Chapter 35 Merged with 36
After the night in the tavern, my guilt worsened every day watching Leon interact with the King, Prince, and other nobility. Although I know Arthur doesn't care about such things, secretly pining over Gwen. They have it worse than me, Arthur being the Crown Prince, it would never be allowed under Uther's watch. Is it not selfish of me to have Leon when he could wed somebody who would bring his family more power? Would they see him and only think of me, a lowly seamstress? Leon has never mentioned anything about ranks or expressed any worries but it is no secret that marriage is a common topic among the nobility.
And this doesn't even begin to describe the guilt I feel for having splurged Merlin's secret to Castor. The warlock has not been arrested thus far so the knight has kept his promise, one I will be eternally grateful for.
I ponder through the castle, returning from Lady Morgana's chamber to finally hand her the dress that has been taunting me for weeks. Gwen is getting better physically. Her eyes less sunken and she no longer broke down in tears throughout the day. It would take much more than a month for her to overcome her father's death though, something I knew from experience.
I notice Merlin walking rather feverishly back towards where I would assume as Gaius'.
"Merlin?" I call out, the boy half turning his body at the sound of his name. "Are you alright?" I jog over to him when he doesn't answer aloud. His bottom lip is between his teeth and his eyes moving constantly around. "Merlin," I urge. "What is it?"
"There was this…thing in the forest while we were hunting," he begins. "It was like nothing I've ever seen before. A huge beast." His words seem lost at how to describe it any further.
"Does Gaius know what it is?" I pester, not understanding how bad it can be.
"I think so, he's speaking with the King now."
"Are you going back to your chambers?"
"Yeah."
"I'll come along too."
Gaius soon returns from his council with the King and Prince Arthur looking wearier than I have seen him in a long time. He places down a book, open to a page with a creature I can only describe as belonging on the 'Spliced' tv show from my childhood. A spotted body belonging to a snow leopard but marge stockier than one with the head of a cobra. I thank heaven that I was not on the hunting trip.
"It is called a Questing Beast, a creature of the Old Religion," Gaius explains. "Arthur is selecting his best knights to go out a defeat it."
"Why would you?" I exclaim, looking at the image. "It's not like it caused us any problems before, so shouldn't we just leave it to move on."
"Uther is set on destroying it before it can do any damage. He hates anything belonging to the Old Religion."
"If anybody can do it, Arthur can," Merlin reassures. "And I'll be around to help."
"And me," I add, one side of my face smirking. Merlin's brow furrows.
"I'm not sure Arthur would allow you to come on such a dangerous job," he remarks as though careful not to offend me. I scoff and wave my hand in front of my face.
"Please, he's taking you and he thinks you're useless. And besides, I won't be asking permission," I state, nodding my head once to finalise my argument. Gaius frowns at the both of us.
"I don' think either of you should go and certainly not Arthur," he argues, closing the book. "This is no ordinary beast."
Merlin sighs, giving Gaius a small smile of confidence. "Don't worry."
Gaius moves around the table to stand closer to us both, a determined look on his face. "No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uther may not respect the Old Religion, but it is very real. To face a beast such as this, you must understand where it came from."
"What do you mean, Gaius. Is there something we should know?" I prompt, not understand what could be stressing Gaius so much. If it is unkillable, he would have informed the King and us by now.
"At the very heart of the Old Religion lies the magic of life and death itself. The Questing beast carries that power. One bite, you die, and there is no cure." His words pierce the air with their solemnness. Merlin and I glance at each other.
"We have to. We can't stop Arthur," he says. The puppy dog eyes of his grasping the severity of the situation.
"I know."
Leon and Torj tell me they have been selected by Arthur to join him in defeating the beast; a prospect that both terrifies me and warms my heart, proud of them to be two of the best in Camelot. It is no surprise that Castor had not been chosen. The man had displayed a rather offended look when Leon and Torj announced they would be leaving tomorrow but one pointed glance from me made him back down.
In the morning I ready myself early for the day, dressed in my riding pants and shirt, covered by my dress. I had talked to the stable boys and they will have a horse waiting for me as well, which I would ride behind them out of sight until well away from Camelot.
I exit my chambers, making sure my dress covered the pants. A servant passes by me, holding armour in his hands.
