I do not own Merlin.
This story is set post reveal. Well, to be exact it is set about a year after the happenings in 'Night of Destiny' (5.05) This is not a direct sequel, so you can read it separately without any problems.
I really really enjoyed writing this chapter. It turned out to be one of the longest I have ever written, but there was too much going on and I did not want to chop it in the middle. The mood and atmosphere of the story change completely between the beginning and the end. We are now working our way towards those bits in the story I chose the T-rating for. Hope you enjoy it!
They were the happiest three days Merlin had experienced for a long time. He enjoyed her company to the point that he wondered how he had ever been able to be without it. They stole some moments away from Cynric and Balin every day to share some time on their own.
On the second evening they made camp on the side of a hill overlooking the surrounding mountains. Ariana and Merlin had strolled away from the camp to get fire wood and then had stopped to admire the brilliant view for a second. The sun was near setting and the last rays of light were playing with all shades of green.
'Look!' Ariana pointed excitedly at the delicate shape of two yellow butterflies whose wings were illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun as they fluttered into the dark of the forest. 'They are beautiful. I just love butterflies.'
When she turned round Merlin took her into his arms. 'Out here, this is where I feel home the most. It touches my soul and …reverberates in my magic.' He had never shared this most private feeling with anyone. But it just felt right to him in this moment. Then he let her go and cupped his hands.
'Watch!' He whispered casting a quick spell into his palms. When he opened them again a huge yellow butterfly emerged gracefully. It clapped its wings and then made its way across the valley.
Ariana held her breath and watched in astonishment. She lifted her eyes and there was awe in them as she said. 'You created life.' Merlin smiled and held her again. He had never felt so close to anyone.
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They realized that the knights were not oblivious to what was going on between them, but that they had decided to turn a blind eye. Ariana saw Balin shaking his head at times and Cynric threw them the occasional disapproving look. But as long as Ariana was not harmed in any way, the knights simply accepted what she chose to do. It was blatantly obvious that Ariana was not in any danger. In fact, they had not seen her that happy for many months.
But the closer they got to Camarthen, the more subdued they all became. The uncertainty of what awaited them there was unsettling for each of them and that there was no telling how it would all end.
Then they finally saw the turrets of Araina's home. It was not anywhere near the size of Camelot but albeit an impressive castle.
'Here we are.' Ariana said stating the obvious. She was wrecked with nerves thinking about her father and sister. Merlin's thoughts were with Hunith and his insides clenched. The knights understood the danger that they were facing and geared themselves for the worst.
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Morgana had only brought a handful of men with her when she came to Camarthen. That was all that was needed. She had put enough fear into everyone who lived at the castle for not to try and put a fight up against her.
There were no guards around when the small group entered through the big gate. On a normal day the courtyard would have been filled with the hustle and bustle of the everyday running of the castle. However, there was not a soul in sight anywhere when they walked across the square to make their way to the dungeons.
It seemed almost too easy to get there. There were no guards to stop them or anyone to query their destination. Even at the dungeons entrance Morgana had not bothered putting any security up.
Odd. Merlin thought. It's almost as if she is inviting us to get in. It should have rung warning bells in his head, but Hunith was on his mind more than anything else. He was impatient to see her, comfort her and ensure her safety.
There was one big cell at the end of the dark dungeon corridor they had come through. Merlin could hear muffled voices coming from there and when they arrived at its door they noticed some people huddling on the ground at the back of the cell. It had to be them! One quick glance with golden eyes opened the lock and as soon as the door squeaked open a scream broke the silent air.
'Ariana!' A young girl flew out of the shadows to charge at the princess and round her neck.
'Catriona.' Ariana whispered relieved. 'Are you alright? I was so worried about you.' She hugged her sister tightly as tears of relief had started streaming down her face. She lives. Overcome with joy Ariana started sobbing.
'Father!' Ariana had just noticed King Eowyn. He was resting on the floor, both his legs bandaged up all the way. He still could not stand from the injuries Morgana had caused him and all he could do was lift his arms to welcome his daughter. 'My child!' He whispered as she bent down to embrace him, clearly moved by their reunion.
