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.
The next day, Morgana informs the King that she'd like to visit her father's grave, and that Gaius tasked me with retrieving herbs that he requires for medicinal draughts, so I'm accompanying Morgana instead of Gwen, who will complete my chores while I'm gone. I dress in a simple pale blue dress with a tan laced corset, tan boots and my hair in it's curls with a section braided back and a dark brown cloak, while Morgana is wearing a beautiful violet silk dress with teal adornments on the sleeves and on the skirt of it and a red cloak similar to Arthur's. I say a quick farewell to Gwen before mounting my horse, well, Arthur's horse, Draco. He insisted I take his personal horse and I blushed at his concern for my safety, until Morgana commented that there would be plenty of time to "gaze at each other longingly" when we returned. Arthur's cheeks turn pink at her teasing and he assists her as she mounts her horse, Verity, grumbling about inappropriate comments and embarrassing him in front of the knights.
"I hope your trip isn't too upsetting." He remarks seriously after their lighthearted conversation and she smiles gratefully at him.
"Thank you, Arthur." She replies, and he nods before turning to me, checking the saddle is properly fastened and I giggle at his actions.
"Arthur, the saddle is done up properly, I assure you. I learned quite a lot since slid off your saddle." I tease, and he chuckles, rolling his eyes before he hands me the reigns, his hand brushing mine slightly.
"Make sure you return to Camelot before dusk." He orders the knights accompanying us on the pilgrimage and they nod.
"Yes, Sire." They assure him, and Arthur and I share one last look before the party leaves and Morgana rides up next to me, the knights surrounding us, but giving us distance so we can converse privately. As we ride through the woods, I begin thinking of my destiny and how impossible it all seems to accomplish considering my position and my magic that Arthur was raised to hate.
"You look troubled, Lyn." Morgana comments and I jump slightly at her voice, now shaken from my thoughts.
"I'm fine." I answer and she scoffs, rolling her eyes at my obviously untrue answer.
"Merlyn, you don't have to keep secrets from me anymore, you know that. Talk to me." She urges and I sigh, looking down at the reigns in my hands.
"It's just, this destiny of mine, Mor, I feel like it isn't meant to happen, or that it isn't mine. I'm supposed to be this important witch, and become Queen, uniting magic and Camelot but I'm just a maid in love with the Prince, and I don't have faith that my destiny will come true." I admit in a whisper, careful that none of the knights hear me and she shakes her head, opening her mouth to reply, but she's interrupted by an ambush, and a knight, turns to us.
"My ladies, you must follow me!" He instructs and we begin to do so before he is shot in the back. I feel someone grab my arm and forcibly pull me off of Draco and I cry out in alarm and I look over to see Morgana in the same position. A knight kills the men holding us and Morgana leads me towards a hill.
"Lyn! Head for the path! Go!" She instructs and we run up the hill, but a man is there waiting for us. "I warn you. I am Uther Pendragon's ward. He'll have your heads if any harm comes to me." She informs them darkly and I stay behind her, knowing they may not harm her, but I'm not protected as she is.
"I have no intention of harming you. At least not yet. You're much more valuable to me alive, Lady Morgana." He retorts and two men grab our arms, escorting us to their camp and lead us to a tent. Morgana and I come up with a plan quietly while we wait for our captors to return.
"He's coming. You know what you must do?" She asks me, making sure I know my part in the plan and I nod just before the man enters.
"I trust you are comfortable?" He inquires and I roll my eyes from my place next to Morgana and she straightens in anger.
"I demand to know where you're taking us." She retorts authoritatively, showing them she isn't afraid of them.
"You'll find out soon enough. We've a long journey ahead of us. Get some rest." He instructs us before turning to leave and Morgana follows after him.
"I wish to bathe." She informs him and he seems amused by her request.
"You wish to bathe?" He repeats, incredulous that she's wanting to bathe after being kidnapped.
"I am the King's ward and accustomed to certain standards. I am sure you are quite contented to stink like a pig, but I am not." She retorts coldly, and I smirk at her comment.
