Alaia Skyhawk: Nope, I'm not dead! Yes, I know this is two days later than normal, but in my defence I've been indulging a major case of Zelda addiction... In that I played the game non-stop in all my free time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until I'd completed the storyline of it :D

I've just all the side quests and stuff now, to make a completionist file, but that can wait for now hehehehehe! So yeah, I've completed the storyline, and can officially say that my Zelda fics are DEFINITELY now AU from cannon. But oh man the ending was epic, and heart-rending, and just "wow this game explains so much of the back-story for the Zelda Universe" I've watched the pre-credits ending scene three times now and I still end up bawling my eyes out. I do believe that Skyward Sword has become probably my favourite Zelda game (Ocarina is a veryclose second) but I'm afraid Fi and Groose just seal the deal for me :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: N/A

~(-)~

Chapter 51: Lamia ~Part 1~

The woman walking into the city did so with a burdened and fearful heart, making her way through the streets of Camelot to a familiar home in the upper town. That fear had brought her here on behalf of her village. It had brought her to see the one person in Camelot that she felt she could go to for help.

The villager stopped outside the house in question, knocking lightly on the door and waiting.

Inside the home, the owner ceased in her folding of her just dried laundry. Gwen turned and went to the door, opening it to reveal a face she knew well, the woman's eyes hopeful when she saw her.

"Gwen."

"Mary?" Gwen regarded her with surprise, then moving to hug her. "Mary! What a wonderful surprise."

She pulled the woman into the house, closing the door as Mary watched.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, not not at all. What brings you to Camelot?"

Mary sighed, what joy she'd had at this reunion fading back into concern.

"I don't want to trouble you, Gwen. John and I, I know we haven't seen you for many years, but there was no one else we could turn to."

Gwen's smile faded.

"What is it?"

Mary looked into her eyes, fright and worry there to see.

"We're just... We're just so scared."

"Oh, Mary." Gwen pulled her close, letting her old friend tremble in her arms until calm returned. And when it had, she spoke. "Tell me. Do you need help?" Mary nodded into her shoulder, and Gwen gently began to lead her towards the door. "Then I'm going to get it for you. Come with me."

Mary was released from the hug, now drawn along by her hand out into the street and towards the castle.

"Where are we going?"

Gwen just smiled to reassure her, leading her onwards to the castle courtyard and calling out to the young man she happened to see walking across it with his arms full of armour.

"Merlin! I need to speak to you."

He stopped in his tracks, changing direction and glancing questioningly at Mary before speaking to his head.

"What is it, Gwen? Do you need some help?"

Gwen returned his regard, the look in her eyes saying she'd only really approached him to maintain a certain degree of protocol. It would have looked even stranger if she'd gone directly to the king herself.

"This is Mary, and while she hasn't told me what yet, there's trouble of some kind in her village. We need an audience with Arthur."

Merlin looked at Mary again, who seemed to be becoming increasingly nervous, before he nodded and indicated they should follow him.

"He's in his chambers learning a speech for a merchants' banquet he's hosting this evening, courtesy of Lord Tarven bringing them here two days ago as part of a trade negotiation. If you need to speak to him soon, then now is the time to do it, because after tonight he's going to be up to his ears in courtly protocol. After tonight, there won't be a chance to speak to him for the next two to three days, until the negotiations are complete."

Gwen nudged Mary when the woman hesitated to follow, the villager more than a little stunned.

"You're taking me to see the king? Just like that? Won't someone object?"

Merlin glanced back at her, slowing his pace to fall in alongside and take her by her arm while Gwen kept hold of other.

"I'm a Trusted Retainer and the King's personal manservant. I know Gwen wouldn't have come to me about this if she didn't think it might be important. And when it comes to the welfare of the kingdom and its people, King Arthur prefers to find out as soon as possible. Interrupting his speech-memorising won't be a huge convenience, and will be far less of an inconvenience than your situation could become if it isn't tended to."

If it were even possible, Mary looked even more nervous now, almost cowering against Gwen as Merlin led them to the nobles' wing. He didn't even bother to knock, opening the door and peering in.

Across the way Arthur was sat by the window, piece of parchment in hand and gesturing slightly along to the words he was murmuring quietly.

He looked up when he heard the latch, and started to get up when he saw Merlin's expression.

"What is it?"

Merlin opened the door wide, ushering Gwen and Mary in and indicating the latter as he left his armload of armour beside it.

