Welcome back! Camping was boss and I got to pig-out, not that you guys care. I've been told that my humor is drier than a desert; it really shows in my writting. My brother gave me a few good ideas for this fics, so you'll be seeing those soon... I still don't own Merlin. That's why this is a FAN fiction, people!
For Narnia!
Darkness, slightly yellowy fog. Merlin sinking lower into the water. There was a woman standing cruelly over him. She whispered to him, "The Gates of Avalon will open for Magic's son." Merlin's eyes closed one last time.
Morgana awoke with a gasp, her eyes wide with terror. She had just seen Merlin die. And felt too real to ever be fake.
She choked out a single word in her panic, "Merlin!"
Damn hunting. Merlin was out with Arthur again. He didn't have a thing against hunt itself, more along the lines that every time they go on a hunt, something happens. Be it bandits, beasts, or broken sorcerers, (Hey, that's alliteration!) they ALWAYS get attacked.
There was a strangled, woman's scream somewhere in the distance. Yep. Que bandits.
"Did you hear that?" Arthur asked.
Merlin rolled his eyes. Of course he heard that, he did have unnaturally good senses. "Yeah, sounds like someone could use a hand."
Another voice called, "Please! Don't!"
The woman called again, "Help!"
Merlin pulled his sword while Arthur grabbed his from Morris. Merlin couldn't get George to come along on these trips, so it was usually just him and Arthur and Morris. Merlin nodded seeing that the prince had grabbed his sword. Arthur motioned for the raven to follow, and they set off. Morris stayed with their horses.
They found an elderly man and a girl who Merlin assumed was his daughter. The were being attacked by four bandits. No offence to the kingdom or anything, but they needed to get on his bandit problem. Maybe he should talk to Arthur about it…
The old man was now on the ground with the bandit leader nearing him, ready to sink his sword into the elder. Merlin checked to make sure that Arthur wasn't watching before whispering a spell that caused the leader to trip and fall . He adjusted his grip on the sword before jumping on another one of the robbers. The vagabond never rose again. Arthur had killed the other two men, leaving the leader alone. Merlin turned and prepared to take care of him, but the coward had turned tail and fled. Merlin snorted.
Arthur turned to the two nobles. "You alright?"
Merlin came up behind him. "They didn't hurt you, did they?" the raven asked.
Sophia started to collapse and Merlin rush forward to catch her. He began checking her for injuries while Arthur talked to the old man.
"Thank you for the rescue. My name is Aulfric. The young woman over there is my daughter."
"Arthur Pendragon. This is Sir Merlin," he said gesturing to the raven.
Merlin turned to Arthur. "Sire, she's severely exhausted, but I can't find any other injuries. She'll be fine tomorrow."
"Right then let's get back to Camelot for now." They made their way back to the horses and Morris. Arthur led Sophia's horse with her on it. The party of five started the short trek back to the castle and safety.
"My name is Aulfric, heir to Tír-Mór. This is my daughter, Sophia." Merlin kind of drowned out the old man. They were standing in front of Uther, explaining their situation to him. He had already heard their story in the ride back from the forest. The raven looked over and saw Sophia trying to catch Arthur's eye. It wasn't working, to say the least.
It was an odd time for these nobles to show up. It had been well over six months since Tír-Mór was taken. That was more than enough time to get to Carleon, but they were just now in Camelot. Come to think of it, they were very clean and had clothes in prime condition. Merlin had traveled before, he knew what their clothes should look like. They seemed like nice enough people, but Nimueh and Riane seemed nice until they tried to kill him.
Merlin would just have to keep his eyes open.
Sophia shut the door to their chambers. The plan was working well- she had Arthur wrapped around her pinkie. Soon, they would be able to return to Avalon once more. She looked at her father and saw the frown on his face.
"Father, what is it?"
"I saw that knight of Arthur's use magic. I could feel his aura; it was so powerful," he mumbled distractedly.
Sophia looked thoughtful. "What does this mean for us?"
"It could bring two different outcomes. First, he could stop us from killing the prince. Second, if he is Myrddin, which I highly suspect, we could use his to gain entrance to Avalon. For the both of us."
"What do you mean 'the both of us'? Surely the greatest mortal prince would be enough for the two of us," Sophia asked worriedly.
"The Elders would not let me back in for a mere prince. But they would welcome me back with open arms for the soul of the son of Magic… I think it is time to adjust our plan."
She was stressed. More than stressed, Morgana was scared. Sophia was the woman that she had seen in her dreams. The Lady was worried for Merlin, he couldn't die. A small part of her mind said she was making a big deal out of nothing, but she shoved that part away. No matter what Gaius said, Morgana knew that Merlin was in trouble. She was determined to save him.
