Merlin's head was buried in his hands, he was currently doing his best not to scream out loud. He had found absolutelynothing. He had spent days in the library, completely blocking out the world around him and getting increasingly more desperate to find anything. It was the strangest thing he had ever seen. It didn't seem as if magic had been banned, but it was spoken as an aspect of the past, a bygone era. Dragons had been around as of over a century ago, though he was skepitcal of them. He had seen the various illustrations of them, and the two legs and winged arms reminded him more distinctly of oversized wyverns. They were certainly bigger than any he had encountered, but he found no text that held any mention of a dragon talking or doing anything aside from breathing fire.

There were other mentions of magic, but those were steeped in mysticism and vague notions. That was it though, legends of heroes from thousands of years ago, with all sorts of magical beasts and beings fighting one another. Nothing that spoke about any sort of magic in detail, nothing instructional or informative. It was just recounting a history that was seemingly irrelevant to current times.

Maybe the real books are kept elsewhere, though I wouldn't know where to even start looking. Perhaps I do need to talk to the King and see what I can get for myself as a reward.

He raised his head and looked around the almost empty room. It was large, as was the theme for the castle in general. Rows of shelves dominated the area and it held a huge amount of books, tall windows dominated the walls to allow the sun to peak through, making the whole room feel a lot less stuffy. It was a surprise that the place rarely had anyone aside from himself inside. He had mostly had the place to himself, aside from a few exceptions. Merlin also had a candle beside him, placed on a metallic tray. The wax had almost completely melted away. He hoped that was a showcase of the poor quality of the candle rather than his ability to become so lost in his own world.

If this didn't pan out for him, the only other option he could think of would be Oldtown. The oldest city in Westeros and where the maesters learnt all they needed to before being sent to the lords in need of them.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone entering. They seemed to be in a rush, and once he caught a glimpse of them, nothing came to mind as to why. She was a child with straight brown hair and grey eyes. The only reason he could tell the latter was that her eyes were open wide, almost panicked. She saw him as she entered and stopped, her form frozen in place.

She muttered quietly before gaining some confidence, "...Please don't tell anyone I was here, I promise it's nothing bad!"

Merlin quirked an eyebrow, turning his attention to her, "What does 'nothing bad' mean for you? If I am going to help you I'd rather know what I am getting into."

She seemed to take that as permission to move again and started pacing up and down. "It's that stupid Septa and my sister! I don't want to play with stupid little needles I want to train with my sword but they keep interrupting me and saying I have to act like a proper lady and it's not fair!"

She finally breathed at the end of her small rant and clearly couldn't help the small smirk that formed on her face, "I figured no one would look for me in here, smart right?"

Merlin hummed in affirmation, "You're certainly sneaky aren't you?"

She nodded, "Mhm- What are you doing in the library anyway? I heard only maester's go here- or imps, and you aren't that old."

The girl moved forward, no hesitance in her steps as she looked at the book before Merlin could even answer.

"Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History" she muttered before glancing at the pile of other books on the table and raising an eyebrow. "You're really interested in those old stories? Old Nan used to talk old stories too, but I grew up."

"Interesting isn't it?" Merlin glanced at her, though his mind wandered elsewhere as he did so, "Makes you wonder what happened to it all? For good or ill, magic was apparently teeming in these lands, now it's just ink on parchment."

His sentence ended in a whisper, moreso a conversation to himself than anything else. He started to contemplate the whole ordeal. The world was strange, it's history, it's season's, it's-

"Maybe you are a maester." His thoughts were stopped short with the blunt response. Merlin looked at the girl apologetically.

"Ah, sorry about that, got caught up in the moment."

"It's fine. You're weird but you aren't as boring as some of the others."

Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at the remark, "I'll try to take that as a compliment I suppose."

Merlin glanced around at all of the books and sighed. He didn't think he would make much more progress going through these and wasn't keen on wasting any more time here. He couldn't exactly keep hitting a wall expecting anything to change.

Merlin stood from his seat. "I'm afraid I'm just about done here, but it was a pleasure chatting." He started to organise the books back into their original places. "Though I do wish you the best in staying hidden, good luck." With a wink and a smile, he left the library. He heard a word of gratitude as he left.

