"Has Merlin been acting strange to you?"
Gwaine's eyebrows furrowed, his lip curling. "Merlin is always strange. Must be why I like him."
Arthur rolled his eyes, possibly even more dramatically than Merlin himself. "I meant stranger than usual."
Gwaine shrugged, sinking his teeth into the red skin of an apple.
"He keeps zoning out. And his nose started bleeding for no reason—"
"I see why Merlin zones out. You're such a princess. Or worse, a mother hen. I'm sure he doesn't appreciate being under your scrutiny."
"I—I'm not scrutinizing, I'm simply—"
"A mother hen." Gwaine smirked, and Arthur ducked his head.
"Forget it."
Arthur turned to leave the armory, grasping for the remains of his own dignity.
"Aw, don't be like that, Princess!"
Arthur shut the door harder than he meant to.
…
"What are you doing here?"
Gwaine shrugged in a way that was so utterly Gwaine. Merlin rolled his eyes, leaning on
the edge of the table. He had been hoping to sneak off to bed early this evening, since he had brewed a fresh sleeping draught to knock himself out. He tucked the small bottle under his sleeve.
"The princess is worried about you. So, I thought I'd check in, since I know he won't. Even if he wants to."
Merlin let out a loud sigh. "Yes, I'm alright. It was just a nosebleed—"
"You know it's more than that, mate. Even Princess has noticed," Gwaine said, his eyes surprisingly serious, but soft in the dim firelight.
Of course Merlin knew that something strange was happening. But magic seemed to be involved, so Merlin would just have to figure it out on his own, or with Gaius's help if he became desperate. But Gaius was dealing with an outbreak of illness in the lower town, so for now, it was up to Merlin.
And Merlin just wanted to sleep.
"I'm just tired, Gwaine. Truly," Merlin said, rubbing his eyes.
Gwaine shrugged again, but that serious look didn't smooth over. "Get some rest."
The knight left quietly, his shoulders drooping. Merlin felt a stab of guilt for not telling the whole truth, but there was no way he could ever Gwaine about what was really going on. So tonight, Merlin would get some rest, and tomorrow he would make contact with that mysterious voice and sort this whole ordeal out.
Merlin didn't remember falling asleep, but he knew he was locked in a nightmare. He could feel the effects of the sleeping draught blurring his thoughts and keeping him under.
The darkness was endless, curling around him like mist. Merlin's neck prickled, a shiver racing down his spine. He didn't know if it was from the cold or the feeling that he was being watched. He could feel that there was something out there in the dark, watching him, but Merlin couldn't see at all.
Leoht, Merlin whispered into the dark, holding out his palm.
His magic flickered and fizzled out.
"Merlin," a voice called, ringing out around him from every direction. It was a woman's voice. It sounded gentle, but grating all at once, like a steel rose.
"Tell me who you are. Where are you?"
The woman laughed. "I'm here with you."
But she wasn't, Merlin knew it. Whoever she was, she wasn't actually there. Not physically.
"Why are you calling to me?"
"You called me." The voice was right at Merlin's ear, icy breath tickling his neck. Merlin reached out. His fingers closed around cold vapor.
"What do you want?" Merlin knew he sounded desperate now, but he was just confused and he still felt so tired.
"You will see."
Merlin woke with a jolt, flying upwards in his bed. Gaius stood over him, his brow creased with worry, a wrinkled hand resting lightly on Merlin's shoulder. Merlin panted, bringing his blankets in closer despite the sheen of sweat he could feel on his forehead.
"Merlin, are you alright?" Gaius asked carefully, his hand still hovering.
Merlin waved him off, nodding. "It was just a dream."
It had felt like the dream lasted for days, but Merlin didn't feel rested at all. If anything, he was even more tired than before. Gaius patted him before turning away.
"You'd better get going. You're already late."
Merlin groaned, heaving himself out of bed. His feet felt like lead, his mind numb from such a restless sleep. Who was that woman? Was she a spirit, or a sorcerer? What business did she have, invading Merlin's life like this? Merlin was already feeling the effects of their psychic link, and it was draining him quickly. He could understand the need for it if the woman was in some kind of danger, but Merlin had the feeling that she was completely fine. In fact, he was beginning to wonder if he was the one in danger.
Merlin clomped down the stairs, watching Gaius move from shelf to shelf, procuring ingredients for a potion.
"No time for breakfast today. Why don't you—" Gaius trailed off when he looked up at Merlin. "Merlin, your nose!"
Merlin's hand flew up to his nose again, and sure enough, he could feel blood streaming over his fingertips. What the hell was happening to him?
Merlin didn't even see Gaius move, but suddenly his guardian was standing next to him, holding a handkerchief under Merlin's nose. Merlin took it, his cheeks growing hot.
"I should go," Merlin ground out.
"Hang on—"
Merlin was out the door before Gaius could finish.