I do not own Merlin.

This story is set post reveal. Well, to be exact it is set about a year after the happenings in 'Night of Destiny' (5.05) This is not a direct sequel, so you can read it separately without any problems. But I am referring to my previous story a couple of times at the beginning.

This is all about Merlin. I thought that he highly deserved some kind of romantic involvement. Whether it turns out for the better or the worse remains to be seen!

T-rated (just to make sure) for a couple of slightly more detailed romantic scenes (nothing outrageous!) and some more graphic whump in the second half of the story.

Now that the scene is set, Merlin and Ariana have to get to know each other!

Chapter 3

'Sire, the horses are ready.' Theo had prepared everything Merlin would need for a long journey: water skins, woolen blankets, a bed roll, a good supply of herbs and many other items his master liked to take with him. On any other day the warlock would have made a joke about how efficient the young man had been, something he had never quite achieved to the same level when he had served Arthur. But his heart was too heavy and his mind too occupied to really notice these things that morning. The conversation with Ariana prayed heavily on his mind. It seemed a lifetime away although it had only taken place earlier that day.

oooooooooo

'What …have you done to her?' Merlin pushed the words out with a force that betrayed his inner turmoil when he recognized the pendant. His mother was not a young woman and he did not dare to think what had been happened to her ….just for his sake. Where had they taken her? Had they hurt her? When had all this happened? Merlin's mind was going into overload. It had been heart-breaking enough to have his father die for him, he could not face losing his mother like this, too.

'She has not been harmed. ' Said Ariana at that moment. 'She is treated well and that will remain that way, if you do as I demand.'

'What is it you want of me?' Merlin pushed out between his teeth.

'Have you listened at all?' Ariana replied with a touch of sarcasm. 'I want you and you alone to come with me to Camarthen. And as she said it Merlin seemed to notice a hint of regret cross her face. But it passed so quickly he could not be sure of it.

Ariana's eyes turned dark when she looked at Merlin 'If you do not comply or anything happens to me, Guinevere and Hunith will die.' She added, matter of fact, seemingly completely untouched by the enormity of what she was saying.

As if she is talking about the payment for some trinket. 'Be careful you are talking about the queen of Camelot and the mother of the Court Sorcerer here!' Arthur was glowering. He could not believe the nerve of this woman trying to blackmail them. And to force his friend to leave Camelot ….alone and for who knows what purpose! Arthur found it difficult to suppress his anger.

'I will do as you ask.' Merlin replied quietly at that moment.

He is coming. They will be safe. Merlin snapped his head up in surprise. He had heard her voice in his mind clearly this time. There was no mistake. But when he looked at her in total surprise, the voice stopped at once, as if she had turned it off. Nothing in her gaze betrayed that anything out of the ordinary just had happened.

'Merlin….' Arthur gasped realizing that now not only Gwen's fate was in serious danger but also that of his best friend.

'Leave us now!' He hissed at Ariana 'before I do something I will regret.'

'We will take our leave in two hours.' The princess commanded on the way out, completely ignoring his threat.

oooooooooo

'You know that this is a trap, don't you? Arthur was agitated. 'You have no idea, where she is leading you. It could be anything, anyone, anywhere…' His voice faltered as he considered the situation. Merlin had agreed to Ariana's terms without knowing what awaited him. And he could not even go with him to make sure he was all right, to protect him with his sword, to stand by him with his friendship.

Of course Arthur was aware that Merlin's power would keep him safe in most situations. But sorcerers still had a human shape, that could be hurt, injured, scared, stabbed, poisoned, tortured, drowned, …..And then there were other people of magic, magical creatures of all sorts,…..maybe even …. He did not even want to finish the thought.

'Arthur !.' Merlin had put his arm on his friend's recognizing that he was beside himself with worry, not only for Gwen's sake but also for his. 'Listen!' Arthur raised his fretting eyes to meet those of his friend.

'You know that this is the only choice I have to save both, Gwen and my mother. Don't you?' Arthur sighed and nodded reluctantly. 'I have to go and do what I can. And trust in my destiny. As you have to trust in yours. Camelot needs you here and so does Gwen.'

Arthur could not deny it. He really had not wanted to hear this nor listen to it. It had been only a year since he had almost lost Merlin at the cave of the disir, and he remembered the torment of that night only too well. As for losing Gwen, … he did not even want to consider it. The one time when he had banished her had been one of the most agonizing times of his life.

