A/N: UPDATING EVERY TWO BLUE MOONS? MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK
Happy reading! Grab a cup of tea or coffee and a nice place to sit!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for a war at the same time" Albert Einstein
The Silent War
"What do you mean, my prince, when you say… there's no cure,"
The silence that followed that question was so heavy and tense Merlin was sure that if he dared, he could pull it out from the air and place it in a bottle. Merlin had been in several meetings with the nobleman before, he knew how tiring, long, and strenuously boring they could be, however, this had to be the first time where the people around the large table looked equal parts perplexed, disappointed and anxious. Actually, disappointed was an understatement, they looked downright petrified.
The inevitable had come to pass, and now Arthur and Merlin were face to face with the same nobleman who had let them go, weeks ago, to find a cure for Uther at the other side of the realm… and hearing that they had come back empty-handed came not only as a shock but also, it left them with all in a very grim scenario.
Why? Because Arthur Pendragon never failed. Never. In all his years of life, he had yet to come with a quest that he could not come from with the upper hand. Sometimes he had gotten alive and victorious out of pure power of will, others because he was indeed an excellent soldier and swordsman, but most of the times because Merlin had been there to help, however, Merlin wasn't about to point that out.
Their failure now could cost them allies in court, and not just any "allies" but families that had been in friendly terms with the crown for generations.
"I'm saying it will take longer," Arthur said resolutely; however he was interrupted before he could continue,
"You just said there was no cure for your father's illness; you just said it was impossible!"
"Not impossible, no, but it will take longer to find an antidote, Morgana is the one behind this, let me remind you of that, she knew finding a way to break her spell or whatever she did to my father could take longer than a few weeks, and probably traveling farther away than my own kingdom and—"
"So you are saying you shall leave again?" Sir Iverson said, a frown marring his old face, clear indication that he was not about to agree with Arthur leaving anytime soon, soon after his words the nobleman began discussing again.
"Friends, please, the more we argue the more we fall exactly into what Morgana's is planning," Sir Peter said calmly, raising his hand to calm the rest of the table, Arthur felt an urge to thank the man, "Let's not fall further into her plan of dividing us and conquering, so let us listen to what Arthur has to say,"
At this Sir Peter turned his kind old eyes to Arthur solemnly, "I assume you summoned us all here with a plan in mind, if I know anything about the Pendragons is that they have never arrived with bad news if they do not have a plan to place the odds in our side again,"
Arthur almost smirked, almost, but he knew that would not be well taken by the rest of the men sitting at the table. He turned towards Merlin, who was sitting beside him and nodded.
"Actually, we do, and we are confident it will work," Arthur nodded for Merlin to continue. Merlin turned slightly to face the rest of unkind faces of the nobleman and shallowed. He had fought several thugs, criminals, evil magicians and an infinite amount of monsters… and yet the silence that followed when all eyes turned to him suddenly was too much for him.
He had always admired Arthur and his endless charm and strength to survive such meetings, however, now that he was actually taking part in one he felt out of his deep, he realized that if he could speak with dozens of druids, ride a dragon, and support (read: deal with) Arthur for five years, he could talk with a bunch of noblemen for a few hours.
"Well, one of the things we learned about Uther and his… illness is that he forgot about Arthur, but in essence, he is still our king, nor his mind or his body is being controlled by Morgana, which is a relief, but—"
There was a scoff on one side of the table, Merlin's blue eyes wandered to the form of Sir Geodric, who had his eyes crossed above his chest and was sneering at Merlin, he quickly averted his eyes and kept talking. Arthur nodded along with what he was saying, however, by the third time he did that Arthur gently placed a hand on the table, efficiently silencing Merlin who held his breath, almost expecting his friend to lash out on him and probably at his inefficient way of explaining things. He was terrible at explaining things, alright, but he had practiced for this!
However, the steely and icy eyes of the Prince eyed Sir Godric instead, everyone was silent for a moment before he titled his head, a hand gesturing in the air.
"Well? Now that you have the time and my attention, Sir Geodric, is there anything you would want to say? Since you look so eager to interrupt Merlin every five syllables I'm sure it's important,"
The man scoffed again and looked around the table, as if he had been looking for support, when he found none he returned his eyes to Arthur, "You must be joking, my prince? I— are we really going to listen and waste our time… with this?"
And with those last couple of words he gestured to all of Merlin. Merlin was quiet and tense, without really thinking about it he hunched on his seat, however, Arthur almost snarled.
"I'm afraid you will have to be more specific when you say 'this', milord"
Again Sir Geodric looked around before raising his hands, as if losing his patience, and decided to explain very clearly what he thought was evidently wrong here, "Well, maybe today the Seven Gods decided to take my soul and I'm probably dead, living another life, because, I for one, had never been a meeting so important, talking about serious matters such as your father's life, Sir Arthur, and in the midst of all this there's a manservant, of all things, sitting right next to us explaining a plan that's so conveniently thought, it honestly looks a bit suspicious, furthermore—"
Arthur was furious, how dare he? And he didn't miss the way he addressed Merlin as a "thing", but he did not show his anger by standing up, or yelling, he just glared in the direction of Sir Geodric, raised his goblet of water slowly before he brought it down. Hard. Effectively pressuring Sir Geodric to a sudden halt, however, he looked incredibly affronted by this, his cheeks growing red with anger and humiliation. In court, being silenced that way was an offense, an indication that whatever you were saying lacked any value of importance to the one that did such act.
It was very obvious that Arthur did not care about anything Sir Geodric was saying, making it clear for the rest of the table where he stood involving Merlin.
Arthur had never actually done it, it was incredibly out of place of him, his father had done it a couple of times and the repercussion had been grave. Merlin, who knew all this, felt like standing up to apologize profusely, he almost did, his right leg was bouncing with pent-up energy just waiting for the slightest signal from Arthur to do so. He was ready to excuse himself from the room when Sir Geodric talked again.
