Evermore
Chapter 6: The Truth Never Lies
Characters~ Arthur & Merlin
Disclaimer~ Yeah—don't own Merlin in any way, shape, or form. (Arthur does XD)
Warnings~ young prince!Arthur and young poor!Merlin, some OOC because they're kids, and fluffy slash/boys' love ~wO
Music on My Mind~ Breakeven by The Script (don't own)
Notes from the KIT-chan~
Quick note that the whole fic itself is based on a true story that happened in real life (but between two girls, not guys), though a lot of things were altered for Merlin and Arthur and some scenes were elongated. I'm not a copycat or anything like that. ^^"; However, I have to say that a few of the events in this chapter will actually parallel with some from the original story.
So...yeah—here the undying friendship between the two will be put to the ultimate test, beginning with this chapter...
Enjoy~ ;D
.::.*~K. Shadow~*.::.
~o~
That same night early on into the next day, Merlin had not once stopped thinking about the yelling he'd unintentionally overheard in Arthur's house back into the previous night.
Even when he'd tried to think of other things, the same words had always managed to sneak back into his mind again after a while and caused him to worry about an unknown truth that his best friend could or could not have known about at that point.
"Don't you give me that...!" the voice echoed once more in his head.
In that instant, a mental image of the King's silhouette began to make itself visible in the corners of Merlin's mind, and the raven vigorously shook his head, as if the picture would disappear as soon as he did.
However, it continued to stay where it was, and eventually the raven had given up, opening his eyes to stare down into the riverbank and to watch his faint reflection ripple in the dark waters below.
He sucked in a gulp of air for a moment, his eyes widening briefly as he peered into the river. Then he sighed and swallowed deep, putting one of his hands to his forehead.
That instant, before he'd closed his eyes again, he'd heard carefree laughter emanating not more than a mere few feet away from him, a bit farther along the riverbank where an old log lay fallen across the long and winding stream that ran along the new route the two of them had decided to take home, which Arthur had been standing on that moment as he continued to cross over to the other side.
The rare but genuine smile on his face at that point had been so much more than precious to Merlin that instant, as he couldn't help but chuckle at the blonde as he walked along the worn-out tree trunk below him.
If only that light-hearted atmosphere both were basking in that moment could possibly remain forever in the strong and binding friendship the two of them very much had to that day...but even the young warlock himself had begun to doubt after predicting the fearful consequences that could possibly arise should the unknown secret he was keeping finally come to the prince's attention.
And it was not only the fact that he had possibly heard his mother and father having a row with each other that previous night in their bedroom up on the second floor of his house...but how he may have been able to hear them when he had been far across from the street, and their window had been closed shut at the time.
If he could finally be able to tell the young prince the full truth about what he'd been concealing since that night after the festival...would he even come to believe the words that he would say?
At that moment, the prince laughed again, and the raven looked up once more with the slightest bit of apprehension on his face.
After all, it didn't even look like Arthur had even heard anything out of the ordinary that night...
But then on another note, how would he react if he did find out the true nature of his very existence? Would he still accept him for who he was as a person? What if Arthur got mad at him instead and didn't believe him, or want to be his friend anymore?
...what would Merlin do then?
The numerous questions that had been filling the raven's head had almost been impossible for him to bear at that point, but he continued to carry the burden anyway, slowly getting up to his feet, his countenance tense and apprehensive.
Though that had not been until the very moment where he'd heard the prince himself call his name from afar and looked up immediately to see that he had already made it the other side of the river, waving his hands in his direction and gesturing towards the fallen log.
"Come on, Merlin!" Arthur cried, beaming at him from across.
In that instant, the young warlock pursed his lips inquisitively, then lowered his eyes down to the old tree trunk before him, his expression hesitant as he noticed the dark waters just below the latter.
"What are you waiting for?"
It wasn't until after a while that he had brought himself to meet the blonde's gaze again and opened his mouth to speak in protest.
"I don't think this is such a good idea," Merlin responded in a reluctant voice, shifting his gaze down to the river and back at his best friend. "Can't we take the usual path instead?"
At this, the blonde had frowned with perplexity and darted his eyes over to the log lying between them.
"What are you talking about, Merlin?" he replied, raising an eyebrow as he looked at him. "It's faster this way, and it's only a few steps across. There's absolutely no problem in saying that. Come on!"
At that moment, the raven gulped before tentatively stepping forward onto the log, just barely maintaining his balance as he wobbled on top of the old tree trunk under him. Soon enough, he could see the dark depths of the river below, and already his stomach had begun to churn.
"But I'm—" the nine-year-old started to speak.
Scared... he thought to himself miserably. I can't swim that.He closed his eyes that instant, taking a deep breath.
Oh, boy...
"It's not that bad!" Arthur called back in response, waving to his best friend with encouragement. "Trust me."
At that moment, Merlin held his breath and opened his eyes to meet the blonde's gaze. "Trust you?" he answered dubiously, glancing down at the river. "Over this? What if I fall?"