"The Lady Morgana wishes to bathe! Who wants to help me guard her?" He calls out, receiving coarse laughter from the other bandits in reply and I clench my fist in anger. We're led to a stream and she begins to undress, with two men guarding us.
"You may find the water a little icy." The leader informs her and I roll my eyes, but continue to play the meek servant until the most opportune moment.
"I'm sure I'll manage. If you were any kind of gentleman, you'd give me some privacy." She remarks and he scoffs.
"Well, unfortunately for you I am no kind of gentleman. Now get on with it." He urges and Morgana removes her outer garment, leaving her in her shift dress and the second bandit releases me.
"You can at least turn your backs." She comments and he scoffs at her comment.
"So you can make a run for it. Do you think I'm that stupid?" He retorts, and I slowly move closer to him, while he's distracted with Morgana.
"I think you're very stupid." She admits and I pull his sword while Morgana hits him and I toss her the sword, which she uses to slash both men.
"Run!" She yells and we begin running in the opposite way, following the river, with me in front of her. "No, no, this way!" She informs me, changing the direction we're running and I trip over a large tree root, stumbling and landing awkwardly on my ankle. Morgana stops, coming back to me and I shake my head.
"Run!" I command, wincing as I inspect my ankle, knowing I can't run on it.
"Put your arm around my shoulder, come on!" She insists, trying to find a way to help me.
"No, no, no. We'll never outrun them, not with me on this ankle. You must go on without me!" I inform her, and she shakes her head quickly, kneeling down beside me.
"I'm not leaving you behind! Arthur will throttle me if I return without you! Can't you heal yourself with a spell?" She inquires quietly and I shake my head.
"No, I don't have healing magic. Mor, go! Please! You can't stay, you're the king's ward. Besides, I'll use my magic to protect me if it comes to it, now go! You must get help!" I insist and she nods, her eyes glassy before she becomes determined.
"Take this." She instructs me, giving me the sword and I squeeze her hand before gently nudging her arm.
"Go!" I order her, and she runs off, glancing back at me regretfully once more before running off into the forest and I hide behind a tree, using my magic to listen for the man pursuing us. I jump out, slashing his chest with the sword before continuing my way through the forest, hiding behind trees and cursing my wounded ankle.
Morgana POV
After leaving Merlyn with the sword, I begin to run, but I suddenly hear a man's pained scream, stopping me in my tracks and I turn back, gazing at the forest in concern for my wounded friend. I continue running, trying to find my way back to the road, and suddenly Arthur jumps out in front of me, startling me.
"Where's Merlyn?" He immediately inquires and I gaze at him sadly, his expression telling that he knew what had happened and he walks back to his horse. Leon approaches me, taking off his cloak and wrapping it around my shoulders and I smile at him in thanks.
Merlyn POV
After making a small amount of progress, I'm soon surrounded by the bandits and taken back to the leader.
"How could you let her escape?! Eh?! You bring me the servant! She's worthless to us!" He angrily rants before grabbing my face, looking me over, which makes me shift uncomfortably. He takes Morgana's dress and cloak, shoving them at me. "Put 'em on." He commands and I frown.
"What are you going to do with me?" I question, knowing that it can't be good since Morgana isn't here to use her position to protect me any longer.
"Hengist has never met the Lady Morgana. For all he knows, you could be Uther Pendragon's ward." He informs me and I shake my head in disbelief.
"I will not impersonate my mistress." I refuse, and he seems angered by my refusal.
"Then you will die where you stand." he threatens, putting a sword to my throat and I slowly nod, taking the dress and when it becomes clear that they won't turn away, I remove my outer dress and quickly put on Morgana's silk dress.
Morgana POV
Arthur was silent the entire ride back to Camelot, and after stopping by my chambers to change into a forest green dress, Arthur escorts me to the Council Chamber.
"It's such a relief to see you safe. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone harming you." Uther admits as he places a hand on my cheek, checking over the cuts on my face and I take his arms in my hands.
"The bandits still have Merlyn." I inform him frantically, concerned for my closest friend being left in the hands of bandits.
"I believe they were Mercian. We've received reports that Hengist has crossed the border." Arthur informs him and Uther's hand drops from my shoulder.
