AN: Okay, I apologise to all of you who expected an update yesterday. I tried to upload it then but it was rather late (2am, fair enough, that was Wednesday but somewhere in the world it wasn't yet) and I ended up giving up after failing to correctly type my password four times (pathetic, I know). Anyway, this chapter has a short flashback in the beginning and randomly tells what happens in Camelot on one night/day.
Also thank you all for reviewing! Again, not beta'ed.
Chapter 15: Ashes Of Another Life
Those last words hadn't escaped Galahad's mouth or Merlin already ran out the vaults.
Racing up the stairs with Gwaine and Galahad just a few paces behind him, Merlin almost staggered in sheer panic as fear seized his heart. He didn't know why or how –though Kilgharrah may have a wise word or two to say about it – but he knew where Arthur was, just has he knew the anguish his friend was feeling right now. He just let his feet led him as he dashed through the castle's corridors.
"Get Gaius there quickly! He's in pain!" He shouted over his shoulder and turned his head back just in time to narrowly avoid a wall as he sharply turned around a corner. Just one more corridor, he thought and focused on getting there even faster.
Ten minutes earlier:
"Arthur, are you coming to bed?" Gwen asked and watched from her side of the bed how her husband manoeuvred between the books pacing up and down in front of his desk.
"I'm thinking Guinevere." Arthur answered vaguely and clasped his hands behind his back once more. She knew he did that when he had to calm himself. This wasn't an unfamiliar sight and by now she knew almost all his mannerisms that went along with it. If he brushed his hand through his hair she knew he was worried. He scratched his neck when he was indecisive or rubbed it when he was uncomfortable about something. If he was angry, he either clenched his fists or rubbed his hands against his side. The first was a sign that he was angry at someone else, the second that he was angry at himself. And if he tapped his fingers on his side or on his desk this mostly meant the same thing: he was anxious. She didn't worry too much if he did this. As long as he didn't start staring out of his window without saying a word the world wasn't coming to its end too quickly.
"I can see that." She remarked slightly amused. "But you can't exactly solve all problems by pacing alone. If it did I daresay you'd have banished all hunger and sickness by now considering the miles you've paced around the castle."
"Guinevere." He said warningly but the corners of his mouth turned up in the start of a soft smile. She just knew what he needed to hear. God, he loved her.
"Come to bed, Arthur." Gwen insisted sweetly and patted the spot beside her, yet at the exact same moment someone rapidly knocked on the door.
"Enter." Arthur stopped and frowned. Galahad cautiously opened the door and immediately turned beetroot red when he noticed Gwen in the bedroom.
"Well, don't just stand there. Get in." Arthur ordered annoyed. Gwen had gotten up to join him and looked beautiful in the white robe she had put on.
Galahad quickly shuffled in and bowed, "My apologies for the late hour, Sire, My Queen."
"We could have been sleeping." Arthur admonished his young knight. "It's rather late."
"But you aren't," Galahad said matter-of-factly, "And that's why I'm here. Gaius asked me to give you this. It's a sleeping potion." He handed Arthur a vial and the king suspiciously looked it over. He wasn't fond of the murky colour. "We developed it together and it uses valerian and hop in such a revolutionary way that the side effects are completely nonexistent. Whoever knew that two seemingly volatile and contradictory ingredients could work together to create such a harmonious concoction?"
"If this is another physician's metaphor to explain the current circumstances then I'm not amused. Tell Gaius that," Arthur snorted, but when he saw Guinevere's disapproving glance he sighed and quickly added, "And thank him for his thoughtfulness."
"I'm sorry, Arthur I'll-" But Galahad broke off whatever he was going to say. The king had suddenly turned very pale.
"Sire, are you feeling all right?" The young knight asked worriedly.
"Arthur?" Gwen gently touched his arm.
But he didn't seem to hear them. The vial slipped through his numb fingers shattering as it hit the stone floor. He didn't notice that he fell onto the ground nor that Galahad sprinted out of the chamber, he only heard cruel laughter resonating in his head. He screamed.
Merlin burst into the chamber and leaped to Arthur's side. Gwen was franticly trying to keep him still but it was no use. Arthur writhed across the floor so she had pushed everything out of the way in the hope he wouldn't hurt himself. His back was arched in pain and the king was clutching his head so forcefully that he already had two scratch marks on his forehead.
