The Wanderer

by BynWho

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfic for entertainment purposes only. All characters and plots from the BBC show Merlin belong to the BBC. All other characters and plots belong to BynWho. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: When Merlin tries to change the future, it backfires, allowing for Camelot's foe to gain more resentment. Marian learns the extent of her new powers. And when Arthur sets off on a quest to prove himself, Merlin and Marian follow to prevent his death, and recruit the only person who can help them and drive her crazy in the process: The scoundrel Gwaine.

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The Eye of the Phoenix

Merlin and Arthur returned to Camelot after a run-in with Cenred's men. Essetir bordered in the east, but Cenred's men were in the west of Camelot and clearly up to no good. Of course, Cenred would deny ever sending his men into Camelot—that would be a breach of a very tenuous treaty—but the altercation between Arthur, Merlin, and Cenred's men would say otherwise.

After treating Arthur for an injury during the altercation, they finally returned a couple of days late. Marian was relieved when Merlin came into the physician's chambers, but that relief was short-lived. His face was tight, and he seemed distracted as he went to his room and closed the door.

"I wonder what that was about?"

Gaius stared at Merlin's door for a brief moment. "Give him time. He'll come out when he's hungry."


The supper Marian worked all day on was ready, but Merlin still had not come out of his room.

Marian knocked on his door. "Merlin, supper's ready. It's your favorite."

There was a beat of silence, then Merlin's muffled voice came from behind the door. "Beef stew with carrots and potatoes?"

It was not beef stew with carrots and potatoes.

She bit her lip. "Well, no… it's not rat, though."

Merlin opened his door and tilted his head. "Not rat doesn't really inspire hope, Marian."

She smiled at him. "I'm glad you're back."

As they ate, Merlin told them about his adventure into the Crystal Cave and the visions he saw. "Gaius, I can't get these visions out of my head."

"You are extremely lucky to have seen the Crystal Cave. Even before the Great Purge wizards would talk about it with reverence."

"That man who led me there, who is he?"

Gaius laughed without humor in his voice. "Who was he? He died, I'd say, about 300 years ago. Taliesin was a seer to the great kings of old. It is said that the Crystal Cave was a source of his prophecies."

"Do you know anything about him, Marian?"

"Not really. The name is familiar, but I don't remember if he had anything to do with the Crystal Cave."

"He said there was a reason I was brought there at this moment in time. Why? It must mean the events I saw are imminent. Morgana is going to kill Uther."

Gaius sighed. "Merlin, you must be careful. The crystals are treacherous. What you saw may not be all that it seemed."

"So I do nothing?"

"There is nothing to suggest that what you saw is imminent, is there?"

"No, but—"

"Then I wouldn't let it put you off your soup."

Merlin sighed. "No, you're right."

"Come on, eat up."

"What is it?"

Marian and Gaius shared a suspicious look. She shrugged.

"Sometimes it's best not to know," Gaius said.


Merlin left early the next morning to get Arthur ready for the upcoming feast in honor of Morgana's birthday. It would be the first feast since Morgana had returned after having been missing for over a year. She was not the same person when she came back, though. Morgause had come back into her life, revealing that she was Morgana's half-sister, and ever since then, Morgana had been distant and cruel. She even left Merlin for dead because of Morgause's influence.

Marian was worried that Morgana was well past saving.

Merlin was worried Morgana would kill the king.

Gaius was worried about Uther's reaction, should he find out about Morgana's magic.

"It's happening," Merlin said as he entered the physician's chambers in a fit. "The future I saw, it's started."

"Calm down, Merlin," Gaius said as he set his potion bottle on the table.

Marian came closer. "What did you see?"

"I just saw Morgana struggling with a horse exactly as she was in the crystals."

Gaius frowned. "Are you certain?"

"It was the same image."

"But she's always riding," Gaius said, trying to rationalize what Merlin had just seen. "It's not unusual to see her with a horse."

"It's not the only thing. Arthur's present for Morgana. He's told me it's a dagger."

"A dagger? Merlin, I think you're overreacting. It could be any dagger. As for the sight of Morgana with a horse—"

"It was the same, Gaius."

"It's hardly a rare sight. Certainly, not one to be trusted as a harbinger of doom."

"Has anything else happened?" Marian asked.

"No, just that. I don't know what to do."

Marian sat down on the bench. "There's only two outcomes I can see. One, you do nothing and everything you saw comes to pass, or two, you try to stop it all and end up bringing it about."

Merlin's eyes widened. "There's an option three, isn't there? Maybe I stop it and the vision doesn't happen?"

"So, you don't think the outcome is set in stone?" she asked.

"I hope not."


Merlin came out of his room dressed for Morgana's birthday feast, smiling and with a pep in his step.

"How do I look?" he asked Gaius and Marian as he spun.

"Same as you always do," Gaius said.

Merlin grinned. "Handsome."

"Distinguished," Marian said.

"Distinguished?" Merlin asked.

"You know, for a servant."

Merlin glared at her.

"For a servant of the future king, then." She bit her lip, waiting for Merlin to say something.

His glare finally fell, and they laughed.

"You've brightened up," Gaius said.

"I've seen Morgana's present."

"The dagger?"

"It's very plain. A bit boring."

"And not like the one you saw?"

"No, that was sumptuous, ornate. I'd probably be disappointed if I were Morgana."

"Good. So now you can stop worrying," Gaius said.

"Oh, I have. I'm going to continue as if I'd never even met Taliesin. I'm going to enjoy this feast like everyone else."

Gaius smiled. "Even if it's for Morgana?"

"Even if it's for Morgana." Merlin went to the door and stopped. "Are you coming, Marian?"

"Do I have to?"

Gaius stood. "We all do. Regardless of how you feel about Morgana, we are all expected to attend."

"At least you get to eat," Marian muttered as she followed them out.


The feast was pretty boring as feasts go. The nobles sat at tables around the sides of the room, with the royal table placed between them. Marian tried not to look annoyed, but it was difficult with Gaius seated at one of the tables enjoying a hearty meal. Marian and Merlin were expected to serve and be at the ready for anything from those pumped-up, arrogant nobles. She was even annoyed at the knights.

Gwen made her way over to her, refilling goblets on her way. "You don't look happy."

"What's there to be happy about? I'm hungry," Marian said as she tried to pick at one of the platters of meat being passed from one servant to the next. The serving boy who passed her spun gracefully to keep her fingers away from the sustenance she needed. "I'm going insane here. Just one bite. That's all I ask."

Gwen chuckled. "We'll get to have something after the feast. Audrey always makes sure her kitchen maids and the servers get something."

"Leftovers," Marian pouted.

"It's better than nothing."

Lord Edgar a few feet down the table held his goblet up. "More wine, girl!"

Marian bit the inside of her cheek, plastered a fake smile on her face, and walked over to fill the cup.

"I don't see how Uther puts up with it," he said to the rest of the table. "The damn wenches aren't keeping up."

Marian tilted the wine jug and poured.

"I shouldn't have to ask for more wine, girl! You fill my cup before it's emptied!"

Suddenly, and definitely not on purpose, the mouth of the jug slipped ever so little, dripping wine down the side of the cup and onto Lord Edgar's lap.

"Pay attention to what you're doing!"

"My mistake, my lord," Marian said, her voice flat and full of contempt.

More concerned about wine going into his cup than Marian's grip on the jug, he bumped her arm as he reached for the goblet. All of a sudden and actually not on purpose this time, Marian lost her grip and wine poured onto Lord Edgar's fine tunic. His face turned red and Marian could have sworn steam was coming out of every hole in his head. He opened his mouth to tell her off but stopped himself when everyone else raised their goblets for a toast from the king.

"To Lady Morgana," Uther said as he turned to Morgana.

Gwen appeared at Marian's side and handed Lord Edgar a full cup. "My lord."

"To Lady Morgana," the room chanted.

Gwen pulled Marian to the other side of the hall and far away from Lord Edgar.

"Here," she said as she handed her a small bundle.

Marian opened it and grinned when she saw two small corners of a loaf of bread. "Thanks, Gwen."

Gwen smiled at her as they chewed on a meager but welcome snack.


Marian's feet were sore and her head felt like it was in a vice grip. "Will this ever end?" she mumbled to no one. "Oh my god, just open your presents already."

Morgana opened a wooden box Uther had set before her. She smiled as she pulled out an exquisite necklace and turned around for Uther to fasten it.

"Happy birthday," Arthur said as another wooden box appeared.

Morgana opened it and pulled out not a plain dagger, but a fancy one. Merlin was right. It was sumptuous and ornate.

Marian caught Merlin's eye and saw the panic written on his face.


"Don't you see? It's started. It's coming true," Merlin said, pacing the length of the physician's chambers.

Gaius tried to stand in front of him to stop his pacing. "We can't be certain about that."

"We have to stop her."

