In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlyn.
I wake sometime in the middle of the night to a roaring thunderstorm, and I adjust to my surroundings, remembering that I fell asleep in Morgana's antechambers following our conversation regarding Arthur. I sigh sadly as I get out of the bed, wrap a knitted red shawl around my shoulders and walk into Morgana's main chambers to see Gwen finishing her tasks.
"I hope you got some rest Merlyn, you seemed very distraught earlier." Gwen comments and I nod as I explain the reasoning for my behavior when I arrived at Morgana's chambers hours before. "I'm sorry that you have to go through that heartbreak, Merlyn. However, I do believe that you and Arthur are meant for each other. It may seem impossible now, but things will be different when he's king, I know it." She encourages and I smile, grateful for such a kind friend.
"Thank you, really. I don't know what I'd do without you or Morgana. As for Arthur, at least for now, I must continue as I have in pretending as if I'm only his servant." I inform her and she nods sadly in understanding before looking down at her arms before looking back to me, smiling softly.
"I brought you both some extra blankets, I thought you might be cold…" She explains and I smile at her kindness. I take the blankets, placing them on the table as she exits the chambers. I walk over to the table next to Morgana's bed, blow out the candle and move it to the window, before walking back to the antechamber to hopefully get some rest. I'm awakened to a piercing scream, followed by glass shattering and I rush out of bed to Morgana's bedchambers to see a fire burning her curtains and I escort the hysterical woman out of the chambers, away from the flames. After the fire is put out, I begin cleaning up the burnt fragments of curtains and the broken window glass before the King walks in, followed by Arthur and I quickly stand up, smoothing out the front of my plain red dress, completed with a braided tan belt and tan boots, with my hair in a simple braid held back by a blue scarf.
"I was staying in the antechamber last night because Gwen- Guinevere was feeling ill, and with me needing to wake Prince Arthur for training this morning, I offered to stay and look after Morgana. She complained that the chambers were cold so I came back in with some extra blankets. There was a candle, but I put it out." I explain, informing the king why I was in the chambers and not Gwen, while avoiding looking at Arthur directly.
"Are you sure?" He questions, seeming doubtful as to me blowing out the candle if the fire started in the middle of the night.
"I blew it out, I swear. I would never endanger the Lady Morgana by leaving the flame lit." I promise, looking him in the eyes as I vow that I didn't recklessly endanger her life.
"Merlyn has been my maidservant for a year now. If she said she blew it out, I believe her." Arthur chimes in, defending my word, and I spare a glance in his direction and he seems slightly hurt as I quickly look back to his father, my hands wringing in front of me.
"She could've been burnt alive." Uther reminds us as he glances at the tattered remains of the mauve curtains and I wince at the thought of anything happening to Morgana, who's become a dear friend since my arrival in Camelot.
"Lightning struck the castle roof last night, that could've started the fire." Arthur suggests, trying to provide a reason for the fire to have started.
"Perhaps." Uther seems to dismiss the possibility, almost like he already suspects something else was the cause.
"What other explanation is there?" Arthur questions, not seeing any other reason for the fire to have started.
"Someone started the fire deliberately." Uther implies before exiting the chambers, causing Arthur to frown and I cast him a worried glance as he follows after his father, leaving me alone to wring my hands before I feel a hand take mine, and I look up to see Gwen with a soft smile on her face and I smile slightly before I head back to the physician's chambers, where I stop outside the door, hearing voices inside.
"What I don't understand, Morgana is how the fire started in the first place." Gaius remarks and I nod to myself, not understanding either.
"It happened so quickly. It was terrifying." She replies and I frown at the genuine fear in my friend's voice, wanting to comfort her, but knowing I couldn't reveal that I was eavesdropping.
"It's alright. You're safe now." Gaius comforts her, rubbing a hand on her back in a soothing manner and I smile as he too seemed to recognize that she needed reassurance.
"You're the only person I've told about my dreams. I know I can trust you, Gaius." She informs him confidently and he nods at that.
"Yes, of course you can." He assures her softly, and I smile at how caring Gaius is with people, not just Morgana.
"It was me. I set the room alight. I started the fire." She confesses tearfully and I raise a brow in confusion.
"I don't understand. Did you knock a candle over?" Gaius inquires, seemingly just as confused as I was about her admission.
"No that's not what happened. I did it just by looking at it, the flames suddenly leapt higher." She explains and I wring my hands as I try to process what she's telling him.
