Adult-FanFiction.org : Television / Streaming

Pains Of The Heart	By : queenofthediamonddogs Category: M through R > Merlin (BBC) > Merlin (BBC) Views: 1731 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Merlin and any recognisable characters. I am not making any money from this story

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter Three: Recovery

Burning. Pain. Aching. Three constant feelings ran through Elaine as she slept in the blackness but the blackness was painful. Murmured words were spoken to her but she couldn't understand them nor could she recognise the voice. The voice was soft and calm. She tried her best to open her eyes to look at the person speaking to her but her eyelids were heavy and she had no strength to move them.

“Nearly there my Lady.” The voice reassured her. “Hold on a while longer.” The voice was definitely male as he murmured in her ear. Slowly, the young woman opened her eyes and focused them on the person holding her. She recognised him. Lancelot. Through a haze, she watched him, studied him. “I am here. I shall not let you go until we reach Camelot.”

“Don't...” She whispered and gave a shuddered breath as she leant her head against his chest, feeling his heart pounding. “Don't let go...” She whispered once again, her hand gripped his chain mail. “Help me...” She whispered still, her laboured breathing became even worse and she collapsed in his embrace.

“Oh no!” He held her tighter and dug his heels into the sides of his horse, who moved as fast at his master's orders. “Please hold on, Elaine! Please!” He saw that her forehead was coated with sweat as he urged his horse forward and Camelot finally came into view. It was still an hour's ride but they were closer than they were before. “Hold on.” He whispered again as the horse sped across the lands towards the magnificent castle.

- - - - - - - -

“Prince Arthur! A horse approaches the castle. A man with, what looks like an injured woman.” A knight announced from the battlements. It was close to midday and the Prince was making his rounds on the battlement. Seeing if all his men were attending to their duties and the guards were in their correct positions.

Arthur moved to the edge of the battlements and looked down at the road leading up to the castle. “Send for Gaius!” He said quickly, trying to see who the people were. Two knights left the Prince and went in search of the court physician. Arthur left his place and made his way to the courtyard to greet the new arrivals. Once he reached the courtyard, the person entered the courtyard and pulling his horse to a stop at the foot of the steps. Arthur gave a shocked gasp at the person riding the horse. “Lancelot?! What are you doing here?” Rushing down the stone steps towards him. “Who is... Elaine!” He gasped in shock and moved forward to take her from Lancelot. “Oh God! Leon! Help me!” He and Leon reached up and helped the shivering woman from the saddle and settled her into Arthur's arms. “Go to Gaius and tell him we are in the chambers next to the Lady Morgana's.” Leon ran ahead of the Prince and Arthur began to rush up the stairs into the castle. “Lancelot with me!” He called behind him.

Lancelot followed Arthur but he feared what Uther would say to him if he found him in Camelot once again even if it was with his injured niece and he had returned her safely to her guardians. He feared for her and hoped she survived. He barely knew the woman but he had grown attached to her in the last few hours and felt protective of the her. He watched her, groaning in Arthur's arms, her blonde hair covered in sweat from her fever, caused by the arrow wound in her shoulder. “Fight it Elaine.” He whispered to himself, watching Arthur carry the woman through the castle and into a room. The room was elegant but there seemed to have a feeling that there had hardly been anybody living in the room recently.

When Arthur quickly placed Elaine on the bed, Gaius came into the room, followed by Merlin and Gwen. Only Merlin and Lancelot noticed and heard Gwen's shocked gasp at the sight of Lancelot standing at the foot of the bed. Gaius moved forward and examined Elaine; pressing his hand on her forehead. “How did she get this fever?” Looking up at Lancelot, who was standing nervously at the foot of the bed, watching Elaine.

“An arrow. Um... An arrow to her shoulder. Through her back when we were escaping the castle.” Lancelot spoke quietly as he watched Gaius work on the young woman.