"How? We don't know when this is going to happen. We don't even know if it will."

"We have to watch her."

"Night and day?"

Marian sat on a bench, worrying her lip. "Won't that be a bit suspicious, Merlin?"

"Look, I was shown these visions for a reason."

Gaius shook his head. "This is madness."

"We'll take it in turns. She cannot be left alone." Merlin rushed to the door.

Marian stood to go after him. "Merlin! Stop and think about—"

He'd slammed the door in her face.

"He's going to get someone killed. Maybe even himself."

"I don't think there is anything we can do to stop him, Marian."


Gaius burst into the physician's chambers. Arthur followed, carrying Morgana, unconscious and bleeding. Having heard the commotion from her room, Marian followed Merlin in.

"I need water and bandages," Gaius ordered.

"I'll get that," Gwen offered, rushing out of the rooms.

"And yarrow, we need to stop the bleeding."

"I've already got some here," Marian said, opening the cupboard she kept fully stocked with herbs.

Gaius cleared the table for their patient to be examined. He wiped the blood from her forehead as Arthur gently laid her down. "She's having problems breathing," he said.

"Dianthus?" Merlin asked.

Gaius nodded without looking up from Morgana. "Yes, and a preparation of pulmonaria."

Merlin looked at Gaius in confusion.

"Lungwort, Merlin.," Gaius said, exasperated. "Quarter of an ounce ground fine and mixed with violet."

"Here, Merlin. I'll grab the violet if you start on the lungwort," Marian said as she handed Merlin a bottle of the dried herb.

"How could this have happened? She's gone up and down those stairs thousands of times." Arthur asked.

Merlin looked at Marian in a panic. He'd done this. The man in the cave had warned him that the visions were from the future yet to come and to use his knowledge for good. So, he took Taliesin's advice and tried to stop Morgana from going to Uther's chambers to kill the king. He didn't mean to cause her death, only to stop her from committing murder.

As guilty as he felt, Merlin was also oddly relieved. If Morgana were to die, Uther would be safe and there would be time for Arthur to grow into the king he was meant to be.

"Arthur, I need room here," Gaius said, bringing Merlin back from his thoughts.

"Yes. Of course. Erm… anything you need, just tell me."

When Arthur left, Merlin went to his room.

Gwen sat with Gaius as he sewed the gash on Morgana's head. "Will she be alright?" she asked, worrying her lip.

"We've done the best we can. I can heal her skin, Gwen, but the skull…the cranium is broken. She's bleeding inside."

Gwen gasped, tears falling. "We practically grew up together, Gaius. To lose her… it's too much."

Marian walked over to Gwen and crouched down, grasping her hands.

"We'll do everything we can, Gwen. I promise."

Gwen nodded, sniffing. "Thank you, Marian. I just don't know what I'd do without her."

"Why don't you go get some rest? I'll help Gaius and let you know if anything changes."

Gwen hugged her and left.

As soon as the door shut, Gaius turned to Marian. "Would you be willing to try, Marian?"

"My magic? I guess, but I haven't gotten it to work again."

She sat down next to Morgana and placed her hand over the witch's wound. "Þurhhæle dolgbenn."

Nothing happened.

"Try again, but concentrate this time."

Marian looked at Gaius, irritated. Did he not think she was concentrating before? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Þurhhæle dolgbenn."

Again, nothing happened.

"I'm sorry, Gaius. I just can't do it."

"It's alright," he said as he patted her shoulder. "I'd better go check on Merlin."

Merlin was sitting on his bed, looking forlorn, when Gaius came into his room and sat next to him.

"I had to stop the future. I had to stop Morgana from killing Uther. I didn't mean to do it like this."

"It wasn't your fault, Merlin."

"I've prevented something much worse from happening. I just wish it could have been some other way."

Gaius nodded. "Maybe there is still time to help Morgana turn from evil."

"What about Marian?"

"What about her?"

"Can she…?"

"No, she was unable to heal Morgana. I believe that the day she discovered her magic was the only time it would happen. Nothing has helped her do it again."


Marian went to see Merlin early the next morning. He'd finished his duties with Arthur and sat in his room, uncharacteristically quiet.

"Hey there," she said as she pulled the door closed.

"I don't know what to do."

"There's not much you can do. Neither you nor I can heal her with magic."

"This is all my fault. Everyone is miserable."

Marian leaned on the door behind her. "You did what you thought was right, Merlin. Honestly, I probably would have done the same thing."

Merlin opened his mouth to speak when they heard Uther come in. He got up and looked through a crack in the door.

"What's he doing?" Marian whispered.

Rather than replying, Merlin moved so she could look through the crack.

Uther sat next to Morgana's bed, stroking her brow. He looked up when Gaius walked in.

"So beautiful," Uther said.

"Yes, sire."

"I cannot watch her die, Gaius."

Gaius sighed. "I wish there was something I could do."

"No, you don't understand. I cannot lose her. No matter what happens, she cannot die."

"I will do everything I can, sire."

"No, Gaius. Whatever it takes. Whatever, I don't care. You must save her."

"If I knew a way…"

"You're not understanding me, Gaius. Cure her. I don't care what remedy you use. In all these books, there must be something. Something in the Old Religion?"

Marian's eyebrows were high on her brow. Glancing at Merlin, she noticed that his eyes were narrowed.

"Are you suggesting…?" Gaius whispered.

"Sorcery, yes."

"I know she's dear to you, sire, but surely you're not going to risk everything for Morgana?"

Uther turned back to her and picked her hand, holding it close.

"Gaius, you don't understand. There's something you should know. Something I've told no one."

Gaius nodded, urging the king to continue.

"Morgana is my daughter."

Marian covered her mouth to muffle her gasp. Merlin's eyes were no longer narrowed in anger. Instead, they were wide with shock.

"It was while Gorlois was away. He was fighting on the Northern Plains. Her mother, Vivienne, grew lonely."

"I understand, sire," Gaius said, cutting the king off.

"I've said enough. The people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake."

"I assure you, sire, your secret is safe with me." He ushered the king toward the door. "Now, please, sire. I beg of you, get some rest. Morgana will be looked after."

"You must come to get me if anything changes."

"You will be the first to know, sire."

After they were sure Uther was gone, Gaius went to Merlin's room.

"Did you know?" Marian asked.

Gaius shook his head. "No, I did not."

"It explains everything. No wonder he spent a year looking for her," Merlin said.

"Now we know why she can do no wrong."


Late that night, Marian awoke to a soft knock on her door. Merlin was pacing outside in the corridor when she finally opened it.

"Want to go see why your magic isn't working?"

"What?"

"Let's go see a dragon."


"O drakon! E male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" Merlin called to the sky.

After a few minutes of standing in an empty field far from the castle, Marian heard the delicate dance of the dragon's wings in the air. Kilgharrah flew to the clearing and settled down on the ground before them. Marian stumbled back, wide-eyed and speechless.

"You summoned me, young warlock?" Kilgharrah asked. He looked at Marian. "Who is your friend?"

"This is Marian Ragnell."

"Ah, the Wandering Witch."

Snapping out of her stupor, Marian finally found her voice. "It… It's a fucking dragon! I mean, look at him, he's really there!" she cried out, pointing at Kilgharrah. She stepped forward, staring at him in awe. "You are… magnificent!" she gasped.

The ancient dragon chuckled at her reaction.

Marian walked up to him and extended her hand. Her voice was small and breathless. "May I?"

The dragon lowered his head. She laid her hand on him and lightly caressed the scales on his snout.

"They're so smooth. This is astounding! I'm touching a dragon! A real, majestic dragon! I mean, seeing a unicorn was amazing, but this? It's… you're breathtaking!"

She stepped back to Merlin but continued to gawk at the dragon.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure this time?" he asked Merlin, still pleased at all the praise aimed at him.

"I've been to the Crystal Cave. I saw Morgana make an attempt on Uther's life."

Kilgharrah shook his head. "It does not surprise me. I have known of the witch's intentions for some time."

"Well, I stopped her."

Kilgharrah closed his eyes and sighed. Well, as close to a sigh as a dragon could do. "To change the future is no simple matter, Merlin. To do so is fraught with danger."

"I know, and as a result of my actions, Morgana is dying."

"Then you should rejoice!" Kilgharrah said.

"All I wanted was to avoid the future that would've unfolded, to prevent Uther's death, to prevent Camelot from being torn apart."

"Mankind is arrogant and naïve. You cannot bend the Fates to your will, Merlin." Kilgharrah narrowed his eyes. "Your magic will not heal the witch."

Marian stepped forward again. "I tried to heal her, but my magic didn't work."

"That also is no surprise. The magic of a Wanderer is strange, indeed."

"A Wanderer? What do you mean?"

"You are a woman out of time, Marian Ragnell. A Wanderer. Your magic is tied to your deepest feelings. It is my guess that you hold no affection for the witch, therefore, you cannot heal her," Kilgharrah said, shaking his head. "No, the witch must not be allowed to live, for if she does, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants."

