Chapter Text
PROLOUGE
Most of the people in the throne room are silent, watching from the sides.
“Father,” The young prince whines, eyes wide, looking up at the King and Queen with a look of disbelief on his face. “You can’t send me there!”
“Merlin,” Balinor sighs from his place on his throne, “It is your destiny to protect Arthur Pendragon and unite the lands of Albion. I do not understand how you hope to achieve that by remaining in Spero,”
“B... But it’s Camelot!” Merlin is shrieking now, hands pulling at his hair in terror. Hunith looks sadly at her son as she stands up, holding out her hands for the teen to take. “Uther, he could…... I could be killed!”
“Sweetheart,” she murmurs into his hair as she takes his shaking hands in her own. “If there was any other way for you to protect him, you know we would do it. But this prophecy, it tells us that you and The Once and Future King will bring magic back to the lands of Albion. You are doing a very important duty for your people, Merlin, even if it’s in Camelot.”
“And if Uther Pendragon even thinks about hurting you, son, he will have a war to worry about.”
Merlin lifts his eyes to the King as he feels his hand grasp his shoulder. Both of his parents are watching him with sadness filling their eyes, pained, knowing that they are sending their son off to live in a Kingdom that is open with their hatred of Merlin’s kind.
Magic users across the land know of Camelot’s hatred of their kind, and many of them had fled the kingdom during the years of the Great Purge. The majority of those who had fled found solace in Spero, a land that was thought to have been lost years ago and remains hidden from other lands of Albion. Sixteen years after the start of the Purge and Spero is still growing stronger; King Balinor and Queen Hunith took in and provided homes for magic users who had found themselves without refuge. The Kingdom allows free use of magic, and even trains its knights in the use of protective and healing spells in case they should find themselves in battle.
“Gaius will look after you, Sweet,” his mother places a hand on his face, rubbing a thumb across the cheekbone. “Maybe he could help you with your healing, so you won’t almost kill someone while trying to fix a grazed arm!” A wet laugh forces its way from Merlin’s throat as tears formed in his eyes.
“And we’ll find excuses to send people to visit every now and then, so we can keep you updated, and you can update us of your progress with The Once and Future King,”
“Thank you, Father,” The young boy takes a step away from his parents, wiping under his eyes softly with his thumbs, before straightening up. “If I may be dismissed, I must go and prepare for my journey.”
Balinor and Hunith both nod their heads at their son and watch as he bows slightly before making his way out of the throne room.
The following morning, the King and Queen of Spero stand on the stairs to their palace as they, and their citizens, watch as their Prince begins his journey to Camelot.
CHAPTER ONE
The first sight that greets Merlin when he arrives in Camelot is a crowd of people staring up at a palace balcony. When he looks closer, he sees that there is a podium in the middle of the crowd, with a block placed in the centre. A man is being led towards the block as a voice booms out from the balcony.
“Let this serve as a lesson to all!” The King of Camelot calls to his subjects gathered below him in the citadel. A boy, a few years older than Merlin, stands slightly behind the King to the left, and a woman, a few years older still, is gripping his hand tightly. “This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic, and pursuant to the laws of Camelot I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king but for the crime of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass.”
Merlin watches as Uther raises his hand, the movement being mirrored by the executioner raising the axe. The crowd is silent as the tension in the air rises, the beat of drums mirroring Merlin’s heartbeat as he watches with bated breath. The world seems to slow as Uther’s hand falls and the axe connects with its target. The crowd gasps as one. Uther looks down at his subjects.
“When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the peoples’ help, magic was driven from the realm. So, I declare a festival, to celebrate 20 years since the Great Dragon was slain, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery.
“Let the celebrations begin!” As Uther turns back towards his castle, there is a scream in the mass of people. People split apart, leaving a wide circle around a wailing woman who stares up at Uther. She gasps loudly before calling up at the King.
“There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you, with your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son-”
“Seize her!” At the King’s order, guards start to move towards the woman. Before they can get close enough to touch her, the woman clutches her hand around her necklace and starts chanting. Merlin recognises the words of the Old Religion and watches as the woman disappears into a tornado. The wind calms moments later, the woman nowhere to be seen. The guards stumble to a stop, looking around, desperately looking for their conquest.
King Uther pauses for a moment in shock before he retreats into the castle, followed by the boy and now sobbing woman, and the crowd in the citadel begin to disperse. Merlin makes his way around the square before approaching the guards at an entrance to the palace.
