Chapter 87 I don't own Merlin. Normal is english, italics is latin, spanish is spanish, bold is mind speak or spells.
"We've made good time, Your Majesty. Perhaps a week left before we make it to Cornwall." Gildas said two weeks later, preparing a large elk for their dinner with the help of a few other soldiers.
"Yes, we are travelling faster than I'd expected. May I ask you something, Gildas?" he said, stopping the other man from skinning the elk and making him hand the knife over to one of the soldiers, having Gildas follow him to the edge of the camp.
"My Lord?"
"You and the Princess, you are close, yes?"
"Relatively. I haven't known her that long, but we have become quick friends."
"Her husband, this… Merlin. Why did he not come?"
"Merlin?" Gildas asked, slightly surprised at the question. He'd managed to forget that she pretended they'd been married. "Well, he- he has his own responsibilities in Camelot, my Lord."
"He seems to be a peasant."
"The peasantry make up a kingdom, King Gundemar. Yes, Merlin comes from a small village, but he plays an important, powerful role in the future of Camelot. Believe me. His destiny is as great as the Princess's."
"So he doesn't love her?"
"I didn't say that. He understood that she needed to see this through. Not just because it was a condition set by you, Your Majesty. She agreed to come because she needs closure. She needs to seek justice for her people, and she needs to make sure her family's legacy remains in good hands. Namely, yours, if you are the leader she thinks you to be."
"What does she think of me?" he asked.
"She respects you, that much is obvious. She might trust you, I cannot tell you what I do not know. But if she was willing to name you her successor based on your reputation, it must bode well for you."
"How did you two meet? The Prince of Camelot seemed wary and suspicious of you. And surprised."
"Magic is outlawed in Camelot on pain of death. It's dangerous to live there, most sorceres fled over twenty years ago. She fell in love there, it's her home now, very little will make her leave." Gildas said, not wanting to answer his question.
"She has magic." he said, wondering why she would be foolish enough to risk her life and conveying it with his tone of voice.
"Yes, she does. She hides it well. Only those in the party you encountered know about it."
"So, how did you meet if not in that Kingdom?"
"She trespassed on my domain, needed help and I aided her. I trust her, and she trusts me."
"How do you gain her trust?"
"Her trust, or her favour?"
"Her trust." he said, his eyes betraying his choice.
"Being truthful to her. She has a very good sense of character, and she can tell when she's being manipulated and lied to. Casiopea detests to be used when a simple question could be asked instead. She usually does what is asked of her when it's within reason and not dangerous."
"That's why she came? Because it's not dangerous?" Gundemar asked with a quirked eyebrow and a hint of a smile as he thought the sentence ridiculous.
"Let me correct myself, when it's not dangerous to others."
"I'm sure she can be very dangerous. The lands we travelled to get here were not safe at all, if she survived by herself, she must be quite the warrior."
"I have never seen her fight, Sire. But I can imagine the same myself."
"Does your wife have magic as well?"
"Yes, she does." he answered defensively, a protective undertone in his voice. "May I ask why you are so curious about her?"
"She seems so…unthreatening."
"I can assure you, when she's angry enough she can be quite formidable." GIldas responded with an amused smile. "I truly hope you never get on that side of her. It's terrifying."
"All women are like that. Make them angry enough…" he said trailing off with a deep, resonating chuckle.
"All reason goes out the window?" Cassie suggested, walking up behind them and offering a bowl of stew to the King with a dangerous smile.
"Your Highness! I meant no offence to your character. It was a generalisation, it will never happen again." he apologised solemnly, watching as Gildas escaped before Cassie could focus on him.
"You are very easy to intimidate, my dear King. Perhaps I made the wrong choice in Successor?" Cassie asked teasingly, her eyes barely showing a hint of amusement as they looked haunted.
"On the contrary, I was only apologising for attacking your character, Highness." he replied solemnly.
"I much prefer to be told criticisms up front, my Lord. I can take them." she replied, looking at him challengingly.
"Okay, If it isn't imprudent, my Lady, you are quite distant. Unnecessarily so. And very secretive. It's been two weeks and you only ever speak to me with proper etiquette. You have revealed nothing of yourself. We are allies, are we not?" he asked, stepping closer to her but still maintaining a respectful distance.
"I hardly know you, Sire. I trust fully, but only after it has been earned." Cassie said, looking at him as she thought about earning Owaine's trust. And Leon's.
