A/D: I DO NOT own Merlin. They belong to BBC. Bless them.
A/N: I've always wanted to do a crossover fic, but the notion to incorporate that in here never occurred until I was almost asleep. Don't the damn plot bunnies always come at such crappy timing sometimes?? You can choose to skip this chapter, but I'd advise you to read it. In this chapter, it'll be explained why Merlin had been kidnapped. Oh! And the incarnate evil has a name; Charlie (Readers go "WHAT??!!) Neways, you don't have to research the characters that I will write along the way from now. Some of them have shippers of their own already. Enjoy!
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"Charlie boy!"
The blonde turned to see his friend smiling and jogging up to them. Returning her smile, he waved back. The brunette next to him had his hands stuffed down his pockets, looking at the newcomer with pure curiosity and interest. He couldn't see why anyone wouldn't be fascinated by Nymphadora Tonks or just Tonks as she calls herself. The woman was a walking rainbow of ever changing hair colours and physical features. Today, she had her trademark neon pink, short-cropped hair.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. Shall we go now?" She grinned, a little out of breath. Craning over his shoulder, he couldn't help but to smile as her eyes widened considerably at the person with him. "So you're Merlin Emrys?? Wow! You're so cute!" Gushing she rung an arm over a very shocked and very blushing Merlin. He let her steer him in the course of the fair while he trailed behind but he didn't miss the comical 'Help-Me' look that he got from the young warlock.
Charles deBeumont was a very respected poet among his peers. He had the ability to control the Royal Psalms and was the last known living person who could actually do that without fear of consequences. Only in his early twenties, he'd already been nominated as one of the main choices to lead the magical kind into their age of glory. Named in Witch Weekly as one of the Magical male being to marry, he naturally turned heads on the street with his long dark gold hair, dark emerald green eyes and lithe figure. Pushing his specs back onto the bridge of his nose, he ignored the look that a passing lady gave him.
"Let's go on this one first! No. Wait. That one looks more fun. That's the Scream-a-lot. They say you'll most definitely scream on that one! It's that scary!" Tonks laughed. Merlin looked alot like a helpless kitten. Charlie decided it was time he 'saved' him.
"C'mon now, Tonks. Don't bully him." Taking a puff from his cigarette, he rung his arm around the warlock's slighter figure. "He'll probably kill me later." He added with a small smile. It was true. Merlin Emrys could kill him if he wanted to. Charlie has been wondering why it's taking him so long.
--Four months ago--
It had been another invitation to one of those boring luncheons. Charlie was about to throw this one into the bin when Durand, his secretary, stopped him.
"Deon! No!" Grabbing the card from his hand and then smoothing the creases out. "Didn't you see whose name is written over here?"
"No."
"Sybill Trelawney. That's who!"
"Should I concern myself who this Sybill person is?" He lit his cigarette with the tip of his finger.
"Yes! She's only the most celebrated Seer of all time!" Durand flailed his hand. "Don't you care about anything at all?"
Giving him a long hard look and taking a drag, "No."
Durand's warm brown narrowed. "That's it! You're coming with me to this party." Charlie could've overpowered him easily, but nevertheless said nothing and nodded. It was best not to mess around with the taller man when he was like this.
And that was how things turn out the way it did, really. They'd been on the carpet, getting into the venue when suddenly everyone was in a frenzy. The camera shutters were going off and they made a sound like a million insect wings. Turning to see the commotion, Charlie saw that the person stepping out of a vintage Rolls-Royce was none other than the Madame Sybill. Wrapped in white fur and dripping with diamonds, she looked regal in every which way possible.
"Madame Trelawney! Madame Trelawney!!" The photographers cried out, attempting to trump each other in getting her attention. Smiling and waving, she paid no extra attention and walked pass them swiftly.
"She's something, isn't she?" Charlie turned to Durand. His friend had a star-struck look upon his face. Just then, the said person passed them and Charlie could've swore that she'd caught his eye and a flicker of recognition passed through her light orbs. No. He shook his head. It was just a trick of the eye.