"Well, whatever Morgana was about to do, I stopped her. There's no need for people to suffer," Merlin said.

"The witch must die, as she should have done long ago. I will not save her."

Merlin stood straight and jutted his chin out. "I am a dragonlord! You cannot refuse me!"

Marian's heart raced as Kilgharrah's nostrils flared, fearing that he would incinerate him with his fire.

Kilgharrah's voice boomed. "How dare you treat me such! How dare you abuse your power!"

"Please," Marian said, stepping between them. "We only want to help. She is Uther's daughter—his wrath would be unstoppable if she dies."

"Yes," Kilgharrah nodded, "of this, I knew."

Merlin, angered that Kilgharrah would refuse him, raised himself to his full height and commanded Kilgharrah to help him in the dragon tongue.

"Very well. But I warn you, the evil that will follow is of your doing, and yours alone," Kilgharrah said. He let his warm breath flow over Merlin and Marian both, giving them the spell.

"Merlin, this spell is for both you and the Wandering Witch. While it will leave you once you use it, it will reside in Marian Ragnell forever. Use it wisely."

Both Merlin and Marian nodded.

"Heed my words, Wanderer. Great harm will come to you when you use your magic. This spell will give of your life force and take injury from those you wish to heal. Use your magic with caution."

"Thank you, Magnificent Dragon. It will be my honor." She didn't know why she did it, but Marian curtseyed to Kilgharrah.

The Great Dragon laughed. "The honor," he said, "has been all mine."

Kilgharrah turned and lifted from the ground. He flew off into the night, leaving Merlin and Marian to face their fate.


Marian went to work early the next morning. As she was refilling the bowl of water beside Morgana's bed, she heard her stir.

"Morgana?"

Morgana opened her eyes slowly and tried to sit up. "What happened?"

Marian gently pushed her back onto her pillow. "You fell and hit your head."

"I don't remember."

Marian tried her best to appear friendly and concerned. "I'm not surprised." She gave Morgana a cup of water. "I'll go inform the king."

She met a guard on the way to Uther's chambers. "Brian, go to the king. Morgana is awake."

Brian nodded and smiled, turning around to give Uther the good news.

Marian leaned back on the corridor wall and looked to the ceiling, sighing heavily. "Oh Merlin, what have we done?"


Weeks later, Marian was in the stocks. Again. She had gone to Uther to protest his unfair treatment of Gwaine for the third time. As rotten vegetables were being hurled at her head, Marian allowed herself a small smile, remembering the conversation with Uther that had landed her here.

"Majesty, I really must protest," Marian said as soon as she entered the council chamber. She'd been neither summoned nor invited but persisted, anyway.

"Not this again, healer!" Uther groaned.

"He saved your son. You have to see that the so-called knights that accused Gwaine in the first place were actually the thugs who tried to kill the prince. And they did it using sorcery! Gwaine deserves to be allowed in the kingdom. He fought brilliantly and would be an asset to Camelot, sire."

"Yes, so you've said. Tell me, where you're from, do servants get away with speaking to their sovereign in such a manner?"

"Where I'm from, there is no sovereign."

"That explains a lot," Uther said under his breath.

"Sire, you must allow Gwaine back into the kingdom! Quit being such an obtuse ass about it!"

Uther pinched the bridge of his nose. The only reason this irritating woman wasn't banished as well was because Gaius and Arthur seemed to be fond of her. And she somehow made herself useful as a healer. Unwilling to banish her for their sakes, Uther did the only thing he felt he could.

"To the stocks," he called to the guards.

"Marian, again?" Gaius asked as he made his way over to her.

"He's such a… a… an ass! He'd cut his nose off to spite his face!"

"I'll ask again," he said as he held his hand up to the children to halt the vegetable onslaught. "Why are you defending a man that you cannot stand?"

"Gwaine may be an arrogant, unpleasant, drunken…"

"I get the picture, Marian."

"… reckless, careless…"

"Marian…"

"… thoughtless, impetuous, rude, impulsive, rash…"

"Marian…"

"… irritating, repellent…"

"Marian!"

"… repugnant scoundrel, but he's an excellent fighter. And if the legends are anything to go by, he's loyal to Arthur, brave, and integral to Camelot's success."

Gaius chuckled as he shook his head, and then motioned to the guards to release her. She was sincere in her appraisal of Gwaine, sort of, but Gaius wasn't so sure he was knight material. The man seemed too reckless and short-tempered to be a noble knight.

"Where's Merlin?" she asked.

"He left with Arthur to rescue Gwen's brother."

"Shit! I was supposed to go too," she said, lifting her head and hands from the stocks. She rubbed her sore neck and fell in step with Gaius. "I hope Merlin will be alright."

"He has Arthur with him."

"Somehow, that doesn't inspire confidence."

"Marian, it is you who worries me."

"What do you mean?"

"You forgot about going to rescue your friend's brother because of this."

"I already feel bad about it, Gaius. You don't have to rub salt in the wound." She sighed. "Look, I know I screwed up. And I may not like Gwaine but he is important to the kingdom. I feel like I could stand his presence if it means that Arthur can unite Albion."

When they reached the castle, Gaius expected Marian would follow him to the physician's chambers to test a new potion for pain. Instead, she turned toward the council chamber.

"Do you wish to spend the night in the stocks?"

"I do what I must, Gaius. For Camelot," she smiled.

He closed his eyes for a moment, wishing for serenity. "Shall I save you any supper, or will that, too, be a lost cause?"

"Don't wait up!" Marian called as she rounded the corner.


Merlin returned a few days later, having successfully rescued Gwen's brother, Elyan. He looked around the physician's chambers for Marian but couldn't find her.

"Gaius, where's Marian? I want her to meet Elyan."

Gaius looked up from concocting a potion and gave Merlin a withering look.

Merlin sighed. "Don't tell me she's in the stocks again."

"No," Gaius said shortly, turning back to his measurements. "She is not in the stocks. The damn fool girl has gotten herself thrown in the dungeons!"

"What? What for this time?"

Gaius looked up again. "What do you think?"

"What is it with her and Gwaine? It's not just me, is it? She truly dislikes him, right?"

Gaius nodded.

"Then why is she doing this?"

Gaius put the glass vial he was holding down. "She says it's because of who he is in the legends. Honestly, Merlin, if I didn't know better, I'd say she fancies the man but refuses to admit it."

Merlin scoffed. "Surely not. Do you really think so? No. Gwaine? Mind you, she was pretty upset at him for leaving without a fight."

The more Merlin thought about it, the clearer it became. Marian had a crush. A crush that she'd never, ever be able to act on.


A few weeks later, the castle was as busy as a beehive. To prove himself to his people, the Prince of Camelot took on the task of completing a quest with no outside help. He meditated all night, his mission only to be revealed in a vision.

Arthur's vision told him he was to go to the Perilous Lands alone to retrieve the Golden Trident of the Fisher King. On the day he was supposed to depart, Arthur was seated on his horse and ready to go when he noticed Merlin admiring the stunning bracelet on his arm.

Merlin's breath left him, and his ears roared. He could feel the magic radiating off of the silver bracelet. There was an odd glowing stone set in the middle, one Merlin would never forget.

"Beautiful, isn't it? It was a gift from Morgana," Arthur said.

Merlin looked up at Arthur in surprise. He couldn't say anything. Not to Arthur. Even if he could, Uther, Morgana, and the council were nearby to send Arthur off. No, Merlin's best bet was to tell Gaius.


"Arthur's in danger."

"Well hello to you too," Marian said when Merlin ran into the physician's chambers.

"No, I mean it."

Gaius looked up from his book. "A prince's quest is supposed to be dangerous, Merlin."

"No, it's Morgana. She gave Arthur a bracelet with some sort of glowing stone set in it. The bracelet… the magic was strong."

Gaius got up from his seat. "Can you remember what it looked like?"

"I'll never forget that stone. It wasn't really a jewel. I can't explain it."

"If it's magic in nature, there's sure to be an account of it. We must set to work to find it."

They gathered books from Gaius's library to search for anything that might resemble what Merlin had seen.

"You sure it wasn't a jewel?" Gaius asked, showing Merlin a picture in one of his old tomes.

Merlin shook his head. "No, brighter than that. It was enchanted. I could feel the magic."

"You sure?" Gaius asked.

"Yes," he replied. "And if it came from Morgana, it can only mean one thing. She means to kill Arthur."

Marian climbed down the steps from the upper balcony and bent to show Merlin another picture. "What about this one?"

He shook his head again. "No, that's not it."

"I'm not sure I know where else to look, Merlin." Gaius felt defeated. "Unless…" He stood and picked up a small, dusty book from a high shelf. Opening it to the middle, he cried out, "Merlin!"

