And here's part two. I hope you enjoy, and this chapter is dedicated to my sister. Please r&r, all reviews = virtual gingerbread. I hope you're Christmas is filled with Merlin- goodness and you get everything that you wanted. Merry Christmas J
Merlin woke in a cold room on Christmas morn to find that his covers had fallen off him at some point during the night. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he dragged himself from the bed and ran a hand through his tousled hair. He had been dreaming of the girl in the red dress again, as he had been doing since the battle. He had suffered many a nightmare but last night had been one of those rare occasions where he had gotten a nice dream, though he was dreaming of times that he could never have. Social status was a nuisance at the best of times, and Merlin knew that it would take some miracle for him to end up with the raven haired beauty. He loved her, but he knew that nothing could happen between them, what with him being a servant and her a Lady. He wouldn't get his happy ending, regardless of how much he wanted it.
His trail of thought came to an abrupt halt then as he noticed something on the end of his bed that hadn't been there the night before. Gaius didn't seem to have put it there, or seen who had done, but Merlin didn't mind. Picking up the parcel and finding no tag, Merlin undid the ribbon and could have a very good guess at who it was from. A full outfit present, including a jacket, Merlin put it on before adding the final touch of the black scarf embroidered with ravens. The tightly fitting trousers and top were also black, and the jacket (which was also black ) was covered with tiny silver studs. The perfect fit. Merlin knew that he would have to thank her for this, but leaving the room, he was very quickly reminded that he had yet to find her a present. Realising that he could detour on the way to the girl in the red dress' room, Merlin decided that he would first get her some breakfast. Popping down to the kitchens, he grabbed some of the finest food on offer before panicking. If she had gone to all this trouble for him then he needed to give her something proper back in return. Knowing exactly who could help him, he headed off , praying that he could find her…
He did eventually find Alethea but she was busy running somewhere and had already gone before he'd had chance to even open his mouth. Sighing, he wondered if he could magic anything up for his raven haired beauty and was still thinking when he reached her corridor. Facing many doors, Merlin knew that no matter how many times he had come up here, he still had no idea which room was hers. Sighing, he knew exactly what he had to do and began knocking on doors. As he still had no idea what the girl was called, he was left giving descriptions of her and eventually it was the girl's father who pointed him in the right direction. Thanking Lord Edgar, Merlin knocked on the door and went in when he got no answer to find her arguing with her brother.
"…you cannot stay here!"
"But…"
"No buts Ingrid. You are coming home to Ravenscar with me and our father and that's final!" Merlin hid in the doorway as Sir Gerard stormed out of the room. Staying out of the way, Merlin found that she was wearing a very pretty rich purple gown with floaty sleeves and fine detail. She looked more stunning than she usually did and Merlin hadn't thought that possible.
"What are you gawping at Merlin?" she asked as she finally noticed him.
"Lady Ingrid, I um...Just…" he paused, realising that he had just discovered her name courtesy of her brother. "You're not wearing red."
"Good observational skills." she said, rolling her eyes at him.
"I brought you breakfast my lady." he said after a moment.
"And?" she asked expectantly. Merlin scratched the back of his neck before remembering something that Alethea had told him about Christmas in her time. Stretching out his hand, he felt the familiar flow of magic rise within him as he chanted the words.
"A Nadolig brenachos'm arglwyddes blesio." His eyes flashed amber and whereas Merlin had expected to find a massive fir tree in front of him, all he saw was a measly, little…
"Twig? Is that the best you can do?" she asked, unimpressed.
"I um…" Surely his magic wasn't that bad?
"Merlin."
"I…" he began, trying to explain.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Erm…" he wasn't noticing or taking the hint.
"Just go."
"My lady…" Merlin was suddenly aware that he was being shoved out of the door. "Please."
"No."
"But…" he was stood outside of the room now, the door about to be slammed shut in his face. "I'll… I'll be your servant for the day!" he said quickly. The door opened a crack.
