A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

143. Chapter 144

This chapter is dedicated to BeautifulTrauma, who wanted to see Nimueh telling Arthur it was better for Merlin to die than to live his life with Arthur. So I hope they liked how I included it ;p

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Arthur Pendragon could feel a cold blinding wave of fury trying to overwhelm him, gripping him tightly by the bones with this strength that had been previously unknown to him. It overtook him so suddenly, Arthur almost threw himself off the cliff so he could get to the witch. If he wasn't aware letting go of the wall meant going to his death-armor weighing him down causing a horrible strain in his muscles-he would have. Just so he could tear her apart with his bare hands. Arthur didn't even think the sword on his hip would be adequate enough for the swine that mocked him.

The swine threatening to take his Merlin away from him, or risk a war she was already planning to launch against them…

Such filth would deserve much more than what Arthur could do with his sword. Such filth deserved the most gruesome of death's he could give her. Something that would warn off any other who might try the same thing, pulled into the same odd obsession Merlin brought out in people. Something that would show the world that Merlin was His-and Merlin wanted people to know the same, once Arthur fixed things between them-and hell would be brought to their doorstep if they even thought of taking such a gem away from him.

Arthur-if he could reach the woman, and somehow neutralize her magic-would give it to her good. Arthur would never dream of hitting a woman, of hurting somebody so much weaker than himself…but he had made an exception for Merlin and it felt as if it was now his greatest mistake. Arthur didn't think a woman like this one would make him feel the same. Not even after she started begging for mercy as Arthur slayed her where she was standing…willing to make a second exception for a witch….she wasn't human. Or she wouldn't have threatened him just now…and Arthur Bloody Pendragon did not take kindly to any threat being thrown at him.

He would bash her bloody skull into the rocks of the cliff side, bash her again and again until she couldn't stand and felt like her brain was going to start pouring out of her ears. He would take a bloody sharp stone, something crude that would take a bit of time and effort to finish, and start cutting off her fingers. The same fingers that she thought she was going to use on his consort, to grab him by the hand and lead him out of the gates as if Arthur would allow him to just leave. He would take those disembodied fingers and force them down her throat and force her to eat them until she choked on the blood and the bones, a fleshy meal meant to ruin her before she ruined his Consort.

And Merlin would 'know' he was safe only with Arthur. The boy would never fear him or try to hurt himself or try to leave since he would know-without a sliver of doubt-that Arthur cared for him. God, in his own fucked up way…Arthur cared for the other boy. And Arthur showing Merlin what he would do to this girl if he had the chance, would only cement Merlin's knowing Arthur and the true extent he was willing to go for him. Know nobody-not even somebody capable of raging this one man war-would ever come between the two of them.

Arthur's blinding rage didn't subside, but it was impossible for him not to hear the little scuttling of something clicking above his head. And Arthur sucked harshly on the inside of his cheek hard enough to feel the taste of blood, dragging his eyes up to where the noise was coming from. Readjusting his grip for the millionth time when he felt his fingers starting to slide closer to the edge dangerously so…and sucked in a horrified breath as a newfound creature climbed it's way out of a hidden hole within the cavern only a few feet above him.

"You know, I almost thought you would have been harder to be killed off than you actually are." The woman continued and her voice had a delightfully gleefully wicked tone to it. Amusement shown in her eyes as Arthur sucked in large steadying breaths of air as the creature started to emerge fully, drawn away from its nest by the earlier earth shaking. These two black and little spindly legs at first, before more legs emerged. Four of them…and then six…and then eight…all attached to this black mass in the middle…Arthur had never seen anything like it. "I mean you aren't a sorcerer, even they would've had trouble surviving in a fight against me. But you…the Great Arthur Pendragon. Son of the mighty Uther. Prince of the Kingdom. The Greatest Sword fighter on this side of the continent. And yet…it seems as if we have a new friend joining us who would like to see if you could be killed off even faster. These creatures…they don't like to go playing with their food. Too much of a risk escaping, though I don't think he'll have much of a problem with you escaping…"

Arthur tried to ignore the woman taunting him, sucking in too many mouthfuls of air, enough to make him dizzy. But he tried getting away from the spider-because that was the only thing it had to be. A spider that looked about the size of a small dog or cat. No spider could've been able to grow that big without a helping hand, perhaps something magic related-by inching his body further down the ledge he was on. Sliding his hands one after the other until he went as far as the ledge could go, but it was not nearly far enough. The spider was still coming, easily crawling down the wall without the fear of falling…and Arthur hissed in a sharp inhale of breath before letting go of the wall.

One hand did not give Arthur the same confidence as holding the wall with two, and already could he feel his fingers starting to give way. But Arthur could feel the tightening and pulling of Merlin's neckerchief wrapped around his bicep, and the blond prince pulled his sword free from its sheath at his side. There might not be a chance to give into his dark impulses with the woman-not now, at least-but that didn't mean he wasn't able to swing his sword as hard as he could at the spider. The beast reared back to dodge the blade, its two front legs coming off the wall as its pinchers made some kind of clicking sound that rung off the cave walls before it attacked again.

Close enough that Arthur could see the red of its eyes, darker than blood, it sent a shiver of fear through the prince. And he swung his sword again harder, only to miss because he wasn't able to aim right while he was hanging from his fingertips. The clicking from the spider came louder, it sounded pissed having to work for its dinner. And it dropped down from the wall, so it landed on the same ledge Arthur hung from. The prince could feel himself straining, sweat plastering his hair to his head, and could hear the little 'click, click, click' as little stones broke off the wall and fell to the darkness below. And all Arthur was able to think about…

Was Merlin being alone.

Alone and vulnerable and this stupid, fucking sorceress taking advantage of him. Without Arthur there to look after him…keep him where he was supposed to be. And this spider would only keep Merlin from him. This fire burned in Arthur's stomach as he purposely flexed his bicep to feel the tightening of Merlin's neckerchief around him…nobody or nothing was going to keep Arthur from seeing Merlin again. Nothing would stop him from returning home to him…and that was when the spider lurched at him. Throwing itself off the cliff in an attempt to take lunch out of the prince's hide…and Arthur swung his sword hard.

The width of his blade hit the spider with a resounding smack that echoed through the open space, slamming it against the wall. The spider fell, but Arthur didn't risk looking down in the abyss to make sure it was really gone. He wasn't sure if the fall could kill a spider that big or if it was stronger than any kind of ordinary spider would be. Arthur didn't care, already swinging his sword up to clatter against the ledge. Freeing up his hand so he could grab back onto the ledge. It only helped him feel a marginally bit safer, but the risk of hanging like this for much longer was too much. Arthur's eyes roamed frantically over the space above him to try and find a nearby hand hold he could grab onto and pull himself to someplace safer. Someplace he would be able to stand on…

"Hmmm, I suppose the Great Arthur Pendragon has a few little tricks up his sleeve after all." The woman cooed, and the blond prince tried straining his neck around to see her. The burning hatred in his eyes could have struck the woman down cold but she only smiled even more wickedly. "That spider won't be the last you face, Arthur Pendragon. This type of creature likes to travel around in packs…by the hundreds." The color started to drain from Arthur's already pale face, he had barely survived a one spider attack. How was he going to survive if hundreds of them started streaming from the walls? Arthur's ears strained, trying to hear for anymore clicking sounds that could warn him they were coming. But the only thing he could hear clearly was the smirk in the woman's voice as she continued, "Maybe you should make your choice now, Arthur Pendragon? Do you want my assistance to get down from there? Or would you prefer to take your chances with the spiders?"

Arthur blinked back the stinging in his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing dangerously in his throat as he gave up searching for a close enough hand hole. He lowered his head, and pressed his forehead against the stone wall. He took one breath, and he took in a second breath, the staleness of the cave coating his tongue until it was the only thing he could taste. The only thing he could smell…not even the red of Merlin's neckerchief in the corner of his eye was enough to give him relief. He knew he wouldn't be able to make it out of this alive, not if there was a hundred or more spiders preparing to take him out. And even if there wasn't the spiders to worry about…even if Arthur could get to the flowers above him, then what? The ledge he'd been standing on was gone, the cliff was too far for him to jump and he couldn't risk missing it completely,

But if he stayed here…he was only going to fall when his hands finally gave out on him. There was only so long a man was able to hang before death started looking more inviting than feeling the excruciating pain crippling his fingers one by one. The full weight of a grown man dragging him down…but he refused to take the woman's offer either. Because it came with strings by the millions attached to it. She had already spoken very clearly about what she wanted in return for aiding him and Arthur now understood why his father always went on a tyrant about users of magic being selfish beings. The sorceress had put him here to begin with, and she wanted the one thing she couldn't have to get him back down…

Merlin.

