Carry on my Wayward Servant
Chapter 5: Love is Deception at its Highest Form
Merlin's heart was pounding as he rushed out of the castle, using the tunnels to find the quickest way to the woods. He didn't know why he felt so frantic. It was almost as if he was compelled to rush to the aid of this unknown victim. He needed to save them...save them from the monster. Warm summer air hit his bare chest, but he couldn't be considered with his inappropriate state of undress, or how he had just managed to grab his boots and do up his pants before rushing out after this thing. Arthur was going to kill him when he finally returned...if he returned.
Who would have thought that after just giving the Prince of Camelot head he would be rushing so soon to his death? He had no doubt at this point that he had fallen for the spoiled brat. Fallen for his smile, fallen for his prowess, fallen for every stupid insult he said to him even if it wasn't completely in jest. Unfortunately he may never get the chance to tell him, given the fact that a giant snake for some reason wanted to make his acquaintance.
"Where are you?" He asked in his head, not used to doing this with anyone but Morgana's druid boy. It was still such a surreal experience to say something in your head, and to have someone's else's voice respond.
"Ahead." The voice hissed. "Where the sun dies in the lake and all the trees weep for your dear King." The words sent a shiver down his spine, and even though he had never been aware of how to figure out riddles, he did know where the lake was, and he figured that was where he should start. His mind flashed to Arthur being drowned in it by Sophia, and he tried to shake it off.
He pushed his way through the trees, immediately regretting not grabbing his shirt from the Prince's room before he left. The branches cut at his bare skin, making him wince as he raced as quickly as possible. He noticed the closer to the water that he got, the quieter the woods surrounding him became, almost as if everything alive in the woods had known to run from this. Unfortunately for him he had no choice but to rush head on into the danger.
Merlin cursed himself for not grabbing the staff he had stolen from the immortals. But then again he obviously hadn't been thinking clearly before leaving Camelot or he would have remembered to grab a shirt, or hell perhaps a few of Arthur's knights.
His breath hitched in his throat as the lake came into view, and he suddenly understood the snake's words. With the sun sinking low into the lake it shined a fiery orange as the trees bowed low, sinking into it. Merlin had heard stories of why the trees bowed like that, as if bowing to the King himself. During the Purge of magic Uther had dragged all the sorcerers to these trees, stringing them up one by one and leaving them for days as a message. The trees still conveyed that message, warning any unsuspecting magic users just what awaited them should they enter these troubled lands. The message rang loud and clear, a scar on Camelot's bright future. If Arthur ever became King he hoped he tore them down.
The thought of Uther's treachery faded with great haste only to be replaced with fear as through the bend came the source of most nightmares. The snake had to be at least 30 feet tall, tan with great black stripes coiling wickedly down its almost slippery looking skin. Its eyes were glowing amber as if you had taken an entire pot of boiling honey and poured them into it, and they were looking at him...directly at him. His breath hitched in his throat, almost as if he had swallowed a frog as he watched it slither towards him, and he knew he had seen the face of his death. It hissed, it's fangs glittering dangerously, and just one of those could probably pierce his entire body. ...Had pierced Arthur's. The Prince had faced this thing because he had asked it of him. He had taken the fangs to protect him.
"Emrys you look intimidated. Are you frightened of me? Do you tremble in those boots at the very sight of me?" He slithered closer, making Merlin stumble back.
"What can I say, it's not everyday you encounter something of your..err...stature." He said out loud, not really thinking talking in his mind way necessary at this point. "Why did you have me come here? Who are you hurting?" He hadn't forgot that the thing had mentioned it had a hostage.
"If she is hurt is all up to you." Merlin shivered as the thing licked its lips. "She would make a tasty snack."
"What do you want?" Merlin asked again, continuously retreating up the bank, feeling true fear as the thing got closer and closer. "Why did you try to kill Arthur?"
"I try to do nothing little sorcerer. If I had wanted Arthur dead he would have been." He paled as the thing laughed in his head, the sound too unnatural to be coming from such a creature. "Give me your loyalty Emrys and I shall grant you unfathomable power. Give me this and I shall be your slave."
