My thanks to Teddy06, Scifibookworm, You10, Blade of Drakoniants, Straight Gate, Straight Gate, Guardian of Inheritance, Helen Palsgraf, Merille Marc, Cat Ciolko, Dragoness of the Moon, emrysmorgan, godess bubbles, and DESPERATE FAN, for your reviews I truly love reading them. They help so much when I'm stuck.
Well I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 8
"So can you tell me why Morgana is lecturing Merlin?" Althea asked as she came into the wing for her shift.
"Merlin snuck out last night but before that he used a sleeping spell on Morgana."
Althea gaped at her long time friend looking back and forth between Runa's amused expression and Morgana chastising Merlin, before she broke out in laughter. Her boisterous laughter made the dark haired pair look her way stopping Morgana mid rant. They just stared at Althea as she tried to stifle her laughter but as she did she looked over Merlin with a healer's eye. His eyes are red but they don't look as haunted as they have been, almost like a burden has been lifted.
"If you two are done why don't both of you join the rest of the family for the morning meal?" Runa asked.
"I can leave?" Merlin asked looking hopefully towards Althea and Lenus, who both nodded.
"You've woken up but there was still some cause for concern which is why we kept you an extra day. Your room has most likely been prepared," Lenus said with a sideways look to Runa who nodded. "However your meals will only be broth or a light stew for the time being and you'll still have nutrient tonics you'll have to take with meals. And-"
Lenus continued going through what Merlin was limited to. Morgana was listening intently because she knew that Merlin was very likely not going to adhear to the Healer's directions. His meals she wasn't so worried about since it was being prepared for him but the physical limitations she was pretty sure he wouldn't go along with unless someone reminded him constantly and even then she wasn't sure he would still comply.
I'll rope whoever his manservant is into helping me and if that doesn't work I'll sick his mother on him. Maybe that'd be a good threat if he doesn't listen, Morgana thought to herself.
Morgana then heard the door to the Wing open and saw Nell walk in followed closely by a young man not much older than the girl in front of him. He stood almost a head taller than Nell with a lean build and angular features off set by his dark brown hair but it was his light grey eyes that stood out against his tanned skin.
"Ah good, you're both here." They heard Runa say as she turned towards them. Runa then turned back towards Morgana and Merlin and started making her way towards them.
"Morgana, you already know Nell but she has now been officially assigned to you as your maid."
"Milady," Nell said as she curtsied. Morgana smiled at the girl and nodded.
"And Merlin, this is Kayne, he's been assigned to be your manservant."
"Sire," Kayne said as he bowed.
Merlin sat there frozen in shock.
I bet it hasn't sunk in yet that he's royalty, Morgana thought as she tried to hide a smile.
"You-you don't need to call me that." The young man just looked at him in confusion.
"What would you prefer I call you?"
"Merlin. Merlin is just fine."
"Of course Prince Merlin."
"No, just Merlin." Merlin's insistence that Kayne drop the title, seemed to make the younger man uncomfortable. He ended up turning towards Runa who was trying her hardest not to laugh.
"Merlin, while we are less formal than say Camelot, we still have protocols, and we have visitors from time to time so how about you come to a compromise."
Merlin still made a face but it was Kayne who came up with the compromise.
"Does my lord sound better?"
"Fine but only when out in public."
"Yes my lord."
"Why don't you two go get changed and we'll meet you in the dining hall for the morning meal."
"Of course, thank you."
Morgana and Merlin followed their new servants to their quarters to change. Merlin was done first so he waited for Morgana to join him. When Morgana joined them she came to a startled stop.
I guess I was half expecting to see him in his usual garb, Morgana thought as she took in Merlin's new clothes. But this suits him well.
His dark pants were tucked into equally dark boots. His overcoat was a dark blue with beautiful swirling silver embroidery stitched into the lapels, with a white tunic under it all.
But he seems uncomfortable, Morgana thought as she observed him pulling on his sleeves and making a face but stopped when he looked up to Morgana. When their eyes met Morgana had to fight the blush that was trying to overtake her face.
"Milady," Merlin said with a bow.
"My lord," Morgana said back and stifled a laugh at his disgruntled expression.
"Come now, you need to start getting used to the title." Morgana said as she snaked her arm through his and started making her way to the dining hall. Nell and Kayne fell in step behind them but not before sneaking a look at each other in a knowing way.
"I will always be just Merlin to you Milady." His words made Morgana's heart skip a beat. Where did that come from, she thought as she did her best to keep her face neutral, so as to not let on what she was thinking.
They continued the rest of their walk in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. Morgana finally felt calm, to an extent, now that Merlin was out of danger and they were both safe. She could finally breath after what felt like years.
Merlin's mind was wondering lost in everything he had been through and all the new revelations. A part of him still couldn't believe that he was royalty. The prat would never believe this, he thought in amusement but then the amusement faded at the thought of Arthur and Camelot.
I hope nothing's happened since we've been gone, he worried. Arthur usually can't go a week without someone trying to take his life. He let out a sigh.
"Merlin? What's wrong."
"I'm just worried about Arthur."
"Why? He can take care of himself."
Merlin gave Morgana a look before he broke down into laughter.
"The Prat take care of himself? I don't think he even knows how to dress himself." Merlin's mirth was infectious so much so that Morgana was fighting a smile as well.
"Really now Merlin that's not very nice and I'm sure Uther assigned him another manservant." At Morgana's words Merlin sobered up.
"That's not what I'm actually worried about." When Morgana gave him a confused expression he explained. "Ever since I came to Camelot there hasn't been a single week that's gone by that someone hasn't tried to kill, curse or bewitch Arthur. Now that I'm not there I hope he's doing okay."
"Arthur survived 20 years without you, he'll be fine. I'd also like to add he was never in that kind of danger until you came, so maybe you brought it with you," she teased. Merlin let out a laugh at her comment as they entered the dining hall. Hunith smiled as she heard her son laugh and she wasn't alone, Runa and Balinor also wore smiles. Gwaine and Brynjarr had amusement dancing in their eyes.
"Merlin," Hunith called as she rose. Morgana released Merlin's arm as he moved forward to embrace his mother. Merlin noticed that his mother was dressed more finely than he'd seen before and she was practically beaming. There had always been a sadness in her eyes, a longing that Merlin could never understand, but now he knew what had been missing. His father, who had at this point come up behind Hunith, had filled a void that Merlin hadn't really known was there.
