Thanks for reviews, follows and favourites. :) Still hoping I don't dissapoint you all- I always feel like I am, so...
Anyway, Chapter 8 and I think there'll be about 10. So we're nearly there.
'Merlin?' The doors to the throne room were open, and within seconds of entering the great hall, all eyes clapped on the shivering, hunched figure of their friend, holding for dear life the throne and clawing at the wood.
'Help! She's fighting through again. I held her off but she's getting too strong...' The next part was barely audible but they all heard it anyway. '...or I've gotten too weak.'
Arthur was by Merlin's side before anyone could react, he pulled his friend from the awkward position he was laid in and pulled him against his body. Merlin's back arched into the front of Arthur's body, his head laid into the crook of his neck, fighting the pain through clenched teeth. Arthur could feel the heat of his friend, he was burning up trying to fight off the witch, yet he shivered. This had gone too far, he grabbed Merlin's wrists, not wanting to let him go for a 3rd time. He didn't even realise he was crying along with Merlin until Gwen put her hand on his arm and squeezed slightly.
'I don't want to have to burn him again. I can't do it Gwen, I can't hear him in agony again!' He looked up into Gwen's eyes, which were also flooded with tears, shaking his head, his bottom lip quivering with the strain to keep himself from crying more.
'I...I...' Gwen began, but couldn't finish. She crumbled down next to Arthur and Merlin, kissing the latter's forehead and stroking his hair. She looked into his eyes, those bright blue eyes which were now clouded with fear and pain, and gave him her beautiful, genuinely caring smile, the one that always made him feel better. She doubted it would work, but didn't know what else to do. To her surprise, he calmed down and returned the smile, lifting a hand to her face and stroking her cheek. She turned into the touch and kissed his hand, however sweaty and warm it was, she didn't care.
They all jumped when they heard movement from the doors, but were quickly relieved to find Gauis and Leon heading towards them. Gauis' hands were full of bottles, herbs and other ingredients, whilst Leon's were full of books and scrolls.
'This is everything we could find about the mark, we'll...' Gauis didn't finish his sentence.
'He needs something to block Morgana. She's forcing through and I don't want to have to hurt him again!' Arthur had interrupted Gauis, but didn't care, right now, the quicker they worked, the quicker this was over, even if it was full of awkward silences.
Without saying a word, Gauis was placing a number of herbs and coloured liquids into a bowl and mixing them. Having separated a small amount from the rest, he looked up to Merlin.
'I need a bit of your blood Merlin. Not much, just a few drops.' The slight nod from the raven haired boy was enough indication to get on with it. He moved over to his young ward and held his hand over the bowl. Cutting a slit on the palm of his hand, he allowed a small trickle to fall into the mixture. 'Wrap something around that please one of you.'
As Gauis mixed the bloody soup, Gwaine tore away a piece of his tunic and wrapped in carefully around Merlin's hand. No gasps escaped his lips; 'Oh god,' he thought, 'Merlin's been through so much pain he doesn't even respond to it anymore.'
The mixtures were ready, the one not containing blood was rubbed onto Merlin's wrist, right over the rune marks tattooed there. They glowed faintly, but nothing near as much as when they were branded.
'Is that it?' Percival was watching with an open mouth as Merlin let out a small gasp of pain.
'Sire?' Gauis seemed cautious now.
'Yes Gauis?'
'The next part will cause Merlin to fit, so you are going to have to hold him. It won't be violent but you need to make sure he can't move his hands. Hold them if you have to.' As if in response, Arthur moved one hand to Merlin's but found his other already taken. Looking up, he saw determination in Gwen, and both her hands clasped tightly over Merlin's. She nodded at him before turning to Gauis.
'Do it!'
Gauis poured the blood mixture into Merlin's mouth and told him to drink. Elyan noted that drinking blood wasn't good for a person and would do more damage, but was responded with an explanation that the way the remedy worked, it did not reach his stomach, but was instead absorbed...' though he shall be ill later.' Gauis finished.
Just as Gauis had said, Merlin's body began to spasm and by the time the last drops were swallowed, his entire body was seizing. His back arched, with his head digging into Arthur's shoulder; he was also trying to pull his hands free from the grasps of his King and Queen.
'Gauis? You didn't say why we had to hold his hands?' Gwen's voice was shaky, full of fear and worry.
'Morgana will be feeling the same effects as Merlin, though she won't be as greatly effected. For a short time, the wall in their minds will be broken and she will come through completely. But Merlin won't regain consciousness whilst she is, so the only way for her to rebel is through the magic...due to his impediment and the seizing of his body, the only way she'll be able to do so is through his hands. As soon as she can do that, she's through and has complete control of him. So I repeat M'Lady, DO NOT LET GO!'
Both Gwen and Arthur tightened their grip on their friend. 'Blimey Arthur, it don't mean you have to break his fingers.' Gwaine laughed but it was only half-heartedly, he wanted to grab his friend too and make everything go away.
This was when the rune mark began to glow. The light emanating from it was brighter than it had ever been before, and still growing. The blue that reflected Merlin's eyes was gone, and had been replaced with a gold, a gold that resembled the burning sky on the clearest and most beautiful sunsets Camelot had witnessed. It was like the trophies and relics found in the safes of the kingdom, dazzling and majestic, yet brought fear to those who looked upon it. The light blanketed Merlin, moving over Arthur, Gwen and Gauis, before wrapping like the cold hands of mist around the brave Knights. It filled the room, all were blinded and could not see their hands just inches from their face. Windows shattered and screams could be heard, but- for once- not Merlin's. Morgana's!
A pulse rippled through the light, the screaming stopped, everything became clear and Merlin's body stopped seizing. He laid still, his face dropping so it lolled on Arthur's chest, blood dripping from his nose.
'You can let go now.' Gauis nearly whispered. Although the time was over, neither Gwen nor her husband let go, though they loosened their grip a little.
A cough left Merlin's lips. He was wheezing slightly from the effects of the last few days but, shockingly, colour returned to his face and he sat up as if nothing was wrong. Gwaine ran forward and cupped Merlin's face, looking into his eyes.
'You ok buddy? Talk to me.'
Merlin looked up and locked eyes with Gwaine, it was like he had not seen the knight for days, or had not seen the world for days either.
'It's nice to be out of that prison. It's like I could see things but, I didn't really see them. Like I was looking through another's eyes.' He closed his eyes and lowered his head, and was met with Gwaine's forehead on his.
'Well you are free now my friend.'
'Where is she?' The fear in Merlin's voice had completely vanished, it no longer shook, but was full of anger, hatred and all could tell how set he was that this was ending now!
'We told the guards to keep her in the cells. She should still be down there now. What I want to know is where the hell is everyone?'
'I sent them away. I told them to head down to the lower town. I didn't want any of them getting hurt.' And with that, he stood up, albeit shakily, and headed towards the door. 'Stay away!'
All eyes were on Merlin as he left the room, turned the corner and headed, head held high, towards the cells. But, much like many in Camelot, the group did not listen to advice and followed a few paces behind.
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'I think we should respect Merlin's wishes.' Gwaine had barged in front of the group and was blocking the door.
'Since when have you given a rat's ass?'
'I just think...this is Merlin's moment. And if he doesn't want us around, whatever the reason, we should respect that.'
'Ok. But I am sitting right here in case he needs us. The second I feel he's in trouble I'm in there!' Arthur sat down on the cold slab floor outside the dungeons, pulling his knees up to his chest. The others followed, all with anxious features etched onto their young faces. Young faces who now looked too old for their years.
Oooh...Morgana's gonna get it! She's in trouble! ;)