Chapter 9

Aria was unable to sleep. There was pain in her lower abdomen and she had this unpleasant feeling that the warm, sticky stuff between her legs was blood. She was sure an hour or two had passed since Arthur had taken her and yet it was difficult to close her eyes and drift off the way he had. He had loosened his hold and only his arm was over her, sleeping soundly.

Despite the warmth from his body, Aria still felt cold. Her body was naked and it brought a blush to her cheeks, the thought of edging closer to Arthur when they both had nothing on them. She was also afraid; afraid that if she closed her eyes, she would dream of her mother again. And she didn't want that.

The lady's fingers slowly reached for the dragon charm around her neck. It felt surprisingly warm in her hands, comforting her a little bit. But it wasn't enough. She knew who she needed and it was very stupid to even be thinking about him right now. It was ridiculous enough that she thought of him during the deed.

Enough was enough. Aria needed to get out of the room and get some air. She may have felt cold but it was starting to get stuffy, almost like she could barely breathe. As she moved, Aria winced at the pain. She bit her lip and very carefully slid away from Arthur's sleeping figure and rose out of bed. Arthur wasn't shaken, he merely moved on to his other side.

Since all her dresses were still in her old chambers, Aria slipped on the one she wore to the celebration. She almost laughed, thinking of walking out of the castle wearing the dress she had worn to her wedding. One would think she was running away from her own marriage. Impossible. I am already married.

Quietly, she opened the doors to the chambers and stepped out, closing it very slowly behind her. Aria waited but all was still. When she was satisfied, she made her way down the familiar path Merlin had taken her yesterday to the back of the castle. Sometime alone outside was something she needed. As she walked, Aria prayed Arthur wouldn't wake up. If he did, all he'd find was an empty space next to him and spots of blood on the sheets. A reminder of the not-so-gentle way he had taken her.

Aria wasn't too bothered by it. Of course she agreed to it because it was her job to make her new husband happy and because it was something a married couple did. How else did she think heirs are born? She knew the process all too well; it was an awkward discussion that had happened between her and her father. There was nothing to be ashamed of. What did bother her was the fact that Arthur wasn't the one on her mind.

The princess was quick in her actions and the guards seemed to keep clear of where she was going. She found the stairs leading to the room that had the door to the outside of the castle. She clutched her necklace with one hand while feeling for the door with the other, wishing Merlin were here to hold onto instead. Darkness wasn't something Aria was particularly fond of.

When Aria got to the forest, she decided not to venture too far out; just find a space for herself to sit down. She did not have to look far. Aria was able to find the small clearing she had been at with Merlin. Luckily, it was not very far from the castle. The tree weren't to intimidating so if she lay down, she could look up at the stars.

Aria lowered her down to sit, ignoring the slight stings of pain in her lower abdomen. She couldn't exactly tell why she had come here. Yes, she needed air. But why here? Perhaps it was the quick familiarity of it. After all, just yesterday she was here with Merlin. It was a place only the two knew of. But it was silly of her to think Merlin would come here again. Why would he? There was no reason.

The princess thought about the days to come. Where she'd have more nights like these, except she wouldn't leave the bed. The pain would be less each time but she feared her thoughts would not change. Aria was thinking about Merlin too much. And that was very wrong of her. So is that how it's going to be every night? Think about Merlin while Arthur is next to me? What next? Pretend it's not Arthur, but Merlin who touches me? Kisses me? Holds me when we sleep? Her mind went back a few hours; the looks, the whispers, the quick, breathy moans. The feel of Arthur's hands on her, his kisses, the pressure onto her. Would it be any different if it had been Merlin?

Aria wanted to cry out in frustration. She was a married woman, for goodness sake. Why she was thinking about her husband's servant so much, God help her if she knew. But she longed for his company. She did.

She absentmindedly touched the dragon charm and sighed. How Aria wished he would be here with her right now. If only, if only…

Aria heard a twig snap and sprang up to her feet in complete panic. She looked around frantically. Was something out there? Did someone follow her here?

Aria nearly jumped when she saw a faint light come towards her. "Who's there?" she demanded, trying to sound calm and collected but inside, she was shaking furiously. She felt the urge to break into a run but if she did, she'd get lost in the forest. To make it worse, she'd be lost in the forest with someone chasing after her.

The light was coming closer and closer and Aria took a few steps back. What was that light? Why was it coming towards her? Aria sucked in her breath when it was but a few steps away from her. And it wasn't alone. In fact, it was in the palm of none other than Merlin himself. Aria widened her eyes as they locked with Merlin's.

"Lady Aria?" he sounded shocked.

"M-Merlin?" she choked. She was caught by surprise. It was almost as if Merlin had heard her thoughts and came to her. With light coming out of his hand…

As if he just realized it, Merlin closed his palm quickly and the light disappeared. Aria blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to his dark outline. "What are you doing out here?"

