Chapter 2: Emrys & Arthur
At first glance the lower town seemed to be the same, busy, bustling place that Merlin knew so well, and yet there were differences here that he initially found hard to pinpoint. The people all seemed a little noisier, he might even have said happier, if it wasn't for the expressions on some people's faces. It wasn't the nervousness, fear or despondency that was now so common in his Camelot but just a strange sadness – perhaps a sense of loss that was being displayed by some. Could that really be to do with the weak magic in this world? Did not having it around effect ordinary people too? If that was the case, then why did so many of the citizens here actually seem more relaxed and carefree than normal?
Already, Merlin was trying to work out what would have happened if there had been no magic in Camelot in recent years and the answer came to him very quickly. Despite not liking the idea personally, it would obviously mean that there would have been far fewer magical attacks on the King and his city and, as a result, an awful lot less executions. That could perhaps explain the more relaxed attitude here?
There were other things that just seemed slightly off here too, but Merlin was struggling to work anything out at the moment. There was something else missing, he thought, something other than the comforting feeling of his magic, but he couldn't at the moment grasp what it was. As he approached the main gatehouse into the palace, he was distracted by a young couple kissing passionately in broad daylight and blushed furiously at the sight. He looked around to see if others were as shocked as him but it appeared not. Most were just ignoring this outrageous behaviour, with a couple of passers-by even calling out a few crude words of encouragement.
He turned back to the town then and looked again to try and find the elusive differences and re-examined his recent description of these people as 'carefree'. That did seem to describe what he'd observed so far. The idea that the people here cared less about what anyone thought about them, and their manners were rather less pronounced and thoughtful than he was used to. It seemed such a tiny thing, so difficult to even describe, that he would have dismissed the idea completely if not for the constant, nagging, feeling of grief he was experiencing from not having his beloved magic course strongly through his body as it usually did.
As Merlin walked into the main square he was suddenly over come with the most powerful sense of deja vu. It might be hard to access his magic in this world, but it had not gone completely, nor had his extra magical sense – something he'd been developing quite rapidly over the last few years. Despite his earlier guess that there would be less executions, he had suddenly felt convinced that he was going to see Uther on the balcony ordering the beheading of Thomas Collins. The feeling had been so strong, that he found himself genuinely surprised to find no scaffolding in the centre of the square as he entered, and no King Uther standing on the balcony overseeing it. It was an odd thought to have had anyway, seeing as that had all happened five years ago in a completely different Camelot. Instead, he was greeted by a large gathering within the square with many people making their way forwards to some long tables set out like stalls at the far end.
"Ah, what's going on?" Merlin asked a young man with sandy hair as he joined a small crowd waiting patiently.
"There are new jobs going in the castle," the lad replied with an excited smile, "and you know how great it is being a Camelot servant nowadays?"
"That's very funny," Merlin said with a loud laugh. He quickly noting his companion's confused and serious face and his smile instantly faded. "Honestly?"
"Yes, well paid, not especially long hours – even if you are lucky enough to get an established second job."
"Two jobs? Right ..." He could barely cope with one. Although, he supposed he'd never really had just one job at Camelot, in fact it was more like three; Gaius' assistant, Prince's servant ... Destiny's slave. He smiled grimly at that last thought.
"Never mind the extra benefits if you get really lucky," a young lady - little more than a girl - joined in the conversation, her voice quiet and excited. "They say that Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana themselves are looking for new servants."
"Really?" Merlin asked curiously, wondering what was happening to Gwen in this world.
"I mean ... Prince Arthur ..." the young girl next to him breathed with a forlorn sigh. "He is so handsome. If only ..."
Merlin tried hard not to laugh. "I was actually hoping for a job as a physician," he said, showing them his herb bag. "Do you think that job might be going too?" Probably best not to usurp their Merlin's job. He shook his head as the thought, starting to realise why Dragoon had suggested the alternative name. So, he was now Emrys. Right. He had to admit that he'd never really felt comfortable with the name and its connotations and knew that it was going to take a lot of getting used to.
So, where was Merlin? Had he also come to Camelot five years ago, or had circumstances ensured he'd stayed back at Ealdor? How in the world was he going to explain his presence here if they did happen to meet?
"Well, a job as Physician is nowhere near as prestigious as that of servant, of course," the young man was continuing, Merlin trying and probably failing not to look amused by the comment, "but I hear their current one is quite old, and I've not heard of him having any help recently, so I suppose you would have a much better chance of getting that job."
