Well, how about that... an update. *pokes it* I'm not going to make excuses. The Fanfic folder just tells me what to write, not the other way around. There. I said it. So put yer pitchfork away, cos ..cos.. Arthur's the king and I said so! [insert logic here]
Anyways, goof aside, everything is in progress and while that's happening in the background, here's a next little chapter for this fic, as I'm trying to shake off my obsessive-compulsive-editing.. *runs away*
Hope you like it, feedback very much welcome..
Enjoy~
.*.
"Arth..hhe wan..nted.. toh.. cut m-my arm off...Artr.. so much.. blood.." he kept mumbling until his voice trailed off into a whimper as he trembled.
"You are safe Merlin.." Annis tried to regulate her own breathing while she gripped his elbow as he lay curled around his wounded arm, shivering; growing ever more delusional and unaware of his surroundings.
"GUARDS!"
Finally there were sounds of feet rushing up the stairs. For a second the thought crossed her mind, that there might be other intruders coming instead; and her hand instantly slipped towards the dagger she always carried with her. Come what may. But then her men appeared at the bottom of the staircase, with Garreth at the front, and the woman let out a shaky breath of relief, taking her hand off the hilt of her weapon.
"Queen Annis! Guards at the bottom were killed!" The man spoke, trying to assess the situation, his gaze frantically running between the queen and the servant on the ground, sparing only a glance to the other slumped figure near them. He gave a few curt orders and the warriors spread out, running by him to check their fallen comrade, or out on the wall to be sure there isn't any other threat, while two of them stood behind him in case their help was needed.
"Are ye alright, my queen? Are ye hurt?" Garreth crouched down in front of the woman, giving worried glances to both of them.
"No, I'm fine, Garreth!" she said with a huff, then motionned to the manservant. „But he's been injured."
By now the shaking started to subside and only the heavy panting remained, as Merlin obviously passed out from his fit. "Take the boy to Enota! And hurry!" Annis said and watched two guards pick up a limp Merlin between them with haste to carry him to the physician's chamber, as ordered. "Careful.." She added, then grabbed the older guard's offered hand to get herself on her feet as well.
Garreth winced at the sight of the sorcerer, yet again being in a bad way, and didn't want to think how much good that yanking did to his already injured shoulder, but at the speed blood was dripping off his fingers there was no time to waste and be delicate about; yet the young man gave no reaction to the men handling him, so he focused on his queen instead. "What happened?"
"We got attacked! That's what happened." She said and looked at the other guard.
"Dead, my queen." A man crouched next to his fellow guard looked up and responded to her questioning glance.
"What of the attacker?" she asked towards the men at the bottom of the stairs.
"He's dead too, my queen." came the reply.
"He got passed the guards, whether he was alone or not, he was damn sure of himself. Search the castle! Scour every place!" She barked the order as she started descending the wooden stairs. "Lucky he underestimated the resistance he might be met with." She added. Such stroke of luck too, she thought.
"Resistance?" Garreth frowned a little confused, suddenly feeling he was missing something.
"Merlin." Annis said plainly as she stopped in front of the unfortunate attacker, eyeing him for a second, then turning to her trusted captain, she saw Garreth raise his eyebrows at the statement. He thought the man had fallen and rolled down he stairs but it seemed it was their guest's deed instead, and soon the queen gave the explanation he was missing. "He threw him off and into the wall."
"Not before he could strike though.." She added with a sigh. And what of Arthur..? What did Merlin see? Did the king really attack his manservant? – One thing at a time, Annis decided.
.*.
That man.. he did something and now that man was heading towards him with a haste and by the Gods he was angry.. It made him uglier, and he came ever closer and he grabbed him and dragged him off and hit him.. hit him hard; and kicked him over and over again.. Despite him spitting blood.. Despite someone yelling him to stop.. It wasn't he who was yelling, was it..? No… it was that other man that had sat next to him, a noble looking one, he was wearing chainmail, he was injured too.. They all yelled, even the man's friends.. Women cried.. There was a carriage there, it had a cage on it and it had people in it, ..and he almost fell into the fireplace once getting tossed.. He got kicked in the head and it made him throw up, then the man grabbed his wrist and jerked it up, towering over him, the cape he wore slid forward and there was a golden dragon on it, it seemed not to fit him well, not to suit him at all, but he didn't care, he kicked him in the side and he heard metal slide out of its sheath and as he looked up he saw the man.. he was lifting his hand to hit with the blade.. he wanted to cut his arm off… his arm.. the blood.. he slammed the sword down and it cracked and this time he knew he was screaming. "Hurts, dun' it?" He grinned showing off a mouth of rotten teeth and slowly slid the blade across his limb, driving it deeper and deeper into his flesh.. Not Arthur.. not the king, never.. he'll never tell.. that golden dragon.. that crest.. Arthur.. Arthur..! - Was that Arthur…? Merlin mussed.
