Chapter 10:
Lance, sword, armor, robes, circlet, chainmail; how am I going to get this all done? Merlin frowned as his mind turned over all the possibilities and combinations of trying to get all his chores done by tonight. Okay, if I start with the robes I can let them soak as I clean his circlet…then polish his boots…No, his sword and lance are more important as he'll use those in the tournament.
"Problem, Merlin?"
Jumping in surprise, Merlin blinked at Gwen's sudden appearance directly in front of him. When did she-? Wait...where am I? The slave glanced around, at some point he must have stopped as he wasn't nearly as far along as he should be.
"Gwen! How's your wrist?"
Her eyes softened at his concern, "Gaius fixed me up quite quickly."
She lifted her wrist to display the wrapping that Gaius had bandaged her with.
"Is something on your mind, you look perturbed."
At his confused look, she blushed and proceeded to rephrase her statement. At her clarification, Merlin nodded before he looked around cautiously. Bending closer he softly told her of his dilemma.
"How does he possibly expect you to do all that by tomorrow?"
He shrugged, "Magic?"
Gwen's eyes widened, on hand flying to her mouth. She looked left and right, "That's illegal!"
The boy raised an eyebrow at the tremble in her voice before he frantically waved his hands, "No, no, that was a joke. A bad one at that. Sorry!"
Relief washed over her face as comprehension clicked in her mind, "Oh, thank goodness. Even the mere mention of the word can have you thrown in the dungeons. You must be be careful. Promise me."
"Sure."
The handmaid took another few moments to gather her thoughts.
"I know!"
Gwen brightened as an idea struck her. Merlin flinched at her abrupt outburst.
"David."
"David?"
"Yes, David."
"Who is David?"
"David works as an apprentice to the weaponsmaster. He can repair Arthur's lance."
"Oh, no, no no. I can't, that's my task. I cannot shirk my duties."
Gwen waved off his protest, "You are delegating so that it all might get completed as commanded."
"But-"
"No buts. Now, let's go see him right now."
Merlin stared at her as she started off in the direction of the armory. Gwen must have felt his stare because she stopped and beckoned him to follow her. The slave allowed his feet to shuffle forward in small steps. A shudder ran down his body as he felt Gwen slip her arm through his in an effort to force him to move faster. A slight warmth seeped from her to him and the boy felt a calmness descend over him. The touch brought an unconscious smile to his face.
The chatter of servants broke through Merlin's musings and he retracted his arm, slowing his pace to come to walk two steps behind the girl. He tried no to let the hurt he saw in her eyes affect him; or the sudden loss of warmth. They continued in that style as they reached their destination. Merlin wandered among the weapons until he came to the lances. He looked amongst them in consternation. How am I supposed to know which one is his? Maybe I should just look for the most pretentious of the lot.
The slave bit his lip as he picked up two of the more ornate of the lances.
"Neither. That is if you are looking for Prince Arthur's lance. His is the one to your left."
Merlin fumbled with the lances in his hand, flinching as one of them slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor. A smaller hand plucked the lance up before Merlin had time and eased it back into place. Sam scuffed his foot against the floor as he refused to meet the slaves eyes.
The slave also replaced the lance he had managed to hold onto before thanking the squire. The boy looked up in surprise, his blue eyes filled with guilt which seemed to age him prematurely.
"Why are you thanking me? I got you in trouble. He almost flogged you and it would have been my-you shouldn't even talk to me anymore."
Samuel's eyes watered as he gestured with his hands. Sniffling, he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
"You didn't know. It was just a mistake," Merlin murmured softly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder as he had seen other do to comfort.
"It was a mistake, my mistake and like the Knight's Code says: I should admit it and make rek-recom-recon-"
"Recompense," Gwen's voice helpfully supplied from the corner where she had been watching.
Sam nodded, "Yes, reck com pence."
"Sam, you do not have cause to seek recompense. It was my fault, I knew what I was doing and I knew the risks; so if it was anyone's fault, it would be mine."
The blonde shook his head, his shoulders stubbornly set, his blue eyes clear and defiant.
"Sam, was it?"
Gwen's voice interrupted them, causing them both to look over to where she was standing unobtrusively. The squire nodded his encouragement.
"Merlin needs some help with Prince Arthur's chores. Would you help him, as recompense?"
The squire was already nodding as soon as he understood what she was saying. The slave shook his head but she spoke over him.
"Can you grab Prince Arthur's lance? Perfect, we'll take that to David'd for repair; meanwhile, Merlin is supposed to sharpen his sword and chainmail mended-"
"I will do it." Sam broke in.
