Fast update! *ninja sounds*
I figured that it would take me a week to get chapters done, but I decided that as long as the inspiration is kicking me in the pants might as well update. Posting as I write! I imagine the writing will slow down at least a little as time passes.
Reviewer Responses
Mediatrix: Glad it was good. You're right about the summary. I added to it. :) Thanks for the heads-up.
CaptainOzone: You should be intrigued by that mirror. XD And thank you! My writing style isn't as descriptive as yours. I look at yours a lot of the time and wish I could write that way. Lol. Thank you so much!
WE-ARE-SHER-LOCKED: Thank you! I remember when I first thought of the story, it was only going to be the poem. And then the fable plot bunny attacked me and forced me to put it in. Glad I did though. :)
Funus Nex: :D Indeed!
Healed535: Can't tell yooooou. :3
shadow visor: I know, rite? Merlin was as surprised to see Arthur actually researching something as you were.
Ash9: For me, I've always found it strange that with all the talk of Emrys being involved in the destiny of Albion, neither Uther or Arthur ever heard the name. Morgana finally blurted it out, and it seemed to go in one of Arthur's ears and out the other lol.
servant123: Thank you! I'm glad you're excited! The hardest thing about this story is getting the panic right... because there is a lot of it! LOL
I don't own Merlin and I hope you enjoy!
Gaius jumped and nearly poured a draft all over his hand as his ward threw the doors open and then whirled around to slam them shut again.
"Are you trying to kill me, boy?" Gaius demanded. His initial irritation of seeing Merlin returning empty-handed was quickly replaced by concern at the fear that had overtaken the boy's face. "Merlin, what's wrong?"
The warlock stared at the floor and muttered something under his breath.
Gaius stood and walked a little closer. "Merlin?"
Merlin met Gaius' eyes. "Arthur's researching Emrys," he repeated. "That's what he's been going to the library for. Morgana mentioned the name the last time we faced her and... he started looking into it."
Gaius' eyes darkened. "Oh dear." He thought for a moment. "Well as far as I know, he will never find you through recorded lore. Still... his interest is troubling. You will have to keep an eye on his progress, Merlin; steer him away if he gets too close.
Merlin meandered over to their dining table and dropped heavily into his seat. Gaius watched him and then slid into the seat across from him, studying his expressions. The warlock seemed star-struck; sitting in his place with his arms hanging listlessly at his sides and his blue eyes glued to a particular spot on the rough wood of the table. Emotions dances across his eyes, no one staying for more than a second as his mind tried to sort through his feelings. Finally, a mix of resignation and cautious hope won out on his face and he looked up at his mentor.
"Would it... Would it be so bad?" he asked. When he received no answer he continued, "If he found out about Emrys, not about me." He looked down at his fingers, which picked at themselves in anxiety. "The druids consider Emrys to be something of a... savior, don't they?"
Merlin had never considered himself and Emrys as the same person. He couldn't quite connect the two in his head; he never had. Though the druids called him Emrys, he could never associate himself with the mythical figure that was proclaimed in the prophecies Kilgharrah mentioned.
Prehaps one day I will grow into the name, he figured, as though one day he would simply reach a point and become Emrys like crossing the border into another kingdom.
When he looked back at Gaius,the look on his face exhibited traits of fear and confusion. "I suppose they do," he answered slowly.
"Then would it be so bad?" he repeated. The sad smile that overcame his lips nearly broke Gaius' heart, as though the boy were reaching out for something to give him hope; groping in the darkness for some small bit of light to cling to. "For Arthur to find information about a sorcerer that fights for him and not against him?" he continued.
"Maybe not," answered Gaius, bobbing his head back and forth. "But even if we did know exactly what is written in those scrolls, there's no way of knowing how Arthur will interpret it."
Merlin's smile hope remained in his eyes but the reality of Gaius' words settled in. Arthur may not have been as blinded by rage as his father, but a benevolent use of magic certainly wasn't what Arthur's mind initially tended toward.
"It's hard enough hiding when Arthur isn't looking for me," he grumbled.
"Keep in mind that he is looking for Emrys, not you. Not even Morgana and Agravaine could connect the two of you." After a moment, Gaius stopped the nervous fidgeting of Merlin's hands by taking them into one of his own. "Merlin, go see Kilgharrah. Maybe he can shed some light on this."
After a pause, Merlin offered a weak smile and nodded. He headed out into the forest in a daze, as though he barely noticed the effort it took to sneak past the guards (had he used magic?). The land was oddly quiet; even the birdsong was subdued as though the world around him were bracing itself for something. As he made his way out of earshot of the guards, Merlin found himself wishing for more noise if only to distract from the chaos in his mind. There was a feeling of inevitability that threatened to crush him. It was as though he were rolling down a steep hill, unable to stop or slow himself. He was unaware of what awaited him at the bottom. There was a slim chance he would roll harmlessly into a cushion of hay, but there was also a chance that he would go flying off the edge of a cliff.
