A/N:
Yes – It's been ages, my apologies readers! No excuses from me, but on with the show!
I'm doing this 'What if' a little differently – instead of it being a AU of the Dark Tower, it will be the consequences of Merlin's reveal and therefore will take place as an Alternate of A Lesson in Vengeance, wherein Merlin is poisoned instead of Arthur. For Camoc – hope you enjoy!
As you are well aware, Merlin belongs to the BBC
CHARACTERS: Arthur, Merlin, Dark!Gwen, Morgana
RATED: T
GENRE: Hurt/Comfort & Angst
WHAT IF...S05Ep6 The Dark Tower/S05Ep7 A Lesson in Vengeance - Merlin used his magic to save Elyan's life. Gwen see's and tells Morgana later.
THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN
Lessons
'You're very fortunate, Merlin.' Gaius commented, tying a bandage around the cut that marred his upper arm. 'A fall like that could have broken your neck.'
The young man nodded slowly, watching Arthur as he paced the chambers, idly chewing a nail in agitation. It had all happened so fast that neither he, Merlin nor Guinevere had any idea as to what happened entirely, apart from, one was inclined to assume, an attempt on the King's life. It appeared, however, that Merlin got in the way – saving his life once more.
'Have the men who attacked us been questioned?' Arthur inquired, his legs finally ceasing their nervous stride.
The elderly physician gave Merlin a gentle pat on the shoulder and turned to the King. 'I'm sorry sire, their wounds were fatal. We were unable to learn anything from them.'
Testing the movement of his arm and hissing as it brought pain, Merlin stood. 'We know one thing.' He began, moving to clean up the various tinctures and herbs that scattered the bench – only to have his hand slapped away. 'It can't have been a coincidence they were there.'
Not noticing the look upon Gwen's face that could be compared to a scowl, Merlin towards the chamber door as Sir Leon burst through accompanied by a guard.
'Sire, we recovered Merlin's saddle from the forest trail,' the sandy haired Knight started, taking an object from the guard by him. 'The girth was unpicked and restitched. It was designed to break Sire.' He handed the piece to the King and turned to Merlin, who looked suitably shocked.
'You mean...someone did this on purpose with the intention of killing me?' The raven haired youth asked incredulously, finally catching the cerulean gaze of his friend.
'Don't be ridiculous Merlin. Who would want to kill you?' Arthur asked derisively – but Merlin could see the fear and concern deep within the King's eyes.
'Was this saddle ever intended for the King's use Merlin?' Sir Leon asked, accepting the sabotaged girth from Arthur. Of course he had to ask the question – just in case there was any possibility at all that it was an assassination attempted.
Merlin swallowed thickly and shook his head. 'That saddle has always been mine...everybody knows it belongs to me.' He said quietly. And how could it not be? It was fading and ragged from much use. Not fit for royalty of course.
Arthur continued to stare at the youth. 'But why would someone want you dead?'
*~*M*~*
It was nearing noon as Guinevere picked her was carefully over the rocky path of the forest. She drew her blue cape closer around her slim form as she approached the meeting site. Morgana was already waiting for her as she rounded the corner of the trail and with a grim frown.
'Guinevere.' The sorceress greeted, noting the look upon the Queen's face.
'The plan failed – Merlin lives.' She relayed, biting her lip as a scowl crossed Morgana's features. The woman turned away, wringing her hands in annoyance.
'Does anyone suspect you?' She asked sharply as the pair began to walk side by side.
'I don't believe so, My Lady - although Arthur seems troubled by the fact his servant is in danger. It's sickening really.' Gwen replied with a scowl.
Morgana smirked. 'Yes, well – it seems that they care deeply for each other and with that sneaky little sorcerer gone, Arthur will no longer be protected. The days following Merlin's death will give us the opportunity to strike.'
The Queen smiled coldly. 'I want him to suffer, Morgana – for what he has done to you. I want him to hurt as much as I wish my husband would.' She spat venomously.
'Good – then I have just the thing that will ensure Merlin suffers terribly in his last hours. All will be prepared by this evening. I will come to you.'
With warmth in her green eyes, Morgana embraced her former maid – exceedingly pleased with the way her plan was turning out. 'Now go and make haste. We do not want you to fall under suspicion,'
Gwen nodded and with a smile, drew the hood of her cloak to cover her face and took off down the worn path to the Citadel. She could not wait to see what her lady had in store for the irksome magician.
