Can I just say that I kinda love and hate you guys. Hahaha. I mean you're all great, but this story has completely taken over my brain and it's not even my most popular story. I think I'm starting to spoil you all with giving you an update each day. xD But thank you very much for your support. Also, few people have mentioned trying to turn this into M-rated, more plans and ideas about that can be found below. Also, sadly, this is another character development chapter, but plenty of action next chapter. Promise!

-Born to Die-

Three: We Share the Same Reflection

[Merlin]

It was getting dark by the time Ragnor decided to stop and rest for the night.

Merlin and Arthur were stuck sitting on the freezing snow, far away from the warm comforts of the burning fire.

Merlin sat with her legs pulled up against her chest, her hands almost numb from the cold. The thin layer of clothing she wore did nothing to keep out the bitterly cold North wind at bay. So she was left with trying to warm herself by rubbing her hands together in hopes that she wouldn't freeze to death. Arthur was by her side, having fallen asleep about half an hour ago from exhaustion. The fact that he was abale to fall asleep in a pile of snow both confused her and amazed her at the same.

But she couldn't fall asleep, not only because it was so cold, but also because she didn't trust these men enough to rest and let her guard down.

They were all sitting around the fire, eating and laughing at something their leader said. Mordred, she noticed, was practically silent, his food untouched as he occasionally met her gaze over the fire. She would be lying if she said that he didn't confuse her, or made her feel anxious. In fact, compared with the rest of them, Merlin could feel no malice coming off him.

He wasn't dark like the rest of the men that had captured them, and Merlin wondered how he ended up working for them in the first place.

Just how did he end up being a slave driver of all things? And more importantly, why did he apologise to her?

When she felt his magic brush against her mind, the last thing she expected was to hear an apology. But what was it for, she wondered. For not helping them? For their brutal treatment? For taking them to Morgana?

"What are you gawping at?" Ragnor suddenly spoke, pointing his sword at her and snapping Merlin out of her thoughts. She looked away, trying to keep her expression neutral and don't give the poor excuse of a man any satisfaction in seeing her weakness.

Ragnor stabbed a loaf of bread with his sword raising it mockingly for her to see, "Is this what you want, darling? Catch."

He threw the bread at her and Merlin almost instinctively leaned forward to catch it, but it landed on the ground few feet away from her, causing Ragnor's men to laugh tauntingly, few even sneering in her direction.

Merlin's hands turned into tightly clenched fists as she turned her eyes away from the revolting men.

After few seconds of silence, she felt his eyes brush against her as his voice floated over, "Maybe we should feed them," he suggested calmly, causing Merlin's eyes to slide back to him in surprise.

"What for?" Ragnor shot back, not even bothering to glance at the man sitting beside him.

Merlin met Mordred's stare evenly, silently wondering what he was up to.

"They'll be skin and bones," he replied steadily.

A faint snort left Ragnor's lips as he continued playing with his sword, "Morgana wants slaves, not hogs for the fire."

Merlin winced slightly at the implication and the possibility that she would have to face Morgana again after so many years.

"Then," Mordred began again as if speaking with a child, "Slow the pace."

"The quicker we get there, the quicker I get my money," Ragnor responded, giving him a terse look.

Mordred didn't argue further, and giving Merlin one last look, returned to staring at the fire again, clearly unable to do anything else for them.

Sighing in defeat, Merlin curled into a tighter ball, and placing her forehead on her knees, tried to block out the cold and drowsiness that were wreking her body.

It was some time after midnight, when everyone else was long asleep, did Merlin hear a sound of footsteps approaching the spot she and Arthur rested, making her shudder when she raised her head to see who it was.

Unsurprisingly, it was Mordred.

He was leaning on one knee before her, his expression somehow different than before.

Last night his expression was careful and guarded whenever he looked at her, now his stare reminded her more of the first time their eyes met in the clearing; eyes intense and devouring as he drank in her features. It was a lot like the look he used to give her as a child, eyes unblinking and unwavering as he gazed at her.

She studied him with a shrewd look that bordered on suspicious, waiting for him to make his move or saying anything. She knew that he probably wondered what elicited such reaction from her, but warning bells were still ringing in her head and as much as Merlin wanted to believe that Mordred didn't mean them any harm she couldn't let her guard down, not yet.

The air around them suddenly turned tense when he moved his hand inside his coat as if reaching for something. Merlin's hands immediately unlocked, prepared to defend herself and Arthur. But instead, Mordred gave her a calm look, pulling out the same loafs of bread he didn't eat last night.

"Do you want them?" he asked softly, offering her the bread while she regarded him warily.

