The Golden Age Universe
At Deaths Door – Chapter 4
~Fran Gipani
Disclaimer-So I obviously don't own Merlin no matter how much I'd love to :'( but I do own my OC Brooke
Note from the Author- Thanks to all the people who have reviewed, followed and favourited this story, you guys are awesome :) Review at will and I hope you enjoy!
~Fran xx
Merlin was back in Gaius's chambers and Brooke had just finished repeating the events of her conversation with Arthur. Though Merlin was glad about what he had heard, he couldn't be happier that Arthur had accepted his friends Magic at the drop of a hat but what he had just heard was completely absurd.
"You are taking him to see The Great Dragon!?" Merlin cried in anguish, "I know that Gaius has explained about him and how I am a Dragonlord but taking him to see the thing! That is just...that dragon is infuriating. Arthur will not have the patience to stand him." Merlin ranted on though he knew no-one could hear him. His rants made him feel better anyway.
That's it, he thought, I'm coming with you. I know I can't do anything if something goes wrong but I need to know what you all are planning to do. Merlin ran his hands through his hair making it spike up all over the place, what if something bad comes from this?
Then I really will make myself cross to the other side.
~O~O~O~
Brooke walked quickly down the corridor, her midnight blue traveling cloak billowing out behind her. She had just told Gaius what she was planning to do and was on her way to let Arthur know when she was planning to meet the Great Dragon. It had only been that morning that Brooke had talked to the King about using her Magic to save Merlin but she wanted to talk to Killgarrah as soon as possible. Time was running out for Merlin and without any advice from the Dragon she was helpless. She reached the throne room and reached out a hand to knock but the door opened to reveal a flustered looking Arthur on the other side. "Sire!" Brooke said, getting startled from her thoughts. "I am thinking of leaving to meet the person that could help Merlin now."
Arthur paused for a moment, "Who is this person?"
"The Great Dragon." Brooke said slowly, watching Arthur's reaction carefully.
"Ok then, let's go." Arthur replied before he turned and led the way to the stables, Brooke followed closely behind.
~O~O~O~
Having heard the young Warlocks plea for help Kilgarrah landed with a loud thump in front of the Warlock and the King. He watched as a smile spread over Brookes face while Arthur took an involuntary step backwards. "Hello, young Warlock, King Arthur, I have felt the absence of the young Dragonlord so I assume you are here to ask me for help."
"Kilgarrah. Thank you for coming, its Merlin…he's, he is…" Brooke tried to explain, but there was very little she seemed to be able to say on the subject so Arthur finished for her.
"Merlin, he saved my life and saved Camelot from the Shadow, but in doing so he…" Arthur paused, "…he lost his own life. Well sort of, he's…he's stuck. Where did you say he was Brooke?" He stared up at the huge Dragon and felt uncharacteristically intimidated.
"Merlin's stuck in the divide between the real world and the spirit world. He's at Death's door so to speak. I…we were wondering whether you knew a way of getting him back." Brooke answered, praying that Kilgarrah would have an answer.
"Arthur, Brooke. I have an answer to your question but it is very difficult and there is a chance it could be dangerous." Kilgarrah began slowly.
"What is it? I'll do anything." Brooke said quickly, ignoring the light glare she got from Arthur, the King didn't want anything to happen to Brooke. Firstly because he had grown to like the woman and second because if Merlin woke up and Brooke was hurt. Merlin would see red.
"Are you sure?" Kilgarrah asked, "Because it has to be you Brooke and you may not come out alive."
~O~O~O~
"Is no one going to listen to me?" Merlin cried out as he heard Kilgarrah's words. Brooke may not survive if she tries to help me. Merlin sighed as he listened to the rest of the conversation. If Arthur let's her do this…
"Yes I am sure, Arthur I need to do this. I can't let Merlin die and there is a chance I will survive. So shouldn't we take that chance? If we can bring Merlin back."
"Alright. Kilgarrah, what do we have to do?"
"NO!" Merlin screamed at the three of them, "I don't want to die but if Brooke dies saving me. That can't happen!"
"You say Merlin is stuck in the divide, so he will be in this world but not. What you call a ghost. He will be in our world but we can't see him. He may even be here now, and if he is I imagine he will be getting angry. Very angry."
"Damn right I am angry! Why are you letting her do this!"
"So basically what you have to do to get Merlin back is to join him in his world. It has to be Brooke."
"Why Brooke, why can't I do it?" Arthur asked.
"Because you need to use Magic and Brooke is the only Magic user we have here. Brooke you need to use a spell once your with Merlin that will give him the power to navigate out of his Hell, you will both need to recite it. Him being the one that is stuck and you being the link to the real world."
