The Wanderer
by BynWho
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfic for entertainment purposes only. All characters and plots from the BBC show Merlin belong to the BBC. All other characters and plots belong to BynWho. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Something is wrong with the Knights of Camelot and it's up to Marian, Merlin, and Gwen to save them.
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Lamia
It had been a hectic day for Camelot's healers. A sweating sickness epidemic had broken out in the lower town, so Merlin and Marian were kept busy as they aided Gaius and tried to prevent the contagious illness from spreading. They were tending to their fourth patient that day when the door swung open and Arthur walked in.
"Gaius, I need you to travel to Longstead in the morning. There has been some sort of outbreak that the villagers can't handle."
Gaius looked from their latest patient to the king, his eyebrows raised. "This is the fourth case of sweating sickness I've seen today. In normal circumstances, I'd be happy to travel to this village to investigate, but…"
Arthur sighed. "Of course. I understand."
Seeing Arthur's defeated look, Gaius quickly came up with a solution, one that would allow him to continue caring for Camelot's ill and perhaps give some relief to the people of Longstead. "Might I make a suggestion, sire? Why not send Merlin and Marian in my place?"
Surprised, Merlin looked up from the patient, while Marian set down the herbs she was crushing.
Arthur laughed, scoffing at the very idea of it. "Merlin? I mean, I guess Marian might have enough sense for the both of them, but…"
Marian put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at Arthur. "Hey!"
Realizing he was about to get an earful, Arthur cleared his throat. "You know what I mean. Experience."
Gaius walked between them, hoping to avoid an argument. "Merlin has as much knowledge of the healing arts as Marian does. If the diagnosis is straightforward, between the two of them, they can prescribe a remedy, I'm sure."
"And what if it isn't?"
"Then they can bring their findings to me."
"Findings? Merlin can't find his own backside most of the time. And Marian is a magnet for trouble."
Merlin simply rolled his eyes, but Marian took offense. "You know, you're really putting your foot in your mouth a lot today, sire."
Gaius once again tried to distract Arthur from the impending argument. "I think they're capable of much more than you imagine, sire. True, they don't have as much experience as I do, but they both have common sense. And they have each other."
Arthur leaned in close to the physician. "Do you really think they'll be able to handle the responsibility?"
"Yes, sire. I do."
That evening, while finishing their supper, Merlin and Marian scoured Gaius's books, trying to memorize anything they thought might be useful on their journey. Marian laughed to herself as visions of late-night study sessions came to mind. She sure hoped they had better luck with this than she did cramming for exams.
Merlin looked up from his book. "Do you really think I can do this, Gaius?"
"I know you can," Gaius said, smiling softly.
"I'm not a physician. I don't have anything like the knowledge you do."
"You've been working for me for many years, Merlin. I suspect you know more than you think you do."
"I just do what you tell me to do. I don't have to make the decisions myself. These people will be putting their lives in my hands." He gestured between himself and Marian. "In our hands."
Marian frowned at his choice of words, considering that Merlin, who was supposed to be the most powerful wizard in the world and remembered for millennia for his great deeds, was surprisingly lacking in confidence.
"I put my life in your hands every day, Merlin, as does Marian, and Arthur and Gwen and all of Camelot, though they may not know it. You're the one who holds the fate of this kingdom in the balance."
"That's different. That doesn't require a lifetime of learning, just—"
"Intelligence, courage, compassion…"
Marian put her hand on Merlin's arm. "Merlin, you are so much more than you realize. Even now. It's not just your magic. It's you, Merlin. Your mind, your kindness. Remember where I'm from, you're a legend."
"All I know is… I have every faith in you. In you both," Gaius said as he smiled fondly at them.
Marian left after supper to prepare for the next day's journey. With a couple of books in hand, she stuffed supplies in her leather bag. She wasn't entirely sure what they would need, so her copy of Mother Bronwyn's Garden Wonders joined Gaius's medical books.
She tapped her chin in thought. "What next… what next? Ah!"
Marian went to her chest of drawers and pulled out the jar of King's Wart salve Gwaine had given her. As she was placing it into her bag, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
"I hear you're going with us to Longstead tomorrow?"
Marian turned and smiled at Gwaine.
"I am. I'm glad to hear you'll be in the escort."
"As am I." Gwaine cleared his throat. He looked nervous, though she had no idea why he would be. They were friends. Good friends. Well, more than friends really, and he could tell her anything. "I've never been to Longstead."
She gave him a wicked grin. "That's because there're no taverns."
He smiled and laughed a little, but he still looked like his fight-or-flight drive was taking hold, and flight was winning.
"Gwaine, you okay?"
He cleared his throat again. "Talking of taverns… the boys and I are going down to the Rising Sun. I was wondering if you wanted to join me. Just for drinks. Before we have to leave and all."
Her brow knitted. Was he actually asking her out on a date? If he was, alcohol would certainly be a bad idea, traveling or not. What if she were to get really, really drunk and throw herself at him? She had a quick feeling of déjà vu but shook her head clear.
"I think not. I don't really want to travel hungover."
His face fell. "I see. I'll leave you be and see myself out." He gave her a small smile and turned to the door.
"Wait!" She went to the cloth bundle sitting on her bedside table and held it out to him. "Instead of drinks, why don't we have these? I was going to save them for the journey, but I'd rather enjoy them with you now."
Gwaine's heart soared as he leaned in and smelled the peace offering, closing his eyes in appreciation. The bundle was full of miniature apple fritters. "Well, if you insist," he said, smiling like a fool.
"Let's get some air." She grabbed his hand and led him from the room.
Once they arrived in the small grassy courtyard overlooking the city, she hopped up onto the battlements while he leaned back on the short wall. She laid out the bundle of fritters between them.
Marian worried her bottom lip. "I hope they taste alright. It's the first time I've made them on my own. Usually, Gaius directs me."
Gwaine picked up a fritter and took a large bite. It was incredibly sweet and melted on his tongue. He rolled his eyes back and swallowed before shoving the rest of the fritter into his mouth. "Oh, Marian, marry me!" he said, mouth full of the apple pastry.
Relieved, Marian laughed. "That good, huh?"
