Merlin
Love by Any other name
Part 17
The audience chamber was quiet, save for the nervous shuffling of the council as they watched the door at the end of the room. Arthur sat on the throne, Morgana and Merlin standing either side of him, Gwen and Gaius near to them with Jamie. Of all the visits over the past few weeks from other kingdoms that were allied with Camelot, the rulers who had come to pay their respects to the new king and offer support this, last one was the most nerve wracking of all. Queen Annis and her entourage. The treaty with them was new, barely a month old, so no one knew how anyone would react. Arthur looked over as Jamie whispered something up to Gaius, the old man leaning down, nodding his head. He smiled at the small sight of normality. Then he turned his attention back to the door as it opened, and moment later there she was. Walking forwards, two guards and a young man beside her. Slowly Arthur stood, and bowed in greeting.
"Sire" she replied, with a small bow of her own.
"Welcome to Camelot" Arthur said. She nodded and gestured to the two guards.
"Lancelot" she introduced the man on her left. "Captain of my Guards" she added.
"Percival" she introduced the physical giant on her left. "His right hand man" And then she gestured towards the young man. "My Son, Jonathan" she informed him. Jonathan gave a small bow.
"A pleasure" Arthur said shaking his hand. Arthur gestured to Morgana.
"The Lady Morgana" he introduced her. She inclined her head in greeting.
"And her suitor, Lord Merlin" he said. Merlin bowed as well, and shook hands with Jonathan.
"My congratulations on your regency" Annis said, with a bow of her head. "And of course, my condolences on your Father's death" she added.
"Thank you" replied Arthur.
"I hear it was you three, a maid and the court physician who defeated the darkness" said Jonathan, mildly.
"Yes, Gaius, the court Physician, and Gwen, Lady Morgana's maid" Arthur said, waving over to them. "And Jamie" Arthur added proudly.
"And he is?" asked Jonathan. Jamie held up a little hand and waved.
"Oh the child" Jonathan said, immediately dismissing him. Jamie caught the tone in his voice and slowly lowered his hand, looking confused.
"He's mine and Merlin's ward" Morgana stated, her tone, an undercurrent of danger lacing it.
"Just an observation" Jonathan assured her, sounding bored. A moment later Annis grabbed his arm, whispering something into his ear, she then let him go roughly, and turned back to Arthur.
"You must forgive my son, travel does not agree with him" she said.
"No harm has been done" Merlin replied. Annis nodded at him, the room growing uncomfortably quiet for a few moments before Arthur clapped his hands.
"Please, you must be weary from your travels, if you'll allow the servant's to show you to your rooms we have prepared for you, then later we can meet for dinner" Arthur said. Annis bowed to him.
"your hospitality is most welcome" she said, then she turned and gripping Jonathan roughly pulled him out of the room. The two guards bowed and then followed their queen out. As soon as the door closed, Arthur slunk back in the chair.
"That went better than I had thought" he said at last.
"Did I do something wrong?" asked Jamie, feeling his way over to him. Arthur stroked his hair as he reached the throne, the others in the room smiling as, yet again, Arthur forgot he was on duty, even the council members.
"No, you did great" Arthur assured him. Jamie beamed, as Merlin knelt down and picked him up.
"What an ass" muttered Morgana.
"He always was" Arthur replied.
"You know him already?" asked Merlin.
"What's an ass?" asked Jamie.
"Merlin will explain" said Morgana, walking away towards the doors. Arthur grinning at Merlin.
"Why do I get left with the difficult questions?" Merlin asked.
Dinner was going pleasantly enough, Arthur at the head of the table, Morgana, Merlin and Jamie on his left, Annis and Jonathan on his right, Gwen and another servant, George at either side of the table, doing what they did best. Arthur and Annis were talking to each other about defences and trade between their respective kingdoms, and seemed to be getting along fine. Jamie was talking to Merlin about something, holding Merlin's hand as he spoke, leaving Morgana and Jonathan, to look at each other over the table and attempt to make small talk.