"Hengist?" He repeats, and I squeeze his arms, bringing his attention back to me.
"You must send a rescue party." I insist and he looks at me disbelievingly.
"If Hengist is holding her, it would take a small army to rescue Arthur's maid." He informs me and I shake my head, dropping my hands from his arms.
"We can't abandon her!" I argue, anger forming at his willingness to leave her in the hands of those awful men.
"How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant?" He questions condescendingly and I scoff.
"As many as it takes! Merlyn gave herself up so that I might escape. I owe her my life." I exclaim, trying to convince him to rescue Merlyn.
"She did so willingly, and she will be honoured for it." He assures me and I shake my head, quickly losing my temper.
"I don't want her honoured, I want her rescued! She is more than just Arthur's maid. She's my friend." I explain, my eyes shining with unshed tears at the thought of never seeing Merlyn again.
"A servant is of no value to these bandits. I fear she's dead already." He informs me softly and I feel a tear slide down my face at the thought of her dead and I wipe it away angrily.
"No! We cannot give up hope! Arthur? I'm begging you. You have to do something." I plead, turning to the man that's the closest thing to a brother I have, knowing he's in love with Merlyn, but his jaw tenses and he stands tensely.
"My father's right. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do." He replies and I gasp at his abandoning of a woman he claims to love, before looking between the two in disgust.
"How can you say that?! How can you live with yourselves?! All of you!" I angrily exclaim before turning and rushing out of the council chambers, heading straight for my room.
Merlyn POV
I'm escorted inside a large fortress and straight into the main hall wearing Morgana's dress and cloak with the hood up.
"Kendrick, I was beginning to think you'd failed me." A large, bald man comments as he rises from a sort of throne.
"May I present the Lady Morgana." My captor, Kendrick, introduces me and the man, Hengist, approaches me, laughing slightly as if in awe before removing my hood and I look away from him.
"You're as beautiful as they say, Lady Morgana." He remarks and I suppress a shudder at his compliment before I straighten myself.
"I demand that you release me immediately!" I command, trying to mimic both Morgana's and Arthur's confident and authoritative speech.
"Just as soon as Uther Pendragon pays your ransom. In the meantime, you'll be my guest." He informs me and I scoff at his term.
"Do not flatter yourself. I am not your guest! I am your prisoner!" I argue coldly and he doesn't seem affected as he looks behind him.
"As you wish. Take her to the dungeon." He orders his guards and I'm led to a small cell before I'm pushed in and the door locks behind me, making me flinch as I slide down the wall, bringing my knees up to my chest and finally letting the tears I'd been holding back fall.
Morgana POV
After calming myself, I rush to Arthur's chambers and burst in without bothering to knock.
"How can you be so heartless?! Lyn is the most kind, loyal person I've ever met, and she has been more than a friend to all of us, especially you! You claim to love her and yet you would leave her at the mercy of those animals!" I angrily ramble, pacing the length of his chamber, running a hand through my hair.
"Morgana…" He begins and I can't bare to hear him try to defend his betraying the woman he loves.
"Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself? I thought that you would do something, anything." I continue, wanting to shame him on his cowardly actions.
"Morgana…" He tries again and I shake my head, not wanting to hear his excuses.
"I knew you were many things, Arthur Pendragon, but I didn't know you were a gutless coward, especially when it came to Merlyn!" I angrily exclaim and he seems to flinch.
"Morgana! Perhaps if you would stop shouting at me for one second, you would notice that I am packing." He tensely informs me and I gape before smiling slightly.
"You're going after Merlyn." I realize, noticing he's wearing his chainmail and he looks at me incredulously.
"Of course I'm going after her. What do you take me for? I couldn't disagree with Father in public." he informs me and I laugh softly in relief before growing serious.
"Arthur? I'm coming with you, and don't try to talk me out of it." I insist and he sighs before nodding and I hurry off to change and pack for the trip. I quickly dress in a fitted white tunic, tan pants and black lace up boots, with my hair braided down one side, and I meet Arthur in the corridor. We hide behind a cart, peeking around it at the guards.
