Chapter 9: Unexpected Visitors
The Honeyglow Inn
The warm sunlight drifted in through the small window of the tiny room that Merlin and Freya rented for the night. They lay in bed, their naked bodies pressed snuggly together as a sheen of sweat glistened off their skin from their recent love making. Merlin gently caresses Freya's creamy skin gliding his hands along her shoulders and her back.
"Our time together has been amazing. I wish it could be like this everyday." She said smiling at Merlin.
"I could be, my father has a cottage out in the country he never uses it, we could move in start a life together, raise a family." He sits up gently looking into her eyes. "Freya will you marry me?"
"Yes of course I want to share my life with you, I love you."
"I love you too. Oh wow, this is perfect, just excellent!"
Merlin kisses her gently then rolls out of bed Freya places the covers herself from the slight chill in the room. Merlin stands up putting on his clothes and dressing himself quickly Freya watches him in amusement.
"Where are you going?" She asks with curious smile.
"To look for a church, priest and Arthur we're getting married."
"What now?" She asks surprised.
"Yes I don't want to wait another minute. I think I remember seeing a little church on the other side of town."
"Wait you're serious."
"Of course I am unless you're not ready."
She wraps the sheets around her body and climbs out of bed pulling Merlin's arms around her.
"Of course I'm ready but, the ship is going to leave port in a few hours."
"Than we'd better hurry. Get dressed I'll come back for you." He says kissing her and bolting out of the room.
"I getting married." She laughs spins around and puts some clothes on.
Freya walks down to the main dining area of the Honeyglow Inn she spots Mithian, and Elana chatting over breakfast. She sits down beside them wearing the biggest smile on her face.
Elana smiles at her friend. "What's going on Freya?"
"I trust you had a pleasant night judging by the smile on your face." Mithian adds with a cheeky grin.
Freya laughs. "God you sound just like your brother. You can no longer deny Gwaine as your brother, after a comment like that." She smiles over at Mithian frowning and Elana and Freya just bust out laughing. "And yes my night was amazing, Merlin is amazing, everything is just..."
"Amazing?" Mithian and Elana say simultaneously laughing.
"He proposed we're getting married."
"That's wonderful we're both so happy for you."
"We're getting married today like as soon as he can track down a priest, and his cousin." She smiles.
"What are we sitting here for we've got so much to do." Mithian stands taking Freya by the hand.
"Oh I can do your hair." Elana adds grabbing Freya's other hand. The three ladies walk back up to the room and prepare Freya for her wedding.
Meanwhile Merlin has found the church and tracked down the priest but can't find Arthur anywhere. He glances at his pocket watch noting the time.
"I've got to get back to Freya, Arthur where are you?" He wonders as he walks back to the Honeyglow Inn.
The wedding ceremony is beautiful Freya looks like an angel. She is dressed in linen slacks with a pale green top and Mithian and Elana have woven lovely white flowers throughout her hair. Merlin and Freya repeat their vows of marriage before the priest and Merlin cannot help the smile on his face as his sees his wife's face light up and the tears pool in her eyes. He knows that today is the start of something precious and beautiful, he's never been happier in his whole life and he can't wait to share forever with Freya.
The Vengeful Wench
The sound of hearty laughter and people talking and shuffling around above deck woke Guinevere with a start.
"Shit."
Arthur lay resting still with his arms cradling her body spooning her from behind and his face tucked into her mocha curls. It had felt wonderful spending the night with Arthur though they didn't get much rest, throughout the night they made earth shattering love to each other at least eight more times. Each of them craving the closeness of each other's body needing to feel the love they have for each other. Even if she hadn't actually said the words yet. With all her issues and secrets he still loved and trusted her. He always told her she was an amazing woman but his love and patience made him a wonderful man.
But the sun had risen and it was time to return to the secrecy of their lives. She relished every moment of their time together but they could certainly not be seen together like this. She couldn't believe that they overslept they should have woken up hours ago. Gwen prided herself on always being an early riser but to her defense she had never participated in an all night sex marathon either.
