Unconcerned

by Y-Pen-yn-y-Garreg

Alternate ending to "The Castle of Fyrien". What if Merlin's "Help, the Prince has escaped" ploy hadn't worked? Just how hard has Morgana's heart truly become? Did she urge Cenred and Morgause to kill Arthur quickly solely out of fear that delaying might facilitate his escape? Or was there some feeble ghost of a misgiving niggling deep down in her long-dormant conscience?

2. Act Two

As always, I strongly recommend that you read this story using the half-width display option. (To switch to half-width, click the symbol above with four horizontal lines and then select 1/2 from the options.)

For the optimal reading experience, once again, I would recommend either the ArchiveofOurOwn or plain HTML Dropbox hosted version (see my profile for links).

---

MERLIN

"UNCONCERNED"

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. CASTLE OF FYRIEN (UNDERGROUND TUNNELS) – NIGHT

The point of Morgana's sword speeds towards Arthur's heart.

Across the tunnel, Merlin looks up, and time seems to slow down around him. He sees the sword, one end clutched in Morgana's hand, and the other inches from Arthur's back, directly in line with his heart.

Merlin lifts his hand, and with no time to utter an incantation, he simply thinks.

Gwen, busy whacking Cenred's soldier over the head with her piece of driftwood, doesn't see the golden fire that flares across Merlin's eyes, but she does hear the resounding crack that splits the roof of the tunnel directly above Morgana's head.

The tunnel caves in, knocking Morgana to the ground. Her sword is no more than a millimetre from Arthur's back when it changes course, yanked downwards by Morgana's hand as she falls. As her arm hits the ground, her hand goes slack, and the sword rolls away.

Arthur turns. He and his opponent stumble backwards to avoid the rockfall. They choke on the dust as it settles.

Then Arthur sees Morgana, lying unmoving amid the debris.

ARTHUR
Morgana!

He darts forward and drops down beside her, lifting her out of the dust. She doesn't move, but the soldier behind Arthur does.

He uses Arthur's distraction to his advantage. Raising his sword over Arthur's head, he prepares to finish off his opponent, but the sword suddenly grows red hot in his hand. He drops it, howling in agony. Merlin looms up behind him and hits him over the head with the hilt of his sword.

Arthur hasn't noticed any of this. He's trying to feel Morgana's neck for a pulse, but his hand's shaking too much from pain and exhaustion and from fear that he won't find one.

Merlin steps to his side and Arthur glances up at him.

ARTHUR
Merlin, help me.

Merlin drops down beside Arthur.

ARTHUR
I – I can't tell if she's –

Merlin holds his hand close to Morgana's nose.

MERLIN
She's breathing. Here. Feel.

He takes Arthur's hand and holds it where his own just was. The dust coating Arthur's fingers scatters as Morgana's breath blows it away.

Arthur slumps with relief. He pulls Morgana closer to him.

ARTHUR
Morgana …
(giving her a gentle shake)
Morgana, wake up.

MERLIN
Don't try to wake her now. Let's get out of here first.

Arthur tries futilely to lift Morgana again, but he can't get himself more than a foot off the ground with the extra weight. With a grimace of pain, he falls back to his knees.

MERLIN
Arthur, don't. Let someone else.

ELYAN'S VOICE
I'll carry her.

Elyan's defeated the last of Cenred's men. He and Gwen approach Arthur, Merlin and Morgana. Gwen looks down in dismay at Morgana's limp figure.

Elyan crouches down and gently lifts Morgana into his arms.

ARTHUR
Thank you.

ELYAN
It's the least I can do. I'm the reason you got landed in this mess in
the first place. I owe you and her my life.

Merlin gets to his feet and holds out a hand to Arthur to help him up. Arthur closes his eyes against the pain as he stands, but doesn't otherwise acknowledge it.

Merlin clambers over the debris and fallen bodies to retrieve the still-burning torch that he dropped during the attack.

MERLIN
(to Arthur)
Here, you can lean on me again.

Arthur shakes his head.

ARTHUR
I'm fine.

Merlin decides not to argue with him and leads the way out of the tunnels.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING – NIGHT

Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Elyan descend down into a hollow where four horses wait tethered to the trees.

Elyan lays Morgana down on the forest floor.

GWEN
(kneeling beside Elyan)
Will she be all right?
(looking around for Merlin)
Merlin. You're the closest thing we've got to a physician. Come help.

Merlin comes over, somewhat reluctantly, and kneels beside Morgana.

MERLIN
Her breathing's normal.
(feeling her wrist)
Pulse is fine … Her head's not bleeding …
(checking under her eyelids)
I think she's just out cold. I'm sure she'll come round in a bit.

GWEN
(looking slightly calmer, but still anxious)
Are you certain, Merlin?

MERLIN
Yeah, it's not like … when she hit her head before. Just listen to her
breathing. This just looks like your run-of-the-mill bump on the head.

Gwen nods. She glances up, then back at Merlin.

GWEN
(in an undertone)
What about him?

Merlin looks up at Arthur. He's leaning against a nearby tree, listening to them, but he hasn't joined them on the ground, as though he's not sure he'll be able to get up again if he does. His breathing's become shallow and laboured, and he looks like he could collapse at any moment.

MERLIN
(under his breath)
Honestly? I don't know how he's still standing …
(getting up and approaching Arthur)
Arthur –

ARTHUR
Don't even start, Merlin.
(gesturing to Morgana)
If you can't wake her, we're going to have to get her onto a horse like
she is. We can't stay here. Cenred's patrols could be on us any minute.

MERLIN
But –

ARTHUR
I mean it, Merlin.

MERLIN
(irritably)
Fine.

Merlin grabs Morgana under the arms.

MERLIN
(to Elyan)
Could you give me a hand?

ELYAN
'Course.

Merlin and Elyan carry Morgana over to her horse, Merlin not bothering to be half as delicate as Elyan tries to be.

Merlin hoists Morgana upwards, trying to get her onto the horse.

