Here you go…thanks for reading next chapter coming soon I hope you enjoy….:)
^v^ Ldy. J. ^v^
Chapter 6 The real Merlin finally part 2
With the assurance from Tailisen that he had not been Away from Merlin As long as he feared. Arthur closed. his eyes so he could at least try and regain some semblance of his normal as Merlin would probably call it "prat" composure. Arthur almost had himself fooled. Until he opened his eyes to the frozen Image of a defeated and broken Merlin in the corner of his tiny little room. Arthur not having much experience with the emotions the visions were causing, He was definitely being over whelmed. After all, since his birth the show of any other emotion but strength was punished as unforgiveable weakness. He thought Sort of sadly of how before Merlin and Gwen he was sure his father loved him. He thought he knew what it was to love and be loved. Merlin with his nagging questions. "Are you scared? Because if you are that's OK…. Do you love her? Why not? Why can't you? How can you ignore what's going on? What does your station have to do with it? Can't you change it when you're king? Why not?" made Arthur face up to his real feelings. And Gwen patient but persistent giving him the truth. And not letting him get away with hiding behind a mask. They are the ones that truly taught Arthur, what it was to have people really care. Not just about a title…but the person behind it. Or more truthfully under it. Arthur was so far in his own head with all of these thoughts. That he didn't notice, Tailisen had set out a small intricately carved cup. Beside it was a small piece of cloth on which some cheese laid. These items were on a small stone table near the chair he sat in. It wasn't until Tailisen's hand crossed in front of Arthur, headed for the water. That Arthur noticed the changes in the room. Arthur quickly laid a hand on Tailisen's arm before he could clear the water. Presumably to move on to one of the visions he had spoken of. Arthur looks at Tailisen. "If you don't mind I would like to see what happens to Merlin here. The day after my father died. I didn't see Merlin for another three days. Gaius always had a valid excuse. Helping with the funeral arrangements, picking herbs for him, had to go to the next town to get special ingredients." But I know now none of that was true. I need to know what really happened. Tailisen nodded his head and stood back. "I have laid out food and drink such as there is. In case you might need refreshment."
"Thank you," Said Arthur.
"Your welcome, sire. Arthur raises an eyebrow at Tailisen's use of that title for him. Tailisen just shrugs. "From what I've seen of you this night. I too now believe you will be the once and future king. So long as you and Emerys are together."
Suddenly the images in the well start moving again. Arthur watches while the emaciated form of Merlin continues his litany of "I'm sorrys, I don't know what happened, it should not have happened, it worked he woke up, Arthur's never going to forgive me! How can I face him? How?"
Gaius walks in the front part of the Physicians quarters. Merlin? Merlin, are you here? Gaius makes his way to Merlin's room. He looks in, and seeing the bed empty, is about to turn and go. When he hears a barely audible sob followed by "s-s-should haave listen to y-yy-ou." I-i-i-t's all my fault. I have killed any hope of magic returning. As, well as any hope of Albion."
Gaius moves into the room until he is standing over the huddled form of Merlin. Now, Arthur can truly see Merlin for the first time. Arthur and the Gaius image gasp at the same time. "What the hell?" Asks Arthur. Then he hears Giaus's obviously strained voice. My Boy, What have you done to yourself? Arthur, with his chest so tight he can't draw breath to speak. Reaches for the cup at his side. After a deep drink of the strange fruit juice; He is able to ask "Yes, Merlin what has happened to you?"
For Merlin wasn't just skinny. His skin was sallow. Stretched so thin you could see the bones underneath his skin. He looked uncomfortably like a corpse. As Arthur watched, Gauis reached down most likely to feel for a heartbeat and hissed. Drawing his hand back. "Like Ice, his essence…his life force is leaking away."Well stop it!" Arthur found himself saying. Then feeling silly, because of Corse he already had or none of this would be happening now.Gaius, studies Merlin his eyebrow raised, visibly steeling himself. He grabs Merlin shaking him roughly. "Merlin! It's Gaius... you must fight this!" Grabbing Merlin, under the arms. Somehow Gaius gets him standing and propped up on the bed in a sitting position. Merlin feebly bats away Gaius's attentions. "Please Gaius just let me go…" at Merlin's words Gaius's hands still. He parses lips in disapproval. "Oh, I see so that's what you're about? Giving up, are you?" not understanding this exchange Arthur pulls, an eyebrow imitation that would make Gaius proud. While listening intently to make sense of what he's seeing. "What about Arthur?" Merlin, makes a sound somewhere between agony and a sob. "Gaius, don't you understand? It's too late. You were right, I should've listen to you. I tried to save Uther and instead I kill him. Now Arthur hates me how could he not I killed his father." Gaius pulls a medallion out of his pocket. Arthur recognizes it as the one Morgana had gave Agravaine in a previous vision. "No Merlin I don't believe you did." Gaius says Holding up the medallion.
