Merlynn's Secret

Chapter 9

A/N First off, thank you all for reading. Wow it is truly amazing how many reads this story has. I know it's been a hot minute since my last update but thank you for being patient with me. Leave comments if you want, I love reading them!

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At the end of the day, it is Elyan who is working on translating the markings on Merlynn's arm. Unfortunately, Gaius has rounds to get to and a patient to attend when he returns. Elyan works hard and tirelessly all day. At this point, it is entirely busy work to distract himself from Merlynn's state of unconsciousness. 

The other knights, as well as Arthur, visit Merlynn multiple times that day, whenever they can. Leon and Arthur are the first to leave, reluctantly, mind you. They have meetings to attend and entitled lords to ignore. Then it is Lancelot and Percival because they have to return to training the new knights.

Gwaine is the last to leave because he doesn't want to help Lancelot and Percival train the new knights. He wants to sit at Merlynn's bedside. He wants to hold her pale hand that is callused from a lifetime of hard work and no complaints. Gwaine wants to be the first face Merlynn sees when she wakes up. But still, he goes because he knows that Merlynn wouldn't want him to put her before his duty to Camelot. He follows his fellow knights out the door because he knows it's what Merlynn would want.

Hours, after they leave Elyan, is still hard at work with the markings on Merlynn's arm. Arthur had excused him from his knightly duties until there is some progress with Merlynn.

Gaius tries to get Elyan to eat something, but nothing will deter the man from keeping himself distracted. Finally, when it is nearly dark out, he finds something. "Gaius look," Elyan says as he turns the book around to the old physician. Gaius looks down at the text. 

"This marking on Merlynn translates to 'love' and this one here, it translates to 'death'." Elyan looks up to Gaius fearful. 

"It appears that we now have more questions and we are nowhere closer to finding any answers." Gaius looks over to Merlynn, worry clear as day on his wrinkled face. Now all they can do is wait for Merlynn to regain consciousness and explain what has happened.

...

Elyan has finally retired to his quarters for the night. It has been a long day and he is ready for sleep. Sleep, however, does not come, he is far too worried for his friend and second sister. He tosses and turns in his bed all through the night, Merlynn being the only thing to occupy his mind on this night. 

Unfortunately, it is much the same for the other knights as well. Sleep eludes all the knights of the round table and Arthur. They are all plagued by the sound of Merlynn's desperate screams. The only other thoughts occupying their minds is that first thing in the morning they will go see Merlynn again.

...

Arthur and his knights pile into Gaius' chambers, as promised. A chorus of "good morning, Gaius" goes around the room. Save for Gwaine who instead asks, "how is Merlynn doing this morning?" They all visit with Merlynn and help Gaius with more research. It is only when they hear erratic breathing coming from Merlynn that they pause what they are doing. Her breathing is heavy like she has just been running and it startles everyone. Gwaine and Lancelot make room for Gaius at Merlynn's bedside.

Gaius is checking his ward over when suddenly her eyes spring open. Gaius notes the dazed look in her eyes. It is as if she doesn't know where she is. Merlynn begins to panic and thrashes about on the bed. Gaius hates seeing the young woman in such a state. As much as it pains him to do so, he slaps Merlynn. The sound resonates throughout the otherwise silent room. It takes a moment for the fog in Merlynn's mind to clear. When it does, she looks to Gaius.

"G-Gaius?" Merlynn whispers.

"Merlynn, I'm told that you had quite a spill yesterday. What happened?" Merlynn's eyes glaze over with unshed tears as she looks up at the man, she considers a father.

"They're dead, all of them. Oh, Gaius, I could feel it all. It felt like my skin was lit on fire." Merlynn says as she fists the blankets covering her.

Arthur pushes past Gwaine to ask, "who's dead, Merlynn?" The seriousness in his tone is unmistakable.

Merlynn allows the tears to fall, "all of them, the D-Druids that have been executed in Camelot. Th-they came to me in my mind. At first, they came to me like a whisper in my head. Then they were screaming, and the pain was excruciating. I could feel what they felt as they were being burned alive." Merlynn is openly crying now, having felt the deaths of so many of her people. "They were in so much pain, Gaius. I could feel every single one of them and I could smell their burning flesh. There was nothing I could do to ease their pain."

Gaius looked at the young woman sympathetically. "Merlynn, you said they spoke to you in your mind. What did they say?" Gaius asks gently.

After taking a few calming breaths Merlynn answers, "It... It was a warning. They said that Camelot is in danger, something bad is going to happen in four days' time. How long have I been unconscious?"

"A day and one night," Elyan answers.

"Then we have only three days left. After the voices left my mind, I had a dream. But it didn't feel like a dream, it was more like a vision of some kind." Merlynn says as she starts looking around the room at her friends. "I saw glimpses of Morgana. She is planning to come to Camelot with an army. I believe she and Cenred are planning to attack Camelot in three days." Merlynn attempts to calm herself by taking a few more breaths.

"And what of the markings on your arm, Merlynn? What do they say?" Gwaine asks as he pushes past Arthur this time.

Merlynn looks down at her arm confused before she mutters something in the language of the old religion. "It means, death of a loved one. When did I get this?" Merlynn receives worried and fearful glances from her friends turned family.

"It appeared on your arm after you collapsed yesterday."

"Do you suppose it is another warning from the Druids?" Elyan asks.

"This is not the work of any Druid, Elyan. This is very old and very dark magic. Morgana is responsible, of this I am certain. 'Death of a loved one' is not a warning, it is a threat. Morgana is planning to kill someone I love."

At this, Arthur and his knights make haste to the throne room to prepare Camelot's army for battle. Leon is tasked with organizing the troops while Arthur and the rest of the round table knights think of battle tactics.

...

On the day of the attack, Arthur, Merlynn and Camelot's most trusted knights stand at the front lines of Camelot's army. Gwaine plants himself at Merlynn's side. He refuses to leave her side for even a moment until either the battle is won, or he is dead. He will not leave Merlynn's side, not today.