Chapter Seven: The Doubts of Men

On a cool autumn morning, Iris moved through the gardens, picking flowers that were grown for healing remedies and gently placing them in her satchel. She hummed to herself, lost in her thoughts.

The sound of approaching footsteps had her looking up, and she saw Gwaine making his way towards her, dressed casually as opposed to wearing his full armor. His long hair was swept back into a tail with a thin strip of leather, and his smile was full of mischief when their eyes met.

That odd sense of familiarity washed over Iris again. She supposed now it was the feeling of knowing him, of being close to him, but there was something else. Her magic even seemed to react to him, warming her, like it did with Arthur, but perhaps more strongly.

With a short sigh, her brows furrowed, she straightened, wiping her hands on the apron she had tied around her waist. She offered the knight a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Gwaine."

"Hello, pretty Iris," Gwaine said in turn, snatching her hand, pressing a kiss to her dirty knuckles, not seeming to mind her hands were caked in dirt.

"What brings you to the gardens?"

"Well, I saw you all alone and I thought a pretty girl like you should never be alone."

"Did you run out of other ladies to charm?" Iris teased, knowing there was no substance behind his charm towards her. They both knew she was Merlin's, and Merlin was hers.

"Alas," Gwaine sighed with a melancholy air, "they continue to thwart me."

Laughing, Iris rested a hand on his arm. Suddenly, a sort of spark shot up her arm, and her gaze blurred as a vision overcame her.

A young lad, with large brown eyes and a familiar mischievous smile, was laughing as he ran up towards a cottage surrounded by iris and lily flowers. A woman opened the door, heavy with child, and waved him inside. She scolded him for getting covered in mud, and ordered him to get washed up for supper.

The vision changed.

Now the lad, a little older, was sitting on the floor in the kitchens, watching as a small toddler rose unsteadily to her feet. Her hair was curling and brown like his, but her eyes were a startling shade of green blue, unlike his own brown...

"He is too young!"

"He's eight years old, it's time for him to become an apprentice or a squire."

The young boy listened as his parents argued while holding his little sister, who slept soundly against his shoulder. His heart ached. He did not wish to cause his parents this grief. Perhaps it would be easier if he did leave... they had his sister, surely they would be happier without him...

That night, he packed a small knapsack, then slipped from his room. He paused in the hallway before going to his sister's small bed, looking down at her as she slept. Her fist was curled by her cheek, which were covered in golden freckles. His heart warmed at the sight of her, but then that feeling vanished as he wondered if he would ever see her again. She was so young, yet he had heard his mother whispering to her late at night, telling her a tale of her destiny, about a great dragon she would soon meet and the adventure yet to come...

So the boy left, disappearing into the woods with only the full moon as his guide.

Again, the surroundings changed.

A group of cloaked Druids surrounded the boy. He was clearly hurt, his body bruised and broken as he laid at the bottom of a ravine. Clearly he had fallen and now laid there, unmoving and bleeding. There was a terrible gash along his forehead.

"He is dying," one of the Druids murmured.

The eldest Druid stepped forward, touching the boy's cheek. "No, the life has not left him yet. He will live," he declared, "but I cannot say if his memory will be damaged, or if he will even be able to walk or talk."

So the Druids healed the unconscious boy, and when he awoke, the boy immediately stood up, trying to remember where he was and what had happened. His memory was foggy, and the faint idea of journeying to Camelot to become a squire surfaced. When he tried to remember where he came from, all he could conjure up was a picture of a cottage surrounded by iris flowers, and that name, Iris...

Iris gasped, dropping her hand from Gwaine's arm.

The knight looked equally as startled. He had seen everything she had, and the memories that had been forgotten due to his injury resurfaced so quickly he staggered at the weight of them. His hand flew to the small, now faded scar below the hairline on his forehead.

Iris and Gwaine stared at each other.

The brother her parents had never spoke of, out of grief from losing their child, unsure if he was taken or perhaps killed...

The sister whose name he could only remember...

Iris' eyes filled with tears. Now it made sense. Her magic sensed the bond between them, the shared blood, and some part of her had remembered him from the foggy memories of her childhood, even if she couldn't see his face clearly.

