WARNING:This will definitely contain S4 spoilers if you haven't seen the totally amazing and officially awesomsause trailer! SO excited!
Merlin collapsed onto his bed.
He moaned as he massaged his temples and thought of tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that…
His work now wasn't just bringing Arthur breakfast, mucking out the stables, polishing his armour and all the other mundane tasks he'd had to do. Ever since Morgana had become Queen Uther had become a weak, broken man so Arthur was now Prince Regent and had so much responsibility on his shoulders- not only to Camelot and his people, but to prove to other Kingdoms that Camelot was as strong as ever with a powerful sovereign.
And because Arthur had more work and headaches, so did Merlin. Keeping 'IMPORTANT' documents safe, making sure Arthur attended all the boring meetings, keeping an eye on that creepy Agravaine and plus his normal chores. The thought made him groan.
Merlin rolled over, too tired to even practise a few spells. He was just about to drop off-
'Merlin!'
He heard Gaius coming up the stairs and then his door was thrown open. 'Merlin, I need you to get up and fetch me some rosemary. Come on, up!'
'Gaius!' Merlin protested. 'Please, I'm so tired!'
'I know you are Merlin, but I need that rosemary for Uther and I've just run out! I need you go to the Forest and collect some!'
It took all of Merlin's strength to heave himself up and drag himself out of his room. He wearily pulled his jacket on and reflected on all the things apart from rosemary he'd really like to shove down Uther's throat.
'Thank you, Merlin' Gaius said sincerely. 'I'll have dinner ready when you come back.'
'Chicken?' Merlin asked hopefully.
'Chicken.'
0o0o0
Merlin stumbled away from the Castle. It was a dark, cloudless night and the moon hung in the sky like a perfect crystal ball. It was cold too and Merlin pulled his jacket around him tightly, whistling softly.
When he reached the edge of the Forest, he hesitated for a second. I'm not scared, he told himself. I'm not scared, not scared, just…checking, you know? Sneaking a glance of his surroundings, he quickly murmured a spell and then a golden sphere of light appeared in front of him.
Grinning, Merlin entered the Forest.
As he looked for the rosemary, Merlin's thoughts turned to Lord Agravaine, Arthur's officially-weird uncle. Agravaine hadn't exactly done anything wrong, but he was such a brooding presence and there was something about him that made Merlin feel on edge- but maybe that was just the result of a lifetime of suspecting and fighting people, some who had once been his friends.
Merlin finally spotted a clump of rosemary under a willow tree. He ran over and began to gently tug it out roots and all, the way Gaius had taught him; when he suddenly heard a muffled yell.
Merlin shot up, clutching his bag to his chest. He immediately diminished his light; afraid it would reveal him to whoever was out there at this ungodly hour. He stood still for a few moments, his head cocked to one side and listening intently; but there was silence. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he had just imagined it all-
But then he heard rough voices and the rustling of leaves as they were crushed underfoot. He quietly edged forward, making absolutely no sound.
He came to a glade in the Forest where the moon shone down, silent and forbidding. Merlin looked around but again there was silence. He turned in frustration. Was he so tired he was turning delusional?
'Quiet!' A man's hoarse voice exclaimed in the distance. 'Take your punishment like a man!'
'I'm not a man, you one-eyed twit!' replied a voice. It was light and almost musical, and Merlin was immediately drawn to the sassy voice. He had hidden behind a nearby bush the moment he had heard the voices and now he watched as three figures stumbled into the clearing.
By the moonlight he could have seen their faces clearly, if it weren't for the fact that two of the figures were facing away from him. The only one that wasn't was a short, thin blonde woman with a nasty smirk on her face and lifeless eyes. Merlin go the feeling she drowned rabbits just for the heck of it.
The man and the woman were dragging someone between them, and she was swearing continuously, her words so colourful Merlin felt himself blush. He stayed behind the bush though, wondering what the hell was going on. Why on earth were these two people dragging this girl along the Forest? Was this her 'punishment'? For what, he wondered?
The man suddenly dumped the girl onto the grass and stepped back, wiping his hands on his shirt. 'All right,' he snarled. 'This is what you want, right? To be away from him! Jealous little cow, aren't you?'
To Merlin's amazement, the girl laughed as he suddenly noticed a trickle of blood running down her dark arm. He felt instant respect for this girl who had obviously been beaten but didn't show any signs of fear and still had the spunk to challenge her captor openly.
'You really are a one-eyed twit, aren't you? How blind can you be- you're turning your only son into-'
The woman darted forward at that moment and slapped the girl ferociously on the cheek. She turned to the man and commanded 'Go on. Finish her off.'
Merlin saw the man hesitate. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he looked at the woman and said almost pleadingly 'Well… we don't have to, do we? We could just leave her-'
'Oh move out of the way!' she snapped, elbowing the man impatiently. 'I'll do it!' she announced contemptuously as she tossed her hair back.
