Ok, here's where we start getting into the actual episodes. I plan on going all the way through the end of season 4; but I don't have an update schedule as of yet. I'll try and update whenever I finish a chapter. As always, reviews are more than welcome!
BTW Thank you so much for the amazing reviews on Chapter 1! And also to everyone who alerted/ favorited (is that a word?) this story. Lots of Love for you all!
Disclaimer: I totally own Merlin! Well, in my dreams at least…
Anyways, Enjoy!
Chapter 2: The Dragon's Call
When the world finally righted around the group, the group found themselves on a sandy road in the countryside of Camelot.
Merlin walked down the road towards Camelot, pausing to look at a passing horseman before walking on. A smile on his face, Merlin continued walking towards
"Why does this start with Merlin of all people?" Arthur asked, incredulous.
"Cause I'm the best." Merlin teased weakly. Not noticing his friend's tone, Arthur just snorted shoved him instead of retorting. Gaius watched him out of the corner of his eye, worried about just what these memories were going to show.
As Merlin crosses over the top of a hill, Camelot comes into view; the proud flags of the city waving in the wind.
"It really is a beautiful view of the castle." Said Gwen softly. Hunith murmured her agreement.
Knowing that he would not reach the castle before nightfall, Merlin quickly set up camp and started a small fire. Spreading out the thin blanket that made up his bedroll, Merlin poked at the fire with a long stick. An everlasting smile on his face, Merlin laid down to sleep, dreams of his future in Camelot dancing through his mind.
Arthur studied the past Merlin with an intensity that shocked even himself. Past Merlin seemed so youthful, so naïve compared to the Merlin that was standing a few feet away. Although he still wore that quirky smile everywhere, and he always had a bubbly personality, the light behind it had dimmed somewhat in the past couple of years.
If what Ella had said was true, and they were to watch what had truly been happening, maybe he would see what had happened to the forever happy-go-lucky personality of his manservant.
Gods, when had he become such a girl?
The look on his face must have been something to behold, because Merlin suddenly burst out laughing. "Don't think too hard, Arthur. Don't want you hurting yourself too badly." Merlin teased.
"Yeah, princess. I thought I saw smoke coming out of your ears for a moment there." Gwaine joined in a moment later.
Before Arthur could put in a retort, Elyan cut in, "Are we going to have to wait here all night? Because if so we're…"
The world suddenly swirled around them, and they found themselves in Camelot's lower town.
Merlin made his way through the lower town, gaping at everything in sight with a smile across his face.
"You look a bit overwhelmed." Percival noted with a smile.
"I'd never been to a town bigger than Ealdor before. It was definitely different than what I was used to." Merlin said with a soft smile.
Merlin wandered into the main castle courtyard as the horns were blown in the background. Making his way through the thickening crowd, Merlin watched as a man in peasant clothes was led towards the executioners block.
"The first thing you saw in Camelot was an execution?" Gwen gasped.
"Welcome to Camelot, home of never-ending magical attacks, immortal army invasions and daily executions of suspected sorcerers." Merlin muttered in a low tone. Gwaine gave him a sideways glance that said he had heard Merlin's comment.
King Uther stood up on one of the castle balconies, overseeing the execution.
"Father.." Arthur whispered, grief still evident in his voice. Gwen wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to give him some comfort.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king,"
Ella snorted softly in the background, and Arthur turned to glare at her for a moment before turning back to the scene unfolding before them.
"But for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." With a nod, the prisoner was forced to kneel. Morgana stood at one of the castle windows, watching over the scene with a saddened look on her face. Uther raised his arm, and then brought it down. Just before the axe fell, Morgana and many different people in the crowd turned their heads away while Merlin just stared in horror.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos. But with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival, to celebrate 20 years since the Great Dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin!"
As Uther turned to leave, a woman's high wailing quickly parted the crowd to reveal an aging woman with long grey hair.
"There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic! It is you. With your hatred, and your ignorance. You took my son; and I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears."
"Let me guess, she's going to go after Arthur?" Gwaine asked wryly.
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son." The old woman's voice cracked.
"Hah! Told you so!" Gwaine said triumphantly.
"Yes, we know Gwaine. Some of us were actually here for that part, you know." Arthur replied sardonically.
"Seize her!" Uther ordered, pointing at the old woman.
Grabbing her necklace, the old woman quickly hissed a spell and began to disappear in a whirlwind.
Gwaine whistled. "I'll give her this, she sure knows how to make a dramatic exit." He said, looking mildly impressed.
Elyan elbowed him in the arm. "You do realize she is going to try and kill Arthur, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, but still. That was some exit." Gwaine insisted.
Merlin would have laughed at Gwaine's antics, but he knew what was going to be shown next. And in all honesty, he was terrified of how everyone was going to take it, Arthur especially. He had thought about a thousand different ways of telling Arthur the truth, and wanted to tell him the truth more times than that. Unfortunately, all he could do was wait and watch.
While the group was talking, the crowd in the courtyard began to disperse. Everyone followed as past Merlin headed towards a couple of guards.
"Where would I find Gaius, the Court Physician?" Merlin asked one of the guards. The guard grunted and pointed behind him.
When he reached a wooden door, Merlin knocked softly,
"Hah, I knew you could knock properly!" Arthur exclaimed.
"I wouldn't want you to get used to it. If I started doing everything right, you might just keel over in surprise!" Merlin retorted.
And entered Gaius' chambers. "Hello?" He called softly into the room. Entering the room, he looked through some of the strange objects covering the tables. Plants, flasks, beakers full of strange chemicals, and other unusual objects covered every table space in the room.
"You really have a lot of strange objects, Gaius." Hunith commented.
"I am a scientist. I need everything for my experiments to better understand the natural world." Gaius replied loftily.
"And for what experiment exactly do you need an ugly rabbit mask?" Gwaine asked, pointing at the mask on one of the tables.
Gaius struggled for an answer before simply shrugging. Everybody laughed, except for Merlin, who was too busy trying not to panic.
"Hello?" Past Merlin called out again. He looked up to see Gaius standing at the top of a staircase, looking through piles of books stacked at the top.
"That doesn't look very safe." Gwen commented off-handedly.
"Gaius?" Merlin tried again. When that didn't work, he loudly cleared his throat.
Gaius turned to see who had entered his chambers when the railing behind him broke, and he began falling towards the ground.
"Oh my…"
"Gaius!"
"How did…"
Before Arthur could finish his question, Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and time around them began to slow to a crawl. Looking quickly around the room, Merlin's eyes fell on Gaius' cot. With another flash of gold, the bed whisked to the other side of the room. As time resumed it's normal pace, Gaius fell with a crash onto the cot.
With a flicker of gold in her own eyes, Ella through her hand out in front of her, and the scene suddenly froze. With the exception of Merlin, Gaius, and Hunith, who all looked slightly panicked, everyone else looked frozen in shock, eyes wide and mouths hanging open.
