Merlin was beginning to think that Will was even more vindictive as a dog than he could be in person. In the past hour, he had alternated between attempting to eat all the food in the basket and trying to trip Merlin whenever he got fed up and made the little dog walk. Still, in the moments where Merlin wasn't fighting Will or gravity, Merlin found himself inexplicably cheerful. Maybe yellow really was a happy colour like his mum was always insisting.
"Oh, don't do that!" Merlin heard, causing him to stop in surprise. The Yellow Brick Road was cutting down the middle of a corn field, but he couldn't see anyone in sight. There were several crows dipping flying overhead, but Merlin hadn't given them much thought. For a moment he thought the person was amid the corn stalks before he saw the scarecrow ahead of him bat its arm.
"Please don't eat the corn," the scarecrow begged, trying to wave the crows off their perches. "The farmer needs that corn to eat. I mean, I know you need it too, but there are other things for you to eat. I know that you like insects as well… I'm not saying that you only deserve insects of course, you deserve corn as much as anyone else, but you really can't have this corn!"
"Do you need any help?" Merlin called, and the scarecrow turned to face him. He could see it was a she now, dressed in a frayed yellow dress. Dark curls of plant stalks seemed to sit on her head, a piece of burlap with a surprisingly human face on it.
"Oh!" she cried, and dark paint seemed to bleed onto her cheeks as she blushed. "I didn't see you there."
Merlin crossed into the field and drove off the crows, who took off into the air with indignant squawks. "I'm Merlin."
"Gwen," she smiled before looking at the basket on Merlin's arm. "Oh, are you traveling to Camelot?"
"How did you know?" Merlin asked, surprised.
"I didn't mean to pry," Gwen began hurriedly. "It's just that Camelot is really the only thing on this road, except for Ealdor, but that's the other way. You don't have to tell me of course, I just-"
"It's okay, Gwen," Merlin promised. Gwen bit her lip and fell silent, looking embarrassed. "Yes, I'm going to Camelot, to speak to King Uther."
"King Uther?" Gwen repeated, her eyes growing wide.
"Yes. Why?" he asked, seeing the look on Gwen's face. It was not generally the look people had when they thought of a beloved monarch.
"Would you mind if I came with you?" Gwen blurted out before looking very much like she wished she hadn't. "I mean, I don't want to impose on you or anything, it's just that I need to see him."
"Sure," Merlin agreed. He reached for the ropes trying Gwen to the post. Will, however, chose that moment to come tearing through the corn, causing Merlin to trip as he tugged the last knot out, and sending the two of them tumbling to the ground.
"Sorry, that's just Will," Merlin groaned as he sat up.
"Oh, but he's adorable!" Gwen cooed, reaching over so she could pet him. Will drew himself up smugly and leaned into her touch.
"Oh, don't say that," Merlin huffed. "He's got a big enough ego as it is."
"What?" Gwen asked, blinking in confusion. Merlin remembered the Dragon's warning that only the King was allowed to use magic. If she was going with him to Camelot, then maybe it was best she didn't know about his gift, dog transforming abilities and all.
"Dogs can be quite smart," he offered lamely, but Gwen accepted it without question.
"Well," she said, beaming brightly as she stood. "This is the first time I've walked in three years! I've been stuck to that post for such a long time, I'll be glad to see Albion again."
"Albion?" Merlin asked before he remembered the Knights of Albion. Realizing he might have blown his cover, he quickly added, "Shall we be off then?"
"To Camelot!" Gwen agreed, linking her arm with his. They started down the road, a spring in their step.
--
"Edwin!" Nimueh screamed the moment she returned to her castle.
"Yes, my lady?" Edwin asked, turning from his worktable.
"Sophia is dead," she spat.
"That is troubling news indeed," Edwin admitted.
"Some boy fell from the sky, Edwin," Nimueh explained, pacing the length of the room. "He transported himself and the building he was in. I'm not sure he's even from our world."
"Avalon?"
"No one from Avalon would look as ridiculous as him," Nimueh snapped. "That blasted dragon gave him Sophia's ruby hat. The enchantments woven into that fabric could break certain spells, Edwin."
"If the boy was to ever come in contact with such spells. It seems unlikely," Edwin replied gently.
"It also seems unlikely that someone could be powerful enough to transport themselves into Albion without my knowing it. I don't like this, Edwin. Take care of him."
"What would you like me to do with him, my lady?" the man asked, bending down to pick up his powders and potions from the table.
"If he refuses to join our cause, kill him. I don't want anyone in Camelot to threaten my power."
"Yes, my lady," Edwin bowed and walked out of the room, leaving Nimueh alone with her thoughts.
