A/N:

Sorry again guys! This is for TeganL74 – I hope you enjoy and this lives up to your expectations!

I don't own Merlin – but if I did, Merlin and Arthur would probably get injured a lot more.

POST REVEAL! FIC

CHARACTERS: Court Warlock!Merlin, Arthur and a little Gwaine

RATED: T

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort & Angst

Merlin is struck by lightning during a magical storm conjured by an enemy sorcerer. The shock not only affects his heart and brain – but his magic as well.

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

Eye of the Storm

'Merlin, you idiot! You can't go out there alone!' Arthur cried, racing down the stone corridor in his night clothes. The slap of his bare feet echoed around the empty halls as he tried to catch up with the wayward Warlock; whose stupidity never ceased to amaze the young King.

'I'll be fine, your prattiness!' Merlin responded loudly, poking his head from around a pillar. He grinned stupidly upon seeing his friend jump and clutch at his chest in momentary panic.

Arthur growled at the youth, quietly reminding himself that Merlin was now more or less his equal and that the cheeky young man had enough favour with the Queen that Arthur would be made to sleep in the stables if he tried to put him in the stocks.

Outside the window, a bright flash of purple light was followed by mighty clap of thunder – and to the King and his Warlock, it sounded like the world being torn apart.

'Listen Merlin…that sorcerer out there is really powerful…and probably a little miffed that he can't get past the shield you erected to protect the citadel.' The King paused and tilted his head to examine his friend closely. The young man looked well beyond exhausted – dark bruises beneath his cobalt eyes stood stark against the pallor of his skin and sweat beaded at his brow. He ruffled the boy's raven mop. 'Speaking of which – how are you holding up?'

Merlin sighed, remembering the oath that was made to Arthur the day he pledged his power and allegiance to the King. No more lies. No matter how small or insignificant he thought them to be, he would never keep anything from his friend.

'I haven't slept in several days – the effectiveness of the shield diminishes when I do so and I don't know if it would be enough for him to break through. It seems I have been doing nothing other than sealing the cracks and fortifying the weak spots.' Merlin cast his eyes out the window, brow furrowed as he watched the violent, enchanted tempest wreak havoc on the forests outside of the shielded area. He turned back to Arthur after a few moments, his eyes dim with weariness. 'I can't keep this up for much longer Arthur. I have to do something before I collapse and I can't keep raiding Gaius's stores for things to keep me awake. I need to sleep.'

Arthur continued to study the youth and upon seeing no deception upon his elven features, drew his lips into a thin line.

'What can you do about it?' He asked walking alongside his Court Warlock as they continued towards the North Tower, where the fortifications were weakest at this point. 'There's got to be a spell or enchantment that has a restorative effect – to help you until this whole mess has blown over!'

Merlin glanced at him momentarily and gave him a small smile that lacked its usual impudence. 'Believe me, Arthur – I've been looking. There isn't much to do when the entire castle is asleep – so I have spent my nights in the vaults, pouring over as many magic books as I can get my fingers on. There is nothing I haven't already tried, and anything else would be stupid and irresponsible on my part.'

The blonde King nodded gravely, giving the young man a pat on the shoulder. Arthur wasn't very touchy-feely at the best of times, but Merlin was pleased at the attempt.

Together, they began to climb the spiralling stairs around the inside of the tower, needing to stop several times to prevent the Warlock from collapsing.

Merlin's head was pounding mercilessly and his eyes burnt from lack of sleep. Nausea roiled in his belly as he stopped again, arm wrapped tightly around his abdomen and fiery brow resting upon the cool stone. The young warlock felt a calloused hand grip his elbow as he stood, shaking against the wall.

'Sit down for a minute before you fall. You're still a clumsy idiot and I don't want to have to run back down those stairs to rescue you because you fainted like a girl,' Arthur chided good naturedly.

Merlin did as the King bade and sat upon the step, his friend hovering above like a mother hen.

'Don't forget, sire – I have the capability to turn you into a toad; and don't think I won't, if you continue being facetious.' The raven haired youth grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

'Oh Merlin, that's a big word,' Arthur commented with a chuckle.

'Oh Arthur, that's a big head,' Merlin responded rising to his feet and swaying precariously as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

The King gripped him tightly, concern furrowed upon his brow as Merlin allowed his eyes to close for a few seconds.

'Merlin?' he ventured. 'You sure you can do this? Defeat him right now?'

The warlock blinked and caught his gaze with dead eyes. 'What choice do I have? I need to sleep, which I can't do with the shield up and I cannot release it until the Sorcerer is dead,' he snapped, but instantly regretted his tone. Arthur ignored it, knowing what he could be like on no sleep. Seeing Merlin begin to apologise, Arthur held up a hand to silence him.

'I understand – there is no need. Come on you idiot, we have a sorcerer to kill.'

The raven haired youth rolled his eyes and allowed his friend to steady him as they continued up the steps.

'So, what's the plan?' Arthur inquired after several more minutes of steady climbing.
Merlin shrugged. 'I haven't really thought of one. I was just going to wing it and hope I don't die.' He admitted.

