Merlin belongs to the BBC.
Chapter 2
Evening had come sooner than expected for Arthur as he waited patiently in his chambers. Merlin wasn't here and was doing whatever Merlin did in his spare time, Arthur had dismissed the guards outside his room and now waited for the knights to come knocking. Only Merlin was foolish enough to enter his room without knocking…but if he knew Gwen was with him Merlin knocked. The topic they were going to discuss was private and Arthur was determined to keep it that way. The youngest knight and Merlin didn't get on well, Mordred trying his best to prove something to Merlin while the manservant was determined about something else. Seeing the pair of them together always felt like a heavy storm was approaching. The more Arthur thought about it…the more the problem lies with Merlin. Before he could ponder more on the situation there was a knock on his door.
"Enter," Arthur called and heard the door opening. Leon emerged into the room followed by the other knights. They filed into the room and surrounded the table where Arthur sat. Everyone was silent for a while as Gwaine shut the door quietly. "Mordred, I think it's best you start this." Arthur spoke and watched as Mordred nodded.
"It's no secret that I've been trying to get into Merlin's good books…and from how I've seen him interact with all of you," Mordred glanced around at the other knights before continuing, "I would like the same. Just…whenever I approach you my lord, he tenses up as if I'm going to strike you down."
There was a nod from some of the other knights who had seen that reaction too. Arthur couldn't help but agree with Mordred when it came to Merlin's irrational behaviour. He was glad that he wasn't the only one to have noticed but what could they do about it? Arthur was pretty sure that if he sent Mordred and Merlin out together nothing will come from it. Merlin would find a way to escape from Mordred's vision and return back to Camelot without him. Arthur looked towards Lancelot, would Merlin be able to slip away from Mordred and Lancelot? He knew that there were two knights who's loyalty to Merlin was just as strong as their loyalty to Arthur himself, maybe more to Merlin…he couldn't tell.
"Mordred, do you have any idea why?" Elyan asked Mordred. Mordred paled slightly but unsure on how to answer that. He did know why but in doing so would reveal his magic…that could result in his death. He glanced towards Arthur and found the bright blue orbs staring at him, expecting an answer.
"I…have a hunch…" Mordred said nervously.
"Sorry to cut this short, but can we talk about what's weighing our pal Merlin down?" Gwaine asked. "Because now its starting to feel like Merlin doesn't trust us with anything if he's bottling things up. Getting to the point where it's affecting more than we think?"
"I talked to Gaius…he gave me some advice but I'm not sure how to act on it."
"What's that?" Lancelot asked Mordred. The youngest knight looked to Lancelot and opened his mouth.
"'If you truly want to earn Merlin's trust, you'll have to find a way to reach inside of him and show him the light he lost,' but I don't know how." The room fell silent at that. "With how Merlin's been treating me…I don't even know if it's possible…"
"Merlin's our little brother. I'm sure we can work out how to help him," Percival smiled. "We're not knights for nothing~"
"The question is, do we ask him directly?" Gwaine asked as he took the spare seat in the room. He received a glare from Arthur but the rebellious knight ignored it.
"Asking him directly will give you the typical 'I'm fine' response. Trust me, it doesn't work," Arthur sighed as he thought back to the many times he tried to get something out from Merlin when the manservant wasn't ready or willing to give up the information. "The best we can do for now is to observe and either ask Gaius or report back to the other knights."
"Do you think it's wise to involve Gaius?" Leon asked Arthur. "I'm aware that Gaius views Merlin as his son but…" Leon stopped himself.
"Gaius probably knows a lot more about Merlin than we do," Arthur spoke up when Leon fell silent.
"Sire, if I may?" Lancelot stepped forward. Arthur looked towards him and nodded. He hadn't failed to notice the special bond Merlin had with Lancelot. "I'm not going to betray Merlin if he comes to me with his secrets. All I'm going to do is support him but…I'd like you to know something."
"What's that?" Arthur asked.
"That Merlin is forever loyal to you and you alone. While my knighthood means your protection comes first if I feel you can protect yourself I shall protect Merlin," Lancelot spoke with determination.
"I'll happily do the same," Gwaine stood up and joined Lancelot's side. Arthur stared at the two with a smile on his face.
Arthur had been predicting this from Lancelot since training that day. The two knights who took a shine to Merlin were willing to protect him over Arthur. He knew that he should have felt anger that they were willing to put Merlin above Arthur but at the same time he was glad for that.
"Then I place his safety within your hands. Think of it as your honorable mission, not just as knights…but as his friends," Arthur smiled. "I should feel insulted that you'll protect my manservant over me but I also know your loyalty is just as strong if not stronger with Merlin than it is with me."
"I only became a knight because of Merlin. He's my best friend and I'll do anything to protect him," Gwaine smiled. "Protecting you means protecting him too."
"As much as I'd love to continue this conversation, it's getting late and we all have training in the morning. If anything just watch Merlin but don't make it obvious. Behave as normal," Arthur commanded the knights. "Mordred, keep trying to get into Merlin's good books but don't force yourself. That'll only make things more awkward. Try and do activities with him. Sharpening your sword, polishing your armour with him. Take chores away from him and he'll protest and reject you more."
