A/N- I've clawed my way to the surface! And here's a conveniently long chapter to make up for the wait :)
And thanks a bunch to Paralelsky for beta-ing!
o}O{o
Mordred watched the prince leave with a sinking feeling in his gut. Would he really let Isaac die? He found it hard to believe that Selwyn could be wrong about something. But remembering that Arthur was Uther's son caused Mordred eyes to darken.
"I will have to check him over," Gaius spoke softly. Mordred looked up to see he physician hovering close by.
Mordred looked down. "Merlin? Come on, the people are gone now," he tried without any luck. Merlin stubbornly remained glued inside his arms. He sighed and stood up slowly, extricating himself from Merlin's grip. The boy settled for attaching himself to his leg, still hiding his face.
"You said he was five?" Gaius asked. Mordred glanced down at Merlin's head that stood above his hips but looked up puzzled at hearing an odd note in the old man's voice.
"Yes. I know he is rather small but..." Mordred trailed off at seeing Gaius' eyes looking at Merlin with fevered hope. Mordred did not know what to make of it, so he reached into his cloak and drew out the letter Selwyn gave him. True to his word, he had not read a single letter.
"Selwyn told me that we can trust you. He gave me a letter for you." He extended his arm and Gaius reached to take it. He unfolded the paper and glanced at Mordred before his eyes flashed across the page:
Gaius,
If you are reading this letter, I assume that Mordred and Merlin have found their way to you. I appeal you to not think of what you owe Aedán, but to search your heart for kindness. These boys need a guiding hand and safe harbour, for they are in danger from those that wish them harm.
I would not ask this of you if it were not of the utmost importance. The older one, Mordred came to us first. His family too is a victim of Uther and he possesses a dangerous hate in his heart that must be stopped from consuming him. Though, I am certain that he will conquer it with the help of Merlin. Which brings me to the most important part of my plea.
They are children, but vitally important to the future of Albion. You are aware of the prophecy of the warlock, guardian, and king. Gaius, Merlin is Emrys and Mordred is his guardian. It is no coincidence that Merlin came to us when he did. He is a vulnerable child and Mordred will need help to protect him. That is where you come in, my friend. The prophecies speak of danger to the young Emrys, and his hard road has already begun. The druids of mine and Isaac's clan have been split in half - some intend to use Merlin as a weapon. I do not need to tell you how disastrous that could be.
I instructed Mordred to bring Merlin to Camelot to keep them safe. But they both possess magic and Merlin has trouble controlling his innate gift. It is truly remarkable Gaius, even though the prophesies say that he will be the most powerful warlock to ever live, seeing his powers leaves me awestruck. I have no doubt that you will discover them in time. This is why I believe you can protect them- you can teach them and keep them out of trouble. I do not doubt you can do this.
But, Gaius, I also hope that you can help Merlin conquer his past. He is a damaged child and living in seclusion will only stifle him. It is a miracle but he still possesses a naivety and innocence that makes being Emrys extremely dangerous for him. He has not spoken in the two years we have known him and he is also very subdued and wary. The reason is because his village was slaughtered and we believed he witnessed it. He was left for dead with everyone else and if he had not been saved, he most assuredly would have died. Isaac described it a monstrous sight. We suspect that the bandits ravaging Cenred's land are responsible. And his village, Ealdor, was on the border and of no importance to the king.
I can only hope you can help him conquer his suffering. Mordred has gotten him to smile but I can see that Merlin is but a shadow of the child he should be.
Please Gaius, help them and keep them safe. They need you.
You know how to contact me should you need me. Burn this letter, and thank you.
-Selwyn.
The physician slowly let his hands down and the letter slipped from his grip. Gaius could not even think about the fact that he had the most powerful warlock that will ever live standing in his chambers, or that the guardian was with him or that his young red haired friend seemingly expected him to singlehandedly look after two young magic users where one mistake could get them killed. Only one word resonated in his mind.
"Ealdor? His name is Merlin?" Gaius felt the devastatingly hopeful words leave his lips. "Hunith's son?"
