Alaia Skyhawk: It's actually surprising how angsty this one becomes for Merlin. I only really noticed how much as I was writing this and imagined what he was thinking during all those things.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Music: N/A
"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A
~(-)~
Chapter 44: The Beginning of the End ~Part 2~
The look of worry on Morgana's face was all he needed to see, when he arrived at her rooms near noon the next day, to know that something was wrong. He hurried past her when she didn't utter a word, arriving at the curtained alcove and kneeling beside the boy. He was pale, far too pale, and placing a hand on his forehead revealed the reason for that.
"He's burning up. How long has he been like this?"
Morgana's expression was anxious.
"Since early this morning. I think his wound may be infected." She turned to him. "We need Gaius before it gets any worse."
Merlin grimaced.
"We can't involve Gaius, it's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself."
"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he's sick. We need a physician."
There was a pause, before Merlin come to a decision. He was Gaius' ward, and had access to his books and materials.
"I'll treat him."
Morgana stared at him.
"Merlin, do you even know how to treat an infected wound?"
He sat back on his knees, glancing at her.
"Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner."
Before she could reply to that, they heard footsteps outside the room preceding a firm knock on the door. After glancing at Merlin, Morgana got up and closed the curtains across the alcove, going to the door while Merlin peaked through a small gap to see who it was.
When the prince walked in, she spoke with a tone of ire.
"Arthur, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
The prince didn't seem particularly interested in being here, a pair of guards following him to stand just inside the room.
"Don't get all excited, it's not a social call. I'm looking for the druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers."
Morgana glared at him, as if merely irritated, but Merlin knew that right now she would be calculating every word she said.
"You're not searching my chambers."
Arthur faced her, clearly trying to be reasonable.
"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire castle. It'll only take a few minutes."
She folded her arms across her chest, frowning, after directing a single glance to where Merlin and the boy were hidden.
"I'm not having you mess up my things."
"We're not interested in your things. I'm just looking for any evidence that the druid boy is in the castle."
Merlin, already very nervous, almost had a fit at that moment when he spotted the boy's boots near the foot of Morgana's bed. Quickly looking to check that Arthur had his back to the screen, he lifted them with a glint of golden eyes and silently pulled them through the air to the curtain. He quickly grabbed them, retreating back into hiding.
During that, he didn't really notice Morgana's comment about maybe the boy was in Arthur's chambers, since they were so messy he'd never know, and Arthur's reply that they were a mess because his servant was lazy. Merlin would beg to differ, they were a mess because the prince had a habit of leaving things dumped all over the room whenever he decided to look for something and couldn't find it when it was right under his nose.
Morgana was still goading the prince, with her remarks while that was going on.
"If you can't even find your own servant, what hope have you of finding the boy?"
"Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities, and as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started the sooner I will be finished."
She started to smirk.
"Then let me save you the trouble."
"Trust me, if I could find him I would."
She inclined her head towards the other side of the room, still smiling
"The druid boy's hiding behind the screen." Merlin almost choked at that, ducking back from his gap and going utterly still behind the curtain. And then he heard the amusement in Morgana's voice. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by riffling through my things." Merlin could hear the taunting smile in her 'helpful' tone of voice. "Go on."
Arthur fell for it, and here was one of those times that him being an ass was actually helpful.
"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look like a fool?"
Morgana chuckled.
"From my experience, you don't need any help looking like a fool. What are you waiting for? Take a look."
Arthur was now sounding very irritated, his boots thudding on the floor as he started to stride towards the door and leave.
"What don't you go back to... brushing your hair or whatever it is you do all day?"
She called out after him.
"Bye, Arthur. Good luck with the search."
The door slammed closed, Merlin letting out a sigh of relief when he heard it. When Morgana returned to the alcove, he gave her a nod of admiration.
"That, was really well done."
She snorted.
"Please, it's not hard to manipulate him like that. His ego is so big, that it's a wonder he can see past it to where he's going." Her regard turned solemn. "Now, I think you'd better head off. If you're going to treat the boy, then you need to get some medicines while Gaius is out on his rounds."
Merlin nodded once and got up, leaving the room without another word.
~(-)~
The knock on the door had her rushing to it, the room lit now only by the candles. When he'd left shortly before noon, she'd expected Merlin to be back within an hour... Not after half a day.
