CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
LE MORTE D'ARTHUR ( ii. )

Calliope can't stop blaming herself.

If she had gone with them on the hunt, maybe Arthur wouldn't be dying right now.  She can't accept the fact that he may leave this world with their last conversation being the painful words from one month ago. They never made things right—she never even tried to mend things. She thought he just needed time, but now, they're all out of time. Merlin said he could find a cure and left Camelot without much explanation, but Calliope knows it's a long shot.

She hasn't seen him yet. For a while, the King wouldn't let anyone in the room as he grieved and prayed for Arthur's recovery. When he finally left, Gaius went in to see if there was anything he could do. It's been hours, and the physician has not come out. Now, Calliope stands outside his chamber, trying to muster up the courage to go inside. With a deep breath, she finally pushes the door open, and she holds herself together, even as she sees him lying in his bed with a large white bandage covering his left shoulder and a cold rag on his head to keep his fever down. His eyes are closed and his chest rises and falls slowly. Gaius sits in a chair beside the bed, his head back and his mouth agape as he snores.

Gently, she brushes his shoulder to wake him. Gaius is startled at first, but he stands from his chair when he sees Calliope.

She motions to the door with her arm, "You should go get some rest."

"He must not be left alone."

"I'll look after him," she answers urging him to go back to his room and rest somewhere more comfortable.

Nodding, Gaius exits the room and closes the door quietly behind him. Calliope lets out a small breath as she reaches over Arthur and grabs the cloth. Walking over to the table, she rings it through the cold water a few times before returning to the prince's side and dabbing his face lightly. It's difficult to keep her heart from breaking as she examines his features, swallowing to keep tears from welling in her blue eyes. Calliope folds the cloth and places it on his head, grabbing the chair and scooting it closer to the bed.

She sits, taking his burning hand in her own. If he was awake, would he jerk away from her touch? She doesn't let herself linger on the thought. She just squeezes his hand, hoping a small part of him is aware of her presence—that she is here and hasn't given up on him, and that she never will, until his last breath.

Because he didn't give up on her. When her soul was in the dagger, he is the one who brought her back to the light.

Calliope inhales sharply before speaking, not caring that he may never hear her words, "I know you may hate me right now," she starts, her eyes on the floor, "and if you were awake, you would probably tell me to get out, but I don't care. You know I never listen to you anyway," her eyes glance up, and her chest tightens as she continues. "You're not going to die because you're a fighter and because Camelot needs you and," her breath hitches, her eyes burning. Her next words come out as barely a whisper, "and I need you."

Calliope didn't survive the blood wraiths and Sepharin just to have Arthur die on her a month later. She will not accept that all is lost. She knows, in her heart, that he can make it.

"Things have always been complicated with us," she keeps her grip steady on his hand, hoping her touch can be the anchor that brings him back to shore. "They probably always will be, but..." she trails off, unsure exactly what she wants to say. "I think the thing in this world that scares me the most is losing you, and the truth is, so many times when I was ready to descend back into darkness, you were the only thing that kept me from falling." The confession causes her cheeks to heat, but she shakes her head. "So, you can't die, alright? You have to live to be the great King I know you can become."

Tears slide down her cheeks, and she brings her head down to rest on his strong arm. If she could take his place, she would.

The sound of the chamber door opening causes Calliope to bring her head back up. When she spots the King standing on the other side of the room, she quickly lets go of Arthur's hand and stands up, straightening her back and wiping away the tears on her face. She expects him to tell her to get out, but instead, he just looks from Calliope to his son with a saddened expression.

Calliope clears her throat, "Sire," she says. "I should go—"

"Stay," he says quietly, walking up to the bed and sitting in the chair Calliope was previously in. Unsure of what is about to happen, she cautiously takes a step back. Uther's eyes stay on Arthur as he speaks, "You care for him."

It isn't a question. It's a statement of a fact he already knows, and Calliope has no idea how to respond. There's no use in denying it, but when Uther looks over his shoulder, he expects an answer.

Her gaze flickers to the floor, "He's the future king," is all she says, as if it could cover her true feelings.

