Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! This is the last installment for The Mark of Nimueh. Hope you all enjoy!
-Ebop
Merlin was filling up the bucket at the water pump when he felt a body crash into him. He almost fell, but caught himself in time. He looked down and was shocked to see Gwen crying on him.
"What happened?" He asked but she couldn't see his hands, her eyes were too filled with tears and anguish. He quickly picked up the bucket and grabbed her hand to lead her to Gaius.
He slammed open the door and saw Gaius turn to look. Gaius immediately started talking to Gwen, and Merlin placed the bucket on the examining table then ran to Gwen's side.
Merlin had an idea of what happened, but Gwen ran out of the room before he could talk to her. He let out a frustrated growl and he turned to Gaius.
"Tom has the sickness." Merlin nodded then grabbed his book from his room. Gaius attempted to grab it from him.
"We must look at the water for answers." Merlin glared at him.
"By then it will be too late to save Gwen's father." Gaius sighed as he saw the resolution in Merlin's eyes. Gaius knew, no matter what he would say, Merlin would save Tom.
"Gwen's already lost her mother and brother, she cannot lose her father." Merlin reminded him. Gaius nodded.
"Fine, we must wait for nightfall. For now, we must test the water." Merlin smiled at Gaius for the first time that day and he helped Gaius place the water in a jar and put a flower in it.
The day passed with no answers. That night, Merlin forced Gaius to keep to his promise, Merlin would be allowed to heal Tom. Merlin had the poultice ready, Gaius sighed and reminded Merlin of all he needed to do. When he arrived, he needed to tell Gwen what he was doing; she was to tell everyone that Gaius was trying an mix of rare herbs to fight the sickness. Merlin nodded and left the chambers under the guise of night.
Merlin snuck through the town, only having to duck and distract the guards once. He snuck inside Gwen's home and saw her leaning across her father's bed, both of them in a restless sleep. Merlin approached and lightly tapped her on the shoulder. She awoke startled, but calmed when she saw Merlin.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, she looked at her father with sorrow on her face.
"What do you think? I am going to cure him. I have a poultice. You must tell everyone he was cured by some rare herbs." Gwen nodded, her eyes full of hope.
Merlin placed the poultice under Tom's pillow and smiled at Gwen as he said the incantation in his mind. He also pictured Tom, healthy and strong once again. He opened his golden eyes and smiled when Tom's coloring instantly became better.
"Father?" Gwen asked hesitantly. Merlin took the poultice from under Tom's pillow and left Gwen's home, his heart lighter and a bright smile on his face.
The following morning, Arthur came to visit and see their progress on curing the sickness. He saw a glass vial and he picked it up, only for Gaius to yell at him.
"Don't touch it. I had the flower in the water for half a day." Merlin entered the room and Arthur put the vial down quickly.
"Where is the water from?"
"The pump from where the people take their daily supply." Gaius answered, Arthur frowned.
"We have to stop the people from using it." Merlin rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"The city cannot survive without water." Merlin told the prince who glared at him.
"We must tell my father." The three men went to the council chambers and told the king of Gaius and Merlin's discovery. Uther only made the search for the sorcerer extend to the villages, much to Arthur's frustration.
Arthur left for the villages, leaving Merlin with a break. He quickly made his way to Morgana's chambers. He entered and saw Gwen gathering Morgana's clothes. He knocked on the door and she turned with a smile.
"Merlin! Thank you so much! Father is much better ." Merlin nodded and looked around for Morgana. Gwen smirked.
"She's not here."Merlin blushed and scratched his ear.
"I have an hour break, I was wondering if she wanted a lesson." Gwen smiled and pointed to the table.
"She should be back in a few minutes. She had breakfast with some ladies of the court." Merlin smiled and sat, patiently waiting for Morgana to enter her chambers. While waiting, he thought of the last few months.
He had been busy, but he wasn't complaining. Merlin frowned when he thought about the tournament two months ago. Morgana was the only one who knew of his deep insecurities that had surfaced when Knight Valiant had been here. He sighed while he thought of Morgana's gentle smile when he had confided his fears to her that day on the battlements. She never teased, or laughed, at him. And she had not brought it back up since and he sighed in thankfulness.
He was so deep in thought, he didn't notice when Gwen had left the room. Or when Morgana entered. He jumped when he felt a hand lightly grasp his shoulder.
"Hi" Merlin jumped up quickly and Morgana smiled.
"Hi, what are you doing here?" Morgana sat down, grabbing his hand so he sat down as well.
