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Merlin had once again found himself in the end of a quest, with the king and his knights. It had been a long day, Merlin was exhausted and had asked if they could set up camp. They were on their way home, and after being with five grown men who enjoy waiving a sword around, Merlin just wanted to sleep.
“Toughen up Merlin. For us to still be on track we need to get through that cave before sundown” Arthur said while pointing at the cave in front of them. Arthur heard Merlin groan behind him and turned around to face his manservant. “Any problem with that, Merlin, the servant?”
“Of course not, my lord.” Merlin said annoyed while moving towards the cave.
………
The only light source in the cave was the opening that they had come through, and the air was moist. Merlin did not have a good feeling about it because he had seen words written by the entrance of the cave that reminded him of the old religion, he wanted to get out of here as fast as possible.
“Where’s the exit?” Leon asked. Arthur took out his map that he had brought, as if that would tell him the answer.
“Hello! Anyone home?” Gwaine screamed. The others turned to face him, while Gwaine was hitting Percival on the shoulder. “Come on, someone had to do it, right?” Arthur and Leon sighted as they turned back to look at the map.
Merlin was not liking the sound of rumbling that came from behind them. Merlin turned around as he saw how the entrance, they had come through was being blocked by stones falling. “Guys, ehm!” he squeezed out, while patting the nearest knight on his shoulder, which was Elyan. Elyan and the others turned and watched how the entrance was being blocked. Now the only light resource was gone, and they could only see each other’s shadows. Percival smacked Gwaine in the back off his head, mockingly saying “Someone had to.”
Merlin locked closer to how the entranced had been blocked and said, “I do not think Gwaine did that.” It did not look natural, and the way that the rocks laid upon each other must have had some help to stay in that position and not to fall further down. “So, what do you recon then Merlin? Hm that the Gods just felt like locking in their king here?” Arthur said, a bit annoyed that Merlin always needed to protect Gwaine.
“I´m sorry, but I believe I am responsible for the rocks that have fallen.” Said a voice of a lady. Suddenly there was a blue-ish lightning casting shadows around them and the light was coming from the lady who was now standing in front of them all.
Everyone was shocked, except for Merlin he thought that this quest had gone unusually smooth so far.
Arthur trying to still shake of his shock asks the woman “Wha-who are you?”
“Funny you should ask, I was about to ask you the same thing.” She said calm with a little smile on her face. “I am Viella, one of the spirits of this shrine, that belongs to the old religion. And you all have disturbed our rest.” Arthur´s shock seems to be gone. Almost. Then he speaks again, now sounding like a king. “We are sorry to have disturbed you, Viella. We were only intending to pass through this cave nothing more. If you would be so kind to show us the exit, we promise to not disturb you again.” Merlin was honestly being a bit surprised how formal Arthur had been when he spoke to the spirit.
Viella gave a way a little giggle “I see. You are in fact standing right in front of the exit” Letters of the old religion started to glow around some rocks not laying far in in the cave. “But,” she added. “You cannot leave without answering my question.” Now she was straight up grinning at them, Merlin did not like the feeling of this.
“Who are you?”
.........
Arthur snorted and gave the spirit a look as if to tell is that all? Arthur still gave it a moment of thought, just to be certain what was going on and before he said his name he asked. “What happens if I do not tell you?”
“Then you will die in here. All who enters needs to say their names and titles or other wise they will not exit, ever.” Merlin felt how a lump started to form in his stomach. Arthur gave it some more thought then he took one step towards and said “My name is Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot.”
Viella looked at Arthur a bit disappointed and said “And?” with a movement of her hands to show him that it was not enough to let him pass. Merlin realized what title was missing, he understood that he would have to do something. “Well, that is my name and title, is that not what you wished for?”
“The once and Future King.” Merlin said in a low voice while looking at the spirit. The spirit smiled gently at Merlin. The knights and Arthur all turned around to look at Merlin. “What? Merlin this is no time to play games, okey?” Arthur hissed at him, while being embarrassed that Merlin had said that in the precent of a spirit. Merlin turned his look to Arthur “Just – just say it.”
Arthur rolled his eyes while facing the spirit again. “My name is Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot and the Once and Future King, apparently, whatever that means.” The spirit nodded. Merlin thought to himself that it would not be fun to explain that later to Arthur.
