Thank you so much for the lovely reviews on the last chapter. Hope you like this next bit.
Arthur never knew the reason why he was allowed to stay and play. He didn't know about his destiny, didn't know that Nimueh was watching to see what sort of bond was formed. All he knew was that Merlin became his friend that day and three years later, nothing had changed. At least, not between the two of them. Only now every time Nimueh went to the village, he was allowed to go as well as long as he stayed with Merlin and didn't talk to strangers. Arthur did as he was told. He had no interest in talking to adults when there was a whole world to explore with Merlin.
The younger boy listened to every word he said. Arthur knew there were times he was leading them both into trouble – such as seeing if they could jump the stream – but he couldn't help it. He just wanted to explore so many places and if Merlin was dragged along with him, then he wasn't disobeying Nimueh. She still scared him, even though he was eight years old now and refused to admit to being scared of anything. But she always knew when he was up to mischief and her magic could deliver stinging slaps if he misbehaved. More often than not, she would just lock him in his room though. It felt like a prison and Arthur hated it. Of course, that was precisely why she did it.
In a way, she had no choice. He didn't fear her magic now, not the way he had done when he had been a small child. It would have been impossible to stay fearful once he had started playing with Merlin. The younger boy used magic so instinctively that Arthur knew he didn't realise he was doing it. Arthur knew it worried his mother, but Hunith didn't seem to lash out the way Nimueh did.
"Come on, Merlin!" His high voice carried as he ran. They were similar heights despite Merlin being a year younger. Arthur was not happy his friend was going to be taller than him. But while it meant Merlin had longer legs, Arthur was still faster. Nimueh encouraged him to run and while Arthur didn't know why, he wasn't going to resist the urge to play outside. Merlin was scrambling to catch up with him and Arthur stopped when he crested a small hill. It was just on the outskirts of the village, but they had told Hunith where they were going and she had granted permission as long as they didn't go further and they brought home some berries for dinner.
Merlin came to a panting stop next to him, a basket swinging wildly from his hand.
"That wasn't fair, I had to carry this."
"It's your basket. Why shouldn't you carry it?" Merlin glared at him and Arthur shrugged. He didn't know what he had said wrong. But he punched the boy lightly on the shoulder and although Merlin's glare deepened, a playful spark had entered his eyes and Arthur knew he wasn't truly angry.
"What are we even doing here?"
"Look how far you can see," Arthur responded happily. He had made it out to be some big adventure when he was telling Hunith where he wanted to go. It would have been the only way to get Merlin as excited as him and he knew from experience Hunith couldn't resist both of them excited about something. He sat on the ground and cupped his chin with his hand. The only thing Arthur wanted to do was to look around him.
"That's it? Your grand adventure is to stare at the forest?" Merlin sat down beside him and stared at Arthur as if he had gone mad. Arthur shrugged, colouring slightly.
"You know she doesn't let me."
Arthur knew there was something strange about his life. Nimueh wasn't his mother. She had made that very clear when he had once asked. He had no family. She looked after him. But she didn't love him. Arthur knew that from comparing his home to Merlin's. Everything he did have to have a purpose and sometimes Arthur caught Nimueh looking at him with a strange expression on her face. At only eight, he didn't understand. But he knew something wasn't right.
Merlin's face softened. Arthur didn't talk about his home. He didn't like too, not when it meant drawing attention to the things Merlin had that he didn't. But things had slipped out during their three years of friendship and Merlin knew enough to know Arthur wasn't allowed out very much. And when he was, he had to stay close to the cottage.
"Look at that big tree over there? Do you think bandits hide in it?"
Arthur smiled as Merlin let their destination go and pointed to a large oak on the edge of the forest. They often made up adventures about bandits, knights and soldiers; acting out pretend battles that normally resulted in them both breathless with laughter.
"Do you think anyone else lives in there?" Arthur mused. He wriggled around until he was lying on his stomach, staring at the tree line.
"Who would want to live there?" As he usually did, Merlin copied his position.
"I would. I wouldn't have a room to be sent to. I could just hide in the trees and eat nuts like the squirrels."
"It would be cold."
"Not if you made it warm with magic."
"Who said I was coming?"
"Well, you wouldn't want me going on my own, would you?" Arthur glanced around at Merlin, who stared back at him before rolling his eyes and giving Arthur a shove.
"You wouldn't last a day without me in there," Merlin said.
"You wouldn't last a minute without tripping over your own feet," Arthur retorted. What he said was true though – and they both knew it. Merlin's magic reacted to him. When Arthur tripped or missed a step, the magic would steady him. It wasn't Merlin – he couldn't react that quickly. It was as if the magic was in tune to him and Arthur knew it kept him safe.