Gwen's face broke into a smile, she could see that the boy was taking this very seriously by the way he straightened his shoulders and raised his head. She lifted one hand to her mouth as she tried to contain her mirth. He looks like a young Prince Arthur. I wonder how long he practiced to do it so well.
"No, Sam, you can't-!" The slave protested, his blue eyes were cloudy with some emotion Gwen couldn't pinpoint but it wiped the humor from her mind.
"Merlin, this is a matter of honor. Please let me do this. Give me the chance to restore my honor."
Merlin sighed in resignation, one hand went up to run a hand through his hair. Wincing, he dropped the hand to his neck as a shiver slid in an icy path down his back. For a moment, he spared a glance around but saw nothing that warranted such a reaction. He took the Prince's lance from Sam and sighed.
"His sword and chainmail are in his chambers. If you could handle that I would be grateful."
"You can trust me. I will have it ready by dinner and dropped off at Gaius'; that is where you are staying is it not?"
The slave nodded as he forced a smile to his lips. Unease still prickled at his soul, like long icy nails raking up his back and resting around his neck. Sam beamed and took off, eager to be of help to the slave.
"Good. Now let's get that to David," Gwen said, brightly.
Merlin made sure to pay attention where they were going so he could retrieve the lance when the time came. Gwen smiled and traded pleasantries with a few of the townsfolk. He watched wistfully as she casually laid her hand on the arm of an older woman, roughly the age of what he imagine his Mother to be. He held the lance in one hand, resting the tip on the ground as he looked around while he waited for Gwen.
Shuddering, Merlin looked over his shoulder, eyes flitting over the other townsfold. He saw women conversing with baskets in hands, smiles on their faces. He watched men carrying their wares. He saw children running, laughing. A woman passed by him with a shallow basket of flowers he took the opportunity to breathe in deeply.
-0-0-0-0-0-
A group of small boys were in a clearing near a small village chasing each other. Laughter echoing in his ears, a small knot of tightness clenched in his chest. A longing. His short legs took him a few moments to reach the other kids, as he approached the boys slowed to a stop; forming a half circle around him.
"Can I play?"
Three of the four boys looked at each other, snickering behind their hands. Slight shoulders drooped in response. The three boys made faces at him before they ran off leaving him eith the one other boy.
"Just ignore them Merlin; they're dumb."
"Why don't they like me?" A sniffle accompanied the question. He bent down plucking a bright yellow flower from the grass.
"I dunno."
The soft padding of steps caused him to turn. He sniffled once, as he brought his hand up and held the flower out. A larger feminine hand reached for it but slipped down. He felt his feet leave the ground as her arms pulled him up to her. He giggled, and reached up to place the flower in her hair. Snuggling under her chin, he could faintly feel the thudding of her heart. He placed on hand just under her collarbone and the other on his own chest. The thudding moved in tandem and he smiled.
"I love you Mer-"
"Merlin?"
The slave blinked slowly, shivering. He glanced around as if trying to find the boys he saw and more importantly, the woman but it was gone fleeting like the soft scent of flowers and grass.
"Are you okay?"
With sagging shoulders the boy nodded and they continued on their way. It was only a short distance later that they came to their destination. They ducked inside. Merlin looked around in wonder at all the various shapes and sizes of staves, lances and cross bows. Intricate designs adorned the ones on the far wall and they progressed to much simpler designs.
"Can I help you?"
Merlin's hand momentarily gripped the lance tighter before he turned to greet the newcomer.
"Hello David," Gwen greeted the young man warmly. Merlin took the opportunity to study him unobtrusively. He was a young man of the same height as the slave but he was stockier. Dark hair pulled back and held in place by a thin leather strap, leaving his face open and his brown eyes expressive. Warm eyes regarded Gwen with a smile. He listened as she explained what they needed. She motion to Merlin and the lance he held.
"David, this is Merlin."
David's eyes flickered over to the boy, he started when he heard his name. Glancing between Gwen and the boy, his face split into a grin and he stepped forward hand outstretched. David didn't wait for him to meet him, he grasped his free forearm.
"You are the one that helped Bethia?"
Without waiting for a response, he plowed on, "I am in your debt. Gwen tells me you have need of a repair on Prince Arthur's lance, is that it?"
He indicated the weapon in hand and held out his own to receive it. Automatically Merlin handed it over. He examined it carefully, not just at the part where the obvious break is, nodding as if his hands confirmed what his eyes already knew.
"I will have this done later today. Shall I put it back in place within the armory?"
Merlin tried to protest but Gwen beat him to it, "That would be lovely. Thank you David."
"It is the least I could do. You have done me a great service, I can only hope to try and make up for it."
