I'm glad the hawking was a hit. :) I really liked that part. For anyone who was wondering what these birds are actually looked like, Colsweart is a black Ferruginous Hawk, Frio Niman is a Rough-Legged Buzzard, and Morven's previous companion, Atglaem, was a red-tailed hawk. These are such magnificent birds the only distraction I have sustained away from this story was to research these guys. So beautiful!
So my writing frenzy continues. I had a little trouble last night after the announcement, but I can't seem to stop today, lol. I am following CaptainOzone's advice and posting these suckers as soon as I finish them. I'm actually near the end of chapter 8. Not sure if I'll post more than one in a day, though. We'll see.
So we're up to the seventh chapter already and I hope you guys are ready because things are about to take off like mad.
Reviewer Responses
flyaway213: Yay! I like it when people run around in my brain-splosions!
Sapphire Wing: I think there would wind up being mass murder if they didn't give us something of a magic reveal. XD But yeah, the part that I want to see is the results, not just the reveal itself.
Mediatrix: Well, here's the thing about the series ending... as a writer I really thing there is a shortage of people who understand the integrity of a plotline. A plotline is something that has a distinct beginning, middle, and end that are planned on from the conception of the idea, even if the stuff in between changes. When you stretch that story beyond the ending, you wind up with tripe. If the writers are the ones that are ending it, I think it means that the story has come to its end and I respect them for drawing a line. Besides! Rumor has it that a trilogy of movies is planned! If the reveal is at the end of season 5, that means the movies will be the results that I so desperately want! :/
Funus Nex: Ohh, they're druids. :3
CaptainOzone: Oooh, was it epic? Sweet! And don't worry. I'm kind of fond of Morven myself. The hawking idea actually came from a friend of mine. Tom is always my go-to dude when my brain is stuck. He's pretty good at giving it a good booting.
DifferentShirley: Oh Frio isn't going anywhere. I love writing for her. She's so crazy. XD
WE-ARE-SHER-LOCKED: Thank ya! :D
1983Sarah: The interaction with Edlyn was actually not originally planned. Merlin originally noticed that Morven didn't seem to recognize him. But when I wrote the scene, Morven and Merlin were never away from Arthur and so even if Morven had recognized him, he wouldn't have said something. I found it to be a good opportunity to introduce her character.
shadow visor: Oh, you'll have to wait and seeeeeeee. :3
Ash9: He does! He's so stressed and sad. I wanna give him a hug... and maybe a kiss... and maybe some other things. I wuv you, Colin! *AHEM* Sorry... Oh and don't think I was depressed. You should see the skype conversation I had with my sister. Lots of choice words. But I felt better after some yelling and some... um... wine. And rant all you like. *shakes fist* We're all in this together!
servant123: I'm glad! :D
I don't own Merlin and here we go!
"AHH! Merlin!"
Merlin leaped out of bed, his feet tangling in the sheets and sending him flat on his face. He scrambled to his feet and down the steps into the Physician's chambers to be met with a face-full of feathers. Frio Niman cooed at him. He had to place his hands on her belly and lift her away from his face to see past her.
Gaius had managed to wedge himself between two shelving units behind his bed, staring wide-eyed at the large bird. After her initial greeting, Frio hopped to the floor and began to look around the room. Merlin rushed to his guardian, helped him away from the wall, and settled him back into his bed.
"Uhh, Gaius, this is Frio Niman. She was the gift that the druids brought for Arthur," said Merlin smiling and motioning to the bird.
Gaius stared at the bird for a moment before looking back to Merlin. "If she's Arthur's bird, what's she doing in my chambers?"
Merlin shrugged. "She seems attached to me for some reason." Not that he really minded. Frio was a beautiful creature.
Gaius shrugged and some of the terror drained from his face. "Well, that makes sense, I suppose." He watched the bird move along the tables with a grace he didn't think a bird her size could posses; as though she were deliberately avoiding upending his work. "Your magic is as natural as it comes. She must be drawn to it like a beacon." He eyed her. She was avoiding making a mess, but his work-area was hardly a place for animals; let alone such a large one.