Merlin had always wanted to know about his father but his mother had always had a saddened look that took over her features when he asked, so he stopped asking. To find out the truth was another thing entirely. Merlin had never really liked Old Man Simmons but when he found out what the old man had done, Merlin couldn't be paid to say a kind thing about the old man.
As Merlin and Morgana were enjoying a warm breakfast there was a group that was desperately searching for them outside of a ruined fortress.
"Sire," a knight said. "There is no apparent movement on the walls."
Arthur contemplated the knights words and the words of the men they had gotten the information from. If they are small in number they might not always patrol the walls, he thought.
"Sire, what are your orders?" Leon asked.
"We will go in quietly as to not sound an alarm. If you see someone take them as quickly and quietly as you can, we don't know if this is it or not but we must be vigilant."
The knights that surrounded him nodded. As silently as possible the band of knights snuck into the ruin but at a hand signal two knights broke off to check the ramparts and guard house for men they might have missed. The rest of them continued on into the main hall, where they were met with a grisly scene. There were three bodies that were surrounded in pools of blood. The knights and Arthur guessed, mostly by the smell, that the men had been dead for at least a couple of days.
"Sire there are four dead men on the Outer Wall," one of the men, who had been sent to check the ramparts, said as he came closer, then he caught sight of the dead men in the hall. "I'd wager they all died around the same time." Arthur looked around at the knights then back at the clear results of a battle.
"Split up," Arthur directed. "Check every part of this place that is accessible, see if you can find anything."
"Yes, Sire."
As the knights split up, Arthur, accompanied by Leon, walked over to the corpses to examine their wounds. They both took note that the death blows all came from a sword, further solidifying that a skirmish occurred.
"Whatever or whoever they fought with must have come through right after those men," Leon offered up, Arthur nodded his head in agreement. Leon couldn't read anything on Arthur's face that gave away what the man was thinking, suddenly they heard one of the knights running back towards them immediately they were on the defense.
"Sire," the knight choked out as he came to a halt in front of them. "You need to see this." The knight's expression worried both Arthur and Leon but they quickly followed the knight back down the hall. What met them was an even more gruesome scene.
There were two more bodies but that was not the horrid part, no that was the chains that had dried blood caked on, with a pool of blood next to it, and the wall of torture instruments that made Arthur want to throw up. Judging by the look of one of the knights he had thrown up, he still looked slightly green.
Arthur and Leon both started looking around the chamber, but Arthur really couldn't seem to move away from the wall of pain, the various objects he noticed still had blood on them.
"Sire," Leon called out, drawing Arthur's attention towards the man and more specifically what he held in his hands. It was a spare piece of red cloth that Arthur would recognize anywhere, as he had teased Merlin mercilessly about it, saying he was 'such a girl'. Arthur's heart dropped but he tried his best to bury the feeling of powerlessness and anguish, that was quickly turning into fury, that was threating to overtake him.
Arthur clenched his jaw then swiftly turned on his heel leaving the dungeon. None of the knights felt they had the right to go after him, but after a bit Leon left to follow his prince, knowing they were still in a dangerous situation. Leon found Arthur on the Outer Wall staring out into the forest. He could see the anguish but also the fury.
"Sire," he called, for a second he thought Arthur wouldn't respond or acknowledge his presence.
"What is it Leon?"
"You couldn't have done anything."
"You don't know that."
"Sir-"
"Some of the blood is less than a week old Leon. He-" Arthur could barely get the words out. "He was still alive but I highly doubt that witch treated his wounds. I had hoped that he had survived but now…"
"Prince Ar-"
"Sire!" one of the other knights called interrupting Leon.
"What is it?"
"We found this in one of the chambers in the upper levels." The knight held something sliver in his hands up high, Arthur thought it looked vaguely familiar but wanted to confirm his thoughts before anything else. Unfortunately his hunch was correct. It was Morgana's bracelet, the one she had been wearing constantly recently, and despite what Morgana thought he was observant.
"Where did you find it?"
"Under the bed, sire."
"Perhaps the Lady Morgana is still alive," Leon said.
"She won't be for long if we don't find her." Arthur clenched the bracelet his hand before he started barking out orders. "Gather the bodies, burn them in the back courtyard. We will stay here for the night and you will return to Camelot tomorrow."
The knight nodded, taking his leave to follow his prince's orders. Leon however had stayed behind.
"You said 'you' not 'we', Sire. Where are you going?" Leon asked. Arthur looked at him with a half scowl but answer the man anyway.
"I'm going to Ealdor, Merlin's mother deserves to hear this from me and it's not too far out of the way."
"I'll go with you."
"Leon," Arthur said warningly but he relented when he caught the determined look. "Fine."
However what was awaiting them in Ealdor was far worse than what they had already seen.
"Do either one of you want to participate in the Council meeting today?" Runa asked after breakfast was done and Brynjarr, Balinor and Hunith had excused themselves.
"Council meeting? What kind of Council meeting?" Merlin inquired.
"We have a Council of Lords, and a Magic Council. The Council of Lords is mostly about the running of the kingdom, taxes, boarder disputes, other boring stuff," Gwaine said, earning a muffled snort from Merlin, which lead to a smile from Gwaine and the shaking of heads from Runa and Morgana.
"The Magic Council is what it sounds like, they deal with the use of magic in the kingdom, crime committed with magic, the placement of the magical refugees, things along those lines," Runa continued. "The Druid leaders and elders are also participating in this meeting."
"What's it going to be about?" Merlin asked.
"You."
"What? Why is it about me?" Merlin sputtered.
"You have no idea how far reaching your outbursts were, do you?" Runa asked, Merlin just shook his head. "Well those of magic could feel it for what it was to some extent, a plea for help, of pain. So we will be talking about what to do about Morgause and any allies she has, also announcing the return of you and your mother. There will be a formal celebration later, when you're ready." Runa hastily added when Merlin made a face. "Also Morgana's presence here as well, along with the fact both of you are magic users. You do not have to participate if you don't want to."
Merlin looked to Morgana, making the young woman feel warm that he was leaving this up to her. In truth she was nervous about this meeting and the lords, she knew that Runa and the rest of them would stand by her but she was related to the woman who had tortured their unknown prince and the ward of the man who did kill their queen. She knew they had a right to be weary of her but she wanted to be accepted by the people here including the lords.
"Can we be there but not actively participate?" Morgana inquired.
"Yes you can, but fair warning you are likely to be pulled into the conversation, are both of you okay with that?"
Morgana and Merlin looked to each other before turning back to Runa and nodded.
