Snapshots Going Home Ch 6

Merlin grunted as the weight on him threatened to tip them both over. "Hang on, Arthur! Almost there!"

The King who's weight he was currently supporting with an arm around his shoulders only grunted, tripping again. "I's t'flor."

Merlin snorted. "Yes, I can see that. The floor in a centuries old castle built by magic is definitely going to be a bumpy one."

The warlock breathed a sigh of relief when they reached his chamber door. He shoved it open, and was pleased when Ian immediately took up Arthur's other arm, having run ahead and been waiting for them. Together they got him to the bed, and sat him on it.

"Ian, get a bath ready, please. And a spare bucket. I suspect he'll need it before morning," Merlin requested.

Arthur decided to reach out for him then, pulling him onto him. They landed with Arthur backwards on the bed and Merlin sprawled partly over him.

"W'r m'rr'd," the King told him with a sloppy grin on his face.

Merlin nodded, trying to sit up, but considering how drunk he was, Arthur had an incredibly strong grip. He smiled down. "Yes, Arthur, we're married."

"'M dr'nk," Arthur slurred, frowning, clearly upset by the idea.

"Well, it's not exactly your fault," Merlin forgave easily. "Durstan and Gwaine both played some pretty dirty tricks on you to get you into this state. And I'm not convinced Gwen is as innocent as she pretends."

"N't n'c'."

Merlin smiled, brushing Arthur's bangs away from his forehead. "They wanted you to have fun, and you did. You can't let go like that in Camelot." He'd never seen Arthur so happy. His lover hadn't stopped smiling all throughout the long ceremony, despite how boring it was, and the celebrations afterward, he'd danced with Merlin, Gwen, and for a lark, even Leon just to make him blush. Several of the Dumnonian Court women had been willing partners as well. "It was perfect, Arthur."

"Hm.. l'v y'u."

Arthur's eyes closed under his touch, completely relaxed and trusting as Merlin continued to stroke his hair, still smiling. It had been a wonderful day, and Merlin could barely contain his own happiness. Today had been a dream so impossible to him that he'd never dared have it at all. He even forgave the switch from 'your Highness' to 'Sire' among the Camelot men. He didn't care. He'd married the man he loved. The gold band of the sacred circle on both their fingers proof to all that they were mated, now and forever, under the eyes of the Triple Goddess and the Laws of Dumnonia.

Since he outranked Arthur, tonight his lover had been nothing more than a man. No trappings or rankings, short of the battles stories he'd had to tell. Merely a newly wedded man celebrating the day. Merlin had watched Durstan and Gwaine all night, a smile on his face as they plied him with drink. It had been enchanting to watch his King relax his guard, taking nothing into account other than he was truly happy for the moment. Merlin could have stopped them, he supposed, but he hadn't wanted to.

He looked up at a knock at the door. He tried to sit up, but Arthur only squeezed him tighter. Thankfully, Ian was quick to answer it, stepping back. Merlin grinned. "Artemis!"

"Sires," Artemis greeted with a bow. He smiled. "I've come to offer my congratulations."

"Any magic tricks to sober him up a bit?" Merlin grinned. Then it fell. "In truth, I am slightly worried, Artemis. They poured a lot of wine into him. And ale. And cider. And anything else they could get him to drink. He's never had so much before."

Artemis nodded, and approached the bed. Merlin managed to wriggle his way out of Arthur's sleep relaxed grip, going to check on Ian's progress with the bath.

"The water's cold, Sire," Ian informed him. "But I thought haste more important, knowing you can warm it up yourself much more quickly." He hesitated. "Though I would suggest waiting to warm it up until after you've dunked his head in it. It sounds cruel, but believe me, he'll thank you for it in the morning."

"Thank you, Ian. I'll get your help getting him into it, then you're dismissed. Take tomorrow off too. He's likely to be a grouch and you needn't suffer through that."

Ian shot the King a worried look. "I think… Sire, if I may…"

"What is it, Ian?"

"Gwaine hasn't found the assassin, Sire. I've been preparing all your meals myself, and they come only from my hand. I would prefer to continue in that duty. I won't deny being concerned that there was no attempt made today," the manservant confessed. "It was a perfect opportunity, especially once it was obvious Arthur would be in no shape to protect you."

