Chapter 9: Revelations
Previously on With No Regrets:
"I never intended to hurt anyone but you. Yet, you still do a brilliant job of hurting yourself!" He chuckled mockingly. "Let's see how the Pendragons decide to sentence you – beheading or burning!"
He pulled his cloak together and in a single twirl, he transported out of the tunnels. The force of his wind blew the flame of the torch out, leaving the bravest of Camelot in the dark.
Leaving Merlin in the dark.
Merlin felt heat rise up his back, and dropped his head in shame. He closed his eyes, far too afraid to face his master, but waited in the silent darkness for the sentence he was sure Arthur would pass.
Yet, there was no sound coming from anyone in the dark tunnel.
He opened his eyes and sighed. "Forbarne," he whispered, forming a small fire dragon in his palm, before letting it fly. The flame-beast flapped it's wings as it made its way to the blown-out torch, breathing on it so that it lit the place, before disappearing.
And Arthur stood in front of him, his sword lowered, his expression stoic. Lancelot and Gwaine stood to the side, Percival and Elyan behind them. Except for Lancelot, shock was evident on the faces of the remaining three warriors. After all, it was common knowledge that Camelot condemned sorcery, so no one expected the prince's trusted manservant to be guilty of possessing magic.
Morgana was still on the ground behind Merlin. She was on her knees, her arms shaking even as they supported her upper body. She wanted to get up, and stand next to Merlin, but she found herself deprived of energy after her encounter with the Black sorcerer.
Merlin looked up to bravely meet Arthur's gaze. He took in a deep breath and decided to start slowly. If Arthur wasn't yelling bloody hell at him, that must mean something, right? "Arthur…"
And the stoic face cracked, replaced by a mask of pure fury. Arthur dropped his sword, and closed the gap between his servant with two quick strides before grabbing him by his infamous neckerchief. The prince pushed his servant back so that Merlin collided roughly with the tunnel wall.
Merlin groaned, squirming slightly under Arthur's hold, but didn't make any move to protect himself.
"Sorcerer!" Arthur spat, his face mere inches away from his once friend. Merlin grabbed at Arthur's hands, holding onto them as he gazed into the furious eyes.
"Merlin!" Morgana called, as she saw her brother pin the servant to the wall. Even Gwaine moved forward, before being stopped by Lancelot.
"Betrayer," Arthur added, a bit more softly, completely ignoring the other occupants of the tunnel. The warlock studied his master's face. Arthur was furious, but there was pain, a deep sorrow at his most trusted confidant's betrayal. Merlin looked down, ashamed.
Arthur pulled Merlin forward before slamming him back against the wall. The servant's back arched slightly as he groaned again, trying to ignore the stars that currently danced around his head.
"Give me one reason," Arthur gritted out angrily. "One reason why I shouldn't run you through now."
Merlin didn't say anything for a couple of minutes, as he looked into the cerulean eyes. And in front of the raw pain, Merlin found himself speechless. Everything he had practiced – all of the speeches about how magic was good, how he used it to protect Arthur – all of it seemed insignificant. His shoulders drooped down as he let go of his grip on his friend.
Because Merlin understood immediately. The question wasn't magic. The question was trust.
"I – " Merlin licked his lips nervously before looking at the sword a couple of feet from both of them. His eyebrows knitted together painfully and he looked away. "I don't have one."
Arthur let go of the cloth scrunched under his grip and took a step back, studying the man who dared to once call himself his friend. The servant still stood against the wall, his shoulders drooped in defeat, his face downcast in shame. Arthur shook his head, even as tears threatened to fall. He moved back to pick up his sword before returning to Merlin.
And to say that the servant's heart beat didn't speed up as he saw his fried approach him to execute him would be a lie.
"Camelot condemns sorcery," the prince recited, repeating his father's words. He lifted his sword so that the sharp point rested over Merlin's heart.
Gwaine and Lancelot moved forward now, both men unwilling to see their friend injured or worse. Merlin saw that from his peripheral vision and shook his head, discouraging their advance.
If Merlin was going to die today, then it will be just him. Arthur will still have the best protection he could offer in the form of his friends.
Arthur wasn't oblivious to this, but chose to ignore it. "I'm doing you a favor," Arthur said, almost despondently. "If my father finds out, you will be burned in the courtyard. The past years of false friendship is what's granting you this small mercy."
