"So I should let this child die? Because that's what she is, a child." Merlin turned to the younger Pendragon, hoping the knight would understand his predicament.
"I can't tell you what to do," Cador conceded, "it's your decision. I'm just making sure you're taking everything into consideration. Whatever you decide, I will follow behind you no matter the consequences, and defend you with my life."
"This is all real isn't it?" Merlin caught the Knights eye, unsure of what else to say. This was his life now. His father was well known - as was his Dragon Lord heritage. It was not something he could hide from Arthur, the court, or anyone else. Before Kilgharrah was spotted, he might have made the case the dragons were gone, so it was irrelevant. That was no longer an option. To Arthur, the continued existence of the dragon, and his ability to command it, would make a big difference.
"Yes, it's very real." Cador moved toward the door, ensuring they would have a warning if anyone approached. "I know you don't like we're here, and I'm sorry for it. But we didn't make the decision to come lightly. As long as your identity was in question and not confirmed, you had a layer of protection. Once removed - even the most powerful of men need someone to watch their backs, especially in hostile territory. Whether you like it or not, with Arthur's views on magic, you're in hostile territory."
Turning his eyes to the floor, Merlin pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Camelot was his home, everything and everyone he loved was there, save for his mother. Arthur was his best friend, and that, as well as the friends he'd made, and the life he'd built, was not something he wanted to lose. He'd considered what Arthur's reaction would be if he found out, and he'd played every scenario over and over in his head over the years. Never once did he think it would be in circumstances like this. With his magic, and even as a dragon lord heritage, he was still a peasant. His lot in life would not have changed all that much, except that people - Arthur - would realize he wasn't a helpless idiot and had brought something to the table in Camelot's defense and the defense of her king. Now, though? If there was a worst case scenario of Arthur learning who he was and what he was capable of - this was it.
He'd bristled when Cador had mentioned Manafort's loyalties, not that he didn't appreciate the fact Leon's father had remained loyal to his family and had assisted his mother over the years. That was an interesting development, and he could think of hundreds of questions he'd like to ask the senior knight about his father, and the whole situation. But it also meant Manafort knew, at least about being a dragon lord. If he had been taking supplies to his mother while he was a child, it was possible he knew about the magic as well. If Manafort knew, did it not also stand to reason Leon did?
Arthur would be furious if he found out his first knight had known any of this and kept it from him. Yet, it was likely Leon knew something, or he wouldn't have insisted they come here, rather than return to Camelot. Arthur would question that if he learned Manafort's loyalties belonged to his father more than they had to Uther. Pressing the heels of his palm against his eyes in an attempt to thwart the dull ache forming behind them, Merlin sighed, turning once again to face the Cerniw knight watching him quietly from the corner.
"Does Leon know?"
"I've been trying to figure that out for days," Cador replied. "I suspect he wanted to come here because he's attempting to fathom it all out himself, but I can't be sure. "
Merlin nodded, disconcerted by the idea. So many people had already betrayed Arthur, and as much as he liked Leon, he hoped the knight's loyalties were not divided.
Turning his attention back to the young girl, he considered all the options. He'd never be able to live with himself if he'd let an innocent die to protect his secret. But nor was he going to repeat the mistake he'd made when he'd first arrived in Camelot and saved Gwen's father. Healing the girl now, after Marcus had suggested it, would be foolish. He'd have to remind Arthur his father was the dragon lord, but he wasn't ready for him to know about the magic. Not yet. If he could get her to Camelot, at least he'd have Gaius to hide behind. Decision made, he placed his hand on her forehead and whispered a spell, stopping the bleeding. It wouldn't heal her completely, but it would prevent further damage, and buy plenty of time to get to Camelot and treat her properly.
"I won't let her die. Gaius will provide cover; As a physician, he still has Arthur's absolute trust. I've bought her time for now."
Cador nodded, turning towards the door. "They're coming."
Merlin stepped away from the girl as Arthur and Leon strode in, a young woman in a torn dress, caked with grime, between them. Terror lining every corner of her delicate face, her eyes fell upon the beaten girl on the table, and she began swaying and screaming.
