A/N: So, it's been a month and a half since I updated... I am so sorry, you guys! And I can't even blame RL for making you wait so long! (Well, I can, a little, because I did have exams, but still). I've been trying to work on all my active fics (there are... 4? No 5, not to mention all my unpublished stuff...), and it's been crazy. I never know what to write first!
Anyway, thank you so much for all your patience and your lovely reviews, they keep me going!
C36: The Camp and the boy
It took a full day's ride to reach the druid encampment. Lancelot stuck by Merlynn's side at all times, while the other 4 knights - each one an accomplished swordsman and admired warrior - surrounded them. While Merlynn thought it was a little too much, her father had insisted on the extra protection.
Still, she was happy when she saw the telltale charms hanging from the trees; spells to keep unwanted visitors out. Merlynn felt the tingle of their magic wash over her as they passed the invisible barrier. For most normal people, it would probably make them forget why they were there, or make them remember something important they had to go and do. It wouldn't have any effect on most magic users, and, of course, their own group had been invited.
While a lot of people peeked out of their tents to catch a glance of them, there were only 3 people waiting for them. And older woman in the middle, a young man to her right and an older man to her left.
Merlynn gave a sign to her guard to stop and dismount. She was about to step forward to speak to the tribe's elders when hoofbeats sounded behind them. Quickly, she turned on her heel, her hand on her bow.
But it was Vivian who stopped just outside the protective circle. The other princess twitched a little as the spell tried to get her to leave, but she was stubborn as a mule, that one.
"Vivian?" Merlynn said, stepping up to the barrier. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. The barrier, having lost its power because Merlynn acknowledged Vivian, shimmered for a moment, allowing the blonde princess to go through.
"This is diplomatic mission, you're not actually authorized to make any kind of agreement or treaty should the need arise," Vivian said, but there was a slight nervous edge to the way she held herself. The fact that she still hadn't dismounted said a lot, too.
Merlynn narrowed her eyes. "You're lying. Father gave me this assignment, he wouldn't send us both. And you're unaccompanied by your guards." Then, Merlynn realized what was going on. "You snuck out!" she hissed, careful to keep her tone low enough that no one else could hear her.
"Well, it seemed the only way to find out what you and papa are up to, since neither of you seem to be speaking to me anymore," Vivian hissed back, losing her composure for the first time.
Shoving the stab of guilt she felt aside, Merlynn glared. "It's too dangerous for both of us to be out here. Two heirs to the throne out in the forest with only a small contingent of guards? If anyone finds out-"
Vivian waved a hand impatiently and finally dismounted. "They won't find out, I only shed my cloak a few minutes ago, no one saw me leave, and I encountered no one else. And besides, I'm more competent than any soldier father could have sent with me, save perhaps Sir Fredrik."
"That's beside the point!" Merlynn snapped. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Seeing them interacting right now, one would think that Merlynn was the elder sibling. "And of course I can hardly send you back now. Alright, you can assist me in these negotiations, but when the fighting breaks out, I'm putting two guards on you, and you had better stay out of the fighting. If the odds are against us, I want you to ride home and fetch reinforcements."
Vivian looked like she was about to argue, but Merlynn fixed a withering glare on her. "Don't you dare argue. You're the future Queen of Galdara, you have to stay safe, or our father won't have an heir to pass the throne to." At Vivian's petulant look, Merlynn softened, remembering how responsible Vivian usually was. "Much as it pains me to say it, your life is more important than any other, because without you, our country would fall to chaos, and our people would be lost without a leader. I understand your frustrations, Viv, but you must think of yourself first."
"Very well," Vivian agreed, looking once more regal and elegant, like the future Queen she was. Merlynn knew Viv only showed her more insecure and child-like side to her and their parents. She'd never show such weakness to anyone else.
The three elders were still waiting patiently, seemingly unbothered by the drama that was unfolding. Lancelot and the other knights tactfully ignored the sudden arrival of their Crown Princess. Turning to the elders, Merlynn bowed respectfully. "My father, the King has decreed that my sister, Crown Princess Vivian will be leading these negotiations." She stepped aside, and Vivian took the lead.
