Chapter 4: The Poisoned Chalice.
Authors Note: Ok. So here's the fourth episode. This was a long one and as before I have skipped large bits of the episode out. This is because I like the episodes as they are I just would like to change some of the characters and their relationships, not the individual stories themselves. I have to slightly rework quite a few scenes but the story stays the same. Thank you for reading, any comments and encouragement are greatly appreciated. So when you've read, please hit that handy review button and let me know what you think.
Summery: When Lord Bayard of Mercia arrives in Camelot to finalise a peace treaty, a plot develops leaving Merlyn near death and Arthur on a dangerous quest.
The atmosphere was tense in Camelot. After years of hostility, the day had come for Camelot and the neighbouring territory to sign the long awaited treaty. Merlyn stood beside her ladyship and watched the Mercian reception approach the castle. Not far way on the same balcony, King Uthur and Prince Arthur observed the convoy, talking in hushed tones. A lot of hard work had gone into this treaty; it had been the conversation around the castle for weeks. Again the citadel had been dressed up and beautifully displayed.
When the men descended down to welcome the procession, Merlyn was dismissed to finish her chores. She had been asked by Glen to mend Arthur's ceremonial coat as the man servant had a great deal of difficulty with sewing and darning. Once he managed to sow an entire length of sleeve to his cuff. Although this had amused his master, he had managed to ruin a fine coat and Arthur had made him swear to never attempt needle work again.
She packed her sewing kit away and gathered up the long fabric. She absently rubbed a hand over the fine material, and then looked down at her own scratchy work clothes. The contrast was humbling. She left her room and returned to the main palace. Passing though the corridors of Camelot, she was almost sent flying by one of Bayard's maids. Poor Cara was mortified. A shy, bumbling girl, a few years older than herself, she apologised profusely as Merlyn helped her pick up her load.
The rest off her journey passed safely and it wasn't long before she ended up at the Princes door. Knocking on the entry to the Princes quarters, she was surprised to hear the man himself grant her entry.
Swallowing slightly she entered. The uncomfortable feeling she got around Arthur hadn't worn out with time. It was the same if not stronger. Although she was sticking with her avoidance plan, he seemed to have relaxed around her, trying to engage her in conversation or witty banter.
"I have brought your robes, Sire." She told him, moving toward the bed. She was so busy laying out the clothes she jumped when Arthur seemed to appear next to her and lift one of the sleeves.
"This is very good stitching, Merlyn. No wonder Morgana is endlessly praising you." He seemed to frown and again before she could move, he caught one of her wrists. There was a long, fresh scratch down one of her fingers where she had accidently pricked herself.
"I had no idea stitching was so dangerous." Arthur told her turning her wrist to see her punctured fingers. Although her work was tidy, Merlyn was known to curse her way though rows of stitches thanks to her uncanny ability to find her fingers with the working needle on a regular basis.
"Perilous." She agreed with a straight face. "Do you mind?"
"What?" Asked Arthur, finally looking at her face and blinking in surprise. He had been unaware that he was encroaching on her personal space.
"Can I have my hand back?"
"Oh," He said in surprise, noting that he still had her wrist in his hand and dropped it at once. Merlyn was taken aback by the mild blush on his face.
"You may need that." He fired back, covering his embarrassment with banter. He turned and strode away, putting distance between them.
"They do come in useful," She bantered.
"Will you be attending Morgana at the feast?" He asked
"Yes, Sire."
"Have you suitable attire."
"The Lady Morgana has instructed me." She answered, waiting to be dismissed from the awkward conversation.
Arthur seemed to want to continue the conversation when the door flew open and Glyndwr, his manservant, charged in at speed. Again Merlyn was almost knocked off her feet.
"Glyndwr!" Arthur shouted, frustrated as Glen then apologised rapidly and repeatedly to Merlin who could only laugh at the déjà view. It wasn't only Arthur's attentions that made her uncomfortable. Not that Arthur was in any way attracted to her! Heavens, but Glens full blown crush was still in over-drive.
He dumped the pile of clothes on the table, sending a cloud of dust up in her face. Again Glen went bright red in embarrassment as Arthur laughed out loud at the flurry of sneezes that came from Merlyn, which broke the uneasy tension of the room.
