Thank you for the love for this story! Sorry, I didn't add any commentary in the beginning of the first chapter, it completely slipped my mind! I appreciate the favs/follows/reviews! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any "Merlin" content or character.
A black steed rode into the gates of Camelot, dust in its wake as a dreadful rider sat on its saddle. The man was covered in battle armor the color of obsidian. Red under armor made of crimson snakeskin covered his arms and chest. A helmet shielding his features only revealed his cruel, unfeeling eyes. The horse reared back as the ride examined the streets of Camelot's center. A greedy smile spread across his lips as he pushed on, riding towards the castle entrance.
Arthur waited at the entrance, surrounded by his knights as the black rider approached. His expression was guarded and slightly curious as the famed Witch Hunter made his grand debut to Camelot.
The horse screeched to a stop, its hooves sliding on the cobblestone. The lithe rider jumped down, his heavy boots firmly planted on the ground. He looked up as Arthur took a step forward to greet him.
"Welcome to Camelot, Sir Terrowin," Arthur bowed slightly, respectfully.
Terrowin did not react. He just stared at the Prince rigidly, observing him, examining him.
"I'd like to speak to King Uther."
"I'm sure you would," Arthur smiled fakely, not appreciating Terrowin's disrespectful manner to the royal, "thought, it might be in your best interest to rest comfortably for a few hours. A long ride like yours must have been tiresome."
"Your offer is wasted upon me," Terrowin pressed again, "I'd like to speak to the King. Now."
Arthur ground his teeth, knowing he would have to acquiesce to the King's guest, "Right this way, sir."
Terrowin, clad in his black and red armor, followed the Prince. He still wore his helment, which he'd remove in the presence of the King. His eyes flitted across the surrounding buildings of Camelot's center, observing, judging. It was as if he was a hawk stalking its prey.
Merlin stayed to the side, waiting for Terrowin, Arthur, and the remaining knights to enter the castle. As Terrowin passed, his cold eyes found him and glared at him. Merlin immediately looked to the ground.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Sir Terrowin," King Uther sat proudly on his throne as the notorious Witch Hunter entered the Royal Court. A welcoming smile spread across his lips as the hunter stood a respectful distance from the throne and bowed in the presence of Camelot's king, "I am pleased to see you. Thank you for arriving so quickly."
Terrowin removed his helmet, revealing dark black hair that touched his shoulders, cruel green eyes, and blemished skin that had seen many scars and scratches. Merlin and Arthur stood a few steps behind.
"The moment I received your message, I departed for Camelot's gates," Terrowin returned, "magic must not be left to run rampant through this great kingdom."
"It eases my troubles just hearing your words," Uther nodded once, "I was told that yesterday's morning patrol spotted a man practicing magic openly in the Eastern Plains. He escaped the pursuit of our knights and has not been spotted since. I employ you to catch this criminal so he may face the proper punishment."
"My ultimate goal is to fulfill your wishes, My Lord, and that I shall complete without fail" Terrowin dipped his head, "though one qualm does trouble me."
"Speak freely, Sir Terrowin."
"I will catch this criminal who daringly showcases his magical abilities, but where will it end? When will this disease come to rest? Where there is a sign of magic, more is to be found. I fear the worst for Camelot, My King."
"Are you suggesting that there may be more who have magic here in Camelot?"
"I'm not suggesting, my Lord," Terrowin stared at him with his dark green eyes, "I am confident of it."
Merlin clenched his fists as anger dawned upon Uther's face, "We must put an end to this epidemic immediately! Sir Terrowin, do as you must! My instruction to you is to eliminate all signs of magic within my kingdom and to bring any individual practicing magic to my attention to face the executioner's blade."
"Father, if I could interject-" Arthur began, challenging Uther's rage, "this action seems panicked and impulsive. What will the kingdom think? The suspect spotted during yesterday's patrol will be dealt with properly, but a witch hunt through all of Camelot will tear the city apart."
"Silence!" Uther shushed him with a wave of his hand, "I will not have my son question my orders! Terrowin will thoroughly search the city and put an end to this witch craft nonsense," he looked at the smiling witch hunter, "do not leave a stone unturned."
"Of course, my Lord."
Terrowin's cruel smile still lingered on his lips, as he turned to exit the Royal Court. Arthur eyed him with distrust as he reached the doorway. Merlin stood rigid behind Arthur, who looked at his King and Father with one last look. Uther refused to meet his gaze. The Prince bowed respectfully and stormed towards the doors, Merlin in close pursuit.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Is there nothing that can be done?" Merlin asked as he walked with Arthur through the castle halls, "I agree that if Terrowin continues with this investigation, Camelot will tear itself apart. His methods are cruel and ruthless. He'll turn neighbor against neighbor, friend upon friend!"
"I've done all I can," Arthur sighed, "but the order remains in my father's responsibilities. If the King wills it, it shall be done. Terrowin's investigation is to begin at any moment. I must prepare the knights. You're relieved from your duties until tonight, Merlin."
The Prince stalked off, leaving Merlin standing alone. The dark-haired sorcerer clenched his fists, knowing he must return to Gaius and clear their rooms of any magical artifacts. He turned and sprinted down the castle halls.
His mind was racing with thoughts and bleak futures. What if Terrowin found out his true identity? What if Merlin was locked up and killed for having magic? How would he be able to protect Arthur if-?
Merlin rounded a corner rather quickly and collided with an unknown figure. He was knocked back, falling on the ground from the impact. Standing before him was a man in black and red armor, tall, muscular, with long dark hair, and a grim expression.
