Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, only the AU is mine. Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, and everyone else belong to the BBC.

Chapter 4 - The Sunrise Over the Ocean

The pirate captain was obviously upset. A conflict was taking place within him over whether or not to say more.

"What do you mean 'more people would end up dead?" Arthur asked, shocked and thoroughly confused. The answer didn't make much sense. "Is someone threatening you?" The thought that someone would try to control such a gentle person by such treacherous means infuriated Arthur.

"No, it...it is not like that..."

Arthur relaxed, but then a new wave of suspicion rolled over him. He wished Emrys would just tell him what was going on.

"Then what-"

"I grew up on the streets," Emrys exclaimed. Arthur's eyes widened at the sudden confession. He steeled himself, preparing for the coming story that was obvious to make him pity the pirate even more. Arthur promised himself he wouldn't let the pirate get off easy just because of a tragic childhood. He simply wouldn't. He kept silent as Emrys continued.

"When I was very young, my father passed away. He succumbed to a mysterious illness that no doctor seemed to have seen or heard of before. My mother died of the same sickness soon after. With no other family to go to, I was thrust into the London streets. The only way for orphaned street children to survive was to join a street gang. So I did. All around me I watched children succumb to the illness that took my parents. So I resolved to find a cure..." Emrys began to fidget. He was clearly uncomfortable revealing so much about himself, but once the words started coming, they wouldn't stop. And in order for Arthur to understand everything, Emrys was going to have to continue.

Arthur nearly put his hand on the pirate's shoulder, a reaction that had become almost automatic as a comforting gesture on the Albion. He stopped himself just in time and reminded himself that he wasn't to get sucked in. This could all be a lie to save the pirate's skin. But a part of him didn't believe that. He had always thought of the Dread Pirate Emrys as a cold-blooded killer and a violent thief, a villainous force to be destroyed. This didn't correlate with the Dread Pirate that stood before him. The Black Dragon was no dragon; he was a human being.

Arthur realized that he had been staring at Emrys who stared back, though fidgeting. The blank stare had made him reluctant to continue. Arthur shook his head and nodded, signaling to the pirate to continue.

"How much do you know about...about magic?"

Arthur started. His growing recognition of the magic around him had made him sensitive to the word, and to those who used it. He did not understand it, nor know much about it, and so he feared it.

"I learnt of it at Puerto Magia when we stopped at Puerto Rico." The corners of Emrys's mouth turned upwards slightly. The irony of the name was not lost on him. Arthur just raised an eyebrow at the reaction.

"Magic is...well, the easiest way to explain it is that it is the force behind everything. Some places, like this place, Bahia de Diablo," a sudden breeze sent the two shivering, "are magic hotspots. Some people can also be magic hotspots. These people can control the forces of magic..." Emrys seemed reluctant to continue, but he shook out his dark hair and pressed on. "For instance, I myself can bend the forces of magic to my will. That is the origin of the nickname Warlock."

Arthur stepped back, as though preparing for a sudden attack. If Emrys could use magic, and Arthur believed he had seen the man do it before, he didn't need a ship to leave the island. He could destroy all of them, including Arthur, and leave at any moment.

Emrys started reaching out to Arthur, but when the navy captain flinched, he thought better of it and lowered his arm. "I promise I will not hurt you. Like I said, I have never killed anyone. And I never intend to..." Tears welled in the pirate captain's eyes. He had experienced this reaction before, the fear looked at him with when he told them of his abilities. He had known harsh rejections in his past, and he did not take them well. He had even lashed out once, and he winced visibly at the memory. Arthur noticed, and dropped his guard slightly. He didn't want to upset the pirate, mostly in fear of the possible consequences.

"Prove it then. Prove that you have magic. And prove that you will not hurt me."

Emrys thought for a moment. Then and idea lit up in his mind. His eyes flashed. He held out his palm and floating above his hand was a small orb of fire. It flickered and danced, lighting their faces. Arthur was fascinated, but wary.

"Give me your hand and I will prove to you that I will not hurt you," the pirate captain said. Arthur tentatively held his hand out.

Emrys gently held it by the wrist, bringing it closer to the fire. Arthur yelped and leaped back, pulling his hand away.

"You have to trust me or else this will not work," Emrys said, desperation in his voice, eyes begging. He needed Arthur to trust him. Arthur reached his hand back out again. He could deal with a burn. It wasn't the worst pain he had ever endured.

Emrys gently drew Arthur's hand into the fire. Arthur flinched, but he did not pull away. The flames licked at his fingers, pleasantly warm to the touch. The fire snaking around his fingers soothed him. Then the orb turned into mouse, running up Arthur's arm and down the front of his coat. The tiny claws tickled through the cloth, and Arthur could feel the gentle heat warming him against the cool air. He grinned at the creature until it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"So...do you trust me?"