"Is that for Sir Leon?" I call out to him. The young boy nods. "I can do it for you." The boy hesitates, looking between Leon's closed door and me. "I'm a friend of his," I assure, walking over to him. I take the armour from his hands and he looks me over once more, giving a curt nod and walks away. The armour is as heavy as it looks. I'd seen Merlin put in on Arthur enough times to know how to do it. Holding it's weight in one hand and my chin balancing it I reach out to tap on Leon's door twice.
"Enter." I push the door open, nearly spilling the armour but managing to keep hold of it. Leon is dressed in the usual chainmail. His sword lays on the table ready to be sheathed. "Elena? What are you doing?" he chuckles grabbing the armour from me and placing it on his small table.
"What does it look like?" I cheek. "I'm putting on your armour."
The knight smirks, giving me a raised eyebrow. "Have you ever put on someone's armour before?"
"Merlin does it," I snort, "How hard can it be." Leon lets out a loud laugh and doesn't argue, giving me the go-ahead. I shuffle through the armour, the main chest piece already connected. I lift it up, reaching around Leon to place it over his head. I fix the shoulder piece, tightening the straps. Leon guides me where I need it and I secretly thank the world that he's not like Arthur and calling me a useless toerag for getting something wrong.
I pat him down, making sure everything is secure and tied off. He raises a hand, gently stroking my jaw. My gaze floats up to him, giving him a questioning smile.
"You squint when you're focusing," he remarks. "And when you're worried you chatter your teeth." I think he's beginning to know me too well for his own good. Soon he could start guessing my secrets.
"And when you're worried," I begin, picking up his sword. "You rest your hand on your sword." Leon almost looks surprised at my observation, as though he didn't realise anybody noticed, or maybe he didn't realise he did it himself. I hand him the sword which he takes gently from me, sheathing it at his side. I smirk as his left-hand rests on the hilt. "Just like that," I point out. His hand drops from the hilt, but I see it twitch uncomfortably. I take the hand in my own, twisting my fingers between his.
"I'm going to come back fine," he emphasises, squeezing my hand. I shrug, looking up at him with all the confidence in the world.
"I know you will," I state. "Because if you don't then I will just have to die to join you." I mean my words as a joke to lighten the mood but it doesn't have my desired affect. He roughly shakes his head, tossing his blonde curls around in the air.
"No. You will continue to live a happy and safe life," he demands softly. His eyes search mine to see my reaction. He deserves noble blood. A noble wife, a woman who can silently command the respect of people just by her name. So badly do I want to keep things the same way, but I know, that here in this time, blood means more than family. It means status, influence, and power. It is a source of money. If it was not like that, I would marry this man in a heartbeat.
My father's number one life lesson was that to be selfless was the best thing a person could be. You can be kind, smart, beautiful, powerful. But if you were not selfless than all those other things go to waste, selfish acts hidden behind a front.
But am I so selfish for wanting love?
"Well just know that if I die, I'm dragging you down with me. I'm not spending the afterlife alone," I tease, smirking to cover my hidden thoughts. Leon chortles, grabbing his helmet from the table. I grasp his clock that is over a chair, wrapping it around his neck. I finish tying it up around his front, the golden Pendragon symbol clear as day. Leon leans down, drawing me into a deep kiss. I ignore everything else in my mind, enjoying the moment and trying to remember every detail so I can bring it forward in the future. I grip his cloak and his hands run around my neck and back.
Drawing away, we silently bid each other farewell. I stare after him as he leaves the chambers, knowing I would see him in a few hours again anyways. Waiting a few moments, I exit myself, drawing the door close and travel down to Gaius'. Merlin will be with Arthur, giving me an opportunity to talk to the physician alone.
"Gaius," I knock, opening the door slowly. The physician looks up, his eyes distracted and not by his work. I walk over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be alright," I comfort. "Merlin will protect Arthur with his life and if anything happens to Merlin I will figure out how to take it from him. I can save him."
"But what about you?" he sighs. "Who's going to save you?"
I shrug, not taking the time to care about the thought of dying. It isn't something could afford to. "I don't need saving. It's my job to make sure Merlin stays alive. Who knows – it might be a chain and someone is looking out for me," I joke, giving a short laugh and I manage to make Gaius sprout a small smile. My smile widens seeing a rise of mood. "I have to go but Merlin will always come back to you, as long as I'm alive for." I can tell my promise makes him feel better, a reassurance that his like-son will be alright.