"Wonderful, I'll have you two seated between Uncle and Lord Baldr, Sir Knox's father. Now we have some time before the meeting beings, is there any place either of you want to go?"
"Could we go into town?" Morgana asked, hopeful. She had loved visiting the Lower Town in Camelot, but she also did not know if that was okay yet. Gwaine and Runa looked to each other then, seeming to have an entire conversation with their eyes before turning back to the younger pair.
"Sure but we won't be able to explore for long."
"That's fine." Morgana said grasping her hands together. While she loved the castle she still felt a little restless. In short order the small group were making their way out of the castle gates. Morgana was walking next to Runa while Gwaine had hung back and was animatedly talking to Merlin who couldn't help but smile at the knight's crazy tales. Several times both Morgana and Runa snuck looks back when the two became boisterous. The girls usually just looked to one another and shook their heads at the boys actions.
Morgana and Merlin couldn't get enough of the town. The amount of magic that was being used freely in the streets, the freedom the people had, the smiles on their faces, went a good distance in helping to heal the part of themselves that had been damaged by Uther and his rhetoric. Right here they could see his words for what they were, ignorant, hate-filled lies. Merlin and Morgana ended up enraptured by the magical performance that was going on in the square.
It was a druid that was telling one of their clan's stories but she was using her magic to make it come alive with puppets. As the storyteller drew Morgana and Merlin in, joining the children that had gathered to listen, Runa and Gwaine had shared a look and smile. Gwaine understood their enthrallment, he had been the same when he had first come to Galdra.
They watched until the end of the story, then as the children surrounded the old woman did they catch the old woman's eye. She stopped and stared, her mouth slightly parted, her eyes wide in recognition. Merlin, recognizing the look, quickly grabbed Morgana and headed back towards Runa and Gwaine. When his back was turned the druid woman seemed to come out of her stupor and bowed low to Merlin's retreating back. Merlin, Morgana and Gwaine didn't take notice but Runa did and found it a little odd.
No one should know who Merlin is, yet…, she thought, trying to decipher the woman's actions.
"Where to next?" Merlin asked pulling Runa out of her thoughts.
"There's a cove that's not too far off the port if you want to head towards the water?" Gwaine offered, to which both Morgana and Merlin nodded. They weren't able to put their feet in the water as it was getting too cold however they were able to see magical creatures that made that cove home.
Runa was explaining what some of them were when suddenly all four of them became drenched. After they sputtered about the sudden deluge did they find the culprit. It was Thales and Elpis who were now innocently swimming around the cove.
"Thales!" Runa yelled. "Elpis! Look at what you did."
The two young dragons turned her way, but the humans could see the mischievousness in their eyes, like they had meant to do that. Then they did something that shocked Merlin and Morgana, they started laughing.
"If you two weren't already wet…" Runa warned however Merlin and Morgana did not hear any true threat behind her words, the young dragons seemed to know it too, because Thales dove down and when he came back up he spit water at her, earning the little dragon a good natured glare.
"Well as we're all soaked, why don't we go back to the castle to change. The meeting's not too far off as well."
Morgana and Merlin gave shivering nods then within the next second Runa's eyes flared gold suddenly they were back in the castle in an empty room.
"What spell was th-that?" Merlin asked as he continued to shiver.
"I'll teach it to you later, both of you." Runa's offer rewarded her with smiles from the dark haired pair. "Well we all better get warm and changed, the meeting should start in the next hour or so."
Merlin walked Morgana to her chambers, despite Morgana saying it was unnecessary. As Merlin started making his way to his own chambers his mind wondered.
He couldn't believe how much his life had changed in just a couple of days. No longer a manservant, no longer a commoner, no longer fatherless. His family was together and he didn't have to fear his magic being discovered leading to his death. However when he thought of Camelot he felt slightly guilty about not wanting to return.
It had been his home for over two years. He had had a life there but it had been one full of fear, and doubt. He had no doubt that Arthur would make a wonderful king, however he had doubt in himself. His fear was personified in Uther, Merlin always felt like an axe was hanging over his head just waiting to fall. He was still lost in his thoughts as he entered his chambers and started shucking his wet clothes. He was startled out of his thoughts when there was a knock on the door. Immediately he grabbed his wet tunic and threw it back on and waited.
There was another knock this time followed by a "My lord?" Once again it took a moment for Merlin to remember that the person was talking to him.
"Enter," he called out. Merlin watched as his manservant came through the door holding clean and dry clothes for him.
"My lord," the young man said with a bow.
"Merlin," Merlin corrected.
"Sorry, my lo- Merlin," Kayne said still a little uneasy. "I've brought you a new set of clothes, Princess Runa let us know that you had gotten wet. I'll also get your bath ready for you to warm up."
As Kayne moved around quiet efficiently, doing a much better job of it than Merlin ever had, but then Kayne shocked Merlin by using magic to fill the bath.
"You have magic," Merlin commented.
"Yes, I do, however I am but an enchanter."
"What does that mean?" Merlin asked confused, his question causing Kayne to pause and look at him in shock.
"Um, uh, well…," Kayne was having a hard time getting his explanation out. "Your bath is ready my lord."
"Merlin," Merlin corrected again.
"Yes, sire."
After Merlin had settled into his bath he once again asked Kayne what he had meant about only being an enchanter.
"You truly don't know the different magical classes?"
"Magic has classes?"
"Yes sir, it does, 3 to be exact. Enchanter/Enchantress, Sorcerer/Sorceress and Witches and Warlocks."
"How do the classes work?"
"It's not like the knights, nobles and royalty, it is just what defines someone who uses magic. An enchanter is someone with innate magic, but they can only use one certain aspects of magic, healing, elemental and other things along that line. They don't necessarily have to learn spells just control. A sorcerer is someone that has to learn magic to use it. They have to learn spells and how to pull on the magic that is around them, there were a lot of those and even an enchanter can become labeled as one if they go outside of their innate abilities. Sorcerers in a sense are unlimited in what they can do however the ones who are truly unlimited in their abilities are the Witches and Warlocks, they are also the most rare."
"How are Witches and Warlocks defined?"
"They are born with innate magic like enchanters but they can use any magic like sorcerers, they also don't have to use spells however they can if they want and it does usually help them in learning control, though they don't actually need the spells to use magic. They aren't that common."
"How can you tell the difference between them and sorcerers?"
"You usually can't unless you are sensitive to the flow of magic."
