Taryan physically swallowed as she looked at the black horse, whose hooves scratched against the wood of the stables.
"Is something the matter, Red?" Leon asked, pulling up the wood slape to release the white horse next to Taryan.
"Ah…no…" Taryan relooked at the horse, its head suddenly jolting up to pull the reins against it.
"Actually yes…I have a problem."
Leon glanced at Taryan as he stroked the muzzle of the white horse. The horse neighed with the pets, making Taryan jealous of his seemingly already unapproachable way with animals.
They stood in the musty stables together, Leon in full knight wear and Taryan wore a dark green long skirt with beige petticoat underneath which was visible at the end. It matched her beige tunic shirt with a cross stitched at her collar.
Taryan started separating her hair, to each side. "I have never rode a horse before."
Leon's eyebrow rose then his mouth went agape with remembrance. "Ah right your memories. You don't remember riding a horse."
No Leon…I have literally never rode a horse in my life.
"No…" Taryan began to make pigtails with cloths of her short hair, "I have no idea what I'm doing. I have not the faintest clue how to ride a horse."
"You don't know how to ride a horse?" Cornelius walked in the stables, eyeing Taryan in confusion. He rolled the cuffs of his blue tunic.
Taryan brought down her hands from her head as she finished, the cloth pieces being even longer than her hair. "I'm afraid I'm inexperienced on that front."
"Fantastic." Cornelius moved the wood slap of the black horse, freeing the creature.
"Young lord," Leon moved him back, flatten hand against his shoulder blade. "I'm afraid you're too young to ride a horse by yourself?"
Cornelius let the wood slap dramatically down, causing a hard clank that raddled the remaining stalls. "Apparently my servant, who I was planning to ride with may I add, can't ride. What do you think I'm doing?"
Leon only directed everyone out, to clarify arrangements as he himself appeared stumped by Cornelius's words. Taryan glumly left the stables following them. Just outside, Arthur angrily adjusted his saddle, making multiple attempts to tighten the brown belts. Merlin helped Princess Agnes and her servant Elena get situated on the white horse they shared. Taryan could see Agnes bickering about something with Merlin and Merlin doing his best at whatever explanation he was mustering.
Morgana and Gwen got situated on the same horse together as well. They grinned at the way Agnes struggled with the saddle and the need to explain herself.
I am already dreading this trip to the river…
"Sire, I fear new arrangements should be made. Cornelius and Red can't share a horse."
Arthur grabbed the reins of his horse. He bore a red tunic with golden strings tied in an elaborate knot. He turned to Leon, "And why is that?"
"I'm afraid Red doesn't know how to ride a horse, perhaps each of us should take one of them."
Arthur shot a dirty look towards Taryan before letting a sign come out his nostrils like the horse next to him.
Taryan couldn't really blame him for being upset, considering the events this morning.
(The morning)
"Morgana, would you like some tea?" Taryan asked, she felt the near empty cup.
Morgana rubbed her dark under eyes as she nodded.
Gwen flattened her lips. "At least you don't remember the dreams this time my lady."
It was one of the nights Gwen had to stay with her, the nightmares lasting throughout the night without rest.
Gwen glumbly lit some candles in the early morning. "Morgana, perhaps you should reconsider the trip to the river today."
Morgana shook her head back and forth, "Thank you for your concern Gwen, but this is nothing I can't handle." She rose from her bed, her night gown cascading to the ground like water. "Besides…considering last night dining…I want to make sure the air is clear between us all."
Taryan fully understood Morgana. The dining from last night practically ended in shambles. She couldn't recall ever in the series of such an unpleasant dinner. A young prince abruptly leaving from the table in heat of anger.
Ah…nostalgia from my own childhood…
Taryan opened Morgana's door, leaving for her tea. She remained stunned as she saw Arthur, who slowly put down his knuckles which were about to knock.
"Red." He stated.
"Arthur, how may we help you?" Taryan barely got the words as Arthur swiftly moved past her to enter, her hair practically swayed at the movement. She quietly shut the door.
Looks like Morgana's tea is going to have to wait.
"Morning Morgana."
Morgana only rubbed her temples, "What is it Arthur?"
"I just wanted to remind you that we are departing for the river in two hours. You weren't present for breakfast." Arthur then walked further in the room, eyes surveying her. "You aren't feeling unwell this morning are you?"
Morgana only yawned while covering her mouth with her sheer arm sleeve. "I'm just cheerful this morning."
"Two hours." Arthur declared as he made strides to the door. Taryan opened it.
"Farewell Sire." Taryan said.
Arthur's boots skimmed to a halt against the stone floor, "Ah I almost forgot."
When Arthur remained staring at Taryan it took everything in her not to slouch at the realization he was talking to her. Not one of the million scenarios Taryan made in her head ended this conversation positively.
"Red, You will also be attending the river trip."
"What?" Taryan asked.
Arthur only queried a brow at Taryan's questioning. They stood in heated silence together before Morgana interjected.
"Arthur…if I recall, weren't you the one adamant about her not attending in the first place?"
Taryan enthusiastically put her arm out to Morgana. "Yes…what she said."
Arthur smugly smiled between them. "Well I have had a change of heart."
"You couldn't get Cornelius to agree with you? Isn't it?"
Arthur's smirk quickly fell.
Taryan couldn't help but let a crinkle of a smile show at hitting the nail straight on the head.
"You know what Red?" Arthur begins, "I would like to know how you made such a strong impression on the young prince he now refuses other servants? Surely your skills are subpar if not less?"
Taryan heard Morgana take a breath of air to begin a fight. Taryan hid a waving hand from Arthur behind her back, indirectly telling Morgana she could handle it.
"You are right Sire, I truly have no talents. Just in the middle of a sibling spat. That is all."
Considering how Princess Agnes practically shoved me into Cornelius's side…he must be using every opportunity to annoy her with it, even if it means causing a simple stir.
"So what servants are attending this visit?" Gwen shyly asked, remaining silent since the start of the ordeal.
"You, Red, and Agnes's servant Elena. We are taking four horses. Morgana can ride with Gwen, Elena can ride with Agnes and Cornelius can ride with Red. Leon and I will be by ourselves, factoring weight and such."
"Where will Merlin ride?"
"Were you not listening? He is not coming, he has deliveries for Gaius."
"Of course." Taryan folded her arms.
That's why Arthur's mood is sour…he can't make Merlin come with him.
