Yeah, so I know I had decided for a weekly Tuesday updates, but... You were all so sweet in your reviews (those and the chocolate ice cream with marshmallow cream and caramel swirls were the best medicine I've had this week!) There is a practical reason for this update though. I am taking a printmaking class this semester, and our newest assignment is going to take A LOT of out-of-class work, so I am not sure I would be able to make the Tuesday update. I also am the discussion leader in another class one day this week, and I am about half an assignment behind in my pre-calc (I'm starting to understand why I was stressed out enough to get shingles). News about that: it's getting better. The real medicine has helped to make it hurt less. Mainly now it's just scabbed over blisters on my neck that I'm sure are going to leave annoying scars. :/
Any way, after being such a bitch with that cliffhanger last chapter, I figured I'd be nice and not do it again. XD And you get a longer one, cuz there was really no good place to end this one (this is the part of the story that was all in one HUGE chunk. I still have one more piece of this part left. :/)
But, enough of my ramblings (kudos if you read that all).
A blood chilling wail rang through the room, accompanied by the shattering of glass.
Arthur jumped, spinning to find Col struggling to escape from Gaius' grasp. His eyes were wide with confusion and betrayal, tears streaming down his face. Pitiful whimpers and whines fell from his lips as he fought free of Gaius' arms, sprinting across the room, ignoring the shards of glass shredding the bottom of his feet.
Arthur just had time to realize that every vial and jar on Gaius' work bench had shattered, before he found himself with an armful of a sobbing, shaking Col.
He noticed the trail of bloody footprints tracking the floor, and he hurriedly picked Col up. "What did you do?" he asked quietly, striding back across the room, avoiding the glass and sitting down on the cot, placing Col in his lap.
Gaius was still crouched on the floor, the bowl the paste had been in shattered beside him. He stared at Col, his eyes wide with shock.
"Gaius," called Arthur. Gaius shook his head, looking at him. "He has glass in his feet."
Gaius scrambled up, snatching a tool off the bench and coming back. "Hold him still. This is going to hurt."
Arthur wrapped his arms tightly around the boy as Gaius grabbed the first foot. He slowly began to dig out the shards of glass. Arthur pressed Col's face into his shoulder, muffling the boy's screams. He gently ran one hand up and down Col's still bare back, muttering soothing words at him.
By the time Gaius had finished extracting all the glass, Col had screamed himself hoarse and was lying limply against Arthur's shoulder. His chest still heaved with gasping, broken sobs.
Gaius went to retrieve some clean bandages to wrap his feet in. Arthur gently pushed Col's face back, taking in his red, puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. His features were still clouded with betrayal and confusion. His bottom lip quivered as he looked up at Arthur.
Arthur felt his heart breaking.
"I'm sorry, Col," he whispered. More tears sprung to Col's eyes. Arthur gently wiped them away. "I told you I wouldn't leave, didn't I?"
He was surprised when Col nodded in response.
"Well, I try to be a man of my word. I'm not leaving."
A small flicker of hope sparked in Col's eyes.
Gaius returned and gently washed the blood from his feet before wrapping them up. He had gotten most of the burns covered in paste, and he wrapped them up too, before tugging Col's trouser leg back down. Col leaned against Arthur as exhaustion took hold of his frail body. Arthur continued to hold him as his eyes began to droop.
Held him until he drifted off to sleep.
Arthur picked him up and stood, gently lying Col down on the cot. Then he surprised both Gaius and himself when he began to help Gaius clean up the glass.
"I don't understand what happened," said Arthur, staring at the shattered jars and vials, their contents oozing onto the floor.
Gaius averted his gaze. "I can't explain it, Sire," he muttered.
Arthur set about sweeping up the glass, while Gaius began to sop up the spilt potions and salves.
"Gaius, I am confused," Arthur suddenly blurted out.
"About?"
"I have been treating Col good, trying not to scare or hurt him. But he seems to be getting more frightened of me by the day," said Arthur sadly.
Gaius sighed. "He seems to have been abused before?" Arthur nodded. "It is possible you are the first person to have treated him kindly. He is not used to it, his mind cannot comprehend the idea that someone can be nice to him without an ulterior motive. He probably fears when you will begin to treat him as the others have."
"I would never," cried Arthur.