Merlin's face fell and he pulled a stool up next to Gaius' bed. Frio perked up, her black eyes swiveling to stare at the warlock. She hopped to the floor and scurried over to him before perching herself on his thigh. Merlin noticed that she seemed- once again- to be gentle with the placement of her talons. Like she had the night before, she was careful not to dig them through the fabric of his trousers. Merlin idly rubbed Frio's chest as he spoke. "I need to tell you about something that happened last night Gaius."
Gaius leaned away from Frio, but did his best to focus on Merlin's words. When he looked into Merlin's eyes he was taken aback by the amount of turmoil they held. "What is it?"
"It happened last night when I took Edlyn her draft," Merlin began, his hand moving from Frio's chest to the top of her head. "She didn't recognize me."
Gaius raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Merlin shook his head. "She didn't know who I was. She had to ask me my name, she didn't seem to know I was Emrys."
Gaius' face fell more than Merlin had expected. The warlock had found it strange, but Gaius looked rather disturbed by the idea. After a moment of silence, Merlin tilted his head to look Gaius in the eye. "Gaius? What's wrong?"
Gaius looked up and took Merlin's free hand in his. "Merlin, you must be wary." Merlin raised an eyebrow. "It is said that the followers of Myrddin were punished for turning their backs on the ancient laws. When they turned to dark magic, they were stripped of their true vision. They could no long recognize Emrys, or any other warlock."
The fact that Edlyn had not known him may have made him suspicious, but he couldn't wrap his mind around the concept of evil druids either. "How could they be evil though, Gaius?" he asked, looking down at Frio. "The way Morven handled the birds. Without that gem on his cloak, all I feel from him is... warmth."
"I'm only telling you what I know," said Gaius.
Merlin nodded and stood after a moment, dumping Frio to the ground. She hopped around his feet, now investigating the area around Gaius' bed. The physician did not fail to notice and leaned away from her again. Before Merlin could leave, Gaius grabbed his wrist. "Be careful, Merlin. Peace between Camelot and the druids could be the first step to reaching a land free for magic. The druids could very well defeat those hopes if something goes wrong. Keep an eye on them, but whatever you do, you must do it delicately."
"I don't think talking to the druids is a good idea," blurted Merlin suddenly, pausing in his tidying of Arthur's chambers to stand straight as a post.
Arthur slowly looked over at his servant from where he was relaxing in a bath. It took him a moment to process the comment. "Well that came from nowhere," he mused, deciding to completely ignore the content of Merlin's outburst.
Merlin took a step toward the tub where Arthur was bathing. "I'm serious Arthur. Something isn't right with them."
"The druids and Camelot have a long history, Merlin. Meeting like this isn't overtly comfortable for anyone," answered the king, stretching his arms.
Merlin huffed quietly. This was far from the first time this had happened. How many times had he found himself in possession of information that could prevent an assassination attempt or a plan to overthrow Arthur, but had no way of convincing the king that his concern was valid? Gaius knew not to ignore his intuition, and sometimes Merlin wished he could tell Arthur all if only to convince the man that his instincts were to be listened to.
"Why would the druids suddenly turn up wanting peace? You know as well as I what Uther did to them." As soon as it was out of his mouth, Merlin regretted the statement.
Arthur looked at his servant with eyes filled with anger and barely-hidden pain. Bringing up the man's father was probably not the best idea in this instance, Merlin figured.
"I know exactly what my father did to them, Merlin. The fact that they are even interested in forming an alliance with this kingdom is staggering. I'll not waste this opportunity just because you have a funny feeling," Arthur snapped.
Merlin sighed and turned back to finish straightening the bedclothes. He was well aware of what these talks could mean to Arthur. It was more than simply a step toward the land he dreamed of; this was a chance for him to fulfill a vow he had made on his knees before the spirit of a slain boy. Merlin's thoughts turned to the sight of his king begging for forgiveness and the sincerity of his words.
But no matter how much he wanted this for Arthur, Morven and Edlyn were not here to make peace. Merlin would have to investigate alone (as usual, he groaned).
