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Chapter Text

  To say that Balinor was surprised when a girl of maybe nineteen walked into his cave would have been a bit of an understatement. In the dark of the cavern it had been difficult to see the figure clearly until he caught her around her waist and pressed a knife to her throat.

  "What are you doing here?"

  "My friend, he's dying, he needs help, please!" She'd begged and something in her face softened him. Somehow she reminded him of Hunith years ago, though this girl's face was nearly Fae in the angles of her cheekbones and the glint in her eye. Her friend bore the barest scratches from a dragon's claws, which could be deadly if not treated properly. She watched him like the hawk she was named for as he worked to heal Arthur. If he was honest he was more than a little angry when they asked him to come to Camelot. He did note a difference though, Arthur, Uther's son asked him to kill Kilgarrah, while Merlin simply asked him to stop the dragon from killing anyone else. Her argument was much more convincing than his, Arthur made promises of reward while Merlin spoke of Gaius, and the people dieing at Kilgarrah’s claws who had never harmed another. That more than anything was what made Balinor follow them. Then he learned the truth. She was his daughter. It made sense why Gaius had sent her then, the power of a dragonlord was passed to the eldest child, or in this case only. He hadn't known Hunith had been with child when he'd left. He sort of wished he had, perhaps it might not have been the best life on the run from Uther but they would have been a real family.

  When they were attacked and Merlin was disarmed Balinor didn't think for a moment about stepping between her and the sword. She it seemed had more battle clarity than him and seized him, yanking them both down to the ground crying out as the sword meant to run them through grazed her arm, slicing through her jacket and shirt. A sword bloomed through the front of their attacker and Arthur rushed forward, pulling Balinor off of Merlin and examining he arm. Balinor blinked, he knew that look, though he hadn't seen it for many years. The last time he saw it Uther was looking at Ygraine. 

 "I'm alright Arthur." Merlin insisted even as Arthur tore his own cloak to dress her wound. Unsure what else to do Balinor stepped off into the trees to fetch the horses. He wasn't quite sure how to feel about the fact that the prince of Camelot was in love with the daughter he hadn't known he had. They rode hard back to Camelot, Arthur riding double with Merlin, seeming to not wish to trust Balinor with her, though he was trusting him to help them save the kingdom. When they reached the walls of Camelot there were only two guards on duty who bowed them through the gates. The town was a bit in shambles, scorch marks littered the ground, there were burns on the white walls of the citadel. 

 "Merlin!" A female voice called out and Merlin wiggled in Arthur's hold until he released her as a pretty maid with flyaway black curls and a soot stained face ran up to them. She barely paused to curtsy to Arthur. "It's Lila." Apparently that was all Merlin needed as she took off at a run, the girl following her barely a step behind. Arthur frowned but shook his head when Balinor raised an eyebrow. 

 "Merlin's something of an apprentice to Gaius, the court physician." He admitted and Balinor nodded slightly. "She's also my maidservant." Arthur said a slight warning in his voice as though trying to ensure Balinor stayed away from Merlin. The two of them made their way up to the courtyard, and were met by Uther, Gaius and a few scattered knights. Arthur made the introductions, though they were hardly necessary. Gaius raised an eyebrow at him as Uther nodded stiffly, hating that he needed Balinor's help.

  "Where's Merlin?" Gaius asked. 

 "Gwen caught us on the way in, something about a Lila?" Arthur said, handing his reigns off to a groom. 

 "Oh this is probably the worst time for her to have the baby." Gaius said shaking his head. "If it's not one thing it's another." He muttered. Arthur raised an eyebrow. 

 "Can Merlin do that on her own?" He asked. Gaius nodded. 

 "Her mother is a midwife, Merlin's been trained to deliver children, it's the reason she came to Camelot in the first place, to learn more than just that." Gaius said and Balinor had to bite back a laugh. Gaius had aged, there were more lines on his face and his hair was fully white now but his attitude had not changed. Balinor had at least one knight following him at all times, which while it made him uncomfortable made sense. Prince Arthur followed him as well as he followed Gaius to help with the injured. It took nearly three hours for Merlin to show back up, when she did she wasn't alone. The maid who'd stopped them was with her carrying a baby wrapped in Merlin's jacket. Merlin herself was supporting the exhausted looking mother. One of the guards rushed forward to embrace the woman.

  "It's a boy!" Merlin announced with a grin and was quickly embraced by the guard as well. 

 "Thank you so much!" He said as Merlin guided his wife to one of the few free cots. Gwen handed the guard his son. Merlin stepped over to where Gaius was standing and quickly washed her hands in the basin set aside for that. She and Gaius split up making their way around the massive sickroom with a practiced efficiency. Arthur frowned at Balinor. 

 "Why did you actually come to help us?" He asked quietly. Balinor gestured to where Merlin was re-dressing a wounded knight's arm. 

 "Because of people like her. They do not deserve Kilgarrah’s wrath." He said and Arthur nodded. 

 "She's saved my life more times than I'd like to admit at this point." Arthur admitted under his breath. "Looks like she's done it again." He shook himself. "What do you need, to defeat the dragon?" 

 "A guarantee of safe passage out of Camelot after it's done." Balinor said and Arthur nodded. "To no longer live in fear of Uther's knights chasing after me no matter where I go." 

 "Reasonable. You have my word you will not be pursued if you stop the dragon." Arthur swore. "On my mother's grave I swear." A cry of pain sounded across the room. One of the patients was shaking, had managed to throw Merlin to the floor, not that it seemed to slow her. Arthur darted over to the man restraining his arms as Merlin set back to work stitching up his wound. She nodded to Arthur and winced as she flexed her hand. Arthur frowned. "You haven't gotten your arm checked out have you?" Arthur said with a frown. 

 "It's fine, not even bleeding anymore." Merlin tried to argue but Arthur was already looking around for Gaius, but both he and Gwen were busy, so Balinor stepped forward and helped Merlin with her jacket. Easing back her torn sleeve he frowned slightly at the spots of red on the green of the bandage Arthur had applied back in the woods. Arthur hovered even as Merlin handed Balinor the supplies he needed. Merlin barely flinched as he applied one of Gaius' potions and re-wrapped the injury. Arthur nodded as Merlin tugged her jacket back on. 

 "Have one of the grooms saddle three horses, don't try to do it yourself with that arm, and know that you're only coming because I know I can't stop you." Arthur said to Merlin and she nodded racing over to Gaius to tell him where she was going. Uther who was standing nearby waved the knight he'd been speaking to over to Merlin. He was tall with dirty blond curls, Balinor couldn't tell if they were normally that color, everyone here was covered in a good amount of soot. He spoke lowly to Merlin who frowned but nodded before rushing off. Uther's glance was full of malice. Balinor knew in the end that Uther would not let him go no matter what Arthur promised. But it eased his mind to know that even if he did die he had even unknowingly left a successor, the dragonlords would not die with him. When the time came for them to face the dragon he and Arthur were met in the courtyard by the curly haired knight and Merlin both already astride their horses, Merlin's long brown skirt covered much of the horses flank but Arthur didn't seem to notice as he leapt onto his own horse in fresh armor. Balinor mounted up and Uther nodded to the party as they made their way out of the city. Balinor couldn't help but notice the knights hand on his sword the whole way.

  Kilgarrah came when he called, it made tears rise to his eyes, he had not seen him since before Merlin was born. Had not felt the presence of another of his kin for many years, let alone his dragon, for that was what Kilgarrah was. He could feel their connection, and the dragon's connection to Merlin as well, they were kin in soul though not in blood, siblings or the best equivalent of it. 

 "Balinor. In truth I did not expect you to come." Kilgarharra rumbled it in English before switching to the grumbling roar of the draconic language. 'Are you here to end what Uther began so long ago?' 

 "No I am not here to kill you, I will not make you suffer the death of your kind before your time." Out of the corner of his eye Balinor saw Arthur tense and the knight Leon draw his sword. "But I will not let this madness continue Kilgarrah." Switching to draconic Balinor spoke and everyone in the clearing could feel the power behind his words, though only he Kilgarrah and Merlin could understand the meaning. 'You will never attack Camelot or her people again on pain of death.' He repeated the command in English. Kilgarrah bowed his head. 

 'And if the young warlock should need my advise as she has often sought help, you know you will not be allowed to stay with your daughter in Camelot, even now Uther has plans to kill you should you return.' The dragon asked in draconic. It took everything in Balinor not to turn to look at his daughter. A warlock? That was supposed to be a myth, a child born with magic.

  'She has the words now to call you if you are needed, answer her should she call, as you would answer me.' He ordered then switched back to English, mostly for the benefit of the prince and the knight. "Leave now and do not return." The dragon roared as though in pain and flew off. Merlin had to press her lips together to hold off a laugh as Kilgarrah weaved through the air as though injured. She hopped down from her horse and everyone raised eyebrows at her, partly because they had not expected her to dismount and partly because she'd been hiding a small pack under her skirt, tied to the saddle.

  "Merlin what are you doing?" Arthur asked.

  "Making sure you can keep your word, after all Leon was sent to kill Balinor when his task was finished." She said looking up at Arthur's right hand man who had not put away his sword but was looking down at the ground, shame in his eyes as he nodded. Arthur put himself between Balinor and Leon.

  "I gave him my word Leon! Safe passage for the safety of Camelot!" Arthur was incensed. Leon nodded looking uncertain.

  "I... The king..."

  "Need never know he's alive. Give me your cloak." Merlin turned to Balinor holding out her hand. Arthur and Leon both blinked at her but Balinor pulled off his cloak and handed it over. Merlin pulled a knife from her boot and slid it across her palm. Arthur made to protest, but Merlin had already taken the bloody dagger and shoved it into the cloak ripping a sizable hole into the fabric. "There's another in the pack." She said, smearing her blood around the tear in the cloak soaking the weave of the fabric. Balinor smiled.

  "Sweet girl, you are brilliant!" He exclaimed softly and she beamed at him. 

 "Leon your sword." Arthur demanded as he too dismounted. Balinor followed suit as did Leon handing over his sword. Merlin smeared her blood over that as well, just in case it was checked and shoved the bloody cloak at Leon who took it stowing his sword. Balinor took Merlin's hand and whispered a few words over it, the cut sealing as his eyes flashed gold. Merlin handed him the reigns of her horse.

  "We'll say she bolted when the dragon appeared, bucked me off. Would hardly be the first time that's happened." Merlin said. "Just release her when you get where you're going. With Uther believing you're dead you won't have to hide out in some cave anymore." She commented lightly and he smiled squeezing her hand lightly. He mounted up and bowed to Arthur and Merlin from his place in the saddle. 

 "Perhaps one day Camelot will truly have a king that is worthy of your service young Merlin. For now the prince will have to do." He said before taking off into the trees. Arthur turned to Leon. 

 "None of the truth of this is to ever reach my father, or anyone else. As far as Camelot is concerned the dragon is dead and the last dragonlord with him." Leon bowed looking relieved.

  "I did not wish to kill him after he saved Camelot it would not have been the honorable thing to do. Thank you sire. You really are brilliant Merlin." Leon said and was treated to his own grin. Arthur shook his head slightly.

  "I may have to keep a closer eye on you Merlin, that was almost too clever." He said as he mounted back up. Merlin laughed as she mounted Balinor's horse. "Why did you do it?" He asked as they began to make their way back to Camelot. Merlin shrugged. 

 "I knew you gave your word, but I did not expect your father to keep it. I knew when Leon told me he'd been ordered to come with us that he'd been ordered to kill Balinor. It was written all over your face." She said and Leon frowned. "I know what your word means to you Arthur. If I can help you keep it I will." Arthur couldn't help the smile on his lips as they emerged back onto the road to Camelot. It meant more to him than he could say that he had someone loyal more to him than his father. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur had gone to sleep in his bed last night. Now he was standing in a tourney tent. Someone was standing so close to him he could feel their breath on his face, it was minty and warm. He stumbled and someone caught him, familiar hands on his shoulders. 

 “Arthur?” Merlin’s voice cut through the fog in his brain, his pain spiked and he cried out. 

 “What? What am I doing?” He asked trying to catch his breath. 

 “You’re in a fight to the death, and you’re losing.” Merlin bit out. Arthur blinked what the hell had he missed.

 “What…” 

 “No time.” She said shoving his sword into his hand. “Don’t you dare die out there.” She had to practically shove him out of the tent. He barely noticed how much her hands were shaking, especially when he saw that for some reason he was fighting King Olaf. The decision to spare Olaf when Arthur won earned Arthur a rare smile from his father but the beaming pride from Merlin somehow meant more. Gaius dragged him off to the physicians chambers and Merlin trailed behind them. When they got there and Arthur pulled off his shirt to have Gaius check on his ribs Gaius began to explain what had happened. 

 “Wait, I was dosed with a love potion? I don’t remember that, I remember the feast, but not much after. Everything’s a blur.” 

 “It was Trickler, he did everything to make sure you and Lady Vivian got caught.” Merlin said and Arthur blanched. 

 “Lady Vivian?!” 

 “That would be why the duel was with her father yes.” Gaius pointed out dabbing a poultice on Arthur’s broken ribs. 

 “But I feel nothing for Lady Vivian, I think she’s a stuck up spoiled brat.” Arthur said glancing at Merlin when she snorted. 

 “Bit like you then.” She said handing Gaius a clean roll of bandages. 

 “How did you two manage to snap me out of it?” He asked and Gaius and Merlin exchanged a look he’d seen them give each other time and time again. If he didn’t know better he’d say they’d developed a way to communicate solely through eyebrows. 

 “Gaius worked up a potion to counteract it. We dosed you in the tent.” Merlin said, just a bit too fast. She was lying. She did this thing when she lied where she tried not to look anyone in the eye but also consciously made eye contact after a moment like she’d caught on to her own tell. She turned to the table and frowned, though it was almost over exaggerated. “Oh look at that we’re out of willow bark I’ll be back.” She took off practically at a run, the door banging shut behind her. Arthur glanced at Gaius and he shook his head. Merlin did not return. 

 As soon as Gaius was done patching Arthur up he headed out towards his chambers. He paused as a familiar voice sounded from one of the unused chambers. 

 “It doesn’t matter Gwen, he doesn’t even remember.” That was Merlin, not going out to look for willow bark after all. 

 “It does matter Merlin! You said the only way to break the spell was true loves kiss!” Arthur froze at Gwen’s words, glad he had already slipped into the shadow by the door. A kiss, from his true love. 

 “That’s why I asked you to try!” Merlin sounded desperate for some other explanation. 

 “And why I wouldn’t Arthur may have been infatuated with me for a moment but he never loved me Merlin. It wasn’t my kiss that pulled him back to his senses.” There was silence save for a few footsteps. “You should tell him.” Gwen called, Merlin must have been walking away from her. 

 “Nothing can ever happen Gwen, we both know that. He’s a prince, he will someday be king… I’m…” Silence fell again and Arthur felt something in his heart crack. “It can’t ever happen Gwen.” More footsteps then the click of a door closing. Then the footsteps came in his direction. The door opened and Arthur snagged Gwen by the arm. She nearly shrieked in alarm then blinked at him. 

 “Sire… I…” 

 “Merlin kissed me in the tent? That’s what broke the spell?” He demanded. Gwen wouldn’t lie to him. He’d known her for years. She stuttered for a moment then nodded. Arthur released her, the barest memory of soft lips brushing his own swimming into his mind. It had to have been quick, barely a brush of contact but it had been enough. Gwen squared her shoulders. 

 “I know you’re a noble man Arthur. Don’t hurt her, please.” Gwen demanded. “She loves you, but I don’t know if she’ll ever say it. I don’t think she’ll ever force you to make a choice between her and your duty to Camelot.” Arthur leaned his head against the cold stone of the wall. 

 “Maybe someday that won’t be a problem.” He muttered and Gwen beamed. Arthur nodded to her and made his way back to his chambers. He wouldn’t push her. If Merlin wanted to pretend nothing had happened he would pretend to not remember until the time was right. As he laid down that night he gently brushed his thumb over his lips remembering the gleam of hope and something more in crystalline blue eyes.

Chapter Text

 If Gwen hadn’t been ill Merlin would never have been on this short pilgrimage with Morgana in the first place. Though maybe that was for the best. Merlin didn’t like to think about Gwen in her current predicament. They’d been ambushed on their way to Morgana’s father’s grave. The bandits had killed their escort and taken both girl’s, when they were left alone in the tent they’d hatched a plan to escape. Merlin was terrified to tell Morgana there was a very easy way for them to do it. She knew Morgana was her friend but she had been hiding for so long she was beginning to wonder if she would ever willingly tell anyone about her magic. 

 The plan had gone well at first but they’d failed to take into account the crossbows one of the men still had on him. Merlin screamed as the bolt buried itself in her leg. She collapsed and Morgana, still in her shift turned back. Merlin struggled to her hands and knees. 

 “Go!” 

 “Merlin!” She tried to come back down the path and Merlin shook her head. 

 “Morgana it’s you they're after, go now!” Merlin stifled another scream as she shifted her leg. Tears filled Morgana’s eyes but she turned on her heel and ran. Now Merlin, the bolt removed, though she could feel a piece of the metal in her calf still, was on the back of a horse dressed in Morgana’s clothes. Kendrick, their captor claimed that Hengast, the man he worked for had never met Morgana, only heard a vague description. 

 “Pale, raven hair, pretty. You’ll do nicely!” He said with a grin. Merlin had been allowed privacy to remove the bolt and bandage her injury, as well as change. She wouldn’t be running on her wounded leg anytime soon. Nor would she be using magic, every time she tried the piece of metal left in her leg burned white hot, forcing tears to her eyes. She would not be getting out of this alone. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Finding Morgana was a relief to Arthur. But the fact that she was alone, that made his heart sink. Morgana’s story of what had happened, a hastily planned escape and a crossbow bolt in Merlin’s leg downing her made him feel like the bottom had dropped out of the world. 

 “You have to send out a rescue party please!” Morgana begged. “She gave her life for mine, I owe her my life!” Morgana insisted when Uther dismissed her out of hand. Arthur could see tears building in Gaius’ eyes. Merlin was his ward, his apprentice, his daughter in all but blood. Arthur was already resolved when Morgana turned to him. 

 “Arthur please. I know she’s your friend too, you can’t leave her to die please!” She begged, tears streaming down her face. Glancing at his father out of the corner of his eye he knew in that moment that if he disagreed with his father’s word here and now he would be kept on too short of a leash to even try for a rescue. 

 “My father’s right. It’s too much of a risk.” Arthur said, keeping his face schooled into a cool indifference. Uther nodded, mollified. Morgana looked scandalized. A soft sob told him Gwen had burst into tears as well. Across the throne room Leon raised an eyebrow at him. The older knight knew how Arthur felt about Merlin, though he’d done his best to keep it to himself.  

 “You should be ashamed of yourself all of you!” Morgana shouted as Gwen ran to her, ushering her out of the throne room. “You’re leaving an innocent girl to be tortured to death because she saved my life!” Her pronouncement rang around them like a death knell. Arthur cleared his throat. 

 “Sir Leon and I had planned to go hunting.” He said and his father nodded, staring after Morgana. “We may be gone several days.” Uther seemed to clue back into the fact that he was being spoken to. 

 “Of course. When you return you can speak to the steward about finding a new maidservant.” Uther said dismissing Arthur with a wave. Leon followed him out of the hall. 

 “Pack lightly, we’ll need to move quickly if we have any chance.” Arthur said and Leon grinned, finally understanding what was really happening here. 

 “I’ll have the stable-hands pick the two fastest horses.” Leon said taking off at a run. Arthur returned to his own rooms and dismissed the servant waiting there. He was about halfway through packing his own bags when his door burst open to an irate Morgana. 

 “You are a sniveling coward Arthur Pendragon!” She accused, Arthur let the insult slide as he shoved a map into his pack. “After everything Merlin has done for you you would leave her to those animals! God only knows what they’ve done to her already just for helping me escape!” Morgana snapped and the though made Arthur’s stomach turn. 

 “Morgana!” He shouted. She stopped, not used to him shouting. He held up the spare set of clothing he had been about to shove into his pack. “If you stopped for a moment you would notice I am packing.” 

 “Yes, for some ridiculous hunt with Sir Leon! What could you possibly be hunting when your closest friend has been taken captive!” She demanded, though he suspected she wasn’t really looking for an answer. 

 “Wayward servants.” He said clearly and she opened her mouth to yell again before she processed his words. 

 “Wayward… You’re going after her.” She said sounding surprised. It made Arthur bristle a bit. 

 “Of course I am. I couldn’t disagree with my father in front of the court, he’d have never let me out of his sight and then what chance would I have?” Arthur grouched tossing his pack over his shoulder. 

 “Arthur.” He paused at the door. “I’m sorry, you’re a good man.” She said and he grinned slightly, though it felt forced. He met Leon at the stables but he wasn’t alone Gaius was there holding a bag, Merlin’s bag. Arthur paused, would Gaius tell Uther where he was really going? He’d always been his father’s man where Leon was the closest thing Arthur had to a brother. The physician held out the bag to Arthur. 

 “You may need this, Merlin will know what to do with it, but in case she has fever or anything else that may keep her from assisting in treating her injuries, this one is to be poured into the wound.” He said holding up a small brown bottle. “This one is to be drunk for pain, but not if she’s riding on her own, it will likely induce sleep if she’s not been getting enough.” He said holding up a green bottle. Arthur grinned as he took the bag. 

 “We’ll bring her home Gaius.” He promised as he mounted up. Gaius nodded. 

 “I have every faith you will Sire.” 

Chapter Text

 Since leaving Camelot Lancelot’s prospects had not improved much. Knowing now that his dream of becoming a knight could never be he had taken to selling his sword. It wasn’t often a pleasant task, though fighting like this, in a cage for the entertainment of others was hardly the worst way he’d made a living in the past year or so. He was careful not to show his surprise when he spotted Merlin sitting at the side of the warlord, dressed in finer clothes than he’d ever seen her in. The gown was a deep emerald green, adorned at the collar with what looked to be those same gemstones. She’d put her hair up into a practiced but intricate braid. If he hadn’t known her from her crystal blue eyes he would have sworn up and down that she was a lady of the court. 

 “It seems your fighting has impressed our royal guest; Lady Morgana.” Hengast introduced them and Lancelot bowed, he had no idea why the subterfuge was happening but he would not reveal her. 

 “My lady.” He said and she nodded. Hengast waved his hand at the cage. “Next time you fight here, do not expect such mercy.” He said with a cruel smile. “Release the Wilddeoren.” Watching the man he’d spared devoured was unpleasant, Merlin looked nearly as green as the dress she wore. Hengast laughed. “Show the Lady Morgana back to her chambers.” He laughed and two of his guards helped Merlin out of her seat. She pulled a face but it was clear that she was wounded, limping. Lancelot frowned. Once the dinner was finished he slipped away, down to the hall outside the dungeons. Hers was the only occupied cell. 

 “Merlin!” He called and she jumped looking up at the window he was crouched by. She grinned, wincing  scrambled to the window.  “What are you doing here! And why does Hengast think you’re the Lady Morgana?” He asked quickly unsure how much time they had.  

 
 “Because he very nearly had Lady Morgana. Gwen was ill, nothing serious but she couldn’t ride, so I went to keep her company instead. We were traveling out to her father’s grave and we were ambushed. I managed to help Morgana get away.” Merlin explained and Lancelot raised an eyebrow. 

 “You can’t just unlock the door your way?” He asked. Merlin glanced around as though someone would have materialized in her cell while they were speaking. 

 “I’ve got the tip of a crossbow bolt stuck in my leg, it’s cold forged iron. Gods know why these bastards had that but I can’t use any magic without hurting myself more until I can get it out.” She explained. She froze. “Someone’s coming.” 

 “I’ll find a way to get you out of here. I swear it.” Lancelot promised and Merlin smiled at him. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Leon had been mostly silent on the way to Hengast’s fortress. They’d cut through the caves of Andor, barely avoiding the Wilddeoren within. As they made their approach Leon frowned. 

 “Sire have you thought about what you’re going to do if the worst proves true?” He asked quietly. Arthur shook his head. 

 “It’s not going to, so I don’t see why that matters.” Arthur said, snapping at his knight as quietly as possible. 

 “But sire.” 

