Dragonfasting by ebhg
Pairing(s): Merlin/Morgana, Arthur/Gwen
Rating: T
Spoilers: Series 1-4
Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to BBC
A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed.
Ch 11
Queen Guinevere was revered by peasant and noble alike within Camelot. She had proved many times that she was worthy of her crown and was not one to be crossed. Arthur and the round table knights were reminded of this when Gwen shamed them into cleaning up the training field as punishment for gambling on Merlin and Morgana's personal affairs. As the king and his knights dutifully picked up broken dummies, spears and crossbow bolts under the queen's watchful gaze, they all tried to think of new ways to challenge the witch and warlock and potentially regain their dignity from their loss. However, no one seemed very eager to continue training in the warm summer sun. It was unanimously decided that dinner was their next goal.
Gaius and Hunith had bid them farewell as Gwen had started lecturing and left for their rounds with smiles on their faces. Gaius was eager to check on a few of his patients that had been ill with a stomach ailment. Gwen had originally planned on making their rounds with them, but decided to wait and accompany Arthur back to the castle. As the last weapon was stowed and the final bits of debris were cleared, they bowed to a pleased Guinevere and moved as a group towards the palace where food was waiting.
"Eight weeks, I can hardly believe they lasted as long as they did," Gwaine chuckled as he ambled across the grass.
"It's not that unbelievable, considering a few months ago, they were trying to kill each other," Elyan said reasonably.
"Yeah, but that's all done and over with; water under the bridge. Have you not seen the tension between those two? You were there when they started talking in their heads during the king's audience in the throne room a few days ago! We have to listen while some merchants fight over stall space and those two are lost in their own heads, smiling and giggling and flirting! I almost asked them if they wanted to be left alone. They could have lit a fire with just one look!"
"They do light fires with a look, Gwaine," Percival said, straight-faced. "They have magic."
"Are you all blind?! I thought for sure with how much time they've had to spend together, that they would have given up this itchy issue at least a month ago," Gwaine argued.
"Do you ever tire of hearing yourself speak?" Leon teased.
"Come on, you all thought they would give in much sooner!"
"Honestly, the things you men bet on! It's deplorable!" Gwen scolded. Arthur chuckled and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as they led the way back to the palace.
"Where do you suppose they went?" Gwaine asked as they walked along.
"Hopefully somewhere private," Arthur grimaced, unable to forget the sight of Merlin and Morgana falling to their knees as they kissed so passionately. It was just not something he wanted to think of.
"Do you suppose they'll be all fidgety still?" Percival wondered.
"I hope not," Elyan said fervently. "It was starting to make me itchy, too, watching Merlin scratching and pacing like that."
"I suppose we'll- Aaah!" Gwen screamed, startled as a great explosion sounded just as their group entered the courtyard. Arthur pulled Guinevere behind him as a few servants scattered and horses spooked at the commotion. The castle guards looked around wildly, ready to attack any intruder.
Glass shards rained down on the cobblestones from the windows across the way from them. Arthur took in the damage and exactly which windows were broken and immediately relaxed. The king shook his head ruefully, feeling the battle reflex fade as it was replaced by relief. The abrupt shift in his mind and body left Arthur fighting the urge to bend double and laugh until he couldn't breath.
"What happened?!" Leon asked, dutifully scanning the area for threats to his king and queen.
"Stand down," Arthur ordered.
"But sire," Leon protested.
"There's nothing to worry about. Look closely at just whose windows have been blown out," Arthur said, fighting between grimacing and laughing.
"What?" Gwen asked, shading her eyes from the bright noon sun as she took in the second story windows over the courtyard. All of which were perfectly intact except for those of a room that Gwen was quite familiar with.
"Oh... my," Gwen said, clapping a hand over her mouth to contain her relieved giggles.
"What is it?" Elyan, Gwaine and Percival asked. Leon had caught on and started to chuckle himself.
"Those windows are in the chambers that Merlin and Morgana are sharing now," Arthur explained to the knights who hadn't lived in Camelot back when Morgana had been a frequent sight in those very windows. The king grimaced at the thought of how the windows came to be broken.
