Clouds threatened, but the storm had not returned – yet. Camelot had been buzzing in anticipation and when the clouds reformed, Arthur's speeches and public appearances to alleviate the increasing anxieties. Of course most of these had been encouraged by Gaius in attempt to keep the young royal from noticing that the warlock had gone missing, but unless the magical misfit was found soon – there would be no way to continue the lie. It was after midnight when a tall thin figure entered Camelot through the southern gates and slipped unnoticed into the castle in full sight of the guards.
It was cold.
While it was nice to have company at supper, having extra mouths to feed meant extra work. Gaius stirred in grain and sliced root vegetables into boiling water. A bowl of chopped bitter greens would add flavor to the pottage, but Gaius would wait until the root vegetables were mostly soft so that they wouldn't completely cook to mush. Merlin had requested it of him often enough for him to try to attempt to cook the way his ward preferred it – even if the boy wasn't home to appreciate it. George was clever enough to bring two loaves of dark bread and some cheese from the castle kitchens. It was practically a feast that they had put together and if Gwaine joined them again, there would be mead as well.
Once he had eaten his suppers alone, and then Merlin had entered his daily life. Now he was surrounded by young people. Gaius was blessed and he was cursed. He was no longer alone but the one person he cared for the most was missing and it hurt him.
The elderly physician watched George polish bottles meticulously from across the room. Cleaning and polishing bottles was something he never even bothered to do, but George did it without direction. The court physicians chambers had never been so neat or organized in the entire time that Gaius had held the position. George had really put his full effort into making the place shine. Arthur hadn't officially or permanently assigned the servant to him, but he was hanging about the place as if it were his duty. Granted thanks to George, there was also more food about, but the amount of privacy went down to zero.
It was right after Gaius threw in the bitters into the pottage that Merlin shuffled into the room.
"Merlin! Where have you been?" exclaimed Gaius, unsure of what to do or say – rushing to his side. Alarmed for the condition his ward had returned home in, but grateful that a healthy, bouncy warlock had not sprang through the door. It was to late to hide anything from George. Gaius had no idea that George already knew to much for the servant had not disclosed anything to the elderly physician.
"Long story," said Merlin who had selected a chair to settle himself down into, but not before he had nodded a greeting at George. He was as dirty as he would have been as if he'd been working in the field all day. He moved stiffly as if he were very old. He propped one frail elbow on the table and fanned delicate fingers as a prop under his chin. Storm colored blue eyes blinked tiredly, but he was home. It was a relief. Quietly he asked of Gaius, "Please don't be upset with me."
"I wish I could be. I should be," admitted Gaius. "However, right now I think you need a warm supper rather than a lecture. Now is not the time to discuss anything, I'm just glad that you came home."
It wasn't long before Gwaine joined them. Mead was an excellent addition to the meal. They warmed Merlin's and added a sprig of rosemary and a spoonful of honey to the mug to take the bite out of the beverage. Gwaine had hugged Merlin. He had clasped his shoulder. He had in full smile tore bread and slathered it with butter for Merlin while making comments that tomorrow they will ration but tonight they celebrate Merlin's return – as if Gwaine had planned to celebrate. They all knew the knight was full of it, but no one was going to tame his attempt to show the warlock his devotion.
"I just knew you were coming back soon," said Gwaine before he stared at Merlin and then George and then Merlin again, "George said you were spending time with your lady friend! How was she?"
There was no way anyone would buy that lie from the look of the warlock. He more like had just climbed out of a battlefield than he had from his lover's bed. There was even a bruise that was blossoming on his cheek as if he had been struck. As if he was aware of his physical state, Merlin shook his head sadly at the knight. His spoon had stopped half way between his bowl and his mouth. He sighed, "Gwaine, it's alright. You don't have to... in fact... none of you have to."
George had been eating in his professionally perfect way. Each item scooped into his spoon fit into it just so, or was cut by the edge of his spoon to fit just so – accompanied by the right amount of liquid. George ate masterfully. No drips. No slurps. No noises. George ate as gracefully as he worked. He elegantly held his spoon lightly, but now he put the spoon down and turned his attention towards Merlin. It wasn't to hear the explanation, but rather it was as if Merlin had commanded his attention
The occupants at the table looked from face to face in curiosity.
Gwaine stopped smiling.
"You all know," sighed Merlin, "about me... about my..." and he wagged his fingers with a flourish as if he always did that to cast magic, even though he did not. He put his spoon down as a frown grew on Gaius's face. "George caught me. Gwaine saw me transform. I saved Gaius's life when I first got here. There, now you all know -how you all know."
The three "G's" Merlin said to himself in his head.
As if that had concluded the conversation, the warlock shoved chunk of buttered bread into his mouth. His cheeks were smudged with smokey filth were stuffed. He chewed quickly and greedily - despite his drooping eyelids.
