Chapter Text
Mordred felt it when the wards were compromised. He wasn’t sure what it was at first then he heard the shouts and battle cries.
“What’s going on?” Aithusa asked, covering her ears.
Daegal stood frozen on her side before dropping his berry basket. “The Isle.” he whispered but it was enough to bring Mordred back to the present and abandon his own berries in favour of taking Aithusa’s hand.
“Let's go to the isle.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“Why-”
“Over there!”
The trio turned towards the noise to see a wave of mussel clad warriors charging towards them through the trees. They were on foot and heavily armoured with leathers and furs yet still they were on them in moments. When the first one got close enough Mordred turned and acted without thinking. The warriors flew back and crashed onto the ground. That had been an instinct Mordred hadn’t lost since he was a ten-year-old boy. But when that group was knocked away more descended, coming from all directions including the village. Daegal had picked up a large stick and Aithusa was hiding behind his legs. Facing away from Mordred, Daegal noticed a few stray warriors sneaking up. He all but javelined his stick towards them not knowing at all what to do with it.
It bounced off harmlessly.
“What was that?!” Aithusa squawked.
“You got a better idea, and don’t say burn them - ah!”
Daegal ducked before he got decapitated. He fell backwards, pushing Aithusa behind him.
A gust of magic stormed through the trees, ten times more powerful than Mordred’s knocking back all of the men while keeping the children standing.
“Dad!”
When Mordred turned, he saw Merlin sprinting towards them and helping Daegal to his feet quickly. “We need to go.” Merlin began running and they followed. Before long Mordred felt the slope of the hills become a steeper decline.
“Why are we going this way?”
“Their Saxons, they already have the village.” Merlin said without stopping.
“But the Isle?”
“The coast has been surrounded; they can’t cross but you wouldn’t make it to the isle in time.” By this time Mordred and Daegal had recognised the statues on either side of them as they passed.
Merlin paused for a moment and turned back to them. “The valley of the fallen kings has countless of my protection spells. It should hide you while I distract them.”
“Distract them-”
“We don’t know why they are here, but an empty village is suspicious enough. They will keep searching the forest unless they have someone to chase.
“One man?” Daegal asked.
“One man they wouldn’t have the magic to catch.”
“We don’t know-”
“Mordred promise me-”
“Merlin!”
“Promise me you will keep each other safe!” Merlin was grabbing the boy's shoulders now, gripping desperately. “Promise me you will escape, you will stay safe and you will look after each other.”
Merlin’s hands moved to frame Mordred’s face, looking into his eyes. “Promise me, please.”
“I - I promise.”
Merlin smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “I’ll find you when it's safe. I love you all.”
Merlin turned and ran up the hill before Mordred could think of replying. He turned and saw Daegal and Aithusa looking at him confused and frozen.
“Come on.” he said and picked up Aithusa.
They ran through the corridors of the valley, the walls around them echoing the sounds of battle further away. Aithusa hid her face in Mordred's neck, muttering ‘daddy’ into his shirt.
They ran until poor Daegal was red faced and about to fall over. Mordred grabbed his arm and pulled them into the nearest cave. The second they were in the dark Mordred and Daegal both conjured small balls of light. Soon Aithusa removed herself from her death grip on Mordred and Daegal began breathing normally. They sat in the cave in absolute silence for so long Aithusa feel asleep in Mordred’s lap. Eventually they that it was silent outside as well.
Aithusa was restless now after her nap and they walked slowly into the daylight to the eerie quiet. No birds, no trees rustling. When they finally walked past the statues and excited the valley the silence remained. They paused by the entrance, they rarely came close to the valley and didn’t recognise the forest much.
They slowly meandered around and up the hills above the valley hoping the higher ground would help them see.
“I’m going to look for him.” Daegal said, walking out.
“No, you're not.” Mordred said.
“You can’t stop me.”
“You know I can.”
“But Daddy said to wait.” Aithusa ran after Daegal.
“I for one have waited long enough.”
“Okay.” Aithusa said simply, taking his hand to follow.
Mordred watched them go. “You're not going.” he said.
“Sure, whatever you say.” Daegal was now climbing up the hill.
Mordred looked to the sky wondering if some divine force would help retain his sanity before stomping after them.
They slowly meandered around and up the hills above the valley hoping the higher ground would help them see.
“I could fly up above the trees and have a look.” Aithusa said.
“No!” Mordred said immediately. “The Saxons will see you.”
“But Daddy might see me.”
“It’s not worth it.”
“I don’t care, I want Daddy.”
Mordred turned keep debating but then suddenly he was air born. He felt the surface crash into him before he saw it, but he unfortunately saw his leg before he felt it. Mordred lay frozen, his eyes wide with shock by the time Aithusa and Daegal had climbed down the cliff to him. His hand was raised shakily, almost touching his left leg that was twisted by the knee in a direction it definitely wasn’t supposed to be.
