Destiny Begins
by Milui Elenath
Chapter Eleven
Merlin halted in front of the remnant forest that he and Morgana had travelled to. They had done a lot of debating – sometimes shouting – about when and what to do with their time travel spell in the last few days but the one thing they had agreed upon easily was that the time spell must be done upon the grounds that had once been Camelot.
Neither of them had found it easy to discuss the past, old feelings still flared and pained and there was the pertinent matter of trust. Whatever trust lay between them in the here and now could not compare to the trust they would have to put in one another in the past. In their modern lives there was little at risk but when they returned to Camelot, where so much of themselves was still tethered, so many loved ones, memories and events, it would be a great temptation to sway things more drastically in favour of his or her self. Merlin had already acknowledged that his first thoughts had been to kill Mordred but other equally dark thoughts had whispered to him since. Two things made him ignore them, his sense of right and wrong and his fear that any changes he made might make things worse!
Even the plan they agreed upon had risks, both of them would have opportunities to betray each other and even if they managed to do all they intended, the future was not guaranteed. There was every chance one or both of their younger selves would take some other unfortunate path or that other forces would shape things.
Merlin suspected Morgana knew this as well but they had not spoken of it. They talked only of what they might say and do to change things and of what was needed to do the spell.
Now they were here, ready. They need only enter the forest that had once been Camelot's but they both stood staring into it as if they might catch a glimpse of the future . . . or the past.
"You hid Camelot in here?" Morgana broke the silence, whispering incredulously.
The forest before them was deceptively small but not hidden at all from the public.
Merlin shrugged. "After what happened to Camelot in the past I had to do something to protect it from further ruin. I was worried some sorcerers might overcome any spell I used to hide it. Shrinking it was all I could think of at the time. . . and it was not long before I found myself wandering in Caledonia." He let the words hang heavy with meaning. Morgana understood his past. She knew that he had wandered as Myrddin the wilt, mad with grief and despair. He had lacked reason for quite some time.
"It wasn't a criticism Merlin, just surprise," Morgana was gentle in tone.
"I know," he said. Despite the tumultuous few days, they seemed to have found a way to stop reacting so instantly to one another.
Merlin continued to gaze at the trees ahead. "I haven't had the heart to return," he confessed to Morgana. "I didn't see the need. I always believed that Arthur would return from the lake of Avalon, even when it disappeared."
At the mention of the lake, Morgana looked uneasy.
Merlin faced her. "Aithusa mentioned you made a deal with the Sidhe."
Morgana's expression became haunted. "Yes. . . I agreed to their terms."
"Which were?" Merlin hadn't meant to ask, to pry into something that might be very unpleasant but some instinct told him he should.
"Nothing that matters now or ever will," Morgana said firmly.
Merlin got the impression she didn't quite believe it. It was understandable, deals done with Sidhe once often left a human open to more dealings with them even when said exchange had been completed. "You must have been glad when the lake disappeared."
Morgana shook her head, "not really."
"No?" Merlin responded.
"The Sidhe knew it was coming," Morgana said. "They told me that this world and their magic would not remain connected as they had. Perhaps they understood that magic was pouring itself into us. I don't know. Their concept of things, of time and magic is strange and dissimilar to ours but even when the lake disappeared I understood they were not beyond reach or rather I was not beyond theirs."
Merlin frowned deeply. "You did fulfil your end of the bargain didn't you?"
"I was unable to," Morgana's mouth twisted into a smile, "serves them right. They didn't keep up their end entirely either." At Merlin's questioning expression she added, "to heal me."
Merlin did not press further, the Sidhe were unimportant right now and the past was about to change things anyway. His curiosity and concern were likely attempts by some part of him to put off entering this woodland, he told himself. He remained immobile, staring at the woodland silently and realised that Morgana, beside him, had not prompted him to get on with it.
This was a significant moment, a beginning, an ending, a change of destiny. If all went well some version of him, some version of Morgana would never know the pain and suffering that they'd endured but he, this Merlin and this Morgana, they would no longer exist. It was strange to contemplate and until now Merlin had chosen not to. Arthur had always been his priority, he'd always been willing to give his life for Arthur's sake and this was his opportunity to do it again. Now, now was the time to finally fulfil that promise.
