Work Text:
Amidst the laughter and revelry in the banquet hall, Merlin looked around, gripping the wine jug a little tighter. He always felt on edge during the Harvest Festival—or any holiday or tournament. It was when trouble usually found Arthur, and he wondered why no one else seemed to notice but him. This time, though, Merlin was ready. He wouldn't let anything slip by him. Arthur would be safe, if only for tonight.
Quietly, Merlin let out a hint of magic to check for any magical items or people in disguise. He glanced at the knights first. Gwaine was laughing, downing his wine in a friendly challenge with Elyan, who seemed up for the competition. Everything looked normal there. Relieved, Merlin turned his attention to the visiting nobles on the left.
"Merlin?" Arthur's sudden voice made Merlin jump.
He quickly pulled back his magic and looked up to see Arthur giving him a puzzled look, his goblet raised.
"Merlin, you look like you've just stepped in horse dung," Arthur teased, smirking. "What's got you so worried?"
Merlin offered a thin smile, his eyes flickering to the nobles, each one a potential threat. Though they hadn't heard from Morgana in a year, he knew better than to let his guard down. "Just making sure everything runs smoothly, sire. Can't have any mishaps ruining your evening," he replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Arthur laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Well, if you're so concerned, start by keeping these goblets filled. The nobles look dangerously sober."
Merlin's smile slipped a bit as he started moving away, pouring wine for the nobles who didn't even look at him. He felt more distant with each step. As he filled each goblet, he quietly watched the guests, making sure everything was okay.
Near the end of the table, just as he was about to pour wine into another goblet, the noblewoman there suddenly stood up. Surprised, Merlin spilled the wine all over his shirt and stumbled backward, falling to the ground with a thud.
“I’m so sorry,” a soft voice said from above him. He saw a hand reaching out to help him up, but he ignored it and got up by himself, not caring if it seemed rude. Standing again, he finally looked at the woman who had stood up. She had long brown hair and brown eyes, but there was something about her that seemed not quite human. "Are you okay? Oh no, your shirt—it’s ruined, and it's all my fault," she said, looking really worried.
Merlin brushed off his shirt, trying to hide his discomfort. "It's okay, really," he assured the woman, managing a half-smile. "Accidents happen."
Merlin turned, his gaze cutting through the crowd to find Arthur. Catching his eye, he gestured to the door with a nod and then to his wine-soaked shirt, his movements quick and flustered. Arthur rolled his eyes in that familiar 'only-Merlin' way but nodded, granting permission. With a tight-lipped smile, Merlin made his way to the exit, unaware of the watchful eyes tracking his every step.
As Merlin entered his room, a swift flick of his wrist cleansed his shirt with magic, erasing the wine stains as if they'd never been. Despite the quick fix, he knew returning to the banquet too soon would raise questions. He sat on the edge of his bed to ponder his next move, not noticing his eyelids drooping until he succumbed to an unintended sleep.
***
Sunlight filtering through the window woke Merlin the next morning, as Gaius shouted from downstairs. "For the love of Albion, I really am a fool!" Merlin exclaimed, springing from his bed. How had he fallen asleep, leaving Arthur unprotected? Thoughts of enchantments and lurking assassins flooded his mind as he stumbled down the stairs. He was supposed to be Arthur's shield, yet there he was, having dozed off at the worst possible moment.
Merlin heard Gaius sigh behind him just as he flung open the door, pausing when he saw the lady from the previous night. Her fist was raised, about to knock, and her cheeks tinged with red at his abrupt appearance.
"Good morning," she began, her voice laced with a mix of hesitation and resolve. "I came to apologize for last night, properly this time." She extended her hand, holding out a small, intricately carved wooden pendant. "Please accept this as a token of my apology."
Merlin eyed the pendant. "I appreciate the gesture," he replied cautiously, "but I can't accept this. It wouldn't be right."
The woman's expression faltered, then set with gentle determination. "I insist," she said softly yet firmly. "It's merely a trinket, and it would ease my conscience to know you have accepted my apology in some form."
Merlin glanced at her earnest eyes and sighed inwardly, anxious to check on Arthur. "Very well," he said, taking the pendant from her. He turned it over in his hands, noticing the simple yet elegant carving of a bird.
"My name here is Lady Aura," she continued, visibly relieved as he accepted the gift.
