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A sharp hand prodded Merlin in the shoulder. The dark-haired sorcerer blinked awake, groaning. He looked up to find the trees towering over him, their leaves gleaming against the bright day.
Day? It was nighttime last I remember…
He looked around and found that he was in the middle of the forest, lying against a large treek trunk. The gnarled wood dug into his sore back painfully. Standing before him was his captor, a man, but not Terrowin.
The man was middle-aged, light brown hair, and with weary features. He looked dirty and exhausted, like he'd been living in the woods for days.
Merlin became alert, voiced filled with caution, "Who are you? Where am I?"
The man eyed him, guard up. He seemed to distrust Merlin.
"You abducted me," Merlin struggled to stand, "you know exactly why I'm here, now I demand to know where I am!"
The man, though trying to keep a guarded gaze, softened. He didn't look or seem cruel, just tired and desperate, "My name is Edmund. I'm a fugitive of Camelot and the reason for Terrowin's arrival."
Merlin's eyes widened as realization dawned on him, "You're the suspect the patrol spotted a few days ago, the one who used magic."
Edmund nodded gravely, "I've been hiding in the woods for days, living off berries and water from the local stream. All I have to protect myself is this one knife," he pulled out the jagged blade he used when he kidnapped Merlin, "My family is in Lower City, they'll be wondering where I am, but I cannot return home. It is too dangerous for them if I do."
Merlin felt his heart reach out to the man, relating to his predicament, "I am sorry for your situation, I know it must be difficult."
Edmund nodded, "And with Terrowin's arrival, I'm doomed. That's why I need you, Merlin, I know your power, I was told to find you."
"Who told you?" Merlin felt his own worries rise. This man knew his secret, if word got out then he was to earn a dark fate, "That is extremely confidential information given the nature of my employment. I am the primary servant to Prince Arthur. Magic in the House of Uther Pendragon is stricly forbidden, my secret must never be revealed."
Edmund stared deeply into his eyes, "I'm good at keeping a secret myself, Merlin, you can trust me. As for who told me of your presence must remain confidential for now."
For some reason, Merlin felt like he could trust him and knew that answers came with patience, "Edmund, I want to help you, but I find myself in a very compromising position...Sir Terrowin has requested I be his aid in his search for you. If we were to meet on any other occassion, he will surely suspect of your whereabouts and you'll never be able to return to your family."
"You're working for Terrowin?" Edmund's eyes widenened.
"Not by choice," he assurred.
Edmund's face hardened, "Then there's only one alternative. We must kill Terrowin."
Merlin paled, "What? No, we cannot! It's wrong!"
"He's killed hundreds of our kind, Merlin, this is justification!"
"There are other ways to handle this situation, Edmund! We must have Terrowin leave Camelot on his own terms. If Uther discovered that Terrowin was killed by you, the suspect, then he'll bring down a hellfire to capture and kill any magical being in the kingdom! Our chances of survival would become even more slim!"
Edmund looked conflicted, but he could see some sense in Merlin's word. Though, Merlin knew he had to help Edmund, "I'll do everything in my power to assist you, Edmund, you can trust me. I must return to Camelot, before he becomes suspicious. There are people there who would notice my absence."
"Of course," Edmund took a step back, "and I appreciate your help. Please, if you can reach my family, I'd be grateful."
"I'll be sure to contact them and return by nightfall," Merlin prepped himself to return to Camelot, "I will meet you under the bridge connecting the Upper and Lower Cities. Stay safe, Edmund, we shall get through this together."
"My many thanks, Merlin," Edmund dipped his head and retreated deeper into the woods, disappearing in the thick forest of trees.
Merlin sighed as he saw him go, but knew he had to return to his own duties. The young sorcerer rushed towards Camelot, needing to meet Sir Terrowin for the search for Edmund to begin.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Where have you been?" Gaius demanded as a dirty, scuffed Merlin rushed through the doors, "I have been worried sick! Arthur has been asking for you all morning!"
"I cannot answer now, Gaius!" Merlin rushed to his room, searching for clean clothes, "but I'll be sure to explain later!"
He rushed back into the main cabin, watching a disapproving Gaius eyeing him from the corner. Merlin had to hurry if he was to meet Terrowin on time and without any suspicion. He also needed to see to Arthur and ensure that he was surviving. That was questionable when Merlin wasn't around.
Though, Arthur would have to wait for now. He quickly freshened up and was out the door as fast as a hare.
Guieneviere caught him in the castle halls as Merlin rushed to Terrowin's chambers, "Merlin!" she said happily, "Where have you been? Gaius was wondering where you are!"
"Fine, Gwen!" he called as he ran past, "Everything's good, talk later!"
She chuckled to herself as Merlin rounded the corner. He finally reached Terrowin's chambers, and knocked on the door as he tried to regain his breath.
The door opened, revealing the infamous witch hunter. He was dressed in his all-black armor as per usual.
Terrowin did not comment as he stalked out of the room. Merlin followed a few steps behind, relieved he made it back on time for the search. Otherwise, Terrowin would've grown suspicious given last night's conversation.
Merlin hadn't given much thought to their meeting the evening before, frankly he didn't want to. The mention of the hunter's name and the sight of him sent shivers down his spine.
"We'll start with the Upper Town," Terrowin said gruffly as he quickly paced the castle halls.
"Of course, my Lord," Merlin dipped his head, dreading the day to come.
