As Merlin walks into the throne room his king quickly throws his arms around him, the boy had been spotted entering the kingdom not more than ten minutes ago and was quickly ushered to his worried ruler, each knight hugged their friend in relief, Arthur sending word for the search party to return and Merlin to see Guise about his injury's, after he lied and said he snuck off after they fell asleep, managing to unto the rope.
As he enters the apothecary the old man hugs the warlock "you had us all very worried Merlin, so how did you escape?"
"I cast a sleep spell after the big one beat the hell out of me and ran for it!" he laughs and takes off his shirt so the physician examines the white muscular torso of the servant boy
"Don't be so dramatic, you're merely bruised!" he says as the boy jumps, being poked in the side with bruised ribs
The warlock winces and sighs "only since this morning, last night I was bleeding from my head, I'm sure I had a few broken ribs and maybe even a punctured lung!"
The older man just looks at him in confusion "what are you on about Merlin?"
"Yesterday, during the fight with those thieves I saw a girl; she joined the fight with us but vanished before it ended! And when I woke up this morning there was a fire pit, I was covered with a blanket, there was the hoarse and this!" he says pulling the note and dagger from inside the pocket of his discarded jacket beside him
Guise basically casts the letter aside but marvels at the blade in wonder "my god, Merlin do you have any idea what this is? This dagger belongs to a member of…The Ascended!"
"The Ascended, what's that?" the confused sorcerer asks as he pulls his tunic back over his head
The wizards guardian goes over to his books, looking through them as he explains "The Ascended are an animal spiritual clan that was formed thousands of years ago, The Deer, Crow, Bear and Wolf. In the beginning they were as one, each holding a power from the natural elements, as well as a connection to their animal guide but over time they were each pulled into different paths and a silent war erupted, they all died in the final battle and the spirits moved on finding a soul they deemed worthy of their power! ...the daggers where made long before the battle, carved from the purest and darkest of stone, for balance of the magic, then bathed in the river of the blessed! …whomever this woman was Merlin, as an Ascended she has trusted you with a great gift!"
The wizards eyes widen is shock as he looks to the dagger handed back to him and can't help but ask "why me?"
Later that night as the raven haired man lays in his bed he can't help but look to the dagger he'd placed under his pillow, his eyes drifting as a voice calls to him in the land of dreams 'Emrys…'
Merlin looks around and finds himself in the woods once more, but now hears a giggling sound and follows it as a flash of silver passes a tree "wait!"
He tracks the gliding silver into a meadow, when he sees her standing in the center covered by firefly's as they swim around her "who are you?"
The scarred beauty turns to him, her armor, moonlit skin and star kissed hair and eyes practically shining, the peach color of the scar coursing shadows on her unblemished completion but then she smiles, sweet and tender. She walks over to him, tilts her head up to see him properly as she raises a finger to her lips "shush!"
Then they hear a soft music in the distance as she brushes a hand over his cheek gently, she moves to his neck, pulling away the scarf so it falls to the gentle ground below. Her fingertips graze the flesh of his neck, a shiver running down his spine at the sensation and his sharp blue eyes locking with her mismatched ones, he feels safe here, at peace with a woman whose name he doesn't know.
Her other hand cups his jaw, her thumb stroking against his bottom lip, she leans forward on her toes and her lips graze over his but suddenly the scene is gone and a flash of light crosses his eyes, a mist of crimson covers the forest floor and a cloud of screams echo past the trees
Merlin sits up straight in his bed, a cold sweat on his brow as the sun grazes his skin. He sets about his morning duties, happy to be home and keeping Arthur out of trouble, he sets himself back into his routine easily and but as he sits with Arthurs washing, sleeves rolled up and hands in the soapy water when Gawain walks into the room "morning Merlin, Arthur wants everyone in the main hall… seems we have some guests!"
Merlin nods thanks to his friend as he hurry's to dry his hands and right's his clothes, making his way to the main hall. On arrival he goes to his king's side that snips "you took your time, at least you don't smell like the tavern!"
The warlock gives a tight smile and mutters "not like was doing your dirty washing… like bloody always!"
Then the double door of the room open and in walks a smartly dressed noble man with dark blond hair and a gold crown, his hand in that of an elegant blonde woman dressed in a matching green attire as her husband "Lord and Lady Redwood…"
They bow before the king in a kind greeting as the door man says "with their children the young Lord Edgar and Lady Alice"
As the two walk in the male resembles his father but has his mother's green eyes and is also dressed in the family colors of green and silver, however the girl is wearing a white dress with s pale green sash, Merlin's breath catches in his throat as many try not the stare at the silver haired girl, a claw mark down her face. They bow before the king, but Alice's eyes linger on the warlock "we're grateful to finally meet you… my king!"
She smiles to the man she knows as Emrys, a wolf trailing behind her with black leather collar, a silver pendant with an emerald embedded into the material "you are most welcome here in Camelot, we're honored to receive you."
They each smile and nod in gratitude, Merlin's eyes never leaving that of the silver haired beauty, the Ascended… Lady Alice Redwood, with her coy smile… what does she want from him? Why is she here and mostly why is Merlin blushing like an idiot?
