Destiny Begins
by Milui Elenath
Chapter Five
The day was bright but it could not be seen from within the hospital hall.
Merlin hobbled to the intercom button and stared at it. There was no going back once he pressed it. It had been a long time since he'd broken someone out of anywhere and there was always the risk things wouldn't go the way one expected.
Modern day breakouts were not so dissimilar to those he had enabled in Camelot. Magic may not have been banned but since it simply didn't exist in the minds of today – other explanations would be found, words like terrorism and criminal came to mind. Merlin was powerful but he could still be hurt, still rendered unconscious, still incarcerated or experimented on. Was getting answers from Morgana worth the risk?" He thought of Arthur, his words about setting things right. Merlin squared his aged shoulder and pressed the intercom.
"Patient?" a voice said.
"I'm here to see my granddaughter. Mor- eh," Merlin grimaced at his error. "Anna Emrys."
The double doors swung open revealing the sign-in desk. The nurse manning it gave him a businesslike once over and then pushed a clipboard in his direction. "You need to sign in and I'll need to see your ID."
Merlin took the pen and hurriedly scribbled the fake name and details into their respective places.
The nurse scrutinised the form to see if it was sufficiently filled in as she took it from him. "I.D." She insisted.
"I.D." Merlin muttered, he reached for the pocket where he knew the fake id should have been, only it wasn't. His mind raced, after carefully magicking a forgery, he clearly remembered placing it in his back pocket . . . only then he'd thought that it would be difficult to reach with his backpack on. So he'd taken it out and then the kettle had whistled and – oh no had he left it on the table?
"You know," Merlin said putting on his best cranky old man voice and leaning forward to the nurse. "It used to be people trusted you when you said who you were. Nowadays it's all papers to prove this and papers to prove that. There's no trust anymore."
He tried to elicit a smile but the nurse was neither sympathetic to his complaints nor one to be deterred from her duty. She just waited expectantly.
It had been worth a try. He fumbled some more knowing that he wouldn't find it before his hand fell on his wallet. He supposed he had no choice but to use his own ID. Well, it wouldn't be the first time one of his personas had become wanted by the law. Old Ambrosius Emrys would just have to disappear for good and young Merlin Emrys would have to play dumb about his 'grandfather' or if things went exceptionally pear-shaped he would have to move into one of his other houses in another part of England and take up another alias. What an annoyance!
Grudgingly Merlin showed the nurse the ID and prepared himself to put the name discrepancy down to old age and distraction.
The nurse looked at the photo, she looked at his face but she gave no attention to the written details, she nodded him through. "Second door on the right."
Merlin stifled a sigh of relief. He didn't look back but shoved his id back into his wallet. The nurse for all her diligence wasn't expecting duplicity, if the photo id matched the face what reason would she have to expect that the name written down wouldn't match. Merlin just might make it through this unscathed!
Merlin found Morgana's hospital room easily enough. The small window in the door showed her awake but reclined on pillows. He tapped as he pushed open the door.
Morgana straightened her sitting position. "Merlin, you came back."
He nodded awkwardly trying to ignore the obvious way her eyes shone with surprise and relief. "I promised I would."
"I didn't expect to see you," she lowered her voice, "looking like that."
"It's part of the plan to get you out of here." Merlin tried to shrug off the backpack he wore but his aged arms wouldn't quite bend. His fingers reached for the strap, his body turned unsteadily 180, 360 and finally, on the fourth attempt, he got a hold of the backpack and managed to shrug it off his shoulders placing it triumphantly on the ground. He looked up into the worried expression of Morgana.
"I was young when I put it on." Merlin attempted to placate her but somehow it didn't seem to instil confidence.
"I was young when you started to take it off," Morgana responded, then with worry still etched on her face she asked him what his plan was.
"First is this." Merlin turned carefully surveying the ceiling until he spotted the security camera.
"Abietee dúne". The camera made a satisfying spark.
"Good thinking," Morgana approved appearing impressed.
"And," Merlin grinned, he was quite proud of this part of his plan, "with these."