Arthur took some steps towards the exit, expecting it to open up for him, when it did not, he turned back at the spirit. “I gave you my name and title, is the exit not meant to open then?” Arthur was starting to get annoyed. Viella looked at him and repeated herself “ALL who enters, needs to say their names and titles. And you Arthur Pendragon did not enter alone.” She said while glancing back at the knights and Merlin.
Merlin was starting to feel sick. Oh no he thought, well just his luck. The realization of what he would have to do was rising in him. He hoped that only the ostensibly important members of the party needed to say their name and title and not a servant like him. He was starting to make up a plan in is head off how he would get away with not saying his titles, just in case Merlin wasn´t enough.
The knights who realized it was their time to tell their names and titles looked up at Arthur, who nodded to them, to give them permission for them to speak.
Gwaine shoot a glance at Merlin, to ask him for help. Gwaine had long kept the secret from Arthur that he was of noble blood, mostly because he wanted to fell liked he had earned his title. Merlin who was the only one in the party who knew this about Gwaine, Merlin gave him a weak smile. If Gwaine feared Arthur knowing that he was of noble blood, then Merlin might as well kill himself right now. While Gwaine was seeking comfort in Merlin’s smile Leon took a step towards the spirit. He proudly looked at his king and then the spirit Viella, when he said “Sir Leon of House Bedivere, First Knight of Camelot. Viella nodded and Leon went to Arthur to stand beside him as the others said their names and titles to the spirit.
Elyan announced his name and title to the spirit, and he too went to Arthur. Percival gave Gwaine a small push on his shoulder to signal Gwaine it was his turn to speak to the spirit. Gwaine looked at Percival then Merlin, he went up the spirit and spoke his name and his father´s house. The knight´s facial expressions change drastically. Arthur put his fingers on his forehead, as if he was having a headache. When Gwaine went to join them, he gave them short and quick answers, as if it was true and why. Merlin was proud over his friend, he knew it was not easy to lie to the king and his knights. Arthur ended the conversation, by saying “We will continue this conversation later.”
Then the last knight, Percival spoke to the spirit. Merlin gave Gwaine a reassuring smile, that he had done the right thing. Gwaine nodded towards Merlin, which Arthur noticed and shot a look of betray to Merlin. If Arthur was feeling betrayed by this he should only wait until the real secrets came out, but Merlin had his plan, and he was hoping for dear life that it would work.
Percival joined the other knights and Arthur spoke up. “May we pass now? Everyone has given you what you have whished for.” The spirit looked at Arthur then she shook her head, turning back at Merlin while saying. “There is still one man left in our company who has not told us who he is.” She was smiling at Merlin and for some reason Merlin had a hard time deciding If it was a kind or evil smile. “Well, it is only Merlin so It should not take to long time then.” Arthur then gestured with his hand, to show Merlin to hurry up and talk to the spirit.
Merlin took a few steps towards the spirit, he looked like a scared little girl. Then he looked up at the spirit. “My name is Merlin.” It was quiet for a while, Merlin who was waiting for something to happen took a step towards his king. With a loud voice the spirit Viella spoke “And!?” Merlin froze in the middle of his step looking up at Arthur. “And... a servant of Camelot.” This wasn´t enough Merlin knew that, but his plan had only just started. Viella looked at Merlin. “You are holding back, that is not allowed in this game I am afraid. Continue, the rest of your titles.”
Arthur and Gwaine that knew that Merlin never had a connection to his father, and therefore thought that Merlin had no more titles to give the spirit. Therefore, Arthur spoke up, before Merlin had the chance to. “He does not have any more titles, he does not know what house he came from. Now may you let us pass?” Merlin was looking at Arthur with an expression filled with gratitude. Gwaine smiled at Merlin trying to help the best he could. The other knights either avoided looking at Merlin or looking at him while feeling sorry for him.
The spirit got angry with Arthur and looked at him “Do you know who´s precent you are in!? You should know better then to speak like that!” Arthur, who was a king rarely had someone scream at him nether less speak to him that way, he went mute and looked helpless. They all thought that the spirit was referring to herself when she in fact referred to Merlin. But none of them knew that.