His eyebrows knitted, confusion lighting up his face. "Why would you want my loyalty? What can I do for you?"
"That is of no concern to you little Sorcerer, just swear to me." The snake hissed.
"No!" He shook his head back and forth, he had no idea what the snake was talking about. He didn't know what he could do, and he didn't trust any of this. "I swear to no one!"
"You swear to your Prince!" The snake hissed, getting closer, and Merlin's heart all about stopped when his face came right up next to his, that huge amber eyes peering into his soul.
"I do. I swear to him because I love him!" Merlin all but yelled back, saying something out loud to a creature that he had not yet breathed to another soul, not even himself. "But I will not swear to you."
"Then you condemn your precious Prince and his kingdom to death!" The creature hissed, anger evident in his voice as he lashed out, and Merlin barely had a chance to raise his arm to try to block as the tail came out, whipping across his chest and sending a spray of blood into the air as he flew back into one of those demented trees, hitting it with a pained gasp.
His eyes were shut as his lungs heaved, the impact jarring them badly as he struggled to draw in a breath. His lungs rejected the idea as he coughed, spewing warm liquid down his chin that he knew had to be blood. Merlin held his injured chest, face contorted in agony as he struggled to right his head and open his eyes. He had to stand up. He had to get up. Otherwise he was dead and he would never get the chance to warn Arthur. If he died the prince would never complete his destiny.
Golden eyes snapped open, ready to defend himself with every means available, but there was nothing. ...It was gone. How? His eyes widened as he scanned the surrounding area. How the hell had he managed to lose a 30 foot snake? Was it really so fast? His thoughts were interrupted at the ear piercing scream that rang out through the woods, the birds scattering as Merlin struggled to his feet, scrambling towards the sound of the scream and hoping he wasn't too late.
Blood splattered across the ground, and Merlin didn't even realize it was coming from him as he stumbled to the other side of the lake and over the hill. His hand was held out to defend himself and the girl against the snake, but as he rounded the curve he didn't see the snake in sight, but the girl clutching her bloody arm on the ground was a good clue that it had already done what it set out to do.
"Are you alright!?" He asked, rushing to the girl on the ground. She had a burgundy cloak over her face, but when she turned to him he almost stopped short. She was...beautiful. She had the palest porcelain skin to rival Morgana's, and long blonde hair with eyes so dark they were almost black. Those eyes were running over with tears as she gripped her thin wrist, two ghastly looking fang marks standing out sinisterly against her pale complexion.
"It hurts!" She said, and her voice was what he imagined a dove's to be, soft, almost musically as it thrummed. "Please help me!" The plea pulled on his heart strings, and he leaned down, grabbing at her wrist as it continued to bleed.
"You've been poisoned." Deja Vu settled over him. Hadn't he just been in this position yesterday? "I'm going to have to suck it out of the wound." He reached out, wiping a blonde curl from her face, worried by how scared she looked. "Will you let me? I swear I won't hurt you."
"It was a big sn-sn-sn..." She stuttered, her face going pale as the poison spread.
"Snake, yes I know. It won't hurt you anymore though. I swear I'll protect you." He assured the stranger, not knowing why he felt such a strong connection to this girl. "Just please let me take out the poison."
She nodded delicately, holding out her wrist to him as he placed his lips to the skin, sucking on the wound and repeating what he had just done for Arthur, spitting the infected blood on the ground. When he was done he looked around, regretting for the not the first time that he wasn't wearing a shirt. He looked down at the girl's flowing black dress and reached down to the hem. "Do you mind?" He asked, and when she nodded, he gave a rip. The fabric tore as he ripped a piece, bringing it to her wound and tying it around her delicate wrist.
"Thank you." Was her soft reply. "For tending my wounds, and you know all the little things...like saving my life."
He smiled at her, his own pain coming back to him as he leaned down and kissed her hand. "It was my pleasure milady. I'm Merlin."