 
 “She has to be alive Leon. I don’t know what I would do without her. I know nothing can ever happen between us. I am aware that someday she’ll find someone without the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders and I’ll lose her forever but I cannot… I cannot lose her now. I won’t.” Arthur said with finality. Leon shut up after that. They scaled the wall and killed two of Hengast’s men, donning their clothes. Arthur pulled a cloth over his face and they followed the sound of cheers and jeering into a large room. The centerpiece here was a cage. It was near twice as tall as Arthur but did not reach the ceiling. Through a gap in the crowd Arthur spotted a head of raven hair held up in a messy braid standing out starkly against the emerald green of the gown Morgana had lost. She was tied to someone but the gate at the other end of the cage opened and Arthur’s heart nearly stopped. A Wilddeoren emerged from the tunnel beyond and Merlin screamed. Arthur yanked his sword, snatched another from one of Hengast’s men and was over the side of the cage before he could really process what he’d done. He realized he recognized the man Merlin was tied to as he cut them loose from each other. 

 
 “Lancelot!” He called tossing him the second sword as Leon made it over the cage. Arthur shoved Merlin behind him as the Wilddeoren snarled. A massive crash sounded as a chandelier fell behind them and Hengast cried out in pain. “The tunnel it’s our only shot!” Arthur called and Leon nodded keeping the creature back he dove for the tunnel. Lancelot seized Merlin around the shoulders, taking the majority of her weight as Hengast rose and stormed to the cage his own sword drawn. Knowing they were right behind him Arthur made a break for it. Lancelot and Merlin were the last into the tunnel, the gate that had held the Wilddeoren down here slammed shut behind them and Hengast screamed. Arthur stowed his sword and took Merlin from Lancelot as he and Leon remained on guard. Merlin was shaking but he couldn’t tell if it was from pain of fear as they ran. All that mattered right now was that she was alive. 

 Gaius’ bag of medicine also included a waterskin full of wine, they discovered when Merlin boiled some of it to clean a long pair of tweesers and handed them to Lancelot. His hands were remarkably steady as he handed her a glove and she pit down on it to keep herself as quiet as possible as he pulled a piece of metal out of her leg. She spit out the glove and instructed him to pour some of the boiling wine in the wound to clean it out, since Hengast’s men had done little more than bandage it. That time she did scream and Arthur caught her before she could hit the forest floor as she fainted dead away. They finished treating her leg and Arthur let himself sigh in relief. 

 Lancelot left before morning, smiling to Arthur and asking him to pass on a token to Gwen, a small necklace Arthur didn’t ask how he’d acquired. The last thing he said before he vanished in the trees was, “Keep an eye on her Arthur.” He’d nodded. Of course he’d keep an eye on Merlin. 

 Their return to Camelot was a blur, Merlin only conscious for half of it. He let Leon take Merlin to Gaius when they arrived. Uther rolled his eyes and spent half an hour yelling at Arthur about risking his life but Morgana beamed when she heard Merlin was back, and alive. Arthur went to the physician’s chambers later, to check on Merlin and smiled to himself as he heard her speaking. 

 “Sorry about your dress.” Merlin said sheepishly and as Arthur opened the door he spotted her small smile as Morgana wrapped her in a hug. 

 
 “Don’t you think on it for a moment! You saved my life. Thank you. I am so glad you’re alright. I have half a mind to steal you from Arthur.” She said as she pulled back. 

 “Hey!” Arthur said making her jump and grin only slightly guiltily. 

 “I’m just saying you don’t deserve her Arthur.” Morgana pointed out haughtily. Merlin laughed and Arthur rolled his eyes, feeling for the first time in days that everything would be alright. 

Chapter Text

 Losing the knights that had come with them to Idirsholas to check out the fearful claims that a dark smoke was rising from the fallen fortress was hard. Arthur and Merlin only escaped because of a lucky collapse of the old castle’s roof. Merlin had been injured, though luckily it was just a scratch. Arthur was seriously thinking about getting her armor of her own, not chainmail or plate but at least leather, something to keep her safe since he couldn’t seem to stop her from coming with him into danger. But their return trip to Camelot made Arthur worry more. The lower town wasn’t bustling with activity, in fact it seemed nearly deserted save a few merchants asleep at their stalls. The guards to the citadel were also asleep. Arthur managed to calm the cart horse as it nickered in distress. The man driving the cart was asleep too. 

 In fact there was only one other person awake in the whole of Camelot, Morgana. It got worse. The knights of Medhir had followed them, but there was another rider with them, hooded, maybe helmed, he couldn’t tell from here. They were here for his father, they had to be. He and Merlin rushed back into his father’s room and Merlin wavered on her feet, tottering slightly before she managed to right herself. Panic flitted across her face, chased by confusion as she glanced at Morgana, then a sort of soft horror. 

 “We’re getting sick.” She stated looking at Arthur who was panting, sweating in his armor. Morgana looked panicked. 

 “Did you find the potion, the one Gaius gave Morgana?” Arthur asked checking his father’s pulse just to be sure. It still beat strong and he was softly snoring. Merlin shook her head. 

 “No. Couldn’t find the recipe either.” She said and Arthur swore. They had to move his father, get him out of Camelot until they could discover how to stop the knights and cure this disease, before he and Merlin fell to it as well. 

 That was easier said than done. They ended up barricaded in the throne room. Arthur jumped as Merlin slapped him across the face, hard, startling him awake. He gasped and grabbed the water skin where it was hooked to his belt. Pouring a good measure of it over his head he handed it back to Merlin. She was fighting to stay awake too. As the pounding of boots in the hall echoed through the eerie silence Arthur realized they were not going to make it out, not unless someone distracted the knights, they couldn’t be killed so a distraction was all he could offer, all he could give to Morgana, the girl who was like a sister to him, and Merlin, the woman he loved. Now was the moment to admit it. 

 “Get my father down to the cart. I’ll buy you all the time I can.” Arthur said cupping Merlin’s face in one hand. She blinked at him and he did what he’d been imagining since she’d kissed him in the tourney tent during that mess with Lady Vivian. He pulled her to him and crushed her lips to his. She gasped and kissed him back with just as much ferocity, seizing him by the front of his chainmail to pull him even closer. She broke apart and Arthur pulled the bar off the door handing it to Merlin who had tears streaming down her face. 

 He thought he was going to die out there. And then the Knights fell, dust and ash filling the air as they dissolved, leaving only their armor behind. Arthur blinked then a thought occurred as the tired haze over his mind began to clear. He ran back to the door of the throne room. It had been blasted open by some unnatural force. As he made it into the doorway a figure kneeling on the floor threw up her hand and Merlin, who had been standing above her, went flying into a pillar with an almighty crash. Arthur screamed her name as she slumped to the floor. The figure on the floor turned and a red hot anger rose in him. It was the witch Morgause who had nearly tricked him into killing his father. In her arms was Morgana, pale and clammy and unconscious. He lunged forward, his sword drawn only to slam into a barrier he couldn’t see. Morgause ignored him but the sounds of groaning from the halls and the sight of Uther sitting up seemed to spur her into action. Strange words fell from her lips, a whirlwind filling the throne room as his father spotted Morgana in the witch’s arms. But before either of them, or the guards who had come running as soon as they’d woken, could do anything as Morgause and Morgana vanished. Silence filled the room as Arthur’s sword clattered to the floor. He couldn’t protect her. Morgana was gone. 

 As his father floundered with what had just happened Arthur what he’d seen when he’d entered the room and rushed to Merlin where she was laying prone on the floor, her hair a flyaway mess completely covering her face. Arthur carefully brushed it aside and ripped off his glove. He felt carefully for a pulse. He couldn’t lose her too. Please, he prayed to whatever god might be listening, please not Merlin. He nearly sobbed as he felt a beat against his fingers, then another. 

 “Arthur what happened?” Uther demanded confused, still half covered in a torn sheet. Arthur shook his head as he carefully scooped Merlin up off the floor, one hand under her knees the other at the small of her back. 

 “I’m not sure. She needs Gaius, the sorceress threw her, it looked like she was trying to save Morgana.” Again Arthur added, though only to himself. It was a mark of just how confused Uther was that he barely protested as Arthur took off for the physician’s chambers at a sprint. Gaius, who was pulling himself up off the floor blinked as Arthur banged his way into the room with a prone Merlin but he’d always been good in a crisis and pointed to the patients cot. Merlin had severe bruising on her back and one of her ankles was sprained, but she would live. Only when he’d been assured of that did Arthur let himself shudder out a shaking breath. 

 “She took Morgana.” He breathed. Gaius frowned at him. “Morgause, she raised the knights of Medhir, I’d bet the treasury she had something to do with the sleeping sickness. But she couldn’t get to my father so she took Morgana.” He felt tears slip down his face and turned to hide them. He wasn’t supposed to cry. 

 ‘No man is worth your tears.’ Uther had told him as he watched the body of one of his knights burn. He’d been the first man Arthur had lost on patrol when he was fourteen. Morgana had been a friend, a sister to him since he was a child. Her loss cut like a knife. He bit back a sob, but it blubbered out of him as Gaius laid a hand on his shoulder and Arthur let himself be guided into an embrace as he let loose, wracking sobs filling the physician’s chambers. He was surprised that wasn’t enough to wake Merlin, but he was somewhat glad she couldn’t see him like this. 

Chapter Text

 Merlin had thought it was Morgana’s magic keeping her safe from whatever this was, she was still going back and forth on if it was a plague or a spell. Gaius’ research, that he’d fallen asleep on seemed somewhere between the conclusion of one or the other. With him asleep it would be impossible to tell for certain. Unless… 

 
 She didn’t want to visit the dragon. She had the havoc he would wreak on Camelot if he was freed. But then she started to feel ill, tired, bordering on exhaustion. It wasn’t the magic keeping Morgana safe or she wouldn’t be effected either. She had no choice. He forced her to swear on her mother’s life, that she would free him. They both knew she valued her mother over everything else. Once this was all over she would free him and damn the consequences. She could not let Arthur die. 

 The truth though hurt. It hurt because it was a betrayal, and would lead to another. Morgana was the source of the living vessel of the spell on Camelot. While she lived the spell remained. Morgana had to die. It wasn’t hard, not physically, to slip hemlock into the waterskin while Morgana wasn’t looking. Her hands were shaking but she was tired it wasn’t unusual. That and Arthur had just kissed her with a ferocity that told her he wasn’t coming back until the knights were dead. Even remembering it made tears rise in her throat as she pretended to drink from the skin. 

 Watching Morgana choked, unable to scream made Merlin sob. 

 “I’m sorry Morgana, I had no choice.” Merlin managed as she held her dying friend, even as Morgana’s eyes stared at her accusingly. The door to the throne room crashed to the floor and Merlin winced, but the sound of clashing steel made her hope Arthur was still alive. Morgause pushed Merlin away from Morgana as clarity replaced the exhaustion that had been threatening to overwhelm her. The blond stared down at Morgana, then up at Merlin, fire blazing in her eyes.

 “You poisoned her!” She accused. 

 
 “You enchanted her.” Merlin accused right back. The slightest amount of guilt chased anger in Morgause’s expression. 

 “What did you use! I can still save her!” 

 “End your enchantment on the Knights of Medhir.” Merlin demanded, for once she held the only card that mattered. 

 “If you do not tell me what you did I will kill you where you stand!” Morgause snarled. 

 “Then she dies with me.” Merlin stated simply, though it sent a wave of pain through her heart. Morgause froze for a moment seeming to consider her options, any way she chose she lost. Then Morgana’s breathing slowed drastically. Hemlock didn’t take long to kill, it was for that reason Merlin had chosen it, not wanting to prolong her friend’s suffering. Morgause’s eyes lit up gold as she chanted, armor clattered and the sounds of battle from the hall fell silent. The knight who had followed her in  fell to ash and dust and Merlin pulled the small bottle of hemlock out of her pocket and handed it to Morgause. The blond threw her hand up and sent Merlin flying across the room. She thought she heard Arthur cry out her name as she slammed into stone and everything went black. 

 When she woke the world was dark, but not quiet.

 ‘Young warlock!’ The call echoed in her aching head angry and loud; she groaned in pain and the volume dimmed. ‘You made a vow young warlock. It is time for you to make good on your end of the bargain.’ The dragon’s voice was impatient but quieter as if he could sense her pain. ‘Take a sword from one of the knights of Medhir, it is an enchanted blade and will sever the chain that binds me.’

 Creeping through the castle in the dead of night had grown easier over the last two years as she learned where and when the guards patrolled. It was made difficult this time around bu a few factors. First off, none of the usually sleepy guard were tired tonight. Which made sense given the circumstances. Morgana was gone, likely dead or missing, Merlin didn’t know. She couldn’t be alive and well in Camelot or Merlin would have woken in a cell, not her room. Of that she was certain. There had been no forgiveness in Morgana’s eyes. Not that Merlin really expected it, not after what she had done, what she was about to do.

 The second factor making tonight a bit more dificult was her lack of footwear. She’d tried pulling on her boots but they wouldn’t fit over the splint on her ankle. So she was going barefoot, which admittedly made her steps quieter. The armory was deserted, seven black swords laid out on the table in a neat row. Merlin didn’t know what was to be done with them. Slipping a cloth out of the alcove where Gregory stored his polishing supplies Merlin wrapped one of the swords in it. If she was stopped she could say Arthur asked for a blade, to take out some frustration on a practice dummy, it wouldn’t be the first time. She made it down to the dungeons and into the cavern below without issue. The dragon sighed as he saw her. She had the sword under one arm and this time she stepped further out onto the outcropping of rock. There had to be a way to access his chains, she spotted it, a set of rough carved stairs. She descended them in silence, she already knew what this would bring, fire and death and every single soul that was lost would be on her. The dragon watched her go. 

 When she reached the chain itself she was impressed. A single link was taller than her by a good foot, the cold iron wider than torso. She set down her torch and unwrapped the blade, dropping the cloth. She looked up at the dragon. 

 “Is it all worth this in the end?” She asked, her voice small. She felt like a child seeking reassurance but she had just poisoned one of her closest friends and she was about to be the cause of so much more pain and suffering. When the dragon smiled it was sad. 

 “In the end Merlin, that will be for you to decide.” He said, as cryptic as ever. Merlin gripped the hilt of the sword in both hands. While she’d been creeping the dragon had whispered the spell she should speak, and she did feeling familiar power course through her veins, but even that could not comfort her now. She swung the blade and it slipped through the iron as if it were mist, the chain shattered, every link breaking one after the other in a shower of sparks, the cuff around the dragon’s back foreleg went last and he seemed to glow from within with a power Merlin had not sing. She could feel it, as though it sang to her as well. He took off wings beating with a fury towards the dim light that promised an exit. Merlin crept back through the castle, replacing the blade and making her silent way back into her room. She pulled down the small catch that served as a lock for her room and sat on the bed. She felt empty as she flopped back into the bed and curled up around her threadbare pillow. She hugged it to her chest and let the tears fall silently. She had no idea when she fell asleep, only that it was blessedly free of dreams. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur Pendragon is going to drive his father to an early grave, Uther had decided it. Not through the blade of a sword but through sheer bloody stubbornness. He had a very annoying tendency, one that had Uther meeting with the steward every week without fail. It seemed that the only thing resembling a servant that Arthur could put up with for more than a week was his squire Galahad. But Galahad was a noble’s son and had duties beyond doing all the chores that surrounded the prince. 

 Uther had not expected an assassination attempt by a witch wearing Lady Helen’s face, nor that Gaius’ new apprentice, a girl maybe a year younger than Arthur with long raven hair, pale skin and a surprisingly beautiful face for a commoner, would bodily pull Arthur out of the way of the blade. Both of them tumbled to the floor as Morgana screamed and the knife burred itself, near to the hilt in the place where Arthur’s heart would have been a moment before. The witch slumped to the floor, her last breath stuttering out of her, the chandelier had fallen on top of her. Uther scrambled around Arthur’s ruined seat as his son pulled himself back to his feet, the girl who’d saved him still in a heap on the floor. Arthur blinked at her a few times before remembering his decorum and pulling her to her feet. She squeaked, though Uther couldn’t tell if it was in pain or surprise. 

 “You saved my life.” Arthur sounded more confused than grateful. Uther stepped forward and took the girl’s hand. She stiffened, eyes fixed on the floor, clearly uncomfortable with this much attention. 

 “This merits quite the reward.” Uther said and glanced at Arthur. He could kill two birds with one stone here, reward the girl and fix the issue the steward had of running out of servants who could keep up with Arthur, at least for a while. “You shall be Prince Arthur’s maidservant.” 

 “Father!” Arthur began to protest as the court burst into applause. Uther released the girl’s hand and turned to him, a single look enough to quell the prince’s protests. To his credit Arthur waited until they were alone to complain about this new situation. 

 “The girl saved your life Arthur, loyalty to the crown to that degree must be rewarded. I don’t expect it to be a permanent situation, you have a tendency to frighten off servants within a week. She’s also Gaius’ new apprentice, so at the very least she may be of use teaching the knights some battle medicine, Gaius has said that has been lacking lately.” Uther quite liked his solution, though Arthur still looked incensed. 

 Honestly Uther didn’t expect this slip of a girl to last a week, she would go running to the steward begging to either leave her position or claim, possibly rightly so, that her position with Gaius would be more useful. But the girl hung around until the sight of her was just as common as the sight of Morgana’s maid at her side. At first Uther assumed Arthur kept her around because she was pretty. She did have a certain ethereal air about her, even dressing as she did in simple plain brown skirts and corsets, the only splash of color her faded red and blue tunics with interchanging scarves she wore knotted around her neck. But watching them interact from his window as they made their way to some appointment or another Uther couldn’t help but put the thought of Arthur bedding and leaving the girl out of his mind. 

 
 For one, it just wasn’t who his son was. When he was younger he’d loved stories of chivalry and true love. He couldn’t see Arthur looking for a simple roll in the hay. But that put their relationship in a new light. Arthur had made a friend, seemingly one as close as Morgana and her servant. He’d never begrudged Morgana her friend, but for Arthur, who was to someday rule this sort of thing could be dangerous. The girl could turn traitor, stab him in the back before he could ever see it coming, as Nimueh had done to him.

 But as the years passed Uther began to realize that he had mistaken the relationship. She was not Nimueh, she was Arthur’s Ygraine. Despite everything she stayed by him, she proved her loyalty over and over again, directly to Arthur, though never directly to Uther. He didn’t even mind, he was somewhat comforted that Arthur had her by his side, though he never saw their relationship move past looks of longing when backs were turned. If that was due to Arthur’s duty to Camelot to one day marry a noblewoman or something else Uther didn’t know but Arthur, though more inclined to disagree with him was growing into a good man. 

 
 Uther often suspected that was at least in part because of Merlin, it took him almost two years to learn her name, but he’d never expected her to stick around, much less juggle her duties as physician’s apprentice and Arthur’s maidservant. When he noticed her he was slightly intrigued, she had not been raised in Camelot but her loyalty to Arthur was absolute.    Loyalty through love was a precious thing and though Uther would not point it out, since that might be the only thing keeping Arthur from falling for the girl as well, he hoped Arthur knew to cherish that. 

Chapter Text

 “Merlin you aren’t coming and that’s final.” Arthur said dragging her back into her room. Sir Leon trailed behind them, frowning. 

 “Oh so Leon gets to go but I don’t.” Merlin raged. She’d gotten Arthur another shot at removing the curse on Camelot he’d caused when he’d killed the unicorn and he seemed determined to leave her behind. She wasn’t having it, the minute he was out of sight she’d go to Silas in the stables. He never asked why she needed a horse. 

 “Leon’s not coming either, he’s here to guard your door and make sure you don’t leave.” Arthur said and Merlin bristled. Leon let out a long suffering sigh. 

 “Sire she’s right it’s not a good idea for you to go anywhere alone with the unrest in the kingdom.” The unrest caused by famine, that was only getting worse. 

 “See! Leon see’s sense!” Merlin snapped as Arthur finished pulling on his glove. 

 “This is not up for debate Merlin.” Arthur snapped and slammed her door closed, shutting her in her own room. He turned to Leon. “You do not let her leave, not until I get back and order otherwise. I don’t care if you have to tie her up in there she does not leave. I won’t risk her again.” Arthur hissed to Leon, the sound of his voice almost lost under Merlin swearing at them both through the door. Leon raised an eyebrow. Arthur shook his head, he clearly felt he didn’t have time to explain. Leon took up a guard post on the bottom of the stairs standing at attention as Arthur nodded at him and rushed from the room. 

 “Leon let me out!” Merlin had opened her door, there wasn’t a lock on it for Arthur to keep her here more effectively but Leon knew Arthur didn’t want her tossed in the dungeons just to keep her from following him. 

 “I can’t do that Merlin.” 

 “Yes, you can. You can step aside.” 

 “Arthur would have my head, please don’t make me tie you up. I really don’t want to.” Leon said and Merlin fumed. 

 “Stupid bloody pig headed knights!” She tried to push past him and he caught her around the waist and gently shoved her back into her room. She swore at him as he closed her door again. A throat cleared behind him. Gaius was standing in the room raising an eyebrow at him. 

 “Arthur doesn’t want her following him.” Leon explained, raising his voice to be heard over Merlin raging. After a while the noise died down to what sounded like either frustrated cleaning or Merlin throwing things around her room to pass the time. Leon honestly couldn’t tell. Hours passed without incident. Since it seemed Leon would be staying for dinner Gaius was prepping an extra plate. Leon had taken a seat on the step up to Merlin’s room since she hadn’t tried to escape since her initial failed attempt. Silence filled the room, comfortable but a bit awkward. That was until Merlin’s voice filled the room. 

 “What… What are you doing here?” She demanded. Leon shot to his feet, no one had passed them. 

 “Arthur is to be tested, but a vital piece of the puzzle is missing.” Leon shoved the door to Merlin’s room open as the male voice spoke a word in a language he didn’t recognize. “Swepnu.” There was a tall old man standing in the room, he caught Merlin as she crumpled her eyes falling closed. Her face had fallen slack, as though she had fallen into a deep sleep. Leon drew his sword. 

 “Put her down!” He called, his voice steady and threatening. 

 “She is needed elsewhere.” The man said simply and Leon lunged. A swirl of the man’s white cloak covered both the sorcerer and Merlin and they were gone as if they had never been there at all. Leon swore. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Arthur had expected more horrors in the labyrinth. Something deadly, so far the only thing deadly here was the lack of direction, though that was to be expected as a maze. But as he spotted the sea beyond the exit he breathed out a sigh. If this was it he’d overestimated the sorcerer Anhora. He should have known better. On the rocky shores by the seaside was a table. Anhora stood next to it. Two chairs sat there and one of them was already occupied. She was halfway sprawled across the table, head pillowed on her arms, eyes closed until Anhora spoke a word Arthur didn’t recognize. 

 Merlin bolted upright looking around panic in her eyes, battling confusion. Then she spotted Arthur and comprehension lit her eyes as they flitted between him and Anhora. Arthur felt panic roiling in his guts. 

 “Release her. I’ll take your test, but not until she’s released.” Arthur demanded, just keeping his voice from shaking. 

 “That’s not possible. Merlin is part of the test. Sit.” Anhora said and Arthur only resisted the urge to rush forward and put a sword in his chest instead. “If you refuse the test you fail and Camelot will be destroyed.” Arthur sheathed his sword and sat across from Merlin. 

 “Merlin what are you doing here. I told Leon to keep an eye on you.” Arthur demanded. 

 “Hey this isn’t Leon’s fault, or mine for once. I was kidnapped.” Merlin admitted and anger rose again. 

 “She was needed.” Anhora insisted. “She was there with you when this all began, she advised you not to kill the unicorn, you did not listen. She is part of your test, do you accept it?” Arthur remained silent for a moment before he nodded stiffly. “On the table before you are two goblets.” It was a mark of how surprised and terrified Arthur had been when he spotted Merlin that he hadn’t noticed two plain silver goblets on the table. “One contains a harmless liquid, the other a deadly poison. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but both of you are allowed to drink from only one goblet.” He stopped and Arthur frowned waiting for more. 

 “What the bloody hell is that supposed to prove!” Arthur demanded enraged. 

 “What it proves is up to you.” Anhora said and fell silent. As they spoke, trying to work out the riddle Arthur remembered the last time Merlin had drunk poison for him. He couldn’t see her like that again, gasping dying for him. Not when he could prevent it. Her solution was genius, and Arthur took full advantage of it. 