Merlin took a deep breath and entered the forest with Morgana following. The trees had grown, propagated, died, and changed but he knew these woods. The woods of Camelot, the very air overwhelmed him with memory. Tears pricked his eyes and he blinked them hastily away. They had a task ahead of them and soon these woods would be not just the woods of his memory but of the woods of the true real past.
Morgana was also quiet, lost in her own reveries but her hand had reached out to his and somehow their fingers had entwined.
Together they walked until Merlin found the right place. He had shrunk the castle, forbid the forest to encroach upon it and allowed only a single hawthorn to encompass the space. Finally, he had placed a protection spell upon the surrounding woods. A curse had fallen upon anyone who disturbed this place. Despite his fears, no sorcerer had undone any one of his charms.
Merlin took off his pack and Morgana did likewise and they wordlessly set up the area for their spell. There were no candles or symbols drawn into the ground, only a fire that Merlin laid with a nearby pot and some ingredients and two cups that Morgana was working with.
"It's time Merlin," Morgana said.
Merlin gave a nod. His eyes focused on the hawthorn. "Fyrhþ, ic i āhebbe wyrgþu, þyrnet þu you brīest, cynedóm onhlídest geséðung grīetu. Camelot forsċiepest!"
Before them, Camelot appeared as if it grew from the very ground, great towering stones and chiselled gargoyles that had once terrorised the city under Cornelius Sigan's command but it was not the majestic fortress it had been in Arthur's day. Towers were broken or missing in one quarter, the outer walls lay in a crumpled heap as if they were giant stone tears shed and pooling upon the courtyard. Windows were bereft of their glass and there was silence.
Morgana gasped reminding Merlin that she had not seen it come to ruin. Her feelings for it he did not guess. He was preoccupied with his own, the guilt of not preventing Camelot's downfall. He had always wondered if he'd done enough. Had he held back, subconsciously hoping that Arthur would return if he allowed things to just get that little bit worse? Merlin was never sure. He only knew that when the walls of Camelot fell and Guinevere breathed her last that he had begun to doubt everything all the more. If Arthur had not returned to save Gwen or Camelot then when would he? The thought of waiting long decades had overwhelmed him – he had not known then that centuries lay ahead. It was just as well for it had been enough disappointment to send his thoughts into chaos. He'd felt he'd failed Arthur again. He began to wonder what Camelot and Albion were, what were they without the people in them that were now gone? He'd wondered if anything, in the end, mattered at all. Merlin's head had swam with questions, with doubts, with grief and disillusionment. His thoughts faltered and raced in a frenzied disorganised manner. He had always feared returning to Camelot would trigger the same response but it did not. There was hope this time.
Merlin glanced at Morgana to see if she was ready to take the next step, he was surprised to see her eyes swimming with tears. They shared a look and he suddenly knew that he could trust her, not just now but with all they had to do. Now was the time to set things right. He pulled the vial that contained the dragon tears from his jacket and gave them to her.
Solemnly she poured them into the pot that contained the potion before decanting it into the two glasses. She nodded at Merlin, and together they recited the spell, once, twice, five times. Their eyes illuminated with magic, they drank the potion and the world around them changed.
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Merlin stared awestruck at the castle before him, wholly intact. Somehow he'd forgotten how it shone in the sunlight. He'd never really admired it as he did now. Even when he first arrived it had been less about the structure and more about the possibilities within it. Time had changed his perspective little in that regard but he did take a moment to acknowledge that he and Morgana had done it. They had arrived.
"We better hurry," Morgana urged. Her face was serious, intent on her objectives. Their objectives . . . he hoped.
He nodded and transformed himself into an old man and Morgana aged herself. They did not want to be mistaken for their younger selves by anyone in Camelot. It would not do to disrupt the timeline in that fashion . . . although they had considered it. They did not expect to meet anyone, that was supposing they had arrived at the right time and place.
They moved forward cautiously and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the square strewn with unconscious guards and knights.
"It worked," Merlin confirmed.
"Yes," Morgana said, "there are no second chances Merlin. Remember the rules, only the truth, only one person, only one event. Don't be tempted to change anything else."
"I know," Merlin nodded.
"See you in the servant's quarters . . . maybe," Morgana gave a weak smile.
