Author's note: Hello, everyone. Thanks to Linorien, Charles Chuku, weepingelm, IdleWolf, Teekalin and all the guest reviewers for their generous reviews. They mean so much to me. Things are going to get much exciting soon. Please R & R.
To Teekalin: Thanks for loving Aren. There is a scene in this chapter featuring him and Merlin. I hope you'll like it.
So without further waiting , here's chapter 3.
Chapter 3
Who am I ?
"The council is dismissed. All but the original members of the round table leave," Arthur said when he saw Mordred entering the room. The serious tone of his voice was enough to make the courtiers obey his command. He was not going to take no for an answer and they knew it. So all of them went out of the throne room. Even Aren was taken away by his nanny. Arthur didn't want to risk anything. He didn't trust Mordred and he suspected that the motive of his return was not noble.
After the courtiers took thier leave, Arthur sat on his throne , Guinevere at his side. Mordred came forward and knelt before the king.
Arthur spoke first. "Why did you return?" His voice was cold as ice. But ther was confusion in there too.
Mordred raised his head and said,"I never wanted to leave, sire."
"What do you mean by that? Explain yourself." Now Arthur was very confused.
"I was taken." Mordred answered.
"Taken? By whom?" It was Gwen who asked.
"Morgana."
Everyone in the room flinched hearing the witch's name.
"Tell us the whole story, Mordred." Arthur said.
"And don't interrupt." He said to the other people in the room. He glancd at Merlin for a second and he saw confusion too in his ser- no, his friend's eyes. Turning back to Mordred, he said," Now, begin."
Mordred began," After Kara's hanging , the ground in my cell began to shake. And then, Morgana appeared before me in my cell out of nowhere. She put a sleeping spell on me then. When I regained my consciousness, I was kneeling before Morgana forced by two saxon soldiers. She asked me where my loyalty lied. I was terrified and I knew that if I hadn't said her name, then she would have killed me. So I pledged my allegience to her. She thought that I was telling the truth. She thought that Kara's death would be enough to change my loyalty. That's why she abducted me after Kara's death thinking that I would switch side after feeling betrayed by you. And the truth is sire, I really felt betrayed at first but when I thought about it with a more clear head . I understood why you did this. Kara was a fanatic and brainwashed by Morgana. She was not the sweet girl with whom I fell in love with. If she were left alone, she would have distroyed the stability of the kingdom by spreading the hatred of Morgana among Druid people. I am sorry for trying to elope with her. I was not thinking correctly. I was acting on emotions. I am ashamed of my deeds. Yes, Kara's death broke my heart but now I know that you have only the best interest of your peole and of your kingdom in your heart. I am a knight of Camelot and I have come back to redeem myself. Would you be kind enough to forgive me?"
By the time Mordred stopped, Arthur's face softened a great deal. He smiled and put a hand on Mordred's shoulder saying, " I always knew that you would understand at the end. And I am sorry too, Mordred. I gave Kara a chance to repent. But she was persistent and was proud of her deeds. I had no choice. But your words give me hope. It reminds me that there are some people whose heart can't be tainted by Morgana's darkness. You have already redeemed yourself, Mordred. You have shown all of us what a true knight of Camelot should do. You are worthy of your title. You need not to bow before me. Arise, Sir Mordred, knight of Camelot.
Mordred stood back on his feet. Then Arthur questioned, "One thing still isn't clear to me. How did you escape?"
Everyone looked at Mordred with curiosity to know the answer.
Mordred started again," I didn't escape. After pledging my loyalty to her, she welcomed me. Then she took me to a cave where the white dragon was living. She asked the dragon to forge an immortal weapon . I don't know what kind of bond they have between them. But the dragon obeyed her wish and breathed on my blade."
He pointed at the sword resting on his hip and then said,"After that, she gave me my sword back. She told me to return to Camelot and assassinate you. But I will never betray you,sire. You took me in when I was shunned by all. I want to give you my sword as a token of gratitude. Would you do me the honour?"
Arthur was amazed seeing the young man's loyalty to him . He said," But it is your sword. You will use it for the welfare of Camelot. You will honour me by using it against our foes. You are the perfect example of a knight and the sword will suit you very much."
