Iona tenderly stroked Merlin's hair. She'd been at his side since she'd awoken, her burns healed. She'd immediately feared for Brita, but Reynfrey had assured her the baby was safe. Even more, the battle was over and Rankin dead.
"Because of you," Iona whispered, leaning down to gently press her lips to Merlin's.
Merlin hadn't revived since he'd collapsed in her chambers. Reynfrey suspected some kind of healing trance. He said although Merlin looked still, his magic was at work under the surface.
Iona dipped a cloth into a bowl of water. She wrung it out, then dabbed at Merlin's face. Even asleep he looked exhausted and worn. She had taken it upon herself to clean off the grime and sweat clinging to him. As she worked, she caught quiet words coming from behind her in the great hall turned medical ward.
"He hasn't responded," the queen spoke in worry.
"He'll need time," Reynfrey advised.
"I think it may have been too much for him. I should have waited to say anything."
"He would have needed to know some time."
"I'm not certain what he remembers."
"I'm afraid that is something I can't cure."
"No." The queen sighed.
"I'm sorry I have to take you from him, but Sir Leon..."
"Yes. I'll come."
Iona glanced behind to see Gwen following Reynfrey out of the grand hall. Sir Leon's body had been reverently retrieved from the vaults, and she suspected was now being prepared for travel. People rumored he'd be worthy of the noblest of funerals—his bier set upon the Lake of Avalon. Like her sister. Iona stared at Merlin again. Freya hadn't been worth it, not by traditional standards, but this man had a purer heart than most.
Iona caressed Merlin's brow. "I love you."
She looked over her shoulder. The prince lay on a cot not far away, his back to her. She knew how he felt right now, and if Merlin were cognizant, he would have been at his side. She stood and quietly strode over to him.
Carwyn stared at a patch of patterned light streaming from a stained glass window. Physically he'd been undamaged during the battle, but mentally he could hardly function. Camelot had come under assault by an army lead by him. My people—I hurt them. I...killed them.
Carwyn tucked his arms into his chest. He'd been so arrogant! Merlin had warned him to leave instead of take on Rankin. He hadn't thought the sorcerer stood a chance against them both. Hadn't they forced him from Iona's mind? Hadn't he been almost killed seven years ago?
Rankin had devised a plan. Of course he had. And Carwyn had played right into it. If he had fled, perhaps he could have reached Camelot in time to warn his people. Instead, he became the enemy.
"My lord?"
Carwyn didn't stir. He didn't want to be disturbed, but he couldn't manage to say anything. Shoes stepped within his vision, and a woman lowered herself to the floor in front of him. He didn't look directly at her, but he knew it was Iona.
"I'm sorry."
Carwyn blinked, but still refused to look at her. Leave me alone.
"I know how you're feeling... What it's like to be used this way... I know it doesn't help much, but you didn't do this. He did. And he's dead. He won't make anyone his tool again." Her voice broke.
Carwyn shifted his gaze to her. He'd blamed her, threatened her, would have executed her. Now he knew what she had faced—the horror of realizing you had done things you couldn't even recall except as a bad dream haunting you.
"You will be forgiven. They'll perhaps be suspicious for a time, but in the end, they'll take you back." Iona glanced down at the floor. "Like you did me."
Carwyn clenched his jaw, a lump growing in his throat. She had tried to poison Nyra. Him? He had... he had... "I hurt you and Nyra and Percival... Aithusa... Blaise... I almost killed my daughter!" He trembled, his breath coming in painful waves.
Iona rose to her knees, laying a hand on his shoulder. "My lord, it wasn't you. And she is safe." Tears arose, trailing down his cheek. "It's not your fault."
"I'm sorry," Carwyn choked out. "I was so wrong how I treated you."
"It doesn't matter now," Iona spoke softly. "I hold no grudges. Those who love you will not hold anything against you either."
Carwyn drew in a breath. He supposed that was likely true, but he was determined not to forget where pride could lead him. He would not be so foolish again!
Iona laid a cloth to his face, wiping at his tears. "Merlin cares deeply for you. He would not want you to torment yourself with guilt you don't deserve."
