Author's Note: Everyone seemed very intrigued by that last chapter ;P
Well, it's back to the story of Gwaine and his dire situation now! Just a few more POVs for you in this chap J
Hope you likey and please review! x
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes are also my own.
Chapter Twenty Five
Dread
The dreaded sunlight gleamed through the small window of the dungeon. Emrys blinked and pulled himself up to his feet. He squinted through the window at the courtyard above. There were only a few people hurrying across the cobbles, most of them were stable boys, servants and guards. Emrys sat back down in his usual corner and stared down at his feet. This was the big day. Was Gwaine already dead or would he just make it through the day? Emrys didn't know. The specific time that a person died from the spell was varied. It depended on how much they resisted it, how strong they were, things like that. Emrys had never used the spell before but it had worked like a charm. He had read about it in a spell book he had had previously but had since been lost. He had only had a quick look at it when he was flicking through the book briefly. But it had not failed him. He would just have to wait for any news of Gwaine.
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Gaius placed a hand on Gwaine's forehead. It was burning. He withdrew his palm and instead pressed a cool cloth against his face. He then held two fingers against his neck. This had been the fourth time he had checked his pulse this morning. He had woken early and had been watching over Gwaine since he had got up. Today was the day. Any time that Gaius wasn't tending to Gwaine, he was scouring through his hundreds of books for even a mention of an antidote. There had been none. So all Gaius could do now was keep a cool cloth pressed against Gwaine's brow and keep checking his pulse. There had been no word from Uther. From all Gaius had heard, he was still sticking to his plan of let-Gwaine-die-and-keep-the-Thief-in-the-dungeons. If Gaius said he respected and supported Uther's decision, he would be lying. But there was nothing he could do. There was nothing anyone could do. Not even Arthur.
xxx
Arthur turned his back on the light that was now fighting its way into the room. That light meant that Gwaine was going to die today. He tried to block himself from it with the sheets, as if that would stop the day from coming. He sighed and got up from his bed. He grabbed a shirt and pulled it over his head. He was thankful that Ceira hadn't turned up this morning to do her usual chores. He wanted to let things settle before he saw her again. When he was dressed and washed, he left the room and headed for the Great Hall. He had a feeling that his father would want to talk to him. The guards bowed as he entered and sure enough there was his father sitting on his throne looking troubled.
"Ah, Arthur, I was just about to send for you. I want you to order some guards to prepare a pyre. I will have no more nonsense from this Thief," Uther announced. Arthur was a little bemused at this.
"What, now?" Asked Arthur.
"As soon as Sir Gwaine… passes away, then I want the Thief burned at the stake. He has threatened Camelot for too long. His time is up," Uther declared. Arthur nodded and turned to leave.
"Yes father, I will ask Gaius to notify me as soon as Gwaine is…gone." Arthur swallowed down the hurt that welled up in him when he said that. This had to be done. He came out into the corridor and headed towards the staircase that lead to Gaius' chambers. This would have to be a quick visit. He didn't think he would be able to be in the same room as the dying Gwaine for that long.
Author's Note: What's that little blue button? You like all these people clicking you? What did you say? It makes you feel loved? And you want to make friends with all the lovely people who click you? Well isn't that nice! Well that's it folks! If you want a little blue button as a friend, I'd give it a nice big click if I were you! …Again :P x