Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Seven:
Mordred stared at Daegal and twirled his sword in his hand as he did so. He wanted nothing more than to kill Daegal on the spot, he had betrayed Emrys, but more importantly he had betrayed Merlin's friendship. From following them as he had, Mordred knew the two of them knew each other and Merlin cared deeply for Daegal and more importantly Daegal knew Merlin had magic.
He also knew Merlin was Emrys.
Yet he had stayed hidden when Merlin told him to, when he could have quite easily broken cover and told Morgana who Merlin really was. Mordred glared at Daegal before he pushed past him and climbed down to ridge to where Merlin had fallen. He quickly knelt beside Merlin and wiped away the black liquid which run down the side of his face from his mouth.
Mordred sniffed the liquid, but he couldn't identify the poison. He cursed under his breath and raised a hand above Merlin's chest. He muttered a healing spell and his eyes glowed gold, but nothing happened. Mordred tried another spell and again nothing happened. Mordred shut his eyes for a moment and took a calming breath. Panicking wasn't going to help, even if it was Emrys who was dying right in front of him.
Mordred sat back on his heels and shut his eyes, as he concentrated on his magic and centred himself. He raised his hand once more and muttered the words of the most powerful healing spell he knew. Nothing happened. Mordred stared down at Merlin's unconscious form and tried to come up with a plan.
There wouldn't be enough time to get him back to Camelot, in order for Gaius to create an antidote and there no guaranty that a nearby village would have a healer skilled enough to treat him. The sound of footsteps behind him had Mordred reaching for his sword, he jumped to his feet and spun on his heels. Daegal fell backwards onto the ground just in time to avoid being struck by him.
Mordred moved forward quickly and grabbed hold of Daegal, pulling him up and forcing him back against the closest tree. Daegal stared at Mordred wide eyed and fearful. Mordred glared at Daegal and tried to push down the rage that was suddenly pulsing through him. He couldn't kill a man in cold blood, it went against the Knights code, even if it was Emrys who was dying as a result of that man's actions.
"Do you have an idea what you have done?!" Mordred hissed out.
Daegal gulped.
"He's dying!" Mordred exclaimed. "Emrys is dying!"
Daegal looked past Mordred at Merlin, who skin had grown even more pale than before. He looked dead. Even the rise and fall of his chest had weakened. Daegal quickly looked away. This was his fault, he had bought Merlin here even when he knew it was most likely a trap set my Morgana, in fact he had been certain… But he had just wanted to save the camp.
He hadn't meant for Merlin to lose his life.
"You better hope he survives," Mordred growled. "Because if he doesn't, you'll answer to the King of Camelot."
)o(
A knock on the door to the royal chambers startled Gwen as she was about to leave to meet King Sarrum and she quickly hid behind a curtain. The door to the royal chambers opened and Gaius entered. He looked round, searching the chambers for any sign of the King.
"Sire?" Gaius called.
In her hiding place, Gwen doesn't bother to hide her annoyance.
"Arthur?" Gaius called again.
Gwen pauses for a moment, the quicker she could get rid of Gaius, the quicker she could be on her way uninterrupted. She swept past the curtain gracefully and approached Gaius with a pleasant smile.
"Gaius," Gwen greeted him warmly. "What is it?"
"I was looking for the king," Gaius replied.
"He's at a meeting in the council chambers," Gwen told him. "Can I help?"
"Merlin," Gaius explained. "I haven't seen him since yesterday morning."
"Oh, dear," Gwen gasped worriedly. "I do hope there isn't anything wrong."
"I was wondering, perhaps, if we should send out a search party," Gaius looked at Gwen.
"I'm sure there's no need just yet, especially with King Sarrum here," Gwen tried to reassure him. "Given his reputation, I think it best we keep the garrison at full strength."
Gaius nodded, "Indeed."
Gwen smiled and walked to the door.
"I'll ask the servants if they've seen him," Gwen said as she held the door open.
"Thank you, milady," Gaius bowed and left with a slightly suspicious look.
Gwen wasted no time leaving the royal chambers and heading through the castle to where she had agreed to meet King Sarrum. Gwen entered the hallway in which King Sarrum was waiting for her.
"Forgive me," Gwen greeted him. "I was waylaid."
"Speak," Sarrum ordered.
"I have a simple proposition, one that would be mutually beneficial," Gwen explained. "You kill Arthur, I assume the throne, and in gratitude give one third of Camelot's lands to Amata."
"You think the people will accept this?" Sarrum demanded.
"Without a king, I will insist that it's a necessary price for our protection," Gwen answered.
"And the knights?"
"They will remain loyal to me," Gwen told him. "They'll do whatever I say."
"How do we kill him?" Sarrum asked. "The king is surrounded by armed guards at all times."
"Guards who answer to me," Gwen reminded him. "You appoint the assassin, I will deliver the means."
"I have just the man," Sarrum replied.
"Then make him ready. Arthur has proposed a treaty," Gwen smirked. "The signing tomorrow will provide us with the perfect opportunity."
)o(
It wasn't until the following morning that Merlin finally stirred.
"Emrys," Mordred quickly reached forward and shook Merlin's shoulder.
Merlin blinked his eyes open and stared up at Mordred, once he could focus and stared at him in confusion.
"Mordred?" Merlin rasped.
"Yes, Emrys," Mordred answered.
"What are you doing here?" Merlin groaned.
"I followed you," Mordred answered and he turned to glare at Daegal who was sitting nearby.
"Morgana?" Merlin questioned, trying to sit up, but Mordred placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down.
"She's gone, Emrys," Mordred answered. "But you are dying… I cannot heal you."
Merlin snorted to himself, causing Mordred to grown on confusion. What had been funny about what he just said?
"Water?" Merlin suddenly asked.
Daegal moved forward with a water skin so quickly he almost slipped.
"You're alright," Merlin smiled at him weakly once he had drank some water from the water skin Daegal held to his lips.
"Yes," Daegal replied. "Thank to you… You're a physician. You must know what to do."
"There's nothing," Merlin answered.
"There must be a cure," Daegal argued. "You tell me which herbs and I'll find them for you."
Merlin groaned in pain and tried to think.
"Come on," Daegal pleaded. "What do we need?"
"Rue…" Merlin said after a moment. "It's got yellow flowers…."
"And feathery leaves," Daegal completed.
"Milfoil," Merlin said next.
"Yarrow," Daegal nodded.
"Ground into a tincture," Merlin explained.
Daegal quickly hurried off to find them, leaving Mordred to keep guard over Merlin.
"Hurry..." Merlin groaned. "Hurry."
Mordred reached forward and rested a palm to Merlin's forehead, nut there was little he could do to ease the pain.
Sometime later Daegal returned with the cure already made up in a cup made from folded leaves.
"Here," Daegal said, kneeling beside Merlin.
Mordred carefully supported Merlin's head and Daegal poured the mixture into Merlin's mouth.
"Do you want any water?" Daegal asked.
Merlin shakes his head, "Nothing else."
Suddenly Merlin started to convulse and went still.
"Emrys!" Mordred exclaimed.
Daegal stared down at Merlin with a look of upset horror.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.