Thank you for this story's love! Here's the new chapter! Enjoy!
It was bright and early the next morning when Merlin entered the sleeping Arthur's chamber. The room was a complete mess. Clothes were strewn across the floor, furniture was upturned, sundry objects were thrown around. It was a complete catastrophe.
Merlin rolled his eyes as he spotted the blonde Prince sprawled in his luxurious bed. The covers were tangled all around him and his face was buried in the pillows. He was completely oblivious to Merlin and the world around him.
Merlin stalked over to the red, velvet curtains and pulled them open, allowing sunlight to shine into the bedroom, "Rise and shine!" Merlin cheerily announced.
Arthur didn't stir.
Merlin sighed and walked towards the nearby table where a pitcher of water stood. He filled a small cup to the brim and neared Arthur's bedside. His hand tilted the cup, allowing the water from inside to spill over on Arthur.
That woke him up.
Arthur sputtered awake, blearily looking frantically around him to discover the source of this onslaught. When he saw a smiling, cheeky Merlin, his eyes narrowed angrily.
"Merlin!" he shouted, "What on Earth are you doing?! Where have you been?!"
"A very good morning to you too."
"Merlin."
Arthur was actually glad to his dimwitted servant, though he'd never admit it. He had been slightly worried, not even that, more mildly concerned about Merlin's work to the witch hunter Terrowin. He felt as if he had not seen him in ages when it had only been a day. Merlin accompanied him everywhere, it was strange to be travelling alone again.
However, he was dripping with water at the moment and he just awaken. He was not in a very forgiving mood.
"You know that I am employed under Sir Terrowin until his investigation concludes," Merlin reminded him as Arthur wiped the water from his face, "though I'm surprised you've survived this long without me. What has it been, a whole day?"
Arthur glared at Merlin, but upon seeing his servant's goofy smile he felt his own lips curl up in a grin.
"Shut up, Mer-lin."
"Stop being a clotpole and get up so you can get dressed," his servant appeared with fresh clothes, throwing them on the bed.
Arthur sighed, taking the clotpole comment, and obeying his servant.
"How was your day working with Terrowin?" Arthur mused as Merlin threw his shirt at him.
Merlin exhaled deeply and looked troubled for a moment, but tried to hide it. Arthur noticed his reaction, but didn't comment. It wasn't his place, though he felt for Merlin. He knew his servant found it difficult working with so cruel a man and Arthur had given a few warnings to make sure Merlin be cautious around him to stay safe.
"Alright," Merlin remained tight-lipped, not wanting to get Arthur in trouble. Terrowin already had slight suspicion of him.
"Did you happen to come across anything peculiar?" Arthur tried to act nonchalant, "Did you find the suspect perhaps?"
Merlin shook his head. Arthur knew that he wasn't going to get any more information out of his servant.
"So, you'll be gone all day today as well?" Arthur asked as Merlin started strapping on his armor for his sword practice.
Merlin nodded, still not speaking. Arthur felt a slight twinge of disappointment within him that his annoyingly unshakable servant wasn't to be by his side.
"Alright then," Arthur cleared his throat to break the awkward silence, "I shall see you in the morning."
He looked at Merlin, not knowing to expect. If circumstances were different and they were actually friends, Arthur might have given Merlin a hug in this moment. However, the circumstances were not that, so he just nodded once and walked out, feeling unsatisfied.
Merlin watched him go, and felt dread growing within him as he realized Terrowin and he were to search the Lower City for magic.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Merlin woke Arthur up earlier than expected, meaning he still had some time to see Edmund in the forest before he could return to Terrowin. This was a risky move, but Merlin had to. He could not continue any longer with the thought that Edmund may be a spy for the witch hunter. He needed concrete proof of Edmund's story to believe him and to be willing to help.
He passed the bridge that connected both cities and looked around to make sure he wasn't being followed. He felt satisfied he was alone and descended into the woods. It took him a few minutes of circling before he found the Camelot fugitive by the stream for a drink.
Edmund was startled by Merling's presence, jumping up suddenly and wielding his knife before him. Merlin stood a few feet away, cautious. Edmund's eyes narrowed with slight anger and distrust.
"Merlin? What in God's name are you doing here in the daylight? You're working for that scum, Terrowin, you'll lead him directly to my family and I!"
"Or should I say that you'll lead him directly to me," Merlin saw with a clenched jaw.
"What? Nonsense!" Edmund scoffed, "I am a fugitive, Merlin, why would I be running directly to the enemy?"
"Perhaps you are the enemy," Merlin pressed.
"Says the servant groveling at Terrowin's feet!" Edmund hissed, "you're endangering my chances of survival! Be gone!"
"Not until you prove to me that you aren't a spy for Terrowin!" Merlin countered strongly, "What leads you to believe that I can trust you as well? You may be reporting back to Terrowin after our meetings!"