"I'll take Cornelius, Leon you take Red." Arthur said as he looked down to Cornelius who just adjusted the cuffs of his tunic, unfazed with the new arrangement.
"I'll bring out our horse Miss Red." Leon turned to the stables, shortly coming back with the white horse he soothed.
He left it near Taryan before returning to Arthur where they exchanged further talk of direction and the pathway for the river.
Red put one foot in the iron stirrup on the horse and jumped with her other foot.
The foot she jumped with immediately fell back to the dirt ground. She bounced up and down with the leg with her other foot still in the stirrup.
"Okay…this is harder than I thought." She muttered.
She jumped over and over again, only for the same repeating event. Her boot made a swirl of dirt each time.
The horse moved its reins and turned its head, as if taunting her for her delay.
"What are you looking at?" She spat out at the horse.
Taryan adjusted her boot in the stirrup as she noticed Merlin. He finished helping Princess Agnes as he looked at her, his eyes scanned the placement of her body and quickly realized the predicament she was in. He dimpled the side of his mouth as he came towards her.
Great…now Merlin feels forced heLP-
Taryan suddenly felt sturdy hands grip her waist that instantly hosted her up on the saddle. "Sorry for not seeing you struggling earlier Red." Leon said as he instantly swung on the same horse, her back tight against his armor front. He leaned forward and grabbed the reins of the horse, his arms practically wrapped around her.
Morgana forcefully turned her head around at Gwen, humorously moving her eyebrows. Gwen displayed a knowingly smile.
Taryan telepathically told them to knock it off as she faced forward, already imagining the night conversation they would share.
"Are you going to move Merlin? Don't you have so-called deliveries?" Arthur asked from the horse with Cornelius.
Merlin seemed to awoke from a daze where he stood, he nodded at Arthur and Cornelius before side eyeing Taryan and Leon as he stepped out of the way.
As they began to trot away, Taryan realized this was the first time she was leaving the castle area since arriving, not daring to go farther than the market or the small stream Gwen once showed her.
Taryan felt an unexplainable stiffness in her throat.
Is it nervousness? Surely I am not anxious about leaving?
The group remained silent for the journey, the only sounds being the horse trotting against the dirt road. Taryan took time to admire the beautiful scenery of the woods, the way dark feathered birds seemed to fly over the path, the few spots where colors brighten from flowers, and the way the breeze made some leaves swing in the air. When she first walked through the woods with a hangover and unknown dehydration, she can't exactly say she spent time appreciating it.
She had barely noticed the growing sounds of the river, Arthur wasn't lying about it being a short ride.
"Were here, the river is just down the hill." Arthur got off his horse, he extended a helping hand to Cornelius who took it swiftly and jumped down.
Everyone followed suit to Arthur. As they ready the few supplies to bring Morgana brighten as she looked down the creek bed. "Ah! I even forgot they built a pier here!"
Cornelius immediately diverted from everyone and made a beeline to the layered walkable stones which lead down to the noisy river.
The group still unfastened supplies from the horses as Taryan warily looked at Cornelius getting closer to the last stone step, "Should he go by himself?" Taryan asked aloud to the group.
Arthur seemed to be the only one to hear. He leaned over the hill to see Cornelius already at the river's edge. "If we can see him, it's fine."
Agnes bent her knees near the staggered stone steps, eyeing a piece of a thick tree branch purposely embedded in the solid ground. "Hard to believe this is still here."
Morgana and Arthur curiously walked towards her. "Remember? My father put this in the ground for us to play quoits?" Agnes said as she tugged at it, the dirt around it cracked at its base.
"How can I forget? You beat Arthur, nearly making him cry." Morgana said.
Arthur made a sound so deep within his throat that Taryan was surprised it didn't cause pain. "That was because she cheated!"
Agnes rolled her eyes as she unbent her knees. "There was never a proper line drawn, you made that up. Elena?" Agnes called.
Elena looked at Agnes from where she still adjusted the pouches. "Can you grab the ropes hanging off the saddle?"
When Elena delivered the ropes into Agnes's hands, she fastly turned to Arthur. "Then how about a rematch? Sire?" She began to uncoil the rope, swinging it around as if taunting him.
Taryan partially leaned into Leon as they looked at Arthur, Morgana, and Agnes. All seemingly working together, cutting the rope with daggers to tie them into loops.
"Quoits?" Taryan asked.
Leon slightly leaned down with their height difference.
"It's a game where whoever throws the most rope loops onto the stick wins."
Oh so it's ring toss…
Leon straightened and they both smiled as the three nobles seemed to be already bickering over the rules.
Arthur got a sharp stick and traced it into the mud. "The line is here, you can't cross it."
Agnes and Morgana shared the same annoyed eye contact from Arthur's strictness.
"Well…who shall go first?" Arthur smiled, now holding the six loops of rope freshly cut.
"I believe this is best as a two person game, but I would love to see if Arthur can reclaim his pride when he was six." Morgana grabbed all of the rope loops out of Arthur's hands. She gave him back one.
Arthur glared, "Then I guess I shall go first."
Gwen approached from behind Taryan, she held small pillows in her arms. She blinked as she soon realized that nobody would be sitting on the ground any time soon.
"Do all royals do this for outside outings?" Taryan asked.
Gwen shrugged, "Probably not, we're lucky servants aren't we?"
Arthur angled his toss, he swung his arm back and forth multiple times. When he did finally throw it only landed at the base of the stick.
Arthur embarrassingly cleared his throat at his miss toss. "Perhaps I should redraw the line, it would be much harder for you to get Agnes."
"No matter." Agnes said as she grabbed one of the loop ties from Morgana's hand. She rolled it a few times against her finger tips before tossing it. It landed perfectly on the stick, twirling its way to the base.
Arthur stretched his neck, like he was just now getting serious. "Okay…then." He angrily made his way to Morgana, gaining another rope loop.
Arthur did his same skit again, angling it only to reangle it, then finally angling it once more.
"For lord's sake Arthur just throw it!" Morgana shouted.
Arthur did and the rope loop's edge almost cartoonly bounced off the top of the stick and bounced more to the small hillside.
Arthur heatedly twirled around at Morgana, "That was entirely your fault!"
"My fault? I am not the one taking a century to throw a single rope."
Taryan left the bickering two and went to retrieve the bounce rope. As she bent down near the end of the small hilltop, she noticed Cornelius.