"Ohhhh," Gwaine said as the others joined in the king and queen's laughter.
"Do you think they're alright?" Gwen asked, suddenly worried.
"Do you want to be the one to go and ask?" Arthur said, his grimace morphing into a look of pure nausea. Gwen blushed, but looked towards the burst windows with concern.
A moment later, her fears were laid to rest and they all began laughing anew when a muffled, breathless, "SORRY!" was heard from the now wide-open windows. The voice was unmistakably Merlin's, though he was nowhere to be seen.
Then, all the glass began to glow blue before a gust of wind picked up every piece and swirled up to the windows. With a sound like egg shells being crushed underfoot, the blue-tinged shards and pieces fit into their separate panes and melted back into solid glass, leaving the windows intact once more.
"Merlin is never going to live this down. I'll see to it!" Gwaine vowed.
"No you won't, Gwaine," Arthur said. Gwen beamed at him, until the next words fell from his lips. "Because I'm going to do it first."
Very early in the morning, just before sunrise, Merlin was awoken from a rather pleasant dream by an insistent, rumbling voice.
"Merlin..."
"Shhhh..." Merlin whispered sleepily before he pulled a slumbering Morgana closer.
"Merlin."
"Hush, please," Merlin muttered into Morgana's hair.
"Merlin!"
"I don't want to, you scaly beast, it's not even dawn yet, and I am very comfortable where I am, thank you very much," Merlin groused, refusing to do so much as open his eyes.
"Merlin, you had better be talking to a dragon. Now would you please shut up?! I got to sleep rather late last night," Morgana groaned.
"You say that like it was my fault," Merlin said defensively.
"It was your fault," Morgana argued, eyes still closed.
"How?! You attacked me, if I recall correctly."
"It was you and that blasted hairbrush and you know it," Morgana teased, rolling over to face her husband now that they were both awake.
"I thought you liked it when I brushed your hair," Merlin responded playfully, combing through the strands in question with his fingers.
"I do, that's the problem," Morgana laughed, leaning in to kiss Merlin temptingly. He smiled and very willingly allowed himself to be tempted.
"MERLIN!"
"All right, all right!" he shouted, pulling away from Morgana and rolling out of the bed to scramble for his clothes.
"What are you on about?!" Morgana asked, confused, watching Merlin as he pulled on his breeches and hurried about like he'd heard someone shout 'fire.'
"Kilgharrah is calling to me," Merlin explained as he pulled his blue tunic over his head and stuffed his feet into his boots.
"I'll come with you," Morgana said, getting up as well and moving towards her wardrobe.
"Don't bother, he's getting impatient. He's already called me four times. I won't be long," Merlin promised, kissing Morgana and pulling his jacket on.
"You'll want this," Morgana said, donning her dressing gown as she handed Merlin his red scarf and pointed to his neck. Merlin looked briefly in the mirror, pulling his tunic further to the side. He was dismayed to see a bruise darkening over his collarbone, the edge of which was visible at the neckline of his tunic. It was rather close to where he'd taken the mace hit the year before, causing Merlin to remember what had happened to that particular injury.
"Morgana!" Merlin exclaimed hopefully. "Can you heal it? I'm rubbish at healing magic." Morgana looked at him innocently.
"There's no time," she argued impishly. "Besides, it will let everyone know exactly who you belong to," Morgana said coyly.
"Oh, I belong to you now, is that right?" Merlin asked, pulling her to him with an impish smile and kissing her quickly.
"Exactly. I think everyone ought to know it."
"I think everyone knew it the moment we blew out the windows," Merlin said, red-faced. Morgana chuckled and then smirked.
"Yes, I suppose so," she agreed. Merlin smiled and kissed her again.
"MERLIN!"
The warlock winced and pulled away, concentrating.
"Alright! I'm coming you impatient lizard!"
"Kilgharrah?" Morgana asked. Merlin nodded.
"I'll be right back," he promised, giving her one last kiss. Then Merlin walked out of their chambers, tying his neckerchief as he went.
