by J. M. Briggs
Yet Aisling merely waved to them as the Boscos rushed past and into the ICU room. Relief was fighting against lingering worry on their faces. It twisted in Alex’s chest as she imagined how her own family would react. There was a doctor in a lab coat marching towards the room with a clipboard in hand and a pair of nurses talking in rapid shocked voices. Alex could feel that the energy in the ICU was suddenly very different and many members of the staff looked beyond surprised.
They lingered longer than they probably should have. None of the staff tried to stop them as they calmly watched the proceedings through the opening in the curtain. Shannon almost collapsed in relief over Aiden when he gave her a small weak wave. Professor Bosco started crying as he gripped his son’s hand and Aisling jumped around eagerly just out of the way of the doctors. Alex felt tears gathering in her eyes at their happiness and struggled to contain her own churning emotions.
“He’ll be here a few days more,” Morgana announced breaking the silence. “While he hasn’t been in a coma long and they’ve been moving him to prevent bedsores he’d still going to be shaky. And there will be a lot of tests to make sure that he’s really alright.”
“Morgana and I have already made a donation to Aiden’s care,” Merlin added in a soft voice. “His family will be just fine.”
“And we’ll reimburse you for the costs of getting everyone to Wales,” Morgana informed Jenny with a small smile that was a little strained, but genuine. “Thank you for helping them,” Morgana told her sincerely.
Jenny looked over at Morgana with obvious surprise but managed a quick little nod. Morgana’s eyes moved between Jenny and Lance who was still standing right by her side for a moment before she chuckled softly. Alex smiled at them until her knees began to tremble. Whatever temporary boost the Chalice had given her was wearing off fast. Merlin caught her elbow and steered her into the waiting room with the others following behind.
“I’m glad he’s going to be okay,” Jenny offered with a small smile as she looked towards Alex. “I know there’s still a lot of worry about, but he’s okay and Alex is okay.”
“You’re right,” Nicki agreed with a nod. “And we have the Iron Chalice now in case of emergency.”
“Let’s avoid using that too much,” Alex huffed as she half-collapsed in the waiting room chair as Merlin released her arm. She shrugged out of the backpack and set it down by her feet. “I’m not good at gauging how much magic to give it and I’d rather people just avoided getting hurt in the first place.”
“Agreed,” Bran chuckled, “But obviously I’m not going to argue with the outcome of our trip.” He tapped his foot on the floor with a ridiculous smile.
“Aiden’s going to be so upset,” Nicki laughed as she slumped into the nearest of the hospital waiting room chairs. “He missed the Quest for the Holy Grail! He’ll be so disappointed!”
“There would have been a lot more references,” Bran agreed as he stretched out his arms before leaning against the wall with a soft smile. “But what now?”
“I just want to sleep,” Alex groaned. The noise in the ICU was dying down slightly and she took that as a good sign. At least it meant that they weren’t rushing equipment in to check every little thing. She could still distantly hear Aiden’s family and licked her lips thoughtfully. This could happen again. To any of them. “Tell your families the truth,” Alex announced seriously, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees.
“What?” Nicki asked with a confused look.
“I’m going home for Christmas,” Alex told Nicki, rolling her shoulders carefully. “It’s barely December 22nd so I have time to get to Spokane and see my family, hopefully before the next crisis starts. I intend to tell my family about magic, about being the Iron Soul and what has happened.”
“Alex,” Merlin chided as he moved towards her. “That isn’t wise: the modern world-”
“I could have died Merlin,” Alex cut in, feeling her heart beating a little faster and a knot in her stomach turning over. “If Aiden hadn’t arrived then I would have been dead on the shore and Arthur would have escaped with Cathanáil.”
“I understand that you are upset-”
“I’m not upset,” Alex interrupted, shaking her head. “And let me finish Merlin.” He looked surprised and stepped back a bit. “Arthur is still out there and is allied to the ancient Sídhe Queen that you and Morgana fought with Arto. They know about all of us and our lives in Ravenslake, and worse, they seem to have a way to control the modern descendants of Sídhe creatures in our world. That isn’t a mild threat. We had enough time to find the Chalice and save Aiden, but who knows what happens next.” Alex shook her head and sighed, “No; I’m not going to make my family wonder what I died for. It won’t be an easy conversation, but they’re my family, and I won’t act as if silence will keep them safe from the Sídhe. We both know that it won’t.”
“And if they don’t want you in this battle?” Merlin asked gently with a sad look in his eyes. She knew he was thinking of Galath and the families of other Iron Souls. “Then what?”
“It won’t change anything: I know I’m part of this,” Alex promised as she lowered her eyes and looked at her hands. “I know that now Merlin, in my bones. This is who… what I am.”
“Well,” Morgana said with a shake of her head, breaking the heavy silence. “There is much to do is there not Ambrose?”