“Speak up boy, tell us your name and titles” the spirit had once again shifted its attention to Merlin. “I do not know what more of a name or title I could give you Viella.” The spirit looked questioning on Merlin, as if wondering if he really was this stupid. Merlin’s plan had now been set in motion. “Let my friends who have told their titles go, and I will stay with you until I figure out what you want me to say.” It had been done, Merlin now just needed Arthur and the knights to leave, then he would tell the spirit everything, and he could meet up with them at the camp. Merlin was proud of this solution, but he could not show it, he still needed to look like he was in distress.
“No way Merlin! We are not leaving you behind” Gwaine said. “It is only one title, you must have gotten it in Ealdor or something we will figure it out.” Leon said looking at Merlin first, then at Arthur who seemed to agree. “We will leave together.” Arthur said. Why can´t they ever just work with me? Merlin thought, while looking longing at the exit.
“Your friends are telling the truth, but not by the reason they might think. I will not let them pass until ALL who entered have told their names and titles.” Merlin felt how is inside was turning, he realized there truly are no way out of it, is it? He went completely silence, while staring down at the floor of rocks under him. He heard mumbles from the knights, who speculated around what could have been Merlin´s title. They joked about titles like “always on time,” (which he never was) “The strongest of all in Camelot,” and so on. Merlin heard their laughter, they were not far away from him, but still they sounded miles away. Merlin wanted to die, then he would not have to face their disappointment of how he had been lying to them. But what about the destiny, was this truly how he would die, how was that supposed to make Arthur like magic? Maybe he would make it illegal after that Gauis had told the truth and to honor Merlin for his sacrifice? Like that ever would happen, he then thought.
“So, if I do not tell you my title, that I by the way are unaware of, we will all die here right?” Viella looked at Merlin trying to figure out where he was going. “That is correct.” Whit this statement the knights had realized how serious this situation may be. “But if I may.” The spirit added. “I know that you are aware of them, I see you who you truly are, Merlin, and what titles you hold.” Merlin nodded looking ashamed. “Merlin, for heavens stake, if you know it just say it. If it is to embarrassing, I promise to only make a few jokes about it.” Gwaine said, Elyan joined him, trying to make Merlin feel better about telling them. Merlin was not looking at them, just at the ground trying to figure out his next move. “You don´t also come from noble blood I take it?” Elyan said patting Gwaine on the shoulders. Merlin took a quick glance at the knights and saw how they already had forgiven Gwaine for lying to them, then he once again looked at the spirit.
The spirit´s eyes told a thousand stories, the spirit stood some steps away from Merlin, but he still saw her so clearly. “If I were to be the first of us to die then, what would happen to the others?” Merlin said, dead serious looking the spirit deep in her eyes. The silence fell all over the cave you could feel the tension in the air. “If you were to die first, before saying who you are, your friends would have a certain death in this cave.”
Now Merlin regretted ever walking into Camelot. He wanted to travel back in time, to make sure that he never got to this moment. This was not how they were supposed to know, he wanted to show them that magic was good, how was he supposed to do it in here? He wanted magic to become legal in Camelot and then talk to them, explain to them why he had kept it from them. Of course, they would still feel betrayed, but they would have understood because the war would have been won, and Merlin would have been the reason to why they had won.
The knights took up their chatter again about what Merlin´s title might be. But this time it was more serious.
“Are you willing to die rather than telling the truth?” Viella almost whispered to Merlin, but Arthur heard, he was just looking at Merlin trying to understand what title he owned and why he could not say it. Merlin felt how is options were running out.
“Looks like you have made your decision then, I will leave you to your faith” Viella said. Then she slowly started to fade away, the darkness was closing in on them again and Merlin was truly starting to freak out. The knights had stopped their chatter to look at Merlin and Viella that was disappearing. When she was almost gone, a quiet whisper was heard.
“Emrys.”
Merlin had breathed out looking at the floor. He saw how the shadows became clearer and felt how Viellas precent was getting stronger again. With a gentle tone she said “What did you say?” Merlin looked up facing the knights, he had committed now, there was no turning back, the truth had started to unravel. “My name is Emrys.” Merlin was looking at Arthur who did not seem to believe what Merlin had said.
