I wrote this in a sitting. I'm feeling inspired! It's filled with feelings, good and bad and heavy feelings so let me know if I maybe over did it. (Probably did? In my mind Arthur and Merlin had been through too much already and, well, just let me know!) You know I always love to read you guys!
Just a quick reminder; Shuri is the twin who can see the future and Saimri the one who can tell if you are lying. That's important and didn't want you to get confused.
Happy reading!
CHAPTER 38
TWISTED DESTINIES
PART 1
Oh for God's sake.
Life is not meant to be this hard, isn't it? Arthur thought grimly as he stared at the woman sitting at the table. He didn't know who she was but given the way Merlin turned pale he supposed this was the high priestess he was talking about. Perfect. He vaguely wondered if Merlin had the worst luck in the entirety of the five kingdoms or if it was simply that their destiny was going to be the most difficult and troubled destiny in the history of prophecies.
Probably both.
"Shuri," Arya called, so far no one had moved, "Can you please go and look for your sister?"
The girl seemed to hesitate on her feet but in the end, she obeyed, leaving the tent in hurried steps. Going around the table to avoid crossing paths with the sorcerer and prince.
Once she was gone the tent fell in silence once again. The air felt so tense and heavy Arthur was sure he could slice it with his sword. He glanced at Merlin, he looked like he was about to collapse from a nervous breakdown, going paler by the second and Arthur fought the urge to hit him.
Arthur was incredibly annoyed this was even taking place, coming to the druids for help was supposed to be the easy answer, although he begrudgingly understood where the druids were coming from—Merlin attacked Mordred because his friend was a paranoid sorcerer!— he would be mad too if a trusted knight of his just decided to attack another, however, this was another story by itself. So pushing down his frustration and anger and all the emotions he had been having for the past week he put his best brave façade as he stood beside Merlin, for good or for worse, they were going to see this through together.
Arya raised her brows after a moment, indicating to the chairs in front of her with a gesture of her head.
"Well? Are we going to be civilized?" She asked, looking at the sword Arthur was still holding tight.
In this world of magic and unknown creatures he didn't know were even capable of existing he felt as if holding to this manhandled weapon was somehow going to keep him safe. Stupid really since wherever magic is concerned he's always in great disadvantage.
Nodding in reluctant acceptance, (see: with hidden stubbornness) Arthur dropped his sword to the floor.
"We are not your enemies." Arthur started with what he hoped was a strong voice.
"Then stop acting like them." Arya retorted.
Arthur sighed and exchanged a look with Merlin, a silent conversation passed between them; they were trapped and there was nowhere to run, so they better play along. With a silent nod, they just accepted their faith. Arthur sat swiftly on his chair as Merlin sat in the other with hunched shoulders as he anxiously tugged at his shirt. The three of them exchanged glances for a brief moment until the twins entered the tent.
Merlin watched them both stare at him as they rounded the table and he felt a pang of sadness hit him, both of them were looking at him—well, he didn't have the words, but disappointment probably was the right word to call it. They sat in the corner of the tent, almost like observers instead of actual participants.
Arthur raised his brows, these girls, these twins must be important… somehow, however, he didn't have the chance to ponder over this any longer.
"Very well, " Arya said folding her hands neatly on the table beside the vase, "Let's skip the part where I pretend we don't know why we are here, shall we? From this moment forward I expect nothing but honesty from you both."
Arthur internally cursed, this was a woman who knew exactly how things were going to play out and how she was going to handle it.
"In the curse of one day you have abused our hospitality; we escorted you here, we healed you, fed you and yet I have not only found out about your lies towards my people and towards me, but also about the fact that just a few moments ago you attacked one of my ronins." Arya said simply, letting the facts fall heavily in the silence that followed. "Usually, if you were any other people, I would have thrown you out but I believe there must be a reason behind all this. My uncle at least seems to trust you both and although I have a very good idea of why this all happened I would like to hear it from you." Arya said sternly. "Take this as one last act of kindness."
"Arya, I'm sorry," it was Merlin who spoke first, moving his hands as he usually did when he was nervous. "I really am, it was not supposed to happen like this. It was never our intention, I promise—"
"So you accept the fact that you lied to us?" Arya said motioning to the vase, "About not only the vase, Emrys, but also about the man sitting beside you."
