Time Is Small pt.3
"How long as he been like this?" Mason asked.
"About 13 minutes. He's vomited a few times and is starting to vomit again." Arthur panicked.
2 minutes past when Merlin finally stopped. Arthur grabbed Merlin and then he felt Merlin sink into his arms.
"Luckily he didn't vomit on the blanket. Let's be careful with him. Tomorrow, after he gets beaten we will get you out. How's his fever?" Mason informed.
"Thank you. He's fever is better than how it was last time you were here. I'm worried that it might flare up again." Arthur worried.
"I must leave. Keep him alive."
"I'll try."
Mason left Arthur to bandage Merlin's wounds. After 2 hours of washing and bandaging Merlin's wounds Arthur finally finished. He wrapped Merlin in the blankets and then he ate his dinner and hoped that Merlin would wake up and be all right. A few hours before Merlin would be tortured, Merlin woke up in pain.
Merlin's POV
"Why is my head on fire? Wait why is my whole body on fire with pain. I'm freezing. Where's Arthur? I have to open my eyes. I must find Arthur. Although I don't want to if it means my body will hurt way worse. What's that smell?" Merlin sniffs. "Smells like my favorite stew but I might be imaging." Sniff. "No, it is. I want some. I have to open my eyes. Here it goes." Merlin opened his eyes and then a wave of pain rested on top of him.
"Careful. Your wounds have scabbed over. You don't want to reopen them. You must be hungry." Merlin heard Arthur say calmly.
'Boy am I hungry. I want to eat. Ow, my body is still freezing and on fire. Where's my shirt? I need my shirt. I really need my shirt. I really, really need my shirt. I'm so cold.' Merlin thought. Then Merlin felt Arthur help him sit up against the wall. The pain was worse as Arthur helped Merlin sit up. Merlin looked at Arthur and saw Arthur hold a spoon to Merlin's lips.
"Merlin, you need to eat something. You are as pale as death and near that point too. If you don't eat then you will die." Arthur sighed.
Arthur began to feed Merlin who ate willingly. Merlin ate only half the stew because he felt so sick. When Arthur was done feeding Merlin, he saw that Merlin was freezing. He wrapped Merlin up in the blankets to keep him warm.
"Arthur, I need water. My throat's dry. Please." Merlin croaked painfully. Arthur grabbed the last bowl of water and held it to Merlin's lips.
"Drink it Merlin. You are dehydrated. If you don't drink you'll get worse." Arthur plead. Merlin drank the water slowly. He finished the whole bowl and tried to sleep. Arthur held Merlin the way he had since they were kidnapped. Merlin put his head on Arthur's left shoulder and closed his eyes as a wave of pain rushed over him. Both boys fell asleep like brothers. On Thursday the same thing happened except Merlin didn't eat or drink after it. The guards took away the blankets leaving Merlin to freeze to death. Arthur had to use his body heat to keep Merlin warm. Merlin had more whip marks from torture. When Arthur got to Merlin he saw that Merlin was in shock. Merlin had only his shirt and Arthur's hunting jacket to keep him warm. It was Friday, both Suzanna and Cenred came to torture Merlin. They did what they usually did.
"Gale, Morris, Hamin, do your thing. Gale, use your knife, Morris use the whip, and Hamin stone him. Let's see if the prince will speak. Suzanna do your thing." Cenred growled.
Hamin went first. He threw 5 medium sized stones and stoned Merlin. The stones hit him in the head, lung, chest, liver, and appendix. Then, Morris whipped Merlin 20 times. The first 10 times Merlin whimpered but then he started screaming. When Arthur heard Merlin's scream it no longer sounded human but like an animal. Merlin fought very hard to remain conscious. When Morris was done Merlin and Arthur knew that the worst was to come. Gale, was last to torture Merlin with something.
"Stab him oh, um, 5 times. Then cut him oh, let's see, 7 times. Then Suzanna can deal with him alone." Cenred guessed.
Gale cut Merlin on the right side of the face. Merlin whimpered so loud that Arthur knew that Merlin was biting on his lips again. The second cut was from Merlin's chest to his waist. The other cuts were the same. Gale stabbed Merlin in the right shoulder again, near the liver, heart, lungs, and between the stomach and liver. Merlin screamed so loud that Arthur knew Merlin's throat would be sore for a while and that Merlin would have a hard time talking.