 “Arthur!” She cried out, finally moving from the seat she’d been asleep in. His last view of the world was of tear drenched blue eyes, and he smiled, knowing it was worth it. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur wasn’t sure what was worse; the idea that Bayard had tried to poison him, or the fact that his father was making Merlin test it. They had people specifically employed for that, people who were fully aware of the risks of their job. Merlin was not one of those people. But she drank anyway, raising the cup in a near cruel mockery of a toast. For a moment nothing happened. Uther rolled his eyes and nodded to Bayard. 

 “She’s all yours.” He said and Arthur turned to argue with his father when a horrible rasping choking noise filled the room. Arthur whirled on his heel, Merlin was clutching her throat struggling to breathe. The room seemed to grow cold. “It was poisoned! Guards seize them!” Arthur ignored his father as Merlin fell, the chalice falling from limp fingers as her eyes rolled up into her head. He made it across the room as she crumpled to the floor, barely stopping her from smacking her head onto the stone of the floor. He barely felt the spilled wine soaking the knees of his breeches. He couldn’t hear or see anything aside from Merlin’s increasingly pale face and the gasping rasps of her breath. 

 Gaius shocked him out of his stupor. He knelt down next to Arthur and placed a hand on Merlin’s neck. 

 “We need to get her to my quarters. Bring the goblet, it may be of some use.” Gaius ordered. Arthur was careful as he gathered Merlin up into his arms, unwilling to let anyone else touch her. He didn’t have a free hand for the cursed cup that had started all this but Gwen, bless her, had appeared at his side and snatched up the cup, racing after him. Arthur made it into the room first, carefully depositing Merlin on the patient cot. She was shivering, Arthur’s hands shook. Gaius arrived, moving quickly considering his age, Gwen hot on his heels. Gaius stepped over to the bed and laid his hand across Merlin’s forehead, felt her pulse, frowned. Stepping over to his work table Gaius called out to Gwen. 

 “The chalice!” He demanded and Gwen handed it over. Gaius frowned. Snatching up a set of long tweezers off the table he peeled something out of the inside of the chalice. Arthur’s heart seized, if he’d spotted that before now could he have prevented all of this? Gaius rounded on a pile of books and yanked one closer to him flipping through it for a few minutes. 

 “What is it?” Gwen asked ringing her hands. 

 “It appears to be a petal from the Mortaeus flower. It’s a rare poison, it grows only in the caves of Balor, on the roots of the Mortaeus tree.” 

 “Is there a cure?” Arthur demanded. He had yet to move from Merlin’s side. Gaius flipped through the book in front of him for a moment. 

 “Yes. But…” He said frowning. Arthur stood and stepped over to the physician. 

 “But?” He asked looking down at the book over his shoulder. There was an illustration on the page of a large lizard-like being snarling. 

 “The only known cure for the Mortaeus flower’s poison is to concoct a potion from the leaves of the same flower.” Gaius explained. 

 “That doesn’t look friendly.” Gwen said joining them around the book, glancing over at Merlin. 

 “A cockatrice. It guards the forest of Balor, a single drop of its venom would mean near instant death.” Silence fell in the room, save for Merlin’s labored breathing. 

 “Sounds fun.” Arthur said heading for the door. 

 “Arthur you can’t.” Gaius began, he whirled on him. 

 “If I don’t what happens to Merlin?” 

 “The Mortaeus induces a slow painful death, she’ll last out maybe five days, but…” Arthur didn’t stop to listen to the rest of the physician’s words, he was intercepted by his father who simply told him to ignore Merlin dying, to not watch, that people would die for him his whole life. He couldn’t accept that and neither it seemed could Morgana who helped him with his armor and handed him his sword. 

 The stables were a problem, or would have been if Leon hadn’t been the one assigned to guard them. 

 “Sire.”

 “Leon I will not watch her die for me. I won’t. I can’t.” Arthur knew his voice was shaking. He didn’t care. He hadn’t realized just how much he cared about Merlin until he’d seen her clawing at her own throat desperate to breathe. It was as if he could still hear her rattling breaths in his ear. 

 “You’ll want Dancer, she’s the fastest we have on hand.” Leon said pointing to a horse across the stable, she was already saddled. Arthur tossed his pack over her back, quickly tying it to the saddle. “I’m going to run out after you as if I tried to stop you, but please come home safe sire.” Leon said and Arthur had never been more grateful for the man. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Morgana gave Gwen off until Merlin recovered. She herself visited the physician’s chambers to check on Arthur’s maidservant. Morgana liked the girl, she didn’t trip over herself to please Arthur, instead trading good natured insults with him and laughing with her and Gwen over court gossip. It had been near two days since Arthur left. No word had been heard on if he’d been seen or not yet. 

 Merlin looked terrible. She was clammy and shaking slightly, not shivering but tremors of pain passed through her every few minutes. Gwen was helping Gaius with something so Morgana sat down next to Merlin and gently took her hand. She frowned as she spotted something red on the underside of her arm, gently flipping her arm over Morgana gasped. A rash was peering out from under Merlin’s sleeve, she was still in the ridiculous livery Arthur had made her wear, though it wasn’t so bad without the hat. The Pendragon red was stained with sweat, the bright red now closer to the color of blood. Gaius was by her side in a moment. 

 “What is it?” He asked then spotted the rash and took Merlin’s hand from her. “That’s not possible.” 

 “What’s wrong?” Morgana asked as Gaius rushed over to a book that lay open on his desk. 

 “The rash isn’t supposed to appear until the final stages of the poison take hold.” He said flipping a page. “Once the rash appears death will follow in two days.” Gaius read off looking over at his ward in horror. 

 “You said Arthur had five days!” Gwen bit out, panic in her voice as Morgana’s hands shook. 

 “He should have. The poison shouldn’t act this quickly. Unless…” 

 “Unless?” Morgana demanded. 

 “Unless it was enhanced with magic.” Gaius said and both girls gasped. Gaius turned to Gwen. “Before she burst into the hall Merlin was talking to someone, a servant girl from Bayard’s retinue.” 

 “Kara, she was very pretty and kind.” Gwen said nodding. 

 “Go to the dungeons, tell them I need you to look for someone among Bayard’s people. Find this Kara.” Gaius ordered and Gwen took off at a run. Morgana turned to look at Merlin’s sickbed. 

 “You don’t believe Bayard did this at all do you?” She asked and Gaius shook his head. 

 “He’s no sorcerer nor do I believe he would have employed one. He was too shocked when she fell. I believe he wasn’t aware the chalice was poisoned at all.” Gaius said with a frown. Gwen returned shaking her head. 

 “She wasn’t there.” Gwen confirmed and Gaius nodded. 

 “I hardly expected her to be.” He swore under his breath as something seemed to occur to him. “She would know that the only place the cure can be found is the forest of Balor, Arthur’s walking into a trap.” 

 “Ar..thur…” The voice was weak and everyone in the room turned to Merlin who groaned in pain, she still hadn’t woken. “Arthur.” She mumbled as Gaius stepped over to her, brushing sweat soaked raven hair out of her face. 

 
 “Merlin can you hear me?” He called. She shook. 

 “Arthur. Too dark… Can’t…” She muttered something, it didn’t sound like intelligible words. Gaius swiped at his eyes. Morgana took charge. 

 “Gwen will you go down to the kitchens, tell them I sent you, have them send up something for Gaius to eat. I’ll tell the king about this sorceress that hid herself in Bayard’s company.” She said and Gwen nodded rushing off. Morgana stormed out of the room and with the door shut behind her Gaius frowned at Merlin, pulling back the blankets on her other hand. 

 A soft silvery blue light filled the room from the orb floating in Merlin’s hand. Gaius gasped. The fact that Merlin was capable, even while dying of this much magic was nearly a miracle. But it also likely meant that Arthur was in danger if Merlin’s mutterings were accurate, he was somewhere dark and dangerous. She was near silently begging him to leave something behind. Gaius watched unable to do anything as the light in her hand flickered out and her breathing became even more labored. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur had little choice but to follow the silvery blue light up the cave wall, the flower tucked securely in a pouch on his belt. The light could only be magic but it felt nothing like any magic he’d encountered before. It felt warm and familiar, safe and comforting. He had no explanation for it, but it led him up and out a back entrance of the cave. Once he was out in the open air the light floated above him like a wayward star before flickering for a moment and vanishing, leaving Arthur blinking in the comparatively dim full moon. With the loss of the light fear crept back into Arthur’s heart. He scrambled over the ridge he’d just emerged from and found his horse grazing where he’d left it. The witch had clearly not expected him to make it out alive. He mounted back up, glad the moon was full and the road clear. He pushed his horse harder than he should have. He made it home by the next afternoon but was met at the gate by a platoon of guards. 

 “What are you doing? Let me passed!” Arthur demanded, time was of the essence surely they knew that. One of the braver guards stepped forward. 

 “Sire, I’m sorry we have orders for your arrest. From the king.” Arthur blanched, his father couldn’t be serious. 

 “Arrest me if you must, but after I deliver the cure!” He demanded. The guard who’d spoken quailed slightly. 

 “Sire we aren’t even meant to be speaking to you.” He said as the other guards circled the exhausted horse. Arthur had to be dragged to the dungeons fighting every step of the way, it would have been easier if he hadn’t lost his sword in the caves. If he’d had it on him he might have been able to get away long enough to get the flower to Gaius, then it wouldn’t matter they could arrest him all they wanted after that as long as he could confirm that Merlin would still be breathing when he was eventually released. As it was he was marched into a cell. He paced for a while, removing his chainmail, which had grown heavy with three days of wear. He tied his belt back on, hand going to the pouch at the belt, feeling the tiny weight of the flower inside. 

 When his father crushed the yellow bloom and told him to find another servant in a week when he was let out Arthur’s heart broke, shattered into a thousand pieces. He had to scramble through the bars of his cell to recover the flower and hope Gaius had the presence of mind to send someone for it, even as his ward lay dying on his patient cot. Within the hour his patience was rewarded, Gwen came in with a plate of food. 

 
 “I can’t eat this, it’s disgusting.” Arthur said flatly, pushing the food around with a finger and dropping the flower onto the plate. “The state it’s in I’m not sure it’s fit for anyone.” He said sitting back down on the cot as Gwen picked up the plate her eyes widened and she curtsied, heading back out of the cell. She was nearly caught as another servant came to deliver Arthur’s actual meal, followed by others who had come to deliver meals to Bayard’s retinue. 

 “Let her be, Morgana must have sent her down here to get a good laugh in.” Arthur called as Gwen ran up the stairs and out the door. The guards seemed mollified by that and Arthur let out a breath, sitting back down so the maid could deliver his meal, lunch maybe? He wasn’t honestly sure. Arthur didn’t have much of an appetite but he hadn’t had more than dried meats in a few days, he hadn’t had time to stop to hunt. He forced himself to eat and sat back down. It was only now that he actually looked around. His cell was right next to Bayard’s. Arthur had already expressed his thought that maybe it hadn’t been Bayard. The witch who’d ambushed him had wanted him dead, had known he would die either drinking from the poisoned chalice or by searching for the cure. 

 “I am sorry about the girl.” Bayard said and Arthur nodded, his throat tightening. “I did not poison that chalice Prince Arthur.” 

 “I no longer think you did. There was a witch in the forest waiting in the only place the cure grows. She knew I would come and left me for dead.” Arthur admitted, not looking up at the King. “You are no good friend to magic.” 

 “No.” Bayard said though Arthur felt there was likely more to the sentence that Bayard did not wish to say in the presence of Uther’s son. He wasn’t sure he wanted to consider himself that anymore, not when Uther would let an innocent girl die just to teach Arthur some self righteous lesson. 

 “Who was she? She wasn’t here when last I visited.” Bayard asked and Arthur bristled at the word was. 

 “She is my maid servant.” Arthur bit out. She is his friend, he would not attach the word was to her, not yet. 

 “A bit unusual for a prince’s primary servant to be a maidservant instead of a manservant.” Bayard said one of his eyebrows climbing. 

 “I had a bad habit of scaring off servants within a week.” Arthur admitted with a sigh. Bayard nodded. 

 “I see, I was similar at your age. How long has she been in your service then a few years?” Bayard asked a slightly nostalgic smile on his face. 

 “Four months, if that.” Arthur said finally turning to look at the King fully. Bayard blinked. 

 “The girl’s been in your employ for less than a year and she willingly drank poison for you.” Bayard sounded astonished, honestly Arthur couldn’t really believe it either, he hadn’t let it sink in that if she died she did it for him. He hadn’t planned to let himself think about it until she was better. Now, he had no idea if the damage his father had done to the flower would cause it to be useless. He let out a shaking breath trying not to think of that.  “What must I do to inspire such loyalty in such a short time?” Bayard asked startling Arthur out of his reverie. 

 “I don’t know.” Silence fell as the servants returned to clear away the plates. Arthur fell into a fitful sleep. He wasn’t sure how long he slept, he hadn’t gotten much on the way to the caves, having only stopped for an hour or two to rest his horse. When dinner came Gwen was among the servants there and Arthur’s heart nearly hammered out of his chest as she dropped off his actual dinner without a word. He picked up the plate, despairing, had he been too late? But then the napkin Gwen had tucked under the plate fell open and a piece of paper flew free. Arthur snagged it out of the air, hands shaking. 

 ‘She’ll live.’ Was all it said and Arthur felt as though the world had righted itself. He sat down hard staring at the note in his hand, Gaius’ cramped curved handwriting had never been more of a comfort. 

 His father made good on his threat and kept Arthur in the cell for a week. Something must have shaken some sense into Uther though for a few days after he had Arthur tossed in the cells he had Bayard and his retinue released. When the week was up all Arthur wanted to do was run to Gaius’ chambers, just to be sure. He had to see her breathing, preferably awake and snarking back at him with the ease of someone who’d grown up so far from royalty that the title had never even slightly intimidated her. But he knew that would just make Uther angrier, maybe even cause him to turn his ire on Merlin and Arthur wouldn’t have it. 

 So he played the proper prince, he bathed and another servant came, the usual manservant who attended to everything Merlin didn’t, though that mostly meant dressing Arthur these days. This time though he also drew Arthur’s bath, a few shades too cold but welcome anyway, and informed him that Uther would be dining with Bayard to smooth over this incident. 

 It was at this dinner that Arthur learned that the reason Bayard had been released was because of Gaius’ council. The poison had been strengthened by magic, meant to kill in half the time it would usually have taken. Arthur nearly broke protocol all together then and there to run to the physician’s chambers and damn the consequences. Only the note he had tucked into the same pouch that had held the flower kept him in his seat. Uther had apologized to Bayard and Bayard had nodded taking the apology as his due for the misunderstanding. For his part Bayard spent most of the night applauding Arthur for his bravery and the inspiration of loyalty he apparently brought forth in others. 

 When the interminable dinner finally ended Arthur made his excuses and headed up to his room, in the opposite direction to the physician’s quarters. He could feel his father’s stare on him, as if he was still watching him long after Arthur had passed out of his sight. When he reached his room he did not stop. He headed straight for the servant’s passage and down a winding back stair that led to a main thoroughfare the servant’s used that the nobles did not. No one here stopped him, instead practically leaping out of his way as he broke into a brisk sprint. He collected himself outside the physician’s quarters and pushed in the door. 

 Sitting at the small table, wrapped in a blanket sat Merlin. She was still overly pale, her raven hair was sticking up in places as though she’d only woken recently and her eyes were a bit shinier than normal, a usual symptom of illness and near misses with death. She turned to the door and smiled. He felt every tense muscle he had relax. 

 “Arthur.” She greeted and he smiled lightly. 

 “Not dead then?” He asked lightly. She snorted at him as though he was being ridiculous.

 “Takes more than that to get rid of me.” She said and for once he hoped she was right. He smiled wider. She frowned. “What are you doing down here?” She asked as Gaius spooned broth into a bowl for her. He couldn’t tell her he’d had to see her alive for himself after watching her collapse like that. 

 “I came to tell you you’ve the week off. Or however long Gaius thinks you’ll need.” Arthur said and Merlin blinked owlishly at him. It took everything in him not to laugh. “I’m off before I’m missed.” Arthur said turning to leave. 

 “Arthur.” She called and he turned back. “Thank you.” He nodded unable to speak, he wanted to say it back but he could only nod again as he left and finally made it up to his room, kicking off his boots and flopping onto his bed with a sigh of relief. 

Chapter Text

 Morgause was expecting to find Camelot full of boot lickers. For the most part she was correct but there were a few shining exceptions. Morgana she was pleased was one of them, though she’d lived so long under Uther’s thumb she was not his little puppet. That pleased her greatly, her sister was stronger than Uther. But the surprise came in the form of Arthur’s maid. 

 She openly sassed him and wasn’t punished, in fact no one seemed surprised. She had an odd aura as well, something Morgause could sense having been trained from birth. She had great potential. A potential she would never reach in Camelot, not under Uther’s thumb, or Arthur’s she suspected. A potential for magic ,bubbling under her skin, but she was a mere servant. She didn’t matter in the long run of her plan. If she could get Arthur to see his father’s hypocrisy, the sacrifice he’d made then Arthur would ascend the throne early. 

 It was a good plan, Arthur was a man of his word and appeared on the day he was set to accept her challenge, better than that he came almost totally alone. The only one with him was the self same serving girl. She was more cautious than he, constantly saying they should go back, teasing Arthur about following a horse here but she kept quiet when Morgause summoned Ygraine. Through Arthur’s short conversation with his mother the girl said nothing, her eyes flicked between Arthur, his mother and Morgause. If Morgause didn’t know better she’d say the girl was looking to be sure that the words Ygraine spoke were her own and not dictated by Morgause. She let them go, she’d never intended on keeping them. She could not wait to see how this went. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Merlin raced after Arthur. He had been born of magic, the hypocrisy of Uther Pendragon made her blood boil but she knew Arthur. If he followed through with his first instinct, if he killed his father he would never forgive himself. He would fall on his own sword and there would be nothing she could do to save him. She raced past guards and nearly ran down several servants only dodging at the last second. She slammed into Leon at the door of the throne room completely out of breath. Leon caught her by the shoulder. 

 “The King has ordered everyone out of the throne room.” Leon began but Merlin wasn’t having it.

 “They’re going to kill each other.” The panic in her voice gave Leon pause and in that moment he heard the clatter of metal on metal beyond the door. With Leon reeling, Merlin seized the door handle and shoved it open. The tableau in front of them was heart stopping. Uther was on the floor, Arthur had his sword up ready to swing it down, Uther’s own weapon was across the room. Merlin moved before anyone else could. She snatched Leon’s sword from his belt and darted across the room, and brought the sword up to meet Arthur’s. The blow jarred her arms, but she held her ground. Arthur reeled back shocked by her sudden appearance. 

 “You don’t want to do this Arthur, you’ve already lost one parent do you really want to lose the other too?” Merlin asked as she heard Leon scramble to help Uther off the floor. 

 “You heard what my mother said! He as good as murdered her! He’s nothing but a hypocrite and a liar! Move aside!” Arthur demanded and Merlin shook her head, keeping her stance steady. She’d watched the knights enough to have picked up a few tricks. 

 “Arthur.” She began and Uther spoke up behind her. 

 “Listen to the girl Arthur, she’s speaking sense.” He managed, Arthur snarled trying to dodge around Merlin. She deflected his blow and stayed between him and his father. 

 “This is what Morgause wants! She wants you to kill your father, to destabilize Camelot!” Merlin tried to reason with him but the anger in his eyes was not dying down, the only choice Merlin had left was to lie. “Those were not your mother’s words Arthur! Morgause is an enchantress! She tricked you.” Something in Arthur’s eyes flickered, uncertainty, then horror at what he’d almost done. His eyes flicked to his father and this time Merlin wasn’t fast enough. Arthur laid the point of his sword at the hollow of his father’s throat. 

 “Swear to me, swear you did not kill my mother!” 

 “I loved her Arthur, she was the most precious thing in the world to me. I could never have hurt her.” Uther said and Arthur’s sword clattered to the floor as his breaths came faster and tears came. Uther gathered his son to him as he wept. Leon stepped to Merlin and laid a hand on her shoulder, she nearly jumped, she’d forgotten he was there. He eased his sword out of her grip and placed it back into its scabbard. 

 “You know you’re not actually too bad with that. Might not be a bad idea to teach you how to actually use one.” He said, only half joking. Merlin’s hands shook as Leon led her out of the throne room. He sat her down in an alcove and spoke to a passing servant who curtsied to him. Kneeling down in front of Merlin Leon carefully took her hands. “Are you alright?” 

 “I…. I’m fine.” She muttered, but her shaking gave her away, she’d never wanted to be on the other side of Arthur’s sword for any reason but so many terrifying dreams had haunted her of evil kings set on killing all magic. A man who she’d just saved. 

 “You did the right thing Merlin.” Leon said, jolting her out of her own thoughts. “Uther owes you his life, and Arthur his sanity.” Merlin shook her head but Leon would not be deterred. “I’ve had one of the other maids take over your duties for the rest of the day. A battle like this, against a friend, is never easy. Go home. Rest.” Leon instructed and Merlin nodded numbly. 

 Several hours later an unexpected visitor arrived. Gaius was off on his rounds so Merlin was alone when the door opened to an unaccompanied Uther Pendragon. Merlin nearly spilled the potion she’d been working on as she scrambled to her feet and curtsied, eyes fixed on the floor. 

 
 “Gaius is on his rounds Sire.” She pointed out lamely. 

 “I am not here to speak to him. I am here for you.” Uther said and Merlin’s blood ran cold. 

 “Sire?” 

 “What you did in the throne room was very brave. I am glad Arthur inspires such loyalty in his staff.” Uther said rather stiffly. Merlin blinked at his boots. She wasn’t sure what she should say, if anything. Uther didn’t seem to expect her to reply. “You’ve proved yourself a trusted ally in the fight against magic. For that I’ve decided to reward you.” That made her glance up before instinct and nausea took over and she stared at the floor. 

 “Sire… I…” She began but Uther had laid a sheathed dagger on the table between them. It was beautiful, the hilt wrought in silver and wrapped in newly cleaned green leather. An emerald gleamed in the pommel, the sheath was green leather as well decorated with swirling vines and flowers. 

 
 “This belonged to a dear friend of mine once. She too proved herself a great friend of Camelot in her time.” Uther said and Merlin, for lack of anything else curtsied again. 

 “Thank you sire.” The response was mechanical. Uther though didn’t seem to notice. 

 “See that you learn to actually use it.” He instructed and headed back for the door. Before he reached it he turned. “Oh and if anyone hears the truth of what happened today from you I will kill you myself.” Uther threatened and left without another word. Merlin’s knees seemed to have stopped existing and she crumpled to the floor, shaking. She managed to pull herself together by the next morning when she delivered Arthur’s breakfast. She had reluctantly slipped the dagger onto her belt at Gaius’ advice, it would not do to seem to be spurning a gift like that. Arthur thanked her for her help when she laid out the dishes. 

 “Who gave you that?” Arthur asked as he spotted the dagger at her side. 

 
 “Your father.” She said and Arthur raised an eyebrow. 

 “So my father is arming my servant’s now?” He said with a slight laugh. Merlin shrugged. 

 “We do get into a lot of trouble.” She pointed out and Arthur nodded. Merlin may not know it but by gifting her that dagger Uther had accepted that she was more capable than he’d ever admitted, and a protector as he would never entrust someone near Arthur to have a weapon if there was the remotest chance it would be turned against him. Arthur caught Merlin’s hand as she walked back past him to make his bed. He squeezed it and without looking up at her brushed his lips to the back of her hand. 

 “I don’t know what I’d do without you Merlin. You should ask Leon to teach you how to use that dagger.” He instructed and Merlin huffed a laugh.

Chapter Text

 When Arthur realized that Merlin was leaving, possibly to never return, his heart clenched, it made him uncomfortable as he watched her leaving. He was glad she'd come to say goodbye but part of him just couldn't accept that she was leaving at all, even just to see out the trouble in Ealdor. He had Leon lie for him, again, claiming Arthur would be with him on his patrol for several days. Arthur gave him leave to stretch the patrol as much as he needed, to meet them within the week at the boarder once their business in Ealdor was done. Watching Merlin run into the arms of another man after the initial battle stung, it made something dark and jealous rise in Arthur's chest, perhaps that was why he snapped orders at Merlin, making Morgana raise an eyebrow at him.