"My lady, I feel I should apologise for my behaviour earlier" said Jonathan as they spoke. "In our kingdom, wards are never taken so young, and I've never heard of a ward with… a disability before" he admitted, looking at the boy. "it's not something I'm accustomed to" he added. Morgana nodded.
"No apologies are necessary" she said diplomatically. "And in fact, his disability proved us in good stead when the Darkness came" she added. "He was the one who led us through the castle when we couldn't see anything" she explained.
"Really?" Jonathan asked, sounding impressed.
"Yes" said Merlin looking up, Jamie taking a sip of his juice, his head tilting at the voices.
"Well, he must be something special then" Jonathan said.
"He is" said Merlin.
"He's our world" said Morgana. Annis looked over and smiled, then looked back to Arthur, and carried on talking. The meal went on for another hour, before Morgana stood, and took Jamie's hand.
"Come on, bed time for you" she said. Jamie stood as well.
"My lady?" asked Gwen.
"You can go on home when you're done Gwen, I'm fatigued myself" Morgana said. She took Merlin's hand and he kissed it, then she bowed to Annis.
"My queen" she said.
"Morgana" she returned, with a nod of her own.
"Jonathan"
"My Lady"
"Say goodnight to our guests" Morgana told Jamie.
"Goodnight Queen" he said with a small bow.
"Goodnight child"
"Goodnight ass" he said to Jonathan, who eyes went wide. Morgana blinked, Gwen looked at the ceiling, George suddenly found the wine container very interesting and Arthur Glared daggers at Merlin.
"wine anyone?" Merlin asked, as Morgana quickly took Jamie from the room. As soon as the doors were closed, Annis burst out laughing.
"Mother!" Jonathan protested. She hit him lightly on the arm.
"You asked for that" she said, still laughing. Slowly Jonathan began to smile, then he too laughed.
"Yes… I guess I did" he agreed, Arthur letting out a held breath, amazed they had taken it so well. Merlin slinked away about twenty minuets later.
"I must admit Arthur, that child is something" said Annis, as they finished the last of their meal. "It's not often someone gets the better of my son, oh it will be wonderful to tell the court back home" she said.
"I apologise, it was uncalled for" Arthur said. Annis shook her head.
"No, no need, no harm was done, and perhaps Jonathan here will think twice before dismissing other people's wards in the future" she said, glancing at her son, who abruptly stood.
"If I might be excused, I too am feeling fatigued" he said.
"Of course, goodnight" Arthur said.
"Mother" Jonathan added, with a bow to her, then, chuckling he left the room.
He made his way to his room which was in the northern part of the castle, with a view of the forest from the windows. It was a spacious room, with a large double bed, two wardrobes and a dressing screen, but he did not go to the dressing screen or the wardrobe, instead he went to the bed, reaching under it and pulling a crystal from it.
"Formarha" he whispered, his eyes glowing yellow briefly. He put the crystal back and sat on the bed.
"I trust you have some news?" asked Morgause from behind him. He turned to her and stood.
"I do indeed" his voice was a low growl. Not the arrogant prince. "The Lady Morgana will be difficult to sway to our cause" he said, his skin going a tinge of cobalt blue.
"Yet try we must. If destiny is to be rewritten, then it will be rewritten by my hand. Merlin and Morgana must be parted" she said.
"It will not be easy, they are too much in love" Jonathan replied.
"Then we must find that which they both hold dear and remove it" Morgause said.
"Easy, that would be the child"
"The blind boy?"
"Sickening, the way they both dote over him, even Queen Annis seems fond of him, and I grow weary of this form" he replied.
"Then we begin tomorrow. If this child is what they love, then we will simply have to remove him. You will kill the child" she ordered.
"What?"
"Slowly, make it look. Natural, an act of nature. Nothing more than that" she said.
"I am a Dragon Morgause, not an assassin that stalks blind children" Jonathan said. Morgause looked at him sharply.