Merlin gulped as he looked at the blade, and then the resolution in his friend's eyes. "Our friendship wasn't false, Arthur."
The sword poked into his chest, and Arthur glared. "Don't call me by my name. And I have nothing else to hear."
Morgana tried to push herself off the ground, to run to Merlin's aid, but found herself still too weak to move. "Arthur, please!" She addressed the prince, only to be ignored completely.
Merlin's eyes broke as he looked at his master. He nodded slowly, accepting the execution sentence and closed his eyes.
Arthur pulled back the sword, even as he heard the other's yell out their dismay.
And weirdly, staring at the servant standing against the tunnel wall in the dim light, with his matted raven hair, and the same blue shirt and red neckerchief sparked a series of memories.
Merlin in the market, fighting off the prat of a prince Arthur was with a mace.
Merlin pulling Arthur out of the dagger's way, saving his life.
Merlin on the training grounds, standing as the dummy that received much of Arthur's wrath.
Merlin following Arthur into every dangerous mission, risking his life to keep Arthur safe.
Merlin dosing off during important meetings, and then smiling impishly when asked.
Merlin making his bed, cleaning his armor, mucking the stables.
Merlin with his words of wisdom, never failing to guide and advise Arthur.
Merlin drinking poison for Arthur. Merlin dying for Arthur.
If there was one thing Merlin couldn't lie about, it was his loyalty to the crown. And no matter what his eyes showed him, Arthur couldn't deny that in his heart. The sword clattered to the ground from his hands, refusing to hurt the man who did so much. The rage, on the other hand, didn't leave his eyes.
"Merlin of Elador, I hereby banish you from Camelot on the pain of death." Merlin's eyes fluttered open, shocked from the sudden change in decision. "No one in Camelot will know you possess magic, but if I see you here again, I personally will not hesitate to run you through or turn you in," Arthur warned. He quickly turned away, blinking back tears as he walked away. Banished or killed, the prince still lost a dear friend today.
Merlin shook his head quickly, even as he watched his prince leave. "I'm not leaving."
Arthur turned around angrily. "I am giving you a chance to live. Stop being an idiot and take it."
"No," the servant replied stubbornly.
"Then you will be taken into custody and burned at stake by dawn tomorrow." Arthur countered.
"So be it." Merlin stared at his master intently. "I'm not leaving your side, unless it is death that claims me."
Arthur studied his friend, that intensity in his eyes. He wanted to keep quiet, maybe offer an alternative. But upholding the law as the Prince Reagent of Camelot was priority. The prince shook his head. "You have till tomorrow morning. If I see you in this Kingdom, you will be sentenced to death." So saying, the prince walked towards Morgana, helping her up to her feet before walking her down the tunnel to the exit.
Morgana twisted around, watching Merlin one last time as her foster brother dragged her out. She wanted to call out, to reassure him, but found herself unable to. Merlin fell to his knees, sadly gazing after his master.
The tears that had previously threatened to spill over, flowed freely now that his master was gone, and he no longer need to act strong. The rag-tag team of the future knights surrounded Merlin, Lancelot and Gwaine helping him up to his feet.
"It's okay, mate," Gwaine said softly at the despondent look in Merlin's eyes. "I know some mighty good taverns outside of Camelot. We can go there."
Lancelot nodded. "It's alright. Arthur will understand soon."
"Besides, we're banned from Camelot." Gwaine gestured towards himself and Lancelot. "You don't see that stopping us," Gwaine joked. Merlin smiled through his tears, happy to know he had friends who would still support him.
[Merlin Merlin Merlin]
"Arthur," Morgana called for the millionth time. The prince refused to turn, dragging Uther's ward through the castle halls. "Arthur, you have to listen to me."
The prince spun around, pushing the injured witch to the side, as he stood in front of her. "What should I listen to? That Merlin is a good man, despite what I saw? If anyone should hate magic, it should be you, Morgana. You were abducted twice by those people!" Arthur nearly shouted.
The few servants walking in the hall turned around nervously, not quite knowing if they were intruding in on a private conversation. Morgana straightened herself, before pulling her arm out of Arthur's grip. She looked around, noticing the few nervous citizens that littered the hall.
She took a deep breath in, and then met Arthur's gaze. "Follow me," she ordered softly, before walking down the hall to the closest chambers: Arthur's.