Merlin immediately whipped around to stare at Gaius wonderingly and the old man felt his knees go weak. He could hardly believe it, but the boy was the very image of his mother when she was young.
"You are alive!" he whispered.
"What?" Mordred breathed, "You know Merlin?"
"Hunith was my old friend. I feared the worst when I learned that Ealdor was destroyed," Gaius whispered and could not resist kneeling in front of Merlin. His teary eyes did not avert from the boy's face. This boy was the only thing left of Hunith and Balinor.
Merlin took a hesitant step forward and placed a hand on Gaius' cheek, wiping away the tears. It struck Gaius as such a Hunith thing to do that he could not help but place his old hands on Merlin's thin shoulders to see if he was real.
A small smile was forming on Mordred's young face. "We were meant to come here. We had to have been."
Merlin looked back to Mordred and pointed his finger at Gaius. Mordred walked beside him and knelt down. "He knew your mother Merlin, he can tell you about her." Merlin blinked at Gaius who gave a cathartic chuckle. The child's pale hand immediately dove under the neckline of his cloak and withdrew his stone dragon. He pulled the cord as far as it could go to show the physician. Mordred stared at Gaius as well, also wanting to hear more of it.
The physician stared. "That belonged to your father, Merlin," Gaius started but paused and continued in a soothing tone, "he gave it to your mother. His name was Balinor."
Merlin's lips trembled as he fought not to cry; he gave a giant sniff and held his arms out to Mordred. The older boy obliged him and lifted Merlin into his arms.
"Is there anywhere I can put him to bed?" Mordred asked.
"Just a moment," Gaius said kindly and stood up. His joints popped loudly causing Merlin to turn his head on Mordred's shoulder to stare at him. He put his thumb in his mouth but in a well practiced motion, Mordred drew his hand away.
"You said that you ate in the morning, I have some bread that you two can have. Come."
Only now that Mordred and Merlin were both in the physcian's chambers and sitting at his table, eating food and drinking water, did Mordred realize that they were safe. They had made it to Camelot. He could not help the relieved sigh that escaped him and left him slumped. Merlin looked at him expectantly causing a tired smile to appear. "I am just tired, Merlin, it has been a long day hasn't it?" Merlin gave a wide yawn in response causing Mordred to yawn as well, and after that Gaius.
When they were finished with their bread, the physician addressed them. "Alright, luckily I have a spare room you boys can use. Follow me," Gaius said and stood up, heading for the stairs at the back of the room. Mordred took Merlin's hand and trailed after Gaius, happily anticipating a chance to sleep. Merlin stuck close by him and looked warily at the candle lit chambers.
They climbed the stairs and filed into a bare room with a single bed inside. "This will be your room. And you both are small enough to share until we can arrange something else."
Mordred gaped at it. "We get our own room? And a bed?" He did not even have that when he had lived with his parents.
"I will go get another blanket for you," Gaius said to him and hobbled out the door.
"Alright, Merlin, up you go," Mordred told the boy and lifted him onto the bed. Merlin sat while Mordred took off his boots and cloak, swiftly curling under the covers when he was fit for sleep. Mordred removed his own cloak and sighed in relief when his boots were off. He put the articles of clothing on the rickety dresser and when he turned around, Merlin was fast asleep.
He sat himself down on the bed and looked down at Selwyn's pendent. Or his now. He smiled and felt it in his hands. He wondered if Selwyn was alright. Delma did say he was only sleeping. It was only the knowledge that the old woman most likely had never told a lie in her life that kept Mordred from fearing for Selwyn.
The sound of the door creaking back open alerted Mordred to Gaius' presence and he lifted his eyes to meet the old man's. The physician settled the green bundle on the end of the bed and turned to him. "You should get some sleep."
Mordred nodded and licked his lips. "Selwyn told you about..."
"Merlin? Yes. And how you both have magic. I will be thinking of that tonight, I assure you. But you are more than welcome to stay no matter what abilities you have. Camelot is now your home."
"I've never been anywhere long enough to have a home," Mordred whispered.
"Then I hope you will like it here," Gaius said and noticed Mordred fiddling with his pendent.