"There seems to be some trouble in her village, and she came all the way to Camelot to see Gwen. Gwen brought her to me."

The maid in question nodded, as she led her friend to sit at the table.

"She lives in Longstead, in the Feorre Mountains." She paused to let Mary confirm that with a nod. "She and her husband, John, are old friends of mine. They're both strong people, hardy. She wouldn't be here if it wasn't serious."

Arthur waited until both women were sat, Merlin taking up position to stand at the end of the table while the king moved to the opposite end and braced his arms on the back of his usual chair.

"Could you tell me what it is that has brought you here?"

She bowed her head, anxious and unsure of this unexpectedly sudden audience with him.

"Our village, we are blighted by a sickness. Three good men it has taken now. We have no physician, Sire. It is beyond our understanding."

"I see..."

Arthur went quiet, thoughtful, and Mary interpreted as disapproval.

"Forgive me. I have no right to bring such a small matter before the king."

"You have every right." Arthur moved around to the front of his chair, sitting down so as to be on the same eye-level as her. "It is my responsibility to protect the people of this kingdom, whoever they may be."

She raised her head, surprised and hopeful.

"You'll help us?"

He nodded.

"I'll do whatever I can."

Gwen put her hand on Mary's, smiling at her before the villager regarded Arthur with gratitude.

"Thank you."

Arthur now looked to Merlin, tone commanding.

"Inform Gaius I need to speak with him. He needs to prepare to ride to Longstead at once."

Merlin grimaced when he heard that.

"He's currently dealing with an outbreak of sweating sickness in the lower town. If he leaves, there may be fatalities in his absence." He saw Mary's expression change to fallen hope, and continued. "However, there's nothing stopping you from sending his apprentice, Liam."

Arthur mulled over that, a little hesitant.

"I know Liam is a good study, and has almost two years of training behind him now, but he lacks experience enough to work on his own on something this potentially serious. There have been no major epidemics during that time, no outbreak of a truly dire disease. He's never had to deal with it before, not as a physician."

"But I have." Merlin glanced at Mary again before he continued. "Send Liam, and I'll go with him. He has more medical knowledge than me, but I have the experience in working as a physician during an epidemic. Together we should be able to manage Longstead's problem, or failing that be able to return to Camelot and Gaius with our findings."

The king thought it over, and nodded.

"Then it's settled. Go inform him to prepare to depart. I want you out of here and on your way at dawn tomorrow." Arthur now turned to Gwen. "Look after her until morning, and go with her if you wish. I know you probably want to. I'll have Sir Leon and the others go as your escort."

Gwen rose to her feet, nodding her thanks.

"I'll see to it, Sire."

Her use of the title was to reassure Mary, who was understandably a little confused by the swift and informal meeting that had just taken place before her eyes. Once the two women had left to return to the upper town, Arthur looked at Merlin.

"I'd have sent you anyway, Merlin. For all we know, this illness could be the work of magic. Liam can easily handle straightforward illnesses, but he wouldn't have a clue if it turns out to be an enchantment."

Merlin's expression had become serious.

"If it is magic, then you know I'm the best person to have on the job. I won't let you down." He started to smile. "And do try to keep yourself out of trouble while I'm gone. I don't want to come back and find out you've managed to flatten half the castle."

Arthur smiled in response to that, Merlin chuckling as he left the room on that humorous note. But then his expression once again became serious as he headed for Gaius' chambers. He was confident about this, but he knew someone who wasn't going to be so certain.

~(-)~

"I can't believe he's sent me out like this... What if I can't do anything to help them?"

Liam sat almost hunched over in his saddle, within the line of riders. Leon and Gwaine were at the head, Elyan and Percival at the rear, while Gwen and Mary rode in front of him and Merlin.

The warlock was watching him with a small smile and a raised eyebrow, far more casual in his command of balance atop his horse unlike Liam who had never had much cause to travel like this.

"You've got to get used to this sooner or later. Once Gaius decides you've got enough experience for it, you're going to be send on a round of all the villages near to city on a regular basis. There's no point in Arthur having two physicians if he doesn't take advantage of the improvement in care of his people that it will allow him." He leaned over in his saddle a bit and lowered his voice further. "Just remember to keep a brave face on when we get to the village. You won't inspire much confidence if you look scared. That's one thing a physician must always do, keep himself composed. It's part of the job."

