Camelot
October, 506 AD
I gave Gwen a grin when I caught the wary look she was giving me as she watched me prepare a special treat for Uther in my latest attempt at getting the man to smile. Or at least to stop frowning. "Trust me – he's gonna love this," I said.
Despite my words, I grimaced slightly as I did my best to get the brownies to look aesthetically pleasing by drawing happy faces over the whipped cream that covers them using strawberry jam. They are turning out rather ghastly – but the intention is what matters, or so they say.
"Well, this certainly cannot turn out more disastrous than that cat you got for him," Gwen commented.
"Hey! You love Salem and you know it!" I protested and shot her a smirk.
A few minutes later, the brownies were done and I carried them on a plate up to Uther's room, with Gwen following close behind while holding a pitcher full of water and a cup.
"Hey, old buddy!" I greeted the King upon entering his living quarters.
He sat on a rocking chair near the window, a faraway expression on his face and his eyes dull and lifeless.
To my surprise, Salem lay on the windowsill, peacefully sleeping under a ray of sunlight that made his shiny black fur look almost blue. Either Uther gave up on fighting the cat's presence, or he's finally accepted him as his roommate. I pray it's the latter.
"I brought you a special treat!" I chirped as I placed the plate atop the dining table, then I took one of the brownies and handed it to Uther. His eyes slowly travelled towards the pastry, but he made no motion to take it. "Come on, ya' gotta eat something!" I insisted, but his gaze only moved away from the food and back towards the window. I let out a frustrated sigh and pulled up a chair from the dining table next to where he sat, then I placed the chocolate goody on it. "I'll leave it here, in case ya' get hungry," I mumbled and then I moved to sit on the windowsill next to Salem, looking down at the courtyard.
"What's all that for, anyway?" I inquired when I saw men carrying plants, wreaths, and bright red tapestries into the castle.
After half-forcing Uther to drink some water, Gwen moved to stand beside me and she inspected the scene for a moment before replying, "Decorations for the festival of Samhain."
My eyes widened as I turned to her, a big smile automatically forming on my face. "You mean Halloween!?"
She recoiled at my sudden burst of excitement and then she tilted her head in confusion. "I do not know what that means."
I frowned and looked back down.
Well, they can call it whatever they want, but it's still one of my favourite holidays.
"Excuse me, I gotta find Artie," I said before dashing out of the room.
I sprinted the short distance to the Prince's chambers and knocked, then I waited for a response and entered when I got it.
Arthur looked up from his desk and a charming smile that caused my heart to skip a beat instantly formed on his lips. "Hello, beautiful," he said, causing my face to warm up.
"Howdy, good-lookin'," I replied with a grin and I ran over to hug him. He pulled me sideways onto his lap, making me freeze for a moment as I looked him in the eyes and my insides melted at the proximity. I did my best to ignore the electrifying feeling and moved to rest my head on his shoulder while he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Gwennie said that we're celebrating Halloween this year," I commented, trying to sound casual while I fiddled with the neckline of his red shirt.
"Hello-what?"
"Samhain. Whatever. The point is – you need my creative insight."
"I did not think you cared for events of this sort."
"But this is Halloween!" I exclaimed and I stood up as I felt the excitement return. "We get to dress up! And eat candy! And decorate!" I listed as I paced the room with a wild smile on my lips.
"Are you sure we are talking about the same thing?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
I paused my movement and narrowed my eyes at him. Right. Obviously the way in which Halloween is celebrated has changed drastically over fifteen centuries. And I'm starting to get the feeling that their ways of celebration aren't nearly as fun as the ones I know…
Deflated, I plopped down on the bed. "I miss America," I mumbled.
Arthur tilted his head and stood up, then he moved to sit next to me. "Tell me more about this Hello-win," he commanded while placing a hand on my knee.
A grin formed on my lips once more and I covered his hand with mine. "Well, it's more for children, really. We dress up in costumes, usually scary ones, and then we go around 'trick-or-treating'. Which means walkin' around a neighbourhood while the owners of each home give out candy. And the houses are decorated with spooky items, n' sometimes there are haunted house attractions..." I trailed off with a sigh as a wave of nostalgia filled me.
Halloweens are some of the best memories I have of my childhood. The one night when I could hide in a costume and be someone other than Astra. Before I liked being Astra.
"But I guess y'all don't do any of that, do ya'?" I asked as I looked up at Arthur.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and drew me closer to him. "Well, I do not know about 'trick-or-treating…" I grinned as he said that slowly, managing to get the words right. "…but I could order everyone to wear costumes, and we can add spooky elements to the decorations."