This early in the morning, there were few people out and about. Merlin had made it entirely to the courtyard without coming across anyone. It gave him hope that he'd be able to make it out of the city unhindered. Yet it was not meant to be. Unfortunately for the warlock, it was Arthur and the knights of the Round Table who saw him first.
They were preparing to head to the training grounds when Merlin's exit from the castle caught their attention. He was utterly focused on where he was going, walking straight past the king without a backwards glance. Arthur exchanged a gleeful look with his knights and they wordlessly agreed to follow. Merlin's annoyed expression and hurried stride did not deter them in the least.
"Look who finally decided to emerge," Arthur teased, falling into step on his newest brother-in-law's left side. Merlin turned entirely red as the knights all came to flank him and the king and matched them stride for stride.
"Merlin," they teased, enjoying how embarrassed the warlock was.
"You're quite alone and looking rather calm," Arthur drawled.
"Not an itch in sight," Percival agreed.
"Quite serene," Leon observed playfully.
"You mean satisfied, Leon," Gwaine corrected.
"Definitely something different about you, mate," Elyan said, smiling.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Merlin said innocently, smoothing his neckerchief down subconsciously. Arthur raised his eyebrows incredulously and laughed at Merlin's obvious deflection.
"Two-and-a-half days, and not a sight nor sound from either of you. If I didn't know that Guinevere was sending you trays from the kitchen, I'd be worried that you'd died," Arthur said disgustedly.
"Well, there was a little sound a few days ago," Gwaine said with false bewilderment. "Sounded a lot like glass shattering, nay, exploding! What was that, Merlin? Would you happen to know?"
"We fixed it," Merlin stated ineffectually, causing them all to laugh at his chagrined expression.
"Yes, though I have to wonder why it needed fixing. How every last window in your chambers just exploded," Gwaine drawled. Merlin sped up trying to avoid the question.
"I am not discussing this with you," Merlin stated firmly. Silence reigned for a full minute.
"That was some kiss on the training fields," Elyan said matter-of-factly, causing Merlin's step to falter momentarily.
"That it was," Gwaine grinned mischievously. "Didn't think our Merlin-the-virgin had it in him."
"Well you can't exactly call me that anymore, can you, Gwaine?" Merlin asked, then abruptly stopped, realizing what he'd just admitted in his frustration. Arthur raised his eyebrows, grinning, while the knights all wolf-whistled and slapped a red-faced Merlin on the back.
"So that's how the windows exploded!" Gwaine crowed triumphantly. Merlin grimaced and closed his eyes, resigned to the inevitable.
"I, ah, well, we were overwhelmed. Morgana and I, ah..." Merlin trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck, utterly embarrassed. "You wanted to know what would happen if I was intoxicated and lost control. I think that's as close as you're ever going to get."
"Relax, Merlin, we've all been there," Gwaine said good naturedly. "Can't say any of us have ever shattered windows, though. That's just you, mate."
They all laughed at Merlin's sheepish smile. Then Merlin turned serious.
"Now, if you're done torturing me, I have an impatient dragon calling." Merlin tapped the side of his head in explanation and headed resolutely to the gates, hoping to escape the teasing of the brotherly knights. Merlin groaned, however, when the five of them followed him out of the city.
"You're not alone in this anymore, Merlin," Arthur admonished him, finally serious.
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Merlin said genuinely.
"Do you do this often?" Gwaine asked a minute later as they began to weave through the forest to the clearing where Kilgharrah waited.
"Talk to the dragon?" Merlin asked. "Yes. I spoke with him a lot more often when he was still captive, but whenever I've needed his advice or help, I've gone out to the forest and called for him. It is unusual for him to call to me like this though. Whatever it is, it must be important."
"How exactly do you call a dragon?" Elyan asked curiously.
"You speak to them in their tongue," Merlin said, shrugging.
"What, you roar?" Percival asked jokingly.
"Something like that," Merlin smirked. Percival's eyes widened comically.
"I'd like to see that someday," Gwaine laughed, trying to picture Merlin roaring like a dragon.
"Perhaps someday I'll show you," Merlin offered, then they all fell silent as they broke through the trees into the clearing.
