Merlin

The New Wave

France Gamble

Chapter 4

They found him on the battlements a while later. His brain was still trying to figure out how to handle his new life. Arthur leaned on the stone next to him to look out at the setting sun, "Gwen told me."

"Arthur told the rest of us," Leon supplied from behind them. Merlin sighed. Well, at least then everyone else knew about his new predicament. It was almost strange to have them all know, though. Usually, Gaius and himself handled whatever was coming together. Alone.

"Merlin," Gwaine started to say when the man turned toward them all. His eyes were dry, but it was obvious he was struggling.

"I'll figure it out," he assured them.

"We should talk about this," Arthur said almost too gently. This was not his forte, but he knew a friend needed help.

Merlin decided to change the subject slightly to move his thoughts passed his impending fatherhood, "Why would she need to kidnap more women?"

"Obviously, she is going to hold them all hostage until she has whatever child army she is planning," Elyan answered. "We know she had you, too, so maybe she is now gathering men for their own… uh…"

"It's alright," Merlin assured them, "I don't remember it. If she keeps them docile by keeping them under like she did with me, then that would explain why only Lilly remembers. The men may just wake up somewhere lost in woods after she is done. I don't think she would have any reason to hold them hostage as long as she did me."

"She is literally creating an army?" Leon asked.

Merlin nodded, "We aren't sure if the spell that she used on Lilly will only affect the pregnancy, but if she has all of the babes when they are born. Well, I am sure she can figure out a spell to make babies grow fast enough into a training age. They wouldn't be worldly enough to fight her in any of her teaching."

"And she is an excellent swords-woman," Arthur recalled. Leon and Merlin both nodded. "So, at least 12 babies will be born in just a few months' time."

Merlin turned back around as the other knights left. They clapped him silently on the back in their own way of giving him support. Gwaine left with, "Let me know if you need a pint." Merlin nodded, though he really didn't drink.

Arthur stayed behind to lean with him again into the now darkness, "You going to be okay?"

"I'll still do my job," Merlin assured the king and himself.

"Merlin, if Lilly needs you, then you can time off," Arthur assured him.

"She doesn't want the baby," Merlin told him. "She is very much upset about this."

"What about you?"

"I have no idea how to be a father. Arthur, I didn't have one," Merlin reminded him.

He did have his father for a few days, but what did fathers do with babies?

"I think you'll find that you will be fine," Arthur assured him. "It isn't like you are alone. I am sure Gwen will calm Lilly down with time, and you both will fall into easily."

They sat within their own thoughts for a while before Arthur guided Merlin back down again. "Go to bed," he reminded the younger man. "You have to attend me tomorrow, and you are supposed to be resting." Merlin nodded.

"Goodnight Arthur. Thanks," they left for their own chambers.

He entered the physician's chamber as quietly as he could. Gaius was asleep, but Lilly was sitting up. Her eyes went up to his with such sadness that he didn't fight it this time. He walked over to her and sat down at the end of the bed. "If you can't kill the baby inside, then I want to die," she whispered to him.

Merlin tentatively pulled her into his chest and held her, "I'm sorry she did this. We will get through it together." She shook her head as she pulled to hold him closer.

"Please, Merlin, I can't go back now," she cried.

"What village did you come from?" he asked. She suddenly stiffened and pulled away from him. "Lilly?"

"I can't tell you," she looked down at her lap.

"We need to know so we can figure out where she is hiding the other children," he assured her. "We don't have to let them know you've been found if you don't want us to."

Her bottom lip quivered, "I didn't come from a village." She started to shake again, but this time in terror. "I'll tell you, but please don't tell Arthur. I want to die, but I don't want to burn."

Merlin felt like someone poured a bucket of ice down him. She didn't realize he had gone pale as she continued, "I'm a Druid."

"Do you have…" he started. Then he pulled her closer, "Do you have magic?"

She shook her head again on his chest behind held so she couldn't see the shock on his face, "No. I promise I don't. I was trading with the villagers for our tribe. I can go into the villages since I don't have magic. Please don't let him burn me. I want it quick."

"No one is going to kill you," he told her gently. "I… I know you think you want to die right now, but I think you're simply scared."

"Merlin, you don't understand, I can't go back now. Druids are very particular in who we can be with, and I'm not even allowed to marry anyone," she let go enough to look up at his eyes so close. "Without magic, I am just like a slave. I cannot marry outside of the tribe, and I certainly cannot have a child."

"Who gives permission for you to be married? To have children with someone?" he asked. He was curious, but if it meant saving her life then he didn't mind asking for that permission. He understood the common person's problem with out of wedlock children. He had never learned of the Druid's ways.

She calmed down when she realized he wasn't going to burn her or turn her into the king, "The Chieftain could allow it, but I have been told all of my known life that since I have no magic that no one would want to marry me. I cannot feel the gods love for the earth, and I cannot call on their energy. I know you think it would help me but being a normal man, you would not understand. I don't think the Chieftain would even see you. It would be too dangerous for you."

He could tell her about his own magic. Who he was… but he didn't want to upset her again. In a few weeks' time he would go out and try to find her tribe. "I will find a way to make sure you are safe. From Morgana and from your tribe."

"Merlin, you can't marry me. I don't want to make you suffer more by being with a Druid. The king could burn you for associating with me if he finds out," she pleaded with him. "Just kill me, please. Then you won't have to worry about it or me."

"Lilly, I'm sorry, but I will not murder you," he held her as she quietly began to cry again. What was he going to do?

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