Chapter 31
"Well, the good news is, is that Gwen is a much better physician than Merlin," Gaius assess, cleaning to wound again to get ready for stitches.
"Trust me," I smirk at Merlin. "I didn't let him even touch it."
"I was just trying to be a good friend," he quips in defence, watching me from the table, eating his dinner. I snicker, rolling my eyes. "What excuse did Arthur give for leaving? I doubt Uther wouldn't notice both his son and ward missing."
"Apparently he told some of his men that he was on a hunting trip, they assumed Elena was with him."
"What about Morgana?" I chip in.
"She never told anybody she left. She's likely speaking with him now on the matter."
Gaius moves away, putting the rag down in the water bowl. He shuffles through his supplies, pulling out a sharp needle and silk thread. I'd never had stitches and I always thought that if I did, I would be giving some sort of happy gas but this is going to be un-drugged and on my face. I swallow thickly, unconsciously leaning backwards.
The door to the quarters opens without a sign on knocking first. A blonde man in chainmail with a red cloak to match striding through, a determined look set on his face.
"Leon!" I cry, jumping from the bed. I jog up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands wrap around my waist, lifting me slightly from the ground, his head resting in my neck. "I've missed you," I mumble.
"Arthur told me before he left where he was going but I didn't know you went to," he chides, pulling back from me. "You could've told me where you were going. Nobody could find you."
"I'm sorry. I didn't plan on going but I changed my mind last second and caught up with him just before he left," I rattle, squishing my brows together as I strain my neck to look up at him.
"What happened to your face?" he asks, brushings his fingers around it.
"My first battle wound," I beam.
"Your first battle wound I still need to stitch," Gaius calls, waiting near where I sit. Grabbing Leon's hand I drag him over to sit back down and he stands behind me, hands going to rest around my stomach. "I should be teaching you this Merlin but I might wait till we have a wound that's not on the face. We want precision for less scaring," he says to the warlock.
"I don't mind," I chirp. "Besides, I don't care if it scars." It's not like I have a mirror to look at anyways.
Both look unsure but Gaius holds out the tools for Merlin who hesitates but eventually takes them. The needle is curved and the thread looks almost see-through. I hide my nerves behind a smile for Merlin's sake who is chewing his bottom lip. I lean my head back against the knight's chest to keep it steady, closing my eyes so I don't have to watch the pointy end come closer to my eyes.
The needle pinches my skin, making my hands clench together and my nails dig into my skin. Gaius begins guiding the warlock, instructing him how to tie it off. I feel his hands against my head, a little shaky but he's trying to hold them steady. Leon's hands which were around my front pull my fingers away from my palm, wrapping his own between them. I try my best not to wince or cringe but every time that the needle meets my skin again my eyes twitch. It's painful but not as painful as the cut itself.
After eight or so stitches it's finally done and I think Merlin feels more relief than I do.
"That is a good job, Merlin," Gaius praises, inspecting each knot.
Leon moves around to my front, smiling down at me.
"How do I look?" I ask cheekily, grinning from ear to ear.
"Gorgeous," he jokes, kissing the clean part of my forehead. "I can't believe I missed seeing you fight. Not that I want you fighting but it certainly would've been quite a sight."
"She shot a man while sliding off a roof," Merlin pipes.
"You saw that?" I giggle.
"You slid off a roof?" Leon asks incredulously. "You know Castor is going to want you to do a re-enactment?"
"I'm counting on it," I chuckle. "Thank you, Gaius and you Merlin. I'll see you both later." They wave goodbye as Leon and I leave the physician's quarters. "Anything that I miss in the past couple of days?" I ponder. He shakes his head, sauntering around with no real destination.
"Nothing besides a few more new boys joining training. Would you like to go on a picnic tomorrow? I have the day off and it looks like the weather's going to be nice," he rambles.
"I would love that," I nod. "I've never been on a picnic before. Do I need to bring anything?"
"No, leave it all to me,' he assures.
"I miss cake."
"I miss the movies."
