Author's Note: Content Warning! This chapter gets rather dark. Warning for kidnapping, assault, and threats of rape. If you are unable to read this chapter, please message me and I will be happy to give you the first part (that has no content warning) and a brief synopsis of the darker part. (Also, I am posting this early as I will not have time later tonight)
Chapter 19
The Capture
It was a hot day in Camelot. So hot, in fact, that Arthur had canceled the planned training for the knights. Upon learning that he'd have the day free, Gwaine decided to go to the stables to bathe his horse. The stallion was newly broken, and the knight hadn't yet bonded with the beast.
He ran into Marian on his way to the stables. "Hello, beautiful!" he called.
She was sweaty and looked tired, but managed a smile for the roguish knight. "Gwaine! How are you?"
"I'm going to the stables for a bit. Would you like to come?" he asked her, hopefully.
After the last time that Morgana had invaded Camelot, Gwaine and Marian had grown closer than ever. They spent more time in each other's company than not. She would watch as he trained with the other knights, sometimes ending the day in the tavern with them, singing songs, and telling stories.
And he would spend the time he wasn't on duty in the physician's chambers. Gwaine had told Gaius that he wanted to learn more about the healing arts, but the elderly physician hadn't been born yesterday. He understood the lure of a pretty face and pleasant company. Gaius allowed Gwaine to stay and help Marian with her duties, provided he didn't get in the way.
Gwaine loved Marian, and he thought that maybe she loved him too. He just wished that he could get her to admit it. It's not that he minded building a relationship slowly, he was happy with their friendship and budding romance, he just wanted some assurance that the affection wasn't all on his part.
"Sure," she readily agreed. She had meant to see the new stallion anyway. Plus, there was an added bonus of Gwaine's company.
Gwaine stopped at the water pump and filled two buckets. Marian took one of them as they walked.
"So, what are we doing in the stables?" she asked him.
Gwaine grinned. "My horse needs a wash. It'll give me a chance to know the beast. I need to trust him as much as he needs to trust me if we are to go into battle together."
"Well, then I had better have a word with him," she grinned.
Gwaine looked at her sharply. "What? My horse? Why?"
"Since the beast needs to know his rider, I should make sure he knows which taverns to stop at and which to avoid," she teased.
Gwaine laughed with her as they reached the stables. "I don't think that will be a problem, beautiful," he said. "I quit going to taverns without you," he quickly cleared his throat, "…or any of my friends."
"What? Why?"
"Don't have any fun," he answered, shrugging.
She blushed and smiled softly as they entered the stables.
They went up to the stall that housed his horse. The beast's nostrils flared as they approached him and he neighed, scratching his front hoof against the floor. Gwaine was still apprehensive around the temperamental horse and warned Marian. "Be careful, love. He has one hell of a temper!"
Marian walked over to the crates in the corner of the stables. When she returned to the stall, she slowly walked up to the horse and held out an apple. The horse sniffed the offering and opened his mouth to grab it. She didn't let go of the apple as he took hold of it. Instead, she used it to hold his head still while she reached up and gently rubbed between his eyes. She let go of the apple, and the horse chomped down, enjoying the treat.
"Oh, he's just a big baby!" she cooed at the animal.
Deciding that she could be trusted, the horse allowed Marian to rub on his face. He brushed his soft nose against the palm of her hand and nickered, looking for more treats.
"I think he likes you!" Gwaine chuckled in amazement. The damn horse had thrown him on their first meeting and wouldn't accept food from anyone but Tyr, the stable hand.
Marian smiled at the horse. "He was a wild animal, Gwaine. You just have to know how to tame them. And food seemed to work perfectly well on you, so…" she smirked as she turned to him.
"Hey!" he pouted.
He reached into one of the buckets, and as he drew out a soaked sponge, he flicked water at her. His horse whinnied at them but stayed calm.
"Just being honest, Sir Knight," Marian laughed as she shook the water off.
She took the sponge from Gwaine and wrung it out over his head, soaking his hair and tunic. He shook his head, spraying her with cool droplets of water. She squealed and backed away from him.
Gwaine drew out the other sponge and looked at her menacingly. Marian dipped down and splashed water from the trough up into his face.
He sputtered as the water dripped down his beard.
Marian laughed at him. "That's what you get!" she said as she backed away further.
Gwaine dropped the sponge and picked up the bucket as he stalked toward her.
She held her hands up. "You know, you don't have to do this. You can just admit defeat!" she teased. She backed away from him, sure that he wouldn't actually do it. He was a Knight of Camelot. Chivalrous and noble. Kind and compassionate. Serious and responsible. Marian inwardly rolled her eyes at that last thought. Gwaine was hardly ever serious.
"Oh, you aren't getting off that easy, woman!" he said as he tossed the water from the wooden bucket, drenching Marian.
She stood there shocked, cold water soaking through the fabric of her dress. Her hair was plastered to her face. She clenched her fists and glared at the knight.
"Serves you right!" he joked as he picked his sponge back up.
"Oh, this is war!" she growled at him.
They both dipped their sponges into the water trough and began slinging water at each other, yelling and laughing. Marian's foot caught as they were splashing and she tripped, falling entirely into the water trough.
"Fuck!" she yelled when she emerged from under the water.