“Excuse me? Where would I find Gaius, the court physician?” The guard points at a set of stairs behind him, before moving to the side to let Merlin through.
He makes his way through the archway and up the stairs towards the wooden door at the top. He knocks gently on the door before pushing it open and walking through, looking around.
“Gaius?” He calls into the room as he shuts the door behind him. “Gaius?” he asks louder this time, placing his bag down beside him.
When he receives no response, he takes the opportunity to have a look around. Tables all around the room are laden with books and papers. There are jars of liquids of varying colours on each of the table, some of them settled a top small flames, bubbling from the heat. As he walks further into the room, Merlin finds a table full of ingredients, ranging from beautiful flowers to fowl smelling pastes, each one of them labelled carefully. He takes a flower from one of the piles and brings it up to his nose. As he reaches over to place the flower back, his hand knocks a glass that is placed close to the edge of the table.
“Oh, no, shit-”
“I see your knight training hasn’t made you any less clumsy, My Lord,” A voice from the door makes Merlin jump.
“Uncle Gaius!” He rubs the back of his neck nervously. “I’m, er, I’m sorry for smashing your...your thing?” Gaius chuckles as Merlin’s eyes flash golden and the potion that was spilt over the floor begins to float back into a newly fixed glass beaker. “And I’ll have you know, Father told me my training has been very successful so far,”
“Clearly.” Gaius muses. “Your mother sent me a letter about you coming here to fulfil your destiny?”
“Yes, well,” Merlin shrugs, trying to hide his annoyance. “You know Kilgharrah, sometimes I think he just makes up these prophecies to ruin my life, but he’s really out done himself with this one Gaius. And you know Father, he’ll do anything to please the damn dragon. I cannot believe Uther is lucky enough to think he is dead,”
“Well, your father is a Dragon lord, my boy,” Gaius laughs again as he potters around his room, pushing Merlin’s hands away from the glass beakers when he gets too close. “And what does Kilgharrah expect you to do?”
“Something about Arthur Pendragon and Albion and magic. I wasn’t really listening-are you alright, Gaius?” He asks as he notices Gaius has stopped moving and is now just staring at him. “Gaius?”
“Oh,” Gaius puts down the jar in his hand. “My boy, I’m afraid that Kilgharrah has not made this prophecy up,”
“What do you mean?”
“Come and sit with me, Sire,” Gaius says softly, pulling Merlin to sit down in front of the fire that was burning gently. “This is a prophecy that has been foretold for many centuries. It is the reason many of the people of Spero know you as Emrys. They knew as soon as you were born that it was you the prophets spoke of. I believed your father was going to wait until you were a bit older before letting you know, but it seems Killgharah had other plans,”
“So,” Merlin gulps, wiping the sweat off his hands onto his trousers. “So, you’re telling me that this is real? I am here because I must convince Arthur Pendragon to bring magic back? And to help him unite Albion? Arthur Pendragon? Whose father just executed a man because he maybe was going to use magic?” Gaius nods his head slowly. “Right. And how am I meant to do that?”
“I do not know, Sire,” the older man sighs. “I believe that the prophecy starts by saying you are to protect Arthur until he claims the crown. I suppose that is where you will have to start.”
“Of course, because a Prince cannot protect himself, can he? It would be unreasonable to suggest such a thing,” Merlin mutters, slouching down in the chair and resting his chin on his hand. “Mind if I go and explore a bit? Figure out a way I can protect this Arthur guy without going near him?”
Gaius nods, standing up as he says “Of course, My Lord,”
Merlin has made it to the door before he turns back to his uncle. “I think we better forgo the formalities, Gaius. Can’t really be strutting around Camelot as Prince of Spero, can I?”
“Of course not,” Gaius smiles. “Merlin, I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantment will get you killed!” He raises an eyebrow as Merlin smirks slightly. “I mean it, Merlin, Hunith would never let me forget it if you do something stupid on my watch,”
“Yes, Gaius,” The physician shakes his head fondly as his nephew slips out of the tower.
Merlin finds himself wondering around the citadel, making mental maps of the city, making note of every escape route in case he needed a quick getaway. He lifts his head as he hears a group of people laughing, followed by a dull ‘thump’.