He stood at the edge of the river's land and threw stones into the water. As Taryan looked more deeper she noticed his target was a large piece of rock sticking up from the water's surface. Cornelius grabbed more small stones, but as he straightened his back he took notice of the pier. He walked onto it and began to rethrow his stones, now at a closer distance. Taryan grinned as she secretly rooted for Cornelius to land it. On his last stone, he slowly tossed it lowly in his palm before putting his whole shoulder into the throw.
Taryan held back on clapping as he hit the rock, a small clank from the distance. Cornelius smirked and he gently creaked the edge of the wooden blank.
It all happened so fast.
Cornelius's foot went straight through the pier's edge, seemingly rotten wood. He flared his arms before falling into the water, a splash capturing him.
Taryan dropped the rope loop. "Cornelius!" She shouted.
Taryan's yell brought immediate attention to the group, all turning their eyes. Morgana and Arthur shutting down their fight in an instant. "Red, what's the matter?" Morgana worriedly asked.
Any second…he'll come up…
1…2….3….4…5…6….SHIT-
Taryan practically tumbled down the hill side. "Cornelius!" She shouted once more, still seeing an unmoving water surface.
The group frantically ran down the stone steps, as Taryan's skirt collected sticks and leaves as she reached the bottom of the hill. She shook her skirt as she ran to the pier.
"Red! What's going on!" Arthur belted, just reaching the river bed on a muddy slope.
Taryan ran straight on the pier, and jumped into the frigid water without a second thought.
Her whole body felt paralyzed in an instant. She squinted her eyes tight underwater, her hair rose as the pigtails she made earlier instantly untied.
She tirelessly kicked at her heavy skirt. Taryan attempted to open her eyes only for it to sting. She then felt the splash of someone else in the river. She rose, gasping for a breath.
Arthur swam towards her, "Red! What happened! Where is Cornelius!"
"He…he…" The rest of the group ran on the pier, all fearfully looking at Taryan. "He fell from this area of broken wood. He hasn't risen! I think he might've hit his head!" Taryan dived once more into the water followed by Arthur. As she went underwater this time she realized the movement in the water, causing her to be pulled to the right.
If Cornelius is not conscious…his body would have moved…
She swam to the right of where Cornelius fell from. She reached to the surface for one last breath before diving back down, going under the pier.
She could feel Arthur by her, the frantic swimming evident of his true hidden anxiety.
She opened her eyes, this time ignoring the burn. In the blurr of her vision she saw the faintest blue by one of the wooden pillars under the water.
The color of Cornelius's tunic.
She had found him.
She grabbed his waist and pulled him upward, she broke the water surface for air. Taryan shouted in the thin air patch from under the pier. "I found him!"
Arthur reached and grabbed Taryan's arm to pull them the rest of the way out. She properly looked at Cornelius for the first time, she moved his wet plastered hair out of his face.
Cornelius remained completely unresponsive, his neck without the faintest effort by him for support. Cornelius was slowly turning blue.
Arthur and Taryan for the briefest of moments, shared the most terrified looks towards each other.
"Leon! Take him!" Arthur helped hold up Cornelius's body. Leon was half way done with taking off his armor, likely to jump in the water to help search. Leon swiftly got Cornelius's body, settling him on the pier.
Arthur pulled himself on the pier as Morgana and Gwen ran to help Taryan.
They struggled together with the extra weight of Taryan's skirt. As they pulled her up, her left arm scratched the sharp wood edge. Taryan sneered in pain as she climbed onto the dock. She gasped for air from previous shallow breaths.
"Cornelius!" Agnes ran to him, tears instantly springing. "Oh god! Is he dead!? He can't be dead!"
Elena had to physically hold princess Agnes back as Arthur bent down beside Cornelius. Arthur brought his ear against Cornelius's chest.
After numerous painful seconds, Arthur jumped up, he scooped his arms under Cornelius's legs and back. "He is not breathing! We have to get him to Gaius!"
Taryan just caught her breath as she looked crazily at Arthur "What!" She shouted. "He's going to die right now if we don't do something!"
"None of us are physicians! What can we do?!"
Arthur turned to run but Taryan grabbed his wet tunic, stumbling his footing. "What is wrong with you!" He shouted. He went to his knees with Taryan's pull, still cradling Cornelius.
"He'll die before we ever make it! If we have any chance to save his life it has to be now!" Taryan screamed at Arthur, leaving everyone in shock. The only sounds that accompanied them was the fast paced water and the weeping of Agnes.
"We're wasting time just arguing!" Morgana kneeled down beside Arthur. "Red if you know a way to save him then try!"
Arthur debated for one more fleeting second before giving up. He layed Cornelius on his back against the pier.
Taryan gave Arthur an acknowledged nod before directing her full attention at Cornelius. She first flipped Cornelius over, excess water leaving his mouth and settling him on his back. She brought her hand against his throat, closing her eyes.
No pulse….
"His heart isn't beating." Taryan said as remained on her knees over him. She settled her palm in the center of his chest and interlocked her fingers.
She began chest compressions.
Agnes was simply crying in Elena's arms, not giving a single look at what was displayed.
This left the rest of the group to look bizarrely at one another for Taryan's method of saving. Taryan couldn't really blame them, it wasn't like CPR was invented in medieval times.
Arthur however was getting more agitated by the second at the way Cornelius's body seemed to be tirelessly pushed on. "Are you sure you know what you are doing Red?!"
"Yes!" Taryan responded, "And pay attention! I'm going to need you to take over!" She also briefly looked up at Leon, indicating for his involvement as well.
Taryan neared the thirteenth compression when she asked for Arthur to take over. As they switched places, she picked up Arthur's hands and showed the correct placement. She repositioned herself Cornelius's face.
Taryan counted Arthur's compressions for him, "You need to do it harder!" She spoke as she then noticed Arthur's hands, which slightly trembled in fear.
"Morgana, Gwen, get blankets from the supplies and bring them down here."
They quickly ran off together. Elena brought Agnes further away from the pier, it seemed she felt the outcome of this was only going to scar Agnes forever.
"I got to thirty!" Arthur said.
"Okay good! Leon switch places with him."
Doing compression wears down anyone…despite if Arthur refuses such realization…
Leon brought his hands to Cornelius's chest, interlocking his fingers as Taryan did.
"Not yet Leon." She spoke.
Taryan lifted Cornelius's chin and plugged his nose. She leaned down and provided two gentle breaths
Silence went through the air as Leon and Arthur watched in shock, then excitement flourished as Arthur saw Cornelius's chest rise.
