You guys! I'm so sorry it's been so long. This new semester has hit me like a sack of bricks. I've been wanting to write this chapter for so long, but I haven't really had any down time. But I digress, here it is now! I hope you enjoy, and thank you for reading and reviewing. I love reading your critiques and encouragement so much!
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Arthur was terrified. His knuckles were white as he clutched Merlin to his chest with one hand, squeezing the reins with the other. Merlin looked even paler in the moonlight, and sweat glistened on his brow despite his shivering. But what worried Arthur the most was Merlin's ragged breathing, was growing more pained in his chest with every step.
Arthur didn't even realize that he had been holding his breath until the Great Dragon came into view, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He slowed his mare to a stop before the dragon, dismounting before gently lowering Merlin to the grass below. Merlin was still fighting for breath, chest heaving now, his face twisted with the pain of his efforts. Arthur's heart constricted.
"Well?" the dragon bellowed, although his voice hinted at worry.
Arthur fought to tear his eyes from Merlin's struggling form on the ground. "Henbane. He used henbane."
The dragon hummed, his eyes drawn to the poisoned warlock. "That is a powerful poison. I see that it has taken hold on Merlin, but even now, he fights it."
Arthur held a hand to Merlin's forehead, wincing at the heat there. But he did not remove it.
"Can you save him?" Arthur demanded.
"Not on my own."
Arthur wanted to scream, to throttle that blasted dragon and run him through and finish the quest he had started all those years ago. They didn't have time for this, and Merlin was barely hanging on—
The dragon began to chant. It started out quietly, but grew in intensity until his voice rumbled like thunder. Arthur pulled Merlin's head onto his lap. Not because the dragon was rather frightening, but because Merlin was still shivering, his lips turning blue.
Suddenly, more voices joined in on the dragon's chant. Arthur whipped his head up, searching for the source of the other voices. What looked like dozens of torches blinked at Arthur from the trees at the edge of the clearing. They bobbed up and down, and Arthur realized they were approaching quickly.
Druids, Arthur's mind supplied him.
There was an army of them now, all chanting, circling in on Arthur and Merlin. The torches flickered as their voices rose, and Arthur could feel the power thrumming in the air around them, an electric current running from them and into Merlin.
Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ, the chorus of voices called, golden eyes gleaming in the dark.
Arthur couldn't control the shivers that raced down the length of his spine. Was it from fear or wonder? Or an odd mixture of both?
Suddenly the torches all hissed out, plunging the night back into its former darkness. Arthur squinted down at the prone form in his lap, cursing his eyes for adjusting slowly. But he felt more than saw the change—Merlin sighed deeply, his body relaxing. Fear pulled at Arthur for a moment, but then Merlin's chest rose steadily. Arthur's vision went blurry with crushing relief.
"Merlin?" he breathed.
"Lord Emrys will heal fully with time, King Arthur," a druid said, his wavy curls flowing out from under his dark hood.
"Thank you," Arthur said, his voice quivering, "all of you. This will not be forgotten."
"We are servants of Emrys and we believe in The Once and Future King. It has been an honor."
And with that, the druids melted back into the trees, leaving Arthur a bit confused with an unconscious warlock and a surley dragon.
"Servants of Merlin?" Arthur blurted.
He couldn't help it. The idea just sounded so foreign to him. Sure, Merlin was a warlock, and he seemed to be powerful, but… What had the druids said? Lord Emrys?
"There is still much for you to discover, young king. I suppose I am in your debt, now that you have saved the last of my kin." The dragon bowed, extending his wings into the ebony sky, "I'm sure we will meet again."
With a mighty gust of wind, the dragon was gone. And Arthur deflated, looking down at his friend.
"Slept through all the excitement, didn't you? Are you ever going to wake?"
Merlin responded with a sleepy sigh, turning his head further into Arthur's chest. Arthur ruffled his dark hair.
"If only the druids could see how much of a girl you are."
Arthur rose slowly, his heart feeling lighter than it had for days. As long as he had Merlin, Arthur knew he'd be alright. He lifted Merlin onto the horse, steering them back home. Merlin snored softly, and Arthur smiled.