It was a couple of days later that Hunith found herself making her way into the royal library. Geoffrey sat, looking stern at his books and glaring at whoever entered. The glare melted away seeing Hunith.
"Ah, yes, supper! What have we today, my dear?" He asked, making way for the tray of food.
"We have a lovely roast chicken, soft bread bun with butter and steamed carrots." She said.
"Exquisite. Thank you, my dear. Send my thanks to the cook." He said and Hunith smiled and nodded, walking back out but staying nearby. Gaius came soon after, just in time to hear a large thud.
"He's ready." Gaius whispered and they sneaked in. Gaius took out a feather tied to leather that he placed around Geoffrey's neck. The man became feather-light and both Hunith and Gaius pulled him round the castle as if he weighed nothing.
Thrown into a cart, Gaius covered him with a sheet and Hunith got the horse to pull them away from Camelot.
"I wonder if Sir Leon will be able to take Merlin to the meeting point in time." Hunith said with worry.
"They'll both be fine, you'll see Hunith." Gaius said and held her hand. She smiled and nodded taking assurance from his words.
oOoOoOo
Merlin groaned as he opened his eyes, realising he was chained at the wrists. He tensed, looking back at the rider that held him onto the horse.
"Leon! What… what's happening?" He asked.
"You have been sentenced to burn at the pyre for setting the dragon on the people of Camelot." Another knight replied coldly.
"The king knows you are the last Dragon Lord." Another said. Merlin looked up at Leon who nodded. Merlin looked at the other men.
"The king is a hypocrite!" Merlin said remembering Arthur's words. "He used magic for Arthur to be conceived and when Queen Ygraine paid the price of that spell, he killed thousands of innocent people." Merlin said.
"Merlin, what are you doing? Shh!" Leon whispered but Merlin didn't stop.
"You're following a murderer. The dragon can't really be blamed for wanting revenge, but I did send him away when I became Dragon Lord. I never set him on Camelot!" Merlin exclaimed.
"You will be quiet, or I'll cut out your tongue for what you've said about our king." Another knight said, drawing his sword.
"Uther doesn't deserve any respect. Arthur is the only one that deserves your respect. You've trained together, you've been to battle together. He would never leave a man behind if he could help it. Arthur is more worthy of being king than Uther is. He is honourable and just." Merlin said.
"Arthur will be king in time." Another said.
Merlin let the silence settle for a few seconds. "Arthur has declared war on Uther." He announced. Leon froze, stopping the horse.
"He did what?" Leon asked, eyes wide looking down at Merlin.
"Arthur has escaped Camelot with his most trusted knights and Morgana. On his escape he ordered Uther to abdicate or he would bring war to Camelot." Merlin said.
Another knight took out his own sword. "He's enchanted prince Arthur! Arthur would never!" He said advancing on Merlin.
"You will not harm him." Leon said.
"The king warned us about your wavering loyalties, sir Leon. No doubt you're another victim of this monster!" Another said. Merlin raised his hands and they were knocked off their feet. Leon took the reins and began galloping at full pace away from the road to Camelot.
"They're not dead, are they?" Leon asked.
"I don't think so. Just a light shove." Merlin said a bit out of breath.
"Are you alright?" Leon asked.
"Yeah… just tired." Merlin said.
"Sleep, I'll wake you when we reach the meeting point." Leon said.
oOoOoOo
Arthur looked at the huge valley that they stopped in. Ideal for a battle, not really ideal for hiding from their father.
"Why did you want to stop here Morgana?" Arthur asked and Morgana chuckled, getting off the horse and walking down the field of wildflowers.
"This is where you'll be married, dear brother!" She said proudly. Arthur stared at the meadow. There was a lake far off ahead, hills and forests to the right and a clear view of the horizon all the way to the East. As far as the eye could see, all he could see was flowers.
"You forget our father will likely come looking for us." Arthur said.
"He won't find us." She said simply. "I've had allies cover our tracks. We will only be found by those who loyal to you." She said.
"Allies?" Arthur asked. That's when he noticed the people coming from the forest. Druids and sorcerers came by the hundreds from the forest.
"I present you the guests to your wedding." Morgana said proudly. Arthur took a deep breath as he saw so many people.
"Morgana, you do remember I haven't even apologised to Merlin yet?" Arthur hissed.
