~ Chapter 13: Arthur's Return ~
- Gwen -
When I woke up, I felt better than I had in ages. I couldn't figure out why. I guessed it was the draft Gaius made for me. This morning was the first time I hadn't gotten sick in a long time. I would really have to thank Gaius. He knew what he was doing.
I went to my window and looked out as I do every morning. Today was the day. I knew it. It was time for me to finally let go. I could feel it in my heart. I would never fully give up hope, but I needed to allow myself to accept the possibility that he will never return to me.
"Arthur," I whispered. "I'm sorry that you will never get to know your son or daughter. I'm sorry that we won't get to grow old together like we planned. I'm sorry you died so soon. I… I would give anything for one more moment with you."
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, a giant beast flew over Camelot. It wasn't just any beast. It was a dragon. There was no way that this was a coincidence.
Not caring that I was still in my nightgown, I flew out of my room. I didn't care if I was 'in a delicate condition'. I just had a feeling that I had to be there. Whatever reason the dragon was here, whether he carried news of my husband's demise or was attempting to attack Camelot while we were still reeling from the loss of Arthur, I had to know.
I burst out the front door into the courtyard. The courtyard was filled with gaping citizens, most of them looking at the beast with terror.
I froze in place as I saw Arthur descend the dragon. "Arthur?" I asked.
Arthur turned slowly to see me. It was really him. "Oh, Arthur!" I said, tears streaming down my face. I ran to his waiting embrace. "You're alive. You're really alive!"
"I would never leave you," he told me, capturing my head between both of his hands. He leaned down and kissed me gently.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. Oh how I've missed him.
"Oh, take your time. Don't worry about me. I'm only dying," Merlin said in a weak voice.
I broke apart from Arthur blushing. I looked at Merlin guiltily. It was the first time I noticed Merlin was here. He was pale and didn't seem able to move by himself. His eyes were closed, but I could see from their flutter that he was still conscious.
Arthur released me from his embrace and helped Merlin off the dragon. Before he started to help Merlin to Gaius's chambers, he turned to face the dragon and bbowed. "Thank you," he said in a loud voice so all of his people could hear.
The dragon nodded his head then took off. I watched him disappear into the horizon. I turned to Arthur, surprised to see him making his way to Gaius's chambers. He was by my side just a moment ago. I rushed to catch up with him. I looped my arm under Merlin's free arm; he looked like he was ready to collapse.
The trip to Gaius's wasn't long, but I was exhausted.
When we got there, I knocked on the door. "Gaius," I called frantically.
"My lady?" I heard Gaius ask. I heard shuffling around as he got up to come to the door. "What is it? What's wrong? If you needed something, I could have come to you." He opened the door. "You shouldn't be exerting yourself so much in your delicate cond-" he cut himself off as he looked at my companions.
He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't imagining it. "Help him, Gaius," Arthur pleaded. "Our camp was attacked by bandits and one of them stabbed him."
Gaius immediately snapped out of his haze. He moved around, clearing off a table. "Rest him here," he told us. We carefully laid Merlin down.
Gaius helped us shift him so he was on his side. I felt nauseated at the sight of the bloodstain on the back of his shirt. Gaius lifted up his shirt and I couldn't help the gasp that escaped me. The wound was large and looked awful. Arthur moved close to me and wrapped one of his arms around my shoulder. He kissed my forehead.
Gaius got to work, brewing up some sort of cream that he spread on the wound and wrapped it up in a clean white bandage. It did look so much less dire once it was dressed properly. He slipped something liquid through Merlin's lips and felt his temperature. "Will he be okay?" Arthur asked.
Gaius looked up at Arthur. "Only time will tell, Sire," he told him.
"Thank you," Arthur told him.
"You should go, My Lord," Gaius told him. "I'm sure you two have some catching up to do." Gaius shot me a pointed look. My eyes widened. I had no idea how to tell Arthur I was pregnant. When I'd first become certain of it, we were in the throngs of battle. It hadn't seemed like the right time, but now with Merlin's life on the line? It still didn't feel like the right time.
Despite that, I knew I couldn't put it off. Arthur needed to know.
Arthur nodded. "Of course. Please send word if his condition changes," Arthur requested.
"I will my lord," Gaius promised him.
Arthur and I left Gaius's chambers. Arthur never once removed his arm from around my waist, and I didn't object. I had gone three days believing him to be dead. Now that I knew he was alive, I reveled in the feeling of being close to him again.
"What happened Arthur?" I asked him softly. "Everyone said you were dead."
"Merlin saved me," he told me. He looked at me hesitantly. "Merlin has magic."
"I know," I told him. He looked at me surprised. "Gaius hinted at it, and I was able to connect the dots.
He nodded. "He's saved me so many times. He's been willing to die for me so many times. He told me this, but I didn't understand until I saw it. When those bandits attacked our camp, he put all of his focus into making sure I was safe. His safety was not his concern," Arthur whispered. "It's different than hearing that he's used his magic to protect me. I saw it. I experienced it."
"Where were you?" I asked him.
"Merlin took me to the Isle of the Blessed," he told me. "That's how I'm still alive. We've been walking back on foot, but once Merlin got hurt, he summoned the dragons to heal him and finish our journey."
"If they healed him, why is he hurt so badly?" I asked him.
"The dragon was too young to fully heal his wounds. They must have been really bad," he explained. "The dragon that brought us home was too old."
I nodded. "How are you, Arthur?" I asked him.
"I'll be fine," he told me. "I'm just worried about Merlin."
"He'll be fine," I assured him.
We reached our room then and he opened the door, letting me go first.
"How are you?" He asked me. "I can't even begin to describe how much I've missed you."
"I'm better now that you're here," I told him honestly.
I didn't realize until he wiped them away that some tears had escaped. "What's wrong, Gwen?" He asked me gently.
"I thought you were dead," I told him. "I thought I was going to have to do this all on my own."
"You would never be alone," he reassured me. "Even if I hadn't made it, my knights would have made sure you had help ruling this kingdom."
My tears picked up. "That's not what I was talking about," I told him.
"Then what is it?" He asked me.
I looked up into his crystal blue eyes. Eyes that gave me the courage to say what I had to. "I'm with child, Arthur," I told him.