The prince let out a sigh, slowly shaking his head at the raven. "You won't—I promise. Just don't look down."
That instant, the young warlock swallowed hard, then reluctantly took another step forward so that he was now at the very middle of the log.
"That's it!" Arthur exclaimed supportively as his best friend raised his head to look at him with hesitant eyes.
But when Merlin took the next step, the tree trunk had shaken a little, causing him to wobble along with it. At that, the raven's eyes widened, and immediately, he froze where he was, his mouth gaping as he stared down into the dark depths below him.
"I can't," he cried fearfully, shrinking back and closing his eyes that instant. "I can't do it, Arthur!"
There was a brief pause after that.
"...you really are scared, aren't you?"
Silence.
Then the young warlock cringed slightly, shuddering as he slowly brought himself to meet the other's gaze once more, the blonde's eyes as wide as his, almost guilty that moment.
"Yes," he replied unwaveringly, still staring at the prince with a terrified expression. "I don't know how to swim."
At this, Arthur gulped and nodded, lowering his eyes for a minute.
Merlin looked away as well.
But then he held his breath again when he saw a fair hand outstretched in front of him and looked up to see the prince standing just before him.
"Grab my hand," the blonde spoke evenly, shifting over a bit closer towards his best friend. "It's alright."
In response, the raven swallowed, slowly bringing his hand up to grasp the other's open palm.
Arthur exhaled sharply as the two of them stood together, then carefully pulled Merlin close and pursed his lips.
"Now close your eyes," the prince had breathed, taking his friend's left arm over his shoulders. "And don't open them until I tell you to."
The young warlock nodded once, instantly following the Pendragon's orders.
Then Arthur warily made the first move forward, step-by-step leading Merlin across the fallen log until finally the two of them had reached the end, and the blonde advanced off the old tree trunk, still holding the other's hand.
"All right," the prince had sighed before looking up at the raven. "We're across. Jump."
At this, Merlin hesitated a little, his expression timid and reluctant. But that hadn't been until Arthur gave his hand a slight squeeze and spoke to him again.
"It's okay. Merlin, I'm right here—I've got you."
In that instant, the nine-year-old took a deep breath, then took a step back before he wholeheartedly threw himself forward, only to be caught by two arms before sinking down onto solid ground.
As soon the raven had opened his eyes, he'd been surprised to find himself safe on the other side of the river that he'd feared so much and slowly looked up to see his best friend still holding him in a protective manner, the two of them sitting down on the tall grass in front of the fallen log.
"For heaven's sake, Merlin," Arthur panted, shifting his gaze down at the young warlock. "Next time just say so. You know I'll always listen to you."
At that moment, Merlin held his breath, his eyes widening as he met the prince's reassuring stare.
"Really...?" he murmured softly, gazing into his sapphire blue eyes.
"Of course!" the latter exclaimed, playfully prodding him on the shoulder.
At this, the raven's eyes had widened. "Arthur...I—"
The blonde had laughed at his friend that instant, briefly turning away from him. "After all, how couldn't I listen to you, Merlin? Even if I did try my hardest, I swear I still wouldn't be able to ignore you once."
Merlin swallowed, lowering his eyes and nodding once, a small smile forming on his soft lips. "Huh...is that so..."
In response, the prince couldn't help but grin back, standing up next to the young warlock with his hand on the other's shoulder. "Now come on—we have to get going. I'm not sure about your mum, but my father told me he'd be quite irritable if I got home late again..."
With that, he helped the raven up on his feet, then proceeded to walk past the bushes along the path in front of them.
For a moment, Merlin had stayed behind to watch his best friend's back with warm eyes, contemplating carefully in the back of his mind.
Get yourself together, Merlin...you've known him for almost a month already.
He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, raising his head to look up at the orange sapphire sky.
Who knows? Maybe he won't get mad at you after all.
In that instant, the young warlock chuckled softly to himself, taking a step forward to follow after Arthur until he was just a foot behind the blonde himself.
But then again...I can't be sure.
At that point, Merlin had glanced up to look at the prince's face, now serious and deep in thought.
At this, the raven frowned a little, lowering his eyes for just a second, his expression almost sombre. He took a deep breath.
I still might just be hearing things...
He raised his head slightly, darting his eyes back towards the slowly sinking sun in the horizon. Then he shifted his gaze again to meet Arthur's impassive stare.
...when the time comes, the young warlock thought to himself that instant as he walked alongside the Prince of Wales. I guess I can tell him the truth then.
With that, he continued to walk beside his best friend, who'd finally glanced over to meet his gaze with a genuine smile.
In response, Merlin had pursed his lips, then beamed at him in return.
However...it was quite a shame that the young warlock had not been able to foresee the occurrences that would arise over the next few days.
~o~
Unfortunately for Merlin as the week went on, each night would worsen continuously, the arguing from that same window growing louder and louder every day. And to add to that, the silhouettes that he'd eventually come to know so well began to appear in his dreams as well, preventing him from getting any sleep that he'd needed so much.