"I'm Katherine." She replied, smiling up at him. "What was that monster?"
"I don't know Katherine, but I will find out." He hissed as a gust of air hit his chest, and he knew that if they didn't get back to the castle soon he might pass out from blood loss. "Can you walk?"
Katherine nodded, going to push herself up with her good arm, only to sway on her feet, knees buckling as she fell to the ground, Merlin barely being able to catch her before she hit. "Whoa...careful!" He soothed, swooping her up bridal style as she clung to him. He tried to ignore the biting pain having her against his body caused, but there was no choice. They had to make there way back to Camelot before the snake came back.
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The moment they made it through the castle walls hell immediately broke lose. Guards were surrounding them, and he found himself weakly speaking, requesting an audience with the King. Katherine was silent against his chest, clinging to him. He had an off thought that her hair was now soaked with his blood, but she didn't seem to mind.
"Do you think you can walk now?" He asked her, his face brushing her golden curls. She nodded against him and he set her down, body immediately crumbling as he grabbed at his own wound. It was red and snarly from the trip back.
"Merlin?" The Sorcerer froze, Arthur's voice just making him want to crumble from his adrenaline rush and collapse in the other's arms. He turned around, and watched Arthur's eyes widen in horror as he took in his appearance. "Merlin!?" He rushed over, cupping his cheek to Merlin's amazement and examining his body. "What the hell happened to you?"
He opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but not knowing how to put what had happened to him in words. "He saved my life." Thankfully he didn't have to, Katherine took the reigns. "He saved me from a giant snake."
"You..." Arthur started, mouth wide open as he struggled to process. "You went after the snake?" Merlin winced as Arthur slapped him across the head. "What were you thinking!? For Christ sake you don't even have a shirt! You could have been killed!"
Merlin rubbed his head. "Okay ouch!" He motioned to himself. "I'm injured you know."
"You're an idiot! That's what I know!" Arthur shot back with, turning to Katherine. "Who the hell are you anyways? Why was my moronic manservant put in the position to save you?"
"Don't talk to her that way!" The glare Arthur gave him could have set fire to a drenched bush.
"Don't you dare presume you can give me orders right now Merlin. Don't you dare." The barked tone made his mouth shut, and that's when he noticed the crazed look in Arthur's eyes. He was almost frantic...he was worried.
"Forgive me Sire." Merlin said quietly, realizing what he might have been going through his mind if he had seen Arthur like this.
"I'm Lady Katherine ofTintagel." Katherine stated, curtseying to the crowned prince. "I was on my way to set up diplomatic ties between King Uther and my father, Lord Colin, when my entourage was attacked by the monster. It took me hostage and killed everyone else. I would be dead as well had Merlin not come along." Her chin stuck up as she glanced over at Merlin, giving him a fond smile. "His bravery should be known throughout both of our kingdoms."
"Yes, well I'll note that while I'm questioning him about his bravery." Arthur spit out through clenched teeth.
"Don't you think I should see Gaius before all the...you know...questioning?" Merlin asked hopefully, thinking being alone in a room right now with the furious Prince sounded like the most miserable thing ever. He'd rather go toe to toe with the snake again.
"He should see a physician." Katherine agreed, bowing slightly to Arthur. "My Lord."
"What is going on here?" Uther asked, walking up to group and examining the three, and eyes landing on how Arthur was still gripping Merlin's face. That hand of course immediately dropped back down to his side.
"My Lord, I am Lady Katherine" Katherine started, curtseying to the King. "I hail fromTintagel. My Father, Lord Colin, has sent me here to start diplomatic talks. On the way I was attacked by a gigantic snake. If Merlin here hadn't come to my aid, I would be dead now."
"Snake?" Uther asked, face darkening as weariness set in. "Yes Lady Katherine we have had trouble with this creature in the past." He nodded, looking over at Merlin. "It was good fortune that Merlin happened to be there, though I don't know why." He looked quizzically at him, and the Sorcerer felt himself gulp under the heated gaze. Thankfully something else took the King's attention. "You say you are Lord Colin's daughter?" His eyebrow raised in question, placing a finger to his chin. "It's funny, I don't recall him having a daughter."
