Chapter 20

Merlin sits with his head in his hands, watching Gaius. He has just come back from going to see Elena who was lying on her bed, as though in a deep sleep. He thinks about Gaius's warning about using magic but after looking at his almost dead friend he would risk it, just having to wait until nightfall to study his book. His foot consistently thumps the floor, making Gaius' face twitch.

"Would you stop that?" Gaius pesters, needing to concentrate. "Go get me some water from the town supply, I think it might be how the disease is spreading."

Merlin takes the bucket handed to him and walks to the Lower Town well. As he fills it, Gwen races past him crying.

"Gwen? Gwen!" he calls out but the girl doesn't hear him. Taking the bucket, he chases her back up to the castle all the way into Gaius' quarters.

"Gwen?" Gaius exclaims, the frantic girl storming into the room.

"Gaius." Gwen cries, not able to speak.

"You have the sickness?"

Gwen shakes her head, trying to spit out the words. "My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have."

Gaius looks to the girl with pity, knowing that he can't do anything for the girl's father just like he can't for the rest of the victims. "Gwen, I have no cure."

"I'm begging you!"

"I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve." He takes her hand, the only sort of comfort he can offer her. "I'm sorry, Gwen." She takes her hand back, running back out of the room past Merlin who stands near the door.

Another person- is all Merlin can think. How many people that they know and care for will die before this is over. He won't let Elena or Tom die. "There must be something we can do," his voice betraying his emotions which have taken the lead in his thinking.

"My best," Gaius avows, "Let's hope this can provide some answers."

"But that'll be too late for both of them," Merlin argues, desperate for the permission of his guardian.

"I fear you may be right."

Leon walks out of his meeting with the King and Arthur as they discussed what they would do. He feels helpless, limited to tearing apart people's homes and being on patrol while he passes by people dying in front of him. Arthur stops, a guard passing him information from Gaius. Leon waits, watching Arthur's face drop. He nods, the guard walking onwards.

"What is it Sire?"

"Two women from the castle have fallen ill, one is already dead," worries Arthur. Leon knows that this means anybody is vulnerable, not just the lower town.

"Do we know who?" he splutters.

"They didn't say any names but one is a courtier and the other is a member of the servants."

The information didn't narrow anything down, both men silently thinking the same thing. It could be anybody, someone they know or complete strangers. But it has to be pushed from their minds, for the sake of their jobs.

"And Gaius?"

"No closer to a cure."

Torj, enters the corridor the two knights stand-in, his walk purposeful towards them. Like everybody else at this time, Torj's face is solemn and grave. Arthur and Leon watch as the man comes closer to them, knowing he is supposed to be going to his extra duties around this time.

"Torj," Arthur greets. "You are supposed to be heading down to the lower town." Torj nods in acknowledgement.

"I've swapped with Sir Castor, Sire." His eyes flicker between the two men in front of him. "I had to deliver some news that he did not wish to pass on himself." He breathes steadily for a moment. "One of the ill is Elena."

A moment of silence passes through the groups. Arthur rubs his face, letting out a sigh spitting silent curses. He didn't wish this upon anybody, let alone somebody he calls a friend no matter how smart-mouthed she may act sometimes. Leon, on the other hand, stands still. His face doesn't betray any sense of emotion which throws the red-headed knight off.

"Where is she?" is all he asks.

"In her chambers. She was with Castor when it happened, maybe an hour or so ago," Torj admits. Arthur clicks his tongue, not knowing what to say. Leon recalls how Castor had been when they passed him on his way to Gaius and he wishes he had interrogated him further. "He didn't want to stay around, said he needed a distraction so I let him take my place."

"I should go see her. See if there's anything I can report," Arthur says, knowing there is no information to gain that they don't already have. But it was right to see Elena once more before she dies. Leon nods and they trudge to the girl's chambers.

Torj opens the door, seeing the girl for the first time himself. Elena lies on her bed, a quilt covering her. As Castor had told him, she looks as if she is sleeping. As they walk closer they see the blue veins becoming more visible underneath pale skin. Just like the dead bodies which she would soon be joining.

Arthur sucks on his lips, scanning the girl. Torj looks away, instead, staring out the small window where he can see a plethora of guards marching. Leon can't look away from her face, the ghastly pale face. His legs slowly drag over to the side of the bed, falling down onto his knees. Just like he has many times before, he brushes a strand of hair away from her face. His hand drops. Not wanting to look anymore, his head drops onto the bed, forehead resting against the sheets.

Arthur looks at his friend, knowing the sight. "Take the rest of the day off," he tells him, leaving the room. Torj steps over to his friend, patting his back as though it could comfort him. He also leaves the room, leaving the knight and the sleeping girl.

