The Rise of Merlin

THE MARK OF NIMUEH (2)

I don't know what's happening here, but it happened :D Hope you like the chapter. 

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 Merlin groaned when she was woken up the next day, and as she groggily opened her eyes she realized that Artie had accidentally hit her with his paw in the middle of his sleep. Yawning, Merlin pushed the dog aside and sat up, running her hands down her hair to undo any tangles that may have formed throughout the night.

Once she was done, Merlin stretched and stood up, quickly changing into one of her dresses before going out into the main room. She frowned when she noticed that Gaius was still asleep, and she wondered how early it was if the old man had yet to wake up.

Shrugging, Merlin moved over to the large bucket that was normally filled with water and she sighed when she saw that the bucket was mostly empty. When was the last time they had it filled, she thought as she gathered the remaining water and put it in the bowl that they had been using for Artie.

Searching for the smaller bucket, Merlin grabbed it and left the room, shivering as the cool early morning air hit her. Walking briskly, Merlin made her way down to the well in order to collect water for her and Gaius, only stopping when one of the guards stopped her to ask where she was going.

When she finally made it to the well, she sighed when she noticed that there was already people waiting to use the well.

"Morning, little birdie." Merlin smiled and turned around to see Borin behind her, holding his own bucket. "It seems we had the same idea, then," Borin said, shaking his bucket at her.

Merlin laughed and said, "Morning, Borin."

"And where is that big dog of yours? I'm surprised he isn't by your side."

"I left him sleeping, didn't feel like getting him up just to collect water," she explained, taking a step forward when the person in front of her moved to fill his own bucket. "He'll most likely be mad at me for leaving him behind."

Borin shook his head, amused, and said, "That dog of yours is very peculiar. Biggest personality I've ever seen in an animal."

Merlin laughed and watched as Borin looked around with a pensive smile as he ran a hand through his grizzled hair. "Are you alright?" Merlin asked, brow furrowing as she looked worriedly at the older man.

"Yes, yes I'm alright. Just thinking about what's been happening," he said, gesturing around him. "The town has gone quiet. I can't remember when the last time that happened. Let's hope it doesn't last for long, Camelot should never be this silent."

"Gaius has been doing everything he can to find the cause of the illness," she said, and had Merlin not been looking at his face, she would have missed the bitter look that crossed the man's face at the mention of the old physician. Merlin frowned as this hadn't been the first time that she ever brought up the old man.

Before she could question it, Borin slowly said, "I'm sure he is," as he looked pointedly behind her, brow furrowed in thought. "Gaius is a knowledgable man and I'm sure he will find a cure, but let's hope that he is able to do so soon before too many lives are lost."

"Yes, of course," Merlin said as she looked up at Borin, still confused at the man's reaction to Gaius, but the older man only gave her a faint smile.

He gestured behind her and said, "It seems you're up next."

"Up next?" she asked, feeling slightly lost as she turned around and noticed that no one was using the well anymore. Shaking her head, Merlin walked up to the well and placed her bucket under the spout. "Were you searched yesterday?" she asked as she moved the pump and watched the water fall into her bucket.