ARTHUR
(crossly)
She's not a sack of barley, Merlin.

MERLIN
(defensive)
Oh, yeah? I'd like to see you come do any better!

GWEN
Merlin!

She hits Merlin across the shoulder a lot harder than she normally would, as though she doesn't think Arthur needs anybody putting ideas into his head.

MERLIN
Sorry.

He slings Morgana over the saddle, head dangling on one side, legs on the other.

ARTHUR
That's no good. We won't be able to go very fast without her
slipping off.

GWEN
It's better to go slow than not at all.

ARTHUR
(sighing)
I guess you're right …
(turning towards his horse)
Come on. Merlin, since we won't be going particularly fast, you can
just run alongside.

GWEN
(patting Merlin on the shoulder)
I'll ride with Elyan.

Elyan mounts the remaining white horse and offers Gwen a hand up, but she's too busy watching Arthur, her face etched with worry.

Arthur sets his foot in his horse's stirrup, grasps onto the saddle and tries to push himself off the ground, but he can't get enough momentum. He tries to haul himself the rest of the way up, but he only manages to get about halfway before his strength gives out. Foot still stuck in the stirrup, he nearly goes crashing to the ground, but just manages to keep a grip on the pommel and slumps against the horse instead, breathing heavily, his eyes shut tight, as though struggling not to moan in pain.

MERLIN
(gently touching Arthur on the shoulder)
Here, Arthur … let me –

ARTHUR
(brushing Merlin aside)
What? Try to fling me about like a sack of barley, like you did
Morgana? No thanks.

Gwen looks close to tears again as she watches Arthur struggle just to steady himself on his feet. Elyan has his eyes glued guiltily to the pommel of his saddle.

Suddenly an indistinct murmuring sounds from the direction of Morgana's horse. She's waking up.

She pushes herself down from the saddle and stares around, looking disorientated.

ARTHUR
Morgana! Are you all right?

He tries to move towards her, but sways so much that he has to grab onto the saddle again for support.

MORGANA
(looking around the clearing, trying to get her bearings)
I'm fine … What happened?

GWEN
There was some sort of cave-in. You nearly got buried underneath it.
I'm just glad you're OK.

Gwen hugs Morgana. Morgana smiles and pats her on the back.

MORGANA
I'm perfectly all right, Gwen.

ARTHUR
Good. Now, get back up on that horse. We need to get out of here
fast. It's a good thing you woke up. We'll be able to move much
more quickly now.

MORGANA
(taking in Arthur's condition as he
half-clings to his horse for support)
Are you all right?

ARTHUR
I'm fine.

GWEN
(gently)
No, Arthur, you're not …

MORGANA
Arthur, if you're not well, we should stop and rest. Let Merlin see to
your wounds. We can go on when it gets light.

ARTHUR
We can't, Morgana. We haven't got time. Cenred's got men out
searching for us already. We saw several patrols off in the distance
on our way here. The only reason they haven't found us already is
that it's too dark to see properly. We've got to put plenty of distance
between us and this castle before dawn.

MERLIN
(before Morgana can argue her case any further)
Right, then!

Merlin drops onto his hands and knees beside Arthur's horse.

ARTHUR
(looking down at him scornfully)
What are you doing?

MERLIN
Giving you a leg up. Come on!
(when Arthur just continues to look down at him scathingly)
You've got no problem using me as a mounting stool when you're
just feeling lazy. Up you get!

ARTHUR
(with an embarrassed glance at Gwen)
I've never –!

GWEN
(fondly)
It's all right, Arthur. I've seen you do it.
(when Arthur turns to her, mortified)
It's OK. I don't think any less of you for it … well, all right, maybe
the first time I saw you at it – but the shock has worn off now.

ARTHUR
(defensive)
I haven't stood on him in … at least a year.

MERLIN
(mumbles)
So long as we're not counting figuratively.

GWEN
Well, nobody's going to judge you for it this time.

ARTHUR
I only ever did it once … maybe twice …

MERLIN
(brightly)
Well, third time's the charm. C'mon, I've already swallowed my pride.
Now it's your turn.

ARTHUR
(irritably)
Merlin –

MERLIN
It is my job, isn't it? That's what you're always saying. I live to be
your footstool, Arthur. Now, climb!

Arthur gives in and smiles.

ARTHUR
I'll be holding you to that, Merlin.

Arthur places his foot on Merlin's back, but he still has trouble pulling himself up the rest of the way. He has to grip the saddle with both hands again, and his foot digs into Merlin's back hard enough to make Merlin grimace. But he doesn't complain.

Finally Arthur's standing on Merlin's back and trying to act as though he isn't out of breath. He swings his leg over the saddle, barely suppressing a wince as he does so, and tries to pull himself into the saddle. Merlin pushes himself up nearly to his fingers and toes to help him, then ends up twisting around and pushing on Arthur's foot, which gets him into the saddle, but also serves to irritate him.

ARTHUR
(giving Merlin a playful kick as he straightens up)
You're an idiot, Merlin.

MERLIN
(to Elyan)
It's all right. He never shows any gratitude for all the stuff I do for him.

Elyan grins.

ARTHUR
Shut up, Merlin.

Elyan helps Gwen up onto the horse in front of him. Morgana dawdles, looking sour.

MERLIN
(to Morgana)
Need a leg up too, my lady?

MORGANA
(with a forced smile)
No thanks, Merlin.

Morgana and Merlin mount their steeds. Arthur urges his horse forward and takes the lead. The four horses egress the clearing at a gallop.

EXT. FOREST PATH – MORNING TWILIGHT

The four horses move along at a brisk trot.

GWEN
(to Elyan)
We've almost reached the place where we made camp the other
night. I think it might be a good place to take a rest.

Elyan spurs their horse forwards to draw level with Arthur's.

GWEN
Arthur.

Arthur doesn't respond right away. His head's lolling slightly on his shoulders, and his eyes are half-closed.