"What the hell was that?" Arthur yelled. He whirled on Merlin, and noticed his guilty look. "You're a sorcerer!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Technically, I'm a warlock, not a sorcerer." Merlin argued weakly.
"There's a difference?" asked Arthur heatedly.
"Sorcerers choose to learn magic, warlocks are born with their power. I was born with magic, every since I was a baby." Merlin replied, looking tired and worn all of the sudden.
"When Merlin was a few days old, I found him levitating toys and dishes around the house, giggling all the while." Hunith interjected.
"I didn't know that was possible. I thought all sorcerers chose to learn magic." Gwen asked, seeing as Arthur still looked like he wanted to punch someone. The other knights still looked shocked and disbelieving, although Gwaine was looking more and more like a kid who had gotten an unexpected present.
"It is possible, but very rare." Gaius replied. "For most sorcerers who are born with their skills, their powers emerge in late teenage years to early adulthood. That is what happened to Morgana. In her case, her powers first emerged as those of a Seer, before her magic finally manifested itself fully." Here Gaius directed a small smile towards Merlin. "But in Merlin's case, his magic manifested from birth."
"Hah!" Gwaine yelled, making everyone around them jump in surprise. "I knew it! I knew it!" Gwaine exclaimed. He walked over and threw an arm over Merlin's shoulders. "Remind me to call you next time I'm in a bar fight, eh?" Gwaine laughed.
Merlin laughed with him, relieved that at least one of his friends was taking the news well. At the sound of the laughter, the other knights began to relax slightly, although Leon still kept looking at Arthur like he was waiting for orders.
"Arthur?" Merlin questioned softly, taking a step towards the man in question.
Arthur held a hand up to keep him from getting closer. "What have you done with it?" Arthur asked through his teeth, like he was trying very hard to keep from yelling or screaming.
"I've been protecting you." Merlin replied simply.
Whatever answer that Arthur had been expecting, that certainly wasn't it. "What?" he asked, his breath let out in a huff.
"Arthur, the reason that I am here, the reason I was given magic, is to protect your sorry backside from danger." When it looked like Arthur was about to argue, Merlin held his hand up. "Look, believe me or not. If what we are being shown are truly our past experiences," At this Ella nodded vigorously in agreement, "Then you can watch for yourself everything that I've done. Although I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect," Merlin winced, thinking of the dragon and Morgana, "All I ask is that you watch for yourself what it is that I've done, and judge me based on what you see, not what your father has raised you to think. Please." Merlin added softly.
Arthur stared into Merlin's face for a moment before his own softened. "Very well, Merlin. I promise to watch and keep an open mind. Just, no more secrets, okay?"
Merlin nodded his agreement before a big smile erupted on his face. "Okay." He agreed.
Smiling, Ella raised her hand. With a flash of her eyes, the world around them continued once more.
Gaius scrambled up from the cot, fixing Merlin with a piercing glare. "What did you just do?" He asked harshly.
"You look like you're about to hand him over to Uther." Leon observed.
"Of course not." Gaius scoffed. "A strange young man just walked into my chambers and saved my life with magic. I was merely shocked."
"Normally, when someone saves your life, you're supposed to say thank you." Hunith chastised him gently.
"I did! Or rather, I will, I suppose." Gaius replied.
"Erm..." Merlin replied, trying to think of what to say.
"Tell me!" Gaius ordered.
"You could try sounding nicer about it, Gaius." Hunith said. Merlin looked around wildly. "I—I- I have no idea what happened." He stuttered. "If anyone had seen that..." "Er, no! That-that was- that was nothing to do with me. That-that was..." Merlin tried to lie.
Everyone laughed at that. "You really are a terrible liar, mate." Gwaine laughed.
The sight made Arthur feel just a little bit better. Maybe not everything he thought that he knew about Merlin was a lie. "I know what it was!" Gaius insisted. "I just want to know where you learned how to do it!"
"Nowhere." Current Merlin smirked. "Nowhere." Past Merlin repeated. "So how is it you know magic?" Gaius questioned. "I don't." Merlin replied.
Arthur was about to scoff, until Merlin caught his eye. "I wasn't lying. I truly didn't know any magic, the magic I already had was simply instinctual to me." "Where did you study? Answer me!"
"I would never let him study magic." Hunith admitted. "I was too scared that he would be discovered and killed or kidnapped. Especially when he was younger and had barely no control." "I-I've never studied magic or, or been taught." Merlin said. Gaius fixed him with a calculating glare. "Are you lying to me, boy?" He demanded. "What do you want me to say?" Merlin asked desperately. "The truth!" "I was born like this!" Merlin informed him in a desperate voice. "That's impossible!" Gaius denied vehemently.
"At least that's what I thought until I met Merlin." Gaius said.
"Who are you?" Gaius asked suspiciously. "Oh, erm..." Pulling off his backpack, Merlin begins to search through it. "I have this letter." Merlin said, pulling it out of his pack and holding it towards Gaius. "I- I don't have my glasses." "I'm Merlin." Gaius' face brightened in recognition. "Hunith's son?" "Yes!" Merlin agreed with a bright smile. "But you're not meant to be here till Wednesday!" Merlin's smile fell slightly. "It is Wednesday." He said, not wanting to offend someone who knew his secret.
"Getting a bit forgetful there, Gaius?" Percival laughed.
"Just wait until you're my age; memory is the first thing to go." Gaius informed them.
"Even the days of the week?" Merlin asked, earning him a mock glare from Gaius. Everybody laughed at that. "Ah. Right, then. You better put your bag in there." Gaius said, motioning towards the back of the chambers. Merlin turned back after a few steps. "You- you won't say anything about, erm..." He motioned towards the balcony.
"Yeah that would probably be a bad thing." Elyan laughed. Gaius shook his head. "No. Although, Merlin, I should say thank you." Gaius said, offering the boy a slight smile.
"Told you I thanked him." Gaius said.
Merlin entered the room and throws his pack on the bed, sitting beside it. After a moment, he stands up and goes to the window, throwing it open and smiling at the view of Camelot from his window.
"Why is it that I am the king, and I don't even have that good of view of Camelot?" Arthur complained childishly.
"I think all the other perks of being make up for it." Merlin replied, elbowing him in the arm with a large grin.
Arthur couldn't help but smile back. "Like having the worst manservant in the five kingdoms?" He joked, temporarily forgetting he was supposed to be mad at Merlin. When he acted just like the old Merlin, it seemed so hard to imagine him as a sorcerer.
The world suddenly got darker as time flashed forward.
Later that night, Gaius is sitting at his table with his glasses on, reading the letter that Merlin had brought with him. Hunith's voice is heard as Gaius reads:
"My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust.
Merlin gave his mother a large hug. "I'm sorry for making you feel that way, Mother." Merlin quietly apologized.
"Don't say that, my son. It is not your fault." Hunith replied, returning Merlin's hug.
It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so. Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with people here that, if he were to remain, I fear what would become of him. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe, and may God save you both."
"Was the prejudice really that bad?" Gwen asked softly.