She didn't anticipate her foster brother to follow, but was pleasantly surprised to see that he did sullenly walk behind her, almost reminiscent of their childhood days. She quickly opened the chamber doors and slipped in, Arthur following close behind.
When she was sure that the prince had closed the door behind himself, she turned to face him. "Tell me one thing, Arthur. Are you angry at Merlin for having magic, or for not telling you?"
Arthur sighed, and decided to take a seat at the foot of his bed. "He betrayed me, Morgana. By practicing sorcery and by keeping secrets from me."
"Would you actually blame him for hiding it in the first place? You were about to execute him mere minutes before," Morgana insisted.
"Then he shouldn't be in Camelot in the first place. And he shouldn't practice magic in this Kingdom. He knows its punishable by death. Many lost their lives for being suspected of magic." Arthur stood up, raged once again. "What purpose does he have here, other than to attempt to assassinate me or Father?"
"Merlin?" Morgana scoffed. "Merlin would never harm you, Arthur. He wouldn't let anyone touch Uther because he knows how much it would hurt you if you lost your father."
Arthur shook his head, turning away from his foster sister. "That's what I thought too. But he lied. What's to say he hasn't been waiting for his turn?"
"Arthur, Merlin believes in you and Camelot." Arthur looked up hopefully, strongly desiring to believe in his childhood friend, but the Uther side of him still refused to cave in.
"How would you know, Morgana?" He lifted his hand to comb through his blonde hair.
"Because Merlin is the reason why the Camelot still stands strong," The witch replied immediately and without hesitation. She sighed softly. "His love for you, Gwen, every citizen in Camelot is what keeps him going." And then she stopped, halted by her words as a new thought revealed itself to her. Arthur looked up to meet the emerald green eyes currently widening in realization. "I always knew that."
"What?" Arthur asked curiously.
"I always knew that he loved me," Morgana almost whispered. Her memories shifted to years ago, when she first felt Merlin's presence.
It was hours before the main banquet, where Arthur would be attacked, and Merlin would be hired in as the new manservant. She was undressing and needed help, and had thought she heard Guinevere walk in.
She didn't know then, and didn't realize it till now, but the person who hummed in a high falsetto in response to her request wasn't Gwen. She felt the presence was different, a different aura. She didn't know then, that was his magic calling to hers. They were opposites, by birth. And by fate, were inevitably attracted to each other.
The sheepish grin when she asked if Guinevere was the one who put the small flowers in his neckerchief. She was jealous that her maidservant beat her to the game, and the playful smile she received in return told her quite clearly that he knew.
She didn't know then that this was love.
The awed gape that he graced her with when she walked into any banquet or feast with a new dress. Those brilliant blue eyes praised her stunning beauty, and she found herself thrilled. No one would know, she told herself. No one would know that she had started trying new fashions to please this manservant.
She stood next to him in Elador, donning a thin chainmail and sword, ready to fight to protect Merlin's village. And she still remembered the gratitude that Merlin's eyes showed, the admiration for her courage.
Those eyes showed her so much, showered her with an unconditional love. And she never knew, but she had returned that same gaze to him.
Which was why she never saw the raw pain in those eyes when he held her as she choked on the poison. Because her vision was blurred with anger and confusion.
"Morgana," Arthur called, pulling her out of her thoughts. The prince gazed at her, a little worried and confused. Morgana looked down hesitantly, before deciding to continue. "Yet, despite his love for me, he went as far as to poison me to keep Camelot and you safe."
"He poisoned you?" Arthur repeated, almost in daze and denial.
Morgana looked up, studying the wide range of emotions that flickered across Arthur's face, the predominant of which was renewed anger. "No, Arthur," she denied immediately, and then continued explaining herself. "It was during the invasion. I didn't know then, but I was the vessel. I had agreed to help Morgause, in hopes of freedom and helping the innocent. I didn't know the consequences. And Merlin didn't have a choice." She had never thought that she would be the one defending Merlin, given how blinding her resentment she had fostered for a year had been.
But ever since she met the Black Sorcerer, things turned different. It was like she was deviating from her set path, and starting to think for herself.
"You were helping Morgause?" Arthur asked, slowly standing up on his feet. His eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "I don't get this, Morgana. Why would you help your abductor?"