"Shhhh, Ian," Merlin hushed him, glancing quickly over to where Artemis was forcing Arthur to drink something. "The last time he got even half this drunk, his father died," Merlin whispered sadly. "I won't have this night ruined for him too. All right, yes, you can bring us our meals tomorrow, but I intend to let him lie in, so don't come before lunch. And thank you, Ian."

Ian nodded, obviously relieved. "Thank you, Sire."

"No more of that Sire business, Ian. I'm not King, and Camelot will never recognize this marriage," Merlin hissed, moving to go over to Artemis. "So?"

"Get him into that bath- I do hope it's cold. He's not drunk so much that he's poisoned himself, but if you can get some food into him, and lots of water, all the better he'll be. I've given him a potion that should help bring him around quicker, but it may also empty his stomach."

"Thank you, Artemis," Merlin said sincerely. He frowned when the druid motioned him into the sitting room. "What is it?"

"Sire-"

"Please don't."

"Merlin, then," Artemis corrected. "The Queen Regent has expressed a concern…" he trailed off when Merlin held up a shushing finger to his lips.

"Not you too. Believe me, Artemis, I remember all too well what the Queen is referring to. There are six guards on that door, four of them Camelot men I trust with both our lives. I have spelled the windows, and I've not had a drop of wine, my magic is at full strength. No one is getting into this room unnoticed tonight. At his core, Beonin is a coward. There were simply too many armed men to try, and his puppets lacked for any opportunity since neither of us were ever alone. It's that simple," Merlin insisted confidently.

The old druid looked at him, nodding. "If you're convinced of your safety, then I'll bid you good night. And congratulations again, Merlin. You both deserve the happiness today brought."

Merlin smiled, leading the older man out. Opening the door, he caught Leon's face, and smiled his thanks before closing the door. Sighing, as he saw Ian had Arthur completely stripped down. The King hadn't even stirred.

Deciding Ian's idea of a cold bath was a good one, he pushed up his sleeves.

MERLIN101010101010100MERLIN

Merlin frowned as he woke, uncertain why, then felt a weight on his leg. His eyes opened, and he saw Arthur still sleeping peacefully next to him. Then the weight on his leg moved, and his eyes went wide. Moving slowly, he sat up, bringing his magic to him, careful not to move his lower body.

He felt the movement start to slither against him, and let his eyes flare gold. "Frēose!" he whispered. He felt it stop, and remained completely still for a moment, then pushed back the covers, his breath coming out in a rush of panic when he saw the adder. "Forbærne", he whispered in disgust, feeling no remorse when it crumpled to ash.

He let out a sigh of relief, then turned to make sure it hadn't bitten his lover. He was surprised to see gold crowned blue staring at him. "Arthur, did it bite you?" Merlin asked, ripping off the coverlet to check him with his own eyes.

"Merlin, that was an adder."

Merlin nodded, still looking, breathing a sigh of relief when there were no puncture marks on his lover. "Yes, it was." He looked around the room, letting his eyes go gold. He doubted there was only the one. He switched his vision, looking in every nook and cranny. "Don't move. Don't speak too loudly. There's likely more. A single adder bite isn't enough to kill on its own. No assassin worth his salt would rely on only one."

He slowly got off the bed, confident there were none in the immediate area. He reached for his boots, careful to dump them out, thankful he had fallen asleep in his trouser after getting Arthur finally into the bed. The King had been less than impressed with his dunking, but it had done him wonders, and sobered him enough that he'd been difficult in putting night pants on, wanting instead for Merlin to take his off- though not nearly sober enough to actually do anything had he managed. He slipped them on- the thick leather would protect his ankles. He hoped one did try and take a chunk out of him. The snakes deserved to chip a tooth on the amount of metal buckles that were on the bloody things.

Once standing at the foot of the bed, he held out his hands. "Onhlídest!" The candles in the rooms flared under his reveal spell, and suddenly the air was full of angry hissing. A glance out the window showed it was very dark- so likely closer to dawn. They'd been asleep for hours! More than enough time get so many in their room.

He swallowed. The sitting room was full of adders. He turned his head toward his lover. "Arthur, quietly leave the room. No sudden movements, but hurry," he urged calmly.

"Merlin-"

"Don't argue with me," Merlin hissed. "Go!" He didn't dare take his eyes off the two dozen snakes currently agitated in the attached sitting room. "Now!"

