Tonight, the watcher is not in Camelot. Something has changed. The threads of destiny have shifted; a new pattern is being woven into the tapestry of the future. The shimmer of the vision flickers ominously. The images surge like an army at the enemy's gate and the watcher is pushed forward, unable to resist the tide of premonition.
A golden-haired figure exits from a garishly red tent. It is definitely not inconspicuous with the forest surroundings. Who else but Arthur would call attention to himself in these woods? The watcher scoffs in derision. From the conversation, the watcher surmises that King Bayard's son, the Crown Prince Cedryck, is to marry a Nadorian Princess and the Camelot troops are escorting Arthur and his adviser to attend the celebrations.
There is a flurry of activity as the party is greeted amongst a host of kingdoms. Banners fluttered in the hall with all the colours of the rainbow. The wedding celebration is full of pomp as begets two royal kingdoms uniting their futures together. The Camelot parties unpack without a remarkable incident. The watcher waits patiently, apprehensively.
Suspicion. Danger. Death? The watchers sees a body. Red. Blood? A cape?
A goblet of red wine. An attempt on Merlin's life. The watcher observes indifferently. Merlin is powerful. The watcher feels certain that Merlin is not the target and strains to see more. What will happen next? Will King Arthur be safe? Knowledge is vital. The images are blurry but the watcher presses onwards.
The celebrations end and Bayard thanks Arthur personally. Merlin is by his side. The watcher's breath is baited, awaiting treachery but it does not come. Relief.
Happiness. Contentment. Arthur and Merlin. Love. The watcher cannot turn away. Is it over? No. The watcher must see this to the end.
A flash of metal. A knife in the dark? No, an arrow of some sort perhaps? It is only when it emerges from its hiding place, when it's too late that the watcher is able to identify the lance as it gracefully executed its trajectory, glowing a soft blue hue. Arthur. It speeds through the clearing, racing towards Arthur's heart. It rips through Merlin's protective shield, dissolving it in golden shards. The King has a surprised look on his face before he falls to his knees, hands grappling with the shaft buried in him. The blue light envelops his body and an ear-splitting noise assaults the party. It's Arthur, shrieking in agony as he is burned alive, skewered through like a boar on a spit. His hand reaches out to Merlin, pleading but the warlock cannot break the torturous black magic despite him throwing numerous bright yellow orbs at it. Everyone who tries to interfere with the spell only has it rebound upon them. There are two knights dead on the forest floor. In a burst of desperation, Merlin sends a concentrated crackle of energy at Arthur. It merely bounces harmlessly from the incandescent blue flames back towards him and the warlock has to use all his remaining power to keep it from killing himself. The watcher is rooted to the spot as Merlin rips every ounce of magic from the elements around him to try to save his lover.
Arthur's suffering is prolonged magically, his heart no longer beats and the lance has vanished but he feels the fire burning him, taking his body apart atom by atom. Even when all that is left of Arthur is a mess of ashes and molten metal, the watcher can still hear him screaming, crying, pleading to be delivered from this Hell.
*
Morgana no longer wakes up screaming. She has seen Arthur die before her eyes many times as a prince but this is the first time she has seen him die as a King. The first time she has seen Merlin fail to rescue Arthur. She takes a deep breath as she loosens the sleeping gown sticking to her, the sweat cooling on her body. The window is wide open and she is cold.
It is the darkest time of the night yet and Lady Morgana is awake. She lies in bed and pulls the sheets up as if the warmth could cover her night terrors, wishing she was not alone. When Arthur dies again the next night she knows for certain that Arthur will die. She has seen it.
Morgana is at a loss as to what to do. She would seek out Merlin but already knows that he fails to protect Arthur. Who else can she go to? She decides to wait until Gwen arrives in the morning, surely Arthur will not run out of Camelot for at least another day.
Gwen arrives with breakfast mid-morning, setting it on the table with practiced effortlessness. Years have not changed her much, except she is wearing a dark purple pinafore over her white underdress instead of her usual bright colours.
