camelot_drabble

Author:

dante_s_hell
Title: The Healer
Rating: PG
Pairing/s: Merlin/Arthur
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Gwaine
Summary: Merlin is the Official Court Healer of Camelot. Sometimes he doesn't know his limits.
Warnings: A hurt child. Also, character death mentioned (in the past and not violent)
Word Count: 1700 (apparently, I can't write a drabble)
Prompt: Healing #67
Author's Notes: This may be late. If so, I do apologize. This story is slightly Canon AU. Merlin's magical talents lie with the healing arts. This fulfills my h/c bingo card square: Accidents.

The Healer

A scream rang out, cutting off abruptly.

Gwaine and Lancelot exchanged worried glances, then ran, footsteps echoing along the corridor of the castle. They came to a sudden stop at the sight before them.

"No," Lancelot breathed, going to his knees beside the still form of a little girl no more than seven years old. Her brown hair fanned out against the grey stones of the floor, blood seeping steadily from her temple. One ankle was still balanced on the stair from which she'd fallen. "Gwaine--"

"Merlin. We need Merlin," Gwaine said grimly.

Lancelot slowly shook his head. "I don't think--"

The words died on his lips as Merlin flew around the corner, gaze already narrowed on the little girl. He fell to his knees, his official healer's robes puddling around him. Slowly, he reached out and laid one hand on the girl's forehead, the other over her chest.

"He always knows," Gwaine muttered. He'd seen this trick of Merlin's more than once, but it still awed him each time.

"Merlin," Lancelot intoned mournfully. "She's gone."

"No!" Merlin snapped. He took a breath, seemingly settling himself. "She's still here. I can feel it. Please, just keep everyone back."

"Keep everyone back?" Gwaine echoed, looking around at the otherwise empty space.

"They're coming," Merlin murmured before going silent.

There was a commotion as servants and nobles alike crowded into the small area, gasps of shock rising around them.

Gwaine immediately stepped forward, arms outstretched to ward them off. "Keep away," he bellowed. "The Court Healer needs to be able to concentrate." His voice got quieter, striving for calm as he knew emotions were running high and that wasn't good for Merlin. "Please, calm yourselves. Steady now."

The people of Camelot, knowing how things worked in the castle, quieted themselves. All around, Gwaine could hear slow, deep breaths. However, the few visiting nobles scattered throughout the crowd knew nothing of Camelot's Court Healer and they began to shout.

Gwaine glanced behind him and though Merlin's focus never wavered from the girl, he flinched. It made Gwaine bristle with anger and he immediately clamped down, knowing the negativity would batter at Merlin's shields.

Gwaine took a deep breath of his own and felt Lancelot move to his side, a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Lancelot addressed the crowd quietly. "Return to the Great Hall. We will bring news presently."

But the nobles persisted, their anxious calls filling the room, worry making their voices sharp. Camelot's own nobles tried to reason, but nothing swayed their visiting counterparts.

"Clear the area!" A cool and commanding voice rang out.

The crowd parted and King Arthur swept through, followed by Leon and Percival. Behind them trailed the royal guard and they began moving people away, with dignity and respect, and great persistence.

Arthur took the scene in at a glance, his gaze sharp and assessing. He turned to Leon. "Fetch Mordred. He'll need to look after the child when Merlin is done."

"Yes, sire." Leon briskly walked away.

"This is a bad one, Sire." Lancelot told him quietly. "I do not think the girl can be saved."

Arthur frowned at him. Then his eyes narrowed on Merlin whose head was bent over the girl.

Merlin's face was pinched, forehead bunched into a frown. His lips were pressed tightly together, bloodless.

Arthur strode over to him, looking alarmed. "Merlin?" he entreated softly.

Merlin's eyes were a vibrant gold, glowing under nearly translucent lids. He stared unseeingly, gaze transfixed on the girl's face.

Arthur, knelt down next to him and cursed. "Merlin!"

Not many people would have heard the panicked fear in Arthur's voice, not being able to get past the kingly tone, but Gwaine had known Arthur for a long time.

"This isn't good," Lancelot murmured to him.

Gwaine shook his head in agreement, his own worry making his fists clench at his sides, feeling helpless.

Merlin always responded to Arthur even in a healing trance. There had only been one other time when he hadn't.

When Gaius had died. The physician had lived a long and fulfilling life. Merlin had sought to prolong it, but had ultimately failed.

Gwaine shuddered at the memory. Gaius had died and nearly taken Merlin with him. Merlin had passed out and hadn't awakened for three days.

Arthur hadn't left Merlin's side, only seeing to his own needs when others insisted he do so. He'd withdrawn, leaving Guinevere, his wife in name only, to assume the duties of the court. Arthur himself stayed in the chambers he shared with Merlin, refusing to let him out of his sight.

It had been a bad time and Gwaine had no desire to see it repeated.

"Merlin, let go," Arthur called urgently. "Now, Merlin."

The Court Healer didn't give any indication he'd heard Arthur.

Arthur banged his fist on the stone floor and Gwaine winced for him. "Merlin, you will do as your king commands."

"Sire," Percival spook up, reaching for Merlin. "Perhaps, I should--"

Arthur shoved his hand away. "No, don't touch him...breaking the connection...it would only make things worse."

Lancelot looked alarmed at that.

