I'm alive! Truly I am. I'll just say that I've been bitten by the Marvel bug. Like I mean... it's bad. And Tumblr is an enabler.
EDIT- Beta-ed by the lovely Paralelsky :)
Thank you, guys for reviewing! It really makes my day. And a special shout out to Nance who recently reviewed every chapter!
But enough chat, here is le chapter
o}O{o
Camelot was bustling with early morning activity, the streets of the lower town packed with peasants. The beaming sun was climbing in the pale sky, its rays warming the city. Mordred led the way for Merlin and Lancelot, his teal cloak an easy beacon to find in the mass of people. The boy was hurrying, eager to drop off Merlin with Gwen, so he could bring Lancelot to his training session with Arthur.
"Where are we going?" Lancelot called after having to dodge a pair of running children. Mordred either did not hear or cared not to respond. He had just burst into the physician's chambers after tending to the prince and dragged both Merlin and Lancelot out. The dark eyed man had tried to look at Gaius for answers but the old man seemed just as confused as he was, stopping in the act of getting his herb bag ready.
"To Gwen's," Merlin answered for Mordred. Lancelot had grabbed the child's hand when they entered the narrower streets of the lower town when the people became packed tighter. Merlin was a small child and with the short time they had known each other, proved himself to be clumsy.
"Gwen?" Lancelot repeated.
Mordred looked back at them before turning on another street, thankfully less busy than the previous one. Merlin nodded emphatically. "She's our friend. That's her house."
Lancelot looked to where Merlin was pointing to find that Mordred was knocking on the door of a wooden house. There was a clothes line drawn up front, which had a couple of large shirts and one dress draped over it. He approached the door with Merlin just as it opened, and a pretty young woman appeared.
"Oh hello, Mordred," Gwen greeted with a large smile. She cast her dark eyes around for Merlin and blinked when they found him with the unfamiliar figure of Lancelot.
"Gwen!" Merlin called and started running. Lancelot let go of the boy's hand and watched with an easy smile as the boy was scooped up by the dark skinned lady.
"Merlin, you haven't come to visit me," she mock scolded, causing Merlin to giggle.
"I did yesterday," he told her with a wide grin.
"And you didn't tell anyone," Mordred sniped. Both Merlin and Gwen smiled at him, unrepentant and sympathetic respectively. Lancelot strode up behind Mordred, drawing Gwen's gaze.
"That's Lancelot," Merlin said when Gwen put him down.
Gwen smiled prettily. "I'm Gwen," she introduced herself.
"L-Lancelot," the dark haired man said, earning a dubious look from Mordred.
Gwen blushed and looked down shyly. "Short for Guinevere," she added.
"Hello, Guinevere."
A brief silence stretched between them before Mordred leaned in between them. His eyes were round as he asked, "Can we come in?"
"Oh!" Gwen scrambled, "yes, yes, of course." She herded them inside and motioned them to sit. Merlin and Lancelot took the offer, but Mordred went to stand behind Merlin and place his hands on the boy's shoulders. "So, you're new to Camelot? I've just never seen you before." Gwen asked Lancelot but froze and hurried to correct herself before the man could speak. "Not that I wouldn't notice you, you're very noticeable... um…"
Lancelot's smile grew into a grin while Mordred shared a glance with Merlin. "Yes I am. I'm staying a while in the city. The physician was kind enough to give me lodgings."
Gwen seemed surprised by this and glanced at Merlin. "Oh, are you-" she began but caught Mordred swiftly shaking his head.
"Merlin can tell you all about it," Mordred rescued her, "would you mind watching him for a bit?"
"I'd be happy to, you know that," Gwen told him.
"Great," Mordred said and knelt down beside Merlin. "Be good, Merlin. No funny business."
Merlin sniggered, then sighed. "Okay…"
"I'll watch him," Gwen chimed in and was rewarded with a smile from Mordred.
