Merlyn and Arthur were having a rare day. She'd been a half hour late this morning, causing Arthur to be late for training. She'd dropped his breakfast, ripped his shirt, scuffed his armor and dropped his sword on his boot as well. Luckily there was nothing wrong, save for some very colorful bruises. Despite all that they were having a very good day.
Merlyn was getting more and more adorable every time she did something wrong. She'd blush a fabulous shade of red and mumble an apology. Arthur knew that he was falling deeper and deeper in love with this girl that didn't even notice his affections. It was frustrating beyond belief. Merlyn had so profusely apologized for nearly breaking his toes that he just wanted to kiss her and assure her that it was alright.
Except he couldn't. There were so many reasons why they couldn't be together. The least of which was her status as a peasant. She was a servant for goodness sakes! Even if she felt the same way it would be immensely awkward; she'd seen him bathe! And every man that entered Camelot seemed to fall in love with her. First there was Lancelot, and now that Gwaine fellow!
Arthur had only just realized that Lancelot was in love with Guinevere after the last time they had seen him. Gwaine was another matter entirely. Arthur just couldn't figure out what their relationship was. Gwaine was like a protecting older brother for her and she was like a protecting older sister for him. There was obviously deep love and affection there. He just didn't know what kind. He knew that they'd been writing each other and it irked him as well.
Arthur looked over at the object of his affections and smiled. She was completely oblivious, sitting there polishing his sword. She didn't know how beautiful she was, or what effect she had on him. It was maddening.
Merlyn sighed and glanced slyly at Arthur. He was sitting there staring off into space with a love stuck expression on his face. She snorted and rolled her eyes; obviously he was thinking about Guinevere. She assumed he'd been thinking about Gwen all day; he'd been nicer to her than he usually is. He didn't even yell at her once, and the goddesses knew he had enough reason to.
She'd had a horribly embarrassing dream about Arthur last night that caused her to be very late. And every time she looked at him, she couldn't help but see her dream Arthur which caused her to get flustered and drop something. He'd been remarkably pleasant the whole day through and it was a nice change.
Merlyn yawned and moved on from the sword to his hauberk. It was no use to even entertain thoughts about Arthur; he was a prince and she was nobody. She yawned again and saw Arthur turn to look at her.
"Merlyn, go to bed; you look ready to collapse any minute now." He smiled gently.
"I'm not done." She protested.
"Merlyn."
"I have to get you ready for bed, sire." Arthur sighed and allowed her to dress him for bed. He then promptly shooed her out. He knew he'd dream of her that night; he rarely dreamt of anything else. Sometimes it was easier to be around her in dream, because there were no laws or disapproving fathers in dreams.
Merlyn trudged into the physician's quarters and sighed. Gaius was out late and dinner had congealed into something that looked far too revolting. So, no dinner tonight then. She went to her room and shucked off her boots and…a hand covered her mouth and she blacked out.
"Morning Sire." Arthur groaned. No Merlyn today then. He sighed and slid out of bed and allowed his servant to prepare him for the day. Merlyn was probably still sleeping; the poor girl exhausted herself far too easily. He couldn't find it in himself to be mad at her even if it did land him with this annoying new servant. At least until his servant insisted that he join Uther and Morgana for breakfast in the council chambers.
Uther and Morgana were deep in discussion about something when Arthur walked in. They glanced at him, ignored him, and continued their conversation. After Arthur had refused his water and picked at his breakfast, Uther finally spoke to him.
"Anything the matter?"
"It's Merlyn. She didn't turn up this morning." Was that a smirk on Morgana's face? Arthur realized that they'd had a falling out but still…
"That's not like her." Morgana simpered. Arthur narrowed his eyes at her in suspicion.
"I know, it's strange. I hope nothing's wrong."
"You needn't worry, Arthur. After all, if your maid can no longer be relied upon, we can easily replace her. Perhaps with a manservant. Heavens know that girl can't do half the things you require of her. That is what comes with being a woman however." Uther sighed and sipped his wine. Morgana and Arthur both glared at him. Though for different reasons.
Arthur grabbed Gwen's arm as they walked down the hall. He pulled her into a secret alcove and noticed her blush. Oh. He hadn't had any feelings for Gwen for some time. "Go to Merlyn and Gaius' and find out what's wrong. I've got a bad feeling about this." He sighed and slumped into the wall. Gwen's blush melted away.
"Yes, Sire." She curtsied and scurried off.
Merlyn rubbed her head as she woke up. It was dark and damp and smelled of rot. She looked around and found herself alone in some strange throne room. Where was she? How did she get here? How long had it been since she'd last been home? The last thing she remembered was getting ready for bed…and a hand covering her mouth!