"You're lucky there has been a break in the weather," began Gaius, "I've managed to keep Arthur distracted, but your absence could have been discovered. What was I supposed to do? You should consider others. You are supposed to guard your secret with your life and now how many people know? You know better than this, Merlin."
Merlin swallowed the bread with a little help of the warm honeyed mead and then wiped his mouth with the back of one filthy hand. Neither hand nor mouth were any more clean after the action and it was hard to imagine why he had done it, George watched him with a type of fascination. A clean cloth was raised in offering to Merlin, who waved away the offer politely.
The warlock began to speak, "I know. I'm sorry," Merlin looked up at Gaius with a sad smile on his face, "I'm really tired. Is it alright if I get some sleep and we talk about it tomorrow?"
Gaius softened, "Of course it is alright. I'm just glad you're home. Just be more careful. Next time when I tell you "no" - please listen to me. I have my reasons, my boy. I don't enjoy being the one who tells you that you cannot do something. I know you have important work. You are right, though. Now is not the time. You look ready to drop, we'll talk tomorrow. You should get to bed."
Gaius covered one of Merlin's hands with one of his and gave a little squeeze of affection before withdrawing. This earned a genuine smile from the boy's face. Merlin stood shakily and apologized for not washing up, but George announced that he would handle the dishes. George asked Merlin if he would like to bathe, but Merlin said no – he was to tired. He then asked Merlin if there was anything that he required and Merlin once again said no as he retreated. The attempt to treat Merlin like a Lord did not go unnoticed, but neither Gwaine nor Gaius said a word.
Arthur lay in bed with his pillow half covering his eyes – wishing once again that Merlin had been the one who had attended him instead of George. It had been a tough day. Arthur spent most of it in the library with Geoffrey like some over dressed apprentice. Geoffrey, like Gaius, held no love for Uther – but out of fairness – Arthur doubted that Geoffrey held no affection at all for anything except for knowledge and the pure pursuit of knowledge.
"Here's something interesting," the potbellied man perked up as he read to Arthur, "Emrys, our Affection and Hope, will not seek us. Yet we are for his use. To Him, we belong. He is the Future."
Arthur had laughed a bit, "A bit … romantic? Isn't it? Almost like a girls pledge..."
"Or a knights," corrected Geoffrey, "how different is that attitude than a knight's to his King?"
That disturbed Arthur, "Surely it's different. Druids are peaceful. While you might get the occasional rogue, as a people they are flower picking mystics. They have almost written a love letter to Emrys. We're wasting time, is there anything here about Emrys and the storm. I need to find something about the storm outside right now." The druid that he had spoken to had given him some information but there were holes that needed filling. The only certainties were that his father had been responsible for the imbalance in magic and now Camelot would suffer if this was allowed to continue.
"You young people, always in a rush...," tutted Geoffrey. "Ah, here's something. It's not much. When the storm lulls – the kingdom will fall if Emrys fights alone.
Yeah, if only they had stopped there then sleeping might have come to him by now, but no... he had gotten this instance trait from his father. If he had stopped then he wouldn't be laying here itching to go on a quest. Apparently Camelot had a secret warlock who needed an item, some sort of staff, and of all the magical loot that Uther had stripped from the people since his birth – it wasn't among the treasures in the vault. Arthur and Geoffrey checked the the inventory list and the vault itself. Geoffrey admitted that he had suspicions that Emrys frequented the vaults and there had been evidence of someone browsing banned books that had been locked away – but none of the items had been touched. Well none except the crystal that had been once stolen by a bunch of renegade loser ex druids on having their monthly bleed.
Who ever Emrys was, he didn't seem to be impressed with trinkets from the past. He didn't rely on totems of the Old Religion. The prophecies hinted that he was massively powerful. He was probably some imposing figure that had mastered magic and managed to survive the purge on sheer skill alone. He probably skulked in the shadows, Arthur mused, pitying Uther's madness waiting for the right time to show mercy to the royal family who unjustly judged his kind.
Arthur formed a figure in his mind, bitterly. It didn't make sense. Emrys acted like a friend – but a friend wouldn't remain as a shade. It made his skin crawl to think of someone that he may have never of spoken to was hovering about watching over him like some sort of heroic bat – swooping in with magic to dazzle and confuse and then flitting back into the shadows as if he was never there.
Magic may or may not be evil, but people who had magic made no damn sense at all.
Sleep just wasn't going to come, well, at least not naturally. With some regret Arthur pulled himself out of bed wondering if he could handle a quest with … George at his side.. instead of Merlin. George and the Immaculate Quest! If there was ever a reason to beg Gaius to go back to using magic it was now, Arthur wanted Merlin back in action! However even magic wasn't going to get him to sleep. It would require one of Gaius's insanely disgusting potions with the incredible pleasurable spinning into nothing effect. It wasn't something Arthur would want to take on a regular basis, but quality sleep was promised.
