THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the great reviews! I am so glad you all like it. In the next couple of chapters, I have tried to follow along with the events of the S5 finale. I've changed a few of the details, but I still its plausible that things could have happened this way. As always, I am open for any honest opinions and suggestions, so I hope you enjoy!
Merlin's Heart-Chapter 9
Addy felt as though she had just narrowly escaped a nasty death, and was disappointed when Merlin never returned to Gaius' chambers. Gaius explained how he was called to council and that he would most likely be locked away all day with Arthur and the knights. So, Addy busied herself with helping Gaius try to organize his work room. She wanted to repay him for his kindness, and it was the only thing she could think of. The old man was extremely grateful for the help and spent his time telling her humorous stories of some of Merlin's more infamous antics. It took hours, and Addy couldn't recall the last time she laughed so much.
But when Merlin appeared bearing their evening meal, right away she could feel the shift in his mood. There was an air of apprehension surrounding him. As they sat for dinner, she watched him closely.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing the way he frowned at his bread.
"Morgana is preparing to strike. There are reports that she is gathering her forces for a major battle. And I'm sure Mordred is now among them."
"Mordred?" Gaius asked. "He will no doubt have told her who you are by now."
Addy was silent. Morgana was a name she had heard of over and over in the old stories. She was always the villain, the evil witch/half-sister who plotted to destroy Arthur. And she had heard of Mordred, too. She wondered if Merlin knew that Mordred was the one who was supposed to kill Arthur. Should she tell him? It could change the future if he somehow stopped him. And yet, she knew how much Merlin cared for Arthur. Could she really keep silent?
"Merlin, I need to tell you something." she began hesitantly. "Mordred is... Mordred ki-"
"He's the one who kills Arthur, isn't he." Merlin finished sadly.
Nodding, she whispered, "Yes. You knew? How?"
"There is a prophecy. I have tried and tried to stop it, but every time, I only seem to make it happen. I don't know what to do." His face was shadowed as he picked at his stew.
She hated seeing him like this. "Merlin, maybe you can't change destiny. But maybe, that's not always such a bad thing. I mean, look at me, I'm living proof of that. I used to think that destiny and magic were just fairy tale stuff. And then I met you." She nudged him gently and smiled. "I think all you can really do is follow your heart and go where it leads you. I know you have to try to save him. You wouldn't be you if you didn't. But you can't beat yourself up if things don't work out. You are not responsible for the deeds of others. You are a great man, you always have been. And I believe in you." Where had all that come from? What had happened to her? Feelings like this had always been something she had run from, not toward. So, why wasn't she scared?
Merlin lifted his dark silvery eyes to hers. They were full of gratitude and relief, and in that moment, she knew exactly why she wasn't frightened of her feelings for him. Inside, her heart beat pounded madly against her chest. She could feel the heat rising in her face. How had she fallen for him so quickly? There must be some strong magic at work here, she thought.
Gaius cleared his throat, reminding Merlin that he was supposed to be securing transportation for them to travel to the Valley of the Fallen Kings. "How are the preparations coming?"
Tearing himself away from her gaze, he responded. "Tomorrow, I will have everything ready. We can leave at first light, as long as you feel up to traveling," he said to Addy, but now his tone was somber, and he could barely look at her.
She felt it too. It was like being forced to wake from a wonderful dream. Three days she had been here, and now she was hesitant to return. Yesterday, Merlin had shown her the lower village. She had met some of the villagers and explored the bustling life in this ancient city. It was nothing like she had ever expected. People were friendly and warm, everyone working together to make the city run smoothly. This was why Camelot became famous, she reasoned. This was Arthur's legend. She felt a fierce, burning desire to stay, to become one of its citizens. Why go back? What's really there for me? An apartment, a handful of friends, a stressful job? None of it had the appeal it once did.
And then there was Merlin.
It had grown late and there was still much for him to do. He bade Addy goodnight and hurried from the room. She trekked into bed, lost in her thoughts. In her heart, she had already made up her mind. She was not going back. She would do whatever it took to stay here in Camelot. Feeling giddy, she paced the room, waiting to inform him of her decision. But he was late getting back and she was tired. Despite her efforts to stay awake for his return, her eyes drooped and sleep overtook her.
-(0)-
A shout below woke her violently from her slumber. She rushed from the room, to see Gaius hovering over Merlin's cot, a heavy pot in his hands. Merlin was sitting awkwardly on the floor, looking shaken and upset. On the cot, a strange black animal quivered its last breath. As she tried to get a better look at the creature, Gaius held out his arm and stopped her.
"What is it?" She asked breathlessly. She had never seen anything like it before. It was like a large, fat snake that was so black it seemed to absorb the light around it.
"I don't know, some sort of magical creature, no doubt. It tried to kill Merlin." Gaius walked over and helped Merlin regain his feet. He pulled out a bench for him to sit upon.
"Yeah," Merlin said, still trembling. "If Gaius hadn't been there..."
"It must have been from Morgana. Luckily she didn't succeed."
Merlin nodded. Wanting to study the strange creature, he reached out his hand towards a book on the shelf across the room. Nothing happened. He closed his eyes and focused his powers. His eyebrows crossed in concentration as he stretched his hand toward the book again. A look of utter panic filled his face.
"What is it?" Addy asked, noting the fear growing in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Gaius. I think she did succeed," he stated desolately. "My magic's gone!"