"Indeed he is," Uther replies. "You understand what that means, don't you?" The blonde clenches her jaw. "Arthur's marriage will be for the betterment of the kingdom, not for love." Their eyes meet. "Nothing can ever come of your feelings for him."

"I know," she answers quietly, the words hurting a deep part of her.

The King nods, "Good, because he will always be under constant danger. Camelot has many enemies," his gaze returns to his son. "If he survives this, I need you to promise to stay close to him—to protect him. He's always so eager to save others, that he often forgets about himself," the blonde raises her eyebrows in surprise at his request. "I hate to admit it, but you're one of the only people who seems to be able to get through to him." She is still in a stunned silence as he continues. "I will not let your skills go to waste. I want you to use them to keep anything like this from ever happening to my son again."

Finally, she's able to speak, "I will protect him with my life. Always."

Calliope turns, about to let him have a moment alone with Arthur, when the King grabs her arm.

"You are valuable to ensuring Arthur sees the throne one day, but if I find out you've acted on your feelings, that value will immediately diminish. Understand?" Drawing a breath, Calliope nods, and Uther lets go of her arm.

She leaves the room, everything Uther said to her whirling in her mind.

♛ ♛ ♛

Calliope stands with Leon at her side as she overlooks the courtyard. Rows and rows of citizens stand with candles in their hands, illuminating the night. They have come from all across the kingdom to say goodbye to their prince and to mourn. Calliope wishes they would all go home. They grieve his death while there is still breath in his lungs. This just feels like an early funeral, and it makes her stomach churn.

Another thing itches away at her mind as the sea of flames below echoes from her gaze—the fact that King Uther is completely aware of her feelings for the prince, and how he wants her to stay close to him regardless of how convoluted the situation can become. Having to face the reality of possibly losing his son has opened his eyes to how she can serve the kingdom, but to do so, she must shove her true feelings aside. It's a good thing she has practice.

Her eyes shift to Leon as she leans against the wall by the window, his jaw tight and muscles tense. She can sense that he shares her same thoughts of wishing the people below would leave and save their laments for an actual dead person.

She wonders when Merlin will be back, and if he will indeed bring a cure with him. She could have tagged along for the journey, but she had to stay with Arthur in case...in case she had to say goodbye. Leaving him for the entire day just didn't feel right to her.

His condition hasn't changed except his fever has spiked. Gaius says it's a sign that he only has about one day left to live, but Calliope refuses to believe it.

Finally, Calliope pulls her gaze away from the courtyard, "How long do you think they'll stay out there?"

"All night," he says, his eyes unwavering. "It's how they show their loyalty to Arthur, even in his final hours."

"He's not going to die," Calliope corrects, and Leon looks over at her. "I won't give up hope."

"Neither will I," he turns to face her. "Arthur is more than just my Prince. He's been my friend ever since we were just boys." Noticing the heavy bags underneath her eyes and her slumped shoulders, he reaches out to touch her arm. "You should really get some rest, Cal."

Shaking her head, she tries to make herself look more awake, "I can't—"

"If anything changes, I'll wake you," he says, and she lets out a long, tired huff, giving in.

"Thank you, Leon," the knight nods, and Calliope leaves him by the window.

Her feet drag as she walks through the corridors. After a few minutes, she finds herself not at her own door, but at Arthur's. Her body led her here without even asking what her mind wanted. When she steps inside, she relieves Gaius of his turn of watching over the prince. Once he leaves the room, she practically falls over in the chair beside the bed.

Calliope leans forward, placing her head on Arthur's chest, and it doesn't take long for sleep to envelope her.

Hours pass, and she doesn't wake once. Instead, her breathing remains steady and even until sunlight trickles through the curtains. No one bothered her through the night. Servants would come in and out to replace the bowl of water or Arthur's rags, but none of the noise woke Calliope. Her dreams are vacant of any terrors, just an unspoken worry that when she comes to, Arthur will have stopped breathing.

