Righting a Wrong
Merlin shuddered as he pulled his jacket around his shoulders. There was little doubt winter was on its way, the winds from the east were stronger and he could feel the hint of snow in the air. He pulled the firewood closer to his chest and his thoughts returned to Gaius. He had become a little worried about his mentor for a while. At times, he seemed a bit pre-occupied in the evenings. He wondered if he was still missing Alice.
Merlin was sorry that the situation had to end in the way it did. He could see the positive affect Alice had on the old man. Despite coming under the manticore's influence, he realised that she was another victim of Uther's relentless war on magic. He decided he would take things in hand from this evening.
Merlin walked into Arthur's quarters expecting it to be empty, but to his surprise the Prince was sitting at his desk writing away. He regarded Arthur in surprise as he dumped the wood by the fire.
"I do sleep here Merlin, you know?" Arthur said, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry sire. I was expecting you to still be perfecting your skills for the tournament ahead?"
"Plenty of time for that Merlin. What are you doing tonight by the way?"
Merlin took an inward breath this was all he needed having extra chores he thought in exasperation.
"Don't tell me, yet more tasks for me to add to my ever-growing list!" he replied, regarding Arthur.
"Not at all." Arthur assured him. "I was just taking an interest in you, that's all."
"Well now, you have got me worried. Taking an interest in me?" Merlin said, looking unsure.
"Merlin, I am capable of being considerate." Arthur assured him, looking up from his work.
Merlin looked at Arthur in amazement.
"Within reason of course," the Prince explained.
"Now, that sounds much more like normal." Merlin grinned. "Anyway, if you are really interested, I am going to spend the evening talking to Gaius. I have been a little bit concerned about him lately."
"Oh?" Arthur answered.
Merlin noted him looking concerned and wondered for a second how far to take it. "I just think that with Alice going, he may be a little lonely at the moment. For all that she did, she brought something special into his life for a while."
"She was a sorceress Merlin." Arthur said, eyeing Merlin with a questionable glance.
"She was actually a healer sire."
"Who almost poisoned my father,"
Merlin hesitated wondering if there was any point with going on with the conversation.
"What is it Merlin, if you have anything more to say, go ahead."
"Gaius told me a lot about her past life. She was a healer of great reputation before the purge happened and life changed, for so many people like her. She saved a lot of people's lives. I just think it must be hard for people like her, that's all." Merlin took a deep breath, looking up he could see Arthur was considering his words.
"It could have been even worse for her, had I not persuaded my father not to look for her after her escape."
"I didn't realise, sire," Merlin admitted, looking surprised.
"We both know she had help from escaping from the cells Merlin. We also don't have to wonder from whom?"
Merlin shrugged, suddenly unsure of what to do. To his relief, the Prince took pity on him.
"Go on, have a good evening with Gaius and go and cheer him up." Arthur nodded.
Merlin met the Prince's eyes for a second understanding Arthur had done his best.
"Thank you sire,"
As he made his way to their room, Merlin once more allowed himself a bit of hope for the future. It made him realise that Arthur was prepared to consider his opinions, despite their obvious different feelings about magic. Merlin too had wondered why Uther had not sent anyone out to look for Alice after she'd escaped. He was grateful to the Prince for at least making sure her ending had not been a tragic one. He decided he would get to the bottom of what was bothering Gaius.
When he walked through the door, his mentor was sitting reading a book.
"Merlin, I didn't expect to see you so soon. I am afraid dinner isn't ready." Gaius made to get up.
"Why don't you stay sitting down, I will do dinner." Merlin smiled.
"Oh! I am certainly not going to argue with that idea!" the old man smiled.
"Vegetable soup?" Merlin asked, walking over to the where the vegetables were packed away.
"A very comforting thing to have on this cold night. How was your day?"
Merlin considered what to say, deciding to stay cautious for now. "Oh, you know, Arthur found plenty of things for me to do."
"Yet he allowed you to finish early tonight?" Gaius said, a small smile on his lips.
"Yes, that amazed me too!" Merlin replied,
Merlin was relieved to see a little laugh on his mentor's face. "I thought we could have a little evening together."
Gaius shut the book. "That is very thoughtful of you Merlin, I would like that. At times, we barely have a chance to speak about anything other than the latest Camelot threat!"
"Tonight, will be different," Merlin promised.
By the time Merlin had cooked the soup and the two of them had eaten it with some warm, crusty bread it was already getting late. Merlin decided to be a little more honest.
"To be honest, I have been a little bit concerned about you. Especially since Alice has been gone,"
"Oh, I am sorry Merlin. I too was thinking about that and was worried that I had been a little too miserable lately."
"Gaius, its only natural that you miss her. It would be the same for anyone."
"Yes, indeed. I told her not to write to me as I was afraid that Uther might track her down. I just wish I knew that she was okay."
"You don't need to worry about that. Arthur talked his father out of looking for Alice, he told me before. I said I was worried about you."
He watched as Gaius sat back, surprised.
"I did think it was strange at the time that nothing happened," Gaius admitted. "You must thank Arthur from me."
"I will do. Can I ask you something?" Merlin said.
"Of course, ask me anything."
"Did Alice meet my father?"
