Snapshots Going Home CH 8

MERLIN1010101010101MERLIN

Artemis sighed as he applied a fresh cooling cloth to the warlock's brow. Merlin's fever had started only an hour after the shivering had finally stopped. He could detect nothing physically wrong with him, and assumed the fever was a delayed reaction to trying to fight something off. It had bounced back and forth between periods of being high and then low. Nothing he gave the boy made any difference.

He was glad he'd had Percival move them both to the bed. Merlin hadn't woken, and Arthur had only been semi-aware, awake enough to help walk, but not enough to get them there himself. He'd returned to sleep in seconds, and Artemis was doubtful he'd remember waking at all. The unrestful night in addition to the battle to stop the spell had taken a lot out of the King.

"Thank you, Ian," he smiled as the manservant replaced the now tepid water with cooler. The manservant had arrived with the boys lunch, horrified by the scene he'd walked into. Though Artemis had to wonder if it had been his once again unconscious Master, or the sight of King Arthur asleep on the floor that had upset him.

That had been hours ago. The sun was setting now and the manservant had been keeping quiet in the corner of the room, repairing clothing, ready to run for any request Artemis might have. The druid had not, however, missed the appearance of a dagger sheath on the man's hip.

"That weapon can't protect them from magical attacks," he pointed out.

"No, but while they're asleep, it'll protect them from anything else, even if it's the last thing it does," Ian answered evenly, not looking up from the sewing he had returned to. "You're here to worry about the magic, and I assume you would do no less."

"You know how to use it, I take it?"

"Well enough."

"You're a complicated man, aren't you?" Artemis chuckled.

"I was, once. Now I am manservant to Merlin, and all he is. I'm content with that, and will not hesitate to use any skill I may possess in his service," Ian replied in that same tone.

"And the King?"

"Is the King," Ian deadpanned, as if it were truly that simple.

Artemis huffed a laugh, replacing the cloth again when the boy tossed his head. The fever was climbing again. "I sometimes wonder where the Queen Regent found you, Ian. And if she knew the gift she was giving the boy."

Ian snorted. "Hardly a boy, to have suffered so much, despite his youthful appearance."

Artemis nodded, accepting the truth of that. "At my age, Ian, you're all boys to me."

The manservant had no reply to that.

Artemis looked over to the other side of the bed as Arthur stirred, and reached over to stop the arm that had been about to fling itself over his lover. The aborted movement had the King's eyes flying open.

"Arthur," Artemis greeted. "I see we're back into old habits."

The King snorted, withdrawing his arm as he sat up, running a hand through his hair. "How is he?" he asked automatically.

"I'm not sure, in all honesty. There's nothing physically wrong with him. I think this is a reaction to the dark magic."

Arthur nodded, letting his eyes burn as he did a quick scan with the Bond, ignoring the tsk that came from the druid. "Can you give him something for the pain?" he asked.

Artemis nodded, moving to the table which held his herbs. "I wasn't aware he was in any, thank you, Arthur." He hesitated. "You do recall he doesn't like being given remedies without his awareness?"

"Trust me, Artemis," Arthur replied softly. "He needs it. He knows he needs it."

Artemis nodded, turning back to his work. "That Bond is a remarkable thing, Arthur. Durstan described the attack to me in full detail. You did well, acted quickly. I shudder to think what may have happened if you hadn't been there."

"The attacks are escalating, and we never know how or where the next is coming from. I feel like I'm at the bottom of a ravine in an ambush. I can see the arrows coming, but I can't track where they originated," Arthur groused.

"Like a rabbit in a hunt, surrounded by beaters on all sides," Ian muttered from the corner.

Arthur's eyes went wide as that familiar feeling became clear to him. He stared at the manservant, met eyes that had cast up to his, saw the hard determination in them. Ian had seen the pattern! "Of course," he breathed in realization. "We're being harried." He threw back the covers, heading for the door.

He was surprised to see Leon on the other side. He felt anger flare in him- had it really only been last night since the snakes? So much had happened since! "Leon, where's Gwaine?" he asked.