I jog out to the stables, a young man waiting for me with a brown horse, tacked and ready to ride.
"Thank you," I say, mounting the horse, silently proud of my developed riding skill. I have gone from barely being able to stay in the seat to a confident rider, something I never achieved back at home. I kick the horse lightly, bringing her into a trot and I lead her around the out edge of the city. The outer edge is harder to travel through with narrow roads and uneven surfaces, but I go by unnoticed by people.
"Are you coming?" Merlin asks, his voice echoing throughout my head. I nod then realise he cannot see me.
"Yes. I'm near the gates and waiting" I inform him, resting against the saddle behind somebody's house, the gates in clear view. I only need to wait a few minutes as the Prince and his guard canter through the city entrance, Merlin flocking them. I wait for a few more, and nudge my own horse into a canter, riding back onto the main street and cantering out the front gates.
I stay just out of sight, barely seeing the red cloaks through the trees but Merlin helps guide me where possible. They must have reached near where they found the beast before or something telling them it is near as the dismount, tying their horses to trees and continuing via foot. I wait until they are out of sight, riding my own horse up to their makeshift camp.
I jog through the foliage, holding my bow ready in front of me. I step over a large indent of a paw in the ground, ignoring the shudder of fear it sends through me due to its size. I keep walking and soon I'm so close that they are only meters in front of me, Leon's blonde hair and Torj's red mane clearly visible. I watch Merlin and Arthur sneaking through the woods. Even from my position, I can hear growling and the sounds of heavy footsteps. There is a small cavern entrance, Merlin and Arthur entering from it, splitting from the rest of the group.
I follow them through, entering the cave not bothering to hide anymore. Merlin sees me and Arthur notices his friend's gaze pointed at something behind him which urges him to spin around preparing to swing his sword. It hovers in mid-air as the Prince glares at me wide-eyed.
"Elena," he hisses. "What in the world are you doing here."
"Moral support," I hiss back. Arthur doesn't have a chance to retort as hissing echoes in the cave.
"What is that?" Merlin asks, looking around.
"Shh," Arthur commands.
The creature looks more terrifying than both its footprint and drawing could ever portray. Large fangs blare at us. Arthur pushes Merlin who is closest to the beast out of the way and stands in front of me. I load my arrow, standing behind Arthur who swings his sword at the beast. It claws at him, effectively sending him on top of me. The weight of both the Prince and his armour send me to the ground, the arrow shooting aimlessly and weak. Arthur is knocked unconscious, so I push his shoulders off me. My hands touch something wet, hot, and sticky. I swallow thickly knowing its blood. The beast looks at me, preparing to attack again.
"Hey! Hey!" Merlin cries out, swinging his torch around. My mark warms as he casts a spell, Arthur's lost sword becomes enchanted and swings around at the Questing Beast. It stabs it directly all the way to the hilt.
The beast cries out, attempting to shake the sword away but the Questing Beast is not immortal and dies in a small burst of energy.
Finally, our attention can be drawn to Arthur's condition.
"It didn't bite you. It didn't," Merlin mutters, running over to join me in assessing the Prince. I shakily hold my hand up which is covered in blood. Merlin's breath shudders. "Arthur? Somebody help!" he shrieks.
I leap to my feet, knowing that every moment is another moment closer to Arthur's death. I go to the entrance, yelling out to the knights who are nearby. "Leon!" I cry out. The knight's head whips around in shock.
"Elena!" he cries back, sprinting over to me. The hand that isn't holding his sword cups my face. "Why are you here?" he spits but I ignore the anger directed at me. The rest of the knights stand around dazed at the situation.
"Arthur!" is all I can say, dragging him and effectively the other knights into the cavern.
Nobody speaks to me on the way back, and I do not speak to them. I do, however, talk with Merlin telepathically, sending comforting and reassuring messages to him as we ride, Arthur strapped to his horse which is being led by one of the horses. He had not moved or even made a sound to indicate he is alive.
They bring him down of his horse, carrying him towards Gaius'. Merlin and I run ahead, sweeping off the table and I bring over Gaius' main tools he uses.