His eyes scan the area, looking for the cause of the sound. They land on a group of boys gathered on a training field, laughing as the boy from the balcony throws knives at a target. As another knife hits the board and another thud is heard, a head popping up from behind the target. The boy that pops up couldn’t be older than Merlin, and quickly ducks his head again as another knife is aimed towards him. The group laugh as he squeals quietly.
Another knife hits the target, and the boy holding it stumbling to the floor. Merlin is close enough now to grab the boy’s elbow, preventing his face from hitting the ground. The boy smiled gratefully up at him.
“Come on, now, you’ve had your fun, my friend,” The group of men stop laughing, all turning to stare at Merlin. The leader steps forwards, his face twisting in confusion.
“Do I know you?”
“I’m Merlin,” Merlin states, holding his hand out towards the blond man.
“So, I don’t know you?” He clarifies. “Yet, you called me ‘friend’?” He continues after Merlin shakes his head.
“Oh, that was my mistake,” Merlin says, voice laced with false sympathy. “I could never have a friend who could be such an ass,” A small crowd surrounds the two boys and gasps quietly, parting as Merlin turns to walk away.
“Or I one who could be so stupid! Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?” The younger boy turns back around. “Would you like me to help you?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t if I were you,” Merlin muses, looking very disinterested in the interaction. He watches as the annoyance becomes more prominent on the other’s face.
“Why? What are you going to do to me?”
“You have no idea,”
“Be my guest!” He laughs, and Merlin cocks an eyebrow slightly. “Come on,” He steps backwards marginally, turning his head a bit towards the crowd. Merlin takes the moment of distraction to draw his arm backwards and swing forwards again, his fist colliding with Arthur’s jaw. The blond staggers backwards, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek. He turns to look at Merlin, fire in his eyes. He raises his other hand and Merlin finds himself flanked by guards.
“Oh!” Merlin laughs softly, shaking his hair out of his eyes. “I get it. You’re Arthur Pendragon.”
“Who did you think I was?”
“Dunno. If I’m being honest, Arthur Pendragon, I’m still not totally sure if I’m seeing you or if I’m looking at a donkey,” Merlin smiles, flashing his teeth as Arthur’s face turns red, and laughs as the guards either side of him begin leading him to the dungeons. He can hear Arthur spluttering behind him, just making him laugh more. The guards either side of him throw Merlin unceremoniously onto the dungeon floor. He's yet to stop laughing.
It's late the next morning when the guards unlock the cell doors and Gaius is allowed to enter.
“You never cease to amaze me, Merlin!” Gaius groans as Merlin grins, obviously taking the critique as a compliment. “The one thing someone like you should be doing is keeping your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot!” His nephew at least has to decency to try and pretend to look guilty. “You’re lucky. I’ve managed to pull a few strings to get you released.”
“Thank you,” Merlin mumbles, giving Gaius a smile that he hopes showed his gratitude and follows his uncle out of the cell and towards the physician tower. “Please don’t tell Father, Gaius,” When the older man raises an eyebrow he hurries to continue, “He wouldn’t hesitate to start a war if he knew that a Pendragon had thrown his son in the dungeons. My behaviour isn’t a good reason to expose Spero and risk the safety of our people, I was being irresponsible.”
“Very well.” It is silent for a few moments as they continue towards the tower.
“I see what the prophets mean about protecting him now, though.” Merlin giggles softly. “I mean, I just punched him in the face. He didn’t even duck away from it! No self-preservation at all,”
Merlin is making his way through the lower town when he notices a woman approaching him.
“Hi,” She says shyly, shifting her basket to rest of her hip.
“Good afternoon, My Lady,” He smiles as the woman shakes her head and giggles softly.
“I’m Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I’m the Lady Morgana’s maid,”
“Right, well, I’m Merlin, although most people just call me idiot,” Gwen giggles again, making her hair fall softly in her eyes as she shakes Merlin’s outstretched hand.
“No, no, I saw what you did yesterday. You’re so brave!”
“Well,” Merlin shrugs one shoulder as he blushes, looking embarrassed.
“I didn’t think you could beat him. You know, because you don’t look like one of those big, muscly kinds of fellows,”
“Thanks, Gwen,” Merlin laughs as she blushes, realising how she sounded.
“No! No, you’re obviously a lot stronger than you look. It’s just, Arthur’s one of these real rough tough save the world kind of men, and, well…” She trails off and looks away from Merlin.
“What?”