"Ah! He's breathing!" Arthur shouted, in a mix of amazement and confusion.
Taryan angrily eyed him, she swung her head to see Agnes lift her head up slightly from Elena's arm for a shred of hope.
"No! He's not breathing! Not yet! Leon! provide the weight to his chest!"
It was an awkward counting after Arthur falsely assumed. Disappointment was heavily evident on Gwen's and Morgana's faces as they returned with the blankets, seeing no such difference.
Taryan lightly patted Cornelius's cheek. "Come on Cornelius…wake up for your sister…"
Leon finished his thirty compressions, Taryan provided two gentle breaths once more.
On the second breath, Taryan began to doubt herself.
Is it really…too late? Was I too late?
As she finished the second breath she heard a slight sound come deep from Cornelius's throat. A gurgle of some kind.
Taryan put out a single hand, stopping Arthur from starting his compressions.
Cornelius jolted, coughing gurgling water. Huffed gasps went around the group, a pause in crying from Agnes which Taryan can only describe as a 'joyful scream' instead.
Taryan smiled as she leaned Cornelius up to cough the remaining water, patting his back. Agnes ran onto the pier, Gwen and Morgana moved swiftly out of the way as Agnes dived down to Cornelius, hugging him for dear life.
It seemed even more tears sprawled as the sight of her brother alive. She kissed his forehead repeatedly. "I thought you died…I thought you died…" Is all Agnes managed to say.
Cornelius let himself be rocked, but embarrassment was painted brightly on his cheeks, likely never seeing such strong emotions from his sister.
Gwen and Morgana unwrapped the blanket before helping to warm up Cornelius, whose shoulders started to evidently shake.
Taryan felt her own chest sting. It felt like she held air through the whole ordeal. When she looked at the group with a grin she caught one person who wasn't staring at Cornelius, which was Arthur. He was instead, staring at her. His blonde hair dripping as if in sync with his harsh breaths.
"Red…" Morgana painfully looked at Taryan's dripping clothes. "I'm afraid we only found one blanket."
"That's oka-" Taryan barely got the words out before Leon suddenly wrapped his cape around Taryan. She muttered a small thanks as she tightened with a fistful of fabric at her chest.
"We still need Cornelius to be checked by Gaius." Arthur announced getting to a standing position.
Cornelius coughed once more, "I feel fine-"
"You almost died! Like hell you're fine." Agnes spat.
Cornelius only looked forward again in true daze. The word 'die' felt as if it stopped all further thoughts.
"I can carry him up the stones." Arthur announced, bending down beside Cornelius, rubbing his shoulder.
Cornelius clearly disapproved of this, his mouth opening to retort the idea but as he saw another tear slip from Agnes face, he closed his mouth.
Arthur swiftly picked up Cornelius and the group left deck, likely all a tainted place for them now. Leon picked up his few remaining armor.
"Red…" Morgana began, "Your arm…" She gestured to her own forearm.
Taryan looked down and saw blood seeping through the beige tunic sleeve she had on.
"I'm so sorry…you must've gotten it when Gwen and I tried pulling you up."
Taryan stepped down from the pier, smiling. She further pulled down her arm sleeve. "Don't worry, it's nothing. Let's just get to the horses."
…..
Merlin
Merlin just finished his morning deliveries at the outskirts of Camelot's main grounds. Deliveries to tarverns or shops always seem to fall on Merlin's shoulders with Gaius's struggle of mobility.
It made him wonder what exactly Gaius did before Merlin arrived?
It was already a rough day for Merlin. He had two deliveries where both didn't go right. One person was not even present at their home, while the other straight up tried scamming him for less coin than Gaius's product deserved.
When Merlin walked back to the center square defeated, he felt odd air. Whispers seemed to carry and an unsettled heaviness left him feeling left out and isolated.
Merlin completely stopped as he saw all four horses the group left with completely discarded at the center stairs.
"They can't possibly be back already?" Merlin said out loud.
Merlin then heard an older woman muttered to another. "The way they were carrying him…do you think the prince is alright?"
Prince is all alright?
Oh god…Arthur!
Merlin began sprinting into his and Gaius's chambers, his pouch of supplies bounced with him with every step.
Thousands of possibilities circled him as he grew closer to the door. The only common face that appeared was Red.
If Red has done anything to Arthur…
He burst open the door only to hit something with it.
"Ow…"
Merlin heard the faint groans of Gwen.
"Gwen! I am so sorry!" Merlin fully came into the room as he saw Gwen rubbing her shoulder. He then realized the sheer amount of people in the room. Princess Agnes, Elena, and Queen Amelia stood near the entryway of his room, seemingly listening intently to something. Morgana and Gwen stood at the main doors, where Merlin accidentally whacked Gwen. Leon was also in the room, standing between the two wooden tables.
And finally Arthur, he was in the middle of the room blocking view of whatever the main event was.
Merlin would have likely been annoyed at such presence but he let out a relieved breath at the reassurance of Arthur's safety. He let the sack of supplies hit the floor. Merlin then squinted his eyes as he saw rhythmic droplets that left the edges of Arthur's tunic.
But…why is he…soaking wet?
Merlin came up to Arthur's side where he finally figured out what caused the ruckus. Cornelius layed chest bare on the wooden table, legs dangling from his height. Merlin could see the beginning of dark coloration on his chest. Gaius sat on the wooden chair in front of him, inspecting him.
"He will likely be sore for a couple days." Gaius spoke out loud.
"What happened?" Merlin quietly muttered to Arthur.
Arthur didn't even divert his eyes from the young prince, "Cornelius almost drowned."
Merlin mouth went slightly opened, he relooked forward.
"How long was he in the water?" Gaius asked Agnes.
She frantically shook her head, wiping another tear with her sleeve. Cornelius gave a saddened frown towards his sister.
"Too long." Was all Arthur managed to say.
Gaius looked up to Arthur, irritated in his small lense glasses. "I would like a more precise answer, Sire. How long was he in the water, not getting any air?"
"Not getting air in the water or not getting air outside the water?"
Gaius took off his glasses, rubbing the fabric against the glass. "What do you mean, outside the water?"
"He wasn't breathing when we got him out of the water."
Gaius remained stunned with such words, shooting a stare at Arthur. Amelia and Agnes took in nervous breaths from Gaius's reaction.
"Forgive the bluntness, but if he wasn't breathing when you pulled him out how exactly is he sitting up breathing on my table?"
