Merlin

Merlin strode through the castle gates, his blue robe swaying with each step and the air humming softly with the residual magic that always seemed to cling to him. Perched on his shoulder, Archimedes, his ever-judgmental owl, ruffled his feathers and muttered something under his breath about the foolishness of vacations. Merlin, however, paid little attention, still basking in the warm memories of Bermuda’s sunshine, his first respite in years. It had been a short trip—barely enough time to recharge his mind from the endless duties that came with advising their royal highness and their knights of the round table.

The moment he passed through the castle courtyard, though, the mood shifted. Servants rushed by, faces drawn with concern, and knights stood huddled in hushed conversations. Merlin stopped one of the pages. "What's happened?" he asked in a deep, smooth English accent feigning control though he already felt a sinking weight forming in his stomach.

“The king/queen, sir. They've been injured,” the boy said, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe.

“What?” Merlin’s heart skipped a beat. "How?"

"A hunting trip, just yesterday. He fell from his horse while pursuing a stag. His/her majesty… they haven't woken yet."

For a moment, Merlin couldn’t move. His mind raced back to the day he left—they had urged him to go, reassuring him that Camelot could spare its wizard for a few days. Merlin had hesitated, but he had never imagined something like this. Now, guilt twisted in his chest. He was the one who was supposed to foresee these dangers, to protect the monarch from harm. And instead, he’d been lounging under palm trees, far away from his duties. For the first time, regret for his reckless behavior made his skin crawl. Archimedes, sensing the change in Merlin’s mood, hooted quietly. "I told you. A wizard’s work is never done," the owl remarked, though his tone was softer than usual.

Merlin quickened his pace, robes fluttering as he made his way to the king’s/queen's chambers. Every step felt heavier than the last, the halls echoing with the distant clatter of armor and whispers of the court. When he reached the door, Sir Gawain stood guard, his face lined with worry. Merlin," he said, relief evident in his voice. "We didn’t know if you'd return in time."

Merlin gave a curt nod and pushed the door open, his breath catching at the sight before him.