A/N- Hey all sorry for the delay, but this is a nice long chapter! Actually the whole sub ep is quite a long one :) Also, I'm delaying the tournament in Valiant by a few days to make room for this sub ep.
Thanks to my awesome beta, Paralelsky!
Enjoy folks
o}O{o
The night outside was quiet and still, the silver moon looking down on the empty streets of Camelot. A tall hooded figure stepped out of the shadows in the empty physician's chambers. On noiseless footsteps he hid behind a bookcase, so that when Gaius would come from putting Merlin to bed, the physician would not immediately see him. He and Gaius needed to have a conversation. The tall man cast his eyes around the room, noticing things that had not been there the last time he had visited. A small cloak was lying on a work bench and he did not need to see the deep blue colour to know it was Merlin's. Similarly a small dagger he identified as Mordred's was on the table. That brought a rare smile to his lips upon realizing that the older boy felt safe enough here to leave his belongings away from him- he certainly had not done that when living with the druids.
He turned when the sound of the back door scraped open and the physician climbed down the creaky steps. By the moonlight filtering in from the windows he could see Gaius' smiling face. When Gaius was almost in front of him, he moved slightly so as to not give the old man a heart attack. The physician froze and turned to look at the movement in the shadows. The cloaked figure stepped out of his hiding place, the candle light from beside the physician's bed showing off his green cloak. Pale hands lowered the hood and emerald eyes stared at the spooked physician.
"Selwyn!"
o}O{o
The small dancing fire did not do much to cut through the gloom of the forest. Three figures were bent around it, and five tents were pitched not far from them. The twisted trees did not allow much of the moon and stars to shine through, luckily the night was mild and there was no cold to bother their old bones. All three turned their heads when rustling came from the tree line and three figures stepped out of it.
"The wards are complete?" Ethel asked from where she was sitting on a pelt.
Ben and Araleigh looked to each other before Ormod spoke, "Yes, we are hidden well here."
"No one will be able to find us. Not even Delma," Araleigh said quietly.
"She made her choice. If she wants to join back with those fools, then she is more than welcome," Tynan spat and his cold eyes did not leave the fire.
The three youngest members of the group sat down beside the older druids and waited for Evelyn. One of the tent flaps opened and the blonde woman quietly regained her seat.
"Did you see anything?" Nyan asked quickly.
"No," she sighed, "every time I try to see the boys, or even Camelot the water grows murky. It feels like Selwyn's touch."
"He does not have the power to put a ward on the whole of Camelot," Tynan narrowed his beady eyes at her.
"Obviously he has been holding back. Or Isaac helped him," Ben grabbed a long stick and prodded the fire.
"It does not matter," Ethel's voice cut sharply like a frigid wind. "We will only have to gain information the traditional way. Ben."
"You want me to go there?" the stocky man asked unsurely.
"No. Camelot will still be on guard. You will travel there in a few days time and see how they are. What they are doing, where they are staying. Anything that has to do with them."
Ben nodded and his worried expression faded a little. Evelyn turned to him. "You must be careful not to get caught. That would be disastrous and make it almost impossible to retrieve them."
Ben made a face and was going to comment when Araleigh spoke. "Which begs the question, should we take both of them or just Emrys?"
Everyone fell silent as they pondered the question. It was Tynan that broke it first. "I believe we must. If we separate them, Emrys will resent us."
"And he will not when we take him?" Araleigh asked. "Mordred will only hinder us. We must leave him in Camelot and disappear with Emrys. The child is young yet, he will forget about Mordred."
"Or bring him...and dispose of him later. Mordred will never give up on him." Tynan suggested. He looked up at the uncomfortable looks he was being given. As the shocked silence pervaded, he continued. "We are no longer druids. We have made the choice to help Emrys with his destiny. If Mordred stands in the way, he must be taken care of."
"But he is just a boy, Tynan," Evelyn argued.
"We are not killers! Are we to become monsters ourselves?" Ormod added furiously, earning powerful nods from Ben and Araleigh. Of the older members, Ethel looked angry at Tynan.