Gwaine looked at her in concern as she stood. When he saw that she wasn't harmed, a grin broke out over his face, and he began to chuckle at her.
"You look like a drowned rat!" he teased.
Her braid had come undone and her hair was covering her face. She brushed the wet mess from her eyes and stepped out of the trough. As she stormed toward him, she bent to retrieve the other bucket.
"Wait just a minute, Marian. You don't want to do anything you'd regret, do you?" he asked as he backed away from her. "It goes against the Knight's Code!"
"Oh, I won't regret this, Gwaine. Not one bit. And I'm not a knight," she said through clenched teeth. She raised the bucket over his head and dumped the water over him.
Gwaine looked furious. He was soaking from head to toe. Marian's eyes widened as he started forward. She squealed and took off out of the stall and into the main stable.
"You know what? I think you need another bath!" he called out as he chased her. Quickly catching her, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" she protested.
"No, I don't think I will."
"You want another broken nose?" she threatened. The last time he had playfully picked her up, she had kicked him in the face.
"Alright, beautiful. As you wish!" he said as he dropped her into a pile of hay.
She bounced but had a comfortable landing. Gwaine dropped down into the hay beside her.
"I had intended to wash my horse, but I guess I'll have to try again another time," he laughed.
Marian laughed with him and looked over to him fondly. "Have you named him yet?"
"The horse?" he asked. "No, I hadn't thought about it."
"You should. You can't keep calling him The Horse."
Gwaine looked up thoughtfully. "How about Galahad?"
A soft smile stretched across Marian's face. She had wondered when Sir Galahad would make an appearance. This was certainly not how she pictured it, though.
"Why Galahad?" she asked him.
"I had a boyhood friend called Galahad. He always had my back and was the most innocent and pure child in our village," Gwaine explained.
"So, the opposite of you, then?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
Gwaine turned on his side and looked at her teasing smile. "I'm innocent!" he feigned hurt.
Marian barked out a laugh. "Hardly! You are the most guilty man I know," she grinned up at him.
"How so?"
"You drink, you gamble, you throw water on innocent maidens…" she teased.
"First of all, milady, as you have said on several occasions, you are no innocent maiden."
"How dare you, Sir Knight!" she mocked. "You dare to fabricate lies about a lady's honor? You should be sent to the stocks for your impertinence!"
As she tried to get up, Gwaine grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back down. When she wriggled to get away, he lifted himself over her, holding her wrists above her head and pinning her down with his body. Her back arched into him, pressing her heaving bosom to his chest. His trousers began to grow tight as she wiggled beneath him.
"Gwaine," she said breathlessly. The nearness of him was too much. Her pupils dilated with desire, and a light blush appeared from her cheeks down to the swell of her round breasts.
He smirked at her. Cold drops of water fell from his nose and hair, dripping onto her face. He leaned in close, his mouth at her ear, and she shivered as his beard tickled her. His lips were nearly on her, his warm breath caressing her neck.
"Second of all," he whispered low, his voice husky with lust. He studied her creamy skin and licked his lips. "You started it," he grinned.
"AHEM!"
They both looked up from the hay and saw Merlin in the doorway. Gwaine quickly moved off of her.
"Arthur is looking for you both. If you're not too… erm… busy?" Merlin said cheekily.
Red-faced at being caught, Marian stood from the haystack. She had almost let her guard down. Who knows what she would have allowed Gwaine to do to her? She was sure that if they hadn't been caught, she would have ripped his clothes from his body and fucked him senseless. Twice. A thought she would need to explore on her own later that night. As she passed the young warlock, she silently thanked him from saving her from herself, and he gave her an amused smile.
Gwaine stood from the hay and followed her, oblivious to their silent exchange. As she walked by the water trough, Marian swung her hand down and back, splashing Gwaine in the face.
"You'd better run!" he warned her before taking off after her, leaving Merlin behind.
They ran through the town and up to the citadel, Gwaine threatening to catch her while she squealed playfully. He wasn't far behind her as they ran up the steps to the palace, and he chased her up the stairs and around the corridors. When they reached the council chamber, they both slid in, still soaking wet.
They had stopped in front of the king, who was standing over a map on the table with Gaius. Both Marian and Gwaine bent to rest their hands on their knees, trying to catch their breath.
"Arthur…" Gwaine panted.
"You… whew… you summoned? Goddamn," Marian said, out of breath.
Arthur took in their state. They were soaked to the bone and red-faced. "What the hell happened to you?" he asked them.
Marian lifted her index finger, signaling him to hold on while she tried to catch her breath. She stood and grabbed at a stitch in her side.
"Washing… Galahad…" Gwaine said between breaths.
"Who's Galahad?" Arthur asked.
"Horse," Marian said as she bent to sit on the floor. "Out of… breath…" She laid back and stretched out. "Floor… cool…"
Gwaine followed her and sat on the stone floor beside her. He leaned back and stretched out, grabbing at his heaving chest.
"Ran… all the way…" he panted.
"You mean to tell me that my healer and one of my knights can walk to Mercia and back, but can't run from the city to the castle without losing breath?" he scoffed.
"Stairs," Marian explained.
"They're murder," Gwaine finished for her.