Agnes let a single tear fall again and Cornelius signed. "Look! I'm fine Agnes!" He said, circling his arms out for effect.
Gaius ignored the royal siblings as he gave his full attention to Arthur, seemingly the only person properly answering.
"After we pulled him out…Red managed to get him to start breathing. Red also said his heart had stopped." Arthur gestured a flatten palm to his soaken tunic, "She provided…a weight to his chest at a fast pace and put her mouth against his…giving her own breath."
Gaius creaked his wooden chair as he leaned back into it.
"Did Red do something wrong?" Arthur asked. "Should we have brought him here as fast as we could have?"
Gaius shook his head, "No, Cornelius would have been lying here dead if you had waited."
Another abrupt cry came from Agnes, everyone became silent at the heart breaking sounds. The queen gave harsh eyes to Gaius, Merlin fully knew of Gaius's need to never sugarcoat things.
"There have been writings of such methods being performed, but none have been perfected. I've heard attempts of bringing life back to an individual with the breath of someone else but it rarely works."
Gaius relooked at Cornelius's bruised chest, "Compressions to restart a heart…" Gaius rubbed his chin, in clear appreciation of Red's fast thinking.
Amelia looked at the strained red eyes of her daughter. "Elena, bring Agnes to her chambers. She clearly needs rest."
Elena quietly escorted Agnes out, and Gwen opened the door for them.
"I'm going to check on Red, she was changing her attire." Morgana announced, as she turned to leave though it was clear she suddenly recalled something, walking up to Gaius, "The next time you see Red, please check her right arm. She scratched it against the wood of the pier."
Gaius nodded and Morgana and Gwen left their chambers.
Amelia brought up wool blankets to recover her son on the table. She relooked at Arthur, who still dripped onto the wooden floor. "Arthur perhaps its best-"
"I know, I'll refreshen." Arthur said.
Merlin went to leave with him, but as Arthur heard his footsteps he talked over his shoulder, "I can handle it." The door once again reshutting.
Merlin became stumped at how quickly people seemed to trickle out the room. Leon coughed and muttered about taking back the horses to the stables, he too leaving.
"Is Miss Red returning soon?" Cornelius asked Gaius.
"I'm sure she will be back to assisting you soon young lord."
Cornelius's eyes almost drained, "No…that's not why…"
He eventually slowed his talking before stopping completely.
"Uther and August are almost over with council. Let's tell them about this incident. I would prefer they would hear it directly from you and not elsewhere."
Merlin could understand the fears of the queen, the whispers he heard in the square made it surprising the kings hadn't heard rumors in council already.
"Merlin, the queen and I are leaving. Can you make a cup of tea for Cornelius before we return?"
Merlin bowed his head as they left. Now only him and the young prince were the only presence in the room.
Why did it feel like everyone had to leave when I suddenly appeared?
After he set up a small pot over a flame, Merlin brought out a mortar and pestle and began grinding the green tea leaves. There was small sniffing in the air as Cornelius rubbed a puffy nose against his blankets.
"How did…Miss Red get hurt?"
Merlin lifted a brow despite being completely faced away from Cornelius.
He paused in his grinding. "Hurt? What do you mean?"
"The sorceress." Cornelius said.
"Ah." Merlin began grinding the leaves again, talking a tad louder. "I thought you knew, considering last night's dinning?"
"I will like to hear the full story." Cornelius stated.
Merlin was beginning to feel uncomfortable, he would rather not explain such an event to a child. "It's…quite a long story."
"I have ears." Cornelius said back, shifting in his blankets to indicate either his lack of mobility or coziness.
Merlin signed, "Condensely putting it, she witnessed a sorceress plan an attack against the prince. She was injured badly trying to get away from her, she narrowly escaped."
"Supposedly" narrowly escaped that is… Merlin thought.
"What of the sorceress?" Cornelius sniffled.
"She fled."
Cornelius let out a loud breath, letting his head droop. "Unfortunate."
Merlin poured the warm water into the mortar, the grinded leaves swirled before it clouded into a minty green. He picked out a small clay cup below the table and carefully poured the contents in. He gripped the cup, a small steam floating up.
Merlin walked to the table that held the young prince and handing him the cup. "Careful, it's hot."
"Hmmm." He held the cup before eagerly looking back at Merlin. "Where is Miss Red from?"
Oh how I wish I knew Cornelius…
"Afraid I can't answer that." He said back.
"I see." Cornelius stared blankly at Merlin.
Merlin turned back, but wasn't able to make one more step before the prince spoke once more.
"How long has Red been serving here as a servant?"
With Merlin faced away from the prince, he secretly rolled his eyes.
At this point just talk to Red yourself?
"About a little more than a month, young lord." Merlin said as he resumed walking to clean up the mortar and pestle.
"Oh, good." Cornelius blew steam from his cup. "Then she hasn't made strong relations here yet."
Merlin set down the mortar and pestle, clattering to the wooden table. "Pardon?"
"I am going to bring her back to the island of Mora." Cornelius said, like it was the most obvious statement, gently taking a sip of tea.
Merlin flipped around, utterly shocked. He opened his mouth and for the longest time nothing came out of it.
"She is the personal servant of the esteemed ward Lady Morgana." Merlin eventually corrected.
Cornelius only blinked his wet eyelashes, "Oh…do you happen to know how much a typical servant girl cost?"
Merlin could hardly believe the words coming out of the young prince's mouth.
"I highly advise against taking her young lord."
Cornelius parted his lips as if concerned, "How so?"
"She…she has no memories."
Cornelius lowered the cup from his lips. "What?"
"She entered Camelot weeks ago, but appeared to be a noble lady with acts of a possible kidnapping. She knew none of her background or even her own name. In a sense, this is all she knows. Removing her even farther from where she was found…likely won't help her to find her original family."
Cornelius remained flabbergasted, eyes widening every second at Merlin. "What have people done here to help her find her family?"
It felt as if Merlin was hit with a stone wall. "Ah…well…"
Dammit…why did he need to bring up that?
Cornelius huffed a laugh at Merlin's silence. "Let me guess, you all are just waiting for the day her family happens to see and recognize her."
"Sire…"
Cornelius gripped his cup harshly, "I don't want the same thing that happened to lady Helen to happen to her. She has already been attacked once. The island of Mora has much fewer magical attacks than here."