She looked around in a panic to see a man strolling into the room. Merlyn squinted at the man and realized it was Cenred. She'd seen him ride through Ealdor once. At the time she'd thought him handsome in a rough kind of way. Now she supposed his was nice looking…in a slimy, weasel-y kind of way.
"Merlyn. I trust you have had a pleasant journey." He smirked.
"Why have your brought me to this place?" she snipped, searching for a way out.
"I have a guest. I thought you might like to meet him." Cenred snapped his fingers and some 'soldiers' brought someone else into the room. He was bloody and beat up, looking like he'd just survived the worst of bar fights, but it was unmistakably Gwaine.
"Gwaine!" she gaped in concern; he was bleeding heavily. His head snapped up and his eyes filled with horror when he looked at her.
"Merlyn." He whispered and coughed up some blood. The men released him and she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Brother and sister reunited. It warms the heart. Or it would. If I had one." Cenred cooed. Merlyn froze. How did he know?
"What do you want from us?"
"All in good time." Cenred cheered and skipped away. Merlyn sneered at his retreating form before she turned back to her brother.
"Why are we here Gwaine? What have you done?"
"I didn't do anything, honest. I swear to you. I was in a bar fight and then these fellows show up. I tried to take 'em but I was too inebriated. There was nothing I could do…What would Cenred want with us?"
"I don't know. But whatever it is…it can't be good."
Arthur was sitting at his desk, struggling not to worry too much about Merlyn. He'd invested too much into her, emotionally. If he lost her…it'd ruin him. It would be like losing his soul. Arthur didn't know when he'd come to think of Merlyn as his other half but he wished that she knew about his feelings for her. He vowed to tell her as soon as he found her again. Gwen knocked on the door and came in, holding a scrap of cloth in her hands.
"What is that?"
"I found it in Merlyn's room." She shrugged.
"It's a scrap of cloth."
"I know." She raised an eyebrow at him.
"She mends clothes for me. How could that possibly be important?" he felt it was a valid point. Gwen just shoved it in his hands and gestured to it.
"Smell it."
"No thanks." He tried to pass it back. She scowled at him and he sighed and brought it to his nose and inhaled sharply.
"Arthur!" Gwen started but Arthur passed out on his desk. When he woke up she was sitting at his table smirking at him.
"What is that?" he moaned.
"It's a compound of hogswart and phylarian." She chirped.
"Argh. What?" he looked at her in confusion.
"I asked Gaius. Didn't tell him where I got it though."
"You could knock a man out with that." Arthur groaned.
"Yes." Gwen said pointedly. "Or a woman." Arthur felt his insides freeze at that thought.
Merlyn glared defiantly at Cenred. "Where have you taken Gwaine?"
"He's safe. For now." He smirked. His smirks were almost as annoying as Morgana's. Though nothing would ever beet Morgana's smirks.
"What guarantee do I have of that?" she challenged.
"We can talk about your brother later. I want to talk about you, and what you can do for me." Merlyn stilled. If he meant for her to warm his bed then he could rot in hell.
"What could I possibly do for you?" she sneered.
"You can bring me Arthur Pendragon." He smiled toothily as her insides turned to ice.
"I'm just a servant. I have no influence with the Prince." She whispered. Cenred laughed heartily at that.
"I think we both know that's not true."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Enough!" You will bring him here. I don't care how you do it. All I care is that it is done. You have a week."
"And if I do not?"
"Then I'll let you watch while I tear your brother's heart out." Merlyn had never felt so desperate, or as hopeless as this. Not even when Arthur was dying because of the Questing Beast wound.
"The guards saw her heading toward Gaius' at the usual time. After that nothing." Arthur said, finishing the report to his father.
"Why are you telling me this?" Uther drawled. Because I love her.
"Sire, I have reason to believe that Merlyn has been kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Arthur didn't think Morgana was appropriately horrified. What was the world coming to when servants were kidnapped and 'sisters' were looked at with suspicion?
"I'd like to organize a search party." Arthur informed his father. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Morgana smirk slightly. Yes, she was not to be trusted.
"I hardly think that would be appropriate."
"Father?"
"She's just a serving girl."
"She is the maid to the Crown Prince of Camelot. She goes with me everywhere. Sees everything I see, knows everything I know."
"Very well." Uther sighed. "Send a squad of guards to search the lower town."
"And the countryside?"
"They have until nightfall."
"Father, I'm not sure I can achieve—"
"Arthur, I have a kingdom to protect. I cannot waster precious resources on a servant, whatever their circumstances."
Arthur awoke to blinding lights and Merlyn's cheerful "Let's have you lazy daisy!" Arthur sat bolt upright in bed and stared at Merlyn in shock and wonder.
"Merlyn?! Where have you been?" he demanded as she set out his clothes.
"I'm sorry, Sire. I was unwell." She didn't look at him.
