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Sir  Ewan's Vigil

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Warning - there is a death at the end of the chapter

Nerissa was still holding Ewan's hand when Merlin came bumbling back into the physician's quarters, having only god-knows-where. Instinctively, as if not wanting to get caught by her brother, she dropped the dying man's hand and turned to look at her brother with her face burning. But Merlin didn't seem to have seen the interaction. Instead, he looked between Gaius and Nerissa gravely.

"Magic. Valiant's using magic," he announced, practically out of breath.

She pursed her lips and closed her eyes, taking in Merlin's words for a moment. It made sense. . . to her. She should have known better than to trust Valiant at first blush, but he had been so kind to her. It likely was part of his ruse. That was yet another reason Nerissa vowed she should never marry. But now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

"Nerissa, did you hear what I said?" Merlin asked, causing her to open her eyes.

"That's a very serious accusation," Nerissa said rather stoically, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Merlin shot her an incredulous glance before he explained, "I've just seen one of the snakes in Valiant's shield come alive. He's using magic, Nerissa. I know you're sweet on him but..."

"I believe you, Merlin," Nerissa retorted, folding her arms across her chest defensively and holding her head a bit higher. "I'm just saying that people aren't likely to believe that serious an accusation without proof."

"I thought you said you believed me."

Nerissa groaned. Gaius then entered the conversation and said, "Just because we believe you, doesn't mean Uther will."

She looked at Merlin and nodded her head, showing that she agreed with their uncle. Merlin didn't seem to be having it. He walked closer toward them.

"I saw the snake eat a mouse! One swallow! Straight down! Sir Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed. It had to have been one of the snakes from the shield! Maybe if I tell Arthur..."

Nerissa scoffed derisively. "You really think Prince Prat is going to take your word, without proof, to his father? What Camelot have you been living in, Merlin?"

Gaius sighed. "Nerissa's right, Merlin. You'll land yourself in trouble. How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"

"What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament!" Merlin shouted, throwing one of his arms out wide rather dramatically.

"But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof! The King would never accept the word of a servant over the word of a knight. It's just how it is, Merlin."

"What? So what I say doesn't count for anything?" Merlin scoffed, folding his arms across his chest like he was protecting himself.

"It counts for very little as far as the King is concerned. That's the way it is."

Merlin looked at his sister as if asking for her opinion on the matter. While she did agree that Valiant was using magic, she also wanted to keep her brother safe from his own stupidity.

"Besides, I'm sure Valiant has thought this through. Camelot is known for its stance on magic. Either he'd have to be stupid to come here. . ." Nerissa couldn't help but pause for effect and glance at her brother. Sometimes she wondered if that wasn't exactly what they had done by coming to Camelot. ". . .or have thought things through. And I'd have to say it's the latter. Neither of us saw the snake during the match and we were on different sides of the arena with different views of Valiant. I will say, I found it rather odd that he laid on top of Ewan for a bit, but it could be easily chalked up to poor-mouthing him because Sir Ewan almost had Valiant that round."

Nerissa exhaled slowly, puffing a stray tendril of hair from her face before she looked at her brother. Merlin stood there, tapping his foot, staring at her almost as if in disbelief. "You've thought this through," was all Merlin managed to say to her.

"I have." Nerissa slowly nodded her head and sighed. She knew Merlin expected her to take his side on the matter. But she couldn't this time - not when it might cost Merlin his life. Sure, they had their differences and he annoyed her, but Merlin was all she had in Camelot. He was the only one who understood her.

"So now what?" Merlin spat bitterly. Nerissa recoiled at his words.

"We do the only thing we can do," Gaius said gently, patting Merlin's shoulder. "We wait."

Merlin didn't like that answer. He moved from Gaius's reach and left the physician's quarters. Gaius shot Nerissa a look as if to say, You don't think he's going to do anything stupid, do you? Nerissa sighed. "Merlin just needs to settle down," she told her uncle; just as much for her own sake as his. While her brother was prone to impulsive decisions, he did tend to need some time away after coming to blows with her or their mother back in Ealdor. She just hoped the same held true in Camelot.