--
"- And then I found myself standing in the middle of a town called Ealdor with a knight holding a sword to my throat," Merlin was saying, finishing his story for Gwen. He had left out a few bits, like being a wizard and Will being human.
"Sophia was probably throwing a tantrum," Gwen replied. "Her temper has been known to cause a loss of control in regards to her magic. One day I heard rumors of it snowing for five days straight. Great for the local children, but it worried the farmers who were trying to tend to their crops in the middle of the summer."
"Yes, must've been Sophia," Merlin agreed, glad to have an excuse. Even if the Knights of Albion and the Dragon didn't question Merlin's sudden appearance, King Uther probably would.
"Did you get to talk to any of the knights?" Gwen asked, rather shyly.
Merlin glanced at her in confusion. "Just one, actually. Lancelot, I think he said."
Gwen smiled and murmured something that sounded suspiciously like "Thank goodness," and Merlin raised an eyebrow before he continued.
"Anyway, he's the one who told me that Nimueh killed King Uther's family."
"Family?" Gwen asked, frowning. "You mean his wife."
"And son and ward. Why?" Merlin asked quickly as Gwen stopped short.
"She killed them?" she asked in a small voice, her eyes wide.
"I- that's what he said."
"But that's-!" She turned away from Merlin. Her hands bunched up in her apron and she appeared to be using the cloth to wipe away tears. Merlin wasn't quite sure how a scarecrow could cry, exactly, but Gwen was finding a way to do so all the same.
"Are you all right?" he asked slowly, taking a step towards her.
"I'm fine," she gasped, turning away. "I just have to wash my face."
"Gwen!" Merlin called after her as she ran off the side of the path into the trees. He was worried that if she actually put water on her face it might wash the paint off. Will nipped at his ankles and barked at him.
"How was I supposed to know that would upset her?" Merlin protested. Will glared up at him before trotting after her.
"She can't date a dog, Will." Merlin called after him before sighing. He really couldn't continue his trip without her, so he followed them into the woods. The only problem was he didn't actually know where she had gone, so he had to muddle through the trees on his own. He wasn't five steps into the forest before he tripped over a root.
"Gwen!" he called again, hoping for a response. He pushed himself upright before a gleam of silver caught his eye. He pushed through the bush before stopping in front of a statue of a knight. It -seemed to be posed in mid movement, sword out as if it was about to run someone through.
"Weird," Merlin muttered as he dusted himself off. He moved to the other side of the statue and was about to call Gwen over when he heard it talk.
"Can you pick up that oil can over there?"
Merlin would later deny that he emitted any sound other than a dignified manly squawk.
"Who said that?" Merlin slowly stood up and peered closer at the statue. "Do you hide in there just so scare passersby?"
"We're in a forest," came the irritated reply. "No one passes by."
"So you're hiding in there to scare the people who don't pass by?"
The statue muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "useless idiot" and Merlin saw a flash of blue from underneath the visor.
"I've rusted into place," was what the knight said instead. "Grab that oil can and take care of my hinges, will you?"
Merlin rolled his eyes and reached for the can, sitting on a nearby stump. "Since I'm helping you and all, would it hurt to be a little more grateful?"
The statue seemed amused. "It doesn't take a genius to squirt oil out of a can."
"Does it take a genius rust in the first place?" Merlin asked, smirking to himself when the statue didn't reply.
"Finally," the knight said, placing his sword in its hilt and stretching. "It feels good to move again."
I hope it improves your mood, Merlin thought to himself before holding out his hand. "I'm Merlin."
"Arthur," the knight said, his grip tight. Merlin could see two blue eyes shining from behind the helmet's visor, but beyond that he could see no evidence that Arthur was human. Merlin was beginning to wonder if giving inanimate objects life was a favorite pastime in Albion. He made a special note to avoid stepping on anything that looked like it could have a mouth.
"So, Merlin," Arthur said, pronouncing his name in a way that sounded inexplicably insulting. "Just why are you wandering around the woods?"
"I was looking for a friend who wandered off the Yellow Brick Road. You didn't happen to see a scarecrow and a little black dog running past here, did you?"
Arthur gave him a strange look. "What kind of friends do you keep?"
Merlin opened his mouth to give one of his trademark biting retorts when a scream cut through the air.
"Gwen?" Merlin and Arthur shouted at the same time, and Merlin followed him as he charged through the trees.
"How do you know Gwen's name?" Merlin asked as he dodged the branches that whipped out from behind Arthur.
"Not now Merlin," Arthur snapped.
Merlin almost ran into Arthur's back as the knight skidded to a stop at the edge of a clearing. In front of them, Gwen was cowering behind an abandoned plow as a pale man tossed a fireball from hand to hand. Will was crouched in front of Gwen, growling and doing his best to look intimidating. Hearing Arthur draw his blade the man turned and Merlin sucked in his breath at seeing the scars marring his face.
