It was dark as Merlin reached the stables. Sweat only seemed to encourage the mosquitoes and other insects. What he wouldn't do for some Off repellent.
He lit the torch using magic; too lazy to start it the old fashion way. He reached over to shovel the poo. As the muscles in his back tightened to bring him upright he felt a throbbing across his chest the bruise was deep. Merlin sighed and looked around. He heard sounds coming from somewhere in the courtyard… no magic then… sigh…. Another scoop… he winced. Two hours later he felt week, too bad Paige and Leo weren't here… Merlin hoped in changing the past they would not be erased, Those "Butterfly Effect" movies were really starting to bug him.
There was obviously a small amount of internal bleeding. The bruise was so swollen the skin cracked in few spots. He listened again. Pretty sure there was no sounds he cast a quick spell to finish the stable and shuffled off to bed it was too late to wake Gauis.
"Merlin, if you don't wake soon Arthur will have you in the stocks!" Merlin heard the man he always thought of as a father call. Over the years, when he heard the word father, Balinor ceased to be the man Merlin thought of and after Guy (the nickname he developed in the 18th century) died… well Balinor was almost forgotten. Guy was his dad, at least in his heart.
Merlin moved to sit up and felt so soar he could scream. He put on the baggier shirt and shuffled out. Wow he felt it when he moved his arm.
Healing spells… after Merlin became immortal he never bothered to learn them (yes he could get hurt, but never killed. Pain was one of the few things which made him feel mortal). In his youth he was arrogant. If he could not heal Arthur, he would not heal himself. His magical friends always happened to have a healer. In the7th century he started to learn, but was again dissuaded as the person he was learning for died.
Mediaeval healing it was, "Guy..us could you look at this for me?" Merlin started to remove his shirt. It looked awful. Note to self-avoid a dragons tails.
Guy started to as some goop and proceeded to lecture.
Dragons-Aithusa, she had never forgiven him for killing Morgana. There connection had grown so weak, she could actually choose to ignore his calls when at great distances.
Merlin was well mannered and completely lost in thought over what to do with Aithusa as he brought Arthur his breakfast. Arthur threw a pillow anyway for not being aware of something, fortunately it hit his back.
Merlin flustered"You frickin bratty Dollophead" ops 21st century terms hope he doesn't…
"What?" Arthur interrupted his thoughts, "Merlin, I'm the prince and you are…"
"Wonderful" Merlin teased.
"A servant" Arthur deadpanned, He smiled as he continued "You may not talk to me this way" Arthur started to circle "beside if you keep making up words, I'll have to assume you have lost your senses… and as your benevolent master I will be forced to beat them into you…. I know the perfect way, two birds one stone. Join us for practice I need to teach you how to hold a shield. The knights can look for ways to improve you shield handling too.
Merlin stopped listening less than half way through, an idea had hit him. He was a dragon lord before his dad passed because his soul was open to dragons. Aithusa and Morgana had a connection. Merlin could get to Aithusa through Morgana, but the two of them had not made there connection yet. Souls were tricky maybe with her help he could contact Aithusa if he created a connection. Maybe destiny had paired the two of them in a way. Having Morgana help him may speed him up….
Did Arthur just say ' Join us for practice' Merlin sighed and internally said 'damn' Were there ever any short days?