Morgana didn't know how long she stood there simply embracing Merlin, he himself remaining quiet, just letting her rest her head on his chest. He glanced over at his father, who smiled, Vivienne holding his hand, and beside them, Arthur, who still looked mildly dumbstruck. Finally smiling, Morgana pulled away from him, looking up at him.
"I thought I'd lost you" she whispered. Merlin smiled down at her.
"Not ever again" he replied softly. The pair looked at each other, then blinking Merlin looked over at Nimueh.
"What happened?" he asked.
"We're not sure. We were all here, paying our final respects, then you started breathing" she said.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it's not exactly natural for corpses to just sit up and start breathing again is it?" he asked gently. Nimueh shook her head.
"It could be the magic we were using to try to heal you finally did work" she said. Merlin thought for a second then nodded.
"I suppose I should be grateful I wasn't in the crypt when I came around" he admitted.
"That's a horrid thought" Morgana chided him.
"Well, as much as this Is a most joyous occasion, I think perhaps Gaius should check you over" said Vivienne, stepping forwards and taking Merlin's hand.
"Mother, I'm fine" he said with a smile.
"We'll let Gaius be the judge of that" she said, leading him away. Merlin looking back at his chuckling father, Morgana moving off after him and Vivienne. When the doors closed, Uther finally turned to Nimueh, when Arthur cleared his throat.
"Arthur?" Uther said turning to him. Arthur stepped forwards, his eyes narrowed.
"I might be many things Father, but stupid is not one of them. Why are you so willing to believe that's him?" he demanded, looking briefly at Nimueh. Uther seemed taken aback by the accusation, and actually stepped back.
"I have no idea what you mean" Uther stated. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Don't you see, this is exactly what Balinor would want! Something else to tear this family apart!. Merlin's right, corpses don't just start breathing and moving around" his voice was cold, his posture stiff.
"Arthur, as I stated, it could have-" Nimueh began. Arthur whirled on her, cutting her off.
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" he roared. "You know as well as I do that if your magic was going to bring him back it would have done so well before now!" he hissed.
"Does it matter? Your Brother is alive!" Uther roared back.
"is he? Is he really? Yes he looks like Merlin, acts like him. But I swear to you now until I get a straight answer then that…. Thing out there will never be a brother to me!" Arthur roared. A moment later he was stunned to silence as Uther's hand whacked across his jaw. Arthur blinked a couple of times.
"You would do well to never speak to me in that tone again, is that understood?" Uther said. Arthur looked back at him, remaining silent.
"IS IT?" Uther roared.
"If you're all too blind to see what Balinor's doing here then more fool you." Arthur simply replied and turned, walking away. Uther looked at Nimueh, who held his gaze evenly. Finally the witch looked away, at the small boy. Uther took a deep breath, composing himself.
"You must please forgive us" Uther said looking at him. Mordred shook his head in return.
"You should not have held the truth from him. You were wise to give up the powers of the Cup, but not wise enough it seems" the boy replied. Uther looked away.
"He can never know the price we paid for Merlin's life. None of them can" Uther said. Mordred actually looked sad at the statement.
"Then things will become very dark indeed" he said. Uther shook his head and looked at Nimueh.
"See the boy is taken care of, I would be alone for the moment" he said. Nimueh nodded and then, taking Mordred's hand, led him out of the room.
"Remarkable, absolutely remarkable" said Gaius as he listened to Merlin's chest, checked his pulse, listened to him breathing. Morgana standing beside her, unwell to leave Merlin for any length.
"Gaius?" asked Vivienne, sounding concerned. Gaius looked at her, seemingly having forgotten they were in the room.
"Well, I have to admit that if I had not seen Merlin… dead then I would never have known he was" the physician admitted, pausing slightly as the door opened and Arthur entered, leaning up against the wall watching. Merlin gave him a grin and rolled his eyes, as he usually did when one of them was in here for some injury or other, but Arthur didn't return it, instead he just glared. Merlin frowned but remained silent.