"Sacrifices will be made," Nyan said and stood up. "We have tomorrow to decide as well. We should rest for the night." He turned his back to them and made his way into the dark red tent.
Ben stood where he was and made a comment about standing guard- he always did like his solitude. Araleigh, Evelyn and Ormod rushed angrily into their separate tents, and Tynan and Ethel walked into theirs. The only noise the rest of the night was the wind whispering through the clustered trees and the crickets singing softly in the distance. The rustling leaves spoke of malice.
o}O{o
"Hello Gaius," Selwyn greeted quietly. The physician held his hand over his heart.
"You came," Gaius stated the obvious.
"I have before."
"Never so quickly," Gaius muttered and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, special circumstances." Selwyn shrugged and began to walk around the room. "How are you?"
"Better than I thought I'd be with two new mouths to feed," Gaius said sharply.
"You do not resent me that, Gaius." The red haired man stopped at Merlin's cloak and began to fold it. "You cannot fool me."
"I suppose not. Take a seat will you? I cannot stand as long as I used to," the physician said and sank onto a chair gratefully.
"Long night?" Selwyn asked then parted with the cloak and sat across from Gaius, directing his long legs to the side so they wouldn't hit the underside of the table. The physician merely raised a stern eyebrow.
"Those two are quite remarkable, Selwyn," Gaius stared at the candle light seriously. "What did you mean, they are in danger?"
"You burned my letter?"
"Yes"
"You do not know much of the prophecies correct?" Selwyn looked up and continued when Gaius shook his head. "They speak of the vulnerability of Emrys. And how he will need both the guardian and the once and future king to protect him. They must succeed for if they don't, Emrys will not be able to fulfil his destiny when the time comes."
"And you are sure that Arthur is the once and future king?" Gaius gulped, "And you have the right boys?"
"Gaius, tell me you don't believe they are the ones after seeing what happened tonight."
"You were there?"
"I was scrying."
"Then the ones you said that wish them harm can as well," Gaius frowned.
Selwyn eyed him wryly, "Not so. I have successfully put wards on Camelot to protect them."
Gaius drew his head back and appraised the younger man suspiciously, "I am impressed."
"Well I have always been more adept at magic than you," Selwyn said, oh so modestly, and got up. Gaius' keen eyes trailed the druid. "I would appreciate if you keep me updated on the boys."
"You are leaving so quickly? Mordred should be back soon. I know he would like to see you," Gaius said and stood as well.
"No, not yet," Selwyn said softly and glanced at the door.
"I never thought I'd see the day," Gaius chuckled. Selwyn drew himself up taller and lightly upturned his straight nose. "You truly care about those boys. You cannot fool me," Gaius repeated the druids' previous words.
"Them and Isaac are very dear to me," Selwyn admitted and drew his hood up. Gaius spoke out before he could disappear though.
"What aren't you telling me, Selwyn?" Gaius' tone became darker.
The hood did not hide Selwyn's frown. "...The guardian is destined to fight alongside the once and future king."
"What do you mean?" Gaius asked aghast, "Mordred is just a boy."
"They are both just boys. Yet they will grow into their destinies." Selwyn sighed, "Mordred is a warrior, Gaius, please make sure you teach him caution."
Selwyn's appealing emerald eyes bored into Gaius' blue ones before the druid stepped out the door and disappeared in a quiet flurry of wind.
o}O{o
The fire lit halls of the castle were replaced with the earthy tones of the forest and Selwyn strode to the man waiting for him.
"How were they?" Isaac asked, his eyes dark in the night. The moon smiled down at them and lit their small campsite with a silvery light. Their tents were all clustered closely together and Archibald slept beside the cart holding everyone's belongings.
Selwyn allowed himself to smile. "Well. They like Camelot."
"They said so?"
"I did not need to ask."
Isaac sighed and frowned at his younger brother. "You did not talk to them, did you?"
The red haired man resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably under Isaac's disproving gaze. He settled for letting down his hood and glaring at him. "I did not want to make it harder on them."
"Morded was worried about you," Isaac hissed.
"He'll know I'm fine," Selwyn told him.
Isaac just rolled his eyes. "Well, did you tell Gaius?"
