I'm back with the next chapter
Once again I own nothing or no one
Here we go
Onward
The air was damp and heavy in the underground cavern every breath echoed around the two people that sat on a flat bolder where a dragon was once chained the sound of dripping water created an ominous backdrop for the two soulmates.
"Arthur, your not going to like this but the only way to prove to Gwen that I'm not a threat is to actually not be one. After Leon and I are Wed I'm going to leave Camelot and rebuild the priesthood
She was correct he did not like hearing that the look of panic and sadness that raced across his features reminded her of waking up right after the dorcha and seeing that same look that said he couldn't lose her.
"Leave? Merlin no. I just got you back you can't leave, your court magi and Leon will be your husband are you just going to run away from him? right after your wedding? you have never been a coward Merlin please don't be one now."
She sighed heavily at her king it still amazed her just how cabbage headed he could be leaving and running were not the same she wasn't sure if he didn't understand or refused to.
"I'm not running prat, I am leaving this is the only way. Gwen and I can not share the same space anymore. I have no idea what happened to the gentle loving girl I once knew who used to hold herself with confidence and wisdom. That Gwen would have never been this frightened insecure queen i witnessed today. When I was Merlin I never made you choose between your father and me and now I won't let you pick between Gwen and myself, she is your love, your wife and Queen where I am just your friend."
Arthur reached out and grabbed her hands and held them like a sick child with a security blanket his sword calloused grip rubbing her soft hand leaving a tingling sensation as her magic reacted to his touch wanting to escape her body and go to it's master.
"No your wrong. You have always been more to me idiot you're a part of me, my soul, my best friend, and now my sister! I love Gwen but I need you. Think of something else your not leaving me again it almost killed me when you died never again. What about Leon? once you marry him he will be your Lord and master why not take it one step further and completely submit to your husband? Gwen will trust you if your under Leon's control she trusts him over even me."
She was shaking her head before he finished the sentence there was no way she could betray the goddess like that. Leon was her husband in the eyes of magic but she was a demigod and would not submit to a mere mortal but the once and future king on the other hand wasn't just a mere mortal was he?
"Or we could always just pretend I was enslaved by you that way Gwen will feel safe and only you and I will know we are just acting."
"So you want me to lie more than I already have to my wife, who is having an issue with trust as it is? Somehow I see this backfiring badly. What if you just respect and submit to my authority like I wanted from the start if only in Gwen's presence?"
"Arthur it's the submission part that I cannot do, my reincarnation into a demi god won't allow me to do so. You and I are meant to be equals I have to leave it's the only way that doesn't hurt Gwen since you won't agree to pretend"
"What about me? I need you"
"Yes but your wife needs you more. It's not like I'm vanishing I'm just going to take my rightful place away from Camelot. The goddess told me I have to rebuild the order once you no longer needed me and looking as us now we have achieved that. You have your Queen, your Knights your people love you, the guardians are almost ready I'm sure Gilli or Alex would be your court magi, the new laws are done we've done it prat our dream is complete."
She held back a laugh as she saw him sit up straight and squared his shoulders he then tilted up his chin in what she secretly called his king prat stance
"No your place is here by my side. Your not leaving i forbid you that's the end of it. We will figure something out with Gwen but your not going anywhere. Your wrong our dream is almost realized the kingdoms are not yet all under one banner and you have yet to unite the magical half fully so nice try but we're not done you cannot leave yet."
"You never learn Arthur When have I ever followed orders?"
"Merlin might not have but Emrys does. Remember your mine for as long as needed in any way I need you. Right now with Leon hurt and Gwen angry I need you more than ever, please don't leave me old friend please"
She knew that speech when they were dancing would come back to haunt her and she loved him too much to hurt him like this.
"Fine you win prat and I will agree to temporarily enslavement but only to you. Not Gwen. Not Leon. You. Notice the word temporarily it will be something that can be removed afterwards. I am your equal this will just be until we can fix Gwen."
"Deal umm how exactly do we go about it my father had…"
"No! No nothing from your father's age. Arthur his enslavement and treatment of magical people were painful, cruel and inhumane no I'll make something but just being your slave is not going to cut it. If we're going to do this without pissing off the goddess it has to be for a good reason or hard lesson. My idea is we show Gwen the other extreme, making what were doing now all three of us ruling together the lesser of two evils."
He frowned at her and tilted his head attempting to grasp her train of thought with no knowledge clicking in his eyes she had to explain.
"Go with me on this, I become your slave and you go back to being a prat but more like your father was. You need to be an evil, cruel version of yourself to everyone but Gwen and the people, disregard the past ten years and be shallow, prideful and entitled. Hopefully the Gwen we both know and love will be more frightened of you changing then insecure that she will remember who she was and what she stood for. Do you think that would work?"
"Actually yes I think it will. You and I, we both understand about absolute power and corruption we have both lived with power our entire lives Gwen has never learned that lesson. Seeing me power mad and you helpless just might make her see what it takes to be a ruler and how wrong she is thinking she is above you. Are you sure this won't make the goddess mad Merlin? I don't want to lose you or have a goddess hating me that would be very very bad."
