AN: Thank you all for the review and follows and stuff last chapter! Hope you enjoy the second part :)
"I'm Merlin, my brother Sir Lancelot sent for me," Merlin told the gaurd at the front gate. "He said I may visit."
"Did he now?" the guard looked skeptical. "Let me see the letter."
Merlin handed the letter over, and the gaurd nodded slowly, though he still looked skeptical. A few moments later, another knight walked up and asked if something was the matter.
"This boy claims to have been invited by Sir Lancelot," the gaurd frowned.
"Ah, you must Merlin!" the second knight asked, and Merlin nodded quickly. "Yes, Lancelot's been talking about having you visit. Come on in! I'm Gwaine, it's nice to meet you."
Gwaine swung the gate open and lead Merlin into the front gardens.
"Your brother is quite a knight, we're all glad to have him. Should a neighboring army ever attack, he'll be the first we send out to sacrifice himself! Just kidding, Merlin, it's a joke. Are you alright, you look a bit pale."
"I'm fine, it's just… This place is beautiful," Merlin stared at the magnificent castle, and Gwaine nodded.
"That it is. Here, Lance'll be back here," Gwaine led Merlin to the back of the castle where several knights were training. "Hey, the ever talked about Merlin has arrived!"
The knights glanced up to see Merlin standing beside Gwaine, and they all dropped what they were doing and came over to greet Merlin.
"I remember you!" a blonde man suddenly appeared at the front of the group.
"Oh, Arthur right?" Merlin smiled, and the knights looked shocked for some reason, however the blonde man nodded.
"I didn't know you were the brother to a knight," Arthur smiled. "Or such an excellent knight at that. Lancelot, here he is."
Lancelot hurried up and smiled at his brother.
"Good to see you," Lancelot smiled. "Hey, can I talk to my brother for a bit, then maybe we can show him what we do here with swords."
"Of course. You any good with a sword Merlin?" Arthur asked, and Merlin shook his head quickly.
"Not really," he told Arthur. "Sorry."
"Oh well," Arthur shrugged. "Come on lads, let's give them some time."
Lancelot led Merlin over to a bench and sat down.
"How are they treating you?" Lancelot asked immediately, taking in Merlin's appearance. He had always been a bit skinny, but in just a weeks time he seemed to have lost half his weight. "Have they been feeding you at all?"
"Of course they have!" Merlin smiled. "I'm fine. How's being a knight?"
"It's pretty good," Lancelot shrugged. "How do you know Arthur?"
"Saw him in the woods, I didn't know he was a knight," Merlin shrugged. "Have you heard about the ball?"
"Of course I have," Lancelot smiled. "I'll be a guard at it. I'm sure father and Valiant are excited."
"They are, and guess what? They said I can go!"
"They did?" Lancelot looked shocked. "That's great!"
"Yeah, I'm so excited!" Merlin smiled. "Want to show me some knight stuff?"
Lancelot smiled and nodded, satisfied that his little brother was alright.
"Hey, Gwaine, want to?" Lancelot held up his sword, and Gwaine pounced without another word. Merlin watched mesmerized as the knights dance around with their swords. Lancelot seemed to be blossoming as he finally found the place he'd always wanted to be, and Merlin found that he couldn't feel an inch of bitterness about his brother's departure. This is where Lancelot belonged.
"Your brother is quite good with a sword," Merlin found Arthur sitting next to him. "I didn't realize Alined Tremain had a third son."
"I don't get talked about much," Merlin admitted. "I am his stepson, actually. I help around the house a lot, so I don't get out much, except to go to market, I don't mind, though! Sometimes I almost enjoy working."
Arthur laughed shaking his head.
"It sounds like they treat you more like a servant than a family member," Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Lancelot never did, but I'll admit my other brother can put a lot of work on my plate. I don't mind though, really!"
"You're an odd one," Arthur laughed quietly.
"So where are you from?" Merlin asked, shocking Arthur into silence.
