Daily Interference Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Hope

Here is a funny story before I start writing. It's that funny (or scary) I had to share it with you guys. I was sitting here trying to open up Microsoft Word and it wouldn't open. I panicked so bad thinking I would be able to write my story properly. Thankfully I managed to get it working again, and it's a bloody miracle!

Would also like to say I am sorry that I have took so long to write this chapter and I have two or three more chapters on this story (small weep!). Anyway here is the next chapter and enjoy!

MERLIN

Merlin was hurting. His body was becoming weaker and he was losing his strength, his magical strength. Even that couldn't save him now. He felt hot, too damn hot. He felt like he had every fluffy blanket and duvet, all his own clothes, the prince's clothes and even the kings clothes all piled on top of him. His mind was cloudy, his head hurt. His right shoulder was on fire with pain. He wanted to wake up from his half conscious state, he wanted to cool down, his fever unbearable. He wanted one of Gaius' potions to make the pain go away, but Gaius had seemed to give him the best that he could give.

Suddenly, the boys mind started to cloud over. He couldn't think, he couldn't feel. He couldn't hear any sounds that he was listening to around him. He couldn't hear Arthur. Was he even there? His ears seemed to have popped and his mind was almost blank with darkness. He fought it, and fought it, trying to stay in the brink of consciousness, but even that had other ideas.

ARTHUR

The Prince of Camelot had been grounded in Gaius' chambers while he 'rested'. The old physician had told a little white lie about how exhausted the Prince was after everything he had gone through, and only made it fair that he got the rest he needed and to be near him in case the Prince needed him.

Arthur had been trying to keep Merlin cool in his fitful sleep. The well-used cloth was placed damp over his manservants hot scalp as he squirmed, face retorted in pain. Merlin's long fingers clenched and unclenched.

"It's a good sign sire." Gaius said, watching Merlin as he sorted out his things for his rounds.

"How is it a good thing?" Arthur asked, taking the cloth, dipping it in the water and placing it back on his servants forehead.

"It means he is fighting, Arthur." Gaius smiled. Arthur sighed and rested on his head in his hands. After a long moments pause, he spoke, still not looking up at the old man.

"He's very brave." Arthur sighed. He looked up at Gaius then, finding him placing his heavy leather bag down on the wooden table.

"Arthur my child, Merlin is very brave. Even though he is far too clumsy and idiotic for his own good," Arthur chuckled softly at that comment before Gaius continued, "He will do anything when it comes to people in need of help. He just doesn't seem to notice when it is him that needs help."

"What you mean?" Arthur asked, suddenly interested at Merlin' stupidity.

"He doesn't seem to know how many people are willing to help him in his time of need." Gaius explained. Before Arthur could reply to Gaius, Merlin started to thrash around gently.

"Shush Merlin, sleep." Arthur said, as he dampened the cloth again.

"Arthur." Merlin whispered hoarsely. Arthur froze, Merlin had talked.

"Merlin?" He asked, patting the boys' uninjured shoulder.

"He just panicked, sire. He must have been only just conscious, and now it seems he's going back to sleep." Gaius said while he examined his ward. Arthur's heart dropped just a little.

"Sire, you should go rest, Merlin wont wake up yet, he's too exhausted." Gaius sighed. Arthur hesitated, not really wanting to leave his best friends' side. "Go on, Doctor's orders."

"Okay, you win. See you in a few hours." Arthur stood up, stretched his back before walking out of the physicians' chambers.

There was no way in hell he was going to rest. Instead, he had a few people to see.

MORGANA

Morgana had heard that her half brother, and her best friend were back from wherever they were taken to. She wanted to go and see Merlin, to make sure he was okay, but had thought otherwise, Merlin would be exhausted. Guinevere had left her not long ago to make her Lady a new dress with beautiful silk Morgana had chosen in the market that morning.

The King's Ward was going to go for a stroll before dinner with the King. Maybe she would pop in and see how Merlin was then and pick up a sleeping draught at the same time. That was when there was knock on her door.

"Enter." She said in her most sweetest voice. The door opened and the most deliberate sound of feet scuffling on the ground came trudging in.

"Arthur." She rushed forward and embraced him, which he returned straight away. "How are you? I was just going to wait until dinner, see if you turned up. I thought you would be resting."

"Morgana, I'm fine. Gaius shooed me out of his chambers while he looked after Merlin." Arthur explained.

"What's wrong with Merlin?" Morgana asked, a frown forming in her pale face. Arthur looked down, and Morgana immediately saw the look of despair written across his face. Then the death glare appeared and Arthur had to stop himself from backing away. "Arthur. What did the bas- evil man do to him?"

"He-He sent a spell to Merlin an-and he-he tried to skin Merlin!" Then his voice softened. "Luckily the stupid boy just caught the brunt of it."

"Luckily? How badly injured is he?" Morgana asked.

"Just his right shoulder, back to front. He's resting. He will recover. Might take some time though." Arthur said.

"And of Prince Twat, what remains of him?" Morgana asked.

"Last I seen, he was with his castle when the- when it burnt down." Arthur nearly forgot that Morgana didn't know Merlin's secret.