"I could've been a gust of wind." He suggests, trying to brush off what Morgana is implying and I cover my mouth in shock as the truth hits me like a blow to the stomach.
"It wasn't. It was me. It was magic." She presses and my eyes widen as I realize that Morgana has magic. The King's ward, my best friend, has magic- like me.
"My child…" Gaius replies softly, and I suppress a wince at how I know Morgana will react to that condescending term.
"I'm not a child!" She objects and I smirk at her reaction, and my prediction being correct.
"Last night was an accident. It had nothing to do with you. How could it have? I am going to draw you up a fresh remedy that will make you feel better, I promise." Gaius informs her and I knit my brows in confusion as I notice Gaius trying to explain away Morgana's magic.
"No…" She meekly tries to deny the drought but Gaius shakes his head and she quiets down.
"You must trust me." He insists, leaving no arguments, and I frown as I decide to take a walk, allowing Morgana to leave before I head back into the chambers, hoping to confront Gaius. I sit at the work bench while Gaius is making the potion for Morgana.
"As I'm sure you're aware, I stayed in the antechamber next to Morgana's room last night, so I was helping clear up the mess in her chambers earlier." I inform him and he doesn't seem very interested.
"Hmm?" He mumbles distracted by the potion currently in his hands.
"The window was blown out into the courtyard below." I continue and he still seems uninterested as he continues mixing the potion.
"It's odd isn't it? If lightning struck the window like Arthur said, you'd think the glass would've fallen inside of the window. It was magic. You know it was. More importantly, so does she." I comment and it definitely catches his interest as he turns to me.
"Morgana knows nothing for certain." He argues and I roll my eyes at his remark.
"Which makes it even worse. She isn't sure what's happening to her and it's tearing her apart." I inform him, hoping that he sees the reason in simply telling her the truth.
"What would you have me do?" He inquires and I sigh, just wanting him to be honest with her.
"Talk to her. Tell her she'll be ok. Tell her that her powers aren't something to be afraid of." I implore him, desperately wanting Morgana to know of and accept her magic.
"I can't." He refuses and I frown, wringing my hands as I try to find the words I need to say, that I know will affect him the most.
"Maybe I could speak to her. It might be easier for her if she had a friend to help her through this, I know it would have been for me when I discovered my magic." I suggest and his eyes widen as he shakes his head.
"No, Merlyn, you can't." He objects and I frown as I feel that me talking to Morgana would be the most beneficial situation.
"What not? I understand what she's going through. If anyone were to help her, it would be me." I argue back, making a valid point but he shakes his head once again.
"You must never reveal your secret. Not to anyone." He reminds me, causing a certain blonde haired, blue eyed prince to appear in my mind and I bite my lip as I try not to think of Arthur and get back to the topic.
"If not me, then someone else, because I won't let you keep that from her. No one should ever fear their magic, fear it so much that it's expressed while they're sleeping and not in control of themselves. She shouldn't deny a part of herself, she should accept who she is, all of it, and you are keeping her from doing that which is wrong, Gaius." I implore, hoping he'll at least agree to someone else helping her learn about her magic, if I can't.
"Who? This is a kingdom where magic is outlawed, or have you forgotten that?" He remarks and I wince at the retort, knowing all too well that magic is outlawed in Camelot.
"There are those who still practice it. What about the druids? You said that they help people like this." I suggest, not sure if they'd agree to help her if we did find them.
"Uther's vowed to destroy them. The druids cannot help her. It would be suicide." He disagrees and I sigh, realizing he's right and the druids wouldn't risk death to help Morgana.
"Then who can?" I question, not knowing any other option to help her learn to use her magic safely.
"I will. Like I've always done." He informs me and I frown, knowing that he plans to lie to her and use sleeping droughts to hide her magic from her.
"Then you need to be honest with her. Tell her about her magic or when she finds out the truth, and you know she will eventually, she'll resent you for keeping it from her, she'll never forgive you for lying, for making her feel like she was imagining things." I explain and he seems upset by my words.
"What makes you so certain that you know better than me?" He questions and I scoff in disbelief.
"Because I went through the same thing! I was a little girl in a small village who could do things that nobody else could. I know exactly how she's feeling right now. Scared of what you can do, lonely because not a single person can possibly understand what's happening to you, that you're completely alone with this huge secret, that if anyone were to see anything you could be executed, that you couldn't tell a soul about your magic, not even the people you love." I ramble, wringing my hands as I prove that I know exactly what it feels like and I frown as I realize it must be impossible for her to be the King's ward and discover that she has magic.
