Hello everyone. I know you all probably hate me right now for making you wait so long! I am so sorry! I've just been piled with a bunch of work at my university and I've been struggling to keep up so I haven't had much time for writing. Here's the next chapter. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it or not but since I can't decide what's wrong with it I've given up and posted it anyway. Tell me what you think! Maybe I'm just insane and it's just fine! I'll post the next chapter as soon as I can but I make no promises!
Arthur's POV:
"Merlin, you idiot, that's no problem at all! All we have to do is find the Cup of Life and we can free you!" I said happy that the only option wasn't to kill Merlin. Well technically it was but at least this way he wouldn't have to stay dead. "Why in the world would you think I wouldn't do that?"
Merlin's story had saddened me a bit but I could understand why he did it. Merlin was just too kind to live with himself after destroying the life of an innocent boy even if he did manage to save him from the fire. I had a vague recollection of that execution. My father didn't expect there to be any problems now that the boy was subdued with magical restraints so he decided that the only security he needed was his two best knights, Leon and I, and some guards. When I realized that the person being executed was a five year old boy I felt sick to my stomach. While I agreed with my father's stance on magic I didn't agree with executing children no matter what they had done. This boy was innocent not a soulless monster. So when the ugly blond sorcerer appeared to save the boy I didn't try as hard as I could have to stop them. Secretly I wanted them to escape. I'm glad the Seer lived and I'm glad that Merlin risked himself to save him. The suicide unnerved me but since Merlin survived, even if it wasn't on purpose, I was willing to forgive him. Especially if it meant doing it again would save Merlin from this cruel fate.
"Arthur how much do you know about the Cup of Life? Or even the Old Religion for that matter?" Merlin asked. He sounded annoyed and slightly disgusted by my proposal and that confused me. What could be so bad about using the Cup?
"Not much," I said, "All I really know about the Cup is that if you spill a man's blood on it you can make him immortal. But we're not going to spill your blood in the Cup so what's the problem?"
"The problem is that at the center of the Old Religion is the power of life and death but there is also the need for balance," Merlin replied.
"So?" I asked not getting it.
"So in order to save his life with magic someone has to die to balance the world out," Gawain replied before Merlin could answer.
Merlin nodded in agreement and my heart fell.
"So do you realize why we can't use the Cup of Life?" Merlin asked clearly expecting this to be the end of that plan but I was desperate so internally I battled against my morals. If this was Gwen I would do it to save her. I also knew that I would do it for Merlin too. They were the people I cared about most and if I had to break a few laws and go against my beliefs to help them then they were worth it.
"It's just one death Merlin," I whispered. Everyone in the clearing looked at me in shock even the mercenaries who had heard of my beliefs when it came to magic. This was worse though. Not only was I suggesting using magic I was suggesting killing someone to get what I wanted. My knights were horrified although Gawain did look like he understood a little. This was Merlin after all he would probably do this for him too.
"Don't you dare ever say that again!" Merlin yelled. He couldn't believe I would even suggest it. "Wasn't it you who just said that honorable men don't take the easy way out?! What happen to that Arthur? Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic that you're becoming more accepting of magic, but there is a right and a wrong way to use it and what you are suggesting is the wrong thing to do!"
"Then how come it was okay for the druids to do it? Why is it when they use the Cup of Life it's okay but when I suggest it I'm in the wrong?" I yelled right back.
"Because they would never abuse its power," Merlin said, seething now. "They know exactly what they are doing with the Cup and almost never use it because they know the consequences. When they used it on me they weren't doing it for their own personal gain, not completely, they did it because destiny demanded it."
"What destiny have to do with anything?" I yelled, confused.
"Everything! Destiny has dictated both our lives since they day we were conceived!" Merlin said. "It needs me to live just like it needs you to live!"
"Why what is so important about us?" I asked.
"Because one day you are going to be king of all Albion and I am your protector and advisor," Merlin answered.
"Have you been on the cider?" I asked wondering if he'd gone insane. What he said was crazy, no man could take all Albion!
He snorted. "You know I had a feeling you'd say that. You never did have much confidence in yourself despite the fact that everyone else does believe in you."
"You're serious?" I asked making sure this wasn't one of his strange jokes that only he got.
"I am completely serious Arthur," he replied. "That is your destiny and no one can change that."
"And you are my protector and advisor?"
He sighed. "You may find it hard to believe but yes."
"Okay then," I said unsure of what to say now. It obvious he wasn't going to let me go through with the Cup of Life plan and I gave it up the moment he reminded me that I was the type of person who didn't take the easy way out.
