See, the fifteenth just like I said :)
Special thanks to my beta, Paralelsky. And to the wonderful people who reviewed last chapter.
o}O{o
A distant hoot from an owl brushed the silence of the dark forest, entering the hearing of six druids waiting in a clearing. Flickering shadows from the waning fire wavered on the figures surrounding it and on the dark shapes of their tents nearby. Unable to endure the heavy silence for any longer, Ormod concentrated on feeling for the magical wards Ethel had set up around the area. Sensing nothing had changed, he sighed. "I think we should look for him."
Ormod's statement earned the gaze of his comrades, and Araleigh was the only one to not look at Tynan. "I agree," she said. "Tynan, surely Ben has been gone long enough."
The old man in question narrowed his beady grey eyes, shadowed by the night. "If he has got himself into trouble as you believe, then it will be a risk to fetch him," he explained.
"He could be in danger," Ormod snapped. While a small voice in his head whispered that it could be beneficial for him if Ben was gone, a louder one said that they were friends.
A sardonic expression crossed Tynan's face before Ethel regarded the young man. "Settle yourself, the wards are shifting as we speak."
Ormod hesitated and closed his eyes, feeling the wards for himself. Sure enough the outer ring was being disturbed, and Ormod recognized the approaching presence as Ben. He, Araleigh and Evelyn stood up while the older druids remained seated.
They heard Ben trudging through the underbrush long before they saw him, and eventually he swept into the clearing with a scowl on his face. His dark eyes met Ormod's light ones and even in the dark, the younger could tell he was furious.
"Bloody blighter thought to double cross me," he announced, throwing a look to Tynan, who appeared ready to reprimand him. Ben threw down the burlap sack he was carrying, and it thudded onto the needle strewn ground. "I managed to get the supplies though."
Evelyn went over and exchanged a short word with him before touching his shoulder and grabbing the bag he had dropped. Ben's face relaxed, and he walked by Ormod to sit down.
"What happened?" Nyan asked as everyone reclaimed their seats on the dry ground.
Ben sighed and when he spoke there was annoyance lining his tone. "The ruddy farmer had his friends waiting for me- after I paid of course- tried to capture me." He waved his hand angrily. "I escaped but they chased me half way through the forest of Brechffa. I gave one of them some nice burns for their troubles."
Ethel sighed loudly. "You should not have done that."
Ben narrowed his eyes at her. "Why thank you for your concern, Ethel."
"Watch your tongue, boy," Tynan warned.
Just as Ben's face construed outrage, Araleigh spoke up. "We are grateful, Ben. And glad you are alright."
"I'll go get the food next time," Ormod volunteered.
Keen to help the topic change, Nyan said, "if only the game was more bountiful in these woods."
Evelyn's voice interceded hesitantly. "Perhaps we should try to find a place in the Forest of Ascetir-"
It was Araleigh who interrupted her though her voice was bitter. "It is too dangerous. The patrols are too heavy there. And it's too far away."
"Not unless you can manage some fancy wards," Ben suggested. Anger had left his face, and a sneaky look had come to stay. Before any could ask him what he meant, the stocky man carried on. "While I was on the run, I felt some familiar magic. I figure I was right outside Isaac's camp."
"Are you certain?" Nyan asked eagerly.
Ben nodded smugly. "Quite. Girvan came to investigate, but I managed to stay hidden."
The rest of the druids did not share Ben's confidence and scanned the trees in alarm. "Please," Ben scoffed, "I made sure I wasn't followed."
"Well what are they going to do anyway?" Araleigh pointed out. "They wouldn't ambush us."
Tynan rose off the ground, gathering their full attention. "Do not be so certain. This provides us with opportunity," he smiled. "We need to strike them while we can."
Ethel threw Tynan a long-suffering look while the rest of the druids narrowed their eyes in suspicion. Ormod tightened his jaw, not having a good feeling about the look on their leader's face. Tynan took advantage of the silence and spoke. "If we are able to distract them, Emrys is ours for the taking."