GWEN
Arthur.

Arthur's eyes shoot open the rest of the way. He turns to look at Gwen.

ARTHUR
Hmm?

GWEN
Don't you think we should take a break? Perhaps by that stream
where we stopped before?

ARTHUR
(shaking his head)
That's exactly the sort of place Cenred would look for us. We should
keep going. The closer we get to Camelot, the safer we'll be.

Arthur spurs his horse into a canter, giving the others little choice but to follow suit.

EXT. FOREST PATH – EARLY MORNING

The horses trot along. Arthur's slumping forward over his horse's neck. His breathing's shallow and ragged.

MERLIN
Arthur? You all right?

Arthur tries to push himself upright.

ARTHUR
(breathless but irritable)
I'm fine, Merlin.

MERLIN
I think we can afford to take a break now.

ARTHUR
(trying to sound scathing, but
barely managing to keep his eyes open)
Don't be such a baby, Merlin. You can't need a break already.

MERLIN
(impatient)
I'm not thinking of me.

ARTHUR
Good. We don't have a problem, then.

GWEN
Actually …
(giving a loud yawn)
I'm feeling extremely tired. I don't think I could go on another minute.

ARTHUR
(with a faint smile)
Don't think I don't know what you're trying to … what you're trying to …

Arthur sways alarmingly.

GWEN
Arthur!

Suddenly Arthur slips sideways from his saddle. Merlin reins his horse to a stop as Arthur topples towards the ground.

Merlin's halfway from his saddle when Arthur hits the ground, his foot still caught in the stirrup. The horse careens sideways. Merlin dismounts and makes towards Arthur, but Arthur's horse starts to buck.

Without thinking, Merlin throws himself over Arthur. One of the horse's flailing hooves catches Merlin's left arm. Merlin hisses in pain but keeps trying to shield Arthur.

Suddenly Elyan appears out of nowhere and seizes a hold of the horse's reins, restraining it enough that Merlin's able to disentangle Arthur from the stirrup. Elyan draws the horse away from the two of them.

Gwen drops down beside Merlin, who's clutching his arm.

GWEN
Is it broken?

MERLIN
No. Just sprained, I think … but never mind about me.

They both turn their attention to Arthur. He's lying motionless on the ground.

GWEN
(shaking Arthur gently by the shoulders)
Arthur! Arthur! What's the matter with him, Merlin? Why won't he
wake up?

MERLIN
I dunno …

Morgana joins Gwen and Merlin, to all appearances, the worried foster sister.

MORGANA
(frantic)
Will he be all right? Why did he fall?

GWEN
It's not blood loss, you don't think?

MERLIN
(examining Arthur carefully)
I don't think so … He's not bleeding any more … Maybe it's just exhaustion.

GWEN
So why won't he wake up?

Elyan, having calmed the horse back down, crouches silently beside his sister.

MERLIN
I dunno. Maybe he hit his head when he fell. Maybe … maybe …

GWEN
(in response to Merlin's change of tone)
What is it, Merlin?

MERLIN
I don't know … The way he's breathing … it doesn't sound right.

Merlin puts his ear close to Arthur's chest, listening to his breathing, which is rapid and shallower than ever.

Merlin straightens up, looking scared.

GWEN
What is it?

MERLIN
I think – I think he's got a punctured lung …

GWEN
(wide-eyed)
So what – what does that mean? What do we do?

MERLIN
We need to get him back to Gaius … as quickly as possible.

MORGANA
But Camelot is still half a day's ride from here!

Gwen stares helplessly down at Arthur as he continues to struggle for air.

GWEN
(to Merlin)
There must be something you can do! Something to help him
breathe more easily?

MERLIN
(struggling to think)
I … Gaius would say … make sure his airway's not obstructed …

Merlin tilts Arthur's head back a little.

MERLIN
And … no tight clothing.

Merlin unbuckles the belt Arthur's wearing over his long shirt, struggling slightly because of his injured arm. He straightens up and stares uncertainly down at Arthur. His eyes dart momentarily to his right, where Morgana is crouched beside him.

Resting his hand on the left side of Arthur's chest, Merlin lowers his head again, as though to recheck Arthur's breathing. He closes his eyes.

MERLIN
(in a voice so low it's almost a breath)
Þurhhæle …

Nothing happens. Arthur's breathing remains fast and shallow.

GWEN
(to Merlin)
What did you say?

MERLIN
I said … that's all I can do … We've got to get him back to Camelot …

ELYAN
But how are we going to get him there? I don't know a whole lot about
punctured lungs, but we can't very well drape him over the saddle
like you did Morgana, can we? That's hardly going to help him breathe.

MERLIN
No, we can't. That could do even more damage to his lung …
(grasping the sides of his head with his hands)
This is all my fault …

GWEN
How on earth's it your fault?

MERLIN
I knew he probably had a broken rib or two or … twenty-four; I –
never should have let him walk around on it. I've heard Gaius talk
a thousand times about how dangerous that can be …

GWEN
What choice did you have? We had to get out of there. You could
hardly have carried him. He certainly wouldn't have let you.

ELYAN
Never mind about assigning blame. Let's worry about how we're
going to get to Camelot.

GWEN
(looking around)
If only we had a cart of some sort … Where's the nearest village?

MERLIN
Too far out of the way.

ELYAN
Maybe we could sit him on the horse – tie him on somehow?

MERLIN
Slumping him over the horse's neck isn't a good idea, either … I
don't want to put any pressure on his rib cage … Someone's going
to have to ride with him and keep him from falling. If I sit behind
him, he can lean back against me … yeah, I think that's best.

GWEN
But your arm, Merlin. You won't be able to hold onto him properly
with just one good arm.

MORGANA
She's right. I should do it.

MERLIN
(loudly)
No!

Gwen and Elyan give him funny looks. Morgana arches an eyebrow.

MERLIN
Elyan should do it. He's the strongest.

