Wrap Your Arms Around Me (merdred)

10. Dodging

        GAIUS WAS ALWAYS WORRYING about Merlin, but lately, he seemed to be a little less worried. Maybe things were turning around the young warlock. The physician picked up on a lot of things about his ward throughout the time he'd known him. He noticed when Merlin was sad when he was happy, angry, feeling hopeless and lost. This meant he also noticed when Merlin began to feel more depressed. He knew when the boy began sleeping less and eating less and how he was overworked and you could see nights without rest on display under his eyes. Gaius also observed how he was slowly becoming happier the past week. He'd also been seeing a lot more of Mordred, specifically Mordred heading to Merlin's room to study magic. The warlock looked well-rested every day and managed to eat a few of proper meals almost each day.

But Gaius picked up on a few things that concerned him. Mordred and Merlin were spending the majority of their free time together. It wasn't that it was a bad thing, but there was a prophecy that Mordred would one day kill the king. Gaius didn't believe in his heart that Mordred could do such a thing; after all, the prophecies were sometimes misleading or unclear. But if Mordred, one day, did kill Arthur, Merlin would be incredibly hurt. He didn't want his boy getting too involved with something that had the possibility of letting him down. Though, if anyone knew something about disobeying rules, it was Merlin; and Gaius really couldn't judge him for that.

The previous night, Mordred hadn't studied magic with Merlin. He expected the boy to be fine, after all, it was just some simple studying, but he seemed quiet and sad. He hadn't even eaten dinner that night, even after Gaius pestered him to do so. He started to worry that maybe his streak of happiness was just a phase; that he would go back to his ways.

But then Gaius made the realization that his mood had shifted because of the fact that the knight hadn't been there. When Gaius asked him about it, he dodged the question completely. This wasn't unusual; Merlin did a lot of dodging.

Gaius sighed and set a potion he was working on down on the table. He took a piece of cloth and draped it over the top before tying a string around the rim. A hangover remedy for one of the previously drunk knights, Gwaine, of course. This was a daily medicine.

The old physician poured two bowls of porridge with two pieces of bread. He placed them down at the table and called for Merlin. A moment later the lanky, raven-haired man appeared at the stairs and sleepily made his way to the table.

"Good morning, Merlin. Sleep well?" He asked, taking a seat on a stool on a side of the table.

"Surprisingly fine. Did you?" He asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"As good as an old man can," Merlin gave him a sad, sympathetic chuckle and took a bite of his porridge. "I'm glad to see you eating."

"I just wasn't hungry last night, that's all. But thank you, Gaius."

Gaius nodded slowly. "Have you had any nightmares lately?"

Merlin broke off a piece of bread and plopped it into his mouth. "Not since the one on the hunting trip."

"Do you think the remedies are helping then?"

Merlin paused and looked away as if he was choosing his words wisely. "Yes, maybe that's it," he mumbled quietly, and Gaius noticed how the tips of his ears reddened. "You are the best physician after all."

Gaius rose and eyebrow, contemplating his ward's emotions. Well, at least his remedies were helping.

━✠━

Kara looked out the knight's window with a small smirk on her face. She glanced down to the training grounds and her eyes followed Arthur Pendragon. He was directing the knights in some warm up with a stupid grin on his face.

Oh, it was so simple; almost too simple. She was in his castle, he was in her view. If she had a crossbow she could easily point it and-- bam!

The arrow would impale him in the heart if she did her math correctly. The poison would hit him immediately and infect him from the inside, leaking into every cell in his body with the most unimaginable pain. It would take him hostage, infest his brain and force his soul to leave his being. The king would perish, either first from the poison or the loss of blood after his mindless knights removed the poison arrow from him. He would fall to the ground, vulnerable and small and the infection would give him no time to muster out his last words. Then, she'd watch as his eyes rolled back into his head, as all the life left in his insufferable body left like plagued villagers. Her lips would curl into a smile and she'd watch his stupid serving boy and knights as they paced around their fallen king, losing all hope.

But she wouldn't. She would immediately be found and executed, surely this young king still followed his father's ways.

But, gods, she was so close. It had been so much easier to get into the castle then she thought. Originally, she was going to pass through the gates as a traveller and find a home on the outskirts of town. She would plan, observe and strike, maybe forming an alliance with Mordred. Although, now it was clear that Mordred was nothing more than loyal to his king. And with that servant, Emrys-- or Merlin as they called him, it would be even more impossible.

But now she had an advantage. She was in the castle. Physically close to Arthur Pendragon. And there had to be more traitors within the castle she could find, or neutral knights she could bribe to turn against their king.

Uther and his son were the darkness to this world, to their kingdom, to all magic-users and druids. They murdered, captured and beat the druids, her family. How could Mordred forget that so easily? That the very men he served, ruthlessly exiled and murdered his people.

Kara angrily balled up her fist and made a quick swift turn on her heel. She darted out of Mordred's room and down the halls of the dark, murderous castle. She stepped outside and eyed up the shops on the streets. Something caught Kara's eye in one of the stands. She walked back a few paces and glanced at the shiny objects for sale on the red, velvet cloth. Daggers. And lots of them. She didn't want to kill the king like this but if she had a perfect chance, she'd be foolish to not take it. And it was better to be prepared than to risk an opportunity.

Just as Kara walked forward to grab one of the daggers, her body collided by someone else's. Luckily, only the basket the person was holding was sent to the ground and they were both okay. The person bent down to pick it back up and when they lifted their head up, Kara got a clear view of who it was.

Merlin, that king-loving warlock.

"Kara, sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," he apologized, but it seemed fake and pained. He avoided her eyes and glanced around their surroundings.

Kara scoffed quietly to herself. "It's quite alright, Merlin," she smiled artificially, letting her eyes fall back on the dagger display behind the servant. This caused Merlin to look back as well. Kara noticed a hitch in his breathing.

Merlin turned back around cautiously. "Dagger shopping?"

Did he know? He couldn't! "No, I was just looking. Mordred's been talking about wanting a simple dagger to keep with him when he's without a sword."

Merlin quirked an eyebrow at this. "He has? I wasn't aware."

"No, I guess you wouldn't. I've known him for much longer."

Too strong, Kara. Be gentler!

She mentally laughed at Merlin's expression. His lips twitched slightly like he was going to spit something back but he bit down on his lip in annoyance. "I suppose you have."

"Well, I'll leave you to your duties."

Merlin didn't reply to her. He simply rushed past her, making sure to bump into Kara again on his way.

She laughed to herself and continued to walk closer to the dagger stand, spotting one she liked. It was a simple dagger, small enough to be hidden in her clothes, with a single red gem. She handed the vendor some coins and he gave it to her kindly in a little brown box. Kara held it close to her cloak and smirked happily before continuing down the streets.

~

I'm very proud of my writing for Kara's murderous thoughts. I'm so glad I started editing this book again ^_^

How are you doing today? 💜