Lady of Magic
Chapter Eight
Arthur did not see Merlin's visitors immediately because he was quickly wrapped up political issues.
"Scouts report that Beronat is doing construction on their walls."
"What is that man planning?" Arthur shook his head. Walls were deceptive, in that they appear to be for defensive purposes only, but they were actually more effective as weapons than shields; many adjacent kingdoms fell to those with strong walls because they get sandwiched in between an army and a wall. Beronat was far enough away from Camelot that Arthur was not immediately worried, but close enough that if anything went wrong, he would definitely become anxious soon enough.
"Plant the beginnings of a highway there," The King ordered, "I want men stationed even if they have to pretend to be working." Paving a path from Camelot toward Beronat would justify the presence of Camelot's men. He did not actually want a road all the way to Beronat—that would make it easier for Beronat to invade. No doubt Beronat's King would see through the ruse, but political propriety would prevent him from making such an accusation since he had no proof.
"It will be done, Sire. Also, Prince Elfkir of Casvil has departed again for Detmirck, Your Majesty."
Arthur scowled at this. "This is the third time in the past six months. Casvil is definitely courting Princess Lydeth, isn't he?"
"It seems like it," Said one of his advisors, Pollux. "So far he is the only one who has consistently gone to Detmirck."
Detmirck is fairly close to Camelot, closer, at any rate, than Casvil…When Arthur had been prince, he did not recall politics to be quite so…neurotic. Back then, he was primarily concerned with training himself and building up Camelot's military strength. It was not until he became King and Merlin left that he realized just how much his father had kept to himself. Now he found himself starting at any signs of intent for marriage, not only because there were many ladies throwing themselves at him, but because alliances between other kingdoms could threaten Camelot's welfare. Heirs being born significantly altered the dynamics between kingdoms, death and illness…all these personal matters suddenly meant much more than they ought.
"Casvil and Detmirck," He mused, "They are pretty far away from each other. Even if they do become aligned, it would be hard to orchestrate any offenses between the two of them as long as we prevent them from somehow annexing the territories in between…better those two than Detmirck and a closer neighbor."
"The territories in between are the ones most worried."
"As they should be," Arthur frowned, "But if we play our hand too early, this might discourage Casvil. I would much rather Casvil unite with Detmirck than one of those territories."
Pollux sighed, "If I might be frank, Your Majesty, Princess Lydeth is an only child, from reports she is a handsome lady. If Camelot chooses to ally with Detmirck, it could greatly benefit both kingdoms, and I see no reason for Detmirck to refuse."
"I am in no hurry to marry," Arthur said shortly.
"Yes Sire."
Marry marry marry. Everyone wanted him to marry. Strangely enough, the older Arthur became, the less inclined he felt to marry anyone. When he was Prince and deeply in love with Gwen, it had been passionate and warm regard that drew prince and servant to each other. Gwen's affection had been real and untarnished by expectation—it was all in the moment, and very pure. Over the years they drifted apart, still friends but both somewhat disillusioned—she by the life she would lead as a Queen, he by the fact that being King meant he needed a type of woman he had yet to meet. Neither of them particularly enjoyed looking into other people's personal lives to dissect political implications, or the idea that their own personal lives would warrant the same attention from others. Gwen found this all miserable, and Arthur…frankly needed more than Gwen, once he became King. Suddenly, the woman he married could not just love him—in fact, loving him was almost more of an accessory rather than a necessity. He needed an ally who could benefit his kingdom somehow, and Gwen just did not have the personality for it.
Still, as the years went by and he met ladies who had what Gwen did not—political acumen, worldliness…he found himself missing the things she did have. They came to him with other hopes now, hopes that a union with him could secure this and that for them and their kingdoms. He could not trust their attraction to him for what it looked like—everyone was going to pretend they were smitten of course, and maybe some of them were, by his title, by his prestige. They lacked the common touch, the wisdom of simple folk. Most of them were pretty full of themselves—they were the apples of their fathers' eyes and their fathers did not lack for wealth. Being as selfless and kind as Gwen was a rather tall order, he had to acknowledge—there was a reason he fell in love with Gwen, after all, but what could he say? Arthur's standards are high. If he was going to let Gwen go because she was did not fit the role, whoever did fit would have to surpass her somehow. He was working as hard as he could to be a good enough king for Camelot, he was certainly not going to settle any less with his queen.
"You keep pressing on this marriage issue," He glared at Pollux, "Don't you ignore the fact that whomever I choose, you will have to get use to. Really, my delay is only good for you. My mother died when I was born, you might not be familiar with what a queen could do to a kingdom."
