I eventually left my chambers a few days later, after properly mourning Mordred, and decided to revisit the subject of the he that Merlin and Gaius had spoken of when I'd overheard them. I'd forgotten it in my escape and fake, self murder plans, but in the days after Mordred's murder, the conversation between these two haunted me. I needed an excuse to see them. I needed a dream.
"Gaius, may I speak to you?" I inquired, entering his workshop cautiously, trying to think of a dream that would be enough to convince Merlin to see him, whoever this him was.
"What is it, my dear?" he questioned, a worry crease growing between his brows. His eyes had large bags under them, making me pity the old man. Perhaps his situation was not as black and white as I'd thought it to be. But with every thought that Gaius was to be pitied, another thought came to discard it. He and Merlin were hiding something from the rest of us, and I intended to find out what that secret was.
"My dream-I-" I stuttered, still grabbing at an idea. "I-" The thought suddenly hit me. "I saw Uther being murdered." It was partially true. I had been trying to find a clean way to do it for days, allowing it to consume me. The only other thoughts to enter my mind were of Mordred, whose murder haunted my dreams, and Arthur, who had spent every free moment with me.
Gaius' face grew pale as his imagination created his own version of my dream.
"It was just a dream, my dear," he lied, attempting to reassure me, believing that I was distraught at this thought. "Just put it out of your mind. You were obviously upset about the boy's death…His majesty is fine, though you refuse to see him." My eyes hardened in their gaze towards Gaius, remembering my vow not to see Uther. Forcing myself to soften, I nodded, then excused myself.
Hiding behind the door, I heard Merlin enter a few minutes later. Gaius explained what had happened, then asked Merlin what could be done.
"Do you really think there is anything we should do, Gaius?" Merlin inquired. "Maybe it's time." I could almost feel Gaius seething.
"The king shouldn't die of anything but natural causes," the physician insisted.
"But maybe it's time for Arthur to take the crown," Merlin persisted.
"Arthur's not ready." There was a pause for a few moments.
"How am I supposed to stop it? We don't know anything except that someone's trying to kill him."
"He might-"
"No, Gaius," Merlin interrupted. "I owe him too much already."
"Then what is one more debt? Either way, you're letting him out once Arthur's king. If you prevent Uther's death, you can keep him in captivity for a while longer."
"…Alright." Footsteps approached the door, forcing me to retreat down the hallway. A moment later, Merlin was taking a hallway I'd never noticed before, and I couldn't help but follow. I quietly followed him down the staircase, taking every precaution not to be seen. When I reached the bottom, I hid in a corner of the rock that curved to create a cave.
"I need your help!" Merlin called out. From the darkness above came a dragon, swooping down to rest on its perch.
"Young warlock, you've asked for my help…How many times? Yet, you still haven't freed me," the dragon spoke, its voice etching into my brain.
"I promised-"
"And you have no fulfilled your promise, so I will not help you."
"Please! Uther will die if I don't."
"Why should I care if Uther dies?" the dragon questioned. "Uther imprisoned me here. Uther is the only reason you won't set me free."
"You have to help me!"
"That, my young warlock, is where you are wrong." Merlin paced back and worth in frustration.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"That is for you to decide." Merlin began up the steps shaking his head. "Merlin," the dragon called. "You still owe me my freedom."
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