"Like…"
"Usually the Druids, who are sensitive to magic and the natural world, can tell because a witch or warlock's magic is one with them." At Merlin's confused look Kayne continued. "A sorcerer doesn't come by their power naturally and those who are sensitive to magic can tell that. The best way I can describe it is that it's like their magic is cloaking them not part of them. However witches and warlocks, they have magic in their very soul, in their blood, they can never stop using magic, and those that are sensitive see it as if a light is shining from within that person."
There was a silence that stretched out between the young men.
"You're a warlock and Lady Morgana is a witch, like Princess Runa." Merlin looked to the young man, shocked that he noticed. "I was raised as a Druid after my parents were killed by bandits when I was a four. They came across me and could see that I was an enchanter and so took me with them as they fled to Galdra. Our encampment was just outside the city for a long time but when they decided to move to another area I decided to stay behind and work in the castle."
"Are there any others that can tell right away?"
"Some Seers can, our Court Seer being one of them. Princess Runa can tell as well."
"When do people usually start noticing if they have innate magic?"
"It varies, some as young as 2, like the princess, but that is exceedingly rare, up until early adulthood, but the ones who's innate abilities that show up in adulthood are usually enchanters."
"Morgana's didn't manifest until recently, but you said she's a witch."
"Yes but she also grew up in a place where magic is outlawed and is seen as evil, she could have unconsciously been suppressing her magic all this time but it grew too much for her to suppress anymore."
"You are very wise for someone so young," Merlin commented as he got out of the bath, having warmed up and wanting to get dressed.
"Consequence of being raised by our elder I'm afraid."
"I didn't mean it was a bad thing. I mean it's nice talking to someone about magic so freely. I've… I've never been able to."
"Well you are free here my lord."
"Merlin." Merlin corrected again with a slight glare, which only earned him a cheeky grin.
"That might take a while my lord."
Merlin just gave Kayne a look of disgust as Kayne handed Merlin a towel.
"Now I know how Arthur felt," he grumbled under his breath as he turned away, wrapping the towel around his hips. He was still grumbling to himself so he didn't hear Kayne's sharp intake at the patchwork of scars that was Merlin's back. Kayne had heard about the severity of his new lord's wounds but he didn't think they would be thatbad.
"My lord let me help with your clothes."
"I'm fine," Merlin said, but then he remembered the dead sweat that had come over him when he had put his clothes on earlier that day and he could feel a sharp pain in his side, so when Kayne took the clothes from him and started helping him dress he didn't complain.
"Sire, are you in pain?" Kayne asked as he took in Merlin's pale face and the wince he tried to hide as he tried to raise his arms.
"I'm fine," Merlin said in a pinched voice.
"Why don't you sit down."
"Sitting down sounds like a good idea."
As Kayne settled Merlin in a chair there was a knock on the door. Weakly Merlin called for them to enter, not expecting it to be Morgana.
As Morgana opened Merlin's chamber doors, she immediately took in Merlin's pale and pained face.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she rushed forward.
"Noth-"
"And do not say 'nothing'," her glare immediately silenced Merlin's denial.
"I think I over did it."
"Then you rest. I'll go-"
"Morgana you're not going down there by yourself."
"Excuse me, I have more experience with court and all that goes along with it, than you do."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it."
She did, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She was concerned about going without Merlin but he was in no position to be pushing himself.
"Did you reopen your wound?" Nell asked from behind Morgana.
"No, it's closed but the Healer did say that I was likely to get tired more easily as I'm still healing."
"Then rest," the girl told him. "I'll let Princess Runa know that you are more tired than you thought you'd be."
"But I want to be there. Morgana and I know more about what's going on outside of Galdra's boarders than anyone, especially about what's going on in Camelot. And it's about what happened to me, to us," Merlin said as he looked up at Morgana, whose resolve was crumbling.
"If it gets bad I'll ask to be excused, I promise." Merlin's imploring look made the other three bow their heads in resignation.
"Fine," Morgana said. "But I'm sitting next to you so if you start hurting you let me know. Promise me Merlin."
"I promise." Morgana continued to look into Merlin's eyes and seeing the sincerity in his eyes, nodded to his promise.
"Well then let's get going." Morgana said as she stood but then that's when she noticed that Merlin still wasn't fully dressed. "After you're dressed."
Morgana turned on her heel and left through the chamber doors. Nell followed her new mistress, closing the doors as she exited. The young men in the room looked at the door a little confused at the quick exit, but they shrugged and then finished getting ready.
Outside the chamber doors Morgana was mortified at the heat that was rising on her cheeks and that was quickly spreading over her chest. She hadn't noticed that Merlin wasn't fully dressed when she had originally come in, she had been too focused on Merlin's expression. She tried her best not to let it show how much she was affected but unbeknownst to her Nell was biting her lip trying not to laugh at Morgana's dismay. Luckily Morgana regained her composure before Merlin and Kayne joined them, then much like she had earlier in the day she looped her arm through Merlin's as they made their way to the council chambers.
When they reached the chambers they were greeted by Runa who came over, and to Morgana's court trained eye, showed to everyone else that Merlin and Morgana were welcomed and to trifle with them was to trifle with her, and in the short time Morgana had known the princess even Morgana knew to do so was at your own peril.
"Merlin, are you okay? You look quite pale," Runa inquired.
"I'm always pale," Merlin replied trying and seeming to fail at getting Runa off track, especially when she just raised one brow at him, making him squirm.
"He's hurting but refuses to rest, like he was told," Morgana said pointedly with a slight glare at Merlin who cringed at the accusation. Runa looked back and forth between the two guessing that Merlin was being stubborn but considering how stubborn she could be she knew it was an inherited trait.
"Well looks like you inherited Uncle's stubbornness."
"I resent that statement," Balinor said as he came up behind Runa who was obviously unashamed by her statement. "Your mother was far more stubborn than me."
"I never said that Mother or even myself aren't stubborn, just that he got his stubbornness from you."
Balinor laughed heartily at his niece's comment, at the same time he assessed his son. He could tell that Merlin was pushing himself but Balinor also understood why.
"Why don't we sit?" Balinor offered, leading the small group over to the council table where some were already sitting. Balinor led them towards a seated man, who stood as they approached. When the man stood fully upright Morgana and Merlin had to keep looking up. He's huge, both Morgana and Merlin thought. The man stood a good head taller than Merlin and his broad shoulders almost blocked out the light. Finally their eyes reached the man's face and there they were treated to an infectious smile that made the wrinkles around the man's blue-grey eyes more pronounced.
