Always Be With You - Merthur

Chapter 12

Merlin pov.

Merlin awoke with a splitting headache. His hand immediately shot up to the back of his head where the pain was at its worst. What happened? The faint crackling and sizzling noise sent him upright.

The light that entered through the window made him squint his eyes to see. He took his time to let his eyes adjust to the brightness and finally saw his surroundings more clearly. He was in Gaius' chambers. Merlin's eyes widened. "What-?" When did he get here? Why? What-? How long had Gaius been in the door opening?

"Merlin." Gaius said, nodding his head to him. He didn't move from his spot. Merlin frowned at that, slowly leaning back against the wall where his bed was stationed. "Gaius..." He tried, not really understanding why they were being so light to each other. 

Hadn' t he just been talking to Gwaine? Luckily, Gaius seemed to see Merlin's confusion, because he relaxed his shoulders and came into the room. "Good to see that it worked. How are you feeling?" "I- What?" "Do you remember anything from when you were under mind control?"

Merlin stared at him, slowly shaking his head. He was WHAT? "Gaius, I need a little more information on this. What happened?" "It looks like someone with great power used the Fomorroh to take over your mind, are you sure-"

Suddenly, everything came back to him. "Morgause." Gaius stopped mid sentence. "Do you mean the witch who allowed you and Arthur to talk to Ygraine?" Merlin nodded. "Morgana's sister." Gaius said thoughtful. Merlin's eyes snapped in his direction.

"You knew?" "About what?" "Morgause being Morgana's sister!" "Yes?" "I would have liked to know that!" Merlin said, looking at Gaius in annoyance. "Well, you know now." Merlin almost rolled his eyes. "Wow, thanks." 

He remembered something. "She wants to take over Camelot." Gaius got an understanding look on his face. "I see. That's why she probably picked you to do it." "Do what?" Merlin asked, panicking slightly now. If she wanted to take over the throne, she would have to take out the competition first. Which was... "Gaius, where is Arthur?" He saw Gaius' expression change. He nodded over Merlin's shoulder to something behind him.

Quickly, he turned around and his heart sank into his stomach. Arthur lay next to him on another bed, seemingly unconscious. Merlin was by his side in no time and checked for a pulse in Arthur's neck. He let out a sigh of relief. It was there. Weak, but it was there. 

He sank down next to the bed, holding Arthur's wrist to feel his heartbeat through the skin. "Merlin, it isn't your fault. You-" "Yes it is." Merlin hissed before Gaius could finish his sentence. 

Without saying a word, he got up. "Merlin." "Gaius, we need to find the antidote!" "But-" "Now is not the time to have a conversation, why didn't you tell me right away?" Gaius put a hand on his shoulder in order to get his attention. "Merlin, we already found the antidote, or rather, Lilith did," Merlin stopped his tracks to look at him. "which is a good thing, because I never heard of this kind of poison. She said Arthur needs to work with the antidote, we can't help him further. We can only hope for the best." Gaius finished, sighing.

"So, he'll be okay?" Merlin said, feeling a tiny bit of hope blossom in his chest.

"We don't know, but Arthur is strong, you of all people should know that. Lilith will be here shortly with the second antidote. It has to be aplied at sunrise and noon. It's a difficult process."

Merlin nodded, not completely convinced. Most of the time, Arthur had only survived because of him. "I'm going to the lower town, there are still a few families that need medicine against the cold." Gaius said turning towards the door. Merlin nodded, not taking his eyes off Arthur.

He barely heard the door close while he sat next to him, absentmindedly playing with the gold hair on Arthur's head. Once again, he's nearly lost him. Merlin took a deep breath and said, "You know, sometimes I wonder how you survived all those years without me." He paused for a moment. "When I first came here, I barely even got a week before I had to go safe your ass." He chuckled. That was some time ago.

He paused again, hesitantly. Whatever, Arthur was unconscious. "I actually lost count at how many times I've saved you, prat. But you don't know that, because if you did, I'd be dead. And that's because sorcerers are outlawed and I used magic almost every single time."

There was nothing but a silence that greeted him. He just told Arthur his secret. Well, not really, Arthur wasn't really there, but it was still very hard to do. "I need you to pull through this, okay? I-" Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Again, no answer. Merlin sighed and closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions. He really didn't know what he'd do without him. He didn't want to think about it. That life would be empty. 

He had been so wrapped up in misery that he nearly jumped out of his skin when the door flew open with a loud 'bang'. "Woops, sorry." Lilith said, when Merlin looked up. "Hi. I sensed you'd be awake. How are you feeling?" She spoke, crouching down next to Merlin to give Arthur the other part of the antidote, however that worked. "Could you please use some of your magic to help with it? It enhances the healing." She asked, holding the small bowl in front of him.

"Why? You have magic-"

"Yes I do, but I need you to do this, just trust me."

Merlin gave her a confused look, but did as she asked and muttered a small incantation so the magic would stay in the antidote. Lilith smiled satisfied and stood again to give the potion to Arthur. 

"There, that should do it." She murmered to herself. Merlin was still sitting on the floor next to Arthur with his head against the wall, silently praying that he would be alright. 

"I will leave now. Merlin. Don't worry too much, please." Lilith said with a reassuring smile. "I am sure he'll pull through. He always has." She left the room and closed the door extra careful not to make too much noise this time, once again leaving Merlin alone in silence.

~o~

A/N Hi.

I found something while searching up 'Morgause'

Did you know that Morgause is supposed to be Gwaine and Mordred's mother? I was so confused when I read that.

Once again, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, more is coming! 

~ Fia