It was strange, Morgana mused as she watched a certain crown Prince and his manservant how things had changed in these last few months. Ever since fighting off the bandits in Merlin's village something indefinable had altered with the duo.
It wasn't just with how they were with each other either. For nearly a month after they had both eyed her with a strange wariness. That could be explained by the revelation she heard on the day of the fight. It was still so hard to believe that Merlin had magic or that Arthur knew about it.
What couldn't be explained was how they acted around everyone else. Oh Merlin still shot insults of common or made up words at the Prince. They still bickered fondly with each other. Merlin still gave a helping hand to anyone in need and Arthur still trained with the knights and went on Quests. But there was something different about the way they acted. Something she still couldn't put her finger on.
This will be a two shot I think
Unlike Morgana Gwen saw the changes a little more clearly. Perhaps because her mistress was looking at too big of a picture so she was losing the details Maybe it was because as a servant she had to pay more attention to the little things. It could even be the slight reticence both men now had with her mistress that is the cause but while she may not know why the changes occurred it was pretty clear to her what they were.
The arrogance that the Price had always embodied seemed to fall away. He held himself with a different confidence; a new surety that had escaped him before. Many of the servants whispered that he was less likely to order and more likely to ask.
Merlin also appeared to be surer of himself. When he snapped back at the Prince with insults there was less defensiveness, more humor. Though the young man remained as clumsy as ever he was less embarrassed when he fell than ever before; Merlin would simply laugh along with the rest.
Though many of the changes were positive there were others that were not. Both men became a great deal more suspicious, often times quiet and secretive. Whenever a raid brought back accusations of magic Arthur's mouth would tighten with anger and Merlin's eyes would brighten with determination. Gwen could see they were hiding something big between them.
I don't know yet though
As Court Physician Gaius was not required to attend the executions; he did force himself to watch the death of every single magic user that went to the pyre or the chopping block however. That was how he noticed at first. His own self made penance. It was an odd thing to see; a flicker where the woman on the pyre seemed to vanish for just a moment. It was almost accidental when he found out what it was.
In many ways Gaius deliberately blinded himself; he used his fears as a shield so he wouldn't have to betray either his King or his helpless brethren. He had dedicated his life to not allowing himself to truly see. That was why he was in some ways envious of Merlin; not of his power but his pure undaunted belief in Arthur's goodness. Perhaps that was why it took five executions to realize what that small flicker meant. Another six passed before it settled into his mind what a glamour of that kind could mean.
"Are you daft?" he hissed at his ward that night while they were eating one night. The words had burst from him unwillingly. Merlin looked at him curiously. "How many times have you endangered yourself pulling dead men form the flames?"
As ambiguous as the question was Merlin understood. For the first time Gaius was treated to the true change in his wards eyes. Something lingered there, a tempered steel that wasn't possible in one so untested. The eyes assessed him for a moment before the young warlock responded with a quiet, "18. The other three deserved death."
The older man allowed himself to be dragged away from the point for a moment, "deserved death? What could they have done?"
The younger man's eyes shuttered, "One killed six men because he wished to have their wives. The second studied torture extensively, he never used magic but his work was some of the most gruesome I've ever heard of. The third had a tendency of keeping human pets; none were over the age of 9 and he certainly enjoyed them"
The physician ignored the questions he had about that last statement. "Merlin…I know it's hard but you can't do this. The risk of you being found out is…"
"Non-existent" Merlin interrupted.
"If the Prince or the King found out it would be disastrous."
"Arthur already knows; we came up with this together."
Gaius jolted, "What?"
Merlin shrugged with a grin, "Gaius, he's known for a while now. He doesn't care. Before you say anything no one with magic is going to trust him if he just changes the laws on magic; Uther has created far too many enemies for that."
"And how will your recklessness change that?"
Merlin shook his head with a small private smile "The druids now know that Arthur opposes his father's laws. Every person we've sent into hiding with them is sent with a message. They also know that he can't speak openly for fear of inciting another Purge." The young face stretched into a wide grin, "We have significantly shortened our list of enemies."
Even at the younger's obvious pride the older man couldn't help but shake his head. "It's too dangerous" he insisted.