“Don’t touch it.” Daegal said, his voice tight and high pitched that he would remind him about later.
“Is his leg supposed to be like that?” Aithusa asked, pulling on Daegal’s sleeve.
“You know what!” Daegal breathed in a desperate breath. “Why don’t you - go and find some more berries while I help Mordred up.”
“But we have - “
“Now Aithusa, now!”
Aithusa huffed and stomped down the valley. “You're not the boss of me," She muttered as she stomped away. She didn’t look where she was going but was too stubborn to admit that. When she was far enough that they couldn't hear her she sat in the leaves and began digging in the dirt. She got her hands and dress filthy but she didn’t care. She never cared, but now there was no one here that would wipe her hands for her. She began to whine at the thought, and quickly began to sob quietly. Not that she needed to be quiet, her brothers couldn't hear her cry.
But someone else did.
The soft swiping of hooves trotting through leaves got closer that Aithusa finally couldn’t ignore it. She looked up and saw a horse approaching her. She had seen horses before, but this one had a large man on top. A huge man in chainmail was looking down at her softly.
“Hello there, are you alright?” Aithusa looked up at the horse and rider and immediately started crying.
“No no, don’t cry, you're alright.” The large man got off his horse and knelt to her level as she sobbed into her hands. “I’m not going to hurt you, um… do you want to see something cool?”
Aithusa looked up at him and sniffled. He took that as a yes and pulled his horse towards her.
“This is Juniper. She is very sweet, but she has a secret. She has the biggest smile, look-” The man pulled out a carrot from his pocket and the horse’s lips opened to munch on it, turning her lips up.
Aithusa laughed and clapped her hands. “Can I pet her?”
“Sure you can.” Aithusa stood up, her arms just long enough to stroke Juniper’s nose. She nickered and leaned into Aithusa’s hand.
“I think she likes you.”
“She does?!"
“Yeah.”
Behind them Aithusa heard a faint sound, she jumped and hid behind the large man’s legs. “It's okay, that's my friend. Over here!” He waved his hand and in a moment a second horse slowed to a walk. Another man swung off and led the horse towards them. He was smaller than the large man and had kind eyes.
“You found one of the children?” He said with a relieved smile.
“I’m Aithusa.” she said, coming out from her hiding spot.
“That's a nice name.”
“What’s yours?”
“My name’s Percival.” The large man said. “And my friend here is Lancelot. We were sent to help your village.”
“Daddy said bad people were there, but that we would be safe in the valley.”
“Your Daddy, is he called Emrys?”
Aithusa looked at her feet. “I’m not supposed to tell you, sorry.”
Lancelot chuckled lightly. “That’s alright, but you’ll be happy to know that all the bad men have left the village.”
Aithusa’s face lit up. “They're gone, that means Daddy sent them away.”
The men exchanged a quick look but kept smiling. “Well since that's all fine that means we can take you and your Dad back to the village.” Lancelot said.
Aithusa shook her head. “No, we need to wait for Daddy. He said he would catch up with us, and Mordred…” She stopped and looked back the way she had come.
“Mordred, is he your brother?"
Aithusa nodded, her eyes getting wet again. “He’s hurt, but Daddy said we should stay here until he could get us, but he’s been gone a while, and - and.” Lancelot cupped her face before she could cry.
“It's alright, why don’t we go and patch your brother up and then we can help you find your Daddy. Okay?”
Aithusa hiccupped and nodded. “Good.” Percival said. “Leed the way, little lady.”
Aithusa stood up and took both men's hands. “This way.” she said as she pulled them and the horses along the way she came.
When they got close Daegal sprung out from behind a tree holding another stick. “Let her go.” The boy held the stick above his head.
Percival pulled Aithusa behind him. “Woah there, who are you?”
“Daegal, look I found help.” Aithusa said.
“They're not here to help Thusa. Get away from them!”
“But they have a nice horse.”
“I don’t care, move.”
“Alright can we all calm down.” Lance stood between them. “We’re just here to help your brother.”
Daegal sneered and looked down at the red capes they both wore. “Your knights of Camelot, why would you help us? Now get away from her.”
Aithusa came out from behind Percival on her own, and marched forward. “Don’t be mean Daegal and put that stick down.”
“I’m not-” Daegal stopped when he heard a groan behind him.
Lance quickly unbuckled the sword on his hip and dropped it to the ground, looking at Percival to do the same.
“Daegal, was it?” Lancelot asked. “I know you're scared, but we have bandages in my saddle bag, food and water too. Let us help your brother, please.”
Daegal didn’t look convinced. “We can leave our swords right here.” Lance moved away from the sword and Percy joined him.
