The next morning George woke Arthur and Merlin and after a decent, but hurried, breakfast they were on their way, so early that most in the castle weren't even awake. They rode in silence until out of sight of the white towers. Then Arthur pulled up his horse and stopped Merlin.
"Right before we go further I want answers, you wanted to speak alone I assume from yesterday."
"I did" Merlin admitted "It's not that I don't trust the Lady Morgana." Merlin was unsure how to go on. He was well out of his depth and not really sure what to do, he wished he could ask advice of the druids. Never had he felt his youth and inexperience as much as he did now.
"But?" Arthur asked.
"Look I'm not sure what to do anymore, I'm not ready for all this."
Arthur snorted but not unkindly "You choose to come to Camelot, your mother thought you old enough to leave home."
Merlin glared at the Prince "Leave my Mum out of this. It was the druids! They told me to follow my heart so I am going to, if you kill me I just ask you don't burn me."
Arthur realised the young man was terrified and out of his depth. Clearly he had had great expectations placed upon him and that was something Arthur knew all about. Feeling a connection with the younger man he spoke in a kinder and gentler tone. "Merlin I will not allow you to be burnt or even killed so please just tell me what I need to know."
Taking a deep breath Merlin started to talk. Having made his decision he wanted to get it over and done with. "I am not like other sorcerers I am a Warlock and the druids tell me I am the most powerful that has ever been or will be. You are prophesised to bring magic back. You are the Once and Future King and I am to keep you safe. You will unite all the peoples of Albion and return Magic to the land. But I don't know how I am supposed to keep you safe and not get caught! Why couldn't it have waited until I was older" he demanded "But oh no" Merlin hadn't drawn a breath as he almost shouted out what was expected of him. Then looking at Arthur he said "Did you know there is a dragon under Camelot? He tells me we are two sides of the same coin. Whenever I ask his advice he tells me I have all the information and tools I need and will work it out."
Arthur frowned "That seems a lot of pressure for one so young. Look I don't know about any prophesy but you have helped the Lady Morgana and also helped me so I feel some responsibility. And no I didn't know about a dragon but we will face that another day. Morgana trusts you so for what's its worth do I."
"That's the other thing the bloody dragon warned me Morgana has the potential for great harm but won't tell me more." Merlin was exasperated.
Arthur realised that Merlin was near breaking point so got off his horse. Then in a kind and gentle voice said "Get down Merlin we will stop for bit. Sit down by that tree in the shade. We need to make a plan." Once they were settled Arthur asked "How old are you?"
"Sixteen summers" Merlin admitted.
"When I was sixteen I went on my first patrol, at seventeen I was leader of a patrol but I had more experience men with me. No way would I have been sent on an undercover solo mission. I'm not surprised you are finding it hard. Did these Druids have any idea what they were doing?"
Merlin looked ashamed. "I am known as Emrys to them, a person in a prophesy, spoken about throughout the ages. I should know what I am doing if I am the most powerful magic user. It's my destiny!"
"Merlin you are a human being you should have help, they should have helped you."
"I was so confident. I was ready. It wasn't like they sprung it on me." He looked at Arthur "Until I got to Camelot and saw a man killed because he had magic, I felt lost then. The castle and town are so large it intimidated me. Perhaps I'm not the person they think I am." He admitted
Arthur felt a surge of sympathy for the youngster, it seemed wrong that someone so young felt he had to protect him, a seasoned warrior. Yet that's just what the other man had done. "We will sort this out." He said confidently "But first we need a plan for today. Morgana's dream suggested I have my head cut off."
Merlin shook his head "No she didn't see it happen, Seers see but one view of the future and by interfering they can bring about the very thing they were trying to prevent, anyways she didn't see your head chopped off just that you put your head on the block. So what if I protect your neck just in case? You could still put your head on the block but be safe."
"That sounds like cheating" Arthur told him "I said I would do as asked so I am honour bound to do so. Besides you said taking action can cause the outcome."
It was Merlin's time to smirk. "So, if she asks you to do it and you do honour is satisfied, even if she can't cut through your neck. I mean if she wanted to kill you why not in the challenge."