Kilgharrah lay there in the grass, looking at Merlin with narrowed eyes. The knights and Arthur stayed close to the tree line. They were still somewhat wary of the enormous and obviously irritated beast that had once tried to raize Camelot. Merlin however, marched right up to the dragon, utterly fearless and more than a little perturbed.
"Hello Kilgharrah," Merlin greeted, folding his arms across his chest.
"Scaly beast?!" Kilgharrah grumbled indignantly in response.
"You did wake me up before dawn. I was very comfortable where I was, you know," Merlin defended himself.
"Impatient lizard?!" Kilgharrah said in the same irritated tone.
"Well, you kept interrupting us!" Merlin said indignantly. The king and his knights struggled not to laugh at the sight of Merlin, so slight-of-build that he would blow away in a stiff wind, arguing unabashedly with the famed Great Dragon who, even laying on the ground as he was, towered over the warlock. Kilgharrah's expression morphed into what Arthur could only describe as draconic glee.
"Yes, I can sense that you are well and truly bonded now. With as difficult as it was to get you out here, we will surely have a new dragonlord heir within the year. After all, Aithusa and I cannot restore our noble breed on our own, young warlock," Kilgharrah said, enjoying the crimson stain on Merlin's cheeks. Then the warlock's mouth dropped open in embarrassed realization.
"Is that why you wanted to talk to me? Why you woke me before dawn and pulled me away from my wife and our very comfortable bed? To check that we were ensuring your future?! You are just as bad as my mother!"
Arthur had to clap his gauntleted hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing. Gwaine wasn't as successful and Percival had to elbow his fellow knight when Kilgharrah raised his head and took in his and Merlin's audience with narrowed eyes.
"I did promise Aithusa that I would see how you and Morgana were faring. But that was not why I wanted to see you," Kilgharrah said solemnly, deciding to ignore the mirthful knight. Merlin instantly turned somber in response.
"What is it, old friend?" he asked.
"Mordred has once again joined with the fanatic Alvarr. They make plans to attack Camelot, and seek to take revenge on Arthur and you, especially."
At Kilgharrah's words, Arthur and the knights moved forward to hear more, though Merlin closed his eyes in frustration. Would they ever know true peace?
"I recognise those names, but I'm not sure why," Arthur interjected, eyeing Merlin's downtrodden posture. "Who are they?"
"Mordred is the druid boy whom we helped Morgana smuggle out of Camelot. Alvarr styles himself a freedom fighter for those with magic. He's ruthless; he doesn't care who he uses or who gets hurt or dies in his quest to restore magic. But he can be very persuasive. He's the sorcerer who convinced Morgana to help him steal the Crystal of Neahtid," Merlin explained.
"The Crystal of... but that was before Morgause took her. What does that damn thing do? Why would she do that to us?" Arthur asked, hurt.
"The Crystal of Neahtid is a magical artifact; those with the power can use it to see the past, present and future. Alvarr wanted it for Mordred to use and Morgana was in a position to help him get the crystal. She was scared and alone and vulnerable so Alvarr used her. Told her exactly what she wanted and needed to hear when no one else would," Merlin explained frustratedly.
"Morgana's poor choices were not your doing, young warlock," Kilgharrah admonished, rightly guessing what had so disheartened the dragonlord. Merlin shook his head sadly at Kilgharrah's defense of him and turned back to Arthur.
"I should have been there for her when she needed help and understanding. I should have followed my instincts and told her that she wasn't alone in having magic, but to my shame, I didn't. I had been told that she was destined to join Mordred in an alliance of evil and that I should keep my distance. But that distance didn't protect us; it only pushed her into an alliance with Morgause." Merlin looked to Kilgharrah pointedly and the dragon bowed his head.
"I was blinded by my hate for Uther, young warlock. Aithusa has helped me to see a great many things in a new light."
"What of Mordred? I committed treason to smuggle him out from under my father's thumb! Why does he hate me?" Arthur asked, his concern for Camelot at the foreground of his thoughts.
"Mordred has sworn vengeance on Camelot for his parents deaths and on you personally, Arthur, for the death of Aglain, the druid leader who took him in under Iseldir's direction."
"Why me? I don't even know who this Aglain was..."