Merlin and Marian both looked at the page he pointed to. "Gaius, that's it!"

"Then it's not a stone, Merlin. It's an Eye of the Phoenix."

"A what?"

"Some call it the Firebird. Its eye burns with a fire that consumes the life force of anybody it comes in contact with."

"Arthur."

Gaius nodded. "The eye will draw energy from him. If it's worn for too long, Arthur will die."

"Fuck, Morgana will stop at nothing to kill Arthur, won't she?" Marian asked.

"Apparently," Gaius said.

"I have to go after him," Merlin said as he stood. "It's my destiny to protect Arthur, even if he doesn't want my help."

"We, Merlin. We have to go after him," Marian said. She also felt that it was her destiny to protect those she cared about, and Merlin was more crucial to history than even he knew.

"This is not a task to be undertaken lightly. You'll need help," Gaius said.

"Who, though?" Marian asked. "No one would believe that Morgana is bad much less has magic."

"That is very true," Gaius said. "No one in Camelot."

Merlin grinned. "Do you mean…?"

Marian shook her head. "No."

"He does have some knowledge about magic," Gaius said.

"No way."

"And you said yourself that he's good with a sword," Merlin said.

"There are other people—"

Gaius laid his hand on hers. "Gwaine is trustworthy, Marian."

"Nope! No. Forget it. He's an arrogant, foolish ass." She crossed her arms over her chest and defied either of them to deny it.

Gaius tutted at her. "Marian."

"I won't be stuck traveling with him for god knows how long. Overnight? For possibly days? He'll never shut up. Never mind Morgana and this phoenix eye, never mind the danger, I'll end up killing him myself!"

"Look on the bright side," Merlin said. "You could call him an ass to his face."

"That's hardly a consolation," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Didn't you end up in the stocks for defending him? Because you thought he'd be an asset to the kingdom?"

Marian glared at him. "An asset to the kingdom, not to me."

"Besides," Merlin continued, "I don't think there's enough time to find anyone else."

"We don't even know where he is."

"Well, I have an idea about that."


In their search for Gwaine, Marian and Merlin had arrived in Mercia. They'd looked in nearly every tavern from Camelot to Angard with no sign of him. This tavern was their last hope. If they didn't find Gwaine here, they'd have to continue alone and pray that they were able to save Arthur.

As they entered, a stray tankard flew over their heads and into the door behind them. People shouted with drunken anger as they threw a man down the counter, sending plates of food and cups of ale crashing to the floor and sliding to the end.

Merlin smiled at him. "Hello, Gwaine."

Gwaine smiled as he got off the bar. "Ah! Merlin! How are you?"

Marian rolled her eyes at how casually and indifferently he seemed to take being thrown around.

"How are you, beautiful?" Gwaine asked, clapping her back so hard she stumbled.

Marian narrowed her eyes at him, already pissed that she had to spend time with him after what he'd done in Camelot. And now they'd walked into a tavern brawl she was sure Gwaine had started. "Better than you, apparently."

Just then, one of the men who had attacked Gwaine walked toward them. "Give me my money," he demanded.

A small crook of the man's lip was all it took for Gwaine to jump into action. Marian had expected him to argue, or even through a punch, so she was caught off guard when Gwaine smiled at him and pushed Merlin and Marian back out of the door.

Several large and menacing-looking cronies spilled out of the tavern followed by their leader, and looking for them in the market.

Gwaine pushed Merlin and Marian down behind a bread stall to hide. Relieved, Marian closed her eyes for a second to ground herself. She had never experienced being chased in a market before, and it was quite disorienting. And of course, it was all Gwaine's fault. Why couldn't she have at least one normal interaction with the man?

"He's over there!" one of the cronies shouted.

"Gwaine…" Merlin said, looking over the stall. "Run!"

Groaning, Marian jumped up with Merlin and Gwaine and ran around the small market, looking for a way to escape the danger. Vegetable carts were knocked over, and fruit barrels were overturned.

Merlin ducked into an alcove, calling for Gwaine and Marian to follow. They climbed the staircase that led to a walkway atop a wall and paused to catch their breath.

"Remind me again what you're doing here?" Gwaine asked, panting.

"Arthur's in trouble. We need your help," Merlin replied while Marian grabbed at a stitch in her side.

Gwaine rolled his eyes. "What kind of trouble?"

"Quest," was all Marian could get out, still trying to catch her breath.

They looked over to the staircase and saw the men at the top of the stairs, walking toward them.

"He's gone to the Perilous Lands," Merlin said quickly.

"What? Are you serious?" Gwaine asked.

Merlin nodded as the men neared.

Gwaine rushed them to the end of the wall. "Just now, sounds pretty attractive."

Marian looked around for a ladder or a staircase, but there were none. There was nothing but a gigantic pile of hay and a few horses, already saddled. Unfortunately, there was only one way to get down—jump.

Gwaine pointed down at the haystack. "Alright, go for the horses," he said.

"You have got to be joking," Merlin panicked before Gwaine knocked him off of the wall. He landed with a soft thump and rolled off the stack to move near the horses, watching for Marian and Gwaine to follow.

Gwaine placed his hand on Marian's back. "Okay, beautiful, your turn."

She turned to him and grabbed his sleeve with one of those frightened-out-of-her-mind looks. "No, Gwaine, I can't!"

Seeing the thugs coming nearer, Gwaine grabbed her by the waist. "No time!" he said before leaping from the wall, taking her with him.

Though their landing on the hay was soft, Marian was still shaking. She pulled herself up out of the pile and went up to Gwaine, repeatedly smacking him with both hands on his arms, shoulders, and chest as hard as she could.

"You complete ass!"

"Ow! Come on!" Gwaine called as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the horses.

They mounted the steeds and promptly fled the town, with Gwaine laughing like a maniac.


Once they were far enough away from the danger, they slowed down to get their bearings and also let their horses rest.

Marian glared at Gwaine. Once again trouble followed him, and this time she and Merlin had been dragged into it. She couldn't see why she'd ever thought he was noble and honorable. Gwaine was just a drunk headed for trouble everywhere he went.

"Why were those men so angry?" Merlin asked.

"It's always the way in gambling. You make a man a fool, he calls you a thief." Gwaine met Marian's eyes but quickly looked away.

Marian snorted in disbelief. "And did you steal from him?"

"Are you accusing me of cheating?"

"If the shoe fits…"

Gwaine clutched at his chest as if he had been injured. "You wound me, Marian," he replied, smiling. "But no, I did not steal from him. I'm just better at the game. How did you find me, anyway?"

"Wasn't easy," Merlin said. "We've been in almost every tavern in Angard."

"So have I," Gwaine laughed.

Marian rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue at her horse to get it moving past them. She couldn't believe that she had days of this to look forward to.


They made their way through the forest, letting their horses walk to catch their breath.

"I'm not a prude, Gwaine."

"Could have fooled me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Do you need a ladder when you get off that high horse of yours?"

"Excuse me?"

"You think you're better than everyone, don't you?"

"I do not think I'm better than everyone. Just you."

"Because I drink?"

"Because you're reckless. Tell me, have you been sober at all since we met?"

"One time! I overindulged one time!"

"And whatever tavern you're in there's sure to be a brawl."

"I don't get into tavern brawls."

"No, you start them. Remember when you met Merlin and Arthur? What was going on at the time?"

"A brawl, but you see—"

"And who threw the first punch?"

"I didn't start that one! It was the hefty fellow with the sour face."

"And what about the one you were just in?"

"Okay, that one may have been my fault. You're still a prude, though."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know what I mean. You make one mistake and accidentally imply someone is a… a… courtesan, and you never live it down."

"A courtesan? That's a nice word for it."

"Did I offend your maidenly sensibilities?"

"Yes! No! I mean, yes, it was offensive, but I'm hardly a maiden, Gwaine."

"Really? When—"

"That is none of your business!"

Gwaine opened his mouth to retort but Merlin cut him off. "Oh, will you two shut up?"

He'd already had enough of Gwaine and Marian. They hadn't been riding for more than an hour before the bickering started up. Marian complained of having to spend days with Gwaine annoying her. But putting up with their arguments? Well, then Merlin must be a goddamn saint.

Gwaine rode ahead next to Merlin to get away from her. "Sorry."

Not to be left behind, Marian sped up her horse enough to pass them and stuck her tongue out at Gwaine.

"Merlin, I still don't see how you put up with her Royal Highness!" Gwaine yelled after her.

Merlin pinched the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache starting. If only he could use his magic to gag the both of them. He allowed himself a small smile at the thought of it.

"This is it," Gwaine told them when they reached the edge of a cliff. Beyond the forest, the land was dry and dead. "On the other side of the forest lie the Perilous Lands."

"Doesn't look too friendly," Merlin said.

"That's because it's not. Believe me, it's wretched."

"What? No taverns?" Marian asked.

