Adventures of Merlin 10

Oisan – 'Osh-an'

The dragon language is made of a few Homeric Greek sources that were extremely hard to find for me.

'Oryisss…' spoken by Aithusa is a letter-by-letter translation of the word for 'bird'. ὄρνις

"Pos egine afto ? Oraios drakon o file'" 'How did this happen? Kind dragon, my friend.'

Merlin rolled back while Aithusa huffed airy attempts to form words. Merlin tipped his head, seeing Aithusa genuinely tried to mimic human words. But his voice was a hollow and primal, and Aithusa's wings trembled before he hurled himself away from Merlin. He scaled the dark ruins of the castle outside the courtyard hazardously. He lost his footing and clung desperately to the wall just outside the queen's window, screeching with a high-pitched, raspy sound.

Merlin sat in the fold of a hollowed courtyard window opening, put his knees up, and clutched his forehead with one arm.

The sound of the dragon suddenly changed. The pained rasps were swelled behind with voiced, very loud but clicky chirps, much like a bark.

Wen stalked through the maze of ruined wall with a child on her fingers Merlin didn't recognize. She held her fingers in a circle at her lips and blew through them. White smoke puffed through the cupped hand around her fingers and dissipated in splintered, spiraled directions. The waves of smoke twirled into the image of small birds, which swiveled past the dragon.

Aithusa snapped at them.

Merlin squinted, narrowing his eyes as he leaned in closer. They used a nearby brasier, filled with wet fuel to make thicker white plumes.

"Oryisss…" … clap! Aithusa missed, but it was strangely cute. Bird- Aithusa.

She smiled and pulled the child to her side, letting him put his hand through the smokey feathered creatures.

Merlin watched the scene and wiped his face. He had the oddest urge to tuck himself further out of sight, but he also leaned forward, and getting a sight of the embers in the brasier and their deep red, he pulled his palm up. Pinching all his fingers together and as the embers grew hotter, he flicked them apart, willing a tower of loose embers to puff from the well. The embers swirled and Wen and the child stopped to look.

"Draka…" The mesmerizing, familiar spell lighted a small dragon over the well in the nest of white smoke plume, its wings flapped slightly before the red specks floated into darkness.

Wen looked around, searching for him but not finding him. Merlin slid from the platform of the window and dropped near them.

"There you are," said Wen, smiling.

"Who is this?" said Merlin, noting the child.

She sighed, "Oisan," she said. "He's a child mage from Dyfed. The note claimed he had no family."

"He's a child of natural talent. Some wealthy families still take them to use as servants. Their abilities make them valuable."

"They stole him for his magic?" Merlin inclined his head in the voiceless language of the druids.

She nodded. Then she dug under her embroidered cloak for a folded note and pressed it into his hand. Merlin read it.

"This-s says he really delivered a Dragon egg?" said Merlin.

Wen nodded.

"—We have to destroy it," he said.

"Merlin!" she complained aloud. "Really?"

"Yes. Who knows what –"

"Calm yourself," she said lightly. "You don't have to think of it right now."

"If the dragon egg is real, there must be some threat, some trap!"

She sighed and cupped the child's head near her waist. "And my father and guard will handle it."

"You'll hope they will," rasped Merlin.

She curled her lip into a little discontented scowl, then took the child's hand. "Hey Oisan, why don't you go with Merlin? He studies magic. He'll show you some enticements – herbs and sand and stuff. Bye then."

Merlin shook and gaped, "you can't just …"

"You're being paid. Do something." She shrugged and turned off backwards before spinning on her heel.

Merlin cleared his throat. "Have you met any Druids?"

Luckily for Merlin, Druid's loved little magic children. He almost wondered why his mother hadn't chosen them to protect him. Maybe it was for the best. Oisan played with other children as Merlin put himself beside a fire. He pulled the note and read over it. It was in the unfamiliar script of Reoach of Dyfed, but there was a part of the page that didn't match up.

"Keep the child on me. The druid will have use of him as his parents are dead."

"Of the Drakon Cadwaladr obtained of Kingdom Gwynedd." "Called 'Y Ddraig Goch," or "The Red Dragon."