Evelyn shook her head. "You said strike them. Surely, you don't mean to hurt them?"
"This is war for us, and we have chosen sides," Tynan declared.
Nyan added his voice. "We are all here to stop the madness of Uther Pendragon. To bring peace to the land. Emrys is one we need, and yet they are preventing his destiny from being fulfilled. We know this. Hence why we are here."
Ormod was relieved when Ben stated, "We have lived with these people for years now. You think to cast all of that aside?"
"Are you all so foolish?" Tynan sneered. He glared at each of them in turn, even his wife.
"Tynan," Ethel said sharply, "our quarrel is not with them."
"It is with whoever stands in our way," he countered.
Ethel frowned at him and for a moment, Ormod thought Tynan's shoulders slumped. "I agree that we have bided our time long enough. And the longer Emrys stays in Camelot the harder it will be to turn him against it. However, our brothers and sisters have suffered as well- our goal of capturing Emrys does not need to require bloodshed."
"Aye," Evelyn agreed. "But we have tried to enter the city. Selwyn and the guards make it impossible."
"Tell us where their camp is," Tynan said.
Ben went quiet before answering. "My memory is a bit fuzzy actually."
Tynan gritted his jaw and tensed like a snake about to strike. Ben, however, held his hand out and spoke before the old man could open his scowling mouth. "But listen, the farmer was saying a griffin attacked Camelot-"
"A griffin?" Ormod repeated dubiously.
Ben nodded while the others listened in. "Apparently it tore up the country side. Willowdale was destroyed, and its people have fled to Camelot. This is just the distraction we need. And the beast is heading there- we can slip into the city when the thing attacks. Selwyn isn't infallible; this is our best chance."
He waited with raised eyebrows and a smug smile as the rest considered his plan. Ben looked at each of them in turn and when he came to Ormod, he raised his eyebrow. The younger man realized his features were tense, but he quickly came up with a lie. "A griffin… that's not a creature to be trifled with."
"Which is why we will stay out of its way," Nyan told him. "What else did you find out, Ben?"
"Not much else. I was going to ask, but I was busy with being ambushed," he answered dryly.
Araleigh leaned forward after casing a spell to embolden their fire. She guided a dark lock of hair behind her ear and asked, "So what is our course of action?"
As they began to plan, Ormod kept an ear on the conversation and hid the fact that his mind was furiously thinking how he could alert Selwyn. By the time the druids ironed out a course of action, night was poised to make way for morning.
o}O{o
"And you needed help, but you were far away and no one wanted to help you but me. So I rode the dragon, and I saved you," Merlin declared proudly after regaling the prince with the dream he had last night. Arthur nodded with the same slightly stunned look in his eye that Mordred held. The servant was standing at the end of the table, staring at Merlin, who had not stopped talking since this morning. He had only gotten more exuberant when he followed Mordred into Arthur's chambers with the prince's breakfast. With a new target to yap at, Merlin had informed Arthur of his own breakfast, that it was good riding weather outside, that he thought Arthur's horse was angry today, the cat they passed in the courtyard was mean, as well as a slew of other topics- all before the prince even sat down at the table.
"Are you happy that I saved you, Arthur?"
The prince opened his mouth, but Merlin carried on before he could get a word edgewise. "I was brave 'cause Mordred wasn't there, but I forget why and it was all purple. I hate purple. Do you like purple, Arthur?"
"Well-"
"Arthur, why aren't you eating?" Merlin asked curiously, cocking his head to the side.
Mordred took it upon himself to come to the prince's rescue. "Perhaps you should give him a chance, Merlin," he informed the younger boy.
"Oh," Merlin said and shut his mouth with a smile. His big eyes centered on Arthur's and the blonde man offered him an amused laugh before he took a bite of his lukewarm eggs. As he was chewing Merlin asked seriously, "Arthur?"
The prince shared a glance with Mordred before he looked back at Merlin. "Yes, Merlin?" Arthur asked warily.
"Do you like purple?"