"When the child is dead, Morgana and Merlin will blame each other, Arthur will become despondent, I have seen the effect of death many times. Morgana will willingly come to me, Merlin will fall even deeper into despair, and will become easy pickings for you, and then when he is gone and Arthur is without his little support network… then Morgana will take her place as queen willingly and I will have served my true purpose" Morgause said.
"And what is to stop them from using magic to heal the boy?"
"You will use the Dragon's gift, and no magic, not even Merlin and Morgana combined will defeat that" she said. "And when we leave, we will allow Annis to find her son's corpse with the body of a knight of Camelot near to him. War will be declared, A war that Arthur cannot possibly win" she stated. "Now, see to it" she said, then vanished. Jonathan looked at the space where she had been standing.
"Of course, my lady" he said, his voice back to normal, then with a snarl, he vanished, the door opening a moment later, before it closed again.
The door to Morgana and Merlin's chambers opened slowly, both of them stirring in the sleep, but not waking. Slight footsteps sounded quietly across the stone floor, as they moved towards Jamie's bed. His cane was resting by the wall, and he was breathing softly, fidgeting slightly.
"Calorsair" Jonathan's voice whispered above the bed. Jamie squinted, then turned over.
"I am sorry child" Jonathan whispered. Then slowly, quietly the footsteps moved back to the door and it opened, Jamie beginning to cough in his sleep. A second later the door closed.
Morning came, and Merlin yawned as he sat up, squinting at the light in the room, looking over and seeing Gwen sitting by Jamie's bed.
"Gwen?" he asked softly. She looked over at him. "What's up?" he asked, standing.
"Jamie says he doesn't feel well" Gwen said. "His head is hot to the touch as well" she whispered. Merlin moved over to her, seeing Jamie fast asleep, but small beads of sweat on his brow. He knelt down next to Jamie's bed and put his hand on his head, frowning, he looked over at Gwen.
"Get Gaius" he said. Gwen nodded and moved away quickly.
"Jamie?" Gaius asked as he knelt down by the bed. Jamie opened his eyes looking towards the voice.
"Hello" he said with a cough. Merlin and Morgana standing back so Gaius could work.
"How do you feel?" asked Gaius kindly.
"My tummy hurts" he said. Gaius nodded and then put his hand to Jamie's head.
"And you have a fever" Gaius said, looking over to Morgana and Merlin.
"What did he eat last night?" Gaius asked them.
"The same things as us" Morgana said. "A little meat, some fruit and water" she added. Gaius nodded, looking back to Jamie, who was coughing again.
"He'll be okay right?" asked Merlin. Gaius sighed.
"I'll need to run tests to see what he's picked up, most likely some childhood disease, Chicken Pox or Measles" he said. Merlin nodded as Gaius stood. "Until I discover what this is however he'll need to remain here, as will you two, Gwen and myself" said Gaius.
"Why?" asked Morgana.
"These diseases are not usually dangerous to children, but they can be in adults, I'm afraid we can't risk letting anyone walk around the castle and spreading it to those who never had it" Gaius said.
"then how will you perform your tests?" asked Merlin.
"I'll have to have my equipment sent here, I'll get one of the servants to leave it outside" Gaius said.
"Do you what you need to" Morgana said. Gaius nodded at her.
"I will"
"Can we sit with him?" asked Merlin.
"Of course" the old man replied kindly, standing up and going to the door. Merlin and Morgana both moved to Jamie, taking his hands as he reached out for them.
"How's our hero?" asked Morgana softly.
"My head feels dizzy" Jamie replied, Merlin reached out and stroked his hair gently.
"And your tummy as well?" he asked. Jamie nodded.
"Is this because I said that mean thing?" asked Jamie.
"no… no not at all" Morgana assured him, behind them the door opened and they heard Gaius call out to someone in the hall, telling them to inform Arthur that Morgana and Merlin's chambers were off limits, why they were and to get someone to bring some of his lab equipment here. Morgana looked over, seeing Gwen watching them, looking lost, and indicated she should join them. Gwen did so, sitting on the other side of the bed, smiling at Jamie, who turned away with a cough.
"Sorry" he muttered, sounding miserable, the others in the room chuckling.