Katherine smiled, her perfectly white teeth shining brilliantly to charm the King. "I'm not surprised My Lord, what with me having 3 other brothers, when you hear of children in our household most of the talk is of sons."
Uther gave a pleasant laugh, smiling at her. "Yes, well I suppose you would." He inclined his head to her. "Well it is a delight to have met you, I just wish it had been under less dire circumstances." He reached out to her, examining her poorly bandaged hand. "You must see our court physician at once. He shall do everything he can for your wound."
"And Merlin's of course." She requested good naturedly. "After all he was wounded far greater than I." She smiled brilliantly at Merlin, reaching out to take his hand and giving it a kind squeeze.
"Yes, of course, of course. Merlin is Gaius's assistant, he will get all the medical attention he needs." Merlin bowed to the King, feeling Arthur's gaze on him the entire time.
"Thank you Sire." He said, and Katherine continued to hold his hand, turning his attention back to her.
"No wonder you were so quick to suck out the poison and bandage the wound. I should thank my lucky stars that a Physician's Assistant was the one to come to my aid." She squeezed his hand.
"I am forever in your debt Merlin."
Blushing from the attention, Merlin pulled his hand away to rub the back of his head as he grinned sheepishly at her. "It was really nothing. It isn't everyday you get to save someone so beautiful." For a moment he completely forgot where he was, or that he was in the presence of both the King and the Prince, and he turned to Arthur, who was giving him an absolutely appalled face at his behavior, and his smile soon faded. "What I mean is..." He turned frantic eyes to the King who was looking at him strangely. "I'm sorry...I...blood loss." He finished, shutting his mouth as he nodded to the two men. "It's the blood loss. I don't know what I'm saying."
Shaking his head, Arthur turned to his Father. "He is hurt. I shall take him down to Gaius if you would like to question Lady Katherine some more." The Prince was carefully avoiding his gaze as he held his head high to his father. "After I take him to get mended I shall prepare the knights. This creature will not live another night."
"Of course. You may take your servant." Uther said, pausing in his thoughts. "But you should wait until the morning for the creature. You are still injured, and it is still far from Camelot's borders." He turned to Katherine. "Would you care answering a few questions about your trip?" He asked, and she smiled pleasantly.
"Not at all. I live to serve you my lord." She curtsied again, and with a bow from Arthur, the Prince turned and began dragging Merlin down the hall and towards Gaius.
Merlin let himself be dragged down the hall, shooting one last lingering look backwards to see Uther and Katherine enter the throne room. He wasn't sure what it was that drew him to her, but the attraction was there. It was as if he could see himself in those black eyes, and as if she could see all of him reflecting back...magic and all. Something that Lancelot also saw in him. ...Something that if Arthur ever saw in him he would condemn him for.
They walked down the hall, Arthur's hand never leaving his elbow as he pulled him down towards his and Gaius's chambers. He didn't want to say anything, because he could almost feel the anger radiating off Arthur it was so palpable. He had expected to be yelled at by this time, but no it was much worse. Arthur was like a parent giving their child the silent disappointed look instead of outright yelling, it just made in ten times worse.
"Are you going to talk to me?" Merlin asked, not sure why he had because he most definitely did not want to answer any possible questions Arthur might ask.
"I don't want to talk to you." Was the gruff response as they finally got to the door, Arthur opening it and pulling him inside. He let go of him then and Merlin walked over to the table, taking a seat and noticing that Gaius wasn't in.
"...Convenient." He muttered sarcastically, placing his chin in his hand while the other held his wound. Of all times for Gaius to be gone it would have to be when the Prince was this angry with him.
"Where does he keep the bandages?" Arthur asked, not facing him. He hadn't met his eyes in what felt like hours, but had probably only been minutes since he had first taken in his bloody visage.