Terrowin was ruthless in his search. As Gaius mentioned before, he was heartless when it came to magic, preparing to kill anyone or anything that showed even an inkling of possessing it. They had raided a few dozen homes, Terrowin, Merlin, and a legion of knights provided by Camelot's forces. Arthur was nowhere to be seen, and Merlin silently prayed he be there. He wished for an obnoxious comment about his appearance from the blonde prince, and he'd never imagine he'd say that in his life.
Arthur was kind to Merlin, most of the time...but he was much better than Terrowin.
They were currently upturning the house of a widowed woman raising three young children by herself. She was able to afford living in the Upper City due to her deceased husband's large dowry, but her home was being destroyed by Terrowin's ruthless tactics.
"No magic here, you say!" the witch hunter's eyed glowed with a maniacal glee, "LIES! I will find the culprit, I will eradicate this disease from Camelot's gates! No witch, wizard, or sorcerer will be able to hide from me!"
The woman was hugging her three children close as the knights, who were ordered to follow Terrowin's strict instructions, destroyed the furniture, ripped the clothes, cleared the drawers, and scanned every inch of their dwelling.
Nothing.
Terrowin was growing impatient, he wanted to find something. Neighbors up and down the street were preparing for the hunter's wrath as he only itched to find some magical artifact or person to add to his list of victims.
The sun started to crawl higher into the sky as the day stretched and Merlin was forced to work by Terrowin's side. He wanted to use his magic to help these people, but he couldn't. The feeling of sadness and guilt within him only grew as they went from dwelling to dwelling.
Terrowin was furious by day's end. Evening darkened the sky, signalling and end to their search for the day. He threw a fit, destroying things, harassing innocent people. This blind rage would only make him more of a danger to the kingdom, Merlin had to find a way to stop him. He needed to consult Gaius, he needed to see the Great Dragon, he needed to reach Edmund's family, and he needed to help Edmund himself.
His job seemed to be finished for the day, and he approached the fuming witch hunter.
"Sir," Merlin cleared his throat and spoke in a low voice, "with a heavy heart, I must attend to Prince Arthur. May I be relieved of my duties for the day?"
Terrowin shooed him away with an angry hand, but made it clear Merlin was to meet him tomorrow morning even earlier so they resume their investigation with haste.
Merlin thanked the hunter and retreated to his home with Gaius, relishing in the quiet and peace it had to offer. Gaius thankfully made dinner and had left a plate out for Merlin.
"You look exhausted," the older healer commented, "Merlin, what has gotten into you? Where have you been?"
Merlin finally had a free moment to breath, "It is a complex situation, Gaius, but I need your help."
Gaius took a seat, ready to listen.
"I met with Sir Terrowin in his chambers last night," he recounted darkly.
"Does he suspect you of anything?"
"I am not sure," Merlin shook his head, "but so far, he hasn't indicated anything to suggest that he does. He also asked me about Arthur."
"He inquired if Arthur had magic?" Gaius scoffed, "The man is paranoid, he will distrust everyone but himself."
"I need to get rid of him, Gaius, but it has to be done without magic," the young sorcerer sighed, "his armor can detect if magic is near."
"Exactly," Gaius nodded gravely, "use it and he will know. Another alternative will present itself, I'm sure of it. We shall think of it together, Merlin, I will consult my own sources. Did you find anything in the raids today?"
He shook his head, "But I fear that only enraged him more. He's desperate to find any signs of magic, like he's yearning for it just so he can destroy it."
"That's what makes him so feared, Merlin," Gaius said, "this man is willing to kill out of enjoyment. You must be cautious in your actions so he does not suspect."
"But there's something else," Merlin continued, "I was headed to the Lower City last night to meet with a girl, and I-"
"A what? A...girl?"
"Yes," Merlin rolled his eyes, "I find it slightly offensive so many people think it hard to believe that I can be with a woman!"
Gaius' looked Merlin up and down with a raised brow. He didn't say a word, but his expression told all.
"As I was saying," Merlin tried to ignore Gaius, "I was headed to the Lower City when someone attacked me from behind. I woke up in the middle of the forest this morning and met Edmund, the fugitive of Camelot and the reason for Terrowin's arrival. He is the suspect the knight patrol found, and I must help him or Terrowin will kill him."
Gaius' gaze looked shadowed, "Merlin, this is very difficult considering your close work with Terrowin himself. His eyes will be on you, and you'll only endanger this Edmund more if Terrowin were to discover who you are and why you've been meeting with him."
"But I must help him, Gaius, no one else will!" Merlin cried, "He has a family and a life, I cannot deny them from him."
"How did he find you? How could he know who you are?"
"He told me that someone informed him of who I was and that he should seek my help. Yet, he could not tell me who this person was."
"This man knows your secret, Merlin, and he's not telling you how he discovered it. How can you trust Edmund? You don't even know if he's exactly who he says he is, what if he's working for Terrowin in secret?"
Merlin had not thought of that. He didn't exactly get proof from Edmund that the meager man actually did have magic. And Merlin was so inclined to reveal everything about himself at first glance. He felt idiotic and scared. What if Gaius was right? What if Edmund was working for Terrowin in disguise?
"Gaius," Merlin released a shaky breath, "I don't know what to do…I must meet with the Great Dragon."
"And have Terrowin find you that way? He will also learn of the dragon's existence and kill that creature as well. It's too risky, Merlin, there must be another way."
"What? What is the other way?"
Gaius didn't respond, not knowing the answer himself, "Time and patience will reveal the answers, Merlin, not sooner. Go now, see Arthur, and do not meet with this Edmnund anymore. You'll only endanger yourself because of it. Pray Terrowin does not already know who you are."
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