Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Merlin.
A/N: So, last chapter kinda made a buzz. I received mixed reviews and such, and all I can say is that rest assured, I have a plan.
Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-One: I'm Sorry, Gwen
At the stroke of midnight, Agravaine slipped away.
Cloaked and blending with the shadows, he hid away from any Patrolling Guards that could catch him out in the dark. As soon as he got his horse from the palace stable, he rode out of the castle and into the Darkling Woods.
The travel was uninterrupted, and it gave the lord some time to think about the events that transpired earlier this day. He was still in utter disbelief that his nephew chose a mere maidservant to become the future queen of Camelot.
The image of Meredith swam into his vision, prompting him to frown. There was always something strange about this girl, always appearing wherever he looked and went to. He thought it was odd that she was the one found together with Arthur back in the Lake of Avalon. Ever since then, the girl seemed to be following wherever their king went.
He knew he could make the maidservant nervous. Agravaine actually wondered if Meredith suspected his plans. But so far, nothing had happened, and he just hoped that Meredith would not be too stupid to stick her nose in his business.
He was nearing Morgana's hovel and he braced himself for the news that he was about to announce. The young sorceress had been tumultuous these past few days. Days and days of brewing the perfect plan to overthrow Arthur and to train herself to become more powerful had tired her so. Agravaine knew he must be careful; else, he would be the receiving end of the rage of the beautiful lady.
Agravaine then proceeded to unmount from his dark horse, tying it to a nearby tree. Taking a deep breath, he strode towards the small shack and knocked.
"Come in," a soft voice claimed from inside. The lord followed and opened the door, stepping inside to be greeted by Morgana.
"My lord," she greeted, setting aside whatever potion she was brewing.
He grimaced at her sight, noting that the bags under her eyes seemed darker. Morgana also looked gaunt and sickly, and he took a mental note to steal as much food as he could from the castle the next time he visited her.
"My lady," he replied, "I bring some tidings."
Morgana assessed his expression for a while, and Lord Agravaine did his best to school his features.
"Speak," was her mere order.
He took a deep breath and started reporting. "Merlin was still not found," he started, watching as her eyes lit up with evil intent. "I believe the search party are starting to get tired of looking for the said manservant."
"Their search will be futile," she spat, eyes dangerously flashing as she remembered the traitor. "I've locked him away where no one could find him."
"Good riddance," Agravaine murmured, not particularly liking his nephew's manservant.
Morgana went back to her potion and absentmindedly swirled for a few more minutes. "Have you already found out how Arthur mysteriously found his way back to Camelot?" she continued, eyes trained intently on her cauldron.
He was thankful she was not looking at him. Agravaine slightly shivered, noting with fear that the house grew colder. Morgana did not exactly take the news that Arthur was back very lightly. It was more of a furious burst of fire and magic that almost burned her house down.
"I apologize, my lady," he whispered, hoping she did not hear him clearly.
But she heard him, all right. Weird fumes emitted from her now shaking cauldron and Agravaine cautiously stepped back, predicting another violent outburst of magic. To his surprise, Morgana calmed down, and so did the bubbling cauldron.
"He is definitely Arthur," he carefully continued, gauging her reaction. "His words, his actions, his mannerisms…" He paused as he thought of his nephew. Agravaine had made it a habit to observe him ever since his return. There were times, though, when Arthur would seem confused… lost of what he was doing. But perhaps, those were just his imaginations because so far, Camelot was still stable and flourishing under his reign.
This troubled Morgana, for she stepped away from the potion and started to pace. "It bothers me deeply how my idiot brother was able to go back to Camelot, seemingly unscathed. Merlin is not a problem anymore, all right, but Arthur…"
"Why don't you check yourself if Arthur is still where you last left him to prove that the one sitting on the throne right now could possibly be a fake?"
Her eyes dangerously flashed and Agravaine thought it was the wrong thing to ask. "I… may have overlooked one loophole," she said, voice eerily calm. "I have no means of checking myself, magic or not."
