Alaia Skyhawk: Hehe, I've been waiting for this one. Merlin is finally going to find out his other name :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: N/A

"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A

~(-)~

Chapter 43: The Beginning of the End ~Part 1~

Swords clashed on shields and upon each other, their wielders circling, jumping out of range, or lunging forward for a strike. Back and forth they went, but rather than a sustained battle the older of the two kept stopping and bidding the other to return to his previous position, whereupon the same sequence of movements would be repeated over again.

The sun had not yet risen, the pale light of false dawn cast across the training field. It glimmered slightly off of the sweat on Merlin's brow, the servant using the sleeve of his padded practice tunic to hastily wipe it aside before it could drip into his eyes. Opposite him stood Sir Leon, one of Camelot's finest Knights. He still hadn't figured out what had prompted the man to offer to spar with him on the third morning of every week, although it had certainly been an irony that the morning he'd picked happened to be the same morning the man liked to come and do some practice on his own. He'd gotten Merlin to show him the drills he'd been taught, and then proceeded to perform those drills with him as practice for them both. When queried about it, he'd simply stated that doing the drills against an amateur was no less of a work out than doing them solo by himself. It made no difference to his routine.

Coming to the end of the current drill, finally doing it to the standard Leon was looking for, Merlin started on the next still puzzled by it all. A talk with Gwen, mentioning what had been going on the past month, had resulted in her saying she wasn't surprised. Turned out she knew Leon from when she was a child, and vouched for his general good regard of commoners. If she was right about him, then maybe he'd just done it to be nice.

Distracted by his thoughts, Merlin suddenly found himself kicked onto his rear with a slightly disapproving swordsman stood over him.

"Concentrate. This may be just a practice session, but that padding won't protect you the way chainmail would. You're not wearing a helmet either. Pay attention, unless you want find yourself injured."

Merlin winced, getting back to his feet. Well if he was being nice, then Leon belonged to the group of people who believed being nice was not going easy on someone when they make a mistake during a lesson.

"Sorry."

He took up his stance again, this time for a shield-less drill. He'd been shown a couple with a shield, but Arthur had concentrated on ones without. For that, he was grateful, because many of those involved swinging the sword with two hands... Something his abused arm muscles were eminently grateful for.

They continued for about another fifteen minutes, before Leon left to have his breakfast and prepare for his day's duties. And of course, he had to charge back to Gaius' chambers, change out of the padded tunic Gwen had made for him, and then sprint down to the kitchens to start his duties for the day.

He enjoyed the practice with Leon, but that didn't necessarily mean he enjoyed being told off by Arthur for being late because of it. Arthur spared no sympathy if he didn't arrive on time, since according to him, if Leon could practice on the third morning every week and show up for work on time, then so could he.

Thankfully Arthur seemed to be in a good mood this morning, or at least he seemed to be in a good mood when he enquired if Leon had sparred with him again. Once Merlin had confirmed it, he just nodded and got on with eating his breakfast... leaving Merlin wondering if something strange was up.

He shrugged it off, continuing with his chores while Arthur went off to go on patrol. As soon as the prince was gone, a couple of quick spells, after a furtive glance out the door, tidied the room and bought the warlock about an hour he could spend reading his spellbook without anyone wondering where he was. Hopefully, Gaius would have left to go on his rounds by now, and wouldn't be there to tell him off for it.

Merlin was just leaving Arthur's room and heading for the relevant tower, when the shriek of a child echoed in his head as if from nowhere.

He stopped in his tracks, frowning, before following gut instinct and heading for the ground floor. He walked out of the main castle entrance and down the steps, still hearing the child's voice sporadically calling out for help, and descended the stairs to their base. He then stood there, frowning and looking around, until he spotted a small figure in a green cloak huddled against side of a stone bench in the courtyard.

The moment their eyes met, blue on blue, the young boy raised his head a little in hope.

'Please, you have to help me.'

Merlin stared, uncertain and startled, having seen that the boy's lips hadn't moved. And yet the words had been clear, and were undeniably his. Not only that, but there was fear in them as well.

That was when he spotted the guards hurrying into the courtyard, at the heels of the sound of the gates being opened. He heard one of them asking a passing man if he'd seen a boy, and looked back to the youth. He didn't know how he knew how to answer, he just did it. Speaking with the mind and not the voice.

'Who are you?'

The boy glanced in the direction of the guards, visibly frightened.

'They're searching for me.'

Merlin frown.

'Why are they after you?'

The boy took a shuddering breath, closing his eyes for a moment in terror.

'They're going to kill me!'

Merlin paused, eyes following the guards when they headed to search a pile of crates at the other side of the courtyard, before furtively hurrying to a small doorway set below the side of the grand staircase to the castle entrance. Once in the shadows there, he nodded to the boy and held out a hand.

'This way.' The boy hesitated, Merlin gesturing to him firmly. 'Run... Run!'

The boy got up, holding his left arm, and dashed towards him. He was barely halfway across the courtyard when one of the guards spotted him, a shout going up causing every other of them in earshot to race towards him. The boy reached the doorway, Merlin grabbing him and leading him into the maze of passages. He kept to the obscure ones, ascending through the castle and ending up in the nobles' wing.