"Yeah." Merlin replied just as softly.
Finished with the letter, Gaius folds it back up and goes to check on Merlin, who is fast asleep.
The world swirls and Morgana is standing at the window, looking out over the courtyard as Uther approaches her from behind.
Plenty of harsh breaths and hisses are heard at the sight of the witch, especially coming from the newer knights. As the only times that they had seen her were when she attacked Camelot, they didn't realize that she wasn't always like that.
"Morgana." Uther said, approaching his daughter. "Yes?" Morgana replies, looking lost in thought. "What is it? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" Uther questioned. "I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for celebration." Morgana replied, and then turned back towards the window.
"What changed there, then?" Gwaine snorted.
Nobody noticed the guilty look that crossed Merlin's face. If we truly are seeing everything, then they are going to see what happened with Morgana. He thought sadly.
"That poor mother." She murmured. Uther looked confused at the thoughts of his ward. "It was simple justice for what he'd done." "To whom?" Morgana questioned. "He practiced some magic, he didn't hurt anyone." Uther's face hardened. "You were not around twenty years ago, you have no idea what it was like."
Merlin snorted angrily, and then waved off the curious looks. "You'll see later." He said. "How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?" Morgana asked, shaking her head slightly.
"Unfortunately, he never did." Merlin sighed. "Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom!" Uther barked, looking irate. "You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen." Uther ordered, turning to leave. "I told you! I want no part in these celebrations!" Morgana replied angrily.
"Like father, like daughter." Arthur said. He had never really noticed how much like their father she was. "I'm your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect at least respect our finest singer." Uther turned on his heel and marched away. "You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create!" Morgana exclaimed.
"She was right about that, you know." Merlin said quietly at Arthur's shoulder. "The Purge that your father started only gave those with magic a reason to despise him. If he hadn't started it, they would never have had a reason to take retribution. And then he retaliated by burning even more people, and the cycle continuously replays. You know what they say, 'an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind'. Plus, it made sure that anyone who could or was willing to help would be forced to stay away and in the shadows instead of being able to help."
Arthur shot Merlin a curious look as the world swirled around them once again, where they found themselves in the forest.
A large tent is set up among the trees, and horses and knights of Camelot are scattered around the clearing in front of the tent. Inside, the Lady Helen is humming while brushing through her hair. Hearing a noise outside of her tent, Lady Helen quickly stopped humming and put down the hair brush.
"Whatever happened to the Lady Helen? I heard that she hasn't been seen in many years." Leon asked.
"Who is she?" Percival asked.
"The Lady Helen is a very famous and talented singer. My father probably asked her to sing at the celebration he was holding." Arthur explained
"Hello? Gregory?" Lady Helen called out. A knight poked his head into the tent. "Lady Helen." He said respectively. Lady Helen looks relieved at the sight of the knight. "Is all well?" She asks. "Yes, ma'am." Gregory replies. "With luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow." "That's good." Lady Helen replies, a smile on her face. "I'll be outside if you need me." Gregory informs her before pulling his head out of the tent. Hearing a noise from the woods, Gregory draws his sword and stalks forward. "Who's there? Who's there?" He calls before falling silent.
Inside the tent, Lady Helen hears more noises and watches as a dark shape walks around her tent. Mary Collins suddenly appears at the tent entrance, holding a knife and a small poppet.
"That doesn't look like a good sign." Gwaine commented offhandedly. "Akwele seo magdp." Mary Collins chants, driving the knife into the poppet. Lady Helen gasps and holds her midsection, staring at the witch in horror. "Akwele seo magdp. Akwele seo magdp." Mary chants, stabbing the poppet each time. The third time, Lady Helen falls onto the bed, dead. Sitting in front of Lady Helen's mirror and picking up the crystal on her necklace, Mary Collins chants "Ghefrolinz grimpoxin kouata." And her face slowly morphs into that of the Lady Helen.
"Can you do that Merlin?" Elyan inquired curiously.
"The killing or the changing appearance?" Merlin asks.
"Both." Elyan says, shrugging.
"Yes, I can change my appearance. In fact I have before; and no, I'm not going to tell you when."
"You'll see for yourself eventually." Ella's voice broke in, shocking those who had forgotten that she was even there.
"As for the other, I'm not entirely sure, I've never tried before; but I probably could. I don't bother using poppets when I kill though." Then Merlin silently cursed what he had accidentally let slip when everyone's eyes shot up.
"How many people have you killed, Merlin?" Leon asked quietly. Arthur's eyes seemed to narrow infinitesimally at the question.
Merlin ran his hand through his hair tiredly before answering. "Do you mean directly or indirectly?" He asked softly.
"What do you mean?" Arthur, this time.
"I mean, are you asking how many people I've killed personally, or how many people have died because of me?" Merlin clarified.
"There's a difference?" Leon asked.
A shudder ran through Merlin's core as he thought about the Dragon attack, and how many people had died in Morgana's many attempts on the throne. Not to mention people like Will, Balinor… Freya. People who had died for him. "Yes." Merlin whispered, putting his head in his hands and grief threatened to overwhelm him for a moment. "And to answer your earlier question, far too many."
Hunith gathered him into her arms for a moment. "Oh, my son." She said, hugging him tightly and stroking his hair for a moment before releasing him.
When his and Arthur's eyes met, Arthur was struck by the look in his eyes. Tired, world weary, full of grief and wisdom, they looked far too old for Merlin's young face. They were the eyes of a battle weary soldier who had seen far too much. Once again, he was struck with the thought of how much Merlin had grown up in the few years he had been living in Camelot.
Although Arthur was upset that he had been lied to for so long, and he did not yet trust this new Merlin with his magic, he was glad that he was being given a chance to see the truth for himself.
As Merlin sleeps in his bed, a loud voice reverberates around his tiny bedroom. "Merlin. Merlin."
Merlin awakens as the sunlight hits his face. Getting up, Merlin stumbles into the Physicians quarters to find Gaius already awake. "I got you water. You didn't wash last night." Gaius said, pointing to the bucket of water balanced precariously on the edge of the table. "Sorry." Merlin mumbles, wandering over to the table and sitting down. "Help yourself to breakfast." Gaius said, and put down a bowl of watery porridge in front of him. Merlin scoops out a spoonful and drops it back into the bowl, his face slightly put off by the sight of the food.
Trying to be inconspicuous, Gaius slowly slides to the bucket of water,
"Notice the precarious position of the bucket." Gwaine joked. "You aren't very good at being sneaky, Gaius."
"How did I not notice that earlier?" Merlin laughed.
and knocks it off of the edge of the table. With a gasp, Merlin's eyes burn gold, and the bucket of water freezes in midair. Gaius and Merlin look at each other, and then Merlin lets it go, water splashing all over the floor.
"How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" Gaius asked, exasperated and curious.
Merlin shook his head. "I don't know any spells."
