Chapter Text
° "You're not going to die Merlin. You're not going to happen anything. Don't die idiot. Understand?"
Arthur mutters himself under gritted teeth, he's carrying Merlin's motionless body, looking down at Merlin's pale like bloodless face and tightening his grip on Merlin. Merlin can't respones his usual insults back to his king now. Arthur doesn't wait his party to catch with him. He's half running toward the court physician ward. Helplessly piteous Merlin is lying on his king arms like a paper doll.
° "What happened my Lord?"
Gaius tries to control to not include his worry in his voice but he failed.
"This idiot ran in front of me like an actual idiot and was hit by something evil harm instead of me. He seemed to think he was hero without wearing even a proper jacket, let alone the chainmail. Such an idiot. Damn it that witch. …"
°
Arthur is talking like to himself than explaining what actually happened to Gaius. But Gaius can collect some facts from Arthur's muttered trash while he's checking on Merlin's condition. Gaius knows Merlin's still alive and his harm isn't an external wound. This is magic thing. very strange magic thing. So Gaius needs some privacy immediately.
"Arthur. Okay Arthur. I got it. And I have to investigate thoroughly about that. As you know this is not a normal thing right? Well it's about magic. Magic you know. So could you please go out and get me some time?"
°Arthur dumbfounds and stops his rattling.
°"Ah. Yes. But Can't I stay here? just until he's okay?"
°"He will be okay My Lord. You can't stay here. I really need some privacy. Alright?"
°"Can you promise me he'll be alright? He's not going to die?"
°"Yes. I can promise. So."
°
"So…"
Arthur looks down at Merlin's face for the last time with full of concerns and walks backward to the door unwillingly, looking at Gaius and Merlin's form on the cot rotatingly. Gaius can sighs heavily when Arthur closes the door from outside. This will be the long day for the old physician.
"No Gaius. I'm not happening a girl."
•Merlin shouts back to Gaius and is scared more by his small girly voice. He sits up frighteningly on the cot and is groping himself all over his body. It's not like he didn't ever see curves and shapes of a girl but those things over himself is so strange and umfamiliar. When Merlin touches something soft and extras on his upper body he releases them immediately and shockingly.
•Gaius just takes a look at Merlin and resumes his reading as if nothing is special.
•"You should look yourself in the mirror. It's not that bad Merlin compared with death. What do you know about that witch? What kind or where she came from? or what spell she used? Tell me something useful Merlin. I've been searching aimlessly in the sea of possibilities before you got consciousness back."
•"I think I didn't know anything. It was happening so fast. like a dream. Arthur was chasing that beast and it turned out that witch and she hit at Arthur with something and I ran toward there. yeah may be I'm still in this dream now. All are dream right Gaius?"
•"No Merlin. It's not a dream. You're a girl now and Arthur has been wanting to know about you. You have to meet and tell him you are okay. He's been worrying for you."
•"Noooo Gaius. I can't meet with him like that. You just tell him I'm okay and can't meet him for some reason. Please Gaius. We'll find a cure soon right? I can't be the laughing stock for Arthur. Help me Gaius."
•"Too late Merlin. Arthur knew you don't die and he wants to meet you. I believe he won't laugh at you. And I've planned for your present condition. Gwen will come and fetch you."
•Merlin yells "For what?"
•"A girl isn't supposed to dress like you."
•Merlin can't be more suprised and shocked since he was born. He puts his fingers in his hair to scatch.
•"Oh my Godd. My hair."
•"Yeah Merlin it's so long and black."
•Merlin falls down on the cot and thinks that death is less ashamed than now. He should have died peacefully and gracefully.
• Merlin doesn't know anymore what has been happening since Gwen brought him toward Morgana's room. He also doesn't know that which one made him more uncomfortable in Gwen's suprise when she saw him and Morgana's smirk when he and Gwen arrived before her. Two ladies look like they've got the newest and most amazing toy to fuss for. Merlin tries to think that he's just a paper doll and everything will be ended up soon.
•"You should watch yourself in the mirror Merlin. Havn't you looked yet?"
When Morgana asks Merlin just nods back.
•"Wow. What a waste. You're so beautiful Merlin. If I didn't know you were Merlin and were a man I would have banished you from Camelot. Because you're more beautiful than me. Ha Ha."
•"Yes Merlin. She's right."
Gwen agrees with her lady. Merlin doesn't want to know or intrest in his girly look. All he's thinking is that What reaction could he get from Arthur and his friends. They would laugh and mock at him endlessly. Merlin sighs heavily.
•"Okay Merlin. I thinks it's almost finished. Go and meet with your king in the meeting room. He's been waiting for you since the whole day. Go Merlin. We don't follow with you."
•Merlin just nods and stands up and walks to the door. He doesn't want to know What Morgana and Gwen are whispering behind his back. All the way to the meeting room is too long or too short today. Merlin thinks every passing by is staring at him and he's feeling so transperent. Merlin prays that everyone can't recognize him as Merlin. When he arrives at meeting room's door Merlin knocks slowly, his heart is beating fast.
•"Who?"
"Merlin"
"Oh Merlin. Come in."
•Merlin thinks he can't be in more awkward situation than now. Arthur isn't alone. The knights are with him. Merlin slowly enters in the room, putting his head down toward the floor.
• The sound of silence is loudly roaring in Merlin's ears. He doesn't dare to head up.
•"Oh You're really Merlin?"
Gwaine's voice is the first to break the ice. Merlin nods his head without making eyes contact to anyone. The voice of amazing from other knights are following up.
•"Merl…Merlin"
Arthur is so shocked to see his manservant form. He can't believe this girl is Merlin. This beautiful form. All pink and flowery and soft. Merlin heads up slowly and looks at Arthur's direction. When Merlin's eyes meet with his Arthur's mouth is going agape. This girl's face is Merlin's but is smoother and not square. Her hair is raven black like Merlin but so long and wavy. Arthur's staring at Merlin incautiously. Merlin's wanting to cry now. He knows his former lanky and thin figure is how lame and ugly he would be as a girl. The unshed tears are full in Merlin's eyes.
•"I…I know you will be so shocked to see me like that. I didn't die but I've happened as a girl. I don't know which is worse in being died or this. I just wanted to tell you I'm alive and you don't have to concern for me anymore. Gaius will find a way for me soon. If…If you don't want your manservant like this you you better call for new servant. I I'm going now."
Speaking of, Merlin turns back to door and is straing to run away.
•"Noooo Merlin. I want you."
Arthur yells at Merlin suddenly before he knows what he said. Merlin turns around to look back at Arthur unbelievingly what he heard from his king. They're looking into each other eyes dumfoundedly. Tension in the air is thicker with the time is passing.