AN:/ Sorry, I was editing something and deleted this by mistake...-,-"
Chapter 19
Did I blackout? Merlin groaned, his mind sluggish turning over the events of the last few moments. Knowing that he wouldn't be getting relief any time soon, he focused instead on the present, where the King was and what Arthur's position was. His entire body throbbed, threatening to distract him from his objective, Find Prince Arthur. Last thing I remember...I remember...the King, a dagger...the pendant. He hit the pendant and it blew him backwards...into Arthur!
The slave forced his eyelids back and found himself staring up into starry night sky. Despite his body's protest, he managed to push himself up on his forearms and search the surrounding area for Arthur. It took him a second to register the dark blobs against the even darker foliage.
"Arthur!"
One of the figures reacted, jerking away from the other, approaching the slave's inert, supine form. As the figure stepped from beneath the shadow of a large oak tree and into the moonlight, Merlin scrambled to get to his feet. His hands scrapping at the dirt, boots trying to gain traction but failing. His muscles just wouldn't cooperate. His eyes darted to the still form of Prince Arthur, he was sitting in the same position as he had been.
The glint of moonlight off of a blade alerted the boy to the fact that the King had regained possession of his dagger. Merlin willed his body to move and was rewarded with a reaction. Wobbling to his knees, he kept one hand braced on the ground and held the other in front of him, as if warding the advancing King off, to which the King paid no attention. I need to get Arthur away from here. The pendant! If I can break the link between the King and Arthur, he can get away. The pendant! Where did it go?
The slave glanced down to the hand that was touching the ground. He spied the leather strap but the pendant was not attached, it had snapped off from the force of the explosion. Merlin kept an eye on the King, who was still a good five yards away, as his hand felt along the dirt from the missing pendant. His hand scraped across grass, roots, leaves and twigs, but he came up empty. Risking a glance down, he squinted and used both hands to further search.
The King sensed what the slave had been looking for. Rage fuelled his charge, a war cry ripping from his throat, as he raised the dagger in preparation of a strike. Ignoring the pain from tiny of little scratches on his hands, Merlin looked up just as the thrust of the dagger down at him. He let himself go limp while turning at the same time, causing his body to roll out of the way. He struggled to his feet, but in his haste he slipped falling face first back to the ground. He could hear the King growl in frustration as he spun around, once more aiming for the slave.
Merlin rolled onto his back, wiggling backwards, trying to put any amount of distance he could between them. His back protested when he hit a particular sharp root, but he ignored it in favor of kicking out with his leg, tripping the King. The giant of a man howled in pain as the boy's foot connected solidly with his leg, causing him to collapse to one knee. The King launched himself at the boy, knocking the wind from his lungs as he aimed the dagger at the slave's chest.
Merlin instinctively grabbed his wrist, halting the progress of the blade. It hovered only a few inches from his chest. His face turned red at the effort and his arms trembled, slowly giving way to the King's superior strength and stamina. The boy wriggled, the root digging into his back fighting for his attention. The boy managed to worm one leg bent to his chest and kicked out knocking the King backwards. Seizing the moment, he continued to kick out, catching the man in the jaw. The blade fell from stunned fingers, hitting the dirt with a small thud.
Rolling over, his hands found the offending root. Roots aren't smooth, and cold. It's the pendant! His hand closed around the missing stone and the boy wasted no time in summoning what little magic he had to the surface. He felt the small sparks start in his chest and work its way down into his hand. Magic roared to life, gold flashing, illuminating the night sky. It shot up into the sky like some sort of giant beacon, Merlin used his arm to shield his eyes from the intense light, lest he become blinded by it.
Had he been able to look up, he would have seen thick, heavy clouds roll in over them. He would have seen the single bolt of blue lightning as it erupted from the ground and met with the pendant in Merlin's hand, then connecting with the energy from the cloud. He didn't see it but he felt it. He felt his hair's stand on end, the air thickening so much so it was almost hard to breathe. He did, however, hear the deafening thunder clap that accompanied it.
His hand opened, lying flat just as the sheer power caused the pendant to explode into dust. A flash of green accompanied its demise and then all light faded away, leaving them all in darkness.