"I do now." Merlin said proudly. "So what did you do?" Gaius asked. "There must be something." Shrugging, Merlin disagreed "It just happens." He said, grabbing the mop before starting to clear up the water. Shaking his head at the enigma of a young man before him, Gaius says, "Well, we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here." Gaius set a small sack and bottle on the table in front of him. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin." He said, holding up the bottle. "He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once." "Okay." Merlin replies, nodding his understanding. "And here." Gaius said, handing him a plate with a sandwich on it. Merlin smiles as he takes the sandwich, which Gaius returns. "Off you go." Gaius said, nodding towards the door. " And Merlin!" Gaius calls after him. "I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed. Merlin eats his sandwich as he walks down the Physician's Corridor and through the Square to deliver the medicine. He knocks on a door and a squinting old man answers. "Erm, I brought you your medicine." Merlin says, holding out the small bottle. Sir Olwin blindly holds out his hand, which Merlin puts the medicine into. As he turns away, the aging noble pops the cork and starts drinking it. Remembering the rest of the instructions, Merlin turned back to say, "Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at..."
Before he could finish, the noble finishes the medicine and smiles.Gaius smacked Merlin outside the head. "You're supposed to tell him before you give him the medicine, you silly boy." Gaius admonished.
"I'm sure it's fine." Merlin says, smiling and nodding, before quickly turning and rushing away.
Everybody laughs at Merlin's expression. "That's right, run from the scene, Merlin." Gwaine grinned. At Merlin's sheepish expression, everyone laughed even harder.
As Merlin walks though the town, he hears a loud voice exclaim, "Where's the target?"
"Hmm, wonder who that could be." Merlin teased, grateful to get the attention off of him for a moment.
As he walks across the bridge, he sees Arthur and a group of knights standing and looking at a poor servant who was carrying a heavy looking target. "There, Sir?" The servant asked, motioning.
"It's into the sun?" Arthur points out. "But, it's not that bright." Morris replies. "A bit like you, then?" Arthur taunts cruelly. All the knights behind him laugh.
Gwaine frowned slightly, the expression looking off on his normally grinning face. "I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" Morris says. At Arthur's nod, the serving boy begins carrying the target toward the wall. "Teach him a lesson. Go on, boy." One of the knights said. "This'll teach him." Arthur laughs. "Yeah."
"Ha-ha. Teach him a lesson." Arthur throws a dagger at the target the servant is moving.
"Oi! I thought you were different from most nobles, but apparently I was wrong." Gwaine stated angrily. "Hey! Hang on!" Morris argues incredulously.
"Yeah, speak up for yourself! Don't let him walk all over you!" Gwaine cheered the servant on. "Don't stop!" Arthur yells, still laughing slightly. Morris takes a few steps back and positions the target. "Here?" Gwen is seen shaking a curtain out an upper window. She looks over the scene with a disappointed expression.
"How exactly did you fall in love with that man?" Gwaine asked.
"He's changed and grown up a lot since then, Gwaine." Gwen said, not stating the reason for the change: Merlin. "I told you to keep moving!" Arthur yells at the servant before throwing another dagger at the target. "Come on! Run!" Arthur orders when the servant gives him an incredulous look. Morris shuffles his feet along trying to carry the large target across the training area as Arthur throws more daggers. "Do you want some moving target practice?" Arthur taunts. Morris finally trips and drops the target and it rolls along until it falls at Merlin's feet. Merlin puts a foot on it so Morris can't pick it up. "Hey, come on, that's enough." Merlin admonished, his tone and face friendly. Arthur just looked totally shocked that a peasant was talking to him that way. "What?" He asked, incredulous.
"No one had ever talked that way to me before. It was a bit shocking." Arthur admitted, not looking current Merlin in the eye. "You've had your fun, my friend." Merlin said, shaking his head slightly. Arthur looked over this intruder with a raised eyebrow. "Do I know you?" Arthur asks.
"You sure don't look impressed." Percival noticed. "Er, I'm Merlin." Merlin says, holding out his hand. "So I don't know you." Arthur replied, ignoring the outstretched hand.
"That was a bit rude, Your Majesty."
"Sorry, Hunith." Arthur replied, looking properly chastised. A round of laughter nearly blocked out Merlin's next words. "No." Merlin said, slowly dropping his hand. "Yet you called me 'friend.'" "That was my mistake." "Yes, I think so." Arthur agrees, thinking he is about to win like always. "Yeah. I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin taunted before turning to walk away.
"And so begins the legendary banter of Merlin and Arthur." Gwaine announced in a solemn voice before bursting out laughing, joined by Merlin. Arthur scoffs before calling after him, "Or I one who could be so stupid." Merlin stopped walking but didn't turn around. "Tell me, Merlin," Arthur continued, "do you know how to walk on your knees?" Merlin shook his head. "No." "Would you like me to help you?" Arthur offered with a fakely sweet smile. Merlin shook his head. "I wouldn't if I were you." He tried to warn him.
"You threatened me?" Arthur exclaimed, incensed.
"No, I was just trying to warn you." Merlin placated. "Sometimes, in moments of stress or danger, my magic would lash out unintentionally. I didn't want to accidentally hurt you, even if you were being a total prat." He snickered. Arthur chuckled at the thought that a mere peasant could actually hurt him. "Why? What are you going to do to me?" "You have no idea." Merlin replied in a mysterious voice.
"Magic." Gwaine stated.
"Yes, thank you Gwaine." Arthur said, annoyed. "Be my guest!" Arthur offered, holding his arms out wide in invitation, while Merlin just looks around at the growing crowd. "Come on! Come on! Come oooooon." Arthur taunts. Looking at the crowd once more, Merlin takes a quick swing at him and Arthur twists Merlin's arm behind his back.
"You shouldn't have let him goad you like that, Merlin." Hunith sighed, shaking her head.
"Sorry, Mother." "Whoa." One of the knights replies In the castle window, Gwen cringes in surprise. "I'll have you thrown in jail for that." Arthur hisses in Merlin's ear. "What, who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin taunts.
"You honestly didn't know who he was?" Leon asked.
"No, I'd neverseen him before, and this was my first trip to Camelot." "No. I'm his son, Arthur." Arthur informs him before taking him out at the knees.
Guards escort Merlin down the stairs and throw him in one of the dungeon cells. Merlin puts his head in his hands and looks slightly freaked out.
In the castle courtyard, 'Lady Helen' and her entourage finally enter Camelot. One of the knights help Lady Helen off of her horse. As she walks towards the castle entrance, she looks in a puddle, and the reflection of her wizened old self looks back.
"Why does her image do that?" Merlin was surprised to see it was Arthur who had asked.
"Because, mirrors and pools of water show a reflection, or the true image of something. Glamours, which is what this witch is using, will never show up on a mirror. It's for that reason that those objects are often used to scry with, because they can't be lied to.
Double doors are thrown open and Lady Helen enters the throne room, dressed in a deep purple gown. She thunders down the long room, heels clacking as she walks. Lady Morgana and her maid Guinevere are seen standing on the side with the other courtiers, while Uther sits on his throne.