"Besides, you try running in a corset," she said as her breathing was beginning to calm. "I mean… it's better than giving me a black eye with these things," she pointed to her bosom. "…but still… too tight."
Gwaine coughed as he sat up, grinning stupidly at her.
"Is she drunk?" Arthur asked, looking between Gaius and Gwaine. The physician shrugged and shook his head.
Gwaine's breath finally having calmed, he looked over to her. "Don't know. You drunk, beautiful?"
"I wish," she said, her face turned against the cold stone.
Gaius cleared his throat to get their attention. Marian sat up, and she and Gwaine both looked to the physician. Gaius gave them a pointed look.
"Sorry," Gwaine said as he stood. He reached down and grabbed Marian's hand, pulling her from the floor.
Arthur nodded and began. "So, I have a task… to… why is there hay in your hair?" he asked, annoyed.
Marian pointed to her chest. "Me?"
She ran her hands over her hair but didn't find the hay. Gwaine looked over and reached behind her, pulling the hay out and handing it to her.
"I don't want this," she said in a low voice.
"Well, it came from your hair," Gwaine mumbled.
"Throw it out or something. Why would I want a piece of hay?"
"I don't know. Because you're a woman?"
"What is that supposed to mean? I mean, if it were flowers rather than garbage, then maybe."
"Are you saying I only give you garbage?"
"I'm just saying flowers every once in a while wouldn't go amiss."
"ARE YOU TWO QUITE FINISHED?" Arthur yelled angrily.
Marian and Gwaine clamped their mouths shut and looked at their king, embarrassed.
"Thank you. So, I have a task for you both…"
000
Arthur wanted to give Gwen something special for their first anniversary. He had decided that he wanted a perfume concocted for her, but not just any fragrance. It had to be floral and spicy and unique. Gaius was up for the challenge, but he lacked a few key ingredients.
The king had tasked Marian to go to one of the outlying villages, to an apothecary named Dracus, to retrieve what Gaius needed. Arthur ordered Gwaine to accompany her, though he needn't have made it an order. Gwaine was more than happy to spend time with Marian.
They left at first light to ride to the village where Dracus resided. It was only a day's ride away, so they wouldn't need to camp; instead, they would stay overnight in the village inn.
Marian was thrilled that her friends had finally married. After the battle with Morgana, Marian had shown Gwen the bracelet Lancelot had given her and explained how it had been enchanted to make her lust after him. Though Arthur had already forgiven Gwen, he put the past behind them. He finally understood that their love was stronger than any spell. With the past forgotten, they had finally married.
"What exactly are we after?" Gwaine asked Marian as they walked their horses side-by-side.
"Frankincense and more cinnamon bark," Marian smiled.
"Is that something you like?" Gwaine asked.
Marian chuckled at his lack of subtlety. "Not exactly, I prefer floral scents, like rose or lavender."
Gwaine nodded, making a mental note of it for future reference. "Lavender is what you're wearing now, isn't it?"
"Have you been smelling me, Sir Knight?" Marian laughed.
"I… no… I mean, yes… I mean…" Gwaine sputtered, embarrassed.
"It's okay, Gwaine," she comforted. "I'm flattered." Though she made sure to wear it whenever she was going to be around him, she was still surprised that he noticed.
Gwaine grinned at her. He was finally getting somewhere.
000
When they arrived in the village, Gwaine promptly dismounted and headed toward the tavern. "I'll go see if anyone can tell us where to find this Dracus fellow," he offered.
"Right," Marian said skeptically. "You just want to fill your gullet with mead," Marian teased.
Gwaine held his hands up in surrender and laughed with her. "You've found me out, milady!"
He walked over to Marian and handed her a small leather pouch. It clinked as she held it in the palm of her hand. "What's this for?"
"That, my dear Marian, contains all of the coins that I have on me. No mead today, beautiful," he replied seriously.
Marian's brow creased in concern. Surely he understood that she wasn't serious. Afraid that she had offended him, she held the pouch out to him. "Gwaine, I was teasing you. Here, take your money. I trust you."
He placed his hand over hers and curled her fingers over the top of the pouch. I love you. Gwaine smiled up at her before backing away toward the tavern.
"Hurry back?" she asked.
"As you wish," he bowed to her, grinning from ear to ear, and turned to go into the tavern.
Marian dismounted her horse and tucked the pouch deep into her saddlebag. She went through the bag and checked that she had everything she needed to trade with Dracus. Villagers were passing by, going about their daily business, and when she smiled at an older woman, she was greeted with a scowl of suspicion.
That was odd, she thought.
She watched some of the other villagers, even saying hello to a few, but none were welcoming. A shiver went down her spine. It had been a long time since she'd been in such an unfriendly village.
It had been about twenty minutes since Gwaine had entered the tavern, and there was no sign of the roguish knight. As unfriendly as the villagers seemed, she could just imagine how the patrons of the tavern wouldn't like being questioned by Gwaine. Worried, Marian tied her horse up and walked to the tavern. She had made it only a few feet inside before she was hit over the head and blacked out.
000
It was cold and damp, and the floor was as hard as stone. Marian opened her eyes but couldn't see a thing. She blinked a few times to make sure that she had actually opened them, but the darkness didn't fade. She tried to wave her hand in front of her face, seeing nothing. Her wrists were shackled together, and there was a chain attached that led to a wall behind her. The tinkling of the chain echoed in the darkness.
