Chapter 7: A name, an identity

His fingers tugged eagerly and nervously at each other and his leg could not rest its shaking as he waited for Arthur to return in the room. Merlin sat quietly on the couch that faced to the door. He was nervous of his reaction, of what he would say or do. If they had met under different circumstances he wouldn't have hidden it. He really believed that. But now, he has lied and betrayed his trust and kindness. He felt like a traitor, he believed he was a traitor.

He jumped and gasped and remained completely still as the door opened. Arthur entered with his clothes all dirty and the large werewolf bite on his shoulder was leaking blood all over his armor. He looked at Merlin and their eyes locked briefly before he turned to close the door. He didn't look at him, he wouldn't. He quietly sat to the opposite couch and remained in silence. Not saying a thing he tried to take his armor off by himself failing miserably and wincing at the pain his wound caused.

It was then that Merlin stood up to help him. It all continued to happen in silence. He started unbuckling the little belts that kept it in place. His face was blank, he tried hard not to show how nervous he was but his trembling fingers betrayed him. What made things worse was Arthur's gaze upon him. He could feel his eyes, dark and clouded looking at him. As if he was ready to eat him or rip his head off. Soon Merlin anxiety turned into a mixture of nervousness with a hint of fear.

Arthur winced when he took off him the last piece of armor that was embedded in his skin from the bite wound. Merlin could swear he heard the click off his fangs from his closed mouth. Now, he was plain scared. He held his head down as he stood up find a cloth to wash the blood. Arthur never took his preying eyes off him, not for a second. Merlin took his jacket and shirt off and slowly swiped the blood of the wound, revealing the clear pattern of the bite. It was huge! It would have surely been fatal for a human. It started from his right side of his chest and expanded behind to reach his shoulder blade.

Arthur examined Merlin's face thoroughly. He looked in wonder as Merlin looked at his wound, put a hand over it, slowly closed his eyes and talked deep with his throat unearthly words of magic. When he opened his eyes he saw a beautiful gold, briefly before fading. The wound disappeared, it didn't even leave a scar and if it did it would have vanished in the morning. It was as if it never happened. There was no need to heal him and Merlin knew it. The scar would have gone away the next night anyway. But what he truly did at that time was to show Arthur that he could not only kill and hurt people with his magic but he could even give life.

As if he didn't even perform magic he took the cloth he held just seconds ago and continued cleaning Arthur; his neck and jaw and then finally reached Arthur's chin. He couldn't avoid his eyes then. They locked their gaze, blue eyes reflecting blue eyes and he didn't realize that his hand stopped rubbing the cloth against his skin.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked obviously frightened.

"Why do you think?" There was mockery in his question.

Merlin didn't reply. He angled his body away from Arthur's and looked into space.

"Who are you and what are you?"

Merlin swallowed a lump in throat "I'm a warlock. I have magic."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Arthur demanded.

"I was afraid…"

"Of me?"

"Of everyone." He looked back to Arthur's face again. "I have been all my life. The few of us that have magic in this world are. Especially these days that we are hunted down by everyone, vampires, werewolves, humans. People fear us. They fear what magic can do."

"Do you blame them?"

"Of course I do!" Merlin was angry now. He stood up and paced a bit in the room before continuing. "Why should I be treated any differently? Why should I try to hide it? Why should I act like a fool when I can protect myself?" His eyes were blurry with tears that refused to fall. "I just don't understand why people fear and hate me so much!"

"Oh I don't know maybe because you can kill someone with just a word and a blink of your eyes?"

"Well so can you! Aren't vampires just as dangerous then? You can overpower people and glamour them and dazzle them to your bed and then just drink their blood within minutes! You can even overpower me if you wished to!" His words were desperate and full of pain. "Magic does not make someone evil. We choose to be murderers, we choose to be evil. It doesn't matter if you have powers or if you are a normal person. You choose who you want to be." He took a breath. "Do you honestly think I am a cold blooded murderer?"

"You just killed someone." He said casually.

"Because I wanted to protect you! Because I couldn't stand to see Mordred torture you! Because you mean to me more than my clear conscious!" He stopped to take a deep breath again realizing what he just said. "And don't try to use that reason against me because you would kill someone to protect your people without a minute of thinking."

Arthur decided to stand up then. He approached Merlin and stood in front of him, his arms crossed.