Gwaine lifted a hand to Iris' scarred cheek, his eyes drinking her in with a now clear mind. Of course, now her hair was a blazing red, a gift from the dragon their mother had spoken of, the dragon she and Merlin occasionally spoke of in hushed whispers.

"Hello, little sister," he breathed, before he pulled Iris into his arms, allowing her to cry into his chest. His own eyes filled with tears, and as he rested his cheek on her fiery hair, they fell freely.

Ooo0ooO

Merlin was tending to the horses when he heard Iris' bright, warm laugh. He placed the pitchfork down and strolled out of the stables, and spotted her walking up the path with Gwaine. Her expression was radiant and her arm was linked with Gwaine's.

Merlin's heart gave a brief lurch. Her expression was so warm, so full of something when she gazed up at the knight, and suddenly Merlin felt uncertain, unsure of what to do. He knew they were close, even closer than her and Arthur, who often voiced he saw her as another sister when they were alone, but this felt different... But no, Iris was... She wouldn't, surely...

Iris saw him standing there with a clouded expression and loud, clear thoughts, but she was too happy to say anything. She released her grip on Gwaine and all but bounded over to Merlin. Her hands took his, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, Merlin! You won't believe it! Gwaine and I-,"

"Iris," Merlin winced, suddenly terrified of her next words.

Iris paused when she felt his hands tighten around her tightly. Her brow furrowed, then her eyes widened with realization. She wanted to laugh, but she tampered down the bubble building in her throat. "No, no, Merlin! You misunderstand. Gwaine and I... Well, he's my brother."

Merlin froze. "Brother?" he repeated.

Iris' eyes turned to fix on his blue ones. "Here," she whispered.

Merlin gasped as he felt her mind open to his, allowing him to delve inside her memories, to the most recent vision she had had... and when his vision cleared, he stared at Gwaine with disbelief as the knight rested a hand on his sister's shoulder.

"That's..." Merlin struggled for the right words.

Iris beamed. "I know. I always knew I sensed something, and I guess it took a little-," she made a vague gesture instead of saying the word magic, "to put the pieces together, to restore his memory."

"Of which I am grateful, pretty sister," Gwaine said, kissing her cheek.

"But your parents..." Merlin winced again.

Gwaine nodded. "I know. I suppose it hurts, knowing they are gone, but I was so young when I left and I'm sure there will be time to grieve... but for now, I'm just happy knowing that my sister is happy and well, and she's well taken care of."

Iris covered his hand with hers. "We will see later what else we can remember together."

"Together," Gwaine agreed. "But for now, I must go train."

Iris and Merlin waved at him as he walked away. Merlin turned towards her, grinning. "A brother!"

Iris smiled again, shaking her head. "He was like a brother to me anyway, like Arthur, but to know it's real... It's like having a piece of my parents with me again."

"I'm pleased for you," Merlin said, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you, Merlin," she said. Her eyes met his. 'I hope you know I'm yours, only yours."

Merlin faltered.

"Your thoughts were quite loud when we approached," Iris supplied, resting a hand on his cheek. "Merlin, my eyes are only for you."

Merlin gave her a sheepish smile, ears turning pink. "I was foolish."

"A little," Iris teased, placing her arms around his neck. "Here, allow me to dispel your worries..."

And then she kissed him, deeply, warmly, and any lingering doubts fell away as her mind opened to his again, and her affection, her love, her everything filled him, warming him like a bright fire.

Ooo0ooO

It would take some time for Gwaine and Iris to put together the pieces of their childhood. Iris showed him images of what it had been like in their home after he had gone, and he allowed her to see his memories of growing up, first as an apprentice to a blacksmith, before he became a squire to one of the knights of Camelot who had served Uther. This had then lead to him becoming a knight as well, having proven his skills under the careful training of the knight before he had been killed in battle. Gwaine explained how Arthur had seen his skill with the sword, and Gwaine had found himself serving the prince quickly after that.

Gwaine grew sad when he saw the memories of Iris and his parents as she grew up, and had to press her to show him the memories of the raid, even though she had protested against it at first.