The entire event was a bore. As expected. Charlie had literally burnt through half of his newly bought packet of cigs by the time the second course came out. That wasn't good. No. It wasn't good at all. Finally, feigning an excuse of having a guest back in his house, he left the table. Durand smiled and wished him good night. Inside, the blonde winced. He knew that smile and it usually meant that he had hell to pay for when he sees him in the morning.
"You."
He stopped short from entering his car. Looking back to see the owner of the voice, he was surprised to see Madame Sybill standing there with her arms crossed. Sauntering over with the swagger of a cat, she opened the passenger door and said, "Get in."
The dark interior of the car was silent, save for the low hum of the engine. The occasional passing street lamp illuminated the passengers. Charlie flicked an impatient look at the lady next to him. She was really getting onto his nerves. What's up with her anyways? What's her problem? And why in the name of everything that was good and true, did he let her follow him? This was his car for god sakes!
"Don't worry. I'm not here to trouble you, nor am I here to bring you trouble." Madame Sybill spoke suddenly. The light of the dashboard washed her features in an eerie glow. "You have a desire. Don't you? A desire for someone perfect for you to love."
What the hell did she mean by that?
"You want something Charles- or should I say Deon? That's what your sister called you isn't it? I believe her name was Lia... My, she was very beautiful."
He slammed his foot on the brakes. "Okay bitch. This has gone far enough." Turning to her, he snarled. "Tell me what you want and leave."
"Aren't you the touchy one?"
Madame Sybill didn't seem perturbed about all this. In fact, she smiled. "You want to love. You want someone to love. I can help you with that." When she didn't receive a reply, she continued. "Keep driving. I don't want to be roadkill on this deserted highway." Charlie didn't know what possessed him, but he shifted into gear and kept on driving.
"You don't particularly prefer women. That much is true. You just like your relationships short and clean. Nothing messy. But what you truly desire is for someone you can lavish your every single being on. You realised that there can be no one else for you besides the perfect mate. In fact, I should dare say you're getting desperate for the company." Her voice filled the cavity of the vehicle. Charlie kept his mouth shut. So far, some of the things that the loony was saying was kind of true. "The man you are soul mates with, however, doesn't belong in this universe. You'll have to travel to his universe to find him." Here, he snorted.
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that, pray tell? There aren't exactly many dimension portals left open to the public in this world. 'Sides," He gripped his steering wheel. "How do I even know this fucking bullshit you are throwing at me is true?" Steely eyes met his in the dark.
"You don't have to, Deon. That's the beauty of it." Clenching and unclenching his jaw, he swerved into a street. He'd probably get enough tickets to bury him, but what did he care? It was a miracle he managed to park his car in the back of the venue that they'd left from.
"This is your stop. Now get out." He kept his eyes on the road.
It took her a minute, but she opened the door and stepped onto the asphalt pavement. Before closing the door, she opened her purse and placed a photograph on the passenger seat. "Think about it, Deon."
Oh yeah. Think.
It was three days before he actually saw the photo. He'd gone to pick up Aggy when he saw the it lying on the carpet. It was him, alright. He had this look upon his face that he'd never seen before. He actually looked happy. Next to him, looking very much embarrassed was someone whom he'd never seen before. He had the bluest eyes ever and a strange haircut that framed his sharp features. His dark locks were a little wayward as if they'd been messed with right before the shot was taken. Strangely enough, he found himself running a finger over the smooth surface of the picture.
"Papa? Who's that?" The little boy asked when he got in the car. Quickly putting the picture safely away in his breast pocket he smiled and ruffled his dark red locks. Although Anna had remarried, they'd still remained friends. It was mainly due to August. Their split had been unavoidable; Charlie had just not been emotionally involved in their relationship. And he never said otherwise.
"No one, Aggy." He said reassuringly to his son. "Now, how about some ice-cream?" Charlie sped off into the traffic with the man in the picture weighing heavily on his mind.
When Anna came in a few days, the man was still on his mind. In fact, he was practically in every dream, behind every door, in every shadow. "You sure look like shit." Anna said in a matter-of-fact way. She still looked beautiful, just like the day he'd met her. Bright blue eyes that seemed to sear right to the back of your eyes, dark red curls that she always kept up with a ribbon. The court had granted them both joint custody over August, although their 6 year old son lived with his mother on the weekdays and with him on the weekends and on holidays. It hadn't matter really. They lived 10 blocks away from each other.
