Arthur's Sons (Book 1)

Le Morte d'Arthur (Part 3)

When Merlyn returned to her chambers Gaius gave her a pitying look as she was already feeling the effects of the spell draining her life and giving it to Arthur, she sent the boys up to bed with Rowan looking at her with concern while Merlyn went to sit with Gaius. There was a heavy silence but Merlyn was relived that Arthur was saved and if it meant dying, she was okay with that.

"Why did you give your life?" Gaius asked quietly.

Merlyn smiled faintly. "It's what you do for someone you love... The world needed to be balanced, a life for a life." Merlyn looked up to Gaius who was struggling to keep in his tears. "You have taught me so much Gaius, you're like a father to me. You taught me who I am and for that, I will always be grateful." Merlyn reached across the table and placed her hand on Gaius's which he then covered with his other hand and gave her a watery smile.

"You're like the daughter I never had." He told her truthfully and Merlyn choked back a sob before standing and walking around the table to hug Gaius fiercely.

"Look after the boys for me." She whispered and Gaius nodded dutifully before Merlyn pulled back and moved into her room. She quickly changed and slipped into bed and lay there listening to the storm raging outside when suddenly a small body slipped in beside her, she looks down to see Rowan curling up against her side on the small mattress and smiles.

"I did want you to be alone." He whispered and Merlyn feels the tears prick her eyes before she turns onto her good side and pulls her son to her chest falling into a deep slumber.

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Merlyn woke groggily and in pain in the early hours of the morning, she grunted before slipping out of bed to see Gaius awake sitting in his chair looking sombre, when Gaius saw her he flew to his feet.

"Merlyn!? I thought you..." He began looking hopeful.

Merlyn shook her head. "I'm still dying I can feel it, I don't have long." She croaked before feeling dizzy and leaning against the table for support.

"Merlyn..." Gaius whispered painfully.

Merlyn took a deep breath and looked down at the ring on her sickly pale hand. "I have to say goodbye to Arthur." She told him before stumbling toward the door, Gaius watched her go and decided that this could not be her end. Quickly grabbing a parchment and quill he wrote a quick letter before packing.

Merlyn was getting strange and concerned looks from the guards as she made her way to Arthur's chambers, she made it to the last staircase breathing hard when Sir Leon found her.

"Merlyn? Are you all right?" He asked concerned as she leant against the wall looking like death warmed up.

"Need to...Arthur." She whispered.

"No, I think you need Gaius." He replied before taking her arm.

"No!" She snapped pulling her arm away and struggling her way up the stairs. Leon was shocked by her behaviour and decided to follow her as she stumbled her way down the corridor to Arthur's chambers and slipped inside. Leon waited outside and listen through the door.

Merlyn lent back against the door and spotted Arthur sitting in his chair pouring himself a drink he looks up at her and the smile he had turned to a look of panic.

"Merlyn!?" He stood out of his chair dropping his goblet and rushed to her catching her before she could fall on her face. "Merlyn! Oh gods we need to get you to Gaius!"

"No... I need to talk to you." She rasped as she used him to hold herself up.

"Merlyn, this isn't funny, you look dreadful." He said panicking and Merlyn chuckled at that.