Chapter 6

"Before I start - here." Vortigern pulled a dry piece of bread from his cloak. He handed it to Arthur without taking his eyes off Merlin. "You might need all of your strength for the plan to work and I don't know if they brought you any food."

Arthur was clearly suspicious; Merlin knew that look.

"It's not poisoned." Vortigern assured.

"I wasn't thinking it." Arthur took a bite and a sigh escaped him while he tried to talk with his mouth still full. "You hab a pwan?"

There was no answer, and Merlin knew what that did to Arthur. The prince of Camelot, always planning every detail of every trip - of everything, in fact. He didn't want to look at Arthur for too long because he almost couldn't stand the glint of fear in his eyes. Of course his friend was there for him, would help him, but this was beyond their knowledge. What could Merlin do without jeopardizing his own safety? Arthur could not find out about his magic; not now. It wasn't the right time. Was there ever a right time?

The darkness inside of him, forcefully throwing images into his mind, kept pulsing. One moment he was able to fight it, the next its stabs of pain made him want to scream. If Vortigern could lessen the effects for a longer period of time, he might be able to beat it. Though, with his magic blocked, he couldn't be certain - and yes, he was afraid as well.

The images shown to him had been very clear and when he had opened his eyes to see a very alive Arthur he'd almost cried in relief. The tree and Kildare were definitely trying to convince him to walk away from his life in Camelot. Kildare, who was very much a part of the tree's dark magic. The nightmares made him realise the man was connected to him. Kildare may look harsh and unrelenting, but he wasn't - he was afraid, like him. Merlin had felt it clearly.

"Emrys, I need your help with this."

Vortigern's voice floated into Merlin's head, soft but clear, and he looked up at him in shock only to realise it was inside his head and Arthur couldn't have heard it. He would have to help him? How could he with his magic suppressed? What if the images came back with a vengeance as they had done when Arthur had touched the device? Merlin had never felt pain like it before; only Arthur's voice had kept him grounded.

"I am going to cast the spell; to try and lower the effects, first." Vortigern said it out loud and squeezed Merlin's shoulder in support.

"Do it." Arthur grumbled, holding on to him as if he were afraid letting go would mean losing him. It warmed him inside, knowing the prince cared for him even though he didn't always show it. They would probably never speak of it again when they returned home.

Home. It seemed so far away now; but it was home. No dreams or images would ever convince him otherwise.

Vortigern lay his cool hand on Merlin's head, being careful not to touch the device behind his ear. What was its name again? Eorðgráp? Merlin racked his exhausted brain to find the meaning of the word. Maybe he should ask Vortigern about it when it was finally removed...

"Shhhh." Vortigern admonished, the spell fluidly leaving his lips. "Þurhhæle angsumnes."

The immediate relief the spell should evoke - and Merlin knew all about healing spells - didn't come, but there was a slight difference in the dark substance. It was as if the images and pain were stepping backwards, hiding amongst the shadows in his mind. He let out a deep breath of air, deep enough that his whole body moved, and he could hear Arthur's voice from far away.

"What is happening, druid?"

Merlin wanted to tell him it was alright, but then his friend would start asking more questions. He didn't have the strength to answer regardless. Like Vortigern he stayed silent and allowed himself to sink back onto Arthur's lap.

"Merlin?" The prince asked, sounding anxious but much closer.

"Don't... worry." Merlin's voice slurred a little as if he had drunk too much cider and the notion alone made him giggle for some reason, which made Arthur gaze down at him in confusion. This made him giggle even more.

"I think the spell had some effect." Vortigern said.

"You don't say." Arthur shook his head, the tension in his stance falling away. It wasn't as if he would trust Vortigern instantly, but it was a start. Merlin felt grateful the prince could be this open minded when his father wasn't watching him.

"Alright, I will try and remove the eorðgráp now," Vortigern said, bending over and feeling Merlin's pulse. "We need to bind your hands so you don't move."