"Trust you to apologise for being ill" Gwen said.
"Sorry for apologising" he replied with a little cheeky grin.
"Get some sleep" Morgana told him, kissing his forehead.
"Okay" She smiled and then stood, Gwen with her, he reached out, and Merlin took his hand.
"Daddy's right here" he said. Jamie nodded and laid back down. Merlin looked up at Morgana and Gwen, they smiled at him and moved over to Gaius, who looked up as they approached.
"Hopefully my equipment should be here soon" he said. Morgana nodded.
"You can help him?" she asked, the concern in her voice as she gripped Gwen's hand.
"I promise you, I will do all I can" Gaius assured her. Then he stopped talking the group looking over, listening as Merlin sang softly to Jamie, not caring who was there.
"He did that for me when Nimueh kidnapped us" Morgana said with a smile.
"He'll be fine Morgana" Gwen said, giving her hand a squeeze. Morgana nodded, and the group turned away, giving Merlin and Jamie some privacy.
Arthur was in the banquet hall having breakfast with Annis and Jonathan, when the doors opened and Leon walked in.
"Sire, sorry to interrupt" he said.
"Not at all, problem?" asked Arthur.
"There's something happening in Morgana and Merlin's chambers, apparently Jamie is ill, Gaius seems to think its nothing to be too alarmed about but he's quarantined Himself, Lady Morgana, Merlin and Gwen until he's determined what it is"
"Is it bad?" asked Arthur leaning forwards.
"We don't know yet, Gaius's equipment is being moved there, Merlin will take it inside when it's left outside the door" Leon said.
"Thank you Leon, please keep me updated" Arthur said, his manner becoming despondent.
"Of course sire" Leon replied, then gave a smart bow and left.
"I do hope the child is alright" said Annis.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" offered Jonathan. Arthur looked at him.
"No, thank you, and thank you for the offer" he replied.
"My own physician, is here, perhaps she can assist while your own is indisposed" offered Annis.
"If its not too much of an inconvenience, thank you" Arthur said.
"Not at all" she assured him. Jonathan nodded as well, then looked back towards the door, his mind seething. They were meant to leave today, and now, well Morgause would just have to wait, and he would have to remain in this guise longer than he had wished.
"Just set it up over there" said Gaius, pointing to the wall space by Jamie's bed. Merlin obliged, using magic to do so, a fact that Gwen still found slightly surreal. Morgana wasn't paying attention to him, instead she was sitting by Jamie, who was sleeping fitfully, the cough coming every ten minuets or so.
"Can you not… use magic to cure him?" asked Gwen. Merlin looked over at her and shook his head.
"We've tried" he said. Gaius shot him a look.
"What? You never told me that!" he said.
"Sorry, I was more… concerned with Jamie" Merlin said. Gaius's expression softened and he sighed.
"Then I need to work quickly, if magic cannot cure him then this is no simple childhood illness" he said.
"I'm sorry, I should have said" Merlin tried, finding his voice quivering as the reality sank in. Gaius moved to him, and hugged him tightly.
"Oh my poor boy, It's not your fault" he assured him, realising Merlin was shaking in his arms, slowly he led him to the bed and sat him down. Merlin looked over to Jamie's bed, and Morgana's teary gaze.
"who would do this Gaius? who'd hurt a child?" asked Merlin softly.
"Someone with a cold heart and no remorse" the old man replied, standing. Merlin watched him, then looked back as Gwen sat down next to him, putting a comforting arm around his shoulder. Gaius meanwhile had moved to his workbench and took a bowl from it and a small knife. He turned back to Morgana and Jamie and moved over.
"What are you doing?" Morgana asked as he approached.
"My lady, I must have a sample of his blood to test, only a drop" he said. Morgana nodded slowly and he knelt down.
"Jamie?" he asked softly.
"Mr Gaius?" Jamie replied.
"I'm going to need to take some blood from you, not a lot and from your finger to help you get better" Gaius explained.
"Okay" Jamie replied, going into another cough. Gaius took Jamie's hand.
