The coming of Arthur Pendragon
They say there is this moment in life, when you can sense (despite all reasoning) that something heart-breaking and horrific is going to happen. You can feel it in good time if you're willing to believe it. But I was feeling it Way before the 'good time' was coming because of my visions. Visions of so much pain, I'm waking up wanting to tear my hair out with the images of all those I love…dying. Despite my worries building I'd been feeling oddly calm about the whole thing… which seemed odd to Merlin as he was going stir crazy.
It all started when a group of knights were killed by Cenrid and a massager brought a cloak as evidence from the scene of the mascara to Arthur. I watched Arthur give Father the names of all the knights that had been killed and Merlin had been silently comforting my silent tears, even Merlin was feeling a deep sense of lose. My heart was bound once again by a grief, I wanted to bare no witness to the continuation of the world and the one person who always knew what to do was dead. Yet despite all my grief I knew he would survive yet still my pain plagued my logical and rational thinking.
Merlin was just about to take me out of the room about an hour later as the convocation continued on how to proceed when the doors pushed open and my heart couldn't believe my eyes. Many knights within the room shook hands with Leon as he walked further into the room, not believing he was truly alive and when he caught my eye and saw my tears he moved over to me.
"Adira you promised to never cry over me" I let my relieved tears come out and I jumped up and hugged him so tight I thought I might strangle him.
"I lied. I could not bare a world without you" Merlin shook Leon's hand as he set my on the floor
"Good to see you are safe Sir Leon, I'm glad to see you well" He smiled
"Thank you" Leon moved towards Arthur then. He and Arthur shared a knightly hand shake. As Leon explained what had happened to him I knew which druids and which cup they were referring too and my heart sank from dread… this was it, this is where Morgana's betrayal will be known to everyone, this is where she took control of Camelot with an immortal Army. This was when loyalties would be tested and hearts would be worn. I only wish, despite my continuous visions what the outcome will be.
I would not leave Leon's side even after Gaius had checked him over. I sat on the other side of his bed, my head on the pillow. Arthur sat in a chair beside Leon after Merlin left with Father and Gaius, obviously wanting to give us time with our family friend. Leon turned to me then
"You realise if your father catches you like this he'll think you like me?" I leaned closer to him
"I do like you, but like I like Arthur. Drives me crazy with a careless regard for your own life yet I still love you" He smiles
"I am sorry to have caused so much pain" I slapped his arm
"Don't be sorry, be pissed at whoever killed you. I swear if Arthur doesn't run Cenrid through with his sword, I will" Arthur nodded in complete agree
"Without my father breathing down your neck, what can you tell me about this cup?" Leon sighed
"I don't know sire, it was big… gold with odd writing on the rim and base" I smiled at him
"It would have been Latin for 'Here lies the power of life, be warned, be brave' both men looked at me confused.
"Leon did this cup have a silver ring running half way down the stalk with a dragons face running out of it?" Leon thought for a moment
"How could you possibly know that" I sighed
"Because Nimuer had the cup when I went to sacrifice myself in Arthur's place when she poisoned him" Arthur looked shocked
"How did you survive?"
"Emry's… I did not see his face, I merely saw a storm form above me and the lighten strike Nimuer down and the words 'The cup does not care who's life is taken as long as the balance is restored. Return to your destiny Miss. Pendragon' and I was left soaked in the rain on an island. Lucky Merlin had seen my letter and came to get me and brought me home" Leon smiled
"I knew he would not leave you to die, even then" I laughed that they focus on that.