"Can't we just knock him out?" Arthur asked very seriously, making Merlin frown.

"Knock me out. Are you insane?"

"I would say 'practical'," Arthur countered. "And that is no way to speak to a prince."

"A practically mad prince."

"We can't knock him out," Vortigern stated. "Merlin needs to stay conscious in order for this to work." In Merlin's head he spoke again. "You can't help me when you are unconscious, Emrys."

Merlin let out a sigh full of tension and anxiety. He would do his best, but seriously doubted he would be able to do anything at all. "I don't think I can help." Even though it was hard to project the words, he could see on Vortigern's face that he understood. The old man smiled.

"Is this another... magical procedure?" Arthur asked, voice full with suspicion that made Merlin's stomach drop in a painful manner. Letting Vortigern perform a spell on Merlin in front of him must have been very difficult already; maybe this was one step too far?

"This can only be fought with magic." Vortigern replied.

Merlin could see Arthur was considering these words, his eyes intent. "Why would anyone want to do this to Merlin to begin with?"

Ah, there it was, the question Merlin had been dreading. His eyes met Vortigern's. "He can't know who I really am. Not now." Merlin frantically told the old man in silence.

The physician gazed down at him curiously. "Why not? He's your friend."

"I need to be by his side to protect him. If he finds out about my magic, I can't stay. He would be forced to make a choice, and I don't want to put him in that position."

"You have thought this over, have you?" Vortigern nodded, letting him know his secret was safe before turning to Arthur.

"I think Kildare did this to Merlin to keep you subdued. This way he knows you won't do anything foolish, or more harm will come to Merlin."

"Well, he's wrong."

"Yes, I can see that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Arthur?" Merlin blinked at the prince, knowing it was time to stop talking and move on. Vortigern's spell to subdue some of the effects of the coin wouldn't last long. He already felt himself slipping back into that painful dreamlike state again.

"Merlin?"

"Be nice."

"I'm always nice."

Merlin tried a smile and wanted to make another remark, but he felt too exhausted. However strange and frightening, he could handle the fact his magic was suppressed - but the coin, with the essence of the tree and Kildare himself, had almost broken his spirit. It had attacked his inner core; his very soul had been laid bare. His magic was buried too deep inside of him to withstand the coin. It definitely had to come off.

He had sensed this darkness, the essence of the tree, when he'd first seen Kildare and he couldn't understand why someone would choose to become part of this dark magic willingly. For Kildare there was no going back, even though it seemed as if he believed there was. It made Merlin sad in a way.

"We should continue," Vortigern said, taking the ropes still hanging on the wall in both his hands. "I'm sorry we have to bind you."

"It's not your fault."

"Yes, it is." Vortigern said quietly, "I should have stopped Kildare."

"You're helping now."

Merlin could see Arthur's conflicted feelings very clearly; they were written all over the man's face as Merlin sat back against the cold stone wall and let them tie the ropes around his wrists. Vortigern was right; this way he wouldn't be a danger to himself or them. It made his stomach clench; he really didn't want to hurt anyone if he could prevent it.

"Merlin, I want you to concentrate on your magic." Vortigern's voice was a lot clearer inside his head all of a sudden, startling him a bit. Did this mean his magic had fought its way back to the surface? Merlin hoped this was the case.

"You know I can't use it." Emotions were bubbling up again; it was almost impossible to stay calm. Why would the man believe he could use his magic anyway?

"But it's still there."

"Yes, and you knew?" He couldn't keep the accusation out of the words forming in his mind. Vortigern had lied to him. Had told him he had lost his magic instead of it being subdued. What had they been thinking - that he wouldn't find out the truth? It made Merlin wonder if they truly didn't know about his ability to feel the connection. Maybe he shouldn't? He wasn't just a sorcerer, after all; he was a warlock.

"I'm sorry." Vortigern's apologies sounded sincere when he looked him straight in the eyes.