Mordred could not contain a snicker, and in an effort to hide it, he directed his head downward. The prince heard it though, and shot him a split second glare.
"Erm, not really," Arthur replied uncertainly.
Merlin nodded in agreement. "I think Morgana likes purple. Right Mordred?"
Mordred smiled. "Yes, Merlin."
"But why?" Merlin wondered.
"Erm, she's a girl I guess," Mordred answered Merlin and then looked to Arthur for validation. The prince shrugged noncommittally, occupied with his breakfast.
"Ooh. But if I like purple later, am I a girl too?"
The prince snorted into his now cold tea, and pretended like he was choking so Merlin would not get suspicious. Mordred answered the unsuspecting child around a wide grin. "No it doesn't work like that."
Merlin nodded slowly and narrowed his eyes curiously. "How does it work?"
Mordred blinked a few times while Merlin waited, and Arthur smirked at him expectantly. But just as the silence stretched on a little too long, a sturdy series of knocks wrapped upon the door. The change in Merlin was instantaneous- his face fell into an uneasy expression, and his shoulders hunched inwards. Not noticing, Arthur wiped away some crumbs from the corner of his mouth in preparation for the visitor. Before the prince called out, Merlin slid off of his chair and slinked towards Mordred, who allowed him to hide behind him.
It was Leon who walked in and bowed after closing the door, giving the room a perfunctory scan. Merlin didn't budge.
"Leon," Arthur greeted pleasantly, not bothering to rise from his chair since the knight looked at ease.
"Good morning, Sire," said Sir Leon, "I came to inform you that the people of Willowdale are set to leave on the hour."
"Oh yes. I don't suppose my father will be seeing them off?" the prince inquired.
Mordred glanced at the knight who shook his head. "No, my lord." Beside the older boy, Merlin was still tucked into his side but half his face was revealed to watch Sir Leon.
Arthur bobbed his head in an unsurprised fashion. "Not surprising. I'll see them off then."
"They shall appreciate that, Sire," Leon stated. He then noticed Merlin's gaze and looked down to the boy and Mordred was relieved when Merlin did not hide his face. The child shifted uncomfortably but relaxed when Leon sent him a smile before turning back to Arthur. "I will let them know."
"See that you do," Arthur bid, eager to return to his breakfast. As soon as the knight left, Merlin let go of Mordred's cloak but did not leave his side. Only a minute into silence, Arthur looked suspiciously at Merlin. "What? No more chatter?"
A small smile formed on Merlin's lips, but he shrugged. Feeling the need to come to Merlin's rescue, Mordred spoke up. "Would you like me to get you something better to wear, Sire?"
The prince glanced to his dressing screen at the garments hanging on it. Mordred had collected clothes better suited for the training session scheduled for mid-morning.
"Ah. Yes, I suppose you must," Arthur sighed.
"Yes, m'lord," Mordred said and wandered to the wardrobe. He heard Merlin inhale a breath, and a grin settled onto his lips.
"Are you going to wear a cape, Arthur?" Merlin asked, approaching the prince after Mordred left him.
The prince laughed like the prospect was ridiculous. "Not today, Merlin."
From inside the closet, Mordred could hear Merlin scuff his boot on the floor- a sign he had learnt was a precursor to nothing good. The servant leaned out of the closet and drew Merlin's gaze, sending him a warning look. In response, Merlin pouted but did not open his mouth. However, the instant Mordred retreated from his view- "But you have to!"
"Merlin," Mordred called distractedly, searching for Arthur's brown coat as it was sufficiently cape like. The prince managed to field Merlin's questions and chatter until Mordred emerged with a new outfit for him to wear.
"Here you are, Sire," Mordred interrupted Merlin's false account of Gaius making a potion that tasted like dirt. Arthur immediately took the hand of rescue.
"Thank you, Mordred," he said, for once not needing a sideways look from the boy to express gratitude. Mordred smiled and handed him the clothes save for the coat before walking toward Merlin. As Arthur was changing, and complaining for having to, Merlin grabbed Mordred's hand and finished his story.
