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Chapter Text

Merlin couldn’t think about his conversation with Arthur. He couldn’t think about how easily he had dismissed his claim that it was Agravaine who was deceiving him. It made his heart hurt too much. He tended to Arthur’s room and left, not wanting to see his King at the moment. Everything just kept going wrong, lately. He knew Agravaine was the traitor, that he was working with Morgana, but he had no proof, and knew that Arthur would never believe his word over that of his Uncle. 

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

When Agravaine stopped him in the corridor to ask him to polish and sharpen a dagger that he’d gotten for Arthur as a gift, Merlin had to fight to keep his face free of his disdain. So he smiled and said he’d take care of it. As soon as Agravaine was gone, Merlin went to see Gaius. Gaius always found the right words to make sure Merlin knew that he was still doing the right thing, that he was still good.

He sat down on the bench while Gaius mixed herbs, sighing defeatedly.

“I’m never going to be good enough for him, am I?” Merlin asked absently, trailing his fingers across the intricately carved box the dagger was in.

“What makes you say that?” Gaius replied, his hands slowing their movements.

“I’ve been by his side for years, Gaius. Years! I’ve fought magical creatures, sorcerers, bandits, armies, everything, for years! And Agravaine comes along and suddenly nothing I say matters. As if I haven’t been his friend all this time and proven my loyalty.”

“That’s not your fault, Merlin. Arthur has always craved his father’s approval, you know that. And Agravaine is now the only family he has besides Morgana.”

“So he replaced wanting Uther’s approval, with wanting Agravaine’s? Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I just wish I mattered. I just wish he could see how much the people around him care about him and want him to rule the way he can. Without someone whispering doubts in his ear.” Merlin said dejectedly.

“You do matter, Merlin. To all of us.” Gaius said, walking around and sitting beside him. “Arthur feels betrayed, because he knows I’m hiding something, that’s all. He just doesn’t understand that it isn’t my secret to tell. I will not choose between the pair of you, you know this. I’ve been at court all his life, and you have been at his side these past many years, telling him what he needed to hear when he needed to hear it. He’ll come around.”

“I don’t think he will, this time.” Merlin said softly. “I’m just tired, Gaius. Maybe I should take a break, take a day and go do something that actually constitutes as ‘fun’ instead of working every hour.” Merlin shook his head and wiped a hand over his face, but when he felt his guardian stiffen beside him, he looked up sharply. “Gaius?”

He didn’t get the chance to turn to see what he was staring at before his eyes rolled back in his head and he was pulled under into sleep.

—

Arthur was pacing his room, wondering where Merlin was, when he stopped and noticed that his room was already clean and his bed covers turned down for the night. His sleep clothes were hanging over his changing screen, ready for him to go to bed. Merlin was avoiding him. Arthur groaned and pulled at his hair. Whenever they had any sort of argument, especially when Merlin was upset and pushed aside, he avoided Arthur.

“Now isn’t the time to be upset over hurt feelings, Merlin.” Arthur grumbled, still tugging his hands through his hair. 

But Merlin had a good reason to feel upset this time. Yes, Gaius was hiding something. But did Arthur believe it was something that could damage the kingdom or hurt him in any way? No. Because no matter what, Gaius always protected him, all his life. Yes, Gaius had practiced magic at one point. But he didn’t do that anymore. 

So he made a decision to take Agravaine’s word over Merlin’s. Agravaine was his Uncle, his appointed advisor. Merlin should understand that. Arthur stopped his pacing and stared at the wall as he felt like his brain exploded. 

Merlin warned him not to kill Caerleon, that it would only lead to further conflict, but he took Agravaine’s advice and nearly cost a lot of men their lives, including Merlin who never let him do anything alone. He’d left Agravaine in charge of the city when he went to try and vanquish the Dorocha and nearly lost Guinevere because Agravaine had closed the gates and locked everyone who wasn’t nobility out. He’d tried to get Arthur to give up searching for Merlin when he’d been injured in that ambush and leave him for dead. 

Every time that something came up, it was always Agravaine trying to push his point over Merlin’s. And Arthur never saw it. He never noticed how Agravaine seemed to dislike Merlin so much. He thought it was something Agravaine would get used to, Merlin’s personality and how he treated Arthur like a person as much as a King. But he never did. He was determined to point Gaius as the traitor, especially when Arthur refused to believe the only other person it could be was Agravaine. 

Cursing himself out for letting his own emotions cloud sound judgment, he stormed out of his room. He needed to talk to Merlin and Gaius, to find out what they might know that somehow made them targets. Decision made, he headed for the Physician tower. He didn’t want to do this alone, feeling like he couldn’t quite trust himself not to get angry at Merlin immediately for not trusting him enough to come to him, he stopped by the Knights’ rooms and spotted Leon and Gwaine bent over a report.

“Sire?” Leon called, looking up and spotting him.

“Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine.” Arthur said, taking a deep breath and trying to force down his annoyance at needing their support. “I’d like your assistance in speaking with Merlin and Gaius.”

“What’s wrong?” Gwaine asked, eyes narrowed.