"You did not personally kill Aglain, but he was killed when it was assumed that his camp had kidnapped Morgana."
Arthur closed his eyes, shamed that his actions under his father's command had brought strife to Camelot once again.
"And Merlin? He has never killed druids or raided their camps as I have. Why would Mordred hate Merlin when every other druid treats him as their king?" Arthur asked.
"Mordred sees Merlin as a traitor and as too weak-minded to fulfill his true destiny. Mordred does not understand that compassion and mercy can be greater strengths than sheer power. Thus, Mordred sought out Alvarr to help him gather those with magic and urge them to come together under their banner in order to defeat Camelot and return magic to the land," Kilgharrah explained.
"Surely they have heard the proclamations if they are anywhere near Camelot. Their quest is fruitless, for they already have what they seek," Arthur argued.
"They have indeed heard the recent declarations," Kilgharrah confirmed. "Alvarr feels that the ban on magic has been lifted in word only, and that the only way to truly free those with magic is with a magic user on the throne. He and Mordred had long thought that Morgana would be that ruler. Mordred was particularly upset at the revelation of Morgana's innocence and pardon, and of Morgana's union with Merlin. Therein lies part of the problem as well. It was prophesied many years ago that Mordred would unite with Morgana in evil, yet it is now impossible for this to happen. Mordred believes that his destiny has been stolen and he is determined to wrest it back to his liking."
Merlin folded his arms across his chest and grimaced. He hadn't thought about the bond between his wife and the druid boy and how Mordred might take the news of Morgana's and his marriage. Merlin shook himself from his thoughts as Kilgharrah began to speak again.
"There have been whispers amongst the dryads and the vilia that Mordred has been to consult with the Dochraid, one of the last remnants of the old ways to possess the second sight. The Dochraid is dangerous; she has been utterly twisted by dark rites meant to grant her greater foresight. It was she, I believe, who encouraged young Mordred to seek out Alvarr once more."
"How big of a threat are they?" Arthur asked. "Especially against Merlin and Morgana together?"
"Alvarr's own magic is unexceptional; on his own, he is no match for Emrys," Kilgharrah explained, surprising Merlin by emphasizing his druid name. "Mordred, however, has great power; he is not to be underestimated. Though he is not your equal, young warlock, the boy is powerful; his mind has been twisted and his heart hardened by those who have fostered him since Aglain was killed. Mordred is ruthless. More alarming though, is that Mordred and Alvarr now believe that to truly bring to pass freedom for those with magic, they must exterminate those without the gift as well as those who supported Uther's ultimate goal."
"Have mercy," Leon uttered.
"Where are they now?" Merlin asked, a horrible sinking feeling in his gut.
"Where they are now, I do not know. Until recently, they had been gathering in the Forest of Balor. They seem to have hidden themselves well. Even my foresight is blinded to them now."
Merlin nodded apprehensively, thinking over all that Kilgharrah had said.
"Keep looking for them and get us word when they surface. Aithusa may not be widely known yet, but I fear what would happen if she were found by Mordred. It was too easy for Morgana to capture her; don't let Aithusa go off on her own anymore until she's grown larger and can defend herself properly," Merlin ordered. Kilgharrah nodded his acquiescence. Arthur was taken aback, not just by the huge dragon's unwavering obedience, but by how natural it seemed to Merlin to take charge and command the ancient dragon. There was no hesitation or wavering in the former manservant; just absolute authority.
"Aithusa rests safe in our den, which you know is unreachable except by wing. She is experiencing a time of significant growth and it is very tiring for her. She has reached the final stage before adulthood; we were very pleased to see her flame-breathing start to develop. Aithusa will not be defenseless much longer."
The dragonlord grinned excitedly at the news.
"I look forward to seeing her again," Merlin said, then he reached out and rubbed the scales on Kilgharrah's snout affectionately. Arthur and his knights were surprised to see the Great Dragon lean into the dragonlord's touch, returning the sentiment. It was a moment that attested to the bonds of brotherhood between dragonlord and dragon that few were privileged to witness. Kilgharrah finally stood and bowed his head once more to Merlin.
