suddenly drawn towards a man appearing behind the guards, a sword in his hand.
"I order you to stop," Arthur's voice was adamant. His eyes stood wide, filled with relief and fear at the same time. The guards turned to look at their Prince, unsure what to do now. Lancelot knew that Arthur was heading down a dangerous road, Uther probably locking him in a dungeon for months after this.
Lancelot didn't allow himself to think about that and he focused back on Merlin. "Please," his gaze connected with Alec's, "help him." Merlin's face was completely ghost-like, his lips blue. Around his eyes, dark circles had appeared and only now did Lancelot see how skinny he was, all bones. Then again, he couldn't remember the last time he had seen Merlin eat something decent since he had gotten back from the dead.
The young Druid boy nodded, his hand resting on Merlin's chest. His free hand took Annabeth's and he closed his eyes. "Chymor niar gerdded!" A sudden wind filled the main square, transforming into a whirlwind and swallowing Alec, Annabeth and Merlin whole. Lancelot stumbled backward, falling of the pyre and landing flat on his back.
"Lancelot!" Arthur yelled as he watched the Knight fall back. He ran forward and pulled him back upwards. Lancelot grabbed for the back of his head, his vision twisting and turning. His edges were blurry, but it only took him only a few moments to adjust and push down his nauseous feeling.
"What happened?" he could hear Arthur ask, but Lancelot couldn't answer. He wasn't sure what happened. All that he knew, was that Merlin was gone. Behind them, the King approached. His face was red with rage.
"Seize that man," Uther yelled, pointing towards Lancelot, "lock him in a cell."
This time, the guards didn't hesitate. Lancelot could feel his arms being pulled behind his back in a painful motion and he grunted. The guards took his away from the extinguished pyre, but Lancelot gazed only at Arthur who seemed unsure of what to do now. The King still held the highest authority after all.
"Father," Arthur spoke, but he was instantly silenced by the King's waving hand.
"Silence!" Uther barked. He turned on his heels and strode away from the square. "Follow me, Arthur."
As Lancelot was dragged into the castle, the last thing he saw, was Arthur obediently following his father. The Knight could only hope that tomorrow, it wouldn't be him to be executed.
-o-o-
Arthur stood before the window in his bedchambers. The main square below him was completely abandoned now. The pyre still stood in the middle and smoke still wandered low over the ground ever since the wind had completely disappeared. The weather was deadly silent, but dark clouds had started to drift into the city. A thunderstorm could break loose any moment.. It all had something ominous, like a horrible event had just taken place.
It had taken place, but it had been hours ago.
The sun had begun to settle, shadows falling over Camelot. The city had fallen back into its normal pattern, the panic of the people having died away. Now, most were just exited about it, telling stories already. Arthur had heard servant talk about a dozen magical people saving Merlin. A servant girl had been speaking of how Merlin must have possessed the people helping him. Arthur had wanted to fire every single one of them, but of course he couldn't. He was enough trouble as it was.
He had never before seen the King so enraged. He had yelled for what must have been two hours. Uther had been furious, disappointed and horrified. For a moment, Arthur had expected him to choke on his words, but the King had only swallowed down an entire goblet of wine, only to continue raging on. Arthur had been silent the entire way. For one, talking wouldn't have helped anything. Two, he was too occupied with thinking about Merlin.
He had absolutely no idea where he was. Was he even alright? Had the Druids been able to save him? What if they had been too late? Merlin's final screams still ringed so clearly through his head. They had been so loud, so terrified and filled with pain. Arthur had heard people scream before while burning on the stake, but he never really paid it any attention. But this had been Merlin, his goofy, idiot servant who wouldn't harm a fly.
A knock echoed through his chamber. "Enter," the Prince called out. For a short moment, he expected his father to walk in, wanting another round of yelling and telling how irresponsible Arthur had been. But of course, Uther wouldn't knock. Not after everything that had happened today.
It was Morgana who entered, carefully closing the door behind her. Her face was filled with worry and his skin pale (at least more pale than usual). Arthur could notice a slight tremble in her hands as she folded her hands before her. "Have you heard anything?" she asked, her voice high.
Arthur shook his head. "No," he said, "but I'm sure he's fine."
Morgana scoffed uncomfortably. "Fine?" Her eyes widened. "Have you seen him before those Druids took him?" She swallowed heavily. "He looked-"
"No," Arthur didn't want her to spoke those words, "he's not dead. He's fine, Morgana." He watched how she averted her gaze, though he wasn't sure why. Perhaps there were emotions written in her eyes that she didn't want Arthur to see. The Prince knew she was feeling them as he was feeling them too. "Look at me," slowly, he walked towards her, "we have to believe that he is fine."
Morgana looked into Arthur's eyes and they shone brightly. "The Druids are good people," she said carefully, "they will help him. You can trust them."
Arthur exhaled slowly. The Dragon had told him they would be able to help Merlin, but could he therefore trust them? There were so many of them that had tried to kill him in the past, to kill his father. It was like a switch in his head, but he couldn't flip it. Even thinking about the Druids made the little hairs in the back of his neck stand straight.
"I hope you are right," he told Morgana. If he couldn't believe he could trust the Druids, then at least he needed to believe that they would help Merlin. He had spoken to Lancelot already, albeit in a cell, but the Knight had assured him that those Druids, Alec and Annabeth, could be trusted. "We can only hope my father will see reason in the morning," he sighed.