"Keep talking…"
"I will be your servant for the whole day." Truth be told that had been the first thing he could think of. Grabbing him by his scarf, Merlin was dragged back into the room to find that there was now a six foot fir tree decorated with glowing candles and gingerbread witches and wizards standing where his twig had been but minutes before. That hadn't been his magic, so who else…?
"I'm going to hold you to that. Now sit."
"But.." he went to object, wanting to know more about the tree.
"Just sit, please." he did so as she took a stick of charcoal from a box. Thinking that she was about to draw him, Merlin was soon very aware of her proximity. "Don't blink." she told him as she drew a line on his eyelids. "Better. That completes your whole look." she said, more to herself than anyone else.
"Where did the tree come from?" he asked, more interested at its sudden appearance than how he looked.
"You, erm, magicked it up for me." she stammered before picking something off one of the branches and offering it to him. "Gingerbread?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Thank you." he smiled, taking it from her and smiling at the likeness of him. He was certain that this particular tree wasn't a result of his magic but he couldn't exactly prove it. Deciding not to worry too much, he ate his gingerbread.
"Oh, and could you give this to Arthur please?" she asked, handing him a small rectangular package. Looking at it, a bemused Merlin took it from her and headed to find his master.
The young warlock, looking very gothic now due to Ingrid, couldn't help but feel more than a little self conscious as he walked through the castle and found everyone staring at him. It was like they had never seen anyone like him before and this was making Merlin feel more nervous. Quickening his pace a little, Merlin soon arrived at the Great Hall where he found Arthur sat on his throne with his feet resting atop a round table. Grinning as he remembered the legends, Merlin guessed who was responsible for this.
"Merry Christmas sire."
"Ah, there you are Merlin. Merry Christmas indeed." Arthur said, not even bothering to move.
"I brought you a gift from my lady de Ravenscar."
"Tell her thank you." the blonde King smiled as he opened the parcel to reveal a gingerbread witch and wizard, similar to those hanging on Ingrid's tree. "or maybe not." Arthur frowned then as he took in Merlin's appearance for the first time. "Merlin, what are you wearing? And is that… Is that make up?"
"This is my present from my lady." Merlin explained.
"And what did you get her in return? Another pet? Perhaps a bat this time?"
"No, I… I'm her servant for the day." The young warlock admitted. Arthur just smiled.
"Fair enough." he said, sitting back
"What?" Merlin asked, having expected some sort of berating for abandoning Arthur.
"I said fair enough. Call it your present from me, a day off. I just hope you do a better job for her than you do with me." Arthur teased, a smirk plastered across his lips as Merlin returned to Lady Ingrid de Ravenscar.
Walking back, Merlin smiled as he bumped into Alethea. Going to say something, he was a little concerned to find Ceridwen with her, until he realised that the girl was clearly not going to do anything to harm the young Queen ever again. Alethea eyed Merlin up with some amusement and, no matter how hard she tried, she simply could not hide her laughter.
"What?" he asked, feeling even more self conscious.
"Oh Merlin, I've not seen anyone dressed like that except for at home. You're looking very… Very goth today." The Queen smiled.
"Goth?" he questioned.
"Oh, but you can't have done this on your own. Your guy liner is too straight." she waffled on, somewhat surprised to have seen him like this.
"Guy liner?" he was becoming more and more confused by the second.
"Who did this to you?" she asked him, smirking.
"My lady Ingrid."
"I'll tell you one thing my friend, she's certainly got taste." she grinned.
"Huh?" but before he could ask anything more, they had gone. Sighing, the young puzzled warlock reached Ingrid's room.
"Did he like it?"
"He says thank you."
"Good. Now Merlin, will you escort me to the feast?"
"It will be my pleasure my lady." And he meant it.
When they arrived, Merlin found that very few people had gathered. Helping Ingrid to her seat, Merlin stood ready to serve her. They were in the Banqueting Hall with the long tables decorated with fine red tablecloths and wreaths and garlands of evergreen were spread between candlesticks and plates. The food was yet to be brought from the kitchens but already there was an air of festivity present.
