Title: Of Plagues and Problems.
Author's Notes: Not entirely happy with this one, but let you guys be the judge. I tried a few versions to try and adapt to the character changes. Hope to update soon.
Summery: When a plague sweeps though Camelot, suspicion runs rife though the city.
It had been weeks since the sword tournament had briefly disrupted Camelot. Life resumed rapidly and things got back to normal. Merlyn found her day full of duties for her Ladyship and errands for Gaius. As a result she barely saw Prince Arthur. The fact that both she and the Prince seemed to go out their way to avoid coming into contact with each other helped. She avoided eye contact if they passed each other in the passage way. If she interrupted a 'chat' Arthur was having with Morgana, he left the room quickly. She ignored the way he sent covert glances at her during the meals where she attended her ladyship. And if she found herself at one of the castle windows watching him as he trained his knights, she was only admiring the view.
That was what she was doing now from her vantage point at the top of the castles entrance. Below in the courtyard, Arthur was inspecting his knights. She was returning from running some errands for Morgana when she caught sight of them. The feelings she felt for a relative stranger confused her no end. After their encounter at the Champions Ball, her instinct had been to run and hide. It still was.
He was a jerk, no doubt about it. He was rude, arrogant and impossible. Yet he was also loyal, thoughtful and the bravest man she knew. His duty to Camelot came first above all else. When he was faced with impossible odds, he had faced death with his head held high. He had been afraid, but instead of accepting his seemingly imminent defeat, he had followed though to victory.
She was still standing there when he had dismissed the troops. But instead of following them, he turned back and headed toward the castle entrance, straight toward Merlyn. Taken by surprise, she had no time to hide or avert her gaze, before he looked up and saw her. His pace slowed briefly, before resuming its pace. He had caught her staring. Darn.
Embarrassed, she struggled hard to look away, but she eventually managed to step back out of sight. She had taken two paces back when she felt herself bump into someone hide her.
"Merlyn? Good grief child. Where have you been?" She had almost sent her Uncle flying, but before she could answer he waved her away. "Never mind that, I may need your assistance, some of the residents in the lower city have fallen ill. I need to investigate."
"Of course, Uncle." She replied dutifully, bracing herself as they stepped back outside. Arthur had made it up the stairs. He acknowledged Gaius, but ignored Merlyn for which she was half thankful, half indignant. No one wanted to be ignored after all.
She didn't see him look back after her.
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After they found the first victim, they soon found more. After loading the cart with the unfortunate men, she and Gaius pulled it though the castle grounds. An enthusiastic Glen had rushed to help, but fortunately Merlyn headed him off. She was not unaware of the crush the young man was developing for her. She tried to overlook it as he was the first friend she had made on her arrival and he was good fun, but she did not look forward to the day he made any attempt to pursue his interest.
They were examining the poor man in Gaius's room when Arthur knocked on the door. He looked uncomfortable as Merlyn opened it, but gave her a small, peculiar smile as if he was aware of how ridiculous the situation was.
"Sorry to disturb you, but my father wants to see Gaius immediately."
"Yes, Sire." She bowed her head slightly and he left. Closing the door she turned to her uncle. "Did you hear…?"
"Yes I did." He acknowledged still engrossed in his study of the body.
"Why didn't he just pass on his message himself?" She wondered aloud. The hierarchy in Camelot was another part of her new life she found difficult. In Ealdor there wasn't any one leader. Decisions were made as a village. Respect was given as it was earned.
"Because you and I are servants and that is the way it is." Gaius explained distractedly. "Now cover him up."
"I'm not your servant." She said teasingly. Since moving to Camelot she had come to know her long-lost Uncle well. They had the same dry sense of humour. Gaius originally had no idea how to tutor or interact with a sixteen year old girl, his own half sister being nearly twenty-eight years his junior. But he soon found a fondness for the child.
"No," He agreed, "You're my dogsbody!" Merlyn chuckled under her breath as she covered the body.
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After being summoned to the throne room Gaius was forced to speak an awful truth. Camelot was under attack by dark magic, its inhabitants falling victims to a vicious plague. Morgana released her from her duties so she could aid her Uncle. Together they studied the bodies, poured over the books and engaged in heated debates about magic.