"Have you eaten, Gwen?"
"No, not yet, my lady."
"Well join me," Morgana pulls out a chair for Gwen so they could eat together. "I insist. Plus you know that there is more than enough for me."
Gwen bows. "If you wish, my lady."
"I do." Morgana playfully wipes a smudge of soot away from her neck. Her servant flushes self-consciously, wiping her hands in her pinafore.
"I'm sorry, my lady, I was just checking up on the weapons this morning so-"
"Oh don't worry Gwen. I've had you for years," Morgana says with a fond smile. "I'm not going to care if you have a bit of dirt on you. It's not going to kill me. Are you enjoying your time at the 'smith?"
"Yes. It's really fun. Thank you for letting me take the job."
"Nonsense, Gwen. Even Arthur can see that you're good with forging. I'm glad you can help the Royal Blacksmith. He speaks highly of you."
"My lady is too kind. I regret that it's not something a lady's handmaiden should be seen doing," Gwen admits.
"Yeah well I doubt that your job will cause a stir in the court. I'm sure if people are going to gossip about anyone, it'll be Arthur's love life. You know they all want to know about how he's going to have his heir," Morgana laughs lightly, giving Gwen a mischievous nudge with her elbow.
Gwen simply says, "Arthur is a good king."
"Yes, he is," Morgana agrees solemnly. She picks at her fruit delicately, offering some to Gwen.
"Gwen?"
"My lady?" Gwen said, holding the grape without eating it.
"How many times do I have to ask you to call me Morgana?"
"A few thousand, my lady?" Gwen said ducking her head. It is a habit ingrained in her and this conversation is comfortingly familiar.
Morgana smiles at the ease of their chatter despite the differences between them. "I had a bad dream. It was one of those dreams."
"Do you need me to fetch Merlin for you?" Gwen eases on the formalities a little, sensing that Morgana needs her as a friend right now.
"I don't know what to do Gwen. I saw a magical spear or lance of some sort shatter Merlin's magic shield. I saw...I saw Arthur die again."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"What should I do Gwen? I know Arthur wouldn't take this seriously. I don't know who to go to."
"Perhaps you should tell Merlin?"
"But what if even Merlin isn't enough to save Arthur?"
"Don't worry, my Lady. Let Merlin worry about that. If it's anything, you know he'd do anything to protect Arthur's life," Gwen said reassuringly, though a look of concern crosses her face and her hand unconsciously drops to her stomach.
*
Morgana approaches Merlin calmly with the aloofness and authority of royal upbringing. She is no longer the young maid that was hysterical, rushing in front of Arthur's knight to hold onto her brother's arm, begging him not to go out on his suicidal mission. Then, she had been as good as gagged by Uther's ban on magic and she could not say how she had known what was yet to come to pass.
It's different now. She lifts her chin up and says coldly, "Merlin, I wish to speak with you."
Merlin smiles congenially though Morgana feels that he is mocking her. "What can I do for you, my Lady Morgana?"
"I saw him die." She does not have to say who died or how. Had circumstances been different, perhaps she could be more grateful that she does not need to explain to the Court Mage about magical gifts and their cursed side-effects.
She notices that he stiffens slightly and fully turns to face her. Yes, she has his attention now. He would never make light of his lover's death nor does he underestimate her power as a Seer. It has been a long time since she has been more powerful than he is and she smiles a little at it but she does not prolong his waiting. The warlock is shimmering ever so slightly with the thrum of magic.
"Arthur is to be invited to a celebration between Bayard's and Urien's kingdoms as their progenies wed. You will have no trouble getting to Mercia. At the celebration, there is a possible attempt on your life-"
Merlin waves it away, unconcerned. "Arthur?" he presses with urgency, tension marring his features.
Morgana rolls her eyes. "You survive, just in case you want to know." She hurries on. "I don't know when but both of you definitely make it out of the celebrations safely. It is on the way back to Camelot that Arthur is attacked. I didn't see who did it but it's someone who knows magic. It's something like a lance or a spear with blue fire."