"You'll feel a small pain, then it'll be over okay"
"Okay" Jamie replied again. Gaius smiled as Morgana hugged Jamie, then as gently as he could sliced the tip of Jamie's finger allowing a small amount to fall into the bowl, Jamie wincing as he did so. A moment later Gaius put the bowl and knife down, then put a small piece of cloth to the finger.
"there we go, all done" he said. Jamie nodded and pressed the cloth to the cut.
"That was very brave" said Morgana to him as Gaius stood and moved away.
"You and daddy wouldn't have cried" Jamie pointed out. Morgana smiled and pulled him into a hug, before he laid back down on the bed. Morgana looking up a moment later as Merlin sat down, lying next to him on the small bed. Jamie snuggled into him, Merlin wrapping his arm around him. Morgana took Merlin's hand, holding it tightly.
Gaius worked tirelessly for hours, only stopping briefly to eat, going through all his books, finding nothing to reference against. Gwen was curled up on the bed, sleeping softly, Merlin and Morgana laying either side of Jamie, both awake, both of them determined to stay with him. Outside the sun was getting low on the horizon, and Gaius was despairing. He had nothing to work with, only that it was a magical infection, he didn't know if it was contagious or not, hence not letting anyone leave the room. Arthur had sent up several people to see if there was any more news, each time being told that no, nothing had been found yet. But he knew time was growing short. Jamie's cough was becoming more frequent, and now when he breathed, there was a soft wheezing sound to it. Rubbing his eyes Gaius returned to his work, aware of the night that was gradually falling outside.
About twenty minuets later Morgana stood, stretching, moving over to the table to pour some water, leaving Merlin snoozing next to Jamie.
"Gaius?" she asked, holding up the jug.
"thank you" he said with a nod. She smiled and poured him some, handing him the goblet. Gaius looked up into her wet gaze, offering a smile of encouragement. She nodded back and sipped her water, but remained quiet, walking softly to the window. Gaius jumped as her goblet hit the ground.
"Morgana?" he asked concerned, and, standing, moving over to her, Merlin and Gwen both sitting up.
"Make them go away" she said, tears falling from her eyes. Gaius looked out as Merlin and Gwen joined them. Down in the courtyard was a gathering of people holding candles, a vigil for the dying.
"Please make then go away!" she screamed as Merlin pulled her into his arms and away from the window.
"They think he's dying don't they?" asked Gwen. Gaius looked at her, then back out of the window.
"Yes. And unless I can find out what's happening…" he didn't finish the thought…
He couldn't bare to.
"Arthur"
"Yes Jamie?"
"If Morgana is my mother and Merlin is my father, then what are you?" the question had caught Arthur off guard.
"I would say that would make me your… step uncle" he said. Jamie's face had lit up with a smile.
"A king for an uncle, does that mean I'm roya.. royal… going to be king one day?" Jamie had asked. Arthur had chuckled and knelt down, placing a hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"Anything is possible Jamie, just ask your Father"
"Merlin is going to be king?"
Arthur laughed out loud and stroked Jamie's hair. "Hardly" he had replied.
"What will he be then?"
"He'll be…. Your father, no matter what happens" Arthur replied.
Arthur blinked, bringing himself back into the present, as George busied himself around his chambers, tutting when he saw the plate of uneaten food on the table.
"Sire, you must keep your strength up" George told him. Arthur looked up at him, blinking.
"Of course" he said, looking down at the food. He made no attempt to reach for it however. Instead he suddenly stood and walked to his chamber doors.
"Sire?" asked George.
"I'm fine, I just need some air" Arthur replied, walking out, bumping almost immediately into Annis's physician, an older woman called Alice.
"Forgive me sire" she said with a bow.
"No, it is me who should apologise, not looking where I was going" Arthur replied. Alice smiled.
"Your thought's are troubled" she said. Arthur nodded and sighed. Alice patted his hands.
"Do not let it trouble you sire, the boy is in good hands" she assured him.
"Gaius is good, but against a magical illness?" Arthur queried.