"Are you better now?"
"Much better. Thank you." She curtsied. There was definitely something wrong. Merlyn never curtsied and she never was this polite and respectful…unless it was Uther.
"Well…don't tire yourself out. I'm sure your chores can wait." He but his lip, remembering his previous pledge to pronounce his feelings as soon as he saw her again.
Merlyn scurried out before he could say anything though. Merlyn turned a corner and collided with Gwen and they both dropped their laundry.
"Merlyn!" Gwen starts as they work on separating the two piles of laundry. "I've been searching the whole town for you." Merlyn missed Gwen. In her jealousy over Arthur's affections she'd forgotten what a sweet friend Gwen was. "Arthur's been worried sick."
"That's very kind of him. I just a cold, that's all." She mumbled.
"I went to your house, Merlyn, you weren't there."
"Oh, no, er…I, er..was just." Gwen's hands shot out and grabbed Merlyn's bruised wrists.
"Who did that to you?"
"No one, it was an accident." Merlyn yanked her hands away and shoved Arthur's clothes back into the laundry basket.
"Merlyn, look at me."
"I'm fine. I'm fine." Merlyn chocked back a sob and Gwen sighed. Gwen dragged Merlyn back to the physician's quarters. Gaius was out on rounds at the moment and Gwen breathed a sigh of relief. Gwen pushed Merlyn onto a bench and set about making her some tea.
"I don't understand what they meant." Merlyn mumbled.
"About?"
"He said that I influence Arthur somehow. I don't understand."
"Oh, Arthur's feelings for you. It's common knowledge that Arthur would lay down his life for any of his subjects. Cenred could've taken anyone." Gwen handed her some tea and sat across from her.
"Really?"
"Well it helps that Arthur's madly in love with you." Gwen smirked. Merlyn blanched. "All I know is you're back home, sage with your friends. You don't have to face this alone."
"Yes I do, Gwen." Merlyn decided to ignore that comment about Arthur. "This is my problem. I can't involve Arthur. I won't."
"Arthur's already involved." Gwen smiled slightly.
"Not if I don't tell him about it." Merlyn muttered darkly.
"Merlyn. If Arthur was in trouble, wouldn't you want him to come to you?"
"Of course!" Gwen looked at her pointedly. Merlyn sighed in defeat.
They trudged into Arthur's chambers where he was sitting at his desk, staring at the wall absently, and thinking of Merlyn. He smiled when Gwen and Merlyn entered his room. Gwen knew the smile was for Merlyn and Merlyn assumed it was for Gwen.
"Merlyn has something to tell you Arthur." Gwen cooed. Merlyn glared at her darkly and Arthur shivered. Merlyn's glares could rival Morgana's.
"So…no cold then?" Arthur prompted when Merlyn remained silent.
"No…I was…kidnapped." She mumbled. Arthur was out of his seat in an instant and grabbed her, lightly, by the shoulders.
"Why?"
"I don't know!" she cried, clutching his chest. "They had Gwaine." Arthur stiffened. "They told me that I had to bring you to them or they'd kill him! And I didn't know what to do! I can't let them kill Gwaine! But I can't let you go."
"Merlyn…tell me where they took you." After her in dept description, interrupted only by sobs, Arthur sighed. "They took you to the Castle of Fyrien, I'm sure of it."
"I've never heard of it." Merlyn mumbled.
"Fyrien was a merchant. He built a castle on the Seas of Meredor as an outpost for trade routes to the east. But when war broke out with Caerleon, the trade dried up. The castle was abandoned."
"So it's ruins now?" Gwen asked.
"Well, no. It was built to withstand anything. For Cenred, it's the perfect hideout."
"It doesn't sound like an easy place to get into." Merlyn sniffled.
"It isn't. It will be well defended."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought this to you."
"Nonsense, Merlyn. You did the right thing. Gwaine will come to no harm. I promise."
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because we're going to rescue him."
"What do you mean 'we'?" Merlyn objected.
"The three of us." Arthur smirked.
"Cenred wants you dead, Arthur. That's why he's doing this." Gwen stated.
"I know. Cenred's wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember."
"Then we'll be walking into a trap." Gwen sighed.
"Not necessarily."
Arthur was making his excuses for the trip, to his father. Merlyn was at his side as she always was. Gwen went to see Gaius in the meantime. Gwen had long ago started having suspicions about Morgana and Merlyn's less than cheery demeanor around her didn't help. Merlyn liked everyone. She and Morgana wouldn't have fallen out over something trivial.
"Morgana? Are you certain?" Gaius asked Gwen for the hundredth time.
"She's been feeding Cenred information. How else would he know about Arthur's feelings for Merlyn?"
"Then there's no denying it."