“You...you don’t really look like that,” Merlin smirks, quirking an eyebrow, as he beckons Gwen closer, and looks around as if making sure no-one is watching them before whispering to her.
“I’m in disguise,” Many of the townsfolk turn to look at them as Gwen laughs. She pushes his arm gently as they start walking through the town together.
“Well, it’s great that you stood up to him, anyway,”
“Yeah? You think so?”
“Yes! Arthur’s a bully, Merlin. And everyone thought you were a real hero, standing up to him,”
“Yeah?”
“Mmmh,” Gwen hums, pulling on Merlin’s sleeve slightly to pull him out of the way of a group of people walking past. Gwen and Merlin make it a few steps further before a voice calls out from the assembly that just passed them.
“How is your knee walking coming along, Merlin?” Merlin pauses in his movements, before turning to Gwen.
“If you’ll excuse me, Guinevere, I believe that there is a Prince just desperate for my attention,” he smiles as Gwen giggles and nods, placing a small hand on his elbow.
“Oh, come on, Merlin, don’t ignore me,”
“Me? Ignore you? Never.” Merlin rolls his eyes as he turns to look at Arthur. The man is surrounded by a couple of knights and a guard.
“Ah, thank God,” Arthur sighs. “I thought you were deaf as well as dumb,”
“Look I’ve told you you’re an ass, I just didn’t realise you were a royal one.” Arthur clicks his tongue and shakes his head, turning slightly towards the guard standing at the side. “Ooh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy’s men to protect you?”
“Ha! I could take you apart with one blow,”
“Mmh,” Merlin hums absently. “I could take you apart with less than that, Arthur Pendragon,”
“Are you sure?” Arthur raises an eyebrow as Merlin nods, sure of himself.
“Hey, Gwen, my dear, would you do me the honour of holding my jacket while I entertain Royalty,” Gwen stays silent as she takes Merlin’s jacket for him, sparing a glance at Arthur before lowering her eyes from away from the prince.
“Here you go, big man,” Merlin catches the mace that Arthur throws in his direction with one hand, twisting the handle a few times in his palm. “Come on then. I warn you, Merlin, I’ve been trained to kill since birth,”
“Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?” Arthur laughs like he can’t believe someone would talk to him in such a manner. Merlin suspects nobody ever has.
“You can’t address me like that,”
“I’m so sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat, My Lord,” Merlin bows and lowers his eyes in a way that should be polite, but he manages to make it seem disrespectful. He laughs as he jumps back from Arthur’s first swing.
Arthur’s frustration only seems to rise as Merlin continues to dodge his blows, waiting until the very last moment to step backwards. He laughs in between taunts, occasionally swinging his own mace towards Arthur, never with enough power behind it or swinging it around close enough to actually hit Arthur. He may be enjoying winding Arthur up, but he’s already punched the Prince in the face, he’s not stupid enough to injure him with a mace, no matter what Gaius may think.
As he dodges another of Arthur’s throws, he finds his arms being pulled behind his back. He looks up, finding himself being held by a guard at either side, rendering him unable to move. He sighs dramatically.
“This is cheating, Arthur Pendragon,” Arthur scoffs at the disappointed look on Merlin’s face and flicks his wrist after taking the mace from Merlin’s hands that are being held behind his back. The guards begin to walk Merlin away towards the dungeons, and the warlock immediately strikes up a conversation with them.
“Wait,” Arthur sighs, calling after them. “Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he’s a brave one.” The two guards let go of Merlin and move to the side of the street, watching as the Prince approaches the boy. “There’s something about you, Merlin,” Arthur regards him for a moment before murmuring softly. “I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“I can’t believe that it’s my destiny to protect that prat, Gaius,” Merlin grumbles in between bites of the stew that his uncle has placed in front of him. “Kilgharrah is an ass. This is really good.” He points his spoon at the bowl before continuing eating.
“You need to be more careful, Merlin. You don’t want to be on the wrong side of Arthur, much less Uther. If he finds out that you’ve had two conflicts with his son in the day and a half you’ve been here, I fear what he will do. Even if you are just a child,”
“I’m 16, Gaius. I’m a knight. I’m barely a child.” Merlin argues, a scowl forming on his face. “Anyway, I’m not the one who chased someone through the town, throwing a mace around, am I?”