Merlin had heard enough. He knew he had to help this girl, whoever she was. Stealthily he crept forward-
'Ano-re-udin-heya-tusk!' the woman cried as the girl was suddenly binded by ropes. She struggled furiously against them but to no avail, the ropes were as taught as ever and Merlin gasped as he was immediately reminded of himself in a similar position with Morgause. He clamped his hand over his mouth in horror but to his relief no-one turned around. Magic? He thought, his heart racing. They have MAGIC? For the love of God! Why are all the sorcerers I meet evil?
The woman had her hand raised, poised to deliver the spell that would finish off the struggling girl when Merlin's eyes glowed gold and he roared 'Fushca min!'
The woman collapsed onto the ground with a soft thud.
The man whirled around, incredulity on his face. 'What the-?' he started but before he could ask the obligatory question that springs to mind when you see your friend knocked over by a skinny guy with gold eyes and a permanent neckerchief that makes you go 'Why are you covering that gorgeous neck?' and who also happens to talk to a Dragon and have a lover-who-is-dead-but-can-hand-over-swords-which-is-cool, Merlin had stunned him too and he fell beside the woman.
Merlin ran over, his heart pounding. He reached the girl and quickly released her, then pulled her up.
She was beautiful. Her eyes were a deep, sparkling brown with long, thick lashes. Her hair was just like his own except much longer, tumbling past her hips. And her skin…it's like chocolate…Merlin thought dreamily.
He was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of the girl's voice. 'Why did you have to interfere? I didn't need your help!'
What?
'No way!' Merlin spluttered. 'I just saved your life!'
The girl snorted. 'As if! I had everything under control! And who the hell are you, anyway?'
Merlin had had enough. It was bad enough him saving Prince Pratt's life secretly every five seconds without thanks but this girl had seen him! What was she playing at?
'Look!' he snapped furiously. 'They were gonna kill you, and I saved you! Like you'd be bloody dead if I hadn't! What could you have done, especially with the ropes-'
Suddenly, the man grunted. Merlin stopped talking and stared, but the man was still once more. He got onto his knees and rolled the man over.
He gasped with shock as he took in all the familiar features. Mordred? Mordred's…Father? It couldn't be…
'Oh yeah,' the girl said casually from behind him. 'Meet my Dad.'
0o0o0o
Gwen wiped Uther's face once more, concern making her frown. Uther was more agitated than usual; making quick, jerky movements as he rolled over, his mind in a hellish nightmare of demons and witches, a far-off place where she couldn't help him.
She looked towards the door in frustration; where was Gaius? He was far too late tonight and she could think of no idea why.
As she made soft soothing sounds of comfort she looked at Uther fully. The King of Camelot. Gwen knew people were downright shocked at her decision to take care of Uther, and they had a point- after all, Uther was a merciless tyrant, he had thrown her into her prison, slapped her, kept her and Arthur apart and above all, he had murdered her innocent Father.
But to her, it was simple. She didn't love Uther, she could never love him. The simple thing was that after all he was Arthur's Father and Gwen didn't need another reason. She didn't hate him either; she just didn't feel anything for him. The only person apart from Arthur who really understood that was Merlin, and Gwen was grateful for that. Even Elyan had tried to dissuade her.
Uther moaned louder, clutching at the air.
0o0o0o
Merlin sat there, feeling incredibly annoyed. This is just a dream, he told himself. Just a silly old dream. I'll wake up and everything will be Ok…
He pinched his arm to convince himself. Ouch. This wasn't a dream then, blast it!
'What do you mean?' he asked as he turned back to the girl and tried not to stare. 'How can he be your Dad?'
'Well, one night he and my Mu-'
'No!' he exclaimed hastily, turning scarlet. 'I just meant… why was he hurting you? And who's this woman?' he said, prodding the lady's back.
She stared at him for a moment. 'You don't need to know. 'She turned to leave but Merlin grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. 'No. I have to know.'
She looked at him suspiciously for a moment and then sighed. 'Fine. It's not like I'm gonna see you again.'
She took a deep breath, then: 'I have a younger brother. He…he's quite powerful, really good with Magic. Too good. I know it sounds like I'm jealous…but he's becoming kind of insane, I think. He…sometimes he hurts people. But my stupid Dad can't see that. He's too blind to see his only son is slowly becoming a monster…and this,' she continued, kicking the woman still lying on the ground-'this is my step mum. Evil cow. She couldn't cope with me, no one can, really. Except Hassan...' here her voice grew soft before she continued, 'don't you think her nose is a little to the left?'
Merlin felt like he couldn't breathe. 'Your brother,' he whispered, swallowing. 'He wouldn't be called Mordred, by any chance?'
