This story is posted on AO3 under my name ForeignTongues; I will be transferring other stories here, but this story is in progress.
Trigger warnings for future suicidal/self-harm thoughts and graphic depictions of gore.
I will update chapters based on if people would like it to continue (I have 8 chapters written!) so leave me reviews asking for updates and you shall receive! Plus some reaction to the story and your thoughts would be nice. I am a HUGE talker so if you feel chatty just PM me about stuff!
-Kay :)
o0o
"Alright everyone, I've an announcement to make." Arthur's voice boomed through the stillness of the court room claiming each person's rapt attention. Except that of Merlin, who stood in his usual position by Gaius at the foremost pillar; he instead was transfixed upon the tinted glass windows to his right and the way the dust danced in the colored sunlight.
There was a nudge at his side, and he swiveled to see Gaius offering a stern look of disapproval before motioning his attention to the king with a nod of his head. Merlin didn't understand the importance of such a meeting of which he already knew most of the content.
The Elders had been conversing with King Arthur for the past few weeks about extending the kingdom's control over different portions of land for access to better trade routes. Different areas were in question after the vacation of another kingdom's colony; the colony was uprooted due to seemingly poor agricultural grounds. Arthur had mentioned this in passing for his servant's inquiries of the latest news in unifying the kingdoms. Offering trade with nobility who Camelot had yet to create treaties with would show a mark of peace.
Merlin focused back on Arthur as silently ordered by his uncle.
"It has been decided through careful consideration of the counsel that we shall expand our borders on the east," Arthur stated with a smile. "Our neighbors in the kingdom of Lothloria have made a treaty to allow trade between our walls, and thus we shall claim the stretch of uninhabited land nearer to Lothloria, the city of Adema, to have timely access as opposed to our former, longer route."
Warm feelings of satisfaction filled the room; the peasants and the nobility gathered were more than happy to hear the news. Trade with a kingdom they had no access to before would provide new foods, culture, techniques and medical skills that the people had not been exposed to previously. And furthermore, it was another step towards the peace between the five kingdoms that their king promised he would fight to create.
Merlin beamed at his friend, whose eyes skirted over the crowd hoping to see favorable reactions. Catching Merlin's eye, Arthur's grin widened.
"In the following week, I and other knights of Camelot will be sent forth to scour the land and will bring along merchants who wish to make their business in Adema, where as you know, there shall be a bigger flux and the possibility of better economic success for your families. The former villagers already created a settlement so, as far as housing, those willing to move to this new land will be granted settlements until the resources have expired. From there the plan will be to expand and bring in carpenters to truly help the trade route flourish."
"Sire, may I offer my counsel?" Gaius spoke, interrupting the speech. Merlin couldn't see why; there were no obvious problems with the trade agreement. But, if Merlin was sure of anything, it was that whenever his uncle spoke up before the king, it was usually to educate them all on some magical dilemma they were about to encounter.
A little confused but nevertheless gracious, Arthur answered, "Yes, of course Gaius. You are always free to speak your mind."
"Thank you Sire," Gaius bowed. "I'm sure you've heard tales of Adema's history."
"I have," Arthur assured him.
"Then you are aware of the legends, too, of Sir Nicolas and his knights, sire? It is only found in rumor, but there have been reports of sightings within Adema since the passing of your great-grandfather. Surely there are other, safer trade routes to begin settlement in?"
Merlin questioned Gaius with a glance. Sir Nicolas and his knights? He'd never heard of the tale.
"I'm well aware of what has preceded in the history between my blood-line and Adema, but I cannot hold onto mutterings of bed time stories and keep away from the safest trade route possible," Arthur explained. "There have been no reports in a good 40 years of anything troubling that city. It is safe, Gaius."
The man didn't look too pleased with Arthur's assurances, but bowed to his words anyways. Arthur nodded at Gaius and resumed addressing the gathered people.
"At dawn, we will head for the city. This will be the first search, so any merchants are welcome to follow, but are not required to do so. For those who do decide to take the journey, we will provide horses and food for you and your families in this time of travel. Everyone is dismissed."
People erupted into action and conversation as soon as the king stepped down from his throne. A pair of merchants bustled out of the doors as fast as possible, given that they had merely twenty-four hours to prepare for the journey.
The rest stood and talked in celebration, the majority being noble families who were a part of the counsel's decision.
Gaius grabbed Merlin's shoulder with a knobby grip before he went blundering about the castle in order to pack supplies.
"Merlin," he muttered, "come to my chambers. We need to discuss something."
o0o
"Who is this 'Sir Nicolas'? And what happened between Arthur's forefathers and the man's company?" Merlin inquired the second Gaius had hurried him through the door and locked the wood shut. When his uncle turned around, Merlin saw how grave he was.
"He was once the king of Adema," Gaius answered. "And Arthur's forefather, King Uthlon, battled over obtaining the city."