The lord released a shuddering breath, convinced a while ago that he was done for. But perhaps, Morgana was too embarrassed to delve into the loophole… the error she committed. The High Priestess did not do well with mistakes, after all.
"If… if you do not mind me asking," he started once more before he could stop himself. "Where is Merlin?"
An evil grin lit her face as she looked at the lord. "Oh, Agravaine, I've imprisoned the meddling sorcerer somewhere no one knew." She shook her head and stood still, before continuing, "Killing him would be such a waste, especially because his power is vast and magnificent." She sighed longingly, remembering Merlin's power. "I am still trying to persuade him to side with me."
Agravaine made a noncommittal sound, still disbelieving that the lanky fool was actually a powerful sorcerer. No wonder Arthur had always been saved from peril. He thought, with Merlin out of the picture, Arthur would be too vulnerable.
"I have another news, my lady," he quietly added. When Morgana questioningly looked at him, he continued. "Arthur already chose a girl for his queen."
Agravaine had never seen her so shocked before.
"What did you say?" she asked, almost breathlessly, as she slowly walked towards Agravaine.
"Camelot will soon have a queen, Morgana," he meekly repeated.
Her eyes flared. This time, her anger was more pronounced. "Nobody becomes Queen of Camelot but me," she snarled. The flames from the small hearth flickered dangerously, with the windowpanes rattling loudly with her unsuppressed anger.
"When will the wedding be?" she asked, eyes narrowed.
"A month from now, my lady," he replied, eyes trained on the floor.
Morgana strolled towards her spell book and started to browse, perhaps a spell to blast off anyone claiming to become Queen of Camelot. Agravaine actually felt pity for Meredith for being the receiving end of the powerful sorceress' wrath.
"Guinevere will be taken care of," she said, her stormy eyes still hungrily skimming the spell book. "Observe her keenly and report everything she does to me, understand?"
His eyebrows knitted together, confused. "Guinevere?" he asked. "Why must I observe her, Morgana?"
Morgana mirrored his confusion. "She is destined to be Queen of Camelot, of course," she stated matter-of-factly. "I've seen visions of her in my dreams and I would do everything in my power to destroy her."
Agravaine blinked and sauntered closer. "But, my lady, it is not Guinevere that will marry Arthur," he revealed, prompting her eyes to grow into saucers. "Arthur wishes to marry another servant girl, Meredith."
"Meredith?" she asked, deeply frowning. "I've never heard of such a name."
"She is new," Agraivane claimed. "But the girl already stole Arthur's heart. I've… I've seen hints before, of a probable budding romance between the two."
The lord was surprised that Morgana's visions were erroneous this time. He knew about Morgana's dreams, and the power behind them. Perhaps, it was the first time she got this information wrong. He could see that she was also not taking her mistake lightly.
Still shaken from her error, Morgana stared sternly at Agravaine. "Then observe this serving girl," she growled. "Leave now, Agravaine. I have a plan to brew."
Lord Agravaine bowed, bid her goodbye, before returning to Camelot.
"You've done this a hundred times before," Arthur pointed out, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow.
She glared at him, and then to her shaking hands, then back to him. "This is different," she explained. Her nervousness intensified as the murmurings from outside grew more and she dreaded the fact that she had to do this.
After Arthur told her what the council's reaction was upon choosing her as his bride, the king then proceeded to tell her it was mandatory to announce their planned marriage to their people. Of course, as what Arthur told her, she had done this a hundred times, perhaps even more. But this was different. Back home, she was the Crown Princess. She was supposed to show herself to her people as much as possible to assure them that she was present and such. But here in Camelot, she was just a mere maidservant. Besides, she knew there would be mixed reactions with their announcement. She just hoped they were much more positive than what she feared.
"Come on now," he said, placing a hand at the small of her back to guide her out. "The people are waiting."