“Don´t be ridiculous Merlin, she is off the old religion. She knows when you are lying, so you can not just tell a lie for the sake of it.” Arthur said looking serious at Merlin. The shadows on Arthur´s face indicated that Viella was moving closer to Merlin, but he did not care to look at her not yet. Arthur drew his sword, ready to fight Viella if she got to near Merlin, the knights drew theirs also, ready to follow Arthur’s lead.
Merlin turned to Viella, as she took one final step to Merlin. Merlin held up a hand to Arthur to show him, that whatever Viella was going to do, he could not hurt her. Merlin looked her in the eyes as she kneeled before him. Merlin suddenly felt embarrassed, she just kneeled before him, while ARTHUR and the KNIGTS was watching! Merlin quickly took her by her shoulder and helped her up on her feet again. “No, Viella there is no reason for that.” He said gently to her. “The great Emrys, at last” she said when she was back at her feet.
“The prophets have long talked about this moment.” Well I am sure about that, they like to talk about my life. Merlin thought to himself to scared to say it out loud. "I thought you would be taller." Merlin looked offended, but relized he had no time to be. Viella noticed that Merlin was not to excited about this and to help him in the process of them leaving she kindly reminded him of what he needed to say to get out of here. “Your titles, Emrys, or otherwise I cannot let you pass.” With that Merlin was being pushed back into the reality of what was going on.
Merlin now turning towards Arthur and his knights that was holding their swords in the air. Merlin locked his eyes with Arthur´s, and he was not going to let them go, Arthur needed to know that Merlin still cared.
“I´m sorry, I truly am. I – this was not how I was going to tell you, because I was – well I have been wanting to do it for so long now. But everyone said that I should be quite about it, and for most part they were probably right, but I – I have felt like I –.” Merlin was being cut of, by Arthur. “Stop talking rubbish. Your name is Merlin, not Emrys, I would know.” There was a pause. Merlin felt how tears were welling up in him, bet he could not let them out, not in front of Arthur.
“My name is Merlin, servant of Camelot.” Merlin said still holding the eye contact with Arthur. “To some am I know as Emrys. I – I´m a warlock. I – I have magic.”
Arthur started to shake his head and broke the eye contact with Merlin. Leon and Elyan both took comfort in their swords by tighten their hands around them. Percival looked at Gwaine that was starting at Merlin, Merlin meet Gwaines eyes, and he wanted to cry. They all looked so betrayed, more than Merlin had imagined. But Merlin could not blame them for this, because for them, their whole friendship had been a lie.
“The rest of your titles, please” she said. Merlin let go of Gwaines eyes to seek Arthurs once again, but Arthur was not going to give Merlin that satisfaction. Merlin inhaled, to prepare himself of everything he now had to say.
“The guardian of the Once and Future King.” He saw on Arthur’s expression that he connected that Merlin was referring to Arthur by that sentence. This realization made Arthur meet Merlin´s eyes for a split second before looking away again, still with a firm grip on his sword.
Merlin then looked at the spirit, taking a deep breath to impede his tear, then he started his list. “The last dragon lord, high Lord of the Druids, Defender of Albion, son of Balinor and Hunith, Consort to Freya, the Lady of the Lake, and guardian of Avalon.” Merlin took a pause looking at Viella, seeing if she was pleased with his answers.
Merlin still had not heard any swords being put away, or any sudden movements. “And?” said Viella looking at Merlin. Merlin was starting to get frustrated. He threw his hands up in the air and spun his head around. With the quick glance at the knight he got, he saw that: Parcivals mouth was wide open. Elyan had put his hand on Leons shoulder to stabilize himself from falling. Gwaine pulled one hand through his hair in chock. Arthur was at this point just staring, nothing more. For some reason Merlin had always thought that Arthur would be screaming at him by this point, but there he was just staring.
“Dragoon the Great, Egg-father to Aithusa, Brother of the Great Dragon Kilgarrah.” Merlin found himself screaming at this point, but the spirit still seamed to want more. “Slayer of Nimueh! Conqueror of Cornelius Sigan and vanquisher of the High Priestess Morgause! Killer of the undead! Seer! Master of the Mirror of Life and Death!” By now Merlin was starting to find it hard of what more titles he owned. Looking around the cave for answers Viella said “And?”