He then strode to the door while motioning for Lancelot to join him. The dark eyed man blundered upward and glanced shyly at Gwen. "It was nice meeting you, my lady," he said.
Gwen giggled, and a blush warmed her cheeks. "Oh I'm not a lady," she protested with a laugh.
"Sorry my…" Lancelot said but trailed off when Gwen offered her hand to shake. Only hesitating for a moment, Lancelot grabbed Guinevere's soft hand and kissed it.
"Ewwww," Merlin whined from where he sat at the table. Mordred shared the sentiment and had his nose wrinkled in disgust.
The two adults laughed at Merlin's comment, and Lancelot allowed Mordred to lead him out of the house. He looked back when they were out the door and caught sight of the lady's doe like eyes before the door was shut loudly.
"We're going to be late," Mordred grumbled, grabbing Lancelot's arm and hurrying down the street.
"Late for what?" the dark eyed man wondered.
Mordred only beamed when he grinned back at him.
"Late for what?" Lancelot cried and had to jog to keep up with the younger boy who did not deign his question with an answer. He figured it out though when they stopped off at the physician's chambers to get Mordred's practice sword. Lancelot followed with an amused air as the boy hurried them to the top floor of the castle where Arthur was waiting for them. He was spinning his own practice sword in a lazy circle when Mordred rounded the corner. About to speak, the prince snapped his mouth shut when Lancelot followed on the eleven year old's heels. Both men froze in surprise, and Lancelot turned a betrayed glare on Mordred.
"Mordred," Arthur intoned lowly, "what is the meaning of this?"
The boy had the grace to look away from Arthur's accusing eyes. "Please, Sire?"
Arthur pinched his nose, and Lancelot took the chance to speak. "Allow me to take my leave, Sire," he said quickly, "I was not-"
The prince held his hand up and threw a frown in Mordred's direction before sighing at Lancelot. "It's alright. Might as well use you to our advantage."
When Arthur looked at Mordred again, he chased the grin off the boy's face, but not for long. Mordred shrugged out of his cloak and threw it to the side before striding to Arthur. Lancelot stayed back while the prince regarded his servant. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Mordred stopped at once. "Oh. Yes, Sire." He sighed and put down his sword, backing away and balancing on one foot while holding his other ankle behind him, stretching his leg. As Mordred began his pre training routine, Arthur turned to Lancelot and tilted his head. They stared at each other before the prince smirked.
He threw the wooden sword in his hand to Lancelot, who easily caught it. "Let's see what you're made of," Arthur proposed and held his hand out to Mordred. The boy energetically went to give up his sword and switched places with Lancelot. He backed away and watched as the two men faced one another, each measuring with their eyes. The duel started on some unspoken signal, both springing forward with a speed that caused Mordred to jump. His boots travelled backward on the stone floor, and an involuntary smile donned his lips.
Unlike with most duels the prince engaged in with the knights, he and Lancelot were on even footing. The wooden swords knocked together loudly in the corridor, Arthur ruling the fight but only just. Mordred could tell that Arthur was having fun. He had a smirk on his face even when placed on the defensive which did not last long. With a swift counter, Arthur caused Mordred to wince as Lancelot was forced to dodge backward from a slice that almost knocked him right on the head. They were at it for over a minute when Arthur landed a hit to Lancelot's stomach, which winded him and had him stumbling back. Both paced away from each other before Arthur laughed.
"You have skill, Lancelot," Arthur noted, almost out of breath.
Lancelot smiled at the praise. "Thank you, Sire," he said humbly.
"If you were a nobleman," Arthur sighed, "You'd have made basic training."
"Perhaps another day," Lancelot said quietly, his voice tinged with regret.
Arthur lowered his sword and turned to Mordred. The boy straightened his back, both disheartened and encouraged by the skill just displayed. "One day, maybe you will grow to be as skilled," the prince told him, "but for now, spar." He tossed his practice sword to Mordred and motioned to Lancelot.