He nodded slowly, and his heart sped up. Swallowing hard, he found himself mesmerized by her as she bit into her own treat. She didn't realize that he wasn't joking at all. If he could, he would marry her on the spot. And not just because she made the most delicious apple confection he'd ever tasted. Though that definitely helped.
They spent the rest of the evening laughing and joking and stuffing their faces.
Marian met Gwaine and Merlin in the courtyard early the next morning. She was surprised when she saw Gwen and another woman join them.
"Who's that?" Marian asked as Merlin gave her the reins to her horse.
"Mary. She's from Longstead and came here for help. Gwen knows her from a long time ago," he said.
Gwaine took Marian's bag from her shoulder and tied it to her saddle. "It must have been terrifying for her to travel all this way alone."
"I guess it's a good thing we have a full escort, then," Marian said as she looked around at the other knights. Besides Gwaine, Leon, Elyan, and Percival were going with them.
Gwaine mounted his horse with the others and pulled up close to Marian. "See, love? Nothing to worry about."
It only took one day to reach Longstead. They dismounted as the sun set. When Mary ran over to an older-looking man, she embraced him. Gwen followed, hugging the man as well. "John, it's good to see you. We came as quickly as we could."
"Words cannot express our gratitude, Gwen," he replied. John glanced around and frowned. "Where's Gaius?"
Merlin untied Gaius's medicine bag from his horse's saddle. "I'm sorry. He was needed in Camelot, but we will help in any way that we can," he said as he gestured between himself and Marian.
"We're living in fear for our lives. We need a skilled physician, not children!"
"Children?" Marian asked, getting more irritated by the second.
"They have names," Elyan said, stepping between them. "Merlin and Marian."
Gwen felt a tinge of embarrassment at the turn the conversation was going, so she turned to her friend. "They were appointed acting physicians by King Arthur himself."
"Where are they?" Merlin asked, ready to get it over with.
John pointed them to the temporary ward that had been set up in the village longhouse. Merlin, Marian, and Gwen went to see the patients while the knights set up their camp.
Merlin held a mirror to the face of one of the unconscious men, checking for breath. Once a fog appeared on the glass, he looked over to Marian, unsure and nervous. She gave him her best you're doing great smile.
"How are they?" John asked.
"They're alive, but only just. How long have they been like this?" Marian asked.
"Two or three days. We've tried to feed them, keep them warm, but nothing seems to make any difference."
Gwen touched John's arm. "And you've no idea what happened to them?"
"No. It just strikes suddenly, without warning."
Merlin glanced at him and softened. John looked like he bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Well, we need to stimulate the blood flow. A poultice of patchouli oil should work," he said to Marian, as she nodded in agreement. "And a tincture of belladonna…"
"…to stimulate the heart," she finished for him before turning to get the remedies from the medicine bag.
At the promise of a cure, John perked up. "Will it cure them? Will it… bring them back?"
"Let's see what the morning brings. Right now, we need hot water and plenty of blankets."
Gwen nodded and tugged on John's shirt to get him to follow.
When they were alone, Merlin rushed over to one of the patients and tested his magic. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare!"
His eyes glowed, but nothing happened. "I guess there's no use in you trying?"
"It wouldn't do any good, Merlin. I don't even know these men. I have no emotional attachment."
"Well, I guess we wait until morning? We can do some light reading in the meantime," he said as he pulled out several heavy books from his bag.
Exhausted, Marian lay down on a cot in the longhouse. They had no idea what was causing these men to go into a coma and it frightened her. If the illness was contagious and Merlin's magic had no power to cure it, then everyone faced danger. Of course, she could heal Merlin, Gwen, and the knights, but her fate, and the fate of the villagers, would be unknown.
Eventually, the fear dissipated and sleep overtook her.
She walked through the battlefield, bloodied bodies lying everywhere. She passed Leon, crumpled over with a sword in his gut. A few feet over, Eylan laid over a rock, his body in an impossible bend. Next to him, Percival lay sprawled out, his eyes empty.
"Gwaine?" She panicked when she didn't see him. "Gwaine, where are you?"
Marian turned and turned, the world of death spinning and spinning. Until suddenly she heard it. The weakest of voices.
"Marian?"
She followed the sound of the voice and saw a bloodied hand rise. "Gwaine!"
Over bodies and through bushes, Marian finally reached him and toppled to the ground beside his body.
"Sorry… love…"
She pulled him into her lap and cradled his head.
"No, Gwaine! Don't go! I'm here! I'm here!"
His head wobbled as she put her hands on his face and uttered the ancient language. Her magic was useless. Marian tried again and again as he coughed and sputtered.
"Don't leave me," she cried.
The pupils in his eyes grew, and the life drained from him.
She wailed as his blood covered her.
Marian sat up, drenched in sweat and breathless. She didn't know where she was and panicked. Was it just a dream? Was Gwaine still alive?
Gwen gave a soft snore from the cot next to her. Longstead. She remembered now. They were in Longstead. There was no battle. It had only been a nightmare.
Merlin was nowhere to be seen, but one of the books they brought was sitting open on a table. Assuming he had gone out for some air, she got up to join him.
When she got outside, Marian looked up at the night sky, trying to ground herself. Though the moonlight was bright, she didn't see Gwaine as she rounded a corner and ran right into him.
He easily caught her.
"Marian? What are you doing up?"
Unable to utter a word, Marian threw herself into his arms and held onto him.
"What's this for?" When he didn't get an answer, he pulled back. Holding her shoulders, Gwaine stooped to look into her eyes. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
She closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. "I… I had a nightmare, that's all. You…" she said, her voice breaking. "You were dying, and there wasn't anything I could do to save you. I held you as you died in my arms."
His brow knitted. "I'm fine, love. See? Still alive." He smiled and held onto her hand. "Let me get you back to the longhouse."
"I don't think I could sleep, even if I wanted to. Can we stay out here? Maybe talk for a little bit to take my mind off of it?"
"Of course, anything you need," he said and led her over to a stack of hay bales.
They sat down, shoulders touching. Marian still couldn't say much. The nightmare had felt so real. She could still feel his warm blood pooling on her skin and how her heart shattered.
