Hello again and welcome to another chapter. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and is getting lots of stuff done. I also hope that you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Arthur heard light footsteps padding across his room over to his bed. He held back a groan and pretended to be asleep. It had to be Merlin that was currently standing there awkwardly at the head of Arthur's bed. The kid was breathing loudly into Arthur's ear, trying to gauge if the prince was asleep. Arthur wondered if he should wake up for Merlin. If the kid needed something, then Arthur wouldn't want him wandering the castle to try and find someone else and end up getting caught by the guards and punished. Arthur knew that he needed to help Merlin, but he wasn't comfortable with that kind of thing.
He would rather Merlin go to Gwaine or Lancelot, though Gwaine was probably entertaining some guests at the moment. Even Leon could probably provide Merlin with what he needed at night. Regardless, the boy was still breathing right next to Arthur's face. Arthur could feel Merlin lean closer to him, studying Arthur's face. If it was really bad, then Merlin would wake Arthur up, he hoped.
"Arthur?" the boy questioned nervously. Arthur groaned and opened his eyes. He saw Merlin's tiny face in the dark; his pale skin was almost glowing in the moonlight. Arthur sat up and stretched.
"What is it" he asked the small child. Merlin bit his lip and shook his head. Arthur wanted to groan, Merlin was not making this easy on him. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, then go back to bed," Arthur snapped. He could have been kinder towards him, but he was never in a good mood when he woke up. Merlin's eyes widened and he shook his head violently. Arthur felt a pang of guilt wash over him. He sighed and patted the area next to him.
"Well then, come up here and go to sleep," he said. Merlin looked surprised and sat there for a second, trying to see if it was some sort of joke. He decided it wasn't and crawled up on the bed, positioning himself by Arthur's side.
"I had a bad dream," he said. Arthur could hear the quivering in his voice, meaning he was probably crying or something. Arthur flipped back the covers. This was really Leon's territory. What was he supposed to do if Merlin started bawling?
"Crawl in," he grumbled, trying to sound annoyed, and really it came out as being worried. Merlin's head bobbed and he hopped under the covers. Arthur had assumed the child was going to sleep on the other side of the bed, but instead he wrapped his skinny arms around Arthur's torso and hugged him tightly.
"Can I tell you about it?" Merlin asked. Arthur really just wanted to go to sleep, but he also needed to help Merlin get over his demons. Plus, this could hold some key into the boy's past. If Arthur could figure out who had kept him captive, he could figure out who to keep Merlin away from so that he was safe. And a little revenge on the bastard wouldn't be unwanted as well. Arthur nodded and prepared to be up for a long time.
"Go ahead." This week wasn't turning out very good. From the escaped prisoner to the increase of magical trials, Arthur was getting worn out. Now, Merlin was having nightmares and making Arthur have even less sleep. But it would be worth it, if Arthur could help the small child even partially. Merlin sniffled and for a moment, Arthur though he had backed out.
"I had this friend named Will who was taken with me from my old village," Merlin began. "He was older than me by four years." Merlin explained. Arthur didn't like how the boy was in past tense. that probably meant that the kid was dead. Merlin continued on, starting to sound even more choked up. "He didn't have any magic, but he came with me for some other reason. I don't really know. But he protected me, and it was nice. But, as the years went on he became more and more depressed. I tried to cheer him up by making him butterflies when the guards weren't looking, but all the butterflies left and so he was still sad." Merlin sniffed and began to pull at the threads of Arthur's night shirt. Arthur was about to scold him, but something told him that Merlin was going to be crying a lot tonight.
"One day, he went up to the tall tower." Arthur did not like where this was headed. "And he jumped," Merlin stopped picketing at the hem of Arthur's shirt and looked up at the man. "I tried to jump after him, but I was too scared. It was too high and I was afraid I wouldn't die. Then, Master would be mad at me," Merlin said. Arthur felt his eyes well up with tears and he tightened his hold on Merlin.
"So, was that what the dream was about?" he asked. Merlin nodded his head before bursting into tears.
"It was scary because Will came back to life and told me that I wasn't strong enough to jump with him. I should have been stronger," Merlin sobbed into Arthur's shirt. Arthur rubbed Merlin's back in what he hoped was a soothing manner. He wasn't really sure how to comfort Merlin.
"I don't think Will would have wanted that," he said. Merlin sniffed and shook his head.
"Then why did he leave me all alone? I couldn't protect myself. I was scared!" he cried. Arthur bit his lip and attempted to come up with an explanation that would be pleasing to Merlin.
"Maybe he was protecting you. Maybe staying with you longer would have put you in more danger," Arthur said. Merlin looked at him and wiped his nose on his shirt sleeve.
"You think?" he asked hopefully.
"Yeah. He wanted to protect you and I'm sure that he did what he thought was best, even if it doesn't make sense to you," Arthur said. Merlin nodded and lead his head back down.
"Arthur?" he asked. "Will you leave me?" Arthur sucked in a breath.
"I won't leave you," he promised. He just hoped with wasn't an empty one.
oOoOoOo
"Arthur!" Gwaine's voice rang out through the corridor. Arthur groaned. Last night he barely got any sleep. Merlin's story haunted him and it worried Arthur that Merlin needed more help than he could provide. He had told Leon. Leon said that all they had to do right now was keep Merlin feeling safe and secure and they would be able to help him. It would be a slow process, but it would work out in the end. They just had to be patient. But now, Arthur's most annoying knight was running up to him in the corridor, demanding a little chat. Arthur was planning on murdering Sir Gwaine if that knight so much as suggested a day off of practice.
"I need to talk to you," Gwaine said, catching up with Arthur.
"I'm not giving you a day off," Arthur snapped. Gwaine made no comeback, something that worried a Arthur.