My smile widened once more. "Really?!"
"Anything for you," he replied sweetly.
I attacked him with a hug and he fell onto his back with a laugh, bringing me down with him as he returned the embrace.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" I said rapidly as I placed kisses all over his handsome face. His forehead, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, his chin… He placed a hand on the back of my neck and gently guided me to meet his lips.
"Gwennie – you really outdid yourself this time," I said with a smile as I looked at myself in the mirror while admiring the 'Alice In Wonderland' dress that my friend created for me from a crappy drawing I made while watching the movie. The live-action one, mind you. It's so much better than the cartoon. Fight me.
Gwen can work wonders with some fabric, a needle, and a thread. In fact, if it were up to me, I would've appointed her court seamstress ages ago!
I ruined her masterpiece only slightly by wearing my light grey base-layer underneath with the excuse that the weather is cold, since I really want to cover up certain marks – something I didn't think of when choosing a costume.
Gwen grinned. "I am pleased that you like it, Astra."
"Let's get that one to Arthur now!" I exclaimed and grabbed the Mad Hatter costume that she made for the Prince off the table. I ran over to his room with my friend trailing behind me.
Arthur smiled widely while eyeing me up and down, a glint shining in his entrancing irises.
"She did great, aye?" I asked him as I pulled Gwen into a side hug. She blushed and looked down. "Hey! No modesty! You did great, ya' hear me?" I told her, causing her to chuckle again.
Satisfied with that response, I skipped over to Arthur and handed him his costume. He unfolded it and looked it over with curiosity.
"C'mon, try it on! We'll be right outside!" I told him and then I pulled Gwen out into the corridor once more, where we waited for the Prince to get changed.
"What are you dressing as, anyway?" I asked her.
She looked away from me. "I will not be attending the fest. I have to watch Uther."
"But it won't be the same without you!" I protested with a pout. There are many people who can babysit the King! Why her?!
She snorted. "I think it will be just fine."
I narrowed my eyes at her but said nothing else. Mostly because Arthur called out that we could return inside.
My jaw dropped when I saw him standing in the middle of the room with his Mad Hatter costume on. Who would've known that someone could look so attractive in that?!
Actually, I know that very well. I watched 'Once Upon A Time'.
"Well?" he asked almost shyly.
"I don't know, Artie. I don't want all the ladies in the room to swarm you," I replied with a smirk. His head tilted in apparent confusion. "Like moths drawn to a flame, 'cause you look hot!" He grinned again and looked down, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Right, Gwennie?" I asked the girl beside me while giving her arm a gentle nudge.
"He is all yours, Astra," she replied with a snort, causing me to grin. "I shall go tend to Uther now, but the two of you have fun," she added before heading towards the door.
"Thanks again, Gwennie! You're the best! And say 'hi' to Salem for me!" I called out to her. She chuckled as she left the room.
Merlin entered moments later and paraded the White Rabbit costume that Gwen also made. Joy filled me at the sight and I jumped to hug him.
"Yes! This is the best Halloween ever!" I exclaimed.
Arthur escorted me to the grand hall, with Merlin walking right behind us, and I couldn't help the big smile that played on my lips as I looked around at the decorations.
Jack-o-lanterns made of wood ('cause these people don't have pumpkins yet) lined the corridor, fake cobwebs made of wool adorned the doorways, and fake (I think) spiders hung from the walls. All of that was coupled with the more 'traditional' decorations that the Samhain festival uses – wreaths, candles, and rich tapestries. It's a perfect (and amusing) blend of two cultures separated by fifteen centuries, and I couldn't be more grateful that Arthur agreed to incorporate my ideas into the celebration.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the courtiers had dressed up. Mostly as heroes from classical mythology. As Arthur and I walked hand-in-hand towards the back of the room, I exchanged a smile with Gwaine, who was dressed as the March Hare. He'd insisted on matching Arthur, Merlin and I for the occasion. Leon was dressed as Hercules (or something of the sort), Elyan was a skeleton, Percival was a gladiator, and Lancelot was Dracula – a fitting costume for a vampire hunter.
The party-poopers that are Gaius and Agravaine refused to dress up.
The Prince and his uncle sat on either side of an empty chair, where Uther should be sitting, and I sat on Arthur's other side.
Once everyone was done eating the main course, Arthur stood up and, instantly, the room grew quiet as all attention fell on him.