We were all silent until Hawk rejoined us at the camp dragging the deer carcass behind him. Merlin sprang into action and started skinning the deer. He prepared a stew and we ate without speaking.
Eventually everyone drifted off to sleep and I volunteered for the first watch. I watched the flames of our fire pit from the edge of the camp contemplating the revelations of the last day and what I was going to do about Merlin. I still couldn't believe that just this morning I thought my manservant to be a simple country boy with no secrets.
Once this was all over and Merlin was free (and he was going to be free no longer how long it takes) I had to decide if I was willing to accept magic in Camelot or banish Merlin forever. But if I banished him what would be the point of freeing him in the first place? Then again my father taught me that magic corrupted people and after what happened with Morgana I agreed with him. But Merlin had been born with his magic and if it was going to corrupt him surely it would have happened by now? This was all so confusing! Merlin was challenging all the beliefs I had in life about magic and I didn't know what the right decision was! Executing him would be the easy way out but as we all just established today I don't take the easy way out!
Oh God my head hurts, I thought resisting the urge to pull out my hair. I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice someone sit down next to me until said person draped a blanket on top of me. I turned to see Merlin watching me with a weary grin.
"Want some company? I can't sleep," he explained.
"Sure I haven't heard enough inane chatter these last few days for my liking," I said with a smile. "As I told you before it's your only redeemable feature and Gawain isn't quite as good at it as you are."
He smiled. "Prat."
"True, but I'm a very handsome prat," I said knowing this would make him laugh. I was right he gave his first genuine laugh since this whole thing started. It was so different from that bitter bark he'd done earlier. Merlin's laugher was sweet and full of life. It was just as infectious as he was. This was the Merlin I had missed.
"Yes you're very handsome. In fact both Gwen and I agree on the time you looked your best," he said.
"Really, you and Gwen have been discussing my looks? You are such a girl Merlin!" I said.
"And you're a dollop head but who cares," he said with a shrug.
"So what did you and Gwen say was my best look?" I asked honestly curious.
He grinned. "When the goblin gave you the donkey ears, of course!"
I blushed remembering the incident vividly. "Merlin you promised me we would never talk about that again!"
He laughed as he caught my blush and a second later I joined him. How could I not be happy when he was like this? He was happy and carefree and it made me happy and carefree too. I wondered if it was his magic projecting his mood onto others but I dismissed the thought. This wasn't magic it was just Merlin. He was born to make others shine. God, now who sounded like a girl!
For the first time since Merlin's disappearance I didn't feel as if the world was ending. How I ever entertained the thought of banishing or executing this man who was like my brother was beyond me. No, Merlin had to live and he had to stay by my side and be happy while we built this magical empire of peace he was so sure was possible. I had made my decision and whilst there were still some lingering doubts they would not dissuade me for the moment.
"Merlin, what happens now?" I asked him.
His smile disappeared and he was silent as he mulled over my question.
"I don't know," he said, "For now I guess we'll have to go our separate way once we reach Camelot. You and the others can look for a way to break the spell since I can't and I'll just have to endure until you find the answer."
"But didn't you say our destinies are bound together? How can you fulfill your part of this great destiny if you're off being a mercenary against your will?"
"I don't know but I have a feeling this will all clear up somehow," he said.
We fell into an awkward silence for a while. Merlin was just starting to fall asleep when I finally worked up the nerve to ask him the question that had been bugging me all day.
"Why don't you trust me?"
He stirred and gave me a sad look.
"I do trust you Arthur," he said. "I trust you with my life-"
I snorted there was no way that was true. "If you trust me with your life then why didn't you tell me about your magic?"
"I don't know okay! The truth is I never told anyone about my magic. Everyone who knows about my magic found out by accident I never told them. It was drilled into me by my mother to never tell people about my magic that bad things would happen if anyone knew. When I used magic to kill that beast when I was nine and I ended up become Jal's slave that only reinforced my belief that I should never tell people."
"I would never have hurt you!" I protested hurt that he would think me capable. "Sure when we first met we didn't have that bond we have now so I might have done it then but it's been six years Merlin. You've had six years to tell me! And after the first year we were close enough that you should have trusted me!"
"Really, Arthur, you think it's that simple? There was never a right time to tell you! I mean really should I have done it when Nimue attacked Camelot? Or when Sigan did? How about when Morguase convinced you to kill your father?" I asked. "Or when Morgana was taken? Should I have done it when the dragon was released? Or how about when Morgana attacked Camelot? Should I have told you when Uther died because of magic? Face it Arthur every time you were starting to open up to magic and I thought I could tell you something else would come along to reinforce your hate!"