“Gwen, help me to turn her onto her side.” Gaius spoke to the young maid, who moved forward quickly and helped the physician to turn the injured woman onto her side. Carefully, he moved Elaine's dress away from her shoulder and took off the dressing Lancelot had placed on her shoulder when she was injured. “The wound is infected. How long has she been like this?”

“Half a day, maybe more.” Lancelot shook his head and breathed slowly as he watched Gaius continue to treat Elaine. “I tried to get here as soon as I could but we only had one horse.” Running his hand over his face. Feeling the morning stubble grazing the palm of his hand.

“Merlin, fetch a bowl of warm water and many clean cloths. I need to clean the wound thoroughly.” Gaius pressed around the outside of the wound, causing Elaine to give a small cry of pain through her unconsciousness. “Arthur, I think you should send for your father. He will need to see her.”

Arthur stood in his place, staring at his cousin. “I... I don't know what to say. To him. How will I break it to him? My uncle has just left for Corbenic to fight for her freedom.” Lancelot looked at him in shock and Arthur turned to his friend. “Lancelot, come with me. I cannot explain anything to my father. Only you can.”

“I cannot, Arthur! Your father has banished me from Camelot. I doubt he will want me to explain why I was part of the men who helped Sir Marcus hold Elaine hostage and take over her father's position. Marcus was going to force Elaine to marry him and give him an heir.” Keeping his gaze on Elaine as Gaius and Gwen treated her wound and fever.

“He was going to do what?!” The angry voice of Uther Pendragon came from the doorway of the chambers. “Why were you there?!” Striding up to Lancelot and standing in front of him. “I find you have brought my niece to Camelot, half dead and you say you were one of the men who held her against her will.”

“I didn't know, your Majesty. I've been going from place to place. Finding ways to survive. When I saw the Lady Elaine bringing brought into the Great Hall, I knew that I was in the wrong place and she was in danger. I had to get her out of there. I couldn't watch her be hurt in that way. I am sorry your Majesty. I tried to get her out of the castle unharmed but we were attacked upon escaping.” Lancelot explained as quickly as he could before he had to face Uther's wrath.

Uther looked between Lancelot and Elaine. His anger slowly dying down as his gaze settled upon his niece. Gaius had now finished treating her wound and he was treated her fever. “Gaius? Anything? Will she live?” Moving away from Lancelot and next to Gaius who was giving Elaine a tonic. “Please say she will live. Her father will be devastated if she does not live.”

“Only time will tell Sire.” Gaius stood up straight and moved back for Uther to sit next to his niece. “We shall have to wait until the night is over.” Watching as Uther held his niece's hand as she tossed and turned on the bed, the fever running through her body.

Uther nodded slowly and watched her. “Her father!” He said in shock and looked around to Arthur. “He needs to be stopped or he will be killed.” Keeping his hand wrapped around Elaine's trembling hand.

“I'll take some of my knights and I will either aid him or bring him back to Camelot.” Arthur nodded to his father. “Send word if anything changes or happens.” Looking at his sick cousin and then back to his father. “I will leave immediately.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As the night fell, Uther sat nervously with his niece. He was afraid that he would lose her. He doted upon her when she was a child and as she grew he would still dote upon her; sending her extravagant gifts. As children, she and Arthur were the best of friends, despite their playful rivalry. Elaine was very much like her father; kind and gentle. She always saw the best in people, no matter how horrid they seemed to be. In looks, she took after her mother. Uther admitted to his younger brother on occasions, that he was jealous of Pelles when he married before Uther and to a very good looking young noblewoman. She had long blonde hair that reached her waist and the most striking brown eyes, both features Elaine inherited.

Elaine shook from the fever all through the night, moaning and groaning from the burning. “Fa... Fath... Father...” She moaned in her feverish state. “Father... Father...”

“Shhhh...” Uther tried to reassure her by giving her hand a gentle squeeze and placing a cool cloth on her hot forehead. “Sleep, my child.”