Merlin was confused and alarmed, "what do you mean maybe?"
Morgana rolled her eyes at him, "in case we disappear immediately," she explained indignantly.
"Oh right," Merlin ducked his head. He'd thought Morgana was making some threat to not fulfil her end of the bargain. Where had the confidence gone that he'd had mere moments ago?
"You can trust me, Merlin," Morgana took his hand and looked at him squarely.
How the tables had turned. "I know," he said and tried to mean it.
He was sure she saw through him but she gave his hand a final squeeze, "see you in the servant's quarters," she reiterated firmly. She did not wait and walked determinedly across the square.
Merlin walked towards Camelot's entrance, up the stairs that served the courtyard and into the main keep. It was all so familiar even after a thousand years. He soaked it in. If these were his final moments it was worth it.
He wound his way towards the physician's chambers. He would lay in wait there for what he must do. Merlin halted as he came to the familiar wooden door. He placed his hand upon it feeling the texture of the wood, the weight it carried, then, his hand reached for the handle and pushed. Merlin could smell it, a mixture of herbs and paper.
He was home.
His eyes swept the chamber until they fell upon Gaius. He was sleeping upon the stretcher where his younger self had put him after destroying his chair. Merlin was unprepared for the grief that overwhelmed him. He came forward and achingly stared at Gaius. To see his old friend's face, to be able to be in the same place as the man he'd thought of as a second father was incredible and yet he could not speak with him, could not hear his voice, could not tell him of all the woes that had befallen him or revel in a reunion nor feel the comfort of Gaius arms around him. It was torturous. Tears ran down his face and he did not halt them but Merlin reminded himself that he would have this reunion and so much more . . . if he did things right. He must hurry to conceal himself.
Merlin composed himself, going over and over in his mind what he would do, what he would say. Would it be enough? It had to be.
Finally, the door opened. His younger self walked in looking agitated. The youth bustled about grabbing provisions, stuffing things he thought he would need in a bag. Ancient Merlin watched, holding himself back from intervening - not yet, not yet, he told himself. The youth halted, glanced at the apothecary shelf – it was almost time - and finally stalked towards it, he reached for the hemlock. The young fool barely hesitated and snatched it up with such decisiveness and arrogance that Merlin felt suddenly incensed. He stepped from the shadows, old and menacing.
"So that's it is it?" Merlin demanded, "you're going to give up on finding any other solution."
The youth turned startled and the hemlock slipped from his hands and shattered upon the floor.
The two sorcerers stared at it for a moment together. His past self looked dismayed but Merlin broke into a satisfied leer as the liquid ran into a particularly large crack in the flagstones and disappeared. So, clumsiness could, after all, be a virtue.
"Who are you?" the youth said defensively.
The young warlock's arms were at his side but Merlin knew that his former self was prepared to act if he needed to. Merlin did not want that, they had no time for it. "I am someone who has come to warn you that your actions are risking your destiny and that of Arthur and Camelot."
The young Merlin looked alarmed. "What do you know of my destiny? Are you with Morgause?"
Old Merlin huffed, "With Morgause? Hardly. As to your destiny, I know everything you know. I know that you are the greatest sorcerer to ever live, I know that it is your destiny to protect Arthur and bring about Albion and I know that if you go on as you're about to you will never fulfil it!"
"What do you mean?" the youth worried. There was fear in his eyes but he lifted his chin.
"Look at you, so unaware," old Merlin shook his head disgustedly. "You are so consumed with protecting Arthur's destiny at any cost but did it occur to you that these actions you are taking will be part of that legacy?" The expression on the youth's face said it hadn't. "Do you think that is what Arthur would want? Morgana murdered?" Old Merlin drove the point home.
The youth was taken aback by having his plans laid before him. "How do you know that? Who are you?"
Old Merlin snorted, "answer me and I'll answer you." It pleased Merlin to make the pun but it was lost on his younger version.
"I didn't want to. You said it yourself I have to protect Arthur. It's my destiny."
Old Merlin shook his head and curled his lips. "You think you are protecting Arthur and Albion but in reality, you are undermining everything you want him to stand for! Poisoning Morgana is not the answer. She has killed no one and she is not aware that she is the source of this spell."
