Once Upon A Dream (Merlin Love Story)

Chapter 30, Part 2

Astrid's P. O. V:

I watch as Lancelot helps Gaius to lay Merlin on his bed, and tuck the three layers of blankets around his shoulders tightly.

"What happened?" Lancelot demands, flickering his dark eyes from Gaius to me.

I reply, "I don't know. I've never felt anyone so cold before. He'd felt like death itself." I shudder at the memory.

Lancelot asks Gaius, "Will he be alright?"

"We need hawthorn to improve the blood flow," Gaius tells him. "And blankets!" He calls after Lancelot as he leaves. "Lots of blankets!"

Gaius looks back at his nephew, and I go up to him.

Lancelot returns with the hawthorn and a huge pile of blankets. After Gaius and I tuck Merlin into more blankets for extra warmth, I pull Lancelot aside to thank him.

"Thank you for your help, Lancelot," I say gratefully, looking back at him.

"Anything for my friend, Astrid," He murmurs.

I gaze back at my lover with tears welling up in my eyes. I swipe them away with the heels of my palms as I say, sniffling, "I'm so worried about him, Lancelot! He's just.... so cold! I can't... I can't bear to lose him...!"

"Hey, it's going to be alright," Lancelot says, pulling me into a tight hug and I return it, burying my face in his strong chest. "He will get better. You know he will." I sniffle as I nod my head. "If there's anything you need, just ask, Your Grace."

After a moment or two, I pull back and wipe away more tears, sniffling again.

"He will be fine, Your Grace," Gaius tells me firmly as Lancelot leaves.

"I know, Gaius. But I still can't stop worrying about him. I'm scared."

Gaius gives me a tight hug before he releases me. He tells me he'll be just downstairs should I need anything, and that there's a spare blanket for me. I thank the Physician and he leaves, shutting the door behind him.

I take off my crown and set it on the desk, before I go sit next to Merlin, on a straight backed chair. Wrapping the blanket Gaius left for me around my shoulders, I sit down and watch my lover wearily, paying he'll make it through the night.

                        🗡🗡🗡

I let out a soft sigh as I rest my elbow on my left knee, chin in hand as I gaze at Merlin, still unconscious. It's been several hours and he still hasn't woken up yet. My eyes were getting heavy from tiredness but I refuse to sleep.

I reach forward and brush some black hair back from Merlin's forehead, trying not to flinch back at the chill in his skin. He's still so cold. I grip Merlin's hand once more, tightly, as though to let him know I'm still here.

I blink my eyes when I feel his fingers twitch in my hand, and gasp softly as Merlin's eyes begin to peel open, the warlock groaning softly.

Merlin's head lolls to each side as he wakes up, blinking his eyes a few times. I tighten my hand around his when I feel him grip my hand tightly.

"Astrid...?" Merlin whispers, gazing at me.

"You're awake!" I say in immense relief, throwing my arms around him. Merlin's lips barely twitch into a smile as he slides his other arm around me. "Oh, Merlin!" I gasp. I hug him tightly. As I lean back, I kiss Merlin's cheek, uncaring of the slight chill that remains there. "I was so worried! Tell me, what happened?"

I throw my blanket around his shoulders as I help Merlin into a sitting positing, before I sit on the edge of the bed beside him. I listen intently as Merlin explains what he saw. An old woman wearing a black cloak and holding a staff in one hand, wispy grey hair framing her face. She'd kept repeating his name, "Emrys."