Merlynn tuned her sister out. At this point, it would just be diplomatic nonsense, despite the druids being a rather informal lot. Movement caught her eye behind one of the tents, and she thought for a moment that she recognised someone, but then Vivian's voice broke through her reverie, and her attention was diverted again.
"... and my dear sister Princess Merlynn will oversee the preparations to stop these bandits," Vivian said.
Merlynn looked up, slightly startled, but managed to hold on to her composure. Vivian was looking at her a tad contritely, and Merlynn appreciated her sister's willingness to share the burden with her. "Is there anyone who can describe the situation to me? And someone who knows the surrounding area?" she asked.
The head elder - or so Merlynn assumed - gestured to the younger man to her right. Merlynn smiled and followed him into a tent. This was going to be interesting.
/*/
Arthur was bored.
He'd sat in on one of his father's council meetings, wrote reports, trained with his knights, and now he was bored. He would wish for something interesting to happen, but if there was one thing he'd learned from Merlynn, it was that interesting usually meant disastrous, so he refrained from it.
But perhaps he could go out on patrol, or maybe even a hunt?
A knock interrupted his train of thought. "Come in," he called from where he stood by the window.
"Sire," a guard greeted. "There's a boy in the central courtyard who said to tell you Griffin. You left instructions that it shouldn't be ignored…?" the man trailed off.
It took Arthur a moment to realise what the man was talking about, but then he remembered young Marlan and immediately strode over. "Show me to him," he ordered, and followed the soldier out to the central courtyard.
Much to his surprise, Morgana was already kneeling beside the boy, looking concerned.
"He won't speak to me," she said as Arthur approached.
"That's probably why he was looking for me," he replied, kneeling beside her and looking at Marlan. "This is Morgana, she's like a sister to me, you can trust her," he said gently.
Marlan looked at the Lady with suspicion in his eyes, but he didn't make a move to run.
Though she looked surprised at the title of 'sister', Morgana just smiled. "If you need anything, we will help you," she said.
For a moment, Arthur wondered why she cared, but then his eye caught the fresh bruise on the boy's face. Morgana would always stand up for those who couldn't do so for themselves. "You came here for a reason, Marlan, what was it?" he asked. He suspected, of course, but without the boy's express statement, there was little he could do.
"It's my little sister," he mumbled, his shoulders hunched and face turned towards the ground. He looked ready to curl up into a ball. It broke Arthur's heart.
"What about your sister, is she in danger?" he asked gently.
For a moment, Marlan still resisted. Then, Morgana slowly got up and moved away. The boy relaxed minutely. "It's… he usually only hurts me," he said softly. "I can handle it!" he insisted, a little louder, when he saw the hardness on Arthur's face. "But my sister is only 3 summers, she… she cries too much, he doesn't like it. He's only does that when he's gone to the tavern."
It took all Arthur's self-control not to march to Marlan's house and beat his father to death. "And your mother?" he asked instead.
"She tries to help. But he just hits her and me more if she intervenes," he whispered. There were tears in Marlan's eyes now, anger and shame warring within the little boy.
Arthur sighed. "Would you be willing to keep my sister company? I promise I'll get your mother and sister back here safely. He won't hurt you anymore." He tried to pour as much sincerity into his voice. Judging by Marlan's cautiously hopeful look, he suspected the boy believed him. Standing up, Arthur gestured to Morgana, who was still waiting anxiously nearby. She'd watch over him while he dealt with the heart of the problem.
He took only two men with him. By tonight, Marlan would be safe, and wouldn't have to worry about his father ever again.
/*/
They had been at the druid camp for half a day. She and Lancelot had spoken at length with Kay - the young man who had stood at the head elder's right during their first meeting - and had started preparations to defend the camp when the time came.
But even with all that to distract her, Merlynn couldn't help but think about Vivian. She just couldn't believe how irresponsible her sister was being. So as soon as Kay decided there was nothing more he could tell them, Merlynn made her way over to what was essentially the village square. "Vivian, I need to speak with you," she said once she'd located her sister.
