I'm so sorry to all of you who are still reading!
I had no intention of making you wait this long to read this chapter and just to prove my apologies I have made this one much longer than all the previous chapters. We are getting into the next bit of the story with this chapter and I hope you like it! It's more protective!Arthur and Merlin still needs a little more whump before I can be finished with him (I really do love the character though, I promise!)
Also to Clara - I suck really horribly at answering PMs, I'm so sorry I never got back to you about Hunith (which by the way is a really good idea that I completely forgot about but in my mind no one really wants to worry her which is why no one writes to her -lol- but because you mentioned it I might have to find a way to bring her in the later chapters). I really do appreciate your feedback and I hope I haven't made you too mad with the lack of replies which I once again apologize for!
Ok well to those of you who are still reading, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Previously: It would be a long road to recovery but at least Merlin had friends who were willing to help him through it.
Uther gave a heavy sigh; it was the one he normally reserved for Morgana when she was being particularly willful, but today it was for his son. His ward had told him that Arthur had been sleeping in the physician's chamber, at first he simply assumed it was because that was where the boy had fallen asleep when he finally made it back to Camelot. It wasn't until Morgana brought it up that he realized that Arthur had spent every day there since his return. It was not appropriate. Uther was well aware of the bond that had formed between his son and the servant but it was not something that he could allow to continue. He knew better than most that people died for their King; Arthur needed to learn that now before it began to affect his ability to command. If the boy died or not was irrelevant, Arthur needed to realize that he was responsible to all his people, not just a select few. Uther was thankful for the service of his son's servant, if it hadn't been for his sacrifice there is a good chance his son would not have come back, but it was time for Arthur to forget about the servant, and for as thankful as he was, he would have to order Arthur away from the boy. He resigned himself to talking with Arthur after the council meeting, a meeting that should have started twenty minutes ago, where was the Crowned Prince?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Arthur threw open the doors, looking for all the world like he had dressed himself, a stricken expression playing across his features before he quickly covered it with a impartial mask. The King could not help the anger that slipped into his mind, his son was behaving unsuitably and it was time to bring it to an end. Yes, he would have to speak with his son.
The meeting dragged by even more slowly than Arthur could remember. Not only was it about ridiculously boring taxes but also he could not help the sleep that was constantly tugging at his eyes. He had not been sleeping well, and the sleep he could get was plagued with nightmares that chased the exhaustion from his mind. Uther seemed to notice his son's flagging attention because he called an end to the meeting, most of the important details had already been decided. As soon as Arthur heard the scrap of the lords' chairs against the stone flagstone, he too pushed his chair back, mind intent on getting back to Gaius'. That was until his father's voice broke his concentration.
"Arthur, I must speak with you."
The Prince inwardly groaned before turning back around, "Yes father?"
"It has been brought to my attention that you have been sleeping in the physician's chambers, I trust that you are almost fully healed?" It was an odd thing for his father to ask.
"Yes, father. Gaius did a fine job."
"Good, then you can forgo sleeping in the there from now on." And there was the anger underlying the tone.
"Father…"
"No Arthur, I have been understanding but now it is time for you to begin acting according to your station. I recognize the pain of your servant and, please do not take this incorrectly but I am thankful he took the punishment for you…" Arthur's anger flared but he managed to keep it simmering close to the surface. "…and that is why I have been reluctant to order you away. That being said, it is not appropriate for a Prince to take care of his servant, no matter how valiantly he behaved. Gaius is more than capable without your help. It is time for you to put this behind you. You will rest more fully in your chambers. Camelot needs her Crowned Prince at full strength."
"Father…"
"No Arthur, you will sleep in your own chambers tonight and you will go back to some of your normal duties tomorrow, you have an obligation to all the people of Camelot, not just a chosen few. If you resist I will barricade you in your chambers. If you continue to disobey me, I will be forced to find another way to keep you in line." There was a thinly veiled threat in that comment that Arthur prayed to the gods he was imagining.
Arthur weighed his choices, if he still had freedom of movement he could remain with Merlin for most of the day but if he was confined to him room, that was not going to happen until he chose to climb down the side of the castle (the rope was still under his bed). Deciding that scaling the wall could potentially cause more problems he ground out, "Yes father."
"Good. This is for the best Arthur. I realize that you see this man as a friend after this but that cannot be so. You are to be king, Arthur, you cannot afford those connections with those who serve you because men will die for you one day."
Arthur bit his cheek hard enough to draw blood and nodded. He had no qualms about ordering his trained knights into battle; his servant…friend…should have never been in the position he had been in, there was a difference. And no matter his father's convictions, he could not separate Merlin from the title of friend, of brother, in his mind. It would not matter in any case, Arthur would not stay from the room for long, he would do the minimum amount of work required by his father and the rest of the time he would care for his friend. Then he realized his father was giving him his list of tasks,
"…you are set the guard rotation as well as the patrols for the knights. Also do not forget about the relief papers that need read and signed." Finished, his father turned back to his paperwork, Arthur took that as a sign he was to be dismissed, "Is that all you require, Sire?"
"Yes, Arthur." The Prince turned on his heel intent on leaving when the King's voice stopped him again, "Oh and Arthur, do not think I am doing this to be cruel, I am doing this to teach you a lesson."
The justification did little to ease Arthur's anger; instead he figured he needed to make a trip to Gaius' before he finished his chores for the day.