"But how do I get to Merlin?"
"You need to die, well almost."
"How can I die but not die!?" Brooke replied, sounding as if she was going into hysterics.
"No. This is not happening." Merlin panicked slightly, "If she goes one bit too much towards being dead she will be pulled through the door. Gone forever."
"That I do not know. I am sorry but you will have to work that out you on your own."
"Ha! Now they may not be able to do it!"
"I will give you the spell, here." Kilgarrah said before he breathed a silvery substance to Brooke that went into her through her nose and her ears. When Brooke finally opened her eyes they were a bright gold.
"Wow…" Merlin breathed, he had never seen anything of the likes before and the gold in Brooke's eyes was stunningly beautiful. It temporarily made him forget the situation they were getting themselves into.
"I hope you both can bring him back. The world would be a very different place without him. He is needed in this world more than he may believe. Not just for his destiny but for the people who he would leave behind. I bid you both farewell." Kilgarrah took off into the clouds.
"So do I Kilgarrah, so do I." Arthur said sadly before turning and following Brooke out of the clearing.
Merlin stood there in shock at hearing Kilgarrah and Arthur's words. Little did he know of how much Arthur really cared for him and it was in that moment he knew, he knew he had to get back.
~O~O~O~
It was Merlin, Arthur and Brooke's hurried departure that made them miss the shadowy figure of Morgana who had been lurking in the shadow of the tree's listening to the conversation with the Dragon. So Merlin is stuck in 'No Man's Land', she thought, I only need to get to where he is and kill him there. Surely he will be defenseless, and I have my Magic so I'd be free from that meddlesome servant for good. A cruel smirk graced her lips. So I could either kill the real Merlin who would be currently be dying in the castle…or I could visit him in 'No Man's Land' and see the light leave his eyes. She knew instantly which way she would choose to end Merlin's life; there was no question of it. So Morgana strode away towards her small dwelling in the woods, she needed to work out a way to die without dying.
~O~O~O~
"So you need to find a way to join Merlin in 'No Man's Land'?" Gaius asked Brooke, "So that you can pull him back into our world." He watched as both Brooke and Arthur nodded, "You both know that this can be quite dangerous if not done properly."
"Yes," Arthur replied, but I trust you Gaius. "So you can help us?"
"Of course I will," Gaius replied, "…but it will take time sire to find the safest method to send Brooke to the other side and bring her back in one piece."
"How long?" Arthur said hurriedly, dreading the answer he would hear.
"I don't know Arthur but we will have to hurry. I think Merlin has a week at most before Death will take him and we need to bring him back before then." Gaius sighed, "You can go to bed sire it has been a long day. Brooke and I will start looking for the right way to go about this."
Arthur looked reluctant to leave Merlin but from the look on Gaius's face he knew he wouldn't win that battle. "Alright then. Good night Gaius, Brooke, sleep well." Goodnight Merlin, he thought, hope you're alright where ever you are.
~O~O~O~
Brooke rolled over on the hard mattress of the bed; she was asleep, but only just. Behind her closed eyelids her usually dark brown irises were a molten gold. She was having a dream; a nightmare; a vision. Tears dripped off the tips of her eyelashes as she rolled over again and an anguished cry escaped her lips. Brooke began thrashing in the bed uncontrollably and got tangled up in the blankets; she let out a shocked scream and sat up abruptly just as Gaius entered the room, a worried look etched onto his wrinkled face.
"What is it?" He asked as he hurried over to the bed, "Brooke what's happened?"
"Need Arthur, need to tell him something," She said through sharp pants, "Please Gaius, I'll tell you then too."
"If you think so…" He trailed off and hurried to send the guard at the door to get Arthur.
Brooke wiped her forehead on her sleeve, she was only just feeling the warmth from behind her eyes fade and she could still see her visions. Brooke pushed the mess of blonde hair from her face as she, calmed her breathing and the beat of her heart slowed to its normal pace. Minutes later Arthur and Gwen entered the room at a run, both still in their night things with bed hair and worried expressions.
"What happened Brooke?" Arthur said franticly, his face almost inches from the servant's, "What did you see?"
"It's Morgana. She…she overheard our conversation with Kilgarrah."
"She what!" Arthur cried out, "What happened. What happened in your vision?"
"She found her way to Merlin, she wanted to kill him." Brooke's voice shook as she finished, "They fought, with Magic, such a terrible battle."
"And…" Arthur prompted her slowly, dreading what he was about to hear.
"Arthur...Arthur Merlin died."