"Burnt down? Well that's what he gets, playing with fire, he gets fire." Morgana hissed, mostly because of what Ex-Prince Stephen of the North East had done. Arthur bowed his head slightly and turned to leave.

"Do everything you can for Merlin." Morgana called softly, making Arthur stop. He turned around and looked at her with a smile on his face.

"It is not I that has done everything I can." With that, he left, leaving a puzzled Morgana behind.

Still confused, Morgana narrowed her eyes. What had Arthur done this time, that is making him smirk so widely? She had to find out right now! She crossed he room, blowing out an only candle, determined to reach Gaius' chambers before dinner.

GUINEVERE

Gwen was getting ready to serve dinner tonight with Morgana and the King. She sighed as she tidied her house up, ready for her return. Would Arthur be there tonight? Everyone in the town of Camelot knew that his servant and himself were back, but he hadn't been to see her yet. Of course, he wouldn't have. He would have a lot of catching up to do. Things such as sleep and duties that needed to be attended to. He couldn't just stop everything for a serving girl like her.

Outside, night was settling in. The sound of birds in the forest tweeted and talked amongst each other, waiting for the final set of sunrays to sink beyond the greying mountains. Gwen loved sunsets, beautiful things they were.

A knock sounded at her door. Surprised by the knock, not really knowing who it might be at this time of day, she stayed back from the door, her fists clenching in…fear? Was she even afraid.

"Wh-who is it?" She asked.

"You're Once and Future Prince." A familiar voice said. Guinevere laughed and strode across to open the door.

"Don't you mean Once and Future King?" Gwen asked, amused.

"Yeah…that." Arthur chuckled.

"Is there anything you needed?" Gwen asked, letting the Royal into her home.

"No, well, um, yes, no." Arthur stammered.

"Arthur, you are as bad as me. Stop stammering and spit it out." The maid laughed.

"No, I just came to see you, to tell you that we're back and well, we're both resting." Gwen looked at him suspiciously.

"Yeah, looks like it." Gwen smiled.

"Yeah, I'm not the one who is resting."

"Just Merlin, then?"

"Yes." Gwen frowned.

"Is he okay?" Gwen asked.

"He's recovering."

"What's happened? What's wrong? Arthur, tell me!" Gwen panicked.

"The Visiting Prince was a bit of a bully. A little bit of serious damage, but Gaius is healing him. He should be better by next week." Arthur smiled. "I have to go now." Arthur turned to leave.

Gwen smiled, here in front of her stood the Future King that everyone was going to love. He was nothing like his Father, in fact, quite the opposite. She could sense a lot of things were going to change when it was his turn to rule.

"Arthur." Gwen stated, and Arthur froze once again, like he did in Morgana's chambers. He turned around smiling.

"Yes, Guinevere?" He smiled sheepishly.

"Arthur. It's Gwen, how many times must I say that?" Gwen smiled. Arthur shrugged, his teeth beginning to show in his smile. The serving girl strode up to him and pressed her lips against his. Immediately she felt the Prince relax. When she broke the kiss, Arthur opened his eyes, showing the dreamy sort of mist inside of them. A smile brightened his face, making the same sort of smile appear on Arthur's.

"Take care of Merlin for me." Gwen whispered. Arthur nodded, embracing her in a hug, planting a soft kiss upon her forehead.

"I'll always look after that crazy buffoon." Gwen laughed.

"You never change, not even after a kidnapping." She stated, earning a laugh from the Prince.

"Some things will never change."

"But some things do." Gwen smiled. That's when a cold breeze shifted through the house, making both of them freeze in unexpected fear. But it wasn't fear. No, it was stronger than fear, sending a chill down Arthur's spine.

"I have to go." Arthur said.

"Bye Arthur." Gwen smiled. Arthur nodded and headed swiftly out the door.

ARTHUR

Arthur began to run once he was in the corridor leading to the Court Physicians' chambers. Something wasn't right and he had sensed it.

That was when he heard it. The cries, the whimpers, the quiet, muffled screams coming from inside the wooden door. Arthur gulped, not sure what to expect. Pushing the door open, he walked quietly inside the chambers. His eyes widened at the sight of Merlin, who seemed not to be breathing. He walked quickly towards his friend. He hadn't noticed Morgana was the one who was screaming into Gaius' embrace.

"What's wrong with Merlin, Gaius?" Arthur's voice was barely even a whisper.

"The exhaustion is taken a toll on him. He's not going to live, sire." The was a very long pause. The shock of it all, it wasn't sinking into Arthur's brain.

"But…but he can't die. He's…Merlin. He never dies." His words broke off into a broken whisper. "He never dies."

"I'm sorry sire, but he will be gone by morning." Arthur looked up at Gaius and Morgana at last. With a stern voice, a single tear escaped his blue eyes.

"He never dies."

Merlin took a shuddering breath.

Oo, a bit of a cliff hanger, eh? Hey… how did um, Arthur and Gwen go, I'm not good at the kissy sort of stuff, but it seemed almost a need to put in. Did I do it well, or do I need more work on it. (I think we both know that answer!)

But hey! Look, it's a long chapter because you have had such a long wait. So here you go!