Helo Friends! I'm back with another chapter! Sorry for the giant gap in between updates, but in all fairness my internet wasn't working properly, there was a Doctor Who marathon on, and the chapter was super long and hard to write! It ended up being about 2200 words! And I'm talking about Chapter 17 right now, not 11.

Anyways I won't keep you with my mindless chatter, enjoy!

Wisegirl6

Chapter 11 ~Aftermath and Anniversary

Merlin was feeling more than a little overwhelmed with everything that was happening. Right after the scene in the Great Hall with his masters, Merlin had been whisked away to a small room where a group of frantic maids had cleaned and bandaged his wounds, helped him wash, cut his hair, changed his clothes and given him something to eat in a space of under an hour. Sadly they hadn't given him anything for the cut on his face. After that the slave was escorted - much more nicely - back to his cell.

Merlin tried to sleep but it was no use. Thoughts kept racing through his mind, so fast that he barely had any time to really ponder them. He was actually leaving! Well, only for a while but Merlin reckoned that it was better than nothing.

Merlin wondered where they were going, the guards had talked about a king so they were obviously traveling to a Kingdom, one of the larger ones judging by the amount of slaves coming. That meant they could be going anywhere, Mercia, Caerleon, maybe even Camelot.

The thought sent shivers of excitement racing up the warlock's spine. He would give almost anything to see Camelot again, even if just for a little while. He longed to see everyone once more before the sickness that was affecting his magic claimed his life.

Merlin lost himself in memories of the great kingdom; it's sounds, odd smells (Though he didn't really miss those), dense forests, sprawling fields, architecture, and its amazing people.

Merlin fingered his neckerchief, trying to recall exactly what everyone looked like. After being away from home for so long that he was starting to forget, which scared him a lot. Without those happy memories he was nothing.

He remembered Gwen, who was all sweet smiles and brown curls He remembered Gwaine, with his devilish grins and long hair. He remembered Gaius, who was like a father to him, even when he was being 'completely stupid', as Sage would have put it. He remembered Arthur, blonde hair and blue eyes that were almost always glaring at him.

Merlin had always seen right through those looks that the king had always given him, he knew that Arthur cared for him even if he had never said it out loud. The warlock just wished that he could be there for his best friend as he matured and became the great king that united the land of Albion and allowed magic to be practiced legally. Sadly, Merlin didn't think he'd live long enough to see that happen.

He held up his wrists so that he could see them better. The signs of the trapped magic were most prominent there; Merlin figured it was because he always held up his hands while doing magic, so the magic immediately stored itself in the appendages all ready to use.

The slave took a shuddering breath, he could hide the affects of his illness just fine in public, but he didn't even bother trying anymore when he was by himself. Merlin knew that he wouldn't be alive for too much longer, the sickness had already spread to his lungs, making it harder to breathe. Soon it would reach his heart and it would simply stop beating, just like that. Well, either that or it would explode from him in a giant golden supernova, killing him in the process. Either way it ended in his death.

It was weird knowing that he had limited time in this world. Merlin always imagined he would die at the hands of some foe, just having given his life to save one of his friends'. Never, in his wildest dreams, had he ever expected to lose his life to an infection that originated with his magic, it just didn't make sense.

His magic was always there for him, a constant presence in the back of his mind; something he could count on when all else failed. It had gotten him out of so many brushes with death, but now it was going to be the one to end his life. How ironic.

Merlin sighed and leaned his head against the wall, trying to shake himself. He shouldn't be standing around feeling sorry for himself, if Merlin could come up with an escape plan maybe this wouldn't end in his death.


"My family and I thank you for your hospitality, I think it goes without saying that I shall follow up on my promise of half of this year's harvest for Camelot," said lord Joseph as he shook Arthur's hand once more before going to join his wife and two daughters who were waiting to leave from atop their horses.

The king of Camelot smiled at the retreating form of the noble and his servants. Lord Joseph was nice enough, but more than two straight weeks of just talking about business and deals with someone could put a bit of a damper on any relationship.

Arthur turned to the knights and guards that were assembled. "Everyone is dismissed. Resume your usual duties," he said as the group broke formation.

Guinevere sighed from next to the king. "So many visitors, I can hardly wait for all of this to be over," she said glumly.

Arthur looked at her questioningly, eyebrow raised. "What do you mean?" he asked. "They just left!"

The queen sighed again, this time at her husband. He was a great king, and an even better warrior, but sometimes he was just so clueless. "You forgot, didn't you, Arthur?" she smiled at him.

"I did not!" he said defensively, crossing his arms.

Guinevere looked at him expectantly, not at all surprised when he didn't elaborate. "We have another lord coming in three days time, a noble family from Mercia. Remember, he owns a large expanse of land close to the southern border?"

Arthur groaned before smiling at Gwen, she was an amazing queen, regardless of the fact that she didn't come from noble or royal blood. Usually he just let her do all the talking when it came to treaties and matters of state, only speaking when he was required to. The lords and ladies would always look weirdly at her for a moment after Guinevere said something even remotely intelligent. Obviously a lot of people thought that he had just married her for her beauty, and not because she was charming, caring, smart, and elegant.

"Ah, yes, him. He visited once years ago, didn't he?" Arthur asked as he walked up the stairs into the castle, his queen in tow. "What was his name? It always seemed to slip my mind when he was here."
Guinevere thought for a moment before responding ",Cavell, I believe that was his name. Yes, lord Cavell and his wife, lady Isobel. We met last year when you posed that treaty with Mercia. They were very nice people. Isobel talked a lot about her son Jonah, I believe he will be visiting with them this time."

Arthur nodded absent-mindedly. He hadn't really liked lord Cavell very much, the cold gaze he always regarded the king with always reminded him of his father when he was disappointed with the prince.

Guinevere suddenly stopped walking, a strange look crossing her face.

The king turned to look at her, clearly puzzled. "Gwen, What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I think I should be asking you that," she said with a small, meaningless smile.

Arthur raised his eyebrows. He didn't understand what she meant.

Gwen's false smile disappeared. "Today's the anniversary of..." she trailed off for a moment, sparing a glance out the window. Unshed tears sparkled in her eyes.

"Gwen?" asked the king as he stepped forwards and lightly grasped his wife's arm.
A tear streaked down her face. Guinevere's bottom lip was trembling, but she continued regardless ",The anniversary of when it happened."

Arthur felt like he'd been slapped. "Oh," he whispered, voice small.

Three years ago it happened today. Merlin died. Brutally and mercilessly ripped from their grasps because of a sadistic man who thought that the servant was only worth a sack of gold.

Arthur felt his hands form fists.

What right had he had to just kill him? To decide that his time upon this earth was done? To take someone away from their friends and family? Nobody should be playing God. Nobody.

Merlin had been an innocent, he hadn't offended anyone, attacked anyone, done anything. And yet that man thought that he could just end his life because he wanted to.

Arthur pulled away from his queen. "I'm sorry Guinevere, I need to go," he mumbled.

Gwen nodded at him, she understood. The two friends had been inseparable while Merlin was alive, of course it would affect him like this. She watched as he walked briskly down the corridor back to their shared chambers. The queen didn't make any move to follow.

Yay! Another chapter up! So I just want to say thanks for the reviews, you guys are awesome! Like truly. Yeah, anyways, guess who's gonna be Morgana for Halloween!? That's right Me! But, I need your help. I don't know whether I should be good Morgana or bad Morgana? Leave your answer in the reviews!

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Not sure what's up with the CAPS, guess I just LIKE caps lock.

please review!

Wisegirl6 :D