"I told him many things," Selwyn said evasively.
"Did you tell him that the coin will break?" Isaac asked with narrowed eyes.
"No"
"Sel-"
"What would be the point of that, Isaac? We do not know when, we do not know how, we do not know if it will even come to pass!" Selwyn's voice rose sharply. Archibald tossed his head from where he was sleeping. "I am not going to curse him with the same knowledge," he growled and strode swiftly to his tent. The canvas flailed impressively behind him.
Isaac stared sadly after his brother and sighed. He gave Selwyn's tent one last look before going to his own. Both of the brothers lay awake well into the small hours of morning.
o}O{o
The sound of the door creaking open startled Gaius out of his almost asleep slump. He was sitting at the table with his chin resting on his chest. He stood up as Mordred came inside and shut the door quietly.
"You were gone for quite a while," Gaius yawned. Surely Arthur was not ordering the boy around already?
"Just an hour," Mordred said and walked closer to Gaius.
"Well?" Gaius pressed.
Mordred gave him a small smile. "He just told me about my duties. What time to be at his room, how he freed Isaac, what he likes for breakfast, and the times for lunch and dinner. That sort of-"
"Wait, what?" Gaius cut him off.
"What times lunch and dinner are." Mordred looked around for something to distract himself with and his eyes landed on Merlin's folded cloak on the work bench. He strode to it while evading Gaius' eyes.
"No, you said he freed Isaac?"
"Well I asked him about it and he did not deny it," Mordred said quietly and abruptly turned to him. "You cannot tell anyone!"
Gaius' eyebrows were well into his hair line as he stared at Mordred. "I- I will not," Gaius breathed, hardly getting his mind across the concept of Arthur freeing a druid. It was unbelievable, it was a miracle, it was-
He cut off his train of thought as Mordred gasped. Gaius looked to see the boy pulling something out of Merlin's cloak. It was a sprig from an elm tree.
Gaius should have known.
Mordred blinked at it before turning slowly to Gaius. "Selwyn was here?"
"Yes," Gaius said, unsure if Mordred would get angry. "I asked if he wanted to stay but he said 'not yet'."
Mordred gave a small smile to the leaves and held it securely against his chest. "It would have been rather pointless I suppose. I only wanted to know if he was alright."
Gaius rolled his eyes. "You have spent far too much time around that man. Now, you need to be up early tomorrow morning. I suggest you go to bed."
"You're right. Goodnight, Gaius," Mordred said and climbed the stairs to his and Merlin's room, taking the sprig with him. When the door closed behind him, Gaius let out a troubled sigh. Those two were far too young to have such great destinies. Lingering in stillness a moment, Gaius decided that he needed to speak with the dragon.
o}O{o
A pin prick of light fluttered into his cave. Kilgharrah looked from his perch to the stairwell, and a severe expression formed on his face- he had no wish to speak to the physician. But then, he also wished that he was free and that Uther was dead.
Footsteps slowly drew closer and finally he came face to face with Gaius for the first time in seven years. "If it isn't the traitor. Which side are you playing now physician?" Kilgharrah greeted.
"Hello, Kilgharrah," Gaius said stiffly.
The dragon eyed him coldly before speaking. "I assume this visit is in regards to Emrys and the guardian," he said lightly.
Gaius nodded. "They are my charges now."
Kilgharrah chuckled mirthlessly, the chains around his neck clinking softly as he tilted his head. "Well, well, the king's man Gaius, harbouring two warlocks. What a surprise. I suppose you think you are making up for your actions in the Great Purge."
"I admit, I have made mistakes," Gaius conceded. "But I need you to tell me more about the prophecies."
"And why should I help you?"
"To help the boys. I can only help them if I know everything."
"All you need to do is protect them. Keep them safe and their magic under control. What else do you need to know?"
"Merlin will help Arthur unite Albion, but what of Mordred?" Gaius asked nervously.
Kilgharrah stared at the physician before giving a cryptic answer. "Mordred will fulfil his destiny."
"And what is that?!" Gaius asked desperately.
"You know all that you need to," Kilgharrah growled and started to stretch his wings.
"Wait!" Gaius begged.