"Goodness! When's the last time these were cleaned?" She asked picking up the trousers, noting with some relief that they weren't in need of mending.
"Last year before the Feast of Beltane. I'm guessing." Arthur replied with a disapproving look at his manservant.
"Wasn't that the one that ended in a food fight?" Glen asked oblivious to Arthur's reproach, as he sorted the items.
"Don't all feasts?" Arthur asked rhetorically, looking at Merlyn who had started to back toward the door. She froze in space, aware that she had not been dismissed. She chuckled quietly at the question but answered anyway.
"I wouldn't know. The airs and graces of the court are a mystery to me."
"You've never been to a feast?" Glen asked astounded.
"We didn't have the type of celebrations you have here in Ealdor. Besides I've only been here a few months." She pointed out reasonably.
"Your…"
"Yes, Glen." Arthur interrupted frustrated. "Merlyn will be coming to the feast. She will be waiting on Morgana, you will be attending me and you are charged with making sure my cup doesn't run dry. If I have to spend the evening listening to Bayard's boring speeches, I don't see any reason why you should escape.
And there he was. Back to his impatient, arrogant, prattish self. Merlyn thought, feeling irked on her friends behalf.
"Now do you want to see what Glen is wearing tonight?" He asked Merlyn, mischief written all over his face. She could actually see Glens face pale.
"No, Sire!" He protested, frantically.
Arthur just grinned in response. "You might as well, Glen, she will see it tonight."
"See what?" She asked warily, not impressed with his tormenting of poor Glen. But despite her self she was curios as to what had put the mortified look on her friends face.
"He will be wearing the official ceremonial robes of Camelot's servants. But your right Glen, we shouldn't spoil the surprise." He was almost gleeful.
"Sire, I'm sorry I'm due to attend Morgana and I should really get going." She got out before the conversation deteriorated further.
"Of course. You're dismissed. See you tonight."
As she escaped the room she could hear Glyndwr's plaintive whine.
"You can't be serious!" And despite her self chuckled.
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After she had got her Ladyship prepared for the ball, Merlyn had hurried back to her room to freshen herself up and change her dress. Morgana had leant her one of her old dresses that Merlyn had altered to make a suitable outfit for the feast that evening. She had spent a few hours pulling the fabric apart and merging it with another of Morgana's cast-offs. The skirt was Camelot red with minimal frills and no lace. She wore an off white, long sleeved shirt and a red kirtle, which loosely tied up the front. She had used a length of linen as a makeshift belt and also another piece to tie her braided hair. Her hair was then twisted up on top her head out of the way. Some of her rebellious locks immediately slid themselves loose but thankfully stayed away from her face. It was a dress be-fitting her station. She looked presentable but could not hold a candle to the Lady Morgana. She smiled wryly at her reflection before leaving the room.
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They hadn't sat down for the feast and Arthur was already bored. He understood the immense importance of this treaty and that tonight had to go successfully, but Lord Bayard was not known for his stimulating conversation and the fact that any communication was tense and every word carefully throughout, did not help matters. Both parties were understandably wary.
There was the usual stir as Morgana entered the hall. His fathers ward was as usual, absolutely bewitching, dressed in a rich blue which reminded him of Merlyns eyes. He shook the thought away, aware that he should not be paying attention to a handmaiden's eyes. Then his eyes landed on the handmaiden herself and for a second he was entranced. She was not dressed in the same finery as Morgana, but she had obviously taken care in her appearance. She looked good in red. Her hair was braided and twisted off her face, revealing her innocent, wide eyes as she took in the decoration of the hall.
Because he was watching her, he could tell the moment she had spotted Glyndwr. Her eyes widened and seemed to bulge, her jaw went slack before she snapped it shut and swallowed the laugh her saw in her eyes. She'd shaken her head in amusement before looking around the hall. She stopped as she found his eyes on her and shook her head again at him as if in admonishment. He just smiled back smugly, unapologetic.