The youth paled. "She doesn't know?"
"She does not." Merlin could see that his revelations had some impact. Young Merlin was looking quite ill. He took pity. "She may have an inkling that there is a spell at work. Some part of her might be aware that this is Morgause's doing but you can't kill her for it – not even to stop this spell."
"Then what I am to do? I can't let Morgause take Camelot she will surely kill Uther and even supposing that she doesn't kill Arthur, he will want to revenge his father. Morgause has already proven herself against him before and Arthur will die trying."
"You must listen to me, Merlin!" Old Merlin thought he heard something of Gaius' tone in his command. "Arthur's life depends on you and on this; you must ensure that Morgana remains loyal to Arthur and to Camelot. If you don't then you will fail Albion, it will never be all that it can be. Do you understand?"
Merlin nodded. "You still haven't told me who you are."
"I did,"
"No, you didn't."
"Did," old Merlin said stubbornly.
"I haven't got time for this," young Merlin went for his things.
"You won't like the answer," warned old Merlin, "I come from the future."
The youth turned with an incredulous look on his face. There was a narrowing of his eyes suggesting he was about to give an angry outburst at being mocked but the expression faded as he watched old Merlin transform.
"There's more I'd like to tell you," said old Merlin kindly (who looked young) "but I can't. The spell I used to come back is difficult and powerful but important. I had to change things. You have to keep Morgana on Arthur's side." Old Merlin found his voice and tone had changed. He was more earnest and serious in his younger form, less sarcastic and curmudgeonly.
His younger self was shaking his head. "This is a spell."
"Yes but I'm not an imposter." Old Merlin had expected this. "I know that Arthur loves Guinevere and that you were going to run away with Freya and . . . that you killed Nimue."
The younger sorcerer took this in his expression deeply concerned. "What is my mother's name?" He hedged.
"Hunith."
"The worst thing you've ever tasted?"
"To this day both versions of the troll potion."
The youth scratched at his ear. "Glad to hear I won't be putting anything worse in my mouth."
They both grinned at each other a moment before the youth returned to looking uncomfortable. Old Merlin didn't wonder that he still found it confronting to see another version of himself. "I will tell you what comes next," old Merlin hoped that he spoke true. Morgana need only keep up her end of the bargain.
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Morgana waited in a darkened corner of the castles foyer, she had removed her aging spell, she wouldn't be needing it further. From where she stood she could see the square of the castle. She tried to stop herself from trembling, she wasn't at all sure her powers of persuasion were going to be enough to do what needed to be done.
Morgana thought her heart was beating fast with anxiety until her eyes landed upon Morgause. There was her sister, alive well, clad in armour, so strong and determined. So confident. Morgana had never felt she'd lived up to her but now was the time to prove herself worthy.
"Morgause!" Morgana called as the blonde sorceress almost passed her by.
Morgause halted and the knights of Mehdir at her command stopped also.
"Morgana," Morgause greeted, unsurprised to see the woman she thought was the source of her spell.
Morgana felt tears falling down her face at the sound of her sister's voice. She rushed to her and threw her arms around her in an embrace. "It is so good to see you sister, so very, very good."
Morgana tried to collect herself as she pulled herself back, she would need her faculties.
Morgause was wrinkling her brow delicately, no doubt confused as to why such affection was being shown. In this timeline, they did not yet know one another well. "Sister?" Morgause began tentatively. "Can it be that you have learnt of our bloodties?"
"I have," Morgana said, "but the Morgana of your time has not." Seeing the questioning look on Morgause's face she hurried on. "I will explain but I must also ask you not to harm anyone in Camelot – even Uther."
Morgause pulled back and her sword came forward. "This is a trick."
"No Morgause, this is no spell of deceit." Morgana held out her hands in disarmament. "You know that no sorcerer is safe in Uther's kingdom, there is none that stand against you for ill. I am your sister, truly your sister but I have used a spell to come back in time to prevent the events of today."
Morgause was listening but a frown was still upon her face.
Morgana lifted her arm slightly. "You see upon my wrist the healing bracelet that you gave me that belonged to our mother. You feel the bond between us, in your heart you know it is me." Morgana stared at Morgause, willing her to feel it.
