Alaia Skyhawk: Well guys, here it is. The start of Those Who Remain, the companion fic to Let My People Go. As with that one, I'm beta'ing this and posting it on behalf of my friend Julie. So from her I say "I hope you all enjoy this one as much as you've been enjoying LMPG" :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, and this story belongs to my friend Julie, who I'm posting it on behalf of.
Summary : What do you do when you understand destiny is broken? What Merlin did was walk away, but we don't all have that luxury. What do you do when you are part of those who remain?
Author's note : This is a companion fic to "Let My People Go", though you don't need to read LMPG to understand this. It starts with Arthur killing his father, and will end at Merlin's coming back.
PROLOGUE: A KINGDOM IN MOURNING
Arthur regretted his gesture as soon as it was over, and hurriedly drew his sword back from his father's body, hoping against all reason that taking back the sword would take back his murder. His blind rage fading with the King's life, he wished it could be as it was in his childhood, when his 'dead' playmates got up again once their games were over.
The sound of doors bursting open brought him back to reality, though, and when he looked across the room to meet Merlin's horrified eyes, he knew this was neither a game nor a dream, and there was no going back now.
His gaze went from his servant to Sir Leon and Sir Galahad, who were wearing equally horrified expressions, and to whom he said firmly, "My father was killed by someone who supported magic and managed to slip unnoticed in the Council Room. When I got here, it was too late and I could only avenge the King's death. Understood?"
The Knights caught the barely veiled threat in his voice, and though a part of them wanted to rise against covering for such a crime, what could they do? Galahad had recently taken a wife, and Leon's first-born was about to reach his second birthday... They had to think of their families.
"Yes, Sire," they answered in unison.
"Merlin?"
The manservant didn't answer, unable as he was to avert his eyes from the red pool formed by the blood dripping off Arthur's sword. This had to be a nightmare, he kept repeating himself, as drop after drop fell on the floor. Surely his destiny didn't imply that Arthur had to become King with a patricide. The Prince called his name again, but Merlin didn't even hear him. Surely there was a way to undo this... It couldn't be real... He was going to wake up in his bed at any moment now...
"MERLIN!"
The third time was the charm; this time he looked up at Arthur. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to lie so no one would find out what had happened. But even if he told the truth, what good would it do? Who would believe him? Gaius would, and Gwen as well; but it wouldn't be enough. And he didn't want to break his best friend's heart.
"Yes, Sire," he said reluctantly. "If I may go now... I think Gaius would like to learn this in private, to mourn his friend before he has to mourn his king."
"Of course," Arthur said. He knew his father's friendship with Gaius had started when they were as young as himself and Merlin were now. Of course the old Court Physician would need time.
Merlin was careful to keep a sedate pace even after he left the room. As soon as he had turned the corner of the hallway, though, he started running – not to Gaius' chambers, as he had said; he would go there, but first there was someone he had to see.
He needed to talk to the Dragon.
By the time he reached the den, Merlin was breathless. The Dragon didn't take long to come down.
"It is not often that you come here in such a hurry, young warlock. What happened that is so urgent you could not take time to breathe?"
Trying to get some air back in his lungs, the young man answered.
"Arthur... killed... Uther..." He looked intently at the Dragon, waiting for his reaction. He was disappointed, though; the only reaction he got was a blink of the eyes. "Was this supposed to happen? Must Arthur's kingdom be built upon the blood of his father?"
"Calm down, Merlin," the creature told him.
"Did you know all along this would happen? Did you know Uther would die from by son's hand?"
"While Arthur's destination is set, the path to reach it is made up of many steps. No one can know them all, and so no one can say if or not this is a part of that path. You need only stay by him and protect him as you already have, and trust that he will come through this."
Merlin sighed; once again the dragon spoke in riddles.
"I'm not asking for a charade, I want to know if I've always been destined to help Arthur become King through murder!"
"I said all I had to said," the dragon replied coldly before taking wing, leaving the warlock alone.
"Why I thought I'd get some answers with you, I really don't know," he muttered dejectedly.
A few minutes later, he was pushing the door of his mentor's chambers, still unsure of how he would tell him the news. Gaius had his back turned on him, working at the potion he always gave the King, and didn't hear him come in. Merlin cleared his throat to get his attention. The old Physician turned around in surprise.
"Merlin? I didn't expect you in here before tonight... Is there a problem with Arthur?"
You could say that, the warlock thought miserably.
"Gaius..." he started, unsure of what to say. "I think you should sit down."
"Merlin, what happened?" the old man asked, ignoring his advice.