Morgana covered her mouth with a little gasp. "That's right." She patted him too hard on the shoulder. "Well, lets hope he forgives you, otherwise this is going to be pretty embarrassing for you." She said brightly as she went to greet the elders of the druid tribes. Arthur looked up at the crescent moon, wondering if he even had a right to be forgiven. He had hope but as long as Merlin was safe, at this point he didn't care about being embarrassed. Well, maybe he did, but he hoped he'd be forgiven.
oOoOoOo
Merlin began to wake up as they passed through the trees of the forest. Leon said he knew exactly where they were going. He was awoken by the sound of people being merry and looked up to see the largest magical community he'd ever seen. Children ran around chasing colours of light created by their parents for their amusement. Elders wove baskets at lightning speed with the aid of magic and some sprouted flowers and collected the petals on the completed baskets. The men helped set up a large tent in the middle of the clearing.
He spotted Morgana yelling orders while looking at some scrolls with a group of other elders from the magical community. Beside her, stood Arthur, watching the proceedings with interest and turned toward them.
When their eyes met, Merlin felt an electric shock that started his heart racing and squeezing in pain as he remembered Arthur holding onto Gwen like she was his only lifeline. And yet, he couldn't stop himself from feeling happy to see him. Stupid prat.
He got off the horse and Arthur came closer but Morgana and Gaius came between them.
"Tut tut now, you two can't talk or see each other before the wedding. It's an old religion rule." Morgana said.
"But…" Merlin looked over at Arthur as Gaius seemed to tell Arthur the same. Arthur shook his head and walked past Gaius.
"Oh hell." Morgana turned to go stop Arthur. "You go with the women, Merlin!" She called and went to stop her brother. Merlin sighed and did as Morgana told him. He wasn't ready to speak to Arthur yet.
He felt embarrassed for storming off like that, and revealing his Dragon Lord powers to Arthur. He had no right to be jealous when it was Arthur that was losing everything.
oOoOoOo
"You kidnapped Geoffrey?" Arthur said horrified as the man stood outraged and confused at the scenery.
"Of course I did, we need the wedding to be official not only on magical terms but on legal terms." Morgana said simply.
"What is the meaning of this, Prince Arthur?" Geoffrey asked horrified.
"Forgive us, Geoffrey, but we need you to officiate a wedding." Arthur said politely. Geoffrey took a deep breath.
"Allow me to guess, you want me to marry you and Merlin off. Yes, I heard he's pregnant, the cook won't shut up about it!" Geoffrey said. Arthur pressed his lips hard to try and hide the amusement threatening to show, and turned to look for Merlin's form across the valley, where the women were assembled. "I won't do it! He's a man!"
"Yes, normally he is, but right now, he's a woman. So it's not a problem." Arthur said.
"There are other ways to legitimise your heir, your highness, you don't have to marry him!" Geoffrey said horrified.
"I don't care about any other ways. I want to marry Merlin." Arthur said. Geoffrey took a deep breath and shook his head.
"I don't even have my paperwork to make it official." He tried.
"Well, my friend, that's were we come in. Here's the book of marriages of the kingdom and the marriage scroll left blank for their names." Gaius said. Geoffrey glared at Gaius for a second, taking the scroll and book before turning to Arthur.
"Fine, lets do this quickly then."
"I'm afraid not, Geoffrey. The ceremony will begin tomorrow an hour before sunset." Morgana said. "I'll run over the details with you." She said and pulled him along to the tent set at the centre of the meadow.
Finally, Arthur caught sight of Merlin. He was with Lancelot, both chatting merrily about one thing or other. The women druids coming to discuss things with Merlin. Probably asking him what colour he'd like the petals, how to do his hair, whether he'd been fitted for his dress yet.
"Merlin looks happy." Gwaine said sipping on some wine beside him. Arthur wasn't convinced he was. Merlin just looked resigned. Before Arthur could react, Gwaine grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him close so Arthur was inches away from him. "You ever hurt him like that again, I'll ensure this child is the only one you ever have." He hissed hatefully and let go before the murderous hate faded into a warm smile. He patted him on the shoulder giving him the drink. "Drink my friend, it's your stag night!" He said cheerfully.
Arthur looked at him nervously before taking a sip. Elyan approached him to his other side.
"Stay away from my sister, Arthur." He said coldly and Arthur nodded. Elyan smiled and patted Arthur on the shoulder. Leon came in front of him.