"I… Had some time off of work. I thought I would ask you if you wanted another lesson." Morgana beamed and ran to grab her book that was on her bookshelf. She sat down and they began. They barely noticed that Gwen walked back into the room and was clearing out the dead flowers. When Morgana's chamber doors burst open, Arthur walked in, leading a group of guards. Arthur had a deep frown on his face, he ducked his head when he saw Morgana and Merlin in the room.
Morgana jumped up, infuriated at his audacity.
"ARTHUR PENDRAGON! What the hell do you think you are doing? Have you ever heard of knocking?" Arthur grimaced, before looking up at Gwen with regret in his eyes.
"Seize her." Merlin stood from his place at the table, confused and angry when he was saw the guards grab his sister roughly. He yelled out loudly moved forward, making everyone look at him, startled at his outburst.. He flushed red as he shut his mouth and tried to get to Gwen, but the guards led Gwen out of the chambers before he could get far. Morgana stepped up and smacked Arthur in the face.
"I had no choice! My father thinks she cured her father. With magic." Arthur confessed, Merlin's eyes widened.
"THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE!" Morgana screamed at Arthur who backed away from the venom in her voice. Merlin stepped forward and placed his hand on his shoulders.
"I'm sorry." Arthur left the chambers. Morgana started to cry in frustration. She felt Merlin's hands tighten on her shoulders and she immediately turned into his arms. Her small tears became sobs and she buried her face deeper into his chest. Merlin let his arms come around her to hold her as he felt her body shudder with sobs. He wracked his brain as to how this had happened. Gwen was to tell her father that it was rare herbs! Why did the king think it was magic?!
Morgana's sobs became harder and Merlin looked around the room. He decided the bed would be the best place for her to rest. He quickly picked her up bridal style and placed her on the bed. He sat next to her and tried to hold her hand, but she ignored his offered hands and threw her arms around his neck. She continued to sob into his shoulder and Merlin slowly rubbed circles on her back. He attempted to make comforting sounds, but he didn't know if it was helping. Or if it was just scaring her more.
She finally sat up after a few minutes, looking mortified at his shirt that she had sobbed all over and now had a large wet spot.
"I'm sorry!" She started to wipe away at the spot but he stilled her hands.
"It's fine, Morgana. But, I need to go, I need to see if Gwen is ok." Morgana nodded and stood with Merlin, wiping her face as she tried to compose herself. He grabbed her hand again and squeezed it, trying to give her some support. She gave him a small smile, then leaned in and kissed his cheek.
He flushed red and bowed his head, before taking a breath and bravely looking her in the eye. She looked at him with such hope and he forced himself to look away and walk away. He didn't look back, he knew she would be sad he didn't return her show of affection. He shook his head. His sister was in danger from an insane king and he was getting cozy with Morgana. He felt sick to his stomach as he ran toward the council chambers.
Merlin quickly ran into the chambers to see Gwen on her knees in front of the king. Merlin wanted to cry out and to hide her away from the kings wrath.
Merlin looked up as he saw Morgana stomp into the room, her previous signs of weakness replaced by her passion and anger. He bit back a groan as he saw her trading words with the king.
Merlin paled as Uther yelled at Morgana, the beckoned the guards and Gwen was dragged away. Merlin watched as Arthur and Morgana traded heated words with the king; Merlin felt a strong grip on his arm and he turned to see his disappointed father. Merlin ducked his head and allowed Gaius to lead him back to their chambers.
They sat without talking, Merlin idly playing with his fingers before he got Gaius' attention by sighing heavily.
"I thought I was doing good and that curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple." Gaius stood and slowly approached the younger man.
"An easy solution is like a light in a storm. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbor." Merlin rolled his eyes at the metaphor, but he understood. He stood with resolve in his eyes.
"I must see her." He left the room quickly, walking down toward the dungeons. He saw Morgana walking swiftly up the staircase and he reached out to her instinctively. She looked up at him with eyes full of sorrow and pain he almost recoiled. She leaned into his embrace once again, but it was much shorter than the one they exchanged in her room. She nodded at him, tears refilling her eyes as she walked away.
Merlin reached Gwen's cell, but he couldn't reach her since she was chained to he wall. He saw tear track on her face and his gut twisted.
"This is one of my fears." Was the first thing he said.
"I'm glad I am in this cell and not you." She said bravely. Merlin looked away, trying to control his emotions and his magic.