“Sire, I will sit with her. You need to rest.” Gwen spoke as she entered the room with fresh linen and a curtsey for the King. “I will send word if anything changes with the Lady Elaine.” Placing the clean linen on the chest which sat under a window, this allowed Gwen to look out into the outside world. “Sire, Prince Arthur has returned.” She said quickly and in shock at Arthur returning so soon after leaving.

The King let go of his niece's hand and stood up quickly, rushing to the window. He recognised his son leading the column of men but he rode in front of a horse and cart. “No...” Uther whispered in shock as he sped out of the room, leaving Gwen to sit with the sick patient. Uther ran through the hallways of his castle to reach the main courtyard to see if his thoughts were untrue. The column were riding into the courtyard with Arthur at the head as the King ran down the steps. “Please tell me... It is not...”

Arthur dismounted his horse and slowly walked towards his father, stopping in front of him. “I am sorry father. It was too late. We had reached Corbenic and the battle was already lost.” He placed his hands on his father's shoulders, trying to hold him in one place but Uther was desperate to see his brother. “I am sorry father.” Finally stepping aside and allowing Uther to inspect the body of his late younger brother. “He fought to the very end. Apparently he knew Elaine was safe but he continued fighting to save his kingdom.” Following his father to Pelles' body.

Uther fell to his knees next to his brother's body. “Pelles...” He gasped. “Oh Pelles!” Reaching out and holding the cold hand in his own. “Bring him inside. We... We just...” He stuttered.

“I'll take care of everything father.” Arthur stood next to his father. “You need to rest. You will make yourself ill.” Helping his father to stand up. “Come father.” Uther reluctantly left his dead brother in the care of the knights of Camelot and allowed his son to lead him back inside the castle. Obviously Uther didn't immediately rest, he paced in his chambers with his son watching. “Father, I spoke with the leader of the rebelling forces.”

“And what did they say or propose?”

“They give two conditions. The first being that they keep the kingdom of Corbenic and the second: Elaine returns to Sir Marcus. If those conditions are met, they will not attack Camelot. Their forces are great in number but not enough to penetrate the walls.” Arthur continued as he stood in front of the door to his father's chambers. “I have doubled the guards on the battlements and 4 of my best knights are protecting Elaine.”

“Your cousin is dying.” Uther spoke in defeat as he sat down in a chair by the window. “She may not make it through the rest of the night. Gaius has tried everything. We could lose another member of our family before dawn.” Running a hand over his face as he took a deep breath. “Go to her Arthur. Go and say your goodbyes.”

“Elaine's dying?” Arthur questioned. Not sure if he had heard his father correctly but the nod confirmed to him that he had heard him. “No... She cannot...” Stuttering slightly as he turned and fled out of the door. He ran straight to Elaine's chambers.

- - - - - - -

Ever since Arthur left, Lancelot stayed behind. He wanted to know if Elaine was well and safe from harm but he heard no news of the young woman. He avoided going inside the castle walls and remained in the village but he did mention to one of the servants to bring him news if there was any change with Elaine.

“Lancelot!” A very familiar voice called from behind him. He turned to see Gwen jogging towards him. She had her shawl wrapped around her, keeping the cold evening breeze from chilling her. “It is Elaine. She is out of danger. Her fever broke only moments ago and she is asking for you.”

Lancelot looked down at the beautiful woman, who he was in love with. As was Prince Arthur. “Gwen.” He breathed her name as she stood in front of him, flustered from rushing out of the castle to find him, probably. “She is? What about Uther? He has made it clear that I am not welcome.”

“The King is in mourning. Arthur brought King Pelles back to Camelot dead.” Gwen spoke sadly over the death of the King's younger brother. All of Camelot loved King Pelles as he was kind and considerate, unlike his brother, who was cruel and suspicious of everyone. “I will take you to Elaine.” The two walked side-by-side to the castle in silence. Lancelot would occasionally glance sideways at the young woman and the previous feelings returning to him fully.