He was having more and more trouble differentiating between his emotions and his magic. Both tossed and turned restlessly inside him. He was turning into a dam, doing his best to hold his emotions at bay; the former so no outside parties would come snooping for his secrets and the latter to keep those outside parties safe. But the minute he stepped out of the guards' range of hearing, he opened the dam and let his call to Kilgharrah rip from his throat. He screamed louder than was necessary, but he felt such a release that it left him panting and caused the plants at his feet to burst into bloom. As the silent hum in the air died down, he felt a small glimmer of hope work its way into his mind as though there was now room for it.
He straightened and adopted a leisurely pace toward the large clearing. The cold night chilled him and the wind seemed to blow right through his thin frame. He hugged his jacket tighter around him and stared at the dirt below his feet as he walked. His pace was slow enough that Kilgharrah was just landing as he arrived. The normal smile that greeted Merlin when the dragon saw him seemed somewhat absent. Merlin offered a small bow and the dragon returned it.
"You look troubled, and I could feel the tempest in your soul as you called me," the dragon observed. "What's wrong?"
Merlin crossed his arms and began meandering. "Arthur is researching Emrys," he blurted.
The dragon nodded as though something suddenly made sense. "I wondered when the young Pendragon would continue his father's research."
"Why was Uther researching Emrys?" asked Merlin, looking up at the creature.
"With all the druid camps he raided and destroyed, did you think it possible he would never come across the name?" asked the dragon with a mild chuckle.
Merlin chuckled quietly along, but his face soon became solemn and his heartbeat quickened. There was a slight quaver in his voice as he asked, "Is it time? For Arthur to find out about me?"
The dragon shook his massive head weakly. "It is impossible to say." There was a faint glow of pride that appeared in the dragon's large golden eyes as he spoke. "But I have long felt that the time for all to see your good work is close at hand."
Merlin smiled a little and hugged himself as a shiver ran down his spine. "It scares me," he admitted. His smile faded again. "Something is stirring." The pride in Kilgharrah's eyes turned to a solemness that matched Merlin's. "It's like... all of magic is screaming."
"I, too, have felt it. Something buried is about to be unearthed. You must be vigilant, Merlin." His large head lowered to look directly into the warlock's eyes. "You have heard the cries of the dying as I have," he said softly.
Merlin nodded. "They're druids, aren't they?" It was less a question and more a statement.
"Yes, someone is attacking and destroying druid camps to the north," answered the dragon. "I know not why."
"Can't you stop them?" There was a pleading in Merlin's tone that caused Kilgharrah's eyes to soften.
The dragon's head pulled away and he assumed a regal posture, looking down at Merlin with resolution. "Aithusa and I must remain a secret if our species is to survive. If this is a war between the tribes, then we have no place to interfere."
"War between tribes?" repeated the servant. "Why would the druids fight amongst themselves?"
"As with any people, the druids are diverse. There are many tribes with beliefs that conflict. There are even a small few who would harm Camelot if given the chance."
"I've never met any druid with ill intentions. How could such a people have violent tribes?"
Kilgharrah sighed as though he was loath to answer his question. "There are those who are impatient for the freeing of magic. They believe that Emrys protects a tyrant." There was an edge to his tone that belied a mixture of annoyance and anger.
Merlin seemed taken aback. "But... Arthur's no tyrant," he argued. "Ever since he took the throne there has been peace here."
"Yes, but magic is not yet free," countered Kilgharrah. "Many fear that in time he will be as ruthless as his father."
Merlin's eyebrows drew together. "They're wrong," he said as though the dragon was the one who needed convincing. "Arthur is to be the greatest king this land has ever known, or will ever know. I don't been prophecies to tell me that."
The dragon fixed him with a fond smile. "You see in him what I have always seen in you, greatness. If he truly is to discover the good in magic, you must be there to help him."
"Always," answered Merlin with a smile. (1)
Kilgharrah bowed again and took his leave, vanishing quickly into the moonless black sky. Merlin stared after him for a while, the confidence he had shown a moment before disappearing almost as fast as the dragon did. He wandered in slow circles, his mind attempting to draw some manner of solution out of Kilgharrah's words, but there was none to be found. As he feared, the only thing he could do now was wait...
... and be ready.
~ooOoo~
In spite of his sluggish and complaining body, Merlin was up and on his way toward the king and queen's chambers bright and early, and yet still somehow late. He jogged quickly to the kitchen where he was loaded down with the royal breakfast; an assortment of fruit, bread, and cheese that would feed a common family of four for days.