"Yeah.. Well, thanks for pointing that out, captain obvious." He smiled a genuine smile. Long blonde hair had been tied up into a bun. Anna was one of those people he felt no need to pretend around.
"Where's Aggy?"
"Back yard. Goin bonkers over those damn bunnies." He sniffed.
Anna shrugged off her light beige coat and draped it over the leather sofa. "How's work coming along?"
"Good." Taking a cig he lit it and took a long drag.
"Deon..." Warning bells rang in his head.
"Yeah. Sorry..." Stubbing into the panda ashtray, he frowned. He'd needed that but it wasn't worth having Anna's wrath upon him. They'd agreed that he must not ever smoke in front or anywhere near Aggy. "It's just that it'd... It's been a hard week."
Plopping himself on the sofa, he kept his eyes on Aggy's little figure outside the screen door. He feelt the corners of his lips tweak upwards when he saw his son's eyes alight with excitement. Deep sea green eyes. So much a mirror of his.
"Anna?"
"Hrmm?"
"If I loved.. If I could love again. Would you...?"
"Be happy? Be upset? Be bitter? Resentful?" Anna smiled as she sat down next to him. Handing him a glass of water, she continued. "To be honest, yeah. I'd feel a little hurt. But, ultimately I'd be happy for you." Blue eyes met green. "If you have a chance to find love again, take it. Even if it wasn't with me, I'd give you all my blessings. 'Sides...." Grinning, "Aggy deserves another daddy."
Charlie guessed that must've been the reason why he's loved this woman in the first place. Her ability to know what others needed before they even realised it was to say the least, amazing. That had to be the reason they could've still remain so close even when they had no longer anything in common.
"Thanks Anna."
Doesn't belong in this universe
'What would've been the implications of bringing him to this world?' Charlie thought as he enjoyed the night air. Flipping open his phone, he dialled Durand's number from memory. 'Would I be that selfish?'
Deep inside he knew there was only one answer to that question. Yes. He would be selfish for this unnamed man. This man with the blue eyes.
--Present day--
Tonk's bright pink hair served as their beacon. They'd gone on almost every single ride there was in the fair. Merlin had a good arm with the throwing games while Tonks had the advantage in the shooting department. At first, the brunette warlock was apprehensive of this strange lady who was as strange as she was strikingly pretty. But by the time they'd started on the second game, Tonks was calling Merlin an 'idiot' while he'd called her 'Dora' just to annoy her. All in all, Charlie was glad that the two were getting along well. But the look that he had when he caught himself having fun. It almost made him....
Well, it almost made him regret what he'd done.
-- A month ago--
"I'm surprised it took you this long." Madame Sybill greeted him at the door in her short printed kimono. She probably knew he was coming but left him standing like an idiot on the front steps anyways. Fugly old hag.
She let him in. It surprised him, a little that she lived in an apartment. Durand had been most apprehensive when he'd asked him to look for her number. With a snarl and a threat of replacing him with Robin the new intern later, he'd begrudgingly texted him the number.
"Try to make yourself at home." She looked at him pointedly. Truth was, the lady gave him the creeps. Madame Sybill was probably old enough to be his mother and yet she dressed in such scandalous things. Her hair was tied up in a bun with two chopsticks thing sticking out. The woman must have a thing for things from the orient. Nonetheless, he sat down on the plush gothic styled armchair and waited, wondering what in the entire cosmos had made him decide to meet this quack.
"I heard that." The Seer walked into the room with a wooden box in her hands. "And that wasn't a very nice thing to say." Narrowing her eyes at him she placed the box on the table in front of them. "I'm doing you a big favour here, Mister. The least you can do is play nice."
"Ready?"
As if he could be anything else.
Lifting the lid, Charlie felt like the bright noon sun that had been shining brightly in the room just now had gotten dimmer and dimmer until nothing else filled his vision but the crystal ball in the box. The swirling clouds in the little sphere kept him transfixed and drew him in. "Wha-What is this?" The words left his mouth in barely a whisper. And then the lid was shut again.