The sun has left the sky hours ago but Merlin lies awake in his bed, not daring to close his eyes. As Gaius snores, Merlin double checks his guardian before pulling out his magic book. For the past few hours, he had been studying and had found an enchantment for a poultice that would cure this sickness. First, he would go to Elena then down to Gwen's house for her father.

The castle is empty, thanks to Uther's commands of curfew. The only people up are the guards on patrol. Sneaking to Elena's chambers is easy enough, with no guards around and everybody asleep. Slowly pushing open her door Merlin is greeted with the unexpected sight. Elena lies in her bed as before but at her small table, a knight sits with his head against it, under crossed arms.

He watches him silently, waiting to see if he would show any sign of being awake but the man doesn't even twitch. Merlin tip-toes over to the bed, placing one of the poultices underneath her pillow.

"þu fornimst adl fram guman."

The poultice shines gold, just like his eyes, seeping into Elena's body. Merlin steps back, waiting to see what happens. The girl shifts for the first time, her eyes peeling open.

Elena's POV

I blink slowly, opening my eyes. I didn't expect I was going to get to open them again. My room is dark, the middle of the night, unlike when I fell asleep. Two oddities are in my room. One of the figures is of a person, sleeping at my desk with their head resting in their arms. The second is the familiar silhouette of the warlock.

"Merlin?" I croak in a hushed tone. Merlin walks forward, kneeling beside my bed, a giant grin on his face. "Did you do this?" My voice is careful not to wake the other sleeping figure.

"I had to," Merlin swallows. "I couldn't just let you die."

"How?" Merlin reaches underneath my pillow, extracting a small beige pouch filled with something. It glows golden, obviously enchanted. "Merlin! You can't do these things. You are going to get yourself killed," I scold.

"Yeah, well, it was either me or you so I chose," he counters.

"I have to get rid of it. Destroy it before it's found," I urge him. "I'm better now, no use keeping it." Merlin looks at the other person in the room who has not stirred yet. He holds the poultice, whispering a spell, eyes glowing golden. The pouch catches on fire and he drops it to the floor. We watch as the thing shrivels and burns in the flames until it is a pile of ashes. I lean over the edge of the bed, brushing the pile away to look more like dust settlement.

"I have to go, Tom, Gwen's father-" Merlin beseeches. I let out an audible exhale, knowing I can't stop him from doing it.

"Just please be careful." Merlin nods, grabbing my hand and squeezing it, then leaving to go to the lower town. "He's going to get himself killed. Then Gaius is going to kill me once he finds out I let him," I groan to myself.

My eyes snap back to the other person in my room who I had yet to put a name too. I push the quilt off my legs and stand up. Creeping towards the figure, I see a mop of blonde curly hair.

"Leon?" I question to myself, now stepping closer. My guess is confirmed as I lean down by his head to see in the low light. "Leon," I say, louder to wake the knight. My hand shakes his shoulder gently. The knight jumps, his body tensing before he realises where he is. His eyes peel open, searching the darkness to find my own.

"Elena?" he whisper, scratchy from the sleep. I nod with a smile to show him I feel better. Without any more words said, his arms fly around my stomach, clinging to my back, pulling me into him. My own arms find their way around his neck. His fingers dig into my skin but I let him, his breath shaky against my collarbone. "How?"

"I don't know," I lie, stroking his hair. He pulls me onto his lap so I sit sideways, my head now resting on his neck. We sit there in silence, just the sound of our breath filling the space. His scent comforts me, one I have known since the moment I came to Camelot and would remember until I die. "You should go to bed," I tell him after a while.

"No, what if you get sick again?" he stresses, looking down at me as though his eyes are searching for any sign of the disease. I shake my head.

"I don't think I will. Besides, you should be sleeping in a bed, Arthur needs you fully attentive."

Leon exhales, watching me in doubt. Finally, he nods. His arms tighten around me, his stubble tickling my face before he lets go. I stand up, letting him move up from the chair. He grabs my face in his hand.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I giggle lightly.

"Being alive."

"Anything for you." A twinkle lights his eye as he chortles.

He smiles, dropping his hands. Giving me one final look he saunters out of my room back to his own. I stand there, beaming at the door, biting my lip. I sigh, walking back to my own bed for some proper sleep.

Once I awaken, feeling fresher than normal, I spend the morning thinking of my tale that I have to create to give reason for my lack of death in the night. I would throw some possibilities but act like I had no idea of anything. I would leave both Merlin and Leon out of the story, for I knew that they could be accused of witchcraft if they were present in the room of one of two people to survive, assuming Tom is too.

"Elena?" Arthur calls as I walk out the door.

