Category: Gen (Canon AU)
Characters/Pairings: Merlin, Mordred, Arthur. Light Arthur/Gwen
Rating/Warnings: T.
Spoilers: Set during "Arthur's Bane Part II"
Author's Note: I was re-watching "Arthur's Bane" parts I and II and one thought crossed my mind at the beginning of Part II when Mordred is giving the bread to Merlin: What if the leader of the slavers caught him giving Merlin food? That thought was followed immediatly by wondering what would happen if Mordred had been a slave as well. That was then followed by several days of endless thinking and annoying plot ideas and so, this story was born...even though I really need to be working on my other stories.
Anyways, I'm not going to promise that the chapters will come quick. I have several others stories I need to be working on, but I'm going to make a goal to have a chapter up at least every two weeks, more if my writing muse allows. Until then, I hope you enjoy chapter 1. :)
All italized words are taken directly from "Arthur's Bane Part II" unless otherwise stated. I watched the episode and copied the words down, so if any quotes are off, it is entirely my fault.
Disclaimer: If I owned Merlin would I be writing an AU to an episode? I don't think so, hence I do not own Merlin.
EDIT: It didn't occur to me until a little while ago that the Merlin wikia might have the slave trader's name so I check and, lo and behold, they did. So I went back and put his name in so it doesn't sound as bad. :)
A Change of Fate
Chapter 1: Captive and Captor
"Shouldn't we let the Lady Morgana decide their fate?"
-Mordred, "Arthur's Bane Part I"
The cold pressed around him, breaking through the thin covering of his brown jacket. Merlin curled in on himself as much as he could, but the constant pulling of the wagon against the rope binding his hands left him stumbling, struggling to stand much less attempt to get warm. He could hear the other men, his fellow captives, stumbling behind him, their ragged breaths coming in gasps as they tried to get warm and remain walking.
"Remind me, Merlin," Arthur's voice cut through the air. "How did we end up like this?"
Merlin didn't answer. He looked forward, his stare locked onto the back of the young druid boy. Mordred, as if sensing the eyes on him-or perhaps just hearing Arthur's voice-turned. He met Merlin's eyes evenly, slowing slightly in his pace.
"Oh yes, you were thinking about your stomach, as usual." Arthur continued, unaware or just not paying attention to the fact that Merlin's mind was elsewhere. "I told you it was a trap!"
"And I told you to go back to Camelot." Merlin's voice was low.
"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, turning to face his manservant.
"Hold!" The voice of the lead slaver cut Arthur off before he could say anything else.
The group came to a halt as the leader, Ragnor, dismounted and studied his horse.
"We can't let them hand us over to Morgana," Merlin said swiftly, not looking at Arthur. "We need to get out of here, we need a plan!"
Arthur started to reply, but a punch to his stomach cut him off, doubling him over as Ragnor stood above them, ice and snow clinging to his beard and hair as his snapped at them in his heavily accented voice.
"You speak when you're spoken to!" He watched Merlin carefully as Arthur slowly straightened. Then he turned and walked briskly past Mordred, ordering, "Faster!"
Merlin glared at their captors as the wagon was lurched forward and he very nearly lost his footing. Their was no more talking that day from either captives or captors as they trudged through the snow. Hours passed in cold silence, with Merlin almost constantly glaring at Mordred's back.
They made camp an hour before nightfall, with the only fire being built before the slave traders, a good distance from the slaves. Few of the tired captives remained awake, most choosing to curl up and sleep in hopes that by the morning they would have frozen to death and been freed. Merlin remained awake, knees folded up to his chest. He watched his captors-most specifically Mordred-warily, not trusting any of them with the sleeping Arthur beside him.
Ragnor looked up and noticed Merlin watching them. With a thin smile, he lifted his sword and pointed it in Merlin's direction.
"What are you gawping at?" He asked.
Merlin didn't reply, just simply looked away slowly. The leader lowered his sword and speared a piece of bread that sat by warming by the fire.
"Is this what you want?" he asked, raising his sword. Merlin just barely turned his head to look and the leader laughed, swiftly taking the bread from the sword. "Catch!"
He laughed as he tossed the bread toward Merlin, knowing it would land several feet in front of him. Merlin only made one small move toward the bread. He wouldn't let his captor have the pleasure of watching him scuttle and make a fool of himself. The slave traders all laughed at their leader's antics, but Mordred simply looked up with a face that revealed none of what he was thinking.
"Maybe we should feed them." he said, meeting Merlin's eyes once more.
"What for?" Ragnor asked, sword still in hand.
"They'll be skin and bones." Mordred replied.
"Morgana wants slaves," Ragnor said, poking at the fire and looking at the young man. "Not hogs for the fire."
"Then slow the pace." Mordred requested, facing the leader.
"The quicker we get there," Ragnor answered, moving the hot sword until it was in front of Mordred. "The quicker I get my money."