“Nothing, I don’t think. I just need to talk to them about why Agravaine would be so determined to point Gaius out as the traitor. And I don’t trust that Merlin won’t get an attitude and that I’ll respond well.”

“Of course.” Leon agreed easily, a hand on Gwaine’s arm, cutting off what was surely a nasty comment about how Arthur treats Merlin.

Arthur nodded and headed back down the corridor, Leon and Gwaine behind him. Arthur slowed his steps when he approached and spotted the door cracked open but didn’t hear any voices inside. Gaius never left his door open. Never. He pulled his sword, the knights copying, and pushed the door the rest of the way open to find a mess similar to what happened when Aredian was around, though without the shattered jars.

“Sound the alarm, lock down the city.” Arthur directed, not looking at who took off running to do it. “Merlin? Merlin!” Arthur called, picking his way carefully across the room and opening the door to Merlin’s small cupboard of a room. 

“What the hell happened?” Gwaine asked, in a low voice, taking in the scattered torn books and Merlin’s clothes thrown haphazardly around. 

“I don’t know.” Arthur said through his clenched jaw. He sheathed his sword and went to the door once the alarm bells were ringing and directed Gwaine and two guards to search the room carefully for what may have happened.

“Sire, there are reports of a horse missing from the royal stables.” Leon said breathlessly. “But all the tack and saddles are still accounted for.”

“Someone staged it to look as though they were running.” Gwaine said quietly, picking up a shattered mortar, the pestle under the table, and semi-crushed herbs scattered on the tipped over bench.

“Merlin wouldn’t run.” Arthur said vehemently. “Not when he has the chance to clear someone’s name, especially if that someone is Gaius.”

“Perhaps he felt that if Gaius were found guilty that it would only be a matter of time before it was discovered that he was party to everything.” Agravaine said silkily as he arrived, looking breathless, but not altogether worried.

“No.” Arthur denied, narrowing his eyes at his Uncle.

“No? It makes sense, my lord.” Agravaine said in a condescending tone. “If Merlin felt his guardian were threatened, and his position at risk, would he not get him out of the city?”

“Merlin would not leave without saying something to me. Anything. Even if we’d had an argument, he’d never leave without having the last word.” Arthur said sternly. 

“The boy’s a servant. He should not be seeking you out and arguing with you, sire.” Agravaine said disapprovingly.

“Merlin is the person closest to me in this entire castle. He knows everything. Every inch of this castle, its defenses, our governing system, our guard rotations, our patrols, and even a majority of the townspeople through his physician work. He never wanted his position as manservant. He was awarded it, and fired a few times before being rehired because he was good at most of what I needed him to be good at. If you have issues with him, Lord Agravaine, they should have been brought to me long before now.” Arthur was practically growling by the end of his rant.

“If the boy has been here this long, then he would know how much the information he holds is worth.” Agravaine said, some anger creeping into his tone. “He could easily be swayed with gold or riches. Just look at the way he lives.” Agravaine swept his arms out to indicate the shabbiness of Merlin and Gaius’ possessions. “Men have sold out far less valuable information for riches.”

“You don’t know Merlin.” Gwaine snarled. 

“Gwaine.” Arthur said sternly, stopping Gwaine from engaging. “Follow up on the reports of the missing horse and see if you can find out how it got loose. Leon and the guards will continue searching these chambers. Sir Percival, Sir Elyan, please wake the council and have them meet in the audience chamber as soon as they can.”

“Yes, sire.” The men agreed, Arthur hadn’t taken his eyes from Agravaine, though, who looked as though he were trying to mask his irritation.

“When we get to the council, Lord Agravaine, I expect you to tell them what you told me.” Arthur directed and brushed past his Uncle dismissively.

He would get to the bottom of this. He would not leave Merlin to the mercy of whoever it was that took him.

Chapter Text

Merlin could hear voices around him, giving quiet instructions, but he couldn’t exactly hear the words. It felt like his head was under water. He groaned and tried to move his head, but a stabbing pain had him hissing and clenching his jaw to keep from making any additional noise, but he’d already been heard and there was a palm resting on his forehead before he only knew blackness again.

The next time he was gaining consciousness, his head didn’t ache. His mouth was dry, and he was uncomfortably warm, but his head felt better. He actually felt rested, which was unusual. Normally when he slept he couldn’t get through a night without nightmares. He took a deep breath, frowning when he felt a constricting pressure around his body. That was strange, but not strange enough to worry him too much. He’d woken up bound enough times that it wasn’t as alarming as it might have been to anyone else in his position.

“I know you’re awake, boy.” A man’s voice said. He had an accent that was familiar and foreign at the same time. Slowly, Merlin opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as the fire light assaulted him.

“Wha’s goin’ on?” Merlin slurred, trying to feign confused sleepiness.

“Well, we were commissioned to take the old man. Unfortunately, you were brought along since he was not alone like we were assured he would be.”

“Gaius!” Merlin shouted, opening his eyes wide, fully alert and not interested in pretending anymore when Gaius was at stake.

“Yes, Gaius. He’s with the Lady now, though she does not know we have you.” The man said, circling Merlin.

