JUSTINE: Hello and welcome to a collaboration between my sister, Nada, and myself. We both
came up with the idea-
NADA: But I came up with most of the idea…
JUSTINE: *ahem* I did too and I'm the one who wrote it. And we both… BETA'd each others BETA… (?)
NADA: It was a long and fun process, but we got it done eventually.
JUSTINE: This chapter basically sets off what the entire fics about and there will be more to come but that may take a while, because I'm the slowest updater on the net.
NADA: Yeah, yeah, remember "Gratification"? What happened to that, huh?
JUSTINE: Whatever… From both of us, enjoy reading!

The Ties That Bind Us.
By Justine Themis & Nada Themis

"What the hell was that?"

Merlin could only give the Prince of Camelot a confused and questioning look before he realised that his arm was still outstretched, fingers sprawled out towards the limp corpse of the Chimera that lay by a family of shrubs, dead and lifeless as the wildflowers its body had crushed.

Noticing that he had been spotted, Merlin quickly lowered his hand back to his side and gave Arthur the most innocent look he could muster, ignoring the fact that his forehead was now beaded with sweat, "What was what?"

Arthur, having picked himself from the floor, approached Merlin holding his side and clutching a bloody wound from when the beast had attacked. But he was hardly dwelling on his injuries and instead bore the expression of anger and betrayal and many other emotions Merlin had expected when this day was to come. Finally, when the Prince was within a reasonably safe distance of the warlock, he pointed the arm not holding his wound towards the dead Chimera, "That! What you did to that… thing!"

Merlin glanced over at the creature, the smallest hint of sympathy in his eyes. It had been such majestic creature, with the strong and valiant head of a lion, the sturdy body of a goat and the powerful tail of a dragon. It had been such a privilege to see, but when it had attacked Arthur and himself, he had had no choice but to bring out his magic for defence. He had not meant to kill the beast, maybe just knock it out or scare it away, but he feared his choice of spell was about as poor as how careful he was at hiding his magic from Arthur.

Finally, Merlin shook his head and nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, before turning slightly to pick up the bag that he had dropped in the attack, choosing and speaking his words carefully without giving the prince much eye-contact, "I didn't do anything," he lied, "Maybe you struck it or it just died of exhaustion."

The young warlock could hear Arthur scoff loudly at this just as he slung his bag back onto his shoulders, though he involuntarily jumped out of his skin when he turned and saw that Arthur was now stood much closer to him, glaring holes into his head, "You are a terrible liar. I didn't even touch the beast! And I saw you! I saw you use-…" he hesitated for a moment, "I saw you use magic, Merlin!"

At that moment, Arthur had took a step towards the warlock, to which Merlin unconsciously took a mirrored step backwards, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to keep his calm but could sense his eyes betraying him. He could feel his heart thumping a little too loudly in his ears and his blood ran cold as the anger in Arthur's eyes bore into his.

Merlin had hoped and prayed that Arthur's back had been turned when he had used his spell to stop the beast in its attack, hoped that he would have been preoccupied with the Chimera, so that he had a safe chance to cast his spell. But Arthur had turned at just the wrong moment and Merlin could literally feel his excuses evaporating away from him, and was now hanging by threads.

"How do you know it was magic?" he tried pathetically, looking everywhere but at his master, "I could have-"

"Oh, and you're eyes just change to gold all the time?" Arthur spat, "I know magic when I see it, Merlin, and I know that's what you used!" A heartbroken expression adorned the prince's face that instantly cut off any other excuse Merlin had and closed his mouth just as Arthur continued to speak, his voice hard, "Please, Merlin, at least have the decency not to continue lying to me."

It was then that both men remained silent, surrounded by only the thinning surroundings of the forest. Only they, the lifeless body of the beast that had attacked them and the casual breeze that seemed unbeknownst to the situation, blowing happily between them.