"I will—how dare you—never in my life—this is unacceptable!" Sir Geodric stood up from his chair and pointed with a shaky finger towards Merlin, blue nervous eyes huge sitting right next to Arthur, "He's a manservant, Arthur, in case you haven't noticed, and I do not feel comfortable sharing such important plans that could lead to your father death with him here, for all the Seven God's, he's even sitting at our table! Listening to our talks, when—"
"He's not my manservant anymore, Sir Geodric, if that makes you feel any better," Arthur said icily but calmly, he had yet to lose his cool demeanor, an antithesis compared to the incredibly-furious-by-the-second lord, "He's a rightful citizen of Camelot, a resourceful physician, the best after Gaius, may I add. In fact, I believe he had taken care of your wife and kids in several occasions in the past years and if I recall correctly he has treated you from grave injuries at least a couple of times. Due to this, and several other reasons, he has earned citizenship and now is an honored member of the court,"
Before anyone could call him a liar, Leon, who was sitting on the other side of Arthur, extracted a parchment from the pile of papers in front of him and passed it around. The only person who could give citizenship with such high honors was Uther, but if Arthur faked his signature along with the seal of the royal crown…Well, he will be none the wiser.
No one in the table looked happy with the news, albeit some of them curious, they all knew that if Merlin had gotten the honor of being a court member was because Arthur had asked his father to do so. Sir Geodric stared at the paper as it had the form of an incredibly large snake.
"Still—" He said with a sharp movement in which he almost hit Leon with the parchment when he angrily tossed it back, "I will not stand here and hear a plan that was thought by someone with the barely minimum level of comprehension in matters of the royal crown, he has never been in court before, what does he know about politics, the realm, or loyalty, the crown? You can't expect me to trust him, or—"
"He's more loyal than you and all your soldiers lined up," Arthur finally spat, slowly, placing his elbows on the table, "May I remind you why he was even hired all those years ago? He was hired, in case you missed such an eventful dinner, because he saved my life from an evil witch."
At least Sir Geodric had some sense of preservation because he stood tall but quiet.
"In fact, he has saved my life more times than I can count now, even my father's, he knows this realm better than you do, actually— correct me if I'm wrong—but every time there had been a war, or some sort of political treaty that required your presence…you had never left Camelot, am I correct?"
Sir Geodric was silent before he shook his head, "That's is true, however, he's not a politician! He's not—"
"Merlin has been in hundreds of council meetings," Arthur added, talking over him, "He lives with Gaius, one of the smartest and enlightened men I know. Merlin knows about politics and economics and battle tactics. Why? Because I have thought him myself, unless you deem me an unworthy instructor I believe he has enough knowledge as to state his opinion—"
"I fail to see the relevance of—!"
"Furthermore, he has stood with me, side by side, in endless fights, when Morgana attacked Camelot he was there, wielding a sword. Sir Peter, and Agatha's men where there too, along with the rest of the soldiers of the nobleman houses at this table, can I be reminded of where you were?"
Merlin wanted to bolt from his seat or disappear, right about now, Arthur had never so belligerently had talked to any lord like this and Merlin didn't want anything to do with it. From across the table, he eyed Leon who smiled warmly at him before shrugging as if saying 'This is what he gets from messing with Arthur'.
"You were hiding away in your mansion, like the coward you are," Sir Peter said after a long time of silence, "You didn't show your face until several days later when all the ruckus had been solved,"
"That's it, I won't stand for this, if you value your father's allies so little, my prince, then I cannot see why I should be here any longer, you are not like your father in the slightest and the path you are taking is deplorable, taking advice from a manservant? Talking this way to the people who had given so much to the crown for ages? As if Uther would stand for this, I won't, and I refuse to believe I'm the only one!"
The silence was thick but another figure rose up, Lady Catelyn, who silently but rigidly walked to stand beside Sir Geodric but no one else did, Sir Geodric scoffed at less than a dozen of people around the table.
"Alright, fine, you can keep talking and making plans, I'm going to be the smart one here, but know this, all of you!" He said turning to look at the rest of his so-called friends, allies; he buried his bloodshot eyes at them, "You know I speak the truth. When Uther finds out about this… you will be sorry that you stayed."
With that, he turned to Arthur again and without bowing his head he left, opening the grand doors as he walked out, Lady Catelyn quietly following his steps, after a moment the guards outside the door looked inside, unsure, and Arthur waved them to close them.
After the resolute shutting of the doors, Merlin felt like he might be sick. Everybody on the table looked at each other almost in composed fright and shock. Arthur sighed silently and glanced at Merlin who was visibly shaking, blue eyes fixed on the table trying to make himself as small as possible. Arthur kicked his foot under the table and Merlin stared at him, almost scared and Arthur smiled minutely, shaking his head. Merlin bit his lip but gave a shaky nod.
Finally, it was Sir Peter who broke the silence.
"I never liked such dramatics" He sighed, bringing his cup of wine to his lips and smirked, "He was always a pain in the ass if you ask me,"
And with that the tension in the room lifted, a few nobleman nodding and a few others laughing, Arthur was still silent but his shoulders where rigid even when he smiled cordially, he was used to the dramatics of court, however, he had hated to see Merlin being tossed in the middle of it, and, honestly, it really didn't matter if he lost Geodric's as an ally, no one should think of manservants as things, and, for one, he was not going to let anyone treat Merlin that way, not if he could help it.
"I apologize for my behavior, he just… I never expected this to happen," Arthur said after a moment.
"Oh, he never understood anything, Arthur," Lady Agatha waved a hand, however Arthur knew how close to him she was, how both their houses helped each other, court was a dangerous place, and he didn't truly trust her, "I'm pretty sure his anger will die after he has a few days to think clearly,"
"Well, in the meantime can we go back to the topic at hand?" Sir Peter asked, "I'm eager to know the plan that Sir Merlin here has thought."
Wow. Sir Merlin. Merlin almost choked. That… that was first, he stuttered for a moment, all his planning and practicing in front of the mirror long forgotten.
"I—right, right, the plan, of course," He smiled and the rest of the table nodded towards him with a warm attitude, some of them still reserved but after such a confrontation neither was eager to start another one.
By the time Merlin finished explaining with a few comments from Arthur part the table was silent.
"Three more days, that's what you are saying," Lady Agatha finally said, "Three more days and the… the plan that Uther will remember who you are when you lift a damned sword from a stone," she said in almost a question, "That's your new request,"
Arthur didn't miss how she said 'new' request as if saying, what more else do you want from us? Hadn't we given enough?
"We are confident it will work, definitely this time, we are certain that somehow his memories are linked with magic, and so seeing me freeing the sword should do something to disrupt the spell,"
All of it was a lie, Merlin and Arthur knew it, Uther will not get his memories back but they were going to try and make Uther believe it, even if it would take more time after that but Merlin was certain that once the hypothetical blindfold on Uther's eyes was lifted, he would realize the truth in their words and will come to see Arthur in a new light. At the very least it will be enough to appease the nobleman.