Lancelot was led into Elaine's chambers, to find her sleeping in bed. She still looked ill but not as bad as she looked before. Her hair was tied in a long braid neatly and she was propped up on many pillows. Slowly, he walked forward with Gwen and sat in the chair next to the bed. He didn't want to wake her but as he was sitting down, Elaine woke up. “I didn't mean to wake you.” He whispered gently as he moved closer to her.

“I wasn't sleeping. I was just resting my eyes.” She smiled gently towards him. “Thank you Lancelot. I don't know where I would be if it were not for you. My father will reward you for your bravery and loyalty.” Both Lancelot stayed silent. “What? What is it?”

“Elaine!” Arthur called in shock as he rushed into the room. “Father said... Father said you were dying.”

“Well, obviously I am not.” Elaine laughed softly as her cousin moved around the bed and sat on the edge, on the opposite side to Lancelot. “I'm not going anywhere. Right?” Looking to him for reassurance but he remained silent. “Arthur? What is it? I do not wish to be kept in the dark. Where is my father? He will tell me.” Still her cousin remained silent. “Arthur!” She shouted at him as much as her voice would allow her. “No... No...” Finally, she realised the truth behind every person's silence. “He's not... No... Please no...” Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Arthur in shock. “Please Arthur!”

“I am sorry Elaine.” Arthur shook his head slowly and bent over their, now, clasped hands. “I tried to reach him before the battle began but it was over when I reached Corbenic with the Knights. He knew you were safe but he continued to fight for the freedom of his Kingdom. I am sorry.”

Elaine's silent tears slowly turned into sobs. “I don't believe you...” She sobbed into the back of her hand. “No... NO!” She screamed at Arthur, who reached forward and pulled her into his chest and she sobbed into his armour. The two others watched them both as Elaine's heart broke at the news of her beloved Father's death. “Oh Father.” She sobbed harder as Arthur rubbed her back in gentle circles and secretly cried with her.

Arthur held Elaine in his arms until she fell asleep in his arms and he gently lay her back on the bed. He brushed her hair away from her face and watched her for a moment as she slept. “Gwen, could you sit with her? I do not wish for her to be alone when she wakes again.” He stood up slowly and moved from the bed.

“Yes your Highness.” Gwen nodded and sat in Arthur's previous place; on the edge of Elaine's bed.

Arthur moved away as did Lancelot. “I never thanked you for returning her to us.” Holding his hand out to him. “Thank you.”

“Any decent man would have done it.” Lancelot nodded and placed his hand in Arthur's hand, shook it slightly. “Take care of her. If Sir Marcus discovers she is alive, he will hunt her down.”

“Stay then. I will have a word with my father and request for you to be Elaine's personal bodyguard. She needs someone with her when she is well again and I cannot think of anyone better.” Arthur put his hand on Lancelot's shoulder. “Think about it before you reject the proposal.”

“What if the King denies your request?”

“I don't know but if Elaine asked him personally he would not refuse. She is his favourite, even above Morgana.” Arthur chuckled nervously as he looked back at his sleeping cousin, who still looked ill but better than she was before. “Just give it time and you may well be forgiven.” He smiled and tapped Lancelot's shoulder before leaving Elaine's bed chambers.

Lancelot watched the two women on the bed. Gwen kept a hold of Elaine's hand and Elaine slept peacefully. She had no idea that being in Camelot had brought a danger on her family. It was not her fault but it was not Lancelot's fault either. He knew he had to get Elaine out of Corbenic for her own safety and sanity. Sir Marcus would have hurt her in every possible way he could think of. Despite the threat of attack, Camelot was the safest place for her. But for Lancelot, it was not. He was supposed to be banished from Camelot but he was here now. Uther knew that Lancelot had brought Elaine back to Camelot for her safety but still he resented the young man for lying to him many years ago.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- 2
- 3
- 4
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Pains Of The Heart