"Samhain," he said with a small smile. "It is the time of year when we feel closest to the spirits of our ancestors. It is a time to remember those we have lost to celebrate their passing." My heart churned in my chest at the sound of that. Arthur's eyes travelled to the empty chair beside him and he raised a toast, "To the King."
"To the King," echoed through the room.
Interesting choice of words. It makes it seem as if Uther were dead.
Cups clinked, people cheered, and wine was spilled – most of it by Gwaine, I noticed while giggling at his over-excited demeanour.
My gaze then travelled towards Merlin and I frowned when I saw that he was completely still, his eyes wide and distant. I tilted my head and began walking towards him, wishing to ensure that he's okay.
Before I reached him, he dropped the pitcher in his hand and collapsed to the ground.
"Merls!" I gasped as I leaped the rest of the way and dropped to my knees beside him. One of my hands instantly darted to check his pulse while the other one moved his head onto my lap. He was shivering uncontrollably and his skin felt ice cold.
My heart slammed against my ribcage as I looked around helplessly for Gaius until he finally appeared in front of us, with Lancelot by his side.
"What happened?" Lancelot asked as he laid down Merlin on his bed at Gaius's apartment.
I placed the duvet on top of my best friend and tucked it around him as best I could.
"I do not know. I have never felt anyone so cold before," I heard the physician reply.
My stomach twisted.
"Will he be all right?" the knight questioned.
"I will need hawthorn to improve blood flow," Gaius mentioned as he gestured towards the door while still inspecting Merlin. Lancelot rushed out into the main room to find the aforementioned herb. Then the physician addressed me, "And blankets. Lots of blankets."
I nodded and sprinted towards my room, where I gathered my large collection of superhero-themed blankets.
Upon returning to the physician's chambers, I threw all of them on top of my best friend, except for my Avengers one, which I kept around myself as I curled up on a chair next to the bed.
Fortunately, Merlin woke up only some two hours later and, while he was still cold, he seemed perfectly lucid and functional as he sat up and looked around with a frown.
I jumped to hug him tightly and curled up next to him while clinging to his arm. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and then leaned his own on it.
"What the heck happened?" I asked.
Gaius entered the room and gave us each a mug of hot chocolate. Then he sat down on the chair I was previously on with his own mug in hand.
"A vision, I think," Merlin finally explained. "A woman dressed in all black. When she spoke, her voice… It was as though it came from the depths of the earth. And her eyes... they were so sad… So much pain in them…" He turned towards Gaius as he asked, "Who is she?"
"The Cailleach. The gatekeeper to the spirit world," the physician responded.
I've never heard that one before…
"Why was she there?" Merlin questioned.
"It was on the stroke of midnight of Samhain's Eve, the very moment when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest," Gaius noted gravely. "It cannot be a coincidence."
My mind flashed to the movie 'Spooky Buddies' and I bit down on my bottom lip. I hope no one comes hunting for puppy souls. Or kitten souls. Or horse souls! Or human souls!
"Why was I the only one to see her?" Merlin wondered.
"You have great power, Merlin. For someone so gifted, such visions are not uncommon," Gaius pointed out.
"But you do not understand. It was not a vision. She knew who I was," Merlin replied. "She called me Emrys."
My eyes widened as I looked up at him. He explained once that that's his druid name, or something.
Gaius looked away, brow furrowed deep in thought.
"What is it?" Merlin pressed. "What does it mean?"
"I am not sure," Gaius responded. "But if someone has torn the veil between the worlds, then God help us all."
His words sent a chill down my spine and my heart-rate accelerated even more, prompting me to tighten my grip on Merlin's arm.
Much to my relief, Merlin was as good as new the next morning. We had a lovely breakfast with Gaius, and then I joined him on a journey to the royal kitchen to retrieve Arthur's breakfast before following him to the Prince's room.
My heart did a weird back-flip at the sight of Arthur sleeping while cuddling a pillow, and I suddenly felt kinda jealous of the item. Which is absurd, obviously. But there's been a short circuit in the cable between my brain and heart ever since I met him, so logic isn't really circulating.
I jolted at a clanging sound and dashed to Merlin's side again, only to realise that the noise had been produced by him noisily setting the breakfast tray down atop the dining table.
"Merlin," Arthur groaned as he rolled onto his other side, facing us.
I averted my gaze when his covers slid down to reveal his muscular torso. Merlin snorted and opened the drapes to let the sunlight in.