Gwaine rolled his eyes. "I told you it was wretched."


Merlin had some relief as they rode toward the forest. After their last argument and Merlin's outburst, Marian and Gwaine had settled down. But just as Merlin was beginning to enjoy the peace and quiet, Marian called out.

"Dammit!"

"What's wrong?"

"I don't think we'll be able to get the horses through. Look," Marian replied as she pointed to the edge of the forest. The brush was too dense for the animals. Hell, it was almost too dense for them to get through.

"We'll need to leave the horses and continue on foot," Gwaine said as he jumped down and grabbed his sheathed sword from the saddle.

Marian pulled a face as she dismounted. She wasn't as in shape as they were and the walk through the Perilous Lands was going to be murder on her legs. She grabbed supplies from her saddlebag when Gwaine put a hand on her arm and shook his head.

"We need to travel light. We have a long way to go, beautiful."

"What about food? And blankets? It's bound to get cold at night."

"We can hunt on the way," he said, stepping closer and smirking. "As for the night, I can think of a few ways to stay warm."

Marian huffed and pushed past him. "You're an ass, Gwaine! I wouldn't fuck you if you were the last man on Earth!"

"I highly doubt that, sweetheart. I saw how you ogled me when we first met."

"You mean when you called me a whore?"

"I didn't call you—that's such a nasty word."

"Fine, a courtesan or whatever you want to call it."

"You read too much into it, sweetheart. Just because you were fantasizing about me in bed…"

"I did no such thing, you pompous—"

"Don't start again!" Merlin yelled, interrupting them.

He stormed past into the forest, mumbling, exasperated at their constant bickering.

"See what you did!" Marian said through clenched teeth as she followed.

Gwaine followed them. "What I did?"


"I have to stop," Marian said.

"What? Why?" Merlin asked when he and Gwaine turned to her.

Marian moved from side to side, doing her best to control her Pee Dance. "I have to… uh…"

"Pee?" Gwaine asked, grinning at her. "You can say it, you know."

"Yes, I know! It's just a, um, delicate situation."

"You need us to wait?" Merlin asked.

"No, keep going. I'll catch up."

"You sure you don't need one of us to keep watch for you?"

"No, please. Just go!"

Gwaine chuckled. "Come on, Merlin. I'd hate for her to pee her trousers."

Marian made a face at him when he smirked as he passed her.


"Shouldn't we wait?" Gwaine asked.

"If you want to stay, fine, but I'm not going to cross her, Gwaine. You've put her in a bad mood."

"Me? I think she was born in a bad mood."

When they came up to a wooden bridge, they stopped. Wary of bandits, Gwaine signaled for Merlin to stay there while he scouted the area.

Too curious to wait, Merlin approached the bridge to look down into the deep ravine.

"So, Magic has arrived," a small man said, startling him. "There is nothing to be afraid of. Your presence is essential if Arthur is to succeed in his quest."

"How do you know about Arthur? Who are you?"

The small man laughed. "The Keeper of the Bridge. I only wish to see the Fisher King's lands restored and prosperity reign again. Until your mission is complete, this cannot happen."

Merlin shook his head. He had it wrong. "It's not my mission. It's Arthur's."

The bridge keeper smirked. "That's what you choose to believe. It's no accident that Arthur chose this path, or you chose to follow him."

Marian walked up behind Merlin just as Gwaine was coming back to the bridge.

"Ah, finally! Strength and Love have arrived. The quartet is complete," the bridge keeper announced.

While his words confused Marian, Gwaine felt threatened and drew his sword.

"Who's he?" he asked while pointing his blade.

The bridge keeper's eyes flashed gold, and Gwaine's sword morphed into a lovely Easter lily. "I mean no harm to any of you. And I'd thank you to mean no harm in return."

Gwaine sighed. The day was getting worse and worse. First, Gwaine had gotten into a minor altercation at the tavern and was run out of the village, then he'd had several arguments with the pretty healer that he fancied, and now his sword was magicked away. "Where's my sword?"

"It will return to you once you reach the other side."

Both Marian and Gwaine went to cross the bridge. Since it was narrow, only one of them could go at a time. Attempting to be polite to each other, they both gestured for the other to go first. And then they both tried to go, bumping into one another. Again, they gestured to each other to go ahead, and still, they both tried to go at the same time.

Marian huffed. "For Christ's sake, Gwaine! Just go!"

He shrugged as he passed her. "This is what I get for trying to be polite, is it?"

Marian rolled her eyes as she followed him across the bridge.

True to the bridge keeper's word, when they reached the other side, the lily was a sword again.


When it got dark, they stopped just outside the Perilous Lands and lit a fire in a small clearing. As they huddled around for warmth, strange animals squealed and roared in the distance.

"What did he mean by strength and love arrived?" Marian asked.

"What? Who?" Merlin asked.

"The bridge keeper. He said strength and love have arrived when Gwaine and I showed up."

"I dunno."

"Well, obviously I'm strength," Gwaine said, grinning at them.

"Why? You think a woman can't be strong?"

"Did I say that? When did I say that?"

"You—"

"I didn't. You should remember that, love. I don't think women are weak. I find strong women very attractive."

Marian rolled her eyes at him. "A regular Casanova."

"A what?"

"Never mind, strength."

"Ah, Merlin. What did he call you?" Gwaine asked.

"Oh, uh… intelligence," he lied, cautious that the truth would give his secret away.

"Well, two out of three isn't bad."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Marian asked.

"Obviously he missed your cold, dark heart, love," Gwaine said as he got up to find something for their supper.

Marian watched as he left and turned to Merlin in disbelief. "Did you hear what he just said?"


After they ate, Marian found a dry log across from Gwaine and Merlin to lean back on, and, shivering, she scooted it closer to the fire. Exhausted from their journey, she laid her chin on her knees and watched Gwaine.

He stirred conflicting emotions in Marian. On the one hand, he was as annoying as ever, their arguments seemingly endless. But on the other hand, he'd also been kind and genuine. Regardless of how she felt about him, she continued to defend him, even trying to change Uther's mind about his banishment. Marian couldn't explain it, not even to herself. The way he left Camelot had been cruel, which didn't add up to how he was behaving now. But Gwaine was a good fighter, excellent, even. So Marian didn't think that despising him was a good enough reason to prevent him from coming back to Camelot and somehow being knighted.

Perhaps, though, her feelings were changing. What he said to her the day he left was out of character for him, at least what she knew of him. Maybe there was something else that made him humiliate and hurt her, something he was trying to protect himself, or her, from. If that was the case, then she believed she would be justified in her warm feelings toward him. Marian sighed in frustration as she tried to work out precisely how she felt about Gwaine.

All three jumped when there was a roar and a screech somewhere in the distance. "What was that?" Merlin asked.

Gwaine looked around in the darkness praying the creature that made that awful noise was mostly harmless. "Pheasant."

Merlin tilted his head, half skeptical and half willing to believe anything if it meant he'd feel safe. "Pheasant?"

"A very big one," Gwaine said as he picked up his sword and laid it across his lap. He watched Marian curl up with fear in her eyes and wanted nothing more than to go comfort her. He felt like a fool for how he left Camelot. Gwaine honestly thought he'd never see Marian again, so it was incredibly disheartening to think that they'd be fine now had he not intentionally hurt her.

"You can turn back if you want," Merlin said, knocking Gwaine from his thoughts.

"Huh, I'm not scared of pheasants."

Merlin turned back to the fire and watched the flames flicker and spark as a stick fell further into the pile. "Why do you want to do this?"

"Same reason as you. Help a friend."

Merlin looked at him and nodded. "Arthur's lucky to have us."

Gwaine turned to Merlin and smiled softly. "Not Arthur."

Surprised, Merlin grinned at Gwaine. It wasn't often that someone did something with him in mind. Most of the time, people overlooked the servant for the prince. "I'd do the same for you."

"Well, I'd hope so. You're the only friend I've got."

Marian looked away when Gwaine caught her watching him. There was a knot in her stomach, she felt sick with shame. He missed your cold, dark heart, love. Gwaine's words haunted lived a lonely life and was rough around the edges, but he was a good man with a noble heart. At this moment, Marian thought Gwaine was the most real he had ever been. No jokes, no teasing. He'd exposed the vulnerable man inside of him, the Sir Gwaine of her childhood.

"I'm not surprised," Merlin said as he laughed.

Gwaine laughed for only a brief moment and stopped when he thought he heard a soft I'm sorry coming from Marian's direction.

There were several more roars, each one sounding closer to the camp. Afraid, Marian jumped up and rushed over to Gwaine and Merlin, pushing into the tight space between them and settling in.

"They sound like three pheasants," Merlin said.

"At least."


Marian was standing in the middle of the physician's chambers with Gwaine, both in a considerable state of undress—she in her chemise and corset and he in his trousers. His chiseled chest reflected the light from the window, with a thin sheen of sweat. But it was his smolder that caught her attention. He was looking at her like she was the only other person on Earth.

