Merlin belongs to the BBC.

Chapter 4

Mordred made his way quickly to Gaius' chambers, an idea was bouncing around in his mind at a possibility. His breathing had quickened, his hope was building as he tore through the corridors of the castle. In his haste, he watched as the servants had seen him coming and moved quickly out of his way, he silently thanked Merlin who he assumed had done so much running through the corridors the servants quick responses had been improved. As he reached Gaius' chambers he knocked on the door before entering. His breathing had quickened but a bright smile on his face. The physician looked up from his desk and scanned Mordred for any possible injuries or ailments.

"Sir Mordred, is all well?" Gaius asked.

"I'd like to ask you a few questions," Mordred panted. Gaius gestured to the table that he and Merlin often had interesting conversations. The knight nodded and took a seat opposite Gaius who settled down on the other side.

"Don't worry, Merlin's off with King Arthur."

Gaius saw Mordred, the twinkle in his eyes reminded him of Merlin when the light was still there. The younger knight had often reminded Gaius of the young boy who came into his chambers so many years ago, the young boy who viewed the world with so much wonder and amazement. Seeing Mordred now, guilt started to manifest in Gaius. He should have protected Merlin's innocence…yet he sat back and watched as his destiny crushed him. He helped the best he could and knew that he shouldn't feel this guilt but guilt was a tricky beast.

"That's good…"

"Ask away Sir Mordred."

"What if we can get inside Merlin's mind?" Mordred asked, his smile growing more and more on his face.

Gaius gave the knight a puzzled look, raising his eyebrow he waited for Mordred to elaborate on what he was asking. He didn't have to wait long before the knight continued.

"I know that mind magic is a branch of magic considered to be dangerous but…what if we can enter Merlin's mind and help him?"

"Are you suggesting to turn to magic? You know King Arthur wouldn't approve of that," Gaius started to speak before shaking his head. "Magic involving the mind is a very dangerous branch of magic, Mordred. If what you're suggesting is to find someone skilled in that branch of magic to enter Merlin's mind you can easily do more damage than good."

"I'm aware, but if it can help…" Mordred deflated slightly but still clutched the string of hope. Could magic like this help?

"And how would you manage to convince Merlin to allow the spell to be performed on him?" Gaius asked Mordred.

"I have to find a way to reach inside him…you said so yourself!" Mordred raised his voice slightly but immediately bit his lip at the realisation of what he had just done. "I can't stand his cold shoulder, to feel him and the hatred he feels for something I have yet to do. I don't want Arthur's death, but I crave Emrys' acceptance." Mordred's face fell at the last sentence. Gaius reached out and placed his hand on Mordred's shoulder and watched as the knight looked at him.

"Your idea isn't a terrible one, but I don't think Merlin will allow just anyone to perform mind magic on him."

"Then what do you suggest?" Mordred asked the question. Gaius looked away from the druid and around the room. His eyes looked at all the books before he looked back at Mordred.

"If you're determined to use mind magic on Merlin then you'll need to find someone with powerful magic, someone Merlin trusts completely…"

"So then…it's hopeless…" Mordred deflated rapidly. From hope to disappointment to finding that little bit of hope before it fluttered away in the wind.

"Don't give up hope, as I said before. Your idea isn't terrible I just don't think it'll be best to resort to magic just yet. How's your bonding with Merlin?"

Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 4

Merlin felt terrible. Arthur's question had come from nowhere and it rattled his emotions. His mind forced him to remember Freya when she was still alive. The fear that shook her body at the beginning of their relationship and when she saw Halig again. He watched how she shook, how she couldn't look him in the eyes or allow him to touch her when they had settled down in the catacombs of Camelot. She looked at him with fear in her eyes, wondering what he was going to do to her, she had expected the worst. Merlin was patient though, and he was rewarded by her smile. A smile that cause warmth to spread through his body, made his heart beat faster and threatened it to jump from his chest and nestle with hers. Just thinking about Freya now, he could feel the tears forming in his eyes, his heart beating faster with regret, his soul burning with the desire to run to the Lake of Avalon and to sit and wait, wondering if Freya could visit him again.

He had struggled to finish that speech for Arthur and seeing how his emotions were all over the place, he excused himself saying that he wasn't feeling well. Arthur gave him a puzzled expression but had said that Merlin had started to look pale and sent him off. Merlin made his way towards the physician's quarters and gently pushed open the door.

He was greeted with the familiar scent of herbs and concoctions that Gaius made but he didn't feel confident with himself to speak without his emotions overflowing from his mouth. The elderly man took one look at Merlin and put the bottle down. He opened his arms and offered Merlin a hug. The warlock took a couple of steps before he practically ran into Gaius' arms and wrapped his arms around his father-figure and mentor. Merlin felt circles being rubbed on his back and was thankful that Gaius didn't ask him to start talking. Merlin couldn't hold it in any more and felt the tears falling down his face, he remained silent though while he simply cried. He would have to apologise later he just didn't care at the moment.