Arthur… wanted to cut his arm off.?...
.*.
He jolted awake and the very first thing that filled his mind was the murmuring around him and the piercing pain; his arm was hurting so much.. He tried to pull it away, but the more he pulled the tighter it felt to be stuck, and pain just wasn't subsiding.
"Merlin!" He snapped his head around and saw a woman; and his arm; there was so much blood. She had something pointy in one hand and had a firm grip around his wrist with the other and her hands were bloody, her fingers glistered in red, in his blood. What was she doing?
In his fright not realizing the physician was trying to sew the wounds closed; all he saw was the blood, all he felt was the pain, and for a moment it crossed his mind, why everyone seems to want to cut his arm off?
"Nhh… nohh…" he panted and Enota saw panic rise in his eyes.
"Calm down, Merlin." She said in an authoritative manner, but her voice was too shaky to have effect; and the warlock was too startled to begin with. She attempted to talk some sense into him; trying to keep her tone firm, yet assuring. "It's alright.. It's alright. Hold still.. I am not going to hurt you.." She uttered as convincingly as she could, knowing her blood-covered fingers can't look all too reassuring, while she pushed his hand on the cot, holding him, pinning his wrist as tight as she felt he could bare, but to keep him still, when she saw what was coming, and woe was it coming. The sorcerer didn't even seem to recognize her.
"Garreth! A little help here!"
Merlin picked his head up to the movement and saw two men approaching him with zest and with the clear intention of holding him down, and by the Gods, it wasn't something he felt it could calm him down, but on the contrary: he was beyond all panic and reason so it was inevitable, that he got defensive, pulling even harder; pulling at all his strength to defend himself.
"Merlin, stop that!" Enota snapped again holding his wrist, and she felt glad in a sad sort of way, the man was too weak to be much of a threat, even if the adrenaline made him quite livid for his condition.
However, the next moment it all changed.
All Garreth saw was a flash of gold before the younger guard in front of him bumped into him and they both flew back, crashing against the wall, landing in a heap on the ground, bringing down bundles of herbs and baskets and a stretcher over their heads and breaking Gods know what else.
The physician seeing the men end up on the other side of her chambers, knew straight away that they are in for a fight; but even so she could hardly believe her eyes. Annis had told her the boy had magic, but she didn't hear a spell, not even a word, it just happened and she felt a pang of fear run though her as the startled sorcerer turned towards her again.
Suddenly she didn't know whether to let him go or try to convince him to stay put, but then the decision was made for her, as Merlin tried to get up but putting too much strain on his injuries his shoulder chose not to let him.
He fell back on the cot with a mewl, squeezing his eyes shot, and Garreth figured the yanking really didn't do good, as he got on his feet, and moved to the manservant's side, as the young man lay tense in pain and groping his shoulder.
"Ough…" he let out a muffed howl, giving a force-less kick on the cot, all too clear he was wearing himself out as it was.
"Easy, lad, Yer alright." He said in a low voice and got closer, cautiously laying his hand on Merlin's good shoulder, but not forcing him; partly for fear of being thrown across the room again, but still wanting to assure the young man that he was in no danger. "Ye got a nasty new cut, and tore the old one. Ye got to let Enota mend it." He added, thinking perhaps it will help the dark-haired come to his senses if he recalls some details.
Merlin squeezed his lips tight, breathing heavily through his nose, and eventually gave a nod. It felt like his arm was being ripped off; moving really wasn't a good idea, and just what made him think he can get away in such state? He looked horrified at the bloody mess on his right; taking in the sight of his torn flesh and the dirtied cloths that no doubt just got messier in his flouncing around. "Uh.." It made his stomach turn.