Though a grin still stretched across Merlin's face, something shifted in the young man's countenance. "No" he replied softly, "It's not"
What's the word?
The fates were shifting in a way that the Great Dragon, Killgarrah, had only ever seen once before in his long lifetime. Not long after his imprisonment the future of Albion had formed with the birth of Merlin. Since then that goal had been unwavering; that picture fully formed. That same surety had swirled around Morgana Pendragon and her decent into darkness. It had formed his warning about the little druid boy. These events were all but set in stone, unchanged for nearly two decades.
Then they weren't.
Suddenly the paths that Morgana could take expanded. She was no longer the darkness to the warlocks light. Mordred's future had clouded over. The Albion that the dragon had clung to was rattling; shifting into something completely different. It was almost terrifying to the ancient creature; if the future Albion crumbles he would have nothing left but the darkness of his current existence.
That was why he was surprised when his senses picked up not one but two people making their way into his cave. One he can recognize as the young Ermy's; the other is hidden from his sight. Or at least it is until the warlock and Arthur Pendragon came into view on the little ledge that led up to Camelot's citadel.
"What is the meaning of this Ermy's?" The dragon hissed as he reared back slightly. Despite the destiny of the future king Kilgarrah could not find any fondness for a Pendragon. The shaken nature of that destiny fueled his dislike.
The boy didn't bumble like he usually did. "It's time for Arthur to meet you, Kilgarrah" The Great dragon focused fully on the youngling, tasting the air to find out what was different. A strange shudder past through his scales when the scent power unleashed rang through them.
"What foolishness did you do?" He roared as the realization of what that power meant washed over him. The last Dragonlord still lived, that much Kilgarrah could sense, and yet his son stood fully awakened before him. The tinge of the ancient priest also swirled around him, the power of life and death unbound in his veins. It was almost as if…
Unperturbed the warlock merely grinned at the bound Dragon, "Can't you see?" He all but sung teasingly. Pendragon shook his head with a fond exasperated smile; muttering about idiots and overgrown lizards.
Kilgarrah ignored the prince, instead focusing on the question asked but the Dragonlord "Albion's future is clouded; the vision is shifting and sight is lost. You have unraveled the fates you foolish child. In doing so you may have destroyed us all."
Pendragon snorted, "You're an even bigger pessimist than Morgana you know that. I came down here to meet you, Kilgarrah, but I also came to make you a promise. " Serious light glinted off the Prince's eyes, "Byddaf yngweld chiam ddim,Draiggwych, a chydbwyseddei adfer i'wtrefn briodol" A strong promise in the common tongue but whispered in the Old Tongue the promise became binding.
Another shudder wracked the imprisoned dragon. Suddenly his sight cleared and a vision flowed through him. Not of Albion's gleaming spires metal and glass, of the future dragged from the blackest horror into gleaming light or the uneasy rot that lingered in the golden age. He saw…
…A small girl laughed and hugged the dragons forepaw, her golden eyes swirling with blue as a magic erupted from her…
…Solemn mourning and funeral pyre; old age had caught up to the great King at last. No one ever saw the two youths, on dark haired and one light, walking away hand and hand…
…An argument, loud and angry turning into laughter…
…A noble kicks his servant; it is the noble who is arrested…
…A reasoned argument instead of a shouting match. An old King abdicating with a thoughtful look…
...Preparation made early so a new law would not cause riots. An old lord kneeling with tears of joy remembered and fear that could be forgotten…
…A King smiles at his consort, stronger and more determined than ever. Together they release the chains that bound Kilgarrah for so long…
In an instant he saw the new future that had risen from the ashes of the old. It held none of the pure light of Albion, none of the golden age. Instead it was imperfect, it was real, and unlike Albion it would last past the 'death' of its creator.Comparing the two futures Kilgarrah could see the rot that would have destroyed Albion as surely as it was created.
"I thank you Sire and look forward to that day. No matter how distant."
Second to the last section
"Arthur" The king began with an imperious look on his face. "We need to talk about your manservant"
Looking oddly resigned but not nearly as irritated as he usually did the Prince sighed. "What about Merlin, father?"