"Hunrith, Merlin's mother always used to say to me 'Dear girl, if he can take one look at you and see nothing but good I can promise you, you are a pure soul… Though be careful because when something's wrong with you, he'll know properly before you even know you have a problem' and she was right… even before I left his letter with his mother. Even before he'd left Arthur that night he knew something was wrong. It amazes me how he knows" Merlin poked his head in
"I know because I know you Adira, You have these little tells for almost every emotion you feel and I just watch and listen, no big deal really" Arthur laughed
"Even I don't believe that Merlin, You could take her hand right now and you know how much or how little to touch her depending on her mood, you know how to make her feel like no matter what pain she's feeling she's never alone. No man I know has ever looked past her beauty to that side to her" Merlin smiled softly at I wrapped my arms around his waist
"Her beautiful is impeccable no doubt, but that's not the reason I fell in love with her" Leon smiled
"There are many reasons to love her Merlin, which is yours?" Merlin laughed
"Does there need to be but one? Her faith in me is one, her ability to see the good in all people is another, her ability to know what the future brings yet still be there to comfort my stupid worries, her smile, her beauty, her ability to get whatever she wants from whomever she wants. Her ability to protect me from those who don't treat servants with respect or at least much worse than Arthur does me. But the main reason? Is so that everyday she knows someone does not care about her self loathing or self doubt and loves her anyways" Arthur smiled
"Sounds… perfect" Merlin and I scoffed at the same time and we both laughed.
"The last couple I saw disagree to such a comment, didn't last that month" I turned to Leon
"We know our relationship is not perfect, we know not to expect the best from each other at any given moment and situation, we also know that there will be things we need to give each other space for… things we must do alone" Merlin continued on
"We also know there is always going to be things we disagree on and some things which will probably lead us to being mad at each other… but I do not for one second regret any moment of loving her" I smiled softly
"And I you dear and I you… now enough of this lovely dovey nonsense, Leon we must let you rest and Merlin you have a dinner to eat… I could swear you're wasting away" Arthur cuts in as we leave
"That's not what you say about me" I laughed and tabbed his stomach
"That's because you eat 3 times you own body weight" Merlin smiled
"She's calling you fat basically" Arthur scoffed
"I am NOT fat" It was at that moment a guard came down telling us that Father requested Arthur's presence. I shrugged thinking it was just another trivial thing. I dragged Merlin home to eat something and during that night, I and Gaius told him of the stories of the cup. It was amazing how many legends I'd heard of as a child were coming true… maybe they all were. I shuddered to think.
It was an hour before Arthur told Merlin he was to start packing for him and Merlin to leave by sunrise. Merlin walked off to start packing and Arthur was about the follow him when I spoke to him
"I'm coming with you" Arthur turned to me
"No Adira, No this is my most dangerous mission yet I cannot let you go" I scoffed
"You better than anyone know I can handle myself and what about Merlin? You're what just going to pull him into the face of danger without so much as a sword? It's not happening Arthur… I can tell Father I'm going to visit some friends in the far towns, scared to be in Camelot cuz of the cup story and need some time. I'm going and that's final" Arthur growled
"Do you really think I'll let something happen to him? If I can't take care of my men… I take Merlin because despite all his nonsense he keeps me focused and yet distracted from the troubled road ahead. But there is no way you're going Adira and that's final" I let out a barely controlled breath
"You are not going through bandit infested lands, into Cenrid's kingdom to get the godforsaken cup without me" Arthur looked surprised
"How did you—" I burst out laughing, but there was no humour in it.
"You really think I'm that naïve? I know father will not risk the cup in Cenrid's land especially in Druid hands… funny thing is he wants the cup but I also figure if the worst would come he would not hesitate to make his army immortal" Arthur stepped forward as if to stop me speaking treason
"Face it Arthur… I've been prepared for this a lot longer than you have" He sighed and took defeat
"Fine, but you do what I say when I say it and you stay close to Merlin you here?" I nodded
"Yes Sire" Though angry I saw the smile creep onto his face and he finally left.
By morning we left, lightly but effectively packed. I knew Morgana was watching us leaving and I know that she knew all the details about the cup that I did but I would not let fear of her actions get in my way. We rode fast and steady for most of the morning until I found myself falling off my horse with a dart in my neck… I did not like this one bit.
When I woke I found myself with my head on a very familiar cushion. I rubbed my eyes and shook Merlin
"Come on wake up… wake up" As my vision cleared Merlin sat up beside me looking concerned.