"No, one of my friends is in a cell for something I have done. That is one of my fears. I am not going to let you die. You are my sister!" He the torch on the side of her cell flickered and she looked at him, fear for him clouding her eyes. She quickly found a rock and tossed it at him to get his attention. He looked at her and saw she was modeling taking deep breaths. Like she used to do when they were children to help him control his magic. He almost smiled, even here, in a dungeon cell on death row, she was trying to protect and take care of him. He closed his eyes and gained control of his magic, for her.
Merlin opened his eyes and Gwen knew the look in his eye.
"MERLIN! Whatever you are thinking, DON'T!" She tried to tell him, but he simply strode away. She sat, fearful for her friend. All she could do, was wait.
Merlin burst into the council chambers, stopping the meeting that the king had been leading. Arthur quickly stood and tried to grab Merlin before the guards did but he was too late.
"What is the meaning of this? Gaius, if you can't control your ward, at least teach him some manners! Even if he is disabled he can still learn to open a door correctly." Uther stated, making the council members laugh. Gaius and Arthur's jaw clenched when Uther used the word, 'disabled.' The guards let Merlin go, and Gaius quickly grabbed Merlin.
"Don't do anything stupid." Arthur told Merlin with his strictest face. Merlin glared at him.
"I can't allow Gwen to die for what I did!" Merlin told him and Arthur sighed.
"Go back to your chambers. Now. I will get Guinevere out of the dungeons." Merlin stared at the prince before he felt a hard pressure on his arm. He let the pressure lead him out of the room for the second time today. Once in the hall, Merlin let out a frustrated yell, startling Gaius and the two guards at the door. Gaius continued to lead the young man out of the citadel and into the town. Merlin wasn't paying attention to where they were going until the were at an entrance of some kind. He looked at Gaius.
"Where are we?" Gaius started to walk down, forcing Merlin to follow to get answers.
They walked up to a barrier and Merlin saw water.
"The water from here supplies the whole town. We need to take a sample." Gaius gave Merlin a bottle. Merlin rolled his eyes and dipped the bottle into the water. He backed away and placed the cap back on when suddenly, a creature erupted from the water! Merlin pushed himself and Gaius back as the creature disappeared back into the water.
"WHAT the HELL was THAT?!" Merlin exclaimed, Gaius didn't bother to reply and quickly left, Merlin following at his heels.
They raced back to their chambers and Merlin immediately grabbed some books about creatures of the water. Gaius took half and they started to look through them. Finally, Gaius placed a book in front of Merlin and pointed to a picture. Merlin read the caption.
"Afanc? I don't remember reading about these?" Merlin read quickly. "Born of clay, and conjured by a powerful sorcerer. Now, how do we defeat it?" Merlin looked up at Gaius, only to see the older man looking at all of his books. Merlin hit his fist on the table.
"That will take days! Gwen will be dead by then!" Gaius bowed his head.
"Do you have a better idea?" Merlin sighed and rubbed his temples. Then smiled.
"The dragon!" Merlin stood abruptly and bolted from the room, leaving a perplexed physician behind. Merlin raced through the courtyard, then started to tread carefully, distracting the guards so he could get to the dragon's cave. Merlin entered the clearing, but didn't see the great dragon.
Merlin yelled out as loud as he could, until he saw the dragon swoop down and look at him. It seemed, if dragons had eyebrows, it would have been raised like Gaius'.
"Yes young warlock?" Merlin sighed.
"I need help. My friend, my sister is in danger! I need to defeat an Afanc! Can you help me?" The dragon settled down more on his perch and looked at the young
"I will help you. You must trust the elements that are at your command." Merlin stared at the dragon, perplexed.
"Elements? Earth, Wind, Fire, Water? How does that help me?" The dragon nodded once then continued.
"You are but one side of a coin. You cannot do this alone. Arthur is the other side. He must help you on this quest." The dragon flew off, and Merlin backed away, having more questions now than he did before asking the giant lizard. Merlin waltzed back into the physicians chambers and looked at Gaius.
"Elements. That was what he told me. How does that help with an Afanc?" Merlin asked as he grabbed a piece of bread and sat down. Gaius sat opposite him.
"An Afanc is a creature made from earth and water."
"Perhaps fire and wind will destroy it." Merlin quickly finished his bread then stood to find Arthur, only to have Morgana run into the room and throw herself into his arms once again. He held her for a brief moment, then pulled away.
"What's wrong?" Merlin asked, she tried to calm her hands to talk but she couldn't. They were shaking too hard. She looked apologetic to Merlin and spoke to Gaius, whose face looked stricken. Merlin looked to his mentor.
