The Moment of Truth
Marayna smirked as she glanced at Merlin out of the corner of her eye. They were collecting water from a well for Gaius but his attention was quite a distance from the well. In fact, he was staring up the side of the castle at the Lady Morgana's window, smiling softly as the woman appeared within it, looking down on him as well.
She reached over into the bucket, taking a small scoop of water in her hands and turned, splashing it into his face, laughing as he sputtered and wiped himself off, "Funny Aya."
"Yes, it was, wasn't it?" she smiled...her eyes widening when she spotted something over Merlin's shoulder, "Mother!" she gasped, dashing past him, the water forgotten.
Merlin spun around to see their mother, Hunith, nearly being tackled by his sister, "Mother?" before he dashed off after her as well, hugging his family tightly, when he noticed, "What happened?" he reached out to gently touch a bruise on her face.
"Who did that?!" Marayna gaped, her eyes hardening as she swore revenge.
Hunith just smiled at her children, they were so different, like night and day, there was Merlin, fretting over her and her bruise and Marayna vowing to hunt someone down and give them a wallop. They were so different, but so protective of her, of everyone really, it just...made them all the more unique how they expressed it.
~8~
Hunith stood before Uther and his court in the throne room, Arthur having gotten her a session with the king after Merlin and Marayna had rushed to find him when she'd told them what happened. She'd even gotten to meet the prince for a moment or two beforehand. She'd been taken right to him by her children in fact. She'd watched from a small distance away as they confronted him about their request, she'd seen how Arthur had seen them coming, had seen her daughter coming and she couldn't help but smile. The look in the young man's eyes had been the same in her lover's eyes whenever she was out and about as a young woman. His eyes lit up and locked on to her, following her wherever she went.
And now, because of the kindness of the prince, who had offered his sincerest apologies that she had been harmed, she was able to make a case with the king, plead for help. Bandits kept attacking Ealdor, stealing the precious food that sustained them, they needed to be stopped.
"The winters are harsh in Ealdor," she began, "And there are many children. Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is and if Kanen takes our harvest...our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help."
Uther simply eyed her, "Ealdor's in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility."
Marayna scoffed off to the side, audibly, very audibly, though most ignored her when they saw Arthur roll his eyes at her. But she couldn't help it though! As though Cendred would ever show compassion or help his peasants.
"We've appealed to our king," Hunith nodded, knowing where her daughter's mind had gone, "But he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope."
"I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
Hunith started to smile, "You'll help us?"
But Uther shook his head, "I wish I could."
Arthur, who had been watching Marayna's expression the entire time, saw it fall, and spoke before he even thought of it, "Surely we can spare a few men?"
"Resources are not the problem," Uther agreed.
"Then what is?" Morgana asked, having watched the same thing happen to Merlin. Both nobles had the desire to help the ones they cared for, neither wanted to see the hopeless expressions on Merlin or Marayna's faces for even a moment, not if they could help it, and they could.
"Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir," Uther remarked, "For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war."
Hunith fell to her knees, clasping her hands together as she half-begged him, desperate, "I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."
Uther looked at the woman a moment, before his glance...turned to Marayna, seeing the girl staring at her mother, concerned, before he sighed, "The accord we've struck with Cendred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."
He stood and turned to leave, ignoring Morgana glaring at him, his son frowning at him, but most of all...ignoring the disappointed look in Marayna's eyes. That girl...was so much like Ygraine it was almost alarming, had Ygraine been a peasant, with dark hair, and lacking all sense of manners and propriety that is...
Merlin and Marayna barely waited till Uther had passed them before rushing to their mother's side as she wept, hopeless.
~8~
Arthur stood on the battlements, a place he always went when he needed to think and clear his mind. He found himself going there more often ever since Marayna had agreed to be his servant. Often he found that the battlements, while clearing his mind of other issues, scarcely cleared it of thoughts of her. He'd seen her face, seen how devastated she was for her mother, for her village. He'd wanted badly to help her in some way, but...he'd disobeyed his father more than enough the last few months and another one would surely set the man to a rage.
"Camelot's lucky she has such strong walls to keep most threats out," Marayna commented as she and Merlin joined him, "If only Ealdor were so lucky."
Well, Ealdor could have been. Cendred's kingdom, while not outlawing magic, was far too close to Camelot for their mother to feel safe letting them use their gifts as they grew. But if they had, Ealdor would have been the most protected place in the realm they were sure of it because they would have never let this happen, they would have learned magic and practiced and made wards and protective amulets and everything, just to see their mother safe.
"I'm sorry," he sighed, "If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now."
Marayna smiled at him for that, "We know, sire."
He glanced at her, smiling as well, pleased. The way she said sire, in comparison to when she called him 'My Lord,' actually made him...happy. It was almost like she was proud of him whenever she called him that, like he'd earned just that little bit more of her respect. That had not been a concept he'd ever thought of or given much thought too in his life, the idea of earning respect from someone else. He'd been born to privilege, and because of that, he'd often felt that he just...deserved the respect of others as he was the prince. Knowing Marayna and Merlin, however, well...they were changing that. He was starting to think he didn't even want the respect he DID have from most of the people he knew, because he hadn't earned it, it had been given with no action on his part to deserve it. And he wanted to deserve it, he wanted to know that people respected him for HIM and not because of his crown.
"You tried," Merlin agreed, "And thank you, for getting an audience with the king."
"I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived," he muttered.
"Maybe she will, one day," Marayna suggested, nudging him, making him smile more. She always had that way of reminding him that all these ideas he had on how to better the kingdom would one day be reality, when he was king. Reminding him that all he had to do was be patient and, one day, he would be able to see Camelot grow into the kingdom he envisioned.
"But as for now," Merlin added, "We're going back to Ealdor."
"Of course," he nodded, he expected that. He'd fight to his last breath to defend Camelot and, while he couldn't picture either of them fighting off bandits, having truly seen them fighting so little since they'd arrived, even Marayna's display with the sais had let quite a lot to be desired, he knew they'd do the same to protect their home.
"It's been an honor serving you."
Arthur looked at them sharply, his heart constricting as he looked at Marayna, "You'll be coming back."
Marayna rolled her eyes, "Of course we will, who else would put up with your pratness?" he actually started to smile at that despite the insult.
"We just don't know when," Merlin nodded, "She's our mother. We have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?"
He nodded, "I'd do exactly the same. Well, you've both been terrible. Really, I mean it. The worst servants I've ever had."
"Do you truly mean it?" Marayna smirked, wiping away a false tear, "That was the sweetest compliment I've ever heard."
"Thank you, sire," Merlin laughed before he took Marayna's hand and they turned to walk off.
"Merlin, Mara," he called, making them pause, "Good luck."
They smiled and continued on.
~8~
"Here," Gwen called as they stood in her house, her helping them prepare for their trip, packing bits of food for the journey. Though now she was handing Merlin a sword, "Tell me how it feels?" she asked as he took it by the hilt.
"Yeah," he nodded, trying to seem like he knew what she was asking, "Yeah that feel...that feels really good. It's very, erm, you know...swordy."