"You cannot get involved in this. No good can come of it. I mean it, Merlyn. Stay out of it!" Gaius instructs and I bite my lip as I struggle with whether I should help Morgana or listen to Gaius and let him continue to lie to her about who she truly is. The next day I dress in a mint green dress with draping sleeves, with a white corset adorned with small violet flowers, with my hair in its natural curls with two pieces braided around my head, a small purple flower holding it together in the back and my tan boots. I leave physician's chambers early to gather some of Morgana's favorite flowers to cheer her up and I quickly climb the staircase leading to her chambers. I pass Arthur who seems to be just leaving her chambers and I awkwardly stop walking, and he stops a few feet in front of me and I bite my lip.
"Ah, Merlyn. I need you to..." He begins but stops, glancing at me and I raise a brow.
"Yes?" I question and he motions to my hair, stepping forward, the back of his hand brushing against my cheek, causing me to blush scarlet, as he removes a small twig from my unruly curls with a chuckle.
"What have you been up to this morning?" He inquires and I gesture to the small bouquet of brightly colored flowers in my hand.
"I thought that I would pick some of Morgana's favorite flowers, you know, brighten up the chambers and hopefully cheer her up. She's not been herself since the fire and I thought this might help." I ramble and he laughs softly, stepping closer to me and I inhale shakily, realizing how close we are and I step back quickly. Arthur notices and sighs sadly at my action, running a hand through his golden blonde hair.
"Why are you avoiding me? And don't argue that you aren't because I know that you are. You can't even look at me anymore, you don't joke around with me anymore, you can barely stand to be in the same room for more than a few minutes and you don't talk as much as you used to and I never thought I'd miss your incessant rambling, but I do. Is this because of what happened the final day of the tournament?" He questions softly and I sigh as I realize I have been distant with him after the kiss, and his subsequent rejection.
Arthur, I'm sorry that I've been distant as of late. I know that must've been confusing and you're right, I'm avoiding you. I just needed some time." I admit and his facial expression falls slightly.
"Do you regret it? Do you wish it didn't happen?" He asks me softly and I shake my head, stepping forwards, glancing around before placing a hand on his arm.
"Never. As difficult as this is and as painful as things are right now, I would never regret that. I care far too much for you to ever regret that. Now, you wanted me to do something." I remind him and he grins at my admission, causing me to blush again at the sparkle in his eye as he looks at me.
"My chainmail needs cleaning." He informs me and my smile falls slightly as he backs up a few steps.
"Oh, well…I'll see to it right away." I reply, both of us sharing a final smile before heading in our own directions. I knock on the door and Gwen invites me in, looking for a vase for the flowers.
"How is she?" I inquire about our best friend and she sighs sadly as we glance at Morgana's sleeping form.
"I've never seen her like this before. I'm scared to leave her on her own." Gwen admits as she fills the vase with water and I place them in the vase on the table.
"Is there anything I can do to help? Anything at all, Gwen." I offer and she smiles before we both notice Morgana stir in bed.
"I'd better get back to her." Gwen informs me, squeezing my hand before walking me to the chamber door, smiling at the vase of flowers on the table. "I'll make sure she knows who they're from." She assures me and I smile in thanks before I walk out of the chambers and back to the physician's chambers. I change into my plain white nightgown and take the braids out of my hair as I prepare for bed, deciding to get a glass of water for my beside table when Morgana rushes in, wearing her nightgown seeming almost hysterical.
"Is Gaius here?" She questions, and I shake my head, setting my glass on the table.
"Er, no he's not here at the moment. He should be back soon though." I inform her and she seems nervous.
"I need to speak to him. Where is he?" She inquires and I invite her to sit at the work bench, which she does and I sit down next to her.
"He's gone to see the King. What's wrong? You can trust me, Mor. You know you can." I assure her, taking her hands and she squeezes them softly.
"I know. I'm scared, Lyn. I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening. Please." She begs, desperate to know the truth and I frown as I wish I could tell her everything.
"Gaius will be back soon. He'll be able to help you." I promise, knowing he couldn't help her the way she needs to be helped.
"He won't. I don't any more remedies. They won't do any good. It's magic, Merlyn." She reveals and I gape at her, trying to seem like I didn't already suspect she had magic.
