HI! I'm sorry for literally taking like 2 years off... Life got messed up and I didn't have my laptop until recently and found this chapter half written so I finished it and plan to continue updating this for a while. Thanks for being interested and patient I was a new writer when I started this and I plan to make Merlyn mostly the same as portrayed in the show because I loved the show and just want to put my own spin on how I think a female merlyn could be, so I try to follow the episode while throwing my own original scenes or dialogue with how i think characters would react. As always let me know what you think in the reviews and be prepared this is only part 1 of this chapter! I gave you guys an extra long one and part 2 should be up by tomorrow :) I'll shut up so you guys can read!
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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.
Gaius and I are walking through the lower town, my arms laden with pots while Gaius walks ahead of me, rushing me while I'm trying to avoid tripping over the hem of my midnight blue gown. My unruly hair is thrown into a braided updo with a few strands loose around my face and a tan belt around my waist.
"Keep up, Merlyn. We've got a busy day ahead." Gaius chides as he looks back at me over his shoulder and I roll my eyes, softly blowing a curly strand of hair away from my eye.
"It's a busy day everyday. You and Arthur, you work me to the bone." I complain, adjusting the pots in my arms as I continue to follow my mentor, who seems to be walking faster than he was moments before.
"Do stop moaning. At least the work's interesting." He retorts and I scoff at his choice of words and shuffle forwards, only tripping slightly once before reaching his side.
"Gaius, we're collecting pots. We do the same thing each and every Thursday at exactly the same time and nothing interesting ever happens." I counter, shaking the pots tied together around my shoulders for emphasis when suddenly I feel someone grab my arm and I turn to see a man in a dark colored cloak.
"Please, miss, we seek Uther Pendragon. Where can he be found?" The man questions and I turn to Gaius, giving him a concerned glance before turning back to the man.
"I…" I begin but stop when I feel him press something into my hand.
"We have urgent business with the King." He insists and I shift my attention to what he handed me, noticing it seems to be a house seal.
"I'm sorry, any business you have with the King will have to be pursued through the usual channels." Gaius informs the man but then he looks down to the seal and I see the recognition flash across his face. "But this is the seal of the House of Tregor. Where did you get this?" Gaius demands of the strange man.
"It does not belong to me." He explains, turning to a figure who pulls down their hood to reveal a beautiful red-headed woman wearing a simple white dress underneath a green cloak.
"It belongs to me." The woman claims and Gaius bows before her, which I raise a brow at.
"My Lady." He greets her and I stare at the woman, sensing that she isn't all that she appears to be, while Gaius continues to bow. "Merlyn!" Gaius whispers, giving me a look and I reluctantly bow before the woman, noting to keep a careful eye on this strange guest. Gaius insists upon showing the woman, Lady Catrina, to the council chamber, after depositing the pots in the physician's chambers. Arthur is seated next to his father wearing a red tunic and a long brown trench coat while Morgana is wearing a forest green dress with gold adornments. Uther and Arthur both stand once Lady Catrina enters the chamber.
"Lady Catrina, is it really you?" Uther asks, and Arthur's eyes find mine once he notices my presence and I smile slightly before I see his gaze land on the rather large bruise on my right cheek as well as my blackened eye, the cut on my lip which is almost healed and the small scar just underneath my hairline on my forehead from my encounter with Hengist.
"I can hardly believe it myself." Catrina replies, curtsying before Uther as she speaks.
"We had tidings from the north that the House of Tregor had fallen to invaders." He informs her, placing his hands on his hips and she sighs.
"All that you heard was true, My Lord, and worse." She confirms and I see a look of sympathy on Uther that I never thought would appear.
"Your father, the King?" He asks, sounding concerned for the monarch of the Tregor house.
"Gone, Sire. The enemy attacked without warning. We were outnumbered five to one. He could not endure. I would never have survived had it not been for my faithful servant Jonas. But we did survive, and we have made it this far…" She explains, all the while I narrow my eyes at her, feeling that doubt I originally felt increase and suddenly she swoons, Uther catching her immediately. "Forgive me, My Lord. I fear my trials have taken a toll." She apologizes, seeming embarrassed and I grow more suspicious.
"Your sufferings are beyond imagining, My Lady. It would be an honour to help you in any way we can." He replies and I raise a brow at the kind tone he speaks to Catrina with, not recognizing the hardened King of Camelot.
"A bed for the night would be most welcome." She comments as he rights her position and steps back.
"And consider yourselves our esteemed guests. It's the least we can do." He offers and she smiles, looking grateful for the kindness.
"Thank you."
After the meeting in the council chambers, I'm walking down a corridor with Gaius, who seems lost in thought and I frown at his behavior.