Marayna laughed, shaking her head at her brother, "Your father has to learn how to make staffs Gwen," she remarked, "Just let Merlin grab some branch or stick on the way and he'll be just fine."
Gwen gave her a curious look at that, they hadn't actually ever seen Merlin wielding the staff they both claimed he could fight with, but shrugged, turning to another bundle, "I've packed some armor for you both."
Marayna frowned, looking at the lump of metal Gwen pointed to, "How are we going to carry all that?"
A curtain was pushed to the side and Morgana stepped in, dressed in trousers and a corseted tunic, "You won't have to," she smirked, seeing Merlin's reaction to the form fitted clothes. He was gaping at her, literally open-mouthed, wide-eyed, staring, "We're coming with you."
Marayna sniggered at her brother's reaction and reached out to push his mouth closed, snapping him out of his shock, "What do you mean?"
Gwen just linked arms with Marayna, "You're going to need all the help you can get. I can mend armor and sharpen swords."
"And I know how to fight," Morgana nodded.
"But y-y-you can't," he shook his head, still staring at Morgana, "I mean, why would you?"
"I believe my answer to why I'd run away with you would apply here," Morgana admitted quietly, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Merlin smiled and stepped closer to her, the world around him fading at Morgana's words, at the reminder that she'd said she loved him, "And my response to that is the reason you can't come."
Morgana looked up at him, "Why not?"
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his other hand taking hers, "If anything happened to you Gana, I don't know what I'd do..." he told her softly, "It's bad enough I have to worry about my sister getting hurt, imagine how much of a mess I'll be worrying about you too."
"You don't have to worry," she reached out to cup his cheek as well, "I've been able to best Arthur at times, I can take care of myself just fine."
"And Gwen and I will be there too," Marayna added, seeing he was truly alarmed and worried for the woman, "Us girls must stick together," she nudged Gwen, "We'll look out for each other."
Gwen nodded, "And if it was the other way around, you'd help us. You already have. You saved my life. You both have."
"And you helped us get the druid boy out of Camelot," he countered, "We owe it to you. Both of us."
"And it's not like Arthur will be there," Marayna added, "We can use magic to help," she reminded him.
He sighed, but smiled and nodded, bandits didn't stand a chance against magic.
~8~
"You got the food I prepared for you?" Gaius asked as they packed a few medical supplies, neither of them under the impression that people wouldn't get hurt.
"Yes," they replied at the same time.
"Be careful with the wine," Gaius added, more to Merlin than Marayna, "You know what you're like. One whiff of a barmaid's apron and you're singing like a sailor."
"More like screeching like a harpy," Marayna laughed, lacing up her boots, having changed into the light blue tunic that Morgana had given her for her birthday and her black leggings, SO thankful they were leaving Camelot for a bit so she could get out of that ridiculous dress for a short while.
Merlin rolled his eyes, "I'll be fine. WE'LL be fine."
Gaius sighed, "Are you sure you don't want an extra blanket?"
"We've managed near 20 years without an extra," Marayna shrugged, "We really will be fine uncle."
"It's ok, really," Merlin agreed.
"Well, make sure you are," Gaius walked over to them, hugging them tightly, whispering, "Do whatever it takes," in their ears.
~8~
Their small group of five had ridden out of Camelot towards Ealdor, Marayna and Hunith sharing a horse. While she did love horses, actually riding them made her nervous at times, especially riding IN Ealdor. Just a few times really, more when she was around other knights with their armor and swords and the clanging. With her mother there she was doing well though, her mother was always such a reassurance to her that everything would be alright. They'd made camp when night fell, Merlin and Marayna getting a small fire going while Morgana and Gwen slept, Hunith sitting up with them.
The poor woman had nearly had a heart attack when, instead of lighting the fire with flint, they'd magiced it to burn. She'd started shouting at them for being so careless when Morgana and Gwen assured her they'd known of how special her children were for quite some time, knew of their gifts, and would protect their secret with their lives. It probably hadn't helped Merlin any when Marayna remarked that Morgana certainly knew how special Merlin was, the implication not lost on their mother who realized that her son had his first love travelling at his side.
"They shouldn't be here," Hunith sighed as she looked at the sleeping women, "Especially the Lady Morgana. Isn't she the King's ward?"
"Not that you'd know it," Merlin smiled at her, "She's the only person I know who isn't frightened of him."
"Oh she is," Marayna cut in, "But she's brave," she nudged her brother, "She has a reason to stand up to him, to fight him, much more than before."
"It won't make any difference to Kanen that they're women," Hunith told them.
"We know," Merlin nodded, "But I couldn't talk them out of coming."
Marayna smirked, "As though you really tried, I know you're secretly pleased Morgana gets to meet mum."
Merlin blushed a bit when the firelight caught the bruise on their mother's cheek, "I want to make him pay for what he did to you."
"We both will," Marayna reached out to take her mother's hand.
"Promise me you'll be careful," she squeezed Marayna's hand in return, before looking between her children, "I can understand that you trust Gwen and the Lady Morgana enough to tell them, them being here proves they would defend you in all other areas. But please," she whispered, "No one else can find out about you. No one from our village, it is too near Camelot."
"They won't," Merlin promised.
"They never do," Marayna had to laugh, the amount of magic they'd done around Arthur alone and the prince still didn't realize.
Hunith smiled and nodded, "Get some rest," she stood up and kissed her children on the heads before turning to lay down for the night.
Merlin scooted over to his sister as she poked the fire with a stick. She pulled it out and held it up to Merlin, "Please?" she asked as the small bits of ember burned on the tip.
He smiled and blew the flecks into the air, "Draca," he murmured, his eyes glowing as the flecks collected, taking the shape of a dragon.
Dragons had always been Marayna's favorite creature as a child. Whenever she was upset, he'd get the dust or the pollen around them to swirl into the familiar shape. It was ironic, he thought now, that she should love dragons so when she was destined to marry a Pendragon.
~8~
Merlin was lying on his back, asleep, his head turned to the side, facing Morgana as Marayna slept soundly to his left, on her side, her back to him, facing their mother. He shifted as he heard a horse trotting in the woods before waking completely. He looked around warily, unable to see anything in the darkness. He grabbed the sword Gwen had given him, having yet to find a branch sturdy enough to act as a staff, and moved towards the forests around them, towards where he'd last heard the sound of the horse. A moment later he froze, feeling the tip of a sword at his back.
"I'd ask you for money, but I know you don't have any," he heard Arthur say.
"Arthur!" he spun around, nearly swinging the man's head off with the sword still in his hand.
Arthur though, luckily, ducked, "Put the word down, Merlin. You look ridiculous," he reached out to take the sword from Merlin, about to turn around...when he suddenly pitched forward, a thunking noise heard.
Marayna smirked as she spun the stick she'd found in her hand and caught it again, "I've been wanting to do that since Sophia," she laughed.
Merlin just stared down at the unconscious prince, laughing, this time she really had knocked him out.
~8~
Arthur glared at Marayna as she smirked, sitting across the newly stoked fire from him as he held a damp, cool cloth to the back of his head, Merlin chuckling quietly at them, "How much further is it?" Arthur decided to ask, best to stick to that than talk about what happened.
"Er, maybe a few hours?" Merlin guessed.