Most of all, however...Arthur still had no idea what was going on each of the nights where his best friend had often found himself apprehensive and restless.
As a result, the burden that the young warlock had continued to carry for so long only got heavier and heavier for him.
That is...until finally, when the inconvenient truth had ultimately appeared—right before the raven's eyes.
~o~
It was morning when Merlin had gone to Arthur's house again, after being invited again to yet another play date from the prince and the Duchess of Edinburgh herself.
Without question, the servant had let him in that dawn after he'd rung the doorbell once, greeting him kindly by saying that His Highness had been outside in the backyard presently, preparing new toys he'd taken out for them to play with later.
And the raven, polite as he had always been, gratefully thanked the man for the new information and went on to proceed to the back door of the mansion with an eager expression on his face.
However, just as he had been no more than a corner's turn away from the open threshold itself, a strident shout had broken the atmosphere around him, causing him to stop right where he was that moment.
In that instant, Merlin had paused in his tracks before he'd suddenly begun to hear two strangely familiar voices that seemed to be emanating from the kitchen nearby, and carefully crept over to peer inside as he overheard the hot-blooded conversation that they'd been having.
Only then did he finally see the truth behind all that he'd been hearing for the past few days as he glanced into the threshold of the room...
When the King and Queen of England themselves were standing in each other's midst at that very moment...painfully gazing at one another in a volatile, almost choking standstill.
That instant, the young warlock's breath had stilled as he let out a small gasp. His eyes had widened tenfold as he heard the words that had begun to resound in the room before him.
~o~
"You're seeing someone else, aren't you?"
Arthur's mother.
"No!"
"Tell me the truth!"
There was a pause after that.
"Good heavens, Ygraine! For the umpteenth time, I am most certainly not seeing anyone other than you!"
A moment of silence.
"All right—then tell me. Who was that woman on the phone I've been hearing you speak to for the past few nights?"
A temporary halt.
"Catrina? Oh, Uther—don't you dare think you can fool me. Does she ring a bell to you?"
No response.
"Answer me!" Mrs. Pendragon cried.
Another pause.
"...she's no one," Uther replied softly. "Just an old friend from long before—"
"You're lying!" the Queen wailed. "You're lying to me again, I know it! Just stop!" At that point, her cheeks were flushed and stained with wet tears falling from her eyes.
"I'm sick and tired of having to fight with you over and over again about this one issue that you can't even be honest with me with...sick of it!"
Merlin sucked in a gulp of air at that moment, a lump beginning to form in his throat. Oh no...
Arthur's father was holding her close that instant, stroking her hair back in the hopes of reassuring his distraught wife. But his eyes were pained, and the raven could see that for himself.
Ygraine let out a sob, clutching her husband's shoulder that moment. Then she took a deep breath and brought her face close to his chest.
"Don't lie to me—I know you've been seeing her more than a lot lately...so just tell me what she wants already. I beg of you, damn it, to tell me the truth right now while I'm still standing here by your side."
At that moment, Merlin saw a tear fall from the King's cheek and listened to the latter's response as he closed his eyes to speak back.
"All right. All right, Ygraine," Uther had murmured in response. He paused for a second to swallow, then went on to continue in a hoarse, hushed voice. "I'll tell you. Just...please—calm down."
"I...have been seeing her. But I promise you that she is no more than a peasant woman that used to work in the royal household a few years before you came into my life," he breathed. "We used to be close friends back then and...well, she's been quite in debt lately—"
"You have a child with her, don't you?" the Queen cut in quietly. "That's why you've been giving her money all this time..." she began to gasp.
Immediately, the room became dead silent.
"Oh, all these years...I've known you all too well, love. All too well..."
In that instant, Merlin's eyes widened as she abruptly pulled away the King, her eyes pained and deep with anguish.
At that, Uther had held his breath, reaching his arm out for her in response. "Ygraine...I'm so sorry, I—"
But the Queen only raised a hand and turned away from him. "Uther..." she began to weep at that point, more tears streaming down her cheeks. "How could you keep this from me for so long! How could you do this...to me? To Arthur, of all people? Do you even know how many times I've had to lie to our own son just to cover up for your faults?"
"Ygraine, I didn't mean to..." At that moment, the King winced painfully at her words and stepped forward to reach for her again like a child, only to have her back away from him even more. "Please...forgive me..."
"Don't touch me! That's enough," Arthur's mother sniffled, glaring into her spouse's eyes. "I've heard all that there is to hear."
Uther was silent that instant, gazing agonizingly at her from a distance.
And then, after a brief pause, Ygraine had finally turned her back to him, wiping her eyes. "If you really were going to hurt me this much in the end," she sobbed, pointing directly to her bosom that instant. "...why didn't you just kill me instead?" she wept coldly, stepping forward to leave the room.
"Ygraine!" the King cried, swiftly moving to follow after her.
That moment, Merlin gulped, immediately backing away from the kitchen threshold in horror as if he'd just experienced bloody murder.
