Author's Note – So much trouble with this chapter. So much distractions! Luckily, I had my trusty elixir (Oh, delicious root beer).
Warnings – Same as before.
I know that some things were not invented until 'recently' but, how I see it, if Merlin can have vegetables that weren't imported into England yet, I can mess with a few things in history.
All mistakes are my children (the Mother of Bad Grammar should be my name), please be nice. Have fun reading, but don't take it to heart. It's just a fic.
* ~ " 'The lion's outside of your door the wolf's in your bed...The lion's claws are sharpened for war the wolf's teeth are red...And what a monstrous sight he makes, mocking man's best friend...When both the wolf and lion crave the same thing in the end...' " – Thrice: Lion and Wolf ~ *
Merlin watched the young man step around the large lizards, almost scoffing when some of the crowd called them 'dragons'. 'There is only one dragon left,' he thought, then controlled himself when he saw Constantine get hit with the lizard's tail.
"Is the bracelet working?"
He turned his head towards the emperor and spoke the Roman language, "asking now?"
"My son's life would be the only one you would break the rules for."
'Not your son by blood'. He smiled, "I can't help that I've become attached." Merlin felt his body twitch when he saw Constantine kill one of the lizards with its own claw.
"He is growing into a strong man," Iulianus said. "He will win many battles and conquer the world."
"He's only fourteen," Merlin told him. "Let him first conquer the curves of a woman before he conquers the curves of this world."
Iulianus gave a short laugh, "this city seems to be corrupting you, Appius."
Merlin smiled as he called a slave over to refill his drink.
"You haven't told me where you were from," he told the slave while he watched Constantine.
"I'm from Greece, my Lo – Appius."
"Fast learner...It must have been long ago, your accent is faint."
"I was sold when I was five, Appius."
"So..." Merlin trailed off as Constantine killed another. He watched him stalk around the last one, "about eighteen years. How is serving Constantine – No!"
He almost broke the bracelet as Constantine was pinned underneath the creature. He felt his nails chip as he gripped the chair when the creature started to twitch violently. He watched as Constantine tossed the dying creature off, his body covered with large, bleeding gouges.
Painfully familiar blue eyes looked up at him as he started to breath again. Constantine gave him his crooked smile, then stood straighter for the crowd, who roared at their hero and called his name.
"I enjoy serving Constantine, Appius."
He glanced at the slave as Iulianus talked, then looked back to the cheering crowd.
'He's not lying,' Merlin thought as he walked with the slave behind him to the building, 'but he's hiding something.'
"Appius!" Constantine greeted when he walked into the room, "how did you enjoy the fighting?"
"Watching men harm each other and kill animals in my name," Merlin began as the slave went to help clean his wounds, "could I ask for a better honor?"
"We should have done more for the Mother of Dragons," Constantine told him.
They stared at each other for a moment before sharing a laugh.
"Thank the Gods they didn't take that to heart," Merlin said as they stopped.
"But Appius, you were the best mother I ever knew growing up."
He turned away to hide his soft smile, "since you are well..."
"Wait. There's something I want to show you." Merlin looked back as Constantine got up from the table. "Have my room ready for me, Akakios."
The slave made to protest, as did the doctors, but he waved his hand and they stopped. They bowed while Constantine led Merlin outside.
They walked through the crowded streets before leaving through the city gates, the guards moving out of their way. He glanced around as they walked, then stared at the sacred mountain. "Where are you taking me?" Merlin asked in his native tongue.
"Oh, somewhere..." Merlin narrowed his eyes at his cryptic face.
Constantine was silent as they walked up the mountain steps. Merlin looked back to the city as they reached the top.
"You looked away on purpose."
Merlin smiled, "of course." He turned back to look at him, then to what was next to him. His smile fell.
"I've hired a sculpture to create him for you," Constantine said. "I thought you might like him on our mountain, where no one can damage him and the sun can shine above him..."
Merlin cleared his throat, "I'm surprised he's not painted."
"I thought you might not like it if he was...Do you like it?"
