A/N: Be reassured, we are now heading full steam toward the end of this story!
And no, I have no idea how much more there will be- I really can't estimate these things with any sort of accuracy.
Much love to new reader sKyLaR KnIgHt for reviewing each chapter so I woke up with an inbox stuffed full of review alerts ^_^
Nance: The Great Dragon on magic mushrooms... somebody write that up- quick!
"I'll be going against my own decrees."
Arthur said.
"To save the queen- to save your wife. You have already done as much for Merlin."
The physician replied.
The king huffed.
"That was rather different..."
"Regardless, Sire, it is the only way to free her of Morgana's influence."
"Very well. I'll invite her out for a picnic tomorrow."
"It's a bit too far of a trip for that to work."
"Then what do you propose?"
Gaius pulled a small bottle of brown-tinted liquid from his robes.
"Two drops of this administered every two hours will keep her unconscious."
Arthur took the potion, staring at the liquid contemplatively.
"And this is safe?"
"So long as you get to the Cauldron within three days- which you certainly should."
Still hesitant, the blond looked over to where his servant lay sleeping.
"And this sorcerer- are you sure he's trustworthy?"
"Completely, Sire. He has a deep love of people- I have no doubt he will do all he can to help."
Brows furrowed, the monarch turned back to the elder.
"Then why does he isolate himself?"
Gaius fixed his sovereign with a look rife with meaning.
"Ah. Yes, of course."
Feeling a bit awkward, the king started pacing.
"I'll need to take another person... Sir Mordred already knows..."
"Take me."
The weak voice startled Arthur at first, then caused him to roll his eyes.
"You barely have the strength to ask let alone get out of your bed. Honestly Merlin, I never knew quite how stupid you could be."
"Can help..."
"I rather doubt that. No. You're staying right here where Gaius can keep an eye on you. Mordred will be more than enough help."
The servant looked as if he wanted to argue more, but his mentor interrupted.
"He's quite right, Merlin. I'll barricade you in your room if I have to, but you are not going with the king."
The stubborn fool glared defiantly for a moment- the effect greatly diminished with closed eyelids.
Then, as if he could sense the snowy brow being raised in his direction, he relented.
"Be careful." The younger man murmured, dead orbs opening to half-mast and once again managing to look the king straight in the face.
"Of course. I'll be back before you know it."
Arthur grabbed Merlin's uninjured shoulder.
"You just focus on getting better."
The servant hummed in response and the royal nodded, squeezing the shoulder before leaving to begin his preparations.
Daegal was once more pressed into service as a translator of sorts, relaying Merlin's thoughts to the physician.
"He wants to know how he's supposed to get to the Cauldron and cast the spell if King Arthur leaves him here."
"Merlin, you aren't capable of making the trip using conventional means and there's no way you'd be able to conceal your involvement in the spellwork considering your current state. You'll need to get there ahead of the king- enough ahead of time to disguise yourself with non-magical means."
"And how do you propose I do that?"
The indignant tone took the druid back a bit, but he dutifully asked the question.
"I believe you have recently discovered a new way of contacting Kilgharrah?"
The warlock cocked his head, a slow grin creeping across his face.
"Oh he's just going to love this."
That night saw Gaius and Daegal struggling with a wheelbarrow of 'dangerously infected materials' that simply 'must be removed and burned immediately'.
Outside of the town, of course.
Merlin was less than pleased about being carted around like so much refuse, but he could hardly prevent it as he was.
Linens removed from atop him, he breathed in the fresh night air gratefully; looking around and seeing nothing but uncertain if it was simply because of the darkness.
He closed his lids regardless, knowing the sight of his damaged eyes was disturbing to others.
Once they had arrived in the clearing to wait for the dragon, Merlin reached out an arm for his guardian.
"Can I do this, Gaius? Magic this powerful would be difficult at any time, and now..."
The harsh whisper highlighted the self-doubt in his ward's words and Gaius pulled his boy into an embrace.
"You can do this, Merlin. The only one who doubts your power is you."
The warlock just sighed, holding his surrogate father closer before letting go- hearing the approach of leathery wings.
Daegal stared in awe as the giant creature bowed before his tiny master, looking at him in concern.
"I do hope someone else is coming to keep you on my back- I can't be sure I'd be able to catch you if you fell."
Merlin made a sound that was probably supposed to be a chuckle.
"First you say you are not a horse, and now this?"
"Of course I am not a horse- have you ever seen one of those foolish beasts that could fly?"
He hadn't, obviously, but filed the idea away for later.
"Thank you for doing this."
"You know I couldn't refuse, even if I wanted to. Now, let us be on our way before light comes."
Mouth still agape, Daegal gathered the supplies and helped Emrys clamber atop the dragon who had lain himself as flat as possible to facilitate the process.
Not trusting to his strength to keep the both of them in place, the druid tied himself to the older man and anchored them to one of the dragon's horns- or whatever those were.
"Are you ready?"
Kilgharrah asked gently, aware of his effect on the young human.
Daegal gulped.
"Yes?"
He knew it was the wrong answer when his stomach was left on the ground as the rest of him catapulted into the air, Gaius watching as they disappeared into the night.