Eventually, the siblings had been granted special permission by Arthur to travel back to where their village had once stood. Nothing was there save for a few burned remains of the homes, and everything was overgrown by grass and flowers.

Iris planted a young tree where their home had once stood, using her magic freely so it grew several feet, allowing them to carve their parent's names on the trunk in honor of their memory. Iris etched a Celtic knot under the names, saying it symbolized the unending circle of life. She then grasped his hand in hers, and they stood there quietly for a long time before mounting back on their horses and making the journey back to Camelot.

Iris stroked Nimbus' mane as the stallion kept in pace next to Gwaine's black stallion.

"What's on your mind, pretty sister?"

Iris smiled at the affectionate nickname. "We should tell the others."

"Just Gaius, Arthur, Gwen, and the other knights," Gwaine clarified.

"Yes," Iris agreed, then her expression darkened. If Agravaine suspected that Gwaine was related to her, perhaps he would suspect Gwaine of having magic as well... and she could not allow that to happen.

Gwaine didn't miss the scowl marring her expression. "What is it?"

In a low voice, Iris told him about Agravaine and his suspicions, and how he kept coming to Gaius about his beliefs revolving around the sorcerer Emrys and the sorceress.

Frowning, Gwaine shifted in his saddle. "I suppose that explains why he believes you were taken by Druids."

"The Druids are not evil," Iris growled. "But the same cannot be said for that man!"

Gwaine wanted to smile at her temper, but still spoke in a cautious tone. "You must not accuse him of being such in Camelot."

"I know," Iris huffed. "But he is.. he is..."

"Aggravating?" Gwaine suggested with a smile.

Iris chuckled. "Perhaps that is why it is his given name."

Gwaine barked a laugh, then dug his heels into his horse's side, moving them into a gallop for the last stretch of road before the kingdom came into view.

When they approached the gates, Iris felt a prick of emotion along the edge of her thoughts, and she looked up to see Merlin standing with Arthur up along the east wall, both of them watching the two riders approach.

She lifted a hand in greeting, and smiled when she saw the delighted grin stretching across Merlin's face. Arthur gave the warlock a nudge, causing him to stumble, and Iris saw him shake his blonde head as they disappeared from view.

At the stables, Iris and Gwaine dismounted and Iris took both stallions inside to remove the tack from Gwaine's horse. Gwaine kissed her cheek before leaving her be, stating he needed a mug of ale after a long ride. Iris laughed and shooed him away with a flick of her wrist.

"Iris!" Merlin called as he stepped inside.

"Hello, love," she said warmly, lifting her face for a kiss as he came close. Her eyes widened when she then spotted Arthur, and her cheeks blazed a bright red. "Your Grace," she greeted, curtsying.

Arthur grinned. "Don't let me interrupt."

Iris huffed, placing her hands on her hips, giving him a stern look. Then she turned back towards the horses, giving Merlin a radiant smile as he began brushing off Gwaine's horse wordlessly.

"Did you enjoy your trip?" Arthur asked.

Iris nodded. "Yes, Your Grace." She ran the brush along the length of Nimbus' back. "Gwaine is..." she trailed off, then lifted her gaze towards Arthur's. "He is my brother. We... we were trading stories and we put it together, and well..."

Arthur didn't look as startled as Merlin did. "Well, that certainly explains why you two fight like you're brother and sister," the king chuckled. "And why he never tried to woo you."

"He never tried to woo me because I'm a taken woman," Iris said lightly, giving Merlin an affectionate look at made him flush.

"I'm pleased for you, Iris, truly," Arthur told her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"When you are done, we will all have a mug of ale at the tavern to celebrate," Arthur decided with a smile.

"Gwaine seemed to have the same idea, more or less," Iris commented, rolling her eyes. "But I wouldn't mind it at all. Shall I fetch Gwen?"

"No, no, I'll get her. We shall meet you two lovebirds there. Don't take too long!"

Arthur left the stable laughing after receiving two sets of scathing looks from Iris and Merlin.