"No there isn't. If we could just tell Arthur…"
"But you can't. You're a servant, Gwen. It's your word against Morgana's and she's Uther's favorite person in the world."
"I know. And she's found Arthur's weak spot."
"Merlyn is stronger than anyone gives her credit for, Guinevere. But we mustn't let Arthur die for Gwaine."
"Of course not! We're going to rescue him instead."
"You're going to snatch this man from under Cenred's nose? Let's pray Morgana knows nothing of this plot. Look after yourself Guinevere."
Merlyn was preparing the horses for herself, Arthur and Gwen. Arthur's reasoning for bringing them, being that Merlyn was Morgana's size and his servant. And Guinevere was Morgana's seamstress. Needless to say, Merlyn was not happy to be compared to Morgana in any way. Speak of the devil…Morgana approached Merlyn with a cruel smile on her lips.
"Forgetting something?" she sneered.
"No I don't think so." Merlyn quipped.
"But I'm coming with you. Didn't Arthur say?" she cooed and sashayed away.
"No, he didn't." Merlyn growled as Arthur approached.
"Don't just stand there Merlyn. We need another horse."
"Why didn't you tell me she was coming?" she hissed. Arthur flinched slightly.
"What difference does it make to you?"
"It may have escaped your over inflated ego." Arthur tried to protest. "But Morgana and I do not like each other. We're not friends. We're not pals. So why the bloody hell would she want to come on my rescue mission?"
"Who's going to watch my back if we get into trouble?" Arthur defended.
"I am." Arthur snorted.
"Come on, she's a darn sight better with a sword than you'll ever be, and you know it. Besides, she insisted." He clapped her shoulder and started off.
"I bet she did. Filthy whore." Merlyn muttered darkly. Arthur, unbeknownst to her, heard that last part. He admitted he'd been suspicious of Morgana of late. But what could possibly drive Merlyn of all people to hate her? He was beginning to regret letting her come along.
They were several hours into their trip and riding through the darkling woods. Merlyn wasn't talking to anyone but Gwen and Arthur felt a little stung at that. Morgana looked like a smug peacock sitting at the lead of their party. Gwen looked at the woods warily.
"I used to be afraid of these woods." Arthur chirped to her. He was really trying to get Merlyn to talk to him again. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Morgana smirk and Merlyn tilt her head in interest.
"I find that hard to believe." Gwen smiled.
"My father would bring me here when I was a boy, and it seemed every falling leaf was a bandit, every puff of wind was a ghost. You just get used to it in the end."
"I don't think I'd ever get used to it." Gwen moaned.
"You don't have to. You've got me." Merlyn snorted and rolled her eyes. Gwen blushed slightly. "What I mean is, in the event of an attack we'll watch out for each other. Morgana, I think I can rely on your protection?"
"Of course." Morgana placated.
"And Gwen, you'll look after Merlyn, won't you?" Gwen giggled. And Merlyn scowled darkly at Arthur but said nothing. Arthur sighed. He really should have left Morgana at home if it would make Merlyn just talk to him.
Merlyn was scowling at the fire and Arthur didn't think he could take her melancholy attitude any longer. Maybe she and Morgana just needed to mend their relationship.
"Go and get some more firewood, would you Merlyn?"
"I thought Morgana was doing that." She'd didn't look away from the fire.
"Well go and see if she's alright."
"Why wouldn't she be?"
"I don't know. Maybe there are wolves in these woods."
"No. I don't think so." Then she looked up and straight into his eyes. "And besides. She's 'a darn sight' better than me with a sword. I'd just get in her way." She sneered. Arthur was seriously regretting even allowing Morgana to even breathe the same air as Merlyn.
"Merlyn…"
"Forget it Arthur, I'm going." She shoved off the log she was sitting on and headed into the woods. Arthur sighed and glanced at Gwen. Merlyn muttered darkly to herself as she started picking up twigs near Morgana. Morgana stopped and watched her for a moment.
"What do you want Merlyn? She snapped finally.
"Arthur sent me." Merlyn didn't look up. "He wanted to be sure that you were okay."
"How very thoughtful of him."
"Yes, he cares for you. You know, Gwen too. They're your friends, Morgana. They've always been loyal to you."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I don't understand how anyone would want to hurt their friends."
"No, you just poison them. You'd do well, Merlyn, to stay out of things that do not concern you."
"Oh, but they do concern me. Because they're my friend's too. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect them."
"I would expect nothing less."
"Don't. Because if I have to sacrifice Gwaine to protect them…I will."
"Your own flesh and blood?" Morgana sneered.
"You're trying to kill your brother in cold blood, Morgana. Don't talk to me like you understand this at all." Morgana started to day something but Gwen showed up and told Merlyn to head back to the campsite. Merlyn unceremoniously dropped the firewood behind Arthur, making him jump.