"He said to tell you he and Durstan have gone Hunting, Sire," Leon answered formally. There was a shadow of guilt on his face, and Arthur sighed.

"I owe you an apology, Leon. It took courage to stand up to me, and I am sorry I took my anger out on you," the King apologized sincerely. "I know what you did, you did with my best interest at heart."

Leon looked relieved, but nodded. "Thank you."

Arthur turned to go back into his chambers when the Knight called to him again. "Arthur? I would risk anything for him, you know that, I hope."

"Even my ire, apparently," Arthur casually accepted with a smile, letting him know all was truly forgiven. "Have Gwaine report to me as soon as he gets back."

He closed the door. Hunting! He snorted. They'd gone to the guild or Arthur would eat his own boots! He suspected he knew what they'd find. Beonin wanted them out in the open. The Bounty was a facade. The former Knight knew very well there were none in the city powerful enough to take Merlin on. He'd been there, after all, the day Merlin had killed almost 500 men with a thought. These attacks were meant to chase them out of the City. But what was the plan then? Would he attack? Was he alone? If they left for Camelot, they'd be riding with nearly a hundred soldiers. Surely the man wouldn't attack them then?

"Sire?" Ian inquired from his place as he watched the King pace. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Arthur shook his head, then frowned, stopping his pacing closer to the servant. "You saw it. When?"

Ian didn't bother to deny he knew what Arthur was asking. "I couldn't confirm it until this recent attack. I began to have my suspicions with his flashback, Sire."

Arthur frowned. "His flashback? That was just caused by the crowds, too many people touching him. It brought back… unpleasant… memories. It's happened before."

"It has, and each time a source has been clearly identifiable." Ian nodded. "I wasn't there for the event, Sire, but I am aware of it. Not the details, of course. But your swift, and slightly ruthless, justice to your own Uncle left little room for what could have been severe enough to prompt such a thing. In addition, each episode was triggered by specific circumstances with repeating themes."

Arthur ground his teeth. "And your point?"

"If I recognized the pattern and discerned the cause, so can anyone else. As it's been some years since you've had a properly trained servant, Sire, I will remind you that it is our job to watch our Master's very closely, lest they need the slightest thing. Some won't even deign to tell you- they expect you to know. It didn't take long to notice my Lord getting… upset… with the crowds. After that, instead of one or two touching him at once, it became three and four, then ten. The same pattern in every town. When it became obvious your political duties would keep you away from him, Sir Gwaine and I did our best to take up as much space around him as possible."

Arthur frowned. "Why didn't you report any of this to me?" He was reminded, suddenly, of not too long ago grinning at Merlin and declaring with full confidence Gwaine and Ian both would take his secrets to the grave with them.

"At the time, Sire, it was Gwaine's… solicitous… behavior toward him that alerted me this wasn't a normal reaction for him. I have never been with my Lord in such crowds before- not without you by his side. In Camelot, he is surrounded by those he loves, and who love him in return. Because he loves them, he tolerates much from them- myself included, if I may be so bold. This was my first experience in understanding that he actually doesn't like to be touched, Sire."

"But it was here, at the Castle, that he finally broke down."

It was Artemis who cleared his throat. "By then, Arthur, it was only a matter of time. He'd taken as much as he could. I saw him several times that night, and even I could see he'd reached his limits."

Arthur sat down on the end of the bed, shaking his head. "Why wouldn't he come to me?"

"Arthur, you know how much he hates those episodes. And while he'll push every limit you've got as a lover- now husband- he has never disturbed you while you were performing your duties as King for a personal matter," Artemis chided gently. "Knowing Merlin, he likely felt he could handle it himself."

"So you think Beonin is following us, and has been for some time."

"I've never met the man, Sire. But from the details I got from the other Knights, there is considerable reason to think Beonin may blame Merlin for his fall from grace. Once we were inside the City, our movements would have been carefully watched, if only from distrust," Ian replied. "No, the best plan would be to work on you, Sire."