"Lord Baldr," Balinor said as the men gripped forearms in greeting.
"Dragonlord Balinor," the man greeted in return. "And these must be Prince Merlin and Lady Morgana."
"It's a pleasure to meet you milord," Morgana greeted as she curtsied at the same time she snuck a look at Merlin. His expression made Morgana bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. However when he went to bow, the giant man held out his arm in the same gesture that he had to Balinor, showing respect to the young man, as an equal. Merlin was shocked by this at first and stared at the offered hand. Balinor nudged Merlin's shoulder pulling the young man out of his shock and Merlin quickly grasped the older man's forearm like Balinor had.
"It's a pleasure to meet you my-"
"No need for formalities, from either of you. I am not one that's comfortable with formalities, much to Bryn's eternal glee when he named me one of his lords." Morgana and Merlin looked confused by the large man's statement, said man took note and elaborated. "I came with Bryn from Viken. We are both the youngest sons of powerful men and with many brothers before us. Neither of us expected to have titles or anything of the like, but then Bryn won Riana's hand and I-"
"Fell in love with the head of the Queen's guard," Brynjarr said as he approached the little group. "You know if you hadn't fallen in love with Sloane then I would have just put you in charge of the merchant fleet."
"You could have still done that, but no you had to give me a title."
"Lord Rutherford would have never allowed you to marry Sloane without one. So stop your belly aching," Brynjarr said then he turned to Merlin. "How are you feeling, Merlin?"
"Fi-" Merlin stopped when he felt a glare not only from Morgana but Runa as well, quickly changing his answer. "I've been better."
"Haven't we all," Brynjarr said looking the young man up and down, noting the tightness around his eyes and the exhausted look in his eye. "Are you sure you are up to this?"
"Yes, sire."
"Very well, and don't call me 'sire', you're family," and with that said the Galdraian king moved to his seat and motioned for the other to take theirs.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Many of you have no doubt already heard part of the reason we are here today and others many only know small snip-its. First I would like to start off on a happy note and announce Dragonlord Balinor's marriage to Lady Hunith and the birth of their son, Prince Merlin Ambrosius, though I do have to say that it's about 20 years overdue."
Quickly whispers were racing through the lords and Druid Elders, many of whom were looking at Merlin with looks of disbelief accompanied with reverence, causing Merlin to duck his head. Runa noticed the looks the Druids were sending Merlin and just like with the woman in the square she was perplexed by their expressions.
Brynjarr let the lords and elders talk amongst themselves before asking if they had any questions. Immediately one of the lords raised a question.
"Is it true that Prince Merlin was in Camelot?"
"Yes he was," Runa offered up.
"Is it also true that he's a Warlock?"
"Yes." Once again murmurs were quick to spread.
"Is it true that you brought back Uther Pendragon's Ward?" a different lord asked. The tone the lord spoke in made Morgana flinch. She could feel the hostility from the man and several others but then she felt Merlin's hand on top of her clenched fists, offering her silent comfort.
"No we did not, Lord Owen," Princess Runa said. "We brought back the daughter of Lord Gorlois and Lady Viviana-"
"Ah, yes, sister to the woman who tried to kill our king and you if I might add, or have you forgotten Princess?"
"No, Lord Owen, I haven't. But you seem to have forgotten what we stand for." The man flinched slightly at the princess's annoyed tone, but then he squared his shoulders and pushed on.
"Princess you have brought a woman raised in Camelot, raised by the Butcher King no less, into our kingdom and expect us to not question it? She does not belong here."
At the lord's words Morgana started to curl into herself but Merlin's hand just tighten on hers then she felt two hands land on her shoulders offering silent support. The support gave her the strength to look up and square her shoulders, to face the accusations that were being directed at her.
The tension in the room was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Many of the courtiers knew that when the princess and king both went quiet that they had gone too far and they could tell just by the rage that was burning in the princess's eyes that Lord Owen had gone far beyond too far.
"Then where would you have her go Lord Owen?" Runa's words sliced through the tension. "Where in all of Albion would she be safer than here? Do tell me Lord Owen."
"She can be sent back to Camelot-"
"You condemn her then," Runa interrupted. "Condemn her to her death either by blade or fire."
"She's gotten along just fine till now."
Morgana almost surged out of her seat to contradict the man but the two hands on her shoulders kept her down. When she looked first to Balinor then Baldr their eyes both said to let Runa handle this.
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why send her back? You seem to think that the fact that she is Uther's Ward is protection enough, then that must mean that Uther cares for her deeply. So why would we send Lady Morgana back, if or when Uther breaks his part of the agreement, she's in the perfect place to be leveraged against the man. So why send her back?"
"She does not belong here!" The man yelled banging his hand on the table.
"Why? You have yet to give me a satisfactory answer. She might be the man's ward but she is not his daughter, they share no blood and she's a Witch. Have you forgotten what we have been doing for the last 20 years?"
"We should be doing more."
"Like what?"
"Uther does not deserve to sit on the throne any longer, he hasn't for over 20 years yet we turn a blind eye as he slaughters hundreds. We need to-"
"Be quiet." The command came from an unexpected person, whose soft voice caught Morgana's attention. When she found the source of the voice it was Seer Tali as she entered the chambers, her back rim rod straight her face one of cold fire. Immediately the lord blanched and sat back down.
"By what right do you have to say that we are not doing enough? Every time one of you talks of 'doing more' all I see is war and bloodshed that makes the Purge seem like child's play. Children dead or with a sword in hand having to fight the battle that took their families from them. What you talk of will scorch Albion, destroying it and us along with it. And watch your tone, you are not the only one who lost loved ones to Uther's madness. Almost all of us here have lost loved ones too. Do not let Morgause's words poison you."
"Seer Tali, I don't know what you are talking abo-"
"Lord Owen you are a good man but you have let Morgause's poisonous words fan your hatred of Uther and now you are extending that hated onto a child who has been scarred by his madness far more than any of us. We have lost loved ones but she had to watch those loved ones die by Uther's hand, heard their screams, both the condemned and their loved ones. You also know how sensitive seers are to the flow of life."
"She is a seer?" The man interrupted, looking at Morgana differently.
"Yes, she inherited that gift from her mother, or have you forgotten my student, Lady Viviana?"
"Of course not, Seer Tali, but-"
"But, what Lord Owen?" Princess Runa interjected.
"How can we trust her? We trusted Morgause solely on the fact she was Lady Viviana's daughter and she almost killed both you and the king."