It seemed such an ordinary manuscript, perfect except for the crease. Merlin let the flicker of the daylight fight illuminate through the paper. But something threw him off. It set his suspicion there was too much of a gap between the stuck wax seal of the King Dyfed and the last letter. His eyes roved the page. He glanced up to be sure Oisan was entertained with a game with stacked sticks and cleared his throat.

"Cyþan se writ beinnan carte." Cypher that written here-on paper/document

The page flashed and a dramatic white shimmer flooded one corner to another.

"Now I have delivered what I promised, I pay your mother Hunith a visit. Our encounter leaves me relieved. My blood will find its rightful position in Avalon, but I must have insurance for the future of the peoples of the old ways."

"I don't care! Just get knights to Camelot's citadel as fast as possible." Wen stopped at a door and her dress swept to the side. "Where is the scrying stone?"

"What?" said Gillie. "The Crystal Nehetid, where is it?"

"Why? Hey –"

She pushed Gillie out of the way and threw away the curtain. "Do you know how to use this?" she asked Gillie.

"No, majesty. I'm not powerful enough. Merlin can."

"I need Merlin to stay out of starting wars and running off to Camelot. The moment he does the troops turn on us."

"Wen," Brychan breathed, turning in the doorway. "Sebile's assassin has made way for Camelot, he's scouted the borders. Troops have moved through the Valley of Fallen Kings, but more are on the border of the South Wall in the Sylven Forest."

"So, they'll definitely attack if we defend Camelot."

"Can anyone scale Camelot's inner wall? I can't send knights with colors, and they won't open the gates to anyone else."

Gillie hovered with fingers tightly woven and stretched flat. "Reaoch doesn't have the man-power to attack Camelot. It's suicide for them, you said so yourself." He spoke to Wen.

"He doesn't have to defeat Camelot," she said.

"He just has to defeat the sorcerer," said Brychan. "And once he take's our wall he'll have all the magic he needs to turn an army on Camelot, and this time, it'll be without the protection of anyone who knows the old ways."

Gwendolen paused. A silence drifted between them. "What of Ealdor?" she said, with a sudden shift to her voice.

Brychan frowned. "Tannic returned within hours of the first mission. They found the little town but everything has been destroyed of their home. Anti-sorcerer raids of the border to Mercia."

"I'll protect Camelot myself," she hissed.

Brychan grunted and stumbled out through the doorway.

"Where are you going?" asked Gillie.

"To get my cloak," he said.

Wen, Brychan, and Gillie got to the lower town of Camelot for the first time on Gillie's navigation. The gate was closed, but that was enough to know there was peace in Camelot. Brychan squeezed Gwendolen's hand as they lifted over a wall. Several guards immediately ran to them, but Brychan sidestepped and pushed them both toward a wagon of hay. They ducked behind it. Wen pulled Gillie by the arm, ducked behind as Brychan caused a diversion.

"Drusa ou beorn." Sleep, you warrior/soldier.

Cloaked under a mild glamour, Gillie swept them around the tower corner, past a passage and up the turn of a doorway to a spiral staircase of light stone.

The physician propped relaxedly upon a chair with round spectacles and an open book. His bushy eyebrows turned together in peaceful analysis of his reading.

His face turned to the rap at the door. His eyebrows pulled together wearlily before putting aside the book and grunting on the path to open it.

"Who's there?" carried a woman's voice from beyond the glaring light of a dripping candle.

"Never mind. Stay in there," whispered Gaius, Merlin's long-time protector and mentor.

The knock at the door became insistent and almost fervent tapping many times. He unlatched and swung the wooden door open, and the two young sorcerers stumbled in.

"Gillie," said Gaius breathily.

"Oh," said Gillie, "You remember me," he stumbled up from the floor. The girl stepped forward and lifted a note to Gaius's veined hand. Then she turned on a heel and closed the door.

Gaius waved the note. "Well, just come in I guess," he gibed.

"We're friends of Merlin."

