Merlin/The lonely dark

[runaway_smith]

Elyan lies in bed, staring up at the ceiling. The covers are drawn up to his neck, fingers twisted in the sheets. His chambers are dark, the candle having burned out an hour before from the draught from the open window.

He has apologised to Arthur, sincerely and desperately, but he cannot help the events playing through his head. The terror of seeing the child, the mindlessness of needing to kill his king, his friend striking him down...

He doesn't remember much, except how he backed away in the armoury, only to end up back in his room, losing his grip on reality. But his face stung and he remembered Gwaine's fist...

Now he cannot sleep, mind haunted by the dark and his ears straining for the sound of dripping water. The shadows are dark, like jagged rocks. Did it move? Elyan sits up, clutching at the covers, watching the shadows.

The curtain blows in. Elyan screams.

Comments

[runaway-smith.livejournal.com]

Elyan scowls. "Last time I take your advice on ghosts."

He feels better talking to Gwaine, his mind more at ease. He absently realises he's still touching Gwaine's arm, but doesn't feel like moving his hand just yet.

[sir-gwaine.livejournal.com]

"Do you want some candles lighting, or anything?" Gwaine turns his mind to practical solutions, now that the awkward apologies are out of the way. He thinks the man may sleep better with some light to keep shadows at bay.

[runaway-smith.livejournal.com]

"I'll get them," Elyan says, climbing out of bed and padding towards the drawer in his cabinet. Removing a couple of long tallow candles, he hands one to Gwaine and places the other in the holder by his bedside.

[sir-gwaine.livejournal.com]

Carrying the candle out into the hall beyond Elyan's chamber door, Gwaine lights the wick from one of the burning torches lining the walls. Carrying it back inside, he touches the flame to the candle at Elyan's bedside, before placing the first candle on top of his chest.

"That's better," he decides.

[runaway-smith.livejournal.com]

With the shadows receding, Elyan lets out a small sigh of relief.

"Thank you," he says gratefully.

[sir-gwaine.livejournal.com]

Brushing his hands off, satisfied he's done all that he can, Gwaine turns for the door again.

Pausing before he leaves, he turns back to look at his friend. "You know I'm right down the hallway, if... you need me."

[runaway-smith.livejournal.com]

Elyan hesitates. He doesn't want to be alone, but he won't ask Gwaine to stay.

"Thanks," he says, with a small smile.

[sir-gwaine.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep an ear out, for any more screaming. Just in case." Gwaine grins, trying to say that he'll be there if Elyan needs him to be.

[runaway-smith.livejournal.com]

Elyan smiles and climbs back into his bed, fiddling awkwardly with his blanket.

"No more screaming," he promises.

[sir-gwaine.livejournal.com]

"Good night, Sir Elyan," Gwaine nods, and quietly slips out of the other man's chambers.