Selfless Love pt. 37

Hello, hope you are having a good day.

"Merlin, how do you feel?" Arthur asked.

"I need to get home. I won't make it long." Merlin rasped.

"I have the manticore." Arthur answered.

"Good."

Arthur helped Merlin onto his horse. They rode home. It was dark when they got home. Arthur handed the box to Balinor. He went to Merlin who was fighting consciousness.

"Gaius, I need help." Arthur shouted as he helped Merlin off the horse. He carried Merlin inside and saw Sefa waiting with the children.

"What happened?" Sefa asked.

"He was stung."

Sefa followed Arthur to the bedroom. Arthur laid Merlin down and Sefa helped Merlin remain comfortable. Gaius came in and took Merlin's shirt and jacket off. Merlin laid on his stomach and squeezed Sefa's hand as he fought the pain and consciousness.

"Is there anything you can do?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know. I haven't dealt with a serket wound in many many years, Arthur. Go get Balinor. He might know." Gaius answered. "I will try to find the stinger."

Arthur left the room. He went outside and saw Balinor taking care of the manticore.

"Balinor, do you know how to treat someone who's been stung by a serket?" Arthur questioned.

"Yes, why?" Balinor replied.

"Merlin was stung. Gaius is trying to find the stinger."

"Ok."

Balinor ran inside and grabbed what he needed. Gwen and Hunith came in.

"What are you doing?" Gwen wondered.

"I'm making a salve to put on the serket wound to get rid of the venom and I'm making a tea to help purge it from Merlin's body." Balinor explained.

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Yes. I have several plants that need to be chopped and picked."

Gwen and Hunith helped Balinor. When they were done, Balinor went to the bedroom, where Gaius was tending to Merlin's rising fever.

"I have this tea that he needs to drink." Balinor said. He handed the cup to Gaius. Sefa helped Merlin roll over and sit up.

"I can get the tea into him." Sefa suggested as she took the cup from Gaius. Balinor put the salve on Merlin's back. They watched as the salve turned from green to black.

"That's good. It means it's working."

Balinor wiped the black salve on and then applied more.

"We must do this until the salve turned completely red or remains this shade of green. That will mean that the venom is out of his system. The tea will help him purge whatever remains in his body." Balinor explained. Half an hour later, Balinor had finished. "It's out of him. If it isn't, he'll start vomiting in a minute or so."

"I feel nauseated." Merlin groaned weakly. Sefa grabbed a bucket and then took a cool wet cloth and wipe the sweat off of Merlin's forehead.

"Are there other ways that it could purge itself?" Sefa wondered.

"He might purge it through his sweat. There are a few other ways, but vomiting is the most common." Balinor answered. "We'll know if his sweat starts turning black."

"Then what should we do?"

"Get him cleaned up."

"Ok."

Then they noticed how Merlin was sweating more and then it was turning black. Sefa and Balinor cleaned Merlin up while Gaius made sure that Merlin's vitals were alright. Several minutes later, it had passed. Gaius was helping Merlin drink as much water as possible. When Merlin had stopped sweating heavily and was comfortable, Balinor checked his temperature.

"He's fever is gone. He'll be fine." Balinor sighed. Sefa covered Merlin up with a blanket and watched as everyone left the room. She saw the kids at the door.

"Did I mention how much I hated serkets?" Merlin moaned.

"Yes, you did." Sefa answered as she kissed Merlin's forehead.

"I still hate them."

Sefa went to the kids.

"Go wait in the living room. I need to help your father change." Sefa whispered. The kids left the room and went to the living room. Sefa helped Merlin get cleaned up and ready for bed. When they were done, Sefa went to the living room and saw the kids reading. "You can come in now."

The kids ran to the bedroom and climbed onto the bed. Arthur and Aria hugged Merlin who was still awake.

"Hey, kids." Merlin chuckled as he kissed Arthur and Aria's forehead.

"Daddy, are you ok?" Aria wondered.

"I will be. I just need to rest."

They all got comfortable and went to sleep. Kokum and Faith were talking to Morgana, Morgause, and Nimueh at their house.

"The men and I will go into the woods tomorrow and cut the trees that will be good for building houses. The forest is so full of trees and some are overtaking others." Kokum said.

"How do you know so much?" Morgana questioned abruptly.

"I'm native American. Our people use what the land provides. At a young age we are taught how to use what we have to build homes, cook food, and make clothing."

Faith hissed painfully and squeezed Kokum's hand.

"Are you alright?" Kokum wondered.

"Yeah. I think I'm going to lie down." Faith panted.

"Ok."

Faith got up and hissed painfully. She sat back down and laid down. Kokum put his hand on her stomach.

"Are you in labor?" Kokum asked.