"No! No! no no no no no nononononononononno!"
The slave could hear the King as he stumbled drunkenly back to Prince Arthur, who remained in the same place. Merlin blinked, pulling himself to his feet and staggered over towards the two. He tried to let his eyes adjust but they were having a hard time, making it so he was only able to see blobs. He could just make out the King as he knelt in front of the Prince, his hands resting on Arthur's shoulders. He was speaking softly, desperately.
"It'll be ok, it's ok Arthur. I'll get you home. When we do, I'll show you the training area that I will have built for you. You can train your knights there, and we can spar. I can show you the newest techniques from Ulbein. You'll become the Crowned Prince, with your own Coronation, of course. It will be OK, my boy, Trust your Father."
"...Father?"
Relief nearly knocked Merlin over, Prince Arthur's voice carried over to his position and he sighed.
"Yes, my boy?"
"Wha-?"
"Shhh...sh... just rest, Arthur, son, you've had a hard day. Rest, son."
"So...n? No, no. Not-son..."
"You don't know what you are saying. Of course, you're my son. You're just confused."
King Severus tried to placate the Prince, but Arthur seemed to be regaining his strength and mental facilities as more time passed. When he was able, he wobbled backwards, putting some distance between him and the King. He was blinking rapidly, as if trying to clear his eyes. They flickered over the King's shoulder and caught sight of the slave, who was still resolutely approaching the two, with slow measured steps.
"Merlin? Wha-? What's going on?"
The King tensed at the mention of his wayward slave. He looked over his shoulder at the boy, who froze at the sudden attention. Aware of how close the King was to the Prince, Merlin stopped where he was and swallowed.
"I-It's over Master, your spell is broken. You've failed."
"NO! Arthur is mine! You can't stop me."
"A life isn't worth living if you don't have anyone to protect...""A life isn't worth living if you don't have anyone to protect..."
"I already did."
Merlin didn't think the King had any sort of magical powers, but at that moment, he started to doubt himself. Light reflected off his eyes, causing them to glow eerily. He saw the King make a movement, unable to discern exactly what it was; he did feel the effects seconds later. His body fell backwards at the force of the hit, sending him crashing onto his back, his hand already reaching up to feel the cold hilt of a blade sticking out of his upper chest.
"MERLIN!"
"Shh, shhh, it's alright. We're safe now, son."
"Get off me. MERLIN!"
"Listen to me, son, listen! It's over. We can leave now. It's OK. it's O.K."
"What is wrong with you? Uther is my Father."
"NO! No! I am! ME!"
Arthur back away from the increasing agitated King, his hand going to his sword and felt the empty space where it should have hung. Gritting his teeth, he glanced over at the place he last saw the boy. He was flat on the ground, barely moving. Merlin.
"I am your Father." Severus took a step towards the Prince, his hands outstretched as if he wanted to embrace him.
"I AM. ME! Not that tyrant. ME! I loved her! She should have been my wife, not his. You-you should have been mine! You still could be. Come with me Arthur."
The Prince didn't know how to respond, his face clearly portrayed what he was thinking. His brows were crinkled, eyes squinting, mouth screwed up in bewilderment.
"Look, I don't know what's going on here, but Sire, please think this through. You know my Father. You know that I am Uther and Ygraine's son. My coronation was tonight-"
The Prince broke off his words as the King bristled at the mention of his Mother's name.
"Ygraine...my Ygraine..."
Taking another few steps backwards, Arthur's foot found a long branch. With a fancy hook of his foot, he kicked the branch up to the right height that his hand grasped it and he brought it defensively in front of him. The King's face transformed into a snarl as he unsheathed his own sword from his side and charged at the Prince.
"Uther's son."
Arthur barely had time to register the spat aimed at him as he parried blow after blow by the King, his branch barely able to withstand the strikes. He felt clumsy with the unbalanced piece of wood in his hand, and it almost cost him. Arthur caught the King's sword with his branch causing the blade to embed itself in wood. The Prince kicked out, sending the King backwards, the force ripping the branch from his hand. The air exploded from Severus' lungs. Arthur took advantage of the moment to snag the fallen sword from the ground, brandishing it down at the King.
