Arthur is standing on a blurry shoreline - except it wasn't and the next it was, he shook his head frantically! What was this? He could hear water sloshing like the beat of the executioners drum and someone was panting and crying! He caught sight of dark hair - long - and pale skin and then it flashed again back to the shore -
Arthur finds himself in the forest.
He stares into the sunlight watching dust float in the shafts of light. It the exact opposite of the chaos of the previous scene and he shakes his head in confusion. It's tranquil, restive, and beautiful. The trees are large and all around him is green, it's a familiar sight – one that he's grown up knowing, but it's no less awe inspiring. A deer bounds past him and he watches as his younger self comes into sight, a crossbow in hand.
He blinks and in the moment that his eyes are closed Merlin appears, bumping into his younger self causing the bolt to misfire and to land itself solidly in the bark of a large – probably century old – maple tree, with a resounding thud.
Merlin merely blinks, and he finds himself snickering, over the years he'd learned that if he ever really wanted to get any true hunting done, then he had to leave Merlin back at the castle, the man was a clumsy as a newborn fawn and hated shooting large game, because he found it wasteful when it was often only the two of them.
But the younger him was still – young, he wouldn't know the things that Arthur now knew. Some of which he wished he didn't. The way the two of them were here - Merlin with a smile and his younger self exasperated but at peace the way he was only when with Merlin or Guinevere - was how it was meant to be.
"What is it?"
"You really are a total buffoon, aren't you, Merlin?"
Merlin blinked again.
"I was just asking?"
"Who? Me or the deer?! The deer we're supposed to be hunting….hunting, it requires speed, stealth and an agile mind."
Merlin smirked.
"So you're able to get by on two out of three, then?"
His younger self opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a scream – something that – oddly – wasn't a rare occurrence, he watched as his younger self snapped to attention, his head whipping in the direction of the ear piercing sound.
Merlin frowned, "What was that?"
"Quiet," his younger self hissed.
In the distance there was a faint cry for help and suddenly both Merlin and his younger self were springing into action their bodies blending into the forest and leaving Arthur with no choice but to run after the fading glint of chainmail and the brown of Merlin's jacket.
The two – plus the older Arthur – burst into a clearing were a bandit – dressed in shades of brown and with a hideously overgrown beard – was holding a sword to a man's neck while a young woman was viciously clawing at the arm of another while he held her by the waist tightly against him.
The scene changed, but not before Arthur recognized their faces. He groaned.
Arthur found himself in the council chambers while sunlight glinted down through the windows. Sophia and her father knelt before the throne, their heads bent. His father motioned for them to rise and they did, their spines snapping and their heads held high.
"My name is Aulfric, heir to Tir-Mor. This is my daughter, Princess Sophia."
"You're a long way from home. What brings you to Camelot?"
"Our home was sacked by raiders; we barely escaped with our lives. Everyone else – including my wife – was killed. We're the only survivors."
His father's brow creased.
"What will you do?"
"We travel west to Caerleon where we have family and, I hope, a new life."
"You must stay here awhile, break your journey. A noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot."
The two nodded their heads while his younger self simply gazed at Sophia in a way that the older Arthur found disturbing. The scene changed and Arthur found himself watching his younger self pace the length of his chambers twice before rounding on Merlin.
"Make sure you put her in a decent room."
Merlin stared for a moment before replying, "The one next door is empty….."
"The one next door? Excellent. Excellent, in fact," his younger self frowned in annoyance. "Shut up before you start, Merlin."
If anything Merlin's grin got bigger.
"What? I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to. I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are completely honorable. Put her in the room on the other side of the castle. It's much warmer, it will be more comfortable."
"Of course. She…er….she's very beautiful."
His younger self grinned.
"Yes, she is. Very beautiful."
"And if your intentions are honorable…."
His younger self nodded, perhaps a bit too quickly.
"Oh, they are. Most definitely."
"Then what's the problem with her staying next door?"
"There isn't one, is there? You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine."
Merlin grinned.
The scene changed.
Arthur found himself in his chambers as morning light filtered in through the windows. His younger self paced the length of the room once before rounding on Merlin in much the same way he had in the previous memory.
"I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today. You know, show her around. Get her mind off things."
Merlin frowned. His brow and nose wrinkling, while his eyes narrowed in suspicion. He looked absolutely ready for anything - although, considering they regularly dealt with witches and various other bloodthirsty beasts, so perhaps it was justified.
"Where do I come into this?"
Arthur grinned.
"Well, I'm supposed to be on patrol with the guard of my father this morning, so I need you to cover for me."