"I don't think so." Faith panted.

"Let's get you to bed."

Kokum carried Faith to bed. Braelynn and Brian were at the door. Kiara was behind them. Kokum helped Faith go to sleep. When Faith was asleep, he went to the twins.

"Let's get both of you back to bed." Kokum sighed. He took the kids to bed. The next day, everyone was at the lake talking about what they were going to do.

"Desdemona's child is in London. It will remain close to where the magical places are. Mainly the crystal cave, which now resides outside of London. We go there an if it sees me, it will be so afraid that it will remain in human form for 24 hours. That will be your time to strike. All of Desdemona's children have weaknesses, but each one is different. There biggest weakness is their heart which is always located in one area. It is always located on their right knee. One blow is enough to kill it, but all the darkness will be released where it was destroyed." The manticore explained.

"That's why the Great Purge started. We destroyed the creature in Camelot." Nimueh realized.

"You must be careful. This creature has the power to kill all of you in one blow."

"What about you? If you can poison it, then it will be weakened. You could actually hit its heart. You're small which gives you a bigger advantage." Faith wondered.

"They run. They always do, and they kill anyone who is in their way. Besides, if I touch it, I will become it." The manticore replied.

"So, we have to kill it without it seeing us. And we cannot touch it. What about swords?"

"It could work."

"We distract it while Arthur goes up behind it with Excalibur and kills it."

"He will need help. As soon as he strikes it, he must run, or he must be protected by a shielding spell."

"I will help him." Merlin volunteered. "It is my destiny to protect Arthur."

Everyone prepared themselves for battle. Arthur went to his knights.

"You will remain here and protect the people that remain." Arthur said.

"Sire, let us come with you." Leon answered.

"No, we can handle it ourselves. You must remain in case something happens."

Arthur went to the barn and saw that Merlin had Arthur's armor ready.

"I enchanted it to protect you from anything magical that could harm you." Merlin said as he helped Arthur put the armor on.

"You've always been here. You've always been by my side; Merlin and I thank you for that. I know that I should have been a better prince, king, friend, and master. "Arthur sighed.

"Well, you had your moments where you were a good prince, or king, or friend, or master. I would protect you till the day I die."

"And yet you are still a servant. I need to change that someday."

"I'm happy to be your servant…to the day I die."

"You never cease to amaze me."

"I should have stopped you from dying."

"But if you hadn't, at lot of things would not have happened. It had to happen, Merlin. Don't every regret what you did. You did not fail me, it was my time."

"We should go."

They walked out of the barn and said good-bye to their families. Faith and Kokum were saying goodbye.

"Be careful. I don't want to lose you or the baby." Kokum said.

"I will. I have this protective armor on. I'll be fine." Faith answered

"I don't like the idea of you going."

"But I have to."

"I know."

Faith knelt in front of the twins.

"Make sure that you behave for your father. Do as he says. And remain by the lake." Faith ordered.

"We will, mummy. Why do you have to go?" Braelynn answered.

"Because of who I am. I'll be home and I'll be fine."

"Ok."

They hugged. Merlin and Sefa kissed. Merlin cupped Sefa's face in his hands.

"I love you." Merlin whispered. "I'll be home soon. And I'll be careful, and I will protect Faith."

"You knew what I was going to say." Sefa chuckled sadly.

"I know you too well."

They kissed again and then Merlin hugged the kids. He hugged Ava and then looked at her.

"You're becoming a lady and I am so proud of you. Help in anyway that you can." Merlin sighed.

"I will, dad." Ava answered. Merlin knelt in front of the other three.

"Help your mum and your sister. Do whatever you are told to do."

"Yes, daddy." The three replied. He hugged them and kissed their foreheads.

"I love you." Merlin whispered.

Arthur and Gwen were talking.

"Be careful, Arthur. I've already lost you once…" Gwen warned.

"And you won't lose me again. I have done far more dangerous things. I will be fine and besides, I have Merlin." Arthur answered.

"Merlin has always done well."

"Yes, he has."

Arthur and Gwen kissed. Elyan pushed Arthur and the parents smiled at him. Arthur took Elyan from Gwen's arms and hugged him.

"I'll be home soon, little guy. Make sure that you behave for your mother." Arthur said.

"I will." Elyan replied. Arthur went over to everyone who was going to fight, Balinor, Morgana, Morgause, Faith, Merlin, Finna, Alator, Mordred, Gilli, Iseldir, and Nimueh waited for Arthur. Aithusa, Kilgarrah, and the manticore were waiting as well.

"Let's go." Arthur ordered. They rode to London. They arrived an hour later. Faith gasped as she got off her horse.

"Are you alright?" Merlin asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's close. Like it's just outside the city." Faith replied.

"I feel it too."