"I'm guessing the psychics were wrong and that the world didn't end in twenty-twelve."
"Unfortunately not."
"Unfortunately?"
"Ever since twelve the world just got worse and worse. Like you think – this is it; the year is going to get better than bam. Something else happens."
"Did you ever do drugs?"
"No."
"That's good."
Castor and I lean against each other's back in the middle of my room on the floor. It is far into the night, and most of the castle is asleep but we have been talking for hours about nonsense now that sleep doesn't even feel near. A thought pops into my head, one that I haven't thought about before.
"Castor, that pull you felt – like I did towards Merlin. Do you feel it anymore?" I ask making an effort to keep my tone neutral. I feel him shake his head, his curls tickling my neck.
"Actually, no I don't. I haven't in about a month or so now. I didn't even think about it really," he explains. "What about you?"
"No. I don't," I lie. I can't help myself though. What if he's like me? It would make so much sense. I have to tell him. "Actually I do. There's something I need to tell you. Something you can't tell anybody about," I warn.
"What? Or you'll be executed?" he jokes, laughing but I don't join in.
"Yes," I say, looking forward. His laughter stops and I feel his body move away from mine, turning to face me. I turn my neck to meet his surprised gaze. "I think we're the same and that's why I need to tell you."
I get up and grab the book I still hadn't given to Merlin and also the two pages from the draw that I had ripped out.
Castor doesn't say anything, just watches me bring the stuff to the floor.
"I'm called a Vessel, and I think you are too," I begin. "It might be hard to explain but basically – imagine one of those power-ups in Super Mario right, well, a Vessel is like that but to somebody with magic. They're connected to the energy in the earth, which is the source of magic and we draw that into ourselves and concentrate it. Before we bind to a sorcerer we feel a pull towards anybody with magic running through them but it becomes a thousand times stronger when you connect to them. A blood sharing ritual joins them until their deaths.
"They can magnify their Meistr's power, I believe they might even be able to speak telepathically but I'm not sure yet. It works physically so any type of distance isn't a good thing but you can train it to work better. And then there's the mark," I pull up my sleeve showing him the swirls, "I got it once I was joined to Merlin. I can feel it whenever he uses magic-"
"Merlin has magic?" Castor interrupts. I stare at him for a moment, not realising why he would say that but then I realise what I had said and my hands fly to my mouth.
"Oh my god," I whisper on repeat. "Oh god, oh god." I begin to shake violently. "He's never going to trust me again. Castor! You cannot say anything, to anyone," I hiss, my hands gripping his shoulders. Tears pool in my eyes, guilt drowning me into a lonely abyss.
"I won't say anything. I don't agree with the ban on magic and I've been keeping secrets my whole life, I can keep another," he comforts, his hands cupping my face as tears pour down my cheeks.
"I-I-I feel so-so b-bad," I hiccup. "He can't know you know. He'll never forgive me." Castor doesn't respond, just bringing me into an embrace, both of us sitting on the floor. I hiccup between my sobs, trying to stop myself. There's a loud knock at my door, on the verge of banging.
"Elena! It's Merlin," he calls loudly from the other side. The guilt grips me again and I struggle to breathe. Castor looks at me, silently asking me what to do. "Elena? Are you alright? Please let me in."
"How did he know? Was it because of the bond?" he whispers. I nod, looking at the door, needing to answer it but I didn't know what I would say once I saw his face.
"I'm fine, Merlin. Sorry. I just had a nightmare," I say, keeping my breathing steady. "Go back to bed, I'm sorry."
"Are you sure?" he calls uncertainly. "Can I come in?"
"Please Merlin, I'm fine," I say, exhaustion of the day taking me. He must stand out there for another minute as we don't hear footsteps but eventually he leaves. My throat manages another sob.
"You're not a bad friend, El, you just have a lot on your plate. How about you tell me more about this Vessel thing," he suggests quietly. I nod, bringing the book back over, telling him everything I knew so far. I try to keep Merlin from my mind but I feel as though I'm responsible for his execution that isn't happening. I trust Castor, enough to keep this secret but it is the fact that I let it slip without meaning too so easily. Who's to say I won't do it again to the wrong person.
