AN: First of all, thank you so much for your responses! Over thirty follows! Wow!
I am so, so sorry for the extremely unacceptable hiatus. I have no excuses as to why this is so late in coming, but here it is! Chapter 2! Yay!
Disclaimer: I own Merlin... and NASA. and Bill Gates. Yep.
"But you could only achieve your destiny with my help. I believed in that destiny, and I still believe you will be a great king one day. If that means I have to follow you on your stupid hunting trips, protect your royal backside without recognition or thanks, or get chained up like any other magical beast, so be it. As long as it helps you become the king you were meant to be, and magic could return to the land to live in peace and harmony with all people, I'd be willing to die, experience the most painful of tortures, and bear the deepest of secrets. "
Arthur stared at Merlin, who paused, throat tensed up with loyalty and fierce pride and gaunt face as regal as the pearly dragon and just as wild. His eyes stayed dry, but Arthur's stung betrayingly. Merlin lifted his eyes from the floor where they had tilted and fixed them on his king, unwavering.
"How many times do I need to say it before it penetrates your incredibly thick skull, Arthur? I believe in you. And not just because some dragon told me to or because it's my destiny or yours: you are my best friend, and I'd be lost if I were not serving you."
The king stared at the ground.
Merlin's words echoed in his mind and Arthur vividly remembered every time the warlock offered such profound faith in him, in moments where he felt like all hope was lost. Merlin had brought him back from the brink.
How could he possibly believe this man could ever dream of betraying him? He gazed, but he didn't see the cave or Merlin. Ghosts, remnants of the past flickered around him. Whispered words, ancient secrets, new friends, old enemies. Lost faith, gained faith.
Take me up, cast me away.
A sword glimmered in a clearing. A new sword of ancient, forgotten, pseudo legend. He stood before it, unsure and afraid. A fear of failing, of dishonor, of responsibility.
A quiet voice echoed behind him.
"Arthur, you are the once and future king, destined to reunite the land of Albion."
Merlin's voice shook with devotion and steadfast earnestness. His eyes teared up.
"Have faith."
The vision faded and Arthur found himself fixed on Merlin. Steadfast, stubborn Merlin.
Something was caught in his throat. For what other reason did Arthur find nothing could come out when he opened his mouth to speak? Something must have been in his eyes too, because his cheeks were all wet.
He let out a gasp he didn't even know he had trapped in his throat, and half bowed, half collapsed at a similarly overcome warlock's feet. The stoic king's face was contorted beyond immediate recognition as he spoke.
"What kind of king and friend am I?"
"Arthur…"
"I ordered you killed! I let myself be blinded by Morgana's words and my prejudices taint my judgement. I'm the stupidest, bloody… prat in the world," he joked between gasps in a poor attempt to lighten the sobriety of the situation. Merlin tried to laugh, but Arthur's sorrow was too contagious. Thick sobs racked his whole body in an unkingly manner, grasping at Merlin's clothes like a shaking child would tug at a parent. Though at first Merlin just sat there awkwardly, as Arthur continued to gasp out apology after apology he pulled himself up.
Arthur glanced at him, hyperventilating a bit, and the warlock pulled him into a tight embrace, burying his grubby face into Arthur's shoulder. He let out a little sob of his own, but his spoke of relief, gratitude, and joy. Arthur had finally accepted him unconditionally.
"I forgive you, Arthur," he said, smiling though his friend couldn't see. "How could I not? I've made stupid mistakes too, and you're my best friend. Even if you're a clotpole. "
Arthur choked out a laugh.
They stood like that for a little bit, two of the most powerful men in all of history crying into each other.
Arthur was the first to pull away, rubbing madly at his eyes and nose, trying to manage a kingly stare but failing miserably.
"Merlin, don't mention this ever again."
"What, that you cried like a girl?" he grinned, finally letting his smile reach his eyes.
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Merlin, did I tell you that you stink?" he huffed, hiding a smile.
"Kind of hard to bathe in a cave, sire," said Merlin cheekily, throwing his arms behind his head so Arthur could get a full whiff.
The gesture jingled his chains, bringing Arthur's attention to them. His slight grin fell.
"And I had you chained like a beast," he said huskily. "Can you really not get out of those?"
Merlin shrugged.
