Lost in Albion 3 (Merlin) - Completed

Chapter 33: The Truth

Chapter 33

The sun is beginning to lower on Camelot, leaving Elena alone in her head, sitting on the floor of her murky cell. Her mark had warmed earlier, letting her know that Merlin is doing something but she hasn't found the courage to ask him yet. Her fear of the answer leaving her blind to everything outside. That is except the pyre which is now fully built, just waiting for the morning sun to rise over it.

There is a new commotion in the dungeons, and being the only thing she can find any interest in, she stands and marches over to the cell bars. They lock underneath her fingers as her cheek presses against the cool metal, trying her hardest to look out down the hallway.

The commotion grows louder as it draws closer. Elena is utterly surprised as an old man in a dark red robe is being pulled into the cells by two guards. The older man is cursing profanities at them, causing a huge fuss for the sake of causing a fuss.

The man is put in the cell directly across from Elena's and continues to yell to the air as the guards turn around. Elena takes a few steps back from the bars as they step closer to her. One of them unlocks her door with a metal key.

For a moment, the seamstress is terrified that she would be burning at the stake earlier than she thought but the other guard eases that assumption.

"You have been pardoned of your crimes," is all he says.

Elena's mouth hangs open as she steps outside her cell. Has Merlin done it? Is this the person who is actually guilty? She stares at the man closer and the sudden realisation hits her. This is Merlin. Another recognition is made, one she never thought she would find out yet here he stands, in front of her after all this time again.

No words manage to leave her lips, so she turns, storming out of the dungeons, all the way back to Gaius' chambers. Not bothering knocking, she enters with a head-strong determination that could rival Morgana's.

"Gaius!" she exclaims. The poor physician nearly jumps from his skin. He has been reading over his book, trying to find something for Merlin. "Why is Merlin an old man?!"

Her chest heaves to the roof as Gaius walks over so he doesn't' have to yell in response. He had watched Merlin being pulled away, knowing that they counter-spell hasn't worked.

"Merlin used magic. And aging spell," he explains. "We created another poultice to frame him."

"And now he's in the cells, replacing me on the pyre?" she questions incredulously.

"That was not the plan," Gaius remarks, feeling just as frustrated as the woman in front of him. "The reverse spell didn't work. I'm trying to find something else."

"Have you found anything?"

"I think I might have but it is going to take a while to make. And it is extremely difficult."

Xx

Elena and Gaius walk down to the cells under the cover of darkness, slipping past the guards. Elena is mostly silent as Gaius and Merlin exchange words and she cannot help but pity the warlock who sounds miserable and desperate.

"Longer than I fear you have," Gaius mourns. "Buy as much time as you can."

Gaius turns away as Merlin leans against the bars. "How do I do that?"

"Merlin, I've no idea."

Elena watches Gaius leave but stays behind for a few more moments. So many things swirl in her mind still. "Don't worry Merlin." She reaches through the bars, brushing along his white hair. "I won't let anything happen to you. And I should say thank you as well."