"That, my dear Deon, is a moonstone. It's prowess is better and far stronger than that of a mere crystal ball." Stroking the lid reverently, "I went to great lengths to procure this. I don't bring it out for just anyone and read it. Consider yourself lucky."
Charlie didn't answer but kept his eyes on the box. Whatever that thing-a-ma-jig was, it had spoken to him, somehow.
"I won't charge you a dime for this. The fact that you are going to bring the boy to this world and cause havoc is good enough for me."
"Tell me about him. The person, I mean."
Madame Sybill blinked as if the blonde had just asked her an obvious question. "Instead of telling you, why don't I show you?" Unclasping the lid, the strange orb once again worked it's hypnotic charm and this time drew Charlie in. Into the rainbow hued clouds.....
"Oi!"
Turning around, he saw that Madame Sybill's wispy silvery mane had been slicked back under a scarf and upon checking, he was no longer wearing the designer threads he'd put on this morning. They were also no longer in the safe confines of a modern apartment, but in the middle of a dense and rather damp forest. "What did you....??" He had been unable to say anymore because a cold hand was clamped over his mouth.
The fortune teller lifted a finger to her lips, an indication to be quiet.
The two watched as a young man barely any older than Charlie himself walked silently close to where they were crouching. He was very well dressed and had upon himself some sort of medieval chain mail armour. If this was some kind of cosplay shit, Charlie thought they were taking things just a little tad too far. That sword he had in his hand looked sharp enough to kill. Swiftly as if he had planned the move all along, he jabbed the weapon in his hand through the air and with a squelch, the bright blade was stained in crimson blood. Craning his neck, Charlie saw that he had actually managed to kill a beast with that flimsy thing. The creature probably didn't see it coming though. 'I'd definitely killed it with it staring into my eyes..' Charlie pouted. Madame Sybill elbowed him and nudged her head at the person. He had withdrew his sword and was now sheathing it. It was then that he saw him.
He had burst out through the bushes and launched himself on the stately looking blonde. "You prat!" He cried. Charlie decided he looked different like this. He looked somewhat, more innocent perhaps? He smiled in a rather relieved way and wrapped his arms around the other person laughingly. In a weird way, this was burning something in Charlie's gut.
"Jealous." The lady beside him whispered, grinning mischievously.
Huffing, he replied. "Am not."
"You okay Arthur?" The voice was filled with genuine concern.
"Yeah.. The spell worked out well." The blonde smiled. "Thank you. As always."
"It was nothing.... Hey! You said thank you!" The shorter male's eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously Arthur, you've gone mellow." He laughed. Charlie liked that laugh. And he liked the smile too.
"Well, maybe..." The taller man, Arthur, held him closer. "Maybe I've found something worth the horrendous embarrassment of being mellow." Leaning forward, he carded a gloved hand through the dark locks and whispered something inaudible in his ear. It made him blush prettily. The burning sensation formed in his gut again.
The brunette smiled crookedly and they both kissed. Shocked, he turned to the witch next to him. Their eyes met and she said in a more audible voice, somewhat like how they would speak normally. "I think it's time to leave." And then everything became a whirl again.
"WHY didn't you tell me he was in LOVE??!!!!"
Charlie screamed. Madame Sybill seemed happy to be back in her kimono and was holding on to a bowl of M&M's like it was her lifeline; stuffing palm full of coloured candy into her mouth. She quirked an eyebrow at him and sat down next to the wooden box. The lid was shut and for that, Charlie could be thankful.
"I wanted you to see..."
"To have seen that would have been better not to have seen at all!!" He said exasperatedly. "When you said that there was someone out there for me, I thought... I genuinely thought he was, would be someone available." He emphasised on the last word. After a pause he stood up. Grabbing his coat from where it had unceremoniously been laid, he said lowly. "I'm not going through with this. If this had only been a matter of him and him only, it would've been fine for me. But this was about another person....." Balling his fist he turned to go.
"Don't you want to see what the future holds?"
The way she had said it seemed like a spell. Of course, he didn't want to know. But why did the notion bring such temptations with it?