He pulled forth the clothing items from his backpack.
Morgana looked at them dejectedly. "Old lady clothes. Merlin if you're going where I think you're going with this I can't."
"Yes you can," he countered, "because," he fished around in the bottom of the backpack, "ta-da!"
"A grey wig," Morgana said flatly.
"That's right." Merlin continued to smile goofily.
Morgana was dubious. "You think I'm going to be able to walk out of here dressed as an old lady with a wig on past the security nurse and countless other hospital staff?"
Merlin hid a grimace knowing that Morgana was not going to like this part of the plan. "Not exactly. No. What I thought was that if you could just hold an aging spell until we got off this level then, after that, we could rely on the disguise the rest of the way. Only initiate the spell again if needed."
Morgana's brows dipped. "Merlin I barely have the strength to walk out of here. I'm not in any fit state to do an aging spell for any amount of time. I simply can't."
Merlin saw the despair and disappointment taking hold of Morgana.
"Actually, um" Merlin began carefully, "I thought that might be the case and I
have a solution, Morgana." He risked a glance at her eyes, they were waiting expectantly, there was no sign that she was aware of where he was heading with this, he only hoped she was desperate enough to agree. "Firstly, I brought your healing bracelet. I should have left it with you yesterday but with everything that happened I didn't get a chance."
Morgana reached for it reverently and stroked it fondly and she put it on. "I thought you might have it," she said, "but I'm afraid it isn't of much help where this wound is concerned."
"I didn't think so which is why I had something else in mind." He dodged her eyes. "We'll keep it short, limited, very brief, just long enough for us to-."
Morgana's eyes opened wide and she started shaking her head. "Merlin, you're not suggesting . . . you can't be, you wouldn't?" She watched him, waiting for the answer, disbelief about as equal as her horror.
"A magic bond." He confirmed with as careless a shrug as he could muster.
She was aghast. "A sharing of powers? Do you know how dangerous that could be? Will be with the condition I'm in? We could both die."
"Yes." He admitted seriously, "But we will only need the full strength of it a short time. I'm confident we could do it."
"And the time frame afterwards?" Morgana argued. "It might be weeks or even months until we can break the bond completely considering the amount of magic I will need to repay you and then there's . . ." she trailed as some other thought occurred, for a moment appearing terrified. "No," she said determinedly. "I can't let you do this."
Merlin frowned. "Why not?"
"That's my concern." She stated brusquely.
"Your concern?" Merlin argued. "I've come here to help you."
"I know!" Morgana snapped back.
"Then why are you being so stubborn? So secretive? Is it that you're worried I'll have some advantage over you? Learn some new power?"
Morgana's dour face went positively livid. "You pompous . . . git! You think I'm worried about you having knowledge of a few more spells or access to my powers? I'm worried about the . . ." her voice fell from angry furore to tones reluctant, "the pain you're going to feel, I won't be able to repress it all of the time." She turned her head refusing to look at him.
She was embarrassed, he realised. He could only guess it was because she was expressing concern for him.
Merlin scratched at his hair feeling slightly ashamed. "Oh."
He had not at all considered that she was avoiding a bond for his sake. He had fallen into the same pattern of thinking the worst of her and yet her concern that he would feel pain could not be selfishly motivated. He wondered if he had become so mistrustful of everyone or was it just Morgana? Even now he was fighting some part of himself that was still suspicious of her, noting the way Morgana had lingered on the word pain as if it had particular significance when surely it was unimportant.
"I've felt pain before. I'll be fine," he said.
Morgana's chin had been lifted and he was certain more argument was to follow but instead, she said. "Give me the clothes."
Merlin handed them to her relieved.
She swung her legs over the bed to the floor, "but I'm doing the aging spell myself."
"But-."
"I said no Merlin!" Morgana insisted.
Merlin could feel a familiar frustration brewing. That stubborn Pendragon streak, that haughty demeanour. He had entangled with it in the past and the usual way to combat it was patience. . . and or just ignoring it however neither was an option here. Time was limited, if they were going to do this, they needed to do it soon.
