**IMPORTANT NOTE! PLEASE READ!**
This one is for monkeymail – an AU of Le Morte de Arthur, and how Merlin would react if Hunith was actually taken in place of Arthur. I had an AU idea for the next chapter , but for the one AFTER, I have decided to mix things up a bit by adding a little mystery! I will no longer be writing prompts in order, but drawing them from a hat/jar/*insert innocuous container here*. You will not know who's next; I won't even know who is next until I draw the prompt! I will not reveal the prompt until it is posted, that way you can all be surprised! And who knows! I may even accidently post your prompt on your birthday! So stay tuned guys – YOU could be next!
I don't own Merlin
CHARACTERS: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius & Hunith
RATED: T – for supporting character death and hurt! Merlin (because, hello – he gets a fire ball to the chest and then he's fine? I don't think so BBC...
GENRE: Hurt/Comfort & Tragedy
AU 1 x 13 – Hunith is taken for Arthur's life – how does Merlin react?
THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN
A Price Paid
'Ah, Merlin.' The young prince greeted, only briefly looking up at the servant as he poured himself a glass of water.
The door creaked noisily as the dark haired youth closed it slowly, turning away for a moment to squash down his roiling emotions.
'How are you?' Merlin asked quietly, still gripping the latch like a lifeline – the cold metal in his hand the only thing keeping him grounded.
'Good.' Arthur mumbled in reply as he squashed a grape between his teeth.
'I'm pleased,' the youth admitted, finally letting his hand slide from the bolt as he turned to face the man he would give his life for.
'Yes,' said the royal, as he sunk slowly into a chair by the table. 'And I owe it all to Gaius.'
Merlin allowed a secret smile to tug the corner of his lips as the recovering prince settled and let out a small sigh of contentment. Now was the time for Merlin to say his goodbyes.
'I need to talk to you,' the secret Warlock said as Arthur took a mouthful of water.
The Prince grimaced as the simple comment nearly made him choke on his drink. 'You still haven't got it yet, have you?' He asked, watching with thinly veiled amusement as a confused look flickered across Merlin's pale features. 'I decide when we need to talk.'
Brilliant cobalt eyes drifting to stare at the floor, Merlin took a composing breath.
'Not today.' He said softly, barely able to hide the tremor in his voice.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, the Prince shifted in his seat and turned to his Manservant.
'I sometimes wonder, if you know who I am.' Arthur confessed, watching the young man as he fidgeted nervously by the door.
'Oh, I know who you are,' Merlin began with a small smile as he finally stepped away from the entrance to the Prince's chambers and approached Arthur.
'Good.' Arthur responded, lifting the goblet to his lips.
'You're a Prat.'
The prince paused his movements before lowering his cup to stare at the boy incredulously as he continued.
'And a royal one.'
His gaze lingered for a few moments before he set the chalice upon the table with a huff of amusement – which turned into a hiss of discomfort as he massaged the muscles in his wounded shoulder.
'Are you ever going to change, Merlin?' He enquired, the expression on his face an odd mixture of pain and amusement.
'No. You'd get bored.' The servant replied, taking a breath to steel himself before he continued. 'Promise me this. If you ever get another servant, don't get a bootlicker.'
Arthur continued to rub at the soreness, trying to remain nonchalant – but the way Merlin had spoken caused a dreading within his gut so heavy, he was afraid he was going to be sick. But Merlin did not need to know that.
'If this is you trying to leave your job...'
'No.' Merlin cut him off, eyes shimmering slightly at the thought of leaving this all behind very soon. 'I'm happy to be your servant till the day I die.'
This time Arthur ceased his ministrations, the slight dread he had been feeling, working its way to full blown panic. He turned to look at the young man who kept him so grounded, and what he saw was determination, courage and a profound sadness.
'Sometimes, I think I know you Merlin.' He said, reaching for the goblet once more. 'Other times...'
