Sorry for the wait! I've had to split the chapter in half anyway. Chapter name comes from Blur's 'To The End'
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: So it looks like, we might have made it.
The rain had cleared overnight, leaving the small streets of Camelot as mud baths and miniscule rivers, coating shoes and dress hems. Gaius and Guinevere cut through the town, the physician holding two baskets and the girl hitching her dress up. They were on their way to restock the supplies. Gaius had looked over the notes for Evoke tea that morning and had confirmed the ingredients were fairly easy to come by, he had quantities of the more elusive ones and the rest were common parts.
When they finally reached the forest, it was apparent the rain had favoured the vegetation and plant life more than it did Camelot, as the ground no longer swelled under their feet and the trees sparkled with droplets. Everything seemed to have taken on a stronger, more vibrant hue.
The clearing was a short walk off the main path, and stored a lot of the basic ingredients, so it was were they would start. It was already quite late in the morning, they couldn't afford to waste time. Gwen started to pluck away at the vegetation, she and Gaius working in companionable silence. Nothing needed to be said.
They carried on in this way, at this clearing and the next, working their way around until the baskets were bursting and the requirements fulfilled. Merlin found them when they were having lunch, and joined them for a while. It was early afternoon by the time they finally traipsed back to Camelot.
Eventually Gaius voiced his thoughts. "Gwen?" She made a non-committed noise to signal she had heard. "What do you plan to do if this doesn't work?"
She sighed, she had been anticipating the question for some time. "I don't know." She said, truthfully. "I guess I could just carry on. See if he remembers me in his own time or… falls for me again."
"There's a chance he might." Merlin supplied "He's been dreaming about you. He hasn't said much about the actual dreams but I know they are about you…"
Gwen couldn't help but smile and Gaius nodded his approval. "That's good to know, but we must have faith in Alderfil – he's a good person, a well balanced researcher. He wouldn't help if he didn't think it would work."
"Yes, lets." Merlin swirled around on his feet to face the rest of them, grinning stupidly as he walked backwards. "If it doesn't work, we have options. But why are we worrying about that? It'll work. Just you wait and see."
Gwen raised her eyebrows and considered berating him for how on earth he would know, but it didn't matter. The confidence was all she needed. That, and the tea.
~o~
Arthur stared distrustfully into the cup. The combination of ingredients had turned it a rather unappetising brown, with something in a smoggy green floating at the top.
"You expect me to drink that?" He recited, clearly unimpressed.
Merlin hovered at his side. "It's a new recipe. It's to cure your headaches."
"With you as a servant I'll never be devoid of a headache." Arthur retorted. After several condescending looks he resigned. "Well why aren't I getting the usual stuff then?" he handed the cup to Merlin dismissively.
"I told you last night that we may have to try an alternative recipe." Gaius stepped in. "As our crown prince, we need you alert. These constant headaches, vivid dreams… at least we can be sure that this concoction will replenish your stamina after you pass out."
Arthur looked alarmed. "It's going to knock me out?" He turned to Merlin. "Did you know about this?"
Merlin grinned "That was one of the advantages of this potion."
Gaius sighed noisily. "I've passed it with your father. He believes it would be most beneficial."
Arthur looked defeated. "I don't have any potentially fatal side effects. I'm sure a normal headache draft will suffice."
Gwen pressed her lips together, willing herself not to say anything. She was standing by the side, remaining in the shadows. This was hard, especially when she was watching him inadvertently decide their future.
The argument was still going on. "Sire, the recipe is from a trusted source. I would not prescribe it to you if I thought there would be any negative effects." Gaius soothed, his patience playing through.
Arthur flushed, having realised the impact on the old physician. "Gaius, I'm not accusing you of that. You've worked for my father my entire life. There is no-one else I trust more with my health."
The old physician nodded soberly. "I thank you for your patronage, sire. I only ask that you consider that in your decision whether or not to drink the potion."
Arthur looked caught out, standing awkwardly in his own chambers. He raked a hand through his messy blonde hair. "So it's going to knock me out, replenish my stamina and get rid of my headache."
"And get rid of the dreams and that feeling that something is missing." Merlin chirped.
Gaius sighed. "Indeed, sire." He gestured, and Merlin stepped forward with the tea as an offering. Arthur sighed and his shoulders slumped forward, clearly beaten. He looked up, seeking a way out but was matched by Merlin's and Gaius' unwavering glares. He found Gwen's eyes and she tensed, clutching at the fabric of her skirt, willing herself to remain calm. She managed to hold his gaze as he downed the cup in one. The room waited.
His head came back down and he grimaced. "Not as nice as it looks. Which is pretty damn horrible in that sense."
Merlin accepted the cup back and watched, warily. "Anything?"
Arthur raised a finger to his forehead, confused. "Nothing." Then fell into a dead faint.
A/N I've made it my personal goal to finish this by the end of the week (when i go on holiday) So don't shoot! Nearly done!