"How could anyone use magic this way?" She asked disgusted. Magic had always felt so pure to her. She could sense it running though her veins, a constant reassuring force that made her feel grounded to the world. The thought of using it to harm in this manner was unthinkable.
"Magic can be corrupted by dark intentions." Gaius warned her, looking over his crooked glasses with serious, sad eyes. "People start to use it for their own ends."
"But not all magic is bad. I know that, I feel that." She insisted.
"Magic is neither good nor evil, Merlyn. It's how it is used."
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Merlyn was coughing as she went to fetch the water from the well, taking a large drink as she paused. It was too warm and dusty in Gaius's chambers; her throat had been parched all morning.
Taking the weight she carried the heavy pail back though the castle. She arrived back at the chambers to find the door wide open. Hurrying though the door, she saw two guards searching the chamber. Arthur and Gaius were conversing in the middle of the room. She announced her presence by dropping the pail on the top of the table beside Gaius.
"What's going on?" She asked concerned.
"We're searching every room in town for the Sorcerer." Arthur told her before turning back to the table. "What are all these books and papers?"
"My life's work dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read though them if you wish."
"Erm… What's that room back there?" He said, dodging the question.
"That's mine, Sire." She spoke up, taking a deep breath as he headed towards the little room. She was sure she had hidden the magic book…
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Arthur hovered on the threshold of Merlyns room. It felt more of an invasion of privacy when it came to people he knew. Not that he would ever be invited into her quarters of course. It was a small room comprising of a single bed, a cabinet and a makeshift desk. A small nearly burnt out candle sat on a pile of books acting as a bedside table. It was almost neat, as if she was a tidy person who had taken the day off. And going by the state of Gaius's room, they had been busy. He picked up a small book on her bedside table and was surprised to find small miniature drawings in it. There were people he didn't recognise in it and others he did. He recognised Gaius and Glen, Morgana, a few of the servants and the view from her window. There was an impressive sketch of Camelot that he lingered on for a minute. He stopped dead at the next drawing. It was of him, practicing his swordsmanship. He wondered if he really looked like that. Powerful yet graceful.
It made him sad to see her surroundings. There wasn't any sign of jewellery or fine clothes, no trinkets or flowers. It was as if she was just stopping over, but not making her mark. He looked around the room then left it quickly. She was back at the table pouring over a book, concentrating on the text. Gaius was eyeing the knights still going though his bookcases.
"How long do you think before you will find a cure?" He asked Gaius.
"Depends on how many interruptions I get." He said dryly. Arthur saw Merlyn smile and shake her head in silent amusement, her eyes never straying from the book.
"Of course. I'm sorry, we're finished here." He told his troops. He was just following them out the door when he heard a loud cough fit. He turned to see Merlyn reaching for a glass of water and slowly slipping it.
"Darn dust." She was muttering when she got her breath back. "I don't think some of these papers have been touched for years."
"I think your right." Gaius was telling her. Arthur just watched as the coughing fit was forgotten, hoping that the slight paleness of Merlyns skin was just the poor lighting. Arthur had noticed her frequent trips to the well. He had seen her whilst co-ordinating the search from the courtyard, the leaders of various patrols reporting to him regularly though out the day. Whilst Merlyn's skin did seem paler than usual, but her face remained devoid of the stark blue veins and her eyes remained sharp and clear. Maybe it was just the dust affecting her.
It bothered him that she could be infected. It also bothered him about how much he cared. Why did he care? He didn't really know her.
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Merlyn had been desperate to use her magic to help alleviate the suffering of those stricken by the plague. But it wasn't till Glyndwr had come begging for Gaius's help that she broke. She went to visit her friend and found him sobbing outside his father's room. She sat with them until both men had fallen into a light sleep.
"þu fornimst adl fram guman!"
Immediately the sick mans skin started to clear, the blue veins fading. She left the two men to their slumber, forgetting to remove the bundle from the sick mans bed.