I even show him the papers, describing the issues of a Meistr's death and a Vessel's capabilities.
"So Merlin dies, you die?" he questions, reading over the paper.
"Pretty much. But I can also take his wounds on if I choose to, which would save his life but I would still die," I muse, tired from the crying.
"And you think I'm a Vessel too?"
"It would make sense. Somebody found us and brought us here for a reason, and we both felt the pull to Merlin. I may as well tell you everything, but Merlin is destined to be one of the most powerful sorcerers ever and will help Arthur be the Once and Future King. He's saved Arthur's life more times than I can count."
"Holy shit," he gasps. "King Arthur and Merlin. The legend." His eyes are wide, moving from side to side as though finally piecing everything together.
"Yes," I laugh. "We're living in the legend. I'm surprised you didn't realise about it before. Arthur, Merlin, Camelot. It's literally everywhere."
"I never even thought about it till now. I thought Merlin was supposed to be old and-" he makes a gesture as though stroking a beard.
"I was just as surprised as you."
"This has been… an informative night," he summarises, nodding slowly. "Who else knows about Merlin?"
"Just Gaius."
"Makes sense. Do you know why we felt that pull to Merlin but nobody else? Merlin isn't the only sorcerer."
"Merlin is one of the most powerful though. He was born with magic, he didn't learn it. I think that's why. We probably felt something to others but never noticed it in comparison."
"You should get some sleep," he says, pushing up from the floor, dusting his pants off. "I'll see you tomorrow."
I smile, bidding him goodnight and change into my nightwear once he has left, placing the book back at the bottom of my wardrobe behind some boots. I struggle to fall asleep, knowing I just split a secret that could end an innocent boy's life.
The next day is as miserable as it can get, grey storm clouds covering the entire sky, booming with thunder and pelting rain. I watch it from my window, staring out into the court where people run through, avoiding the rain. Some people embrace it, sauntering through it without a care in the world.
I don't know how they do it; I loathe the feeling of wet clothes and hair. It is cold and sticky. It makes me think of another thing I miss, the hot showers on a cold night. Here I could have a bath with warm water that cools within minutes. I've gotten used to it but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
"I'm afraid I predicted today's weather wrong," Leon admits, entering my chambers through my open door.
"I think you did," I muse, greeting him with a sharp smile. Being off-duty, he's only dressed in the normal chainmail which he wears every day anyways. "That's ok. We can have a picnic any day of our choosing."
"So what are we going to do today instead?" he asks, walking to me where I sit on the window sill. My hand moves around his torso, clinging to the belt around his armour.
"How about I teach you to play charades?"
"Charades?"
"Uh-huh. Does Castor or Torj have the day off, we could drag one of them in here?" I suggest. Leon's eyes narrow in thought, nodding slowly.
"I think Torj does. I'll go get him."
An hour or so later, I've effectively taught them to play charades, Torj leaning against my bed and Leon taking my spot on the window sill as they watch me mime.
"A jester?" Torj asks his head forward as though he's struggling to see me. I shake my head, changing my actions. "If that isn't a child then I give up," he says, folding his arms. Leon watches me, completely lost. I sigh loudly, letting my arms drop.
"Have you guys never seen a monkey!" I cry, breaking my silence, looking at them exasperated. Leon still looks confused.
"How in the world was that a monkey?" he asks. "I've heard of them but I've never seen one before," he admits. Torj however, is laughing like a madman.
"Nah, I knew it was a monkey from the beginning but that was hilarious to watch," he chortles, his head leaning back. I pick up a shoe I left on the floor, chucking it at his head. It hits him in the cheek, stopping his laughter immediately. His hand holds his cheek, glaring at me and muttering under his breath. "Bitch."
"Well you both suck at this," I declare, sitting on the ground. It still pours outside, no sign of sunlight. The door to my room opens, Castor popping his head through the opening.