MORGANA
Believe it or not, Merlin, we womenfolk aren't completely useless.
I'm perfectly capable of keeping Arthur on a horse. Besides, I think
he'd be more comfortable with me. Elyan's a near-perfect stranger.

MERLIN
(shortly)
He's unconscious. He won't know the difference.

MORGANA
(turning to Arthur and speaking in a soft tone)
Arthur.

She takes his hand, and he stirs in his sleep. His eyelids flutter slightly.

MORGANA
I'm here, Arthur.

His hand tightens ever so slightly around hers, and his breathing becomes a little less laboured.

MORGANA
(to Merlin)
See? He may be unconscious, but that doesn't mean he's not
aware of us.

GWEN
I think Morgana's right, Merlin.

MERLIN
(to Gwen)
Well, in that case, it should be you.

GWEN
(flustered)
Oh, no. That would be perfectly inappropriate. Morgana's a much
better choice.

MORGANA
It's decided, then.

MERLIN
You were injured in the tunnels.

MORGANA
I feel perfectly all right.

MERLIN
Your ankle –

MORGANA
– feels much better now, and besides, I'm not going to be
holding onto him with my feet, am I?

MERLIN
But –

GWEN
We're wasting time, Merlin! If Morgana says she can do it, then she
can do it.

MORGANA
(getting to her feet)
Come on. Let's get him back up on that horse.

EXT. FOREST PATH – A LITTLE LATER

Morgana settles into the saddle of Arthur's horse. Merlin reluctantly leans Arthur back against her.

MERLIN
(positioning Arthur's head on Morgana's shoulder)
Keep his head tilted back like that. Don't let it fall forward. We
need to keep his airway unobstructed.

Morgana nods.

MERLIN
Don't squeeze him too tight, but don't let him fall.

MORGANA
Don't worry, Merlin. I'll take good care of him.

Merlin dawdles, clearly not wanting to leave Arthur alone with Morgana. Elyan mounts the horse he and Gwen were riding earlier. Gwen takes Morgana's.

Morgana casts a pointed look at Merlin's horse. Merlin has no choice but to go to it.

As Merlin mounts (with some difficulty due to his injured arm), Arthur stirs fitfully in Morgana's arms.

MORGANA
(soothingly)
Shh, Arthur … just breathe …

She kisses the top of Arthur's head. He relaxes and his breathing evens out a little.

Gwen smiles at Morgana's apparent display of sisterly affection. Merlin watches through narrowed eyes.

ELYAN
Ready to go?

The horses set off at a walk. Gwen leads the way, Elyan beside her. Morgana and Merlin follow.

Gradually the horses build to a swift trot. Merlin makes a point to keep his horse even with Morgana's, never once taking his eyes off of Arthur.

EXT. FOREST PATH – LATE MORNING

Merlin is still watching Arthur and Morgana like a hawk as the horses trot along. Morgana throws him an irritated look.

MORGANA
Can I help you with something, Merlin?

MERLIN
(casual)
Just keeping an eye on Arthur – making sure his condition doesn't worsen.

MORGANA
There's no need. I'll let you know if there's any change.

MERLIN
You might miss the signs. I know what to watch for.

Morgana checks to make sure Gwen and Elyan's eyes are fixed on the path ahead before shooting Merlin a sour look.

EXT. FOREST PATH – DAY

The horses trot along at a steady pace. They pass by a strip of rocky ground.

Morgana eyes the large, jagged rocks jutting along the left-hand side of the path. She glances down at Arthur. His breathing's still fast and shallow, but his expression is serene, trusting …

Morgana turns back to the rocks, the ghost of a smirk playing across her lips.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Merlin pulls up between her and the rocks. Morgana looks at him, startled.

MERLIN
I thought I should ride on this side, just to be safe. Those rocks
have a rather nasty look about them, don't you think? With me
here, there'll be someone to keep Arthur from falling, just in case
you lose your grip.

MORGANA
(faking a smile)
Thank you, Merlin. How thoughtful of you.

EXT. FOREST PATH – AFTERNOON

Gwen looks over her shoulder at Arthur and Morgana.

GWEN
(to Morgana)
How is he?

MORGANA
Same as before.

MERLIN
Don't worry, Gwen. It's not much further now.

Gwen smiles at Merlin and turns back to the path ahead. Morgana casts a disgruntled look down at Arthur.

EXT. EDGE OF FOREST – AFTERNOON

The four horses and their riders emerge from the trees into a wide, grassy clearing. The turrets and spires of Camelot come into view.

GWEN
(calling back to Merlin)
Perhaps you should ride ahead – tell Gaius what's happened.

MERLIN
I – need to stay with Arthur … Besides, I don't think I could ride
very fast with my arm like this.

GWEN
Right, of course … I'll go, then. Morgana … look after him.

With one last lingering look at Arthur, she turns and spurs her horse into a gallop.

EXT. CAMELOT (MAIN SQUARE) – AFTERNOON

The three horses come to a halt in the square, and several knights rush out to greet them. Two of them reach up to take Arthur from Morgana.

MORGANA
(an effigy of concern again)
Careful!

The knights lower Arthur onto a stretcher and bear him towards the palace. Merlin leaps down from his horse and hurries after them, Elyan and Morgana close behind.

INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS – AFTERNOON

Four knights carry Arthur into the chamber, tailed by Merlin and Elyan.

GAIUS
(gesturing at a table that's already been cleared off)
Here.

Gwen backs out of the way as the men lower Arthur onto the table. The knights exit the chambers. Merlin hurries to Gaius's side, and Elyan joins Gwen.

MERLIN
His lung, I think it's –

GAIUS
Yes, Gwen told me.

Gaius lowers his ear to Arthur's chest, listening on one side, then the other.

GAIUS
You're right, Merlin. His left lung is barely working.

MERLIN
(anxious)
But you – you can fix it, right?

GAIUS
I need to get a proper look at his injuries. Hand me those shears, Merlin.

Gaius uses the shears to cut away Arthur's shirt. Tattered as it already is, it doesn't take much.