"How many men does Kanen have?"
Marayna sighed, "We don't know. Mum said he might have as many as forty."
Arthur nodded, "You should get some rest," he told her, before glancing at Merlin, "You as well. It's going to be a long day tomorrow," Merlin nodded and moved to lay back down but Marayna just eyed Arthur a moment, "What?"
She smiled, "You came even when you didn't have to," she remarked.
"I did," he nodded, not just that he came, but that he had to.
She nodded and moved over to him, "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek before moving to lay back down, a faint pink tinge on her cheeks when she saw Arthur smiling softly at her action, reaching up to clutch her small necklace as she turned over and dozed off.
~8~
As their small group rode into Ealdor, they spotted the bandits already in the process of ravaging it, as a man Merlin and Marayna recognized as Mathew tried to get him to stop, only for a brute that could only be Kanen to raise his axe, about to strike a fatal blow.
"No!" Mathew cried.
When Arthur threw his sword right into the post behind Kanen as he rode up and dismounted, getting right to fighting the bandits.
Merlin rode up and hopped off his horse as well, hearing Kanen shout, "Kill them!"
He quickly lifted his sword to block an attack as the girls arrived, clambering off their horses to help, Marayna shouting for their mother to stay on her horse as she reached into her boots and pulled out the sais Arthur had given her, using them as best she could to fight off the men who attacked her, noticing Gwen and Morgana each holding their own with swords, Morgana even besting the men around her.
Merlin stumbled back as a bandit shoved him, falling back against a door, he looked at the man's sword, breathing, "Hætende," heating up the hilt till the man dropped it, giving him time to slash him away.
Morgana fought back to back with Marayna when she spotted a bandit sneaking up behind Arthur. She dashed forward and parried, killing the man instead, "Bring back memories of when I used to beat you?" she smirked.
"That never happened!" he shot back.
Kanen, seeing his men fall, quickly mounted is horse, glaring at the villagers, "You'll pay for this with your lives! All of you!"
And with that, he rode off with the rest of his horde.
A young man with brown hair, one who had been watching Merlin closely but not taking part in the battle, one who had seen the glow of his eyes, walked over to him, "You still up to the same old magic tricks again?" he asked, making sure no one heard him though, "Look, I thought I told you I didn't want your kind around here?" he paused a moment before smiling.
Merlin grinned as well, "I miss you, too, Will," he remarked, hugging the man, "It's good to see you again."
"How've you been?" Will looked at him as he pulled away, "I, er, hear you're skivvying for some prince."
"No. I wouldn't say I'm a skivvy."
"Merlin!" Arthur called, waiting till Kanen had disappeared in the distance before pulling his attention away from the man's retreat, "Gather the villagers, I need to talk to them."
"Yeah, in a minute. I'm just talking..."
"Now, Merlin. There isn't much time."
Merlin sighed as Will glared at the prince, "Yes, Sire…"
"Mara," Arthur turned to her as she helped Hunith off the horse, "See to the horses?" he waited till she nodded, gathering up the reins to lead them off, before he turned around to see the villagers had heard his shouting and had already gathered. He took a breath, "I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back. And when he is, you must be ready for him. First of all, we have to prepare for..."
"Am I the only one wondering who the hell this is?" Will cut in, crossing his arms as he eyed Arthur.
"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot," Arthur remarked, straightening.
Will scoffed loudly, "Yeah, and, er, I'm Prince William of..." he trailed off, his eyes widening suddenly as Marayna stepped over with Morgana and Gwen, "Marayna!"
Marayna gave him a cold, nearly withering look, "William," she greeted shortly, making Morgana, Gwen, and Arthur look at her oddly, never having heard her be that curt with anyone before, not even Arthur! Merlin just rolled his eyes as Hunith sighed and shook her head at her daughter's reaction to the boy.
Will gave her a timid, nervous smile, "Still mad at me eh?"
Marayna just glared at him, "No," she remarked sarcastically, dragging out the word, "Why would I be mad at you?" and promptly turned on her heel to storm off, Morgana and Gwen giving the man a confused look before rushing after their friend to find out what was wrong.
Will sighed, "Yep, still mad."
Merlin just patted him on the back with a small grin, throwing a smirk at Arthur. He'd told the man that his sister could hold a grudge once. Though, if he had to be honest, this grudge was one he could understand her never letting go of. What Will had done...had had far more serious consequences than anyone could have foreseen.
"What did you do to her?" Arthur's eyes narrowed at the man in suspicion. He'd heard Merlin mention that Marayna held a grudge against his friend, Will, he could only assume this was the same boy.
"I didn't do nothing," he glared back, "Unlike what you just did!"
"Keep quiet," Hunith hushed. While she did love Will as one of her own, there was a sore spot whenever her daughter was around him. She herself hadn't forgiven the boy for what he'd done, but Arthur was there to help, probably because of Merlin and Marayna, "He's here to help us."
"But he's made things worse. Kanen will be back, and when he is, he'll be looking for revenge. You've just signed our death warrants."
"He saved Matthew's life!"
"That's alright, Hunith," Arthur cut in, "This is his village. What would you have us do?"
"We can't fight against Kanen," Will remarked, "He has too many men."
"So what's the alternative?"
"Give him what he wants."
Arthur frowned, the villagers shaking their heads, "Then what? Those of you who don't starve to death will face him again next harvest! And the harvest after that."
"We'll manage. We'll survive."
"How?" one of the villagers called.
"The only way he can be stopped is if you stand up to him," Arthur told them.
"No," Will glared, "You just want the honor and glory of battle! That's what drives men like you! Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours!"
"Will…" Merlin began, knowing why Will was so hostile to nobles, but he was still reeling from the fact that Arthur had disobeyed his father to come help them. That...was nothing at all like the man he knew Will thought Arthur to be, now he just had to prove it to his friend.
"I'll follow you Arthur," Marayna called as she stepped back with Morgana and Gwen. Arthur frowned, seeing that Marayna seemed to have tears in her eyes, or at least a hint of them. She hadn't been crying, no, but she WAS upset about something, something serious if the glares Morgana and Gwen were giving to Will was anything to go by, it looked as though they wished to kill him themselves but didn't want to leave Marayna alone, "There's no way I'm gonna die without taking someone else out with me."
Hunith stepped to her daughter's side, "If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting," she agreed, proud of the girl she'd raised, the strong girl. To survive so much and lose so much and still fight for others…
"That goes for me, too," Matthew nodded.
"And me," Merlin agreed, not about to let his mother and sister face this alone.
"You can count me in!" another man shouted.
"I'm in," and a woman.
"Me too! Yeah! You can count me in!" the villagers started to shout, making Arthur smile, there may be hope yet.
~8~
Merlin slowly made his way to Will's home where the boy was sulking, unhappy with the turn of events, fully believing that the village was doomed.
"I think the girls are plotting to kill me," Will mumbled, looking out the small window of his home to see Morgana and Gwen glaring at him from outside as Arthur tried to teach sword fighting stances to the villagers, Marayna speaking quietly to Hunith. The knights that had been there earlier had taught most of the children how to fight, they'd all grown up now, most had hardly picked up a weapon after that. He still had the sword he won, but he barely touched it, couldn't stand to look at it really. But there was Arthur, teaching them the skills they'd forgotten, having handed out the extra weapons Gwen had managed to gather to help them.