"What took you so long?"
Merlin grimaced, carrying a cloth bag filled with clinking vials, hurrying to the alcove where the boy was.
"Gaius caught me with the book about herbs, and to cover I was forced to say I found it interesting and had got it out because of that... He was so delighted that I was apparently interested in learning the physician's craft, that he dragged me into a lesson on anatomy. I only got away because I had to take Arthur his supper."
Stopping at the table nearest the alcove, he began to tip the vials out of the bag. Watching him, Morgana was once again anxious.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Merlin glanced at her.
"I need clean water, and a cloth. The herbs I've brought are all supposedly good for infections, but I'll need to dilute them into a paste, as well as clean the wound. Did Gwen get fresh bandages?"
Morgana came back over with a bowl and a jug of water, nodding.
"She left them here before heading home for the night. I didn't let her stay, someone might have asked questions."
Once again she walked away and came back with the required item, Merlin nodding in thanks.
"Now, I just need to mix some of these together, and hopefully it will work."
"Hopefully?"
Hearing the edge to her voice, Merlin frowned at her.
"Look, I'm doing my best. We're both risking execution as it is, without getting Gaius involved. I won't put my guardian in danger when there's a chance I can treat the boy on my own."
She flinched, bowing her head a little in apology.
"Sorry, I know you don't want to get him into trouble."
Merlin sighed.
"It's fine. Could you start cleaning his wound for me? While I mix this?"
Morgana nodded, quickly moving to do as asked. It crossed neither of their minds that Merlin, a mere servant, was effectively ordering her around. All their concern was focused on the boy.
The cloudy green paste now mixed, Merlin hurried over to the alcove and knelt down, applying it to the now cleaned slash. Watching him, Morgana frowned.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
He sighed yet again.
"I told you, I'm doing my best."
Still anxious, but realising she was probably getting in the way, Morgana got up and headed for the other side of the rooms.
"I'll go get you some more water."
Merlin didn't watch her go, too intent on covering the livid red slash with the paste, concentrating on that until a weakened mental contact intruded on his mind.
'Thank you, Emrys.'
Merlin flinched, recognising the boy's voice, and looked at his face in time to see the child's eyes open and gaze at him half-focused. Mindful of Morgana being close by, he replied the same way.
'Emrys? Why do you call me that?'
The boy's gaze remained unmoving.
'Among my people, that is your name.'
Merlin felt a conflict of emotions. Surprise, confusion, and even a hint of fear.
'You know who I am? How?' The boy didn't answer, drifting into unconsciousness again, prompting Merlin to lean close as he spoke aloud this time without meaning to. "Speak to me."
"I don't know if he can't speak, or he's just too scared to."
Merlin almost jumped in fright when he realised she was beside him again with the jug of water, covering it by busying himself wrapping a clean bandage around the boy's arm.
"I'd be scared too." Job done, he rose to his feet. "I'll be back in the morning with some more food for him. Good night."
Morgana watched him go.
"Good night, Merlin. And thank you."
He nodded once and went out the door, only now allowing his troubled thoughts to show in the form of a frown. There were still guards walking about on their rounds, but additionally checking all possible hiding places as they did so. It was somewhat ironic that the search made it so easy to sneak into the lower levels, due to there being no guards on the entrance to the presently empty dungeons. Everyone was involved in the search, none of the regular guard posts inside this part of the building were being manned.
He descended down to the dragon's prison, torch in hand, the idea of him being known to people he'd never met, gnawing at him incessantly. He wanted answers, and right now he couldn't go to Gaius to ask them, which meant the dragon it was... As much as he expected he was likely not to get the kind of answer he wanted.
He arrived at the ledge in the cave, peering around in the gloom, before hesitating calling out to the creature.
"Hello?" There was a snarl to his right, Merlin near stumbling backwards off the ledge in fright when the dragon revealed himself to be clinging to the cave wall in that direction. "Do you have to do that? You scared the life out of me."
The dragon smiled in amusement, before flying over to land on the rock spur near the ledge.
"The young warlock... No doubt you're here about the druid boy."
Merlin stared at him.
"How did you know?"
A small snort.