"That belongs to Selwyn does it not?" he wondered.
"He gave it to me," Mordred said and acknowledged Gaius' raised eyebrows. "I was surprised as well."
"That belonged to his brother Aedán. They were very close," Gaius revealed.
"He never told me what happened."
"A story for him to tell you and for when you have gotten enough sleep," Gaius raised his eyebrows pointedly. "Go to bed now. We will have plenty of time to talk tomorrow and the days after. Goodnight, Mordred."
"Goodnight, Gaius. And thank you for taking us in."
The physician smiled at him before exiting the room and closing the door quietly behind him. Mordred lay down to sleep feeling unexplainably warm. That night he went to bed with a smile on his face and hope behind his closed eyes. Neither he nor Merlin heard the warning bells chime loudly in the night.
o}O{o
Arthur and his father straightened sharply upon hearing the warning bells split through the silence of a sleeping Camelot. They were sitting in Uther's chambers, discussing the fate of the younger druid in their dungeons. Arthur was in the middle of making a disjointed attempt to maybe, perhaps spare his life. The warning bells interrupted them loudly before Uther understood his son's meaning- possibly for the best.
"What now?" Arthur asked annoyed. This night was just not ending.
"The sorcerers!" Uther snarled, "it had to be!" He jumped out of his elegant chair and swept out of his chambers.
Arthur frowned and followed his father out of the room. Perhaps he would not have to make a sticky decision after all. The king and prince sped through the halls and to the dungeons with one of the king's servants struggling to keep pace. Arthur barked to a guard to run ahead and see what the problem was. The fire flickering in the wall brackets elongated their shadows and lit them with an impressive light. When they swept near the dungeons the guard came running back and bowed twice when he got to them.
"Your Majesty, Prince Arthur. One of the druids has escaped my lords!" he gasped, trying to regain his breath.
"What!" Uther growled, "How is this possible? Which one?"
"The old one, my lord. He used magic to break out of his cell and attack the guards."
"Are they alright?" the prince cut in.
"Yes my lord. Gaius will not be needed."
"Good," Arthur nodded and turned to the king. "He most likely went to meet his allies, father," Arthur grimaced and looked back at the guard. "You sent men after him?"
"Yes, Sire," the guard bowed once more.
"Which direction?" Arthur demanded.
"To the-"
"You are not to go, Arthur," the king spoke imperiously.
"But father, he is a danger to the people," Arthur implored.
"To you as well. We do not know their numbers or their plans. As you said he most likely met his allies. He is either gone or planning an ambush." Uther turned to the guard. "Inform Sir Leon that he is to track these druids down and to begin immediately."
"Yes, your majesty." The guard bowed and scampered away with the prince's frown on his back. When he was out of sight, Arthur turned heatedly to his father.
"My word is final, Arthur. In the morning you will interrogate the other druid but for now retire to your chambers." The king gave him a warning look before turning on his heel and stalking back to his rooms.
The prince clenched his hands into fists- he was not some child to be ordered back to his room like a naughty boy. Arthur clenched his jaw and continued on his way to the dungeons. His course of action was clear to him now. The two druids were clearly enemies if one would leave the other to be executed. Had neither druid escaped from the dungeon, Arthur would have been little pressed to defy his father with his actions. But since the one remaining was the more honourable one - as honourable as one could be while using magic - the prince decided to take action.
He felt almost as if he were dreaming as he went to defy the law. But, Arthur thought uncertainly, it isn't treason if I am preventing a martyr from being born. Yes, he was preventing future harm to the kingdom by letting the druid go; for if he was executed there would no doubt be retaliation. His father should thank him for this.
Arthur strode alone through the fire lit hallways- the temperature dropping the further he went. He hurried down the twisting staircase and grabbed a torch from the bracket. His eyes narrowed upon seeing that there were no guards stationed at the entrance and he nearly cursed. Arthur would have to have a nice chat with the captain of the castle guard in the morning but for now he could not deny that he was relieved.
The prince strode silently past the cells unhindered and slowed his pace when he neared the druid. Arthur peered through the bars at the prisoner. The ash haired man spotted him at the corner of his vision and sprang up - hesitating upon seeing Arthur alone.