"I know that, Sire," soothed Gaius. "But he doesn't. Not yet. He does not trust people. And I do not think you could blame him. I am sure he will learn that not everyone is the same as the monsters that have owned him, but at the moment, pain and punishment seems to be all he knows. He will come around."
"He will?" asked Arthur hopefully.
Gaius paused before answering. "We can only hope so," he answered.
With the two of them, it didn't take long to clean up. Arthur returned to the cot, sitting down on the edge and brushing Col's hair back off his forehead.
Gaius walked over, pulling a bench up and sitting near Arthur. "Prince Arthur, perhaps it would be better for you to leave while he is still asleep."
Arthur shook his head. "No."
"Sire?"
"I'm not leaving him." Arthur sighed. "I can't." He could feel Gaius' stare boring into him. "I can't explain it, but I just.. know that I am supposed to help him."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gaius nod slightly. "Very well, Sire. If you'll excuse me, I need to go get some herbs to remake my supplies. I will prepare some things for you to take with for Col."
Arthur nodded, his eyes never leaving the boy's face. He heard Gaius get up and leave.
"What are you doing to me, Col?" he asked quietly, breaking the silence of the last few minutes. "My father is not going to like me disobeying him." Arthur stared at the face, peaceful in sleep. "But you know what, I don't care. I just feel that I am to be here for you, to help you get better. I don't know, maybe it's my destiny," he chuckled slightly, staring down at his lap.
A small knock at the door startled Arthur. He looked up to see Morgana's maid, Guinevere, standing just inside the doorway.
"Sorry, my lord," he said hurriedly. "I heard talking, and I thought that Gaius, well-"
"It's alright, Gwen," Arthur cut in, knowing if he didn't, she would continue to ramble. "Gaius just went to fetch some supplies. I'm sure he'll be back soon."
Gwen nodded, stepping further into the room. She noticed Col lying on the cot, her brow furrowing slightly. "Who is that?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Arthur glanced back down at him. "I… rescued him," said Arthur, which was mostly the truth. "In the forest. He doesn't speak. I don't know if he can't or just won't. I don't know his real name, I just call him Col."
Gwen gasped as she stepped closer and saw his sunburns. "He must have been out there a long time," she said quietly. Her eyes scanned the leather collar, but she decided not to ask. She raised her gaze, taking in his long, matted hair.
Arthur followed her line of sight. "I'm not sure how to cut it," he said truthfully.
"I could help," offered Gwen, eagerly. "I mean, that is, if you would like my help, Sire."
Arthur nodded. "We will have to see how he reacts around you. He's a bit skittish," he explained. Gwen nodded, eyes wide. "But I can't see him being too scared of you," Arthur finished with a small smile.
Gwen returned the smile, looking back down at the boy.
Gaius walked back into the room, a little surprised to find the maid there. "Ah, Gwen, my dear, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"I just came to fetch the sleeping draft for the Lady Morgana," said Gwen.
Gaius' face fell. "Oh dear, I shall have to make one up quick. I had a mishap earlier and knocked over all my potions," said Gaius, the lie falling from his tongue easily.
"Oh," said Gwen, looking at the almost bare work bench. "Shall I wait then?" she asked.
Gaius nodded. "I shall do my best to hurry," he assured.
"Col," exclaimed Arthur.
Gwen turned back to find the raven haired boy slowly waking. She was startled when a pair of deep blue eyes locked with hers. Slight apprehension filled those eyes.
Arthur followed the boy's gaze. "Col, this is-"
"Hello," said Gwen, stepping forward, just slightly. "My name is Guinevere. But most people just call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid. Well, you probably don't know Lady Morgana. She's the King's ward. She really is very nice. I think you would like her if you met her. Or when you meet her. Arthur tells me your name is Col. Well, maybe not your real name, but that is what he calls you." Gwen's eyes widened suddenly, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Sorry, I'm rambling," she apologized, a sheepish grin on her face.
A corner of Col's mouth quirked up in a slight smile, and his eyes softened a bit. Arthur took this as a good sign. Then again, he had kind of expected that. It was hard to be threatened by Gwen, she was just too kind.
"Col," said Arthur, catching the boy's attention. "We were thinking of cleaning your hair. Cutting out the mats. Gwen offered to help. Is that alright?"
Col nodded, a bit nervously.
