Sorry for the delay, but the next chapter is finally here! Hope you guys like what you read, enjoy!
"Let's set him down for a moment," Gwaine panted as he and Arthur carried Merlin's limp form through the forests in an effort to reach the sewage pipe to sneak him into Camelot. He took one look at Merlin, who was doing everything in his power not to cry out in pain, and pushed for a rest.
Arthur nodded, panting as well, sweat beading his forehead, as the two knights carefully placed Merlin against a tree trunk. Merlin released a visible sigh of relief as he wasn't moving and disturbing the wound in his back. They angled him so his lower back wasn't touching the trunk, therefore pressing the knife further into his back.
Gwaine took a cautious look at Arthur who stood a few feet away. He knew the Prince was dying inside to find whoever did this to Merlin and to strangle him to death. He wanted to ask Merlin questions about his attacker, but the young man was in no condition to relive the moment.
Gwaine gathered a few leaves and berries from the nearby bushes and offered them to Merlin who shook his head weakly, but looked at him in gratitude. Gwaine knew of Merlin's abilities, so they shared an unspoken bond that he did not have with Arthur.
Arthur looked back at his servant, who was still bleeding and panting heavily. His expression softened and he went by Merlin's side, "Stay with us, Merlin," he lighty placed a hand on his shoulder, "we're nearly there. Gaius will take good care of you."
Gwaine was very much aware of the darkness that surrounded them in these woods. The forest was even more perilous at night, and with an injured man, even worse.
Merlin tried for a tired smile, "You could….make the ride…..a little less...bumpy….clotpole…"
Arthur smiled, but it faded after a moment. Leave it to Merlin not to abandon his annoying charm in the most dire of moments.
"We should continue," Gwaine said after a few seconds once they caught their breath, "I fear there is danger lurking in these woods."
Arthur nodded in agreement and they gently hoisted Merlin up. They resumed their position in carrying him, Gwaine at his legs and Arthur at his head. Merlin took in a sharp breath as they started walking again and agitating his stab wound, but he was grateful for the knights. Had they not found him, he would've been left to die in those woods.
Merlin had lost consciousness a few minutes ago. His eyes fluttered close and didn't open again. Arthur hurriedly assured he was still breathing by checking for a pulse. His shoulders relaxed when he found one, but it was weak. They needed to hasten their journey to Gaius'.
"There," Arthur gestured with his head towards a drainage pipe in the corner. They were trekking alongside the Eastern Wall, out of the guards' and Terrowin's sight.
"That's our entrance?" Gwaine gawked. It was a small hole, big enough for a child to slip through, not two grown knights and an injured man.
Arthur nodded gravely, "We've no alternative."
Arthur and Gwaine placed Merlin on his side, and Gwaine stood watch with his sword at the ready as Arthur pried open the sewage drain. He came away with grimy hands, but he managed to open the pipe for them to fit through.
Gwaine immediately recoiled at the smell as he noticed the grime and sludge around the drain's circumference. He took a deep breath and remembered their purpose, steeling himself for what was to come.
Arthur entered the drain first, seeming invincible to the disgusting waters he descended into and the nauseating stench. He gestured for Gwaine to hoist Merlin's limp form up. The knight gripped Merlin's under arms, shouldering his entire weight, as he gently met Arthur who relieved him. Arthur pulled Merlin inside, but kept him as high above the water as he could.
Gwaine entered next, feeling the sludge rise to his torso. He helped Arthur carry Merlin above the water as they continued on. The sewer system spread across the whole kingdom, leaving Merlin and Gwaine to find their way through the endless labyrinth below Camelot.
"How are you doing?" Gwaine called as he sputtered and tried to keep his mouth away from the water as much as possible.
"I don't matter," Arthur called back, "Merlin is my priority at the moment. We're almost there, just a few more turns!"
Gwaine and Arthur waded their way through the sewage waters, doing their best to keep Merlin afloat, and find their way beneath Camelot in the darkness of night.
Finally, Arthur spotted their exit. It would lead them directly into the town square, but at this late hour it would be abandoned. They just needed to exit quickly and rush to Gaius' to tend to Merlin.
Gwaine had Arthur lay Merlin's body against his as the Prince waded through the disgusting waters towards the drain pipe that was their exit. It took him several minutes, but he managed to pry it open. Gwaine felt relief flood through him as they had finally arrived after their search and journey that had lasted many long hours. He was even more thankful to have brought Merlin back to Camelot for help. Arthur exited first and ensured that the coast was clear, before gesturing to Gwaine to move forward. He lifted Merlin's body up and Arthur held onto his arms firmly, pulling him up and onto the surface.
