AN: OK here it is... FeedtheFlames (aka flamie...now you'll need to find another reason to want to strangle me hehe) And Thank you, Tholey, for bringing the reviews to 100! YIPEE!
"I've received the initial pathology report, on the metal and surrounding tissue." Carolyn Lam stated, once everyone had sat down in the Briefing Room. She looked around the familiar space at the people gathered. They were few, but each held a stake in what she was presenting. Her father, General Landry, was seated at the head of the table. He was intrigued by not only the rebirth, so to speak, of the ancient king, but also in the abilities of the self-proclaimed 'warlock', as a future military strategy against their enemies.
On one side of the table sat Queen Guinevere. She looked completely at home in her modern attire, as she awaited news about her husband. Her demeanor was that of a very professional and outspoken woman, even though glimpses of her humble beginnings still came through.
Lam recalled the look on Dr. Jackson's face when he found out that the mythical queen wasn't born a noble, but a blacksmith's daughter instead. If it wasn't for his obsession in trying to locate Cameron Mitchell, Lam was certain she would have had to ban the archaeologist from the infirmary. Once he got over his initial bout of disbelief, he had begun to show serious interest in trying to put together the pieces concerning who these people were, and why they would show up at this time.
Next to the queen, sat Merlin. His ancient gaze seemed to miss nothing that passed. When he first appeared in the observation room, he was definitely not what she had been expecting; after Major Dallon's proclamation that Colonel Merl Emrys of UNIT, was the mythical sorcerer. He seemed to give a quiet strength to the queen, and they certainly fit the roles of a royal and her chief adviser.
Across from them, sat Martha. Her eyes were on the open folder in front of her, reading the preliminary observations Lam was currently describing. Despite knowing that Merlin and Dr. Jones were married, they conducted themselves with near flawless professionalism around the Base. Every once in awhile, a hint of their relationship would peek through. It was a simple word here, or a brief touch there, when they thought no one was looking.
Gwaine was seated next to Martha, with his own copy of the folder opened in front of him. The manpower for the search had been scaled back, due to pressure from the IOA and the Pentagon. No one on the Base was giving up on Cameron Mitchell, but there were other matters that needed to be addressed as well, including the increasing presence of the Ori Priors in the galaxy.
General Landry folded his hands together and leaned forward on the table in the Briefing Room. He nodded his acknowledgement and motioned for Dr. Lam to proceed.
"The shrapnel has a radioactive signature, unlike anything we have encountered before. We haven't been able to determine yet, why it moved and sought out the heart of the patient, but there seems to be some type of intelligence at work within it...almost like a type of highly evolved bacteria."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Not as far as we've been able to determine. When Colonel Carter returns, she is going to work with Dr. Lee on a more thorough analysis of the findings." She stated plainly, before continuing, "As the metal traveled through the patient's body, it left a trail of the radiation in its wake. Now that it has been removed, the radiation is fading."
"Was that what reacted to my magic?" Merlin's face was carefully measured, as he asked the question. Over the past weeks, and more so after his failed attempt to heal Arthur a few days ago, Lam and others, had become rather curious about it. He had admitted to Martha, his unease of the scrutiny, but he allowed none of his trepidation to show.
"Possibly. What I really need, is a sample of your blood to run some tests."
Merlin sighed, "I already told you. Dr. Jones has been studying my blood for some time, and has found absolutely nothing out of the ordinary."
"...And as I told you, after you transported yourself into the observation room, I doubt she has the resources we do."
"She has a point," said Martha, the scientist part of her speaking up. "Merlin..."
"Forgive me, for being reluctant on this point, but you must understand my concern. I have worked for UNIT since its inception. I have seen what can happen up the chain of command, when someone gets an idea to 'study' something...or someone...who is different. I have tried to be a voice of advocacy in that organization against mistreatment of the more unusual beings."
"Colonel Emrys," Landry interrupted, "I think we have shown that we have been more than willing to work with you. I didn't look too far into things when you came in here, after somehow hearing that Major Dallon and his friend were brought back. I helped to arrange the paperwork for your friend, Percival, to leave this facility without too many questions...and even swept a few things under the rug, when it came to your unconventional travel arrangements."
Gwaine was fidgeting in his seat. Arthur had been his king for the past several years...but it seemed so long ago. It was almost another lifetime to him. His eyes met Guinevere's. He knew she was witnessing the war within the former knight to maintain peace with both sides of himself. He could see the conflict reflected in her, as well...the peasant queen...and the woman who was trying to embrace the change. Gwen broke the gaze, and looked down into her lap.
Arthur laid a few floors above them, still heavily sedated from his surgery. The few times he had briefly awoken, his mind was more in a dream state, not recognizing the world around him. Dr. Lam had explained that, until the tube was removed from his throat, she didn't want him fully cognizant of his surroundings.
Merlin continued to argue with Landry. "All of which I greatly appreciate, General Landry. What do you think my government would say, if they found out you were keeping a man, who by all accounts is himself, a national treasure..."