Merlin didn't respond verbally but poked his tongue out. Arthur rolled his eyes with all the authority an eight year old could muster and the two of them went back to watching the forest. Gradually, they began talking again: adventures they could have in those forests once they were old enough to go in. Arthur didn't want to voice his fear that Nimueh would never let him explore but Merlin seemed to sense his worry.
"She can't say no," Merlin said. "You're right. My magic does look after you." He beamed at Arthur so brightly that Arthur felt perhaps he could be right. It warmed something inside of him but he didn't want Merlin knowing that.
"Did you say I was right?" he teased. Merlin never admitted that. Especially considering Arthur was usually wrong. For example, he had been adamant that he was right when they tried to cut through a field of angry cows, convinced it would be a short cut home. The only thing that helped them that day was finding out how fast they could run.
Merlin didn't answer. This time, it wasn't because he had a gesture that could say it for him. He wasn't even looking at Arthur. His eyes were fixed on the tree line, but there was no laughter in his eyes now. Arthur twisted quickly to follow his gaze and felt his own heart thud uncomfortably hard. Someone was there. They could see the outline of a horse with a man astride it. Even as they watched, the horse started moving towards them. Arthur felt uneasy. Nimueh had always warned him about strangers. He scrambled backwards, grabbing Merlin's arm to pull him with him.
"We should go," he muttered uncertainly.
"Why? It's just one man." Merlin moved even as he argued, seeming to sense how on edge Arthur was feeling. As they made it to their feet, Arthur looked around. The horse had begun to move towards them at a steady pace and Arthur knew they would never beat it back to the village. As the figure came closer, Arthur could just about make out his red cloak and knew this was bad. Nimueh had warned him against strangers as a whole. But she had given him nightmares over what would happen if knights or soldiers arrived at the small village. When Arthur didn't seem concerned, her threats had changed. If they came, they would take Merlin away.
"Run!" Arthur yelled, grabbing Merlin's wrist and racing off. Merlin stumbled and Arthur was forced to slow down while the younger boy regained his footing. He made the mistake of looking around again. Their movement had spurred on the mystery rider; he was now heading towards them at a gallop. Arthur glanced around, wondering if they would be able to hide. But there was nowhere to go. Then Merlin touched his wrist.
"It's going to be alright," he said. His voice was quiet but confident for a skinny seven year old. Arthur took a deep breath and nodded. They weren't helpless out here. Arthur could run fast and Merlin had magic. Besides, they had told Hunith where they were going so Arthur knew that would make everything alright again. The boys locked eyes and Merlin nodded. This time, Arthur wasn't quite as fast but they made a steady pace and were halfway back before the cantering of the horse's hooves overtook them. Suddenly, the rider was looming in front of them and Arthur felt Merlin press in closer to him. Despite his words, Arthur was acutely aware that they were two small boys out on their own. His eyes were locked on the stranger's sword hanging at his belt.
"Hello." The man's voice was friendly and he didn't look dangerous. Still, Arthur stayed quiet.
"Hello," Merlin mumbled. Arthur jabbed him with his elbow.
"I'm looking for someone," the stranger continued. "A woman. Perhaps two explorers like yourselves can help me."
Arthur wasn't fooled. The man was being nice to them because he didn't want people to know he was here. It was easier to trick two children than it was adults. But Arthur had been raised to fear anything and everything and he wasn't going to be taken in. He remained silent and this time, Merlin followed his lead. Arthur could feel him trembling behind him and he took Merlin's wrist, giving it a squeeze to remind him to stay calm.
"A woman in a red dress. Long black hair. She can use magic."
Arthur looked at Merlin. Merlin looked back at him. There was only one person the man could be describing. But Arthur knew Nimueh didn't have any friends, no matter what she pretended to the villages. No stranger in a red cloak was going to be her friend. Arthur's head jerked ever so slightly and Merlin nodded.
They ran. Arthur went to the left and Merlin to the right around the horse, both running for the village as fast as they could. Arthur ignored the tut the man let out as they sprinted, but he didn't stop. At least, not until he heard Merlin's scream.
Arthur turned quickly, almost falling over his own feet as he did so. The man had bent down and was gripping onto Merlin's arm. He opened his mouth to say something but Arthur charged.
"Let him go!" He shouted, running straight at them. He barrelled into Merlin and the force was enough to throw them both backwards and out of the man's reach. Arthur jumped straight up again. Checking his friend wasn't hurt, he helped Merlin to his feet. They regarded the stranger warily.
"If you help me find her, she won't be able to hurt anyone again."
"She doesn't hurt anyone now," Arthur said before he could stop himself. His eyes went wide as he realised he had given away he knew who the man was talking about. The man's eyes narrowed and Arthur heard Merlin suck in a sharp breath. The horse took a step closer and Arthur tried to back up, only to stand on Merlin's foot by accident when the younger boy didn't move.
