Myths and Legends

"Very well, lets begin"

TW: injury, magic sleeping drug
Arthur's POV

Gaius began to clean Merlin's wounds as much as he could, Arthur was of little help so all he  did was hold the boy's hand. Gaius said it was all he really could do.

He had yet to inform the prince of whom he should plead to for help. They needed to save Merlin's life and Arthur  was horrified by how willing he was to do it. Magic was outlawed, and for good reason. Magic users were cruel at heart, but they could do good things too Arthur supposed.

Gaius left the room, leaving him alone with Merlin for the first time since they left the day previously . He just stared at the strange boy. A boy who despite everything, continuously cared about the safety of his life. And he continuously threw himself into danger to save his prince.

"Why Merlin? Why couldn't you have just ran? You wouldn't have been dying if you had ran." His voice cracked, and squeezed his hand. "Why couldn't I just listened to you?"

His hair plastered to his head from the sweat, and he became paler as the time went on.
He laid there, breathing heavily as he did. Sudden flashbacks to the first time he truly was dying after drinking the poison hit him like a slap. Merlin breathing heavily on the bed, sweating very much like he was now. Except that had a solution, a solution without the use of magic. This didn't, this required it.

He wondered what took Gaius so long, perhaps he was looking for a magic user in Camelot. Despite how much Uther despised magic, there were plenty of magic users left in the kingdom.

Creaking caused him to turn his head, Gaius walked in, carrying a basket. It was rather large and was closed so he couldn't see what it contained.

The healer's face looked at his ward with so much heartbreak Arthur couldn't imagine how he felt.

"I know where to find a healer." Gaius informed him.

"That's wonderful, send me in their direction I'll ride immediately." His hand was shaking, rapidly hitting his side as Arthur stood to approach him. He had the smallest smile, Merlin would be alright.

"Sire, that will not be possible," he paused as his face fell, he continued before the prince could speak. "She must come to you, in a dream."

His brows drew as he looked at him in utter confusion. Come to him in a dream? How could they be sure she would visit him? Was he comfortable letting a sorcerer was inside his head?

"There's a tonic, one sip of this and you saying this passage will draw her to you. You must trust me in this Arthur, she is very strict on whom she acquaintances herself with." Gaius told him seriously.

Arthur nodded, je did trust Gaius. With his entire life, and the lives of every single person in Camelot.

"Very well, let's begin."
~~
The tonic had tasted of sour onions if that was possible. Arthur nearly gagged while it burned its way down his throat.

"Now say these words," he was handed a paper, but his vision started to blur.

Arthur mumbled the words, ones he could no longer remember because everything got fuzzy.

"Do not resist her call, embrace it" those were the last words he heard before slipping into darkness.

For a good minute Arthur was alone, in a room of nothingness. He shivered despite not feeling cold whatsoever. He wondered at his surroundings, knowing he should be panicked at this because of the magic use. Arthur could feel the magic tingling around him. But he didn't panic, in fact he almost enjoyed its presence. It felt familiar, but different at the same time.

"Arthur Pendragon. Prince of Camelot. Son of Uther Pendragon, what pleasure." A purring voice whispered in his ear, he looked around and saw no one. But the voice returned. "Little princeling, do not focus on unnecessary detail such as where I am. Instead tell me why you  seek my counsel."

The woman's voice was pleasant and light, reminding me of a soft breeze. Arthur listened to her words and searched for the right response.

"My lady, my friend needs your help. He was stabbed fatally and I was informed only your services can help him. Please I beg of you, save him." He spoke honestly, allowing his desperation flood his emotions.

"Well well, is this not a surprise? The young would be king, of a kingdom with a hatred of Magic, imploring me to use such. For a friend," she said friend like it amused her. Like she knew something he didn't."Very well princeling. Answer me three questions, with no treachery in your  answers and I will consider it."

"Yes my lady."Arthur promised.

"How willing are you to risk yourself for your friend?"

It took him no time to answer, "I would sacrifice my own life if it meant he lived. He is dying because he tried to save me, it is only fair I do the same." He would sacrifice himself for Merlin a million times over.

"Interesting," her voice danced around him now, echoing off the abyss surrounding the prince. "What sort of king will you be?"

That took Arthur a second, but he answered again with complete honesty. "A fair and just king, I hope. One good to my people, willing to listen to them"

"Is that so? Very curious, now the last one." She pauses as his heart started to pound, it felt intense. "Who is this friend?"

"His name is Merlin, he's my man servant. But he is more than that. He's a loyal and even a brilliant friend, he has been there for me since he first started working for me. He is dear to me."

"Merlin," she whispered, shock filled her words. "Very well. At the first light of dawn there will be a guide awaiting you. The guide will lead you to my home, there I will heal your Merlin. Bring him in a cart, carrying him will do you no good."

Relief made Arthur sag slightly, then a daunting question entered his brain. "Will he live that long? Our healer said it is quite serious."

"Merlin will live through the night, and in the journey to me. Do not worry princeling. Come alone save the boy. No one else. Do not dwindle, my guide will not stay all night." Her voice grew quieter as if she was walking away.

"Thank you, thank you"

He started to see light again as he heard the words "you're welcome,".  Arthur smiled as he became more aware of his surroundings.

He laid on a bed, Merlin's bed he realize. In his room, which caused him to stare at what little he had. But his blue scarf made Arthur  smile bigger, so he grabbed it.

"I swear Merlin, you will wake up. Tomorrow, tomorrow you'll be okay" Arthur promised.

He heard gauis snore, he must've fell asleep. The prince  found the exhausted physician in an uncomfortable looking chair, so he carried him to Merlin's bed.

Then took the chair next to Merlin, and fell asleep. I will see those blue eyes again soon, he  thought as he drifted into unconsciousness.