Hi everyone :) Sorry for the wait but I've been really busy lately. I got a job and then it was my birthday weekend and I've barely had a chance to do much of anything on week nights.
But without keeping you longer, here is the chapter!
o}O{o
The lower town was alive with activity and alight with the sun shining down on the streets. It was market day and that also meant pot collecting day for Gaius. Usually Thursday mornings were a time for him to relax and enjoy walking about the town chatting with people but not so today.
"Merlin!" he shouted for the countless time, "Come back here!"
Merlin skidded to a halt, looking back at Gaius moodily. There was a peddler's wagon just a few feet away and Merlin wanted to inspect it. Just like every inch of the apothecary, the stall selling meat pies, the other one selling trinkets, the side alley next to the well, the well, and the baker's cart. Gaius knew there were a few more but if he remembered every little thing that caught Merlin's attention, he'd likely go mad.
"Stay close to me, or next Thursday I will leave you at home," Gaius snapped as the boy skulked back to him.
"But you're so slow, Gaius," Merlin complained, shifting from foot to foot. "And I want to go see the fat man."
The physician glanced to the peddler's wagon and to the man hawking his wares beside it. He was bald with a hefty stomach which did not impede him from his energetic attempts at luring in customers. Gaius decided that Merlin did not need more encouragement. "We're going home, and Merlin, so help me if you run away again." He had not even collected as many pots as he wanted to, but at least he obtained a good copper one for withstanding his experiments.
Merlin laughed, apparently finding Gaius' anxiety hilarious. "But I always win!"
"This isn't hide and seek," the physician scolded and carried on walking.
"Gaius, Gaius! Don't you like playing with me?" Merlin asked, rushing after him.
The physician frowned at the boy dancing around his feet. "Not when you disappear."
"Poof!" Merlin yelled and ducked behind Gaius. "I'm invisible, you can't see me now!"
Gaius patience was fraying. "Whatever shall I do?"
Merlin giggled, walking behind him. "You have to talk to me. If you stop talking, you won't know where I am. And then you'll be sad, Gaius. I don't want you to be sad." Despite himself, Gaius smiled. "There was that lady giving people food," Merlin carried on, referring to the farmer's wife with the meat pies. "And she says she's sad 'cause her son is lovesick and he's leaving. But I don't know where. He's prolly going on a aventure! But she shouldn't be sad, 'cause aventures are fun. Sir Arthur and Sir Mordred go on them all the time."
"Oh," Gaius interrupted, glancing back at Merlin. The boy was skipping along behind him, weaving from side to side. "Speaking of Sirs Arthur and Mordred, what were they doing on my worktable again?"
"They had to find the treasure, Gaius," Merlin answered like Gaius should have known better.
"Merlin, I have told you that my work table is off limits."
"But the treasure was there," Merlin said, grinning widely.
Gaius caught Merlin's arm, having to bend slightly and guided the boy to walk in front. "You didn't take anything did you?"
Merlin looked offended. "No!" He then freed his arm from Gaius' fingers, slipping away like an eel. "I'm not allowed to and I'm good." Merlin grinned and started walking backwards but only made it two steps before he tripped. Seeing it coming, Gaius was quick to grab him. "Thank you, Gaius," Merlin chirped after the physician set him on his feet. "Mordred said he and Arthur are going on an aventure. What kind of aventure, Gaius?"
"One not for little boys," Gaius said, knowing that Merlin did not like hunting and would not appreciate the reminder. Arthur had gone off with Mordred early this morning, likely to get away from Uther and Morgana. The two had been squabbling all week and the prince always ended up in the middle somehow. And there was nothing like killing things to rid Arthur of a bad mood.
"But they're having fun without me," Merlin pouted. "When are they coming back?"
"In the afternoon, Merlin."
"After lunch?"
"I don't know, Merlin."
"Before lunch?"
Gaius sighed, wishing he had slept better the night before.
"Gaius, are they coming back before lunch?" Merlin asked excitedly.
"I doubt it," the physician answered.
"Where did they go?"
"In the forest."
"Oh are they getting herbs?"
Gaius chuckled at the boy prancing along in front of him. "You think collecting herbs is an adventure, do you?"