GWEN
(to Elyan, distractedly)
Where's Morgana?

ELYAN
She said she needed to change her clothes. Something about the
King not being supposed to know she was with you.

GWEN
Right, of course …

Gaius is feeling Arthur's ribs on his left side, looking grave.

MERLIN
Well?

Gaius makes to respond, but doesn't get the chance.

UTHER'S VOICE
Arthur? Arthur?

Uther comes bursting into the chambers.

UTHER
Where's my son? I heard –

Uther catches sight of Arthur and stops short.

UTHER
What's happened?
(to Merlin)
You, boy, tell me what happened!

MERLIN
We – we were attacked … ambushed on the road …

Gwen shifts guiltily next to Elyan.

GAIUS
(as Uther moves in closer)
Sire, I need room!

ELYAN
I'll go.
(to Gwen)
I'll be down in the hall, if you need me.

He gives Gwen a quick hug and hurries past the King. Uther pays him no attention; all his focus is on Arthur.

Uther drifts closer to his son, as though in some kind of horrified trance. Arthur's arms and torso are littered with welts and lacerations and reddish, charred and blistered wounds that could only have been caused by extreme heat.

UTHER
Those aren't battle wounds … He looks like he's been tortured …

MERLIN
(his voice shaking slightly)
We were – we were taken prisoner, sire … We … managed to escape
in the end, but … they wanted information … about Camelot's defences …
(hastily)
Arthur didn't tell them anything.

UTHER
Of course he didn't. He's my son …

Uther reaches out his hand towards Arthur.

GAIUS
Sire, you shouldn't …

Uther doesn't seem to hear him. His hand brushes lightly over Arthur's left shoulder.

UTHER
Why's he breathing like that? What's the matter with him?

GAIUS
He has a collapsed lung, sire.

Uther finally looks away from Arthur to stare at Gaius.

UTHER
Then do something, Gaius. There is something you can do?

GAIUS
There's a treatment I could try … adapted from the works of Galen
of Pergamon on the treatment of empyema … But I will need space,
sire, and peace and calm.

UTHER
Of course …
(backing off)
I'm sorry. I'll keep out of your way.

GAIUS
Thank you, sire.
(turning to Merlin)
Merlin, on a shelf in the back you'll find a bundle of hollowed-out
reeds. Fetch them for me.
(to Gwen)
Gwen, I'll need fresh water, cloths and bandages.

GWEN
Of course.

She and Merlin hurry off in different directions.

GAIUS
(calling after Merlin)
And I need lavender, Merlin. And fresh arnica.

MERLIN
I'm on it!

Gaius moves to a shelf full of glass bottles and rummages through them. He selects a vial full of a yellowish liquid.

Gwen returns with a bucket of water and hurries away again to fetch the cloths and bandages. Gaius scoops some of the water into a small metal cup and pours the rest into a large kettle overhanging the fire. He uncorks the vial of yellow liquid, adds a few drops to the cup and gives the contents a swirl.

He returns to Arthur and tips the mixture into his mouth.

MERLIN
(returning with the herbs and the bundle of reeds)
What are you giving him?

GAIUS
Valerian. We don't want him waking up in the middle of it.

MERLIN
(with trepidation)
In the middle of what?

GAIUS
I have to release the air that has leaked into his chest cavity. It's
the only way his lung will be able to reinflate.

MERLIN
(grimacing and lifting up the bundle of reeds)
Is that what these are for?

UTHER
I don't understand. If he's having difficulty breathing, how is taking
air out going to help him?

GAIUS
I know what I'm doing, sire. You need to trust me.

UTHER
Yes, of course … I'm sorry, Gaius. Carry on.

GAIUS
Merlin, set that lot on the table and fetch me some wine.

Gwen returns with a stack of cloths and bandages.

GAIUS
(as she sets them on a table near Arthur)
Thank you, Gwen.

Gaius starts rummaging through some books. Gwen watches Arthur anxiously.

As Gaius sets a large leather-bound book on one of the tables, Merlin returns with a wineskin.

MERLIN
Here.

GAIUS
Very good. Now go grind those herbs – a quarter ounce of arnica
and half an ounce of lavender. Infuse the lavender into the wine
and grind the arnica into a paste. If it's too dry you can add a little
grapeseed oil.

Merlin nods and sets to work.

GAIUS
Gwen, if you'll keep an eye on the kettle. Once the water's warm
enough, pour some into a bowl and bring it to me.

Gwen moves off towards the fire.

MERLIN
(looking up from his mortar and pestle)
I was told a watched kettle never boils.

GAIUS
Just grind, Merlin.

Gaius opens his book and starts leafing through it.

INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS – A LITTLE LATER

Gwen carries a large, steaming bowl over to Gaius.

GAIUS
Thank you, Gwen. Set it right here on this table.

Gaius takes a cloth from the top of the stack on the other table and soaks it in the steaming water.

Merlin comes over with the wineskin and a mortar.

MERLIN
Done!

GAIUS
Good. Set it over there and come help me with Arthur.

Merlin deposits the wineskin and the mortar on the table and comes to stand next to Gwen on Arthur's right.

GAIUS
(from Arthur's left)
We need to turn him onto his side. Carefully.

Merlin takes a hold of Arthur's left shoulder, and Gaius uses the left pole of the stretcher to help ease Arthur onto his right side.

Arthur's head tosses feebly from side to side and he murmurs something incoherent. Gwen instinctively takes his hand.

GWEN
It's all right, Arthur …

Gwen suddenly seems to remember the King's in the room and glances nervously in his direction, but Uther's too busy watching Arthur anxiously to take any notice of what a servant girl is doing.

Gaius peels what's left of Arthur's shirt away from his back, revealing the worst of his injuries. Merlin winces. Gwen looks as though she might cry. Uther closes his eyes, trying to maintain his composure.

