Thank you Tianne for that grammar point. I shall try to remember to fix that! Any way! I own nothing, enjoy!
Blue eyes slowly opened and came back into focus. Merlin was alive and well, just spent. He had a splitting headache. "Why do I feel like a mountain came down on my head?" He asked softly, a slight moan to his voice.
Arthur came into view in moments. "Because apparently, when you use that much magic you faint and sleep for nearly two weeks!" He said relief sounding from his voice.
"You sound like you where worried the entire time." Merlin said trying to sit up only to have the Prince forced him back down.
"Yes." Arthur said with a slightly pointed glare. "Scare me like that again and I will run you through myself!" This caused the Warlock to laugh lightly before his face contorted slightly in pain. He really did have a splitting headache.
Gaius came in and noticed that Merlin was awake. "Wonderful!" He said walking over with a potion of sorts. "This will help with your headache." He helped Merlin drink it careful not to send too much down his throat at once. "Should have seen Uther after he released you had saved his entire city. When he came to question how long you had been practicing I could do nothing but step in and tell how many times you had saved Camelot."
Merlin paled slightly. That was just wonderful, now the King knew of the 30 some odd times he had stood in the way of magic and the city. His head was surely on the chopping block now.
"Then Arthur here threatened Uther." Gaius continued. "You know the King and his hate for all things Magic. Well to say that the argument between the two was fierce would be an understatement." He smiled seeing the slightly panicked look on Merlin. "Congratulations. You are now Arthur's personal bodyguard."
Merlin felt as if he was about to faint again right there. "Not very funny Gaius." He said shaking his head. He turned his attention to Arthur. "I am guessing that explains half of what has been going on. Shall I explain the rest?"
Arthur shook his head. "Rest now." He said calmly. "You still seem quite tired. I will have the kitchens send something up for you. Think of it this way. No more socks." They both smiled with a small laugh at that.
It had taken nearly another month but Merlin was up on his feet again. He had been moved into the castle with his room right next to Arthur in case he was needed. He stayed clear of Uther whenever he could. The man would always glare at him as if he still did not trust him. Why had he brought the King back to life? Oh yes, it was the right thing to do.
Merlin began to explain things to the people most confused about his appearance change. He explained that while he was at Mab's castle time flowed differently and for him, two years had passed. He then went on to explain the relationship he had with Mab. She had been his twin sister as it turned out. His mother had come to see how he was doing and Merlin pulled her aside to speak with her.
"Why did you not tell me about Mab?" He asked carefully. He saw his mother tense up at the question.
"A mother always knows…" She said softly looking at him. "When you both were born I felt as if something bad would happen if you were ever together. Mab was taken far away shortly after you were born." She looked at her beloved son. "Know I was trying to keep you both safe!"
Merlin smiled slightly. "I understand." He said, his understanding of things seemed to come easy to him now. "Mab is no more…" His mother returned it if a little more saddened.
"But I thought you would both die at each other's hand…" She said softly. She was confused by why Merlin was still alive.
"It said we would both loose ourselves." Merlin said calmly. "It meant death for Mab. For me… I just feel a bit lost now. Knowing no one will ever be like me, no ever as powerful." He sighed looking at his arms. He had gotten nice leather gloves that had no fingers to cover his markings. They had been enchanted so as to limit his power. An interesting charm he had learned while away. He had done it to feel more normal than anything else.
His mother hugged him tightly. "I am sure you will find you're way again." She said softly in comfort. "You still have Arthur to worry about."
Merlin smiled at that. "Oh yes, trouble seems to love following him around every turn." He said before standing and offering a hand to his mother. He helped her up and led her to the dining hall. Uther was there and sent glares his way. Merlin was getting better at ignoring them.
Merlin sighed lightly as he and Arthur passed the place where Merlin had rented Sir Rupert. "Every time we go by here you looking almost longingly at that stable!" Arthur snapped finally tired of his friends actions towards it.
"Sorry!" Merlin said raising his hands in defense. "I rented Sir Rupert from here… He is a horse and a really good one at that… I sort of liked him…"
Arthur let out an exasperated sigh as he headed off to the stable Merlin at his heels confused. "Sire!" The stable keep said seeing the Prince. "What can I do for you?"
"The horse called Sir Rupert." Arthur said firmly. "How much is he to purchase?" Merlin stared at Arthur now completely lost.
"20 gold coins sire…" The man said carefully he was as confused as Merlin. He then was handed a purse of money that clearly had more than 20 gold coins.
"Well get him!" Arthur told Merlin. When Merlin blinked lightly showing his confusion. "Think of it as a thank you for saving me, now go get your horse!" Merlin's face lit up at that as he ran to the stall with Sir Rupert. He carefully led the horse out still beaming like a child who had gotten candy.
"Thank you!" Merlin said over and over again barely able to keep his eyes off his new animal companion. The two where off to the royal stables to place the new horse in there. Arthur just rolled his eyes as Merlin took the beast to an empty stall.
"Come on now!" Arthur said after the horse was safely in place. "Time to go to the training fields!"
"… There won't be any dwarfs right?" Merlin asked warily.
"Why would there be dwarfs?" Arthur asked confused. "Merlin? MERLIN!" Merlin was already off and running to the training fields with a grin in place. "Merlin get back here!" Arthur gave chase after his warlock a smile on both their faces. Both not caring about what the future held for them. Right now they were just two friends, one looking for answers, and the other with a mischievous look in his blue eyes.
One last thing coming guys. Just a short epilogue. Nothing too special about it. I hope you all enjoyed the tale! R&R please!