Merlin nodded. "They're like treasure! They're really hard to find but Mordred is really good at it. I don't think he likes it. I do though, we go in the forest and there are all sorts of birds and squirls and all of them are talking to me. Do you wanna know what they tell me, Gaius?"
"What do they tell you?" Gaius asked, amused by Merlin's enthusiasm. Ever since the boy had recovered from healing Uther last month, it was like a lever had been pulled. There was hardly a moment where Merlin was quiet or still. The only time being when he studied magic. And even though Merlin's new enthusiasm could test Gaius' patience, he was overjoyed that it was there. It was hard to believe that Merlin was the same boy who would not speak a word seven months ago. So Gaius smiled and listened to Merlin prattle on.
o}O{o
Mordred held his breath as he crept closer to the prince. Arthur was crouched amongst some ferns, taking aim at something in the distance. He did not hear Mordred approach him which made the young warlock smile. He had lived most of his life in the forest and had quickly developed a skill for moving quietly over the forest floor- a skill useful for eavesdropping and sneaking away when he wasn't supposed to.
The boy held his teal cloak close against him so it wouldn't snag on any stray branches and stopped behind Arthur. Mordred looked past him and saw that he was aiming at a young buck sniffing a moss covered rock. Arthur took a deep breath and held it before pulling the trigger. The bolt launched out of the bow and the deer only just looked up in alarm before the projectile ended its life.
"Good shot, Sire!"
Arthur's shoulders sprang upward before he turned to glare at Mordred. "What have I told you about sneaking up on me?"
Mordred raised his eyebrows slightly and while he hid the grin from his lips he was unable to keep it out of his eyes. "I wasn't trying to scare you, m'lord."
"I find that hard to believe," Arthur said but looked back at the deer he had killed. "It was a good shot wasn't it?"
"Do you think I-"
A piercing scream made both Arthur and Mordred freeze. Silence did not linger for long and another scream cleaved through the forest- it belonged to a woman. Arthur was in action at once, shooting out of his crouch and sprinting in the direction of the woman pleading for her life. Mordred chased after him, keeping a hold of the string of small game around his neck.
Between the trees, a group of bandits were accosting a young woman and an old man. Arthur shot one in the back with his crossbow before the men realized their presence and dropped it when his target collapsed to the ground. The three men turned in surprise, each raising their swords. Mordred stepped back while Arthur advanced to meet the bandit moving toward him. The boy noticed that one of them was keeping hold of the yellow cloaked woman trying to escape.
The steel song of clashing swords brought Mordred's attention back to the battle. Arthur kept the bandit on the defensive but the man was managing to hold his own, if only just. With a gasp, Mordred saw that the other bandit was circling behind the prince. He looked around frantically, wondering what he should do. He couldn't use magic, even if he did have the skill to attack without anyone noticing. As the bandit was drawing closer to Arthur's back Mordred noticed the blade of the fallen bandit Arthur had killed. It was resting on the ground just out of the dead man's reach and Mordred did not stop to think about what he was doing. He darted to the sword and grabbed it, wasting no time before running toward the bandit.
Mordred felt confident that he could win. He had been training with Arthur for months now after all. "Hey!" he called to the bandit. The man glanced back and only stopped upon seeing the sword in Mordred's hand.
He let Arthur and the other bandit move away to study Mordred. A laugh escaped his thin lips as he looked the boy up and down. "You're joking right?"
Mordred glared at him and spun his sword, much like he'd seen Arthur do. If this bandit thought he could stab Arthur in the back, he had another thing coming. The bandit laughed uproariously and raised his sword before swinging it at Mordred.
Left block. Mordred brought his sword up and pushed outward in anticipation of the strike. The force of the hit made Mordred stumble back and cry out when the cross guard hit his knuckle. His thumb smarted but he stepped back, not taking his eyes off his opponent. Fear started to pool in his gut as the bandit laughed at him again, but he grew angry upon seeing the man's amused smirk. So Mordred breathed in and narrowed his eyes, ready to put his training to the test.
Mordred took a step forward and raised his sword but then Arthur was in front of him and driving the bandit back. Relief washed over him along with a touch of resentment, but mostly relief. He breathed out when the bandit cried out in pain, falling backwards when Arthur pushed him off his sword. Morded was the immediate recipient of a glare.
"He was coming up behind you," Mordred said in a small voice.