Gaius takes the cloth from the bowl on the table behind him and starts to wash away the blood and grime from Arthur's left side. Gwen lets go of his hand and starts to back away, but Gaius shakes his head.

GAIUS
Stay with him, Gwen.

Gwen takes Arthur's hand again.

MERLIN
(offering Gwen a stool)
Here …

Gwen sits down beside Arthur, while Gaius continues to wash the area around his ribs, which is made difficult by the sheer number of cuts and burns and bruises. Every time Arthur makes a fitful movement or struggles for air, Gwen gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

When Gaius is satisfied Arthur's side is clean enough, he sets aside the cloth and turns to Merlin.

GAIUS
Fetch me that arnica preparation. And bring along the wine and
lavender infusion, as well.

Merlin bounds over to the table and snatches up the wineskin and mortar. He passes the mortar to Gaius.

Gaius uses a fresh cloth to daub the yellowish paste onto Arthur's side wherever he can find unbroken skin. Then he turns back to his book, which is full of anatomical charts and diagrams.

GAIUS
(running his finger over a depiction of a human rib cage)
The tricky part is determining the best site for incision without
knowing the exact location of the collapse …
(looking up)
Hand me that lancet, Merlin.

Merlin takes an instrument with a long, thin blade from the table next to him and passes it, somewhat tentatively, to Gaius.

Gaius takes a candle from the table behind him and passes the blade back and forth through the flame.

MERLIN
(nervously)
Why are you doing that?

GAIUS
Have I taught you nothing about infection, Merlin?

MERLIN
Oh, right … It's just that the last person who came at Arthur with a
hot piece of metal ended up face first in the fire.

GAIUS
Well, I'll thank you not to do the same to me. I am only trying to
help, after all.

MERLIN
Right, sorry.

Gaius lays the lancet on top of a clean towel and holds his hand out to Merlin for the wineskin. Merlin hands it over.

Gaius uncorks the wineskin and saturates another cloth with the liquid inside. He sloshes copious amounts onto Arthur's side, washing away the arnica in the process.

GAIUS
Move back around to the other side, Merlin. I'll need you to hold him still.

Merlin grits his teeth and nods. He grips Arthur by the arm. Gwen backs off to give him room, looking paler than usual.

Gaius picks up the lancet and gives his diagram one last perusal.

Merlin who's still grasping Arthur's arm suddenly frowns. He feels the side of Arthur's neck and then his heart.

MERLIN
(apprehensive)
Gaius …

GAIUS
What is it, Merlin? This is a delicate process. I need to concen–

MERLIN
Gaius, Arthur's heart just started going really, really fast …
(as Gaius looks up)
Is that bad?

Gaius abandons his charts at once. He feels Arthur's pulse. Arthur's chest is rising and falling rapidly, but he's barely drawing breath.

GAIUS
(suddenly urgent)
Yes, it's bad! Hold him still. We're out of time!

Uther takes a panicked step towards Arthur, then seems to realise he'll only get in the way and forces himself to a halt.

Gaius grips the lancet in his fist like a dagger. He plunges his hand downwards, and Merlin, realising what he's about to do, squeezes his eyes shut and turns his head away. So does Gwen.

Arthur jerks violently and Merlin tightens his grasp, trying to keep him still. Gaius pulls the lancet away again.

MERLIN
I can't believe you just –!

GAIUS
Shhht!

Gaius feels Arthur's pulse again. Slowly Arthur starts to breathe more easily, and so does Gaius.

MERLIN
(shrilly)
I thought you said it was a delicate process!

GAIUS
(grabbing a fistful of cloth and pressing it to the wound)
There wasn't time to be delicate. The pressure had built to the
point that it was pressing on his heart. Another minute or so and it
would have killed him. It's lucky you got him to me when you did.
If that had happened before you reached Camelot …

Merlin swallows hard.

UTHER
But he's going to be fine now, right? It worked, whatever it was
you were trying to do?

GAIUS
That was the worst of it, but his lung's still at least partially
collapsed. I'm going to have to remove the rest of the air if it's to
have any chance of reinflating.

UTHER
And I don't suppose you're going to explain how removing air is
supposed to reinflate something?

GAIUS
I haven't got time for an anatomy lesson right now, sire. I'd be
more than happy to give you one later if you're still interested, but
in the meantime, perhaps you'd be more comfortable waiting in your –

UTHER
(hastily)
Sorry. I'm sorry. I won't say another word, I promise.

Gaius pulls back the cloth and checks the wound on Arthur's side.

GAIUS
It's not bleeding any more than it should … That suggests it's just
air filling up the chest cavity, rather than blood …

MERLIN
And that's good?

GAIUS
It's better.

Gaius washes the blood away and examines the puncture wound.

GAIUS
This isn't how I would have chosen to do this, but … it'll have to do.

He picks up the lancet again and lowers it towards Arthur's side. Merlin groans and looks away.

Arthur makes a convulsive movement.

GAIUS
Hold him still, Merlin!

MERLIN
Right, sorry.

Gaius twists the lancet around, and Arthur murmurs feverishly in his sleep, digging his fingers into Merlin's arm and making him wince.

MERLIN
Can't you give him something stronger? So he won't feel it?

GAIUS
(shaking his head)
I fear that in the condition he's in anything stronger would be dangerous.
(setting down the lancet)
Hand me one of those reeds, Merlin.

Merlin slips a reed from the bundle and hands it to Gaius.

MERLIN
Are you sure about this?

GAIUS
Don't you start too, Merlin.

Gaius uncorks the wineskin and swirls the end of the reed around inside it.

After recorking and setting down the wineskin, he begins to slowly work the reed into the incision in Arthur's side. Merlin keeps a grip on Arthur, but closes his eyes tightly so he doesn't have to watch. Gwen turns her head away, wincing. Only Uther has the stomach to keep looking.

Gaius has eased the reed a few centimetres into the incision when Arthur's arm slips free of Merlin's grasp and nearly dislodges it.

GAIUS
Merlin!

MERLIN
(eyes shooting open)
Sorry! Sorry!

