Chapter Text
When Merlyn left Ealdor, it was with Will at her side.
“Like hell I’m letting you go there on your own,” he’d said, “I’ll get you to the city gates and we can say our goodbyes there.” She’d bristled at that.
“What, because I’m a girl you think that means I can’t take care of myself?” Will shrugged his shoulders with a grin.
“Not because you’re a girl, Merlyn. Because you’re you .” Merlyn blushed and pushed the chuckling teenaged boy away from her. “Besides,” Will continued to follow her towards the roads that would lead them into Camelot’s territory, wearing a stupid grin on his face as he caught up to her. “Camelot can wait for me to spend a couple more days with my best friend before I don’t see her again in who knows how long.” Merlyn found something in her gaze softening at that.
“You know I’ll visit, you great sap. And you’d better write to me when you can!” Will laughed and the journey was that much more pleasant because of his presence. Merlyn did have to admit that the fact that she was traveling with a man had kept her feeling safer than if she’d been alone, as the pair had been left unbothered for the entire trip. Two days passed and, before Merlyn knew it, they could see the citadel from one of the hills to the north of the city. It was midday, and the bright sun was warm on Merlyn’s cheek.
The goodbyes weren’t as tearful as Merlyn had imagined they might be but instead filled with smiles and plenty of teasing. Merlyn promised Will that she would try not to let the city change her so much, with Will promising in turn to take care of Hunith and to write as often as he was able. Will also gave Merlyn his worn, brown leather jacket as something to remember him by, which Merlyn had tried to refuse to no avail. After much waving and calling out various farewells, the two went their separate ways; Will going back to Ealdor and Merlyn to the massive city gates built into the stone wall surrounding the city of Camelot.
The first thing that Merlyn noticed was that she was dressed rather different than the women she saw flitting about just outside the gates. They wore dresses cut to the ankle and kept their hair down. It made Merlyn feel as though things were done more differently in the city than she had originally thought.
Merlyn was wearing dark brown leather breeches and a too-large blue tunic. A belt was fastened around her waist to keep the shirt from hanging off of her too much, though much of her tunic was hidden underneath Will’s oversized coat anyway.
Wrapped delicately around her neck was a worn maroon scarf that her mother had made for her during a harsh winter a few years ago. Her wild, black curls were pulled up and out of her face with a long strip of red cloth tied into a bow. She’d pulled the hair into a low ponytail that fell between her shoulder blades.
She was slightly hunched over from the weight of her backpack, which held all of her belongings. Majority of the weight came from the medium-sized pot that her mother had given her to cook her own meals in. Apparently, it had once belonged to her grandmother or grandfather’s mother or something like that. Merlyn silently wished they’d cooked their meals in something a bit easier to carry.
The two guards on duty were large and imposing but Merlyn kept her head level and smiled at the armored men. Whilst the guard on the left side of the gate looked thoroughly unenthused with his position, having an air that read he’d rather be nearly anywhere else, the guard on the right chuckled when Merlyn approached. He stopped her by stepping in her path and eyed her up and down. He was rather focused on her leather-clad legs, openly staring at her thighs and Merlyn swallowed nervously, eyes searching her surroundings for a way out. The other guard wasn’t even looking at them.
“Haven’t seen you before. What’s a pretty little lady such as yourself doing ‘round these parts? Here to find a man in the city?” The man asked, saddling in uncomfortably close. Merlyn swallowed and tried to subtly edge away from him.
“Erm-I’m here to see my uncle, actually.” The guard crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back with an appraising look. At least he was staring at her face now, Merlyn mused as she tried to calm herself down so as not to accidentally… do something .
“Don’t suppose your uncle knows his luck.” As Merlyn was about to take her chances with running straight into the gates, a young man with red-blonde curls and a beard stopped from where he was entering the city. From his armor and red cloak, Merlyn could tell that the man was a knight and she swallowed uneasily, thoughts of running thrown out of her head. She didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to herself where she could avoid it, especially in front of someone with a sword at their hip. Merlyn eyed it, shoulders tensing up even tighter than they’d already been, when the knight did something she didn’t expect. He tutted behind his teeth and sent a warning look to the guard that was breathing down Merlyn’s neck.
“Horace, why are you bothering that poor girl? Let her go about her business so that you may get back to yours.” The guard, in response, flushed a bright red and resumed his post on the right side of the city gate.
“Apologies, Sir Leon.” He mumbled and kept his head bowed as if trying to hide from his shameful behavior. Merlyn, surprised, dipped her head in thanks to whom she assumed was Sir Leon, who nodded in her direction curtly before setting off at a brisk pace towards the castle.
Despite his kindness, wary Merlyn made sure to keep a good amount of distance between her and the knight. She needn’t try very hard as she took in the view of the unfamiliar city. There was a very distinct… smell, if nothing else, Merlyn decided.