Morgana's hands once again clenched into fists. She hadn't heard about the attempt Morgause had made on either Runa or Brynjarr.
"If she was anything like Morgause she wouldn't have risked her life to save Merlin." At Princess Runa's words Merlin's head snapped to Morgana, looking at her wide-eyed; he hadn't heard about this.
"Morgause used Sweorcan sê heortscræf on Merlin," gasps of shock and outrage rushed amongst those present. "Many of us know how dangerous just going into the subconscious of another is but to also have to face that spell added to the danger she was in. If she was anything like Morgause or on Morgause's side she would have let the spell finish its work, garnering a powerful Warlock in the process. Also Lord Owen how dare you, and others, judge and accuse someone you know nothing about," Runa said with a glare making several around the table bow their heads in shame.
"If we start doing that we are no better than Uther. He knows nothing of magic or those that practice it, yet he condemns them all, labeling them as nothing short of monsters that should be put down. Are you saying anyone from Camelot deserves that treatment from us?"
"No," the lord said sheepishly. "I-I don't but I am just being cautious."
"I can understand that but weren't you to one whose always said that one must gather all the evidence before judging someone."
"Yes, I, I-"
"Then Lord Owen I suggest you take your own advice."
"Yes Princess." The lord sat back properly chastised for his actions but Morgana could still feel animosity directed towards her, though she chose to ignore it.
Brynjarr looked around and seemingly finding no one else who wished to speak continued on.
"Well now that that is out of the way, on to the more pressing issue, Morgause and in some ways Camelot. We know Morgause is planning something but we still don't know what, specifically, other than she wants Uther Pendragon's head on a spike. We've tried looking but have been unsuccessful in seeing what her plan will result in."
Many people were shocked by the king's words quickly swinging their heads toward the Court Seer for only she had the control to do so. She was one of the most powerful seers in a long time and if she couldn't see it they didn't even want to know what that could mean.
"Actually King Brynjarr, I did not say that I couldn't see, just that it was changing constantly, making it so I don't know which path she will go down. It has leveled out some and almost each one I see she attacks Camelot with the help of King Cenred, that is the one consistent that I see," the seer clarified. "In each one I see death and destruction."
"Wh-Who wins?" Merlin stuttered out.
"It depends, sometimes its Camelot, other times its Morgause and occasionally it's no one. People's minds change constantly so futures are constantly shifting."
"But I thought the future couldn't be changed?" Morgana questioned.
"That depends, you might see one action that might not change but the outcome can. We are masters of our fates."
"What about prophecy? Destiny?"
Seer Tali cocked her head in Merlin's direction, somewhat confused by his question but then she saw it. While she could not see in the same way those with sight could in exchange she saw the world through magic and in a way that very few before her ever had. She had thought that Morgana was extremely gifted with the amount of untapped magic she held, but Tali never thought she'd see the day that someone's magic would overshadow her princess's. It was first time she had ever seen anyone that was one with their magic like this; it was as if Magic had been given living form.
It can't be, she thought. Emrys, he lives. Now his questions were making sense. Though he was Emrys, he was still young, one with no in-depth teaching of his heritage, of the destiny that sat upon his shoulders. Now, now however the shifts she had been feeling and seeing within recent years were becoming clearer. And Emrys is not alone. Tali now looked at Morgana differently, originally she thought that Morgana was an exceedingly gifted Witch, one only seen every couple hundred years. She must be Asgre, but she is Leóma Asgre. Fate has gone down the least likely path, but the one with the brightest future.
Tali was so enraptured by both Morgana and Merlin that she did notice that silence had spread, however Runa noticed the change in their Court Seer. She's sees something in them, Runa thought.
"Seer Tali," Runa called bring Tali out of her thoughts.
"Sorry," Tali responded shaking her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you my lord, and to answer your question prophecies are very vague, usually meaning that there are many paths that will lead to the ultimate goal of destiny or fate and sometimes there are several prophecies within one another. We will speak more on this at another time if you wish."
"I'd like that," Merlin responded.
As they got back on topic and ideas started whizzing around being thrown out one after the other, all the while Runa was studying Merlin and Morgana. She could see that Merlin's magic was different from anyone else she had ever met and there was something at the back of her mind that was niggling at her, trying to clarify her thoughts. However she brushed that away as she drew her mind back to the meeting deciding to talk to Tali after the meeting to see if she could shed some light.
"Excuse me," Morgana asked tentatively bringing the attention to her. "I've heard you all speak of an agreement you have with Uther but what are you talking about?"
"Pardon?" Runa asked, something slimy slipping into her gut.
"I only mean, until I came here I've never even heard of Galdra and it seems that your agreement means I should have at least known about this kingdom." Merlin nodded along with her.
"You-you knew nothing, heard nothing, even from your father?"
"My father mentioned a place that was dear to my mother but he never said a name."
"I can understand why Gorlois didn't say anything specifically since you were a child but Uther hasn't been making sure that those he executes are his to execute?" At Morgana and Merlin's confused expressions Brynjarr elaborated. "Our agreement with Uther was that he had to prove without a shadow of a doubt that the people he executes are not Galdraian. He was also to stop the Druid raids, has he done any of that?"
"Not to my knowledge and from what I understand the Druid raids have dropped in number but they occasionally still have them." Silence descended at Morgana's words just before bedlam broke loose. The shouting had started again but it was the king's and princess's expressions that almost terrified Merlin and Morgana. They could see the burning rage behind the faces set in iron. Finally it seemed the king could no longer take the shouting as he banged his fist on the table, quickly silence spread through those seated.
"This changes things," King Brynjarr said as he sat back, then he looked to his daughter for her insight.
"We cannot disregard what Seer Tali sees if we go into an all-out war with Camelot but perhaps there is a middle ground," Princess Runa offered up.
"What do you suggest?" This was asked by one of the Druid elders who was still stealing looks in Merlin and Morgana's direction.
"Uther needs to be reminded of why he made that agreement in the first place," Princess Runa stated. "I suggest we take back Kilgharrah. The agreement was the only thing keeping us from retrieving him, however since Uther apparently can't keep his word, well, we'll start showing him that folly. We will also systematically get every person with magic out of Camelot and the other Five Kingdoms if need be. From what I understand about how many of the Druids came here was mostly by word of mouth, yes?"
"You are correct princess," a different elder answered. "We had heard word of the sanctuary that we could receive in Tintagel until one of the Galdraian boats came into port to take us away from Uther's tyranny."