"Yes, Sire," Pollux replied, though Arthur could tell he was not entirely convinced.
Think whatever you like, The King resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Paris and Selene were an odd-looking pair, and visibly nervous about seeing Arthur, something that perplexed him. From past experience, he tended to have that effect on non-sorcerers, but most druids seemed to look at him with either hate or fond tolerance. He had never met someone who regarded him with fear before.
Except Merlin.
It was somewhat ironic that the most powerful sorcerer in Albion was the only one to be afraid of him up till now.
Arthur murmured quietly to one of his advisors to ask if Culacians ever showed up in Camelot before. Their appearances were rather striking, golden skin and dark features. When he was given a negative, he turned to the siblings and decided to use their anxiety to his advantage.
"It's not often Camelot receives visitors from Culacia," He stated in a tone that indicated he was not impressed, but not much else. The two sorcerers visibly tensed. "I'm surprised Culacia has decided to send sorcerers as their first liaisons, given Camelot's history with magic."
Paris swallowed, though Selene's eyes hardened. Brother and sister, Merlin had told him, and though the brother was the one who seemed the weaker of the lot, Arthur recognized what the gesture actually meant. The brother must be older than the sister. How often had Lancelot done the same thing when Gwen was in danger? Lancelot is the bravest knight Arthur had ever known. Except maybe Gwaine, but more often it was because he was too drunk to be afraid.
Silence reigned for a while, oppressive. The court members shifted on their feet, visibly discomfited. Arthur watched the two siblings calmly, letting the silence build for a while before dispelling it.
"What are you here for?" He demanded quietly, but with enough authority that the sister spoke instantly.
"We came to seek Healer Emrys. We mean no harm to Camelot."
"I see. What do you need her for?"
"Our people are dying," Selene glared at him, "Camelot's king is known throughout Albion as just and kind. Surely it's reasonable for us to approach the best healer in Albion to save hundreds of lives?"
"Healer Emrys is good at what she does," Said Arthur, "But unfortunately, illness and plague are not the only evils between Heaven and Earth, nor does Camelot represent only those within. Did you know that since she came to this kingdom, there have already been threats to Emrys's life?"
Shock on both faces, as well as some members of his court, though interestingly enough, excluding the druids. Hm. Arthur was mainly focused on the siblings. That they were so surprised by this meant that for some reason they did not believe anyone would threaten Emrys…
Still, one last hand, just to make sure. "It is fortunate for her that I caught wind of you two before she followed her healer instincts and rode off with you two. I will send representatives from Camelot to Culacia to appraise the situation. Once we have determined that there is a real plague, certainly, the healer is free to go if she chooses—"
"There's no time!" The sister snarled.
"Selene!" Paris exclaimed, but his sibling ignored him.
"Every second we waste here costs another life! It's why we went to her first!"
"Selene," Paris stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I beseech you—if there is anything we can do to prove—we would, but our people are dying even as we speak."
"You have seen this for yourselves?"
"Yes!" The sister spat, "You think we would come out all the way out here for the best healer in Albion if this were just a fairy-tale?"
Fair enough. Arthur believed them. They were clearly not good at acting, based on how they slipped multiple times before. As King, Arthur had become quite good at reading people. This meant he should move on to other matters.
"Healer Emrys has set up a clinic here and Camelot has devoted resources to support it. I need assurances that she will return to it once the plague is resolved."
Once again, the sister was the more impulsive of the two. "We can't do that. We weren't even sure we were going to make it here."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "You are saying you might have brought the plague with you? To my kingdom."
The two siblings blanched again.
The rest of the court grew nervous, and Arthur momentarily wondered if he should have said that out loud. If the plague did enter Camelot, Merlin will just stay, or he will convince her somehow, so Arthur was not entirely troubled by this. The rest of the court, however, did not know what he had in mind.
He doubted they were sick, though. From Merlin's descriptions, they should have acquired some symptoms by now, even ambiguous ones.
"You do not know how this illness is passed around."
"No."
"Healer Emrys is no god. You're telling me you mean to place her in danger?"
"That is the sacrifice of healers," Said Paris, "We all place ourselves in danger when we treat the sick. Healer Emrys would understand."
Would she? Merlin's blue eyes loomed in Arthur's mind, defiant and bright. Was she prepared to suffer the agony these victims suffered?
"I suppose then," He said quietly, "It is up to her."