As they walked into the balcony of the castle, adrenaline rushed throughout Merlin's body. She would never get used to this sudden rush of meeting the people she was going to rule over in the future. Merlin thought it was funny that, despite being thrown here in Camelot, she was destined to rule after all.
"My dear people," Arthur started, voice booming throughout the crowd. Merlin silently observed and could see looks of suspicion at her presence. Looking away, she listened to Arthur. "I have gathered you all here today to give an announcement."
He then looked at her and smiled brightly. Gesturing at her, he looked back at the crowd once more and continued, "This is Meredith and she is to be my wife."
It was expected when loud murmurs ran across the crowd. Shock was evident on their faces as eyes trained intently on Merlin. All these stares made her want to run. She hated to admit it but some were not happy with Arthur's announcement at all.
And then, Arthur's hand held hers. He held her clammy, shaking hand with so much comfort and warmth it made her smile, in spite of the panic.
With his free hand, Arthur raised his hand until the noise died down. "I chose Meredith because I think she will be a wonderful Queen to Camelot," he continued. "And, I promise you, if you supported my decision, this will be realized." He silently squeezed her hand tighter. "She is a servant girl, yes, but I love her and I am sure you will love her, too."
The noise grew louder, and Arthur had to pull a shell-shocked Merlin back into the room.
"Seriously?" she furiously whispered for Arthur to only hear. "Love?"
Arthur cheekily grinned and merely shrugged. She had to restrain herself from punching him in the face since the knights and the council were looking at them curiously.
"One day," he whispered back, their heads so near Merlin could already feel his breath on her cheeks, "I will steal that heart of yours. You just wait."
She furiously blushed at his statement, prompting his grin to widen. It was only when Agravaine cleared his throat did they direct their attention to the council.
"As the Future Queen of Camelot," Arthur's uncle started, stern eyes staring directly into her own, "you are expected to act like one."
The redness on her cheeks had not faded, but Merlin knew it was more of indignation.
"There will still be a month before your wedding," he continued. "With the remaining days, you are to attend to various tutoring sessions with me and the other council members. These lessons include literature, politics, proper etiquette and decorum, economy, and the likes."
Merlin made a face, which she knew Agravaine saw for he glared.
"You still have a lot to learn, girl," he spat in addition.
The princess lifted her chin and haughtily returned his glare. 'I will show you, you arse!' she mentally screamed inside.
"All right, all right," Arthur said, stepping in between the two. He looked at Agravaine and the others and smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, uncle. You may now leave. I still have matters to discuss with Meredith."
Agravaine gave her one last glower before turning away and leaving. The other two council members Merlin did not recognize merely gave her a stare before following Agravaine. Leon gave her a cheeky wink with Gaius, at the rear, giving her a warm smile.
Once they were alone, Merlin looked at Arthur in exasperation.
"They think I'm an imbecile," she grumbled.
The king grinned a tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Show them otherwise, princess," he encouraged.
Merlin sighed and dreaded for the future days to come.
Show them otherwise, that was what she did, as Merlin went through the lessons of the council in a breeze.
Agravaine made sure she was having a difficult time. Forcing Old English for her to master, with some political laws and battle tactics aside… Princess Merlin was always reduced to a tired heap by the end of the day. But she always aced his tests, much to his disgruntlement. He, and the other council members, never stopped once and asked her how much knowledge she possessed.
She knew Old English by heart. At a young age of ten, her father was already quizzing her every time they had some free time together. Besides, as a powerful sorceress, she had to learn Old English just so she could properly pronounce her spells and understood their etymology.
Politics, too, was just too easy for her, really. Although most of the laws were obsolete, they still had a certain pattern that mirrored the politics she learned back home. Every law was done to maintain order, of course, and Merlin could recall Original Merlin's life here in Camelot to remember whatever laws were implemented now.
Battle tactics and plans were not really taught to her. Since she was a woman, they did not really expect her to decide for future wars. Unless, of course, Arthur was killed in battle and she was forced to become the reigning monarch of Camelot. Besides, it was Sir Leon who was teaching her about these kinds of things. They never really study, but more of hang out with the other Knights of the Round Table.