"I'm sorry…" Merlin sobbed as he pulled away from Gaius.

"My boy, you have nothing to be sorry for," Gaius reassured Merlin. "I assume you don't feel like eating?"

"To be honest, I much rather just go to my room and sleep," Merlin admitted to his mentor. The old man nodded and stepped out of Merlin's way and watched as the warlock passed him and climbed the stairs to his room.

Gaius' heart sank at the sight. The once cheerful boy had been replaced by a man with the world placed on his shoulders and no one to share it with. What he wouldn't do to see the young man who walked through his chamber doors once more, the young boy who lit up at the chance to learn magic, keen to learn anything new with his gift…Gaius would love just to see that happiness in his eyes once more. Maybe Mordred was on the right track with using mind magic or even to look in its direction. He really hoped that he hadn't set Mordred an impossible task.

Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 4

When Gwen returned to Arthur's chambers, she found her husband staring out the window, the speech lay forgotten on the table. Arthur's arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall. Gwen knew immediately that there was something bothering her husband. She approached him and placed her hands on his shoulders, massaging them gently before she spoke.

"My love, what's happened?" Gwen asked in a soft and calm voice. Something in the room had changed, it was somewhat colder despite the fire that danced in the fireplace. Arthur exhaled and turned to see her. His shoulders drooped as he looked defeated.

"I had to send Merlin back to Gaius, I fear I might have said something that has upset him."

"Why don't you start from the top?" Gwen asked. She removed her hands from Arthur and allowed her husband to turn and face her. She smiled when he did so and started explaining from the top while Gwen listened carefully. There was only one conclusion she could draw from their exchange…Merlin had been in love and something happened to them which ended the relationship.

"I just don't know what I did wrong…" Arthur groaned as he started to pace his room.

"Do you want to know what I think?" Gwen asked while watching her husband.

"You know I always want your opinion when it comes to me and my emotions…Gods help me when Merlin tries…"

"You're just jealous that Merlin's more emotional than you can be."

"He calls me an emotionally stunted king!"

"Sounds like something Merlin would say, but do you want to know or not?" That stopped Arthur in his tracks.

"Well, from what you described Arthur, it sounds as if Merlin has fallen in love with someone and has been hurt by it…That's my guess anyway." She shuffled awkwardly on the spot as Arthur stared at her. A tiny smile forming on his face as he watched his wife. "What?" She asked.

"Merlin's in no fit emotional state for an interrogation, Guinevere," he laughed as she pouted at him.

"I was not going to interrogate him!"

"Guinevere."

"Maybe a little…but nothing drastic I assure you!" She looked away from Arthur and towards the door and made her move but Arthur was quicker, reaching out his hand and catching her arm.

"I trust Merlin, when he's ready he'll talk. You didn't see him, he's not ready to talk about it." Arthur watched as Gwen huffed and sighed, Arthur slowly let her go when he felt she wouldn't go charging off to find Merlin to learn the gossip. "You miss hearing the servant gossip, don't you?" Arthur commented.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy where I am…but yes, I do miss the servant gossip…Merlin tells me some but he's too busy serving you or working with Gaius. Sometimes he's even off doing his own thing…whatever that is."

"Let's just forget about Merlin for now and spend some time together before our duties pull us away from each other," Arthur smiled as he reached for her and pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss before Gwen could say anything and reject the idea.

Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 4

Night approached quicker than anyone had noticed, the sky had shifted from the light blue to a burning orange-purple colour before shifting to black. The streets of Camelot were emptier than they had been with the only people present were the servants still performing their tasks, guards to protect the city and to maybe escort drunkards back to their houses and said drunkards, singing or laughing their way back to their homes. Other than that there was silence.

Mordred lay on his bed, he had felt Merlin's sadness so suddenly he felt as if it was his own. Something had upset Merlin that badly that Arthur had sent him home…but he wasn't sure what could have caused that. He hadn't felt Merlin's magic being unleashed so Arthur was still in the shadows on what his manservant was actually capable of. Heck Mordred didn't think Merlin knew just how much power he had contained in his body. He was sure that Merlin didn't have a mentor to teach him more about his magic and his possible only source of magic spells came from a basic book. He contemplated if he should open the mental link he had with Merlin to try and improve his very fragile friendship with the warlock of legend…or should he just keep quiet and wait for Merlin to open up to him? He never knew what to do…with that prophecy hanging around Merlin like a bad scent, would be ever befriend Merlin? Well, there wasn't any harm in trying to reach him. Inhaling deeply Mordred opened the link.

"Emrys, are you okay?" Mordred asked and waited. He wasn't sure what to expect…but what he got wasn't what he expected at all.

"Why are you worried?" Mordred smiled slightly as he received the response. It was small…but it was progress.

"Why wouldn't I be worried? I felt your sadness as if it were my own."

"Sorry…I thought I had closed the link…" Merlin's reply was quiet.