Merlin and Arthur shared a glance, it was pointless now. In just one sentence she had disarmed them. They were royally screwed.
"We do, and we apologize for that but—"
"I can't believe it, that you of all people lied to us in order to save the life of a person that has hurt our people so much, and on top of that you come with his son." Arya then glared at Arthur, speaking to him only. "The nerve of coming here and think we would help you is beyond me." Then she turned to Merlin, every line of her face showed disappointment. "So this person dear to you, the one affected by the vase was Uther Pendragon? I thought you were better than this, Emrys. Wiser than this."
"I was not lying about that." Was Merlin's soft reply. "Uther Pendragon might not be the kind person we hoped or wished as a ruler, but he has done nothing but protect his kingdom in the best ways he has seen fit, he's wrong—I know, I know, please, don't look at me like that, Arya—but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve our help. We are not Gods to be playing around with people's lives."
For whatever reason Arya narrowed his eyes at Merlin before turning to the twins, both were confused too but said nothing, the three women didn't communicate but Arthur felt like he had missed something, because when Arya turned to face them again some of her anger, if just a tiny bit, had disappeared replaced now with confusion.
"So you are honestly saying that you want to help Uther Pendragon?" And Arthur didn't miss the disbelief on her voice.
"Yes."
Again Arya turned to the twins, and Saimri, or was it Shuri? Arthur really didn't care, just shrugged. Arya tapped her fingers on the table for a second before she nodded, tugging her hair behind her ear.
"You know?" She said gravely looking down at her hands before she focused on Merlin. The sorcerer suddenly feeling small under her strong gaze. "In all the visions I had of you I could never have foreseen this. You took advantage of your position here, our love for you, our blindness commitment. We have helped you for years and yet today you decided to tear apart that trust Emrys. All I want to know is why. Yes. You said because you want to help, but even you need to be… repelled to help such a man! He had killed hundreds of our people!"
Arya, in all honesty, looked so torn even Arthur felt sorry for her, she couldn't understand, and now really thinking about it neither could Arthur, but he had come to terms with that side of Merlin. Merlin was willing to help everyone. Even his father. Just because Merlin was desgined that way.
Merlin practically broke, "I'm so sorry, it was never our intention to hurt anyone, or to lie to you, I need help, and I was desperate and—"
"And yet you did."
"Yes, but I—"
"And you expect me to help? To believe this? That you came here in hopes to cure Uther Pendragon, the very first enemy of magic?" She said in a whisper, "A man who has killed hundreds of our people, a king who has drowned his own kingdom into darkness out of spite of something he does not understand? By saving him you are allowing this war, this madness, to go on."
Merlin had never looked sadder and Arthur felt the need to do something; to stop Arya from saying one more word or to prevent Merlin from being attacked this way. Couldn't she understand how Merlin worked? Things were never white or black with Merlin.
"When I—"
"And then, even after all we have done for you, you attack Mordred, without reason whatsoever."
"I—yes. I guess, uh, I have reasons, but I—"
"What reason could you have to attack us? When he have done nothing but help you?" Arya said completely confused, interrupting Merlin once again.
Arthur narrowed his eyes deadly towards Arya, would it kill her to let Merlin finish a damn sentence?
"Merlin," Arthur said with authority, preventing his friend from speaking another word. Arya wanted them to stop acting around? Very well. Prince Arthur was not going to sit here and let this woman, kind or pretty or high priestess or whatever talk over Merlin like that.
There was a time where Arthur would have allowed that, at least just for the fun to see Merlin squirm, but honestly, he had come to take the offense in Merlin's behalf as a direct transgression to his own persona. Yes, he was still incredibly angry with the idiot for attacking Mordred but that didn't mean they weren't on the same side. Merlin pushed Arthur down by the shoulder—Arthur was unconsciously starting to rise from his seat— and threw him a look to calm him down. Arthur begrudgingly did and settled to attack with his second preferred weapon; words.
"You are looking for enemies in vane answers, Arya," Arthur finally said, looking royally even as he was sitting in a wooden chair with tattered clothes and messy hair. "Things are more simple than you think. It's true. My father was enchanted by Morgana by this vase. The reason Merlin is here, lying to you, is because I asked him. If you want to blame someone, blame me."