"I found this around the king's neck it's been spelled to rebound healing magic. Uther would have died for certain if you had not tried to heal him. That's a fact. Uther woke up. Which means that your spell did indeed work. There must've been a delay as the charm tried to reverse your magic. Probably because you are more powerful than most. There was never a chance of your spell working as long as Uther was wearing this medallion. Though I don't believe Uther was the true intended target. " Arthur noticed, that Merlin appeared to be coming around as he tried to focus on one Gaius was telling him. Although his physical appearance was still greatly disturbing. "I don't understand" Merlin said. "I believe you were the target. Or rather Emerys was. The enchantment was designed to rebound and kill the patient but also the healer. I believe the only reason you survived is because just like with the delay Morgana underestimated your power. You don't just have magic Merlin you are magic. And I think that saved your life. Morgana knows that Emerys is the one who has been helping Arthur all along. Yet, she does not know your true identity here in Camelot. But she would guess that if any sorcerer would be brave enough to agree to help Arthur inside Camelot she would assume it would have to be Emerys."
"It really doesn't matter who her target was Arthur we'll never know of it anyway. Because of me he thinks magic killed his father. I've not helped him become the once and future king that brings peace to all the land. I gave him blind hate. I've turned him into Uther. He'll start the executions again. Gaius I can't go through that again. Especially, knowing that each one I feel is my fault." Merlin says, in earnest. "So your answer is to what?" Gaius Asked, "lie here and let yourself fade away?" at that Merlin gave Gaius a sharp look. "Oh yes, did you think I've never seen a magical being fade? After everything this is what you're going to do? Let Morgana win? That doesn't seem like you."
"No, that was not my intent. But look at me Gaius' what am I supposed to do? Arthur hates me. Albion is lost. My destiny failed, Arthur failed. I cannot spend the rest of my life hiding my magic. With no hope of freedom." "You would leave Arthur to die?"
"No, of course not!" Merlin said in the most outraged tone his broken voice could muster.
"Well that's exactly what you'll be doing… If you continue with this madness." Gaius said harshly. "Oh, Merlin don't you see? Morgana's actions this night proved she doesn't care about freeing magic or its people. At least not any more, if she did she wouldn't have sabotaged your plan. Like you, she would've understood the need for Arthur to see the good in magic. She's too far corrupted it's all about the power now. And without Emerys, to stop her she will kill Arthur in a matter of days. Bringing nothing but darkness To Camelot."
"How can I still protect Arthur when he hates me?"
Gaius comes to sit next to Merlin putting an arm around his shoulders. "My boy, you are so powerful and you do so much every day that sometimes I forget how young you are. Merlin, Arthur does not hate you. He doesn't even know that you're the one that tried to heal his father. I'm not saying it's going to be easy for you. He's angry and he will be lashing out. He will probably say things that will be hard for you to hear. With his father's death he's going to be under more pressure than ever. He's going to need you Merlin. He has come to rely on you. In my heart, I do not believe that Arthur could ever be is ruthless as Uther. I believe that as long as Arthur lives there will always be a chance for Albion but not without you by his side."
With a sound between laughter and exasperation Merlin says, "OK, OK you win" Gaius smiles and hugs Merlin tight. "Thank you my boy." "Uh, Gaius?"