"Is his name Gaius?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, that sounds right."
"I know him a little, couldn't I just go into the palace and ask for him?"
"Oh no," said the girl, shaking her head wildly. "Security's very tight and you can't get in without a Band or a letter."
"Which, of course, I had five years ago," Merlin thought, "Not that I would ever have described my Camelot's security as 'tight'".
"Sorry, Band?" He asked out loud.
"If you're not nobility, you can't get into the castle without one," the young man explained, pointing to a plain, red piece of cloth that had been rolled onto his right arm. "We're all out here to be asked a few basic questions about our abilities, then, if they think we show promise, we can go into the Great Hall for the final part of the interview."
Which turned out to be a very easy pass for Merlin, armed as he was with an impressive medical bag stuffed full of healing herbs and more than enough knowledge to convince the man in front of him that he knew what he was talking about. He was then given the very same red Band to put on his arm, and escorted into the Palace along with a number of other hopeful applicants.
He'd lost track of his two new 'friends' during this process, but soon found himself in the Great Hall, unable to note any particular differences to the one he knew from home. Inside, everyone was being moved around and grouped, whilst various Lords and Ladies, many of which Merlin recognised, were wandering casually around and talking to the various applicants. It was all very strange, Merlin thought, and he'd seen nothing like it in all his time in his Camelot.
"Our physician is a little busy with a small outbreak of sickness," the man in front of him was saying, "but I admit that I hadn't been informed that he was looking for an apprentice right now. However, seeing how much work the old boy has, and how knowledgeable you obviously are already, I will certainly get a message to him for you."
"Ah, yes. Thank you," said Merlin, slightly distracted as his eyes constantly scanned the room for anyone else he recognised.
A very familiar, confident laugh, had him turn quickly with a smile to see Arthur striding into the hall with a group of young men that were so familiar that Merlin almost reeled from the co-incidence. Wasn't that the same little gang that the Prince used to hang around with five years ago? In his world, two of those young men were now dead from the various attacks they'd suffered and another had moved away shortly after he'd married but, here they were, still alive and well and - Merlin frowned as he looked more closely at them - Honestly not looking a day older than when he'd first arrived here.
Something else Dragoon had said started to prey on his mind then, but the thought quickly disappeared as he saw another sight which was, unfortunately, also familiar in his Camelot. There was a shadowy presence moving towards Arthur with an intent that Merlin knew very well indeed, and he'd been the Prince's secret body guard for far too long not to recognise such a threat. It was unlikely he'd have enough magic to call upon at such short notice here and so he could only do what any 'normal' person would do in this situation. Merlin instantly started to run towards the Prince, shouting as he did so.
"Arthur! Attack – left!" As suspected, years of training and sharp reflexes had the Prince act instinctively, his sword out of his scabbard as the young man reacted to block the blow that was heading for his back. The hall broke out in shouts and screams but, after a couple of easy parries by the Prince, several guards ran forward and the man was overpowered and bundled off.
Arthur sheathed his sword and turned towards Merlin with a curious look. Casting another glance at his friends, he strode purposely towards him and Merlin almost gasped again as he became aware of various subtle differences between his friend and the young man currently standing in front of him.
"Are you alright, Arthur?" he asked automatically as he came closer. The Prince frowned.
"Do I know you?"
"Ah, I'm … Emrys," he said holding out a hand.
"So, I don't know you."
"Ah no." Merlin tried not to grin as he remembered this was much the same as their very first conversation in his Camelot.
"And yet you called me by my name," the Prince continued. Oh, this was really too easy but, if he continued with this game, he'd end up in the dungeons, so perhaps it was time to back down.
"My apologies, Sire, I was just concerned for your safety." He bowed, but kept his eye fixed on Arthur's, letting him see his lack of total subservience.
"Ooh, are you choosing this one?" Merlin stood back up straight with a start on hearing the familiar voice, suddenly on high alert as he turned to face Morgana, his heart pounding with a strange mixture of nerves, fear and the usual twisted excitement he experienced nowadays whenever he was around her.
"'This' was hardly likely to be my first choice," said Arthur waving an arm in Merlin's direction, "but he did just save my life and so maybe I should give him a trial as a reward."
"Well, you see, I actually came here to ..." Merlin started to explain.