Emrys, you're not as useful or as helpful as Gaius.
Merlin had once teased him, wiggling the bottle inches before him saying, "This is what separates the boys from the men. Disgusting enough that a child will shy from it, but a man does what a man has to do." Arthur had fallen for it and drank it. It was vile. Merlin laughed and added, "Though having a leather tongue, no taste buds, or masking the flavor with a quick pull of mead is sometimes helpful, but look at you! You're much stronger than most men, Arthur! Your people would be so proud, if they only knew."
Arthur couldn't help but wonder if his manservant was a great man or great pest.
Oh piling on the chores after that one had been such a sweet reward for that bit of insolence. However Merlin never learned. He offered the same glib remarks to everyone except for Uther – either a lack of affection, fear, or actual respect kept his mouth closed. Arthur was pretty sure it was a lack of affection though it might have been fear... he wasn't sure. He doubted Merlin had enough sense to be fearful, after all, he mouthed off to Arthur repeatedly when they first met – even after he found out Arthur was the crown prince.
Arthur pulled on a shirt and a decent pair of trousers. He slipped on soft brown leather slippers that Merlin had found for him a few months ago and marveled how nicely they had fit. He hadn't even gotten measured for these, Merlin had them made for him – and they were perfect. Arthur sighed as he decided that he wouldn't bother with a belt. He shuffled past the guards by the door and headed towards the physicians chambers. His skin crawled due to the temperature changes and begged to be scratched, but royalty did not scratch in front of others.
Merlin would help him by distracting his mind past his itches, but what does Camelot's great wizard do? Stalks and does not help with the itch. He might have even caused the itch...
Perhaps if he took George on the quest, Merlin would feel left out and he would heal twice as fast! Merlin did have this strange idea that he was supposed to go everywhere with Arthur so that he could look after Arthur. This made the blond chuckle at the thought of Merlin looking out for him, but in a way – Merlin did. He would drink poison for him. He pulled him away from daggers. He made excuses for his father. Snuck his skinny self into Arthur's quest and brought Gwaine with him! Arthur smiled at that memory. He even tried, failed, but tried to participate in battle – even if it meant laying on his belly yelling "Arthur! Behind you!"
Ah, Bless...
Walking down the familiar way to the physicians chambers thinking of old times with an absent smile on his face, he found himself at the door before he realized he had made the entire journey. Thankfully no one could read his mind or they would think of him as some sentimental fool thinking of his manservant as if he were his best mate or something. He was a friend, but Arthur hadn't become as poisoned as Gwaine was on the boy – he wasn't as affected by friendship. He had a kingdom to run and his affections for others couldn't run as freely. He knocked once and then opened the door to find Gaius making something strange in his strange multiple bottle gizmo mini distillation thingamajig.
"Sire?" greeted Gaius, his tone tired but pleasant – and thankfully genuine.
"I was wondering if you had anything already prepared for sleeplessness?" asked Arthur with an embarrassed grin. It was difficult for him to admit that he had weaknesses, but he knew that fatigue was not good for a leader or a warrior. Merlin was right about a few things and one of them was that when rest could be gotten – be greedy for it! One may never know when sleep would be denied.
Gaius shuffled over to a cabinet and started peering at his assortment of bottles. Arthur wasn't sure how he kept from poisoning anyone since none of the bottles were labeled. The physician wasn't getting any younger. One of these days, he could make a fatal mistake! However, Arthur wasn't going to be the one to suggest such things to the man who held the title of court physician for over twenty years. He just hoped that he wasn't going to be the one that would be the victim of accidental poisoning.
"How is Merlin doing?" If only there were a way to be sure that all hope and anxiety had been absent from his voice when he had asked that question...
Gaius grinned a little, "He's fine, Sire. I'm not sure if it was because the lightning was a magical attack or what really happened – but Merlin is perfectly fine now."
Then why has he not been at work?! Arthur wanted to scream, but a noise from the upstairs room distracted him. It was the disaster area known as Merlin's bedroom. Not long after the noise did the door slowly creep open and a very sleepy and wobbly Merlin stumble down the ladder, scrubbing at his eyes with the backs of his hands. The greyish nightshirt and stocking feet made the boy look like a stretched out child. Overly tall for his age with a mature elven face. Mumbling he tripped along, knocking a broom and then a bucket over. Eventually he banged into a table, scattering a pile of books to the floor. Merlin backed up and then tried "forward" again.
Merlin had a few bruises and scratches – but he did look "fine." Well actually he looked fresh from a fight, but compared to how badly he must have looked under those bandages... Arthur shivered. Gaius was truly a miracle worker.