Gwaine looked around at the village in the moonlight and sighed in contentment. When she didn't even move, he shoved her shoulder with his, knocking her from her thoughts. She gave him a small smile, which he then returned.
"Thank you, Gwaine," she said after a moment of silence. "You are the noblest of noblemen."
He looked at her, his eyes wide and his eyebrows high.
She looked as shocked as she did guilty. "I…" She guessed that now was as good a time as any, to be honest with him. She gazed down at her feet, unwilling to look him in the eye. "I heard you and Merlin. Back when you first came to Camelot. You told him about your father being a knight and how your mother was left penniless when he was killed."
"Ah," Gwaine sighed.
Afraid that he was angry, she looked up at him. Instead of the frown she had expected, he grinned at her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have listened. I was just curious about you, and I couldn't really help myself and—"
He chuckled. "It's alright, beautiful. I would have done the same."
Relieved, she looked up at the sky. "How old were you when he died?"
Gwaine lifted his head to see what she was looking at and smiled. Of course, the moon. "I was about five, I think. I don't remember him."
With her attention brought back down to Earth, she laid her hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. Not your fault. We ended up in a village much like this one. My sister was furious—she hated village life. But I loved it."
"Oh?"
"There were no tutors and no stuffy nobles. Just other children to play with and plenty of trouble to get into," he laughed. "I had my own gang. When we weren't helping harvest the crops or helping ourselves to the pies that the old women left in the window to cool, we were on campaigns to free the oppressed." At her confused look, he leaned over to her. "The pigs before they were sent to slaughter."
Marian laughed. "What? You… you set pigs free?"
"We did. I rounded up my best mates. And led them on a campaign. I had just learned where our dinner had come from and was horrified! Those poor pigs didn't deserve to become food, after all. So, one night, we snuck around to the old farmer's pen and let loose, not just his pigs, but his cows and chickens as well."
Marian laughed at the thought of a young Gwaine leading his friends in a charge to free the animals of the village. "Did you ever get caught?"
He laughed and looked down at the ground, nodding. "Couldn't sit down for a week."
"Why is it not surprising that the very noble Sir Gwaine was a troublemaker as a child? You'd better be careful that you didn't get the mother's curse!"
He looked at her, confused. "The what?"
"Oh, erm… well, my mother put it on me. She said, 'I hope someday that you have a child just like you, no better, no worse!'"
"Were you also a troublemaker?"
Marian shook her head. "No, not a troublemaker. I didn't free pigs or steal pies or anything. Trouble found me, not the other way around."
"So, nothing's changed, then?" he smirked at her.
"Hey, now! Watch it!" she laughed as she elbowed him.
Gwaine sobered and caught her eye. "Well, anyway, you and Merlin are the only ones who know. It's not something I really want the others to know. I don't want to be treated any differently."
"I understand."
Marian shivered in the brisk wind, and Gwaine stood, offering her his hand. "We'd better get you back to the warm longhouse."
When she stood, she wrapped her arms around him, half comforting him and half comforting herself. "You know, Gwaine, you are a good man. I know you don't like nobles, for a good reason, but you aren't like them. You're the best of men and I consider myself fortunate to not just know you but to be your friend," she said as she laid her head on his chest.
He returned her embrace, holding her close, and taking a deep breath, he inhaled her scent. I love you. "I'm the lucky one, Marian," he said before he kissed the top of her head.
Letting go, he held her hand as they walked. When they reached the longhouse, he dropped her it and bade her goodnight. She watched as he walked back to the camp in the moonlight. Her stomach did flips, and her heart fluttered when he turned to look back and smiled at her.
As Marian lay back down on her cot, she dropped into a peaceful sleep. Rather than battles and death, she dreamt of a small child, a little dark-haired girl, with deep brown eyes and a familiar smirk, who was leading the charge to free the pigs of Camelot.
The next morning didn't bring good news for the comatose villagers. Merlin held his fingers to the neck of one of the patients and frowned.
"I barely feel a pulse."
Marian sighed. "Dammit. What are we going to do?"
Merlin was about to reply when Gwen and John came into the longhouse.
"How are they?" John asked.
Gwen recognized the look Merlin and Marian shared. She had witnessed it too many times when they had lost all hope of recovery.
"I'm afraid the treatments have had no effect," Merlin said.
"You mean they're dying."
"I'm sorry. There's something at work here that I don't understand."
John's shoulders fell and his back hunched in defeat. "Are you suggesting sorcery?"
"That's… possible, yes."
"I feared as much. The other night, when I found Aldref, I felt a… a presence. An evil in the air."
Merlin turned to Marian and Gwen and nodded. "We need to get back to Gaius. Only he can explain this."
"I agree." Marian got to work clearing up their things so they could begin the journey home while Gwen went to tell the knights the news.
"We will figure this out. I promise you," Merlin said as he put his hand on John's shoulder.
Gwaine entered just as John left the longhouse. "Gwen said you haven't had any luck," he said, nodding toward the patients.
Marian stopped what she was doing. "We think it's sorcery. Have you ever seen anything like this?"
"Never."
Merlin sat, defeated. "I wish Gaius had come instead. I just don't know how to explain any of this."
Marian sat next to him. "It's not your fault, Merlin. Even Gaius sometimes has trouble finding answers."
"I promised them we'd figure it out. How am I to do that?"
Gwaine picked up the last book on the table and put it in Marian's bag. "Best get back and find out, eh?"
Smoke rose over one of the gullies beside the path they were taking back to Camelot. Fearing bandits, Leon pulled up short next to a ravine and dismounted to peer down into the gully.
"Dismount and muzzle your horses. Not a sound, any of you."
Marian dismounted without a word. Both of her feet were nearly on the ground when one got caught in the stirrup. Her face reddened, and she cursed whatever god of clumsiness existed. God help them all if she alerted the men in the gully. Silently removing her foot from the stirrup, she fell back until she hit Gwaine's chest. His hand flew to her mouth to muffle her grunt, and he held her steady against him until she found her footing. Turning once he righted her, she mouthed thank you and joined the others at the edge of the gully.
"Bandits," Merlin whispered.
Elyan nodded. "Looks like it."