Ten times. I've never in my life had so much sex in my life and certainly not in one night. I hardly slept and Arthur, heavens the man was beastly I swear I heard him growl more than once. She thinks smiling as images of their erotic night pop into her head.
"Arthur, Arthur you have to wake up. We overslept come on wake up." She shakes his arm gently.
He mumbles something incoherent and snuggles even closer to her not wanting to get up.
"Arthur. ARTHUR. You have to go. Get up."
Arthur stirs a little believing himself to be in a dream a wonderful dream where every morning he can wake up next to Guinevere. He smiles hearing her call his name reliving their wild night together.
"Arthur you have to get up now, the Captain."
That one word shatters his happy dream to pieces, the images of him and Guinevere happily ever after vanish and are replaced by gruesome visions of the Captain shooting him or running him through with a sword. He jumps out of bed struggling to put on his clothes and dress himself quickly. Guinevere is dressing and righting her clothing. Once he is dressed he looks for what to do when they hear knocking from upstairs on the door the outside of the Captain's Cabin.
"Oh god I'm a dead man."
"Shhhhh. Go out the back door through to the crew cabins. I'll distract whoever that is."
"Wait when can I see you again?"
"Tonight now go quickly."
"Okay love you."
He says as he gives her a gentle kiss and bolts out the back door as quietly as he can. When the door closes Guinevere says she loves him too but he's already gone. She goes to answer the door that leads above deck. Arthur makes it out of the Captains Quarters unnoticed until he is spotted by Gwaine.
"Hey what are you doing?"
"Me oh I was um.. just um..going to the infirmary to see Gaius."
"Gaius isn't even on the ship yet."
"Uh yeah I know I was just going to wait there for him. See ya."
Arthur begins to walk away from Gwaine towards the infirmary. When his voice stops Arthur again.
"Wait."
Arthur turns around slowly he is a terrible liar and the longer this continues the closer he is to saying something really stupid.
"I don't remember seeing you at the tavern last night. Where were you?"
"Oh well I'm not really much of a drinker so I just went to one of the inns instead."
"Really which one." Percival joins the conversation coming below deck. "I was at the Graybeard Inn. Which one did you go to?"
Arthur clears his throat to speak. "Well I was uh at the um-
A deep gruff voice interrupts his lie and his train of thought making his mind go completely blank.
"Don't you all have work to be done? Gwaine make sure every one's on board I want to depart in one hour. Percival get to work on deck." The Captain commands.
"Yes Sir Captain Leodegrance." Gwaine and Percival answer simultaneously.
Both men leave to fulfill the Captain's orders leaving Arthur feeling very awkward and guilty about what just happened. The Captain had unknowingly saved his ass. Captain Leodegrance who would have probably slit his throat if he knew what Arthur had done with his sister ten times last night. There is a moment when Arthur's overwhelming guilt consumes him and his opens his mouth to confess everything.
"Don't you have some work to do Pendragon?"
"Yes sir sorry Captain. I'll get to it right away."
Arthur couldn't be happy enough to get far away from the Captain at that moment. He hurries up the stairs to the top deck and begins his daily duties. He watches Merlin and Freya board the ship, with their hands intertwined Freya's face is flushed to a rosy color from blushing. Merlin and her are talking quietly about something as they both began to smile unable to contain their happiness.
"We got married." Freya shouts loudly as the entire crew claps ans cheers gathering around to congratulate the happy couple.
Arthur hugs his cousin and claps him on the back. "Merlin, Freya congratulations when did this happen?"
Merlin laughs and smiles at his cousin and then at his wife. "Well it actually happened just a few moments ago, that's why we were late to the ship. We did look for you this morning we wanted you to be a witness to our wedding, where were you?"
"Shhh I tell you later." Arthur whispers nodding at the Captain standing near Freya offering his congratulations to Freya.
"Oh okay I get it." Merlin smiles knowingly.
