Merlin: Fate Be Changed

Love in the Time of Dragons (Part 4)

Morning came the next day and Merlin stood in the living area of Gaius's chambers with a knowing look on his face. "Did you go out last night?" He asked randomly. Gaius turned back to look at his nephew. "Yes," he answered, going back to what he was doing. "I had to get some herbs."

Merlin arched his brow. "Herbs." Gaius set the potion down and directed his attention to the young warlock. "A-- A new supplier, just arrived," he lied. "Yeah... Right," came Merlin's reply. The room went silent save for the bubbling of the mixture Gaius was making. Then, ever so snarky Merlin said, "Do your suppliers usually kiss you?"

This made Gaius stop in his tracks. He tried in vain to come up with a reasonable explanation but could think of none. The jig was up; Gaius had been caught red-handed. Once that knowledge sunk in, Gaius was overcome by feelings of hurt and betrayal. "You followed me. How dare you?"

"It was the middle of the night. I was worried about you," Merlin argued. "I thought you might be in some sort of trouble."

Gaius fumed petulantly. "There's nothing wrong." Merlin gave his uncle a look and smirked. "So, what's her name?" he drawled teasingly. The physician shot Merlin a glare, before letting out a sigh of defeat and saying, "Alice. She's an old friend. Well, more than a friend if truth be told." "What do you mean," Merlin smiled.

Gaius gave him a small smile. "We were once engaged to be married." A look of shock and confusion contorted Merlin's features. "When was this?"

"More years ago than I care to remember," the old man exhaled, as he and Merlin sat down at the table. "I had just been made physician to the King when I met her. It was like finding a kindred spirit." For the next time, Gaius regaled Merlin with tales of his and Alice's epic love story. Merlin beamed at his uncle's tale and tried to imagine how different Gaius was back then; how different everything was.

When Gaius told Merlin that Alice knew magic, all the pieces connected, and the realization dawned on him. "Alice healed the innkeeper," he blurted out. Gaius nodded in affirmation. "Indeed," he said. "There was a time when her skills were famous in Camelot." Merlin listened intently and leaned in with curiosity. "So what happened?" He asked.

Gaius grimaced darkly, "Uther declared war on Magic." As soon as those words left his mouth, Merlin felt his heart harden against the king and it took all his strength not to lose control over his emotions and lash out. He clenched his jaw tightly breathing only through his nose and let his uncle finish his tale. "Uther drew up a list," Gaius said. "Everyone suspected of using magic. One by one, they were rounded up and executed."

"The Great Purge," Merlin acknowledged solemnly. "Yes. And as a close friend to the King, I was permitted to see this list," Gaius added. "Alice's name was on it." "What did you do?" The warlock inquired.

"I struck her name off."

Merlin balked at his uncle. "Gaius, if you had been caught," he started. "I know, but it bought her time," Gaius cut in. "Just enough for her to get out of Camelot and escape."

"But you-- you stayed behind."

"I was scared. I felt I had no choice," Gaius answered defensively. "You thought you'd never see her again," Merlin realized. "And now here she is. After all these years, I feel like we've been given a second chance," Gaius concluded.

* * *

"You have a kind heart," Alice said sweetly, as Gaius passed her the meat tray. "It's the least I can do," he brushed off sheepishly. "Will you stay? Please say you will," she begged. "You are my only appointment this morning," he smiled. "I made sure of that." She blushed brightly at his words.