Liam took a deep breath and let it out slowly, biting his lip a little.

"I'll remember that. Just... Help me out if you think I need it."

"I will."

They remained silent for the rest of the long ride to Longstead, riding as hard as the horses could handle without risking hurting them in the forested terrain. The village was nestled in a valley at the foot of two of the Feorre mountains, and when they arrived just before dusk they were greeted with much relief.

Mary rushed over to her husband, John, and held him tight before he looked to the rest of the group and Gwen came over.

"John, it's good to see you. We came as quickly as we could."

He returned her hug of greeting, hope in his eyes.

"Words cannot express our gratitude, Gwen." His smile faded when he regarded the rest of her group, and didn't see the face he was looking for. "Where's Gaius?"

Merlin nudged Liam, sending him towards the man with medicine bag in hand.

"I'm sorry, he was needed in Camelot, but I will help in any way that I can." He nodded his head in greeting. "I'm Gaius' apprentice."

John did not seem impressed, despite Liam's claim to good training, and turned to Gwen.

"We're living in fear for our lives. We need a skilled physician, not a boy."

Merlin took exception to that, handing the reins of his horse to Percival and heading over.

"His name is Liam."

Gwen tried not to wince as she did her best to smooth the situation out.

"He was appointed acting physician by King Arthur himself."

John didn't utter a word, rather remaining silent for several seconds before pointing to one of the houses. Merlin and Liam immediately headed to it and entered, finding the three men they'd been told to expect, laid on beds inside.

Within minutes both Merlin and Liam were at work, checking the mens' vital signs and comparing initial views before Liam addressed John who had followed them in.

"They're alive, but only just. How long have they been like this?"

The man frowned, grim.

"Two or three days. We've tried to feed them, keep them warm, but nothing seems to make any difference."

Gwen looked at him from her position beside him, concerned.

"And you have no idea what happened to them?"

"No. It just strikes suddenly, without warning."

Liam hesitated, looking to Merlin for reassurance and speaking when he nodded.

"Well, we need to stimulate the blood flow."

He paused again, nerves silencing him, and this time Merlin rescued him by starting to get things out of the medicine bag.

"A poultice of patchouli should work, and a tincture of belladonna to stimulate the heart."

John stared at him.

"I thought he was the physician, not you."

Merlin favoured him with a small smile, his manner reassuring.

"Liam may be Gaius' apprentice, but I'm his ward. I have over six years of experience from helping him, and I'm here to give Liam advice if a situation crops up that is outside of his knowledge. So you could say that the king actually sent you two physicians, even if I'm not an official one."

Liam, trying not to sigh openly in relief, followed that lead.

"And I appreciate that, given how strange these symptoms are. Merlin, make a start on the poultices while I apply the tincture."

John watched them as they started to work, anxious for hope even if part of him remained sceptical.

"Will it cure them? Will it bring them back?"

Merlin glanced at him, reassuring.

"Let's see what the morning brings. Right now we need hot water and plenty of blankets." John left to do so, Gwen following him to make sure he didn't turn back. And then, now that he and Liam were along with the villagers, Merlin immediately held his hand out over the heart of the man nearest him. "Ic pe purhhle pinu licsar."

His eyes glowed gold and then silence followed, both of them waiting for a response that never came. And that was enough to turn Liam's expression to one of dread.

"It's magic, isn't it?"

Merlin nodded grimly.

"Yes, and not something I'm familiar with. Let me try something else... Stad gan iarraidh draiocht, teith as me cumhacht." It was the spell Kilgharrah had taught him, the one to banish any unwanted magic in an area or on a target. But again it did nothing, the warlock's expression darkening. "This isn't a spell, which means it wasn't done by a sorcerer. This kind of thing can only have been done by a creature of magic... The problem is, which one? And I don't have my books with me."

Both of them were now regarding each other with a certain degree of dread. If there was something both of them hated, it was facing a magical threat when you didn't have the slightest idea what you were dealing with.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: And the lazy subber strikes again! This time it was Merlin's spell that was subbed as "He casts a spell in another language" Thankfully, he's using the same one as he used in "Aithusa" so I just pasted from my file for that part of that episode XD

I'll see you all tomorrow with part 2, and you can expect a double update (a few hours apart) of part three of the episode and part 1 of the sub the day after that. I've a little bit of catching up to do thanks to my geeking out over Skyward Sword hehehehehe!