Realizing the futility of further protest, Merlin bowed and thanked him for his help before they started back. They traveled in relative silence on their way back, each lost in their own thoughts. Gwen glanced over at the boy, and armed with a soft smile. Has it really only been about a week since he came here? after the coronation he'll be gone, back to Ulbein and I'll never see him again. I wonder if he'll keep the weight he's managed to put on or if his duties will cause him to lose it again. The smile dropped from her face as she felt the weight of that thought settle in her stomach. Worrying her bottom lip, she looked forward again as she tried to stave off the tears that seemed determined to gather.
Up ahead, a familiar stooped gait caused Gwen to call out, "Gaius!"
The old physician looked up, and smiled as he caught sight of the two. He waited as the pair increased their pace in order to reach him more quickly.
"Gwen, Merlin, what are you doing out this way?"
The handmaid noticed how Gaius smiled when he said Merlin's name and kept his attention on the boy. She stayed silent, forcing Merlin to speak up and explain what they were doing.
"Well, it sounds as if you are busy," Gaius observed.
Gwen saw Merlin's brow pucker, she felt something stir in her chest at his next words.
"Is there something you need, Gaius?"
"If it wouldn't be too much, there is a book I require but it is a bit of a distance from my chambers and there are many stairs-"
"What is it? Where do I find it?" The slave queried.
Gwen interrupted before Gaius could respond, "If you'll excuse me, I should return so that I can get Prince Arthur's robes ready and attend to Lady Morgana."
A slight touch to her arm stopped her, she looked over at Merlin who retracted his hand as soon as he made contact. A flush to his cheeks spoke f his embarrassment.
"Ah, um, thank you, Gwen."
She smiled at him, taking the moment to pat him on the arm just like Merlin had seen others do. He could swear the area she had touched was still warm for a few moments afterwards, even after she left. Is this what it is like? Is this what I could have had, I had not-? Merlin squashed the thought before he dwelled on it too much. Kill him too? The slave could feel the blood drain from his face, and he faintly could feel a hand grasp his elbow to steady him; another hand was rubbing his back. The motion helped him to regain control of his breathing which Merlin hadn't realized he lost.
Slowly his breathing, the slave gained control of his faculties enough to put a small distance between him the physician who had been giving him comfort.
"What happened? Are you alright, Merlin?"
The boy's head bobbed emphatically at the question, one hand tugging at his neckerchief. The old man studied the young man, pleased to see color returning to his face and alertness to his movements. The physician didn't comment on the small tremors running through the slave's limbs, nor the way his eyes darted at any sudden movements. Gaius didn't ask about his sudden need for space, he merely waited for him to acknowledge his presence. He watched as the slave took a deep breath and looked at him but no in the eyes, somewhere just over his shoulder.
"What was it you needed, Gaius?"
"It's an extremely old book on bloodlines."
"Where do I find it?"
Gaius gave him detailed directions that would take him into the inner most portion of the castle. Merlin repeated it back to him flawlessly. Gaius tried to thank the boy but Merlin just waved him off, parting with a brief nod.
0-0-0-0
It took him several minutes before he felt as though he had almost reached his destination. The directions told him to go right then left. Merlin review the directions in his head once more as he looked around the torch lit hallway. He was so far down that there were no windows and as such there was no natural light to depend on. The lack of windows meant that there was also no current of fresh air to sweep away the staleness and musk of the underground. Merlin's nose twitched uncomfortably as he fought a shudder. Torches flickered eerily around causing the shadows to ebb and flow against the walls and floors like water on the shoreline; they flittered to and fro, distorting Merlin's vision. Breathing out through his nose, the slave turned right, counting his steps as he went. Approaching the point where he was directed to go right he stopped.
He looked right and saw a long staircase behind a locked gate descending into the depth of the earth. On the right was a smaller set of steps into a large room but the lack of light made discerning the rest impossible. Although he knew he was to go right, his eyes strayed to the left once more. No, no. The book, I need to retrieve the book...for Gaius.
"Merlin."
The slave's head snapped around to the right, his eyes wide as the rumbling voice called his name. He took several steps in it's direction to the left.
"Merlin."
He felt a tug deep within his chest pulling him in that direction of the voice. Taking a breath, Merlin lifted the torch from it's holder, a flash of gold and the door clicked opened, he started down the stairs. The farther he went the lighter the air felt. About a quarter of the way down a gust wind snuffed out the torch and threw him forward. He cried out in pain as his shoulder and hip connected with the stairs. It was oddly dizzying, rolling down in darkness, not able to orient himself until he rolled to a stop. His chest hit the level ground with an explosion of air, his arms flopping on either side of his torso and his legs still elevated on the stairs behind him.