"Well we just need to make sure that the word is spread a little farther."
"How do you suggest we do that?"
"Might I offer up a suggestion?" One of the younger lords inputted.
"Go ahead Lord Reginald."
"We have the Griffins and the Hippogriffs, why not send people out to find the Druid camps, speak to them directly."
"They might not trust our knights," Princess Runa expressed.
"Then why not send some of our Druids with them," The first Druid elder offered. "They're more likely to trust their brethren."
"That works, do you think they would also agree to look in on smaller villages to see if there are any enchanters, just in case."
"I'm sure they would be happy to," the elder said as he bowed his head in her direction.
"Now what to do about Kilgharrah?" Balinor brought up.
"I'll be the one retrieving him." The words hung in the air for half a second before everyone whipped their heads towards the princess who had just spoken.
"No," King Brynjarr, Balinor, Lord Baldr and several other immediately shouted.
"This is not up for debate." The princess's face was set in an expression that many knew brokered no argument.
"This discussion is not over," King Brynjarr whispered but the look in his daughter's eyes he recognized, as his wife had often had the same look when her mind was made up. "So we have preliminary plans for what to do about Camelot but what of Morgause?"
"We still need more but perhaps we can throw some obstacles in her way?"
The rest of the meeting was talk of what obstacles they could create for Morgause and Cenred but neither Merlin or Morgana heard any of it. Both were too lost in their thoughts and Merlin was slightly panicking about his new family finding out who he is. Even though Runa was focused on the meeting she still took note of Merlin's panicked expression.
Finally after what seemed like hours the meeting was adjourned to a later date. As everyone stood to leave Princess Runa stopped some of them.
"Elder Bleddyn, would you and the other Druid elders stay for a moment? You as well Seer Tali."
"Of course Princess," they intoned as they bowed.
"Merlin, you and Morgana as well please."
Merlin, who had gotten up, slowly sat back down his shoulders tense, worried about what the elders might say. Balinor and Brynjarr including Gwaine stayed behind as well curious as to why Runa had asked these specific people to stay. Finally once everyone else had filed out did Runa turn to the elders.
"Why do you look at Merlin the way you do? You looked at him with reverence before you even knew who he was, I'd like to know why?"
"I would have thought you would have already figured it out Princess," Tali inputted. "I've taught you enough about Druidic lore and prophecy that you should know just who they are."
"I know they're both immensely powerful but…" slowly as if the pieces were all starting to fall into place. "No. There's no way that's possible."
Merlin started slouching in his seat trying to appear smaller, or was he trying to disappear, but Morgana just kept looking back and forth between them all, confused by the entire exchange.
"What do you mean?" Balinor asks coming up behind his son, placing a supportive hand on Merlin's shoulder. Runa was still blinkingly looking at Merlin and Morgana in shock and awe but finally she shook herself out of her stupor.
"You're Emrys, aren't you?"
Merlin looked up at Runa through his lashes before ducking his head giving a slight nod. Balinor, Runa, and Brynjarr's eyes grew large as they all took a sharp intake of breath, but Gwaine and Morgana were both utterly confused.
"Wait what is this 'emrys' thing?"
"Not a 'what', young knight but a who," Bleddyn answered. "Emrys is said to be Magic, given a human form. He is a figure amongst our people and a man we have been waiting for, for a long time. It is said he will lead the Once and Future King as he unites Albion and leads us into a Golden Age, but the prophecies of Emrys reach even farther back than the those of the Once and Future King as do the tales of Asgre who is to walk by his side throughout eternity."
Merlin sat up at the mention of the name Asgre, he had never heard the name before and didn't know what it meant.
"What or who is 'Asgre'?" Gwaine asked, still a little lost. I should have paid more attention to Tali's lessons about the Druids, he thought.
"Asgre has many different paths but ultimately Asgre will either become Emrys' greatest strength or his downfall, becoming either Leóma Asgre or Hoðma Asgre."
"What do those names even mean?"
"Asgre in the old tongue means soul while Leóma means light and Hoðma means darkness."
"So a light or dark soul essentially?"
"In the simplest of terms yes, but there is so much more to it than that alone and the path to Leóma was the least likely one that Emrys would go down."
"Wait 'path to Leóma'?" Merlin questioned a little confused. "What do you mean by that?"
"It would be Emrys' choices that would lead Asgre down the path of light, staying by his side as they helped to lead the Once and Future King, or down the path of darkness, where she would join hands with Keres who would only bring about the downfall of Albion."
"Wait 'she'?"
"It has long been our belief that Emrys would take the form of a man while Asgre, a woman's. However Emrys and Asgre are not the same. Emrys for lack of a better word is a being of Magic, is one with it, there is no other like him and there never will be. Asgre some believe is to be one of Emrys' ties to humanity, it is also believed she would be a Witch that was blessed by the Triple Goddess."
Everyone, including Merlin and Gwaine looked to Morgana as the Druid elder explained Asgre.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Morgana questioned before it clicked and she started shaking her head. "No, there's no way it's me. I didn't come into my powers until recently. I-"
"When did your dreams start?" Seer Tali interrupted.
"The first one that I remember I was about 7. We had just returned to Tintagel after visiting the Citadel for the first time. It was so different from my normal dreams, more vivid."
"What was it about?" Runa asked.
"Arthur. He was out hunting with some of the knights when he slipped and fell into the stream. At first I remember being a little panicked but then I laughed about it to my father but I never heard about that happening."
"Do you really think Uther would make it public knowledge that his son tripped and fell into a stream while hunting?"
"No, he wouldn't, but why is this relevant?"
"Lady Morgana, sight like yours usually develops around the age of 10 to 12, there are few others that it develops earlier but that is exceedingly rare and they are usually prophets not seers," one of the Druid elders offered up.
"What's the difference?"
"Prophets don't usually remember what they see and speak in riddles when they are trapped within a prophecy. Seers on the other hand remember their peeks into the future, also what seers usually see what is to happen within a shorter time frame, not far off futures. Also Seers usually see more of the specifics details while a Prophet sees the bigger scheme of things. Seers whose sight comes too early usually don't live to adulthood, their minds shattered by the futures they see."
"I can understand that," Morgana murmured low enough that no one other than Merlin heard, causing him to squeeze her hand in comfort. "But I still don't see how this means I'm 'blessed'."
"Morgana, your sight was just the start and usually your magic would have started showing within the next couple of years."