“Perhaps not,” the physician concedes, before raising an eyebrow. “However, I know you, Merlin, and there is a high probability that you were winding him up. Listen to me; Uther Pendragon will not care if it was Arthur who was chasing you, he will only see that someone is antagonising his son, and he will want to remove that distraction from Arthur’s life,”
“Fineee,” Merlin drags out. “I will stop telling Prince Arthur of Camelot when he is being an ass and will let him look stupid and bully innocent children,”
“Merlin!”
“I mean… I will stop annoying Arthur into jailing me and hunting me down with dangerous weapons.”
“Good.” Gaius nods. “If you get arrested again, I will have to tell your mother that you’re being irresponsible. I’m sure you don’t want her coming here and shouting at you. Now, finish your food. I need you to take a potion to Lady Morgana. Poor girl is suffering from nightmares.”
Merlin knocks on the doors to Morgana’s chamber, waiting a moment before he hears a soft ‘Come in,’ from inside.
“My Lady,” he bows when he enters the room, seeing Gwen and the Lady Morgana sat together at the table in the centre of the room. “Gaius has asked me to deliver this to you,”
“Thank you….?”
“Merlin, My Lady,” he smiles softly, handing over the potion.
“Merlin?” Morgana turns to Gwen, who nods her head at the question. “Oh. I do believe you’ve caused quite the commotion here in Camelot over the past few days,” Her tone is light, teasing Merlin as she and Gwen laugh lightly.
“What can I say, My Lady? It’s just part of my charm,” He flashes her a smile, ignoring the way his cheeks begin to warm.
“I don’t see what Arthur is saying, Gwen,” Morgana muses. “He was in here before complaining about a young boy who was being rude and insolent, but he can’t possibly have been talking about you; you’re so polite. And adorable.” She coos as she pinches his rapidly colouring cheeks. “Prince Arthur of Camelot getting flustered by an adorable little baby,”
“Don’t pout, Merlin,” Gwen and Morgana laugh as Merlin grumbles, lowering his eyes to the floor. “You’re just so cute-” The doors to Morgana’s chambers crash open, cutting Gwen off.
“Morgana!” Arthur barges into the room, slamming the door behind him in anger. “You won’t believe what that useless servant has done no- what are you doing here?!”
“Oh, Arthur, we were just getting to know your new friend here,” Morgana smiles towards Merlin.
“Good evening, Sire,” He bows his head respectfully towards Arthur, before clasping his hands behind his back and adverting his eyes. He can feel Arthur’s eyes watching him, confused by his behaviour.
“Are you sure you were talking about Merlin before Arthur? Because if you were, I’m a little bit confused, because he’s been nothing but polite since he came in here,”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Arthur rolls his eyes as he sat down next to Morgana at the table. “What are you doing here, Merlin?” He asks again.
“I was delivering medicine to Lady Morgana, Sire,” Merlin can feel Arthur getting more annoyed as he continues to be polite.
“No, Merlin, I mean, what are you doing here? In Camelot? I have never seen you before and yet I’ve run into you three times in the last two days,”
“My uncle is teaching me to be a physician, Sire,” Merlin says, referring to the cover story his mother had come up with for him living with Gaius.
“Gaius is your uncle?” Morgana perks up, looking at Merlin curiously.
“Yes, My Lady,” Merlin inclines his head. “My mother is his sister,”
“Oh, I never knew Gaius has a sister,”
“Yes, it’s all very interesting,” Arthur murmurs sarcastically. “Now, get out, Merlin, I have something I want to talk to my sister about,”
“Oh, of course, My Lord,” Merlin bows deeply, the sarcasm in his voice becoming more obvious. “I’m terribly sorry for interrupting, My Lord, I’ll just leave you to it, My Lord,” Arthur’s head shoots up as Merlin speaks, and he begins spluttering and pointing a finger at the younger boy.
“See! See what I mean!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, My Lord,” Gwen starts to giggle as Merlin bows again defiantly and a small smirk grows on his face. “I didn’t mean to offend a member of the Royal family, My Lord,”
“You know what, Merlin? I’m getting quite sick of you,” Merlin’s smirk grows as Arthur continues to look more and more annoyed. “I do hope that the dungeons are comfortable enough for you, for another night. Guards!” Merlin’s smirk transforms into a genuine smile when he sees which of the guards came through the doors.
“Anthony!” The guard looks up as he hears his name, face brightening as his gaze lands on Merlin. “How’s your daughter? Is she doing any better today?” Merlin holds his hands out for Anthony to attach cuffs to, nodding as the guard spoke.
