A/N: I am reluctantly going to disregard 'A Remedy to Cure All Ills'. Not because I did not enjoy the episode, because I did and I liked Gaius's character development. It's just by making Merlyn Gaius's ward I could not see her being allowed to stay in Camelot without him.
The Gates of Avalon
He was floating, suspended in light, his fair hair moving slowly in the current as he slid further into oblivion. It was an almost peaceful, serene scene. She wasn't alarmed until she saw the woman, palm out-stretched over the water…
Morgana tore out of the dream with a gasp. It had been one of those dreams, the vivid, disturbing kind that always left her uneasy and on guard.
"Milady?" A concerned voice came from the small room inside her chambers, announcing Merlyn's presence before she hurried into the room and over to her bed. "Are you alright?"
Still rattled, Morgana gasped out. "A nightmare…Arthur."
"The Prince is fine. He has gone out hunting with Glyndwr." Merlyn soothed her. "He was in annoyingly good spirits." She added remembering the cheerful good morning Arthur had sent her way as she had climbed the main staircase still half asleep. She hated morning people.
Arthur slowly stalked the young buck, grazing in the clearing, unaware of the danger lurking in the undergrowth. He had such a good shot. Slowly he steadied his crossbow…and fell forward nosily as his manservant tumbled out of the bushes, into his back and sent him flying.
"Glen, you really are a Buffoon!" He turned on his hapless servant, ready to ring his neck when the scream rent across the air. Without a second thought the two men ran toward the feminine scream, Arthur pulling ahead and leaving Glen to follow. He followed the screams deeper into the forest until he reached the source, a young woman and an older man against four bandits, hardly a fair fight. His crossbow took care of one of them and drew the others attention away from their victims.
He withdrew his sword as they approached him. Taking on two at once, he dispatched one and turned to finish the other when he saw two dead hares swing round and knock the other man hard into a tree. He raised his eyebrows, nodding at Glen who seemed shocked that his ploy had worked and both men turned to look at the remaining man. Who looked at them both and seemed to have fought better of it, turning to run further into the trees.
"And let that be a lesson to you!" Glyndwr shouted after them, shrugging his shoulders as Arthur sent him an aspirated look.
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you" Arthur asked, approaching the pair, only to stop in his tracks at the sight of the woman.
"No. Thanks to you." She said sweetly. She was beautiful; her skin glowed with life framed by dark golden brown hair, lightened by the sun. He was sure he had never seen anyone so beautiful. An image of a dark haired beauty shoved against that thought for a moment, throwing him off balance for a moment.
"My name is Sofia, this is my father."
"At your service." He said, managing to tear his eyes away from the daughter, he looked at the old man. "Come with me. You must rest…"
Morgana sat in her chambers, her book open on her lap unread. Guinevere and her mother sat on the other seat talking softly as they embroidered their fabrics. Her mind was still far away, stuck in the nightmare that had invaded her rest.
The dreams had started soon after her eleventh year. With her father, Sir Gorlois often away, she had spent a lot of her childhood in Camelot, growing up alongside the future King. She had been torn out of her sleep and pulled into a terrifying nightmare in which a fire ravaged Camelot whilst an army attacked the Citadel. She had awoken, screaming, and her nurse had rushed into her room rooked her as she cried. Each time the nightmares came, she would be whisked down to Gaius. She would sit on his lap and tell the old man everything. Gaius would always listen and never tell her she was being silly. He began making potions to help her sleep. To keep the nightmares at bay, but over the years they had become less and less effective.
Then they had realised that some of her dreams were starting to come true. During her twelfth summer she had dreamed of the aftermath of a brutal battle and seen her father's shield broken on the ground. Before the end of the season, her beloved father and been killed in battle. It had devastated Morgana and terrified her, because with her father dead and her mother's disappearance whilst she was in her infancy, she was alone. She missed her father and wished him back with a vengeance. As grateful as she was that her father had arranged for King Uther to become her guardian in the event of his death, because Uther was a dutiful and attentive guardian who was extremely fond of her; the King would not tolerate even the hint of magic.
She had told no one else about the reoccurring nightmares. Not the King or Arthur. She thought about confiding in Guinevere, or even Merlyn. They were both kind, trust-worthy people. But would telling anyone really help?
Getting up she walked to the window, looking out at the overcast sky and her blood ran cold. There was Arthur walking though the courtyard with a young woman…
"Merlyn!"
