Author's Note: Welcome to the first chapter of A Stranger's Prophecy. This is part 4 in my Price Has Been Paid series. So if you haven't read the rest of the series, I suggest you do, otherwise, this story won't make much sense.
The other stories include:
Price To Be Free
A Kingdom's Sorrow
Threats Within A Hollow Kingdom.
Merlin sat on a bench in Gaius' chambers, waiting for the elderly physician to finish his daily examination of his heavily scarred midsection. It had been nine months since Uther's spirit nearly killed the young warlock with a spear and revealed his magic. It was thanks to this incident that magic was once again free in Camelot. It also earned him the role of Magical Advisor on top of still being the King's servant, with the intention that one day he'll be named Court Sorcerer.
"Despite several setbacks, everything appears to still be recovering quite well," Gaius said as his fingers gently traced the scars. "How's the pain today?"
"Not too bad," Merlin said. "A little tender in some areas, but it'll pass. Usually does."
Gaius turned to grab something off the table behind him. "Stand up. I want to check your balance."
The Magical Advisor did as he was told, leaving his cane lying next to where he had been sitting. "I've been doing the exercises when I have the time."
The Court Physician turned back to look at his former ward. "And they seem to be paying off. You're hardly swaying. Try stepping towards me."
Merlin hesitated for a second before taking a cautious step forward and another. But by the third step, his legs started to give out, and he couldn't maintain his balance. Gaius quickly grabbed his shoulders to keep him from falling.
Merlin wrapped his hand around Gaius' arm for extra support as he was led back to the bench. "Sorry, Gaius."
"Don't be, my boy," Gaius dismissed. "Much better than yesterday. Three full steps without any aid is an accomplishment."
Merlin let go of Gaius as he sat back down. "Why is it taking so long?"
"You mean, aside from the fact that you won't rest like you're supposed to?" Gaius pointed out. "The wound was caused by a vengeful spirit. A spirit like that is fueled by an extremely potent kind of magic that is designed to kill. Any normal person would have died. It's only thanks to your magic and Kilgharrah that you lived at all. Recovery might seem slow, but it's going faster than it would have been. Without magical interference, you'd either be dead or bedridden, but you're neither of those things. You're up and about, constantly over-exerting yourself."
Merlin looked down at his scars. They were numerous and seemingly linked together. They were sensitive to the slightest touch, and the smallest movement seemed to aggravate them. He'd tried using healing spells to help with his recovery. But according to Gaius, his magic was already doing that. No new spells or enchantments would speed things along.
"MERLIN," a shout came through from the other side of the physician's door, followed by the King himself bursting in. "Are you almost done? Everything is ready. Gwen and I are just waiting on you."
"We're just finishing up, Sire," Gaius said. "He'll be along shortly."
Arthur looked at Merlin for a second. The king felt his stomach churn at the sight of his best friend's scars. He'd never be able to get used to looking at them. He would never admit it, but he still felt guilty. If he hadn't used the horn to see his father, Merlin never would have been hurt. Then again, magic would still be banned, and Merlin would still be hiding who he really was.
The royal quickly pushed his thoughts to the side and pulled his eyes away from the scars. "Yeah, just make it quick. It's Gwen and I's anniversary. Plus, it's her first time being out of the castle since you lifted the curse Morgana put on her. Everything needs to go smoothly."
Merlin grabbed his tunic off the table behind him. "I'll be right out, Arthur."
Arthur just nodded and walked back out. The warlock finished putting his tunic on, grabbed his cane, and stood back up.
Gaius handed him a poultice and a vial. "Here, take these with you. Apply the poultice once you get to where you're going. The tonic on the way back. It'll help with any pain you might be having."
Merlin took the medicines. "Thanks, Gaius."
Arthur dismounted from his horse. "I sometimes forget how beautiful Camelot is," he said, turning to face Gwen with a sappy smile. "But never how beautiful my queen is."
Merlin was next to dismount his horse. He unhooked his cane from its sheath before beginning on the picnic supplies. He pursed his and blew air through, making a nickering sound at Arthur's comment.
"Was that you, Merlin?" Arthur commented.
Merlin pointed at his horse. "It was the horse."
"Because if you were mocking your king," Arthur taunted.
"I wasn't," the warlock defended. "I wouldn't"
"There's a special punishment reserved for such impudence," Arthur continued, staring his best friend down for a moment before laughing. "You're to easy, Merlin. Every time." He turned his attention back to his wife. "How about here, Guinevere?"
"Yes. It looks perfect," Gwen agreed.
"Then here it shall be," Arthur said.
Gwen walked over to help Merlin with the picnic supplies. "Here, let me help."
Merlin nodded his acceptance of help, as he grabbed the picnic blanket. "I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."
"Yes," the queen agreed, grabbing the blanket. "He has changed, hasn't he? A lot of that is owed to you. You helped make him a better person."
The warlock shrugged as they worked together to lay the blanket down. "I wouldn't say that."
Before Gwen could respond, Arthur threw a water skin at Merlin, hitting him in the head. "Sorry. Fill that up for me, will you, Merlin?"
"I guess we spoke too soon," Merlin said, looking at Gwen.
