The next day after Moira's disappearing act Merlin sat in her room with her. Igraine was with the two helping Moira plan for the ball that Arthur had placed in the women's hands. As he should, Moira thought haughtily. A ball planned by a man was a bed idea all in itself. Merlin sat his legs crossed at the small writing desk, Igraine sat in an armchair and was busily jotting down notes as the ideas came to both women. "Is the menu planned?" Moira asked.
"Bridget and Guinevere are doing it as we speak."
"Moira," Larkin rapped his knuckles on the outside of her door. She turned and nodded him in, hands busy twisting to strands of hair together. He nodded to Merlin and Igraine who had been visiting his sister. Larkin tried wet his dry throat, but to no avail. "I have some bad news little cub." His eyes met hers in the glass. They were wide with fear. He spoke quickly. "Not Da, or Mother." There was instant relief. He glanced at Merlin and Igraine, and then decided to go for it. "Shannon's comin' 'ere." He said it so fast that her ears barely caught it. She pinned the strand of hair back slowly, long fingers twirling the second pin. Her eyes met Merlin's in the mirror. "To Camelot." He finished lamely.
"I see," Moira went through the same motions on the other side of her head. Merlin furrowed his brows, trying to read her. He was blocked each and every time. He was able to catch the cold ball of ice that sat in her stomach, and with a quick nudge with his mind took it from her. "She comes alone?"
"N-not really…" Larkin fumbled for his words, and rubbed a hand over his hair. Malcolm entered the room with his other brothers, a solid wall of flesh and muscle; a shield to protect her. "Ye see—"
"She and Ian are settling here," Calder intervened sick of his brothers mishandling of the situation. Moira's brush dropped out her hand and clattered on the vanity. The man went on, hand raised in a peaceful way. "Now, before ye lose yer head and start—"
"Too late," Larkin backed up away from his sister as she rose. The fire that had been coals flickered to life. Stepping forward Merlin motioned for Igraine to get back in the same motion.
"Moira," Merlin was by her side now even as the fire in the hearth began to rise higher, its flame reaching out like willow branches in a harsh breeze. "Moira, listen to me!" His hand gripped her arm, hard. Her gray eyes found hazel, though he was sure they were seeing something else entirely. "Stop it." He ordered. The fire flared once before the wayward flames began to retract. "Thata girl, good girl." He gently pushed her back into her chair. Her brothers let out a combined sigh. She jerked her head to one side then the other before twitching for a few moments, irritated at the loss of control. "When do they arrive?" Merlin asked Cal.
"Two days or so," replied Calder with a concerned glance at his sister.
"Just in time fer the ball, how convenient." Moira stated bitterly. Igraine laid her hands on Moira's shoulders and smiled reassuringly at her. "She's such a bitch." The younger woman whispered as Igraine knelt in front of her. Moira stared at the maroon cloth of her dress "She's so damned perfect and beautiful—" her eyes sought for Igraine's, for reassurance.
"We'll make you the most beautiful one there, Moira." Igraine promised.
Moira smiled woefully, shaking her head. "Ye haven't seen Shannon Igraine…she'll always win that battle."
0-0-0
Moira was right about one thing and that was Shannon was gorgeous. Merlin watched them ride from the turrets. Moira stood beside him in her best dress. "See what I mean." She muttered. "She's gorgeous."
"You'll always be more beautiful than she." Merlin hugged her around the shoulders. "To me, to Gawain and Kay as well."
"All of you?"
"I'm sure there's more, but they're who I stay around." Merlin kissed her temple. "Plus you have me to show off."
"You flatter yourself Merlin." She said dryly. He laughed and with her arm through his made their way to the front gates. Arthur, Kay, Leontes and Gawain joined the brothers and herself.
"You should be excited." Arthur whispered. "Put the past behind you."
"I'll fake my joy sire." Moira replied. "She doesn't deserve the real thing."
"She looks happy." Larkin said easily. "Then again I suppose one would be if they stole their sisters betrothed."
"Larkin—" Malcolm warned. His eyes roved over his other sister. "My God she's packed some weight—"
"She's pregnant you idiot," Moira growled. She went to turn away, but Merlin's hand held her firm.
He turned his head, lips brushing her cheek. "Do not be fooled Moira—she's doing it on purpose to upset you."