"Now, you listen here. It was Dr. Lam who managed to extract him from the pod, which you wouldn't have even known existed. Do I need to point out, that it was her lifesaving efforts that have kept him breathing in the recovery room?"
The two powerful men stared at each other. Merlin opened his mouth to say something more, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his forearm.
Gwen sat up straighter and cleared her throat, deciding that now was the time to bring out the queen. Her eyes rose and met Merlin's. Something passed between them in that moment.
Gwaine snorted softly, recognizing the authority in the queen's stare, and the way Merlin unconsciously backed down from it. So many centuries separated them, but his friend was still the manservant, loyal to a fault, to his king and queen.
Even Martha took notice in the sudden change of demeanor in her husband. She knew there were many aspects of his character she had yet to discover, but the calm acceptance as he deferred to Gwen's authority, was surprising.
"If I may make a suggestion, General?" Gwen waited for the General to nod, and then proceeded, "First of all, I want to thank you, and Dr. Lam for all that you have done, and continue to do for myself, my son, and my husband. We would not be here without any of you.
"Merlin's concern is valid. Even in Camelot, those with unconventional abilities were shunned, tortured, and often times...put to death, simply for being different. If we could have some assurances that any information gained from Merlin's blood, be kept in confidence...among a few other requests...then I feel we could certainly find both our interests fulfilled."
Landry's bushy eyebrows rose, and a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. "Your Highness, I believe you would make a very fine lawyer. Alright...Let's put our cards on the table, shall we?"
(*~*~*~*)
Gwaine wandered into the infirmary. Arthur had been moved to a semi-private area in the back. He was still hooked up with wires, intravenous lines, and tubes for drainage. The intubation tube down his throat had been removed, just before the briefing with Dr. Lam. Before he had left the Briefing Room, amidst the negotiations, Lam mentioned that she planned to begin weaning him off the sedatives. Everything appeared to be healing, now that the sword piece had been removed.
He pulled a stool up to Arthur's bedside. He frowned at the sight and sighed heavily. His head fell into his hands, and he studied the floor intently. "Hey Princess, they're gonna be letting you wake up soon. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, when that happens. I miss my life with you lot, but I have my life here too. Damn...what am I supposed to do?"
"What you've always done, Gwaine." A hoarse voice whispered breathlessly.
Gwaine's head shot up and he met the blue eyes of Camelot's monarch. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Arthur.
"You look like hell." The king commented with a weak sneer. "What happened to you?"
"A lot, my friend...a hell of a lot." He gave a gentle squeeze to Arthur's shoulder. "Things have changed since the Battle of Camlann. Just so you know, you were out for...well, let's just say it's been a really long time."
Arthur stared at his knight. His throat felt like it was on fire, and the pain in his chest was almost unbearable, but he gave no sign of weakness. He could tell the world he awoke in, was not the same one he had died in. "Is this Avalon?"
"No," Gwaine drawled. "You're alive, but you're probably going to kill Merlin, when you get your strength back."
"Stocks..."
The former knight clicked his tongue. He cocked his head to the side. "That could be a problem. Most...uh...kingdoms...these days don't approve of putting people in the stocks, even though there would be a lot more variety of things to throw...Tell ya what, I'll build you some out at my place."
"You are a landowner?"
Gwaine chuckled. He'd almost forgotten how different land ownership between then and now, really worked. "Fifteen centuries have passed since Camlann."
"Bollocks, you'd be dead, if that was the case...unless, magic was used." Arthur frowned. His eyes shot open and darted around. "Merlin...he has magic, Gwaine."
The Major put his hands on Arthur's shoulders to calm the king. "I know...I guessed a long time before you did. I'm okay with it though. From what he said, you came to terms with it, too."
He could see the thoughts playing out in Arthur's eyes. Normally, when the king was concerned, the blue eyes would become steely and cold, allowing none of his emotions to show. The flitting panic and consternation were easily readable, while the medication was still in his system.
Arthur calmed and nodded reluctantly. "I...did." He began to look around the room. "Where are we, Gwaine? If not Avalon...then where?...And what the hell is all this stuff?"
"I should probably go get the Doc, let her know you're awake." Gwaine began to rise, but was stopped by Arthur's hand, weakly gripping his arm.
"No. That's an order." The king commanded.
"...And since when do I follow orders?" Gwaine said, with a smirk.
Arthur's eyes hardened, "Just this once, Gwaine...I am in too much distress...to have you argue with me."
The former knight nodded and sat back down. It was a rare moment, for Arthur to admit weakness of any kind. If he disobeyed the king now, Gwaine knew he would lose much of the trust they had built over the years. "Yeah, perhaps it would be better to get you up to date on some things, before we let everyone else know you're awake. Are you feeling a lot of pain?"
"That doesn't matter." He met Gwaine's eyes with a pleading stare. "Tell me...please."
Gwaine raked his hand across his scalp. He exhaled loudly, wondering where to start. "First off, you're alive. Gwen is here, and Merlin...of course...Percival is around, too, but he is having travel issues. What Merlin did to save you, after Camlann, worked...just not in the way any of us would have thought..."
