One-shots/Short Stories

Merlin

A/N: AW ME GAWD! Part 100! Man, I have a lot of time on my hands. . .

So my first one-shot was a Merlin, so I thought, 'Why not it be 100 as well?'

The Good Sorcerer
It was official. After Morgana, Arthur thought that there were no good people who held magic. And so, he made sure that his kingdom was protected.
   Merlin walked in the forest sadly, remembering to when he was making his way out, there were lots of guards standing around the kingdom, watching out. He was sure that there was no chance at convincing his friend that not all sorcerers were evil.
   Merlin didn't realise how deep he was in the forest until he was suddenly ambushed by robbers. He didn't have time to use his magic to defend himself before he was knocked unconscious.

***

He slowly woke up, a headache swelling inside. Merlin winced, going to put his hand on his head only to find they were tied behind his back. "What the -" he murmured. Everything came back to him then. Arthur putting extra guards, walking into the forest, being ambushed by robbers. . .
   He looked up to see the robbers all asleep around a fire - it was night. How long was he out?
   Merlin slowly got up while managing to not fall off balance, and started making his way away from the campsite. What he didn't know, was that a robber was awake and hiding, watching him. So when Merlin was attempting to run away, the robber came out of his hiding spot and stabbed him in the side.
   Merlin cried out in pain, falling to his knees. "You know, we're quite low on tax." the robber told him. "And I had high hopes that you would hold something rich, you being the servant of the King and all. . ."
   By then, the rest of the robbers woke up from the ruckus they made. Merlin groaned in pain, falling to his back. "You know what's interesting about the knife I stabbed you with?" the robber waves the knife in his hands mockingly. "Morgana gave it to me. Enchanted, it is. Poison." Merlin gulped. "No cure to it except magic. But - ooh, there's no sorcerers around." The rest of the robbers laughed at his words. They were only cut off when Merlin suddenly looked up at them, hand towards them.
   "Onweg!" They were pushed away by an invisible force, hitting trees and rocks, their turn being unconscious. Merlin groaned when he sat up, crying out when he stood up. He needed to go back to Camelot. He needed to get to Gaius and Arthur.
   And so, he staggered his way to Camelot into the night.

***

He never made it.

The poison was fast, and he was getting weak from blood loss as well. He couldn't heal himself in his state. It would possibly kill him from using all his energy.
   Merlin fell down, the poison taking over. He groaned, trying to stay awake. He needed to stay alive to fulfil his destiny. He needed to protect his King. His friend.
   Just before his eyes closed, he saw a figure hurry towards him. Help me, he had weakly cried out to the person. And then he was out.

***

Arthur paced around the throne room; Gwen, Gaius, and the knights -that happened to be close friends with Arthur and Merlin- all stood nervously. "It's night." Arthur murmured. "He should be here now." He turned to Gaius. "Are you sure he's not in some tavern?"
   "I am sure, my lord." Gaius definitely knew that Merlin wouldn't go to a tavern.
   "Maybe he got lost?" Gwen suggested.
   "He knows the forest." Gwaine told them grimly. "He wouldn't get lost."
   "Then where is he!" Arthur exclaimed, worry starting to show. It was close to midnight, Gaius had went to Arthur to see if Merlin was with them, only to find out that he wasn't. No one had seen the boy. Search parties came, to no vail.
   Just when they were about to fully panic, the doors were barged open with a large force, making everyone grab their swords in defence. What they saw scared them.
   A woman stood before them, a floating Merlin beside her. But Merlin was sick and pale, and sweating. The woman stared at them in worry. "I need some ingredients." she said. "He needs it -"
   "What have you done to him?" Arthur demanded, him and the knights holding their swords tightly. The woman merely flicked her hand, sending the swords away.
   "He needs help." she repeated. "And only I can help him. So don't kill me, and get me the ingredients I need."
   Out of them all, Gaius was the one to approach her, going to Merlin. He observed the wound, eyebrows raised in surprise. "She is right, my lord." Gaius told them all. "This wound is infected with magic. Only a sorcerer can remove it." Gaius turned to her. "How -"
   "I found him trying to go here." she explained, strangely having a look of protectiveness and worry for Merlin. "He was struggling. If I wasn't there, he would have died on the out borders of your kingdom."
   Gaius turned to Arthur. "We need to trust her, she's the only one that can save him now."
   Arthur stared at everyone separately, reading their expressions. And they all held the same expression; worry and fear for Merlin. Arthur turned back to Gaius, after sending the woman a small glare. "Fine. Quickly take care of him."

