Weary Warlock

Summary: What troubles will a warlock bereaved from sleep get into?

By: Eressie

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Chapter One

Queen Guinevere laid at bed-rest, eight months pregnant and deeply consumed by her book that she was balancing on her huge belly. It had been a somewhat troublesome pregnancy and it was taking its toll on her body. She was very tired and sore nowadays and wished nothing but not be pregnant anymore. She wanted to have her little baby out as soon as possible, but the healers wanted her to try to keep the baby in for a long time yet. The pregnancy was not yet full term and trying to avoid a premature birth; the queen was put to bed-rest. At first, she loved it, for like a few hours and then she became restless. But she knew that taking it easy would be best for the baby, so she stayed put. She occupied herself with books and needlework for most of her waking hours.
She was startled by the sudden knock on the door. She marked the page she was on and closed the book and put it aside. She then turned her head towards the door and put her hands clasped on the cover that lay over her.

"Enter." she said and tried to sit up more. She smiled when she saw who it was. "Merlin!"

"The one and only." Merlin said with a smile that quickly transformed into a frown when he saw that the queen moved around on the bed. "Gwen, you should take it easy!" he exclaimed and closed the door behind him.

Guinevere groaned. "I am taking it easy! I am in bed, am I not?" she said, now sitting up quite uncomfortable.

"Here, let me help." Merlin said and without waiting for Gwen to trying refuse his help, he gathered up more pillows from the wardrobe and placed them behind and around the queen.

Now she could lean back comfortable against the pillows and the headboard of the bed, feeling a lot more relaxed. She sighed in relief and smiled at Merlin. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Merlin smiled back and to Guinevere's surprise, the warlock sat down and then stretched out on Arthur's side of the bed and let out a pleased groan when he heard the bones in his spine and shoulders crack.

Gwen smirked and looked down on him. "What got you so tired then? It's only noon. Did you rise very early this morning?"

Merlin shook his head and raised his arm and pointed his index finger to the roof. "Yes, I did get up very early- "he said, "yesterday morning. I haven't gone to sleep yet. And I'm not tired by the way, I'm just stretching my back; it's been a long day."

"Pardon me?" Gwen looked shocked. "How are you not dead on your feet?"

Merlin rolled over to his side and leaned his head against his right hand. "Don't really know, to be honest. But I feel fine!" he said and touched his messy, dark hair with his free hand.

"Right." Guinevere nodded and looked at him with doubt in her eyes. "You must sleep, Merlin." she said concerned.

"I will," Merlin nodded, "later." he finished with a smile. "Actually, I-"

But he never got to finish his sentence because the door opened again and King Arthur entered the room. He froze in the doorway as he spotted his wife and Court sorcerer lying in bed together, obviously having a very cosy time.

"What!?" he exclaimed and slammed the door behind him. "My wife and best friend, how could you?"

"You could have knocked." Merlin said with a grin.

"I'm devastated!" Arthur exclaimed trying to sound upset. "I feel so betrayed! Don't you care about my feelings?"

Merlin laid back down on his back and stretched again, one arm behind his head. "Not one bit." he said as Guinevere laughed.

"Rude." Arthur said, not bothering with trying to be distraught anymore and took off his crown. He walked up to where the two laid and put the crown on the little drawer by the side of the bed. He crossed his arms and looked down on the two most important people in his life. "And where am I supposed to sleep, with you here?"

Merlin raised an eyebrow and looked up at his king. "It's noon," he said, "it's not time for you to sleep for a long while yet! Go do some kingly stuff somewhere." he said and waived his hand at Arthur.

"And what about you," smiled the king, "aren't you supposed to do some magic somewhere, oh great Court sorcerer?"

"I am!" Merlin protested. "Or…well, not performing magic exactly, but I'm testing out a new potion. Potion making comes with the job. Well, now it does anyway."

"Oh?"

"Yes, and I was just about to tell Gwen about it when you so rudely came barging in-"

"It's MY chambers!" Arthur exclaimed and rolled his eyes.

Merlin ignored him and sat up and crossed his legs. "I'm testing a new potion, as I was saying and-"

"On yourself?" Guinevere interrupted him with her eyebrow raised. "What have I told you about drinking mysterious potions? And so soon after-"

"I know! But, listen-" Merlin said sounding impatient. "This potion is doing what I wanted it to! Well... kind of."

Arthur sat down on his bed in front of the warlock. "And what is that?" he asked carefully, wondering if he really wanted to know to answer.

"It's harmless. I promise." Merlin said and held up his hand. "I made a potion that will keep you awake!"

The other two frowned at him. "How is that a good thing?" Gwen asked and stroked her big belly.

Merlin chuckled. "You won't believe how much work I've gotten done by not sleeping!" he said. "I even refurnished my chambers- twice!"

Arthur smirked. "How is that work?"

"The latter wasn't work exactly, I just felt like it and I didn't like how it turned out the first time! But I bet I can work more efficient now when everything is in its proper place."

The king rubbed his forehead with his hand. "It's not like you sleep much anyway, pulling an all-nighter every now and again, why would you make this potion?" Arthur sighed.

"Why not?" Merlin shrugged his shoulders and chuckled.

"Right… and for how long does this potion last exactly?"

Merlin shrugged again. "I don't know, this is the first test. I've only been awake thirty-one hours so far, and this not the first time that happens. So maybe the potion doesn't work. I'm not entirely sure yet."

Arthur frowned. "Thirty-what? How long are you planning to go without sleep for?"

Merlin stood up. "Well, it's was actually supposed to be a potion that would make you less sleepy. But instead, it rather works so that you won't or want to sleep at all." He clapped his hands together with a smile. "So, let's find out how long this last, shall we?" he chuckled and waived at them as he went out from their room before the royals could say anything else.

Arthur and Guinevere looked at each other. "This does not bode well."

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Author's note: It's a start, more is to come! With longer chapters. So, what do you people think? What do you think will happen?

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