Merlin exhaled and in what felt like his normal voice he said “and – prophesized immortal.” “And?” with a pause Merlin continued, but at this point he was tired and quietly said “Most powerful magic user ever to walk the earth.” Now even Viella got impatient “And? Emrys what more?”
Merlin let his eyes wander across the cave. He went through everything he had said but could not think of anything more to ad. “I – I don´t know.” Viella froze, she thought that he knew what he needed to say, but he didn´t. “I do not yet know all of my titles, Viella, you cannot hold me accountable for things I do not yet know.” Merlin said firmly looking at her. “But Emrys you do know this one. Many of your titles have been given to you but this, this one you´ve earned.” This did in fact not help Merlin, if one thing it only made him more confused.
“If you can not tell me the last of your titles, I will have to leave you here Emrys.” Now Merlin was getting angry, he could not believe what she said, she was going to leave him here! With the exit still closed. “No! You can not leave us here! At least open up the exit for them to pass through!” Merlin was pointing at the king and his knights, which have seemed to forget how to speak. “Let them pass through, and you can keep me here for as long as you want.”
“That is not the rules Emrys.” Merlin started walking towards the spirit which made her back away from him. “No! I played by your rules! I said every title I am aware of!” Viella now had her back on one of the stone walls, and Merlin was still moving towards her, while screaming on the top of his lungs. “You can not make me say all those things! Just to leave me here to die! For things I do not know!” Merlin had left Viella no place to go. This have caused Arthur to tighten his grip on his sword.
“Call on me when you have figured it out Emrys, I will come when you call.” Viella said calm, before fading away. It got dark, the only light was from small openings around the rocks that had fallen by the entrance. Merlin who was standing close to the stone wall formed his hand into a fist and hit it. He was left with Arthur aka. The King of Camelot and his noble knights, which have been throughout history ordered to kill scourers. Merlin knew that if they would not kill him now, he would still die in this cave, because he did not know his last title. Because of this he would die and his friends with him, Arthur would never become the great king he was meant to be, and Albion would never cease to exist.
After letting himself realize the situation he was in he turned to Arthur. “Arthur look, I – I can expla-“ Arthur cut him off. “Don´t. Just don´t” Merlin could hear the betray in his voice, and he was happy of the darkness, because therefor he could not see his face clearly. Merlin was certain that that sight of it would make him cry. “I will go over there, and you are going to figure out your last of your thousand titles, so that we might make it out of here alive.” Merlin nodded and did not dare to speak another word.
Arthur put his sword back in his belt, Merlin heard how four other people did the same with theirs. Then Arthur started to go into the cave. One by one the knights also turned around and followed their king, all in silence. Gwaine was the last man looking at Merlin. Merlin nodded to him, to show that he should do as the others.
……
The knights haven´t dared to exchange many words, since they left Merlin, they were all trying to comprehend the fact that Merlin was a warlock. They had managed to create a fire to keep them warm, and to give them some sort of light. Merlin was at the entrance of the cave, pacing. He was trying to recall everything that anyone has ever called him. At times, the knights could hear him mutter to himself.
“Maybe we should go help him.” Elyan said at last. “How could we help, we didn´t even know the first of his titles” Leon said, trying to sound unbothered by it, but failed. Arthur had been staring into the fire, since they got it going. He was not even showing that he heard them. “I´m with Elyan. I mean, it´s Merlin we may be able to help him in some way” Gwaine said but sounded uncertain by his comment. Percival shrugged his shoulders. Then they all fell back in silence.
Merlin who was done pacing went up to the exit. The rocks that laid before it would have taken a whole army to move but Merlin was determined to try. Merlin put out his hand aimed towards the rocks while saying a spell, that was meant to move the rocks and make a clear exit out of the cave. This had caught the knight’s attention and they were looking at Merlin trying to figure out what he was trying to do. Arthur had his back turned to Merlin and did not let the fire out of his sight.
In the middle of Merlin´s spell another spirit showed up in front of the exit. The cave filled with the blue light again. “I can not let you do that Emrys!” the spirit spoke clearly.