"What, and lie to the King? No. No way. No, he'll see right through me. He'll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say rotten tomatoes."
Merlin was alarmed but his younger self seemed unconcerned. Camelot had always been slightly different, but still, servants were dealt with quickly and harshly they weren't allowed the same rights as a regular citizen was, it was something that had changed with his reign – he'd made sure servants had rights, because his citizens deserved better.
"Merlin….don't make me ask you nicely."
Merlin sighed and his younger self, seeing that he was winning the argument, spurred himself on, his face becoming something almost – damnit, he'd forgotten this, he'd manipulated Merlin, he'd known that if Merlin was caught lying there could be severe consequences, the stocks being the kindest of punishments, but he hadn't cared.
"I need you to do this for me."
"I'm a terrible liar you know, I start sweating…my vision – my vision blurs and my brain – it stops working completely."
"Well, no changer there, then. Look, I promised Sophia I'd take her out and if I don't turn up it'll blow my chances with her. She'd think I'm an ass."
Merlin smiled.
"Well it be best not to lie to the girl….still, you really like her, then?"
"Yeah. What's not to like? I want to spend some more time with her, but I need to get my father off my back. I can't order you to lie to the king, I can't make you….but if you did, then you'd be my friend for life."
He groaned, knowing what he know knew about Merlin, that had sealed the deal, he may have magic, but he was lonely, and Arthur had just used it against him, it was the highest of manipulations. To promise something like that – of course Merlin would have said yes.
"Go on, then, you don't want to keep her waiting on you."
His younger self grinned.
"I won't forget it, Merlin."
The scene changed and Arthur found himself watching Morgana pace in front of the large window that took up a good portion of the wall in her chambers. It looked out towards the forest and he watched the red of his cloak fade off into the distance. Guinevere stepped forward then.
"You're sure it's her."
Morgana whirled on Guinevere all red silk and black hair, Guinevere smiled slightly and placed her hand on Morgana's shoulder, the other coming up to stroke Morgana's cheek, it was then that he noticed how pale Morgana was, how terrified she looked.
"I could never forget that face."
"You should speak to the king. If you really believe that Arthur is in danger."
"And tell him – tell him what? That I can see the future, that it terrifies me but I think this time it could save – I can't Gwen, you know how he'd react."
"Morgana – you're his ward, he loves you, and he wouldn't harm you."
"He hates magic more than he could ever care for me," Morgana grimaced, her face one of pain and fear and perhaps a little bit of hate.
"That's not true."
"Would you care to put it to the test, I'm sure flames would be a lovely color on me."
Guinevere sighed, and Arthur wondered, what would his father have done, Morgana's betrayal had broken him, but Arthur couldn't recall him calling for her execution simply because of her magic, he hadn't heard it, and perhaps that had been his father's greatest achievement that he'd overcome his hate to see his daughter clearly, for all her faults and all her strengths.
"But what else can you do?"
"I'm going to have to try and stop her myself."
The scene changed.
Arthur found himself in his chambers again; Merlin sat cross legged on Arthur's bed a pile of armor at his feet and a rag in his hands. He was humming and Arthur found himself smiling – Merlin was many things but a singer was not one of them.
Merlin fell backwards when the door flew open, his father storming in.
"Where is my son?"
Merlin looked frightened for one moment before he began to babble.
"I'm not sure where he is, I – erm, I think – that is – I think there has been a mistake. But its not his fault, Arthur's, I mean."
Uther sighed in irritation.
"Stop gibbering and tell me where he is."
"it's probably….no, it's definitely my fault."
"Where is Arthur?!"
"He's not here."
"I can see that."
"Arthur wasn't sure of his orders, so he asked me to check with the guards to see if he was riding out this morning and…well…I may have forgotten to."
Uther frowned his whole face hardening.
"You forgot?"
"I-I'm sorry, My Lord, I am sure he would have been her had I told him?"
"If this was a time of war, I would have you flogged. I still have half a mind to."
"But, since it's not – not a time of war I mean, will you let it go, just this once?"
The scene changed and Arthur groaned as he caught sight of Merlin in the stocks. The scene changed again and Arthur found himself in Gaius's chambers as Merlin came in covered in what appeared to several different kinds of rotten food.
Gaius looked up.
"Have you been playing with your food again?"
Merlin groaned.
"The King put me in the stocks."
"What'd you do this time?"
Merlin bent down and picked up a pale filled with water before making his way across the room, "why do you always assume it's something I did? Nothing, honestly, It wasn't my fault, Arthur wanted to get out of going on patrol with Uther and the guard, so I covered for him and took the blame."
"And Arthur was prepared to let you do this?"
"It was his idea."