He grabs Arthur's arm and forces it back down.

MERLIN
It's all right, Arthur; just hold still.

GAIUS
We're almost there …

Gaius eases the reed a little further down.

GAIUS
That should do it …

He takes the candle from the table behind him and drips the molten wax down the side of the reed. Merlin groans sympathetically.

Arthur strains against Merlin again as the hot wax hits the wound.

GAIUS
It's beeswax … not only will it seal the opening, it'll do him good in
the long run …

Gaius reaches for a stack of bandages.

GAIUS
Can you raise him up a little, Merlin?

Merlin slips his arm underneath Arthur's shoulder, allowing Gaius to slip the end of the bandage underneath him. Then he helps Gaius wrap it around Arthur on either side of the reed, helping to secure it in place.

GAIUS
Don't pull it very tight. We don't want to restrict his breathing.

Gaius secures the bandage with a knot, and then lowers Arthur carefully onto his back again. The reed now sticks out at an angle from the side of his rib cage.

MERLIN
Is that it?

Gaius holds his hand just above the top of the reed, feeling for something.

GAIUS
Not quite … Come round this side, Merlin.

Merlin edges around the table.

GAIUS
Gwen, I'd like to give him a little pulmonaria in case of inflammation.
You'll find some in the back. It has spotted leaves.

Gwen sets off at once.

MERLIN
(looking down at Arthur)
Is it working?

GAIUS
We need to stimulate the air to move outwards.

MERLIN
How do we do that?

Gaius fixes Merlin with a determinedly straight-faced look.

GAIUS
Suck.

MERLIN
(gawping at Gaius)
What!

GAIUS
Just to get it started. Go on.

MERLIN
Why have I got to do it?

GAIUS
You're younger; you have stronger lungs. Come on, it's only air. I'm
not asking you to suck out poison.

MERLIN
But –

UTHER
(losing patience)
God help me, boy, if you don't do as he tells you, I'll –

MERLIN
I'm doing it! I'm doing it …

Merlin looks down at Arthur and sighs.

MERLIN
(under his breath)
The things I do for you, Arthur …

He stoops and lowers his mouth to the reed. Gaius lowers his head too.

GAIUS
(putting his head right next to Merlin's and speaking in a whisper)
Use magic.

Merlin turns to him, wide-eyed.

GAIUS
It's the best way to ensure a steady outflow.

MERLIN
(steeling himself)
Right.

GAIUS
Not too fast, Merlin. Slow and steady does it.

Merlin nods. He lowers his mouth back to the reed and begins to murmur.

MERLIN
(in barely a whisper)
Lyft forþflewe, gast inlæte, læte hine eðian eft freolic …

Unseen by Uther standing behind him, Merlin's eyes flare briefly with golden fire.

He straightens up. Gaius places his hand over the top of the reed again. He smiles and claps Merlin on the shoulder.

GAIUS
Good job, Merlin.

UTHER
(taking a step forward)
Has it worked?

GAIUS
Yes, sire.

UTHER
Why hasn't his breathing got any better?

GAIUS
It will take time, sire. When his lung was punctured, air escaped
through the tear into the space outside the lung, causing pressure
to build up within the chest cavity, which forced the lung itself to
collapse – much like squeezing the water out of a waterskin. But
now that the air outside the lung has a way out, his lung should be
able to reinflate.

As he talks, Gwen returns with a bundle of dry, spotted leaves. She sets them on the table near Gaius and then backs out of the way.

UTHER
Are you sure? If the lung itself is torn, won't the air just continue
to escape?

GAIUS
The hole should be able to seal itself now, much as a cut in the
skin seals over with a scab.

UTHER
Should be able to?

GAIUS
Provided that the tear isn't too large.

UTHER
And if it is too large?

GAIUS
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. More often than not the puncture
will close on its own.

UTHER
And if it doesn't? Can you sew it up? Shouldn't you do that anyway,
just to be safe?

GAIUS
It's not that simple, sire. I have no way of locating the exact
position of the tear, and –

At that moment, Morgana comes bursting into the chambers. She's changed out of her chainmail into one of her usual dresses.

MORGANA
Arthur? I heard he was injured. Is he in here?

UTHER
Everything's fine, Morgana.

Morgana catches sight of Arthur and frowns.

MORGANA
What happened to him? And why on earth's he got a reed sticking
out of his chest?

UTHER
(putting an arm around Morgana)
It's nothing to worry about, Morgana. Gaius knows what he's doing.
(to Gaius)
How soon will we know if … if it's working.

GAIUS
Soon, sire, but he still has other injuries that need tending, and I
need room to work.

UTHER
(turning to Gwen)
You, girl, leave us. Morgana can assist Gaius now.

Looking flustered, Gwen gives a slight curtsey and makes to leave. Morgana catches her by the arm on the way out.

MORGANA
Don't worry, Gwen. I'll take good care of him. And I'll come tell you
at once if there's any change.

GWEN
(gratefully)
Thank you, Morgana.

Gwen leaves.

GAIUS
Merlin, go grind that pulmonaria, and mix it with violet, like you did
for Morgana after her fall.

As Merlin snatches up the herbs Gwen brought earlier and fumbles around for a mortar and pestle, Gaius leans over Arthur. He puts his ear to his chest again and listens to his breathing.

UTHER
(as Gaius straightens up)
Well?

GAIUS
Good news, sire. His lung is definitely starting to reinflate. He's
breathing more strongly on the left side now.

For a split second Morgana looks bitter, but she quickly plasters a smile onto her face as Uther looks her way.

UTHER
I told you everything would be all right.

MORGANA
(hugging Uther)
I knew it would take a lot more than a punctured lung to keep
Arthur down.

INT. KING'S PALACE (CORRIDOR) – AFTERNOON

Gwen exits the door to the stairwell leading to Gaius's chambers. Elyan looks up as she joins him in the corridor below.

ELYAN
How's Arthur?