"Ok let's go. Mason stay out and wait till Suzanna's done but first I think I'm going to watch the first wave." Cenred mocked. Suzanna used her magic and gave Merlin as much pain as she dared. Merlin's screams were very loud and painful. Arthur saw Merlin cry and knew that he was crying too when he felt tears in his mouth. After the first wave Cenred and the guards except Mason left. Then Suzanna and Mason did their plan. They released Arthur.
"Mason let's do what we did last time." Arthur cried knowing that Merlin was too close to death. Arthur grabbed Merlin and Mason unlocked the cuffs and a limp Merlin fell into Arthur's arms.
"I knocked out the guards. We should be safe for now. Let's go. The sooner the better. Follow me. We will lead you outside and then you are on your own. The guards won't wake up for a few hours." Suzanna quickly muttered.
"Ok." Arthur sighed tearfully.
Arthur carried Merlin as close as he could to him. Merlin's right arm was on Merlin's chest. Merlin's head rested on Arthur's left shoulder. Arthur could hear Merlin's shallow breathe and knew Merlin was very sick. They ran slowly out of the cell and down the long, dark corridors. At the end of the corridor 3 men were there.
"Mason let's do this. Arthur can't because both he and Merlin are weak." Suzanna whispered coldly. Mason and Suzanna killed all 3 men just as Merlin regained consciousness.
"Arthur, I can't make it. I'm going to die." Merlin gasped. His voice was hoarse and dry.
"Stay awake. You must be strong till then. You can't sleep until I get you somewhere warm. It's very cold and it has been very cold for several days. If you pass out then you may die." Arthur ordered quietly.
"I know. I'm an anemic and that I am pale and not as warm as I should be but I'm tired. I'm so tired, Arthur."
"Remember what Gaius has said about that. If you are freezing and it is cold and you are not near a warm place do not fall asleep. Merlin if you fall asleep you may die. Oh, Merlin, you're freezing. I wish I put your shirt on. I wish you had your neckerchief and jacket."
"I'm so cold, Arthur. I'm so sick. I'm bleeding really bad."
"I know. When we are out of here I'll try to find some place warm to warm you up. Don't fall asleep till then."
"I'll try. We need to be quick. I can feel my body slip into unconsciousness. I'm fighting it but I have to fight pain, hungry and other things as well. I'm not very….."
Then Merlin passed out. Arthur felt Merlin go limp and he started getting scared.
"Merlin? Merlin, please wake up. Merlin, please. We need to hurry. Merlin just passed out. He will die if we don't get him out of here." Arthur panted fearfully.
The other 2 had killed the guards and then they started walking again. After several minutes they finally found the door that lead out of the palace. Arthur and Merlin went out of the palace as Mason and Suzanna stayed. Arthur walked for half a day in the freezing cold snow. The blankets of snow was nice but not for Arthur and Merlin who were cold. Merlin had stopped shivering a couple hours in the blizzard and Arthur had to keep stopping and rubbing Merlin freezing arms and legs. Arthur got to the woods and saw that it was almost night. The wind blew so hard that several times trees started to crack under the strain. Arthur saw a cave in the distance and went to it. When he got to the cave he saw a fire and things like a person live there. As Arthur approach an old man who was in his 70s saw Arthur. The old man went to Arthur and Merlin.
"Oh, my good man come into my cave a warm yourself up and your friend. Go on. It's much warm in the cave than out here in the cold. My name is Aaron. What is your name?" Aaron greeted kindly.
"Arthur. This is my friend Merlin. He's dying. He passed out several hours ago and he grows worse by the minute. He needs help. I've tried to use my body heat and keep him as close as I can but he's still cold."
"Then come in. You can put the dear boy on my cot and then you can help him stay strong while I make some stew and medicine for him."
They went in a put Merlin on Aaron's cot. Then Aaron grabbed several blankets and gave them to Arthur.
"Wrap him up in these blankets. We must keep him warm. What happened to him? He looked like he was abused a bit." Aaron demanded quietly.
"Cenred wanted information. He tortured Merlin because Merlin managed to beg Cenred to do it. I'm prince of Camelot. This is my servant, Friend, and little brother. He's only 16. How do we thaw him out?" Arthur tearfully answered as he put the blankets on Merlin and wrapped him up.