The blonde schooled her features into the mildly amused smirk she usually wore when she didn't want others to know what she was thinking. It was a mask that had stopped working on Merlynn since she was 8 years old. "What do you want to say, little sister?" she asked innocently.
"Alone," Merlynn said, before turning on her heel and stalking off to the side of the camp. Lancelot stood nearby, but out of earshot. Well, mostly out of earshot. If she started shouting he'd definitely be able to hear. Merlynn sighed. She really didn't want to fight with her sister, but Vivian was leaving her no choice.
The older Princess finally joined her, then, still wearing the mask that hid her anxiousness and worry. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked.
"You shouldn't have come here, Vivian. You'll be Queen soon, you can't just abandon your duties like that.
Vivian rolled her eyes. "You did! You're here, same as me."
"I have father's permission, and a clear objective. All I can see you doing is spiting papa, you're acting like a child!" Merlynn hissed, keeping her volume low.
"I'm acting like a child? What about you and father? Sending each other looks and whispering together… As if I don't know there's something the two of you aren't telling me. If I'm acting like a child it's only because neither of you will tell me anything!"
"Vivian-" Merlynn started, but Vivian swiftly interrupted her.
"I am, as you so eloquently said, to be Queen one day, and I've been going to father's council meetings for years, he consults me on decisions to be made in the Kingdom, but for some reason, this is a secret only the two of you share."
"If father and I aren't telling you something, it's because it has no bearing on your life!" Merlynn protested, her anger surging to the surface. "Contrary to what you may think, not everything is about you!"
"Well contrary to what you seem to think, I'm not that vain!"
Merlynn scoffed. "Says the girl who has spent more time looking at gowns in the last month than she has on political alliances!"
Lancelot glanced over, looking a little distressed, so Merlynn closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I didn't mean that, I'm sorry. I know you're not as vain as you often lead people to believe. But you must know that coming here was foolish and irresponsible."
Merlynn could see Vivian's jaw clenching. "So now I'm foolish and irresponsible as well as childish and vain?" the blonde snapped.
Glaring, Merlynn clenched her fists. "That is not what I said!"
"It's what you implied!" Vivian shouted back. "All I wanted was for you to talk to me, to go back to how things used to be!"
Merlynn fell silent at that. Wasn't that what she'd wished for herself? So how could she be angry with Vivian for wanting something she also desired? "Oh, Viv. What are we doing? We never used to fight like this."
The older Princess folded her arms and looked away. She still looked angry - and with good reason, Merlynn thought, now that she'd stopped to think about it. She had been keeping secrets, after all. "I never meant to make you feel like we didn't trust you, Viv," Merlynn said contritely. Because that's what was truly bothering Vivian, she knew.
"Yes, well, you did," Vivian snapped, but her volume was down to a normal level now, and some of the anger had seeped out of her voice.
Merlynn sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She'd had it up in her usual braid earlier, but the stress of the situation had driven her to leave it loose. A little inappropriate, but none of the druids would care. And Merlynn just needed to run her hands through her hair sometimes. "There is… something I've kept from you, but… I just… I can't…" she trailed off.
"You're not ready to tell me yet," Vivian finished. This time the mask she wore was inscrutable.
Merlynn wanted to tell Vivian, she really did, but every time she thought about opening up about her secret, all she could think about was what would happen if things went wrong. She knew her father would protect her, but… losing Vivian was something Merlynn didn't think she could live with.
Apparently, her silence was answer enough. "Let me know when you are," Vivian said, before turning around and walking back to the camp.
This mission just got a lot more complicated…
A/N: This chapter gave me so much trouble! Clearly, I don't like it when Merlynn and Arthur are apart, or when Vivian and Merlynn argue... So that won't last too much longer, thankfully.
Please, leave a review to tell me what you think!
Also, GoT fans, I've started posting a fic with my friend MaryEvH about Jon/Margaery, so go check that out on her profile! (yes, I know, it's a shameless plug, but who cares, right?) It's also on AO3 so you can read it there also. It's called A Bloom in Winter.