Morgana instantly knew what Arthur was talking about. Her jaw tensed and she planted her hands in her sides. "Lancelot only did what he thought was right," she spoke harshly when thinking of Uther's actions, "he only wanted to help a friend."
Arthur sighed. "We'll have to break him out," he told her, "my father will have him executed." He turned towards his window again, the sun now having completely disappeared. The sky above them was completely black, not a star visible. In the distance, thunder rumbled and Arthur already dreaded the moment when it would reach the city.
"Then we'll act quickly," Morgana said, determined, "we'll break him out tonight."
Arthur turned back to look at Morgana and saw her grin. There wasn't another choice, really. Since the execution had failed today, Uther would not want to see another one end in dismay. Lancelot would probably face his end in the morning. "Alright," Arthur said, "we'll break him out tonight."
-o-o-
Merlin's breath came rasping. Annabeth's spell had worked well in clearing his lungs, but he had still been badly wounded. As he wanted to turn in his sleep, Merlin moaned softly, his face torn into a grimace. Alec had made sure, however, that he remained in a deep sleep. It was the only way that he could help ease the pain. The burns still covered most of his skin, the marks dark, black even around the area of his feet and legs. As soon as they had arrived in their camp, the people had gathered and used magic to heal him. The burns were very severe, however, and healing him completely would have put too much stress on his body.
They had done all they could for now. They would have to wait until the morning before more healing spells could be used. After all, Merlin's body was under a lot of stress and he needed a lot of rest. Using magic on him, even if it were to heal his wounds, could cause his heart to give out. Everything was looking good, however, and Alec even dared closing his eyes for a moment. He could feel himself drifting of into a sleep, but a hand on his shoulder called back his attention.
He gazed up to meet his father's eyes. "I will look after him," Iseldir smiled assuringly, "go get some rest."
Alec sighed. "I promised I would save him, father" he said, looking back towards the sleeping Merlin, "will I be able to keep that promise?"
Iseldir turned to look at Merlin as well. He reached for his face, the tips of his fingers slightly touching Merlin's cheeks. Iseldir closed his eyes and a moment passed of complete silence. "He dreams," Iseldir said, his eyes still closed, "he rests. His mind is strong and so is his body." Opening his eyes, he looked back to his son. "You will be able to keep your promise."
Alec nodded, relief filling him. Annabeth might not believe that Emrys would bring back magic to Camelot, but he did. The mere thought of his death send shivers down his back. He longed to live in a land where he didn't have to hide, where his children wouldn't have to hide. "How is Annabeth?" he suddenly asked his father, knowing he had been with her.
"The magic she used to save Merlin initially demanded a great toll on her," Iseldir said serious, "but she is alright and so is your little child inside of her."
A second wave of relief filled him. "She insisted on coming along," Alec sighed, "I should never have allowed it."
Iseldir knelt down before his son, their gazes connecting. His kind eyes brightened. "You did what was right," he assured him, "and no harm was done. Emrys will live and so will your loved ones. Now go to Annabeth, get some rest."
Alec nodded. He was very tired. Rising from his seat, he threw his father one last smile and then left, knowing that in the morning, more magic would be used on Merlin. He would need his strength then so he might as well get some sleep.
-o-o-
All the while, Merlin slept. For hours, he dreamed vividly, images flashing before him. They were visions, that much Merlin knew, but not new ones. He had seen so much and his mind hadn't been able to handle it. He had seen death and destruction. He remembered having seen all of this before, but only now did it make sense.
He could see Arthur sighing his last breath and Mordred standing before him as it happened. He could see Gwen and Lancelot, strangely together. There was no death in the scene, but there was destruction, though Merlin did not understand how or why. The image changed and suddenly, Merlin could see himself. He looked older, his hair less black. His eyes had changed as well. They still had the same colour, but they were...deeper somehow. Merlin watched himself and saw how he wasn't alone.
Morgana was with him, but she had changed as well. Her eyes were cold, bitter. Merlin witnessed how Morgana grinned broadly at the elder Merlin. Words were exchanged, but Merlin couldn't understand what was said. A long moment passed and Merlin waited patiently. Swiftly, Morgana raised her hand and used magic, sending Merlin flying backwards.
It had been a complicated spell, that much Merlin had understood, and fear embraced his heart. He was watching himself die. He would die by Morgana's hand!
Merlin's eyes opened, jolting upwards as panic spread through him. Four strong arms held him down and Merlin looked upwards, meeting the gazes of two unknown men. They looked friendly, however, though worry resided in their eyes. "Easy," the white-haired man soothed him, "don't panic."
Merlin felt a horrible ache throughout his entire body. Even breathing bloody hurt. "Where am I?" His voice was hoarse, barely audible.
"You are with Druids," the red-haired man explained, "I am Alec and this is my father Iseldir. We saved you."
Memories came rushing back, but they all ended when he had fallen unconscious on the pyre. He didn't remember any Druids saving him. He was grateful, though, because he knew he owed them his life. "Thank you," he whispered, smiling faintly. Exhaustion flooded him and his eyelids became very heavy again. He had barely time to realise that he was falling back asleep, or perhaps those Druids were using a spell? Merlin honestly didn't care. All that he knew, was that the pain was easing away again and the sleep brought comfort for this time, Merlin dreamt of Ealdor.
AN: I had mapped out this complete chapter, but to actually write it was difficult. I couldn't get it right, couldn't get it to flow. I changed bits, threw some sentences around and now I can only hope that it isn't a completely mess. It seems that all the studying is sucking up my writing skills (the few I have...) I do hope it was enjoyed.