Near Death Chapter 2
Title: Near Death
Rating: Pretty much PG to PG-13 for some swearing
Genre: Romance and Drama
Summary: Merlin was poisoned trying to save Arthur's life. Now Arthur must find a way to save him. Takes place during "The Poisoned Chalice" Arthur's POV.
Spoilers: This is about the 4th episode "The Poisoned Chalice" so if you haven't watched that yet, this will most likely ruin it for you.
Disclaimer: Merlin isn't mine and I don't make any money from this story.
Near Death Chapter 2
Of course, I thought to myself. According to Gauis few have survived looking for the Mortaeus Flower. Well, Merlin is worth it. “Sounds like fun.” I said with more confidence than I was really feeling.
“It's too dangerous!” Gauis told me, worry etched in his old, weathered, face.
“If I don't get it, what will happen to Merlin?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
“A slow and painful death. He may hold out for 4 maybe 5 days, but not much longer than that. Eventually he will die.” Gauis said. 4 or 5 days?! I thought incredulously. Of course something killing Merlin would give me such a short time frame. I already knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. It wasn't going to be like walking through a field of daisies or even the relatively safe hunting trips I was used to. From the looks of that Cockatrice, it was going to be one hell of a trip, most likely ending in my death, and sequentially Merlin's as well.
I mentally shook myself. No matter the costs I had to save Merlin. I couldn't let the possibility of death stop me from saving anyone, least of all my best friend. I looked down at Merlin, one last time, my azure eyes shining bright with determination and an emotion I didn't quite want to come to terms with just yet. I will save you, Merlin, you can count on that, I practically shouted at Merlin with my mind.
Finally being able to tear my eyes of my hurt friend, I stalked towards the throne room, knowing without a doubt, that was where my father would be holed up in.
“Father, I need to speak with you.” I told my father upon finding him, where I correctly assumed, in the throne room. He had been talking to come knights and other assembled soldiers about what to do with our recent guests turned prisoner.
“Fine,” my father said, with his characteristic brusqueness. “But you will while we walk. I need to see to the arrangements for our 'guests'”
“I am going to go to the Balor forest.” I said, right to the point.
“Whatever for, Arthur?” the innocence in his voice irking me.
“You know what for, Father.” I said, trying my damnedest to be respectful, but knowing I was losing that battle quickly.
“What's the use of having people taste your food for you, if you are going to get yourself killed anyway?” obviously knowing where I was going with my argument.
“I won't fail.” I said. Again I had to pretend my confidence, it has seemed to run off on me, along with Merlin's health... Damn that confidence and it skirting it's responsibility.
“You are my only son and heir. I can't risk losing you over some servant boy” The word servant seemed to be dripping with disgust, which in turn made me twitch almost visibly in distaste at my fathers words.
Grah! I screamed internally. “Why?” I asked my voice full of confrontation. That respect that I had been battling so hard to keep, now fully gone. It was apparently keeping my confidence company, “Because his life is worthless?”
“No, because it's worth less than yours.” He said, stopping to turn and look at me.
“I can save him.” The determination again shining brightly in the face of my father's reluctance. I pleaded with my father. Asked him to let me take some men. Have them help me search for the antidote, thinking that if I had someone there to help look after me, he would be more willing to let me go.
It didn't matter though, as his answer was still a steadfast no. When I asked why he gave me the same old speech, about how he is the king, how when he dies Camelot will need a king. Well, sod Camelot, I thought, this is Merlin. My Camelot isn't even worth thinking about if Merlin wasn't going to be in the picture. That thought gave me pause, but seeing as I was in the middle of an argument with my father, I filed that away to consider at a later date, preferably a much, much later date.
“I will not let you lose your life on some fool's errand just to save a servant!” My father continued.
“It's not a fool's errand!” I spat back just as venomously. “Please, Father, he saved my life.” changing tact, trying to appeal to him as his son, whom he was supposed to love. “I can't stand by and watch him die.” I let some of the honest-to-goodness fear and sadness over that exact fate taint my words, hoping they would further sway my father's decision.
But alas, it was for not, for his come back was, “Then don't look. This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf.” That made me pause again. More would die because of me? I tried to come to terms with it, but my father continued to speak, leaving me reeling at his words. “You're going to be king, it's something you'll have to get used to.”
Anger flashed though me at those words, “I can't accept that.”
We then went back to our original argument. Him saying I can't go, me saying that he can't stop me.
“Dammit!” My father yelled, finally tired of arguing with me, “That's the end of it, you aren't leaving this castle tonight!” He then stalked off, leaving me alone in my thoughts.