"Aithusa is anxious to see you as well, young warlock. Be careful," Kilgharrah said in farewell, then he opened his huge wings and took to the skies. Merlin watched him fly off into the west for a few moments before he turned to his awestruck companions.
"Breakfast anyone?" he asked, pulling them from their reverie.
"How can you think about eating after that?" Arthur asked in shock.
"Simple, I'm hungry," Merlin said cheekily, then loped off through the woods, leading them all back to the city.
Upon their return to Camelot, Arthur called for breakfast trays to be brought to the round table. Gwaine was sent to retrieve Gaius and Hunith, Elyan was sent for Gwen, and Merlin was sent for Morgana.
In the corridor just outside their chambers, Merlin sensed her. He smiled and just managed to contain his startled yelp when the familiar hand of his wife pulled him bodily into an alcove and kissed him thoroughly.
"You said you'd be right back," Morgana growled when she finally pulled back. "It's been over an hour."
"You do enjoy surprising me in this alcove, don't you?" Merlin said, eyeing the small space with amusement and trying to flatten his newly-riled hair.
"And yet you never seem to expect it," Morgana answered with a smirk.
"Well, I have to say that this time was much nicer than the last," Merlin commented. Morgana's eyes darkened.
"I'm sorry about that," she whispered.
"Don't be. Things are different now. In fact, things are very different- I was actually sent to get you. We're meeting at the round table to discuss Kilgharrah's news," Merlin explained. Morgana nodded.
"Let's go then," she said, taking Merlin by the hand and heading for the king's private council chambers.
The others were already assembled when Merlin and Morgana entered. Arthur raised his eyebrows at the warlock's freshly disheveled appearance.
"We were starting to wonder if we had made a mistake in sending you to collect Morgana all by yourself, Merlin,"Arthur teased, smiling. Merlin's cheeks burned but Morgana raised her chin and ignored her brother as she moved to her seat beside Merlin.
"We seem to be making a habit of this," Gwaine joked as they all followed suit and assembled themselves around the table. Immediately, they began helping themselves to the trays of fruit, meats, breads and cheeses.
"Hopefully, it will be for more enjoyable reasons in the future," Arthur agreed.
"It's good to see you out and about," Gaius said in mild reproval, greeting Merlin and Morgana with a raised eyebrow. Merlin seemed permanently flushed. He studiously avoided his mentor's gaze by taking a drink of his tea. Morgana merely smiled unashamedly at the old physician.
"It's nice to feel comfortable in our own skin again. We weren't sure how long it would last, considering the nature of the bonding, but we shouldn't have been so worried. Merlin was quite thorough," she said nonchalantly in answer. Merlin promptly spat the tea in his mouth across the table while everyone stared at Morgana in open-mouthed shock. Though Gwaine gleefully stood and slapped a choking Merlin on the back.
"Morgana!" Gwen exclaimed, covering her mouth to hide her grin. Gaius and Hunith looked on, teetering between reproach and amusement.
"Don't deny that you were all curious. I saw you teasing Merlin as you left the courtyard this morning," Morgana said, eyeing Arthur and the knights with censure. They all assumed their most innocent expressions.
"Well, you two weren't exactly subtle, what with that kiss on the field and the blown-out windows and the two-and-a-half days holed up in your chambers! We couldn't let Merlin-the-virgin-no-longer go without a bit of good-natured teasing. That's what brothers are for," Gwaine said jovially as Merlin removed his scarf to mop up the tea all over the table.
"Especially when he's sporting one of those," Percival chuckled, pointing to the now-exposed love-bite on the warlock's collarbone. Merlin's hands flew to his neck to cover the bruise, much to everyone's amusement. He looked at Morgana's proud expression with exasperation before he gave up and hid his burning face in his hands.
"My mother is right there," Merlin groaned without uncovering himself. His neck, face (what was visible, anyways) and ears shone a brilliant red. Hunith smiled at her son's embarrassment.
"I'm not entirely naive, Merlin. You are a married man, now, and I do believe I said that I wanted grandchildren," Hunith chuckled. Merlin sank low in his seat with another groan.