***

At first he heard his own breathing. His own heartbeat. And then he heard some muffled sounds. It eventually turned into people talking quietly.
   "Is he okay?" he heard someone ask.
   "His temperature is back to normal. He's getting some colour back into his face, he's no longer sweating. . .he seems pretty fine to me."
   "Thank God." the person sighed. Merlin recognised the person as Gwen. "How about her? The sorceress. Where is she?"
   "She's fine. She's with Arthur as we speak. He is suspicious about her."
   "Why? She saved Merlin's life."
   Saved my life? Merlin repeated. What? What's going on?
   Finally, he had the strength to open his eyes. Instead of meeting light, he was met with darkness, a small glow to his left. It must be night then. He licked his dry lips, clearing his throat. "Guys?"
   "Merlin!" Gwen came to his left, Gaius on right. "We were so worried about you! How are you? Are you well? Are you okay?"
   "I-I'm fine." Merlin asked for some water. Satisfied with his throat no longer being dry, he asked them a question. "Who is this woman I heard you speak of? What do you mean she saved me?"
   "This sorceress found you in the woods." Gwen explained. "She saw you heading to Camelot and took you there." Merlin felt his eyes widen in panic.
   "A sorceress!" he yelped. "Why hasn't Arthur taken her away then -!"
   "She was the only person that could save you." Gaius told him. "Only a person who does magic can heal the person. She healed you."
   "That's why Arthur hasn't done anything to her yet." Gwen added.
   "Yet?" He needed to see her. Now. "Take me to her."

***

"-do you understand my deal?"
   "You have my word, Your Highness."
   The door opened, revealing Merlin being supported by Gwen and Gaius. "Ah! Merlin!" Arthur gave him a small hug. "Nice to see you looking better last time I saw you."
   "Have you done anything to her?" Merlin asked, peering over the King's shoulder to see a woman looking down at the ground, giving them privacy. "What's happened?"
   "We made a deal." Arthur pursed his lips in contemplation. "She is free to leave, but to never return unless needed."
   "What?"
   "Merlin, we need to make sure Camelot is safe from harm." Arthur told him with a frown. "Why are you so against this?"
   "I'm not!" he denied. "It's just -" he glanced to her again, "-she saved my life."
   "Merlin. . ." Arthur glanced back at the woman as well, "I know she's your saviour and all, but she's dangerous. People won't even accept her."
   "Can I talk to her?"
   "Um. . .sure." Sending him wary looks, Arthur, Gwen and Gaius made their leave. When they were gone, Merlin turned to the woman, leaning against a post for support.
   "Emrys." she suddenly murmured. He stared at her in shock. "It was a surprise to see you defenceless and weak when you're the most powerful warlock of all."
   "It wasn't my fault." was his lame reply. "I-I just wanted to thank you, for saving me."
   "You're welcome."
   "How did you know it was me? Emrys?"
   "I was sent by the Dragon to you." she revealed. "Said nothing just said that you might need help." She gave him a small smile. "And he was right." Merlin looked away with a blush. "Don't worry, Merlin, everyone has their moment."
   "Will you be okay?" Merlin asked her worriedly. "You're being kicked out of one of the most safest places in the land."
   "I'll be fine, don't worry." she assured him. She looked to the window. "It's almost morning. I must go."
   She walked to Merlin, placing a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Until next time, Emrys."
   He watched her leave Camelot from a window, watching her ride away on a horse Arthur kindly offered. Arthur appeared beside him. "You okay?" Arthur asked him.
   "She's the first that wasn't evil." Merlin replied. Arthur nodded in agreement.
   "Yes, indeed." Arthur stared at him. "You sure you're okay? I mean, she saved you and you might fancy her -"
   "Arthur," Merlin rolled his eyes, "stop. Please."
   "Okay, okay." Arthur raised his hands in surrender. "Get some more sleep. You're still weak. As soon as you're better, there'll be some chores waiting for you."
   Merlin smiled at his words. "Of course, sire."

The End