She eyed the dense population occupying the lower town, their small houses more crowded together as she approached the town square and wondered if she’d ever get used to the bustling activity taking place around her. She liked the marketplace, though. It was all very exciting as people shouted out what they were selling. Merlyn had been tempted by her empty stomach to purchase a mince pie. The fact that they were five copper pieces per pie, however, changed her mind quickly.
Their women dress weird, their accents are a bit different, and everything is so expensive! Merlyn bit her lip as she contemplated why she was coming to Camelot again. Oh, right. Once I find Gaius, everything will be okay.
When Merlyn made it to the castle courtyard, she wasn’t sure what she was to expect of it. An execution was perhaps the last thing she might have believed she’d witness. The drums that boomed were almost as loud and painful as Merlyn’s heartbeat. She prayed its furious thumping wouldn’t betray her terror as they dragged a man in rags out to the center of the courtyard.
“Let this serve as a lesson to all-this man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic.” Uther Pendragon, king of Camelot, stood over the courtyard atop a balcony in the castle. Surrounded by more red-cloaked guards and towering above the common folk, Uther held himself as a proud man would. His posture oozed that overseeing death was not just a responsibility of his, but an accomplishment.
“Pursuant to the law of Camelot I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death.” Watching the way the king spoke to his subjects from atop the balcony, Merlyn had the thought that maybe the only reason nobles thought so highly of themselves was because they literally put themselves above other people. She began to look around for a way out of the throng of people gathered to witness the beheading but found that the crowd was too dense to navigate, especially considering she wasn’t completely sure which direction she needed to go in without being able to see through all of the people.
“I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass.” The executioner made another pass over his axe with a whetting stone before standing at attention when Uther made eye contact with him. The king’s arm raised as the man in rags was knelt over the chopping block by the dungeon guards. Merlyn swallowed and backed away, her eyes growing wide in fear.
When Uther’s hand dropped, the axe came down and Merlyn whimpered when the crowd cried out, choosing to avert her eyes from the grisly aftermath. With the blood rushing in her ears and the sound of her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest, Merlyn wasn’t sure when the drums stopped. She only realized their absence when the king spoke again, gathering everyone’s attention.
“When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people’s help, magic was driven from this land.” Uther looked over the faces in the courtyard and Merlyn shrunk back, as if trying to make herself invisible. The monarch straightened his back even more, his arms wide and smile wider.
While the expression and stance was meant to be welcoming, Merlyn felt anything but welcomed. She nervously eyed the severed head which the executioner was in the process of shoving into a burlap sack. The witch wondered for a moment if it was to be mounted on a pike to serve as a warning for other magic-users. Her attention was brought back to the king as he made another proclamation.
“I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the great dragon was captured, and thus Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery.” Looking proud of himself, Uther lowered his arms. “Let the celebrations begin.” He then turned his back on the balcony with the intent of going inside the castle, now that the execution was done.
A loud, heartbroken wail interrupted the king before he could leave, however, and he looked back to the courtyard to see the source of the commotion. Merlyn, too, looked around and found an old woman hobbling towards the chopping block. She stared in abject horror at the headless corpse still bleeding out on the wooden platform. She cried out again and her eyes found the king on his balcony.
“There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic!” The woman accused woefully, her eyes spilling over with tears. “It is you ! With your hatred and your ignorance…” She paused in her lamentation to let out a broken sob. “You took my son!” With a trembling breath, Merlyn saw something shift in the woman’s teary, hazel eyes. The next words that the elderly woman spoke were laced with venom.
“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! ” Uther glowered, pointing at the woman.
“Seize her!” He ordered and the woman gasped, eyes swirling furiously. She screamed an enchantment at the sky, which opened up and blew a furious wind around the courtyard. Merlyn had to cover her eyes to protect them from the stinging, whipping breeze. When she opened her eyes again, the old woman was gone.
People were quick to mill out of the courtyard, thoroughly unsettled. Merlyn didn’t linger, either, instead making her way to the base of the castle. Remembering her experience with the guards at the gate, the young woman hesitated asking for directions from the men guarding the palace doors.
Luckily for her, a serving girl about her age was walking past with a basket of linens. She was quite pretty, with dark curls framing her kind, round face. Her kirtle was the color of a spring dog rose, and she wore a cream-colored shirt underneath it. Her skin tone was dark and sweat-speckled; Merlyn could tell by the hue in her cheeks that the servant had likely been hard at work.
The Ealdorian girl felt a bit guilty at pulling the obviously-busy servant away from her duties just to ask for directions. Nonetheless, Merlyn knew that she’d have better chances not being harassed by the male guards by speaking to another woman. Merlyn cleared her throat and reached out her hand to collect the girl’s attention.