Gaius stepped over to the table and swung his legs over the bench, adopting the position of his elbows touching the table and interlaced hands supporting his chin. Merlin took his normal seat on the opposite side, his attention enhanced.
"So that was how the Pendragons came into power: war," Merlin stated, not surprised in the slightest.
"Yes," Gaius said, "but it was a war against magic as well."
Merlin raised a brow, intrigued.
"When Sir Nicolas sat upon the throne, he commanded that magic be a welcomed part of the city because of its benefits, as many kings did in the olden days. The king himself was a well renowned sorcerer."
"I would give anything to have lived in that kind of kingdom," Merlin remarked.
"They were prosperous," Gaius conceded, "but Uthlon wanted nothing more than to eradicate all magic in the realm."
"Sounds familiar."
"Indeed." Gaius sighed. "The Pendragon's had yet to conquer a kingdom of their own and were looking towards the east, which was closest to the settlements they ruled over. Uthlon thought it advantageous to conquer Adema and abolish the use of magic within the city. Over the course of three weeks, the battle had been won, and Uthlon ordered the hangings of Sir Nicolas and his military in front of the public, condemning them to hell as traitors to the Christian word. Before dying, Nicolas' final words to Uthlon and his people were a curse."
"Of course its a curse; when are we not dealing with such things," Merlin groaned. "I was hoping that this would be one of the few times that we'd have a win, without bandits or begrudging sorcerers involved."
"Merlin, listen to me," Gaius chided. "The land is not safe. Years after Uthlon conquered Adema, he and his people were forced to disperse into neighboring lands by what was recorded as 'ghosts of the fallen king and his most trusted company.' They slaughtered nearly all of the people in Adema, including Uthlon himself. Up until the very end he didn't believe them to be more than uprising citizens who wished for the old ways, despite what the reports said. But when he and the nine knights descended on the citadel, he'd no choice but to see the truth. They cut off his head and murdered the royal staff, but showed mercy to Uthlon's wife, in hopes that the gracious former princess would teach her son in the same ways as she and Nicolas had been risen, not in Uthlon's idea of tirade against magic. She and others fled the city and returned to their other conquered villages where she directed the people and raised the prince."
"And how did he turn out, Uther's father?" Merlin asked.
Gaius grimaced. "He was a fair judge, Uthorn, and he was willing to listen to reason in terms of magic holders, but that changed. His mother, Eras- in her later years, she was kidnapped for ransom by sorcerers in another land. Uthorn gave the men everything they wanted in return for his beloved mother, hoping they would spare her. But she was sent back in a crate, torn and mutilated."
Merlin cast his eyes downward. "So Uther's father, he learned to hate magic, and passed that down to Uther?"
Gaius nodded sadly. "Uther never met Eras, but Uthorn's cruelty and relentlessness towards magic bled into Uther. And when he conquered Camelot, Uther made the same actions of his grandfather in eradicating magic from the land and banning its use. The momentary lapse of 'reason' when Uther trusted the Old Religion and commanded Nimueh to give Ygraine fertility sealed Camelot's fate forever."
It made more sense to Merlin now, how the hatred for magic came to Uther. It had always confused him how the man betrayed every sorcerer for the sins of Nimueh, but knowing that the Pendragon lineage was wrought with distrust of those with magic finally filled in the holes.
"If Arthur and his people journey to this city, there's no guarantee the curse will not apply to him as well," Gaius warned.
"But Arthur is fair," Merlin contested, "the ghosts should understand that he is the change that the Old Religion has long awaited, shouldn't they?"
"There is nothing to prove that they will know the difference. All time has distorted their understanding. If they sense the blood of a Pendragon, they are likely to blindly attack."
Merlin swallowed and stared at the staircase above him, trying to glean something from its contents.
"There must be something in these books that would tell how to fight against spirits," Merlin said, rising from the table firmly and beginning to ascend the steps. Gaius stopped him with an arm.
"All ghosts are the same, Merlin. Keeping a ring of salt will protect your camp. But as for killing them, well, spirits cannot be killed, as they are already dead. They're immortal beings."
"Then- wait," Merlin said, "would Arthur's sword stand a chance against them?"
Gaius turned back into his seat with thought.
"In theory, yes," he replied, Merlin being not too keen on the factuality of 'in theory,' "but you must be careful. This is dangerous dark magic, Merlin. I don't know how your own will react."
"I have to go with him," Merlin said resolutely. "It is my duty, Gaius."
"I know," Gaius replied. "But please, you must take care."
Merlin studied Gaius' aging face. They'd been at this so long that Merlin expected this conversation would be a thing of the past. Instead, they both grew more tired and weary. Perhaps it was the constant reminder that any mistake would mean impending doom, or maybe, that every time Merlin came back from a journey, Gaius would be forced to doctor wounds of incrementing severity.
"I promise, I'll take care of myself too. Just for you," Merlin said. He moved around the table to meet Gaius with a hug. They held it for a long moment, letting their solemnity be comforted.