Arthur felt he had a point but asked "If you used magic wouldn't she know?"
Merlin frowned "Well she won't be looking for it. I think I can hide it from her. I hid from her when she was in Camelot. I could sense her magic but she didn't know about me, but she did know about Lady Morgana."
"She was looking for Morgana's." Arthur pointed out.
"I wasn't looking for hers but I knew straight away." Merlin persisted. "Remember I am supposed to be the most powerful and she didn't pick it up, I know she felt around for it."
Arthur still wasn't happy. "Leave the magic off, if it looks like she will carry out her threat then act."
"If I do that she will know it's me. I think she has long term plans and it might be good to keep my magic hidden for now." Merlin just wasn't happy to risk the Princes life.
"If she tries to cut my head off and can't she will also know. Just leave it and we will play it by ear." Arthur ordered.
Merlin reluctantly agreed. Arthur took a look at Merlin who appeared less nervous. "Feeling better now you have shared with me?"
"Suppose so, but I am a bit of a failure. I was given a task and messed it all up. I was so confident when I left the camp. I was told to keep my magic secret, but I have used it freely for most of my life. Maybe if I had stayed in Ealdor it would have been easier to hide it, also I hated the lies I was telling."
Arthur snorted "You aren't a failure, I am sure if someone told me to pretend I couldn't use a sword but I had to carry one I would soon give myself away. As for not lying that is a bonus. Just don't let the King catch you, Don't worry I am sure we can work together. As for Morgana and a potential for harm, well I can see that she is a scary woman and doesn't always think before she acts but I can't see her doing anything malicious." He grinned at Merlin "Let's go and sort her sister out shall we
Merlin felt better as they rode on. The lies and deceit had been dragging him down and now he felt as if he had a chance to move in the right direction. He wasn't sure the druids or Kilgarrah would agree with him, but it felt right. As they rode Arthur tried to lighten the mood and take the youngsters mind of what they were riding into.
"You're friends with Gwen aren't you?" he asked.
Merlin was surprised but answered "Yes, she helps Gaius sometimes and what with e helping Morgana we see each other quite often. Is that a problem?"
"No problem I just noticed that Sir Lancelot seems to be quite smitten with her." Arthur grinned. "He's a good man I hope it isn't one sided."
Merlin grinned back "No I don't think it is, but I do think it will be sometime before they admit it to each other."
"Well I hope it is for Morgana's sake. She needs Gwen's full support at the moment." Arthur's horse seemed to pull toward the right side of the fork in the road. Reining in he looked at Merlin. "I wonder which way we need to go. Hengroen seems to want to go right."
"Then I guess right it is, horses are sensible things" Merlin smirked.
It wasn't long before they found Morgause waiting for them, she turned without speaking and headed into some ruins. The two men dismounted tied up their horses and followed. She stopped and turned round "I said come alone"
"A prince never travels without a manservant." Arthur said haughtily. "He won't interfere. Now what is the challenge?"
Looking at Merlin's youth and slight frame she dismissed him and turned to Arthur "You will do whatever I ask?"
"I accepted your challenge" Arthur pointed out.
Pointing to a block she stared straight at Arthur "Put you head on that block." she told the Prince as she picked up a headman's axe.
Arthur raised an eyebrow and Merlin was reminder of Gaius. As Arthur did as he was ordered Merlin watched and got ready to act, even if it meant giving himself away he wouldn't see the Prince harmed.
But he had no need to worry Morgause put down the axe. "You are an honourable man" she told the Prince and he stood up "For that I will grant you the one thing you most desire. I can call the late Queen Ygraine so you can speak to her"
Arthur was shocked but sceptical, he wished he could confer with Merlin but knew he couldn't. Before he said more a ghostly like figure appeared. He knew it was his mother by a painting he had seen of her many years ago when he went into her rooms after stealing the key from his father's rooms. He had never managed to get him to allow him to visit them again.
"Arthur, how tall and strong you have grown" the apparition told him.
Arthur decided as this was his one chance to speak to his mother he would take it at face value and worry later.