Merlyn turned at sound of her name and turned back down the corridor to meet the Prince who had called after her.
"Merlyn, this is Sofia of Timawr. She and her father will be staying as guests of my father for a few days. Could you see that they get settled into the rooms beside mine?" There was something different about Arthur. Different in the way he treated the other woman. It was not surprising thou. She was stunning and obviously of the nobility. However…
"Sire, those rooms aren't the best at this time of year and I believe one is being repaired at present. May I suggest the other state rooms in the South wing?"
"Yes, yes, actually that makes more sense. Please see to it." Arthur agreed with a peculiar look on his face, as if he couldn't imagine why he hadn't considered it before. Indeed, those were the rooms often used by visiting nobles. The woman, Sofia, did not look pleased and Merlyn saw she had not made a friend there.
Merlyn bowed as the pair moved away in conversation and looked after them puzzled.
"Who is that?" She turned swiftly to see the Lady Morgana staring in shock at the two figures walking away.
"Sofia Timawr. She and her father are the Kings guests. Do you know them?" Morgana did not answer, her face pale,
"She can't stay here." She stated. Merlyn frowned. She had never seen Morgana so rattled. But before she could enquire any further, Morgana strode quickly away.
The next morning she awoke Morgana from another nightmare, soothing her frayed nerves with the aid of Guinevere who had also risen early. She watched as Morgana stared out the window at Arthur and Sofia as they left the castle.
"Are you sure it's her?" Guinevere asked gently, after Morgana had described her disturbing dream.
"I'll never forget that face." Morgana responded resolutely. Merlyn watched her in concern, not sure how much credit to give Morgana's story. She had no doubt Morgana believed Sofia to be a threat. The worry and sadness was palpable in her sleep deprived eyes. But she had seen Morgana jealous, and seen how devious she could be if she wanted something. It wasn't that she was a bad person; just that she could be a bit spoilt and self-serving at times. Nonetheless, Merlyn wasn't ready to dismiss her concerns as a case of green eyes.
She listened to the two woman discuss whether to tell the King and felt a surge of pity as Morgana said bitterly, " He hates magic more than he cares about me."
"That's not true." Guinevere denied but Morgana was set against alerting the King, resolving to stop the woman herself.
And if Morgana is right, so must I, Merlyn vowed
Later she and Guinevere where entering the castle after delivering some of the medical supplies. Guinevere was great company for Merlyn on these visits, and the townspeople liked the down-to-earth noble who made time for them. They were chatting away when Merlyn stopped dead, watching as Glen made his way back to the castle from what had to have been the stocks.
Laughter in her voice she called out to her friend. "Glen, have you been playing with your food again?"
"The king put me in the stocks!" He complained, shaking his head and rubbing his ear to dislodge the remnant of the tomato that had exploded by it.
"What did you do now?"
"Nothing, honest!" He said at their skeptical looks. "It really wasn't my fault. Arthur wanted to get out of patrolling with Uther and the guard. I covered for him and took the blame."
"What made him neglect his duties?" Guinevere asked concerned, "It must have been something of great importance."
"Sofia." Glen said simply as if that explained everything.
"The girl from the forest?"
"He's besotted by her. Wanted to take her out for the day."
"They've only just met." Merlyn protested, unexpectedly bothered by the thought, Morgana's tale fresh in her mind.
"It must be love at first sight." Glen said headed toward his cottage, leaving the woman looked concernedly at each other.
"Thank you for today," When Sofia reached up and kissed his cheek, Arthur felt the tempting burn of her lips on his skin. She fell back on to the soles of her feet, looking up at him with those enchanting grey-blue eyes. "Goodnight."
He returned the favor and waited till she was out of sight before reluctantly walking toward the stables. He rounded the corner and let out a huff as he collided with an unfortunate servant. Whilst he was only knocked back a step, the smaller, unfortunate person had bounced off him to the floor. About to berate the idiot, Arthur opened his mouth and looked down, only to see that it had been Merlyn he had sent flying and that she was bleeding.
"Oh, Sorry, your highness." She muttered, wincing as she twisted her arm to assess the damage.
"I should think so too." Arthur told her as he hauled her back onto her feet. "You almost got blood on my boots." Despite the joking tone he had started with, a trickling of annoyance flowed though him as he looked at her, an unease which pooled in his gut making him uncomfortable in her presence. Watching her, he felt an antagonism toward the girl that swallowed the other feelings she usually evoked.