Arthur smothered his grin. "For now."

Emrys smiled brightly. It was infectious. Arthur fought against the tug at the corners of his mouth. He was not a child, and he would not grin conspiratorially with this wanted pirate captain.

But he couldn't help it.

Arthur faked clearing his throat. "So what does magic have to do with your search for the cure for this mysterious disease?"

Emrys's smile faded. He did not look at Arthur as he spoke. "I heard a rumor that this...illness was magical in nature. And things created by magic can only be destroyed by magic. So as soon as I was old enough, I became the assistant of a fisherman. I figured traveling the seas would give me access to far spread rumors, ones I could follow to locate a cure. But our boat was caught by a pirate sailing on the Kilgharrah. He was an old and rather unsuccessful pirate, but he managed to capture small merchant vessels and fishing boats, and he treated his prisoners the way all pirates do: enslaving them or killing them. I used a bit of magic to help me rise in the ranks on his ship, and after just a few months of gentle magical persuasion and hard work, I became the first mate. Soon after that, I incited a rebellion against the pirate captain, and the crew mutinied, naming me captain in his place. I told them what I was after. I showed them my magic. And they feared it. They called me the Black Dragon, Warlock, and Dread Pirate. I did not want to be a pirate captain, but I had seen the profits that could be made. And I needed the money desperately, both for my own search, as well as...Well, growing up on the streets, you see a lot of people, especially children, going without food. Those at orphanages barely fared any better. So whenever we gathered some loot from pirating, I would always make sure to take some to the orphanages and the street kids back in London. I told my men not to hurt or kill anyone, but they are pirates, and I never had the heart to punish them...they respect me, but they do not fear me. Only my magic do they fear. And I do not use it to hurt others." Emrys looked up at Arthur to find him bemused and somewhat lost. Emrys had spoken faster and faster as time drew on, and his thoughts had grown scattered, but he had said everything he had wanted to say.

"I need a moment to think on this..." Arthur said, sitting on the shore of the lake. He sat with the same bemused expression on his face as minutes dragged by.

"I cannot simply let you go. You know that. I'll be named a traitor." Realizing what Arthur had said, Emrys smiled broadly.

"So you believe me!" The pirate's eyes shone with unshed tears of relief.

"Well, I suppose, but...what can I do..." Arthur silently cursed the pirate. He had not meant to get so emotionally evolved with the pirate, but he had left him no choice. And knowing what he knew now, Arthur could not simply send this frail young man to his death on the London gallows. Arthur understood why the pirates had followed Emrys so earnestly. His gentle demeanor endeared him to others. And he was true to himself, earning the crew's respect. His magic earned their fear. He made the perfect captain in a completely unexpected way.

Emrys sat down on the sand beside Arthur. The two men sat in thoughtful silence.

"How about this, Dread Pirate Emrys. We will repair both the Albion and the Kilgharrah and when both ships are finished with their repairs, I will tell you then what your fate is to be." Emrys nodded seriously. The men shook on the deal. Then Emrys smiled.

"You do not have to call me by my surname."

"What?"

"Emrys. It is the name of my family. You can call me by my given name: Merlin."

"Right, well, Merlin. We should be getting back." They stood. It was then that Arthur noticed Merlin's bare feet. The pirate wiggled his toes. They stung from tiny scrapes and cuts from running in the jungle. Arthur noticed traces of blood. He also noticed Merlin's thin arms wrapped tight around his body, and his shivering. He quickly came up with the best solution he could think of.

Arthur took off his coat and thrust it at the boy. Merlin looked surprised, but he took the coat. "Thank you, Captain Pendragon." This time it was Arthur's turn to look surprised.

"Call me Arthur. Except around my men, then call me Captain Pendragon." Merlin chuckled. Arthur smiled a bit. Then he pointed at the pirate's scraped and bloodied feet.

"Oh, I am fine. I do not need my boots, not really," the boy insisted.

Arthur kneeled with his back facing the pirate. "Put your arms around my neck."

A faint blush colored Merlin's cheeks.

"Do it or else I will carry you over my shoulder."

His cheeks flushed further as Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's strong neck. The navy captain was built solidly, but also gracefully. And Merlin had not failed to notice. Arthur stood as Merlin wrapped his legs around the blond man's middle. The pirate caught a faint whiff of the other man's hair as it brushed against his face. Merlin thought it smelled like the ocean, a scent he had grown fond of.

A set of female faces giggled and watched from the lake as the men left for the campsite.