Morgana meanwhile had bundled the clothes into her arms. There was a curtained bathroom in the corner where Merlin assumed she was intending to change.
He watched, arms folded as she took a deep breath, her body stiffened with defiance as she placed her feet upon the floor. Merlin could feel the intense magic she was drawing to her and so it was with little surprise he watched her take one faltering step before he found himself rushing to catch her as she collapsed.
"We're not going to get far like this." He spoke to her gently. "You've got to decide Morgana. Stay here or accept my help."
Still collapsed against him, she lifted her head and shook it. "I can't Merlin, look at me! As powerful as you are even you couldn't sustain us both long enough to get out of here. I want to get out of here, you can't know how much."
Merlin noted the haunted look in Morgana's eyes, the emphasis of her words and it gave him chills. What was she alluding to? Had something terrible happened to her in the last hospital? Whatever caused her to look so, it made him more determined to convince her to go now, to try now.
"I can do it, Morgana, it's not for long. I've got a wheelchair waiting around the corner so you won't have to walk far, then I can push you into the lift. It'll be smooth sailing from there."
She still looked unconvinced. Something more was holding her back, something Merlin didn't know and didn't have time to wheedle out of her.
Merlin hated to do it but he was aware that the longer they delayed the more chance they'd be interrupted before they even got a chance to leave. "Fine," he said coldly. He lifted her to her feet. "Stay here. Get back in bed." He folded his arms and waited.
Her lip quivered, her eyes were distant but finally she closed them slowly in resignation. "Alright Merlin we'll do it but I want you to remember I tried to warn you."
"I'll remember."
Merlin reached for her hands and she took his. "Ready?"
She nodded.
He could feel the magic building between them, a blending of his powers with Morgana's, tethering them together. It was strangely exhilarating at first, like a charge of static that encompassed his body but the feeling was overwhelmed and finalised with a feeling of increasing fatigue, fortunately, mild at the moment. He could feel his magic flowing toward her and the strangeness of that same space being filled with a little magic not his own but despite Morgana's warning very little pain.
Morgana was gathering the clothes for her disguise once more, but she still struggled.
"You're stifling the connection," Merlin noticed.
"I'm only going to take what I need when I need it," Morgana said.
Merlin sighed. "Stubborn Pendragons" He grumbled after her as she went to change.
Finally, she emerged wearing the pink cardigan, grey slacks and wig. She looked a little absurd at the moment but that was about to change.
"You'll have to enact the aging spell from your end," Merlin said.
"I know," Morgana said, "but if it gets too much for you promise me you'll tell me."
"I promise." Merlin nodded.
Morgana prepared, the spell was uttered and the power went rushing out of him as Morgana drew on it, for a moment he felt her wound throb, it's magic was wild and thrashing as if desperate for something from him but before he had a chance to fully understand it Morgana had dampened their connection once more.
Merlin was extremely impressed by her control. He could sense that she was directing most of the magic energy of their bond to feed the aging spell and only a little more to keep herself upright. Still, he was mildly perturbed at the power drain in himself. He staggered slightly.
"See, it is too much even for you." Morgana worried.
"It's just an adjustment," Merlin shook his head. Perhaps he had not fully comprehended just how much power two aging spells would take. He supposed that when he usually started the spell he was young in body, this time however he had begun it already aged, still, it was manageable for now. "I'm fine but let's do this."
Morgana doubtful but compliant shuffled along behind him while Merlin weakly pulled open the door. He glanced at her face and could see she was frightened. He took her arm and put it through his as they continued toward the nurse station. Merlin was hoping Morgana would not object to his support but he did not expect that she would lean into him slightly as they hobbled on. He supposed she was still finding it difficult to walk.
"Follow my lead, we just need to distract the nurse for a moment," Merlin said.
"Hey!" The desk nurse called as they attempted to pass. "Who are you, where did you come from?"
Merlin let go of Morgana and approached the desk. "What do you mean by shouting at us young woman? We're old, not deaf and we just came in not five minutes ago, I signed in, showed you my id and now we kindly ask that you let us out again."