"I can get it back, right?"

"Let us try and remove the eorðgráp first."

"Tell me."

Vortigern just looked at him as if in doubt. Maybe he didn't even know the answer? No, that couldn't be right. If they wanted to teach him they would have to allow him to regain his magic at some point, wouldn't they?

"Will you get started, or are you going to gaze at each other all day long?" It was Arthur's voice and it made them both look guilty, though this couldn't be seen by the prince.

Before Merlin had time to ask any more of his pressing questions, Vortigern lay his hand on Merlin's neck, not far from the coin but not yet touching it. What was he...

"Líesinge"

The feeling of drowning washed over Merlin as soon as the spell was released. His throat was closing and he opened his mouth in a desperate attempt to find some air. It felt as if icy cold water bubbled up inside his mouth, lungs, and head; flooding the tiny spark of repressed magic as if to destroy it permanently. It felt like a last effort to stop the release of the coin, and as Merlin concentrated to stay calm he felt a surge of panic. Not his own panic, but someone- something else. Was it the tree showing its true heart?

He couldn't help the anguished cry leaving his lips as the panic took hold of his body, and no matter how he tried to stop it his body spasmed as if it were coming apart. His arms were shaking and the ropes holding them cut into his wrists. He pounded his head against the wall. What the hell was Vortigern doing, he needed this thing off now!

His head was about to explode and he heard Arthur's frantic call of his name. Arthur, who would do anything possible to get them out of here safe and well; to get them back home where Merlin could continue as his servant - something he wanted to do with all his heart. If he could just...

Arthur's hands pressed firmly against his cheeks, keeping his head from hitting the wall. Warmth spread from his skin and Merlin found the strength to look at his friend. Letting out a deep sigh he felt himself calm down. The darkness boiled in anger but didn't get a full hold. He could hear people screaming, but it was very far away.

Then there was a pulling sensation on his neck and lights danced in front of his eyes. He would have fainted if there hadn't been a tiny spark of magic reaching his heart. He knew the coin - the eorðgráp - was gone.

Arthur held on to Merlin's head with both hands. There might be little he could do about the removal of the coin, but he could prevent his friend's head from hitting the wall. When Merlin had gazed up to him he could feel the man's strength. Merlin had always been strong, he knew, but this was an ordeal beyond Arthur's comprehension.

"Well?" He asked Vortigern, knowing he probably shouldn't interrupt the old man's concentrated state. The physician was sitting on his haunches with his hand on Merlin's neck, muttering words Arthur didn't recognise. He had heard the spell to lessen its effects, but this was something different.

"Let go of him," the physician suddenly said, reaching for the coin. "Now!"

Arthur let go instantly.

The man grabbed the coin and was blown backwards with so much force it took all of Arthur's strength to keep them both on their feet. Vortigern uttered no sound when he lost his balance, grabbing hold of Arthur's shirt, and they ended up on the floor together. The old man landed on top of him, a heavy weight pushing down on Arthur's chest. He felt himself gasp, not only because of this but also because he feared the coin could have killed the physician. He had to make certain the man - and Merlin of course - was alright. If Vortigern were to die or was dead already he had no idea how to get them out of here.

Arthur carefully rolled the man to the side before getting up on his knees with dread in his stomach. From the corner of his eye he saw Merlin was conscious. He would have checked his friend first, but as Merlin seemed to be alright his priority was the physician.

The man's face was as pale as a sheet, his lips a tinge of blue. No, he couldn't be dead. Arthur held his hand near the man's lips willing him to breathe, to give a sign of life. He could feel Merlin's eyes on them.

"Is he..."

"No, wait a moment."

The heavy silence of the moment was overwhelming, and then a tiny wisp of air touched the back of his hand. Thank God the man was alive.

Vortigern had just risked his own life to save Merlin - Arthur's doubts about him were slowly ebbing away. He let out a relieved sigh and turned to find Merlin's fearful gaze locked with his. "He's alive."

