The sounds of a river's ferocious masses of water colliding with solid earth filled the air as the smokes faded only to turn into mist. Morgana cringed as her nostrils engulfed the humid air. She and Merlin had been traveling for quite some time now (around two hours) but they still had yet to make it through even one fifth of their way back to Camelot.
Having two horses around would really be useful. Morgana thought as she staggered towards Merlin and grabbed his arm. With a sigh she said:
"We need to talk."
Merlin sighed exasperatedly but complied. He halted his steps and looked Morgana directly in the eyes before he replied:
"I know that you probably are very confused and would like to ask me countless questions, but I don't think now will be the right time for such a thing. Can you please wait until we reach Camelot?"
Morgana frowned and looked at him suspiciously before asking:
"Why would you need to be at Camelot to speak of what happened to you during the time we were separated?"
Merlin seemed to be contemplating his answer before he responded:
"I will need to tell Gaius what happened and I might as well do it together with you in the room and not have to explain myself twice. Plus it is a long story and I can barely move my feet let alone commit to two activities at a time so could you please be patient?"
Morgana's eyes widened slightly as she processed the newly found information. Gaius knew about Merlin's having magic and he had not given it away all this time. Morgana had not even suspected that the physician knew, although if you thought about it, it would be quite logical that Gaius would have found out what Merlin was up to sooner or later. Figuring out that it would be best to wait it out and bide her time Morgana nodded and tried to quiet down her stubbornness which was screaming at her to not agree and continue to pester Merlin until he surrendered and either told her everything or used some sort of spell to shut her up.
"Do you happen to know where we are?"
Merlin shook his head before he replied:
"I can't see much further than around three hundred meters." He then frowned before he added, "Normally I would have vision of much farther territories."
"What are you saying?" Morgana asked before whispering, "Could the master they were speaking of have found us?"
Merlin smiled at Morgana's ludicrous ideas. There was no way someone of such stature would go after simple pray but he did not voice it aloud. He only looked at her and his small smile disappeared to open room for a grim expression:
"I think that the cause is less threatening."
Morgana looked at him skeptically before she realized that perhaps her suggestion was rather ridiculous. After all, if there was someone around here who wanted to harm them, they would have done so by now. That was the reason why Morgana decided to focus on what was before her and after much scrutiny she gasped:
"Your wounds are acting up again."
Merlin wanted to deny it, but he knew that such a course of action would prove to be futile for Morgana had already noticed everything. He could not hide it from her nor did he want to. That was the reason why with an internal sigh Merlin nodded. When Morgana moved to have a look Merlin quickly stepped away, causing the muscles around his wounds to stretch, thus triggering ounces of pain to make their way throughout Merlin's whole body. As a result he winced before he put his hands up slightly and whispered:
"I am fine."
Morgana looked at Merlin as though he were deranged. She could not believe how stubborn the boy was being. Could he not see that she was worried for him because his wounds were indeed serious? When Morgana remembered that she had caused one of them, she could not help but feel guilty for it, although then she had neither wanted it nor initiated it. Her magic had decided to do what it pleased and she had had no control whatsoever over it. With a heavy lump in her throat Morgana realized that she did not.
"You are anything but fine Merlin." Morgana said with sadness in her voice as she withdrew her hands and stepped away from him. She put her hands at her sides before whispering, "And neither am I."
Merlin frowned at the sorrow in Morgana's tone but before he had a chance to question Morgana's sudden change in behaviour the girl had sidestepped Merlin and had continued to walk forward in the direction they started in hours ago. Merlin sighed as he decided to let it go and ask her about her peculiar actions later when they were safe behind the walls of Camelot.
The journey back to their home was filled with silence and badly hidden sidelong glances. Neither one of them had spoken more than was necessary, both far too preoccupied with their thoughts. Eventually they arrived back safely to Camelot and each went their separate ways, not forgetting to arrange a meeting later in the night in Gaius' chambers where Merlin would tell both Morgana and his mentor what exactly had occurred at that place and what he had found out.
Merlin went back to Gaius' chambers only to find them empty. Merlin looked out the small window. It was quite dark outside, but Gaius was nowhere to be found. That meant that he had either had errands to take care of or there had been an emergency. Either way Merlin was certain that the physician would soon be back. Speaking of the devil, moments later the door creaked open to reveal none other than the physician in question himself. Gaius closed the door with a dull thud and turned around only to halt suddenly and gasp slightly. He had not been expecting to see Merlin right before his eyes covered in blood, ashes and mud.