She smirked slightly at that and proceeded to unpack all the horses. She set up everyone's bed rolls and groomed the horses. Morgana and Gwen came back later and deposited their own firewood. Arthur noticed that Gwen and Morgana's relationship was tense as well.
Merlyn started dinner and then went to water the horses. She never stopped for too long and found something to busy herself with. She served them up dinner and then started to tidy up the bed rolls. Arthur, Gwen and Morgana watched her with rapt attention.
"Sit down for a moment! You're wearing me out just watching you." Arthur finally complained. Merlyn shot him a filthy glare before collapsing next to him on the log. He shoved some supper into her hands before she could get up again.
"It's good to keep busy. Stops me thinking too much." Arthur wanted to make a crack about her and thinking but decided against it; she was already angry enough at him.
"Are you worried about Gwaine?"
"I'm always worried about Elyan. He's just one of those people, never settled down, never thinks about the future. Just follows his hear wherever it leads him."
"It doesn't sound so bad."
"Well, it wouldn't be, except he always manages to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I don't think it's his fault this time." Arthur smiled. Merlyn shot Morgana another filthy glare and sighed. Arthur glanced at his 'sister' to see her snarling at Merlyn.
"Even if it was, I'd still be there for him." Merlyn mumbled. Arthur's heart felt like it was breaking apart. Merlyn was mad at him. Merlyn loved Gwaine. Morgana was being a sneaky bitch and Gwen had Lancelot. Was he destined to be alone forever? "It's what you do when you love someone right? If anything happens to you…I won't forgive myself." Arthur couldn't bring himself to hope about what she'd just said.
"Don't worry. It won't." he smiled. After a few minutes he decided to bring up the plan. "Cenred's chosen his hideout well. Now, the Castle of Fyrien backs onto the sea, we will be vastly outnumbered, and his lookouts will spot us well before we've reached the gates. So, we can't go that way."
"But there's no other way, surely?" Morgana asked.
"Yes there is." Merlyn looked decidedly uncomfortable. Arthur sighed and continued. "No thanks. When Caerleon was defeated by my father at the Battle of Danaria, he retreated to the Castle of Fyrien and it seemed a victory would be denied us, but my father knew of a secret labyrinth beneath the castle."
"A labyrinth?" Merlyn pouted and Arthur tried to ignore the feeling telling him to shut up. "Fyrien was greedy. So, to avoid Camelot's levies, he dug tunnels from the castle to the sea. That way he could smuggle goods into the kingdom without anyone knowing."
"And you ambushed Caerleon using these old tunnels." Morgana surmised. Arthur felt like he should be having this conversation with Merlyn and not Morgana. She was far too…invested.
"He never saw us coming. And neither will Cenred."
Arthur couldn't sleep. He'd been tossing and turning all night. He had a feeling that things were going to go to hell. And whenever he did sleep his dreams were full of Merlyn and Gwaine. Disgusted he rolled over and saw Merlyn laying in her bedroll watching him. She smiled slightly and closed her eyes. Arthur sat up and looked around. Morgana had left ages ago. He'd assumed she needed to relieve herself.
Now he knew that he was being a fool. Morgana had betrayed them. There was no other option. As much as this one pained him…it was the only one that made sense. He lay back down and stared at the stars in horror. Morgana came back a half hour later and crawled into her bedspread. Arthur glanced over in time to see Merlyn turn and look at Morgana. When Merlyn turned back she had a worried frown on her face. It was the same look she always wore when she told him she had a bad feeling about something. How could he ever have doubted her?
When they were preparing the horses Arthur saw that Merlyn and Morgana were near each other. Gwen had gone off to fill their water packs and he slipped behind a tree to listen to their conversation. Merlyn tidied up her horse and turned to Morgana.
"Trouble sleeping?"
"If you have a problem, Merlyn, why don't you try and talk to Arthur about it? No? Well, keep your mouth shut then." Morgana snapped. Arthur had never heard his friend be so rude.
"Maybe I will tell Arthur…" Merlyn threatened. Arthur hoped she would.
"Look Merlyn, who's he going to believe? You? A pathetic, worthless servant or me, his own sister?"
"He doesn't know you're his sister." Merlyn muttered. Arthur paled. What?
"No, he doesn't, does he? How do you know, Merlyn, that Uther is my father?"
"Same way as you." Morgana frowned. "I was there when he told Gaius that you were his bastard." Morgana sneered at her. "Uther's an idiot. He should have known I would be there; I do live there."
"You don't like Uther?" Morgana was confused now. Arthur felt like he was going to be sick; his whole world had just been upturned.
"Are you kidding?" Merlyn laughed darkly. "I hate the man. There's a special place reserved in hell for him. One where the triple goddess can torture him all she likes."