Carwyn looked back at the light from the window, the Pendragon crest reflected on the floor.
"Your people need you. They need to see your strength and know they cannot be defeated as you were not."
Carwyn pondered her words. What wisdom she had. And she had spent most of her life on the streets. No wonder Merlin had made her his.
"Get up," came a new voice, one Carwyn knew well. He welcomed the person, but not the command.
He rolled over. "Nyra... I'm sorry. I didn't want to..."
His wife interrupted, grabbing his arm with her iron grip and pulling him up. She held his shoulders with both her hands, a look of fury on her face as she met his gaze. "Don't apologize to me. You think I believe you were the one who wounded me? Who tried to hurt Brita? You think I would ever believe you capable of that? You owe me nothing."
Carwyn swallowed hard. "But..."
Nyra's hands moved to his cheeks. "I promised to love you no matter what happened and you cannot shake that love. You're stuck with it."
Carwyn's chin quivered and he wondered for the millionth time how he had ever deserved her.
"Now, come and see." She took his hand and pulled him towards the double doors.
Iona followed, curious what had Nyra so insistent.
Carwyn found himself directed to stairs and the battlements. It was a bright day, a bit chilly but fresh and new. Nyra led him to the parapet and pointed. "There."
Carwyn creased his brow. Legions of people were coming through the woods and over the hills, streaming into the lower town and Citadel. "Who?"
Nyra beamed. "My people. Aalef has called them. They come to heal their kingdom."
"Druids," Carwyn whispered, people he honored and loved, but people who had skirted the Citadel ever since the Purge. Aalef's band had been the only ones comfortable enough to come near since one of their own had linked herself with the royal family. "Why?"
"He has convinced them they are needed, and it's time they take their rightful place in Camelot." Nyra stared up at him. "They come for you and Emrys." She slipped her arms around his waist.
Carwyn wrapped his arms around her slight form, tears once again gracing his eyes.
Iona marveled. Merlin, if only you could see this.
Gwen strode purposefully into a chamber reserved for the dead. Those preparing bodies for burial bowed their heads as she passed. She stopped next to a table where a man lay as if asleep, his curly hair brushed back from his brow, his eyelids unmoving.
"Leon," Gwen whispered. She heard movement and glanced back to see Reynfrey shooing people from the room. He nodded to her and closed the door. She looked back at the body. "They give me a last moment with you."
Gwen hesitated to touch the knight, fearing the stiffness of death, but she owed him this. She lay a hand on his arm. She leaned over and gently kissed his forehead. When she rose, tears fell. "I'm sorry I was too scared, too stubborn... I did love you. I should have told you."
Gwen fingered some of Leon's hair that draped over a pillow. Even in death they gave him the dignity he deserved. "Be at peace, loyal friend."
Gwen let go the man who had loved, but never demanded hers in return. She turned away, rubbing at her cheeks, replacing the mask of duty she so often wore. She opened the door. Reynfrey nodded to those in his service who reentered the room.
"You may take him now," Gwen said. "We will leave at dawn."
"Yes, my queen." Reynfrey set a kind hand on her arm and she smiled gratefully at him.
"Your majesty!" One of the council members was hurrying down the hall.
"What is it?" Gwen's heart froze, afraid to hear more bad news.
"Hundreds have come. They want to see you."
Gwen paced next to the man, headed towards the courtyard. "Who?"
"Druids."
Druids? Before Gwen could even set a toe in the courtyard she was met inside the door by Aalef.
"Our queen," Aalef said, bowing his head. "We greet you."
"Aalef," Gwen replied, peering behind him at the courtyard filling with people. "You bring your band?"
Aalef grinned. "I bring every Druid."
Gwen cocked her head.
"Every one that can travel and hasn't occupied themselves elsewhere."
"I don't understand."
"We held a meeting not two nights ago. Rewi spoke to us. She is revered by many."
Gwen recognized the name of the seer even though they had never met.
"She told us the time for magic had come. All magic. That we must relinquish our fear and self-preservation as Emrys has for years. That we must serve the kingdom and its servants—the queen, the prince, and his heirs."