  Merlin spent that first night treating the wounded, much to the surprise of the villagers. Several of them seemed reluctant at first but the boy, Will apparently, hovered behind Merlin shooting dirty looks at anyone who opened their mouths to protest. It was a bit odd Arthur had expected Merlin to fit in better in Ealdor than she did in Camelot but in all honesty the opposite seemed to be true. He'd expected a gaggle of friends, a group of giggling farm girls, something. But the only person who seemed willing to be around her, save her mother and the small group from Camelot was Will. Truth be told this whole experience was odd for Arthur. He'd visited neighboring kingdoms before but only taverns on the way to castles. He'd never stayed in a home that barely had a front door, the windows were glassless and there was a single bed which everyone, Arthur included, insisted Hunith take as she was still pretty severely bruised. Sleeping on the floor, near Merlin could have been worse. Imagining living like this honestly sounded kind of peaceful, more so than castle life. 

 "So why did you leave?" He asked and silence greeted him. For a moment he suspected Merlin had fallen asleep and propped himself up on his elbows to check. She was staring up at the ceiling. "Come on it can't be that bad." Arthur insisted lowly, trying his best not to wake the others in the small hut. Merlin shook her head slightly. 

 "I stopped fitting in." She said pausing for a moment. "The other girls were starting to marry off and..." She shook her head and trailed off. "I wanted something else, to do something useful with my life. So did my mother, She and Gaius have known each other for years it seemed like a good idea." Merlin said shrugging. 

 "Do you think it was a good idea?" Arthur asked, heart halfway in his throat. Merlin's crooked smile reassured him. 

 "Well I can't say life's been boring since i came to Camelot." She said, laughter in her voice barely suppressed. Arthur smiled widely as he lay back down. 

 "Early morning tomorrow, we'll start training the men." He said trying not to let his smile show through his voice. "Get the candle would you?" The light was blown out. Arthur woke in the wee hours of the morning, unsure if he had woken because he was cold or because of something else. He blinked, Merlin was inches away from him, still sound asleep. He'd never seen her looking so relaxed, even against the dirt floor of the hut. When out hunting or traveling Merlin was usually the first person awake, already bustling about making breakfast by the time Arthur rose. Arthur smiled slightly as he watched her twitch slightly in her sleep. He tamped down the urge to reach out and brush her hair out of her face only because he was reminded that they were not alone when he heard the rustle of blankets behind him. Instead he turned and sat up.

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Seeing Will again was wonderful, even if he was still a bit of an ass. In certain ways he reminded her of Arthur, with the easy way they insulted each other. Not that she'd ever make the comparison out loud. Arthur would likely get a bit up in arms about being compared to a peasant and Will would be equally insulted to be compared to a nobleman, he'd hated them since his father had died fighting for Cenred, press-ganged into the army when Will was just a boy.

  "Why did you actually leave?" Will asked and Merlin sighed. They were far enough away from the others that they wouldn't be overheard. Merlin glanced around anyway, age old paranoia eating at the corners of her mind. 

 "You know why Will. I was starting to get noticed, or would you rather have watched while they built a pyre in the middle of town?" She snapped swinging at the tree in front of her burying her axe into the trunk. Will grabbed her shoulder. 

 "You really think I'd have let them do that?" He asked and Merlin shook her head. 

 "No at that point they'd probably have to burn us both." She said with a slight smile. 

 "Bet your ass you daft witch." Will said. Merlin shook her head. 

 "Warlock. Apparently someone born with powers is a warlock." She said yanking the axe out of the trunk of the tree and swinging again.

  "How'd you learn that?" Will asked, sidestepping as the tree fell. 

 "Been talking to the dragon Uther keeps under his castle." Merlin admitted and Will whistled.

  "A bloody dragon? How'd he manage that?" 

 "Cold iron chains. rumor has it he has smaller versions somewhere in the castle in case he ever gets hold of a particularly powerful magic user." Merlin said nonchalantly. Will shook his head. 

 "And you still think you're safer there?" Will asked. 

 "Where else would I go Will? I have chances in Camelot."

  "Skivvying for a ponce of a prince!" He practically accused. 

 "As the apprentice to the court physician!"

  "There are places you could be safe." Will insisted.

  "Where? The druids are constantly on the run and notoriously hard to find. Cenred binds sorcerers to his whims, Uther burns them at the stake, Nemeth is too close to Camelot to openly allow magic, I'm pretty sure I won't ever be allowed to set foot in Mercia after that whole thing with Bayard and the poisoned goblet." She held up a hand to forestall Will's obvious question. "Long story for another time. So tell me where would I be safe?" 

 "Caerleon turns a blind eye to sorcery." 

 "Those are rumors at best." Merlin snapped. "With Uther's laws standing there's nowhere truly safe Will, we both know that." 

 "And you think Arthur will change that?" Will asked his voice dripping sarcasm.

  "He's a good man, I know you don't believe in anyone of noble blood and I don't blame you, the good majority of them are ponces. But Arthur's not, neither is Morgana for the record."

  The battle was sheer bloody chaos, they would have lost outright if Merlin hadn't followed Will's urging and summoned the cyclone, killing several of the mercenaries and scaring off the majority of the others.

  "Which one of you did that!" Arthur demanded, he'd been on the other side of the storm and clearly hadn't seen Merlin's hand raised. She froze, terror filling her veins like ice cold water. She didn't notice Kanen move, but Will did, shoving Arthur out of the way and taking a bolt to the chest. Morgana lunged driving her sword into Kanen as Will crumpled and Merlin screamed his name. He coughed, blood coating the front of his tunic. He'd worn his father's old armor into battle. It had done nothing to stop the bolt. 

 "That's twice I've saved your life." Will rasped. 

 "Will stop." Merlin snapped as Arthur's eyes widened. 

 "I conjured it" Will said coughing more blood. "What are you gonna do kill me?" He managed, his face getting paler by the minute. Arthur's hand shook and he shook his head. 

 "Help me get him inside." He ordered and a few of the men helped him get Will inside and onto the table. This was Will's house, even sparser than Hunith's. Merlin hovered next to Will. Arthur glanced up at her. "Do what you can for him." Arthur ordered stepping out of the hut to allow them a moment, he'd seen wounds like that before. There would be no recovery, not from this. 

 "I told you he'd be the death of me." Will joked around a mouthful of blood. Merlin was desperately applying pressure around the bolt in his chest as though it would do any good. The head of the bolt had pierced his lung, Merlin had spent enough time studying with Gaius to know a fatal wound when she saw one. "Merlin, Merlin I missed you. I wanted to ask you before you left but I never got the chance." He coughed. He fumbled with a ring, it was steel, had been his father's one of the last things but for the armor he wore that he had left of the man. "Never got the chance to tell you I loved you. Never stopped either." He said pressing the ring into her hand. 

 "Will I..."

  "I always knew you'd do something more than stick around here." He said shaking his head at her. "Merlin, I'm scared." He said gripping her hand with all his strength, pressing the ring hard into her hand. Merlin leaned over and laid a kiss to Will's forehead pressing them together as his breath stuttered and tears dripped from his eyes. They dimmed and he stilled as Merlin sobbed, the wail drawn from her echoed through the empty house. They stayed for the funeral. Merlin stayed by the pyre they'd placed Will on until it died down to ashes. She felt numb. Arthur had been here for a while and said nothing. Morgana had hugged her and Gwen had helped her clean Will's blood off her hands. Will had taken the fall for her, saving Arthur and for the magic. Her mother was encouraging her to go back to Camelot, she claimed, as the dragon had that she and Arthur were akin to two sides of the same coin. They were packing, Morgana and Gwen seeing to the horses when Arthur appeared. 

 "You knew." He said, his voice carefully measured. "That he had magic. That’s what you were going to tell me before the battle." He clarified. Merlin nodded not looking up from her bag. "Magic is dangerous." He said though it sounded somewhat rehearsed. 

 "Not illegal here." Merlin said her voice hoarse from her tears. Arthur nodded slightly. 

 "Still, I hope next time you'll feel comfortable enough to actually tell me." 

 "I was going to, before the fight. I..."

  "You weren't sure how I'd react to the man you loved being a sorcerer." Arthur filled in. Merlin could do nothing but nod. She had loved Will once, a long time ago but she couldn't deny that him choosing to die to protect the life she'd built didn't bring those old feelings bubbling back up. She hugged her mother close as she came to see them off. They were well on their way back to Camelot when Arthur spoke again. "No one in Camelot can know about this." He said and the others nodded. Merlin stayed silent all the way back to Camelot and shut herself in her room, stringing the ring Will had given her on a leather chord and slipping it on under her shirt. She cried herself to sleep that night, wondering, not for the first time, if the dragon had made it all up. 

Chapter Text

 Merlin had made a few friends since arriving in Camelot. Chief among them was Gwen of course but one person she’d helped the most was Arthur’s put upon squire, Galahad, who often did a lot of the work that would be done by a manservant, Arthur couldn’t seem to keep one around. So it fell to Galahad to run around with Arthur’s armor, work on his horses. She often helped him with Arthur’s armor and various other chores since he was supposed to also have time to actually train with the knights, but that rarely actually happened when Arthur treated him like little more than a servant. So when they rode out to go hunt a boar that had been seen in the woods outside the city and Arthur brought along a man named Cedric who he claimed had properly done up the girth on his saddle Merlin frowned. 

 “You alright?” She asked slipping up to Galahad. He frowned. 

 “I know I did that girth up right, it couldn’t have slipped loose on its own.” He insisted and Merlin nodded. 

 “I believe you.” She said and Galahad smiled at her. 

 “You seem to be the only one these days.” He said a frown slipping back into place as they continued through the trees. Technically Merlin shouldn’t have been there, servants didn’t really go on hunts unless they were long ones and they were generally there to set up camp for the knights. But because she was also the physician’s apprentice and there was a long standing track record of people being injured on hunts, either by beasts, stray arrows, or bandits, Leon and Arthur had agreed that Merlin’s presence was a good idea. She griped but it was mostly for show, if she was on the hunts she could save Arthur when he did something monumentally stupid like attempting to face down a boar practically the size of a horse alone. Merlin saved him, the new man, Cedric had dropped his boar spear and with a whispered word Merlin threw it without ever touching it, sinking the spear into a soft spot in the boars neck. She had been at the back of the group and no one had seen her. But Cedric was quick to jump onto claiming credit for the act. Galahad groaned when Arthur gave him a job, as his new manservant. 

 Merlin’s job in the morning was to bring Arthur’s breakfast. But Cedric was already there, with half a feast. Merlin frowned. Arthur seemed to enjoy this new manservant. But something about him made her skin crawl. 

 “I regret there is one thing I haven’t attended to this morning Sire. I haven’t had a chance to muck out your stables my lord.” Cedric said with a sly smirk at Merlin. Arthur nodded. 

 “Not bad, Merlin take that plate back to the kitchens, eat what you want, get Galahad to muck out my stables and see if Gaius has anything for you to do today.” Arthur ordered. 

 “What about your laundry?” She asked with a frown.

 “Already done, I thought the physician’s apprentice might appreciate a day to focus on her studies.” Cedric said his voice dripping with something that sounded halfway between smugness and insincerity. Merlin frowned but nodded to Arthur and headed back out of his room. She caught Galahad on the way back down to the kitchens and they shared Arthur’s breakfast. 

 “I don’t know something’s just off about him.” Galahad said lamenting to Merlin about the new servant was perhaps a bit unusual for him given his lightened workload but she couldn’t help but agree. 

 “Yeah, I think so too. He’s slimy.” She said and Galahad nodded. “He also left you with the worst job.” She said pulling a face. Galahad nodded glumly before thanking her for sharing and heading off to the stables. Gaius had Merlin running around all morning making his deliveries so he could work on his cures and potions. But on her way back to their quarters Merlin spotted Galahad mopping at his face in the shadow of the stables. He was still young, a boy of fourteen where Arthur was twenty and Merlin nineteen. He didn’t cry openly, it wasn’t something the knights did but Merlin spotted fat tears on his cheeks and switched her steps and walked to him. 

 “You alright?” She asked and Galahad jumped, looked up at her guiltily and then down at the ground. 

 
 “No. Arthur thinks I’m not good enough to be his squire.” Galahad admitted tearfully and Merlin knelt down so they were face to face. 

 “What are you talking about? You’re one of the only other people Arthur can put up with.” She pointed out, frowning at the dung that clung to Galahad’s face. 

 “I… I don’t know how it happened Merlin. One moment I was mucking out the stables and the next I was on the floor, Arthur was yelling at me and the horses were gone.” Galahad admitted. “Cedric said something about him needing a more competent squire and Arthur agreed with him.” Merlin frowned and placed a hand on the clean side of Galahad’s face.

 “You’re not running a fever. You say you were awake one moment, then the next you were on the ground?” She asked and he nodded. “That’s not sleep, not even from exhaustion. Do you remember anything at all?” She asked and he shook his head. 

 
 “No… Well there was an odd smell but it’s hard to really smell anything in the stable.” Galahad admitted and Merlin stood walking around to the door of the stable. She pushed her way inside, ignoring the stablehand’s surprise. She frowned around and spotted a small patch of slightly charred straw. Stepping over to it she kicked it aside and picked up a burned bag. There wasn’t much of it left but from the smell of it she knew what it was used for. Stomping back outside she paused by Galahad. 

 “Go home, bathe, I’ll see you have tomorrow off. I need to have a few words with Arthur.” She said before storming up to the castle, Galahad watched her go, halfway terrified. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 “Galahad didn’t fall asleep he was drugged.” Merlin said and Arthur looked up from his dinner. As ways of announcing herself into his rooms it was one of Merlin’s more creative statements. She stalked over to his table and slapped down the remains of a burned bag of herbs. The smell of the herbs, though mostly ash made Arthur a little drowsy. 

 “So you think we have a horse thief?” He asked examining the remains from afar. 

 “I don’t give a damn, you do not get to call Galahad incompetent for being drugged. You owe him an apology.” Merlin said and Arthur blinked at her. 

 “And people say you’re too serious.” Arthur said with a slight laugh, her frown didn’t waver. 

 “He’s fourteen Arthur, and you pile the responsibilities of a servant and a squire on him, despite him being of noble blood. Which honestly I normally don’t give a toss about but Arthur you’re working the poor boy to death and then you don’t care when he could have been seriously injured.” Merlin snapped, she hated thinking that Galahad might have been wounded in the horses escape but it seemed to be a possibility Arthur hadn’t thought of. 

 “Perhaps an older squire would be more suitable? I could have a list compiled sire.” Cedric suggested. Merlin whirled on him. 

 “You don’t get a part in this conversation Cedric, don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing. Boot licker!” Merlin spat the words at him, Cedric stiffened. 

 “Oi! Merlin, you don’t get to verbally abuse the other staff.” Arthur reprimanded.

 “He’s been trying to discredit Galahad for the past two days and if you weren’t such a clotpole you’d see that!” She shouted at him. Whirling on her heel she stormed to the door. “Maybe you don’t deserve Galahad!” She said before slamming the door behind her. Arthur was left blinking, frowning after her. Perhaps she was right, he did ask a lot of Galahad and normally the boy bore it without a single complaint, perhaps he had been too harsh. 

 
 “Sire?” Cedric asked and Arthur shook his head. 

 “I’m going to bed.” He announced and Cedric scrambled over himself to help Arthur get ready. Arthur never heard him remove the key from his night stand as he closed his eyes, willing sleep to come. 

Chapter Text

Merlin shot upright, a scream pulling at her lips. Terror washed through her in waves, she had no idea why. The moon peered down at her from her window. She scrambled out of bed and down the short flight of stairs to Gaius’ workshop, where he slept on the cot used for patients. Except he wasn’t asleep either. He was sitting up, his head in his hands which were shaking. 

 “What just happened?” Merlin asked her voice shaking. 

 “I’m not sure. But you should get dressed, I fear the nights troubles are just beginning.” Gaius said looking up and noticing Merlin was still in her shift. She nodded and rushed back upstairs, dressing quickly. Gaius was pacing by the time she finished with the laces on her corset. He opened his mouth to speak when the bells began to ring. Merlin ran out of the door, she had to find Arthur. She did, at the entrance to the tunnels where they’d uncovered Sigan’s tomb. He was checking one of the guards, Merlin quickly turned to the other. 

 “Alive, just asleep.” Merlin confirmed then something caught her eye, a still slightly smoking burned bag, like the one she’d found in the stables earlier that day. “And that’s why.” She said pointing it out to Arthur. He swore. “What’s happened?” She asked. 

 “The tomb was broken into, someone seems to have stolen the largest jewel, though nothing else was taken from the looks of it.” Arthur said shaking his head. A small platoon of guards had arrived. Arthur directed half of them to secure the tomb, while several others were set the task of getting the unconscious guards to Gaius. 

 “I’ll show them where the traps are.” Merlin said and Arthur hesitated but nodded as he turned, needing to report this theft to his father. As Merlin showed the guards where not to step she spotted something. A large diamond heart on the floor of the tomb. It had once been a sparkling swirling blue. She didn’t point it out to anyone but she did race off to find Gaius as the sun finally peeked over the horizon. 

 “Then Sigan is free, he could be anyone.” Gaius said as he checked to ensure that the guards were still out cold. 

 “Not quite. Only four people at best have access to the keys, the guards said that the lock wasn’t tampered with. They had to either have magic or the keys.” 

 “The ones Arthur keeps in his nightstand?” Gaius asked and Merlin nodded. 

 “And the only people who have access are Arthur, myself, Galahad and Arthur’s usually hypothetical manservant.” Merlin said ticking people off on her fingers. 

 “Usually hypothetical?” Gaius questioned. Merlin nodded. 

 “He’s hired someone for pretending to save his life. I saved his life.” She muttered glancing at the guards who hadn’t moved. “Oh gods, that’s it. He’s the thief!” Merlin took off at a run before Gaius could get a name out of her. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Galahad stared down at the straw strewn floor of the dungeon. He was being held on suspicion of thievery. He’d been arrested around midday when Cedric, Arthur’s new manservant had pointed the finger at him. Now the sun had dipped below the horizon and it was getting depressingly dark in the dungeons.

 
 “Galahad!” A voice called and he looked up, scrambling up as he spotted Merlin in the dim light of the sputtering torches. 

 “Merlin! I swear I didn’t!” He began but she shook her head. 

 
 “I know you didn’t. But I think the thief got more than they bargained for. Who accused you?” She demanded. 

 “Cedric, Arthur’s new manservant, he wasn’t acting the same though. And for a moment I could have sworn his eyes were pure black.” Galahad said lowering his voice. 

 “I believe you.” She said her expression hardening. “I’ll get you out of here, I swear.” Dust rained and the castle shook. Galahad’s eyes went wide. 

 “What’s happening?” Galahad asked. Merlin shook her head. 

 
 “Nothing good.” Merlin intoned before taking off up out of the dungeons. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 She did not want to speak to the dragon again, he had nearly tricked her into giving her mothers life for Arthur’s, only Gaius intervening had led to her killing Nimuhe and restoring balance between life and death. He made her promise to free him when the time came and it felt like staring down the blade of a sword but she had no choice, she needed the spell to defeat Sigan or he would raze Camelot to the ground. The power surging through her should burn, she feels it has burned others before but the knowledge the dragon had imparted seemed to sing against her own magic, falling quickly into tune, a harmony running through her veins. 

 She ran back up to the courtyard, reaching it just in time to shatter a gargoyle swooping down to attack Arthur’s prone form. Racing to him she breathed a sigh as she found a pulse beating under his skin. 

 “Who would have guessed, you a sorceress at the heart of Camelot. And a powerful one at that.” A voice echoed from the mist, somewhat familiar but with a metallic edge. Merlin scrambled back to her feet placing herself between Sigan and Arthur. The body was Cedric’s but she doubted Sigan had let him continue to live in the back of his mind. 

 “I will not let you hurt him.” She practically snarled. 

 “Why should you stop me? He would kill you without a thought if he knew, you are little better than a slave to him. He would cast you aside without a thought.” Sigan’s words were venom spewing from his tongue. 

 “It doesn’t matter.” Merlin said trying to keep her resolve. 

 “Of course it does. You have potential beyond my wildest imaginings. Any with the true sight can see it you know. You have barely scratched the surface of what you’re capable of. I could teach you everything I know. Think Merlin, you could have the recognition you crave, Arthur would see you for what you truly are.” Sigan said, his voice going from venomous to honeyed, almost tempting. 

 “That can’t be.” 

 “But it could. Join me, rule as my Queen, Arthur will kneel before you, tremble at the sound of your voice.” Sigan said stepping forward as though already confident that he’d won. 

 “I don’t want that! I’ve never wanted that!” Merlin snarled back at him. 

 “You would continue as a servant the rest of your life, hiding in the shadows?” Sigan asked, stopping in his tracks. 

 “Better to serve a good man than to rule with an evil one.” Merlin’s voice was resolute, she would not be moved. 

 “So be it. I will become you and bend your power to my will! Perhaps I will keep you alive long enough to watch me slowly end your precious prince.” Sigan said with a sneer and Cedric’s body shuddered, ,blue smoke pouring from his eyes, his nose, ears and mouth. Merlin began the chant the spell the dragon had given her but her words choked off as the smoke enveloped her. Gasping for air Merlin sank to her knees the feel of another entity in her mind was oppressive, choking, painful. She couldn’t speak to finish the chant, she couldn’t get enough air to remain conscious. She slumped to the cobblestones shaking. 

 Anyone brave enough to observe the courtyard at that moment would have been witness to an internal battle. Gold and black fought for supremacy in Merlin’s eyes and for one moment the darkness won out, void filling once blue eyes. Then a starburst of gold cracked the blackness and blue light coalesced into a familiar heart shaped stone. Merlin gasped for breath, coughing as though she’d been held by the throat. She managed to scramble back to her feet as Gaius stepped outside. They quickly formulated a plan. 

 
 Merlin planted the stone on Cedric, careful to not let it touch his bare skin lest Sigan attempt another escape. They brought Arthur around next and Merlin smiled as he started awake. 

 Their story only worked because no one else knew how magic worked. Gaius had theorized since the stone had held Sigan captive before it would trap him again. He’d sent Merlin down to the tomb and she’d managed to toss the stone at the sorcerer, catching him off guard and trapping his soul once again. Merlin had to kick the old stone under a blanket on her way into the tomb to keep anyone from noticing that there were now two of the stones. But no one noticed. 

 Galahad was released and Merlin spent the night tending Arthur’s wounds while he griped. Repairs on the castle would take time and there would never be as many gargoyles as before but no one counted that a bad thing. Galahad found Merlin a few days later with a grin and a small wrapped package. 

 “It’s not much but I wanted to say thank you.” Galahad said pressing the brown paper package into her hands. “For believing me, and for all you do for Arthur. I know you likely spoke to him, he apologized. He never did that before you came along.” He clarified, his face going a bit red. Merlin thanked him and unwrapped the package. Inside was a new scarf, this one was forest green. Merlin grinned thanking him again with a hug. 

 
 “You’re my friend Galahad. I’m glad I can help.” She said tying her hair back with the new scarf. He grinned as Merlin’s name echoed across the courtyard. “Best get back, Arthur’s been cranky since Gaius told him he needed to rest his shoulder instead of helping rebuild.” She was off like a shot, Galahad grinning after her. 

Chapter Text

 Merlin had nearly turned around and walked right back out of Camelot when she’d arrived to the public execution of a boy not much older than her accused of sorcery. But she’d stuck around and somehow ended up not only Gaius’ apprentice but Prince Arthur’s maidservant, despite the fact that the self same prince had her tossed in the dungeon day one for being impudent. Gaius got her released with just an hour in the stocks but things didn’t improve much over the next two weeks. 

 Lady Morgana was kind and Merlin was half convinced her maidservant Gwen was sent by the gods to help her. She’d been the one to give her the tour of the castle, though Merlin was still getting lost in the seemingly endless halls. Then the tournament came around. Arthur’s poor squire had taken ill and he had yet to replace his manservant so it fell to Merlin to help him get ready for the fights. Knight Valiant gave Merlin the creeps, sure the face he put on in front of Uther was all smiles and charm but she’d heard from a few of the other maids around the castle that he was harassing several of them, but that since he was a noble there was little that could be done. 