His eyes were honest, and clear, his body closer to hers than it had been in years. She felt uncomfortable having him so close to her, but he was kneeling in position that seemed to block the harsh Northern wind that was blowing at her, chilling her to the bone.

He seemed to notice this too, his eyes narrowing slightly when he noted just how much she was shivering as well how drained she looked.

"Damn it, Emrys," he muttered, and Merlin bristled at his words, shooting a fiery glare his way. A moment later he threw off his heavy coat and pulled a cloak off his body, and ignoring her tense body, wrapped it securely around her shivering frame.

She opened her mouth to protest, but the cloak was still warm from Mordred's body heat, making Merlin groan lowly at the warmness that surrounded her and automatically hug the fabric closer to her body.

"When was the last time you slept? Or ate anything for that matter?"

There was a steely edge to his voice that surprised her. But the fact that he seemed to be worried about her caught her even more by surprise.

"Why are you doing this?" she finally asked, her voice sounding throaty from the cold, and a poof of air escaping her lips when she spoke.

The barest hint of an ironic smile crossed his expression. "He once saved my life. I owe him a debt," he revealed, his eyes flickering to rest on Arthur's peaceful form.

This time the quiet was more awkward than tense. It was hard to believe she was sitting here like this with a man that was suppose to take Arthur's life one day. The moment was surreal, out of place in time and the events of the world. She felt that perhaps it should stay that way too.

"Don't be so quick to judge me," he told her seriously, and leaning closer, titled his head slightly to one side, "You fear me, Emrys, don't you?"

She didn't answer him, but the question remained. Did she fear him? No, no she didn't. Because she knew that if it came down to it, she was powerful enough to defeat him in a battle. However, she feared what he could do to Arthur, and she would be damned before she allowed anything bad happen to him.

"I know the hatred and suspicion with which men treat those with magic," he spoke again, almost sadly, seeing that she wasn't going to reply, "You and I…we're are not so different. I, too, have learned to hide my gifts."

She scoffed softly, and thought of a time when he was a boy, when she sought the dragon that lived beneath the castle for advice. "You and him are as different as night and day, Merlin," he had said back when she was so hopeful, so young and naïve. Back then, she only wanted someone she could share her magic with, to do spells and laugh and learn. Merlin had once thought that she and Mordred were exactly alike, but Kilgharrah was quick to kill that hope, with promises that he would kill Arthur when the time came.

So no matter how alike they were, they were also completely different.

"Emrys…"

There was an imploring edge to his soft tone that forced her to meet his gaze. His teal eyes seemed to penetrate right to the core of her.

"I promise... your secret is safe with me."

Those words disturbed her far more than they should have. Not because he said them, but the way he said them. It felt like he was swearing his life to her, giving her a vow he was never going to break. She was prepared for anything when it came to him: hate, threats, maybe even forgiveness someday – but not this, never this.

"I…I thought you hated me," she said at last, her eyes troubled.

"I once thought I did. But then, I didn't. I understood what you did, and why you did it – I was just a boy, then," he replied. She could tell he had long since prepared that response, most likely waiting for that question long before they started their conversation.

Mordred placed the bread close to her side and got to his feet, turning away from her.

"Wait! What's Morgana looking for in Ismere?"

He stopped and didn't move for a second before turning around and looking at her.

"The Diamair." he answered.

Merlin's brows furrowed, realising that she had never heard of such item, "What's that?"

"In the language of my people, it means 'The Key'," he explained. And his face dropped when he mentioned his people; she briefly thought of how long it must have been since he last seen a Druid.

"The key to what?" she questioned again.

"The Key to all knowledge…" he gave another small smile before disappearing from her sight and back into the night.

Then with devastating certainty, Merlin realized that there was much more to Mordred that she originally thought.

AN: Hope you peeps liked it! Thank you for all of those, juicy long reviews some of you have been leaving me (you know who you are!), they seriously make my day each time I find one. First few chapters were set out to show where both Merlin and Mordred stood when it came to their relationship. Merlin is unpleasant and cold to Mordred, while Mordred is in many ways blindly devoted to 'his Emrys'. I hope to grown and evolve that relationship in the future.

Also, some of you have addressed the issue of M rating. This story wouldn't be an easy ride, and in many aspects it's going to be rather dark. So while, no, it won't happen any time soon, you can expect this story to move up to M at some point. Merlin and Mordred have an incredibly strong emotional connection that will develop even more during the length of this story. However, I ask that you all remain patient because I never rush romance, ever. It has to happen gradually in my opinion. That being said, you can expect few saucier moments eventually. ;)

Next Chapter: The Task That Lies Ahead - Merlin's and Arthur's escape, slight Merthur, and Mordred being a badass little shit and saving the day.

Regards.

A.