Glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter, here's the next! Love to see your thoughts, keep them coming! Enjoy!
When Terrowin and his knights disappered from their home, Gaius and Merlin rushed inside. Merlin ran straight for the attic and pried back the floorboards. The items they hid were untouched. Terrowin did not find their magical items. However, the rest of the house was a mess. Gaius' medicine bottles and remedies were cracked and broken. Their mattresses were torn apart, feathers and hay strewn out of the stuffing. The legs of tables and chairs were pulled clean off. Pages of books were ripped out. Their home was in ruins.
Gaius tried to salvage some of his ingredients and medicines, as they were for Camelot's citizens, but there was little left. Merlin stepped over glass pieces and torn pages into his own room. His belongings were ruined, however few he had.
There was an envelope his mother had packed for him with a letter inside for when he left for Camelot's gates. He had not opened it yet, waiting for the right moment to read it. Now, it was torn apart and the letter was ripped into shreds.
Merlin tried to gulp the choking feeling in his throat.
"Merlin!" a certain prince called his name from afar as Arthur approached their home, "By God, if you're at the tavern again, I'll-"
Arthur stepped inside their dwelling to find that it was a catastrophe. Everything was destroyed. The Prince looked around him in horror at their home now in shambles.
"Gaius…?" Arthur asked softly as he approached the old healer trying to clean his apothecary's table, "What's happened here? The house is in ruins!"
He sighed deeply, "Terrowin."
"But he was supposed to search the Lower City today," Arthur said firmly, "He detailed that in his report."
Gaius shrugged, defeated, "Obviously he did not adhere to his agenda. He spent the entire day searching our home. We just returned to find this destruction."
Arthur's fists clenched in anger, "Where is Merlin?"
Gaius' face darkened and he nodded to Merlin's bedroom. Arthur nodded and slowly walked towards his servant's room, his posture rigid like he was trying to contain his fury.
Gaius returned to sifting through the rubble of his work. Arthur stopped at the doorway, seeing Merlin kneeling on the floor beside his broken belongings. His back was turned towards Arthur, the Prince was sure Merlin didn't even know he was there.
Arthur spoke in a suprisingly gentle voice, "Merlin..?"
His servant's head shot up and his hand tried to wipe away tears from his eyes so Arthur wouldn't noticed, "Y-yes?" he cleared his throat, trying to look unaffected.
Arthur opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. He was a strong warrior, a knight of Camelot. He did not know how to console others, but he wanted to help Merlin.
His servant still did not turn to him, but was awaiting a response.
Arthur sighed, disappointed in himself for not being able to find the words he needed, "I will find a way to rectify this."
Merlin scoffed, shoulders sagging again as he held a torn letter in his hand. He stared at it and felt that choking feeling in his throat again.
"What is that in your hand?"
"Nothing," Merlin shook his head weakly, "A lost memory, that's all."
He gripped the letter tightly in his hands before gathering the remains and dumping them out the window. The wind carried the little pieces away. Merlin didn't want it anymore. The love and kindness of his mother was tainted by Terrowin's paranoia and cruelty. He didn't want to associate his mother's letter with that.
Arthur felt his anger surge again as Merlin just sat at the edge of his bed, shrouded in darkness. He looked as if he wanted to be left alone, but Arthur knew he needed some friendship at the moment. He walked over by Merlin's side and placed an apologetic hand on his shoulder.
Merlin dipped his head in meaningful thanks, before Arthur left him in his room and exited the house. He marched straight to the castle to meet with his father.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Arthur threw open the doors leading into the Royal Court. He was consumed by rage and the image of Gaius and Merlin in their destroyed property.
"I would like to speak with my father alone!" Arthur announced in a final voice as he stood in the center of the Court. His father gracefully adorned the throne. His servants, informants, and court members scattered when they saw Arthur's determined and dangerous expression.
The room cleared in seconds, leaving a furious Arthur and a puzzled Uther alone.
"Arthur, what is the meaning of this?" Uther said with furrowed brows.
"Father, I warned you that Terrowin would be a menace to this kingdom!" Arthur shouted passionately, "He is destroying homes and frightening our people! Is this how a good king would rule? With an iron will and stoking fear?"
Uther's gaze hardened, "I have been sitting on this throne for countless years, Arthur," he said curtly, "I know exactly how to rule a kingdom. Your input is noted, yet futile."
"Terrowin will tear Camelot apart, Father, I am sure of it," Arthur persisted, "his search has only lasted two days and our citizens dread each morning because of it!"