Merlin followed his gaze, "Aya wouldn't kill you," he shook his head, "Rough you up a bit. And you know you'd deserve it too."
Will sighed, nodding, "I know. I tell her I'm sorry every time I see her. It'll never make a difference though, will it?"
"Fraid not," Merlin remarked, before watching as Arthur mock-sparred lightly with Matthew, "He knows what he's doing you know. You've got to trust him. Look, when I first met Arthur, I was exactly like you. I hated him, Aya actually punched him. We thought he was pompous and arrogant and a prat…"
Will just walked over to a stand that had a chainmail shirt and tabard on it and straightened it, "Well, nothing's changed there, then."
"But, in time, I came to respect him for what he stands for, what he does, we both did."
"Yeah, I know what he stands for...princes, kings, all men like him."
"Will, don't bring what happened to your father into this."
"I'm not. Why are you defending him so much?" he rounded on Merlin, "You're just his servant. He turned you and your sister into servants! I know why Hunith sent you and Marayna away, she said she wanted you both to have a better life, and now you're both worse than a peasant and taking orders from a prince!"
Merlin snorted at that, "Have you ever known Aya to take orders from anyone?"
Will had to smile a bit, "No."
"We follow him and we serve him because…he's also my friend," Merlin added, "He's…Aya loves him Will."
Will stiffened and looked over at Merlin, not quite believing that. While he himself saw Marayna as another sister, the fact that she was sweet on the man he loathed didn't sit right with him. In his mind, she was too good for Arthur, though he knew his opinion would never matter to Marayna again, that HE would never matter to her for what he'd done, "Friends don't lord it over one another."
"He isn't like that."
"Really?" Will scoffed, "Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him."
"He wouldn't do that," Merlin shook his head, "Aya would smack him for it. She's…" he laughed, "She's got this way of making him think, feel guilty when he does things like that. But she believes he'll be a great man, and so do I. We trust Arthur with our lives."
"Is that so? So he knows your secret, then?" he eyed Merlin, but the boy was silent and he sighed, "Look, face it, Merlin You're living a lie. Just like you were here. You're Arthur's servant, nothing more, you and Marayna both. Otherwise you'd tell him the truth."
Merlin looked down and out at the men and women, watching as Arthur stopped by Marayna's side, putting a hand on her shoulder a moment to correct her footwork to benefit fighting with her sias as well before he smiled at her and moved on. He watched as Marayna watched him go a moment longer before she returned to her sparring with Morgana.
No, Arthur wasn't that sort of man.
~8~
That night, after a long day of instruction and sparring, the Camelot party were resting in Merlin and Marayna's home. Gwen and Morgana were on Hunith's bed, the woman absolutely refusing to let the women sleep on the cold, hard ground, even though they protested till Marayna compromised. She took the blanket off the bed and laid it on the floor for her and her mother to share, that way both were comfortable.
The men had refused any such luxury, not wanting to deprive the women of some comfort, which was why the girls were asleep and the boys were still awake, though also because of their thoughts on the day ahead. Arthur was lying on his back, his head towards the back wall, turned to the side as he watched Marayna sleep on her side, facing him.
"Have you always slept on the floor?" he wondered, asking Merlin as he slept with his head to the door, their feet by the other's head.
"Yeah," Merlin replied, just as quietly, not wanting to wake the others, "Me and Aya, since before we could remember. The beds we've got in Camelot's luxury by comparison."
"Must've been hard."
"Mmm. It's like rock."
"I didn't mean the ground," Arthur rolled his eyes, still on Marayna, "I meant, for you both. It must've been difficult."
Merlin shrugged, "Not really. We didn't know any different. Life's simple out here. You eat what you grow and everyone pitches in together. As long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your head, you're happy."
"Sounds...nice," he sighed.
Watching Marayna now, hearing about how her life was…he could offer her the world, he knew, all the riches of Camelot, a role as its Queen…if his father didn't have a heart attack first at hearing such thoughts, a prince and a peasant, the man would keel over. But…if he had…would she even be happy? she was so easy to please, it was always the little things that made her happy, a flower, a smile, even a lump of bread…he admitted he'd gifted her with rather extravagant items since he'd met her. Dresses, jewelry, sais, a horse…and while she always accepted it graciously…he'd noticed the care she took with them. She understood their importance to him, never treated it as though it were just another gift, but something unique to be cherished. And she always said that it was too much, that he shouldn't have and, despite them being a bit much...she understood that to him it was always a gift of meaning and not expense, that he wasn't trying to buy her affections but actually putting thought into each gift.
It was why it had taken him the entire day in the market before he decided upon the necklace she was wearing. He wasn't good at things like that, at buying things not to appease someone else or just pick something sparkly, but...to find something that would mean something to Marayna...he tried, he really did.
"You'd hate it," Merlin remarked.
"No doubt. Why'd you leave?"
He'd always wondered that. He knew, well, he guessed, why Marayna had left East Anglia. She hated the prince there. But why come to Camelot? Why either of them?
"Things just...changed."
"How?" he finally pulled his gaze away from Marayna when Merlin remained silent, "Come on," he shifted, nudging Merlin's face with his bare foot, "Stop pretending to be interesting. Tell me."
Merlin pushed the foot away, "We just didn't fit in anymore, either of us. We wanted to find somewhere that we did. Mum thought Aya would fit in East Anglia and me in Camelot."
"Had any luck?"
Merlin snorted, "Aya didn't. It's why she came to Camelot."
"I know that Merlin."
"I'm not sure yet," he admitted after a moment.
Arthur nodded to himself, finding himself hoping that, one day, the answer would be yes, for both of them. Merlin had actually managed to become a…friend…to him, and Marayna, well…she was something else entirely, "We'll start training the men tomorrow. It's gonna be a long day. Get the candle."
Merlin reached over and blew out the single candle that had been providing them with light, pitching them into darkness.
~8~
The next morning, bright and early, Merlin was helping Arthur put his jacket on when Morgana walked over, Gwen and Marayna helping Hunith prepare the food, "You still not learned how to dress yourself?" Morgana asked, frowning.
She knew that Merlin and Marayna were technically servants. She knew Gwen was one as well but…she always hated that aspect of life at court. She did all she could to make sure Gwen never felt like a servant, making sure that she understood they were friends first. She dressed herself, she made her own bed, she did all she could to try and ease Gwen's life, give her time to do her own things. Gwen helped her with her hair yes, helped her dress if her clothing was too complicated and required lacing, often brought flowers or made sure the room was warm. But she never ordered Gwen to do anything. She always made sure she ASKED.
She hated the fact that the man she loved was forced to wait on Arthur day and night. He hadn't asked for that position, it had been dumped on him and Marayna had been taken along for the ride. Her Merlin was worth so much more than to be a simple servant, she knew. She could feel it, he had such power and such wisdom, he would be one of the most important men in the world one day, he was already the most important man to HER. And, she hoped, she would be at his side, able to smile proudly at him when he got there.
