Disclaimer: as ever I own nothing
Note: apologies for the long delay in update – between writer's block and general life getting in the way, I'm afraid that I have been very lax in my fic-ing! Anyway, for those of you who are still hanging in there with this particular story, thank you very much xxx
Merlin sighed as he finally managed to kick his boots off his aching feet after another long day as personal servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot. He flopped down on his bed and closed his eyes, trying to fall into deep and blissful sleep but his mind prevented him from doing so.
He had helped Lancelot to find lodging within the city but other than that had attempted to keep him at arms' length. Unfortunately, the would-be knight had overheard someone mention that Merlin was part of the royal court and was close to Prince Arthur and since then, had been gently pressing the young sorcerer to find a way to let him plead his cause to the prince.
Mulling over the problem, Merlin reasoned that it wasn't an issue if Lancelot met Arthur - it was Lancelot meeting Gwen that was the trouble. As such, he could assist Lancelot whilst still averting disaster – as long as he could keep Gwen out of the way!
"No, Merlin," insisted the prince, "it's madness. I would be committing suicide!"
Merlin had anticipated that his friend and master would be far from receptive to his idea and he had to rack his brains to convince the blond man.
"Just listen, you are always looking for suitable knights for Camelot and Lancelot is a perfect candidate – he has all the qualities required, apart from the noble birth bit," argued Merlin.
"Oh yes, all the qualities. Have you forgotten the part about him causing my death and the destruction of the kingdom? Just the qualities I look for in all my knights!" retorted Arthur sarcastically.
"Well, maybe not that bit," conceded Merlin, "but you should meet him. All we need is to find Gwen something to do which will take her out of the castle for a while."
"And if I were to meet him and decide that he is suitable? What then? We can't keep Gwen out of Camelot indefinitely!"
"It might not come to that. Please, Arthur, give him a chance."
The two young men locked blue-eyed stares as they pondered a decision that would potentially have far-reaching and devastating effects.
Several days later, Merlin arrived at one of the practice-fields to find a jubilant Lancelot leaving a pleased yet slightly troubled-looking Arthur. The handsome newcomer clapped Merlin heartily on the shoulder as he practically skipped past. "Thank you! Let me buy you an ale this evening."
The sorcerer grinned at Arthur. "All went well, then?"
"I think so. You're right, he would be an ideal knight but the laws state that a knight must be of noble birth and there is no way that my father would allow it to be otherwise."
"Can you not talk him round? Surely you would be able to do something?"
Arthur scoffed, "Are we talking about the same man here?"
Merlin said nothing, knowing that the prince was correct about his father's character. His brow knitted as he thought then smoothed as he brightened. "I'll fix it," he declared. He set off in the direction of the castle and its library of records.
The prince eyed the departing figure suspiciously before shrugging resignedly. "Whatever it is, I don't want to know." As he picked up his sword to continue training his current crop of fledging knights, Arthur couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he had made a mistake in allowing Lancelot to gain a foot-hold in Camelot.
Gwen hummed softly to herself as she made her way back to the castle city. Her errand from Merlin to collect a special mixture of herbs and seeds for Gaius from a particular merchant located outside the city had been cut short when she had finally arrived at his modest shop and found it to be closed and a passer-by informed her that the merchant had been called away on an urgent request and it was unknown when he might return.
She had sighed deeply in consternation as it had been a good hour's journey on foot to the merchant but there was little she could do. The maid squinted up at the clear blue sky and warm shining sun. She was grateful for small mercies that at least the weather was good for her return walk. Stopping by a small brook, Gwen sat on the low bank, pulled off her low boots and smiled in pleasure as she dipped hot feet into the cool, clear water. She could see Camelot's castle looming near - she could be no more than a half hour or so from home and her friends. The young woman had made good time and found she had a free moment or two to enjoy.
The last week had been very confusing for her in terms of her feelings towards men. Gwen could not deny that she still had feelings of fancy towards Prince Arthur's servant and that she would always have a soft spot for Merlin but her time spent with the prince himself troubled her greatly. She had begun to have thoughts of Arthur which were not appropriate for one of her station in life. His caring side had taken her completely by surprise and had opened her eyes to the man which he could and would be. Sapphire blue eyes and blond hair had started entering her dreams and she had woken one night in quite a tizz after dreaming of a pale, muscled body intimately entwined with her own soft caramel form.
Gwen shook her head as she splashed her feet. It was a foolish notion to have and the quicker she snapped out of it the better. If people could read her thoughts now, she would be mortified and laughed out of the kingdom for having such flights of fancy. But, oh, what a fancy! She giggled to herself as remembered her vivid dream. Gwen stood up, her boots in her hands, and carried on her walk letting her feet dry on the way.