Mordred frowned before deciding he was amused. "Merlin, I was there remember? Why would I hide from a potion?"
"Because you were scared," Merlin informed him.
"I don't get scared," Mordred said, his smile becoming a smirk.
Merlin handed him a superior look. "Yes you do."
"I do not," the older boy complained, his lips now down turned.
"You do too," Merlin argued.
Just as Mordred protested, Arthur came out from behind the dressing screen eyeing them impatiently. He said nothing, only turning his back and holding his arms out so Mordred could put his jacket on. The servant obliged, and couldn't resist smiling upon noticing Merlin's smile when he turned back around.
He reached out his hand to ruffle Merlin's hair, and the child used the opportunity to grab his hand again. "Do you get scared, Arthur?" Merlin wondered. Mordred winced and was about to reprimand Merlin for the inappropriate question, but Arthur answered the boy.
"Certainly not," the prince replied while straightening his dark coat. He threw Merlin a self assured smile before heading to the door. "Princes don't get scared."
Sure enough, Merlin continued with his enquiry but only after making certain the outside hall was devoid of other people. On their way, Merlin kept a relatively steady stream of conversation only interrupted when they would see servants or guards, and then he would become shy. With still a bit of time until the people from Willowdale departed, Arthur decided to take a stroll through the city.
Merlin became silent with all the people around but seemed happy enough, but Mordred was a little annoyed they couldn't go somewhere secluded so the younger boy would feel free to keep on talking. Unused to seeing their prince walk about the streets alone; the people of the lower town stared at him as he passed. Not knowing what came over Arthur, Mordred watched him suspiciously as he nodded graciously at people who met his gaze.
"When did he get so friendly?" Mordred muttered quietly to Merlin.
"He's always friendly," Merlin asserted, not taking Mordred's hint of quietness.
Arthur heard and turned a narrow eyed glance at Mordred, who didn't have time to clear the alarmed expression from his face. But the prince turned back around, and Mordred sighed in relief. Merlin did not notice the little exchange- he was looking at his feet and stepping on only the cobble stones he deemed worthy. "Merlin," Mordred hissed. Merlin stared up innocently. "When I whisper to you, you whisper back."
"Why?" Merlin wondered.
"Because," said Mordred.
Merlin's brow furrowed. "But why?"
"Mordred," Arthur called without turning around. "You are supposed to be looking if I need anything, not bickering with Merlin."
A frown settled on Mordred's face. "Do you need anything, Sire?" Mordred asked with tone not entirely polite.
"Are you interested in the stocks today?" the prince countered.
Mordred hunched his shoulders and pouted. "No, Sire."
"I- I don't think you should put Mordred in the stocks, Arthur," Merlin called, earning a grin from his guardian.
The prince laughed amusedly. "Well that's all up to Mordred here," he called back without looking.
Mordred scowled and grumbled under his breath while Merlin frowned confusedly at the answer he received. He glanced at Mordred and bit his lip, hoping he wasn't mad. But his fears proved pointless when the older boy offered a reassuring smile. Shoving away his unhappiness with the prince to keep Merlin content, Mordred voiced a question.
"When are the people from Willowdale leaving again, Sire?"
Arthur glanced back at him, perhaps suspecting Mordred of harboring ill will. "Soon, I expect. Which reminds me, I should be getting to the courtyard."
"Yes, Sire," Mordred agreed.
The followed him there, where the villagers were almost ready to leave. The square was packed with people and some of the farm animals that had been saved. Merlin immediately seized Mordred's hand, uncomfortable with the crowd and noise. Deciding to risk the stocks, Mordred retreated to the outside halls with Merlin and was rewarded when the child breathed a small sigh of relief. There were young children and the elderly lining the halls as well, waiting until the villagers were ready for their return trip. Mordred leant against a pillar, putting an arm around Merlin's shoulders and watched Arthur mingle somewhat stiffly with the people. None seemed to recognize Arthur for who he was. That was until someone overheard him speak with one of the knights standing by in the courtyard.