"Well, I," Arthur hesitated. "I'm from pretty near here, actually. You don't know?"
Merlin shook his head, and Arthur smiled.
"Well, I'm just from around near here," Arthur told Merlin. "So, are you coming to the ball?"
"I am!" Merlin smiled. "I've never been to anything like that before, though. I hope I do alright. I don't have anything to wear yet, but I'll figure it out."
"Can't you just go to the tailor?" Arthur asked.
"Well, I don't know if my stepfather would permit it. He and my brother already have, but… Well… They are sometimes rather stricter with me, you know?"
"I see," Arthur nodded. Something suddenly caught his eye, and his heart dropped. "What happened to you hand?"
Merlin glanced down at his hand which was still purple and swollen, and he shrugged.
"It was just an accident. My other brother sort of… Stepped on it," Merlin laughed easily. "I'm sure he didn't mean to."
"You should have it treated!" Arthur stared at the hand in shock. "You can't just leave it like that!"
"Oh, it's not that bad, really," Merlin shook his head, however Arthur stood up.
"Go get the court physician," he demanded of one of his knights, and Merlin shook his head in panic.
"Really, I'm fine!" he told Arthur, Lancelot staring at the exchange in shock. "You don't need to do that."
Arthur shook his head at the younger boy and waited patiently until the elderly court physician arrived.
"What has happened?" the physician looked around, expecting to see an injured knight, but instead Arthur pointed to Merlin.
"Look at his hand," Arthur demanded, and though Merlin shook his head quickly, the old man marched over and took his hand and turned it over several times, Merlin wincing slightly.
"There are two broken bones," the physician proclaimed after a moment. "It's good that you called for me, they could have healed wrong otherwise."
The man reached for a bag he'd brought with him, and he took out a length of gauze. He began to wrap Merlin's hand tightly. Merlin winced, however when the man was done, he smiled.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"Of course, my boy," the physician nodded.
"Thank you, Gaius," Arthur told him.
"Of course S-"
"Thank you, Gaius," Arthur interrupted, glaring purposefully, and Gaius nodded and hurried away. Arthur glared at the knights who'd stopped to stare, and they hurried on their ways, except for Gwaine and Lancelot.
"Why didn't you treat that?" Gwaine asked, appearing upset. "It must have hurt pretty bad, right?"
"Not that bad," Merlin looked away. "Really, that wasn't necessary."
"Thank you," Lancelot looked purposefully at Arthur, who nodded.
"Does that sort of thing happen a lot?" Arthur asked quietly, and Merlin shook his head quickly.
"That was just an accident!" Merlin promised, and Arthur hesitated.
"If there's another accident, don't hesitate to seek out Gaius or another physician," Arthur told Merlin. "I hope you find some way to go to the ball."
Merlin smiled, and then Arthur hurried away to talk to the knights.
"He's nice," Merlin smiled, and Gwaine nodded.
"That's Arthur for you," Gwaine smiled. "Look forward to seeing you again kid, hopefully without an injury!"
Lancelot talked with Merlin for a while before Merlin decided he should head home, and he hurried back toward the manor. He was once again feeling happier. Perhaps there was some hope for the future after all.
MMM
Merlin hurried up the front steps. It was late afternoon, but it wouldn't be dark for some time yet. He was met at the door by Valiant, and though Merlin tried to hurry past him, he was stopped.
"And where did you go that put you in such a good mood?" Valiant raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, nowhere," Merlin smiled, again attempting to pass Valiant and being stopped.
"And who, exactly, bandaged your hand?"
Merlin gulped and retreated backwards. Valiant simply smirked, stepping aside.
"Well go on then. You'll want to get a good nights sleep before your chores tomorrow. Remember, you've got to earn your way to the ball."
"Of course," Merlin nodded, hurrying up to the attic, happy to avoid confrontation. He examined his bandaged hand with a smile, before he went to sleep.