However, when her eyes finally start to open, her back aching from leaning forward from the chair all night, she examines his face and chest, relief flooding through her when she sees that he's still alive. If today really is his last, she will stay with him through all of it—to the very end.

Calliope stands to stretch her sore muscles, and she turns when she hears footsteps in the hallway. Moments later, Merlin and Gaius burst through the door, and in the physician's hand is a large, gray vial with odd markings. The blonde's eyes meet Merlin's, and she knows what it is. A cure.

She steps away from the bed, allowing Gaius to stand over Arthur, and she looks to her friend, "How did you find it?"

His eyes turn downcast, "I'll tell you later," she furrows her eyebrows. "We need to talk, Cal." Those are never good words.

As Gaius hovers the opening of the vial over Arthur's lips, as few drops of whatever liquid is inside drops into his mouth. Calliope watches the prince closely as his lips close, and a small amount of color slowly starts to return to his pale face.

The door opens again, and a voice rises, "What are you doing physician?" Their heads turn to see the King standing in the doorway. "What are you giving him?"

Gaius searches for an answer, one that won't include magic, "It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant—an ancient remedy for poisonous bites."

Uther steps forward, " A cure?"

"We hope."

Walking around the table, Uther keeps his eyes on his son, "Do you really think it will have some effect?"

"It's our last resort, Sire," Gaius says before turning back to give Arthur the rest of the contents of the vial. As more of the liquid enters his mouth, his face begins to return to it's normal hue. "Perhaps you should allow him to rest."

The King shakes his head, "I will not leave him."

The three people by the bed bow their heads in a nod as they walk away, letting the King have time with his son as they await his recovery.

When Calliope reaches the door, she lingers for a moment, her blue gaze settled on Arthur, but then, she steps into the hallway, catching up with Merlin and Gaius.

♛ ♛ ♛

"Tell me what happened."

Calliope sits across from Merlin on his bed later that night as they wait to hear any news about Arthur. The sorcerer nervously twiddles his thumbs, his eyes on the floor of his room. He's reluctant to talk about his trip, and Calliope knows any cure that will save someone from certain death will call for a great price.

And Merlin, being the determined hero, will pay it without hesitation.

The blonde already knows what he's about to say before the words even leave his lips, "I went to the Isle of the Blessed. Nimueh was there, and she told me there was a way to save Arthur, with water from the cup of life."

"That's what Gaius gave him?" Calliope asks.

Merlin nods, "I gave my life for his. That's the price." Calliope lets out a pained sound as she leans back on the bed, "And don't tell me what I did was stupid. You literally did the same thing like a month ago and expected me to just be okay with it."

The sorcerer has a point, but it doesn't dull the ache in her chest as she thinks about Merlin dying, "You always have to be the hero, don't you?"

"It's my destiny to protect Arthur," he answers. "His life is worth more than mine."

"Don't you start with that bullshit," Calliope exclaims as she stands, her gaze drilling into him. "You are just as important as everyone else. This entire city would be in ruins without you, Merlin. We all need you here."

Sighing, he swings his legs over the bed, "Well, there's nothing to be done about it now. I made my decision."

He's right. The deal has been struck. A life for a life. There is no way to get out of this promise. Balance must be returned to the world, but Merlin has no fear in his eyes. He will gladly trade his life for Arthur's.

Calliope wishes there was a way for the prince to know of everything Merlin has done for him; that he could reveal his true self and be praised for it, not sent to an execution stand, but maybe one day, once Arthur becomes King, old traditions of his father will be done away with. That hope for a better future is what keeps many people in Camelot going.

When Gaius barges into the room, Merlin shoots up from the bed. Calliope draws in a sharp breath.

The physician looks between them, "The Prince lives."

A wide smile spreads across Merlin's face, and Calliope looks up the ceiling with relief. She doesn't waste any time. Before another word can be said, she is running out of Gaius's chamber. Moving through the castle, she doesn't bother to give people warning to get out of her way. A servant carrying a basket of linens nearly falls over.

The only thought in Calliope's mind is to see Arthur. She doesn't care that he may not want to talk to her. All she needs is to see him awake—alive and breathing.