A particular "study session" still made Merlin smile whenever she thought about it.
"So, Meredith," Gwaine inquired her one time when she and the others were lazing around somewhere far from Camelot. The princess was quite exhausted that day because Agravaine made her recite all the laws in Camelot regarding trade and commerce with the other kingdoms nearby.
"I have been itching to ask this ever since you were announced as the future Queen of Camelot," the cheeky knight continued. The others were also looking at Sir Gwaine in curiosity. "Were you the mystery masked maiden everybody was talking about during Arthur's birthday ball?"
She grinned at his question and merely shrugged, prompting him to groan in exasperation. She had heard about this certain nickname of hers when she showed up in Arthur's birthday, and she'd rather keep that knowledge to herself. She knew Agravaine had been itching to ask her about it to, having dropped hints about her mask and all.
Besides the gaining of knowledge, Merlin was also forced to do dancing lessons. It was perhaps the most difficult one. Even back home, her tutor always tutted, pointing out that despite the grace she exuded during her appearances, she terribly lacked it on the dance floor.
Merlin hated dancing, and she was just thankful the high powers above it was not Agravaine teaching her this. He'd surely be torturing her by now just to spite her.
All in all, she was doing wonderful. She actually expected the lessons would be difficult, but she managed them well. Years and years of tutoring back home made her adopt the lessons quickly, having learned some techniques and strategies that surprised the council. Sometimes, she would do something so exceptionally she could not suppress the smug grin on her face as Agravaine looked at her as if she was some mythical creature lost in the Darkling Woods.
Her mother would be so proud.
Merlin plopped down on her bed, too tired to even change her clothes for the day.
A whirlwind of economics and dancing lessons made her tired physically and mentally and all she wanted to do now was close her eyes and sleep the tiredness away. She was thankful Gaius was not here bustling inside, reprimanding her of cleaning her room as the future Queen of Camelot. Also, she could not stand how Gaius looked at her sometimes.
"I did not know you and the young lad were in a relationship," he once pointed out, a perfectly arched eyebrow raised on his forehead. She did not also want to particularly talk to him for talking some sense into Arthur that brought her into this mess in the first place.
Her door slightly creaked open and she had to suppress a groan from escaping. "Gaius, I'm tired," she murmured sleepily, hiding behind her covers in hopes of driving the Court Physician away.
She was met by silence and Merlin frowned. Removing the blanket over her head, she peeked and froze. Instead of Gaius, her eyes beheld a nervous Guinevere. Princess Merlin shot up from her bed so fast, she saw how Gwen took a step back in surprise.
"Gwen!" she exclaimed almost breathlessly, her stomach already churning in nervousness.
To her horror, her friend curtsied, curtsied!, and shot her a small smile. "Forgive my intrusion at such a late hour, my lady," she politely said, "but the Head Cook wants to ask you what you would want to eat for tomorrow."
As the King's fiancée, Merlin had this privilege. She even could request to be transferred to a much bigger and beautiful room in the castle if she wanted to, but she chose to spend her remaining single days with Gaius.
Tears pricked the corner of her eyes as Merlin looked away. It felt like she was back home, with people of differing status now regarding her as someone with a high position. She especially hated it now that Gwen was acting distant now that she was the future Queen and Gwen would continue to be a maidservant.
Tension was in the room and Merlin did not know what to do. She dreaded this meeting because ever since Arthur announced to the kingdom she was to be his bride, Merlin avoided Gwen at all cost. Somehow, she thought that Gwen was avoiding her, too, and it was quite a relief. But, seeing her here now, the supposed Once and Future Queen, Merlin felt that churning nervousness at the pit of her stomach morph into monstrous guilt.
"I…" she started, arms outstretched as she took a step forward. Gwen looked at her curiously, eyes already shining with tears she knew she was suppressing. "I'm sorry, Gwen."