"She did indeed. I was preferring to keep her out of the whole business but she was with me at the time. She could see how desperate things were getting for those with magic. Your father was just another victim of how everything changed overnight. When Uther imprisoned the Great Dragon everything inside Camelot erupted. Your father felt personally betrayed by the King, Balinor could be quite a passionate man at the best of times. Uther imprisoned him after the Dragon had been dealt with. As I was the physician, I had permission to see him. I promised him I would get him out of Camelot."
"How did my mother become involved though?"
"I had already contacted her to see if she was able to put up someone else, so I sent word to Ealdor once again and she agreed to look after Balinor."
"Uther never suspected you?" Merlin asked looking amazed.
"I don't believe so, otherwise I doubt I would be here now," Gaius smiled. "Besides which things happened so quickly with people being rounded up, I would be surprised if Uther remembered until the next time, he had the need of a Dragon lord of course."
Merlin looked a bit sheepish, having never told Gaius of how Kilgharrah had escaped. He guessed though by the look on his mentor's face that the old man had already worked it out, so he said nothing.
"You have lived an incredible life Gaius."
Gaius shrugged, "Like everyone I have so many regrets, but I did what I could when I was able too. But there are always moments when you think you could have done something better."
"That it true for all of us Gaius." Merlin admitted, remembering his own demons. "Can I ask where Alice had gone originally?"
Gaius looked at him in surprise.
"I am just curious." Merlin smiled.
"I believe it was a village on the eastern borders, Getheryn."
Merlin nodded, "Not heard of it. Anyway, I am sure she is safe wherever she is."
"Yes, my boy, I feel she is as well." Gaius touched his shoulder. "Thank you for tonight, I really needed this."
"You'd have done the same for me." Merlin smiled collecting the dishes.
Shortly afterwards, they were both in bed. Merlin found himself sleeping a lot better having been reassured somewhat by their conversation. But he knew he still needed to put something right.
A Month Later
Merlin watched the Knights riding away and he turned his horse around going through the little forest. He presently came to the brook that the elder had mentioned to him minutes before and knew he was on the right track. As he guided his horse through the trees he wondered if it was possible, or if this whole escapade would be a waste of time. It wasn't long before he saw the sign for Getheryn up ahead. As he went up the road towards the village, he was already attracting suspicious looks, as he rode by. He kept his head down not wanting to cause too much attention on himself.
He presently came to the house on the edge of the square and he slowly dismounted off his horse. He led her down the path tying her up around a tree. He took a deep breath, not sure what reaction he would get, but knowing it needed to be done. He knocked on the door, he didn't have to wait long for the door to open.
"Merlin!"
"Hello Alice. How are you?"
"Come in, we don't want to cause too much attention."
Merlin followed her into the house. It was small but comfortable, he could see a lot of herbs around the place.
"You are still healing?" he asked, trying to stop dithering.
"It is all I can do. I have to pay rent. How is Gaius? I hope he is well?"
"He is well, though missing you obviously."
"Merlin, can I ask why you have come?"
"Gaius mentioned to me that he asked you not too write to him. But I know he would really appreciate a letter to confirm you are well."
Alice smiled, "I did write a letter its true, even though he warned me not too. I always imagined I would send it, but then his warning came back to me so I never did."
"If you give it to me, I will see he receives it."
She hesitated for a second.
"Alice, you can trust me. Gaius means a lot to both of us, I think we both owe him that much,"
Alice thought for a second, "You are right, just make sure no one else gets to hear otherwise Uther may find out where I am. I don't want Gaius or yourself getting into any trouble for me,"
"Uther will not come looking for you, you have my word on that."
"But how do you know that?"
"Let's just say I was assured of that by someone high up." Merlin explained, awkwardly.
Alice came back with the letter, which had been tied up in a green ribbon.
"Please let him know that I think about him all the time." She said.
Merlin nodded. "Of course, I will. He misses you too, I just wish you could return with me and be together with him."
"I doubt that day will ever come now." Alice replied sadly.
"Yes, it will. I promise you one day a time will come when all people will be recognised for their worth. Maybe then you and Gaius can be together once again."
"You sound almost certain?" Alice said, looking curious.
"I am."
"I haven't asked you if you would like a drink," Alice said, "How rude of me."
"Don't worry, we will be returning to Camelot tonight, I had better go. I am just glad you have found somewhere that's safe. I will make sure Gaius receives this."
"Thank you, Merlin. Have a safe journey back."
"Thanks for this," Merlin said, "hopefully we will all meet again someday,"
"Good bye."
Merlin cast one glance back at her noting how like Gaius she looked, hollow and sad around the eyes. He despaired at how unfeeling the world could sometimes be. But this was one wrong he could right for both of them.
The ride back to Camelot was uneventful and Merlin smiled as he saw the white towers in the distance. He impatiently unsaddled his horse and began bounding up the steps making sure he had the letter with him still. As he came into the room Gaius was cooking up some stew.
"Just in time," the old man smiled.
"I have something for you." Merlin replied, handing him over the letter.
Gaius looked at the letter and then at him, a look of shock in his face.
"But how?"
"Let's just say this was one wrong I had to put right. I will give you a few minutes, I think we need some more firewood."
Merlin turned and left Gaius with the letter still unopened. As he ran down the stairs he knew for once he had truly earned his meal tonight.
The End.
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