"He will not give up, he will never give up" Alice assured him, then handed him a poultice.
"I thought I might give you that, it might help you sleep tonight" she said. Arthur nodded and looked at her.
"Thank you Alice" he said. "If I might ask, how do you know of Gaius?" Alice gave a coy smile.
"We were engaged once" she said, then with a bow walked away, leaving Arthur alone in the corridor.
"I hope your right" he muttered after her, but deep down he was more afraid then he could ever admit. Slowly he turned and walked back into his chamber closing the door behind him.
Jamie woke up crying, Morgana and Merlin both rushing to him.
"Jamie?" asked Morgana, trying to keep her voice calm.
"It hurts.." Jamie cried, holding his stomach.
"Gaius?" asked Merlin, looking over to him. Gaius rushed over with a small poultice of medicine, Gwen was standing by the window looking over, feeling angry at herself for being so helpless.
"is it your stomach?" Gaius asked softly. Jamie nodded.
"Here, lets see if this helps shall we?" said Gaius, holding the top to Jamie's mouth. Jamie sipped it slowly, then took a deep breath.
"Better?" Gaius asked.
"A bit" Jamie said. Gaius patted his hand and stood.
"Try to get back to sleep" he suggested.
"Me and daddy will stay with you" said Morgana. Jamie nodded, clutching her hand. Morgana worrying at how cold his own little hand was. Together the three of them lay back down on the bed. Gwen took a deep breath and moved over to Gaius.
"Is there nothing I can do to help?" she whispered. Gaius looked over at her, and gave a sad smile.
"I fear you will need to be there for them" he said softly. "I don't know what to do" his own voice breaking slightly. Gwen pulled him into a hug, looking over his shoulder at Morgana, Merlin and Jamie. Slowly Gaius pulled away from her.
"I must work" he said quietly. Gwen nodded, and he indicated to the others.
"Go, sit with them. They need you as much as Jamie needs them" he said. Gwen nodded, then moved over to the bed, kneeling down, Morgana and Merlin looking over at her.
"I thought I might sit with you for a bit, if that's alright" Gwen said. Morgana took her hand, and nodded, then the three of them looked back at the sleeping child, Jamie nestled between the pair of them, who were also holding hands with each other.
Gaius could feel himself falling asleep, shaking his head to clear it. It was now the early hours of the morning, and behind him the four other occupants of the room were asleep, three silently, one who sounded as if they were having difficulty breathing. Gaius closed his eyes, then slammed his fist down on his bench, tears falling from his eyes. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking over to see Merlin standing there.
"Gaius?" asked Merlin softly.
"I'm sorry" the old man replied. "I'm trying.. but I don't know what to do" he said, his voice breaking as he began to sob. Merlin pulled him into a hug, he himself also crying.
"I know. I've seen you working.." Merlin said softly. Gaius nodded.
"But it doesn't make it any easier" he said. Merlin smiled, pulling away.
"Gaius, no one could have done as much as you have" Merlin said.
"But its not enough. Its nowhere near enough" Gaius replied, turning back to his work bench.
"Daddy?" Merlin turned and Gaius looked up as Jamie spoke up. Morgana and Gwen both sitting up.
"Jamie?" Merlin replied softly.
"I can't breathe" Jamie said, panic entering his voice as he gasped. Merlin rushed over to him, Gaius at his side. Jamie was squirming on the bed, clutching the covers.
"Jamie you must try to be calm" Gaius said softly.
"I'm… trying, Mummy. Daddy?" he said. Merlin and Morgana leant forwards, taking his hands.
"we're here" Morgana said.
"I'm sorry" Jamie said.
"It's not your fault" Merlin said gently, Jamie gasped again, blinking.
"I love you" he whispered.
"Jamie… don't" said Morgana. Clutching his hand tightly. Merlin doing the same, he looked over to her voice, then seemed to calm down a little. He managed to smile for her, then his eyes closed, and a moment later his hands fell limp.