"So where are you and Freya going after all of this is over?" Arthur asks his cousin.
"Well I still have dad's cottage Freya and I will move in there. I've told her all about it she's never been to the country. She thinks it's a wonderful place to raise our family. I've always loved the cottage, plus it's close to Pendragon Estates we could still keep in touch."
"Oh well Merlin after everything that's happened with Uther, I'm not sure I'll ever be going back there." Arthur admits.
"Where will you go? I mean you can't stay on this ship forever can you?" Merlin questions.
"Honestly I have no idea what I'm going to do next. I wonder if I could convince Guinevere to run away with me?"
"Oh really and how are you going to avoid the wrath of her murderous brother?" Merlin asks.
"I have no idea, but I'll think of something." Arthur concludes.
"Captain I will be resigning from my post as ship navigator. I will stay aboard for a couple of weeks until you can find a replacement. You understand that I can't stay, a pirate ship is no place to start a family." Freya states.
Gwaine chips in. "I think you can start a family on ship the offices below are pretty roomy but, you can't raise a family on a ship. If you know what I mean."
"Is your mind always in the gutter Gwaine? "Freya asks.
"Hey I'm just saying." Gwaine admits.
Get your lazy ass back to work!" The Captain commands sending Gwaine off, turning his attention back to Freya.
"I understand you and Merlin have to do what's best for you and your future family. I'll miss the best damn navigator in the world. It was a pleasure to have you aboard Freya."
"Thank you Captain."
As the ship's anchors are lifted and the main sails are hoisted the Vengeful Wench begins to leave the port. They travel along for a few hours when suddenly Merlin comes up to Arthur and tells him to follow him below deck. Once they are alone Merlin shut the cabin door behind them.
"We going to reach Pendragon Estates in a about two hours according to Freya."
"So are you going to tell me how you even know about the vaults?"
"Well I uh-" Merlin begins.
"Come on spill it."
"A few years ago while I was staying with you for the summer I couldn't sleep. I heard sounds coming from the hallway and I saw your father leaving the house in the middle of the night. So I followed Uther I and that's how I discovered the vaults."
"Why didn't you tell me about them?"
"Uther caught me following him and he threatened me. He told me if I ever told you or anyone else he would beat me until an inch of my life and make it look like and accident. Plus I knew you couldn't keep a secret so I never told anyone. If I had told you I'm sure Uther would have beaten me to death."
"I'm sorry you went through that Merlin." Arthur says apologetically.
Merlin shrugs. "It's okay it happened years ago. No harm done really. Listen Arthur in a few hours this ship is going to arrive at Pendragon Estates and you need to be ready."
"Okay wait I don't have the key to the vaults you never gave me the key Merlin."
"You already have the key it's the ring your father gave you for your birthday. That ring is the key that opens the vaults."
"Really the old ring? A key?"
"Yes now all you need to do is unlock the secret passage behind the statue. The Captain knows how to get there just be careful and don't let the Captain see how the vault is accessed."
"Why won't you tell me how to get there?"
"I still have no idea what he could want from your father's vaults but he seems pretty determined, so watch your back. I don't trust the Captain so I only told how to get there not how to get in. Just to be safe."
"I know what he's looking for he seeks his father's pendant. When Uther killed Thomas Leodegrance he stole a medallion from him. The Captain just wants his father's pendant back."
"Really and he told you all this?"
"Um no Guinevere told me."
"Okay just try not to get killed Arthur you know your father has armed guards patrolling the estate at night."
"I'll be fine Merlin don't worry."
"Why is it every time you say that I only worry more?"
They both laugh as they leave the cabin and head above deck with the rest of the crew.
Pendragon Vaults
The Captain, Arthur, Gwaine and Percival departed the Vengeful Wench in a small row boat. As the tiny vessel landed on the shore on the back side of the massive mansion, the Captain ordered Percival to stay and guard the boat informing them that they should be back in no less than an hour. Percival willingly obey orders and wished them good luck.