"Sire?" Lancelot questioned.
"Go on. Keep him on his toes," Arthur ordered.
Mordred smiled and readied himself for a rematch with the dark eyed man. While he knew that Lancelot had gone easy on him last night, seeing him fight with Arthur proved to him just how much of a novice he really was. However, that did not stop him from furiously trying to land a hit on Lancelot. While the dark eyed man kept Mordred on the defensive, Arthur barked out corrections on his form.
By the time the clandestine training session was called off by the prince, Mordred's hair was wet with sweat. He was panting heavily as he tiredly jogged up and down the hallway, a 'cool down' exercise set by Arthur. As he ran past them, the prince called for him to control his breathing, which only made Mordred grunt unhappily. He and Lancelot were standing next to each other, chatting amiably on training methods. Mordred was half convinced they were plotting to kill him.
After another lap, Mordred came to a stop with his hands on his knees and breathing heavily through his mouth. "Did I say you could stop?" Arthur asked authoritatively. Mordred gaped incredulously at him, unable to talk around the heaving breaths he was taking. "Five more laps."
"What?" Mordred wheezed, the word coming out more of a squeak than intended. "But-"
"-Ten more laps," the prince declared.
The boy groaned piteously but dragged his legs forward. Mordred refrained from glaring, knowing that this was punishment, and he did not want to court more. Luckily, Arthur took pity on him and called him to stop after nine passes.
"You did well today," Arthur said to him, even smiling a bit. "Run along now. And I expect dinner early."
"Yes, Sire. Thank you," Mordred gasped and turned around, walking with a slumped posture. He took a backward glance at Lancelot, who despite looking sympathetic was clearly amused. Arthur nodded for him to leave as well, and after a bow, Lancelot followed Mordred, picking up the cloak the boy had forgotten.
Arthur watched them leave and when they turned the corner, he allowed a slight frown to fall upon his features. Lancelot proved himself to be knight material, and Arthur could tell that even at a young age, Mordred had the makings of a fine warrior. The makings of a fine manipulator as well, Arthur thought with a scoff. The boy was hardly subtle, bringing Lancelot to a training session- not to change his mind, Arthur knew, but to put the idea inside his head.
With a huff, Arthur set off down the corridor, adding another item to his to-do list; to tell Morgana to stay away from his servant.
o}O{o
Like the morning and afternoon, the evening approaching Camelot was a pristine grey. Merlin peered out the window of Morgana's chambers, looking for the sun that was hiding behind the screen of clouds. In the room, Gwen was tidying up and Morgana sat at her vanity and scribbled in her diary. Merlin looked back to the king's ward and found her to still be subdued from this morning. The quill she was holding scratched across the page rapidly until she stilled. When Morgana chose to stare at nothing instead of dipping the pen in the inkwell, Merlin hopped off the chair he had placed under the window. Recovering blithely from a stumble, Merlin went to the lady, who did not notice him right away. He could tell that Gwen paused in her cleaning to study her mistress.
"Morgana?" Merlin called.
The lady jumped and looked down at Merlin in surprise. "Merlin!" she exclaimed and forced a smile for him. "I'm sorry; I didn't see you there."
Her attempt at levity did not fool him, so he worriedly grabbed the fabric of her emerald skirt. "Why are you still sad?"
Morgana's smile became a tad more genuine as she answered, "I'm just a little tired, Merlin. Nothing to worry about."
Merlin's brow furrowed deeper with his frown. He looked back out the window, biting his lip. "I'll make it light for you!" he declared and ran back to the chair. Merlin carefully climbed it and grabbed the stone windowsill, gazing out to the clouds resolutely. While he could not see the sun, he knew where it was behind the clouds.
Behind him, Gwen barely managed to return the smile Morgana exchanged with her before she tried to walk casually to Merlin. The drapes started to flutter in a non-existent breeze, and Gwen was quick to open the window. Outside, the air was cool but the flags atop the towers were motionless. Luckily, Merlin broke his concentration on the swirling clouds and turned to Gwen sheepishly.