The relief and joy of seeing each other again was written on the faces of the royal family and their embrace spoke more than words could ever have. Merlin felt incredibly gratified to see them united again and he shared Ariana's joy. She had gone through so much to see them safe again.
Catriona looked up and noticed him. 'Is this …him?' She asked Ariana, her eyes wide open with excitement and anticipation.
'This is Emrys.' Ariana kind of introduced him to her sister and her father.
Merlin smiled at them and bowed politely to the king. But there was only one thing on his mind now. 'Where is my mother?'
'Here. Come and follow me. She is here. She is weak, but she is not hurt.' Catriona was keen to show the famous Emrys where Hunith was lying. They had bedded her on blankets in a sheltered corner.
'Mother!' Merlin huskily said as his eyes fell on her. Hunith looked thin and exhausted, but she was smiling at him and stretched out her arms to embrace him. 'My boy! But when he bent down to her to kiss her, she whispered in his ear. 'You should not have come. Not for my sake. It is Morgana. She is planning something to hurt you.'
Merlin hugged Hunith even tighter ignoring her words. 'Don't worry. I will get you home to Camelot as soon as this is over.' And a tear rolled over his cheek as he said it. He could not bear seeing her pain knowing that she had suffered it for him.
'Now isn't that nice!' A very familiar voice cut through the air at that moment.
Morgana.
She had appeared at the dungeon door followed by a couple of her men. She had clearly been expecting them and planned for their arrival at the dungeons.
'Family reunions. What lovely occasions.' She spat it out, her voice dripping of sarcasm. .
Merlin let Hunith go and turned round to face her.
'You said you would let them go, when Ariana returns with me.' Merlin said with a determined, demanding voice. Well, here I am.'
'Trying to save the world yet again, ' Morgana said mockingly, deliberately delaying an answer. And then added 'Emrys.' The hatred she had put into the one word would have been enough to erase a whole kingdom. It had taken her weeks to live down the news that Arthur's servant was a sorcerer. And not even just a sorcerer, but the sorcerer who she had feared for such a long time. Emrys.
Her brother was harbouring the man who was supposed to be her doom. This man who could have been her salvation when she was confused and scared when she had just discovered her magic and had nobody to turn to. He could have shown her the way, could have guided her and given her comfort. But he had withheld any compassion and not only that - he had actually tried to poison her. And her brother, the king, had preferred him over her, despite the magic. It was for him the king had broken the ban. He would have never done that for me. She had thought and hated them both for rejecting and abandoning her.
At that moment a young man that had entered the room behind Morgana stepped forward. That he was a knight was obvious. That he was of noble birth, one could have guessed by his immaculate clothes and the air of superiority he seemed to exude. He was tall, lean and muscular and his brown eyes matched the colour of his hair that was falling leisurely into his handsome face.
'Ariana!' He exclaimed and his eyes beamed with joy.
'Edgar!' Ariana looked rather phased as he approached her.
Before Merlin could really understand the meaning of it all Edgar had embraced Ariana and was kissing her passionately. Merlin was unable to process what was happening before his very eyes. He just stood there, totally dumbfounded, staring at them as if in a dream. He saw Edgar's hand moving up and down her back caressing her tenderly and his hand brushing her cheek and …. Merlin swallowed ….he saw her lips moving against Edgar's. His insides clenched so tight he almost feel wheezy.
'You did as you promised and brought the sorcerer.' Edgar had let Ariana go and when he spoke he sounded relieved and pleased. 'You will be a queen worthy of my kingdom!'
Merlin's heart stood still for a second and then shattered on the ground in thousand pieces. No! This could not be true! Surely he had misunderstood. He could not even formulate one sensible thought and his heart was drumming so loud it drowned out everything else in his head. It was incomprehensible. Surely she would tell him this was all a big mistake? He tried to reach out to Ariana in his mind. Tell me! Tell me it's not true.! But ….there was nothing but silence.
Edgar turned to Ariana again ' You have done well, my love. The sorcerer has served his purpose.'