Gwen stared in disbelief.
"It was a sign when Nyra united with the prince. Too long have we separated ourselves. We let King Uther drive us away. We did not support King Arthur as we should have. This is our time as well as yours. If you will have us, we wish to heal and redeem our kingdom and people together."
Gwen's throat ached with emotion. "Yes. I accept. You are most welcome."
Aalef smiled and took the hand she offered, kingdom and magic come together fully at last.
Voices echoed in Merlin's mind, bouncing back and forth as he grew into consciousness. They were from the past, the present, maybe even the future. He couldn't quite tell. Everything seemed to meld together, and then he was taking a deep breath and falling into the rude awakening of a coughing fit.
A hand slipped under his back and he let it guide him to a sitting position. Cold metal touched his lips and he drank the offered wine. He blinked a couple times before the world widened from his narrow tunnel vision. Someone sat next to him on the bed in his chambers.
"Iona." He blinked again and coughed again, his voice scratchy from disuse.
"Reynfrey will be pleased to see you awake at last." She smiled.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. Anytime someone said something like that it meant he'd been unconscious far longer than he liked. "How long has it been?"
"Two weeks."
"Two?" He had assumed he would need rest, but not that he'd be asleep for weeks!
"A little more, to be honest. Reynfrey thinks you went into a healing trance."
Merlin massaged his temple. Perhaps. He wasn't sure. He just remembered... What? Memory flooded him. He grabbed Iona's arm. "You were hurt. And Percival, Nyra. What about Carwyn?"
Iona took the goblet out of his hand, setting it on a side table, then linked one of his hands with her own. "I'm fine."
"Tell me what's happened."
"So much, but wait a moment." She let go his hand and walked to the door, opening it to peek outside. She spoke lowly to someone, then shut it and turned back to him. "The queen wanted to know the moment you awoke."
"Gwen. How is she?" Merlin made to get up, but Iona dashed over to him, pushing his shoulders back against the headboard.
"Be still. Reynfrey says you'll need to take it slowly at first."
Merlin stared at her. "I think you don't want to tell me something."
"We're alright, Merlin. It's just...healing can take time. Are you hungry?"
Merlin nodded. Iona walked back to the door and disappeared for a moment. Merlin glanced around his room. By the light, it must be mid-afternoon. He peered down at himself. He was in a nightshirt. He felt sudden panic and slid off the bed, but wobbled and fell to his hands and knees.
"Merlin!" Iona rushed to his side. She gave him her hand and helped him stand. He leaned into her. "You aren't supposed to be up yet."
"My clothes. Where are they?"
"They've been washed and dried already."
Merlin's eyes were wild. "There was something in them."
"We have it."
Merlin calmed. "You have..."
"A purple gemstone. Carwyn says...my sister is in it. Or her soul. He told us what happened to you." Iona's voice was sad. "It's in the vaults. The queen thought it best to protect it until you could tell us more about it."
Merlin noted the concern in her voice. "Freya's not hurt. I know what to do to help her."
"Merlin," Gwen reprimanded as she entered the room with a tray of food. "I assume Iona told you to stay put and you ignored her."
Merlin smiled at her. "Maybe."
Gwen raised the tray. "I met a servant from the kitchens on the way, but I won't give you this until you're back in bed."
Merlin let Iona aid him to the bed, and he slipped his legs back under the sheets as he sat. Iona pulled away as Gwen handed the tray to Merlin, then scooted a chair over to the bed.
"I'll get Carwyn," Iona said quietly, leaving the room.
Gwen watched her go. "She's grown closer to Carwyn these two weeks. I think they share an experience we can't."
"Gwen, what's happened?"
Gwen looked to Merlin, smiling with a mix of joy and sorrow. She leaned over to embrace him. "First, thank you. We're safe because of you."
Merlin let her hold him, but shook his head. "Not just me. The warriors and knights."
Gwen settled into the chair. "I think you stayed too much in the background most of your life. It's okay to accept the praise."
Merlin figured it was, but he never felt right basking in it. "I want to know how everyone is."