"You okay?" I nodded
"Little dizzy, you?" He nodded
"Fine I think…" I then saw Arthur grab a hand that tried to touch him
"You touch me again.. you die" The man knelt down and helped me to my feet as Arthur helped Merlin to his feet.
"Gwaine… no way on this earth" I laughed out loud and hugged him tightly
"Is this why you've not been getting my letters?" Gwaine sighed
"I'm sorry, you know I would always reply… Guess I was in the wrong place wrong time wrong drink" I let out a knowing laugh
"Never going to change Gwaine" The man in charge came over and pointed at me as the slave to fight his champion. As that seemed to be a form of entertainment these days.
"I will take her place" Arthur called up at the man
"No Arthur, I'm able to fight my own battles and if I have to guess the champion amongst all these… I'd say Gwaine is" The slave trader laugher
"A smart girl… lets see if you're as handy with a sword" We were all moved into another chambers then, one where the salve trader could look upon the battle from a closer view. He spoke to us then
"The rules are simple one man lives and one man dies… or in this case women. If you cannot or will not finish your opponent I will kill you both, Let Battle commence" I glanced at Merlin and Arthur who were being held to stop them from intervening. We both bent down and grabbed our swords and after encouragement from the crowd and hesitation on both our parts Gwaine made the first move and clashed his sword with mine and we danced around each other and I burst out l laughing
"You know if I didn't know better Gwaine I'd fear you were trying to actually hurt me" Gwaine laughed
"Oh and whatever would give you that idea? The only princess I could not charm… you broke an almighty record" I shrugged carelessly as we continued to dance
"There is an exception to every rule Gwaine, shouldn't the amount of them you've broken tell you that?"Gwaine laughed fully then and the battle continued at a faster pace than before, clashing at an even pace, somehow we ended up on the floor my laying on top of him, that was all the distraction Merlin needed to set the place aflame and for us to escape with our lives.
We ran for like an hour straight and when we finally stopped to rest I burst out laughing so completely
"You know I wonder how you ever survived without me Gwaine" Gwaine smiled his usual flirty smile
"I never said I could" I gave him a pointed look and then we both burst out laughing.
"And what brings you to such forbidden lands Adira?" I smiled
"Druid caves…. Looking for the cup of life" Arthur who was bickering with Merlin while still trying to catch his breath went to slap me behind the ear and I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back
"Do not think that will ever work with me dear brother" I pushed him away
"What part of secret did you not get Adira?" I pffted at him
"There are few men I trust in this world.. Gwaine is one of them. Learn to deal" Merlin sighed
"And besides we could use the help anyways" Arthur rolled his eyes and once again we set off. Arthur and Gwaine started arguing about who would have won that fight… me or Gwaine. Gwaine was adamant it was him and Arthur was sure I would have beaten him. Merlin got fed up with them both and surprised all of us.
"Another minute and they both would have been killed, your plan was a half-baked disaster and if had it not been for that fire we would all be pushing daisy" And slipped between the two men. I grabbed both their shoulders
"Isn't he just dreamy when he takes charge" I slipped through them too, a little squeal escaping from me. I knew they were silently agreeing I was gross and Merlin never stopped their argument, they just decided there were things more important.
I loved these 3 men, there was only 2 other men I loved just as much… one was Lancelot and the other was Leon. Surprisingly my father did not make the list...how odd. I did love him just not in that 'you'll always be there for me' kind of way. More a 'I love you cuz your my father but the minute you do something wrong I'm going to resent you'. It look less than 3 hours to reach the caves.
As we entered the supposedly empty cave, Arthur saw movement and pulled a little boy out from under the table. He was scared as Arthur demanded to know where the cup was, not being gentle at all. I slap his hands away from where he held the boy.