"You are right I would, I would kill anyone than to see you hurt." He specified. "I don't hate you Merlin, I don't fear your powers, although some others were quite impressed." He had a quick smile. "I am not going to hurt you nor will I let others hurt you. But I need the truth!"

"What truth?"

"Why are you here? Why did you come here?"

Merlin couldn't look at Arthur, he just couldn't. "I can't. Please don't make me." His voice trembled.

Arthur took Merlin's arms in his hands. "Merlin, tell me the truth, whatever it is. Let me help you."

He couldn't tell him the truth, he could put him into danger and he didn't want to. Yet a part of himself felt the need to confess everything to this man.

"I have a sister." He said carefully but stopped thinking carefully of what he was allowed to say.

"Yes, go on." He prompted.

"She is a vampire. She is being held captive by her maker. I can't defeat her because she was a witch before she was turned and apparently magic has little effect on her. I tried to free my sister but I failed. She tortures her and she can't leave the place. I don't know how, it must be a vampire thing. She will only free her if I give her what she wants."

"What is it she wants?"

"Please Arthur…" he tried to get away from his grasp.

"Merlin! Tell me what it is!"

Merlin trembled like a leaf. "A book, she wants a book."

The vampire thought back to all the times he saw Merlin with a book, when he rummaged through his bookshelves and when he asked him of the library. "Have you found it yet?"

"Yes."

Arthur sighed and put a hand on his chin as he started thinking.

"I'm leaving in the morning." Merlin announced suddenly.

"What!?"

"I'm going to save my sister."

"Forget it! We are going together!"

"This is my matter! I won't let you or anyone be in danger. She has an army of werewolves and shifters for her guard. She is old enough to overpower you! I'm going alone."

"Are you out of your mind? You are not going alone!" Arthur ordered. "Who is it? What is the name of this vampire?"

Merlin wouldn't give him an answer. He knew that once Arthur had a name he would know where to find them.

"I'm really sorry for this."

"Wha-"

Merlin had a hand against Arthur's forehead as he spoke, "Swefn!" It was a low whisper and Arthur felt his eyelids grow heavy, as if wasn't able to keep them from closing. His body felt week and he wanted nothing to do but sleep. He bent forwards and Merlin caught him. He gently laid him on floor to sleep.

"N-No… M-Merlin…"

…..

Merlin never liked pubs. They were stinking of alcohol and sweat. P`eople were out of their minds and did crazy stuff and they just always had trouble waiting around the corner for him.

Unfortunately for him Gwaine loved them and he needed a place to stay. The day was still early when he walked in the small town. The people were out in the streets and the thieves lurked in the alleys. He had a hood over his head and the book was safely in his bag, a hand protectively over it. The "Rising Sun" was just around the corner. He stepped into the crowd of drunkards and was welcomed warmly by I cup flying directly towards him. He ducked and the cup crashed on the wall. Now… where was Gwaine?

"Gimme my money or I swear you won't see the next day comin'." There he was, currently shoved up on a wall with a drunken smile on his face.

"Why so gloom my friend?" Typical Gwaine. "Let's come up with a solution."

"I know the likes of you! You ask more days and then you disappear. I want my money now!" His fist was ready to launch and the man's gang held Gwaine in place.

"Wait!" Merlin interrupted and the man turned to him. "How much does he owe?"

"Tweny pieces of gold."

Merlin took a small bag out that he secretly magicked with money. "Here is twenty-five with the promise to never gamble with him again."

And once more Merlin saved Gwaine's backside. "I'll take that offer." The man said and the gang left.

Merlin walked closer to where Gwaine was catching his breath.

"Still getting into the same trouble, I see."

"Good to see you too Merlin." He gave him a shake of his hand. "Thanks for that. So, what brings you here?"

"I need a place to rest. I will leave as soon as it turns dark."

"Still getting into the same trouble too, I see. Vampires?" he said with his genuine smile.

He shrugged. "Like always."

"I have a room rented upstairs. You can stay there." He eyed him warily. "Let's get you a drink first. You look like you need it." Merlin didn't argue that.

"So, what news?"

"A lot actually, I won't be able to cover all of it in one night. I can only tell you that I am to attend some… unfinished business." He took a sip of the drink he was just served. "How about yourself?