Everything went like a camera going out of focus and then coming back again. They were now standing in the living room of his house. The sun seemed to have lit the walls on fire. He heard peals of laughter coming from the backyard. "Go on." She said throwing back some more candy into her oral cavity. "They can't see us."
Slowly, he walked over to the sliding door that was slightly ajar. There, what he saw made his heart skip a beat. Aggy was tumbling on the grass, laughing jubilantly. He was there and he saw himself wear that same look from the picture. His long golden hair fell down to the grass as Aggy tried to straddle him. Then, there he was. He came out wearing a blue striped collared shirt and brown khaki pants. In his hand, he held a tray of lemonade. Charlie saw himself smile at him and receive a smile in return. It was that same smile he'd seen on the person's face earlier on in the forest. The wide, full of adoration, trust-you-very-much smile. He pressed the palm of his hand onto the cold glass. Aggy managed to swing himself onto the brunette's back and he was getting a piggy back ride around the garden. The scene looked like something out of a family sitcom or something. Even so, Charlie couldn't suppress the sudden longing that began to blossom in his chest.
"You want that, don't you?"
Charlie made no move to answer her. He kept trying to remind himself that he would be totally fucking with destiny if he took this man away from his own world. He tried to remember the man in the forest. He had to mean something to this person. And he had to mean something to him too. No. There was no way he would go through all that pain. Or cause someone else the same pain. Again.
"Imagine this life, Deon. Isn't this what you truly want? Isn't this the desire you have been telling yourself to disown? Don't you want this even just a little?"
Yes. Yes he wanted it. He wanted this stupid apple pie life so badly. He wanted it, to be with this strange man. How could he not? Aggy looked so happy here. And he wanted his son to be happy. Charlie knew he'd caused the boy too much grief and sorrow when he moved out.
"Yes." He found his voice in barely a whisper. He didn't dare say it out loud for the same reason you don't prostrate your sins to the world. It truly felt like he was making a deal with the devil.
"That's all I need." The last thing Charlie saw was the image of Aggy sitting on his lap and the young man smiling at him from where he lay beside him.
Charlie found himself on a rock in some sort of cavernous cave. Madame Sybill was standing next to him with a rather solemn look on her face; still pushing the candies into her mouth. The poet wondered why she hadn't dropped down with hyperglycaemia yet. "Where are we again?"
"Some cave."
"That's obvious. But exactly where? What have you done this time?"
"That." She lifted a pale finger on an oncoming figure. He was dressed in full armour and the golden insignia on the red tunic made him look valiant and brave. Then it occur to him as the man stalked closer and closer to where he was right now, that it was the same stately blonde from before. His good looking face was, however marred by a deep scowl and his eyes burned with anger. When he got close enough, he lifted his sword and pointed it straight at him. "You." He said in a deep growl.
Charlie almost said 'Who me??' When he realised it was probably that old bloody hag's piece of work. Turning to glare at the said person, he found her smiling and mouthing 'He can't see me.' Charlie knew he was going to kill this woman when this is all over.
"I want an explanation for all that you are doing in Camelot. Who are you and what have we done wrong against you?"
"I'm Deon deBeaumont." Charlie said. He never revealed his real name to an enemy. "I have no grudge against you or your Camelot." Madame Sybill was now looking at him, clearly forgotten about her sugary binge. "My only desire is for your heart."
"My heart." The man named Arthur, repeated slowly as if digesting each word.
"I want your servant."
"What? Merlin?" He frowned, a little confused. "What do you want him for?"
"I have my business with him." He flicked an invisible speck of dust from the front of his jacket.
"Well, I want to know what's he to you?" His grip on the hilt of his weapon tightened considerably. The knuckles of his hand whitened.
Charlie felt a smile grow on his face. "I want him."
Blue-eyes widened and then narrow in anger. "No." He seethed. "I would never let you have him."
"Would you rather I destroy Camelot then?" Whatever this Camelot thingy was. The witch must've done something to it to draw him here. "It would be very easy."
This somehow made him stop and think. Charlie could almost hear the thoughts whirr through his head. "Over my dead body." He raised his sword in an attack stance.