From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Arthur's bare chest coming from beside the bed. He saw a slither of movement heading toward his lover. "Frēose!" he called out, catching the thing before it could strike. He felt a nip at his boot and realized he'd angered them into movement. "Run, Arthur!" he yelled, even as his hand splayed toward them. "Frēose!" His King was coming toward him again!

Stubborn mule! He threw out another hand and yelled "Nídgengan!" the force of the spell shoving Arthur through the door. Yanking his hand back, he closed the door. Swearing, he felt another tug on his leg.

MERLIN101010101010101010MERLIN

Leon was shocked when the chamber door he'd been guarding suddenly flew open, launching Arthur out of it before snapping shut again. Confused, he ran over to help his King up.

"Sire?"

"Snakes," Arthur cursed. He moved to test the door, pounding on it with his fists when he found it locked. "You stubborn ass!" he yelled.

Leon pulled him away. "Sire, if there's really snakes then you'll rile them! Merlin obviously feels he has it under control."

Arthur paced in front of the door, mentally ticking off the minutes while his lover- his husband!- was still in a room full of deadly adders. Why bloody snakes? Of all the cowardly things to do! He chewed his thumbnail nervously- a habit he'd abandoned when he was a child- as he moved.

The guards watched him quietly, none daring to speak. Arthur rolled his shoulders, feeling antsy. He wanted desperately to reach out with the Bond, but worried it might distract the warlock. Merlin had seemed calm, cool, and totally in control in the room. Adding his agitation wouldn't help him focus on his task.

He'd been so shocked when he'd woken to the younger man's slow movements, to see him calmly taking on an adder about to bite him, he had barely registered Merlin's frantic search of him to see if he'd been bitten. Before he'd had a chance to ascertain whether the same was true, Merlin had been moving. Arthur was furious at the younger man for throwing him out! He wasn't sure how, but he could have helped! Another night when he'd been helpless flashed through his mind. Another night of celebrations that had ended in tragedy because he could barely lift a sword in defense. He savagely shoved it down.

"He's taken on armies," Arthur growled, "in less time than this is taking. If he's trying to save the furniture I swear I'll kill him myself."

"How many were in there?" Leon asked.

Arthur shook his head. "I don't know. Most of them were in the sitting room. From the hissing, I'd say easily a dozen if not more. Only two managed to make it into the sleeping room. If Merlin hadn't woken when he did…" Arthur trailed off. Why had Merlin woken? The boy was generally a heavy sleeper.

His throat tightened. A bite might wake him. And it wouldn't be beyond Merlin to concentrate more on the immediate threat than any damage to himself. He shook his head, holding his hand out. "Leon, give me your sword! If we all put out shoulders to it, the door will break."

"Sire, no," Leon insisted. "Merlin did the right thing in getting you out. He's far more equipped to handle this than a sword! If you go barging in there now, you could distract him!"

"Let me through, Leon," Arthur growled threateningly. "With or without your help, I'm going in!"

"I'm sorry, Arthur," Leon responded regretfully, motioning with his hand even as Arthur moved to rush him. Two other guards grabbed the King, restraining him. The Knight leaned over and spoke quietly to one of the Dumnonian guards, sending him down the corridor at a run.

"Let me go!" Arthur commanded coldly, struggling against them. "Leon, it's taking too long, you know it is!"

Leon swallowed, glancing at the door. "Merlin is just being efficient, I'm sure," he answered, hoping it was true. "As fast as you are, Arthur, you're not faster than a snake strike."

"Neither is he!" Arthur raged, struggling harder. His breath was coming in gasps. If he'd been more sober, he could have helped. His own senses would have alerted him to so many moving things in their space. Instead he'd been passed out dead drunk, and his lover was going to pay the price. Just like his father had!

He'd been a fool! He knew there was an assassin after Merlin! How could he have let his guard down? He struggled some more. He'd been happy, that's why. A form of delirium almost by itself, the alcohol hadn't helped. Minutes more ticked by as he continued to try and break free. He swore, he could hear every one. No! History wasn't going to repeat itself! He would stop it this time!

"Leon," one of the guards gasped. "If we hold him much tighter we'll hurt him." Arthur increased his struggles, sure now that he could break the door without their help. He'd lost his father to a night of happiness, and now the man he loved! Panic was lending him strength.