"Marian? Are you awake?" she heard Gwaine ask.
Relief flooded her when she realized that she wasn't alone. "Gwaine? Where the hell are we?"
"In some sort of fortress at least a half a day's ride from the village. You were out cold, are you alright?" he replied.
She heard him move toward her, his own chain dragging across the floor. He reached his hands out to find her in the black to reassure himself that she was really there.
"I think so," she told him. "I have a hell of a headache, though." She felt the heat of his body beside her. His fingers softly touched her face, and she reached up to hold his hand, entwining her fingers with his. As fear took over, she shivered, and Gwaine squeezed her hand in comfort.
"Gwaine, who did this?"
"I've no idea," he replied gravely. "We'll get out of here, though. I promise."
Just then, a door opened, and light poured into the room. Marian squinted and shielded her eyes from the bright light. When she looked around, she saw that they were locked in a cell in a stone dungeon. Two men, dressed in black, entered, and Gwaine instinctively moved in front of Marian. The men opened the cell door and picked him up roughly. Without a word, a third, larger man entered the dungeon and unlocked the chain from around Gwaine's shackles.
"Who are you?" Gwaine asked the men. When they didn't answer, he tried again. "Where are you taking me?"
As if to answer him, the large man drove his fist into Gwaine's stomach. He bent in half, breathless from the punch.
"Gwaine!" Marian shouted.
Gwaine looked at her from behind his curtain of hair and begged her not to say anything else. The last thing he wanted was for them to harm her. "Don't…" he said roughly.
"Where are you taking him?" Marian cried out as they locked the cell door and left the dungeon, dragging Gwaine behind them. "Gwaine!"
The dungeon door closed, and she was engulfed in darkness.
000
Marian had been alone in the dark cell for nearly the entire day. She didn't know what had happened to Gwaine or when he'd be back. Neither of them knew who had captured them or why.
The dungeon door opened without warning, and light poured in. Marian couldn't see anything but the silhouette walking through the door to her cell. She squinted against the light but was still unable to see. She heard hard shoes clicking on the stone floor, and the voice that spoke sent chills down her spine.
"Ah, Marian Ragnell, a constant pain in my side."
It was Morgana. She looked at Marian from between the bars with a devilish sneer. The next few moments would certainly be ones she would relish. Nothing caused her greater satisfaction than to inflict pain on her enemies.
"Where's Gwaine?" Marian asked, her hoarse voice echoing in the empty dungeon.
Morgana said nothing. She watched as Marian squirmed in discomfort.
"Morgana, where is he?" she asked again.
Rather than giving her an answer, Morgana threw a small shiny object into the cell. It landed with a metallic clink at Marian's feet. She bent to pick it up, and upon examining it, she realized that it was Gwaine's necklace and ring.
"I don't understand. He never takes this off," she said to herself.
Morgana laughed mirthlessly. "Do you not, Marian? Do you really not understand how I came to have something so precious to a knight that he never removes it?"
Marian looked back up at the witch, realization dawning on her.
"He's dead," Marian uttered quietly.
Morgana nodded her head. "He is," she told her.
Marian let out a loud sob before she caught herself and covered her mouth.
"And his dying wish was for his beloved Marian to be set free," Morgana taunted. "He died, not a brave knight of Camelot, standing up to his captors, but a mewling coward begging for the life of a servant!"
"No! You're lying!" Marian screamed as tears fell freely.
She held onto his necklace so tight that the pendant cut into the palm of her hand. Marian rushed the cell door, held back only by the chains attached to her shackled wrists. She tried to get close to Morgana, she wanted to claw at the witch's face, but she sprung back as the chains that held her away from the door were pulled tight.
"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS, MORGANA PENDRAGON! I'LL KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!" she screamed until her throat was raw.
Morgana laughed as she walked back to the dungeon door and stepped through. "Sweet dreams, Marian," she called back as she shut the door, plunging Marian into darkness once again.
Marian fell to her knees on the cold stone floor and wept for the man she loved.
000
Marian had languished in her dark, damp cell for three days before she was brought out to the main dining hall. Morgana's guards had a vice-like grip on her arms as they pulled her into the great room. She didn't know what fate awaited her, nor did she care. Gwaine was dead, so what else was there for her to live for? He was gone, and she had never told him how she felt. She'd never had the chance to show him how much she loved him. She didn't know how to carry on without him in the world.
Marian was thrown to the cold floor, her knees throbbing from the sharp contact. The guards pushed her down further until she was resting on her hands and knees. She stayed there, silently spilling her tears.
"Hello, beautiful!"
Marian gasped and looked up quickly when she heard his voice. Her heart hammered in her chest. Could it be possible? Was he still alive?
"G-Gwaine?" she stammered.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Gwaine was alive and walking to the table before her. He sat in a large ornate chair with his feet resting on top of the table. Rather than his usual chainmail or grey tunic, he was dressed in all black. His tunic was left untied, showing off his toned chest. In front of him was laid a feast fit for a king.
"The one and only!" he smiled.
She tried to stand, wanting to go to him and touch him, hold him, kiss him. Anything to reassure herself that he was indeed there and alive. The guards, however, kept a tight hold on her, refusing to let go.
