AN: So sorry for being so mean to start the last chapter! My irl friend who betas for me yelled at me!
Thank you, gaylelbf and Taz. Grazi for your comments.
sandhopper and Gingeraffealene, you two are so faithful with your support. I'm so grateful, and I'm thrilled to make you laugh.
This chapter is very long because there were so many housekeeping things to cover, and a lot of characters to get on the same page. Bear with me here. Swords and action and all that good stuff to come soon.
CHAPTER 19: Unlikely Allies
"Emrys," multiple voices echoed through Merlin's brain. "The barrier is ours. Speak this Word and you and yours can pass through, but your enemies cannot. We will hold it as long as we can." The voices – druids, of course – said a word that echoed in Merlin's brain. He recognized one of the voices as Iseldir.
"Gwaine, call out to everyone to ride straight through the barrier, and that the druids are helping us." Merlin said. "And...don't let me fall off the horse, alright?"
"What – " Gwaine started to ask, but Merlin spoke the Word of power and lost the rest of what his friend said. There was a feeling of movement, but fortunately it hardly hurt. And though Merlin himself couldn't see it, everyone else watched the air seem to shimmer in front of them. Gwaine yelled what Merlin had told him and plunged through it without hesitation.
When the last member of their party had passed through, Merlin could feel the barrier close again. He missed the awesome sight of half a hundred attacking Saxons crashing into literally nothing.
The fear and mistrust the party would normally have felt being faced by eight druids in their long, brown cloaks were muted by the fact that their pursuers had been halted so dramatically, not to mention the distraction of the giant stone dragon that dominated the clearing.
Arthur dismounted first and held out his hand to Iseldir. "Though the last time we met, I acted dishonorably, still you have helped us. I am in your debt. And when our needs are less immediate, I would like to discuss making reparations to your people." He inclined his head respectfully.
After a long moment of studying Arthur, Iseldir inclined his head back and clasped the king's forearm. "I am Iseldir. We helped because we are loyal to Emrys, and always aid dragon lords when we can." He nodded to Gwaine, who had just helped Merlin down. "But a humble king. What a rarity!"
"I must be humble when I and my father before me have made such grave mistakes. My actions to secure the Cup of Life have haunted me for a long time."
Iseldir stared in Arthur's eyes long enough that the moment grew uncomfortable. Then he smiled. "Emrys has told us for years that you are worthy of our respect and allegiance. This is the first moment I have truly believed that." His eyes flicked over the battered party. "My compatriots can hold the barrier through the night. It seems there is more I can do to help, if your physician does not mind. I even have some suggestions for Emrys' magical pain, and perhaps remove an enchantment." He gave a significant look at Galahad, who was standing, tied and bewildered, with Percival holding his arm.
"Merlin trusts you," responded Gaius. "That means so do I. I would be grateful for any help."
As Iseldir turned, Arthur spoke once more. "Iseldir, you should know that I have revoked the ban on magic yesterday. I have not been back to Camelot to make it official with the council yet, but as far as I am concerned, you are not our enemies. I'd like to become allies. And you are welcome to build a village without our borders, and I will extend my protection."
Iseldir bowed, something druids rarely did, and began to speak to Gaius about who needed help the most.
As the rest of his party dismounted and inspected their surroundings, Arthur evaluated their situation. The Saxons had backed off but not left, and he had no illusions that they would attack as soon as the barrier came down. They were nearly within sight of Camelot's walls, and their enemies had to know that they wouldn't get a better chance to kill Arthur.
He had three fully equipped and healthy knights, and Gwaine who was healthy and armed, but not wearing any armor. His own injury would hinder his speed and maneuverability, though if he could fight from horseback he wouldn't have those limitations. They could not trust Galahad, and he had no idea if Lionel could fight. The boy's injury was fortunately minor, and he did carry a sword, so he might be an asset. Gaius and Merlin would need to be protected, and the druids didn't seem to carry any weapons at all. Arthur was not sure if they would be of any help in a fight.
The Saxons, on the other hand, were fairly well equipped, and they had added to their number significantly during the pursuit. They were probably as weary as their quarry, but their sheer numbers were the biggest problem. There was a chance that a patrol would come past before the barrier came down, but the king knew he could assume nothing. With a mental sigh, he began to think through possible strategies. There was one thing he needed to do, however.
Lionel was attempting to inspect the slice on his upper arm, when a voice said, "Hold still. Let me." He nearly swallowed his tongue when he realized that it was the king. Arthur wrapped a long piece of fabric twice around the injury and tied it tightly. "There. That should stop the bleeding until Gaius can take a look at it."
"Thank you, uh, your majesty," he stuttered.
"Arthur." Arthur smile a little sadly, remembering having this conversation with Galahad. "Out here, call me Arthur. I owe you a thank you for saving my life."
"Um, I just reacted, um Arthur." He winced a little. "Sorry for pushing you down."
Arthur chuckled. Had he ever been that young? "What's your story, Lionel? Are you from Camelot?"
"No, sire. I'm the seventh son of a minor nobleman, Lord Fitzroy of Sennsea. He sent me to Camelot with a letter to you asking if I could become a squire. But you were at war, so I've been working in the palace kitchens."
