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Chapter 9

Merlin didn't like how listless and pliant Lancelot was. Granted, his body had been through an extremely taxing ordeal and he physically lacked the strength to sit up on his own power, but there was a deadened sort of resignation in his eyes as Percival carried him over to the freshly filled tub. Merlin had made sure the servants hadn't filled it too much so that Lancelot was at risk of slipping beneath the surface and drowning. Even so, once he was in the tub, Percival kept one hand gently cupping the back of his neck to hold his head up.

Merlin added soothing oils to the bathwater and let Lancelot soak for a bit while he went and changed the bedding on the cot. He also brought over the change of clothes he'd grabbed a few days ago. With all that done, he picked up a bar of soap and turned to his friend.

"You want to try…?" Merlin asked awkwardly.

Lancelot stared at him for a long moment before shifting slightly as though trying to lift his arm. But it only swished in the water a fraction and Lancelot dropped his head back against the rim of the tub and closed his eyes in mortification.

"It's okay to need help," Merlin said and started rolling up his sleeves.

But since Percival didn't even wear sleeves, he gestured for Merlin to hand over the bar of soap so he could start gently scrubbing off the last of the sickness and grime that horrible place had inflicted on their friend. Everything but the brand and the scars.

Lancelot bore it mutely, gaze distant as though he was somehow detaching himself from what was happening. Merlin hated to think Lancelot felt as though his friends were torturing him.

"I'm sorry," Merlin apologized. "It'll be worth it for a clean shirt and bedding," he promised.

Percival shot Merlin a worried look at Lancelot's unresponsiveness. When it came time to dunk his head, they were both leery, especially since their instructions to Lancelot seemed to not be registering. But there was nothing for it, and Lancelot did at least close his eyes and hold his breath as Percival carefully let his head slip beneath the surface. They washed the last of the filth from his hair and then finally lifted him out of the tub to set on a towel on the floor so they could dry him off.

Merlin paused as he took in the numerous scarring, half of which they still didn't know the story behind. There was a particularly nasty looking cluster high on Lancelot's back shoulder, and Merlin reached out to lightly trace his finger along it. "What did this?"

Lancelot flinched away from the touch. "Not now," he murmured.

"Okay, sorry," Merlin apologized and resumed drying him off. He and Percival then dressed him in the fresh set of clothing and got him tucked back into the cot.

If he'd been exhausted before, he looked even more worn out after the washing, but at least he seemed a bit more comfortable. Merlin would have to take the small victory.

Gwen showed up at Gaius's door about an hour after he'd given Arthur an update on Lancelot's condition.

"May I sit with him?" she asked.

Gaius nodded and let her in. "He's asleep. He'll likely be in and out for a while," he warned.

Gwen nodded. "I won't disturb him."

Gaius gave her a kind smile, then turned to Merlin and Percival. "You two should take the opportunity to go outside for some fresh air."

"I'm fine," Percival protested.

"Yeah, there's still stuff to do…" Merlin started, but Gaius cut him off with a stern look.

"You're starting to look as pasty as our patient. Now go."

Merlin sighed in defeat, and he and Percival reluctantly headed out. Merlin didn't really care to go outside, but it wasn't just his well-being Gaius was concerned about, and he could at least marshal enough energy to look out for Percival, so he steered them both outside to sit on the castle steps. They'd spent so much time tending Lancelot that Merlin hadn't realized how cloying the smell of sickness had been in there. He'd have to open a window when he went back. But make sure the curtains couldn't get blown open and let in daylight that would still hurt Lancelot. That was probably the next thing they'd have to start acclimating him to.

Merlin spotted the other knights of the Round Table's inner circle heading over.

"You two are looking a little worse for wear," Gwaine commented. "But if Gaius has banished you to out here, things must not be too dire anymore."

"What makes you think Gaius banished us?" Merlin rejoined.

Gwaine just shot him a pointed look.

"How's Lancelot?" Leon interjected. "We heard he was out of the woods."

Merlin nodded. "He's past the worst of it and can finally start recovering."

Elyan frowned. "Percival?"

Merlin turned to see the large knight's expression was furrowed as though troubled. "What is it?"

Percival flicked a look around at them all, then said quietly, "I don't think the worst is over."

"What do you mean?" Leon asked in concern.

Percival remained contemplative for another beat before getting to his feet. "Just that Lancelot is going to need us."

"Well of course," Merlin said, confused. "And we'll be there for him."

Percival just nodded soberly.

Merlin furrowed his brow at the oddly ominous pall that descended over them at that.

His gaze shifted past Percival to the lantern still standing in the courtyard, and he stood up as well. "I should probably take that down."

The other knights followed his gaze.

"Leave it," Leon said. "Everyone's hearts and thoughts have been with Lancelot since he was returned home. And since he is not yet recovered, let it continue the vigil."