"She's very brave." I remark, absently wringing my hands as we walk.
"Yes." He agrees, seeming distracted and I glance at him, not seeing anything in his expression.
"It's just terrible what she's been through." I continue, trying to get him to respond to something about Lady Catrina, knowing that's what seems to be on his mind.
"Terrible, indeed." He comments and I sigh.
"What's wrong?" I inquire, knowing that he seems to be in deep thought since we encountered Lady Catrina in the lower town.
"Nothing." He mutters, completely out of character which causes me to stop in front of him, trying to find a delicate way of expressing my concerns about the Lady Tregor.
"Merlyn! I have a job for you." Arthur calls, and I look past Gaius to see Arthur down the corridor and I sigh.
"Work, work, work." I softly rant to myself as I walk towards Arthur, smiling at him as he explains my task and the smile quickly falls from my face. He shows me to Lady Catrina and Jonas, and I escort them to her guest quarters, plastering a smile on my face as I notice she does much the same.
"I'm sorry it's not quite what you're used to." I comment, walking in with her and Jonas behind me and I notice her smile as she glances around before turning to me.
"Forgive me, dear, but I didn't get your name." She remarks and I smile politely as I wring my hands.
"Merlyn, my Lady." I introduce myself and she smiles, which I note doesn't reach her eyes.
"Well, Merlyn, considering we spent last night in a cave, this will do very nicely. Thank you." She replies and I nod respectfully.
"Well, if you need anything, just ask. My.. master's chambers are only upstairs." I inform her, hesitant on addressing Arthur as my 'master' but realizing it's the proper term for a servant to use.
"My mistress and I could not be more grateful for the kindness you've shown us, Mistress Merlyn." Jonas thanks me and I smile again before walking towards the door.
"You're welcome, my Lady. Sleep well." I comment before leaving, finally able to let the false smile fall from my face as I walk back to the physician's chambers. Later that night, I'm standing beside Gaius as he prepares a potion at his work bench.
"There's something really different about Lady Catrina." I finally blurt out, wringing my hands trying to find the words to express my concerns.
"Oh?" Gaius questions as he continues with the potion and I nod.
"Most of Uther's guests just treat me like I'm dirt in their shoes, but she was really nice, even after all she's been through." I comment, frowning as I remember her false smile and the way she swooned when she was being questioned earlier by Uther.
"Yes. She always was very gracious." Gaius agrees and I raise a brow, coming closer and sitting at the bench.
"You've met her before?" I ask, wondering why he hadn't said anything when she arrived in Camelot.
"Oh, it was many years ago. I doubt that she would remember. Now, Merlyn, I've got a job for you." He dismisses my questioning and I give him a teasing smile.
"Does it ever end?" I retort, before standing as he finishes the potion he's been working on.
"Give this to the Lady Catrina with my compliments." He instructs, handing me the small bottle and I glance down at the potion in my hands.
"What is it?" I ask him, looking up from the bottle and seeing a knowing look on his face.
"She'll know what it is." He responds and I frown at his avoidance of my question.
"But what is it? Okay, okay." I comment as Gaius pushes me towards the door and I roll my eyes as I walk to the guest chambers where Catrina is staying. I knock on the door and enter to find the Lady Catrina seated at the table, wiping her face.
"Jonas, you must take these back to the kitchens, it's, er, it's perfectly rotten." She requests and I notice the bowl of rotten fruit on the table, writhing with worms and I frown.
"I–I'm sorry. I did not mean to intrude." I apologize, putting my most polite smile on my face, not wanting to show her that I suspect something of her and she smiles tightly in response.
"That's, er, that's quite alright. At least I wasn't undressing." She replies and I nod, considering I'm not a lady's maid, but I can't help the nagging feeling that something is quite off about the Lady Catrina.
"Er, the court physician asked me to give you this, my Lady." I inform her as I try to hand her the potion.
"What is it?" Jonas questions and I shrug softly as I smile politely.
"Er, Gaius prepared it for you. I don't really know, my lady, I'm not told much around here." I explain and she nods, flashing a false smile once again.
"I am terribly sorry, there must be some mistake. I requested no medicine." She responds and I frown, not sure why Gaius would make her a potion.
"Oh. Oh. Are you sure?" I question awkwardly, not knowing Gaius to make such a mistake and she nods confidently.
"Quite sure, thank you. I am in perfect health." She snaps at me and I apologize once again for interrupting before I exit her chambers and head back to the physician's chambers. As I walk in I slam the bottle on the table in front of Gaius.
