Arthur sat slumped against the chair of his writing desk. Morgana had long since left for her chambers devastated from their previous interaction. The woman had been distraught but had managed to compose herself enough to relay to him that it wasn't his fault. That it was Merlin's choice and he was thinking of Albion's future when he made it.
He had snapped at her then, said some horrible things about how her lack of sentiment proved that she never loved his brother at all. How she didn't deserve his love in return and how she was heartless to think what he had done was an acceptable sacrifice.
He regretted it all now that he had had time to let his anger and hurt settle. He felt numb. His brother was gone and he was alone again.
There was a knock on the door then that interrupted his depressive musings "I do not wish to be disturbed" his voice came out harsh, he was far beyond caring.
"For someone just brought back from the brink of death you don't seem very happy to be alive, brother". Merlin's amused voice made Arthur turn his head towards the door fast enough to jolt his injured shoulder. He let out a cry of pain and Merlin rushed to him to make sure there was no further damage to the already injured limb.
"Merlin, how are you still alive. Gaius… the Cup of Life"? He asked looking at his brother's eyes in-between gasps of pain. Merlin was sitting next to him now on one of the spare chairs from near his desk.
"In all respects, I should be but it seems the Old Religion had different plans".
"What do you mean"? Arthur took a closer look at his brother who still had his traveling cloak draped over his shoulders, underneath he wore a simple blue shirt and pants with his medical pouch and a dagger strapped to the belt on his waist. He looked tired and filthy but no worse for wear.
Merlin relayed his side of the story, of what had occurred on the Isle and once he was done Arthur pulled him into a one-armed embrace. "Don't you ever do something like this again".
Merlin held on for as long as he could and when pulling back, replied with conviction "I don't make promises I am unable to keep". Arthur was about to protest when Merlin held up a hand and continued "I need to tell you something important". Arthur gestured for him to continue. "When you were unconscious and I thought I might not survive this ordeal I enacted a blood pact with you. Almost similar to the one Balanor enacted with me. I needed to make sure that the bloodline of Dragon Lords did not end with my death".
Arthur listened to his brother as he spoke, Merlin had previously explained to him the details of his blood pact with the Dragon Lord and it's consequences. "So does that make me a Dragon Lord now".
"No, not yet, you are the heir to my power over the Dragons so to speak. When I die the power will be passed down to you and your descendants. It cannot be undone. I could trust no one else with it."
Arthur looked at the scar on his palm, currently cradled in Merlin's hands. He looked up at his brother and replied: "I do not know what to say other than that I will protect this legacy with you and I hope to never be able to use it, at least not during our lifetime". Merlin smiled in response.
Arthur then moved to get up "What do you think you're doing"?
"I've injured my shoulder not my legs. We need to get to Morgana".
"I was on my way to her after. There is no need for you to come at the moment". Arthur looked to Merlin with a guilt-ridden expression.
They found themselves outside Morgana's chambers not long after. The older prince knocked but there was no answer so they entered nonetheless with Merlin hidden in the shadows. The witch was sat on her bed, legs folded face resting on her knees, her red-rimmed eyes staring into the distance. An expression of complete loss reflected in them. "Morgana…"
She did not look towards him as he spoke. "Have you come to remind me again of how much I didn't deserve him". Her tone, hard with pain. Arthur rushed forward and enveloped her in his arms.
"I'm sorry I said that I was angry at myself, that I was so helpless and that cost my brother his life. I just struck out". Morgana finally looked up at his face. Fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. She threw her arms around him and cried into his neck. He rubbed her back as sobs racked her body. After a few moments, taking a deep breath she composed herself and drew back to speak to him.
"Merlin and I, we reached an agreement, our lives belong to you and Camelot first. So we made sure to treat every moment we had together as a gift. We never took our time with each other for granted. So that, should we lose the other in the line of our duty we would still have those precious memories to call upon when required". As she spoke Arthur began to realize the immense sacrifice his only true family were making for him and on the behalf of his kingdom. He felt even more ashamed now for what he had said to her in his chambers.
Taking a deep breath Morgana continued "I promised him should anything such as this happen, I would continue his duty and make sure you became the King you were meant to be. I forgive you Arthur because Merlin would and because you are only living piece of him I have left now".
Merlin who had been resting in the shadows up until this point thought it the best moment to make his presence known. He was proud of his lover for keeping to the promises they made to each other and she deserved to be rewarded for it.
"Not really". He the young prince said softly as he made his way forward. Morgana's eyes widened in shock and she immediately scrambled off the bed to run into his waiting arms. She held him tight as she lathered kisses all over his face, tears of shock and joy, continuously flowing down her own.
That's how Arthur left them locked in each other warm embrace. He had a lot to think about, he would not let their sacrifices go to waste…
Later that night Merlin looked upon his resting lover. Her naked skin, luminescent in the pale moonlight. He had tried to be gentle with her, considering it was her first intimate interaction. But they had both been desperate to feel, to know they had not lost the other. There would be other opportunities, for now, they had time.
Merlin shifted the sheets covering her body, using his magic he carefully concealing the bruises already forming on her pale skin while cloaking her in his magic. Letting her know he was still there, even if not physically by her side. He lay a gentle kiss upon her brow before getting up to get dressed.
Merlin made his way to his father's chambers he knew the king would still be awake. It wasn't that late. The guards stationed outside the doors bowed to him as he passed. "Merlin? Where have you been"? Uther asked him as he entered. His father was sat at his desk reviewing reports, probably some he ignored during his time at Arthur's side.
"I came to inform you the sorceress Nimhue is dead. Felled at my hand on the Isle of the Blessed". Uther sat back stunned at Merlin's abrupt announcement. He slowly rose from his seat maintaining eye contact with his son.
"What were you doing at the wretched place"? He asked venom lacing his voice. Merlin looked back at his father with a neutral expression.
"A bite from the Questing Beast has no cure. You knew that. I went to the Isle with the intention of bargaining my life for Arthur's but found Nimhue instead. So made a calculated decision, two birds with one stone. A dangerous enemy to Camelot dispatched and her Future King saved".
"You had no right to put yourself in danger like that"! His father chastised in a raised voice "Wasn't it, you that once said, you would live to ensure Camelot is protected".
Merlin smirked at that "You should know me better than that father. I have already begun putting in place sustainable contingencies should anything prevent me from protecting Arthur and this kingdom".
Uther faltered at that, he looked at the young man before him. Merlin was doing more for Camelot that any prince in the past had thought to do. His youngest son had become to this kingdom everything he himself could have hoped for, more swiftly than expected and now he was going above and beyond what was required from any current or future station he may occupy.
"I am sorry you have had to take on this burden Merlin".
"Someone is required to do it. Arthur is a good leader but he lacks the constitution to execute ruthlessness when required. He will make this kingdom greater than any king in the past has been able but he requires someone to pave a foundation for him, for the new world he will build".
Uther knew this and he still loved both his son's however, the power Merlin currently held in his hands did not go unnoticed by him either and he silently contemplated what that would mean for his own future. Would Merlin overthrow him and place Arthur on the throne and more importantly would he be able to stop him?
"I shall take my leave now father" Merlin nodded to him. Uther nodded back in return. As his son was halfway out the door he said: "I am glad you are safe and back with us". Merlin could sense Uther's nervousness underlining the statement. He half-turned, half inclining his head to the king before leaving for his own chambers, a triumphant smile gracing his lips.
Stay Tuned for Volume II of Shared Blood, Shared Destiny...