Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Merlin.
A/N- Hi guys! Thanks for all your reviews, sorry I didn't get a chance to respond… school is picking up :( But it's a snow day today! So I have a chance to publish :D
Beta-ed by Paralelsky
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Mordred stood leaning against a green leaved maple tree, watching Merlin happily throw the spring leaves around him. He had woken up early just as he planned and hid their meagre amount of clothes inside his teal cloak. When they got their breakfast from Brigitte, he had swiped some bread and fruit and not even Merlin had noticed. But Merlin did notice Mordred's nervousness- he had been looking curiously at him all morning and didn't stop until Mordred made a meagre pile of leaves for him, most of them dead and becoming part of the perpetual underbrush of the forest. His pale blue eyes looked back in the direction of camp; they would not expect them back for at least another hour so they would get a decent enough head start.
"Merlin," he called and walked towards the boy. Merlin looked up at him and his grin lit up his face- he shot up and ran to Mordred, his dragon pendant bouncing off his thin chest. Mordred ruffled Merlin's hair and just as he was about to talk, the twigs behind the trees snapped loudly. He swiftly drew Merlin behind him and turned towards the potential threat.
"It would not be wise to leave yet, Mordred," a familiar voice called and a tall figure stepped into view.
"Selwyn!" he gasped in relief. Merlin ducked out from behind Mordred and gave Selwyn a tiny smile. His relief was short lived however as he realized they had been caught. "I- I don't know what you are talking about."
"Yes you do. Do not take me for a fool, I have always been straight with you. You have nowhere to run to now. Mercia is no place for children wandering alone. And the rest of them will catch up with you quickly."
"What do you suggest then?" Mordred asked and Merlin looked between them confusedly.
"We are going to go to the Forest of Ascetir tomorrow. I would advise you to run with him then and head to Camelot."
"Camelot? And hide under the King's nose? Selwyn, he would have us executed!" Mordred spat the word 'king' as if it were a swear word.
"Only if you are caught. Listen to me, Mordred, Merlin cannot stay here!"
Merlin tugged on Mordred's cloak but the older boy ignored him. "I know that, but shall I take him to where our kind is hated most?"
"You will be safe there. It is the last place they will suspect. And when they come after you two, it will be just as dangerous for them. Two young boys are far less suspicious than a group of druids, yes?" Merlin had wandered to Selwyn and tapped his leg, craning his neck upward to try and get the man's attention. Selwyn opened his hand beside his thigh for Merlin to reach and take, and waited for Mordred to speak.
"...You have never steered us wrong before," Mordred frowned, "but Camelot?"
"Yes. But you will have to watch him carefully, keep his magic under control."
"Will you come with us?"
"I wish I could. I am known in Camelot so I am afraid I would implicate you by my presence. I will stay here and keep them oblivious to your absence for as long as I can."
"Oh." Mordred looked down.
"Come, we should head back now," Selwyn said and extended his hand to Mordred. He let Selwyn lead him back to camp with his arm at his back. Merlin cut in between them and grabbed both their hands. They glanced at each other and immediately swung Merlin back and forth. The boy adopted a huge grin and Mordred thought he was going to laugh, but was disappointed. He peeked at Selwyn as they swung Merlin and he recognized veiled disappointment in the man's green eyes. Mordred thought that Selwyn too would have liked to hear Merlin laugh before they left.
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The dense trees wound thickly on the even ground, hiding a small clearing that could only be found after days of hiking. Dull coloured tents sat in the space available for them like tired soldiers, and the druids that occupied them were resting outside after a few long days of travel.
"Isaac, may we go play in the forest?" Mordred asked the ash haired man. Merlin was standing close to his side as he gazed at the trees. The boy had been very clingy the closer they got to the forest of Ascetir and did not let go of Mordred's hand once they reached their destination a few hours ago. One of his hands grasped loosely at his throat.
"Yes, that may be best. See if you can get him used to the area," Isaac smiled down at him.
Mordred seized the opportunity, "That may take a while. But I will do my best. Thank you, Isaac," he said sincerely and led Merlin into the trees. When they were hidden in the forest, Mordred did his best to seem as if everything was normal. Merlin scrunched his brow at him but did not pester him.
The further they walked, the heavier their belongings seemed inside his cloak. Merlin amused himself as they traveled by trying to step on only twigs but quickly stopped when Mordred would not let his hand go. He then tried to pick his nose but quickly put his arm down at the look Mordred gave him. He began to pout until they passed a fallen log and he glimpsed Selwyn. Mordred wordlessly walked up to him and Selwyn handed him the leather bag he was carrying and helped him put their clothes inside with the food that was already packed. Once they were finished, Mordred found he could not look up at the older man- a lump had grown in his throat.
