A/N:

Wow! What a great response to that last chapter! I never would have imagined how popular Kora would be! Well, as my Doctor has forbidden me to go to work for the remainder of the week and increased my dose of pain meds, I give you the next chapter, courtesy of my inability to do much else and my love of writing!

Neither Merlin or Arthur belong to me, but Kora is mine

CHARACTERS: Just Court Warlock!Merlin and Arthur (because of bromance, that's why) and a bad ass female OC

RATED: I'm just going to go ahead and make this an M.

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Spiritual, Horror and possibly romance

WARNINGS: M

Merlin begins to have intense precognitive visions during the day, whilst at night he dreams of an old, decrepit castle that chills his blood.

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

Second Sight – Part 4

Arthur ran a hand across his stubbled jaw and waited for the young woman to catch her breath. She had clearly been shaken by the effects of Merlin's illness and was now quietly watching him in his unconscious state.

The King's heart softened toward the girl – how could it not, for she was so similar to Merlin in many ways. Arthur rested his hand gently upon her shoulder and squeezed in a comforting manner.

'Merlin is strong Kora, he has been close to death many times and I know he can fight this.' He assured softly as she turned to face him.

'You don't understand sire, his magic is rotting and fetid – it consumes his body like blood poisoning, but it is not naturally occurring. I can sense a different magic within him, fuelling the darkness and accelerating it. It is sinister and deadly; I'm not sure how to stop it, but I believe there has been a curse placed upon Merlin. One that will be very hard to reverse without knowing who placed it and the words they used.'

Dread formed a lump in his throat as he turned his gaze upon the young man who was thrashing in his bed. Kora brushed a gentle hand across his damp brow, murmuring softly to him as he moaned in pain. He was obviously stuck inside some horrible nightmare and the best Kora could do was hope that her words of comfort reached him.

*~*M*~*

The downpour increased rapidly as Merlin stumbled through the mud, the cold inhibiting his thoughts and movements significantly. He had no choice – she had ignored his pleas and left despite the danger to herself.

Damn stubborn woman! He thought vehemently trying to ignore the voice in his head that berated him for being a hypocrite.

Turning back, he was relieved to see that Arthur was not yet following him, although it would only be a matter of time before he awoke from his magically induced slumber and noticed the pair missing.

Merlin didn't understand – he should be dead by now, or at least feeling a bit more under the weather; he supposed it was adrenaline and determination to protect the woman who had come to mean so much to him over such a short period of time.

'Kora!' He bellowed over the sounds of the violent weather, seeing her form standing tall atop a small mound that faced the derelict castle from his premonitions.

She jumped and turned, her eyes flashing angrily as she approached; hands balled into fists at her side.

'What the hell are you doing here you complete dolt!' she cried, water dripping down her face like tears. 'I left you and King fussy-pants in that cave for a reason!'

'And I begged you not to go for the same purpose! You are not strong enough alone to face them when they are together! Let me help you!' Merlin responded furiously.

'You're dying, damn it! If you help me, the strain will kill you!'

'I don't care! If you do not agree to let me help, I swear I will knock you out and do it myself!'

Kora shook her head and sniffed, rain water replaced by tears as she began to sob.

'You can't keep trying to sacrifice yourself for people with no importance!' She reached out and gripped his sodden neckerchief, brushing her thumb over the familiar material.

Merlin's eyes softened at the gesture and he smiled. 'Who said you weren't important? Just because you weren't mentioned in some stupid prophecy... Kora, you're so important – you're important to me!'

Her breath hitched and she pulled him forward, pressing her lips to his in a possessive kiss.

'I love you Merlin and I won't lose you...I'm sorry!'

The young warlock felt himself falling backwards, the edge of his vision going black as Kora watched on, eyes swirling gold and body shaking as she cried.

'Goodbye!' He heard her whisper before he lost consciousness...

'NO!' Merlin cried, shooting upright only to be pushed back into the pillows by a small hand.

'Whoa there Merlin, take it easy.' Kora warned with a lopsided grin. The young man was suddenly aware of the fact that she was just about straddling his bare chest and speaking of chests...he tried to avert his gaze, but they hung in his line of vision, threatening to spill from the confines of her tight tunic.