 Merlin went to Arthur about it and he scoffed, though she caught him frowning when he turned away. She figured out the truth about him when she caught his shield moving, or rather the painted snakes moving. After going to Gaius, who advised her not to go to Arthur without solid proof she lured one of the snakes out while Valiant was busy on the training field and brought the head back to Gaius so he could cure the wounded knight Ewan. But it was too late, a second bite mark had appeared on Ewan, speeding the poison already in him to his heart. Arthur was enraged when he discovered that they now had no evidence but the severed snakes head. He fired Merlin on the spot. Without the proof of Ewan’s testimony and Arthur’s faith the only thing Merlin could think was to summon the snakes when Valiant wasn’t ready for them. 

 She nearly cheered when she actually managed it, everyone else too wrapped up in the fight to notice the blatant use of magic until the snakes emerged from the shield. Valiant blanched. 

 “I didn’t summon you!” He exclaimed giving himself away as Uther shot to his feet. The guards closed ranks around the field and he seemed to know he would not be escaping. “Kill Prince Arthur!” He ordered the snakes. They lunged, Arthur dodged, Morgana seized Uther’s sword from his side and threw it to Arthur who made quick work of the snakes then the false knight. The crowd erupted in cheers, Merlin joined in and Arthur sighed slightly, a small smile on his face as he looked around. 

 Since Merlin had been fired as Arthur’s maid she had thought there would not be a place at the feast for her but Gaius brought her along, introducing her as his apprentice. She was at the back with the rest of the lower staff, squires and apprentices when Arthur swept over to her. He seemed be be choosing his words so Merlin gave him a perfunctory curtsy. 

 “My lord.” She said, words dripping sarcasm. 

 “I shouldn’t have fired you.” He said by way of apology. 

 “No I don’t think you should have.” She said lowly, acutely aware of the eyes on them, though Arthur didn’t seem to notice. 

 “I’ve had a word with the steward, you’re to return to your duties in the morning.” He said and she blinked. 

 “What?” She asked genuinely confused. 

 “I’ll need help with my armor, Gaius says Galahad won’t be back for another few days. And don’t forget you’re to wake me with breakfast not before.” He said before sweeping off. Merlin blinked after him. Gwen sidled up to her with a raised eyebrow. 

 “What was that about?” She asked, she knew Arthur had fired Merlin a day or so ago. 

 “Arthur’s re-hired me.” Merlin said frowning after the prince. Gwen nearly dropped her mug. 

 “What?” 

 “Is that a thing that can happen? I thought getting fired was a permanent state of affairs.” Merlin said taking a sip of her own mug, it was a good honey mead. 

 “Arthur’s never re-hired a servant once they’re dismissed.” Gwen deadpanned looking at Merlin as though she’d grown a second head. Merlin shrugged. 

 “I don’t think I’ll ever understand castle life.” She said shaking her head. 

 
 “I don’t think we’ll ever understand you Merlin.” Gwen said with a good natured grin glancing over at where Arthur was speaking to Morgana. 

 Merlin went to bed that night feeling like she’d finally done something right. Arthur was safe, the rest of the palace staff never had to be worried about being harassed by Valiant again and no one had noticed the missing statue or new addition to the royal kennels. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Arthur would never say it aloud but his first though when the snakes uncoiled from the metal of Valiant’s shield was ‘Merlin was right.’ Then his battle instincts had taken over and he’d slain the snakes and the false knight with the sword Morgana had tossed him. Looking around as the crowd cheered he spotted Merlin, worry fading from her face to be replaced with excitement and joy as she joined in the cheering. 

 She had been right all along and he’d ignored her, believed her to be making things up, and fired her. Arthur would admit he felt bad as Leon’s squire Kay, helped him with his armor since he didn’t currently have a servant or squire. Once he’d changed, knowing he had several hours before the feast he sought out the steward who only managed to mask his look of despair at the last moment. 

 “Sire, I haven’t found a new manservant, or maidservant for you yet. I may have a few prospects but…” He began but Arthur cut him off. 

 “No need to look for a new maidservant, I’m re-hiring Merlin.” Arthur stated and the Steward blinked at him, once, twice, three times without saying a word, shock the only expression on his face. 

 “Sire? You want to have Merlin as your maidservant?” He asked and Arthur nodded. “But you fired her just yesterday.” He pointed out. 

 “Yes and now I’ve changed my mind. Is that going to be an issue?” He asked, adopting the voice his father often used with intransigent nobles. It had yet to work on Merlin but it worked wonders on the steward now. 

 “Of course not sire! I’ll inform her right away!” The steward said scrambling into a bow. Arthur shook his head. 

 
 “I’ll tell her.” He said making the steward blink again but this time he smartly kept his mouth shut. “She’ll be returning to work tomorrow morning. See that you send someone competent to help me dress for the feast.” Arthur said before sweeping out of the room. 

 The look of pure shock on Merlin’s face was worth waiting to have someone halfway intelligent serving him. He sauntered away and caught Morgana glaring at him. He stepped over to her. 

 “What did you do to that poor girl?” She demanded lowly looking over at Merlin who had engaged Gwen in a confused looking conversation. 

 “Informed her she still has a job.” He said with a slight grin. Morgana stared at him blinking, then looked back over at Merlin who was shaking her head. 

 “You little sneak Arthur Pendragon, I was going to hire her!” Morgana said lightly slapping him in the shoulder. Arthur rolled his eyes. 

 “Should have acted sooner Morgana, besides for all my complaining for someone who’s never lived in a castle she’s not bad at what she does.” Arthur grudgingly admitted. Morgana stared at him. 

 “That is tant amount to a confession of devotion from you Arthur.” She teased and he rolled his eyes. 

 “It is not! I’m not that bad.” He argued and Morgana raised an eyebrow. “I’m not!” Arthur insisted. Morgana’s eyebrow climbed slightly higher. “Fine I may have a less than perfect track record when it comes to keeping servants. It’s not my fault all half of them can say is ‘yes sire.’ And the other half don’t seem to speak at all.” He said, he wasn’t pouting, he refused to admit that he enjoyed having Merlin around because it felt almost like what he’d always imagined having a friend would be. Morgana grinned. 

 “I think she’ll be good for you, keep your ego from getting so large you can’t fit your head through the doors of the throne room.” She teased, smiling as one of the visiting knights approached her bowing and asking for the honor of a dance. Arthur was left alone with his thoughts as he watched Merlin and Gwen laughing together. 

Chapter Text

 Lancelot had always dreamed of being a knight, ever since his village had been rolled over by bandits when he was young. He’d honed his skills since then and was quite good with a sword. It was time for him to try the ultimate test. The road to Camelot wasn’t easy with only his pack and his hard won sword. He wasn’t the only one in the area though. He spotted a girl maybe a year or two his junior picking mushrooms, depositing them in a basket beside her. She was pretty, pale with sharp features and big blue eyes. Her hair was tied up with a blue scarf that clashed wonderfully against the red of her tunic. The screech of a creature drew his attention though as something came barreling out of the woods straight at the girl who screamed scrambling away, only to trip over a tree root. Lancelot came to her rescue without a second thought, though his blade clashed seemingly harmlessly against the things hide. The girl grabbed his free hand and they ran. She pulled him down into the hollow of a tree and they hid, the screeching passing them by inches. 

 “You saved my life.” The girl said a bit breathless. “I’m Merlin.” She said and he smiled lightly, though pain was taking over his mind. 

 “Lancelot.” He said reaching out a hand to her. Only then did they spot the blood on his stomach. The next thing he knew he was blinking up at a stone ceiling. A face swam into his view as he blinked to clear his vision. It was the girl, Merlin. Her scarf had migrated south and now sat around her neck, her hair pulled back in a simple braid. She smiled down at him. 

 “How are you feeling?” She asked helping him ease himself upright. 

 “Good where am I? I was making for Camelot.” He said and her grin grew wider. 

 “I have excellent news then, you’re currently on the cot of the court physician of Camelot. He’s out at the moment.” She said handing him a cup of water. He blinked. A court physician was a busy man, how had this girl convinced him to see Lancelot? As pretty as she was she didn’t dress like nobility. 

 “The court physician? Why would he see me?” He asked Merlin frowned slightly. 

 “Why wouldn’t he? Gaius tries to help everyone he can.” 

 “I’m not anyone special.” Lancelot insisted. A tut from the doorway had him turning, groaning slightly as he did. 

 
 “You saved my apprentice’s life. I’d call that a bit special.” The old man in the doorway. Lancelot’s gaze flicked back to Merlin who grinned. Lancelot could not believe his luck, not only was his new friend an apprentice physician who had staunched his bleeding and somehow managed to get him onto her horse and back to Camelot in time to save his life, but she also served as the prince’s maidservant. Admittedly he wasn’t wild about the idea of faking nobility but he’d beaten Prince Arthur himself. He’d also met one of Merlin’s other friends, the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen, Guinevere 

 That almost made it worth it when everything came crashing down around them and he was banished from the city. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 The griffin could only be destroyed by magic, because of course it could only be killed. Merlin really wished they didn’t have to leave magic to the final resort, it tended to be the only thing that would actually solve their problems. Arthur had taken his men out to deal with it and left Merlin behind. She’d only caught Lancelot because Gwen had told her he was going after it. 

 The enchantment made blue flames burst to life on Lancelot’s lance a split second before it skewered the griffin and broke off in it’s torso. Merlin’s shout of triumph must have roused Arthur for he sat up and grinned. 

 “You killed it Lancelot!” He shouted and laughed. Merlin rushed to work, checking on the knights Arthur had taken with him. Leon had taken a blow to the head but nothing too bag. Only one was dead but several of them had injuries similar to the one Lancelot had attained. Arthur and Lancelot helped Merlin cart the injured knights back to the city and to the larger room near Gaius’ chambers set aside for times like this when multiple knights were injured. The whole banquet hall could be transformed into a makeshift hospital when times were bad enough but luckily it hadn’t gotten to that point yet. Once assured that the knights would survive she sought out Lancelot and Arthur. The former of whom was having a heated argument with his father about if they could reinstate Lancelot’s knighthood for killing the griffin. 

 “They might make an exception.” Merlin assured her stern faced friend. 

 “Even if they did I cannot take it.” He said pulling her aside, out of earshot of the guards on the door. 

 “Why not?” 

 “Because I didn’t kill the griffin. You did.” He said and Merlin felt her blood run cold. 

 “Don’t be silly Lancelot.” She said trying for laughter and missing somewhere in the realm of whispered panic. 

 “Bregdan anweald gafeluec.” He repeated. “I heard you.” Merlin seemed to lose all feeling in her feet, making it impossible to run. She’d been working with Arthur for a while now, maybe he’d let her chose the axe over the pyre. Anything but the pyre. She didn’t realize that she was shaking like a leaf in a gale until Lancelot placed a hand on her shoulder. “I will not breathe your secret to a living soul, you have my word Merlin.” She let out a shaking breath.

 “I…” She lunged forward pulling him into a hug. “Thank you.” She muttered into his shirt, hiding the tears in her eyes. 

 “But I will not take credit for something I did not do. No more lies, no more deceit.” He said. Merlin scrubbed her eyes and looked around making sure they were alone. 

 “It’s the only way I know how to survive.” She admitted and Lancelot’s grip tightened slightly as he understood the implication, she had been born with magic, never having a choice in the matter. “What will you do?” 

 Lancelot’s choice was to leave, Merlin skipped out on work for an hour or two to see him off that morning. He had been allowed to keep the armor and even gifted the horse Merlin had borrowed from the stables for him that night. 

 “I wish you didn’t have to leave.” She said checking his saddle for him. 

 “We’ll see each other again.” He said. Merlin reached into her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief with a small G embroidered on the corner. 

 “Gwen asked me to deliver this.” She said with a grin as Lancelot’s face heated. 

 “Be safe my friend, until we meet again.” He said and Merlin grinned stepping back from his horse. 

 “Until next time Sir Lancelot.” She said and he nudged his horse into motion. Part of her hurt watching him go. Only one other person had found out her truth like that, Will, and she felt that as with Will Lancelot would rather die than betray her. Losing that so soon after finding that kind of friendship again hurt, but perhaps it was better, at least now he wouldn’t have to further stain his honor by lying for her. She sighed and turned back to the castle. 

Chapter Text

 Mordred hadn’t really wanted to go into Camelot. He was afraid to be here, with good reason as the shopkeep they were there to see had turned him in. The guards came and Cerdan sent Mordred to hide. He hadn’t often been in cities in his near ten years of life. Crouching by a well, hoping the shadows would afford him some measure of protection he reached out his senses as Cerdan had taught him. He was looking for a certain aura, one that tended to denote kindness, hoping that the owner of this softer aura would help him. He was not expecting to be nearly blinded by his own magic sense. It was as if a star had fallen from the sky and was now standing in the courtyard of Camelot. There could be only one person this was. Magic themselves, brought to life as the legends had always said. Dimming his magic sight Mordred managed to line up the bright gold light with a girl on the edge of the courtyard. She was looking through a bag on her hip, annoyed. 

 ‘Help.’ He called to her in his mind. She jumped looking around. ‘Please help me.’ He called again and this time her eyes locked with his. They were blue, bright as the clearest sky but intense as the ocean. She glanced around, her eyes narrowing. Mordred risked a glance in that direction. There were guards coming into the square. 

 ‘Why are they after you?” She asked, he wasn’t surprised that she had taken to mind-speech without hesitation. She had to be Emrys, there was no other explanation. 

 
 ‘Please they’re going to kill me.’ Mordred begged, blood was already running down his arm and panic did not afford him much time to explain. For a heart stopping moment he thought she was going to leave him as she walked over to a door to the castle. Then she looked back at him. 

 ‘Quickly, this way.’ She called with her mind and Mordred did not hesitate. He was never quite sure how he got into Lady Morgana’s chambers, nor why she hid him. The next few days were a haze of pain and fever. He remembered an old man, a pretty girl with curly black hair and Emrys. Lady Morgana tried to sneak him out of the city. They failed and he was tossed in a cell to meet the same fate as Cerdan, except the prince rescued him. He couldn’t know about Emrys, if those close to her knew she would not have hesitated to use magic. 

 The prince led him to a grate in the wall Emrys was supposed to meet them there. Why wasn’t she here? 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Merlin slammed a hand into the metal grate, using her other hand to hook the grapple to the bars. She succeeded in startling Mordred into silence, though the boy had not once spoke aloud. He’d muttered his name to her during his fevered state. His eyes locked on her and they were filled with relief. How could the dragon think this child would kill Arthur, he was barely ten, if that. It couldn’t be. 

 “Where the hell have you been?” Arthur hissed as Merlin guided one of the horses into a trot, pulling the grate off out of the wall. She quickly unhooked the grapple and untied the rope. 

 “No time. Get on the horse.” She demanded as she seized Mordred under his arms, set him on the front of a saddle and mounted behind him. The look on Arthur’s face told her that he wanted to argue with her coming with them but she was right they didn’t have the time. They raced out into the woods. Only when they were several miles out did they slow. 

 “What the hell Merlin!” Arthur demanded. 

 “You think it was easy getting two horses this late? Without getting noticed!” She hissed back. 

 “You were only meant to bring one! If you get caught my father will have your head!” Arthur grouched. Merlin rolled her eyes. 

 
 “Gaius is covering for me. Both of us actually. He needs moon blooms, they only bloom in the dead of night under a full moon. He didn’t feel comfortable sending me alone so you volunteered to go to make sure I didn’t end up in a ditch somewhere.” Merlin said pointing up at the heavy moon hanging in the sky. Arthur blinked. 

 
 “That’s actually somewhat clever.” 

 ‘What are moon blooms?’ Mordred asked mind to mind, Merlin wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to that. 

 
 “Moon blooms aren’t real but no one else needs to know that. Besides our stock of primrose is getting low and those actually do bloom at night, or rather evenings.” Merlin clarified, before realizing she’d spoken aloud. Arthur though didn’t seem to think it more than her usual chatter. 

 “We’ll need to actually gather that before we go back then.” Arthur said taking the lead. The rest of the ride was quiet, at least to Arthur. Merlin was glad to be riding behind him for once, she hadn’t quite mastered schooling her expression into not giving away the mind speech Mordred used. 

 ‘Thank you for coming Emrys.’ He said leaning back so he could smile up at her. He’d said that was what the druids called her, but the only time she could recall meeting druids she’d been a child in Ealdor. They’d wintered there, only because the mountain pass between there and Camelot had been blocked by an avalanche. She had vauge memories of them teaching several of the children to read and write, Merlin’s mother had already been teaching her. They’d taught them songs and stories but as soon as the thaw came they’d left. Merlin hadn’t been allowed much time around them. Part of her wondered if her mother had worried she’d wish to run off with the druids. She was beginning to wonder if she might have had a better time of it if she had. 

 ‘I have never heard this name before.’ She called back, keeping her mouth closed. ‘I do not understand why you call me this. How can you be sure it’s me?’ 

 ‘The prophecy says Emrys will stand by the Once and Future King.’ Mordred said and Merlin nodded, she’d heard part of that before. The dragon had to know about that then, he seemed to know about everything else, or at least pretended to. ‘I knew from your aura. You shine like pure sunlight to those who can see magic in things.’ Mordred said and Merlin frowned. How could one see magic? She’d have to do some research to see if she could learn that skill, it would be useful in the long run, maybe save a few lives. 

 They arrived at the meeting spot a few hours before dawn. They were not the first people there. Three figures stood in the dark, all wearing the cloaks of the druids. Merlin reluctantly handed Mordred down to Arthur then hopped down herself. All three of the grown men bowed. The tallest stepped forward. He bowed, though Merlin couldn’t tell if it was directed at Arthur or her. The druid did not directly face Arthur as he bowed as most did, but almost seemed to bow to the space between the two as many did when bowing to Uther and Arthur. 

 “You have rescued one of our own, we are forever indebted to you Prince Arthur Pendragon. We thank you greatly for your help… Merlin.” His pause told Merlin that the man had wanted to say one thing, his eyes flicking to Mordred told her that he had protected her secret. Arthur tensed slightly. 

 “How did you know her name?” He asked hand dropping to the hilt of his sword on instinct.

 “I told them.” Mordred said, speaking aloud for the first time. Arthur jumped. Merlin laid a hand on his arm. 

 “The druids have different ways to communicate.” She said hoping this would placate him. 

 
 “She is correct.” The man said as Mordred ran to his side. “If ever either of you have need of the druids, seek me out. My name is Iseldir.” He introduced himself. 

 “I’m glad we could help. Can I know your name?” Arthur said, directing his question to Mordred. 

 “My name is Mordred.” He said pulling up his hood. Merlin felt a slight chill in the air. 

 ‘Thank you Emrys. I never thought to see the day Uther’s son would risk saving any of us.’ Iseldir’s voice echoed in Merlin’s head. 

 ‘He’s a better man than you give him credit for.’ Merlin thought back and Iseldir smiled. 

 “A large patch of the flowers you seek lie a league in that direction.” He said pointing, Merlin just managed to hold back a laugh as Arthur’s eyebrows furrowed. He seemed to mentally throw up his hands in defeat, a slight smile on his face. 

 
 “Good luck Mordred, be cautious Iseldir, I would prefer not to watch anymore executions.” Arthur said and Merlin couldn’t help the smile she shot at him. They mounted back up and left.

 ‘May the gods smile on you Emrys.’ Iseldir’s voice called in her mind again as they passed out of sight. Once she was sure they were out of range Merlin asked the question burning in her mind. 

 “Why did you actually help him?” She asked. Arthur shook his head. 

 “I won’t watch another innocent die if I can prevent it. The boy did no harm, neither did his companion. My father… My father is far too harsh when it comes to things like this, it has never sat well with me. Perhaps I’m mad for going against him like this but I truly believe the boy is harmless.” He said and Merlin nodded. She wasn’t sure she agreed, not after everything the dragon had been right about it. Could it be that Arthur would be better if Mordred was gone? She shook her head again, it didn’t bare thinking about now. The deed was done, the boy lived. The dice had been tossed, there would be no changing how they landed.  

Chapter Text

 Frey hadn’t had much hope since he was cursed. He’d never been great shakes at magic, healing had been his specialty. He’d gone to heal a young woman and when he had finished he’d been attacked by her brother, accidentally killing him in the fight. That was when he’d been cursed by the boy’s mother. The druids had cast him out for his curse, it had stripped him of his magical senses, save when he was the beast. Perhaps he was better off in the cage, at least once Halig got his bounty Frey’s suffering would finally end. Either by the axe or the pyre, at least at that point it would be over. 

 He was contemplating how he’d been caught to distract from his aching shoulders. He’d gone into a town he’d once known in search of food. He’d thought an old friend could be trusted. He’d been wrong. He was so deep in thought he didn’t spot the hooded figure peek into the inn the cage had been parked in front of. They did catch his attention when they turned to the cage. Halig never cared if his cargo showed up damaged, just as long as they made it to Camelot alive. He couldn’t see their face, or make out a figure under the cloak. The spell that popped the lock on the cage made Frey tense. 

 “I’m not going to hurt you.” A female voice called out from somewhere under the hood. She broke his chains with surprising ease as well. They weren’t pure old iron but there was a good bit of it worked into the cuffs, they were meant to hold magic users after all. She grabbed his hand and they took off at a run, ducking behind some crates while she knocked out Halig with the sign from the inn. They ran from there, the figure pulled Frey down into a tunnel and they stilled listening for footsteps following them, but silence was their only answer. After a moment they both relaxed a bit. Frey released the surprisingly small hand. The figure pulled back their hood revealing a girl, maybe a year older than Frey, if that. She was beautiful, if he had to guess she had some unnatural heritage, her face was far too Fae for her to be fully human. 

 “I’m Merlin.” She said with a sunny smile. It reminded him of days by the lake under the sun, better days before everything went wrong. She pulled off the cloak and held it out to him. “You look cold.” He was, had been for ages the cage provided no protection from the elements and his clothes were basically in tatters at this point. He wrapped himself up in cloak. 

 “Frey.” He offered. “My name is Frey.” 

 The next few days were a whirlwind. Merlin had magic, lived in Camelot and was willing to leave everything behind just to be free. They were both sick of hiding, but Frey had yet to tell her about his curse, about waking in the dawn hours with the taste of blood on his tongue. How could he tell her he was a monster? There was no way. He had to leave, leave her behind, he couldn’t take her away from her life. Not when she would just get hurt again. He barely made it out to the square before Halig and the guards found him. The transformation was painful, but Frey would admit he wasn’t all that broken up about killing the bounty hunter. If he’d ever found Merlin he’d have put her in that gods forsaken cage to hand over to Uther. 

 Merlin, what was she doing here? He could smell her but with his magical senses it was impossible to miss her, a fallen star in the center of Camelot, surrounded by dull night. Maybe the recognition was what did it, maybe it was when she sent the statue tumbling down between him and the knight with the bloodied sword who’d already wounded him. But Frey felt the urge to kill fading. One of the knights seemed to have noticed Merlin, calling out to her. Frey couldn’t understand what he said but she ran, glancing back at him. He took off howling in pain as the spreading of his wings tore his wound. The knights hadn’t thought to bring crossbows so with him on the wing they could not catch him, nor track him. Merlin knew where he’d go though. 

 “It’s alright, you’re going to be alright.” She tried to soothe, but Frey knew he was dying. 

 “You did everything you could.” He said wrapping his hand around hers. 

 He could never be sure how she got him out of Camelot wounded as he was, let alone to a beautiful lake, blue as her eyes. He smiled, they’d talked about a place like this, when they’d fantasized about running away, about finally being free and never having to hide again. 

 “You remembered.” He said weakly. She let out a wet laugh. 

 “I… I can’t get the bleeding to stop. Frey I’m sorry. I… I couldn’t save you.” She sobbed. 

 “You already saved me. You showed me the good there can be in this world when I had lost all faith, you made me feel loved.” He said gasping slightly. Her crystalline blue eyes filled his vision. “Thank you Merlin.” As darkness overcame him an echoing voice filled his final thoughts. 