"Carefully. He has several broken bones. Put a warm hand on the boy's forehead. I'm going to give him something to wake him up for a short time. When he's awake keep asking him if it hurts. He may have pneumonia. But the court physician can tell you that. You need to leave tomorrow. I saw Camelot patrol several miles from here. If they are here tomorrow than you will need to go."
Aaron poured a potion into Merlin's mouth and gently put Merlin's head on the pillow. Merlin woke up a few minutes later and began to shiver violently. Merlin had a very hard time focusing on things. Finally Merlin focused on Arthur.
"Wh…at….. hap…..pen…ed? Wh….ere….. are… we? Art….hur."Merlin shivered quietly.
"It's ok Merlin. Just relax. We need to get the circulation flowing in your body again. Tell us when you start feeling pain in an area. Don't lie. I'm not stupid I know when you lie to me. If you feel like you are about to pass out don't." Arthur whispered calmly.
"Ok."
For half an hour Aaron and Arthur tried to warm Merlin up. When they did Merlin started screaming in pain. Arthur put Merlin on his left side because it was barely wounded and Merlin calmed down.
"Why did you put him on his back?" Aaron asked curiously.
"He was wounded on his back. His left side is barely wounded. The pain is more bearable if he's on his left. He looks like he's about to fall asleep. If you wanted to get him to eat something then you may need to do it now." Arthur explained sadly.
"Ok."
"I'll help him."
"OK."
Aaron gave Arthur the bowl of broth and helped Arthur sit Merlin up. Half the time Merlin ate he would spit the broth out.
"Come on Merlin. Eat. You need your strength. You need to be as strong as you can. When we get to Camelot patrol you may be too close to death. Your wounds are infected. If you don't eat…. you won't be able to fight the infection." Arthur shouted tearfully at Merlin who was almost unconscious.
"'M dy…..ing…. Art…hur." Merlin strained weakly.
"Eat. Then you won't die. Don't make me poke you and tickle you to get you to eat."
Merlin eyes open wide and he began to eat what he was given. He ate some of it but the rest ended up on the floor. When Merlin was done he went into a light dreamful horrible sleep. Aaron and Arthur sat next to Merlin and watched him. Merlin was on his left side with several blankets up to his chin. A pillow next to his bruised back. His right arm off the bed and his other arm covering his ribs as if to protect them.
"Why is it that when you said you poke him and tickle him he ate what he could?" Aaron questioned.
"When we were little we visited each other every 6 months till I was 16 then it was once a year. One time when I was 12 and he was 6 he came over to Camelot and we played. He also helped Gaius with the patients. One day when I and Merlin were playing in my room he got sick and started coughing. He vomited a few times and went unconscious. I took him to my bed and put him under the covers. I ran and found Morgana and told her to get Gaius. She ran because Merlin was also her friend. When Gaius got there he said that Merlin needed water, food, and rest. I watched over him most of the time. One day I was trying to get him to get supper but he refused. I started poking him and tickling him and he screamed. When I was done he ate. So now when I threaten him like that he eats." Arthur informed quickly.
"How long have you 2 known each other?"
"Since he was a newborn. I held him about a week after he was born. He was as pale as death though. His mother was also as pale as death. Avalach says that for 7 months Hunith had a hard time keeping food down. She would eat but not enough nutrients was in her's and Merlin's body. They were dying. Avalach and Hunith know why but don't want Merlin to know. I don't know why and I fear what it could be. Since his birth Merlin has gotten sick a lot. When he starts getting sick in Camelot Gaius has to give him a potion which he sneaks into Merlin's drink. Merlin gets anemia a lot. Almost every year. He's had it twice this year. We have to be very careful with him or he will be very sick."
"You haven't mentioned his father."
"I don't know his father. Merlin was born without knowing his father."
"That's sad to have to go through. The boy must be very hurt by this. He needs love and care. No doubt he gets that from his friends and family."
"Yeah. I must get some sleep. I have to carry Merlin along way tomorrow but he's a bit too light. Good night."
"Good night. In the morning I'll give you some things you'll need."
"Ok."