"You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself," Arthur rolled his eyes at her, before offering to Merlin, "No offense, Merlin."
"None taken," Merlin smirked.
"Prince Arthur," Hunith walked over with a small bowl of lumpy porridge like substance, "You didn't finish your breakfast."
Arthur tried his best to smile through his grimace, "Didn't I?"
Morgana smirked, "Come on, eat up."
That was another thing. She never turned down the hospitality of others. Hunith had opened her home to them, shared her food, and Arthur refused it (politely) because of its horrid taste.
"Mmmmm," Arthur nodded, pretending to eat it till Hunith turned her back and he quickly shoved it to Marayna as she walked over, "Right. Let's get going. We need wood, and lots of it."
"Of course," Merlin rolled his eyes as Marayna just finished eating Arthur's meal, holding out a spoon to her brother as he passed, giving him the rest of it, not wanting their mother to know Arthur didn't like her cooking.
"Arthur loved it," Marayna smiled at her mother tensely, already planning to have words with Arthur about that.
Hunith smiled at her daughter, "He must care for you and Merlin a great deal."
"He'd do the same for any village," Morgana had to agree, "That's just the way he is."
"It's more than that," Hunith shook her head, "He's here for you."
Marayna gave a sad smile and looked down, "I can only ever be just a servant to him mum."
Hunith frowned and lifted her daughter's chin, making her look at her, "Give him more credit than that. He likes you."
"Mum…"
"No," she cut in, "I've seen the way he looks at you, I've seen how he acts. I rather think he loves you."
Marayna shook her head, "He doesn't know me, he doesn't know the truth," she sighed, "And not just about the magic," she added quietly.
"And if he did know about that," Morgana had to add, "Uther would sentence them both to death."
Hunith shook her head, "He'd never get that far," she said firmly, smiling at the King's Ward, "Because they've got you and Gwen and Gaius looking after them."
Morgana put a hand on Marayna's shoulder, "That they do."
She smiled and put a hand on top of Morgana's, "Come on," she nodded towards the door, "I need to find Arthur."
Morgana smirked, she knew exactly what Marayna needed to speak to him about.
~8~
Unfortunately, Marayna didn't get the chance to confront Arthur just yet. They'd gone to find him, in the middle of training the village, and seen Merlin leave Will's home, upset. Marayna had immediately gone after him, knowing that Morgana would be better able to get through to Arthur that they should let the women fight, stress that just because they didn't hold a sword didn't mean Kanen or his men wouldn't attack them too. She had to find her brother first.
Apparently Will was being his typical self and harassing Merlin to use magic against Kanen. It was one of the reasons they'd had to leave their home in the first place, Will had discovered that aspect of their lives. When their mother found out Will knew about the magic, she had panicked.
Merlin had begged her to talk to Will for him, she was always better at 'beating' the sense into people when they were being stupid. Will's attitude had hurt. The fact that his best friend thought he had turned his back on their village hurt. She refused though. She couldn't bear to be in the same room with Will let alone talk to him without fearing she would snap at him or try to murder him. She could remember when they were children, when they'd been as thick as thieves the three of them. Those were the days. But things changed.
She was the last person Will would listen to. And he was the last person she would talk to.
She'd stuck by Merlin the rest of the day, glaring at Will whenever she saw the man, forgetting completely about what she'd wanted to say to Arthur. It wasn't even till that night when they were resting in her home, Arthur and Merlin asleep, that she even remembered and vowed to confront Arthur about it the next day.
"We don't stand a chance," Gwen whispered as the girls sat up, awake.
"Arthur can't see that," Morgana sighed, "He's too stubborn."
"If only he wasn't here," Marayna added, "Merlin and I could use our magic to help. It's not like the village would turn their back on us after we save them. And even then, we'd be able to hide and use it. If we run off now, Arthur will either come looking for us or call us cowards."
"Why do you think he came here?" Gwen asked softly.
Morgana smiled, "The same reason we did. Merlin."
"Well," Marayna smirked, nudging Morgana's leg, "Maybe he came for the same reason GWEN did," she laughed as Morgana blushed at the implication that Gwen had come for both of them while SHE had really come for Merlin (and Marayna, but mostly Merlin).
She could tell that the woman just didn't like being apart from Merlin. When they were doing duties and tasks for Arthur that was one thing, they were in the castle where Morgana could 'bump' into them, or in the courtyard where she could watch them…always close. Ealdor was an entirely different village in a different kingdom so it hadn't shocked her at all that Morgana had wanted to come.
"Arthur may act like he doesn't care," Morgana cleared her throat, "But he wouldn't be here if he didn't," she nudged Marayna back and giving her a pointed look, "I may be here for my love, but he's here for his."
Marayna looked over at the sleeping men, her brother and Arthur, smiling softly as Arthur shifted in his sleep.
~8~
The next morning Arthur stood before the villagers, "We're not going to be able to defend Ealdor with sword and sinew alone. We're going to need a plan. We need to find some way of limiting their mobility and drawing them into a trap. If we fight them on their terms, then..."
Suddenly someone screamed. They turned around to see a horse trotting up, Matthew, who Arthur had sent earlier to scout out Kanen's men, draped over its back, an arrow in his own with a note on it.
"Get him down from there!" Arthur shouted as they rushed over, trying to get Matthew down, tending to him as Arthur took the note.
"What does it say?" Merlin frowned.
"'Make the most of this day, it will be your last,'" he read.
"Matthew!" a young woman, Matthew's fiancé, wept as she cradled him, "No! No! No!"
"You did this!" Will glared, pointing at Arthur accusingly, "Look what you've done! You've killed him!"
"It wasn't his fault," Merlin tried to defend.
"If he hadn't been strutting around, treating us like his own personal army, this would never have happened!"
Arthur's eyes narrowed, "These men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you aren't!"
"You're sending them to their graves! You killed one man. How many more need to die before you realize this a battle that can't be won? When Kanen comes, you haven't got a chance. You're gonna be slaughtered!"
And with that, Will stormed off, back to his house.
Merlin sighed, looking apologetically at Arthur, before turning to head after him, when someone grabbed his arm.
"Leave him to me," Marayna nearly growled before stalking off after the man.
Merlin winced, watching her go, "This won't be pretty," he mumbled to Morgana.
"I hope she punches him," Morgana glared at the small home.
Arthur frowned and looked between them, feeling very much like he was missing something rather important, "What happened?" Arthur asked Merlin quietly, "He did something to her, I know he did Merlin. What was it?"
Merlin hesitated, "It's really not my place…"
"Merlin," Arthur cut in, "Please. If he's harmed her…"
"It was a joke," he sighed, only half-defending what his friend had done, "Those knights that we told you about?" Arthur nodded, "They tried to teach us to ride horses as well. When it was Aya's turn, Will thought it would be funny to spook her horse. It…" he swallowed hard, choosing his words carefully, "It threw her and nearly trampled her to death trying to stop the mouse he'd tossed in front of it. She was…badly hurt, broke her arm, was bruised, bloody, other things. It was so bad Arthur that mum had to send for Gaius and he only just managed to save her."
Arthur nodded, he was no stranger to how badly horses could react when spooked, he'd seen grown men end up with fractures and severe injuries from the same event.