"I'll fetch the horses, you distract the guards?" Arthur suggests and I smirk as I spot a pile of barrels.
"I have an idea." I reply and he nods as he leaves, and I quickly cut the ropes securing the barrels, sending them rolling towards the gaurds, knocking them down.
"What did you do? I said distract them, not knock them out!" Arthur chastises when he returns and I chuckle softly.
You know, they seem pretty distracted to me. There's just no pleasing you sometimes." I retort and he smirks before we mount the horses and quickly ride out of Camelot and into the forest.
Merlyn POV
I was brought out of my cell for a feast and during the feast, I drifted off into thoughts of Arthur and Camelot, which didn't go unnoticed by my captors.
"Silence! Our royal guest, Lady Morgana has grown bored! She needs entertaining." Hengist excalims and the bandits laugh before he nods to someone. A gate opens and a gladiator struts into an arena. "Bring on the challenger." Hengist orders and Lancelot jogs into the cage, both of us giving the other a surprised glance. "Only one of you will emerge from the cage alive. Do you accept the challenge?" He inquires, and Lancelot bows to Hengist. A cage match ensues, with Lancelot being the winner, and he spares the man's life. He exits the cage and Hengist tosses Lancelot a sack of coins, while I glare at Lancelot suspiciously.
"What is your name?" Hengist demands of Lancelot, and I lean forward in my chair, concerned for my friend.
"My name is Lancelot." He informs him respectfully, and I look away from him again.
"You have proved yourself to be a skillful warrior. I believe you may even have impressed our royal guest, Lady Morgana." Hengist informs him, gesturing to me, and I can tell Lancelot is surprised but he bows to me.
"My Lady." He greets me and I nod quickly in greeting while Hengist laughs.
"Next time you fight, do not expect any mercy. Release the Wildren." He instructs and the cage door opens, a giant rodent emerging, eating the screaming gladiator, and I gape in horror at what I just witnessed.
Morgana POV
Sometime during the night I slowly nodded off, and woke up to Arthur catching me just before I slid off my horse. He helps me right myself back on the saddle and continues riding, with me trailing behind him.
Merlyn POV
I sit curled up in my cell, wringing my hands as I think of some way out of this fortress.
"Merlyn." Lancelot whispers and I look up to see him by the barred window at the top of my cell, and I stand on the stone bench to see him through the bars.
"Lancelot." I greet, smiling at my old friend and he returns the smile.
"I could not believe my eyes when I saw it was you, my friend." He informs me and I chuckle, nodding.
"I thought my mind was deceiving me." I reply, feeling the same as he did.
"Why does Hengist think you are Lady Morgana?" He questions in confusion and I quickly inform him of what happened.
"He believes he's holding Morgana to ransom. When no ransom is paid he will realize the truth and then he will throw me to those beasts." I comment, remembering that gladiator being eaten alive.
"I will not allow that to happen." He promises and I nod, slightly reassured.
"What are you doing here? Are you one of Hengist's men?" I inquire and he shakes his head vigorously.
"No." He refuses and I nod, believing him.
"What became of you after you left Camelot?" I ask him, wanting to know everything he's done since I last saw him.
"There are few opportunities for men like me. So I've been earning a living the only way that I know: with a sword in my hand. It seems it is my destiny to entertain men like Hengist." He replies sadly and I shake my head, knowing Lancelot is made for so much more.
"I don't believe that of you. You were so full of hope." I remark, remembering how hopeful he was about being a Knight of Camelot.
"I was wrong. The world is not like that." He informs me and I sigh sadly, knowing the world is often harsh.
"I still see the hope in you. I do not accept it is gone." I respond stubbornly and he chuckles softly.
"I have thought of you often, Merlyn. And Gwen. Have she thought of me at all?" He wonders and I smile slightly at his continued affections for my friend.
"She thought she'd never see you again." I explain and we suddenly hear a door being unlocked. "Someone's coming." I whisper, fearful of what could happen after the cage fight.
"No matter what it takes, I will find a way to get you out of here. I will." He vows before disappearing down the corridor, leaving me to hurry off the bench and face the bandits alone.