"We'll skirt their camp. With any luck, we'll reach the plain unnoticed," Leon said.
There was a scream from down the gully. Gwaine frowned and pointed to a young woman surrounded by bandits. "Over there."
Without a second thought, he drew his sword and jumped down the ravine, landing on one of the men. Percival rolled his eyes at Gwaine's impulsive need to leap before looking, and they followed him down to engage in the fight.
"Of fucking course," Marian said as she and Merlin jumped into the fray.
With his eyes glowing gold, Merlin sprang into action, using his magic to knock out as many bandits as possible.
Marian pulled out the dagger Gwaine had given her long ago and took another bandit by surprise, only cutting his arm. He spun around her and grabbed her from behind. His hand covered her mouth as he pulled her back, kicking and screaming. Angry, Marian bit his hand and he dropped her.
"Fucking asshole!" she yelled as she turned around and kneed him in the groin.
Shocked that he recovered so quickly, Marian started to run away when he picked himself up and went after her. At her screams, Gwaine caught sight of the danger and yelled as he sprinted to her. Just as the bandit grabbed a hold of her arm, Gwaine ran him through.
He flipped the hair from his face and clinked his sword with Elyan's as he passed by. "You alright, beautiful?"
She nodded and was about to answer when Percival called out to the others.
"Over here!" He was crouched behind a tree and cradling the unconscious woman. She was in a tattered dress, her hands bound by rope. "Looks like we're too late," he said, his voice soft and gentle.
Merlin reached over him to feel the pulse on her neck. "No, she's—"
The woman jolted awake and screamed in terror, pulling away from him.
Percival brushed the hair from her face and soothed her as if she was a frightened animal. "Hey, hey. Hey, it's all right. It's all right."
Gwen and Marian crouched down next to them as the woman began to settle. She looked up at Percival, confused.
"We're Knights of Camelot. You're safe now. You're safe," he said.
"Here," Gwen said as she untied the ropes around the woman's wrists. "My name's Gwen. What's yours?"
"Lamia. My name is Lamia."
Marian opened the medical bag, and she and Merlin rummaged through to pull out some supplies to treat Lamia's rope burns.
"What happened to you, Lamia?" Gwen asked.
Lamia pressed herself closer to Percival, making her seem even smaller and more vulnerable. "I was traveling home, and the bandits took me."
Merlin nodded to her hands. "Your hands. Did they do this to you?" He reached out to tend to her wounds when she recoiled from his touch.
"Let me," Marian said, gently taking Lamia's arms and bringing her wrists closer for inspection. Lamia didn't recoil from her, but she squirmed under her touch. Leon laid his hand on Marian's shoulder to stop her. He took her place beside Lamia when she stood, and he reached out to comfort the woman.
Marian looked around and the other men. She arched an eyebrow at their unusual attentiveness—none of the knights could look away from Lamia. Finally catching Gwen's eye, they shared a disturbed look.
"Are you strong enough to ride?" Leon asked. When Lamia nodded, he turned to the others. "Then let's get out of here before they return."
Percival held Lamia as he rose to carry her to the horses, the others following. No one spoke as they rode through the forest until dusk. Not even Gwaine, which was very concerning considering talking was his favorite way to pass the time while riding.
Percival stopped, afraid that Lamia was wearing herself out, and shared a silent look with Leon.
Leon jumped down from his horse and started to remove a bedroll from his saddle. "We'll be safe here till the morning."
Merlin went to Percival to help get Lamia down. "Here."
Again, she recoiled from him.
Angry, Percival shoved Merlin hard. "Hey! Get away from her, Merlin," he said as he pulled Lamia into his arms and carried her off. "And stay away."
"Percival!" Marian shouted as he stormed past her. Percival only had eyes for Lamia.
Gwen went up to Merlin and put her hand on his arm. "Merlin, he didn't mean it. They're just tired, that's all."
Merlin nodded his head and went back to his horse to unpack his camping roll. He was hurt. Percival was the kindest, most soft-spoken of knights, and yet he'd put his hands on him. He quickly sniffed and, swallowing his hurt, he turned back to his horse to gather his supplies.
They made camp for the night and settled in, with Percival taking the first watch.
After Marian woke the next morning, she went to the nearby stream to refill her water bladder and wash before they set off. She was splashing water on her face when she heard someone come up behind her.
She smiled when Gwaine crouched next to her and filled his water bottle. "Morning, sleepyhead."
Gwaine didn't reply. Not a damn word. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at her and gave her a hateful look as he stood.
Trying her best not to be hurt, she followed him back to the camp. None of the knights were acting normally. Gwaine wasn't talking, Percival was still giving Merlin dirty looks, and Elyan was completely ignoring his sister. Even Leon, who was normally easygoing, ignored everyone as he ate the rest of his breakfast.
Gwen stooped to Lamia and offered her a bowl of food. "Would you—" she tried before Lamia leaned away from her. She sighed and set the bowl down on the ground. "I'll just put it here."
"She still won't eat. No appetite at all. Poor girl," she said as Merlin and Marian joined her.
Leon stood. "Pack your bags. We ride east with the rising sun."
"Wait… east? Camelot lies west of here," Merlin said.
Elyan walked to Lamia and practically fawned over her. "Lamia has asked that we take her home."
"No, we need to get Gaius," Merlin said.
Gwaine followed Elyan's lead and stood next to Lamia. "Gaius can wait."
"We were sent to help the people of Longstead. Their lives depend on us."
Leon stormed over to Merlin and got in his face. "You dare to question our judgment? You are not a knight! You're not even a physician! You're nothing but a servant! Come on!"
Marian couldn't believe it. "What the hell, Leon!"
Gwen tried to reason with them, any of them. "Please! Listen! Merlin's right, we have to get back to—"
Elyan interrupted her. "Stay out of this, Gwen. It's none of your business."
"What the hell is wrong with all of you? We have to go get Gaius, or those men will die!" Marian yelled.
Gwaine turned to her, as angry as she'd ever seen him. "Woman, for once in your life, just shut up and do as you're told!"
Marian snapped her mouth shut and narrowed her eyes at him, seething. Merlin and Gwen looked on at the knights in shock. Their behavior was more than odd, it was downright scary.
