Merlin
Love by any Other name
Part 13
"You knew and you still left me there all night?" Arthur was riled up, and rightly so.
"It wasn't me" protested Merlin. "Uther locked you up" he added, "well, technically the guards did but it's the same thing" he added.
"Merlin, shut up" Arthur said. Merlin nodded and did so as Arthur turned away.
"So is there any clue on the other Morgana?" asked Arthur, looking away.
"We think it might be the same woman from the hall the other day" Merlin said. "The one who tried to kidnap Morgana" he added. Arthur nodded.
"Just what we need, another witch with a chip on her shoulder" he grumbled.
"But she's different" Merlin said.
"Merlin, Magic users are all the same, trouble" Arthur replied. "you seen one, you seen them all" he expanded.
"No, this is different, I mean all the others have, to a large extent wanted Uther, or you, she's singled out Morgana twice now" Merlin said. Arthur turned to him, slowly nodding, conceding the point.
"But why Morgana, and why now?" Arthur asked. Merlin shrugged.
"I don't know, she's no different than before, except being pregnant that is" Merlin said.
"Maybe they want the child?" Arthur guessed.
"Over my dead body" Merlin replied. Arthur nodded.
"Mine as well, and possibly my fathers" he agreed, then he sighed. "Well, until she shows up again, there's not a lot we can do" Arthur said. Merlin nodded, then looked away.
"But if she comes near Morgana again, I'll kill her" he said. Arthur looked at him, taken aback at the tone of his friends voice. Finally Arthur shook his head and nodded towards the door.
"Come on, Father wants to see us" Arthur said.
"he's not going to try to kill me again is he?" Merlin called after Arthur as he followed him out.
Uther looked up as Arthur walked in, Merlin at his side.
"Sire" greeted Merlin with a bow.
"Father" Arthur greeted. "you wanted to see us?" he asked, Uther nodded at them.
"As you know, I've been attempting to open negotiations with Lott for the past few months" Uther began. "However I have sent three couriers there over the past two weeks, none have yet returned" Uther said.
"Bandits?" asked Arthur.
"My first thought as well, however I am concerned because Balinor has gone quiet as well, and our couriers there have not returned either" Uther said. "Arthur, I'd like you to go and see if you can find out what's happening, this sudden silence from two of our neighbours is unnerving" Uther said.
"Of course Father" said Arthur.
"Sire, if I may" said Merlin stepping forwards. Uther looked at him.
"The village I grew up in, Erador, falls within Lott's kingdom, I had to go the castle several times, so I know the land there" Merlin offered. Uther nodded.
"Thank you Merlin" Uther said. Merlin nodded, and then with a bow he and Arthur left the room.
"you sure this isn't an excuse to see your mother?" teased Arthur.
"Would you know where to go when you crossed the border?" Merlin replied. Arthur didn't reply.
"Didn't think so" Merlin said with a grin.
"No one likes a gloater Merlin" Arthur replied.
"No gloating here" Merlin replied.
"Shut up Merlin"
"Shutting up Arthur"
"You're going to let me have the last word are you Merlin?"
"Nope"
"I have a feeling this will be a long trip" Arthur grumbled
"yep"
"MERLIN"
Morgana looked up from where she was sitting at the table with Jamie, a book open in front of her. Jamie was looking at her, listening while she had been reading to him.
"Sorry, just getting some stuff" Merlin said with a smile. "What you reading?" he asked, walking over.
"It's about a princess who wants to go and fight but she can't because she's just a girl" Jamie said. Morgana looking at him and raising an eyebrow. Merlin chuckled and leant down to him.
"They're never just girls Jamie" he whispered. The eyebrow was on him now.
"Very droll Merlin" She said, Merlin chuckling again.
"But if they're never just girls, then what are they?" asked Jamie. Merlin opened his mouth to reply, then frowned, utterly stumped with an answer.
"Yes Merlin, Pray tell, what are they?" she asked. Merlin smiled and looked at her.
"Whatever they are its nowhere near as beautiful as you" he answered. Morgana glared for a moment longer then smiled.
