Author's Note: Welcome to Part Two in my Magic Reigns Free series. If you haven't read part one, Price To Be Free, yet, I recommend that you do. This story can't really stand alone.
Anyways, please enjoy A Kingdom Sorrows.
Merlin sat in his newly appointed chambers by the window watching the sun set on the horizon. He had just finished his light-duty chores and meetings with Arthur for the day. He was taking a moment to relax. It had been a week since Arthur had named him as his Magical Advisor. Both men were still trying to figure out how to navigate the role and what it entailed; all the while, Merlin still carried the role of servant. True, he had fewer duties than before, but that was likely due to his injury. An injury that has left him crippled for the time being. In order to get around, he had to rely on a cane to hold him and help from others when needed.
He supposed it could be worse. He could be bedridden or worse dead. It was only thanks to Kilgarrah that he was still alive. Besides, if Uther's spirit hadn't tried to kill him and then out him as a warlock, magic would still be illegal.
The warlock smirked at the thought of meeting Uther in the afterlife and thanking him for freeing magic in Camelot. Without him, Merlin and his kin would still be hiding their true selves and living in fear of being caught.
As the sun finished setting, the young warlock stood up, grabbing his cane. He decided to go pay his uncle a visit and see about sharing a meal, like in old times.
The corridors were mostly empty, causing the sound of Merlin's cane clicking against the hard flooring to echo throughout. If he were trying to sneak up on someone, they'd hear him coming from a mile away. He hated the cane. Just because he understood the need for it didn't mean he had to like it. The cane was loud against the floor, it felt rough against his hand, and it didn't fit his height the way it was supposed to.
He'd considered going to the royal blacksmith and requesting a personalized cane suited to him. However, according to Gaius, the cane had been a gift from Leon. It had belonged to his father. He didn't want to hurt Leon's feelings after he'd gone through all the trouble. But his comfort during this time of healing was important, wasn't it?
Before he realized it, he was at Gaius' chambers. Before he had a chance to knock, the physician threw the door open and pushed past him, nearly knocking him down. Merlin caught himself by using his free hand to grab onto the door.
After regaining his balance, the young warlock followed after the older man. He figured his uncle didn't realize who he was in a rush to aid in whatever emergency there was. When the two got down the stairs, they were greeted by Sir Leon carrying Princess Mithian. Behind him was an elderly woman who looked older than Gaius.
"What happened?" Merlin asked.
"I don't know," Leon answered. "She and her maid just arrived. She just fainted after getting off her horse."
"Take her to my chambers," Merlin offered. "They're not that far."
Leon nodded and took off in the direction of Merlin's chambers.
No one noticed at the time, but the elderly maid had a look of surprise when Merlin mentioned having his own chambers. But she quickly changed her expression back to concern for the princess.
Leon carefully laid the princess down on the bed. "Will she be alright?"
"I fear it is too early to say. Thank you, Leon," Gaius said, looking at the knight. "You've done all you can. Merlin, hand me some extra blankets."
Leon bowed his head at Gaius and then at Merlin. "Of course."
Another strange look swept across the elderly woman's face. Why would a knight bow at a servant? What had he done to earn all this?
Merlin placed a comforting hand on the woman, pulling her away from her thoughts, and began to lead her away. "I'll show you to your room."
The elderly woman fought against him. "I will not leave my mistress."
"I assure you that she is in safe hands," Merlin said comfortingly, understanding what it meant to be loyal.
"She means everything to me," the elderly woman insisted.
Merlin looked in her pleading eyes. Something didn't feel quite right about this, but then again he didn't have the full story as to what was going on. He sighed and gestured to chairs next to them, inviting her to sit. "Just have a seat at the table."
Gaius then spoke. "Merlin, the extra blankets, please."
Merlin obliged. "Sorry, Gaius." He easily fell back into the routine of helping Gaius.
After helping Gaius tend to Mithian for a good hour, Merlin left to inform Arthur about the princess. As he walked, well hobbled at this point, he thought about what horrors Mithian and Hilda must have faced to ride through the night to reach Camelot.
The young warlock soon reached Arthur's chambers and knocked.
"Yes," came a muffled reply. Merlin pushed the door open and found Arthur sitting, twirling a quill.
"How is she?" the king asked, sitting up straight as he looked over at his best friend.
"She's weak, and she's clearly exhausted, but she will live," Merlin informed.
