Past and Present Danger
A/N: Bit of a shorter chapter this time, but the next one's looking to be a bit of a giant one. Thank you again for the reviews! Lovely to read! Anyway, here you go. Enjoy!
Chapter 16
When he finally understood what had happened, Merlin found that he wasn't surprised. In fact, the only thing that did surprise him was that he hadn't realised sooner. Of course his younger self went with Prince Arthur; he would never have let himself get left behind. Merlin should know; he had done the same thing with his Arthur constantly. And it had seemed odd not to see the two of them together when the Prince had run into them in the Pass. The only question that still remained to be answered was what had happened to his namesake, but Merlin suspected he already knew.
Morgana had him. It was the only thing that really made sense. If his younger self was dead, then he wouldn't be here to think about it. If his younger self was being hurt, however, it would perfectly explain the strange attacks that were affecting him.
He'd said to Arthur the previous night that it felt like he was dying each time they happened. Perhaps that was because somewhere his younger self was. The thought made Merlin shudder. How terrified the boy must be; how betrayed must he feel? Merlin closed his eyes and tried to suppress the panic that was rising in him at he thought of the implications of their current situation. Instead he switched his focus back to the confrontation that was about to unfold and it was a good job he did.
Arthur was furious. The Prince understandably looked terrified, but Merlin struggled to raise any sympathy for him. What he had done was too fresh in Merlin's mind. He could see Arthur all but trembling with rage just in front of him as he menacingly took a step towards the Prince. Merlin hurriedly closed the gap between them and put a hand on Arthur's shoulder, while Guinevere rested hers on her husband's other arm.
'Arthur,' Merlin began carefully. 'Stop and think for a few moments.' It wasn't that Merlin didn't want to punish the boy; he did, but it wasn't in his nature to attack someone when they'd upset him. Arthur, on the other hand, looked set to tear his younger self limb from limb and Merlin wasn't sure that would help them very much.
'I am thinking, Merlin. Very clearly,' he replied through gritted teeth and more than loud enough for the Prince to hear. He took several steps towards the boy, but they were measured and controlled and so Merlin allowed him to close the distance without saying anything else.
'Where is Merlin?' Arthur asked, pronouncing each word clearly. His tone was low and threatening. 'And if you even think of lying to me again…' he let the threat hang in the air. The boy's pale face shone where tears were beginning to make tracks down his cheeks. Merlin doubted he could have lied even if he wanted to.
'He…M-Morgana…she took him,' he choked out. He closed his eyes, evidently expecting a blow and for a moment, Merlin believed that Arthur would deliver one, but he stayed his hand. A terrible, all-consuming silence enveloped the group. Merlin waited for the verbal attack that was sure to come from Arthur, but instead the man turned round and spoke to him in a hushed voice.
'Merlin, what are the names of the knights that came with Gwen? They've gone from my memories.'
Merlin was so taken aback by the sudden calmness that it took him several seconds to answer. He frowned at Arthur and then muttered the names in a hushed tone.
'Sir Olen,' Arthur then said, turning fully to face the new group of knights. 'How many days supply do you have?'
'Three, my Lord.'
'Good. Take your men and go to the Caleron Pass; you are to search for Morgana and a young boy that she has with her.'
'Arthur,' Merlin whispered, 'she'll have fled. She won't be there anymore.'
'Do you have any other ideas?' he asked sharply but quietly so that only Merlin could hear.
'No,' he admitted reluctantly. Arthur turned back to the knights.
'At the moment her powers are very weak and the enchantments that Merlin has bestowed on all the knights will offer you protection. The child that she has captured is of utmost importance. Find him and bring him back.'
'Yes, my Lord.' They gave quick bows and then gathered the supplies they needed and set off. Meanwhile Arthur had turned his attention back to the others.
'Leon, Gwaine. Ride back to Camelot. Organise search parties across the whole of Albion and the outlying lands; anywhere that Morganna could have gone from the Pass of the Old Kingdom. Use as many soldiers and knights as you can spare. Explain the situation to them as fully as you can, but don't reveal to them who Merlin is. Finding him alive is your top priority
'My Lord,' Leon nodded.
Merlin could see the respite that Arthur had granted his young self coming to an end as the Knights left; although looking at the Prince's face and the fearful anticipation on it, Merlin began to think that Arthur was trying to frighten him more with the brief pause. Slowly, Arthur turned back to the Prince. The boy shied away under his intense gaze.
'Stay where you are,' Arthur told him. Merlin and Guinevere took up places just behind Arthur, both of them knowing that this was something he had to do alone, at least for now. Merlin knew what Arthur's temper was like -he had been on the receiving end of it plenty of times- and was ready to step in if necessary. Elyan and Pecival kept a respectful distance back, but Merlin could sense their tension.
'Stand there and tell me exactly what happened.' Arthur's voice has resumed its low threatening tone and now Merlin did find that he was beginning to feel sorry for the Prince, although as the story unfolded his sympathy lessened and lessened.
The Prince spoke haltingly throughout his recount, but with an alarming amount of honesty. It seemed as if he had finally given up the bravado of previous days; like he was tired of having to keep up a front of bravery and capability. He looked, for the first time, like a child lost and alone in a strange place. All the fight seemed to have gone out of him and regret poured from him like a waterfall. It did nothing, however, to soften Arthur's feelings. If the boy stopped, struggling with a part of the tale, Arthur would demand that he hurry up. If he began to whisper through his emotions, Arthur shouted at him to speak louder.
Merlin listened with a sad fondness for his younger self. He saw aspects of his own character displayed in six-year-old Merlin. He could see that the Prince didn't understand the other boy's actions or determination, but Merlin knew exactly what thoughts had been going through the boy's head, what motivations had spurred him on.