Arya threw him a scandalized look before anger slipped into her voice, "Because you asked him? In exchange for what? Not cutting his head off?!"
"I did it because Arthur is my friend," Merlin said quickly, hand firmly on Arthur's shoulder to keep Arya safe because by the look on Arthur's face he was two seconds away from declaring war against the druids. "I wanted to help him. No one forced me to do it. He did not push me to come here. It was my decision. I know the pain that comes with losing a Father, I don't want Arthur to suffer what I have suffered. It's true that Uther has committed many crimes, but who are we to judge, right?"
"To spare him—But Emrys you wouldn't…" Arya said bewildered, like if suddenly Merlin was talking a language way more advanced than her own. "Why would you help him. Him of all people?"
"Well, then this just proves that as many books, and stories, and songs you have written about Merlin, you still don't understand the very definition of him," Arthur said easily and when Arya looked at him dumbfounded he was forced to say it out loud, "Merlin is probably kindness walking around. He forgave the sins committed against your people, against his own persona, mistakes I'm not proud of, just because he's my friend. A title I still don't think I deserve. And yet, you druids, who have written and learned about his magic and how powerful he is, fail to notice how kind he is to everyone. Literally. Everything that is remotely alive Merlin just feels this… stupid need to protect it." Arthur smiled to himself, almost reluctant, as he leaned back in the chair. "In all honesty, we shouldn't be surprised he wants to help Uther Pendragon at all."
If Arya couldn't understand Merlin...well, that was her problem entirely.
Everyone was silent for a moment, even the twins at the back of the tent seemed to be frozen by this declaration. But of course, the idiot couldn't shut up even at this dire moment.
"Oh God. This is going to be chapter three on our adventure book. Wait until Kilgarraha hears this, no, no, until Gaius hears this."
Arthur opened and closed his mouth several times before turning towards Merlin with a light scowl.
"You better not bring this up later, Merlin," He said, "I'll deny it."
"But—"
"Merlin,"
Merlin was just grinning from ear to ear even if his whole posture still indicated how scared he was at the moment. Arthur realized it was the first time he had called Merlin his friend. Out loud. To someone else.
God, it was embarrassing.
They both turned towards Arya once the silence prolonged, either her brain had stopped working or she was frozen because she seemed for the first time out of words. Looking at the interactions curiously.
"What about Mordred then?" Arya said, trying to grasp the whole idea of what was going on, "And why lie about Arthur? We are not vindictive, Emrys."
"I will take blame for that too," Arthur said, leaning away from the idiot. "You would never saunter inside Camelot throwing spells, right? Very well, same applies to me. I'm a warrior, a tactical man, I didn't want to come before you as Arthur Pendragon. Take this as a strategy gone wrong."
Arya looked at him for a long moment, "And what about Mordred?"
Arthur finally lost his royal demeanor and huffed.
"Have you ever met Merlin?" Arthur said slowly, "Or heard our prophecy at least? Someone dares to raise a hand against me and he's there, doing… magic or something. That's how we met. Literally. He's annoying that way." Arthur said before his entire posture relaxed. "I assure you, what happened with Mordred was an accident, nothing more."
At least Arthur was trying to be convincing. Merlin did have something against Mordred but there was no need for Arya to know that. That was still a topic that they need, to talk about. Urgently.
Arya was perplexed for a long moment until she found her voice again, "You are telling me, you are honestly telling me you truly came here on your hearts good will. Not because you wanted to know where our camp was, or our secrets, or information on how to hurt us, or sell us to Uther, you—"And at this she turned towards Merlin, looking at him like she had just seen him for the first time. "You did all this, just because he asked you? Because Arthur Pendragon… is your friend?"
"Yes." Merlin said simply.
And finally, after one of the tensest minutes of his life, a laugh escaped Arya, it was quick and sharp but a laugh nonetheless. Arthur recoiled a moment in his seat, it was never a good sign when someone laughed in the middle of a tense situation.
"I think Arthur is right in one thing, at least," She said as she controlled herself once again, however, the quiet smile remained, "We still have lots of things to learn from you, Emrys."