Morgana approached the old hut with a cold smirk upon her features. Smoke spewed from the chimney filling the clearing with a woody scent. She walked briskly through the avenue of trees and when she reached the door, she did not hesitate to open it.
'Who are you?' demanded the sole occupant, feather quill in hand dripping ink onto his parchments.
'It matters not who I am,' Morgana replied, head held high. 'But what I want and whether you can give it to me.'
The man set his quill down and looked upon the young witch who was peering around with a mixture of mild disgust and morbid curiosity.
'And what is it that you want?' The man inquired.
Her jade eyes flicked over to meet his gaze. 'A tincture with the power to kill. And not just to kill, but to do so slowly and with the utmost pain.'
The man averted his gaze to the parchment he had been writing upon moments ago. 'Very particular, what you seek,' he mused, trying to resist the urge to stare upon this woman's beauty.
'It has a very particular purpose.' Morgana smiled as he finally met her eyes once more. 'Well? Do you possess such a thing?'
The man laughed coldly and rose from behind his desk. 'I do.'
The sorceress watched as he traversed the mazelike setup of his shelves and bent down low before her, fumbling. Upon finding his prize, he straightened his back and held out a tiny vial of clear fluid. 'Here.'
'What is it?' she asked with a frown, moving closer to the man.
His lips quirked into a smile. 'Henbane. It is best ingested, although it can be administered through the ear; prolonged and as unpleasant as could be wished for.'
Morgana reached out to take the vial, but the man pulled them out of reach. 'This is an uncommon thing...hard to come by, hard to prepare. '
She glared at him scathingly handing him a leather pouch that clinked merrily in his palm as the vial passed to her.
'Pleasure doing business with you. ' She muttered dryly, turning on her heal. She had an appointment to keep.
The Queen entered the Physician's chambers with practiced ease, the vial of poison in her tightly clenched fist. The transaction had gone off without a hitch, and Morgana was surely leagues away in the guise of an old crone. Guinevere smiled darkly at the bowl of soup, steaming on the bench next to a tattered piece of parchment. She read the note quickly and felt her heart jump with glee. This was perfect! The dottering old fool was out assisting a birth and would be gone for hours, possibly the entire night.
The cork came free with little resistance, and without hesitation, she tipped the entire contents into the broth. She turned on her heal, and with swish of her skirts, she exited the chambers, happy in the fact that Merlin would be dead by morning...
*~*M*~*
The light was fading fast as Merlin entered his chambers, arm throbbing lightly. As he lit the candles around the dim room, his eyes fell upon the roughly hewn bowl sitting upon the oak table, spoon resting upon the rim. Gods above, he was starving. He allowed a soft smile to tug at his lips as he sat before it, stomach growling with anticipation. Merlin didn't eat straight away though; he had just noticed the letter by the dish, scrawled in untidy ink, Gaius's message. His grinned widened at the knowledge that Marion had gone into labour, giving the kingdom a new babe to nurture and teach.
Hearing his stomach grumble again, he discarded the spoon, brought the bowl to his lips and drank the broth down, indulging in the small action that his mentor would surely slap him for. Truthfully, he just didn't have time to enjoy it – he had had to attend to Arthur for the remainder of the night before he could sleep. Dragging his sleeve across his lips, he hurried from the room, leaving the candles lit for when he returned.
Merlin was halfway to the King's chambers when he was overcome by a wave of dizziness.
Still clutching Arthur's meal, he frowned – confused by the suddenness of the ailment – but continued on, not wanting to keep the King waiting. As he walked, the feeling of ill health increased and he could almost feel his blood racing through his veins as though he had sparred with Arthur for three days without rest. Reaching the double oak doors of Arthur's chambers, he rested his brow upon it momentarily before swallowing the bile that climbed his throat rapidly and entering.
'Ah, Merlin – finally! I'm starving!' Arthur declared from behind his desk, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
'When are you not, sire?' Merlin replied quickly, setting the tray down before his trembling hands could drop it.
The blonde King glared at him scathingly and picked up a drumstick, biting into it with gusto.
The warlock responded with an exaggerated eyeroll, but instantly regretted it as it tipped his vision violently, sending his surroundings into a swirl of messy colours.
Ok, now things were getting a touch worrying.