For some reason, that felt like a true gut punch to Merlin. In the grand scheme, he had been put through way more life-threatening situations in Camelot than ever in his small home village.
It stung.
Cornelius was right.
"I…you can't take her. She…I know you say she hasn't been here long enough to build such relations…but." Merlin stood closer to Cornelius.
The young prince looked up, nearly finishing his cup. He took a pause at Merlin's sudden seriousness.
"I need her here."
Merlin hid his true thoughts, I need to watch her.
Cornelius's eyes seem to glint with wonder at Merlin. "Oh I'm sorry…" He scratched the back of his head seemingly embarrassed. "I didn't realize your feelings towards her."
"Yes…" Merlin closed his eyes with a nod, before instantly reopening them. "Wait, young lord I think you have things confused-"
The door reopened, Gaius and queen Amelia came walking in.
Cornelius straightened at the sight of Amelia. "Mother did father…"
"He wants to talk to you." Amelia said, as she came to him. She helped him down from the wooden table and set down the clay cup upon the table. She readjusting his blankets on his shoulders. "Let's get you to your chambers. It would be more comfortable to rest there."
Gaius ducked his head slightly down in their departure.
It seemed as soon as Gaius heard the clasping of the door shutting, he hurriedly strided to his anatomy books. Tossing multiple heavy books onto the wooden table, clattering the medical tools in the process.
Merlin glared at him knowing if he had done the same thing he would have a stern talking lasting over an hour.
Gaius seemed to be at every space of their chambers. Grabbing an assortment of scrolls, unused parchment, and even more books he happen to walk by, adding it to his pile he struggled to hold with.
When Gaius dumped everything down, Merlin spoke.
"Got everything?" He asked, no warmness in his tone.
Gaius jolted in a bit of surprise, irradiating Merlin further as it truly meant he forgot about Merlin's presence.
"Yes, I think I have everything." He began with excitement. "You don't understand Merlin, being able to manually pump an unbeating heart back to life can change medical knowledge as we know it."
"Magic could properly do it…" Merlin muttered.
Gaius didn't look up from flipping pages. "Magic is forbidden in Camelot, Merlin. Which for some reason I need to constantly remind you of."
Merlin let out a sign and Gaius finally turned to Merlin.
"Merlin, please fetch Red from her chambers. I need to know exactly what she had done."
"Yes yes." Merlin smiled, "I'm just an errand boy to you after all. I'll be right back with the girl you want to replace me with."
With this, Gaius stepped away from the table. He stared somewhat saddened at Merlin's anger.
Damn I went too far with that one…
"Listen forget it, I'll get her." Merlin turned on his heels to leave but Gaius cut off his path to the door.
"Ever since Red has arrived you seem to be constantly on edge with her? Even the sheer mention of her?"
Merlin grimaced.
I hate when Gaius sees right through me…
"And if you truly dislike the girl, then I am afraid you are not consistent." Gaius began to make grand gestures in the air. "Need I remind you she helped you take down the afanc? Saved Arthur from poisoning? And now saved a prince from an ally of Camelot? So forgive me for being confused?"
Merlin laughed, completely befuddling Gaius. "Yes, you are confused. Actually…" Merlin swayed his finger. "Apparently everyone is confused as nobody but me seems to have realized what just happened."
"Merlin…what are you getting at?" Gaius asked.
"That Red is truly lying about her memory loss."
Gaius bowed his head. In truth, Merlin wasn't sure why. Perhaps preparation for what he needed to say next or pure refusal of Merlin's words.
Merlin realized both were the case as Gaius looked up again.
"I don't know what you are insinuating Merlin. Have you ever stopped to consider how such talents can become engrained? Despite memory depletion?"
"So one can easily forget being an assistant to a physician? What happened to her being a noble lady? A runaway princess? Why exactly has nobody come looking for her? You don't think that is a tad odd along with her seemingly above health knowledge? Seems to be playing a part if you ask me, her only flaw is that she picked too many to play."
Merlin backed away and leaned on Gaius's wooden table, arms crossed, his body defeated by the worries he hid.
"Merlin just tell me…why are you really acting like this towards her?" Gaius let out.
Merlin still tightly closed his lips.
He then saw a faint spark ignite beneath Gaius's eyes.
The spark quickly turned sour.
"What did Kilgharrah tell you?"
Merlin tightened his lips even more. It was an unspoken agreement to not talk about the dragon in chains under the castle. Merlin knew full well how much Gaius disapproved of it.
The biggest fault on my part was just not telling him sooner.
"He told me something concerning Red…"
Gaius rubbed his eyes, "Merlin…that dragon…he has his own priorities… he may…"
"Before Red ever set foot on Camelot's soil he warned me that an unknown entity arrived. Somehow…her…it…whatever she is… doesn't belong here." Merlin gripped his arm as he felt his words dwindled with Gaius shifting in an unconvinced stance, folding his arms.
"When Nimueh attacked at the banquet…she gave me and Arthur parting words."
This finally gave Gaius a new crease in his forehead Merlin was searching for, he hurriedly continued. "Kara…Nimueh said that she never poisoned the chalices in Camelot leaving no way for Red to possibly know. She then said she never once spoke her true name…and kills nearly anybody who speaks it."
"Merlin…she was just upset that her plan completely fell through with Red catching her deeds. If anything, Red should have been awarded for her brave act yet you are using it to criminalize her?" Gaius said, looking disappointed in his eyes.
"Gaius…you mean to tell me Nimueh just let Red go after injuring her? Even though she could have easily killed her?"
Gauis straightened his arched back, "I still think you are reaching at lengths Merlin…"
"Another thing, remember when I asked you if it was possible for someone to taste the enchantment in the water? Caused by the afanc?"
Gaius's mouth parted with Merlin's next words.
"It was Red…she told Gwen she felt the water tasted odd and advised her not to use it…and she seemed more than eager to end the conversation."
Gaius had no words to say as he walked past Merlin and sat on the seating of his wooden table, gesturing for Merlin to follow suit. Merlin sat across from him, still feeling like his words being undermined, a heated flame built up in his chest. "Gaius…do you understand?"
"We'll think of it this way…she has been doing nothing but aid to Camelot? I have met a good number of people who have faked a pleasant facade with true hidden and cruel intentions. I mean it when I say it…I truly don't sense that from Red?"
"How can you sense anything when we know absolutely nothing about her! Red isn't even her name!" Merlin leaned over the table, jabbing his finger with every word.