"Ever since then Aya's been terrified of mice," he added, she hadn't blamed the horse for hurting her, she knew enough of how creatures and humans reacted when they were scared, they just...lashed out and tried to get the scary thing away. No...she blamed the mouse for being the scary thing and blamed Will for being the one to think of the whole 'brilliant' plan, "She never forgave Will for what he did to her either."
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder, sensing that even talking about that time was difficult for the man. He understood though, he'd felt the same when Morgana had fallen ill and hadn't woken up, he'd feared she would die, she nearly had. She was like a sister to him in all ways but blood and Marayna...she truly was Merlin's sister, his younger sister, and for her to be harmed so badly that even Gaius's skills had barely saved her...she had to have been in a truly bad way before he'd arrived.
~8~
Marayna half threw the door to Will's home open as she stormed in after him, "Don't bother, Merlin," Will called as he worked at packing a small bag, not bothering to turn around, "I'm not interested."
"And I'm not Merlin," she snapped.
Will spun around, his eyes wide as he stared at her, seeming actually frightened of the fury in her eyes for a moment, "Marayna!"
"What the bloody hell is wrong with you William?" she glared at him, "Tomorrow Kanen attacks, tomorrow the people you claim to care so much about are going to have to fight him and all you can do is stand there and harp at Arthur when he's trying to help save all of us!"
"He's condemned us!" he shouted back, "Just because you're mooning over him doesn't mean the rest of us are!"
"You don't know anything about what I feel for Arthur, so don't you dare go there! This isn't about Arthur, this is about your friends. But this is just SO you isn't it William? First sign of trouble, you run off. You're just going to abandon them!"
"Just like you and Merlin did!" he countered.
"I was SENT away!" she remarked, "We both were. We HAD to be. Merlin's life was in danger because of you and your snooping and there were no prospects for me here. Everyone in the village knows about what happened to me! I had to leave, I needed to find something else to do with my life, some sort of craft or..."
Will, though feeling like a dagger had stabbed him in the heart at her words, scoffed, "You didn't need to go find a craft. You had one already. If you used your magic, if you and Merlin teamed up, then no one else would have to die."
Marayna shook her head, "You want us to use magic to kill someone else. How is that going to ever change anyone's ideas about magic if that's all it's good for? We do that, we condemn a world far larger than our village to death."
"You don't do that," he countered, "You condemn your friends and family to death."
She shook her head, "I'm not the one planning to abandon my people Will," she shook her had, "You are."
And with that, she turned and left.
~8~
Merlin and Arthur sat side by side outside Merlin's home, sharpening swords that Morgana and Gwen had gathered, "William's father was killed fighting for King Cenred, so he doesn't trust anyone of nobility," Merlin explained.
"Do you think the villagers believed him?" Arthur asked quietly.
"After seeing Aya storm after him," Merlin smiled, "No. He's always been a troublemaker."
Arthur hesitated, looking out into the crowd, watching as Marayna and Morgana took over the lessons, teaching the women this time, "And if he's right?"
"He isn't."
"But if he is?"
Merlin shook his head, "Aya wouldn't have defended you if he was," he remarked, "You've seen her. She'll be the first to tell you if you're being a right old prat."
Arthur had to smile at that, it was true. Marayna would call him out on his shortcomings and arrogance at the first moment. But she'd defended him, which meant she believed what he was doing was right, "I'm treating these men like soldiers," Arthur admitted though, "And they're not. You've seen them fight. They...they haven't got a clue! You need to tell them all to leave the village before Kanen returns."
Merlin shook his head, "No, we're going to stay, we're going to fight, and we're going to win."
"Merlin, it can't be done. The odds are too great."
"It can. We're going to make Kanen rue the day he ever came to this village. All you need to do is get the men ready for battle, and the rest will take care of itself."
Arthur scoffed, "How?"
"Aya used to tell me something when I was younger, when I…" he trailed off, not wanting to reveal that the conversation was about to turn to magic and his complete lack of control of it as a child, what she had said to try and help him learn how she controlled it, not that she really knew how she did that either, "I had trouble doing things. She would just say, you've just got to believe it can or can't happen. And she's right," he looked at Arthur, "Believe in them. Because if you don't, they'll sense it, and the battle'll be lost before it's even begun."
Arthur nodded absently, lost in thought on the wisdom of his servants.
~8~
Arthur stood before the villagers, "Tomorrow morning, Kanen will attack."
"I know you," Marayna stepped up, looking at the women, cutting off Arthur before he could regret his decision to let them fight, "We have as much right to fight for their lives as the men, we brought them into this world we can take them out, right?!"
The women cheered, making Arthur smile, even as he shook her head at her 'declaring war', "This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honored to stand alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around," he smiled, recalling what Marayna had once said about circles, "In this circle, we're all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes. You fight for your family. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friends! For Ealdor!"
The villagers stood, raising their swords, cheering, "For Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor!"
Arthur looked over at Marayna to see her beaming at him, such pride in her eyes, "Well done sire," she smiled.
He nodded at her, smiling in return.
~8~
Hunith sat in her home, thinking, pensive, when Merlin stepped in and hung up his jacket, "Where's your sister?" she asked.
He smirked, "She finally remembered what she wanted to talk to Arthur about, she's cornering him now."
After the excitement of Arthur's speech had worn off, Marayna remembered her mother's cooking and how Arthur had rebuffed it, before she stormed off after the prince. He had to laugh at that, his sister was so changeable, one minute praising and the next chastising, it was amusing and bound to confuse Arthur.
"Come here," she gestured him over and he sat beside her as she reached out to stroke his face, "I do love you, my boy, you and your sister are the most precious things in my life."
Merlin frowned, "What's wrong?"
She sighed, "I should never have gone to Camelot. I've ruined everything for you and Marayna," she blinked back her tears, "I never should have sent you away."
"You haven't," he shook his head, reaching out to take her hand, "Mother, if you hadn't I…I never would have met Morgana," he admitted quietly, confirming his mother's thoughts about his relationship with the young noblewoman, "And Aya, she never would have met Arthur, she'd be trapped with Richard. We never would have found a purpose for our magic," he looked at her imploringly, "Why would you say that?"
"I know what you're planning to do," she told him, "You two never could keep secrets from me."
He sighed, "If it comes to a choice between saving people's lives and revealing who we really are," he shrugged, "There is no choice. Aya and I agree."
"You can't let Arthur know about your gifts," she whispered, fearful.
"Why not? Mum…you haven't truly seen him around Aya. He's…he cares about her. I really think he might love her. When…when Morgana found out about my magic, she wanted to run away with me," he gave a soft laugh, beaming at the thought, "Could you imagine? The King's Ward willing to give up all that for a simple peasant? Arthur may be proud, but he's a good man. He'd never harm Aya, not ever. And, maybe...it's meant to be this way. If he doesn't accept us for who we really are, then he's not the friend I hoped he was and he's certainly not the man who deserves Aya."
Hunith smiled, "When did you become so wise?"
He just grinned and shrugged.
~8~
"Arthur!" Marayna shouted as she stomped over to him in the woods where he was standing watch, a small bowl of food in her hand, "Mum thought you might want to eat."