“Lady?” Merlin asked, confused for a moment, before he groaned and closed his eyes, tipping his head back against the stone slab he was on. “Morgana.”

“Yes. She wants information from him. And she has paid handsomely for me to retrieve it. If you give it up willingly, he need not suffer.”

“I have no information for her.” Merlin said through gritted teeth. “And neither does Gaius.”

“Pity.” The man said, sounding sincerely apologetic. “I had hoped you’d give it up to avoid the methods of the Catha being used on him.”

“The what?” Merlin asked, confused. “I’ve never heard of the Catha.”

“Not many still live who know of us.” The man said somewhat sadly, a faraway look in his eyes. “No matter. But so you are aware, I will not be disrupted from my task once I begin. That means you will need to be quiet.” 

Merlin had no time to react when the man’s eyes lit with an amber light and he felt himself silenced, unable to speak or even make any sort of noise. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, straining to say something, but his voice was simply gone.

“Perhaps after a few hours of questioning, you’ll change your mind. Your presence is masked currently, so no one will discover you. Take some much needed time to rest your mind.” The man walked away, leaving Merlin still straining to speak or grunt or anything.

He could see fire light from the adjoining tunnel, but no sound made it to him aside from muffled demands from the Catha man. Merlin desperately hoped that someone would come for Gaius. 

—

Arthur stood before his council, feeling his anger and regret keenly. They stood waiting for him to begin, but he would not start until his Uncle joined them. Finally, Agravaine waltzed in as if it were his court. It set Arthur’s teeth on edge and made him even more annoyed that he’d never seen how much his Uncle took advantage of his position as Arthur’s advisor.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice.” Arthur said through clenched teeth. “Sometime during the night, Gaius and Merlin were taken. As the court physicians, as well as Merlin’s duty as my personal manservant, they are privy to all of the goings on in Camelot, let alone the court. Is there anyone here who denies their loyalty?” Arthur asked, looking amongst his councilors. 

“That boy is unfailingly loyal to you, sire.” Geoffrey said, looking tense. “And Gaius sees both you and he as sons.”

“It’s true.” One of his other advisors stated, wringing his hands. “Has there been any demand for ransom?”

“Not that we have found.” Arthur said with a sigh, seeing how concerned everyone aside from his Uncle was. 

“I hardly see how a missing servant and a missing physician are grounds for an emergency council meeting.” Agravaine said, shaking his head disappointedly. “Have the town and nearby woods searched for clues, and have them replaced. Double the guards until new plans can be put into place that would override whatever information you fear they are privy to.”

“No one expects you to understand their positions, Lord Agravaine.” Geoffrey said scathingly. “If it were not for Merlin and Gaius, this kingdom could have fallen numerous times before King Arthur took the throne. Perhaps if you had been a member of the court during that time, you would know of the attempts on King Uther’s life, let alone other plans within the castle, that had been thwarted.”

“They both knew that Morgana had turned on us after she returned from being missing that year.” Gwen commented, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Arthur could only stare at her dumbly.

“What do you mean?” Arthur asked.

“I mean, they knew she was actively working with Morgause and against Camelot. That she was practicing magic.” She said firmly, her head held high. 

“And they chose to say nothing?” Agravaine asked, looking too eager to use this against them.

“What would King Uther have done to a servant accusing a member of the Royal Family of treason?” She retorted, raising an imperious eyebrow at him. “They would have been lucky to be banished if not killed on the spot.”

“Then they did not know, did they?” Agravaine said haughtily. “They only suspected.”

“They knew. They made plans with the castle staff about escape plans should the city be overrun, or perhaps you expected them to keep quiet and let what happened happen? That is not who they are. Merlin nearly died many times in his service to King Arthur and refused to leave his side. If it weren’t for Merlin, Gaius, and Lancelot, Morgana’s take over with Morgause, along with the murder of Camelot citizens at Her command, would have succeeded.” Gwen said vehemently. “You were not here for that, my lord. You didn’t witness the fear of the people. Not then, nor when the dragon attacked and Merlin and Gaius spent weeks nursing the people back to health while assisting with rebuilding. Nor were you here when King Arthur took the castle back from Morgana after she revealed herself to be Uther’s child out of wedlock. Merlin sent out a call for aid and Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival, and Sir Gwaine answered that call. They came for Merlin. They stayed for King Arthur.”

Arthur had to fight the urge to rush across the room and kiss her. He settled for sending her a proud smile and gave her a grateful nod of his head. She beamed at him.

“So they withheld information that could have been detrimental to the kingdom because they were too afraid, too selfish.” Agravaine scoffed.

“Is that so?” Geoffrey asked, looking more angry than Arthur remembered ever seeing the man. “Then tell us, my lord, where were you? Where were you when this occurred? Hiding in your estate?”

“I assure you, Lord Geoffrey, I was not hiding.” Agravaine said condescendingly. It was a tone that was quickly getting on Arthur’s nerves. “I could not bring myself to see the man who brought about my sister’s death.”

Arthur froze and narrowed his eyes at his Uncle, who was staring Geoffrey down as if he were in the right. As if his argument made sense.

