A/N: Hey guys, I hope you're liking it so far! Anyways, the action is beginning! Hope you all enjoy. *tips hat and bows out*
Arthur ran to the door and pulled it open, almost falling back down the stairs at the sight that met his eyes. Merlin was eagle spread in mid-air, surrounded by a florescent blue light, covered in small, glowing cuts. The noise was also coming from him. If his scream hadn't made it clear enough, the look of indescribable agony on his face made it clear how much pain he was in. He could only watch in horror, frozen to his spot in the doorway, transfixed by the scene in front of him, unable to do anything as he watched his friend writhe and scream in pain. Finally shaking free from the shock, Arthur ran forward to help.
"Merlin," He yelled frantically, reaching out to pull him down. "Argh!"
He snatched his hand back as it sizzled in protest. The light itself was the cause of the pain; Arthur couldn't touch it without burning his hand. If it was affecting him that much, he couldn't imagine what his servant felt right now. Just as these thoughts passed through his mind, the yelling finally stopped and Merlin fell to the bed, limp and bleeding.
"Merlin," Arthur knelt beside the bed, shaking the young boy. "Merlin!"
He was starting to - no, he was past worried, he started worrying the moment he walked in. He feared that the blue light had killed his only true friend, but just as these thoughts slipped into his mind, Merlin let out a small groan, his face crumpling in pain.
"Merlin! Merlin, are you ok?" He asked, his voice cracked but he didn't care, all he needed was for the man in front of him to answer. Arthur turned him onto his back, not hearing his friend's muttering.
"Mo…lly…why?" Merlin's voice was full of pain as a tear broke free from under the shelter of his closed eye. Then he went silent.
The king stood up and stumbled down the stairs, sprinting over to the snoring form in the corner of the room. He slid down on the floor beside the bed.
"Gaius, GAIUS!" Arthur yelled in the old man's ear, shaking him violently.
He merely grunted and turned over in response.
"Gaius, wake up!" he slapped him in the face once more.
"Hmmm?" His soft, grey eyes fluttered open. "Arthur!"
"Gaius, finally!"
"What is it?" He asked sitting up quickly when he saw the alarm in the young man's face.
"Merlin, I don't know what's happened!"
The aged physician got out of bed as fast as his aching joints allowed him and was ushered up the stairs by an anxious Arthur, through his ward's open door.
"Oh, my dear boy!" He gasped. "Arthur, could you please light a candle? I will bring my supplies up."
Arthur fumbled with the flint, taking a moment to get the wick lit, and set it by the bedside, fidgeting continuously as he waited for Gaius to return to the room.
"Is he going to be all right?" the king asked quietly as the physician examined the boy.
"I believe so, Sire." He responded, beginning to clean the many wounds that Merlin had acquired.
A pounding in Merlin's head when he woke told him something was wrong. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't help but groan at the bright sunlight streaming in through the window. Blinking rapidly against the intrusion, he forced his eyes to focus, taking in his surroundings
"Arthur?" he mumbled, slightly confused as his gaze landed on the king sitting in a stool beside his bed.
Arthur woke with a start. "Merlin!"
"What happened?" He groaned, shifting up against the wall with a wince. "Last thing I remember…"
Arthur looked at him curiously as he trailed off with a grimace, before his face hardened into a blank slate.
"Merlin, what happened?" he asked, cursing himself silently as it came out much to gentle for his liking.
Merlin glanced at him, confused by the warmth in his master's tone. "I-uh-,"
"Don't say 'nothing' Merlin! Clearly something happened!" he said, gesturing to the wounds that covered the boy's body.
"Iuhntotalkboutit." Merlin muttered incoherently, suddenly becoming very interested in his hands.
"What did you say?" Arthur asked, this time a bit too harshly. He was sick of Merlin evading his questions.
Merlin bit his lip and looked away from Arthur, but he wasn't quick enough. Arthur caught the all too familiar expression of betrayal etched upon the young man's face.
"Merlin," He said quietly placing his hand on Merlin's arm, causing him to wince. "You can talk to me."
He turned back and locked eyes with the king. He could see the concern burning in Arthur's eyes, but it was quickly masked as his own were glazed with tears. "It…It was just…someone I knew…" He said quietly.
"What do you mean 'someone you knew,'" Arthur asked, encouraging him to go on. "Who was it, who did this to you?"
"Her name was Molly." A tear rolled down his cheek. "I knew her back in Ealdor…before-"
His breath caught in his throat and he looked away once more, unable to hold back the tears. He got up to go and check with Gaius, allowing Merlin the privacy he needed.
"What time is it?" Arthur yawned curiously as he neared Gaius, watching him mix herbs and liquid, forming green goo.
"Just past six, Sire." Gaius smiled as the king rubbed his sore neck. Sleeping on a stool was not easy on the muscles.
"Have you been up there yet?"