"Leave her alone," Arthur ordered, taking a step forward.
The man smiled calmly at him, his fireball flaring larger in warning. "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to not come any closer, Arthur. We wouldn't want poor little Gwen to get singed."
"Haven't you and Nimueh done enough, Edwin?" Arthur spat. Merlin shot him a look in surprise. This man was working with Nimueh?
"We haven't started. It's only been three years since you left Camelot, Arthur." The man's eyes slid past Arthur and settled on Merlin. "Ah, so you're the one Nimueh wants."
"What does Nimueh want with him?" Arthur demanded. "He's useless."
"Not to her," Edwin replied. With a flick of his hand he sent Arthur clattering to the ground and held him there before returning his attention to Merlin.
"What do you want?" Merlin asked, uneasy.
"The Great Dragon seems to think you're important and my lady agrees. She issues you an invitation to join her. The climate of Camelot might not agree with you."
"So you threaten my friends?" Merlin raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "See, when I want someone to like me I bring candy and flowers. Not that I'd want any from you. You look like the type who puts prunes in perfectly good chocolate."
"You'll find us better friends than these two," Edwin replied.
"I'm finding that hard to believe."
"Very well," Edwin said with a shrug. "You've been warned."
He raised his hand and flung the fireball at Gwen. It landed at her feet and the flames eagerly reached for her dress. Merlin had already slung his jacket off and was trying to smother the flames by the time she finished her first scream. Will had lunged at Edwin and tried to clamp onto his legs, but the man sent him flying through the air. He landed in the grass and didn't get up.
"Will!" Merlin screamed, beating out the last lick of fire. He stood up to reach his friend and found himself held in place. Edwin sneered at him, a sinister expression on his face.
"Do you know how many ways I can kill a person?" he asked lightly, as if they were discussing the weather. Merlin shuddered and tried to conjure up some magic, anything to escape. Edwin must have felt it, for his concentration wavered and Arthur jumped up, freed of the supernatural pressure. He swung his sword towards Edwin but the man disappeared, leaving Arthur to slice through air.
"Gwen, are you alright?" Arthur asked, quickly turning to the scarecrow.
"I'm fine," she replied, before looking at him with big eyes. "You look… different."
"So do you," he agreed before leaning forward and whispering into Gwen's ear. Merlin looked up from Will, satisfied that his friend wasn't injured, in time to see them finish their quiet conversation.
"I'm fine, actually. Fantastic really, thank you for asking," Merlin said to them pointedly. For someone wanted for their magic abilities, Merlin was depressingly good at being ignored.
"No one cares about you, Merlin," Arthur replied, he helped him anyway.
Gwen turned to Arthur. "We're going to Camelot."
"Shouldn't we, well," Arthur gestured at himself. "Wait? Until we're back to normal?"
"Arthur, we might never get back to normal without Ut- King Uther's permission to use magic," Gwen replied before gesturing at Merlin. "And he needs to talk Uther too, so he can get home."
"Do you think Uther's likely to?"Arthur asked, but he nodded anyway. Gwen beamed happily at him as they turned back towards the forest, cheerfully ignoring Merlin's protests of "Wait, don't I get a say? It's my quest!"
Arthur was a frustratingly good navigator, Merlin was forced to admit. He sighed and resigned himself to following behind Arthur and Gwen while lugging Will in the little basket from Ealdor. He had a feeling Arthur would make him carry a lot of things.
As the woods began to grow thicker, Arthur left Merlin and Gwen resting on the road while he scouted ahead.
"Ignore Arthur," Gwen had said, after they had rested in silence for a few minutes. "He's just protective."
"So you already knew each other?" Merlin asked.
"Since we were young. I just… well, being strapped to a post doesn't leave you with much hope of seeing people again."
"Is he always this… prattish?"
Gwen laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Sometimes. But he really does have a good heart, Merlin."
"Really?" Merlin asked. "Where did he leave it?
They were still laughing when Arthur rounded the corner and demanded to know what was so funny.
---
"I don't remember there being a forest this dark in Albion," Gwen whispered as they traveled deeper into the woods, losing more and more light.
"I have a feeling Nimueh's made a lot of changes," Arthur muttered, gripping his sword tightly. "But I don't hear anything that wants to eat us."
"What do you mean 'us'?" Merlin demanded. "You're metal and she's straw. They'd want to eat me!"
Arthur glanced at him. "No, you don't have any fat on you. I bet you'd taste horrible and stringy."
"Stringy isn't a flavour," Merlin replied, but paused when Arthur tensed and held up a hand.