"And if it doesn't work? What will happen to our king?" Lady Agatha said aghast, "You…. Do you really expect us to let your father reign when he is clearly under a spell? Arthur, we do not know the boundaries of this… magic, or how it works wouldn't it be wiser if… maybe we should think of different ideas, better possibilities. Just in case."
"If you are implying—which I'm sure you are not, Lady Agatha—that, dare I say, I should…take the throne? I hope you know you are clearly mistaken."
Lady Agatha was pale as she shook her head once, "Of course not, milord"
"Very well, my sincere apologies then, however, if any of you has a better plan, or somehow has a master in magic that I had yet to know about, I'm eager to listen," Arthur waited but no one dared to talk, he waited a few seconds and then nodded, he relaxed only visibly to Merlin's eyes, who was eyeing the room as if anyone might draw a sword and kill him with it, "Very well, if we all agree, the meeting is dismissed, I thank all of you profusely and will let you know anything that happens over the course of the next three days,"
The nobleman all nodded and stood up, bowing before departing, Lady Agatha being almost to last, eyeing Merlin than Arthur,
"Three days, my prince, no more,"
Arthur nodded as he stood up, accommodating some papers on the table in a neat pile, "No more,"
Lady Agatha nodded once and finally left the meeting room followed by Sir Peter, who stood by the threshold and looked towards the only two friends left in the room, they were several feet away and both seemed more preoccupied clearing the table than anything else. Sir Peter noticed the way Arthur had relaxed, if just barely, and the way Merlin was trying to hold his head high, shooting each other's looks over the papers as they set to work.
Sit Peter sighed, hoping he was not mistaken in supporting the young prince.
"I hope you know what you are doing, Arthur," He said so quietly it was barely a whisper, Merlin furrowed his brows and looked up at him, a question already forming on his lips but Sir Peter nodded towards him and left the room.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"That was the most terrifying thing I have ever done,"
Arthur laughed out loud once they were left alone, they both stopped pretending to be messing with the papers and instead let themselves fall on a chair.
"Merlin, you are Emrys, don't tell me you are scared of some bad, evil, nobleman?" Arthur said rolling his eyes as he sat straighter in his chair.
"I still don't know why you wanted me here! I want twenty golden coins for putting up with this idea," Merlin said as he let himself be sprawled on the chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling, "You could have explained easily on your own! Actually, I could be doing several other things, like dealing with the vase, which is far more important,"
"I know," Arthur said tiredly as he placed a hand on the table, looking at Merlin even if Merlin was still glaring at the ceiling, "But you will be part of the court soon, Merlin. Albion, remember? I need you to gain experience on dealing with the nobleman, sadly this won't be the last time something like this happens, in fact, this was nothing compared to what is to come, also… I think it's about time I start directing the court my way, all the nobleman know I will be different than my father, it's time to let them know how,"
Merlin huffed, hands going to his chest before he sat up abruptly, however, his eyes were calm, as he as stared at his friend, "What about losing allies? Two noblehouses in a day,"
"Win some, lose some, Merlin" Arthur shrugged, "It's not that they will stop coming to court, they will just stop supporting me, which is not good, I'll take that but… well, better to know who will have my back when it matters, you see… I didn't miss the stares and the undertone of the conversation with Geodric. It's true, most of it was because of you, and I'm very, very sorry that that even happened,"
"It's alright; we knew it could happen,"
"Still," Arthur said imperiously, "Won't happen again, I promise,"
Merlin nodded, and shivered on the chair, he glanced at the door for a second before sitting up straighter, he lifted his hands and made the dying fire on the room roar to life again, effectively chasing the cold away from his bones. Arthur smiled in appreciation but he stood up and began clearing the table again, however, his eyes were vacant as he talked, his hands going slow around the table.
"What do you mean by the 'undertone' of Geodric?" Merlin asked before he blinked, all the papers on his side of the table piled neatly at the center, Arthur glared at him with a deadpanned look.
"Do you forget where you are, Merlin? Use your hands, don't be lazy,"
"Sorry," Merlin said sheepishly, at least the idiot looked apologetic, "I have always done things like that… the only difference is that now you are paying attention, but I see your point,"
Arthur blinked. And then blinked again.
"How have you survived for so long? Are we really that blind around here?"
Merlin just grinned before he got comfortable on the chair again, "Well? Are you going to give me a class in politics? Or will I have to go and ask Gaius for a tedious lecture?"
Arthur shook his head and kept working on the papers, piling them up according to importance.
"Merlin, do you know when and how my father banned magic from the kingdom?"
Merlin blinked, unsure of what that had to do with anything but nodded,
"Well, it was just after you were born."
"He did it after my mother died, in his anger he banned it. It took him a day. One day Merlin, and the world ceased to exist as we knew it" Arthur said clearly, his voice ringing on the empty meeting room, the sun casting shadows on the windows, the blue sky was clear from clouds, the day had just started but Arthur talked as if it was nightfall, he was tired.
Merlin wondered how the talk with Elyan had gone but Arthur had yet to share it with him, Arthur kept talking, "And ever since that day we had been in a silent war against magic, you might not understand, not even me I suppose, but I get glimpses from time to time,"
Arthur finally gave up on the papers, raising and moving his hands as he spoke, another habit he had developed the past few weeks, "You see, all the men and women who sat here today… they knew magic before my father banned it, they knew how evil it was… but also how great and kind it could be," At this, he glanced at Merlin and nodded to him as an explanation, "I was born in a castle that hated magic, in a realm that feared it, but… these people today? They had seen the good sides of it, true, it's been years since the last time anything magic related had passed, people have forgotten, but only because it's a secret. Only because you are a secret, if they knew how much help you have been, I'm sure some of them will be moved to think of life before my father started this war scaring everyone into submission if they did not agree with him,"
Merlin placed his elbows on the table; hands cupped his cheeks as he thought of this, "I have heard stories from Kilgharrah and Gaius, stories about the golden age of the realm. You think they would understand once you rule and lift the ban on magic?"