"I'm specifically looking for a squire," Arthur continued. "Someone to look after my horse, tend to my armour and prepare me for hunting and tournaments. Do you have any experience in these duties?"
"Yes, five years," Merlin replied automatically.
"Really, you don't look old enough," said Morgana and he turned back to look at her and nearly gasped. Despite having quickly decided that this Arthur was not 'his', the Morgana standing in front of him brought back far more pleasant memories. This was the bright, beautiful, carefree Princess that he'd fallen totally and hopelessly in love with when he'd first arrived. The look she gave him was open and relaxed and there wasn't a hint of the distrust, disappointment and hate that she usually threw in his direction. Despite that, Merlin still stayed on high alert as he, more than anyone else in this world, knew exactly what this woman was capable of given the right circumstances.
He nodded his head in a slight bow to her, grateful for any excuse not to have to look into those confusing green eyes. "I started my first job fairly young, my lady," he replied. "but, in truth, I came to Camelot to seek work as physician's apprentice."
"Oh, Arthur, he's so adorable," Morgana declared in such an unfamiliar tone, that Merlin jolted up to attention again and stared at her. "You just have to take him on and then I can return the favour that you so generously agreed to in regards to my dear Gwen." Merlin again started at the familiar name and noticed Arthur quickly colour. The Prince gave Morgana a subtle nod, acknowledging her comment.
"Not that this is exactly the same thing," he said, gesturing towards Merlin.
"Oh, I don't know, have you not seen the looks the older women of the Court are already throwing in his direction?" She moved closer to Arthur and whispered, "and you know that he's exactly Lord Gerald's type." Arthur visibly winced.
"Tell me, Emrys, do you come from Camelot?" The Prince asked.
"Ah no, Sire, from Ealdor?" Arthur shook his head. "A little village on the edge of Cenred's kingdom."
"Really? So, you won't be familiar with Camelot's unique ways and customs then?"
"Ah …?"
"And you're not yet married?"
"Married? No Sire." He knew he'd turned pink, confused at such an unexpected question.
"You see?" Morgana pushed. "As your squire he'd be protected a little anyway, and then I can ensure that he's kept safe and happy at all other times." Merlin shook his head, admitting he was now totally confused.
"Alright, I'll give him a trial, see how much he really does know and then … well, if it doesn't work out, I can give him to Gaius and there's no reason why you can't offer him a certain amount of protection if you still think he's worth it."
"Perfect, thank you, Arthur." She walked closer to Merlin, smiling as if she'd been awarded some great honour. "He really is quite wonderful." She ran a finger down his cheek and he shuddered at the touch, causing her to giggle. "You're blushing … how sweet. What was your name again?"
"Emrys, my lady."
"How unusual. I'm the Lady Morgana and I'll be seeing you again very soon. She suddenly held out a hand and pushed a piece of red and black fabric into his hand with a large smile. Then she looked him up and down in such a suggestive way that Merlin was quite unable to stop himself from blushing yet again. "I admit that I'm really looking forward to that."
"Morgana, behave," said Arthur, grabbing Merlin's arm and pulling him along with him. "Remember you said you were to return the favour and keep him safe?"
"Really, and tell me, Arthur, are you still holding true to that promise?" she asked tartly.
"I protected her when she was younger and I expect you to do that same with Emrys here," he replied, now also obviously embarrassed.
"Spoilsport," she retorted and with a light giggle, turned towards some of the ladies. "Oh this will be such fun, they're all going to be so jealous." She looked back at Merlin with a smile. "You should put that one on your left arm," she continue pointing at the fabric. He looked at Arthur confused and the Prince nodded again, handing him yet another armband, this one red and gold.
"And this one will replace your visitor's Band. That way you're protected by both of us."
"Ah, protected from what, Arthur?" Merlin asked casually and the Prince turned to him with a glare.
"You really aren't from around here, are you? In Camelot it's customary to show some respect to your superiors."
"From what I've seen you get too much of that already," Merlin retorted as he put the second Band on his right arm. "It strikes me that you really don't need another boot-licker in your life. I think you could do with a servant that will tell you the truth – one that doesn't treat you differently just because you're royalty."
"Do you now?" Arthur asked with a very familiar threatening tone in his voice. Merlin smiled as he recognised it.
"Yup, and luckily for you, I am just such a person."