"Yes sire," Mordred nodded with a smile on his face. For now he would try that. Just doing his own chores with Merlin might be the start he needs.
"Now good night," Arthur spoke and watched as his knights all left one by one. Once the door closed Arthur got up and started to search for his night clothes. Without Merlin there he needed to find them himself and get himself ready. He'll prove to Merlin that he could do it without his help.
Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 2
The sun rose high in the sky, throwing its light and warmth over the lake and gradually crawling towards Merlin. The sunlight reached his boots and continued to climb over his body, slowly warming it up after the night with Freya. Merlin's body twitched at the sudden warmth and slowly woke up. He blinked before he sat up and was greeted by the view of the lake, the water glistened in the sunlight. It was so peaceful but it reminded Merlin that he needed to leave, to return back to Camelot and return to Arthur.
"Thank you, Freya," Merlin smiled as he stood up and stretched. Once he felt his body loosen up he packed up and left the lake to return home. At the lake he felt free but the closer he got to Camelot the more weight he felt on his shoulders…he was returning to his destiny. He'd have to apologise to Arthur as he felt ready just to dump his pack in the king's room so he could just spring to his duties. Approaching the castle, he nodded at the guards and passed inside.
He headed towards Arthur's rooms and quietly opened the door and deposited his pack near the door before slipping out again. He sprinted towards the kitchen to pick up the silver tray for Arthur. The cook simply glared at him but nodded to him seeing as he was on time for once. Once the tray was secured in his hands Merlin darted off towards Arthur's room again. He used a tiny bit of magic to open the door to Arthur's room and stepped inside. The tray was placed on the table as Merlin strolled towards the curtains and ripped them apart.
"Good morning sire, breakfast is ready for you on the table," Merlin spoke as he approached the bed and shook Arthur. Arthur groaned and shuffled further under the covers.
"Merlin…it's too early…" Arthur moaned from under the covers.
"Sire, you have training with the knights before a couple of meetings to attend to before you have a speech of your own to write," Merlin informed Arthur before he gripped the sheets, ready to force them off Arthur.
"Who t- MERLIN!" Arthur yelled as Merlin swiped the covers, exposing the king. Arthur glared at Merlin as he shivered, his top was inside out and on backwards but he had his trousers on correctly.
"You'll get there, sire," Merlin tried to hold back his laugh, Arthur had tried his best to get himself ready for bed and Merlin couldn't really fault him for that. "Maybe next time make sure your top isn't inside out?"
"Well if you had set my clothes out before you left for the night…wherever you went then I wouldn't be in this mess!" Arthur snapped at Merlin. "Did you sort out your personal thing?" He asked as he watched Merlin now.
"Hmm? Oh, it's not something that can be sorted out. Do I have my normal chores?" Merlin asked as he left Arthur's side to start to tidy the chambers. Clothes were everywhere as Arthur threw them out while looking for his night clothes. Merlin heard the chair scrape along the ground and Arthur dropping down onto it to tuck into his breakfast.
"Of course," Arthur said before he spotted the pack by the door. Swallowing what was in his mouth he needed to ask Merlin. "Merlin?" He started and noticed Merlin stopped cleaning and turned his attention to Arthur. "Why is your pack here?"
"Oh, erm…" Merlin started before he sighed. "My personal business took me out of Camelot last night and if I put my pack away I'd be late to serve you."
"Merlin, out of all the years you've worked for me, you and time management hasn't been your strongest."
"I wanted to surprise you by being on time?" Merlin gave him an innocent smile. Arthur looked at it and tried to determine if it was a fake smile or a genuine one. He shook his head and returned to his breakfast. He'll need his energy for training.
"Have you eaten then?"
"I…"
"You're supposed to eat, you know?" Arthur asked and watched as Merlin's face slowly became red from embarrassment. Arthur sighed before he shook his head. "Honestly Merlin, you leap into danger with and for me. Don't you know how to look after yourself?"
"I know how to look after myself, I'm just more worried about you than I am myself."
There was the loyalty Merlin often expressed. Too loyal to Arthur that he neglects himself with some basic needs. Always making sure that Arthur was looked after, fed, his needs met before Merlin even considered himself. Maybe Arthur was putting too much on Merlin? Would Merlin even tell him if he was? Or would he just accept more responsibilities?
"I know I'm king, but am I putting too many responsibilities on you? Too many chores?" Arthur asked before he could stop himself. Merlin blinked confused and came over to Arthur, the back of his hand pressed against Arthur's forehead.
"Are you alright Arthur?" Merlin asked, Arthur shuddered as Merlin used his physician voice. Arthur had his 'I am King' voice while Merlin had his 'I'm your physician' voice.
"I'm fine, why?"
"You're acting weird."
Oopse…
Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 2
Mordred entered the armoury and immediately spotted Merlin polishing Arthur's armour, with a smile on his face he slowly approached Merlin and sat near him silently. He was aware that Merlin had sensed him but remained quiet as he continued to polish. Mordred wasn't willing to break the silence but instead took his own armour and started to polish near the warlock. Mordred kept glancing towards Merlin and noticed how the young man was placing protective charms on the armour too, the sneaky man was using his magic to protect Arthur without the king even being aware. Did he do anything to Arthur's sword too?