Merlin ducked his head into a bowel and came up gasping, his face and hair dripping but now free of the tint of rotten food.
"And what made him neglect his duties? It must've been something terribly important."
Merlin smiled, "Sophia."
"The girl from the forest?"
"He wanted to take her out for the day," Merlin's grin got even brighter. "He's totally and utterly besotted."
"But they've only just met!"
"I know," replied Merlin flinging a bit of food from his hair. "I guess it must have been love at first sight." Gaius nodded slowly. "Yes…I suppose it must be."
The scene changed and Arthur found himself standing behind Merlin as the man threw open the double doors to Arthur's chambers.
"You're dressed!"
His younger self turned, his face one of dry humor.
"Nothing gets past you, does it, Merlin?"
Merlin walked farther in, grapping pieces of armor as he went.
"Well come on then, we've got to get you into this! Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning."
"I'm not going."
Merlin's brow furrowed, dark eyebrows drawing together.
"Won't the King mind?"
"Not if you cover for me, again. By the way, thanks for yesterday, I heard you ended up in the stocks, bad luck." Merlin frowned and rubbed his head, "They were throwing potatoes at me! It's only supposed to be rotten fruit!"
"I'm not sure there are any hard-and-fast rules, Merlin. But if it's any consolation, I think it was worth it." Merlin grinned, "What? It went well?"
"Great, fantastic. She's absolutely incredible."
Merlin sighed, dopey smile still in place, "don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of it."
"Just make sure you don't end up in the stocks this time, I don't think your brain can afford too many more knocks."
"I won't."
The scene changed and Arthur found himself once again in Gaius's chambers as Merlin burst through the door covered in rotten fruit, "you would think that the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but, oh no!"
"Not again Merlin, surely?" then, "I heard that Arthur wasn't at the knighting ceremony."
"Yeah, he wanted to make the most of his time left with Sophia."
"So you helped him?"
"I'm his servant, I had to."
Gaius sighed and handed Merlin a bowel of water and a cloth. "You shouldn't have don't that, Merlin. I fear that Sophia may not be all that she seems."
"Why?"
Gaius stood.
"What do you know about seers?"
"Not much. I know that they're supposed to be able to see the future. I know that it's one gift I am glad I don't have."
Gaius nodded.
"It's said to be an innate ability. Those who have it are born that way. Some aren't even aware that what they see is the future. It comes to them in their dreams."
Merlin frowned, "What's that got to do with Sophia?"
"The night that Aulfric came to Camelot, Morgana, she had a dream. Sophia was in it."
Merlin looked surprised, his jaw slackening, "Before she arrived in Camelot?"
"I've been watching Morgana since she was very young. And though I tried to persuade myself otherwise, I realized that some of the things she said she'd dreamt came to pass. I kept it secret from Uther and Morgana, of course. The gift of prophecy is too close to the work of magic."
And suddenly, Morgana's hate, it made a little bit more sense to Arthur, to have something like that hidden from you, he remembered Morgana's nightmares – except they weren't just that apparently – how terrified she would get, how she would cry.
To have something like that hidden from you. Arthur isn't sure how he would react if it had been him. The Pendragon temper was legendary after all for a reason.
"You think Morgana is a seer?"
"I don't think it – I fear it. Morgana said she dreamt that Sophia killed Arthur."
"Couldn't that have been a dream? Maybe the woman – she just looked like Sophia."
"That's what I hoped. But Aulfric caught me in Sophia's room and, in a flash of anger, his eyes changed color."
Merlin frowned.
"Who are they?""
"It's not who they are that worries me. It's what they want with Arthur."
The scene changed Arthur found himself standing behind Merlin who was hiding behind a tree. Not the most ingenious hiding spot, but it worked. A stick cracked and Arthur found his eyes drawn to the lake shore beyond the treeline.
Aulfric was there. His breathing fast and panicked.
"I seek an audience with the Sidhe elders! Dotiag-sa ar idbairt do denam!"
Nothing happened, or at least nothing happened that Arthur could see, but Merlin gasped and smiled and Arthur knew he was missing something big. It was the first time he'd ever actually wished that he had magic.
Aulfric fell to his knees, "I come before you to plead for the chance to win passage back to Avalon and a life of immortality!"
The wind whistled and Merlin gasped. Aulfric bowed his head.
"The crime was mine, not my daughters; do not punish her for my actions."
Aulfric laughed.
"Thank you! Thank you! An immortal life for my daughter is all that I desire, so I promise you the soul fo the greatest prince of all. Arthur Pendragon!"
Well – fuck.
The scene changed.