Merlin's mind went into overdrive. She lied to me. She betrayed me. She sold me to Morgana to save the man she loves. The man she is going to marry. She does not love me. It was all pretence. It almost felt as if someone was squeezing his heart with an iron fist. The pain was so strong it took his breath away. All she had done was a lie. All the moments of joy and tenderness had been a deceit. All just a ploy to make sure he would come back with her. For ….this prince. All just a lie. Liar! He shouted at her in her mind, fully aware that she could hear him. But she did not answer and his desperate scream was swallowed in a big void.
'Now isn't that precious!' Morgana had watched Merlin closely and had immediately understood.
Merlin swiveled round to her, his teeth clenched and his face twisted with hurt.
'Our court sorcerer is in love.' Morgana smirked. 'Looks like she has been taken though.' She added maliciously and deadpan. 'It is hard when people you love betray you, isn't it, Merlin? 'She stopped and added. 'I should know better than anyone.'
Merlin had clenched his fists so tight his knuckles were turning white and anger was rising inside him as he had not felt it before. Morgana was revelling in his pain and she was mocking him. He could not think straight anymore, the hurt of Ariana's betrayal completely engulfed him and he stretched out his arm ready to hurt Morgana to stop her laughing at him, to revenge the hurt in his heart.
Just before he could act, in a split second, a hooded figure appeared in front of him out of nowhere and shouted a spell Merlin had never heard before. It was of the Old Religion and he could tell it was dark and destructive. Then everything happened so quickly that Merlin had no time to do anything anymore at all.
A wall of blue light twice his height had appeared to encircle him and his tunic and jacket were ripped off his chest. Silence fell upon him as any noises and voices of the world on the other side of the wall were completely drowned out. All he could hear was Morgana's voice that seemed to echo back at him from all directions.
'Ahhh. Emrys. You surely did not think I would not have little welcoming gift for you? This is Soron.' She was nodding towards the hooded man. 'He has a very special talent with which he has kindly agreed to assist me. He is a master of torture who finds the most imaginative ways to get people of magic do as you want.' She stopped to let the words sink in. 'I just could not deprive you of the pleasure of his expertise.'
Morgana sounded incredibly pleased. Then she savoured the words on her tongue. 'He will break your human spirit first and then separate your human body from your magic, leaving it behind.' The way she said it, it sounded like a recipe.
'Yes. 'Her voice was getting more excited as she spoke 'He will draw the magic out of you …For me to use.' She added and her eyes were crazed at the bare thought of it. The power this would bring her. She would be invincible. She would dwarf the man who was supposed to be her doom and she would hit Arthur twofold. By taking not only his friend, but also his protector away from him. Gwen's death would be the final blow to her dear brother. He would suffer the loss of the people he loved most just as she had, when her family had turned their back on her. This was far more satisfying than seeing the king dead.
As for Merlin, what was about to happen to him was a much more gratifying revenge than she could have ever hoped for. She smirked, her heart full of satisfaction.
Merlin heard her piercing voice, but her words washed over him and although he understood what she had said, he did not care. He felt he was breaking inside.
Ariana had lied to him all this time. She had willingly assisted Morgana in full knowledge what she had planned. And not even attempted to warn him. He could just make her out through the blue light of the magic wall, but she had still not turned round to face him. She does not even have the decency to look into my eyes, to acknowledge what she had done.
Coward! He shouted at her in his mind. She had led him on, pretending feelings she clearly did not have. Kissed him when she had been betrothed to Edgar. Begged him to trust her when this prince had been on her mind all along. And he had fallen for it. Big time.
He could see his mother crying in the far corner of the room. The king and Catriona just watched, looking on shaken and in horrified anticipation of what was to come. Edgar viewed him completely void of any emotion. To him Merlin had been just a pawn that could now be discarded as he had fulfilled his purpose. They ALL looked at him, apart from her.
At this moment Merlin gave up believing. Believing in hope and in love, believing in the notion that good always won in the end. He had sacrificed his loyalty for love and been bitterly disappointed. How she must have laughed at his display of affection knowing her deception was successful. So successful. He had failed all the people who were close to him because of her. Nothing could be worse than the hurt and guilt that was ripping his heart out.
That is what he thought until the blue wall of magic started pulsating.
How do you feel about this now? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Thanks for reading and reviewing!