"Did you find Tynan?" he asked.
"No," Arthur answered and frowned at the druid. "Can you not escape as well?"
"I will not fight your guards, it is not our way to use force. I told you that Tynan was no longer a druid," he informed the prince.
"Why not just disappear in that wind then?"
The druid looked perplexed at him before answering, "I would not bring suffering on my people, knowing the retaliation my escape would bring."
"Your sentiment is wasted," Arthur stated, "the old man already escaped and my father will use all his efforts to see that he is caught. Your sacrifice will not satisfy him in the least if both of you do not die."
As the druid blinked and swallowed, Arthur saw horrified comprehension darken his earthy green eyes. The prince faltered- it sounded like he was describing a monster. No, it was simply the logical course of action for the kingdom.
Arthur sighed through his nose and slid the key into the lock, "Go. It will look like you used magic to escape. We have found Merlin, and he and the other one will be staying in Camelot." The druid just stared at Arthur as he undid the shackles. The prince frowned to cover his nervousness- knowing he was completely vulnerable to attack.
When the shackles fell to the ground with a clang and Arthur was still standing he looked into the druid's apprehensive eyes once more. "Do not make me regret my decision. Know that I correct my mistakes."
"...I assure you that you are not making one. I feel that this will be its own boon my lord, thank you." He stepped back and bowed. "I realize now that the boys are safer with you in Camelot. Be wary of the others. Especially the old one named Tynan. He does not wish the boys well." The druid looked at his free hands before bolting for the door. He looked back and said, "You are a better man than your father. Thank you, Prince Arthur, I am in your debt."
The prince stood in the cell even after the druid left, wondering if what he did was the right thing. But then an image of the scared child swam into his head and steeled his resolve. That druid only wished the boys well and was essentially trusting Arthur with their well being- he did not deserve to be punished for his actions. What actions? In what twisted world was saving a child punishable by death? In Camelot obviously, he thought, and his heart clenched - for the home he had once thought was just and for the boys who had been through too much.
o}O{o
The dust moats loitering in the sunlight gleaming through the windows trembled as loud claps of high heeled feet stormed forward. Morgana was a terrifying sight as she strode to the great hall. She looked resplendent in a gown of deep red but many of the guards did not brave looking at her for fear of catching her wrath. Last night she was halted from seeing why the warning bells were ringing by guards sent by Uther. They told her nothing and now the king was going to hear exactly what she thought of it. The doors were hurriedly opened for her; the process speedily quickened when she struck the guards outside with her eyes. Her heels thundered loudly on the stone floor, almost overpowering Gwen's quiet thank you behind her.
The sun poured in through the windows, making her squint her eyes when she drove through the beams of light. The king looked up from his throne with a resigned look on his face and in front of him Arthur turned and sighed.
"Why did you have me locked in my chambers?" she demanded and stopped beside Arthur.
"It was for your own good, Morgana. I could not risk you with the prisoners on the loose," he said stonily and turned to Arthur.
Morgana stopped and took in what he said. "They escaped?"
"Continue, Arthur," Uther demanded.
The prince glanced at her before opening his mouth. "Neither can be found, father. We have searched high and low. In the city and in the forest but there is no sign of them."
"Any thoughts on how the younger one escaped?" Uther clenched his gauntleted fist.
Morgana's eye brows rose and she barely concealed a smile.
"I presume he took advantage of the empty dungeons father... I spoke with Beatham, and he informed me that the dungeons were left unattended after the old one escaped."
Morgana put on a fascinated expression and it was not hard. She recognized the minute pause before the second part of Arthur's statement. If she did not engage in verbal sparring with him on a regular basis, she would not have noticed it. But that particular pause told her that Arthur had covered a seeming mistake.
"Unguarded?" Uther's face started to turn pink with anger.
"I will see that it does not happen again, father."
"See that it does not," the king threatened and Morgana felt angry on behalf of the prince. But before she could speak her mind, Arthur bowed.