"I have a basin and some water you can use," piped up Gaius, having listened in on the conversation.
Arthur helped to move Col to a bench while Gwen filled the basin with water. Arthur knelt, supporting Col as he leaned back, his head hanging above the water. Gwen stood on his other side, gently trying to untangle his hair the best she could. When she got out the knots she could, leaving only the most difficult of mats, Arthur helped Col straighten back up. Gwen grabbed the pair of shears that Gaius held out for her.
She set to work, gently cutting the long locks. Arthur was crouched beside the boy, running his hand up and down Col's arm. The boy was trembling slightly, scared to have something so sharp near him. But Gwen was mindful of this. She kept up a steady stream of chatter that seemed to help calm Col a bit. Soon, there was dark hair scattered across the floor around the bench, a few stray pieces falling in Arthur's lap.
Gwen's eyes traveled down to the leather collar again. She ran her finger across the lock, noticing Arthur shift slightly on his heels. "My father could remove this," she said nervously.
Arthur straightened a bit. "That would be wonderful," he said, sounding relieved. "I shall bring him tomorrow."
Gwen smile, running her hand through Col's hair one last time. "I will let him know," she replied.
Arthur sat back to admire Gwen's handy work. Col's raven hair was now cut close to his scalp, a slight widow's peak hanging onto his forehead. Without the long locks to cover them, his ears stuck out in an endearing way. His delicate features seemed to be enhanced.
Gwen soaked a rag, holding it near Col's head. "May I?" she asked quietly.
When Col nodded, she gently began to wash the dirt from his face and down his neck and shoulders. "There," she said, stepping back to look at him. "You look so handsome now," she blurted out. "I mean, not that you weren't handsome before. I mean, I'm just saying that, well, ah…" she trailed off, mouth sputtering as she tried to find the words to explain herself.
Arthur laughed as Col's cheeks flamed with color.
"The sleeping draft is ready," called Gaius, sparing Gwen and Col of the awkward moment.
"I have to go. It was nice to meet you, Col," she said, smiling at him. "Prince Arthur." She gave him a slight bow. "Thank you, Gaius," she said as she grabbed the potion and left the quarters.
Gaius set to making the remedies for Col. Arthur stood and turned to the cot, picking up the discarded tunic and helping Col into it. He then retied on the neckerchief, covering the collar. Col looked up at him, his eyes questioning.
Arthur smiled reassuringly. "Once Gaius is done, I'm taking you back to my quarters."
Relief flooded Col's eyes and he leaned into Arthur's hip, nuzzling it with his nose. Arthur was a bit thrown at first, and settled for patting Col's freshly cut hair.
This must have been the appropriate response, for Col made a contented noise deep in his throat.
Arthur thought back to his father telling him that Col was not a pet. But as Arthur thought more about it, he knew that, at this point, his father was unfortunately wrong. With what Gaius had told him, he realized that Col had been taught to behave as a pet, a possession, a being whose only purpose was to obey and please his master.
That realization made Arthur's chest ache with sadness.
He wanted to track down every master that Col had ever had and make them suffer with a long painful death.
How could they do this to a person, a human being?
Arthur drew his fingers through Col's hair a few more times, enjoying how soft the locks now were, smiling when the boy hummed with pleasure again.
"I'm finished, Sire," said Gaius, bringing a small satchel over to Arthur. He also had a small vial of liquid. "And this is for you, Col, to help with the pain."
Col glanced to Arthur, who nodded. He shyly reached out and took the vial from Gaius, drinking it down in one gulp. He pulled a face as he handed the empty vial back to the physician. Gaius smiled and Arthur chuckled when the boy stuck his tongue out, disgusted.
"Forgot to warn you about the taste," apologized Gaius.
Arthur took the satchel and held out a hand to Col. He pulled the boy up, watching as he gingerly took a small step on his injured feet. "Ready?" he asked, receiving a nod. "Thank you very much, Gaius," Arthur said, leading Col to the door.
"My pleasure, Sire," replied the physician. "Nice meeting you, Col."
Col glanced over his shoulder, giving the man a slight nod. Gaius smiled, turning back to his work bench.
Well, there you have it. A rather un-suspenceful chapter ending. Anywho, I hope that shall tide you over until the following Tuesday. Wish me luck on my printmaking design (it's so intense! :S).