Morgause cautiously ran her eyes over the bracelet and allowed herself to consider the possibility. "A time spell?"
"Yes," Morgana replied simply.
"That is a great power," the blonde sorcerer's eyes sparkled with interest.
"It was not done easily nor without great purpose, purpose that matters to you and to me," Morgana spoke firmly. She knew Morgause would respect such a tone. "Morgause, you can not kill Uther and make an enemy of Arthur. You must remain an ally to Arthur and see that he takes the throne."
"And why should I do that sister?" Morgause asked.
Morgana felt the distress rising in her. "Because great suffering will follow if you do not. Many deaths including your own."
Morgause pursed her lips but she did not hesitate long to respond. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I'm going to trust you with myself," Morgana announced. "Your sleeping spell has done its job but your goal must not be Uther but Morgana. She cannot stay in this kingdom while Uther is King. You know that she is not safe here, she knows it too. Every day is a risk, every day she must face the prospect that if she were discovered not a soul would defend her. It is destroying her." Morgana's voice was thick with memory but she swallowed hard. "You must take her from here. Teach her to use her magic so that when the time is right you both can return and join with Arthur for a Kingdom of peace for all."
"Join with Arthur Pendragon?" Morgause was incredulous. She shook her head. "I see it in your eyes sister, you do not believe the words you speak."
Morgana shifted her eyes from her sister. She could not have lied to Morgause even if the timespell allowed it. "I do not disbelieve the words. Such a thing did not come about in my time but in yours, it may. Morgause, you must do this." Morgana came forward taking her sister's hands and implored her with every part of her soul.
Morgause was moved by her, she could tell. "Suppose I take your other self from here and I teach her. How will we know when this time is right to return? Can you tell me how many months or years we will wait, how many of our kind will die at Uther's hands that might be spared should he die today?"
"You will not succeed Morgause." Morgana snapped, speaking plainly. It was the truth because one way or another Merlin, one or both of them, would foil Morgause. Morgana couldn't begin to wonder what that might do to the timeline or even to the timespell.
Morgause raised her brows at the outburst.
Morgana softened her tone. "There are others working for good ends Morgause. Do not work against them."
Morgause stared hard into Morgana's eyes. "You caution me. You are frightened sister."
"Yes."
"Even with your great power?"
"Yes."
Morgause weighed Morgana's words, her actions, her very tone and finally she gave a nod. "I will do as you ask . . . for now."
Morgana breathed out and a small but satisfied smile crept onto her face. "There is a little more I must say," she paused, "and something else you must know about Arthur's servant."
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Merlin watched the youth depart Gaius' chambers. Had he got through to the young man about the importance of keeping Morgana on his side? He hoped so.
Merlin waited a few moments before he exited. He and Morgana had planned to sneak into the room before the others got there, to see for themselves the final change of events before they disappeared.
He would have to hurry to beat Arthur and his younger self to the room. He hope Morgana likewise knew the risks of running into anyone other than Morgause.
He got to the room and heard a noise not much further down the corridor. It seemed he was just in time. He slipped in, making towards a floor-length tapestry that had behind it a groove large enough to hide in. Morgana was not there. His heart plummeted. Had she failed to convince Morgause? Had she betrayed him? If she had was there something he could do, here and now without destroying the timespell?
The sound of the door scraping across the cobbled floor gave him a moment's hope that she was merely late in joining him but no it was his younger self, younger Morgana dragging an unconscious Uther and Arthur would be following. Merlin managed enough willpower to withdraw into the crevice, preventing himself from being seen but also denying himself the sight of Arthur. He heard the three plonk the tyrant king upon the bed.
"He should be safe in here for a while."
Merlin felt shaken to his core to hear Arthur's voice. How he longed to reveal himself, to catch one small glimpse of his dear friend. It was taking so much to simply keep his knees locked in place. His ear strained and he could hear the laboured breathing of the two youths under the effects of the sleeping spell. He waited to see if his younger self would do what he had told him to.
"Arthur, here, have some water it will help revive you."
"I'm feeling fine," Arthur spoke.
"You don't look it," the young Merlin argued.
Arthur still refused. Stubborn idiot. He never was very cooperative.
Merlin wondered what his counterpart would do.