The prince and the sorcerer looked at each other with something close to hope, had they won this? Arya's eyes fell on the vase again and the air of easiness that had come with her laugh evaporated. She pushed her hair back again as she stood up, taking the vase with her.
"Be it was it may," She said calling for the girls with a motion of her head, "I still need to think about this, even if your reasons are well intentioned I still have people to think for. I hope you understand that, Arthur Pendragon, when it comes time for my decision," And then, her blue eyes grew cold and devoid of emotion as the coldest of winters, "Uther Pendragon is still a man that has crimes to atone for and is something I'm not willing to forget."
"And he will atone for them," Arthur said as he stood up, solemnly looking at her. "I'm just hoping you will see this as a man who came here begging for help to have his father back, and not as a Prince asking for his King."
Arya looked at Arthur for a long second before she nodded.
Merlin blinked at this, maybe Arya didn't understand how much effort that phrase alone took Arthur but Merlin did. Sometimes it was easy to forget how much Arthur was affected by the loss of his father.
And before Merlin or anybody could say anything else, Arya turned on her heels, vase in her hands as the twins followed. One of the twins doubted before leaving, a hand hovering over the closing drapes but before she could change her mind she left.
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"Well?" Arya asked the second the twins and her were alone in her tent. She placed the vase on the table, still looking at it somewhat surprised before turning to her ronins. "What did you see?"
"They were saying the truth," Saimri said but there was something in her voice that made Arya narrow her eyes at her.
"Saimri, right now it's not the time to pull some clever task on me," Arya advised her, "Did they lie? I need to know this."
Saimri was quiet for a moment, long enough to make Shuri wonder if Saimri was keeping something to herself.
But that was impossible.
"No, they were honest," Saimri said again before she shrugged, "I mean, they were honest about Uther and their reasons coming here, which is a relief. I was just… it was bit shocking, that they went to this lengths just out of friendship."
"I would do the same for you so maybe it's not that unbelievable, however, attacking Mordred?" Shuri asked confused, "I still don't get it, and I can assure it wasn't part of a plan, at least I didn't see that future happening. So it must have been an accident somehow… " Shuri crossed her arms quite confused. "At least I'm one hundred percent sure that whatever happened was not premeditated or ill-intentioned. I would've seen it happen."
Arya mumbled something under her breath as she looked down at the vase, not really talking to the twins, "That only speaks of destinies changing… I've heard of it. Magic is moving… transforming…But is comforting to know that at least they are not entirely untrustworthy."
Shuri and Saimri shared a glance, "Destinies changing?"
Arya kept speaking as she hadn't heard them.
"Very well," She turned towards them, "If there's nothing else you would like to add…"
Shuri shook her head and Saimri did a second later.
"Alright, look for Lyaa then. Between the three of you gather all the Tensai's in the camp. We are having a meeting in the forest, no one is to interrupt," Shuri and Saimri shared a glance, a meeting? "You are dismissed."
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"You are acting weird," Shuri said as they made their way through the camp to Linorien's tent where they had seen Mordred last, "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Saimri said too quickly and her twin caught up, narrowing her eyes, she faked a smile. "Still a bit bothered about Mordred being injured and Emrys lying, as good as his reasons were it kinds of... settles me off. I just can't believe we finally met him, even if the moment was less than ideal. Lyaa was right, not quite how I imagined him."
Shuri narrowed her eyes at her twin but Saimri walked faster and entered Linorien's tent before Shuri could keep making questions. Once Shuri entered thoughts of her twin were forgotten when she saw Mordred sitting on the table, his arm was cradled in a swing and looking like he had seen better days.
"Mordred, you are awake! Oh, I'm so sorry! For all the things I can see I didn't see this happening!" Shuri said as she patted his good arm gingerly.
"He will live," Linorien said with a tired smile. Saimri knew then that Mordred had been in worse condition than they were letting on if Linorien had exhausted herself healing him.
"Still. I would've warned you or something, it caught everyone by surprise." Shuri kept saying,
"I'll be fine," He said easily and threw her a sly smile, "I can't believe that finally, we caught the great Shuri The Seer off guard! I'll take this as a win situation."