"Merlin," he replied, slipping the pendant into his pocket. As he did, a faint hum tingled through his fingers, unsettling his magic. Looking up, his gaze met Lady Aura's. Something about her eyes seemed different—deeper, almost enveloping. The brown of her irises appeared richer, more consuming. He quickly tried to tamp down his magic, shaking his head slightly to clear the sudden daze.
"Merlin, you will be late," Gaius's voice called out, breaking the spell. Startled back to the moment.
Merlin gave her a sheepish smile, and Aura’s expression softened as she seemed to contemplate her next words carefully. "Merlin," she began, her voice carrying a warm, inviting tone, "I find Camelot truly fascinating, and there's so much more I'd like to understand about this place. Would it be possible to meet again? Perhaps you could show me some of the sights?"
The hum started again, quiet but clear, making Merlin nod before he even realized he was doing it. Aura's smile grew, making the air around them feel as warm as an early summer day. She stepped back from the doorway, and her friendly demeanor lingered in the air like warm sunshine. "Hopefully, you visit soon," she said, her voice light and full of hope.
Merlin slowly turned to leave, the rush he felt earlier now replaced by the calmness of her goodbye.
***
Aura entered her chambers, a smile playing on her lips. Approaching her mirror, she frowned but quickly muttered an enchantment. The mirror shimmered, and her eyes glowed red before the glass revealed a man with pointed ears—her advisor.
"Ah, Your Highness, how's everything progressing?" he asked.
"Better than I expected," Aura replied. "What news of my brother?"
"He's been pressuring the councilors to decide, but most are waiting to see what you do first."
"They won’t have to wait long. Emrys has already taken the bait and will be in my grasp sooner than expected. How goes the ritual?"
"Our future queen," he said, then hesitated. "We need a couple more days to have everything ready."
Aura pursed her lips but nodded. "Very well."
A sudden squeak caught Aura's attention. She turned to see a maid trying to flee. With a quick incantation, she transformed the maid into a mouse and scooped her up.
"Pesky mortals," she murmured.
***
Arthur sat by the window, sunlight streaming over the grain reports in his hands. His wife, Guinevere, had helped him dress, and her touch still lingered on his collar. He glanced at the door, a hint of impatience crossing his face. Merlin's absence after being dismissed to clean up yesterday was telling; likely, he wouldn't appear until noon, if at all. Arthur sighed, trying to convince himself he wasn’t waiting for his manservant.
The door swung open, and Arthur turned, expecting a random servant, but it was Merlin, slightly disheveled and out of breath.
"Merlin," Arthur said, feigning nonchalance. "I thought you might have drowned in a wine barrel."
Merlin straightened, smoothing his tunic. "I don't drink, sire. You should know that."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he put down the grain reports. "Then what do you do all those times you disappear to the tavern? Share knitting tips with Gwaine?"
Merlin rolled his eyes, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Something like that," he replied, beginning to hum softly as he moved around the room, tidying up and organizing the reports. Arthur watched him for a moment, puzzled by the cheerfulness.
"Merlin, are you... humming?" Arthur asked, unable to hide his surprise.
Merlin paused, looking up with a genuine grin. "Sharp as ever, sire."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Just stop that humming before you drive me mad."
Merlin just smiled and, instead of humming, started whistling as he changed Arthur's sheets. Arthur couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Merlin so relaxed. How had he not noticed before that Merlin was always so on edge? Why hadn't he seen it until now? His eyes caught a glint from Merlin's pocket—a pendant.
Arthur stood and approached Merlin quietly. As he got closer, he reached out, causing Merlin to twist around in surprise. "What's this?" Arthur asked, pointing to the pendant.
Merlin blushed slightly, placing a protective hand over it. "It's just a gift from a guest, nothing more."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "A gift, eh?"
Merlin's blush deepened. "Yes, it's from Lady Aura. She felt bad about last night."
Arthur's eyes widened slightly. Lady Aura? The name didn't ring a bell. "Not every day you receive a token from a lady," he teased.
Merlin cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. "Actually, I was wondering if I could take tomorrow off. Lady Aura asked if I could show her around Camelot."
Arthur sighed, leaning back slightly. "You do realize she's a noble, Merlin?"
Merlin glanced pointedly at Arthur's wedding ring. "And you married a commoner."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "It's different for me. I'm the king. If her father found out, he would have your head for sullying his daughter's honor."