"You were responsible for putting them on me, so I just acquiesced with your judgment and I haven't tried to get out…" he trailed off.
Arthur set his jaw, straightening his spine and crossing his arms.
"Merlin, I give you permission to break out of your shackles," the king stated authoritatively.
Merlin glanced at Arthur, wondering how the king would react, then stared at his wrists, eyes narrowing as the glowed gold. The chains responded, glittering with magic, but they did not break or melt off his wrists.
Arthur didn't react so much as raise an eyebrow.
"Did it not work?" he asked reluctantly.
Merlin turned to him.
"Oh, I wasn't trying to get them off yet. I was just examining them," he replied.
"Oh," Arthur said sheepishly.
As Merlin poked at the chains with his fingers and magic, he smiled.
"You know, it's pretty ironic that I'm chained up like this. I remember refusing to help the Great Dragon when he asked me to set him free from a similar position. He made me promise on my mother's life, you know," Merlin added nonchalantly.
"I'm sorry, Merlin," the king apologized again.
Merlin glanced at him.
"Sire, you're scaring me."
Arthur stared back, undaunted by the tease.
"Why do they call you Emrys? Where did that name come from?" he asked.
At the word "Emrys," Merlin's eyes shot up, losing their glow.
"My, uh, destiny," he said.
"And that is...?"
"Well... You're the Once and Future King, and I'm Emrys. Two sides of the same coin, or some rubbish like that. The old prophecies are always a bit daft," he replied wistfully, dismissing his bit as nothing.
"Was Morgana telling the truth when she called you 'the most powerful sorcerer on the earth?'" Arthur pressed.
"Well, yes. I probably am, if I'm being honest."
"Honesty is all I want from you," Arthur jested, then frowned.
"If I'm such a prat, why didn't you just make your own way? You're strong enough," he said, marveling at his own words that he would have had a laughing fit over a month ago. Merlin, strong? But here he was.
"That's not me, Arthur. You're the leader and decision maker. I'm just here to give you a little advice and save your sorry arse now and again," Merlin said after a pause, chuckling at the brief look of indignation on Arthur's face.
The king sobered, and sat on a rock, stiff knees popping.
"I don't know how I'm going explain to the council after everything that you're still Merlin. That your magic is good, not evil."
"This is something you have to do, Arthur. Freeing me is only the first step. You will find the words," he assured sagely, putting a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Rest now; take council tomorrow."
When Arthur looked as if he were going to protest, Merlin made a face.
"For now, don't worry about me."
Only after Merlin glared at him for a minute, refusing to speak, did Arthur leave.
As he snuck back to bed, the door creaked on his way into his chambers and Gwen turned in her sleep. Arthur took off his shirt and jerkin, sliding in next to her. She unconsciously gravitated toward him, nestling into his side as he failed to fall asleep, chains and caves filling his mind.
Arthur stirred in bed. He felt in the hollow next to him where his wife was not. Up with the sun, he thought with a smile. Brilliant things.
Arthur squeezed his eyes open, trying to shake sleep away, feeling as though he had forgotten something. Something important…
"Merlin!" he shouted as he bolted up out of bed. How could he have forgotten?
He threw himself together, hair still disheveled and clothes wrinkled but he didn't care.
He poked his head out of his chambers' door.
"George!"
The servant scrambled down the hall, bowing coolly.
"Yes, sire?"
"Round up my knights and arrange a meeting with council for tonight. Tell them it is of the utmost importance. Disregard all your other duties. Just do that, okay?"
If the servant was surprised, he didn't look it.
"Yes, your majesty," he said with a deep bow, and scuttled off.
Arthur let out a sigh of relief. Soon this mess would be over and he would have his best friend and protector back.
But first he would have to face up to his choices… and make a few visits; he owed an apology to a certain elderly physician and a habitually drunken knight.
A streak of red broke out of the crowd surrounding the pyre following one of Camelot's knights. Long brown hair, piercing green eyes, usually fogged up by alcohol, clearer than any other today. With a roar he pulled out his sword, disarming the two guards around the prisoner and challenging anyone who got in his way. Neatly he sliced off the prisoner's bonds and pulled him to his feet, but the young man shook his head. The knight looked confused, and in that moment, was disarmed by the king himself and snatched by the very guards he disarmed himself.