Merlin had a restless night. Something at that back of his mind itched and tingled; a feeling he had come to know as trouble. He had a pretty good idea who was the cause of it *cough* Arthur and Sophia*cough*.
"There you are!" Speak of the devil…
"What do you want, prat?" the raven moaned.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Honestly Merlin, we do have to be in the dining hall in twenty minutes. My father told you that he wanted you present."
Merlin groaned before shuffling out of bed and smacking his head on the wall twice. Arthur smirked at the teen. Merlin threw on some clothes and hustled down to the dining hall.
Merlin stumbled through the meal rather well. Sophia kept trying to catch his eye, but the cabbage-head thought that she was flirting with him. Random topics were brought up about Sophia's age, fine wines, and what kind of gloves were best. Merlin didn't really understand the last one, other than the fact that he was pretty sure Uther slept with his gloves on. But hey, whatever floats your goat.
Merlin just kept his head down and shoveled potatoes into his mouth- with manners of course. The meal scrapped on with Sophia and Morgana's silent battle of glares and Arthur's puppy dog eyes for the strawberry-blonde woman. Uther talked merrily about his favorite type of leather and Aulfric listened attentively. Even George and Morris were having a quiet conversation in the back of the room. Merlin was almost positive it was about armor polishing.
Finally, the damn thing was over, and Merlin could make his way to his room. Arthur trailed behind him. Once they had arrived, Arthur shut the door and turned to the teen.
"What do you want, Arthur?" Merlin asked suspiciously.
"I need you to cover the training today; I'm taking Sophia out for a ride. You know, to show her around."
Merlin knit his eyebrows together. "Right. So I'm supposed to cover your training and then lie to your father about where you are."
Arthur thought for a moment and then nodded his head. "Yep. Wait, on second thought, I'll get Morris to cover with my Father."
"Alrighty then, have fun with Sophia."
Arthur flashed him a bright smile and clapped him on the back. "Thanks Merlin. I won't forget this!" He gave the raven one last smile before dashing out the door.
What have I gotten myself into? He thought as he watched the blonde's departure.
Morgana found Sophia in the halls. "I know what your planning. I won't let you hurt Merlin."
"Awww. Does Lord Ambrosius know you feel this way about him? Of course he does, I suspect he's already turned you away."
"I'm watching you. Remember that." Morgana stuck her head high and walked away after delivering her threat. For Merlin, she would withstand this beast of a girl.
It would suffice to say that the King wasn't happy with Arthur for his little escapade. Morris ended up in the stocks. Oh the things he did for that man! One of these days, Arthur was gonna be in trouble, and no one will be there to save him.
It was dark when the prince and the lady returned to the castle. The swollen sun had already dipped below the Earth, casting everything into darkness. Merlin stepped into the courtyard, ready to warn Arthur of his father's mood when he saw Sophia trailing in a love-sick Arthur. He looked happy, and maybe very drunk, and just followed Sophia into the castle.
As big of an idiot as Arthur was, this was a new level of weird for him. It didn't sit well with the warlock, so he decided to follow them. He slunk into the shadows of the castle to watch.
The shadows had become Merlin's home; he always felt safer in the Dark. He didn't know if this was because of his need for constant secrecy, or it ran deeper than that. Either way, the raven had made a home in the shadows ever since he was a babe.
Shadows keep your secrets. Shadows keep you alive. His mother used to tell him that when he was young. She was right.
Sophia pulled Arthur into her room. To do what, the teen-knight didn't want to know. But know he must, to keep his future king and, dare he say it, friend safe from harm. He could hear whispers and see bodies shuffling through the crack in the door. The people within started to move towards the door, causing Merlin to melt farther back into the shadows.
The door groaned open, revealing Arthur and Sophia and Aulfric. The prince walked stiffly and his baby blue eyes were glassy. The sight of them sented honeyed ants racing down the raven's spine. The three stalked through the quiet castle, unaware of the knight that was following. They marched into the throne room, but Merlin didn't follow. He figure this was a private matter between Father and Son.
Merlin sat down against the cool stone and waited for the yelling to start. There was always yelling when the King and the prince have a 'talk'; it's a universal rule. There was indeed a lot of screaming. Something about love and marriage and being too young. The raven didn't catch it all, but he got the gist of things: Arthur wanted to marry Sophia, but Uther says he's too young. Yeah… Merlin was gonna keep an eye on the prince and his new lady friend.
Quintus walked up to Merlin and sat next to him. "Just thought you oughta know, Merlin, but Aulfric's staff in emblazoned with Sidhe runes. Gaius thinks that's what we're dealing with."
