hullo,this is my next chapter. because well it is. i still don't own Merlin, much as I'd like to i don't. this is quite a slow building story, but things will get more epic, I've just started writing the war. which is fun and a little gory in places :D i like gore. but for now its the build up o war the months and weeks leading up to it, after all how to you prepare for war when the enemy could make their first strike at any point. hope you like this chapter, bonus points to the people who notice the Gawain reference towards the end of the chapter.
the return.
Arthur was waiting on the castle keep looking out for Merlin's return. Gwen was standing next to him with Gaius holding her hand to comfort her. All three were waiting to see if Merlin had managed to heal himself. "how long will it take him?" was All Arthur could say. Gaius spoke to no one in particular. "he healed sir Leon. But I've never heard of anyone healing themselves, especially from such a severe wound and without harming another human." Arthur was surprised at how worried he was for the idiot. It seamed only yesterday he had thought Merlin as nothing more than an incompetent fool but now, though he hated to admit it, he considered Merlin a close friend and someone who, in time, could even be considered a brother figure.
"you must not be angry at your father. Given his history with magic, this was always going to be among the better results." Arthur turned to Gwen and was about to agree with her when Gaius spoke. "They're back. Merlin and Tristain are back" they all noticed the weak looking Merlin clinging on to sir Tristain. And all three of them ran to meet them. Arthur couldn't help noticing how fast Gaius could still run.
"Tristain what happened? How is he? how are you Merlin" Gaius started examining Merlin for any side effect to his use of so much magic. Tristain was going to say something but Merlin got there first. "oh I'm dandy." Gaius raised his eyebrow. Tristain continued where Merlin left off. "well he's dandy apart from the being stabbed, the blood loss, the not eating for two days and the several dead trees he's left back in the woods. So I'm no physician but I think he probably needs rest and food back at his quarters" Gaius nodded and started walking toward his and Merlin's home, Gwen took Merlin's hand and Arthur helped Tristain support Merlin.
It had been two days since his return and he'd had no escape from Gwen's fussing Arthur's pacing and gaius's lecturing. He hadn't seen Tristain since. He decided the young knight was probably off training "Arthur shouldn't you be at knight training?" Arthur paused his pacing long enough to look across at Merlin unconvinced of his adviser's bravado. "oh I'm not sure that's a good idea, father is still pretty worked up over your whole, 'I'm a sorcerer and dragonlord and I can destroy you or save you' speech"
Gwen started plumping Merlin's pillow he batted her hand away "Gwen the pillow is as plumped as its going to get, I'm really feeling better now and we all have more important things to be doing" Gwen and Arthur both started to talk but Merlin stood up and spoke before they could "Arthur, as your adviser, I suggest you get as much training in as possible you are going to need it. Gwenevire thank you for your aid and care old friend but you too must go help prepare for war. We have no idea when Morgouse will attack but we know it will be brutal and hard. Yeah ok so using that much magic may have taken a lot out of me but I can manage fine."
Tristain who was now leaning against the door frame spoke, making everyone on the room to jump a little, except Arthur who had herd him arrive. "Well then that's settled. Arthur will return to training with me, Gwen shall go prepare the bandages and ramparts with the other maids. And Merlin will stay here and aid Gaius in preparing the medicine. Great!" before anyone could object Tristain stepped in front of Arthur, who had been approaching Merlin, causing him to change course out the door. as he turned round to go back in Tristain ushered him out, waved merrily at Merlin and saluted to the others. As the door closed he was heard saying "this way sire" grinning at the fearlessness of the knight Merlin turned to look at the others in the room.
Gwen was beginning to tear up and Gaius was looking out the window muttering to himself. Merlin walked slowly over to where Gwen was sitting and put an arm round her pulling her closer "Gwen its OK. Uthur is mad at me and prince prat of pratania" Gwen sniffed but smiled "not you, Morgana loved you like a sister so while she may have abandoned us all, I highly doubt she would let any harm come to you. So as long as you..." Gwen turned to look at him, fire in her eyes and expression set neutral when she spoke it was quiet but each word held the force of a shout. "I will not scurry away and hide from the enemy, that, that ungrateful brat has allowed herself to become like Uthur, I'll never full forgive him for killing my father but everyone knows of his paranoia and psychosis when it comes to magic. But Morgana she's just, she's just let hatred take over. No if anybody attacks Camelot they attack all of us and I will use anything I can get hold on to beat them down" Merlin smiled. And went to say something else when Gaius suddenly shouted, "john's wart!" and ran out of the room.
Gwen laughed and looked across at Merlin who simply answered "St johns wart, I guess he was thinking what herbs he'd need for poultices and medicine" seeing that she was still a little low Merlin picked up a leaf and whispered a spell, the leaf rolled up and turned into a daisy" Gwen punched him softly on his arm "your supposed to be reserving your magic in case the sisters and their army attack." Merlin looked away and Gwen realised he was hiding something. "what aren't you telling us Merlin?" before he could answer there was a knock on the door. Sir Leon appeared at the door and simply said "Gwen the king wishes to see you in the council chambers." Merlin had winced at the mention of the king, Leon noticing smiled at him reassuringly. Gwen stood up and was surprised when Leon took her arm not in a vicious way but how a gentleman escorts a lady. Merlin was left alone in the physician's quarters wondering what was going on.
i hope you enjoyed that chapter, what will happen to Gwen mwahahahahahahahargh! actually its probably pretty obvious. lets just say something people have said in the past will happen, but with my own spin.