"I was in Camelot by then…"
"I think her blessing was to suppress your magic or channel it so that it wouldn't rear its head until Emrys arrived, to keep you safe."
"My dreams did start to intensify and it was about a year later that my magic surfaced. That was right around the time when..."
"I arrived in Camelot." Merlin finished for her looking at her with solemn eyes.
"Don't you dare start blaming yourself," Morgana chided. "Even if you hadn't come my dreams and magic would have probably still intensified, am I right?"
"Lady Leóma is correct," Bleddyn said. "Even the Triple Goddess would not have been able to suppress the Lady's magic forever. Her second blessing could have only gone so far."
"There," Morgana said finality. "And if you hadn't come I would have been completely alone." Morgana mumbled the words so softly that only Merlin could hear her, but then Bleddyn's words fully registered. "What do you mean 'second blessing'?"
The elder looked to Tali for he knew she could see more clearly than him.
"What Elder Bleddyn means is that your sight is a gift in and of itself however the amount of power you have is another blessing, very few would be able to match your power, excluding Emrys of course."
"Who else has power like me?"
Tali looked over to the princess before turning back to Morgana.
"Princess Runa but that is due in large part because of her father's bloodline and the special magic that is connected to it."
Morgana and Merlin looked to the princess who just gave them a mirthless smile.
"I'm used to it, and so will you two, it just takes time and dedication. Regardless, Emrys or not, Asgre or not, changes nothing" Runa looked pointedly at both of them as she said this. "You are both still Merlin and Morgana first and foremost. Those names or titles, whatever you want to call it, are something you will live up to in due time so do not let the idea of the weight of the prophecies weigh you down."
"Princess Runa is correct," Elder Bleddyn said.
"Yes," Tali added, "you are who you are and that is what will dictate the future, you do not have to change who you are for any of this destiny as you were chosen for this in the first place. To be entirely honest it's not always the best that someone knows of their destiny due to the person trying to either avoid it making things worse or trying to make it happen and doing something they normally wouldn't have to try and accomplish it, which could also lead to a more difficult path."
"Then why did Kilgharrah tell me about my destiny?" Merlin asked.
"Kilgharrah told you?" asked Balinor.
"Mm-hm."
"We can only guess, my young prince," Tali sighed. "Kilgharrah is a gifted seer however his time as a prisoner might have affected him in different ways or his need for revenge against Uther outweighed his good sense."
"We can ask him once he is back," Runa said stopping the speculation but at the same time reminding everyone of her decision.
"Speaking about that," Brynjarr said as he narrowed his eyes at his daughter. "There is no way and no how you are going to Camelot."
"Father-"
"I already lost your mother to Uther's madness I refuse to lose you too."
"I need to do this," she said, steel in her voice.
"No," Brynjarr said finitely.
"Father…" Runa looked at her father with an expression he couldn't understand but it still made his resolve wilt.
"Why?"
"I need to see that he's just a man not the monster my nightmares make him out to be."
"Your nightmares started up again?" Tali asked concerned.
"Yes but this has been on my mind for a while," Runa turned back towards her father. "Father I need to do this."
Brynjarr had a mutinous look on his face but when his shoulders slumped as he sighed those in the room knew the princess was getting her way.
"Fine, but Gwaine is going with you."
"That was already a given, but love," Gwaine looked up at Runa's call. "Do try not antagonize the nobles please."
"No promises." Runa just shook her head at Gwaine's cheeky response.
"Well now that that is out of the way- wait do you know who the Once and Future King is?"
Merlin bit his lip at Runa's sudden question staying silent, however Runa was assessing him and then remembered his words the pervious night. Finally it clicked and Runa let out a snort at the hilarity of it all.
"Arthur Pendragon is the Once and Future King isn't he?" Merlin made a face that confirmed Runa's words. Everyone, excluding Morgana who had already seen it in her dreams, gaped at the reality. The stifling silence was broken when Brynjarr let out a booming laugh.
"Uther Pendragon's son is the other half that will help bring magic back to Albion. Oh the gods do have a sense of humor. Serves him right that his progeny will help undo all he has worked for."
"How did you guess it was Arthur?" Morgana asked.
"You said the first dream you remember was about Arthur, and that it happened just after you had met him, am I correct?" Morgana just nodded. "Well one of the lesser known part of the prophecy said that Asgre's blessings would be connected to the Once and Future King. Let me guess most of your dreams had to do with Arthur and any danger he got himself into?"
"How'd you know that?" Morgana whispered.
"Seers usually see things about the people that they have a strong connection with, as Asgre your connection to the Once and Future King would most likely make your sight more pointed to him and the danger he gets himself in, so that you can try and keep him alive."
"Most people ignored me though when I would try and warn Arthur," Morgana huffed.
"Not everyone Milady," Merlin said looking to Morgana sheepishly. Morgana returned his look with one of disbelief.
"What?"
"Gaius and I knew your dreams for what they were and well I usually tried to keep the Prat away from the danger you foresaw. The Prat didn't make it easy, usually he just walked right into-OW!" Merlin yelled when Morgana slapped him on his arm. "What was that for?"
"For being an idiot. How did I not see that in my dreams?" Morgana asked pointedly towards Tali.
"Which dreams?" Runa asked. "The ones that showed you possible futures or the past?"
"The past."
"What are you talking about?"
"Remember I told you about Morgana seeing your adventures."
"Oh, yeah," Merlin said with trepidation.
"I saw you save Gaius the first day you came to Camelot," Morgana said. "Amongst other things."
"That's how you knew about Freya?" Merlin whispered. Morgana had to bite the inside of her lips to stop them from trembling. When she had seen Merlin's interactions with the Druid girl a part of her had been devastated. Her heart still hurt when she thought of it but she brushed it aside and just gave him a curt nod.
"I also saw Gaius and the dragon talk you out of helping me, but we'll talk about that later." Merlin audibly gulped at Morgana's words. I'm in so much trouble, he thought as he slumped down in his seat. Many of the older men around the table gave the young man sympathetic looks, feeling a slight bit of pity for him.
"Princess Runa," Elder Bleddyn called out after they all went their separate ways.
"Yes?"
"If it's not too much trouble could I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?" Bleddyn then started rummaging around before pulling out a piece of swirling metal. He then pulled off an identical piece that had been hanging around his neck.
"What do you know about the Tomb of Ashkanar?"
Chapter all done! Over 11,000 words! Thanks to all of those who read this through and for the reviews I hope you leave! Please do, I really love reviews!