She spun in front of him, giving him a view of everything. When her back was to him, he lifted her hair, and she closed her eyes as he brushed her neck with his warm fingers. Her breath caught when she turned to face him. He was too close, and she was beginning to panic.

Her heart sped so fast she could have sworn it was about to burst from her chest and warmth began to spread from her belly to between her legs.

"Satisfied?"

Gwaine smirked as he replied, his voice husky and deep. "Most satisfied."

His hand rose to her shoulder, and he fingered the strap to her chemise. "And how do we know you aren't hiding something beneath your underthings?"

Marian's breath caught as she recognized her own need in his eyes. "There's nothing else."

Gwaine bent low, his lips so close to hers. "Maybe we should find out."

Her eyes fluttered shut in anticipation of his kiss.

Marian opened her eyes in a panic. It had been a dream.

A goddamn dream.

Breathe. Fucking breathe already.

She sat up to find her bearings. Merlin was still asleep but Gwaine was nowhere to be seen. She stood and stretched. Marian hadn't realized how much Gwaine was going to affect her and the fact that he was now invading her dreams irritated her as well as embarrassed her.

"You alright, Marian?" Gwaine's voice startled her.

She turned quickly only to find him less than a foot behind her. Backing up, she tripped over a root and fell backward onto her backside. "Quit doing that!"

Gwaine held out his hand to help her up, but she swatted it away. The less he touched her, the better.

"Sorry, love, I was only trying to help," Gwaine said before stalking off.

Marian stood and watched him as he cleaned the scrawny pheasant that would soon be their breakfast. What the fuck was he doing to her?


They saw a tall, crumbling tower in the distance an hour after they set off. It looked like the only path to the stone tower went up the steep ridge in front of them. Merlin and Gwaine both made quick work of the climb, but Marian stumbled on rocks and debris on her way up.

Gwaine went back down the ridge after she'd tripped and slid all the way down. Offering her his hand, he held her steady as they climbed the dangerous ledge, pulling her up over large tree roots and rocks sticking out from the dirt. He let go of her hand when they'd reached the top and turned away to avoid another confrontation.

"Thank you, Gwaine."

"You're welcome," Gwaine said, his voice clipped.

"You startled me this morning. It's no excuse for how I spoke to you and I'm sorry."

Gwaine sighed and then smiled at her. "I'm sorry too. I hadn't meant to startle you. You just looked like something was troubling you."

"It was nothing. Just a… an odd dream I couldn't shake."

"Ah, was it about me?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear.

Marian's heart plummeted to her stomach. Did he know what she'd dreamt? Had she said something while she slept?

"Um… I don't… know. I… no."

She walked to the edge of the ledge in a daze, getting too close to the drop for Gwaine's comfort. With his hand on the small of her back, he guided her to safety. "Back this way."

"There it is," Merlin called to them, pointing to the dilapidated tower.

Marian squinted and held her hand to her face to block out the sun as tiny specks flew in circles, screeching in the sky. "What're those, birds?"

"Not birds," Gwaine said.

Merlin turned to them, panic written all over his face. "I've never seen creatures like that."

They watched as the not-birds circled once more and then swooped down.

"It's like they're hunting something," Gwaine said, he squinted as he tried to make out what had their attention.

A reflection from a sword on the ground flashed.

"Oh my god, someone's down there?" Marian asked.

Merlin's eyes widened in fear. "It's Arthur!"

Marian leapt over the edge down the steep bank with little regard for the safety of her person. "Shit!"

"No, Marian, wait!" Gwaine called after her.

She tripped as she slid, with rocks and debris scratching her arms and legs, and was halfway down when she felt Gwaine behind her, catching her. When they reached the bottom, he noticed blood on her arm and tried to pull her sleeve up for a better look, but she pushed his hands away from her arm.

He frowned. "You've hurt yourself."

"I'm okay. We don't have time to worry about it. Thanks, though."

Gwaine nodded, and they started down the path to the tower.

Merlin arrived first and cursed. "Arthur must've lowered the portcullis," he said when Gwaine and Marian caught up.

The flying creatures were now overhead and swooping dangerously close to them.

"I should've known," Gwaine said.

"What are they?" Merlin asked. When he saw Marian just standing there, transfixed by the creatures, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the shelter.

"Wyverns," Gwaine said. "Distant cousins of the dragon. They're creatures of magic, so be careful."

"Fuck! Are you serious? Dragons?" Marian screamed, close to hyperventilating. "Of course, there wouldn't be big friendly dragons! Instead, small dragons are trying to kill us!" Marian's eyes were wild, her voice rising with each word. "This entire journey has been nothing but the threat of death, death, and more death! If it wasn't tavern thugs and jumping off of castle walls, then it was killer pheasants, which, by the way, Gwaine, are decidedly not pheasants, but tiny fucking dragons! Of course, I would come to the fucking Dark Ages and get eaten by storybook monsters!"

Gwaine grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Calm yourself, woman! You're safe! Wyverns don't like the taste of whores!"

Marian stopped panicking and looked at Gwaine in shock. She couldn't believe it—he called her a whore again. No, last time he didn't even say whore, he just implied bedding wench or courtesan or whatever. This time he used the word, a word he didn't even like, so she slapped him across the face.

"Feel better?" he asked, rubbing his cheek, smirking at her.

"I—what?" she asked, confused.

"Do you think you two could hurry it up?" Merlin asked, looking pointedly at the sky.

Gwaine went to the portcullis and lifted the gate enough for them to crawl through.

"Come on, beautiful. Under the gate," he said, straining.

Marian rolled beneath the iron without protest and moved out of Merlin's way. When Merlin crawled through, he and Marian took the gate from Gwaine.

"Quick, quick, quick!" Merlin said.

As Gwaine got. Up from the ground, Marian stopped him with a touch on his arm. "I'm sorry… for…" she pointed at his face.

"It's quite alright," he grinned. "I'm sorry for insulting you again. But… it got you to shut up, didn't it?"

Marian rolled her eyes and groaned as she turned to head inside.

Merlin rushed further in. "Let's split up."

Inside the tower, Merlin and Marian sprinted through it, looking for Arthur. Up the stairs and back down the stairs. Room by room, they each searched until Merlin heard the screeching of the wyverns in the room down the corridor.

"Marian!" he called out. "He's over here!"

They stopped at the top of the stairs leading to what looked like a storage room. Arthur was lying unconscious on the floor, and two wyverns were slowly approaching him. Merlin jumped down the rest of the stairs and put himself between the wyverns and Arthur.

"Nun de ge dei s'eikein kai emois epe'essin hepesthai!"

Bowing their heads, the wyverns retreated through the door.

Marian rushed down the stairs to Arthur's side and knelt next to him. She removed the phoenix eye from Arthur's wrist and handed it to Merlin.

Arthur didn't stir.

"I thought he'd wake up as soon as it was gone," Merlin said.

Merlin was right. Arthur should have woken up when she removed the eye. Hoping she was wrong, she reached around his head and felt wetness in his hair, and drawing her hand back, she saw a small dab of blood on her fingers. "Damn. He must have hit his head when he fell. We don't have any supplies. What do we do?"

They both jumped as wyverns screeched in the distance.

"I don't know, but we need to get him out of here."

"There's no way we can carry him back to Camelot. He might not make it that long."

"Can you try your… you know? You care for him, so maybe it'll work?"

"Only one way to find out." Marian placed her hands on Arthur's head and spoke her healing incantation. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ."

A soft golden glow surrounded them, and just as subtly as it had started, it stopped. Marian fell over to the floor, unconscious.

Arthur's eyes fluttered open, and Merlin's goofy smile swam into focus in front of Arthur's face. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Why can you never just say thanks?" Merlin asked as he crawled over to where Marian was lying to check on her.

She opened her eyes and sat up, her body weak and head throbbing.

"Thanks?" Arthur scoffed. "For completely ruining the quest?" He stood and glared at them both.

"I'm fine, by the way. Thanks for asking," Marian said.

Merlin helped her to stand as Arthur rolled his eyes and bent down to get his sword. "Well, it's a good job we were here. Otherwise, you'd be wyvern fodder by now."

"How many times do I have to get it into your thick skull? I am supposed to be doing this alone!" Arthur yelled just as a wyvern entered the room, screeching. He shoved Marian behind him and held his sword up. But before he could attack, the wyvern screamed and fell to the floor, dead. Gwaine withdrew his blade from the back of the beast and sheathed it with a flourish.

Arthur put his sword away. "Great. This just gets better and better. Are Gwen and Morgana here too? Are we going to have a surprise party?"

"There're more wyverns on their way. We need to get out of here." Gwaine watched Marian stumble back and catch herself on the wall behind her. "Marian, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Just a little dizzy."