Reaching out, he gripped the edge of the table to steady himself and doubled over as pain clenched at his belly.
Groaning, he wrapped a skinny arm around his middle and took a shuddering breath, in an attempt to banish the sudden onslaught.
'Merlin?' Arthur asked, looking up from his meal and noticing the pinched features of his manservant, who was clinging to the table like his life depended on it. 'What's going on?'
His voice held a note of concern (not that he would ever admit it, of course) and he stood, leaving his meal to approach the dark haired youth.
'I'm fine sire,' Merlin ground out slowly, spit and sweat dripping from his chin. 'Just a stomach ac- ARGH!'
A strangled cry rose from his lips, and the young man clawed at his belly with long fingers.
'Oh god...' he whispered, releasing his death grip on the table and crashing to his knees. Tears slipped from his eyes as he dry heaved.
How did this happen? One minute he was fine, the next he felt as though he had been trampled by wild horses.
Feeling strong arms around his frame, he flinched and fell forward, turning at the last minute to roll on his back. Shivering, he met the panicked gaze of his King, who was now gripping his shoulder.
'What happened, Merlin? What the hell is wrong with you?'
Merlin shook his head slowly and Arthur frowned, reaching over to press two fingers against his throat.
Too fast. Way too fast, the King mused – concern growing as Merlin's lips shone with saliva. His blue eyes were dull and glassy, like he was looking, but not entirely seeing.
Arthur gripped the youth's face firmly, noting the flush upon his alabaster skin and the way his breath shuddered like he couldn't breathe.
'Merlin, come on you idiot! Answer me!'
Eyes flickering to meet those of his friend, he gave a mighty shudder and retched. Bile splattered the front of his tunic, but the King couldn't bring himself to give a damn as those pain filled orbs disappeared beneath fluttering lashes.
Scrambling to his feet with a clumsiness that would put his ill friend to shame, Arthur dashed towards his door, heart pounding painfully in his chest.
'SOMEONE GET GAIUS!' He bellowed down the corridor, in the hopes that someone would hear him – and then turned back, stomach dropping at the sight.
Limbs flailing, Merlin jerked spasmodically on the ground, his jaw muscles clenched and his neck as taught as a drawn bow string. As the youth convulsed, grey foam sputtered from his lips, filling the room with harsh gurgling. Arthur swallowed the dread in his throat and was by Merlin's side in a heartbeat, hands hovering above like he was afraid to touch.
'Merlin, come on you useless lazy bastard, SNAP OUT OF IT!' he cried, emotion beginning to get the best of him.
'What's going on sire?' Gaius asked frantically as he hobbled through the door, face red like he had been running. His face blanched upon seeing his writhing ward on the floor of the Kings Chambers and rush to the boy's side.
'He just...collapsed. One minute he was being his usual idiotic self and the next...' Arthur grew quiet, eyes filled with panic as he stepped back, granting the Physician access to his patient.
Gaius stopped him with a hand. 'No, Arthur – I need you to help,' he said softly.
Clenching his jaw, Arthur nodded. 'What do I do?'
'I need you to turn him on his side sire, it is required to ensure he doesn't choke on his vomit,' the Physician explained, whilst rummaging through his medicine basket.
Hands trembling, the King reached down to his convulsing friend, sliding an arm beneath him, while the other held Merlin's skull to prevent it from bashing on the floor. Arthur looked up at Gaius with a questioning gaze. He wanted to be certain he was doing this right.
Receiving a short nod from the old man, he gently manoeuvred the dark haired youth onto his side, brushing his sweat damped locks from his fiery brow.
'What now Gaius?' Arthur asked quietly, his wide cerulean eyes filled with fear as Merlin's breath gurgled from his slightly parted lips.
'I need to make him vomit, sire. It will tell us what poison Merlin has consumed. If you could just –'
'I will do it.' The King said firmly, feeling the need to do something. 'Just tell me what I need to do.'
The Physician hesitated momentarily and stepped away. 'You must grip his jaw, my lord – holding his mouth open.'
Arthur knelt by his friend, and followed Gaius's instructions swiftly.
'Good, sire. Now, with two fingers only, you must agitate his gag reflex – watch his teeth, he may accidently bite you. '
The young King blanched at the idea of sticking his fingers into Merlin's mouth, but not for the reasons he expected.
What if my hands are dirty...what if I make him sicker?