He heard his younger self direct Morgana to the window to check what she could see and then old Merlin felt the use of magic and a slight thump.
The younger Morgana gasped, "Arthur! He's fallen asleep. Oh Merlin I think I've done something terrible. I didn't realise –."
"It's alright," young Merlin broke in. "I know you didn't realise what Morgause had done."
"Morgause? Done? What do you mean?" The lady Morgana's voice was distressed.
"You're the source of the spell Morgana."
"Oh no," she responded sincerely, "I thought it was a dream, I thought . . . but Uther he deserves anything that comes to him." Morgana's voice was suddenly weary.
Merlin cut in again. "Uther can't harm you, Morgana, not anymore. Morgause is coming for you. She's going to take you from Camelot and teach you how to control your magic."
"How do you know this, Merlin?"
There was something in Morgana's tone that made the hairs on the back of old Merlin's neck stand on end. Young Morgana had suspicions and they were heading towards a revelation that Merlin had magic. Old Merlin had not considered Morgana finding out the truth here and now about his powers, nor given much thought as to when she would. That had been for the past to work out, he'd thought, or the future as it were now. He did not think it was prudent to trust her just yet nor for Morgause to find out either but it was out of his hands.
"I'm not working with Morgause if that's what you think," young Merlin responded.
"I didn't," Morgana said thrown off by the servant's sudden irritation.
"You told me once," Merlin began, "that you hoped someday people would see magic for good. Other people in the kingdom want this too and they think Arthur will not only come to see this but bring about a kingdom that is fair for all and they think you can help him do that but not yet. Arthur's not ready. That's why you have to go now. You can't stay here, it's not safe for you."
"These others want me to go?" Morgana sounded surprised.
"For now."
There was silence and old Merlin only hoped that the lady Morgana was nodding or thinking it over.
The door moved again. Old Merlin heard scuffling and his younger self cautioning someone. "Don't come any closer. I won't let you harm anyone. I promise you."
"Ah, you must be the servant I've heard of," Morgause's tone was assessing.
Old Merlin didn't like it. What exactly had Morgause heard? Had Morgana revealed his powers to her?
"I don't know what you've heard," young merlin said with clear discomfit, "but I'm just a servant."
"Hmm, one threatening a high priestess," Morgause pointed out regally, "but I have heard that you are a friend to the lady Morgana. I hope I am not deceived."
"Yes," Merlin responded, "that is I am her friend, always."
"As am I," Morgause said, "that is why I'm going to ask her to come with me. Would you like to leave here Morgana, leave Uther and Camelot and be among kin?"
"Yes," Morgana said, "I would like that."
"Then that's what we will do," Morgause sounded pleased.
"What about the sleeping spell," young Merlin broke in.
"It will dissipate when we depart," Morgause said dismissively.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Young Merlin put forth urgently.
"You dare question my word?"
"No," the young sorcerer said firmly, "not if you swear it."
"Then swear it I will if you servant, promise to give Uther a message."
Merlin heard his younger self answer, "I promise."
"Tell him I've come for my own. He will understand."
There was a pulse of magic and old Merlin knew that Morgause had left with Morgana. It was done. Any moment now he would disappear and the past would be renewed. Any moment and in that last moment he was going to look once more upon the friend he had lost so long ago. After all this time, all these years, it was the least destiny owed him. Old Merlin pulled back the tapestry slightly, carefully and took in the prone form of Arthur, alive, breathing. Just as he remembered him.
Merlin was overwhelmed with joy and it took a moment to realise that the prince was moving. Old Merlin pulled back the tapestry hurriedly catching the eye of his younger self wide with surprise as he did.
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Young Merlin watched Arthur jump to his feet blinking the sleep from his eyes as if he'd had merely a close call with falling asleep. "Come on Merlin, we've got to move my father."
"Um," Merlin did not know how exactly to tell Arthur what had just happened and the prince didn't seem to have noticed that Morgana was missing.
A groan sounded from the cot and the King began to sit forward. "Where am I?"
"Father!" Arthur went to Uther's side, "the spell must be weakening." He shot a look at Merlin for confirmation and then towards the space where Morgana had stood. "Where's Morgana?"
"I asked you a question Arthur, what am I doing here?" Uther demanded, "and what is going on?"