"I see that Merlin is treating you well." Looking up from their conversation, Merlin and Ingrid found Arthur and Alethea standing in front of them.
"That I am." Merlin answered as Ingrid tried to hide behind him. It was very obvious that she didn't like Arthur but none of them knew why. The King took the hint and went and sat in his chair, feeling a bit put out.
"Is he sulking?" Ingrid asked, peeking from behind the warlock.
"Probably." Alethea shrugged. "But Merry Christmas you two." she said, handing them two small packages before returning to her husband. Merlin smiled when he found a pocket sized book of spells and immediately wondered where on Earth Alethea had gotten hold of it, whilst Ingrid found a pair of silver studs in the shape of raven heads.
As the hall began to fill with more and more people, Arthur stood and the room fell silent. "People of Camelot, merry Christmas to you all. Thank you for your gifts, and as this is a time of giving and of goodwill, I wish to make an announcement. Magic has been banned in this kingdom for some time now and…" he said, looking around the room before the doors opened to reveal a group of about five or six druids and the hall fell silent, especially when they spotted Morgana. Merlin wondered what Arthur was going to do. "And I am pleased to announce that I am lifting that ban. So long as magic is only used for good, it will not be punished." As the hall cheered, the feast began. Arthur was true to his words though, and gave the druids seats. It was then that fir trees began to appear at various points in the hall, each decorated differently with a mixture of baubles, candles, ribbons and gingerbread. Swearing blind that Ingrid's eyes had just glowed amber, Merlin laughed.
"Alright, no need to go over the top." Arthur said as the food was brought out. With a fine display of various game, fruits and meats and various delicacies, everyone was spoilt for choice. Tucking in as music played, the hall was filled with chatter as people talked and laughed, swapping stories and exchanging tales. Merlin hadn't seen the people this happy in a very long time.
As the afternoon wore on the hall began to empty. Enjoying the time he was getting to spend with Ingrid, the two of them decided to wander outside where they found tiny flakes of snow falling from the sky. A blanket had already appeared during the feast and children were happily playing in it, making snow angels and building snowmen. It wasn't too long before snowballs went flying and Ingrid smirked as she made one herself. Noticing what she was up to, Merlin went and hid behind Arthur and Alethea, thinking that she wouldn't dare to throw one at the monarchs. He was wrong though as Ingrid eyed up her new target and threw, the ball of mush landing on the back of Arthur's neck. A rather furious Arthur turned to see who had thrown it, but then began to jump up and down to get rid of the ice that was dripping down his back.
"By god that's cold!" he shouted in a rather high pitched voice.
"What did you expect Arthur? It is snow and all." Alethea smirked. Turning around, Arthur found Merlin hastily running away, a mischievous laugh following close behind as Ingrid chased him. Arthur smiled as he bent down to make a snowball of his own to get Alethea, but the young Queen, one step ahead as ever, just smothered his face with snow before running from him so that he couldn't get her. Laughing, a full on snowball fight began, young and old all joining in. Mordred and Morgana were happily working together against some of Camelot's knights whilst Arthur and Alethea were absolutely coated in the white stuff. Merlin ran and dodged another snowball before coming to a halt as he realised that he was stood beneath mistletoe. Ingrid, spotting an easy target, ran towards him with snow in hand. Going to get him at point blank range, she was stopped by his triumphant grin as he pointed upwards.
"Mistletoe." he smiled. Ingrid rolled her eyes and then began to smile. She walked slowly towards him as he leant forwards and a quiet sigh escaped her lips. She wasn't going to win this one. Letting the snow fall from her hands, she smirked at his damp hair, smudged eyeliner and soaked clothes. Edging closer, Ingrid decided that a quick peck on the cheek to put him out of his misery would do no harm.
"Oh alright then. You might as well…"
"What?" Merlin asked, hardly able to believe his luck.
"Go on, kiss me." And, grinning, Merlin went to do exactly that.