Morgana sighed as she lifted her hand. "Because Morgause is my sister," she whispered softly. Her palm lit on fire just as her eyes turned gold and she whispered the spell in the ancient tongue. "Because I also have magic. Merlin and I were born with it."
Arthur staggered back, astonished as his eyes stared at the fire in her hand. He tried to grab the bed post to anchor him, but continued to slip down until he hit the hard, tiled floor.
Morgana watched, even as she felt herself break at Arthur's reaction. "Arthur, you can't condemn Merlin without condemning me in the process. You can't pass an unfair, biased judgement on any magic-user without doing the same for me and Merlin."
She moved forward, taking a single step towards the man she had grown up with. And Arthur scooted back instantly, almost as if he were afraid. It pained her to see her brother so afraid and so betrayed, but Morgana understood. So, she moved back instead, towards the door.
"I will be at the feast tonight," she promised, turning around to leave. "If you can't forgive Merlin, then do your worst. I'm not like Merlin to surrender to you. I will fight for what is right." She turned her head slightly towards the shocked prince. "You do what you believe is right. All I ask – all Merlin would ask for is that you think before you act." She placed her pale hand on the door handle.
"You too, Morgana?" Arthur whispered behind her, still dazed and staring into space. Morgana didn't answer, opting to open the door and leave the chambers instead, even as she felt a tear slip past her and drip onto her cheek.
[Merlin Merlin Merlin]
Night slowly settled into the Kingdom, and the castle came to life. It would be a magnificent feast, for the lady of Camelot, Lady Morgana, was back in the kingdom, safe and sound. Of course, this called for a celebration. Yet, at the head table, the only person grinning widely like a fool was Uther Pendragon, as he lifted his goblet and gave his small speech.
Arthur sat to the right of Uther, occasionally sending Morgana a glare or two, but not doing anything else. There was a lot that went through the prince's head after Morgana had revealed herself to him. And in the process of organizing those thoughts, the young prince may have destroyed his room, smashing any object he could find onto his floor and dragging the curtains down to the ground with him.
It took him several hours of introspective speculation (involving the aforementioned destruction of his chambers), but he did come to the conclusion that he believed that both Morgana and Merlin were still good. What he also found out was that he didn't trust they would stay good. Or in any matter, in general.
Morgana sat down at the left of Uther, giving her plastic smile to the noble crowd and very much aware of Arthur's glares.
"Arthur, I see that your manservant is missing," Uther stated, turning to Arthur.
The prince cleared his throat. "Yes." he looked at Morgana, intently. Arthur, you can't condemn Merlin without condemning me in the process. She was right, he thought. And he couldn't bring himself to condemn Merlin or Morgana.
"I allowed him to temporarily visit his mother in Elador." And Morgana found herself smiling, her eyes softening in gratitude and appreciation.
Arthur returned the smile, accepting the gratitude, even as his eyes remained hard. It would take a little more from both the secret magic-users to gain the same level of trust and regard the prince had held for them, but it seemed Arthur still had a little bit of trust left.
And it was at that moment, the great hall doors burst open. The knights rose to their feet immediately, unsheathing their swords.
"Surprise!" The Black Sorcerer greeted the royalty at the head. He sauntered into the center of the hall, the sharp click of his boots the only noise that resounded across the hall.
"Sorcerer!" Uther yelled.
"Stating the obvious aren't we, Uther?" The sorcerer asked, tilting his hooded head. "I never understood how you ran this kingdom as long as you did with that brain of yours."
Uther turned bright red, and before he could respond, Arthur warned the man. "You will not speak to the King that way."
"Don't see me stopping," the sorcerer joked. A brave knight tried to sneak up behind him, holding his sword out with the intent to strike a killing blow. The sorcerer didn't turn as he held out his hand, blasting the poor newbie into the pillars behind the tables. The knight hit the pillar hard, leaving a red smear on the stone as he slipped onto the ground. "Ah, poor soul. I implore everyone present not to interfere." He gazed intently at Morgana. "We don't need anymore than necessary dying today."
He turned towards the witch, and Morgana could feel his slimy grin despite not being able to see it. "Missed me, darling?"
"Not quite," she responded, sardonically. She felt her magic clawing at her, telling her to release it, to let it defend her.
Because she knew that this time, the sorcerer didn't come to talk. He came to kill.