Arthur could hear the tortured shouts as he was striding up the stairs and he picked up his pace. Throwing open the door, he saw Merlin thrashing on the bed, sheets twisted around his legs, yelling at an invisible foe. Thankfully his broken arm was tied tight to his chest, but he was at risk of tearing the stitches that Gaius had used to so careful close the numerous wounds on his back. Looking around anxiously for the physician before realizing he must have needed to go on his rounds, Arthur dropped to the floor beside the bed and took hold of his friend's shoulder, shaking slightly.
"Merlin!" The first shout didn't rouse him, if anything it made the twisting worse.
"Merlin, please you have to wake up!" He shook the shoulder a little more vigorously now, knowing Merlin would hurt himself if he continued on.
Placing his hands on both shoulders and holding him down he yelled, "Merlin, they're not real, nothing you're seeing is real you have to wake up!" Suddenly, the twisting stopped, a subtle trembling taking its place, before his eyes snapped open and he sat up quickly, almost cracking skulls with Arthur. He was still shaking when he met Arthur's gaze with teary eyes.
"I'm s…sorry." Was all Merlin managed to stutter out before he dropped his head into his hands, willing the tears not to fall again in front of the Prince.
The Prince was taken aback, why the hell was he apologizing now? Doing the only thing he could, he wrapped his arms around his brother and held him while the tears he knew were coming, wracked his frame.
After Merlin was able to compose himself, Arthur sat back.
"Merlin what happened? What were you seeing?"
Merlin's eyes snapped to his before he saw the blush rising in his cheeks, "It…it's nothing Arthur. I…don't want to talk about it."
"Merlin, you always want to talk about everything, why is this any different?"
"Please Arthur, I just…I don't want to."
Before he had woken up, Merlin would have nightmares but they always seemed so muted, ended with a soft word and a cool cloth, this was different and it was starting to hit Arthur just how painful whatever Merlin kept seeing was.
"Merlin," he lowered his voice a bit, "you might be able to stop seeing them if you talk about it."
The man simply bit his lip and shook his head, "I…I just want to go back to sleep. I'm so tired."
Arthur complied, helping him to lie down again but qualifying his help, "Alright, but you will tell me eventually Merlin."
His eyes already closed he whispered back, "Whatever you want, prat," before he fell into a, hopefully, peaceful sleep with Arthur beside him.
That was when the Prince felt the guilt rise up. How long had Merlin been dealing with this nightmare while no one was here? While no one could bring him out of his tortured unconsciousness? While he was doing what his father asked of him? He knew he could no longer do what his father wanted; he couldn't be a Prince just yet. He still needed to be a friend. He still needed to protect the one who had protected him for so long.
When Gaius returned he was surprised to see Arthur asleep at Merlin's side. The physician knew that Uther had ordered him to essentially stay away from his chambers. Gaius knew the mandate was a mistake but his attempts to convince the King of this fact had ended disappointingly. Realizing how cross Uther would be if he found out his son spent another day in the physician's chambers Gaius moved to wake him and send him on his way. It took a couple of prods but, eventually, Gaius got the Prince to wake.
Taking in Arthur's bleary-eyed expression, Gaius started, "Sire, I think it would be best if you went back to your own chambers."
"Gaius, just let me…"
"No, Arthur. Uther talked to me as well. He was serious about what he told you earlier and he is thinking of forcing you out of the city if you continue to disobey him." Arthur just glared at him but didn't fight, so Gaius continued, "However, he did not bar you from the room. If you handle your responsibilities fully then return, he would have no grounds to punish you."
Arthur mulled this new bit of information over. He wouldn't be training or anything too strenuous (at least not for a few days) so what he had to do would be mostly meetings and organizing the guards, the normal paperwork he always did. Realizing that he could get that done rather quickly without Merlin to distract him, he reluctantly agreed with Gaius' train of thought.
As soon as the Prince's shoulders slumped, Gaius knew he had won the argument. Arthur pushed his chair back and made for the door before remembering something and turning around to face the physician,
"We can't leave him alone anymore Gaius, not yet. There has to always be someone in here."
"What do you mean? Did something happen?"
"His nightmares have gotten worse. Today when I came back from the meeting with the King, he was dealing with one. If there is no one here to wake him, he could hurt himself worse. He almost tore his stitches before I was able to wake him. I will finish my duties as quickly as possible and then I will come straight here, but if you or I cannot be here, someone else needs to be."
With that the Prince was out the door and back to his own room to finish up the chores he had already neglected for the day.
Throughout the next few days, Merlin was awake for longer periods but the dreams seemed to be getting worse. Arthur was a frequent visitor in the afternoons, once he had finished his duties. The warlock was starting to get stronger but the dark bags that still clung under his eyes bore witness to the terrors he was seeing in his sleep. He was feeling better physically but the horrible dreams were clouding even his waking thoughts. He knew what the Prince was doing. Most times, when Gaius was on his rounds and Merlin should be left to suffer in silence, Arthur was there. He knew he could trust his friend implicitly but still could not bring himself to tell Arthur what was going on. On a particularly annoying day, Arthur finally got the better of him. The Prince had just woken him and for some reason Merlin couldn't get back to sleep.
"I know you're still awake Merlin." The warlock rolled his eyes as he heard the Prince's mumblings from across the room where he was retrieving a pain relieving draught.