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The next day, dawned early, and she got back to work researching with Gaius. Part of her was relieved that she could cure the plague, but not being able to help others was gnawing away from her. The headache she had was getting worse from all this stress. It was a relief when Gaius asked her to pass a message to the Prince. To escape the room was a blessing.
She found Arthur in his chambers, preparing for the day. Glen was there in a more cheerful mood than yesterday but luckily Arthur seemed too distracted to notice.
"Sire, Gaius wanted me to report that the emergency reserves do not seem to be affected. The samples we took a few hours ago don't seem to be carrying the illness."
"That's the first bit of good news, I've had all day." He sighed some what in relief. "But the reserves will only last a few more days."
"It buys us some time." Merlyn tried to reassure him. "My Uncle and I are going to the water supply. See if we can find any sign of what's causing this." She broke off with a little cough and cleared her throat.
"Are you ok?" Both Glen and the prince looked sharply at her as she recovered but she waved their concern away.
"Dust," She reassured him, although she had been feeling worse though out the day. She knew Gaius had noticed but hoped everyone else remained oblivious until she had time to check the magic book out and perhaps use the spell on herself.
"Alright," Arthur said, unconvinced. "Please let me know if you find something."
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It was whilst she and Gaius were under the city than Glen was accused. He was dragged from his duties and hauled in front of the King. Arthur watched with dismay and disbelief as his man servant was judged, found guilty and sentence in less time than it took to saddle a horse.
Despite having found the enchantment pouch, Arthur could not believe that Glyndwr was the sorcerer who had caused so any deaths. The man was begging as he was dragged out the room. No matter how much he and Morgana protested, Uthur was determined in his course of action.
The situation deteriorated when Gaius and Merlyn returned with news. They had found a magical creature in the citadels water supply and believed that was what had poisoned the water. Uthur still refused to relax his sentencing. After all, the creature had to have been summoned by someone. Glyndwr would be burnt in two days.
Merlyn had been devastated. She begged Uthur, told him that she had been in Glen's house the previous night, helping him with his father and had witnessed nothing. His father still refused to listen, pointing out that she had not spent the night and had been back in the castle in time for curfew.
What frightened Arthur most was when she 'confessed'. Merlyn told the King that she had used magic to save Glyndwr's father. His heart froze for a second in disbelief. Then he took a good long look at her and figured it out.
Merlyn was sick. Her skin was pale and sweaty, her breathing harsh. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were glazed with fever. He felt a knot in his stomach squeeze with dread at the implication. Merlyn was ill. There was no cure for the illness and she believed she would die. So she was going to sacrifice herself for her friend.
It had taken much persuasion but he and Gaius had managed to convince Uthur that Merlyn was sick and delirious. Uthur had been suspicious that the illness was affecting Merlyn slower than the rest of the affected, but Gaius confessed that he had tried a few potions on Merlyn which while slowing the progression of the disease, had side-effects and he had only a small amount. Merlyn was his guinea pig. It made Arthur slightly ill to imagine what the young girl was going though.
After escorting the pair back to Gaius's room, he went down to the dungeon to see his man-servant.
"If Merlyn was with you yesterday evening, why didn't you cure her too?" He asked the boy, a note of anger in his voice.
Glen had looked shocked at his words, rising to his feet.
"I couldn't cure anyone, Sire. I don't know how my father recovered. I don't know how that thing got under his pillow. I don't know who or what saved him. If I knew do you really think I wouldn't have cured Merlyn? She's my friend she means the world to me!" Glen was almost begging. And Arthur believed him. He knew that Glyndwr had strong feelings for Merlyn. The man turned into a fool when she was in sight (something that made him feel uncomfortable). He hated the sense of hopelessness that surrounded him as he left the dungeon. He had no idea what to do next.
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Gaius was fuming. He was so angry that she had been so stupid. She hadn't thought about the consequences until now. Glyndwr was going to be burnt at the stake and it was all her fault. Her Uncle was also mad because she couldn't risk curing herself. It would be too suspicious. It was a harsh lesson in taking responsibility. She only wished that no one else had, had to suffer because off her selfishness.