He put his hands on his forehead, his eyes wide and mouth gaping as he slowly sank to the floor in shock.
So...he had been right all along, for it had most definitely been the King and Queen he'd been hearing for the past few nights of quarrelling...
But...who would have known that it would come down to something like this? And to think that Arthur alone knew nothing of it to this point...what was Merlin to do now?
After a while, the raven exhaled sharply, reluctantly getting up on his feet as he leaned onto the wall for support before he'd found himself walking out the back door as if he'd been in a trance of some sort.
~o~
It wasn't long before the prince himself had finally appeared before him with his camouflage pilot hat on, riding what had seemed to be a small Power Wheels Jeep with two extra back seats.
He'd smiled instantly upon seeing the raven before finally "killing the engine" and pulling over to greet him in the hopes of starting the fun-filled play date they'd both been excited to have since they day before.
"Merlin! There you are!" Arthur exclaimed as he got out of the driver's seat to meet his best friend. "Are you ready to start playing now? Everything's here—sorry it took me so long," he finished, briefly turning to glance at his newest toy to share.
But when he shifted his gaze back to look at the young raven again, his face had grown serious in an instant when he'd noticed the other's face so tense and rigid.
Merlin's eyes had still been wide at that point, and his hands had been shaking at his sides.
At that moment, Arthur's expression became solemn as he warily observed the present condition of his best friend, who really hadn't looked like himself at all.
"Hey...what's wrong?" he murmured softly, glancing down to meet the other's gaze.
In that instant, the young warlock stiffened as he felt the blonde's stare and immediately looked away from him, his arms hugging his own shoulders.
"Arthur, I..." he gasped, clutching himself desperately. "I can't—"
What should I tell him now? Merlin thought anxiously to himself. I can't tell him the truth...
For a minute, he'd closed his eyes, trying helplessly to compose himself in front of his best friend. But unfortunately, his body only continued to tremble, and within seconds, Arthur was holding him close, calming him down as much as he could.
"It's okay..." the blonde breathed, reassuringly placing his hand on the other's back. "I'm here. Just tell me, and I'll listen..."
In that instant, the raven held his breath, swallowing deep before he finally looked up to meet the prince's concerned gaze.
With that, his hands had stopped shaking, and after a moment's silence, he'd calmly backed away from the latter, his eyes solemn and intent.
But he has to know, the thought echoed in the back of Merlin's mind. I can't hide all this from him forever...and neither can his mum and dad.
At that moment, the young warlock closed his eyes and let out a small sigh.
Even if it hurts me or him...he has to know now before it's too late.
With that, the truth slowly began to come out of Merlin's mouth, little-by-little, and during the whole time, Arthur had listened quietly.
~o~
When the raven had finished, he'd hesitantly opened his eyes and glanced up to look at his best friend again, only to find his countenance blank and collected, as if what he'd said meant absolutely nothing to him.
At this, Merlin's face grew concerned, and immediately, he'd opened his mouth to speak more to the blonde.
"Arthur..." he began, wincing.
But as soon as the prince had opened his, the young warlock had realised in an instant that he had been doing no more than pushing the sad reality away from his mind, incredulous to it as Merlin himself had been when he had first seen the truth himself.
"No," the blonde replied evenly, shaking his head at the raven in disbelief. "That can't be them. You're kidding—Mother and Father wouldn't yell at each other like that, and Father certainly couldn't be seeing anyone else other than Mother...he wouldn't dare."
In response, Merlin had gulped, staring worriedly into the other's eyes. "But Arthur...I did. There's no mistaking it."
But this time, the prince's hands had begun to shake, as did his voice at that moment. "That's not true," he answered firmly, clenching his teeth that instant. "I refuse to listen to any more of this. Come on—let's just play now," he finished, changing the subject.
However, the young warlock's eyes had only softened, and instinctively, he'd reached over to place his hand on the other's shoulder. "I'm sorry," Merlin spoke softly, wincing as he met his friend's pained gaze. "But I really can't let this go, Arthur—it's true. It really was your mum and dad I heard quarrelling with one another back there. And I know this'll sound weird, but I've been hearing them for quite a long time now ever since—"
"No, you didn't!" Arthur yelled back, distraught and angry at that point. "You didn't hear them!" he shouted, immediately backing away from the raven. "You're lying! Father would never do anything like that to us! Ever!"
At that moment, Merlin's eyes widened, afraid by the other's sudden change of heart. "But I..." he murmured, a lump forming in the middle of his throat.
Instantly, the prince vigorously shook his head and put his hands over his ears. "Shut up! Just shut up!" he cried, pushing the raven away.
At that, Merlin winced, hopelessly staring at the troubled blonde before him. "Arthur..."
But the latter wouldn't listen. "That's enough!" he yelled, glaring intently at him that instant.
Arthur took a deep breath, advancing towards the raven in rage. "How could you possibly know anything about this anyway! You wouldn't! You're just jealous because you don't even have a father to begin with! You don't understand a thing!"