Merlin is concentrating intensely and he gives the tiniest of nods.
She gives him a questioning glance.
"I am familiar with that spell," he explains.
She braces herself, steadying her voice for the next part even through she is a little reassured by Merlin's admission. "It goes through your magical shield and Arthur's heart. But he doesn't die. The magic sustains his life as it drains it away slowly. The spear vanishes." She cannot deny it gives her some pleasure to tell Merlin that he is not all powerful, to take him down a notch but she would never gamble with Arthur's life. She ends it there because she doesn't want to recall the way she heard him scream, his hair drenched with sweat, crying what looks like blood.
He senses her reluctance, anguish written in his eyes. He brings his fist to his mouth and she sees the old Merlin, the manservant to the Prince, uncertain of himself. "You are sure it goes through my shield?"
Normally she would jibe him for his arrogance but she can tell that the warlock is troubled. "Yes. The shield disperses with golden cracks."
The way he pales makes her realise that she must have given the correct answer.
"If I may, my Lady...may I see?" Merlin asks hesitantly. "Please," he adds. He needs to see for himself. He needs to know. He can feel the power crackling at his finger tips and he urges himself to hold on but he knew that if she refused he would-
She pauses but only a beat after she agreed. This is not for Merlin but for Arthur. Biting her lip, she consents, "Alright."
The warlock stretches his hand towards her face and she has to use all her royal training to keep from flinching.
Then she lowers her mental shields and he is there with her inside her mind. She closes her eyes but she cannot stop the images being summoned to the forefront of her mind. She has to watch him die that slow death again. She knows what it must feel like to want to kill someone you love to end their pain. Each moment alive is another moment of torture. If Morgana has to keep watching the memory, she thinks she might be driven to kill Arthur herself.
She gives him what he wants even though she is not sure he deserves it. "Take it." There is no point in hiding it now; her face is wet with tears. It only hurts a little and then it is gone. But it does not relieve her much. She knows that if it is to come to pass, it will haunt her again.
"Thank you, my Lady. Morgana," Merlin says gratefully.
She doesn't have to ask really but she wants to hear him say it. If it is anyone that is powerful, it is Merlin. "You have to save him. He still has so much to do. You must do everything in your power to save him. Promise me."
Merlin does not think that Morgana knows what she is truly asking but he promises anyway. With a soft glow of his eyes, her headache is lifted from her and he bows to her like he used to before leaving.
*
The alliance between the two kingdoms had been tenuous ever since The Poisoned Chalice Incident even though it had been years since it happened. King Arthur thought it best if he attended as a gesture of faith between them. While Bayard had mostly given up his grudge, Arthur could understand if this was a test of Camelot's accessibility as an ally.
"I will go with half a dozen knights and Merlin. Will that alleviate your concerns, Lord Reading?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. I am merely concerned for your safety."
"Duly appreciated, Lord Reading. Now, any other objections? No? Good. Lancelot will be in charge of the knights as usual and the Lady Morgana can take of the diplomatic matters. Merlin's apprentice, Mordred, will be the Court Magician and Physician for the time being. Alright, Court dismissed for the day."
*
"Where were you?"
Merlin looks up from his thick tome as he sits reading cross-legged on the bed. "I was speaking with Lady Morgana."
Joining his lover on the bed, Arthur raised his brows. "Is she alright? I named her my replacement."
"She will be, it's alright." Merlin changed the topic before Arthur could ask what they spoke of. "So what happened in Court today?"
"Well we spent most of the afternoon determining tariffs with Genovia. Then in the afternoon a messenger arrived from Mercia with a wedding invitation so we're going to have to go."
Merlin's heart stopped and dropped to his stomach. He felt like the Questing beast had bit Arthur all over again. "What?"
"I know you hate these things but I promise it won't be that bad. It's just a wedding. Bayard's son is to wed that's all. I want to keep the peace between us so I'll go. I need to know if they are going to band up together to rise against Camelot. Plus we should keep an eye on the diplomatic matters, they could get ugly fast. We need to be prepared."