"It's impossible to think there was ever a time where we were connected," Arthur said matter of fact as he finished with a pile of papers and moved to take Merlin's and rearrange them accordingly, "But that's only because my father has… installed this constant fear on everyone. Our generation was born with this fear, but the oldest generations, the ones sitting on council meetings, they know evil is not all there is to magic… so… I'm trying to make some progress there. What Sir Geodric said today… about me granting you citizenship was just his fear of… well, the inevitable,"
Merlin looked at Arthur as he raised his eyes to meet his,
"The noblemen know I will rule, sooner rather than later, and they have always been curious about how I would lead, most of them were certain I would follow my father's steps and I'm sure they would've been content. However, they are realizing this will not hold, taking you into court was just the first act of the many little acts I will have to do to before bringing magic back to the table,"
"Sir Geodric today was afraid of my bold decisions, he knows I won't be like my father and he's terrified. The succession of a King is always stressful; he does not want to think how me being a King will affect him and his privileges. Because don't be fooled Merlin, everyone on the table today was just thinking about how Uther dying or me taking the throne will affect them. They are afraid, afraid of how I will lead and if I do, they are afraid that one of the changes will be, of course, the ban on magic. I can see some of them rethinking their ways, however, lifting the ban is still years away… but some, like Sir Geodric, know where they stand."
Arthur sighed, he closed his hands into fits above his tights, "My father banned it in a day… It's laughable how something that took so little will take me years to undo. However, I do hope that slowly but surely little acts, like the one today, will help us in that way,"
Merlin sat there as Arthur began working again, signing a few papers as he went.
"And here I was, thinking that all that talk was just because I was a mere manservant, but no, I totally missed the fact that you were discussing your future leadership in a kingdom that has yet to lose its actual King because you are trying to rearrange the way court functions! How did I miss that?"
Arthur blinked before he smiled sheepishly, "I guess court is indeed a bit… well, confusing."
"Confusing? It was madness!"
"At least this is something I'm better at than you," Arthur smirked, "Can't let you win them all; Emrys, leader of the druids, the last dragonlord, the best sorcerer to walk this earth… too many titles for such a man, I still fail to see you as the best sorcerer but I will take it as long as it keeps me alive,"
Merlin chuckled and nodded eagerly, "Thank God you are good at this! Otherwise, well, you would only be Arthur and—… and, uh wait, no, that's it. That is really your only talent. Prince Arthur, the prat, master of stressful meetings, so important."
"Hey! What happened to the once and future king?"
"Well, pardon me, but I do not hear 'the best' king or 'the last and greatest leader of Camelot'" Merlin shrugged as Arthur looked incredibly offended, he raised his hands, "Sorry, I don't make the prophecies,"
"…I can take away your citizenship and place in court in less time than you can shine your eyes gold at me, Merlin,"
"How about… The once and handsome King, uh? How about that? Sounds nice… not so true though but who am I to judge?" Merlin smirked and Arthur found himself laughing after a moment, his fake anger dissipating and the tension lifting off their shoulders before he shook his head.
"Shut up, you idiot," Arthur said as he stood up, fishing Merlin's citizen parchment and throwing it at him, the parchment had been a surprise to Merlin as he carefully unrolled it and began reading the letters, it was true, he could not believe this, when had Arthur even had time? "Do not lose it, there are no copies for citizenships, now, let's go have breakfast and then we can start thinking about that damned sword of mine and that damned vase of yours, c'mon let's clean this up before my father decides to come in for his own meetings."
Merlin took all the papers on the table on his lanky arms, careful to not spill any of them and then smiled unsurely towards Arthur as they headed out.
"Well, about that…"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Arthur was stabbing his food as he ate on the corner of the kitchen's tables, he was alone since the knights had breakfast earlier, and so the only one there to watch his silent tantrum was the kitchen staff— who were throwing him anxious glances but remained away from him—and Gwaine and Lancelot, who had from now on and until told otherwise, total reign of their time, their only duties now where Arthur and Merlin and since Merlin was gone they now waited around the kitchen giving Arthur a few worried glances.
"What happened to him? Did the meeting with the nobleman go that wrong?" Lancelot asked Gwaine.
"Only one way to find out," The brave knight sang and took two jars of beer filled to the brim when a maid passed by, she was startled but let it slide with a roll of her eyes when Gwaine winked at her before thanking her. Lancelot just shook his head in surrender.
The knights walked towards Arthur and took their places in front of the prince as Gwaine let the beers fall on the table noisily, "Heya, Arthur,"
Arthur just stared at them and nodded before going back to stabbing his breakfast.
"Good morning to you too," Gwaine said amused, "Now, I'm sure your Alissa will thank you if you stop manhandling such a fine piece of cutlery, you see, she appreciates her tableware,"
Arthur, who was glaring at his plate, looked up and blinked before he relaxed his shoulders and continued eating, this time without the need to stab and kill his goods in the process, however, he did take a few sips from the beer that Gwaine offered him.
"Ugh, this tastes awful," He said lowering the jar, spitting to the ground and Lancelot chuckled,
"Well, not all of us can afford good beer and this is the only beer the castle has to offer to the knights," Gwaine said matter of fact, taking a long sip from his, "You know the saying, don't look too hard into a horse's teeth,"
"I'm sure that's not how it goes," Arthur rolled his eyes but took another sip, this time without making a face, but just barely.
"Well, how did the meeting go?"
"As well as it could have been expected. I got us the three days you needed to pull this plan of yours, and ugh—" Arthur said as he took another gulp of beer and finally gave up, calling a maid and ordering three fine vases if wine. Gwaine cheered happily.
"Then what happened that you got you so… well, upset?" Lancelot asked concerned, "Did something happen?"
"Did something—yes something did happen, what do you know about Owen?"
Gwaine blinked, tilting his head, taken aback by the twist in conversation, "Owen?... as if… Sir Owen?"
"Yes, Sir Owen, that Owen, how many Owens do we know?"
Lancelot shrugged, not caving into Arthur's bad temperament, "I'm sure nothing that you don't already know, why? Did something happen to him? Is his arm healing well? Maybe Merlin should check on him,"
"Well, Merlin did go to check on him, he went to have breakfast with him," Arthur said as if that explanation alone was accusatory enough, "I didn't even know Owen that well until this mission in Ealdor! Did any of you know they were friends?"
Lancelot and Gwaine glanced at each other and then and Arthur, who was waiting for an explanation.
"I mean, since when has Merlin even been friends with him, right? And what is the idiot doing when there are more important things to do? Like, you know, saving Camelot?"
Lancelot was trying hard to hide his smirk, he knew that for the past year Merlin and Arthur had breakfast together more times than not, it wasn't always, but certainly more times than most nobleman could brag about, once Lancelot was let in the loop he would accompany them too on occasion. They would share stories and talk about the kingdom.