Edmund sighed, but kept his eyes narrowed, "You have valid reason to be hesitant of me, as I do of you. I waited for you at the bridge last night, but you did not appear. I assumed you had reported me to Terrowin and I lived in fear that it would be my last night on this Earth."
"I told you before that you can trust me," Merlin spoke in a softer voice, "and I apologize for not meeting with you, but you must be consoled by the fact that I did not report you to Terrowin and that you are still alive. I also did send word to your family discreetly that you were alright."
That seemed to relax Edmund, and he nodded, "Thank you, Merlin. Now, you want proof that I am who I say I am."
"That you're telling the truth," Merlin added, "as I have proven to you."
"Alright," Edmund stood taller and breathed deeply for a few seconds. He chanted something under his breath, eyes closed, palms open and facing upwards. Merlin just observed, until, after a few seconds, a small golden light grew in Edmund's palms.
A magical ball of light formed a sphere in his open palms. He brought the light to his lips and blew into the sphere, creating a shimmering shower of golden specks that descended all around them. It coated the grassy floor, gnarled roots, and small flowers.
Merlin laughed in amazement as Edmund opened his eyes and smiled. He was really a wizard, he was telling the truth all along. That also meant he was still a fugitive of Camelot.
"That's what I was practicing when the patrol caught me," Edmund smirked slightly, "I thought I was being discreet, I usually go out once every few months to practice. As shunned as my gifts are, I do not want to lose my power."
"Gifts," Merlin repeated, "you see them as gifts?"
"Of course! Why? Do you see yours as a curse?"
Merlin ducked his head and looked to the ground, "Often at times, I do."
"Merlin," Edmund spoke in a soft voice, "We are not freaks of nature as the Pendragons attempt to make us believe! We are blessed with these beautiful gifts of power to do good in our society. Yet, we are forced to hide and conceal these talents in fear of our lives."
"That is the way of life, Edmund," Merlin sighed, "we cannot change a law this strongly protected by the kingdom."
"I know," his gaze darkened, "but that does not mean I agree with it."
"Neither do I," Merlin shook his head, "I must be off. I do not want Terrowin to suspect of my whereabouts and find you. I shall return tomorrow night if possible."
"I look forward to your visit," Edmund dipped his head, "and I thank you again for giving word to my family. I hope to reunite with them soon."
"I will find a way to have Terrowin leave Camelot," Merlin said firmly, "I assure you."
They parted ways, and Merlin returned to the kingdom as quickly as possible. He just made it through the Upper City's main gates to ascend to Terrowin's chambers, when he saw Gaius wandering in the middle of the square.
"Gaius!" Merlin called, approaching his mentor.
"Merlin!" Gaius spotted his ward and sped towards him.
"Gaius, what's wrong?" Merlin's brows furrowed as he noticed the man's distress.
"It's Terrowin," he spoke quickly in a hushed voice, "he's searching our dwelling."
Merlin's head turned towards the entrance to their home, where knights were picking apart their furniture, searching for any magical clues.
"It's alright, Gaius," Merlin tried to stay calm, but felt his own heart flutter, "it's only routine. Terrowin is to search every home and structure as per the king's orders."
"I understand," Gaius' eyes darted over to their home cautiously, "but Terrowin has not left the property for over an hour. He even declared that our dwelling will be the only one he'll search today."
Merlin felt himself break into a cold sweat, as he watched the knights tear apart their home. Gaius and he had hid their evidence well, but who knew if Terrowin had found it?
Both mentor and ward paced the streets of the square impatiently, waiting as the sun rose high into the sky and began to dip below the horizon. Terrowin was searching their home for hours, from morning to evening.
It wasn't until darkness began to rise that Terrowin exited their dwelling.
Gaius rushed to him, Merlin in tow.
"Sir Terrowin!" Gaius called, "May I inquire as to why your search lasted so many long hours? I have medicines and remedies to prepare for the citizens of Camelot. I find it very rude that you do not grant me the professional courtesy I and this kingdom deserve."
Terrowin, the tall, frightening, intimidating man, was being scolded by Gaius. Merling watched, amazed at his mentor's courage.
"My apologies," Terrowin's yellow teeth broke into a fake smile, "it is my job to search as thoroughly as possible."
"And was there anything in particular you found given the extent of your search?" Gaius asked.
"No, sir, our forces did not discover anything peculiar," Terrowin nodded surely. Merlin tried to conceal his relief.
"Good, then you must be going," Gaius urged, voice crisp with his retort.
Gaius huffed with frustration as Terrowin dipped his head slightly and started to walk away. Merlin and his mentor returned to their trashed home as the knights scattered to their own duties. Terrowin walked quickly towards his chambers.
He opened his black gloved hand to reveal a portion of a ripped page of a spell book he found under his servant Merlin's bed.
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