 ‘Your part in this is not yet finished. You Frey will not pass into the hereafter, instead you will serve as a guardian of Emrys, she will need help I cannot provide directly’ The voice was three voices in one, a small child’s tinny whisper, the sweet alto of a young woman and the shaking timber of an old crone. Frey had never expected to hear from the goddess herself. Nor to find himself in a place of immortal life, free of his curse, magic free around him in a castle that sat impossibly on the lake where Merlin had burned his body.  ‘You will guard this passage to Avalon and when the time comes you will help my child.’ The voice was coming from a figure in front of him and Frey dropped to his knees. 

 In front of him was the goddess of magic herself, shifting forms from a young child, a woman in the prime of life and an old crone.  In every face she had familiar golden eyes, the same shape and shade as Merlin’s when she used magic. Frey blinked as the goddess smiled at him. 

 ‘Yes child I had a rather large hand in Merlin’s existence. My sweet Emrys has many trials to face.’ The goddess spoke without ever moving her mouth. 

 “How can I be of help to her?” He asked, he wanted nothing more than to repay Merlin for her never ending kindness. The gold eyes of the goddess fell on the water. In the reflection of the lake Frey could see Merlin kneeling in the shallows, sobbing. His heart twisted and he reached out, but the lake seemed to act as solid glass, he could not push through it. 

 ‘The first of her many great trials approaches. When that time comes, you will provide comfort and instruction. Your kin will provide healing and safety. You are of Avalon now, and perhaps someday she will be too.’ The goddess said laying a hand on the reflection of Merlin’s head. The wind around the lake seemed to lightly brush her hair out of her face.  ‘She must succeed in bringing magic back to the world, or the balance of life and death itself will be threatened. But that is a matter for another time, come, rest you have earned it.’ She said and led him into the impossible structure sitting atop the placid water of the lake. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Merlin shook her head as she worked on mending Arthur’s tunic. Why did the fates have to snatch away everyone she cared for? They’d tried for her mother and Gaius, they were constantly trying for Arthur. Lancelot had been forced to leave shortly after learning Merlin’s secret and swearing to never reveal her. Will had died to save Arthur, now Frey gone because of a curse he could not control. Was it her fate to forever be alone? Tears sprung to her eyes.

 “There you are!” Arthur’s voice made her jump. She looked up before she could think to scrub away the tears on her face. Arthur paused and knelt down next to her. She’d been working on her mending in his room, it was easier, no one came in here unless Arthur wanted them to and he was supposed to be with Uther in a council meeting for most of the day. “What happened?” He asked his voice softening. 

 You killed my best chance at freedom. She thought but shook her head. 

 
 “Nothing.” She said ducking her head back down to try and focus on the fabric in front of her but it seemed to be swimming. A hand appeared under her chin and gently tilted her head up. 

 “Merlin, what’s wrong?” He asked again. She shook her head, forcing a smile.

 “Nothing.” She insisted. 

 “You’re a bad liar Merlin. Is it your mother, is she alright?” He asked and Merlin let out a breath. She shook her head. 

 “I’m fine Arthur. I swear.” 

 “And yet I still don’t believe you.” Arthur shot back teasingly, wiping away her tears with his thumb. She let out a soft sob and decided on a partial truth she was so sick of lying. 

 “There was a boy.” She admitted. Arthur stiffened. 

 “A boy made you cry like this?” He asked his tone nearly deadly. Merlin snorted and shook her head. 

 “He’s dead Arthur.” She managed before the tears came again. Arthur blinked but after a moment pulled her into a loose embrace. 

 “I’m sorry Merlin.” He said quietly after a few minutes. That didn’t improve her crying though. He wasn’t apologizing for killing Frey, not really, but a small selfish part of her translated his words to that purpose. She didn’t know how long she cried, all she knew was that she must have cried herself to sleep because she woke up somewhere else with a pounding headache, looking up at red curtains.

 She sat up, she was in Arthur’s bed, her face went red. Arthur was at his desk. He looked up, glancing out the darkened windows. Night had fallen a while ago. Merlin scrambled out of Arthur’s bed. He stood. 

 “Why don’t you take the next few days off.” He said not looking directly at her, she could tell he had no idea how to handle this situation. She nodded, curtsying slightly. 

 “Thank you Arthur.” She meant it too and he smiled at her as she left. She leaned on the door behind her swearing to herself. She’d hoped what she’d had with Frey would quash her feelings for Arthur but him caring for her in one of her most vulnerable moments simply made that warm feeling for him grow brighter. She had to find a way to put that out of her mind, nothing could ever happen between them. 

Chapter Text

 Gaius could not allow Merlin to be killed, he didn’t even want Aredian speaking to Merlin. But one small careless, truly harmless show of magic had Uther summoning the Witchfinder. He had no oversight it made him dangerous. Morgana he wouldn’t touch physically, not with Uther footing his bill. But Merlin was not afforded that protection. She came back from her questioning shaking slightly, bruises on her wrists. Gaius thought it was a bit of an irony that Aredian had managed to target the only three actual magic users he knew of in Camelot despite all his evidence being fabricated. He’d never seen the bracelet Aredian claimed as his proof before but claimed it was his to save Merlin the pyre. He knew Aredian wouldn’t stop until he got one person, but even that it seemed would not be enough for him. He gloated to Gaius that he would have Lady Morgana and Merlin burn as well. 

 Gaius could do nothing but wait for the pyre, the fact that Arthur postponed it gave him some small hope but he had no idea what was going on. He sat on the pile of straw that served as a cot and stared up through the window of his cell, wondering if this would be the last time he saw sunlight. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Arthur was impressed at Merlin’s findings. She and Gwen seemed to have teamed up and discovered that Aredian was forcing the local apothecary to sell eye drops containing Belladonna, which would have caused hallucinations. He’d threatened to claim he was a sorcerer if he hadn’t sold Aredian’s mixture. All of his so called witnesses had bought the contaminated eye drops. 

 
 “These claims are clearly unfounded! The girl is simply trying to protect her master!” Aredian bit out stepping closer to Merlin. Arthur tensed but Merlin stood her ground. “Perhaps he’s been teaching her more than just the physician’s arts.” Aredian accused. Arthur had had enough. 

 “Then you won’t mind us searching your chambers.” Arthur said stepping forward so he was level with Merlin. That seemed to give Aredian pause. He hadn’t expected that. He scoffed. 

 
 “I have nothing to hide.” He said echoing Merlin’s words from just a few days ago. Arthur snagged Merlin by the sleeve, it wasn’t standard practice to have the accuser with the guards while they searched for evidence of witchcraft, but Morgana was tagging along to so it hardly mattered. That was until they found the cabinet full of the eye drops and the same bracelet Aredian claimed to have found in Gaius’ chambers. Arthur yanked Morgana behind him as Aredian tried to claim he knew nothing about this, that Merlin was setting him up. 

 He seemed to choke on his words as his accusations flew until he was doubled over. Something was coming out of Aredian’s mouth. Morgana screamed as a toad climbed out of Aredian’s throat and landed on the floor, petulantly croaking up at the man. Uther drew his sword. 

 “Sorcery!” He accused and real fear flashed in Aredian’s eyes. Fear like Arthur had seen before, the type of fear that made one go mad in an attempt to escape. Though Morgana was safe behind Arthur no one had though to keep Merlin from standing towards the front of the group, as she was wont to do rules of propriety be damned. Aredian seized her by the shoulder, making her cry out. He pressed a dagger to her throat and Arthur’s heart seized in his chest. Merlin had frozen, fear waring with something else on her face. 

 “You’ll never escape the city alive!” Arthur snarled. If he hurt Merlin he wouldn’t be making it out of this room alive. Merlin’s eyes flicked to Arthur and then behind him to where Leon was standing his weapon out. Out of the corner of his eye Arthur saw Leon nod to Merlin. Before anyone else could move Merlin drove her heel into Aredian’s foot. He reeled, his hand still holding the knife to Merlin’s throat jerked outward away from her skin, at that moment Merlin seized his arm, jabbing two fingers into Aredian’s wrist and snatching up the dagger as Aredian reflexively dropped it. She managed to get a few steps away but the damage was already done, shocked by Merlin’s unexpected resistance Aredian had stumbled backward, his knees met a trunk behind him and he toppled backward straight out the window. Merlin dropped his dagger as Arthur stepped over to her. Crimson was beginning to stain her blue tunic. 

 “You’re hurt.” Arthur said and Merlin glanced at her shoulder. When Aredian had reeled at her stamping on his foot he had slashed the dagger across her shoulder. Merlin pulled her scarf off and pressed it to the bleeding wound as Leon peered carefully out of the broken window. 

 “He’s dead.” Leon confirmed. Arthur added his hand to Merlin’s shoulder, she winced at the added pressure but nodded, encouraging him to keep his hand there. Arthur glanced over at his father. 

 “Have Gaius released.” He ordered to the guards behind him, they nodded. “You’ve helped uncover a dangerous charlatan and a sorcerer to boot. See that she’s cared for Arthur.” Uther said before sweeping out of the room comforting a distraught Morgana as he went. 

 “Take care of Aredian’s body Leon.” Arthur ordered and taking Merlin by her elbow escorted her out of the room. It was a quick jog to the physician’s quarters. The place was a mess, books on herbs strewn everywhere. Arthur deposited Merlin on one of the benches at her insistence. “What do you need?” He asked, he might know his way around a sword but the physician’s art had never been of interest to him. 

 “That kit there.” Merlin said pointing with her good arm. Arthur seized it and handed it over to Merlin who laid it out on the table in front of her. Inside were various tools including the needle and thread she now grabbed one handed. “Can you thread that?” She asked holding the needle out to Arthur. His hands shook slightly but he did as she asked as she wiped away the blood and tore her already cut shirt so it was nearly falling off her shoulder, allowing her access to the cut. 

 “Here, let me.” Arthur said and Merlin raised an eyebrow. 

 “Have you ever stitched a wound? Cause I know you don’t stitch your own shirts.” She teased. He rolled his eyes. 

 “It can’t be that hard.” He insisted. She rolled her eyes snatching the needle from him and pressing it through skin beginning her stitches. Arthur watched, slightly horrified at the practiced motion Merlin made as she stitched her own flesh back together. 

 “Scissors.” She requested nodding to the kit as she tied off the stitching. Arthur scrambled for them and watched, a little nauseous as she clipped off the thread. The door opened and Leon led Gaius in, the older man was shaking slightly. Merlin leapt up and helped Leon maneuver Gaius to the patient cot he used as a bed. Gaius reached out and pulled Merlin into a hug. 

 “My girl, thank you.” He muttered and Arthur turned away as Merlin’s shoulders began to shake. He nodded to Leon. 

 “See they have everything they need, you’re better at the medicinal side of things, help with what you can. I’ll have the kitchens send up dinner.” He ordered. He made for the door. 

 “Arthur!” Merlin called out and Arthur turned. She’d turned to him a blinding smile on her face. “Thank you for listening to me.” She said and he nodded, not trusting his voice. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur was beginning to wonder if Merlin had a point when she called Catrina a troll. She was horrible, and now that horridness was aimed squarely at Merlin. Catrina the newly wedded Queen of Camelot claimed that Merlin had stolen her seal of nobility. As if Merlin would ever turn thief. 

 Arthur had Leon to thank for the tip off. Otherwise he would only have known Merlin had been arrested after the fact. As it was Leon caught him on the way to the training field and it gave him enough time to double back to his room where Merlin was gathering his laundry. He banged his way into his room, slamming and locking the door behind him, making Merlin jump where she was making his bed. 

 “Arthur?” 

 “No time, Queen Catrina’s accused you of stealing her seal.” Arthur said rushing to the other doors to his chambers, locking them. It would slow the guards and that might be Merlin’s only chance. 

 “I didn’t!” She was indignant. Arthur nodded. 

 “Of course you didn’t.” He said peeking down the servant’s passage, it remained clear. “But right now you don’t have time for explanations.” 

 “Arthur she’s a troll!” Merlin insisted. Arthur caught her by the wrist, pulling her over to the servant’s entrance. 

 “No time for that now. If you value your life get out of Camelot! There won’t be a guard on the western gate for another twenty minutes it’s your only chance. Go, please!” Arthur muttered as someone began to pound on his door. Merlin opened her mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it, taking off out the servant’s entrance. Arthur watched her vanish down the stairs praying she wouldn’t be caught as he clicked the door to the servant’s passages closed behind her. He made his way to the door schooling his expression into one of annoyance. 

 “What in the blue blazes are you pounding on my door for!” He demanded of the two guards outside his door. 

 “Sire we have orders to arrest Merlin, she’s been accused of stealing from the Queen.” One of the guards said, he didn’t look particularly happy about these circumstances. Arthur raised an eyebrow. 

 “I haven’t seen Merlin all morning.” He lied motioning them into the room. “I doubt she’s been here yet, she usually leaves the door to the servant’s passages hanging open, leaves the worst draft rushing through. Arthur claimed as the guards began to search. He stepped over to the bed and kicked Merlin’s left behind laundry basket under the bed before either guard could see it. They left shortly after and Morgana stormed in frowning. 

 “Why am I hearing from Gwen that Queen Catrina has accused Merlin of thievery!” She demanded. 

 “Because I only heard about it ten minutes ago.” Arthur said and Morgana blanched. 

 “Have they caught her?” She asked sinking down into a chair. 

 “No and if she takes my advice she’ll get out of Camelot as quickly as possible.” Arthur said pacing. Morgana lifted an eyebrow at him.

 “Your advice?” She blinked. “You found her before the guards did, you helped her get away.” Morgana whispered. 

 “That’s ridiculous Morgana, I would never help someone evade the kings justice.” Arthur said and Morgana laughed. 

 “Unless you don’t think that justice is deserved.” She said with a grin. “I’ll leave you to hunt your thief then.” Morgana said with a conspiratorial wink. 

 The next day Leon reported that they’d picked up Merlin’s trail to the west of Camelot, finding a quickly abandoned camp. Arthur’s heart sank. If she was smart she’d head for Ealdor, it was her old home and within the bounds of Cenred’s kingdom, they couldn’t send a patrol through there. Cenred had broken the peace treaty some months ago and a patrol from Camelot would be seen as an act of war. Things only got worse from there though. His father imposed a new cruel tax on the people of Camelot, one Arthur knew most would not be able to bare. He’d spent more time in the lower towns over the last year and a half, since meeting Merlin. He’d met more of the people in the town than he had ever thought even lived there. The baker in town knew him by sight and knew he preferred strawberries over blueberries, something he was sure he had Merlin to thank for. He barely hesitated before ordering the reversal of his father’s tax. 

 Gwen thanked him for it, later that day. 

 “She’d be proud of you, you know.” Gwen said with a grin. Arthur frowned. 

 “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He lied, the image of Merlin beaming at him, joy and pride mixing in her crystal blue eyes. 

 “You do though. She proved that station never mattered, that it doesn’t matter if you’re a  prince and she’s a servant. You’re still friends, and I think we both know you feel more than that for her.” Gwen was gentle with it but Arthur still flopped back into his chair in defeat. 

 “I’m that obvious?” He asked and Gwen laughed lightly. 

 “Only because I know you.” She said curtsying as the door opened and Leon entered. 

 The topper on the week was that his father disinherited him and Merlin had been right the whole time, his step mother was a troll. He flopped down onto his bed. It had been about two days since the coronation, Uther was planning another tax on the people. There was no end in sight. The only consolation Arthur had was that the guards had yet to find Merlin. Her trail had gone cold near two leagues away from Camelot, but it had been going towards Ealdor from what Leon could tell. He wished she was here, he couldn’t handle this on his own, everything was going wrong and he had no idea how to handle it.

 “Arthur.” It was almost as if he could hear her voice now. He frowned up at the ceiling. Was he really so far gone on her that he was hearing her voice when she wasn’t even there?

 “Arthur!” The call was more insistent this time but it couldn’t be her. Arthur leapt from the bed, drawing his sword. Someone was in his room. 

 “Who’s there!” He called. In the dim light from the window and the dying fire a figure slid out from under his bed. 

 “Merlin!” She said grinning up at him as he practically dropped his sword. Setting it down instead he held out a hand and pulled her to her feet, resisting the urge to pull her into an embrace. 

 “You’re back!” He said. She didn’t look like she’d been in the woods for near a week. She didn’t look much different than usual. She’d even managed to change clothes. 

 “Oh I never left.” Merlin said and Arthur frowned. Had she been under his bed the whole time? “Gaius and I managed to lay a false trail, but we have more important things to discuss, like the fact that I was right.” 

 “No need to gloat.” There was a knock on the door and Merlin ducked behind the changing screen, shoving a shirt in Arthur’s direction. He was glad she couldn’t see how red his face had grown as he pulled on the shirt and stepped over to the door. Gaius bowed. 

 “I was informed you weren’t feeling well.” He said stepping into the room before Arthur could even answer. He closed the door behind him. “Merlin.” She popped out from behind the dressing screen. “Good. Have you told him the plan?” 

 “Haven’t had the chance.” Merlin said shaking her head, she looked around the room and frowned. “Have you been scaring off my replacement?” She demanded. 

 “You haven’t been replaced. What plan?” Arthur said hoping she wouldn’t read too much into his words. 

 “Of course you couldn’t get anyone to replace me.” Merlin said with a grin. “Gaius thinks your father’s been enchanted. We’ve found a way to break it but we need your help.” 

 “How do I help?” Arthur asked and Gaius pulled a corked vial out of his sleeve. 

 “We need your father to cry, the only way to achieve that is for him to believe you are dead.” Gaius explained never one to mince words. 

 
 “Don’t worry, it’s temporary. I’ve the antidote.” Merlin said and Arthur felt strangely reassured. 

 “One drop of the antidote will reverse the effects almost instantly.” Gaius added. Arthur frowned at the bottle in his hands. 

 “You’re sure?” He asked as Merlin finished straightening the table and stepped back over to them. She and Gaius nodded. Arthur popped the cork on the bottle and downed the contents. His last view before the world went dark was of Merlin’s eyes, looking down at him a bit worried. 

 His vision cleared and he blinked at Merlin who yanked him to his feet. There was a fight happening in his chambers, his father seemed to have snapped back to his senses and was battling the troll. He leapt into the fight without even thinking about it, getting the upper hand on Catrina’s slimy servant Jonas and skewering the troll herself, forcing everyone to flee his chambers at the stench she let off as she died. Coughing and gagging Arthur didn’t see the guards rushing up to them until two of them seized Merlin. Panic took over and he made to lunge for them when Uther spat out a command.

 “Release her at once!” The king called and the guards dropped Merlin, confused. “Have someone get in there and clean out that chamber!” He called and the guards rushed off to fetch what Arthur hoped would be a multitude of servants. No one person should have to deal with that. He caught Merlin’s eye and both of them had to turn away before they burst out laughing. 

 Once the whole castle had been scrubbed and aired out Arthur sought Merlin out. 

 “I… I wanted to say thank you. If it wasn’t for you I’d still have a troll for a step mother.” Arthur said and Merlin slapped a hand over her mouth trying to stifle her laughter. 

 “I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to look at your father without laughing about it.” She admitted. Arthur snorted lightly. 

 “Just don’t get caught laughing at the king. He’ll be out for your head.” Arthur said trying to sound serious and only managing it halfway. 

 “As if you’d let that happen.” Merlin said teasingly. Arthur rolled his eyes but reached out to pat her on the shoulder. She surprised him by pulling him into a quick embrace. Before he could process how wonderful it felt to hold her close she had pulled back and picked up her laundry basket. “Thank you Arthur.” She said and he couldn’t help but smile as she walked away. 

Chapter Text

 Gwen frowned setting down the tray, it wasn’t the usual fare she brought up to Morgana’s chambers. Instead it was a mix of herbs water and honey, meant to keep Morgana alive long enough for Gaius to figure out how to get her to wake. There was also a small meal there for Merlin who had not left Morgana’s side since she fell ill nearly two days ago. 

 “How is she?” Gwen asked, Merlin shook her head. 

 “No change. Will you help me sit her up so we can see about helping her keep her strength up?” Gwen nodded and helped Merlin sit Morgana up. She seemed to just be sleeping but nothing anyone did could wake her. They managed to spoon most of the mixture of herbs, water and honey down her throat and left her sitting up for a while to ensure she wouldn’t choke. After about an hour Gwen helped Merlin lay Morgana back down. 

 “You look terrible.” Gwen said turning to Merlin. “Cook heard you haven’t left the room since Morgana fell ill. She sent up something special.” Gwen said as Merlin sat back down on Morgana’s bed. 

 “I’m not hungry.” Merlin muttered. 

 “You need to eat Merlin.” Gwen insisted. “You haven’t in days, you’re not going to do Morgana any good if you fall ill as well.” 

 “Gwen’s right.” A voice sounded from the door making both girls jump. Arthur closed the door behind him. Merlin looked exhausted, dark bags had built up like bruises under her eyes, Arthur wouldn’t be surprised if she hadn’t gotten a moments rest since Morgana fell ill. Gaius watched over the health of the whole castle, he could not be here all day and all night but Merlin could. Arthur had released her from her duties until Morgana was recovered but he’d expected her and Gaius to work in shifts. “You do look terrible Merlin.” 

 “Gaius needs sleep more than I do.” She insisted, confirming Arthur’s suspicions. Arthur nodded to Gwen. 

 “Leave us.” He said gently, placing a hand on the tray to indicate it and the now cool meal on it should remain behind. Gwen glanced between them and nodded, curtsying before she left. “Get over here Merlin.” Arthur ordered. Merlin glared at him for a moment before standing and tottering over to the table, not even asking before half collapsing into the chair. She stared at the food in front of her before glancing back over at Morgana. Arthur sat on the edge of the bed.

 “I need…” Merlin began. 

 “You need to eat is what you need to do. You’re already so skinny the wind’s liable to pick you up and blow you away. Morgana will be beyond cross at me if I let one of her favorite gossips fade away for her sake.” Arthur said, cutting off Merlin’s protests. Pouting slightly Merlin began to eat. Arthur remained silent, watching Morgana’s face for any sign of change. When the sound of fork against plate halted Arthur turned to order Merlin to eat again and stifled a laugh. Merlin was leaning back in the chair she’d sat down in, head tipped back slightly fast asleep. 

 Glancing over at Morgana to make sure she was still breathing Arthur stood and frowned as he stepped silently over to Merlin. He should wake her. But the exhaustion in her eyes from hours of watching over Morgana had faded from her face, leaving it almost peaceful. There was still a bit of a pinched look about her face, one that spoke of exhaustion and stress, even now in her sleep. Glancing between the two girls Arthur stepped over to the door and summoned a guard. 

 “Have my squire Galahad gather the paperwork on my desk and bring it here. I want to spend some time with Morgana.” He said making no mention of Merlin. No one needed to know he was letting her sleep. Galahad showed up about ten minutes later and Arthur met him at the door, taking the paperwork and sending the squire away. He sat down opposite Merlin, who slept on unaware.

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Gaius had seen the dragon in nigh on twenty years, not since he was imprisoned and Gaius helped to spirit Balinor out of Camelot. Making his way down the dank corridor carved from bare stone was nerve wracking. But he needed advice, advise from an outside source. Edwin was a threat to Uther, but now also posed a more dangerous one to Merlin. He had no idea how the charlatan had discovered Merlin’s powers but he’d threatened to see her burn if Gaius uttered a word against him. He could not watch Merlin burn, he would not. But could anything be done to save Uther. 

 “How old a man can become, and yet change so little.” The dragon said looking Gaius over. For his part Kilgarrah had not changed much, though his scales had lost some of their luster. “It has been twenty years and you have not once thought to come to me.” 

 “I do not come here for myself.” Gaius said standing tall. 

 “I know, you come about the girl.” 

 “You know of Merlin?” That was a bit of a surprise, though perhaps not. Being born as she was with magic it was likely that she was something other than human, a creature of magic just like the dragon. Then there was what Gaius suspected about the identity of Merlin’s father. Hunith, his youngest sister by blood, had begun to show shortly after Balinor left. She had never told him if Merlin was the daughter of the dragonlord or not, but he suspected there could be no other explanation. 

 “You may struggle against her destiny, but you can no more prevent it than she can.” The dragon said and Gaius let out a breath. 

 “Then my suspicion was correct. They are the subjects of the old prophecy.” Gaius breathed. 