He started to walk around the castle grounds. He hadn't managed to catch up with anyone he had spoken to previously though a small part of him was wanting to. He held back however, he knew that this was all temporary. He didn't plan on making any connections or friends, he would be polite and respectful to people who treated him in kind, however, that was it. Dabbling into the politics and affairs of this place would do him no good returning home, back to the people waiting for him.

He let his feet guide him as he thought of what else he could do. Maybe Oldtown would hold more knowledge? That was where the maesters were taught, and was one of the oldest cities in Westeros. If there were any information that was in a book, it would be there. But if that didn't work out he was truly lost. The only option after that he could think of would be travelling to Essos, to see if the ruins of Valyria held any artifacts that could help. That place was once the centre of a huge magical empire. Though that was just his hopes more than anything, he would have struggled to find anything to help him with this endeavour even if he was back home. But in this foreign place? With no help or real understanding aside from what he had read, he felt completely lost, as if he was trying to find his balance on ever-shifting sands.

"Ah, the man of the hour! Well, I suppose the hour has passed, you have certainly kept to yourself."

Merlin was stopped in his path by a stranger. Tall, broad-shouldered and long dark hair. The man's smile even reached his green eyes, he was either a good liar or he was particularly happy to see Merlin, but neither ended up boding well. He plastered on a smile to match the man opposite, he hoped it reached his eyes.

"I don't believe we've been introduced, I apologise."

"Don't fret, though you are a tricky man to find I can hardly blame you. You could sometimes mistake this place for a maze at times. But let us talk some place more comfortable! I've been very eager to meet you."

Merlin tried to find a reason not to indulge this noble. It was likely just an attempt to cure some boredom they had. He was most likely just an item to pick up and discard in this man's eyes. Aside from those thoughts grumbling in the back of his head, he could also turn this into an advantage. He had barely interacted with anyone while he was here and he was yet to meet this Robert Baratheon to get his reward. He might as well take a step in a direction, no matter how meaningless it seemed. He wasn't exactly busy.

Merlin nodded to the man, "Lead the way."

The man let out a laugh, turned around and started walking, "Excellent!"

They wandered in relative silence, though it wasn't long before they arrived at a door. The man spoke to the guard beside the door, "I don't wish to be disturbed."

He barely gave the man on guard a second glance before opening the door and welcoming Merlin in. The man took a seat at the table before looking up at Merlin, who still stood in the middle of the room. "Come, have a seat! Feel free to partake in any food you wish, or if there isn't anything to your liking, we can have the cooks make something you desire."

Merlin started walking towards the table at a leisurely pace. "You know, usually you at least know someone's name before being invited to their chambers."

"Ah, but I do know your name! Merlin Emrys. Slayer of the Mountain! Scourge of the Lion! They sing songs of your deeds in every tavern and inn in this city!"

Merlin walked beside his chair and stood at the opposite end of the table. "I'm afraid your attempt at flattery fell rather short. I'd also appreciate it if you stopped avoiding the question."

The man had the decency to look chastised, though it certainly didn't seem very sincere. "I suppose it's aslightexaggeration. Apologies, I speak in jest, though I have truly looked forward to meeting you. I am Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, the King's Brother. Renly Baratheon."

Merlin raised his eyebrows as he finally took a seat. "You're brother certainly seems to be a busy man."

"Ha! That he is, busy with everything aside from matters of the court. Honestly, I do pity you slightly, you certainly haven't come to King's Landing at a good time. You must be curious as to why you've been left to you're own accord for your stay?"

Merlin shrugged his shoulders, "I haven't wasted my time pondering queries that won't be answered. I assumed the King would be a busy man, though there is clearly something happening judging by your words."

Renly leaned back in his chair as he looked over at Merlin. "This is certainly a refreshing change for a conversation, I must say. I've never heard of you, or the house of Emyrs for that matter. Yet you come here after completing the impossible with a complete disregard for any consequences for your actions and manner. I'm almost impressed."

Merlin crossed his leg over his knee as he regarded Renly. "I'll take the compliment, I seem to be getting a few of those in recent days."

"I saidalmost.You are out of your depth, in a place you clearly don't know. If you were a lord of these lands you wouldn't have needed me to tell you who I was after entering my chambers in the Red Keep."