He made his way over to her side of the room toward Glen who stared mutinously at him. Glen was also wearing the Camelot colours, with the coat of arms proudly on display. And a big red hat. One with enormous fluffy feathers making the monstrosity appear three times bigger. He did feel a bit mean, making Glen wear the full outfit, but he wasn't going to examine why he wanted to make Glen look like a fool in front of Merlyn.
"Glen, Merlyn, you are both looking rather stunning this evening," he said, voice full of humour, but sending an admiring glance at the girl who was stunning for an entirely different reason than her friend. Glen was being his oblivious self and trying to ignore his master. This was his way of telling Arthur that he was upset with him. It rarely seemed to work as he did not have the ability to stay mad at people for long.
"Thank you, my Lord." Merlyn muttered, demurely, blushing prettily, before excusing herself to see to Morgana.
As Arthur engaged yet another Mercian in conversation, he saw Merlyn being accosted by one of Bayard's maid and after a few words leave the room.
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He stared in disbelief as she crumpled, folding down on herself like a paper doll. The moment of panic in the frightened eyes that met his, froze him to the spot.
It had happened so quickly. Merlyn had rushed back into the hall and taken the goblet from him, accusing the visiting Lord of trying to kill him. He had watched as swords where drawn and insults hurled across the hall. He had been afraid for her. Fear, which that had quickly turned into horror when his own father ordered her to drink from the suspect goblet. Arthur had tried to defuse the situation, ordering Merlyn to apologise. Morgana had also stood up for her handmaiden, but on his proclaiming that he would taste the wine, a resolve had appeared in Merlyns eyes. Before he could do anything, he watched her sip the wine though trembling lips.
For a moment nothing happened. A flicker of relief flooded though him. But as fast as it had come, it disappeared. Merlyn held her throat with one quivering hand; a horrid, choking sound emerged from her mouth, her breathing increased. She had looked up at him, fear in her eyes and collapsed, as if someone had cut her strings. For a second no one moved. Then guards seized Bayard and disarmed his men, the King was shouting out orders.
He reached Merlyn first, shaking her slightly, trying to rouse her, seconds later he was pushed aside by Gaius who spoke her name urgently and then gently pulled back her eye lids to look at unseeing eyes. What ever he saw must have scared him.
"I need to get her to my chambers…" He had barely finished speaking before Arthur had swooped down and lifted the girl into his arms, cradling her close to his chest as he strode quickly out of the room. He heard Gaius tell Glen something about the goblet, but hurried along the corridors, aware of the court physician scurrying behind him. She was slight in his arms, so fragile and lifeless, like a broken butterfly. He could both feel and hear her harsh, shallow breaths as she struggled to breathe. Turning down yet another corridor, he risked a look down, to see her half open eyes watching him blankly, her face flushed with fever and her mouth opened, pulling air past already parched lips.
Glen suddenly appeared, running from behind him and opening the door to the physician's chambers.
"Put her on the bed quickly," Gaius ordered him, eyes fixed on his niece. "Glen, fetch me some water and towels."
"Is she going to be alright?" Arthur wasn't aware that Morgana had followed them. He carefully set Merlyn down on the straw bed, moving the poor excuse for a pillow to position her head gently. He could feel the heat emanating from her. He was in shock at how fast the poison was running though her system.
"She's burning up." He told Gaius, his voice thick with worry. Turning, he saw Gaius studying the goblet, his expression intent. He gave a small exclamation and carefully revealed a petal, stuck on the inside if the goblet.
"What is that?" Arthur asked, leaving Merlyns side to get a better look at the weapon in disguise. Gaius has already dragged one of his heavy volumes off the shelf and was racing though the pages,
"It's a petal of some kind…" he mumbled scanning the pages. Arthur looked back at the patient, and saw that Morgana had started to sponge the ailing girl's forehead and head in an attempt to cool her.
"Her brow is on fire!" She told Gaius worried. Glen crashed though the door with more water and linen. Morgana tore the water from him and continued to tend to her handmaiden, as Gaius instructed her to try and keep Merlyn cool.
"The petal is from the Morteaus flower. It says that someone poisoned by the Morteaus can only be saved by a remedy made from the leaf of the same flower." Arthur listening intently as Gaius read the passage out loud. "It is very rare and can only be found in caves, deep beneath the forest of Balor. The flower grows on the roots of the Morteaus tree."