Ooo0ooO

In the dark corner of the tavern, a man sulked as a large group of knights gathered around Arthur and a few of his servants. The attention seemed centered around the serving girl with bright red hair and the tallest of the knights. Mugs of ale and meed were consumed, and the chatter and laughter seemed to swell with every drink.

The man stood and disappeared out the door, unnoticed by the others. The cold wind outside swept back his long cloak and he wrapped it more firmly around himself. When he approached the door of an inn, he knocked twice.

Another man emerged, his face hidden beneath a large hood. "What news?"

"It seems that servant girl is related to one of the knights. The king is in the tavern now, drinking with the lot of them."

The hooded man made a noise of disgust. "And you know what to do?"

"Yes, sire."

"Good. Get to it, and report back to me within a fortnight."

"Yes, sire."

The cloaked man made his way down a narrow alleyway, then turned down another corner and disappearing from sight.

The hooded man left the room of the inn, making his way down the dark streets, lit only by a few lanterns. He went back towards the castle, then threw back his hood when a few of the guards stopped him.

"Lord Agravaine," one of them said. "Apologies."

Agravaine scoffed and shoved past them, entering the main hall before making his way towards his rooms. Slamming the door closed behind him, he scowled when he thought of that servant girl, off drinking when she should have been here to draw him a bath, or to turn down his sheets.

"Blasted girl," he swore. "What is my nephew thinking?"

When only silence answered him, he swore again before extinguishing the candles. His thoughts swirled around what Morgana had told him, about the girl's eyes changing colors, about the book he had found that spoke of a sorceress and Emrys. He thought of how they had thwarted him with the story about the Druids. He also knew Gaius was hiding something from him- did he know the sorcerer or the sorceress?

Obsession became his companion that night as he barely slept.

Ooo0ooO

The next morning, Iris woke up next to Merlin in his narrow bed. She sighed sleepily, snuggling closer to him. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, but she knew it was time for them to get up to begin their duties.

Iris cringed at the thought of having to deal with Agravaine, but summoned her strength and all of her patience. Nudging Merlin gently, she rolled away, smiling when she heard his mumbled protest.

"Too early, 'ris," he muttered, burying his face into his pillow.

"I know," she murmured, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "But we must."

After poking him a few more times, Merlin got up as well, and once they were ready, both of them crept out of the physician's quarters, leaving a snoring Gaius behind. They parted ways down the long hall, Merlin heading for Arthur's chambers and Iris towards Agravaine's.

When she stepped inside, the lord was already awake and scowling. "Oh good, I see you decided to do your duties this morning, as you were absent for them last night."

"Apologies, my lord," Iris said automatically, keeping her tone neutral. "Shall I fetch you some tea or coffee?"

"Coffee, and bring me some bread and figs. Quickly!"

Iris nodded, stripping the sheets from the bed and drawing open the curtains before hurrying from the room. A scowl overtook her face as she walked down the hallway quickly.

When she got to the kitchens, she saw that Gwen and Merlin were already there. When they saw the angry gleam in her eyes, they winced sympathetically.

"Is he...?"

"He's vile!" Iris thundered, finishing Gwen's unfinished question. She snatched a pot for coffee and piled some bread onto a plate and plucked some figs from a basket. She put it all together, muttering under her breath, and Gwen and Merlin exchanged a worried look.

Iris quickly finished her morning chores for Agravaine, ignoring his slights towards her; how he scolded her for not tying her unruly hair back, for the bread not being fresh enough...

It was Lancelot who found her later, down at the archery range, firing off arrows so quickly, they blurred in the air before slamming into the target. The knight lifted a brow at the fierce expression on her face, which was usually warm and kind.

"Bad morning?" he asked when she finally lowered her bow.

Iris yanked the quiver of arrows off her back, placing the bow next to it. She then pulled out the dagger they had given her for her name day, and she sent that flying through the air, where it hit the target next to her arrows. She snarled. "Disgusting, vile, snobbish, rude-!"

Lancelot approached the irate woman, placing a hand on her back gently. "Iris?"

Blowing a loose curl from her eyes, she looked at Lancelot. "I'm sorry," she said on an irritated sigh.

Lancelot offered her a pouch full of water, which she took with a small smile. "What has you so angry this morning?"