"She didn't ask for it. She didn't need it. She didn't even want it." I ramble angrily, irritated that she snapped at me for asking about the medicine.
"Interesting." Gaius mutters and I knit my brows in confusion at his suspicion of Catrina.
"If you say so." I reply, still not understanding his sudden change towards the mysterious guest.
"When I treated her as a child, it was for an incurable disease. Catrina had a rare bone disorder affecting her joints. She often had difficulty walking, especially after a long ride. My tonic was the only thing that brought her relief." Gaius explains and suddenly my strange mistrust of the Lady Tregor seems to make sense.
"She walks as well as you or I." I comment, remembering her walking completely unhindered by pain as I showed her to her chambers in the palace.
"So I noticed." Gaius chides and I nod to myself, understanding what he had done.
"So…the tonic was some kind of test?" I ask him, though already knowing that it had in fact been a test... one that 'Catrina' failed which left a pit in my stomach and an uneasy feeling about the King's guest.
"Indeed. And I'm starting to wonder if the Lady Catrina is really the Lady Catrina at all." He informs me and I wring my hands at his words, trying to find the words to explain my immediate distrust of her.
"Gaius? I- I knew something was off about Catrina. Not- not just a suspicion, I knew. Almost like I felt it. As soon as I met her in the town square, I knew she was lying and she was hiding something. When I'm around her I have this uneasy feeling and I don't trust a thing she says, and I don't like that she's trying to insert herself closely to the royal family. I don't know how to explain it, but I think that I can sense magic around her, like she's using it either to make herself appear as Catrina or to spell those around her to trust her, which maybe explains why I don't trust her, my magic would make me immune to any kind of spell weaker than my magic." I ramble and Gaius nods, smiling at me and I knit my brows at his expression, not understanding why he'd be smiling after what I just revealed.
"I'm glad to see that you're learning to trust your instincts and your magic. You may be right about some kind of spell but I'll have to look into what specific spells could mimic one's appearance and if there are any spells about trust this widespread. While I'm researching, I want you to continue to tend to Catrina, as if nothing's changed, and see if you observe anything strange." He instructs me and I nod, walking out of the physician's chambers to finish my chores for Arthur, and as I pass by Catrina and Uther leaving so I decide to take advantage of their outing and I cautiously enter the chambers. As soon as I do, I'm overcome with an awful smell and I set the basket of linens on the chest at the foot of the bes so I can cover my face with my hand as I cough before I begin my snooping, checking inside a chest before looking under the bed when I notice the bed hasn't been slept in.
"Can I help you?" Jonas comments and I look up, startled by his sudden appearance and I shake my head quickly.
"No. Er, I– I– I was– I was just changing the sheets." I stammer out, silently cursing myself for sounding so nervous.
"Please, go ahead. Don't let me get in your way." He insists and I straighten out the sheets as if I'd just made the bed and I smile politely.
"All done. Thank you." I reply as I stand from my kneeling position and nod at him before walking towards the door, trying to resist the urge to run.
"Merlyn. Aren't you forgetting something?" Jonas calls out and as he turns around I catch a glimpse of what looks to be a green forked tail, before he turns back holding the laundry basket I'd abandoned on the foot chest and I smile awkwardly as I take it from him.
"How daft of me, thank you Jonas. Gaius always says I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached to my neck." I joke and he gives a tight lipped smile before I nod and exit the chambers, letting out a breath before quickly depositing the linens in the laundry room before hurrying back to the physician's chambers.
"What did you find?" Gaius questions immediately as I enter the chambers and I shake my head as I walk over to him.
"Something wasn't right in there. There was this strange smell, and I could've sworn the Lady Catrina's bed hadn't been slept in. And there was something else." I explain and he raises a brow at that.
"Oh?" He comments, urging me to continue and I wring my hands in front of me.
"Jonas. As I was leaving, I thought I saw something…this is gonna sound mad, but it looked like Jonas had a tail." I admit and Gaius looks taken aback at that observation.
"A tail? You're sure?" He inquires and I nod, before frowning slightly.
"Well, I mean, I only glimpsed it for a moment. I-I mean, I could be wrong…" I reply, reminded of the Valiant instance, knowing that my word isn't always taken as fact, or I could very well just be seeing things due to my obvious suspicions about 'Catrina'.
"No, no, I believe you. Merlyn, we must keep an eye on her. A very close eye." He instructs and I nod, smiling at his belief in me. Arthur and I are grooming his horse, Draco, standing on either side of him as Uther and Catrina return from their outing. Uther helps Catrina down from her horse, while they both giggle and I raise a brow at the King of Camelot giggling.