"...how did you know what he looked like?"
"A few friends were able to find some who remembered his face. You will be able to talk to him, now." Merlin looked at him. "He was never buried, yes? Here, you will be able to speak to him."
"I doubt that my voice will be able to travel all the way to Britannia."
Constantine smiled as he motioned with his hand, "feel the air, Appius? Feel the direction it is blowing?"
"...Northwest."
"If your Gods are feeling kind, your voice will reach the dead in Britannia."
Merlin scoffed softly, "the gods have better things to do than to listen to a sentimental old fool."
"Only your soul is old, Appius...although..." Merlin watch him bring a hand to his head, "you do have a few strands of gray..."
He felt him take a lock of his hair out of the bind and brought it to his face. Merlin stared at it before looking at him, "learn to respect your elders."
Constantine chuckled, then he dropped his smile, "you have too much anger in your heart, Appius, and it is strangling what's left of your sanity each day. Maybe your blood brother can calm the storm that surrounds you."
Merlin pulled his hand away from his face, "he won't hear me."
Constantine smiled as he moved his head to the direction of the wind, "feel how strong the wind is blowing now, Father of Dragons. The Gods are listening, ready to answer. He will hear you."
Merlin felt Constantine put the hair behind his ear before he walked away. Long after his head disappeared from view he turned around with some hesitation.
The bronze statue had his gaze on the blue horizon, a contemplative look on his face. His sword stabbed the marble ground he was standing on, and a bronze Pendragon shield laid on his leg.
Merlin walked up closer and stared. 'His face doesn't look quite right'. He picked himself up the marble block and used the arm to stand up. He stared at the face for a moment before reaching up to fix his chin, shivering at the phantom cold.
He started to heat his hands, then stopped. His heart seemed to stop as his knees gave out, his hands sliding down his frozen chest. "I don't remember. Your chin is wrong, but..."
He took a deep breath as he turned, gripping the arm as he sat on the block. He controlled himself as he felt the sun warmed his body, but the arm stayed cold. The sun's heat started moving slowly up from one shoulder to the other. He put his shaking arm in his lap.
"I...I don't know if you see..." Merlin swallowed, "what has become of Camelot...It's my fault, all my fault. I failed. Everyone I love is dead and, I couldn't save them...I know, it doesn't excuse what I've done, not in your eyes. You see me as a monster, a dishonorable beast that needs to be stopped.
Well, maybe I am a monster, but Morgana can't stay on your throne. It's not hers, not by right...Iulianus' wife is your father's sister, she holds your bloodline. Her son, though young, still has a right to the throne. A rightful, claim, to the throne..."
Merlin stared at the ground before grabbing the arm to help him up. He turned, but didn't stare at his face, "I know, that that's not what's bothering you. I know, that you hate that I used blood magic to create him and speed his growth, but it was only a little, a few years, that's all! I got desperate when I saw his eyes, I thought he was you...And I know, that some are dying in Camelot because I'm weakening the goddess' power, but what can I do? War has casualties, and if a few hundred die to save millions..."
He looked up at Arthur's face, "I know it's not right, and I know it's not moral, but I can't let everyone's death be in vain...You were the one that fought morally, Arthur. You fought valiantly, nobly, honorably, and you Died!" Merlin put his head on Arthur's shoulder as his hand throbbed from the blow.
"...if you come back, and you want to kill me, I'll let you. Hang me, drown me, burn me alive, I don't care. As long as you come back you can do whatever you want...I just want everyone to come back..."
The wind blew in his ears as he took a shaking breath. "...I'm speaking to a damn statue..."
He turned and jumped off the block. He looked at the sun, watching it make it's journey towards the horizon.
He tilted his head towards the statue, "though you may not hear me, I swear to you – "
Merlin turned as he heard wings flapping. He watched as something red flew up and landed on the shield. He watched the wings grip the bronze to steady himself. He smiled at his child, then looked at the scroll attached to his foot.