"So he's fine?" asked Morgana stepping forwards, smiling.
"Not just fine, but physically he's as fit as he was before any of this happened" Gaius replied.
"It's a miracle" said Alice with a huge smile. By the door, Arthur gave a snort and rolled his eyes. Everyone looked up at him then.
"You disagree?" asked Alice.
"I worry" Arthur corrected. "Everyone's talking about how good this is, how it's a miracle, but is it?" he asked.
"Arthur" Vivienne said, her tone warning him. Arthur shook his head.
"All I'm saying is that there must be some test to make sure he's not just a reanimated corpse who's just waiting for the right moment to murder us all on Balinor's command" Arthur said.
"Arthur that's enough" Morgana said. Merlin was blinking, looking up at him, his eyes confused. Arthur knelt down by him.
"Isn't that right Merlin?" he spat.
"Arthur why are you doing this?" Merlin muttered.
"Oh spare me" he replied standing up. "I will tell you this, I will be watching your every move. Everywhere you go I'll be there and the moment you make a mistake… I'll be waiting" he vowed, turning away.
"Arthur!" Vivienne practically screamed at him. Arthur looked at her.
"Can't you see what Balinor's done? Merlin miraculously returns to life and no one dares question it?" Arthur replied.
"Do you hate me that much now?" Merlin asked softly, his voice catching. Arthur looked back down at him.
"Merlin, no, I could never hate. But whatever you are…. I do not know you, I do not trust you" Arthur stated. "So if you are one of Balinor's little tricks maybe you should get out of my brother's body and let him go back to being dead!" Arthur roared. Merlin looked up at him, then looked away.
"Get out" Vivienne snarled. Arthur looked at her, then turned away walking to the door, ignoring a sobbing Merlin.
"Oh I'll go, but when that thing tries to kill one of you, don't worry. I'll stop it" he said, then walked out slamming the door. Vivienne moved to Merlin, sitting down next to and putting her arm around him, rocking him as he cried.
"I'm sure he didn't mean that" she said quietly. Merlin shook his head.
"He's right though" Merlin replied looking around the room, his vision blurry, Morgana moving to the other side of him. "What am I then?" he asked. He looked from Gaius, to Alice, to his Mother and finally to Morgana.
"You can't tell me can you?" he said softly.
"I can. I can tell you that you are my son, and no matter what nothing will ever change that do you understand?" Vivienne said. Merlin gulped then nodded. Gaius smiled and patted his hand.
"I think it would be best if you went back to your chambers, rest for a bit" he suggested.
"I don't want to sleep again" Merlin said.
"Then just, read or do something, clear your mind" Gaius said softly.
"I promise I won't leave you" Morgana said to him. Merlin looked at her and nodded, she smiled and took his hand, Gaius handing him his tunic, which he pulled over his head. With a final hug from his mother he left the room. A moment later Vivienne took her leave.
"Gaius?" Alice asked softly. Gaius turned to her.
"Don't say it" he stated firmly. "Merlin is alive and well, that's all that should matter" he added. Alice nodded, but continued on.
"But what if Arthur's right?" she asked. Gaius sighed and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Arthur is many things, and one thing we do know is his abiding distrust for the unknown, A trait he shares with his father unfortunately"
"But Uther accepts him" Alice countered.
"I know, but Uther is also a loving parent. He is blinded by love for his child" Gaius admitted.
"So you agree Arthur could have a point?" she said. Gaius looked at her, then at the door.
"A small one, if that" he replied. "Come, we have work to do" he added, turning the topic back to the days work.
Morgana was sitting on the bed, stroking Merlin's hair gently. Despite what Merlin had said, he had immediately returned to his chambers and almost as quickly fallen into a deep sleep. Still, Morgana kept her vigil, loath to admit she was terrified that if she left him he might not wake up again, so instead, she simply sat there, stroking his hair. Twice she'd stopped and stood just to stop her legs going dead, and both times, even in his sleep he had squirmed, as if seeking her contact, only settling down again when he knew she was there. She smiled sweetly at him, then slowly laid down next to him, putting her arm around him, feeling his snuggle in against her, sighing contentedly in his sleep.
