Hello my dear readers!
So, this chapter is propably one I was very worried about because... Well because of the point of view. If asked, I probably couldn't tell you where that idea came from. It just happened. I hope that you won't be disapointed and that you will like this idea. I can't wait to have your feedback on it. Like really. (also because I'm kind of worried that you're becoming bored of this story. I swear it will go somewhere.)
I'm also a bit sorry for the relative lateness of it. The fact is my mother broke her arm so I have to assume her many roles. That and I'm also suffering a bit from the back and ear and had to go to the doctor and so on...
For next chapter I'm afraid you will have to wait another 2 weeks as next week end will be really busy for me (between other I'm going to see Linkin Park live !) but I will hopefully have time to write in the train (I swear trains are just the best place ever to write).
Anyway, enough talking. Just a thank you to everyone who's reading this and to my Beta! Love you all!
Enjoy!
Chapter 3:
When the lone rider crossed the entrance of the castle, Alice thought nothing of it. Messengers were a usual occurrence.
She kept going, walking back towards her modest house in the lower town as quickly as her old bones would allow.
Once there, she began preparing a remedy to ease the terrible back pains the seamstress' daughter was experiencing, being eight months pregnant.
She had just finished the incantation for the small enchantment in it when there was a knock at the door. She bid the person to enter and was happy to see Martha come in.
Alice was always glad to see the young serving girl as she had a soft spot for the kind woman who would always come with the latest castle gossips.
Today looked no different and she seemed unusually excited about the news she brought, bouncing back and forth on the balls of her feet.
"Alice!" She cried out enthusiastically.
"Good afternoon Martha. How are you today? You look excited." Alice noted.
The young woman nodded.
"You saw the messenger? He came from Camelot! And he had a message from the queen herself! She said they were looking for a new court physician and it made me think of you. Didn't you say you had lived there when you were younger?"
Alice stilled at the news, her heart beginning to beat far too quickly in her chest.
They're looking for a new court physician…
Why? Did something happen to Gaius? Or had he just finally decided to retire?
Alice prayed for the latter to be true but she couldn't shake the doubt that took hold of her mind.
He hadn't written to her in the last few months… In fact, she could hardly remember the last time she had received a letter from him…
She had presumed that he was being kept busy with all that she had heard happened in Camelot…. But what if it wasn't that?
"Did the queen say why they are recruiting?" She asked, her voice sounding frail, even to her own ears.
Martha frowned, looking concerned.
"I… I don't think so no… Alice, are you alright? You look pale. Maybe you should sit down for a moment…"
Alice let herself be guided to a chair, feeling numb as dread began spreading in her veins.
Almost immediately she shot back up again and went to her closet.
"Alice? What are you doing?"
"I must leave for Camelot at once!" The older woman answered.
"But… You can't leave us like that… What about us? We need you and your knowledge!"
Alice stopped mid-movement, feeling guilty for abandoning the people that had so kindly taken her in when she had fled Camelot.
"I'm sorry Martha… Truly, I am… But I'm quite sure you'll be able to cope without me and I promise I'll come back as soon as I can but I really have to go…"
The young woman still looked at her with tearful eyes but nodded in resignation.
"Fine… But at least don't leave before I can get you some food and supplies for the journey."
Alice smiled softly. She would miss her young friend.
"Thank you Martha."
The six next days were torturous to Alice as she rode alone towards Camelot.
Her mind was in a turmoil of contrasting emotions ranging from freezing worry to the conviction that she was being stupidly paranoid and was probably risking her life for nothing and would be scolded by Gaius for it.
At night, she found herself reminiscing about her time with the physician, thinking back to the time when they were both young and impatient to explore the world. She remembered their shared dreams and passion for knowledge, not only magical but also scientific and historic.
And just before settling down to sleep she would let herself dream of continuing this life. She and her beloved once more reunited in Camelot. This time with nothing between them and all the time they needed now that Gaius wasn't court physician anymore.
Maybe they could even travel a bit, go to the sea like he had promised her all those years ago.
And when she finally saw the white castle looming in the distance she couldn't have described her emotions anymore. It was a confusing mix of dread, happiness and sadness warring with each other without winner.
She resisted the urge to spur her tired horse faster but instead kept on riding peacefully until she reached the lower town.
She forced herself to remain calm as she passed the guards at the entrance of the citadel, hoping they wouldn't recognize her and throw her directly in the dungeons.
Thankfully, they let her pass with nothing more than a blink of their eyes and she found herself in the square courtyard. She dismounted and tied her horse to one of the wooden pole erected just for that purpose.