He walked up and untied it, giving his wyvern a scratch as he pulled it up by the string and gripped it in his hand. He opened the scroll and read it.
"...A spy?" Merlin looked up, "what is a spy from Britannia doing here now...Morgana."
He heard his child screech as he ran to the edge and jumped. He changed into a small falcon and used the wind to help him fly.
He flew through the glassless window and down the hole he created. At the dungeon, he gave a quick scan of the area before he leveled himself and changed back, landing on his feet.
"Appius," Iulianus greeted as he walked in. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your prayers."
"You did right calling me...who told you I was praying?"
"My son. He told me you were praying to your gods for patience from the stress my son caused you today."
He smiled. 'I should have.' "Have they told you anything yet?"
"We waited for you, Appius."
Merlin glanced at the open door before walking inside. He saw the equipment on the table was near the person tied to the chair. He walked around to examine the spy, gripping her chin to tilt her face towards him, staring into her frightened green eyes.
"Leave us." He let go of her chin as he heard the men bow. "Torturers," he told the woman as they walked out, "they go for pain to get information. Not realizing all they need is inside the skull."
He went to the desk and got the contraption. He placed it on her head as they started to close the door, "find the right pressure in the brain, and all they know is laid out before you. So, will you answer all my questions, or do I have to force the information out of you?"
The door closed with a click. He fixed the contraption tight on her head, then paused. He checked with his magic, then bent forward and tore down the gag. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Morgana," Jorah spat out. "She got a papyrus painting from a traveler. She thinks it depicts you."
"But why send you?"
"She heard me talking to Mordred. She thinks that sending me to spy would kill two birds with one stone."
Merlin stood up and turned away with a sigh. He started to form around his plan, moving things forward and things back. "...This is better than what I had in mind."
"How? I failed you, Dragon Lord."
Merlin turned and knelt to her, "don't be dramatic, you didn't fail me. It's circumstances that I didn't see, that's all. But I'll fix this, so don't worry."
He placed a few fingers on her head and cast a spell.
"I have to make this as realistic as possible," he told her as he connected the contraption to the chair. "Here," he said while putting the gag back in her mouth. "Don't want you to bite your tongue off."
He went to the table, "the spell should only make you feel the pressure, but not the pain..." He picked up a few screws, "so later you can recall on the memory...blink if you're ready."
* ~ " 'After the night he died I wept my tears until they dried. But the pain stayed the same I didn't want him to die, all in vain. I made a promise to revenge his soul in time...I'll make them bleed, down at my feet...' " – Within Temptation: The Promise ~ *
Mordred looked out at the sea, watching the sun set. The sky turned pink and purple as the sun disappeared.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
He turned his head before looking back at the sky, "you should be practicing."
"I already know everything, why do I need to practice?"
Mordred kept looking at the sky before he swung his fist towards her face. He grazed her nose and she fell over his outstretched leg.
"That's why."
The girl glared up at him, "it's not polite to hit a lady..."
He turned back to the sky, the word she almost said echoing in his head. "But you are not a lady, are you? You're a knight of Camelot, Ayleth. Knights get hit all the time. And they train so they can avoid – "
"Sir Mordred!"
He turned, "what is it?"
His servant bowed, "a box from Camelot."
Mordred looked at it, "who sent it?"
"Lord Travers, my Lord."
He took it, "thank you." He stared at the box for a moment, "I'm retire for the night...go practice."
He ignored her voice as he walked to his room and shut the door. He put the box next to his bed before changing, listening as his servant quickly built him a fire before leaving.
'Alright John,' he thought as he picked up the box, 'why did you send me this?'
He opened the lid and almost jumped at the noise that came from inside. Inside the box was a moving cylinder with strings, a letter attached to the lid. He glanced at the bottom before reading the letter. 'My health...how Camelot's doing...at least my sons are well...this thing is a key?...experimental?'
He looked back at the box, watching the cylinder turn. 'He has been watching over my family when I'm away, but why send it to me...He says to check if it's alright for my children, but the music or...'
