The Fate Of A Nation

Chapter 4: An encounter

The weeks carried on, the negotiations grinding to a halt as it became clear that the Daimyo delegation were attempting to secure an agreement that the marriage would take place. Though Uther understood the benefits such an alliance would bring, pride and a certain wariness of the Daimyo prince had him refusing to be pressured into agreeing. It was clear to Albion court that Uther mistrusted one so young who spoke with as much authority as Katsurou did. Though barely three summers older than Arthur himself, the Crown Prince of the Empire spoke with the weight of one many years his senior, and with the arrogance and sense of conviction being the heir to such wealth and power naturally bestowed.

Merlin, present at all the talks so as to wait attendance upon Arthur, couldn't help but note the differences between the two princes. Whereas Arthur, for all his willing acceptance of duty and responsibility still retained the joy and recklessness of youth, Katsurou seemed older, harder, more worn. Already there were the first traces of lines around his mouth and eyes. His eyes were his most revealing feature, however. Whilst Arthur's eyes could still become alight with laughter and merriment, Katsurou's eyes remained as hard as glass even when he smiled. It was as though life had already stripped the young man of the tenderness of youth and placed in him the ruthlessness of one far older than himself. Merlin idly wondered if Uther felt as though he were looking into a mirror when he spoke with the Prince of Daimyo.

As the days talks once again finished prematurely, with the Imperial party unwilling to discuss any matters other than the marriage, and Uther refusing to talk about it at all, Arthur summoned Merlin to his side.

Over the bustle of movement as the dignitaries left the hall, Arthur said. "Go to Princess Miyuki's chambers, as her if she wishes to come riding with me this afternoon." The words were spoken with perfect neutrality, but Merlin knew heir to the throne well enough to detect the undercurrent of resignation to his tone. Despite the pleasure Arthur may have taken from the company of a beautiful woman, Merlin knew that his friend was becoming tired of the stilted, formal conversation. Though the conversation would no doubt have been easier had Arthur been his usual brash and arrogant self, the young man had taken his father's warnings to heart and was the epitome of gallantry when talking with Miyuki. Merlin privately thought that perhaps the Princess too was becoming weary of empty compliments and scripted phrases.

Muttering a cursory, "Very good, my lord," for the sake of the assembled company, Merlin swiftly made his way from the Great Hall and headed towards the 'warmer wing' as Gwen had named it. Passing by Morgana's rooms, Merlin resisted the urge to see if Gwen were about. He would see his friend soon enough, as Morgana's rooms had become a refuge for Arthur after his time spent entertaining the visiting royalty. It seemed as though Uther's son and his ward both shared a need to release their frustrations come day's end and had fallen back onto the verbal sparring they so often shared. With Morgana forced to spend her days keeping the women of Daimyo company, where her sharp tongue and ready wit were under constant restraint, it seemed that the royal ward did not mind the Prince's presence in her chambers as much as she might once have done.

Gwen had spared a moment's worry for how it would look to have Arthur rushing to Morgana's rooms each evening, moments after having bad farewell to Miyuki, but both Arthur and Morgana had waved her protests away. Privately, Merlin thought the young serving maid had a point, but he knew better than to attempt to persuade Arthur.

As he reached the Princess's chambers, he was startled to see the door open and no attendant in sight. The corridors and rooms were normally swarming with the imperial servants –each baring the livery of their master or mistress – but now the hall was devoid of noise or motion. Cautiously, Merlin crept into the room, gaze casting about for the source of the desertion.

A shutter cracked harshly in the breeze from the window, banging against the stone and Merlin jumped, before mentally scolding himself for being so easily startled. As he made his way around the rooms, he was once again impressed by the wealth and elegance so openly displayed; silk and precious stones, rested against ornaments of ivory and gold. A heady fragrance permeated the air and in the corner of the room and ornate table housed several beautifully carved statues and what looked to be a miniature vase holding a smoking stick. Perplexed, Merlin crossed the room to take a closer look. His blood hummed as he neared it, and his instincts clamoured that there was latent magic in these objects. A wooden box, laid before the statues, seemed to positively reek of mystic energy.