That was when they found themselves cornered, Merlin could hear guards down their only exit, and more coming up from behind. There was only once place to go from here, and that was up the small set of stairs to the Lady Morgana's chambers.

He dragged the boy up them, bursting into the lady's chambers and closing the door, his back to Morgana when strode over looking irritated.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?"

He turned to her, revealing the boy he held against him, both of them panting from the run.

"The guards are after him. I didn't know what to do."

There was a knock on the door, the guard beyond it calling out but not entering.

"My lady! My lady!"

During those moments, Morgana's gaze met that of the boy, who was on the verge of fainting and was actually starting to go limp. She shook herself free of it, and gestured to the far side of her chambers.

"In there."

Merlin didn't need telling twice, he practically picked the boy up and carried him to the curtained area in the side of the room where the bed was. He then yanked those curtains closed across it, Morgana waiting until the pair were hidden before opening the door.

The guard stood there, nodding to her.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady. We're searching for a young druid boy. We believe he came this way."

Morgana shook her head, Gwen visible in the room a short way behind her.

"I haven't seen anyone. It's just me and my maid."

The guard nodded again.

"Best keep the door locked until we find him."

"Of course. Thank you."

She closed and locked it as suggested, before darting to the screen along with Gwen. When they got there, they found Merlin holding the now unconscious boy, who had fainted within moments of reaching safety.

He looked up at her, expression holding a mixture of grim concern and a hint of anger, before he pulled his hand away from a long gash on the boy's arm.

"He's just a boy... and they..."

Morgana gestured to Gwen, who immediately went to grab a cloth and a nearby pitcher of water, and knelt down beside the two of them to take the boy into her arms.

"We'll take care of him, Merlin. No child deserves to be hunted like this."

~(-)~

"The druid was only in Camelot to collect supplies. He meant no harm. Is it really necessary to execute him?"

Arthur regarded his father, who even as he spoke was signing the man's death warrant. They're received a tip off yesterday, that a druid would be entering Camelot to buy herbs. The stall owner in question had been the one to give it, and had also given the signal when the man had arrived with a young boy in tow. Chased through the city, attacked and cornered, he had struck out with magic to defend the boy in his care, before enchanting the castle gates to start closing and sending the boy through them. By the time they'd been reopened, the guards caught only a fleeting glance of the boy fleeing into the castle passages and somehow managing to disappear among them. Everything that had happened, had only happened because the druid had been forced into it by circumstance.

But the king didn't care, magic was involved and that was the end of it.

"It's absolutely necessary. Those who use magic cannot be tolerated."

Arthur tried again.

"The Druids are a peaceful people."

The king frowned.

"Given the chance they would return magic to the kingdom. They preach peace, but conspire against me. We cannot appear weak."

It was Arthur's turn to frown.

"Showing mercy can be a sign of strength."

Uther turned, pausing in his departure from the council chambers.

"Our enemies will not see it that way. We have a responsibility to protect this kingdom. Executing the druid will send out a clear message." He set off again, speaking in passing as he did so. "And find the boy. Search every inch of the city."

Uther did not see the unhappy expression on his son's face, not that he would have cared. Arthur, having witnessed the consideration and understanding that Hargren had shown during that execution at Ulwin, now found himself disgusted at the offhand manner of his own father regarding this one. He had backed that man into a corner, as much as forced him to act with magic to try and escape. Killing a man who you had left with no other choice, even if he had used magic, was not justice.

He strode out of the council chambers, speaking to the first knight he encountered.

"Find Georg and have him arrange an extensive search of the castle, and pass word to the city guard as well. Search everywhere, for a druid boy in a green cloak. He has a wounded left arm, and is to be arrested on sight."

The knight bowed his head.

"Yes, Sire."

The knight headed on his way, while Arthur followed after his father. No time had been wasted in bringing out the headman's block and podium, it had been barely two hours since the druid man's arrest, but that did not matter to the king. He was already there, in the small chamber that led out to the long balcony above one side of the central courtyard, waiting for word that the man was ready to be led out. People were already gathering below, to watch the macabre event, and looking out the window at them entering through the castle gates, Arthur clenched his fists for a moment. He was expected to watch this, but he'd rather be anywhere else but here right now.

A guard soon arrived, informing the king that all was ready, and Uther strode out onto the balcony with Arthur at his side. But the prince didn't listen to his words, his attention was entirely on the druid standing below.

"People of Camelot. The man before you stands guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death... We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor." The king stared down at the man about to be executed. "Let this serve as a warning to your people."

The druid looked up at him, unafraid.

"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate... I pity you."

Across the other side of the courtyard, Morgana moved away from her window where both she and Merlin had been stood.

"I can't watch this."

Merlin watched her as she hurried to the boy's side, the youth once again awake and his eyes wide with emotion as they met his. But he found that as difficult to endure as the sight below, that piercing and fearful gaze, and instead looked to where Arthur and his father stood. That was when he noticed something, something that no one not specifically looking at him would have seen... As Uther raised his hand ready to give the signal for the axe to fall, Arthur closed his eyes even if he didn't move to turn away, and kept them closed.