"It won't do any good Arthur." Merlin huffed back in irritation. Three days of this! Three days of the normal emotion-hating Arthur hounding him for the explanation of a dream he would much rather forget when he was actually awake.
"You don't know that Merlin, it might help." The Prince insisted, handing over the potion that the warlock quickly downed, and sitting down on the bed.
"I just…I can't Arthur. It's bad enough I have to see it when I close my eyes, I don't want to think about it when I'm awake too."
Arthur could tell how tired he was, knew that while he was getting sleep, it wasn't anywhere near restful. Still Merlin could be more stubborn than he so he knew he just had to continue to be annoying to get the truth.
"Well, you know you can always tell me." Arthur didn't actually expect that to work but he looked over and saw Merlin regarding him rather intensely for a moment, like he was trying to figure out if the Prince actually meant what he had said. Seeming to decide that he did, Merlin swallowed hard and started, his stare boring holes into the floor in an attempt to escape from his decision.
"It…It's…umm…its from when they…ah…you know…when we were captured." It was an odd thing to see the normally articulate man reduced to fumbling through a sentence, but Arthur didn't comment just allowed him to continue.
"Only this time its not me they went after…its…umm…its you, Arthur." At the whispered confession, Merlin looked up half expecting to see laughter in his friend's eyes but only seeing an encouraging understanding, he continued, turning his eyes down to the fringes on the blanket.
"It's everything they did to me, except they are making me watch this time while it's done to you. Only this time…they…Morgause…knows about my magic, and used…umm…magic suppressing manacles…so I…couldn't…do…anything to help."
When Merlin finally ground out his short confession, Arthur was silent and the warlock wasn't sure how to take it. He knew that after all that had happened they should be on the same standing but then his traitorous brain decided to remind him that happened before he had told the Prince about his magic. He began to wonder whether or not his understanding and caring had ended after they made it back to Camelot. After he had been forced to confront his father. And then he remembered what had been said in the cave; maybe Arthur had just said that for a dying man's benefit.
Arthur, on the other hand, missed his brother's conflict, and could only think about how he felt during the whole ordeal. How he had to watch, as his friend was tortured. Still saw it when he closed his eyes, so he had an idea of how Merlin was feeling and he understood why his sleep had been so fitful. Images flashed before his eyes as he remembered everything. It was only Merlin's sheepish voice that snapped him out of it, "Arthur?"
"I'm sorry, Merlin I was just thinking."
"You're going to turn me in aren't you?"
"Wh-what? Why would you think that? Why would I ever do that?" A snap of anger colored his tone.
"Its just...you're not saying anything." Merlin whispered back.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking," the anger cooled just as quickly as it had come, "I just…I know how you feel, I mean with the dreams and everything. And while I know it can't make it go away, I can tell you, everything you're dreaming is a lie. It didn't happen. I'm fine, you're thankfully fine. We both made it back and its not going to happen again."
"How can you promise that?" Merlin was begging for answers, he was done not being able to sleep; he wanted the security that came with knowing nothing would happen again.
"I won't let it." Arthur held Merlin's gaze and was deadly serious as he said it. For some reason the fierceness in his tone made Merlin feel like a weight that had been sitting on him since they made it back to Camelot had been lifted. Then Arthur continued, a slight annoyance in his tone, "And don't think I will turn you in, I promised you would be safe in Camelot and I meant it. You saved my life, Merlin, I could never punish you for that."
Resolution reached, both men sat shoulder to shoulder for a time before Merlin started to nod off. Arthur noticed and helped him lie down, praying to every god he ever learned of that his brother would be able to finally get some sleep.
Around the same time that Arthur was helping Merlin sort out his sleeping, Morgana began implementing her plan, asking Gwen when she would be visiting Merlin next. When the maid told her it would be as soon as she finished the washing, Morgana told her to drop it and suggested they go at that moment, Gwen happily agreed. The lady really just wanted to see if Arthur was listening to his father's orders. That was how the pair found themselves outside Gaius' chamber.
They could hear voices in the hall and Morgana scowled behind Gwen when she realized one of those voices was Arthur's. Looks as though she would be going to Uther again. Suddenly losing interest in actually going into the room, she tried to quickly come up with an excuse when Gwen opened the door. Playing along it was.
As the door opened, three sets of eyes turned to look at them. At Gwen's entrance all three broke out until smiles. Arthur was the only one to falter slightly when he saw Morgana although it was covered so quickly it could have been a trick of the light.
Looking at the four of them, Morgana couldn't help it when her mind wandered. For just a moment, she allowed for the nostalgia. It was odd looking at people you used to care about; they all still cared about each other and, judging from their expressions, apparently about her so why couldn't she return the favor? Then once again she remembered that her true self didn't matter to them. She remembered what Morgause told her about Merlin's magic and Arthur's willingness to protect his pet sorcerer. That was when the hate burned through the confusion; he never would have done that for her. Never would he have disobeyed his father to protect a sorceress, she knew that because she knew how strong his hatred for magic was. Yet he allowed himself to be a walking contradiction, allowed himself to defend someone that he knew practiced magic. Why was Merlin more special than she? Why did she have to lose everything she knew to be accepted and he didn't have to sacrifice anything? Suddenly, something in the room changed. She realized someone had been talking to her and she forgot to respond, so she quickly made something up. Covering her slip with a coy smile, she directed her attention at Arthur,
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I didn't sleep well last night and I drifted off thinking about something, what were you saying?"