"Good recovery" she said, then frowned as Merlin picked up a holdall from the closet and pulled out some clothing.
"You're leaving?" asked Morgana.
"Uther's asked Me and Arthur to go and see what-" he looked at Jamie who was listening intently. "what is happening in one of the outlying villages, bad crop he want's us to get some samples for Gaius" he said.
"Can I come?" asked Jamie.
"Not this time, but next time yes, I promise" Merlin said. Jamie's face fell and he nodded.
"Okay" he replied. Merlin looked at him and knelt down. "Okay I promise I'll bring you something back as well, deal?" he asked. Jamie looked over to him smiling.
"Okay" he said.
"Jamie, you stay here for a second while I help Merlin pack" Morgana said standing, moving over to the dresser, Merlin following a moment later.
"So what's going on?" whispered Morgana.
"The couriers we sent to Lott's kingdom haven't returned, and now neither has the one we sent to Balinor's kingdom, Uther want's to know why" he whispered.
"Can't Arthur take some of the knights?" she whispered back. Merlin shook his head.
"If a bunch of knight's turn up in Lott's kingdom, he might think we're there to attack, only the tow of us" he replied, putting a shirt in the bag. Morgana nodded, seeing the sense of it.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked.
"Hopefully only a few days" he said, then with a smile he closed the holdall, moving back over to Jamie.
"You be good for Morgana and Gwen right" he said.
"I will" Jamie said. Merlin smiled and kissed him on the forehead, then he stood, turning to Morgana, they embraced and then kissed, before he pulled away.
Be careful she mouthed the words.
"you'd better bring me something back too" she said.
"Course I will" he said, then smiling he walked out. Morgana sighed and watched him go, then she turned back to Jamie and sat down.
"Now let's just see what this 'just a girl' can do shall we?" she asked.
"Everything ready?" asked Arthur as Merlin exited from the castle. Merlin nodded and walked over to his horse which was situated by Arthurs. Handing his holdall to the stable hand who was affixing the harness to it. Heaving himself up, he looked over to Arthur, even as Uther appeared on the steps.
"Come to wish us good fortune?" asked Arthur.
"I just came to remind you to both be careful, if Lott and Balinor are massing against us, then you need to return as quickly as possible" Uther said. "and I expect to see you both back here, is that understood?" he asked.
"Yes father" said Arthur. Merlin nodded and Uther gave a tight smile, satisfied, watching as they trotted away.
They moved in silence for most of the day, the occasional bout of banter spewing between them, but Arthur could tell Merlin's heart wasn't really in this trip, eventually however he put it out of his mind, he knew Merlin had been 'sent away' from his village for something or other, but if his friend wanted to tell him about it then it was down to him. Merlin of course, knew Arthur and most of the people in Camelot were curious as to how someone like Merlin could be sent away from anywhere, being the honest, hardworking and dedicated person he was, so he was grateful that Arthur kept his curiosity to himself.
"This is the last stretch of forest before we reach the valley that separates Camelot from the mountains in Lott's kingdom" Arthur suddenly announced, shocking Merlin out of his thoughts.
"The valley will take about half a day to cross, the mountains another half a day" he added.
"We should camp here then, make sure we're well rested, just in case Lott is planning something" Merlin replied. Arthur nodded and got off his horse, Merlin grunting as he did the same.
"Oh come on Merlin half a day of traveling by horse and you're grunting like a girl" Arthur teased.
"I'm fine, just sore" Merlin said, "I think I've rubbed the skin off my-"
"Not another word" said Arthur, holding his hands up.
"Saddle Arthur, I was going to say saddle" Merlin replied rolling his eyes. "what is it with you?" he asked shaking his head, and walking towards the forest.
"where are you going?" Arthur asked.
"Firewood? Or maybe you want me to call a dragon to set fire to the forest for us?" Merlin quipped.
"Firewood is good" Arthur agreed, watching as Merlin moved off. Arthur busied himself tending to the horses, but suddenly he got the distinct impression that he was being watched. The Horses shifted uncomfortably as he looked around. He patted them gently as he looked around the dark clearing. The feeling all around him now.
