Chapter Two: Unexpected Truths
The knights look at Merlin expectantly, waiting for him to continue. "You have to give me your word that you will wait for me to explain before interrupting or making any action. And I need you to promise me that no harm will come to Wren."
Arthur is the one who speaks up, "I swear to you, that we will not do anything until you finish explaining and that no harm will come to Wren."
Merlin takes a deep breath, "Okay." He glances at the sleeping girl and looks back at his friends, "I guess the only way to tell you guys is to say it, and then show you, Wren and I have magic." The warlock searches the faces of his friends. Arthur looks hurt, Gwaine looks slightly excited, Percival probably already knew, and Leon is unreadable. Merlin holds the girl's hand, somehow giving him the strength and courage to continue.
"Wren is my younger sister. We were born with magic. My mother, she left to search for my father, when she came back, she was with child. We shouldn't have been born with magic, it shouldn't be possible, but we were. Wren is fifteen, when we went to Ealdor, my mother told me that bandits took her the day before. I had one of my funny feelings that day, I should've known. I… I searched for her, she was only eleven. I promised her that I would come back for her. Will and I actually taught ourselves to swordfight, so I taught Wren." Merlin lets out a sob, gripping his sister's hand like a lifeline.
"I was afraid that I was going to lose her. But, when I found the bandits that took her, they told me that she was dead. I couldn't believe it, I always felt her presence in me, I knew that she couldn't be dead. But, when I couldn't find Wren, I gave up hope. I have only used magic for good. Only to protect Camelot and you all. When I was young, before I could even talk, object moved and floated. My mother taught me to keep it a secret. But, when I was seven, Wren was born, and mother told me to teach her how to control magic. Magic isn't evil, it is a tool. You don't choose magic, it chooses you. I'm sorry that I never told you."
Again, Merlin sighs, "If you want me to die, I will. I will let you with no objection, just… don't make Wren watch. Don't hurt her." But, then, to Merlin's surprise, someone puts a hand on his shoulder and another person hugs him. The person who touched his shoulder, was Gwaine. The person who hugged him… was Arthur.
"You know, it took you long enough to tell me," Arthur laughs.
"You knew?"
"Yeah, ever since the Fisher King. But, why didn't you trust me?"
"I was afraid of rejection. Lancelot was the only person who really ever accepted me, other than Will." Merlin shifts.
"Well, we accept you. I am going to legalize magic, and then you, my friend, will be court sorcerer."
"Um, just so you know, I'm a warlock." Arthur nods. "I think we should get some sleep. I'll take first watch. While the knights set up the bedrolls, Merlin leans up against a tree, magic at the ready in case something happens. Then, Merlin hears the soft snores coming from his friends. But, he also hears a twig snap. He jumps at the sound, creating a fireball in his hand.
"Hey, Merls, it's just me."
"Oh, Fizzle. Ever wonder why Mother named us both after birds?" he asks while Wren sits down.
"So, anyone would know we were siblings. How's Will?"
Merlin's heart drops to his stomach, of course she hadn't heard. She's been stuck in a cage or on the run for five years. "He's dead. The bandit's killed him, when he took an arrow for Arthur."
"No, not will. Please, Merlin, tell me you're joking." Merlin shakes his head, unable to look his sister in the eye. He watches the tears fall down her face.
"Do you want to talk about who took you? Or what happened? It might help, maybe get rid of some of the memories." Wren nods slowly, looking at the ground.
"The bandits sold me to slave traders, who then, sold me to another set of bandits. They were so cruel. They put the magic restraining manacles on me and I thought I was going to die. But, they left a dagger from the torture in my cage, which was a mistake. I fought until I got away. They branded me, Merls, right on my neck," then, Wren starts to cry harder.
Merlin rubs his sister's back, "Hey, you're safe now. No one is going to hurt you. I promise."
"I was caught again, anyway. I was with the Druids, and met a girl who was older than me. They were afraid of her though. We both went into the forest, even though she told me to stay away from her. This man, Halig, caught us. Her name was Freya, and she helped me get away. I fought, injuring the man Halig was with, but Freya was stuck. She told me to run, that she would catch up with me. She never did, and I don't know what happened to her. I was caught by bandits again, then a woman got me, her name was Morgause. When I wouldn't help her, she tortured me, taunting me that she would never let me see the light of day again. But, Morgana came and did the same when her sister died. I finally got away, fighting my way out with only a sword that I stole from a sleeping guard."
Merlin, who now also has tears in his eyes, hugs his sister, not willing to let go. "I know what happened to Freya."
"How is she? I hope she is well. She kept telling me that she was a monster, but I told her that no one as nice as her could be. We kept each other sane. She told me about her family and I told her about you."
"She… died. I took care of her though, we actually, fell in love."
"Merlin! You had a girlfriend! But, Freya, she was so nice. I wish I could talk to her again." Wren leans her head on her brother's shoulder, "Will we ever catch a break?"
"Probably not. But, if you stay with me, I will do everything in my power to help you stay safe."
"So, I see Mordred is a knight, now. That's good, I was hoping that he was doing well."
"Yeah, just be careful. I have heard a prophecy. It turns out that I am Emrys. Arthur is the Once and Future King. And basically, my life has been just destiny for the past five years."
"Merlin! Well, I always knew you were special. So, what does that have to do with Mordred?"
"People have said that he is going to be Arthur's doom. I won't let that happen. I can't, not only because Arthur is my destiny, but because he is my friend." Merlin sighs. "Life is complicated."
"Well, you're right. Just like you are about everything else."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been bored without you, just like you said I would be." Wren laughs. "Now, I am pretty sure that you and I have a swordfight match that we never finished."
"Oh, you are on!" Merlin picks up the sword that was Will's. Then, his sister takes her stance, as does he, and they begin. Then, when Wren falls on the ground, they begin laughing. By the time they are done with their little challenges, the sun is up. Merlin walks over to the king, whispering to Wren, "Hey, you might want to watch out. This is going to be fun."
Then, Merlin screams, "Hey, it's time to wake up, your Royal Pratness."
"Merlin! Five more minutes," the king groans.
"You asked for it." Merlin wakes up the rest of the knights. Telling them to be quiet as they wake up. "Okay, five minutes are up," and the warlock makes a bucket of water appear over Arthur's head, tipping it over and letting all of the liquid spill on the king's head.
"You idiot!" Arthur shouts as the whole group, including Wren, chuckle.
"Nice work, Merls. But, I would rather ride without listening to a clotpole complain, so I think I will dry him off." Wren blows a breath with her eyes glowing gold and the king is completely dry.
Then, Gwaine whispers to Merlin, "I think now that your sister is here, we can pull a lot more pranks." Merlin smiles and nods, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Well, I know that this had a lot of dialogue, but, I needed everyone to know what happened and for Merlin to explain. Other than the explanation, I realize that this was a very fluffy chapter, other than the part where Wren told Merlin how she was kidnapped and held multiple times. The real stuff happens next chapter, so get ready. Thank you to .358 for reviewing! Please review! You know you want to...
XOXO,
~Lunatris262~