"No what, who," Iris corrected bitterly, handing him the pouch back.

"Ah," the knight said, catching onto her meaning. Concern then flickered across his eyes. "He hasn't harmed you, has he?"

Iris shook her head. "No, no, he prefers using harsh words," she said softly, looking around.

"Do you need me to-?"

Iris cut him off, smiling. "You're very kind, sir Lancelot, but this is what I must do. It is my duty to the king and to his uncle."

Lancelot nodded, but decided to tell Arthur and Gwaine, just so both of them could keep an eye on the other man. Instead, he lead her towards the training pitch, where Elyan and Leon were practicing with broad swords.

Iris watched the two knights. She had some training with the sword, having joined Morgana in her own lessons with Arthur, but she preferred her quiver and her dagger.

"Want to give it a go?" Lancelot asked.

Iris sighed, wanting nothing more than to take out more of her frustrations with a sword, she knew she had other things to tend to in the castle and the stables. She declined, giving him a nod, before making her way slowly back up the path towards the castle.

Ooo0ooO

Morgana hummed as she walked down to the main hall, searching for Gwen. She wanted to see if her friend wanted to join her for an afternoon ride, since she was restless from staying in the castle most of the morning. Agravaine had visited her again, asking her more questions about the day they had fought the village raiders, mostly pressing her with questions about Iris and Merlin.

Sighing with some irritation, Morgana brushed aside those thoughts. Iris was her friend, just as Merlin was, nad neither of them had proven themselves not loyal to the crown or the kingdom.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a head of familiar red hair. She hurried forward. "Iris!"

"My lady," Iris said, dipping into a curtsy.

"Have you seen Gwen?"

"Not since this morning."

"Ah," Morgana huffed, pouting a little.

"She might be helping Gaius," Iris said. "I asked her to take the morning deliveries of potions since I wanted to go down to the range."

Morgana smiled. "I shall go search for her then. Thank you."

"Of course."

Something in Iris' eyes had Morgana pausing. "Is everything all right? I figured you would still be all smiles, sister of Gwaine."

Iris attempted a smile. "I'm just tired, my lady, don't worry about me."

Morgana ignored her suggestion, taking Iris' arm in hers, pulling her in the direction of the physician's quarters. "Come, walk with me and tell me what is the matter."

"It's nothing, truly, my lady," Iris insisted.

"Is my uncle treating you kindly? I know my father was sometimes rude..." Catching the way Iris' lips twisted into a frown, she felt sympathetic towards the red head. "Agravaine is... difficult," she conceded. "There are very few who agree with his personality."

"I don't mean any offense..."

"Nonsense," Morgana said, waving her free hand. "Has he been cruel to you?"

"Lancelot asked me the same thing," Iris sighed quietly. "No, my lady."

Morgana sensed Iris was not telling the whole truth. "Iris..." Morgana stopped, however, when she saw how uncomfortable Iris looked.

"Gwen!" Iris called out, relief evident in her voice.

The other servant girl paused, having emerged from Arthur's room with an empty laundry basket. she smiled. "Hello, my lady, Iris."

"I was looking for you," Morgana explained. "Let's go for a ride, I must get out this castle! Iris, you can join us of course."

Iris remembered the way Agravaine had complained before about her not doing her night time duties. She winced at the thought of how he'd react if she went off again, even if it was with Morgana.

"I insist," Morgana said, interrupting her thoughts. "I'll ask Merlin to assist my uncle in your absence."

"Oh no, my lady, I couldn't-,"

"Come now, Iris, you work too hard. Gwen, tell her she works too hard."

Gwen gave Iris an understanding smile. "Iris, you work too hard."

Iris gave them both an uncertain look.

Morgana conceded with a sigh, not allowing her pushy personality to make Iris too uncomfortable. Instead, she proposed something else. "How about this, we all go riding tomorrow? Just us girls. The boys will have to do without us for the day."

Iris and Gwen exchanged another look, then they both nodded. "That sounds lovely, my lady," Gwen said.

"Hopefully the castle won't crumble while we are gone," Iris said with a smile.