"You…you know of magic? And you hate Uther? Why have you tried to stop me killing him then?" Morgana hissed. Arthur paled.
"I know more about magic than even your dear sister, Morgause, does." Morgause is Morgana's sister? "And yes I hate Uther. But his justice will come at the hands of the Gods. Not man. You would claim vengeance for your perceived slights. And besides…Arthur isn't ready to be King. He still had much to learn."
"I would be Queen." Morgana hissed. "And what do you mean 'perceived slights'?"
"You would make a terrible Queen Morgana. You would be worse than even Uther. For you are your father's daughter. And by 'perceived slights' I mean, that Uther has not wronged you and yet you would have him dead."
"He had murdered thousands of my kind!"
"Yes! But not you! He's sheltered you, fed you, cared for you and loved you. And you turn against him. Many would kill to be treated thus by their fathers."
"Oh, what you have daddy issues? Abandonment issues? He has hurt so many of my kind—"
"Shut up Morgana!" Merlyn hissed. "You think he's hurt your kind? He's eradicated mine! I am the last of my kind! I am alone in the world! My father is dead because of Uther! And yet I am capable of forgiveness."
"Your kind? What are you?"
"Something far more ancient than you and your pathetic magic. You think you've had a hard life Morgana? You grew up a lady! You live in a castle! You know nothing of struggle of strife!"
"I have lived in fear for years!"
"I have lived in fear for my entire life! If Uther knew what I was he'd kill me. If Arthur knew what I was, he'd kill me as well. But you Morgana! You have the chance to turn Uther and Arthur back towards magic. You have the chance to show that it can be used for good. But instead you become the very thing they hate and fear."
"All you know about magic is from your books, no? Because I doubt you know anyone who has magic? I was not corrupted by my magic!" Morgana cried.
"My best friend had magic and died defending Arthur's life. Or don't you remember that time when you were a good person and helped me defend my village? The first man I ever loved had magic and he was killed for it. My own father had magic, Morgana. None of them were tainted by their magic. They were made stronger, more whole, by it."
"Exactly."
"But, you, you were tainted. Corrupted by your sister and her false ideals. You were corrupted by your hate, Morgana. Not by your magic." Morgana opened her mouth to retaliate but she spied Gwen approaching with the water skins.
"Uther has wronged me more than he has you, and yet I am capable of forgiveness. So were Will, and Frey and my father." Merlyn whispered and stalked off. She glanced back and saw Arthur hiding behind a tree and as pale as death. Merlyn herself paled.
Arthur's head was realing. Morgana…had magic. She was his sister. She wanted him and his father dead. Magic might not be evil. Merlyn was…what? What was Merlyn? How was she capable of such forgiveness? Arthur didn't think he could forgive his sister for her hate.
Arthur found himself focusing more on the thoughts of this boy 'Frey' that Merlyn claimed to have loved and around her father more than anything. He cursed himself for still putting his feeling for her above those for his traitorous sister. He looked up as Merlyn passed him. She glanced back and their gazes met. Merlyn paled drastically and swayed dangerously on her feet.
Slowly they plodded on. Gwen was cheerful and seemed excited to be rescuing Gwaine. She decided that she liked the roughish knight. Morgana was seething silently. Arthur was feeling nauseous and his head swam full of new knowledge that he didn't know what to do with. Merlyn was shooting Morgana pitying looks every now and then. Whenever her gaze met Arthur's though, she'd pale and look away.
They both realized that they'd need to talk but that now wasn't the time. Arthur had a pretty good idea that Merlyn had magic, and he hated himself for still loving her. Arthur saw a snake in the grass and glanced back to call out a warning but something stopped him. Merlyn spied it as well and her eyes glowed gold.
The snake reared back and hissed at Morgana. Her and her horse screamed in matching pitch. The chestnut mare panicked and Morgana was thrown from the horse. The snake hissed once and slithered away. Gwen coughed Morgana's horse as Arthur and Merlyn dismounted.
"Are you alright?" Merlyn asked.
"Ow, my leg." Morgana had tears in her eyes.
"Can you walk?" Arthur asked.
"Absolutely not! It's your ankle. You need to rest it!"
"We don't have that kind of time!" Gwen objected.
"We can't go on without her!" Arthur objected lamely. Merlyn raised an eyebrow at him, questioning his sanity after everything he'd heard.
"No, no, it's alright. I can go on." Morgana objected.
"Who's the physician's apprentice here?" Merlyn scowled. "No you can't! You'll only make it worse!"
"I said I'm fine." Morgana hissed.
"You were lucky. It could've been worse; the horse could have got you!" Arthur quipped. "Gwen, stay with Morgana. Merlyn and I will go on." Morgana and Gwen tried to object but Arthur was having none of it.
