A TRICK OF THE LIGHT
Chapter Thirty Nine
"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story."
(Frank Herbert)
-x0x-
Watching the sun break through the clouds was beautiful. It was the first clear sign that the storm had disappeared completely. Merlin tilted his face to the sky and closed his eyes, letting the light shine through his eyelids as it bathed his skin and warmed his soul.
"Enjoying yourself?" Gaius enquired at his shoulder.
"Yes," said Merlin happily. "I am."
They were rolling through the clean white snow in a cart that bore a veritable mountain of supplies, both medical and practical. Gwaine rode beside them, and so did Guinevere. Several knights brought up the rear, one of them driving a smaller, empty cart. Their ultimate destination was Farrow – or rather, what remained of it. But each person knew why the others were really there.
When the long night had ended and the shield had fallen away, the people of Camelot thanked whatever gods or spirits they believed in for their incredible good fortune. Merlin, who would have been tickled to hear them, never saw that special dawn, for he was fast asleep. He slept for a whole day, in fact, and when he awoke he felt remarkably good.
The first person he sought out (after a hearty breakfast, of course, for he was starving yet again) was Robin the jester, sometimes known as Puck. But Robin was nowhere to be found. His final jest, it seemed, was to disappear without a trace. Perhaps he was uncomfortable with the notion of gratitude. Or perhaps his work was done, and that, thought Merlin, was that. It was disappointing not to be able to say 'goodbye' and 'thank you' to the one who had really saved Camelot from imminent destruction. Even the wisps had left, fading out of sight like dust upon the wind. Merlin guessed that they had probably worn themselves to a frazzle and drifted away to recover. It wouldn't surprise him to learn that Robin was with them, in his bright new form. Probably making up an epic verse about his adventure, Merlin grinned to himself, wishing he might have the opportunity to hear it, some day.
Thinking about the wisps set his mind on a different path that soon distracted him, as he began to wonder what had become of Arthur and Percival's shield. Had it faded too, or was it holding strong until help arrived? Merlin raced back to his chambers and swiftly recruited Gaius for a recovery mission. By the time they left Camelot, their ranks had swollen to eight, their mission of mercy had expanded and many kind souls had donated supplies for the villagers of Farrow, or anyone else along the way who needed succour after the storm.
That was this morning and now, as the clouds drifted apart beyond the treetops, revealing the hopeful blue of the heavens, the little band of travellers drew near to the place where Merlin and Gwaine had left the king and his wounded companion. Though the blizzard had retreated, there was still a battlefield of wreckage to negotiate.
"We should clear a path for the carts," Gwaine suggested, dropping down from his saddle with alacrity.
"Count me in," Merlin agreed. He was tired of riding on the rickety cart. Shifting broken branches in the fresh air felt quite appealing to him as a form of exercise.
Guinevere and the knights soon joined them and they spread out along the track, working steadily, while Gaius checked the contents of his cart for any leaks or spillage. It had been a bumpy ride, thus far.
"Nice weather for the time of year," Gwaine said cheerfully to Merlin, as they joined forces to drag what the knight jokingly called 'half a tree' out of their way.
"Not bad," Merlin nodded. His boots were already wet through but he didn't care. His cheeks were pink, his eyes were bright and nothing could spoil the day for him. "Hey," he remarked suddenly. "Pest never came back?"
Gwaine shook his head, feigning unconcern, but Merlin could see that he was disappointed. "I'm sorry," he told his friend. "I know how much you like him."
"What, that little nuisance?" scoffed the knight. "Good riddance, I'm sure."
"Mm hmm." Merlin looked about him, trying to see the wood for the trees, so to speak, and get a fix on their bearings. "We must be close by now. Don't you think?"
"Are you changing the subject to spare my feelings?"
"Of course not," Merlin lied, knowing full well that his friend could see right through him.
When the track was clear enough, they set off once again, and it wasn't long before they arrived at the clearing. Guinevere gasped to see the golden shield of wisps. Merlin hid his relief. "See," he said. "I told you they were safe."
As the little group of rescuers converged by the fallen tree, the shield began to flicker and shift. Like a flock of starlings rising from a field of corn, the wisps broke apart from their cluster and soared upwards, holding their pattern loosely even as they slipped through the branches on their way to freedom and the open sky. Within minutes, they had disappeared entirely.
"Is that how it was…?" said Merlin, open-mouthed.
"Yes," nodded Gaius. "But infinitely more so."
"I wish I'd seen it," the young man said with deep regret.
Guinevere, meanwhile, had darted forwards. She knelt in the snow and the mud, little caring about her clothes, as Arthur lifted a sleepy head. "You?" he mumbled, sounding quite befuddled. "But I was just dreaming…"
"About me?" Guinevere said with a smile.
"Yes. Well, you and a banquet. I feel as though I haven't eaten for days," the king confessed, sitting bolt upright and looking around him hopefully. His gaze fell on Merlin. "I don't suppose you packed any food? Wait… where did the storm go?" He frowned. "I missed something, didn't I?"
Percival was also awake by now, but the face that stared down at him with concern was older and far less enchanting. "Gaius," said the knight solemnly. "I should be glad to see you, I know." He tried to move his leg, and winced. "But this isn't going to be fun, is it?"