One of the most striking things about Merlin now that she is a healer and not just a healer's apprentice is how sharp and almost harsh she was. All her decisions were final and confident, all her questions quick and very focused, and when she really started musing over a situation or dilemma, it was almost like watching a precise swordsman without clunky armor on—nimble, agile, articulate, and effective. She did not look delicate either, certainly not ladylike—there was a pointy feel to her features, all sharp angles and intensity. Even her coloring was sharp—sharply white skin, sharply black hair, eyes that were so blue they almost hurt to look at. Ultimately, Arthur had to concede, there was a good reason he and the rest of Camelot had believed her to be male all those years ago. Ironically, despite clad in woman's dress and with longer hair, Merlin was almost more manly than before. She had authority now, a presence that demanded obedience and respect.
Provided, of course, that she was in her own element.
"Eighteen spells," She said to Gwaine, who stood next to Roskin as the druids helped her pack, "Eighteen spells in total. That way if I lose the sheet of vellum I can probably figure out which spells to use. You got it? This illness can be spread through anything—food, water, air, skin contact," She paused, "Intimate contact. I'll have to inquire how many children are getting it."
"How exactly will you protect against air?" Gwaine asked.
"Magic," Merlin replied dryly. She looked at the siblings. "Until I actually see a patient, I won't be able to predict how it is spread. Could be a water source. Could be because some idiot killed a unicorn and placed a curse on his kingdom."
Mean, Arthur scowled, though his heart was not in it. He was too busy trying to hide how crestfallen he felt.
Of course Merlin was going to go without hesitation. He did not actually realize the reality of the situation until he saw her looking up prophylactic spells. Merlin was going off on her own, essentially, fulfilling her own life's purpose that was entirely separate from Arthur's. Gwaine and Roskin were not even allowed to wear their normal armor or carry their shields because that would show them to be affiliated with Camelot, and neither Camelot nor Arthur could afford her any protection once she leaves the kingdom's borders.
Ultimately what was a bit disappointing about Merlin's return was not so much that she refused to be Arthur's manservant—honestly, after five years of distance and what was essentially a gender switch, Arthur did not want her to be his servant; it was far too awkward. However, as a manservant, Merlin had always been beside him, with him, and her fate had been linked with his. She was a shadow, always reliably there, and Arthur had naïvely assumed that he will always have his friend to fall back on, that he would somehow be relevant to any of Merlin's affairs because he was Merlin's master. Now that she is Healer Emrys, a figure of authority in her own right and with no attachments or affiliations except to herself, there is a distinct sense that she is not his, that the life she chose to live only paralleled his by happenstance. She had her own set of duties that had nothing to do with Camelot or Arthur, could run off to address a crisis completely unrelated to either of them, and if she fell to the plague in Culacia she would die miles away from him and that was that, no obligations, no apologies, no regrets.
She has eighteen protective measures. She is the most powerful sorceress in all of Albion. Even if she gets sick she can probably cure herself because she is the best healer in the land. Not that Merlin did much self-healing when she was bleeding to death from the wound Morgana gave her, and that thought made Arthur's stomach plummet all over again.
The group moved out toward the stables where the horses were already bridled and saddled. Merlin swung onto a dappled grey and adjusted her cloak around herself. Her gaze had that distant look Arthur associated with thinkers who were obsessively musing over a problem. Obviously, the healer was running through scenarios in her head, and trying to deduce what the illness might actually be. Merlin might keep saying that until she sees a patient, there is not much she could do, but she clearly is the type to obsess over the issue beforehand anyway.
"Your Majesty," Said Paris, and Selene echoed him.
"Sire," Gwaine and Roskin saluted.
"Guard her well," Arthur said to the men, keeping his voice casual so Merlin and her two visitors would not notice the intensity of the request.
Bless Gwaine, but the chap did have the knack for seeing under the surface from time to time.
"Don't worry, Sire," Gwaine said seriously, before chuckling cheerfully, "We'll bring the lass back in one piece. She'll be back to scolding people for getting hurt before you know it."
Merlin was oblivious to this interplay. "Let's go," She announced, and kicked at her horse's flanks. The company set off, five travelers in total, two of whom had swords and three of whom had magic.
Arthur watched them leave, feeling a little despondent. The one time he had seen Merlin off had been when Merlin left for Ealdor with Gwen and Morgana, and Arthur had intended to follow. The last time she went away, he had not even seen her leave, and she had vanished from his world for five years. Now, he was sending her off to do things he had no business participating in, and she was leaving him behind without a backward glance.
She disappeared from view within moments, and after a moment, the King walked back into the castle.