"You signed in but she didn't. How did you get in here?"
"In? In?" Merlin raised his voice incredulously. "Why my wife came in with me, she was standing right here while I was doing the paperwork."
"No she wasn't." The nurse argued.
Merlin turned conspiratorially to Morgana and shook his head sadly. "Overworked. It's the NHS for you, ever since that whatsaname a few decades ago, it's never been the same."
Morgana's grey hair bobbed, her voice crackling with age. "You're so right, husband. Poor thing is probably underpaid too and I bet she's the competent one, always having to pick up others' slack. Am I right?" Morgana came closer and patted the nurse's hand. "Oh, my dear, you don't have to answer that it's very clear."
The nurse looked somewhat uncomfortable. "I don't remember you standing –."
"And the doctors," Morgana said smoothly, "they need reminding about everything, don't they."
Merlin was amazed at Morgana's ability to improvise such conversation, of course, if she'd been around nurses when she'd been institutionalised she'd probably heard it all.
But now it was Merlin's turn to do his job. While Morgana had the attention of the nurse he shifted his eyes to the wastepaper bin, his eyes glowed as he whispered. "Forbearnan"
The nurse's reaction was almost immediate at the sound of crackling and the acrid smell of smoke. Turning and seeing the fire, she let out a gasp. "Oh my, how?"
Merlin's gaze had already swung to the button that opened the automatic doors, beyond the desk, far from his reach.
"Beþrycce" he spoke to it. The button trembled slightly but nothing more. Merlin felt his breathing labour. It should not have been this difficult to focus his magic for such a simple spell. There was something more happening than a simple drain of magic, though that was certainly happening at an alarming rate. Something was dampening the magic, his magic.
Morgana's eyes had gone wide. He concentrated, the words came forcefully from him, "Beþrycce."
The button moved reluctantly and at last depressed all the way and the automatic doors began to open.
Merlin and Morgana moved towards the door. "Thank you kindly," Merlin said politely to the nurse.
The nurse swung her eyes to the doors confusedly then back to the fire. "I didn't do that. Oh, perhaps it's electrical!" She cried exasperated. "Oh go, go." She dismissed them hurrying to the wall to get the nearby fire extinguisher.
Morgana had taken his arm again and was leaning on him a little more heavily as they passed out the exit. Her hand was trembling slightly against him. Merlin realised for all her bravado and improvisation, she was terrified. "Not long," he reassured her. "The wheelchair is just around the corner and then we'll be able to move more quickly."
And it would be just as well. Merlin's muscles were aching and he was trying hard to hide the puffing of each breath, he had already lost a significant amount of magic and would not be able to keep up two aging spells for much longer let alone deal with any unforeseen complications.
They turned the corner and Merlin stared at the empty floor. The wheelchair was nowhere to be seen.
"I left it here!" Merlin complained. Some well-meaning orderly had been too efficient.
"What will we do?" Morgana's eyes darted back and forth along the corridor.
"We'll find another on the way."
"Merlin, I . . ." Morgana sagged and eyelids fluttered. Her hand was against the wound and she looked dangerously close to collapsing.
"You've got to draw more power, Morgana," Merlin ordered.
She shook her head, "you're already struggling."
"If you pass out it isn't going to help me any is it?" He hissed back. "When we get to the lift, we'll let your aging spell go. I'll be fine."
"You said that before." Morgana shot back but her words didn't contain much fire.
They had to walk a long corridor before they came to the lift. Both of them supported each other. Merlin found each step more difficult than the last. In the end it was Morgana that seemed to drive them the last few metres, reaching out her wrinkled fingers to summon the elevator.
"I'm letting it go as soon as we're inside," Morgana said.
Merlin could only nod. Morgana's disguise would have to do the job from here if Anna Emrys was found missing before they got out of the hospital.
The doors parted and Merlin almost growled aloud in frustration. A doctor stood within and not just any doctor but the very same whom Merlin had spoken to earlier.
Merlin heard Morgana gasp which she followed with a slight disguising cough. The doctor met Merlin's eyes but there was no recognition, only impatience that the two would get in.