When the two men returned to the camp, Merlin was fast asleep on Arthur's back. The sleeping sentry, now wide awake, was waiting for them, looking distraught.

"Captain! I do not know what happened! I was wide awake and then the next thing I knew, the prisoner was gone and it was several hours later! I went to get you, but you had disappeared as well!" Arthur smirked at Merlin's obvious usage of sleeping magic. The sentry paled when he saw the pirate on Arthur's back.

"Do not worry, I have retrieved the criminal," Arthur said somewhat mockingly. He was beginning to realize that this man was no more a criminal than he himself was. He was a criminal of circumstance only. The sentry followed Arthur into the prisoners' tent. Guinevere was still sleeping soundly, as though nothing had happened. Arthur put Merlin down gently leaving his coat around the pirate's bony shoulders. He smirked at the boy's sleeping form; Merlin looked even more harmless when sleeping.

When the sentry moved to bind Merlin's hands, Arthur stopped him. "He will not be needing that. Remove the woman's as well." The guard looked puzzled, but did not object. Arthur looked back down at the sleeping boy before leaving the tent, adding, "Make sure he eats when he wakes up."


The next day passed without incident. The men had formed groups. Those who knew how to repair ships took the dinghies out to the Albion and the Kilgharrah in the mornings, returning as the sun set. When Captain Pendragon had told Percival to have the builders restore the Kilgharrah as well, Percival hadn't been surprised. "She is a fine prize to take back the Royal Navy."

Arthur nodded, as though that were indeed the reason for her repairs.

Other men had formed teams to gather food to bring back to the camp. Some had taken to fishing in various places around the island, while others collected fruits. Still more hunted for birds, and a few men took empty water barrels to the freshwater lake to fill them. The island seemed to hold enough resources to feed every person to satiation for at least a while. For this, Arthur and his men were thankful.

The navy captain visited his prisoners throughout the day. With a slight coloring of his cheeks, Arthur retrieved his coat from the pirate captain. He paid special attention to Merlin, making sure the ate as much as he could. Merlin had told Guinevere what had happened, and she was surprised that Arthur had believed him so quickly.

"I did not use magic, Gwen," Merlin whispered to her, "he would have felt it. I do not know how, but he knows the feeling of magic. He has probably met a magical person before."

"You should not be so quick to trust him, Merlin. He could still take you back and turn you in."

"Well, I trust him, Gwen. He will help me. I know he will," Merlin breathed.

"If he does not, I will have his head. You have a noble goal and a noble heart, Merlin." The girl smiled at him.

Arthur stood silently just outside the tent. He had heard every word, and he was beginning to hope that he would choose to help Merlin. The man was no pirate at heart. He was a saint.


The next morning, Lancelot awoke.

The doctor had worked tirelessly since the battle to revive the wounded sailors, but for Lancelot nothing could be done. He had done all he could and all that was left was to wait. When Lancelot had awakened that morning, a messenger was sent to the captain's tent. The man burst in, panting heavily. Arthur shot up, startled from his sleep. The man explained breathlessly what had happened. Arthur raced after the man back to the surgeon's tent. Inside, Lancelot sat up, talking in a soft voice to the doctor.

Arthur grinned. "Lancelot, it is good to have you back." He embraced the man briefly, as he had with Gwaine before.

"I am glad to be back, Sir. They thought I was as good as gone already." Lancelot smiled weakly, the short beard an odd sight on his face.

"Rest well and I am sure you will be back at your station in no time." And with that, Arthur left the tent. He headed to check on the prisoners. Inside, he found Merlin smirking straight at him.

"I heard your friend is feeling quite a bit better. Survived a surely lethal wound. His powers of recovery are remarkable." Arthur got the peculiar feeling that no one had told Merlin about Lancelot's recovery. Gwen was smirking beside him as well. Arthur narrowed his eyes and indicated to Merlin to leave the tent with him, which the prisoners were allowed to do freely as long as they were supervised. Arthur no longer saw purpose in keeping them heavily bound and guarded.

When they were well away from the vision and hearing of those in the camp, Arthur leaned in close and whispered, "Did you use your magic to help Lancelot recover?

Merlin merely nodded. He was uncertain as to Arthur's reaction at his unauthorized use of magic, and he was frightened of what Arthur might do.

The navy captain put his hands on Merlin's shoulders and gently rested his forehead against the boy's, closing his eyes. "Thank you," he breathed.

The action surprised Merlin, but did not displease him. He even leaned into the touch ever so slightly. Closing his own eyes, Merlin breathed an even softer, "This is what I use my magic for."

And Arthur believed him, truly and completely.