"There was a sleeping spell father, we moved you here for safety. Morgause is here."
"Morgause," Uther stood and drew his sword.
Merlin wondered why it was these things were always left for him to explain. He stepped forward awkwardly. "She's gone, sire. Morgause left."
"What?" Arthur said pulling Merlin aside. "She was just in the corridor a few moments ago. You and I both saw her."
Merlin shook his head, "Yes but she's gone now and," Merlin looked at Arthur pityingly, "she took Morgana with her."
"She what?" Uther stepped toward Merlin menacingly.
"I'm sorry Sire, it happened so quickly but Morgause told me to give you a message." Merlin was glad of being able to divert Uther's attention back to Morgause.
"Go on," Uther growled.
Merlin swallowed, "She said she had come for her own."
Uther paled.
"What does that mean?" Arthur puzzled.
Uther rallied himself so quickly Merlin was sure Arthur had not noticed it. Uther waved his hand dismissively. "For her own revenge, I imagine, who can understand the mind of a sorceress? You know her lies."
Arthur frowned, probably thinking of the past event but Merlin was watching Uther, wondering what exactly the phrase meant. At the time Morgause gave him the message he had assumed that Morgause wanted to let Uther know that Morgana was a sorceress, one of her own. Merlin had thought better of delivering such words, he'd promised to keep Morgana's secret but she was far from Uther now and he had similarly promised Morgause to give Uther the message and Morgana had uttered no protest. Merlin had even been quietly hopeful that revealing Morgana's magic would soften Arthur to it and maybe even Uther. But now, the look on Uther's face suggested some secret understanding of the message and Merlin could not believe that he had known about Morgana's magic so what was it? What was the meaning?
Uther continued deeply agitated, "Morgana would not have gone willingly."
Merlin thought it better if Uther continued to believe that. "She might have been enchanted," Merlin suggested.
Uther nodded and then his face contorted nastily as it refocused on Merlin, "and how did you come to be the only one awake and able to receive her message?"
Merlin swallowed and his gaze shifted to Arthur. The prince was staring at him expectantly. There was no accusation, no mistrust in the expression but he did seem piqued. "You outlasted me?"
Merlin would have rolled his eyes if the King wasn't present. That was what Arthur was concerned about! Who could outlast who when under enchantment. Uther however was unrelenting in his glare and so Merlin thought hard for a suitable answer. The truth was that Arthur had only succumbed to the spell so early because Merlin had given him a magical nudge. His old sorcerer self had suggested a sleeping potion in water but Arthur had refused to drink and he'd had to improvise. Unfortunately, his older self had also given no instruction on dealing with Uther or Arthur's questions when they did wake up and Merlin had been unable to forget that his older self was horrifyingly hiding behind the tapestry that Uther was awfully close to.
Merlin took on a pose that he hoped conveyed subservience. "I uh, did, did succumb to the sleeping spell just after Prince Arthur," Merlin smiled inwardly that would irritate the prat, "but Morgause woke me, I guess so that I could relay the message. She wouldn't have dared rouse Prince Arthur. . . or you sire." Merlin bowed.
Uther was frowning disconcertingly at him but Arthur spoke getting the king's attention. "We'll go after Morgause, father. She can't have gone far."
Merlin saw no point in contradicting this. Morgause was probably long, long gone and if so all the better for Morgana.
"Yes, sound the warning bells. Gather your men." Uther commanded.
"We will find her father," Arthur reassured, "we will hunt Morgause down and free Morgana. Whatever it takes."
"Go," Uther agreed, "I will consult the council as to the kingdom's defences. Camelot must be ready in case of further attack."
Uther was already heading out with Arthur. Merlin took one worrying look back at the tapestry as he followed. If either the king or prince had found a second Merlin, it would have been as good as announcing that he was a sorcerer! Merlin hoped his elder self had the good sense to realise this and would return to his own time as promptly as possible. Merlin had enough to deal with, Uther slightly suspicious in his current mood, Arthur no doubt set on proving himself to his father by finding Morgana and another looming task ahead of him - a promise to fulfil.