"Merlin!" the Prince protested again and he grabbed a big pillow, dramatically placing it on top of his face and body to shield himself from the faint rays.
I shared a small amused look with my best friend.
I jumped when a knock pounded on the door and I tightened my hold on Merlin's arm again.
"Merlin!" Arthur whined once more.
"That is not me," my best friend responded while giving me a reassuring look.
I held my breath as the door opened, only to reveal Sir Leon. I sighed and dropped some tension off my shoulders while hanging my head. Of course it was nothing to worry about. Why would an unrestful spirit bother to knock if it was coming to take my friend!?
"Excuse me, Sire. You are needed in the council chambers as a matter of urgency," Leon said gravely. Then his eyes jumped towards me. "You, too, Astra," he added before leaving.
"You think they're givin' out candy?" I asked Merlin in a mumbled whisper as I looked up at him.
He snorted and gave my hand a gentle squeeze before replying, "Get dressed. We will meet you there."
I let out a shaky breath and gave him a quick hug. Then I sent an acknowledging nod towards Arthur and left the room.
I hurried to brush my teeth and fix my messy hair into a braid. Then I took off the 'Alice' dress that I was still wearing and changed into my dark grey riding leggings, my navy blue sweatshirt that has Captain America's shield in the centre, and my black bomber jacket. I pulled on my white runners, slipped on my faux leather horse name-plate bracelets, and sprinted out of my room.
In the corridor, I came across Arthur and Merlin as they left the Prince's room, and I ran to catch up with them, hooking my arm with my best friend's once more.
Arthur glanced down at me with a questioning look. "Hello?"
"Right, sorry," I mumbled before dropping Merlin's arm and I reached up to give the Prince a quick kiss before returning to my best friend's side.
The three of us walked together to the council chamber and we entered to find some knights, Gaius, and Agravaine gathered around a crying girl. My heart clenched at the sight. She must be around my age…
"What has happened to her?" Arthur asked his uncle in a whisper.
"Her village was attacked," Agravaine replied with a concerned look.
"By who?"
"Not entirely clear, Sire."
Arthur gestured for me to join him as he walked up to the girl and I reluctantly released Merlin's arm as I complied with the request.
"What is your name?" the Prince asked softly.
The girl looked up to him as her body trembled. "Drea," she replied in a whisper.
Arthur went to take another step towards her, but he instantly stopped when she flinched backwards. I grabbed his hand and tugged him slightly back, then I tentatively stepped forwards myself. She didn't seem so apprehensive with me, so I proceeded cautiously.
"Hi, I'm Astra," I said while offering a small grin that I hoped appeared friendly. Drea eased up slightly. "That's Arthur. Don't be intimidated by him, he's a big softy," I added while nodding towards the Prince. A barely visible grin broke on the girl's lips. "We're here to help, but we need to know what happened."
The girl let out a shaky breath and shifted in her spot. "My mother… my father… my little sister, they are..." She couldn't continue as sobs shook her body once more.
Oh, crap, they're dead, aren't they?!
I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces and a lump formed in my throat.
I looked back towards Arthur for instructions on how to proceed. He stepped up beside me and placed a hand on the small of my back.
"Were they attacked?" he gently asked the girl. She nodded. "By whom?"
Drea sniffled before answering in between sobs, "There was no one… Just... shapes."
I frowned a little while racking my brain for a reasonable explanation.
"You did not see their faces?" Arthur inquired.
Drea shook her head. "They had no faces."
I recoiled as my mind recalled the nightmares I had during my birthday week and I felt a shiver travel up my spine. I looked up at Arthur again. He gently rubbed my back.
"They were there, but... they were not there," Drea continued speaking and I returned my attention to her. "They moved so quickly. It was as if they were not real, but they must have been. I could hear the people screaming. And then… silence. They were all dead..." She broke down crying again.
Not knowing what else to do, I stepped up beside her and tried rubbing her shoulder awkwardly. "I'm sorry," I mumbled and instantly cringed at my own words. I know very well how much it sucks to hear 'sorry'.
Lucky for me, Gaius stepped in to comfort the girl, allowing me to escape and return to Arthur's side. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders as he led me towards a corner of the room where Sir Leon and Agravaine stood.
"Where is this village?" he asked.
"Howden," Agravaine responded. "It is to the east of the White Mountains, no more than half a day's hard ride."
"Ready the men," Arthur commanded Leon, who nodded and ran out of the room.
Oh, goody, we're going hunting again.