Hello everyone! I hope everyone's holidays are going well! Despite my Merlin-less situation, I've been good (THOUGHT I SHOULD REMIND YOU SO NO ONE PUTS ANY SPOILERS IN THE REVIEWS). Well I finally got my hands on internet so i hope you enjoy!
Anyways, I'm hoping this chapter makes you smile (I've heard things have been pretty dark in Camelot). Strength my lovely Merlinians, and I hope you enjoy!
Long Live: Taylor Swift (this song will give you merlin-ending feels, trust me)
(PS: Time jump, you'll learn about it)
"Please."
"Darlin—"
"Come on, Father, please! We'll be safe!"
"How can we be sure?"
"We'll have Arthur and Merlin with us, that's an army all by itself."
The two Kings turned away from their daughters to the young men standing silently behind them, who were giving the leaders reassuring looks.
Glendale's king was the first to break.
"Well, it is their last week together…" he turned to his fellow monarch, who sighed.
"Fine-but only if you promise to be careful," Uther turned to his son and his friend. "You'll keep them safe?"
"As if Morgana needs anyone to look after her, Father," Arthur said, smirking at the King's ward. "But don't worry, we'll be fine."
"Then alright," Uther Pendragon nodded his approval and smiled as the four young people cheered. "Now go, you should find somewhere to camp before it gets dark out."
Gwenivere, Morgana, Arthur, and Merlin bowed low to their Kings before rushing out from the throne room, bursting into laughter when the guards shut the doors behind them.
"See, I told you it would work!" Morgana said with a smile, adopting her best puppy eyes. "Who could resist this?"
"I could," Arthur replied with a poker face. There was a moment's silence before the group burst into another fit of giggles.
"Come on, we need to get packed," Merlin pushed Arthur down the hall before winking at the girls. "We all know how long it takes for the Princess to prepare for a camp out."
"Hey!" Arthur moved to hit the warlock, but the young man swiftly dodged and slid down the hall.
"Arthur!" Gwen called back the Prince with a wide smile. "We need to get ready-you can throw him in the lake later."
The Prince of Camelot raised an eyebrow at the thought before returning the grin. "Good idea. I'll meet you down by the horses soon. We'll leave once everyone is ready."
"Well then, hurry up! Like Merlin said, you take the longest to prepare."
Arthur opened his arms incredulously at Morgana. "Now you're siding with him? I can't even with the both of you- thank gods Gwen is coming." He slung an arm over the Princess's shoulder, but she only looked up at him sheepishly.
"I'm afraid I agree with the other two."
The Prince clutched his chest as though wounded, staggering down the hall in acted pain. The girls giggled and ran past him, rushing up to their rooms, skirts held up carelessly.
Meanwhile, Merlin was finishing packing the food, placing them in large leather sacks. Gaius walked in to see the boy in a flurry of action, his clothes flung everywhere.
"Merlin, are you sure this is a good idea?"
The warlock froze and looked up at his guardian, eyebrows raised. "Sorry?"
"You're all going camping, with no guards, no one to protect you… "
"Please, Gaius, don't pretend that you're concerned about our safety. You know Arthur and I can handle anything-only a week ago we fought off a griffin together. Bandits won't be a problem. So tell me, what is your real concern?"
Gaius sighed, sitting at the edge of the small bed. "Your nightmares haven't stopped."
"I'm bringing the sleeping draft-"
"Merlin, you know that's not what I mean."
The warlock began packing again. "My dreams mean nothing. Morgana is a friend. Whatever I see at night, it's another reality. Some other future where Camelot and Glendale aren't allies, but now they are. And even more than that, they're friends too. We're friends."
"Just be careful."
"I always am," Merlin smiled at his guardian. "The four of us, we've been inseparable for a month. Why do you only bring this up now?"
"Because the Pendragons are leaving in a week, so if Uther was to make a move he'd do it now."
"You know I don't trust Uther, never have. But I trust Arthur…and I trust Morgana. They won't let him do anything, and he'd be foolish to try."