"You're awake?" Arthur blinked at him in surprise, leading the hysterical woman to a cot, having already given up trying to calm her.
"Well met, I've also trained in medicine, in the event you forgot. I need to find roseroot; it may help calm her."
Merlin raised his brow at the full jar containing rosemary, holding it up for Cador's inspection, as he searched the cupboards for the spiny root. Shaking his head at the old physician's lie, he located his wares and quickly ground the herb into flakes to steep into a tea. He'd considered giving the distraught woman something to help her sleep, but assuming this was who they were looking for, the missing child was not with them. Sleep wasn't an option until she was calm enough to question. Satisfied with the tincture, he instructed her to drink it, retreating with relief when Marcus returned to further check her for injuries. He could feel the King's eyes burning a hole in his back as he'd attempted to calm the woman, and finally free from the duty turned to face him.
"What?" he asked, walking across the room out of earshot of his patient to join the king, Cador, and Leon in the corner.
"You look like a proper noble," the King remarked, smirking at his annoyance.
"I'm childish enough to put itching powder in your bed and cupboard, now that stocks and stables seem to be off the table."
Arthur snorted, a grin lining his face. "That goes both ways, Merlin."
"Oh No, Cador's favorite thing to do is to stand outside my door." The warlock smirked, patting the King on the shoulder. "Good luck."
"I'll figure something out. My Lord." The King teased, giving a mock bow.
Rolling his eyes, Merlin turned the conversation back to the serious matter at hand. "You didn't find the child then?"
"No," Arthur shook his head, glancing back to the woman perplexed. "She was alone in the woods, hysterical, holding onto this."
Merlin took the scroll, his brow furrowing as he read it.
The beasts gather on the Ictis for Saxony's son to behold. Make Haste.
"The Ictis..." Pacing in a circle Merlin reread the scroll once again before handing it to Cador to see if he could make something of it. "Saxony's son..." The warlock stopped abruptly turning to face Arthur.
"Morgana uses Saxon's and we know she's up to something."
"Why would she alert us?"
"We don't know that she was, we don't know who the intended recipient is."
Arthur nodded, turning as the Lord of the Manor entered and made his way to the still keening woman. "I don't like this. Whoever did this..." the king waved toward the girl, still struggling to breathe through broken ribs. "Even Morgana knows this would come to my attention and I would hunt down those was responsible. If she was looking to send a message I'm not meant to learn about, this isn't the way to do it."
Merlin nodded, turning toward Manafort crossing the room to approach them.
"Did she say anything coherent?" Arthur asked, turning his gaze back to the sobbing woman.
"She's traumatized," Manafort shook his head. "Best I can understand through her rambling is she woke up in a barn, held by two men. They turned her loose not long ago to deliver that scroll to someone in Camelot; they're holding her child until she returns with a response."
Why would they hold her for hours?" Arthur asked.
"Perhaps they knew we were here," Leon replied. "It's possible they wanted her to travel at night so she wouldn't be discovered or impeded in her journey."
"She doesn't know who she's supposed to give it to?" Arthur knitted his brow, as he waited for Manafort to read through the missive Cador handed him.
"No, she was only told where to go."
"We know Morgana has a spy in Camelot; there may be more to it than just a mole in the court," Leon offered, looking just as perplexed as Arthur.
"Can you make any sense of that?" Arthur glanced at Manafort, who appeared to be deep in thought. "We know Morgana was sniffing around about Druids and prophecies. Apparently, she was attempting to barter something - I assume to be information, in return for Merlin's life. I sent one of my men to the Druids to see if he could learn anything, but all he overheard was something about warlocks, beasts, and a mount of the nine. I'm not sure any of that is even related to this."
"It must be," Manafort nodded. "The Ictis and the Mount of the Nine are the same, or once were." Manafort pointed the group into the small sitting room he and Arthur had disappeared into earlier, leaving Marcus alone with his patients.