"What?" I ask, playing innocent, so she doesn't suspect me of eavesdropping on her and Gaius's conversation.
"I'm your friend, you know I wouldn't make this up." She implores and I nod my head, squeezing her hands reassuringly.
"Of course." I reply, my voice soft and I smile comfortingly.
"Then you believe me? You think it's magic too. Please, Lyn, I just need to hear someone say it so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it." She pleads, and I frown, wishing more than anything that I could tell her my secret, that I could help her with her magic.
"I really wish there was something I could say, Mor." I say instead and she frowns, backing away before walking out and I wince at my own actions.
"Morgana. Morgana. Wait. Mor!" I shout after her but I stop as I realize she's gone. I grab my red knitted shawl and my tan boots before I head to the dragon's cave to hopefully get some answers.
"I need your help. Do you know where the druids are?" I question, knowing that he seems to always have the answers I need.
'First you must tell me why you seek them.'
"That doesn't matter." I remark, trying to seem nonchalant about seeking out the druids.
'It does to me.'
"I need to ask them something." I inform him vaguely, hoping to appease him slightly.
'I've lived more than a thousand years, seen civilizations rise and fall. Do not believe that you can lie to me, girl.'
"I need their help." I admit with a sigh. "Someone I care about needs their help."
'You speak of the sorceress, the Lady Morgana.'
"She's not a Sorceress, she's my friend." I argue, hating that word that refers to a woman who uses dark magic for evil purposes, and that is not Morgana.
'She cannot be trusted.'
"What makes you say that?" I question, not understanding why I can't trust Morgana.
'It would be better if The Sorceress…'
"Stop calling her that!" I object, not wanting him to call her that term.
'It would be better if The Sorceress never knew the true extent of her powers.'
"You're wrong. I know her. She has a good heart." I argue, knowing that Morgana would never hurt anyone, with magic or otherwise.
'You failed to heed my advice in the past and it brought grave consequences.'
"I won't abandon her." I refuse, knowing I could never live with myself if I didn't help her if I could.
'I will not give you the help you seek. If you pursue this course of action, you do so alone.'
After receiving no help from that bloody giant lizard, I head back to my chambers for some rest. The next morning, I'm dressed in a midnight blue dress, with a tan laced corset, my tan boots and my hair in an updo tied back with my red scarf as I clean Arthur's chainmail. I try not to look up as Arthur enters with Leon, but I notice Arthur holding a scroll of parchment.
"You sure this is all of them?" Arthur inquires, as he seems to examine the words written on the scroll.
"Names and last known dwelling places." Leon confirms and I pretend to scrub a particularly tough spot on the chainmail.
"My father suspects the fire was started by sorcery." Arthur reveals and I suppress an eye roll considering Uther suspects every situation of sorcery.
"Indeed, Sire. I've included the details of everyone we suspect of consorting with sorcerers, witches, or druids." Leon informs him, glancing at the list in Arthur's hands.
"Gather the men. We'll arrest them immediately." He instructs Leon, who exits the chambers, before turning to me. "I thought I told you to do that yesterday." He comments, referencing the chainmail and I tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"I didn't have time. I was cleaning the stables." I inform him, which I did do in between my visits to Morgana's chambers yesterday.
"That's strange. Because a little bird told me you were somewhere else." He replies, a knowing look on his face, and I recall our conversation in the hallway yesterday.
"Mucking out the stables is strange and a talking bird isn't?" I joke and he smirks at me.
"Merlyn, what've we said about you trying to be funny?" He inquires, smiling slightly and I grin.
"I shouldn't, but then again, when do I ever listen to you?" I question teasingly and he chuckles.
"So where are my flowers?" He asks me and I blush at his question.
"Your flowers?" I repeat, and he smiles at my flushed face.
"I heard Morgana got some. I assumed you'd be putting them in all the rooms. Or is she the only one to receive a token of your affections?" He teases and I blush a deep scarlet, wringing my hands before feeling my face cool down and I smirk.
"If you would look over to your desk, you'd notice a similar bouquet. Oh, and there is only one person I would consider giving a token of my affections and he seems to expect it now." I tease back, watching him glance to his desk and grin softly at the small vase filled with red roses, and his cheeks turn pink at my words. I walk over, handing him his sword, my fingers brushing his hands and he clears his throat.