Besides for the past month, Merlin and Arthur had been with each other from sunrise to dawn, with training, Ealdor, and their never-ending magical missions, even Merlin's birthday… however, it was incredibly amusing to see that Arthur, a man of very few friends thought that Merlin having other friends was incomprehensible.
Lancelot's smirk faltered, the words repeating in his head; Arthur…a man of very few friends. In fact, besides Merlin, Gwaine, Gaius , Gwen and himself…. Who did Arthur spend his time with? Lancelot looked at Arthur sadly, and even then all of them were friends with Arthur… because they had been friends with Merlin first. Merlin had been always the one to reassure them that Arthur was a good man to put their faith in. A man worth fighting for.
Lancelot had never viewed that way but… where would Arthur really be without Merlin?
Gwaine, unlike Lancelot, laughed out loud, "Oh my god, Arthur—are you jealous?"
"Jealous? What? No! It's just… odd," Arthur said, red dusting on his cheeks as he rolled his eyes.
"Odd. That Merlin has friends, you know, besides us? Besides you?" Gwaine deadpanned, "Merlin probably is friends with half of Camelot, the good half, there's nothing to worry about,"
Arthur stabbed the last piece of lettuce on his plate but left the fork there as the maid finally brought them their glasses of wine. After she left and Arthur made sure everyone was out of hearing radius he spoke again, nursing his wine, he sighed in relief, way better than cheap beer.
"I'm not mad… nor jealous," He threw them a glare, "I'm concerned,"
"Why? Merlin can take care of himself," Gwaine said easily, "Besides, it's just Owen,"
"I know it's just Owen," Arthur said lowering his cup and pushing his plate away, "That's the problem, recently everything has become just 'It's just Gwaine, it's just Gaius, it's just us,' He's growing careless, I'm afraid. He's using magic for things he has never used before, today in the meeting room, for example, yesterday on the road to Camelot. Gaius chambers have become a new training field… the fear… the alarm and panic that was so installed in his bones is receding,"
"Have you talked to him about it?" Lancelot asked but Arthur shook his head grimly, he didn't need to say it out loud for them to understand. No one wanted to bring the topic to the table, let alone with Merlin, to tell him his magic made him a monster within the walls of Camelot. That things had not changed. Not really.
What a merry thought, Gwaine thought somberly.
The friends all looked down at their cups of wine, the red liquid shining brightly; mocking them with the dark thoughts that surrounded them, after a long pause Gwaine drank his glass in one go, sighing as he let the wine warm his body.
"Why does that sound so incredibly sad when it should be good news?"
Arthur and Lancelot didn't answer, instead, they just drank.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"My prince, are you going to try it now?"
"What does the reward entail?"
"Did you come to finally set it free?"
"It's magical right? It has to—ow! Mom!"
"No talking about magic in front of the prince…. What have I told you?"
Arthur kept answering questions as he stood near the sword in the stone, after ordering Gwaine and Lancelot to start looking for a place for Merlin to train he had gone down to the lower town and to the forest to oversee with his eyes how the test was going.
He knew it was impossible for anyone besides him to actually pull the sword out, Merlin had told him, but he was still immensely relieved when he saw it there, shining under the harsh light of the sun, almost as if saying hello after such a long departure.
"It's good to have you back, Arthur," Percival smiled as he sat on his stool,
"I'm glad I'm back too," Arthur said easily, he was finally given a rest after several hours and now sat side by side with the giant but gentle knight watching as the row of people kept getting larger and larger, as people just kept on trying on the sword.
"You should've seen the lines the first day," Percival said as if he could read his mind, "This doesn't even compare, people that have failed several times had just stopped trying by now, went back to live their lives, however, there are a few stubborn ones…"
Percival pointed to a group of men who came wearing not only expensive clothes but leather gloves as if that could help them win the price, Arthur smirked.
"Let them try,"
"Does that mean that in the end, you will take it out?" Percival asked curiously, "Everyone who has tried and failed can only see you attempting to actually succeed but if you ask me… well, it does look rather impossible. It's inside a bloody rock after all."
Arthur returned his eyes to the stone, now there was a little child, not over ten, who was trying with all his might, pulling with both hands at the hilt and leaning all of his body back, his little feet on the rock since he wasn't tall enough to stand on the ground , Arthur chuckled at the sight as the rest of the people along the circle sighed.
"I take it this happens a lot?"
"Every day after meal time," Percival was smiling too, "He's nothing but perseverant,"
Arthur clapped when the kid finally gave up, and the smile on the boy's face when he saw the gesture was enough to light up the entire city with candles.
"Momma, momma, did you see? Prince Arthur smiled… and clapped, at me!"
"I saw, honey, I saw," The woman said kindly as she nodded to Arthur and Arthur nodded back, the boy with dark hair and bright attitude reminded him of Eliane and he vaguely wondered what would the little druid girl, keeper of dragons, must be doing with Aithusa now.
After a while, where Percival and he just exchanged tactical opinions, a few gossips between the knights that Arthur had missed, and the latter court affairs that Percival had heard due to his never ending, was when Arthur finally noticed, he had seen something out of place, but now he could pinpoint exactly was that was.
There was a girl with vibrant red hair and green eyes were staring intently at the sword, she was on the other side of him, sitting with her legs crossed and her hands tightly around her, her eyes focused on the sword only. She couldn't be older than twenty-something, and even from afar, when the rest of the people was lively, she was just sulking in a corner against a three.
"Percival, how many people have tried the sword so far?" Arthur asked after several minutes.
The knight blinked but eventually shook his head, "A few hundreds? People from all around the kingdom have travelled just to see it,"
Arthur hummed as he tipped his chin, "And that girl, over there, has she tried?"
Percival followed his stare and shook his head, "Never seen her before today,"
Arthur hummed before his eyes traveled down the line of people who were still ready to try and he realized with a start that there was not a single girl or woman lined up. His eyebrows shot upward.
"Percival, had any girl…. tried?"
He looked taken aback as if he himself had not registered this, "Not that I know of, no"
Arthur hummed again, eyes traveling to the girl who was staring at the sword as if willing it to combust with just her stare, she reminded him of himself, stubborn… and probably… well, she just needed a nudge in the right direction.
He knew his advice wouldn't make her succeed, but just imagining what Hunith would say if she let a girl leave like that because she just wanted to try? Alright, he was going to be a gentleman and do what Merlin probably would.
Just… help out.