"Like you, I hear him speak."
Merlin took a step forward, frowning.
"Why does he call me 'Emrys'?"
The dragon regarded him for a moment, tilting his head.
"Because that is your name."
"I'm pretty sure my name is Merlin. Always has been."
The dragon shook his head at the young warlock's ignorance.
"You have many names."
"Do I?" Merlin was thoroughly confused. "How does the boy know who I am? I've never even met him before."
The dragon remained fairly indifferent to the question, but answered it none the less.
"Prophesy said there would be some who would know you on sight, who would sense you upon coming face-to-face with you. That the boy is one of those, could be considered something of an ironic twist of fate, for there is much written about you that you have yet to read." He lowered his head, looking Merlin in the eye. "You must not protect this boy."
Merlin, having been caught up by the dragon's words, now stared once again.
"Why? He has magic, he's just like me!"
"You and the boy are as different as day and night."
"What do you mean?"
The dragon spread his wings, raising them ready to take flight.
"Heed my words, Merlin."
He surged up into the air, disappearing to a ledge high above, while below the warlock shouted out after him.
"Why should I not protect him?"
Now just as confused as ever, troubled by the dragon's words but not wanting to be influenced by them, Merlin left the cave and returned back to the castle above. Thinking about this further would just have to wait until morning.
~(-)~
Frantic hands bathed the boy's fevered brow with a cloth, Morgana unwilling to tear herself away from the now gravely ill child. Merlin's treatment hadn't worked, and now the boy's breathing was laboured and ragged, sweat pouring from his skin now that the fever had taken full hold.
She ignored Gwen when the maid tried to take her place at the boy's side, refusing to rest. She was haunted by the boy's plight, almost like she was haunted by that eerie moment she could have sworn she heard the boy call out her name. But Gwen hadn't heard it, the call most likely imagined due to lack of sleep, but she couldn't leave him. She couldn't rest until she knew he was going to be ok.
There was a knock on the door, Merlin calling out to let them know who it was. Gwen went over to let him in, the other servant passing a promised bundle of food to the maid as he crossed the room to the alcove.
"How is he?"
Morgana sounded grim.
"He's getting weaker. Whatever you did yesterday, it hasn't worked." She turned her head to look up at him. "We have to ask Gaius for his help." Merlin hesitated, and she stared at him like she couldn't believe why. "After all you've done, you can't give up now! Please! If he doesn't receive treatment, he'll die!"
Merlin hesitated a moment longer, still torn by what the dragon had said last night, but he could not deny the plea in Morgana's expression. He nodded and left the room, hearing Gwen lock the door again behind him, and returned to Gaius' chambers to where the man was just preparing to go out on his rounds.
The physician noted Merlin's entrance, not seeming to find it unusual to see him back so soon after leaving to start work.
"The search for the druid boy is becoming a real nuisance. With all the security around the castle, it's taking me twice as long to do my rounds."
He placed one last item in his bag, closing it after musing to himself if that was everything. Merlin stood there and watched him, indecisive, before taking a deep breath and speaking.
"Morgana's hiding the druid boy in her chambers."
Gaius went stiff and turned slowly to face him, both furious and aghast as what he'd just heard.
"When you say that Morgana is hiding the druid boy, I take it that means that you're helping her."
"...Sort of."
Gaius was still angry, but there was concern now as well.
"Merlin, you promised me you wouldn't get involved."
The warlock winced, lowering his eyes in guilt.
"I know, I'm sorry." He walked over. "But I had no choice."
"Every guard in Camelot is searching for that boy, and you're harbouring him right under their very noses. Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?"
Merlin frowned.
"Was I supposed to just hand him over to the guards to be executed."
"You think you can save this boy? What happens if you get caught? Who's going to save you?"
Merlin's voice went quiet.
"Are you saying it's wrong to harbour a young magician?"
It was a low blow, and they both knew it, Gaius remaining silent for a moment although his frown didn't waver.
"The difference is that your magic is still secret. Though it's a wonder how, considering how careless you are."
Merlin didn't look at him, stating the fact behind why he'd come to him like this.
"The boy's hurt, and really sick. I've tried to treat him." He took a deep breath, only now looking at his mentor. "We need your help."
Gaius regarded him solemnly.