The prince did not say anything and he glanced behind Mordred at the people whom he had rescued. As Arthur walked past the boy, he gave a light punch to Mordred's shoulder. A grin sprang onto the servant's face and he followed on Arthur's heels to the two figures under a tree.
"Are you alright?" He called to them. "Did they hurt you?"
Mordred stopped behind Arthur, watching the young woman turn away from the older man and remove her hood. She was very pretty, Mordred noted and felt a blush colour his cheeks. Her pale face was framed by long brown hair, strewn with beads and fronds of spruce. He hoped she didn't see him being rescued by Arthur.
"No... Thanks to you," she said with a smile, "I'm Sophia. This is my father."
Mordred glanced at the older man while Arthur stared at the beautiful girl. "Arthur Pendragon," he replied, "at your service." The prince then took Sophia's hand and kissed her knuckles. Mordred tried not to wrinkle his nose.
o}O{o
The court was assembled, standing around the two people Arthur had saved. King Uther had just sat down, and looked expectantly at the reasons he was summoned to the council chambers.
"My name is Aulfric," the old man greeted, his hands resting on his rotund belly. "Heir to Tír-Mòr. This is my daughter, Sophia."
Sophia grabbed the skirt of her yellow dress and offered a curtsy to the king. Arthur, in Mordred's view, smiled.
"You're a long way from home," the king observed, "what brings you to Camelot?"
Aulfric looked down a moment before regarding the king again. "Our home was sacked by raiders. We barely escaped with what few possessions we could carry."
King Uther dipped his head though Mordred was sure that he did not feel for these people in the slightest. "These are dangerous times. What will you do?"
"We travel west to Caerleon where we have family and, I hope, a new life," Aulfric said.
"You must stay here awhile," Uther declared to Arthur's relief. "Break your journey. A noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot."
Mordred would bet a poor one wouldn't be though. Aulfric thanked the king with a bow and turned to guide his daughter away. As they were leaving the chambers, Sophia looked back and smiled at Arthur. To Mordred's amusement, the prince smiled back looking rather dazed. Most of the council departed after Aulfric and Sophia, the rest staying to converse with the king. Arthur too took his leave and Mordred followed him. He was going to ask about the buck that Arthur had killed but the prince appeared like his head was in the clouds. Mordred allowed him to be with his thoughts on their way to the prince's chambers, not minding the silence. It was as they passed the staircase they used to go to the top floor of the castle, did Arthur snap out of his daydreams.
"Mordred," he called, gaining the boy's attention. "Look, you were brave back there…" Mordred frowned, hearing the impending 'but'. "But I never want to see you pick up a sword unless you are in danger."
"But he was sneaking up on you," Mordred said, "what if he killed you?"
"I would have noticed him. You're not skilled enough to fight yet. Not against a bandit."
"I thought I could hold him off," Mordred admitted unhappily, "but he almost knocked the sword out of my hand."
Arthur offered him a smirk. "You held onto it though. That was impressive."
Mordred could not contain a grin. "Really?"
"Don't make a habit of it. If you find yourself if that situation again, use speed to your advantage. Run around him and tire him out. If you can strike at him all the better but only if you can dodge."
"Right." Mordred nodded. "What if I do lose my sword? What do I do then?"
They had arrived at Arthur's chambers and the prince waited for Mordred to open the door before he answered. "Run," Arthur advised, "don't be a hero."
"Like a coward?" Mordred demanded.
"There's a difference between cowardice and stupidity. Besides, I'm only teaching you so that you won't be completely defenceless." He shed his leather vest and threw it onto the bed before reaching for the jacket Mordred had put out.
Mordred scowled at his master. "I'm not completely defenceless."
"Oh so you can throw a punch with your stick arms then?"
"Yes," Mordred said, "anyone can throw a punch."
"Ah, that's something else to teach you. Later though, I want you to put Sophia in a decent room."
"Oh, alright. In the guest wing?" Mordred wondered.
Arthur shook his head. "Put her in the room on the other side of the castle. It's warmer, more comfortable."
A smile crept onto Mordred's face. "That's thoughtful," he said. Arthur looked at him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The prince shrugged and strolled to the table. "You'll learn one day, Mordred."