The Prince obligingly filled her in on the story, a slight frown on his features before finishing the tale.
Arthur couldn't help the wave of suspicion that washed over him when Morgana entered the room and that was only amplified by the tensing of the wounded man beside him. This was the first time Merlin had been awake with Morgana in the room and Arthur did think it was odd that he would not be happier to see her. They had been friends before she had disappeared. Regardless, this was becoming something Arthur could not just brush off, if something made Merlin uncomfortable about Morgana then he was going to have to ensure he watched her when he could. Of course then his mind reminded him that both he and Merlin had been tortured for two weeks and this might just be a natural reaction when someone new entered any situation. Arthur decided on the former reason because he did not feel the same creeping sensation with anyone else. Still he could do nothing about it at present so he focused on finishing the story he had been telling when the pair walked into the room.
The last person he wanted to see, other than of course Morgause and Cenred, was Morgana. That feeling was even more intense after what her sister had done to them. Still Merlin knew he needed to relax. While Arthur knew about his magic, he did not know about Morgana's or her ties with Morgause, and it would kill him to know that the woman he thought of like a sister would eventually betray them. Even with that need to conceal, he couldn't help the shiver and tensing that went along with seeing her again. He could have sworn he saw Arthur's face fall as well when she entered the room. Still the Prince acted like nothing had happened, continuing on with the story. Merlin could feel Morgana's eyes boring into him, almost like she was trying to see something within him and that was when he had the chilling thought that she knew about his magic. He tried to ignore this revelation. It didn't matter if she did know about his magic because Morgause was dead; Morgana would not be able to do anything without the support of her sister. At least that was what he prayed to the gods would happen.
He stubbornly forced these thought from his mind and focused on Arthur who was apparently catching Morgana up on the story because she had drifted off as well. Her eyes met his for just a moment after they had left Arthur's and he couldn't help but feel like his last assessment was wrong, she would act without her sister.
They had only been in the room for a short time before Morgana turned to Gwen,
"Gwen we must get going."
"What for, milady? I did not think you had anything planned for the night."
"I'm having dinner with Uther tonight, surely I mentioned it to you?"
"I don't believe you did…"
"It is of no matter, I must get ready and I need you to assist me. We should be going." Then turning to Merlin she said, "I am glad you are feeling better Merlin." Turning on her heel she left three stunned men behind her as Gwen hurried to catch up.
Morgana, of course, had no plans to eat with the King but knew he would not refuse her if she showed up, which was precisely what she did. Putting on her best appeasing face, she strode into the room and addressed the King who was eating alone with his papers.
"Would you mind if I joined you for dinner tonight, milord?" A surprised look painted the King's features as he looked up from what he was reading but that was covered by a joyous expression as he regarded the young woman before him,
"Of course, Morgana. I would be glad of the company."
The King's ward took up her place at the right hand of the King, waiting for a servant to bring her a meal, she had given Gwen the night off so the maid would not know she was about the rat out the Prince.
Dinner passed with the required small talk and it was after the plates had been cleared that Morgana implemented her plan.
"Milord, I must speak with you about something."
"Of course, Morgana, what is the matter?"
"Its Arthur, sire."
His face turned serious, "What has happened Morgana?"
"Nothing is wrong, milord. It's just that he continues to spend much of his time in the physician's chambers." Then she hurriedly added, "I just don't believe it is of any benefit for him to keep recalling the affects of his capture. It would be better if he were to be back to his full responsibilities, he is strong enough to do so."
The King looked pensive for a few moments, like he was trying to decide which order would be best for his son, until Morgana lied, knowing that Gaius would never contradict her. "Gaius agrees with me." That was enough to change his mind.
"He said this?"
"Yes milord, he told me today when Gwen and I went to check on Merlin." She had to make an effort to keep the acidic tone from her voice as she mentioned her former friends' names.
"If Gaius thinks he is fully healed then I see no reason why he should be not be completing his full responsibilities. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Morgana." The witch hid a smirk behind her wine glass; she would force Arthur to leave one way or the other.
Arthur awoke the next day to a wonderful breakfast, shined boots, and clothes set out for the morning, a servant standing at the door. Too tired to suppress a groan, Arthur stomped out of bed and behind the dressing screen, well aware that his father had been behind this new servant (the one before had flat out refused to come back to his room). In conformation of his suspicions, the servant looked over at the screen expectantly before realizing the Prince was not going to start the conversation.
"Sire, your father expects you in the throne room once you have dressed and eaten."
Of course he does, Arthur thought venomously to himself, as the servant moved silently around the room, cleaning and organizing and doing everything he was supposed to do. Merlin would have already dropped something, or just be skating into the room, a ready excuse and a smirk on his lips. This servant however did none of that and when Arthur finally poked his head out from behind the screen he noticed a remarkably clean room, and he hated it.
"Are you going to come here so I can get dressed?" Arthur snapped at the undeserving servant. The venom really was unnecessary but still he didn't apologize, even when the bright red face turned his way. Frown still firmly in place, Arthur moved back behind the screen and waited, he was not looking forward to talking with his father.
Arthur swept into the throne room looking for the entire world like the Prince he was, right down to the condescending scowl on his features.