The knights gathered around Lamia and fell over themselves as they took her to the horses. Lamia looked over at Gwen, Merlin, and Marian, giving them a menacing grin.
Even further away from Camelot after several hours of riding east, they stopped to water the horses. Leon grabbed his water bladder, heading over to Lamia, but Gwaine stepped into his path and extended his hand for the bladder.
"Why don't you watch what you're doing?" Leon bit out, holding his bladder out of Gwaine's reach.
"Why don't you watch your damn tongue?"
"You'd do well to learn some manners."
"Nothing I can learn from you, Leon," Gwaine said, as they shoved each other.
"We'll see about that."
Marian looked over at Lamia. She was twirling her hair with a pleased smile on her face.
"Enough!" Merlin shouted, "What's got into you?"
Angry, Leon bumped into Gwaine as he walked past. Incensed, Gwaine drew his sword just as Leon drew his and the knights fought, sword clashing against sword.
Percival and Elyan pulled them apart, holding the angry knights back.
Lamia twirled her hair again, pleased.
"Great!" Merlin yelled as he noticed a gash on Leon's arm.
Gwen turned to the horses. "I'll get the medicine bag."
Elyan and Percival let the other two go, and Merlin led Leon over to a boulder to sit while he tended to his wound.
Marian stormed over to Gwaine. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this, Gwaine? You're supposed to be friends! Are you just going to fight everyone that pisses you off?"
He seethed at her. When he turned to walk away, she grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him back.
"Gwaine!"
"Woman!" he yelled as he grabbed her by the throat, squeezing until she winced. "Mind your own affairs!" He tossed her aside, and she crashed into the tree beside them.
Marian dropped to the ground, bloody and unconscious.
Merlin left Leon and rushed over to her. "GWAINE!"
Gwaine looked down at her and shrugged. Making sure Lamia was unharmed in the scuffle was his only concern.
Merlin glanced at Gwen in disbelief. What was happening to the Knights of Camelot?
Marian gradually returned to consciousness. Her head was pounding, her nose throbbed, and her cheek stung. Even her throat hurt when she swallowed. She didn't want to know what happened, instead she just wanted to go back into the black. But that would be too easy. The memory of Gwaine hurting her came back too soon, and she whimpered.
"Marian?"
She opened her eyes and Merlin's smiling face swam into her vision. "Merlin? What…?"
"How are you feeling?"
Marian sat up against a tree and looked around at the clearing they had stopped in. "Like shit."
"Do you remember anything?"
She rubbed her temple as her eyes shut briefly. "Unfortunately."
He tucked a blanket around her. "You need to rest."
She tried to move to get up but fell back into the tree. "Goddammit."
"We're going to stay here for the night. I'll wake you for supper, okay?"
As he tried to stand, she tugged on his sleeve. "Merlin?"
"Hmm?"
She nodded toward the knights. "That'snot my Gwaine."
"I know. We'll figure this out. First, you need to rest."
After settling her, he went back to Leon to sew the deep cut on his arm.
Leon flinched. "That needle's the size of a spear."
"I'm sorry, it's all I have."
Gwen watched Leon look at Merlin like he wanted to kill him. Everything was happening so fast and she was at a loss as to what to do. She didn't know what happened to the knights, but she knew they had to find a way to fix it, and soon. She wrapped Leon's arm when Merlin was finished. "There. Done."
"Thank you," Leon snarled as he tore himself from her and put his tunic back on.
Merlin was packing the medical supplies back into his bag when she walked up to him. "How is she?" she asked, nodding to Marian.
"She'll survive. That's more than I can say for Gwaine, though. If she doesn't kill him, I will."
Gwen smiled a little, knowing Merlin would never hurt his friend. But then again, these men weren't their friends. They were some sort of changelings or something, just not themselves.
"Leon and Gwaine, I've never known them to act like this."
Gwen nodded. "Elyan's the same. I hardly recognize him."
Merlin looked over to Lamia and turned back to Gwen. "I think it's something to do with her."
"Lamia?"
Merlin watched as Gwaine wrapped a blanket around Lamia's shoulders, and Percival offered her his water bladder. Leon and Elyan sat near her, looking at her with adoration.
"The knights are like brothers. Yet, they fight and quarrel like foes?" he said. "Besides, when have you ever known Gwaine to be so cruel to Marian? To physically hurt her?" He looked at Marian, then back to Gwen. "It started the moment we found Lamia."
"But look at her. She's just a girl. How could she affect them this way?"
Merlin shook his head. "I don't know."
Percival was torn from sleep the next morning. Something felt off. It was already light, so whoever was keeping watch should have awakened them. He looked around the camp, his eyes searching. Elyan was missing. Panic rose from the pit of his stomach and he stood, shouting. "Elyan?"
Everyone else was startled awake but quickly recovered.
Gwen stood. "He was supposed to be on guard. He should've woken us long before now. Elyan?"
The knights stood and walked around the camp, looking for clues. "Elyan! Elyan!" Leon called. When there was no answer, he turned to the others. "Gwen, you and Marian stay with Lamia. The rest of you come with me. Spread out."
The knights drew their swords and fanned out in the forest, searching. Merlin cast a cautious glance back at Gwen and Marian, silently urging them to stay vigilant. Both Gwen and Marian nodded at his silent question.
"Don't worry," Lamia purred. "They'll find your brother soon enough."
Gwen shivered at Lamia's words and walked over to Marian. "Are you alright?"
Marian had two black eyes and a bruise forming around her throat. She nodded and winced. "I'm just… confused… and angry. I never thought Gwaine could…" She swallowed hard. "I don't understand what's happened to them."
Gwen leaned in close and kept her voice low. "I think it was Lamia. They were fine until she turned up."
Marian glanced over at Lamia, watching her as she twirled her hair and grinned.
"You know what, Gwen? I think you're right."
Not long after they had left, the knights and Merlin returned, carrying Elyan between them.
Gwen ran over to her brother. "Oh, god, Elyan! What happened to him?"
"I don't know. We found him like this," Leon said.
Gwen walked over to Merlin and whispered, nodding toward Lamia. "Merlin. She did this. I know she did."