"Damn, nice place Pendragon." The Captain comments taking in the enormous property that is Pendragon Estates.
"Yeah thanks, maybe I'll give you the grand tour next time." He remarks sarcastically, generating a quietly laugh from everyone.
Following the instructions Merlin gave him The Captain lead Arthur and Gwaine stealthily through the garden and past a large greenhouse. The Pendragon crypts where constructed behind the massive glass greenhouse behind Pendragon Manor. The Captain stops in front of a mausoleum with the name of Constantine Pendragon engraved on the front door.
"My grandfather?" Arthur asks.
"Shh keep your voice down Pendragon." The Captain scolds him. "Yes Merlin told me that the entrance to the vaults is within Constantine's tomb.
"I'll just need to pick the lock." The Captain kneels down before the locked tomb and within seconds the lock is open.
"Let's go inside. Pendragon follow close behind me Gwaine you stay here and watch our backs give a whistle if there's any trouble."
The Captain and Arthur head inside the dark mausoleum they see the massive stone table where the casket of Constantine Pendragon lies undisturbed. The moonlight from the open door provides enough light for them to see where they are going. The Captain comes to stand in front of a statue presumably of Constantine.
"Merlin said the entrance should be here." He points to the statue.
"Behind my grandfather's statute I never would have guessed."
"Do you know what to do next?" The Captain questions.
"Yes I know how to open it but I need you to look away how to get inside is a family secret."
The Captains scoffs. "Fair enough. Make it quick Pendragon we don't have all night."
The Captain turns to face away from the statue as Arthur takes his dragon engraved ring off his finger. He wonders how exactly he is supposed to open the vaults with a ring. The ring is the key. That's what Merlin said. How the hell is this ring the key? He ponders to himself. He studies the image of his grandfather for a moment tracing his fingers over the face and arms searching for a key hole of some kind. He glances at the statue and stares his grandfather clasped hands right underneath there is a small circular shape almost ring-sized. Arthur slips his ring into the groove and the statue begins to move apart. Stone grinding against stone as an opening begins to appear Arthur retrieves his ring while the statue opens completely to show a stairway down into the vaults.
"Captain I think I got it.' He calls out.
The Captain turns and comes to stand beside him patting him on the back. "Good job Pendragon let's go.'
Was that a real compliment from The Captain? He shakes his head as he follows him into the darkness of Pendragon Vaults. The Captain lights a torch to combat the black darkness of the vaults. Once the torch is lit they can see boxes and crates full of books. Some vault Arthur thinks it looks more like a garage sale boxes and tables piled with useless junk. Maybe these things his father has collected has some other kind of value. That or Uther has some serious horder's issues.
The Captain ignores all of these crates and boxes on the hunt for the one thing that is rightfully his, his father's medallion. Arthur watches curiously as the Captain hunting down the one object he is seeking. At the back of the vault the Captain a pedestal with a glass case catches his eye he makes his way closer. Upon closer examination he discovers his father pendant sparkling gently resting on a red velvet pillow.
The glass protecting his father's pendant is smashed and The Captain reaches a gloved hand inside to retrieve it. The Captain and Arthur lock eyes for a moment and it could have been the light from the torch but he would swear the Captain looked a little emotional. His almond eye glittered in the firelight and Arthur immediately thought of Guinevere. The Captain places the pendant around his neck using his neck scarf to hide it. They make their way towards the exit and Arthur stops still.
"Is that all your taking?"
The Captain turns to face him. "I'm not here on a job Pendragon I only wanted what is mine I could care less for your father's crap. Now hurry up so we can leave, unless you plan on staying here.'
"No thanks I'm ready to get as far away from here as I can.'
As they exit the vault the Captain extinguishes his torch and they head outside. Gwaine is still keeping watch as he turns to greet the Captain.
"So what did we get?"
"Don't worry about that now we need to get to the ship before-"
"STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!"