"And what has prompted such an impassioned reaction from my mighty son?" Uther's eyes blazed.
Arthur took a breath, "Gaius and my servant, Merlin."
Uther scoffed, "Excuse me?"
"Terrowin spent the entire day destroying their home!" Arthur contested, "this is madness, Father, you have to see that!"
Uther stood up and spoke in a booming voice, "I do not need my son to instruct me on how to rule my own kingdom!"
Arthur looked to the floor, knowing he'd crossed a line.
"You are willing to doubt my resolve for your servant boy? I admit Gaius is a trusted member of my advisors, but he too understands the delicacy of this cause! Magic must be eradicated from this kingdom, Arthur, I think you have forgotten the dangers it poses!" he stared his son down with burning eyes, "Have you forgotten your own mother and the cause of her death?"
"Of course not, but, Father-"
"Silence!" Uther interrupted him, "I will not hear any more on this matter. Sir Terrowin is a guest of mine. He is to be treated with the utmost respect. Every one of his orders will be adhered to. Every legion of knights is at his disposal. He may raid one dwelling or ten as long as magic is erased from Camelot. Is that understood?"
Arthur didn't respond.
"Is that understood, Arthur?"
"Yes, sire."
"Good," his father's tone was lethal, "summon Gaius."
"Of course, sire."
Arthur bowed slightly and left the Royal Court.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"We will endure, my boy," Gaius comforted Merlin as they sat at their damaged dinner table. They were eating a meager dinner that Gaius managed to throw together with their few ingredients that were left.
Merlin nodded, trying for a half-hearted smile, "I'm sorry I brought this upon us, Gaius."
"Why, Merlin, it's not your fault."
"I'm sure Terrowin was suspicious of me, that's why he searched the home."
"Terrowin is a madman, Merlin, you have been a good servant to him. You haven't done anything for him to suspect."
"Then what is the reason for this? Could it have been Edmund?"
"But you told me earlier today that Edmund proved to you he has magic. I doubt he would risk his life and approach Terrowin with information about your abilities in fear that'd he'd expose his own."
"Perhaps…" Merlin shook his head, "Who am I to know or understand. You're right, the man is psychotic and a sadist. The longer he stays, the worse he'll get. Gaius, I've got to meet with the Great Dragon. I don't know what else to do."
"You must do what you feel is right, Merlin," Gaius placed a hand on his shoulder, "though I fear for your safety should you meet with the creature…"
"I'll be careful, Gaius, I promise."
"You said the same when you were meeting Edmund," the old mentor pursed his lips, "and Terrowin destroyed our home because of it. He's suspicious of you and I, he'll be watching you closely."
"But the dragon might help me of freeing Terrowin from Camelot, Gaius, I have to take my chances for the good of the kingdom. I can't effectively fulfill my destiny at Arthur's side if I have to leave in fear of Terrowin's wrath. I must go, Gaius."
"Then I send you off with a heavy heart," Gaius conceded, "please be careful, my boy, do not let Terrowin find you."
"I will," Merlin tried for a smile to cheer Gaius up. He finished his dinner and prepared to leave to meet the Great Dragon.
Merlin opened the door and left their home, leaving Gaius in their mess of a dwelling. Merlin felt some hope seep back into his tired limbs. The Great Dragon would know exactly what to do, he'd help Merlin if it meant fulfilling his destiny by Arthur's side.
Merlin emerged onto the dark, empty street of the town square. The moon was high in the sky and the wind held a chill. Merlin wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck to protect himself from the brisk weather as he headed to the gates to the usual meeting place with the dragon.
He passed under the gates. Two guards clocked him, they recognized him as Arthur's servant and let him pass. Merlin nodded in thanks as he continued into the darkness. He distanced himself from the Upper City. He felt a sense of calm pass through him knowing he'd get guidance from the dragon on how to free Camelot from-
Something stung him painfully in the side.
Merlin gasped, eyes wide, as he felt a knife dig deep into his back. A heavy hand locked onto his shoulder, keeping him still as Merlin felt the knife pull out and sink back in to the hilt.
Merlin tried to turn around to see his assailant. He could barely crane his neck on account of the pain. He tried to speak, but only gasped for air as he crumpled to his knees.
In a moment, the hand released his shoulder and the presence of his attacker ran off. Merlin was left alone, away from the kingdom, with a knife sticking out of his back, and nobody to help him.
Darkness enclosed him as he fell to blackness.
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