"Look, it's about Ulric's visit," he said. Arthur didn't like how Gwaine's eyes darted nervously around, as if he was afraid someone would hear him.
"What about it. I know you hate nobles, but try not to anger this one," Arthur said, picking up the pace and trying to leave the knight behind.
"No, you don't understand!" Gwaine said, picking up his pace as well. "Lord Ulric wants to kill me," Gwaine said solemnly. Arthur stopped and turned at the knight.
"What do you mean?" he asked. Gwaine sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He pulled Arthur into a small alcove and leaned forward.
"When I was about 16 he executed my mother and little brother for no reason. I was pissed and so I challenged him to a duel. The night before, some of the servants of the castle drugged me and smuggled me out of the castle. There was no way I was going to win, a scrawny teen like myself. When I woke up I had no idea where I was at. It took me two years to find my way back to the castle. By then, the servants had convinced me to just stay away. It wasn't worth the fight," Gwaine finished. Arthur stared at the man.
"So you want me to keep you away from Ulric?" Arthur was sure there was more to the story than Gwaine was letting on. He was hiding something.
"Arthur, I need to leave. If he finds me here, it could be detrimental to Camelot. And if he sees me and recognizes me, he will want to continue with the duel. I need to leave." Arthur groaned and massaged his brows.
"How am I supposed to convince my father that you need to leave for two whole weeks?" he asked.
"Ask Leon, that man is always s lying," Gwaine said with a forced smile. Arthur nodded.
"I'll do my best. But when you come back, I want to know all of the details," he said. Gwaine made a sound of protest but Arthur ignored him. He was going to figure out what was happening in Camelot and with his people.
oOoOoOo
Morgana was another person who was having trouble sleeping in the castle. Night after night she was having vivid dreams. All about the downfall of Camelot. She was getting really scared and so decided to swallow her pride and visit the one person who could help. It was late at night when she snuck past the guards to her chambers and down to the dungeons. She carefully maneuvered through the long flights of stares down into the cave. She heard tithe flapping of wings and prepared herself for the inevitable insults of the dragon.
"Hello young witch," he chuckled. Morgana rolled her eyes and steadied herself. She needed answers.
"I'm not here because I want to be," Morgana called up. The dragon laughed.
"Nor an I," he responded. Morgana glared at him but continued.
"I've been having horrible nightmares every night about the destruction of Camelot," she explained.
"And why would I care whether or not Camelot is destroyed?" the dragon asked.
"Because, Arthur is supposed to rule all of Albion. He can't do that if his kingdom is being torn down. There would be no stepping stone for him to rule." Morgana explained. She was proud that she had kept her composure throughout the meeting. The dragon sighed.
"Though I am not all knowing, I do know this: now that young Merlin is here, he will be able to save Camelot from its destruction," he explained. Morgana gasped.
"But he's just a child! You can't possibly expect him too." Morgana was cut off by a loud roar.
"I can and I will. If you do not wish to see death, then do your part in helping stop the downfall. If you remain strong, then Merlin will have a strong ally in this war. If you are weak and allow for your heart to be tainted by false promises, then Merlin will suffer greatly, as will we all," the dragon warned. Morgana was about to call up to him when he flew away. Once that dragon decided the time to stop talking, it was time to stop talking. Morgana glared at the dragon. That didn't really help her at all. She supposed she would just have to suffer through the nightmares until they came to pass. But she would most definitely stay strong for Merlin's sake. The child needed someone like that in his life.
oOoOoOo
"What do you mean you're leaving?" Merlin whined as Gwaine stuffed another shirt in his bag.
"It's just for two weeks Merlin. It'll be over before you know it," Gwaine promised, ruffling Merlin's hair.
"But why doesn't Gaius go collect the plant himself?" Merlin whined.
"Now, Merlin, we don't talk about our elders that way," Lancelot said, handing Gwaine another pair of socks.
"I think I got enough," Gwaine grumbled.
"I've smelled your feet, take another pair, Lancelot said. Gwaine rolled his eyes but accepted the socks. Arthur had asked Gaius and Leon to help Gwaine get out of the castle until Ulric left. They told Uther that Gaius needed some make believe plant on the top of a mountain that only grew for these two weeks. Arthur volunteered Gwaine to go so the knight was quiet eloquently removed from training and patrol missions until he got back. Arthur had asked him if Ulric was alright.
"Just don't leave Merlin alone with him," Gwaine had warned. Now, he was leaving. Ulrich would be here sometime tomorrow and Gwaine wouldn't have to worry about running into the man again. It had been 15 years. Could Ulrich really be the same man as he was back when Gwaine had first met him? Gwaine shook his head and threw his backpack on his shoulder. He wasn't taking a horse since he wanted to stay as close to Camelot as possible, just in case trouble arrived. Merlin tugged o n his shirt.
"Here," he said, thrusting a very crappy looking necklace in his hand. It was a strip of leather that had been twisted messily around what appeared to be a very dull, grey stone. The thing was pretty clearly handmade. Merlin probably put a lot of time and effort into making the thing. Gwaine stared at the pendant for a second before smiling.
"It's supposed to keep you safe," Merlin muttered. Gwaine squatted down and lifted the child up in his arms.
"You'll have fun without me here. Percival can get crazy. Just ask him about Sir Alfred's bed," Gwaine chuckled.
"Under no circumstances are you to ask about that, Merlin," Lancelot warned. Gwaine passed Merlin to Lance and walked out the door.
"You'll be fine. Trust me," Gwaine said with a grin. Lancelot rolled his eyes but said nothing. With that, Gwaine sauntered out the door and into the woods. He only hoped that he had told the truth to Merlin. He didn't know what would happen if he came back to discover Merlin had been hurt because of his cowardice.
So many questions that need to be answered. So keep reading and you shall have your answers.