Trust: Chapter Seven
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! I hope this chapter come through to what you all expected it would be! It's only short though!
Altfly - Chapter five review: Thanks! I got you review right after I put chapter six up! Sorry! :S I know, I didn't really put that banter in there, but hopefully that didn't kill the chapter. Yeah, I think she would be a sorceress since she does have magic in her, even if it isn't in the form of spells. Arthur was using it as an excuse, you know, trying to get Morgana off his back and actually, I think Uther would feel betrayed but he would question Arthur is he accused Morgana of sorcery whereas with Merlin, it's the word of a prince against that of a servant so he doesn't have any doubt in his son. Thanks again x
Tohda - XD, I can normally never be bothered to sign in also. Thanks so much for your review and no problems, I love writing this so I probz will update everyday, even if it's late at night. I'm writing this the same day I update, so, this one is more Arthur POV I think, but the next chapter I will skip between the two, so, I will try and put as much Merlin as I can without going too OTT :D Hopefully, it'll satisfy. Thanks again x
Night was settling happily across Camelot as twilight was drowned out by the moonlight. Clearer then anyone had ever seen such a sky, the stars shined down like backing lights to the mighty queen of the evening, a constant reminder that the day was officially over. Merlin couldn't see such a sky, but the amount of times the guards had swapped duty - so many times that Merlin didn't pay attention anymore – were a clock to him.
As the castle snored, as his friends lay comfortably in their beds, as the king dreamed of a love long lost, Merlin did the one thing he promised himself he would not do. His head had barely left that stone wall, his eyes had barely opened, and his mouth had stayed so firmly shut he thought it would never re-open. But he didn't want to speak, or look, or move or do anything. He just wanted to be here by himself, and let this day pass faster. Then maybe, oh just maybe, it wouldn't hurt so much. And he wouldn't be so scared.
That was why Merlin wept.
He didn't care who saw – whether it were a guard or a messenger – he just didn't. Why can't a prisoner cry on his last day of life? It made sense for him to cry. Just not for the reason they believed.
A tear escaped his closed lid, sliding slowly down his face, and Merlin mentally laughed at himself. What was the point of crying now? What was that meant to accomplish? Boots clicked on the ground as someone made their way up the corridor, coming towards Merlin's cell. The walk was too quick for Gaius and too confident for Gwen. It was a new visitor.
Stopping outside the bars, the stranger said nothing. The guards left without a word, leaving the warlock with his visitor. Not bothering to look up, or to speak, or to even acknowledge the person's presence, Merlin stayed where he was.
"Merlin" said the last voice the warlock expected to hear. Looking up, his mouth open without a gasp escaping, Merlin bore into emerald eyes. Arthur was stood in front of Merlin's cell, his arms were crossed, his shoulders were back and his face as neutral and controlled as ever, yet his eyes were undenying.
"I heard Morgana had a little chat with you today" muttered Merlin. Arthur swallowed against that lump of guilt as he heard the warlock's voice. It was so unlike he'd ever heard it. The bouncy, bright, always-look-on-the-good-side-of-things tone it usually held had dissolved into an almost mourning one. Unfolding his legs, Merlin had to get on one knee to stand up without the aid of his hands. Jingling as he walked, Merlin took each step one at a time, counting them out in his head. He was almost at the bars when the shackles rang out loudly and stopped him in his tracks.
The sound of the clanging metal was like agonized screams to Arthur. This was Merlin. Merlin the hero. Merlin the idiot. Merlin the manservant, so gentle and yet so cocky, but his heart always in the right place. And now, Merlin the criminal. Merlin the traitor. Merlin the sorcerer. Arthur took a long, hard look at this stranger in front of him. What had he done?
"Yeah, she did" replied Arthur, finding it hard to look straight into Merlin's sapphire eyes. Merlin nodded, dropping to his knees in a loud huff, his shackles sounding like a singing harp. Arthur watched as the boy fell clumsily, his legs almost giving way. "Merlin?"
The warlock looked down, and the mental image Arthur saw made his heart skip a beat. Merlin, shackled, and kneeling beneath a murderer with his head forward. If only the prince had an axe, then, perhaps the future would pay a visit to the present.
"I'm fine. Don't worry. I'll be able to get up tomorrow. I just need to rest. My head…" muttered Merlin, feeling like someone had sucked him of life. He couldn't eat. Or drink. His stomach wouldn't allow it, taking every chance it got to churn and jerk about. The warlock didn't know whether it was nerves or shock. Maybe both. And his head, it wouldn't stop screaming in demand for nutrients. For just a sip of water. But that wasn't the cause of his weakness. Fear was stealing his soul.
Arthur began to shake at the words, horror hitting him. He had to explain himself. Merlin couldn't see him for the murderer he was. He did do the right thing. He knew he did. He had to of done the right thing.