Arthur could think of a good dozen or so people off the top of his head who would take her deal without a heartbeat to think about it. Who would be willing to sacrifice Merlin for whatever dark ritual or horrific existence the woman would force upon him…the political advantage of preparing for war too much to pass up for the sake of one man. His own father would've took the deal, and even handed Merlin over to her with a giant pink bow attached to his head. Arthur himself should've taken that deal without a second thought, instead of dying here in some spider infested nest. He should have been thinking about all of his people who would've been able to prepare or hunker down in some safe place while they counted down the days until the sorceress attacked them.

She was no idle threat…

But Arthur felt all choked up every time he imagined it…seeing a look of betrayal etched on Merlin's face as he was handed to his new owner. Or even worse…seeing detachment on Merlin's face because he already knew Arthur would do something else to hurt him. Merlin was counting on him right now…counting on him to live. To breathe. To thrive…because if Arthur failed to do these things, then Merlin…Merlin would he lost to him. A failure on Arthur's bedpost far greater than any other failure that may haunt him. Merlin drifting away because Arthur wasn't smarter or faster or stronger or…

Arthur's grip on the ledge tightened so much, he feared some of the rock would crumble beneath him. He pressed the top of his head as hard against the wall as he could, feeling the harsh indentions creating shapes in his skull. And he muttered words that he knew would damn him, and damn Merlin, and damn the entire kingdom as a whole under his breath. So low, he almost felt as if he hadn't said anything at all. And clearly, the woman hadn't been able to hear what his indescribable answer to her demands was, as Arthur heard her huffing irritable.

"Speak up, you damn fool. If you are going to give Merlin to me the you should at least damn well own it. Instead of pretending as if it's such huge hardship for you." The woman scoffed, with a flippant wave of her hand. And Arthur's shoulders started to tighten and bunch under his armor, the muscles beneath his forearms shaking…this woman had no idea what she would be talking about. This woman had no idea how hard this decision had been for. Arthur. But she also had no idea how ridiculously easy it had been. A sharp contrast that made no sense, but he held onto it all the same. "But go on, tell me again what it was you said. I'll be happy to show this memory to Merlin once I've got him settled in his new home. Show him how little his false husband cares for him…I'm sure it will make transitioning him into my household so much easier. If he doesn't have any ties legally binding him to Camelot…"

Show him how…Arthur's frame shuddered against the wall as his fingers slipped a little bit more…was it really possible for a sorcerer to do that? Could this woman draw memories out her own head and…what?…plaster it against the wall as if it was a playing portrait? Or implant the memory of Arthur hanging by his fingertips into Merlin's beautiful skull…Arthur had thought he knew the things a magic user could do. But it would always surprised him whenever he found something new to fret over. But no matter…because this bitch had just said she was going to get Merlin settled into her own household. Merlin was a part of HIS Household. There was no chance in hell Merlin would be given a new room, new life, new foods and styles and people and…the fire in him raged. If there really was a chance that sorceress could play her memories to another, then Arthur wanted to give Merlin something to see.

"I said-" Arthur spoke, sucking in a breath that tasted like ash and dirt and fire blistering and burning his lungs. He took in a breath that smelt like hope and life and His Merlin burning its way through his nostrils. He caught sight of a bleeding red bit of cloth that would never leave his side, as attached to him as its owner once was. And Arthur let out his breath, roaring out his final words as if he were a dragon marking his territory for the entire world to see. And flapping its wings against a threat that would never make it to the tower where his beauty rested in one piece, "FUCK YOU!"

The silence left behind in the caves almost made Arthur think the woman had left him behind, realizing getting Merlin from him would be useless. The sound of his heavy breathing made his ears ring until his head pounded with it, and yet…Arthur did not care. He wanted to feel the pain, wanted to hold onto just a fraction of the fire dancing restlessly in his soul…the fire might keep him alive. Or it might kill him. But at least Arthur had went down fighting for Merlin. At least he had went down, proving to himself that he really was bound and determined to change his own self in order to help Merlin.

"You know…Merlin would be better off dying. Than living a life being at the beck and call of the Pendragon's. He would even rather die the slow and painful death I've given him, then being drowned and his potential wasted spending each day with any man that is as abusive and shallow and self centered as you've proven yourself to be. Tell me…who would risk their entire city, all of those people, for the sake of one man?" the woman said in a vile tone, disgusting and sharp enough to make Arthur feel as if he had just been struck by a whip. "Tell me…you will truly deny me the one thing I want, because you will not allow your pride to admit he might be better off someplace else? Or is it just because I'm a sorcerer, your ignorance of my kind just too much for you to ignore, that you refuse to relinquish control to me?"

Arthur refused to answer her, refused to give into her taunting voice just daring him to do something stupid. But she wasn't wrong either…Arthur could very well be dooming his people for the sake of one man. But…what kind of man would Arthur have been if he had agreed? And when would it stop…would the girl have returned after the yearly deadline and demand more from Arthur…he would have already given up Merlin. So why would she not believe he'd be willing to do something else to prevent a war, leaving the entire kingdom trapped under her thumb till she got bored and did away with them anyway. But surely…his entire army had the ability to take out one witch before she got the chance to close in on them. No matter how powerful it was she seemed…he just had to ignore the guilt trying to kill him.

"…You have failed, Arthur Pendragon. You will die, and now…so will he." The woman spoke for the final time when their silence had stretched for too long. Arthur flinched against the wall of the cave, knowing all too well that this was true. He wasn't just fighting to get out of this alive, he was fighting to return to the beside of his consort. And yet…Arthur cursed himself for being unable to see past an innocent face asking for help. His entire body shuddering underneath the weight of his failures. He had doomed Merlin from the start of their arrangement, and now…. he would never get the chance to make things right. Never get a chance to see this through, and help him get better, and try learning about 'Merlin' instead of just dismissing the boy that irritated him. Merlin, Arthur thought as his throat went so tight he could hardly breathe through it, probably would've seen the witch for what she was long before he ended up dangling like Arthur was. "Or who knows. Merlin is a very unique boy and it would be a shame to see him leave this world just because of your incompetence. Maybe I'll head to Camelot right now, and take him as my own anyway. I've already been inside the castle once with nobody the wiser. I'm sure I can do it again. And can even take the consort on my back without anybody blinking an eye."

The woman was taunting him again, and Arthur didn't know if she was actually going to do this or if she was just trying for a rise out of Arthur. And Arthur hated how he played directly into her hands, though the surge of panic completely overwhelmed him. Pulse after pulse of increasing panic that had Arthur once again shaking against the wall…the image of the woman going into Camelot and carting a sickly Merlin out of the city was so inherently frightening…he was sure it was more terrifying then his position right now was. He couldn't even begin to imagine-somehow-managing to escape the caves and rushing home as fast as he could with his victory flowers in hand. Only for some random guard tell him Merlin was already gone.

Never to return.

Leaving Arthur alone.

Taking away all the colors because life seemed to dull without him there to spice it up.

"No! WAIT!" Arthur screamed as loud as he could, struggling to crane his head enough to look at her with wild eyes. Even if Arthur knew that Leon was back home, protecting Merlin as he had ordered…he feared it wouldn't be enough to stop her from doing this if she really did want it. But the woman-Arthur could barely see-gave him a thin smirk, stepping back away from the cliff and towards the larger tunnel that led back the way they'd came. She gave no indication over whether or not taking away. Merlin was actually a plan of hers, or if it was just a taunt to be carried with Arthur into his dying breath. "GET BACK HERE! Do not touch him! DO YOU HEAR ME! DON'T YOU FUCKING TRY AND TOUCH HIM!"

But then the woman was gone, taking her touch-the one and only light source Arthur had-with her. Arthur was left behind in the cold freezing encompassing darkness trying to swallow his entire being whole. And yet, all Arthur could do was scream as loud as he could. Scream until he felt as if his head was going to burst open, his scream echoing across the chambers as if it could take away the pain stabbing and twisting his heart till he had nothing left to give. And Arthur truly had nothing left to go and give away…

Not if she took Merlin away from him.