Merlyn and Arthur stood at a rocky shoreline, eyeing the secret entrance. "Are you sure we shouldn't try to sneak into the castle itself. It might be easier." Merlyn whispered.
"No, the tunnels are a better bet. That way the element of surprise is guaranteed." Arthur whispered.
"You still believe that? I'm sure Morgana's told them all about your plans." Merlyn snapped.
"She doesn't know where the entrance is" Arthur snapped back. He didn't like being reminded that his sister had betrayed him.
"They'll be expecting us from somewhere else. They won't expect us to come from the front."
"Are you questioning my judgment?"
"Yes. It's instinct." Arthur rolled his eyes and pulled her into the tunnels. The tunnels were full of slippery rocks from below and cobwebs from above. "Blech, augh!" Merlyn moaned as she moved some webs out of the way.
"Stop worrying about your hair, Merlyn." Arthur tried to lighten the load.
"Very funny." Merlyn was not amused at all. Arthur was beginning to wonder if she ever enjoyed his comebacks. Come to think of it…they were all rather rude and he called her a coward quite a lot. Merlyn was no coward, he knew that now. She had magic. And she used it to protect him…from Morgana….who also had magic. It was all very confusing.
"The cobwebs are a good sign." He felt the need to say something.
"How, pray tell." She spat, wiping some off her overly large brown jacket. Arthur idly wondered if it had belonged to Frey or to her father.
"It mean's that no one's been down here in awhile." Merlyn grunted and they carried on. She parted some more cobwebs infront of him, really he supposed that he should be doing that, and a skeleton popped out at her. Merlyn's scream was the loudest, highest pitched thing Arthur had ever heard. She slipped on some rocks and crashed into him.
He wrapped his arms protectively around her as her breathing evened out. Merlyn half expected him to call her a coward or a girl but he didn't. He just held her. She had to admit that she felt safe in his arms. When her heart stopped trying to run away, he released her and lit a torch. The caverns were littered with skeletons.
"Gross." She whispered stepping over one.
"Caerleon's last stand." He murmured.
"Imagine if one just reached out and grabbed your ankles." She whispered as they stepped over more dead bodies. Arthur stopped and stared at her in horror and disgust. She looked up in wonder and smiled. "It was just a though!" she shrugged.
"I'm not sure I want to know what you're thinking." Arthur shivered and continued on.
"I was thinking about that skeleton army that invaded a little while ago."
"The one that Morgana stopped."
"You mean summoned." Merlyn muttered. "I stopped it." She sneezed and he turned to look at her in wonder.
"You stopped it?"
" Yes. I'm not as pathetic as everyone thinks I am." She froze. "Do you hear that?" there were footsteps coming from every direction. "We're trapped."
"How did they know we were here? Morgana couldn't have told them."
"It was probably my scream. I'm sorry." Arthur brushed off her apology and pulled her towards him as Cenred's army surrounded them. They surrendered and were brought before Cenred in the throne room. Merlyn was really beginning to hate this room.
"Well, well, Arthur Pendragon. How kind of you to pay me a visit. And look, you brought a friend with you. Oh, the Lady Merlyn, no less."
"Don't so much as breathe on me, you pig." Merlyn snapped. Arthur smirked.
"You weren't quite so ballsy last time we met." Cenred sneered. "But, the more the merrier, I say."
"I'm the one you want, Cenred. Let Merlyn and Gwaine go." Arthur declared. Merlyn scowled at him.
"You're right, that would only be fair. But fair's for fools. Take them away!"
"I won't let you harm them! They're innocent!" Arthur shouted as they were dragged away.
"Innocent? Hah!" Cenred scoffed. "No friend of Camelot is innocent!" Merlyn and Arthur were thrown into the same cell as Gwaine. Arthur started pounding on the door immediately.
"You shouldn't've come back for me, Merlyn. What were you thinking?" Gwaine hissed. Arthur thought the man could've been a bit more gracious about it.
"You're probably right. You'd think I'd've learnt by now." Merlyn smiled at the man. Arthur felt sick all over again. "Arthur, I hope you've got a plan." She turned to him.
"Prince Arthur of Camelot?" Gwaine mock bowed and Arthur sneered at him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Merlyn hit him and he shut up.
"I don't understand why we're not dead already." She said to Arthur.
"Because Cenred will want to torture me first. Find out what I know." Arthur sighed and slid down the wall.
"Aren't you afraid?" Merlyn asked the same time Gwaine snorted and said "Someone's full of himself." They ignored him
"No. Not in the slightest." Arthur looked Merlyn in the eye.
"Sorry, I don't understand. How, how can you not be afraid of pain?" she raised an eyebrow at him. He dimly noted that Gaius had to have been giving her lessons to be able to do that.
"I am afraid of pain, there's just not going to be any." Gwaine looked shocked to see the prince admit fear of anything.