Under the passage was a drawing of a rather vicious creature with sharp teeth and a forked serpent tongue. It did not look like a beast you would want to mess with.
"That looks particularly unfriendly." He told Gaius who nodded solemnly.
"The Cockatrice. It guards the forest. Potent venom, one drop means certain death. Few who cross the mountain of Isguard in search of the Morteaus have made it back alive."
Arthur thought for a moment before his eyes flickered over to the sick bed. Merlyn was still giving little gasps as she breathed shallowly. He face was frowning, lined in pain, her flushed cheeks betraying the heat coursing though her. He had to do something. She was lying there suffering because of him, because she had been protecting him. She had believed that the goblet contained poison. And knowing that swallowed the wine anyway. There was really no choice.
"Sounds like fun."
"Arthur, it's too dangerous." Arthur turned around, but his angry retort was restrained by the tortured look in Gaius's face. He had forgotten that Merlyn was the old mans niece and ward. Nonetheless he needed to know…
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlyn?"
The physician looked pained but answered the question. "The Morteaus induces a slow and painful death. She may hold on for three, maybe four days but no longer. Eventually she will die."
He heard Morgana gasp in shock behind him, a crash as Glen no doubt knocked something over in his own horrified surprise. As for himself, he felt the bottom of his stomach drop and something squeeze hard in his chest. He looked back at Merlyn. The girl he had been teasing, laughing with only that morning was now fighting for her life after saving his yet again. And if he did nothing, that beautiful, gentle, kind person, would pay the ultimate price. He tore his eyes a way from her, meeting the older mans gaze for a beat before striding out the room with purpose.
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Pacing the floor of his chamber, Arthur tried to get a hold of himself as many different emotions and thoughts assaulted his troubled mind. He was angry, so very angry. And hurt. He felt guilty. The talk with his father had not gone well. And although part of him was disgusted with what the King said, a small part had to acknowledge that he had a point.
He was his fathers only child and heir. On Uthurs death he was to ascend to the throne. If he died, Camelot would be left to be fought over and the people would suffer.
"So her life is worthless?" He had asked his father angrily, disgusted with his attitude towards the girl who had saved him, and not for the first time either.
"No, It's worth less than yours!" His father had told him, mercilessly.
What really bothered him was that Merlyn had obviously felt the same. She believed her life was worth less than his and drank from the cup. It highlighted the way he treated the palaces servants. Most he barely acknowledged. Glen was his permanent manservant, and it was hard not to like the boy who was so eager to please. He hadn't known Morgana's previous handmaiden at all.
Merlyn had come into his life in a most unusual fashion. She had come from another place, had little understanding of the social order of Camelot and therefore spoke to him in a way no other servant would dare. She was respectful but often let her mouth run away with her, especially when he had wound her up.
"She saved my life. I can't just stand by and watch her die."
"Then don't look. This girl won't be the last to die on your behalf. You are to be King. It's something you will have to get used to."
He couldn't accept that, and told his father as such. This had led to an exchange of furious words, with Arthur forbidden to leave the castle. Tiring from his furious pacing he walked to the fire place and started into the flames. A knock disturbed his thoughts, and he turned towards the door. Morgana stood in the doorway. For a second he feared the worse but then she gave a small brave smile and joked.
"Say what you want about the food, you can't beat the entertainment."
"How's Merlyn?" He asked, ignoring her comment and looking back at the reassuring flames.
"Dying."
He closed his eyes at the reply. An image of Merlyn as he'd last seen her flashed though his head, the flushed cheeks, the shallow breaths and the pain in her glazed eyes.
"Father has forbidden me to leave the castle." He confided, swallowing past a thick lump of regret and frustration. He heard Morgana step closer to him and reply with force.
"Sometimes you have to do what you think is right and damn the consequences." She told him earnestly. Arthur pushed off the fireplace mantle to face her.
"You think I should go."
"Does it matter what I think?
"If I don't return, what happens to Camelot. There is more than just my life at stake." He walked to the window and looked out at the darkness. "If there wasn't I would be halfway there already." He added quietly.