"The nine refers to the high priestesses," Manafort continued, as the group settled in more private quarters. "They took girl children exceptionally skilled in magic to the mount for training, but only the most gifted could become one of the nine. The rest would be sent home, or inducted into an ancient order of the Bendrui, who serve the Catha - High Priests of the Old Religion. The nine lived and presided over the mount, and were said to be the intermediaries between the mortal realm and the nine goddesses. In ancient times the mount was the Ictis, but after an attempted Roman invasion, they joined the priests on the Isle of the Blessed. I was under the impression all but one was killed in the purge, and the one that lingered was dispatched in recent years."
"Mount Batten?" Cador's eyes widened.
"Yes. In ancient times it was called the Ictis."
"It's a tiny islet just off the coast of Cerniw," Cador explained, as Arthur had turned his attention to his cousin, eyes raised. "Since it's not the mainland it's not protected by the enchantment over the Kingdom, so we've been mostly cut off from it. There are ancient tunnels between the Isle and the shore, but Bruta cut the Roman's off by collapsing them and sinking the Adlanko Bridge on top of them, with the assistance of the high priestesses. The Saxons attempted to reach the mount a few years before they captured Camelot, but Merlin's grandfather cut them off by sea."
"Doesn't Morgana calls herself a high priestess?" Arthur asked, rubbing the nape of his neck.
"She calls herself a Queen too, but that doesn't make it so." Manafort raised his brow at the King, rejecting the notion entirely. "Morgana benefits from her father executing those who could have easily opposed her, or tell her otherwise. I have no doubt Morgause told her she was a high priestess, for whatever reason suited her needs, maybe she even held a little ritual, but that doesn't make it valid to the goddesses." Manafort shook his head. "Nimueh was the last of the nine, and she's dead."
"Do you think she's trying to raise the bridge?" Leon asked.
"I don't know. A Saxon invasion could be imminent if she is. Particularly the reference to the beasts. I've heard a tale of creatures Vortigern brought with them during their attempted sieges. But, even if Morgana were a High Priestess, she would not be powerful enough to raise the bridge on her own."
Arthur shook his head in confusion. "It makes no sense. If she's trying to raise the bridge what would that accomplish for her or the Saxons? The tunnels lead into Cerniw and they can't enter with the enchantment in place."
"Yes" Manafort countered, "but if they empty the tunnels, they might not be trying to access Cerniw, they might be trying to go around it. The tunnels are said to run along the Batten peninsula so near the border they could open in Camelot or further points north. But the bridge rests on top of the tunnels, it would be impossible for anyone to pass unless it was raised."
"Why would she send a message like this to Camelot when it's sure to come to my attention. There is no way the guards would not have noticed and intercepted that woman; she's filthy and hysterical."
"Perhaps you're meant to see it, but she wants you to believe otherwise. She'd know you can't ignore it. It's bait."
"Well, I'm not inclined to bite so willingly these days." Arthur shook his head, "if Cerniw is cut off from the Isle because of the enchantment, we are too. We'd have to go by water, and they'd be waiting for us."
"I don't believe it's an announcement, My Lord. It's a summons. Perhaps she's counting on you not knowing what any of it means and investigating it." Manafort replied.
"She's looking for a warlock," Leon suggested.
"There are no such things as warlocks, Leon. It was a bedtime story."
Manafort's eyebrows reached his hairline. "I wouldn't say that, Sire."
"Ok, let's say warlocks do exist, why would she send a summons meant for one to Camelot and make it so easy for me to find?"
"I don't know," Manafort replied. "It might be her way of trying to find out who he is, or seeing if he's close enough to get it and respond, or react."
"You truly believe he exists?" Arthur stared at the old Lord incredulously.
"He does," Manafort nodded.
"She's fishing as much as she's throwing out bait," Merlin scoffed with a shake of his head.
"I believe so. Morgana might not be aware you even know about the warlock; it's more likely centered around Saxony's son. It's long been a rumor that Vortigern sired an illegitimate daughter during his stay in Camelot. It is said she was given to the Druids to raise. If she's had a child, a son, particularly one with magic and he's in Camelot, it's possible she believes him to be the warlock, and she's baiting you to go looking, and lead her to him."
"Because her accomplice in Camelot can inform her of our activities, and what or who we find." Arthur nodded.
