Secrets of Many
This is an Song of the Lioness/Merlin crossover. For people unfamiliar to either series, Alanna is a girl who has pretended to be a boy named Alan so she can be a knight while Merlin is a young warlock living in a kingdom where magic is illegal and has a destiny to protect Prince Arthur. This is set somewhere in the second book in SotL and in the third season of Merlin.
When the envoy from Tortall came to Camelot, Merlin was nervous. Tortall was a land from across the sea where magic may have been legal but it was still frowned upon by traditions of superstition. However, after protecting Arthur for a while, Merlin had learned that everything that could turn out badly would turn out badly. That was how the world worked. No doubt there would be some power-crazed grieving sorcerer that had loved someone that had been murdered in the Great Purge. Or, perhaps, they'd see Camelot as fresh meat. Somehow, someway, someone would decide that killing Arthur was the coolest thing since finding bronze. It was Destiny.
The diplomatic party was small- The Crown Prince Jonathan Conte, his uncle Roger, some Duke Gareth guy, a Sir Myles, some knights and a small redheaded squire with purple eyes. No one stood out as outright evil yet but they never did to any residents of Camelot (including Merlin). Unless you saw the person doing evil outright, no one from Camelot would pick up on constant smirking, a sinister wardrobe, constant sneaking out of the castle or any other suspicious action that would catch the attention of any nonresident.
Arthur greeted Jonathan and they exchanged formalities. It was agreed that the Tortallens would be shown to their rooms, be invited to a feast at supper and the prince and his knights would join Arthur in the morning for weapons practice.
"Merlin will show you to your rooms." Arthur told the other prince.
"Thank you. I will see you at the feast." Jonathan then turned his head to the small redhead, "Come on Alan,"
Alanna nodded, shooting a backward glance at the ship. She was very, very, very happy to be on land again. It had turned out that she got seasick very easily. Even now she still looked a little green.
"Why are we here again?" She asked Jonathan rudely, "It-"
"Since the war with Tusaine we haven't been as sound as my father would like. Camelot has offered military aid in exchange for, well, that's why we're here."
"I've heard stories about this place."
"Would you rather turn around and stay of the boat?"
"No!" She yelped and Jonathan chuckled,
"Then be happy."
"I am not good at diplomacy." She warned,
"I know, that is why I am making the negotiations. Your to outspoken not to mention the war you'd cause if you lost your temper."
The two seemed to forget Merlin's presence. Merlin listened to them and had to stop himself from smiling. Their relationship seemed almost like his and Arthur's.
"Prince Jonathon, your chamber is right here." Merlin bowed his head slightly, "If you need anything I'm sure Arthur will tell you to ask me." Suddenly Merlin jumped slightly, "Oh, uh, I'm sorry. Your cat startled me." He explained to the redhead. He hadn't even noticed the black fur around her neck was a live cat until it had twitched.
"Please don't ask if he's magic. His eyes are just like they are." The squire glared at him with purple eyes... eyes that Merlin noticed was just like the cat's.
"Actually I hadn't notice 'till now." The warlock said truthfully, "Quite an uncanny resemblance there."
Alan gave him a look saying he didn't believe it.
"Really. Although I'd keep him away from Uther- or, ah, King Uther- just the same. Just as a precation."
"Was there really some purge of magic or something around here?" The squire looked as if he found the concept unbelievable, as if it was only a tale told to scare small children.
"Yes," Merlin said, his voice catching slighting, "A little more than twenty years ago magic became illegal."
"But," the prince turned to face them, "How did that work? One can't help if they're born with the Gift and it's a bad idea not to use it if you're given it."
Merlin's eyes lit up slightly. Then he caught himself and nervously responded, "It's not my place to say, milord."
Alanna frowned at the servant's strange reaction and stroked her cat.
"Why not? If it's a common law than surely it isn't illegal to inform someone of it."
"Uther says that magic is evil and that before the Purge that many atrocities were committed. After that, no one was to practice magic on the pain of death."
Alanna made the sign against her chest. She may not have liked magic but she had been taught what happened if someone didn't use it. The sweating sickness would have killed Jonathan just like their other friend if Alanna hadn't healed him.
"You don't agree." Jonathan pointed out.
"It's not my place to say." The servant said again, looking a little frightened.
"Tortall is different." Jonathan mentioned, "Magic may not be well liked by some but it is still treated with respect. It can be useful, it is a tool like any other."
"Although it-"
"Ala-Alan, don't bring your own feelings into this. My squire is scared of it."
"No I'm not!"
Jonathan rolled his eyes,
"I think we have kept you from your duties long enough. You are dismissed."
Merlin bowed, happy to get away. These two were speaking treason, treason that he agreed with... He was afraid he would give himself away.
He was also worried that the Tortallans might do something drastic against the no-magic policy. He had seen them both shiver when he told them. However he had also seen anger in their eyes. Angry people often decided to kill Arthur. He'd have to watch these two like a hawk.