As soon as she was close enough, Uther got down off of his throne to greet her. "Lady Helen. Thank you so much for coming to sing at our celebrations." He said jubilantly. Mary Collins, as the Lady Helen, curtsied low. "The pleasure's all mine." She smiled. "How was your journey?" Uther asked Helen sighed dramatically. "Oh, the time it took, Sire." She said, bringing a hand to her forehead in a dramatic show of weariness. Uther grabs both of her hands and kisses them. "Well, it's always worth the wait." Uther replies with a smile. Lady Helen fingers the chain around her neck. "It will be." She replies, her voice turning slightly cold at the end.
"It looks so much different watching it this way. It's kind of obvious she's evil from this perspective." Gwen noticed."
"You will learn many things from this experience." Ella stated. "Sometimes it will even show you that what you thought you saw, and knew, is not what truly happened."
The next morning, Merlin wakens in the dungeons to his name being called. "Merlin."
"You know, Merlin, hearing voices is known to be a sign of mental illness." Percival teased.
Hearing the voice coming from below him, Merlin gets up and backs away. When his name sounds again, Merlin moves toward the sound and presses his ear to the floor, hoping to hear it again.
"Merlin!" Gaius' voice sounds from outside of the cells. The cell door opens and Gaius steps in while Merlin sheepishly gets up off of the floor.
"You did look a bit ridiculous in the position." Gaius said. A frustrated look on his face, Gaius sighed before speaking. "You never cease to amaze me! The one thing that someone like you should do is keep your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot." "I'm sorry." Merlin apologized, lowering his head. "You're lucky. I managed to pull a few strings to get you released." Merlin's head shot up at the news. "Oh, thank you! Thank you!" He exclaimed, while Gaius gives him a disapproving look for being so excited. "I won't forget this." Merlin promises. "Well, there is a small price to pay." Gaius adds. The scene swirls to show Merlin in the stocks being pelted with fruit by children. "Oh, no." Merlin smiles before lowering his head to the flying fruit.
"Why in the world are you smiling in the stocks?" Leon asked.
Merlin shrugged. "No reason. It was something I'd never experienced before I suppose. Also, it's better than getting angry." Gaius laughs as he approaches and passes by, causing Merlin to smile and laugh as well. "Thanks!" He calls after his uncle. When the children run away to find more fruit, Gwen approaches. "I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." Gwen says, introducing herself." "Right. I'm Merlin." Merlin says, awkwardly holding out one of his hands for Gwen to shake. "Although, most people just call me Idiot." Merlin joked. "No, no, no. I saw what you did. It was so brave." She cooed. Merlin shook his head. "It was stupid." He said. "Well, I'm glad you walked away." Gwen laughs. "You weren't going to beat him." Merlin snorted. "Oh, I...I can beat him." "You think?" Gwen asked, tilting her head slightly. "Because you don't look like one of these big, muscle-y kind of fellows." Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Thanks." He said in a flat voice. "No! No, I'm sure you're stronger than you look." Gwen said, backtracking quickly. "It's just, erm...Arthur's one of these real rough, tough, save the world kind of men, and...well..." "What?" Merlin asked. "You don't look like that." Merlin motions for her to move closer before looking around and whispering, "I'm in disguise."
Current Gwen looked over at current Merlin for a moment. "You really were, weren't you?" She murmured. Gwen looks confused for a moment before she started laughing, Merlin joining in a moment later. "Well, it's great you stood up to him." "What? You think so?" Merlin asks. Gwen nods. "Arthur's a bully, and everyone thought you were a real hero." She said, her tone of voice showing she was very impressed.
"Aww, look at you two flirting. It's so cute." Gwaine teased.
Gwen shot a look at her husband's face while Merlin looked everywhere else, trying not to meet Arthur's eyes. "Oh, yeah?" Merlin asked, looking happier. Gwen nodded and smiled. "Mm-hmm." As the children approach with more rotten fruit, Merlin got Gwen's attention. "Oh, excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting." He said, pointing behind her. Gwen quickly turned and left before Merlin was pelted once more with fruit. Back in Gaius' quarters, Merlin is sitting at the table. "Do you want some vegetables with that?" Gaius asks, pushing a bowl towards him. Merlin laughed before looking up at him. "I know you're still angry with me." Merlin said. Gaius just replied, "Your mother asked me to look after you." Merlin nodded and poked at the food in front of him. "Yes." He said. Gaius fixed Merlin with a studying stare. "What did your mother say to you about your gifts?" "That I was special." Merlin shrugged, going back to picking at his food. Gaius nodded his agreement. "You are special. The likes of which I have never seen before."
"Really? How so?" Arthur asked. Merlin just waved at the memories. Merlin looked up, interested and hoping to find something out about his powers. "What do you mean?" He asked. Gaius took a deep breath before saying, "Well, magic requires incantations, spells. It takes years to study. What I saw you do was...elemental, instinctive." "What's the point if it can't be used?" Merlin questioned. "That I do not know. You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin." Merlin gave his uncle an appraising glance. "Did you ever study magic?" He asked suddenly.
"Merlin!" Hunith exclaimed. Gaius sighed. "Uther banned all such work twenty years ago." "Why?" Merlin asked, looking confused. "People used magic for the wrong end at that time. It threw the natural order into chaos.
Merlin and Gaius shared a look. Arthur was going to find out the real reason eventually, and that probably wasn't going to be a pretty sight.
Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, even the dragons." "What? All of them?" Merlin asked, shocked. "There was one dragon he chose not to kill, kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle where no one can free it. Now, eat up. When you've finished, I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice." Gaius finished, picking at his stew.
Merlin walks up Spiral Stairway across the Balcony Corridor and enters Lady Helen's guest chamber. He puts the potion bottle on the vanity table and turns to leave when he notices the poppet and a special book.
"Snooping, are we?" Arthur said.
"I only snoop on those who deserve it. Besides, don't knock it. It's saved your life more than once." Merlin replied before falling silent.
Lady Helen walks across the Balcony Corridor when she stops and looks ahead of her with a curious glance. Merlin hears her coming and puts the book down, trying to cover up the evidence that he was snooping. As he turns to leave, Lady Helen enters the room. "What are you doing in here?" Lady Helen asked harshly, looking at the table behind him. "An...I, I was asked to deliver this." Merlin stutters, picking up the small medicine bottle he had left on the table. As he hands it to her, Mary's reflection is revealed in the half-covered mirror behind him. Not noticing the reflection in the mirror, Merlin hands her the bottle and then quickly leaves.
As Merlin walks through the lower town, he passes Arthur and his gang who are walking the opposite direction. Seeing Merlin pass by, Arthur turns to taunt him. "How's your knee-walking coming along?" Arthur yells after Merlin. Merlin just keeps walking and refuses to answer.
"Very good, don't let him get to you." Hunith nodded. "Aw, don't run away!" Arthur taunts. Merlin stopped in the middle of the road, but he doesn't turn around. "From you?" He asked.