"I… I thought you were dead!" Marian sobbed.
Gwaine laughed. "Well, that was rather stupid of you," he said.
Marian looked taken aback. There was something different about his demeanor. His laugh wasn't his usual laugh, it sounded almost cruel to her ears. And since when did Gwaine call her stupid?
"Morgana gave me this," she pulled the chain with his pendant and ring out from beneath her dress. "She said that she had… that you were…" she sniffled.
Gwaine stood and walked over to her, roughly snatching the necklace from her grasp and examining it. There were a few drops of dried blood on the sharp ends of the pendant. He dropped it back to her chest, unaffected that she was now wearing something that had once meant so much to him.
"That she had… th-th-that you were…" he mocked. "Really, Marian, I thought you were smarter than that."
Marian's tears dried up as she took a closer look at him. His eyes were no longer the deep chocolate brown she was used to. Instead, they were much a lighter, almost red color.
"Gwaine, are you alright?" she asked him.
"Couldn't be better!" he said with a wide smile. Gwaine walked back over to his chair and plopped down. Picking up a large leg of lamb, he bit into it, smacking his mouth as he chewed.
Saliva formed in Marian's mouth, and her stomach protested. It had been days since she had eaten. Gwaine heard her stomach growl and laughed.
"Hungry, are you? Here! Eat up, princess!" he called to her as he callously threw some bread to the floor in front of her.
Marian's stomach lurched when he'd called her princess. He hadn't called her that for years; ever since she had made it clear that it bothered her. Though it stung that he spoke to her like that, the cold-hearted way he had thrown food at her hurt even more. Marian reached out for the bread and brought it to her mouth. She nibbled cautiously.
"How did you escape?" she asked him between bites.
"Oh, I didn't escape, princess," he said sinisterly.
Just then, the door behind him opened, and Morgana stepped through.
"Sir Gwaine has been working for me this entire time. What do you have to say about that, servant?" the witch taunted.
Marian looked at Gwaine, hurt written all over her face. It wasn't true. Marian knew in her heart that it wasn't.
"I'd say that you're a liar, Morgana."
"You're a liar, Morgana," Gwaine mocked in a high-pitched voice. He laughed cruelly at Marian's distress. "Sorry to break it to you, princess, but my only allegiance has ever been to the Lady Morgana."
Morgana stood behind Gwaine's chair and ran her hands down his chest and into his tunic as he smirked. He craned his face up to hers and kissed her languidly.
Marian's stomach turned at the sight. She dropped the piece of bread she was eating, unable to stomach any more food.
"Why are you doing this?" she questioned him.
"Why are you doing this?" he mocked her again. Marian looked like she had been slapped.
As tears fell, she narrowed her eyes at him. "Gwaine, this isn't you, you've been bewitched. She's turned you into this; you must fight it!"
Gwaine moved quicker than she thought humanly possible. In the next second, he was standing before her. He pulled her from the floor by the front of her dress and pushed her back into the wall. Lifting her up by her neck, he leaned in close, his nose brushing up against her own.
"If anyone has bewitched me, it's you, princess. This is the real me, so get used to it," he said quietly.
Marian's lip trembled. She pulled in what little breath she could to speak. "Please," she begged through her tears. "Gwaine, please don't do this."
Gwaine regarded her with a heartless sneer, which faltered the more he studied her face. The hand on Marian's throat tightened slightly, and a small sob escaped her. He stood there, paralyzed. It looked as if Gwaine was at war with himself. A brief flash of grief crossed his face, and he dropped her to the floor.
He turned from her and went back to his seat at Morgana's side. Marian coughed gruffly and rubbed her throat. She was sure that Gwaine had meant to kill her. The thought that he could do that chilled her to the bone.
"Pick her up and bring her here," Morgana ordered the guards.
They pulled Marian up harshly and dragged her over to the table. She was pushed against the edge, falling over and spilling a goblet of wine. Morgana reached over to her, seizing hold of a clump of her hair. She pulled Marian's head up so that she could look her in the eye, causing her to whimper at the pain.
"Tell me of Emrys," Morgana commanded.
Marian looked over to Gwaine as he continued to eat. He was watching her intently, grinning darkly from ear to ear as he chewed. Gwaine was enjoying Marian's torture.
"Your love for Sir Gwaine won't save you this time. Tell me of Emrys, whore!"
"That's what this is about?" Marian asked. "All that power, and you still can't fucking figure it out, Morgana?"
"WHERE IS EMRYS?" Morgana yelled through clenched teeth.
"GO TO HELL, MORGANA!" Marian rebelled.
They had been through this before. If the Nathair couldn't get it out of her, then nothing would. Morgana slammed Marian's head down to the table and screamed in frustration.
"You get it out of her!" she ordered Gwaine.
Marian saw stars as she lifted her head and watched Morgana take her leave.
Once the witch was gone, Gwaine finished chewing and swallowed his food. He reached over and picked up a goblet of wine, drinking deeply from the cup. When he was done, he lazily sauntered over to Marian.
"You two can go," he dismissed the guards.
When the door shut and they were finally alone, Gwaine pulled Marian from the table and held onto her arms, his fingers digging painfully into her flesh. "You're going to tell me all about Emrys, aren't you, princess?" he demanded.
