(6) Of Flame, Destiny, and Repercussions
He stared into the candle flame, as if searching for its heart. The world is changing, Merlin, Kilgharrah whispered in his mind. Your choice could change all our lives.
"How will I know the right one?"
Kilgharrah was silent. A dragon never gave a straight answer –or answered a foolish question.
Light steps hurried down the stone stairs and into the room. Niniane sighed and ran a hand through Merlin's dark hair before seating herself across the scrubbed table from him. "The peace talks fell through. Exploded is closer to the mark. My father refused to create an anti-magic law for Gwynedd, for obvious reasons, and Uther refused to ally with a land that was a 'festering cesspool of sorcery'. Didn't Arthur tell you?" she asked, looking at his surprised expression.
Merlin shook his head. "Arthur and I aren't exactly on the best of terms right now."
Niniane looked at him curiously. Merlin ducked his head and played with the candle flame. A sense of odd detachment was creeping over him.
He knew why she was here.
He had made his choice.
"What do you see when you look into my future, Niniane?"
"Just…flashes. Images. A wedding, a war, a crystal cave…You're coming with me, right?"
Merlin took a deep breath. "No."
"Please, Merlin. Come with me, where it is safer, where we can have a happy life. Be safe."
Merlin shook his head. "My destiny lies here, with Arthur. I can't leave him."
"Even when he's been horrible to you? Come on, Merlin, why? The Pendragon prince over freedom? Over me?"
Merlin sighed. "You have no idea how much I want to come with you, Niniane Mym. No idea. It feels like I'm being torn in two. But you don't understand –it's my destiny to protect Arthur, and to refuse would be futile. It is what I was born to do."
"Please. I love you. Come with me."
"And I love you. And I still can't."
"I understand if you want to change the plan," King Tor's voice sounded kind, which was odd. Gwen had rather gotten the impression that the man had hardly a kind bone in his body.
Niniane shook her red-gold hair. "No. He threw his lot in with the rest of them. He can deal with the repercussions." Her voice was steely, and Gwen shivered.
"Everyone is waiting for your signal."
"Good."
Gwen hurried away. She had to warn someone –warn Arthur, or Merlin. The thought stopped her in her tracks. "Oh, Merlin…"