"Mordred, you have a broken arm, shut up."
They began talking as Linorien cleaned around her tent, pushing the bloody bandages into a corner and her medical herbs into another.
Apparently, the rest of the ronins had gone back to training with Mersan after finding out that Mordred was going to be fine. He had a broken arm, his ribs were bruised and his ankle was twisted but Linorien had managed to heal him almost as good as new. He was off duty for two weeks, though; his bones still weak and his whole body in need of recovering.
Saimri watched from afar, muting the sounds of her sister and Mordred's conversation.
Silently she ran a hand up and down her arm, her magic still tingling. There was one thing that was bothering her.
Arthur had lied.
When Arya had questioned them about the attack towards Mordred, Arthur said it had been an accident, that had not stricken her as a lie, but when the prince said that Merlin had no reason to hurt him….her magic had jumped at this words, just as it always did when someone lied.
Emrys had reasons to hurt Mordred. While Emrys had been honest about helping and about not wanting to hurt anyone… he had something against Mordred.
"Oi, Saimri, I'm talking to you," Mordred called and Saimri snapped her head towards him. She assessed his injuries again and something just didn't click. If Emrys was this honest and too-good-to-be-true kind of character… why would he want to hurt Mordred? It didn't make any sense.
Why?
"Do I really look that terrible?" Mordred asked Shuri, really concerned and self-conscious.
And why has she decided to keep quiet about it?
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Merlin gave a long relieved sigh once Arya was gone, letting himself fall heavily on his seat.
"That… I swear that for the first time in my life I was scared things were not going to turn right for us."
"She still has not agreed to help, so don't count victory just yet," Arthur said, still standing near the exit with crossed arms, he allowed Merlin two full minutes of quiet silence before he turned towards him, "What happened out there, Merlin?"
Merlin's soft smile disappeared from his face as he looked down to his feet again. This time though Arthur was not going to be deterred.
"Oh no, don't even try that. We are talking about Mordred," Arthur said as he took his seat in front of Merlin, "And I'm not asking this time Merlin. I 'm demanding."
"Arthur, there's nothing to say, alright? Besides—"
Arthur shook Merlin's arm hard enough to hurt, "Merlin. You almost killed that kid out there," He whispered as he leaned forward, afraid someone might hear them, "It wasn't you. You, who are willing to save my father… why do you want Mordred dead? And don't even try to lie to me. I recognize the look in a man's eyes when he wishes to see another dead."
Merlin blinked several times as if fighting his own feelings before he finally looked straight into Arthur's eyes, "I told you, we all have demons that we need to face on our own."
"What did that kid ever do to you?" Arthur's vice-like grip on Merlin's arm softened, however, his eyes were are steely just as his voice, "Merlin, we are gambling with lives here. Do I need to ask Mordred directly? Because if that is what it takes for me to know what is going on I will."
"Arthur, for once stop being a prat and listen to me! You don't want to know,"
"That's the deal, Merlin," Arthur said as he finally let go of Merlin's arm and leaned back in his chair, "My life has never been a matter of what I wanted or didn't want to know. The reason you were hurting for so many years was because you didn't want to tell me things. Tell me. It doesn't have to be good. And I certainly won't judge you."
Merlin was still stubbornly looking at him, unmovable. Arthur felt disappointed, something close to being broken hearted. He had thought that at least he had earned the right to know about the things that haunted Merlin.
Apparently, he was wrong.
"You said we needed to trust each other if we wanted Albion and magic to exist together." Arthur tried one last time, but again Merlin just stared contrite at something on the floor. Very well then, "But if this is a battle you want to fight on your own, be my guest."
Arthur waited for a whole minute but Merlin didn't do or say anything, sensing his defeat, the prince stood up from his chair and walked around. He didn't want to start a fight with Merlin and he certainly was way too edgy to stand still to wait for Arya. So with a last warning glance towards Merlin he left the tent.
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Mordred was left alone for the rest of the day. Shuri and Saimri left after Linorien told them to give Mordred some time to rest. Linorien accommodated him into the comfiest bed she had on her tent—which wasn't saying much—and advised him to rest there. She placed some kind of spell on his arm and applied some warm and itchy balm on his ribs before leaving.
