A/N- Sorry for the short chapter. I just didn't have a lot of inspiration this time. What's the matter guys? Did I do something wrong in the last chapter? I only got 2 reviews for the last chap. Was it just too slow? I didn't want it to be as slow as it was, but it was needed so you could better understand some things that have and will happen.
So anyways, thank you MerlinFan1996 and for reviewing! :D
Now, onto more Merlin whump! :D
Recap:
"Arthur! I told you not to go searching for that servant! He is useless!"
"But Father, you're the one who gave me the search party!" Arthur was truly flustered and confused. Uther had been the one to give him the knights.
"I did no such thing!" The king stepped close to his son, their noses almost touching. Fury was etched in his features. He whispered fiercely, so that no one could understand what he was saying, but made them think he was livid,
"I know. Make it look convincing."
Arthur's eyes widened. "What?"
Now:
"I know what I told you. I am not really angry at you. Make it seem like I am, like with the poisoning of Mervin, or whatever."
Arthur took this information in. His father was just putting on this show for the court! It outraged him. Distantly, the prince realized that that was what would make the court think he was truly angry. Instead of saying the words he would have liked to say, Arthur forced himself to play along just in case Uther would punish him, or Merlin, if he didn't. "Father! You know I would save a man's life if I were capable!"
Uther had an almost appreciative glint in his eye when he answered. "Many men will be sacrificed for you! You will become King for heaven's sake! You have to learn that!"
"No, Father, I saved his life! He means a great deal to me! Would you be so quick to turn a blind eye if Gaius were in Merlin's position and you mine?"
Arthur waited for a response, but was only met with a startled look. He shot his father the most venomous glare he could muster. "I thought not." With that he turned and left the Throne Room.
PRATTARP
"Gaius? Are you here?" Arthur entered the physician's musty chambers. He noted with some surprise that Merlin was not on the patient's bed. "Gaius?"
The old man exited his ward's room. "Yes, Sire?"
Arthur gestured to the bed. "Where's Merlin?"
"He's in his room. I had some guards come and move him. I thought he'd be more comfortable in there. Might I ask what it is you need Merlin for?"
"I... I just wanted to know how he was. May I see him?"
Gaius was surprised that Arthur had even asked him. "Of course." He stepped down from the stairs and let the young man pass.
As Arthur entered Merlin's room, it struck him once again just how small it was. And how dirty. It was a wonder he was able to keep the prince's chambers clean, compared to how this looked. Arthur almost laughed at the irony.
The prince went to sit by his manservant's bedside, on a small chair. He stared at Merlin's pale form, seeing for the first time just how sunken Merlin's cheeks were. His lips had a slight blue tinge. He had become so skinny that he seemed to drown under the two blankets placed on him. "Oh, Merlin," the prince said. "Now what have you gotten yourself into?"
Unbeknownst to him, Gaius had followed him up the steps. He smiled at how the prince had situated himself in the meekest and cheapest chair in the room. There was a decent sized chair with arms and a cushion, yet he chose the one closest to the sleeping boy's bed. "He has a wound that seems as though it came from a knife or a dagger, and a sharp one at that. The cut has no rough edges, suggesting a blade made by a skilled blacksmith." Arthur jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Gaius!"
"He also has bruises covering him in what I presume to be from struggling against chains."
"Who would do this to him? Why would any body purposely hurt Merlin?" Arthur exclaimed.
"I don't know, Sire, but I trust that someone will find them and bring them to justice." Gaius turned his back and went out. Though little did he know that Merlin was about to wake up.
IDIOTTOIDI
Merlin felt like his head was being split open with an axe. As he slowly regained consciousness, that pain went away, but another one started up. His side burned with and intense agony. He groaned. The warlock tried to open his eyes but found that the light was too bright. Suddenly, something blocked out a great deal of the light. He was able to open his eyes. Blinking rapidly, he tried to distinguish what was in front of his face.
It was a head. The prince's head. Arthur! "Ar-" He began coughing violently. "Wa-er," he whispered. Almost instantly a cup was brought to his lips and was helped sit up so he could drink. As soon as he took a sip, he realized just how thirsty he was. Merlin began gulping down the liquid as fast as he could.
"Not so fast!" he heard a voice say. Arthur say. Again, Merlin became aware of the prince's presence.
"Arthur!" He gazed bewildered at his friend's face.
"Yes, idiot?" The warlock felt his spirit fall. He was a bit hurt that Arthur still called him that. Nevertheless, he hid his pain at the comment just like he always did.''
"What are you doing here? What happened?"
Arthur peered at him a bit apprehensively. "You don't remember?" At his manservant's shake of the head he continued. "I found you almost unconscious in the forest. You had a wound on your side."
Then all the memories came crashing back. Merlin remembered Mordred and Nimueh. He remembered the stone table and the chains. He remembered the instruments lining the walls and the dagger plunging into his skin.
But most of all, Merlin remembered the glass rose as it soaked up his blood.
He gasped and shuddered involuntarily. He felt something almost crawl from the dark recesses of his mind. Fearing what it was, he pushed it back. He hoped it wouldn't come back.
But, of course, it did.
DEMONCHILDDLIHCNOMED
"He is resisting," Mordred observed.
Nimueh smiled wickedly.
"Not for long."
PRATTARP
Arthur watched Merlin as he took a sharp intake of breath, his body tensing. He became a little scared when his friend's eyes glazed over and wouldn't focus.
"Merlin? Merlin!" He lightly shook his manservant's shoulders. Slowly, Merlin focused on Arthur and his muscles relaxed.
"Arthur?" A slightly pained expression entered his face.
"Yes, Merlin?"
He shuddered again. "You need to…"
Arthur was confused. "What? I need to what?"
Merlin's eyes suddenly came into sharp focus. "Arthur! Leave! Please!" The last word came out as a sob. Arthur watched in horror as the warlock's back arched and he emitted a shriek.
Very frightened, Arthur grasped Merlin's shoulders. "Merlin! Merlin! What's happening?" He let go and leaned out of the door. "Somebody get Gaius!" Almost immediately he saw a guard run in the direction the physician had gone.
The warlock screamed again, back rising off the bed. His face was a mask of pure terror and agony.
The prince grabbed his wrists and pinned them above his head. "Gaius!" he yelled. The physician did not appear. Suddenly, Merlin went limp. Arthur was terrified of what he saw next.
Merlin opened his eyes.
They were completely black.
A/N- Ooohh, black eyes! What's up with that? And what exactly are Nimueh and Mordred planning?
Please please please please PLEASE review! *hopeful face*