She smiled as his words filled her with warmth, this is what she craved from him in her past life the concerned person who sees her true worth.
"No it will be fine if anything I feel approval from the weave so go tell my mom and Gaius then spend the rest of the day with Gwen. I'll make something to bind me to you and see you first thing in the morning. Just tell no one but us four, Leon, Gwen and the Knights they all have to believe your changing for this to work."
"So tomorrow I just wake up an evil version of me?"
"No I'll wake you both up, hand you my enslavement in front of Gwen then over the run of the day just get more and more power mad, mind you only do so to the court please don't be a prat to the people they had enough of that from your father. Since you don't want to lie to your wife the binding will be real, my free will no longer existing your orders will be my only thought. I will not be able to help you with this plot just please don't make me use my magic for anything bad. Everyone is gonna be questioning you and knowing our friends trying to figure out what's wrong and fix it, just try to treat them like your father did hopefully it won't take any longer than a few days for Gwen to put a stop to it."
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Gilli walked head held high into the noble wing of the castle heading towards the royal chambers armed with the truth that would protect the kingdom from yet another corrupted magic user. He knew he was about to accuse himself as well as he did try to draw Sir Leon into a trap last week himself but it was just to keep him away from Emrys not harm him in any way, if this led to his banishment, then so be it. After turning the corner he saw the king hurry towards his chambers Gilli quickly ran up to him before he was left behind.
"Sire, sire please wait I need a word with you, please it's about Sir Leon."
Saying the Knights name appeared to work the king stopped and quickly turned to face the warlock hands crossed over his chest the sky blue eyes gazing into his soul.
"Sir Gilli, what's going on? what have you learned?"
"Sire I am sorry please know I am not lying to you I never will the man who Emrys killed was paid to be an assassin by the sorcerer Dredreu. The queen was never the target Sir Leon was."
"How did you come by this information?
"Sire, everything it's kinda my fault. I desire Emrys for myself I'm aware it could never be. In full disclosure a few weeks ago I attempted to abduct Sir Leon myself, not to harm him but to get him away from Emrys but I failed but last week. Dredreu and I were at the tavern I was drunk and rambling about how Sir Leon did not deserve her and Dredreu joked about how if someone killed Sir Leon Emrys would be free to run away with me. Sire please believe me I told him I did not want that and the subject was dropped I never imagined that he would act upon my drunken ramblings we don't even like each other that much."
"You do realize Gilli that so far you have confessed to plotting against the Crown and giving no motive to your partner?"
Arthur stated eyebrow raised as if to point out just how stupid he was being. Hands now on his hips looking like a parent impatiently waiting for a notty child.
"No i know sire allow me to finish, I am aware of my part in this and am prepared to face your judgement but Dredru's intentions are to remove Emrys from Camelot by any means necessary he feels she usurped his place as your court magi and he used my drunk rambling as a plot to do so without harming her and using me as a scapegoat. If your going to punish me I welcome it but please I fear for both Emrys and yourself if you allow him another chance he really can't be trusted sire."
"I see, the guardians were all tested and chosen by the soul orbs, I conducted the interview process myself if what you say is true Dredru's intentions would have showed correct?"
"Pardon my question my Lord but how skilled are you at reading soul orbs truly? Dredru's intentions are for the betterment of Camelot but it's his view of Camelot not yours, would your skill in reading orbs be able to tell the difference?"
The king tilted his head thinking back to Dredru's orb during testing. He recalls that it was clear and strong the gold streak was darker but that was because he was a sorcerer right? The next image flashed to the throne room when Emrys was holding a tarnished gold ball of magic in her hand as she cooed and pet it until it sparkled clear and pure. Gilli was correct! Dredru's gold was dirty and tarnished. Shaking his head to clear the images he once again looked at the Warlock stand at his side waiting for his punishment.
"Show me, Gilli show me your orb right now."
The king pleaded needing to see the loyalty of this man begging for his trust. Without any hesitation Gilli waved his hand Arthur, still amazed that magic can be cast without words, and the dark yellow orb floated gently bathing the hallway is a soft light the clear gold ribbons twisting through the yellow like fish in a stream sparkling in the moonlight transparent. All thoughts of punishment fled from Arthur's mind this was a man he could trust.
"Gilli thank you for bringing this to my attention you are to be confined to one of the non magic cells until I personally release you. This is your punishment I am aware that you could easily escape if you are as loyal as you appear I expect you to abide by the punishment, your cell will be guarded but you will not be harmed now go you have given me much to think on this night."
"Yes sire thank you sire in will awate your arrival in the cell."
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The next morning arrived too quickly for Arthur after worshiping his wife most of the night and the information contained in his head from Gilli yesterday he had hardly slept but at least his Queen had forgiven him now he had to act like his Father and do something about Dredreu. He chose to lie there holding his wife running his hand slowly over her entire body waking her up pleasure shooting through her as his fingers explored her inner core.
