You have always worn your flaws upon your sleeve.
And I have always buried them deep beneath the ground.
Dig them out.
Lets finish what we started.
-Flaws Bastille
The castle was buzzing.
The return of the Court Sorceress's apprentice was imminent and rumor was that she would be ready to take on the duties of her mistress when she got back. Servants were rushing through the halls to prepare for the feast that King Constans had declared the moment Nimueh had told him she would be home that day.
Constans children, Ambrosius and Uther were not as pleased as the rest of the court, they had been subjected to her many pranks before she left in search of her past as well as the many spell books that Nimueh wanted.
An excited yell from a servant, and the following sound clattering was all that was needed to set the people of the castle in a frenzy to get last minute preparations done.
A black mare entered the courtyard, its rider riding on it had her chin held high looking less like the lucky orphan of Camelot and more like a noblewoman of a foreign country, despite the fact that instead of a dress she wore a plain white shirt tucked into brown pants with simple riding boots.
Her long light brown hair was in an elaborate braid, her light gray eyes had the ever present mirth that the servants and officials of the castle often associated with her.
The only difference was that she looked like a young woman.
Something that The King mentioned, "You've grown up!"
Elin laughed, "Yes, My Lord that is something that happens to children. No need to look so surprised."
"But it wasn't supposed to happen to you Elin.", The King who was for the most part, a good natured man, said this and the next part in a teasing manner, "Beautiful as you've become, I'm going to have to ward off suitors.', he gestured to his sons, "Maybe even my own sons!"
Elin with an amused smile shook her head and said, "It's good to be home."
That night at the feast she came in without a partner, whispers among the women of the court promptly started as they gossiped about the bold choice.
However, that was not the only reason she was the subject of talk.
Her dress was the red that Camelot had on it's flag, instead of the low neckline that the ladies preferred, her neck was completely covered, there was an oval shaped hole where her chest was that showed a small amount of her breast. Her sleeves barely started, before ending right when her shoulders curve down to meet her arms. The back, or rather lack of one ended right above where is would be considered inappropriate, giving a person full view of her back.
"You look lovely tonight Elin."
Elin gave a polite nod and said,"Thank you Lord Caledon."
"I've told you a thousand times, you and my son have been friends for years. I think the formality isn't necessary, call me Markus."
"No use in it father. She's too stubborn."
Balinor Caledon walked up to her, bowed, and held up his arm.
"May I have this dance?"
She stood up, "Of course."
"If you'll excuse me Lord Caledon."
She deliberately put stress on Caledon.
Markus sighed, annoyed at her persistence.
The court of Camelot watched the watched the woman who left home as a child of thirteen and came back a woman of seventeen dance with Balinor, who was now eighteen and, by the laws of the old religion old enough to choose his egg.
In the earlier years of the twos friendship most assumed that the two would marry someday, they along with Gaius when Elin forced him away from his studies, caused mischief throughout the castle.
However, that seemed not to be what destiny had in store for the pair, as they became something closer to siblings as they're relationship grew.
The dance ended and they both moved to the sidelines where Gaius was standing.
Conversation erupted between the trio immediately and the court knew that things were the way they should be.
Destiny, however looked at the Crown Prince Aurelius Ambrosius with a cruel smile.
She knew that things will never be right until Uther is on the throne.
Merlin looked at Gaius with concern all the while staying a good distance away from the body.
"Aren't you scared?"
Gaius looked at his ward, with a bewildered expression, "Why would I be?"
Merlin gestured to the man dead on the ground, "You might catch whatever this is."
Gaius shrugged, "I'm court physician Merlin, this is my job. Most of the time there isn't anything to be worried about.
He turned the corpse over, revealing a grotesque man.
His skin was pale as a sheet, there were visible veins that took an awful coloring, and his eyes were even whiter than his skin and were probably the most disturbing thing about him.
Merlin could not help the sardonic comment that he made, "You were saying?"
Gaius frowned before quickly getting a sheet and covering him all the while saying, "People mustn't see this. They will panic."
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Morgana looked up at the sound of Guinevere walking in looking unusually perky.
"You look happy."
Gwen gave her a bright smile before handing the small bouquet of flowers.
"I picked these for you."
Morgana smiled, "That's so sweet."
"Something to cheer you up. I know your not sleeping well."
"You cheer me up."
Gwen practically glowed at the statement.
"I'll find a vase to put them in."
Gwen quickly left the room to find one.
Morgana relaxed slightly, normally Gwen's presence helped. The woman was a good friend and she always listened to Morgana's nightmares.
But this time it seemed different. Personal.
Morgana's eye's seemed different in that one moment, not the carefree young lady but someone else something else.
Like a caged animal, waiting for the right moment to escape and defend itself to the death.
All it had to do was be released.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
"I've never seen anything like this before."
"Do you think it could be some sort of plague?"
Gaius gave Merlin a serious look, "No. I fear that something like this can never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?"
"You think it's caused by magic?"
"Merlin!"
Merlin rushed to the door not wanting Arthur to see the body.
He opened it quickly saying, "Um. On my way. Sorry I'm late."
Arthur gave him an annoyed look, "I'm getting used to it."
Arthur, by chance looks at Merlin's scarf with furrowed browns.
"Gwen gave it to me."
Arthur dismissed it, "Tell Gaius that my father wants to see him now."
"Okay.
He closes the door as soon as the Prince walks away.
"Gaius-"
"I heard."
It was only then that Merlin questioned the situation, "Why couldn't just tell you himself?"
"Because that is the way it is. You are his servant."
Merlin looked offended, "If he knew the things I've done-"
"Then you would be dead," Gaius deadpanned, "Now get this picked up."