[Merlin Merlin Merlin]
Merlin sniffed softly as he placed his folded red tunic in his bag. Lancelot sat at Merlin's bed, sending occasional sympathetic glances at the fired servant. Percival sat beside him, silently observing the room.
Gwaine sat at the table, his legs splayed on the table as he rocked in the old wooden chair. His eyes were closed, as if he were napping
"You can't be thinking of leaving." A voice suddenly interrupted. Gaius stood at the chamber doors, shocked to see so many in his chambers when there was a feast happening at the banquet hall. He himself had been late with his rounds, and had hurried to his chambers in hopes of ridding himself of his medicine bag before running to the great hall.
And the sight that greeted him was his ward packing his bag as two banished men and a giant spread out across the chamber. Merlin turned to see his guardian stand at the front of his room, a bit shocked but also glad.
Gwaine didn't get up from his position, his eyes still closed and responded to the physician. "Arthur found out he has magic," the drunk knight stated nonchalantly.
Gaius gaped, looking at each occupant's face before turning to Merlin. "They know too?" Merlin nodded. "So, you're leaving Camelot? Who will protect Arthur?"
"I can't protect Arthur if I'm dead, Gaius." Merlin turned away sadly. "Arthur only gave me time till morning."
"You can't protect him from far away either. Did you try talking to him?" the old physician insisted, removing his medicine bag before walking towards the warlock.
Merlin shook his head. "He didn't want to hear anything I said." He turned to sit down at the foot of his bed, just as Lancelot placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I did betray him, after all."
Gaius looked at his despondent apprentice. "Oh, my boy," he sympathized, moving to embrace his ward lovingly one last time before he let him go into the world beyond Camelot.
Merlin suddenly clutched his head, screaming out loud. MERLIN! Morgana was screaming. Help! "Morgana," He muttered painfully. "Arthur – they're in trouble!" And the warlock shot to his feet, racing out of the chambers and pushing his mentor aside.
His friends called behind him, and the future knights ran after him. Still the manservant didn't slow down, racing at top speeds until he got to the great hall, the door currently wide open, unveiling the events that transpired before Merlin's arrival.
Because at the center of the hall stood Camelot's greatest threat and this feast's uninvited guest. His right hand was stretched out towards Morgana, who was currently withering in pain. His left hand held everyone else at bay.
The hood turned around to see Merlin skid to a stop in front of him, his eyes narrowing menacingly. "Thank you darling, you've been quite helpful," he implied towards the witch as he let her go. Morgana fell to the ground, panting as she lifted her head to watch.
"What do you want?" Merlin demanded as he walked towards the sorcerer. Both men started to circle each other, until Merlin stood protectively in front of the royal table.
"Why, your life, of course!" The sorcerer replied jovially. "I thought I made myself abundantly clear." Lancelot, Gwaine and Percival made it to the hall just at that time, but the sorcerer seemed far too happy to have his target in front of him to notice the newcomers.
"What have I done to wrong you?" Merlin asked, intending to keep the sorcerer preoccupied as his friends slowly snuck up on him from behind.
The mad man's eyes narrowed. "You don't need to know." His eyes turned golden, blocking off the three rogues, and pushing them far with his murky shield. "But I know you, Merlin Emrys. And I know what causes you the most pain." He suddenly turned to face Arthur. "Let's see what lengths you would go to protect your King!" He laughed maniacally as he thrust his hand forward.
And Merlin didn't think, pushing both of hands in front of him as he conjured the strongest shield he could, pushing back against the Black Sorcerer's magic with so much force that the mad man himself felt the impact.
And the hood fell, revealing the perpetrator's face to the crowd. Merlin's hands fell to his sides, his eyes widening in shock. The occupants of the hall were just as much shocked as their protector, their eyes shifting between the two men.
The murky shields slowly disappeared, as the sorcerer panted hard, his right hand clutching his heart. Despite the evil grin that encompassed half of his scarred face, haggard beard that meshed with his shoulder length black hair and the evil glint in his golden eyes, the sorcerer's identity was unmistakable.
Merlin stared shocked at Merlin.
A/N: And for those who saw that coming, kudos to you! I think this story has 2-3 more chapters to go before it finishes.
I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please leave a review behind!
Special thanks again to all of my followers and reviewers! Your reviews are what keep me going.