"That much is very obvious. So, Emrys, how about you start your trial by showing me how good you are at mucking out my personal stables?" The Prince continued with a familiar smirk.
"Some things are obviously the same in every universe," Merlin grumbled under his breath as he headed off without even bothering to ask for directions.
XoxOxox
The stables were a little different in this world, Merlin noticed. Here the Prince had a personal stable for his favourite horse and, according to the grooms, Merlin's only job ordinarily was to care for the horse and check the tack. When he explained the mucking out part, the young men look confused and said that job had been done already, but he was welcome to repeat the task if he felt they hadn't done it well enough. Merlin smiled as he remembered the grooms at home also showing such offence at him usurping one of their jobs initially, before they realised that it was the Prince's own favourite punishment for his servant and something that they had to learn to accommodate.
However, as this personal stable was so much smaller than the one at home, Merlin found the task much easier and more pleasant than usual and spent the rest of the time familiarising himself with the equipment and doing a few other tasks that he assumed now probably fell into his job description as 'squire'. He shook his head again at this fairly significant job difference and wondered whether he would be required him to clean his master's chambers or fetch him his meals.
"Ah, hello, are you Prince Arthur's new squire?" Merlin looked up with a broad smile at the familiar voice, but quickly stopped himself from calling her by name.
"Yes, hello, I'm … Emrys." That really was going to take a lot of getting used to.
"I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen, I'm the Lady Morgana's maid."
"It's good to meet you, Gwen. How do you like working for Morgana?"
"Oh, it's great. She's wonderful and so good to me." Merlin's eyes flicked to the arms of Gwen's dress to find her wearing the same two bands as he was; for the first time noticing that the one on her right arm looked a little like the Blood Guard symbol that Morgana had used the previous year in his world, and frowning at this less then pleasant comparison.
"Yes, she did seem very fond of you when she mentioned you earlier," Merlin continued.
"S-she mentioned me?" Gwen stammered.
"Something about a favour that Arthur did for her in regards to you?"
"Oh, that. Well, it was very good of both of them. I was so nervous about it … you know at that time … that age. Well, you hear such horror stories as a servant, don't you?"
"Ah ... yes?" Merlin replied with a weak smile, realising that he was totally lost again.
"And Morgana seems very taken with you," Gwen continued.
"Apparently," he replied, pulling a face.
"Oh, don't worry, she's not as bad as you might think. I mean, she can be a little forthright sometimes, perhaps she came on a little strong initially?"
"Just a little."
"But that's just her way, she's a good heart and she treats all her servants well, as does Arthur."
"That's … that's good to know," said Merlin. He would have loved to have taken this opportunity to ask Gwen a few very specific questions at this point and find out what he had missed but, to be honest, he had no idea where to even start. He supposed he was just going to have to play along and get the answers that way. That or find the opportunity to talk to the Gaius here or … the Dragon. Was Kilgharrah around in this world? How would he have been affected by this world's weak magic? Was his father still alive here? What about Will and Freya?
Too many questions.
With a heavy sigh, Merlin got back to work.
xoxOxox
"Yes, Emrys, what is it?" Arthur asked in a bored tone as he entered the Prince's chambers later that evening. The blond had obviously just finished eating and Merlin looked around rather confused.
"I … well, I mucked out the stables, groomed your horse, checked the tack and polished your armour. There were a few worn leather straps which I replaced and so then I thought I'd better come back up here and ..."
"Wait, whoa there. You've done all of that? Already?"
"Ah, yes?" Merlin was used to having to do very much more than that normally, even if he was able to cheat rather more effectively at home than he was here.
"Without me even asking?"
"Well, you said that you wanted to see how well I knew the duties so, I thought..."
"Alright, I admit that you've impressed me with your initiative. Perhaps even enough to overlook your rambling and your complete lack of respect."
"Ah, thanks … I think. Was there anything else you needed? You've already eaten … have you bathed … do you need help …?"
"Goodness, you're a bit over-keen aren't you?" Arthur observed and Merlin struggled not to laugh at the comment. He wondered what his Arthur would say to that. "We don't work our servants that hard in Camelot, especially when they might have other duties to attend to."
"Such as …?" Arthur gave him such an amused look that Merlin suddenly found himself feeling very uncomfortable.
"Have you a sweetheart back home?" the Prince asked and Merlin jumped, surprised at the question.
"Ah, no."
"Ever had one?"
