~ Chapter 12: Home ~
- Arthur -
My world moved in slow motion. I fought mercilessly. I killed the bandit I was fighting, then rushed to Merlin. I didn't care about the bandits that remained. I had to make sure he was okay. If he died, this would be just another sacrifice and I didn't feel worth it. In fact, in light of everything I'd learned, I felt if anyone was going to sacrifice their life, it ought to be mine for Merlin's.
Merlin started muttering something under his breath. His eyes flashed gold and then I heard screams around me. I looked around and saw that the bandits had flown backwards. There were none left around us, but Merlin wasted no time. He started speaking in a deep voice.
I looked at Merlin's wound, hoping to see it miraculously fixing itself. Nothing was happening. When he finished speaking, I looked at him. "It's not working," I told him nervously.
He shook his head. "I can't heal myself," he told me.
"You can't die," I told him. The reality of that possibility hit me, and I felt hollow. I couldn't lose him.
A small smile played on his face. "I have no intention of dying," he told me.
Suddenly the wind picked up. I looked up and saw a white dragon. It wasn't that big, but Merlin smiled when he saw it.
"Hello, friend," he said weakly. "Think you can help me?"
Merlin closed his eyes. No! He can't be dead. The dragon made a strange sound in the back of its throat. Then it opened its mouth. I drew my sword, certain it was going to burn Merlin.
But what it did was unexpected. It breathed on Merlin. I watch confused. At first, nothing happened. Then I could see color returning to Merlin. His wound closed and he opened his eyes.
I couldn't help the smile that came across my face. "Merlin?" I asked. I gave him a quick hug.
"It's good to see you too," he teased.
He sat up carefully and turned to the dragon. "Thank you old friend," he told him. Merlin extended his hand and the dragon pushed his head against it affectionately.
"Ah," Merlin said with a smile, looking up. "I was wondering if I would see you."
"I could not ignore the call of a dragon lord, young warlock," a deep voice said.
I looked up to see a giant dragon. It was the same dragon that had damaged Camelot. I would never forget the vicious look in its eyes when it attacked. To my surprise, that look seemed to be gone now.
"How are you?" Merlin asked the dragon concerned. Go figure. He almost died and he was more worried about a dragon.
"It is not I that I am concerned about," the dragon said.
Merlin shrugged. "You are too old to heal me; Aithusa too young. She did what she could," Merlin told him.
I looked at Merlin surprised. "What didn't she heal?" I asked concerned.
"She healed what she could," Merlin repeated. Seeing the disgruntled look on my face, he elaborated. "The blade went through me. The wounds I have left will heal. They are not life threatening."
"Are you sure? What can I do?" I asked him desperately.
"You can calm down!" Merlin told me.
"Merlin," I warned. "What can I do?"
"There's nothing you can do. Once I get back to Camelot, Gaius will be able to patch me up. I'll be as good as new," he told me. He shifted slightly and winced.
"You can't even sit up! How are you supposed to walk?" I protested. "And Camelot is a good day's walk when you aren't injured."
"Oh, I have no intention of walking," Merlin said with a small smile. He looked up at the large dragon.
"Young warlock," the dragon started. "I think you have said that to me more often than I care to remember."
Merlin chuckled. "Would you rather I die here?" He asked him.
The dragon blinked. "I would never wish death on you," he said.
Merlin smiled slightly. "So what say you, old friend? Are you up for one last adventure?" Merlin asked him.
The dragon extended his head.
I stared at it shocked. "You've got to be kidding me," I said. "I can't ride you."
"You've done it before," Merlin told me.
"I… What?" I asked, taken aback.
"He took us to the Isle of the Blessed," he explained. "Really, did you think we just magically appeared leagues away from where we were before?" It wasn't something I really considered. "Now please, before I bleed to death, help me climb onto Kilgharrah."
I hid my fear of riding a dragon flying miles above the ground and helped Merlin to his feet. Now that he was standing, I could see the extent of his would. The dragon had healed the small wound on his stomach, but the damage to his back was much worse.
I supported his weight as he stumbled to the dragon. I carefully helped him up. Every abrupt movement made him wince. I was starting to think that he was far more hurt than he was letting on.
I gripped Merlin tightly as the dragon took off. I wasn't scared; I was concerned that Merlin might fall off the dragon. I kept telling myself that. My fear was not for my safety as we became airborne. It was for Merlin's.
"Hey, Arthur?" Merlin's voice sounded like he was speaking from a mile away.
"Yes?" I asked him.
"I know you're scared, but I rather like my arm," he told me quietly.
"I'm not scared Merlin," I told him.
"Then can you please loosen your hold?" He asked me. Behind his sarcastic words, I could hear the legitimate pain in his voice.
I loosened my grip, surprised to see how tight I had been holding him.
"Thank you, Arthur," he said, the relief evident in his voice.
His face was starting to look ashen. "Hang in there," I told him. "We'll be back soon."
Just as I said the words, Kilgharrah began his descent. But he wasn't dropping us down near the citadel. "Where are you going?" I asked him.
"I'm dropping you off right outside the gate," the dragon told me.
"Why don't you bring him in? He may not make the journey to Gaius's. At least not consciously," I told him.
"I don't think your people will react calmly to my presence," he told me.
"I'll handle my people. Just please, bring us as close as possible," I begged.
The dragon moved his head up and down. As we weren't heading towards the ground anymore, I assumed that was a nod. Merlin slumped against me. "Merlin? Merlin? Wake up," I pleaded. I slapped him and he woke up. "He almost lost consciousness." I could hear the desperate note in my voice.
"You really care for him, don't you?" the dragon asked me.
I hesitated. "He's my friend," I told him.
"The young warlock will be fine. You must have faith in him," the dragon advised me.
Oddly enough, his words went a long way to make me feel better. Just as he told me that, he began his descent again. I looked down. I could see Camelot; I could see my home.