"Honestly. Look at them." Arthur comments, obviously a little uncomfortable with his father openly pursuing the Lady Tregor and I look over at him smiling slightly at his awkwardness before sobering.
"Don't you think it's odd how quickly they've become close?" I question as I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and he turns to look at me, and I turn my eyes back to Draco as I brush out his mane.
"There's nothing odd about that. My father's a wealthy and powerful man." He replies and I roll my eyes slightly before looking back at Arthur.
"Is that all that you think matters? Wealth and power? Is that all that it takes to win a royal, a pretty face and the right bloodline without any feelings having to be involved?" I retort and Arthur's jaw tightens at my words.
"No, that's not 'all it takes', Merlyn. I'm sure that may be with most royals but I thought we'd established that our situation is... complicated. I'm sure Lady Catrina has good intentions in pursuing my father and I've no reason to try and stop him from being happy with the one he loves, not when I know what it's like to be separated from mine." He replies softly and I suck in a breath as his implication finally hits me and I quickly look to him, his crystal blue eyes shining with an emotion I can now recognize that I couldn't all those times before... Love.
"Arthur... don't." I whisper, my voice strained with emotion and he glances around before leading me into the empty stables and I let out a breath as the door shuts behind us. Silence lingers between us as we both fight for the words we desperately wish to say to one another.
"Merlyn, you have to realize that I've changed. You've changed me, since that day in the field when you stood up to me, even now you're changing me into a better man. I'm not the cold, vain prince you met that day anymore and I don't recall when I began to change or when my feelings for you changed but I'm not going to deny them any longer. The right thing to do would be to hide my feelings, to tell you to move on and let you go but I won't, because I'm selfish, Merlyn. I couldn't bear the very thought of you with someone else. I'd rather you deny yourself any possible happiness with someone else and wait until I'm king and I could finally express my feelings for you, but that makes me horrible. To want you to be alone instead of being happy, of being loved the way that you deserve. The way I wish I could, the way I desperately hope to, but know I can't. It's not right for me to ask you to love me as I do while we can't act on it." He admits and I gasp softly, feeling my eyes glaze over with tears at his heartfelt words and he sighs emotion shining in his eyes and I chuckle softly causing him to look at me in confusion.
"Y- you love me? Is that what that was, Arthur, a declaration o-of love?" I stutter out, my face burning with a scarlet blush as my wide sapphire blue eyes stare unwavering at him.
"Merlyn.." He breathes out, stepping towards me and cupping my cheek with his hand causing me to sigh, placing my own hand on his as he gazes at me. "I think I started falling in love with you the day I met you, this beautiful, strong woman talking back to me in front of all of my knights, questioning me in public. You've always pushed me, told me what I needed to hear, even though I didn't want to hear it. You've shown me how to be a better prince to my people and a better man. How could I not love you?" He whispers and I feel a tear slide down my cheek, which he brushes away with the pad of his thumb.
"You really do mean that, don't you? You love me. Truly?" I question shakily and he laughs in exasperation before nodding and I smile widely before I pull him to me, kissing him passionately and I feel his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close to him. I sigh against his mouth as I relax into the kiss, before I pull away to catch my breath, both of us panting slightly.
"I heard you." He tells me and I look at him, knitting my brows in confusion and he sighs. "When I was bitten by the Questing Beast." He elaborates and I stiffen, thinking he means when I used my magic to kill the beast with his sword. "I heard what you said when you were tending to my fever, well I heard parts of it, that I remember clearly." He explains and I wring my hands nervously, which he notices.
"W-what did you hear exactly?" I inquire, remembering that I admitted I loved him and hoping he didn't hear me say it, because it was long before he knew the extent of his own feelings.
"I heard you talking about the man I was meant to become, the king I was going to be, how my father and Morgana needed me, how you needed me. I heard you say it." He admits softly and I take a step back, to which he frowns.
"You heard me say what, Arthur? That I loved you?" I question and he nods. "You heard me confess how I felt and you never told me? You just, what, pretended like you didn't know how I felt for you? How could you do that? You kissed me that day of the final tournament, and then rejected me, and you're telling me you knew I loved you when you did that? You knew... you knew how much that would hurt me, to hear you say that we could never be together, that I was nothing more than a servant and that your father would never accept me. It was different when I thought you didn't know, this just makes it worse. You played with my feelings, you kissed me knowing how I felt for you. And then in the courtyard you knew it would hurt me to reject me, to take it back. You gave me hope for us, which I admit is my own fault in a way for letting you. I'm not daft, Arthur. I know this is doomed, you're a bloody prince and I'm your maid. Th-this was a mistake." I ramble, starting out angry but somehow I end my rant with tears sliding down my cheeks. He starts to walk towards me but I back away angrily.