"Father, I was informed you wished to see me."
"Yes, Arthur. It has been brought to my attention that you have again been disobeying my orders."
The Prince started to defend himself when Uther stopped him, "I am aware however, that it was my fault for not remembering how stubborn you can be. I know that you have been completing the abridged set of tasks I asked of you so I cannot find fault. That being said, given your obvious healing, I order you to return to the full load of your responsibilities. That includes training the knights, dealing with patrols, council meetings, everything that you had been doing before this unfortunate incident."
Unfortunate incident? Arthur scoffed, is that how his father was choosing to see their capture and his friend's subsequent torture, as an incident! The King continued,
"If you refuse to do so there will be consequences and not just for yourself but also for this servant that you value so highly." Even Uther saw the fury in his son's eyes when he threatened Merlin; apparently his son hadn't listened to his lessons on propriety and social order. Arthur needed to see the error in his ways. "The court physician is currently taking care of the boy but I can order him stop, it is within my power to do so. You have to learn Arthur. This boy cannot be your friend. And since I recognize that simply ordering you to go back to your duties will not doing anything, I find I have to threaten him as well."
It took a moment for the Prince to process what he father was saying, when he finally did Arthur was blinded by rage, how dare his father behave like Cenred, like Morgause. He was supposed to be better than the ones who kidnapped them. "You cannot do that father! He has done nothing wrong, he defended this kingdom, defended me! How can you even think that would be a moral course of action?"
Uther somehow managed to stay calm, "A King's job is to make the immoral decisions that others do not wish to make for the good of the kingdom, and I am doing that now. You are to be king one day Arthur, you can rely on no one but yourself and if forcing this decision on you teaches you that lesson, then I am willing to take the brunt of your anger." The King looked at his seething son, knowing that if looks could kill he would be dead multiple times over. "Do not misunderstand me Arthur, I do not want the boy to die but if it comes down to it, I will choose your education over his life in any instance."
Uther stopped, waiting for his son's reaction, bracing for what it would be. What he got was not what he expected and he had to strain his ears in the beginning to hear over the cold malice of his son's tone.
Finding a calm that had been deeply buried Arthur weighed his words carefully, "I will do as you ask Sire. I will go back to the duties that you find so much more important than a man's life. But before you think you've won, just know, the man you are threatening, the servant that you seem to find so insignificant, is a better man than you. He has the bravery of a knight and to treat him as a pawn in your power play makes you no better than the snake Cenred or the witch Morgause. You, Sire, have been so blinded by your own hatred and anger that you fail to see the worth in anyone." His diatribe finished, Arthur turned on his heel and stalked from the room, knowing what he did was not his most intelligent move but at least his father now knew where he stood and if nothing else, that was a liberating feeling.
He never turned back as he walked the long path out of the throne room and his father never said anything to get his attention. Had the Prince turned back to survey the damage, he would have seen a King who was lost for words, who was so confused and astonished at his son's continued defense of a servant that he had no idea where to start with the disrespect and impropriety shown to him. It seemed that he would just have to see exactly what his son would do, if he did as he was told, then the King would simply let the matter drop as a consequence of the torture but if he did not, Uther would be forced to make good on his promises. Much of it really depended on where Arthur was by midday because that is when the knights had their practice.
As badly as the Prince wanted to go to Gaius', he was aware that Uther's threat was not an idle one and he would have no qualms about forcing Gaius to stop treating Merlin. While that was something that Arthur knew the physician would never do, he did not want to force Gaius to make that choice. Changing his direction, Arthur went back to his room, he would get ready for training and damn his father, he would protect his friend.
When he finally got the time stop by Gaius' room, his anger was still simmering very close to the surface. The training had been hard, Arthur had taken out a long of anger on the men but it still did not relieve the emotion entirely, and the only thing that did result from the ordered swordplay was a smarting back. Just because he was taking care of Merlin did not mean that he was completely healed, he had carried the warlock most of the way home and that had taken a toll on him as well. His back had been healing nicely until he reinjured it at training and in his attempt to spite his father, he had continued for the rest of the session. He figured that the pain was worth a visit to the physician's, after all Uther had not told him he could not visit, simply that he couldn't forsake his duties to do so. He had done everything that was required of him for the day.
As he pushed open the door he was surprised to see Merlin sitting up and talking with Gaius who had his back to the door. Merlin looked up at the creak of the hinges, a flash of fear on his face before he realized who it was, and his address of, "Arthur, you look terrible," made the Prince feel better than he had felt the entire day.
Easily falling into the rhythm, "Honestly, Merlin, even on my worst day, I still look better than you."
"Is there something you need Sire?" Gaius interrupted the banter.
"I…uhhh…hurt my back at practice and I was hoping I could have a tonic."
"Of course Arthur." The physician got up off the bench and moved over to his tonic shelves.
"You hurt your back at practice? That sounds like a rather girlish thing to do." The warlock had a smile on his face once he saw the annoyed look on the Prince's.
"If I hadn't had to carry your sorry ass for so long, it probably wouldn't be hurting so badly." Immediately regretting the comment the instant Merlin's face fell, Arthur started to apologize, "I'm sorry Merlin I didn't mean..."
"It's alright Arthur, I know what you had to do for me and I want you to know I truly appreciate it. I would have died if it hadn't been for you."