"And will you get that bird out of here?!" cried Arthur, startling Merlin out of his reverie. The king pointed an accusing finger at the windowsill where Frio was happily perched. She eyed the water and Arthur leaned away from her gaze as though he feared she would try to join him.
Merlin chuckled at the king's reaction and looked to Frio. He certainly didn't know any command to force her to do anything. Perhaps he could ask Morven to take her hunting.
Before his thoughts went any further, Frio had spun in place and dropped out the window.
Arthur smiled and leaned back in the tub, satisfied that his authoritative voice had been the cause of the bird's departure. He soaked in silence as Merlin slowly returned to tidying his master's room. Merlin's mind whirrled. With the handicap of not disrupting the potential peace between the kingdom and the druids, how was Merlin to discover and stop whatever ill they could possibly have planned. But each time he thought of Morven, he couldn't help but remember the fond smile he wore when Colsweart was perched on his arm, or when he spoke of his home.
After a while longer of relaxing, Arthur finally stood from his bath and toweled himself off. He stared at the silent Merlin for a moment and sighed. "You know how I hate your silence, Merlin," he grumbled. Merlin sent a glare at the naked king. "Then again, your prattle is almost as bad." Merlin rolled his eyes and wandered to the bed to help him dress. After a moment, Arthur smirked and asked, "Are you upset that I've yelled at your new friend?"
Merlin couldn't help but smile at that. He shook his head. "No. Your anger is expected; a gift to the king preferring the company of a servant. Must be a bit embarrassing for you." He wasn't soon going to let the king live that down.
Arthur shrugged. "Can't help it if the poor girl's got bad taste."
"She's probably driven away by the air of pompous you have about you," suggested Merlin, waving a hand at the king's face. He was rewarded with a smack across the back of his head.
"You're lucky she prefers stupid and lazy," laughed Arthur. He swung his cape over his shoulders and Merlin latched it in front. After checking himself in the mirror for a moment, he took his sword and belt from Merlin and began to buckle it. "I'll be in council meetings for most of the day as we prepare for the peace talks with the druids and then I am meeting with Morven in the evening so you're at Gaius' disposal once you've polished my armor, sharpened my sword, and laundered my clothes."
Merlin nodded, and to Arthur's surprise offered no complaint about the chores. Arthur seemed to relent and placed a hand on his servant's shoulder. "Your advice has been useful in the past, Merlin. But right now, forming peace with the druids is too important to let anything get in the way of it."
Merlin nodded. "I understand, Sire." He met the king's eyes, and Arthur paused at the sincerity in them. "Be careful, Arthur."
Arthur patted the side of his face and laughed. "Careful?" He turned and began to leave his room. "I assume you mean careful not to fall asleep."
Merlin smiled at the familiarity and headed to finish his assigned chores. He meandered through them, half aware of what he was doing. The activities were so routine that he hardly had to concentrate to do them. It appeared as though Frio had plans to follow him throughout the day, and so before he began the last of his duties, he stopped in his chambers to retrieve the small sack that had carried meat from the day before as well as the hide, lace, and gloves. He got some meat from the kitchens (more like stole some meat, the cook was not pleased to see him), slipped it into the bag, and headed to the armory. Sure enough, Frio suddenly appeared in the window and cooed at him. He smiled at her and she began her ritual of inspecting everything in the room. Merlin hoped the animal had the sense to not cut herself with anything.
He paused in his sharpening of the king's sword. As soon as the thought had entered his mind, Frio backed away from a sword in which she had been examining her reflection.
He set the sword and stone to the side and lowered himself to the floor in front of her as she ruffled her feathers and shook her body. "Can you understand me?" he asked. The bird looked at him and cocked her head to one side. After a moment, she resumed her wandering around the room and Merlin felt suddenly happy that no knights had been around to see him talking to the bird.
Once the sword was adequately sharpened, Merlin headed to Gaius' chambers to fetch the list of herbs he was meant to collect. Frio hobbled along the ground after him, once flying to to perch on his shoulder. Merlin laughed at this. She was large enough that he had to lean his head to one side, and even then she wobbled as her feet were placed far to one side beneath her. She abandoned this effort soon after.