"Sir Terrowin," Merlin fumbled to his feet, not meeting the witch hunter's gaze, "my deepest apologies, sir, I hope you are unharmed."
Terrowin didn't even acknowledge his apologies, "You're the servant boy to Arthur," he spoke in his gruff voice, "look me in the eye when I speak to you, boy!"
Merlin's fearful eyes met Terrowin's.
"Good," he smiled, revealing yellow teeth, "you wouldn't happen to know anything about this magic business, would you?"
"No, sir," Merlin shook his head surely.
"Are you positive? You are close to Prince Arthur after all, you must have heard something," Terrowin took a threatening step forward, "perhaps something about the prince himself?"
Merlin took a step back to avoid the advancing hunter, "No, sir. I am only a servant, I have not received or heard any news regarding the suspect spotted by the patrol," he hesitated for a moment, "and if you are suggesting that Prince Arthur may have magic, I respectfully deny your claims, sir."
Terrowin looked at him hungrily from behind his dark eyes, "We shall see. Secrets will be revealed, boy, people will no longer be trusted. Should you hear so much as a whisper of anything regarding this magical nonsense, you know where to find me. Pray that no one approaches me regarding you."
"O-Of course, sir."
Terrowin passed Merlin's shoulder, sending a chill down the sorcerer's spine. Before Merlin could escape, Terrowin called for him.
"What is your name?"
"Merlin, sir," he bowed politely, wanting nothing more than to be far away from the hunter.
"Merlin," Terrowin tried to name out on his tongue, "meet me in my chambers tonight, boy. You shall be my guide in my investigation henceforth. I shall need an aid if I am to catch these rampant sorcerers diseasing Camelot."
Merlin felt a cold sweat pass over him, but he nodded regardless, "Of course, my Lord."
Terrowin receded down the hall like a shadow, his black, bony armor blending into the shadows as he disappeared.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Merlin ran the rest of the way back to Gaius', panic rising in his chest. His mentor eyed him with concern as he ran to his room.
"Merlin?" Gaius followed, standing in his doorway, "What are you doing? What's wrong?"
"It's Terrowin," he panted, "he's employed me to be his aid during his investigation, Gaius! I'll be working right beside him!"
"It's alright, Merlin, we'll get through this."
"But how? How long will Terrowin's investigation last? What if Arthur is in trouble and I need to use magic to assist him? What if I must meet with the Great Dragon? What then, Gaius, how will Terrowin not learn of my magic?"
Merlin rushed for his desk, extracting his magical items from their hiding places and compiling them in the center of the room.
"Calm down, Merlin, please! This behavior will drive Terrowin's suspicions even more. You must act natural and you must serve as his aid during the investigation. There is no other way."
"But, Gaius-" Merlin protested, even though he knew his mentor was correct.
Gaius held up a calm hand, "I do not like the truth anymore than you do, my boy, but this is the only way to keep you out of harm's way."
A new idea popped into Merlin's head, making his eyes bright, "Wait, Gaius! I've been so afraid to use my magic with Terrowin's arrival, that I forgot I can use it to help me!"
"What do you mean?" The old healer furrowed his brows.
"I can use my magic to keep Terrowin away, to drive his suspicions somewhere out of Camelot. He will leave us and the kingdom alone, then I can resume my responsibilities by Arthur's side."
"Merlin," Gaius' gaze turned dark, "there's a reason that Terrowin is regarded as the most feared witch hunter in all of the lands."
Merlin gulped, listening to his mentor.
"I mentioned Terrowin's armor, have you seen it?"
Merlin nodded, "I've never seen him without it."
"That's because it's no regular set of armor, Merlin. As I mentioned, legend says that Terrowin forged the armor from the bones of his victims. His victims, of course, were sorcerers like yourself and magic creatures. Magic ran through them, their blood, their bones. Terrowin then employed a dark sorcerer whom he imprisoned to cast a spell on the armor."
"What-what kind of spell…?" Merlin felt his breathing hitch.
"He used the imprisoned sorcerer to create an enslaving spell on the armor, trapping the magical essence in the remains of the victims. He manipulated this power to do his bidding, to protect him from sorcerer's magic, and to seek out other sorcerers and magical beings."
Merlin felt his hopes crash, "In other words, my magic won't work against Terrowin because his armor is enchanted...," he released a shuddering breath, "with the magical essence of the people he's killed."
Gaius looked to the floor, nodding darkly.
"Then I've nothing left," Merling sat on his bed, shoulders sagging, "than be his aid in finding the people like me...and assisting in their executions."
"Be strong, Merlin," Gaius sat beside him, placing a hand on his leg for reassurance, "We will find a way through this, as we always do. Just remember your path always, Arthur will need you, but know that you need him as well. Do not be afraid to consider him your friend in this scenario."
Merlin nodded, closing his eyes for a moment, "You're right, Gaius, you always are. I'll just have to endure, and we'll find a way to protect the people of Camelot."
"That's my boy," Gaius smiled, "now, let's gather your belongings and hide them properly. Who knows when Terrowin will conduct his search, we must prepare."
Gaius and Merlin gathered all magical items in their house, from journals, potions, rings, stones, books, and more. They placed them all in a compartment, covered it with hey straw, and placed medical ointments on top to conceal them. Then, they uncovered one of the floorboards from the kitchen and hid the box under the floor paneling, nailing the board down again so it looked untouched.
What Merlin and Gaius failed to notice was a portion of scroll from one of their spellbooks fell out of the leather binding as they were packing. It floated and rested underneath Merlin's bed, lying there waiting to be found.