"Merlin, they would have killed me if it hadn't been for you. The way I see it, I owed you, I still owe you. So I'm sorry, please do not think I mean anything with comments like that."
"I understand Arthur, I know you are not the sharpest sword in the armory." And just like that the tension evaporated.
"You're one to talk, you can barely sharpen a sword."
That was when Gaius came back over and broke up the conversation, "Here Arthur, this should do the trick but you really should take it easy for a few more days before you go back to training."
"The King refuses to hear it Gaius, so I will continue to do as he commands." Gaius and Merlin could hear the anger in his voice and knew that something must have happened between father and son. Both, however, wisely decided to leave it alone and the conversation turned to other avenues.
After Merlin had fallen asleep, Arthur turned to leave, ready for his own bed when Gaius stopped him, "Arthur, Merlin told me he talked to you about his nightmares." It was a simple statement but it suddenly made Arthur feel uncomfortable until Gaius continued, "thank you."
"What?"
"I couldn't get him to talk to me about them but I noticed that he had been sleeping more peacefully today than he had been so I asked him why. He told me that you made him talk about the dreams and that as much as he didn't want to admit it, it helped. Thank you." Arthur could see the sincerity on the physician's face and hear it in his tone.
"He's not having nightmares then." Arthur breathed a sign of relief.
"He still is but they are not nearly as violent and I could wake him quickly. You have helped him more than you know."
"Thank you for telling me Gaius. I must get going now but have a good night and please tell Merlin I will stop by again tomorrow."
"Of course, sire. Good night to you as well."
Arthur walked back to his room feeling more calm than he had felt the entire day and for once his night was not plagued by the nightmares that had so recently been appearing to him.
The next few days continued like the last. Merlin was waking more often and his caretakers felt more comfortable doing what they needed to do without fear for his wellbeing. That was when Morgana decided to make her move.
Morgana stole into the room after making sure that Merlin was in fact, asleep. There was no one in the room thank the gods. As it was, it was ridiculous that she had to go to Uther to get Arthur to leave the room. She knew it had been risky because if Uther had told Arthur who had tipped him off, the Prince would be suspicious but so far, the King had been unwilling to give away her secret. Still if she saw the Prince in here again, blubbering over his duplicitous servant, she would actually have to tell him what she thought about him. How absolutely pathetic and weak he was. How Camelot deserved a more worthy ruler and she would fill that role. Still she couldn't. She knew if she even breathed a word of it to anyone, there was a chance she could be found out. No, she would not get to tell Arthur what she thought of him, not yet. Instead, she would focus on killing his friend, leaving him grieving, and then taking the crown for herself, that would be a revenge that was much more satisfying. Her lips curled into a sadistic smile as she thought of her plan, and sneaking over of the potions table, her smiled widened as she saw the hemlock. Yes, it would be perfect. He had tried to kill her a year ago with the same poison, she would return the favor and no one would be the wiser.
Taking hold of the poison, she checked on Merlin once more to ensure that he still was asleep before she slipped out of the room, tutting to herself as she realized that within the month, her enemies would be dead or bowing at her feet. What she didn't notice was the small servant who was coming up the corridor from the opposite direction carefully balancing a tray of food for the wounded man she was so happily planning on killing. Instead she continued on her way, safe in her knowledge that no one of consequence had seen her.
Ethan watched the Lady Morgana leave Merlin's room. At first he had been worried when he had seen someone leave, there hadn't been anyone in the room when he had left, but when he realized it was the Lady his worry eased. He knew that she was a friend to Merlin and that she was probably just stopping in to see him. His worry assuaged, he managed to open the door with his foot and focused his attention quickly on Merlin, who was beginning to wake up.
The rest of the day went by like every other, the only difference was, neither Merlin or Arthur could sleep that night.
Arthur put all his frustration and anger behind the blade. While his sleep had been more peaceful as a whole, the previous night he had found it impossible to sleep, it was almost as if his subconscious was telling him something was about to happen. Still he couldn't pinpoint it so he had just ended up with a poor night's sleep. Something he was taking out on the men he was "training".
Throughout the session Arthur kept having flashbacks, the weight of the blade kept taking him back to Cenred's castle and for as many times as he tried to shake the image lose and focus on his knights, he couldn't do it. That was how he found himself on the practice field swinging much harder than necessary at the newest knight. The poor man was doing a commendable job of hanging with Camelot's Prince but it was only a matter of time before he was bested.
Leon watched the fight that was quickly becoming a simple beating. He could tell the Arthur was not himself, hadn't been since he returned. He also knew that much of this rushed training was Uther's way of forcing him back into his element, regardless of whether the man was ready or not. The next set of events proved he wasn't quite there yet. The newest knight, Balin was his name, lost the grip on his sword after Arthur had battered him to the ground but instead of stopping, Arthur brought his blade down one more time, catching the knight in the helmet. Instantly, all the man's efforts to escape the fight ceased. That was also the same point when Arthur realized what he had been doing. Dropping the blade, he backed up slightly while the other knights saw to the fallen man.
Turning to one of the servants on the field Arthur ordered, "Summon Gaius, quickly."