"What kind of King would Camelot want?" Morgana asked, getting his attention. "One that would risk his life for a lowly servant…Or one that does what his father tells him to."
Arthur looked at the sword in her hand, the one he had thrown down when he had stormed into his chambers. He took it from her and smiled.
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Gaius was increasingly worried. Although Arthur had only been gone a day and would have only just reached the forest, Merlyns condition seemed to be deteriorating faster than he expected and Uthur had been furious when he'd discovered Arthurs absence and the young prince was in for a tongue lashing on his return.
"She's getting hotter." Glen told him still faithfully tending to his friend. Gaius felt for the young boy, he was head over for heels for his niece, but Gaius knew that Merlyn could only consider him a friend and that his attentions were making her uncomfortable. At that moment his attention was drawn back to her as she started murmuring and whispering. He hid his astonishment as she started to whisper in the language of the old religion. She was not saying any enchantments, but words and phases which she had only just learnt. It reinforced his belief that Merlyn was more than the average sorcerer.
"What language is that?" Glen asked as Morgana knocked on the door and entered. She went to her handmaiden's side and gasped at the heat emanating from her forehead.
"None." He answered Glen. "The fevers taken hold, none of these words are her own."
He told her hand and rested his fingers on her wrist. Alarmed at how fast but thready her pulse was. Then he noticed something on her forearm. Twisting the limb around, he examined the raised raw bumps with alarm.
"The rash isn't supposed to appear before the final phase of the illness, he fled to the book and scanned though the page. "It says here that once the rash develops, death will follow within two days.
"You said she had four!" Morgana exclaimed. "Arthur won't be back til tomorrow at least."
"Something has accelerated the progression of the poison, increased the potency. The book says that effects will be more rapid, if an enchantment is used during the preparation."
"Bayard's no sorcerer." Morgana told him, confidently.
"No." Gaius agreed, as Morgana wondered who could have done this.
"It can't have been." He mumbled. He paled as an explanation occurred to him. "She wouldn't dare come here…Unless…What happened to the girl?"
"Which girl?" Morgana asked.
"Just before Merlyn accused Bayard, she was talking to one of his servants."
Glen suddenly spoke up, "I remember, dark hair, very beautiful."
"Find her." Gaius ordered. Going back to his patient and sweeping a hand over her forehead. "Quickly."
"Hold on, Merlyn," Morgana whispered to her handmaiden. "Just a few more days, then Arthur will be back. Don't make him bare Uthurs wrath for nothing."
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Arthur followed the young servant girl though the dark tunnels, his arm ached from the heavy landing he took whilst fighting the Cockatrice. It had taken him all night to reach the forest and his mind was never far from Camelot. His father would be furious at his disobedience and there would be hell to pay. He wondered how Merlyn was doing. Before his swift exit from the castle he had visited Gaius's chambers to look in on her. Even in those few brief hours he could see the change in her. She was not aware of her surroundings. He had watched as Morgana had loosened her kittle, now drenched with sweat and tried to control her fever by sponging her with tepid water. Occasionally she would let out a low moan of pain as they moved her, her body listless. He needed to hurry.
"There they are." The girl tore him from his thoughts pointing slightly upward to the opposite side of the small cavern.
And sure enough there, hidden amongst the thick tree routes, rock and earth, a few fragile flowers had managed to grow. The tunnel they were in opened up slightly and an outcropping of rock almost spanned the width of the cavern. Beneath them, darkness swallowed the bottom, He had no way of knowing how far down the crevice went, but he had no desire to find out. He asked the girl to stay back and slowly crept further along the outcropping. It was a fair distance to the opposite ledge and his attention was focussed on his feet and the unnerving crumbling of the outcrop. He didn't hear the sinister chants behind him until he turned.
Gone was the wounded, frightened maid. Instead was a sneering, confident woman with malice in her eyes directed at him, a delighted smile on her face as he felt the rock under him lose stability.
"What are you doing?" He shouted as he felt the rock give. Quickly he twisted and threw himself at the opposing ledge, sliding down the rocky wall until his hands found enough rock to hold him.
"I expected so much more." The hateful woman was still sneering at him, obviously disappointed he had not fallen to his death.
"Who are you?"