Morgana was hanging back, Merlin did not have the strength to urge her onward but the longer they stayed on this floor the more danger they were in. Morgana must have known this for she slowly but determinedly hobbled into the lift.
Merlin was just behind her when he felt it. Or rather he didn't feel it. There was no magic rushing back as there might have been if he had ended a spell himself just a slowing down of the power that was pouring out of him.
He risked a panicked glance at Morgana. She was tugging at the wig and keeping her face down but there was no disguising the smooth skin of her hands. She had ended the aging spell.
She had sidled past the doctor and Merlin now sought to put himself between the two. The lift was already slowing for the next floor. Merlin hoped they didn't run into anyone else who might get a good enough look at Morgana to recognise her.
He held his breath as the doors opened again but for once things seemed to be in their favour. The doctor departed and no one else got in.
"I'm sorry Merlin, I couldn't keep going with the aging spell." Morgana's words came out breathy and she was leaning against the wall.
With less magical demand on him, Merlin suddenly became aware of an underlying throbbing sensation. It was Morgana's wound that he could feel and he knew she hadn't been directing magic to it. In fact, it seemed as if she were deliberately focusing his magic away from it, using what little she had of her own to do it! Was she so concerned with him feeling the pain? Was it such a sinkhole of power? He could feel how truly weak she was right now, all the magic she took from him was going towards keeping her upright.
At this point she would not make it to the exit. So he forced more energy her way, she was too weak to repel it or at least her magic was. Her tongue seemed to have an energy of its own.
"You shouldn't have done that."
"We'll talk about it later."
The lift doors finally opened on the ground floor and Merlin noted there were still no wheelchairs in sight but it was a long winding corridor walk to the exit. Morgana was doing a little better now with the energy he'd given her but it wouldn't last long and looking for a chair might waste what little they had left.
"Do you think you can keep going without a chair?"
"Yes," Morgana said but Merlin realised that her answer would never have been no.
Perhaps there was something to be said for the Pendragon stubbornness after all for it would probably keep her going longer than most.
A few personnel and patients passed them, but none of them gave the old couple much notice, concerned with their problems or business. So far there had been no sign of pursuit.
The corridor had never seemed so long before and Merlin felt his steps getting heavier again but at last, they entered the foyer. He felt relieved at finally seeing the exit and even more relieved when together they breathed the outdoor air.
They were not yet safe, not far enough away to drop their guard and Merlin did not want to leave any kind of trail that might set the hospital or police on their trail.
They were lucky to find a taxi in the car park and getting in Merlin made sure to keep the driver from viewing Morgana properly as she settled in the rear seat. Merlin sat beside her, his tired feet cheered as he relieved them of his own weight. He could not remember ever having felt this weary, not even during times of illness. Morgana must have been feeling similarly for her head fell gently against his shoulder. It was nice, he thought hazily, the way she felt against him but the thought brought him to full alertness. Nice! How could he think so? This was the woman who had schemed and succeeded in killing Arthur, who had tortured and murdered Gwaine and set up a trap that killed Elyan, who had indirectly caused Lancelot's death and then heinously turned the noble knight into a shade, not to mention all she had done to Guinevere. He had no right to forget those grievances or to forgive Morgana.
In an instant, Merlin felt a sharp increase of pain from Morgana's wound. It thrashed within her sending out sharp piercing bolts.
Morgana gasped, her hand clasping her side and her face contorting.
The sudden relapse caused Merlin to remember that she had been punished and continuously. He had told himself that he wouldn't have chosen that for her, that death would have been sufficient but his anger a moment ago suggested that a dark part of him didn't quite agree. It disturbed him greatly and as Morgana shifted in her seat, forehead beaded with sweat he was relieved as he felt the pain in the wound abate.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
"Don't Merlin." Her eyes shot to his and glared. "Don't pretend to care. We both know perfectly well you don't."
Merlin didn't perfectly know this, in truth, he was feeling very conflicted but her attitude was galling. "Can you blame me?"