"I grow weary of your presence," Kilgharrah said impatiently but stayed where he was.
"Tell me... Does Balinor still live?" his whisper was dripping with trepidation.
"Why do you ask, physician?" the dragon wondered with a sly grin.
Gaius frowned and wondered if Kilgharrah knew that Merlin was Balinor's son. There was a smug look in the dragon's eyes.
"I was only wondering…" Gaius said only to swallow at the sound of raspy laughter.
"Dragon lords carry their power from the time they are born. The bond between us cannot be broken, nor does it fade. It resides within us. Merlin is my kin, if you let anything happen to him, I will make sure you die a painful death, physician."
Gaius reeled from the dragon's implication. "...I will protect him. Both of them. With my life." Gaius breathed.
Kilgharrah gave him a final warning look before beating his wings and taking off deeper into the cavern. Gaius stared and could not for the life him move his feet to travel up the stairs. He swallowed dryly and ran a hand down his jaw.
Was Balinor alive? If he wasn't, was it possible for a five year old child to be a dragonlord? What did this mean for his destiny? What did it mean for Kilgharrah? Gaius glanced to where the dragon had disappeared. What did Kilgharrah intend for Merlin?
Gaius finally willed himself to shuffle back up the stairs. He would have to warn Mordred to keep watch over Merlin. He had no doubt that Merlin and Kilgharrah would meet eventually and he would have to make sure the boy wasn't used by the dragon. Though, somehow Gaius thought that the dragon would not dishonour Balinor so.
But all the same, he would put Mordred on guard.
o}O{o
The morning sky was still dark outside the castle, causing need for the physician's chambers to be lit with the flickering flames of candles. Mordred looked helplessly back at Gaius where he stood in front of the closed door. Gaius put a thoughtful expression on his face. "I suppose you will have to see if Arthur minds," he said and glanced to Merlin. They had tried to tell him that he could not come along with Mordred but the boy would not take no for an answer. Every time Gaius had tried to pry Merlin off Mordred, he would cause small objects to fly around the room. And he hadn't stopped until Gaius had backed away.
Then when Mordred scolded him and tried to leave without him, Merlin had locked the door. Mordred was petrified that someone would walk in. "Merlin, I swear if you do magic like that again, we are leaving Camelot!" Mordred said sharply. "Do you want us to be separated?"
Merlin frantically shook his head but he could not hide the hope that blossomed in his eyes. "...You can come," Mordred sighed. He was never any good at denying Merlin what he wanted. Merlin gave him a happy grin and the door unlocked with an audible click.
"Be careful, Merlin. And remember Mordred will be working, so you cannot bother him," Gaius admonished.
"I'll keep him in line, Gaius," Mordred said and hauled Merlin along by the scruff of his cloak. He did his best to not look at Merlin and keep a stony silence but he could feel the sad gaze the boy was now giving him. He made it halfway to the kitchens before he glanced down at Merlin and sighed. "I'm not mad, Merlin. Just don't do that again, alright?"
Merlin nodded quickly and Mordred extended his hand with his little finger raised. "Promise me."
Merlin quickly hooked his little finger around Mordred's and they shook on it, then Merlin smiled at Mordred and grabbed his hand. The older boy shook his head before continuing on his way. They soon turned the final corner to the kitchens to see the prince's old servant Morris waiting for them. He raised a dark eyebrow at seeing Merlin.
"What is he doing here?" Morris asked suspiciously.
"He refused to be left behind," Mordred told him and shrugged.
"I'm meant to teach you the ropes. Not baby sit. What if the prince gets angry?" The older servant frowned worriedly.
Merlin bit his lip and looked anxiously up at Mordred who frowned at Morris. "Then I will take the blame. I am his servant now." If Mordred thought he would be putting the dark haired man in his place he was sorely mistaken when Morris laughed.
"Yes, thank you for that! You don't know how relieved I am. It worked out great, Sir Ronald's servant, Phillip, has just retired so I get his job," he grinned appreciatively and beckoned Mordred to follow him into the kitchens. The boys followed and Merlin tightened his grip on Mordred's hand when they entered the room. It was a big room made smaller by all the people in it and the stoves cooking a never ending amount of food.