"Jamie?" Merlin asked softly. "Jamie, wake up" he tried again. Gwen had stood up and was standing by Gaius, holding him tightly.
"WAKE UP!" Merlin screamed, As Morgana clutched his hand. He looked at her, then pulled her into a hug, embracing her, the pair of them lost to despair.
Arthur looked up from where he was laying on his bed as the door to his chamber's opened. He sat up as Leon walked in, the knight kneeling by the bed. Arthur listened for several moments. Then slowly stood, before collapsing to his knees tears falling from his eyes as he beat at the floor, Leon moving next to him.
Annis opened her chamber door as people began to run around outside, a moment later she caught sight of Alice.
"Alice?" she asked. Alice looked at her, and shook her head. Across from her Jonathan opened his own door and looked out.
"This child is dead" Annis said softly. Jonathan closed his eyes and shook his head, then closed the door. A moment later he moved to the bed, removing the crystal from it.
"Formarha" he snarled.
"Such a temper" muttered Morgause as she appeared behind him.
"I truly hope you are satisfied with what your twisted mind has wrought" said Jonathan, the Dragon's voice taking over.
"The child is dead then?" she asked.
"He is, and our alliance is over" Jonathan snarled.
"You would leave me now, when we are so close?" she demanded.
"I would. I cannot work with someone who destroys innocent's just to further their gains"
"Yet you did just that when you served Balinor!"
"We left the innocent alone!" he roared in reply. "Only the knights and those who fought back were harmed and even then… even then we regretted it!"
"Then you are weaker than I had first thought. Very well, but know this, you had as much a part as me in that child's death" she said. "I hope your freedom is worth it" she snarled.
"If I had known how evil you truly were I would never have aided you" it replied. Morgause laughed and blinked, when her eyes opened they were jet black.
"You have no idea" said the Beast, before it vanished. Jonathan stepped back, mouth open.
Arthur ran into Morgana's chambers, stopping as he saw Merlin and Morgana hunched over Jamie's still form. Gwen looked over and rushed to him, not caring one bit that he was the King. Arthur embraced her, even as Morgana looked up at him.
"Morgana… Merlin" he said softly, then he broke down again.
"Arthur" Merlin's voice was rough from crying. Arthur looked up at him.
"I… I need to call the Dragon" he said suddenly. Arthur looked at him and blinked, even as Morgana did the same.
"He might be able to…" Merlin couldn't carry on.
"Do it" Arthur ordered.
Merlin moved to the window, opening it, below him he could hear people praying in the Courtyard, the candles blowing gently in the breeze. He ignored them, instead closing his eyes.
"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" he called out. Then watched as Morgana, Arthur and Gwen joined him. The people below had gone very quiet. A moment later there was a roar as the Great Dragon flew over the top of the castle, wings flapping as it came eye level to the window.
"I feel great sorrow Young Warlock.. what has happened?" it asked.
"My son…" said Merlin, gulping. "Jamie is dead" The Dragon's eyes widened, and it actually seemed taken aback.
"You have my deepest sympathy, but I do not know what I can do to aid you as much as I want to" it said.
"Please. There must be some way, something" said Morgana. The Dragon looked at her, then its expression seemed to soften.
"Let me see the child" he said softly. Merlin moved away, appearing a moment later carrying Jamie's body in his arms. The Great Dragon leaned its head forwards, tilting it, then its eyes narrowed.
"This was not a natural death" it stated angrily
"You've seen this before?" asked Gaius.
"Unfortunately. This is the work of Dragon Magic" it said.
"You mean a Dragon did this?" asked Merlin, rage on his face.
"That one of my kin would stoop so low… sickening" The great Dragon snarled.
"Please, can you help him or not?" asked Morgana.
"Lay him on his pallet" The Great Dragon said. Merlin moved away, and put Jamie back on his bed.
"To save him I will need to take a small part of each of you, the feeling will not be pleasant" said the Dragon as its face filled the window, even as a moment later Annis entered with Jonathan, Lancelot and Percival. Jonathan balked away seeing the dragon there, and it looked at him, but then looked away, Annis, Jonathan, Leon, Percival and Lancelot watching.