"Is this enough?" asked Merlin moving forwards, causing Arthur to jump.
"Are you trying to kill me?" Arthur demanded.
"Sorry" Merlin replied. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"I'm fine" Arthur snapped, then shook his head. "sorry, just a bit jumpy all of a sudden" he admitted. Merlin nodded and then knelt down dumping the wood in the centre of the clearing, using a flint and tinder to light it. As the brightness chased away the shadows, Arthur felt himself relax a little, even to berate himself for his foolishness. He'd been out in the forest many times over night, sometimes by himself, so what was the problem? Checking the horses once more he moved over and sat by the camp fire, even as Merlin moved to his horse and pulled out some food, handing some to Arthur as he sat himself down.
"I didn't mean to snap" Arthur said. Merlin looked at him and shook his head.
"Its okay, but you were a bit jumpy" Merlin said. Arthur nodded and considered telling his friend what he'd felt, but then shook his head.
"Over tired I guess, a night in the cells will do that to a person" he subtly reminded Merlin.
"Well, now you get to have a night under the… clouds" Merlin said with a grin.
"and that's so much better" Arthur replied, chewing his food, watching Merlin as he suddenly looked around.
"Merlin?" he asked. Merlin looked at him.
"Do you feel that?" Merlin asked.
"Feel what?" Arthur asked. Merlin looked back over his shoulder, then visibly shivered.
"Like we're being watched" he said, Arthur feeling himself go cold.
"That's what I had, when you went looking for the firewood" Arthur said, Merlin looked at him, then nodded, then he laughed, but it was a nervous laugh.
"Look at us, two grown men, and a prince to boot, scared by nothing" he said. Arthur grinned, but there was no humour in it.
"Yeah" he agreed. A beat.
"Think we should go?" asked Merlin.
"Oh yes" Arthur agreed
The pair of them took off like bat's out of hell.
"Will you be needing anything else tonight?" asked Gwen gently as she tucked Jamie in. Morgana smiled and shook her head.
"No, thank you Gwen" she said with a smile. "I'll see you in the morning"
"Good night my lady" Gwen said moving to the door.
"Good night Gwen" she replied, watching as Gwen left the room.
Out in the corridor Gwen smiled to the two guards who nodded in greeting before going on her way. She was halfway out of the castle when she paused. A feeling of dread creeping over her, slowly she looked back, expecting to see some insane killer or some such looking at her. Instead she saw nothing, but the feeling didn't dissipate.
"Gwen?" she turned back around, seeing Leon watching her.
"Oh Leon" she said, relief in her voice.
"Are you okay?" he asked, moving forwards concerned.
"No" she said, shivering. "Sorry, its silly, I felt like I was being watched is all" she admitted. Leon looked behind her and shook his head.
"There's nothing there" he assured her. Gwen nodded.
"As I said, Silly" she agreed.
"Come on, I'll walk you home" he told her. Normally she would scoff at such a notion. Tonight she was glad of the company.
Morgana settled down into bed, then blew out the candles, feeling strange that Merlin wasn't lying beside her. She smiled, wondering how she could have become so used to having him with her at night, but slowly she began to drift off.
The whisper was soft, hardly anything, but enough to stir Morgana in her sleep. She turned over, then woke with a start feeling her hair being brushed away from her shoulders. Sitting up quickly she looked around the darkened room. Nothing moved, nothing was out of place, but she could feel it, something watching her briefly before it faded away. Slowly she stood and went to Jamie, gently she picked him up and put him on the bed, before getting back in next to him, hugging him tightly.
They had travelled into the valley before Arthur had called a halt to their gallop. The horses were out of breath, as it was and they both needed sleep, but at least if anything was waiting here for them, they would see it. There was of course no place to tether the horses so they took it in turns to sleep, Merlin letting Arthur go first. Merlin made it close to midnight so they had maybe six hours before dawn. He sat near the small camp fire he had got going, to warm himself, even as he pulled his cloak tighter around himself. Eventually he found himself beginning to doze off, pulling himself awake a couple of times, then looking up as the horses became agitated, looking at something behind him. He turned, seeing nothing, but the feeling was back, the feeling of being watched.