That was when the king's hand fell, the sickening sound of the axe bringing an end to the druid's life echoing into the air. But for him that sound was drowned out by something else entirely, as the boy's mental scream of denial jarred his magical senses coinciding with the mirror close to him breaking as if struck.

Merlin looked to him, seeing the angry and tormented expression on the boy's face, Morgana holding the child close even as she was just as shaken by what had happened to the mirror. But she didn't let it make her fear the boy, didn't let that display of magic turn her away from him. Instead she hugged him even tighter and murmured to him in sympathy until he began to calm down.

That was when he was forced to leave them, aware that he would be expected for certain things and saying as much to Morgana. She nodded in understanding, thanking him when he promised to sneak extra food from the kitchens to feed the boy, and he left feeling much the same as the expression that had been on the boy's face. It hadn't taken much for him to pluck what had happened this morning from the castle gossip, and it didn't take a genius to realise that had the druid and the boy been left alone then none of this would have happened... Uther was just lucky that the Druids didn't hold grudges.

He arrived at Gaius' chambers for his midday meal, sitting down and starting to eat, until his thoughts ended up with him beginning to pick at the food rather than swallow it.

He glanced to his mentor, who having already eaten his food was working on something at one of the other tables.

"Do you know much about the Druids? I know I've met one, but I didn't really ask him much about his people."

The physician answered, still writing.

"I know a little, but likely not the sort of things you're asking. They're a very secretive people, especially now they're being hunted by Uther." He stiffened, his tone warning when he turned to look at his ward. "Merlin, please tell me you haven't gotten yourself mixed up in this."

Merlin shook his head, acting innocent.

"Me? No. Mixed up in what?"

Gaius walked towards him, wagging the quill he held in his hand.

"For someone with such a big secret, you are a terrible liar."

Merlin dropped his spoon into his bowl.

"Well I haven't done anything."

"Merlin."

The warlock could see the genuine concern in Gaius' eyes, frowning a little before relenting and admitting a bit of what had gone on this morning.

"I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him, like he was inside my mind."

Gaius seemed to be satisfied by that, although he still looked concerned.

"Yes, I've heard of this ability. The Druids often look for children with such gifts, to serve as apprentices." His frown deepened. "While they're searching for this boy, you must be especially careful. Otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block."

Merlin gave him a smile.

"I'm always careful. You know me."

Gaius turned away, after one last disproving stare.

"Yes, Merlin, unfortunately I do."

Merlin quickly finished his food and hurried out, getting Arthur his, and then heading out of the castle to collect the prince's shield from the armourer where he'd left it to be repaired. There were guards everywhere, searching everything, stabbing spears into hay carts and opening any crate large enough to hold a child. This was crazy, the boy couldn't be more than about ten years old, and yet they were searching for him as if he were some sort of hardened criminal.

He quickly collected the shield and took it to the armoury, before heading to where he'd stashed the food he'd added to Arthur's tray and removed on the way to the prince's chambers. From there he went straight to Morgana's rooms, the lady swiftly letting him in once she'd unlocked the door and seen it was him.

He looked to her, concerned.

"How is he?"

She sighed, heading for the far side of the room.

"He's sleeping." She paused at the curtain, looking down at the boy. "He's very pale. I worry he may have lost a lot of blood."

Merlin sighed as well.

"Has he said anything?"

Morgana shook her head.

"Nothing. He won't even tell me his name."

Awkward silence fell, Merlin wondering what to say until he started to say the first thing that came into his head.

"You know, for a moment there, earlier, I thought you were going to hand us over to the guards."

Morgana turned and stared at him, indignant.

"I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Merlin."

The servant went rigid, inwardly kicking himself as he began to stammer.

"N-no, sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I meant, you're the king's ward... You're taking a huge risk helping the boy."

She sighed, looking down at the sleeping boy.

"I wouldn't see an innocent child executed. What harm has he ever done anyone?"

Merlin grimaced a little.

"Well, Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty."

"Uther's wrong."

Merlin blinked at that statement, surprised to hear her say something of that kind.

"You believe that?"

He saw a moment of fear in her eyes, and knew she was thinking about her dreams. The dreams she'd been told, and supposedly convinced were just nightmares.

"What if... magic isn't something you chose? ...What if it chooses you?" He couldn't help it, the smile that rose to his face at hearing her say that, and she frowned a little in response. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He shook his head, averting his gaze and looking at the boy instead.

"Nothing."

She regarded him thoughtfully.

"Why are you helping him?"

He met her gaze again, seeming to think about it. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth, not the whole truth anyway. But he could admit to part of it.

"It was a spur of the moment decision. I saw him in trouble, and just knew I couldn't let them hurt him." They both looked at the boy again. "What should we do with him? He can't stay here."

Her words were certain, and full of resolve.

"We have to find a way to get him back to his people."

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: I can't help but think how significant this episode is, in the way Morgana and Merlin are effectively allies in saving Mordred. Given how much she trusted him even then, and in season 2, I guess I can understand why she'd end up hating him so much after he poisoned her. What could have been a strong friendship, horribly shattered by a cruel twist of destiny.