When she reaches his door, a servant is exiting with dirty cloths that need to be washed. She looks over Calliope before stepping out of the blonde's way, and she slips through the door right before it clicks shut.

The prince doesn't notice her at first. His head is on his pillow, his eyes closed, but his brows are furrowed as if he's still in a small amount of pain from the wound. For a moment, she just stands at his door, building up the courage to make her presence known to him. Well, she's seen that he's alive, maybe she should just exit quietly. That seems like the easier option.

But, she doesn't let herself take the easy path. Calliope pushes herself off the door, clearing her throat. Arthur's eyes open and land on her as she walks across the room. He doesn't say anything. His deep, blue eyes only stay locked with her own, even as she sits down by the bed. Each moment she sits there, awaiting his harsh voice to tell her to leave, is as fragile as strand of rain.

They haven't had an actual conversation in a month. When she spoke to him as he drifted close to death, that was the most words she's let out in his presence.

Calliope breaks eye contact with him, nerves tangling around every word that leaves her lips, "I'm glad you're alive."

"It won't be that easy to get rid of me," the small flicker of mockery in his tone, and the ghost of a smile on his lips, makes some of her nerves fade away. "Did you mean what you said?"

Her gaze flows up from the floor. Her eyebrows pinch in confusion, "About what?"

"That losing me is your greatest fear," Oh. So he did hear her. "Seems odd for such a ruthless assassin to let herself have such fears."

He catches her stare. Calliope leans forward, a roaring ocean meeting a calm, iridescent blue. She is the storm and the war and rage within, but he is the still waters and the gentle kiss of waves bringing ships back to shore. A perfect balance of chaos and peace.

"I meant every word," her voice is soft and quiet.

The blonde's breath hitches as his warm hand wraps around her own hand that rests by his side, "I thought you weren't supposed to care about anything."

"I'm not," she answers, their gazes never faltering, "but I care about you."

He squeezes her hand, his thumb rubbing the back side of her palm. The action causes her heart to skip a beat as tiny, fluttering butterflies take flight in her chest, "I don't want to be angry at you anymore."

She inhales sharply, "Arthur, I'm so sorry—for everything. I'm so, so sorry—"

"Calliope," he says, stopping her from descending into an hour long apology. "I think it's time we finally put all of that behind us," she couldn't agree more. Hearing him say that lifts a giant weight from her chest as he winces, sitting up so they are face-to-face. "I don't know if things can go back to the way they were. All I know for sure is that I don't want to lose you either."

Tears well in the blonde's eyes as she nods, and then, Arthur wraps his arms around her in a long embrace. She tucks her head into his shoulder, letting out a prolonged breath of solace as his warmth surrounds her. It may take some work, but slowly, they are rebuilding the bridge between them, and Calliope will never let it break again.

♛ ♛ ♛

When Calliope wakes the next morning, she definitely doesn't expect to walk down to the physician's chambers to find an unconscious woman in the doorway covered in red boils with puss leaking from them. A hood covers her face, and Calliope doesn't get too close in case whatever disease she could be carrying may be contagious.

But as Gaius comes into view and hurries over to the woman, he turns her over, and Calliope gasps. It's Merlin's mother. She covers her mouth with her hand as she steps back, glancing to Merlin's room. Is this Nimueh's price?

"Gaius!" Merlin exits his room, chipper and happy. "I'm alive!" Calliope tries to block his path to where Gaius leans over the woman. "What is it? What happened."

She grabs his arm, "Merlin stay over here."

His eyebrows furrow as he yanks his arm away from her grip, "What's wrong?"

Gaius looks over his shoulder, "No, don't—"

But, it's too late. Merlin's eyes widen as he recognizes the woman, "Mother," he says in unbelief as he leans down over her.

"Merlin," she's barely able to say.

"What happened to her?"

"She's gravely ill."

The sorcerer looks to Gaius as Calliope puts a comforting hand on his back, "Do something!"

"I would if I could."

Shaking his head, tears fall from his eyes, "Please, Gaius."