Morgana POV
I'm sleeping under a tree when I feel a hand nudge me awake and I look up to see Arthur holding out a canteen to me, and I take a drink of the water before he helps me stand.
"What's happening? How long was I asleep for?" I question and he begins packing up our camp.
"Long enough." He answers and I frown at his vague answer.
"Did you get some rest at least?" I question and he shakes his head after a minute.
"Couldn't sleep." He admits and I sigh softly as I begin readying for the journey.
"I've never seen you like this. About anyone." I inform him and he sighs, realizing what I'm hinting at.
"What are you talking about?" He questions, not seeing the importance of his behavior and I smile.
"Merlyn. You really care about her, don't you? I mean, I know you love her, but you've not slept, or ate anything since she's been gone. I've never seen you care or worry about someone so much, you're completely in love with her aren't you?" I ask him and I notice his face turn pensive for a second before he becomes serious again.
"What I care about is not wasting any more time talking. Let's get moving." He remarks and I sigh as I walk towards the horses.
Merlyn POV
I'm sitting very stiffly on the small bed in my cell when the door is unlocked and Hengist enters, causing me to stand quickly.
"I've not yet received word from Uther that he intends to pay your ransom. I was informed that the King was extremely fond of his ward. Are you not surprised he is content to leave you here to die?" He questions and I straighten, appearing confident even thought I'm becoming more and more fearful for my life.
"How can I know the King's mind when I am locked in your stinking cell?" I confidently retort.
"If I do not hear from Uther by dawn tomorrow, this stinking cell will be the last place you ever see." Hengist informs me as he cackles before leaving, slamming the door and I slump onto the bed, scared that he'll discover the truth and feed me to those awful rodents.
Morgana POV
Arthur and I stop to look at a map, in front of a system of tunnels.
"The ransom was supposed to be delivered to the Veil of Danaria. If they're holding Gwen anywhere, it has to be there. Which means, it'd save a day's riding if we cut through the tunnels of Andor." He informs me before, frowning and I sigh.
"Oh, no. I know that face. That face has meant trouble since you were eight years old. I'm not going to like this, am I? What's in the tunnels?" I question and he runs a hand through his hair.
"They're…infested with Wildren." He explains and I raise a brow, not knowing what Wildren are.
"What are Wildren?" I inquire, wanting to know what we'll be facing in the tunnel.
"Well, they're like giant…baby rats." He ammends at my fearful expression and I chuckle slightly.
"Baby rats? They don't sound so bad." I comment and he frowns again.
"They feast on human flesh." He deadpans and my eyes widen as I swallow loudly.
"Alright, well. We never said this would be easy. What's your plan?" I ask him and he walks over to inspect some bushes.
"Wildren are completely blind, they hunt by sense of smell. Gaia berries will put them off the scent. So, if we smear ourselves with them, perhaps we can pass through the tunnels undetected." He informs me before smearing the berries all over his face, and I begin to do the same, grimacing at the awful smell. We walk into the tunnel, Arthur and I with our swords out, just in case of any wildren.
"How much further is it?" I ask him quietly and he turns back to face me quickly.
"Shh! Wildren coming this way." He explains and we hide, keeping silent. "Whatever happens, keep completely still."
Merlyn POV
Lancelot sneaks up to my cell, like he did the previous night and I climb on the bench to see him.
"Merlyn." He greets and I nod at him in greeting. "I was terrified I might find your cell empty." He admits and I inhale shakily.
"There's been no word from Uther. I fear Hengist is growing suspicious." I confide and he seems to tense up before shaking his head at my obvious fears.
"You must keep up the pretense. I will not allow you to die here." He promises me and I sigh, nodding my head, before frowning.
"What about you?" I inquire and I realize how tired he looks, and the hoplessness in his eyes.
"I have little to live for." He informs me and I gasp sadly at my friend's confession.
"Do not say that." I argue, not wanting my friend to talk like that.
"It's the truth. For all my words, for all that I believed, I have come to nothing." He continues and I shake my head.