"Nor will I ever leave you" she whispered.
Uther looked up as Arthur strode into the room, no trace of apology on his face. Beside Uther, Vivienne also looked up at her son. Arthur stopped in front of them, knowing immediately what this was about.
"You asked to see me?" he said, his voice pleasant.
"Yes I did" Uther stated. "I have forgiven you a lot over the years, you and Merlin both actually. I have held back when punishment was warranted, I have lost count of the times when I just wanted to knock both your heads together, but held back" Uther began. Arthur nodded, remaining silent.
"But what I heard today. What I have been told transpired in the Pharmacy, in front of Gaius and Alice, and poor Morgana. What were you thinking?" he demanded in a hushed roar.
"I was thinking, Father, that you and mother both are too blinded by your love of Merlin to really see the truth behind what that thing is already doing"
"So telling Merlin he was better off dead? Was that also protecting us?" Uther demanded.
"Look at us! look what's happening already!" Arthur shouted. "Father and son at each other's throats, over what? A walking talking corpse that happens to look like Merlin! Don't you see? This is exactly what Balinor would want!" Arthur yelled.
She awoke with a start, seeing the room was in darkness. She went to move, then felt an arm gently arranged around her. She looked up, seeing Merlin looking down at her smiling.
"Nice sleep?" he asked. She was taken aback, angry at herself. She had promised to stay with him, instead she had succumbed to her own tiredness and fallen asleep. Merlin seemed to sense her turmoil because before she could utter an apology he leant down and kissed her gently.
"Thank you for staying with me" he whispered. She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek.
"I'm never going to leave you again" she vowed.
"You dare speak like that to me again and I promise you will go to the dungeons!" Uther roared back. Arthur stepped forwards.
"Then do it. All I want is to protect this family and if it means killing the thing walking around inside Merlin's body then so be it!" Arthur said.
"All I want to know is why you distrust him so much!" Uther roared.
"Because my brother is dead!" Arthur yelled. "He's dead and nothing, no power on this planet could ever bring him back, not as he was! I know magic father and I know necromancy!" Arthur said. "And if you're too much of a fool to see it, then perhaps it's time you retired!"
"You would challenge me? Your own father!"
"Never have I had cause to do so in the past and it sickens me to do so now! But if you cannot see beyond what is placed in front of you anymore then you are not fit to rule!" Arthur challenged. Uther stood, drawing his sword, stepping forwards, Arthur doing the same.
"You may be my son, but that does not mean I will not fight you!" Uther snarled.
"Stop it!" screamed Vivienne.
"I would not expect you to hold back" Arthur returned.
"So be it, if this is what it will take to get it through your thick head!" Uther yelled, readying his sword, Arthur doing the same.
"I am sorry father" Arthur said. "But I do this for the kingdom" he added. Uther glared at him and both men raised their swords, Vivienne screaming for them to stop, when there was a sudden flash and both men's swords went hurtling away. They turned to the doors as Gwaine strode in. And he was beyond pissed off.
"You dare-" Uther began.
"I dare and I would dare a thousand more times" Gwaine yelled. "Look at you, both of you, rules of a great kingdom. How far you have fallen" he said.
"Get out" Arthur said coldly, even as behind them, Merlin and Morgana entered, both stopping short.
"Father? Arthur?" Merlin began, even as Morgana gripped his hand.
"And take that abomination with you!" Arthur snarled.
"You, young Pendragon will stay your tongue" Gwaine told him stepping forwards. "You allowed me to join this household out of your kindness, and this day I will repay that" Gwaine said. "Now be silent" he hissed. Strangely enough the room did indeed fall silent.