"Merlin, this is no ordinary illness."

It's magic. The old religion has named its price, "This cannot happen," Merlin mutters under his breath.

Gaius turns to him, "Who did you meet at the Isle of the Blessed?"

"Nimueh. It was as you said. She demanded a price, but I bargained my life. Not my mother's."

With a defeated sigh, Gaius looks over Hunith, "Merlin, I wish there was something I could do."

Gently, Merlin takes his mother's hand, "I will make you better," he says. "I will."

Not long after Calliope and Gaius get Hunith settled in Merlin's bed, the young sorcerer has disappeared, no doubt to seek the dragon's help, but the only way to save her is to give another life in exchange.

And Calliope knows exactly whose life will be up for taking. Merlin's.

So, when he comes back later in the night as Calliope sits with Hunith to make sure she's comfortable, she's not surprised to hear Merlin announce his plan to return to the Isle of the Blessed and offer up his life. No matter what Gaius says to him, he will not change his mind. He's determined to save his mother and to not let anyone else die. Calliope understands because she would do the same for her own mother, but this time, she will not let Merlin face Nimueh alone.

Returning to her room for a while, she packs a bag for the trip, and once she has enough rations for a few days in case something goes wrong, she returns to the physician's chambers to offer Merlin as much support as she can. They mainly just sit in silence as she keeps her hand on his back. He leans into his friend's touch and is able to eventually get a few hours of sleep to prepare for the day ahead.

In the early hours of the morning, Calliope is in her old room, lacing up her riding boots when she hears Merlin frantically yelling for her. she quickly exits the room and finds Merlin standing with a letter in his hands, his face scrunched in denial.

Calliope tears the letter away from his grasp, her eyes scanning over the words.

Dear Merlin and Cal,

My life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it; very little that will be remembered. In contrast, both of you have lives destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you, and I believe in time, Merlin, you will become the greatest warlock ever, and you, Calliope, you will become Camelot's greatest warrior. Knowing both of you has been my greatest pleasure, and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honor. You are, and always will be, the son and daughter I never had.

They don't have to say anything to each other. The determination to save Gaius takes over as they run to the stables, and not long after, they are riding out to the Isle of the Blessed.

♛ ♛ ♛

The Isle of the Blessed is an eerie, haunting place. A lake with a heavy sheet of fog surrounds an island of whispering ruins. As Calliope sits in the boat with Merlin, she hears voices calling to her from under the water. She ignores them, but she can't fight off the terrible feeling pulling at her gut.

When they reach the shore, Calliope draws her sword, and the run to the center of the Isle, but it seems they may have arrived too late. Calliope's heart sinks when she sees Gaius leaning against the stone alter, his eyes closed as Nimueh stands over him, chanting to the sky with the cup of life in her hands. No, he can't be dead.

"Stop!" Merlin calls out, and her chanting comes to a brisk halt.

The sorceress looks over Merlin and his companion with a clever grin, "Back again so soon, warlock?" she asks, setting the cup on the alter as she walks closer to them. "And you've brought the assassin this time. I hope you're not stupid enough to think her sword can kill me."

"What have you done?" Merlin asks, his eyes on Gaius.

Nimueh's voice echoes out around the ruins, "Your mother is safe. Isn't that what you wanted?"

The blonde keeps her grip on her sword steady as Nimueh faces them, "Have you killed him?"

"It was his wish," Why does everyone have to be so goddamn heroic? First, she thought she would lose Arthur, and now...now Gaius is gone.

Pain covers Merlin's face, "I bid my life for Arthur's!" He screams at her. "Not my mother's, not Gaius's!"

"The old religion does not care who lives and dies, only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken. Gaius knew this."

The sorcerer takes a strong step forward, "It is not the old religion that has done this. It is you."

Noticing his anger cannot be quenched, Nimueh tilts her head, "Come now. We're too valuable to each other to be enemies."

"No, I share nothing with you!"

her tone matches his, "With my help, Arthur will become King!"

"I will make Arthur King, but you will never see that day. Ástryce!"