"The last face you will ever see." There was a strange hissing sound beside him, he turned to see a giant spider, close to his hand spitting at him.
"Seems we have a visitor…" She told him gleefully. But she was again disappointed as Arthur managed to dispatch the creature, sending it down into the shadows. He heard no impact and shuddered to think how deep the chasm was.
"Very good." The sorcerer mocked, "But he won't be the last. I'll let his friends finish you off, Arthur Pendragon." That shocked him. How did this woman know his name? "It is not your destiny to die at my hands." With that statement she turned and started down the tunnel away from him, taking the light with her.
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Merlyns world was pain and heat, jumbled words passing though her mind which had no meaning. She occasionally heard voices she knew where familiar but could not respond to. There where moments of great colour, then terrible darkness. Every part of her hurt. It hurt to breath, to think, but she knew she had to hold on for as long as she could. Even though this impermeable fog she knew something else was wrong. A link, a bond so new but still strong held her to the mortal plane. And though it she could sense that he was in trouble. He was…
"Arthur…" He was in the dark, he was trapped and afraid. He was in danger. "Arthur…" she called out, unknowingly stirring her uncle from sleep. She could here him in the background, his soothing voice a comfort, but she needed to help Arthur.
"It's too dark…too dark." Without thought, words she had not uttered herself passed her lips. She felt the magic ignite within her. Beside her mortal body, Gaius watched fascinated as she summoned an orb of white and blue light in her hand.
Miles away, a similar, larger orb appeared next to the princes head.
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Arthur had not been very surprised to find himself locked up in the dungeons, but he was impatiently waiting for his father, or someone to come to him. Again he had ridden though the night. He had not slept for days and he knew that in another room of the castle, Merlyn was still fighting for her life. And he had the means to heal her, tucked safely in his pouch. Finally his father descended into the dungeons. He was beyond angry. Arthur could see it in the tightness off his jaw and the deadly calm tone of his voice. His father was a man used to being obeyed, he was livid at his sons act of defiance.
"You disobeyed me." He told Arthur calmly, yet disappointment dripped off every word.
"Of course I did," He answered. "A woman's life is at stake. Father, please don't let Merlyn die for something I did."
"Why do you care so much?" Uthur asked angrily, his calm mask slipping as he challenged his son. "The girl is just a servant."
"Merlyn knew the danger she was putting herself in. She knew what would happen if she drank from the goblet and she did it anyway. She saved my life. And there's more." Uthur turned to listen to him at that. "There was a woman at the mountain, she knew I was there looking for the Morteaus flower…I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison me."
"Of course it was." Uthur interrupted him angrily.
Arthur saw he would not get anywhere with his father and was all too aware of time passing by. Time Merlyn did not have. He needed to get the flower to Gaius. He carefully removed the plant from his pouch and gave it to his father.
"Gaius knows what to do with this…Put me in the stocks for a week; a month…I don't care. Just make sure it gets to him. Please father, I am begging you."
He could never have believed his father capable of what he did next. His next action and words damaged something between father and son perhaps for ever. Arthur could not have believed his father capable of such cruelty, and he would not forget it. He looked at the fragile moment for but a second then crushed it in his gloved hand.
"No!" Arthur cried but he was too late. No Merlyn! He looked at his father with such disbelief and horror, it made something in the King shift uncomfortably. His son was appalled by him.
"You need to learn that there is a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're let out in a week." King Uthur left the dungeons without a backward glance.
Arthur stared at the crumbled flower on the flood outside his cell. He flung himself on the floor and stretched out. Again reaching for the Morteaus flower.
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Gaius was getting desperate. He had heard that the prince had returned but Uthur had order him to be arrested. He had no idea if Arthur had been successful…and Merlyn was so weak. Her clothes were drenched with sweat, her colour a horrible grey and her breath loud, gasping breaths as her airway was compromised. She did not have long left.
"She hasn't got much longer," He told Morgana as she entered the room "Did Arthur get the flower?"
"I don't know. Uthur won't let anyone into see him." She told him, worried and angry at her guardian's stubborn pride. "Is there nothing we can do?"
"Only the leaf of the Morteaus can save her." Gaius said unhappily, pacing.