Hid head was raised as Selwyn lifted his chin. "Mordred, you have come a long way since I have met you. I know you will do well." A rare smile graced Selwyn's lips.
"But what if something happens? It's two days to Camelot. Merlin is too important for me to do something wrong."
"Emrys is important, but you are as well. Merlin needs someone to protect him- he cannot do it himself. That person is you Mordred. Your destiny is joined with his."
"But-"
"I know it is a tremendous amount of pressure. But in the end you will succeed. Why? Because it is written. You will be a powerful sorcerer in your own right, already your power is impressive. Your road will be hard, but I have the utmost faith in you, my boy."
Mordred felt himself grin at the praise- Selwyn never handed it out lightly, if at all. "You need him as much as he needs you, Mordred. Look at you, you have never smiled so much before you met him."
Mordred felt his lips quirk up as he looked to Merlin. The boy was looking at them with his brow scrunched in imitation of Mordred.
"When you get there, find a man named Gaius. He is the court physician and he will harbour you if he has any loyalty to me." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "Give this to him. And do not read it. You can trust him, Mordred."
Mordred nodded and tucked the letter into his cloak.
Selwyn then kneeled before Merlin and encompassed the boy's shoulders in his hands. "You are to be going on a big adventure, Merlin," he spoke softly. Immediately relief washed over Mordred- he had tried but he could not bring himself to tell Merlin that they would be leaving. Merlin smiled in anticipation and Selwyn continued. "You and Mordred will be travellers exploring new lands. Camelot is where you will be going." Merlin immediately frowned.
"I know that the others have spoken ill of Camelot, but it truly is a great place. It has knights, and ladies, a king along with a valiant prince. And a great castle with a dragon trapped inside," he smiled as Merlin's eyes lit up. The boy's fingers gently brushed over his dragon pendant. "But Merlin, as wonderful as it is, Camelot is dangerous for magic users like us. You must try your absolute hardest to contain your magic. You must not use it at all." Merlin blinked unsurely at him. "It will be hard, but in Camelot you will be safe. All you need to do is be the brave little boy I know you are. Can you do that for me?"
Merlin nodded enthusiastically and smiled at him. Selwyn patted both their heads and backed away a few steps. "It is time you leave, Mordred. Here is a map, though I'm sure you will not need it." Mordred grasped the rolled parchment that Selwyn offered him.
'I'm scared, Selwyn,' he directed his thought to the man and stared at his boots.
'I would not have as high opinion of you if you were not.'
Selwyn then dug into the neckline of his cloak and drew the braided leather cord of his ivory pendent above his head. He stared at the carving of the small elm sprig before holding it out to Mordred.
The boy gaped at him and found that he couldn't get any words to pass his lips. "I want you to have this," Selwyn smiled at him.
"Selwyn-I, I couldn't," Mordred shook his head and stared at the pendent. He knew that the ivory pendent was Selwyn's single most prized possession, even before Archibald. Isaac had told him that one of their older brothers had given it to him before he died.
"This was given to me for protection. You need it far more than I do."
Mordred looked into Selwyn's sincere emerald eyes and was moved far more than he cared to admit.
"Here," Selwyn brought the pendent down past Mordred's head and patted it against his chest. "It is yours now."
Mordred stroked the ivory sprig and gazed, "I will treasure it always, Selwyn. Thank you." His thankful light blue eyes looked up at Selwyn who smiled and stepped away once more.
Now that the time of parting was upon them, Mordred could not think of anything good to say. He settled for a swift nod and to pull Merlin away but the boy leaned back. He was looking between Mordred and Selwyn. "Oh, Merlin, he isn't coming with us," Mordred said softly causing Merlin to don a devastated expression.
"Do not despair," Selwyn said, "we will see each other again, Merlin, just not for a little while. Take care of each other. Until next time, Mordred." He inclined his head to them and turned his back, heading back to the druids.
Mordred drew in a shaky breath and then smiled at the boy looking forlornly at the retreating man, "Come on, Merlin, Camelot is going to be great." Merlin gave him a watery smile and allowed Mordred to lead him swiftly into the forest.
A few minutes of walking through the winding trees, Selwyn's voice echoed in his head causing him to twitch in alarm. 'Mordred. Have faith in Prince Arthur but be wary of your hate towards Uther Pendragon, it could cost not only our safety, but Merlin's as well.'
'I will be careful, Selwyn,' he called back and proceeded to tell Merlin tales of grand adventures.
o}O{o
"How did it go?"
Selwyn turned his head to Rolf who was waiting for him just outside of camp. The man had sad eyes which looked out of place on his normally carefree face.
"They left just now," he replied and looked back the way he came. "Why did you not say goodbye?"
"I'm not any good at those. Do you think they will be alright?" Rolf answered.
"I have the utmost faith in Mordred. He is hardly defenceless after all."