Merlin's eyes flitted from left to right, his mind deep in thought. Arthur was right. He shouldn't be trying to lie his way out of something he was caught doing, especially magic. He glanced up and realised that the prince had not moved from his spot, his eyes still boring into his, waiting patiently despite the tension in his muscles. If Merlin was honest, Arthur was taking everything better than he had expected to. So far, anyway. He wasn't dead yet.

Finally, Merlin took in a breath as he stared up at the prince, a new kind of determination in his eyes, "Fine. I used magic," he said bluntly, causing the prince to flinch slightly, "but it stopped the Chimera, didn't it?" Merlin was quick to point that out to Arthur.

This, however, did not bode well with the prince as Arthur's jaw clenched slightly and he took another step towards Merlin, though Merlin did not repel back this time, and his voice came out harsher than before, "And that makes it alright, does it?"

Merlin waited a few moments as Arthur's eyes glared deeper into him before shaking his head, "Maybe not. But both of us would most likely be dead if I hadn't stopped it," he said pointedly, ignoring the fact that Arthur was now grinding his teeth together, and he allowed his expression to soften slightly, "you must believe me, Arthur, I've only ever used my magic to help you. And Camelot. I've never-"

"Believe you?" Arthur interrupted, "You've gone against the laws of Camelot. You've been hiding magic in my kingdom. You've lied to me, Merlin. Regardless of anything else, you've betrayed my trust more than anyone!" And Merlin could honestly see the betrayal in the prince's face, but still felt agitation build up inside him.

"Why aren't you understanding any of this?" Merlin nearly shouted, his fists clenching at his side, "You would be dead! Don't you understand? If I hadn't killed this," he motioned to the Chimera with his hand, "you would be lying on the floor dead! I just saved your life, you inconsiderate prat!"

"Saved?" Arthur scoffed, throwing the arm not holding his wound into the air in exasperation, "All you've proved today, Merlin, is that you are dishonest and a liar. Not only to Camelot, but to me. We're-" He stopped himself then, clenching his teeth tighter, looking away from the warlock in disdain.

Merlin's eyes softened slightly, though he could not push away the frustration in his heart. But he knew what Arthur was going to say. They were supposed to be friends. Arthur had had the utmost trust in Merlin in the previous years, trusting him with problems and secrets and confining in him when he needed to, and Merlin trusted him too. It was just his magic was one thing Arthur hadn't ready for – though there was no need to wait anymore, considering he already knew now.

Before Merlin could open his mouth to speak, Arthur had already turned his back to the young warlock, completely and utterly ignoring him as he went to pick up his sword that sat pathetically on the ground, covered in the Chimera's blood, and for a moment, Merlin froze. Was he going to kill him? Though all thoughts of an early death vanished briefly, when Arthur sheathed his sword into his scabbard and proceeded to walk through the arch of a tree and further into the forest.

Merlin cocked an eyebrow briefly at the prince, feeling the slightest hint of confusion, before feeling a surge of bravery and set off in a small jog behind Arthur, though keeping at a respectable distance, and shouted behind him, "Arthur, wait!" he called, though Arthur did not so much as slow in his pace, "Arthur, please, you're injured. You shouldn't be wandering away from Camelot!"

Arthur paused in his step for a moment, though only for a minor second before continuing to walk away from the warlock, going on further through the woods, further from Camelot. Hardly acknowledging his presence, never turning back to look at him.

"Arthur, please!" Merlin was starting to get desperate, going back into his jog to the prince's side, trying to catch his attention, and the previous frustration was slowly building itself in him again, "Why can't you just accept who I am?" he nearly yelled, "Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?"

This caused the prince to stop in his path, so suddenly that Merlin nearly tripped over himself mid-step. An awkward and unwelcomed silence followed, engulfing them both, forcing Merlin to control his breathing as he waited, until finally the prince spoke:

"I can't accept who you are, Merlin." He said it so quietly Merlin wasn't sure he heard it right, it was still lined with betrayal, but there was something else; but nevertheless his heart sank and all he could do was sigh and stare at the ground.

"Why not? I thought you believed in equality…" Merlin asked, almost accusingly, towards Arthur – slightly bitter, slightly heartbroken.