"Nothing there… nothing there" he repeated the mantra over and over, and eventually the feeling left him. He sighed, looking at the horses who had calmed down some, then got up and moved to them
"easy, easy" he muttered.
"I want to be back to Camelot by nightfall" Arthur said as he woke Merlin the next morning.
"It happened again didn't it?" asked Merlin. Arthur nodded.
"You as well?" Arthur asked.
"Yeah about an hour after you fell asleep" Merlin said.
"I don't like this" Arthur said suddenly. "I've never been afraid of the dark, I've slept in the forest hundreds of times by myself" he said. "But last night. I felt…"
"Afraid" finished Merlin. Arthur looked at him, seeing that he was being completely serious. Slowly he shook his head.
"No Merlin, I was terrified" he said, the admission taking Merlin aback as he stood, and went to his still jittery horse.
"We need to find out what's going on" Arthur said. Merlin suddenly paused, then turned to look at him.
"I can call the Dragon, perhaps he knows" Merlin suggested. Arthur looked at him, then nodded. Merlin handed the horses to Arthur then stepped forwards, holding out his hand, then he closed his eyes.
"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" he called. Then he opened them, looking around. Arthur doing the same.
"Merlin?" he asked. Merlin took a deep breath, then closed his eyes again.
"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" he called again, still nothing. "I don't understand, Gaius showed me the book with the Dragon call, he should be here" Merlin said.
"Maybe you remembered it wrong?" asked Arthur. Merlin shook his head.
"no, I can feel it, the call, its working but he's coming" Merlin said.
"Why not?" asked Arthur.
"I don't know" he admitted. Arthur sighed and got up onto his horse.
"come on, lets get this damned thing done and go home" he said. Merlin nodded and got onto his own horse, and together they rode towards the mountains.
Morgana looked up as Gwen entered her chambers.
"My lady?" Gwen asked, seeing the dark circles under her eyes.
"I couldn't sleep" Morgana said. Gwen nodded.
"Neither could I" Gwen said.
"Why not?" Morgana asked. Gwen shook her head as Jamie turned over sleepily.
"It's strange, I felt like…"
"Like you were being watched?" asked Morgana. Gwen's eyes went wide.
"Yes, yes that's it exactly" Gwen replied. "It's happened all over Camelot, the feeling" Gwen said. "Half the stalls in the market aren't out either, because the people who run them are too tired, they've been up all night" she said.
"We need to see Uther" she said. Gwen nodded, Morgana picking up Jamie while Gwen grabbed his stick.
They moved quickly to the hall where Uther took his meals, entering, to see him looking up at them, a little haggard, his eyes widening to see his ward in such a state, usually she was immaculately dressed and made up, but not this morning.
"Morgana?" he asked, half rising.
"I'm sorry we entered without your permission" Morgana said, indicating herself and Gwen. Uther shook it away, noticing her made also looked the worse for wear.
"Not at all" Uther said, gesturing to a seat. Morgana sat gratefully, Uther indicating Gwen should sit as well. Gwen smiled and sat next to her mistress.
"My lord, last night did you…. Did you experience anything strange?" asked Morgana.
"Strange how?" asked Uther. Morgana looked at Gwen.
"Like you were being watched, but no one was there, not a pleasant feeling" Gwen said.
"No, not at all" Uther said.
"I was sleeping in my chambers, then something woke me, it touched my shoulder" Morgana said.
"And when I left for the night, I could have sworn I was being followed" Gwen said, "there was no one there but, it felt…" Gwen began to tear up suddenly. "It was like it wanted to hurt me" she said. Uther sat up, looking at her, as Morgana took her hand.
"How long did this feeling last?" asked Uther, looking at her.
"All night" Gwen said. "I'm sorry sire" she added. Uther shook his head.
"No, its quite alright, and what of you Morgana?" asked Uther.
"The same, but not as intense, but it was there" she said. Uther nodded.
"It's the same all over the city, people having the feeling of being watched… its not just us" Gwen explained. Uther nodded.