'Yeah sorry about that – you started thrashing in your sleep. You already smacked the King in the face and almost landed your right hook on me, so...here I am.' She chuckled, her chest heaving with laughter.

Merlin decided that it was quite a nice way to wake up. His mouth was dry as he continued to stare, thankfully too weak for anything to be stirring, and after a couple of seconds, he managed to meet her emerald eyes.

'Like what you see, Warlock?' She asked casually, sitting back before climbing from his slim frame.

'I-er...um...sorry, Kora – I just...dream. Vision, I think...' he managed weakly, his ears going red. 'Is Arthur alright?'

'He's fine, he just went down my master to get his...injury looked at.'

'I thought I just hit him?'

Kora snorted. 'You hit him alright – halfway across the room. He'll be fine though; just a little blood!'

Merlin began to hyperventilate at the thought of lashing out and seriously injuring someone in his sleep.

'Hey, Merlin...calm down now honey...deep breaths...' She cupped his face, brushing her thumbs along the sharp planes of his cheekbones.

He stared into her eyes, watching the swirl of gold splash through her irises, pulsating gently like a heartbeat. He felt his breath evening out as he watched the beautiful phenomenon.

'There, that's better – isn't it?'

Merlin gave her a shaky smile and ran his fingers through his sweaty mop. 'I'm sorry for...you know...' he began sheepishly, avoiding her gaze.

'You're very sweet, Merlin...' she said gently, bending over to press her lips to his cheek. 'Far too sweet to deserve this. You've been cursed, Merlin; it's the reason your magic is so ill – however, I am a healer and I have an idea, although it may be painful.'

For the both of us, she completed in her mind – if Merlin realised that it could possibly do her serious harm just by trying, he wouldn't allow it.

'What will you do?' He asked suspiciously as she busied herself around the chambers, lighting several more candles as well as calming incense sticks.

'I will attempt to draw the darkness out into another vessel – like a jar or a chest.'

Another lie...the darkness would be drawn into her blood, where she would attempt to cleanse it with her power.

Merlin seemed to be convinced, so he allowed her to straddle him once more, with one hand pressed over his heart and the other over his brow, she began to incant.

The words rose and fell melodically and soon he could feel her palm tingling against his skin. He watched her carefully, wincing as the pain increased slowly. Her magic grasped onto the darkness that entwined his magic and began to pull.

Sweat beaded her furrowed brow but she did not falter, not even when the first drops of blood appeared at her nose; not even when the words lost their beauty and took on the sound of agony.

'Stop Kora...' Merlin gasped, feeling her limbs tremble above him. 'You're hurting yourself!'

She shook her head and continued, the words becoming cries until Merlin couldn't stand her pain anymore and broke the contact – pulling her hands from his body.

Opening her eyes, she sighed. 'Why did you stop me?' she asked weakly, falling forward onto his chest. Her chin rested upon his shoulder and she panted into his neck, her eyes screwed up in pain.

'Because you were hurting yourself and I will not allow it. Don't lie to me again.' He said sternly, helping her up.

'I had to do something – I connected to you when I used my magic to determine your ailment. It's like I have known you longer than my own life. All of your suffering pained me and I had to do something!'

Merlin smiled, remembering the vision and how possessively she had kissed him.

He reached up and brushed the blood away. 'I've just seen you in pain for the very first time and decided that I don't like it. I forbid you to do anything if it means you cause yourself harm.'

Kora chuckled and stood slowly, swaying on her feet for a moment before pouring herself a goblet of water.

'So, if you're "forbidding" me to help you by conventional means, you will need to tell me of your visions. There may be something of use in them that will help us find the enchanter.'

She grinned and again, he felt himself flush.

Oh yeah...he was falling for her alright.

Lucky, lucky – I hope you enjoyed that little Merlin/Kora scene. Yes it does seem to be quick moving, but then again, Merlin had only known Freya for a day and they were going to run away together so...Also, I don't want this to be too long. Sorry if Merlin was a tad lecherous in this scene but for some reason, I needed to put it in there!