"That not fair Merlin and you know it! You aren't like those sorcerers and you should have had enough faith in me to know that I could tell the difference!" I said angry. "You didn't even give me a chance! But those are just excuses anyway! What's the real reason you didn't tell me?"
He gave me a frustrated look.
"Tell me," I commanded using my kingly voice.
"Fine!" he growled. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid! Every time I trust someone with anything they either turn against me or die and I didn't want that to happen with you!"
"What?"
"I'm cursed Arthur," he said his voice hitching. He looked like he was holding back tears. "People either end up hating me or they end up dead."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hawk, Morgana, and Mordred they all ended up hating me. We had all started off as friends but they hate me and they have every right to after what I've done to them," Merlin said looking detached. He was trying so sound indifferent too afraid to let me see how much this all hurt him.
"You're not perfect Merlin some people were bound to hate you," I said.
He gave me that bitter laugh again. I really hate that laugh!
"But what do you mean people die around you?" I asked honestly the only person I could think of was Lancelot and that was hardly his fault.
"Edwin, Will, Nimue, Sigan, Freya, Balinor, Morguase, Lancelot, Uther, Agravaine," he said. "Just to name a few."
I didn't recognize a lot of those names but of the ones I did left me sad or angry. Sad because some of them had been friends of Merlin's and they wouldn't want him to blame himself and angry because the others were enemies of Camelot and if he had killed them then they deserved what they got and he shouldn't feel guilty. There was one I was confused about however.
"How can you possibly blame yourself for my father's death let alone the others? That old sorcerer killed my father not you!" I said venomously.
Merlin looked down guiltily but before he turned his eyes away completely I saw another lie in them.
"What are you hiding?"
"I'm Dragoon the Great," he whispered and tensed for a fight.
"What! That was you? You murdered my father and nearly got Gwen executed! I thought you were my friend how could you do this to me?" I yelled and if any of the others weren't already awake from our discussion they were now. I drew my sword and pointed it at my former friend.
He leaped up looking panicked. "Hey I thought you said that you would've have let me explained before making rash decisions! Wasn't that your whole argument on why I should have trusted you?"
"Fine, explain," I snapped, "then I'll chop your head off!"
The others watched us wearily unsure if they should interfere.
"That whole thing with Gwen wasn't my fault! Morgana led Uther to you and Gwen when you were having that picnic so that she could force you to apart or get you to give up you claim to the throne. Her plan must have been failing because then she planted the poultice and convinced your father that Gwen put it there to enchant you!" Merlin said. "I realized that I couldn't oust Morgana as the person who put the poultice under your pillow because none of you would have believed me! You all still thought she was you friend so Gaius and I came up with a plan. We decided that if we couldn't expose Morgana than someone else needed to take the blame so Gwen would be cleared and then that person would escape. I found an aging spell and pretended to be an evil sorcerer."
"You nearly got yourself burnt at the stake to save Gwen from Morgana's evil plan?" I asked. If that was true it made me a little less angry.
"Yes, asked Gwen about the incident and tell her to tell you what she told me when she was locked up in the dungeon," he said. "When she told me that I knew it had to be Morgana because she was already a traitor by then."
"You knew she was a traitor?" I asked.
"Yes she tried to kill me once or twice though they weren't that successful," he said. "She would have taken over Camelot a lot sooner than she did if it wasn't for me. Just ask her she says it all the time! And she doesn't even know about my magic!"
"Okay I get the Gwen thing now explain about my father," I said. I was still trying to process the idea of this goofball saving my kingdom from Morgana so many times.
"Oh yes, that," he said looking more dejected that before. "Well, that was kind of my fault, I should have been more careful. Especially after you told me you told Agravaine that you were going to heal your father with magic."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well when you told Agravaine he told Morgana," he explained, "and, of course, she couldn't let that happen. She hated Uther too much to ever let him live. She gave Agravaine a necklace with a charm on it. It was a powerful charm that reversed the effect of any healing spell and turned it into a killing curse instead. I didn't know that Agravaine planted the necklace though with his hatred for your father I should have known. I should have checked. But I was so careless and confident in my ability that I didn't think that anything could go wrong. The healing spell I cast was one of the most powerful in existence. Your father never stood a chance."