MMM
The following week found Merlin busier than he'd ever been in his entire life. Every time he thought he'd get a reprieve, his step father or brother would find him and give him twenty or so more chores. He never once complained, however, because he was desperate to make it to the ball. He went through each day with a complacent smile, going along with everything he was commanded to do. Eventually Valiant got sick of Merlin's apparent good humor, and he decided to remedy the situation.
It was the day before the ball, and Merlin was upstairs examining a suit that had belonged to his father that he'd stitched up and improved a bit. The door to his room suddenly peeked open, and Merlin jumped.
"Valiant," Merlin backed away. "Do you need me."
"No, I was just wondering if you'd figured out what you want to wear yet? The ball is tomorrow. We'll be taking the carriage, you know."
Merlin's face lit up at mention of the ball, and he held the suit out proudly.
"It was my father's," Merlin told Valiant. "I stitched it to size and everything! It's my only good suit, and I made it even better!"
"Very nice," Valiant walked forward predatorily, which made Merlin suddenly uneasy.
"Yes, well I'll just put it away," Merlin was about to turn around, when suddenly the suit was snatched from his hands.
"Your only good suit?" Valiant ran his hands over the material, causing Merlin to freeze uneasily.
"Yes, now can I go put it away," Merlin tried to step forward just as Valiant stepped back.
"I rather like it," Valiant held the suit just out of Merlin's reach. "Except for this sleeve. It's a bit long."
There was a terrible ripping sound as suddenly the sleeve came free of the coat. Merlin let out a cry of anguish.
"No, please!" Merlin reached forward.
"I don't much like this either, nor this," Valiant began tearing the suit to shreds until there was little left of it. He let the remains flutter to the ground, and Merlin shook his head in horror.
"No," Merlin's voice was soft and shocked as tears began to fill his eyes. "No, how could you?"
"I don't much like this either," Valiant suddenly grabbed the bandages on Merlin's hand and ripped them off, causing Merlin to let out a cry. "I hope you can find another suit for the ball."
With that, Valiant stalked away. Merlin fell to his knees and grasped the tattered suit to his chest, tears leaking onto his cheeks. Overcome, Merlin suddenly raced down the stairs and into the wood. Sobbing and hiccuping, he finally collapsed beneath the big tree and shook his head. After all he'd done for Valiant, after all his toils without a single complaint, how could his stepbrother do this?
Merlin was still whimpering as tears leaked from his eyes when he heard the sound of horses. He looked up quickly to see Gwen, a guard, and the dark haired woman. Merlin scrambled to his feet and wiping his eyes, backing away.
"Are you alright?" The dark haired woman got down from her horse quickly. She hurried to Merlin's side. "I remember you from the other day. What happened, Merlin?"
"Nothing I... It was just my stepbrother..." Merlin clasped his hand to his chest.
"Sit," the woman lead him over to a log and then took his hand in hers. "Who did this? Why?"
"It's nothing, really!" Merlin shook his head, however the woman took a sash that was tying her hair back and bound his hand.
"There," she smiled at Merlin. "That's better. The physician taught me how to do that. I take it you aren't treated well at home?"
"It's not too bad," Merlin blushed. "I just have a rather... My step brother and father can be a bit rough, but it's alright."
The woman shook her head in awe, smiling at him.
"You take it in good stride. You seen quite brave, Merlin."
"Me, brave? Not really, miss," Merlin blushed again. "I just always know that tomorrow will be better, you just have to get through today."
The woman shook her head again, a smile on her face.
"Are you going to the ball."
"I'd hoped to, but my step brother tore apart my suit. I don't think I'll be able to make it..."
The woman looked shocked, and she frowned.
"It's amazing you can have such hope when it sounds as if you don't have it well at all."
"If we don't have hope, what do we have?" Merlin replied. "Did you come to see your mother?"
"I did, but you needn't leave. Do you need to go?"
"Not really," Merlin shrugged.
"I'm glad," the woman smiled. "Then perhaps we can talk."
Merlin and the woman talked for some time, and after a while they realized they were quite enchanted with each other. The woman found that she was very sad that this young man wouldn't be attending the ball. Dare she say, she was falling in love with him?