Mordred scowled. Arthur always had to come out on top. "Hmph." Mordred turned away from Arthur and strode out the door, the prince's smirk on his back.
o}O{o
Outside the window, Morgana could see the forest past the rooftops of the lower town. Green treetops were being nestled by a warm breeze which flitted inside the hall. She felt her hair flutter but then the breeze passed by and took away the scent of the summer leaves. Morgana retreated from the window, letting go of the stone sill and walking down the hall. She did not have any particular destination in mind; only wanting to clear her head of the disturbing dream she had last night. The woman's face lingered at the back of her mind and Morgana still felt like she was moving through water even though it had been hours since she had woken up.
Her footfalls were quiet, since she had chosen slippers to wear instead of her heels. Even though they were less appealing to her, Morgana had no desire to hear the clatter they would make when she walked. Strange since she usually enjoyed it. She strolled through the castle and eventually made it to the south side where servants were bustling through the halls, most carrying bundles of laundry. Morgana passed them by exchanging vague greetings until she spotted a familiar teal cloak bobbing across the junction down the corridor. A smile lifted her pink lips and she moved quicker in order to catch Mordred. She heard his childish voice before she saw him again and when she rounded the corner she came to a dead stop.
Mordred was handing a folded blanket to a yellow cloaked woman. The same one from her dream. Morgana was too stunned to react when the woman noticed and smiled in greeting before turning into the chambers. But how? Morgana wondered. She had never seen the woman before, she was sure of it. Mordred bowed to the lady as she was shutting the door which prompted Morgana to walk anxiously forward.
"Who is that?" she demanded.
Mordred jumped and faced her, beginning to smile but frowning when he noticed her expression. Morgana's gaze was fixed upon the door as the boy replied.
"Sophia Tír-Mòr," he said, "Arthur rescued her and her father from bandits."
Morgana clenched her teeth. "She can't stay here." In her dream, the woman was trying to drown Arthur and Morgana knew her dreams came true. Thinking it was terrifying but she could not deny it. She dreamt about the snake on Sir Valiant's shield all those months ago and then before when Mordred was poisoned.
"Why not?" Mordred asked. "… Morgana, what's wrong?"
Morgana snapped her eyes to his and decided Mordred did not need to be troubled with her problems. She left him without a word and walked briskly down the corridor. He felt his gaze like a physical thing trying to pull her back and she ignored him when he called out. No, Mordred was like a younger brother and did not need to know her fears. The only one who could help her now was Gaius.
o}O{o
There were a few strands of cobweb clinging to the wall, attached to the grooves and bumps in the stone. Merlin sat on a stool, facing the corner and entirely bored of his punishment. He looked helplessly back to Gaius but the physician was determinately not looking at him, focused on his experiment. He whined wordlessly, and turned back to the corner. This was quickly becoming his least favourite punishment. Restlessness stirred inside him like an unscratchable itch. "Gaius!" he wailed.
"No talking, and stop moving, Merlin," Gaius called.
The child stopped tapping his foot against the stool and glared at the corner. "But I'm sorry," he said.
"Well next time you will think twice about using magic, won't you?"
Merlin crossed his arms. Gaius always wanted an answer when he asked a question. "Yes," he muttered.
"Yes what?"
"Yes, Gaius."
"Good."
Merlin had only tried to clear a space on Gaius' desk for the physician, to make room for the pots the man was carrying. But when he had tried to move the books, all of the items on the desk flew upward and scattered around the chambers. Gaius had made him collect most of it but did not trust him to gather the slew of papers that had landed everywhere. Merlin was sent to the corner while Gaius cleaned up the rest but he gave up quickly to conduct one of his experiments.
The smell reached Merlin in the corner, mingling with the herbs and spices hanging in the chambers. Merlin sighed and wished he could see what Gaius was doing. He heard the door squeak open and he was motionless for a moment as he remembered Gaius' order not to move. But then Morgana spoke.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," she said to Gaius.
Merlin gasped excitedly and turned around. "Morgana!"
The lady gave him a smile like she always did but just as Merlin made to get down from the stool, Gaius called out. "Ah! You will stay will you are, Merlin."
"But Morgana's here," he cried.
"Turn around," Gaius ordered.
Merlin looked at Morgana, biting his lip. "You better listen to him," she said in a hushed tone. The young boy sighed but turned back to the corner and glowering.