"Gwaine, you're hurting me," Marian said.
Gwaine grinned at her viciously. "Oh, I'm going to do a lot more than hurt you, princess, if you don't tell me what I want to know."
A small sob escaped her at his threat. "This isn't you, Gwaine. I don't know what Morgana has done, but this isn't you."
"Isn't it? Did you really think I loved you? That I cared for you? You, an ugly whore, only fit to serve or to fuck. Tell me, princess, how many of Arthur's knights have you fucked? Is that how you got your position in the palace? Did you fuck Uther too?" he asked, grinning vilely at her.
The Gwaine she knew would never say such things to her or to anyone. This man was the creation of a sick, evil mind. He was no longer her Gwaine.
She spat in his face. "How dare you!" she screamed.
He wiped her saliva from his face and moved forward to pin her to the table. Gwaine pulled a dagger from his belt and pressed the flat side of the blade to her cheek. The metal was hard and cold, a perfect reflection of the monstrous man now holding her captive.
His face contorted as he slid the blade down her cheek and to her bosom. He tucked the sharp edge beneath the laces of her dress and pulled up. The blade was so sharp that it cut through the fabric bonds like butter, revealing her corset and chemise. His dagger made quick work of her corset, and he pulled it from her body, releasing her breasts. He ripped her chemise open with his bare hands, exposing her to the cold air.
"Perhaps I can find a… more enjoyable method of interrogation," he said to her while licking his lips and ogling her bare breasts.
Marian shuddered in horror as she struggled against him. Gwaine was the last person she thought she would ever have to fear.
He lowered his hand to her backside and pressed himself further against her, his erection hard against her belly. Her chest heaved as her breaths quickened in panic. Gwaine's gaze shifted to her face, and he grinned wickedly. He sheathed his dagger and slid both hands against her skin, grabbing her breasts in the palms of his cold hands and roughly squeezing them.
A quiet sob escaped her as her body betrayed her.
"You like that, don't you, you wanton tart?" he laughed as he felt her nipples harden at his touch. He rubbed himself against her, his arousal growing. Leaning closer to her ear, he threatened, his voice dangerous. "I'll get what I want from you, Marian. You'll tell me who Emrys is. I'll fuck it out of you as many times as I need to. And when I'm done with your cunt, I'll fuck your mouth. You'll beg me for it, you filthy trollop. I'll use you, then I'll throw you away. Just like every other man you've ever been with." He laughed when she sobbed. "That's all you deserve. You're nothing but a place to stick my cock. Marian Ragnell, good for nothing but a quick fuck."
As Gwaine was distracted by the feel of her breasts and the threats pouring from him, Marian took the opportunity to raise her knee hard into his engorged groin. He doubled over and cried out in pain as he fell to the floor, leaving her ample room to push past him.
Marian took hold of one of the thick metal trays and dumped the heavy food it displayed onto Gwaine's head. She ran to the door and opened it quickly. Startling the guards keeping watch, Marian played her advantage, whacking one, then the other in the face with the metal tray. As both guards fell down, unconscious, she dropped the tray and drew one of their swords.
She looked back when she heard Gwaine yell in frustration. He stood, leaning heavily on the table.
"You had better run, wench!" he called after her.
Marian didn't think twice, she ran from him.
000
Marian ran down the darkened corridors, making turn after turn. She didn't know where she was going or even how to get out. All she knew was that Gwaine was chasing her, and he was livid. She kept to the shadows, trying to find an escape. Marian stopped briefly, bending over and resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath.
"You might as well save yourself the effort, princess, and come out now! I will find you, you fucking harlot! And when I do, it won't be pleasant for you. I will get what I want!" Gwaine's voice echoed through the corridor.
Terrified, Marian took off once more. Making a sharp turn, she looked behind her to see if Gwaine had caught up. The corridor behind her was mercifully empty. Suddenly, she crashed into a hard body, stumbling backward. Strong hands held onto her arms painfully, keeping her from falling down. Marian looked up to see that she had run face-first into Gwaine.
"Whoa, there, princess, what's the hurry?" he laughed. Gwaine grabbed at her backside and pushed her into him. He tried to gather her skirts to lift them, but Marian wouldn't stand still. "Stop squirming so I can fuck you like the whore you are!"
Screaming, Marian tore herself from his grasp and held her sword up between them, backing away from him slowly.
"Don't come any closer, Gwaine."
"Or what? You'll attack me? You haven't the strength to beat me, princess. You forget, I taught you," he said as he continued to step forward toward her. He drew his sword and held it high, waiting.
"That may be, but I've learned a few more tricks since then!" she yelled as she attacked.
Gwaine was easily able to predict the moves she would make, having taught her most of them himself. He twirled his sword in one hand and blocked her swing. This was child's play to the experienced knight.
"You think you can beat me, Marian?" he asked as she tried to attack again, but was blocked by his blade.
"You don't have to do this, Gwaine," she grunted with frustration.
Had she been rested, had she eaten in the past few days, she might have been able to at least defend herself. Instead, her arms were weak and trembled with the effort. Marian persisted anyway, determined to get away from him.
"My lady commands it," he replied as he swung his own sword at her again and again.