Impulsively, his hand reached out to open the lid, pale hands freezing in place as he felt the icy brush of steal against his skin. A blade was levelled at his throat, and Merlin dared not move.

"Tell me," a rich voice said behind him, "It is common practice in Albion for servants to sneak into the rooms of nobility and riffle through their things?"

Merlin's heart already racing in his chest seemed to freeze. He had heard that voice many times before in the negotiations that took place in the Great Hall. It was the voice of Prince Katsurou. Sweat broke out on Merlin's forehead. He had been listening for any sounds in the Princess's rooms and he had not heard the Prince move. Was this skill or sorcery?

Despite the Prince having asked him a question, Merlin dared to speak for fear of slicing his skin against the blade as he spoke. He stayed where he was, knelt before the altar, and launched a fervent prayer that he did not die this day.

The rustle of a silk curtain, and Merlin heard another voice he knew. "Brother, what is this?" The Princess's tone was laced with confusion, but her brother paid no head. Sliding his blade from the young warlock's neck, he proceeded to press it against the boy's back.

"Up." He commanded, raising his sword to follow Merlin's movements, as he hastily stumbled to his feet.

Miyuki said something rapidly in her own tongue, to which the Prince retorted in a tone laced with contempt. There was a snap, and as he was forced to turn, Merlin saw the Princess had wrapped her hand around the base of an open, steel fan the edge of which was almost indiscernible in the light. Merlin had spent enough time around Arthur to know that signified the metal was very sharp. Gulping slightly, Arthur's manservant tried not to think of what his master would say when he heard of this.

Miyuki once again said something to her brother – her tone making it clear her words were an order not a request – and Merlin almost sagged with relief when he felt the blade move away from his back, and heard it slide into its sheath. Had the situation been different he would have laughed at the control the Princess seemed to exert over her brother - much as Morgana was able to manipulate Arthur – but his fear of the consequences of his actions overruled any humour he might have felt.

Words were again exchanged, with Merlin sparing a passing wish that he understood the language, before he saw Katsurou move towards the open door. Expecting the Prince to merely shut it, he was surprised when the older man walked through it before doing so, leaving him alone with the Emperor's daughter. He was shocked that the Prince would do such a thing, until a glint of light reminded him that the Princess was undoubtedly armed and he was not.

As he opened his mouth to apologise for the intrusion and hopefully spare himself a punishment worse than the stocks, the Princess's words left him gaping in silence.

"I have heard many things about you, Myrddin." Her voice was a soft and musical as it always was, but there was an undercurrent of power now and as Merlin dared a glance in her direction, he saw she seemed to burn with an inner light.

"T-That's not my name." Merlin stuttered, unnerved and a little frightened of the raw power emanating off this woman in waves. She could have rivalled Nimueh.

"It is one of them," She replied, gazing him in the eye. For all he tried, Merlin could not look away from her gaze.

"Sorcery is forbidden in Albion." He said, headless of the fact that admitting he recognised sorcery not only implicated him, but made him a threat as well. Thankfully, the raven-haired woman before him seemed not to care, her lips choosing instead to form a secret smile.

"For now," she conceded, "but that law will not long survive the passing of Uther Pendragon, and his end is swiftly drawing near." The words were spoken with such conviction, that Merlin wondered if there was the weight of prophecy behind them.

"Do you plan to kill Uther?" Merlin asked, mind desperately scrambling for someway to worn Arthur and the king if this was indeed the case. He could use magic, he knew, but would either man heed a warning delivered by such means? Arthur might.

Her face a mask of perfect neutrality, Miyuki simply waved a hand and used a gust of wind to deposit Merlin by the door.

"Away with you," she said, turning her back on him. "And tell your Master I will gladly go riding with him." Merlin turned and marched swiftly from the room.

It was not until he was half-way towards Arthur's chambers that he remembered that though Miyuki had given her response, he had never actually delivered Arthur's message.