 “Emrys and the Once and Future King will stand together and unite the lands of Albion, they will free magic and bring about a new golden age.” The dragon said, repeating the old prophecies Gaius knew the druids still whispered about. 

 “She is in grave danger.” Gaius said and the dragon laughed. 

 “No, at the moment my jailer stands in peril, only your choice can put the girl in danger.” 

 “Must Uther be sacrificed to keep her safe?” Gaius asked, he had once been Uther’s friend and close confidant. Nothing had been the same since Ygraine died but every once in a while he could see his old friend somewhere behind the stone wall he had built around his heart after the loss of his wife. He did not wish to see his friend die.

 “Their time cannot come until his has passed.” The answer was cryptic at best. 

 “Is that time now?” 

 “That decision falls to you for now.” The dragon said and flew up as far as the chain would allow. The conversation was clearly finished. 

 Later when Edwin lay dead and Uther cured by Merlin’s hand, the candles sputtered low. Gaius though could not sleep. He stepped up the small staircase and gently eased open the door to Merlin’s room. She was fast asleep in bed, one hand hanging off the frame. The book of spells he’d gifted her was barely peeking out from under her bed, another book, this one about medicinal herbs, lay just out of reach of her fingers. He suspected she’d fallen asleep reading again. He smiled lightly, stepping up the stairs and picking up the book, placing it on the tiny table by her bed and blowing out her candle. He pulled the blanket up so she was actually covered by it. She shifted slightly in her sleep and rolled over. 

 Gaius made his way down the stairs again and sat down on the edge of his cot. Emrys. It was a name he’d heard growing up. The prophecy of Emrys and the Once and Future King had been old when he was but a boy. Emrys was said to be the most powerful warlock to ever live, to champion the triple goddess herself in the darkest times of magic, to be a light when all else went dark. And if the dragon was right, she was asleep mere feet away from him. He’d never felt more protective over his niece but there would be nothing he could do to save her from this. 

 If the goddess had chosen her to be Emrys then that was the deed already done. No earthly intervention could change her fate, it was tied too closely to Arthur’s, he suspected in more ways than one. But he also suspected the dragon had not been forthcoming when speaking to Merlin. He was cryptic at best with Gaius who had experience speaking to creatures like him, though it had been years. He sighed, he could protect her in one way. It would be better if Merlin never learned the truth of Emrys. The druids were known to worship the idea of the goddess’s champion, if they learned she was real, Gaius couldn’t help but wonder how that would effect Merlin, who had so long feared how her powers set her apart. She wished nothing more than to be accepted, not singled out. He sighed as he blew out his own candle. Destiny would have much in store for Merlin, of that he was certain if nothing else. 
   

Chapter Text

 Arthur remembered going up against the Questing Beast, remembered Merlin screaming his name as the thing threw him across the cave. The next thing he remembered he was in his room. He blinked blearily. Looking down he saw bandages across his chest and upper right shoulder. His father was asleep on a chair next to his bed, his front atop Arthur’s blankets. Arthur cleared his throat and coughed. Uther shot upright. 

 “Arthur!” He gasped in joy. “Guards!” Two men burst into the room. “Fetch Gaius at once, tell him Arthur’s awake.” 

 The explanation came out quickly. Arthur had been felled by the Questing Beast. Gaius had sent Merlin for a cure that could only be found outside of Camelot and it had worked. He would be unable to use his right arm for some time yet but he would live. The night after he woke someone entered his room without knocking. Without even looking up he knew it to be Merlin, even after near a full year in Camelot she had not yet learned the subtle art of knocking. He’d dreamed of her when he was asleep from his wound, not that he’d ever say it aloud. He’d dreamed she was on a boat floating through a mist, looking as though she were a Fae emerging from a story his nurse had told him when he was a child. 

 “How are you?” Merlin asked. 

 “Good I think. I’ll be glad to get out of this sling.” Arthur said trying to pour himself a glass of wine. Merlin’s hands wrapped around his single one and guided the pitcher, taking it from him when the glass was full. 

 “I’m glad. I need to talk to you.” She said setting down the pitcher. Arthur raised an eyebrow. She seemed so serious, uncharacteristically so. 

 “Thought as prince I decided when we talked.” He joked attempting to lighten the mood. 

 “Not tonight.” Merlin said shaking her head. 

 “Sometimes I wonder if after all this time you still haven’t worked out who I am.” Arthur said trying to get her to smile. It worked, but only just.

 “I know exactly who you are Arthur Pendragon. You’re a prat.” She said, he made a noise of protest but she kept talking. “A royal one, but still a prat.” That almost made him laugh reminding him of their second meeting when he’d teased her in the marketplace. He’d followed her when she’d refused to speak to him, like a petulant child, until he’d been tripped up by a stray rope. By the time he’d managed to rise she had vanished. 

 “Are you ever going to change Merlin?” He asked, unable to hide the affection in his tone. 

 “You’d get bored if I did.” She said grinning but her tone sounded strange. “But if you do get another servant, don’t get a bootlicker, promise me that.” That made Arthur turn to look at her. Her eyes were shining with what could only be unshed tears. He rose on slightly shaking legs, stepping over to her. 

 
 “What’s wrong Merlin, you’re acting strangely.” He said and she shook her head, turning her back to him and subtly trying to rid her face of any trace of tears. “If this is you trying to quit…” 

 “No.” She said turning back to him, her eyes only marginally dryer. “I’m happy to serve you until the day I die Arthur.” Something about how she said it made him reach out with his good hand and take her hand. 

 “Something’s wrong, you’re not usually this… proper.” He said frowning. She shook her head. 

 “Nothing’s wrong Arthur. In fact I… I just wanted to say that someday you’re going to be an excellent king, but you must learn to listen to others.” She said, her words turning cryptic once more. He was listening now and he didn’t quite like what he heard. It sounded as if she was saying goodbye. 

 “Merlin if something’s happened… If someone’s threatening you you need to tell me. I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s happening.” Normally he wouldn’t admit that he wished to help but she was starting to scare him. 

 “Like I said nothing’s wrong. Just, don’t be a prat.” She managed and pulled herself out of his grip, she was gone before he could take another step. Arthur wobbled his way over to the door and motioned one of the guards over to him. 

 “Find Sir Leon, tell him to keep an eye on Merlin, something’s off.” He ordered and the guard nodded, taking off at a sprint. Arthur flopped back down into his chair wishing he could have gone after her himself but he feared he wouldn’t have made it halfway down the stairs. The illness that had come with his injury had sapped him of most of his strength. 

 Not even an hour later Leon arrived in his room. Arthur had been unable to sleep he would liked to have paced around his room waiting for word but he could not so instead he sat staring into his undrunk wine. 

 “Sire.” Leon called closing the door behind him. 

 “You’re meant to be keeping an eye on Merlin.” Arthur said frowning. 

 “She’s gone sire, rode out of Camelot as if the hounds of hell were on her heels barely ten minutes ago. I couldn’t have kept up with her if I wanted, she didn’t even stop to saddle her horse sire.” Leon said and Arthur looked up at him, confused. 

 “Why?” 

 “I don’t know. But I do know her mother is here in Camelot and gravely ill. Gwen is watching her.” Leon said, still standing by the doors. Arthur nodded to one of the chairs in the room. Leon sat down gratefully. 

 
 “Why is Gwen treating Merlin’s mother?” Arthur asked. Leon frowned. 

 “She said Gaius went to fetch something, but that Merlin took off after him shortly after she returned from speaking to you. Gaius appears to have taken a horse as well, though he actually stopped to saddle the damn thing.” Leon said frowning. “Sire what do you think is happening?”

 “I don’t know. My father told me Merlin was sent to get the cure that healed me but I am beginning to wonder if there was some price for that cure that I do not know of. All I know about it is that it came from outside Camelot.” Arthur said. 

 “Gaius would never do anything to endanger Merlin, he’s her uncle by blood and has acted as though he were her father since she arrived in Camelot.” Leon assured. 

 “It’s not Gaius I’m worried about.” Arthur said frowning. 

 “Perhaps Merlin remembered some cure or another that could save her mother. She is the only close family she has from what I understand.” Leon suggested. Arthur nodded. 

 “Perhaps.” He said and nodded for Leon to leave. Something about this situation did not sit well with him. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Pain became Merlin’s whole world as she failed to deflect Nimueh’s fireball. It was near overwhelming but the sight of Gaius laying prone at the foot of the stone alter stirred something inside her, something wild and angry. She rose, unsure how she found the strength to do so. 

 With her anger rose a storm above them, roiling and angry. Nimueh glanced up then back at Merlin with trepidation for the first time. Merlin could feel the power in every part of her being, could feel the pulse of Nimueh’s life and the dimming light that was Gaius’ where he lay. There was a feeling there, Nimueh had spoken of balance, this was what she meant, a life needed to be taken. 

 “You should not have killed my friend.” Merlin barely heard her own voice echo around her as though she was speaking with a thousand different voices. Calling the lightning was almost too easy and in a flash of light Nimueh was gone. Rain began to pour as Merlin ran to Gaius. She screamed in defiance as she felt his life slipping away. Then the light inside him grew suddenly brighter. He coughed and blinked. 

 “Merlin?” He asked and she smiled. 

 “It’s done, Nimueh is dead, balance restored.” Gaius stared at her. 

 “You have no idea how amazing what you’ve done was do you?” He muttered and Merlin shrugged helping him up. “Child you held the very power of life and death in your hands without an ounce of training on how to use it. You should have caused chaos to break through the world, but you managed to restore balance.” He pulled her into a hug that she readily returned. To him it seemed she still had no idea what she had done, perhaps it was for the best. “Any chance you could stop this infernal rain?” He asked and she laughed. 

 They returned to Camelot and a much more sedate pace, if only to spare Merlin’s poor horse. She’d near killed the poor thing catching up with Gaius. As they walked back to the physicians chambers Merlin looked up and caught Arthur watching out his window. She smiled up at him and could have sworn he returned the smile, looking nearly relieved. They managed to hide Merlin’s injury quite well, with a bit of magic it healed into a scar the size of Merlin’s fist, sitting directly over her heart. Her mother recovered and stayed a full week before returning to Ealdor. Merlin smiled again and Arthur seemed relieved that she was around for once. All told things couldn’t have been better. 

Chapter Text

 The whole situation was a mess and Merlin hated every second of it. She hated that she’d had to betray a druid camp, even one as backwards and broken as Alvarr’s. She hated that she was beginning to wonder if the dragon might be right about Mordred. It was as if the idea were a snake living in her mind poisoning her against this young boy. She had nearly let him die today. Staring into the fire she wondered if she could have actually done it, the branch had been right there, the guards on him. It wouldn’t have taken more than a thought to trip him up with it. But he had fallen on his own, magic bursting from his skin, sending everyone in the area flying. By the time the guards had regained their feet he was gone. 

 She had wondered more than once since meeting the boy if he knew his fate, as she did. Perhaps it would be better if she didn’t, Gaius had once said knowledge was a dangerous thing and Merlin was more and more inclined to agree with him. Sitting staring into the fire she could feel the presence of the crystal, she wondered how she could have missed it after nearly two years in Camelot. It felt like a weight sitting at the back of her mind, beckoning her to follow, to look, to learn. But she knew nothing of the crystal’s magic. She did not wish to know, not with what the dragon had told her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what the future held. 

 “Merlin!” Arthur’s voice made her jump. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes Merlin!” Arthur said, sounding almost concerned. 

 “The knights who took wounds will make it back to Camelot, they’re resting comfortably. There was nothing I could do for the two who took crossbow bolts at the beginning of the battle.” She said, almost as if reciting words off a page. Arthur swore sitting down beside her. His bed roll was here, hers a bit farther off but she didn’t expect to sleep tonight. She rarely did after losing a patient. 

 “There’s something else on your mind isn’t there.” Arthur said, Merlin raised an eyebrow at him. He frowned. “Has Gaius been teaching you to use your eyebrows against others as he does?” He asked laughing lightly. 

 “No. But I am a natural at it.” She said and his smile widened. Hers dropped as she turned back to the fire. As much as she didn’t like Alvarr she did not wish to watch someone else burn. 

 “Come on, you do this thing with your face when you think too hard. What’s on your mind?” He asked. Merlin sighed. 

 “When we got to the camp, they were ready for us. It was a trap.” 

 “Yes, and?” Arthur asked frowning. 

 
 “How did they know? Only those in the throne room knew of your mission.” Merlin pointed out and Arthur frowned rolling the idea around his head. 

 “They’re sorcerers, perhaps they can see the future.” He ventured, looking slightly uncomfortable at the idea. Merlin resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Arthur pulled a cloth bag from his jacket. “Here keep an eye on this.” He said and the pressure of the presence of the crystal beat against Merlin’s mind again. She winced. 

 “Why me?” She asked trying to keep her voice from shaking. 

 “Because I trust you, and if we’re attacked no one will expect the only woman among us to be carrying the item they seek.” Arthur reasoned as he shoved the crystal into her hands. Merlin stiffened but he didn’t seem to notice, or rather Merlin could not look away from the bag in her hands, as though she’d just been given a venomous insect ready to strike. “It’s not going to hurt you Merlin, you need magic for it to even work, apparently.” Arthur said with a yawn. 

 Hours passed like minutes as Arthur fell asleep, the fire sputtered and went out and Merlin did her best to ignore the crystal that she still hadn’t been able to put down. It was almost as it it was wedging itself into her brain. She barely noticed when the bag around the crystal slipped off, only realizing her mistake when she glanced down. She could not look away from the surface of the pure white crystal. At first nothing happened, then the pressure that had been building behind her eyes seemed to starburst in front of her eyes. The crystal shifted and images raced across it like water. 

 The dragon roared, spreading its wings against a black night sky, the moon a sliver behind him. Fires raged, blood flew. Babies cried. Merlin saw herself racing through the ruins of the courtyard, small blazes surrounding her. Smoke roiled over the Lower Town. She saw herself shoving a cloak into a bag, hiding it under her skirts on the saddle of her horse. Arthur held a crossbow with a blazing bolt. She wielded a black sword shattering a chain taller than she was. The dragon breathed fire and Merlin’s white knuckled grip on the crystal finally slackened. It dropped to the grass at her feet as her breaths came faster and faster. She shot to her feet, glancing over at Arthur to make sure he hadn’t seen any of that. He was sound asleep. Merlin’s head pounded. Gingerly she slipped the bag back over the crystal, careful not to touch it again, she tied the knot several times over, not wishing to relive that experience. She stood, reluctantly tucking the crystal into the pouch on her belt. She did not want to be close to it for long lest she give in again to the pressure it exuded. Perhaps just this once Uther was right, this artifact was too dangerous to see the light of day. She glanced back at Arthur once more to make sure he was still asleep before slipping off to check on the wounded knights.   

Chapter Text

 Arthur’s heart nearly stopped when Merlin burst into the throne room, claiming she’d cured the blacksmith. He’d managed to convince the others that she herself had been enchanted into confessing for Gwen. Uther laughed it off, saying it was just like a sorcerer to entrap an innocent. Arthur had to drag Merlin out of the throne room bodily, one hand around her waist the other over her mouth. 

 “I know you’re just trying to save Gwen but if my father believed you actually had anything to do with magic he would have you join her on the pyre!” Arthur hissed into her ear. He released her and she stormed away. 

 Later that day she approached him again and this time she had Gaius with her. 

 “An Afanc? I’ve never heard of it.” Arthur admitted. Merlin rolled her eyes at him but remained petulantly silent. 

 “It is a creature of magic sire.” Gaius informed him tapping the page in front of him. “Formed from clay, and given life. Its very presence is poison to the water.” 

 “Can it be stopped?” Arthur asked. Gaius nodded. 

 “Yes.” Gaius said. 

 “Where is it?” 

 “In the cistern below the castle.” 

 “Could it have been the same magic that made the Afanc that cured the blacksmith?” Arthur asked. Merlin and Gaius exchanged a look. 

 “No, and I am not entirely convinced it was magic that cured the blacksmith. The herbs in the poultice were a combination that I myself have not yet tried. I have not yet detected any magic within it.” Gaius said. Arthur frowned. 

 “How do we kill an Afanc?” He asked. 

 “Fire.” That was Merlin’s reply, the only word she’d spoken to him since entering the room. 

 “Alright. I’ll go down to the cistern, you bring your findings to my father.” Arthur said to Gaius. Merlin nodded following Arthur. “Who said you were coming?” 

 “I did. The cistern is held in the catacombs below Camelot. It’s practically a maze if you don’t know where you’re going.” Merlin stated, grabbing two unlit torches off the wall. 

 “And you know where you’re going do you?” He teased. 

 “Yes. I’ve been studying up.” She said glaring at him. 

 The creature in the caves was almost as tall as Arthur. He instinctively swung his sword but Merlin yelled at him, reminding him of the torch in his hand which he swung back at the creature. The fire flared as a wind kicked up. Later Arthur would wonder where the wind had come from and put it down to someone in the passages opening a door to the outside. Once the Afanc was dead Merlin and Morgana rushed up to him but something in the water caught Merlin’s eye. 

 “Do you see that?” She asked pushing Arthur’s arm, still holding the torch up higher. Something was gleaming in the water. Merlin shoved her sleeve up her arm and reached into the water, fishing for a moment before she managed to get a hold of the object. It was an egg. 

 “We need to get that to the king.” Morgana stated and they rushed past the burnt corpse of the creature. The evidence was enough, along with Gaius’ testimony that the poultice had never been magical. 

 “Who do you believe planted the poultice?” Arthur paused as he heard Morgana speaking to Gwen, newly released from the dungeon. 

 “I don’t know. Many knew my father was ill. Gaius claims it was a would be physician with more good nature than sense.” Gwen said laughing slightly. That gave Arthur pause. He knew someone who fit that description to a t. In fact she was in his room right this moment, sorting out his laundry. He shook his head. It was better if no one knew who had done this particular good deed. Even though the poultice had turned out to be mundane in nature Arthur didn’t wish to see Merlin in a cell. He paused again, wondering just when he had become so fond of her, she’d only even come to Camelot three months ago, yet she was already a fixture in his life, one he would not see taken away if he could help it. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Nimueh stormed around the well she used for scrying. It was an easy way to peek into the goings on at her old home. Camelot was not as it had once been a place of peace, rather a place of shadows. In one such shadow resided the young witch who was currently vexing Nimueh. In any other circumstance she would have been delighted with the girl, too few were blessed with the gift. And too few actually used it. But this one was using it to protect the spawn of Uther Pendragon, the gift of life Nimueh should never have helped bring into this world. 

 She knew Arthur’s fate was to die at the hand of a druid, a young boy she’d looked in on a time or two. But this girl, this Merlin, her fate was shrouded as though someone was hiding it from her. She had attempted to glimpse into the future but it was difficult, more so than it should have been. That could mean only one thing. Her death was nigh. Nimueh had never feared death, not truly. She would see many kin and friends when she died. She could finally apologize to Ygraine for her mistake in helping Uther. But that she could not find Uther’s death before her own angered her and she could find only one logical reason for that. The girl was protecting him as well as his son. 

 Then the girl had to die. It was simple as that. But the how… That was a difficulty. She could easily get her accused of sorcery, but that would be another victory for Uther, and she did not wish for the girls screams upon the pyre to join those that already haunted her. But if she could kill two birds with one stone then perhaps destiny would turn in her favor. Poison then, a political intrigue. Her scrying told her an important delegation from Mercia, including the king himself would soon arrive in Camelot. She could easily infiltrate it as a serving girl, befriend this Merlin and gain her trust, then watch her choke on poison everyone else believed meant for the prince. If he came seeking the antidote though, it would have to a rare and dangerous toxin then, something Gaius could not combat with his science. She smiled down at the water in front of her which showed the girl Merlin sitting on her bed reading a book of magic she’d been gifted by Gaius, the hypocrite. It would be a loss indeed for one of her talents to be felled so young but a necessary one. For a moment she glanced up, blue eyes staring right at Nimueh as though she knew she was being watched. But the moment passed and Merlin shook her head, returning to her book.

 A pity indeed that she had sided with the enemy, Nimueh thought.  

Chapter Text

 Morgana was not panicking, ladies of the court did not panic. Ladies of the court also weren’t supposed to dream other ladies before they ever meet, much less dream them killing the prince. This sort of thing wasn’t supposed to happen. There was supposed to be a choice when it came to things this close to magic. But despite her best efforts she could not get the dreams to stop. 

 “Morgana are you alright?” A voice asked and Morgana jumped. She turned trying to fix a smile on her face for Merlin’s benifit but clearly Gaius had been schooling the girl in the use of eyebrows. Morgana sighed looking back out the window. 

 “You’ll think I’m being silly.” She said voice shaking slightly. 

 “No I won’t.” Merlin said setting down her basket of laundry. Morgana shook her head. Merlin tilted hers then nodded. “Alright I’ll tell you something silly then you can tell me what’s bothering you.” Merlin offered. Morgana raised her own eyebrow. “I started wearing my scarves because my mother made them, she said they’d bring me luck.” Merlin said with a grin. Morgana let out a little laugh. “Alright, then what’s bothering you?” 

 “I… I had a bad dream. I… Arthur was drowning in full armor and there was a figure standing over him, it looked like Sophia.” Morgana managed, after looking around to make sure they were alone. 

 “Gaius says dreams steal faces we know.” Merlin said and Morgana shook her head. 

 “He’s already told me that, but I had this dream before I ever met Sophia.” Morgana was shaking and Merlin reached out and steadied her. 

 “I don’t think you’re silly. I’ll keep an eye on them.” Merlin promised. Morgana let out a breath. Someone believed her. She pulled Merlin into a hug. 

 “Thank you. You can’t tell anyone else, I’m worried what people may think if something like this got out.” Morgana said in a rush. Merlin grinned and pressed a finger to her lips. 

 “My lips are sealed Lady Morgana.” She said picking up her basket. Morgana grinned. 

 “Arthur does not deserve you truly.” Morgana said and Merlin laughed. 

 “You’re telling me.” Merlin joked. 

 “Come work for me instead. I know Gwen could always use the company.” Morgana pleaded grabbing Merlin’s free hand. 

 “Oi, Morgana, stop trying to steal my servant!” Arthur said frowning as he walked around the corner. Both girls jumped and quickly dissolved into laughter. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Merlin groaned, she was bruised from neck to tail-bone. She did not want to be dragging Arthur through the woods, drenched and alone, while he was in full armor. He was already too heavy for her to fully carry. If she hadn't run into Galahad on horseback, frantically searching for Arthur Merlin wasn't sure she could have gotten them both back to Camelot in one piece. Thankfully between the two of them they managed to get Arthur across the saddle, and Merlin mounted up behind him, to make sure he didn't fall while Galahad led the horse back to the stables. Night had truly fallen at that point which made it significantly easier to get back into Camelot without being seen. Merlin had worked up a story by then, one Galahad was quick to believe. Arthur had been drugged by Sophia, she and her father had been planning to kidnap him for ransom but things had gone a bit arry and Arthur had ended up in a lake, out cold in full armor. Fearing they'd outright killed him Sophia and her father had fled, it was luck that Merlin had been looking for a few night blooming plants in the area and spotted the whole thing go down. Galahad bought the story without question, but agreed that they shouldn't tell Uther the truth, as all they had for evidence was Merlin's testimony which he was unlikely to believe. Arthur, luckily, remembered none of it. They ended up telling Uther that Arthur had come down with a chill, which wasn't untrue. His time in the lake did give him a slight chill, one Merlin caught while nursing him back to health. Gaius must have told Morgana the same version of events Merlin had told Galahad, or she'd seen Merlin and Galahad bringing Arthur back into the castle. She visited while Merlin was ill, bringing a gift for her, it was a thick green cloak, made of finer material that Merlin would normally be able to afford. She grinned at Merlin when she thanked her between coughs.

  "Thank you for believing me Merlin." Morgana said, smiling lightly.

  "Of course, you're my friend." Merlin said with a grin. 

 "Get better soon and think about my offer. Like I said Gwen would love the help and the company. Arthur really doesn’t deserve you." Morgana said with a grin. Merlin laughed, though it devolved into a cough halfway through.

  "I'll keep it in mind." She croaked with a grin.

  "I'll let you get some sleep." Morgana said and headed for the door. 