"I'll sneak into the dungeon." Glen declared standing up and starting toward the door.
"That would be dangerous, Glyndwr." Gaius warned him, putting up a token protest.
"I have to. Merlyn will die if I don't."
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Arthur had never been so glad to see Glen in his life.
"I can't possibly eat this, you idiot. It's not fit for anyone!"
A little play acting and the flower was on its way to Gaius.
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Gaius started at the potion in deep thought before looking around him. Morgana had been summoned by the King and he had sent Glen for water. He nervously picked up the bowel. His wary eyes landed on his niece and he knew he had no choice. Mumbling the almost forgotten words, he was surprised when the potion bubbled and fizzed. He hurried over to Merlyn just as Morgana returned and with her help coaxed the mostly unresponsive girl to drink a few sips of the antidote. They lay her back on the bed as Glen returned, fresh water dumped on the table as he approached them.
Morgan gasped in disbelief. "She's stopped breathing."
Gaius immediately checked her, laying his head over her head as he listened desperately for a heart beat. A moment passed and he sat back in shock.
"Her hearts stopped beating."
"She's dead?" Glen asked collapsing to his knees beside the bed.
"She can't be." Gaius muttered in shocked disbelief, staring down at his niece, "This can't be…her destiny…"
"It's my fault…" Glen said distraught, "if I'd gotten here sooner, if I'd been quicker."
Morgana let out a sob, shocked by the unfolding event, staring at her handmaiden who was becoming rapidly a friend and confidant.
"No, Glyndwr…The fault is mine." Gaius comforted the younger man, "I should have taken better care of her…" Morgana wrapped an arm around the grief-stricken man.
Caught up in their grief neither of them noticed the patient stirring until she spoke,
"Next time, remind me to skip the wine." All three head snapped to the bed where the occupant was watching them with suddenly clear eyes and a cheeky if tired smile.
"Oh my girl…you're alive!" Gaius laughed as he knelt down beside his niece and grabbed hold of her hand in sheer delight.
"I'm a ghost come back to haunt you." She teased him, a wicked glint in her eye which caused Morgana to laugh.
"You're alive!" Glyndwr repeated, in shock. Unexpectedly he leant forward and gave her a peck on the mouth, causing her to blink in surprise… "Sorry," he immediately apologised going red. "But you were dead…we thought you were dead."
"I'm not that easy to get rid of…" Merlyn joked, tiring fast.
"Easy!" He uncle repeated incredulously. "There has been nothing easy about the last couple of day's child; you have taken years off my life!" Despite his words he was overjoyed to be bantering with her, when only minutes ago she had been lost forever. As it was she was tiring fast now and he needed to see the King.
"What happened anyway?" She was asking "I remember taking the wine…and that's it?"
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Whilst Gaius had gone to the King, Morgana went down to the dungeons with purpose. One person needed to know that Merlyn was recovering. That going against his father had not been for nothing.
"I'm here to see the prisoner." She told the guard firmly.
"I am sorry, my lady, but the prince is to have no visitors…Kings Orders." The guard told her regretfully.
"Just one minute, please…" She begged "It's important."
"Morgana?" Arthur had heard her and was calling to her. The guard seemed to deflate slightly and gestured her pass quickly. She smiled gratefully and moved to the cell quickly. Arthur was already at the bars. There was something anxious about his expression which troubled her but she put it to the back of mind.
"Merlyn?"
"She's alive…The leaves worked. Barely. For a moment we thought….but she is recovering. Gaius says she will be fine."
"Thank God," Arthur muttered, relief painted all over his face. The guard behind her cleared his throat. She had, had her minute.
"I have to go. You saved her life, Arthur. Thank you."
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It was the next morning when she last saw him, on the battlements where Bayard and his men were marching away. He and Uthur had been up all night smoothing the ruffled feathers of the Mercian Lord and explaining the plot which had almost brought them past the brink of war. It was an uneasy peace. But it was peace nonetheless.
"Ok, let the bragging begin…" She teased, eager to get the serious look off Arthurs face. He looked troubled and deep in thought as he stared out over the courtyard.
"I'm not sure." He said, surprising her. "All I do know is that I had help. Someone knew I was in trouble and sent a light, to guide the way."