Merlin paced fitfully on the battlements as he waited for the Prince and Princess to return. Arthur had banned him from accompanying them, stating there would be no need for a chaperone as Miyuki had requested permission for her brother to accompany them.

The warlock had nearly begged Arthur not to go, but could think of no good reason for the Prince to do so which did not involve openly accusing Miyuki of witch-craft. He knew the word of a servant meant little against that of a noble and so without proof he could do nothing. Even his attempts to follow them – in a hope of protecting Arthur – had been thwarted when he had been summoned by Uther to attend him. By the time he was released the riding party were long gone.

He had thought of locking himself in his room and attempting to scry for them, but wood was not conducive to scrying and he did not want to arouse suspicion by appropriating a metal or stone basin.

So engrossed was he in his thoughts, that Merlin did not notice he had company until Morgana's voice rang out across the walkway.

"If you like the view this much, you could always join the Watch." She offered, slippered feet making soft hushing sounds as she walked towards him.

"Lady Morgana," Merlin began, "I –" He was thankful when Morgana waved a hand to forestall his comments as he had not been entirely sure what he had planned to say. As the silence stretched, Merlin felt he should offer some sort of explanation.

"I'm just waiting for Arthur to get back." He said, running a hand awkwardly through his hair. Morgana nodded but did not say anything, her gaze fixed upon the horizon.

"I had a dream last night." She whispered, and Merlin could tell from the look of surprise on her face that she had not meant to say so – at least not to him. He stayed silent, waiting to see if Uther's ward would pursue the subject or pretend she had never said anything.

After a space of time, in which Morgana seemed to be fighting some inner battle, she said, "It was winter, and it was snowing, but Camelot was in flames. People were running, screaming, I could hear a child crying. I dreamt I ran to Uther's chambers and Miyuki was there." Morgana's voice was catching now, her throat tightening with emotion. "Uther was dead, I knew it, but she didn't seem to care. She just looked past me and she looked so happy for a moment. I turned, and Arthur was there. She ran to him and they both seemed so happy – even with Uther lying there on the floor and then it all seemed to fall apart. It changed. Miyuki was gone and it was Gwen on Arthur's arm – and they both looked as though their hearts were breaking." She paused, before murmuring, almost to herself, "That's the second time I've dreamt that Gwen was queen."

Turning to desperate eyes to Merlin, it seemed as though only strict upbringing was preventing her from grasping his hands tightly in her own. "I've had these dreams before Merlin, though never as detailed as this. I've dreamt so many things," she whispered, her eyes were bright with tears now, and Merlin was shocked to see Morgana so close to loosing all composure, "but I've never dreamt of you Merlin and I've never dreamt of myself – is there no place for us in the future of Camelot?" She seemed so despairing, so far from the proud and aloof woman the court knew, that Merlin almost hugged her in an attempt to offer comfort, but he remembered that this was not Gwen he spoke to – Gwen who was of equally low birth – but the ward of the king, a lady in her own right and the heiress to many lands.

He wondered if Morgana knew the risk she took, confessing to a gift so akin to sorcery, but he supposed that she trusted Gaius, who in turn trusted him, and that was most likely enough for the woman who refused to view servants as naturally inferior. Besides, if it came down to it, who would take his word over that of the Lady Morgana's?

They stayed that way for several minutes, Morgana still close to tears and Merlin studiously watching the horizon. Eventually, Morgana regained her composure and only the slight flush to her cheeks hinted at the fact that she might be the slightest bit ashamed of having lost her composure in his company. She smiled at him, and turned to go, when the clatter of hooves and the neighing of horses drew their attention downwards.

The riding party had returned, galloping over the moat in high spirits. As stable hands came to take the horses, the black stallions ridden by the Daimyo royalty both reared and plunged in protest. The two royals seemed barely phased, as though they had expected the animals to behave this way, and when they had dismounted, Arthur having given his hand to assist Miyuki, it was Katsurou who led the horses away.

"Those horses are still half wild." Morgana stated in contempt, "It's a wonder the foolish woman hasn't broken her neck." Her earlier despair seems forgotten, replaced with a growing dislike for the girl heralded as the most beautiful woman ever to grace Uther's court.