“So you chose to return when my father was no longer well enough to reign and endear yourself to me? The primary reminder of what your sister died to bring into the world?” Arthur asked quietly, but his voice carried through the room, and Agravaine froze. Arthur watched a multitude of emotions pass through his eyes, including hate and anger, before he masked them away.

“You needed an advisor.” Agravaine said gently, changing his tone as if speaking to a small child. “Your father was unable to provide you with the guidance you sought, and I know your mother would not have wanted me to leave you to flounder.”

“Right.” Arthur said, nodding, before he looked at Leon. “You showed up when I lost the only family I had left, pushing everyone I knew and cared for away to make sure I took your word and your word alone on every issue. I was a fool to have not seen it before, but it is all too clear to me now. I have an advisor, though I never acknowledged him as such, the entirety of the council and castle staff knew who he was. Knew he was off limits to them for any purpose that I did not directly set. And I allowed a familial connection to override that loyalty and friendship. If I had listened to him, I’d have been able to make peace with Caerleon and not cost them their King. Sir Leon, could you and Sir Percival escort my Uncle to his chambers and set guards until I am ready to try him for his crimes?”

“Certainly, sire.” Leon said with a proud and gleeful smirk.

“What crimes?” Agravaine demanded.

“For starters,” Arthur said slowly, taking his own condescending tone, “kidnapping members of the court and royal household. Sure to be followed with Treason, attempted murder, and aiding and abetting known enemies of Camelot.”

“This is absurd! I would never endanger this castle nor the people.” Agravaine bristled, as Percival and Leon appeared beside him.

“So, it wasn’t you who gave the order to abandon my people to the dorocha?” Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly. “It wasn’t you who allowed Guinevere to be attacked and left for dead if not for Gaius finding and saving her? It was not you who begged to see my father before I sought a sorcerer to heal him of his mortal wound where you placed an enchanted necklace on him ensuring his death?”

The room went silent, staring at Agravaine incredulously.

“I’ll admit, I was unsure of Gaius’ claim when he told me of the charmed jewelry. But why would the old man I brought ask me to reconsider my stance on magic if he healed my father only to kill him? It makes no sense. But if my father were to be killed, cementing the teachings I was subjected to in regards to the cruelty and evil connected to magic, then I would be King and continue ruling the way he did. Continue banning magic. You were the only one who saw my father before I brought the sorcerer to him, Uncle. Gwen informed me there was no necklace on him when she tended him, but yet it was on him when he died. When you are ready to talk, Sir Leon will inform me. Until then, and until I find Gaius and Merlin alive and unharmed, you will remain under arrest. Take him.” Arthur nodded to Percival who clamped a hand over Agravaine’s shoulder and pulled him out of the room roughly.

“Sire, what would you have us do?” Elyan asked, stepping forward and looking ready to fight someone. 

“Sir Gwaine is searching the town for traces of the missing horse. Take a contingency of trackers to the woods and see what you can make out and if you can spot a trail to follow. I will lead a search of my Uncle’s quarters to see what he may be hiding. Perhaps he knows where they were taken and does not think there is anything that can link him to them. The rest of you, please speak with your personal staff and see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary. Strange or unknown people coming or going. The servants here are very adept at blending into the background and going unnoticed. Guinevere, see if George can rally the stable boys and if any of them saw anything worth noting or heard any voices out of place in the stables.”

“Yes, sire.” Several people intoned before turning and heading off to their tasks.

Arthur waited for them to be gone before he pushed a hand tiredly over his face.

“We’ll find them, Arthur.” Gwen said softly, taking his free hand in hers and squeezing it reassuringly. “We will. You know how stubborn Merlin is.”

Arthur snorted.

“Perhaps he’ll talk them to death and they’ll beg him to leave them alone.” Arthur agreed with a small smile. “Thank you, Guinevere. For what you said. I know it was difficult for you, but I truly appreciate it.”

“It’s for Merlin and Gaius. They are my family as much as Elyan. I refuse to lose anymore of my family.” She squeezed his hand once more before leaving him. 

He took a deep, steeling breath, and headed for his Uncle’s rooms to begin the search. His Uncle was a strategist, so he would not have expected to have blame shifted to himself and would not have thought to hide anything. He held onto that thought as he gave Leon a nod to follow him inside the room while Percival stood guard.

Chapter Text

Merlin strained against his chains and begged his magic to give him his voice back, but it did not work. For some reason, his magic could do nothing. As if it did not sense anything wrong with him or actively working to prevent him from speaking. It was a spell that he most definitely wanted to know, because he was thoroughly annoyed with it. 

The flames through the tunnel flickered lower for a moment then burned brighter than before. Merlin scrunched his eyes as the light assaulted them. If he could just get a hand free, or be able to roll or move, he could make a run for it. The Catha had apparently expected him to try and run, and his chains were bolted down to the stone table he was laying on. He growled silently in frustration. 