"It will be best if you stay with me for the next three days at least, that way I can keep an eye on you," She had said. "I put a lot of work on you today, l don't want Damian or Thomas ruining it, or even yourself ruining it."
Mordred gave a shaky laugh that turned into a groan when his ribs ached. "I'll be here when you come back."
"You better, otherwise my wrath will be worse than Mersan's." She said with a bright smile.
At this Mordred gulped. Content with this reaction Linorien finally left. Arya had announced a meeting, only the Tensai's of the camp were informed and were going to be allowed. It was almost unheard ti have such important meeting, so she quickly made her way to the forest where meetings like these took place.
On her way there she found Mersan. They both exchanged a look as they walked side by side.
"How is Mordred?"
"He's perfectly fine, he had a few broken ribs, injured ankle, broken arm— and yet obnoxious attitude still intact. He's healing nicely," Linorien recited before she caught sight of the sinking sun in the sky, she pushed her glasses up her nose. "Do you know what is going on? Arya never calls for all of us at once."
"No," Mersan said coldly, toying with her sword before she placed it back on her belt. "But I'm not sure we want to know."
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Mordred heard the rustle of the curtains of his tent. Weird. He had dozed off for a while but still he thought it was too early for Linorien to have come back. He sat gingerly on the bed, blinking away the pain and the exhaustion.
After a moment he closed his eyes and leaned back again, surely it had been only been the wind or—
"Are you awake?"
Mordred almost jumped out of his skin as he sat with a brusque movement that made him bit his lip in pain. He looked around, zeroing his eyes on the intruder.
"Elaine! For all—you scared me!" Mordred said as the girl cowered by his side of the bed and he grunted, "God. You could've made a sound or something."
"I'm sorry! I didn't want to wake you!" The girl said in a hurry, "We just wanted to see you!"
Mordred closed his eyes and forced himself to stay calm, Elaine was a good child, she would never do—
"Wait, we?" He whispered, feeling the spell of Linorien taking it's toll on him.
"Yes, we." And this time it was not the soft and distinctively girly voice of Elaine talking.
Mordred snapped his eyes at the entrance of the tent, standing there, with raised hands as in surrender, was Arthur Pendragon. Of course, Mordred knew it was Arthur Pendragon. He had known from the moment he found them in the forest. Even with the dyed hair and the old clothes he was using, Mordred recognized him. Even years later, Arthur Pendragon was a man Mordred was quite unable to forget.
A thick silence settled on the tent. For a moment no one knew how to react.
Arthur didn't even know if it was wise to be here. After all the kid had just been attacked. Besides, if Merlin found out about this, this time his friend might cast a spell on him to prevent him to never, ever, ever again go near Mordred again.
Mordred didn't know if he was allowed to talk to Arthur or not, besides, it wasn't like he had told him that he wasn't fooling him. He didn't know how much Arya and the rest knew so far, and to be honest, he didn't know how to feel about Emrys attacking him. Was Arthur here to apologize? Or to blame him? Where was Emrys anyway?
"Why—what are you doing here?" Mordred finally found his voice.
Elaine looked at them both with raised brows, her tiny hands clasping Mordred's bed feeling like she was missing something.
"I— I just wanted to make sure you were fine," Arthur finally said, not for a moment taking a step closer to Mordred. "After seeing what Merlin—well, what he did, I was hoping to see you well. And you are. I'm' glad."
Mordred hummed not knowing exactly how to take this, "I'm fine."
They were quiet again and Arthur felt the need to ease the guilt he was feeling.
"I want to apologize," He finally said, "What happened to you should've never happened. It was entirely my fault."
"It's alright Arthur," Mordred said easily, "I understand. I know the prophecy."
At this, the prince's eyes grew wide for a moment before he calmed, "So you remember me?"
"Of course I do, you helped me to... escape—" Mordred grunted as he lied back on his bed, too tired to even try to stay seated. "—years…. ago."
Arthur took a tentative step inside before taking a huge breath; he could see the lines of pain on the kid's face. He was being stupid. Merlin was being stupid. He walked towards Mordred and helped him lie back down, accommodating his broken arm on the swing better so it wouldn't be such a nuisance while he slept. Arthur knew about that kind of pain. Then he sat on a stool beside Mordred's bed.