Gaius's face remained hardened, "Merlin…what did Kilgharrah tell you to do with Red?"
Merlin leaned back, removing his hands from the table, "We aren't talking about him right now, we're focusing on Red."
"He's clearly said something to you for you to get this worked up?"
Merlin stood up from the table, partly scratching the table legs with his movements. "I apologize, I have been rude. I will get the servant girl that you cherish so much to congratulate her on her recent accomplishments. Forget what I said, she is an angel that has been granted to Camelot, despite a creature of the old religion defining our downfall."
"If you take one more step Merlin!"
Merlin could hear the anger tremor in Gaius's voice but it was nothing compared to when he turned around to see his expression, a frown so deepened and narrowed eyebrows that practically sank his eyes.
Merlin bit his lip and imagined the words he needed to say like pulling out an arrow embedded in skin. "Kilgharrah said I need to kill her."
Gaius took in a sharp breath, "Merlin…I trust you don't actually…" Gaius wavered off when Merlin broadened his stance.
"If it means protecting Arthur…"
"Merlin!"
"If it means fulfilling my destiny…"
"Merlin! Do you hear yourself?"
"You think I want this either?"
They stood for numerous seconds, in a chokable silence.
Merlin had thought for a second he was going to be asked to leave. He even prepared for it Gaius eventually opened up his mouth.
"Merlin, get your magic book."
"What?"
"Just do it, you heard." Gaius turned back, adjusting the warming pot Merlin made for Cornelius.
Merlin brought back his magic book beneath his hiding spot. "I still don't know what you're on about..." Merlin said he has walked down the steps to the entryway of his room.
Gaius grabbed the book and laid it on top of his pile of anatomy books, frantically flipping through the pages.
He stopped at one page.
It showed drawings of a poorly drawn human man, through a series of events. The first image being a bubbling substance, the second with the man drinking it, then finally him clasping his mouth shut as his eyes glowed a bright green.
Merlin had come across it before in his late nights with candle lights. He often skimmed past it. To Merlin, it seemed uninteresting compared to the other elaborate drawings of magical beast fangs and the structure of fairy wings.
But here Gaius was, looking at the page like it was the most intriguing but frightening page in the entire book.
"I'm going to make tea, can you bring Red now Merlin?" Gaius asked, running his finger across the words.
"What is this Gaius?" Merlin asked, his patience thinned with every second of not receiving proper reasoning.
"Gaius! Can you please-"
"It's a truth spell."
Merlin nearly gasped. "Why would…" Merlin glanced back at the book before meeting Gaius's eyes. "You're giving Red a truth spell!"
"I believe this is a better method than killing her? Is it not?" Gaius asked, he rubbed the corner edge of the page. "Thankfully we have what we need, it's actually scary how simple this spell is, practically anyone could do it if they know of the spell's words."
Gaius pointed to the last picture. "It doesn't last long but it is effective for a good amount of minutes. The person's eyes glow green if they lie, unbeknownst to them."
"Gaius…this feels…"
"How about you get the servant girl I apparently cherish so much?"
Taryan
Taryan stood in the middle of her cramped chambers, in a daze. She looked up to her soaked attire, hanging off her wardrobe.
Morgana and Gwen recently delivered a new tunic and skirt to her which she was incredibly thankful for, as they laid on her bed. She put on the off-white skirt, in a hurry. As she reached for the tunic, she signed as she remembered the irradiated skin on her shoulder.
Thank you so much Nimueh….
She grunted as reached down under her bed, taking out the cloth wraps Gaius had given her. She wrapped her shoulder as she stood half bare in her room. As she finished, she looked down at her left arm, suddenly recalling Morgana's worries.
After Nimueh's stab wound…nothing looks bad to me now…
She grabbed more cloth and wrapped her forearm, she ripped the cloth with her teeth and tucked it into the wrap.
She tirelessly fell back on her bed with her wrapped shoulder, picking up the white tunic next to her.
It seemed now that everything had slowed down, Taryan's mind started reeling.
This story…always seemed to be on the "lighter" side of telling, definitely not a child dying in front of characters….
Taryan held back tears that were tempting to sprawl. She bit her lip that shaked, telling herself she was just cold, fastly putting on her tunic.
Did…Cornelius die in the original story?
Taryan pitched between her eyes, feeling a headache already approaching.
A young prince drowning would be a dreary and awful topic for anyone…but they would simply never bring it up? Who was originally blamed? Did they…never find his body in the lake?
Taryan twirled her wet hair strands through her fingertips.
I thought I had a leg up here by knowing the plot lines, but this right here proves that can only go so far.
Not every important event was included…
Was this why the island of Mora was never mentioned for the rest of the series?
She then heard a knock on the door. Taryan brushed her skirt as she assumed it to be Gwen or Morgana. Her footsteps froze as she heard Merlin's voice.
"Red? Are you there?" He asked.
She opened the door, seemingly surprisingly Merlin likely expecting a voice response first.
He stuttered, "Have you…finished drying off?"
"Trying to." She countered.
Merlin only nodded with her response and an awkward feeling quickly developed between the two.
"Merlin, what do you want?" Taryan finally asked.
"Gaius wants to see you."
"Concerning what?"
"Just the recent events…and Cornelius…" Merlin slowed his talking.
"Wait, is Cornelius okay!" She opened her door wider. She knew she should have gone with the group to the physician's chambers but Arthur insisted on her changing upon their return.
"No…the prince is okay."
…..
"Evening Gaius." Taryan said as she entered. Merlin trailed a few steps behind her, closing the door shut.
"Hello Red." Gaius smiled, moved a boiling pot off the flame. His warmness almost contagious, he fully looked at her, "Please sit." He held out his hand to the wooden chair Gaius often sat on.
Taryan bowed her head as she sat, looking both ways.
"Cornelius isn't here?" She asked.
"We thought he would be more comfortable in his own chambers."
If I had such chambers…I would never want to leave either… Taryan thought, recalling his plumped pillows.
"Merlin said you wanted to speak with me?" Taryan asked, as she looked at Merlin approaching Gaius from behind, studying the mixture he swirled.
"Yes, I would like to talk about today but first." He picked up a small clay cup, beneath the table. "Would you like some tea?"
"No, I'm okay." Taryan said. She felt guilty doing so but the modern tea she once drank has spoiled her taste ever since entering Camelot.
Gaius and Merlin briefly shared glances.
