Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Seven: The damage is done.
Percival gently carries Merlin back into the camp and sets him down on a makeshift bed that Elyan and Gwaine had set up as soon as Gaius had heard Merlin was injured. Leon was a couple of steps behind Percival, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. It was possible Merlin had been caught unawares by some of Odin's men.
"What happened?" Arthur demands, rushing over as soon as he catches sight of Merlin being carried by Percival.
"Hilda found him." Percival answers, stepping away from the bed so Gaius can examine him.
"He was down by the river." Hilda answers some what smugly as Arthur turns to her. "He must have fallen."
Arthur nodes and turns to back to where Merlin is lying, worry evident in his features. "Gaius?"
"He's taken a heavy blow to the head." Gaius answers, cleaning the blood from the side of Merlin's face.
"But he'll be alright?" Arthur demands, failing to keep the worry out of his tone.
"He should be fine, sire." Gaius replies. "But there is no telling when he will regain consciousness."
Percival and Leon shared a worried look, whilst Arthur stares down at Merlin for a moment. The wound on the side of his head was still oozing blood.
"We can't wait for him." Arthur finally speaks. "Not if we're to stand a chance at reaching Rodor before Odin's men."
On the other side of camp Mithian watches in horror. This was her fault. She should have known Morgana would never have let Merlin reach the camp again. How could she ever face Freya again now, after she had gotten her husband injured? She couldn't help but wonder if warning Merlin had been the right things to do.
"Gwaine stay here with Merlin and Gaius." Arthur orders and Gwaine rushes forward and sits by Merlin's side. "The rest of us make for Nemeth."
As the knights leave the camp with Arthur at the lead, Morgana grabs hold of Mithian.
"I warned you there would be consequences if you tried anything." Morgana sneers at her, before pushing her forward to follow the rest of the group.
It didn't take long for Arthur, the knights, Mithian and Hilda to reach the border leading into Nemeth.
"The tomb lies just east of the river." Mithian informs the group.
"We're about to cross the Camelot border into Nemeth." Arthur nodes. "This is Odin's land now. Stay alert."
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Gwaine paced back and forth nervously. "He should have come around by now."
"It's unusual, certainly." Gaius answers from where he's sitting beside Merlin, checking his head injury.
"Just a blow to the head you say?" Gwaine asks, turning to face Gaius.
"There's nothing to suggest anything more, on the outside at least," Gaius replies, reaching forward and rubbing Merlin's hand. "He's getting cold. You better get some more fire wood."
Gwaine smiles knowingly at Gaius. "I'll be right back."
Gaius watches Gwaine leave with a sense of relief. It wasn't often that Gaius used healing magic, he usually left that side of the healing arts to Alice, but she wasn't here so he was going to have to try and he didn't want to make himself look a fool in front of Gwaine. He doubted he'd get the spell to work first time, especially when it required such strong magic.
Once Gwaine is out of sight, Gaius picks up a smudging stick and holds it above Merlin's chest.
"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare." Gaius casts the spell and his eyes glow gold.
Slowly he waves the now smoking smudging stick over Merlin's body.
"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare." Gaius casts the spell again, but still Merlin doesn't respond.
"Come on, Merlin." Gaius pleads.
"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare." Gaius casts the spell once more.
Again Merlin doesn't respond.
"Please Merlin." Gaius almost begs. "That's all I have. Let it be enough."
When Merlin still fails to respond, Gaius shuts his eyes. He had failed the one person who mean the most to him. Suddenly Merlin's eyelids begin to flutter and after a couple of seconds his eyes open. He blinks a couple of times and looks round. Gods did his head hurt!
"Merlin!" Gaius exclaims with relief upon seeing Merlin awake.
"Gaius!" Merlin answers, as Gaius helps him sit up.
Merlin rubs his throat. "Hilda is Morgana."
"Morgana?" Gaius repeats, handing Merlin a water skin.
"She's been using some kind of aging spell." Merlin explains with a node, whilst taking the offered water skin.
"That explains why she's always so tired." Gaius agrees.
"Mithian tried to warn me but I couldn't get to Arthur in time." Merlin explains, between mouthfuls of water. "Morgana got to me first."
Gaius grips Merlin's shoulder. "And she very nearly killed you Merlin!"
"Yes." Merlin answers, finishing the water with a slight smile. "Well, she didn't count on the sorcery of your power, now did she?"
"Indeed," Gaius replies, helping Merlin to his feet. "But please Merlin don't make me do that again. I'm not sure my heart can take it."
"Merlin!" Gwaine exclaim, dropping the fire wood he had collected as he returns to the camp to see Merlin awake.
Merlin and Gwaine quickly shared a one armed hug, before Merlin pushes passed him and grabs his sword from where it lay with the rest of his stuff.
"We need to get to Arthur." Merlin informs Gwaine. "He's walking straight into a trap."
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Mithian paused as she led the way. Arthur stopped beside her and looked round.
"You're sure this is the way?" Arthur asks.
Mithian glances over her shoulder at Morgana. "Yes. We're not far now. If we keep heading east the tomb lies just ahead."
As the keep walking the tomb soon comes into sight.
"Is that it?" Arthur asks, staring at it. It wasn't what he had expected.
"Yes." Mithian answers. "We should find my father inside."
"Let's go then." Arthur mutters, leading the way.
"Leon, Elyan stand watch with the others." Arthur orders, as they reach the entrance to the tomb, which looked like a normal cave entrance. "Percival you're with me."
"The burial chamber lies just ahead." Mithian explains as they walk through the tunnels which made up the tomb. "At the end of this tunnel."
Arthur, Percival, Mithian and Hilda walk along the tunnel, their footsteps echoing around them. They enter the burial chamber only to find it empty.
"I don't understand." Arthur mutters, turning to face Mithian. "Where's your father?"
"He's not here." Mithian answers with tears in her eyes.
"Then where is he?" Arthur demands.
"Arthur I-" Mithian begins to apologise.
Before Mithian can say any more Odin's men walk in. Arthur and Percival both try to fight them, but they are too greatly outnumbered. And as Percival is pinned to the tomb in the centre of the chamber, Arthur's sword is knocked from his hand and he is forced to his knees by two of Odin's men.
Arthur stares up at Mithian, with a look of betrayal on his face. "What wrong have I done you?"
"Arthur Pendragon." Odin's voice booms around the chamber as he enters. "At last. I have waited many years for this moment. You killed my son. You took what was most precious to me and now you will pay the forfeit."
"And not a moment too soon." Hilda speaks up. "You are not alone in having waited for this moment, Odin. Appearance can be deceiving, dear brother."
Arthur looks up at Hilda, a look akin to horror crossing his face for a second as he recognised his sister. "Morgana."
"And now," Odin growls, drawing his sword. "You will pay the forfeit."
"My father's life," Arthur questions, meting Odin's gaze. "That wasn't enough?"
"No." Odin answers, walking toward him.
"So be it," Arthur replies. "But understand this Odin: you kill me and you will have all of Albion to answer to."
"Albion is nothing without its king." Odin sneers in response.
"Then you don't know my knights." Arthur answers with a slight shake of his head. "They will hunt you. And they will find you. And they will not rest until they're done."
"I will deal with your knights soon enough but now your time has come." Odin answers raising his sword.
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Hello, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.