Knowing that there was nothing she could do, as far as Merlin was concerned, Nerissa slowly made her way upstairs. But instead of going to her room, she walked into Merlin's room and shut the door behind her. Seeing how messy the room was caused Nerissa to scrunch her nose in disgust. She hadn't remembered to be this much of a pig back in Ealdor, but then again, he didn't have much there and Mother often picked up after him.

Nerissa sat on the floor and neatly folded her brother's clothes that lay strewn on the floor. Although beneath the pile lay the book of spells and magic Gaius had given to Merlin. Well, to both of them really, but Merlin's magic was much better suited to the contents of the grimoire. She hastily made Merlin's bed and sat down on it with the book of magic. It couldn't hurt to read from it, right? Strictly on a research basis, not because she wanted to learn spells and such.

She perused through the book trying to find something on conjuring snakes, but to no avail. Merlin still hadn't come back after she had made her way through the entire grimoire. Nerissa then tucked the book under Merlin's pillow and lay back, staring at the ceiling hoping that her brother would soon return. But Nerissa soon fell asleep.

Nerissa.

Nerissa.

Why wouldn't this blasted voice bugger off and leave her alone? She tossed and turned on the bed. She had never had a voice bother her like this back in Ealdor. What was so special about her?

Nerissa.

"Go away," she mumbled in her sleep, tightening her grasp on the pillow.

Nerissa.

"Nerissa," a much more familiar and slightly less annoying voice spoke and gently shook her.

Her eyes fluttered open revealing a much darker room and Merlin leaning over her. He no longer looked angry. Instead, he looked rather perturbed with his furrowed brow and pursed lips. He looked like he wanted to say something, but also knew he shouldn't. Nerissa blinked rapidly to remove the sleep from her eyes before she sat up.

"I really should know better than to ask this, but have you done anything stupid since you left?" Nerissa asked Merlin.

That seemed to bring a slight smile to Merlin's face. "If you mean talk to Arthur about you know what. . ." He seemed to pause, purposely irritating her knowing how terribly she wanted to know the answer. Nerissa smacked her brother's arm. "Ow! Maybe I shouldn't tell you now!" He held his arm in the place where she had hit him.

Nerissa arched an eyebrow and Merlin sat down at the end of his bed. "If you must know, no, I didn't go to Arthur."

"Good."

Merlin looked at his sister rather incredulously. "Good? Good? A man is dying downstairs, Nerissa!" He pointed toward the door for effect.

She folded her arms and sighed, casting her gaze on the ground. "I know that. But what good will it do the man if you die too? I won't have you go martyring yourself without proof." Nerissa rubbed her lips together, waiting for Merlin to respond.

He chuckled. "Awww, Nerissa. You do care! You big softie!" That certainly wasn't the response she had been expecting from him.

Nerissa rolled her eyes.

Merlin chuckled again.

Several moments of silence followed neither of them made eye contact with the other.

Merlin then broke the silence, "I'll do my best to find proof to show Arthur. They need to know the truth. It won't be easy, but I'll find something."

"That's all I want," Nerissa said with a curt nod of her head. She then cast a side glance at her brother and smiled slightly, teasing her brother. "Besides, if you're gone, who else would I have to make fun of? I might be forced to seek comfort from Prince Prat since you spend all your time with him these days." She knew that being Prince Prat's servant meant he had to spend more time with him than her, but they were rarely so separated back in Ealdor.

Merlin's eyes widened in horror and he quickly rose to his feet. "You most certainly will do no such thing." He held a finger up toward Nerissa as if he were scolding her. The sight made her want to giggle.

Instead, Nerissa arched an eyebrow. "I was only joking."

"Well, it wasn't funny." Merlin narrowed his eyes at his sister and folded his arms across his chest.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself.

Merlin then reached out and grabbed his sister's hands, gently pulling her to her feet. "Now, I'd really like to sleep now. So, if you'd kindly get out of my room... " He slowly pushed her toward the door.

