Merlin Imagines

Regrets Chapter 7

Gwen ran down the citadel steps as Arthur dismounted. She stopped in front of him, panting slightly. "Is it true?" She asked quietly. Arthur avoided her gaze. "Tell me!" Arthur took a step towards her...

...And crumpled into her arms. He was shaking like a leaf, and it was all Gwen needed for confirmation. She wrapped her arms around her husband and started to weep.

...

Gaius quickly hobbled to the door and wrenched t open, expecting to see his apprentice. Instead, he was met with the solemn face of Leon.

"Gaius," Leon started with a wavering voice.

"No," Gaius breathed.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't say it." Gaius turned away. He looked like he had aged twenty years. "I just... I need to be alone. Leave me." Leon took a step forward.

"But Gaius—"

"Please, Leon." Leon reluctantly nodded and left the room. Gaius slowly staggered to Merlin's room. He pushed the door open and walked inside. The room looked the same as it always had. Blankets were piled in a heap next to the foot of the bed. Old books were sloppily piled on top of an old chest, covered by a pile of dirty shirts.

It was like he was still home. Gaius looked around, sighed heavily, and stooped down to pick up the pile of blankets.

He was going to give Merlin a stern talking to when he returned from his errands.

...

Three weeks had passed since the death of Merlin. Storm clouds had descended on Camelot and had shown no signs of dissipating. Gwen's days had been fully occupied with dealing with issues within the kingdom, and the knights had been busy with skirmishes on the border. Gaius still cooked for two, and had a lengthy list of tasks he needed Merlin to complete when he finished collecting his herbs for the day. Arthur meanwhile, had been consulting with his advisors day after day.

"But sire! What would your father say?"

"I don't care." Arthur ground out. "My father was wrong."

"Your highness," The advisor tried again. "I really must protest—"

"Are you contradicting your king?" Arthur snapped. The advisor shut his mouth and sat down. "If anyone else disagrees with my decision, the door is over there," Arthur pointed and waited. No one moved. Arthur turned back to the documents spread out in front of him. After reading them over and stamping the royal seal on the bottom, he rolled them up and handed them to his messenger. "I want these spread throughout the kingdom by tomorrow evening." The messenger bowed and left. "You're dismissed. The advisors stood and filed out of the room, leaving the king alone with his thoughts. He sat down at the table with a sigh, and rested his head in his hands. A soft set of footsteps raised his head, and he looked up as Gwen sat down next to him.

"I'm proud of you," She told him sincerely.

"I should've done this sooner," He replied bitterly. Gwen sighed.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that you've done it now. You've changed the kingdom for the better, and Merlin would be overjoyed."

"If he were here," Arthur mumbled.

"Arthur, it wasn't your fault." Gwen tried to reason with him.

"Yes it was!" He snapped. "If I wasn't so close-minded, he would be alive, and you know it!" Gwen said nothing and Arthur sighed. "I'm sorry, it's just tha—" He was interrupted by the heavy wooden doors swinging open. Leon and Elyan marched in, holding a cloaked figure between them.

"We found him snooping around the palace walls." Elyan explained. Arthur straightened up and approached the trio.

"You," He said in his most kingly voice. "What business have you in Camelot?" The stranger laughed from under his hood.

"It's only been three weeks, Arthur," Arthur froze. "Surely you haven't forgotten me already?"

"Remove his hood," Arthur said quietly.

"Your Majesty?" Leon questioned.

"Now." Arthur said firmly. Leon nodded and adjusted his grip on the stranger's arm. He reached over, grasped the back of the hood and wrenched it back. Leon and Elyan released the man in shock, Gwen gasped loudly, and Arthur found himself staring at the mischievous face of Merlin.