"You are not fit to be my king," the man spat. "You're just like the rest of them. Selfish, unforgiving BASTARD!" he shouted as he was dragged away, struggling mightily against his escorts who now numbered six, and several had black eyes, another on the ground moaning from the blow to his nethers.
"I will avenge him, Arthur Pendragon! There will be no place you can hide if you go through with this!" the scream came, echoing through the courtyard.
The prisoner lowered his head once again, a single tear coursing down his cheek.
Back to the flames for him.
A guard nodded at the king as he descended down into Camelot's dungeons. Arthur held a torch aloft, rekindling the flames of the torches in front of the cell. He carefully inserted his key into the lock and pushed the door open.
The prisoner lazily flipped his long hair out of his ruggedly handsome face, but didn't look at Arthur, instead boring a hole into the stone floor with a loathing grimace.
"Gwaine," Arthur greeted hesitantly. The knight stayed silent.
"I need your help. Gwaine, it is important. I can't afford to have you sitting in this cell any longer."
Gwaine kept up the silent treatment, even turning his back on Arthur.
"Don't turn your back on me," Arthur said, sharply.
Gwaine turned back and fixed Arthur with a glare that spoke volumes of hatred and anger.
"I need your help," Arthur repeated, "with Merlin. Please, Gwaine."
"You turned your back on him," Gwaine spat venomously. "You are no different than any other noble and I will lend you no help so long as you imprison innocent men who do no less than save your pathetic pansy ass, you ungrateful coward!"
"I know, Gwaine," Arthur said. "I am a traitorous friend, a coward… I wronged Merlin, and I wronged you when you stood up for him… but I need your help to change. I want your aid when I free Merlin from the caverns," he begged as the hatred in the knight's eyes turned to incredulity.
"Princess, are you admitting you were wrong?" he asked with a unbelieving chuckle.
Arthur gritted his teeth, but nodded once.
"I can't forgive myself for what I did, or erase the damage my own actions have caused, but I can free my friends and reverse what I have wrought."
Gwaine looked thoughtful, pulling himself to his feet.
"If you're telling the truth, Arthur-" he still half-spit the king's name, "-then I just might listen. Have you let him go yet?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Merlin is still in the cavern, but if all goes to plan, he should be freed by the end of the night," he said, unlocking Gwaine's handcuffs.
"I still haven't agreed to help you," the knight said, making no move to stop the king, in fact, assisting him in removing the shackles.
Arthur chuckled.
"You've never really served me for my sake, anyway. It's always been Merlin you've been loyal to. I ask you for him," Arthur said, placing a hand on Gwaine's shoulder carefully.
Gwaine didn't reject the gesture, rubbing his wrists and placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder in return.
"For Merlin," he said, "I'll aid you."
"Let's go, then."
The two walked out of the cell, the guard following them out after Arthur dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
"Arthur?"
"Yes, Gwaine?"
"You're making the right choice," he said sagaciously.
"Thank you," he replied briefly before Gwaine interrupted: "Is that liquor I smell?"
Arthur pried the mead bottle from the lining of his jacket, handing it to the knight.
"You're not a bad sort, Arthur," the knight said, tipping the bottle back.
Arthur laughed heartily.
One down, one physician and an entire kingdom to go.
AN: I am so, so sorry, followers! I meant to write this a long time ago, but I kept putting it off. My updates will be a lot more frequent soon, I promise. Thank you so much for continuing to follow me!
A bit of Gwaine this chapter. I found that the last was shamefully lacking in my favorite knight. I'm a fan of Percival and Leon as well, but I felt that both of them would have still stuck by their oaths even though they care about Merlin. :(
Thank you so much for your reviews so far! SilverMoonEyes23: Thank you so much for your review! *squee* It means a lot that you like it so much :3 Valkyriexx: I hope you liked this bit too! I'm so flattered you liked the first chapter! readernurse: Twisting words seems like the kind of thing she would do, don't you think? :) And I'm glad you like it! cvgirl: Thanks! And thank you to ruby890 and IndiaMoore as well!
This story will probably last another three chapters after this, and I plan to finish by mid-October to the beginning of November at worst. I will post another chapter in the next two weeks at longest. Let's say, uh, September 1st?
Please review! It means the world to me! (and this time I'll get back to you! XD)