"Do what you must. Until Merlin lets us know it's safe, he does not get into that chamber!" Leon commanded, flinching at the look of utter betrayal on Arthur's face.

Just then the door opened slightly, the force keeping it closed obviously let up. The guards released Arthur immediately, quickly on his heels as he ran into the room. The still form lying in the break between the two rooms brought a cry from the King even as he skidded to his knees next to him.

"Merlin!" Arthur gasped out, noticing the younger man's skin was pale, his eyes closed, his breathing haggard. "No!" Arthur sobbed, looking over the boy. There, two bite marks on his arm, and another on his leg. "Get Gaius!" he yelled out, panicked. Two more bites on his calf, one more on his inner wrist. Too many. One wasn't lethal. Even two… there were too many. "He's ice cold," Arthur whispered tearfully.

"Sire, we should get him onto the bed. We've searched the room. He got them all," Leon confirmed, unsure about the King's mental state when he'd called for Gaius, seemingly not realizing he'd done so. "Artemis will be here soon."

Arthur nodded, lifting his lover, and doing as Leon had suggested. He settled his lover gently, sitting beside him. He brushed sweat soaked bangs off his forehead. His hand was shaking. Never again, he swore. "Leon, leave," he ordered shakily.

Leon frowned. "Sire?"

"I said leave. If he dies, I won't… you shouldn't... "

Leon nodded sadly, understanding. He motioned for the rest to stay, then left the room, relieved to see Artemis coming down the hall, thankful he'd thought to send the guard for him before the door actually opened. He moved to meet him.

"What's happened?" the old druid demanded tiredly.

"Someone managed to get adders into their room," Leon informed him. "Merlin has several bites- he isn't well, Artemis."

Artemis closed his eyes, shaking his head. "He was so sure they'd be safe tonight," he whispered in regret. He started off, surprised when Leon didn't follow him. "Sir Leon?"

"Merlin's first priority was getting Arthur out. I wouldn't let him back in," Leon hesitated. "Arthur isn't exactly stable, Artemis. He called for Gaius, not you. I very much believe he would have broken that door down had we let him. He's... dismissed me, for the time being."

Artemis nodded, and continued on his way. When he turned into the room, he was surprised to see it so well lit. Several guards were still poking through every piece of furniture. He headed for the bed, unsurprised to see Arthur shaking more than the boy. "Arthur?" he called.

Tear filled eyes flashed to him, vacant for a moment before clearing. "Help him," he whispered, and there was utter hopelessness in that plea.

Artemis took a look at the bites, breathing a sigh of relief. "Arthur, he's going to be fine." It didn't take much to consider that the King was seeing very little of his lover, and was, instead, seeing a dying father. Gwen had begged the druid to be on alert for just something like this. It had made everyone nervous that the assassin hadn't tried anything during the wedding.

Arthur shook his head. "He's so cold…" He sniffled. "He won't warm up, no matter what I do."

"His magic is keeping his heart beating slow so it won't spread the poison. That's what is making him cold. Arthur, look at the bites." Arthur shook his head, more tears squeezing from closed eyes. "Arthur, please, look at them."

Arthur dared to open his eyes, and he looked at the angry red bites, his eyes going wide. Clear liquid was being pushed out of the bites at a slow but steady rate. His breath rushed out of him in a gush. "He's healing himself," he gasped.

Artemis nodded. "I'll give him an anti venom to be sure, but his magic is already working for him. He's going to be fine. He just needs some rest. Adder bites can cause dizziness. He likely just fainted." Arthur reached for his lover's hand, but Artemis shook his head. "Leave him as still as possible. Let him do what he needs to do."

Arthur looked up, terror in his eyes again. "Did I… when I moved him to the bed…"

"Arthur," Artemis sighed. "He'll likely appreciate the softer surface when he wakes. When, Arthur! Not if! I swear on my life, he is fine!" Which is more than he could say for the one patient in the room truly in need of him. Arthur was clearly not fine. Unfortunately, Artemis didn't know what else he could do for him. The King had to find a way to separate the two events for himself. Everyone had heard of Uther's assassination, but ultimately it had been magic that had been blamed. Few knew the details and he had no way of knowing what was safe to mention and what wasn't.