"Of course," Gaius got to his feet. "Let me help you."
Merlin thanked him and the two set to work, and soon the warlock made his way to the courtyard laden with bags filled with supplies. Gwen and Morgana helped him secure them to the horses, finishing just as Arthur made his way down the stone steps.
"See," Merlin said with a snicker. "What did I say?"
The Prince threw his riding glove at the sorcerer, who only laughed harder and mounted his horse.
"Come on," Morgana turned to Merlin, her hair pulled into a braid. "Race you to the forest."
"You're on, my Lady," he replied mockingly, spurring his horse and riding after her, the sound of the hooves smashing against the cobblestones drowned only by the sound of their laughter.
They raced out of the gates, hitting the fields at full gallop. Morgana's hair had come undone, and now flew behind her in black waves, her jade eyes shining.
"What's Arthur going to say when you get beat by a girl?" she shouted as her horse pulled ahead, her voice barely heard over the sound of the wind.
Merlin only laughed, bending down his horse's neck and whispering softly in his ear. "Ocius."
His mount surged forward with newfound strength, and Morgana screamed in frustration when he sped past her, Merlin laughing.
"Cheater!"
"You have no proof!"
"Oh yes I do."
"I'd stop yelling at me and focus on riding because I can see the forest!"
Morgana spurred her horse and the raven-haired pair raced side by side, casting each other wicked looks. Flattening himself on his horse, Merlin relished the feel of the wind on his face. If not for the adrenaline in his blood, he would've thought himself flying.
Perhaps it was his moment of sentiment that gave Morgana the chance to pass him, shouting in victory as she pulled the horse to a stop just before the trees, Merlin arriving mere seconds afterwards.
"I win!" she laughed breathlessly, and the two took a moment to catch their breath. They were quiet for a moment before looking at each other, stupid grins plastered on both their faces.
"I think that's debatable," Merlin finally said.
"Pardon?"
"I think it's debatable if you won, I think it was a tie."
Morgana leaned over and cuffed him behind the head, eyes wide. "Don't tell me you're a sore loser, Merlin."
"I can't be a sore loser if I didn't actually lose."
"Goddess, Merlin, I expect more from you. I won fair and square."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did NOT."
"Did TOO."
"Oh will you too stop bickering? Merlin, just give it to Morgana, God knows she won't let you forget it either way," Gwen said as she and Arthur rode up to the other two.
"To be honest, I'm surprised Merlin could even keep up," Arthur said with a smile, looking at Merlin with a cocked head. "How does it feel to get beat by a girl?"
"As if you're the one to be talking, dollop head, seeing as Morgana beat you in a duel last week."
"Ouch, low hit."
The two boys looked around for backing before realizing that they were alone, the girls riding off and leaving them to their arguments.
"Hey!" Arthur shouted, the Prince and the warlock spurring their horses and leading them into the woods, after the princesses.
After almost an hour of riding through the trees, Merlin and Gwen dismounted, their guests doing the same. They led the horses to a clearing, and Morgana gasped.
The lake was large and blue, shining in the afternoon sun. Snow topped peaks could be seen at the horizon, the sky cloudless. They had stopped at a small clearing, surrounded by trees. There was a drop to the lake below, the roots of trees jutting out of the earth. A branch hung off the willow closest to the water, obviously used as a swing into the crystal water.
"It's beautiful," Morgana breathed as they approached the edge, torn between looking at her surroundings and the shimmering blue.
"Merlin and I love coming here when the weather's lovely; it makes for a perfect swim," the Princess said with a smile, looking up at Arthur, who only looked down at her. He didn't have to say anything for her to know that it was perfect.
"Well, we'll just have to test the water to see if it's good for swimming today," the Prince said once he'd torn his gaze from Gwenivere. "Merlin?"