Not if Merlin was gone, and Arthur too dead to protect him…

How…how could Arthur had failed in life so epically? Where did it all go wrong? How had Arthur ended up here? Had it all been because Merlin had drunken the poison for him? Or had they'd already been on the road that would lead them here? Had it all started the moment Arthur had slapped Merlin? Or had it been before even then…have they been destined to end up exactly where they were ever since the day they met? Had there been anything Arthur could've done to prevent this…or was Arthur a failure in each and every alternate universe that house its own version of Arthur and Merlin existing together.

Arthur's screams abruptly cut off, the breath being sucked out of his lungs when he heard it…a familiar scuttling and clicking sound coming from nearby…and more than just the one.

X

Merlin Pendragon's eyes glowed a soft golden light, watching as his husband struggled to climb up on the ledge he hung on, allowing him to see easily through the dark. But this meant the consort could also see the millions of spiders brewing around the edges of the cavern. Waiting to see what Arthur would do before they attacked…but Arthur was helplessly unprepared if he couldn't even see the threat creeping out of multiple holes hiding little secret tunnels. Carved by the spiders to allow full access to every inch of the cavern, no single stone not marked as their territory.

And Arthur was right in the midst of it all.

After yelling at Cara not to touch him…but that only made him extremely aware of how strange this dream like world was. The Arthur he knew would have helped Cara to hurt him, the prince wasn't the type to risk his own life in order to save him. A man like that existed only in the storybooks. There wasn't a dashing hero trying to save Merlin…Merlin was the villain hidden behind others that nobody saw coming till the final twist at the end of the book. It wasn't the role Merlin had wanted to be cast in, he had fought that role every step of the way, but it seemed as if he didn't get much of a choice.

But now it felt as if the distance between Arthur and him had grown even further…Merlin was darkness and Arthur was light, and that was just how it was supposed to be. The Prince in the story always a handsome lad who slayed whatever stood in his way…it was the kind of husband Merlin would have wanted had he been given the choice. A man strong and brave and kind to others…somebody who would care about him enough to battle the dragon-or the spiders-in order to save him. Since it meant Merlin was wanted. That he was loved. That he wasn't alone in a world designed to be against him at every turn of the way.

This might be a dream.

And the Arthur in front of him wasn't the real Arthur.

But Merlin wanted to save this Arthur…wanted to prove he was strong enough and brave enough to stand by his side so they could fight the dragon-spiders-together.

"It's too dark, Arthur. You won't be able to fight like that…" the consort said softly, teetering on the edge of the cliff but there was no fear of falling. He was nothing but a ghost, staring with a forlorn expression at the creeping spiders. He watched while Arthur swung a leg up onto the ledge, struggling to pull all the way up. But getting to his feet would only fix half the problem, he couldn't fight an enemy he couldn't see. Merlin pressed his hands together, staring down at them with a concentrated look as he searched his mind for the right spell. And it came to him, "Fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme. Fromum feohgiftum."

Merlin knew he had gotten the words right, but there wasn't a single flicker in his hands to indicate that. He frowned, maybe he couldn't use magic in his dreams. But that wasn't right…as how else did Merlin travel from the clearing and to the forests and to the caves through a midst of fog. All of that had to be a magic all its own. And all Merlin needed to do was harness it to make it work for him. Shift it into something else…Magic could be unexplainable and volatile at the best of times. But it wasn't anything more than pure energy, something to be reshaped to the will of the one wielding it. Merlin just needed to…

He just needed to…

Merlin repeated the spell, the Latin falling off his lips with the same strength it would take to punch somebody out. He said the spell again and again, each syllable being dragged out his lips with a forceful exhale. Pushing every bit of concentrated strength behind it, staring sorely at his hands where he could see only a small flicker of light trying to peek out through his hands. But it wasn't strong enough, the light glow struggling to seep through his fingers fading faster than it stayed lit up. That wouldn't do…it wouldn't do at all.

Merlin repeated the spell stronger…

Faster…

Louder…

Almost chanting it, until it was the only thing he could feel and see and even think. The magic in his blood stirred restlessly at his call, seeking to answer it but something seemed as if it was blocking the spell from completing. He didn't know if that was because this was a dream, or if this was because of something else he didn't know about. But Merlin chanted again, trying to force his will over the blockage. His eyes glowing so bright and powerful and strong, it could have passed for molted lava or lit the cave up by itself. But Arthur wouldn't be able to see a glow from way up there, and Merlin had never been one that played by the rules given to him.

Not even by the rules of magic.

And Merlin could feel the crashing waves of magic that forced his body to shudder uncontrollably. The pulsing wave of magic forcing itself over the blockade. The glow resting between his hands flickered to life like some kind of torch, so bright that he had to squeeze his eyes shut to try and hide himself before its burning light-hotter than a thousand suns-could blind him.

And Merlin released, the glowing ball of energy escaping from his hands…doing absolutely nothing to help Arthur because he could not see into the world of dreams…

X

Gaius swallowed hard, nervousness twisting his gut as if he'd gone and swallowed a thousand snakes. Anybody would have been nervous in his situation…it was one thing for Merlin to be saying magic spells in his sleep. It could be explained away by a fever dream, nothing more than the delusions of a boy born from the heated haze of death reining over the consciousness. What was not so easily explained, was the soft, flickering bit of light Gaius could see trying to peek out from beneath the thick blanket he had on Merlin. He almost couldn't believe the sight of it when he first noticed something was amiss…

This should have been impossible. In fact, Gaius'd been sure it was impossible! Magic needed to be focused for a spell to land the way it was meant to. Magic needed to be concentrated…he shouldn't have been able to do anything in his sleep. But Gaius also hadn't taken into account how unique Merlin was. And his strange ability to do magic instinctively, not needing to use the words of a spell to make things happen. Perhaps Merlin saying the spell itself as a focal point was actually making it stronger …it was the only explanation Gaius could think on why this was starting to happen now. It was a weak explanation at best, but there was precious little research on somebody like Merlin that he could consult. Even less in the very few books he managed to hide away when Uther had been burning everything during the beginning's of the great purge…

The knocking on the door made Gaius flinch, his eyes darting to the light dimming under the blanket-had Merlin managed to somehow sense that danger was near? Or was it some strange coincidence that his stirring magic had died down…he did not know. All Gaius knew was that Gwen was standing at his desk, fingers tracing alongside the beast sketched across the pages detailing the morteous flower. And Leon was inching his way to the door, sword already drawn and prepared to attack any who tried forcing their way inside. Neither one, Gaius noticed with a very small amount of relief, had seemed to notice.

"State your purpose and explain why I should not kill you right where you stand for coming here when it is strictly prohibited at this time." Leon demanded in a tone meant to cause others to shake in their boots, already throwing the door opened and slashing his sword down to rest against the delicate throat of a petite woman standing in the doorway. There was a moment of pause before Leon turned red, coloring when he realized he'd acted prematurely in his haste to protect Merlin and his dignity from any onlookers trying to catch a peek. "My lady, I do hope you accept my sincerest apologies. I did not realize that it was you, though I should have anticipated that you would've found your way down here eventually. Again, I apologize for nearly…beheading you, my lady."

Sir Leon quickly placed his sword back into the scabbard tied to his hip and stepped aside. Allowing Lady Morgana to enter the rooms, her hair carefully braided and flipped over the front of her shoulder. A dark green day dress encasing her form in a silken beauty. She spared Leon a glance, but she had her eyes landing on Merlin's still form almost immediately. The aged old physician refused to wring his hands together like any teenage girl would when nervous, but he still held his breath and hoped Merlin wouldn't do anything strange while he was being looked at. There was only so much Gaius could do if they actually saw him using magic…the stakes suddenly seemed so much higher now that Merlin seemed to have no control over how he would be using his magic.

"I don't want you to think of it a moment more. I would expect nothing less from a knight trying to protect his kingdom's very own consort during these tiring times." Morgana said in a most regal voice. Most noblewomen probably would've tried yelling for Leon's head if a knight had tried pulling out a sword against them. Refusing to listen to reason or circumstances for why he had done it…but Morgana was too kind for her own good when she wanted to be. "I suppose we can at least be sure there will not be anymore travesties falling on Merlin other than what he has already suffered. There's just too many threats happening all at once. Even with Mercia locked away, I don't feel safe out there by myself. There's no telling what other threats may try and take advantage of Merlin in this state. Being vigilante will prevent anything worse that will ensure Merlin's demise…"

Morgana's voice trailed off sharply…she had been speaking so clinically. Like a lady offering condolences only because it was expected of her to keep the good graces of a family she might want to exploit for her own means one of these days. But tears unshed made her eyes glimmer in the light…speaking this way was her way of detaching herself from the situation. It was her way of protecting herself from the inevitable pain that came if Merlin didn't make it. She had been so strong holding herself back, but now that she was out of the main area of the castle where she was expected to act and behave a certain way…she was finally in a place that wouldn't condemn her for showing a glimmer of emotion.

