Merlin
A Musical interlude
It had been a week since the whole everyone lusting after Merlin escapade and Merlin still couldn't bring himself to look certain people in the eye. Namely Arthur. Of course the king understood on some level that what Merlin had done had been for the good of all. And he had tried to warn him off. Going so far as knocking Arthur out before he embarrassed himself. Still, it wasn't even the kissing thing that was upsetting Merlin, it was the whole one true love thing. Morgana and Him. Him and Morgana. Nope, didn't buy that for a second. But the problem was, the more he thought about it, and Gaius's words the more he had to wonder, did he once consider Morgana more than a friend? And if so, when? Certainly not when he'd first arrived.
"Merlin, you can stop pouring now" Arthur said breaking into his thoughts. Merlin blinked and looked. The jug of water had filled the goblet and was now pouring onto the floor next to Arthur's foot.
"Sorry sire" Merlin said.
"Merlin is there something wrong with your brain this past week? Or did you just fail to engage it at some point?" Arthur asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm just preoccupied" Merlin told him.
"Yes well kissing me does have that effect" Arthur said, causing Gwen to nearly choke on her dinner.
"Arthur, you know that's not what I mean" Merlin said.
"It's the thing with Morgana isn't it?" asked Gwen gently. Merlin sighed and nodded.
"I can't make head or tail of it. I mean I hate her. She's cruel, twisted. There's nothing in her anyone could love" he said flopping down in the spare seat. Arthur raised an eyebrow at him, opened his mouth to say something then grimaced as Gwen kicked him sharply. Merlin not noticing the exchange between his King and Queen.
"Or am I blind, what would you two do in my position?" he asked them. Gwen remained silent, but Arthur spoke up.
"I would, Merlin, sort out what is important to you. I won't lie to you, I can never see a time when Morgana will be welcomed back with open arms, but by the same token, if what is being said is true, then perhaps, just perhaps you'll be the one who makes that possible" Arthur said, in a surprisingly paternal tone of voice.
"So it's my duty to bring her back into the fold? Is that what you're saying?" asked Merlin.
"I don't know Merlin, I don't have all the answers. But something changed last week"
"Apart from the kissing?" asked Merlin.
"I mean Merlin, that if you think about it, we've not seen hide nor hair of Morgana or Sardor. If I had to guess I would think she's as confused as you are" Arthur said. Merlin looked away and sighed.
"Great, then the next time we meet I'll see if she wants to settle down and have some wicked witch babies" he grumbled.
"What are you doing this time?" Sardor asked as he watched Morgana flicking through yet another spell book. Morgana looked up at him as she turned the page.
"Looking for something to get these thoughts out of my head. That I could be that… Servant's one true love. It is sickening" she said. Sardor chuckled, causing her to glance at him again.
"I fail to see what's so funny about this Sardor" she grumbled.
"Well, if you fail it means one day you'll be my sister in law" he said, then yelped as the chair under him moved out, causing him to fall to the floor.
"Comments like that will not help this situation" she muttered as Sardor climbed to his feet. Then suddenly she smiled.
"Ahh. Here" she said, then stood closing her eyes.
"Cor'thratha Solnamor gist ballast cala lum" she intoned, her hands began to glow and she walked over to the scrying fountain. She held her hands over it, then the water began to boil a fine mist rising from it before it shot from the window and into the sky. A moment later there was a crack of thunder.
"What did you do Morgana?" Sardor demanded. Morgana smiled.
"Just a little interlude" she told him as outside the rain began to fall heavily.
"Morgana…" Sardor warned. Morgana looked at him and just grinned.
"That is one bad storm that's whipped up" said Arthur as he looked out of the window. Gwen was lying in bed while Merlin quietly collected the plates from their dinner. She looked over at Arthur, then at the rain outside.
"Maybe it'll clear some of this humidity" she said.
"Will there be anything else sire?" asked Merlin quietly. Arthur looked at him.
"No that will be all Merlin" Arthur said. Merlin nodded and turned walking towards the door.
"Arthur?" he said suddenly turning back. Arthur looked over at him.
"Thank you" Merlin said. Arthur offered a small smile, Merlin nodded at him, wished Gwen goodnight then left the room. Arthur settling into bed with his wife. Slowly he leant out and blew out the candle, Gwen doing the same on her side.
"I'm worried about him" Gwen said softly. Arthur pulled her tight to him.
"So am I Gwen" he admitted.
Merlin walked quietly through the hallways having dropped off the plates, his mind awhirl with thoughts. Slowly he went outside to the top of the steps and looked out into the rain. He wasn't even aware as soft music began around him.