"Move." Merlin ordered urgently, Gwen obeyed quickly. She sought support from Galahad to stop herself from trembling and watched as Merlin placed his hands on Arthur's forehead and chest and closed his eyes. As he did that the chamber and its occupants immediately vanished and Merlin felt the strange sensation of weightlessness.
"Well, well took you long enough to answer my call." A voice spoke. Merlin tried to ascertain where it came from, but he wasn't actually anywhere so the taunting voice just echoed all around him in the mist.
"What did you do to Arthur? Who are you?" Merlin ordered angrily.
"Introductions are widely recognized as a first step to prove one's friendly intentions, I however have none." The voice paused and the silence was even more unbearable then the mocking voice. It was suffocating and pulling him deeper, wherever that was.
"As for what happened to your king…" The voice snickered, "Let's play a game. Figure out what I'm doing and well, let me put it like this. I've been told that human minds can't suffer this kind of intrusion for very long. So stop the pleasantries if you don't want to end up with a drooling madman on a pitiful throne and show me the measure of my enemy. Clock's ticking, Emrys."
"Leave him alone or I will kill you."
"Yes, thank you". The voice exclaimed relieved, "I like it when men understand what I want from my first try. I had this old buddy of mine, dreadful fellow, couldn't hold his liquor and had an awful singing voice. It took me three dead daughters before he figured out what I…"
But Merlin wasn't listening anymore. Arthur was in pain and he couldn't go to Gaius or Kilgharrah for help. It was up to him. The cruel voice was right, time was of the essence. He took a deep breath and drowned out every sound. He was talking in his thoughts that much he knew. It was strangely familiar with the way the Druids spoke to him so there had to be a link he could sever. His magic engulfed him swiftly and he send it into focus. Suddenly he was cutting knots he didn't knew were there before and every snapped string made it easier to breathe. He had no idea what he was doing, but he instinctively knew it was helping because Arthur was calming down beneath his touch.
"Ah alas, my cue to leave. I hope you keep on proving to be challenging." With that parting remark the veil that shrouded them from the rest of the world parted and Merlin opened his eyes in relief. He felt exhausted as he removed his hands from Arthur and absentmindedly swept his sleeve across his sweaty brow.
"What the hell were you doing?!" Arthur suddenly opened his eyes and snapped.
"I was-" Merlin tried to explain calmly what had happened but Arthur wasn't listening.
"Keep back!" He shouted and scrambled towards his desk using it for support as he pulled himself upright. His vision was still a bit blurry but his hand stumbled upon a familiar cold metal. Arthur blinked, things were very confusing. He could only focus on two things right now: his damned headache and Merlin the lying-
"Arthur, lower that sword." Gwen ordered angrily and tugged Merlin behind her, "He was here to help you!"
"Yeah and how did he know I needed help?" Arthur demanded skeptically and noticed he had indeed raised his sword. When did I do that?
"You collapsed and started to have some kind of a seizure so I went to get Merlin." Galahad hurriedly explained stepping forward to Arthur's side so he could take hold of the king's sword. Arthur didn't exactly fight back when the knight wrenched it from his hand. Getting up that fast wasn't his best idea. He had never been so glad of his desk as he leaned back for support.
"You should sit down, Sire." Galahad insisted softly but Arthur waved his concerns away.
"This was magical?" He asked and rubbed his neck.
"No Arthur, a very bad bad man used your mind to talk to me from far away, but it was completely normal." Merlin said sarcastically before he snapped, "Of course it was magical! It's always something magical with you! Why can't you just stay out of trouble!" The warlock shouted and walked towards his friend now the sword was out of the picture. Galahad looked from Merlin to Arthur and back. He didn't know what to do. He hoped Arthur wouldn't start shouting as well, but that proved to be a fools hope.
"It's not my fault someone thought I would make a happy courier pigeon. In fact he wanted to talk to you so this makes it your fault! Had a nice chat I hope while I was in agonizing pain?" The king sneered.
Gwen sighed and buried her face in her hand. Men, would it harm anyone if they would just admit their anxiousness instead of fighting?
"Actually without you this wouldn't have happened. You're the one who put me in danger so YOU SHOULD GET OUT!" Arthur yelled. Merlin had to step back quickly to avoid Arthur's hand as he swiftly swung it up and pointed towards the door.
Merlin glared and then threw his hands exasperated in the air, "Fine! Galahad, keep an eye on him." He turned around and walked towards the door almost bumping into two unexpected obstructions, "Gaius, make sure his highness gets some rest." The physician and Gwaine were standing in the doorway gazing upon the scene in front of them with much confusion as Merlin squeezed between them. He was out of the room before Gaius could even comment.