"I'll have Gaius look into this, and is Jamie alright?" he asked, looking at the boy.
"Yes, it didn't effect him, whatever it was" Morgana said. Uther nodded.
"Very well, Morgana I would like you to remain in the castle for the time being" he said. "Your maid will also stay until we discover what is happening here" he said.
"Thank you my lord" said Morgana standing, Gwen smiling and doing the same.
"Some of the guest rooms are available again" Uther said.
"Thank you sire, but I'll take Merlin's old room with Gaius, its closer should Morgana need me" Gwen said. Uther smiled at her.
"Very well" he agreed, then with another bow, the two women walked out.
"Guards!" called Uther. The Guards entered the room, bowing, one of them looking extremely tired.
"Summon Gaius" he ordered the first one.
"Sire" he said with a bow and rushed out.
"And you, get some sleep" Uther told the other one.
"Thank you sire" he replied, then moved out, not half as quick as the first one. As the doors closed Uther sat back and sighed.
"There" said Merlin pointing to a small village, from the trees that surrounded it.
"Erador?" asked Arthur. Merlin nodded, but was frowning. Slowly the two men moved down into the village. Nothing was moving as they trotted through it.
"Hello!" called Arthur.
"Mother!" Merlin called out, still no reply.
"where is everyone?" asked Arthur. Merlin shook his head, there was nothing, not even any live stock to be seen. Slowly Merlin dismounted, Arthur watching.
"Its me! Merlin!" he called out, his voice echoing around the quiet village.
"Mother! Will!" he called out again, slowly he turned back towards Arthur., who slowly got down from his own horse.
"Look around, touch nothing" Arthur ordered. Merlin nodded, then turned towards a small hut, hesitating at the door.
"Your home?" guessed Arthur. Merlin nodded, then taking a deep breath pushed the door open. He entered the empty hut. Looking over at his old bed, tucked into the corner. Slowly he turned around, looking into the kitchen area, pots hung on the walls, unused for at least a week by the small amount of dust on them. Outside he saw Arthur pass the window, sword drawn, he turned his investigation back to the hut, moving towards the table where they had sat to eat, and where Hunith had written her letter to Gaius. There was a piece of parchment on it, but save for where the ink pot had been knocked over onto it, it was blank. He touched the ink that had been spilt, it was dry. Then he frowned, kneeling down, there were several spots of ink on the floor, but no, these were red. The ink was black. Merlin stood, feeling himself shaking.
"Arthur" he had meant to call out, but only a whisper was issued. Shaking he backed away, towards the door, unable to remove his gaze from the blood on the floor.
"found anything?" Arthur asked appearing in the doorway, then he gripped Merlin. "Merlin? What is it?" his voice growing concerned. Merlin slowly pointed a shaking finger at the blood. Arthur moved over to it, kneeling down, realising it for what it was. Slowly he turned back to Merlin.
"This doesn't prove anything Merlin" he tried to assure him. Merlin nodded, but continued to stare. Arthur stood and went to him, pulling him outside to the horses.
"Stay here" he said gently. Merlin nodded again. Arthur looked at him once more then moved off again. Merlin took a deep breath, looking at the other houses. Wondering if they contained anything.
"Stay here" he said simply, nodding to himself, then he began to move forwards.
"Merlin I said stay there!" Arthur yelled back.
"I'm fine" Merlin shouted back. Arthur shook his head and then turned away again.
Merlin moved to the next hut along, hands still shaking he pushed the door open, then slowly entered. This had been Angelia's hut, the village physician. As before he looked around, seeing nothing, the bed unmade, the bottles of herbs untouched, a thin layer of dust on them. Sighing he turned, walking back out, even as Arthur came rushing around from the side of a hut further down looking distressed. Merlin rushed over to him, Arthur catching him by the arm.
"You don't want to go around there" Arthur said.
"I have to…" Merlin said.
"No Merlin" Arthur said. Merlin was shaking again, then with a strength that took even Arthur by surprise he pulled away, running around the corner.