"You know me… Same old, same old."

"Are you never going back again?" He looked at him with a pained expression.

Gwaine was the son of his clan's leader. He had long left them either of his own rebellious desires or because he never approved their way of living. He never admitted to anything so both could be true. The Godwyns were the second biggest clan after them and he was supposed to marry the princess Elena he had never met in his life.

"Eventually I will return, but for now I take the joys life brings along the way." He put on his genuine smile.

"I found someone." Merlin told him unexpectedly. He needed to tell someone.

The other man was intrigued and leaned in closer. "What's her name?"

"His name is Arthur." Gwaine was not surprised it was a man. "He is a vampire."

"You always manage to get yourself in the most complicated situations, eh Merlin?"

"It's a talent."

The werewolf laughed and drank to that, gesturing his cup towards Merlin.

The room was small and there was only a very uncomfortable bed, a table and a chair. Some of Gwaine's stuff was thrown here and there. Gwaine shrugged at the look of Merlin's face which knew exactly what meant. He had not too many times stressed that Gwaine's way of living was unhealthy and completely and utterly crazy. The man would always joke about it or make a laughable comment.

Merlin laid on the bed and exhaled deeply. Gwaine let himself lie on the floor offering his friend the use of bed. He felt like he needed the sleep since he hadn't had some since yesterday noon. They remained in silence for the rest of the night.

It was sad how all their encounters were under such circumstances.

….

It was well before dark when Arthur felt himself waking up. He had a strange and funny feeling. He was on the floor, his face buried in the carpet. The door banged furiously again and again and he found himself strangely disturbed from a wonderful dream. He didn't even remember the last time he had a dream. His face was slowly lifted from the floor and his eyes required a lot of will to open.

"Yes?" His voice sounded weak and tired and he felt his head heavy as he tried to look who just walked in the room.

"Arthur!" Gwen exclaimed worriedly and rushed to his side to help him up. "What happened? Why are you sleeping on the floor? Where's Merlin?"

Arthur grunted as he took a sit. "Argh… Wait, I don't reme-" his eyes went wide with realization. "Shit! Merlin that idiot!"

"What is it? What happened?" she asked again.

"He left!" he stood up right, throwing his hands up with exasperation.

Gwen's brows furrowed. "He left? Gone were?"

"I need to go after him! Before he gets us both killed!" He made a move to the door when Gwen grabbed his arm.

"Arthur, please explain to me what happened!"

He quickly gave her the description of all the events and the conversation he had with Merlin. It was a tantrum of Arthur yelling and shouting in the room and being overly dramatic about the whole thing (in Gwen's opinion.) He threw things around and cursed and had a whole angry monologue until Gwen decided to calm him down by telling him that they would find him and bring him back.

It was just a matter of time before Lancelot, Percival and Leon were called and tried to track Merlin down.

"He must have told you something that may lead us to him." Percival noted.

"He only told me of a woman who is a vampire and had shifters and werewolves as her guards. He didn't tell me anything more." He tried to stay calm but whenever he spoke a word there was tension hiding under them.

"He must have told you something more." Leon tried. "Or you must have noticed something else, something Merlin told you about his life."

"I've already told you everything he told me!" He bursted out impatient. "He told me that his sister was held captive by her maker." Arthur paused, thinking of anything else that he could use to his advantage. "He told me that the vampire was a sorceress before she was turned and that magic has little effect on her."

"That is a little help to us. Until yesterday magic did not exist." Gwen commented.

Arthur paced around, his men and Gwen's gaze never leaving him. He was well into thought.

"What is it Arthur?"

Arthur raised his head looking at them, taking great courage in what he was about to confess something he hasn't ever told to anyone.

"I have never told anyone about this. Only me and my father know what I'm about to tell you." It was a promise to keep it secret and they knew it, even if Arthur didn't say so. "Back to the years when I was still human magic was not how people imagine it to be today. People could heal wounds that would be fatal, they could bring pain from a distance longer than a sword. It was magic like Merlin's. When my father ruled this castle he persecuted such people, he…" Hesitation stopped him to think of he should say it or not. "He killed or tortured them until they would die. He used to tell me ever since I can remember that magic was evil."