“Why not, because I would succeed?” Merlin said looking the spirit dead in the eyes. God he was so tired now. Merlin had been tired before even coming into this cave and now after letting his secret out, he just wanted to be back home in his bed. “Yes, because you would in fact succeed Emrys.”
This took Merlin by a surprise, this cave had a strong connection to the old religion, therefore Merlin was not actually sure he would have been able to move the rocks. “Then you will have to move” Merlin said to the spirit. “You are not playing by the proper rules Emrys.”
“Well, I have never been very good at taking orders, and I see no good reason to start taking them from you now.” Merlin said trying to not sound to tired. “Maybe that is one of your problems.” The spirit answered, following Merlin with his glance “Oh, I have many problems, and you are starting to become one of them.” Merlin said before reaching up his arm again starting to mumble his spell. This time the spirit casted a spell that made Merlin fly backwards.
The knights started to make themselves ready for battle, but Merlin was quick up on his feet again. “Don´t” said the spirit as a warning to Merlin but Merlin had already started to cast the spell again. This time the spirit made Merlin fly into the rock wall that was behind him. Merlin lumped down at the end of the wall.
This made Gwaine stand up and started moving towards Merlin. Before Gwaine could take another step, Arthur griped Gwaine by his wrist. Gwaine looked down at his king, who was still staring at the fire. Both Percival and Elyan had also risen from their earlier sitting position.
Merlin silently grunted and pulled himself into a sitting position leaning against the wall, you could clearly see that he was in pain. The spirit started to move towards Merlin, where he was sitting on the cold stone ground.
“Behold! The great Emrys! The one who was meant to save us all! Now look at you. Pathetic!” Merlin looked up at the spirit, who was by Merlin´s liking now glowing a bit to strong. “Hundreds of prophecies waisted on nothing! You will die here, in this cave, because you are so great that you can´t even keep up with all your titles!” Merlin was taking his hand behind his head, to ease the pain.
“If only Balinor could see you now! He would have been so disappointed in you, Merlin.” In a blink of an eye Merlin rose from his siting position, pointing at the spirit. “How dare you speak of my father!” Merlin screamed. Not until the echo off his scream was gone, did the spirit speak.
“I knew your father better than you ever will! Because he is dead!” Merlin put down his finger but still holding eye contact with the spirit, he had not won, not yet. “He died in your hands Merlin! The same way that Freya died in your hands and the hundreds of druids who have died. You could have stopped it, you could have prevented all of this for ever happening!” The spirit swung his arm around the cave. Merlin broke the eye contact, it was too hard to beer. “Don´t tell yourself that they died in Uthers hands, pathetic little boy. Because we both now you could have saved them. They died in your hands and yours alone Merlin, you are responsible for all their deaths!”
This was the part when merlin should come with a comeback, as he always did but he did not have anything to give. Because the spirit was telling the truth, Merlin could have stopped it, but he didn´t. At last Merlin said. “I – I only did what I thought was right.”
“Ha! So letting your own father die, was the right thing to do then, Merlin? Your father spent years of his life running away from the knights of Camelot! Only for you to run right to them.” Merlin was fighting the urge to turn to the knights, and he caved in. By their facial expression they realized that they have caused merlin more pain than they ever intended to. Arthur still had his back turned towards Merlin.
”You know that if the circumstances would have been any different now, you would already be dead. They only need you alive now, so that you can let them out of this cave. Then as soon as you step a foot outside of this cave, they will burn you!” Merlin threw a glance at the exit, he just wanted to get out of here. “If you ever try to open that again, I will personally make sure that none of your so-called friends make it out of here alive.” The spirit stared at Merlin, feeling like ha had won over him.
“What´s the problem? No Gauis to run and cry to, no dragon to ask for help. Or is it that you are all alone again! As you always have been and always will be.” Merlin felt the tears welling up inside, he did not want the spirit to know that he had gotten to him. “Leave me.” Merlin said to the spirit. “Yes, my Lord” the spirit then bowed before Merlin, before fading out into the nothingness. Merlin shoot one last glance at the exit then he headed back to where he came from, away from Arthur.
…….
