"The Connection Runs Deeper" (Rose)
I lay alone in our shared room, my thoughts drifting away from me as I slip into a deep sleep. When I dream, I see the Great Dragon swooping through the night sky and feel sore confusion followed with cold fear. Then a vision of Merlin appears, jogging a few steps, looking upwards, and something nearby is on fire. My mind makes the connection between the scenes and the idea confirmed as a new scene of the greater part of Camelot on fire plays out before me. I shoot up in bed as a large flame bursts before my now open eyes. This is no mere dream.
My lungs are constricted and my heartbeat is wild as new things cloud my sight. I see the dragon, head on, spouting monstrous flames from his mouth. This image dims to show Merlin weeping, causing a lump to form in my throat. What is it that brings him such sorrow? I long to stop seeing, and yet, the more I see, the more I want to know, the more my heart aches for answers and reasons. I cry aloud in horror. The visions now cease, and nothing appears before me but the bedroom wall against which Merlin's cupboard resides.
My emotions remain in a steady flow as tears spill from my eyes. "What is it?" a worried looking Gaius appears in the door, making his way over to me.
"Oh, Gaius, it was awful," I sob, tossing my arms about his neck as he sits next to me.
"Did you have a nightmare?" he rubs my upper back soothingly.
"I thought it was one, but when I awoke, it didn't stop! I kept seeing things ... such terrible things," I pull away to look at him directly, "I'm not a seer, Gaius. How could this have happened?"
"My guess is that the connection runs deeper between you and Merlin than any of us thought. Perhaps he was suffering from a bad dream and you shared it with him because of your magic and how close you two are becoming," he suggests, "It isn't uncommon with your types."
A stronger fear seizes my heart, "If he had looked into the crystal, would this have happened?"
He nods, "It is possible given that you two are among the only ones who could get use of something so powerful." I keep silent and dwell on it. "But, I suppose, you will have to ask Merlin for yourself. All I know is, with or without him, these visions shown to you have a purpose behind them. But do try to get some sleep," he rises and leaves me to rest. I allow my head to take its place on my pillow, highly uncertain of the chance of sleeping anymore this night.
"Home, Sweet Home" (Merlin)
It's bright and early in the morning when we reach the gates of Camelot. I am so relieved at the sight of the castle. I haven't felt any positive emotions since last night and the encounter with the future.
"The sentencing will take place in the throne room at noon," Arthur shouts over his shoulder to us. The horses clamor to a stop in the courtyard. As we dismount, I can think of nothing I want more than a hug from two of the people dearest to me that I have missed these past days. I am in charge of my horse and Arthur's horse, so I must unpack them before I can even think of getting away. I hand Arthur his things, which he takes, without a thank you, naturally. I secure my personal items and hand the reins over to one of the stable hands on duty.
Judging by the position of the sun, I have about an hour to myself. I charge up the stairs at a brisk pace. I slow just before reaching the chamber door. I open it without a noise, just enough to peek in. Gaius is gathering various liquids for a potion, pouring one bottle into the other and holding the glasses up to the light. He scuffles over to the table where he is mixing his ingredients, "Rose," he calls over his shoulder, "Where did you set the Alder?"
Without looking up from her book on herbal medicine, "Over there, Gaius," she points to a shelf across the room from where she sits near the little window the sun is streaming through. "It's next to the Arnica."
"Did you take the time to alphabetize these?" he turns around with a look of approval.
Now she looks up with a dimpled smile, "Maybe," she giggles.
He laughs, "You have been doing your studies!" A beaming expression lingers on his wrinkled face, "I must say, I am impressed, and thank you! I have been meaning to do that for years now!" She smiles again and they both return to their work.
I open the door wider, upholding the cheerful silence, "And that means I don't have to!" I toss my arms in triumph.
"Merlin!" they exclaim simultaneously. Gaius sets his potion down and claps on my back as he hugs me. Being much taller than he is, I can see Rose carefully marking her spot in her book and placing it to the side. As Gaius releases me, she meets me halfway, stepping right into my open arms. Things automatically seem so much better when we're together. Perhaps, this is why our destinies intertwine. The thought sneaks into my mind that she fits perfectly in my hold, and for this, I mentally slap myself for noticing. I can only imagine what Arthur would say if he heard something so flowery ... Then again, he'd probably think of Gwen.
"So, you've come out unscathed, I see," Gaius observes as we separate once more, remaining at each other's sides, as it should be in my eyes. 'Shut up, Merlin,' I warn myself. 'As friends,' I tack on, practically defending myself ... to myself ... I am losing it.
"You did return alright, correct?" Rose repeats Gaius' question.
"Oh, yes," I smile, "Sorry, I've just been distracted today. We have a bit of time to talk before the sentencing, over lunch, perhaps?" I suggest, hopefully.
"On it," Rose immediately starts to work on putting a meal together.
"You are the greatest," I praise her.
"Just because we share more than a room and a few skills, Merlin, that does not mean we share all traits and titles," she reverses the compliment on me.
"We share more than that?" my curiosity is peaked.
She stops what she's doing as the color leaks from her face, "Yes," she says just above a whisper. She then adds in a stronger tone, "I have something to tell you later, and I do mean later. It's slightly complex and it distresses me."
"Understood," I nod, and decide to put my things back where they belong. I won't push the issue no matter how much I want to know what she has to say. I pray that my thoughts don't stray too far into the subject.