"So now you want me to risk my neck too? I wish the boy no harm, but it is too dangerous."
Merlin remained resolved, his doubts from a short while ago vanishing beneath the weight of his own morals.
"Well if you don't then we might as well hand him over to the guards, because he's going to die anyway." Merlin's expression now held his plea. "You didn't turn your back on me... Please don't turn your back on him."
It was a long moment before Gaius moved, going to his bag and opening it again. He added several more items to it, before closing it and heading for the door. Merlin followed, needing no words from the physician to know from his expression that he was at least going to check on the boy's condition. He only hoped now that seeing the child would awaken sympathy in the old man and lessen his reluctance.
Their arrival at Morgana's chambers was tense, the lady and her maid both flinching a little under Gaius' disapproving stare. But then the man followed Merlin to the alcove, and upon seeing the grievously ill child, Gaius knelt down beside him to check his pulse and pupils.
He then turned, still frowning, to look at the three young adults watching him.
"I will treat the boy, but as soon as he's well you must get him out of Camelot. And woe betide anyone caught helping him." He turned back to the boy, removing the bandage on the boy's arm and then nodding as if confirming something. "Well, that's one thing we know for certain."
"What's that?"
He turned and looked at Merlin, answering him.
"You're no physician."
The three of them left Gaius to his work, moving to a part of the castle where they could see the gate to the lower town. Every wagon going through it was being checked, and the sight of it made Gwen frown.
"The guards are searching everyone leaving the city."
Merlin glanced at her, even as he still eyed the gates.
"There's another way out. There's a secret door in the armoury, it leads to the lower town. I'll take the boy out that way."
Morgana shook her head.
"No, it's too dangerous... I'll do it."
Merlin frowned a little.
"I'm good with secret doors and thinks."
Morgana turned to him.
"If you get caught, Uther will execute you. The boy is my responsibility, I'll smuggle him out of the castle."
Merlin grimaced a little.
"Well you'll need a key for the door."
"Who has it?"
"...Arthur."
~(-)~
The prince was oblivious to the way his servant kept eyeing the rings of keys hooked onto his belt, oblivious to the glimmer of relief when the last one hooked onto the metal ring there was the set said servant needed. No, his eyes were only on the stew that Merlin had brought to him, stew that he proceeded to eat while Merlin retreated to a strategic distance and whispered ever so quietly.
"Inbringe, cume mec."
The ring lifted oh so gently from the hook on Arthur's belt, just reaching head height on the man when Arthur suddenly turned to look at him.
"Is there any bread?" The moment it happened, Merlin made the keys move to stay behind Arthur, but in the process made them jangle and caused him to frown. "What was that?"
Merlin pretended innocence, remaining casually where he was despite presently on the verge of 'having kittens' as the popular saying went.
"What?"
Arthur was still frowning, Merlin forced to keep moving the keys as the prince started to look around, causing more inevitable jangling.
"There was a sound."
"Really?"
Arthur stood up, the keys rising in the air to remain in his blind spot.
"What is that?" His back to Merlin, he didn't see the warlock's eyes fixed on the keys and concentrating on flicking them about as he turned his head to search for the source. And the clatter of the keys continued with every move, until in increasing frustration he turned to his servant. "Can't you hear it?"
Merlin shrugged, willing to inwardly admit that this would be funny if he weren't in danger of discovery right now.
"I can't hear anything."
Arthur stared at him.
"Are you deaf? It's like a... jangling sound."
Merlin shook his head, like he didn't have a clue what the prince was talking about.
"Nope. I don't hear it.
Arthur turned when he heard the noise again, creeping towards the door while behind him Merlin was once again fully focused on the keys and levelling them directly over the bowl of stew. He then let them drop, watching them disappear among the liquid and pasting a blank expression on his face when Arthur spun round.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
Merlin was now beside the table, Arthur still thoroughly baffled.
"A different sound, like a splash."
Merlin remained innocent, reaching for something from one of the plates and holding it up for the prince.
"Bread?"
Arthur strode out of the room, rubbing at his ears clearly believing that he really had been hearing things, and as soon as he was gone, Merlin used the spoon to fish the keys out of the stew and cleaned them with the cloth he'd left with the cleaning things in the corner earlier.