With a quick movement of Gwaines arm he was free from Arthur’s grip. Arthur was still looking at the fire, but now tears have started to run down his cheeks. “Merlin!” Gwaine moved toward his friend, while trying to make him talk to him. “Merlin, Merlin please! What ever he said to you it is not true! I know you Merlin, you wouldn´t even hurt a fly.” Gwaine was close enough, so he put a hand on Merlin shoulder to turn him around and face him.
Merlin´s eyes were filed with tears, but he could se how Percival and Elyan made their way to him and Gwaine. Even Leon stood up taking the first steps away from Arthur towards Merlin. Merlin took one of his hands and tried to cover his face, he did not want them all to see him like this. Merlin then shook his head trying to tell them to give up hope, they were all going to die here. Under his breath Gwaine said, “Merlin, I am sorry”
“Well don´t be! He was right, this is all my fault and I am sorry!” Merlin screamed at Gwaine, but he did not move. “I don´t know my last title, I - I am sorry. I have failed, again.” Merlin replied, choking on his words because he had forgotten how to breath properly. Gwaine took Merlin in for a proper hug, hoping it would give him some sort of comfort.
Then all the knights were with Merlin. He had managed to stop crying but he was still not breathing properly. “Whatever happens when we get out of here, we promise you, you will not have to die for who you are.” Leon said looking Merlin directly in the eyes. Merlin nodded while trying to wipe away his tears. He tried his best not to ad if we make it out if here, because they still had hope in him, which gave him some sort of comfort, he only hoped that Arthur hadn´t given up on him yet.
……
“Are you sure you don´t have a cousin that is a troll?” Gwaine said pointing at Merlin, Merlin was hopping for his dear life that he was joking. “I mean with those ears you can never be sure, can you?” Gwaine added. “What is wrong with my ears?” Merlin squeaked, with a smile on his face. Leon who was still trying to take the situation serious ensured Merlin that it was nothing wrong with his ears.
They were sitting around a fire, that Merlin hade made with the help of magic. It felt weird for him to do it in front of them, but now that they knew he saw no reason not to. The knights mentioned every magical thing that they were aware of and asked Merlin if he had anything to do with it. For Merlin they were more of a distraction rather than helping him, but he appreciated the effort.
Merlin often looked over at Arthur, it looked like he hadn´t moved a muscle. Elyan caught Merlin looking at him. “I am sure he will come around eventually, he just needs some more time.” Merlin gave Elyan a weak smile. Merlin was not sure that Arthur would forgive him.
Then Merlin heard a sword being dragged. He realized that none of the knights siting around the fire with him had drawn a sword which only meant one thing.
………
Before the knights had time to understand what was happening, Merlin was already staring at the monster that was moving closer to Arthur. The monster had managed to make Arthur fall back, so he was now laying on his back trying to hold up his sword to defend himself. Merlin put a hand out that made the monster fly backwards, far enough for Arthur to crawl away, putting a safe distance between himself and the monster.
Now the knights were close enough to se what was going on. Merlin went closer to the monster making sure that Arthur was behind him. Then he mumbled a spell that made fire come from his hand, and it was directed at the monster. When the monster had backed away a good distance, Merlin made some rocks from the celling of the cave to fall, closing away the monster from them.
Merlin who was breathing heavily turned around to take a good look at Arthur. Arthur’s eyes were locked on the stones that Merlin just had made falling down from the ceiling. Merlin went closer to Arthur not bothering to care what Arthur would say about it anymore. While Arthur still was laying on the ground Merlin kneeled down asking “Are you alright? Are you hurt in any way?” The knight was standing behind Arthur waiting for his answer. Arthur just exhaled in relief, as if he had seen death itself. “Arthur! Are you hurt?” Merlin asked once again. Arthur shook his head looking at Merlin and mothing no. Merlin smiled in relief and stood up beside Arthur as he put out an arm to help Arthur up. Arthur waited a few seconds, then he took a firm grip of the arm, and Merlin dragged him up so that they now were standing beside each other.
“So, you really took your role as protecter of the Once and Future King of Camelot serious, it would seem.” Arthur said grabbing Merlin on the shoulder. Merlin nodded and gave away a relived laugh. “Yhe, you should only know. It is a full-time job keeping you safe.” Merlin said mocking Arthur back. Arthur´s smile grew bigger and he squeezed Merlin´s shoulder to let him know that he was not letting go of him.