"There is a reason we are gathered this morning," Arthur interrupted, fighting his laughter. "I'm afraid it's a bit more important than mortifying Merlin."
Everyone struggled to contain their mirth at the king's words. After a few moments, calm was restored and Merlin dropped his hands and sat up, hastily retying his neckerchief. It was damp in a few spots from the tea, but Merlin wasn't about to leave Morgana's claim of ownership in full view. All of the round table looked to Arthur to continue.
"Merlin, as it was your dragon who brought us the information, why don't you share it?"
"I don't know that I'd call him my dragon," Merlin argued.
"Well, for the time being, you're the only dragonlord. Just shut up and tell us," Arthur ordered. Merlin raised his eyebrow at the contradictory command, but explained regardless.
"Alright then. Kilgharrah called to me this morning. He wanted to inform me that Mordred has joined once more with Alvarr in a bid to attack Camelot, Arthur and myself."
Gaius and Hunith both nodded grimly, concerned for the two men they saw as sons, regardless of blood. Gwen looked between Merlin and Arthur with unconcealed worry. Morgana gasped, wide-eyed, paling at the mention of Mordred and Alvarr. Merlin looked to his wife in apology.
"Mordred is especially angry that his supposed destiny has been thwarted, and that you and I are married."
Morgana nodded.
"I suspected he had a silly crush on me when I saw him last. He was much more affectionate than he had been when we helped him escape Uther."
"I suspected the same," Merlin agreed.
"How would you know?" Morgana asked in confusion.
"How do you think Gaius knew where Alvarr was camped? I followed you, of course," Merlin explained. Morgana's mouth dropped open in surprise and Merlin smiled sheepishly.
"You really do have a knack for trouble, don't you mate?" Gwaine asked, chuckling. Morgana shook herself from her musings and turned solemn once more.
"Alvarr?" Morgana asked guiltily.
"He's just as fanatical as he was six years ago, if not more. He seeks revenge for his parents, though his ultimate goal, as he told you back then, is eliminating all who followed Uther in order to put a magic user on the throne. I believe that Mordred wants to form an alliance with you to that end."
"They won't get anything from me," Morgana said viciously, eyes flashing. Merlin smiled in response.
"Kilgharrah said that Mordred had consulted the Dochraid," Arthur interjected. "What is the Dochraid? Could she have given Mordred something to help them in their quest?"
"It is doubtful, sire," Gaius answered.
"What is the Dochraid?" Gwen repeated.
"Few still live who could truly tell us," Gaius began.
"I can," Morgana said, massaging her temples, struggling to remember how she had met the Dochraid. "Morgause told me that she was a seer many years ago... She is a hermit, living in a dank hole of a cave beneath a tree. Morgause told me that the Dochraid long ago gouged out her own eyes to improve her second sight, and that I should take something to her... I don't... It was a coin of necromancy! I saw Morgause! I was in the spirit world with her... you almost killed me," Morgana whimpered, turning to Merlin, who winced.
"I'm sorry. In my defense, you had stuck a formorroh in my neck," Merlin said. Morgana's face crumpled again.
"I'm so sorry, Gwen," Morgana apologized. "I used the coin Morgause gave me to bring a shade of Lancelot to life."
Gwen instantly knew what Morgana meant, and smiled tremulously.
"I cannot be angry at you any more than I can be angry at Merlin for trying to kill Arthur while under the influence of the formorroh. It sounds like Morgause had a hold of you, even from the spirit world. I cannot hold a grudge," the queen said wisely. Merlin smiled at Gwen then reached over to squeeze Morgana's hand.
"What do we do now?" Leon asked, pulling them back to the issue at hand.
"We need to show that Arthur's acceptance of magic is genuine," Merlin suggested. "The fewer magic users willing to believe Alvarr's message, the better."
Arthur considered Merlin's words and nodded.
"Then we increase patrols and continue to spread the word that magic is not only legal, but welcome in Camelot. Merlin, I want you and Morgana to increase your visibility, especially while doing magic," Arthur said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Merlin caught sight of Hunith's proud expression and couldn't help the joyful grin that spread across his face.
He couldn't deny that, despite the dangers that they still faced, it was good to be free.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think!