"Yes, but … she died almost three years ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Arthur was looking up at him with a little sympathy but still far too much humour in his eyes for Merlin's liking. "Are you still an innocent then?"
"What? What sort of question is that to ask me?"
"I'll take that as a yes then, shall I?"
"What has that got to do with … anything?" Merlin asked with a pout.
"It seems that Morgana was right about having to protect you." He turned suddenly serious. "Look, Emrys, Camelot is a little different to those places outside. We have our troubles, of course, and most of those can be traced back about twenty years to the Purge."
"Yes, of course." So that much was the same then.
"Well then, let's just say that the upshot of all of that is there are rather less rules about consorting with the opposite sex here." The Prince pulled a face. "Hell, there are just about no rules as far as relationships are concerned at all – opposite or otherwise."
"I'm still not quite following," said Merlin, although his mind instantly flicked back to that young couple he'd seen in the town earlier. Was that sort of thing actually allowed here? In public?
"I'm sure Morgana will fill you in later," Arthur said with a wince, apparently highly embarrassed about having this conversation with his servant. "Perhaps I should simply warn you to watch out for any advances that may be made to you from those that you might encounter around Camelot. If anyone asks you to do anything you don't want to, you should show them your Bands and remind them that you are servant to Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana and you'll quickly find you have no further trouble. Tell us if you do and we'll make sure the person in question is 'reminded' of your station here."
"Right … thank you. I think."
"So, you better be off then?"
"Off?"
"To see the Lady Morgana."
"Oh, alright." Merlin started to turn towards the door and then paused. "Ah, why?"
"Because your duties with me are finished for the night."
"Right? I was actually going to find Gaius at some point. You see, he knew my parents and so … I thought perhaps he could put me up for the night and ..."
"Good grief, Emrys, do I really have to spell it out for you?"
"What?"
"Go - and – see - Morgana."
"Alright, alright ..." He left the room shaking his head. "Prat ..." he muttered under his breath. "Really, what has Morgana got to do with anything? Is she in charge of servant accommodation or something? Oh, hello, Gwen."
"Good evening, Emrys. Morgana's wondering where you are," she said as she made her way towards Arthur's door, a large cloak wrapped around herself.
"Just on my way. What are you doing here at this time of the night?"
"That's very funny," she responded with a light laugh before knocking on Arthur's door and quickly entering. He stared at it for a long time, shaking his head.
"All right, I give up. What am I missing?"
With an exaggerated sigh, he walked down the familiar corridor outside Arthur's chambers and headed towards the stairs that lead up to Morgana's room. However, he'd only just made it a few paces when he found himself face to face with another familiar figure. Internally cursing, Merlin quickly dropped his head in a deep bow.
"Who are you, boy?" Uther asked, suddenly stopping in his tracks.
"Emrys, Sire."
"Why are you wearing those Bands?" Trust Uther to make it sound like he'd stolen them or something.
"Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana were kind enough to employ me into their service this morning, Sire" he answered as respectfully as he could.
"Morgana?" Uther asked, a certain amount of distaste obvious in his voice as he came closer and lifted Merlin's left arm up as if he didn't quite believe what he was seeing.
"Yes, Sire."
"Why?" Merlin found he was more amused than offended by this question.
"I wouldn't know, Sire."
"Head up, boy. Let me look at you." Merlin did as he was told, fighting with the usual sense of fear he always had around Uther, reminding himself that there was no magic ban, because the King assumed there was no magic at all. As such, his life was perfectly safe here and Uther would not consider him to be his enemy. He nervously held the King's gaze as he was looked up and down and studied like a prize stallion. "I must remember to talk to the pair of them about their strange taste in servants," he muttered and Merlin bowed his head in another bow, to hide the smile that was threatening.
"Well then boy, what are you waiting for? You won't be wearing that Band for long if you keep the Lady Morgana waiting," the King finished, whilst Merlin wondered, yet again, why everyone was telling him to go and see Morgana at such an uncivilised hour.
xoxOxox
A/N You get it, right? I mean this is an M rated Mergana fic, after all, so you do have a slight advantage over our sweet, innocent, Merlin. However, perhaps not everything's that obvious yet. What could have happened to make this world like this?
Thank you for all your early alerts and reviews. I'll be a little busy for the next few days and so I'll update this fic again next week. Happy Christmas to those of you who are celebrating.
22/12/11