Behind him, Gaius shuffled to Morgana. "Nonsense, my child. My favourite patient is always welcome… I'm sorry about the mess. Most of it is Merlin's. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have tidied up in here." Merlin wanted to stick his tongue out at Gaius but knew better than to try.
"Er, it's not that," Morgana said, "it's just...your bench is on fire."
That was too irresistible to Merlin and he turned to look. "It wasn't me!" he announced upon seeing the flames.
Gaius who appeared confused, looked back when Merlin shouted out. "My bench is on fire!" the physician yelled.
Morgana remained composed and grabbed a nearby bucket she noticed was filled with water. "Here," she said to Gaius and put it on the floor next to the bench. Merlin watched with wide eyes as Gaius grabbed his flaming experiment with tongs and dropped it into the water. Smoke surged upward and a hissing sound emitted from the bucket. The physician patted down the small fire and when it was gone, he turned to Morgana.
"You're always getting me into trouble," he said with a smile, "what brings you to this dark corner?"
Morgana opened her mouth but then glanced at Merlin. The boy remembered he wasn't supposed to be looking and turned back around. When he did, Morgana began talking but so quietly that Merlin couldn't hear. He frowned and looked slightly to the side but did not turn around. Figuring that Gaius would never know, Merlin concentrated on trying to hear. He smiled when it worked.
"-thur lying under water, drowning, and there was a woman standing over him, watching him die. And she's here in Camelot."
Merlin's smile vanished. Did she say Arthur?
"The mind plays tricks," Gaius soothed, "it borrows from everyday life and plays out its own fantasy."
"But I had this dream before she came to Camelot," Morgana insisted.
"You must be mistaken."
"No, I know what I saw. It was so real...so vivid. I saw him die, Gaius. She's going to kill him."
Merlin's stomach flipped. Who was Morgana talking about? Who was going to kill Arthur? If Morgana was worried, that meant something bad was going to happen.
"These are just dreams, Morgana, nothing more," Gaius said, "are you taking the sleeping draught I made up for you?"
"Oh, it doesn't help," she sighed.
Merlin heard Gaius walk to a table and then back to Morgana. "Here. Try this. It will induce a deeper sleep. You've nothing to fear."
"Thank you, Gaius," Morgana said and began to walk away. Merlin turned to say goodbye.
"Morgana," Gaius called, "don't bother Uther about this. No need to worry him."
The lady stopped in the doorway and nodded to Gaius before leaving. She forgot to say bye to Merlin.
Gaius stared at the door, clearly troubled. "Is Arthur in trouble, Gaius?" Merlin asked.
"Where do you get that idea?" the physician demanded at once.
"I heard Morgana."
Gaius' eyebrows rose but he walked to Merlin with a gentle expression on his face. Merlin looked up at him silently when he stood beside him. The physician placed his weathered hands on Merlin's shoulders. "Do you remember how your dreams seem real, Merlin?"
The child nodded. "They're scary."
"Yes, but they are not real. They only exist in here," Gaius said and tapped Merlin's head. "Morgana is just frightened. Arthur is not in any danger at all."
"But Morgana's never scared," Merlin pointed out.
Gaius smiled at him and stood up. "She is very brave, that does not mean she is never scared."
Merlin believed Gaius but pouted. "Can I go cheer her up?"
A quiet laugh blew out of the physician's nose. "Yes, you can still catch up with her." Merlin brightened and hopped out of the stool. "But Merlin, do not talk about her dream. You don't want to upset her."
"Okay, Gaius," Merlin said and hugged the physician's legs before he took off after Morgana. As the door closed behind him, Gaius shook his head indulgently but frowned as dark thoughts started to rise up in his mind.
o}O{o
Clouds were indistinguishable in the dark sky but made their presence known by blotting out the stars. The moon was a pale haze behind them, trying to light up the eerie night. Even the white castle was dark despite the torches battling the gloom. Candles were lit in Morgana's chambers, fluttering unnaturally as the woman slept. Inside her dream Arthur was drowning but it was different this time. The prince's face was pained instead of lax and Sophia looked angry, no longer the calm and serene woman Morgana had seen before. And someone was screaming. Morgana's eyes twitched but remained closed. Someone was screaming outside the water. A girl? But who? She couldn't hear, the water submerged her and dragged her under along with Arthur. The screaming stopped and Morgana woke up with a long gasp.
o}O{o
Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it! And please review :)