At this, Arthur's eyes and fists clenched and the prince took a ragged breath before taking a step forward and turning on his heel so that he faced the warlock, his expression still frowned with anger but filled with determination, "I believe in equality. But not for the likes of you. Not for people who lie and go against the laws of their home. And not for people who practice magic behind my back!"

Merlin could see the prince's anger boiling over, but he wasn't backing down yet, he was not going down without so much as a fight for what he did, "I did not practice magic behind your back. I was born with it! I can't help having magic just as much as you can't help being a prince! It's who I am!"

"What you are, Merlin," Arthur said instantly, eyes hardly shifting from the warlock's face, hardly showing any emotion, face set with indescribable anguish, "what you are, is a liar. And nothing else." He paused for a moment, sighing with a sort of disappointment, "It seems you weren't the person I thought you were." And with that, he turned away from Merlin and started to walk away again, though not before hearing Merlin's words behind him:

"Nor are you, sire."

At this, Arthur turned his head around just to catch Merlin's hurtful expression, pained and glassy-eyed, and Arthur could not ignore the pang in his chest that he tried with much difficulty to ignore. Yet when Merlin caught Arthur's eye, his face hardened and, unbelievably, Merlin bowed silently towards the prince before turning and walking in the opposite direction away from him. Arthur watched him before a group of trees blocked him from his line of vision and he was left alone.

Arthur allowed himself a few moments. To revel in his feelings, to listen to his breathing deepen and grow louder before finally he let out a cry of frustration and violently kicked one of the trees beside him and stomped off further through the forest.

Arthur didn't know how long he had been walking through the forest before he began to doubt his decision of wondering off so far. His foot was hurting from kicking the tree and the wound on his side, though not deep or life-threatening, was still painful and bleeding and making his vision slightly blurry. Though his frustration kept him going like a new life-force.

He couldn't believe it! Merlin, a sorcerer! His lazy, insolent, idiot of a manservant was a sorcerer!

Arthur could feel his teeth grinding together again, his frustration building and boiling slowly through his muscles. He didn't know what to think anymore! His friendship with Merlin… his 'friendship' was something he had truly valued. And what annoyed him more, his heart still told him that's what it was! He hated it! He was supposed to be livid, filled with hatred on the fact Merlin had learnt magic against his kingdom, but all he could think of was how betrayed he was over the fact Merlin hadn't told him about his magic.

No, magic was evil. Therefore, Merlin was evil. That was what he taught and that was what he should believe. Nothing good could come from a sorcerer, nothing good could come from magic, nothing-

The faint snapping of a twig drew Arthur from his thoughts, causing him to involuntarily flinch. At first he thought it was Merlin, still following him, and he was prepared to turn and yell at the insolent man, but he froze and his eyes widened at the sight of his new company before him.

In front of him, a few metres spaced from where he stood, was a women. A beautiful one, at that. Her hair was dark and braided over a single slender shoulder, yet was braided with silver string that contrasted beautifully with her hair. Her skin was pale and she was dressed in a simple pearl white robe, which brushed against the forest floor. But her eyes… her eyes were entrancing. Yet they did not seem to hold a colour, but instead shifted between them, from blue to grey to violet, forever changing…

But despite her beauty, she glowed magic and instantly Arthur found himself reaching for his sword. But he could not find the strength to unsheathe it and could only stare at the women as she began to walk in a slow and steady pace towards him.

"I am the Prince of Camelot and you will not come any closer!" Arthur warned, he really was not in the mood for more magic.

But the women only tutted, shaking her head like a disapproving mother. Arthur opened his mouth to question this women's respect for royalty before she hushed him and instead, spoke in an enticing yet stern voice, "I am Vesta. A seer from the far lands," she scowled at the prince, "and I am disappointed, Prince Arthur of Camelot."

Another sorcerer, Arthur frowned inwardly before addressing the women with his head held high and back straight, though his hand did not waver from his sword "Disappointed? I don't-"

"You have broken the ties of destiny," Vesta interrupted, "and now the fates are in chaos."