"Look at you, all of you, victims of your own petty distrusts, feuds that are meaningless. Yet not one of you stop's to consider the one true victim in all of this: Merlin. The poor prince who was taken, and mourned with love, only to be returned to witness hatred towards him, or distrust" he said. "I warned Nimueh, I warned her of what might transpire if Merlin were brought back, As did the boy Mordred. Yet she did not heed my warning, and now look at you! Fighting like dogs over a scrap of meat!" Gwaine said.
"Gwaine, I implore you…." Uther began.
"No Uther. You kept this secret, and I was willing to go along with that, but only so far. I refuse to sit back and watch you tear this house apart" Gwaine said.
"Wha… what's he talking about?" asked Merlin. Gwaine turned to him, his features softening.
"Answer me this Merlin, if you knew the price for living would have been this, would you have chosen to return?" he asked gently.
"That's not a fair question!" yelled Uther.
"Nothing about this situation is fair Uther!" Gwaine yelled, before looking back at Merlin. "Well? Would you?" he asked.
"No.. no I wouldn't" he replied. Gwaine nodded.
"As I thought" he said.
"This is the Cup's true price Uther, even though it is gone, far from here, it's effects still remain, do you understand?" Gwaine's voice had become gentle.
"What… what cup? What price?" Merlin asked. Uther looked at him, then turned away, falling to his knees as he began to cry.
"I only wanted you back" he sobbed.
"Please… will someone tell me what's happened to me" Merlin was also crying, Morgana holding him tightly.
"Your father used an ancient artefact, called the cup of life to bring you back Merlin" said Gwaine. "But to use it…"
"What?" asked Merlin.
"To use it. To bring you back.. someone had to take your place" Gwaine told him. Merlin blinked, then shook his head.
"No. you're lying" he said. He looked over to Uther who was still crying, "Tell him he's lying!" Merlin yelled. Uther looked at him, his eyes red.
"I only wanted my boy back" he whimpered.
"By making someone die in my place!" Merlin actually felt the bile rising. Uther slowly nodded. Beside him Vivienne let out a long sigh, and Arthur just shook his head.
"Oh father" he muttered.
"And because he wanted it only known to himself and Nimueh… look at the havoc it's wrought" Gwaine said softly. The princes both looking at their father.
"You don't understand! I love you both more than anything, how could I not try to save you?" Uther said.
"By letting someone die in my place? Is that honourable? Is that just?" Merlin asked softly. Uther didn't reply, instead he just looked at Merlin, searching for forgiveness. Merlin shook his head, turned and stormed out.
"Merlin… please" Uther muttered, reaching out, but Merlin ignored him, instead, turning and walking away from the room, Morgana, looking lost, turning and running after him.
"I am sorry Uther, but this had to be done, and now before irreparable damage was done to you and your family" Gwaine said gently. Uther looked at him, then at Arthur, who held out his hand. Uther took it, then pulled his son into an embrace, Arthur gratefully returning it.
"I'm so sorry. I just wanted him back" Uther sobbed.
"I know father. I know" Arthur replied, patting his back, Vivienne watching them through tear streaked eyes. Slowly she stood and went to Gwaine.
"I know these will be a hard few days and we all have a lot to deal with now. But Thank you Gwaine" she said. Gwaine bowed to her.
"Your family is noble, kind and decent. It does not deserve to fall in such a way" he said. Vivienne smiled and nodded, Gwaine turned and slowly walked out of the room.
Merlin was sitting on his bed, sobbing, Morgana holding him, not knowing what to do, or say. So when the door knocked and opened she was almost grateful, at least until Arthur entered the room. She stood, going on the defensive almost immediately.
"Haven't you done enough damage today?" she demanded.
"Its okay, he can stay" Merlin said, looking up at him. Morgana looked like she was about to protest, then nodded curtly.
"Fine" she said. "I need to get some things from my room, I'll be back soon" she said, kissing Merlin gently, then with another glare at Arthur, walked out. Arthur watched her go, then as the door closed, looked back at Merlin.
"Would you really have chosen death?" Arthur asked suddenly. Merlin looked at him.