"Quiet," he hissed, his helmet looking round in all directions. "Do you hear that?"
Merlin stilled and listened intently. There, underneath the sound of Will's snoring, was a rustling in the trees. Arthur gestured for Merlin and Gwen to continue down the road while he slipped into the woods. They hadn't gone more than fifteen paces when they heard Arthur crash into a tree. There were sounds of a struggle before they heard Arthur call out "Morgana?" in bewilderment.
"Arthur!" came the surprised reply and Gwen gasped in delight as Arthur emerged from the woods with a cloaked figure. Gwen barreled into the woman and hugged her tightly.
"Morgana!"
"Hello, Gwen," the woman replied, smiling tiredly from beneath her cloak. Merlin craned his neck to look at the woman, but everything above her nose was hidden by her hood.
"What happened to you?" Gwen asked when she had released Morgana.
"Nimueh branded me. I couldn't return to Uther's court like this," she explained. Arthur's fingers tightened on his hilt.
"Like what," he demanded nervously, his voice sounding harsh and ragged.
Morgana looked at them for a long time before her pale hands reached up to slide back her hood. They gasped as they saw her forehead, where the word Sorceress was displayed in blood red letters.
"Is it true?" Arthur asked tightly after a moment's silence.
"I can see the future, Arthur," Morgana replied. "Sometimes it's terrifying. It does not always come to pass but… it's true."
"Doesn't matter," Gwen burst out, grabbing Morgana's hand and squeezing tightly. "I've never even seen you strike a person, much less be evil."
Arthur slowly nodded and Morgana closed her eyes, looking immensely relieved. Finally Morgana opened her eyes and settled them on Merlin.
"And who's this?" she asked, her blue eyes seeming to look right through him.
"I'm Merlin," he replied as Will gave a sleepy yawn and drowsily sat upright in his basket. "And this is Will."
"Hello," Morgana murmured, continuing to search Merlin's face.
"Come to Camelot with us, Morgana," Gwen begged. "We'll find a way to remove Nimueh's curse."
"I don't think I can face Uther like this," Morgana began, but Arthur cut her off.
"You're not hiding in this wood forever, Morgana. We're not going to tell Uther who we are. You'll never have to take off his hood."
"We aren't?" Gwen asked, blinking in surprise.
"Gwen, I don't think anyone wants to see us like this until we're back to normal. Would you rather go back to your father cursed or human?"
"You're all human?" Merlin blurted out, feeling like the fourth wheel as all eyes turned to him. "I mean-"
"Yes. We're cursed. By magic," Arthur glowered threateningly at him. "Got a problem with that?"
"But what happened?"
"I don't see how that's any of your business. Unless you magically have the ability to turn us back, then you can't ask."
"Right," Merlin replied quickly, and maybe a little too innocently. Arthur's look began to shift towards suspicion before Gwen helped Morgana fix her hood.
"Arthur," Gwen said softly, "We should at least get to the Red Pass before nightfall."
"We'll spend the night in Camelot before going to see Uther," Arthur agreed, distracted to Merlin's immense relief.
"You'll be fine," Gwen promised Morgana comfortingly as her expression began to waver.
"Of course," Morgana agreed, sending Gwen a grateful smile. Will squirmed out his basket and jumped to the ground, eagerly sitting in front of Morgana. Merlin rolled his eyes as Morgana picked him up, gently petting his fur.
"I think Will likes you," Gwen said as they started forward.
"Yeah, big surprise," Merlin muttered, rolling his eyes as Will's tail began to wag. Arthur once again led the way out of the forest (Merlin was beginning to see a pattern with the metal knight) and they continued their journey one step at time.
----
Nimueh turned away from her Scrying bowl with a scowl, fixing her eyes on Edwin. The man sat quietly in the corner, not wishing to attract any more ire from his mistress.
"You failed to kill him," she hissed. "The boy has already found allies, Edwin."
"I apologize, my lady," Edwin said with a deep bow. "I held him in my grasp and lost my concentration over Arthur, allowing him to attack me."
"Why?" Nimueh demanded.
"He was gathering power to fight me," Edwin replied. "Enough power to defeat me."
Nimueh's eyes narrowed. "That is considerable power, Edwin."
"I know."
"And you say this boy possesses it?" Nimueh asked as she turned back to her bowl. She couldn't see the boy himself, he was blurred out of her picture.
"I ask for only a chance to rectify my mistake," Edwin said. "They will cross through the Red Pass, but they will not get to the other end, I promise you."
"One last chance, Edwin," Nimueh warned, not looking up as she dismissed him.
"Yes, my lady," Edwin said as he bowed out of the room. He straightened and began to stride quickly towards his workroom, a determinedly twisting his lips.
None of them would survive the night.