"How old are you, boy?" The man said. Arthur didn't answer immediately. He was too busy watching the man's posture. He had stiffened as soon as Arthur had let slip they knew Nimueh and his hand had come to rest on his sword. He wasn't watching them but surveying the area as if he expected Nimueh to suddenly appear.
Arthur jutted out his chin defiantly. "Eight. You don't scare me!"
It was a lie. His heart was thudding fast. Panic gripped him as the man stared at him, a look of astonishment on his face. He moved closer again, reaching down and taking Arthur's chin. Arthur tried to pull away but the grip was too strong. He glared.
"Could it be-," the man murmured. Arthur had no idea what he was talking about, nor did he want to find out. He yanked back as hard as he could, wincing as the man's nails scratched his face. Merlin was ready this time and the two of them ran for it. Arthur didn't know what was going on, but he knew Nimueh had been right about strangers. They were bad indeed!
Only they once again didn't make it very far. The man gave a shout and before Arthur had gone more than a few paces, a hand grabbed the back of his collar. He yelled and struggled, but the man lifted him straight off the ground and forced him sideways over the saddle in front of him. Arthur's legs kicked, but he couldn't reach anything.
"Let me down!" He screamed, thrashing for all he was worth. The man gripped the back of his neck, holding him still. Then – to Arthur's horror – he touched his heels to the horse, wheeling it around and shooting for the trees. Arthur had never been on a horse before and the height and the speed scared him. He stopped struggling, terrified he was going to fall and focused on breathing. He chose to ignore the tears running down his face.
"Stop!" Merlin's voice cried after them. Arthur knew he was never going to be able to catch up though. They were going too fast.
"I said: STOP!"
Arthur shivered. A wave of power washed over them. Merlin hadn't sounded like himself. He hadn't even sounded like a child, but something magical and strong. The horse reared at the power and the man was thrown with a yell. Not wasting any time, Arthur slithered down and pelted back to Merlin. It seemed a long way away and he was gasping for breath by the time he reached his friend.
"Merlin?" He reached out tentatively. Merlin turned towards him and Arthur gasped. Merlin's face was pale and there was a trickle of blood running from his nose. Arthur didn't know a lot about magic, but he did know that Merlin had just used too much.
"Arthur? I don't feel so good." Merlin had barely finished speaking before he slumped. Arthur awkwardly caught him and stared down at him. Merlin's eyes were closed.
"Merlin? Merlin!" Even shaking him didn't get a response and Arthur was scared. Not knowing what to do, he hooked his hands under Merlin's shoulders and began pulling him back towards the village. He didn't know where the man was nor did he particularly care right now. He knew he had to find Hunith and Nimueh and get them to help Merlin.
He hadn't gone far before Merlin's dead weight caused him to fall. As soon as he hit the ground, a shadow loomed over him and Arthur looked up. The man was holding one arm against his chest and there were leaves stuck in his hair. But there was a look of fury on his face and Arthur knew there would be no playing nice now. Arthur tried to scramble back, making sure he took Merlin with him.
"Please," he said. His voice was little more than a sob. He was scared and confused. For the first time in his life, he wanted Nimueh and her magic.
"I won't hurt you. I just need to know your name…"
Arthur shook his head, pinching his lips shut. The man sighed and stretched towards him with his good arm.
"Arthur!" A voice yelled, fury lacing it. Arthur sighed in relief. She had come. Nimueh had come for him. But the man gaped, staring at him again.
"It is. Oh my god. I've found you."
But the man's fingers never clasped around Arthur's arm. They never even touched him before he was blasted back. He hit the ground hard and tried to rise. Arthur's hair ruffled as another blast of power raced over his head and the man was forced back down again. Arthur turned to see Nimueh striding towards him, her hand outstretched and the gold only just fading from her eyes.
"What have I told you about running off?"
"Merlin," Arthur said quietly, pulling his friend closer. "Merlin's hurt."
Nimueh crouched down beside them, her fingers touching Merlin's neck. She looked graver than Arthur had ever seen her.
"What happened?"
"He used too much magic," Arthur said. His voice was trembling. "He saved me. I don't understand…." He looked around at the man. He was lying as still as Merlin and his eyes were also shut. "Why did he want to know my name? Why does he care who I am?"
He could feel tears sliding down his face still. He didn't want to be brave anymore, he just wanted to be back in Hunith's house and for the woman to tell him everything was going to be alright. Nimueh sighed and she placed a hand gently on his head. It was so uncharacteristically kind that Arthur found himself crying harder now he was beginning to overcome his fright.
"It's alright. He's going to be alright."
Arthur nodded, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. He glanced back at the man but found himself quickly looking away again. Part of him wanted to ask who he was, why he seemed to be looking for them, why he was after Nimueh… But the more dominant part just wanted to get back to Hunith. Nimueh followed his eye-line.