"Now...Merlin? MERlin?!"
Arthur's divided attention gave the King the chance to swipe the Prince's feet beneath him. Stars exploded in his vision as his head slammed into the ground. A bellow of anger warned the Prince of the King's own attack. Shaking his head, his vision cleared just in time to see the flash of a small blade arcing towards his throat. He caught the hands before they hit their mark. Gritting his teeth, Arthur struggled against the weight of the King. Releasing one hand, he punched the King, wrenching the blade away at the same time.
The blade slid all too easily into the stomach of the King. He froze, his body going slack, allowing Arthur to effortlessly push him away.
The King gasped, his body sinking to the ground.
"No-o, my boy. Ar-thur...N-no." His voice came out soft, broken. Weakly he raised his hand as if trying to beckon the Prince back to his side. His eyes were wet with unshed tears as he watched the Prince turn his back on him, walking away from him and to the side of the slave. W-we can be together...finally. Arthur! Ygraine, my Ygraine, our son, he rejects me, his Father. Why? Why do you keep leaving me? YGRAINE?!
The Prince ignored the fallen King. Stumbling over exhausted his feet, he made his way to the still body of the slave, several yards away. Dropping to his knees, his hands turned the slave's face towards him. His eyes were closed, but his chest was moving up and down ever so slightly.
"Merlin...Merlin!"
The slave groaned, Arthur hung his head as relief he felt a weight lift of his shoulders. The relief was short lived as the boy's eyes flew open, obnubilated with pain, wide and unseeing. Worse than the screams came his whimpers. A single tear escaped out the side of Merlin's eye. Frantically, Arthur tried to find the source of the boy's pain, the wound on his shoulder wasn't deep enough to be cause for immediate concern. His fingers brushed against the metal collar, and he jerked back in surprise and pain. Hot! Ow. Why is he wearing such a thing? I never saw him wearing this before...Wait, where's that black neckerchief? Was that hidden beneath it the whole time?
Why do they all leave me? My son, he too, has turned his back on me. Why? For the slave? For that worthless piece of trash?
A faint, harsh muttering floated its way towards the Prince's ears.
"Curse that boy! He turned my Arthur against me. My love, don't worry, I'll make him pay. He will suffer for his disloyalty and then, my sweet Ygraine, I'll bring my son home with me. We can be a family. My boy. Sweet child, just he takes after you; I can see you in him. Our boy."
Arthur turned back to the King, blood was starting to leak out of the side of the royal's mouth. His hand was gripping something so tightly that his knuckles were white with effort.
"He will pay. Oh, yes he will pay. Then my boy, my baby, our child will be where he belongs...With Uther dead, he will be ours. The boy is almost dead too. The saboteur."
Dead? My Father? Merlin? The Prince was on his feet in an instant, his hand on the hilt of the blade even as Merlin's whimpers grew louder. He was at the King's side, his eyes blazing. "Stop it. Leave Merlin alone."
The King laughed, a gurgling sound, promising an early demise.
"MY boy. Mine mine mine mine mine."
King Severus' eyes were rolling in their sockets as he whispered one last word. Arthur didn't understand what it was he was saying but he didn't need to as Merlin answered the King with horrific screams. Without hesitation, the Prince pierced the King's heart in one smooth motion of his sword. Silence met his ears. It was as if sound itself died with the King, Merlin was silent, the forest was silent and Arthur couldn't even hear his own breathing.
Leaving the sword embedded in the King, he was back at the slave's side, his hands seeking reassurance that the boy hadn't died as Severus had promised. I can't find it. Come on Merlin, not now. Not you too. He must have been deaf because he didn't hear the approach of men, he didn't hear his own voice as he started yelling for Merlin to get up. He fought the hands that gripped his shoulder, trying to help him. He struggled, thinking that somehow the King had survived and was trying to separate them again.
"Sire! My lord-Arthur!"
The Prince ceased his struggling as the voice reached him, he knew the voice, he trusted this voice.