The slave's groan was drowned out by the thunderous sound reverberating around him. He lay there until the sound quieted and a new sound took it's place. A strange rumbling that somehow resembled a deep throated chuckle. Eyes snapping open, the boy was surprised to find that there was enough light bouncing off that he could see without the aide of his now extinguished torch. Carefully, he rolled onto his back, and turned his head towards the cavernous opening and blinked. I found it. I found it!
Hurriedly the boy got to his feet, barely conscious of the dull throbbing of his body, as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Something broke in him and a massive weight seemed to lift, causing him to feel as light as a feather. Blue eyes sparkled with wonder, he took several steps forward, awe written into every line of his body. Some part of him faintly warned him that he should be careful but he easily squashed it.
"Careful you warlock, there is no need to tempt fate."
His voice reverberated through his whole body, filling Merlin with a thrill. He took several more steps forward and the head of the massive creature shot forward to meet him. I wonder if he eats people. Panic blossomed in his chest as his foot didn't feel solid ground like he had been expecting. Just as he felt himself start to drop, he felt the snout brace him up and push him back onto the ledge. Once he was safely from the edge, the head retracted and without the support, Merlin's legs collapsed under him. He fought for a moment to catch his breath.
"How clumsy you are for such a destiny so great as it is."
The slave scooted for the ledge and sat down so that his legs dangled over in open air.
"You are a dragon, aren't you?" The boy asked, his eyes wide with a childlike curiosity. The large creature chuckled at him, his golden eyes watching the boy with interest.
"You are correct, young one."
"Wow," he breathed. "Wait..Clumsy, I am not clumsy. Well, I am clumsy but that wasn't me, something hit me."
The golden dragon hummed, "Why did you not heed my call?"
"I am sorry, at first I didn't know what was happening. After that, well, I couldn't because I had no reason to come this way and my master wouldn't have let me."
"Your master?"
"King Severus of Ulbein. I am his slave."
The dragon's eyes narrowed at this revelation. He seemed to ponder this, tilting his head as if he were listening to something Merlin couldn't hear. The slave rocked backwards and forwards with barely contained energy.
"Oh, young one, where did destiny go wrong?"
"What do you mean, destiny?"
"Since the beginning your destiny was written, bound together with another. It was your path to walk, to bring peace to all of Albion. It was for you to protect the young Prince Arthur, to guide him to his ultimate potential as the Once and Future King and restore the balance of magic once more."
Merlin sat there, still, unable to form a coherent sentence. Protect Arthur...Once and Future King...Restore the balance of magic.
"Protect Arthur! That's right! Someone is trying to kill Arthur!"
"You must not let them succeed. If they do, you will have doomed Albion to eternal darkness, young warlock."
"Bu-but how can I protect him? Magic is outlawed on pain of death! I am a mere slave, what can I do?"
"A mere slave? You have the ability to be the greatest warlock that has lived and will ever live. Do you doubt my words?"
Merlin cast his eyes down, "I just, I don't see what you see."
"Perhaps not yet, young one; and that might be due to the cruel twist of fate but if you allow someone else to define you, you will not be able to achieve all that you were meant to. So far you can only see what you will because you allow others to cloud your destiny and until you are able to break free and stand on your own; unfulfilled will your destiny be.
"Now, let me caution you once again: Arthur must not fall or all of Albion will fall with him, yourself as well."
With that parting gift, the great dragon unfurled his wings, pumping them up and down with mighty strokes which created huge gusts of wind that bowled the slave over and back towards the stone steps. Merlin watched as a great metal chain lifted with the dragon, creating a line to where he had flown upwards and out of sight. Fain blue lights danced across the floor and over the boy propped against the stone steps.
I talked to a dragon! He replayed the conversation in his head as he waited for the shock to wear off and the ability to move his limbs come back to him. It was several moments of silence before the boy dared to move, afraid that the dragon might come back and that he'd miss him.
Grit and a chalky like substance greeted his hands as he felt along the ground for the fallen torch which seems to have taken refuge in one of the darker areas of the cavern. His fingers brushed against something, causing it to roll slightly. Reaching a bit farther he clasped his hand around the stick, a flash of gold was met with the faint blue yellow glow of the torch igniting. One final look back to the large opening but there was no whooshing sound of the dragon's arrival, he ascended back the way he came; wincing as he did.
Book. Gaius' book. Remembering his purpose for coming down here, Merlin paused after reaching the top, struggling to remember the directions. I know I need to go right but...which way did I come from? He glanced down either way, unable to recall the direction he had originally come, all he could think about was Arthur. He replaced the borrowed torch from whence he got it.