Finally, after what had to be hours, the flames were extinguished. The room he was in was dimly lit by a single torch, now. He couldn’t hear anything from the adjoining room, but knew Gaius must have succumbed to whatever method was being used against him. He startled when he heard his own name. Gaius’ harsh breathing, as he cried out ‘Merlin’. Well, shit. They must be helping Morgana find out who Emrys is. That’s the only thing Merlin could think of. As upsetting as it was that these men knew who he really was, now, he desperately wanted to go to Gaius and ensure he was alive and could recover. 

When the man finally came back to Merlin, he was looking at him with admiration and awe. He nodded to the brute with him, and Merlin’s chains were unbolted from the stone. The brute picked him up as if he were nothing more than a sack of potatoes, put him over his shoulder, and began following the Catha man out of the tunnels. Merlin tried to squirm, but there was little room for maneuvering in the chains. Even though they couldn’t hear him, it made him feel better to say every curse he could think of. Gwaine would have been proud. 

“Morgana will never get the information she seeks.” The man said solemnly.

Merlin looked at him quizzically from his upside down position.

“She wishes to find Emrys to destroy him. She does not have the power but thinks that it is still possible.”

Merlin mouthed Gaius’ name as a question and the other man gave him a twitch of his lips which must have been his attempt at a smile.

“He is alive, and will remain so. He is sleeping now. As Morgana has not returned, and your presence is still hidden to her, we will take our leave. There is much we have to share with you if you are to succeed. Much you need to know.”

Merlin frowned and squirmed some more. He tried to shout to let him go, but the man shook his head. 

“I’m afraid we cannot do that.” He truly looked disappointed, but Merlin didn’t care. “You will be able to return to the Once and Future King, but not yet.”

The large man shuffled Merlin off of his shoulder and onto a saddle, where his chains shifted enough to allow him to sit straddling it properly, but still kept him immobile.

Merlin really hated enchanted chains.

He froze as he heard the distant sound of horses hooves. He turned his head and could spot the barest glimpse of a Camelot Knight’s cape through the brush. 

The Catha hurried to his own horse and, once the brute climbed on behind Merlin, hurried them away. Merlin struggled for all he was worth, shouting pointlessly as his voice was still gone. He was so close to going home, to being free. All he could do was watch with longing and heartbreak as his rescuers disappeared the further they went.

“Do not worry, Emrys.” The man said, once they’d traveled almost a league. “They will find a letter stating you are alive and will be returned to them unharmed in a month’s time. You will undoubtedly be examined for spells or enchantments by the physician, and be cleared. We do not want information about the castle, or your King. You will be apprenticed to me for the duration of one month to attempt to build a relationship between the Catha and those of Camelot. To bridge the gap between those with magic and those without. We’ll send for a Druidic representative as well. If there were any who outranked you in the Old Religion, we would send for them. As there are no other High Priests and the only remaining High Priestess is bent on revenge, we can ill afford further influence.”

Then why the fuck can’t I talk yet! Merlin demanded silently, looking directly at the Catha.

“I’m afraid we must keep your voice until we arrive.” The man said sadly, and Merlin scowled at him. “When we get to our destination, you may call me Alator.”

Merlin eventually just leaned back against the man holding him on the horse and fell into dozing. If they were going to kidnap him and take him across the country to goddess knows where, he was getting a nap out of it, damn it.

The sound of cobbles under the horse hooves, jolted him awake. He looked around, sure that he must still be sleeping, as the town they entered passed by. People were tattooed much like Alator, and openly performing magic. In the smithy they passed, the men and women had eyes that were glowing along with the coals as they pounded the metal they worked. A baker whispered a spell over his goods to keep insects away and keep the treats warm. 

The only place that really appeared untouched by magic was the tavern. Perhaps alcohol and magic didn’t mix? He looked at it in confusion. Whenever he drank, his magic did whatever it wanted. Nearly got him caught a few times in Ealdor.

Which is why he rarely drank, and never to excess. Not anymore, anyway. Not since Will.

Merlin shook his head as they reached a tall stone building that was reminiscent of a castle, but it felt sacred. There were others who wore robes similar to Alator waiting on the steps. When Alator dismounted, a young girl ran up and collected the reigns.

“Alator.” An older man intoned, looking at him curiously. “What have you done?” Alator knelt and bowed his head, but he was very clearly smiling now.

“I have brought our salvation, sir.” Alator said, causing the man to tilt his head curiously.

“Elaborate.”

“We have one month to teach; one month to train; one month to prove that our people are more numbered than previously thought, and no more a danger to those without magic than those who call themselves knights to Lord Emrys.” Merlin scowled at the honorific, but the sounds all around them stopped suddenly and every eye was on him. 

“It can’t be …” The man trailed off, looking at Merlin earnestly. Merlin frowned at him, but didn’t otherwise move.

“It is him. The chains were meant for Morgana Pendragon, but she never returned, and I could not risk her getting her hands on him.” Alator stood and nodded to the man behind Merlin who dismounted and pulled him from the horse carefully, setting him on his feet beside Alator. Merlin shook out his legs and stomped his feet a few times to regain feeling in them. It had been a very long ride, and they hadn’t stopped once. 

“Why does he not speak?” The man asked, looking at Alator in alarm.