"Oh, you shouldn't have stopped." Gwen said.
"I know, but it's just not in my nature to back down." Arthur sighed and said "Thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb." "Look, I've told you you're an ass." Merlin said as he turned around to face Arthur, "I just didn't realize you were a royal one."
"Ooooh, good one, Merlin!" Gwaine laughed, thumping Merlin on the back.
Noticing the men behind Arthur, Merlin adds, "Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy's men to protect you?" Arthur just laughed and took a step forward, "I could take you apart with one blow." Trying to brag and show this peasant his place. "I could take you apart with less than that." Merlin retorts, his voice full of confidence.
"You really could have, couldn't you?" Arthur asked softly.
Merlin nodded. "But I would never hurt you Arthur, you have to believe that." "Are you sure?" Arthur laughs. "Come on, then." "Fight." Merlin stares at him for a moment before takes off his jacket and throwing it to the side. " ...toying with him, then!" One of the knights behind Arthur says. He hands Arthur an extra mace. "Here you go." Arthur says, tossing the mace to Merlin. Merlin, true to form, drops it before bending to pick it off of the ground. "That a way." Arthur starts swinging his mace around, trying to look intimidating. "Come on, then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth." He brags. Merlin, unimpressed, just laughs and retorts, "Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?"
The knights all laughed. "I was wondering where that nickname came from." Elyan commented. Arthur gave him an incredulous look. "You can't address me like that." "I'm sorry. H-How long have you been training to be a prat, My Lord?" He asks, giving a wide and mocking bow.
Everyone except for Arthur burst out laughing at that one.
Arthur just gives a disconcerted grin before swinging the mace at Merlin's head, which he barely manages to avoid. "Come on then, Merlin! Come on!" Arthur taunts. Arthur backs Merlin into the market stalls and a crowd continues to gather to watch the two boys fight. Gaius hears the commotion and looks out the Physician's Chambers' window to see Merlin in trouble again. Merlin falls down into a pile of sacks with Arthur steadily gaining on him. "Ha-ha. You're in trouble now." Arthur laughs. "Oh God." Merlin moans, looking around for something to help him. His eyes fall on two hooks hanging, and with a flash of his eyes the mace gets tangled up in the hooks. After Arthur untangles it and continues moving forward, another flash of Merlin's eyes moves a box. Arthur steps into it and bangs his shin. "OW! Argh!" Arthur groans.
As Arthur begins to chase him again, Merlin tightens a rope on the ground, tripping Arthur. Merlin picks up the mace and starts swinging it at Arthur.
"I always wondered what happened during that fight. I made so many mistakes. You used magic on all that stuff, didn't you?"
Merlin nodded. "Are you mad?"
"Not really." Arthur shrugged slightly. "I think I understand why you would, and you didn't use it on me." "Do you want to give up?" Merlin shouts. "To you?" Arthur asks in disbelief. "Do you? Do you want to give up?" Merlin shouts again, bearing down on him with the mace.
Arthur backs up as Merlin advances, eventually catching his foot in a bucket and falling over backwards into a pile of sacks. Merlin, thrilled by his victory, spots Gaius in the crowd and pauses in the fight.
"Never take your eye off of your opponent!" The knights all say.
Using the advantage, Arthur attacks him from behind with a broom, knocking him to the ground and then sweeps the ground towards him. Guards begin to pick up Merlin when Arthur stops them. "Wait." Arthur says, making the guards pause for a moment. "Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one." After giving him a critical look for a moment, he says, "There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it."
"I think that might be the magic, princess." Gwaine said.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Gwaine." He said sarcastically.
Merlin throws open the door to the Physicians Chambers, followed closely by a fuming Gaius. "How could you be so foolish?" Gaius yells once the door has closed. Merlin's hands formed fists as he answered in a guarded tone. "He needed to be taught a lesson." "Magic must be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks!" Gaius admonished. "What is there to master?" Merlin exclaimed, rounding on his uncle. "I could move objects like that before I could talk!" "Then, by now, you should know how to control yourself!" "I don't want to! If I can't use magic, what have I got? I'm just a nobody, and I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die."
All eyes turned to the Current Merlin at the Past Merlin's declaration. Merlin just avoided their eyes, knowing what was coming next.
"You are never a nobody, Merlin. Even when we didn't know about your magic, you still weren't a nobody." Gwen said firmly. The knights all nodded their agreement.
"Thanks, everybody." Merlin said softly.
With that declaration, Merlin walks off towards his room and slams the door. A moment later Gaius follows carrying his medicine basket.
Looking at the form of Merlin lying dejectedly across his bed, Gaius sighed. "Merlin? Sit up. Take your shirt off."
Without a word, Merlin sat up on his bed and slipped off his shirt, revealing the bruises left behind by the mace.
Angry glares were all aimed at Arthur. "I didn't know he was even hurt!" Arthur exclaimed.
"That doesn't matter. You need to be more careful, Arthur Pendragon!" Gwen exclaimed, giving him one of her angry stares. At times, they could even rival the "Gaius Eyebrow" in intensity.
"Of course, Guinevere." Arthur said, giving her a smile and squeezing her hand. "You don't know why I was born like this, do you?" Merlin asked softly. "No." Gaius admitted as he tended to Merlin's wounds. "I'm not a monster, am I?" Merlin asked, his tone joking but his face serious.
Everyone went silent at Past Merlin's words.
"You don't really believe that, do you Merlin?" Gwen asked, her eyes slightly watering in compassion.
"We may not have been inside the borders of Camelot, but Uther's hatred and prejudice of magic spread far beyond his borders." Merlin explained. "Many times when I was younger people called me a demon child, or devil spawn. For something I had no choice in or control over." Merlin's voice grew more melancholy towards the end. "After hearing that for over half of my life, I guess a part of me started to believe it."
Gwen walked over and gave him a hug. "You are not a monster, Merlin. Even if you have magic, you are one of the kindest people that I know!"
Merlin returned the hug with a small smile. "Thank you, Gwen. I really appreciate that."
Gaius grabbed his shoulder and forced Merlin to face him. "Don't ever think that." He said in a deadly serious tone. "Then why am I like this?" Merlin asked desperately. "Please, I need to know why." "Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me."
"Yes, there is." Merlin laughed. "If you can't tell me, no one can." Merlin replied.
"Yes, there is." Gaius poured a small amount of a potion into a tiny cup. "Take this. It will help with the pain." He said, before leaving Merlin alone to his thoughts.
Uther and Lady Helen were eating together, with only a servant helping to serve them dinner. "Will you sing for me tonight?" Uther asked. "You will have to wait, Sire." She replied in a teasing voice. "You will not deny me." Uther said in a disappointed tone. "I am saving myself for my performance tomorrow. Will everyone be there?"
"Does anyone else think that all this flirting is kind of sickening?" Gwaine asked.
"Yeah, but it's definitely better than the troll." Merlin laughed, although he shut up at the look on Arthur's face.
"Wait, what about a troll? Why haven't I heard about that story before?" Gwaine insisted.