"Not from the rest he isn't," Rolf pointed out.
Selwyn was resolute. "He is strong. They would be wise not to cross him."
The younger man merely looked at Selwyn and walked alongside him as they broke through the trees hiding their camp. Isaac spotted them and walked over with Tynan and Ethel following behind him.
"How were they?" Isaac asked.
"Mordred was trying to get Merlin to stop crying," Rolf lied smoothly.
"We should call them back," Ethel looked toward the forest.
"That would not be wise. The boy can grieve fully in front of Mordred. Not so with us," Selwyn said causing the two elders to frown at him.
"Yes, you are right. We will call them for lunch then," Isaac said to him. "Rolf, would you please assist Larina in sorting through our supplies? Selwyn, I need you to help me with the wards."
A grin lit up Rolf's face and he quickly sped off to help the woman of his fancy. Selwyn strode alongside Isaac as they headed for the opposite end of camp. Tynan and Ethel both glanced coldly at them before going to find Delma and Nyan.
Isaac and Selwyn came back at lunch time; the younger was rolling his eyes while Isaac laughed at him and clapped his back. Many eyebrows were raised- the sight of Selwyn actually tolerating someone never ceased to amaze them. Rolf and Larina came walking over and the former stepped in front of the green cloaked man.
"Here, Selwyn, you mind bringing these to them?" Rolf handed the leftover food in his hands to the unimpressed man. "We aren't quite done and we only have a little more to go."
"I am not your servant, Rolf," he frowned but took the two lunches which caused Isaac's forehead to wrinkle as his eye brows shot up. Selwyn walked off just as planned.
"I think you best steer clear of him for now," he heard Larina whisper as she caught up to Rolf.
When Selwyn came back he was forced to lie to everyone again, and he only wished that he did not have to deceive Isaac. He sat beside the ash haired man as he leafed through a spell book; Selwyn was chewing on a blade of grass because he knew it annoyed him. Isaac ignored him though and looked up to the orange sky. He turned towards the carts where a few men were repairing some of the wheels to the carts.
"Girvan, please go collect Mordred and Merlin now. We will be eating dinner soon," he called.
Girvan hoisted himself up and nodded before striding into the trees. It would only be a matter of time now. Selwyn spat out the blade of grass.
Ten minutes later everyone looked toward the trees as the sound of someone running fell on their ears. Rolf and Selwyn exchanged a glance.
"They're gone!" Girvan came running back. The rest of the camp stood up in alarm.
"What?" Isaac hissed.
"Their tracks are leading away! They are hours old!"
The camp turned in unison to Selwyn and he sent out a warning only Rolf could hear.
"Where are they, Selwyn?" Tynan stood up and strode towards them with Nyan, Ethel, and Delma on his heels.
"Why ask me?"
"You brought them lunch! You lied to us!"
"I said they were exploring the area, you took it how you saw fit." Selwyn rose to his feet and stared down at Tynan.
"Where are they?!" Nyan bellowed.
"What have you done, Selwyn?" Isaac whispered and stood up.
"I have done nothing. I am not the keeper of those boys, Mordred can make his own decisions which obviously, you did not think of until now," he spoke in a milder tone towards Isaac.
"You traitor!" Ethel screeched at him and others sounded their agreement.
"I am no traitor!" Selwyn roared, "It is you all that have turned your backs on our ways! None of you ever saw Merlin as a human being, only as your weapon! You have betrayed our religion! Mordred realized this. He is acting in their own best interests. If you had interfered with destiny we would have all been doomed," his voice was calm now.
"The prophecies say that Emrys will bring back magic to the land. We will aid him!" Tynan cried.
"It is not meant to be forced by your hand! Who do you think you are?! You are not a god to control them!"
"You are no longer one of us, Selwyn," Tynan's grey eyes hardened.
"I have never been of your ilk, Tynan. What are you going to do? Kill me?"
"Do not put it past me, boy!"
"Enough!" Isaac bellowed and stepped between them, "We are a peaceful people. We do not murder! Selwyn please think about what you are doing! I know I have taught you better."
"I would ask the same of you Isaac. You know in your heart that Merlin is not a weapon to be used. You know what will happen if you choose the path of revenge."
"We have to go after them... I will cast you out Selwyn," he whispered brokenly.
For the first time in his life Selwyn did not have a biting retort on his lips. He stared at Isaac as if he had struck him across the face and his silence was far worse for Isaac than anything he could have done.
"Isaac-" he started but narrowed his suddenly hard eyes. "You would turn your back on me?" He hissed.
"You are standing in the way of destiny. I do not want to do this, Selwyn."
"But you will. Then so be it, brother. I hope you do not share our father's fate."
'Do not bring him into his,' Isaac warned.
'Father tried to gain revenge and look what happened- we were the only ones to survive!'