She replaced her footwear as she approached the city gates and as she passed through them, a sense of home-coming settled over the maid. As much as she embraced adventure and travel, she could never see herself permanently away from Camelot and she could not bear to imagine there never being a Camelot.
Picking her way through the busy and sometimes narrow streets, Gwen's head was bent as she concentrated on her footing when she felt a bump against her shoulder and heard a sincere, "Sorry."
She looked up and found her eyes caught by doe-like brown ones in a handsome, olive-toned faced framed by longish dark brown hair. White teeth shone in an apologetic smile which she returned with a shy one of her own. The look they shared last a moment longer than it should have before Gwen turned away, a slight flush on her cheeks and carried on her way.
Lancelot continued to stare after her for a second or two more before he, too, melted into the crowd.
On a far-way isle, ruby red lips curved in a speculative, knowing smile. Sparkling blue eyes flashed with cold delight as they watched the chance meeting between Gwen and Lancelot. A slim pale hand waved briefly over the water in the stone font and the image cleared to show only the reflection a witch nearly as old as magic itself and who had sworn revenge on Uther Pendragon.
In a ramshackle farmhouse, amber eyes flared open at the sense of old magic being woken.
"Lys," a slender hand gently shook the shoulder of an elderly woman who stirred at the light touch.
"Les? What's wrong?" The sisters reverted to their childhood names for each other.
Concern was etched on the elder sister's face. "It begins. She has seen and tries to control what will come to pass."
Alesta and Eirlys looked grimly at each other before speaking at the same time. "Nimueh." Though the younger sister had relinquished her own powers, she still shared an almost psychic bond with the seeress.
"She knows what is to come?" asked Eirlys.
"She knows this version of what is to come. And she will try to make it so as she had done with other events in the past."
"Les, she must be stopped. If what you saw will happen, then so be it, but not by her hand!"
Morgana was sitting in the gardens with her eyes closed, just enjoying a rare moment of peace and sunshine without being disturbed when she felt a shadow cross her face. She opened her eyes to see a young woman standing before her garbed in a long red cloak despite the temperate weather with long brown hair braided close to her scalp before being left to flow loosely around her shoulders.
"Can I help you?" enquired the King's ward warily.
The woman's voice was soft, gentle. "It concerns the happiness of your maid, Guinevere. I bring a message from one who would be her suitor."
Morgana immediately paid close attention. Gwen was not only her maid but her dear friend and she would do anything that she could to improve her happiness. She leaned in closer to hear the message and promised to fulfil its contents.
"Thank you," said the stranger. "It means a lot to him and it will mean a lot to many others. Love is one of the most powerful magics in the world." She abruptly turned with a swirl of her cloak, her final words drifting back to Morgana's ears. "We shall return the other magics to this land."
Morgana tried to think if she had heard correctly, such talk of magic, especially to one of the royal household was treason. This woman had been beyond bold but for the grey-eyed young woman, it had also struck a chord with her. If magic were to return, then she and others like her would finally be free and safe from persecution. It never occurred to Morgana until later to wonder how she had managed to evade the heavily guarded private castle grounds.
Arthur sat up in his bed, sweat beaded his forehead and he cursed the wine he had drunk as well as all the previous days' talk of destruction, magical books and love. He had had a most disturbing dream (or nightmare) in which he had seen his beloved Camelot fall and burn at the hands of a faceless army whilst dragons flew overhead, one of which carried Guinevere and Lancelot who laughed as the Black Knight stood with sword raised over a kneeling Arthur. In the background, he had seen Merlin dragged away in fiery chains of magic.
The moon shone bright in the night sky and Arthur got up to look out of the window and was met with the unexpected sight of Guinevere strolling unhurriedly across the courtyard.
Without thinking and unable to sleep anyway, the prince threw on his shirt and loped down the stairs without pausing to put on his boots.
Gwen had not been able to sleep since her mistress had told her of the news of a secret admirer. Morgana had informed her of the plan to arrange a meeting that very evening but the maid's naturally cautious personality had prevented her from acting so hastily. Thus, her mind had been whirling with excitement and thoughts of dire consequences in equal measure.
She could not help the squeak of alarm that escaped her as a male figure suddenly appeared in the darkness in front of her. It took a few incredulous seconds before her brain registered who the barefooted person was.
"Sire?"
hope you liked it and it was worth the wait. Please review and let me know its progress x
I have a vague suspicion that I may have over-complicated the plot a bit :/
oh, well, never mind, I'm sure there will be a way around it :p