"I doubt it. I don't think you should go. Bayard's son is Crown Prince but he's marrying Urien's daughter. Both current rulers are still in good health therefore, if nothing goes wrong, we should still have some time before they ascend to power."
"I suppose but you know that Bayard could appoint him as King before...wait, wait...how did you know Cedryck is marrying Urien's daughter?"
"Magic remember?" Merlin grins, teasing his lover. His wide smile has the intended effect, dazzling Arthur.
Arthur narrows his eyes suspiciously but lets it go. "Why don't you want me to go?"
"I just don't think it's a good idea. Who are you taking? Maybe we should send a representative. You should stay. You haven't even been on the throne for two months."
"Half a dozen will do, don't you think? I have you anyway," Arthur answers confidently. "I have to be there in person or Bayard will see that as an insult. It's a diplomatic thing. You wouldn't understand."
"Maybe I do and I just think protecting you is more important."
"Merlin," Arthur began in a softer tone, reaching out to the brunet. "You can't-"
"Fine," Merlin cuts in. "Take a dozen knights. Maybe I should take Mordred with me too."
"There is something you're not telling me." Arthur folds his arms, setting his jaw stubbornly in that way that exudes 'I'm the King so you must obey me'. It has never worked with Merlin. "Tell me."
Merlin snaps the book shut, exhaling heavily. "I have reason to believe that you are being lead into a trap by either Bayard or Urien or both. Who knows. Is that enough reason for you?"
Arthur seems relieved. "Well that's nothing new. You're upset about a death threat?"
"Maybe you should be upset. You might die Arthur!" Merlin said. Arthur's nonchalance agitated him.
Arthur is nonplussed. "Why should I be? I have you remember? Plus, I'm hurt you have so little faith in my abilities." At Merlin's stern look he said, "Look I'll be careful okay? But if I let every death threat worry me, I'd never get anything done. I have a duty to my people."
Merlin wanted to say it wasn't any death threat but, "I still think you shouldn't go. You are important to this kingdom." And to me.
"Is this Merlin the advisor or Merlin my lover?" Arthur challenges.
"Depends if it's Arthur the King or Arthur the Prat I'm in love with?" Merlin shot back.
There was a tense moment. Arthur knew it wouldn't do any good to order Merlin but he was tempted to. Arthur still isn't used to being refused anything by anyone. Merlin truly is something different. Arthur thinks that Merlin must be good for him because then at least he will never expect anything to be easier – even in the most personal parts of his life. Arthur thinks his father might have appreciated the irony of this.
"As I was saying, I don't think you should go but if you do, take a dozen."
"We can't afford to leave the Kingdom so unguarded. That might be the chance they are waiting for. Whoever 'they' are."
"Or they might just be waiting for the chance to get rid of you," Merlin couldn't help adding. "Take Lancelot and Mordred," the warlock said in a commanding, Uther-like tone. Arthur would have been amused if they weren't arguing.
"Alright. I'll take Lancelot and Mordred. But then who will take their place?"
"Mordred's guardian knows enough about healing and magic to take my place instead of Mordred and Galehaut can take Lancelot's place," Merlin replies, thinking quickly.
Arthur could not find fault with his lover's choices but he gives Merlin a pointed look. "You promised that you wouldn't keep anything from me. You wouldn't lie to me would you?"
"Of course not," Merlin lies smoothly. If it was to protect you, yes. But he knew Arthur would not understand. It is for Arthur's own good. "Trust me, I'm a terrible liar remember?" Merlin says convincingly, leaning in for a kiss.
Arthur wants the lie more than the truth. If he were to think deeply then he would remember that Merlin is actually a terribly good liar. His lover managed to keep his magic a secret from him and if he had not seen him before his own eyes that one time, he would have never believed it. Still, he meets Merlin's soft, inviting lips with his own. He doesn't question when Merlin leaves him alone for the night, lugging the enormous book with him.
To be continued: All criticism welcome.