Chapter Text

 Arthur was beyond angry, though perhaps frustrated was a better word for it. He was being lied to by one of his closest companions. Sir Leon was letting him win. How was he supposed to know and expand on his own limits if he wasn't actually challenged. So he'd come up with a plan, a bit last minute he'd admit but he was glad to have Merlin and Gwen supporting him, or it never would have worked. He would enter the tournament in disguise, win and reveal himself to prove that he really was the best at what he did. Merlin was as ever exasperated with him. She thought this was a spectacularly bad idea, but when he'd insisted, had convinced Gwen to let them borrow her house in the Lower Town. Their claim was that since last time there had been a tournament her father had been alive she was feeling lonely and Morgana was more than happy to have Gwen staying in antechamber of her rooms. It gave her someone to talk to when her nightmares became too much.

  "You're late." Arthur called as the door to the small house opened. He needed to be changed and in the tent before the sun rose and everyone else made it to the tourney grounds.

  "I know, I know!" Merlin called back setting down the bag with his armor in it on the table. 

 "What kept you, it's not like you have anything else to do since I'm not supposed to be in Camelot." Arthur needled and Merlin stiffened. 

 "You're kidding right?" She asked her tone going icy. Arthur blinked. "What to you think I do when you're not around? Sit and wait for more orders?" He opened his mouth but she didn't seem to actually want answers to her questions. "I haven't had a moment to rest since I got to Camelot! I am constantly running around after you and on the rare occasions where that is not the case I'm trailing after Gaius, making potions for him, cleaning up after him or studying remedies from him! I am supposed to be cleaning his leech tank right at this moment because you're not in Camelot!" She snapped. Arthur blinked. He didn't remember the last time someone, other than his father had actually raised their voice at him. Even Merlin's usual snips were at a reasonable volume but she was well and truly yelling now. "You are such an ass Arthur Pendragon!" He winced at the use of his full name, Merlin never called him that, to her he was just Arthur. "You don't seem to realize that the whole of creation does not in fact center on you!" She turned and stormed out before he even had the chance to reply. 

 A few minutes later Gwen entered looking sheepish. Arthur flushed slightly.

  "How much of that did you hear?" Arthur asked and Gwen's look turned downward. 

 "Just the last sentence." She admitted pulling the armor Merlin had brought, polished to a near mirror shine, out of the bag. Arthur frowned. "She has a point." Gwen pointed out, handing him his chainmail to slip into. She helped him with his armor and frowned. "Why are you doing this Sire?" It was a day into the tournament and she hadn't thought to ask before now.

  "People only respect me for my title."

  "That's not true of everyone, Merlin for example."

  "I don't think Merlin's got a respectful bone in her body." Arthur said picking up the helmet that his his identity from the crowd. 

 "Completely untrue. She just doesn't think of life the way we do, she wasn't raised in a court setting, even as a servant, where she's from actions are what matters. And as much as she may deny it she cares about you .You should have seen her when you were wounded from the Questing Beast, she didn't sleep and the minute there was a possibility of a cure she went after it without a second thought. And that care was never because you're the prince, just because you're Arthur. Maybe think about that before you speak to her again." Gwen advised nodding to the door. Arthur couldn't get Gwen's words out of his head. Especially when the tall, handsome stranger approached Merlin, who had yet to speak to him again that day but was paying attention to his horse. Gwen frowned as she slipped into the tent. 

 "How do I make this up to Merlin?" He asked, carefully glancing out of the tent. Merlin was now speaking to Gaius who was frowning, Arthur dropped the tent flap before the physician could see him. 

 "That's a difficult question. But maybe doing something nice for her. Like make her dinner?" Gwen suggested. Arthur frowned. 

 "I... I don't know how to do that." Arthur admitted quietly. 

 "I can help with that." Gwen said with a smile.

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Merlin frowned as she rolled one of Arthur's shirts under her arm. She'd only had one spare, slightly damaged from the time Lancelot had been injured and saved her. She needed to apologize for what she'd done in yelling at him, but she really didn't want to. Gwen had asked her to bring down a few more shirts, she suspected it was because she wanted them to talk it out. Slipping on her cloak and slipping out was easy, Gaius was caring for a young mother in the Lower Town she was still a few months out from having her baby, she was just getting a routine checkup. She slipped out of the castle without alerting anyone and made her way to Gwen's door. Pausing she knocked. After a moment she entered and raised an eyebrow. Arthur was setting down a second plate on the table across from what Merlin assumed was his own. 

 "What are you doing?" She asked raising an eyebrow. 

 "Making an effort. I made you dinner." Arthur said and Merlin's eyebrow climbed.

  "You made dinner? Who actually made it, cause I don't feel like getting poisoned again?" Merlin asked and Arthur huffed. "Despite what you may believe I am capable of some things Merlin." Arthur said, but her eyebrow reminded him too much of Gaius for him to continue the lie. "Gwen told me what to do, I did it. So yes I cooked. Gwen supervised." Arthur admitted running a hand through his hair. Merlin laughed. "You were right, I should be more conscious of the people around me. Starting with you." Merlin set down a bundle of clothes on the table and Arthur recognized a few of his shirts. "You brought that for me?" 

 "Thought you might be more comfortable." She said shrugging, neither of them came forward to say the word Sorry, but the air around them seemed to shift and Merlin laughed, breaking the tension. Arthur grinned and they both sat down.

         ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  As dinners went it was one of the most pleasant Arthur had ever experienced. There was no stilted silence from his father or smug sarcastic looks Morgana was infamous for. When both plates were cleared Merlin laughed as he offered to do dishes while she walked home. 

 "You cleaning, that's not something I'm going to miss thank you very much." She teased. When he proved somewhat hopeless she stood from the bench and reached around him to show him what to do. He turned and suddenly they were very much in each other's space. She was barely a breath away from him, this time without his armor between them. The small brush Gwen used to wash her dishes slipped through Merlin's fingers but neither of them seemed to notice. Arthur reached out an brushed a stray lock of hair behind Merlin's ear, they were bigger than he'd thought they would be up close, usually hidden by her hair or her scarf when she used it to pull back her hair. It was endearing. Tonight though she'd left her hair down, not up in her usual practical braid. He wondered what it would feel like between his fingers. 

 The door banged open and they sprung apart.

  "King Odin's sent an assassin after Arthur!" Gwen panted. 

Chapter Text

 “Why would Odin send an assassin after you?” Merlin asked, the mood had been shattered by Gwen’s intrusion and the news of a deadly assassin in Camelot.

 “Because I killed his son.” Arthur said staring down at his hands. “He challenged me to single combat. I had no quarrel with him, but he wouldn’t withdraw. He challenged to the death, I think he thought he had to prove something.” Arthur was still staring down at his hands which were shaking. “He looked so scared.” 

 “But no one knows you’re here, the assassin can’t kill you if he doesn’t know you’re here.” Merlin pointed out, reaching out so her hand gently rested on Arthur’s shoulder. His hand slid up to hers and Gwen hid a smile behind her hand. She’d never seem Arthur calm as quickly as he did around Merlin. 

 “Will you drop out of the tournament?” Gwen asked. Arthur shook his head. 

 “I’ve never dropped out of a fight before, and no one knows I’m Sir William anyway.” Arthur reasoned. 

 “Still someone should stay here with you tonight, just in case.” Merlin said sitting down on the bench next to Arthur. He shook his head. 

 
 “Merlin there’s only one bed.” 

 
 “I’ve slept on the floor for most of my life Arthur, and honestly I don’t know if I’ll be sleeping much tonight but if you insist on jousting tomorrow then you need to.” Merlin insisted. Gwen nodded. Her task finished she returned to the castle. On her way to Morgana’s chambers she ran into Gaius. 

 
 “Ah Gwen, have you seen Merlin, I can’t seem to find her.” The physician asked. Gwen frowned. 

 “Um, no… I’m sure she’ll turn up. She’s probably fine.” Gaius raised an eyebrow but let Gwen slide past him in the hall. 

 The next morning Merlin helped Arthur into his armor after a moment she pulled off her scarf and held it out to him. 

 “For luck.” She said going pink at the ears. Arthur grinned and offered his arm. She tied the fabric there and they left for the tourney field.

 Arthur’s reasoning for continuing the tournament despite the threat of an assassin was solid enough, no one knew he was even in Camelot. But something was off, unfortunately he only realized it as the tipped lance pierced his side. He rode a second bout and got lucky, the girth on the other mans saddle snapped, letting Arthur send his lance right into his chest for a clean shot, toppling him back off his horse, he fell still and Arthur managed to make it to the end of the lists, throwing down his lance. He nearly toppled off his horse only to be caught by a pair of familiar hands. Merlin somehow got him into the tent. 

       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 For once Merlin didn’t feel too bad that she’d helped kill someone. The assassin had been after Arthur and would have killed him just for a price. Arthur was bleeding though as she got him into the tent. Their false Sir William helped her get his armor off as Gwen ran into the tent. 

 “Go to Sir Alynor’s tent, Gaius will be there. Bring him here, I’ll explain everything to him but I need his kit, Arthur’s going to need stitches.” Merlin instructed her. Gwen ran off and returned moment’s later with Gaius who’s eyes widened at the sight of Arthur, Merlin’s hands covered in his blood as she applied pressure to the wound. 

 “I take it the assassin found out about this ruse?” Gaius said pulling open his kit. Merlin nodded. 

 “I fear it may have been my fault. Everyone knows I’m always around Arthur.” Merlin said and Arthur’s hand found her arm. 

 “This is in no way your fault.” He said and Merlin smiled at him. It was then that Gaius noticed the scarf knotted around Arthur’s arm. Between the two of them they managed to get Arthur stitched up. Gaius went to inform the crowd that their champion was alright. 

 “Well now’s the moment.” Merlin said washing her hands in a bowl of water. Arthur looked at her and shook his head. 

 “You must go collect the trophy.” He said to their false Sir William. 

 “Sire?” 

 “Go on.” Arthur insisted. 

 “I thought this was your moment of triumph.” Merlin said grinning. Arthur winced pulling on his cloak. 

 “Well someone did remind me that the world does not in fact center on me.” He teased and Merlin laughed, helping him outside so they could watch the crowd cheer their hero. She helped Arthur outside the city and left him in the care of the returned patrol. She had to scurry back to Gaius to explain what had really been happening for the past few days. He was not pleased he’d been left out. 

 Hours later she was scrubbing the leech tank as a reminder to not lie to her guardian when the door opened. Merlin pulled herself out of the tank and frowned. Sir Leon was standing in the doorway. 

 “Merlin… You’ve got…” He motioned to her cheek. Merlin mercilessly yanked the leech off her cheek. 

 “Why are you here sir Leon?” She asked, wiping a bit of blood off her cheek. 

 “Someone asked me to deliver something.” Leon said before holding out a boutique of flowers wrapped in Merlin’s scarf, the one she’d given to Arthur as a favor. Merlin went bright pink as she stood and took the flowers from Leon. He nodded and leaned closer. 

 
 “No one will ever hear of it from me.” He assured before leaving her alone in the room. Merlin stared down at the flowers in her arms and couldn’t help the grin on her face as she headed up to her room to find something to put them in. 

Chapter Text

 Merlin held Gwen as she sobbed into her shoulder. The past few days had been madness. Gwen’s father had been arrested, for conspiring with a sorcerer. He hadn’t known Tauren had been a sorcerer, nor an enemy of Camelot. All of this had been so hard on Gwen, her father had attempted escape and been slain in the attempt. Lady Morgana was nowhere to be found so Merlin had pulled the distraught Gwen into her room. 

 There wasn’t much she could do to help, Gwen’s father was already dead. She couldn’t have saved him. Arthur had been kind about the whole thing, ensuring Gwen took no blame and kept her house, and her job, both for life. Merlin was quite proud of him for that. But she couldn’t forgive what had been done to Gwen. 

 She had lost the only family she had, and would not be allowed to properly put him to rest because he’d been arrested for suspected involvement with sorcery. Eventually Gwen fell asleep and Merlin frowned as she tucked her into her bed. Merlin closed the door behind her. Gaius frowned at her. 

 “How’s Gwen doing?” He asked. 

 “As well as can be expected.” Merlin said and Gaius frowned but nodded. He held up a note, a name written on the cover. It read Elyan. “Who’s Elyan?” Merlin asked. 

 “Gwen’s older brother.” Gaius said and Merlin’s eyebrow climbed. “He left a few years before you came to Camelot, seeking better prospects. But Gwen asked me to inform him of what happened. I need you to take this down to the rising sun and see that the messenger from Caerleon gets it.” He said handing her a few coins. 

 “That’s where he was seen last?” Merlin asked grabbing her cloak from a peg by the door. Gaius nodded. 

 “Yes, hurry along now. I’ll keep an eye on Gwen.” Gaius assured and Merlin nodded, pulling up her hood against the downpour raging outside. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Once assured that his father was alright Arthur sought out Morgana. She had been present at the assassination attempt. When he found her she was shaking slightly. 

 “Are you alright?” He asked and she nodded. 

 
 “That was far too close.” She said, rubbing her wrists, which were still bruised from her short stint in the dungeons. Arthur nodded. 

 “It was. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He said and Morgana nodded avoiding his eyes. 

 “I suppose that’s just one of many dangers when traveling with your father.” She said and Arthur frowned. 

 
 “It can be. The guards found two of Tauren’s men further into the valley, they were both dead as well, but they could find no sign of how. Was there anyone else? Did you see anyone?” Arthur asked, trying to be gentle about it. Morgana shook her head. There was a knock at the door. It opened revealing Gwen. Her eyes were slightly red and she was holding a bunch of flowers. Morgana smiled at her and opened her arms. Gwen ran to her and hugged her. 

 “I heard what happened. I’m so glad you’re alright my lady!” Gwen cried into her shoulder. Arthur left the two alone. In the hall he met Merlin who was frowning. 

 “You can go in there too you know.” Arthur offered, while he knew Merlin was his servant he knew the three girls were thick as thieves. Surprisingly Merlin shook her head. 

 “No, Gwen needs Morgana, not me right now. Is your father alright? I heard what happened.” Merlin said and Arthur allowed himself a small smile. 

 “He’s fine, glad to be rid of Tauren, and the vaults have another artifact to sit and gather dust.” Arthur said and Merlin rolled her eyes. Arthur frowned, just now noticing the dark circles under Merlin’s eyes. “Are you alright?” 

 “Haven’t slept well these past few nights.” Merlin admitted. Arthur nodded. 

 “Take the night off. Gwen needs you more than I do right now.” Arthur offered and Merlin grinned at him, nodding. “But remember we’ve a hunt to go on day after tomorrow.” He called. 

 
 “You’re dragging me on another of those?” Merlin grouched. 

 “It’ll be several days long and it’s always good to have someone with a rudimentary knowledge of medicine along.” Arthur said. Merlin’s smile turned impish. 

 “You’re getting dangerously close to compliments Arthur. You’re sure you’re feeling well?” She teased. 

 “I could still give you a mountain of chores for tonight.” He threatened and she shook her head. 

 “You’ve already given me the night off, can’t take it back now!” She called scurrying off down the stairs. She missed his fond smile as he rounded the corner. 

Chapter Text

In hindsight maybe Merlin hadn’t been thinking clearly when she’d helped spirit Morgana out of Camelot and given her directions to the druids. It hadn’t been her best idea, especially considering what Uther was now planning since he believed Morgana had been kidnapped. She’d been thinking about the little girl she’d been years ago, afraid to go outside in case someone found out the truth.

She still remembered her mother telling her she had to be careful, every morning from the time she could understand the words. According to Hunith Merlin’s birth had been a difficult one, one she’d suffered through on her own. Merlin had been born in the middle of winter, just before Yule. Ealdor had been in the grips of a massive snowstorm blown down from the mountains that formed the massive boarder between Esstier and Camelot. Hunith never told the story to anyone but Merlin herself. This was because when Merlin was born she had been still, as though dead. Hunith had cried for all that could have been and as she did a Merlin had landed in the glassless window, knocking aside the covering that was keeping the snow out. The way her mother had told it the bird’s eyes had been bright gold and it had cried out. When it did Merlin’s own eyes had opened, the same gold as the bird, the whole house had warmed and the babe began to cry as a normal child should. Her eyes had not faded to blue for nearly a solid month and there was a fire burning in their hearth for just as long. Hunith had named her for the bird, though she still wasn’t sure if it had been just a bird.

Her mother had claimed she was a sickly child and had to keep her inside until she was nearly five and had some kind of control, tenuous though it was. She had never been close to the other children, Will had been the exception and that was only because he was too stubborn to listen to the adults around him who had always found something odd about Merlin. She for her part had avoided the town proper whenever she could. Fear was her first friend, and still one of her strongest allies, keeping her aware of everything around her at every moment. She hadn’t wanted it to be that way for Morgana. It was a very lonely way to live, it carved out pieces and seemed to sew the mouth shut around secrets that could never be shared.

The girl was in more danger than Merlin, though her powers had developed much later in life. Uther hung over her life like a badly fitted chandelier, every moment might mean the snapping of the fragile chain holding him back. Merlin knew for a fact that Uther had already acted in violence against Morgana, slamming her against walls and chairs with his hand around her throat and locking her in the dungeons for her opinions. The druids were peaceful, constantly on the move and took in those with magical abilities. She hated that she had to drag her back to Camelot, but it was that or a mass execution. In the end Arthur got Morgana back, but at the cost of the leader of the camp Aglain, Mordred also escaped though last time Merlin saw him he was running in the opposite direction to the rest of the druids, who had all escaped under the cover of Merlin’s magically summoned fog. Morgana was back in Camelot but she seemed more unhappy than before and Merlin wasn’t all that surprised that she didn’t want to speak to her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Morgana frowned out her window watching as Merlin hurried across the courtyard, oblivious to the fact she was being watched. Morgana couldn’t help but wonder a few things about the girl. Arthur had always said that she was afraid of magic, flinching at the very mention of it. But that couldn’t be true.

Merlin had tried to help her, Uther was the problem, though that was hardly news. Morgana’s working theory was that Merlin was afraid of the consequences of magic, not the force itself. After all Merlin wasn’t from Camelot. Morgana looked down at the book in her hands. It was a book of laws from Esstier, she’d been curious. In the very back she’d found Cenred’s standing laws on magic.

Any person who showed powers was to report to the capital. They owed a lifetime of service to the crown, so they could ensure their gifts were used for the right purpose. Druids owed service to the crown as well according to Cenred. Anyone in the bounds of his kingdom who had magical talent must use it for the benefit of his crown. Morgana shuddered. The consequences for those found to be breaking these laws were near as severe as Uther’s laws against magic. She remembered Merlin’s friend Will, a self confessed sorcerer and his hatred for all nobles. It made more sense now. She was starting to dislike most nobles these days.

She hadn’t been with the druids long enough to learn anything except Aglain’s first lesson. Magic was not a dark force used only for evil. It could be a force for good. Looking back on all the dreams she had that she knew had come to pass Morgana frowned. Though Merlin had never featured in these dreams herself the real world results had gone well when Merlin was involved. Morgana had stayed up the night Arthur left with Sophia and spotted Merlin, soaked through, helping Galahad get Arthur inside. Merlin had always believed her when she’d had a nightmare.

Sighing Morgana tossed aside the book, wincing at the thump it made. She’d been ordered to stay off her feet until her leg fully healed. She’d been lucky it hadn’t been more serious, and that only Gaius had recognized it as a sting from a Serket. Evidently they were deadly, unless magic was involved. Gaius had sworn to keep it a secret, she knew she could trust him, and hoped that maybe she could trust Merlin as well. She wasn’t sure though, she had been among her own kind with the druids and she missed it. She understood Merlin’s reasonings for coming to get her but still she hadn’t wanted to leave. Her only comfort was that the guards had yet to find the rest of the camp.

Chapter Text

 The ceremony naming Arthur as official heir to the throne came on his twenty first birthday. It was a lavish ceremony, a newly forged crown shining in the candle light. Everything was going well until the horse crashed through the window of the banquet hall. Uther knew that crest, better than most. It had been the family crest of his late wife, of the brother he’d slain in single combat after her death when he was blamed for it. 

 He would never forget that, Arthur just a babe in his nurse’s arms, Tristan had wanted nothing to do with the child. All he cared was that his sister was dead. Her body had barely gone cold when Tristan threw down the gauntlet to Uther. They’d fought and Uther had won. They’d buried Tristan with all honors, though he’d cursed the king with his last breath, swearing he would return someday. It seemed someone was aiding his curse so long after it had been cast. He should have known it would be Nimueh. 

 “This plays out better than I could have ever imagined.” She said and he turned, not even fully shocked that she was here to gloat. Arthur would fight Tristan, who was already dead, there was no way to kill him again. 

 “I should have known.” Uther said staring into his wine. 

 “Soon Arthur will be dead, the gift I should never have given rescinded and you will know the horrors you have put me and mine through.” Nimueh said leaning on the back of a chair in the council room. She’d once occupied one of these chairs, so long ago. 

 “Do you not grow tired of revenge?” Uther asked. Nimueh stiffened. 

 “Do you? You have slaughtered countless of my kind to ease your own guilt!” She snapped.

 “The guilt is yours! You practiced evil in my halls!” He shouted. 

 “I was your friend! You welcomed me here!” She spit back at him. 

 “You killed Ygraine!” He accused. 

 “I did not know who’s life would be taken in the creation of your perfect little prince! If I had known it would be her, if I had known retribution you would seek, the bloodshed this would cause I would never have granted your wish!” 

 “I wish you hadn’t.” He muttered. Nimueh froze then shook her head. 

 “You wish you did not have a son. By this time tomorrow you will not.” She said and Uther finally reached for the sword at his side. 

 “I will not let you take him!” 

 “You have brought this upon yourself Uther Pendragon.” She vanished without a trace as Uther drew in a breath to call for the guards. He could not let Arthur fight. So he hatched a plan and had Gaius drug his son, he would sleep through the battle and wake as king. 

 Galahad was waiting to attend Arthur but quailed slightly as Uther entered the tent. But he dutifully helped him don a set of armor. It wasn’t his but it hardly mattered. Then he handed him a sword he didn’t recognize. 

 “This isn’t Arthur’s sword.” Uther commented, it was magnificent, the pommel worked in gold, the hilt covered in supple leather soft as doe skin. The blade gleamed with gold as well, and a strange inscription that Uther could not read. 

 “No sire, Merlin brought it. She thought Arthur might wish for a sturdier blade for this fight.” Galahad said, eyes on the floor. 

 “Merlin did? Who forged this, it is phenomenal work but does not bear the mark of the royal blacksmith.” Uther asked. 

 “I think she said Tom, the blacksmith in town did Sire.” 

 “Arthur I…” Came a voice from the tent flap as it opened to reveal Merlin, her usual scarf in one hand. She blinked for a moment, fear and relief warring on her face before she remembered herself and curtsied. “Sire.” She blinked at Galahad. “Where’s Arthur, I mean Prince Arthur?” Her voice was shaking slightly. 

 “He will not be fighting today.” Uther said stepping up to her. “It was kind of you to fetch him a new sword. You show him incredible loyalty.” Uther gently tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. “He will need that when I am gone. Look after him, Merlin.” Uther released her and headed out to the tourney field. 

        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

 Merlin could sense the lake before she saw it. She wasn’t sure hwy this place was the way it was. Something in her suspected it had always been different about this place, few enough people came here despite the abundance that surrounded the lake. There was an air about the place, she’d felt it the first time she’d come here, following Alfric to his audience with the Sidhe. 

 Plants grew strangely the closer to the lake she got, spiraling in unnatural patterns, fruits in strange shapes sprouted from the branches of trees that should not bare them. But that mattered little at that moment. In that moment Merlin was trusting to the oddness of this place to keep a secret safe. She made her way to the edge of the lake which seemed to shimmer despite the cloud cover. Hefting the sword in both hands she threw it as hard as she could, watching as it sunk below the waves. She frowned to herself as she stared at the lake for a while. She was glad the wraith was dead and Arthur safe but she could not help but wonder what would happen if she ever needed the weapon again. Shaking the thought Merlin stood trailing her hands over the flowers growing at the edge of the water. She took her time heading back to Camelot, picking some of the rarer herbs that grew here to bring back, both for Gaius and as a reason she’d been gone so long. Sighing she smiled as she spotted the white towers of Camelot in the distance. Home, she thought to herself with only a small touch of irony.