Merlin balanced three trays across his arms as he shuffled as steadily down the hall as he was able. The guard outside the royal chambers nodded to him as he stopped and faced the door. He stood there for a long moment, the precarious platters wavering on his thin limbs. He glanced up at the guard, who seemed to have gone back to closely examining whatever stone on the opposite wall tickled his fancy. Merlin loudly cleared his throat, and the guard looked at him.
"Yes? Did you need something?" he asked innocently.
Merlin wasn't sure if the guard was being cruel, or if he was simply thick, but the weight on his poor arms made it difficult not to snap at him. "Could you... get the door?" he asked.
The guard glanced at the door as though he hadn't seen it there before and shrugged and pushed it open. "S'pose I could," he said quietly.
Merlin entered the room to see a fully dressed Guinevere yanking the curtains away from the windows, spilling bright morning light into the eyes of the King, who remained in bed. The blond promptly grumbled and rolled over, pulling a pillow over his head. Gwen giggled at him and moved toward over to the elaborate vanity that sat to one side of the bed.
"Morning Gwen, " said Merlin, kicking the door closed behind him.
She smiled at him in the mirror. "Good morning, Merlin." She picked up a brush and began to idly brush the long hair that hung down from where it had been partly drawn back and pinned up.
Merlin slid the platters onto the dining table and after taking a moment to shake out his now-aching limbs he began to set the table. He glanced to the queen as though just realizing that she was fully ready for the day. "Good grief, what time was Elde in here this morning?"
"From what I could tell, before dawn. I woke up when the sun rose and she was waiting at the foot of the bed like a lost puppy." She stifled another giggle. "She means well, but if she had her way she would do everything from dressing me to spoon-feeding me."
"Wow... she's like a female George," muttered Merlin.
"Who's George?" asked Guinevere, standing and making her way to the table.
"Oh... uh... no one," said Merlin hurriedly. He headed toward the king's desk, but slowed as he got a look at the state of the sleeping ruler. Arthur lay on top of the blankets, fully clothed save his boots. Merlin pointed at him. "What time did he come to bed last night?" he asked.
Gwen turned sympathetic eyes on her husband. "I don't know. It must've been long after I fell asleep. He didn't wake me up." She looked to Merlin. "Why's he spending so much time in the library?"
Merlin paused and then smiled helplessly. "Sorry, I shouldn't say."
Gwen grinned. "Well, then I won't worry. If you're keeping an eye on it then it'll be fine." She picked out a piece of bread and a bit of cheese as Merlin picked up a scroll from the desk and began looking over the contents. Gwen looked at the king again. "Maybe you could try convincing him to come to bed earlier."
Merlin chuckled. "Believe me, the world would be a very different place if I could convince Arthur of anything." He put the scroll down and began to shuffle through Arthur's wardrobe. Gwen swallowed the last bit of her bread as Merlin pulled out a shirt and a pair of trousers and he watched her sit back down at her vanity. "You're not dining with the king?" he stated more than asked.
Gwen picked up her tiara and smiled. "I'm sitting in for Arthur at a council meeting."
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "You sound almost happy. I was glad to have avoided the one yesterday."
Guinevere began to attempt positioning the tiara on her head, but didn't seem to have much luck getting it to sit straight. "The council members will never respect me if I do nothing but stand at Arthur's side," she said. "If I am to earn their respect and do some good in this kingdom, I must prove that I have a mind of my own." The queen seemed as though she were attempting to convince herself as much as Merlin.
Seeing the queen continue to struggle with the tiara, Merlin walked over and pulled it gently from her hand. "This is what servants are for, Gwen."
"I used to put these on for others all the time. I should be able to put it on myself," she grumbled. It was not lost on Merlin that she failed to say the witch's name.
"Not if Elde had anything to say about it, I'm sure," said Merlin as he positioned the tiara on her head. "There," he announced.
Gwen smiled at her reflection and nodded to Merlin. "Thank you Merl- Hey!" She suddenly stood and rounded on him, attempting to force her lips into a thin line though Merlin could see a smile tugging at them. "I told you not to bow."
He held his hands up defensively. "I didn't!"
"You nodded your head," she argued playfully.
"That's not a bow," countered Merlin
"I believe I asked you not to show deference toward me, Merlin," she groaned. "I'm still Gwen."
"Yes, but now you're Queen Gwen."
Gwen was about to retort when Sir Leon poked his head into the room. "The council is ready for you, My Lady," he said with a smile.
Gwen returned with a smile of her own. "Thank you, Sir Leon."
Merlin motioned to the door as it closed behind the knight. "Oh, so he can call you 'My Lady', but I can't nod my head at you?" he teased.