"MERLIN!" Arthur yelled, hearing his friends footsteps skid to a halt. Slowly Arthur moved around to join him. Merlin staring at the pile of bodies that had been arranged, so neatly, so gently, in a circle, all of them were bloodied, all of them were lifeless.
"I'm sorry Merlin" Arthur said gently. Merlin didn't say anything, just moved forwards, slowly.
"Merlin" Arthur said again.
"I have to see!" Merlin shouted. Arthur watched as Merlin walked around the bodies, about a quarter of the way around Merlin stopped, slowly falling to his knees. Arthur moved over to him to see him looking at a woman with a kind face. Slowly Merlin reached out, touching her cheek, pulling back as if burnt.
"Is that…?" Arthur asked gently. Merlin nodded, looking up at him.
"She's cold Arthur" his voice breaking.
"I'm sorry Merlin… " Arthur said.
"Sorry?" Merlin muttered. "We were farmers Arthur, nothing more, no weapons, just each other" Merlin said.
"Merlin, we need to go" Arthur said softly, aware that it was beginning to get dark.
"I'm not leaving them like this Arthur, I can't" It was getting darker.
"Merlin… we need to go, now" Arthur said, looking up at the blackness that was rolling across the sky. Not dark clouds, just complete blackness, the horses were becoming more and more agitated.
"NO ARTHUR!"
"THERE'S NO TIME!" Arthur yelled, grabbing him. Merlin snarled and pulled away from him, looking back at the pile of corpses.
"Merlin what the hell are you doing!" Demanded Arthur.
"EMBLAZARY!" Merlin roared. The corpses exploding into flames. Arthur's mouth gaping open, Merlin turned to him, his features angry.
"Morgana knows, so do you now" he muttered angrily. "Now we can leave" he said, running to the horse. Arthur, mouth gaping open, staring at what had just happened.
"Are you coming or not?" Merlin demanded. Arthur looked at him, then shaking his head, he ran to his horse, jumping up, before both men tore away from the village and the rapidly encroaching darkness.
"MORGANA!" Jamie screamed, tears in his eyes, Morgana sat up, rushing to him from her bed.
"Jamie?" she asked as he grabbed her, shaking like a leaf. "Jamie, what is it?" Morgana asked.
"We warned you sister" said Morgause from behind her. Morgana turned, still clutching Jamie. "I warned you the darkness was coming" she added, stepping forwards, then she opened her eyes, they were totally black. Around the room a strange whisper began to echo from the shadows. Morgana, terrified, and gripping Jamie, ran from her chambers. The whisper all around them, people looking out of their rooms, faces terrified. In her chambers Morgause vanished in a whirlwind of energy.
"And now the darkness is here" her voice echoed.
Uther looked up from his desk as Morgana rushed in with Jamie. He stood immediately, rushing to them
"Morgana?" he asked.
"Here, there's something here" Morgana said.
"What Morgana? What is here?" he asked, even as the whispering began in his chambers.
"what on earth?" he muttered and Jamie began to cry again as outside the sky turned totally black.
Gwen and Gaius were huddled in the middle of the pharmacy as the whispering around them both intensified, Suddenly Gwen screamed, an unseen hand touching her back.
"Gaius what is this?" she screamed as she was touched again.
"I don't know my child" he said, Gwen hearing the fear in his voice.
Racing side by side, Arthur and Merlin looked up as the sky turned the colour of ebony, there was nothing, no sun in the sky. Just the rolling blackness.
"What is this?" asked Arthur.
"Its Evil Arthur," Merlin muttered. "Pure evil" he added, looking at Arthur, before spurring his horse faster, the blackness in the sky flowing off into the distance. Around the pair of them they felt the earth begin to rumble, not an earthquake, something else. Suddenly behind them there was an explosion, inhuman screeches and the flapping for large wings. Arthur called out for Merlin, then suddenly his horse buckled and he was thrown from it to land heavily on the ground.
"Arthur!" Merlin called back.
"Merlin!" he yelled then he screamed as something grabbed him, he looked up, seeing nothing in the total blackness.
"Arthur!" Merlin cried again, this time from below him. There was a loud crunching sound, then Arthur didn't hear anything at all.
To be continued…