Merlin's brows furrowed as he listened to the King and Leon's father discuss the message the scroll contained. He knew was part of whatever it was Morgana was planning, considering the mention of his Druidic name in the first message, and Kilgharrah's warning, but he couldn't fathom out the rest of it. He wasn't going to help her raise a bridge to assist in a Saxon invasion, and she wasn't stupid enough to think he would. If Morgana could put together enough people to accomplish the task of raising the bridge that would pose a far larger threat than the Saxons. Arthur wouldn't see it that way, and perhaps the rest of the kingdoms would agree with him in the face of a full-on Saxon invasion,but he knew there was more to it than that. There had to be.
The priestesses might be gone, but the Catha were not, which stood to reason the Bendrui were also still around. He'd like to think Alator would have warned him if Morgana was attempting to utilize the Catha or the Bendrui, but only having one interaction between them, he couldn't be sure. He had no idea how many priests there even were, or how much influence Alator had with them. The fact Morgana still didn't know he was Emrys was a good indication Alator had not turned on him and would be a good source for answers, but Merlin couldn't make a trip to Helva unnoticed in the best of times, he wouldn't be able to do so now. Surely Cerniw would notice if Morgana managed to raise the bridge or was trying to, so she would need someone on the throne there willing to look the other way, and the witch knew damn well he would never do that.
"This has got to be it, Arthur." Merlin looked up, abruptly returning to the conversation. "If I take that crown, Morgana knows I will send the whole of Cerniw's Army out there to fight with Camelot's to stop a Saxon invasion."
"Which is a good reason to put a bounty on your head to make sure you don't take it."
Eyes wide, Cador whistled. "Arthur led you directly into an ambush. If you had died the first reaction would have been to go to war to avenge you. The entire kingdom from the nobility to the peasantry would have demanded it. The Saxons could have used it as cover; Cerniw gets bypassed and left out of the invasion; Morgana takes Camelot, and the Saxon's take the rest of the kingdoms."
"That kind of strategy is beyond Morgana's ability," Leon stammered.
Merlin agreed, conceding the point. He had been taking a taking a stab in the dark, but he had to admit it fit. Even Arthur looked impressed with his cousin, though slightly sick at the implications and how close they had come to that scenario being a reality.
"Well they only had one shot at it, and it didn't work because I'm still here. If Morgana has a mole in the court, then she's aware Cador and Galahad are here, and we're both aware of who I am."
"She could have sent this hoping we'd come to this conclusion and you head straight there to try and cross the border." Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose, before locking eyes with the warlock. "That must be why Niviane was so upset with me for bringing you there. They're already out there lying in wait."
"Which means Niviane stopped them and set this in motion so that I'd find out who I am and we would know what was going on."
"No. Niviane had no idea any of this was going on," Cador shook his head, looking between the two royals. "That ambush near the border blindsided all of us. It's possible she's learned things since, but without returning to ask her, it's impossible to know what."
"We have to go to Cerniw, Arthur. That's the only way to find out if she's learned anything, and get close enough to the mount to see what is going on."
"What part of, they are stalking the border, did you not understand, Merlin. It's too dangerous!"
"You can't enter anyway," Cador interrupted. "Or so they say. I don't think anyone knows for sure, but it's assumed you can't pass through it until you turn twenty-one. The only way to find out is for you to go there and try to cross it, but Arthur's right; it's too dangerous."
"Sire," Gwaine popped his head into the room, catching everyone's attention. "We've got the boy. Galahad's taking him to his mother now."
"His condition? Please tell me you got the men holding him?"
"The boy is fine, the men hold him... It was them or us; we had no choice but to dispatch them."
Arthur nodded. "I want her to travel to Camelot as she was intended to. You two follow behind her at a safe distance and bring whomever she delivers the scroll to in for questioning, but do it quietly."
"You plan to use her as bait?" Merlin asked.
"I want to let this play out for the benefit of Morgana's mole. We just need to play along, learn as much as we can, then plant a false trail, and hope they follow it, while we move in the other direction and try to get ahead of this."
Merlin nodded as Arthur, Gwaine, and Leon left the room, leaving him wondering if he should follow or not. Everything was weird now between him and Arthur. Usually, if he had jumped into that type of conversation Arthur would give him annoyed looks, and make snide remarks in his direction, even if he was right. Even when they'd teased each other earlier, it was different, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it, other than to say it was awkward, and in some ways felt forced.