"I am concerned with the lack of propriety. His inability to respect the crown is well known." The words flew from his mouth by rote. The king paid little attention, more focused on how his son would react to one of their most common disagreements
"Merlin respect the crown father"
Uthur gave the prince a slightly disbelieving look, "Did he or did he not call you a…what was it? Oh yes a clot pole during training yesterday?" Here was the point when the Prince should start to get defensive, irate. To Uthur's surprise that wasn't what happened.
The prince sighed again, "Merlin acts like that on my orders, father" the younger man pursed his lips slightly in thought, "well partially on my order. Partially it's because he really has no sense of self preservation."
"On your orders?" The King repeated slowly.
Arthur nodded, "What kind of a King would I be if I couldn't handle some simple in jest insults or if I allowed my temper to control me. I ask him to continue to insult me in public because the more I hear it from him, the less likely my enemies will be able to use insults as a way of distracting me during battle."
Surprised Uthur just stared at his son for a moment thinking to himself that it seemed to be working.
Can I do it yes I can
Two small children, one tanned with golden hair the other dark hair and pale skin, chased each other around giggling madly. The golden child caught the dark and they tumbled over each other. In a breath the scene shifted and two young men replaced the boys. They played too but their games were for a much older crowd than the children. After their romp they curled together, children again, letting the world shift around them in the way that only dreams can. After a while both stood an allowed themselves to grow to their real ages. The dark haired man smiled at his lover.
"It's time to wake up Arthur" he said.
The golden man, Arthur smiled back at his warlock, "Make sure to bring enough breakfast for two" He requested with a quick kiss.
Simultaneously two pairs of eyes snapped open. The spell Merlin had found was a godsend. It took an existing bond between two souls and allowed a mental bond to be formed as well. They had accidentally found out that it involved dream sharing but neither would give those precious few hours up for anything. Because they were able to love one another freely each night with none the wiser they were able to maintain a charade of friendship and loyalty but no more.
It had been nearly six months since the fight in Ealdor. Both young men had distinct memories of the trials they had endured the first time around. There own actions had changed so much so quickly though and future knowledge was quickly obsolete.
On a hunting trip, not long after Arthur met the Great Dragon, the duo had made a point to travel to the Isle of the Blessed to speak with Nimueh. They had approached the Priestess with great caution only to be surprised when she greeted them warmly. Though her hatred of Uthur had not eased she had seen the future they were building and knew that the true balance could only be restored if the proper steps were taken. She was willing to lay aside her own bitterness for the return of magic. They had spent the full week with her learning of the Old Religion.
In the meantime not all was well at Camelot. Unfortunately another hunting trip had shot and killed the unicorn passing through. Because it hadn't been the prince that had killed the magical creature the curse should not have spread to all of Camelot. However the knight in question had presented the horn to the King to show his devotion to Camelot. That devotion had spread the curse in a different manner than before. No magical curse had been laid upon Camelot but discontent seeded itself through the city at the death of such a pure creature. Many people had suppressed their own magical inclinations but it was difficult to ignore the ended of such goodness.
When the duo returned it was to a citadel on the brink of madness and a lower town just waiting to explode. The King used every method at his disposal of calming the populace but it seemed that every single one made the situation worse. Only hours before they entered the city the knight who had shot the Unicorn killed himself.
There had been no quick fix, no curse to be lifted. Instead months of work awaited the prince as he tried to right the wrong done by the knight. It was during this time that Arthur began to slowly build his own support base.
The duo never spoke of the time that never happened outside of their bond; they never spoke of the balance that would have been demanded. That was something they strove together to understand, the balance. It hadn't taken long to realize that the amount of magic that would be needed to send two souls back in time would have required a massive balance in comparison. It was the kind of balance that would destroy the future of a Kingdom. No they never spoke of the fact that Merlin instinctively knew that Albion would never be truly united. Not under Arthur or anyone else. There would be no golden age and though the history books would remember the king who brought back magic, who learned and kept the sacred balance of the Old Religion Arthur's name wouldn't stick out any more any other good king.
Life is about balance and the only way to change a destiny is to sacrifice a destiny.
Promise to the Great Dragon: I will see you free, Great Dragon, and balance restored to its proper order