"Sir Leon?" He gasped, turning around the face the curly haired knight.
The Knight nodded his head, his eyes searching the Prince's before combing the rest of his body, seeking any sign of serious injury.
"Merlin-he's hurt-or dead-the King-my Father-!"
"Your Father lives. He is safe. He seems to have gotten some help in time. Gaius is currently with him. He is beset with worry for you, my lord."
Arthur sagged, as the words penetrated his foggy mind. My Father lives.
"Merlin-!"
"He lives, Sire. The boy is alive, but I fear he is gravely injured. We must get him back to Gaius immediately."
Arthur turned to the other Knights that had accompanied Sir Leon, Sir Owaine was kneeling beside him, his fingers still resting at Merlin's neck. They slid to finger the necklet around the boy's throat, turning it around, seeking a seam but there was no discernible hinge, latch or break in the flawless metal.
"That thing is magic, it was torturing him. The King, Severus, was using magic, we must get that off of him."
Sir Owaine again looked at the metal and tugged in various places but to no avail. Arthur reached forward to try, when his hand wearing the bracelet came in contact, the boy's body jerked spastically. The Prince jerked backwards, looking down in horror at the bracelet. Frantically he tried to use his other hand to remove it, but it too could not be undone. He ignored the spike of pain with each try until Sir Leon grabbed his wrists when he saw that it had negative consequences for Arthur.
"Sire, perhaps we should consult with Gaius to whether these are indeed made of magic, he may know of a way to remove these without causing pain to you and the boy."
As much as Arthur wanted to protest, he knew that the advice was sound, so he nodded his consent. He stood on shaky legs with Sir Leon next to him should he need the assistance but also understanding that the Prince would not accept it unless he were on the edge; so he stood by, faithfully waiting for his need.
"We need to hurry," Arthur commanded, waiting for the other Knight to lift Merlin, wishing he didn't feel as useless as he did at that moment. He avoided looking at the body of the King as still more Knights grabbed the body and made ready to bring it back with them as well. The trek back was a rather slow one for such a short distance; Arthur knew that it was in part because of him. He had to pause multiple times against a tree, trying to regain his breath, even as he felt his strength leave him. After a period of time, Sir Leon slung the Prince's arm over his shoulder and shifted his weight onto him.
Arthur looked over at him through heavily laden eyes, to which the Knight responded with, "I apologize my lord, I find myself growing weak with the distance; if thou wouldst allow me to lean on thee for the duration of the journey, I'd be most grateful."
The Prince snorted at the Knight's explanation, but grateful for his help and weak cover up of his own failings. A few more yards later, another Knight came on the Prince's other side and braced Arthur up, with his own apologetic smile, "If thou wouldst forgive me, Sire, I too, find myself faint from this long and arduous quest."
"Sir Leon and Kay, I find myself disappointed with your distinct lack of stamina; it is with great regret that I have been forced to re-think our training regimens'. I shall endeavor to be more strict in the future; lest I have my Knights fainting while on patrol. It 'ould besmirch my n'me to c it 'o."
The Prince's speech started to slur as he relied more heavily on the knights with each passing second, until his body was limp between the two. The Knight glanced between them, fond smiles on their faces. They hitched the Prince up higher and increased their pace, now that they didn't have to slow down for him.
-mo(-,-)0m-
A soft rocking motion was pleasantly lulling Merlin into a contented sleep, he could feel his body moving like he was floating on top of water. He could hear an odd echo mixed with a hallow sound, as if his ears were physically filled with water. He ignored the buzzing, choosing instead to just relish in the lukewarm water, drifting in the great dark expanse. He tilted his head up, as a whisper of wind brushed his bangs on his forehead back, letting them fall back into place before teasing them back again. He enjoyed the touch with his eyes closed.
He enjoyed the smooth, easy motions, content to just let himself be. He bobbed, he floated, and he didn't worry. The muscles in his face twitched as a small drop of moisture splashed onto his face. Irritated he wiped it off, settling back into his peaceful state of existence, and just drifted. Another twitch followed a second drop of water. Then another, and another, and still another. A deluge of water poured down on him, causing him to become unstable and start to sink.