'Well...I know you.' The raven haired youth said with a smile. This made Arthur pay attention once more. 'And you're a great warrior. One day...you will be a great King.'
With these words, Arthur felt his heart swell. Merlin had so much faith in him, not as a Prince or a future King, but as a man who would go where his heart led, who would guide his people with compassion.
'That's very kind of you...' Arthur replied in a tone that belied his emotions.
'But, you must learn to listen as well as you fight.'
The Prince turned back to the young man, and noticed unshed tears shimmering within the cobalt depths of his irises. 'Any other pointers?' Arthur asked as the servant shifted his gaze to the floor.
'No. That's it. Just...don't be a prat.'
Arthur's brow furrowed as Merlin turned to leave, but as he reached a trembling hand out towards the latch, the heavy oak doors burst inwards, revealing a very flustered Guinevere.
'Mer...lin,' she panted, her tawny cheeks flushed pink from exertion.
The young man felt his throat constrict at the look of sorrow in Gwen's eyes, and immediately he knew what her gaze was trying to convey.
'No...' he murmured brokenly, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. 'No...'
Without a backwards glance, Merlin dashed from Arthur's chambers, leaving a very bewildered Prince – still clutching his goblet.
'Guinevere...what's going on?' Arthur asked, rising slowly.
'Sire.' She greeted with a curtsey. 'Hunith arrived in Camelot last night seeking Gaius...she was gravely ill.' Gwen explained sadly.
'Was?' Arthur asked, setting his goblet down with a heavy heart.
'Yes sire...just moments ago, she-'
Arthur did not allow her to finish. With much haste, he rushed passed the bewildered girl with a quick apology and ran through the castle as fast as his feet could take him.
His only thoughts were of Merlin. For all his faults – the boy had become important to him...and the Prince knew that the young man would need comfort.
As he reached the foot of the stairs that led to the Physician's Chambers, he heard an agonised howl that tore into his heart and reverberated through the enclosed space like a death knoll.
He raced up the stairs, two at a time – sweat beading at his brow as he crashed through the door of Gaius's chambers.
Broken sobs echoed from the small anteroom and Arthur felt wetness in his eyes as his friend's pain washed over him.
In the doorway, he saw Gaius – head bowed and shoulders shaking as he watched the scene before him.
'Gaius?' Arthur called softly, his voice cracking. The old man jumped – obviously unaware that he had entered - and approached him wearily. 'Merlin? Is he...'
The Physician took a shuddering breath and shook his snowy mane. 'He is not taking it well. She was everything to him...and he blames himself...' he admitted cryptically.
The Prince nodded solemnly as he approached the small room quietly, his throat constricting painfully as Merlin wailed softly.
'Merlin?' Arthur called gently, entering the tiny room – almost gasping at the sight of the poor woman, clutched in the boy's lanky arms. Merlin had his face buried in her hair as he rocked backwards and forwards on the edge of the bed.
'No...Mother, please...come back, comeback comebackcomeback...' he muttered thickly. 'I'm sorry...mother this is all my fault.'
Arthur swallowed thickly as Merlin finally pulled away and laid the disfigured woman back onto his bed. The prince took another hesitant step forward, and another – before he reached out and gripped the youth's shoulder gently.
Merlin jumped and turned quickly, wiping his eyes and nose on his tunic.
'A-Arthur?' He asked shakily. 'Y-you should be resting.'
'Shut up.' Arthur murmured, eyes stinging as he hauled the youth to his feet. 'And come here.'
He pulled the trembling youth against his chest and rested his chin atop the boy's unruly raven mop.
'It's not your fault,' he murmured softly, carding his fingers through the hair at Merlin's nape. 'It's not.'
'Y-yes...yes it is,' Merlin stammered, pulling away – his eyes rimmed red. 'You have no idea how much I am to blame.'
He stepped back, scrubbing his hand over his face. 'I have to fix this.'