"What's happened?" The physician demands as Arthur is put on the table. He inspects the wound. "He's be bitten."
"I tried to save him," Merlin whimpers.
"You must tell the King."
They continue bickering as the knights leave to inform the King, Leon staying behind. I watch Arthur, biting my nail not sure what to do. Leon lays a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, not looking away from Arthur. "I had to come. Please don't be mad."
I hear him sigh, his hand dropping to my own. "I'm not mad," he admits. "You're an adventurous person who cares about people. I don't know why I expected you to stay. Let's just worry about Arthur."
We do not speak for a few moments, Merlin looking at me, signalling to his magic book with his eyes. I realise he cannot do anything with Leon in the room. "Let's wait outside, give them some space to work," I suggest, giving a subtle nod to Merlin. Leon hesitates but agrees, letting me lead him outside. We walk slowly away from the chambers, not sure where to go. I feel my mark warm again, multiple times which does not give me any hope of success on Merlin's part.
The King comes sprinting through, pushing through the closed door.
"He should be alright, shouldn't he?" Leon questions. "It's just a bite. Gaius' has healed much worse." I shake my head. Leon is currently losing one of his closest friends, someone he grew up with and I feel horrible being the one to tell him the severity the Questing Beast inflicts.
"The Questing Beast… its bite means almost certain death," I mutter, adding the 'almost' to leave a shred of hope. I know that Merlin would be the one to figure something out if there is a way. Leon is silent, registering my words. For the first time, I look up to meet his gaze. His eyes are dark and brooding. "Gaius is going to do the best he can."
The King exits, Arthur in his arms, bearing him. We follow behind with Gaius' and Merlin. Arthur's father is utterly distraught, and nobody can blame him, his only son and family left dying right there in his arms. He makes it into the Square, collapsing. Leon and another few knights go forth, taking Arthur from his arms to bear.
I stand with Merlin who cannot strip his eyes away. I glance at him, seeing his eyes filled with tears and his hands reach out to clutch my own. I let him squeeze it, the pain of my crushing fingers not registering in my brain. My own eyes are tearing, a single drop falling onto my cheek, but I hold to rest back for Merlin's sake.
The warlock mutters something about Kilgharrah, running off before I can follow him which leaves me with Gaius. Back in his quarters, we work together on creating something to help Arthur.
Merlin arrives back just as we finish putting it together.
"Merlin, you're back. I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing," he instructs, holding out a vial. But the warlock is distracted, grabbing a loaf of bread and wrapping it up.
"No. We have to save him," he declares, ignoring the vial.
"How?" I prompt, eager to know what has got him so set and sure.
"The beast comes from the Old Religion. The cure must come from there as well."
"There are not many left with such an art," Gaius comments, not liking where the conversation is going.
"You said yourself, the Old Religion is still alive, and there is an island beyond the White Mountains…" he drifts off, insinuating something I don't understand but Gaius does.
"No!" he argues, astonished at the suggestion.
"What are you talking about?" I interject.
"The Isle of the Blessed. It was said to be the centre of the Old Religion, the focus of its power," Gaius explains.
"Why did you keep this from me?" Merlin questions.
"Because it was too dangerous, Merlin," the physician counters. But I am on Merlin's side here. It was a chance and a chance is all we needed to potentially save Arthur's life. No matter the cost.
"It's our only chance!" Merlin voices my thoughts. "I have to find it."
"You already know I'm coming too," I add.
"And once you are there, what will you ask?"
"For Arthur to be saved," Merlin states the obvious.
"The Questing Beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate." Gaius continues to try and stop Merlin, but the warlock's mind and heart are set.
"Then I will convince them to change their minds!" he exclaims. Both men are becoming frustrated, but my words won't end their argument.
"It is not that simple. The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return. Merlin, please, I beg of you."
"I'm sorry, Gaius. Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly."
Merlin sulks off to his room to pack more belongings.
"I will make sure that Merlin lives. I can trade my life in return," I hush to Gaius. "It's my duty and what I want."
Gaius shakes his head. "Neither of you should. Merlin will never forgive himself if you were to take his place." I can see in his eyes that the man is desperate, and I feel guilty but know I am doing the right thing by everybody. Except for Leon.
