Out of Time

xStarletx

Chapter 5: Out of Spite

A/N: We finally get to find out what happens. Sorry it's so late, I'm going to have to try to catch up seeing as I fell so far behind... but still managed to surpass my word goal for the month. Yeah... surprising. But don't worry I'm going to do everything I can to make it up to you guys! Hopefully this drama filled chapter will make up for it :D Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what song Addison is singing :D

Addison sloshed out of the lake and found that night and was only half surprised to found the forest. Holding her soaking wet sides tightly she pushed onwards towards the path. She used the light of her iPod to see her way as she hummed lightly to her semi-forgotten tunes. It was going to be easy to face the music knowing she'd never run out of songs to harass Uther with.

Arthur left his room, against his will, and stormed into the banquet hall begrudgingly. He didn't want to see Lady Helena sing, if anything all of this was her fault. What was he saying, this was her fault that lying-two-faced-probably-a-witch-vixen. Though to be fair, part of this was Merlin's fault, and as the only person her could take his anger out on Arthur was pretty sure that Merlin wouldn't survive the week. Arthur was going to make certain that Merlin had an unfortunate accident that he wouldn't limp away from.

He joined his father at the head of the banquet table as people began to file in and take their places at the tables flanking them. His father looked him up and down quickly in a uninterested manner before leaning in and hissing: "I know you're happy, but you better not be discourteous to our guest."

Arthur frowned momentarily before he shot a scowl at his father. "Oh don't worry, I will be nothing but polite to your infallible Lady Helena," he snarled in a clearly mocking tone.

If his father was aware of the sarcasm of his words he showed no sign but instead turned to the door to greet Morgana who had just arrived. She was wearing a gown of the deepest purple with accents of dark onyx that she usual reserved for funerals. Her eyes were red and puffy and there was a firm frown on her face.

Uther was more concerned about her than he was about anything else. "Morgana? Whatever is the matter?"

She sniffed indignantly and eye Uther as if he were a peasant covered in sores. "Addison was my friend. I am grieving her death," she snapped.

Uther rolled his eyes to the heavens as he sighed the most aggravated sigh both Arthur and Morgana had ever her. Apparently Addison had won the hearts of everyone in Uther's castle and he was honestly sick and tired of hearing how upset everyone was about it. He pinned the two young adults with a stern glare.

"Regardless I expect both of you to be respectful of our guest," he ordered.

Morgana said nothing to him but instead turned away from him and threw herself into her sea in the most violent manner. "Don't worry," she growled. "I will be."

Uther tried not to show his frustration and Arthur tried not to giggle, neither response would be appropriate. Still, both just had to live through the night and then they would just have to deal with one another the next morning.

Lady Helena was due to start singing and Merlin was standing with Guinevere. She sniffed again and Merlin sighed. It seemed everyone was upset about Addison. He would have been too if he had known her better, all he seemed to be worried about was what the dragon had said about he and Arthur and the fact that now he'd probably never solve that mystery that had been Addison's circumstances.

"I'm sorry," Merlin said for the millionth time that day. He kept saying it to everyone who had demanded to know his part in what had happened to Addison.

"Oh, we all know it's not your fault. All except Arthur that is," she added softly. "I mean, Addison was always getting trouble even before you arrived. There was one Yule Tide she set fire to all our yew branches in the main hall. No one understood how she had managed to do it."

She had a wry smile on her face at the memory of her friend. Merlin said nothing though. He had known Arthur blamed him for what happened, and the way the Prince kept shooting death glares at him all evening, he was certain Merlin wasn't going to be able to earn his forgiveness anytime soon.

They had been watching the crowd, watching as Arthur and Morgana talked. Merlin had been watching because even in her mourning clothes Morgana looked quite fair. Unfortunately Guinevere caught him looking. "She looks quiet lovely tonight," she said with a proud smile. "Some people are just born to be queen."

Merlin was shocked by this, that lovely creature with the boorish Arthur? And didn't Arthur love endlessly for Addison as everyone was hinting? Should he not be mourning her instead of moving on to the next available woman?

Merlin couldn't stop the outraged: "No!" from falling from his lips.

And to his surprise Guinevere just smiled wider. "I hope so. One day!" she said with a few crisp nods. "Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"

Finally, a happy conversation to part take in, less tears and accusations. Merlin chuckled at her. "I thought you like those 'real rough, tough, save the world kind of men?'"

Guinevere was defensive instantly. "No, I like much more ordinary men, like you," she said directly followed by yet another quick nod.

Merlin couldn't help but grin mischievously. "Gwen, believe me, I am not ordinary."

Guinevere jumped. "I didn't mean you. Obviously, not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men, like you," she rephrased putting more emphasis on the like and less on the you. Merlin nodded, he got what she was saying.

"Thanks," he said curtly hoping that would be enough. The two stared at each other awkwardly before they could bear it no longer and turned away.