"Good morning my love it's a new day I got a surprise for you."
"Is that surprise digging into my hip on are you going to add another finger?"
"No no something okay not better but it's something you want."
He withdrew his fingers from between her legs rolled out of bed and washed up in the basin left on the nightstand before dressing in his sleep clothes thrown on the floor last night.
"I did it just for you so up you get it will be here in a minute."
"Very well husband pass me my robe please."
Both were covered just in time when Emrys knocked on the door and let herself in,her feet shuffling across the floor. The site of Merlin so upset, looking like she had no sleep in weeks eyes red made Arthur want to call it off before it started but a glance at his wife seeing her angry eyes and frown across her beautiful face he knew this was what had to be done. Now what would his father do if he was in this moment?
"Emrys! How dare you enter my chambers without knocking you better have produced the required item or you will find yourself joining Gilli in a cell."
She raised an eyebrow at Gilli being in a cell without her knowledge but had to let the question pass. She looked her soulmate in the eyes and flinched Arthur's eyes should never look that that he looked so much like his father in that moment.
"Sorry Arthur yes I have it, I was up all night but it works so you only.."
Arthur stomped over to the mage and slapped her across the face splitting her lip causing her balance to falter as she fought to keep her feet, looking into those dark eyes hoping she could see his apologies he continued to play his part.
"Insolence! You will address me properly or I will remove your tongue now give me the item."
"Yes my king, sorry it's right here."
In Merlin's palm was a ring it's thick band reminding him more of a shackle it appeared to be made of copper or tin and engraved on it was a simple image of a bird with broken Wings he felt sad just looking at it if he had to guess the bird was a Merlin leave it to the idiot to make something only the two of them would understand.
"Is this it? If your hiding something from me I will not be pleased, surely this little shackle cannot possibly contain you fully now give me the real restraints before I order a prye lit just for you."
He hid the flinch he felt when he saw her full body shiver and tears gathering in her eyes how could his father live like this did he get off on fear?
She shivered at the threat of her biggest fear by the goddess he was too good at channeling his father she lowered her eyes so he would be spared the sight of her tears.
"No, I'm not if you would let me finish I have the matching pieces around my arms."
She pulled up the sleeves of her plain brown dress the revel to matching bands identical to the ring wrapped around her forearms and continued explaining.
"They and linked but please as your adviser I beg of you not to do this I'll leave Camelot you don't need to do this Merlin would be so dis…"
"Silence! Don't you dare bring him into this he should be my court magi not some useless woman. You and everyone else need to learn their place I am the highest authority in the land not you. My beautiful wife was right we rule here no one else."
Turning away from the mage he smiled lovingly at his wife taking in the slight horror in her eyes made his smile more real this plan will work.
"This is my gift to you Gwen, with this ring Emrys will no longer be a threat to you or anyone else you are the only queen Camelot needs only one I need."
Arthur took the ring and looked at his soulmate one last time God it was killing him having to hurt her like this with sad eyes only Merlin would see he slipped on the ring and watched the light leave those dark eyes she reacted like a puppet on strings her face fell blank and she stood there hunched forward empty.
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Gwen was stunned. She tried pinching herself to make sure she was awake because only in her worst nightmare would her wonderful Arthur hit someone and start sounding so much like his hateful father. But no she was awake dressed only in a robe watching her love enslave Emrys with a simple ring.
Her eyes never left the mage, at first she felt the overwhelming fear and mistrust when she entered their bedchamber unannounced like she had the right to be there but then she tried to talk him down, reason with him, ever begged to leave and was beaten down for it for just trying to do her job. Watching life leave Emrys, her face emptied of all thoughts and emotions Gwen Suddenly felt very Ill and when her husband turned to her so full of love so proud of his Gift she had never felt more ashamed this was all her fault.
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Emrys was tired she walked to the royal chambers the small ring in her hand was heavy and the identical bands wrapped around her arms rubbed her skin raw. She crafted them out of tin instead of the iron Uther would have used so the icey burning was not present but what linked the two together was the Merlin with broken wings carved into them by a dagger covered in her own blood. Thankfully they did not suppress her magic the enchantment was targeted to her mind no magic. The moment Arthur put on the ring she would no longer have free will. She prayed for guidance last night and the goddess gave her blessing to teach the once and future queen a much needed lesson therefore helping her destiny.
She arrived at her destination knocked once and entered the room, if it was her last time having free will she was gonna do it right she kept her head down not wanting to risk giving away their plan but she could feel Arthur's sadness and Gwen's frustrations time to get this done.
She was expecting the yelling but hearing Uther's words come out of Arthur mouth made her shiver, what she wasn't expecting was the slap she was about to protest but looking into his sky blue tear filled eyes she lowered her head and kept playing along this was killing him as much as it was her. Once he took the ring she glanced up at her king one more time and saw everything he was not saying then all she felt was empty.
There done
Sorry for the long wait just real-life has a way of messing with us
Family illness and things happen to us all but I'm back now and I'll try to update every few months
Thank you to everyone still reading