"I hope I can see you again," Merlin said after some time, and the woman found herself nodding.
"I would like that," she replied.
"I'd better go. Thank you for making me feel better. Sometimes I feel a bit down, but you've brought a smile to my face. Thank you. You know, I don't think I ever caught your name."
"Call me Morgan," she told him.
"Like this princess Morgana!" Merlin smiled easily.
"Yes, like that," Morgan told him. "Good bye, Merlin."
"Goodbye," Merlin made his way back toward the manor, a fluttering feeling in his heart. "I look forward to our next meeting."
MMM
Morgan rode back to the castle, a smile in her heart despite it's ache. How could anyone treat such a kind and gentle young man in such a way? She too looked forward to their next meeting, and she suddenly wished the ball wouldn't happen. Suddenly, she almost ran into her brother, who smiled at her.
"Are you okay?" He noticed her down expression.
"I was visiting mothers grave and that boy Merlin was there. It's so unfair! He was going to go to the ball, but his suit got ripped apart by his stepbrother. It sounds as if they treat him horribly. I wish I could help."
This news seemed to shock Arthur, and he nodded at Morgana.
"Poor lad," Arthur sighed. "Well, I hope you can still enjoy yourself at the ball tomorrow night."
"It'll be hard. I'm afraid the whole time I'll think about him and how he has missed his chance. He's very kind, do you know that? I talked to him for a while, and it just isn't fair."
"I'm sorry," Arthur sighed.
"It isn't me you should be sorry for," Morgana snapped, and with that she marched away leaving Arthur with an idea...
MMM
The day of the ball, Merlin found himself busy taking care of Valiant and Alined without a moment to spare. He forced himself not to complain, though he saw very little point anymore. Finally it was time for them to go, and the carriage rolled up in front of the house.
"Goodbye, Cindermerlin," Valiant smirked at his stepbrother. "Hope you have a good night! When I come home, I'll tell you all about everything you missed!"
Merlin watched with a sad face as the horse pranced away with the carriage, and Valiant waved out the window cheerily.
Merlin watched for a moment more before he raced into the gardens, unable to hold in his choked cries. This night was what he had looked forward to for so long! This is what he'd worked hard for, and now the only thing that had made him look forward to anything at all would pass without him even getting a short chance to see what it'd be like.
Merlin was curled up near the fountain when he heard the sound of a horse approaching. Merlin scrambled to his feet and his behind the fountain, waiting to see who would be there. A few moments later he recognized the face of Gwaine.
Cautiously, Merlin crept forward, and Gwaine smiled when he saw the boy.
"Merlin! I'm so glad I've found you. We heard what happened from a source I can't name, and Arthur sent me to give you these."
Gwaine held out a fine suit lined with gold and painted the royal colors.
"It's for you. I also bought an extra horse," Gwaine pointed to a horse trailing behind his own.
"I... Why? I can't take these!" Merlin shook his head in shock.
"You sounded so much like you wanted to come, it isn't fair that you wouldn't get the chance. Hurry up! Go inside, change, and then we'll be off! I don't want to miss more of the ball than I can help! All that good food! All that ale!"
Merlin chuckled, but shook his head.
"Really, I can't. My stepfather and stepbrother might see me, and I can't let that happen!"
Gwaine hesitated, before he pulled something out of his coat. It was a small bag of golden dust which he sprinkled over Merlin.
"Hey! What was that?" Merlin sneezed.
"No one'll recognize you," Gwaine promised. "Don't tell anyone I used that, it's technically illegal but we'll overlook that fact. It'll only last until midnight and then people'll know who you are again!"
"You shouldn't have used that!" Merlin looked shocked, but Gwaine simply rolled his eyes.
"What's the fun in life without a few risks? Now come on!" Gwaine leaped upon his horse and Merlin uneasily ran into the house, changed, then came out and got up on his own.