“She’s doing a little better, thank you. Whatever was in that medicine you gave her has worked wonders, Merlin,”
“What?” Arthur’s head snaps up, his eyes falling on Merlin, confused. “What did you give her? What was in it?”
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, My Lord, but that is information that I cannot disclose,” Merlin shakes his head, feinting disappointment. “Anyway, I’m afraid I must be off, some prat has just sent me to the dungeons. It’s a shame, you’re excellent company, Lady Morgana, Gwen. I will see you around, Arthur Pendragon.” Arthur continues staring at the door long after Anthony has guided Merlin out.
“Morgana, I hate him,” The two women exchange a look behind Arthur’s head.
“Come now, Arthur,” She puts a hand on his elbow softly, offering comfort. “He’s just a child. And he’s working with Gaius, you probably won’t see him that much when he’s settled in,”
“Right. Right. You’re correct, of course,” he mumbles, still staring at the door.
“I didn’t do anything, Gaius, don’t look at me like that,” His uncle doesn't say anything as Merlin leaves the cell, merely lifting an eyebrow. “I didn’t! I was just being polite and then he arrested me! You can ask Gwen if you don’t believe me. Or Lady Morgana, they both watched him do it!”
“We don’t really have time to go into it, Merlin, you have a feast to serve at,” Merlin sighs in relief as Gaius changes the topic. “Don’t look so happy, Merlin. We’ll be talking about this later, don’t think I’m going to keep getting you out of these dungeons,”
Merlin stands to the side of the room with Gaius, watching as nobles file into the room. The room is set up with three tables, two running parallel with each other, and the third across the top of them. The single table is clearly set for the King, with a larger throne in the centre and a smaller one either side for each of his children. The room is lit by candles, hanging from the ceiling, on stands in the corners of the room, in the centre of the tables. From the ceiling also hangs flags of a deep red colour, embroidered with roaring lions.
Merlin smirks as Arthur walks into the room, takes one look towards the younger boy, and rolls his eyes, before moving towards the opposite side of the room. Morgana enters a few moments after her brother, moving elegantly, her red dress trailing after her. She, unlike her brother, moves towards Merlin when she meets his eyes. He bows respectfully as she approaches him, seeing Arthur glaring at him out of the corner of his eyes.
“My Lady,”
“Please, Merlin,” She smiles, “Call me Morgana. I’d like to consider you my friend now that I know we have a common goal in life,”
“A common goal?” He asks her, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Annoying Arthur, of course,” Merlin laughs as Morgana turns her head towards her brother, her smile widening as she notices him watching their interaction.
“Well, in that case, Morgana, I would be honoured to be considered a friend.” His eyes flicker across the room to where Arthur is glaring at them, ignoring the knights who are trying to talk to him. “Now that I am aware of our shared aspiration, I wonder, if I may, do something that may entertain you?” Morgana nods subtly, raising an eyebrow as Merlin takes her hand in his own, bringing it towards his face. The moment his lips make contact with the soft skin of her hand, Merlin is shoved roughly away from Morgana.
“I don’t know what the bloody hell you’re playing at,” An angry voice hisses in his ear. “But knock it off! Right. Now.”
“I am afraid I do not know what you are talking about, My Lord,” Merlin tries to keep his face straight as he sees Morgana try and contain her laughter. “I was just talking to my good friend, Morgana,”
“Good...good friend?” Arthur’s voice drops dangerously. People close enough to hear the interaction freeze and start to move away from them slowly. “How dare yo-”
Arthur is cut off by trumpets sounding and the King walking into the room. The whole room is now silent, watching as Uther walks slowly towards the top table, smirking as he sees everybody bowing at him as he passes. Morgana has to physically pull Arthur away, winking at Merlin as she pushes her brother towards their seats at the head table.
“We have enjoyed 20 years of peace and prosperity!” Uther’s voice is loud, booming around the room, capturing the attention of every person. “It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures. But,” He pauses, looking towards the woman who has just walked into the room. “Few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora!” Everyone in the room claps as Lady Helen steps up onto the stage, quieting and sitting down once the soft music begins to play.
As she begins singing, Merlin stands up straighter, recognising the words. He looks around the room, checking to see if anyone else seems to notice the words of the Old Religion. A quick glance at each person suggests that no-one does, but there is a prickle in the back of his neck telling him that something is wrong. It only takes him a moment longer to realise what is happening.