"Hey! I wasn't done talking to you. Merlin, you get back here!" Arthur yelled but made no intention to run after his servant. In fact he was now leaning so heavily against his desk that Gaius feared he might keel over any second.
"Arthur, drink this." The physician said and hold up a familiar looking vial.
"Gaius, I don't need to drink that." Arthur argued and still stared at the door as if Merlin would enter again any moment. Gaius looked at him intently, sighed and took out another vial. But the king kept ignoring him.
"Arthur! Quit whining like a child. I married a grown up, not a toddler with a tantrum." Gwen had had enough, "You're clearly in pain, Gaius has a remedy, so please take it right now."
"But Guinevere-"
"Don't 'but Guinevere' me, Arthur Pendragon!"
Arthur grumbled and looked at the old man in front of him, "Both of them?"
Gaius nodded, "If you don't take them now, I'll have to add a third."
"Fine." Arthur yanked the vials from Gaius' outstretched hand and donned their contents quickly. He shuddered at their taste. It didn't take long before he felt the effects. Arthur swayed on his feet and his eyelids drooped heavily.
"Gentlemen, a little help to guide his highness towards his bed." Gaius prompted, "Preferably before he falls face down on the floor." Arthur was fast asleep before they got him in bed, but between the four of them they managed nicely.
"Gwen dear, he'll sleep peacefully till morning. I suggest you should go to sleep as well. He's quite safe now." Gaius said quietly.
"I'll get some sleep Gaius, I promise but not before I'm fully reassured." She agreed reluctantly gently brushing a few loose strands of hair out of her husband's face and dabbed the angry red scratches right above his brow.
Gaius nodded and left, knowing very well he wouldn't be able to dissuade her from her watch. He motioned the knights to follow him until they were standing in the doorway.
"I want one of you in here on full alert for the rest of the night. Alternate so you both get rest and get Leon on it as well if you must. I fear the next days will prove challenging for all of us."
And with that he walked out and turned towards the vaults. One of his boys was fine for the moment, but the other… Gaius sighed, he couldn't decide which one was the most stubborn of the two. Maybe I'll take a detour for another set of vials, he mused.
"Oh! What a glorious defeat!" Hréohnes exclaimed happily as he lay on the floor limbs spread out and heaving from exhaustion like a fish gasping for air, "Did you see that, dear?"
"You mean that hopefully painful leap when you cut the connection?" Morgana smirked as she looked down on him.
"I didn't cut the connection!" Hréonhes argued and got up stretching his toes, "That damned Emrys pushed me out. Oh, he's good. Indeed a worthy adversary and much more powerful than the filly here." Hréonhes said to no one in particular. 'Filly' Morgana mouthed aghast and shook her head. The dragonlord was mumbling to himself again. It made her flesh creep.
"The force… tremendous… mmm indeed, should have expected that. But you know what they say about expectations!" He looked eagerly at her but like before he didn't wait for an answer nor expected it, "Actually I forgot, something about building or so… Mmm, Emrys will be a challenge or a problem, haven't decided yet."
"He's a problem." Morgana stated bluntly.
"For you maybe, but I'm on another playing field." He smirked and walked back towards the more cozy part of the hall. The torches were extinguished as he walked further and further away from the white marble table and in turn the candles blazed around the dining area. Morgana quickly followed before the entire section was covered in darkness.
"Have you figured it out yet?" He asked when he sat down in front of the fire bare feet once more on top of the table.
"Figured out what?" She asked warily and sat across him. But she didn't lean back as he did. Instead she sat on the edge of her chair vigil for any sudden change. She refused to be surprised again.
"Why your fabulous let's-summon-a-mindless-powerful-slave-to-do-my-bidding plan failed. Completely if I may add." He explained further and took another sip of his wine. Morgana glared but didn't answer. She had thought of it of course. She hadn't been thinking about much else. Her research was solid, her runes correct, Aithusa did his part and she had felt the magic work. So indeed, what went wrong?
"Okay, be like that. I do you a favor and now you ignore me." Hréonhes almost pouted.
"A favor?" Morgana snapped and jumped up, "You hurt Aithusa! You attacked Caerleon instead of Camelot! And then you taunt Emrys instead of killing him!"
"I did hurt your brother." He had the gall to smirk at her. Again!