"You sure no one'll know me?" Merlin asked. Gwaine sprinkled a bit more over him, and then grinned.
"Positive, until midnight. Come on, the quicker the better!"
The two then rushed into the night towards the palace.
MMM
Morgana watched as people entered the room, but the only face she was secretly hoping to see was missing.
"Does anyone catch your fancy?" Uther asked his daughter, who shrugged. "Well find someone quickly because it's about time to pick a man for the first dance."
Soon everyone had arrived, and Morgana was at a loss. She was about to demand Arthur be the one to dance with her and be done with it when she noticed Sir Gwaine and a tall brunette man entering the room. Gwaine was Gwaine and didn't particularly catch her attention, however the other man seemed to draw her attention for a reason she didn't know.
He wore a suit of the royal colors, but she was sure she'd never seen him before. Though she wasn't sure why, she pointed to him and said that was who her first dance would be with. The king smiled.
"Good, he looks to be a noble," Uther told her. "Someone go inform him."
The boy was smiling and laughing with Gwaine when two guards rushed up to him and the boy froze. After some explanations, Merlin looked shocked that anyone would want to dance with him, however he allowed himself to he lead away. He soon found himself standing in front of Morgan, and he smiled.
"Oh, I thought they said Morgana wanted to dance with me, but it's just you," Merlin smiled. "That made me a little worried. I'm not so sure about meeting the princess."
"Do I know you?" Morgana looked surprised, and Merlin was quick to shake his head.
"Of course not," he gulped. "I just thought, I mean... Oh there's the music, time to dance!"
The two ended up being wonderful dance partners and they spun around the floor, impressing everyone.
Soon Morgana lead the man out onto the porch where they sat and talked for some time.
"You do remind me of someone," Morgana smiled at the boy, who shrugged. Morgana sighed and stared off into the night. "You know, I'm meant to find my husband at this ball, but I feel that my father didn't give me time to warm up to the idea."
"I'm sorry," Merlin smiled. "Sometimes there's duties that we don't want to perform, but we have to smile and have hope and faith and know that someday things'll work out."
"I wish I could believe you," Morgana looked up into the starry sky. "But I worry... I shouldn't be telling you this, but I'm afraid my heart already is starting to belong to someone else. I met him in the forest, which I know sounds untrustworthy, but this boy wasn't. We had a long talk, and he was kind and gentle. I wish he could be at the ball."
Merlin stared at her. What did she just say?
"Have you ever felt as though it's your duty to do something, but your heart tells you to do something else?" Morgana looked into his eyes, and Merlin gulped.
"Yes," he looked away. Right now, for example, he felt like exposing himself and saying 'I'm Merlin, me!' But he knew he couldn't. He had to go home and be a servant to his step-family.
"I don't know why, but you remind me of him," Morgana told Merlin. "What is your name?"
Merlin was about ready to come up with an answer when the clock began to strike midnight. Had they really talked for that long? He had to go!
"Are you alright?" Morgana frowned, however Merlin leaped to his feet.
"I can't stay I- Oh I'm sorry, I must go!"
"Wait, what's your name? I'm sure I know you!" Morgana called, and to his horror it was almost as if he could feel the magic leaving him. "Wait you look just like-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence for Merlin rushed away into the crowd.
"Hey, Merlin!" Gwaine staggered over. Clearly he'd had a bit too much ale.
"Keep your voice down, I've got to out of here!" Merlin hissed.
Gwaine looked confused, but he pointed to the door and Merlin rushed out of it. He leaped onto his horse, but in his hurry he dropped his neckerchief which he'd hidden in his pocket since it didn't go with his outfit. He almost stopped to pick it up, when he saw a group of knights rushing down the stairs toward him.
"Stop in the name of the princess!" They shouted, and Merlin kicked his horse into action. He sped away from the castle spotting the gate up ahead. He zoomed through it, right before it slammed shut, trapping the knights. Shocked, Merlin looked back to see Lancelot melt into the shadows.