"Please, sire. I insist you take it. If you don't use it, then think it as a gift to my prince. " Mordred was pleading now.
"Alright. If you insist so much, I will accept your gift." Saying this, Arthur took the sword from Mordred's streched out hand.
"Incredible. This sword is almost as superb as my runed sword itself. It is truly an invaluable gift. Thank you, Mordred." Arthur said while examining the sword.
"The honour is all mine,sire." Mordred replied.
"But I suspect that you have more news, am I right?" Arthur questioned knowing that there was more the young man wanted to say.
" Your suspicion is correct , sire. I know where Morgana's base is. It is in an old castle named 'Fort Dunwall' near the southern border of Camelot. Around 700 saxons are stationed there. More are joining them everyday. If we don't stop her now, she will raise an army and attack us soon. I counsel you to attack her while she is unaware that her cover is blown."
All the people in the room was shocked hearing the news. Arthur broke the silence. "You are a godsend, Mordred. Words can't express my gratitude . I am forever in your debt. You are right. We must attack her now. Your information will end this war and secure peace. Thank you so much."
Then he looked at Leon and said," Sir Leon, assemble the army. We will ride the day after tomorrow. Morgana won't know what hit her if we hurry."
"Of course, sire." Leon nodded and got out of the room.
Arthur looked at Mordred and said, "You go now, Mordred. You must be tired. Return to your old chamber and have some rest. You'll need it when we will ride for Dunwall."
"As you wish,sire." Mordred bowed to Arthur and turned to leave the room. An evil grin was adorning his face when he returned to his chambers.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Merlin couldn't believe what he heard from Mordred's mouth. To say he was confused, would be an understatement. He didn't know what to make of Mordred's speech. The knight's words seemed quite convincing to the other members of the round table. But not to Merlin. He suspected that something was off about Mordred. He saw how Mordred was acting at the night before Kara's hanging. He was desperate to save Kara. He even tried to elope with her. So, what changed him overnight? Why would he betray Morgana to serve his lover's killer? And why the hell would he give Arthur Aithusa's sword? It was a very strong sword. When Merlin expressed his thoughts to Gaius , he said that perhaps Mordred had understood the reason behind Arthur's decesion . 'Perhaps'-that word was Merlin's problem. He was not sure of Mordred's honesty. What if Mordred's words were lies? What if Mordred was leading Arthur towards a trap of Morgana? There was a high possibility of his suspicions becoming true. But who would believe him? Even Gaius didn't take him seriously.
" The boy has a good heart. He is trying to prove himself to Arthur. If he really bore ill-will towards Arthur, he would never gift Arthur with his sword. He had the chance to run Arthur through when Arthur was taking the sword. But he didn't do it. That was the sign of his honesty." Gaius said.
" That is exactly what he wants you all to think. He has magic, Gaius. He can steal it whenever he wants. And he didn't kill Arthur because he isn't stupid to try something like that in front of me. He is trying to lure us to a trap. I am sure of it."
"Come on, Merlin. Give it a break. Yes, the dragon told you a prophecy. But people change. So does the future. Give the boy a chance." Gaius said.
" I can't leave Arthur's life on chance. I am going to try knock some sense into Arthur's head. He must not believe Mordred blindly." Merlin jumped on his feet.
Gaius tried to stop his ward but Merlin was already outy of the room. Gaius gave out a sigh and prayed that nothing bad might come out of the confrontation.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Merlin, are you out of your mind ?" Arthur shouted when he heard about Merlin's suspicion.
"Please, Arthur. He has come back from Morgana. We don't know what his true motive is. You must not trust him blindly. And don't forget Morgana has a dragon." Merlin pleaded.
"The army will take care of the dragon and I must trust him. He forsaked Morgana to serve me. He was, still is true to his oath. I can't turn my back on him. He pledged his loyalty to me despite fearing the witch. I don't know if you would have been able to do that. Besides, why would he give me his sword if he wasn't loyal to me?"