Arthur scrubbed a hand over his face and heaved a sigh of frustration.

'Really Merlin? You didn't think of any handy spells beforehand? You weren't considering summoning Kilgarrah to roast him?'

The Warlock grinned sheepishly. 'Yeah, I –er...didn't think of tha-'

The smile dropped suddenly and his cobalt irises disappeared, revealing bloodshot white as his lids fluttered. Knees buckling, he began to fall backwards, but Arthur gripped him beneath the arms and took the boys weight (which wasn't much) against his chest.

Swallowing past the lump that formed in his throat, the young King jiggled the boy in the hopes of eliciting some kind of response. 'Merlin, Come on – this is no time for a nap. Let's have you lazy daisy,' he murmured and smiled a little at the fond memory of Merlin's serving days.

'Arthur...' the Warlock breathed, opening his eyes with great difficulty. 'He's breaking through – I can't hold the shield much longer.'

The King pursed his lips and slowly stood Merlin upright. 'Then we need to go, now. It's alright, we're not far from the top,' Arthur assured, his arm around Merlin's narrow waist to keep him upright. With a brief nod, Merlin accepted the assistance, and they were moving once more.

True to his word, the oak door at the top of the tower loomed into view, and without hesitation the two men pushed through it and onto the battlement.

A ferocious wind tore at the Warlocks raven mop, whipping it mercilessly against his face – the cracks were getting bigger and the storm was seeping in.

The air was thick and alive with the crackling of dark magic and Merlin could feel it trying to crush his own. The pain nearly took his breath away, but he had a duty to his King and his people. He pushed Arthur away and climbed upon the parapet, arms open. 'Show yourself!' He cried into the darkness. 'COWARD!'

A dark chuckle invaded his senses and he felt his insides turn to ice. 'You think you are any match for me, little Warlock?' The simpering voice asked, as its owner swirled into existence with a flurry of grey mist. The shield had failed.

Clenching his fists, Merlin stepped down from the high wall, eyeing Arthur carefully, hoping that his eyes could convey his wish for him to not do anything stupid – it hardly mattered though, as the King seemed to be frozen by some kind of enchantment

'I know I am,' Merlin replied with confidence, his head held high despite the pain.

'So be it,' was the cold reply.

Merlin had to think quick as he circled the Sorcerer until he had his back to the wall of the tower. At least then if he got hit, he wouldn't plunge over the parapet and to his death.

His magic coiled and writhed inside him, seeking escape – wanting to destroy the blackness that threatened to overtake. Merlin could hear the man murmuring. Rain dampened his hair rapidly as he tried to think of a counter spell, but he was so tired, that the words kept slipping away.

The sorcerer raised his hands to the black sky, sparks dancing at his fingertips as his words grew in strength.

'MERLIN, BLOODY DO SOMETHING!' Arthur bellowed, unsure as to why Merlin had yet to attack.

The noise was deafening, and Merlin's brain did not seem to want to function properly, obviously from the many days he had gone without sleep. Taking a deep breath, knowing he had to at least try, Merlin reached for the pulsating light that warmed the very core of his being and grasped it tightly. Eyes closed in concentration, he drew the golden strand outwards and when it finally came free, his eyes flew open with a flash.

'hnæppest þéof eac lígræscetung!,'

'belúcan þes scinnlæce áflygennes!

They bellowed together.

Hand vibrating as he struggled to force his power along the violet beam of light, Merlin felt ill. Sweat poured from his brow and his breaths became laboured very quickly.

The enchanted lightning pushed against his shield, prodding and searching for weakness.

Black crowded the edge of his vision as sounds began to fade out. He couldn't do it. He was too weak – too tired, to carry on.

His body tingled painfully now as his magic was pushed back, screaming and writhing at the deadly force. That was when his strength failed him. That was when the pain lanced through his body like a hundred burning knives – throwing him bodily against the wooden door and shattering it.

'MERLIN!' Arthur screamed in horror as the dark haired Warlock disappeared. Finally free from the spell that he was placed under the moment the sorcerer appeared, Arthur dashed through the remnants of the door, bare feet slipping on the soaked cobblestones.

Merlin was slumped against the wall, hair fluffed out in what would have been a comical manner, if it weren't for the smoke that rose from his singed tunic, or the way his limbs twitched spasmodically or the smell of burnt flesh.

Arthur crashed to his knees before the young man, who was blinking rapidly and reached out slowly with trembling hands.

'M-Merlin?' He called gently, afraid to touch the hurt man.

'H-he's. Gone.' Merlin gasped, his breath hitching between words. 'Stu-pid spe-ll b-backfired.'

'Can I...I mean, will my touch hurt you? I need to look you over.' Arthur asked quietly, feeling his eyes brimming.

'D-do it,' he hissed, arching and screwing his eyes shut against pain.

As Arthur's hand brushed the tunic, the blackened material fell away to reveal Merlin's once pale torso that was now marked with burns so severe that blood and pus seeped from the wounds.