"Yes," she snapped, "and no."
It was honest and it seemed he was not the only one feeling conflicted.
Morgana tugged on the wig she was wearing. "Why did you help me? I mean I appreciate it but why?"
It was a very loaded question. "Answers," he said, "to questions about Aithusa, your death." It was the simplest response, the easiest one to identify and give her but Merlin knew it was the least of his motivations.
"I see," she said, "then it would be a very unpleasant time for us both no doubt if I refused the answers, considering we're bonded for the next while."
Merlin frowned.
"Don't worry, I have no objection to telling you what I can but you take a lot for granted Merlin . . . always did."
Merlin supposed she might be right but he'd also realised that the taxi driver had turned the radio down slightly. Likely in an attempt to better hear their conversation which must surely seem strange, even concerning. The driver made a quick glance in his mirror at the passengers and Merlin attempted a disarming smile while Morgana kept her head down to conceal her true age.
"I think the driver might be a problem," Merlin whispered.
Morgana nodded, she too had noticed it and then she did something surprising. "Do you think it's a good idea to go back to your home?" The words came into his mind as naturally as if she'd spoken them.
"Driver aside," she continued in his mind, "the hospital will surely call you, maybe even send police to look for me there."
Merlin took a moment to acknowledge her telepathy, it was only natural that she like the druids, like himself could speak so – if he'd only known yesterday what a help that might have been!
He turned his mind to her question. "If I'm not at home there will be even more suspicion. I'd like to keep my current life if possible besides as far as the hospital knows young Merlin was never there at the time of your escape."
She nodded. "So, it's just the driver to worry about."
"Yes." Merlin bit his lip. It was entirely possible they were being paranoid. The driver might well just go on with his day. Perhaps strange conversations and oddly dressed passengers were the norm or a novelty. He might also go report this weird couple to someone or be interviewed by the hospital or police. Well, if so, Merlin would have to rely on his aged persona doing all the deceiving for them.
It was not long before the taxi arrived at their destination, a few doors down from Merlin's actual address. The driver was quick to jump out.
"Let me help you," the man offered coming around to the rear passenger door.
Merlin realised what he was about. This driver wanted to get a better look at Morgana.
"That's alright young man, we're quite able." Merlin attempted to fend him off. "Aren't we?"
"Perfectly," Morgana feigned an aged voice and busied herself with her cardigan buttons.
"I insist."
"Er -."
Morgana sighed and she lifted her face into full view. "Give it up Merlin, let him help."
Merlin couldn't believe she'd given up so easily and given out his name so clearly. Was this to get at him? Ruin any hope of him returning to the life he had built after he'd just explained how important it was.
"Will you get out before we completely lose our remaining strength?" Morgana prompted.
There wasn't much more to do. "Thanks a lot," Merlin grumbled to Morgana as he exited.
Morgana allowed the driver to help her out. "Thank you," she said pleasantly. "Now I'm sure you have other fares."
The driver looked set to hesitate but giving one last thorough glance at Merlin returned to his vehicle.
"That's just great," Merlin exclaimed, "he just got a full description of the two of us."
"For goodness sake Merlin," Morgana huffed. "He was already a problem waiting for a remedy and I have just the one."
Merlin was alarmed as Morgana stretched out her hand and before he could stop her eyes glowed and she whispered "forġiete."
By the time she turned back toward him Merlin had covered his dread. Morgana had commanded the driver to forget them. It was clever, it was wise, it was something Merlin should have thought of himself but he had not. He had also not thought Morgana was going to be so benign. It wasn't that he had formed a notion of what harm she might intend only that Morgana's magic was never something he had trusted.
"You needn't be so surprised Merlin," Morgana upbraided. "He is not my enemy."
Clearly Merlin had not been quick enough in covering his alarm.
"Am I?" Merlin couldn't help but ask.
"Only you can answer that."
Merlin was not sure he could. "Let's get in," he said.
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Author's note: More to come soon. Please review, follow or favourite so I know you're enjoying the story and feel free to add constructive criticism in review or PM. Thank you!