Also posted to (
community.livejournal.com/merlinxarthur/ Title: Secrect Union
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I own neither the BBC's Merlin nor Arthurian legend. I have no money, no sue the hungry author!
Word Count: 768
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Gaius/Uther
Warnings/Spoilers: general plot mostly , future fic, death, about as slashy as the show :P
Summary: the ties that bind us are the most important things of all.
Author's Note: beta read by the wonderful
el_gilliath, Just a sad little something that spewed out of my brain while re-watching the sho
He was a man now, not the boy he had been when he had first arrived, darkening Gaius' doorstep. Things had happened then with what had felt like dizzying speed, always a new beast or curse to destroy. An Arthur to save, a kingdom to repair and all had to be done in secret, but through it all Gaius had been with him. Gaius, the man who had been both mentor and friend, who had become in many ways the father he had never known. Despite his age he had always been vital, full of life, though that had changed a little over one month ago. He remembered that day with crystal clarity.
He had been helping Gaius with some herbs and preparations when the servant boy ran in his face was flushed from effort his eyes wide with panic. “The King is ..." The boy had begun but Gaius had lifted his hand stopping him, "dead" the physician finished calmly. The servant had been sent out, after a moment Gaius stood head bowed and he moved to the King's chambers with measured steps. He had been bade to stay outside, as Gaius had opened the door and moved inside. In the room Arthur had stood, pale fists clenched at his sides, Gaius had spoken to him gently and sent him out of the room before closing the door. He had wrapped his arm around Arthur's shoulders offering him comfort to his grief as they had waited. When Gaius had emerged he was silent and seemed calm but he had been able to see the grayness the older man had developed.
It had been a heart attack and some had whispered it had been witchcraft, but in truth it had been a secret yet known affliction. One secret out of the many the former king had bid Gaius to keep and the other had kept his lips sealed. Gaius had begun to fade then as if his will and reason for living had faded. But he held on growing steadily older and greyer, more tired and weak. He remained for the funeral, for the coronation, and then the lift on the ban of magic by the new king. Now he lay there in his chambers his eyes distant as if he could see the gates of Avalon waiting for him to enter and finally to be at peace. “
Merlin" Gaius murmured his voice so soft it was barely there and yet felt with all the strength of a hammer blow. He looked at the older man, his hand worn with work had stroked the white hair soothingly.
“I am here Gaius" he murmured, watching the other closely as he took another shuddering breath as if the effort was just too much to bare,.
“I swore to keep it secret I swore but..." Gaius gasped shuddering softly "Arthur his ... you need to … to know,if you will be at his side you need to know he ..."
He stopped the other man with gentle motions and words soothingly stroking his hair his face sad, "I know Gaius ... I've known for years now." Gaius had looked at him puzzlement on his face his mouth opened and closed but no words emerged this time, "Nimueh told me. Tried to use it as a weapon to me make me distrust him ... foolish really ... I will never abandon him."
Gaius eyes closed and he shuddered nodding weakly and his fingers spasmed, before he gripped the older man's hand with one of his own the other still on the white hair.
"I ..." Gaius began shuddering weakly his breath a weak and hollow sound his eyes blinking trying to see past death's veil, he kissed the man's brow gentle and soft
"Suhh suhh now go to him join him Gaius, he is waiting. "
Gaius shuddered one last time a smile twisting his lips as his breath stopped, his heart joining it. He stayed a moment taking deep breaths before he lifted his hand and closed Gaius' eyes. He covered the body reverently and left the chambers, his face calm his eyes though distant, he did not move more then a few steps before an arm warm wrapped around his shoulders. He looked into the face of Arthur and as he had comforted the man now king, who in turn was comforting him now.
"Preparations will be taken care of. Come Merlin, sit at my side" Arthur had murmured as he led the other man from the physician’s rooms. He looked at Arthur his eyes tired but he smiled lightly.
"Always sire" he murmured as they moved off together.
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