"Me? I should be asking you that, my lady!" Merlin responded. "What are you doing in the forest by yourself? And in the middle of the night!"

"I just… I needed some air," Aria finally answered, "You know… princesses need air."

Merlin coughed out a laugh. "I'm sure they do. Especially newly married ones."

Aria's mouth formed into a small smile. "Especially them." Then she remembered something. "Merlin, call me crazy, but… was that light coming out of your hand?"


His instincts hadn't deceived him. It was a good idea to come out into the forest.

Once again, Merlin was having a hard time going to sleep. As he tossed and turned, he had this sudden feeling that he needed to go out into the forest. More specifically, the one at the back of the castle. He couldn't explain it… but he had to. Like he needed to be there. Like he was just needed, period.

Merlin hadn't thought about and used his magic as light when he walked into the forest. He hadn't counted on the Lady Aria to be one the one out in the clearing, staring back at him. He was one hundred percent positive she had seen the light in his palm and here she was, asking him about it.

"Light?" Merlin questioned innocently, hiding his hands behind his back. "I think you are mistaken, my lady. There was no light."

"Yes, there was!" Aria exclaimed, "I saw it! It was coming out of your palm! You held it out and it was the first thing I spotted!"

"You're tired, Lady Aria," Merlin pressed, starting to turn. "Come on, let's go back to the castle."

"No, not until you tell me about the light!" Aria crossed her arms and stood their stubbornly. Merlin wanted to say something but he remembered what Gaius always told him- to keep his magic a secret. Aria was observant and she certainly wasn't dumb- she noticed it.

"Don't be ridiculous," he insisted. "You need sleep, my lady, you've had a long day."

"I'm not being- Merlin!" Merlin had turned to way away but Aria stepped forward and grabbed his arm. He turned back to her in surprise. She pulled his arm and he stumbled closer to her. "Do you really think I'm out here because I'm tired? Otherwise, I wouldn't be out here. I'd still be under his Highness," Aria snapped. Merlin's blue eyes widened. The boy was suddenly frightened by her fierceness. It wasn't something had expected out of her.

"I don't know what to tell you," he whispered, looking into her eyes.

"Merlin," Aria started, her voice going down a few octaves, "You told me I had you. You're not the only one. I'm here for you too. Please… you can trust me."

Could he? This was Prince Arthur's wife for crying out loud. She was now a Pendragon, she was practically expected to share the hatred for magic. Aria would tell him, surely she would! …Would she? Merlin looked down at her and he notice her stand in a funny way. Aria bit her lip as if she were in pain.

"You're hurt," he murmured.

"It's nothing," she whispered, letting go of his arm. Immediately, Aria winced, pressing a hand to her lower abdomen. Merlin wasted no time. Swiftly, he picked up her petite body (not listening to her protests) and carried her into the clearing, laying her down on the soft patch of grass.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, about to sit up.

"No, no, lie down. I can stop the pain," he assured and she lay back down hesitantly.

"How? I don't suppose you have medicine coming out of your palms too?" Aria muttered sarcastically.

Merlin held back a laugh. "I will only do this if you promise to keep it a secret."

"I already have a secret of my own. Another one won't hurt."

Taking a deep breath, Merlin lightly pressed his left hand to the lower part of her abdomen. This is it, he thought. I'm about to reveal my darkest secret to her. This will either end well or terribly.

"Ahebban æwierpþesádl hire." His eyes flashed a brilliant gold. Aria stared down at where his hand was hovering. He brought it back but didn't meet her eyes. "Feel better?"

"Yes, it… it stopped." Aria lifted herself up and stared straight at Merlin. He forced himself to look at her.

"Merlin," she started shakily, "You… you're… you have magic?"

He nodded. "Not something I share with people when I first meet them."

Aria was at a loss for words. Her hands reached up to her necklace. Merlin looked at it, Bran's words coming back to him. She had been lost. Light had come to her. Merlin held his breath. Did this mean he was her light?

The princess didn't speak for a while.

"Lady Aria? Please say something…" Merlin tried. It was no use. She was going to tell. He'd have to leave Camelot, never to meet his fate. He-

"You're a warlock?" she asked, finally speaking. Merlin merely nodded. Aria exhaled. "Why are you here, Merlin? Why did you come to Camelot? Magic is banned."

From there, Merlin let everything out. He told her why he came- he was causing trouble back home in Ealdor and so his mother sent him to Camelot to get help from Gaius. From there, he realized he'd have to keep his magic a secret which proved to be difficult when he'd learned of his fate- that he was to stand alongside Arthur who would reunite the land of Albion. And when he first met Prince Arthur, Merlin thought he was nothing but a royal prat. But when he saved his life and became Arthur's manservant, the two had gotten closer and Merlin learned there was more to Arthur than he had originally thought. The two had gone through so much together and Merlin had saved Arthur more times than he could count- without revealing his secret. When Merlin mentioned Kilgarrah, the Dragon, Aria's face lit up.