"Serves you right, if I did." She retorted. "Have you seen Glen?"
"No…no. I just got back from patrol" Arthur trailed off. He wasn't sure why he had bothered to lie. Because the look Merlyn leveled at him told him that she had known exactly where he had been, which only served to make him inexplicably angry. After all what right had a lowly serving girl to scold him, a prince, for neglecting his duty. He was entitled to a day off. And so what if he spent it with Sofia. He ignored the slight, dull pang that pulsed once in his chest at that thought and glared at her.
"That's funny, because Glen told us he spent the afternoon in the stockades because he covered for you, with your father, so you could spend some time with our guest."
"You know what, Merlyn. That's between me and Glen. Nothing to do with you." He told her, angrily. Not noticing the surprise and concern sweeping across her features, the wince as his fingers dug into her flesh "Why do you think can judge me? You're just a servant. You have no opinion."
The words cut Merlyn as much as they instilled the belief that something was wrong with Arthur.
"I do have an opinion. It may not matter to you, but I have one. You are not acting like yourself."
"How would you know? You don't know me." He snarled back, practically seeing red.
"Arthur, my arm." Merlyn's voice was taut, and he glanced down to the offending limb, only to let go of it immediately. Merlyn snatched her arm back immediately and backed away, putting as much distance between them as she could. She watched the surprise, self-loathing and bewilderment cross Arthur's face as he looked at her shocked, before he backed away and marched toward the stables, brushing past a gobsmacked Glen who had witnessed the entire exchange and leaving her as quickly as possible.
Shaken, Merlyn hurried back toward the castle. Whilst it was true she had not known Arthur long, she did know that something was terribly wrong. The way he had looked at her and the fact he had injured her with both words and hand was so out of character it frightened her.
She took the stairs two at a time and slowed when she recognized the two women facing off at the top of the stairs. Merlyn stayed in the periphery, able to observe without being noticed, easy to overlook. A skill she had learned and mastered quickly
"I suspect he has turned you down already…" Sofia was bating Morgana, a sly smile on her face as she toyed with the other woman in front of her. Morgana looked furious and a little scared.
"Don't think you can make a fool out of me." She threatened Sofia, using her position on the top step and her taller stature in an attempt to intimidate the smaller woman. A tactic Merlyn had seen her use before which had no effect on its recipient.
"I don't have too. Your managing to do that well enough already." Sofia was full of confidence and Morgana was being to look unnerved but did not break eye contact with her rival.
"Stay away from him."
"Or what? Jealousy is such an unattractive trait in a woman." Sofia parried, a satisfied, smug look on her face which diminished her beauty.
"If anything happens to Arthur," Morgana promised her quietly, stepping closer to her opponent, "I'll find you, however long it takes…" With that she bypassed Sofia, meeting Merlyn's eyes and jerking her head down the stairs as she joined her.
As they reached the ground floor Morgana asked her simply. "Still think I'm being paranoid?
It was with a heavy heart that Merlyn returned to her uncle's chambers that night. She had stood and listened to Morgana being emotionally torn apart, first by Sofia and later Arthur, who had been unable to even look in her direction. Morgana's warnings about Sofia were falling on death ears.
"She is terrified, Uncle." Merlyn told her guardian as they sat down to toy with their meal. She wasn't really expecting an answer, but the long, burdened sigh that passed though Gaius's lips spoke volumes. As she listened, Merlyn realised she was discovering a new facet to her Ladyship, one that seemed to mirror her in no small way. Merlyn did not need to imagine the fear Morgana felt every day at living under Uther's nose with magic, an unasked for gift which made each day living in Camelot an indescribable horror. And perhaps worse for her ladyship, Morgana loved the man who had taken her in.
She had to shove the issue of Morgana and her sight out of her mind. For as intriguing as it was, she was more concerned with Arthur and Sofia. With Gaius's blessing she snuck back into the main castle, hovering out of sight. It was something that she was great at, being invisible.
She had not been waiting long before Sofia's father left their rooms and then the citadel, unaware that he was being tailed.
Though the long grass and low lying branches, Merlyn saw a sight she would never be able to describe to another being. A sight few where graced with and one she would see again in her lifetime. Focusing on the fast moving objects, she felt her magic surge and remove a previously unseen veil from her eyes. The creatures were magnificent yet ugly, the world behind them beyond any view any mortal had set eyes on.
So caught up in its beauty, she almost missed the sinister conversation which seemed so out of place.
"The gates of Avalon remain closed to your daughter, unless the soul of a mortal prince can be offered up."
"Thank you! An immortal life for my daughter is all I desire. So I promise you the soul of the greatest Prince of all. Arthur Pendragon."
The blue pixie creatures hissed with gleeful surprise and excitement at the revelation. Aelfric cackling in relief and anticipation. Merlyn felt sickened and had to wait long until Aelfric had left before she felt able to walk.
When Merlyn sat down and recounted her night-time adventure to the man she had roused from his rest, unable to wait till morning to share the experience with. Gaius stared at her, the tiredness under his eyes vanishing for a moment.
"Avalon." He muttered reverently. "What you saw at the lake had to be Avalon."
"What's…"
"The land of eternal youth. Mortals are only meant to glimpse it in the moment before death."
"Well, I saw it and I'm still here." Merlyn had told him, not realising the significance of this. Gaius thought about it though, long after he had convinced her to rest her head before dawn. He lay on his cot and wondered at why Merlyn had seen Avalon and what it meant. He only knew of a few exceptions. Just before dawn he got up and moved to his niece's room, checking on her. She slept an exhausted sleep, still in her clothes and only half covered by the blanket with her hand still in position as if she were pulling the thin cover up. Sixteen years old with more responsibility than was right for ten men. He hoped with everything in him that there was another explanation than the ones he had.
For a moment, Merlyn believed she was delusional, crazy, mad or extremely sleep deprived would do. Because right there, in-front of a crowded throne room, Arthur announced his intentions to marry Sofia. The reactions around the room would have been amusing if there had been no doubt of Arthur's sincerity. In fact the only one who had momentarily thought the announcement a joke had been Uther. Glen stood open mouthed in shock beside her as the drama unfolded, complete with guards, executions and reprieves. Uther had not stood for it and Arthur had challenged his father which although a more familiar sight was still frightening on yet more levels.
Morgana had watched victoriously as the Prince was given no option but to back down, but became disappointed with Uther's failure to take the situation seriously.
"He's young, foolish and in love." Uther had rationalised. For a moment Merlyn believed Morgana was about to share her secret with Uther and cold icicles scrapped at her chest until Uther moved away, as clueless as before.
Upset Morgana dismissed her, freeing Merlyn to check on Arthur. As she approached the Princes chambers she saw Glen hurry out.
"I wouldn't go in there, Merlyn." Glen grabbed her hand and tried to pull her away "He's mad. I've never seen him this mad. Not even when I dropped his sword on his foot." Merlyn allowed him to tow her away, but doubled back when he left her.
Arthur was pacing his chambers like an angry beast, snarling at her when she entered.
"I don't need sympathy!" Arthur hissed though gritted teeth, before spitting his next words out, full of distain. "Especially from you. Leave me."
Merlyn swallowed her newly discovered fear of the man in front of her and continued, trying to be as none frightening as possible.
"I know you think you know what you are doing and that you are in love with Sofia…"
"Who are you to tell me what I am thinking!" Arthur thundered, stalking toward her. Despite herself Merlyn took a step back, but her movement seemed to slow him.
"A friend." She answered simply, although she was not sure it was the correct label for the complicated relationship between them.
Deadly quiet now, Arthur advanced on her again. Merlyn did not notice the wall behind her until she had walked back into it. The Prince moved till he was an inch away from her ear, bracing his arms either side of her head.
"No, Merlyn." He said her name as if it was offensive. "You are a servant, a girl, a nobody. What do you know of such matters?"
"You don't know what you are doing. She's cast a spell on you, you're enchanted." Merlyn whispered back, her breath breezing across his cheek. It changed something in his eyes. For a moment the revulsion in his eyes was changed to heat, desire…
Before either of them could move, a silky provocative voice cut into the moment.
"I told you people would try to keep us apart."
The change in Arthur was almost immediate. He pushed himself off the wall, away from Merlyn, a cloudy, dazed look on his face.
"I know. I told you I wouldn't let that happen." He recited woodenly, turning to face the Sidhe.
"Don't listen to her…" Merlyn begged him, trying to tap into the spark of the prince she had just seen. "She's controlling you." Seeing no reaction from Arthur as Sofia continued to weave her spell, she turned on the old man.
"I saw you." Swinging back to Arthur whose eyes were cast down at the floor to her left she pleaded. "I followed him. They're planning to sacrifice you!"
"You allow your servants to speak to you this way?" Aelfric demanded
"I know what you are going to do, I heard everything. Arthur you have to believe me!" Merlyn reached out and grabbed one of Arthur's wrists, trying to make him look at her. Why wasn't he looking at her?
"Don't listen to her, Arthur. Let's go, Let us leave tonight" Sofia's voice had a lilt to it which even part of Merlyn reacted too, but desperation over Arthur nullified its effect.
"She is going to kill you. She plans to sacrifice you to buy a life of immortality." She saw Aelfric and Sofia jerk at that but remained fixed on Arthur. He just had to respond to her. He had to. "If you go with her you'll die."
"It doesn't make sense." Arthur spoke quietly, meeting Merlyn's eyes, confused. "We are in love." But instead of the previous statement of fact, it sounded like he was asking her a question.
"They are magical beings." Merlyn coaxed, gesturing at the pair. "Look at their staff's". She made a grab for one, but it was hauled out of the way as Aelfric's eyes blazed red. "Do you see?" She cried, almost excitedly. "Do you believe me now?" She whirled back to Arthur expectantly, to be greeted by sinister red eyes.
"I see everything." Arthur muttered.
She heard Aelfric mutter a spell and wave his staff at her. Suddenly she was lifted off her feet and thrown in a stinging acid wind into the wall, the impact ringing every bone in her body and turning her brain into mush. Arthur's red eyes the last thing she saw clearly.
Morgana was afraid. She watched Arthur, Sofia and her father leave the castle on horseback and knew with something terrible was going to happen. She needed help but going to Uther was not something she could do. Instead she went to the only man she really trusted. Gaius would know what to do.
Gaius believed her she was certain, she thought as she watched the man leave the room hastily. He had wasted no time and sounded as if he had a plan in place. She prayed this was the case as she fought back every instinct which told her to follow him.
She tripped as she ran through the forest as if the hounds of hell were chasing her. Merlyn knew she had no time to lose, she had to make up the ground, had to reach the lake before the ceremony began. Her head pounded with every footfall and her vision would blur and dim at odd intervals. She had to get there in time.
Forcing herself to slow for a stealthy approach she advanced carefully toward the lake. She swallowed as she realised she could only see Sofia and Aelfric. Scanning the shore in vain she came to the sinking conclusion. Arthur was in the water.
Drowning.
In her search, her eyes had landed on Sofia's abandoned staff, she summoned it,
"Onbregdan." Aelfric turned at her voice as the staff flew to her hand, but he was not quick enough to block her next spell…
"Swelt goldbearht." Merlyn did not stop to watch as Aelfric's body seemed to rip itself apart, his last scream still audible when his figure was gone.
Her father's cry alerted the girl who also turned back with a scream. She tried to wade out of the water, but Merlyn aimed the staff at her quickly.
"Og Kelis." In a blink of an eye, Sofia was gone.
Dropping the staff, Merlyn ran to the lakes edge, throwing herself in without hesitation. She waded in, the water clogging and pulling at her skirts. Dunking under the water she was unable to see much in the dark mugginess, but reached out frantically with her hands. On her third try, her hands hit chain mail. Gripping his arm, she dragged the body to the surface. Pulling him to shore, she looked up at the sound of horse shoes in time to see the Lady Morgana and Glen along with Sir Leon and Sir Tomas emerge from the forest.
The two knights wasted no time in dismounting and rushing to her aid, relieving her of the dead weight of Arthur. Glen also waded into the lake and steadied Merlyn who was now shaking with the cold and shock. They lay him on the shore and shook him, clearing his air way.
"Come on Arthur, breathe!" Leon ordered his prince who remained cold and still. Merlyn, aided by her friend, flopped beside him and tipped his chin further back. Trying to forget the audience around her, she sealed her lips over his blue parted pair and blew hard into his mouth. She backed off taking a few much needed breaths for herself, before repeating.
"What are you doing!" Morgana shrieked, ready to push her away, but Sir Tomas held her back.
"No my lady! I have seen this before. She is trying to help him."
Merlyn ignored the byplay and continued a fourth time. Frustrated she thumped her tiny fist once on his chest before laying her head over his heart. It was still beating. He lived. He just needed to breathe. She breathed into him once more, but this time the lips beneath hers opened as water spewed out of them, the body jerking on the ground as the prince began to cough. Leon pulled him on to his side, and the group sighed in relief as their Prince began to breathe again.
Merlyn watched as Arthur's eyes weakly fluttered open at her.
"Merlyn," He whispered, the wetness of his voice causing him to cough and splutter again. "Were you kissing me?" Merlyn shushed him, cheeks burning as the two knights chuckled in amusement.
"It was a matter of life or death, Sire." She assured him as Morgana came around to take her place.
"Oh, Arthur. I thought I lost you." The lady stroke his wet locks off his forehead, but Arthur was sinking into oblivion once more.
To say that Uther was glad Arthur's behavior could be put down to an enchantment would be an extreme embellishment. The King had stormed around the Castle in a foul mood until Arthur had been declared fit to leave his chambers after his drowning. His old foe magic had almost taken his son and as Aelfric and Sofia had both been destroyed when the spell was interrupted, he did not even have an enemy to slain in vengeance. Merlyn had also been given a day off to try and shift the cold which had now taken hold in her body.
Merlyn had gladly allowed Morgana to take the credit for alerting the guards and instructing Merlyn to keep an eye on Arthur. It was the story she, Morgana and Gaius had worked out in order to keep Morgana's secret and although the ladyship did not know it, Merlyn's too.
Sir's Tomas and Leon knew who most of the credit went too truly and loved to make Merlyn blush by making kissing noises whenever they passed her, or complain of sudden breathlessness and collapsing if they came across her in the woods on a supply run. It was all in jest and amused Merlyn greatly, even if it made her homesick for Ealder, Will and Iain.
She did not see Arthur properly until they crossed paths the quiet corridor outside the chambers used by Sofia. Merlyn had scrubbed every surface of the room. It was great therapy, but any benefit was negated by the Princes appearance.
"Hello, Merlyn." Arthur said, using his body to block her exit and 'accidentally' knocking the door closed.
"Sire."
"Arthur. Merlyn, my name is Arthur. I wish you to call me Arthur."
"Yes, Sire." Merlyn answered with cheeky grin which earned a look from Arthur which usually had grown men trembling. She however only laughed, not realising how much he had needed to hear that happy relaxed sound from her.
Although he had had few memories of his time under the enchantment, his memories his treatment of his favorite ladies, he could remember. The distress and worry on Morgana's, the fear on Merlyn's. It didn't help that he was fixated on the darkening bruise on her wrist. He stared at it now and Merlyn followed his gaze.
"It doesn't hurt." She assured him.
"There are no words to tell you how sorry I am." He told her, reaching out and taking the hand in both of his, his thumb rubbing the discolored flesh. Her hands were so small, he wondered. He could wrap his fingers around it and his thumb and little finger would meet with room to spare. Leon had told him how they had found him, Merlyn dragging his lifeless body to the shore. Such strength she had in those hands, rough from a life of manual labor. He knew nothing of her life before Camelot and wondered how her hands had become so worn, and capable. His warrior hands, hands that had seen battle, were in awe of hers.
"I know it wasn't you." She told him, diverting his attention. She was holding herself stiffly, embarrassed and obviously fighting to keep herself from tearing her hands away from him. What she must think of him?
"I knew it from the moment I met you in the stables. So did Glen." Arthur winced at the thought of his manservant. Glen had not been pleased with him about the stocks.
"How?"
"You weren't acting like yourself. And this time I was not the only one who noticed." She assured him. And he knew she spoke the truth. Glen himself had admitted that he'd known something was up when he witnessed him shouting at Merlyn. Merlyn tugged lightly at her hands and Arthur let them go, taking a step back and smiling a small, sad smile.
"I hope you can forgive me. You have helped save me, again. I don't want you to fear me…"
"I don't fear you." She interrupted him, taking a step toward him, then another until she was as close as she could be without touching. "I feared for you. I feared Sofia and her father. I feared the effect they had on you. But I know you would not intentionally harm me. You are not that type of man."
Arthur looked at him and willed himself to believe her, remembering her backing away from him, the marks on her wrist.
"I feel like I should have been stronger." His father certainly seemed to think so, he thought bitterly. "I should have broken though the spell before they… before I lay a finger on you. The things I said to you, to Morgana, were cruel and mean…"
"You tried to break though." She insisted, smiling. "I saw it. It's why I kept trying. They were powerful beings, Sire. And you were under a spell. I know that and so does Morgana."