"Your friend said something along those lines." Gundemar said, making a decision he might later regret. "Since we are to be travel companions for the next few months, please allow me to earn your trust. Ask me whatever you want. I will answer as truthfully as I can."
"Any question?"
"Whatever you wish to know about me, I will tell you."
"Was it you who approached my brother with the marriage contract?" she asked, curious as to whether he'd lie or not.
"It was my father. He formally approached King Lluvia two years prior on one of his trips outside of Septimania. At first I was reticent, some of the nobles in your Kingdom found you…detached, childish. When my father died, he told me on his deathbed that he wished for me to see this through. That, although nothing formal was signed, our marriage was already concrete."
"My brother never mentioned you. The first time I heard about our engagement was the night before he was killed." Cassie said quietly, looking at the floor demurely.
"I take it you aren't surprised that the nobles didn't think highly of you."
"The noble ladies my age avoided me at all costs. And the elders all thought me dangerous. I take little offence, Your Majesty. I've never thought twice about what others think of me. I might have felt lonely at times, but I learned quickly not to rely on others' opinions of myself. At least that's what I think."
"I suppose that's why you prefer your criticism up front?"
"Yes, it is."
"You are a strong woman, my Lady. I repeat what I've said time and again; you would have made a terrific Queen."
"It is not my destiny to be Queen of Hispania and Septimania. I am not made to rule, my Lord."
"What are you made for? What is your destiny?" he asked, her words piquing his curiosity as he sat down on a fallen trunk.
"I don't know." Cassie answered quietly, her thoughts racing as she thought through all the conversations she'd had with the Great Dragon, the nights she'd lay awake with Owaine trying to figure out his cryptic messages.
"So how do you know the throne isn't your destiny?" he asked, offering her a place beside him since she hadn't taken it.
"Because my heart tells me so. I don't belong in Hispania. I never did."
"You cannot be so sure about that."
"I lived there seventeen years, I was ostracised and largely ignored. In Camelot, I do good. I save lives, deliver lives. I have many friends and they've become my family." she said wistfully, her smile bittersweet.
"Perhaps things will change." he said, eating the stew as he looked out at his army.
"I'm not too sure about that. I still abandoned the people, it wouldn't surprise me if I am selfish and uncaring in their eyes." she said, following his line of sight.
"Perhaps some. The ones who've suffered directly at Witteric's hands. But the Dukes all say that they remember you as kind and gentle, and the vassals hold you in high esteem."
"But not the nobility you spoke with. They say I am detached and childish."
"That was years ago, my Lady. Perceptions change. Those same people described you as such."
"Your Majesty," Cassie began, mulling over the words in silence as he waited for her to speak. "May I ask you something else?"
"I told you you may ask me whatever your heart desires. I will answer truthfully."
"Did you never doubt? Our marriage. You knew about it far longer than I did. You knew about me, about what the others said about me. Did you think we would make a bad match?"
"A bad match? My Lady, you are beautiful, intelligent, and gentle. You are everything a man looks for in a woman and so much more. Merlin is lucky to have captured your heart."
"I didn't mean that." Cassie said with a blush, her eyes sad. "All you knew of me was that I was detached and childish, did you think I would make you happy, or was it just a political match?"
"Happiness is fleeting. All that can be done is to enjoy it while it lasts. Besides, I knew you were beautiful, even if you were detached you would have made me happy."
"Is my beauty all anyone ever sees? " Cassie asked in a whisper, fighting back the tears.
"What do you mean?"
"The first word everyone uses to describe me is beautiful. As if that's all I am."
"Beauty takes you far in life, my Lady."
"I suppose so. Beauty and station, right?" Cassie asked him, shaking her head and standing up. "It's getting late. We should rest, Your Majesty. Good night." Cassie said, curtseying and walking away.
"Good morning, my Lady." Adenora greeted, smiling as the blonde stretched out and accepted the plate of food for breakfast.
"I trust you and Gildas had a good night?" Cassie asked her, smiling as she chewed.
"It was very pleasant, yes. Was your conversation with the King as interesting as it seemed from afar?"
"I almost managed to forget." Cassie said with a humourless chuckle, looking down at the plate and moving some of the food around with her spoon.
"Forget the conversation?" Adenora asked to clarify, her brows knit together as she observed the girl with motherly worry- even if she wasn't much older than her.
"What it was like to be constantly watched and forced to be anyone else other than myself." Cassie replied, in a small voice, smiling dully and getting up. "Thank you for breakfast, Adenora."