They went inside the city. The manticore lead the way. Kilgarrah and Aithusa waited. As soon as they passed a few buildings, they saw the man looking around with pure evil. When he saw the manticore, he froze in fear.

"Oh, good. Your mother taught you well." The manticore chuckled. The man ran out of the city only to run into Kilgarrah and Aithusa who breathed fire at him.

"Looks like it's time for some fun." The man hissed. Arthur and Merlin went around Kilgarrah and Aithusa.

"Sorcerers, attack." Nimueh shouted. They threw spells at the man, but he flung their balls of fire back. They dodged the spells. One by one, the man stopped each sorcerer. First, he stopped Gilli and then Mordred. Going from weakest to strongest, he paralyses them. Soon it was done to just Faith. Aithusa grew angry and spat fire at the man distracting him enough for Faith to strike and weaken him. The man gasped.

"You are powerful. I cannot sense your thoughts. I can sense everyone else's thoughts, but not yours. Why?" The man wondered.

"My mind is off-limits." Faith answered.

"You are very powerful."

"Yes, and you will be defeated."

Merlin and Arthur watched as Faith and the man began to fight.

"We have to kill him now. He can't sense our thoughts." Merlin whispered.

"No, we have to wait for the right moment." Arthur warned.

"But Faith could die."

"No, he could predict what everyone else was doing but not her or the dragons, but Kilgarrah is old and Aithusa is no match and now both of them have been stopped."

Then they watched as Nimueh reached out her hand. Her magic spread into Mordred. He looked at Nimueh and then nodded. The held out his hand to Balinor. They went down the row handing all their powers till they reached Gilli, Gilli took his ring of and threw it to Faith. Faith saw it and caught it. She nodded at the others and put it on. Then the air around her turned gold. The man stopped and looked at Faith in pure fear.

"No, that's not possible." The man gasped. Faith looked at her hands. Then she looked at the creature. "You may be able to defeat me in this form, but can you defeat me like this."

Then he turned into the most horrible creature Faith had ever seen.

"I will do whatever it takes." Faith replied. Then she pushed all of her powers into destroying him. He gasped and tried to overcome it. Eventually, he did.

"You think that you can kill me? You are a fool."

"No more foolish than you. What do you think I'll do next?"

"You will do it again. You will keep attacking me till you kill me."

As the creature spoke, Faith stretched her fingers out to her friends and they were freed.

"You will make the most foolish mistakes of your life." The creature chucked.

"Wrong. I will not do that again. They will." Faith answered.

"I do not believe you."

"Now!"

Arthur and Merlin came out of the shadows and Arthur quickly stabbed the creature's right knee. The creature cried out painfully. Merlin protected Arthur while the others poured all of their powers into destroying the creature. The creature burst into nothing and everyone ducked. When it had passed, they all got up.

"We did it." Faith gasped. They all congratulated each other. Faith went to Gilli and handed him his ring.

"How did you guys know to do that?" Merlin asked.

"We knew that if we couldn't use our powers to free ourselves, then we can give it to someone who can. He couldn't sense Faith's thoughts and he was so distracted that he didn't realize ours." Nimueh explained.

"That was easy." Arthur teased. Faith went to him and pushed him. Merlin did the same.

"Speak for yourself. You had the easy job." Merlin answered.

"Ok. Let's go home."

At the house, the men were busying cutting trees down and cutting the limbs. The women and children worked in the field and on the barn.

"How do you think the others are doing?" Sefa asked.

"I'm sure their fine. They always are." Gwen answered.

"Merlin told me all about his life and I learned a lot of very interesting things."

"Like?"

"How when he first came to Camelot, you were his first friend. He said that you had a crush on him and that you actually kissed him."

"I thought he was dead. He scared us."

"I know."

Then they heard horses and flapping. They saw the dragons and everyone returning. They ran up to them and saw that everyone was safe.

"We did it!" Arthur exclaimed. The women and children cheered. The men came out of the woods. When they heard, they cheered. Kokum went to Faith and they kissed.

"I was so worried about you." Kokum whispered.

"I'm fine. He didn't hurt me." Faith answered.

"Good."

She looked over and saw that Merlin was looking at her in confusion. She went to him and pulled him away from the crowd.

"When I got off the horse, I was fine but at the same time, I wasn't." Faith said.

"What do you mean?" Merlin wondered.

"I'm 7 months pregnant."

"But you barely even show."

"That's why we didn't say anything. I told mum yesterday. Apparently, she didn't tell you."

"That's not all."

"No, it isn't. Kokum and I are worried that the baby may not live. It rarely kicks and when it does, it kicks hard."

"But it's not as painful as the twins?"

"No, it isn't."

Then there was an explosion in the distance.

TBC