He switched to treading water, his legs constantly moving, churning beneath the water. The water he was treading in was warm, but the water raining down upon him was ice cold, each drop felt like the stab of a needle. He silently cried out as the pain became too much. He pushed himself under the water, his arms waving in an effort to keep him below the surface and away from the sharp rain. Ow! Ow! Owowowoowow!
The rain penetrated the water like a sharply released arrow, drilling through the water in hopes of finding its target. Merlin tried to push himself deeper under water to avoid the
strange rain. It's so dark. Am I blind? Merlin stopped his struggling for the moment, running his hands over his face. He found no strange scarring or wounds, but he did realize that his eyes were closed; which explained why he was unable to see. Am I still sinking? How am I still sinking? Why can't I open my eyes?
The pressure from the depth of water was squeezing him, bubbles exploding from his mouth as he gasped in surprise. Quickly, he shut his mouth to avoid taking in any more water, he kicked his feet to return back to the surface now that the rain didn't seem to be coming down anymore. He kicked his legs wildly, he kicked and kicked but no matter how hard he kicked the pressure didn't relent from the water depth. He tried to open his eyes to place himself but they resisted his efforts.
His lungs burned, starving, his legs slowed down as he lost energy fast. His hands clawed at the water, fingers curled. Why can't I ascend?! Air...I ne-ed-a-ir. His attempts got weaker and weaker, his legs barely moving, his hands stilling, his mind slowing. The pressure on his ears increased as he continued to sink. In a last ditch effort he stretched forth his right hand towards the distant surface. Towards where he assumed the last rays of hope shone. His hand slowly fell down with the rest of him, down, deeper and deeper towards the darkest reaches of the quiet lake.
Merlin descent stopped, he could feel something attached to his wrist. He felt a tug. Suddenly he was ascending, the pressure slowly easing. He felt lighter, rising towards the surface. It was slow progress, he could feel every inch of the ascent, every small movement. He wondered why he hadn't passed out yet, why he hadn't drowned, he knew he had been under far longer than one could be without repercussions. The water changed, it was softly, lighter.
The next instant, Merlin broke through the surface, his eyes flickering open causing him to squint against the bright lights.
Wha...? Arthur? The King? Draco? He felt his body tense in anticipation of a blow, he waited, and waited. When he felt no pain, he blinked to clear his blurry vision, he could make could dark earthy colored shapes. Squinting, the shapes sharpened into bookcases. Wah-? But...this is Gaius'? Wha' happen'd? He tried to move but found his body unresponsive, his brow furrowed in consternation. He could feel the scratchy material of a thin wool blanket, wiggling slightly he realized that the blanket was tucked tight beneath him, trapping his limbs in place. Turning his head, he found the second reason he couldn't move. Arthur was sleeping at his side, slumped against the bedside, arms folded beneath his head and on top of one of Merlin's arm.
The next thing the boy realized was that he should be in a lot more pain than he currently was. He could feel a bit of throbbing, a tweak if he moved his shoulders too much but nothing like the pain he had been in, and for that he was extremely grateful. Gaius must have fixed me up? Does this mean, he wasn't part of it? He was trying to help me all along? Why? Why would he be helping me? If not, then why would he be hiding things from me? Ughhh...How many soft pillows does he have, and yet he decides to use me for one? That's just not fair.
Merlin watched as Arthur's head bounced up a little before coming back to rest on his forearms. Merlin frowned. Again, he jerked his left shoulder up then down, causing Arthur to move with the motion. The Prince, sniffed, turning his head to face Merlin, eyes still closed. Annoyed, the boy shimmied his whole body over, closer to the left side of the bed. The shift caused Arthur's one arm to slip from the bed and dangle over the side. Another few shifts over and it had the desired effect. Arthur fell off the side of the bed and onto the floor with a dull thud.
Merlin smiled at his victory as Arthur yelped at the impact. Scrambling to his feet, the Prince looked around, embarrassed, trying to ascertain if anyone else had witnessed his spectacular fail. His sleepy blue eyes met Merlin's slightly pain clouded eyes.
"Merlin, you're awake!"