One of the guards patrolling the property has spotted them he is still a great distance away so they all take off running back thorough the gardens. As Gwaine is turning a corner he spots another guard.
"GOD DAMMIT IT!"
"FREEZE STOP WHERE YOU ARE!" Yells the second guard as he first guard is closing in one them.
Suddenly door to the greenhouse opens and out steps Morgana completely unaware of what is going on outside. Gwaine grabs her and holds her by the waist she screams startled at the intruder.
"Morgana?"
"Oww Arthur what-" Gwaine squeezes her tighter to silence her.
"Let go of me you scoundrel." She hisses in anger.
Gwaine produces a pistol and aims it at her head." Quiet Princess."
The Captain grabs Arthur by the neck and squeezes. "Play along if you want us to get out of this alive."
"BACK UP OR WE WILL KILL THEM BOTH!" The Captain declares.
Both guards freeze complete still realizing these invaders have the children of their boss hostage.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
The guards unwillingly drop their guns to the floor.
"KICK THEM OVER TO ME."
They comply kicking their guns as they slide across the floor.
"NOW BOTH OF YOU MOVE OVER THERE AND GET ON YOUR KNEES." The guards hesitate a moment. "DO IT NOW I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU BOTH! The Captain turns the gun at the guards.
They hurry up and kneel and the ground lying flat on their stomachs for good measure.
"Pick up the guns." The Captain points as he releases Arthur.
Arthur picks up the guns as they slowly walking backwards move away from the guards.
"Now you two don't move a muscle until you've counted to 100. If you attempt to raise the alarm before you have counted to 100 I'll kill them both and their deaths will be on your heads."
The Captain, Arthur and Gwaine still holding Morgana begin to walk backwards away from the guards.
"START COUNTING NOW!"
The guards begin to count in unison." 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Sound of the guards counting fades away slowly as they group has walked away quickening their pace to a job to get back to their boat.
"Arthur what is going on?" Morgana asks still restrained by Gwaine.
"Morgana I can't explain now everything is okay. Don't tell father."
"Leave the girl." The Captain commands.
Gwaine release Morgana spinning her around quickly placing kiss her on the lips that leaves her breathless and slighty light-headed. "Catch ya later Princess."
He turns and runs toward the shore leaving her slighty blushing and shocked before she can retaliate. The Captain and Arthur run to join Gwaine and Percival at the boat.
"We have to get out of here before-"
DING! DONG! DING DONG!
The alarm bells are ringing they can hear shouts from all over the property. The guards have alerted Uther to the invasion. Uther is pissed that his guards have allowed trespassers on the property. His anger is increased when two guards report that both Arthur and Morgana have been taken hostage by the criminals. But all hell breaks loose when Uther receives reports that the invaders were seen leaving his father's mausoleum. He limps to his supposedly secret vault and makes his way to the far end stepping on broken glass as he discovers that his most prized possession the medallion of Poseidon is gone. He screams at the top of his lungs to release his frustration but it does nothing to calm his anger. How could they have gotten inside. He ponders. Whoever they are they must know the truth behind the medallion because looking around nothing else seem to be missing or out of place. It doesn't matter Ill find them soon enough.
The four men push their small row-boat into the water climb aboard. Percival and Gwaine row the boat with great urgency to reach their ship. They have rowed several feet away from the shore when they hear a voice call out.
"Wait." Its Morgana running down the shore wading out into the water. "Please I want to come too. That was the most exciting thing I have ever experienced. The warning bells, shouts of the guards, the guns, that was amazing!"
"Oh I should have known I do tend to have that effect on the ladies." Gwaine admits with a cocky smile.
"Morgana are you crazy go back home." Arthur commands.
"I'm coming Arthur. And you can't stop me I want adventure too. Why do you get to have all the fun?"
She continues swimming out toward them. Morgana is an excellent swimmer.
"There's not enough room on this small boat for you just turn around and go back Morgana." Arthur lies.
