"More than You Know" (Rose)
In the first light of the morning, I find Arthur and Merlin still sleeping soundly, and Balinor nowhere in sight. I decide upon seeking after him while I have the chance to speak with him alone. I would never dream of taking Merlin's time with his father away from him, so it is best to act now. I emerge into the brightness of the surrounding forest, the steady stream of water sparkling in the sunlight. Balinor is knelt beside it, cupping his hands and bringing the cold, fresh liquid to his lips, and then splashing it on his face.
"Mind if I join you?" I cautiously approach.
"No," he mumbles.
I take a drink of the spring, feeling the chill slide down my throat, waking me up a bit more. "I must commend you," I begin, "My father would have approved of this location, and I'd venture as far to say that it is ideal."
"How would one so young know about such things?" he questions gently.
"I grew up in the woods just outside of Camelot," I explain, "Unbeknownst to many, I am a Woodward. I don't suppose you've heard of us."
He gazes at me with widened eyes, "Now, I understand why I recognized something in your face. You are Alric's child."
My throat tightens up, "You knew my father?"
"Yes," he nods, "He was one who helped aid me in my escape. Your mother- you resemble her greatly."
"Thank you ..." I trail.
"Tell me how do they fair- your clan?"
"Actually," I gather strength so as not to choke on my words, "I wanted to tell you, I understand how you and Kilgharrah feel a lot more than you know. The king slaughtered my people ... A rogue, put to death afterward, when it was too late, framed us all. I am the only one who survived." He stares into the distant trees across the brook with a look of sympathy. "Our stories are alike in some ways- the difference between us being, I do not hold all of Camelot responsible for the misleading of their ruler. Neither should you. What accomplished in the end- killing innocence for the recompense of killing innocence? There is no sense in that. There is no justice. This is not the way to get revenge. I know you're angry, and so is Kilgharrah, and you both have every right to be. I'm not belittling Uther's crime. I am pleading with you that you do not take the same path as he has. Rise above this! I know you have a good heart! I can see it in your eyes. You do not mean to condemn all those people to destruction. You want peace, but this will bring the opposite. It already has. Someday, we will be accepted for who and what we are, but that day will not come as long as we are fighting against all the wrong things. Please, do not cast the good into the flames with the bad." He does not make a sound. He doesn't even meet my eyes. "All I ask is that you consider these things which I have told you, and do the right thing as I know you can. In the end, I think you will, and you will see that I speak the truth. Some things are worth fighting for." I spin on my heel and walk back towards the cave.
Merlin now sits perched on a boulder. He had been watching us talk. "I tried," I say quietly as I join him.
"I feel great!" Arthur tromps up from behind us, asking Merlin with wonder what he gave him.
"It was all down to Balinor," he gives credit where credit is due.
"So we've found him, then," he hops over the rocks. "Thank heaven for that."
"Doesn't mean he's willing to help," Merlin states with a twang of frustration and disappointment.
"What?"
"You won't persuade him," Merlin shakes his head.
"Does he know what's at stake?" Arthur asks, clearly baffled with the man.
Merlin nods. "We told him," I affirm.
"What kind of a man is he?" Arthur questions his character.
"I don't know," admits Merlin, "I thought he'd be something more."
"There is still hope. He's just ... bitter," I try to encourage them. "People can change."
"Our Answer" (Merlin)
Arthur speaks with Balinor as Rose and I await the verdict. It feels an eternity has passed when Arthur makes his way back to us. "What did he say?" I ask eagerly.
"He'll change his mind," he sounds sure.
"He said that?" I ask with anticipation.
"Just give him a moment," he says.
The moment seems to have reached its limit as the man draws near. We all look on with anxious faces, waiting for our answer. My heart begins to race as he looks to each of us. "Farewell, then," he nods, walking toward his dwelling.
I turn my stunned gaze to Arthur, who faces him, "That's your decision?"
"I will not help Uther," Balinor protests. I clench my jaw shut.
"Then the people of Camelot are damned," Arthur declares in an authoritative stance.
"So be it," the Dragonlord turns away.
"Have you no conscience?" prods Arthur.
He stops, spins around, "You should ask that question of your father," he bites back.
"And you are no better than him," I come back with a snare of my own, surprising even myself. He says nothing to me and stares at me for a few seconds before heading on his way.
"Don't waste your time, Merlin," the Prince says loud enough for him to hear before also walking away.
I cannot leave like this. I look after the man about to disappear into his cave, away from the rest of the world, seeming to care for no one. "Gaius spoke of the nobility of Dragonlords. Clearly, he was wrong," I say, the tension building within me.
He twists in my direction, "Gaius?"
"Yes." I can only imagine what my curtness sounds like to the one who stayed behind, always standing by my side, watching out for me.
"Good man," he comments.
"Yeah," my voice fails me as I nod. "I was hoping you'd be like him." A smaller hand grips mine, keeping me strong for the moment's sake.
"Merlin! Rose!" Arthur beckons to us, stopping in wait.
I twist my head straight around once more, "I wanted-"
"Merlin! Rose!" Arthur yells again.
I remain silent shortly, "Well, there's no point." I give up and go on my own way, a way that doesn't appear to be in step with the man I have always wanted to know.