Before he headed for the front gates of the city, he decided to head to the training grounds again, hoping to find Morven there. Instead, he spotted the queen, staring up into the sky. He smiled as he approached her.
"Gwen, what are you doing here?" he asked.
She turned and smiled at him. "I was on my way to the lower towns, and I thought I'd stop by. I was hoping to see some of the birds that the druids brought. I heard about them last night from Arthur."
Merlin turned and motioned to the large animal walking around behind him. "Well, this is Frio Niman."
Guinevere's jaw dropped and Merlin smiled at the way the queen dropped down to sit on her feet, no regard for anyone that might see the wife of the king kneeling on the ground in front of a servant. Frio perked up when Gwen knelt, walking cautiously over to her and examining her with her large black eyes.
"She's gorgeous," whispered Gwen, almost to herself. Merlin nodded. She was that.
After a moment, Frio began to hop around Gwen, examining her from every angle. Merlin handed her the gloves (which sat rather large on her hands), and then a strip of meat. Frio perked up the minute it exited the bag. She scurried around to Gwen's front and cooed at her. Gwen giggled and slowly held it out to the bird, not entirely sure what would happen. As Frio moved, Merlin decided to try something out.
You should be gentle, he thought. It did not feel like speaking to the druids, where his thoughts almost seemed to hitch on something to prove it had been received. Nevertheless, Frio gently pulled the meat from between her fingers and put it on the ground to tear at it, mantling (1) her wings as she ate.
Merlin smiled along with Gwen, but it was hardly for the same reason. In some way, he seemed to be able to communicate with the bird. Gwen stood and handed the glove back to Merlin. She seemed a little jittery, but she was beaming. "Hopefully I can get used to that."
Merlin nodded and as Gwen turned her attention back to Frio- who began to stare at her for more food once she had swallowed the last of her treat- he said, "Haven't seen you the last few days. You been busy?" he asked.
Gwen nodded. "Elde and I have been making a gift for Edlyn. They brought us such a fine present that we thought it proper to make something of our culture for her to take back to her tribe." Deciding she was not getting another slice of meat, Frio began to look around the field and finally launched into the air, beginning a wide sweep of the many training areas that populated the side of the palace.
"Oh?" Despite his trepidation about the two, whenever peace was truly attained between the two parties (because there was not a doubt in Merlin's mind that Arthur could achieve such a thing) Camelot would be well-prepared.
Gwen turned to look in the direction of the lower town. "You probably don't know this, but the craftsmen in the lower town have something of a reputation for creating beautiful bead-work." Merlin had to admit he didn't. Arthur's wardrobe had little call for beading. She motioned to herself. "They crafted several of my dresses... and Morgana's before me." Her voice trailed off sadly at the mention of her former mistress's name. But she perked right back up. "We have decided to give Edlyn a sample of our fine silk and beading. I'm not sure what they have in mind for Morven, but I also know they are sending them home with an impressive example of our crops and metal-workings."
Merlin had to say he was impressed with the extent to which Arthur was going, though not surprised. In the king's mind, he had a lot to make up for. He would not be persuaded by Merlin or anyone else that what Uther had done was not his fault. Showing the druids what the kingdom had available to trade would be a good start.
"I'm sure it will be well-received." Merlin gulped. He could tell that even Gwen noticed his statement had been a little forced. "Have you then been spending time with Edlyn?" He felt mildly guilty; attempting to garner information from Gwen. The queen nodded and squinted to the skies, looking for Frio. "What's she like?"
Gwen looked back to him. "She seems pleasant enough. She's a little difficult to get to know, though."
Merlin tried to ignore the warning bells that sounded in his head. He had to convince himself that each and every possible detractor from the druids' personality was not a signal that they were plotting against the kingdom. "How so?"
Gwen motioned to the air between them. "It's like there is a wall around her. A lot of people have barriers to get past when you first meet them, but she seems to have erected a fortress around herself." She sighed sadly. "I think she is so wounded by this kingdom it was difficult for her to make this journey."