"Goodness, you tell your brother you don't want him to die and he kicks you out of his room. I see how it is," Nerissa scoffed as she leaned back against Merlin's hands as he continued to push her from his room.

"Priorities," Merlin said with a grin once Nerissa had crossed the threshold to his room. With that, he shut the door.

Nerissa looked over her shoulder and scoffed. She then went back downstairs, trying to be as quiet as a mouse, not to rouse Gaius. It wasn't that she didn't trust him with Ewan. He was Camelot's court physician, of course, he could be trusted, but Nerissa always felt better being closer to the patient. Back in Ealdor they only had one room, so she was used to sleeping on the floor near their patients to keep a close eye on them. Some habits were hard to break.

Carefully, Nerissa sat herself down on the stool and took Sir Ewan's hand. "I'm going to do everything I can to help you," she whispered to him, meaning every word with her whole heart. Gently, she pushed his hair from his face, feeling the fever that was burning him. If only they could find the snake that had bitten him, Sir Ewan might make it. If only.

Holding the knight's hand, Nerissa rested her head on her arm and fell asleep keeping his vigil.

The next morning, Nerissa was roused by Gaius gently shaking her shoulder. Her cheeks flushed when she realized that she was still holding Sir Ewan's hand. But if it was comforting to the man, then it was worth her embarrassment. Still, she reluctantly released his hand and Gaius handed her a cup of water. She slowly drank it.

"I was perfectly capable of keeping watch on our patient," Gaius said softly.

Nerissa chuckled to herself. "You sound like my mother," she retorted before taking another sip of water. That made Gaius chuckle. Nerissa moistened her lips with her tongue before she asked, "Are you going to the tournament today?"

"It's my duty as court physician to be there."

"What about Sir Ewan?" Nerissa asked before taking another sip.

Gaius sighed. "He'll stay here, seeing as there isn't much I can do for him anyway besides make him comfortable. I'll come to check on him between matches, I suppose."

Nerissa cast her gaze to the floor. "I could always stay here and keep watch over him." She quickly took another sip of water.

"But what about accompanying Morgana? You're her guest. It would be rude . . ."

"From what I know of Morgana, I'm sure she'll understand," Nerissa said, pulling a tendril of hair behind her ear. "Besides, it would be even worse to leave Sir Ewan alone. I just . . . I just don't want him to be alone if . . ." Nerissa's words trailed off.

Gaius walked up to his niece and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and sighed, fully understanding what she meant. She didn't want him to die alone. To die surrounded by family and loved ones was most ideal. To die alone was almost terrifying. No one to see before taking those blessed last breaths. No one to bring comfort before going beyond. Yes, Gaius understood his niece's intentions. "While you have your mother's fire, you also have her heart."

Nerissa sniffled a bit and wiped her nose with the sleeve of her dress. She set her cup down before standing up and hobbling over to the fire to prepare breakfast. Porridge. . . again. Nerissa had just finished cooking and had set the table when Merlin came downstairs. He looked surprised to see Nerissa there.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked.

"I live here or have you forgotten, you dollophead?" Nerissa retorted and she scooped out some porridge.

"Not here," Merlin pointed with both hands toward the ground before gesturing all around. "I mean - here - up so early? Since when do you wake before me?"

"Since we have a patient that needs looking after, or have you forgotten that too?" Nerissa arched her eyebrow with a dish in one hand and the other hand resting on her waist.

"Girls," Merlin muttered before he sat down and ate his porridge saying nothing more.

"Boys," Nerissa muttered under her breath as she scooped herself some porridge before she sat at the table with Gaius and Merlin.

Gaius made sure to send her regrets to Morgana about not attending the tournament as he and Merlin exited the physician's quarters. Nerissa took up her spot on the stool at Sir Ewan's bedside. His condition didn't seem any better nor any worse than the last time she had checked on him. For that she was thankful.