"Arthur you're scaring the poor boy. Tell me dear boy can you tell me your name?" He slowly reached out but Arthur grabbed my shoulder
"No Arthur it's okay… he cannot hurt those who do not harm him. It's the druid way" The boys hand touched mine and I felt the name 'George' whistle around me in the wind and I smiled softly
"You have a lovely name George. Mine is Adira. It's very nice to meet you… could you do me one little favour?" The boy nodded
"Can you tell me where I might find your Daddy? I'm sure your Daddy can help us find what we seek"
"I am the boys father Adira" Arthur grabbed the boy and held a sword to his throat, taking no consideration to the fact I was just getting through to him. Why must men always resort to violence?
"I swear to god Arthur if they don't kill you. I will. Since when did our goals become so important we must threaten children?" Arthur turned to me, anger under toning his voice.
"Since it protected the lives of all those I love" I scoffed
"The druids may not be our friends Arthur...but they are a peaceful people… the little boys whispering of his name is evident of that" Arthur sighed
"I won't give you the boy until I got what I came for" I stepped forward
"I really am sorry about him...you're more than welcome to take a hostage too if it's made you feel better… I'd volunteer" The man laughed
"A heart as pure as the gold in the cup of life, do not lose that dear child" I smiled
"It's not my heart to tend to I assure you" The man threw me a cup, I caught one handed and I bowed my head at him in respect and whispered 'may a new dawn greet you well' in his mind. I turned around
"Now we have this stupid thing… you can let the boy go now Arthur" Arthur looked hesitation
"Athur Pendragon you let that boy go I put my blood in this thing!" Merlin jumped
"Adira no—" I smiled at Merlin
"See Merlin cares if I die.. do you?" Arthur looked confused
"Why would you die from putting blood in the cup?" I sighed
"I will not die from putting my blood in the cup… I will die if my blood within the cup is to ever be spilt and I swear to god I will do it. IF YOU DON'T HAND THE BOY over" Arthur pushed the boy towards me and I bent down in front of him
"I apologize from him. He's a real Prat sometimes… I'm sure you understand if you have brother. But anyways… I guess all I can say is I'm sorry and pray that the legends come true and you can live in prosperity again" The boy suddenly clung to my neck. I stood up but still he would not let go. I held onto him and walked over to his father and handed him over
"You have a beautiful son" The man touched my arm
"As will you one day, but by taking that cup you risk more than you know" I couldn't help my shock and turn to Merlin who kept a shy by honest grin to his face. I let out a sigh at his other comment
"I know of the dangers and I know of the threats within the walls of Camelot…she will not get this cup if my life so depends on it" The man nodded and Arthur left with Gwaine quick at his heel. We were slow to follow and the man's voice echoed in our head
"Mrs and Mr. Emrys… the cup is in your care now. Guard it well, the future of this land depends on it"
How was it in the space of an hour we managed to make a friend, lose a friend, find the cup, and lose the cup, Make Arthur happy and piss him off. This day is full of contradictions. I knew that Morgause would now have the cup and would be sending an army towards Camelot.
"I swear to god we should never have set foot in this land" Merlin nods in complete agreement
"I fear you are right my love. Have you eaten?" As we sat beside the fire as Arthur pace uneasily
"No dear, I'm not hungry" Merlin gave me a pointed look
"When was the last time you ate a proper meal?" I looked down, guilty as charged
"Lunch time yesterday, you were too busy wanting to know about the cup for me to eat all my soup last night" Merlin sighs
"Hard to believe that was only a day ago.. I'm making you stew you must eat it Adira" I sighed
"Yes boss" Gwaine lets out a laugh
"You always let him tell you what to do?" I sighed
"Only because I know he has my best interest at heart and it give me more of a reason take care of myself" I eat the stew in silence for a while. Merlin and Gwaine talked about usual things and Arthur was still out cold from his injuries sustained in trying to protect the cup… I had done what little magic I could without Gwaine being suspicious but I knew the wound was quiet serious.