"Who?" She asked perplexed by his answer.
"I don't know. But I'm only here now because of them." He told her honestly. He was clueless to whom or what had saved him, but he knew he had gotten very lucky."
"I'm glad your back." Morgana told him, sliding a hand down his upper arm and smiling enchanted before stepping back and returning to the castle.
Arthur found himself talking with his father about the strange woman, He was not an idiot and he knew his father was keeping something from him. And although it was clear Uthur was trying to make some amends, he could not forget the way he had cruelly crushed that fragile flower, the last fragile hope for Merlyn. Glyndwr had told him just how close it had been. How they had all believed that Merlyn had passed away briefly. Glen had also confided that he had kissed Merlyn…that he felt like an idiot because he had started to realise that Merlyn only saw him as a friend and now he was too embarrassed to look her in the eye. Arthur tried to ignore the part of him that was angry, jealous even, that his manservant had kissed the handmaiden.
He left the balcony and headed toward Gaius's chambers. He had yet to see Merlyn, having been tied up in explanations all night. He passed Gaius in the hall way as the older man when to deliver various potions. The court physician took the chance to thank him yet again for retrieving the flower. Gaius felt indebted to him. He reassured the man that he owed him nothing, that it was the least he could do as Merlyn had been poisoned protecting him. He spoke to him for a few moments longer before they went their separate ways.
He stood in the doorway and watched her. She was sat with her back to the door, her long midnight black hair hanging loose down her back. Wrapped in a blanket and sipping from a cup, she looked beautiful. Alive.
"Still alive then." He said, watching as she jumped and half turned to face him, giving him a beautiful smile.
"Erm…Yes…just about. I understand I have you to thank for that." She said. Her voice was music to his ears. The knot that had appeared the moment she had drank from the goblet, finally relaxed and disappeared.
"Yes, well it was nothing. You have no idea how much Morgana would have complained if she'd had to find another servant. I was only dropping by to see if you're alright"
"I'm fine. Back to work day after tomorrow. Morgana insists she can do without me for another day."
"That's good. I should leave you to rest." He turned to leave but her voice stopped him.
"Arthur." He turned to see her stand up and move toward him. He watched as she stopped in front of him and gave him a small shy smile. "Thank you."
"You too," he told her honestly, knowing he would never forget the sacrifice she had made for him.
She smiled again, and then reached up, on her tiptoes. She was intending to kiss his cheek, mirroring his own thanks after the sword tournament. She was not expecting him to move his head, ever so slightly. Instead of meeting his soft cheek, her lips landed on his own. She blinked in surprise, frozen, then her eyes slid closed after his. She felt his hand glide up her arm, until his hand was cupping her jaw, his fingers dancing over her cheek. Unbeknownst to her, her right arm had slid between them and now her palm rested over his heart, steadying her and burning though his shirt.
It was the most innocent and purest of kisses. Their lips resting against each other, barely moving until Arthur increased the pressure slightly, moving his lips a bit firmly before breaking the kiss and stepping back. Merlyns eyes snapped open and found his, a deep blush over her cheeks and neck. His own cheeks were warm, the lingering feel of her hand on his chest burning him as if he were branded. He watched her in amazement as they both swallowed, relieving dry mouths at the same time.
"I'm so…"
"Don't" Merlyn interrupted. Not wanting to hear an apology. They shouldn't have done that and they both knew but she didn't want to hear him apologise.
"I should go…" He said walking backward towards the door. He reached it and turned back at her, a helpless expression on his face.
"We're O.K." Merlyn assured him, smiling weakly at him.
"I'll see you around." He gave her his own amazing smile before leaving the room quickly.
Merlyn made her way back to her seat and sat. Putting her fingertips to her lips she replayed what had just had just occurred. It was not her first kiss, but it had been the most amazing one she had ever experienced. And it was with the one man she had no business kissing. But at that second, recovering from another near-death experience…She decided to savour the moment.
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Thank you to all those who have made it this far. The next update may take a while but I will be updating. I also have a chapter of my own (not an episode rewrite) which I want to fit in to this story soon. All comments greatly appreciated.