Merlin rushed in on the Druid Chieftan in his tent. "This is Oisan. There's an emergency. Be kind to him. He's magic. I'll be back later." He stumbled from the tent and threw himself into a run.

The knight, Tannic blocked him. Merlin tried to leave the castle by slipping through the front gate. "Hold on, there," Tannic put his hand out.

"Get out of my way." Merlin gritted his teeth.

"The lovely of the castle has ordered us to keep you inside. It doesn't matter anyway, the way is blocked with magic."

"Tell me where she is," said Merlin. His voice echoed off the stone halls.

"They are on a quest."

"This says he threatened my mother. Her life means more to me than you. Get out of my way."

Tannic breathed deep and closed his eyes.

Merlin pushed past him.

"This place needs you." Tannic turned. "The last remnant of magic will fall as soon as you're gone, and the rival king will use Avalon to scourge Camelot for revenge."

Merlin peered longingly at the wall, then felt heavy rain on his skin as he looked back over the ruins in blue and black shadows of the craggy landscape. Deflated, he drew away from Tannic and wandered back to the gaping mouth of the ruined archway to calm the snapping Aithusa.

"Dragarn, kalmaro. Kar issis." Dragon, calm. Is well.

Aithusa curled his massive tail around him and slid heavily out of the rain until his white body glowed in its paleness in the passage corner to the Dragon Run. Merlin halted, watching long enough for the rain to sink cold on his shoulders and heavy his clothes. "Scieldan," said Merlin. He raised his hand above him and navigated the foot-path to collect Oisan from the Druids.

Merlin drew his jacket away. "Over there," he directed. The boy followed his hand and set himself on a lone chair. His young eyes widened as Merlin raised the flames of the hearth with a nonchalant pulse of invisible energy, eye-shine included. "Did they feed you down there?" said Merlin.

Oisan said nothing, but shook his head.

"Best come here, then." He offered the boy the cooling stew in a fresh bowl. Then he drew extra blankets and one of his shirts from a cupboard. "This isn't what you're comfortable in, but it'll keep you dry. I'll be right back."

Merlin used the study to dispense his wet clothes and dress in his common white tunic. He hadn't used the spare bed since he first hid away, but it was there. He dragged it out and pulled it nearer the fire. "hléowan tha hwitel." Make warm the blanket. Merlin pulled away the tucked blanket after dressing the bed. All the while, the boy watched him work. "You want the larger bed?" Merlin raised his hand out. He gestured the grand canopy, but the boy chose the one by the fire. Merlin stayed warily away as the small feet quickened to run past Merlin only after he'd left the bed alone.

"Have you always been able to do that?" said the boy from the tucked safety of the little bed.

Merlin braced and folded his hands. He didn't immediately look at the boy. "Not as well as I can now, but I've always moved small objects," he said evenly.

"That's good. You have a place because the druids would take care of you."

"I don't know if that's true," said Merlin gently.

There was a silence, and the kid tucked under the blanket until only his eyes were visible above it, hiding his nose and mouth. "Will I be able to do things like that?" said Oisan.

"Oh, doubtless," said Merlin.

Wen pulled her cloak away. When Gaius peered at her, the silver threads of her hair glittered in the light, enough to prove her nobility. The modestly woven silver thread highlighted her russet curls and caught attention through a crack in the door to Merlin's old bedroom. The door slowly opened while the girl tried to explain why they were there. "Please don't call the guards. I'm the Lady of Avalon and I know Merlin. I couldn't risk letting him come here, but I had to protect Camelot for the sake of people who live here." She spoke as if she'd reworked what she would say many times, but her hands moved quickly and she clasped them noticeably to prevent herself from fidgeting.

Gaius regarded her but held his hand up behind him, slickly signaling whoever was in the other room not to come out.

Wen continued, her eyes roaming in short flicks over the elaborate array of colored bottles, medicines and hanging herbs, some on walls and some hanging on rack from the ceiling. "A sorcerer and king came to visit some days ago. He took up visitation in the castle and threatened the Dragon Lord there. That is your Merlin. I wouldn't have come, but I believe he's attempting to draw Merlin out by threatening Camelot. The note he left spoke about his mother."