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I should
Little things
I should have said and done
I never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Maybe I didn't hold you
On those long and lonely nights
And I guess I never told you
I wish that you were mine
If I made you feel second best
I'm so sorry for that crime
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Tell me,
Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me
One more chance to keep you satisfied
Satisfied
Little things
I should have said and done
I never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Tell me,
Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me
One more chance to keep you satisfied
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Slowly Merlin looked up at the night sky, for some reason thoughts of Morgana forefront in his mind.
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should
Maybe I didn't hold you
On those long and lonely nights
And I guess I never told you
I wish that you were mine
You ware always on my mind.
You were always on my mind.
Slowly the music died away leaving Merlin feeling more alone than ever as he looked out at the rain pattering down into the courtyard. Slowly he turned and walked back into the castle, moving up into the pharmacy, where Gaius was fast asleep. Smiling his eyes glowed briefly as he moved the covers up across his old friend before he went into his own room to sleep.
"You made him sing?" Sardor said his eyebrows raised. Morgana looked over at him.
"Oh its so much more than that. I'm making him bare his deepest emotions, as will happen to everyone else in Camelot" she said. "One way or another we will find everyone's deepest, darkest fears, and then… then we can use them to our advantage" she said. Sardor nodded, then frowned.
"I hope for your sake Morgana I am not about to burst into song" he said. Morgana smiled at him.
"My dear Sardor, everyone will be singing before this is through, it is the nature of the spell" she said.
"I hate you sometimes" he grumbled.
"What price is a little la la la when it can help us bring our enemies to our knees?" she asked.
"Just be sure we don't la la ourselves into the same predicament" he snarled. Morgana stood and then looked around as music started up. Sardor rolled his eyes.
"I hate you" he muttered.
When I look back upon my life,
Its always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame.
For everything I long to do
No matter where or when or who
There one thing
Its coming to
It's a
It's a
It's a
It's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I'll ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin.
Morgana looked over at Sardor, her eyes wide, as he stepped forwards.
At school they taught you how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything you long to do
No matter where or when or who
There's just one thing
Its coming to
It's a
It's a
It's a
It's a sin
It's a sin
Everything We've ever done
Everything we'll ever do
Everywhere We've ever been
Everywhere we're going to
It's a sin.
Morgana looked at Sardor, as the music carried on around the pair of them
So we look back upon our lives
Forever with a sense of shame
We've always been the ones to blame.
For everything we long to do
No matter where or when or who
There's one thing
Its coming to
It's a
It's a
It's a
It's a sin
It's a sin
Everything We've ever done
Everything we'll ever do
Everywhere We've ever been
Everywhere we're going to
It's a sin
It's a
It's a
It's a
It's a sin
It's a
It's a
It's a
It's a sin
Slowly the music began to die down around the pair of them, Sardor did not look at all happy, and neither did Morgana. With a snarl he turned and walked outside.
Morning came to Camelot, Merlin struggling to open his eyes, but forcing himself to do so. He had chores to do, tasks to carry out. Slowly he rose from his bed, splashing cold water on his face, then he frowned, the memories of last night flooding back to him. He'd been singing. Him. In the courtyard, alone in the rain. Eyes wide he rushed from the room.
"GAIUS!" he called out. The older man looking up as he ran out.
"Merlin? Whatever is wrong?" he asked concerned.
"I sang" Merlin said. Gaius raised an eyebrow at him.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Last night in the courtyard. I just got this overwhelming urge.. to start singing" he said. Gaius blinked at him.
"You didn't dream it?" he asked.
"No Gaius, would I be this panicked if I did?"
"Okay, calm down and tell me exactly what happened" Gaius said.
"I spoke with Arthur and Gwen while they had dinner, they got ready for bed, I took the plates down to the kitchen, but I wasn't tired so I went out to get some air" Merlin said. "It was raining, then this music started up and the next thing I knew I was singing" Merlin said. Gaius frowned again
"Did any of the guards see you?" he asked. Merlin thought for a moment, then shrugged.
"If any did it would have been the ones on duty" he replied. Gaius sighed and shrugged.
"I'll look into it Merlin, but I'll need time" he said. Merlin sighed and nodded, "go on, the King probably needs you for something" Gaius said.
"Fine, but if I start singing in front of him, you do realise you'll never see me again right?" Merlin said.
"Don't be so melodramatic" Gaius told him. "your singing isn't that bad" he said. Merlin rolled his eyes and walked out.
"Good morning sire!" Merlin tried to sound as chirpy and normal as he usually did when he woke Arthur, and now Gwen, up in the morning. Slowly the two of them sat up both yawning and looking at him.
"you are far to happy for this time of day Merlin" Arthur moaned, as beside him, Gwen grabbed his pillow, lay back down and put it over her head to block out the sunlight. Arthur looked at her, then began to poke her in the back with his finger. Merlin sighing as he set out the breakfast.
"Arthur, stop it" Gwen's muffled voice came from under the pillow.