"Thanks," he smiled as she handed him the bowl, grimacing at it, "I think."
Marayna crossed her arms over her chest, "Food is scarce for the village, and this," she gestured at the food, "Is even rarer. How dare you insult my mother's cooking by turning your nose up at it!?"
He rolled his eyes, "So you can be sarcastic about how great it tastes but I can't?"
As soon as Hunith had handed her that bowl in the mornings she beamed, thanking her mother, praising her cooking, before digging in. He hadn't been able to muster so much of that.
"I wasn't being sarcastic!" she nearly stomped her foot, "I LOVE my mother's food and that," she nodded at the bowl again, "That is something she only makes for special occasions. Mostly for mine and Merlin's birthdays never as often as she has now. We can't exactly afford it. She was doing it for hospitality, giving you as best of food as she could."
He blinked, he hadn't known that. This was really the woman's best effort? But, then again, Marayna had grown up with the cooking, it was her favorite. He knew the cook in the kitchens would make him this delicious liver dinner for his birthday. He didn't know why, he just liked liver, but he knew many people weren't as pleased by it so it wasn't cooked often. It was the same thing here.
"I…I'm sorry," he murmured, actually ashamed for how he'd been acting, "You're right," he smiled at her, "And there you go, talking back to your prince."
"Well," she smiled, "At least you admit it."
"Yes, yes, I know," he rolled his eyes, "I actually apologized."
"No," she shook her head, "You admitted that you're MY prince."
He blinked again and smiled softly at her, reaching out to push a lock of hair behind her ear, just staring at her for a moment.
"You know we'll be fine, don't you?" she asked, if just for something to say.
"How can you be so sure?" he murmured.
"I have faith in you," she shrugged, giving the most simple yet most touching answer he'd ever gotten, "You've yet to truly let me down."
"Thank you," he whispered.
She nodded and took his hand, pulling him back to the house, they had much to prepare for.
"Hold on," he called, tugging her back a moment, handing her the plate back to pick up a rather firm, nearly straight, thick stick. He swung it around a moment and smirked at her, "What do you think?" he held it up.
"Looks like a staff to me," she grinned, before pulling him on again to give Merlin his new weapon.
~8~
Arthur had requested that the girls see to the villagers the next morning, leaving him and Merlin to ready themselves. Merlin stepped over to help Arthur with his armor when he shook his head, "No, not today. Put on your own."
Merlin nodded and moved to do the same, struggling to get one of the buckles on his wrist done up. Arthur shook his head and moved to help him, smiling a bit. If Marayna had been there she would have smiled at him for doing such a small thing for her brother, "You ready?" he asked.
"My throat's dry," Merlin admitted.
Arthur nodded, "Me too," he held out a hand to Merlin and shook it, "It's been an honor."
Merlin took a breath, knowing he had to say something, "Whatever happens out there today, please don't think any differently of me or of Marayna."
Arthur frowned, concerned at how Merlin had said her full name, in all the time he'd known them Merlin almost always called her Aya unless he was terrified for her, furious with her, or introducing her, and he didn't seem any of those three, "I won't. It's alright to be scared, Merlin."
"That's not what I meant."
"What is it? If you've got something to say, now's the time to say it."
Merlin took a breath, ready to tell him, when Morgana rushed in, "Arthur. They've crossed the river!"
Arthur grabbed his sword and rushed outside to see the villagers ready, he quickly made his way among them, shaking the hands of those who were ready to stand up, "You ready?"
"Ready," one of the men nodded.
"For Ealdor," he paused when he reached Marayna at the end, "Are you frightened?"
She smirked, "Not in the least," she gave him a wink, noticing Merlin standing with Morgana, clutching his 'staff,' both of them seeming determined to protect the other as Gwen made her way to Hunith's side.
He nodded and they all dashed off, ready to set their plan in motion, hiding, waiting as Kanen and his men rode out of the woods and into the village, "Hold," Arthur called to the others, "No one moves until they give the signal!" he watched as Kanen looked around, thinking the village empty, "Hold."
Kanen sneered, "Come out, come out wherever you are."
"Now," Gwen shouted, seeing Marayna nod from across the way, "Pull!"
She and a villager pulled a hidden gate up, trapping the riders inside as Morgana tried to light a fire with flint.
"Now, Morgana!" Arthur cried.
Merlin rushed to her side, glancing up to see Arthur's back to him and smirked at Morgana, putting a finger to his lips as his eyes glowed golden. A fire sprung up, rushing along a prepared line, trapping the rest of the riders.
Morgana cheered and gave him a quick peck before they leapt to their feet to see a few of the men riding away.
"Come back!" Kanen glared, "Don't run away!"
"Now!" Arthur ordered and everyone gave a fierce cry and ran out into the open, fighting the bandits as best they could.
Marayna swung her sais at one man, slashing him across the face when another rider came up behind her…only to be knocked off the horse by Will, jumping off a roof in his father's armor.
"Finally grew a spine?" she shot at him.
"Repaying a debt," he countered, looking at her meaningfully.
She shook her head, "It won't ever be repaid Will."
He nodded, "I know Rayna."
They both nodded at each other in understanding, whatever issue they had with each other, was put to rest for now as they turned back to fighting.
The battle had been waged for only a few brief minutes and already they could tell the villagers were losing, the bandits were just too strong.
"There's too many of them!" Will called as he and Marayna reached Merlin and Morgana.
Merlin and Marayna looked at each other a moment before nodding, "Not for us there aren't," Merlin breathed, reaching out to take his sister's hand.
"Cume thoden," they whispered, throwing out their hands.
Morgana watched in awe as their eyes flashed and a windstorm was conjured…her eyes widening when she saw Arthur had noticed the strange gusts as well. The wind attacked the bandits, leaving the villagers safe, allowing them the opportunity to start to fight back, to start to win. And suddenly the bandits were fleeing, chased off by the storm as the villagers cheered.
Gwen ran over and hugged Morgana tightly, Hunith rushing to her children to check on them, pride in her eyes as she knew it had been them that conjured the wind.
"Pendragon!" Kanen snarled, stomping towards Arthur, who turned and deftly started to fight and defend himself, until he was able to deal a fatal blow, running the leader of the bandits through.
Arthur barely waited till Kanen had fallen before marching over to his servants, anger and a hint of betrayal evident in his stance and expression, "Who did that?" he demanded.
"What?" Merlin swallowed hard.
"Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen," he looked between them and Will.
Marayna took a breath, "Arthur..."
"Look out!" Will suddenly cried, shoving Arthur out of the way just as the dying Kanen launched an arrow at them from a crossbow, striking Will in the chest before dying.
"Will!" Merlin shouted, rushing to his friends side, they hadn't even noticed…
"You just saved my life," Arthur moved to his side as well.
"Yeah," Will groaned, wincing in pain, "Don't know what I was thinking."
It was a lie. He knew exactly what he was thinking. Arthur wasn't just a prince, but Merlin's friend, Marayna's love…he couldn't let the man die if just for those last two reasons alone. No matter what happened, he DID care for Merlin and Marayna, they were the only family he had left after his father had died, Hunith had always treated him like one of her own, they were as good as siblings in his head, even if he'd crossed a few lines with the both of them.