"Surprised you're being quiet…" Merlin's voice pulled Mordred out from his thoughts. He felt himself become embarrassed but shook his head.
"I'm just here to polish my armour, much like you're polishing the King's armour," Mordred said as he returned to the task he set himself. "You do seem more relaxed than you have in a while."
"Having the evening away from everything does wonders," Merlin admitted with a small smile on his face as he allowed himself to remember last night. Seeing Freya again, being able to hold her and hear her once more…he knew that he couldn't have that every time he went to the lake. His mood dropped once more and he was sure that Mordred noticed.
"They must be really lucky to have a friend like you," Mordred spoke up and tried to bring Merlin's mood back up with him.
"Yes, I'm lucky to have met her…even if we can't see each other every time."
Mordred froze. Merlin had the evening off and met a girl? He felt the sadness seeping through Merlin's emotions and magic. Mordred swear that he could feel Merlin's magic wrapping itself around him in a way to comfort him. Warm and comforting it tried to prevent the sadness from affecting others around him, Mordred wasn't aware that magic could do this…but he was Emrys, maybe his magic was unique. Mordred's own magic reacted to his emotions but it wasn't willing to protect him or attempt to comfort him like Merlin's own magic did to him. Should Mordred push Merlin on these matters or leave him be? The tears that threatened to fall from Merlin's eyes told him that he should just drop the matter. He wanted to befriend Merlin not force him to speak about something that doesn't concern him.
"You must treasure every encounter then?" Mordred spoke and mentally slapped himself. He was supposed to drop it, not continue the conversation.
"Just being with her…it feels like my destiny doesn't matter. I can just be…Merlin. As stupid as it sounds…"
"I don't think it's stupid. She sounds lovely if she makes you feel free."
"Don't tell the others…please? They'll tease me about it or demand I tell them."
"I understand, your secret is safe with me," Mordred smiled and the pair of them fell into silence as they continued their jobs.
Once Merlin had finished dealing with Arthur's armour he pulled out Excalibur and ran his finger across the face of the blade. He started to sharpen the blade of the already sharp blade. Merlin took fantastic care of this sword but it never escaped Mordred's notice that Merlin's magic flowed over the blade with the blade absorbing the magic. It wasn't just because this was Arthur's sword, Merlin's treatment of it was something else. He didn't mention it and just continued with his armour.
Shackles of Destiny - Chapter 2
Mordred breathed a sigh of relief when he returned to his chambers that evening. The meetings were important he knew but he just struggled to pay attention, Arthur had called for Mordred's opinion in the meeting as a method to test his attention during the meetings. Mordred felt like he gave an acceptable response but thinking about it now he wasn't so sure. Mordred's mind drifted back to Merlin before he frowned. He quickly left his chambers and headed towards Arthur's chambers, he needed to talk to him or at least report to him his interaction with Merlin had gone today. Mordred knocked on the door and waited for Arthur to grant him permission.
"Enter," Arthur called and Mordred entered.
"Sire, may I talk to you in private?" Mordred asked as he glanced to Merlin. He watched as Merlin tensed once more at the thought of leaving him. "Ermys, I don't have my sword with me and if The Once and Future King sees me using magic will have me killed," Mordred send his message to Merlin's mind.
"Very well, go home and sleep Merlin," Arthur nodded to Merlin.
"Yes sire," Merlin responded, bowing slightly to Arthur and nodding at Mordred. When Merlin left the room Mordred waited for Merlin to get a distance away before he looked at Arthur. The king gestured to the spare seat in the room.
"Guinevere will be here tonight so please make this short," Arthur commented as Mordred took the seat. He was glad that the knight had taken the seat.
"Sire, I just wanted to report that I had a successful time in the armoury with Merlin. I didn't realise though how much Merlin cares for your sword." Arthur raised an eyebrow at Mordred, silently asking him to continue. "How often do you ask Merlin to tend to your sword?"
"If you're referring to the sword he calls Excalibur then never. The sword feels like it was made specifically for me. Are you telling me he's constantly making sure that the sword is ready for battle?" Arthur asked and Mordred nodded.
"I believe the sword is special to him as well, not just for you…but I can't say for sure."
"Why is it whenever I think I understand Merlin, he does something different and changes everything?" Arthur groaned before there was a knock on the door. "Guinevere?" Arthur asked.
"It's Merlin," Arthur smiled as he recognised the voice.
"Merlin wouldn't knock, please come in Guinevere. You're dismissed Mordred, get some sleep."
"Of course, sire."
The Sorrowful Deity - I'm sure that would help too but we'll have to see where the story will go. Thanks for reading~
emrysmorgan - I'd like to promise in the next chapter there will be some Lancelot and Merlin scenes...but we'll see what will happen. I agree though, Merlin needs Lancelot more than he thinks/realises~
- Thank you for the compliment~ I appreciate it~ I hope I don't disappoint you or anyone else reading this story~
Well, that's all I have for now, thank you for reading, favouriting, following etc. I really appreciate it. Take care now~