"They are bringing forward Gwen's execution. To tonight. We have to prove her innocence!" Gaius relayed the message, Morgana saw Merlin stiffen, his eyes became steely and he simply nodded, grabbed her hand, and walked out the door. She had to jog to keep up with his long strides and she found themselves outside Arthur's chambers.
Merlin opened the door to see Arthur staring at the flames in his fireplace. Merlin knocked on the door and Arthur looked up, surprise written on his features.
"There is a creature in the water supply, I need your help defeating it and proving Gwen's innocence." Merlin said bluntly. Arthur nodded, grabbed his sword, and followed Merlin out of his chambers, leaving a flabbergasted Morgana.
Morgana scowled at being left behind, she grabbed an extra sword from Arthur's table, and followed after the men. The walked to where the entrance to the water supply was and Merlin looked at Arthur, Morgana knew they were speaking, but she couldn't see Merlin's hands. She frowned, he normally didn't keep secrets from her. They entered the caves and Morgana had to take a breath to steel her nerves.
Morgana heard a growl and she gasped and gripped Merlin's arm. Merlin looked at her curiously.
"I heard something." She told him, Merlin frowned and looked around.
"You should go back. We will be fine." Morgana ignored him and continued forward. She missed the smile Merlin gave her as he followed her. Arthur didn't even try to persuade Morgana to stay behind, she was far too stubborn.
Arthur spun around, causing Merlin and Morgana to copy his movements.
Merlin simply watched at Arthur looked around cautiously. They started walking back to the water source and there was no sign of the Afanc.
"Spread out." Arthur ordered, but he heard a growl and saw the creature swipe at him then disappear. Morgana rushed toward him.
"Are you alright? What is it?!" Arthur simply nodded and looked over to where Merlin was standing, his back toward them. Arthur saw movement in the corner of his eye and Morgana screamed, Arthur swung his sword but missed again. Morgana rushed toward Merlin and grasped his hand tightly, Merlin looked toward Arthur and they began to walk again.
Suddenly, the Afanc attacked Arthur. Arthur swung at it, and lost his sword. He looked over to Merlin who was standing in front of Morgana. He saw the warlock give him the barest of nods and Arthur held the torch in front of him and he felt a huge torrent of wind come from no where and it blew the flames into the Afanc. After the creature screamed as it collapsed - dead.
Morgana stared at the creature before letting out a relieved laugh and hugging Merlin. Arthur grinned and approached them.
"Now, let's get Gwen out of the dungeon." Arthur said as he gripped Merlin's shoulder. Merlin nodded and guided Morgana out of their embrace and back up to the citadel.
Merlin rushed to Gaius to tell him that the Afanc was dead, while Arthur and Morgana went to the king to tell him that Arthur had defeated the creature.
Gaius immediately gathered his science kit and returned to the water supply caverns. Merlin jogged to the council chambers and arrived in time for Arthur to walk out with a smile on his face.
"All charges has been dropped. Those who were sick are already showing signs of recovering." Merlin smiled brightly and the doors opened again to find Morgana stepping out and following some guards. Merlin fell in step next to her and he beamed at the bright smile she gave him.
They walked down to Gwen's cell, and they were happy to see Tom was there as well. The guards opened Gwen's cell and Merlin watched father and daughter reunite.
Gwen released her father then jumped into Morgana's arms. Merlin had no idea what they were saying, but when Morgana beamed at him, he grew embarrassed.
"What?" He asked as he scratched his ear.
"I told them you were the real hero today." Morgana told him. He looked away.
"I didn't do anything." He said, but he felt a body begin hugging him and he looked down into Gwen's curls. He sighed in relief that she was safe and hugged her tightly, letting the stress of the last few days release from his system. Gwen looked up and kissed his cheek then left with her father. Merlin smiled after her. He turned when he felt a hand on his and he saw Morgana looking up at him with such happiness.
"You are a hero Merlin." She told him, he flushed at the intensity of her gaze but he didn't back down.
"Arthur is the hero. I'm just the servant." Morgana shook her head, her eyes never leaving his. She stepped toward him and placed her hand on his bicep.
"Not to me." Merlin backed away, trying to find an escape.
"Excuse me, my lady. I must tend to Arthur." He bolted out of the cell and Morgana's happiness seemed to disappear with him. Morgana looked around the cold, dark cell and her anger at the king grew as she strode toward her chambers.