"That'll be all." He informs me, his voice wavering slightly and I grin, seeing him shake his head before I leave. As I'm walking towards the Lower town, I notice people being rounded into the Square. Once I find the house I was looking for, I try to open the door only to find it locked. I glance around to make sure no one is watching me and I sigh in relief as I see that they're too distracted with the people in the Square.
"Ic I Tóspringæ." I whisper, unlocking the door and I enter quickly, checking behind a curtain when I feel a sword to my back.
"Move and I kill you." She threatens and I freeze, not wanting to frighten her any more than she must be.
"Forridel?" I inquire, hoping that I broke into the correct house and not some poor woman's house.
"Who are you?" She questions, and I surmise that it is Forridel.
"There is no time to explain, we have to get out of here. The King's men are coming for you." I inform her seriously, turning around to face her, just before there's pounding on the door.
"Open in the name of the King!" A guard commands and we sneak out the back way, watching the house from around the corner.
"How did you know they were coming for me?" She asks me, turning back to me and I sigh.
"I'm Prince Arthur's maidservant." I answer, seeing her surprise at my title and I shrug.
"You took a great risk, thank you." She responds gratefully and I smile, glancing at the people rounded in the square.
"I'm just sorry I couldn't help them all." I remark, gazing at the people regretfully.
"We better go." She informs me, gesturing to leave and I shake my head quickly.
"No, wait. I need your help. I'm looking for a way to contact the druids." I explain and her eyes shine with fear before her face hides all emotion and she stiffens.
"I wouldn't know anything about them." She comments and I sigh, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, giving a kind smile.
"You don't need to lie to me." I assure her, and I see her wavering, unsure whether to tell me or not.
"I'm not lying." She insists, and I sigh, realizing that she doesn't trust me as Arthur's servant.
"Please, if it wasn't for me, you'd be under arrest. You know I'm not a spy for Uther. I'm a friend of the druids. I need their help." I plead and I see her body language open up and she smiles slightly.
"What do you want to know?" She asks me and I smile as I vaguely explain why I need the location of the druids' camp and she gives me it's location, with the promise that I keep it as secret as I possibly can. I head back to the physician's chambers, grabbing the drought that Gaius prepared for Morgana before heading to her chambers. Once I knock on the door, she opens the door for me to enter and I gesture to the bottle as I walk in.
"Gaius asked me to deliver this." I inform her as I place the bottle on the table.
"I don't need any potion, thank you. Merlyn? Ignore what I said last night. I had a nightmare, I was upset." She dismisses her confessions the previous night and I frown at how on edge she seems to be lately.
"I know. I haven't said anything to anyone. You know you can trust me, Mor. I'm always here to listen, just like you were there when I needed to talk about Arthur." I inform her and she sighs, nodding.
"I'm sorry, Lyn. It's usually Gwen that has to deal with me when I'm like this." She explains and I shake my head, grabbing her hands and squeezing them reassuringly before she moves to stand in front of the window.
"I don't mind, that's what friends are for. Maybe I could help." I offer and she shakes her head, scoffing slightly.
"I doubt that." She responds and I wring my hands, frowning at the state my friend is in because of her magic.
"You'd be surprised." I mutter as I move to sit down at the table. "I understand. I realize how frightening all this must be for you. Especially for you." I continue and she turns away from the window, looking at me.
"Why especially for me?" She questions and I shrug, smiling kindly.
"You're the King's ward. You know his hatred of magic better than anyone." I elaborate and I realize what I've said when her face lights up and she rushes forwards.
"That's what you think has been happening to me? The dreams. The fire. You think it was magic?!" She asks me excitedly and I swallow quickly as I think of what to say now.
"I- uh- I'm not saying that." I begin, trying to come up with another explanation for the fire and the vase breaking.
"But it could be, couldn't it?" She continues and I sigh, trying to seem like I don't know that she definitely has magic.
"I really wouldn't know, but there are people who do." I inform her and she raises a brow in confusion.
"Who?" She inquires, not sure who could possibly help with her magic.
"What about the druids? They help people like you." I suggest, and she immediately shakes her head at the idea.
"None of their kind would dare show their face in Camelot." She denies and I nod, knowing that the druids would never come to Camelot but we wouldn't need them to come to Camelot.