"It's working." She hissed.
"Welcome to Camelot!" Arthur called out as Ian and Shannon arrived. "Your sister and brothers have proven to be excellent additions, we hope you'll be the same." Shannon brushed back her honey blond hair and with the help of Leontes and Arthur dismounted.
"She's not pregnant," Merlin muttered. "It's a pillow."
"Merlin, it's not nice to prod someone's mind," Moira nudged him. "Thank you though."
"My dear sistah." Shannon outstretched both arms. With something that was akin to pain on her face Moira stepped forward and hugged her sister. "Shannon," she whispered. "Your baby's awfully soft…like a pillow." Moira pulled back smiling at the shock on her sisters face. Ian held out his arms, the motioned for her to come forward. "Lord Ian if ye believe fer one second I will ever be back in yer arms ye are sorely mistaken." She turned away from him with a toss of her hair and walked back to Merlin. Ian flicked his gaze from Merlin to Moira. We'll see he thought.
-0-0-0
He watched her as she walked through the banquet hall, speaking to folks, but mainly his gaze rested on the table of warriors she sat at. They didn't treat her as a wench—then again maybe wenches were treated differently in Camelot. He wasn't aware of the gaze on him either, Merlin stood above, leaning on the railing keeping an eye on both of them. He had seen things—dreamed things. His solitude had diminished when Moira had come to tell him stop hiding, and thinking. And he had. Merlin watched her as she left the table that sat Gawain, her bothers, Kay and Leontes. Where was she heading? He began moving down the path and stopped as Ian rose. Quickly he tapped into Ian's head. Let the fun begin was the thought that echoed. He closed his eyes searching for Moira's. I just want to get away. Run away. That's what I'll do, I'll run away…Who's following me? He got the same gut wrenching worry that she did.
With a curse under his breath he ran outside. He caught the last part of her dress and Ian's leg as they disappeared down the wooded path. He heard Ian's voice before he even drew close. "I've missed ye Moira." He was hidden in the shadows now, picking his way carefully to avoid noise. Moira had lit a torch. Merlin grinned, she knew the woods like the back of her hand, but she had realized the follower. Clever girl. Her features were almost ghost like in the light. She was pale, he thought, paler than usual. "She can't give me a child."
"That's yer own fault." Moira replied taking a step back from him.
Ian grabbed her arm, eyes narrowed. "No, no ye see ye clouded my mind, I couldn't think, I couldn't decide—"
"Ye chose Shannon, not me. This is yer battle with her." Moira shook her arm free. Ian gripped her arm harder. "Let go Ian."
"Not until ye become my mistress." His eyes were wild. "Ye must give me a child!"
"Mistress! Child!" Moira cried out, her mouth hanging open. "Are ye out of yer bloody mind ye fool?" Merlin stifled a laugh as Moira backhanded Ian's chest. "Now ye listen ta me Ian of Killkenny, ye broke my heart into a thousand pieces, ye married my sister after bedding me, ye stole my innocence, my heart, and my love. Whatever is happenin' ta ye now ye deserve!"
"Moira—"
"Don't Moira me," she pushed him back a step. "If ye had for one second loved me half as much as I had loved ye then I wouldn't be so hurt," another shove. "Ye never intended to marry me," another shove. "Ye built me up ta let me down," another shove. "And if yer missin' me now or wishin' ta bed me then take yer wishes and fuck yerself!" She let her fist fly into his face and stormed back towards the castle. Merlin barely containing his glee caught up to her and grabbed her arm. He barely missed the fist. "Oh Merlin!" Moira bit back a laugh cupping his face. "Sorry love." He cocked his head at the endearment.
"In a good mood are we?" He raised his black brows, falling into stride beside her.
"The best." She replied all smiles and gray eyes bright with mirth. "Were ye watchin'?" She gave him a dark look that still twinkled with laughter.
"I was making sure you were safe."
"Oh sure," the woman snorted darkly. "Ye were hopin' for a fight."
"Well I rather enjoyed you attacking him." The sorcerer admitted with a cheeky grin. "I didn't think you had it in you." She laughed and left him on his own. Merlin watched her walk to the safety of the walls before turning back toward the forest, searching. "Yes, you'll try again won't you, you bastard," he muttered to himself. "But you can't have her. I'll make damn sure of it."