*peeks ashamedly around the corner*
Hiiiii.
I can't believe it's been one MONTH since I last posted a chapter! I don't know how I could excuse myself! I really don't know what happened except that I suddenly was super busy at the beginning of the year than super lazy. And I also spent some time writing for my writing competition (if anyone wants to burn a candle for me or something...).
I recently received a real lovely comment from a Guest reader about, among other things, other dragonlords and what I can say is... That I won't say anything for suspense's sake! But I really wanted to thank whoever that was for that fantastic review that warmed my heart!
Anyway, thank you to everyone still here, I appreciate that so very much! And I really hope you'll enjoy the chapter!
See you!
Chapter 38:
For the third consecutive day, Gwaine was sitting on the ground, watching Merlin. And he had to admit that, yes, he was still bored. But he was not about to move. He could still feel the overwhelming fear that had flooded his veins after seeing the young man collapse.
To be honest, he still wasn't convinced that it was a good idea for Merlin to carry on with so little rest. He knew, however, how stubborn his friend was and that there was no way to change his mind.
It felt unnatural for him to sit around doing nothing: he was used to always being in the heart of the action, on the front-line for even the most dangerous plans. But here he was pretty much useless.
It felt even weirder in light of how confident Merlin was. It was clear to the knight that the young man was completely in his element and completely sure of what he was doing. Contrary to the previous two days, he wasn't constantly looking in a book to follow a recipe. He was just adding ingredient after ingredient like it was the most obvious thing to do.
And Gwaine didn't doubt it was.
Just as Merlin has warned him, it took the whole morning before the warlock finally straightened, transparent potion now in a glass vial.
"Is it done?" The knight asked, trying and failing to quell the excitement growing in him.
"Almost. Just need one final ingredient."
With this cryptic answer he joined the knight who was relieved to see that this time, Merlin looked perfectly fine.
He was about to ask which ingredient was needed when the warlock threw his head back screaming at the sky in the unique language of the dragon tongue. Even though he was used to it by now, it still made Gwaine shiver and in no time he could see the familiar shape of Aithusa approaching.
He grinned as he watched her first greet Merlin then come to rub herself against him like an affectionate cat.
He had never been a huge animal person but he was definitely an Aithusa one and therefore, carried on petting her, fingers rubbing the warm scales of her back.
Merlin kneeled in front of her, looking grave. It put Gwaine on edge.
"Do you know what I have to do?" He asked her.
The dragon nodded. Gwaine wanted to point out that he didn't and would very much like to but he felt that he shouldn't interfere in the moment.
He silently watched as Merlin dug a silver knife from his pocket. He would have protested if not for Aithusa's trusting attitude and the regret he could clearly see in her dragonlord. He wondered, however, what Merlin was intending to do.
The warlock seemed to notice his curiosity because he answered the unasked question.
"For the potion to be complete I need drops of dragon blood given willingly."
Gwaine felt slightly sick. He couldn't imagine himself harming such a creature, even less Aithusa, but he knew that there mustn't be any other solution if Merlin was doing it.
He flinched with the dragon when the knife pierced her skin, fat drops of blood welling up.
Merlin collected a few of them before releasing his hold on the dragon's pawn. The creature breathed on it and Gwaine could only stare amazed at the mended skin until the dragon put the leg down to nudge a bowing, thankful Merlin.
The dragonlord smiled, clapped his hands and pushed himself up.
"Okay, let's do this! You may want to step back."
The advice made Gwaine's insides knot. He knew what was coming and his worry came back full force. He stood up and hesitated a bit before pulling Merlin into a hug. He didn't know if he wanted to reassure the warlock or himself more.
"You better get this right." He said, trying to mask his moment of weakness beneath playfulness.
"Don't worry Gwaine."
And with a last smile he turned his back on them.
Gwaine had to fight to stop himself from reaching out to the warlock. He had a bad feeling about this. Instead he looked down at Aithusa who was eyeing him expectantly.
"Fine. Fine." He muttered and walked away from the stone circle.
