"Over Again" (Rose& Merlin)
Much to the dismay of just about everybody, the warning bell sounds yet again, clanging in the dark of night. Merlin and I both sit up in bed and exchange a knowing look of worry. "Alvarr," he says quietly.
I nod in agreement, "Must be."
"I'll go see," Merlin says, and with the understanding that Arthur will require his services he inserts, "Not that I have much of a choice."
I trace after Arthur and into the throne room... again. "We've searched the citadel, the town, every corner of Camelot," the prince explains.
"But he's gone," Uther restates.
"Yes, Father," Arthur confirms.
"How?" Uther turns to Arthur with a vicious scowl, "How has he escaped?!"
"It appears that the guards were drugged," Arthur elucidates as Morgana makes her appearance causing Uther's eyes to widen in realization.
"That means he had help- someone ... here in Camelot," his eyes are fixed on the girl in the green dress whom he raised, only for her to now be defying him. Such a notion must be unthinkable to him.
"I'm afraid it looks that way," Arthur reaffirms.
"Let this be understood," he begins a grave proclamation, "Whoever has done this, they have betrayed me," he takes heavy breaths. "They have betrayed the Kingdom," his voice begins to increase in volume, then lowers again, "If I ever discover who it was, they will rue the day they were born."
Nothing more said as they stare each other down.
I sit on my bed quietly pondering until the discussion I know is taking place concludes. Merlin soon returns, takes his place on his cot, and tells me of what transpired. "The gall of that girl," I can hardly believe it, "All for a man who doesn't give two hangs about her."
"I see that you are passionate about this subject," Merlin notes.
I blush, "Considering my past with misplaced affection, yes, I would have to agree."
"Oh," he stammers, "I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me."
"Merlin, you haven't an insensitive bone in your body. You were simply stating what you saw. I am the one making a spectacle of myself."
"You're always a spectacle- you can't help it," he flatters me innocently with a smile.
I toss my pillow at him and it smacks him in the face. I reply laughing, "That is NOT what I meant, and you know it."
"I do know that, but I still meant what I said," he squeezes the pillow and leans on it.
"You are something else," I smile, "Thank you, Merlin," suddenly feeling like a new person. If I had to, I think living my life over again would be much more bearable for the moments like this. "We should probably try to get some sleep now," I speak practically.
"Probably," he repeats, "Goodnight, you spectacular woman, you."
"Goodnight, you court jester, you," I laugh, and attempt to find a comfortable position to sleep in. I hear him softly chuckle as he lies back in bed. The both of us drift off into dreams of our own before long.
Naturally, when I'm finally asleep, another voice invades my thoughts.
'Merlin! I'm waiting, Merlin! You gave your word!' the dragon booms as I roll over in bed.
'Now set me free!' he demands.
'Merlin!'
I try to block him out.
'Merlin!'
I gasp, now sitting erect in my bed, sweating profusely.
"Merlin?" a new and much sweeter voice calls my name.
"Rose," I breathe out, wiping my forehead, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
She rises from her place and comes to my side. I try to control my body from its shaking, but to no avail. I'm embarrassed at showing such a vulnerable side to her, but I am petrified. "It's alright, Merlin," she slips her arm in between my own and my side, pushing my wet hair off my face and to the side. "Being brave doesn't mean you never show fear," she whispers in my ear, "It means you have the courage to face whatever it is you're afraid of." She rubs my forearm in a comforting gesture repeatedly until I calm.
"Rose," I catch a breath in my throat, "There's something you should know."