Sefa, who's been in the back of the chamber and been observing in shock the scene play out, now snapped out of her amazement and moved close to the cot, quietly calling out to the manservant."Merlin.. You'll be fine.." she said crouching down next to him, and Garreth moved aside to give her room. The servant girl put her hand on the young mans face, turning his head away from the bloody sight that was his right arm and started talking to him in a shushed voice, uttering reassuring words to keep him calm, and the young man tried his best to focus on her instead.
"It's alright, Merlin.. You are safe.. You got attacked.. Enota needs to sew the cut on your arm but you will be alright.. I promise.." Merlin's wide blue eyes stared into hers and suddenly it was coming back to him what had happened, his dread not ebbing much, but he got a feeling he can trust the servant girl and focus on her. "You're alright.. you're alright.." she said quietly and Merlin felt her voice to be quite soothing.
He reached up with his healthy hand and gently grabbed her arm, holding onto it. He squeezed his eyes shut, unable to stop a few tears escaping and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding; and didn't mind that it came out a halfsob, but he did slowly loosen up and Enota felt his muscles relax and the tension in him ease. Sefa looked up at the healer woman and gave a slight nod, so Enota leaned back a bit to reach something on the table behind her and passed a small bottle on to the servant girl.
"Here.. Drink this Merlin, it will help with the pain." she coaxed him, but Merlin shook his head and sealed his lips.
"No.. nh.. nightm..ares.." he panted and did his best to avoid the vial touching his lip. He didn't want to go back to the man kicking him and cutting his arm.. What if that was Arthur? However reality seemed to be full of excruciating pain at the moment, so which was really the nightmare to be in..? He didn't know what to pick, and his heart was pounding like it wanted to jump out of his chest.
"It's only for the pain, I promise.." she said again, glancing up at Enota, but the physician remained quiet and observing.
Merlin glanced at it and saw that it was blue and suddenly it reminded him of something that had to do with a pale girl and her nightmares. Did she drink that to get well? But the pain was becoming overwhelming, so he figured, he hasnt got much to lose on this; and let Sefa pour the odd tasting tonic down his throat.
After a few minutes of silent waiting, with only Sefa's hushed whispers filling the air with the occasional huff from Merlin, he seemed to have calmed quite a bit, so Enota slowly and carefully resumed to mend his injury; cleaning away the newly draw blood and to sewing the fresh cut; all the while the young girl continued to talk to the startled manservant.
"I'm sorry…" he croaked eventually.. "Garreth.. I just..I'm.." mumbling towards the older man, he felt really pathetic.
"No harm done, lad." The man smiled, understanding just how fear can motivate strength even in the weakest. Although the sting in his shoulder told him this boy was far from weak.
Garreth still looked a little dazed. He had only tried to help, but approaching a frightened and injured sorcerer without warning was a bad idea, and he realized that as soon as he found himself flying backwards.
"He sure doesn't show it, but that felt like a kick of a wild mare." The younger guard carefully approached the cot after Merlin drifted off to sleep, rubbing his side. He hadn't dared approach earlier; figuring sitting on the ground was the safest distance he can be from the magic wielder.
"Oh, I'm sure some ale and women can fix ya right up." Enota scoffed and looked over him. "Sadly I can't say the same for him." She peeked at the boy's face as she finished wrapping the bandages around his arm.
"What of the two of you?" She then asked, looking up at them.
"Oh, I'm fine." Garreth said and glanced to the other man.
"'Think I broke your broom.." He mumbled rubbing his lower back. „But I'm alright."
Their musings were interrupted by voices nearing from the hallway, and the next moment an upset queen stepped in with a troubled man behind him.
"Lord Cafall, I suggest you don't keep such information from me in the future. I'm a woman, not an idiot. And I've run this kingdom for years, and have seen my fair share of battles, I don't get frightened that easy."
"My queen." He bowed his head clearly embarrassed of the situation. "I'll have the reports ready for you." He said and backed out of the physician's chamber, then a tower of a man stepped in behind him and looked at the woman expectantly.
"Just stand guard, Derian." She said, to which the giant gave a slight nod and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.
"Annis?" The physician stood.
"I'm fine Enota. They searched the castle and found none else." As if on queue the door opened again and two guards came in, carrying something heavy-looking between them in a cape. Garreth quickly grabbed the pile of parchments off the table and out of the way, as they set their load on top of it, then left.