Arthur immediately checked for a pulse, and closed his eyes in relief when he still found one. Gwaine climbed out, sopping wet as the sewage dripped off him. Arthur and he no doubt smelled of bile, but that didn't matter. Gaius' dwelling was only a few hundred feet away.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Gaius was sleeping fitfully, his heart still clenched with worry for Merlin, when a loud knocking at the door woke him from his light slumber.
He perked up, "Merlin?" he said hopefully. He quickly pulled a robe over his night garments and rushed to the door.
Gaius was met with a sight he was not expecting. Merlin was there alright, but not as he expected.
"My God!" Gaius cried when he saw what was before him. A dirty and exhausted looking Arthur and Gwaine and a bleeding, unconscious Merlin in their arms in the middle of the night. Gaius quickly ushered them in and they sit Merlin face down on the table.
The old healer was frantic, "What on Earth happened?!"
Arthur flopped into a nearby chair, finally allowing his body to rest, "We do not know for certain. We found him in the middle of the woods in this condition."
Gwaine was also trying to catch his breath, "Gaius, what can be done? Let us help you."
"Yes," Arthur stood, ready to take action.
Gaius looked around his trashed home. Most of his ingredients were gone due to Terrowin's search, but he'd have to make do with what he had. He gathered many cloths and ordered Gwaine to place a pot of water to boil. The knight did so diligently.
After a few tantalizing minutes, the kettle began to screech. Gaius ordered Arthur to wet a cloth and place it on Merlin's forehead to cool him. Gwaine helped Gaius in bringing the boiling pot nearby as he sterilized his materials in the warm water. He grabbed his surplus of cloths, a few tools, and some herbs and rushed to Merlin's side.
Gaius tore open his shirt to reveal the stab wound in full light. Gwaine bit his lip but forced himself to look, but Arthur could not. He sat by Merlin's head, but turned away. Gaius' stony expression didn't reveal anything as he examined the wound and contemplated the next step. After a few moments, he settled upon a course of action.
Gwaine watched carefully as Gaius slightly fiddled with the knife to test how deep it was in Merlin's flesh. He then ordered Gwaine to take a few cloths in his hands and be ready to press on the wound. Next, Gaius gripped the hilt of the knife in one hand and looked at Gwaine.
"You need to be quick to press on the wound the moment I remove the knife," Gaius instructed, "This is the only object stemming the massive flow of blood at the moment and the only reason he is still alive. I will work as quickly as I can, but make sure the wound has constant pressure."
Gwaine nodded as an assurance of his understanding, as he prepared to do his job. He was sweating on account of his nerovusness and his long night, but he was alert and ready now.
Gaius pulled the knife out of Merlin's back quickly. Gwaine took action and pressed down against the wound as Gaius worked as quickly. He threw the knife aside and gripped his other tools. The experienced healer cleaned the wound from hours of exposure and the germs of the sewage. He mushed a few healing herbs together and formed a paste that he spread over the wound to fight infection and to ensure proper healing. Then, he gripped a needle and thread and began to sew the wound shut.
After a few minutes of careful handiwork with the needle and thread, Gaius had finished his job. He dropped his tools and cleaned his bloody fingers as Gwaine dabbed away the last of the blood. Gaius quickly bandadged the wound tightly and let Merlin rest further. The young sorcerer no longer looked ashen and on the verge of death, but he was not out of danger yet. The healer brewed some sleep-inducing tea and carefully fed it to Merlin.
The young man breathed a sigh of peace and relief in his unconscious state. Gwaine and Arthur carefully carried him to his bedroom and lay him on the mattress to heal and rest properly.
They stumbled back into the main room where Gaius had cleaned his medical tools and properly disposed of the bloody rags in the fire as to not arouse any suspicion from anyone.
Nobody spoke for quite some time as the fire crackled and the Gaius shuffled through his home, setting all of his supplies back in their original spots. Neither Gwaine nor Arthur felt comfortable leaving yet. After such an eventful night, they were exhausted yet wide awake. Not to mention the worry that ate at their hearts as Merlin recovered slowly.
Gaius finished his work, washed himself, and began to heat the water in his tub.