"Are you still crying?" Mordred asked the innocent question and frowned when he felt the sadness through their link. "Who hurt you this badly?"

"Everyone…" Merlin started but there was a pause as if the warlock was thinking the answer now more carefully. "Not everyone…I guess the better answer would be Destiny…Good night Mordred," Merlin closed the link after that.

Mordred let out a sigh and stared up at the ceiling of his chambers. "Good night, Merlin.."

Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 4

Merlin slowly opened his eyes as the sunlight filled his room. As George would say, a servant must rise with the sun while being the last to fall asleep. Merlin stared out the window and breathed a heavy sigh. In his honest opinion, he would have happily let George take over his duties today but Arthur and morning were not the best combination. Dragging himself from the bed he poked his head out to see that Gaius was still fast asleep in his bed. Not feeling hungry he got himself washed and dressed before deciding to try to be as quiet as possible while leaving Gaius' chambers. That was the plan…but he failed to notice the misplaced pocket of air and stumbled in his own room. Thankfully he landed on his bed with a small 'omph' escaping from his mouth. Groaning he picked himself up and left his room. Watching his feet on the steps before he shifted onto his tiptoes and moved around the room, he avoided the more obvious spots were his clumsiness will decide to show itself before reaching the door.

Merlin silently congratulated himself for sneaking successfully and walked straight into the door. Thump. He wobbled backwards with a groan before realising how much noise he made and quickly looked back at Gaius. His mentor was still sleeping thankfully before Merlin opened the door and walked through.

The corridors were full of servants carrying lots of different items. Baskets of clothes, trays of food, some even carried weapons from the armoury. Merlin twisted his body to avoid bumping into any passing servants, they also did their best to avoid colliding with Merlin, even if the young man wasn't running through the corridors it seemed to be second nature to them as much as it was to Merlin. As Merlin reached the kitchens, Audrey glared at Merlin while watching him pick up Arthur's breakfast. Her eyes never left Merlin until he was out the kitchen before he spotted Mordred approaching and moved out of the knights way. Mordred watched amused as Merlin moved through the sea of servants.

"Merlin?" Mordred spoke, unable to keep quiet any longer as he watched Merlin. The warlock stopped and turned to look at Mordred. "You're looking somewhat better…"

"Erm…thanks?" Merlin replied before he received a nod from Mordred, he turned around and continued on his way towards Arthur's chambers. As he moved he wondered what Mordred had meant before his brain clicked, Mordred probably felt his emotions and was only responding to it. He shook his head before arriving at Arthur's chambers and knocked. He wasn't sure if Gwen was sleeping with Arthur so it was best to knock. When he heard Gwen calling him inside he pushed the door and entered.

"Morning Merlin," Gwen smiled sleepily, having been disturbed by his knocking. Arthur was laying next to her still oblivious to the world. His snores were pretty loud and Gwen was unfortunate to be awake now and could hear her husband's snores. Merlin gave her a sympathetic look as he placed the tray down.

"Morning Gwen," Merlin spoke as he approached Arthur. Gwen knew what Merlin was going to do and tried to steal the covers from Arthur as much as possible. "You're dressed, aren't you?" Merlin asked Gwen who nodded.

"Thank you for knocking," Gwen smiled as she stole enough of the covers to expose Arthur's body to the elements. Merlin smiled happily before he shook Arthur.

"Come on clotpole, the sun is shining and your duties are waiting," Merlin said as he shook his friend. Gwen watched while wrapping herself up in the covers.

"Open the curtains," Gwen suggested. Merlin removed his hands from Arthur and skipped towards the curtains and ripped them open. Arthur hissed as the sunlight landed on his face, forcing him awake.

"Up you get you lazy daisy!" Merlin exclaimed happily much to the annoyance of the king of Camelot.

Shackles of Destiny – Chapter 4

"Merlin considers you his best friend…so I assume you know?" Mordred spoke as he looked at Lancelot.

"You better come inside then," Lancelot beckoned Mordred inside. The druid nodded and walked inside. Mordred closed the door behind and sat down at the table when Lancelot gestured towards it. "How did you find out?"

"He's not very subtle," Mordred smiled. While Merlin may trust this man, Mordred wasn't sure if he should just yet. Lancelot couldn't help but laugh at Mordred's comment and shook his head.

"I found out on my first mission for Camelot, he helped me take down a griffin."

"So you got to see first hand his gift?" Mordred's eyes lit up at this.

"It was hard to miss my spear erupting with a blue mist. I think that fate intended Merlin to have someone who he could talk to. I can't image how lonely he must have felt all these years…" Lancelot looked away from Mordred. "The question I have…is why Merlin doesn't trust you."

The Sorrowful Deity - Arthur's not sorry for asking such an innocent question.

emrysmorgan - We shall see what happens, I honestly have some idea where to go but not sure what the end will be like. But no, I haven't abandoned this story.

Thanks for reading and take care out there.