"So it's wyverns as well as handsome rogues that make you swoon?" Gwaine laughed.

"You wish," she said quietly, unable to work up the energy to be annoyed.

Arthur stormed toward the door. "Well, I'm not leaving without the trident. It was the whole point of this quest."

"Do you want us to help you? Or do you want to do this alone?" Merlin called after him.

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled from down the passage.

Merlin chuckled and looked back at Marian to see if she would be okay. After she nodded to him, he headed to the door to follow Arthur.

Gwaine held his arm out to her for her to lean on. "Let's go, beautiful."

Grateful, she gave him a small smile as they went out into the passage.

Climbing the tower, with the steep stairs slowing them down, they looked room by room for any indication of the trident.

Merlin had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. The sheer magnitude of magic in the tower sent shivers down his spine. "Do you know where the trident is?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "If I did, there wouldn't be a problem, would there?"

"Any clues you can give us?"

"This is a quest, Merlin, not a treasure hunt," Arthur said, irritated at the constant questioning.

"Well, it is sort of a…"

"Shut up, Merlin!"

As they continued up a spiral staircase, Merlin stopped halfway. A strong magical feeling pierced his senses. The hair on the back of his neck stood, and his ears were ringing. There was a large room off to the side, empty except for an ornate chair and cobwebs that clung to every surface.

"Look at this. Looks like a throne room," he said.

Arthur, Gwaine, and Marian came up behind him to look inside the room.

Arthur smiled. "If the trident's going to be anywhere—"

Merlin stepped forward into the doorway, setting off a pressure plate on the floor that caused a heavy door to fall.

"Merlin, watch out!" Gwaine yelled as he pushed him into the room and out of the door's way.

"Merlin!" Marian panicked as she banged on the closed stone door.

Arthur banged on the door beside her. "Merlin, you alright?"

There was no answer.

Gwaine began searching around the doorway, looking for a way in. "There's got to be a way to open this."

Arthur looked on the other side of the doorway while Marian began feeling around the bricks on the wall beside it. About halfway down, she felt a brick shift as she pressed it. She tried to get her fingers past the mortar to pull it, but it wouldn't budge. "I think I found something."

Moving aside, she let Arthur take a look.

"Do either of you have a dagger?" he asked. "I need to move this mortar."

Gwaine stepped beside him and pulled a dagger out of his boot.

Arthur took it and began digging the brick out. Once the brick was loose, he pulled.

"Now I'm sure if we just reach in here…" Arthur started. The brick popped out, and a large assortment of insects spilled to the floor and crawled around. "…we'll be able to find something to release the door," he finished looking forlorn. Why was it always insects?

Marian yelped as the bugs crawled out of the hole and toward her feet. She backed up and hit the wall, losing her balance as she stepped off the stairs. Gwaine caught her around the waist before she could tumble down the staircase and pulled her up close against his side.

Breathing heavily at the nearness of him, she laid a hand on his chest to give herself some room. Eyes wide, she looked up at him. He was close enough that she felt his breath on her face, just like in her dream. His eyes pierced her own, and his scent of leather and musk was intoxicating.

"Be careful," he laughed. "You're liable to kill yourself."

Marian laughed softly. She was beginning to like the feel of him so close. Maybe if they got to know each other better, she could see them being close friends… or even more.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes…" Marian said in a daze as she backed to the edge again.

"Whoa there, beautiful," he said, pulling her back against him. "You don't have to go to all this trouble, you know. You always have my full attention."

Marian laughed again, unsure of herself or where she was or how she felt or anything. It felt like a dream and she was floating.

Arthur sighed, irritated. "When you two are done flirting…"

Marian's face turned red as she was brought back to reality.

Gwaine let her go, keeping a hold on her elbow in case she tried to take another tumble. He turned his attention back to Arthur when he hesitated to put his hand in the hole. Gwaine clapped Arthur on the back and smirked. "Go on, then. Don't be such a princess. It is your quest, after all."

Arthur glared at Gwaine as he pulled his glove tight. He reached into the hole in the wall and grasped a lever, tugging it loose.

The stone door lifted only a couple of feet, allowing Arthur to roll under and into the room. Gwaine motioned for Marian to go next. She looked at the bugs on the floor and then looked up at him. He used his foot to sweep the rest of the insects away from the door.

"Thanks," she said before rolling into the room.

Arthur clapped Merlin on the arm in relief and continued looking around the room for any clues about the trident while Gwaine rolled under the door.

Marian grabbed Merlin in a tight hug. "I'm so happy that you're alright!"

Merlin laughed. "Thanks to Gwaine."

Gwaine gave Merlin a one-armed hug, glad to see that he was unharmed.

"Ha! Look what I found!" Arthur called out as he picked up the Fisher King's trident. He walked past the others with a satisfied smile on his face. "Let's get out of this place."

Before they left the room, Gwaine gently grabbed Marian's arm. "Let's see about that scratch, now, shall we?"

She tried to pull her arm back. "It's fine, Gwaine. I promise"

He grinned at her. "Don't want you getting an infection, do we?" Gwaine pushed her sleeve up to where the blood had stained it, but there was no scrape or scratch of any kind.

"I don't understand. You scraped your arm on the ridge, did you not?"

Marian and Merlin shared a look. It seemed that her body had healed her injury when she'd healed Arthur.

"Must have been nothing," she shrugged.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted. The three of them left the room and followed Arthur down the staircase.


After a day's ride, they stopped to camp for the night. Merlin went to find some firewood, at Arthur's insistence, and Gwaine volunteered to help him. Arthur and Marian were left to prepare the campsite. She cleared the area of brush while he pulled a couple of logs over for them to rest on later.

"I get why Merlin followed me here," Arthur said. "He's a dunderhead who doesn't listen. But you're smarter than that, Marian. Why did you come out here?"

Marian chuckled at the prince. Despite what he said, she knew that deep down, Arthur cared for Merlin. "Would you have rather been stuck with Merlin and Gwaine alone on the journey back, sire?"

He laughed. "Yes, well, Merlin is oblivious most of the time, and Gwaine could talk the hind leg off a mule. But what I mean is, it's dangerous. Why do you risk your life like this?"

"Why do you?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

Arthur chuckled. "Point taken." He sat down on one of the logs and pulled a blade of grass from the ground.

Marian sighed and sat next to him. "You know, Arthur, there's no shame in your friends helping you on your quest."

"It's meant to be done alone. I've broken that tradition."

"That tradition is stupid."

"Marian."

"No, it is. Your father should have known that. Ruling alone is his failing."

"Marian, he's the king. You shouldn't say things like that."

"Listen, Uther tries to do right by his people—I'll give him that. But he doesn't listen. He is arrogant to think he can be a good ruler. What makes a good king is the support of his friends. A king can't do it all on his own, you know."

"I'll have the knights."

"Yes, but you also need people who know you better than anyone. That tradition is conceited. You're better than that—and you will be a better and more loved king than your father could even wish to be. You have friends who will do anything to help and protect you, like Gaius, Merlin, Gwen, and me. There's Leon and Elyan and Lancelot. And even Gwaine came to help."

"Even Gwaine, huh?"

"Even Gwaine."

"You know, you do mention him a lot," he said smirking at her.

Marian gave Arthur a sharp look. "Is that all you got out of that? Didn't you listen to anything else I said?"

"Come on, Marian. You'd have to be blind to not see how you two look at each other. And the way you defend him to my father—"

"He's a good man and an even better fighter. That's all."

"Is it, though?"

"Yes. And I don't look at him in any way. He's… just Gwaine. That's all."

"No, you look at him like no one else exists. You would make a great pair."

Marian jumped up and walked to the other side of the campsite.

"It's okay that you like him, you know."

"Of course, I don't like him, Arthur. He's rude and full of himself."

"Rude and full of himself? Must be talking about me, eh?" Gwaine said when he arrived with an armload of firewood.

Marian's face turned red at being caught talking about him. She fled the campsite, calling out behind her. "I'll go water the horses."


Later that night, they'd gathered around the fire to stave off the cold as Merlin entertained them with some of their more recent adventures, careful to leave out anything to do with his magic.

"You're serious? A goblin?" Gwaine asked, laughing.

"Oh yes," Merlin said. "It caused quite a bit of trouble, too. The king lost all of his hair to start. He was just sitting there in his chamber, shiny bald head out in the open."

Gwaine snickered at the thought. Uther certainly deserved anything he got from that goblin.

"Oh, and the wind was disgusting!" Merlin wrinkled his nose at the memory.

"The goblin had terrible wind?" Gwaine asked as he picked up his bladder of water and took a sip.

"No," Merlin clarified. "Uther, Morgana, and Gwen did. Right there in the council chamber in front of everyone!"

Gwaine spat out the water he had been drinking and snorted.

"Merlin…" Arthur warned with a bemused grin on his face.

"And the goblin turned Arthur into an ass, ears and all!"