Merlin smiled, touched by the sentiment, and nodded.

He and Percival headed back to Gaius's chambers where Gwen was still sitting beside a sleeping Lancelot, so they took a seat at the table where Merlin and Gaius quietly finalized the ritual they needed to deal with the magical brand.

Lancelot eventually woke again, and Merlin watched his eyes water as he looked at Gwen.

"How are you feeling?" she asked with a warm smile.

There was a long beat before Lancelot seemed to shutter himself and dropped his gaze. "I'm fine. You shouldn't be here."

Gwen's smile faltered. "Of course I should. You're my friend and I care about you. We've all been so worried…" She reached out to take his hand, but he flinched away from her.

"You don't have to worry about me," he mumbled, still keeping his gaze averted.

"And you don't have to put on a tough facade," Gwen chided. "What you've been through is terrible beyond imagining."

Merlin could see Lancelot shutting down at the mention of his ordeal, so he decided to interrupt and redirect things. "We're ready to try nullifying the brand."

He picked up a bowl of the required ingredients and subtly signaled for Gwen to give up her spot so he could sit there. Lancelot didn't seem to be paying attention as Merlin pushed back the edges of his nightshirt to expose the brand, nor did he react as Merlin rubbed some of the salve over the sigil.

Gaius came over and held the grimoire open for Merlin to read the incantation out of, but no sooner had he spoken the first word that Lancelot snapped back to awareness with a jolt.

"No magic."

Merlin frowned at the unexpected reaction. "We have to get rid of the brand. All the pendants may be destroyed, but there's still power in it."

Lancelot tried to sit up and scoot away. "No," he practically spat.

Percival moved in behind him to prevent him from scrambling back far enough to fall off the cot. Lancelot's eyes were half wild with fear as he recoiled as far as he could.

Merlin was stunned. Lancelot had never been afraid of his magic before. He wasn't sure what to do now…

"Lancelot," Gwen said, equally shocked. "It's Merlin. He won't hurt you."

And then just as suddenly as it had sparked, the fight in Lancelot died out and he slumped in defeated resignation.

Gaius nodded for Merlin to go ahead, but he wasn't sure he should. Still, the brand did need to be taken care of. But it made Merlin cringe the way Lancelot squeezed his eyes shut and tensed up when Merlin held his hand out over the sigil. He cast the spell, and Lancelot flinched violently, biting back a pained whimper. Merlin wondered if the spell was hurting him, even though all their research indicated the contrary and the drug was out of his system.

The salve began to glow, activated by the magic, and then seeped into the black whorls and lines of the brand. When it was done, the sigil had faded a few shades but was definitely still noticeable. Merlin frowned; he'd been hoping they could get it in one shot.

Lancelot was clenched up so tightly he was barely allowing himself to breathe, so Merlin set the bowl aside.

"We're done," he said.

Lancelot opened his eyes and looked down at his chest.

"It didn't completely remove the brand," Merlin said. "But a few more tries should take care of—"

Lancelot jerked away again. "No more."

"Not right now," Merlin quickly assured him. He hesitated. "Did the spell hurt?"

Lancelot nodded sharply, then paused and changed to shaking his head.

Merlin's frown deepened, but he didn't probe any further and forced himself to back away in the hopes of reducing some of Lancelot's tension.

Percival coaxed him into lying back down, and Lancelot curled away from all of them. Gwen sat on the edge of the cot and reached out to rub his arm in comfort, but Lancelot stiffened once more at the contact.

"Please let me sleep," he whispered hoarsely.

Gwen looked crestfallen, but Gaius beckoned for her to give him space.

"Of course," he said, ushering them all away from the cot and toward the door.

"I don't understand," Gwen said in a low voice. "Why did he react that way to Merlin casting the spell?"

Merlin shook his head, at a loss. "He had the same reaction once during the withdrawal. We thought it might have been the brand, but none of our research says it works that way."

"Could there be another enchantment?" Percival asked.

Gaius pursed his mouth in thought. "That seems unlikely, but we still don't know everything that happened to him in that place."

"And he's not willing to tell us yet," Merlin pointed out.

Gaius nodded. "We have to give him time. Right now let's give him some space."

Gwen looked pained as she reluctantly left. Percival still didn't want to go back to his chambers, so he and Merlin simply went into Merlin's room and shut the door. Merlin opened the window; at least some fresh air should get under the door into the outer chamber. Then he slouched on the bed while Percival sat on the floor, one leg drawn up and staring at nothing despondently.

Merlin now understood what he had meant earlier about the worst not being over. They may have rescued Lancelot from that fortress, may have gotten him through a terrible withdrawal from a magical drug, but that wasn't the end of it.

Not by a long shot.