"You understand why I turned you in, don't you? I had no choice. You were right. I am the king's son. The future king. I have to follow the law" Arthur explained, his voice demanding it to be heard. Merlin looked back up, his eyes so understanding yet so betrayed, it made the prince falter, "No one is above the law" he whispered. Was he telling Merlin or himself?
Merlin blinked at him and smiled weakly,
"That sounds so worn out" he replied, and Arthur froze. Tilting his head, the warlock continued, "That sounds like an excuse to cover up for the real reason".
"And what is the real reason?" questioned the prince. Merlin blinked at him, knowing he would never dare utter a reply. He wanted to believe – he hoped – that the prince was feeling what he was. Lost. Confused. Guilty. And he had the feeling that Arthur blamed him. The fact that the warlock practised magic might be weaved into the reason, filling in the gaps that Arthur had left in hope that this feeling wasn't wrong, and the tapestry that has been woven as a result was Merlin's blood on the floor. Maybe he didn't want the death of Merlin to be the answer for these emotions, but the king had chosen that path.
"I don't know" replied Merlin shortly.
Arthur wasn't using that as an excuse. Why would he need it to be an excuse? Merlin had done nothing wrong. Sure he was a complete idiot and a poor excuse for a servant, but he was a trusting friend and an honest advisor. He helped Arthur and gave him somewhere to go when he didn't know where to turn. But maybe, that was what Merlin had done. That made no sense.
"Will you watch?" asked Merlin, a question so sudden that it ripped Arthur from his thoughts. Arthur had pushed this thought as far back in his mind as he could, whereas Merlin couldn't get it out of his head. Could the prince watch the warlock as his soul was torn from his body and mind?
"Do you want me to?" replied Arthur, more curiosity in him then his voice let on. Merlin shrugged, lying with his body language. He supposed that Arthur being the last thing he saw while alive wouldn't be so bad, "My place would be at my father's side" he finished. Just because it was his place didn't necessarily mean he would take it.
Silence whipped and whistled between the two of them. It wasn't as uncomfortable as they expected. It was just…dead.
"Will you protect my mother? When she comes to Camelot. It's not her fault I was born like this and I don't want her to be punished. If she stays out of Uther's kingdom, she will be safe" murmured Merlin and Arthur frowned,
"If she comes to the castle, I will turn her horse around and send her home before my father even hears it's hooves on the pavement" he replied quietly and Merlin looked a him with shocked eyes,
"You will not even allow her to take my body?"
"Merlin" said Arthur, every word hurting him for having to inform the warlock, "Your body will be burnt after you've been beheaded. There will be no body for her to take".
"Oh" Merlin replied, shooting the prince down with one syllable. He shook his head slowly at himself. Why did he even come down here? He had tried so hard all day to get on with his work, to avoid the eyes of everyone close to Merlin, and now, he willing gave himself to the wolves. "You will need to sleep tonight" announced Merlin.
As much as he wished for the prince not to leave, he knew that Arthur wanted to. He would never admit it, but he hated every second with Merlin. The warlock could see it.
Yet, how wrong he was.
Arthur felt a stab of pain at Merlin's words. He knew it. Merlin hated him. He could barely look at him. Oh, what had he done?
The prince too, was wrong.
"You're right, I will" replied Arthur, uncrossing his arms and looking down. Arthur said in a voice too fake, it didn't fool the warlock,
"So this is goodbye then, sire". Arthur looked up, horror crossing his features for only a second. He hadn't thought about the 'goodbye'.
"I…" but Arthur couldn't think of anything to say. Merlin smiled at him, so very tinted with pain,
"It has been an honour" he replied, bowing his head, "I'm sorry I couldn't serve a king one day".
Arthur felt himself shake more rapidly. Merlin had officially shocked the prince more then he had prepared himself for. Barely able to hold his voice, he replied,
"Goodbye Merlin" before he turned and left the warlock on his knees without a word. He charged up the corridor, his feet echoing louder then any bird of the night, any call in the night, any bell in the distance or any whisper in the wind. He rushed past the guards, both watching him walk past in confusion,
"Sire?" they called after him, but he didn't stop. He kept going, right up to the end of the corridor, where he stepped under the stone arch and lent against the wall, breathing in and out. He counted his breaths, his hands still shaking. A single thought streamed around him, a cocoon of emotion.
What had he done?
A/N: Wow! I put so much slash in here! :S Hopefully I didn't wreck it! Was it too OTT, because I tend to do it OTT it a lot? I think it was OCC as well! Oh my gosh, it's just so wrong! :(
*sigh* so this was the emotional climax (or meant to be!) and the next chapter will be the action climax. Actually, this might not be the emotional climax. We'll see! Ugh, I don't even know my own plot off by heart!
Review please x
