Luminescence ✺ Arthur Pendragon

Love in the time of Dragons [2]

When the siblings woke next morning, they found Gaius already awake and working within the main chamber, greeting them as if nothing had happened during the night whatsoever. At least they could be sure he hadn't discovered their spying without them realizing. But when it meant they wouldn't get to ask the questions entirely consuming their curious minds, it seemed like a downside.

"Did you go out last night?" Merlin asked, breaking the silence as he leaned his back against the wooden pillar, eyes focused on Gaius as they awaited his answer.

For a few long moments, the older physician seemed to think it over before finally giving one. "Yes. I had to get some herbs." And once again, Arwen knew he was lying. She would have even if they hadn't followed him and seen the truth for themselves.

"In the middle of the night?" She questioned in a dubious tone.

"A... A new supplier just arrived." Gaius' excuse had Arwen raising her eyebrow, the expression on her face making it clear she didn't buy that either. Not for a single second.

"Right..." Merlin muttered out, doubt evident in his voice and soon he made it clear why it was there too. "Do your suppliers normally kiss you?" The blunt question had Arwen giving out a small chuckle which only repeated as Gaius spun on his heel to look at them in surprise.

"You followed me. How dare you?"

"Gaius, it was the middle of the night, we were worried." Merlin defended instantly. "I thought you might be in some sort of trouble."

"You had been acting odd all day before, and refused to tell us what was really going on." Arwen added on the reminder.

With a small sigh, the physician nodded his head. After all, how could he fault them for simply trying to look out for him. "There's nothing wrong." He said reassuringly.

"Certainly not." With the issue put past them, Arwen was eager to return to the more important topic. "She is very pretty." She added in a slightly teasing tone, the smile on her face making Gaius sigh again while Merlin asked a question of his own.

"What's her name?"

"Alice. She's an old friend." Gaius revealed, missing the way the siblings shared a look behind his back at the word 'friend'. "Well, more than a friend, if truth be told."

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked curiously.

"We were once engaged to be married." The revelation had Arwen's eyes widening in surprise.

"Engaged? When?" She questioned eagerly, her voice mixing with her brother's who asked the same question.

"When was this?"

"More years ago than I care to remember." Gaius said, emotion seeping through his voice as he put down the potion he'd been stirring up until that moment.

"What happened?" Arwen asked curiously, watching and joining him as he abandoned his work to sit down at the table as he began to tell the story.

"I had just been made physician to the King when I met her." He revealed. Arwen found it hard to imagine a time so long ago, a young Gaius just starting to work at this position. "It was like finding a kindred spirit, we had so much in common. Our love of science, or healing, and of magic."

"Magic?" Merlin asked eagerly, curious to know more now especially.

"I was just a novice, but Alice's power and ability was uncanny." Gaius said, and the admiration he held for the woman even after so much time was unmistakeable. "She had the gift. Soon she had mastered every aspect of sorcery, healing above all. It was wonderful to behold, Merlin. She saved a great many lives."