Merlin walked down the hall towards Arthur's chambers, his feet dragged and his eyelids drooped. He was exhausted. His dreams that night had been filled with all those he'd watched sentenced to death for their magic. He could see all the eyes on him, the jealousy and the hate.
Why you? They cried out as the pyre was lit. Why do you get to live in peace, while we still suffer?
Merlin gasped, shocked out of his musings, as someone ran into him. A plate of food was dumped on the front of his shirt, mashed potatoes and wine dripping down his front.
"Oh!" A woman's voice cried out. "I'm sorry…" with a sigh, the servant knelt down, picking up the plate. "Now I'll have to clean this mess…"
"Dawn?" Merlin breathed, recognizing the woman. The servant looked up. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized him.
"Oh, it's you…" the woman pursed her lips. "Merlin, right?"
While it was clear she wasn't fond of him, the woman was civil enough.
I know why she feels as she does, Merlin thought, he dropped down, helping her pick up the mess. But maybe I can change how she thinks about me.
"Merlin." He agreed. "Though some call me-."
"Emrys," the woman nodded slowly. "I've heard… um… thank you. Are you going to see the king?"
"Yes." Merlin said. "He's… had some health issues, and I think I may have found a way to ease the pain."
To Merlin's relief, the woman just smiled tersely, asking no further questions. The two stayed silent awhile, picking up all the disregarded food.
"Have you lived in Camelot long?" Merlin finally asked, tired of the awkward pause.
"Since I was a little girl." Dawn told him. "I'm not a sorcerer, you know… I never had a reason to fear Uther… and yet…" the woman brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. "I did. So many innocent people still perished under his rule."
Merlin glanced up wearily. He knew that despite all Uther had done, Arthur still loved the man with all his heart. He would not hear a word against the former king.
"Believe me, I know." Merlin sighed, standing up and brushing his hands against his trousers. He held out his hand for Dawn. "But you'd best not go around saying things like that. Arthur… Uther was his father, he still worships the man."
"How could you do it?" Dawn marveled, taking his hand and allowing him to help her to her feet.
"Do what?"
"Live so close to Uther, knowing that if he ever found out the truth, you'd be executed?"
Merlin hesitated.
Where do I start? He wondered. When I came to Camelot as a boy and was told by a dragon that it was my destiny to protect a prince I hated? The prophecy? Knowing that if I ever wanted magic to return to the land, I had to stay by Arthur's side?
"I had to." Merlin said slowly. "Arthur was never like his father. I knew that if I just withstood until he became king, things would get better."
"I suppose they did." Dawn grimaced, a flash of bitterness crossing her face. "For you."
Merlin grinned.
"I was patient." He laughed, hoping to keep the mood even. "Be patient, Dawn. Arthur's a stubborn man, but he's got a good heart. One day, he will see that magic as a whole is not evil. He'll realize I'm not the only one capable of using it for good."
"Perhaps." Dawn said non-committedly.
"Where were you taking this?" Merlin asked, nodding to the tray in her hands.
"The king." She said.
"Well, don't worry about it. I'll take care of Arthur." Merlin smiled, his eyes glowing. "Consider the job done."
"I…" Dawn blinked. "Thank you…I'll go…." She began walking backwards. "To the kitchen then?"
"Um, if that's where you oughta be." Merlin shrugged goofily.
"Yes…Yes, that is where I'm supposed to be." Dawn nodded, a smile crossing her own face. "I'll see you around, Merlin?"
"Sure!"
As Dawn turned and sped towards the kitchen. Merlin stood there, smiling like he hadn't smiled in years. He'd only felt like this once before… and it felt so good to feel it again.
"Gaius?" Merlin broke into his old chambers. Gaius was sitting at his desk, while Thomas Oak was busy trying to mix a potion together.
"Merlin!" Gaius stood up. The old man smiled, wrapping his arms around his old apprentice. "How is everything?"
"Fine." Merlin pulled away. "I know I should come down to visit more, but…" he let out a breath. "Arthur keeps me on my toes. You know how he is, always needing to be looked after."
Thomas snorted in amusement, not looking up from his task. Gaius cast him a sharp look and his smile slipped.
"What can I do for you, Merlin?" Gaius asked, turning back to the warlock.
"Listen," Merlin pulled out a book he'd had tucked under his arm. He set it on the desk and flipped to a page he'd bookmarked. "What do you think of this?"
"What is it?" Thomas asked, curious.
"None of your concern." Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Are you finished with that mixture?"
"Well, no-."
"Then I suggest you get back to it." Gaius said briskly. Thomas glared at him, but he did as he was told.
"This is a healing spell?" Gaius asked, reading the text Merlin had brought him.
"Not exactly." Merlin admitted. "It's a spell… but it requires an object enchant. It says it can heal any injury… even internal… like Arthur's heart."
Gaius's eyes widened as he found what Merlin was speaking off.
"Merlin," he warned, looking up. "Surely you know this is impossible."
"Maybe not." Merlin swallowed. "I wouldn't have to kill one. I'd just have to take something from it."
"Take what?" Thomas butted in again.
"Unicorn blood." Merlin told him before Gaius could scold the poor youth. "Spelled unicorn blood."
Thomas dropped the potion, and the vial shattered against the floor.