The physician, apparently used to this nocturnal wandering, grabbed up a jug and a cup and poured a drink and handed it to the boy who drank deeply. Merlin smacked his lips when he was done. Gaius stopped him by grabbing his cup again, which was held tightly by a swaying Merlin, and put a little more liquid into the cup. He gently turned the boy towards the ladder and pushed him towards his room,"Go back to bed, Merlin"
Once again, Merlin's "forward" brought various items in the room to the floor. Thankfully nothing breakable had been in his path. Merlin wandered back up into his room and the door closed with a soft click.
"As I was saying, Merlin's fine – I've just wanted him to heal completely and get sufficient rest. I was going to send him back to you in two days time. I wanted to give him a chance to catch up on his side work and studies before he went back to his full schedule."
He could come back to work. He could go on the quest! It would be Merlin at his side not George the perfectly perfect. They had to leave soon. Arthur didn't want to wait two days. He had to convince Gaius. Granted, Merlin had been horribly stricken and had only been a few weeks – but Merlin looked like himself!
"Is there any chance that he could come back tomorrow?"
"Sire, he was severely injured."
Arthur frowned, "Gaius, I know this is a lot to expect of you. I know how much he means to you, but he is my servant and he knows how I like things. I have an important quest to go on. Merlin is very good at working with the men and..."
"If you're leaving Camelot for any length of time... Merlin would never forgive me if I didn't let him go with you," Gaius frowned and put a small bottle with brown liquid in Arthur's hand, "Both his legs could be broken and he could have one arm and he'd still insist on going with you. He's very stubborn like that."
The young Pendragon's heart lifted. He felt lighter than he had in weeks. Merlin was coming back and no more George! Arthur turned for the door, but he stopped midway, "Gaius?"
"My Lord?"
"Does Merlin... do that?" pointed at the mess Merlin had made, "Often?"
"You've seen the state of his room, Sire. Usually he keeps a full pitcher of water near his bed, but he was so tired before bed he probably forgot tonight. If he gets up, he will walk into things and woe-betide any object in his path. He'll bump into everything until he finds what he was looking for."
"He doesn't do that when we're camping."
"There's nothing to knock over in the forest, my Lord, now if you don't mind – I have to set up two work stations for to.. oh, will you be taking Gwaine with you? I suppose you should..."
"I will be taking Gwaine as well, for this quest, Gaius."
Gaius sighed and admitted bashfully, "I knew it was to good to last. It was such a luxury to have extra hands and young legs about the place. All these stone steps are hard on the back and knees of a man my age, but the exercise is good so it isn't a true complaint."
"Well why don't we swap? I'll take Merlin and Gwaine and you can have the services of George! I've had him help with this and that. I'm sure you've found him efficient. I'm pretty sure that might even be his surname..." joked Arthur. Gaius would say yes. He had already admitted that Merlin would insist on going and Gwaine's duty as a knight came first. Arthur technically did not have to assign George to Gaius, however Arthur hoped that Gaius would take the efficient little bugger under his wing. Maybe if he had George study medicine that would free up some of Merlin's time. George was good at everything so it would work out wonderfully. George could sit up here with Gaius taste testing potions, his tongue warping into something that cannot differentiate between sweet and sour, and maybe just maybe they would find a cure for his polishing fetish.
Arthur suddenly wanted to ask Gaius if he could taste anything, but he didn't. He stood stupidly feeling a bit guilty as Gaius thanked him for the use of George. He was grateful for all the considerations that Arthur had been showing him lately and he said that it meant much to him. As Gaius prattled on about all the years he worked for his family, Arthur thought about the occupant upstairs one more time. He wished it was tomorrow. He wanted Merlin awake and at his side. A few weeks ago, briefly, Arthur thought he'd never again be able to …
"Sire? Are you alright?" asked Gaius.
"I'm fine. I'm fine. It's late. There's been so much to do lately. Since the storm has dwindled, we've had a chance to prepare for the worst, but nothing's been settled. We've all been working our hardest. Even my uncle has ridden out to check on some of the local villages to make sure they are prepared in case they come under its influence when the storm returns."
Arthur did not remark on Gaius's flinch. Perhaps it was to soon to speak about his uncle to the man who once was kidnapped and tortured by Morganna due to a false accusation? It was understandable. There would be some bias, but as court physician – Gaius never let personal grudges interfere with his professionalism.
They said goodnight. Arthur walked back to his own chambers feeling much better than he had in quite some time. The bottle of sleeping potion in his grasp – almost forgotten. He knew he wouldn't need it after all for now he had something to look forward to – Merlin was coming back to work. A small smile graced his lips,.
You watch and learn something from Merlin and me, Emrys. Learn about what it takes to be a friend. Learn about loyalty. You might think Camelot needs magic but we don't. Our bonds go beyond the unexplained, our greatest strength is the power of the emotion in our hearts! It was a grand speech to give if there were ears to hear it. DAMN that warlock!