"I'm sorry that I was not there. Consider yourself accepted. I'll see which knight would like to take you on." He smiled wider at the look on the boy's face. "Don't thank me yet. It's hard work. I'm curious about one thing, though. How did you end up here, now?"
Lionel quickly related the story of how he'd ended up watching over Gwaine and had followed him, refusing to lose a knight. Arthur couldn't help but laugh again. "I appreciate your resolve, Lionel. I think you'll do well." He clapped the boy on his good shoulder and walked over to Leon to start talking about a game plan for the inevitable attack.
Merlin was already so sick of drinking draughts he found himself with a new sympathy for those who suffered from long-term illnesses. Iseldir had complimented Gaius' treatments to help Merlin's eye and the bleeding that must have taken place inside his brain. He suggested a few options to make it a bit stronger, but otherwise no changes. However, he had a potion to help with what he termed "magic burnout." He said it must be taken regularly until using magic no longer caused any pain, then for two days longer. He said magic was like a muscle, and that overuse while Merlin was still burned out could cause greater damage. This had fascinated Merlin's friend, and now he and Gaius were in an animated discussion about the whole process, as both were intellectuals who enjoyed learning. They were chatting away, ignoring the fact that their patient was nearly choking to death on the putrid concoction they'd forced on him.
Someone plopped down next to him. "That looks delicious," said Arthur's smooth tenor.
"You should try some, then. It tastes better than rat." Merlin took another sip and gagged. "Nope, I was wrong. This is much worse than rat."
"Think I'll pass then." There was a comfortable pause. Then, "do you know we're leaning against your dragon friend?"
"Yes, Kilgarrah. I can still feel him here, a little bit. It's like an echo. I guess when you live over a thousand years, it takes a bit for you to fade away."
He heard Arthur shift and imagined him looking up at the stove figure behind them. "Gwaine can hear him speak, which I don't pretend to understand. I would think him mad – madder than usual – except the voice lead him to us just in time to save you." Arthur's eyes shifted to the dragon's snout, where Gwaine was standing with his hand resting on the side of the dragon's head, almost as if they were speaking now.
"He is a lost dragon lord. It was thought I was the last, but I am glad I am not." Merlin fiddled with his blindfold and frowned. His pain was greatly improved, but he was ready to see again. Iseldir had told him that his temporary blindness probably increased the frequency of the visions he'd been getting. Seers sometimes cover their eyes voluntarily, he'd said. It makes them more receptive to seeing with their third eye. Your visions may stop once your physical vision is restored. Merlin certainly hoped so. The druid couldn't tell him how much magic he'd have when everything was healed, but he had laughed when Merlin had asked if his magic would be weak. Never, Emrys. You are magic. Now your magic feels like an ocean instead of an endless chasm. It is still vastly beyond anyone else I've seen. As long as your pathways can heal, you will be a powerful sorcerer. If they do not heal, however, all of that power will simply be trapped inside of you. You must be careful.
"Leon and I talked to Galahad." Arthur's words interrupted Merlin's thoughts. His voice held a deep sadness. "He claims a beautiful, dark-haired woman appeared to him in the Lake of Avalon while he was on patrol. She spoke to him, and made him believe that you were going to kill me. He says he became completely convinced that killing you was the only way to save me. He hasn't tried to escape. He won't even eat. He apologized to both me and Leon, and has asked only that he be able to apologize to you, too. He believes I'm going to execute him."
It's what Uther would have done, thought Merlin. But what he said was, "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. Do you believe Morgana is somehow alive and enchanted him? If so, we can't hold him responsible for his actions, but how will we know if he's free of it? How can we ever trust him?"
"Even now his own will is fighting the enchantment," Iseldir butt into their conversation without embarrassment. "He will shortly break free of it on his own, out of sheer desire. I have not come into contact with many souls more pure than his."
Merlin felt the first big, true smile of the day spread across his face. "That's wonderful news!" He snaked out a bit of magic and found where Galahad was sitting. Acting by feel, he "tasted" the enchantment on the boy. It felt weak and thin. He frowned in concentration as his head began to ache...and Arthur shook his good arm, distracting him into dropping the magic.
"Stop! You're doing magic and hurting yourself, aren't you, you moron?"
"I wanted to check on Galahad. The enchantment I sense is getting weak."
Arthur shook him again, though gently. "Well stop! You are not supposed to do magic now." Iseldir excused himself, but neither Arthur nor Merlin paid much attention.
"It is the only thing I can do to help anyone! Especially now!" Merlin unwisely tried to wave his broken arm to make his point. "I'm nothing without magic, even more now, injured and blind."
"Merlin, listen to me. You once said my life was worth a hundred of yours, but you were wrong. Magic or no magic, servant or king or Master Sorcerer, your life has just as much value as anyone else's. Don't forget it, and don't you dare try again to sacrifice it." Arthur never raised his voice, but he spoke with intense emotion.