"That's a shame." Gwen's soft voice rang across the room, so croaky and unsure…it was the first words she had spoken after returning from the cells. The first words she had said, and they were coated with the same ache as Morgana. Gwen didn't look up from where she was casually tracing her slim finger's along the venomous fangs of the beast sketching. She already knew exactly what Morgana had meant by saying 'threats' and 'who knows what other threats might take advantage'. "That we are forced to not only worry about foreigners trying to take Merlin from us. But our own people trying to finish the job. And all so Merlin won't be Arthur's Consort anymore…is there no end to the hate? Do these people truly have no shame?"

The room became heavy and suffocating as Gwen trailed off, bringing the entire room down with only a few choice words. It wasn't right, but-as the three others glanced to each other-the four of them felt as if they were the only people in the city who cared for Merlin. Or at least cared enough to not see him off to his deathbed. But nobody seemed to know what to say, it was impossible to ignore or pretend that there wouldn't be a threat anywhere they looked outside that door. Even a single mother with a baby strapped to her hip might try to kill Merlin if there was a chance and opportunity for her to get close…but that's why they were here. To make sure nobody got close enough to have such a chance, though Gaius had a tougher mission than the rest of them combined.

"Well, Lady Morgana. I am sure Merlin will appreciate the visit from you, but perhaps you could do something while you are here to help out." Gaius said quickly, sounding quite urgent all of a sudden. Morgana blinked surprised…she hadn't expected to be put to work as soon as she walked through the doors. In fact, she hadn't been expected to be put to work at all. It was quite ungentlemanly behavior to expect a woman of her status to lift a finger when she was a guest. But Gaius hardly gave the lady the option to refuse or ask questions, already grabbing up the half empty water basket at his feet with one hand. And the physician took Gwen by the wrist, ignoring her near silent yelp as Gaius pushed her into Morgana. Pressing the water basin to Gwen's chest, forcing her to grab onto it before it could fall out of her hands and soak both of their dresses. "I must ask you to walk with Gwen to the water pump and get some fresh water. I do not want Gwen to go by herself since it will be getting dark soon. And like you said, there are many threats out there. I will not want Gwen hurt if somebody decides to go after her while she's publicly helping Merlin, yes? Nobody would dare try and do anything with Uther's ward by her side…"

The two girls looked at each other, shoulders pressed together and completely confused. Gwen had fallen back into her silent state, but it wasn't like Morgana was going to protest walking with Gwen. She would never be able to forgive herself if some rouge peasant man took his rage out on Gwen just for being a friend to Merlin. But Gaius hardly gave either of them an option to stay, taking both girls by the shoulders and leading them to the hall. Gaius slammed the door in their faces, slapping hands together as if to silently say 'well, that was done'. But the aged physician stopped, blinking when he saw Leon standing ahead of him. The knight's eyebrow was arched high above his head, as if he was trying to question Gaius' decision to send the two girls out into what might be a war land if things had really gone out of order while they had been sealed away inside of here.

"Er…I don't suppose you would go with them? Perhaps they'd feel safer if they had an escort to go with? Now that I think of it, didn't Morgana say just moments ago that she didn't feel so safe? If you leave now, you can catch up with them. I really do not think they could have gotten far." Gaius said quickly, eyes darting to Merlin's bedside. Leon had his back turned towards the consort, and therefore, didn't see the resounding glow of light returning. Brighter and more noticeable than it had been the first time. Perhaps Leon caught sight of it out the corner of his eye, because he was starting to turn around. And a single drop of anxiety induced sweat worked its way down the back of Gaius neck. "…I DEMAND YOU WAIT OUTSIDE!"

Gaius practically yelled this as loud as he could, since clearly, Leon wasn't going to leave Merlin's side to go walking with the girls-it really would be a long shot for something that violently to happen. But it got what he wanted, and Leon was whipping back around to look at him. Absolutely baffled, like he thought Gaius might have truly lost his marbles. But Gaius didn't care if he looked crazy-he felt crazy-his eyes darting inconspicuously back at Merlin. Where the glow started looking like some kind of beacon just daring for Leon to turn around and see just how unnatural it was. Absolutely wicked to a man raised to believe magic was inherited wrong and evil. He needed to get the man out while he still could. Before Merlin did something not even Gaius would have been able to hide.

"I need a moment of privacy with my nephew." Gaius quickly said, not entirely sure where he was going with this, but he'd say anything to get Leon to take his guard shift outside of the door. Just long enough for Gaius to figure out a way to get his nephew's magic to stop manifesting. But Gaius never was very good at making up lies on the spot, and when Leon looked like he was about to protest, the physician spit out the first words that came to mind. "Do you want to see my nephew naked, Sir Leon?! I would have thought a knight of your caliber would've had more honor than trying to sneak a peek at a teenage boy's naked body."

Leon's mouth dropped opened, looking absolutely horrified by his honor being questioned like that. Horrified by the sudden twist in behavior, and Gaius' sudden accusations…accused of being a pervert was one thing. But then being looked down at as if Leon had just admitted to thinking unclean thoughts that concerned a boy far younger than his twenty eight wingers old self should find sexually pleasing was humiliating. As if he had suddenly been caught with a hand forced down the front of his pants as he touched himself to the thoughts of fresh teenager skin ripe for the taking. And that wasn't even including Merlin's consort status, elevating him far higher than Leon, and making such thoughts an actual crime if Arthur-Merlin's husband-went and decided to demand reparations be made on the behalf of his husband…things like this were no joke. And could quite ruin a man if taken seriously.

"He has been sitting in those filthy sweat soaked clothes for at least two days, or just about. So as his uncle and his physician, I think he is a little bit entitled to have some privacy where he's not being watched as I get him into his nightclothes." The aged physician said quickly. He maneuvered himself so he stood by Leon's side, hand bracing his elbow and leading the stuttering Leon towards the door. He cast another glance behind him to see the persistent glow under the blanket. "Besides, I really do not think Arthur will appreciate returning home, only to be told the man he assigned to protect his consort, was too busy with being inappropriate to do an adequate job. I'm quite certain he will be safe in my care without you trying to get fresh with him. Perhaps a sweep around the parameter outside will be enough for you to cool down and do your job correctly, yes?"

Despite how 'open' the younger generation could be, the aged physician also knew people could be closed off when it came to sex. As open as they were to actually doing it, talking about it was always enough to cause awkwardness. And Gaius used that to his advantage, dropping Arthur's name into it as just an added shame factor. Shame shame on Leon for trying to catch sight of innocent skin. Shameful of Leon for being impure with his own prince's consort. Shame on Leon for not even seeking Merlin's permission-unconscious as he was-to be allowed one single peek at what might lay beneath his garments. And that is why it was all too easy for Gaius to slam the door in his face, sealing himself inside the room with Merlin.

As soon as that was done, Gaius let out this breathy sigh as he shook his head. He was sure he was going to pay for that later on, or perhaps feel badly about it since Leon would most likely look like a kicked puppy whenever he returned from 'checking the perimeter'. But desperate situations called for Gaius to use desperate measures. And speaking of desperation…he hurried across the room to his nephew. His nephew who had returned to muttering spells under his breath…was it a light spell? That definitely made sense considering the unearthly glow coming from under the blankets. Gaius knew he probably didn't want to see what was going on under there-more like he didn't want to see what could have just gotten his nephew caught-but the physician had a studious mind. And his curiosity won out, and he carefully peeled back the blankets to get a closer look.

Gaius gasped, dropping the blanket back down across Merlin's lower half, his hands trembling at the wondrous sight that laid before him. He carefully knelt down on the ground so he could get a better look at it. It was an orb…some kind of floating light ball unlike anything Gaius ever seen before. So many different shades of light bouncing around inside of it, floating above the consort's hand as if it was meant to be there. And perhaps the ball of light was…Gaius could be wrong about this. But he was sure the little lights bouncing around inside was little bits and pieces of Merlin's essence…his magic manifesting itself a pure physical form. This took subconscious and instinctive magic to a whole new level. In fact, Gaius doubted Merlin would've been able to pull off the same trick if he was awake. Maybe if he had a few more years of practice under his belt, he could replicate it again. But this…if there had been any doubt that his nephew was good and pure…this would have washed it away.