"Yes, Sire," Arthur took his cue to leave and did not look back as he left the throne room with Morgana on his heels.
"Gwen, I would like to talk to Arthur alone please," Morgana turned to her dark maidservant who nodded.
"Of course, my lady. Prince Arthur." She bowed to their retreating backs before going to make herself useful somewhere else.
"Arthur!" Morgana called when they were in an empty stretch of corridor. He turned and raised his eyebrow at her.
"Is there something I can do for you, Morgana?"
"How did the druid escape? The second one." She pinned him with an expectant gaze.
"Did you not hear when I told-"
"The real story, Arthur."
He rolled his eyes to prevent her from seeing him think and quickly strode down the hallway. "I don't know, Morgana. Why don't you go count your necklaces or something?"
She swallowed a scathing retort and followed him. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"I would like to see how Gaius is faring with those boys. Ah, could you see about living arrangements for them? I do not think that Gaius will want to look after them."
"Oh, of course," Morgana's voice became considerably lighter, "but I want to see how they are doing myself."
"Well, I suppose you are free to join me then."
"Oh, you suppose do you?"
They carried on bickering all the way to Gaius' chambers.
o}O{o
Mordred slowly put the clothing from their bag into the small dresser in their room. He often found himself staring at various objects. The dresser, the shutters, the bed. He remembered some of them from before his parents were killed. When he was done, his now painless feet took him to the center of their room (they had a room) where he slowly spun in a circle. A small smile wormed its way across his face and he went to pull the dark cover over Merlin. The boy was sleeping soundly and Mordred deemed it safe to venture out into the main chambers.
He opened the door, wincing when it creaked and tread softly down the stairs. His eyes skimmed past the books, potions, beakers, and organized chaos of the chambers to the old physician who was sitting at the table. Gaius looked up when he made it down the stairs and nodded to him.
"Did you sleep well?" the old man asked.
"Yes, thank you," Mordred answered politely.
"How is Merlin?"
"Sleeping like the dead," Mordred smiled. It was true; if Merlin did not get himself up, there were not many things that could do it.
"What are you doing standing around like a lump? Take a seat, I will not bite, you know," Gaius eyed Mordred who had stopped on the staircase awkwardly.
He cleared his throat and went to take a seat across from Gaius. Mordred did not know what to do, so he just stared at the physician. Neither said anything for several seconds before Gaius broke the silence. "So you did not hear the disturbance last night?"
Mordred shook his head. "What disturbance?"
"The warning bells. You should know that both of the druids escaped," Gaius told him.
"Tynan did?" Mordred immediately looked uneasily around the chambers.
"The reason you are in Camelot is to keep you safe," Gaius smiled kindly, "unless he values his life, he will not venture here."
Mordred reined in a sigh of relief and nodded. "Isaac too?"
"Isaac was the other druid?" It was the first of many times Mordred witnessed what Merlin later dubbed the Gaius eyebrow.
"Yes," Mordred said simply.
"Hm. Then yes, he escaped."
"Good. Selwyn will be happy-" Mordred immediately cut off and frowned. He wondered what Selwyn was doing now-probably seething for having been caught unawares by Tynan.
They both turned at the sound of the back door being thrown open. Merlin stood in the doorway frantically looking about the room with his hands covering his throat, a blatant sign of his anxiousness, and only calmed when he laid eyes Mordred who stood up. The boy then stumbled down the stairs and into Mordred's arms faster than Mordred thought possible.
Mordred settled for pulling Merlin onto his lap and rubbing his back. "Are you alright Merlin?" Merlin looked up at him with a very upset pout on his face. Mordred never could stop his smile when Merlin tried to look angry. "I'm sorry I upset you."
Merlin immediately stopped frowning and shrugged to let him know he wasn't angry.
"Good morning, Merlin," Gaius greeted.
Merlin leant forward so his face half hidden in Mordred's side and he stared at Gaius. "Don't be rude, Merlin, we are living with him now," the older boy admonished.
Merlin made a point of waiting a few seconds before waving his small hand at Gaius. The old physician barked a laugh which caused Merlin to reveal all of his face to give a calculating look to Gaius. He then pulled on his pendent and climbed on the table, sitting cross legged in front of the physician. Both Gaius and Mordred were surprised.