Cador had spooked him, and the more he thought about it all, the more his insides twisted. Arthur couldn't harm him, physically at least, unless he'd caught him off guard, so he wasn't really worried about that. From everything he'd heard, though, Cerniw and Camelot were not on friendly terms. He supposed that was understandable, given the purge and the issues between their fathers, but he didn't want to repeat it. He would not be Arthur's enemy, whether Cador or anyone else in Cerniw understood that or not. He knew Arthur better than he knew himself, but when it came to Uther, Arthur was unpredictable. If people attempted to pit Arthur against him because of their father's relationship, he wasn't sure how that would go for him or their friendship. He had faith Arthur would eventually come around. He had to. He would never have survived all these years if he didn't believe Arthur would do the right thing in the end. But Arthur tended to act first, think second, and make amends last if they were warranted. It had always been the initial reaction that frightened him and caused him to continue hiding.
He'd thought it would be easier when Arthur was King, but even taking the circumstances of Uther's death of out of it, it was much harder. As King, he had far more responsibilities and people in his ear trying to influence him one way or another. Despite the incident with Annis, Arthur was still a new enough King he was easily swayed by his council, particularly if one invoked Uther as an example of behavior he should adopt, or decisions he should make. He may have eventually realized he was wrong and stopped a war with Annis, but a fat bit of good that did Caerleon's King. He didn't get his head back, Annis was still without a husband, and her Kingdom had been severely destabilized as a result of it. It was only now, a year later, that Caerleon had begun to recover from the incident, while Arthur and Camelot had continued on like nothing had happened once the war was thwarted.
Listening to Cador tell them how close Morgana had come to manipulating war had he died shook him. Whatever happened now between he and Arthur had consequences far larger than just their friendship. It had always been that way to some extent, even without the knowledge of Cerniw or that he was the heir to a throne, but this was the first time he truly felt the weight of it burden his shoulders. He'd gone through the motions at first, and then it was because he genuinely cared about Arthur, and about Camelot and everyone he loved there. Maybe it had just felt lighter in the past because of that, but now there was another kingdom involved, and it was full of people whose lives had been affected and would continue to be by the decisions he made and his relationship with Arthur. It always had been, despite the fact neither of them had known it. Ignorance really was bliss, and it gave him a whole new respect for the burden Arthur shouldered every day. Whether he took that crown or not, there had to be peace between Cerniw and Camelot, and the secrets he'd been forced to keep was going to be a big obstacle with Uther's son.
"There might be another way to get you through the border." Manafort spoke up, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the room after Arthur's departure. Merlin realized the two men had been watching him as he'd stared off into space and got lost in his thoughts.
"How?" Merlin raised his brow, studying the man. He still didn't know what to make of Leon's father. He'd met the Lord hundreds of times over the years, and never once had he acknowledged him, or made any indication he'd known anything.
"I'm not sure how much you know about when the Saxons seized Camelot."
"The basics," Merlin replied, watching the man curiously.
"Alright," Manafort nodded, leaning back in his chair. "When Vortigern commandeered Camelot, your grandfather blamed himself for the death of Arthur's grandfather. He was resolved to return Camelot to Uther, and became fixated on finding a way for the royal family to escape in the event of a siege, so what happened to Constantine never happened again. He also wanted it to be a secret entrance to the citadel so that reinforcements could enter and stage an ambush from within against any usurper that successfully took the castle. Militarily it was a sound strategy. It still is. It took a decade, but he and Kilgharrah determined a way that Aurelianus could harness the dragon's magic to create a passageway between the kingdoms, from inside the citadel. But I believe it can only be opened with magic."
Merlin stiffened locking eyes with the former Knight, who smiled knowingly at him.
"You vanquished every flame for a quarter league with your first wailing scream of life, Merlin. I'm well aware of what you're capable. You have nothing to fear from me."
Merlin sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face. "A quarter league?"
"Yes, it was incredible, enough so for rumors to spread, which put you both in danger."
