Hello.
I think you are a bit in trouble about how to proceed with your stories.
I wanted to give you some suggestions for "The Aftermath (2)". I hope it can help you to continue the story well.
And sorry for my mistakes. English is not my first language.
Suggestion(1):
Ignore the end of the last chapter. While Arthur and the knights decide to return to Camelot, it soon gets dark and they are forced to camp somewhere.
At the same time, Dimitri has come to hunt an animal for dinner for his family and his seriously ill guest. He sees the royal group. He takes them to Merlin.
Merlin is still half conscious. He has a fever and his chest pain has taken his breath away. Anna and Dimitri have to keep him asleep or unconscious most of the time otherwise his moans of pain will continue for hours or maybe even days.
Arthur sees the black spread on Merlin's chest and panics. With Anna and Dimitri and their few magic skills, he returns Merlin to Camelot, but no one knows what's happening to Merlin. Arthur has only one way. Iseldir and Alator. He goes to see them and asks about it. They give him little information and avoiding to give more. He suddenly remembers Kilghara. Kilghara is always aware of everything. He wants them to at least arrange a meeting for him and Kilghara.Outside of Camelot, after a verbal but fiery brawl, Kilghara tells Arthur all about it. Arthur feels broken. He now knows all this time Merlin was in pain. And what have he done for bringing him back from death and the cost of it. He couldn't just let him becom an evil, neither let him be in such a pain that nobody can't even imagine.
Arthur get back Merlin and ask Anna and Gaius to let him to be a bit conscious. After minutes become like years that they speak and cry and lots of tears and also a kiss from Arthur on Merlin's sweaty forehead.(It's one of the most emotional conversation that they ever had)
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