"Getting too old for all this drama Gwaine?" His usual million coin smile was hollow right then
"I'm never too old for anything" I nodded
"Old maybe is perhaps the wrong work… Tired? Is perhaps a better one. It's okay if you are… I enjoy the thrill of a chase as much as the next person but something you just want somewhere to call home Gwaine. Honestly I do know" I rested my head on his shoulder as Merlin passed me my bowl
"Merlin do you ever get tired of her knowing you so fully that you can't even thinking without her knowing so?" Merlin laughs
"There are things I miss about being by myself but then with everything I miss is another 10 reasons to stay with her so I really cannot complain" Arthur shook then and I let out a worried noise. He was getting worse I could tell, why must he always try and be the hero? I loved to sit beside Arthur, running my hand through his hair to calm him down. Merlin grabbed Gwaine's arm and pulled him away from the camp
"Come on let's give her a moment with her brother… it's the least we can do. I've still got a bone to pick with you about that last trip" Gwaine and Merlin's convocation became a blur in my mind as I tried spell after spell to heal him. The wound itself was not so bad, but infection and fever had set in which was causing him to have fits and a continued state of unconsciousness. With every shake a growing fear set in my heart… I could not do this without him and if he does die this day I will have Cenrid's head before the year is out and maybe the 2 witch sisters too.
When I woke that morning Merlin was cradling me in his arms. Arthur's scream is what jumped me in fright to a state of consciousness and with his anger about the cup being lost and him limping we set at a slow path back to Camelot.
The following Morning we were still trekking towards Camelot mostly in silence. Merlin was using his strength to persuade Arthur to take small breaks or to try to keep me calm about Arthur frustrating mood. It took less than 2 hours for us to come across bodies of some of the patrol knights… not a single enemy body. Morgause had already made Cenrid's men immortal and send them to Camelot. A few leagues later and we caught sight of Camelot in the distant, still standing but smoke pouring from almost all the towers, but with no life evidently seen, my fears set in me like never before… we were too late. Gaius, Gwen, Father, Elyan, Mary everyone I loved was in that castle somewhere my heart almost stopped from fear of losing them.
The closer we got to the kingdom the more bodies piled up around us, familiar faces amongst those I'm sure someone was missing. Merlin had his arm around my waist knowing it was probably the only thing keeping me from falling on my face. Gwaine's banishment from this kingdom seemed to have been forgotten and I was glad, we needed an army or at least a few good men. The lower town was a ghost town, we set for Gwen's home first. When Elyan jumped out and attacked Arthur my heart skipped another painful beat, but my skill and my worry about Arthur's limp the sword I kept on my waist was clashing with Elyan's in record time.
"Elyan" Merlin called out to him, letting him know it was familiar friendly faces. He pulled me into a hug
"I'm sorry I—" I shook my head
"It's okay, please we must know what happened" The fear in his voice shook even me
"They came out of nowhere, mighty army, the weapons we used were useless against them… they were men, my lady, but not men" I nodded at him
"And Gwen?" His voice broke just that bit more at the mention of his sister
"She was in the citadel when they attacked" Arthur nodded, clinging to whatever hope he could find in is pained condition about the women he loves.
"So there is still hope" I shook my head
"No Arthur because the citadel would have been taken" As my words set in we all followed Arthur as he rushed aimlessly towards the castle, his wound affecting him more and more. We had only gotten to the outer walls when Arthur almost collapsed and with an agreed pat on the back from Merlin I grabbed Arthur's arm.
"Where now?" Gwaine asked and Arthur tried to answer.
"Now erm… " Merlin shook his head
"Arthur you cannot go on" Arthur refused to listen
"Gwen, my father" I turned to Elyan then
"Elyan can you find the way to the dungeons? Go with Gwaine and see if you can find them…" Both men left with looks of love as if they knew they might come back, my wallowing was only stopped when Arthur tried to go with them
"No you not" Merlin said as he grabbed Arthurs other arm and pull it over his head
"That's an order" I pffted
"Since when have either of us listened to your orders" With an both holding an arm and after a few close shaves we managed to make it to Gaius's chambers. We had set Arthur down and were about to find some treatment for him when we heard a noise. I grabbed the sword and moved towards the cupboard that the noise had originated from. When I swung open the door and Gaius came falling through I swung my arms around his neck
"Gaius thank god" I clung to him so tight that when I finally let go Merlin did the same to him. Gaius tended to Arthur and I stepped into our room and I realised we were going to have to leave for at least some time to gather our forces to survive, which probably meant more heart ache. I just stood there as Merlin moved around me packing bags for both of us. I already had an emergency packed but he was packing more of my heart-warming things like the box of all the things he ever gave to me.