"Please, I've told you before. Call me Addie." she said kindly, bending down and folding the blankets neatly.
"And I've told you before, I don't need you to wait on me."
"It's an honour. Besides, hopefully we'll get closer if I were your Lady-in-Waiting. Although, I'd have to be nobility to be that." she said with a smile, pausing thoughtfully as she finished with the last of the blankets and looking blankly at the sky.
"Not at all. I would much rather prefer you to be my friend."
"I'm glad. That makes me happy. So, is it too presumptuous of me to think you'd tell me what you spoke about?"
"He wanted to earn my trust. He answered my questions, we spoke without formalities- okay, without too many formalities."
"Did he? Earn your trust, I mean?"
"I believe there are things I can fully trust him with."
"And there's others you can't."
"I suppose I've been keeping secrets for so long it's become who I am now." Cassie replied, shrugging sadly and gathering her hair up onto the top of her head in a messy tail.
"You don't believe that. I'm sure there's someone who knows all your secrets." Adenora said, regretting it instantly as Cassie's face paled and tears began to stream down her face.
"There was. But he's gone now. And I'll never see him again. I never got the chance to tell-"
"My Lady, we're ready to move whenever you are." Miro said from the other side of the canvas.
"Just a moment longer, Miro." Cassie replied in a regal voice, her mask back on as she stuffed her feelings in a box and shoved it to the recesses of her soul.
"Cassie, I don't know the loss you've suffered, but what you're doing isn't healthy. You must deal with your emotions." Adenora whispered to her gently, squeezing her hand and holding a handkerchief out for Cassie to dry her eyes with.
"I don't want to cry anymore. I cannot show them my grief because then he'll force me to marry him. It has to be this way." Cassie whispered back in a shaking voice, taking a deep breath and steering her shoulders before walking out and going to her horse.
"Good day, Princess Casiopea. Are you prepared to head out?" Gundemar asked with a friendly smile, offering to help her onto the horse.
"I am, thank you." Cassie said, forcing a smile and accepting his help.
"Good, we'll be off then." he said, not noticing the fake smile and mounting his mare quickly, kicking off and leading them in a regal manner as they galloped away from their campsite.
"It's a fine day out today, Sire. The sky looks very clear." Cassie commented, their horses walking leisurely as they caught their breath after having ridden hard for four hours.
"Yes, it is. Have you ever been to this part of the land?"
"I confess I haven't strayed out of Camelot more than once. It's very beautiful."
"Quite the scenery. I believe I can already see the seas. We must be close."
"Only to the shoreline. We're nowhere near Cornwall yet." Gildas told him, looking around in keen observation.
"If it weren't imperative for us to get back as soon as possible, I might tempt you with taking a day and enjoying the shoreline, Princess."
"I am sorry, King Gundemar. That is not the case. We must do everything in our power to arrive in Hispania quickly. Your people depend on you."
"Yes, I know. It's a shame too. I would have loved to spend the day with you, my Queen." he said unthinkingly, spurring his horse forward quickly enough that he missed the pain that flashed in her eye and the grief that shook her very body to the core, making her fall off the horse.
"Reina Casiopea! Mi Reina, ¿está bien?" Miro asked, quickly dismounting and rushing off towards where she lay on the floor.
"Si, si, estoy bien, Miro. No se Preocupe." Cassie told him reassuringly, sitting up and looking at her leg, letting out a sad laugh as she thought about Blaze.
"Princessa?" King Gundemar asked worriedly, walking closer and looking at her strangely.
"Estoy bien, Rey Gundemaro. No se preocupe. Con un simple hechizo me sano la pierna." she told him as his hands noticed the odd angle of her ankle.
"Es fuerte, Princesa. Otro no estaría tan calmado con una fractura tal como esa." he told her, lifting her skirt slightly and gently probing her ankle.
"No se preocupe. No es mi primera fractura. Ġehǣlan." she told him, her eyes glowing gold and the warmth of her magic rushing through her body down to her ankle with a loud crack as it reset and healed itself. "¿Ve?"
"Sorprendente, Reina. Ha cambiado mucho desde la última vez que la vi."
"Tampoco es para tanto, Miro. Lo único que ha cambiado es el Reino donde estoy. He cambiado muy poco." Cassie told him with a grateful smile to Gundemar who helped her stand up and supported her weight. "Rey, no necesito que me soporte el peso. Está totalmente bien el tobillo." she told him with a chuckle, looking at him expectantly as he still held her up by the waist.