Destiny...Why me? What can I possibly do to protect Arthur? My magic is completely instinctual. He must have made a mistake. That's it, he's mistaken me for someone else...Uh, where am I?
Merlin peered to his left, his right, behind him and finally forward. At some point during his musings he had started walking and ended up at an intersection of two corridors. That's just great, now Prince Arthur will have cause to discipline me. If the King hears about this... Gulping at that thought, he lifted one hand rubbing his neck. Sighing, he chose a path at random and started down it. Belatedly he realized that he chose one that was only lit few and far between with torches. I should have kept the other one.
Halfway down there was only unlit torches, he grabbed one and felt his magic prickle. With a soft whoosh, he was able to see again. Maybe I should have gone the other way. The slave gasped as the torch lit the dead end he came to. To the right the torch lit an entrance barred by an iron gate. This room was also barred shut, and behind the metal slats were books, swords, bottle of deep blue, greens and all manner of sizes. Wow... He stood there staring at the different artifacts for a few minutes, he turned to leave when he spotted something dark sticking out from behind a table. He stepped closer, squinting his eyes to sharpen his vision.
A boot?
Merlin looked around once more and bit his lip. Why would there be a boot amongst all this finery? It didn't move. Placing a hand on the gate, he held his other hand upwards so that the torch would illuminate the space better. The boot was attached to something. A leg.
The slave glanced down at the lock and back to the boot. Help. I need help. I can unlock it and make sure it's not just a boot and lock it up if it is just a boot. But if it's not and I don't get help...
"Sorry."
The boy turned and darted back up the way he came, the torch casting ghostly figures that seemed to chase after him. He made it a point to memorize his path as he sought help. Panting, he started to slow down. His free hand went to his left side, he massaged it as best he could without stopping. Finally, he could hear voices and he called out, "Help! Please! Someone, I need help!"
Footsteps echoes as people ran to his aide. Two guards and a knight met him halfway.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
It was the knight who spoke, an older man of his late twenties, he had dark blonde hair with a tint of red and under layers of brown which curled. He had a few days growth on his face and intelligent eyes which demanded answers.
"A body. There's a body back there, in a vault room."
"What were you doing there?"
"Gaius asked me to retrieve a book but I got lost," the slave replied.
One of the guards spoke up, "Sir Leon, I have seen this boy accompany the court physician."
The knight, Sir Leon nodded in acceptance of the guards confirmation.
"You're that boy from this morning, who was attacked while gathering herbs with Gaius?"
"Yes, that's right, Sir."
"Lead on."
Breathing in, the slave whirled around and led them swiftly to the place he had seen the boot. Upon reaching the door, Sir Leon looked to where the boy pointed.
"Someone is in there but I fear it is too late for him..." Sir Leon trailed off, he bent down to examine the lock. There were small scratches around the key. Fingering the area, the knight used his left hand to left the lever and pushed on the gate door. It swung open. Merlin's mouth dropped open, he felt heat race up his neck and across his cheeks. He closed his mouth.
Merlin gagged, his hand frantically grabbed at his neckerchief and he pulled it over his nose; holding it in place with one hand. The guards turned away, their eyes filling with tears. The slave glanced toward the knight who had briefly lifted a hand to his nose before he steeled himself and regulated his breathing through his mouth. He took several strides forward and knelt beside the boots, one hand automatically reaching to confirm what his nose already knew. He was dead.
Merlin trailed behind the knight, his eyes seeking the face of the deceased young man. Despite the discoloration of death, the boy could tell by the smooth face that it was a person of roughly the same age as himself.
A gasp drew the slave's attention, he looked behind him to where the guards had stayed but neither of them were paying attention, their eyes seeking anywhere but the direction of the stench. Facing forward, the boy moved to stand slightly off of the knight.
Eyes wide and mouth set in a firm line, the knight mouthed a word that Merlin didn't catch. Sir Leon's brows drew together, his eyes hardening as something caught his gaze. A heavy sigh escaped and Merlin looked questioning at him.
"This was Prince Arthur's manservant who went missing. His name was Oliver. He's been murdered."
A/N: duh dun duuuuuuuun! So, who guessed it? Anyone? Buller?
Also: exciting announcement: I am finally going to go for the gold. Yup, I am going to publish an original story. I have several over the years that I have mapped out and now this has inspired me to take it all the way. I have 2 stories in particular I am working one. :-D
So, I now have to work hard to keep up the momentum to finish THIS story before I delve too deeply in the originals, so THANK YOU to everyone who has read and encouraged me thus far. Your reviews are truly fueling me, you guys are awesome!