Arthur went to sleep next to Merlin. The next morning he woke up and saw that it stopped snowing. He looked at Merlin and saw the boy sweating and panting. His breathing shallow and weak. His breath hitched several times a minute. He laid on his side curled up on himself unconscious. Arthur sat up and tried to wake Merlin up.
"Merlin, hey, wake up. You need to wake up and get a hold of yourself. Come on, wake up." Arthur panicked fearfully.
He shook Merlin but he did not wake up. Aaron gave Arthur a cloth to cool Merlin's forehead. For an hour Arthur tended to a very sick Merlin's fever. Finally Aaron came with some soup and supplies for the journey.
"Here, you must eat. I will tend to the boy. Here are some supplies for the journey. Some bread, water, bandages, sleeping drafts, yarrow, blankets, and some cloths. You may need it to take care of Merlin. Be careful." Aaron kindly insisted.
"What if Merlin wakes up and is hungry?"
"I put some warm broth in a container. You may need to warm it up but it's better than nothing. You will need to make a fire every hour or 2 to make sure that Merlin is warm."
"Thank you for all you've done."
"The least I could do."
Arthur ate his breakfast as he watched Aaron tend to Merlin's fever. When Arthur was done he put the bag on his shoulder and went to Merlin.
"How is he?" Arthur asked tearfully.
"His fever is dangerously high. You must hurry. He will die if his wounds aren't treated." Aaron sighed sadly.
"Ok."
Arthur picked Merlin up and left. After 2 hours of walking in the knee deep snow Arthur began to feel Merlin's fever getting worse. He stopped near a frozen river and took cold water and put some on a cloth. Arthur took some snow and put it in a cloth and put the snow filled cloth on Merlin's chest. Then covered Merlin up with a blanket. The other cloth Arthur put on Merlin's forehead. Then he picked Merlin up and carried him as far as he could. A few hours later Arthur heard horses and Sir Leon. Leon saw Arthur carrying Merlin and he got off his horse and went to them.
"Arthur, we've been looking for you and Merlin." Leon sighed and then saw Merlin and he almost cried. "What happened to him?"
"He persuaded Cenred to torture him and now he's dying. We must get him to Camelot. Now." Arthur tearfully explained.
"Of course. Take this horse. I will go with you."
"Ok. He's near death. His heart is stopping. He has a fever and some of his wounds are infected. I can feel his fever through the blankets and my shirts. He way too warm."
Leon, Arthur, and Merlin got on the horses and rode to Camelot. When they got to Camelot Uther was in the court yard. Uther walked up to Arthur's horse and grabbed Merlin. He urgently took Merlin to Gaius with Arthur and Leon behind him. When he got to Gaius's chambers he took Merlin to bed. Gaius went up to Merlin and started checking his vitals. Then Gaius removed the blankets and looked at the infected wounds. When Uther saw he turned to his son with a look that told Arthur he would have to explain some things.
"What happened to him?" Uther asked quietly. Then Freya came running in. She ran to Merlin's side and held his hand. She began to cry when she saw how still he looked.
"Cenred was trying to get information from us. He was going to hurt me but when I was unconscious after the first beating, Merlin persuaded Cenred to beat him instead of me. Cenred did. He dislocated his right shoulder. I put it back in place. He's had a fever for most of the day. HE was in so much pain but he never said a word. This lady was told to use her form of torture and she did but only because Cenred was there. When he wasn't her and one of Cenred's men helped us get out alive. We found an old man when we escaped who helped us because Merlin got hypothermia. He said that Merlin was lucky. He's sick." Arthur explained sadly.
"I need water, bandages, yarrow, aloe, blankets, silk thread, and a needle. Hurry, he's dying rapidly. Get Gwen." Gaius demanded sternly. Arthur ran out to get the stuff. Gaius started looking at the wounds on Merlin's back. Getting whimpers from Merlin. Uther went up to Gaius and put a hand on Gaius's shoulder.
"Anything you need, tell me. The boy is strong. He will make it through. I'll make sure that a more comfortable bed is replaced for Merlin. This one is not a good bed. Merlin has complained to Arthur when his back was sore. That and the cold. I'll make sure better blankets and pillows are sent here as well." Uther offered quietly.
"Thank you, sire. The boy has been use to back pain since he was little but now he complains. I think that your son might work him a bit hard. Merlin will be grateful."