"You'll see it later, Gwaine." Merlin informed him. "Who would dare to miss it?" "How about your son?" Lady Helen asked, reaching for some of the food. "Well..." "It seems a shame not to have met him." "That's Arthur." Uther said dismissively. "Poor child." Lady Helen murmured. "Hmm?" "Poor child." The Lady spoke louder. "It can't have been easy to, to grow up without a mother." "No." Uther agreed. "Hmm. That bond between mother and son, it's so hard to replace." Lady Helen's voice became slightly bitter.
"Seriously, it's so obvious from this point of view. How exactly did your father miss that?" Elyan asked. "Hasn't been easy." Admitted Uther "I'm sure." Lady Helen agreed. She gave him a broad smile and Uther smiles back. "Perhaps if you found someone...If you remarried." Lady Helen said, laughing brightly. "I'm sure you'd have the pick of any maiden in the kingdom."
Merlin snickered again. "Well, perhaps I'll find love again. But I'm afraid it's too late to replace Arthur's mother." Lady Helen's voice took on a knowing and ominous tone. "Yes. It's certainly too late for Arthur."
"Seriously!" Elyan exclaimed, "She's obviously evil!"
As Merlin is laying in bed that night, he hears his name once again called. Merlin. Merlin.
"Okay, what is that?" Arthur asked.
"It's more of a who, than a what." Merlin replied mysteriously. Finally deciding to see what it was that was calling him, Merlin sneaks out of his room, pausing briefly to adjust Gaius' covers. He headed through the castle, crossing the courtyard, before making his way deep into the bowels of the castle as his name was called once again. Merlin descends the Wrought Iron Stairway and sees the pair of guards sitting at a table. Wanting to get them out of the way, He distracts them by rolling their dice off the table and into a nearby corridor. While the guards chased the dice, Merlin grabs a torch, lights it, and heads down the Tunnel Stairway.
"No wonder people keep breaking in and out of the dungeons if the guards are that easily distracted." Leon muttered.Merlin.
Merlin.
As he came to the bottom of the staircase, the passageway opened into a enormous cavern. As Merlin looks around, laughter rebounds from all around him.
"Where are you?" Merlin yells. As he watches, the Great Dragon flies in to land on a large outcropping of rock in front of Merlin. "I'm here." The dragon assured him, before looking over him with a critical eye. "How small you are for such a great destiny."
The knights eyes grew wide. "The dragon can talk?"
"Wait, what great destiny?" Arthur asked.
"Just watch!" Merlin said, exasperated. Merlin's eyes grew wide. "Why? What do you mean? What destiny?" He asked. "Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason." "So there is a reason." Merlin breathed. "Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion." The dragon announced.
"Wait, I'm what now?" Arthur asked, looking overwhelmed. "Right." Merlin said, not wanting the dragon to know he had no idea what it was talking about. "But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike."
"Unfortunately.." Arthur muttered, thinking of Morgana "I don't see what this has to do with me." "Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion."
"Seriously?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah." Merlin shook his head vigorously. "No. No, you've got this wrong." The dragon stared at him with an impassive gaze. "There is no right or wrong, only what is and what isn't." "But I'm serious!" Merlin argued, throwing his hands in the air in frustration. "If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand."
"Oi!" Arthur exclaimed, giving Merlin a hard look.
"Sorry! But in my defense, you were a totally and complete prat in those days. Actually, you still kind of are." Merlin added.
"Idiot!"
"Clotpole!"
Both men started laughing. Nothing had changed there, then. The dragon laughed. "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin, and none of us can escape it." Merlin just shook his head. "No. No way. No. No. There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot." "Perhaps it's your destiny to change that." The dragon said mysteriously, before flying off. "Wait! Wait! Wait, stop! No, I, I need to know more!" Merlin shouted after the dragon, but it was no use.
"Bloody annoying dragon." Merlin mutters.
When Gaius walks into Merlin's room the next morning, clothes are everywhere. "Hoy!" He exclaims, shocking Merlin awake. "Have you seen the state of this room?" Merlin shrugged his shoulders and gave his best innocent look. "It just happens." He said. "By magic?" asked Gaius, unbelieving. "Yeah." Merlin replied, obviously lying.
"Your still a terrible liar, mate." Gwaine laughed. "Yes. Well, you can clear it up without magic. And then I want you to get me some herbs: henbane, wormwood, and sorrel. And deliver this to Morgana. Poor girl's suffering from nightmares." He hands Merlin the medicine as he walks out, and tosses some of the clothes at Merlin's head for good measure. "Mmm, I know the feeling." Merlin muttered. Merlin enters the open door to Morgana's chambers, just in time to see her disappear behind a changing screen. "You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole.
"The feelings mutual, Morgana." Arthur mutters. Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?"
Everyone laughs while Merlin blushes.
Merlin hesitantly grabs the dress and passes it over the changing screen. "I mean, the man's a total jouster." Morgana continued. "And just because I'm the King's ward, that doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it?" When she hears no answer, she asks, "Well, does it?" "Mm-Mmm." Merlin answered in a high pitched voice, shaking his head. "If he wants me to go, then he should invite me, and he hasn't." Merlin looks around, trying to figure a way out of his situation.
Unknown to him, the group of people from his future were all laughing their heads off at Merlin's predicament. "So do you know what that means?" "Mm-Mmm." Merlin answers in a high pitched voice once again. "Where are you?" Morgana asks, peeking over the screen. "Here." Merlin answered in a high pitched voice, hiding behind one of Morgana's cloaks. Once she goes back to changing, Merlin peeks through the neck of the cloak.
"I was right, Merlin. You do make a good girl." Arthur teased, earning another round of laughter at the blush creeping up on Merlin's cheeks. "It means I'm going by myself." Merlin puts the cloak down and starts to leave. "I need some help with this fastening." Morgana calls out, stopping Merlin in his tracks. At a loss for what to do, Merlin turns around and stops. Gwen enters unseen behind him. "Gwen?" Morgana calls. "I'm here." Gwen replies. Merlin whirls around to see her standing behind him. "What are you doing here?" Gwen mouthed. Merlin sighs in relief, and quickly motions that Morgana needs help dressing. "Oh." Gwen mouths. Gwen nods. Merlin mouths something to Gwen before he leaves and she helps Morgana. Morgana comes out behind the screen in a new dress, carrying another gown. "So, it's whether I wear this little tease..." She said, admiring the dress in a mirror before holding up another gown, "...or give them a night they'll really remember."
A knock sounds at the door, which opens to a serving girl carrying a bowl of fruit. "Come in." Lady Helen waved. She picked up an apple from the bowl and sat at her vanity table. "So sweet. How will I ever repay him?" She said, sounding thoughtful.
"Lady Helen." She said, curtsying and holding out the fruit. "Compliments of the King."
"How about by not trying to kill his son?" Merlin mutters. "When he hears you sing. Well, that will be more than enough won't it? I'm really looking forward to the performance." The young serving girl said, starting to clean up around the room. "So am I." Lady Helen agreed in a more sinister tone.