A wave of heat washed over them and Mordred felt his skin prickle beneath his cloak. All of the cooks and servants looked up as the three entered and a collective coo was emitted by the women at seeing the two younger boys. And then a giggle as Merlin hid behind Mordred. The light eyed boy was tempted to hide behind Morris himself but firmly stood still. Morris coughed uncomfortably beside him before he went to the breakfast table. "Alright, so this here is where you'll get the prince's food," he told Mordred as they made their way to the table. The boy smiled tensely at all the people calling greetings to them. Merlin resolutely kept his chin tucked into his chest, relying on Mordred to direct him safely. "The prince likes a variety of foods each day so you'll want to change it up. He had eggs yesterday so he won't want that today," Morris continued on and Mordred avidly gave him his attention.
"And he likes meat, so give him lots of that," the smiling former servant said while grabbing a tray. "Sometimes he likes warmed mead to drink but not when he's training later. Here," Morris passed the tray to Mordred who pried his hand out of Merlin's and grabbed it. The child grabbed the back of his cloak instead and glanced surreptitiously at their declining audience.
"Alright, meat and no eggs," Mordred said to himself and began to put ham and sausages into the ornate plate on the tray. He blinked before adding wedges of cheese and three small tomatoes. His eyes then looked to Morris expectantly.
"Some bread would be good too," he said and went to get some tea for the prince. Mordred nodded and grabbed two hunks of bread. He then walked to Morris who placed the tea on the tray.
"So he has training today?" Mordred asked a little nervously and followed the nodding Morris out.
"Yep, you'll learn the schedule eventually." He glanced at Mordred. "Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do the armour and stuff today. Luckily he doesn't dress in full armour for training- well at least not today- so you won't need to worry about that until the tournament."
"Tournament?" Mordred asked sharply.
"It's coming up in a few days. Final round of celebrations."
Mordred bit his lip as he kept pace with Morris who was hurrying out of the kitchens. They both sighed in relief as they left the stifling heat of the kitchens behind.
"What kind of tournament?" Mordred asked excitedly.
"You know," Morris said and glanced at him, "the kind where knights come and advance through rounds. The prince is the reigning champion."
Mordred was not aware of the shine his eyes took but he allowed a huge grin to light his face. "How many knights are coming? Do they fight to the death?"
Morris furrowed his brow at him. "Not usually since it's the knights' rules. But it can happen. You are not actually excited, are you? It's pretty scary stuff."
Mordred immediately schooled his face into a neutral expression. "I'm interested in seeing it, that's all," Mordred spoke in an off-hand voice. But the second Morris turned his gaze away; Mordred flashed Merlin an excited smile. "But we will get to see training today?"
"Well, you won't be just watching. You're there to do what the prince tells you to. Just be glad he's not training alone today," Morris told him and could not hide a wince.
Mordred was just about to ask another question when Morris stopped in front of the prince's chambers. He glanced at Prince Arthur's door and looked to the older servant who gave a fleeting look to a softly smiling Merlin. Morris then nodded and pushed the door open. Mordred followed while Merlin was trying to peek past them to see the prince.
And so began Mordred's first day as Arthur's servant.
o}O{o
Sunlight hit his closed eyelids and Arthur groaned. A high voice then called a good morning and the prince opened his eyes quizzically because he was fairly sure Morris did not sound like a child.
He sat up and laid eyes on a scene he was unused to. Three figures stood in his chambers and he dragged his eyes to Morris, down to Mordred, and then further down to Merlin who was beaming at him. Arthur blinked as the events of the previous night flowed through his mind. Morris bowed and Mordred mimicked him. Merlin remained upright and smiling but then Mordred pushed him into a bow.
"Here is your breakfast, Sire," Mordred then said and stepped forward with a tray piled with food. He set it on the table and then hesitated when Arthur just sat there. "...A thank you would not be remiss."
"What?" Arthur asked sharply.
"He- he knows not what he says, Sire," Morris stuttered and ushered Mordred to the prince's closet. The look Mordred sent him proved Morris' statement very wrong.