"I'll deal with him later. Come."
She stood, awkwardly picking up Merlin. She didn't seem to know how to hold him and when she settled him against her chest, Arthur could see she looked strained. Not because Merlin was heavy – he was scrawny even with the amount of times Arthur forced him to eat more. But because she wasn't used to being so gentle with a child. Arthur took hold of her dress – red, like the man had said – and kept close to her as they moved swiftly towards the village. Now and again he had to run to keep up with her but neither of them said anything. Nimueh ignored the stares of the other villagers as she carried Merlin through and didn't stop until she had entered Hunith's house.
"What happened?" The mother demanded. She gently but firmly moved Arthur out of the way and rested a hand on her son's forehead. "Merlin? Merlin, can you hear me?"
"He's unconscious," Nimueh said sharply. "He used too much magic."
Hunith paled. Arthur slipped forward and took her hand. She gave him a tight smile and Arthur leant against her side as she stroked his hair gently.
"Can you help him?"
Nimueh nodded. She perched on the edge of the bed and rested her hand on Merlin's forehead. Unlike when Hunith had done it, there wasn't any tenderness in her gesture. She meant business. Arthur kept close to Hunith as Nimueh's eyes once again turned gold. He didn't know what was happening, but he could guess by the way colour began to trickle back into Merlin's face. Nimueh was using her own magic to fuel Merlin's, to bring him back from the brink he had thrown himself too close to. It only took a few moments, but it felt like a lifetime to Arthur until Merlin's eyes opened.
"Mother?" He muttered, looking straight past Nimueh. Hunith surged forward, pulling him into her.
"I'm sorry," Merlin whispered. "I didn't mean to use so much. But the bad man was going to take Arthur away and I couldn't let him."
"Hush, sweetheart." Hunith moved around and pulled Merlin onto her lap so she could look at both boys. "I think you two need to explain exactly what has happened here."
Arthur glanced at Merlin. His friend was still pale and his head was leaning on his mother's shoulder as if he didn't have the strength to hold it up. Guilt shot through him. For some reason, this man had been after him and Nimueh. Merlin had tried to save him and because of Arthur, he had been hurt in the process. His eyes found the floor as Arthur started to speak in a hesitant voice. He slowly grew in confidence as he told them about the man and how they had tried to run. But when he got to the part where Merlin had collapsed, his voice wavered and cracked.
"It's dealt with," Nimueh said. "The man can't come for the boys again."
Arthur bit his lip as he slowly looked up at her, remembering how still the man had been. Hunith frowned.
"How did you know where they were?"
"I felt the boy's magic," Nimueh said. "He's strength is greater than even I foresaw. I felt the power escaping him because he wasn't controlled."
"That's not my fault," Merlin pouted. Hunith stroked his hair gently but Arthur could see that she was smiling at her son's words. Merlin was one of the few people Nimueh didn't seem to intimidate although Arthur had no idea how he managed it.
"You need to learn control."
"I am controlled!"
"And what if you react on instinct again? I might not be there to draw your magic back next time." Nimeuh's voice was sharp and Merlin sat up straighter so that he could glare at her. Arthur chewed his lip, realising that something was going on.
"Can you help him?" Hunith repeated her earlier question, stopping Merlin from saying anything. Nimueh nodded.
"I will teach him. Send him to the cottage every morning. I will teach him control."
Arthur grinned. He couldn't help it. It meant that Merlin was coming around to play every morning. The younger boy smiled back, clearly thinking the same thing. Nimueh rolled her eyes and took Arthur's arm.
"Come. I need to get you home." She half-led, half-dragged him outside. Arthur was tired though. He didn't offer any protest as she walked him out of the village and back towards their home. At least he knew he would be seeing Merlin the next day. He was sure the adventure wouldn't seem as frightening by the time morning came and they would be able to joke about it.
Nimueh also didn't say anything until they got home. Then she shut the door and looked at Arthur severely.
"Have you been truthful about what he said to you? All of it?"
"Yes," Arthur said. He hadn't held back. But relief entered Nimueh's eyes and she gestured for him to sit down. Arthur did so
"You must be tired," she said. Her hand rested on his head and Arthur frowned. She didn't usually comfort him, even after nightmares she had caused. He shrugged.
"Go to sleep, Arthur. Sleep and forget."
Just like that, Arthur sagged. As his eyes flickered shut, he felt her magic entering his mind. He whimpered slightly, trying to resist it. But he couldn't. She was too strong for him, she always had been. He could feel the magic drawing on his memory of events even as sleep pulled him under.
By the time he woke up the next morning, he had no recollection of what had happened. Not the man. Not the magic. Not Merlin's collapse. It was as if none of it ever happened.