"Thanks for the tip." Quintus nodded and stood up to leave. He ambled door the hall, leaving Merlin alone once more. About two minutes later, Arthur bursted out of the throne room, raving mad about something. Merlin figured it was now or never and stood up to follow the prince.
He glided into the room after Arthur. The blonde absently moves around his chambers, pack odds and ends that he thought he would need to run away. The raven cleared his throat and Arthur looked up.
"Get out," he demanded before resuming his task.
Merlin leaned nonchalantly against the wall. "I thought the King went too far with execution," he stated. Merlin had no idea what to do, so he did what he did best: wing-it.
"I don't need your sympathy, Merlin."
Merlin looked at Arthur seriously, "You don't get it, do you? Sophia is controlling you, you Prat. You're enchanted! Dammit Arthur, You gotta fight the power!"
'Sophia' and 'Aulfric' strutted into the room. Grreeaat, just what I need: crazy faeries. Just perfect, the raven thought.
Sophia glared at Merlin. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you," she sneered. "I have your precious prince under my control, and he will stay that way unless you do as we say."
The raven gave her a hard look. "What do you want?"
"You will come with us, Myrddin, and sacrifice your soul in the waters of Avalon," the old man said. "Only your soul will ensure your prince's life."
Merlin gave them a dirty look before bowing his head in submission. He had to think of a way out of this before either of them got killed. The raven sunk into his mind and let him body go on auto pilot while he thought.
Why did they call him Myrddin? Merlin was pretty sure that that wasn't one of his names. But then again, who knew? Right now the main concern was getting himself and the prat out of imminent danger.
They hustled through the forest, the greens and browns whipping around them. Merlin felt a tug in his gut, like whatever was out there was pulling him towards it. He had a sinking feeling that it was their destination.
They arrived at a lake. Not just any lake, but the most beautiful one Merlin had ever seen. The water was like glass and everything around it seemed more lively. Nature seemed to sing around the strange waters.
Sophia shoved Merlin into the lake and her father followed. Arthur stood on the beach like a statue; staring, always staring.
The cold water seeped into the knight's boots. Water steadily climbed higher, eager to engulf the teen. Merlin spun around and pinned the faeries with a harsh glare. Sophia pushed him backwards into the water.
Water flooded his lungs and washed over him, leaving his brain foggy and airless. Merlin could feel death run its icy fingers over him. Soon, his death would come. Soon, Merlin would meet his father, Balinor. Something rumbled in the distance and a voice deeper than the Earth called out to him.
"Not yet, my son. Your time among mortals is not yet over."
Merlin's eyes snapped open and he pushed himself to the surface. He stood in the water, alive and pissed. The raven turned towards Sophia and made a jerking motion with his hand. Her staff flew into it. Another valuable lesson was learned that day: never try to kill a warlock. EVER.
Both of the Sidhe burst into flames with they contacted the streams of deadly light emitted from the staff. Arthur slumped to the ground, unconscious. The raven rolled his eyes and hauled himself to shore. After making sure Arthur was still asleep and he was alone, Merlin shadow jumped the the woods just outside of Camelot.
He drug the prince to the castle and plopped the blonde down on his bed. Gaius shuffled in and declared the prince fine. The king was happy to hear it, but didn't come to see his son.
Merlin and Gaius sat by Arthur in silence. After about ten minutes, Merlin worked up the courage to talk.
"Gaius, Sophia called me Myrddin. Any idea why?"
Gaius sighed. He should have known better than believe that Destiny only want Merlin to be Emrys. He turned to the raven, deciding to keep part of the legend secret. "Myrddin is another figure of prophecy. He is said to be a great warrior fighting for the side of light and freedom. A man favored by the gods. Most of all by Dreken, god of Magic, and Caylan, goddess of Victory. Most of all, Myrddin is destined to bring the Knights of Old back." Merlin sunk back into his chair at the weight of his second destiny.
Arthur groaned from his bed a rolled over. "Where am I? The last thing I remember was- Oh God! What was I thinking?!"
Gaius leaned over. "Well, we did wonder. Especially when you eloped with Sophia last night."
"I had to drag you back," Merlin chirped. "Knocked you out with a lump of wood!"
Arthur glared and pointed a finger at both of them. "No one must know of this. Understood?" The men nodded and Arthur fell back on his pillows, exhausted. Tomorrow, he would have to explain himself to the court. But for now, Arthur just wanted to sleep a little longer.
Alternate Title: Wherein Arthur makes Puppy dog Eyes at a Crazy Faerie
BAM! Done! Anyone find the Public Enemy lyric? Was that one too easy?
The Myrddin prophecy was my brother's baby, by the way. I've got big plans for it...
I'm excited for you guys to see the next chapter... MORDRED TIME!
Until then, enjoy the second week on June, my Faithful Readers.