"Arthur, you're a prat!"
Arthur frowned at the boy's insolence, "What? Me? Did you do that?"
"Yes, you, and what are you talking about?"
Arthur gave up that line of questioning, believing the boy's innocent facade.
"Ah-er-nevermind. So, uh, how are you feeling?"
"Like I tussled with an insane King bent on killing me, but other than that, pretty good considering."
"Ah, yes, well-"
Merlin waited as the Prince's voice trailed off awkwardly. Tilting his head to get a better look at Arthur, he was standing next to the bed, his hands clasped behind his back. Noticing the boy's eyes on him, he coughed into one hand and looked over his shoulder. Merlin tried to do the same but the angle hurt his neck so he resumed just staring at the ceiling.
"Could you-ah-sit down, or something?"
Caught off guard, Arthur blinked down at him, he glanced at the stool he had been sitting in before resuming his seat. Within seconds, the Prince's knee was bouncing agitatedly against the floor.
"So, ah, Mer-uh, can I call you Merlin?"
I wonder what will happen to me...The boy got so caught up in his thoughts that Arthur took that as a negative and instead cleared his throat to begin again. He opened his mouth but words failed him, his eyes stared into the curious eyes of the slave, who stared back without flinching. He didn't used to do that. He wouldn't look me in the eyes before. As if catching himself, Merlin averted his gaze, choosing to focus on wiggling one arm from out beneath the tight blanket.
Arthur watched his struggles for a moment before he lifted a corner from beneath the cot, allowing the boy to pulling his arm free and rest it on top of the blanket. He tucked the corner back in, focusing completely on the task at hand while Merlin glanced over at him then down to the blanket. The slave's fingers plucked at a small bit of fuzz that was sticking out, longer than the other. He rolled the fuzz between his middle finger and thumb, his eyes becoming fixated on the motion. Arthur too, watched the slave's hand. Say it. Just tell him.
"He's dead, the King that is. I killed him."
The boy's fingers stilled, he closed them into a fist and brought it closer to his chest drawing with it Arthur's gaze. Knowing that he was just being a coward, the Prince forced his eyes back up to meet the boy's, he nodded in affirmation of what he had just told him. Merlin stared back at the Prince, his gaze unflinching, searching his face. Then as if he was somehow able to confirm it just by staring into his eyes, Merlin's body slumped bonelessly against the bedding. Arthur hadn't realized just how tense the boy had been until that moment.
Merlin's eyes flickered closed and a slow sigh of relief escaped his lips. He didn't move after that. Arthur waited several minutes, thinking that perhaps the boy just need some time to digest this. The boy didn't say anything.
"Did he just fall asleep on me?"
"No. Why are you talking to yourself in the third person?"
"Wha-uh-I'm not. Shut up."
"Well, which is it? Shut up or talk?"
"Merlin-" Arthur trailed off in warning, to which Merlin just smirked to himself, his eyes still closed.
"Wha-what happened?"
"What do you remember?"
"It's kind of...strange. I don't know how to describe it. I remember being at the feast, I remember turning to speak to my Father but things get kind of foggy from there. Something happened, there were screams and I was later told that he had stabbed my Father. Somehow he survived, Gaius said that someone had helped to stop the bleeding and that it saved his life."
The Prince glanced out of the corner of his eye, he saw Merlin turn his head away from him, eyes opening to mere slits. He continued to watch him as he spoke.
"The next thing I remember, clearly, that is, was being in the forest and he was babbling to me, with his hands on my shoulder. Honestly, he was talking nonsense and I was still...woozy. Then, I remember him going after you. Somehow you were able to survive long enough till I could get his sword. We fought. I was able to seriously wound him but then he did something to you, some sort of magic, it heated that metal thing around your neck. You were in pain, and I pierced his heart. He died, and you stopped moving. I-I thought you were dead."
Merlin turned his head towards the Prince, watching as he clasped his hands together tightly, this time Arthur avoided his eyes.
"At some point, the Knights came they brought us back to the Castle where Gaius was waiting. You were in a bad way, even Gaius was fearful for you. It was kind of odd how much it seemed to affect him. He really cared about you. Anyways, I was...indisposed of, so the next few things happened without my knowledge."