"Will it have any lasting effects?" Morgana asked clinically in an attempt to ignore the rage that was rising once more.
"So much anger…" The dragonlord mumbled before he looked at her and sighed, "No, Emrys was fast enough and the king has a stubborn streak."
"Never mind, places to see, people to kill." Hréonhes rose up and stretched his arms, "I've been cooking an army. I need to see if they're well done."
"Wait, what?"
"I'm going out. You stay here." Hréonhes told her patiently. Morgana fumed, he was so patronizing when he did that!
"You're just going to keep me here?" She exclaimed angry.
"Ah, I love it when you're so insightful, love. I can't let you run around. You might get misplaced." Hréonhes answered happily and pointed at the table, "You'll find your research there among some selected reading material. I highly suggest reading something about my marvellous citadel."
"But these are just loose pages! What did you do with the book covers? It's not even in the right order!" Morgana panicked as she inspected the papers and scrolls."
"Had to keep you busy." Hréonhes smirked and winked as he walked out of the hall. The door slammed shut and vanished. Morgana cried out of frustration and blasted the papers away in a fit of anger. She looked around as they slowly drifted down.
How did it go so wrong?
"Merlin." The warlock didn't acknowledge his presence. He had been staring at the ceiling for some time now. The events of last hours were finally catching up with him and he felt exhausted and afraid. What if he wasn't there the next time? What if it took too long? Arthur was right. I do put him in danger.
"Merlin." Gaius tried again and the boy finally looked up. "He doesn't want you to leave."
"He's out of his mind then." Merlin mumbled and looked away again.
"Maybe, but why were you yelling at him? That isn't you."
"He started yelling!"
"Of course he yelled at you, he was attacked with magic and had no idea what was happening. You shouldn't have yelled back." Gaius argued.
"He was being unreasonable!"
"As I said just now, he was attacked with magic and had no idea what was happening."
"Still he started it." Merlin countered defensively.
"Merlin, I'm very tempted to get Gwen and have her lecture you. She did a fine job with Arthur." Gaius sighed, "But I'm guessing Arthur's anger isn't what's bothering you, am I right?" Merlin shrugged and didn't answer. Instead he started pacing. Gaius sat down and watched patiently when he recognized Merlin's struggle for the right words.
"You didn't see him when he woke up." Merlin finally said and his voice sounded so very desperate all of a sudden, "He, he looked at me, Gaius, with so much pain and fear in his eyes... He feared me."
Merlin miserably sunk down on a chair and cradled his head. "I never thought I would see that expression directed at me. I can deal with anger, not that…"
"I thought so, but you do understand?"
The warlock nodded, "It isn't easy."
"It never is."
"What happened exactly?" Gaius asked after a while.
"I want to say the usual, but that voice…" Merlin shuddered, "He knew me. He knew I was Emrys and used Arthur to get to me."
Both men were silent for a moment until Gaius cleared his throat, "What are you going to do about this?"
Merlin groaned, he hated that sentence. Of course it was up to him to do something, there was no one else. Yet how would Camelot fare after when he was dead?
"Merlin?" Gaius' question interrupted his depressing thought. Right, time to get things prioritized. First of all, find a way to stop the evil sorcerer from intruding Arthur's mind, then stop the evil sorcerer and whatever evil plan said sorcerer has. And finally find a way to avoid the dying bit. Yeah, that pretty much sums up my day.
"Can you get those books?" Merlin waved vaguely towards a pile of books next to Gaius, "I think I read something promising earlier. Can't remember the title, but it was in a big brown book."
Gaius' frown clearly said 'you're joking?', but the warlock just shrugged. It wasn't his fault they all were rather big and brownish.
"Since we're on the subject, why is almost everything lying on the floor?"
"It isn't my fault. It was Gwaine's idea. He thought a system would make everything more um logical."
"Gwaine? And you went along with it?"
"Yeah, I can't tell you what I was thinking."
"That doesn't surprise me." Gaius muttered and opened a book.
When the old man finally left the vaults he had his answer. Merlin was infinitely more stubborn than Arthur. It started with a careful suggestion to come back to their rooms to get some sleep. In the end they argued for more than half an hour, but Merlin wouldn't budge and the vials just rested aimlessly in Gaius' hand.
Just as he was about to cross the threshold the physician tried one final attempt.
"I can't physically drag you out of here but I'll ask Gwaine to knock you out and do the carrying." Gaius threatened, "Although you look so completely haggard I reckon Gwen could even push you over."