"Merlyn, don't do this, please. I know I should have told you but I didn't know how. I couldn't- I didn't know how to explain to you how I heard and I didn't understand the extent of my feelings then and to acknowledge what you admitted, it would've hurt to admit it openly, to say that we loved each other only to not be able to act upon it. Morgana and I realized it was better to wait until we could be together, for me to be king before I told you how I felt about you." He informs me and my eyes widen at his slip.
"Mor knew? She knew that you heard me? That you knew how I felt when you left me standing in the rain, hearing those words ringing in my ears as I walked around in the pouring rain for hours chastising myself for being naive and thinking things would be different. You both 'decided'? How dare you make that decision for me? I would've been comforted by the fact that you knew how I felt, that you returned even a semblance of what I felt for you, that we had a future that I could look forward to. Bloody Hell, Arthur I would wait for you the rest of my life if you asked me to because I love you! I've loved you since the beginning even when you were a prat to me, even when you were getting me thrown in the stocks so you could go riding with Sophia, while you ignore me in front of your father or order me about in front of the knights to keep appearances that we aren't anything more than Prince and maid. It's time we accept that I'm your maid and that's all I'll ever be." I remark shakily, and his eyes widen as he crosses the stables, closer to me despite my protests and takes my hands in his.
"No. Merlyn you've never just been my maid. You-" He begins but I take my hands from his and he frowns at my actions and I inhale in an attempt to compose myself.
"Arthur, we need to face reality. The king would never accept me as your wife. Do you really expect the people of Camelot to accept a maid as their future Queen? You're meant to marry a princess and rule with someone of your station and I'm made to change your sheets and wash your socks. I'm not Queen material and I'm not going to delude myself any more than I have been. I love you. I love you more than anything and I would do anything for you. I would die for you in a heartbeat but sometimes that isn't enough. Sometimes we love people we aren't meant to, and this is one of those times. I was weak and I let myself believe we had a chance. I- I can't stand in the way for you." I explain softly and I lean forward and kiss his cheek tenderly before I let out a shaky breath and walk out of the stables, ignoring his stricken expression or him calling my name as I walk back to the physician's chamber, leaning against the door as it shuts and I let out a sob as I slide down the door to sit on the ground, placing my head on my knees as I feel the pain of what I've done hit me.
"Merlyn?" Gaius calls out, and upon hearing him walk towards me I look up at the man I consider a surrogate father and I sniffle.
"He loves me." I mutter and Gaius's eyes widen as I wipe my eyes with the sleeves of my dress. "He told me he loves me and it was the happiest moment of my life, Gaius, and then he told me he heard me confess my love for him while he was dying after the Questing Beast bit him, the night I said goodbye before I went to the Isle. Apparently he heard and he's known this whole time... He knew and never said. He said Morgana knew and never told me either. I'm just so... hurt. I told him that our love was a mistake, that it was doomed, that I was only ever going to be his maid and I walked away. I just broke his heart and mine. I've been waiting for him to tell me those words and instead of feeling what I thought I'd feel all I feel is heartbreak." I admit and he sighs, holding his arms out and I shoot up off the floor and into his arms as I sob while he holds me. I silently help Arthur prepare for bed, as we sit in a silence, he sighs before getting in bed. Once he's asleep, I glimpse a mirror on his bedside table.
"Scéawere, folge min bebod." I whisper and the mirror floats over to me and I hold it out the window, trying to spy on 'Catrina' below and the beautiful woman is revealed to actually be a hideous troll in disguise, much to my amusement that Uther is smitten with a troll.
"Merlyn." Arthur calls and I spin around, dropping the mirror causing it to shatter, and I see Arthur sitting up, with the blankets around his waist. "I have no doubt, Merlyn, that you have prepared a very good explanation for this." He continues and I nod, smiling awkwardly as I wring my hands.
"Yes. No. Er.. I was feeling uneasy about what happened earlier and I didn't want to leave quite yet so I was tidying up and I noticed the detailing on the mirror and I like to look at the night sky when I'm upset and you startled me and I'm sorry I dropped your mirror." I ramble and he gets out of bed, only in a pair of trousers and I blush, which he notices and smirks at before he sobers his expression.
"Merlyn.." "I'm sorry, Arthur!" We both speak at the same time and I chuckle softly before I motion for him to speak.