"Claro, si." he said quickly, letting her go and bowing respectfully. "Usted tiene una fuerza envidiable, Princesa. Paramos aquí por hoy!"
"No, Rey Gundemaro. Soy perfectamente capaz de seguir. Es más, prefiero andar lo más que podamos hoy." she said, looking around at the soldiers who were patiently waiting after having realized what had happened.
"Lo que usted diga, Princesa." he said, bowing and helping her back onto her horse, the group taking off at a slower, calmer pace.
"We'll make camp for the night!" Gundemar declared, stopping in their tracks and dismounting to lead the horses off the path. "Princess, I hope you are better?" he asked as he helped her down and walked her over to the topless tent the soldiers had already erected.
"As good as when I rose this morning." she said politely, smiling at him and sitting down on a log.
"My Lord, there's some good game in these areas, perhaps you'd want to accompany us to catch dinner?" Gildas offered, his wife watching them from behind him with a secretive look in her eyes.
"At this hour?" he asked, looking at him strangely.
"Yes, the challenge makes it more enjoyable." Gildas told him, offering him a spear.
"I think I'll take you up on your offer, Gildas." he said after a few seconds, bowing his head to the blonde woman and taking her hand. "For you, my dear."
"Thank you, Sire. But you should give the men priority, they need to be healthy for our endeavours." Cassie told him, looking at Gildas and demanding what he was up to mentally.
"Fret not, my Lady. We'll get enough for everyone." Gildas told her with an amused smile. "My wife's insistence."
"Okay." Cassie said, trying hard not to roll her eyes at him and failing.
"My Lady, does it bother you?" Gundemar asked, catching the roll of her eyes.
"What? Oh, no my Lord. I apologise for my behaviour. I meant it only for Gildas's teasing manner. Go, have fun. I insist." Cassie told him, apologising automatically.
"You confound me, Princess." he mumbled to himself in Latin, shaking his head and walking away with Gildas.
"Gildas said this was your idea?" Cassie asked as Adenora neared her and curtseyed.
"You said this morning that you felt asphyxiated. I figured you'd like a moment of peace. There's a spell Gildas taught me years ago; it creates an illusion of yourself so you can do as you like without anyone knowing."
"Thank you, Adenora. Addie. I greatly appreciate it. Does-does it take me wherever I want to go? Like Gildas can do?" she asked, her smile wide and grateful.
"Alas, my power is not good for that. Travelling spells require a great deal of energy. It's why some of them are dependent on the elements, like air or water. He tried teaching me and I didn't even make it a few feet away without being spent. Please, allow me to teach you the illusion. It's the only thing I can teach you." she explained, taking her Lady's hand and squeezing it gently.
"Of course, Addie. Go on." Cassie told her gratefully, sitting down on the ground and allowing Adenora to light a candle with a silent look.
"Close your eyes and allow your magic to permeate every word you say while you picture yourself doing a repetitive motion. The spell is: āsċieppenne mín þone ġedwimor. That is all you really need to do, the rest is your imagination."
"How long does it last?"
"Until someone enters and tries to speak with you. The illusion is good as silhouettes and shadows, but when you are seen closely, the magic can be seen."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean to say that it shimmers, almost. It's difficult to describe. I will tell the general you want to be alone, don't forget to grab that amulet quickly, they see two of you and it will be rather chaotic out here."
"I won't. Thank you, Addie." Cassie said, smiling and waiting for her to leave before taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, picturing herself embroidering and saying the words softly. "I'm free!" Cassie said happily, her grip firmly on the amulet as she snuck out the back and walked into the woods slowly, letting her tears fall silently as she did. "My Knight. My love, please, tell me what to do. I don't know what to do." Cassie pleaded into the air, looking up through the canopy of the trees to the night sky waiting for an answer, biting her cheek so as not to cry out as she let her grief take over for a moment, her worries gone as she was alone, silent, and invisible to everyone.
"Princesa, está bien? Llegué anoche y usted ya se había retirado. ¿Cómo se siente?" Gundemar asked her the following morning as she walked out of the tent and towards her horse, her actions the same morning after morning since they began the long journey together.
"Si, Su Majestad. Simplemente estaba cansada. Gracias por su preocupación." Cassie answered with a polite smile.