The warlock didn't have time to brace himself before Arthur shoved him off the edge of the clearing and into the lake. Merlin spluttered in the blue depths, the cool water shocking him. But the water felt good and he soon righted himself in the deep lake, wiping the hair from his face before looking up at the other three who were doubled over in laughter.
"PENDRAGON!" The warlock shouted, eyes narrowing and burning gold.
Arthur yelped as he was pulled by the ankle into the air by some invisible force. The invisible force then promptly dropped him into the water. The Prince gasped, taking a moment to pull himself together before lunging at his friend, the two tackling each other in the lake.
Gwen and Morgana laughed, looking at each other with large eyes before jumping into the lake at the same time—their splash stopping the boys' wrestling. The Princesses swam towards their friends, their hair making halos in the water behind them.
"You really mustn't blame me for pushing you in, Merlin. It was Gwen's idea."
"Hey! I was joking!" the Princess ducked into the water as the warlock attempted to splash her. "It's not my fault that the prat took it literally!"
"Again, my word!"
Arthur clubbed the warlock behind the head before swimming up to Gwen, wrapping his arms around her waist, leaning down and kissing her.
"Oh, please." Morgana and Merlin looked away, gagging.
"Get a room!"
"Do you have to do this here?"
"I swear."
"Now stop and breathe."
"Ewwww."
"Stop snogging."
Merlin turned to Morgana. "We never should have tried to get them together."
"I agree-worst idea ever."
"Since we caused this catastrophe, we have to stop it. How could we break them up?"
"Does Gwen have any ex-lovers?"
"I think there was this guy called Lancelot—but he's dead."
"No problem, we'll just summon him from the dead and order him to get in-between them."
"Perfect."
"You do realize we can hear you?" Arthur scowled at the two as he pulled away from Gwen.
Morgana looked back at Merlin with a smirk. "Next time we prepare evil plans, ensure we are alone."
"Whatever my lady commands."
The ward splashed him with water, happy that she was wearing riding gear and was not weighed down by a heavy dress.
"Hey, what was that for?!"
"Nothing—just felt like splashing you."
Merlin returned the favor, Arthur and Gwen joining in, the group's laughter ringing through the empty space.
After long hours spent swimming and tackling each other in the calm waters, Merlin swam back to shore.
"Where are you going?" Arthur shouted behind him.
"I'm tired, just going to sit on land for a few."
"Oh don't be such a girl, Merlin."
"Only when you stop being a prat."
"I'm not a prat."
"Then I'm not a girl."
Arthur stopped pressing, leaving his friend to climb to shore. Merlin pulled off his jacket and scarf, draping them on branches in the sun to dry. Still sopping wet, the warlock set up camp before taking a seat at the edge of the water, feet dangling, watching the other three mess around. His shirt stuck to him uncomfortably as it dried, but he kept it on—he didn't want them to see the ugly scars that had become permanent fixtures on his pale torso. He lay down and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the sun on his skin.
"Merlin, are you alright?"
The warlock opened his eyes to see that Morgana had climbed up to join him, looking down at him with her bright green eyes, hair tangled and dripping water. Her makeup had washed off in the swim and her clothes stuck to her body—Merlin couldn't stop himself as the words spilled from his dry lips.
"You look beautiful."
Her eyes widened and she blushed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you—but you haven't answered my question."
"I'm fine, just a little tired," Merlin pulled himself up, looking at her with eyes the color of the lake below them.
"The sleeping drafts aren't working?"
He smiled at her, and she took a seat next to him, the two looking out at the water. Arthur and Gwen were splashing each other, the sounds of their laughter mingling with the songs of the birds in the branches.
"Don't worry now." Merlin leaned over and kissed Morgana on the forehead. "Now's not the time for it."
She nodded and changed her position, laying her head on his lap and stretching out in the sun, closing her eyes. The warlock looked down at her softly, running his hands through her wet hair.
"Blossmae."
Morgana opened her eyes to see the wildflowers at the edge of the forest pull themselves from the dirt and walk towards them, roots acting like delicate legs, watching wide eyed as the warlock began to braid them into her hair.