"You are a good and honorable man, Lancelot. You are a dear friend to me, and Gwen would be devastated if something happened to you. She said that 'Lancelot is everything right in this world.'" I explain, knowing Gwen will kill me for telling him she said that about him, but he needed to hear it.
"I did not know she felt that way." He admits, clearly surprised by Gwen's strong feelings for him.
"Well, survive and I guarantee she'll tell you how she feels when you return to Camelot." I inform him and he nods his head, a small smile on his face.
"Then you have given me a reason to live. Be ready. I will come for you before nightfall." He explains and I nod before he quickly leaves the window, leaving me alone once again.
Morgana POV
After exiting the tunnel, we head to a stream to wash off the Gaia berries and I'm ringing out my hair while Arthur cleans the berries from his cheeks.
"Gaia berries worked. Huh." He remarks, almost like he didn't know for sure and I frown.
"You didn't know if they worked?" I question and he looks guilty before shaking his head.
"Not for sure." He admits and I scoff as I braid my hair once again.
"Oh! Oh, what's that Wildren eating? It's all right. It's just Gana." I retort, mostly teasing and he frowns slightly.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't've risked your life like that." He apologizes and I shake my head in understanding.
"Well, they do say love makes you do strange things." I comment and his cheeks turn slightly pink.
"Gana.." He warns and I roll my eyes, walking over to him.
"Why can't you just admit your feelings for Merlyn? I mean, you've already admitted you love her, why not talk to me about it?" I ask him and he scoffs. "It's so obvious. A blind man could see it. Is it really that hard to talk about your feelings? Just say it." I implore and he sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"I can't! How can I admit that I think about her all the time. Or that…I care about her more than anyone. How can I admit that…I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?" He admits and I frown at his resistance.
"Why can't you?" I question, and he gives me a look between anger at me pressing the matter and disbelief like I don't know already.
"Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings knowing that…hurts too much." He confesses and I smile sadly, knowing that they're destined to be together and that it will happen, just not until Arthur is King.
"Who's to say nothing can happen?" I retort, not wanting either of them to be heartbroken until then.
"My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?" Arthur snaps and my eyes widen at the seriousness of his feelings for Merlyn this early in their destiny and I grin.
"You want to marry Lyn?" I repeat, grinning and his eyes widen, clearly not meaning to have said that.
"No! No…I…I don't know…It's all talk, and that's all it can ever be." He insists and I sigh, knowing that we've had this argument several times since he told me he loved Merlyn.
"When you're King, you can change that." I encourage him and he scoffs at that.
"I can't expect Merlyn to wait for me." He comments sadly and I frown, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"If she feels as you do, she'll wait for you. And I know she will." I inform him and he smiles, although it's a sad smile.
"We don't even know if she's still alive." He admits and I squeeze his shoulder.
"No, she is. We will find her." I insist and we begin our walk to the fortress. "Come on, we've a long trek ahead of us. Oh, Arthur we could talk about your feelings more on the way." I tease and he smirks as he playfully nudges me as we begin the walk to rescue the woman who means the most to both of us.
Merlyn POV
Bandits shove me into the cage where Hengist is waiting and I wring my hands subconsciously as I try to remain calm.
"Morgana. Morgana! I keep asking myself, 'Why does Uther not pay the ransom? He's a rich man, why would he leave his beloved ward to suffer a slow and terrible death?'" Hengist prompts and I frown, getting a sinking feeling in my stomach that Hengist knows the truth.
"I don't know. Please. Please…" I beg, backing up into the corner of the cage and he grabs one of my hands.
"It must be very upsetting to know that Uther has abandoned you. It seems like no one in the world cares for you." He remarks and I immediately think of Arthur, knowing that to be untrue, that at least one person cares about me.
"I don't know why he doesn't pay. Please, I don't know." I insist, and he glances at me once more before looking over my shoulder.
"Take her to her cell. Bring Kendrick to me. Perhaps he can tell me why the Lady Morgana has the hands of a serving girl." He comments and I wince, a tear falling down my face as he comfirms that he's figured out my deception and I fear for what he has planned. I'm thrown into my cell, and I curl up under Morgana's cloak and cry.