"Yep. Definitely evil." "I love singing, you know." The serving girl began to babble as she cleans up and organizes the room. "I sing all the time. My betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel." When she picks up the cloth covering the mirror, the true face of Lady Helen is seen. The serving girl tries to leave, but the witch grabbed her arm and sucked the life from her, leaving her pale and cold.
Gwen gasped. "That poor girl!" Merlin and Gaius enter the great hall, and immediately Merlin spies Arthur and is friends at the far end. They were all laughing. "...Merlin..." The knights laugh, and the prince says, "...so I stood up and..." Arthur feints a punch into one of his mate's stomach. They laugh. Arthur turns and does a double take as Morgana walks into his line of sight. All the men stare. "God have mercy." Arthur whispered.
Everyone laughs at Arthur's expression. "I didn't know she was my sister back then!" Arthur defended his past self. Merlin stares at Morgana as she passes him. Gaius, noticing the object of Merlin's staring, nudges him. "Merlin. Remember, you're here to work." "Oh, yeah." Merlin continues to stare at Morgana as Arthur approaches to talk to her. Gwen sidles up next to Merlin. "She looks great, doesn't she?" Gwen says. "Yeah." Merlin readily agrees. "Some people are just born to be queen." Gwen sighs.
"No!" Everyone exclaims. "Never again." Arthur shuddered, thinking of both times Morgana had managed to conquer Camelot. Neither had been pretty. "No!" Merlin exclaims, turning to look at Gwen. "I hope so. One day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"
That earned a round of snickers as Gwen blushed furiously. Merlin chuckled. "Oh, come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men." He said, pouring a drink. "No, I like much more ordinary men like you." Gwen disagreed. Merlin gave a half smile at the irony of her statement. "Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary." He said.
"I've never had the chance to be." Merlin added sadly. "No, I didn't mean you, obviously." Gwen said, trying to backtrack. "Not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men like you." Merlin looked at her for a moment before he answered "Thanks." In a tone that said he wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not.
"Awkward!" Gwaine laughed. Awkward, both people turn away.
Humming, Lady Helen walks out of her chamber past the dead body of the poor serving girl.
As the guests began to seat themselves, Uther got up to speak. "We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity.
At that statement, Merlin snorted, but kept quiet.
It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honor of introducing Lady Helen of Mora." The guests applaud as the music begins and Lady Helen stands up to take her place. As she begins to sing, the members of the audience slowly begin nodding off to sleep. Merlin notices what is happening and clamps his hands over his ears.
"Why is it that only Merlin puts his hand over his ears?" Percival asked.
"Because my magic protected me, so I wasn't as affected as everyone else. So I was able to recognize what was going on. Luckily I could or Arthur wouldn't be here right now."
Not noticing that Merlin is still awake, Lady Helen stalks forward, her full attention on the sleeping Prince Arthur as she pulls out a dagger from her sleeve. Merlin magically drops the chandelier on her as she raises her arm to throw the dagger.
"Nice thinking, Merlin!" Gwaine applauded
When the song stops, the members of the court awaken to see that Lady Helen is no more than the witch Mary Collins. With the last of her strength, Mary hurls the dagger at Prince Arthur. Merlin slows down time and manages to pull him out of harm's way. The dagger plowing inches into the wooden chair, exactly where Arthur's heart would have been if he had still been standing there.
"If you hadn't been so quick, I would be dead right now." Arthur said, looking slightly amazed.
With a groan, Mary dies, while Uther and Arthur stare in amazement at Merlin.
"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid." Uther said. "Oh, well..."
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded." "No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness." Merlin tried to argue. "No, absolutely." Uther insisted. "This merits something quite special." Merlin perked up at the sound of that. "Well..." Uther's face brightens as he comes up with an idea. "You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant." He decides, clapping Arthur on the back before walking away. The entire court starts clapping. "Father!" Arthur complains. Arthur and Merlin look away from each other unhappily.
"You both looked so happy about that." Gaius observed wryly.
Merlin looked over to see Arthur standing off to the side, a look of deep concentration on his face, like he was working through a problem. Merlin decided to just leave him alone for the moment. Gaius knocks on Merlin's chamber door and enters, carrying a package covered in red fabric. Merlin is sitting at the table, staring at the single candle. "Seems you're a hero." Gaius says as he enters. Merlin laughed once. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" "No." Gaius disagrees with a smile. "I knew it from the moment I met you. When you saved my life, remember?" Merlin looks confused. "But...that was magic." Gaius nods, and says "And now, it seems, we finally found a use for it." "What do you mean?" "I saw how you saved Arthur's life."
"How come nobody else noticed?" Leon asked.
"Maybe they just didn't realize what they were looking at." Merlin suggested. "Oh, no." Merlin tries to argue, but Gaius overrides his argument. "Perhaps that's its purpose. Merlin sighs as he looks back at the candle. "My destiny." He mutters. "Indeed." Gaius agreed. Handing the package he was holding to Merlin, he explains, "This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." Unwrapping the cloth, Merlin sees the leather cover of a book. Unlatching it, he begins to flip through the pages. "But this is a book of magic." Gaius nods. "Which is why you must keep it hidden." "I will study every word." Merlin vows, a giant grin on his face.
"How did you keep that book hidden?" Leon asked, incredulous. "Your chambers have been searched several times for claims of sorcery."
"Under my floorboards." Merlin shrugged. Knocking at the door interrupts their conversation. "Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you right away." A guard calls. Gaius nods his head towards the door. "Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants."
The world swirled around them, and they found themselves once again in the cave.
"I don't know if I'll ever get used to that." Gwaine complained, stretching his arms above his head.
"All right then." Ella joyful voice rang out. "Are you ready for the next memory?"
"Wait." Arthur's voice called out. "I need to speak with Merlin for a moment." A look of hard determination had come over his feature; leading Merlin to believe he had made a decision.
"Of course." Ella replied with a small bow. "Let me know whenever you are ready."
As a determined Arthur dragged him towards a corner of the cavern, Merlin started to worry slightly. It was obvious he had something important to tell him, but what was that message going to mean for their future?
For the future of Albion?
A/N: Episode 1, done. Phew, that was a ton of typing! This was 31 pages on word! FYI, in the future, chapters will most likely (or at least hopefully lol) not be quite this long. I also probably (ok definitely) will not get them up this fast. But I promise to do the best that I can
Also, I have a question for you all. I was planning on just doing a chapter per episode, but would it be easier to read if I started doing them as 2 or 3 parts per episode? Please review and let me know. If I don't hear anything, I'll just keep writing them the way this one is.
Let me know if there are any questions or suggestions, or if you think the characters are to OOC. Like I said in the first chapter, this is my first fanfiction, so I'm trying to avoid that, but it can be hard when the characters are put under a ton of pressure, or suddenly overwhelmed. Anyways, Please review and let me know what you think!
Until the next chapter!