Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Two:
Unknown to Merlin as he packed the supplies he was going to need for the trip ahead of him, Mordred was hidden in the shadows on the other side of the door to the Physician's chambers. The previous night he hadn't been convinced by Merlin's explanation and when he'd tried to speak with Merlin's 'brother', he hadn't been able to communicate with him telepathically like he could Merlin, yet he'd clearly seen the druid tattoo on the boy's wrist… And never before had he heard of Emrys having a brother.
"You don't even know who this boy is," Gaius said as he watched Merlin pack.
"He's a druid," Merlin replied without looking up.
He didn't have the time to explain to Gaius how he knew Daegal and every time he tried to approach the subject of the things Queen Mab's curse had made everyone forget, Gaius gave Merlin a certain look and Merlin hurriedly shut up. It was clear Gaius didn't believe him and why would he? It took a lot of magic to pull off a curse like Queen Mab had cast… But then she wasn't human, so her magic was different.
"He broke into the castle like a thief," Gaius pointed out.
"How else was he going to reach me?" Merlin asked.
"The journey to the Valley of the Fallen Kings, Merlin, it's a den of murderers, cutthroats," Gaius continued.
"It is dangerous," Merlin agreed.
"It's a long way north of dangerous," Gaius exclaimed, causing Merlin to look up at him.
"What am I supposed to do?" Merlin challenged him. "Let the druids die?"
"The journey there and back is going to take you the best part of the day," Gaius said calmly. "How are you going to keep it from Arthur?"
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Merlin said as he pulled on his cloak and picked up his pack full of supplies.
"Me?!" Gaius looked at Merlin sharply.
"Sarrum of Amata is arriving today," Merlin explained. "Arthur'll be too busy to notice where I am."
"Merlin…" Gaius sighed.
"I promised the boy and I can't go back on it now," Merlin headed towards the door. "I'll be back by nightfall."
Merlin exited the chamber, missing Mordred who was hidden in the shadows with wide eyes. Merlin didn't even know the boy and he was going to help him in the Valley of the Fallen Kings! As far as Mordred was aware there were no druids there and the boy who claims to be a druid, clearly wasn't one… This sounded an awful like a trap and Merlin was walking straight into it. Quickly Mordred hurried back to his chambers, he was going after Merlin.
)o(
Mordred followed Merlin at what he deemed a safe distance and so far he hadn't been spotted. Ahead of him Merlin had reached the outskirts of the forest, where Daegal was waiting for him. Muttering a spell under his breath, Mordred enhanced his hearing and sight to hear and see what was going on ahead of him.
"Sorry I'm late," Merlin said in greeting as he reached Daegal.
"I thought you weren't coming," Daegal answered.
"I was bringing you some breakfast," Merlin held out some bread. "It's fresh."
"It's good of you to do this," Daegal replied, taking the bread.
"I only hope I can help the druids," Merlin answered. "If we do not reach them, I fear to think of their fate."
"Did you get in trouble?" Daegal questioned, nodding towards the castle.
"No," Merlin shook his head. "They believed me when I told them you were my brother and Gaius is covering for me. I won't be missed as long as I am back before tomorrow morning."
"But you're the king's servant," Daegal pointed out in disbelief.
"Arthur won't even notice I'm gone," Merlin answered with a grin and the two of them headed into the forest.
Mordred frowned as he continued to follow Merlin. Would the king really not notice Merlin's absence? From what Mordred had seen Arthur cared for Merlin a great deal and more than once Arthur had wanted to send patrols out looking for Merlin when Gaius had sent him out looking for herbs and he'd been gone longer than expected. Did Merlin not realise how much the king valued him as a friend?
)o(
"Merlin?" Arthur calls, looking around his room, like he was expecting Merlin to jump out of a hiding place any second.
Not finding Merlin, Arthur lets out a frustrated sigh and began looking through his things and that was how Gwen found him when she entered the room moments later.
"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, thinking it was Merlin who had just entered.
"What is it?" Gwen asked, upon seeing the look on her husbands face.
"I can't find my comb," Arthur explained.
"Have you looked?" Gwen questioned.
"Everywhere," Arthur answered, as he sat down on his bed and let out another frustrated sigh.
Gwen walked over to the nightstand and picked up the comb Arthur had been looking for. She walked over to where Arthur was setting and held it up to him.
"It must've been under something," Arthur tried to defend himself.
"Your nose," Gwen answered, tapping him playfully on the nose with the comb.
"You just have this way of seeing things," Arthur replied.
"Yes, two of them," Gwen explained teasingly. "They're called eyes."
"Very beautiful they are, too," Arthur smiled and pulled Gwen closer.
"Don't try and get out of this," Gwen scolded him, before combing his hair.
"Out of what?" Arthur asked.
"How hopeless you are," Gwen answered with a laugh.
"I am," Arthur agreed. "I'm hopelessly in love."
Arthur pulled Gwen down to his level for a kiss, but she put the comb between their lips.
"You need to prepare for the Sarrum's arrival," Gwen reminded him.
Arthur reluctantly let go of her and Gwen pushed him backwards, causing him to fall back onto the bed. She tossed the comb on to his chest with a look of disgust Arthur didn't see and quickly left the room.
"Oh, yes," Arthur replied, not realising Gwen had left. "That. Do you know where my robe…"
Arthur got to his feet and looked round to find the room empty.
"…s are?" Arthur finished.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.