They didn't understand why the disease was attacking her so slowly compared to the others. Gaius's quick thinking had saved her in the great hall but the truth was that nothing was working. They decided it must be her magic trying to protect her. The books were getting her no where. In fact her blurring eyesight and sore head were making it hard to concentrate on the text. She knew of only one person who could help.
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"Hello." Her voice was weak but it still echoed throughout the cave. For once she did not have to wait for the dragon to appear, as he made himself known quickly.
"Hello." He settled on his usually outcropping. "So the young witch has returned. As I knew she would."
"I need to know how to defeat an afrac." Merlyn knew she had no time for small talk. Time was running out, for Glen, for her and for Camelot.
"Yes, I suppose you do." The great dragon agreed, looking at her with wise eyes.
"Will you help me?"
"You must trust the trust the elements that are at your command."
"Elements? What do you mea…?" her words where broken off as she started to cough, the sound unnaturally loud.
"You can not do this alone." The dragon continued sympathetically. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other."
"I don't understand, just tell me what to do." But the Great dragon had already taken flight.
"I already have." He shouted back before disappearing into the shadows.
"Oh great," Merlyn huffed, wiping her sweaty face before returning to the surface.
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It was back to the books, but after Gaius queried what she was doing, an idea soon formed. But she was not stupid she needed help. Gaius started to escort her to Arthur, when one of the Knights was rushed in severely injured.
"I will handle it." She assured him before leaving. She was breathing heavily by the time she reached the stairs and looked crestfallen at the sight of them. She started to ascend them when Lady Morgana appeared.
"Good lord, Merlyn!" she exclaimed reaching out to steady her maid but stopping herself from touching her at the last minute. Merlyn was unaware that her eyes where now cloudy and those much feared veins had started to show on her face. Although she knew it was spread by water, she was frightened to touch her hand maid.
"Are you alright?" She asked. Merlyn just shook her head a little before smiling weakly. "We have a plan to cure Camelot and help Glen, but we need Arthur."
"A plan?" She asked in delight. "Leave Arthur to me."
"Bring him to the courtyard." Merlyn told her. "I'll meet you there."
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True to her word, Morgana brought Arthur to the courtyard. He was also shocked by Merlyns appearance, but impressed by her ability to carry on. She led them deep into the citadels underground tunnels despite Arthur and Morgana urging her to stay behind.
"I know where it was last." She told them firmly, before taking the lead again. She kept one hand on the wall, letting her fingers run along the rough stone. She heard Morgana and Arthur bantering behind her but was more focussed on watching her feet. She knew that the prince was hovering behind her in concern, ready to catch her if needed. Instead of irritating her as such an action usually would, it actually reassured her.
They heard the creature first. A tense game of hide and seek followed, the creature finally attacking with a savage, roar and throwing itself at Arthur. He lost his sword but held the beast back.
"Use the torch!" Merlyn yelled at him above the creature's roars and summoned her strength. Hidden from view she whispered the incantation…
"Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan se wideor "
The wind rushed though the tunnels as commanded whipping around the prince and the creature with a high pitched rush of sound. The creature was consumed and vanished with a final, agonising cry. Merlyn slumped against the wall breathing heavily but already felt a weigh fall from her chest and smiled at the prince.
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Gaius had found the egg shells, Merlyn brought back. In fact he went a little pale when he saw the magical markings on him. He would only say he recognised the mark.
He went off in a hurry to the great hall. Merlyn did not know what transpired during the conversation but when he returned he told her that Glen was to be released.
The change in her had been remarkable, by the time Merlyn emerged from the underground, her eyes were clearer, now the hash blue lines where gone. She was tired and pale but no doubt on the mend. She rushed down to the dungeons in time to see Arthur and Morgana release Glen.
When she gave her friend a big relieved hug, she caught the Prince watching her and smiled gratefully at him.
"Thank you," She mouthed at him.
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'Thank you,' She mouthed at him. Arthur smiled back as he looked at her tired face, a face now devoid of the blue lines and cloudy eyes that had scared him only hours ago. She was alive, smiling at him. That was thanks enough.