"Now… prepare yourselves" said the Dragon. It closed its eyes, and the group consisting of Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, Gwen and Gaius found themselves holding hands, looking at each other. The dragon heaved in then blew a soft warm air over them and Jamie. Nothing happened for a moment, then they all yelped in pain as they felt something rip from them. Gasping they looked at each other, then at the Dragon.
"I did warn you" it said. "Now it is the hands of the gods" he added, then he glanced once more at Jonathan and vanished from the window. The group looked down at Jamie, Annis and Jonathan walking over to them, looking down.
"Jamie" Merlin said softly.
"Daddy?" he replied softly. Merlin burst into tears, Morgana doing the same as Jamie sat up. .
"I have a Headache" he said with a grin. "Why are you crying?" he asked, tilting his head. No one replied, instead they all hugged him tightly. Annis watched smiling, then turned to the others.
"Come, let them have some privacy" she said, leading them out.
The next afternoon, Arthur and the others met with Annis in the audience chamber. She walked forwards smiling at him, and at Jamie, who stood next to Morgana, holding his stick proudly.
"My lady" Arthur said with a bow. She returned it, and Arthur smiled, extending his hand. "Thank you, for all you have done" he said. She shook her head.
"There has been far too much death recently, I did what I could to lessen your burdens, nothing more" she replied.
"But you acted not as an ally, but as someone I would consider a friend" he told her, she smiled at that and nodded.
"I have known you for a very short time Arthur Pendragon, but already I can see what a great leader you will be" she said. Then she knelt down to Jamie.
"Child?" she said softly. Jamie stiffened and then bowed towards the sound of her voice.
"Queen?" he asked hesitantly. She took his hand gently.
"will you do me one small favor?" she asked.
"It would be an… Hon or" he stammered, Merlin and Morgana both smiling down at him.
"Would you forgive this Queen's son for being such an ass?" she teased.
"I Forgive you" he called out.
"Thanks" muttered Jonathan.
"Thank you Jamie. I envy you, you have such loving parents" she said softly.
"And an King Uncle and Mr Gaius and Gwen" he said. Annis chuckled.
"And them as well" she said, then she stood, smiling at Merlin and Morgana, then turned away.
"Be well Arthur" she said.
"And you" he called. Percival and Lancelot both bowed, following their queen out.
"Jonathan?" asked Arthur as the man stepped forwards.
"I'm not Jonathan" he said abruptly.
"What?" asked Arthur frowning. Jonathan held up his hands. "Jonathan is dead, she does not know, but I must warn you, you are all in grave danger" he said.
"From what?" asked Morgana, stepping forwards.
"Jamie was but the first of his targets. But he inhabits Morgause. The Beast still lives" he said. Then he bowed quickly and practically ran from the room. The group looked at each other, then at the closed doors.
"Then bring it on" Arthur muttered.
"shouldn't we warn her?" asked Merlin. Arthur looked at him, then shook his head.
"No, I think they'll be fine, Annis does not have to know, not until whoever that was is ready to tell her" he said. Merlin nodded, as Arthur sat down.
"It lives in Morgause" Muttered Morgana, stroking her stomach. Jamie took her hand and she looked down at him.
"We'll stop it" he said. She smiled and stroked his hand.
"Always my hero" she said.
"URAGHHHHHHARAGHHHHH!" The Beasts voice roared around the empty throne room of Godfry's castle as it watched what had happened.
"Bring it on?" he growled. "Very well Arthur Pendragon. I will bring it. And you will cower in terror" it roared, it moved into the courtyard where it was raining and held up its hands, lightning leapt from Morgause's fingers, striking the ground all around.
"Arise!" she commanded. The ground splitting open as the lightning bounced across it from puddle to puddle, arching out around her. Low groans and wails filled the air, and the Beast possessed Morgause watched in satisfaction as the conjured dead began to rise.
"Yes Arthur. I will most certainly 'bring it" the beast growled.
To Be Continued….