Marian tried to block the powerful swings, but Gwaine was able to knock her back easily.
"Gwaine, stop this!" she cried out. Each blow vibrated through her tiring arms.
"I will have you one way or another!" he called to her.
He hooked the blade of his sword beneath hers and swung both swords in a circle. The motion twisted Marian's wrist enough that she let go of the hilt. Gwaine caught her sword in his left hand and pointed both blades at her. His signature move.
Marian backed into the wall behind her, unarmed. She watched as Gwaine moved closer, the points of his swords aimed at her bare chest.
"Finish her!" Morgana called from behind. The noise of their battle had drawn her into the corridor.
"And Emrys?" he asked the witch.
"She won't tell me what I want to know, so she must die!" Morgana replied.
Once again, Gwaine was paralyzed. He glanced behind him at Morgana and then back at Marian. He was determined to do as the witch commanded, but a growing ache in his heart had stayed his hands.
Marian raised herself to her full height in defiance. "You can kill me, Gwaine. But you'll never be able to live with yourself if you do," she said through tears.
Anger on his face, Gwaine stepped closer. "That remains to be seen, beautiful," he said, startling himself at his use of the familiar term of endearment. He hesitated for the briefest of moments before he took another step toward her.
As the point of one of the swords nicked her bare skin, Marian gasped in pain, and a small drop of blood ran down her chest.
"When I'm gone, Gwaine, remember that I cared for you," she wept. "I care for you, Gwaine. I still care for you more than I've ever cared for anyone."
The anger melted from his face and was replaced by confusion and grief. He lowered his arms slightly, moving the sharp points of the swords away from Marian's skin.
"Kill her, knight!" Morgana cried out.
When Gwaine made no move to obey, Morgana used her magic and sent a dagger flying through the air and straight into Marian's right side. Marian grunted at the pain and looked from the blade in her side to Gwaine as he stared down at the dagger in confusion.
Eyes the size of saucers, Marian watched Morgana walk forward and stop just behind the knight.
"That's the last time you disobey me, knight," Morgana spat.
Gwaine watched as Marian slumped to the ground, blood flowing down her skin and staining her dress. She looked up at Gwaine in shock. He stumbled slightly as a powerful wave of grief passed over him. It felt as if he had awoken from a terrible dream. He stared wide-eyed as the woman he loved sat on the floor, dying.
"NO!" Gwaine roared, tears filling his eyes.
He spun around, as swift as an arrow and drove the blade of his sword into Morgana's gut. Her spell had been broken.
Morgana stepped back, removing the blade from her body. "You… cannot kill… me…" she sputtered.
A strong gust of wind blew through the corridor, blinding him. When the wind died down, Morgana had gone.
Gwaine's swords fell to the stone floor with a clatter as he dropped down beside Marian. "It'll be alright. You'll be alright," he said, his voice breaking.
His tears fell freely as he grasped the hilt of the dagger and pulled it from her side, blood spilling onto the floor. Her face had paled, and her lips were ghostly white.
"Gwaine…" she said in a small voice.
"Marian? Oh, God, what have I done?" Gwaine called out as her eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness.
He placed his hands over her wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Tears blinding him, Gwaine picked her up and carried her back into the main hall. He sat Marian onto the floor beside the fireplace. The wound was too deep for a bandage; he needed something to stop the bleeding inside of her. He looked around and finding an iron poker, he placed the tip into the fire. He could cauterize her wound and stop the bleeding until he could get her back to Camelot.
Gwaine brushed the hair from her tear-stained face as he waited for the poker to heat, guilt eating away at him. He would never be able to forgive himself. The horrible things he had said to her, the threats and assaults would forever plague his heart. Working quickly, he removed the iron poker from the fire and brought the glowing end to Marian's side.
She opened her eyes and whimpered just as he warned her. "This is going to hurt, love."
Marian screamed in agony when Gwaine placed the hot iron against her wound. The smell of burning flesh was pungent, making him gag. When he was finished, he dropped the poker and inspected the wound. He started to tell her that the bleeding had stopped when he noticed that she had passed out again.
Gwaine lifted Marian in his arms and left the cursed fortress.
000
Marian awoke suddenly to the sound of birds singing. She was no longer in the fortress, but outside. Even without opening her eyes, she could tell that it was daylight from the warmth of the sun on her skin. She cracked her eyes open just a little to see her surroundings.
She was in the forest, lying next to a fire. Whoever had built the fire was either in a hurry or very bad at building fires. Large branches were sticking out from the flames, and no rocks were encircling it to safeguard against the flames spreading.
The torn laces of her dress had been repaired enough to be tied back together, giving her dignity back to her. Marian shifted slightly, feeling stiff on her right side.
She turned her head and saw Gwaine moving around across the fire. Luckily he hadn't noticed her looking at him. The terror inside her grew as she realized that her nightmare was far from over. Marian swallowed her fears and formulated a plan to escape the bewitched knight.
Gwaine walked over to Marian when he heard her stir. He knelt close to her and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Marian?" he asked.
When she felt his hand in her hair, she sprung into action. She rolled toward the fire and snatched up one of the mislaid tree branches. With every ounce of strength in her, Marian swung it into Gwaine's gut.