Gaius noted the hesitation and offered to take over, but Arthur refused with a short shake of his blonde head.
Merlin meant a lot more to the King than he should, but he would be damned if sat by and watched the man who had become like a brother to him, die.
With a shuddering breath, Arthur pressed his fingers past parted lips, feeling hot saliva and grimacing as Merlin jolted.
'That the way, your highness – just a little further.' The old man encouraged.
Arthur could feel Merlin's oesophagus convulse around his fingers, and as he gave them a wiggle, stroking the back of his throat – Merlin convulsed and retched mightily.
Hot bile coated his hand and he fought to keep his meal in his stomach as he eased his fingers free. Merlin coughed twice and twisted, tears leaking from his eyes as he continued to purge.
Arthur absentmindedly wiped his slippery fingers on his breeches before pressing a hand to the small of Merlin's back.
'Come on Merlin – get it all out.'
As his ward spewed violently, Gaius collected a sample in a vial and examined it carefully, taking a cautious sniff before turning away and crinkling his nose at the acrid smell.
'Henbane,' the old man murmured, panic rising. 'Oh lords Merlin.'
'What? What is it Gaius?' Arthur demanded, tearing his eyes from his friend to look upon the old Physician with panic filled eyes.
'It isn't good, sire...Henbane is a rather nasty poison, and if we cannot purge it completely from his system...'
He trailed off, shifting his gaze from the King to the trembling boy on the floor.
Arthur swallowed the lump of dread in his throat and tried to ignore the burning of tears behind his eyes.
'How do we purge it?' he asked shakily.
Gaius sighed and reached for his medicine basket and rustled through its contents, producing several lumps of charcoal from its depths.
Arthur frowned and watched as he began to grind the black lumps into a fine powder using the stone bowl that he carried in the kit with him.
'As long as the poison is not too advanced, the charcoal should soak up the poison. We will know it is working when he begins to throw up again.' Gaius explained, pouring the soot into a cup.
Without being asked, Arthur held Merlin's mouth open and winced as it was poured into his mouth. The physician rubbed his pale throat, encouraging the boy to swallow in his now semi-conscious state.
Merlin coughed dryly and his cobalt gaze flickered to meet Arthur's.
'Hey there, idiot,' the King greeted softly, his hand weaving unconsciously through dark hair.
'Pr-t...' he wheezed in reply, a tiny smile flickering at the edge of his lips.
Arthur snorted and took the second cup of coal dust from Gaius's outstretched hand. 'Just a little more, I promise,' he said, lifting the youth slightly and pouring the second batch into Merlin's mouth. He grimaced in disgust as he swallowed and allowed Arthur to lower him back to the floor.
'Gaius, can we move him somewhere more comfortable?' the King asked, doing his best to cushion the young man.
He shook his head. 'If all goes to plan sire, the purging should begin soon. Once his fever breaks, only then can we move him.'
And wait they did.
As the night drew on, Arthur began to panic, watching ever shuddering breath of his manservant – drawing the cool cloth across his fiery brow.
'Arthur...' Merlin groaned suddenly, clutching weakly at his gut. 'I'm..sor-'
His apology was cut of abruptly as black bile spilled from his lips and in seconds, he was on his hands and knees, vomiting the poison from his system. It burnt and the retching brought agonizing pain to his abdomen, but he was beginning to feel better.
The King supported his friend, one hand splayed against Merlin's stomach while the other rubbed small circles against his lower back.
After fifteen minutes of constant vomiting, Merlin finally fell limp, panting heavily – but Gaius smiled and ruffled Arthur's hair in an affection that had not been shown in many years.
As Merlin fell into a deep sleep, Arthur sighed. 'Will he be alright?' he asked, gathering the limp boy in his arms and laying him gently upon the royal bed.
'I believe he is out of the woods, sire – but he will need to be watched over the next couple of hours.'
There was no question as to who would do the watching, and as Gaius exited his chambers, the King drew the scarlet coverlet over the manservant's slender frame.
As the full force of what that night almost brought, the King of Camelot cried.
Well, I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with that – let me know what you think. I can always come back and tweak it. Next one shot goes to Kitkat! AU of Aithusa - what if when Merlin saved Aithusa he turned around to head back into the forest to find the knights and they were standing right there? What will Merlin do when Arthur demands the egg so he can destroy it?