She easily remembered her way into the castle and quickly arrived in front of the old wooden doors leading in the physician's room.
She stopped for a moment, her heart thudding almost painfully in her chest, then she raised her hand to knock.
A few more heartbeats and the door opened to reveal a young, blond haired man that she had never seen before.
"Good morning." He greeted politely with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
Alice cleared her throat.
"Hello. I wanted to see Gaius, the former court physician." She asked, trying to peer over his shoulder and into the room.
The boy in front of her frowned, looking sad.
"Don't you know? Gaius passed away ten months ago." He announced and Alice could have sworn she felt her heart shattering into tiny pieces that ripped painfully through her core.
She didn't realize she was shaking and gasping for breath until the young man took hold of her shoulders to steady her.
"Hey, hey." He said, sounding a little bit panicked himself. "Calm down. Breathe deeply… Come inside, you look like you need a sit down."
He forcefully led her to an old chair and made her sit, placing her head down between her knees. The physician in her recognized the position and knew she had to force herself to steady her breathing.
Which was easier said than done.
The still unknown man then began rubbing soothing circles on her back and she fleetingly thought he might have some medical training.
This went on for long minutes, during which Alice finally began calming and noticing the tears that were running down her face.
"What… What happened?" She finally croaked, voice low.
The boy shifted on his feet, looking uncomfortable.
"I… I probably should get Lord Merlin… He would be more able than me to tell you… Can I leave you here for a moment?
Alice's mind was reeling. Lord Merlin. Just how much exactly has she missed?
She nodded and he left her alone. She heard his running pace fade quickly.
She took the opportunity to observe the room, trying to stop her tears. She noticed the small differences, how the room now seemed a bit more organized, the lack of books scattered everywhere.
It felt despairingly empty instead of homely like the last time she had been there.
But it was still obviously used by a physician if the drying herbs and medicinal scent was any indication.
She felt so confused.
It couldn't be more than ten minutes later before she heard rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor and she forced herself to sit straighter.
A second later and the door opened to reveal the boy she remembered as Merlin, Gaius' young ward that the physician had loved as a son.
But it was obvious the boy had changed. His face and body looked more mature, a man now. He came to an abrupt stop, shock overcoming his strong features, his blue eyes widening for a second before being shadowed by a deep sadness that echoed what Alice felt.
"Alice." He breathed and she was shocked to hear how strangled his voice sounded.
He seemed to shake himself and entered the room, the man that had welcomed her following him.
"It's okay, Luke, you can go." Merlin said, his voice still sounding off from what she remembered. "I'll handle this."
The younger man nodded and left, closing the door after him.
"Merlin." Alice finally answered and she didn't know what exactly she was feeling at the moment.
He slowly came to sit down in front of her, looking at a loss for words, eyes unreadable.
Part of her wanted to pity him but a more important part of her needed answers.
"Is it true?" She asked, her voice thankfully only slightly shaking. "Is he really… Dead?"
She saw him flinch visibly as his gaze fell back down to stay on his hands. He took a deep breath and nodded.
"What happened?"
Merlin tensed, shoulders going rigid. He had to clear his throat several times before he began speaking, talking to a point somewhere over her left shoulder, but with vague eyes, lost in memories.
"He… He was imprisoned… The last time Morgana took control of Camelot… With two other knights… But… They weren't given enough food or water… His body couldn't… Couldn't take the strain…." Merlin explained quietly, eyes filling with tears that he blinked away.
Alice felt her shock and sadness renew, thinking of Gaius, starving, dying, alone, abandoned, in one of Camelot's cell. One thing he had always feared.
And then anger replaced those feelings.
"And you?" She asked, sounding bitter but refusing to be sorry for it. "Where were you?"
Merlin's eyes snapped to her, pupils widening and, if possible, she thought she saw his muscles freeze even more.
His mouth opened once, twice, before closing with a small noise. His eyes fell to the floor once more and she saw a tear fall down on his cheek.
"I…" He croaked, his voice rough as if he was crying. "I was forced to run away with Arthur… He… He needed my protection."
"And Gaius didn't?" Alice asked, her voice cutting like a knife.
A voice that sounded strangely like the dead physician's told her she was being unfair but she refused to listen to it. Merlin had been Gaius ward, he should have protected the old man before a young man that could easily enough defend himself alone, king or not.
The shock silence spread for a long time before Merlin finally opened his mouth to talk.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" He whispered, his voice weak and shaky.
So what do you think? Alice is back!