The Aftermath (Merlin)

Chapter Twenty-Two: I'm Loosing Control

Merlin searched for hours looking for the plant, it had been mid-afternoon when he left the training ground. But now it was pitch black, the only source of light from the moon. He hadn't taken the potion in so long that he could feel his body growing weak, it wanted nothing more than to shut down and rest but Merlin wasn't about to let that happen, not when he was so close. The White Chestnut plant sat at the edge of a cliff, whilst the cliff was not that tall the sharp vines at the bottom would make for a terrible fall. Merlin approached the edge and shakily got down onto his knees and reversed with his back towards the cliff edge, he held a firm grip to the stone floor as he dangled his entire body off the cliff in attempt to reach the white chestnut flower. Holding on now with only one hand the boy swung in order to get as close as he could to the plant before successfully grabbing it by its roots and pulling it from where it sat. Relief rushed over the warlock as a smile grew on his face, soon enough he would have his remedy and all would be right again.

But just as things were looking up, the boy came to realise that he had no way of getting back up the cliff, he was still shaking and he had very little strength. He could barely keep himself dangling with his one hand, never mind push himself up. It was then Merlin had to make the decision to face the pit below. The vines looked treacherous, but not impossible to avoid, if he could angle himself right and push himself down the stone edge there was every chance he could escape this situation with very little injury.

For the most part the boy's plan had worked, he avoided most of the dark green daggers which protruded from the stems, a few small ones had lightly scratched him on his left cheek, and a few on both his hands. But perhaps most noticeable was the blood that trickled from the top of his arm where he had been slashed by a sharp vine, the cut was deep and the blood traveled all the way down to his hand where it dripped onto the floor. Merlin placed the White Chestnut plant in his pocket and then clenched his right arm with his left hand in order to stop the blood and also to hopefully relieve some pain. The raven had made it out of the vines and now had to make his way home.

~~~

Arthur awaited his servant's return in the main courtyard, Merlin would have to travel through here to get to his chambers. The king sat on the stairs alone, both Knights had offered to stay but the blonde had wanted to do this himself, to talk to the boy, to try and understand why he felt he had to do this to himself. But in case something went wrong Arthur had a back-up plan, one he hoped he wouldn't have to use. Finally, the young boy's figure could be seen walking through the front gates, he no longer held his arm as he didn't even have the energy to do that anymore, blood still dripped down his arm.

"Ahhh Merlin there you are" The King shouted with a fake cheerfulness about him "You took your time at the stables"

"Yes well I wanted to make sure they were done properly" The boy replied walking past Arthur.

"That was very nice of you, although it is strange... I went to the stables what must have been six hour ago now and you were nowhere to be found?"

The Raven stopped in his tracks "I must have been out getting more hay at that time" he lied.

"Of course..." Merlin began to walk away again before Arthur interrupted him "only I spoke to the stable boy and he said that he hadn't seen you all day."

"You're right, that is strange" The boy simply stated still walking away. The King filled with frustration at the boy's blatant lies, he quickly caught up the the Raven and grabbed a hold of his right arm, pulling him back, in doing so turned him around. The boy winced in pain "aghhhh".

Immediately looking down at his friend's arm Arthur saw the boy's blood stained hand and quickly looked back up at Merlin's face in worry. "You're hurt".