"Where on earth have you been Merlin? I was worried sick." Gaius said.
Merlin smiled at the man before him. He then sighed and moved to embrace the physician. Gaius, albeit a bit confused and still angry at Merlin for disappearing so suddenly, returned the embrace. The two withdrew soon and immediately the atmosphere around them became stifling. Merlin started pacing around the chambers. His careless strides nearly made him fall down to the ground. It was obvious that the boy was quite worried and nervous. Whatever for, however, Gaius did not know. He decided to wait it out until Merlin gathered enough courage to tell him what had happened and what was bothering him. Unfortunately, time passed and passed, but Merlin had yet to get out of his unconscious pacing around the room. After another full minute of nervous strides from one end of the room to the other Gaius had had enough and screamed:
"Merlin!"
The sound of the physician's voice resonated throughout the room and brought Merlin back to earth. Once the boy had snapped out of his reverie he asked:
"What?"
"What is wrong Merlin? Did something happen to you at the druid camp?" Gaius asked.
Merlin sighed before he said:
"Something like that."
"Would you care to be more specific Merlin otherwise I fear I won't be able to assist you or help you in any way?" Gaius asked as he sat down and motioned for the boy to do the same.
Merlin nervously made his way towards the table. He sat down and could not stop fidgeting. After a few seconds he noticed that Gaius' patience was wearing thin. That was the reason why Merlin decided that the direct approach would be best.
"I told her." He blurted out.
"I am sorry, but I do not understand what you are trying to say Merlin. Again please be more specific and detailed in your answers."
Merlin sighed before he said:
"I told Morgana I had magic."
"What?!" Gaius exploded as he immediately rose from his seat and made a few aimless steps, his hands rubbing his temples, before he turned around and asked, "Have you lost your mind?"
"Maybe I have." Merlin answered as he sighed, while closing his eyes.
Gaius rolled his eyes at the answer. He then questioned:
"What made you think that revealing such a secret to her right before she went to visit her sick friend would be a good idea?"
It was Merlin's turn to frown. He did not know what Gaius was talking about. That was the reason why he asked:
"What do you mean she went to visit a friend?"
"That was what Gwen told me and everyone else who asked the reason for Morgana's sudden departure during the night. It appeared that no one had seen her leave, merely heard the sound of retreating horses. Some had seen two shadows exit Camelot in the dead of the night." Gaius explained with a calm expression but when his eyes met Merlin's slightly confused ones and he processed what he had just uttered he could not help but gasp.
"Don't tell me that you and she…" Gaius began but could not bring himself to voice his suspicions. However, he did not have to for the nod Merlin gave him was enough to confirm them.
"I did not exactly tell her. We were attacked and given the circumstances, I thought that using magic was the inevitable decision."
"Her life was in danger?" Gaius asked
"Yes." Merlin replied.
"And you were certain there no other way out of the situation?" Gaius enquired to which Merlin nodded.
With a deep sigh Gaius accepted the boy's answers and he was certain that if he gave himself some time to think about it, he would conclude that it was definitely the right choice. However, he still doubted it was for the better for both of them. It seemed that all Gaius could do was wait and see how all of this would unfold.
"I think you should go and change." Gaius said as he smiled at Merlin's surprised expression. The boy frowned at first, and then looked down only to be reminded of the state he was currently in. With a sheepish smile he nodded and went inside his room to dress into something more presentable. After all, he was expecting guests later. That reminded Merlin that he had another thing to say to Gaius.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Morgana's coming later to discuss what happened."
Gaius' eyes widened. Anger and confusion were written across his weary face but before the physician had a chance to retaliate Merlin had gone into his room and had closed the door behind him. With a deep sigh Gaius again had to quiet down his curiosity, rage and bewilderment and wait until everything was going to be cleared once and for all. Despite how many times he told himself that, he could not help but feel slight dread about what was going to be revealed hours later.
Just as Gaius had predicted, Morgana arrived two hours later. Gaius rose and bowed slightly in a form of greeting. Morgana nodded at both him and the newly arrived Merlin. After that they both sat down and after Morgana had cleared up what had happened to her Merlin began his side of the story.
