Never the Same

Galaya

Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time. I have been completely absorbed into my original story that I've been working on since August. I finally finished the first draft a couple weeks ago! And it's over 94,000 words!

I also haven't been able to watch Merlin, so lost interest. Besides, the fourth and fifth seasons have gotten a bit too dark for my liking. I will not be going along with what happens in the second half of the fourth season or any of what happens in the fifth, except maybe the parts with Mordred and Daegel (did I spell it right?), except for the part where the latter dies. I have troubles writing permanent deaths. And of course I have to add in Aithusa!

Also, I know that Bedivere is the cup-bearer, but I couldn't remember what Arthur's servant's name was according to the legends. Otherwise, I would have used that for the new servant. Besides, it gave me something interesting to do.

~X~

Gwaine and Arthur entered the Court Physician's chambers. Gaius looked up, surprised.

"Sire," he greeted. "Have you come to see Merlin?"

"Yes. Is he asleep?" Arthur answered.

"No. He woke up a few minutes ago. His ribs were bothering him. You can go in and speak with him, if you want."

They proceeded to head up into Merlin/s room. The servant was laying on his bed, eyes shut. Arthur paused uncertainly as did Gwaine.

"You don't need to just stand there," Merlin suddenly said. "If you want to talk to me, just come over here."

"Good to see you're awake," Gwaine chuckled.

"Hello, Gwaine. Is that Arthur with you?"

"Yes," the King answered. "How do you feel?"

"Alright, I guess. My rib hurts."

He opened his eyes and looked over at his friends. The mistiness over his right eye could be seen easily across the room.

"What's wrong with your eye?" Gwaine queried.

"The mistiness? That's a… scar I guess you could say. The bandit's sword cut into my eye," Merlin explained.

"Ouch. Can you see anything out of it?"

"No."

"So, you're…" began Arthur.

"Half-blind. Likely so for the rest of my life."

Suddenly, the two warriors felt very awkward. It was strange, Merlin always seemed to come out of thing unscathed. He hadn't been so lucky this time. Not only had he been hurt, the damage was almost certainly permanent.

"I'm fine," Merlin continued on. "It just is a bit of a hindrance. It's not like losing an arm or leg, where I wouldn't be able to do anything. I've been helping Gwen with her chores. Just, Arthur, next time, you really should listen. I told you it wasn't a good idea."

Arthur hung his head, feeling guilty for the pain his friend had gone through because of stubbornness on his part. Gwaine just felt sorry for Merlin, and a slight bit angry towards Arthur, despite knowing it wasn't the king's fault.

"You might have to get a new servant to help you for a while, though," the secret warlock informed Arthur. The king gave him a curios- but still guilty- look.

"Why?"

"Don't you remember? It's getting close to tournament time. How is it that I remember these kinds of things when I am the one who hates it?"

"It is your job," Arthur pointed out, as their normal banter began to rise again.

"Yours too," retorted the servant. "You're the one who organizes them."

"Fair point. How long until you'll be back at work?"

"If ever? Gaius said at least three months, to let me recover and adapt. I don't know if I'll be able to. At least, I won't be able to accompany you on patrols."

"Who said you couldn't? If you got used to it, you'd be fine."

"With how often we run into bandits and the like? And the one who said it was Common Sense, who you obviously don't know."

Arthur grinned. "Nope. Don't have a clue who would name someone 'Common Sense'."

The dark haired servant huffed in amusement, the hints of his customary grin appearing for the first time since his injury. A small chuckle escaped him. It felt so good to laugh- truly laugh, not just forcing it- that he couldn't stop. It aggravated his ribs but he wasn't one to care. He'd gone through worse pain than cracked ribs.

Arthur was glad to see his servant returning to his former joviality, even if he was concerned about the laughing causing further injury.

Merlin ceased laughing after a few moments, gasping to regain his breath. But the smile remained.. If this kept up, the servant would most certainly make a full recovery from his depression.

~X~

The next few months passed in a blur. Merlin slowly recovered from his injuries, both physical and mental. He was back to doing some of his more minor duties as Arthur's servant. One of the other servants, a young man named Bedivere, had taken over the others.

There was something odd about the other servant, Merlin decided. He'd been watching Bedivere as the other servant helped Arthur into his armor for training. Bedivere seemed almost too timid, as if he felt the need to bolt at every second.

He also tended to forget the proper way to address a noble. Arthur didn't notice this, as he was used to Merlin's impertinence, but the servant most certainly did. He'd never before seen one of the other servants, besides back when Gwen was one, forget to address a noble correctly. It intrigued the secret warlock.

The other servant seemed even more timid around Merlin. It seemed at times that he wished to tell Merlin something, but wasn't sure how, where, or when. He hoped it wasn't something bad. Or that Bedivere was an evil sorcerer in disguise, or being used by one.

Out of sheer habit, Merlin followed Arthur out the door. He misjudged the distance between himself and the doorframe and hit the wall just to the side of the door.

"Ow," he groaned holding his head. Arthur gave him an amused look.

"One would think you'd know better than to run into walls, Merlin. Didn't 'Common Sense' tell you that?"

"Oh shut up. You aren't half-blind. It's hard trying to navigate with only one eye."

"Whatever you say."

Laughing, Arthur departed for the training fields. Bedivere gave Merlin a concerned glance before biting his lip.

"What is it? You obviously want to tell me something. Out with it," Merlin prompted the new servant. "There isn't anyone around to hear."

Bedivere hesitated for another moment. "I was told to give you a message from the Lady of the Lake."

"Who?"

"She said you would know her as 'Freya'."

Merlin was stunned. While he knew that Freya had returned to give him Arthur's sword, he wasn't expecting to ever hear from her again. At least he knew that Bedivere wasn't working for an evil sorcerer. Unless Freya had spontaneously decided to become evil.

"What did she say?" he pressed, recollecting himself.

The new servant shifted nervously. "'The Light of the Sun has been blocked by a dark cloud.' I'm not quite sure what that means." Probably something magical."

"Are you a druid?"

"Me? No. I just have never had a problem with magic. The Lady saved me from drowning when I was attacked by bandits. In return, she asked if I would deliver to you that message."

"I can see why…"

~X~

So, how'd you like my return to writing fanfiction? Although, it's annoying that I can't figure out how to make these chapters longer. I've written 6,000+ words in one chapter of my original story.

I honestly kept on wanting to replace 'Merlin' with 'Nigel', who's one of the characters in my story. My favorite character because he's hilarious, but has a serious and dutiful side, has a bunch of amazing abilities (though my favorite is one that I call 'Idling', which is basically sending objects into an idle state in a different realm), and has a really complex background. I can also put him through basically anything and he'll be able to take it. He'd have been joking about it the entire time if he'd gotten the same injuries as Merlin in this fic. He's also a werecat which is awesome, partially because he knows so much more than the other characters, especially when it comes to magical things. I'm rather mean to him as well. Well, enough on my original story (which is most likely the best thing I've ever written and my current greatest accomplishment. I know, I know, I'll shut up now.)

Also, I have absolutely no idea where in the world I'm going with this. I'm improvising. I have no real plan for this story, which is amazing since I spend more time planning than writing usually.

Anyways, please please please review! I love reading reviews! I like knowing what people think of my writing and stories!