Arthur stood up, tossing the quill to the side. "Good. I'll speak to her at once.
Merlin blocked his path. "Actually, no."
"Excuse me?" Arthur asked, a bit taken back.
"She's not to be disturbed until morning," Merlin explained.
"This is important," Arthur stated, trying to push past Merlin.
Merlin continued to block his path. "And so is the health of the princess."
Arthur stepped back, resigned in the fact that he would not win the argument. "Did you just give me an order?"
"Yes, Sire," Merlin answered.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" Arthur asked with a small smile.
"I could get used to it," Merlin shrugged.
"Well, don't. I'm still your king, and I can take away your role as Magical Advisor in a heartbeat," the king retorted as he walked back to his seat.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked, concerned for his best friend.
"To ride all through the night," Arthur said, not hearing Merlin, "something must've happened."
"We'll know more in the morning, Sire," Merlin assured before leaving.
"Merlin," Arthur called out, stopping the young warlock.
Merlin turned around. "Yes, Arthur?"
"While Mithian is here, don't let her know about your role as my Magical Advisor. Just let her think that you are still my servant," Arthur said. "She's dealt with enough. No need to add confusion to the mix."
"Of course," Merlin agreed as he turned to leave once again.
The man then headed to Gaius'. It was there where he would stay while Mithian used his chambers.
When he arrived at his uncle's chambers, he found the elderly man sitting at one of the many tables. "You mind having a guest for a few nights?"
Gaius gave him a small smile. "Your bed is just as you left it. Now sit and eat."
Merlin sat across from his uncle. It didn't take long for it to feel like nothing had changed.
Merlin and Gwaine showed up at the warlock's chambers in the early morning to help Mithian and Hilda to the throne room to discuss what happened at Nemeth with Arthur. As they walked, Mithian clung to Merlin's unused arm. Their pace was slow due to Merlin's cane and the elderly maid's age.
Mithian took notice of the cane the night before when she awoke briefly after fainting but had been too weak to ask about it. She just figured Merlin was injured, and currently needed to use a cane to help him along. She had decided that now was not the time to be asking such things. There were more important things to worry about than the man who was escorting her to the throne room.
The princess looked over at her maid, Hilda, who was actually Morgana in disguise. She had to think of a way to alert someone about what was happening. Was Merlin the person to tell? Would he understand any of the clues she could try to leave?
Her mind then wandered back to the man's cane. Was he in any shape to take action if action was needed? Would he have the ability to help save her and her kingdom? She needed to know. "So, Merlin," Mithian said, getting her escort's attention. "Why are you walking with a cane?"
"Bandits," Merlin said a little too quickly. "The damage they did, has left me unable to walk without something to help support my weight for the time being. Gaius says that I should be walking on my own within a year."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Mithian apologized, regretting asking, believing she brought up a painful memory. "Forgive me for asking."
"No need for forgiveness, Princess Mithian," Merlin replied breezily, flashing his signature cock-eyed smile.
Not yet, Mithian thought.
Behind the disguised Morgana scowled at the two of them. She would have to sure Merlin didn't get in the way of her plans.
Merlin helped ease Mithian into the chair that had been offered to her after she said she was starting to feel dizzy from standing. She had barely finished telling Arthur about how she and Hilda had been travelling nonstop for three days before the dizzy spell started.
"They came at night without warning," Mithian explained. "We were unprepared. We could not hold them."
"This was three days ago, you say?" Arthur asked.
The princess nodded. "His men, they showed no mercy. Cut us down like corn."
"Odin has no care for the suffering he causes," Arthur comforted.
"And your father?" Gwen spoke up.
"He was badly wounded, but we managed to escape," the princess answered, feeling a sob build up in her throat. She wanted to speak the truth, but the consequences would be deadly. She couldn't put more lives at risk.
"Where is he now?" Arthur asked.
"We made it almost as far as the border, but he could not continue any further," Mithian informed. "Odin's men will be searching for us. It's only a matter of time before they find him."
Arthur nodded. "I see."
"My father is an old man. He cannot fend for himself. I have no one else to turn to but you, Arthur. You're my only hope," Mithian pleaded.
"Mithian, I understand how you must be feeling, and I will do everything in my power to help you," Arthur agreed.
"Thank you, my Lord," Mithian thanked as she bowed her head.