At that moment, Merlin bit his lip, the prince's harsh words cutting deep into his heart.
But before he could say anything more...
"Just go away and leave me alone! I never want to see you again!" the blonde had shouted. Then he quickly turned to run back inside and slammed the door behind him.
Soon, all became quiet, and the young warlock stood outside alone as rain began to pour from the sky, hiding the tears that slowly began to roll down his pale cheeks.
~o~
That afternoon, Merlin had gone home and walked straight up to his room, shutting the door behind him. And he had stayed there for the rest of the day, ignoring his siblings when they knocked and their calls of concern when he simply wouldn't answer.
All the raven had done that evening was just lie there on his bed, thinking desolately to himself of the few remaining reasons why he had still continued to exist today at this point.
He hid his head under a pillow, clenching his teeth as he tried to stop the bitter tears that continued to stream down his face.
At that moment, the young warlock let out a stifled sob, then sucked in a gulp of air before he'd finally found himself drift off into a deep sleep.
~o~
(Pendragon Manor)
"...you really shouldn't have yelled at him like that," Morgana spoke evenly as she combed her doll's hair on the prince's bed. "He was only trying to help. You know he'd never lie to any of us."
At that moment, Arthur rolled over on his side on the floor and didn't say a word. He'd been curled up on his carpet for almost an hour now, still intently staring at the wall of his room.
"Besides, I can even trust him a lot more than I think I can trust old Uncle—"
"Father wouldn't do anything like that," the blonde spat out bitterly at her. "He's a great man, and he's been the ruler of England for more than a decade now. There's no way he could be so careless."
Morgana only let out a sigh, propping her stuffed doll prim beside her. "He's human, though," she replied in a calm tone. "Everybody makes mistakes."
"Well, not my father," Arthur shot back. "Not when he's been the one who's always been pushing me to be perfect for so long...he wouldn't dare." Abruptly, the blonde stood up on his feet and reach out for the door to open it.
"I'm getting a glass of water," he grumbled, stepping out into the corridor and slamming the door behind him.
At that, the duchess slowly shook her head, glancing down at her favourite doll.
~o~
Arthur walked down the stairs with a rigid expression on his face, passing the servants and maids that went by without greeting them even once.
All that had been on his mind at that moment were only the words Merlin had told him just before he had run off and sent him away.
~xXx~
"I really can't let this go, Arthur—it's true. It really was your mum and dad I heard quarrelling with one another back there..."
~xXx~
The Pendragon only shook his head, passing his parents' bedroom as he began to make his way down towards the kitchen.
"Father seeing another woman...that's ridiculous," he'd murmured to himself, closing his eyes.
Though that hadn't been until he'd heard his mother crying from the previous room and immediately stopped in his tracks to step back and see his father sitting next to her on the bedside, trying to comfort her in his arms.
"I hate you..." Ygraine wept, shaking her head at the King. "So much."
Uther's eyes were pained as he stroked his wife's back. "Forgive me..."
At that moment, Arthur's eyes had softened, and he stood just outside of the room to watch his dear mother weep into his father's shoulder.
Then, as soon as he inched closer to the threshold, he'd heard words from his mother's mouth that made his breath hitch in an instant.
"When you leave to go see that wedlock child of yours...don't plan on coming back to see me here any longer."
~o~
It was only then that for the first time as he had listened to the conversation his parents were having with each other, did Arthur become so disgusted with the man sitting beside his mother.
In just moments, Uther and Ygraine had finally noticed their only son eavesdropping outside of their room, and immediately, the blonde had stepped inside to gaze incredulously at them.
"So it's true, then!" Arthur had cried, his hands balling up into fists.
In an instant, Ygraine was at her child's side, stroking his hair back with concerned eyes. "What are you talking about, love? Father and I are right here..."
But at that moment, the blonde had pulled away from her, shaking his head in disbelief. "Don't lie to me!" he shot back, directing his eyes on his father that instant.
Immediately, Uther had gotten up on his feet to glare furiously at his son. "Don't you dare raise your voice in this household!" he roared.
"Don't pretend I don't know anything!" Arthur shouted in response.
At that, the King had raised an eyebrow at his son's unusual attitude. "What in the blazes are you blubbering about?" he replied, his own voice escalating more and more with anger. "What is the meaning of this, Arthur? You had better have a good reason to show me such unacceptable disrespect!"
In that instant, the prince wiped his eyes, then stepped forward to confront his father. "I heard you and Mother fighting! And everything you said!" he acidly spat out at Uther. "You're seeing another woman somewhere else without Mother knowing! You've been lying to both of us this whole time! "
Almost at once, the atmosphere in the room had grown silent but dangerous and volatile at the same time.
Uther stood like a statue at that moment, his eyes open wide and face rigid as ice.
Ygraine had put her hand on the blonde's shoulder, her eyes agonized with pain. "Arthur..."
After a while, the prince had opened his mouth again to speak more towards the man before him that he'd always known as his father for so long.