“Ah!”
“Mordred.” Aithusa ran off past Daegal and the knights followed with Daegal reluctantly following. Daegal had set the leg, and had frantically wrapped it with Mordred’s cloak. Mordred was semi-conscious now after blacking out when the bone was put back in place.
“His leg is broken.” Daegal said quietly. “I reset it.”
“You did this?” Percival looked over his work. “Impressive.”
Daegal smiled slightly. “Dad taught me that one.”
“He taught you well.” Lance said as he took out the bandages and he helped Daegal bind the leg securely in place.
3 years ago
“And the guy pays so much you have no idea; their boss is completely set.” Mordred nodded mutely as he followed Ewan.
Ewan led Mordred into a fortress like he belonged, Ewan was barely sixteen, only four years older than him yet he walked with such confidence here he made Mordred want to walk with a straighter spine. Being around him had made him more talkative with strangers. Although he needed to, he so rarely was around other druids nowadays who could talk to him in the safety of his mind. Ewan didn’t have magic, he didn’t even know Mordred was a druid, but that it mattered now. The older teen had been Mordred’s only companion for over a year, and after becoming accustomed to the constant moving it was nice to do it with one constant face. When the older teen had told him about work that would be settling down for a while with good pay he couldn’t resist.
Ewan approached a large man with a book; he spoke about signing in and gave both of their names for the man to scribble down. The man looked over at Mordred and asked something about age that Ewan brushed off. Mordred had been told that looking young would be helpful in this line of work. He didn’t ask why, he was just happy to be useful. After checking in they were pointed towards a large group in the courtyard of other new recruits. It was then that Mordred heard them say it for the first time.
Sorcerer prisoners.” He didn’t react or even look up, but after that he heard it so many times, ‘magical filth’ ‘valuable stock’ ‘monsters.’. Ewan pulled him along as they entered the main building where they were given lectures about patrol routines and combat training. Before Mordred knew it, they were being led on a tour below ground, into the pitch-black darkness only illuminated by the torches the leaders held.
There were so many cells, filled with people. They shrank away and closed their eyes when his group got close. At first, he thought it was fear, but he soon saw that it was the torches. ‘How long had it been since they saw light.’ Mordred thought, then brushed it off.
He could handle this, he just needed to not look at them, their faces or eyes, or the tattoos.
But he could still feel that forsaken metal. There was so much of it, its aura felt suffocating even if it didn’t touch his skin. Ewan shot him a look of guarded questioning. He had become accustomed to the teens' quiet way of showing care, the way they lived it was dangerous to show any form of weakness. Mordred gave him a nondescript nod hoping to show him that he was fine, even if he felt anything but.
He could handle this; he didn’t listen to any of the words and followed. He could handle this. See, he was already at the end of the corridor, this was the last cell-
That was when Mordred met his eyes, those deep ocean blue that he could never forget.
Emrys, no Merlin.
The prophesied saviour of his people and the servant that had saved his life.
The man that tried to kill him.
And he was looking right at him from the other side of the bars.
Mordred couldn’t look away. He barely noticed the two dirty, exhausted children huddled behind the man or the mercenaries shaking Ewan’s hand.
Mordred woke up slowly, somewhat surprised to wake up at all after seeing that cliff and the black. But he woke up in his own bed. Phew, it must have been a dream. He turned to Daegal’s bed, it was empty, but he could hear movement outside the door, it must be breakfast. He threw off his blanket, and his face met the floor faster than he thought. When he looked down, he noticed why he couldn’t bend his knee, his left leg was wrapped in a tight cast.
“You idiot.” Helena was now coming into his room and pulling him up none too gently into his bed. “It took long enough to get you into bed in the first place, would you please stay there.”
“What happ-”
“I’ll tell you what happened lad as soon as you drink this.” Without further preamble the healer positioned a bowl by his lips and tipped it into his mouth. Mordred whined but swallowed the sour taste.
“What a fuss.” she said quietly.
“What happened?” Mordred finally asked as he whipped his mouth.
“You fell down a cliff and broke your leg. That's what happened.”
“The - the Saxons, Merlin?”
She looked to the floor. “We haven’t found him, yet. They’re still searching.”
Mordred wasn’t convinced. He should be back by now. And warriors (Saxons or not) don’t just drop by, take nothing and leave just like that.
“How did I get back here?”
“Well-”
She stopped when someone knocked on his door. “Sorry to interrupt, is he awake?” Mordred sat up at that voice. He knew that voice, it played in the back of his head, just unable to be placed.
Helena stood. “Yes, he’s awake. Come in sir.”
The door opened slowly and a man in chainmail entered. Mordred’s jaw dropped.
“Good to see you feeling better then. My name is Arthur.”