Riding back to Camelot was, in no lie, a ride that non of the knights forgot. Not only were there emotions spiralling out of control like a dragon from the sky but Merlin had become worse. A lot worse. His skin was now all but on fire yet he shivered as though he was in the coldest lands upon the earth. He muttered and murmured before screaming and shouting which would dissolve into whimpers before flaring up again. A common subject was his father who, in his slurred speech, he begged to constantly. "Don't hurt me!" He cried. "Please forgive me father!" He yelled as well. The boy on question was sitting in front of Percival as he was the only man able to stop Merlin falling off the horse when he convulsed. Oozing pus, yellow and foul smelling, crept out of his wounds, surrounded by stark red inflammation against his milky white skin. Sweat rolled off him in waves but they were freezing, like rain in winter. All the knights eyes were watery but only Gwaine had tears rolling down his cheeks however he did not make a fuss about it. He cried in silence. When Camelot came into sight, the knights cheered and urged their horses on faster. Like their masters, the horses were eager to return so were only happy to comply. And now, here they were.
Servants shouted in surprise, shock and fear as the knights sprinted past, shouting loud commands to move. At some point, Gwen tagged along, her beautiful blue dress trailing along the dusty floor. There! Gaius's door. They burst in to see Gaius ready to berate them until. He caught sight of his ward twitching and moaning against Percival's chest and sprang to work, ordering Percival to lay him onto the cot by the fire, Gwaine to gather bandages, Leon to go get some water, Gwen to put a cool cloth on Merlin's head with the small amount of water already in the room and Arthur to grab some potions from a shelf in the back of the room. Lovingly, Gaius stroked his wards hair. "Oh my boy, why is it always you?" Gwen looked at him, tears threatening to fall at the sadness on his voice. "I want you all out! No arguments, only Gwen may stay! He needs room and you're not giving it to him! Out!" Gaius's stern voice left no room for argument and, although Arthur wished to stay, it was Gwaine who led him by the arm out of the room. The agonising wait had begun.
Arthur paced furiously and winced when he hear Merlin scream for what seemed to be the millionth time. All the knights lifted their heads from their bowed heads. Placed in that position for the respect it showed. Servants who passed came bearing gifts of water, wine, ale and all manner of food; only the ale had been touched. Gwen had come out once, a lifetime ago, but was struck speechless by the sadness that donned her expression; she had not made an appearance again. Leon had taken Percival away, for the gentle giant had broken down into vicious sobs an hour after leaving the room. Leon had returned hours ago. Nothing was said; there was nothing to say. In the exhaustion that had fallen upon Arthur, he had, one time, imagined blood flowing from the door and now, he refused to look at the piece of wood as though it had offended him.
Merlin was in a world of pain. His very being writhed in fire whilst ice froze his insides slowly and painfully. Every movement brought pain and he knew there were people above him but he didn't think they were helping him as every action they did brought a tidal wave of agony. Weakened as he was he still attempted to fight. He would not let Morgana win! Exhaustion forced itself upon him yet he fought against it, knowing that if he slept he might not wake again. Somebody touched a cut on his chest, causing him to roar in pain and try to jerk away from the tormentor. He was aware that they were speaking to him but their words fell upon death ears and an uncaring mind that couldn't hear them from the pain and wouldn't hear them from stubbornness. Where was Arthur? Why hadn't he come? Merlin was terrified that Arthur was dead, couldn't find him or, what if...
He didn't want to?
Surely he would of come by now? It must be a mistake and with one final scream of pain and one final thought , Merlin fell unconscious. Blissful oblivion.
Hi guys, sorry for abandoning you! I did a long chapter just for it as well. Hop just a question, would anybody like to do an art piece for this? Maybe Merlin in his vigilante suit? I dunno, just a general question.