Lancelot frowned. "Merlin? Evil? Arthur surely you don't believe-"

"I know Lancelot. I know. I am not saying that. From the little I know Merlin he is anything but evil." His mind traveled to Merlin and secretly hoped he was alright. He shook his head and realized how off the point they have gotten. "To get back to the point, my father held records of all sorcerers he knew. Records of those he killed and those he intended to kill. If she was a sorceress and was turned by the time I was, her name must be somewhere. It's a small odd to find her in those records but I can't think of anything else."

…

Fear made Merlin shook and tremble like a leaf as he was about enter the underground caves' south gate. Snarls and growls of werewolves and shifters welcomed him. He walked steady and slowly allowing them to be acquainted with his smell, to remember him. They knew him well, his scent that is. He was one of them, a slave of her. Each and every one of them were broken the same way he was. She was evil that's what she was. She knew exactly how to hold on to something very important to one and use that advantage. There were only few that fancied themselves as "willingly protecting her", but Merlin knew that they would rather be her dogs than go against her.

He walked determined in the underground world. He took a deep breath and walked through the familiar place. Narrow tunnels mazed in this place and one in particular lead to a greater room, a room he knew too well for his own misfortune. It was a circular room with no furniture only torches to bring light to this ungodly place. He was stopped by her guards. Specifically, a person he knew well, Jarl. His smile revealed his, not so pretty, teeth, which were crooked and rotten black.

"Hello Merlin. Missed us?" Merlin only then remembered how horribly his breath stunk. The man chuckling as he came closer to examine his former victim of torture. How pleased he must be, having the opportunity to beat his cocky personality and unruly tongue out of him.

"I have what she wants." His voice was steady as he tried very hard not to show emotions. He didn't look at the man. Eye contact was forbidden, that he learned a long time ago.

"Do you now? We'll see about that." He told him. "Call for our Lady. Tell her we have a visitor." He commanded his subordinates.

He turned his head to Merlin, focusing his look on him again. "Have you been enjoying the outside world Merlin? Have you been enjoying it too much for your own good?"

"Much more than you get to enjoy it in this hellhole!"

He grabbed his jaw with a force, his grasp surely leaving bruises. Merlin thin fingers grabbed his arm desperately trying to get away from him. He was so tempted to use magic but he wouldn't risk his sister's life. "I see you are still your old self." He laughed darkly. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you once more." His grip tightened.

There were taps on the floor, steps could be heard approaching. It was her, Merlin knew and not too far behind was her lover. How he hated the sound of those steps. He wished they never reached him but…

"Hello Merlin." The much too feminine voice said with a tone of authority. "Welcome home." She mocked him.

…..

Percival huffed a breath of annoyance and the papers in front of him rustled as his hands dropped on the desk.

"What exactly is it we are looking for again?" he asked, despair was indicated in his voice.

"Names of anyone we know to be a vampire." Arthur said for the third time that night.

The lists of sorcerers were huge amounts of yellow, old and rough paper that no-one has ever seen in centuries. The papers were locked up in a safe that he had the keys to but was not supposed to open by the orders of Uther. They divided the lot into five and started reading the names. They knew they would know who it was when they see the name. First, whoever the vampire was must be of old blood to have such power over werewolves and shifters alike. Second, she wouldn't belong to a coven since Arthur wouldn't allow the torture and mistreatment against anyone. And third, if magic was as old as Arthur thought it was, with the exception of the few that live today in hiding, she must be old enough to be an elder, therefore registered in these papers.

Half of the night passed and still nothing. Arthur was growing more impatient, if that was possible. He almost fell in depression when he thought of Merlin's scars. He hoped and wished and begged in his head, to no-one, to let him be alright. A tiny part of him wondered when this sudden urge to protect him at any cost was born. It mattered little now, he had to concentrate and find him.

"Arthur!" Gwen exclaimed suddenly and all eyes in the room looked at her. She looked terrified, she kept looking at a particular spot on the paper she held with wide eyes. Lancelot took a look in the paper and it was obvious they were looking at the same name.

"What? Did you find something?"

She stood up, walking slowly towards him, paper in hand. She extended her arm and gave it to him. Arthur looked at it curiously. He read the names one-by-one not bothering to read the column beside it that detailed the type of magic or reason for persecution. He knew he reached the name they were searching for when he looked at it. The name was that of Gwen's maker. The person she despised most in the world.