“Ah, excuse me? You look as though you know where you're going well enough. I’ve only just come to Camelot, could I bother you for directions?” The servant girl gave Merlyn a tired smile and she bobbed her head enthusiastically.
“Of course! My name is Guinevere but you can call me Gwen, everyone does. It’s nice to meet you.” The young woman shifted the laundry basket to her hip, freeing a hand to extend in greeting. Merlyn felt some tension melt from her shoulders and she smiled back at Gwen, taking her hand eagerly.
“Merlyn. It’s nice to meet you too; it’s good to have run into a friendly person.” The witch smiled sheepishly as they shook hands and Gwen chuckled. When her hand was freed, Gwen tucked a stray curl behind her ear; she offered Merlyn a kind smile.
“Ah, welcome to the city. It can be a bit much, if you’re not used to it. Where is it that you need to go?”
“Oh, right! I’m looking for my uncle, Gaius. He’s the court physician.” Gwen nodded and pointed behind them, towards the right.
“You’re not that far, actually. Just follow that corridor and take the second right, with those guards there. Climb up the steps and take the first left you see, then follow that hallway to the end and the door will be straight ahead, on the top of the stairs.” Merlyn smiled and ducked her head in thanks, hoping she could remember all of that and not get it twisted in her head.
“I really appreciate it, Gwen. I hope we run into each other again!” Guinevere smiled and chuckled.
“Me too, Merlyn. I hope you enjoy the city!” Merlyn smiled as Gwen turned back around to carry on with her chores, glad to have found a potential friend so quickly.
Thankfully, Merlyn was able to follow Gwen’s instruction easily enough and soon found herself stepping through the door into the physician’s chambers. Knocking before she entered, Merlyn called out a hello as she crossed the threshold. When there was no answer, rather than lingering in the doorway, Merlyn closed the door behind her and stepped further in while looking around the room.
Plenty of growing plants, dried herbs in jars, books aplenty… It was still interesting to see firsthand despite it thoroughly meeting Merlyn’s expectations for what she’d find in the chambers of the court physician. She looked around and found an elderly man, likely Gaius, atop a rickety-looking balcony, reaching for a book on the top shelf of a small bookcase.
“Gaius?” Merlyn tried calling again and when he didn’t turn, she got closer to the bottom of the stairs leading to the balcony and cleared her throat. Oddly enough, that got his attention. As he was whirling around to face the young witch, his back pressed against the wooden rail that framed the small balcony. There was only a momentary, quiet groan that the straining wood made preceding the horrible snapping sound signalling it had given way.
“ Woah! ” Gaius exclaimed and drew in a sharp breath as he looked down in fright. Merlyn jumped, gasping in surprise as well as fear, and as she did, her eyes burned gold.
Without her entirely meaning to, time suspended itself in the tiny room and around Gaius. With the physician’s descent nearly paused, Merlyn took only a moment to scan her surroundings for something to break the old man’s fall. Spotting a bed near one of the corners of the room, Merlyn intended to bring it towards Gaius herself. Her magic, however, yanked the bed into position before Merlyn could so much as put a foot forward. Briefly surprised, Merlyn blinked in confusion and time started moving at its normal pace once more.
Merlyn jumped again, biting her lip in concern when Gaius groaned in discomfort as he hit the bed. She needn’t be too concerned, as it turned out, because Gaius was quickly sitting up and whirling towards Merlyn with wide eyes.
“What did you just do?!” The young witch stepped back and swallowed nervously, really only just coming to the realization of the severity of the thing she’d just done. On her first day in Camelot, no less. She froze, for a moment.
“Um…”
“Tell me!” Gaius pressed, standing from his previous position. As most teenagers do when confronted with the consequences of their own actions, Merlyn played dumb.
“Well, I have no idea what just happened.” Gaius only leveled her with a look.
“If anyone had seen that-” Merlyn stood up straighter and prayed she wasn’t sweating.
“No, that was nothing-nothing at all-to do with me!” Gaius stepped closer, and shook his head.
“I know what it was!” Gaius implored but then sighed and continued in a more consoling tone. “I just want to know where you learned how to do it.” Merlyn shook her head.
“No, I-”
“How is it you know magic?”
“I don’t!”
“Where did you study?” When Merlyn only swallowed and gave him a desperate look, Gaius raised his voice and demanded: “Answer me!” Merlyn shrank back.
“I-I’ve never studied magic, or been taught, I swear it.” Gaius narrowed his eyes.
“Are you lying to me, girl?” Merlyn’s eyes widened.
“What? Are you serious?” When Gaius’ only response was to raise his eyebrow at her, Merlyn made a soft noise of disbelief. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me the truth.”
“I was born like this.” Gaius scoffed and shook his head.
“Impossible.” He paused and Merlyn shuffled her feet anxiously. “Who are you?” Upon realizing that she never properly introduced herself, Merlyn gasped in surprise.