GWEN
Better, I think … Gaius seems reasonably sure his lung will heal.

ELYAN
That's good.

Gwen nods, then blinks as tears threaten to overcome her.

GWEN
I'm sorry …

Elyan says nothing. He just steps forward and puts his arms around his sister. She buries her face in his shoulder and lets out a sob.

GWEN
I just can't stop thinking … this is all my fault.

ELYAN
Don't be ridiculous, Gwen. If it's anybody's fault it's mine. I'm the
one you were all trying to rescue.

GWEN
But I'm the one who involved Arthur … Just as Cenred knew I would …
He and Morgause played me like a fool.

ELYAN
We escaped, didn't we? We got the better of them in the end.

GWEN
Yes, but … not soon enough … What if he never completely
recovers? What if –?

ELYAN
Hey, if Arthur can escape from a locked cell, go back and rescue
Morgana, fight his way out of those tunnels, and ride halfway back
to Camelot after everything Cenred did to him, I doubt there's a
whole lot he can't recover from.

Gwen looks slightly calmer.

GWEN
I just wish he hadn't had to go through it in the first place …
all for my sake …

ELYAN
And mine …

Gwen hugs Elyan tighter.

GWEN
I'm glad you're here, Elyan.

INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS – AFTERNOON

Gaius is pouring some kind of herbal concoction into Arthur's mouth.

GAIUS
There, that should help prevent any inflammation or infection of the
lung while it's healing.

UTHER
How long does –
(gesturing)
– that thing have to stay in?

GAIUS
Until I'm satisfied that the lung has reinflated all the way and that
the puncture has sealed itself properly. It'll take some time, sire,
and so will dressing his other wounds. There's no need for you to
stay for that. You should return to your affairs, or perhaps get
some rest.

Uther hesitates. Morgana gives him a reassuring smile.

MORGANA
I'll stay and look after him, my lord.

UTHER
Come fetch me at once if anything happens. Or if he wakes up.

GAIUS
He'll be out for quite some time. The valerian will see to that.

Uther takes one last look at Arthur, clasps Morgana's hand, nods to Gaius, and then sweeps from the room.

GAIUS
All right, let's get to work. Merlin, I'll need comfrey, marigold and
linseed oil … and plenty of honey.

MORGANA
Is there anything I can do to help?

GAIUS
The kettle could use refilling, my lady.

As Morgana scoops up the empty bucket and heads for the pump, Merlin leans close to Gaius.

MERLIN
(in an undertone)
Don't let her out of your sight.

GAIUS
Oh, believe me, I had no such intention …

INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS – EVENING

Gaius ties off a final bandage.

GAIUS
(stepping back)
I think that does it …

MERLIN
(sinking down onto a stool)
Finally.

Gaius lowers his head to listen to Arthur's breathing again.

MORGANA
(sitting down on a stool next to Arthur)
How is he?

GAIUS
Much better. His lung sounds as though it's reinflated … but I'd like to
keep the reed in a little longer just to make sure it's staying that way.

Morgana nods, her face the perfect mask of concern. Arthur tosses a little in his sleep. Morgana scoots her stool closer to him and picks up his hand. Merlin scowls.

Gaius looks around the chambers as though taking inventory.

GAIUS
Bandages … We're completely out of bandages …
(turning to Merlin)
Merlin, you'll have to run down to the palace linen stores and fetch
a new supply.

MERLIN
I thought you said you were done!

GAIUS
Yes, but when I take that reed out, that'll need redressing, and besides,
it's always good to have a supply on hand in case of emergency.

Grumbling, Merlin stumps over to the door, holding his left arm stiffly at his side.

GAIUS
(suddenly noticing Merlin's arm)
Hold on a minute, Merlin.

But Merlin's already vanished through the door.

GAIUS
(to Morgana)
Did something happen to his arm?

MORGANA
I think it's sprained. It happened when Arthur's horse got agitated.

GAIUS
(annoyed)
He should have told me! I wouldn't have sent him out to get
bandages if I had known he needed treatment.
(sighing)
Honestly … what am I going to do with that boy …
(muttering to himself)
Let me see … I'll need cold water … bandages – well, Merlin's on
that – and I'll need to make a poultice …
(moving to a shelf and tinkering with its contents)
… for that I'll need comfrey … and lavender … but we're all
out … no … I'm sure I saw some hanging up somewhere …
(pausing and thinking)
Now, where was it? … Ah, yes … the drying rack in Merlin's room …

Gaius climbs the short flight of steps to the upper chamber and disappears into it.

Morgana glances over her shoulder, making sure he's gone. She looks back at Arthur, her tender expression transforming into a scowl. She lets go of his hand and lets it thud back onto the table.

Arthur gives a start in his sleep. He tries feebly to lift his arm and his fingers grope the air, like a drowning man who's suddenly and unexpectedly found his lifeline torn from his grasp.

Morgana watches him coldly.

MORGANA
(bitter)
Why have you always got to make everything so much more
difficult than it has to be, Arthur?

Arthur has stopped trying to reach for Morgana's hand, but his breathing's become agitated. Morgana eyes the piece of reed protruding through the bandages on Arthur's side, as though tempted to rip it out.

But instead she gets to her feet.

She drifts towards a shelf full of glass vials. Her eyes land on a bottle full of green liquid.

Its label reads: HEMLOCK

The corners of Morgana's mouth slowly curl into a smirk.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

---

Third and final act coming soon ... sooner if you review. That being said, new reviews will always be appreciated, no matter how many weeks, months or years have passed since the completion date.

Note: I sometimes respond to reviews on the review page by posting my response as a separate review. If you have an account I'll also send you a copy of the response via PM, but if you review as a guest you may want to check the review page every now and then to see if I've replied to you.

Spell Translations:

Þurhhæle = "Heal thoroughly" (from the show)
Lyft forþflewe, gast inlæte, læte hine eðian eft freolic = "Air flow out, let breath in, let him breathe freely again" (original)