"I trusted you, Father," he continued in a cold voice. "I trusted you!" Arthur gritted his teeth, his hands shaking at his sides. "...and I can't believe I did," he stated. "Merlin tried to tell me everything from the very beginning...and I hate myself for not believing him when I know that I should have."
The blonde sucked in a gulp of air, then narrowed his eyes at the King. "I lost a friend today all because of you!" he screamed. "I hate you..." he spoke under his breath, his mouth quivering. "I hate you!"
Soon, Uther was kneeling in front of his son, outstretching his arms to put them on the latter's shoulders. "Arthur...listen to me, I—"
"Don't touch me!" the prince cried, shrinking back from the King. "You liar..."
In that instant, the blonde had quickly turned and ran out of the room without looking back even once.
~o~
(Emrys Home)
~xXx~
"Merlin..."
A thunderclap.
"...Merlin!"
Dead silence.
"Merlin..."
"Daddy..." Merlin mumbled softly, turning his head under his pillow. "Come back...don't go..."
A flash of blinding white light...
~xXx~
"No!" the raven cried and quickly sat up in his bed.
He gasped, panting as he opened his eyes, only to find himself in his mother's loving arms, his own arms wrapped tightly around her torso as he embraced her like there was no tomorrow.
"Shh...it's okay, honey," Hunith murmured softly, gently stroking her son's back and holding him close. "It's all right—it was just a dream. You're safe now."
"Mother..."
The raven sniffled, taking a deep breath to compose himself. After another minute, the room was silent once more.
"Morgana told me what happened between you and Arthur this morning...is everything all right?" Hunith asked calmly, pulling back a little to meet the latter's gaze. "Molly told me that you've been up here this whole time...so I came home a little early."
At that moment, Merlin slowly shook his head, speaking in an even tone. "I'm sorry, Mum...I—Arthur—"
"Shh...calm down for a minute," Mrs. Emrys had murmured, holding him reassuringly. "Try not to stress yourself too much right now. Why, look—you're already beginning to catch a cold. Don't tell me you went and drenched yourself in the rain before you went home..."
In that instant, the raven nodded once and closed his eyes, sniffling. "I'm sorry..."
Hunith's chocolate-brown eyes only softened that moment, and she embraced her son with warm arms. "Oh, Merlin...there's no need for you to be sorry at all."
The young warlock sniffled again, bundling closer to her.
"...Mum?" he'd murmured, after another moment's silence. "Was it wrong that I told Arthur the truth?"
"You were only trying to help. There's never anything wrong with that."
That instant, Hunith slowly pulled away from him, gazing into his eyes with a small smile. "Besides, isn't that what friends do for each other?"
At that moment, Merlin's face grew rigid, and he raised a hand to wipe his eyes. "But I hurt him, Mum...shouldn't I have just minded my own business?"
Hunith's stare grew soft again. "Telling him lies would have only made things worse," she replied comfortingly. "And you know that, Merlin. You did the right thing to tell him the truth in the first place. Otherwise, in the end...he would have only ended up hurting even more."
The young warlock took a deep breath, then slightly pulled away from his mother. "What can I do now, though? Arthur's mad at me—and he even didn't believe a word I said."
In response, the brunette embraced her son once more, kissing him briefly on his forehead. "Soon enough, he'll come around to realise everything for himself. Isn't he your friend? Two peas in a pod?"
Merlin stirred under his mother's arms, then pulled back and nodded once with a sigh.
"I hope he still is."
~o~
(Pendragon Manor: The Prince's Chambers)
"...Arthur?"
At that moment, the blonde stirred by the window, sombrely glancing back to see his dear mother enter the room, a sad but concerned expression set on her face.
"Are you all right, love?" the Queen asked softly as she approached the latter and comfortingly put her arm around his shoulders.
But Arthur only slouched a little, lowering his head onto his arms folded atop the wooden windowsill. "No," he replied curtly, scowling at the glass before him.
That instant, Ygraine sighed, sitting down next to her prince. "Oh, honey..."
"I hate Father so much...I won't forgive him for what he did." The blonde slowly shook his head, taking a deep breath. "He's gone, Mum...it's all my fault. He'd been trying to tell me this whole time, and I didn't even bother to listen."
At that, Mrs. Pendragon's eyes softened, and she shifted closer to him. "You were only doing what you thought was best at the moment. You can't be blamed for trying to defend your father when you loved him."
Arthur let out a sharp exhale, raising his head to look at her. "But Mum, I made him run away..."
Ygraine sighed, embracing her only son. "I'm sure he'll come back," she replied, holding the blonde close. "After all, aren't you two best friends?"
In that instant, the prince gulped. "I don't know if we still are..." he murmured in response.
Her Majesty lowered her eyes, stroking the back of Arthur's hair. "Oh..."
"Do you think he'll ever forgive me?" the young Pendragon asked, pulling back slightly to gaze into his mother's eyes.