"Fine." Arthur moved his sword through the air. Charlie dodged it easily. He might be good with this broadsword, but he himself had been trained in France to be an expert swordsman since birth. Arthur's move was predictable and slow. He aimed an elbow at an unguarded spot under his arms. This caused the taller blonde to emit a grunt. Using his shoulders, he pushed the other man down.
"Surrender now. Give him to me." Charlie unstrung his long golden hair. He was in his poet persona now. Taking a slightly bedraggled book out of his coat, he held it in his hands. "Give him to me and I'll let you live."
"Never!" Arthur picked himself up and swung his sword at him again. Sighing, Charlie began to read and felt the words pulse out of him.
He will cover you with his feathers
Arthur began to shudder and pale; as if he was trying to suppress a cry of pain
And under them you shall find refuge
His face began to contort in pain
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart
You shall not fear the terror of night
The broadsword dropped onto the ground with a loud clang. The noise echoed deafeningly around them.
Nor the arrow that takes flight by day
Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness
Swirls of purplish words began to snake their way up his skin. Soon they were visible on his neck. Here he let out a strangled cry. Charlie had to give it to him. He'd resisted the urge to let it all out and scream much better than most of those that had died in this manner. They all die in the end anyways.
Nor the plague that destroys by midday
A thousand may fall on your side
Ten thousand on your right hand
"Wh-Wha is this...." He managed to choke out.
But it will not come near you
You will only observe with your eyes
And see the punishment of the wicked
Arthur slumped onto the ground, faceward. As soon as the words stopped, Charlie felt queasy. The old headache was back, that was nothing new. His vision was blurry and he felt himself fall sideways. Someone caught him, it had been the crazy witch.
"Sorry... I forgot all about this." She actually looked and sounded like she meant it. "This is why you don't use the Psalms isn't it?" Madame Sybill gave a mirthless laugh. "This is a rather painful price to pay. Physical pains. I can understand." She helped him stand.
"Arthur!!!!!!"
Charlie and the fortune teller looked up to see the man, Merlin come running towards them. His heart skipped a beat and then dropped to the deepest depths of hell when he realised he had killed Arthur. Realising what he must do he stood a little straighter. Looking at the silver haired lady next to him he whispered, "Can he see you?" The lady shook her head. Charlie pursed his lips.
"Hello Merlin." He said as calmly as he could manage.
"Who are you?" The blue eyes that had drawn his soul in, in the picture was now brimming with tears. "What have you done with Arthur? What have you done to him?!"
"Nothing. The fool will live." That was true.
This caught his attention. Charlie read the magical aura he was emitting now. He tried not to let it show, but this skinny, scrawny boy had levels that even surpassed his. If he wanted to make this bluff work, he'll have to play his cards right. Really right.
"I give you two options: The first, cast a spell onto me. If I can't repel it, I will let him go and he will forget everything about this-even you. The second, you become mine without a fight and he will wake up in Camelot, as if this never happened." He grinned. It was the only thing that kept his head from exploding right now. Charlie merely blinked at the look he was getting from the warlock. He watched as he cradled the body of the not-quite dead Arthur. He might have hit him with a full on Psalms, yet the boy managed to survive. Amazingly.
Merlin bent over his lover. "Stupid prat." Placing a soft kiss on his lips, "I love you." Charlie felt a tug at his heartstrings. He whispered even more softly. "Even if you won't remember me."
It was in that tiny miniscule little time frame that he almost regretted what he would be doing. Almost.
"Take me. Let him live." His attention was drawn back to the brunette.
And that, dear readers, was how Merlin Emrys came to Charles deBeaumont's world. (Kidnapped more likely)
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-Okay. I know that was shit long and probably boring as HELL to read but those who had actually managed to read it all, my hat's off to you and hugs and kisses too! I think we all know who Nymphadora Tonks and Sybill Trelawney are. For Charles deBeaumont, look up the anime Le Chevalier Deon. If you need anymore about it, just PM me. Even if you don't, it's still alright. The Psalms were actual Psalms from the bible because in the anime they had used them straight from the greatest book ever. I wanted to keep it in the spirit. So? How did I do? Sorry about the lack of Merthur-ness in this chappie.... =_=" Cross my little black heart I'll add some more soon. =3