"I'm sorry. For not telling you I knew, for hurting you, for everything, but I refuse to believe we're not meant to be together, Merlyn. I'm in love with you and I won't give up on that. I won't ask you to wait for me to be king. I'll never love anyone the way I love you. I can't explain it, but it's almost like we were made for each other, as if it was destined for us to be together. I love you and I promise you that if you forgive me and you decide to wait for me, I will spend the rest of my life proving to you how much I love you, Lyn." He vows and I let out a watery laugh at him calling me 'Lyn' and he smiles nervously.
"I love you too, Arthur. As I said earlier, I'd wait for you forever, you prat, and I intend to do as much until you're king and we can actually be together." I inform him and he chuckles before kissing me chastely before I blush, stuttering an excuse to leave and exiting his chambers quietly with a grin making its way onto my face. After I leave Arthur's chambers, I follow the troll to the tunnels under the castle and once down there, I follow the awful smell from Catrina's chambers until I find them. I can't stand the smell anymore so I hurry back to the physician's chambers to relay to Gaius what I saw.
"What you saw is seldom seen, Merlin. Trolls despise all other living things, especially humans. They prefer to lurk in the darkness of their nests, feasting on rotten filth." He informs me and I nod, believing that, giving the smell that 'Catrina' produced.
"And Jonas? Is he a troll too?" I question, remembering the tail and knowing Jonas isn't human to say the least.
"Who can tell what manner of creature he is." Gaius comments, meaning he has no idea.
"It makes no sense. If trolls like to lurk in their caves so much , what's this one doing in Camelot?" I inquire, wondering what a magical creature would be doing in a kingdom that outlaws magic.
"Trolls are greedy. Lady Catrina's like the rest of her kind; she lusts after wealth and power." He explains and my eyes widen in realization.
"Uther's wealth and power." I voice, ironically recalling Arthur's words from earlier in the courtyard.
"We've reached the point of no return. Uther has to be told." Gaius insists and I scoff at his decision, earning a raised eyebrow.
"You're going to tell Uther that his lady friend's a troll?" I question skeptically, predicting exactly how that conversation is going to go.
"That's exactly what I'm going to do." Gaius informs me. determined, and I sigh knowing he wont be persuaded against it.
"Good luck." I exclaim, knowing that with Uther, Gaius is going to need all the luck in the kingdom with the news he's trying to give the king.
"Thank you, Merlyn." He responds softly, smiling slightly before heading to his private chambers. Gaius enters the physician's chambers the next day and I'm crushing ingredients for a tincture wearing a plum long sleeved dress, the sleeves draping out slightly with a lace up bust, a dark brown corset, tan boots, and my hair loose with several pieces braided into a crown like style with a few strands loose around my face.
"Please don't say anything, Merlin." Gaius implores and I raise a brow as I place the stone down.
"I wasn't going to say anything." I assure him, trying to maintain an innocent expression and he gives me a knowing look.
"You were going to say, 'I told you so.'" He informs me and I sigh, smiling guiltily, nodding at being caught.
"Okay. I was. But I…I'm not going to now." I promise him and he sits down at the table and I lean against the workbench.
"Uther didn't take to it well." He explains and I wring my hands in front of me, having predicted that he wouldn't.
"Augh, you see? I told you…" I begin to say out of habit but cut myself off as Gaius looks up. "Sorry."
"But I know him, Merlyn. He's a proud man, but he's not stupid. He will reflect on what I said, I'm sure he will." He insists and I sigh, smiling reassuringly, knowing that Uther isn't an easy man to convince of anything once he's set his mind on something.
"Let's hope you're right." I comment, knowing that all we can do is hope Gaius got through to Uther if only a little bit. The next morning I'm wearing a peach colored dress with draping sleeves, tan lace up corset, tan boots and my curls piled atop my head with several strands loose, secured by a hair piece covered in pearls that Morgana gave me. Gaius walks into the chambers looking serious and I realize the meeting with Uther didn't go as planned.
"It's no good, Merlyn. I can tell him she's a troll until I'm blue in the face, he simply won't listen. He sees a charming, beautiful woman." Gaius reiterates and I nod, knowing this to be the case.
"Yeah, with a body like a tree trunk." I comment, thinking back to the creature I saw in the tunnels.
"But we only know that because you saw her in the troll form." Gaius points out and I sigh in frustration.
"So, what do we do?" I question, not seeing a way to stop the troll and save the King some embarrassment.
"We must open Uther's eyes, show her for what she really is." He suggests and I raise an eyebrow at his insinuation.
"Using magic?" I ask him, mainly to clarify considering his strict rules regarding magic.
"It's the only way to reveal her true form." He insists and I let out a deep sigh, knowing he's right but seeing a slight problem in the plan.
"But she never leaves his side." I remind him and he nods, sighing slightly.
"I know." He replies and I gape at him in response to his insinuation.