"Elaine, bring two pillows from your tent, the best two you can find, please." Arthur requested and the girl looked at them both for a moment, eyes huge on her face. "I already said I won't hurt him. Go."
"That's not why I didn't want to go." Elaine rolled her green eyes at him before leaving, Mordred chuckled under his breath.
"Usually no one manages to command her to do anything," He said casually, Arthur scoffed down at Mordred.
"Well, we have become quick acquaintances," The silence settled again for a few minutes before Arthur broke it. "You say you know about the prophecy? What prophecy?"
"The one where you along with Emrys will bring Albion to life," He whispered in hidden pain, Linorien's spell was wearing off. "All druids know about it. So I guess… it's understandable that he reacted the way he did. Have you died—"
"I'm not here to blame you, Mordred," Arthur said firmly, "Merlin overreacted and it was in no way justified. You don't need to cover for his faults. We were training and I was never in danger. He saw enemies when there were none."
Mordred stayed quiet after that.
"Where you the one who told Arya about me?" Arthur felt the need to ask, "It would have been understandable, being loyal it's not a crime."
Mordred managed to shake his head, "No. That's what I have been wanting to tell Emrys from the moment I found you… I wanted to tell him your secret was safe with me. I wanted to repay the favor you both did for me." Mordred moved his arm gingerly, "I have not forgotten."
Arthur hummed but did not say anything else as he watched how Mordred was battling against his own tiredness. It just didn't make sense at all. Everything Mordred had done so far had been for a good reason. Arthur couldn't feel nor sense anything wrong with him. His answers and actions were right by all means.
So could it be that Merlin was wrong about him?
"Arthur?" Mordred asked after a moment. The prince looked down at him. Staring at the same eyes that he had stared years ago. Still keen and smart eyes.
"Yes, kid?"
"You think… you think Emrys hates me?"
"What? No." Arthur said almost on impulse, however, that wasn't true. "I—he takes bad decisions but he does not hate you. I don't think he's capable of hating anyone."
Mordred looked up towards Arthur's face for a long time, Arthur just wished Mordred wasn't a mind reader, otherwise, he will discover his lie, in the end, he nodded, letting out a sigh, "Alright."
"Why?"
Mordred shrugged, however, he barely managed to move his shoulders, "Sometimes I wonder...— I guess I'm just seeing things."
Arthur nodded but didn't want to lie more than he already had. A moment later Elaine entered the tent with two huge cushions pillowed in her arms. Arthur accommodated them around Mordred, one under his ankle and one under his head.
"Better?" Elaine asked as she placed a clean sheet over Mordred, "I brought my favorite ones-"
Mordred just sighed in relief, eyes already half way closed, but he fought valiantly. "Thank you. Arthur—I want to know… more about what had happened-" Arthur smiled against his will. The kid was stubborn when he wanted to be. "What happened to Morgana? Is she really evil now?"
"That will be a story for another day, you need to rest now," Arthur said as he stood up from the stool, he motioned for Elaine to follow him with a movement of his head, Mordred mumbled a protest. "Rest Mordred."
Mordred finally gave up as he let his eyes close. Elaine patted his hand and walked to the exit along with Arthur. Arthur pushed the curtains open and as he waited for the girl to cross he looked back at Mordred, peacefully sleeping.
Arthur realized right then and there that Merlin was wrong. Arthur was going to battle wars and destinies along with Merlin. He was going to support him, just like he had done so far. Arthur truly believed that they, somehow, were supposed to bring Albion to life.
But killing Mordred, even hurting him was out the question. Mordred was innocent; he was a good kid, a great warrior, and a loyal druid. If Merlin couldn't see beyond his own blindness that was creating this mess, well there were going to have a problem. Arthur wasn't going to let him hurt Mordred more than he already had.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
When Arthur made his way back to their side of the camp he found Merlin waiting for him outside their tent. Arms crossed and eyes set on the dying sunset. Eliane quickly ran to meet him.
"Hello!"
Merlin blinked down at the girl, the sun was begging to set on the horizon, making everything glow a soft orange.