He nodded to her in understanding. "We need to get him back to Camelot now."
Lamia stood. "I know this area. There's a castle not far from here. We could take shelter there. You… you could tend to your friend."
"Then lead the way," Leon said.
"We don't need shelter. We need Gaius," Merlin said.
Gwen went to Elyan and crouched down next to him. "He's right!"
"Silence! Both of you! You have no say in these matters! You come with us or stay here. It's up to you. Let's go," Leon shouted as he went to pick Elyan up.
Marian stood and blocked Leon's path. "Leon," she said calmly, holding out her hands in front of her. "Don't do this. Elyan needs medical attention."
He ignored her and shoved her as he walked by her. Leon and Percival carried Elyan between them with Gwaine following while he held Lamia. Marian's breath caught. He held Lamia just like he held her. She knew he wasn't himself, but it still stung.
Lamia turned and glared at Marian as she passed as if she knew Marian's thoughts.
Percival loaded Elyan onto his horse, taking extra care with him, while the other knights mounted theirs. Lamia took a seat in front of Gwaine, her glare melting into a sinister grin.
Gwaine caught Marian staring at him and narrowed his eyes at her. He wrapped his arms around Lamia's waist and pulled at the reins of his horse.
Marian quickly turned away and went to climb onto her horse. As she lifted her foot to the stirrup, her vision blurred, and she felt dizzy. Seeing her wobble, Merlin rushed over to her and helped her into the saddle.
"Will you be alright?"
"Nothing that punching a knight won't help," she tried to smile at him.
"My feelings, exactly."
They set off, following Lamia's directions.
They rode for hours, winding around the forest, not following any sort of distinct path. Gwen lagged behind them, occasionally ripping a piece of her tunic off and tying it around branches, bushes, and anything else she could, hoping that Arthur would be out looking for them.
Marian rode quietly behind the knights, glaring daggers at the back of their heads. The rational part of her knew that they didn't know what they were doing, that they were under some sort of enchantment. But the irrational part of her wanted to smack them all. So far, her irrational side was winning.
When they finally reached an old, ruined castle, they dismounted. Gwaine lifted Elyan onto his back and carried him as they followed Lamia to a cave adorned with a broken and rusted iron gate.
"This way," Lamia said as she headed down the hill.
Halfway down, Marian lost her footing and slid the rest of the way down. Her trousers tore in several places, and she skinned her legs. "Fuck."
"Move your clumsy arse," Gwaine huffed from behind her. "You're always in the way."
Marian looked up in shock and fumed as he walked past. She picked up a rock and raised her hand to throw it at the back of his head but Gwen came up behind her and grabbed her arm before she could move.
"That won't help."
Marian dropped it to the ground. "Probably not, but it would make me feel better."
Finding torches at the mouth of the cave, Leon lit them and passed them around. When they entered, Merlin grabbed Percival's arm to get his attention. He leaned in, speaking softly. "This is madness, Percival. Elyan needs help. You know nothing about this girl. You have no idea where she's taking you."
Percival rose to his full, intimidating height and stepped forward until Merlin was against the cave wall. "You heard Sir Leon. We've no interest in your opinion. So keep your mouth shut, or I'll shut it for you." He stormed off, leaving Merlin alone at the back.
The torches extinguished, plunging them into darkness.
"Is everyone all right?" Leon asked.
Merlin's eyes glowed, and Marian's torch lit. She offered it to Leon, who took it without a word.
"You're welcome, asshole."
Leon ignored her and spun around to make sure everyone was still there. "Where's Lamia?" he asked, panicked. "Lamia?"
Percival followed Leon as he rushed forward to find Lamia in the dark and dank cave. When Gwaine saw the other knights take off, he stopped to let Elyan down from his back and handed him off to Gwen and Marian without a word. With anger and worry all over his face, he followed the others, calling for Lamia.
Gwen and Marian did their best to carry Elyan between them but were growing tired. Marian, not yet healed from the injuries to her head, panted as they pushed forward into the adjoining castle.
"What is this place?" Merlin asked as they entered a great hall filled with old skeletons.
Leon panicked. "Whatever it is, it isn't safe. We need to find Lamia. She could be in danger."
"We're the ones in danger, Leon. She's brought us here to… She's led us to a trap!" Merlin said.
"That's a lie!" Percival yelled as he rounded on Merlin.
"She's poisoned your minds, and you can't see—"
"Enough!" Leon shouted.
"It was Lamia that attacked Elyan!"
Leon grabbed the front of Merlin's tunic. "I said ENOUGH!" he screamed as he threw Merlin to the ground.
"Stop, Leon! All of you just stop!" Marian yelled.
Gwen adjusted Elyan's arm around her shoulders. "Please! My brother's hurt! We need to find him somewhere warm!"
Leon left in a rage, storming through the great hall to a smaller corridor.
Marian and Gwen walked behind Gwaine, still carrying Elyan between them. As they passed an alcove, Gwaine came to a sudden stop, causing Marian to crash into the back of him.
"Over here," he called out to Leon as he looked at Marian with a death stare.
They entered the alcove and set Elyan down on the ground. Gwen knelt beside her brother and checked his pulse—slow but steady.
Gwaine broke a wooden crate. "I'll make us a fire."
"Percival and I will search for Lamia," Leon said. He stood in front of Merlin, way too close for comfort. Drops of spit flew from his mouth as he threatened him. "You will stay here, and you will do as Gwaine says. Do I make myself clear?"
Marian pushed herself between them and glared at Leon. "Crystal," she said through gritted teeth.
Gwaine broke more wood crates and scowled.
Somehow they were in more danger than before.
Gwen pulled Elyan close and laid his head in her lap. "He's not going to make it if we don't leave soon. He's getting cooler and his heart is slowing."
Gwaine was crouched in front of the fire warmed his hands but said nothing.
"Please, Gwaine. I don't want my brother to die."
He got up to move away from her. "Shut it."
Marian stood just outside of the alcove, her temper boiling. She was afraid. Afraid of Lamia, afraid that Elyan might die, and afraid of the other knights. And that made her furious. She never thought she would need to fear Gwaine, of all people. She had to keep reminding herself that he was enchanted, that this wasn't her Gwaine they were dealing with.