"No hay de que. ¿Está lista para ir?"
"Cuando sea, Majestad." Cassie answered, waving at him in deference and waiting for him to give the order to move out.
"My Lady, will you allow me to travel beside you today?"
"Of course, Addie. It would make me very happy for you to be my travelling companion."
"Thank you, my Lady."
"Thank you." Cassie said gratefully, the time alone the previous night had been very cathartic for her, even if her eyes were swollen and red.
"You are quite gifted at glamors and illusions, my Lady." she said in a soft voice, making sure no one could hear.
"Glamors I've used for a very long time, illusions… I suppose they must come easy after the glamors." Cassie replied just as softly, looking around her as the men marched on.
"How did you learn it so well? I don't mean to pry, but I wasn't able to learn half the things I know now until after I met Gildas." she asked her, her cheeks slightly red as she realised how intrusive she was being. "My magic's always been weak, more maternal and directed to chores than anything. I was only able to use it after I turned sixteen."
"It's just… it's always known what I want. I can't explain it. When it first showed up, I could barely speak, but I always got what I wanted, and I guess it's…learned." Cassie said slowly, not entirely sure of the answer herself.
"You have a rather strange way of viewing it." she noted, biting back her smile.
"What? My magic?" Cassie asked in clarification, continuing at the sound of concordance. "I suppose I do. It was my only friend as a young child, my constant companion since I was six. I've felt what it's like to not be able to reach it, and it's a horrible feeling. I've only ever felt worse a handful of times, and I can name them all within the last four years." Cassie told her in such a quiet voice Adenora had to lean over dangerously to hear her.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." she said, straightening up on her horse and looking down at the reins.
"Part of me wants to just stay quiet. Part of me wants to yell, another to cry. I'm being pulled in so many directions I don't know what to do. All I can do is… be the young, naïve princess my mother taught me to be when dealing with the public."
"Why would she do that? The person you are is so much…"
"Because, it's best if your enemies don't know your weaknesses, but even better when allies don't know all your strengths. My father was a shrewd leader, and my mother learned from him. The people knew I had magic, but my mother forbade me from ever using it to the full extent of my power. If only they knew how dangerous an enemy I could be, how powerful an ally, there would be no knowing who was truly a friend and who was a foe."
"Keep your friends close, your enemies closer?"
"No. That's to learn about your enemies. Rather, keep your secrets guarded tighter than the pyramids are sealed."
"Perhaps… Perhaps it's time to let others into those secrets?" Adenora said shyly, looking down at her lap as she did.
"Such as?"
"King Gundemar, Miro, Gildas, myself." she suggested slowly, biting her lip as Cassie fell into silent contemplation.
"Adenora. A word, please." Cassie asked just before she retired behind her tent for the night.
"Yes, my Lady." she said, bowing her head meekly and following her to the tree line away from the others.
"I have taken your words into consideration… Did the King put you up to this? Gildas?"
"Neither." she said, her eyes wide and her head shaking quickly. "No, I-I just feel like it would be best for you to have someone to confide in. If not Gildas or myself then perhaps your former betrothed? He seems a respectable man. One of honour. I believe you can trust him."
"I will try. That's all I can promise. But, you do know I trust you. I have my secrets because they are very personal. Something I wouldn't even share with my own mother were she still alive. Not because of a lack of trust in you." Cassie said gently, looking into her eyes to try and see if there was any hidden agenda hiding behind them.
"May I ask you something, then?" she said timidly, wringing her hands in front of her.
"Yes."
"Why did the Tower pick you? Very few know of its existence, even less have glimpsed the inside. Gildas told me only those worthy of the secrets could know all the secrets. And he said that was you. But I don't understand… the Tower is much older than Camelot, you already have your own destiny there, why must you have another one?" Adenora told her in rapid succession, not being able to contain herself and whispering it so no one else would know. Especially not Gildas.
"Another destiny?" Cassie asked her in confusion, trying to process it all as the girl before her shook her head and covered her mouth with her hands.
"I should not have said that!"
"Addie, wait!" Cassie said, reaching out and stopping her from leaving with a firm hand. "Tell me, what other destiny?"
"Llys Dôn has two destinies; one is much more obscure than the other. Yes, you are destined to help Albion, but you are also destined to do so much more. Gildas would kill me if I told you this."
"Addie, tell me." Cassie ordered softly, gasping as she heard the words uttered from the woman's mouth and staring in astonishment and fear.