"Me?" Arthur asked incredulously. He waved a hand at the sleeping warlock. "I'm not the target!"

"But you are," Artemis agreed, nodding with respect at the servant. "Of course. If there is a single common fact known to all in Albion, it's how protective you are, and have always been, of the boy."

Ian nodded. "Your first instinct is always to remove my Lord from harm, Sire. Gwaine told me what happened that day. Beonin misjudged you before, and paid dearly for it. He is clever enough to have decided to turn it to his advantage."

"That's why there's been an escalation in attacks after the wedding," Arthur groaned. "I'm far more likely to give in to the pressure to leave. They're going to get worse."

Ian nodded. "I believe so, Sire. Though it's my understanding that there are few in the city powerful enough to reproduce the same attack as earlier. Of those, only one was a part of the guild, and my Lord disposed of that threat earlier."

Arthur eyed the servant. "I'm beginning to think, Ian, that you're a man of many secrets."

"Layers, Sire, not secrets. If you wish to know, ask. I will answer honestly. But you must be prepared for the consequences of the knowing," Ian replied, using his teeth to break the threat from the piece he'd been working with. "In the meantime, I saw no harm in partaking in some idle gossip. As I said, servants watch everything."

"Well, we know Gwen's safe. She spends most of her time with either the Queen, or Elloise, or Durstan himself. I've barely seen her." As he'd instructed. She'd wanted to come, but he had made a point of passing along the message to Durstan that her close relationship to Merlin should be hidden, for now. She hadn't been pleased, but she'd agreed. "That just leaves the rest of us in the crosshairs."

Merlin twisted on the bed, his soft cry interrupting them. Artemis was closest, having just given him the remedy he'd made, and leaned over him, instantly putting out a hand to check the progress of the fever. "He's still burning up, Arthur. I don't know how to treat him for this."

"I don't think you can, Artemis," Arthur sighed sadly. "And that cry wasn't pain. That is the beginning of a nightmare." It hurt him on a deep level that he could easily distinguish between the two, having heard both often enough.

Ian stood. "I'll be sleeping on the longseat in the sitting room if you have a need tonight, Sire. I'm a light sleeper, so you need only call out. If his fever isn't down when you're tired, wake me and I'll take watch while you rest."

"Thank you, Ian. Another set of eyes can't hurt. Artemis, you've done all you can, for tonight. Though perhaps one of your strengthening teas for him in the morning?"

Artemis nodded, knowing that Arthur wouldn't be sending him away if he wasn't completely confident the boy wasn't in mortal danger. "I'll have a servant-"

"I'll get it from you, Artemis, once he wakes," Ian cut in. "Nothing either of them consume should come from any hand but yours or mine."

The old druid shot the man another shrewd look, then nodded.

MERLIN1010101010101010MERLIN

Arthur no more had a chance to close the door behind him before the flash of yellow that was Gwen launched herself at his unsteady husband, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry. They wouldn't let me see you. Are you alright? You're shaking, of course you're not. Arthur! Why is he so warm? How could you let him out of bed? Oh I'm so glad you came!" Gwen rambled out all at once, never once letting up the fierce hug.

"I'm alright, Gwen," Merlin reassured her with a smile, hugging her back. "It's good to see you, too. Though sitting would be a thought, soon."

Pulling back, Gwen nodded, helping the obviously weak warlock to one of the chairs near the Queen, sitting at the head of the small dining table.

"Arthur, I must confess," the Queen said as she looked at the King, still stationed by the door. "That I'm unaccustomed to such secrecy within my own home. I trust my staff, and while I understand your instinct to protect, I dislike the insinuation that you do not."

"Màthair, my apologies, but the secrecy of this meeting was not Arthur's idea. He was, in fact, adamantly against it," Merlin spoke up. "We will explain everything once Durstan and Gwaine arrive."

The Queen nodded, reaching out and squeezing his hand. "I am glad to see you're doing better, Merlin. Artemis reported directly to me that Arthur was confident in your ability to recover from the attack. It breaks my heart to know the trouble this visit has cost you. We wanted you to feel at home here."