Arthur knew he had to let Merlin go because he would have done exactly the same if he had been in his shoes. No matter what awaited him in Camarthen, it was the only way to help their loved ones.

For all our sakes I hope you will return safely, my friend.' He muttered quietly and pulled Merlin quickly into a close embrace, making sure the warlock could not see the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

oooooooooo

They reached the small village of Thorndale in the very southwest of the kingdom after a pacey two hours' ride.

'We are taking a break', ordered Ariana when she got off her horse at the fountain in the middle of the village. It had been a swift ride and the horses needed a drink. She gave Merlin a fleeting glance. She could hardly believe she was riding with him, Emrys, at her side. Her mother had told her stories about him when she had been a child. But somehow she had always pictured him as an old man, with a long white beard. Wise and incredibly powerful. This lanky young man who looked rather worn after a sitting on a horse for only a couple of hours did not fit that picture at all. It was hard to believe…. but she knew it to be true. Throughout the last year the story of Arthur and Merlin had travelled around all the kingdoms, near and far. The acceptance of magic in Camelot after so many years had been one of the major topics of conversation in many a royal court.

And it was this man who had made it all happen. She remembered sensing his power when she had stood near him. She had felt awe at it. I would love to see some of his magic. As soon as she had thought it, she scolded herself. Don't be silly! Concentrate on what you have to do.

She gave him one more look, wondering what was going on inside him. He seemed calm and composed, just a tiny frown on his forehead as he was contemplating something. He must be worried about his mother. She felt a stab in her heart. She had caused his pain, so why did she feel the urge to go up to him and offer him some comfort? But as the ring on her hand tightened she stopped herself immediately.

No! There is no point! Those she loved would be saved if he returned with her. That was promised and she believed in it because it gave her the strength and determination to fulfil the task she had been given. For one instant she had been careless today, almost opening her mind to him. This could not happen – once he had access to her thoughts he might find out things she would rather keep to herself. Had he heard her emotional outburst? She could not be sure. But it seemed that she had been successful in eluding him.

oooooooooo

Merlin was glad of the break. Riding as such speed was not something he particularly enjoyed and he was glad he could stretch his limbs for a little while.

His thoughts had been with his mother. Hunith. She had always been there for him, no matter what. Had supported him in times of need. Spoken words of encouragement when he had felt low. She had never complained that he hardly ever came to see her, although Ealdor was just a few hours journey away from Camelot. He had always been so busy, so involved in the affairs of his king and his destiny. She had often assured him that she understood why this was so, and that she was incredibly proud of her son. The last time he had seen her was at the ceremony that made him Court Sorcerer. Her eyes had beamed with joy when he had accepted the blue coat as a sign of his new position and she had cried with relief that his time of hiding was over and he was being recognized for who he truly was.

And now – she was held captive somewhere in Camarthen. What if they had tortured her, beaten her….. Merlin could not even think of it. Ariana had said that she was safe, but then… could he really trust anything she was saying?

The princess bewildered him. Outwardly she appeared cold and calculating, not caring what stood in her way to achieve her goal. She had not even blinked an eye condemning two innocent woman to their death. It did not seem to bother her at all what anguish she was inflicting on so many people.

But now, as he stood near the fountain and watched her talking to her knights she seemed a completely different person. She asked Cynric kindly to take her horse and check its hind leg and Balin bowed with a smile on his face when she requested he refill her water skin. There was no doubt she was on very good terms with her men. No, it was more than that. They showed her the same respect and loyalty he had seen in the knights of Camelot when they spoke to Arthur, and like his friend, she treated her men fairly and as equals.

Merlin shook his head. Something did not quite add up here. There was no way she could be the one and at the same time the other. He had come across plenty of deceitful people while he lived at Camelot. Most of them had tried to harm Arthur or the kingdom. So what about her? Was she one of them, too?

Still viewing her from the corner of his eyes he found it hard to believe. She looks so innocent. His common sense laughed at the thought. Innocent enough to threaten Gwen and Hunith with death…. Use your brain, Merlin! He could almost hear Arthur willing him to be sensible. Merlin was confused. Why do I feel that pull towards her when I look at her? It makes no sense at all.

One thing, however, he was certain about: the voice. Her voice. He had heard it in his mind. He had brushed it aside the first time when it had been a bare whisper during the banquet. But the second time it had been loud and clear. He is coming. They will be safe. Merlin knew that there was only one kind of people able to communicate like that with their minds.

Druids.

Druid girls. Merlin does seem to have a liking for them...:)