And after weeks of being literally useless, Arthur felt like at least he could help with this. He stood up, ignoring Percival's confused stare and walked towards the girl, going out of the way of the people scattered around the sword, it was only when he was a few steps away when the girl seemed to notice someone was actually approaching her and she looked up.
Arthur blinked, her whole-self contrasting immensely, even when the girl was wearing neat and clean clothes, clothes that looked rather expensive, she looked disheveled, red hair obscuring part of her face as It flowed in the wind. Her green inquisitive eyes, looked up at him, pensive but tired, Arthur wondered how many hours she had been sitting there.
She seemed frozen in place when she saw him there as if she couldn't believe the prince of Camelot was just… there, when Arthur decided to speak.
"Hello, milady, do you mind if I take a seat?" Arthur motioned to the space beside the young woman, who just nodded, still frozen, hands going around her legs, secluding herself. Arthur sighed but didn't show any sign that he noticed it, neither he let it bother him, most people always reacted this way.
"My name is Arthur Pen—"
"I know," The young woman said in a hurry, eyes finally moving away from him and to the sword again, transfixed on it, "I know."
Arthur coughed but tried again, alright, he could be stubborn too.
"Very well, I suppose it was obvious, sorry,"
The girl just shrugged, hands clasping over her dress harshly.
"Do you come here often since the test was announced? My knight was just telling me half of Camelot had tried pulling it out, I bet it has been quite the spectacle,"
The girl was still quiet for a very long time, hands twitching over her robes, almost scared but nodded, "I suppose,"
Arthur was quiet for a few minutes. Percival looked at his direction from across the field. What was Arthur doing?
"Are you not going to try it?" The girl finally said after the long silence, turning towards him almost comically fast and then pointed with a very pale hand towards the stone, "M-my lord?"
Sick. Arthur realized. She looked sick. Her pale hands, she was shaking slightly, and he could see some kind of pain in her green eyes that didn't lock with his for long.
"I will," Arthur said, deciding not to comment and the sick state of the girl, the bags under her eyes, the unnatural way, now he noticed, in which she held herself. His heart constricted. Too young to be sick. He made a mental note to ask Merlin and Gaius for their help, "After everyone has had an opportunity,"
The woman huffed and Arthur was surprised for her reaction,
"It may take a while… I accept that," Arthur said, knowing fully well he had three days before he had to get it out and claim his throne one way or the other.
"Opportunity, no one here even knows what they are competing for," She said angrily but composed as if she couldn't understand the society she lived in, she moved her hands vaguely towards the sword, "They just try and try and fail and fail and they don't even know why,"
Arthur shrugged "The king promised an amazing reward, it's no wonder everyone wants to try it out, there's a chance for everyone who dares, after all,"
No response. Arthur sighed and clutched his eyes. Why were women so difficult?
"Have you tried yet?"
At this the woman turned her green eyes towards him as if trying to read his thoughts, it was an uneasy stare, Arthur was reminded of someone who could see through him and know his true intentions, he blinked away.
"Me?"
"Yes, have you tried yet?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm a woman," She said plainly, "No woman has tried yet, "
Arthur scoffed this time instead, even if it was rude, "I don't remember a rule saying no woman or girl could try."
Again no response and Arthur glanced at her, her eyes; steely and cold as they looked the sword, just intensified their glare at his words.
"As I said, I won't try until everybody has had a chance, I still don't know if I might be able to actually do it, despite what everyone believes, this is a test of will, I just guess very few have the right assertiveness to actually manage,"
The young woman hummed, "I suppose. And you think, my prince, I will have this… assertiveness?"
Arthur shrugged, thinking what Merlin would say instead of what Arthur would want to say, "I'm just saying it will be worth a chance. How would you feel if I decided to take it now, and never know if you could've done it? Hm? Better not live with regrets, that's what my father always tells me."
That was a lie, but alright, it worked because the red hair looked a bit less insecure as she assessed the sword.
Arthur was about to say more when two knights came barreling into the clearing, eyes frantically looking for him and Arthur didn't hesitate to stand up, nod in the general direction of the woman as a goodbye and walk to his troubled charges.
"What is it—"
"It's Gaius, milord," One said quickly, "He demanded your presence immediately,"
And as if on cue Merlin came running through the woods, clumsily falling to his knees before recovering, using Arthur as a support as his eyes grew huge on his pale face.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked alarmed but quietly as he began walking back to the castle with his knights and Merlin on toe, it was after they were out of sight of the people on the clear that Arthur began running, " Merlin, what happened?"
Merlin couldn't even talk, apparently he had run the whole way here, he was breathing hard as he tried to keep the pace, "It's Elyan, I saw him—I don't know, but—something happened."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
It had been a quiet morning, and thinking back, maybe that had been a clear indication that something was soon to happen, Gaius should've known. There was no rest in the never-ending calamities that Merlin and Arthur had to face every day, however, he had clearly not seen this coming.
The old physician was quietly but dutifully making potions when someone crashed into his room, leaving the door open in his wake.
It was Elyan, who almost tripped over his own feet in his rush, balancing himself on a table as he looked around the deserted room. Eyes red and distressed, not really seeing, until his sight landed on Gaius, who was still frozen on his spot.
"Elyan? What—"
"Gaius! Gaius, thank the gods you are here—Gaius I need—help," followed by a gibberish of words as he tried to speak and get air in his lungs at the same time. The result was just him choking on his words.
Gaius quickly left his doings and walked to the young man, forcing him to take a seat before Elyan could collapse entirely to the ground, Elyan was shaking his head, putting a bit of resistance against Gaius but in the end the old phisician won.
"Sir Elyan? Breathe, calm down, that's it lad, inhale… exhale, now, tell me again, what happened?" Gaius said trying to be calm but Elyan was just shaking his head, already trying to move back to his feet.
"W—where's Arthur? I need to talk to him, we have to leave, now"
Elyan got up to his feet again but Gaius pushed him on the chair firmly.
"Elyan, Arthur is down in the forest looking over the sword, I will get a guard to call for him in a moment but you need to tell me first! What's going on? Does this have to do with your memories? Are you in pain? I can't help you if—"
Elyan finally looked up from his hands and his distressed eyes locked into Gaius, tears marring his face.
"Elyan? What—"
"Gwen is gone."
"What?" Gaius breathed and Elyan teared up a bit more,
"Gwen…. Gwen is gone!"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
No one said anything as Elyan finished his story. The room silent as a tomb as everybody processed what he had just said. The words impossible, impossible, impossible just repeating in Arthur's head. His hand clutching and unclutching on the top of the table as he looked pointedly to a corner of the room.
