"Desiring Freedom" (Rose)
"What is it, Merlin?" I urge him gently, "Remember that you can tell me anything."
"I know," he nods quickly, not shaking nearly as much now, though, "It's just ... I made a promise."
"Alright," I bob my head, following him so far, "And that's so bad?"
"Well, it's what I promised that causes me worry, and to whom."
"What sort of promise was it?"
"This was a promise to one desiring freedom, and granting him release."
I raise my eyebrows in interest, "To whom did you promise such a feat?"
"The Great Dragon," his whispers.
My throat closes up in fright, "The visions ..."
"Exactly," he wipes his face with the sleeve of his nightshirt.
"Maybe it doesn't have to be that way," I suggest.
"But what if it does? What if it's my fault?"
"Merlin," I get his attention focused on me, "If you keep your word, you will not be responsible for the dragon's actions. I would speak of the possibility of reasoning with him, but I don't know that would profit much at all."
"You're right, but I could prevent him from attacking at all by leaving him in chains."
"And if he ever breaks free, what good would that do? He would only be bitterer and the consequences would be far worse."
"I didn't think of it like that," he puzzles.
"I have to be good for something around here," I tease, brushing his drying black hair with my fingertips once more.
"Thank you," he says softly, "You're always there for me ..."
"It's the least I can do to repay you for your friendship, Merlin," I reply quietly, "Trust me. Now, for the last time, go to bed."
"A New Upheaval" (Merlin)
I find it odd how many times I, a servant, wind up caught in these meetings of the court. These usually do work to my benefit, but it gets quite tedious at times.
"I'm a herder from the northern plains, Sire," the shoddily dressed man with the sack on his person explains, "Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas."
"Not sure I would've chosen such a place," Uther interjects his opinion.
"Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, sir," he barely finishes before Uther rushes him to the point.
"And what is it that you have to tell me?"
"While we were there, we saw smoke rising from the citadel."
Gaius, from his spot between Rose and I, speaks up, "And did you see anything else?"
"No," the herder shakes his head, his afore mentioned statement bringing about looks of curiosity and confusion from various individuals.
"Did you go inside?" the king questions.
"No!" he assures, "Nobody has stepped over that threshold for three hundred years... You must know the legend, Sire," he quiets.
"When the fires of Idirsholas burn," Gaius repeats a foretelling from the legend, "the Knights of Medhir will ride again."
"See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night," King Uther rises from his throne, waving a hand at the nearby guards who then escort the man out of the throne room.
"Take a ride out there," he commands just as they are out of earshot.
"Why?" Arthur is bold enough to ask.
"So we can put people's minds at rest," Uther reasons. Even I can't exactly argue with that.
"Surely this is superstitious nonsense," Arthur doesn't let it go.
"Gather the guard and do as I say," his father demands, not tolerating any lip.
Rose looks to Gaius who looks at me and I fix my eyes forward. Figures things wouldn't be able to remain average for long. There always seems to be a new upheaval on the horizon after every valley we trudge through- and the valleys appear to carry the trend of being muddy ...