"I woke up in a similar situation to Morgana's, however, there was no one to be seen. I only heard a voice speaking to me….
Poisonous smoke bit the insides of Merlin's lugs as he gasped for breath. He awoke startled to a voice calling out to him.
"Emrys! Emrys! Emrys!" It screamed in a screeching and deadly to the ears high-pitched tone, making Merlin cringe.
He quickly rose and asked:
"Who are you? What have you done to me and my friend? Where is she?"
Merlin heard the voice cackle. The sound made the boy's blood run cold. After a few seconds an answer came:
"Do not worry, sorcerer. The witch will soon be sacrificed and you will join her as well not long after."
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin asked.
There was silence before an answer came:
"It is quite simple. I am following one of the first principles engraved in every creature's mind be it magical or not."
Suddenly there was a loud thunder that resonated throughout and then the voice disappeared. Merlin found out the latter after much screaming to no avail. Instead a hooded figure emerged from the shadows of the smoky night.
…. I think the man was sent to cast a spell with which he was going to sacrifice me, but I managed to escape. Of course, he was stupid enough to first gloat about his mistress' or master's I still don't know which one quite it is had done to you, how they had captured you and were about to torture you." Merlin finished explaining as he looked at Morgana
"But no such thing occurred. Or at least it did not thanks to you." Morgana replied as she smiled slightly in gratitude. Merlin mirrored her expression. The two gazed at each other for a while until Gaius cleared his throat, effectively gathering the attention of the both of them. He then asked:
"What do you suspect Merlin?"
Merlin's eyebrows furrowed before he answered:
"I think it was some sort of ritual to gather souls or energy for something bigger."
Morgana's eyes widened slightly before she whispered:
"They were planning to use our lives for their sinister plans."
Merlin nodded dejectedly before he continued:
"Either that or they just wanted to wipe out a dozen people for the fun of it."
"This is no laughing matter Merlin. I am afraid what they were going to do to you is far more complicated than you can imagine. From what you told me I suspect that these people have managed to earn some of the druids' trust. Either that or they have brainwashed them or managed to control their minds." Gaius said after berating Merlin.
"Speaking of the druids what happened when Arthur reached the camp?" Morgana asked the question Merlin had been planning on voicing.
"Nothing." Gaius simply answered.
"What do you mean nothing?" Merlin enquired.
"He never went. The quest for the druid camp was quickly turned into a search party for Morgana by Arthur's bidding but then Uther managed to convince Arthur that there was no need and with a little persuasion from Gwen the prince forgot about both matters immediately." Gaius answered.
"Wait. You mean to tell me that Arthur initiated the search party and Uther had to convince him otherwise?" Merlin enquired flabbergasted.
Gaius nodded. He then looked at both Morgana and Merlin who were shocked to their very core. He understood what they were going through. He, too, had been bewildered by the King's peculiar behaviour, but there was nothing he could. There nothing they could do either. That was the reason why with a heavy sigh he said:
"I think it is high time we called it a night and went to bed. There is nothing we can achieve with clouded visions and restless minds."
Morgana was about to protest when a badly suppressed yawn came from Merlin. Her concern gaze landed on the boy and did not leave his form until she replied:
"Gaius perhaps you are right." She then rose and went towards the door. Before she opened it she turned around and said, "Good night."
"Good night Milady." Gaius replied.
"Good night Morgana." Merlin responded.
Morgana smiled before their ways parted. Merlin and Gaius soon went to bed oblivious to the watchful eyes that had seen everything that had just occurred.
The walls near Gaius' chambers parted. A hooded figure came out only to disappear in the shadows of the corridors that led to none other than the King's chambers.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the characters and ideas that have nothing to do with BBC's show Merlin.
A/N: Thank you for the review, follows and favourites.
guardianofdragonlore: You will see what happens to them soon enough. I would not call anyone safe, if I were you. You don't know who or what might be lurking around in the shadows ready to strike at any given moment. And just to give you and everyone a heads up – No, I am not going to use Morgause as the villain in this fanfic.
I actually do not want to involve her at all. She is far too complicated for me and to be honest, I have something else planned entirely for this story that would not need her assistance.
Reviews? Follows? Favourites?