Merlin wanted to reveal Mordred's magic but then his secret would be in jeopardy too. Instead he said,"But that's the thing you are all overlooking. What if he wanted you to think what you are thinking so that he may lure you all towards a trap. If you hadn't been such a dollop-head you would have already seen through his lies."
" ENOUGH." Arthur shouted at the top of his voice. Merlin winced feeling Arthur's rage towards him.
"I will not hear to your nonsense anymore. If you are afraid to join us in Dunwall. Then, don't come." Arthur was still yelling.
"Please, Arthur. I am just trying to protect you."
"Then leave my protection to the knights. They can do a far better job than you. You can't even hold a sword properly. How could you compare youself to the king's protectors? You're just a servant." Arthur said and soon realized what came out of his mouth.
Merlin just stood there motionless. After a while , he just said," As you wish, sire. I will take my leave then." He spun around and left the without giving Arthur a chance say anything.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Oh! Jackpot. Mordred thought when came out of his eavesdropping place near the royal chamber. Merlin was already mad at Arthur and the real plan hadn't been set in motion yet. He would be able to succeed in his mission with much more ease than he thought. Soon the high priestess' plan would be successful and all Albion would bow before them.
Bearing these thoughts in his mind, he went to his room and began to plot what he would do tomorrow before their departure on the day after tomorrow.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
It was 3 at morning and Merlin couldn't sleep . Arthur's words rang inside his head.
Just a servant .
Just a servant .
Just a servant .
Is that what Arthur thought of him? Nothing more than a mere servant. How could he fulfill his destiny if his destiny doesn't trust him. Freya's words brought him hope but Arthur's words shattered that hope.He couldn't but feel helpless. Arthur was trusting Mordred more than him . And that thought alone hurt so much. Merlin couldn't thinkanymore.
He went out of Gaius' chamber to have some fresh air and clear his mind. He was standing at the balcony overlooking the castle courtyard when he felt someone small was standing beside him. He looked at his side and saw Aren looking at him with worry postered on his face.
"What is it , Little prince? Couldn't sleep?" Merlin asked.
"Bad dreams. Mummy daddy both sleep." was Aren's answer.
Merlin understood. Aren was recently having some nightmares and often woke up . Sometimes he even sneaked out of his bed (The posted guards were sleeping, obviously) to go to the balcony before Arthur or Gwen or some other guards found him. Perhaps that was the case today and neither Arthur nor Gwen realized that their son was not sleeping between them.
Aren streched out his two arms indicating that he wanted to climb on Merlin's lap.
Merlin raised him from the ground and took his nephew on his lap. Then he asked Aren a question which he wanted to ask someone all night. "Who am I, Aren?"
Aren was confused but answered nonetheless. "You're Uncle Merl." Then he gave Merlin a sweet innocent smile.
Aren spoke again, "Sing, uncle."
Merlin was silent for a moment. He knew he sang many lullabies to Aren but it was a little awkward to sing here at the middle of the night. Oh! Whatever. He thought. And he began to hum Aren's favourite lullaby- Suo Gan. A welsh lullaby Merlin learnt from his mother when he was young. Aren soon fell asleep in his arms. He took him gently to his room and laid the sleeping prince on his bed. He didn't want to enter royal chamber at night. So he took him to his room.
Merlin lied down on his small bed and looked at the prince's small sleeping form. Suddenly the prince's hand moved in his sleep and grabbed a small part of his tunic softly. Aren's face looked troubled . Maybe he was having a nightmare again. Merlin put a hand on Aren and drew him closer to his chest. Aren soon became peaceful again and began to sleep soundly. Merlin's heart filled with love for his little nephew and soon fell asleep holding his prince close to his heart thinking that even though to most people he would be just a servant, he would still be a special man to some people. He would always be Freya's loved one. He would always be his mother's little boy and he would always be Aren's Uncle Merl.
OOOOOOOOOOO
I hope you liked this chapter. Please kindly leave a review . They make me happy. Next chapter: The assault of Dunwall.
Two questions to my all readers : 1. Dunwall is the name of a city in a video game. Which game is it?
2. Suo Gan is the opening song of a famous hollywood movie. Which movie is it?