She stared at him, lost for words. 'You know him?' she finally managed.
'I…kind of. Not really. It was a long time ago,' he replied, shifting from foot to foot. Mordred, he thought. Evil. Growing stronger every day…and unbidden it came back to him, something the young Druid had promised 'I shall never forgive you, Emrys. And I shall never forget.'
And the Great Dragon's prophecy that Mordred would kill Arthur…Merlin blanched and almost collapsed but the girl ran forward and grabbed him in time.
'What's wrong?' she asked urgently, genuine concern in her voice.
'Nothing…nothing…it is just, he can't be your brother. I mean-'
'We look nothing alike, right?'
When he sheepishly nodded, she continued. 'I know. He has those creepy eyes and looks like this idiot' she gestured at her Dad-'and I'm like my mum. Most beautiful and talented woman ever. Even more beautiful than Queen Igraine.'
You certainly inherited beauty…Merlin was suddenly bought back to Earth at the mention of Igraine. Igraine. Uther. Gaius. Rosemary…damn it!
'Look, I have to go now, or there'll be hell to pay. But…I'd like to see you again,' he swallowed, surprised at his own audacity.
She raised her eyebrows. 'To know more about my brother, or just cos I'm me?' she questioned.
He looked her straight in the eye. 'Bit of both.'
She looked taken aback by his honesty, but then she smiled. 'Fine. I was going to invite you anyway…come to the Samhain Festival in three days?'
'The Samhain Festival?'
'Yep.'
Seeing his blank expression, she rolled her eyes. 'Seriously. You just gotta know what that is!'
'Er…yeah, I do. I just…remembered something,' he lied, not wanting to look dumb in front of her.
'Good. So….thanks, I guess.'
'You're admitting I saved you?'
'No! No! You did not save me! You just…helped a bit.'
Oh my God. Is she Arthur's twin? The Queen of Stubbornness? They stood there for a moment, glaring at each other and looking like siblings, before Merlin grinned and laughed, and then so did she.
'See you.' He said as he turned and started to walk back to Camelot.
'Hey- wait!'
Merlin turned back, surprised. She came running towards him, grabbed his hand and plonked something into it. 'This will show you the way,' she whispered, her eyes boring into his. 'Just turn it three times in tour hand and I'll be with you.'
'Thanks, 'he managed, and then she was gone.
Seriously, he thought as he collected the rosemary and trudged back. Gaius should send me out more often.
0o0o0o
'Merlin!' Gaius exclaimed as he entered the chambers. 'Where on Earth-'
Merlin held his hands up in surrender. 'OK, Gaius, I know you want to yell at me, but let me explain myself first?'
Gaius stopped. 'Give me the rosemary,' he ordered. Merlin handed it over and watched as Gaius quickly crushed it and then mixed it with a blue liquid. 'Merlin, go give this to Uther, and come back quickly. I want to know what happened.'
'Yes Sir!' Merlin saluted. He ran all the way to the King's chambers, then knocked softly. 'Gwen, it's me, open up.'
For a moment there was silence. Then Gwen opened the door. She yawned softly and Merlin saw the bags under her eyes. She smiled when she saw him. 'Merlin!'
'Gwen,' he whispered. 'Here's Uther's medicine. Give it to him, then go to bed, OK? Helen can take care of him for now. You need rest.'
'Yes my Lord!' she laughed. 'Whatever you say!'
'I'm serious Gwen,' he said, despite grinning. 'You'll make yourself ill if you continue like this. Come on, I'll walk you to your rooms,' he said, conveniently forgetting Gaius' orders.
Gwen quickly gave Uther his medicine, sponged his forehead and then joined Merlin outside. They walked together, talking about small, unimportant things. Merlin wished with all his heart that he could tell Gwen about what had happened, but he couldn't without revealing his Magic. Sometimes his life sucked.
When they reached her room, Merlin kissed Gwen on the cheek, ordered her to sleep and then ran all the way back to Gaius. He flopped down into a chair, exhausted after his adventures. Gaius took the seat opposite him, his eyebrow raised in anticipation.
Merlin quickly told him everything, not leaving out much. He'd lied to Gaius in the past and it hadn't exactly worked out, he needed Gaius' advice more than anything.
Gaius was silent for a moment, his eyebrow jumping up and down. 'What's her name?' he finally asked.
'I …I don't know,' he confessed, only realising it as he said it. He could have kicked himself. 'Oh no… I'm so dumb…I don't know her name…' he stopped blabbering as he realised Gaius was staring at him.
He exhaled slowly. 'So Gaius, what's the Samhain Festival?'
A/N: Soo…what did you think? Interesting? Non? This is my first ever proper story, so I'm slightly anxious…so please review and give me your opinion!
BPP ;)