Summary: Emrys travels to Camelot as ambassador for his people, the Druids, to discuss peace treaties and alliances. But it seems malicious people do not want the settlement to happen, and both Emrys and Arthur find themselves fighting against dark forces. AU
Details/Disclaimer: Merlin, and anything from the series, belongs to the BBC.
Enjoy!
Tazz~
Discussions of Peace
Chapter Three: The Feast (Word count: 806)
"After many years of strife, I have taken the initiative to make peace with the Druids. Let this feast be in honour of the treaty to come, as well as the ambassador of their people, Emrys." He and all the others in the room raised their goblets in acknowledgement, and the mentioned Druid bowed his head in response.
"And now, may I present to you the Lady Helen of Mora."
Everyone applauded as the woman took to the stage, bowing deeply. Smiling, she began singing.
Immediately, Emrys could feel magic washing throughout the room. It was unlike his own; where his was a soothing presence, this one was unsettling, its evil and malicious intent trying to force an unnatural slumber upon him.
It was tied to her voice, he realised and immediately clamped his hands on his ears. He watched as everyone in the room, servants, royals and visiting nobles – the first of many – slumped over their tables. Cobwebs began snaking up their still forms.
Arthur fell slack in his chair too, and Emrys realised that he was what 'Lady Helen' was focusing on, her intent written all over her face.
She drew a hidden dagger from her sleeve and held it up. Looking around, keeping his hands firmly on his ears, Emrys noticed the hanging chandelier, directly over where she was standing.
"Ásígan." It fell, knocking her out cold. The glamour he was only aware of now faded away, leaving a worn, frail woman behind. Emrys vaulted over the table to check if she was unconscious as the sleepers began to awake.
"What happened?" Uther's voice carried over the room. They all turned to Emrys who calmly relayed the events. Just as he concluded, the imposter woke up and as soon as she saw him, she remembered who he was and began shrieking.
"You! You're a Druid! You killed my son!" she cried, picking up the fallen dagger and thrusting it through the air. While everyone gasped and watched in horror as it homed in on the warlock, he didn't even react, except to wave a hand – the dagger stopped in mid air, an inch from his chest.
"And then she took an attempt on my life as well," he finished, wrinkling his nose wryly.
"Why did you do this?" Uther asked gravely, turning away from the dagger that hung quivering.
"My son lost his life fighting against these despicable people – and now you want a treaty with them! Are you stupid? They killed dozens of-"
"Silence." Emrys' eyes flashed, and suddenly the old woman fell mute. He turned to Uther.
"I ask that she be punished by the Druids for her misuse of magic."
"How will you get her to Avalon?"
"Easily enough." He cracked a small smile and Uther understood.
"Do with her what you will – just make sure she suffers. Fittingly."
The punishment for an attempt on the prince's life was death, but neither of them commented on it. The old lady herself looked like she would very much want to, but the silence spell was still upon her.
"Do not worry, my lord, she shall be punished." Once again he waved his hand and a wind started up. It swirled around the criminal, becoming opaque, and when it stopped, she was gone.
"If I may be excused, my lord?" Emrys asked. Uther nodded silently, staring at the spot where she had been. Emrys looked too, and then made the chandelier float back to the ceiling, hanging as it was before – leaving no sign of the evil sorceress. He swept out of the room.
Arthur soon found Emrys' chambers – they were not actually far from his own. He knocked on them and entered without waiting for an answer.
"You can come in then." Emrys raised an eyebrow.
"I'm the prince; of course I can."
"Are you always going to bring up your inheritance?" he asked amusedly.
"I'm merely speaking the truth."
"You're being prince doesn't make it any less rude to barge into rooms. Anyway, what did you want?"
"I wanted to thank you-"
"You mean not challene me to some ridiculous contest?" Arthur squirmed a little under his smirking gaze.
"Still, you saved my life – I'll try my best to repay the debt."
"And how are you to do that?"
"Erm..."
"Exactly. But don't worry about it – I'll keep your debt in mind. Was there anything else?"
"Not really..." Arthur turned to leave.
"Arthur, what is it?"
"I was just wondering... if you're so powerful, why did you even let me last against you for a second?"
"Ah, I was bored."
"Bored?"
"Very." He grinned. "And you won't have to worry – magic's not allowed in the tournament tomorrow – although, you still won't have a chance of beating me."
"I beg to differ." Arthur scoffed.
"And last time you used those words?"
And there's Uther, taking credit xD
Ásígan = Fall (if this is a mistake, and you know the correct one, do tell!)
Well, season one's episode one is done :D And an extra scene between Arthur and Emrys, as it's not like Emrys can become a manservant xD Next chapter – the tournament, including Valiant (I need to watch episode two as well! *squee*)
Review please :3 I haven't had that many on this story, so... D:
Booty Call - The Midnight Beast 8D
B-DOUBLE O-T-Y! It's three over condident stereotypical cheerleader types~