The young warlock swallowed once, before dropping the news.
"Arthur has killed his father."
Gaius' legs gave way, and he would have fallen if Merlin hadn't quickly moved a chair for him to sit upon.
"How did this happen?" he asked with a shocked voice.
"I'm not sure. I only know he was furious after his father, blaming him for his mother's death. By the time I convinced Sir Leon to open the doors of the Council Room, it was too late – Arthur had run Uther through with his sword," Merlin related. "He made it clear to the three of us that if we told anyone about this, there would be dire consequences. The official version is a sympathizer of magic managed to slip in the room unnoticed and stabbed Uther before Arthur got there. Then Arthur killed that intruder."
Gaius had never looked his age more than he did now, upon learning the death of his best friend. Merlin sympathized; he could only imagine how he would feel if, decades from now, he learned Arthur had been killed – be it by his son or someone else.
"Will you be alright?" he asked a little worriedly. Gaius looked up at him.
"I'll have to be, won't I? Arthur will need our advice in the coming weeks."
~(-)~
It took a few days for all the neighbouring lords and kings to come and attend Uther's funeral. Lord Godwin was the first to arrive; he offered his condolences to Arthur as soon as he got down from his horse.
"Your father was a great king," he assured the Prince, "and a good friend. This is a terrible loss for all of us."
"Yes," Arthur nodded, the poisoned thorn of his guilt sinking more and more in his heart with each word. "He was all of that and more. I can only hope I will be as good as he was."
Oh, you will, Merlin, who was watching the scene, thought. You will be even better if I have my way. He kept silent, though; it was not the place of a mere servant to talk such things, least of all in public.
"Merlin!" Arthur called, and the servant came to his side. "Lord Godwin, this is my personal servant, Merlin; if you need anything, just ask him, he'll be glad to help you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Lord Godwyn answered with a nod, "and my condolences again."
The next ones were Olaf and Alined, both of them arriving at the same time, and each of them trying to outdo the other one with his condolences. Uther's funeral and the related mourning period lasted a week, during which every nobleman with a daughter old enough to be married tried to tell him of their qualities and how they would make a perfect Queen for Camelot. Choosing a Queen soon was the last thing on his mind, though; on the last day of Uther's funeral, Arthur received an alarming report from the borders with Cenred's kingdom.
As soon as the coronation ceremony was over, the young King invited every nobleman who had some military forces into the Council Room, where he laid maps on the table.
"Gentlemen, I just got disturbing news from our eastern borders; King Cenred, it seems, does not have the decency to wait until Camelot has mourned its King before attacking us. He is massing forces along the borders, and some of them are already raiding the outer villages to test us."
"King Cenred does not know what 'decency' means," Olaf grumbled. "I've always told your father he should get rid of him, but he wouldn't listen."
"Stubborn as a mule, he was," King Bayard approved, while Godwin raised a hand to calm them.
"Let us not speak ill of the dead, my lords. It is popular knowledge that doing so is unwise."
"Forgive me, Sire," Alined interrupted with a falsely respectful tone, "but what does this have to do with us? Is Camelot so weak it cannot defend itself?"
Arthur looked at him blandly.
"I will tell you what it has do you with you, King Alined. Cenred is thirsty for power – he doesn't only want Camelot, he wishes to rule all of Britain. If he gets Camelot, he will not be stopping there. From here, he can attack any one of you."
He pointed at Alined's kingdom on the map.
"Your lands are only a few days horseride from here, Sire. And at this very moment, they are unprotected – as is every kingdom, since we are all gathered here for my father's funerals. He could attack any one of us, at any moment – although it is very likely Camelot will be his first target.
My soldiers are more than able to defend our lands – but if Cenred isn't disposed of, then it will only be a matter of time before he strikes again. Who's to say Carmelide won't be his next target? Or Caledonia, or Cornwall?"
He looked from one King to the other as he named their kingdom. Godwin was the first to react, taking his sword in both hands and raising it towards Arthur.
"My King. My sword is yours, as well as my forces, however small they may be."
"Cornwall will join with you on this battle," Olaf declared. "Cenred must be gotten rid of once and for all."
One by one, every man in the room declared either their allegiance or alliance with the young King. Smiling, Arthur declared, "Let's show that poor excuse for a King, what real Kings can do."
~(-)~
Alaia Skyhawk: There we go guys, chapter one. Unlike "Let My People Go", I can't read ahead in the story because it's being sent to me 1 chapter at a time for beta/posting. So every time there's a cliffhanger, I'll be left on the edge of my seat just like the rest of you XD
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