"I think this would be good for you Red. You went into the water as well. This is the same tea I made for Cornelius, the warming substance can help with any lake water you might have swallowed." Merlin said, pointing to the boiling pot.
Taryan just lifted her hands up as Gaius put them in her palms. She felt the hot liquid against her hands as she let it rest on her lap.
"So what did you have questions about?"
Gaius and Merlin remained still, both looking at the cup before meeting her eyes.
Crap…have they noticed I secretly dumped the tea I have always been given?
She brought it to her lips, making an obvious swallow. She rubbed her lip with the sleeve of her wrist.
"Yes, it was quite impressive what you did today, Red. I hope you realize the weight of what just happened." Gaius stood in front of Taryan with Merlin next to him, Merlin resting his arms behind him, gripping the table's edge with his hands.
"I'm glad, I was worried my efforts would be fruitless. I wasn't sure if what I was doing was correct."
Especially considering I just copied what I have seen in media growing up.
"It was correct, but something never done before, I have questions concerning about-"
"Have you ever had any prior medicine experience?" Merlin asked, out of nowhere, completely interrupting Gaius.
Gaius gave him a disfavor brow before looking back at Taryan, looking eager for her response.
Taryan sipped once more. "I don't know, I sadly don't know anything of my past."
Something I thought you people would remember by now….
Merlin and Gaius eyed each other once more.
"Really?" Gaius asked. "Not even seeing the faintest look at anatomy drawings?"
"Red knows how to read." Merlin said to Gaius despite not taking his eyes off Taryan.
"Merlin's correct." Taryan smiled, trying to not look angry at Merlin for bringing it up. "Who knows…maybe I was a daughter of a physician."
It felt as if a lump was forming in Taryan's throat. She sipped the tea once more.
Whatever was happening here, she didn't like it.
"A closer guess would be you were a physician yourself." Gaius said. "I don't think you have truly grasped what you have done with Cornelius."
Taryan lowered the cup, taken back. "I…provided my own breath…he wasn't breathing."
"Nor his heart beating." Merlin added.
Gaius focused on Red, seemingly disappointed with her answers. "You don't have the faintest clue of where you might have heard about chest compressions to save someone's life?" Gaius asked once more.
Taryan rubbed her thumb pad against the clay cup. Guilt washed over her with her constantly lying. "No…I'm sorry." She took another long sip.
Merlin rubbed his chin, he seemed to be getting more annoyed at each answer. "Do you know your name?"
"What?" Taryan asked.
"Merlin…" Gaius warned.
"Just questioning her memory. That will likely be the first thing to return?"
Taryan narrowed her eyes, "I still don't know my name. I am currently just going by Red."
Merlin eyes for the faintest moment fluttered down to her cup, judging how much she drank, which was near empty. He met her eyes once again.
Taryan tilted the cup as she looked down.
Did…they put something in this?
Merlin
Gaius noticed Red suspiciously looking at her cup after Merlin's obvious checking. "Are you finished with that Red?"
Red looked up between the both of them as they stood guilty over her. "Yes…"
Gaius picked it up out of her hands. "Oh…you still have some left." Gaius tilted the cup against his mouth taking the rest of the contents.
Merlin's eyebrows rose slightly and Red let out a relieved breath.
He did this on purpose due to my foolish error…
Merlin swiftly came to Red, resting a hand against the back of the wooden chair. "Thank you for coming Red, apologies for taking your time." He lent his other hand upward, indicating for her to stand up.
Red rose from the chair slowly. "Sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"Nonsense, you have already done plenty. Oh." Gaius slowly walked towards her. "Just checking, you are not injured from today's event are you?"
"No, I didn't get hurt." Red gripped her left forearm as she turned away, clearly in a hurry. Gaius crinkled a smile at Red with her answer. "I will see you later, Gaius, Merlin."
"Here let me." Merlin jogged to the door to open it up.
Right as Red left Merlin practically closed the door with his forehead. He repeatedly knocked his head onto the hard wood over and over again. "I am truly an idiot."
Gaius was simply quiet, cleaning up everything.
Merlin twirled around, realizing the instant correction that needed to be in the making. "Gaius…I'm so sorry. Her eyes didn't glow once throughout any of the questions." Merlin made slow steps, gripping his hair. "God…I let Kilgharrah infect me with his warning, painting her as some kind of lucid creature. She is just an innocent girl that I repeatedly made feel small." Merlin pulled at his front hair.
I'm not surprised if she hates me…
Gaius spoke as soft as a whisper.
"We need to keep a close eye on Red."
Merlin lowered his hands, hair pieces falling to his forehead. "What?"
"It didn't work." Gaius said, he analyzed the cup Red held.
"What…what do you mean it didn't work?"
"Red just lied…and her eyes didn't glow. Merlin, where is the magic book?" He started tossing multiple heavy books out of the way.
Merlin went to him and got it out where it was buried. "You're saying she lied? When did she lie?"
Gaius grabbed the book out of his hands. "Remember when Morgana asked me to check Red's arm? She scratched it at the pier?"
Merlin brought hand to his chin.
Her eyes didn't glow even though Morgana clearly told us she was hurt…
Then…it just didn't work?
"You did everything right? Didn't you?" Merlin asked.
Gaius got to the page and shook his head in disbelief. "I thought I did it perfectly…I said the incantation correctly."
"Wait." Merlin snapped his fingers, bouncing his hand. "Say a lie, you drank some of it too."
"Merlin, this is ridiculous.."
"Just say it Gaius." Merlin looked intently, ready to see the slightest changes.
Gaius eyes darting around the room in thinking, trying to gain inspiration. "Merlin you are…not a sorcerer."
Merlin let out a shaky breath. Gaius's eyes illuminated the green in a flickering instant.
"No…Gaius…" Merlin brought his knuckles to his lips. "Your eyes glowed."
There was no mistaking it, Merlin had thought for a second he wasn't looking close enough to Red's eyes when they questioned her.
If this is what it was supposed to look like…there was no missing it.
Gaius annoyedly grabbed the water pot, looking in his reflection. "I am not a court physician." His eyes once again illuminated.
He fearfully looked at Merlin who remained already wide eyed.
"Gaius…what does this mean…how was she?"
"She was somehow able to counter it." Gaius sternly announced.
"But…do you know of anyone capable of countering a truth potion?"
"I can only think of one." Gaius rubbed his forehead. "Kilgharrah."
Merlin weirdly started laughing.
No wonder Kilgharrah desperately wants her dead.