Nothing evil could have made something so beautiful.

And Gaius watched in fascination as the ball of light started to twinkle and sparkle, flames of beauty dancing inside of it. The kind of flame that came from life, keeping people warm during the winter months. Cooking their food so they wouldn't starve or be forced to survive off plants. Showcasing the true beauty fire could have. Something rarely seen when fires were known for destruction and chaos and executions…and often times the worse fear a person could have. What, Gaius had to marvel, is his nephew doing? It had to be for something specific, but why a ball of light? Why…

Gaius didn't know if he would ever have a proper answer.

X

"Come on you stupid piece of wood. Just light already. It isn't like it's the hardest thing to do in the world. You aren't even a wet piece of wood!" Morris cursed under his breath, bashing two rocks together to try and create a spark. It had been too easy for Morris to sneak into one of the forested areas inside of the Camelot gates-as small as those areas are, only a few measly trees really-but it was deserted. And that was all he'd been concerned about. Even with the late afternoon sun trying to pull him into the quiet lull the rest of the kingdom had fallen into, waiting for something to happen. Morris didn't have that kind of luxury when he had actual work (bashing the rocks) to (bashing again) do! The long length of wood between his legs erupted into fire, and Morris grinned as he held it up before he could get burned. "Well then, it's about damn time! And here I thought you were actually trying to get me caught, making me work for so long."

Morris apparently saw nothing wrong with talking to an object that could never talk back. He never saw how deranged it was to do this, as he held up the torchlight so he could marvel with the brightness of the flickering glow. The fire almost behaved as if it was dancing in the breeze, which caused it to reflect off his cold eyes. The shadows flickering across his face made his smile look more fang like, devious…destructive. A side he had learned to never show to another, knowing it wouldn't do more than have him sent away. But someday…perhaps somebody all of Camelot would see how superior Morris was to them.

And Morris tossed his torch onto the ground in front of him.

Morris was covered in a fine layer of dirt, the troubles one had to face when they spent the better part of the afternoon trying to dig up a small trench. Just long enough to fit the body of a certain serving boy who dug his nose where it wasn't meant to be. And the rug-his only rug-wrapped snugly around the body after Morris realized it would be too much work trying to clean off the blood, burst into flames. The crackling fire burned and burned, the rug splintering and melting as it melded against a man Morris had wasted too much time on.

But no matter.

With the few chemicals Morris had been saving for a particular rainy day, the body would be completely gone within the hour or so. All Morris had to do was sit around and wait so he could put the fire out afterwards, leaving behind no evidence of what had just happened. John would just be one of the many who'd disappeared from the grounds. It wasn't as if they had people disappearing all the time. But it wasn't strange for a servant or two every year to run off, determined to live a better life away from the city. Idealists, completely unaware that working in the castle was literally the best they were going to get.

But, Morris thought as he took a seat by the fire, staying warm as the scent of decaying flesh met his nostrils…he would never be one of those runaways. Too cowardly to stick it out for long enough to make every noble who had ever looked down their noses at them 'pay' for the unfair advantages that'd been born having. Soon, Morris thought, picking up his book-stupid, he'd been, to keep it so close at hand-and tossing it into the flames of top of the body. And Morris watched, expression calm and detached as he watched the edges of the pages growing black and crumbling to dusty remains.

Soon, they would all know who Morris was.

And that they had been wrong to underestimate his brilliance.

X

Arthur Pendragon cursed loudly under his breath when he fell from the ledge once again, just barely holding onto the wall by his fingertips. This damn ledge was too slippery for him to get a good grip on. This must have been the fifth time or so he had slid straight back off, but he didn't care how many times it was going to take him. Arthur would do this act again for a hundred times or more…a thousand, even! As long as it got him just one step closer to figuring out how to get out of this. Arthur didn't have an actual plan for how he was going to get off these cliffs of hell, but he knew he couldn't do anything without getting on his feet.

And the spiders…

Oh god, the spiders.

Arthur had never been scared of spiders before. He had never thought twice of their eight hairy legs. Or their beady little red eyes staring him down. Or the way they shot webs out of their behinds strong enough to wrap itself around any prey, leaving them immovable until it was dinner time. Because Arthur had known, no matter the spider, they could always be defeated in one quick and sure way…being squashed underneath his steel toed boots. That method wouldn't work with these spiders and he could only imagine how strong and thick their webs would have to be to keep him a prisoner. If they even bothered to try wrapping him up to go, when they could just knock him off the wall and end him right then and there. No fighting from him as they picked at and consumed pieces of his dead corpse.

And yet…

Merlin was still out there. And his name was what gave Arthur the strength to try again, lifting his leg as high up as it would go so he could try hitching his thigh back over the ledge. The sorceress could be making her way to Camelot right this very minute, and Arthur was going to be here still trying to climb up this stupid fucking wall. Still waiting to be attacked by an army of spiders. And! As if to top it all off, Arthur still hadn't gotten a hand on the flowers hovering several feet above his head on a much smaller ledge all his own. Trying to taunt him with being so close, but so out of reach too…

"Come on, come on. I'm almost there. Just a little bit further to go." Arthur encouraged himself underneath his breath, hissing as he hitched himself a bit further up the wall, fingers gripping at the dirt on the ledge as if it would aid him. His body broken and his soul weary, feeling as if he might kneel over from all of the sheer exhaustion this endeavor was costing him…this only fueled him to keep going. He wouldn't stop here, not when he was so close. Not when he was so close to-okay, Arthur wasn't close at all, but he would hold onto what little he could-to what could only be his salvation. If standing on a ledge and still able to do absolutely nothing-useless, he was fucking useless-with his situation. "Come on…just think of Merlin. Think of what that bitch is going to do to him if I don't get out of here. Just think about…what Merlin would bloody well do if he could see what a fool I'm being."

Arthur stopped for a moment, curled over the ledge but unable to pull himself up all the way…Merlin would probably be trying to curse him out right now. Demanding to know how he ended up in this situation to become with…an involuntary smile grew on his face. God, he would literally give anything to be able to hear Merlin's voice one more time. See him as the man he had been, cocky and young and teasing him to no end. Instead of how Arthur had left him…dead and pale and weak…fragile in a new, strange way that frightened Arthur even more than being hung off this cliff did…Arthur inched himself further across the ledge, so close to being able to swing his hip over the top of it fully…

Arthur flinched violently, scrambling to grab onto the edge just before he could go tumbling back over…but anybody would be startled if the cave they were stuck in, suddenly wasn't as dark as it had been. A ball of light…giving off an eerie blue glow was floating somewhere above his head. He didn't know how it had appeared, or when it had decided to make itself known…had it been floating there this entire time? Drifting closer until Arthur had finally noticed it…a shiver rolled down his spine. Magic…it was magic. There was no other explanation. And since it was magic…did that mean the witch had sent it? To make sure the prince wouldn't actually escape and stop her? Had she been that nervous about him…Arthur swallowed hard, before forcing himself to swallow down his fear. Force it into the back of his mind until he could pretend it wasn't there at all.

"Come on, then! You stupid ball of light! What the hell are you waiting for!" Arthur shouted as loud as he could, with his voice echoing off the walls of the caves. He needed to be brave…the prince was very likely going to die in the next few minutes. And he couldn't go down like a coward. He wouldn't go down like a coward. He might not know what to expect, he might be only a failure of the worse kind, but…but…he was a knight. He wasn't supposed to show fear in the face of death. But the ball simply floated there, doing nothing more and nothing less. It made his anxiety soar beyond what he thought the human body should have been capable of feeling. That didn't stop him from yelling once again, "Come on! Just finish me already!"

And Arthur squeezed his eyes shut as tightly as he could, lying his body flat against the curve of the ledge. He couldn't have known what the witch had planned for him, or what the ball of light was going to do to him. For all he knew, the bloody thing was going to explode and cause a massive cave in that would end Arthur within seconds. Maybe it would throw odd beams of light at him, tossing his body around the cave as if he was only a rag doll. Bashing his skull against the rocks until there wasn't even a scrap of skin still sticking to him. He just didn't know…and the only thing he could do was brace himself for an inevitable attack.