Caught off guard, Gwaine fell over backward as Marian jumped to her feet and took off with a strength she didn't know she possessed.
"Damn!" he yelled as he, too, jumped up and ran after her.
Breathing fast, Marian dodged tree limbs and sticker bushes. Her dress ripped as she got caught on the broken brush. She pulled frantically when she saw he was near, but couldn't free herself.
"Marian, wait!" Gwaine called as he caught up to her.
Her dress ripped more as the brush finally gave and freed her. She kicked out at Gwaine when he reached her. He wrapped his hands around her wrists as she hit him with flailing fists. Marian's eyes were wild and panicked. She was sure Gwaine was going to kill her, and she couldn't get away.
Gwaine held her tight, waiting for her to calm enough for him to talk to her. Trapped, Marian did the only thing she could think of, she head-butted Gwaine in the forehead. Both fell to the ground in pain, clutching their heads.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Marian groaned softly as she turned over onto her hands and knees and started crawling away from him.
Gwaine shook his head, trying to rid himself of the stars floating before him. He saw Marian crawling away and leapt onto her, crushing her to the ground.
"Marian, stop! I'm trying to help you!"
She screamed in fear as he turned her over to face him, and she thrashed underneath him, hitting him with her fists. Gwaine held her wrists to the ground to keep her still.
"It's me! It's me!" he called out to her with no effect. "Marian, the spell's broken! It's me! It's Gwaine!"
"I don't believe you!" Marian sobbed as she finally stilled. She was too tired and weak to keep fighting.
"Marian, love, I promise you, it's gone. The spell is gone, sweetheart," Gwaine said calmly.
"Let me go!" she cried. She shook with terror as she tried to figure out whether or not he was telling the truth.
Gwaine immediately let go of her wrists and sat up. Marian watched him as he looked at her sorrowfully. His eyes were once again a deep chocolate brown.
"Gwaine? Is it really you?"
"It's me, beautiful. I promise, it's me," he said sadly.
When she began to weep, Gwaine moved off of her and gathered her into his arms. "I'm so sorry," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head. "Oh, God, Marian, I'm so sorry." He rocked her as she sobbed. "You're safe now, love. You're safe."
Marian held onto him as if her life depended on it. She couldn't shake the sick feeling she had as she remembered how he had abused her. She needed to find comfort in him, the same man who had caused her pain. She needed to feel safe in his arms once more.
Gwaine tried not to remember what he'd done. The spell he was under made him obey Morgana's commands. His heart had turned cold, and he couldn't control his actions. Instead, he was a prisoner inside his own body, watching helplessly as he abused and assaulted Marian. It would take him a very long time to not see her frightened face each time he closed his eyes.
When her tears had subsided, and their adrenaline was spent, they both stood to go back to the village. Marian had a hard time walking because of the pain in her side, so Gwaine wrapped an arm around her waist, taking on some of her weight as they walked.
The journey back was slow and arduous. Marian kept silent as they walked, heartsick and in pain. They found their horses in a nearby stable. One of the few kind-hearted villagers had taken the horses in and cared for them until Gwaine and Marian's return.
They stayed in the village inn for the night. Gwaine wanted to stay with her to keep her safe and to reassure himself that she was alive, but Marian had insisted on her own room, locking and barricading the door. Neither slept much that night.
000
When they returned to the castle a day later, Marian limped her way up to the physician's chambers while Gwaine went to inform the king and queen of Morgana's treachery.
Afterward, he, too, made his way to Gaius's chambers. The door was ajar, and Gwaine hearing voices inside, stopped to listen.
"Marian, it wasn't his fault. You can't punish Gwaine for Morgana's spell," Merlin said.
"I know that, Merlin. I'm not trying to punish him. But every time I close my eyes, I see him laughing cruelly at me, taunting and threatening me. I see the hatred on his face. I feel him trying to force himself on me," she said, crying. "I know that was all Morgana, I do. I… need time, I think."
"I understand, It's just… you were both so close," Merlin replied.
"Close?" Marian asked with a hint of a smile in her voice.
"Yes! Close! It's been how many years, and you still aren't together? You belong together, Marian."
"Jesus, Merlin," Marian said, exasperated. "It's complicated."
"But you do love him, don't you?" he asked, hopeful.
"I care for Gwaine so much more than I'm meant to. But after what Morgana made him do to me, I can't… I don't… my feelings for him are more complicated than ever before…" she trailed off sadly.
Gaius had been quiet during their conversation. He was preparing a sleeping draft for her and looked up from his work to the open door, where he saw Gwaine standing quietly just outside, listening in.
Gwaine's face fell as Marian went on. He had lost her, he was sure of it, and through no fault of his own. He wouldn't blame her if she never even looked at him again. He could hardly stand to look at himself. I love you, beautiful. Gwaine looked sadly at Gaius before backing away and leaving.
Gaius felt for the brokenhearted man. Their ordeal in the past week wouldn't be something either would get over any time soon. He finished the draft and handed it to Marian. Gwaine had taken care of her wound well enough, so Gaius didn't see a need to open it back up. He recommended that she go get some rest.
Marian took the potion and thanked him. She headed to her chambers to sleep, dreading the inevitable nightmares that were sure to haunt her for some time to come as she nursed her broken heart.