Sudden;y, Lancelot opens the door to my cell, walks in and quickly takes my hand.
"We haven't a moment to lose." He informs me before we run down a dark tunnel. After we've gone a fair ways into the tunnels, we stop.
"Follow this tunnel. It will take you out beyond the castle walls. I will buy you as much time as I can." He explains and I shake my head, my eyes turning glassy at the thought of Lancelot dying to save me.
"I am not leaving you." I retort, knowing I can use my magic to cause a distraction and save both of us.
"You must. You can't use your magic either, it's too dangerous. Just go, Merlyn." He insists and I sigh angrily.
"No. I will not leave you here to die." I argue, straightening, showing him I'm not changing my mind either.
"I would die for you 100 times over, my friend. And you should tell Arthur how you feel about him. I noticed it when we found him unconscious in that field, the worry and love in your eyes. Tell him." He urges and I gape, in surprise at that before smiling at him.
"Yeah, well. I just might if you live and tell Gwen your feelings." I reply and he chuckles softly, knowing I made a very good point.
"I'll find you, I promise. Run. Don't stop running until you are well away from here. Run. Run." He instructs me when he notices me hesitate before I sigh, running down the tunnel, pausing when I hear a yell before I keep running. I decide to turn back and go after Lancelot, unfortunately getting caught by bandits in the process and led back to the cage where I see Lancelot tied up and Hengist taunting him, only hearing the end of their conversation.
"She is worth more than you will ever understand." He informs him and I'm dragged out in front of him, noticing the shock and disappointment on his face at seeing me.
"You thought she got away. No. You failed her. And that must hurt you 'more than I will ever understand.'" Hengist cruelly mocks before shoving me down beside him and tying me up as well. The bandits laugh at Lancelot and I as we sit tied to each other in the center of the cage.
"What do you say?! Shall I spare them?" Hengist asks the roomful of brutes and they all roar with laughter, chanting: "Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill…!"
"I am sorry. This is my fault. Now you'll never be able to tell Gwen how you feel." I lament sadly and I feel him shake his head.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. You reminded me of who I am. I will die with faith in my heart. That is worth more than anything." He informs me and I smile sadly at his kind words.
"Release the Wildren!" Hengist commands and I draw in a fearful breath just before two masked figures jump into the arena, removing their masks to reveal Arthur and Morgana.
"Arthur!" I exclaim, joy radiating off of me and he immediately rushes to me, untying me while Morgana unties Lancelot. Arthur tosses Lancelot a sword before pulling me behind him while they fend off the Wildren.
"Hello, Lancelot. Good to see you're alright." Morgana greets as she joins the men in a fighting stance and Lancelot gives her a surprised smile.
"Pleasure to see you as well, Lady Morgana. Truthfully, I've been better." He replies with a smirk and she laughs in response while Arthur quickly checks me over for injuries, his face hardening when hee notices the bruise just under my eye stemming across my cheekbone, the cut on my lip, my obvious limp from my injured ankle, and the small gash on my forehead. I roll my eyes and smile, which he returns with a sincere smile and a loving gaze while he gently brushes his fingers over my bruise.
"What are you doing here, Lancelot?" Arthur questions amidst the battle, once he joins Morgana and Lancelot in attacking the Wildren, and I glance to Morgana who smiles at me, seemingly grateful I'm otherwise unharmed.
"I came to save Merlyn. What about you?" He replies and I subtly look to Arthur, wondering, and hoping, on his response, and he glances at me, flashing a relieved smile at seeing me slightly dirty with the minor cuts and bruises on my face, but alive.
"Likewise. Get behind us." He responds and I suppress a grin at the thought that he cared about me enough to risk his life to rescue me. Hengist aims a crossbow at the three of us and I notice a chandelier on the ceiling.
"Ic bebíede fealle." I whisper while Arthur and Lancelot are distracted fighting the Wildren, and the chandelier crashes, intending to crush Hengist but he dodges it.
"The tunnel, that's our only chance. Let's go!" Arthur instructs, having noticed the tunnel and come up with an exit strategy.