Merlin laughed. "Believe it or not, Màthair, it's not so different from my time in Camelot! Except it's usually Arthur who is in danger, and me running around desperately trying to keep him alive!"

Arthur scowled at him, and Gwen hid her smile behind her hand. His response, however, was cut off by Ian's arrival, Durstan and Gwaine in tow. He eyed the corridor after they entered to make sure they hadn't been followed, then closed it tightly again.

He smiled when apparently Ian had decided to make a stop, pouring Merlin a cup of hot tea, which Arthur could smell from where he stood was one of Artemis' herbal concoctions. From Merlin's grimace, it didn't taste any better than it smelled, but the boy drank it.

He had been against this meeting. Merlin's fever was much lower, but still present. The attack, while no longer life threatening once stopped, had taken a lot from him. His lover should be resting. But Merlin had pushed for this, and the King was incredibly curious what the younger man had up his sleeve. He had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't like it much.

"Gwaine, Durstan," Merlin greeted. "News from the guild?"

"Simple enough," Gwaine answered. "Kill you. Bring proof of your death back to the guild, though the description as what is 'proof' is vague. Get paid."

Durstan nodded. "The guild master was unhelpful in providing a link to where the proof would go. His discretion in such matters is what keeps the guild safe. We tried gold, a royal order, and Gwaine plied his hand at… gentle persuasion… nothing would loosen his tongue. Not that I expected it to. The man has been a consistent hindrance to us on more than one occasion!" The Prince sounded truly frustrated, and Gwaine looked like he desperately wanted either a drink or to hit something- or preferably both.

Merlin sighed, and nodded. "Then there's only one thing left to do. We need to flush Beonin out instead of him continuing to harry us. Let's give him what he wants."

"Merlin," Arthur growled, dropping his head against his hand. "If you're suggesting what I think you are, I may decide to collect the bounty myself."

The Queen measured the warlock again with that calculating gaze, and both Durstan and Gwaine were clearly unhappy. Gwen only sighed.

"The longer these attacks go on, the more likely it is someone else is going to get hurt. Next time it might be any of you. No, listen, Arthur. What you and Ian said makes sense! He wants me out of the protection of the City. So. Let's make it be on our terms, not his! We can't stay forever, and I don't want to be chased out before Gwen's wedding. He'll never go near us with an army at our backs, which means we're just taking this fight back to Camelot with us," Merlin insisted.

"And how do you propose to do this?" Gwaine dared to ask, casting a quick glance at Arthur, giving a subtle shake to his head.

Merlin shifted. "I see two options. One, we kill me- same way we 'killed' Arthur when Uther needed to cry, give the proof, and follow the guild master. The second… Arthur, Gwaine- and only because he'll never believe we'd go alone with assassins on the loose- and I make it fairly obvious we're 'sneaking' out of the city and let him find us. I don't imagine we'll make it much more than a day or two out of the city, pending the numbers of villages. He's a coward, he won't attack until he feels safe."

"You really are an idiot," Arthur hissed.

"Actually, both plans have merit," the Queen interjected, nodding to herself.

"Mother!" Durstan objected in shock.

"Don't forget, my son, that we are responsible for every life in our Kingdom. Merlin is right. Sooner or later, someone else is going to get hurt. His counter spell yesterday was blindly flung and could have taken in anyone. We were fortunate the sorcerer deliberately chose a quieter time of day to attack. Unless, Emrys, you can give me your word that the only danger was to the caster?"

Merlin shook his head. "I cannot, Màthair. The very real threat of my abilities in the wrong hands was worth any risk to end. A fraction of my power could bring this Kingdom to its knees," he answered frankly.

"But surely there must be another way?" Gwen asked, pacing. "You said yourself, he's gone mad with hatred. When he was a Knight of Camelot, he was an excellent strategist and a fine swordsman. Being mentally unstable doesn't lessen those two facts. He found a way to bring hundreds of men unknown into Camelot borders, something not even the worst our enemies have ever successfully done before or since."