"This one too," Arthur said, tossing another waterskin. "Ready."
The waterskin flew past Merlin and landed at the bottom of a small slope. Merlin glared at Arthur for a moment, wondering if he could get away with whacking him with his cane. Ultimately, he decided against it. Using magic would just tire him out faster.
"I think my dog can catch better than you," Arthur joked.
Merlin carefully made his way down the slope to retrieve the waterskin. "Possibly because you treat him better. Plus, he's not crippled."
"I thought you were doing better," Arthur said, worried something had happened.
"I am," Merlin confirmed. "I'm still having problems, though. Problems that will probably last the rest of my-" He stopped short of finishing his sentence as he noticed strange markings etched into one of the trees. He ran his hand over the markings, feeling the magic radiating off of it.
"Are you blind?" Arthur asked.
"Something happened here," Merlin stated as he carefully kneeled down to get a better look.
"Stags marking their territory," Arthur brushed off as he scratched the back of his head.
"This was caused by magic," Merlin stated. "I can feel it."
Arthur looked at Gwen and then back at Merlin. "Please tell me this is some kind of joke to get back at me?"
Merlin stood up and looked at his best friend. "I wish I was joking, Arthur."
Gwen sighed as she stood up. "We need to go back and find out what happened."
Arthur hesitated for a moment. He really wanted to spend a peaceful afternoon with his queen with no magical interruptions. "Is it worth investigating, Merlin?"
Merlin looked at the ground and spotted a golden pin. He picked it up and then looked back at the king and queen. "It is."
"Alright," Arthur sighed. "Merlin, pack everything up, and Guinevere and I will head back to the castle, while you stay and investigate. Once we get back, I'll have Mordred come and help."
Merlin was trying to decipher the writing on the papers he'd found when Mordred showed up.
"What do you have so far?" Mordred asked, making his presence known.
Merlin jumped at the sound of his voice, then turned to face the Druid. "Must you always do that?"
The young knight shrugged. "It's fun. So what do you have?"
"Not much. Just some papers, a pin, and an empty carriage. It looks like someone was attacked on their way to Camelot," Merlin replied. "You?"
"The city of Helva was attacked. It's believed that Morgana is responsible. We don't know why though," Mordred stated.
"Why would she attack there?" Merlin asked. "Aside from Camelot, it's one of the few places where magic is practised freely. What would make her go after our own?"
"Maybe she was after someone," Mordred suggested.
"Probably," Merlin agreed. "We should head back. Hopefully, Gaius can translate these papers."
Merlin, Mordred, and Arthur stood in the physician's chambers while they waited for Gaius to translate.
"How long is this going to take, Gaius?" Arthur asked impatiently.
"Sorry, Sire. It's in Catha and it's been so long since I heard it. Never mind read it," Gaius replied.
"So the Catha attacked Helva, not Morgana?" Arthur questioned.
"There's a signature here," Gaius stated, ignoring the king's question.
"Who's?" Merlin asked stepping closer to Gaius.
The old man looked up at his ward. "Alator."
"Alator wouldn't attack his own kind, but Morgana would if that's where he was hiding," Merlin pointed out. "Question is why. What could he have that she would want?"
"Something must have happened for him to come here," Mordred pointed out. "Why else would he risk it?"
"Isn't he the same man who kidnapped you, Gaius?" Arthur asked looking at the wizened man.
Gaius nodded solemnly. "He is, but once he heard about yours and Merlin's destiny, he betrayed Morgana."
"But she knows who I am," Merlin said. "He must know something we don't."
"Do you think Morgana has him?" Mordred asked.
"It's a possibility," Gaius answered. "And if she does, she will torture him to get whatever she wants."
"We have to save him," Merlin said.
"How?" Arthur asked. "We don't even know where Morgana is hiding."
Merlin slumped down in a chair and sighed. "There has to be something we can do."
"Morgana won't get anything out of him," Mordred reassured.
"What makes you say that?" Arthur questioned, looking at the Druid.
"Cathas are trained from birth to endure torture. They can separate their minds from their bodies," Merlin answered. "But Morgana knows this and will probably use a Nathair or similar methods. Not even Alator can withstand that kind of torture. It would be impossible."
"Do you remember the servant who gave you that spell book two years ago?" Mordred asked. "Maybe he could be of some help."
"Dead," Merlin said, glumly.
"I hate to say it, Merlin, but I'm sorry we can't save Alator. We have no leads. We haven't had any leads on Morgana's location since Ishmere," Arthur apologized before leaving.
The next morning Merlin was walking back to the castle with the flowers Arthur had requested when an elderly woman stopped him in his tracks.
"Be still," the woman said, showing him a tattoo on her wrist. "The great battle is nearing. You must listen to me, Emrys."
"How do you know my name?" Merlin asked in a deadly tone.
The woman noticed the patrol nearing and started backing away. "Arthur's enemies are nearing. If you value your king, meet me in the temple of Earu. Come alone or not at all."
Merlin watched as she left and stood there for a moment longer, before deciding Arthur and Gaius needed to know.
Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed reading the latest installment of my AU series. Please consider leaving a review, and letting me know what you think of the story.
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