The King swore under his breath, hands hovering above the damaged skin. He was no doctor, but even he could see that the damage could be fatal.

Arthur swallowed thickly, slowly meeting his friend's half-lidded gaze, positive that the warlock could see the fear in his expression.

'T-that bad, huh?' Merlin rasped, his fingers jolting sporadically.

Arthur clenched his jaw, not even tempted to lie, or cover his concern with an attempt at humour.

'Well, it definitely isn't good,' he admitted, pressing a palm to his chest. The movement was weak and uneven – racing, jumping and on occasion – stopping. Merlin's breath caught and his face screwed up in discomfort.

'I…' he tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

Instead he brought his quaking hand to his chest and covered Arthur's, gripping weakly.

'Merlin?' The King asked, voice hitching. 'What is it?'

Suddenly, his cobalt irises flashed gold intermittently before rolling back, revealing the whites of his eyes. The tremors in his body intensified as his torso lifted, back arching away from the wall and Arthur was terrified.

'Oh gods, Merlin...' he whispered, pressing a hand to his sweat sodden brow.

His eyes snapped back into focus, changing rapidly from blue to gold. 'R-run...' the young man managed to ground out through clenched teeth as sparks began to dance across his skin. 'RUN ARTHUR!'

A blue light enveloped him entirely and a ragged scream tore past his chapped lips as his magic surged forth, strong and fast.

An unpleasant tingling crept from Arthur's fingertips, sending painful shudders up his arms and into his chest – but he couldn't let go.

'M-Merlin!' The King gasped, squeezing his eyes shut against the onslaught.

His blonde hair stood on end as he continued to grip the seizing youth, determined not to let go of his injured friend.

Another guttural scream wrenched the young King's heart and he felt tears burn at his eyes.

'F-fight it!' Arthur growled, panting.

The wave of power pulsated and suddenly, Arthur was airborne – his stomach dropping as he soared weightlessly through the magically charged air.

He slammed bodily into the stone parapet, limbs jerking as darkness shrouded his vision. He reached out weakly, watching Merlin convulse violently in the corridor before pain washed over him, sending him into oblivion...

*~*M*~*

The return into consciousness was not kind to the young sorcerer – unbearable heat pulsated through his blood like he had been swallowed by a dragon's fire.

He cried out, tears carving tracks down his cheeks as his heart convulsed unevenly.

In the darkness, a calloused hand gripped his own, thumb brushing against his knuckles in a soothing manner.

'Merlin, c'mon mate – open your eyes...' came a gentle voice from above him.

It took some effort, but eventually he was able to crack his lids open, his vision swimming.

A blurred face hovered above his own, the large grin unable to hide the worry that shimmered in his deep, brown eyes.

'G-Gwaine?' he rasped, trying to swallow past the dryness. 'W-what happened?'

The knight rested his palm against Merlin's brow, and his smile dropped.

'You got fried mate...you were half dead when we found you.' He explained softly. 'You did quite a number on princess, too.'

Panicked, Merlin shot up too fast and cried out as the searing agony ripped through his chest.

'Whoa there mate, not so fast,' Gwaine warned, gripping his shoulder.

'Arthur...is he...' he swallowed again. 'Is he alright?'

'I'm fine, you idiot,' came a voice from nearby. 'Apart from a nasty headache and a sore back. Lay down.'

Allowing Gwaine to guide him down to the pillows, Merlin turned, relief washing over him as he saw the King perched upon Gaius's rocking chair but his stomach dropped as his eyes fell upon the stitched wound on his forehead.

'S-sorry...' Merlin wheezed, his heart thudding rapidly as his panic rose.

Arthur stood slowly, limping slightly as he approached.

'Calm down, it's alright...' the King soothed, dropping into a crouch by the young man. He cupped Merlin's cheek and swept the tears away with his thumb, offering a small smile. 'You did it, Merlin. You saved us...I owe you my life.'

'I-I could have killed you...' he murmured, his breath hitching against the pain. 'You should have run when I told you too...'

Arthur rolled his eyes. 'You may not be my servant anymore, Merlin, but I still don't answer to you. Besides, there was no way I was going to leave you like that. Not ever.' He responded softly.

Merlin blinked rapidly, a tiny smile tugging at the edge of his lips. 'Thank you...prat.'

The King ruffled his raven mop affectionately. 'Now...you go back to sleep. You were awake for too long.'

'But-'

'Rest, Merlin – that's an order.'

'I...w-was n-n-never very good at f-following orders...'

But this was one order he had no intention of disobeying and as he closed his eyes, he could have sworn he heard Arthur let out a sob.

Well? I enjoyed writing that one...I think I may do a part two to this one eventually. The next one is an idea I had from watching the exorcism of Emily Rose...so it WILL be a horror story. I will make sure it is as scary as possible! The chapter after goes to my mum, who prompted me a few months ago...how awesome is that? She loves my stories and has requested a 'training session' between Arthur and Merlin with a twist! Sneaky Merlin has been secretly training with Gwaine in his spare time and is ready to test out his new skills against an unsuspecting King. Who will win...