"I'm not sure if I should be insulted or Gwen. She has a mean punch." Merlin smirked but kept on reading.
"Merlin…"
"Gaius, this is important and I'm fine." Merlin put his foot down, "Don't you remember I can do magic now, I'll just find a spell to compensate for lack of sleep. Magic solves all our problems and you never have to say thank you." He sullenly muttered that last part but Gaius heard it nonetheless.
"Morning." Gwaine greeted them happily as he entered the vaults a moment later.
Gaius sighed and shook his head. He had left the vials on the table, just in case the young man changed his mind. Still he was reluctant to leave. He had to check up on Arthur, but that boy looked far too smug to be left alone and the newly arrived Gwaine would only reinforce Merlin's current mood. He was halfway out the door when he heard an undignified squeak from behind him.
"What happened to the piles?"
"Forget about the piles, Gwaine!" Merlin answered sharply and Gaius just shook his head again and resumed his way.
"How long have I slept?" Gaius looked up. He had claimed a chair by Arthur's bed in the morning and must have dozed off eventually. Arthur hadn't moved, only opened his eyes as he waited for an answer.
"As long as you needed." Gaius replied, but he gathered from Arthur's annoyed look that he needed something more precise, "It's an hour past noon, Sire."
"I'm glad your wife isn't here to hear such language." He remarked drily when Arthur cursed and hastily threw back the blankets. From his spot he watched with amusement how Arthur quickly donned a shirt and riffled through the cupboard.
"Belts, where are my belts?" The king franticly threw some clothes on the bed, "And why isn't Merlin here or Lauren? It's their duty to help their king." Gaius got up and went to another closet while Arthur hopped around the room in a hasty attempt to put on his boots.
"Lauren is attending Gwen. They're making an inventory of the kitchens. Your wife however assured me you're able to dress yourself. As for Merlin? I think you know the answer to that, Sire." Gaius enlightened him and nonchalantly hold up a belt.
Arthur snatched it up quickly, "Thanks Gaius."
"Need another hole, Your Majesty?" The physician asked amused when he saw Arthur struggle clumsily which had nothing to do with the king's waist. Arthur blamed the potions and the fogginess in his head.
"Well, aren't you chipper today." Arthur grumbled but smiled despite himself at the comment.
"I'm just happy everyone's still alive, I wasn't entirely sure after the proceedings of yesterday."
"I'm not going to execute Merlin, Gaius."
"I know that Sire, I was referring to you. Speaking of your health, forgive this old physician for not asking the moment you woke up, but how are you feeling?"
Arthur run his hand through his hair, "Good actually, I feel rested and my head doesn't hurt one bit although it's still fuzzy. I certainly wouldn't want a repeat of what happened last night. It was not pleasant."
Gaius merely nodded. He already suspected that since he gave Arthur one of the strongest potions against pain he had.
"Some rest today is in order and I have something that will prevent a future attack." Gaius said and held up a small pendant, "It was made especially for you. It repels foreign intrusion in your mind." He didn't say that it was magical nor that it was Merlin who had enchanted it. After all that was rather self-explanatory. Gaius sighed again, that boy was far too stubborn even if it was for the best intentions. Merlin had spent all night working on it. The warlock wouldn't settled for less than the best protection.
"You have to wear it against your bare skin, Sire."
Arthur rubbed the pendant absentmindedly and pondered its lightness. It looked like glass, but the stone wasn't fragile at all. It was small, circular and below its translucent surface mist –or something similar- twirled around. It was magical and beautiful.
When Arthur turned around to convey his thanks, he saw that Gaius had already left the room.
"Ah Leon, just the man I've been waiting for. How are the defences coming along?" Arthur looked up from his desk when his second in command stepped in just before dusk.
"Steady, the masons are cooperating again." Leon reported. "Gwaine is down the vaults, Galahad training with the other knights. I've send out some patrols this morning."
"Good, good." Arthur mused, "Excellent, keep up the good work."
"How are you feeling?" Leon asked.
"I'm fine, Gaius said I had to take it easy." And so he had. Gaius would have told Gwen and he really didn't want her yelling at him again because he caused her to worry.
"If that's what he said." The knight inclined his head and was about to leave the room when Arthur called him back.
The king cleared his throat, "Now how come you never told me about Merlin?"