For a while, Nerissa held his hand and sang him the songs she had learned back in Ealdor. It might have just been her mind playing tricks on her, but he looked more peaceful than he had earlier. A peaceful transition was the least she could do for the man if she couldn't cure him.

When Nerissa ran out of songs to sing, she grabbed one of Gaius's books of science and began to read it aloud to Sir Ewan. Anything just so he could hear her voice and hopefully find some peace. Her mother had taught her that - that if nothing could be done, then it was their job to provide a peaceful transition beyond.

Nerissa had just finished the page she was reading when Merlin and Gaius entered. Both of them looked rather grim. "What is it?" Nerissa asked.

Merlin waited to speak until Gaius shut the door behind them. "Valiant's going to fight Arthur in the final tomorrow. He'll use the shield to kill him."

"Oh," was all Nerissa could lamely muster. But she knew Merlin's prediction would likely be true. No matter how much her disdain for Prince Prat, she couldn't deny that he was very talented with a sword and shield. If Sir Ewan almost took Valiant out and he had to resort to cheating, no doubt Valiant would do the same to Prince Prat.

She glanced over at Sir Ewan. "What do we do now?" Nerissa then glanced at their uncle. "Is there anything we can do?"

Gaius pursed his lips for a moment and then sighed. "Merlin about what I said yesterday . . . Look, Uther wouldn't listen to you or even me, but you are right. We can't let Valiant get away with this."

Nerissa bit her tongue wanting to make some witty retort about now that it could harm Prince Prat. But the situation was far too serious for such a dry retort. Besides, as much as she disliked him, she didn't wish death on anyone. Although, that could have just been the physician in her speaking.

Merlin folded his arms across his chest. "But we still don't have any proof," he responded.

Gaius sighed. "Well, if we could cure Ewan, we could tell the King that Valiant was using magic."

"And Sir Ewan could serve as a direct witness," Nerissa added, to which Gaius nodded his head.

"The King would believe another knight. But how we get the antidote . . . well, that's another matter."

"We'd need one of the snakes . . ." Nerissa's words trailed off as Merlin got up from the table and left the physician's quarters. Her heart began to beat a little more rapidly as she watched the door, hoping Merlin would pop right back in - but he didn't.

"Merlin?" Gaius called.

"He's going to do something stupid," Nerissa grumbled. "Something very, very stupid."

Gaius looked at Nerissa in disbelief. "You don't think he'd . . ."

Nerissa folded her arms across her chest and furrowed her brow. "That's exactly what I think. He's going to sneak into Valiant's chambers and get one of those blasted snakes. The only good snake is a dead snake."

After what seemed like an eternity, Merlin finally returned to their quarters. He had barely shut the door behind him when Nerissa stood up and began to chide him, inching closer toward her brother. "Merlin! You idiot! You absolute clotpole! How could you have been so stupid? What were you thinking? Do you know how reckless . . ." Nerissa's words trailed off when she noticed Merlin's shoulders shaking from laughter. "What's so funny?" she snapped.

"You look and sound an awful lot like Mother right now," he said.

Nerissa could see something in his hand. She groaned and held her hand out toward him. "I'm going to assume since you aren't downtrodden that you succeeded. Hand it over."

Merlin placed the head of the dead snake in her hand. Nerissa shuddered and wanted to vomit. She truly believed that the only good snake was a dead one, but that didn't mean she actually liked them much better. Careful not to accidentally stab herself with the fangs, Nerissa pinched the chopped-off portion of the snake and held it out a safe distance in front of her with her face in a scowl.

Gaius shook his head at Nerissa's antics before he went and took the snake head from his niece. "Your mother and I used to catch snakes all the time in our younger years," he chided her.

"I didn't use to mind them so much until someone set one to sleep with me," Nerissa retorted, casting a pointed glance in her brother's direction.

Merlin scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. "You've never liked them. You've always made me pick them up."

"There's a strong distinction between not liking them and being downright terrified of them, Merlin."

Merlin rolled his eyes and walked to stand beside Gaius. The older of the two was gathering the venom from the snake in a small glass jar, covered with cloth for the fangs to pierce. "I'll get started preparing the antidote," Gaius said.