"Our dear assassin." Annis said, sparing him only a glimpse. "He killed five people on the way in, cutting their throats. At least, that's as many dead we found. Though it looks Lord Cafall will eat someone alive any minute now." She huffed and turned towards the physician and her patient. "How is he?"
"He seems to be rather fond of this cot. Every time I manage to get him off of it, he finds a way to get back on it. But he'll be fine." Enota sighed. "What happened to him?" She said looking at the body that now occupied her workbench.
"Merlin happened to him." Annis said plainly, yet feeling oddly proud; looking at the body then back to the elderly woman. "He flung him into a wall in the tower." She explained, and then noticed a baffled look upon the physician's featured.
"Did he chant anything?" She asked all of a sudden.
Annis frowned as she recalled the incident. "No.. Now that you mention it, I don't recall him saying anything, except for a shout."
"Kind of odd for sorcerer.." Garreth remarked.
"Sefa?" The queen noticed the girl looking wide-eyed and mouth agape at Merlin.
"That.. My queen.. " She looked up and hurried to stand in the presence of the woman, then stared back at the young man flabbergasted. Something obviously just clicked for her and the ones present anxiously waited what she has to say. "That's because he isn't a sorcerer."
Annis quickly figured that her being something of a half-druid, she must know something they don't, but she felt too tense already.
"Well, speak up girl! What is it?"
"I.. I remember some tales, my queen.. of.. of druid tales." Sefa stammered, clearly uncomfortable, that she revealed her knowledge in such manner. She wouldn't have minded telling the queen; without a thought even; but there were more people present she felt comfortable speaking in front of about such things; but continued anyway. "Tales about a man wielding power far greater then any before. Sorcerers learn magic, study it for years. He isn't a sorcerer. He's a warlock.. He was born with magic." Saing it out loud like that, the realization surprised even her.
They all stared silently at the still figure on the cot, digesting the new information. - He wasn't looking all that powerful.
.*.
He heard voices again.
"Why have you called me?"
"Annis… take a look at this." The elderly woman said and as Merlin cracked an eye open he saw the physician step to the fireplace, taking a handful of ash out of the side of the hearth and stepped back to the body. Merlin couldn't see what she did but guessed she rubbed some of the dirt on the man's face. "Recognize him now?"
The queen's face shifted into something cold and angry yet somewhat dreading.
"Burn the body." She said with a firm tone and turned to leave.
"Annis.. Annis!" Enota called out to her and the queen turned around. "You need to be careful."
"I know.. he surely wasn't alone" The queen said and left the room in a hurry. "What's going on?" Merlin lifted his head to see a bit better and the physician looked at him a little startled, only having noticed now that the boy was awake. He glanced at the man again, and wondered why his cheeks were smudged with dirt; it made him look as if he had slight stubble.
"Is he dead?" The servant asked a little wary.
"Yes, Merlin. He is." Enota said.
"I..I killed him?!" The warlock gasped once recognizing him and Enota sensed the lurking panic in his voice.
"Yes, but he was a bad man. He wanted to kill the queen." She said and smiled a little. "You saved her life. You saved Queen Annis."
Merlin couldn't bring himself to smile. He took a life. His magic took a life. And saving the queen of Caerleon or not, a life was a life and the young man didn't know what to think of it. Surely therecould have been another way..
"It's alright, Merlin. You've done no wrong." The physician said with a stern tone, looking him in the eyes.
"I killed him.." he squeaked.
"He would've shown you no mercy. You did the right thing."
Suddenly the door opened and Enota quickly tossed a piece of cloth over the diseased man's face and continued to cover the rest of his body with the cloth they had brought him in earlier. The two guards stepped in and after some work to wrap him up efficiently, they scooped up the body and took it from the physician's chambers to be burnt, as instructed.
Enota sat at a bench next to the table and looked at the door even after they closed it. She looked distracted; something the young warlock hasn't seen on her before, and he suddenly got the feeling this was important; very imortant in fact.
"Who was that?" Merlin felt curious.
"I didn't know him." The elderly woman said, yet seemed a little more shocked then one would be for the death of a stranger, and if the shock didn't show, her effort to conceal it did. The manservant still felt curious, but somehow figured he should just leave it at that.
The young man indeed was a stranger to all; - only the physician and the queen knew how much familiarity his features carried to the late king Caerleon.
.*.