"After them!" Hengist commands as he enters the cage and I suck in a breath, knowing we have to leave soon.
"Take Merlyn! I'll hold them off." Lancelot suggests and I shake my head, my eyes shining with unshed tears at my friend sacrificing himself once again for me.
"No! You're my friend and it would devastate Gwen, I won't do it." I stubbornly refuse and Arthur rolls his eyes exasperatedly, the two men sharing a look before Arthur takes my hand in his and I quickly look to him.
"Merlyn, we have to go!" He exclaims as he leads me down the tunnel, with Morgana right behind us and I mutter a spell, breaking the rope causing the gate to fall, trapping Hengist in his own cage with the Wildren.
"I see you're still up to your old tricks, Merlyn." Lancelot comments quietly and I smirk in response.
"It's probably best you don't tell anyone about that." I whisper, smiling at him before blushing as Lancelot suddenly smirks and I follow his gaze to my hand still entwined tightly with Arthur's. We stop running when we reach the locked bars at the end of the tunnel, and Arthur tries to break the chain.
"Good to see you both. Where are your knights?" Lancelot inquires, causing Morgana and Arthur to share a nervous glance.
"It's just us." Morgana admits, an anxious smile on her face as Lancelot turns to Arthur in surprise.
"Got to keep moving." Arthur instructs as he breaks open the gate before turning to offer me a hand, helping me up. I take it with a grateful smile, which doesn't go unnoticed by Lancelot or Morgana who follows after us.
"Thank you, Arthur. We owe you our lives." Lancelot replies, clearly thankful that Arthur saved us, but gives him a knowing look towards me and I blush as I continue on my way, while Arthur nods.
"I'm surprised you would undertake such a rescue mission…with just the two of you." He comments, glancing between Arthur and Morgana, the former shrugging as if the answer were obvious.
"My father would not risk the lives of his knights for a servant." He responds knowingly and I nod in understanding.
"And yet you disobeyed him and came here anyway." Lancelot continues, grinning between Arthur and I, the both of us blushing scarlet as we avoid looking each other in the eyes.
"Truth is, I seem to always disobey my father when Merlyn's life is in danger, and I plan to continue that trend. Her life is worth more to me important than what my father deems important." He admits and I turn to look at him quickly, gaping as I realize he cares about me enough to defy his father, and he smiles at me softly. Eventually, Morgana and Arthur fall asleep, while Lancelot decides to stand guard and I keep him company, sitting across from him.
"The way he looks at you, it's clear he's in love with you. It seems he feels for you what I feel for Guinevere." He informs me and I blush heatedly at his observation.
"Yes, well, before tonight I hadn't really known his feelings for me. See, I have this important destiny, and it states that I'm going to become Arthur's Queen, uniting Camelot and Magic once again and our children will continue to rule Albion in our image for generations." I explain awkwardly and he raises a brow before chuckling.
"After what I've seen tonight, I don't doubt that your destiny will come true Merlyn, and possibly very soon with how he acts with you. A man in love has a certain demeanor, for example, I've never seen someone abruptly stop in the middle of a sword fight to examine someone's wounds like he did with you in the cage. It seemed the two of you were in your own world for a brief moment in time." He elaborates and I grin at his words, feeling a newly restored hope in my destiny with Arthur. The next morning, we mount the horses, Arthur on one, Lancelot on another and Morgana sharing her horse with me as we begin the long ride to Camelot. Arthur leads me to the physician's chambers where we look in to see Gaius peering out the window worriedly, and Arthur knocks on the door, the half open door and his body keeping me hidden. Gaius turns, throwing Arthur a questioning glance at his presence.
"Sorry to interrupt, Gaius, but there's someone here to see you." He explains and he shifts to the side to reveal me leaning against Morgana for support and he lets out a watery laugh, rushing over to embrace me. I laugh, a tear sliding down my cheek as I hug him before he pulls away and ushers me to the work bench before he begins to examine all of my injuries while I try to bat him away. I notice Arthur leaning against the door frame, with a wistful smile on his face before he turns around, walking down the corridor and I give Morgana a confused look before she shrugs, following him.