Merlin, after hearing what Elyan said, let himself fall on a stool blue eyes unseeing. Lancelot was sitting close to the window, looking crestfallen and so torn it was painful to watch, while Gwaine was unconsciously swinging his sword in the air, eyebrows furrowed. Gaius was the one sitting next to Elyan, a reassuring hand on his shoulder to keep the young knight steady.
"How could this happen?" Lancelot finally asked, voice breaking, "How can she just be gone?"
"Tell us more about what you remember," Arthur had to fight his voice for it to not sound as angry and sad as he felt. Elyan looked at Arthur as if he himself was the reason for Gwen's disappearance.
"I told you everything I know! Yesterday she was so angry after the meeting that she asked me to leave her alone, she needed her space and so did I." No one questioned this meeting but Gwaine had to fight the impulse to not throw up. So that's what Arthur had left to do yesterday…."So we parted ways, I spent the night at our father's old blacksmiths place, when I came back this morning she was gone, I thought she was just out, doing errands, so I came back later, in time for our meal, that she never misses and that's when I noticed it…. The… the…"
"The blood," Gwaine said somberly as he stopped fidgeting with his sword, "The blood on the window,"
"Couldn't… couldn't she had gotten hurt and…" Merlin said but he knew it was a weak explanation, if she had gotten hurt she would've been here with Gaius.
Elyan shook his head, eyes glassy and desperate, "She was taken, I know it."
"We don't know that, for all we know she is—"
"She wouldn't," Lancelot said fiercely, "If she was feeling sick or in pain she would be here, she would've told me,"
"But…" Merlin was hesitant to ask, to think that Gwen was in any kind of pain or horrible situation terrified him, "But—"
He didn't want to finish, who would harm Gwen? Gwen, so loyal, and warm, and just friendly Gwen? This had never happened before. She had to enemies, no one she should be afraid of. It made no sense.
"Elyan, Gwen could be anywhere, maybe…." Arthur tried to reason, "You are distressed and I understand, I really do, but we can't jump to conclusions and think she was kidnapped just because—"
"She was!" Elyan said angrily, standing from his seat when Arthur dared to speak, "I know my sister, she wouldn't have left anywhere far without telling me, no one has seen her and there was blood, Arthur. Blood. Now, you told me, just yesterday, you said you would still take care of us, you promised, you said you would do anything in your power to help us, are you going to break that promise too?"
Arthur took a calming breath, inside he was shaking, scared to the bones, Gwen couldn't be missing, she just couldn't, he had seen her yesterday, and as awful as the thought was… she was really distressed, enough that he had asked Elyan for space? Not like her but likely in the situation. The fact that there was blood in her house froze his veins though, for him the idea of Gwen in danger was unfathomable, unthinkable, impossible and yet….he closed his eyes for a moment, recovering his bearings, he couldn't show all his intern emotions without making things worse.
He needed to think and to act. Quick.
"I already put every guard and knight available looking for her, around the castle and in Camelot, even in the outskirts of the city and the forest, we will find her, Elyan, I promise, now I need you to calm down, alright? I promised I will take care of her and I intend to keep that promise, do you have any idea of where she could be?"
Elyan shook his head, "Not that I can think of, I—"
Elyan sat back in defeat still boiling with energy when Gaius tugged at his arm again. Arthur took that a as a good signal and walked to the farthest corner of the room, glancing at Merlin as he did, the sorcerer quickly rose from his seat and walked with him, knowing that the prince wasn't as collected as he was trying to look.
"Arthur? Arthur, what do you think?" Merlin asked before Arthur surprisingly fired the same question back.
"What do you think?"
Merlin shook his head, still confused, "Honestly? I don't know, it's just very unlike Gwen to just disappear, maybe she is somewhere else and the blood Elyan saw…. Was… maybe he's not seeing things correctly?
Arthur shook his head, "Look at Elyan,he's losing his mind, he knows what blood looks like, Merlin, and as you said it's very unlikely… Gwen is not one to just… take off on her own, this doesn't match it's just not like her,"
"Arthur, if something happened yesterday that I should know tell me," Merlin said as he eyed the rest of the room, Elyan and Gaius were talking in hushed voices while Gwaine was looking out the window, eyes sharp, however, out of the sudden Lancelot raised from his seat and stormed out the door. Merlin blinked and Gwaine shared a look with him but none commented on it, "I—I know we have not talked about yesterday but… Arthur, did something happen?"
Arthur took a shaky breath, pain clear in his eyes, "No, no, but…she was so angry… so sad but she wouldn't…" Arthur stopped himself, breath erratic, before his eyes settled on Merlin, the sorcerer eyes grew even bigger when he understood what Arthur was implying, "Merlin, focus, I need you to go to the hut, look for any traces, any indications of what happened, use your abilities if you have to. I have a bad feeling about this…"
"A… a feeling?" Merlin wanted to joke that he was the one with 'the bad feelings' but right now everything seemed grim, scary. Gwen was gone. Gwen his loyal and happy and warm friend was gone and Merlin couldn't really think clearly. How had that happened? Everyone liked Gwen! And she wouldn't have left, even if that was the first thing Gwaine had said. She wouldn't, not without Elyan and not without saying goodbye.
She wouldn't.
And that made the scenario even grimmer. Merlin just shook Arthur by his shoulder when the other didn't reply.
"Arthur? What… what kinds of signs?"
The prince's blue eyes traveled from Merlin to Elyan and back again, his intentions clear on his face. Merlin's hand shook on his shoulder, lowering his voice to the point of a whisper.
"Arthur, he wouldn't,"
Arthur nodded solemnly, his blue eyes looked a storm, "No, not him… Gwen wouldn't leave, Gwen wouldn't take her life either, she has no enemies but… but what if— what if it was someone who would want to hurt him, someone who couldn't reach him the first time..."
Merlin paled, realization hitting him like a brick as he mouthed, silently, "Morgana?"
Arthur nodded grimly. Merlin was trembling. Morgana had been in Camelot? Impossible. It couldn't be! In that moment they heard a muffled yell, they turned alarmed to see Elyan holding his head in his hands, rocking on the chair as Gaius jumped fomr his seat to find him something for the pain, muttering under his breath as he went.