"Gwen's right. If anything, it makes him even more unpredictable," Arthur agreed. "If we make anything too obvious, he won't go for it. We'll only get one shot at this."

Ian cleared his throat. "If there was a time to fake my Lord's death, it would be now. He's still ill from the most recent attack, as anyone who has seen him this morning will attest to. The details of the attack are vague, even in gossip. Many aren't exactly sure what happened, only that Emrys reacted badly to it, and that it was magical in nature. I doubt there would be many who could accurately predict whether it should have been lethal or not."

"Before we worry about the how, I want to know what's to be done with him when we catch him," Gwaine put out. "If the tender heart here is just going to let him go again, then this is all moot."

Merlin scowled at the Knight, but Gwaine met his glare with one of his own.

"It's a valid point, Love," Arthur agreed quietly. "We let him go once, and it came back to bite us. If we're just going to provide the same opportunity again, then none of this is worth the risks we're discussing."

Durstan shook his head. "Dumnonian law is no protection here. There is nothing illegal about creating a bounty. And we have little enough proof to connect it to him specifically other than a few of those who were likely around when it was placed. All of whom are now dead."

The Queen nodded. "My son is correct. This must be handled under Camelot justice. Your Hand of Justice has been protected from his actions only by the nature of his station, for Hands frequently work by skirting the fine lines of the law."

"Then we'll take him to Camelot," Merlin ground out. "And provide a trial under the law, Arthur!"

"Ah yes, because that worked so well last time," Arthur agreed sarcastically. "If he attacks us on Dumnonian soil, then under the agreement signed by both Kingdoms, Camelot law does not apply here. If we take him back to Camelot and give him a proper trial, then he is not guilty of any crimes to or in Camelot. Despite being a citizen of Camelot, he could make a legal argument regarding your primary status of being a Dumonian Prince, therefore demand to be judged under their law."

Durstan nodded. "In either case, he'd be released and likely to try again."

"I never mentioned Camelot law, Arthur," the Queen put in, meeting the King's hard eyes with her own. "I said Camelot justice. It is my understanding that there is a distinctive difference between the two."

"Arthur is not Uther, Màthair, to execute innocent men," Merlin growled. "Beonin was stripped of his Knighthood, of his titles and land, as was just at the time. The King will uphold the law!"

"No, Love, I won't. If we're going to risk any of this, Merlin, then I want an end to it," Arthur stated plainly, not blinking at the incredulous glare Merlin shot him.

Gwen nodded slowly. "I agree. Neither law will condone what he has done, but neither will condemn him either. He'll just wait for another opportunity. If law is not available, then all that is left is justice."

"Gwen!" Merlin gasped, wide-eyed.

"Then that settles it," Gwaine said, nodding.

"No! It doesn't! Are you hearing yourselves?" Merlin shouted, throwing himself out of his seat, pacing the room wildly.

"None of us are asking your permission, mate," Gwaine replied steadily. "This was your plan."

"No, my plan was to flush him out into the open!"

"And then what? Hand him a sword and hold you in front of him to make it easier for him?" Gwaine yelled back, unflinching.

"How is killing him justice?" Merlin yelled back furiously. "He hasn't managed to kill me yet! He's done nothing wrong!"

"See, those were the exact same words that got us to where we are now!" Gwaine spat. "I let you talk me into it last time. I never make the same mistake twice, my friend."

"Well why don't we worry about catching him first?" Merlin hissed, closing his eyes in dizziness and leaning over to place his hands on the table.

"Sire, perhaps it would be wise to return to resting," Ian suggested, putting a steadying hand on his Lord's shoulder. "This plan can wait for a few days until you regain your strength."

Merlin opened his mouth to object, but then something settled into his expression, and he nodded, wearily. "Yes, thank you, Ian."

Arthur watched the servant help his lover from the room, sighing.

"You think that did it, then?" Gwaine asked him.

"If not tonight, then tomorrow night for sure," Arthur replied, his heart clenching in fear. "Be ready."