"Do you understand how dangerous this is?" Gaius hissed. He turned the girl to the side. Wen twisted her fingers. She nodded but didn't answer immediately. "It'll be more dangerous still if Merlin comes."

"Why is Gillie here?" said Gaius.

Gillie had taken up a bent posture, leaning over in one of Gaius's chairs and rubbing his ankle. He waved with a grimace.

"Gillie is my court sorcerer."

Gaius looked down at the tense-faced Gillie and straightened with a heaved sigh, his shoulders sinking. "Oh, help us."

The door cracked open farther, and a meek woman with a round, kind looking face stepped carefully down the stairs. She held out a hand for a copy of the note.

"I left the original with Merlin; I thought he'd find me out faster if I gave him an outright fake." Wen held it out, and Hunith took it in her hands and unfurled it, walking away with a finger covering her lips. "Reaoch gave you a dragon egg?"

"Gave it to Merlin technically," said Gillie.

Wen frowned. "I haven't let him near it. He would destroy it."

"Destroy it?" huffed Hunith. "Why would he destroy it?" She covered a blink and a frown with a little laugh.

Wen's eyebrows pulled concernedly together and her countenance darkened. "Merlin is – You don't know what effect the war has had on Merlin? He wanders in circles, acts suspiciously of all kinds of magic. He's attempted to kidnap me, kill the young dragon. I think he's very distressed and volatile. He is a sweet person. He used magic to subdue Reaoch, and I think he's slowly recovering." Wen didn't look at either Hunith or Gaius while she spoke, but they looked at each other.

Hunith peered through almost closed eyes and approached Wen slowly. "Reaoch already knows Merlin is mine," she said.

"It is a kind day to meet you," said Wen respectfully. "Should I? I offer you asylum," she stuttered.

Hunith shook her head. "I can't let Reaoch follow me, and If I go to Avalon, I will never leave. He'll trap me there forever, and I don't want that."

Gillie leaned over the chair. "How do you know this king? You seem like an ordinary woman. Eh he, well. I mean, you're very beautiful but – "

"He's my father," said Hunith.

Wen's eyes lightened under the light on hearing this, and there was no immediate expression, but the blue ring of her irises, very noticeable in the yellow light, shrank and gave way to black, holding for a fraction of a second before she turned her face away.

"I'll call for the Queen," said Gaius.

Wen lowered her eyes. "She'll simply arrest me," she said, "have me killed."

"You don't know that," said Gaius gently.

Wen sighed. "Have at it," she said. "I'm only here to give Merlin less reason to rush off to Camelot to play hero. It'd leave what small fortress we have left with the druids unprotected."

They waited in a huddle for Gaius to return with guards, but they never came. Instead, a knock and a tall knight with red hair moved in. Gillie straightened, and Wen backed away. "Good evening, my lady," said the knight kindly. He held out his hand, "I am Sir Leon, and this is our majesty queen Gwenevere. You don't need to do anything." he raised his hand warmly. "We thought it best to come in secret."

Gwenevere stepped forward. "Hello," she said. Seeing Wen, her shoulders relaxed, as if she knew she had nothing to fear of a terrible enemy. She must have read that Gwendolen was not much more than another young woman. One who was skittish in the face of a potentially lethal encounter. Gwendolen cupped her hands together and eyed the knight's sword. "You know a man named Merlin," she said.

"I do," said Gwenevere.

"I believe – one of our enemies plans to attack Camelot to get to him. The soldiers are barely farming folk, most don't have magic and they'd be little threat to you, but just enough to get his attention."

"Any battle is relevant. I hope we have nothing to fear from you," Gwenevere eyed inquisitively.

"No," Wen dismissed, "I am protecting Camelot. I want people to accept, not hate, innocent magical folk, and I vow to do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Gwenevere noted Gillie and nodded before turning back to the Wen. "You're a young queen, aren't you?" she said.

Wen didn't answer.

"You seem a bit awkward, like I used to be, but you'll get used to it. I'll put soldiers on our northern border."