“Indeed, there is the matter of the children’s things in Salisbury to attend to,” Merlin agreed, though his attention did not move away from Alex.
Morgana waited a beat and then shook her head. She brushed off a fleck of dust from her coat and reached down to put a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of things then. Alex, do get some rest. You’ve done remarkably well; all of you have,” Morgana added as she looked at all of them, even Lance and Jenny. “Aiden is in good hands, and I suspect the greatest danger he faces at this point is curious doctors.”
Alex managed a weak chuckle and Morgana squeezed her shoulder before heading out of the room. Pausing for a moment, Alex licked her lips before pushing herself out of the chair and stumbled after the woman. She heard Merlin move behind her, but he said nothing as Alex stepped out of the waiting room.
“Morgana?” Alex called after her as the woman started to move down the hall. Morgana stopped and turned back around as Alex left the others to walk up to her. “Thank you for helping us.”
“You don’t need to thank me for that Alex,” Morgana sniffed, making Alex realize that there were tears gathering in Morgana’s eyes. “It was overdue. I- Merlin and I both owed Gofiben and Bran a great deal. I dare say that they would have been thrilled that you found the Chalice. Gofiben would have been especially happy that it was used to save the reincarnation of his best friend. He was a very… compassionate young man.”
It wasn’t as weird now hearing about another life. Instead, the small spark in her chest seemed to warm at the sound of his name. Before she could overthink it, and knowing that she could always use her exhaustion as an excuse, Alex stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Morgana. The older mage didn’t push her away or try to move away herself, but instead brought her arms up around Alex and set her head against Alex’s shoulder.
“Why are you always taller than me?” Morgana asked with a chuckle. “Every time. Even as a girl.”
“I’d say because you’re short, but you really aren’t.”
“No, I’m not,” Morgana agreed with a snort as she released Alex and stepped back. She reached up and tucked a strand of Alex’s blonde hair back behind her ear. “I’d say try not to worry, but I know that’s not going to happen.” Morgana studied her for a moment with a small smile and then softly said, “You’ve had many lives Alex, and I daresay you will continue to learn more about them as we move forward; some have been good and some have been bad.” Morgana cupped Alex’s cheek softly and rubbed her thumb over her skin. “But when I look at you, I see the best of all those you’ve ever been.” Morgana stretched
up and kissed Alex’s forehead with a warm smile. “I’ll be back in Ravenslake soon, I promise. Just let the others know that I’ll be keeping their things at my home for the time being.”
“Okay,” Alex whispered as Morgana let her hand drop away from her cheek. “Just be careful in case there are more of the creatures about… you don’t really have to go you know.”
“You kids left the United States and haven’t officially re-entered it,” Morgana pointed out with a chuckle. “So yes Alex, I do need to go and recover your passports and use a little magic to make sure there aren’t problems down the line. Besides there is also the pressing issue of dealing with what may have been seen at Stonehenge.” Morgana sighed dramatically and shook her head, “It’s much more complicated than it used to be.”
“Sorry about that,” Alex chuckled, ducking her head slightly. “But thanks for taking care of this.”
“Merlin is going to want to stay close to you for a while,” Morgana cautioned her with a sympathetic smile. “Just be warned that he will probably follow you to Spokane. He won’t interfere… just stay close.”
“Okay,” Alex agreed with a resigned nod. “Are you flying or water traveling?”
“Water traveling,” Morgana informed her with a small shudder. “Not really any other option. I’ll fly back if I can. Hopefully, it won’t take long, but I will be gone for a few days.”
“I’ll be careful,” Alex promised softly, hoping to reassure her.
“I know, but remember today is the solstice and they still attacked so be vigilant.” Morgana paused and shook her head. “I hope that you’re right about telling your family Alex; I hope it goes well, but if you-”
“If I need you, I’ll call.”
“Then happy Winter Solstice,” Morgana said warmly. “And good luck.”
Morgana turned and pushed open the door to the stairwell leaving Alex standing alone by the ICU doors. Taking a deep breath, Alex glanced back over her shoulder to find Merlin leaning calmly in the doorway of the waiting room, giving her some space, but still staying close. She held back a sigh and shook her head as Jenny stepped out past Merlin. Her keys jangled in her hands as Lance handed her the backpack with the Chalice.
“Come on Alex, I’ll take you home.”
“It would be better if a mage was with her,” Merlin interrupted, looking uncomfortable. “Perhaps you should stay at my house.”
“I’ll go with her,” Bran offered as he came out into the hallway. “Nicki wants to stay, but gave me permission to crash in her room tonight.”
“I’m leaving in the morning Merlin,” Alex repeated firmly, giving him a look that she hoped showed her determination. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m not trying to be difficult,” Merlin sighed with a shake of his head. “But… you’re a good person and your power is impressive Alex. Reincarnation or not, you can’t just be replaced.”