Then Uther left the room. For the next few hours Freya, Gwen and Gaius worked on Merlin. When they were done they put Merlin on his left side. They put pillows behind him to help his back. Even with the new bed they had to be careful of Merlin's back. Gaius sat next to Merlin while tending to his fever. For a few weeks Merlin slept. Everyone was worried. Freya spent most of her time with Merlin. Everyone had a hard time getting her to leave so they ended up drugging her so she would sleep. Whenever someone went to visit Merlin, Gaius would tell them that he needs the rest and will be awake before they knew it. On the third week it was almost night, Arthur was watching over Merlin when Merlin started screaming. Arthur went to Merlin and started calming him down. He grabbed Merlin's arms and held Merlin close to his chest.
"It's ok, Merlin. Just open your eyes. Look at me." Arthur quietly requested.
Then Merlin calmed down and opened his eyes. He looked up at him and then felt a wave of pain course through his body. He cried out in pain.
"Hey, Merlin, its ok. The pain will pass." Arthur whispered.
"OK. Are we home?"Merlin whimpered weakly.
"Yes, we are. Get some rest. The pain might get much worse. You need to sleep."
Then Merlin went to sleep. For a week Merlin slept and got weaker. One day Gwen and Arthur were visiting Merlin when they realized he was sick and weak.
"He's still pale. Gaius why is he so sick?"Gwen asked sadly.
"He's been asleep for so long that his body is dying. He needs nutreints in his body."Gaius sighed sadly.
"Why not try to feed him something with nutrients?"
"He won't take it. I've tried. He throws up several minutes after."
"What about little by little. The more his body gets use to it the more he can eat. We can do the same with water."
"It might work. Gwen, go to the palace kitchen and get some stew. When Gwen gets back Arthur I need you to hold Merlin so that I can feed him."
Gwen ran out and got some stew. Arthur held Merlin the same way he did in the dungeons. When Gwen came back with some hot stew Merlin was in Arthur's arms moaning.
"Here's the stew. He looks like he's in pain. He sounds like he's in pain."Gwen cried breathlessly.
"He is. Which is why I'm giving him a pain killer. Then we will get him to eat."Gaius whispered loudly. Gaius got a vail of pain medicine and managed to get Merlin to drink it. Merlin began to wake up.
"Ok, let's see if this will work. Wake up, my boy. You need to eat just a few spoonfuls of stew." Gaius gently ordered. Merlin weakly opened his eyes. Gaius tried to get him to eat but Merlin refused. Arthur started tickling Merlin.
"Arthur, stop."Merlin complained sleepily.
"Not till you eat."Arthur answered sternly.
"Fine."
Arthur stopped tickling Merlin and then Gaius started to feed Merlin. Merlin ate very slowly. Half an hour later Merlin had finished all the stew without vomiting. He also managed to drink some water. Then he went to sleep. This happened for the next week. Everyone was happy that Merlin would make a full recovery. Freya spent time with Merlin talking about what happened. When Freya saw that Merlin was tired she would sing him to sleep. It was late early March and the snow was gone. Spring was starting to night Arthur was watching over Merlin as he slept. Merlin was now able to lie on his back. Merlin woke up and looked at Arthur. He smiled and slowly sat up.
"Arthur, thank you for taking care of me. You have always been a big brother to me. If not for you I would be dead. Thank you."Merlin thanked happily.
"You have always been a little brother to me. I remember one time when we were hunting and you nearly froze to death. When I was watching over you father came in and said that he would try to be there for you. When you were very ill, he would watch you when he could. He want to take you, me, Leon, Morgana, and Gwen out on a camping trip in May. It's going to be a long week. He wants to visit Will. So he wrote a note to Ealdor and asked Will if he wanted to. Will said that he awaits the date when he needed to be there. He asked me to make sure that the others knew. Hopefully Gwen and I get to spend some time alone. Yesterday Gwen told me that Leon and Morgana kissed. She saw it. When she talked to them about it they blushed. I know father will be ok with it. I think he suspects something between them. This morning he saw her and Leon talking and holding hands. He just smiled about it." Arthur sighed excitedly.
"What about Freya. If I go she needs to come. She will want to come too. She loves camping. She loves sleeping in the woods. She told me that we have to go camping sometime."