Merlin's interest was piqued. He shifted ever so slightly, worming his way backwards, awkwardly trying to brace his pillow up so he wasn't lying flat. Arthur noticed his discomfort and leapt to his feet, eager for something to do with all his excess energy. He helped the boy to sit up more fully before he resumed his seat, one hand tapping against his thigh.
"So, I guess Gwaine was lurking in the forest, albeit illegally, and came upon a servant of Ulbein who was fleeing. He tried to use magic to evade him, but Gwaine is a skilled swordsman if nothing else and was able to knock him out. A patrol that had been sent out came upon them and took custody of the sorcerer. He was placed in the dungeons; he's awaiting trial as my Father is not able to attend for at least another day."
Arthur noted that the slave had gone rigid again, no doubt uneasy at the thought of a sorcerer so close. The Prince caught the boy's eye before he continued, "Don't worry; we have him in magic restraints. He can't use his magic."
Merlin didn't relax, despite the Prince's reassurances. He did look over, however, when Arthur cleared his throat to deliver the next part.
"Ah, your presence will be required at the trial, for your testimony against him. Do you think you'll be able to do that?"
Merlin stared at him blankly. What...what if Draco reveals about my magic? If he tells them, they'll execute me next. I-I can't do this. I can't face him. I-I-I-. His thoughts became stuck on that one thought, the idea turning over and over in his mind. His hand fisted into the scratchy material of the blanket, his knuckles turning white from the strength of his clenched fist.
Arthur's eyes darkened with concern, he worried his lip between his teeth, as he witnessed that the boy only seemed to worsen at the thought of facing the one locked in the dungeon. Perhaps, I can convince my Father to allow his testimony to be given by proxy, provided that he writes the events and bears witness that they are true. Will the Court give any credence to his testimony anyways, what with him being a slave? Maybe he only have to testify. It's really just a formality anyways, with the witnesses from the feast. But none of them saw past the initial stabbing, they were all asleep.
Arthur's fingers plucked at the bracelet still bound to his wrist, the stone dull and without any unnatural energy being expelled, as it had been before the servant, Draco, had been placed in the restraining cuffs. He winced at the memory of the phantom pain, he had been unconscious for the most part, but a burning sensation had woken him up briefly. During that time he had heard about a similar reaction coming from the slave. He had whimpered. The Prince shuddered, drawing the slave's gaze, he looked from the blanket to the Prince's wrist. Merlin's eyes narrowed at the sight of the braided leather, his previously occupied hand reached for the collar that he found around his neck. He was pleasantly surprised to realize that he felt no heat or coldness emanating from the enchanted metal.
"The Queen should be here by tomorrow. My Father had word sent out with regards to the events of yesterday; she'll be here for the trial. I-I thought you might want to know."
Merlin's fingers stopped exploring the necklet, pausing before they dropped back to the blanket and resumed picking at stray pieces of wool. He didn't comment on the news. Arthur fumbled for something else to say.
"I-uh-spoke with Gaius this morning, since he knew my Father and my Mother, and asked if-if what he said had any truth to it."
Merlin waited for the Prince to continue but he seemed to lose his train of thought, so he prompted him, "What did he say?"
"Ah, um, after the announcement was made concerning their upcoming betrothal Ygraine didn't think it was proper to being in contact with him without my Father present. They quickly lost favor and contact with one another and didn't see each other after that. My Mother never had any contact with him, so, it was a lie. He wasn't my Father."
"Oh."
"My Father loved my Mother, despite that the marriage was not of their choosing."
"That's-I didn't realize-I'm sorry."
"Sorry, what for?"
"You, too, won't get the chance to marry for love. I just wonder how many others there are, that didn't get to marry the person they loved because they were forced into an alliance marriage. How many other people will have to suffer like he did? I keep trying to turn it all around in my mind, but no matter how I look at it, I can only conclude that he really did care for you, in his own twisted way."
"He almost killed my Father! He put the entire castle to sleep! He enchanted me, forcing me against my will to leave my home and you pity him?!"