I studied him to see if he was lying but for once he looked completely honest in a way I'd never seen before. Compared to my memory of Merlin in Camelot I suddenly wondered how I didn't notice all the lying before it was so obvious in hindsight. Even when I thought Merlin was being honest in the past it always felt like there was a shadow around him hiding him from my view a little bit. But now I felt as if I could see him, all of him, the shadows were gone.
"I understand," I said. He still looked guilty so I put my hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have trusted Agravaine."
He gave me a strange look and I knew he knew I blamed myself. I was an idiot for trusting Agravaine just because he was my uncle. He certainly never earned the trust I placed in him. He'd been absent for most my life. He just sunk his claws into me and I willing let him manipulate me. I pushed everyone I should have trusted away because of him! I was such a fool and my foolishness cost me my father's life!
"It's not your fault Arthur I told you that already," he said. "Agravaine betrayed you and so he is to blame. You couldn't have known his true nature no matter how creepy and stupid he was."
Everyone laughed at that. I tried my best not to feel guilty. Merlin was right Agravaine and Morgana were to blame not us.
"I think we should all go back to bed," Merlin said. "We can finish this discussion another time."
Everyone agreed and went back to sleep. Hawk took over for me and I fell asleep the moment I was in my bedroll.
The next morning we packed up our camp quickly and departed for Camelot. The ride was peaceful and no one felt the need to speak. I rode next to Merlin today not feeling as uncomfortable as I did yesterday. We reached the city around noon and the crowd of people in the lower town waved at us as we went by. Some of them looked confused at Merlin's mercenary outfit (though none of the citizens knew that it was mercenary armor) and at the unfamiliar faces that accompanied us. We entered the castle's main courtyard and dismounted. I grinned at Merlin and he grinned back. It felt almost like old times. Gwen came running out of the castle to greet us. When she saw Merlin she jumped him and gave him a suffocating hug.
"Merlin don't you ever worry me like that ever again! I was so scared when they found your neckerchief and we realized you were in the mercenary lands! If this ever happens again I am locking you away in a tower and assigning a thousand knights to guard you do you hear me!" she yelled as she hugged him.
"I missed you too Gwen," he said with his signature goofy grin. She finally let go of him and gave him a once over to make sure he was okay. I realized I never check to see what happen to his injuries he'd been tortured before the arena fights. He didn't seem to be in any pain now.
"Merlin why are you wearing armor?" she asked.
Merlin opened his mouth to answer when the warning bell started ringing.
"The vaults," Hawk said and started running inside.
Merlin's POV:
I followed Hawk inside and made my way towards the lower levels. I could hear the others behind me trying to keep up. I made my fourth left turn and went down a spiral staircase. Somewhere below us was the thief and he was being hassled by Arthur's guards. For once I was happy they were doing their job. It meant the thief was still there and hadn't escaped. Hawk and I reach the vaults at the same time. I grab Hawk by the shoulder and pull him out of the way as a stunning spell flies towards us. I look over to the far side of the room, at the vault entrance, to see five guards trying to subdue someone and failing miserably. I studied the stranger closely and was shocked. The man was wearing druid robes.
The druid man was actually fighting the guards and winning from the look of things. That's what I found most surprising. The druids were a non-violent people and yet here this druid was kicking some major ass! Hawk started to get up and I realized I had been sitting there doing nothing for too long. The others entered the hall just as I finished getting to my feet.
"Stop!" Arthur said as he spotted the struggle. The guards recognized the voice their king and stepped back a couple of pace.
"Who are you? Why have you broken into my vaults?" he asked.
"Your Highness, my name is Dominic. I was born and raised a druid but left my clan a few years back," the thief explained. "As for why I am breaking into your coffers I do it for you and all of Albion. Hidden inside of your vaults is a piece of an amulet. This amulet, once united, can be used for great evil. I stole the pieces from you and the other kingdoms to prevent that from happening."
"This sounds like a bunch of rubbish to me," Arthur said. "But let's say you are telling the truth. What makes you think that these amulet pieces are safer together with you rather than separated across five kingdoms? If you wished to stop someone from using them then why not leave them where they were?"
"Because if I could break into your vaults than any other competent sorcerer could," Dominic said. "For years I was content to just leave the pieces where they were but then I heard a rumor and I knew that the amulet was no longer safe."
"What rumor?" I asked.
"Morgana Pendragon craves the amulet for herself," Dominic whispered.
"Why? What does the amulet even do?" Gawain asked.