Leon almost winced at Arthur's accusing tone. "Simple, he told you before I could. I felt he acquired that privilege. Also, Gwaine and myself only found out yesterday morning when Merlin collapsed in Nortcliff and then transported us just outside the city before I could blink."
"He crossed the distance…" Arthur breathed, "Wow that's …" He wanted to say impressive but he couldn't exactly complement a lawbreaker, "Magical."
Leon snorted and quickly coughed when Arthur glared at him. "Yes, you're right, it was magical."
"What are you going to do to him?"
The king slammed the book down. "Why is everyone asking me that?" He wondered angrily, "I'll decide when I make up my mind. Now, find something useful to do for a change instead of hanging around in corridors."
But Leon wouldn't let himself be dismissed like that. He had thought about Merlin's magic these last two days and it was time for Arthur to know his opinion on the matter whether he wanted it or not.
"Arthur, you once told me that if breaking the law was the honourable, the noble thing to do then that law was wrong." Leon started
"I know." Arthur answered and sighed. He'd been expecting for some sort of discussion. It actually surprised him that Leon waited so long.
"And Merlin doesn't have an evil bone in his body." Leon continued.
"I know."
"And you have to admit, the treat of death is a pretty good reason to lie…"
"I KNOW!"
"Then why are you so mad?" Leon finally asked.
Arthur waved him away without dignifying an answer, almost unintentionally throwing the book he was holding. How could he answer? That simple question dredged up an whole whirl of emotions he refused to deal with. There was no room for personal issues, not when his people were in danger. Camelot had no use for a conflicted king.
"So, Sir Leon the messenger boy…" Gwaine said mockingly as he leaned back against the vaults' wall.
"So, Sir Gwaine the spy…" Leon replied evenly and went to stand next to him, "How is he?"
"Scary."
"And he has been doing that since he woke up?" Leon asked nodding towards Merlin who was busy staring a hole in the ceiling. The vault was filled with, well, magic.
"Don't think he slept actually, but yes he's been pretty much the same. Although sometimes he gets up, starts pacing and mutters gibberish. Then it really gets weird because the books keep flowing through the air until he snatches one down, starts to read, sinks back in his chair, stares at the ceiling, jumps up and begins again." Gwaine elaborated looking a bit concerned. "How's our airhead of a king faring?"
"He's awake and better. Actually he's doing similar things, only he was tempted to throw the books at me if I stayed any longer."
"Ouch." Gwaine winced, "So he still hasn't forgiven us?"
"Either that or he's just in a bad mood."
"Can't imagine why, it's not every day you find out your best friend can secretly do magic."
"Funny, Gwaine, but between you and me I don't think staying in a room with either one of them is advisable at this time. Galahad told me they shouted at each other again." He rolled his eyes at that last word.
"I'm concentrating, not deaf." Merlin suddenly announced making both men jump – something they would fervently deny. They cautiously glanced at Merlin who hadn't stirred or looked at them.
"Let's finish our reports in the hallway, shall we?" Leon suggested and they both hurried out.
Gwaine was reading and pulled a candle closer. Some of this stuff was actually very fascinating although some of these blokes were a bit off, he thought. Who uses some sort of snakehead to control a person? The drawings were positively horrifying. He quickly put the book down before he was tempted to gag.
"Sorcerers are insane." Gwaine shuddered and picked up another book. It had a flower painted on its cover. Should be harmless right?
Merlin managed to stifle a snicker at Gwaine's blatant discomfort as he turned his page and lazily looked down. The warlock gasped in surprise.
"What is it?"
"I found it, I think." Merlin said carefully and quickly flipped through the pages. Gwaine got up and walked around the table.
"See?" Merlin pointed at the text, moving aside a bit so Gwaine could read over his shoulder.
"You know I can't read that gibberish."
"This says 'Dalbeth'." He pointed at the subtitle, "These are chronicles and I believe it describes the events that happened there, but without the fairytale cover-up. Let's see." Merlin traced the text with his finger summarizing as he went on. "The dragons attacked the citadel to kill a very powerful sorcerer. He killed all lot of them but some were loyal to him. Mmm, he might have been a dragonlord as well. Oh, here is his name." Merlin paused and stared at the book.
"Merlin? What is it? Can't you read it?" Gwaine asked concerned when the warlock didn't continue.
"Yes sorry, um his name. It's Hréohnes." Merlin swallowed hard.
"Okay, but this is good news right?" Gwaine was confused with Merlin's behaviour.
"In the Old Tongue, Hréohnes means storm."