Surprised, the maidservant merely looked at her, at loss for words. Then, Gwen took a sharp intake of breath before finally unleashing her tears. Merlin felt like crying too, but she knew it would just make matters worst.
"I-I was foolish to think that perhaps, perhaps, it was me that Arthur would choose," Guinevere blubbered, haphazardly wiping the tears on her face. Merlin was tempted to tell her that he will, he will, and wanted to promise her so badly that she would find Arthur soon. For her.
She abhorred the fact that she was breaking the heart of a friend just because she couldn't speak the truth.
"I'm sorry, Gwen," Merlin whispered once more, reaching out as she finally enveloped Gwen into a hug. Thankfully, her friend did not pull away. "I-I promise everything would be all right."
Gwen pulled away and gave her a small smile behind her tears. Merlin felt pain clench her heart as she looked at her heartbroken friend. "If… if it's you that Arthur chose," she started, "I-I trust his judgment." She held both of Merlin's hand and squeezed them. "I will continue loving him at a distance. Oh, I will. But… but you're my friend, Meredith. And I know you are good. Perhaps, you are what Camelot needs."
Merlin was shocked at her friend's words, she did not even realize her tears already fell. "No, Gwen," she tearfully said, burying her face against Gwen's mass of curly hair. "I… I am not good." She thought of all the lies and deceit she did ever since she landed here in Camelot and she just wanted to end things now so that everybody would get their happy ending.
Gwen shook her head to disagree with her before looking her squarely in the eyes. The sorrow she felt was strong and Merlin wanted to hold her tight once more until her pain would go away. "So, your meal tomorrow, my lady?" she asked once more.
When Merlin came to their meeting place, eyes red and puffy, Arthur somehow suspected what might have happened. He had seen the same look at Guinevere before he ventured to this place, while the maidservant pointedly did not look at him.
Tears once again gathered at the corner of her eyes as she took a seat and looked at him imploringly. Arthur sighed and gently patted her head as she sniffled softly, hands already haphazardly wiping the tears away.
"I-I talked to Gwen," she softly cried. "It was awful."
She hid her face behind her hands and continued to cry. Despite her tears, Arthur smiled. Merlin had always been tough. He had never seen her cry back home. Seeing her now, crying guilty tears over a friend she had hurt, his idea of her being a wonderful queen just intensified.
"Everything will be all right," he murmured, mentally hoping it would be soon. "Once you are Queen, we'd soon scour the lands for the real Arthur and Merlin so that we could go back home." He sighed longingly, staring at the distance as he remembered home. "We'd finish studying in the university and earn a degree. You'd be a better Crown Princess for England and finally become her Queen. I would continue being your head bodyguard and I promise to be by your side until the end."
He chanced a glance at Merlin, silently congratulating himself for making her smile. "You'd be a wonderful Queen and Gwen knew that," he continued in consolation. "Gwen is kind. You'd be completely forgiven, especially because your coronation would be the best thing that had ever happened in Camelot. So, do me a favor and wipe those tears away."
He brought his hands to her face and brushed more stray tears away. Arthur leaned closer and placed a light kiss on her forehead, grinning as he felt her cheeks grew hot.
"Smiling suits you more, you know," he offered.
She flushed redder and looked away from his gaze. "Th-that's not good," she said, placing a hand against her heart. "You almost completely stole my heart away."
Arthur boisterously laughed and pulled her into a hug, dropping a kiss on her hair. "Idiot," he fondly replied as Merlin smiled against his shoulder.
A/N: End of chapter! I did not have the heart of making Gwen bad, because truth be told, I actually liked Guinevere's character in the series and although she could be feisty at times, we all know that she loves Arthur more than life itself and she'd be cheering him on despite of his situation. HAHAHAHAHAHA (kinda like a martyr seriously...)
Next chapter features Morgana's evil, evil plan and wedding dresses :)
Drop a review!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe