After some extended goodbyes from Gaius and Guinevere, Merlin set off with Prince Garrick and his men to travel into Sythian. There were roughly two and a half days of riding ahead of them. Sythian's boarder was already far from Camelot without mentioning the fact that the king's castle lied at the very center of the large kingdom, as far away from its borders as it could be. Merlin was fine, however. He was used to sleeping in the woods at night and if push came to shove and things actually got dangerous, Merlin would be able to properly defend himself and others with Garrick knowing about and accepting his magic.
Merlin himself continued to question Garrick's meaning in being so kind. He hadn't brought anybody else with him and he got the sense that some of the prince's knights were paying special attention to him, even letting him ride at the center of the group with them trotting strategically around him as if to guard the servant. There was also the fact that Garrick often glanced back, as if to check on Merlin or just to assure that he was still there.
Prince Garrick looked forward again. He'd been glancing back a lot mostly because he'd gotten bored and was trying to think about something other than the awkwardly silent ride. It helped to think about Merlin but he tried to ignore the fact that no matter what he wanted, if he waited too long, the voices would return. Every day he feared that they would find a way to completely burst through and take over him. He'd been fighting them since they first returned and had kept it hidden, even from his mute manservant, Eldon. To take his mind off of his condition, Prince Garrick concentrated on Merlin's good looks.
Despite being a commoner, Merlin had a slightly majestic appearance. Under a thin layer of dirt, his skin was a soft alabaster white. His cheekbones alone were something remarkable, beautifully sculpted but still appearing soft just below his stormy blue eyes. The grayish blue irises were met with long and dark lashes and reminded Garrick, sadly, of dark, blue moon nights. Regardless of Merlin's resemblance to the night, Garrick found comfort in the servant's warm attitude. He wasn't as shy as he looked but he carried a heavy burden and did what he could to keep it a secret. That alone earned him great respect from Prince Garrick.
When the voices first started coming back, they came in his dreams. He'd seen Merlin for the first time during a blue moon night. He woke believing it was meant to be a sign of blessing, an angel in the sky with mysterious lunar eyes. Unfortunately, the dreams evolved into nightmares where that angel would fall. The voices had told him his name was Emrys and that should he find the sorcerer and steal his magic, the voices would be satisfied and leave him forever.
With that promise, that sanctity in sight, Prince Garrick eagerly began conversations with his father about how beneficial it would be to make peace with Uther's kingdom where Emrys supposedly served Arthur Pendragon. After many weeks and countless visits from the voices that had started arriving in his wakefulness, Garrick's father finally agreed. Messengers were sent between the kingdoms and while Uther seemed hesitant, he agreed to make peace as it would be beneficial to Camelot as well as they had developed many magical enemies.
After making camp some way into Camelot, the voices came to Garrick again. They led him to a dark place in the woods, away from the other knights, and guided him to a dangerous cave where he would later have to take Emrys without suspicion. There, the monsters haunting his mind would give him his life back and he could return to the former bliss of Sythian royalty.
The plan was simple, of course. Prince Garrick would arrive and Uther would grant him a servant, perhaps one of greater duties to show respect, and even if it wasn't Emrys, he could always request him. Garrick would befriend the unknowing sorcerer and suggest an adventure to a cave he came across. From there, the darker side of him would take over and steal away Emrys's magic.
That was the plan. However, that changed as soon as Prince Garrick entered the castle square. He needn't even search for Emrys because the angel from his dreams had already graced his eyes. He immediately felt his resolution dissolving under the young beauty's stare. Their eyes didn't part until the servant glanced back at the king's ward in confusion. By that, the prince was slightly amused.
From that moment on, Prince Garrick could feel himself slipping into it, that dangerous thing that he shouldn't have risked. Perhaps even before then, when Garrick first saw the stormy-eyed angel in his dreams, love had started to slowly bloom tenderly in his chest. This, of course, only caused greater distress for the prince. His plans were going perfectly and he'd even gotten Emrys, or Merlin, back in the cave with the help of a few torches he'd dropped ahead of time. It was when they were inside that things took a wrong turn.
Merlin slipped and Garrick dropped their torch. The prince already felt something for the servant at that point and the feeling only grew by the second. He momentarily abandoned his dreams of a peaceful life and made attempts to help Merlin. Ironically enough, Garrick himself slipped and smacked his head on the slick slabs of rock. He didn't necessarily go unconscious but the wind was knocked out of him and he couldn't answer Merlin's frantic calls. He felt weaker and weaker and eventually saw a white light nearing him. He perceived it as an unexpected passage to heaven but the angel he felt standing over him had a warm and lively touch.
He accidentally stirred and opened his eyes wider for Merlin to notice, alarming the sorcerer caught using magic. In a matter of seconds, in a mess of acting and dizziness, Garrick caught Merlin at his chest and gently kept him from suffering the same fate as him. The great misfortune in his good deed was the startling proximity of their bodies and mouths. Even if he couldn't see, Garrick could feel Merlin's warm breath blowing at his ear. The prince had bit his lip in shame to avoid the temptation. It was then that Prince Arthur found them and Garrick was unsure whether it was a good or bad thing at the time, but he'd decided it was for the better.
Since that incident, Prince Garrick had felt dangerously protective of Merlin. This, of course, angered the forces controlling the prince. He slept relatively well on his first night but had nightmares all through the second after the voices had visited him again. Despite that, Garrick was starting to question the incurability of his curse.
If there was a way to live without hurting Merlin, he would do it. Despite the short time it had taken, Prince Garrick understood what his captive heart was trying to tell him.
Maybe it would be a good thing to anyone else but while the sensation itself was fantastic, Prince Garrick understood that there were limits to what ways he could show his appreciation. He just couldn't help wanting to keep Merlin with him. Even now, he was unsure of what his plans were by taking the magical servant, but he knew that he couldn't do what the voices told him. Merlin was already too precious to the prince.
Garrick stole another glance back at the warlock and received a questioning brow from him. A small smile hit the prince and he turned around again so he didn't scare Merlin off.
About three miles behind the Sythians and their guest, Prince Arthur harbored a low growl in his mind as he followed their trail. It wasn't easy getting away unnoticed. Thankfully, some of the other knights were going on an extended hunting trip. They invited him and he politely declined only to tell his father that he would be joining them. From there he had to leave without the king or the other knights seeing him ride out alone.
The travelers eventually made camp for the night and Arthur kept a safe distance from them while also being cautious of himself as he'd be alone tonight with only a sword tucked beside his body to defend himself.
At the Sythians' camp, one of the knights made dinner and another served. Merlin was rather confused by the idea of noblemen working when a healthy servant was present but figured that if he had tried to step in, Prince Garrick would respectfully debate it with him. Whether it was because the prince was a royal or just because he was very intelligent, Merlin didn't want to have to go up against him. Besides, it was nice to catch a break for once.
"You'll enjoy it, I think." Prince Garrick told Merlin about his upcoming stay in the Sythian castle. "I wouldn't say Sythian's or Camelot's is better since they're so different but maybe it will be more comfortable for you."
"Comfort?" Merlin grinned at the concept. "Comfort doesn't matter much to me as long as the discomfort doesn't kill me. When I was younger and lived in Ealdor, I used to sleep on the floor. There are a lot more important things than comfort."
"But it gets difficult to succeed in those important things when you aren't properly fed and rested. Having to worry about being caught all of the time must really wear on you."
"…it isn't easy." Merlin confirmed. "But the way things are right now, it's the only way the law will ever change. If I said anything or confessed to it, I'd be executed. Without me…well, you already know."
"And Arthur is the only one who could change Camelot's laws?" Garrick asked. "Uther only agreed to a peace treaty with a kingdom that has laws like ours because he knows if we were to go to war, we would have magical advantages. There are wizards and witches all through Sythian. There are some in the Sythian court. Even a few of our servants practice magic."
"You know they have magic but let them close to you?" Merlin asked confusedly.
"I trust them." He nodded. "Magic can be a very dark thing but in the hands of people who feel safe and rightly treated, it is a gift to them and those around them. We have a few restrictions here and there and should they be violated, the citizen has to leave Sythian, occasionally face trial, but we're a fair kingdom. Those with magic share place with those without, be them commoners, nobles, or even royals."
Merlin was confused again. Royals?
"I don't understand." Merlin told him.
"My mother was gifted." Prince Garrick smiled gently.
Merlin was surprised. A royal with magic? Did Uther know? But the Sythian Queen had already passed. Would that have stopped Uther?
"The queen, she was a witch?" Merlin asked.
Garrick nodded.
"I didn't receive any of her abilities but my younger sister, Aster, did." He said. "She's only fifteen so her skills haven't developed much but her maid helps her often."
His sister had magic? That must have been why he took it so well, Merlin having magic. He was used to it all. He must have seen it every day. Merlin wondered briefly if Uther understood how free sorcerers were in Sythian. He must not have known that the royal blood carried magic. The new discovery was still sinking with Merlin when Prince Garrick spoke again.
"I've never seen magic like yours, though." he told Merlin. "To move objects without even a murmur…and the power seems to come to you so easily. I more often see people struggle with it. On top of it all, you're still so young."
"I was just born with it." Merlin shrugged. "I'm reminded very often by people I've never met, actually…are there druids in this kingdom?"
"Hundreds." Garrick nodded. "They're very peaceful and offer aid to travelers who have been injured or starved. I've sat with them quite a few times."
This world, this place where magic was practiced so freely, where everyone could coexist peacefully and help each other without fear of persecution…it was very beautiful to Merlin. He'd only ever known running, hiding, lying, and fearing. He knew in his heart that someone should have no hesitation to help another life but too many times, he'd left people to get hurt because he couldn't reveal himself to Arthur.
The guilt always weighed at the back of his mind and occasionally consumed him. Sythian…this beautiful place was what Merlin and Arthur were supposed to bring to everyone. Maybe this was also part of their destiny, meeting Prince Garrick and making peace with his father's kingdom. Maybe one day, Arthur would visit and realize how much better the world was with magic. Merlin found himself wondering if he couldn't stay in Sythian for a bit longer than he'd planned.
"In the very least," Garrick said, interrupting the young sorcerer's thoughts. "You will feel safe here."
Merlin noted the sincerity in the prince's eyes and was moved by his majestic prowess in comforting people. Perhaps he had inherited a bit of magic from his mother. Merlin could see it glowing softly in the dark gold of his irises.
"Could I ask something?" Merlin asked.
"Anything." Garrick nodded, pleased that Merlin was feeling a more comfortable.
"If Sythian has always had the power to overthrow Camelot, why hasn't it been done? Surely it would start the procession towards a day when magic would no longer be prohibited. Camelot is supposed to be the strongest kingdom but if you could defeat them, that would mean even the people outside of Sythian could live in peace."
Prince Garrick was quiet for a moment and Merlin wondered if he overstepped his boundaries after all, but then the prince's eyes grew slightly more serious as he spoke.
"Many innocent lives have been take before their time because of Uther." He told Merlin. "He'd have my sister burned at the stake if she were to enter his kingdom and reveal her magic, even if she is a royal."
The prince's words only brought Merlin to further wonder why they took the steps they did rather than fight back.
"But even so, Sythian is strong and free kingdom ruled by a wise king." Garrick said. "Knowledge, understanding, wisdom, it's the key to remaining as we are. Such a kingdom can't bring itself to take life from those who have yet to learn and they should have every chance. Yes, we could enter Camelot on demand and bring it to its knees but all that would do is create fear. With fear comes ignorance and defiance. It's a lot like rearing a child, as my mother had once told me. Just because it hasn't learned yet doesn't mean you can threaten it or give it away completely. You guide them and help them learn. Though it takes time and patience, it saves many lives and earns respect, something far more valuable than fear."
Merlin felt his heart pounding and could even hear it in his ears between the prince's sentences. He could feel himself being drawn in, safe and trusting, amazed. Was there no end to Sythian's appeal?
"The royal family prides ourselves only on our returned respect and understanding." Garrick said. "We know well that you cannot make peace with war."
"…and that's why you don't take Camelot? Because of the people?" Merlin asked.
"Everyone deserves their life." Garrick nodded with a calm glow in his eyes.
Merlin didn't know what to say anymore. How could you move on from such a moving speech? No word seemed worthy to trail the prince's. Finally, they both sort of smiled, understanding that the words should be left alone. They both found sleep on the ground over a large blanket and woke the next morning to continue their travel, unaware of Prince Arthur's lone pursuit as they passed through the vast Sythian territory.
They stopped another night and Merlin grew used to the knights, learning most of their names and a bit about their personalities. He didn't get most of their jokes, especially when they spoke of Prince Garrick's sister. Merlin did pick up on a few things about her, however. She was quite clumsy but very beautiful with wheat-blond locks and icy blue eyes to match her father's. She'd also had some entertaining practices with conjuring.
The following day, they continued on and finally entered the Sythian marketplace where Merlin saw commoners performing artful tricks of the magic variety to create images in the air out of fire, smoke, or water while those not practicing magic performed music and dances of sorts, often paired with a group of witches lacing the air with colored lights, wowing the audience.
Merlin couldn't help smiling as he looked around the place where everyone was so openly coexisting. Nobody stared in horror or outrage when a middle-aged warlock guided a dragon of white smoke through the air, passing over the prince's party. Merlin stared in awe as it soared smoothly overhead and dove into a lake in the distance. It felt like…home. It was a home he'd never known but surely, this place was where people like Merlin belonged. Perhaps this was the world he and Arthur would bring. If so, he felt his struggles had been well worth it and would continue to be. Now he understood why Prince Garrick had been so bothered by Merlin's situation. In Sythian, such a life seemed impossible. Merlin decided he was definitely going to like it here.