"Where did you learn to do that?"
"Magic?"
"No—braiding a girl's hair."
The raven-haired boy laughed, his eyes flashing gold as he called more flowers over. "My mother taught me one winter when she was sick. She wanted to look respectable when the doctor would come, so told me to braid her hair. I practice on Gwen when her maidservant is busy every now and again."
Morgana nodded. He looked down at her, and he could see his reflection in her shining eyes. Hair damp and tussled, contrasting harshly to his pale skin. His shirt—wrinkled-sticking to the lean muscles of his chest.
Suddenly they were kissing. He didn't know if he had kissed her, or if she'd kissed him, all he knew was the feel of her lips pressed against his. Velvety soft and warm, her tongue flitting off his own as he pulled her closer. Her fingers made their way into his hair, tugging at the black strands as she attempted to close any space between them. She smelled of fresh water and flowers, her skin warm from its hours in the sun. His heart beat fast in his chest, and he could feel hers drumming against his torso. They didn't hear Arthur and Gwen cheering until they pulled apart, tasting each other's breath in the aftermath, panting heavily.
"Well, about time!" Gwen shouted, and the two laughed as they looked at her, a wide smile on the Princess's face.
Arthur however, did not share the reaction.
"Gods, Merlin, she's practically my sister," he complained.
"Well Gwen is 'practically' mine, so we're even, mate," Merlin replied. Morgana laughed, her head returning to its position on his thigh.
He looked back at her and gave her a quick, chaste kiss before pulling back and continuing with her hair, his body feeling warm and languid. Morgana closed her eyes in pleasure, allowing his musky scent to cover her and the feel of the flesh beneath his trousers act as her pillow. Slowly, the feel of his hands wrapping and twirling her hair, gently and softly, set her to a dreamless sleep—the sun on her damp clothes and skin, the sound of splashing water the last things she sensed.
He was strung up to the ceiling, and a bucket of cold water woke him from the darkness. Through his fluttering eyelashes he could see their faces. Olaf. Gaelic. They smirked before him, and guards in bloodied armor stood around him. Merlin looked up to where his hands were chained, his magic imprisoned once again. The same helplessness, the same fear. He tried to free himself but his innate ability failed him. Olaf approached him, so close that Merlin could see the cracks in his yellowed teeth.
"You're going to pay for this,sorcerer."
Gaelic walked behind him, and Merlin needn't be told what he was about to do when he felt his shirt tear off his body. The sorcerer looked up, and suddenly Olaf's face changed to Morgana's—but not his Morgana. This lady was cold, her jade eyes like ice, red lips faded. Her skin was so pale, her hair black as midnight, tangled and terrible.
A queen of ice.
"Please," he begged as he heard the whip flick back. But she was silent and cold, watching with an indifferent gaze—though in the depths of her eyes he saw something like pleasure. Merlin struggled, desperately calling for his magic to save him from this torture. No response—it had abandoned him. "Please, no…"
A lick of fire tore down his back and the warlock screamed.
Merlin jolted upright, covering his mouth with his hand to keep from crying out. He breathed quickly, his heart racing in his chest. Looking around, he allowed the familiarity of his surroundings calm him.
The warlock had been sleeping on a bedroll near a fading fire. Arthur slept across from him, the girls having reluctantly taken the tent. Merlin stretched when suddenly he felt a piercing pain in his back. He moved a hand to touch it, finding it covered in blood when he pulled it away. He struggled to his feet, doing his best to remain quiet and not wake anyone, pulling out the salve Gaius had prepared him in case something like this happened.
Merlin stumbled to the edge of the lake, sitting down heavily, closing his eyes to ease the throbbing in his head.
"Merlin?"
The warlock looked up to see Morgana walking out towards him, wrapped in a red blanket.
"Morgana…I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
"No…I was already awake. Couldn't sleep." She smiled as she came closer, and Merlin turned his head to keep from looking at her.