"Yes Merlin?" "We still have a little bit of a problem" "What's that?" what ever happened when I tried to heal Uther." Merlin said holding up his withered and discolored arm. "You were right. By the time I made it back here; I was ready to give up. I didn't care if I lived. After Arthur's reaction and because I thought I'd killed Uther with my magic. But I looked like this by the time I got here. I think this is from Morgana's spell. I feel really strange Gaius I don't think I can heal this. And Arthur can't see me like this. Even he would definitely notice.
Gee thanks Merlin, Arthur Grumbles under his breath.
"Wait right here." Gaius says standing up and heading for a shelf of potions. For who knows how many times tonight Arthur receives another shock as he watches Gaius take down the potion. Then look around the room anxiously. "Forgive me sire it is necessary." With that he begins to chant words Arthur doesn't understand. At the end of the chant his eyes flash light gold.
"Good lord!" Arthur exclaims "all those people that died of magical diseases, when father was alive maybe Gaius could have helped them? Hell come to that, maybe Merlin could have probably cured them. What a waste of life.
Gaius returned with a potion Merlin drank it down after a few minutes he nodded to Gaius "I feel a little stronger but it doesn't appear to have help my looks what are we going to do?" just as Gaius's about to answer. Merlin puts his hands to his head. "Merlin what is it? What's the matter?" Gaius asked. "Killgarra he is calling me. Apparently he's been calling me for some time. I was too weak to hear him until you gave me the potion." "That's it! We must get you to Killgarra." Gaius exclaims. "Dragons have healing powers. They can heal simple injuries on anyone. But you are dragon kin. That means Killgarra's healing powers should work better on you; as yours on do dragons." Now the vision changes Merlin Gaius are standing in a huge clearing outside the walls of Camelot guys explains to Killgarra what happened to Merlin. Killgarra informs Gaius' that he can indeed help Merlin heal. Though he will have to take Merlin away from Camelot to somewhere he can get closer to nature. The need for Merlin to be taken so far away makes no sense to Arthur but Gaius nods as if he understands this. The images start fading with Merlin being carry away in the dragon's talons.
Arthur shakes his head as Tailisen once again appears beside him. Tailisen raises an eyebrow at Arthur. "It's nothing, just thinking of how many times I've called Merlin the cowered. There's no way I would want to ride in a dragon's talons. Tailisen chuckles, as Arthur asks "why-you want to know why Gaius referred to Emerys as dragon kin?" Tailisen finish for him. As images are already forming in the well. Arthur recognizes this image. It's himself his father, Merlin and Gaius in the council chambers Gaius's telling the king that there's one last dragon lord still alive.
"No, no" Arthur says to no one in particular while adjusting his position in the chair. After everything he's been shown today he already does not like we're this is heading. Sure enough, the image changes this time it's Merlin and Balanor the dragon lord their alone. Merlin says, "I am your son, my mother is Hunith." The look on Merlin and Balanor's faces as Balanor replies "I have a son?" Arthur puts his face in his hands. Thinking about what happened over the next couple days after that. "Oh Merlin, I'm so sorry. I don't deserve your loyalty or friendship you went through all that and I never even noticed." You are being shown now Tailisen's said placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder. And you feel remorse that's what matters. That's what we'll help you repair matters with Emerys. There's just one more thing you must see.
"Please… I've seen plenty just take me back to Merlin Emerys whatever you want to call him. He'll always be Merlin to me. Please just take me back to him."
"There is but one last thing for you to see and then you have my word we will return to Emerys. I believe it is rather significant. Once you see you will understand the importance."
Tailisen waves is hand over the water as he did before. This time Arthur sees Merlin and Gaius walking down the street in Camelot lower town. It's late at night "Gaius must be doing rounds." They pass a carriage fitted with a cage and menacing rot- iron cage."What is something like that doing in Camelot?" than he spots the Kings bounty hunter. As Merlin and Gaius past the cage. Merlin looks up and makes eye contact with a very beautiful girl. She is shackled in the cage. "She's a druid" Merlin says to Gaius. "Yes Merlin I see that. Halig is one of the worst bounty hunters there are. You cannot help that girl Merlin you need to stay as far away from Halig as possible do you hear me?" Gaius demands. Trying to shuffle Merlin past as fast as possible. Arthur watches as Merlin says yes at least with his mouth. But even Arthur can see he wasn't ready to give up.