"No. But I know where you can find them." I inform her and she looks at me with hope in her eyes that I haven't seen in days, which makes me smile. She pulls me into a hug and I help her prepare for her journey before quickly making my way to my chambers and into bed. The next morning, I dress in a violet dress with a gray corset with pale blue embroidered flowers on it and my tan boots with my hair in its loose waves with a few small braids. I'm sitting at the work bench, reading from my spell book when I feel a hand grip my shoulder and I turn to see Gaius, looking angry holding the potion bottle.
"I didn't ask you to take this to Morgana last night." He comments and I close the spell book, glancing at the potion bottle.
"I used some initiative, I thought you'd be pleased." I remark softly, beginning to turn away and he turns me back to him again.
"Those warning bells are ringing because Uther thinks that Morgana's been kidnapped. And you don't seem overly concerned." He notices and I shrug his hand off my shoulder.
"Mor's tough, she can look after herself." I defend my friend, knowing from experience that she doesn't need to be looked after.
"Merlyn, what have you done?" Gaius demands and I sigh, crossing my arms in front of me.
"What you refused to. I helped her." I retort, and he narrows his eyes at me.
"This ends now. People's lives are at risk, Morgana's included. Where is she?" He questions and I sigh, knowing that I have to tell him the truth.
"She's gone to the Forest of Essetir to find the druids." I inform him and he sighs deeply, sounding disappointed.
"I told you not to get involved." He reminds me and I roll my eyes.
"I had to because you wouldn't even acknowledge she had magic." I insist and he scoffs at my reason.
"For good reason." He argues and I shake my head, wringing my hands as I take a breath.
"No. You don't understand. You don't understand what it's like. The years before I came here were the loneliest of my life. I had no one to turn to, no one to help me, I was all alone with this terrible secret." I argue knowingly, showing the similarities between my experiences and Morgana's.
"Morgana is the King's ward. Her situation is completely different to yours." He points out and I nod.
"I know. I've got you, she hasn't." I tell him and he sighs, seeming hurt at my comment.
"I've always taken good care of Morgana." He defends and I nod, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It is not the same. Everything that's good and right about magic I've learned from you. I'd be lost without you, Gaius. Like she is now. Do you understand why I did it?" I question, looking up at him and he nods, his expression growing serious.
"Yes, I do. But that doesn't mean I don't fear the consequences." He informs me and I wring my hands as I take in his words, realizing I once again acted before I thought of the consequences. After Uther issues a proclamation ordering the execution of all prisoners until Morgana's return, I quickly dress in a baby blue dress with a crème colored corset with my tan boots and quickly braid my hair before sneaking down the stairs. I bump into a table, seeing several objects begin to fall off the table.
"Gestillan! Gestillan! Gestillan!" I frantically whisper, stopping the objects from crashing to the floor and waking Gaius. I approach some guards and I notice a torch not too far off.
"Forbearnan firgenholt." I mutter and the torch's flame rises, scaring off the guards, and I continue walking until I come to the end of the tunnel outside of the castle ramparts.
"Tospringe." I chant and the tunnel grate blows open, allowing me to walk out into the forest, using a tracking spell to follow Morgana's trail. After walking quite a ways, I stop to make camp for the night and I set up a campfire.
"Forbearnan." I chant quietly and the flames ignite, just as I hear a distant telepathic voice, and I stand.
"Hello?" I call out, both out loud and telepathically and I quietly wait for a response.
"What would you like to know?" I hear in my head and I quickly pack my things, deciding to continue following the trail. I find the tent Morgana is in and I wait for the man to leave before I sneak in, surprising her.
"Merlyn! What are you doing here?" She inquires, obviously confused as to why I'm in the druid camp.
"I've come to take you back to Camelot." I exclaim with a sigh, knowing she won't be happy about this. At all.
"Then I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey. I'm never going back." She argues, refusing to leave the acceptance and guidance of the druid community and I frown, wishing I didn't need to force her to.
"You have to." I respond, and the seriousness of my face makes her raise a brow in confusion.
"Why? You're the one who said I should seek out the druids." She reminds me and I nod, wringing my hands in front of me and she notices.
"I never realized what the repercussions would be." I admit and her face fills with concern.
"What repercussions, Lyn?" She questions, knowing they're serious if I've come all this way to bring her back.
"The King thinks you've been kidnapped." I inform her and her face falls, knowing that whatever the repercussions are, they'll be extreme if one of Uther's loved ones are at risk. "He won't stop until you're found. He's arrested dozens of people. He's gonna execute them all, Mor."
