The Aftermath 2 (Merlin) ON HOLD

Chapter Five: What the Hell

"So you're back then?"

"Yep" Merlin gleamed at his King as he walked into Arthur's chambers, the boy had been recovering from his injuries and was cleared to go back to work earlier that morning by Gaius.

"You never take much time off do you?"

"Who would look after you if I did?" The Warlock smirked as he helped Arthur put on his jacket. His wounds weren't fully healed and were slightly tender.

The blonde turned to face his friend, "I'm serious Merlin, you can't be healed yet, I'm pretty sure you should be dead."

"I'm fine, I promise." The boy smiled "Gaius wouldn't have allowed me back if I wasn't"

"I suppose you're right." Arthur returned. The Warlock went over to start picking up the King's dirty clothes which had been abandoned on the floor, as he reached down his shoulder ached slightly. Merlin stood up straight and rubbed where the pain emanated from. Arthur saw this and frowned, "You're fine?" he used the raven's own words against him.

"My shoulder is a little stiff, that's all." Merlin reassured.

"Look you can come back to work, but no doing anything that will worsen your injury." The King warned, before walking away and heading out the door.

"How am I supposed to do that?" The raven asked incredulously, all of his tasks as a servant would require movement which may irritate his healing wounds.

Popping his head round the doorframe "I'm sure somebody with your... talents could work something out." The blonde smirked.

"Talents? what.... oh.... You mean my magic!" The boy shouted, but the King was gone.

"Okay then." The raven spoke to himself as he looked around at the mess. His eyes glowed Red as his magic began to do his chores.

The magic started speeding up, soon everything was flying everywhere aggressively and with purpose. It was out of control.

The raven tried to stop the magic but it wouldn't stop.

Nothing was going where it should, it was all shooting across the room in every direction like ping pong against the walls. Merlin jumped onto his stomach as the dining room table flew across the king's chambers.

The warlock cowered as he held his hands to his head, he was facing the floor. As he lifted his head slowly, he saw the bomb site which was Arthur's bedroom.

Getting to his feet the boy sighed at the work which had more than tripled in his attempt to do it quickly.

~~~

"Do you know what it could have been?" Gwen queried.

"I have no idea." Gaius and the royals were stood in the physician's chambers. The trio were concerned about Merlin, as painful as being shot by arrows would have been, it did not explain the boy's reaction.

"Could they have been poisoned?" Arthur asked.

"That's what I thought too sire." The old man brought the pairs attention to a jar containing a red liquid.

"What is it?" The Queen lowered her face to be level with bench worktop to closely examine the vial.

"Blood" Gaius returned, at this Gwen shot straight up, as if being that close to the liquid was a terrible sin.

"Whose blood?" Arthur crossed his arms.

"Merlin's, with the surplus amount I took a few samples."

"And? Did you find anything?" The King spurred on.

"Take a look at this." The physician used a pipette and added two drops of clear liquid into the vial.