“I could not risk him calling out to the Knights or alerting Morgana to our presence as we departed Camelot. I left a contract stating he would be returned in a month, once he has had time to learn from us and understand the true chasm between Camelot and the world of magic.”

It’s fucking rude. Merlin mouthed at Alator, fighting a smirk when one of the robed women snorted.

“I see.” The man said, though his lips were definitely quirked in a smile. “Very well. We will leave the spell in place for another day to see how things go. While he is here, he is your responsibility. You and Finna must ensure his needs are met and that you answer any and all questions he may have. Can you do that?”

“We can.” Alator said, along with a woman who stepped forward, the one who had snorted at Merlin’s comment.

“Eryn, show him to his room.” The man nodded and the brute lifted him up once more while Merlin continued swearing at him without a voice, before he was in the corridors of the unfamiliar structure. He gasped when they were inside, feeling the magic crawling in the walls, in the very air, as they walked. It was enough to make him dizzy.

When they arrived at a room that must have been for a king or some lord or another, Merlin was set down. His knees nearly buckled as the magic in the floors connected with him. He looked at the man holding him up pleading with his eyes not to let go yet. The magic felt overwhelming and comforting and so many things that Merlin needed a few minutes to adjust to it without worrying about holding himself upright.

He didn’t know if he could make it a month in this place. Mostly, he didn’t know if he could live so freely with his magic and return to a place where he had to hide it.

—

Arthur tried to steady his breathing, but it was not easy. Gaius was alive, but looked much worse for the wear when they finally found him. Leon and Percival got him out of the caves, but Arthur couldn’t move away from where the notice was stuck fast in the wall, held by a strange bolt. The Catha, who Arthur vaguely remembered from stories in his childhood, had apparently accepted Morgana’s contract to find out who Emrys was by kidnapping Gaius, with the intent to entrap her before they left and imprison her for her crimes against the magical community.

Which, alright, made sense. Magical people governed by other magical people. Sure. He could understand that. What he couldn’t understand was why or how they ended up with Merlin? The notice said that they had taken Merlin as an intermediary; to bridge the gap in knowledge between the magical and non-magical people. Of all people to take, why would they take Merlin? Why wouldn’t they have taken Gaius, who had been a practicing sorcerer once upon a time?

“It just doesn’t make any sense!” Arthur growled, grabbing the notice and pulling it free. He rolled it up and tucked it away into his chainmail. 

They made it back to the castle quickly enough, and got Gaius settled on his cot in his room. Gwen took care of him as much as she could, having been a nurse for him numerous times. Once he was settled, Arthur, Leon, Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan went straight for Agravaine’s room. He wasn’t surprised to find his Uncle in a foul mood and practically foaming at the mouth in rage.

“You have no right to imprison me without proof!” Agravaine shouted, walking up to Arthur quickly. He was stopped quickly when there were no less than two swords blocking his path and another pointed at his throat.

“I believe being King gives me that right.” Arthur replied, taking a seat at Agravaine’s table, gesturing for his Uncle to take one of the empty chairs. “Now. Do you have anything to say that you would prefer kept in this room instead of revealed before a court?”

“I have done nothing wrong.” Agravaine scoffed and crossed his arms.

“Very well. If that is the position you wish to maintain, fine.” Arthur stood solemnly and strode to the door. “Your hearing will take place at the eighth bell tomorrow morning. Guards will escort you from here to the meeting hall. You have until then to come up with your defense.”

Arthur stepped into the corridor and headed for his room, knowing that the guards there were more loyal to Merlin than anyone else in the castle. Merlin had gotten them their jobs and they were determined to live up to his efforts. When he got to his room, he motioned for the doors to be closed, and Elyan closed them. Everyone took a seat at his table while George set out cups for everyone to drink while they spoke.

“Thank you, George. That’ll be all.” Arthur waved, but George gripped his pitcher tighter.

“I think I’ll stay if it’s all the same?” George replied, looking determined. “Merlin meant a lot to the staff and I need to be able to assure them that he is fine and will be back.”

“I thought you didn’t like him?” Arthur questioned, looking at him curiously.

“Yes. Well. It wouldn’t have done me any good to tell you I’d known him for at least three years already when you decided he needed remedial training. All he ended up doing during that time was interviewing new staff and sorting the ledger.” George blushed. “We also knew how you preferred his particular … erm, style, if you will, of serving, sire. And knew what not to do. I may have taken the liberty of annoying you a tad far, I’ll admit.”

Arthur stared at him in disbelief for a minute before he started laughing. Leon was pursing his lips so as not to smile too much, but the others weren’t so restrained. 

“Very well.” Arthur finally agreed, once he calmed down. “Now. The notice that was left behind was signed by Alator, a Catha Priest, apparently.”

“Really?” Elyan asked, looking skeptical, but also interested. “The Catha hardly ever venture outside their citadel. Preferring to keep to themselves and away from those who don’t practice magic.”

“It’s rare you’ll find one wandering around, let alone a Priest.” Gwaine agreed.

“Good, you know of them.” Arthur nodded. “I know very little of their people, as you can imagine. What can you tell me of them?”