"If I return, the same fate awaits me." She argues and I shake my head, knowing that isn't true as long as Uther never discovers her magic.
"Uther doesn't need to know about this. I won't tell a soul, you know that." I promise and she frowns, her eyes turning glassy and I know what she'll choose.
"I'm sorry. I'm never going back. These are my people. They're like me. I don't feel so alone here. Do you understand, Lyn?" She asks me, needing me to understand why she'd let those innocent prisoners die and I nod sadly, my own eyes turning glassy at the thought of Morgana leaving Camelot.
"Better than anyone." I confess softly and she knits her brows in confusion at my admission before the man from before enters the tent.
"Morgana, we must go." He announces before turning to me. "Who are you?"
"I–it's alright, she's a friend. What's wrong?" She inquires worriedly, seeing his state and knowing something's happened.
"Arthur and his men are coming. Your friend has led him straight to us." He informs us and I swear softly, realizing in my hurry to find the camp, I left a trail that Arthur, being an experienced hunter, could follow. The druids begin to run, trying to escape Arthur and the guards, when I see someone I wouldn't have expected to.
"Hello Emrys." Mordred greets me telepathically and I smile at him, still unsure of the boy, goven what the dragon told me of his future. The man, Aglain, helps Morgana, who I notice is limping, and I trail after them with Mordred next to me, and I hear Arthur along with some men following us.
"We've got to keep moving!" He insists after Morgana stops to rest her injured ankle.
"My leg, it's too painful!" Morgana complains and I know she's through running on that leg, and that I need to buy them some time to get away.
"I'll try to create a diversion." I suggest and Morgana frantically shakes her head, not wanting me in danger.
"No, Merlyn, you can't!" She argues and I smile sadly, knowing I need to give them time to get her away safely.
"You carry on! It's my fault they're here! Go! Go!" I instruct them and she pulls me into a tight hug, causing me to smile.
"I'll never forget this." She whispers before pulling away and Aglain helps her away.
"Bene læg gesweorc." I chant once she's out of range, creating a dense fog, sending it Arthur's way and I see him stop in it before I run above on the hill.
"There!" I hear him shout, presumably following me and I jump, hiding under a large, protruding rock. Arthur and his men then jump right over and continue on. I run back, trying to catch up with Morgana's party. I stop running when I see that Arthur found Morgana, Aglain was shot with a crossbow, and Mordred killed 3 guards before running off. I wait for the guards to take her away and I head back to Camelot on my own, returning to my chambers and changing into a red dress, dark brown corset, my hair in a simple braid and my tan boots. I decide to check in on Morgana and when she answers the door, I notice she's not changed out of her clothes.
"Merlyn." She greets me and I smile kindly at her, hoping to comfort her about being back in Camelot, only now she knows of her magic.
"Morgana." I reply and she smiles back, only it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I wanted to check you were ok." I explain as we sit at the table and she nods, taking my hand in hers.
"I'm fine. What was said at the woods…" She begins, trailing off and I squeeze her hand, smiling reassuringly.
"You can trust me, Mor. I won't tell anyone." I swear and she smiles
"Thank you, Merlyn. I know now who I really am. And it isn't something to be scared of. Maybe one day people will come to see magic as a force for good." She suggests and I grin widely at that.
"That's a great way of thinking, Mor. If anyone can change the view of magic, it'll be you." I encourage, deciding to speak with Gaius about possibly telling her of my magic.
"Thank you, Lyn." She tells me, smiling as she opens the door to let me out. "Sleep well." She calls softly before shutting the door and I make my way to the physician's chambers, walking in and seeing Gaius stop what he was working on to turn to face me.
"I'm sorry, Gaius." I whisper sadly and Gaius walks over to me, before hugging me tightly and I feel a tear slide down my cheek as I hug him back. "I thought you'd be angry with me." I admit, chuckling slightly at the hug instead of the reprimand I was expecting.
"I was. Right up to the moment you walked in. Then I was just grateful that you're back safe and sound." He informs me and I smile as he steps back from the hug.
"Morgana knows the truth. The druids told her she has magic. Sorry." I apologize once again, knowing he planned to keep it from her to protect her and now she's at more of a risk.
"It's not your fault. You were only doing what you thought was right." He explains and I nod, realizing we both did what we did to protect Morgana.
"We both were. What happens now?" I inquire, still unsure as to what I should do now that she knows about her magic.