"...he will," she replied, placing her hand over the latter's forehead. "If he still wishes to stay with you."
"Mum..." Arthur sighed, looking away from her,
"Come here," Ygraine responded, taking her son into her arms. "If Merlin truly is your best friend, he probably understands how you feel right now—just as you should be able to understand how he feels as well. Maybe if you talk to him later, he'll come around again."
"You really think so?" the prince asked, resting his chin on his mother's shoulder.
"You won't know until you both try," the Queen breathed, pulling her prince back to smile.
At that moment, Arthur smiled at his mother, then got up on his feet. "Thanks. Mum."
Ygraine nodded once, grinning up at her darling son. "Anything to see my little prince happy."
That instant, the blonde chuckled, turning to make his way out of the room, intent on looking for something to cheer his best friend up again.
But that hadn't been until he'd heard a sickening cough from behind and froze immediately in his tracks to whirl around to see his mother leaning on the windowsill with one hand cupped over her mouth, her usually rosy hale complexion suddenly pallid and frail.
Arthur was horrified to see blood streaming through the narrow spaces between her slender fingers as she'd abruptly begun to cough so much more violently.
In a short moment, a few servants came in to help Her Majesty just as she had fallen back to collapse onto the floor.
"Mother!" the prince cried that instant, his eyes wide and mouth gaping.
~o~
Merlin had spent that night outside by the river, contemplating deep in thought as he stared at his reflection under the moonlight, fireflies wandering about just above the water's surface.
"Well, well," a crafty voice had spoken, as soon as a slight breeze had blown by. "Why the long face, young warlock?"
At that moment, the raven raised his head to see Kilgarrah emerge from the cloud of fireflies in front of him, crawling eagerly on top of the river's surface.
The minute he'd finally come within half a foot away from him, Merlin had let out a sigh, looking away from the great reptile.
"It's nothing," he replied glumly, lowering his head to his curled-up knees.
In that instant, Kilgarrah had begun to laugh heartily. "Ah, Merlin—you are indeed, by far, the worst liar I have ever seen. Your nothing ought to mean something in this case," the lizard chortled. "It is all but one trait that leads me to trust you for who you are. Tell me, young warlock," he chuckled. "What seems to be the trouble between you and the young Pendragon this time?"
That moment, the raven exhaled sharply, slowly raising his head up to look at the shimmering green reptile. "Huh—so you already know what happened, then."
At this, Kilgarrah laughed again. "Of course I do. I know all that there is to know, especially if it concerns the ones who shall control this land's future."
Merlin briefly shook his head, rolling his eyes at the lizard. "Then you know that I told Arthur..."
"The very situation itself," the great reptile replied wisely. "What do you plan to do next?"
"...I don't know," the young warlock murmured softly. "I don't know what else to do."
A moment of silence.
"...Kilgarrah?"
"Yes, Merlin?"
There was a brief pause.
"...did you know the dragonlord apprentice who helped found Camelot all those years ago?"
In that instant, the lizard sighed and gradually nodded back. "Why do you ask?"
At that moment, Merlin held his breath, then went on to continue in a curious tone. "Was it hard for the apprentice to tell the prince the truth about his uncle, just like how the legend says?"
Another minute's worth of silence.
"Merlin," Kilgarrah breathed, soon after a short while.
The raven let out a sigh, meeting the latter's gaze.
The reptile had closed his eyes for a second, then looked at him again with a shrewd expression on his face.
"It is never a matter between right and wrong. It is only the difference between what is and...what isn't," he replied. "You only did what you could to provide Arthur with what was, and that is what you must do even after he takes the throne."
"He's angry with me now, though," Merlin spoke in response. "I don't know if he still wants to be my friend anymore." He lowered his eyes, a sad expression forming on his face. "...and I haven't even told him the whole truth with that being said...what if he really doesn't accept me for who I really am?"
"He will," Kilgarrah answered. "For it is his destiny. Knowing Arthur's heart at this point, he will eventually accept the truth more so than it already is."
At that moment, the raven frowned, raising his head to look at the great lizard.
The latter let out a sigh. "Listen, young warlock, there will, indeed, come a time where the two of you will come together to experience one of the gravest situations that either of you will have ever known. Soon enough, someone will be put in great danger, and Arthur will have to come to you for help," he stated. "In time, you will see how the truth of your friendship will unfold towards the end, just as how the apprentice had come through with the kind prince."
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, his eyes wide and eager.
In that instant, Kilgarrah slowly shook his head. "...without a doubt, you remind me entirely of the dragonlord apprentice himself. Not only do you share his magical talents and his unique ability to hear human speech from afar, but you wear the same curious, impatient expression that he did."
"Of course," the raven replied, shrugging at the great reptile. "Why else would we if you weren't so vague?"