At the same moment Vortigern started coughing, and watery eyes searched his. There was confusion in the man's gaze, but only for a moment. A smile was slowly appearing on his wrinkled face as he held something up between his thumb and finger in triumph. It was the coin.

There was a pair of audible sighs to be heard in the quiet of the dungeons before silence came over them. Arthur was the first to jump to his feet.

"I guess it's safe to untie you, Merlin."

"I guess it is."

"Unless you'd like to stay in this position for a while longer?"

"Why would I like that?"

"It might keep you out of trouble." Arthur couldn't help but grin at his own remark.

"You're hilarious, Sire." Merlin muttered, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.

Arthur pulled away the ropes binding Merlin's wrists. He couldn't help a wince of sympathy when he saw the angry red marks left behind. His gaze fell on his own wrists, still red and covered in dried blood. It just wasn't their day - or had it been weeks? Now that the coin was off all Arthur wanted to do was get the hell out of this place. Still, Merlin looked as if he were about to fall over when he was released from the wall. Arthur quickly raised his arm to prevent it from happening.

Even Vortigern, slowly getting to his knees, looked like death warmed up. He still held the coin firmly in his fist, a look of pain in his eyes. Was the coin hurting him too? It was a possibility Arthur hadn't thought about. But before he could ask the physician looked Merlin straight in the eyes.

"Well?"

Merlin closed his eyes for a moment, his face scrunched up in concentration. "It's still there, the darkness, but it can't seem to get a complete hold. The invading images have stopped."

"Good." Vortigern rubbed shaky hands over his face.

"What do you mean, 'good'? He's still possessed by dangerous magic, isn't he?" Arthur couldn't help but feel upset. Yes the physician had removed the coin, but it was clear this didn't mean Merlin was healed. It made him nauseated all over again. What if the old man didn't know what to do next? He couldn't bring Merlin to Camelot knowing he was possessed by dark magic; his father wouldn't understand. They had to do something.

"It's more of a dark substance, an entity of sorts."

"Magic, entities, who cares? We need to get it out of him." Arthur could see Vortigern was thinking hard. "Any ideas?"

"Wait a moment..."

Arthur felt even more upset. "Why in the world should we..."

Merlin pulled his sleeve and made shushing motions with his eyes and mouth. What was going on now? Arthur blinked, gazing from Merlin back to Vortigern. The old man's eyes were glazing over, a milky substance obscured the colour of the pupils. "What the hell is that?"

"I think he's going into a trance; I think it's the eorðgráp in his hand."

"The coin's doing this?"

"I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?"

"Should I be?"

"Merlin, this is not..."

"Shhh, he's speaking."

It was definitely Vortigern's voice but it sounded strained, as if he were trying to push through some barrier to bring across what he had to say.

"Kildare and Merlin are as one. They are connected to the tree. Merlin has a different reaction to the darkness; he is stronger, more able to withstand its power and influence." The man blinked hard a couple of times before the coin slipped from his grasp and landed with a soft tinkle on the floor. When he looked at Arthur his eyes were clear.

"What happened?" Arthur knew he should give the man a couple of moments to compose himself, but if they were in any danger from the fallen coin he had to know. "Did the coin do this to you?"

"It's the essence of the tree - I had to fight its power and can't hold the eorðgráp for long; it's too painful." Vortigern gasped, obviously still in shock. "It gave me a brief insight into its purpose."

"What purpose?"

Vortigern didn't answer. He gaped at Merlin, making Arthur uncomfortable. Did this have something to do with Merlin as well - Merlin being stronger and more able to withstand it? This wasn't even possible; how could his often-goofy friend be strong enough to fight a dark entity? No way could any ordinary person fight it.

The physician turned to him with urgency in his eyes.

"We have to completely destroy it; destroy the eorðgráp. "

TBC