Merlin was silent for a few moments. He thought about the Arthur he'd met so long ago, and the Arthur that sat next to him now. He wouldn't hesitate to give his life for this man, and he would never promise otherwise, but he was so very proud of how much his friend had grown. "Thank you, Arthur. I will be smarter with my magic."
Arthur's sigh was loud and frustrated. "That's all I can hope for, I suppose. You really never do listen." His shoulders made a sliding sound against the stone and he stood up. "I'm afraid I have to go do kingly things now, but you go ahead and relax here. I think Gaius has another treat for you to drink."
"Traitorous prat."
Gaius actually didn't bring another draught, but instead, the copies of the two visions he'd recorded. He and Merlin talked through them several times. They didn't make much progress, except to address what it meant that without Gaius "there would be neither side of the coin."
"I imagine it's because I hid Balinor and got him safely out of Camelot," mused the physician.
"And sent him to Ealdor. If you hadn't done that, there wouldn't be a Merlin."
"I suppose not. As for Arthur, I'm not entirely sure."
"Nimue said you are the one who came to her for help when Ygraine didn't have any children," Merlin reasoned.
"Yes, she was my friend at that time, or at least I believed she was. She originally told Uther she could not help, and he asked me to get her to reconsider. I am the one who convinced her to intervene, a decision I have both regretted and been grateful for many times since then."
"Because without it no Arthur. But also no war on magic."
"Actions often have far-reaching consequences we can never see ahead of time." Merlin could only nod. Wasn't that the truth?
It wasn't much later that Arthur gathered everyone except the druids who were still holding up the barrier. The motley crew stood around him: Elwyn, Percival, and Gwaine flanked Arthur. Leon and Galahad, whose hands were bound, stood in front of them. Merlin, Gaius, Lionel, and Iseldir ranged behind them. Arthur's entire posture and demeanor change; the stained armor, torn cape, and bloody pant leg seemed to disappear, and everyone in the clearing knew they were looking at the king. "Friends and allies," he called. "We will all face battle shortly, against overwhelming odds. We are weary and injured. Yet, I am confident of victory, because of who stand at my side. We will not fall today, on the knees of Camelot. Our enemies will expect us to wait until the night is over to attack, but instead, in three hours time, we will drop the barrier and attack. But before that, I must attend a few important matters. Galahad, come forward."
Leon lead the boy to stand directly in front of Arthur. Leon's face looked like it was carved from stone, and Galahad couldn't even make himself look up. "Galahad, you drugged your king and my knights, and would have killed Merlin, who has been my helper and defender for years if you had not been stopped." Gwaine cleared his throat meaningfully, but everyone ignored him. "Yet, you believed you were acting to protect your king. You had been ensorcelled by Morgana, Camelot's enemy and sorceress of great power. Both the druids and Merlin, the strongest sorcerer known, believe that you have broken the enchantment because of the force of your will and the goodness of your heart. These are qualities I desire in those around me. However, we cannot let your actions go unpunished." He drew his dagger, and those gathered held their collective breath. "Look at me," said Arthur, quieter. Galahad looked up, eyes resigned. Those eyes widened in surprise when Arthur cut his hands loose. "Galahad, if you swear on one knee that you will never again attempt to injure the House of Pendragon or any of its allies, you will go free. You will be Merlin's servant and assistant in anything he asks until such time as he decides you are ready to become a squire again. And maybe, if Leon is correct about you, you may one day be a knight."
Tears in his eyes, Galahad knelt before his king and swore to protect not only Camelot, but also all friends and allies of the Pendragons, and it was impossible to doubt the sincerity in his voice. Merlin couldn't keep the smile off his face. "I told you he'd be a great king," he whispered to Gaius, who pressed his arm.
Then Arthur surprised everyone there. He called Iseldir forward and thanked him for the aid, despite how the druids had been treated. He pledged to build them a permanent village, with a school for their children, if they wanted, and offered Camelot's protection.
Iseldir smiled. "You have surprised me, Arthur Pendragon, which is something that does not happen often. So now I will do something surprising. You may have heard that druids acknowledge no king and bend the knee to no one, and that has always been true. But today, on behalf of the druid people, I will swear loyalty to you." Gaius and a few of the other druids gasped out loud, and Leon's mouth literally fell open as Iseldir knelt in the shadow of the dragon and swore fealty to Arthur. He refused to swear it to the line of Pendragon or to Camelot – sons could be very different from their fathers, he said – but he swore they would use their magic only for good and for the benefit of both Arthur and Emrys.
As he spoke the final word, Merlin's whole body stiffened. In that eerie, old man voice he bellowed, "The du Bois curse is broken!"
When everyone calmed down from that, Iseldir explained that Arthur's mother had actually come from a family that was friends to the druids. A powerful, old druid leader had forbade her from marrying Uther and, when she had defied him, had cursed the Pendragon and du Bois lines to be at war with each other and with themselves. There was awe in Iseldir's voice when he realized that what he and Arthur had done had broken that curse.
Despite the excitement, there were still many things to do and an enemy to be faced, and everyone settled down to get a few hours' rest and make the Saxons think they were settling for the night. Great deeds done or not, there was a battle to be fought. As Arthur and the knights planned, Merlin came up with a plan of his own.
