Depressione pt.26

Hello, hope you are having a good day.

"I'm going to use magic to heal him." Merlin said.

"You're too weak, father. Let me do it." Joy answered.

"You can help me."

Together they did the spell. Jonathan gasped and got better. Merlin kissed his forehead. Jonathan went to sleep. Merlin sat down and relaxed.

"Father, you're bleeding." Joy whispered as she put a cloth on the wound and tried to stop the bleeding. Merlin groaned as Joy lifted his shirt to look at the wound. "It's not deep but it's not good."

"I'll be fine." Merlin groaned.

"Lie down and let me be the judge of that."

"I'll be alright. I just need to relax."

"Lie down. Now." Joy ordered.

"What's gotten into you?" Merlin asked.

"What got into you when Jonathan was shot and when those men were trying to touch me, LOVE. I love you and I don't want to lose you. Jonathan needs you but not if you're sick or dead. Now lie down and let me be the judge of your health."

Merlin went to the bed and laid down. Joy treated his wound. When she was done, she sighed.

"I'm going to get some water to clean the clothes. He has blood all over his clothes. They need to be washed and your shirt needs to be washed. I'll be right back." Joy explained. She went to get the water while Merlin took Jonathan's clothes off and covered him up. Then he took his shirt and jacket off. Joy went downstairs with the bucket of dirty water. She saw the man who was touching her earlier. She ignored him as he walked up to her. He blocked her path.

"Where do you think you're going?" He hissed.

"To get fresh, clean water from the well." Joy answered before she walked around the man. He grabbed her. "Let me go. You know what I can do to you."

"Oh really. A girl like you can kill me? I don't believe that for a second."

"Well, you were drunk. A fool has more knowledge than you."

"I am not a fool."

He slapped Joy.

"Oh really. I thought you were dumber than a fool." Joy said. Then she slapped the man and walked away. She quickly went outside and went to a place where there were clothes. She saw a cloak. She grabbed it and went to the druid selling it. "How much is this cloak?"

"Free for the daughter of Emrys." The druid answered.

"Thank you."

Joy put it on and went outside. She could see the man who had attacked her. She took dirt and put it on her face and dress. She took a sharp rock and cut her leg and a few other places. Then she put her hair in a very messy bun and put the hood on. She went to the well and filled the bucket. Then someone grabbed her.

"Have you seen a girl running around here?" The man asked. Joy shook her head and pointed to her throat. The man let go of her. Joy sighed and went back to her room. When she went in, Merlin freaked out.

"It's just me, father." Joy sighed.

"What happened to you?" Merlin wondered.

"I'm fine. The man who kept touching me and looking at me isn't dead. He saw me so I disguised myself. A druid gave me this cloak and I made myself dirt and cut myself to look like I've been beaten or hurt. I acted like I couldn't speak and I walked with a limp. He didn't realize that it was me."

"That was smart but now, you're going to have to clean up."

"When I'm done boiling the water and cleaning your clothes and his and when your shirt is dry because I'm not leaving this room unless I have no choice."

"I understand."

Joy cleaned the clothes while Merlin took a cloth and cleaned Jonathan up.

"He's covered in dirt." Merlin whispered.

"He probably wasn't loved." Joy answered.

"I know."

When Merlin was done, he covered Jonathan up and laid down next to him. He pulled Jonathan closed and didn't let go. When Joy was done, she dried the clothes and gave Merlin his shirt.

"Can you please go get a clean bucket of water?" Joy begged.

"Just boil the water. If you get it hot enough, it will burn all the bad stuff. Put some alcohol in it." Merlin answered as he put his shirt on.

"Can you go get that?"

"Sure."

"We'll have to hide it."

"I know."

Merlin went to get the alcohol and some food. When he came back, Joy was calming Jonathan who was screaming and thrashing. Merlin put the stuff down and went to them. He grabbed Jonathan and pulled him close.

"What's wrong, Jonathan?" Merlin asked.

"I need... I need..." Jonathan sobbed.

"What do you need?"

"Drink."

"Joy, get him some water."

"No. Not that drink."

"Father, he wants wine or something with alcohol." Joy warned. Merlin nodded.

"Calm down, Jonathan. Everything will be fine. Joy's going to get you a cup of water." Merlin whispered. Jonathan calmed down.

"No, drink." Jonathan moaned.

"I know but water will be good for you. Look at me."

Jonathan looked at Merlin.

"Everything will be fine." Merlin said. Jonathan nodded and then vomited on himself. Merlin sighed and looked at Joy.

"Sorry." Jonathan moaned.

"It's ok. Lie down and try to rest. We can clean it up."

Jonathan laid down. Joy took the blanket and cleaned it. She gave Merlin the cup of water. Merlin helped Jonathan drink the water. When Jonathan was done, Merlin grabbed a bowl of broth.

"Can you eat this for me?" Merlin asked. Jonathan nodded. Merlin fed Jonathan the broth. When Jonathan was done, Merlin put the bowl on the night table and helped Jonathan put his pants on. Then Joy came over with a clean blanket. Merlin covered Jonathan up. Merlin and Joy ate and then went to bed. Joy cleaned herself up and climbed into bed next to Merlin and Jonathan. The boys shared blankets while Joy had her own.

"I love you, father." Joy said.

"I love you both." Merlin whispered as he kissed Joy and Jonathan on the forehead. He pulled both of them close and watched them fall asleep.

TBC