Arthur considered her for a moment.
"It's strange, Merlyn. We met at the beginning of the winter season, yet you know me better than…" He searched but could not find the words and had to settle for "Thank you, for being my friend."
The smile that stretched across her face, lightened him, and made his stomach tighten. Belatedly he realised they were alone and that she was far too close. Unable to resist, he leaned down and brushed his lips on her forehead, not seeing her eyes close at the caress on her skin but hearing her breath catch in her throat. Her skin burned beneath his lips, wonderfully warm. He rested them there for a long moment before stepping back toward the door, watching her eyes open at his retreat.
"You are welcome…Arthur." She spoke softly, not wanting to spoil the moment. He answered with a small nod before tearing his eyes away and leaving the room.
Arthur walked away from the room he had left Merlyn in quickly, as if he were fleeing the scene of a crime. Merlyn could tie him up in knots.
She was annoying, stubborn and argumentative.
She was fascinating, loyal and wonderful.
And she was his friend. That was all that could ever be between them. Whatever the strange feelings she evoked in him, she would always be a servant and therefore any further thought on the subject was fruitless. But she could be his friend.
Walking toward Morgana's chambers he sighed as he knocked on the door. He had another apology to give. Morgana bid him entry quickly and looked up from her desk where she had been writing a missive to her aunt. Looking up, a smile stretched across her face as she saw who her visitor was.
It was a nice smile, Arthur thought, wondering why there was no reaction in him to his childhood friend's smile. Although the sight of it filled him with relief that she did not seem to be angry with him, it hadn't had half the effect of Merlyn's.
"Arthur, it is so good to see you. You look well."
"Yes, Gaius has declared me fit to resume my duties."
"He is a good man," Morgana said, a small fond smile crossing her face at the thought of the old man who had come through for her again. "Has the King calmed down yet?"
"Not entirely. I think he's just angry that Sofia and her father are already dead and beyond punishment."
"In this life, maybe. But in the next…" Morgana seemed sure of that. "He knows the most important thing is that your alive."
"Thanks to you and Merlyn." Arthur bowed his head at her. "As much as it pains me to admit it. I would be dead if it were not for you. Thank you."
She stood and walked over to him, grasping him by the arms and smiling up at his face.
"You know how important you are to me." Morgana told him and before he could react, reached up and kissed his cheek. He nodded uncomfortably and shifted back.
"You are important to me as well." He assured her. "I've known you all my life. You are like a sister to me."
He did not notice the dark look that past over her face at that title. But Morgana decided to ignore his remark for the time being.
"Merlyn said if you had not arrived when you did…"
"I will always be there if you need me." Morgana pledged, waving a hand as a knock on the door interrupted them and the Lady Guinevere joined them.
"Your highness," she greeted the Prince. "It is good to see you up and about. You gave us all quite a scare."
"I am sorry for that, milady." Arthur bowed. "I was just thanking the Lady Morgana for her part in my rescue."
"And so you should. And Merlyn. The poor girl was quite ill herself after jumping in to the lake after you, especially after that knock to the head."
Was it her imagination, thought Morgana, or did Arthur colour a little at the mention of the servant girl?
"I have already thanked her." Arthur assured her. "Merlyn has a knack of being in the right place at the right time."
"She saved your life before, didn't she? That's how she got a position in the household?"
"Yes. Then Arthur saved her when she was poisoned." Morgana put in. "You know the knights keep teasing her about it. Elyan said Sir Tomas pretended to choke when they met her in town and begged her to kiss it better."
"Did they?" He said amused but he was now clearly blushing. Morgana had overheard the knights pulling his leg about it too. How it took love spells and a matter of life or death before he could even get a servant girl to kiss him. She had told Merlyn who luckily for all involved found it hilarious.
They spoke a while longer, interrupted only briefly by Merlyn's entrance as she began to return several gowns to the Ladies wardrobe. Arthur noticeably relaxed at Merlyn's entrance and Morgana had never been more aware of her handmaiden.
Arthur took his leave soon after Merlyn's departure and Morgana wondered at her observation. Walking to the window, she looked out and saw her handmaiden walk out of the entrance below her and across to the courtyard. Arthur exited moments later but walked in a different direction. Reassured Morgana returned to bench and continued her conversation with Guinevere, resolved to watch and wait.
Many thanks for reading this. I hope to write more soon. Please review, I welcome all constructive criticisms!