When Merlin stood up realising he had everything, including the magic book and the water from the lake of Avalon that apparently will help us when all is lost. He stopped and he took in the room. just staring as if it was the most painful place for us to be. He swept me into his arm in seconds
"Oh dear girl, how silly you are… this location means very little to me if not for you. Wherever you are is what I call home" I smiled through my tears
"What happens if we don't come back? What happens if she wins?" I started sobbing.
"Hey hey, she won't win I sure as hell won't let her and neither will you. I know you if you're losing your home you fight for your life to get it back" I smiled at him softly
"You really believe I am that strong?" He pushed my chin up and kissed my tears away
"You are the strongest person I know in physically and mentally" I sighed
"Your faith in me could be crushing" Merlin smiled
"I know it will not be because you exceed every expectation I have ever set for you and yet all I need is you in my life to make my life a blissful dream" It was the noise of Gwaine and Elyan's calls that distracted me from my next comment. I wiped my face and run out there with Merlin to catch hold of the convocation. They spoke of Father being dragged to the throne room. Merlin was the only voice of reasoning
"Arthur there is too many of them, you'll never make it" But Arthurs words were equally convincing
"I will not leave my father to die here...alone" He then turned to the other "Gwaine, Elyan take Gaius and make your way to the woods beyond the castle. I hope we meet again" They were about to rush off
"Hold on their boys" I clung to Elyan's neck first
"I promise you I will not rest until I know what has happened to Gwen" He kissed my cheek and smiled at me knowingly. I hugged Gwaine then
"Don't go getting any idea Gwaine" He smirked
"All up the idea of a simple hug is in my mind Adira" I scoffed and kissed his forehead
"Despite all your charms please be careful" He nodded
"My promise is but yours" I turned to see Gaius giving Merlin a hug and as he let go I clung to him.
"I love you old Man" Gaius laughed
"Who you calling old" He kissed my forehead
"Stay safe dear child I don't expect you to be lost in your own kingdom" I smiled and nodded and watched them leave quickly and quietly
"Go on go, before my heart won't let you go" Merlin's hand was on my shoulder as Arthur turned to Merlin
"Merlin you should go with them" Merlin shook his head
"I've seen the woods already and wherever she goes, I go" He nodded and thanked god that someone was there to just be his friend. We must had hidden a good few times on the way to the throne room, Arthur slowing us only a small amount of steps this time. We made our way to the balcony that hung at the end of the throne room and watched the scene unfold but I was too worried about Arthur's health for a moment.
Morgause stood beside the throne, Father being pushed down on his knees. A crowd of Morgause's men watched as if royal guests.
"Well Uther, how the mighty have fallen" Arthur tried to move so I grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear
"You are injured and they are immortal you are but a dead man if you move" Morgause grabbed the crown off Father's head
"I don't think you'll be needing this anymore" Father's voice was surprisingly calm
"This is unlawful, you cannot do this…" And then he got Angry "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO THE THRONE" Morgana came walking onto the throne platform then
"No she does not… But I do" I swore, it was a whisper one I could feel was lightening Merlin's mood ever just the slightest.
"She stole my lipstick… she frisking steals my kingdom and my lipstick" Merlin didn't know whether to laugh or wonder if I'd lost my mind. Arthur was shell shocked and although I could not see Father Face I knew he probably was too.
"I am your daughter after all" She spat at him as she took her place in front of the throne.
"Don't look so surprised you've known for some time" The usually vicar was then focused to crown Morgana as Queen and for some reason despite all my worries for the future I felt a great deal of relief, like it was finally one secret I could stop keeping and I had to wonder if Morgana felt the same way. Funny how you can hate someone so completely and still relate to them so deeply, it made me feel sick..