“Aside from their propensity for secrecy, you mean?” Gwaine asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, aside from that.” Arthur rolled his eyes.

“They practice a branch of what the Druids call the Old Religion. All of their practices are steeped in ritual. They value those who have power over minds the most. Their markings mean different things. Identify those who work with metal, farmland, water, food, et cetera. The priests were said to be highly proficient at breaking into a man’s mind and pulling out secrets they wished to keep hidden.” Gwaine said slowly.

“Occasionally a member will leave the citadel in hopes of joining and working with non-magical villages and making a home there where there are less restrictions on their livelihood.” Elyan added.

“Their entire community is warded with powerful magic. There’s no way to find it without being invited or becoming an initiate.” Gwaine commented.

“Having had those experiences,” Arthur said carefully, “do you not agree with Camelot’s stance on magic?”

Elyan frowned and looked into his cup, but Gwaine met his eyes and seemed to be searching for something. Arthur held his gaze, unsure what he was looking for.

“What do you know of the Old Religion? What do you know of the Druids?” Gwaine asked, glancing at Percival briefly.

“Not as much as I should.” Arthur admitted. “If I had a tutor who tried to teach me any of those topics, they would disappear and the next person I had would move past it as if it weren’t important. I’ve only been taught that magic was a blight on this land before the war when my father became King. That magic was somehow involved in my mother’s death, and that was why he began the purge.”

“He started with the dragonlords.” Leon said quietly, looking at the table. “Then the healers before moving on to the Druids and those who had openly worshiped the Triple Goddess or the White Goddess.”

“Spoke with a bloke that said the last of the dragonlords left for Ireland as the purge spread further.” Elyan agreed.

“I never understood that.” Arthur said cautiously. “Are the dragonlords actually magical people? Or do they simply have a connection to dragons?”

“Depends.” Gwaine shrugged. “Most have some small amount of magic. Not enough to do much more than start a fire, mind you. But otherwise they typically just converse with dragons and have a bond with them. Sort of like brotherhood, only … more magically tethered together than blood relations.”

“The Druids,” Arthur pressed on, not wanting to dwell on this new knowledge too long at the moment, “as you know, they are free to move through the land as they will without fear. They only ever wished to live in peace and I’ve not arrested anyone for being a Druid nor interacting with them since I was Regent.”

“They usually only use small magicks.” Percival said softly. “Help their gardens grow, mind-speak, warning spells for if intruders get close to their camps.”

“So you’ve all seen good done with magic? And you don’t believe it corrupts?” Arthur looked at each of his knights, but only Gwaine met his eyes, grinning wickedly.

“I believe you’ll find more corruptness in courtiers and nobles than you ever will in a magical person. After all, a noble can have a servant killed, punished, fired, or banished simply for bringing forth something they overheard. But because they are a servant, they are not protected like the noble or courtier.” Gwaine said firmly.

“And the magical attacks that have happened in Camelot?” Arthur pressed, continuing his stare with Gwaine.

“When you corner an animal, do you not expect it to attack? To defend itself?” Gwaine retorted.

Arthur sat back in his chair appraising what Gwaine said. 

“You’re implying that were it not for the laws against magic the people with magic would not be attacking Camelot?” Arthur asked.

“I’m saying if it weren’t for the purge, there would not be as many attacks.” Gwaine countered. “The countries that allow magic don’t have the same troubles as Camelot, do they?”

“Do you believe Gaius to be corrupt?” Leon asked, meeting Arthur’s eyes. “Do you think that because he chose to stop practicing magic that it didn’t leave its imprint on him? The question comes back to what this notice means, and what Agravaine’s involvement is.”

“That’s fair.” Arthur grudgingly agreed. “The notice says that Agravaine was there with Morgana in the caves, that he assisted her and the kidnappers into the castle to do her bidding.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me.” Gwaine grumbled, taking a deep drink.

“He would know many of the secret passageways.” George piped in. “He spent a lot of time here when your mother and father were first married, so I was told.”

“Why would the Catha tell us this?” Elyan asked curiously.

“Because,” Arthur said, wiping a hand over his face and downing his goblet, “they took Merlin with Gaius when they found them together. They are keeping Merlin for a month to teach him and have him act as a sort of intermediary for the magical people and Camelot.”

“What?!” The Knights were all practically shouting.

“I don’t trust magic. And I don’t trust people in governing societies that I know nothing about.” Arthur placated. “But if you say they are not the monsters my father taught me they were, and that they care for each other, then I have to believe that Merlin is safe.”

Percival was the only one still sitting, looking thoughtful before his eyes widened. As if he understood something.

“Care to share your revelation?” Arthur asked, quieting the others who looked between them in confusion. 

“I don’t think it’s my secret to share.” Percival said hesitantly, biting his lip. “Actually, I have a few questions. Has Merlin ever interacted with the Druids?”

“I don’t believe so.” Arthur said slowly. “But he’s in the woods often enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if he has.”

“And he was here when the dragon attacked?” Percival asked, his hand gripping his cup hard enough that it had started to bend.