He stood in front of Gwaine and Arthur who stared blankly at the wall ahead. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts and didn't notice the healer in front of them. They were sitting beside one another at the wooden table. At the present moment, they didn't look like fearless knights of Camelot, they looked like scared young men to Gaius. He sighed and prepared to speak.
"I'd like to thank you both for finding Merlin and bringing him back as safe as you could both manage," Gaius cleared his throat, "I do not doubt you boys experienced quite an ordeal ensuring Merlin's safety and he and I are both extremely appreciative."
"Of course, Gaius," Gwaine nodded.
Arthur dipped his head.
"What of Terrowin?" Gwaine mused, "He is expecting Merlin in the morning, what shall we do?"
"We can deal with that matter in the morning," Gaius assured, "for now, I've drawn a warm bath for you both to clean yourselves of that rotten sewage and stench. There is also some dinner remaining from yesterday evening you both shall eat."
Gwaine and Arthur seemed hestitant at first, but remember the filth and grime that covered them. They each took turns in using the warm water Gaius provided to clean themselves and change into fresh clothes - servant clothhes, but clothes nonetheless. They hungrily ate the food Gaius left for them and he poured them each a cup of tea he brewed.
The healer popped inside Merlin's room to examine his wound quickly. When he returned to the common room, he was shocked to find Arthur and Gwaine asleep on the wooden table. Arthur's head lay in his arms that rested on the table's surface, and Gwaine stretched across the wooden bench. Gaius did not want to disturb them, so he placed a blanket over each of them and cleaned their empty plates. He snuffed the candle flames and let the knights rest.
Gaius stepped inside Merlin's bedroom and pulled a chair before the bedside. His ward was pale and a cold sweat beaded his forehead. He seemed to be sleeping fitfully, constantly twitching and flinching in pain.
He was glad Merlin was home and under his care, but now dread consumed him. He feared the worse for Merlin's life, for the young man who had become a son to him. Gwaine was correct in asking what Terrowin was to think of Merlin's absence in the morning. Already the witch hunter suspected Merlin, and this would only complicate matters. Merlin needed to heal quickly, an impossible task, but one that magic could rectify.
Gaius would be a fool to use magic with Terrowin in the heart of their city, but Merlin needed to survive to prevent the worst. He looked out Merlin's bedroom once more and ensured that Gwaine and Arthur were fast asleep. Gaius closed the door and spoke in a hushed voice as he muttered a healing incantation under his breath.
He willed for Merlin's pain to ease and for his body to heal quickly in hopes to save them all. Gaius stroked Merlin's hair lovingly, then he slowly exited the room and left Merlin in peace.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Terrowin sat before the grand fireplace in his chambers, flipping the piece of spell parchment in his hands. His plan was in motion, it was running smoothly.
The servant Merlin was injured, his accomplice had done well. In fact, Terrowin was expecting him any moment.
A knock sounded at his door. Terrowin sat for a breath longer, then he stood up and allowed his visitor inside.
"Enter."
The man quickly rushed inside, huddling himself under large coats. Terrowin closed and locked the door as his slave shed his robes to reveal himself.
"Edmund," Terrowin purred like a cat, "I almost wondered if you would dare not appear."
Edmund, the "fugitive of Camelot" sighed as he stared at his abusive master with sullen eyes, "Of course not, master."
"Is it done?" Terrowin's eyes glittered.
Edmund hung his head regretfully, "Yes."
"Merlin is dead?"
"If he is not already, he will be soon. Merlin will not survive the wound."
"Excellent," he smiled evily, as he fished into his pocket and threw a small pouch at Edmund's feet. The man crouched low and scooped it up, holding it tightly, "you may leave now."
"Master," Edmund said in a hesitant voice, "my-my family...may I see them now?"
Terrowin's smile melted into anger, "Absolutely not! You will stay hidden in the forest until I further instruct otherwise!"
"But-but Master," Edmund's voice cracked, "Surviving in the woods with a small knife for days on end and no resources is extremely difficult! I can barely manage!"
"I do not care of your current situation!" Terrowin bellowed with a hiss as venomous as a snake, "I have the power to sentence your pathetic wife and bastard child to a merciless execution on a mere whim! Question my strict guidelines or I again and I will ensure your pitiful family is dead by the morning, understood?'
Edmund bowed his head in defeat, "Yes, Master."
"As long as you completed the task and Merlin is dead, you will not experience any complications. Your family will survive. However, should that pathetic sorcerer somehow remains alive and breathing, I will slaughter your loved ones before your eyes and have your worthless soul follow. Now, leave me."
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