And apologize to Merlin…apologize silently for not being able to make it back like he had promised. Apologize for not being able to fix things between them. Apologize for allowing things to get as bad as they have been. Apologize for not seeing the troubles brewing right in front of his eyes. Apologize for being the worse husband on the face of the planet. Arthur supposed the only thing he could do, was hope he got to see his consort in the after life. It wouldn't even begin to make up for what the prince had done to Merlin. But if there was a god…he hoped he would be allowed to see Merlin.

Just one more time.

Just one more…

But the seconds passed by like an eternity where nothing was happening. And the only thing Arthur felt was the soft, gentle caressing of the glow against his skin. The hair on his forearms was starting to stand on end under his armor, the hair clinging to the back of his neck pointing up as if it was arching towards the mystery ball of light. And eventually, Arthur had no choice other than to peek out his eye. Spying the little ball of light just …floating there? Why was it floating there? Arthur blinked slow and stupefied. Glancing around himself, as if the sorcerer was about to jump from the shadows and shout some kind of awful magical curse at him while he was too stunned to deflect it in some way.

But the witch was nowhere's to be found.

Arthur wasn't sure what to make about that, but the ball had enough light glowing from it, that Arthur could finally see what he was doing. And it was suddenly infinitely easier to swing up the rest of the way. The ledge was small though, forcing Arthur to scramble to his feet, grabbing his sword along the way. The prince waved his sword up at the light, waiting for an attack he didn't know would never come. Not knowing how he was going to fight when he didn't have much room to maneuver around in the first place…

Arthur readjusted his sweaty grip around the handle…he didn't know how to explain this, but there was something…off? About the light. Some strange energy it was giving off…something so powerful and strong, it would've sent herds of animals running in the opposite direction if they thought it was a threat. But the light didn't feel so…dark? Maybe because of the way it glowed, giving Arthur a light source that had been previously denied to him. The witch-when she had cast her earthquake spell-made things feel so cold. As if there was no hope left in the world at all. And then came this light, and…the caress of it was gentling along his skin. Soft as it brushed through his hair, touching his cheek in the strange reminiscence of fingertips that had never touched him before.

Strange.

Seductive.

Powerful.

Enough to take his breath away.

And it felt so strangely, achingly, familiar…

Arthur could have sworn he had felt this strange power before, and it was just on the tip of his tongue. But come hell or high water, he just couldn't remember. All he knew was that there was something, some deep and primal urge he hadn't known existed, inside of him. Urging him to step right off this cliff and be confident in the orb's ability to somehow catch him before he fell to his death. But he didn't, plastering himself to the wall of the cave as tightly as he could. Perhaps, Arthur thought, as no small amount of unsettledness washed over him, that's the ball's ability. Not flashy beams or explosive quality. But being alluring and tempting-like the call of a siren urging a sailor into crashing his ship against the rocks-enough that a mortal man like Arthur would gladly walk to his death in order to get closer to it.

Maybe if Arthur had been anybody else, it would have worked too.

But being raised by a man as paranoid as the Great King Uther Pendragon had been, some lessons had ended up drilled into his head.

Like never trust something that seemed unnatural.

Always be aware of what was going on…

Magic was wrong…

But the light only twinkled some more at him, which increased Arthur's strange urge to get as close as he could to it. Wanting to hold the ball of light in his arms, rub gentle fingers along the shell as if it was some kind of hairless pet. Allowing the light or the glow or the pure waves of energy to surround him until the prince smothered himself in its power. Close enough to brush his lips along it…and Arthur almost let out a mournful groan as the light finally started to move. Drifting up towards the ceiling as it left him behind…Arthur had to physically stop himself just before he raised an arm. Desperate to call it back down to him so he wouldn't be alone in his final moments. Wanting to keep it for his own…

The ball of light rose higher, and Arthur caught this glimmer of yellow reflecting off the light as it passed by…the flowers! The Mortaeus flowers…Merlin! Arthur shook his head violently, and tried pushing aside the seduction of the glow. It was easier to do so now, with Merlin center focused in his mind. He couldn't believe he had allowed himself to be distracted, almost unable to believe there was actually something out there that had the ability to block Merlin from his mind. Even momentarily. A light like that was clearly powerful, but…if it wasn't going to try and hurt him. Then Arthur was going to use it to his advantage the only way he knew how…by following it. Even if Arthur ended up somewhere worse, then at least he would be off this cliff…

Arthur told himself the allure of the light was gone, and he told himself he was only following it because it was practically, as it was the only light source around. But he knew that was all lies as he threw himself up, finding footholds that had been hidden from him in the dark. And not a moment too soon, as this small handful of spiders climbed over the ledge where Arthur'd been mere moment ago. Arthur kept climbing, further up the wall as fast as he could, the light slowing down or speeding up when he did. Staying in his line of sight always, but Arthur only had his eyes set on one thing and one thing only…

The Mortaeus flower…

Arthur was only about a foot below the small cluster of flowers on the tiny little ledge jutting out of the stone. He eyed them a bit greedily, as-for the first time in days-hope started filling his chest. With enough strength that he felt as if he could've burst from it. The yellow flower petals seemed to be glimmering with the glow of the light…they looked like ordinary flowers. But the prince saw them as the most beautiful thing in the world. They might even be more beautiful than the glowing light ball. Being that Arthur was fully aware of their ability to bring Merlin back to him. Maybe…Arthur thought as he started stretching out his arm in order to reach them…maybe everything would be okay…

'Leave them, Arthur.'

Arthur snatched his hand back from the flowers, startled with the voice ringing in his ears. Or…maybe not a voice, the prince thought as he squinted up towards the light ball. He could not have been sure if what he had heard had really been a voice at all. It had been so low and soft, full of static…perhaps that had simply been his imagination playing tricks on him. He had been so isolated in these caves for the last few hours, it wasn't hard to assume his mind was starting to turn on him just as his own body had been. Even now, his arms trembled from the strain of climbing. But even if his mind was crazy, Arthur knew he would not leave without those bloody flowers.

He hadn't came this far just to leave them behind. He hadn't been tricked by a psychotic witch with a very poor seduction technique just to climb straight past them. He hadn't hung on that wall for longer than should be humanly possible not to get what he had came for. He hadn't battled a spider bigger than his own head just to pretend they weren't just out of reach. He didn't have thousands of spiders scuttling down beneath his feet somewhere just to keep climbing in an attempt to evade them. He hadn't started following a glowing ball of light that-in the normal world, where Arthur had came from-shouldn't exist just so he could listen to the creepy voice in his head trying to tell him to ignore the flowers.

To ignore Merlin and his needs…

Never again, Arthur thought as he pitched himself a bit higher up the wall, only a few inches beneath the flowers now. It was 'just' out of reach still, but the distance was getting closer. He could almost feel his victory in his hand. Could almost feel the potency hidden in those flowers…returners of life. He grabbed onto another handhold directly underneath the ledge…and the prince jerked back with a hiss. Looking down at his covered up hand…the glove had a rip in the fabric. Little beads of vivid red blood leaking through the fabric…a gash had been sliced open across the palm of his hand. Nothing so bad that it would need stitches or medical attention, but the open fabric was sticking to it. Tugging open at the wound…the handhold he'd grabbed onto had a much sharper point to it than he'd been expecting it to have.

But the glove was pretty darn useless by this point. Arthur did not hesitate to bring the glove up to his mouth. Grabbing onto the fabric covering his middle finger with his teeth and yanking it off. He spit it back out, where it disappeared into the largely withering mass of spiders several yards below him. Arthur paid them no attention, knowing it would only distract him from the goal. And Arthur grabbed back onto the handhold he had been going for, more gingerly and aware now that it had a bit of bite to it. Arthur grunted as he pulled himself up some more, being guided by the ball of light still floating up above him seemingly harmless…Arthur froze when his head came equal to where his hand was…

His ring…

His bloody wedding ring!

Shining silver against the healthy tan of his skin, the little red dragon insignia he had dreamed of once searing into Merlin's inner thigh seemed to be blinking up at him…

How the fuck had Arthur forgotten he had been wearing it. All this time…arguing with his father, being convinced to go from Morgana, his fight with Morris…searching for something of his consort to bring with him…leaving Camelot…being attacked by the beast of the forest and tricked by the witch and left behind in these caves…Arthur hadn't been left behind. All this time, he had Merlin with him. It was strange and wouldn't have made all that much sense to other people. But…Arthur traced every one of the minute details of the ring, from the circular shape and to the way the dragon's tail was curved…Merlin had been through all of this with him as well.

In some strange, metaphorical way.