Arthur glanced at the boy as he passed, and the blonde man got out of bed and went to take his usual seat. Merlin looked to the two older servants who were occupied selecting clothes and he slunk around the table within Arthur's line of vision. The prince looked up to meet the boy's big eyes and he paused for a second before resuming chewing. Merlin made his way to a chair in a way that Arthur figured the boy thought was sneaky, and he climbed upon it. He blinked at the sight of the child's shoulders and head being the only thing above the table, with his large ears peeking out of his unruly black hair.
"Merlin," Mordred scolded and ousted him out of the chair. The boy scowled at Mordred who ignored him and turned to Arthur.
"I'm sorry, Sire, he promised me that he would be good," Mordred started and threw a glare at Merlin. "If you would allow him to stay with me while I work, I would be eternally grateful." Mordred threw in a bow.
The prince turned his gaze to Merlin and he knew that even if he had intended to say no, failure would have been be swift and imminent. Huge blue eyes looked innocently at him, and Merlin arranged his childish features into a slight pout. Arthur didn't know how anyone could deny him anything- he was terribly endearing.
"I don't see a problem with it," Arthur said to the surprise of both himself and Morris. "And he may sit if he wants to."
Mordred gave a small smile. "Thank you, Sire."
Behind them Morris gave a choking sound but was ignored as Merlin grinned happily.
"Would you like to sit down, Merlin?" Arthur asked him and gestured to the seat the boy had occupied. The child gave a sweet smile and nodded, then clambered onto the chair in a hurry. Arthur and Mordred exchanged a smile before they realized what they were doing. The prince quickly went back to his breakfast and Mordred followed Morris' lead in cleaning around the chambers.
"So," Arthur ventured, and Merlin looked away from surveying the chambers and blinked as if he was surprised that Arthur was talking to him. "How are you liking Camelot?" Arthur asked because he felt a need to fill the silence. He was rewarded when Merlin grinned and nodded his head.
The prince did not see Mordred send a curious look in his direction as he learned to do chores. "And you like Gaius?" Another nod.
"Are you hungry?" Arthur abruptly asked and felt a little guilty for not asking earlier. Not that a prince was supposed to share his food with a five year old child.
Merlin shook his head and seemed content to stare at him. It unnerved Arthur a bit but he went back to his breakfast. He ate in silence, and wondered if during the rest of his meals, the quiet little boy would stare wordlessly at him. Little did he know that in just a couple of months, the thought of Merlin being quiet would be a completely foreign concept.
After he finished breakfast he grabbed his clothes from Morris and went behind the dressing screen, his pride refusing to allow an eleven year old boy to help him. It took a while but he completed the task successfully and came out to the sound of his sword being drawn from his scabbard. Arthur watched as his new servant held the heavy sword in both his hands with an awestruck glow in his eyes. Morris watched with a horrified expression on his face and Merlin appeared to be disinterested in the blade and instead picked at his cloak.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Arthur smirked. Mordred snapped his eyes to Arthur and floundered for the sheath. Before Mordred could try and put the sword inside and chop his fingers off, Arthur grabbed them both and did it for him.
"I'm sorry, Sire," Mordred glanced up at him and then averted his eyes.
"Are you interested in swordplay?" Arthur asked while buckling the sword to his belt.
"Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing the knights train."
"Hm, then you would be the first servant I've had to do so." The prince looked around for something and Morris came with his head down and offered him the shoulder guard. Arthur took it and put in on with Morris' help, and Mordred was watching avidly.
"Alright," he addressed Mordred, "go to the armoury and get my mace and crossbow, then meet me in the training field."
"Yes Sire. Come, Merlin," Mordred forgot to bow and beckoned Merlin to him. The boy sprang out of the chair and skipped to Mordred's side. Morris bowed and led the boys out, and Arthur watched them go with a thoughtful expression on his face.
He began to walk to the training field and thought he might just be able to get used to this unexpected turn of events.
o}O{o
So how was that? Hopefully everyone hasn't forgotten about this story!
Laura- Thanks very much! I apologize for the late update, but hopefully you enjoyed the chapter :)
Thank you for reading! And please drop a review if you liked it