"Not in the slightest," agreed the physician. "For either of us, I suspect. Still, you'll survive and, for that, you can thank the wisps, apparently. They saved both of you – and Camelot besides."
Arthur burst out laughing – until he realised that he was the only one. Scrambling to his feet with Guinevere's help, he looked around at the group with growing suspicion. "I must have slept through it all," he said forlornly.
"Walk with me," Guinevere suggested. "I'll tell you all about it…"
As the king stretched his legs, with the help of his lady, the rest of the party lifted Percival onto the empty cart, working together as one. They took great care to make him comfortable. Gaius strapped up his leg and laid cushions around him to keep him from rocking about too much on the homeward journey.
"I feel like a baby in a crib," the knight complained.
"You look like one, too," Gwaine retorted with a grin. "Want me to ride back with you?"
"No need," said Percival drowsily. Already, the draught that Gaius had given him was taking effect. "I'm so tired… of sleeping," he yawned, even as he drifted off.
"We'll be fine now," Gaius reassured Gwaine. "I have my escort. You go on with Merlin and the other cart."
"And me," said Arthur, popping up beside them. "Where are we going, exactly?"
-x0x-
In the end, Arthur and Guinevere commandeered the supply cart. Merlin guessed this was so they could sit side by side in peaceful companionship. The king laid his head against Guinevere's dark curls, lifting it every now and then to take a bite of the crusty loaf or the cold meat he held in both hands. With an uncharacteristic display of discretion, Merlin and Gwaine trotted ahead on horseback, looking out for any kind of landmark that would point them in the direction of the hidden cave.
Merlin rode in silence, thinking deeply. Gwaine was quiet too, which surprised him.
"We're not ourselves today, are we?" the knight said at last. "Comes from seeing the things we've seen, no doubt."
"Delicately put. When did you learn to be so tactful?"
"Oh," his friend said airily, "the other night, on the rooftop, I suspect."
The cart was far behind them. Merlin turned and stared at his friend, taking in his warm gaze and his knowing smile. Gwaine had always been a fierce combination of loyal and reckless, brave and bewildering. I think that's why I like him so much, Merlin decided. He's not perfect. But he's a good man.
I should have trusted him long ago.
He held out his hand, fist clenched.
"Bæl," he whispered. Then he opened his fingers. A tiny flame danced on his palm.
Both men stared at the fire for the longest moment Merlin had ever known. He held his breath, feeling afraid and excited at the same time.
"That's useful," said the knight at last, in such a casual way that Merlin almost laughed out loud. "Thank you, Merlin. Looks like you'll be on fire-lighting duty from now on."
That simple 'thank you', Merlin knew, held a wealth of meaning; words that no longer needed to pass between them.
It was so easy, in the end.
"Don't tell Arthur," he grinned.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Gwaine replied, as the little flame went out again and the two friends rode on together, lapsing back into comfortable silence.
-x0x-
"Was I not right all along? You cannot deny it."
In a tangle of trees that lined the roadside, two lights were hovering. One was small and one was large. The features of a man were faint within the latter, while the first bobbed up and down indignantly.
"Now you're making a fool of yourself," Robin said calmly. They watched the horses and the cart pass by. "But it is very pleasing, you must admit. For who in this wide world does not yearn for a happy ending? The kingdom has been saved, the knight has proven his worth…"
Pest gave an urgent flicker.
"And what of the eloquent stranger, you say?" Robin laughed. "Why, he has two choices; his very own riddle to solve. Go back, or go forth. Which would you choose?"
The wisp appeared to shrug.
"A fine help you are. Fortunate am I that I already have my answer. Travelling back to my old life is tantamount to failure. I yearn for new horizons. Fine halls and fair taverns full of worthy folk who deserve to hear the brilliance of my verse. I'm composing a new one," he added smugly. "Would you care to hear it?"
Pest jiggled carelessly.
"Heartless creature," Robin grumbled. "Will you at least remain to watch over them?" He was delighted to see the wisp glow eagerly in agreement. "I had an inkling that you would. The knight makes friends more easily than he supposes. Many thanks, little one, for your good service. And now…" The human face grew clearer, deep within the light, and it was smiling wickedly. "As I am a thoughtful Puck, and know your desires even when you do not - I give you 'The Sorcerer's Tale'…
"Our story begins on a cold winter's night
When bold Sir Gwaine gets caught up in a fight.
The tavern is rowdy, Sir Leon is scathing;
So tired is the knight of his friend misbehaving.
Late is the hour and weary the man.
Their host bids them clean up as much as they can.
'But wait! Who is this on the floor,' says Gwaine.
'A handsome young stranger? Did I cause his pain?'
The knight may be wild but his kind heart is true.
He lays claim to his guilt and he knows what to do.
Gwaine has a friend who is gentle and wise.
A servant named Merlin – and yet, herein lies
The twist in our tale, for Merlin is not
Just a humble servant
Here in Camelot…"
THE END
-x0x-
A/N: I want to thank everyone who has made it all the way through this story, especially those who have taken the time to leave comments, and those who have stayed with it from the very beginning. It has been such a labour of love for me and I really hope you enjoyed it too!