Before Gaius had a chance to open his mouth the door opened behind them and Merlin scrambled forward into Gaius and clung onto him. Mordred whipped around and relaxed when he saw that it was the prince.
Gaius looked a little mystified at the small child hiding between his arms and he patted him awkwardly on the head. The physician was a very smart man, yet he was clearly stumped at what to do with a scared little boy.
Mordred stood up and faced the two nobles standing in the doorway. "Good morning, your highness, my lady."
"Good morning, Mordred," Morgana smiled warmly at him. "Are you well this morning?"
Mordred returned her smile and nodded.
"Gaius, are you quite alright?" Arthur asked and tilted his head. Mordred looked to find the physician looking very confused at Merlin- like he was a specimen the old man had never seen.
The light eyed boy quickly went to them to pry Merlin off Gaius and then he forced Merlin to face Morgana and Arthur.
"Merlin, this is the Lady Morgana and Prince Arthur."
Merlin's hands stopped hovering over his chest on the way to his throat and gasped, staring between the two amazed.
"Oh he's adorable," Morgana cooed and inched closer, kneeling in front of them. Merlin turned to partially hide behind Mordred but smiled shyly at her, bringing his hand up to give a short wave. The lady gave a tinkling laugh and grinned brightly causing the child to smile bashfully and stare at his toes before hiding his face in Mordred's cloak.
"I thought you said he was five. Can't he talk?" the prince asked and studied Merlin.
Mordred felt a flash of annoyance which left his tone clipped. "I told you he has not spoken a word in the two years I have known him."
Arthur looked to him unimpressed. "Need I remind you that you required our help. You are expected to show me..." He trailed off as Merlin timidly shuffled over to him and stared up at him. Arthur had been right before- the boy's head only made it to the middle of his thigh. To the surprise of the prince and Mordred- especially Mordred- Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's legs in an unmistakable hug.
Morgana smiled wryly at him while Gaius's eye brow raised and Mordred's mouth dropped open. Arthur cleared his throat awkwardly and hesitated before patting Merlin's head. His eyes found Mordred's stupefied face and he uncomfortably asked, "I suppose he does not do this often then?"
The boy's head shook slowly. "He has always avoided everyone. I suppose he is saying thank you. Merlin?"
The child pulled away and gave the prince a stunning grin which Arthur could not help but return with a miniscule smile. Merlin then bounded back to Mordred and grasped his hand.
"He likes you, Arthur," Morgana said teasingly.
"Yes well, Gaius. I've come to see how long you will be able to look after them before we find more suitable arrangements."
Mordred blinked at him while Merlin pouted. "Ah, suitable arrangements will not be necessary, Sire. They are more than welcome to stay with me," Gaius clasped his hands in front of him.
"Really?" Arthur raised his eyebrows. "That is very kind of you." The prince was clearly waiting for an explanation. All eyes rested on the physician.
"It is quite remarkable Sire. You see, I only speculated when I heard his name, but Merlin is the son of my friend Hunith." Gaius paused and furrowed his brow in grief. "I had thought that he had perished with her and the rest of the village. I am glad I was wrong. I count it a miracle that he is in these very chambers, Sire." Gaius smiled at Merlin who was studying him. "And I could not leave them to be taken care of by anyone else, my lord." Gaius continued.
"That truly is a miracle, Gaius," Morgana smiled at him.
"Right," Arthur nodded, "then I will inform my father that you have acquired two wards. Are you coming, Morgana?"
"No, I would like to stay," she glanced at the boys.
Arthur strode to the doorway and turned back when he opened it. He looked at Mordred and Merlin and said, "Welcome to Camelot."
The prince left and Mordred exchanged a smile with Merlin.
o}O{o
Next, The Dragon's Call! However, the update will be slow in coming. Sorry, but I haven't had a chance to write like at all. But I hope everyone was happy with the ending of this sub-ep- Thank you for reading!
And please review, any thoughts you have on it are very much treasured. Happy Friday :)