Merlin made eye contact with his sister. "Can I tell Arthur now?"

Nerissa knew he wasn't really asking for her permission, more just humouring her. But she gave him a curt nod of approval.

Gaius had just finished extracting the last of the venom before he set the jar down on his work table and took a good look at the snake. "You're going to need this," he said before he handed the snake's head to Merlin.

Merlin was about to leave with it when Nerissa stopped him. "Wrap it in something, will you?" She chided him before she handed him a cloth from the work table. "Can't have you dropping it and scaring the kingdom."

"Although you must admit it would be rather funny."

"It would, but only if I was there with you." Nerissa offered her brother a sly smile, which made him chuckle as he carefully wrapped the snake's head. "But I must help Gaius. So no tricks for you."

Gaius rested his hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Merlin, what you did was very brave."

Merlin smiled before he looked at his sister.

"And stupid," Nerissa added with a smile. "Brave, but stupid."

Merlin then walked up to his sister and rested his hands on her shoulders. "You've already hurled your insults at me and they weren't all that good. You're going to have to find some better ones." He then patted her right cheek before he headed to the door.

"I'm sure I can think of plenty of them while you're away!" Nerissa called after him before he looked over his shoulder and shook his head, shutting the door behind him. She then wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing and turned toward her uncle. "Now, let's see to that antidote. The sooner we ready that, the sooner Sir Ewan can go home."

"Seems to me you've rather enjoyed having him here," Gaius teased.

Nerissa arched an eyebrow at her uncle. "What I've enjoyed is feeling useful."

Gaius chuckled and wisely said nothing more. The two silently prepared the antidote, Nerissa hobbling to grab the ingredients Gaius needed. Her ankle still pained her a bit, but nothing like it had after she had first injured it. Why in a few days she might even be able to walk normally once more. But for now, her focus must remain on Sir Ewan.

They had just finished preparing the antidote when there was a knock at the door. Nerissa slowly walked over to the door to find one of the castle guards standing outside. "Are you well?" Nerissa asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

"I have a missive from Prince Arthur for Gaius," the man said sternly.

Nerissa sighed. "Oh for goodness sake, I'm his niece."

But the man didn't seem to budge. Nerissa looked over her shoulder at her uncle. "Hand it to the girl, Erec."

He reluctantly handed the parchment to Nerissa. Nerissa offered him a feigned smile and dropped to a small curtsy before she shut the door and rolled her eyes. Her eyes first noticed the seal and then how rather neat Prince Prat's scrawl looked.

"I've set my glasses down somewhere and I want to get this antidote to Ewan straight away. Will you please read it, Nerissa?"

Nerissa nodded her head and grabbed one of the small knives to break the seal as Gaius administered the antidote to Ewan. Again, Nerissa couldn't help but notice how beautiful Prince Prat's handwriting looked on the paper. Such a beautiful thing wasted on such a prat.

After reading through the letter herself, Nerissa shared the details with her uncle. "He says that he's summoned an audience with the King. Couldn't he just say his father?"

Gaius gave Nerissa a pointed look. "Right, well he also says that they'll want to talk to Sir Ewan once he's able. That's about it. No well-wishes or hugs and kisses."

Nerissa smirked and looked at her uncle, who was shaking his head watching Sir Ewan. She then folded the letter and set it on the work table before she pulled a stool up beside her uncle. "Now we wait," she sighed, resting her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

"Now, we wait," Gaius repeated before he stood up. "I need to fetch some herbs for when he wakes and I feel he's in capable hands." He made eye contact with Nerissa, which made her smile. Gaius then took a small basket for gathering herbs, leaving her alone with Sir Ewan.

The antidote seemed to work rather quickly. Within half an hour Sir Ewan began to rouse. Nerissa offered him a bright smile when he finally opened his eyes.

"Welcome back," she said softly, taking hold of his hand and squeezing it.