Merlin and I prepared our horses out in the Square. I had told Leon we would be looking for a plant that Gaius needs for a potential cure. Castor had cornered me in my room when I was packing, demanding to know the truth. I gave up and told him the general plan but left out the specifics not wanting him to interfere.
"Here," Gaius says, handing Merlin a parchment. "You'll need a map. And I'm going to give you this. My mother gave it to me." He hands over a small object wrapped in a piece of cloth. Merlin unwraps it, revealing a furry object.
"It's a rabbit's foot, to keep you safe," he explains. The sight of an animal's foot makes my nose cringe a little but my heart warms at the sentiment. "It was said to protect you from evil spirits. It's rubbish. I don't believe in superstition. I don't know why I gave it to you." Gaius goes to reach to take it back, but I grab his hand, lowering it back down.
"No. I want it. Thank you." Merlin wraps it back up, placing it in his pocket.
"Just keep Arthur alive for us till we return," I tell him, bringing him into a hug.
Mounting, we gallop along the main road out of the city, one last look back at the castle before it is out of sight. We travel all day and into the late afternoon. The horses tire but we cannot grant them their rest for they would receive it when we did. Merlin reads the map; I never got the hang of them. I miss google maps. We are looking for a lake, north of the Great Seas of Meredor.
The lake finally comes into view as the day begins to end. We dismount, leaving the horses away from the shore. The lake is long, with an island in the middle. Old structures visible through the mist. The place causes a sense of unease and agitation. Merlin motions to an old rowboat on the shore so we pull it out and get inside it. Looking around I notice the lack of ores.
"Merlin? How are we going to row?" I question but Merlin only smirks, casting a spell which moves the boat, making me grip the sides in surprise.
The island is some type of fortress with high stone walls. We walk around them into the middle where a stone altar and woman in a red dress stand. Nimueh.
"Hello?" Merlin calls.
"Hello, Merlin. And I see you've brought your Vessel," she remarks, scanning me from head to toe. I observe her myself, feeling slight envy at her beauty which is matched with her power. I feel weak and pathetic in comparison.
"You?" Merlin states, shocked that it is the Priestess who caused us so many issues in the past.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Nimueh. You can't be who the dragon meant." I silently agree with his statement, after all, she had tried to kill Uther and Merlin. Not to mention destroy Camelot itself.
"Why is that?" she taunts.
"You tried to kill me."
"Before I understood your importance," she counters, now smirking.
"And Arthur," Merlin adds almost in a deadpan.
"Arthur was never destined to die at my hand, and now it seems I will be his salvation."
"You know why we are here then? Will you grant us our wish?" I interject, feeling the need to voice myself rather than be a side piece. Nimueh raises an eyebrow and cocks her head.
"So, she does speak. And I was beginning to think she was a toy," she mocks.
"Answer her question," Merlin snarls. "Will you do it."
"I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return."
"I know that a price will be asked."
"To save a life, there must be a death. The balance of the world must be restored," she explains. Before Merlin can speak up I do.
"I offer my own life for Arthur's."
"What? No?" Merlin cuts in, glancing at me with desperation and astonishment.
"I would gladly take it if I could, but as a Vessel, your life does not belong to you to bargain with anymore," Nimueh states. Does not belong to me? I spare a glance at the warlock, wondering is she means it belongs to him. Merlin looks back at me, tilting his head, not understanding either.
"Then take mine," Merlin prompts.
"If only it were that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"Once you enter into this bargain, it cannot be undone," she warns.
"Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine."
Nimueh's arm stretches out, grasping a chalice that appears out of thin air. "The Cup of Life blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret to life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live."
Merlin takes the Cup and Nimueh opens her arms up to the sky, speaking in the ancient tongue. Dark clouds gather forming a storm in a matter of seconds, pouring rain onto us. Water collects in the Cup, soaking all three of us as well. Oh, how I loathe being wet. I look at the Cup, not sure how we are going to bring it back to Camelot but Nimueh takes it, pouring the water into a long decorative vial.
"The bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you." Her voice is taunting which makes me frown at her words, as though there is a hidden meaning.
Wasting no more time, we cross the lake once more, galloping back to Camelot. We arrive very late into the night. Merlin runs into Gaius' chambers, clutching the vial with his life.