And sure enough the images show Merlin back at the cage using magic to break the girl free. Arthur shudders at the thought of what would've happened if they had been caught right then. Flip flopping between the emotions of annoyance, amazement and anger he watches as Merlin time and again avoids the patrols while taking his fugitive down into the catacombs. If he ever makes it back to Camelot he's going to seriously have a talk with the patrol commanders and if Merlin is still speaking to him. Maybe he'll have Merlin give them some pointers. He smiles at that thought imagining the looks on his nights faces.
Next he sees Merlin return to the catacombs. Sometime must've passed for the girl is huddled in the corner. As far as she can get, she starts at Merlin's approach. Merlin holds his hands out palms up as if to show he means no harm. Then begins to lay out food and drink for her. That looks suspiciously like Arthur's breakfast. She asks him repeatedly why he's helping her. Merlin studies the girl. Seeing that she's not going to accept the food or drink he brought. He finally says to her.
"You can trust me. I freed you and I'm helping you because that could easily be me in a cage." She looks at him disbelievingly. Merlin picks up a handful of sand off the floor. Closing his hands and holding them close to his mouth he whispers words over them. His eyes flash gold, the girl startles a bit. Merlin then opens his hands holding them out to her palms up to reveal a beautiful rose.
The girl smiles beautifully at him taking the rose with one hand and some of the food he had brought with the other. "Merlin the romantic." Arthur mutters.
How can you live in Camelot and have magic? The girl asks. "Well for the most part I have to hide my powers. Which isn't always easy, trust me especially as servant to Prince Arthur. But as long as I'm careful I've used my powers to help people. It helps that I believe when Prince Arthur is king it won't always be like this. Arthur is a good man, despite what he's been raised to believe. I know that one day he will understand that not all magic is bad. And that's what helps keep me going. He cares about me, though he'd never admit it he does. He saved my life before."
"Your Emerys, aren't you?" Merlin ducks as head blushing. "That's what the druids call me yes. Here I'm just Merlin though. Ok? Just Merlin"
"Well then, I'm Fraya." Says the girl averting her eyes.
Merlin leans forward and takes her hand kissing it formally. "Nice to meet you Lady Fraya." Fraya blushes alarmingly. "I'm not a Lady she says franticly" unfazed Merlin replies. "Oh? Good because I'm not a lord." "No, you are Emerys. All druid children are told of the prophecy. Since the start of the great purge." Merlin shrugs "I'm just me ...Listen I want you to know that you are one of only a hand full of people that I have ever revealed my magic to. It feels good not to have to hide Gaius knows of it. Though he is so scared of my being discovered that even with him I have to hide." Fraya nods in understanding. "I am Honored."
As Arthur watches more and more of the Fraya and Merlin saga unfold. The more apprehensive he becomes because the well hasn't shown him anything with a happy ending. The more he sees Merlin give himself to this girl. The more dread Arthur begins to feel. As he watches the images of himself and his knights in the courtyard. He finds himself chanting under his breath. "Please, no, it can't be, don't let me be the one." Even though he already knew what was going to happen. As the last of the images showed. Merlin saying goodbye to Fraya at the lake. Setting her boat a flame all alone. Then having to return to Camelot like nothing happened? Hearing people brag about her death and having to pretend it didn't matter. Arthur just couldn't imagine it he just keeps thinking what if that was Gwen? He didn't have the words to express… Tailisen's voice brings him back to himself. "It's finished sire, it's time for you to return to Emerys. Arthur stands up, and walks out of the cave as if as if someone else is controlling his limbs. When they get outside the cave entrance Tailisen instructs Arthur to once again take hold of his hand. "Remember it's supposed to help if you hold your breath." Tailisen says with a smile as if trying to lighten the mood. Arthur reaches forward and then stops. "Wait, answer me honestly please. All those images and that well they really did happen? I…. Really did kill that woman and Merlin really did love her?" Tailisen just nods. Arthur takes a deep very audible breath. "Why is Merlin still loyal to me? Why didn't he kill me? After everything I've done to him? Even before I-old god I beat him… Why not kill me? Apparently he could have easily." Tailisen shrugs
"Because he is Emerys.