"Oh, Gwen!" Morgana cried in surprise, "it's hardly warm enough to keep the window open."
The maidservant affected a flustered expression, struggling to come up with a response. She tried to appear surprised and shut the window again, shooting Merlin a reproachful look. The boy bit his lip and looked down, clasping his hands in front of him.
"Gwen, you've been acting strangely today," Morgana remarked curiously, "I hope you aren't unwell."
"I'm so sorry, milady. I assure you I feel fine. Um, perhaps a little tired," she apologized genuinely distressed. Merlin looked at her in concern. It would certainly explain the two vases and one flower pot she had broken. The plate had been Merlin's fault though Gwen took the blame for it, something he felt horrible about. At least, Morgana was more forgiving than Arthur. The prince was always impatient with Mordred's clumsiness. Merlin bit his lip again; he hoped Mordred never had to go for the stocks for him again. The eleven year old had not talked to Arthur for a whole day when that happened. The young warlock sighed softly as Morgana voiced concern over Gwen. He looked out the window again, peering through the latticed panes to the courtyard down below. The square was fairly empty, there were a few children a few years older than Merlin from the looks of it, playing in the outside halls. He noticed the guards were looking bored and stealing glances at a pair of housewives strolling through the yard. Merlin also spotted the old lady who always wandered around with at least two cats following her and never seemed to get his name right.
He then noticed a figure running through the main entrance before the guards did. It was a knight, and he was motioning to the other men. They stood to attention, and Merlin squinted when all of them ran back into the city. He leaned forward and did not have to wait long until they returned. A guard was leading a limping old man, urging him along at a gentle pace. More people followed, some unharmed but some visibly hurt. Refugees were surging into the city, and Merlin picked out the familiar forms of Gaius and Mordred helping the guards with the people. "Gwen!" he called, "Morgana, look!" Merlin fumbled with the window latch and opened it without the use of magic. He leaned out the sill, and sensed the fear and panic radiate from the people below.
"Merlin!" Morgana was quickest and got to him before Gwen, putting a hand against his chest to prevent him from leaning further. "What happened?" she breathed upon viewing the chaotic scene below. Gwen was there beside them, exchanging a worried look with the lady. "We need to help," Morgana said at once. She lifted Merlin off his chair and hurried to the door, looking back at her maidservant. "Take Merlin home, I'll be outside."
"Yes, milady," Gwen said and grabbed Merlin's hand, pulling him along before Morgana was even out the room.
"I can help too!" Merlin told her, but Gwen shook her head. Morgana soon hurried out of their sight as they followed her down the stairs. "Gwen-"
"No, Merlin," Gwen said, sharpening her tone more than she had intended. The young boy fell silent and allowed her to lead him to the physician's chambers. She seemed exceedingly stressed to him, though he did not know why. So he did not try to argue, an endeavor made easier due to the strangeness of an irritable Gwen.
She took a route avoiding the courtyard, but her fast pace got them there quickly enough. The chambers were empty, the silence making Merlin slump his shoulders. He'd be forced to stay all alone in his room, bored out of his mind. When Gwen had him sitting safely on his bed, he turned a woeful pout on her.
The maidservant looked remorseful and knelt in front of Merlin. She ran her fingers through his hair and spoke gently. "I'll be back to check on you soon, Merlin. But people need help right now." Merlin sighed but nodded. "No magic," she reminded him, as though he had been using it all morning.
"I know," Merlin groused.
Gwen pulled him in for a hug but the next moment she was gone and hurrying to the courtyard. Merlin looked down at his knees, hearing the main doors close behind her. All alone now, Merlin sighed. He was too busy thinking of what he could do to notice the blankets on the other bed fluttered upward.
o}O{o
The city was restless. By now, the people were aware that there was a monster on its way to Camelot. The refugees from Willowdale were sheltered in the courtyard and in the streets of the lower town, proof of what the creature was capable of. Rumors had spread fast, and ideas of what the monster could be varied widely, the only similarity among them was that the thing had wings.
