Merlin rubbed his eyes as he made his way to the stables to retrieve his horse.
He was to ride out to Gawant.
His mother had written him requesting that he come to visit her and her husband, Sir Victor.
At first Merlin didn't like him but the old bloke grew on him, he had made his mother happy so why not?
Percival was also in Gawant with him marrying princess Elena.
Percival and her always came to Camelot for its feasts or celebrations. Plus they always bring gifts, and Gwen thought Elena was a wonderful companion while Percival and Arthur would spar in the courtyard .
But the note from dear departed Gaius rested heavily in his pocket.
He needed to know who or what Laume was.
Thomas groaned as a servant knocked on his door.
He kept his eyes closed and didn't move, maybe they'd go away, but to no such luck they didn't.
It was barely dawn, why did he have to wake so soon?
When the door opened, he snuggled deeper in his bed.
"It is time to wake, sire."
Thomas peeked open an eye then squinted, "What's happening?" he asked.
"The king wishes you and your siblings to attend an early breakfast with him and the queen."
Thomas moaned before grudgingly getting up.
The servant gave a sigh of relief and ran to get his clothes.
Thomas nodded to servant indicating he could leave.
He knew how to get himself dressed, unlike Llacheu or little Gwen.
Llacheu usually had one of his servants dress him while Gwen tried her hardest to get dressed but couldn't.
'See you later.' he heard causing him to jump in surprise, but he knew it was just Merlin.
He had mentioned something about leaving to look for something but Thomas barely heard because he was to busy looking in botany books to help father start a garden for whatever reason.
When Thomas finished dressing he made his way out his chambers and to the dining hall where his parents awaited him.
Llacheu usually would've demanded the knocking to stop on threat that he was the future king of Camelot, but his conscience ate away at him.
He hadn't told Thomas about the books he and Gwendolyn had found.
He usually told Thomas everything... and he means everything but he couldn't find the heart to tell Thomas the dark secrets their parents and Merlin were keeping from them.
Llacheu was livid at first, he couldn't help but think about what would've happened if Thomas was born at the time.
No one has ever told them of such treatments bestowed upon people associated with magic.
The purge of Camelot was significant and he knew nothing of it.
What if people still held a grudge?
The knocking continued, "Enter" he called while laying face down on his bed dejectedly.
A young servant came in with fresh clothes in his hands but Llacheu was barely paying attention.
"You must wake, sire." He said.
Llacheu didn't even put up a fight much to the servant's surprise. Llacheu was notorious for throwing the biggest tantrums in the whole kingdom. It ranged from cry baby, to I'm an assassin in-training, all the way to 'I'm the future king of Camelot so you must do as I say.'
Llacheu got up and stretched out his arms, "Clothe me" he sighed warily, the secrets of Camelot weighing heavy on his heart.
He couldn't bare to tell Thomas.
Llacheu was dressed in a long-sleeved white tunic with brown trousers and his boots.
Llacheu gave a curt nod to the servant before walking out of his room, and to the dining hall.
He rolled up his sleeves and gave little nods to the people who greeted him.
But he accidently bumped into someone walking down the opposite of the corridor.
That made him more angry, he was already in a bad mood.
"Why don't you-" but he immediately cut himself off when he saw a younger girl scrambling to get herself up.
His mother taught him never to mistreat anyone, especially a girl.
"I'm sorry." He said respectfully.
The girl just bowed before looking up making Llacheu inaudibly gasp.
She was beautiful, chocolate ringlets fell over her shoulders and it seemed as if her doe-like eyes burned into his soul.
But the flush in her cheeks made her adorable.
"I am so sorry my prince, I-I" She started to say but Llacheu just cut her off, his face red.
"No need to apologize, it was my fault as well." he said.
He would've complimented her more or tried to indulge her but he was out of it.
Right now his mind was on Thomas.
The girl gave a small nod, Llacheu just looked down at her because he was rather tall for someone of his age and she was short, "I must know your name before I leave." He said.
"Tabitha, sire." she said shuffling causing him to catch a glimpse of shape that seemed to be burned in her skin. It seemed to be three intertwined triangles that he swore he's seen before.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." With that he turned to leave.
He assumed she had magic which made him more upset. Another person who would've been killed at the time of the purge or banned from Camelot on penalty of death.
She couldn't of been older than him or younger than Esmeralda.
With that he stormed in the dining hall and gave a tight smile to his parents and siblings.
His father was at the head of the table with his crown on and a cape of Camelot over a leather jacket and white tunic his gloved hands gripping his cup.
He smiled at Llacheu, "I was just about to search for you, my son." He said cheerfully.
Llacheu gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he couldn't get over the ignorance that he was left in.
He felt Esmeralda's eyes trail after him as he walked to sit in between Thomas and his father. She then looked to Thomas and sighed.
"Is anything the matter, my dear." His mother asked from across the table while sitting next to Esmeralda.
Thomas looked to his brother in concern along with his father.
Llacheu nodded while trying his best to bite his tongue.
"Yes mother, just tired." Llacheu lied.
He knew Thomas knew he was lying.
"Well Mithian, and Cordelia are arriving today with her ward, I wanted everyone up and early to greet them." Gwen said while Arthur rolled his eyes behind his cup. He wanted sleep too.
Llacheu remained silent as they ate, while Esmeralda thankfully kept the attention off of him by talking their parents about her favorite flowers, roses, her studies and pleading with father for new dresses. Unfortunately that didn't distract Thomas.
He knew something was wrong.
Merlin stopped in front of a small hut in the woods on his way to Gawant.
He could feel magic radiating from in there.
He quietly mounted his horse before getting off walking towards it.
Shuffling through the tall grass Merlin made his way to the door before knocking.
When no one answered he slowly opened the door.
But when he did he wished he hadn't , a man with gruesome cuts going along his face and milky orbs for eyes sat at a table 'staring' at him with a smirk, "Emrys. I've been waiting for you." he said, with that Merlin's vision went black and his mind went blank, then he fainted after hearing a sick chuckle.
What happened to Merlin? Who's Tabitha, and what's up with her mark? Is she there to harm Esmeralda and Cordelia since they're going to be very important in the future?
What is this sign? Will Llacheu begin to resent Arthur or Merlin or even Gwen?