So I guess my updating schedule has changed to wednesdays. Let's see how long I last. Also, I dedicate this chapter and well, this whole story, to padrepedro for being my sole reviewer all throughout. Seriously, thank you so much, buddy! I probably wouldn't be writing if it weren't for you!
Merlin the wise warlock may own my heart but I don't own a bit of him.
In The Line Of Duty
Chapter 11
"Hear what, Merlin? The rusty old cogs in your brain finally starting to turn?" Arthur whispered to him just as fiercely as he had shushed him.
"No! Running water. Come on. This way." Merlin said exasperatedly and started walking somewhere to their left.
This part of the forest was thick with lush-green trees and all kinds of moss, shrubs and other plants growing wildly everywhere they stepped. Not to mention the scraggly and crookedly bent tree roots cluttering the forest floor like a hundred-year-old blanket. As they both waded through this area, Merlin gave a shout of triumph.
"Yes! See, I told you I heard running water." Merlin shouted back at him over his shoulder and promptly tripped over a tree root and went flying in to the ground with a loud thump.
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After a minute's walk through the clearly crumbling castle, they reached a room that was the size of Arthur's throne room. Merlin looked around at the room with its assortment of various empty cots and armchairs and tables. It was obviously a chamber for the sick to recuperate.
Tyrion walked to one of the cots and set Arthur down on it and himself sat down on the one opposite to it, then rested his axe on the nearby wall. He made a swishing motion with his hand and Merlin's medicine bag came flying from a corner of the room to land on the small bedside table at Arthur's right side. Tyrion turned to Merlin and looked at him expectantly.
"Well, go on then. Fix your King." He ordered.
Merlin nodded with a fierce and determined look, his cobalt eyes seemingly smoldering like burning ice, bright in its intensity.
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Arthur carefully stepped over to where Merlin was lying face-down, rolling his eyes and cackling with exasperation at Merlin's astounding clumsiness.
"You never cease to amaze me with your clumsiness, Merlin." Arthur laughed as Merlin slowly lifted his muddy face out of the ground with a muttered, "Ow."
Arthur turned to where they had been going and saw the narrow stream with its running water shimmering cheerfully in the sunlight as it flowed to the right.
"Aha! But it looks like you found the river. Good work, Merlin." Arthur quipped turning to Merlin, who spit mud out of his mouth and slowly got to his feet with a sour look directed at the King.