"You've spoken to the Dragon?" she asked in awe. Merlin smiled and nodded. "I wouldn't be too excited, Aria. He's a bit annoying what with all this talk of fate."

"I can't believe this," Aria murmured, "You're a warlock! And Arthur doesn't even know!" She chuckled. "I bet it's frustrating, not being able to tell him."

"It's more frustrating saving his life all the time and not being able to take any credit for it," Merlin sighed, rolling his eyes. Aria laughed again. "I can imagine!"

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Merlin asked, as if making sure of it.

"Oh, Merlin." Aria reached forward and placed her hand above his. "I promise you I won't. You haven't hurt anyone. Without you… not many lives would've been saved, I'm sure."

Merlin felt touched by Aria's words. She didn't even know the beginning of it…

"You have so much to tell me of your adventures!" Aria brought up. "I bet you've plenty more stories to tell me."

"Only if you're interested in hearing about them!"

"You know I am!" Merlin held her hand in his. "But there are stories you need to tell me. Starting with why you're out here."

Aria was reluctant. "I told you, I needed to step out for a moment."

"And what you just saw wasn't magic, you were dreaming," Merlin retorted. "And you were hurting too. Did something happen?"

"Nothing," Aria muttered, looking away. "Just Arthur and I doing something that we're obligated to do."

Merlin figured it out. "Oh," he managed to say.

"It's really nothing. Besides, it wasn't just Arthur…"

"What was it?" Merlin leaned in.

"Just… everything. This whole arrangement, it's just…" Aria's voice cracked. "Too much is expected out of me. How I should act, what I should do, my attitude… all of it to please Arthur. And not just Arthur! His father, my father, everyone in Camelot… just now, I told Arthur that I couldn't and he told me it was something we must do. That's just a weakness for me. Doing something because I must. Because it pleases someone else. Now I'll live the rest of my life having to please someone. Whatever I want for myself will come second."

Merlin didn't even think his actions out. Immediately, he pulled her into his arms and held her comfortingly. She held him back tightly. It wasn't like last night- she held onto him like he was dear life. Merlin didn't speak, just had his arms around her. His shirt was starting to feel wet. Aria was tearing up.

"Don't cry, Aria," he whispered. "Please don't cry."

"This is the only time I'll be allowed to cry," she stammered, clutching his shirt. They were silent for a few moments until Aria spoke. "I dreamt of my mother last night."

Merlin looked down at her as she lifted her head up at him. "You saw your mother?"

Aria nodded. "She came towards me. But before she could say anything, I woke up. That was why I was out in the halls the other day. I couldn't sleep."

"Because you dreamt of your mother?"

The lady sighed. "Sometimes I'm so angry with her for leaving. If she were here…"

"Maybe things would've been different?" Merlin finished. Aria nodded again. "But the anger, it just… it turns to longing. I miss her so much, Merlin, it hurts."

Aria blinked and a tear dripped down her cheek. Merlin wiped it with his finger. "Your mother will come back, Aria. And she does, it'll be for you," he whispered, rubbing the watery drop between his fingers.

"How do you know?" Aria sounded almost hopeful.

Merlin exhaled. "A mother's love knows no limits. She'll do anything for her child." He took Aria's hand. "Trust me. I wouldn't say this if I didn't know. My mother helped me when she sent me here. I may not see her often but… I know why she did. Yours may have left… but she'll come back. She'll save you."

Aria's eyes were shining. "I've already been saved," she said quietly. Her hand reached out and she touched Merlin's face. "You really are a special one, Merlin. Especially to me."

Merlin blushed, a warm feeling rising in his stomach when he felt her skin. "And you are to me, Aria," he whispered. Very much.

At that moment, Merlin didn't care that the lady sitting close to him had recently married his master. From the looks of it, Aria didn't care either. Merlin brought his hand toward her and brushed his lips against hers. Aria didn't pull away. Instead she kissed back, bringing her hands to his hair. He pulled her as close as he could to him and she wrapped herself around him.

Merlin didn't know what was happening exactly. Just that he knew that he had never felt this way before. Slowly, very slowly, Merlin was falling for her. And there was a very good chance that Aria was feeling the same.

A/N: Hello readers! I apologize for the Old English, mine's a bit rusty. Anyways, as promised, here is a chapter dedicated to Merlin and Aria. I'm so excited for the direction this story is going in and I hope you all will enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing! Thank you for reading and reviewing, you are all so lovely. Please continue as more is to come!