Arthur found himself back in Gaius's chambers the smell of the forest still lingering in his nose. Gaius paced back and forth.
"Avalon. What you saw at the lake, it's Avalon…it must be…"
"What's…."
But Gaius ignored him.
"The land of eternal youth. Mortals are only allowed to glimpse it the moment before their death."
"Well, I've seen it and I'm still here."
"Extraordinary….what did it look like?"
Merlin threw his hands up into the air.
"Does it matter? They're going to sacrifice Arthur and we don't even know who 'they' are yet!"
"We do now," Gaius sat down at the desk before motioning for Merlin to follow. "I found writing like this on the top of Aulfric's staff. It's Ogham, an ancient script. Abas ocus Bithe. Duthectad bithlane. To hold like and death in your hands. From the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake, I'm afraid I'm now certain. We're dealing with the Sidhe."
"That does not sound like a good thing."
"It's not. They're masters of enchantment."
Merlin frowned, "You think Arthur's been enchanted?"
Gaius only nodded.
The scene changed and Arthur found himself in his chambers as his younger self paced back and forth throwing random articles of clothing into a bag, like a petty child running away. Which – Arthur supposed – he was being.
He remembered very little after meeting his father in the council's chambers and announcing his plans to marry Sophia, but what he did, well they weren't the most flattering, he'd been a royal prat, spell or not.
"I thought the King was a bit harsh."
His younger self whirled his lips pulled back in a snarl, "Get. Out. I don't need sympathy, Merlin, especially from you."
Merlin ignored him, "But I did think he had a point."
His younger self growled, "I ordered you to get out. Now leave me!"
"I know what you think you're doing, and I know you think you're in love with Sophia…."
The younger Arthur growled. "Who are you to tell me what I'm thinking?"
"I'm your friend!"
"No, Merlin. You're my servant."
The younger Arrthur slung the pack over his shoulder and Merlin grabbed his arm but Arthur threw him off with a rough shove. The doors were thrown open then and Sophia strode in followed closely behind by Aulfric.
"See? I told you people would try to keep us apart."
His younger self flinted to her side, his arm coming to rest around her waist, his hand settling on her hip, "I know, but I won't let that happen."
Merlin threw his hand up into the air, "Look, don't listen to her, she's controlling you! They're magical creatures; they're going to sacrifice you tonight so that Sophia can be immortal once again!"
"It doesn't make sense, I – we're in love!"
"Look at the writing on the staff!"
Merlin lunged for the staff but Aulfric's eyes flashed red.
"Look at his eyes Arthur! Do you believe me now?"
His younger self turned, his eyes glowing like rubies.
"I see everything."
Merlin lunged then but Aulfric was too fast, "Na mben sis!" Merlin flew backwards his back colliding with the wall and his head fell to meet his chest and he fell, the only movement being the slow rise and fall of his chest.
The scene changed.
Gaius was helping Merlin to stand the boy's head rolling to the side, his pupils blown. Merlin stumbled and Gaius struggled to support him before the boy finally righted himself. Merlin groaned. "Aulfric. Where's Arthur! I have got to go after him. What's that buzzing noise?"
Gaius frowned.
"Careful Merlin, you can barely stand up."
"I have to go!"
"You can't, Merlin. You're in no shape! You owe it to your powers that you survived this at all."
"I'll be fine, he needs me."
Gaius sighed.
"…has the buzzing stopped?"
Merlin swayed.
"Yeah."
"Liar."
"I have to go, Gaius. He'll die if I don't!"
Gaius sighed.
"The Sidhe are vicious people. You must be careful."
Merlin nodded. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Both Arthur and Gaius sighed when Merlin began to walk towards the open window.
"Merlin?" he gestured towards the door, "this way."
"Yes – right just testing you."
The scene changed and Arthur found himself on the lake shore once more, in the distance he could hear chanting and he spun around just as Merlin broke through the last tree, Merlin who, wasted no time, throwing his arm out Merlin spoke.
"Onbregdan."
Aulfric's staff came souring into Merlin's hand then and Merlin ran before pointing the staff at Aulfric. "Swilte, gold beorp!" he screamed and as if by the magic it was a bolt of light shot from the staff hitting Aulfric and with a high pitched squeal that had Arthur covering his ears he was gone.
Merlin whirled around and pointed the staff at Sophia then, repeating the process before running straight into the lake, Arthur followed then, stopping at the edge, watching as Merlin dove under coming up with his younger self in his arms.
The scene changed.
A/N Sorry for the wait, and i wish i could respond to all your reviews right now but i'm exhuasted, it's like 1 something in the morning and i'm going to bed, i'll double up next update.