Arthur watched silently as the physician wiped the bites, but didn't wrap them. Taking his cue, Arthur wet a cloth and gently wiped the leaking fluid from the side closest to him. They worked for some time before the King took a deep breath. "My father died the last time I let my guard down. And this time, I knew there was an assassin!" he growled. "I was a fool!"

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Merlin was firmly convinced that he had taken the measures to prevent another night like that, Arthur. He was very conscious of your previous experience, and he was determined this night would end differently for you."

Arthur snorted. "Merlin deliberately used magic to push me out of the room. He was so calm, so confident."

"As he should have done and been," Artemis nodded. "No one else could have successfully taken on a room full of adders. Don't forget you're Linked, Arthur. Merlin would never have risked your life, not for something as simple as this. If he wasn't confident he would come out of this alive, he would have left the room with you."

"Is that supposed to be a comfort?" Arthur huffed.

Artemis wasn't phased. "I would take it as so, yes. He's aware of his limits, Arthur. I'd say he's come a long way even since I've known him to realize that much."

Arthur nodded. "All it took was making sure it was my life he was risking."

"What would you have had him do?" Artemis asked calmly. "The snakes couldn't remain or they would have escaped and injured- likely killed- someone else. He knew he could survive a few bites, knew he could eliminate the threat. Their next victim wouldn't have likely been so lucky. Would you have done any differently, in his place?"

Arthur stayed silent. One night of pure happiness. Was it so much to ask? He hadn't meant to get so drunk- he'd definitely had very different plans for his wedding night than a cold bath!- but he hadn't resisted it, either. Merlin had been happy- tired, given the long day, but genuinely happy- which had fueled Arthur's own descent into play. And why had he never danced with his lover before? Merlin wasn't much of a dancer, for all his grace with his daggers, but Arthur had loved having him in his arms in front of all those people.

"What if he didn't know? What if he did it anyway because it was the right thing to do?" Arthur whispered.

Artemis shook his head. "Not last night. He may have been willing to lay down his life, Arthur, and in the right circumstances, even yours. But there is nothing in him that could sacrifice your happiness. Consider this a success. We didn't want him afraid of his magic, and he obviously no longer is."

"I hadn't been so drunk, I could have… I would have known sooner."

"You've both been through so much, Sire. Yesterday was a happy day, Arthur. Don't do him the disservice of taking that from you both," Artemis cautioned. "He loved seeing you like that, loose and carefree. You were dancing with Leon when I asked him how he felt about it all. He just pointed at you, smiling to light up the room."

Arthur took a deep breath, and looked, finally, at his friend. "Thank you, Artemis. You're a good friend. I miss Gaius so much. I don't think… I wouldn't have gotten through these last years without you, I want you to know that. I never got to say that to Gaius."

Artemis smiled gently at the boy he was genuinely fond of. He admired how hard Arthur had worked to undo the damage his father had done, to create a balanced world for magical and non-magical. He glanced at young Emrys. He would confess to have been honored to play a part in their lives- even if it hadn't been the part he'd originally expected.

"Gaius would be proud of you both. My beliefs, Arthur, let me say with firm conviction that he was smiling on you all yesterday. I often had visions of Emrys, and Gaius played a part in many. It was clear how much he loved this boy and how much he loved you. To see you both so happy would have made his old heart dance," Artemis confessed. "I could almost, with my ties to the spiritual, hear him laughing."

Arthur looked at him. "Merlin will truly be alright?" He sounded like he might be willing to believe it, at last.

"He will. Already the cold begins to leave him. And understand, Arthur, that if this is the memory you take away from a day that was otherwise perfect, it will break his heart. Have as much faith in him as he does in you. He did this knowing he would survive."

Arthur chuckled, seeming to breathe easier. "He's not usually good with healing spells."

"Yes, well," Artemis grumped. "That's why I'll be insisting he stays abed for a day, and will be in frequently to see to him, so don't think to get up to any of your shenanigans! I don't think he's 'healing' himself so much as pushing the poison out. I still want to keep an eye on these bites. They're not weeping any more, but they're not closing either. And he'd best not give any mouth about it, either! Gaius was certainly not the inventor of foul tasting medicines."

Arthur laughed at the old man, already hearing in his mind the argument the two would have in the morning.

No, this night had not ended like the last. Artemis was right. A single moment of nightmare in an otherwise wonderful dream.

He was married to the love of his life. He said it out loud, and then again. He was married to Merlin.