"He was mistaken!"
"And you are not? Please Isaac, you are not a fool!"
"Help us find them," the older man pleaded.
Selwyn merely stared down at him and Isaac sighed. "Come, everyone, we are going after them. Girvan, stay with Araleigh and Larina." He turned his back and began striding for the trees. They followed and many glared at the red haired man.
"I will never forgive you, Isaac. Never," Selwyn called which stopped Isaac in his tracks. He turned with his mouth slightly agape. Tension was rigid between them. Isaac licked his lips and stood thinking furiously. But Selwyn was never a patient man. "Farewell then," Selwyn spoke strongly and turned on his heel. Isaac gritted his teeth, he would find Selwyn later. His little brother always forgave him everything. He would this time too. With his mind made up Isaac turned his back on Selwyn and strode for the trees, intent on finding Merlin and Mordred.
A voice split loudly through the clearing and Isaac turned around alarmed.
"Selwyn!" Rolf yelled. Selwyn had no time to turn as Tynan's spell careened into his back. Isaac's eyes widened as he witnessed his brother crumple to the ground. One of the women screamed.
"Selwyn?" Isaac shouted and ran back to the fallen man- he was not moving. "Selwyn!" he cried and crashed onto his knees beside him and turned him over. His mouth ran dry and the air left his lungs as Selwyn's green eyes stared up at him. "Sel," he shook him. The man's face remained frozen, "Selwyn!" No. No. Tears stung his eyes and his brother's immobile face became blurry.
"Selwyn!"
"Relax Isaac, he is not dead," Tynan called dryly.
He gasped and felt Selwyn's throat for a pulse. Fast beats pumped under his fingers and Isaac gripped his brother tightly.
"What did you do, Tynan?" he hissed with his eyes not leaving his brother's. The family relation made itself obvious in his anger. Isaac's earthy green eyes were flashing.
"I merely put him to sleep. He would have followed us and you know it. It will wear off in a few hours, there is no need to get so worked up. Really, Isaac."
Isaac bounded up and snarled at him, "How dare you!" Wind raged through the clearing and the druids all ducked their heads- they had not seen Isaac this angry in years. Selwyn had been the unwitting cause of it then as well. "We do not use magic as a weapon!"
"He is not hurt. It is less than what he deserves."
"Shut your mouth, Tynan, or so help me I will do it myself," Isaac seethed. Rolf could not hide a gulp, he now knew where Selwyn learned how to intimidate.
"Do not speak to me like that, boy," Tynan narrowed his eyes.
"I am the leader here, understand! You are no longer welcome with us. I never want to see your face again. Is that clear?"
"Nor I yours. All are welcome to join me," he turned his back on them and Nyan immediately followed. Ethel made sure to narrow her eyes at Isaac before following and Delma sighed before doing the same. Isaac watched from where he knelt as Ben, Araleigh, Ormod, and Evelyn trailed after them.
"What are we going to do, Isaac?" Wynnfrith asked quietly.
Isaac brushed a hand down Selwyn's face, closing the man's eyes and could not contain a violent flinch. He hoped he never had to do that again.
"Rolf, help me lift him," Isaac looked up to the auburn haired man. He hurried over and grabbed Selwyn's feet while Isaac placed his hands under his brother's arms. They hauled him up and Girvan hurried to Isaac's tent and lifted the flap. The two men laid Selwyn on the pallet and Isaac turned to the younger man. "Rolf, I need you to stay here with him. Mind the place while we are gone."
Isaac exited the tent and Rolf was close behind, "What are you going to do, Isaac?"
The tan cloaked man turned to the five druids left. "I am going to go after the boys. I have no doubt that Tynan is doing the same. Larina, Wynnfrith, stay with Rolf. I would be grateful if the rest of you will help me." With a backward glance at his tent and a significant stare to Rolf, he sped into the trees. Larina and Wynnfrith stared at the retreating backs of Isaac, Girvan, and Brigitte.
"Well. Let's eat," Rolf said minutes later and strode to their fire pit.
"How can you think of eating at a time like this? We are split in half!" Larina cried despairingly.
"We both know it was a long time coming, Larina," Rolf sighed and started the fire.
"That does not make it any less difficult," Wynnfrith murmured, "I will watch over Selwyn." She tried not to hurry towards the tent.
Larina sat beside him and they both stared silently into the fire, not bothering to get something to eat. Rolf thought of Mordred and Merlin. His brown eyes glanced towards the tent the red haired man was sleeping in. "I hope your faith in Mordred is not misplaced, Selwyn," he whispered.
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As you guys can probably tell, there's going to be another sup episode before the Dragon's Call. Where they finally get to Camelot! But not without trouble ;)
Thank you for reading, I really hope you guys liked it. Please review, I'd love to hear what you thought :)