"Merlin is a very good man, Arthur. Your actions were disappointing to say the least. Don't make the same mistake again." He said. Arthur almost felt like a child being scolded and although deserved, he felt very embarrassed and ashamed of his actions.
He nodded and turned to leave when Percival stopped him. Arthur prepared himself for what the other would say but nothing could have.
"When my wife and child were murdered by Cenred's men, all I could think of was that we didn't have enough time. I didn't have enough time to kiss my wife and make her feel like she was the light of my life. I didn't get enough time to hug my child and teach him how to farm, or fish, or defend himself. There wasn't enough time. There will never be enough time, Arthur. You could be the happiest man alive, if you wanted." The words moved Arthur and he had to forcefully swallow the emotion making his eyes glisten. Percival turned him round to face Merlin who was laughing as he made a few children amused with his magic. "I'm telling you now, you will never have enough time. It will never be enough. So treasure what you have, and never let go, never think of anyone but him and the happiness he'll bring you. Never take him for granted again." He finally said and let him go. Arthur was shaken to the core by those words. They made him want nothing more than to storm over there and pull Merlin aside and beg for his forgiveness and hold him close but Morgana wasn't letting him cross over. Even Lancelot had been kicked out of the female side and was making his way back. He drank the wine and turned to the knights once more.
"Thank you." He said. They gave him the small bow of the knights and things turned merrier as they laughed and pulled him along to celebrate his last night as a single man.
oOoOoOo
The rest of the night they were still parted into men and women, Merlin having to stay with the women as they drank and prepared him for the following day. Morgana ran over the itinerary and then a feast with food and drink followed. Merlin kept glancing over at the men's side, as their boisterous laughs trailed over to their side. He huffed.
"They look like they're having fun." He said. "Can't I go there?" He asked Morgana.
"No, the old religion dictates that you two shall be apart the night before your wedding. Certain blessings must be carried out and we must prepare you for your wedding night." An elder druid said and Merlin blinked as they nodded.
"What about it?" He asked.
"Oh my dear, when you consummate your marriage. It's the final part of the ceremony. Of course that will be in the privacy of the tent." One of the younger women said and Merlin turned accusingly at the blasted tent.
So that's why it was there!
"Don't worry dear, we'll all be too far away to hear anything." Another said.
"Great." Merlin said, his face as hot as a fever. He looked at his mother who held his hand tightly.
"There's nothing to be afraid of." She said but the grimace of more than half of the women there made him look around alarmed.
"What's there to be afraid of? You told me the basics mom." Merlin said stiffly.
"Yes but… that's when you were a man. It's different for a woman." She said calmly.
"It could hurt if your husband is too impatient at first." One said. "But it gets better after a few times."
"A few!" Merlin squeaked and shook his head. Now he definitely wanted to crawl under a rock and die.
"And even though you've a child, it's been conceived with magic, so you might still be… pure." Morgana said. "But don't worry, Arthur's also getting the instruction he needs on his side of the meadow." Morgana said.
oOoOoOo
Arthur sat mortified as the men went into detail of how to… well… you know. He'd heard the bragging of Gwaine and other knights in their many trips, but nothing could have prepared him to be forced to sit through this detailed discussion. Despite what his handsome features might make others believe, he'd remained chaste to this day, as it was drilled into him by every teacher he'd ever had, specially his father while he was growing up. He said the risk of having a bastard was too great and could be detrimental for the kingdom. Another hypocritical lesson from the king.
"She may struggle a little, but just tell her to relax, for some it's natural that it hurts the first time." One man said.
"Sometimes, though, they can't relax and you have to wait for them to be ready, but when it does happen it's not any easier." Another said. Arthur almost felt sick.
oOoOoOo
"You'll probably bleed, but don't be worried, it's never as bad as it seems, unless he's too brutal, that is." Another said and Merlin felt panic begin to set in.
"I'm… feeling dizzy. Mom, I really should lie down. " Merlin said.
"Of course darling, come over." She said gently and helped him find the furs that had been laid out for him. It was in between a circle of staffs decorated in magical trinkets. His mother pet his cheek and she leaned in to kiss his forehead. "Don't worry Merlin. I'll speak to Arthur. I don't trust those men to tell him anything constructive." She whispered. Merlin sighed with relief but also mortified.
"Why did I run away? Why am I so angry with him?" He whispered.