"My Lord," I reply, giving a small head bow. He walks over to me, assessing my body.

"You were, sick." His voice sounds utterly perplexed, not comprehending how I am standing right in front of him. "And it was definitely the same disease as the rest of them."

"Indeed I was. But it seems overnight I have recovered to full health." My voice remains smooth and calm. "Perhaps it is because of my lineage from another land. We may have some sort of immunity to it," I throw out. I know neither he nor the King will buy it but it makes me seem confused about it just as they are.

"Was anybody with you last night?"

"Nobody. I awoke in the middle of the night alone."

Arthur hums, deep I thought. "Do you mind if we search your chambers? Just to be sure no one came in."

"Of course Sire, go right ahead." I gesture to the door which is still open. Arthur and two guards that accompanied him enter my room and search through it, just as they did the day before. Even though there is nothing they could find, nerves bubble in my stomach. Arthur doesn't join in on the search, instead, standing next to me and speaks softly into my ear.

"I'm glad you are alright."

"Thank you," I whisper back.

The guards turn to Arthur. "There is nothing here your highness," one of them spoke. The Prince looks relieved, motioning for them to leave the room. He places a hand on my shoulder.

"My father isn't going to think lightly about this. I know you are innocent – you were on your deathbed but he is certain sorcery is at work and it's going to look bad if you are the only one who survives. Keep your head down," he warns, letting go of my arm to walk out.

Arthur is right. I make a 'who knew,' face as I realise how wise his words actually were. The boy has more than one brain cell. I should find Merlin, make sure he hasn't done anything more stupid to put is butt on the line again.

Striding out of my chambers I saunter around the castle. Before I even hear footsteps, a heavy force collides with my back, sending me forward but arms around my waist keep me from falling over.

"Argh!" I shriek, the arms picking me up off the ground, spinning me around in a circle. My fear disappears as I hear the laugh of Castor behind me. Finally, I am dropped to the ground and released so I can face my friend.

"Why don't I get this greeting every day? The other day you threw a pebble at me," I taunt. Castor scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Well nearly die every day and I will," he mocks. Another hand lands on my shoulder, belonging to Torj who grins from ear to ear.

"Good to see you lass." He man-hugs men, his hand playfully pushing me away after. Leon walks up chortling at the greetings.

"As you can see, I wasn't lying. She's up and walking, snarky as ever," Leon teases.

"Hey!" I cry, shoving him with my elbow in his side. "And yes, not dead yet. I just keep getting saved," I shrug nonchalantly.

"Whatever is saving you ain't saving your looks though," Torj says, ruffling my hair. "You got some bad bedhead there." I smack his arm away, smoothening my hair.

"I just brushed it," I whine, raking my hand through it unsuccessfully. Leon rolls his eyes, his hand reaching out to smooth it for me. "Thanks. Have you guys seen Merlin by any chance?"

"I think I saw him up near Arthur's chambers."

I thank them and wave as I jog towards that end of the castle. I had to make sure Merlin wasn't stupid. It doesn't take me long to find him and Gaius, his medicine basket in his hands. Merlin looks pleased as I arrive but Gaius' shock is written all over his face. Well, I can figure that he hasn't told Gaius yet.

"Merlin. Did you destroy it? The other one," I quaver. He tilts his head, confused. The realisation comes to his face and his mouth drops open. The look of horror on his face is all I need to know.

"We have to get it."

"What is going on?!" Gaius snarls, looking on in horror. Before I can answer, Arthur and some guard pass into the Upper Corridor where we stand, dragging Gwen along the ground who is wailing out in despair.

"No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please. I am innocent, I swear. Let me go! I swear to you!"

My throat constricts at her voice making my eyes scrunch close.

"Merlin. Merlin, please help me," she calls out for him. He goes out to reach for her but I hold his arm. "Why won't you listen to me?"

All I want to do is rip them away from their grasp, my heart yearns for her but right now. I there is nothing I can do besides watch or end up in a cell myself which would help nobody. I don't let go of Merlin who gives up on fighting my grip as she passes out of sight, Gaius leading us back to his chambers.

"What have you done?" he accuses.

"What?"

"I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good." I stand back, hugging myself to let them argue, still hearing Gwen's screams in my head.

"I couldn't let her father die! I couldn't let Elena die!" Thanks, Merlin.

"Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of two people, both who Gwen knows?" Gaius points out.

"Well then, all I have to do is...I'll cure everyone. No one will ever have to know it was magic," Merlin resolves.

"It's too late. They think Gwen's a sorceress. They think she caused the disease," Gaius argues.

"But she didn't!" Both desperate for the other to understand, their voices raising a headache but it seems like the least of worries.

"Oh, and how are you going to prove that?"