"My head hurts, my head hurts, my head hurts," Elyan repeated in a hushed tone, "My head hurts,"
"Elyan, you alright? Elyan!" Gwaine said clearly distressed, his hand hovering over his shoulder scared he would make it worse, Arthur's heart was beating too fast. Was it the shock? The post-traumatic effect? Elyan had lost many friends just a few weeks back, and now Gwen?
No. Not Gwen, Arthur decided resolutely. Not her.
Arthur exchanged a look with Merlin before walking towards Gwaine, he forced him to face him fully, hands going limp by his sides, face pale but stance ready, Gaius came back with medicine as he talked in hushed tones with Elyan, urging him to drink.
"Gwaine, take Merlin with you. Inspect Gwen's house," Arthur said as he walked to the door followed by his friends, he casted one last look at Elyan and Gaius, who nodded as indicating he could deal with this, Arthur hesitated at the door, unsure if he had to say something when Elyan was looking so unresponsive and finally decided against it. He would only make it worse, "We need to find any traces of what she did,"
"What about you?" Gwaine asked as the three of them walked down the corridor,
"I need to pay a visit to sir Goedric, just in case…" Arthur shot Merlin a specific look and Merlin paled, if he dared to drop on snow they would never find him.
"You don't think… he would…. Is this how court operates?"
Merlin was in shock, Arthur could give them that.
"No, he's the kind of man who could have asked her for tea just to leave the whole of Camelot to worry of her whereabouts, so while I deal with the court and manage the knights go. Go and bring me answers. Don't come back until you find a lead as to who might have done this, do I make myself clear?"
Gwaine and Merlin nodded, as Arthur steeled himself and walked in the other direction.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Merlin and Gwaine dismounted their horses in front of Gwen's house, two guards were stationed in the front but let them through the moment they recognized them.
The closer they had come to the house the more uneasy Merlin had felt, he had thought it was the nerves, the pain and the dread of what could be happening, however, he knew the second he saw the house what had happened. He could feel it in his bones.
Gwaine tore the door open and began inspecting the room, looking at each table, corner, and space with critical and focused eyes. The job of a knight while Merlin stood motionless on the door, unnoticed by Gwaine.
Nothing seemed out of place, flowers were on the vase on the table, everything was clean and nothing was broken. Nothing jumped to the knight's eyes except… Gwaine gingerly walked to the window, moving back the old but clean curtains, sure enough, there was dried blood splattered on the inside, not a few drips, but a lot to make his heart heavy. He looked around again, despite the very horrible scene nothing looked out of place, maybe she was dragged out? But in the dirt of the floor, there were no signs that she had battled or even been carried away.
That was when Gwaine noticed Merlin's stare, lost in the space in front of him, eyes shining gold, and even though the shining looked eerily the fear in his eyes was not.
"Merlin, stop it!" Gwaine all but yelled as he walked to Merlin to snap him out of it,"What are you doing?!" He hissed, afraid other knights would enter and see Merlin like this, luckily the second Gwaine spoke Merlin's eyes had returned to normal and now it was only the blue eyes of the sorcerer who were staring back at him with palpable alarm.
"Arthur was right, oh my god Arthur was right, what are—how could she?"
"What are you talking about? Merlin, c'mon buddy, stop," Gwaine said as he patted Merlin's cheek, whose eyes were transfixed on the window, he kept mumbling under his breath. Gwaine had never seen his friend so scared before.
And if Merlin was scared knowing what he knew now… Gwaine couldn't help but think something was incredibly wrong here.
"Can't you feel it?" Merlin said distressed after a long minute, finally loud enough for Gwaine to understand, "Can't you feel it Gwaine? It's all over the place—"
"Merlin, Merlin feel what?" Gwaine hissed again as he looked around, what was he missing?
"The magic… so dark…. It's literally drowning me," Merlin said in such a low voice that if Gwaine had not been just a breath away from him he would not have heard it, Gwaine's hand on Merlin's shoulders were probably going to leave a bruise with how tight he was holding the sorcerer.
"Merlin?" Fine, Gwaine might be a little, tiny bit out of his deep here.
"It's… it's…" Gwaine thought Merlin was going to retch, "God, how could this happen?"
"Alright buddy, care to share with the nonmagical beings?"
"Morgana's magic," Merlin finally said, whispering as if just saying it would conjure her there.
Gwaine stopped breathing, "That's impossible Merlin. There's no way she could have entered Camelot without us knowing. In broad daylight. It's just…it's impossible, Morgana? In here?!"
Merlin, as an answer, still shaking due to his discovery, just looked back at Gwaine, eyes flashing gold but not doing anything, just quietly, imploringly, looking at the knight. Gwaine understood.
If Merlin can live in Camelot….
Who says Morgana can't enter?
"We need to tell Arthur. Now,"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A/N: Here it is! The plot thickness, the last part begins. I was going to upload the next chapter along with this but the chapter is immensely large as it is and I CUT LIKE TEN PAGES, so…. Just wait a few more days to read The Best Chapter so far! Everything is already planned, remember that, I just have to actually sit and link the ideas into something readable.
Things that I cut but don't actually matter but you should know
1)Owen and Merlin had breakfast. It was awesome. Owen will teach Merlin his ways and spells so he can be a better healer in exchange of magical classes, however, Owen can barely light a candle, he's useless but he's an excellent doctor.
2) Merlin and Owen saw Elyan running through Camelot and that's when Merlin went to find Arthur, hence he showing in the forest.
3) Arthur barely slept at all after the horrible meeting with Elyan and Gwen, but life keeps moving forward and so does he.
4) Lancelot and Gwaine do find a place for Merlin to practice; however, they had not even said it yet because they were called. It's Kilgharrah's old cave. Gwaine had the idea. Lancelot knew the way. It's was very fun but it was too large to place it here.
5) Also, Merlin gets a gift early in the morning by all the knights for his past bday, two new leather jackets and a black long coat. He looks badass.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. I COULD HUG ALL OF YOU. I WILL GO AND ANSWER RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE 78% PERCENT OF MY WILL TO LIVE.
I'm like 100% sure you know what happened to Gwen and how, and why she was taken, but I'm also 100% sure you won't expect what happens next chapter so we are even! Lots of action and adventure awaits.
What do you think will happen now? Tell me your theories they are so much fun to read! Gwen is missing, they have three days to make Uther believe he has a son… but can they do both? The court was final. Three days or Arthur has to take the throne.
And there's the sword and the vase to worry about. (:
Love you guys, really, really love you guys so much!
-Juliet'lovestory!-