"Merlin!" Arthur sat up from where he had been relaxing by the fire, glaring at the warlock.

"He brayed for days after!"

Merlin was hit in the head by Arthur's boot.

Marian's eyes sparkled with laughter at her friends. "You deserved that, Merlin!"

"It wasn't all fun, Merlin. Remember that they arrested you and sentenced you to die," Arthur said.

"So, the king doesn't have a sense of humor? The goblin made that disappear too?" Gwaine asked, trying to lighten Merlin's sudden solemn mood.

Marian sobered. "It's funny now, but it certainly wasn't then. No one knew what the thing was going to do next or how far it would go."

"What spell did the goblin put on you, then?" Gwaine asked, grinning stupidly. "Uncontrollable wind? Did you go bald? No. Let me guess you were turned into a rabbit? I can see it now, long ears and a cute little cotton tail."

Marian looked between Merlin and Arthur, eyes wide.

"Not exactly…" Arthur began.

She shook her head, begging him not to say anything.

"You have to tell me now. What can be worse than being turned into an ass?" Gwaine asked, leaning back against the log behind him, his arms crossed.

"She was…" Arthur cleared his throat, embarrassed.

"Please, no," Marian begged.

"She was to undress whenever she was around… people… men."

Gwaine sat up straight, leaning Marian's way, with wide eyes, as his eyebrows rose to his hairline. "Really?"

"She locked herself in her chamber for nearly a week after she exposed herself to a whole patrol of knights!" Merlin blurted out.

"For fuck's sake!" Marian shrieked, hiding her face in her hands.

Gwaine, Arthur, and Merlin burst into heavy fits of laughter.

When Merlin sobered, he broke a twig off a stick and threw it into the fire. "At least you didn't end up in the dungeon that time, Marian."

Amused, Gwaine turned to her. "This isn't the first time Merlin's said that. How often are you thrown in the dungeon, then?"

Marian frowned at Merlin. This wasn't something she wanted to discuss. "Not very often," she replied, her mouth set in a thin line.

"Yeah, it's usually the stocks."

"Merlin!" Marian yelled.

"What? I can't help it! Gwaine is just so easy to talk to! It's not like it's a secret, Marian. Everyone in Camelot knows you've been in the stocks more times than you can count." He kept going despite Marian's scowl. "At least you've only been in the dungeons twice."

"I'm surprised you didn't end up banished yourself, then. What could you have done to anger Uther so much?" Gwaine asked.

Marian fidgeted under his gaze. "Nothing. It was nothing," she said quickly.

"Hardly!" Merlin cut in.

Marian shook her head at him, pleading for him not to continue.

He did anyway.

"She was in there for three days straight when she pestered the king nearly every single day for weeks to lift your banishment. He got so fed up that he just left her in there. Only Gaius was able to talk Uther into letting her out."

"Oh, god!" Marian dropped her head into her hands.

Gwaine smirked at her. "You went to the dungeon for me. It must be true love!"

"God, Merlin, I'm going to kill you!" she growled.

"Each time they let her out of the stocks, she went back to the king and argued on your behalf," Merlin said.

"My father can be stubborn," Arthur admitted, still feeling guilty that she had spent so much time in the stocks and the dungeon.

"Why, though?" Gwaine asked her.

"Why what?"

"Yes, Marian, why did you go to the dungeon for Gwaine? It's not like my father had never thrown you in the dungeon before, so you knew he wasn't bluffing. Why defend a man you claim to not like?" Arthur teased, knowing full well why she did it, even if she wouldn't admit it herself.

Marian sat there with her mouth open, unable to speak. She couldn't even explain it to herself, so how was she supposed to explain it to them without sounding like some sort of lovesick fool? "I didn't say I don't like…" she trailed off as they looked at her expectantly. "Fine! Because it wasn't fair that he'd banished Gwaine. Gwaine saved you, Arthur, and he's a good fighter and… and… just because, that's why!"

Gwaine moved to sit next to her and put his arm around her shoulders, smiling like an idiot. "Come now, gentlemen. We mustn't tease the lady for enjoying my company. After all, she finally expressed her true feelings for me."

Marian elbowed him in the ribs and stood to go to the opposite side of the camp.

"Ow," Gwaine laughed as he rubbed his bruised side.

As Marian laid down on her bedroll to go to sleep, she allowed herself a small smile. She really was beginning to enjoy Gwaine's company.


Marian and Gwaine stood in her chamber, the sky was dark, and the candlelight in the room was warm and inviting. Gwaine placed a cloth bundle into her waiting hands and urged her to open it. She gasped when she pulled a silver necklace with an emerald pendant out of the bundle.

"Gwaine…I don't know what to say…"

"Do you like it?"

"I love it! It's beautiful!"

"Not as beautiful as you, Marian."

He brushed his knuckles across her cheek and led her to the mirror hanging above the chest of drawers.

Marian held her hair to allow him to clasp the necklace around her neck. She beamed at him in the glass as she fingered the cool metal of the pendant.

Gwaine kissed her temple and then her shoulder and smiled back at her. "It matches your eyes. My fair healer with the emerald eyes. My Marian."

Marian opened her eyes with the morning sun, a grin spreading wide across her face. She had another dream about Gwaine, but this time it left her heart full of happiness rather than confusion and desire. She sighed, trying to memorize the dream before its loveliness faded away forever.

"Better night, beautiful?" Gwaine asked from his bedroll across the fire.

Marian stood and stretched before answering him. "Much better, thanks," she said, smiling.

Gwaine watched her and grinned as she made her way to the stream a few yards away. She hadn't realized that she'd spoken his name in her sleep.


By midday, they'd arrived at the edge of the field that was on Camelot's border. Gwaine stopped his horse and turned to the others.

"This is the border. By Uther's decree, I can go no further."

Marian looked around the wheat field that they had stopped in with a feeling of déjà vu. She could've sworn she'd been there before. That couldn't be it, though. She'd never been in a wheat field in her time here. In fact, the only wheat field she could remember ever being in was the one from her dreams.

Her eyes widened as she realized it was the field from her dream, the one she'd had since childhood. But that would mean… who was the knight? She couldn't remember anything about his appearance, only the feeling of safety and love. Was she dreaming of her future? Or was it dreaming of the past?

"I'm sorry, Gwaine. Nothing I can do to change that," Arthur said.

"Maybe one day," Merlin said.

Gwaine laughed. "Yeah, when Camelot gets itself a half-decent king."

"Careful," Arthur warned him. "He is my father."

"Well, you can't have everything, eh?"

Merlin snickered but sobered when Arthur gave him a stern look.

"Where are you going to go now?" Marian asked.

"Not ready to be rid of me, are you, beautiful?" He licked his finger and stuck it in the air to check the wind. "I think I'll ride south."

"You can't keep living like that, Gwaine," Merlin said.

Ever jovial, Gwaine smiled. "Yeah, but it's fun trying."

Arthur nudged his horse forward to thank Gwaine in his own way. "I'll remember this, Gwaine."

Marian started to follow when Gwaine called to her.

"Marian?"

She turned her horse around and went up so close to him that their legs touched. "Gwaine."

Marian wasn't sure what she was feeling exactly. Was he the knight from the dream? If he was and if her dream was predicting the future, did that mean the curse would be broken? Or did her dream end right before she was transported back to her future? And why Gwaine? He drove her mad. And he was kind. She was supposed to be angry at him and not care about him.

Despite what she thought she should feel, she was immensely sorry to see him go. This journey had been nothing like she'd expected. When they'd first set out, she thought him an arrogant fool. But now, having spent more time with him, Marian saw past the fool to the lonely but kind man beneath the surface.

"Take care of yourself, will you?" Gwaine had grown rather fond of Marian. The feelings that had developed when they'd first met had now blossomed into pure and innocent affection. She was witty and funny and too clumsy for her own good. He wanted nothing more than to follow her to Camelot and court her.

"You as well, Gwaine. I hope to see you again someday."

"Someday," he breathed as he brushed his knuckles down the soft skin on her cheek.

She closed her eyes at the contact and smiled tenderly at him. When her eyes fluttered open, he returned her smile.

Turning his horse, Gwaine headed back through the field, away from Camelot and away from her. Marian felt small tears sting her eyes, but she wouldn't allow them to fall. The roguish scoundrel had made a place in her heart, after all.


Spells (a rough translation from the Merlin Wiki at merlin dot fandom dot com):

O drakon! E male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes! - O dragon, permit the appeal for an audience to speak here, fierce, wise-minded one.

Nun de ge dei s'eikein kai emois epe'essin hepesthai! - Now you must (it's necessary that you) obey (give way) and you must follow towards… (according to the Merlin Wiki, this is not entirely translated)

Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ. - I heal you thoroughly from your mortal wound with those special powers that are ancient! Oh

Þurhhæle dolgbenn! - Heal thoroughly the wound!