"Both? My mother," Merlin clarified breathlessly, as the answer dawned on him. Panic now taking root in his chest as he stared at the older Lord, now nodding in agreement.
"That village no longer offers her the anonymity that shielded both of you all these years. Now that your identity is known, some may seek to use her as bait or as a weapon against you, or against Cerniw. I was planning on riding out to get her and bring her here until I figured out what was going on before you all showed up and delayed me. The safest place for her right now is in Cerniw, which means you need to try and open the passageway your grandfather built, and if you can cross it, pass her through it."
"I'm going after her," Merlin stalked towards the door. He'd always worried his mother might be a target used against him - especially by Morgana - but he'd never been able to convince her to come to Camelot and stay there. He wouldn't take no for an answer, this time. He could not protect her in Ealdor.
"Merlin, wait," Cador called after him. "It's too late in the day, and Arthur will ask questions. I'll send Galahad for her in the morning to escort her to Camelot."
"Cador's right. I'll go with him; you need to go back to Camelot and find the passageway and try to open it."
Merlin stopped and stared at the two men, he hardly knew, unsure if he could trust his mother with them. Kilgharrah had trusted Cador, but he still wasn't sure what to think about Leon's father.
"Why are you so interested in my mother?" He finally asked, locking eyes once again with the older man.
"Because I swore an oath to your father if something happened to him, I would make sure she was safe. I don't intend to break the last promise I made to my friend and king."
Merlin nodded, once again overwhelmed. He had no reason not to believe him, and it seemed he and his father had a long history. Even Cador trusted him, whereas he was untrusting of everyone else. Rubbing the nape of his neck, he sunk into a chair opposite the noble.
"So where's this passage, and how does it work?"
"I don't know. Those details were only kept to the royal family. Only a handful of us even knew of its existence. I do know it opens directly in Cerniw and all three of you boys' parents used it regularly to pass back and forth between the kingdoms, as a matter of convenience."
"Uther used it?"
"This was years before Uther turned against magic or considered outlawing it. Once he did, he threw everything he had at it. He almost tore down an entire wing of the castle to get rid of it, so I know the general area it's in. In time he determined it couldn't be reopened because he believed everyone who could open it was dead. Eventually, he stopped monitoring it, at least not as closely. If you can locate it and figure out how to open it, it would be a good way to pass through to Cerniw without having to go to the border, or tip anyone off that you're doing so. And should you find yourself in trouble, it's a fast way to safety."
"But we don't know I can cross it because of the enchantment."
"It's possible you can't until you come of age, but it's possible that you can. It's a much safer way to try without traveling to the border."
"So what, it's like a tunnel?" Merlin asked confused but admittedly intrigued by the idea. It would be a solution to allow him to learn about Cerniw and figure things out there, without having to leave and leave Arthur and Camelot unprotected.
"No. I don't know how it works, only that it's there."
"But my mother would know?"
"She would know where it is, but as far as I am aware only Bal, and Uther, knew how to open it."
"And they're dead."
"Yes, but Kilgharrah isn't. You may need to ask him."
"I can't call him right now, he was spotted and Arthur's hunting him."
"Gaius might know."
"Of course he would," Merlin muttered.
"Arthur's going to throw a fit. You know that right?" It might be a short-term solution, but if Merlin were to use it regularly, there was no way Arthur couldn't know about it.
"If he finds out, yes. But once something's created it cannot be undone. It's there. It's been there Arthur's entire life. Short of tearing down the castle, he can't stop its existence - Uther already tried. If he's told about it now, he's not likely to allow it to be opened, and if it already is, he'll question how you did it."
Once Again thanks to all who reviewed, favorited, or followed. I'm a little behind on PM's but I do try to PM everyone. Special thanks once again to the fantastic people over at whimisicalwanderings. Literally, too many awesome people there to list so know I appreciate all of you, and the tips and advice you've given. Thanks to MademeMorganLeFay for line editing, MoonFox, and Nico for helping me figure my way out of a corner. And of course Wryter501 for her continued help and general awesomeness keeping my plot straight and finding plot holes etc.
Next week: Back to Camelot... Will Arthur finally be reminded who Balinor is?