"He doesn't seem to want to be caught," Merlin heard Arthur's voice. "We'll tell her as such, I don't think we can catch up with him."
Merlin finally arrived back home and he dismounted, telling the horse to find it's way back to the castle. He then hurried inside and changed clothes, hiding his nice suit from Arthur under the floorboards in the attic. He sorely missed his neckerchief, however he was happy that the night went well. He would forever be indebted to the knights.
Perhaps the most shocking thing of all was that Morgan was Morgana. He had to put her out of his mind, he couldn't fall in love with the princess! Of course, she had said she was in love with him... Still, it would only get him in trouble, he'd have to forget her! She had to marry a noble, not a dirty, skinny serving boy. Still, she was absolutely lovely and kind. She'd even been kind to the servants! He could never forget her if he tried.
Merlin heard voices downstairs and he hurried down to meet Valiant and Alined.
"How was the ball?" he asked with a smile.
"You would have loved it!" Valiant boasted as he sat and Merlin took off his boots. "Good food, lovely scenery, too bad you couldn't come."
"It was all a waste, though," Alined spat. "The princess spent the whole time with some noble boy in a fancy suit. They say she wants to marry him."
Merlin dropped Valiant's boots with a smash.
"Sorry," he grabbed them quickly.
"Indeed," Alined spoke slowly. "He ran off, though, before she could get his name."
"That's too bad," Merlin said sincerely. "She wants to marry him?"
"Yes," Alined studied Merlin, who turned away.
"Best go get these shoes shined," Merlin murmured. "I'll see you later."
As Merlin walked away, he hummed softly, and Alined's eyes narrowed further.
"Father, that song sounds familiar," Valiant frowned, and Alined nodded.
"Indeed," he said again. "Indeed."
MMM
The next day it was announced that the knights and Morgana would be scouring the countryside to find the boy Morgana remembered. All she had of him was a blue neckerchief she claimed exactly matched his eyes, and only she could judge if the match was true. And so, Morgana, the knights, and the neckerchief began to travel from household to household.
Gwaine sent word to Merlin, but never heard back. The reason why was simple-the letter had been intercepted.
"So, my suspicions are correct," Alined read over the letter once again. "I thought I recognized that boy."
The knights would be at the manor soon, and Merlin was upstairs in the attack, and so Alined created a plan.
He snuck upstairs, slinking into the room. Merlin spun, and then bowed quickly.
"Sir?" He asked. He was rewarded with a slap across the face.
"How dare you?" Alined glared menacingly at the boy who was now rubbing his stinging cheek.
"What?" Merlin whimpered, backing away
"This! This is what!" Alined shoved the letter in Merlin's face. "It was you! It was you who drew the princess's attention. You, a pathetic, good for nothing serving boy!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Merlin gulped.
"Read the letter!" Alined hissed. Merlin did, and he paled. Everything was there, begging Merlin to come back and wed Morgana, signed 'your friend Gwaine'.
"I didn't... I mean..."
"A neckerchief? I should have known!" Alined screeched. "You went to the ball when you knew you were not welcome! Where's the suit? It says there a suit, where is it?"
"I... I don't..."
"Where?" Alined yelled again, once again hitting Merlin, who pointed beneath the floorboards, trembling.
Alined ripped up the floorboards and snatched the suit away.
"This will find it's way into the fireplace," Alined declared.
"No!" Merlin cried, however Alined simply stalked over to Merlin's wardrobe and snatched out his remaining three neckerchiefs. "No, please!"
Alined didn't have an inch of kindness in his eyes, and he tore the three neckerchiefs into shreds. Merlin's eyes filled with tears.
"No," he shook his head.
"You will not come downstairs until I allow you to," Alined slammed the door and locked it, leaving Merlin to fall to his knees amongst the torn pieces of cloth and and shake his head in horror.
"No," his voice was but a whisper, and then tears began to trickle from his eyes.
AN: There will be one more short installment for the happy ever after (poor Merlin deserves it). Please review and hopefully I'll update soon!