"Body of a lion, head of an eagle," Gaius kept muttering to himself. He was pouring over a thick tome with dusty pages, reading much faster than Merlin. The young boy was looking through a separate book, looking at the pictures only. He took his task seriously, inspecting each page for an illustrated monster like the one Mordred and him had seen in the woods. He was not to know that Gaius had already been through it and had given it to him as a way to keep him busy.
Mordred was off serving Prince Arthur and Lancelot was helping the people from Willowdale. Merlin had not wanted to stay in the physician's chambers, but his magic was being uncooperative this morning. "I can't see it, Gaius," Merlin complained after conquering a quarter of the book.
"Keep looking, Merlin," the physician bid without even glancing at him. Merlin sighed and studied Gaius, the book Merlin had been checking closing on its own. Gaius was deeply engrossed in the volume in his old hands, looking like he wouldn't even notice if Merlin took his leave. So the boy did just that- he slid off the stool he was sitting on and walked slowly to his room, keeping an eye on the physician. Upon reaching the door without being noticed, Merlin grinned and scampered inside.
His few toys were scattered in the room, but he was not interested in them today. The loose floorboard was covered by an errant blanket which Merlin used to hang on the air in front of the door in case Gaius walked in. He pried the board off and set it beside him, holding his hands out for the spell book which floated into his small hands. Merlin declined replacing the floor board and hopped up onto the bed nearest the window with the book. He lay on his stomach and opened it with a smile.
The pages rolled beneath his fingers, ink letters and painted illustrations blurring as he flipped through. Merlin found the place he had left off and contentedly started to read. While he could not understand some of the words of the Old Tongue, most of them came easy to him. He loved reading about spells, and soon he forgot that he was forbidden to incant any. Merlin excitedly sat up, licking his lips and reading over the spell avidly. It was only one word, but if done properly, made it warm, which was convenient as Merlin disliked being cold.
"Hæte," Merlin read aloud. He did not have long to wonder if it worked before warmth spread from his belly to his fingertips. Merlin laughed gleefully at the success and immediately searched for another spell. The next one, he spent a half hour trying to work but was unable to turn Mordred's practice sword into a real one. Merlin did five more spells before he ran into a problem.
He had meant to summon a single sapling but now the whole room was overgrown like a lush forest. There were trees packed to the corners, short enough to just brush the ceiling, and the stone floor had been replaced with grass and roots. Merlin gaped in wonder, smiling at the patches of colourful flowers sprouting from their grassy beds. But then he remembered Gaius.
The boy winced and looked to the door but did not call the physician right away. He took a deep breath and tried to visualize the room back as it was. His willed his magic to come to the surface and tried not to let too much escape. Merlin's brow stitched together from the effort, his magic reflexively seeking to do what he wanted. The tiny patch of forest that had invaded their room did not alter right away so Merlin decided to let more of his magic go. Immediately, he realized that it was too much- his blue eyes blazed with an intense gold, and the leaves on the trees rippled before turning red and orange.
"No, no, no!" he scolded his magic. Merlin screwed his eyes shut in an attempt to stop but when Gaius shouted from the outside room, the realized that he had made another mistake.
He looked back in a panic and saw that the forest had spread beneath the door. Merlin cried out, fearing that it would grow out into the castle halls. "Gaius!" Merlin yelled, still trying to keep his magic at bay. He started to cry but when the first tear ran down his cheek, the room reverted back into its original form in the blink of an eye. Merlin did not move until the bedroom door careened open and Gaius ran through.
"What did you do, Merlin?" the physician demanded, kneeling in front of him and grasping his shoulders.
Merlin bit his lip, unable to look Gaius in the eye. "I didn't mean to," he whined.
"Merlin," Gaius scolded.