Gwen took a breath. "Nyra is well. Already training warriors again. Brita grows. Percival will heal slowly, though..."
Merlin titled his head. "Though..."
"His spine was broken. Reynfrey did his best to mend it. He will always have a bit of a limp."
Merlin had picked up a grape, but paused, taking the news in.
"Blaise is healthy. He will bear a few scars all his life, but he's bonded with the white dragon."
Merlin chewed at the grape, remembering that he'd seen his scribe with the dragon on the way into the citadel. "What had happened to him?"
"Carwyn tried to get her to fight against us. She wouldn't."
That explained the burns he'd seen on her.
"Blaise tried to protect her." Gwen smiled softly.
Merlin shook his head. Leave it to Blaise with his little skill to sacrifice himself willingly.
"We lost several knights and warriors. Leon was set on the Lake." Gwen's eyes had lowered.
Merlin stopped chewing and swallowed hard. Another friend taken from him.
"I would have waited for you if I could."
"It's okay." He'd have to grieve the noble knight in his own way. When Gwen didn't continue, Merlin ate silently for a few moments, then asked, "Carwyn?"
Gwen looked up. "He throws himself into rebuilding the town and the people. He deals with the pain he caused, even if it wasn't his fault."
Merlin could imagine the prince's feelings.
"Something else has happened," Gwen reported, her countenance brightening. "The Druids are here."
Merlin inquired around a piece of bread. "Aalef?"
"Not just him. All of them that could come. Merlin, all the Druids in Camelot."
Merlin eyed her intently. "They're here?"
"They held a meeting, listened to Rewi and Aalef and decided the time had come to join Camelot as one. They've been invaluable. Carwyn ordered the unenthralled released from the dungeons to heal. The Druids have taken on that cause. Our people come back to us by the day."
Merlin marveled. Druids in the Citadel. He smiled at the irony. Oh wouldn't Uther have loved to see this! If he'd thought Arthur had destroyed his legacy... Well, they had done far worse.
"Iona hasn't left your side," Gwen said quietly. "She's devoted herself to you." Pain colored Gwen's eyes. "Don't waste this chance. Take her into your heart. Marry her."
Merlin swallowed, heat rising in his cheeks. "I hadn't thought that far ahead yet." Well, not really. Perhaps in passing.
"Don't wait too long. We're not getting younger."
Merlin shifted uncomfortably. No, but he wasn't heading towards death either.
The door opened again, this time admitting the prince with Iona behind him.
"Carwyn!" Merlin called out.
The prince approached sheepishly. "Merlin."
"Don't make me stand up," Merlin teased.
Carwyn came close to him. Merlin grasped his arms and pulled him into an embrace. "I thought I'd lose you," he whispered. "I'm sorry. I did what I had to."
Carwyn tightened his hold on the warlock. "You're sorry? I was a fool. I tried to fight Rankin." He pulled back, his face awash with guilt. "I should have left as you told me, then all this might not have happened."
Merlin stared at him sternly. "Don't spend another minute letting Rankin destroy your life."
Carwyn glanced at Iona who smiled encouragingly. "I'm trying." He looked to Gwen, then back at Merlin. "About my life... We're not sure what occurred in Iona's chambers. Nyra said you tried to kill yourself, but she doesn't think that was exactly what you did."
Merlin glanced between the three expectant faces. Iona had moved back over to the bed, sitting on its edge. What could he tell them? How did he tell them? "I thought it was the right thing to do at the time."
Gwen sat up straighter. "Thrusting a sword through your stomach?"
Merlin ran a hand through his hair. "It sounds stupid when you say it like that."
Iona reached out to take his hand again. "Whatever it was, we trust you."
Merlin squeezed her hand. He spoke to the tray in his lap. "I've thought for some time something was different about me. I've aged, but I've not felt old. I didn't think too much about it until Nyra was poisoned, and I took the poison in but didn't die." He looked up. "When I was in the Crystal Cave before Camlann and saw my father, he said I'd always been and always would be."
Iona gasped. "You can't die?" Gwen and Carwyn shared a glance.