"Right. So, you go into some sort of trance?" Merlyn asked in awe. Arthur and Gwaine both looked at her in confusion.
"What are you talking about? There's not going to be any because we are going to escape from this filthy cell, meet up with the others and head home."
"You got a plan." She smiled proudly at him. It made his insides warm and he felt as though everything he learnt today could be dealt with as long as Merlyn was at his side.
"Not as such. But I assure that I won't let him hurt any of us."
"And by that he means you in particular." Gwaine smiled at her. She blushed and looked at the ground.
"I think…I have a plan." She smiled. Arthur eyed her warily and Gwaine backed away.
"Don't smile like that…it's terrifying." Arthur whispered. After some tricky maneuvering their plan was ready to set into action.
"RAPE! HELP! RAPE!" Merlyn screamed at the top of her lungs. Arthur snickered and Gwaine balked. A guard ran to the door and looked through the slat in it. "Sorry, that was the only way I could think of getting your attention. I don't know what happened. The prince has escaped. And that other guy too."
The guard looked around the cell and couldn't see the men so he opened the door and walked in, followed by another guard. Gwaine slid out of the room before the guards noticed him.
"I don't know what happened." Merlyn started ringing her hands. "I'm so sorry. I-I wish I knew where he was, but I…" she looked up at Arthur who was hiding in a skylight grate. "Oh, there he is." She cooed. The guard, stupidly, looked up. Arthur smiled and dropped down on him. And Merlyn punched the other guard in the nose, shoving it into his brain. He dropped like a log.
"Wonders never cease." Arthur stared at her in awe. She smiled and winked at him and they snuck out the door. They found Gwaine sipping some ale, with the third guard at his feet. Merlyn laughed delightedly and clapped her hands.
"Can we go home now?" sneaking out of the castle proved to be much easier than sneaking in. especially dressed in the downed guards' gear. They were in the forest by the time the warning bell sounded. They stripped out of the filthy clothes and ran through the woods for a time. eventually they caught up with Gwen and Morgana and the horses.
"We made it." Gwaine breathed. Morgana and Gwen looked up in alarm. Merlyn laughed delightedly and Arthur pulled her into a tight hug. Gwaine gagged and smiled at Gwen. "Hello, Princess Esmeralda!" Gwen laughed delightedly. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure." He purred to Morgana. She blushed slightly.
"Gwaine!" Merlyn didn't even look away from Arthur. Gwaine laughed and scurried away from the witch. They looked at him questioningly. Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, Merlyn tells me no, it's for a good reason, eh? That girl's never wrong. And she always gives me what I want." He chuckled.
"I have a weakness for pathetic men." Merlyn spat her tongue out at him.
"So is that why you like Arthur?"
"Hey!" Arthur objected but Merlyn cackled.
"Welp, I'll be off then. I don't wanna show up in Camelot too soon." Gwaine kissed Merlyn's cheek and sauntered off.
"Try not to get kidnapped again dung-beetle!" Merlyn called after him.
"Take care of yourself little sister!" Gwaine laughed from down the road.
"Little sister?" Gwen asked in wonder.
"It's a long story….Gwaine is my half brother." Merlyn sighed as she heaved herself into the saddle. Gwen helped Morgana up and then they set off. Arthur's chest felt considerably lighter.
Merlyn had completed her chores and Arthur was already in bed. Granted he was sitting up and reading, but still. Merlyn stared at the sight in wonder; it wasn't everyday that the Crowned Prince read books for fun. Plus it helped that the candle light made his hair shine like the sun. Arthur looked up at her and smiled.
"What there anything else?" he asked.
"I just wanted to say thank you for bringing my brother back. It means more to me than I can say." Arthur smiled, slid out of bed and approached her.
"Well, it's like you said, Merlyn. It's what you do when you love someone." Merlyn looked at him in shock and blushed brilliantly. Arthur started to lean in but she pulled back.
"We still need to talk about what you overheard between me and Morgana." She whispered.
"No we don't. She's betrayed me, but you never have. I trust you'll keep an eye on her for me? You can be my secret sorceress." He smiled warmly. Her head jerked up and she gasped. "You didn't know that I knew? I saw what you did with the snake. Rather, ingenious of you, I might add." She blushed.
"And you're ok with it?"
"Well I think we'll probably have to have many more in dept conversations about it but yes. I know you, I know that you're a good person and when you say magic doesn't corrupt. I'll believe you. Because I love you." Merlyn grabbed his shirt and pulled him down for a kiss.
Needless to say it was the best kiss of Arthur's entire life.
Author's note: In case you haven't figured it out, the boy that Merlyn loved (who had magic) was Frey (a male version of Freya) And yes I did a full magic, "nobility" and whatnot disclosure. I just wanted to move their relationship along.