"I didn't have the choice" he replied. "But if I had known what would happen, between you and him? No I would not have chosen to live again" Merlin said.
"Why?" asked Arthur. Merlin frowned.
"Are you still trying to catch me out?" he asked. Arthur shook his head.
"No.. no not at all. I just... I don't know what to think anymore. One day your there, then your dead, then you're back, and father. I've never seen him so lost, then so…"
"Happy?" Merlin offered.
"Good as word as any" Arthur agreed. "And me? I was angry. I was so damned angry at you"
"Me?"
"For dying, for not being there every morning when we went to breakfast, with your silly jokes and stupid grins" Arthur suddenly began to cry, Merlin going to him.
"And I couldn't do it" he said. "I tried, and put it so deep down it hurt, and then you came back. And I still hated you, for what you did to us" Arthur told him as Merlin sat him on the bed, both men crying now.
"Arthur, its okay now. I'm back alright" Merlin whispered.
"But what if something happens again?" he said.
"Then we deal, but we deal with whatever together, like we always did" Merlin said. Arthur wiped his eyes and nodded.
"I was right though" he said.
"What about?" Asked Merlin.
"I can't do this without you" he admitted. Merlin smiled and hugged him tightly.
"You won't have too, I promise" Merlin whispered.
Morgana had taken longer to gather her items, with the help of Gwen, and now slowly the two women walked quietly back to Merlin's chambers. Of course, news of Merlin's miraculous recovery had spread around the castle, and gossip was flying, but strangely, Gwen remained quiet on the subject, when, finally Morgana had asked her why she hadn't mentioned it, Gwen had smiled and said
"I believe things happen for a reason".
Morgana had smiled at that answer, and turned the topic to more appropriate things. By the end of it, Morgana had come to realise that, clumsy as she could be sometimes, as insecure as she seemed, Gwen was wiser than people would give her credit for, and found that she actually liked the young woman. So now, with Morgana's items, she opened the door and walked quietly into the room, smiling at the sight of the two brother's sleeping on the bed, both with tear streaked faces.
"My lady?" asked Gwen. Morgana looked at her and smiled.
"We'll move tomorrow" she whispered. Gwen smiled and the two women left the room.
"UTHER!"
Uther looked over at Vivienne as his name was called again. For her part she murmured in her sleep and turned over. Uther stood and moved to the hallway. The guards on duty bowing as he moved past, neither of them making any indication they had heard him being called.
"UTHER!" the voice roared again. Uther hurried his steps following the echoing sound of the voice, until he reached the stairwell down to the cavern beneath the castle. Grabbing a torch he quickly went down into the darkness.
"Who's there?" he demanded, answered a moment later as Kilgharrah landed on a rocky outcropping. Uther backed away but the Dragon leant forwards.
"I come to talk, not fight" it said. Uther's eyes went wide.
"Why should I listen to you?" he demanded.
"You must for the very foundation of your children's future is at stake. Balinor is getting out of hand" it said.
"How so?"
"He believes, at this moment I am laying waste to Camelot for the death of his wife" Kilgharrah admitted. Uther frowned.
"Yes, she was the price for Merlin's life. But Balinor has slain so many more now. Including my own kin" it said. "And he must be stopped before his madness consumes all the lands in a war no one can win"
"What would you have me do?" Uther asked.
"You must send your children away from here, for a time, out of his influence" Kilgharrah said. "And you must hurry, it is painful enough for me to resist the command of a Dragonlord, but once he finds out I have then you can be sure he will call every Dragon he can to do his bidding. And the Pendragon line must not fall" it stated.
"Where would I send them?" asked Uther.
"I do not know, nor would I suggest you make that knowledge known to me, for their safety, and also for their safety, they must know who Balinor is" it said, taking flight.
"Wait! I must know, why are you helping me?"
"Because Balinor must fall so the next Dragonlord can take his place!"
"Who?"
"His nephew! Merlin!" Kilgharrah called back before flying out of sight. Uther stood there for a few more moments then turning, ran up the steps.