Then, Mordred was very glad he had got himself and Merlin out of the way, for the prince was soon swarmed by curious villagers. Merlin stood on his toes, staring unhappily at all the people blocking Arthur from view. "What are they doing?" he demanded.
Mordred might have laughed at the blatant jealously in Merlin's tone but was wary of any outburst of magic Merlin might let slip. "They are just saying hello to him, Merlin. They've never met him before."
"I don't like them," Merlin muttered, looking away.
"Well that's not very nice," Mordred noted.
A pout was thrown in his direction before Merlin turned away from the group of people swarming the prince. Mordred let him hide against his cloak while the young sorcerer observed Arthur. He noticed with a certain amount of disappointment that Arthur appeared perfectly at ease. Though when the people of Willowdale filed out of the courtyard with the knights as an escort, a look of relief passed over the prince's face. Mordred and Merlin then walked to Arthur, who was standing at the top of the stairs of the main doors. He looked about to reprimand them for deserting him, but noticed Merlin still staring distrustfully at the backs of the retreating villagers.
Arthur settled for clapping his hands together. "Now that's over with; the day can begin," he declared. "Mordred, I want you to set the archery targets on the field."
"All of them?" Mordred whined but then cleared his throat. "Sire."
Luckily, the prince merely raised his eyebrow in reprimand. "Yes all of them. Get another servant to help you if you must. I want both my longbow and cross bow as well."
"Yes, m'lord," Mordred said dutifully. Seeing that Arthur was not done giving orders, he waited for the rest.
"Merlin," Arthur called authoritatively, drawing the still petulant boy's attention. "I want you to make sure Mordred does his job. Can I count on you?"
His request caused a large grin to pop onto Merlin's lips. "Yes, m'lord!" Merlin parroted Mordred, beaming at being given an order.
Mordred could not resist a smile at his sudden enthusiasm, which even caused Arthur to laugh. "Good. I expect to see you both at the training grounds within the hour." Merlin nodded exuberantly before following Mordred, who bowed after Arthur's dismissal.
"Are we going to the army, Mordred?" Merlin asked, bouncing along beside him.
"The armory. And yes we are," Mordred answered patiently. Despite an upcoming training session, Mordred's enthusiasm was dampened by the impending several trips back and forth from the armory to the training grounds dragging the archery targets. The distance was admittedly not very far, but the large blocks were heavy.
Merlin nodded and fell quiet, content with following Mordred. They did not get far before Merlin opened his mouth again. "Are we going to see Elias today?" he wondered, referring to Sir Lloyd's servant. While neither of the boys liked the knight, his young servant was admired by them- grudgingly in Mordred's case.
"I think so," Mordred replied.
"Are you still mad at him?" Merlin giggled
Mordred felt his cheeks go red at the memory Merlin invoked. "He made me trip in front of all the knights! Wouldn't you be?"
"No, I trip all the time," Merlin said matter-of-factly.
Mordred's lips tugged upwards, and he couldn't help but tease the younger boy. "That's because you are a clumsy little goose."
Instead of getting offended, Merlin laughed loudly. "I'm not a goose!"
"Hmm, what are you then?" Mordred countered and had to look behind when Merlin slowed down to think.
The young boy then grinned. "I'm a dragon!" He declared. The next moment he stuck out his arms sideways. "Make me fly, Mordred, make me fly!"
"Alright, okay! Don't pull on my cloak," Mordred relented, and pried Merlin's fingers off his sleeve before kneeling on the ground. Merlin immediately climbed on his back, in anticipation of their game. "Are you ready?" the guardian asked him.
"Yes!" Merlin sang, holding out his arms once more. Soon, Mordred was jogging down the hall, leaving Merlin's laughter in his wake.
o}O{o
Fluff with some danger lurking around the corner. Those dastardly druids. Catch them in the next instalment of Destiny Rewritten!
Hope everyone liked it, and thanks for dropping by. If you could review it would make my day! Even if you didn't like it, I'd like to hear your thoughts :)