But it was too late.
"Merlin, Merlin what's wrong?"Morgana knelt by his side, eyes widening at the blood on his shirt. "What happened?"
"Nothing…just a bad dream."
"You're bleeding!"
"My wounds do that sometimes. This salve will heal them. Don't worry."
Her hand reached out and touched his face, turning it so he looked into her eyes. "Let me help you."
The warlock nodded and watched her as she ripped the blanket around her, dipping the cloth in water. She turned to him, blushing slightly in the dark.
"Shirt off."
He hesitated for a moment before doing what she asked, looking down at his hands as he heard her gasp.
"Who did this to you?" she asked in horror, taking in the long scars on his pale back, bleeding, impossible not to recognize as the marks of an iron-tipped whip.
"It's a long story."
"I have all night."
Merlin closed his eyes as she reached over and began to wash the blood from his flesh, flinching slightly at the feel of the frigid water on his feverish skin.
"It's been over two months and I still can't sleep at night," the warlock said quietly. "On a journey to see the Great Dragon, I was captured and taken to a mine. They put us in chains. They made us dig. I saw things down there in the dark that I will never un-see. The faces of the beaten and broken, they haunt my eyes when I close them. "
Her hand lingered on his shoulder, and slowly her arms wrapped around him in a protective embrace.
"It's over, you're safe now."
Merlin wilted under her touch, his muscles relaxing and his heart beat slowing. Morgana buried her head in his neck, kissing the pulse there softly.
"I'm going to tell you something that I've never told anyone—except Gaius," the warlock finally said, and the King's ward pulled away. She began dabbing his skin with the salve, rubbing it over the wounds in gentle circles.
"You can tell me anything."
"I've told everyone that the reason I couldn't use magic in the mine was because I was always too weak. Only Gaius knows the truth-the truth is that they found the way to bind my magic. My one weakness. Chains forged in dragon's breath, imprisoning us sorcerers' abilities."
"How is it your one weakness?"
"I can get through anything, fight as hard as I can, with my magic by my side. But to have it bound—I'm helpless. I am nothing without my magic. It feels like there's a hole in my chest when it's gone, and it hurts. I…I never want to go through that again. It's why no one can ever know that there are chains that can bind the most powerful sorcerers' magic, because if that information was to fall in the wrong hands…the information that even my magic can be imprisoned...it would be a great weapon."
Morgana kissed him softly. "I won't tell anyone. Trust me."
The warlock sighed in relief, looking down to see that she had finished the salve.
"Thank you."
"I'm just glad you're alright."
He opened his arms and she fit into him, her arms grasping him tightly around the neck. Merlin clung to her and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her hands on his bare skin.
And they stayed like that for a long time, clinging to each other to ward off the nightmares. Morgana held him until it was his turn to fall asleep in her arms, and she cradled his head in her lap, softly stroking his hair. Every now and again he would stir, and she would see his eyes fluttering as he was caught in the horrors deep in the recesses of his mind, but she would merely murmur words of comfort. Brush his arm, kiss him softly, and he would still under her touch, falling back asleep. She covered his bare torso with the red blanket, the heat from his fevered skin keeping her warm.
When the sun rose above the mountains, far in the east, Morgana gently untangled herself from him, laying him gently on the soft earth. She bent down and picked up his shirt, washing it in the cold river water and hanging it to dry. Morgana cast Merlin one last glance before disappearing back into the tent, ensuring that when the other two woke up in the morning, they wouldn't pressure him into answering anything.
Yes, I know. Not very like me, no drama. But what can I do? Merlyn loves to remind me that you lot like fluff here and there, but is she right? Tell me in the little white doobly-doo below!
Happy holidays! Enjoy the Merlin watching, I'm there with you in spirit! I'll be watching the episodes Jan. 3, so I'm counting the damn seconds!
(P.S: you may have another chapter very soon, I want to make sure you guys get enough for your wait! We'll just have to see!)