"Elena, Merlin!" Gaius' cries in shock.
"We need to give this to Arthur," he holds out the vial for Gaius to see. The physician eyes it wearily.
"What is it?"
"Water, from the Cup of Life," I say stepping forward. "We have to get this to Arthur right now." Merlin and I turn to make way to Arthur's chambers, but Gaius stops, making us wait.
"What are you waiting for?" Merlin questions, eager to leave.
"What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?!" he demands. Merlin looks at me, but I don't say anything. The atmosphere tenses, leaving Merlin to reply.
"We don't have time," he says eventually. Gaius calls out his name again, glaring at me to prompt an answer but I shake my head, for he already knows the answer.
"Don't worry, Gaius. Everything's going to be alright."
It sure will be, because neither of them is going to die on my watch.
Gaius gives in, following us to Arthur's chambers. The Prince looks like death, feverish, and pale. I fear it may be too late but I still his chest still rising. Gaius takes the vial, opening the Prince's mouth, pouring the water into it. I question whether it will be enough, only a dribble coming through.
"What are you doing, physician? What are you giving him?" The King demands, entering the chambers.
Gaius hesitates, forming an excuse in his head. "It's a…cure. It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant, an ancient remedy for poisonous bites," he covers up. I secretly wipe sweat from my brow, remembering I told Leon I was searching for a plant and our story would match if ever questioned.
"A cure?" the King pleads.
"We hope."
"Do you really think it will have some effect?"
"It's our last resort, Sire. Perhaps you should allow him to rest."
"I will not leave him."
We exit, letting the King sit by Arthur's side. Merlin looks confident but Gaius still has doubts, whether about if Arthur lives and who's life has been paid are unclear. I notice Merlin not with us and my head spins trying to find him. He appears back out of a small nook in the corridor make me frown.
I sit at the table, chin resting in my folded and tented hands. Merlin paces, beginning to irritate me but I do not have to heart to tell him to stop. Gaius enters back into the room, both Merlin and I staring up at him awaiting the news.
"The Prince lives," he says, in a happy state of shock. Merlin exhales loudly, a smile peaking on his face. I smile too, but there is still more to come which worries me and Gaius shares this worry. Merlin hugs as both tightly, bidding us goodnight and I watch him go back into his chambers quietly.
"He was trying to say goodbye just then," I mutter to Gaius. The physician sighs, also staring at Merlin's door.
"I'm afraid you're right."
"It's not going to happen though. I'm the Vessel. I will take whatever is cast upon him or we will both die anyway."
"How are you going to do that, Elena. I know it is in a Vessel's power but things like this take years of training."
"Good thing I've been practising then hasn't it," I declare, smirking sadly at the man.
I have been thinking about my death since the moment of realisation that Merlin would be sacrificing his own life for Arthurs. I am glad he is still unaware that my life is in his hands or his decision would have been impossible for him to make, so I am making it for him. Both or one, the choice is simple. I would be leaving this world behind and the people in it but for a cause my greater than my own short life. I had spent the ride, remembering the knight's faces. Castor laugh, Torj's accent, Leon's face. I had imagined Gwen smiling kindly at me, helping me sew. Morgana twirling in the dress I made her. I thought back to the nights spent at the tavern, dancing with Merlin on the table and the first time I realised my feelings for Leon.
"Practicing?" Gaius question, perplexed. His head leans forward, a motion I have noticed he does when wanting to know more to get his point across. "What do you mean."
I pull my sleeve up on my left hand, a small mark where it looks like it has been scratched. I gesture to it. "Merlin got this scratch while he was helping Arthur at training. I took it from him about a week ago now. I just need to be in contact with him and it comes naturally. Like magic comes naturally to him."
Gaius' hand covers his mouth, rubbing it over. "There must be another way," he presses.
I shake my head, already determined. "I just have to do one thing then I'll be back. As soon as Merlin's health drops, I'll be there." I go to leave but pause. "Gaius, can you promise me one thing."
The physician nods solemnly. "Anything."
"Can you make sure he doesn't blame himself." Gaius understand exactly what I mean, nods again.
"I can only do my best, but you know him just as well as I do."
I leave his quarters, Leon's chambers set it my mind.