Great, so Kilgarrah choose to be literal this time.
Merlin was pacing.
The book had been enlightening and descriptive. It was all blood and war, pain and suffering. Why was it forgotten? Didn't anybody care anymore that many, many centuries ago dragons almost destroyed these lands in their own civil war? That men cowered in caves and always kept one eye trained on the sky?
"So, these are your ancestors?" Gwaine asked and studied the book once more. He couldn't read it, but Merlin had quickly translated the whole tale. "Pretty brave men. You said they went to the heart of magic for advise, any idea where that is? Maybe we can get help there as well?"
Merlin sighed and counted to three before he answered otherwise he would have snapped. The roots of the Dragonlords, who would have thought? Kilgharrah should have warned him.
Storm's coming young warlock, one that will wash away Albion's future if taken lightly.
"I don't think the book means a real place. It's a metaphor for courage I believe."
"But those three men became dragonlords?"
Merlin nodded. He too was confused on that part of the tale. Did they really consult with magic itself as the story suggested and subsequently were granted their powers? Or did they tame the dragons with their skill in magic?
"They were the first and all was well in Albion."
"But not for long…" Gwaine muttered and looked at an etching. The city of Dalbeth burned. The grey flames that licked across the page looked very real. He shuddered.
"Okay, but tell me again what it says about Hréonhes. That part is pretty ironic." Gwaine insisted holding up the book.
Merlin sighed and grabbed it, "The first born of Durwyn the Dragonlord was heralded by both dragons and men as the bringer of unity. From an early age on the boy was blessed by magic making him fully equipped to fulfil his burdensome task. Unfortunately their love blinded dragons and dragonlords alike from the darkness that slowly crept into the child. When he… And here it's smudged Gwaine. I can't read it. The next paragraph starts with other dragonlords rallied a-"
"Can't you use magic to clean it?" Gwaine interjected.
Merlin paused and looked rather stumped with the knight's suggestion, "That's actually a good idea."
"Of course it is." Gwaine said smugly, "So what does it read?"
Merlin concentrated and willed the page clean. To his surprise it worked.
"Where was I? Ah, when he came of age this veil of innocence shredded. Soon the lands of Albion were as divided as ever. The citadel of Dalbeth became the centre of power and corruption and one by one the combined armies of dragons and willing men brought chaos and waste to the land. In a final attempt to combat the evil that festered in Dalbeth, the armies of Newell and Rawlin, the other dragonlords rallied a massive force of dragons to kill Hréonhes. The battle lasted for days and in the end Dalbeth was reduced to ashes mixed with the lives of the death. After these horrors both dragons and men swore they would never lose themselves again in pointless slaughter and bloodshed. True to the dragon's prophecy, the fall of Dalbeth and Hréonhes led to an age of peace and simplicity only its chosen path was unexpected, but so it is with everything."
"So what does it mean?"
"No idea, I'm still thinking." Merlin handed him back the book and started pacing again. Gwaine was right. It was ironic and depressing, but the tale wasn't that informative on two areas. First of all, why did Hréonhes turn on his people, on his own father? And secondly, what happened in that final battle? There were a few references written below the text, but he'd never heard of those books. Most likely they were lost in the Purge, if not… He needed another look at the library. Maybe Gaius would know?
Suddenly Merlin realised the knight was pacing alongside him, still holding the book. The warlock snapped, "Gwaine, quit following me around! You've been doing that since yesterday! I can't concentrate or think!" About my pending death, he finished in his mind.
"I was just trying to help, mate." Gwaine answered more calmly than he felt since Merlin startled him.
"What help are you? You can't even read this! It's useless!" Merlin shouted frustrated and the book flew across the room as his eyes flashed golden. It forcefully hit the wall. Merlin quickly shut up, but Gwaine didn't answer back. Instead he looked rather shocked at the book on the floor, both of them did.
"Gwaine, I don't know..." Merlin tried to apologise but the knight just shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the vaults.
Smart move, Merlin thought angrily, you should try to alienate your other friends as well. He almost screamed out of frustration, but settled on just kicking the chair.
He didn't know how much time had passed since his friend walked out of the door. Merlin couldn't blame him. What had he been thinking? It was just so unfair. Six days and a few little words and his whole world had changed. Oh yeah, Merlin you're the one who'll bring peace to Albion but I conveniently forgot to mention you're going to die. Can't have you living in it.
Bloody Kilgharrah.
