So many people reviewed the last chapter, and a few said that Merlin would use his magic, but he generally only does under cover, and to save Arthur. so I do belive he would be that self-sacrificing.
And additionally, you put an idle cloak in, just as a little hint to give the surroundings a little bit of colour. There was no intention in mind when I did it, it was just a thoughtful quirk to the story, but as I wrote it, it became something. And belive me, Galen's family links were not planned, I just had to put them in as I wrote. I think most people can safely say that fanfiction tends to be posted as most writers first drafts. If I went over this three or four times before I posted it wouldn't chenge all that much, I do like to go where my stories take me...
And one reviewer did as for a perspective back at the castle, which I think was a good idea anyway.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Gregory had been Sir Rupert's servant for years. He was the same age as his master, it was a new thing for him when he had been employed, but that never really seemed like an issue. Gregory had been chopped and changed around masters for a while, but none of them had been terrible to him. He had no reason to complain. And he liked Rupert, he really did, Gregory thought his life was fine. Until today.
Now, he had reason to worry. Rupert had taken him out on patrol, for the one simple reason, the knight had wanted his mare, Dancer, exercised. She had been lame for a while and now she was recovered she needed the run. Gregory had ridden her out and they had been stopped by the bandits that claimed to have Arthur. They had his ring, and had handed it over with a demand for gold and a list of other supplies.
That wasn't a worry, as Rupert delivered the message and ring to Uther, adding the instructions that only four knights could escort the carrier of the ransom. Gregory had listened with just as much concern as Rupert, but had said nothing on the frantic ride home, and poor Dancer was lame again, her offside hock swelling up from the pressure of the ride back.
"Get the ransom ready, and Leon, select four of the best knights; I will deliver the ransom myself."
There was a ripple around the room as Uther declared that, but no one argued with him, considering the look on his face. Gregory felt his heart sink into his boots, the ones that Rupert had recently bought for him because his others had worn out. He was now thrown into a quandary, because he had to make Rupert look bad. On the other hand, he couldn't leave the situation to lie. Maybe he should have voiced his suspicions to Rupert but there might not have been any need, if the scenario had played out differently.
"Sir, is that wise?" Gaius asked. "Maybe someone else should do so. To have you and Arthur in the same location, with these people could be a risk."
"He is my son, I want to look these people in the eye. They have no right to do this."
Gaius lowered his head. "Yes, Sire."
"Dismissed!" Uther snapped, quite obviously wanting to be along. Gregory swallowed deeply. He had to do it now, risking the wrath of not only Rupert, but also the king. His conscience however, firmly informed him that he had to take that risk.
"Sire, I have to… my I speak…" Gregory said. He was stood a little behind Rupert, but he had to step forward for this. Rupert glared at him in shock, so did Uther. It made Gregory wilt a fraction, but it was too late to back off now.
"And you are?" Uther snarled.
"Gregory, Sire, I'm Sir Rupert's servant. I have to tell you…"
"Sir Rupert?" Uther snapped. Gregory shut up for a moment, hanging his head so he didn't have to look at everyone staring at him.
"I don't know Sire, whatever he wants to say he hasn't told me."
"I didn't think it would matter, but it… I can't even be sure, not really. But if I don't tell you and you go to deliver the ransom…" Gregory stopped, keeping his head down. This was really not going well.
"Look up boy!" Uther roared. Gregory did. He did in fact much admire Merlin for sometimes being brave enough to stand there and face the king. And Merlin had paid a price for it now and again.
"You might as well speak up now," Rupert snarled, in a way that told Gregory he was in trouble. He might not be if he told the truth, there was no choice now. He took a deep breath and looked directly at the king, while still trying to look deferential. By the look on the king's face, he was assessing Gregory's history. From the information he had Uther's memory would work it out.
He never knew a servant's name, but he knew where they all came from. If he had turned his head, the king could not name the dark haired girl that stood at Morgana's side. But after a moment, he would remember her mother had served in Sir Leon's house and that Gwen had been recommended as a companion for Morgana by Leon's father. She had been officially posted as Morgana's maid in adulthood via a further recommendation by Leon.
Gregory thought that Uther might remember it better than he did, now he had something to pinpoint.
"It was years ago My Lord, twenty at least, and he probably didn't recognise me, not after all this time, and I can't be sure, not really. I was only young."
"Out with it!" Uther snapped.
"The bandit who came to deliver the message, about the ransom," Gregory said deciding that if he got to the point, he could get away quicker. "I think it was Sir I'lian."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Arthur tried not to tense up as the tent doorway was lifted. Merlin had been sleeping soundly and Arthur didn't want to move. But he did blink in surprise as one bandit brought his armour and Merlin's clothes. Another brought a tray of food, another bandit brought water and wine, and I'ilan waited in the doorway, stepping aside as those men left. Then another came in with a bowl of water, and a large jug that presumably held more. Soap came with it, and I'lian was holding fresh linen and two jars.
"My son woke up, he seems fine. I should thank your servant for tending to him."
Arthur huffed with laughter, shaking his head and looking around at the sudden care they were receiving.
"I'm presuming your son's version of events greatly differed from the rest."
"Your men don't just have to trust you, you have to trust them," I'lian said.
"Even if that leaves them thinking they can take advantage of you at every turn?" Arthur asked.
"I have some salve for your servant."
"Leave it with everything else," Arthur said. "I'll wake him when you're gone. I very much doubt he will want you helping him."
'And I certainly don't' was the subtext Arthur put into those words. Without further comment I'lian put the items he was holding down and turned to go, lifting the material of the tent.
"Answer me one thing," Arthur said. I'lian froze, but he didn't turn round, his hand clenched on the tent flap.
"The cloak, with the crest of Camelot, hidden in the bedding, that's not Barak's tent, and it's not just a random item."