Arthur listened while Gwaine told his story. If he had the energy, he would have scoffed in disbelief, or ranted at the impossibility of it all. He was in excruciating pain, but he set his jaw and pushed through it; ignoring all the odd devices and sounds around them. He focused on what his knight was telling him.
"What happened to Camelot?" He asked, after noticing that Gwaine had skirted the issue a few times.
"It fell...but not to war. A disease that even Merlin couldn't cure, ravaged the land. From what he's said, it hit Camelot the worst. Even if you had been there, you couldn't have stopped it, and then none of you would have this second chance."
The king closed his eyes, the pain in his chest coming not only from the wound, but also from the heartache.
"I'm going to go get someone. I think Gwen would want to see you before you get back to sleep."
"I saw her...you know...She was in some sort of contraption, and looked like she was asleep..."
"You were awake?" Gwaine asked, his brow furrowed.
"I don't know. I was in a room with a sword in a block of stone, and there were others, dressed as you are. There was one. The others called him 'Mitchell'. He pulled out the sword and I remember fighting him, but I was so weak...He couldn't even hold the sword correctly...but somehow he bested me. It was then, I saw Guinevere, before everything disappeared."
Gwaine bit the inside of his cheek. He had fought against Cameron in college, and saying the man was a shoddy fencer, would be giving him too much credit. He remembered his friend telling him briefly about the battle with the holographic knight, and made a joke about how that was the only way Cameron could win a sword fight. He knew once the Colonel was rescued, if Arthur saw him...there was going to be hell to pay. "I'm going to go get Gwen. Don't go anywhere."
Arthur glared exhaustedly at Gwaine's attempt at humor.
He didn't realize he had dozed off, until he heard the beautiful voice calling to him. As he forced his eyes open, he saw her. He didn't know, nor did he care, if there was anyone else around. All that mattered, in his pain-clouded mind, was the smiling, tearful face of the woman he never believed he would see again.
She held him gently, as if he were a fragile piece of glass. He didn't care about his wound, nor all the strange contraptions and tubes, as he pulled against them to wrap his arms around his wife. Arthur wasn't able to stop the tears that came from his own eyes. Their lips soon met, and Arthur felt that, at that moment, it didn't matter if he was alive or dead, as long as his beautiful Guinevere was with him.
Pulling back he smiled weakly, while her hand caressed his face and brow. Arthur finally allowed himself to look around. Other people were standing by, including his friend, and servant. Their eyes met, and Arthur offered Merlin, the briefest of nods.
A woman, dressed in a white coat, stepped forward. "Alright, I think you've had enough excitement for the day," she said, in a tone not unlike the one Gaius used to use, while he was treating an injured man. "I'm Dr. Lam, the physician here. I need to ask you a few questions, before I administer some more sedative."
"I don't want any sedative." Arthur responded in scratchy voice, trying to sound authoritative.
"That's nice, Mr. Pendragon, however you need to rest, so your body can heal. I have the sneaking suspicion that isn't going to happen on it's own."
A snickering behind her caught her attention. Without even turning around, she threatened the two men causing the disturbance. "If you boys don't behave yourselves, I will have Security remove you from my infirmary." Her tone was simple matter-of-fact, that left no room for debate if she was serious.
Gwaine and Merlin managed to appear rather contrite, as they bit down on their lips and stifled their amusement.
She began to ask Arthur various questions about his current state. "Are you in a lot of discomfort?"
The king's face twitched, and he tried not to sneer. "I was run through by a sword, after battling against Saxons for hours. Then, I find out you opened up my body, like a hunter gutting a bloody rabbit. I'm attached to...whatever the hell these things are...What do you think?
"I think if you are attempting to intimidate me, with your hostilities, you're going to have to work a lot harder...Your Highness." She snapped.
Merlin couldn't stop the snort that came out at Arthur's look of disbelief. That was all it took for Gwaine to begin sniggering into his hand.
"OUT! Both of you!" Lam ordered.
A small grin of triumph crossed the king's face, until his wife spoke up. "You need to behave yourself, as well. Now, answer the good Doctor's questions, Arthur."
AN: YAH! He's awake, now you lot can't kill me. I hope you like his reaction. I know it wasn't as dramatic as it could have been, but I felt it was true to his character during season five.
Beta'ed by the Puffin of proofreading: Nance
Nance: Thank you for all your work! I'm so glad that you are enjoying this story even without knowing Stargate. :)
TiP: Thanks! I'd been waiting until I could get to that, I was actually surprised no one put those pieces together hehe.
Aerist: Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well! I can't wait to get to the part we discussed for that graphic!
Flamie: THERE! Happy now? LMAO I love Daniel but he turned into a snarky SOB in the later seasons hehe.
Tholey (aka Guest hehe): Oh yeah if Arthur was in his top fighting form, Cam wouldn't have stood a chance! LOL Thanks for the review!
IcarusLSU: Thanks for everything, and for putting up with me