Mordred didn't react to the sword before him, nor did he reply to the slaver as he lowered his head slightly and turned to meet Merlin's eyes. Merlin kept his face as blank as he could, and Mordred's mask remained in place. Neither could tell what the other was thinking, though both were thinking the same thing: Can he be trusted?
The night passed slowly as one by one their captors drifted off to sleep. Around him, the captives had also fallen asleep until only Merlin remained awake. The cold and his sore limbs begged him to lay down and sleep, but he refused, his mind replaying over and over again what the dragon had said to him all those years ago: You're telling me that little boy is going to kill Arthur? It seems that is up to you... You must let the boy die.*
And so Merlin remained awake, allowing himself to only drift into short naps. It had been years since he had last seen Mordred, but he knew he couldn't trust the boy, especially after the vision he had seen in the cave. Mordred was destined to kill Arthur, and here Arthur was ready for the slaughter.
Morning came none to soon for Merlin. The cold was worse then the night before, and his limbs screamed at him to stretch them, but he stubbornly remained in his position. He watched as those around him slept. Very few were awake, and those who were remained still, as if still asleep, to try and keep their body warmth to themselves.
Only one moved, and Merlin watched as Mordred walked toward him and knelt before him. Merlin watched him wairly, magic ready at his fingertips, but he hoped not to have to reveal himself, not with Arthur so close to the firing line. Mordred reached into his jacket and brought out two pieces of bread. Merlin looked at the boy in confusion.
"Do you want them?" Mordred asked, a hint of laughter in his voice. He knew Merlin would want them.
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin asked, hesistant to take anything from the one supposed to be his enemy.
"He once saved my life." Mordred answered, looking over at the still-sleeping Arthur. "I owe him a debt. Don't be so quick to judge me."
Merlin didn't say anything, and the two fell into silence, each studying the other. Both masks held, and both took different things from the other's blank face.
"You fear me, Emrys, don't you?" Mordred broke the silence. Merlin didn't reply, couldn't reply. Mordred's voice fell to a whisper as he continued, "I know the hatred and suspician with which men treat those with magic. You and I are not so different. I to have learned to hide my gifts." He paused and lay the bread on the ground beside Merlin. He met Merlin's eyes once more and this time his mask fell, revealing earnest, honest eyes."I promise, you're secret is safe with me."
Merlin started to reply, but the sudden appearance of the slave leader stopped him. Mordred didn't hear the man approach until it was to late. The man grabbed Mordred's arm and yanked him to his feet roughly. Mordred stumbled, eyes wide in surprise. He tried to free his arm, but Ragnor held firm.
"What's this then?" he snarled, shaking the young man roughly. He kicked out at the pieces of bread, kicking them away from Merlin who narrowly managed to dodge the foot. "I told you last night, boy, Morgana wants slaves, not hogs."
Mordred didn't reply as he jerked his arm, managing to free himself from the leader's grip. He took a step back, wary of the leader's anger. He had been with the man for a short time, but even that short time was enough to tell him he was treading on thin ice.
"Well boy?" Ragnor growled, drawing himself up to his full height. "What do you have to say?"
"Do you want them to make it to Morgana?" Mordred asked cautiously. "Or would you want your prized slaves to fall on the side of the road?"
"Morgana wants them dead or alive." Ragnor replied angerly. "Either way, they are money in my purse."
By now the entire camp was awake, all watching silently as the two men glared at each other. They waited to see who would break away first. Though he held for a moment, Mordred finally had to look away from the angry glare of the older man who sneered in triumph.
"Wouldn't the Lady Morgana prefer to kill them herself?" Mordred tried, glancing over at Merlin and Arthur.
"I'm sure the Lady Morgana," the man spat the name out as if it was a curse. What did he care for any war between the lady and her brother? All he was out for was himself. "Would overlook that fact in favor of nine other slaves."
"Nine?" Mordred repeated in confusion, eyes flickering somewhat nervously over the captives. "Their's only..."
He broke off as he realized what the leader was saying. He took another step back as the man grinned cruely. He motioned with his hand and two men were on Mordred before he could get away. Mordred struggled, but the two men were stronger then him and, short of using magic, Mordred knew he was caught.
"I never did like you, boy." Ragnor snarled, stepping up to the still struggling Mordred. "To soft for this trade."
His hand shot out and Mordred doubled over, gasping in pain. The man laughed, and walked away calling out a lazy, "Tie him beside the two he seems so fond of." The rest of his men laughed along with him as the now compliant Mordred was drug to the wagon and tied between Merlin and Arthur.
"Let's move!" Ragnor called out, kicking at the few men who had tried to settle back into a few more minutes sleep.
The slaves were soon forced to their feet and the wagon lurched forward once more.
*Season 1, episode 8: The Beginning of the End