“Merlin, I – I am not quiet sure what to say yet, but-“
“Of course, now that is just unbelievable.” Merlin interrupted Arthur, and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Hold that thought sire. But I need to talk to Viella.” Merlin went of to an open space in front of the exit and called for Viella.
“Emrys! Have you figured out your last title?” Viella said happily when she reappeared in front of Merlin. “Yes! Well, I believe so.” Merlin paused looking back at Arthur and the knights that had followed Merlin down to where he was standing. When Arthur gave Merlin one off his warm smiles, that also made Merlin smile he turned back to Viella. “So? What is it?” she asked.
“Friend to Arthur Pendragon and his knights of Camelot.” Merlin said with a big grin on his face. Then the rocks that had been blocking the exit rolled away and Viella nodded towards Merlin as if saying good job.
Arthur gave away a proud laugh as he came up behind Merlin once again grabbing him on the shoulders. They both looked out through the exit where the last rays of sun were touching the treetops. Then Arthur turned to Merlin looking a bit more serious. “We will have to have a talk later, okay?” Merlin just nodded. “But first I think you will need a proper sleep, you look terrible.” Merlin who hadn´t cried this much in one day in years understood that he probably was not looking his best. Leon then raised his voice while the knights were moving towards the exit. “And?” he was leaving a blank space there for Arthur to fill in, but Arthur did not quite understand what Leon wanted to ad, so Leon continued. “And we promise no harm will come to you for you are, not from Camelot or anyone else. You can sleep safe, knowing that we will protect you.”
Arthur turned to Merlin, and he realized that Merlin still might think that he would kill him. “Yhe, no, of course not. You – you are not going to die for this, no matter of what that other spirit said.” This made merlin blush, he had probably never felt this loved by Arthur and the knights as he did in this moment. Arthur let go of Merlin and joined his knights on their walk towards the exit.
When Merlin was about to take his first step, Viella spoke. “Emrys. I know that you are destined for greatness and that I have no right to be asking you for this favor but, I was wondering if you may help me?” Merlin looked at her, Arthur and the knights had all stopped to look at how the situation was going to unravel. “What is it, Viella?” Merlin asked.
“Long have I been protecting this cave. And the only thing that have kept me in doing so, was the hope that the prophets were telling the truth, that you one day would come here and that I would have the chance of meeting you. But now that this have happened, I was wondering if you could put me in my eternal rest.” Merlin nodded, understanding that if he was tired, what was not she. “Of course. Viella.” Merlin simply said. Then he added.
“I do not know much about the spirit world. But if you were somehow to meet my father, could you just tell him that –“
“Merlin, he his proud of you.” Viella had put her hand on Merlin´s shoulder, to show him that she was meaning it. “How can you be certain?” he asked. “He knows what you have done and what you have become. He knows that you were worthy to become dragon lord, and what you have done for the dragons and our people.” Merlin felt himself tearing up. “Will I ever meet him again?” “That I can not tell. But I know for certain that if you father ever sees the opportunity to see you again, he will take it.”
Merlin nodded thanking her. She let go of Merlin, then she spoke her last words “Thank you Emrys, you have made us proud.” Merlin´s eyes turned golden, then she disappeared into small blue-ish glowing particles. Merlin let one tear roll down his cheek, until he turned towards his king and his knights. They were all looking at what once used to be Viella.
When Merlin once again stood beside Arthur, he patted him on the arm. “Well better start getting used to that if you still want me around.” They all let out a laughter with relife, then they together walked out of the cave.
……
“So, are you going to tell us about Freya now, or is’ it to soon?” Gwaine always seemed to have the most annoying questions once they all had settled around a fire that Merlin had made with his magic. Percival gave Gwaine a small punch in the arm for that comment, Gwaine acted as if he was badly hurt, and asked Merlin to blow at it. Merlin was just happy that he would be able to tell them about Freya.
“That will have to wait Gwaine. I believe we all need some sleep. Especially mr warlock over here. Because tomorrow are we going home. And when we are home in Camelot, we will have to change some old laws.” Arthur said, while giving Merlin the warmest smiled he had ever seen.
The end