“Gaius!” He whispers urgently to his uncle, who must have realised that Merlin was worrying as he turns to him immediately. “Gaius! She’s singing an enchantment!” Merlin closes his eyes as he feels them turn golden, the air around him and his uncle shimmering as he puts up a protective barrier against enchantments.
“What do you think she’s trying to do, Merlin?” Gaius asks, concern lacing his voice. Merlin glances around the room again, pausing as he notices the tired look on Morgana’s face. Looking around, he notices that everyone is beginning to look tired, some resting their heads on their arms, others fluttering their eyes.
“They’re...falling asleep?” Merlin whispers, confused. “Why would she want an entire room of people asleep?” Gaius doesn’t respond to Merlin, watching instead as people who are falling asleep are being buried in frost and cobwebs, as if they had been sleeping for centuries. Lady Helen keeps singing as she steps off her podium, and Merlin notices her eyes lock on Arthur. He gasps as she pulls something out from her sleeve.
“Merlin! She’s got a dagger!” Merlin nods numbly, as he watches her eyes focus only on Arthur as her singing begins to crescendo. All the candles extinguish themselves as she steps into throwing distance of the top table, and Merlin makes up his mind.
He looks up at the ceiling, eyes flashing gold as he whispers an enchantment that loosens the chains holding up the candle chandelier. Moments later, the chandelier falls, falling on top of Lady Helen, ending the enchantment she was holding.
People in the room begin waking up, pulling the cobwebs off their bodies as they look around, confused. Uther stands up as he pulls the cobwebs of his head, and freezes as his eyes land on Lady Helen, trapped under the chandelier.
Or. Not Lady Helen.
Underneath the chandelier, there is an elderly woman, wearing the dress Lady Helen had been wearing. Uther gasps as he recognises Mary Collins, catching Arthur’s attention. As Arthur rises from his seat, Mary begins to rise from the floor, pushing herself up on her arms. Her eyes lock on Arthur again, and she raises her hand, dagger still there, and throws it towards Arthur.
Without thinking, Merlin runs towards Arthur, pushing him out of the way of the dagger, just as it lands in the back of Arthur’s chair, right where his heart would have been. Mary Collins falls to the floor in her last breath. As Merlin stands up, Arthur turns to him, and Uther walks towards them.
“You saved my boy’s life,” Uther breathes out, a hand landing on Arthur’s shoulder, as if to prove to himself that he is indeed still alive. “A debt must be repaid,”
“Oh,” Merlin shakes his head immediately. “No, there’s no need, My Lord, I didn’t do anything,”
“Don’t be so modest, you shall be rewarded!” By now, everyone in the room is watching the interaction. Merlin, although a royal himself, feels himself grow uncomfortable at the sudden attention.
“Really, Your Highness, I did nothing-”
“Nonsense, boy, this merits something quite special. You shall be awarded a position is the Royal household; you shall be Prince Arthur’s manservant!” Uther begins walking away as soon as the words have left his mouth, missing the way Morgana begins laughing. Next to Merlin, Arthur begins spluttering, talking a step towards where his father is leaving.
“Father!” Uther doesn't turn towards his son but walks out of the room. Morgana’s laughter is drowned out by everyone in the room clapping. Arthur glances at Merlin, rolling his eyes before calling out for his father again, following where he left.
“Seems you’re a hero,” Gaius muses as he and Merlin return to the physician quarters. Merlin snorts softly as he sits down.
“Yeah, hard to believe isn’t it?”
“No,” Gaius shakes his head as he takes a seat next to his nephew. “I knew it from the moment you were born, Merlin. You are destined for greatness, my boy,”
“Destiny. What a load of rubbish,” Merlin sighs, sinking down into the chair. “I thought this would be easy, Gaius. I’ve been here less than three days, and someone’s already tried to kill him. I would do anything for Kilgharrah to have made this up.”
“It will get easier, Merlin, as you spend more time with him,” A hand settles on his shoulder in comfort. “And I know you, I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it more entertaining,” Merlin laughs as he opens his mouth to reply but is cut off by a knock on the door.
“Merlin!” A voice calls out. “Prince Arthur wants you right away!” Gaius squeezes his shoulder as Merlin rolls his eyes. The physician stands up, ushering Merlin towards the door.
“Your destiny is calling, Merlin, you better find out what he wants.”