"Have you ever heard of a sorcerer named Cornelius Sigan?" he asked. We all nodded even the mercenaries had heard of the fearsome magician whose power was so great that he found a way to live forever (supposedly). "Well before he was executed Sigan was working on several projects his most famous was of course a way for him to live forever. But another of his projects was this amulet called the Basilisk's Eye. This amulet had the power to kill your enemies when they gazed upon you. It has other powers that make the wearer practically invincible but most the information on the amulet was lost during the Purge."
Gawain whistled in surprise. "Wow that definitely sounds like something I don't want Morgana to have. She's already too damn strong as it is!"
"Thank you for stating the obvious Gawain!" Arthur said.
"No problem princess we all know how slow you can be so being the chivalrous knight that I am I have no problem taking time out of my busy schedule to help you understand what us grown-ups are talking about," Gawain said with a cheeky grin.
Arthur rolled his eyes but chose to ignore Gawain's taunts.
"So Morgana planned to steal the amulet pieces but you beat her to it," Arthur summarized. "Tell me, how do we know that you're not just going to use the amulet yourself?"
"My lord I was raised a druid," he said, "I have been raised to believe in non-violence and even if I don't follow it as closely as other druids do but I do believe in the prophesy of the Once and Future King. I know there is no need for me to hurt this kingdom because one day my people will be free."
"Who is the Once and Future King?" Arthur asked. Oops I must have forgotten to mention it!
"You are," Dominic said.
"Me?" Arthur spluttered. He shot a confused look at me as if waiting for me to explain what the druid was talking about. I ignored him.
"Dominic where are the pieces of the amulet now?" I asked. I could feel the other three mercenaries getting into position.
"Who are you and why are you asking?" he asked suspiciously. I gave him my signature goofy grin.
"My name is Merlin but I believe your people know me as Emrys," I said matter-of-factly. He gave me his best impression of a goldfish when I told him I was Emrys. Why was everyone always so surprised when I said that? Did they see me and imagine me to be the all-powerful Emrys? Did I look so weak to them?
"My lord I apologize for not recognizing you immediately," he said with a deep bow. Everyone in the room turned to stare at me.
"It's quiet alright I've gone to great lengths to disguise myself from other sorcerers," I said. "I didn't want to give away who I was unless absolutely necessary. Now tell me, where is the amulet?"
"It's here in my bag," Dominic said.
I held out my hand. "Give it to me."
He looked at me hesitantly. "I don't think I should, my lord," he said. "There's something not right here. You are surrounded by dark magic! You're not yourself!"
"Give me the amulet!"
Arthur realized what was going on and started to unsheathe his sword. He stopped halfway through when he realized he might have to use the sword against me, his best friend.
"Don't give it to him Dominic!" Arthur yelled. "He's under the control of an enslavement spell!"
As Arthur finished yelling I signaled the others to attack. Hawk and I moved in to attack at close range whilst Mary decided to use her magic to strike from further back. Wren turned to engage Arthur and the knights so they couldn't help Dominic.
"Merlin stop!" Arthur yelled desperately. "If you give the amulet to Alined then he and Morgana will be unstoppable!"
Again I ignored my king, though it was ripping me up inside because he was right, and delivered a perfect right hook to Dominic's jaw. He was pushed back by the blow a few feet but it wasn't strong enough to knock him out. Hawk unsheathes a small dagger with a dragon fang hilt and stabbed Dominic through the heart before he could go on the offensive. I pulled the bag away from the body and rummaged through it until I found a small decorative box with the amulet pieces inside and transfer it over to my bag. I turn around to look at Arthur and the others. They were being held at bay by a force field Wren had erected.
Arthur looked at me with pleading eyes. "Merlin, give me the amulet."
"I'm sorry Arthur you know I can't," I said each word felt like a betrayal on its own. "Please forgive me for this."
Arthur nodded. "I promise you that we are going to stop you."
I smile. "I hope you succeed."
"You know there's no way you're getting out of here," Arthur said. "My entire army is standing between you and the gate."
"Who said I needed the gate to get out?" I asked with an eyebrow raise that would do Gaius proud. "Ic oferfere Wren, Mary, Henry, ond exon forþweg fram þes castel æt sé friðu sylfum sé wuduwald. Áfeorse ús nú!
The four of us were surrounded by a blue light and disappeared just as Arthur reached me.
The spell at the very end means:
I transport Wren, Mary, Henry, and myself away from this castle to the safety of the forest. Take us now.
I came up with it and translated it myself! Is it sad that I'm so proud of all my Old English endevours?