Of course staying alone with my thoughts is something I hate to do. So I decided to stalk off as well, in the opposite direction of my father, heading for my room. I slammed the doors open, receiving an odd look or two from the guards posted at my door for 'my protection' which was a load of bullocks, seeing as they there were a few more guards there to make sure I followed my father's orders. I slammed my sword on the table, walking over to the fireplace, hoping the crackling flames could help me solve this problem with Merlin.
Merlin was someone I definitely shouldn't be thinking about too hard. The way I was acting, God, it was obvious to anyone who took the time to look that I was acting way more concerned than I should be for just a lowly manservant. It's just a good thing that I'm the prince, for the other servants never question me, and my father is always too busy with his kingly duties to contemplate our relationship. Not that we really had a relationship... more of a reluctant friendship, at least on my part, Merlin always seemed ready to be a true friend. I, on the other hand, never let him think he was more than a servant to me. If he did die, what would I do? I would never get to let him know that I really did value his friendship, that I cared about him above all others. Why is it that, until a person is in danger, you never want to tell them how you really feel. Well, I regret that now more than anything. If I can't save Merlin, then he'll die, if Merlin dies, I know my soul won't be able to be saved. It was a terrible and vicious circle.
Fortunately I was spared more of these dark thoughts by a not so welcome visitor. “Say what you will about the food, but you can't beat our feasts for entertainment.” Morgana said with a small smile on her face. In my opinion that type of humor was sorely misplaced at a time like this. What with Merlin's life hanging in the balance and all. I tried to suppress the anger I felt at her words, though it was extremely difficult.
“Morgana, sorry, I should have seen if you were alright.” I said, trying to seem like nothing was bothering me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her, knowing that she would see the pain behind my eyes. Living in the same castle as her for about 10 years made her almost immune to my masks. She could almost always read me, much to my displeasure.
“Disappointed actually, I was looking forward to clumping a few over the head with a ladle.” she said walking over to me. Grudgingly I turned towards her, knowing that she would get suspicious if I continued to try to avoid her gaze.
Exasperation made me lash out at my surrogate sister. I scolded her, telling her the men could handle it and that she shouldn't get involved. Really, what was she thinking anyway. She thought that she could play swordsman anytime she liked, just because she, as she says, beat me when we were kids. But it was far from a fair win, I had just broken my arm, and I was still weak from the pain, plus I was only 11... but that's besides the point.
“I already got the lecture from Uther.” She states, looking at me, expectantly.
“You aren't the only one.” I said, slowly walking away from her, regret stained my voice, no matter how hard I tried to keep it from doing so.
“Not that I listen to him. Sometimes you have to do what you think is right. And damn the consequences.” Morgana said in that infuriatingly superior tone of hers.
“You think I should go.” It wasn't a question, more of a statement. I knew I should go, but having her lecture me on that fact angered me. Though it was oddly helpful, hearing my earlier words come from another person, besides myself.
“It doesn't matter what I think.” She said, as if reading my thoughts.
Oh, how she could press every button I had! “If I don't come back, who will be the next king of Camelot.” I know that I just had this argument with my father. But hearing what I thought come from her, seemed to make it even more urgent that I leave for this quest. “There is more than just my life at stake.” I reminded her.
Of course her next retort was full of logic that I had come to treasure when I was in a spot of trouble. “And what king would Camelot want?” She asks, taking my sword from it's sheath, “One who risks his life for a servant, or one that does what his father tells him to do?” She then raised my sword in front of her, moving it closer to me, as if it would help me decide. I looked her in the eye, and we both knew what I would do. I took the sword from her, and thanked her. She smiled sweetly, thinking that she had won a big victory, and in a sense she had. She got me to admit that I shouldn't listen to my father, and reminded me that Merlin was worth saving even at the risk of my own life.
I nodded to her in farewell as she left my chambers, allowing me to get ready for my upcoming mission. I dressed quickly, because, contrary to what everyone, including Merlin, thinks, I can dress myself. And I quickly looked around for some armer.
I made a mental note of what I would need for this quest. I would need enough food and water to last me the long journey to Balor Forest and back. But I would have to travel light enough so the horse could travel faster. I found the lightest, yet still strong, armer that I had, quickly pulling it on and doing up all the fastenings. I looked out at the guards, who were silently watching the corridor outside my room. I walked past them, telling them that I was going to train for a bit outside. This wasn't totally unlike me, even though it was night, I was known for practicing around the clock. One of the many reasons, I was the best swordsman and all around killing machine in Camelot and in the surrounding areas as well.
As I made my way through the castle, I stole into the kitchens to get some provisions. Then I crept out into the night, making my way to the stables. After saddling my favorite, and quickest, horse, I made my way out of the castle. My last thought as I had my horse gallop away from the castle was, Hold in there Merlin, I'll be back soon. There's too many things I still need to tell you for you to die now.