"You want me to use magic in front of the King?" I question, needing for him to confirm my fears and I see my answer on his face.
"Yes, Merlyn, I do." He confirms and I stand, pacing in front of him as I wring my hands, thinking of all the scenarios of me being caught and executed.
"Are you bloody mad? I–I'd never get away with it. I'd be caught immediately and executed!" I exclaim, my voice shaking in fear of my magic being discovered.
"I'm sorry, Merlyn. I know how dangerous this is, but we cannot allow it to gain any further control over the King. Who knows what the consequences might be?" Gaius informs me and I sigh, releasing my fingers and moving back to the work bench.
"Just one problem. I know nothing about troll magic." I reply and he smiles tightly, obviously as nervous of this endeavor as I am.
"Then we have work to do." He summarizes before we each grab a book and begin looking for a way to expose Catrina. Sometime into the piles of books, Gaius fell asleep, causing me to smile slightly as I leaf through the pages.
"Here. The spell of revelation. By which the true nature of the thing may be revealed." I exclaim, startling Gaius awake to which I guiltily smile before showing him the spell I've found.
"But this applies only to objects, things, not to living creatures." Gaius corrects after examining the page and I sigh, putting my face in my hands as I lean against the workbench.
"I know. The principle's the same, isn't it? I have to try it. What other choice do we have?" I counter, not sure what else to try after going through dozens of spells during the night.
"Very well. But Merlyn, choose your moment carefully. Trolls are vicious creatures." He warns me, an extra note of caution in his voice and I nod, gently squeezing his shoulder reassuringly as a knock sounds at the door.
"Come in." Gaius calls out and a guard opens the door, standing just inside the doorway.
"The King requests your presence in the council chambers." He instructs, causing Gaius and I to share a worried glance as I carefully fold the page with the spell and place it in my corset as the guard turns to lead us to the large wooden doors. The doors open again to reveal Uther delicately holding Catrina's hand as they walk through the chamber, all of us bowing as they pass, and I sneak a glance towards Morgana who shares our confusion. Once at the center of the room Uther turns towards the crowd of gathered people and smiles.
'What is he doing, Lyn?' Morgana questions telepathically and I tense, not having expected that before I quickly fill her in on the troll situation and I see her suppress a smirk at Uther's expense.
"Thank you all for coming. You are, no doubt, wondering why I have gathered you here today. Though we live in dark times, today I bring you light, and love. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Houses of Tregor and Pendragon are to be united in the closest bond of all. I am to marry Lady Catrina of Tregor. I am to marry Lady Catrina tomorrow. This union heralds a new dawn for the kingdom, a new beginning…" Uther announces causing me to lock eyes with Arthur who looks shocked and hurt his father wouldn't have told him first, while the rest of the crowd looks thoroughly confused and I try to give him a comforting look without raising suspicion. Gaius nods at me and I step behind a pillar, just far enough out of sight that I won't be noticed unless specifically looking for me.
"Hierste þæt íecen sóna." I whisper, glancing around to make sure I wasn't heard, noticing Gaius shake his head slightly and I sigh, readying myself to try again.
"…and a new queen for all here in Camelot." Uther continues and I look to Morgana, who seems to be watching Catrina very suspiciously now that she's aware of her true nature.
"Hierste þæt íecen sóna." I whisper again, wringing my hands nervously, hoping the spell gives the desired effect or I'm heading to the pyre over a troll, to which I notice movement in her cheek.
"I could not hope to have made a better match." The king drones on and I have to repress the ironic scoff from leaving my lips at his words once he realizes what his bride actually is.
"Hierste þæt íecen sóna." I attempt it one last time, the spell causing more rippling movement in her cheek then before but whatever enchantment she has is too powerful and the spell can't break it. I gasp softly as Uther finishes his speech and everyone applauds the 'happy couple' while I send a defeated look to Gaius as we exit the council chamber.
"I'm sorry. I tried. I gave it everything I had." I promise him as we walk back inside the physician's chambers, wringing my hands and Gaius turns to face me.
"It's not your fault, Merlyn. You did your best." He reassures and I sigh as I think back to what happened to Catrina in the council chamber.
"The spell of revelation is powerful magic. And she could feel it, I could see she could feel it." I insist, knowing she kept looking around after I chanted the spell each time, and the feeling I've had about her since I met her in the market.
"Her magic must be strong, indeed, to be able to resist you." Gaius chimes in and I suddenly get an idea, one I haven't fully decided will end in my favor. I begin walking back towards the door, stopping to grab a flower from the table and gently place it in my hair. "Where are you going?" He calls after me and I turn back to him, a nervous smile on my lips as I take a breath.