He walked by her, bumping her into the wall.
"They've been gone way too long, Gwaine." Marian pressed herself against the wall as Gwaine towered over her.
"I said shut it."
Both were fuming with rage, though her anger burned hotter and more justified than ever. They stood like that for a few moments, their nostrils flaring as they glared at one another.
"The fire's going out," Gwen said.
Gwaine backed off. "We need more wood."
"I'll go and get some," Merlin said as he left the alcove door.
Gwaine laughed at his suggestion. "No, you stay where you are. I'll go get it myself. You're not going anywhere."
"Gwaine, please listen to me. It's not safe for you out there."
Gwaine stepped up close to him and in his face. "Are you trying to tell me my business?"
"No, I'm just saying that—"
"What?"
Merlin turned his head away in fear. "Nothing."
Marian pushed herself between them. "Gwaine!"
"Woman, I told you once, stay out of my affairs," he said in a low, dangerous voice.
"And I've told you, leave Merlin alone," she said, staring him down. Fear or no fear, enchanted or not, she wouldn't let him bully Merlin.
Gwaine grabbed her arm and tried to pull her out of his way but she refused to budge.
"Let go of me."
He smirked, confident that he still had the upper hand. "Why don't you make me."
Marian reared back and punched him in the face as hard as she could.
"Dammit, Marian!" he yelled as he let go of her and grabbed at his nose.
She bent in half and cradled her hand. "Quit acting like an asshole, and this wouldn't happen, Gwaine!"
He started forward, raging, but Merlin stepped in front of him and smiled.
"Firewood?"
Gwaine's attention diverted easily enough. "Stay here," he ordered and took off, mumbling irritably about damn women and their right hooks.
"You okay?" Merlin asked her as he turned around.
"A small price to pay for a moment's satisfaction," she grinned tightly. "Yeah, I'll be fine."
Merlin turned around. "Gwen?"
She looked up at him with tears streaming down her face. "If he doesn't get some help soon, he's not going to make it."
Marian sat next to Gwen while Merlin kept watch. They hadn't heard from Gwaine for quite some time and were getting worried.
"I don't understand it," Gwen said, "Why have only the knights been enchanted? Why not us as well?"
"You're women," Merlin shrugged.
"So?"
"All the victims have been men."
Gwen tilted her head. "So why haven't you fallen under her spell?"
"I've just been lucky, I suppose."
"There must be a reason…"
"Maybe it's because I'm not a knight?"
"The three villagers weren't knights, either."
"Who knows?"
Gwen shook her head at him. "There's something about you, Merlin. It's the way she looks at you… as if you were the enemy."
Marian knew precisely why. Merlin had magic, and she was sure that Lamia could feel it from the start. Gwen would figure it out too, if she didn't change the subject, and soon. She sighed. "Gwaine has been gone too long now. What are we going to do?"
"Whatever you do, don't leave this room," Merlin said to them as he started for the door.
Marian jumped up and followed him. "You're not going out there alone." She turned to Gwen. "You'll be alright?"
Gwen looked frightened but nodded, anyway.
Merlin and Marian followed the screams and wound their way through the winding corridors.
"You should really go back, Marian."
"The hell with that. You got my back, I got yours. That's just the way it is, Merlin, whether you like it or not." She smiled at him when he looked back at her.
He grinned. "Truth be told, I'm glad you're here."
Suddenly, they heard a hissing sound and followed the noise to a small corridor. At the end, a knight stood, his back to them, leaning against a column.
"Gwaine?" Merlin whispered.
They approached the knight.
"Gwaine?" Merlin whispered again. He reached out to touch his shoulder and Gwaine fell back onto Merlin, limp and unconscious.
"Shit!" Marian gasped.
This was worse than she could imagine. How were they ever going to get out of this castle with everyone unconscious? What little hope she had in escaping dwindled by the minute.
Another scream echoed down the corridor.
"I'll take him," Marian said. "You go on. Save the others."
Merlin nodded as he pushed Gwaine to her. Marian bent down and let him fall over her shoulder. He left quickly when there was another scream.
She strained under Gwaine's weight. "Christ, Gwaine! What do you eat? Well, I…," she took a step to return to Gwen. "…guess the… fifty…" she took another step. "…fucking… pounds of armor… aren't… helping," she finished as she walked a few more feet.
She trudged down the small corridor, one foot after the other, and stopping to take a break, she leaned on a column. "Now…" she said, swiping at the sweat on her forehead. "Which… way?"
She adjusted Gwaine and started down to the left. When she looked up to the end, she saw that there had been a cave in some time ago. Realizing that she had gone the wrong way, Marian tried to turn to go back. She took a misstep and toppled to the ground, with Gwaine on top of her.
"Well," she puffed. "Isn't… this… just great?" she bit out.
Marian tried to move him off of her but was having little luck.
"Goddammit, Gwaine!" she said as she struggled to move him. "Why do you… have to be… such… a fucking… idiot?"
Having made no progress, she stopped to rest, the dirty stone floor cooling her. "You know I'm blaming you for this, right? You big, dumb, sexy idiot."
Since he was unconscious and couldn't hear her anyway, Marian opened the dam and poured out her heart. "Why I have to be falling for you, I'll never understand. But I am. And I shouldn't be. You know why?" she said as she calmed her breathing.
"Why, beautiful?" she imitated in a low, accented voice.
"Because not only do I have magic, to which the sovereign that you have pledged your loyalty is opposed, but I haven't even been fucking born yet. You're, what, fifteen hundred years too old for me?" She looked down at him to make sure he was still unconscious.
"What does age matter when you're in love? Alone in a dark corridor? Let me show you I'm just as vigorous as any young man," she imitated Gwaine again, wagging her eyebrows suggestively.
"Well, Gwaine, I know you're right. But what if I disappear? What if I get sent back to the future? How can either of us survive that kind of heartache?"
Having caught her breath, she tried to lift him again.
"And… besides… is it love? I wouldn't know, I've…" she got him sitting up, "never been… ugh!" she fell back down.