"The King is holding a council for the knights. Something about Cenred," he informs.
"Well, that us lass. As much fun as this was, duty calls," he laughs, patting my back as he exits my room. Leon offers a hand to pull me to my feet. I graciously accept, feeling weightless as he does so without a sign of strain.
"I'll see you later then," I say, giving him a short smile.
"Indeed," he agrees, kissing my cheek before following Torj's actions and leaving me in my room alone again.
I could find Merlin. He wouldn't be present in this type of meeting. Embracing the pull, I let it guide me to Arthur's chambers, the door open. I peek my head in, the Prince nowhere to be seen but Merlin is on the floor scrubbing the stone with soapy water. He hears my footsteps, looking up but no stopping his work.
"Elena, Arthur is in a meeting if you need him," he says, grunting as he pushes against the floor.
"Actually I want to talk with you," I announce, sitting down with him. I grab the second brush, not wanting to let him do all the work while I sit around. "I was thinking about the Druid boy. When he spoke to you in his mind, I could hear him too right?"
"Yeah," he agrees, letting me go on.
"Well, that would mean that we're telepathically connected too. Wouldn't it make sense if we could communicate in the same way?" I prod, watching his face for a reaction. He stops scrubbing, looking at me with a thoughtful eye.
"That would make sense," he affirms. "Let me try."
He stares at me intently, as though waiting for my response and I wait for something to happen. A whisper or anything to appear in my head. After a few moments, I shake my head.
"I don't have anything."
I think hard, imagining a string from his forehead to mine to help visualise it. I repeat his name in my head, urging it to be heard by him. I feel like I'm trying so hard my head begins to hurt but Merlin gives no sign of hearing me. I mentally give up, thinking if we did anything wrong.
"Wait!" he whispers. "I hear my name. But it sounds…deep," he frowns, head tilting.
"I'm not thinking your name right now," I speak unsurely.
Merlin purses his lips, exhaling. "Nope. It's just Arthur."
"Merlin!" the said Prince yells, coming into his chambers. Merlin and I pick up where he left off, scrubbing the floors. "I'm supposed to be in a meeting right now and all my boots are dirty. I can't arrive like this," he complains, kicking off his shoes. "What are you doing in here Elena?"
Merlin stalks over to where the Prince stores his shoes, warmth in my mark making me aware he's using magic.
"Oh, I had some spare time and thought I'd spend it cleaning your floors," I snide but hide it behind a cheery smile.
"Right."
"Here you are Sire," Merlin declares, holding out a pair of polished brown boots. The Prince snatches them out of his servant's hand. Pulling them on, he storms back out the door as fast as he came.
"What a clot-pole," Merlin says.
"Sure is," I reply, going back to the scrubbing.
"What?" Merlin asks, looking at me funnily. I look at him incredulously, not understanding what he is confused about.
"Arthur, you said he was a clot-pole," I begin slowly. "I agreed."
"I didn't say he was a clot-pole," he replies, just a slowly as me. "I did, however, think it."
"You're joking?" I gasp. "Do it again!" I demand, discarding the scrubber.
He nods, thinking hardly again.
"I can't believe I'm talking with someone in my head," the voice belonging to Merlin says, perfectly clear in my head even though his lips don't move at all.
"I heard it!" I shriek. This is so cool.
"It is," he agrees, smirking at me. My eyes widen, realising I hadn't said that aloud.
"You heard me too?"
"You're just as loud inside my head as real life," he taunts, scratching his ear. "I think we should work on not screaming."
"We're going to have so much fun with this. Just think of the possibilities – we can talk about people and nobody would ever know," I gush, giddy at the discovery, ignoring his poke at my volume. "Now, while I'd love to help you, uh, clean the floor I do have my own jobs I should attend to." It wasn't a full lie, I do have a job but I don't fancy nor envy Merlin's position and I do not intend on taking it on even in my spare time. "We can practice this later and make sure we have it perfected. Never know when we might need it."