Merlin still wounded said," Hey. I'm not your servant."
"No," Gaius agreed, "Your my dogsbody. Now come on, hurry up."
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
"It is likely the cause is sorcery My Lord."
Uther gave a curt nod and pulled Arthur aside.
"We must find out who did this."
Arthur nodded, "I will father."
Uther gave his orders, "Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant."
"Merlin? But-"
"I'm going to need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly. "
Arthur bowed, "Yes. Father."
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Uther stopped right at the door, but had no time for hesitation he barged in.
"Undo it."
Elin sat up from bed, she'd always been a light sleeper and his blundering had woken her up.
She gave him a dark look before muttering under her breath just loud enough to be heard, "I hope you regain your guilty feelings after this. Too early to be up."
Uther clenched his fist, "Undo it now!"
Elin rubbed her eyes, "I have no idea what your talking about."
"UNDO THIS CURSE THAT YOU'VE SET."
"Look. I know that my kind are evil abominations and every little thing is our fault. But I can honestly say that I have no idea what you're talking about. And even if I did we both know I couldn't cast that without killing myself."
"Then who did?"
Elin snorted, "I don't know. Look at the people you've pissed off," she paused, "Wait, that probably doesn't narrow things down."
Uther walked out, his posture stiff.
"Tell Gaius I said good luck."
She sat back on her bed getting comfortable within her sheets.
Before she drifted back to sleep she wondered briefly if she should have told the truth.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Merlin looked at the man, "Gaius? I think he's awake."
Gaius shook his head, "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him."
"But we haven't tried."
Gaius fixed him with a resigned look, "If we don't know what a disease is then how are we to cure him?"
"With magic," Merlin simply stated
Gaius shook his head, "Have a look. They're suspicious of everyone, this is not the time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the disease"
Later
"Over there."
Arthur turned to Gaius apologetically, "Sorry Gaius we're searching every room in town."
"What for?"
"A sorcerer."
Gaius looked at him with annoyance, "But why would he be here?"
Arthur shrugged, "I'm just doing my job."
Gaius shrugged, "We've nothing to hide."
Arthur fingered the loose papers, "All these books and papers?"
"My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science," he made a welcoming gesture, "You are more than welcome to read them if you wish."
Arthur immediately stepped away from them as if Gaius said they spread a plague to any who touch them.
He looked towards Merlin's room, "What's this room up here?"
Merlin who had been watching Arthur and Gaius's exchange spoke up, "It's mine."
Arthur moved up to check it.
"And what do you expect to find up there."
Arthur didn't even look back when he replied, "Evidence suggesting the use of enchantments."
Worry briefly enters Merlin's face.
"Merlin. Come here and see what I found."
Stiffly Merlin walked up to his room.
"A cupboard, you put things in it."
Merlin gave a sheepish shrug, once Arthur's back was turned his eyes flashed gold and his book was hidden.
Arthur looks around some more before walking out back to Gaius.
"How long do you think it may be until a cure is found?"
"It depends on how many interruptions there are."
"Of course."
He and his guards left.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Nimueh looked at the death with a satisfied smile, before focusing her magic on the mind of a specific resident of the castle.
"Elin."
Silence.
"Elin. Answer me now."
Nimueh felt annoyance in the back of her mind, but it was not her own.
"First Uther and now you. I'm never going to get a proper days rest."
Nimueh laughed, letting the woman know her amusement.
"Yes I saw Uther's little tantrum. You didn't tell him about me."
Silence once again.
"I did not know it was you for sure."
"Lair," it was teasing, with just a hint of annoyance, "We both know you knew the exact moment the spell hit Camelot."
"Maybe. But it is not my place to fix this."
Nimueh frowned, "Fix? Why would you want this fixed?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Uther has confined you for twenty years. One of your oldest friends helped him do so. How could you not want revenge?"
Nimueh felt a brief flash of disappointment, then fury.
"I am many things Nimueh. But not a murderer. I would never sacrifice an innocent life for any greater good. You've never been able to say the same, so I do not expect you to understand my reasons for not wanting to kill without reason.
A pause, for a moment Nimueh thought she was done.
"You know you remind me of Uther. Both of you hate blindly"
Elin then severed the connection.
Leaving Nimueh to rage and curse her apprentice on her own.
SOOOO this one was more focused on Elin so expect a lot of Merlin next time. So few things I feel has to be explained:
1)Dragonlords don't have to die for the powers to be passed on. They have to be 18 AND they also have to hatch an egg. The gift can stay dormant throughout a bloodline because of this. So in Merlin's case he is about 18 (I personally think him as 19) in S1 Ep.1 and could unlock the powers if he some how got ahold of a dragon egg. Or alternatively he could go his whole life without knowing. Just depends.
2)Caledon is short for Caledonensis who like Ambrosius played a part in creating Merlin.
3)Canon ages for my story at the beginning is Merlin is 19, Arthur is 20, Morgana 19, but older than Merlin and Gwen is 21. Please don't be afraid to review.
I'm interested in you think about the story so far. I have a few ideas where I'm going with this but I'm pretty much writing at the edge of my seat, so I'm open to suggestions. Or if you're like me and can be a grammer natzi at times then tell me if I'm getting something wrong. Don't be shy. I'm not going to explode at the sight of things that really need fixing.
Also thank you to the people you have followed and or favorited this story. It's awesome knowing someone is actually reading the bottom part. Unless you don't. I do make the bottom part extremely long. So double thanks to people who reads the super long bottom where I ramble.
You are the true heros here.
Bye!
-Night
(Merlin isn't mine)