"If I may, it appears you truly have no defenses against magic. Before, you had Merlin. That is one reason I'm here rather than sending letters."

"What's the other reason?"

"I need Merlin's loved ones out of the way of harm. They've been directly threatened."

"Alright," said Gwenevere. "You can protect us as long as you feel the need to. Send soldiers if you must, but they can't be seen using magic."

"Majesty?" Wen stepped forward. "Our – soldiers," she paused, "have been eliminated by the great purge and subsequent battles. I would cast a spell to divert the navigation of the opposing army. I can't do much more than that."

Gwenevere seemed to consider this and folded her arms with shifted weight. "What is this king's name? How close is his army and when does he plan to attack? And what does he want with Merlin?"

Wen filled all of these questions with the flicker of a freshly lit candle.

"We need to do this business and return, my lady. The guard will be suspicious soon," Gillie eventually said.

"Oh, yes," yawned Wen, "My father is hiding in the courtyard under a guise of magic. I'd appreciate it if your soldiers did not kill him."

Leon sighed, looked at Gwenevere, and retreated through the doors.

Gaius frowned in the space of his absence. "I can't go with you, young woman. Don't worry. I'll be alright. I've been through tough situations before."

Wen tipped her head with a concerned frown, "with Merlin here," she filled in with a whisper. "I'd hate to leave either of you in harm's way."

"I'm not staying," said Hunith with crossed arms. "You won't need to protect me. But I can't go with you."

Wen swallowed. "I could find you a safe house?" she offered.

Hunith smiled warmly. "I'm afraid not. I promise I'll be fine. And I'll write Merlin."

"How?"

"Look for my letters in the hand near the stone face in the Valley of Fallen Kings."

"Perilous journey," said Wen, eyes darkening.

"I'll send a bird."

"Advanced magic," she whispered, eyes fixed on Hunith's face.

Gwenevere had sat silently, absorbing this conversation. She didn't speak on Hunith's magic, and she seemed unsurprised by it, which made Wen double-take. Now she spoke. "You are a very compassionate person."

"Hm? Me?" said Wen.

"Yes. I hope Merlin is happy there."

"Merlin's not happy anywhere."

"That I understand. But you will be good to him?" said Gwenevere, curled smile and slight hint of admonishment; narrowed eyes and a cocked head.

Wen lifted her hand to shake in agreement. "Until my body is Earth," she said, breaking a pensive silence.

The summer had died; the month drawn away from the fatal battle of Camlann, and nature had changed. Barley having been collected and new crops laying for the fall and winter. They needed to prepare for the worst soon. The grasses crackled beneath her feet, their dry, brown stalks rustling in the wind. The damp, earthy smell of the rain filled their nostrils as it trickled down their cloaks, leaving their skin and clothes speckled with mud.

The Dragon's tower rose above the landscape, its imposing height amplified by the eerie silence. The light flickered in the glass panes above, signaling Merlin was still awake and still there. Gillie and Brychan departed with a kiss to Wens' forehead before separating in their different ways. There was a small moment when Wen was along in the tall grass.

"You hid this from me. It's as good as telling lies," Merlin scolded.

"Would you have stayed if I asked you?"

He spoke aloud. "Yes!" but Merlin paused, and shrank away.

Wen bit her bottom lip. "I deserve my secrets, Merlin. You'd have given me no better."

"I have no intention of causing harm to your kingdom."

"I know you don't. But I have to think of them first. I did my best to protect the border of Albion, and I'm sorry. I found your mother, but I could never protect her against her will."

"So, she is alive."

Wen frowned deeply, tipping her head and drawing closer to get a look at Merlin's genuinely worried expression. "She was with Gaius. He is a kind man, by the way."

"Yes. Gaius has always been kind to me. Is she there now?"

"No. She deserted as soon as she heard of Dyfed's name."

She met him with embers in her eyes, a fading sign of her use of magic to light the lantern she kept on a jewelry chain. "You wouldn't know how or why she would know of him – or do that, would you?"

"No," said Merlin.

Wen nodded; eyes closed.