This time, though, Gwaine had rolled to the side and was entirely off of her. "I've never been in love before. Goddamn heavy-ass knight."
She stood and stretched her aching muscles before crouching down next to him. Marian grabbed his arms and pulled him into a sitting position.
"I guess what I'm saying is that I care for you a great deal. And as much as I'm attracted to you, as much as I'd love to sleep with you, and believe me, I think about that constantly,I have to protect both our hearts." She pulled him over her shoulder and stood painfully. "So… we'll have… to remain… just… friends, settling… for stolen… kisses… and nightly… pleasures… alone."
The castle shook, and dust fell from the ceiling. "Fuck. We're never getting out of here, huh?"
She meandered through the maze for a few more minutes before, by some miracle, she was met by another Knight of Camelot.
"Sir Caradoc! Boy, am I pleased to see you!" she said as he rushed forward and took Gwaine from her.
"This way, Marian! The king has come to your rescue!"
Marian sat in the longhouse, feeling relieved to be away from the Lamia. The villagers had been cured before Marian and the others were rescued, so the knights were the only patients. She touched her face and winced. The bruises on her face and throat were darkening and one of her eyes was swelling a little more. However, she was thankful that her nose wasn't broken. Well, thankful and damn lucky. Although she had witnessed Gwaine's strength, she had never experienced it firsthand. With the force he'd thrown her, the tree should have done more damage than it did.
She turned to the door when she heard Arthur enter.
"How are they doing?" he asked.
Gaius sighed. "I have given them the same compound that cured the villagers, sire. They're fortunate that you got to them when you did."
"Thank you, Gaius."
Percival opened his eyes and sat up. "Arthur?"
"I'm glad you're back, Percival. Do you remember what happened?"
"I'm not sure, sire. I think so. It feels like it was a dream. A terrible dream."
"Well, get some rest. We'll stay the night."
Arthur and Percival clasped arms and when Arthur turned to leave, he saw Marian sitting in a corner. He winced when he saw the full extent of her bruising. "Doesn't that hurt?" he asked, pointing to her face.
Marian rolled her eyes. "Immensely, sire," she replied dryly.
"I hear Gwaine has you to thank for his matching set?"
They both looked over at Gwaine as he lay on the cot, still unconscious.
She laughed. "You mean the two black eyes and the swollen nose?"
He nodded.
"He does indeed. Though I doubt he'll actually thank me for it."
"He was enchanted. They had no control of their actions."
"I'm not angry with him, Arthur, if that's what you're worried about."
"Good because I don't think he'd take it very well when he realizes he hurt the woman he—" He stopped himself before saying Gwaine loves her.
"The woman he what?"
"Cares for. I meant a friend he cares for." He went to the door of the longhouse but turned to her again. "So, then you know that to get in this state, he had to have kissed the Lamia?"
Marian's eyes widened. "What?"
Arthur laughed. "That's what I thought."
Marian went to the longhouse later that evening with a pot of stew for the knights' supper. Even before she walked in, she could hear Gwaine.
"What did I do to her?" he yelled, his voice bellowing out from the room.
"Gwaine it's alright," Merlin said at a lower volume.
"No, Merlin, it isn't! I hurt her! Marian! The last person in the world I'd want to hurt, and I threw her into a tree!"
"We didn't know what we were doing," Elyan said.
"It doesn't matter!"
Percival laid a hand on Gwaine's shoulder. "Gwaine, we were enchanted."
"That's no excuse!" Gwaine shouted as he shook Percival's hand off.
She gasped when she walked into the longhouse. The other knights were surrounding Gwaine, trying to calm him down, while Merlin was searching through Gaius's medical bag.
When he found what he was looking for, he handed the bottle to Leon. "I found this, it should calm…" He trailed off when he saw Marian set the pot of stew on the table.
"Gwaine?"
Gwaine seemed to calm down as soon as he heard her voice. He pushed through the others and as soon as he reached her, he pulled her in his arms and held her in the tightest hug she'd ever had.
Leon picked up the pot and walked to the table on the other side of the room. "We'll just be over there."
"Marian, I…" he didn't know what to say.
She pulled back some and brushed the hair from his eyes. "It's alright, Gwaine. I'm fine."
Gwaine's brow knitted as his gaze roamed over her bruised face and cut lip. He frowned in anger when he saw the bruises on the side of her neck—they were the size and shape of his fingers. When his knuckles brushed the bruise on her cheek as he reached his hand out to her, she flinched, and he looked like he wanted to die.
Marian sighed. She grasped his other hand and placed it on the side of her face that wasn't bruised. "I'm not afraid of you, Gwaine."
"Marian, I promised you that you would always be safe with me, that I'd never harm you. Your injuries… I did that to you."
"It wasn't you, Gwaine. Believe me, I watched as the enchantment took hold. It wasn't you." She leaned into his touch and placed her hand over his. Closing her eyes, she sighed as she nuzzled his palm. She had her Gwaine back.
"Besides," she said as she grinned and pointed to his face. "I gave as good as I got, so don't worry about it."
He let go of her and gingerly touched his nose. "You did this?"
Marian bit her lip and nodded.
Picking her up off her feet, he spun her as he laughed. "Well done, beautiful! Well done!"
"Well done? You're not angry?"
"Of course not! I told you I meant to teach you to protect yourself."
"I'm glad that's settled then," she said, beaming at him.
"I'm starving!"
Marian rolled her eyes when he grabbed her hand and dragged her to the table to eat with the others. Percival smiled and slid a couple of full bowls to them.
Gwaine shoveled a large spoonful in his mouth. "How did I get out of the castle, anyway?"
"Well, I carried you most of the way."
"That can't have been easy, eh?"
Marian laughed. "Not at all. I fell and was trapped under you and all that armor. I didn't think I'd ever get up again."
Gwaine smirked at her. "First time carrying a goddamn heavy-ass knight, then?"
Marian dropped her spoon. Surely he hadn't heard her? Had he? Not everything, right? No.
"How much do you remember?"
"Not much after the Lamia kissed me. Just your voice occasionally."
"Fuck."
Spells (a rough translation from the Merlin Wiki at merlin dot fandom dot com):
Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare! - I heal you thoroughly from your mortal wound!