"To see Arthur! He's our only hope! And I just hope I can keep him focused on Catrina and not the conversation from earlier." I ramble as I slip out the door, pausing just outside to collect my thoughts before walking the route I take everyday to Arthur's chambers, knocking briefly before walking in. Arthur is wearing a sapphire blue tunic, and he's putting on his black jacket as I approach. He hears me enter and turns, a small smile on his face as I stop a few feet in front of him.
"Merlyn, what is it?" He questions, sounding slightly concerned by the serious look on my face and I sigh.
"Arthur. I'm going to tell you something. It's not going to be easy." I prepare him and he looks confused as he takes a step closer to me, noticing my telltale sign or nervousness- my hands as he takes them in his and squeezes them softly.
"Right, well after everything else we admitted yesterday you can tell me anything." He reminds me, gently rubbing circles on my hand with his thumb and I suck in a breath, having forgotten what I was trying to say before he distracted me.
"It concerns the Lady Catrina." I manage to get out, gently removing my hands from his and he raises a brow at the sudden topic change. I inhale shakily trying to figure out how to get him to believe me.
"What about her?" He asks, clearly not sure where I'm going with this but I keep my gaze on our intertwined hands.
"Arthur. She's a troll." I blurt out and he laughs, reaching for his sword and placing it in his scabbard. I narrow my eyes at his reaction and he sobers up, realizing I'm serious.
"She's not that bad." He replies, double checking his belt before he looks back to me and I sigh, crossing my arms.
"I'm serious. She is. She's an actual troll." I insist, trying to get him to believe me but he crosses the room to glance over a few pages on his desk.
"Merlyn, I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it. I'm sure you saw how I reacted when they made the announcement but it's not about whether I like her or not, it's about what makes my father happy. And when they announced the wedding today, I realised that Lady Catrina does just that. She makes him happy." Arthur explains and although his willingness to set aside his feelings about her for his father's sake makes me love him a little more, it's also causing him to miss the point.
"Well, he won't be so damn happy when he discovers his wife's a fruit munching monster." I retort and he lets out a scoffing laugh, an amused smirk on his face as he walks back over towards me.
"Merlyn. She's the future queen of Camelot whether we like it or not, we have to get used to it." He reminds me, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on my cheek before he walks out of his chambers. I sigh, deciding to collect some of his laundry and drop it off on my way back to the physician's chambers. I'm passing through one of the upper corridors when I hear the sound of weeping.
"Hello?" I call out, wondering who the crying was coming from and I turn a corner to find Jonas crouched behind a pillar.
"Mistress Merlyn. I'm sorry." He apologizes when he sees me and I raise a brow at his current state.
"What's wrong with you?" I inquire, not sure what he'd be doing crying in an abandoned corridor.
"I'm a slave. A prisoner." He admits and I move my hands to rest on my hips, suspicious of the curious little man Catrina has as a servant. "My mistress, she's not as she seems. But you know as much." He continues and I quickly glance around before I move into the corridor to sit in front of him before gesturing for him to go on."She is a cruel, wicked creature. She keeps me in chains. She hurts me. Her magic, I-I can't escape it. She twists my mind as she is twisting the mind of your King." He informs me and I mentally update Morgana on what Jonas has admitted and I instruct her to meet me in the physician's chambers.
"Why are you telling me this?" I ask him suspiciously after I've listened to his claims, still not sure if I should believe that he's not a willing participant.
"I can help you." He offers, a smirk slowly appearing on his face and I immediately raise my guard, deciding not to trust him.
"How?" I prod, not sure what he could even have to offer in terms of helping me defeat her.
"Below the castle, where she sleeps, she keeps her potions there. Every night she must take these potions, it is the magic that transforms her from beast to beauty. If you were to take these from her, she must remain as a beast, and then your King would not be so keen, I think."
"Tell me, Jonas, why should I believe any of this?" I respond, trying to sound as though I believe him just in case my off feeling is confirmed.
"You must do as you think fit, Mistress Merlyn, but if my mistress is not stopped, by morning she will be queen." He finishes before standing and hurrying down the hallway. I quickly head to the physician's chambers to find Morgana already waiting for me. Once I explain everything and inform her of where I'm going, I head below the castle to where Jonas claims the troll made her nest. I carefully make my way inside, using my dress sleeve to cover my face from the atrocious smell. I'm looking for the potion bottles Jonas mentioned when the tunnel suddenly collapses, trapping me inside this tunnel. I pace for a moment before remembering I planned in case of this backfiring in my face.
"MOR! Grab my spellbook and get me out of this bloody tunnel before Uther marries that troll."