"You're not the boss of me." She increases her pace and out swims the row boat reaching the Vengeful Wench and climbing the rope ladder and boarding the ship before anyone can stop her.
The passengers of the row boat finally reach the ship and the climb aboard using the rope ladder. Morgana is standing on the deck her raven black her plastered to her face her dress soaking wet.
"Arthur don't even try it. I'm staying here."
"Morgana you can just run off with some strange pirates. No offense." He says to the ship full of pirates. "It could be dangerous."
"Why you did it."
" Listen to reason and it's not even the same thing I'll not have my sister running around on a pirate ship. I-"
"Actually." Gwaine interrupts. "You and Merlin did sneak on board so it is the same thing." He replies winking at Morgana.
"Not helping Gwaine."
"Thank you." Morgana says. "Admit it you don't want be here because I'm a girl."
"Well a pirate ship is really no place for a woman and-"
The female crew mates instantly take offense as scoffs and anger expressions are contagious to the women members of the crew. A few of the women start yelling at him. The commotion above deck has roused some of the other crew members up so that now almost the entire ship is on deck watching the spectacle with amusement.
"Oh you in trouble now." Gwaine says nudging Arthur.
"QUIET!" Yells the Captain and the entire ship descends into silence.
"She can stay." Arthur cannot control his frustration. Morgana is jumping up and down with excitement. "As long as she can contribute to the ship someway. Gwaine find something for here to do. And someone bring a towel or a blanket to dry herself. Hoist the anchors and let's get outta here."
"You got it Captain." Gwaine now turns to Morgana.
"I'm Morgana." She says stepping closer to Gwaine she gently traces her fingertips along his cheek, openly flirting with him.
Gwaine clears his throat smiling at Morgana as sexual positions drift through his mind. She wants me. "I'm Gwaine, okay Princess first-"
SMACK!
Morgana slaps him hard in the face leaving a red mark on his cheek.
"What the hell was that for?" Gwaine asks rubbing his sore face.
"That was holding a gun to my head." She says smiling sweetly at Gwaine she walks over to her brother, then she winks at him over her shoulder.
"Ugh, Morgana. Honestly." Arthur scoffs embarrassed at his sister's brazenness.
"She flirts with me then, she slaps me senseless. I think I'm in love." Gwaine admits quietly rubbing his sore face.
Arthur walks Morgana around the deck making introduction to the crew. The crew mates greet her warmly and Arthur and his sister sit on the steps and catch up briefly.
"So what have you been up to little brother?" Morgana asks wrapping the warm blanket around her soggy clothing.
"Oh not much really. A bit of this and that." He says smiling as Guinevere crosses his mind again.
"I know that smile, a lot of pretty girls are on board." She states looking at the female crew members. "So which one do you fancy?"
"What, no Morgana."
"Aww come one which one is she?"
"I can't tell you it's complicated."
"Come on what's her name?"
Arthur finally relents." It's Guinevere." Even saying her name brings another smile to his face.
"You got it bad bro so where is she point her out."
"I can't she's probably below deck now. But you can't meet her now any way."
"Why not?"
"Because it's a secret we always meet in secret."
"Why are you keeping your relationship secret? Oh is she taken or married to someone else?" She whispers looking around at the crew.
"No it's just well her brother doesn't know about us yet and that fact that her brother is The Captain."
"WHAT YOUR DATING THE CAPT-"
"Shhh Morgana!"
"Sorry. Your dating The Captain's sister are you insane, he's not the friendliest guy in the world. If he finds out he'll probably kill you."
"I know we just need to find the right time to tell him."
While the Vengeful Wench is drifting along the ocean no one seems the notice the hooded figure in the small boat rowing stealthily behind the ship.
Who is the hooded figure following the Vengeful Wench? Any guesses I love to hear your answers leave and review and let me know who you think it could be, the hooded figure's identity will be revealed next week. Thank you for reading The Vengeful Wench chapter 9: Unexpected Visitors. Please log in and leave a review so I can send you a personal thank you.