The Rise of Merlin

THE MARK OF NIMUEH (4)

Gripping onto the big dog, Merlin walked towards the Square, doing her best to ignore the stares that she was getting from those passing by. As she wiped at her brow, Merlin hoped that killing the beast would rid the disease from her body. She wondered if anyone else was able to feel it coursing through them or if it was only because of her magic that she was able to feel it at all.

With a hand on Artie, Merlin slowly made her way to the Square and was surprised when she saw Arthur and Morgana making their way out of the castle.

"Huh, I'm honestly surprised you were able to convince him to come," Merlin said when the two neared her.

Morgana laughed. "Did you have no faith in me, Merlin?"

"I had all the faith, my lady," she said with a small smile as Artie went to greet Arthur before returning to her side. "We should get going. I don't know where the tunnels are so-"

"What's wrong with you?" Arthur interrupted as he looked her up and down.

Merlin frowned, feeling offended as she said, "What?"

"There is something off about you," the prince said as he continued to look at her. Morgana laughed behind her hand as Merlin looked down at herself, feeling uncomfortable as Arthur continued to stare at her.

"Merlin has the sickness," Morgana said and Merlin watched as concern flashed across the prince's face before it disappeared.

Merlin huffed and with a roll of her eyes she said, "Don't worry, you won't be losing your servant. Once we kill this thing I'll be ready to clean your chambers again, which I'm sure they are as dirty as ever since you are unable to clean up after yourself."

"Oh, I knew I liked you," Morgana said through her laughter.

Arthur only glared at them before walking past them and towards where she assumed the water supply tunnels were. Seeing that Morgana was with Merlin, Artie barked and ran after the prince.

Morgana watched as the two walked away from them with an odd look on her face. Merlin nudged the lady on the side and with the woman's help, Merlin and Morgana followed after Arthur.

"It's a shame what's been happening," Morgana said as she watched the people walking past them. "So many people have lost their lives to this illness. I just don't understand why anyone would do such an evil thing to these innocent people."

"I don't know either. We can only hope that this will all end once the beast is killed."

Morgana hummed and grabbed Merlin's arm when she lost her footing when she grew dizzy. "Are you okay?" Morgana asked, voice filled with concern as she held onto her arm.

Embarrassed, Merlin nodded and tried to withdraw her arm from the lady's tight grip but Morgana didn't let her. "Oh no you don't. You're close to collapsing. You should probably head back to Gaius's chambers but I have a feeling that you won't approve of that."

"You would be right," Merlin muttered as Morgana led her to the water supply tunnels. Shaking her head to clear her vision, Merlin could make out Arthur and Artie in front of them and she was pleased to note that they had yet to look back at them.

Morgana chuckled and patted Merlin's hand that was wrapped around the lady's arm. "And I thought I was stubborn. Just hold onto me." With that, they hurried their pace as much as they could in order to reach Arthur before he got too far.

"Is he always this dramatic?" Merlin couldn't help but ask when she watched Arthur draw out his sword when they reached the tunnel door, looking ready to barge inside.