There was a mass of fanfare as Lady Helena entered the banquet and Uther stood. The chatter of the banquet hall faded to silence as the last of the people took their seats and hushed to listen to what their great king had to say.

"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honor of introducing Lady Helena of Mora," he began to clap and everyone in the banquet hall followed suit, even Merlin had to clap as he took his place on the wall in the shadows, far from the piercing gaze of the young Prince who seemed as ever unamused with his presence as before he had gone to flirt with Morgana.

Lady Helena stood as the harp began to play and she took the stage. She started singing, her voice enchanting and beautiful, her words the old language, the Celtic Pagan that Merlin didn't understand, that he was certain no one understood.

Merlin for some reason felt his eye lids getting heavy, which surprised him. He shook his head clear and glanced around, he saw that everyone was slowly falling asleep and even Gaius has his eyes closed. Instinctively Merlin covered her ear to block her music out.

Lady Helena advanced down the row of tables and as she did the candle light flickered out and cobwebs appeared upon everyone and everything. Even Arthur and Uther were asleep. She was getting closer to the head table, her song louder now, she was reaching for something when a blur of sky blue raced past him.

Addison slid to a stop in front of Arthur, in between he and Lady Helena and when she opened her mouth a song louder than Lady Helena's came out.

Take me down to the river, underneath the blood orange sun. Say my name like a scripture, keep my heart beating like a drum.

The instant her song was in the air it counteracted all of Lady Helena's magic. The people began to awaken, the cobwebs flew from them but instead of vanishing they circles the two women like a cyclone. Lady Helena seemed panicked by this change but Addison was lost to the song.

Legendary lovers, we could legendary!

Arthur opened his eyes sleepily and as soon as his eyes found Addison they opened fully. He jumped out of his seat and screamed: "Addison!" loudly, alerting his father. For the first time that evening Merlin saw a smile on Arthur face and for a brief moment he thought he saw one on Uther's face as well.

Addison turned slightly and waved to him before turned back continue her song.

You're Cleo-pat-a-ra, you're blushing Juliet. Anything for you love, a ride or die.

Lady Helena was trying to stumble away from her, but she could get out of the vortex of cobwebs and Addison didn't look like she was going to stop anytime soon.

Uther stood quickly, his eyes on what was enfolding in front of him. "She is a witch! I always knew that Addison was a witch! It explains everything!"

Merlin could literally see Arthur's heart stop as he turned to stare at his father in disbelief. He turned back to the two women dueling with magic just as Lady Helena's disguise melted away. There was one last flourish of white as the whirlwind of cobwebs were suddenly absorbed into Addison. Before she could even finish her song she collapsed.

"Addison!" Arthur cried, going to jump the table to go to her. Uther stopped him.

The woman who used to be Lady Helena had transformed into a hideous old hag. One that looked familiar to both Merlin and Uther. "It's the old hag from the square," Uther breathed out.

She raised her hand revealing a knife and threw it with all her might at Arthur who was still frozen. Merlin, before he could stop himself, jumped into action. Using his magic he slowed down time, like he had done for Gaius, and ran to Arthur. He pulled him out of the way so the knife slammed in the back of his chair and not in his chest.

The witch bellowed with rage, fanning her hands to the side. Fire appeared encircling her so the guards couldn't get her. "I won't stop! Uther Pendragon! Until I take everything you love from you!" she screamed.

Merlin glanced up and caught sight of the chandelier. It took one word whispered under his breath and the chandelier came crashing down on the witch. There was a terrible crash and the witch was flattened. The fire faded and when it did the witch was dead.

Whispered broke out and Uther turned to Arthur who was getting up and looked to Merlin who had been hiding behind Arthur. "You saved my boy's life!"

Merlin looked around briefly before he realized that Uther was talking to him. "Oh it was nothing," he said with a casually shrug.

"A debt must be repaid!"

Merlin could only continue to shrug.

"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded," Uther continued.

Merlin shook his head, and tried to hide his grin. It was never polite to demand a reward so he was going to pretend he didn't want to and then accept whatever it was. Oh god, let it be gold, let it be lots and lots of gold. "Honestly you don't have to Your Highness," he said.

"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special," Uther said, clapping a hand to Arthur's shoulder.

"Well..." Merlin drifted off waiting to see what he would be given. He could see the look of disblief on Arthur's face and he was relishing.

That's right you twat, I saved you!

"You shall be awarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant," he said. Clapping erupted from the tables while Merlin stood there in shock, that was his great reward? Sounded more like a punishment.

"Father!" Arthur raged.

Uther was more concerned with the sleeping Addison. "Take her to the dungeon, she will be executed in the morning," he ordered the nearest guard.

The clapping that had been in Merlin's honor had died immediately and horrified whispers broke out in the hall. Uther seemingly ignored them.