The boy's stomach plummeted, and he worried desperately that Gaius would see the spell book on the bed. Merlin couldn't help but glance sideways at it before attempting to explain. "I tried to stop it, but I couldn't…"
Gaius had followed Merlin's gaze, and his grey eyes narrowed at what they saw. When the physician only scowled at him and not say anything, the pit of guilt in Merlin's stomach opened into a chasm. "I-I won't do it again. I swear I won't. I really-" he started to splutter but the hardening of Gaius' stare scared the words from coming out of Merlin's mouth.
"How many times, Merlin will I have to you to not use magic? How many times will you tell me you won't do it again?" Gaius demanded sharply.
"I'm sorry," Merlin implored.
The physician blew outward through his nose and stood up, grabbing the spell book on the bed and turning for the door. Merlin was shocked into staring after him but when the end of Gaius' robes billowed down the steps, the young boy chased after him.
"Gaius, what are you doing?" Merlin yelled with a note of panic instilled in his tone. The physician made no answer, and Merlin noticed that he was striding toward the fire place. "Gaius! Gaius, no!" Merlin pled shrilly and ran after him. "Please!" Merlin started to cry. "You can't!"
There was a small fire living in the fire place, and Gaius raised his arm. "No!" Merlin screamed, his eyes flashing gold. The fire died at once, and the book in Gaius' fingers sailed into Merlin's. The boy clutched it to his chest and backed away from the physician. His lips were set in a stiff pout, and warm tears were trailing down his cheeks.
Gaius turned and regarded Merlin seriously. "Give it to me, Merlin," the physician said brusquely.
Merlin shook his head, unable to find his voice for the first time in months now. He could not understand why Gaius would want to burn the spell book. Merlin needed it; Gaius didn't understand. Gaius could control his magic, turn it off even. Merlin did not understand it completely, but knew that his magic was a part of him. It was like seeing and hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling. It was like his arms and his legs. His magic ran in his veins just as tangibly as his blood did.
But as much as it felt like home, it was wild- not quite in balance. And his magic often acted on its own accord, a single mistake having the potential to get him killed.
"You don't understand," Merlin whispered tearfully, and because he was tired he sat on the floor and shielded the book with his knees. "I need it; I need it." It was the only way to learn what that one part of him meant. To learn what he was, and Merlin felt that he would die in more ways than one if he could not understand. He banished his tears and frowned at Gaius, holding the book tighter to his chest. "You can't burn it."
The physician actually looked to be surprised. "I wasn't going to burn it, Merlin," he stated. The young warlock's brow relaxed before he blinked suspiciously. Gaius motioned to the bookcase beside the fireplace. "I'm going to hide it there so you can't read it without me."
Merlin was equally as horrified. "No!" he cried and scooted backwards. "The bad man came in here and wrecked everything and found all the spell books! You'll die, Gaius, so will Mordred-"
"-Merlin, Merlin," Gaius spoke up and held his hands out gently. He sighed and walked slowly to Merlin, going through the arduous task of sitting beside the five year old. "That is only a bad dream, my boy."
Merlin pouted and leant into the old man's side, but kept a tight hold on the spell book. "What if he really finds it though?"
Gaius put as much conviction in his tone as he could muster. "He won't, Merlin."
"But what if he does?"
Merlin gazed up at Gaius for assurance, but the physician could not provide it. Merlin would always live in fear of being caught until magic was no longer a crime. And the king still had many more years left to reign over Camelot.
"Then I will protect you, Merlin," Gaius said.
Merlin was appeased for only a moment. "Who will protect you?"
A chuckle made its way out of Gaius' lips, but it did not seem completely cheerful. "I can take care of myself, you know."
"You couldn't in my nightmare," Merlin insisted.
"This isn't a nightmare, Merlin," Gaius said gently.
Merlin stared at him with a look of dark wisdom on his youthful face and said something that the physician would remember for the rest of his days. "Yes it is."
o}O{o
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