Gwen rushed back up to the room, balancing the stew for Merlin on the tray with Morgana's food. She had been taking an extra bowl of stew with Morgana's meal for the last few days that she would drop off to Merlin once her mistress had her food, but today Morgana had asked her to hurry. Apparently she had forgot she was going riding with Uther after lunch so not only did she need her food quickly but she also needed to be readied for the ride. Merlin's food would just have to wait. It was a bit odd that Morgana wanted her hair done before she ate but Gwen didn't question it. It did not matter anyway; it would only take her a matter of minutes once she remembered where she had put the blasted brush.
Morgana watched Gwen tear apart her vanity without actually messing anything up. The King's ward was well aware her handmaiden would not find the brush anytime soon because she had hidden it behind the jewelry and perfumes. It was just enough time for her to slip the poison into the soup and then hide the bottle. It was a brilliantly simple plan she thought to herself as she silently uncorked the bottle and emptied its contents into the bowl of stew that she knew was for Merlin. For a split second she thought ill of what she was doing. At least until she remembered what Merlin had done to her. He had poisoned her much in the same way, betraying someone that he had called a friend, someone he could have helped understand what was happening to her. As she watched the poison mix unnoticeably with the broth, she thought about what would have happened to her if he had just said something: she would not have felt so alone, he could have helped keep her sane, but then she would have never met her sister, someone who for once in her life actually cared for her wholly. That thought turned her to Arthur. The hypocrite of a Prince was protecting someone he knew to be a sorcerer, would he have done that for her? Would he have kept her secret? Protected her from their father? For some reason, she could not believe he would and she felt her anger rising up within her. She would teach them both. Merlin would lose his life and Arthur would lose a close friend, the only real friend he had. He would be distraught and it would make it embarrassingly easy to take Camelot when her Prince could not function so soon after the death of a magic-wielding friend. As Gwen finally came over with the brush, she could not help the smile that crept onto her face. She would have her vengeance and then she would have her crown.
As she toed her way into the room, she noticed that Arthur was there and Gaius had left. While the she observed the obvious, she also couldn't help but notice the guilt that was radiating off Arthur. He had done something wrong and judging by the sheepish look on his face, and the understanding on Merlin's, it must have been directed at someone else. If the look had been caused by something he had done to the warlock, Merlin would have been decidedly more annoyed. Still Gwen did not have time to dwell, dropping off the soup she turned to her boys,
"I'll be back later tonight."
Merlin smiled brightly at her, his pallor improving by the day, and Arthur turned his eyes to meet her's, some of the guilt forgotten by the promise.
As Gwen left, Arthur noticed the disgusted look on Merlin's face, "Merlin, you have to eat the stew."
"Can't I have something else? I've been eating stew for the last week! And I think it's the same stew from the day I woke up." The warlock complained.
"Just eat it Merlin, you can talk to Gwen about bringing something different when she comes back tonight. But you had better ask her nicely!"
Scoffing at the Prince but taking a spoonful of the meat instead, Arthur considered his job done and stood up to grab some water. That was when Arthur heard the spoon clatter to the table behind him.
Ordering back over his shoulder, "Honestly Merlin, I know the food is not amazing but that is no reason to drop the spoon so dramatically." When a sarcastic remark did not follow instantly, Arthur turned around slowly, "really Merlin, all anyone has been tr…Merlin!"
Arthur turned and realized that his friend was clutching at his throat, his eyes trying to escape their sockets, and his breathing hitching like every rib had been shattered. Looking around frantically, Arthur tried desperately to find Gaius when he remembered the reason why he had come up to the room. Gaius had gone to tend to the unconscious knight and Arthur had taken it as an excuse to go see Merlin. His attention snapped back to his friend when the chair crashed. Merlin was on the floor, clawing at his throat and trying desperately to get more air. Running to the door, Arthur threw it open and found the first person he saw, a guard.
"Go find me Gaius now! He should be at the training field."
"Yes, Sire." When the guard only picked up his pace slightly Arthur yelled back, "Now! Run!" The guard looked back at him confused and then took off. The Prince sprinted back to his friend.
Unsure of what to do to help, Arthur fell to his knees beside him, afraid that moving him would make it worse. "Merlin…Merlin…what do I do?" He murmured. Merlin looked up at him with pleading, panicked eyes, his breath coming in short gasps. Tears were working their way out of his bright eyes and it was killing Arthur to again watch his friend fight with something he couldn't control. Not being able to breathe was causing Merlin dangerous anxiety. Doing the only thing he could do until Gaius came, Arthur gathered Merlin into his arms and held him tightly.
"Merlin, I know it's hard but you need to try and relax." Arthur could feel the stilted breaths as he tried to get enough air. Placing his hand over Merlin's heart, he tried to get him to concentrate.
"Merlin," he murmured, "I need you to focus now. Focus on my breathing and breathe with me." He took a deep breath to demonstrate. Then another. And another. Eventually the warlock's breathing became slightly more even, although slightly is a relative term, he was still gasping for every breath. Arthur continued to whisper to him, keeping him focused and alert until Gaius could get to them. Pulling him tighter to his chest, Arthur could feel him weakening. His heartbeat was slowing, his breaths were getting farther apart, and the Prince felt his own eyes start to water. After everything they had been through, Merlin was going to die on the floor in the physician's chambers. For as much as he wanted to banish that thought, Arthur couldn't. Instead he forced it to the back of his mind and focused on Merlin. He continued to breathe deep and continued to talk to him, the warlock needed someone strong at this point, not someone who was himself breaking down.