Gwaine frowned at him, not quite understanding. "Lancelot, what does he--"

"Not now, Gwaine," Lancelot said in a hushed whisper, not looking at him.

"Merlin," Arthur said with difficulty, shifting closer to him. "Let go. Please, Merlin. You must." He paused, searching Merlin's blank gaze. "Merlin..."

The girl heaved in a great breath, coughing slightly.

Gwaine stared at her as she opened her eyes and looked up at them in confusion. His gaze quickly shifted to Merlin when he groaned.

"Merlin?" Arthur questioned.

Merlin slowly blinked, arms dropping by his sides as his body started to tremble. "Arthur," he croaked as if he hadn't spoken in days.

"Yes, Merlin," Arthur breathed, laying a hand on Merlin's shoulder. He put the other hand to Merlin's cheek, sliding a thumb tenderly across the skin. "I need you to look at me, love."

Gwaine started. Arthur rarely used endearments in public. But then again, it was only his trusted knights that surrounded him now.

Merlin stared at Arthur. Something seemed to pass between them, a silent conversation, one of several they'd had over the years.

"Yes, alright," Arthur said in a relieved tone. He gripped Merlin by the elbow and hauled him to his feet, tucking him close to his side.

"Mordred, needs to look after her," Merlin mumbled, leaning against Arthur's chest, completely exhausted.

"He's on his way," Lancelot reassured as he knelt down next to the little girl and helped her as she struggled to sit up.

Gwaine noted she looked confused and possibly a little frightened, but physically none the worse for wear. Mordred would have to clean up the blood from her temple, but there wasn't a cut or a bruise underneath it. Once again, he was in awe of Merlin's gift.

Arthur seemed satisfied with that answer and started to lead Merlin away. To their chambers, no doubt.

Gwaine was sure he wouldn't be seeing Merlin for a few days. Probably not much of Arthur either.

Merlin stumbled along with Arthur, clutching at the king's red tunic to keep his balance. He stopped suddenly.

"Merlin," Arthur said with a frown. Merlin's obstinance was legendary. "Come along. Lancelot and Gwaine have things well in hand and I see Mordred and Leon now. No need to trouble yourself further."

"Trouble myself?" Merlin squeaked in disbelief. He tried pulling away from Arthur, possibly to give the king a piece of his mind, but said king wasn't having any of it. "Arthur."

"Merlin," Arthur drawled back in the same exasperated tone. "Let's go."

"I can still--" Merlin started to protest.

"No. You can't," Arthur interrupted. "Mordred, please look after the little girl and keep us updated on her recovery."

"Yes, Sire," Mordred responded. Then he added quietly, tone becoming even more reverential, "Would you like me to have a look at Lord Merlin?"

Merlin bristled and opened his mouth to speak.

"Yes," Arthur interjected smoothly. "Take care of the girl first, then meet us in our chambers."

"I'm perfectly fine," Merlin said sharply.

"Of course you are," Arthur said blandly.

"Arthur," Merlin said warningly. Then a surprised, "Oh," as his knees buckled.

"Yes. 'Oh'." Arthur rolled his eyes, clutching Merlin tighter, keeping him upright.

Merlin steadied himself with a hand to Arthur's chest. He wobbled on his feet, but managed to stay on them. "Perhaps, I could use a bit of rest."

"Perhaps," Arthur said drily.

"Just one thing," Merlin said even as he rubbed his fingers along his forehead.

Arthur shot him an irritated look that clearly said he was running out of patience.

Merlin smiled weakly at him before turning to Lancelot and Gwaine. "Her mother. You must find the Lady Neva." He nodded toward the girl who was now curled up in Lancelot's lap. "Sarah needs her."

Lancelot stood, lifting Sarah into his arms. He nodded. "Gwaine and I will see to it, Merlin. You go rest now," he added, looking at him in concern.

"You're alright now, Sarah," Merlin said softly. "But please be careful."

"Yes, Merlin." Sarah spoke for the first time. She looked up at Lancelot. "Can I see my mother now?"

"Of course," Lancelot said warmly.

"I'll find her and bring her to you, Sarah," Gwaine promised.

"We should go," Mordred interjected. "I will report to your chambers soon."

Merlin didn't even scowl as he normally would have when Arthur made him seek out another's physician's care. It was quite telling and Gwaine silently urged Arthur to hurry things along.

Lancelot looked to Merlin for a moment and smiled. Then he nodded at Mordred, and hitching Sarah higher into his arms, headed for the physician's rooms.

"Look after her, Mordred," Merlin said tiredly.

"I will, Lord Emrys," Mordred said and followed Lancelot.

Merlin slumped against Arthur, eyes half closing. "We can go now, Arthur."

"As if I was waiting for your permission," Arthur said sarcastically. There was an undercurrent of amusement and affection underneath the tone that was hard to miss. "You did good, Merlin," he said, turning serious. "But do try to remember your limits."

"I'll try," Merlin said quietly, arms going around Arthur's waist and giving him a squeeze.

Arthur pressed a kiss to Merlin's hair. "Try harder."

Merlin laughed weakly.

Gwaine met Arthur's eyes and saw the tiniest bit of fear in them.

They both knew Merlin knew his limits.

He just ignored them.

Arthur broke the gaze, turning Merlin and leading him to their chambers.

"We have to look after him better," Leon murmured, staring after them.

Percival nodded.

"We have our work cut out for us," Gwaine responded.

The End.