"I don't condone what he did by any means, but what about you? What if you were forced to give up the one you loved more than anything and enter into a marriage with another? Watch as the woman you loved, with all your heart, had a child with someone you once considered your friend. Imagine the betrayal you would feel. I imagine that's something of what he felt. Don't misunderstand, he let it twist him in unimaginable ways. He did horrible, terrible things to others in an effort to reconcile his feelings, wrongly of course."
The Prince gaped at the slave, his mouth hanging open. He worked it open and close before he closed it with a click. A marriage alliance...that's my future. A future without love. No. My Father loved my Mother. That I am sure of. But what if it doesn't end that way for me? What if...I marry someone that I don't grow to love. Will that be me? Will I turn out like he did? Abusing power in some sort of recompense for a lost love? Resorting to sorcery?
Arthur shook his head, silently vowing to himself not to allow himself to become that jaded, maybe even to not marry for anything but love. He felt a little chagrined that he was able to relate to the man on some level. He wanted to hold onto his anger, his rage at the injustice the man had waged against the kingdom he stood to inherit.
"Do you think-?"
The Prince broke off his question, his face incredulous. There lay Merlin, completely oblivious to Arthur, he was asleep. The nerve he has to fall asleep when I, the Prince, am talking. I should wake him up. The Prince eyed the boy, noting the dark circles beneath his eyes, the minor scrapes and scratches that adorned his face as a testament to the ordeal he had been subjected to. Snorting softly, the Prince dragged himself to his feet, a grimace flitting over his face as his joints protested moving, he moved to the door to glance back at the slumbering slave.
What if you were forced to give up the one you loved more than anything and enter into a marriage with another?
Shaking his head, he tried to block out the boy's logical argument, reaching his hand out to open the door. He jerked back as it nearly hit him. Standing in the doorway, arms laden with blankets and linens, was Morgana's maidservant, Guinevere. She stopped abruptly in surprise, the blankets tipping towards the ground. Arthur lunged forward, catching them with reflexes born of years of hard training.
"Prince Arthur!"
"Guinevere."
"Ah, I, um, had just come to bring Gaius some more sheets for Merlin."
Arthur like the way she blushed as she stated the obvious, he made a mental note to make her do so more in the future. Realizing where his mind was taking him, he shifted his hands, "Where would you like these?"
"Oh, no, you don't have to-"
"Where?"
Mutely, the servant pointed over in the corner, Arthur did as directed. Then, just as quickly, he relived the girl of her other burdens for good measure before he turned to make his exit. He glanced back briefly, and was rewarded with catching her eye before she realized she had been caught. He dipped his head in acknowledgement before leaving, a smirk on his lips at his victory.
Watch as the woman you loved, with all your heart, had a child with someone you once considered your friend.
That won't happen to me. It won't. What would I do if a close friend betrayed me? If my betrothed forsook our life together for another? If the woman I loved, with all my heart, defiled our love? What would I do?
He turned to glance once more in direction of Gaius' chambers, his mind buzzing with questions.
-o(-,-)o-
A/N: This felt like a natural stopping point, even though I had planned to get through the trial as well...oh well. Just means another extra chapter for you guys! Soooooo, did I answer MOST of your questions? Satisfied? Unsatisfied? Still confused?
Responses to reviews I couldn't PM:
Guest: Thank you! I am glad you are really enjoying this! Sometimes I wonder if it is coming out as well as I had hoped. Thanksssssss.
Sahba: Wow" That is sooooooo cool! I love how Merlin and writing are reaching people on the otherside of the world. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Viskii: Sorry some of those answers won't be till another chapter but they will be answered have no fear!
IreneG: Glad to see you again! So happy you are still with me! Thanks soooooo much.
Random Person: hello, hello! Glad to see you are with me on this journey. More fun to come, I promise!
AFellowMerlinFan: Were your theories validated? Did it make sense? Any other theories you want to test out with regards to Merlin and the debt?
If I missed anyone it was Not on purpose! I really do try to respond to you!
See you next time.
Mo(-,-)oM
Rehabilitated Sith