The lizard laughed at this comment, stepping out of the river. "Oh, Merlin...your mother has hidden your secret all too well, hasn't she? Have you not realised by now the reality behind the legend of the apprentice?" At that moment, he raised his head up to look closer into the latter's eyes. "Do you not remember the special seed that you were given before leaving what was once your hometown? The same one you planted the moment you had arrived here in this very spot for the first time? "
In that instant, Merlin's face became flustered as he recalled the faint memory from the shadows of his mind.
Of the traumatic night when Ealdor had been attacked...and his father had bid him farewell, leaving something small in his hand as he'd been forced to let go.
The raven closed his eyes, his breath hitching slightly. "No...how does that have anything to do with what's going on right now?"
"Ah...come with me," Kilgarrah chuckled, crawling away from the young warlock to lead him towards the foot of a nearby tree hidden in the bushes.
At that moment, Merlin frowned, following the great reptile into the thick shrubs.
"Behold," the lizard spoke, revealing a small area of tall grass growing at the tree's roots.
In response, the raven swallowed, shifting over beside Kilgarrah to see...none other than a delicate rose growing among the high blades, its petals purely green even as it shone under the moonlight.
He let out a gasp. "But that's—"
It was only that Merlin had truly realised...just who he truly was.
"Master Balinor had entrusted that very seed to you for your personal use when the green rose would become direly needed again," Kilgarrah stated. "All these years, he kept me under this form to guard the latter as it grew, to ensure that you would return to retrieve it once more to help fulfil your upcoming destiny."
At that point, the raven's eyes widened, and he turned to look at the reptile with a gaping mouth. "You mean...you're not—"
"The Great Dragon, at your service," the lizard laughed that instant. "Although I shall no longer be, now that this village is at peace. I am more than happy to stay in this form for the rest of my days, anyhow, since it comes with the convenience of being able to stay hidden from enemies and explore this big world without being detected by several mortals."
Kilgarrah nodded once, turning to gaze at the magical flower.
"This rose is almost at full growth and is the last of its kind, as you can see," he continued. "However, this particular one is different, for it can only be effective on the person the user holds in his heart the most. It is up to you to decide when the right time is to harvest the flower for its...miraculous works, and who to use it on, for you must always remember, young warlock, that once it is plucked, regardless of whom shall do the deed, it will act solely to the needs of its harvester alone. It is the cornerstone of your destiny, Merlin, and once Arthur finally decides to accept his fate, you must or will have reached a decision."
Silence. "...so does this mean...Father's not coming back?"
Soon enough, there was a sigh before the bushes began to rustle with the breeze. "Farewell, young dragonlord," Kilgarrah had spoken. "And may God be with you when that time comes, for I fear that it is near."
In that instant, Merlin turned to see that he had faded into the silver wind.
~o~
The dragonlord apprentice...my father.
After the air had subsided and the trees were still again, the young warlock had left the green rose where it was, stepping out of the bushes to make his way back home.
To think Mum would hide this from me for so long...but never mind that now.
He closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head at that moment.
Arthur's still mad at me, he thought to himself, as he continued to walk along the path in nonchalance. What in the world does he expect to happen between us later?
"Someone in grave danger..." the raven murmured to himself. "Hopefully I won't have to fulfil that 'destiny' too soon..."
He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, looking up to stare into the distance as he crossed behind his home to step up towards the front porch.
Although he'd been more than surprised when he'd seen the Duchess of Edinburgh herself—standing in front of his door, about to knock that moment before he'd reached over to give her a small tap on the shoulder.
In an instant, the brunette had held her breath and whirled around to face him with wide, fearful eyes.
"Morgana," Merlin exhaled upon meeting her timid gaze. It had probably been the first time he'd ever seen the latter like this. "What are you doing here?"
At that moment, Morgana had lowered her eyes, looking away from the raven. "Merlin," she whispered softly.
Merlin frowned at her with concern, glancing down at her with a solemn expression.
"...what's wrong?"
The brunette paused for a minute, then closed her eyes and slowly opened her mouth to speak. "It's terrible. Arthur found out about Uncle. He's feeling really bad right now..."
The raven swallowed, his expression rigid that instant.
"Auntie's dying," she exhaled, just above a hushed whisper. Morgana pursed her lips, tentatively raising her head to meet the other's dismal gaze. "Oh, Merlin—please...he needs you."
That moment, Merlin winced upon hearing the younger brunette's desperate request.
"Please..." she'd implored, her voice faltering as she'd been on the verge of tears at that point.
By that time, the young warlock had already put his arm around her shoulders in comfort.
"Shh...don't worry. Everything's going to be all right," he murmured softly to her.
Though at that point, he wasn't too sure himself if it really was.
Soon enough, he glanced up to face the manor across the street with a dull, grim expression on his face.
...Merlin was really in for it now.
~o~
Music on My Mind~ In Too Deep by Genesis
Notes from the KIT-chan~
At this point, we begin to reach the climax of the story. Next chapter, Arthur and Merlin will really be put to the test, and they'll have to decide for themselves how long they'll keep their friendship alive.
And...yeah—that's about all I can say right now. ^^";
Till then~ ;D
.::.*~K. Shadow~*.::.