Arthur's mouth gaped slightly at this – he had no comprehension of what she was saying - but no words came out. But before he could muster up a sentence towards the women, he jolted from his spot for he saw that Vesta was right in front of him, staring at him with her drawing eyes, filled with determination and strength and magic.

"You have broken these ties, Arthur Pendragon," Vesta spoken with words that were only slightly above a whisper, "You are threatening your destiny." A small smile played on her lips, "But there are things I can show you…" and she trailed off, as if she was suggesting the idea more to herself.

But Arthur could only stare at her with confusion, "Things? What thin-" but before he could finish his sentence, Vesta had placed a hand on Arthur's forehead and forced him to stare into her mismatch eyes, before finally they flashed a brilliant ochre and a sentence of foreign words muttered their way past her lips.

The last thing Arthur remembered was Vesta's painted smile, before his eyes fell heavy and he collapsed into dark unconsciousness…

Arthur was awoken by the irritating sound of knocking. Loud, thumping sounds banging against a threatening headache. He groaned loudly before grabbing hold of his pillow and wrapping it around the back of his head in hope of drowning out the sounds that infiltrated him room, and he tried to snuggle back into the warmth of his bed…

Wait… what?

Instantly, Arthur turned onto his back and bolted up. Blinking back the light of the morning sun, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his fist, he looked around to realise his was in his chambers. Not only that, but in his nightwear and in bed.

"What on earth…" Curiously, Arthur glanced down at his side, but there was no wound. Nothing that ever indicated he had been injured by the Chimera. No scar - nothing. He flexed his toes and realised his foot didn't hurt either. Had the fight with the Chimera, the discovery of Merlin's magic…. Had it not happened?

No. Arthur remembered it clearly. Too clearly for it to have been a simple dream. But then why was he in his bed? Had he not been in the forest?

Then he remembered the women. Vesta, he remembered her calling herself, and he felt anger boil up inside him. She had done something to him! He didn't know what, but she had magic and she had used it and somehow she had sent him back to Camelot… But why? And what-

There was that same knocking again, interrupting his train of thought, and the prince realised it was coming from the door of his room. Sighing angrily, he shouted towards the door:

"Come in!"

Half of him had expected to see Merlin stumble his way through the door, tripping over his own feet with his breakfast, though he knew Merlin had walked away after their argument. But he was not expecting his old servant, Morris, to open the doors to his chambers, bowing deeply with tray in hand.

"Morris?" Arthur wondered, baffled without recognition. Morris had been Arthur's manservant before Merlin, the same man he had tormented and used for target practise on a daily basis, but obviously had had his job taken from him. So what was he still doing in the castle…?

Morris rose an eyebrow at the prince as he walked in with quick pace and placed the prince's breakfast on the table on the end of Arthur's bed, "Yes sire? Is their something you need?" He offered.

Arthur shook his head, confusion now clearly embedding itself into his heart and consciousness before speaking, "I was just wondering, where's Merlin?"

A few moment passed in silence as the prince stared at his old manservant, who did not move but instead bore the utmost confused expression Arthur had ever seen a man wear – aside from his own, of course – before Morris opened his mouth to speak and spoke the words Arthur did not know he dreaded;

"…Merlin, sire? I... I'm afraid I don't know who you're talking about, my lord."

NADA: Don Don Donnnn,…Oh Dear… what could this all mean? Oh no! Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to wait until the next update (which, knowing Justine, might take some time). I do apologize dearies for my incompetent sister, but I promise I will bug her beyond belief to get her to quicken her writing. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I would very much like to remind everyone I came with this originally. Okay? Yeah, not Justine and just so you know-
JUSTINE: OK, Nada, that's enough (incompetent?) You're going to bore them… Though I did write this. Just so you know.
(NADA: Don't forget to review! Love it, hate it, tell us! By the way, sorry for any mistakes. If you see any, tell us that too!)

Thanks for reading,
~ Justine & Nada Themis