“He went with me to search out the last remaining dragonlord based on what Gaius told us. He was … actually, he was distracted and quiet for a lot of that trip. He took the man’s death hard, considering he’d only met him that previous day.” Arthur said, his brows furrowed.

“Merlin’s family?” Percival asked, still staring at the table. “And when the dragon left?”

“It was just him and his mother. He never knew his father.” Arthur said quietly. “The dragon was killed, it didn’t leave.”

“You're certain?” Percival asked skeptically.

“No.” Leon said, his shoulders tense. “We were all knocked out or killed when we cornered it. Merlin told Arthur after we came around that he dealt it a death blow and it flew off to die elsewhere.”

“But none of you saw it die nor fly off?” Percival pressed.

“ …No.” Arthur said hesitantly.

“You lived with the Druids, didn’t you Perce?” Elyan asked, seeming to catch where Percival was thinking.

“Yes. Before I found Lancelot. I stayed with them after my village was destroyed. Lancelot traveled with us for a time, before he got a letter asking for help and we left. That was when we met you in the valley.” Percival was carefully extracting his hand from the misshapen goblet.

“So you heard the stories, then.” Elyan sighed. 

“What stories?” Arthur asked in annoyance at being left out. “What does any of this have to do with Merlin?”

“That notice tells you that Gaius and Merlin were kidnapped because they knew who Emrys was, doesn’t it?” Percival asked cautiously.

“How could you possibly know that?” Arthur demanded. 

“Emrys is a prophesied warlock. A man born of dragon heritage with incomparable magic. He was to be a protector for the Once and Future King.” Percival said slowly.

“Once and Future King?” Arthur asked, straightening up. “Merlin called me that once.”

“Then it’s true.” Elyan said, eyes wide. “Well, I’d say Merlin is going to be just fine where he’s at. I’d honestly feel a little bad for those Catha if they hadn’t brought it on themselves.”

“Will one of you speak plainly?” Arthur growled.

“Merlin is Balinor’s son.” Leon said, face pale.

“What?” Arthur asked incredulously.

“Only a dragonlord could have sent the dragon away. Only a dragonlord would have been able to heal wounds caused by dragon fire. Only a dragonlord would be revered and safe among any sect of magical people, regardless of if he had magic or not.” Elyan said carefully. His eyes were sparkling with wonder, though. As if he were seeing Merlin in a whole new light.

“That’s why he and Gaius were fighting before you two set out.” Leon said in understanding. “Gaius had told him that the man they were seeking was his father.”

“If that were the case,” Arthur said through gritted teeth, “Merlin would have told me.”

“Would he?” Gwaine pressed. “Would he admit his connection to a man that was hunted till his death by your father?”

Arthur paused. Would Merlin have told him? Would Merlin have admitted a connection to a man wanted by his father? 

“Regardless,” Percival interjected, “it has next to no bearing on the trial against your Uncle. The only part that matters, is the part about his involvement in Merlin and Gaius’ kidnapping.”

“If Gaius is well enough, he should come and give testimony about what he knows of Agravaine and Morgana’s alliance.” Leon agreed.

“Fine.” Arthur agreed. “But once the trial is over, you will sit and tell me what it is you know of the Catha, the Druids, and their apparent connection to Merlin. Understood?”

“Yes, sire.” Percival and Elyan agreed. Gwaine pursed his lips.

“Sir Gwaine?” Arthur pressed.

“I won’t add speculation about Merlin to your list of concerns. They can tell you what they figured out if they want, but I won’t say anything unless Merlin confirms anything himself, first. No offense or anything, but I’m not ruining my friendship with him for anything. He’s the first person who ever actively sought me out after we’d met once. He came to find me and … well, suffice it to say I choose Merlin over anyone. When he’s back, if he wants to join in on the chat, I’ll come and join in. But I will make sure he knows I’m on his side. He was always on mine, it’s time someone was on his.”

“Very well. Get some rest. Tomorrow promises to be interesting.” Arthur nodded, watching them all depart after giving a small bow. Even George left after gathering the goblets.

Arthur lay in bed, staring at his canopy that night. Thoughts running wild in his memories of when they’d gone to find Balinor. The man had barely spared a glance for Arthur. He only had eyes for Merlin and only ever spoke when Merlin spoke to him. It was almost like Arthur wasn’t even there. Looking back he could spot certain similarities. Not many, but enough to see they were related. They had the same color hair, the same noses and height. But most of Merlin’s features were sharp and angled. It was hard to tell if they shared those or not since Balinor had so much hair around his face. 

The more he thought about it, the more he could see why Merlin may not have ever told him he’d found out who his father was. They’d bonded over not knowing one of their parents. And while Arthur had only been held by his mother for a few hours before she died, Merlin had never known his father. If Balinor was truly his father, then Merlin met him just in time to see him killed. He honestly didn’t know if he preferred having never met his mother over having the chance to meet her only for her to be snatched away so soon after.

It was a conundrum. And the idea of the upcoming trial only gave him a headache. He eventually got to sleep wondering why his sister cared so much about one sorcerer to risk kidnapping people so close to him?