"I suspected that," Merlin confessed. "So much of my life makes sense then. Why I survived things that would have killed others." He thought of Nimueh's attack on the Isle of the Blessed, suffering the effects of the Dorocha, the numerous times Morgana had attacked him but never killed him. He looked at Carwyn. "Rankin made you a vessel for the enthrallment of his army. I didn't know how to release the spell without taking your life." Merlin hesitated. Did he speak of the images he'd seen? He wasn't certain they'd been real people. He thought it more likely they were a vision or a manifestation of his own thoughts.
"Why did you try to take yours?" Gwen asked.
Merlin flushed. "I thought I couldn't die, but my magic had caused Carwyn to live. When I was in danger seven years ago, that bond came alive. I assumed if I were hurt, it might respond once more. I wasn't sure what would happen. His magic came back to me, at least enough to stop the vessel spell."
Carwyn blinked, trying to comprehend what Merlin was saying. "So the sword didn't kill you, but my life was removed."
Merlin nodded. "I believe so. Carwyn, it was the only option I could think of."
"I don't blame you, Merlin. I could never do that, but...why am I alive now? What did you do?"
Merlin ran a hand over his face. This was a bit more surprising even for him. "For as long as I can remember, I've been able to slow time. I couldn't do it for long, but enough to give me an advantage sometimes. I thought since time doesn't have a complete hold on me, I could stop it for you, at least until I killed Rankin. It was a risk, but it worked."
Merlin paused, uncomfortable. The faces of those staring at him were dumbstruck with awe. "I'm...not sure...how much I can really do," he stammered. "I'm not a god. I know that."
"You returned my magic?" Carwyn whispered.
Merlin nodded. "That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be."
Carwyn walked to the table in the room, supporting himself with a hand braced on it.
"I'm sorry, Merlin," Gwen spoke softly. Merlin looked to her and understanding passed between them.
"Sorry?" Carwyn asked as he turned. "It sounds to me like your power is far greater than anyone knows."
"You can't understand," Gwen said, keeping her eyes on Merlin. "To watch the world pass by and you continue on. To watch friends leave you and you can never join them." She broke off, seeing tears appear in Merlin's eyes.
Iona moved closer to him, laying a head on his shoulder. "We may not live forever, but we'll walk with you as long as we can."
Merlin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned back against the headboard. He pushed thoughts of immortality away, too weary to let the weight of eternity burden him.
Gwen had stood and moved to the bed, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's right. You know I'm here for you."
Carwyn came close. "Thank you, Merlin. For saving my people no matter what it took."
Merlin smiled and closed his eyes against his tears.
A day later, Merlin found he could walk again. Iona accompanied him around the castle. They were stopped along the way by people grateful to him for their salvation. Word of his part in the events had spread, though not the fact he was immortal. That tidbit stayed with the only three people who knew it.
Merlin bobbed his head and accepted the thanks, but he wished they would stop. Gwen had been right. He'd gotten too good at doing things without expecting anything in return. Sometimes he thought in his heart he'd always be a servant no matter how much authority he seemed to wield. And perhaps he was. When Arthur came back, he'd take his place at his king's side, the faithful servant he'd always been.
Merlin was taken aback by the state of the citadel, not the destruction, which turned out to be minimal, but the Druids all over it. Gwen had opened every room to them and they were busy at all kinds of tasks, but mostly he saw them speaking spells and aiding the minds of the now unenthralled. Greetings of Emrys echoed in his mind, and the flow of magic all around him was intoxicating. He had to rest several times to adjust to its overwhelming presence.
When Iona led him into the fresh air of the courtyard, Merlin observed noble children, village children, and Druid children all playing a game of tag together and felt his heart might burst. This was the quality of Camelot's magic—pain and destruction overcome by love and compassion. Arthur had laid the foundation for a united kingdom; they had built upon it. We did it, Arthur. Your people are finally one. Merlin swallowed a knot in his throat. His own dream of magic accepted and flourishing had come to pass at last.
Merlin cleared his throat. "I want to go to the vaults." He looked down at Iona.
"Freya," she intuited.
Merlin nodded. "I need to take her home."