He dumped the cloth back into the bucket of water, putting a cover on the stew to 'keep it warm', and left after turning back the covers on the bed and stoking the fire in the hearth. With those chores done, Arthur wouldn't come looking for him.
He made a beeline for Morgana's chambers, the Great Bell now beginning to ring.
~(-)~
She donned her cloak in readiness to leave, the now awake and alert boy watching her. Gaius' treatment had brought down the fever and helped with the infection, but he'd also warned that the boy would need further treatment by the druids once returned to them. The boy was not the only one watching her, Gwen was as well, and seeing that, Morgana turned to face her.
"I feel I've put you in danger, without ever stopping to ask how you feel about it. I'm sorry."
Gwen sighed, shaking her head.
"I know what it's like to face execution, and I wouldn't wish it on anybody."
There was a knock on the door, both of them turning to face it.
"It's Merlin."
Gwen went to let him in, while Morgana went over to the boy and smiled at him.
"We're going to get you out of Camelot. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise."
Merlin and Gwen arrived at the alcove, the former speaking to the noblewoman.
"Are you ready?"
She stood up.
"Did you get the keys?"
Merlin handed them to her, showing her which was the one she needed.
"The door is behind a shield at the far end of the armoury."
Gwen spoke now, also determined to help.
"I'll pack you some food and water for the journey... Be careful."
The two of them left, to head into town to wait for Morgana and the boy. Gwen to her home to pack the food, and Merlin to the stables to prepare Morgana's horse. Giving them enough time to get clear and ready, Morgana waited almost a full hour before finally leading the boy out of her chambers. They crept through the castle, using the route Merlin had suggested, arriving at the armoury via one of the servant's staircases close to it. But therein lay the flaw in the plan, when a servant passing that way caught a glimpse of them entering the store of weapons.
The pair had barely made it out of the tunnel when the alarm bells began to sound, sending them fleeing in the direction of Gwen's house. Merlin opened the door for them when they arrived, grimacing when he did.
"What happened?"
Morgana turned to him.
"Someone must have spotted us."
Gwen hurried over, handing over a bag as Merlin closed the door.
"There's enough food for three days."
He turned to Morgana.
"Your horse is fed and watered. I'll take you to it."
Morgana shook her head.
"No, it's too dangerous. There's no point in all of us risking our lives."
"What about you?"
"I'm the king's ward. I'll take my chances. I couldn't live with myself is something happened to either of you." She headed for the door. "We must go."
She led the boy behind her, the child's gaze meeting Merlin's for a moment in passing.
'Goodbye, Emrys.'
Merlin shut the door again, facing Gwen and leaning against it, for some reason the doubts from before now returning.
"I hope we did the right thing."
Gwen bit her lip, worry written on her face.
"Well it's too late now." She frowned when he moved to go out the door. "Where are you going?"
He glanced back at her.
"To Morgana's horse. If she's forced to leave without it, I have to return it to her stable before someone notices it's gone. It needs to look like she was working alone. And if she wants us to stay safe, then I need to be ready to make sure it does." He put on a smile. "Besides, if I'm out there and can provide a distraction, then maybe I can improve their chances."
"Merlin!"
He darted out the door, ignoring Gwen when she shouted after him. Following in the direction he would expect Morgana to go, he ducked into the shadows whenever guards passed by. The city was already swarming with them, and it was with a sinking feeling of dread that he realised the town was already locked down... There was no way out, not that she could get to.
He made a dash for where the horse was secreted in a blind alley, close to one of the main thoroughfares, and there he waited to find out the best or the worst, and it was the worst that he saw barely a few minutes later.
Arthur striding up the street towards the castle, a mob of guards behind him, and in the middle of them being dragged along were both Morgana and the boy. For a moment Merlin considered using magic to create a distraction, but then common sense and the woman's wishes overrode it. There was nothing he could do now without getting himself killed in the process, and he had more to worry about than just the boy... Even if right now he felt like a coward.
He stayed in the alley until the alarm bells stopped ringing, and only then used the cover of the darkness to return Morgana's horse to her stable. What would happen now, he just had to wait and see.
~(-)~
Alaia Skyhawk: So many good scenes in this one, even if the way Mordred stares at people is creepy.