Ewan tried to get up, but Nerissa pushed him back down. "There was a snake on his shield. It came alive," Sir Ewan argued.

"We've figured that much out already," Nerissa told him, still holding him down by his shoulders. "You need to stay put. You're weak and the snake venom is still in your system." She huffed a stray tendril from her face.

"I must warn Arthur," Ewan said, trying to fight her. But he was still very weak, so weak that he couldn't overpower her.

"Prince Pr-Arthur already knows and he's requested an audience with the King. He'll need you to speak, but you'll only be able to do that if you rest and get your strength back. Understand?"

Sir Ewan blinked and slowly nodded his head.

"Besides, I don't think you'll want him knowing a girl could overpower you," she teased, which made Ewan chuckle softly. Nerissa smiled and then let go of Ewan. Surprisingly, he stayed put. She then sat down on the stool. Unsure of what more to say to him, she began to hum.

"I heard you," Ewan said.

Nerissa's brow furrowed, puzzled by his words. But then recognition dawned on her face. "Yes, you did. I sang on the opening night of the tournament."

Ewan shook his head. "No, while I was..." he paused and raised his hand near his bite and winced. He meant that while he was out he had heard her singing and reading to him.

Nerissa blushed. "I hope I wasn't too terrible."

"You have the loveliest voice I've ever heard," he barely croaked.

Noticing his struggle to speak, Nerissa asked, "Would you like some water?"

Sir Ewan nodded his head. Nerissa smiled brightly before she stood up and walked to the bucket to fetch him a cup of water. She had just ladled out some water into a small tin cup when she heard Sir Ewan stir. Nerissa looked up to where he lay to find a snake slithering out from beneath his blanket toward his face.

"No!" Nerissa screamed, dropping the cup into the bucket. With the ladle still in hand, she ran toward Sir Ewan as the snake lunged at him. It bit him once, twice, thrice in the throat before Nerissa was able to reach him. Without thinking of her fear, she squealed and used the ladle like a knight with a sword - striking the snake and flinging it far away and out the open window.

Not even taking a moment to process what had just happened, the ladle fell to the floor with a loud clang as she noticed the large gash on Ewan's neck and the blood gushing from his wound. Her heart beat rapidly and climbed on top of him, thrusting her hands to the wound to apply as much pressure as she could.

"No, no, no," Nerissa muttered to herself, seeing Ewan grow paler and weaker. No matter how much pressure she applied, the blood just wouldn't stop coming. She knew there was no way she could save him. That blasted snake had gotten Sir Ewan's jugular and there was nothing she could do. But she didn't stop trying in hope that maybe, just maybe she could change that.

Tears slipped down her cheek and fell onto Sir Ewan's already sweat-moistened face. She closed her eyes to start to sob harder when she felt Ewan's hand rest on her cheek before he weakly said, "Sing to me."

Nerissa opened her eyes, glassy from the tears that wouldn't seem to stop. She could practically see the light fading from his eyes But she honoured his last request and began to sing, releasing the pressure on his wound and taking hold of the hand that cradled her face.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

He once was a true love of mine

The light left Sir Ewan's eyes before she could sing any more. Nerissa gently closed his eyelids before she seemed to collapse off the bed. She sobbed as she crawled to the nearest corner, wrapping her arms around her knees and bawled. How could someone be so cruel? Just to win a tournament? Or did Valiant have something more in mind like overthrowing Camelot? But Nerissa was in no state for such things, so she decided to stay in her corner and cry until someone came and found her. And for all their sakes, she hoped someone found her soon.

Author's Note: Well that got a wee bit dark. Oops. But I always felt bad that Ewan's death seemed quickly glossed over. But Nerissa has known death before and while she is currently in a state of shock, she will remember what her mother taught her about being a physician about come around. She's also realizing that had she thought through her actions more, she could have died too. Anywho, thanks for taking the time to read!

A HUGE thank you to my reviewers: insignificant crumb, ouatlover1, misshiraeth98, grndelwald, blahhhsailor, iamthedoctorinutah, mega123322