He stopped when he reached the outer wall and turned back to see Merlin standing still in front of the stone altar.
"What's he doing?"
"Focusing his magic." Aithusa's answer made the knight jump slightly, making her chest rumble in nervous amusement.
He shook his head, keeping his eyes fixed on his friend. His heart was beating fast and hard?
Aithusa seemed to feel it because she stepped closer to him, the warmth of her body against his thigh comforting him.
In front of the watching duo, Merlin finally moved, reaching toward the enhancing potion. He hesitated for only a second before drinking it, quickly emptying the vial.
And the he promptly fell to the ground.
Gwaine's mind flashed back to the last time Merlin had collapsed and he cried out his friend's name, stepping forward without noticing.
Only to be stopped by Aithusa taking hold of his leg.
"Let go Aithusa! We've got to help him!" He cried out only turning towards her quickly before once more watching helplessly as Merlin's fists clenched and tears streamed down his face. "Please, Aithusa!"
The dragon shook her head.
"Can't. Ritual."
"Damn the ritual!" The knight angrily replied turning back towards her.
The fear and pain in her big eyes calmed him. He deflated slightly.
Both dragon and man turned their eyes back to their friend to see that Merlin had managed to take hold of the second potion. He drowned it too and this time he screamed as he once again fell down.
Gwaine felt Aithusa flinch as he froze in horror.
He had never heard anyone scream like that.
"Merlin!" He cried out, once more stepping forward.
This time Aithusa didn't stop him but followed him.
However, they were stopped only after two paces by an invisible wall. Gwaine pounded against it calling out to Merlin, not caring that he was hurting his hands.
He needed to get to his friend.
It was torture to watch his friend carry on screaming and screaming, writhing on the ground.
Fear and anger raged through him as minute after minute passed.
And then, seemingly out of nowhere, Merlin's head fell back and he cried out an incantation.
Gwaine felt a wave pass through him as he stumbled back, falling down and knocking his head on the soft ground, winded.
It took a minute before he managed to push himself upright only to see Merlin collapse in an unconscious heap.
"Merlin!"
He forced his body to move towards the stone altar but was too slow compared to Aithusa.
He watched the dragon leap towards her dragonlord. She used her jaws to pull Merlin out of the stone circle just as Gwaine reached it.
He fell on his knees and put a trembling hand against his friend neck as Aithusa whined, bumping against the unconscious man hip to wake him.
It took agonizingly long seconds for Gwaine's shocked-numb hands to feel the slow weak pulse of Merlin's heartbeat.
He let out a breath he didn't remember holding.
"It's okay Aithusa, it's okay, he's just unconscious." He tried to soothe, putting his hand on the dragon's head to stop her.
"He's in pain." She answered, moving to lie her head on Merlin.
Gwaine could see what looked like tears in her eyes.
The knight sighed before beginning to examine his friend to search for any wound. Thankfully, he found nothing bleeding but noticed Merlin was shivering.
"Come on Aithusa, we have to take him inside. He needs warmth." He said.
Aithusa took a long time before moving enough for Gwaine to be able to reach down and take Merlin in his arms.
The unconscious warlock groaned in pain as he was lifted and the knight winced.
"I'm sorry Merlin."
And then he made his way back inside, Aithusa glued to his side as she watched over her dragonlord anxiously.
They reached the makeshift camp and Gwaine slowly laid Merlin down, making sure he was comfortable before covering him with his blanket.
He was about to search for another one when Aithusa beat him to it and settled as close to Merlin as possible, extending one her wings above him as if she wanted to hug him.
Gwaine's shoulders fell. He reached out and slowly stroking the dragon's head where it rested on Merlin's shoulder, looking desperate.
He wanted to reassure her, to tell her everything would be fine.
But he wasn't sure he believed it himself.
So he turned to stroke the fire back to live before settling down on Merlin's other side with a sigh.
He had a feeling he was in for another long wait.
So? What do you think? As ever, I love to hear from you ;)
And once again, I am very, very sorry for the wait!