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Old Merlin stepped from the tapestry. Well, this was a problem. Every moment that passed he expected to disappear but here he was still in the castle of Camelot. Morgana – from his timeline – had not appeared and he wondered if she was still somewhere in the castle or if, for some reason, she had dissipated while he hadn't. He couldn't say what he hoped for. If she had disappeared, he had no one to consult as to why the spell hadn't removed him from this timeline but if Morgana were stuck like him in the castle, then they were both in very great danger of undoing the spell they had worked so hard to make a success.
Morgana in days past had told him the rules again and again. He could not talk to anyone but his younger self and he could not be seen by anyone else either! Merlin knew it was impossible for him to leave not only a castle full of disorientated and probably grumpy knights, squires and servants but also a kingdom of equally confused citizens without being seen. The sound of the warning bells overhead confirmed this unlikelihood of having even less chance.
He had never been very adept at teleportation spells, they had a habit of depositing him randomly. He was very aware that appearing somewhere on the grounds of Camelot, out of nowhere, using magic would be a very terrible thing if it happened in front of someone, notwithstanding the rules of the current spell. How disastrous to have all their plans ruined now! His curiosity had led to this. He should have got out of Camelot earlier but he had not.
He couldn't stay behind the curtain, he couldn't be seen by anyone and if he was he couldn't talk his way out of things. Supposing he stayed here in these servants' quarters, using magic on the inhabitants to keep them unaware of him what then? He paused thinking it over. Would he be breaking the spell by interfering with them? Would that be counted as another action? How long could he seriously expect to remain unhidden anyway? He'd have to sleep sometime.
Merlin chewed on his finger as he paced. He wished he'd learnt more about this spell and why exactly such rules were needed.
"Merlin!" Morgana's voice echoed urgently in his thoughts.
"Morgana!" he responded telepathically and halted his pacing, "where are you?"
"I'm in the darkling woods hiding," she said, "I couldn't get to the rendezvous in time. Where are you?"
"I'm in the castle."
"What!" She shouted and Merlin winced. "Merlin, you've got to stay hidden or you'll wreck the spell."
"Yeah I know, I know, but why haven't we disappeared Morgana? I watched, it all went as we planned."
"It did?" Morgana half queried, "Good, good."
"What do you mean good?" Merlin spluttered, "We're still here!"
"Yes, we are," Morgana admitted.
"Well? What does it mean? Why are we still here?"
Merlin waited for her to answer. Through the bond they still shared he could feel it, hesitation at delivering the bad news. He braced himself.
"I can only guess Merlin but," she paused, "what we did can not have changed things or at least not enough or, not yet."
"How could it not?"
"Maybe it takes more time."
Merlin dropped his head, he knew things had gone too well. "So we're not going to disappear anytime soon?"
"I don't think so."
"And I've got to remain out of sight or everything we've done will just reverse?"
"Yes."
"Great, just great. Any suggestions on how I manage that?" He asked.
"You don't have the strength left to teleport?"
"I have the strength," he responded simply, "I uh, I just don't do teleports very well. Maybe you could teleport here and then teleport us –."
"No, Merlin I can't," Morgana cut in, "you don't feel it?"
"Feel what?" Merlin felt fear welling within.
"The bond, we're too far apart. It's sapping my magic. I can't teleport to you."
Merlin could feel it. That stupid bond, they should have done something about it sooner but somehow neither had broached the subject and with everything they were doing it hadn't mattered. It mattered now. As for the sensation of weakening magic he had supposed it was a natural part of fading away. No such luck. So now his options were even fewer. If he didn't get back to Morgana soon they were both going to lose their magic and die – which would be acceptable if they'd changed things and if it didn't leave him even more vulnerable to being discovered and ruining that.
"Any other suggestions?"
"Get Merlin to help you get out, he's the only one that can."
"He'll love that," Merlin grumbled beginning to remember just how many things his younger self had always needed to juggle.
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Author's note – yes sorry, very long time between. It wasn't that I didn't know what I wanted to write or laziness - life just seemed to send one thing after another. Hopefully in my rush to get this out I've not missed a typo or grammar. More story will come. I can promise it will not be abandoned and it will be completed.
Also, the spell said by Merlin in the old tongue translates thus, "Forest, I remove the curse, thorns decay/decompose, kingdom reveal yourself true in size/greatness. Camelot transform!"