When Arthur had taken Merlin's neckerchief with him, it'd been because he was desperate to have something that'd belonged to his consort to accompany him on the journey. But the cloth was stolen, Merlin hadn't given it to him. Well…he technically had in the form of a favor, but he had also demanded Arthur to give it back. And Arthur had lost it, but when he had found the cloth, he had decided to keep it. For reasons he couldn't have said were completely clear to him. But the ring was different…they both had one. It connected them in a way the neckerchief -as possessive over that stupid piece of cloth he was, simply because it had once belonged to Merlin-just didn't. The ring was special…

Arthur was loathed to admit he had forgotten it was there. The ring had been so strange when he had first slid it back on just so he could keep up appearances in front of Mercia. He hadn't been able to stop messing with it at first, twisting it around on his finger, unaccustomed to it. But now…if Arthur forgotten he had been wearing it all this time…perhaps the feel was finally starting to settle in. Perhaps, Arthur thought as his brows went furrowed in single minded determination…he wouldn't even be bothered with taking it off again after all this was over.

Yes, Arthur thought as he tilted his head back up as the group of spiders started screeching and clicking their pinchers in his direction ominously…this ring was never going to come off his hand again, he decided as he finally pulled himself up with the handhold. It would serve as a reminder of what he had nearly lost today-god, he needed to save Merlin-and remind him that he needed to start 'seeing' Merlin. The ring would remind him of this hallow empty feeling that came whenever he thought of Merlin not being there…and then Arthur was there. Eye level to the flowers he had been so desperately after, taking his breath away from him.

They were even more beautiful up close, with a small patch of grass surrounding the base of it. They were marvelous to look at, his tense shoulders relaxing now that he was finally here, in touching distance. Arthur would never be able to understand how these flowers could grow in such a desolate place. How it had managed to survive with the spiders crawling around while trying to destroy everything in their wake…they must've been resistant little buggers. Strong and bold enough to survive the worse of conditions despite their fragile appearance…

So much like Merlin, that his heart practically screamed at the symmetry he found there…

'Go…save yourself.'

Arthur's head whipped back up, gazing towards the light…he knew he wasn't crazy this time. The first time he could have dismissed as nothing more than his own imagination. But the second time…it was coming from the light. Was it some kind of strange communication device, was somebody watching him in his struggle? Arthur's grip tightened around his hold on the wall, he didn't know how he felt about somebody watching him like this. Didn't know what he could do about it either. It should have felt like a violation, but somehow…it wasn't.

Perhaps because Arthur could say with upmost confidence…the light hadn't came from the witch.

She probably didn't even realize it was there.

The voice was still full of static and low, but Arthur was able to pick up a distinctively male tone…

But what did it mean by 'save yourself?' Arthur had thought it was simply taking him up, floating like this piece of driftwood on top of the water. But if it wasn't just floating there…if there was something controlling it…leading him to somewhere more specific…Arthur felt his breath escaping from him as the light floated off to the side. Another light greeted him, one far more familiar. There was a crack in the ceiling about another yard or so above his head. A large crack in the cavern…moonlight was streaming in. Basking him in its glow.

Freedom.

An escape.

Hope.

Merlin…

'Follow the light'

The light ball shimmered, and the idea of somebody sending this ball of light to help him…it was unfathomable. Somebody was using 'magic' to help him. Somebody 'knew' he was stuck and in trouble and had came for him…but who? And how…that voice was too distorted for him to even hope of making out if it was familiar. But nobody Arthur knew had magic, they'd ended up executed if they did. But the biggest question rung deep in his mind…Why? Why would somebody go and use magic to try and help him? A sorcerer had every reason in the world to see him dead. And no reason for wanting him alive…it didn't make any sense. Arthur literally could not comprehend the very idea of magic being used as anything other than something to hurt people with.

Could magic really do something harmless?

Could magic be used to do other things?

Could there be a sorcerer out there who wanted to help?

Unless they had some alternative reason for wanting him to be alive…some plan that required Arthur around…that had to be it, right? Had to be some reasonable explanation other than…the magic being used to Help Him. Repeating that phrase inside of his head did nothing to make it sound like it was any less crazy than it had the first time.

'Follow the light!'

The distorted echo came out more forceful, as if it was yelling or being scornful towards him for not listening the first time it had said it. And Arthur's jaw went tight, but it propelled him to go higher. His hand darting out to snatch just a measly handful of the flowers…he curled his fist around it, protective. Gingerly as to not break them apart…it was every flower the little ledge shelf had. He didn't want to risk just grabbing one only to lose it or have it ruined beyond prepare during travel. And he didn't care if the light said to leave them behind…if there was some small chance that the light really was trying to help him then it could just be damn well patient and help Merlin too.

Arthur was careful-probably more careful than he had been in his entire life-when placing them in the little pouch attached to his belt. Closing it up the best he could one handed to be sure not a single flower would escape. One flower escaping meant less chance of Merlin's recovery…Arthur started climbing up as the glowing light glittered ominously at him. But-as Arthur was stretching his arm up to grab onto a handhold that had been a bit too far out of reach-he got the feeling it was more annoyed or irritated at him. As if it was impatient because Arthur hadn't just taken the glowing helping hand being reached out to him…

Arthur only clenched his jaw tighter, close enough to freedom that he could feel the breeze on his sweating face. But the air of freedom was also accompanied by the clicking of the many spiders beneath him. Arthur's Adam apple bobbed anxiously, sparing a glance beneath him to look at the withering mass of blackness that was starting to crawl up the wall towards him…many smaller spiders breaking apart from the main mass to try and get to him first. He wasn't sure if he could climb any faster than he was going already, wasn't sure if he was going to get out before they got to him…

'Faster. Faster. Follow the light. Move. CLIMB!'

Arthur threw his arm out as if he was trying to throw a punch, cold air meeting his heated flesh as he grabbed onto a handful of grass surrounding the crack. He could feel the dirt clenched tight beneath his palm, and Arthur used this to drag himself up out of the hole. Nearly collapsing across the grass on his belly as he sucked in breath after breath of the night air, before the prince dragged himself the rest of the way out. Pulling free his legs before the spiders could attach themselves to him and try pulling him back down into that hellhole…

It was only once he was free of danger, did Arthur flip himself over onto his back. Chest heaving as he greedily sucked in as much breath as he could, his arms nearly melded on the grass since he was unable to pick them up after the workout he had just went through. But still, as Arthur gazed up at the moon, a sight he had never thought he would see again…he started to grin. A shy smile, that turned into something wider, until Arthur felt as if he had lost his mind as he started to laugh. Laugh like a crazy person in heat, his hand drifting to the little pouch that held strong to his belt…he'd done it. He had gotten the flower Merlin so desperately needed…

And he hadn't done it alone.

With this thought, Arthur's insane grin dropped like this stone in the pit of his stomach and he rolled back over onto his feet, waiting for the other shoe to drop now that they were standing clear of the spiders. Waiting for the magical orb to prove to the prince that everything he'd been feeling…every little strange or odd thought had been nothing more than Arthur's imagination taking off in the wrong direction. But nothing happened and he could still see the orb floating above his head just high enough to be out of Arthur's reach. Sensing the threat Arthur could be against him? Or just hanging around to see what Arthur would do next?

Arthur didn't know, but he glanced around to see rather or not a new sorcerer was going to step out of the shadows and start confronting him over some slight Arthur hadn't known about…but again, nothing. And gradually, Arthur started to relax. The prince should be more cautious, but he felt his tongue rolling around in his mouth, trying to consider whether or not he was now supposed to say thank you. Thank you to a magical orb in the middle of the woods…god. His father would have his head for that…if he wasn't already planning on taking his head after leaving the city in the first place.

But Arthur was uncomfortably aware about one simple fact…he was supposed to be dead. He was supposed to be food for the spiders. Supposed to be in the middle of a million different digestive tracks after he had been ripped apart. Arthur wasn't supposed to be standing here, wasn't supposed to have what it was he had came for…he owed this magical orb, or whoever had conjured it, his life. And even more importantly…he owed it Merlin's life. That wasn't something Arthur could just ignore or try to forget about. That was a debt Arthur-with all of his many advantages in life-couldn't even began to repay. Even if it had been magic that had made all of this possible…

But before Arthur could come to a decision on what he should do-before he could wonder whether or not the sorcerer would be able to hear him if he tried talking to it-the orb vanished out of sight. Appearing to turn into midst and slowly fading out his view, taking its allure with him. And Arthur opened his mouth…half planning on shouting after it to wait. To ask it 'why?' Why risk using magic when it was common knowledge they would be executed if Arthur had caught them. But the words died in his throat, leaving Arthur in the middle of the forest by himself, accompanied by nothing but the sound of crickets.