"Uhm… Hello, I see you are Arthur's friend," Merlin managed a quiet smile.
The girl grinned and moved a hand, "Sometimes."
"Good, he doesn't have much of those," Merlin joked as he crouched to the floor to be at her lever before doing a flourish with his hand, a tiny red flower appeared on the palm of his hand and the girl giggled, marveled as she watched it grow. "It's for you, sorry if I scared you back in the forest."
The girl smile died a little bit she nodded, "I know," And then she took the flower with the most care an eight-year-old could manage.
Arthur watched the exchange with crossed arms. He wondered, briefly, if in Albion people were going to be able to do that. Gift flowers out of thin air for example. Magic had rules, and at the same time, it had none.
Elaine looked up at them for a moment, as Merlin straightened and stared at Arthur. As the bright girl she was, she said her goodbyes quickly, making them promise to come and meet her later, once they agreed she had sprinted back to her tent.
"Merlin, we need to talk," Arthur said slowly after Eliane was gone. "And you won't like it."
Merlin smile tried to stay in place, in the end, Merlin grew serious too, he kicked an invisible rock. "And Arya wants to talk with us, I was waiting for you. She says she has a proposition. You think this conversation can wait? I'm not… I'm not avoiding it—"
"You clearly are."
"—we just have more important things to talk about."
Arthur grunted but conceded quickly, he had a point. "Why do I have the feeling that this proposition goes only one way?"
Merlin sighed as he moved to walk; Arthur fell in step with him. "Because it probably is. We are in their camp, their rules, and sadly, under their watch all the time. I doubt we could escape even if we wanted, and we still need the vase."
Arthur sighed as he patted Merlin's back. "You are finally learning about strategies, Merlin, I knew there was hope."
Merlin chuckled tiredly, "Somehow— strange really— I miss the times I called you sire and walked around the castle doing chores. Things were easier then. You were just a prat I needed to protect."
"And now?" Arthur said with a hidden smile, he was too tired to be forever angry with Merlin.
Merlin grumbled, "I just do it in the forest. You are still a prat, in incredible need of being protected from his own stupid actions. That has not changed. Doubt it ever will."
Merlin ducked in time for the inexistent punch that never came. That was a first. He blinked.
"Relax, Merlin, if everything goes right we will be leaving this camp tomorrow morning," Arthur said cheerfully. "Back to chores again! I already have a list of one hundred chores. I'll be back to my comfy bed and you will be back to your little room with Gaius. How does that sound? We can even go to the tavern. I'll pay."
Merlin knew they were in deep trouble when Arthur was the one being positive. They both knew it wasn't going to be easy, they both knew they would not be leaving unscarred but Arthur felt the need to make the effort Merlin was too tired to do.
In other circumstances they would have stopped to ponder over this, however, as they stopped in front of Arya's tent, they only shared a glance before entering.
"What if they ask something from us…that we can't give, Arthur?" Merlin whispered, "What if they ask me to stay… or to help them for a few months in exchange of the vase? What then? I can't stay I—"
Arthur felt his heart constrict. While he was talking to Mordred and thinking about all the ways Merlin had managed to screw up. Merlin was preoccupied about what the druids may ask for him and how that would affect Arthur.
Arthur sometimes just had a hard time getting angry with him. Such an idiot he had been given for a friend.
"It will be fine, Merlin," Arthur said honestly, patting his arm reassuringly. "I won't let that happen, I promise."
Merlin looked at Arthur before he nodded. "Alright."
And with one last nod from Arthur, they entered the tent.
A/N: The chapter kept on growing and growing… until of course couldn't stay one single chapter anymore. I will update soon I hope, seeing that most of the next chapter is already done. Well, you will be shocked, to say the least, with what will happen next. I want to think you won't see it coming. Maybe, who knows.
Glad to hear from all of you! Even from Suricata who has been missing for a while! I missed you! I was like ): What happened to my twins?!
Lovely guest from Belgium! Of course I read your comment and I'm glad you reviewed, what my readers don't know is once you comment now I expect them to comment every chapter! I'm so glad you are liking the story and that you think I do a good work with Arthur and Merlin. Sometimes I feel like I don't do them justice. Hope winter is treating you well!