"You're hurt because you love him." Hunith said gently. Merlin shook his head. "At some point you'll admit it to yourself. Sleep now. I'll try and get to Arthur." She said.
"Tell him he's a clot pole." He said and Hunith only laughed softly.
As he lay on the furs, Morgana came with the elders and all of them began chanting words of protection. It was with their prayers that Merlin was lulled to sleep.
oOoOoOo
Arthur managed to sneak away from the drunken men and sighed with relief as he tried to sneak his way to Merlin. If they'd been telling him crazy things like what he'd just heard he wouldn't be surprised if Merlin took the first chance he took to run away. Even Gwaine looked horrified by what he was hearing. But then again, he'd confessed he'd never been with a woman that was pure so he'd never come across their horror stories. Gaius and Geoffrey had escaped first chance they got and left them to suffer. The knights stayed out of sheer loyalty.
Arthur sneaked around the tent and bumped into someone. "Hunith!" He whispered.
"Oh thank god. Arthur, what have they been telling you?" She asked.
"Never mind that! How's Merlin! I certainly hope he hasn't heard the terrifying things I just heard." He said trying to glance over her shoulder but she pulled him back to look at her.
"He has, unfortunately. Poor thing, he went to bed three shades pale." She said.
"Hunith, tell him I would never hurt him. Nor force him to do anything, spell or not." Arthur said firmly. She smiled and pet his cheek.
"Calm down, dear."
Arthur nodded as he took a deep breath. He hadn't even felt Merlin's lips against his own. How was he supposed to consummate the marriage with the looming fear that he would hurt him? She made him look up again.
"Now… just in case. I feel it my duty to teach you." She said. Arthur cringed and prepared himself for another wreckage. "Just take your time. Make sure you're both enjoying things. It's a union of both your lives, not just your bodies." She said calmly in a way that did actually begin to calm Arthur down slowly. "As long as you make sure Merlin is relaxed and happy to continue, it will work out well." She said simply.
Arthur looked down and nodded. "Thank you, Hunith." He said softly.
"Oh my child." She whispered cupping his cheek. "Your mother would be so proud of you." She said gently, caressing his cheek. Arthur felt his eyes burning and he had to look down as he couldn't stop the tears this time.
"She wouldn't." He whispered.
Hunith forced him to look up. "I know so. No mother could ever not be proud of the man you are. Now that I've known you, I don't think I could ever trust my Merlin onto anyone else." She said softly. "Remember this Arthur, no man is without his faults. A man who believes he is perfect is the faultiest of all. All you can do is strive to be better each day and you'll have nothing to regret in life." She said gently.
Arthur smiled and laughed softly. "I see where Merlin gets his wisdom."
"It's definitely from me." She said, smiling and giving him a peck on the cheek. "Now go back. You'll see him tomorrow."
Arthur shook his head. "I have to speak to him… I haven't even apologised."
"Tomorrow… who knows if breaking these rules might ruin the ceremony." Hunith said and Arthur sighed and nodded. He turned back to find the knights. However, a new trial awaited him as he returned to the fire.
The knights sat like small children who'd been scolded while the elders stood, one of them, wearing a horned crown of bone.
"It's a good thing you have returned, young Pendragon. You're almost out of time." The horned elder said, receiving a bowl from another elder. "Remove your shirt." He said. Arthur glanced at the knights who looked at him wide-eyed and unsure of what was really happening. He'd promised Merlin a wedding in the old religion, so he would oblige. Arthur turned to the elder and removed his shirt.
"Kneel." Another commanded. Arthur did so and looked up at the elder.
"Arthur Pendragon, crown prince of Camelot, Once and Future king of Avalon." Arthur didn't have time to question how he knew of that prophecy. He assumed the dragon must have heard it from the druids. "You are to unite tomorrow your body and soul with the Warlock Merlin as you've known him, Emrys as he's been known to us for hundreds of years. You will take him as yours and protect him from all for the end of time?" The wording of that question was a bit strange but Arthur nodded.
"I will."