Uncomfortably aware of how alone he was, Arthur pulled out his sword just in case the sorceress who had done this to him in the first place was still hanging around, he started hurrying to where he knew his horse would still be tied up. Knowing he needed to get to Merlin as fast as he possibly could…if he got gone fast enough, he should make it back to Camelot by mid-morning. He could only hope that the sorceress wasn't really going after Merlin, and that her words had been nothing more than taunting him with his inability to save him.

But Arthur could save him.

He would.

And as Arthur climbed back onto his horse, plenty rested after the hours it had been since the prince had left him behind, he knew he had been presented with a rare opportunity. A second chance. Given to him by a magical orb…it wasn't a chance that the prince planned on wasting. Because Merlin wasn't going to die. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever, if Arthur would have a say in it. And as Arthur snapped his reins once, leading Llmel in the direction of home-in the direction of Merlin-he made a silent swear to himself.

Merlin Pendragon was never going to be alone again.

He would see to that.

X

Several hours later, the morning sun had risen high above the city of Camelot, exactly three days after Merlin Pendragon had been poisoned. Three days of tension and fear that spread out along the village with the uncertainty of their future. The King had been in his war room since before the sun had rose, since he had retrieved an intelligence report from the men stationed to watch the boarders about the kingdoms for any threats that might infringe on their kingdom. And it appeared that war was coming to their doorstep, hundreds of Mercian knights'd been spotted preparing to cross into the kingdom.

With that many men…there was no doubt the Mercian kingdom was expecting to fight. And Camelot was going to be ready to meet them blade to blade. Their only advantage was this being on their home turf, and having the Mercian King down inside of their cells. Mercian could show up with their armies, but all the Camelot King had to do was threaten their king's life. That may hopefully control the amount of bloodshed. But Mercian would storm the kingdom if something wasn't done to control them…if they got tired of waiting for something to happen. But either way, full out war was inevitable. The friction between the lands was too high to get out of this without both kingdoms looking towards serious losses on both sides.

But the kingdom being on high alert was exactly why many of the guards standing on the battlements with crossbows at the ready, were able to see the lone figure riding straight towards the castle gates. One of the men-Knight Gregory-held up his hand. Several of the men hoisted their crossbows, pulling their arrows at the ready and taking aim. If it was just a messenger, the horseman would approach the gate and be taken by those down at the gates before being brought to the king. To discuss possible solutions the political way or give them their demands from the one leading the war front. But if this was the war just now reaching them, many more men would be appearing in the horizon, ready to storm through the gates by force.

And if they tried, Camelot was ready…

Because the second Gregory put his arm down, the dozens of arrows were going to fly, piercing the flesh of anybody wanting to threaten them. And Gregory brought the telescope he held in his other hand up to his eye, taking a moment to scan along the grounds before he landed on the lone horseman riding up the pathway to the gates. Gregory frowned, seeing flashes of blond hair and a very familiar horse. There wasn't one knight in the city who wouldn't have been able to recognize the prince's prized steed. Gregory felt the surge of surprise going through him, and he immediately turned to the aimed crossbows.

"Lower your weapons immediately!" Gregory shouted over the quiet men, not daring to lower his arm in case one of the city's archers mistook the action and allowed their arrow to fly to the lone horseman. There was this rustle of confusion before all of the men were lowering their weapons. There was no reason to argue against the executive decision being made by the one in charge of their fraction. Knight Gregory turned to the man that stood the closest, giving him a job to do, "Inform the King that his son has returned! Prince Arthur should be inside the gates within the hour."

Gregory had spoken with an air of calm dignity, but the others did not show the same grace. The dozen or so knights turned to gaze at each other and whisper with this growing urgency among themselves, all of them wondering what that meant for them. And what Arthur's return would mean for the incoming war. The one that Gregory had ordered away, turned and took off down the length of the battlements in a sprint. This was not the kind of news that'd be able to wait until King Uther finally emerged from the war room, which could take hours. Prince Arthur's return left them all…

Uncertain

X

Prince Arthur Pendragon jerked the reins of his horse as hard as he could once he reached the gates of the city, forced to a stop before he could trample over the ten or so knights that'd came rushing out to welcome him. He eyed each of the man in careful contemplation, bringing a hand to his sword but didn't take it out. He should have expected the welcome party to be here waiting for him. But he had somehow expected to at least make it to Merlin before he was apprehended. But the Prince pushed his shoulders back, trying to emulate his father in this moment.

"What do you think you are doing! Allow me to pass! I demand to see my consort!" The prince said sharply, his horse moving back and forth anxiously as the knights surrounded them with caution, clearly fearing Arthur would attack them if this came down to a fight. They were right to be cautious, thought Arthur darkly in the back of his mind, taking in the men and what they had brought as far as weapons went. If Arthur'd been allowed to kill these men, then they wouldn't have stood a chance. He would have taken this particular group-nobody being brilliant in weaponry or hand to hand combat-of knights down in only a few minutes. Longer than he would have wished, but it would have been doable. But Arthur couldn't go slashing his men to bits, especially if they were only acting on orders given by his father. "I am your prince! And you will not detain me like this! Allow me into the city immediately. Or you will forced to face severe consequences for defying me."

But the knights didn't back down like Arthur had hoped they would, the fear for what their king would do if they disobeyed his orders ran far greater than what the prince would be able to do. They surrounded Arthur tighter, forming a circle around him to prevent him from breaking past them. And still, it didn't stop Arthur from gazing over their shoulders and looking with longing towards the gates. Despite knowing exactly where his consort was, Arthur had been half hoping to see Merlin trying to run out to him. Ready to greet the conquering warrior that'd risked it all just for his safekeeping. But the dream was nothing more than an impossible figment of his imagination…there was nobody racing out to find him. Least of all Merlin.

"I apologize sir, for this inconvenience. I am sure you are very anxious to return to your consort's side and see how he's been fairing during this ordeal." Knight Justin said, the ringleader of the group who already had his sword drawn and at the ready if Arthur got violent. Out of all the knights, Justin would've been the one Arthur was worried about the most. He wasn't as good as Arthur was, but he could still pack some power behind his blows. And if Arthur was having to evade another nine men on top of that…the fight was going to be a tough one. "But you're not going to be able to see Consort Merlin. By the order of the king, you are hereby under arrest and are to be escorted right down to the dungeons upon your arrival."

Arthur's first instinct, was to freeze. His hand on the handle of his blade going stiff. When Knight Justin had told him he could not see his consort…his mind had immediately flung straight to the darkest of places it could have gone. Merlin was dead…his consort had died and he had been too late and he should have been fast enough. All his fault…never going to be able to live a minute longer with this hanging over his head….failure…Merlin lifeless…waiting for him…in one sharp moment. It felt as if the prince had spiraled into unimaginable self hatred, faced with a failure so horrible, it might as well have been carved right into his chest…

But then the rest of Justin's sentence caught up with him…by order of the king. By order of his father…Arthur was meant to be arrested. He almost couldn't believe his ears were working properly, but Justin's serious expression told him that it wasn't a bad joke. It was serious…his father was having him arrested for this. Arthur had never been arrested before a single day in his entire life. Sure. He had been grounded to his room for a week here or there when he'd made a small slip up when he'd been younger. But a full on arrest…a trip to the dungeons…the kind of trip that would take him away from Merlin. His Consort. His responsibility. Good god, Arthur wasn't going to believe if Merlin was really dead or alive unless he saw him for himself.

And by golly, he was going to damn well see his consort.

His father could just bloody well wait until he could deliver his flowers to Gaius.

Arthur met eyes with Justin one final time, and sometimes, the energy sizzling between two knights meeting on the battlefield were so strong, it was possible to understand what was about to happen before either made the first move. That seemed to be what was happening here, because Knight Justin brought his sword up high over his head. Swinging it down into a hard slash, only to be cut off when Arthur's sword met his. A cling of metal against metal that spurred all of the other knights into battle. And Arthur let out an angry roar-refusing to waste time by playing in his father's games-as his horse reared up.

Arthur's expression could have only been seen as something demonic.

A demon ready to fight his own men as they crowded around him in order to get to Merlin…

Never noticing Morgana and Gwen-the handmaiden holding up the latest refresher of water-watching from the gates.