"You must take care of her. And hope that Uther never discovers the truth about her powers." He warns me and I nod, wringing my hands before looking up to him again.
"Gaius, I was thinking.. I want to tell her about my magic. She already knows of her own, and I can teach her to control her magic, to hide it from others. I could take her on as a student, in a way, like you did with me, and I could eventually take her to meet the dragon. We could have lessons in her chambers or out in the clearing in the woods. Besides, I think it would be good for me as well, to have a friend that I could talk to about magic." I ramble and he seems to think it over before giving me a quick nod and I giggle in excitement, hugging him once more before slipping into the corridor, and down to Morgana's chambers, quietly knocking three times on her door. She answers it in her nightgown, not looking as if she'd been asleep and invites me in, where I take a seat on the floor of her chambers and she does the same, not without throwing me an odd glance.
"I haven't been completely honest with you, and before I say anything, I'd like your word that you'll listen to everything I have to say before being acting. Alright?" I question, and her brows knit in confusion.
"Lyn, what are you talking about? Okay, I promise to listen to you first. Now, what's going on?" She questions, confusion clear in her voice and I sigh, taking a deep breath before raising my hand, palm up in front of me.
"Incendia." I whisper and I hear her gasp as my eye flash gold and a flame appears in my hand. She stares at him hand, and then at my face before I close my fist, putting out the flame.
"Lyn.. you- you have magic?" She asks me hesitantly, and after a moment, I nod. She places a hand over her mouth before throwing herself into my arms, hugging me tightly.
"Mor? You aren't upset I didn't say anything sooner? I wanted to tell you, I really did and I almost did several times but I'm not supposed to tell anyone about my magic or my destiny." I explain and she pulls back, raising a brow.
"Upset? No, I'm not upset! I understand, Lyn. You were scared, and had to protect yourself. What's this destiny you mentioned?" She inquires and I sigh, remembering the words the Dragon told me in the cave just a year ago.
"Well, when I first came to Camelot, I was called before the Great Dragon, and yes you will meet him eventually, after we begin your training and I deem it appropriate, anyway he told me about my important destiny.
''Your gift, Merlyn, was given to you for a reason. Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the lands of Albion. But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion. You will help Arthur unite the lands and rule by his side as his wife. Your children and their children will rule Camelot in peace, the way it should be.'
"Your children?! You're destined to marry Arthur and carry his children? Oh, no wonder you two are completely mad for each other!" She comments and I roll my eyes, blushing nonetheless.
"Mor, that's enough. Now, about what I said, the training. I would be glad to take you on as an apprentice, and teach you everything I know about magic, if you'd like." I offer and her jade green eyes light up.
"Of course! But, wait- how long have you been practicing magic? You don't seem like a seasoned witch?" She questions and I giggle at her confusion.
"I was born with it, just as you were, and while I'm a witch, you seem to be a type of visionary. That's a sorceress with visions of the future, your dreams. See, because you didn't know about your magic, it would be released when you were at your most vulnerable state, when you weren't in control and that was when you were sleeping. But to answer your question, I'm prophesied to be Emrys, which is the druids' name for me, the most powerful witch to have ever lived." I inform her and she just stares at me, gaping.
"Really? Wow, Lyn. I mean, I knew you were incredible, but that's amazing. The being destined to marry Arthur thing I could've guessed, but the most powerful witch ever thing isn't what I would have thought of you. I don't mean that as an insult, honest, it's just-" She rambles and I giggle, squeezing her hand before standing up, her quickly following.
"Alright, well that's more than enough information for tonight. You should get some rest, Mor. We begin training tomorrow." I inform her and she grins excitedly.
"Wonderful! We'll take Gwen and go for a ride to my father's grave, there's a clearing close to there. It's perfectly secluded." She explains and I smile, before it falls slightly.
"Morgana, Gwen doesn't know about me, or you for that matter. You are the only person I've ever told about my magic." I respond, and she frowns slightly, realizing that Gwen doesn't know about us.
"Could we tell her? I trust Gwen with everything, and I swear to you, she would never tell a soul about either of us." Morgana continues, and I sigh, wringing my hands.
"Maybe. I think, just for now, it should remain between the two of us. The less who know, the safer it is for all involved, Mor." I inform her wisely and she nods before I slip out of her room and quickly make my way to my chambers and straight into bed, just barely having the energy to remove my boots before I fall asleep.