When the Prince told them about Merlin nearly falling from the ledge, a strange sense of déjà vu crept over them. Merlin expected the Prince to relate that part of the tale with pride, using it maybe to negate his later actions, but his voice remained hollow and desperate. Eventually he told them about meeting up with Morgana; about how Merlin came back to save him and how he ran off. He stopped there and more tears filled his eyes.
'You're a coward,' Arthur told him bluntly. The Prince shook his head. This only infuriated the King further; he stormed towards the boy and fisted one hand in his tunic, pulling him forwards. Gwen was there instantly, calming him, but he didn't let go. 'Yes, you are a coward. You left behind someone who had just saved your life.'
'No,' the boy whispered. 'It's worse than that.' Arthur let go, clearly confused by the statement. The boy put his head in his hands and sobs shook him. Guinevere made to go over and comfort him, but Arthur shook his head. She looked set to disobey, but eventually relented.
'What do you mean?' he asked.
'I wasn't afraid to help him,' he sobbed. 'I just didn't want to.'
A heavy silence fell over the group and Merlin felt his own disbelief at the words. Prince Arthur running away because he was frightened was forgivable; but running away because he wanted to leave Merlin to the mercy of Morgana? Merlin frowned. How could he be so vindictive, so full of hate at such a young age?
'How could you do that?' Arthur asked. 'How could you do that?' and this time he shouted it so loudly that the boy flinched and put his head down; his whole body shaking. 'Merlin is not your enemy! He never has been and he never will be!'
'I just-' the Prince tried, but he'd have been better off saying nothing. His attempt at justification only enraged Arthur further.
'Don't say a word. You are a selfish, arrogant, spoilt little boy. Who thinks of nobody but himself, listens to nobody but himself and happily leaves children to be murdered.'
'Arthur,' Gwen stepped forward. 'Enough now.' But Arthur shook his head and took another step towards the boy.
'Ten years from now, you're going to be sitting at a feast listening to a famous singer. And then a few seconds later she's going to throw a knife at you. And you're going to die…'
'Arthur,' Gwen warned. He ignored her.
'…because Merlin won't be there to save your life; because you left him.'
'Stop!' Guinevere told him, putting a hand on his chest and attempting to push him back, but he stood firmly. Merlin moved up beside him, but he knew nothing he said would get through. Prince Arthur was all but cowering under the King's furious gaze; he looked ready to faint, so great was his fear. He had wrapped his arms tightly around himself as if he was trying to shield himself from the fury directed his way.
'If we don't find Merlin, then all four of us are going to die.' Arthur said every word slowly and precisely. He stepped forward and the Prince stumbled back, tripping and landing heavily on his elbow. Having his hand wrapped around his arms meant that his finger nails sliced deeply into the flesh there. He let out a small cry of pain as blood began to seep from the nasty gash instantly, but Arthur didn't seem to notice the boy's discomfort. '…and it will be your fault,' he finished.
'Stop it!' Guinevere told him and this time she did manage to push him back. Her eyes were fiery and anger resonated off her. 'He's just a boy,' she told him, before turning and going to help the Prince. The boy shied away from her at first, but then accepted her help. Arthur stood rigidly where he was, watching the scene with little emotion. 'Merlin,' Gwen called. 'Come and heal this for him. He's cut his elbow.' Merlin looked over at Arthur, unsure of what his reaction would be, but Arthur's face had suddenly gone a deathly white. The anger had drained away from it and, as he stared at the injured boy, a terrible realisation seemed to settle on him. Merlin wanted to ask, but Gwen called him again and, hearing no objection from Arthur, he quickly did as she asked and healed the boy's arm. Gwen wiped the blood away and all that was left was a small scar.
The Prince didn't look at either of them through the entire procedure, but he seemed to edge more towards Gwen and noticeably flinched when Merlin touched him. As soon as Gwen had managed to get a mumbled response out of him to say he was alright, she turned to Arthur, evidently furious. She got up and walked over to him; he had moved back slightly and was still watching the scene with a strange detachment that Merlin wasn't sure was healthy.
He got up, leaving the Prince on the floor, his arms wrapped around his knees, and was about to make his way over the Arthur and Gwen when the, by now, familiar feeling of disorientation began to sweep over him. He managed to stagger a few steps forward, but past then he was forced to stop.
It was a strange feeling to describe. He could almost sense his body beginning to work more slowly; like the sails of a windmill after the wind had dropped. They continued going, but ever more slowly. But it felt like that in every aspect of his person. His mind began to slow, his body began to slow and his magic began to slow. It felt like he was disappearing and there was nothing that could pull him back into reality.
Up ahead, Arthur and Gwen were arguing.
'He's seven years old!' Gwen was saying. 'How can you be so callous to him?'
'Look at what he did!'
'He made a mistake.'
'Arthur,' Merlin called, with what little strength he had left. His cry went unheard by the King and Queen and the knights -who were watching the argument out of the corners of their eyes- but not by the Prince, whose attention suddenly fixed on Merlin. He got to his feet and hesitantly stood in front of him. Merlin tried to convey that he needed help and the boy seemed to understand, but it was with a great deal of fear that he looked towards Arthur, clearly wondering whether he wanted the King's attention on him again.
'Arthur,' Merlin said again, but this time it was directed at the Prince. The boy seemed to steal himself and then nodded.
'Hey!' he shouted. All eyes turned to the boy again, but then moved to Merlin on realising the Prince's intent. Arthur rushed over to him, quickly followed by the others. This time when he felt his strength disappear, steadying hands were there to lay him gentle on the floor. It beat falling off a cliff he distantly mused to himself as his consciousness began to slip.
'It'll be alright Merlin,' he heard as his eyes closed, but he didn't know who had said it.
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