Merlin watched as Arthur led the foreign princess up the steps of the castle and for a moment he thinks that perhaps Miyuki has laid a spell on Arthur much as Sophia did, for he's smiling but then he relaxes as he realises that the smile is directed over Miyuki's shoulder at one of Camelot's knights; when he turns to face the Princess, his face is once again neutral.

Tearing his gaze away from the courtyard, Merlin realised that Morgana was gone and he hastily made his way down the tower, in an attempt to catch up to Arthur before the Prince was forced to send for him. As it transpired, he need not have worried. The knight in Arthur had smiled at, appeared to have requested an introduction for Arthur was still stood on the steps, Miyuki's hand resting on his forearm as he presented Princess to Knight and Knight to Princess.

The young woman's face was as unreadable as ever, but Arthur at least was visibly glad for the addition to the company. The young warlock thought the Prince must have found it exhausting having to contend with both the Princess and her brother.

As he approached, he heard the knight say, "You'll forgive my saying so milady, but the horse you ride seems too big for you – perhaps you would do better to ride a mare? Camelot's horses are some of the finest in the kingdom, I'm sure one could be found with a sweeter temperament."

Merlin watched with interest as the Princess's expression hardened ever so slightly. "Do you find fault with the way I ride Sir Knight?" She asked coolly. Merlin saw Arthur raise an eyebrow slightly, and wondered if it was due to the change in Miyuki's tone or her deliberate use of an archaic title rather than the knight's name.

"Not at all milady," the warrior assured her, "I merely feared for your safety. Should the beast decide to bolt, you would not have the strength required to rein him in. Stallions were not meant for women to ride."

"Indeed." Came the soft reply, and this time there was no mistaking the ice in the Princess's voice. Merlin winced as he watched Arthur scramble to try and diffuse the situation. The knight clearly had no idea that he was upsetting the Princess but Arthur was receiving the message with acute clarity.

"What Sir Alrick was trying to say, is that he does not wish to see you come to harm." Arthur explained hastily, drawing Miyuki's attention back onto himself. "Your horse is a spirited animal – I'm sure Sir Alrick merely had your best interests in mind when suggested an alternative."

"I am quite aware of what Sir Alrick was trying to say, my lord." Miyuki replied her voice ringing out across the courtyard. "And let me tell you this. In Albion you may treat your woman as fragile creatures who must be coddled and cared for lest the break in even the slightest breeze, but it is not so in Daimyo. I am not some delicate flower whose petals will drop if shaken too hard, and I refuse to be treated as such. You will address me with the respect befitting a woman of the warrior-class Arthur Pendragon, or you will not address me at all." With one final, contemptuous glance at both knight and Prince, Miyuki spun on her heel and stalked up the castle steps, cloak snapping out in anger behind her.

Sir Alrick, quickly made himself scarce, aware of the laughing eyes of the palace guards, but Arthur stayed where he was. His eyes had widened with every venomous word bitten off, but by the end of Miyuki's speech, Arthur seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. As he stood in the courtyard, a smile spread across his face, his gaze fixed upon where his intended had last stood.

Merlin approached slowly, the ever widening grin on his friend's face just a little disconcerting. "Sire?" He question cautiously, resisting the temptation to wave a hand in front of Arthur's face.

The blonde young man turned towards his servant and his eyes seemed positively shiny. "Who'd have thought, Merlin? She actually has some life in her?" There was a note of wonder mixed with a generous quantity of laughter in Arthur's voice, and sure enough moments later the Prince actually did begin to laugh. Merlin stood and watched, his concern for the Prince's sanity growing by the moment. He was just about to run and fetch Gaius, when Arthur managed to compose himself and laid a hand down on the young warlock's shoulder.

"Come," he instructed, "I want to speak to Morgana."


A/N: Please, please review and let me know what you think. I need to know if people think the pace is too slow, if I've made people too OOC, if I should be focusing more on Merlin and his sorcery. Without criticism this story will not get better it will simply remain at the standard it is - so if you have a comment please share. As always, thank you for reading.