"Emrys is a creature of magic, such unions require a test." He began to chant rites of the old religion. He dipped his finger into the bowl, which came back out covered in blood. Arthur didn't move as the man began to draw runes on his body, which made his skin feel warm. The last smear of blood was across his forehead and the elder handed him a sharp, double-sided knife. "With only this knife you must go into the forest and hunt the biggest creature you can find before the moon reaches its zenith." He said. Arthur looked at the knife. He was a brilliant hunter, but only a knife? He looked down before nodding. He grabbed the knife and stood up. He looked at his knights and nodded at them to stay put, before making his way into the forest.
oOoOoOo
Merlin shuddered as he turned in his sleep. His eyes opened and he gasped loudly, his chest arching up off the floor, his eyes glowing bright gold.
"Merlin?! Merlin!" Hunith yelled and ran to Merlin but Morgana grabbed her.
"Stop, it's part of the test." Morgana hissed in her ear.
"Agh!" Merlin tensed, shaking his head, struggling against something that no one could see.
Merlin finally dropped, lax onto the ground, staring up at the moon, as if staring far away. His eyes remained glowing their molten gold.
oOoOoOo
Arthur walked for hours in the dark, the crescent moon allowing minimal light despite the partly bare autumn trees. He kept looking up to make sure the moon hadn't moved faster than he expected.
As the minutes passed, then an hour, Arthur's heart felt heavier. He hadn't come across a single creature, small or large to kill.
This was a test of the old religion. He had no idea how or even if you do pray to the gods of the old religion but he looked up at the moon imploringly. "Please… please send me something." He whispered.
He heard the snap of a twig beside him and froze as he stared at a glowing golden stag. The most magnificent feast Arthur had ever seen. Its horns were grown to an unimaginable size. The beast was the finest game Arthur had seen in his life, even after the unicorn. It was golden and glowed faintly in the night.
The beast began to walk past him as if he hadn't seen him, illuminating the area it walked across. It was so beautiful, his heart squeezed painfully at the thought of slaying it. He gripped the knife harder. But he had to. He stepped closer to the best and it suddenly turned to look up at him.
oOoOoOo
Merlin turned to look at Arthur and frowned, confused to see him shirtless, covered in blood-made runes and brandishing a small knife as he approached.
"No… Arthur…" He whimpered, tears in his eyes.
oOoOoOo
The beast had seen him. It was now or never! Arthur ran toward the beast, grabbed onto its horn to stop it running and brought the knife high…
Merlin looked up at him, horrified as he cradled the unicorn's head.
"How could you!"
Arthur's eyes widened and he paused, his fingers loosening on the knife. He stepped back, staring at the creature as it simply looked at him. "I'm sorry." He whispered. He looked up at the moon. It was almost at its zenith. He looked at the creature one more time before backing away. He had failed.
oOoOoOo
Merlin gasped waking up, tears trailing down the sides of his face. He turned over, crying loudly into the furs, overwhelmed with emotion of the creature he'd resided in only briefly. He'd been within a god for a few brief seconds.
He heard whispers of, "Poor thing." "The Pendragon boy must have failed."
Merlin didn't have a voice to argue, too overwhelmed with the sensations to turn back around.
oOoOoOo
He arrived back to the camp, his nerves settling in. What did this mean for the wedding?
"No game, young Pendragon? We were led to believe you were the best hunter there was." The elder said.
"There was a stag." Arthur said simply. "I couldn't kill it." He came closer to the elder but soon the elders gasped and dropped to their knees.
Arthur looked confused. He looked at the knights. Gwaine motioned for him to turn around. Arthur turned to see the stag follow him out of the forest.
"The horned god has come to bless the wedding. We are most honoured." The elder said and Arthur turned, shocked at the creature. He looked at the knights then at the elders. Arthur turned to the god and kneeled before him. The creature seemed pleased with his humility and walked further into the valley, going to nestle on patch of white flowers by the tent and curl up for sleep.
oOoOoOo
Merlin knelt on the furs as he looked at the creature and his heart raced, turning to Arthur, smiling proudly as he was patted on the back by the druids and the knights. He wished he could go there and congratulate him himself.
Even his mother became overwhelmed with emotion as she saw the majestic creature appear and make its way to the side of the lake. Morgana sobbed from where she knelt and whispered thanks to the old religion.
"Arthur didn't fail." Morgana whispered. "He passed." She said softly.
Everyone fell asleep on that happy note. By morning the creature was gone, but he was in everyone's spirits because the morning began lively.
oOoOoOo
Thanks everyone for sticking with it so far, I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Here's a slightly longer episode as thanks.
PS: Please review, it keeps the author hydrated.