"Get up" he told her.
"You're the king you get up" she replied.
"I am up" he replied, wincing as the water jug dropped from Merlin's hand.
"Merlin?" he asked.
"I'm fine, just really, not good thoughts about that comment" he said. Arthur rolled his eyes and continued to prod Gwen in the back.
"ARTHUR!" she practically screamed as she sat up. Arthur grinned at her.
"Good morning my queen" he said happily.
"I'll give you good morning" she replied.
"Is that a promise?" asked Arthur.
"I'll have to think about it"
"Sorry, Sire, my lady, breakfast is served" Merlin said hastily. The two of them looked at him, then stood, Arthur pulling on his tunic as he walked around to the table, Gwen just behind him.
"Merlin, we're quite capable of feeding ourselves and pouring our own drinks" Gwen told him.
"No, please, I insist" Merlin replied with a smile.
"Merlin, are you alright?" asked Arthur.
"You're not going to kiss me again are you?" Merlin demanded.
"No Merlin. You just seem very… anxious this morning" he said.
"Its nothing, Gaius is looking into it" Merlin said.
"Are you ill?" Gwen became very concerned at the thought of one of her dearest friends being unwell. Merlin shook his head.
"no.. no not at all" he replied.
"then…?" she prompted.
"Like I said it's nothing" Merlin replied.
"Merlin, do not make me order you to tell us" Arthur said. Merlin sighed and put the jug down on the table.
"Last night, after we talked, I went out, just to the courtyard to get some air" he said.
"and?" asked Gwen.
"It's going to sound really weird. But… never mind"
"Merlin" they both said at the same time.
"Okay. I started… singing" he said.
"Singing?" asked Arthur.
"you?" added Gwen.
"yes and yes" Merlin replied to them both. "And no I had no intention of going outside and singing my heart out for people to hear" he said. "I was just standing there, this music started up and it felt like the natural thing to do" Merlin told them.
"Merlin, have you been enchanted again?" asked Arthur.
"God I hope not" Merlin replied as he opened the window. Suddenly he blinked as he looked out. "Ermm, you might want to take a look at this" he said. Arthur and Gwen stood and moved over to him, looking out seeing several of the guards, Sir Leon and Sir Gwaine seeming in the process of synchronised dancing with several of the servants of the castle. Arthur looked at Gwen, then at Merlin.
"Not just you then" he said closing the window, however as he did so, music began to wash around the room, and Arthur began to sing, Merlin face palming himself.
Emrys
Emrys
Emrys
I sit alone,
And watch your light
My only friend
Through hurtful nights
And everything
I'm seeing here
I'm thinking its
All Emrys
You gave them all
Those battle scars
Through wars of worlds
invaded by ours
You made us laugh
You made us cry
You made us feel
Like we could fly
Emrys
So don't become
Some background noise
A backdrop for
The girls and boys
Who just don't know
Or just don't care
And just complain
When your not there
You had your time
You had your power
But you've yet to have
Your finest hour
Emrys
Suddenly Gwen broke in, rolling her eyes at Arthur.
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emrys goo goo
Emrys Gaga
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emrys goo goo
Emrys Gaga
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emry's Blah Blah
Emrys whats new
Emrys,
Someone still loves you
Merlin suddenly sprang to life, taking over from Gwen, each of them looking at each other in horror
We watch them dance
We watch the stars
Out the windows
For hours and hours
We hardly need to use our ears
How music
Changes Camelot
Lets hope we never
Sing again
Like all these things,
Go bad at the end
We need to stop this now
'Cos we might find
Its not Emrys
But your dear sister
She's had her Time
She's had her power
She's yet to have her finest hour
Emrys
Suddenly all three of them moved away from the window, the music still going on around them
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emrys goo goo
Emrys Gaga
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emrys goo goo
Emrys Gaga
All we hear is
Emrys Gaga
Emry's Blah Blah
Emrys whats new
Someone still loves you
Arthur and Gwen suddenly linked hands, beginning to dance around the room, Merlin watching, worried as he sang as they danced.
Emry's Ga Ga Ga Ga
Emry's Ga Ga Ga Ga
Emry's Ga Ga Ga Ga
We had our time,
We had our power
We're yet to have
Our finest hour
Emrys
Finally the music died down, and Gwen and Arthur stopped dancing. The three of them looked at each other, then Arthur sank down into a chair, before looking up at Merlin and Gwen.
"Meeting. NOW!" he thundered. "No one, and I mean NO ONE makes me sing" he growled. Merlin bowed and rushed out.
"Now that was good" Sardor said with a grin as he and Morgana watched the King, queen and Merlin singing and dancing. Morgana smiled and chuckled.
"And this is just the beginning" she said. "For I have a feeling I will know by the end of this just who the vaunted Emry's really is" she laughed.