"Come on!" Arthur called a few men over, "Get him inside!" he, Merlin, and a few men hefted Will up, carrying him as balanced as they could into the nearest home, placing him on a table.
"That's twice I've saved you," Will muttered.
"Twice?" Arthur frowned.
"Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic."
"Will, don't," Merlin shook his head, seeing what Will was going to do.
Arthur gave Merlin a look, almost slightly betrayed that he had known a sorcerer and hadn't said anything. He was trying, very hard really, to try and look at the act of a sorcerer instead of the sorcerer himself, to try and see their intention. But he wanted to KNOW someone was one first, he didn't ever want to find himself around one and be unaware that they could kill him at any moment if they chose. IF they chose, yes, but he wanted to at least be on guard till he knew if they were a decent human being.
"It's alright, Merlin," Will winced, "I won't be alive long enough for anyone to do anything to me," he turned to Arthur, "I did it. I saw how desperate things were becoming and I had to do something."
"You're a sorcerer?" Arthur eyed him.
"Yeah. What are you gonna do? Kill me?" he laughed but started to groan instead.
"No," Arthur shook his head, "Of course not," he looked at Marayna and Merlin, "Do what you can for him."
They nodded and Arthur put his hand on Will's shoulder, offering that single comfort before rushing Morgana and the others out, knowing that, living with Gaius, they would have more knowledge of healing, not knowing that Morgana was a natural healer in terms of magic. Not that Morgana could help, Arthur had seen the wound, it was too deep, too quickly bleeding out, if she healed him now...Arthur would know something else was amiss...
"I was right about him," Will panted, "I told you he was going to get me killed."
"You're not going to die," Merlin insisted.
"You're a good man, Merlin. A great man. And you, Marayna," he winced, looking at her, "You're a beautiful, strong woman. And I'm so sorry," she nodded, blinking back tears, despite what he'd done to her, she didn't wish him dead, "One day," his head lulled to Merlin, "You're going to be servant to a great king and you," he smiled at her, "You'll make the best queen anyone's ever seen. Now you can still make that happen."
"Thanks to you," Merlin whispered.
"This place has been boring without you. It was good to see you both again."
"Yeah, you too."
Will nodded, before gripping their hands, "…I'm scared."
Marayna swallowed hard, "It'll be alright Will," she whispered, reaching out to stroke his hair, "You'll be fine."
Will blinked, starting to smile at how she seemed to have forgiven him, even though he knew, deep down, she hadn't. He'd wounded her too deeply with his prank, he knew but at least he knew she didn't hate him, that...that she still cared.
His eyes drifted closed as his head lulled to the side.
A moment later Marayna pulled Merlin into her arms as he wept for the loss of his dearest friend.
~8~
That night a funeral pyre had been erected for Will, the entire village gathered to honor him.
"I'm sorry," Arthur murmured to Merlin as they stood before the pyre, "I know he was a close friend."
"He still is," Merlin remarked, squeezing Marayna's hand tightly. She knew he'd rather be holding Morgana's, but…with Arthur there, things were more complicated. Neither she nor Arthur knew what exactly their own relationship was like, but until it was defined, until they'd both said what they felt...it couldn't really be defined as a relationship. And both she and Merlin, and Morgana, knew that Arthur wouldn't approve of a noblewoman and a servant. As long as he hadn't expressly said his own affections for HER he could still use the excuse and example of himself not being with a servant. But she knew that her brother and Morgana wouldn't have to wait long at all, because she was going to get Arthur to admit what he felt one way or another and then her brother could be free to be with Morgana around the prince.
"You knew he was a sorcerer, didn't you?" he glanced at his servants, "That's what you were going to tell me?"
Merlin swallowed hard, "Yes. It was."
"You know how dangerous magic is," he stated, more worried with how he hadn't known first, if Will had had darker intentions...it could have been disastrous, "You shouldn't've kept this from me, Merlin nor you Marayna."
Marayna rolled her eyes, "We aren't in Camelot Arthur," she reminded him, "This IS Cendred's kingdom and, while it is not widely accepted, having magic here won't earn you a death sentence. We weren't about to hand him over to your father."
Arthur blinked, startled at the anger in her voice. He would have thought she'd be the least upset over Will's death, but…thinking on it. She did have a point. This was not his kingdom, this was not his village, they were not his people, they were Merlin and Marayna's. This was their past, their heart, he could not ask them to betray a friend, to betray anyone like that. He'd seen how loyal and protective these people were of each other. He gave them a nod and walked over to Morgana and Gwen.
"You better be going," Hunith remarked from beside Marayna, smiling at her daughter. She never would have ever found it acceptable how she spoke to the prince if she'd not heard Merlin and Arthur speaking of how Marayna normally talked back to him.
"We don't have to go mum," Marayna turned to her, putting an arm around her.
"Yes, you do."
"If anything were to happen to you…" Merlin shook his head.
"I know where to find you," she cut in, "You have to go. You two belong at Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you. How much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin," she sighed, "And you sweetheart," she smiled at Marayna, "Those boys would be lost without you."
Merlin smiled, "We've heard someone say that about us before."
Marayna nodded but hugged her mother, "We're going to miss you so much," Merlin nodded, joining in the hug.
"I'm going to miss you, too," Hunith told them, "When you left, you were just children. Now look at you," she pulled back and smiled at them, "I'm so proud of you. And, when the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then, you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone."
They nodded, giving her one more hug before making their way over to their friends as they sat, ready, upon their horses.
A/N: What happened to Marayna when the horse spooked her? She can't just be mad at Will for a broken bone or two...can she? Believe me, there is MUCH more to what happened then than we'll find out here. But I won't say when we'll find out }:)
SO sorry that this chapter is late :( FF was glitching for me all morning and I've been checking to log on every 10 minutes since I normally post and it JUST started working. It wouldn't let me log on to update, but I made it! Woo! I hope you liked the chapter. Sorry it was late! :(
Some notes on reviews...
I'm an accounting assistant at a financial consulting firm :( And no worries, not impolite to me :) I just hate my job lol :)
Aww thanks :) I think I just get so excited about the chapters that I try to update as often as I can :)
Yup, 1 week, and then we get Series 2 ;)
My 4th Time Lady series will be out on February 28th, a couple days after my Kirk/OC story ends :) I'm glad you're excited for it ^-^
I was debating what Arthur should give her, and I just kept coming back to something small and something that would take him all day to work out what to get lol :) It definitely took him a while to find it :)
It wasn't that Merlin was older by a 'few' months, it was that he was months older than her. And that's in the literal sense, he's not 1 year or more older than her, he's like 11 months (and maybe a week or so) older, so technically not a year but still months :) Sorry for the confusion :) It's sort of like with actual twins where one's a few minutes early and never let's the other forget it, Marayna tries to play off the age gap as being literal months instead of a year, (a few months) so that she doesn't have to say he's a year older than her to lord over her. For Merlin, he plays along and just generalizes that he was born and then so shortly after Marayna was conceived and born before he was a year old :)
Not paranoid at all, I kept refreshing the logon page ever 10 minutes :)