And Arthur, want to know a secret I can't keep anymore because some random death guy got up again and then decided to pay your head a visit?
Merlin banged his head on the table once before he rested against the wood. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Pull yourself together.
A soft knock interrupted further chastisement and Gwen walked in.
"I heard you've been yelling at Gwaine."
"He told you?"
"No, no, I heard you."
"Oh." He didn't really know what else to say. Now he really felt bad about it.
"Merlin, I want to thank you." Gwen suddenly said and sat down next to him.
"For yelling at Gwaine?" Merlin asked confused. Gwen laughed and the sound did wonders for his mood. He smiled softly.
"For being you. For protecting Arthur."
"You shouldn't be thanking me. You don't know what I did."
"Would you mind telling me a few tales? I'm really curious and maybe if you want I can tell some of them to Arthur."
"He doesn't want to know."
"Believe me, he does." Gwen insisted. Merlin sighed. Well, if nothing else this is a nice distraction.
"What are these?" Gwen rudely interrupted his story about how he saved her after that first disastrous picnic.
"Oh that's nothing." Merlin dismissed her question, "Just some vials Gaius forgot. Nothing to worry about."
"Merlin, when was the last time you slept a full night?" Gwen recognized the murky potion.
"Full nights are overrated, Gwen. Honestly I'm more of a four or five hour man, really. I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You yelled at Gwaine." Gwen reasoned.
"So? Everyone yells at Gwaine from time to time." Merlin argued.
"For something he didn't do?" Gwen countered and waited for a smart retort. It didn't came.
"Merlin."
He panicked, wow she really sounded serious now. Shouldn't Arthur be dealing with stuff like this? Gwen kept staring at him intently, so he gulped and started counting on his fingers.
"Um the night we arrived in Nortcliff? And then the day of your picnic. I think I slept that night as well, not sure how long though."
"Are you telling me that in the last week you only slept two nights?" Gwen asked disbelieving.
"I'm sure that's an exaggeration, sometimes you think you don't sleep but actually you do." But Gwen wasn't listening. She stood up and took his hand, pulling him towards the door. He had no choice but to follow her.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To bed."
"I know you kissed me one time but-" Merlin started hoping Gwen would blush, stammer and explain what she meant. But that was the old Gwen. This Gwen was much more confident after months at the centre of Camelot's court.
"Don't joke about things like that." She admonished him and cuffed his arm, "I know what you're doing and I'm not going to be mollified. You'll be taking a nap, all powerful warlock or not."
"I think you're going to be a great mother some day." Merlin muttered. She slapped his arm again but much more gentle than before.
"And of course, all bones... When was the last time you ate?"
Merlin eyed the vials again as he sat on his bed. Gaius was out, so there wasn't really someone to check if he took them. But Gwen had been quite adamant before she left. They had made a detour to the kitchens and he had convinced her the potions couldn't be taken with food. She was reluctant to leave but he smoothly asked her how Arthur was doing.
Okay, he lied about the food. He really needed to go back to the vaults, but Gwen would be so disappointed if he did.
"I suggest," she had said this in such a way that Merlin knew it was anything but a suggestion, "that you drink those vials. You need to sleep Merlin, I can't bare the way you're looking right now."
But the tales were the key, he knew it. He needed to be prepared.
Hréonhes was another immortal sorcerer just like Sigan. Or at least he was an undead one. Merlin remembered how reluctant he was to get help from the Great Dragon that the time. How he wished Kilgharrah was here now. If only to be able to yell at him in person.
I can't bare the way you're looking right now. Gwen had looked so sad when she said that. Maybe I should take them? He uncorked them and shuddered at their taste.
Oh boy, Merlin suddenly realised as he lay down on his pillow, I may have influenced her to go check on Arthur and leave me alone, but she guilt tripped me into taking these!
As he drifted away he remembered what Gaius had said about Sigan.
He's immortal and you are not. If you would face him, he'll destroy you. Was that the answer to Kilgharrah's morbid riddle?
He yawned and closed his eyes. There must be something in the books that will help me. Or one of the objects maybe? There must be a way to stop Kilgarrah's message from becoming true, there has to be...
And yet another chapter :) I debated with myself if Merlin wasn't too OOC, but I reasoned he was in his anger phase with the whole bad news you're going to die situation. Anyway, also bad news, the next update will take a while. I'm guessing a month at least. I really should be writing my thesis instead of fanfiction... Thanks for reading and reviewing!