"He is not my best friend, Merlin," she answered putting a hand on his shoulder.
His heart warmed he smiled as Gwen drew herself up and heaved a sigh. "Good luck, Gwen," he said after a pause.
She nodded at him and turned away, opening the door and motioning to the guards. The sound of their footsteps quickly vanished and Merlin smiled again. A servant becoming a queen on par with the Once and Future King. These truly were extraordinary times. Speaking of whom...
"Up you get!" he cried, walking over to the bed and slamming his hand down on the mattress a few times.
His voice muffled by the pillow, Arthur grumbled, "I'm awake." He moved feebly, but did his best to not remove the pillow from his head. "You have a very grating voice, Merlin, did you know that?"
"Just part of my service to you, Sire," quipped Merlin, grabbing the scroll off the desk again. He opened it and perused it again as Arthur rolled sluggishly out of bed and stalked over to the table. "Well, the new law that needs looking over is first on the list, but Gwen is taking care of that." He grabbed a quill and marked on the parchment.
"What d'you mean, 'she's taking care of that'?" asked Arthur squinting over at the servant, who was enveloped in the cursed morning sunlight streaming in the window.
"She's sitting in for you at the council meeting," answered Merlin.
This seemed to jar the king and he suddenly stood, cramming a piece of bread into his mouth. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier, Merlin?!" he demanded. "I'll not force my wife to sit through one of those boring meetings."
Merlin moved to place a hand on the king's shoulder. "Relax, Arthur. Guinevere has been queen for more than a year now. I'm sure she is very capable of representing your interests." He spun the king around and began marching him back toward the table. "Besides, she seemed excited about it," he said with no small amount of perplexity in his voice.
This also seemed to take Arthur aback. "Oh..." he said as though an opportunity had arisen. He smiled but seemed to attempt to hide it. "That means I don't have to wear that thing." He gestured to the crown which sat on a pedestal near his wardrobe.
It was a little-known fact that Arthur abhorred the headdress that came with royalty. Merlin enjoyed this quirk cause it gave him plenty of opportunity to joke about the size of Arthur's head. But Arthur, when possible, preferred to appear bare-headed. Merlin was surprised to find that Guinevere felt the same way, but for a completely different reason, opting to wear the tiara whenever the situation allowed.
Merlin couldn't help but allow a broad smile to overtake his face as he read further down the list. "Well, while the council is meeting, I imagine you could get some training time in, but after the meeting you are to be the judge of the Junior Jousting group's tournament..."
Merlin looked up and almost choked on air at the mixture of surprise and terror on Arthur's face. "I'm to what?" he demanded.
"Gwen thought it would be a good chance for you to connect with the city's youth." Merlin laughed. "They ride ponies!" he announced as though that should have changed Arthur's entire perspective on the matter.
"Merlin, I am a warrior. I don't know the first thing about children..." He stood and the servant began dressing him. He moved his hands as though he were trying to sculpt clay. "They're just... loud little squishy things that I'm afraid I'll break."
"You don't have to joust against them you know," said Merlin, returning to the closet to fetch his trousers. "You just have to watch them and declare a winner."
"Yeah, but in any other circumstance, I can congratulate a winner by either punching them or tapping a sword to their shoulders." He turned and Merlin fastened his belt around his waist. "I don't think either of them apply here."
"No, but if you like, I will do the dangerous deed of draping the medals over the children's' shoulders." Arthur took a swing at him as Merlin headed back to the desk to fetch the scroll again. "Why do I need to connect with the children anyway? I have trouble understanding full-grown adults much less- Merlin!"
The king took one step toward the breakfast table and whirled around as he heard a loud thud. Merlin was on the floor, hands gripping at his black hair and writhing in apparent agony. Arthur dropped to one knee at his side and grabbed the man's wrists. "Merlin!" When his only response was for the servant to arch his back and let loose a scream of agony, Arthur turned toward the door and yelled, "Guards!"
The door did not immediately burst open, as the guards standing outside the door had left to escort the queen to the meeting. Arthur growled to himself and grabbed one of Merlin's arms, yanking it free from his head and pulling the thin man across his shoulders. He had nearly made it to the door when it finally flew open and the two guards from down the hall appeared with wide eyes.
"Sire, what's happened?" one of them demanded.
Arthur ignored them and hurried down the hall, bending his steps toward the physician's chambers.
1: A bit of a reference to Castle. Love that show.
Whoo... it's all coming out of my head like a waterfall. I feel like my head is vomiting... but in a good way!
If that makes any sense.
Hopefully my inspiration will continue and I'll have another chapter up soon. I have decided that I will post at least once a week. If I get something out sooner then fantastic. But I am aiming for an update a week. See you all soon!