Alex smiled slightly at the words and nodded to Merlin. This was all still so new; there’d been no time for adjustment, but it would come. But not tonight or this morning. Shifting the backpack, Alex unzipped it and pulled out the Chalice. It had reverted to its normal iron color, though it appeared to be highly polished in the white hospital lights. Alex could feel a soft comforting hum beneath her fingertips as she held it out to Merlin. A look of surprise crossed his face as he carefully took the Chalice in both hands.
“Take care of this for me,” Alex told him solemnly. “And please stay here a bit longer with Aiden and Nicki, just to be on the safe side.”
Merlin swallowed, then looked at Alex like he hadn’t seen her before. At first, it made her want to blush and back up, but she met the gaze. Then Merlin nodded, breaking the eye contact and dropping his gaze to the backpack in her hand. Alex handed it to him and said nothing as Merlin gently placed the Chalice back inside to keep it out of sight. He turned to walk back into the waiting room with it cradled in his arms. When he was gone, Alex felt her legs tremble and she felt a rush of vertigo. Lance caught her gently around the waist and propped her up against him with a soft chuckle.
“Come on Jen, let’s get this one into a bed,” Lance said as he led Alex towards the elevator. “Have you got your keys?”
“Yeah,” Alex managed with a weak nod. “I’ve got my keys.”
Everything was a little hazy as Lance got her into Jenny’s car and Bran slid in beside her. Alex’s legs hit the discarded brace on the floor of the backseat and Bran offered her a sheepish smile. She was vaguely aware of Jenny promising to drive Lance up to Portland to get his truck since she was going to the airport tomorrow anyway. As they pulled into the deserted student parking lot and Bran helped Alex out of the car, Alex looked back at Lance and Jenny. They were both standing by her car in the light of a street lamp, talking in low voices.
Grabbing Bran’s shoulder, Alex pulled him to a stop and watched. She couldn’t hear them and despite her great desire to curl up in her bed with her plush dog Galahad, Alex couldn’t bring herself to look away as Lance reached up and touched Jenny’s cheek. She smiled at him and looked uncertain for a moment before standing up on her tiptoes to plant a shy kiss on the bottom of Lance’s jaw. Giggling softly, Alex looked up at Bran who was smiling at the sight.
He shook his head and gently guided Alex to Gallagher Hall, where he proceeded to get her upstairs to her room and let her collapse onto her bed. Alex was barely aware of him pulling off her coat and shoes, but sighed happily when he tucked Galahad beneath her chin. Her eyes were drooping closed as he draped the blanket from the living room over her before turning off her bedroom light and leaving her to rest.
33
Surrender of Cathanáil
720 B.C.E. South of Mount Snowdon
The wind howled across the rolling hills, throwing the icy bite of the late winter weather against Merlin’s cheeks. He glared up at the mountains already capped with snow and found himself battling the urge to strike out at something. There was too much in his mind; too many rumors battling against an intense guilt that he couldn’t suppress.
“Galath was not helpful I take it?” Morgana asked. She calmly walked up the small hill towards him.
“Of course not: that boy is as stubborn as… as I don’t know!” Merlin huffed, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned towards Morgana. “Have you had any luck?”
“There are stories of a magical chalice used to heal the plague,” Morgana replied. “But some stories speak of a cauldron instead.” She shook her head and chuckled softly. “Strange that there are already so many stories being told.”
“Galath may have helped that along,” Merlin grumbled. He tightened his cloak and looked towards the small village they’d just departed. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he is telling a different story in each village just to confuse us.”
“We vanished for almost a year,” Morgana reminded him. “When we returned to the isles both Gofiben and Bran were dead. Need I remind you that I resented you for the loss of my brother for many years? Of course, Galath is angry with us.”
“It wasn’t pleasant for us; dumped in that horrible heat and chasing after Badb-”
“He doesn’t know about that,” Morgana cut in with a shake of her head. “Nor does he need to. Besides, it will not bring his brother back to him. Speaking from experience, there is nothing we can say or do that will fix this.”
“I should just use my magic-”
“Don’t you dare,” Morgana growled. She flashed her teeth and her green eyes turned cold. “You cannot be suggesting attacking, even if only to frighten, Gofiben’s brother. We owe the boy more than that. Galath was clear when he told us that Gofiben killed Badb. The boy died fighting her because we were not able to stop her!”
“But then what happened?” Merlin pressed, disliking the helpless feeling in his chest. “What happened then? Galath said that they died and he hid the Chalice.”
“And he says that Bran told him that there was a way to find the Chalice,” Morgana said. “Perha
ps they had a plan at the end.”
“What plan?” Merlin sighed as he looked at the dark gray clouds swirling overhead. “Why hide the Chalice at all? Why hide it from us?”
“We did leave them for Cathanáil. If we hadn’t, or one of us had remained, then maybe-”
“It took both of us to get Cathanáil from Badb.”