A long line of heated sparks shoots at Nimueh's head. Calliope has to shield her eyes as she steps back from the line of fire, but the sorceress simply turns her palm and all the sparks fade easily, not even making her break a sweat.

A sly smirk lifts her lips, "Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin," as she speaks a ball of fire begins conjuring from her palm. "I am a priestess of the old religion. Forbaerne!"

Merlin barely has time to dodge the fireball that comes right for him. He jumps out of the way, the roar of fire blasting into the stone wall behind him and sending debris scattering everywhere. Calliope has to duck in order to keep a rock from flying to her head as Merlin quickly gets back to his feet, facing Nimueh again.

"You too are a creature of the old religion. You should join me," Nimueh offers, another ball of fire appearing in her hand.

"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic? Never."

"So be it," Nimueh replies, extending her hand. "Ácwele!"

This time, Merlin doesn't have a chance to dodge. The angry fire collides with his chest, sending him to the ground as smoke rises from his chest. He groans in pain, and Calliope's eyes widen.

"Pity," she says. "Together we could have ruled the world."

"Get away from him!" Calliope yells, charging at her.

Ducking and rolling on the ground, she eludes a hot ball of fire. When she jumps to her feet, she is right in front of the sorceress, swinging her blade through the air.

But, Nimueh simply holds up her hand, and Calliope's sword is stuck in the air, her muscles unable to move and no longer in her own control.

"You think the darkness inside you is really gone?" Nimueh sneers. "You cannot get rid of a stain like that so easily. It's always been with you, Calliope, and it always will be, and one day, you'll finally make your choice."

Before she can answer, Calliope is thrown to the side, her back colliding with the wall. She cries out in pain, her vision going blurry.

From where she lies, trying to regain her strength, she can see Merlin standing as Nimueh walks back to the alter. Above, clouds gather, thunder rolling through the building clouds.

"You should not have killed my friend."

He raises his hand to the sky, the clouds darkening even more. Nimueh's head turns up just in time for Merlin to lower his hand towards her, and then, bolts of lightning shoot down, landing right one her, one after another. The scene is so bright that Calliope has to look away until a horrible screeching sound echoes through the air, and all that's left of the sorceress is pieces of her red, tattered dress.

As Calliope brings herself to her feet, she runs over to Gaius with Merlin, thunderous rain pouring down from above. Her clothes are soaked as she falls to her knees in the grass, shaking the physician roughly, but he isn't responsive.

"Gaius!" She and Merlin both yell for him to wake up. "Gaius, please."

And just as all seems lost—as Calliope leans her head back on the alter in defeat, she hears a soft voice.

"Merlin," Calliope straightens her back. "Cal."

"Gaius," they both say as his eyes open. "You're alive!"

Merlin and Calliope squeeze the physician in a tight hug, relief and happiness flooding through each of them.

"What did you do?" he asks.

"Nimueh's dead," Merlin answers, and Calliope smiles. "The balance of the world has been restored."

As water continues to drench the earth, Gaius slowly shakes his head, "You amaze me. You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great warlock of you yet."

With rain dripping from his face, Merlin nods, "So you believe in me now?"

"Well...I would..." he says through a strained voice. "If-if you could stop this blasted rain."

Laughter escalates from all of them as Calliope punches the sorcerer's arm, "Yeah, that'd be great, wizard boy."

For once, after so many months of danger and terror and dying and coming back to life, they are all safe. They cherish this small moment of tranquility, praying it will last.

But there are enemies lurking in the grass like snakes, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Some being part of the outside world aching for Camelot to fall, but others...

Others are within.

END OF PART ONE

♛ ♛ ♛

AHHH I DID IT. i finished season one. this feels like a major accomplishment because when i started this story two years ago, i didn't think i'd make it past the first episode. cal has come such a long way, and i cannot wait to develop her relationship with arthur even more in season two.
THINGS TO EXPECT IN PART TWO:
new characters, new plot lines, a lot more angst, a lot more action, and... a lot more spice hehehe.

until next time, remember to vote and leave your thoughts in the comments. i love you all :)