“Oh!” Merlyn remembered the letter she had in her pack. She was grateful to shed its weight, though she winced at how hard it landed on the wooden floor when she dropped it.
“I have this letter,” she explained as she fished around the two dresses she owned. She found the letter stuffed at the bottom of her bag and presented the slightly-crumpled envelope to Gaius.
“Here.” Gaius took the letter but frowned.
“I don’t have my glasses.” Gaius explained and Merlyn smiled.
“Oh, well… I’m Merlyn.” Gaius perked up in recognition at the name and she noticed his eyes taking in her face in a different sort of respect. She realized he was spotting family traits in her features after a moment.
“Hunith’s daughter!” He exclaimed, eyebrows shooting upward in faint surprise and Merlyn smiled wider.
“Yes!” Gaius frowned in confusion.
“But you’re not meant to be here until Wednesday.” Now it was Merlyn’s turn to be confused. She tilted her head to the side.
“But… It-it is Wednesday.” Gaius blinked and appeared to think that over for a moment.
“Ah… Right then,” he eyed her bag and pointed behind him, “you’d better put your bag in there.” Merlyn swallowed and ducked her head in thanks. Lifting her bag again, she made her way towards where the man had gestured before hesitating and looking back at Gaius.
“Um, you won’t say anything about-er,” Merlyn trailed off, glancing at the broken balcony. Gaius followed her gaze and nodded his understanding.
“No.” He assured and Merlyn deflated with relief, turning back around to put her things down.
“Although, Merlyn.” Gaius called and the girl stopped again. Gaius caught her blue eyes and looked at her seriously. “I should say thank you.” The old man smiled and Merlyn hesitantly offered one in return. She bowed her head and ducked into the small room that Gaius had gestured her towards.
Not used to having a space to herself, always having roomed with her mother in their small home, Merlyn was fascinated by the idea that she had her own room. She’d tried to refuse, stating that she didn’t want to take up the space and invade Gaius’ home as she was but Gaius had none of it. He insisted that a young woman needed a separate area and that, as an old man, he had no virtue to preserve.
Eventually accepting and promising to do her fair share of work as his apprentice in order to earn her keep, Merlyn spent time marveling at the little spot that she could make her own. Not only did she have a cabinet for her clothing and spare blanket, but the room came equipped with a small cot, a table, and a chair. The most attractive feature for Merlyn, however, was the window that sat high on the wall above the wooden table.
Using the table to bolster her height, Merlyn clambered up to the window and pushed the wooden shutters open to view the city. She hoisted herself into the window and looked out at the lantern-lit houses in the lower town. Smiling wide at the sounds of the city, Merlyn plucked a purple-gray stone from the windowsill and turned it over in her hand as she let herself marvel at the scenery.
She’d previously lined the window with small, pretty rocks she’d found and kept as a child. Worn smooth from years of kneading the stones whenever her magic overwhelmed her, the rest of the rocks gleamed from where they sat in the dull moonlight.
Meanwhile, in the main portion of the physician’s chambers, Gaius had sat himself down at his workstation and started reading the letter from his sister, Hunith, that Merlyn had given to him earlier that day.
My Dear Gaius, the letter began, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don’t know whom else to trust. It is every mother’s fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlyn were not so. Gaius’ brows raised in response. He supposed ‘special’ was indeed a word that could apply to Merlyn’s situation, given what had happened when she walked into his chambers that afternoon. Shaking his head in quiet awe, Gaius continued to read.
Ours is a small village and she is so clearly at odds with the people here that if she were to remain, I fear what would become of her. She needs a hand to hold; a voice to guide, someone that may help her find a purpose for her gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother’s love for her daughter, keep her safe, and may the Gods keep you both. Hunith.
Gaius hummed to himself as he set the letter down, taking off his reading glasses as he did so. It was a great favor, indeed, that Hunith was asking of him. Even with a decade passing after the height of the Purge, any situation regarding magic and Camelot was volatile at best, and usually lethal.
He wasn’t sure there was much that he, an aging physician with limited magical resources, could do to foster a safe place in Camelot for the young witch. He vowed to himself for the sake of his sister, however, that he would look after Merlyn as if she were his own. Gaius gathered a piece of parchment and his writing supplies. It would be good to let Hunith know that her daughter had arrived safely. He wrote down his promises to protect Merlyn, meaning every word he scribed.
Heaving a soft sigh, Gaius only hoped that his new apprentice could exercise more control over her magic than what she’d exhibited that afternoon. He feared the repercussions should someone within the walls of Camelot ever learn of her talents. As he sealed Hunith’s letter with wax and his physician’s seal, Gaius sent a small prayer to the Triple Goddess for luck.
He had a feeling he’d need much of it in the coming years.