Arthur left Merlin's side to walk to his father. "Please," he hissed. "Father, she saved us, she saved me!"

"You know the law! She's a witch she has to die!" Uther thundered. "I can never trust her!"

Arthur glared at his father. "I don't care. I trust her, and that should be enough for you."

Uther's horrified stare was mixed with outrage and disbelief. "Take her to the dungeon!" he ordered through grit teeth. "And escort my son to his room, make sure to lock him in there."

And that was the end of the celebratory banquet.

Not three hours later Gaius appeared in the throne room. Uther would have been in bed normally but he was too agitated to sleep. Addison had been right about Lady Helena and now it was proven that Addison was a witch like he had always thought he was. Why was this all happening now? And why did just being around Addison cause him such agitation?

He looked up when Gaius walked in and said: "I'll have to keep Arthur lucked up until she's dead won't I?" he asked. It was a rhetorical question, Uther already knew the answer. Gaius nodded regardless and Uther could see the disappointed look on his friend's face.

"You think I'm making a mistake," he said plainly.

Gaius shrugged to him. "It is your decision to be made, but if you have doubts there is a reason," he said.

Uther scoffed and turned away and Gaius approached him cautiously. "I have been reading, Sire," he whispered and Uther tried not to roll his eyes. "Have you ever heard of a Cìob?"

"A Cìob?" he echoed. "No, I have not."

"It's like a magical sponge," Gaius explained. "This is someone with no inherent magical powers but can soak up magic and spells around them."

"So, a witch," Uther translated.

Gaius shook his head. "No, it's quite the opposite, actually. These people were purifiers, against their will, held by royals to protect them from with witches and warlocks of the ages. The effects of a spell or hex would reflect on them unless they could expel the magic in some for or way," he described. "In all of my readings none of these people were Cìobs of their own will. They were the victims of spells gone wrong or cursed that way."

"So what are you saying?" Uther asked, putting his hands on his hips. Gaius was constantly beating around the bush, he never said what he meant outright, but instead made Uther unravel his riddles.

"I'm saying that whatever spell went wrong to send Addison here has obviously left some unwanted side effects on her."

Uther sighed. "I was afraid you'd say something like that."

Gaius shrugged once more, but he could tell that his friend was displeased with him and Gaius wasn't often displeased with him. "By all means, Sire, execute her if you think she's dangerous but if you think about it none of this makes sense."

"How so?"

"Well, why did she let you keep her in the dungeon for a year and a half only to save Arthur's life, and yours for that matter, just to get herself killed?" Gaius asked.

Uther thought for a moment before scowling at Gaius. "I hate it when you're logical."

"It would be easier to keep her alive for the time being, at least for Arthur's sake," Gaius added. "The poor boy has lost enough in his lifetime. Don't you think?"

Uther didn't care for that emotional jab and despite his anger it worked. "fine, will stay her execution, but if this becomes a more common occurrence, I won't hesitate to lop of her head."

Gais had a small but smug smile on his face as he nodded but Uther let him have it. Maybe he was starting to have a soft spot for Addison. That would have to be cured.

Arthur strode into the dungeon with purpose. He glared at the guard in front of Addison's cell.

"My father has ordered her moved!" he repeated sternly, the same order he had bellowed as he came to the door.

The Guard's eyes were still narrowed suspiciously at him but after long consideration he finally moved aside. Arthur unlocked the door with shaking hands. Before anyone could say anything to him he had picked her up and left.

His plan was solid. First he had to get himself out of his room. Easy enough, it took even less effort to knock the guard outside his room out. The next part had been the tricky part. The guard almost didn't let him get her out of the city and never come back. Ever. He'd return when his father was dead and claim his throne. He may even marry her.

He was half way to the stables when he heard: "Arthur!" and then his father was in front of him.

Arthur clutched the still sleeping Addison to his chest as his father glared at him. He waited to see what his father would say, ready to argue, to even fight if he had to.

"Still asleep is she?" Uther asked.

Arthur froze, now he was confused. He nodded and Uther hmmed loudly while he stroked his chin. "Well, take her to Gaius to have her examined. When she's awake send her back to her cell," he ordered.

"I won't let you kill her," Arthur warned him, his voice a low growl. He was sort of worried about what his father would say to him for such a threat but he had to make his feelings known.

"Of course not," Uther said, completely shocking Arthur. "But if this happens again, I will not hesitate to execute her."

It wasn't an idle treat, Arthur knew it, but he wasn't going to worry about that now. His father walked away and Arthur turned around to take her to Gaius' chamber. He was smiling as he held Addison a little closer to his heart. She murmured something in her sleep that he didn't quite catch, her little hand gripping the collar of his shirt tightly as she nuzzled closer to him.

"Don't worry," he whispered to her. "I won't ever let anything like this happen to you again. I promise."

It was a promise he intended to keep and had no idea he would never be able to.