"In the cupboard I believe." Merlin answered, hand putting pressure on his wound as he winced. "But you don't have to get them...he can do all this when he gets back." He gave a smile, even though he knew Arthur wasn't looking at him. "I'm not dying after all."
Arthur did look at him then, and his eyes were a burning sapphire. "You could be!" He shot back with, but then seemed to realize his outburst and took a deep breath, reeling himself in. "I'm not incompetent, I shall treat your wounds."
Merlin nodded, tight lipped after the prince's earlier outburst. He wasn't about to argue with him on this. Arthur grabbed at the water basin and the spare bandages, splashing them onto the table and walking in front of him. Merlin leaned back against the table, breath slightly hitching as Arthur kneeled between his legs, dipping a rag and bringing it up towards his chest.
The hiss of pain he made he was sure echoed throughout Camelot. So much dirt and grime had entered the wound from the ride back that he was sure it had begun to fester and was so much worse than it could have been. ...At least he wasn't dead. He had to hang on to that. "It whipped me with its tail as it slithered off. Thankfully it didn't want to fight."
"And how would you know whether or not a gigantic snake wanted to fight? It certainly had no qualms fighting me." Arthur snipped, rubbing the rag rather harshly against the slash and making merlin grind his teeth.
"Perhaps it just found me prettier." He tried to joke, teeth clenching again as Arthur made another painful drag. "Look...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ran out after the thing like that. It probably made no sense to you, but I knew it was hurting someone."
Arthur tossed the rag into the basin with a splash, turning up to him with an icy glare. "How!? How the hell did you know that a gigantic snake was someone how hurting a girl from Tintagel?" Merlin gulped, turning his eyes away as he struggled to come up with a plausible excuse. The problem was there didn't seem to be one.
"I don't know how to explain it...just a feeling." Arthur began to wrap his bandages, quiet for a few moments but Merlin saw how tense his shoulders were.
"You run out of my chambers, out of my bed, half naked to go run into the woods for a feeling?" He growled the question, voice dripping with disgust. "People all around are getting eaten by a gigantic snake and you're having feelings!?" Tying the bandage so tight it was almost painful, Arthur got to his feet, tossing the excess onto the ground, and stalking back and forth in front of him as if he were a tiger about ready to pounce.
"Arthur...I...I'm sorry to have worried you." He tried, but at the angry glower he received he would say that was definitely not the right thing to say.
"Yeah?" He growled. "And who said I was worried? You didn't think you were that good, did you? Experience does count for something you know." The words were liking having ice water poured over his head, and then getting stabbed in the gut. His eyes swelled tightly as he looked away, not wanted to see the smug, almost pompous look on Arthur's face.
"Are we done here?" Was all he managed to ask, and he congratulated himself for getting it out and his voice only being mildly shaky. The pain of his wound had gone numb, and he wished all of his pain would follow
"Oh we're done." Arthur hissed, and Merlin knew the words held a double meaning. Just because he realized such a thing, didn't make it hurt any less. Yet even knowing how crass and hard headed the Pendragon could be, he still wasn't expecting what would come next. "You shall not be needed tonight. I will inform the King tomorrow that you have been reassigned, perhaps Lady Katherine would like your services while she is here." He said it bitterly, and yet it all sounded like white noise to Merlin's ears.
"You...you're firing me?" The words were far away, almost unreal on his tongue.
Arthur walked over to the door, wretched it open and pausing in the frame. "Honestly Merlin, don't sound so hurt. You always talk of how your dying to be rid of me...well here's your chance." The slam was the only thing he heard, much too terrified to look up. He sat there in shock for ages, going over every possible thing he had said in his mind, wondering what it had been to make Arthur snap. It had been when he was talking about his feeling, of hearing that damn snake in his head! Perhaps it had been too close to sorcery for Arthur, perhaps he really did condemn him. Merlin clutched his stomach, fingers feeling the clean bandages the Prince had been kind enough to place over his guts before tearing them out. His eyes had grown watery without him noticing, and as they slipped over the lids, falling warmly down his cheeks, he thought...just another set of tears shed for Arthur Pendragon, the love of his life.
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