"I'll tell father."
"Thank you and tell Uther thanks for the new bed, pillows, and blankets. Tell him that I want to know the date we will leave."
"Ok."
Then Uther came in.
"I wanted to talk to Merlin alone." Uther quietly greeted.
"I'll leave you 2 to talk." Arthur answered understandingly. Then Arthur left. Uther sat in the chair next to Merlin.
"How are you feeling?" Uther asked concernedly.
"A bit weak but I'm ok. Thank you for the new bed, pillows, and blankets. So when are we going camping?" Merlin sighed.
"He told you that. Sometime in May. I was thinking about the 5th through 14th of May. I will tell Will and Avalach to be here on the 3rd. Leon, Gwen, Morgana, and Arthur said that will want to come."
"What about Freya? You left her out and she loves camping. Why did you invite grandfather?"
"When Freya get's here you can tell her. He would love to his grandkids grow. When will you be able to get up?"
"Gaius wants be to start getting up and doing things tomorrow. My arm is very sore but I can move it. It'll be better by the time Will gets here."
"Why?"
"He'll try to beat me up."
"If you do as you are told when will you be able to get back to work?"
"Maybe in a week."
"What about the stab wounds?"
"It hurts still but not as bad."
"I'll leave you to rest. You look like you need it."
"Thank you. Oh, how do you feel about Morgana and Leon being together?"
"I'm ok with it. Leon has been loyal and there for her. He's a good man."
Then Uther left and Merlin went to sleep. In a week Merlin was able to go back to work. He told Freya about the camping trip and she said yes. Merlin still had his arm in a sling May 3rd. Uther, Arthur and the knights were out training with Merlin, Freya, and Morgana. Leon and Morgana were training together, Merlin and Freya were doing the same. Uther and Arthur were training together as well. Then Will came. Merlin didn't have his sling on. Will jumped on Merlin and tackled him to the ground.
"Will, stop. Please stop. Get off me." Merlin screamed breathlessly. Will got off Merlin and gave him a hug. He punched Merlin in the right shoulder and Merlin winced. Freya got Merlin's sling and helped Merlin put it on.
"Merlin, you know what Gaius said. You need to keep this sling on when you aren't doing anything or if it hurts. Will don't punch Merlin in the arm or ribs or back. He's still recovering from his fatal accident."Freya sighed sternly.
"Who are you?"Will asked curiously.
"I'm Freya. Merlin's girlfriend."
"I can see why Merlin likes you."
Freya punched Will in the arm and he yelped.
"Wow you know how to punch." Will yelped in pain. Then later that day Avalach arrived.
"Hey, Merlin.
On May 5th everyone got ready to go. They all got on their horses and rode to the woods half way to Ealdor. They rode for about 2 hours then Uther saw a place they would camp.
"See that clearing over there. We will camp there. I know the lake is a few minutes walk from here. It's all most evening. I know I took all of you but Freya here to camp. We have never been attacked here. Let's get settled."Uther explained excitedly. They got off the horses and made camp. "Freya, Morgana, and Gwen, you girls can put up your tent. Merlin and Arthur can put up their tent. Will and Leon can go get wood. Me and Avalach will get the things off the horses and get them settled."
So everyone went to work. Merlin and Arthur had a hard time putting up their tent. Arthur kept yelling at Merlin.
"Well, I only have 1 arm. The other one is sore from riding."Merlin yelled angrily.
"Well then get use to it."Arthur shouted.
"Both of you stop. Now." Uther sternly ordered.
Finally the 2 boys got the tent up. The girls laughed as they put up their tent. The girls kept tripping over parts of their tent while putting it up. They finally succeeded. It was dusk when they were settled. Freya, Merlin, and Avalach sat next to each other. Freya put her head on Merlin's shoulder and Merlin tried to fall asleep on his grandfather. Morgana had her head on Leon's shoulder. The others sat alone. Everyone talked about their past.
"I remember when I lived in Ealdor every time Merlin got upset he would go to the lake near the village. Most of the time he would fall asleep there."Avalach happily said.
"Like he is right now?" Arthur teased.
"Yeah."
So everyone went to sleep they enjoyed their time together. Merlin and Freya would spend as much time as they could.
TBC