Merlin's posture didn't change, his expression relaxed. "Don't you think you're thinking too highly of yourself?"

Renly leaned forward and pointed at Merlin, "You see, that is something thatveryfew here would be able to say, and I can't say you are one of the few on the list that would be able to do so. You have done much to anger powerful people, which is something I think you fail to truly understand."

Merlin's eyebrows twitched. "I'm failing to see the point of your invite. If it's only for a scolding, then I'll see myself out."

Renly huffed, "Believe it or not, all this is in your best interest. I admire you. Your surety and confidence, and your exceptional prowess in combat. It would be saddening to lose you due to ignorance. You've made the likes of Tywin Lannister your enemy, that is something very few men can do and live to tell the tale. If you are alone and isolated, there is no reason for him not to punish you. No matter how just you are in your reasons."

Merlin's raised a single eyebrow, "You wish to recruit me? This is our first time meeting, and if I recall correctly from your speech moments ago, I've made powerful enemies of people that people don't want to be on the wrong side of."

Renly smirked at Merlin, "I'm pleased to see you can connect the dots. That gives me more hope than I had moments previously." Merlin huffed "Yes, I wish for you to join me. You say that not many can have an enemy of Tywin Lannister, well, I am one of the few who can. I can protect you."

Merlin sighed. "Listen, I don't plan on staying any longer than I have to. Once my audience with your brother is granted, I'll leave as soon as I can and I am not returning to this city."

Renly hummed, "Well I suppose that could have been a plan if not for a few small hiccups."

Merlin's eyes narrowed at the remark, "What does that mean?"

"You truly must have had your head in the sand to have no knowledge at all. King Robert Baratheon, my dear brother is not long for this world. I wager he won't even last a week in fact."

Merlin was caught off guard for the first time in their exchange, "What? Are you saying I'm going to have to wait even longer to get an audience?"

Renly had the audacity to laugh at that, "No, no! Fret not! It'smuch worse.The realm is going to be thrown into madness and one of the players in this are the very people that have taken a strong dislike to you and your actions. My brother's heirs are nothing more than children of incest between the Queen, CerseiLannisterand her own brother. There will be nothing smooth about this transition of power, and if the bastards take hold you can be certain they won't be handing out any rewards for your actions of besting his grandfather's pet."

Merlin took a moment to digest the information. He only had half the facts, didn't know all the players and barely had a lay of the land. He had spent days in the library but actually looking up on anything more than the barest of information on the present barely crossed his mind. What did he care for the current Lords of the land anyway? As long as he knew who to address when he stepped into the throne room he was fine.

What an idiot…

I have no choice but to take this man's word for what he says. I haven't felt deceived at any point, but that doesn't mean he isn't omitting information for his own sake. I've been completely blindsided and wasted time here waiting and searching useless books.

"I certainly appreciate you telling me this, I can't see the benefits you'd gain from handing out information. But if that's the case then I'll simply leave the city. If I have little to gain here, there is no point in staying."

Renly shrugged, "It's not as if the entire realm will not know of what I have told you soon enough. I'm simply trying to allow you to see the larger story in the tapestry you seem to have found yourself in. I remember giving you compliments for your deduction skills earlier, but I suppose I'll simply speak plainly."

Renly stood up from his chair, shoulders back and head held high, "My brother is passing with no heirs to his name. You speak of waiting for the King to reward you for your efforts? Speak. I will ensure that those deserving of rewards are duly given them in my reign."

Merlin's eyes gained some clarity as he finally regarded the situation he was in, he glanced up at Renly's head. "Don't Kings typically have crowns?"

He didn't mean for it to come out as harsh as it did, but everything was spiralling so quickly that Merlin couldn't help the slip of anger at it all.

For the first time in their conversation, Renly looked angered. "For someone wishing for a reward, you aren't doing a great job of endearing me."

Merlin looked to the side, slightly abashed, he had a point there he supposed. Merlin glanced around the room, eyeing the huge bed and large wardrobe, it was even larger than Arthur's, though he never particularly cared for how he dressed. His eyes finally came back to Renly and he found the words he was looking for. "My mistake, I suppose I was caught off guard. I'm still trying to understand your reasonings for telling me all this. It doesn't seem as if it is in your best interest at all to do so. You've admitted to me that I have made enemies and that I appeared out of nowhere."