He listened as the last tone died out, then moved his hand across the box, then under. He closed it to turn it over, then gazed at the top. Finding nothing, he opened it again and looked closer. Near the bottom on one of the sides was a tiny hole.
He took the 'key', put it in the hole, then turned it. The box softly clicked, then he heard a pop as something hit the palm of his hand. He held the box by its side as he felt with his fingers.
'A secret compartment...' he thought as he took out the content. He put the box down and looked at the scroll. He went to the fire while opening it to read.
'...she wouldn't...' He put his hand on the fireplace to lean forward, putting the scroll down to stare into the fire. '...he's lying...'
He glanced down at the scroll, '...if anyone else found this, his head and his family's would be on a spike. He values their lives more than his gold...' His mind was in a panic, 'Thea wouldn't have gone if Morgana just threatened her life, she must have threatened Melehan and Melain...'
He heard a knock at the door. He quickly threw the paper into the fire, "come in."
His servant came in with a plate, "I'm sorry I'm late, sire, but – "
"Prepare our horse, I'll get the supplies."
His servant didn't even blink, "eat first, sire." He put the plate on the table before leaving.
He ate enough to keep his strength, then changed and, after making sure the letter was burned, packed. He went to the kitchen and got enough food for the both of them before leaving for the courtyard.
"What's wrong?" the captain asked when Mordred went down the steps.
"I got a raven," he said while thinking up a lie.
"Is it an attack?"
"It's trivial, for the most part." He handed a pack to his servant and went to his own horse. "A Lamia might be somewhere west of here."
"I thought – "
"That's why I'm going to go check. If I find anything, I'll report back to Morgana." He finished putting the pack on his horse and got on, "don't expect us back anytime soon."
The captain nodded, "be careful, my Lord...Open the gate!"
He watched the gate rise for a moment before urging his horse forward. Once outside, he spurred her into a full gallop.
He led his horse west until they were out of sight, then looked for scouts before taking a route back to Camelot.
"Sire look!"
Mordred almost drew his sword, but his servant's voice was more joyous than fearful. He looked to where he was pointing.
A bright, gold comet was in the sky, the tail flaming red.
"Isn't she beautiful, sire?" Mordred looked down to watch the road, saying nothing. "What do you think it means?"
Mordred gave him a quick, annoyed glance.
"...I think it tells of the Queen. See, the gold means royal, and the red means...hmm..."
"War. Or fire."
"Right, so...the Queen will be in a fiery battle and win." Mordred snorted in response. "What, it could mean that..."
"Just keep your eyes on the road before your horse gets off course."
"...It kinda reminds me of the Pendragon symbol. Gold dragon, black background, or a red background, from a certain angle..."
Mordred looked back at the sky. The comet's trail seemed to spread out the longer he looked. "The sky is ablaze with fire and blood..."
"Sire?"
Mordred looked back at the road, "nothing. Keep moving."
* ~ "Stars don't fall for men. That comet means one thing boy. Dragons." – Game of Thrones [HBO] ~ *
I'm done don – don – don – done don – don – done...with this chapter.
Fun Fact #1 – I looked up Gold Comet, got images of trucks and a bunch of chickens. Wasn't expecting that.
Fun Fact #2 – Arthurian Legends told of a comet in the shape of a dragon. It's one of the ways Uther got the name Pendragon, apparently. Inspiration? Perhaps...
Fun Fact #3 – I made a music box lullaby after I wrote the music box in (bout time I started using Sibelius). Uploaded it to YouTube if you wanna hear it, under the name Twin's Music Box (type in HolieHeartsVivian if you can't find it).
How long will this be? – Well, wrote the ending already so...I want to say seven chapters, with maybe an epilogue.
To readers – feel free to ask if you're confused by something. I try to have my characters keep things from the audience even though it's in their povs (more interesting that way), but because of that things might be either left out or too disorienting for anyone to figure out.
I'll either find a way to integrate it into the next chapter, in the following chapters, or PM you if telling either spoils or disrupts the flow.