And then he was gone.
*~*M*~*
Arthur spent three days pacing his chambers, cursing his inability to follow the wayward servant who had galloped into the forest a mere hour after his mother's passing.
He had been ushered back to his room by a panicked Gaius, who then also disappeared in a frantic whir. Now the Prince – who had been ordered bed rest for week by the King – was practically biting his nails as anxiety and fierce worry clouded his every moment.
After Hunith's death, Merlin had been erratic and emotional – which was normal. Even blaming himself didn't seem beyond the norm...but the idea that he thought he could do anything to fix this, scared Arthur.
Just what was he up too?
His answer came not two hours later, when Gwen came rushing into his chambers, babbling frantically and tugging his uninjured arm.
'Gwen! Guinevere! What is it?' He demanded impatiently, feeling bad for snapping.
The young serving girl ignored him and continued to tug. 'Merlin and Gaius...they've returned.' She replied hastily.
Those were the only words Arthur needed to hear before he rushed after her, matching her speed all the way to Gaius's chambers.
They could hear the frenzied clinking of medicinal vials as they approached, and their fear heightened.
''What happened?' Arthur gasped as he stepped over the threshold – his eyes snapping toward the pale form that lay still upon the patient's cot.
Paler than usual, Merlin was like a corpse – his blue tunic tattered, burnt and damp with sweat.
'I don't know...' Gaius admitted, cutting the material away and sucking in a breath at the site of his mangled chest – charred and bloody. 'I found him like this. I did not want to do anything for fear of dirtying the wound. It seems, however, that infection has already set in.'
Swallowing thickly, Arthur rounded the large bench where the pair shared their meals and sat heavily upon the stool by the bed.
He reached out slowly, gripping the youth's hand as Gaius's ministrations elicited small whimpers from the boy.
Merlin's lids fluttered and his brow furrowed as he regained consciousness.
Pain glazed cobalt appeared, meeting Arthur's worried gaze, before sliding across to settle on his chest.
'Did it work?' he asked roughly, hissing as the Physician applied a herbal poultice to the extensive burn.
The old man remained silent as he continued to work, his mouth set in a thin line as he avoided the boy's pleading gaze.
'Gaius?' He whimpered softly.
'I'm sorry, my dear boy...I'm so sorry...'
Merlin's breath hitched and tears slipped from his eyes as Gwen approached, seemly done with her nervous hovering.
'Oh Merlin,' she whispered, pressing her lips to his sweat sodden brow.
'Please...I'm sorry Gwen. Leave me alone...'
Trying to force her tears away, the young woman nodded and gave him a sad smile as Gaius led her from the room. 'Let us walk...I somehow think that Arthur is the only person he will see for now.'
As the pair left, Arthur met Merlin's heartbroken gaze and he found himself gripping the boy's hand harder.
'How the hell did this happen?' He breathed, his vision shimmering.
Merlin swallowed roughly. 'I had to do something,' he wheezed, his face screwing up in pain.
'Merlin...' The prince began in a warning tone, but immediately closed his mouth when the boy began to weep openly.
'P-please...please. I can't tell you. I just needed you alive. It was supposed to be me...I was supposed to take your place...' he sobbed, his thin frame trembling like a leaf in the wind. 'Please don't leave. Don't go where I can't follow.'
'Shh, Merlin...I'm here. I'm not going anywhere...' he soothed, his pride forgotten as he brushed a raven lock from his brow. 'Sleep Merlin...I will be here.'
The youth nodded slowly and with a yawn, allowed his eyes to slide shut.
Arthur was alive – whole and recovering.
The price had been paid.
There! I hope you likey! Ok – the next one is an AU of The Labyrinth of Gedref that I came up with – in which the citizens of Camelot go far longer without water than in the episode. Merlin, being slightly malnourished as it is – feels the full effect of severe dehydration. Then after that chapter...well, who knows? Could be YOU :3