Renly casually walked around the table towards where Merlin sat, "Once the Lannisters push for the throne, our enemies become one. And you give yourself little credit, the Mountain is not a man that falls easily. I have large armies and gold at my side already. I truly meant what I said earlier, I admire your character and strength. Join me." He stopped beside Merlin.

"Pledge yourself to me, swear your oaths and I will do all I can to protect you and ensure you are rewarded for your deeds."

Merlin looked up at Renly, completely baffled, "You wish for me to join you?"

Merlin knew his answer. He only served one person, and he was doing what he could to return to them. He wouldn't serve another, in any capacity. He would help others, he would lend out a helping hand; but pledging oaths and swearing fealty? No, he couldn't even pretend to.

"Can I give you an answer at a later date? You've made me realise I have a lot of learning to do regarding my situation, and I would like to take your advice in educating myself before doing anything."

Renly huffed and turned around, stepping away, "I suppose I can't fault you for that, though know that my patience has limits, and time isn't on either of our sides as of now."

Renly stopped in the middle of the room, turning back to look at Merlin, " This castle has become filled to the brim with Lannister men, Stark has been too passive in his actions and the Lannisters are going around uncontested. I will be leaving shortly, and I will give you a few finals words as a gesture of my sincerity. The friends you made on the road are in a rather dire situation. With my brother on his deathbed and his dear friend indisposed, the Queen and her bastard have taken liberties. Whether they will be made examples of or simply kept for control, who knows?"

Merlin stood from his chair, "Wait-What? They have no justification for holding any of them! I was the one who defeated the Mountain. Besides, I haven't been disturbed once since I've been here."

"You're naivety is showing. They don't need justification. This is Tywin Lannisters way of showing others what happens if you go after his toys. He most likely wanted to wait and plan something special for you, he is certainly creative when he wants to be. Do you think they haven't been watching you during your stay here? My brother will be dead by the end of the week. What do you think will happen then? I need you to understand the urgency of your situation. I will be leaving the capital by tomorrow. Come with me and join my service. There is nothing waiting for you in this city aside from blood."

Sincerity my ass. He just wants me to feel hopeless.

He didn't see himself gaining anything more from this situation. Asking the King for a reward wasn't as simple as he thought it would be. He also wasn't keen on the idea of waiting until after a coup or war to pick up where he left off on his meagre investigation.

Merlin started to walk toward the door without glancing at Renly, "Thank you for the chat, but I'll have to decline."

Renly seemed baffled and slightly shocked, though it quickly turned to anger, "If you leave now there won't be a second chance. I've been more than kind in this exchange, if you leave this room you'll be at the mercy of the Lannisters. I can't fathom why you don't wish to join me, perhaps the Mountain knocked all the sense out of you. There is nothing waiting for you outside of there aside from death."

Merlin stopped before the door, "Thank you for the information you have given me, it was certainly enlightening. I'm very much aware of what waiting for me outside these doors, as loath as I am to greet it."

With his parting words and without looking back, Merlin left Renly's chambers. He supposed he was getting rusty with court politics after centuries and was now paying the price. This whole ordeal was clearly going to take more than a couple of days. As much as he despised it with all his being, he was stuck here with nothing to go off on. So he would learn everything he could about it, he wouldn't allow himself to be blindsided again. He had only met them briefly; they had scarcely spent more than two sennight's together, but he refused to allow those people -Beric, Thoros, Edric and all the others to suffer for his actions.

Yes, there would certainly be death, he wouldn't fool himself for even a moment pretending otherwise; he couldn't protect everyone while going against a garrison as large as one in the Red Keep. He only had a brief time until the Lannisters seized control and who knew what they would do then? Now, it was just a matter of gathering intelligence on the whereabouts of everyone. It had only been a few centuries since he had last lurked in the shadows of castle walls.

Perhaps it's like riding a horse.

Hope you enjoyed! :D

We are certainly getting closer to everything going mad and canon being shoved out the window, can't wait to write it!

Please let me know what you think, and thank you for reading!