Gwen and Morgana laughed.

Ooo0ooO

When the three women left the following morning, they were unaware that they were being followed by a cloaked figure on a dull roan gelding. Following the instructions of his master, he was to keep an eye on the one with red hair.

"Watch her," his master had said. "And tell me if anything happens."

"What do you mean, sire?"

"I believe this girl is... gifted. Watch her eyes."

Still confused, the cloaked man, named Smythe, left to do his master's bidding, knowing better than to press the man.

Smythe watched the red head curiously from a fair distance. The women has settled on the banks of a large lake, enjoying some cider and pastries. They were all talking and laughing, much like they had been the other night in the tavern.

The one with the red hair, the servant named Iris, was leaning back on her hands in the grass. She glanced at the horses, who were grazing a few yards away, tied to a fallen log. He could make out her eyes, which seemed like a perfectly ordinary shade of green, or perhaps they were blue?

Smythe shrugged. They weren't odd in any way, not the color or the shape, so why was his master insisting he watch them?

Then, suddenly, so quickly he could've missed it if he hadn't been watching so closely, those greenish eyes shifted to a bright golden color. The wind picked up, causing some apples to fall from a nearby tree, and then they seemed to roll on their own over to the horses.

Leaning back, Smythe stared. The girl's eyes were green again. Perhaps it had been the trick of the sunlight, it was glinting off the lake rather brightly, but could that change a person's eyes to the color of cooper coins?

And the wind, where had that gone? Hadn't the apples moved as if kicked across the grass?

Paling, Smythe finally realized why his master had made him watch the girl. She's a witch!

Pulling his horse around, Smythe kicked his steed into a gallop, quickly heading back towards the castle.

Iris, on the other hand, was not aware of the man or what he had seen. She watched the horses crunch on their apples, then laughed at something Morgana had said. She felt relaxed, and was very glad Morgana had convinced her to come out today.

When Smythe reached the castle, he found Agravaine already waiting for him. He slid off his horse, panting. "My lord, you were right. Her eyes..."

Agravaine sneered. "That fool physician," he muttered, ignoring Smythe's confused look. "Well done, Smythe. You are dismissed today."

With that, Agravaine whirled around, his cloak swirling around him. He walked swiftly towards his destination, and flung the doors open.

Arthur leaned back in his seat. He was sitting at the long table in his chambers, and was alone apart from Merlin, who was refilling the king's wine goblet.

"Your Grace," Agravaine said with a bow. "I need to speak with you, alone."

Arthur paused, brows furrowing. "What is it, uncle?"

"It's an urgent matter, my king," Agravaine insisted.

Merlin eyed the other man warily, who seemed impatient and triumphant at the same time. Then he felt a trickle of fear. Did this have to do with Iris?

Arthur sighed. "Very well. Merlin, you are dismissed."

Merlin moved to leave, with a voice telling him not to do so, when the door flung open a second time. Leon entered, his expression grim.

"Your Grace, another village has been raided, this time a mile away from the castle."

Merlin froze, and so did Arthur. They both seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Leon, take Gwaine and go fetch Morgana and the girls," Arthur ordered immediately. "They went riding by the lake. Bring them back here, then have the knights meet me in the main hall."

"Yes, sire," Leon said before quickly departing.

"Uncle, I will speak to you later," Arthur said, brushing past his uncle to leave the room with Merlin trailing behind him.

Merlin anxiously called out to Iris in his mind, while Arthur was calling for more guards. Neither of them noticed that Agravaine was not following them.

Agravaine glared as they went, his mind full of dark, angry thoughts. He knew he was right, the girl Iris was a sorceress. But was she the sorceress he had read about? And did that make that boy the sorcerer? He swore at the feeling of doubt he felt. He was so close! He just needed more proof... He needed to expose her and her magic, then he would move on to searching for this Emrys...

Storming from the room, he slammed the door behind him.

Ooo0ooO

Author's Note: A few of you guessed correctly about Gwaine being Iris' long lost brother... I guess I didn't bother to hide that very well, hah! I just loved the idea of Gwaine and Iris being related when I first started this story, I hope you do too!

Please review!