"We've killed knights before, believe me."
"Maybe you have, I haven't evidence either way, but it's hidden, and cared for. When I looked at it I could see the material is still in good condition. If Barak had killed a knight, he would not take the cloak and hide it on the bed, it would be displayed in the camp and no doubt put under my nose the moment I arrived." Arthur paused, waiting for a response, none was forthcoming, so he filled in the gap himself.
"The cloak is yours, isn't it?"
There was a heavy silence between them. Arthur carried on filling it.
"It's cared for, and you want it safe. It's where no one will touch it. You are trying to live by the knight's code in a world where there is no room for it."
"You have no right to judge me!" I'lian snapped, turning on Arthur.
"I'm not, I'm just stating the facts, as I see them. You were a knight of Camelot. I don't remember you, I've known the knights as far back as I can ever hold a memory."
Arthur realised that stroking Merlin's hair, as he was doing now, made him feel better about the conversation. He needed Merlin, in some way to soothe the damage he had done. Merlin still slept soundly against him, as I'lian answered him.
"You were nothing more than a babe in arms when I left. I made a choice, and I don't regret it."
"Really, because you are desperately trying to live by something you left behind."
Arthur watched the anger rise up in I'lian.
"I never lost faith in any of the ideals! I trusted your father, and then I had to make a choice. The great purge left me no option! I couldn't stay while your father waged such an unjust war."
"You have magic?"
I'lian shook his head, glaring at Arthur. "My wife did. It was nothing special, a few healing spells, and she was able to see something of the future. Those things put her on the list. She was marked as someone who should die, and she had never done any harm to anyone!"
"My father did what he thought was right," Arthur said.
"Your father understood nothing of it. My son was fourteen months old, and he would have been drowned like an unwanted puppy, because he was hers. I appealed to your father. She was the wife of a knight, Galen is the son of a knight of Camelot, but nothing changed his mind. I made my choice, I do not regret it.
"My son is, my wife was, more important to me than your hypocritical code!"
"My father saved this kingdom."
"I also watched him order the drowning of scores of innocent children, suspected because of their parent's abilities. He lives with it," I'lian said, and then he turned away, going back to the entrance and lifting the flap, then he turned back to Arthur.
"I don't," I'lian said, and then the next word was spoken with utter contempt.
"Sire."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Why in heavens name did you not warn me?" Rupert snarled at the unfortunate Gregory. Gregory was backed into the corner of the stable, he had been in the process of treating Dancer's now swollen leg, when Rupert had collared him.
"I wasn't sure."
"You still should have said something. And what the hell possessed you to do it then?"
"Because if the king had gone and then recognised him… I just thought that…" Gregory tailed off.
"What can you tell me about Sir I'lian?"
The voice made both Gregory and Rupert jump, they turned round to look at Sir Leon.
"Not that much. My father was his steward and when Lady Gilina gave birth my mother helped out as a maid. I often had to go with them, Sir I'lian never minded. He used to let me ride the horses and told me stories. I just remember him as who he was. I think it's him."
"You should have said," Rupert snapped.
"I know," Gregory said, squirming a little. Leon stepped forward.
"Rupert, I want you to be one the knights in attendance, I'll lead, and I'll add Sir Bors and Sir Oric, they are both well trained."
"Very well, I will be ready."
"We ride out in two days, at dawn."
Gregory tried not to feel increasingly worried.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"The records are clear, Sire. Sir I'lian's wife and her son were on the list for the purge," Geoffrey said. "She was to be burnt, the child drowned."
"And now they will use Arthur," Uther snapped.
"I really don't think Arthur is in any danger, Sire," Gaius said calmly. Uther glared at him.
"How can he not be?"
"Whatever has happened since then, I'lian is a good man, he was loyal, and brave. I believe he will not hurt Arthur."
Uther frowned, looking at Gaius carefully, the man looked tired. Then a thought stirred in the king's mind.
"You ward, Merlin, you're concerned for him."
"I'm sure he's fine, again I trust Sir I'lian, he was always very honourable."
"So honourable that he kidnaps the future king of Camelot, holding him for ransom."
Gaius didn't really have an answer for that. He looked away, studying the records that Geoffrey had laid out for them.
"The woman, Gilina, she was a healer, you must have known her," Uther said.
"I did My Lord, she was very competent, and well versed in many arts of healing, not just using magic. Her mother had been a healer, she passed on all her knowledge to her daughter."
"But the fact remains she used magic."
"Occasionally," Gaius said. "But she did not rely on it. Lady Gilina worked with me on countless occasions; she taught me much about healing. Many a time the women of the castle and the town called on her."
"The name seems familiar Gaius, but I cannot place her," Uther said.
"She very rarely came to court, but she was a very good midwife, the Queen used her while she was pregnant with Arthur."
"Are you saying a sorceress attended Ygraine during Arthur's birth?" Uther snarled.
"I think sorceress is too strong of a word, she only had mild abilities, and yes, she attending Ygraine, in actual fact, she saved Arthur's life."
"How could she? He was hardly born."
"The umbilical cord was caught round Arthur's neck as he passed through the birth channel, he would have choked to death on coming into the world if Gilina had not acted. She knew what she was doing."
"How do I know this was not a trick?" Uther demanded.
"Nimueh warned you."
"Don't mention that woman!"
"She told you the price Sire, that magic would take back what had been taken from it. It tried, Gilina saved Arthur."
"And it took Ygraine instead. The midwife must have been working with Nimueh."
"She was not, she used no magic, just her own knowledge and skill."
"She used magic, and for that she should have been purged," Uther said. "Sir I'lian chose to rescue her."
"She was his wife Sire," Gaius said. "And you condemned his son, who was only a year old, to death. What choice would you make?"