After what felt like an age, which had in fact only been about fifteen minutes, the door swung open.
"Gaius! Over here. Quickly!" Arthur did not bother to look up, just knew the physician would find them.
"Oh gods, what happened?"
"I don't know. He was eating and then he started to gasp for breath." Arthur looked at Gaius with sad eyes, "he was eating stew Gaius but he's not choking on anything."
Realizing Arthur's implication, Gaius sniffed his ward's breath.
"Hemlock…my god." The physician whispered, "who would…" Gaius trailed off again; they needed to take care of this. Arthur was too focused on Merlin to realize Gaius snapped off the ground and ran to the tonics.
"Gaius, hurry, he's getting weaker."
The man returned to their side with a bottle of tonic, "We have to get him to drink this Arthur, let his head fall back a bit on your shoulder."
The Prince did a he was told, holding tight to his struggling friend as Gaius dumped a surprisingly sweet smelling tonic down his throat. Still, it had no affect on Merlin's breathing.
"Gaius it's not working."
"Give it a moment Arthur." As if on cue, his breathing eased slightly and Arthur could feel his heartbeat strengthening under his fingers. They both gave a short sigh of relief.
"That was only a stimulant, it will negate the affects of the poison for a while but we need to keep a close eye on him, without it, the poison will still kill him."
"Is there nothing else that can be done, Gaius? Anything to save him pain?"
"I'm not sure…" The old physician knew there would be a spell of some kind that would be able to extract the poison but he couldn't mention that in front of the Prince of Camelot. However, Arthur was much more intuitive than anyone gave him credit for, "do it Gaius."
"I'm sorry Sire."
"The spell. I know there is no cure for hemlock and he is too weak to fight it off on his own, so whatever magic you are thinking of, do it."
"Arthur I don't think that is a good idea, your father…"
"Will know nothing about it." Then Arthur decided to divulge his secret, surely Gaius knew already. "I know about Merlin, I know he has…is…magic. It's not evil. I don't want him to die, Gaius. Please, do whatever it is." Gaius stood stock still for a moment, the Prince knew Merlin had magic and hadn't said anything earlier? Then his shock slowly turned to joy as he realized that Arthur had grown up enough not to care. Gaius turned to his books; he knew there was a cure he just needed to find it. But first he had to make sure Merlin would be all right,
"I need time but he has to remain upright. We could move the bed against the wall and prop hi…"
The Prince interrupted shaking his head, "That will take too much time. It's fine Gaius; I'll hold him until you finish your work. Plus it's easier on his back when he's not against the rough wall."
Gaius realized Arthur still had not removed his hand and he felt secure in leaving Merlin with the Prince as he searched for the spell he needed.
Ethan came into the room and was confused by what he found. The Prince was sitting on the floor murmuring to a clearly struggling Merlin while Gaius was thumbing through a dirty old book filled with writing he had never seen before. Taking in everything he saw, it was not surprising that his sense of propriety left him and he exclaimed, "What happened, Sire?"
The Prince's eyes snapped to his, "Ethan…thank the gods, do what you can to help Gaius."
The boy nodded but before going to the physician he needed to know what was going on.
"What's wrong with Merlin?"
"He's been poisoned, Ethan."
"Who would want to poison Merlin?"
"That's exactly what I'm going to find out." Then realizing the boy would be a good person to ask, he started his investigation there. "Ethan you've been in here the last few days when we were not around, has there been anyone who has come through looking for something?"
"Well Lord Aaron was in the other day looking for Gaius, Sir Orwell stopped in looking for a bandage after he had banged up his hand in training, I wrapped his hand the way Gaius showed me," the boy was clearly proud of that accomplishment but it was not anything that would help Arthur, still he let him continue unimpeded. "Gwen has been in to drop off food and Sir Leon was in to check on Merlin, he said he just needed a draught for a headache but I saw him stop by the bed while I fetched it off the shelf…" He trailed off here.
"Anyone else, anything else you remember?" Arthur pressed; hopefully the boy had seen something, anything. He would of course be talking to the first two men, Leon and Gwen were beyond his suspicion, but he did not as well know the other two as well.
"Umm, no Sire, I can think of no one else who came in while I was here."
Arthur sighed, he would have to talk to the other servants who worked in this area, surely one of them had seen something. Then Ethan piped up again,
"The Lady Morgana stopped by the room the other day."
Arthur's blood ran cold. Morgana would not have done something like this, "What do you mean?"
"I left to run down and get some broth for Merlin, he was asleep at the time and Gaius said he should eat when he wakes. When I came back, I saw the Lady Morgana leaving Gaius' chambers. I don't think she saw me but I wasn't too worried, I know she's Merlin's friend."
Would she?
Ok so there you have it, Morgana has finally implemented her grand plan and the only one to catch her in the act is Ethan, where will it go?
Also with the whole hemlock thing and the stimulate, as I was researching I found that the only way to successfully survive hemlock poisoning is to take enough stimulates and the right time to keep the body going while the poison works its way out of the system, which apparently takes between 48 and 72 hours.
I hope this chapter was good enough for the horrifically long wait! And I'm hoping to have another one up in a much more respectable time but unfortunately I cannot guarantee that.
Again I thank everyone who has stuck with me and I really appreciate the reviews and the favorites/follows.
Stay awesome and happy reading!