"No, not yet." The man was suddenly fascinated with one of his books, a grim look gracing his features.
"Who's Molly?" Arthur asked suddenly.
"Who?" He asked, looking up in confusion at the seemingly random question, his eyebrows pressed together.
"Merlin said that someone he knew did this to him, someone back in Ealdor named Molly."
"He's never mentioned her to me, but I will write a letter to Hunith as soon as possible."
"Thank you." Arthur left without another word.
The king sighed as he entered his chambers.
"Breakfast Sire!" Arthur was more than a little horrified to see George, a servant that had filled in for Merlin a few months ago, smiling as when he entered, a large tray of food on the table behind him.
"Thank you, George." He sat down to eat, but the boy just rattled on.
Arthur sighed, simply staring past the servant; he couldn't help but let his mind wander to Merlin. What would have happened if he was surrounded by that light any longer? Or if he hadn't gotten there when he did? What would have happened if Gaius didn't get to him on time? So many questions raced through his head and it all came down to one grievous thought. What if Merlin hadn't made it?
"…I have already mucked out the stables, cleaned your room, laid your clothes out for the day, repaired your armor, fed your dogs and one of the buttons came loose on your coat so I fixed that as well." He proudly puffed out his chest, beaming at his master.
'Oh no…' Arthur snapped out of his daze, and stared at the servant. 'Here it comes.'
"Why Sire, do you know what's brown and sticky but shines all over?" He asked, smiling.
"Brass…?" he murmured.
"Brass cleaner!" George was laughing so hard his entire body quivered. Arthur hadn't seen anyone laugh this hard at a court jester's joke.
"Thank you George, that'll be all." The boy left the room, still chortling, the noise slowly fading as he got further and further away.
There was a soft knock on the door seconds later.
"Enter."
"Hello, Sire!" Gwen looked down the hall in concern.
"Guinevere! What brings you here?"
"Was that George?" She asked glancing to the side once more.
"Yes," He paused and when she didn't answer, said, "So you just came to ask about George?"
"No, sorry I - why is he laughing like that?"
"Because he's an imbecile."
She took a moment to shoot him a disapproving look, before continuing. "We just received word that Sir Everett of Essiter died from his wounds earlier this morning."
"And why were you sent to tell me this?"
She just stared at him.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was why are you telling me this? Usually Sir Eric or Sir Gwaine would be the one to deliver this message."
"I was already on my way up here, so I said I would tell you. Well not on my way up here obviously, just here…On this floor. Well not on this floo-"
"Gwen…"
"I'm sorry to bother you, Sire…"
"Gwen…"
"I won't disturb you again!"
"Guinevere!"
"Yes, Sire?" She asked nervously, turning around to face him.
"Thank you."
She smiled brightly before sliding out the door.
Merlin woke with a start, a cold shiver finding a home in his spine. He climbed slowly out of bed, the pain from the cuts nothing but a dull hum, and opened the door. He walked down the stairs as quietly as possible, careful not to wake his mentor. Gaius didn't even look up as he crept to the other side of the room. He slipped out and walked to the courtyard, traveling in the shadows. He walked calmly across the moonlit cobblestone and right into the crowded tavern. Still sticking to the walls, he wove his way through the shouting men, going unnoticed. Even when he unsheathed a man's sword. Slipping past the bartender, he found refuge on the darkened stairs that lead to the inn, listening at every door until he heard what he was looking for. Pushing it open with a creak he stepped inside, revealing the owner of the voice he recognized.
"Oi, what do you think you're doing in here?" the man shouted. He was a round but muscular man with next to no hair, his yellow teeth exposed as he sneered at the servant.
"I believe you are the one I seek." Merlin said, a flash of danger in his eyes.
"And what does a lad like you want with me?"
"Revenge." Merlin walked forward, backing the confused man into the corner.
"Revenge? Revenge for what?"
"Revenge…for my death," He slid the sword into the man's gut. "You,Garth Laken, are the man who killed me. The man who raided my town, taking our families, taking our food. And you will pay."
The man's eyes widened and he slid down the wall. Merlin withdrew the sword from his torso with a sickening squelch and walked away without looking back. He sidled out of the bar, going back to the young man's chambers; he didn't have much time left. He broke into a run across the courtyard, the bloodied sword pumping in his hand. Merlin steadied his pace when he got to the door and opened it slowly. He had to be quiet and move slowly for people not to notice him. He scampered up to the room when the old man had his back turned, climbing into bed and sliding the sword beneath it. Just then a cold shiver shot through his spine again. He groaned in pain, losing his balance and falling to the floor, not remembering how he got there or what he was doing.
"Merlin!" Gaius appeared in his doorway, causing him jump. "What are you doing on the floor?"
"Fell out of bed I guess," he got up carefully and crawled back into bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine…I'm fine…" He smiled at his guardian sleepily as the man nodded, leaving the boy to settle down in his bed and get some much needed rest.