Merlin nodded and began to repeatedly tell his subconscious that it was a perfectly valid explanation.
The servant shuffled his satchel on his shoulder,bade the queen farewell, and headed now to the front gates of the city to head into the woods. He looked to the skies and Frio was following him from above.
As he walked down a path that would take him into the forest, he was almost bowled over by a horse. He heard a gasp as the rider spun the horse around and walked back to the servant. It was Edlyn. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Merlin," she said breathlessly.
Merlin smiled and readjusted his satchel. "No harm done." He opened his mouth to say more, but a sudden screech cut him off. When he saw Frio rapidly descending, he held out his arm and allowed her to land. The bird did not close her wings, leaving them spread, and hunched her head down between them. Her beak was open wide, but no sound came from it. Merlin thought she looked ready to hiss if she had the capability. She shifted from one leg to the other and her black eyes were trained on Edlyn's every move.
"That's odd," muttered Merlin, moving his eyes from the bird to Edlyn. Like in the forest the day before, information was suddenly deposited into his mind. His eyes widened at the sight of the mounted woman.
"Not really," answered Edlyn. "The birds have never been particularly fond of me."
Merlin barely heard her speak. The image was hardly something he saw with his eyes, but it was almost as though he pictured it clearly enough in his mind to change the way he saw her. As though some sort of fire had been lit beneath her, black smoke was coming off the woman in thin waves. She didn't seem to notice anything save the change in Merlin's expression.
"Merlin? Are you alright?" she asked, leaning toward him.
Merlin nodded and backed up a little. "Oh, yes. I'm fine, My Lady."
Edlyn seemed to forget the odd moment and smiled. "I'm hardly a 'Lady' here, Merlin."
Merlin nodded quickly and spat out a farewell before retreating hastily into the forest. Frio calmed down, shuffling on his arm and shaking herself. Once finished, she stood tall on his arm, puffing out her chest and clearly indicating that she figured she deserved a treat for her behavior. After a moment, he relented and handed her a piece of meat.
"I think you just showed me something, Frio," said Merlin, staring back at where Edlyn had disappeared back toward the castle.
Merlin spent the rest of the day wandering about the woods and collecting the herbs on his list. Frio bobbed and weaved through the trees, once dropping down on some sort of small rodent and spending a while eating it. The smoke had been as much of a feeling as an idea. His stomach churned relentlessly and his breath caught in his throat. That same oppressive feeling that had assaulted him in the throne room at their first meeting pushed down on him, but far stronger than it had before.
Whatever Morven was, Merlin's doubts about Edlyn strengthened.
It was well past sundown when Merlin collected his last herb and made his way to Gaius' chambers again. Frio took off to nestle herself on the roof of the stables. Gaius smiled at the full satchel that Merlin presented to him. "Thank you, my boy. I'll need several trips out of you before the winter sets in."
"Sounds like fun," said Merlin sarcastically. He was about to head to his room when the door suddenly burst open. Both occupants jumped as Leon and Percival charged in.
Merlin put a hand to his chest. "Geez, guys," he laughed. "Trying to stop my heart?"
The two knights said nothing and overtook Merlin instantly. Each knight established a powerful grip on one of his arms and turned him back toward the door. Merlin struggled a little, almost convinced this was a joke.
"Leon? What's this about?" he asked. His mind was panicking more and more as he got closer to the door.
"Leon, Percival, what is the meaning of this?" demanded Gaius.
The knights stopped and Leon whipped around to stare at Gaius. "You are not to speak of this to anyone or you will also be thrown in jail, Gaius." Gaius gaped like a fish for a moment, but nodded. He looked to the back of his ward's head as he struggled to free himself from the knight's firm holds.
Finally, Leon spoke directly to the servant. "Merlin, by order of the king, you are under arrest for sorcery."
1: Mantling is what a bird will do when they catch something. They droop their wings down as they eat to hide the food from any other bird that might want to steal their meal.
Sorry for the cliffhanger. Again, I had to split a massive section into two parts.
Review and tell me what you think! See you soon!