"There's nothing between us," Merlin protested. "It's just a tour."
Arthur smirked, shaking his head. "Fine, take tomorrow off. But don’t get your hopes up too much, Merlin. And if there’s any trouble, you’ll be mucking out the stables for a month.”
Merlin's face lit up with a grin. "Thank you, sire. No trouble, I promise."
The rest of the day, Arthur couldn’t focus, his mind preoccupied with the puzzle that was Merlin. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake it off. Even during training with the knights, Arthur noticed their glances following Merlin, who practically skipped around helping them.
Something heavy settled in Arthur's stomach—guilt, though he couldn't fathom why. So what if Merlin was happy now? It was a good thing. But why had he been so unhappy before, and why hadn’t Arthur noticed?
Sure, Merlin was a servant, but that was a flimsy excuse. Merlin had been more than a servant almost from the day they met. He had never treated Arthur like a prince or a king, just a person. He had remained steadfast by Arthur’s side ever since.
Arthur grumbled as he returned to his chambers, the unanswered questions gnawing at him. Merlin placed two plates of food on the table just as Guinevere entered. Merlin smiled at her warmly.
"Hi, Gwen," he chirped, and before she could respond, he was out the door. "Bye, Gwen."
Guinevere gave Arthur a questioning look. Arthur sighed. "He's smitten."
"I never thought I’d see the day," Guinevere said, a smile on her lips as she sat down. "Tell me everything."
***
Merlin's palms sweated as he knocked on Aura's door, his mind racing with doubts. Maybe she was just being polite when she asked. She was a noble, and he was just a servant. The pendant hummed gently as she opened the door, and Merlin couldn't suppress the smile that spread across his face when she accepted his invitation.
As they strolled through Camelot, Merlin's enthusiasm was palpable. He spoke animatedly about the city, and Aura's laughter seemed to make the world hum along. Reaching the marketplace, Aura looked around, her eyes sparkling.
"Camelot is even better than I thought," she said.
Merlin nodded, guiding her through the bustling market. "When I first came here, I thought it would be overwhelming. The crowds, the noise—it was a lot to take in." They weaved through the stalls, Merlin deftly avoiding a vendor's cart. "But the more time I spent here, the more it grew on me. It almost becomes like home."
Aura seemed to ponder his words. "Have you ever thought of leaving?"
"Once or twice," Merlin admitted. "But that was a long time ago. What about you? Tell me about where you come from."
As they reached a quieter area, Aura's expression softened. "Where I live is the most beautiful place you can imagine. The sun always shines, warming your skin like a gentle hug. The colors are so vibrant. There is a giant white castle that shines like a gem in the center of everything, and you can hear the waves crashing from afar. I never want to leave."
"It sounds wonderful," Merlin said, captivated by her description. Aura guided them behind a wall where no one could see them, her hand lightly touching where the pendant she gave him was, the humming increasing.
“I can show it to you,” she said, her gaze turning serious. “We can even leave in a couple of days.”
Merlin tensed a little. “My lady, I am so sorry, but I have a duty here in Camelot that makes it so I can’t leave.”
Aura's eyes seemed to glow red, and Merlin felt the world blur. His magic screamed at him to act, but he was unsure what to do.
"Ah, yes, King Arthur," Aura said smoothly. "What if I help you with your duties then?"
"What?" Merlin managed, confusion clouding his mind.
"I swear I'll keep him safe if you agree to come with me," she continued, her voice soft and persuasive. Merlin's head fogged over as she spoke. "A promise from my kind carries great weight, Merlin."
Merlin somehow believed her, but a part of him struggled to refuse. If Arthur would be safe, why wouldn’t he go? What was holding him back? Destiny? Magic wouldn’t return because of Merlin's actions, which had led to Arthur hating it forever. Arthur was already becoming a great king and hardly listened to Merlin's advice anyway. All Merlin could do now was protect him, and Aura promised to do that. Another part of Merlin longed to finally do something that was in his control, and the place Aura described sounded amazing.
"I will go," he said finally.
With that, Aura began to chant a spell, the words unfamiliar to Merlin. All he knew now was that he didn't want to leave her side.
***
Gwaine was taken aback when Arthur mentioned that Merlin, his best friend, seemed to have fallen for someone and hadn’t mentioned it. Sure, Merlin seemed chipper yesterday, but Gwaine hadn't realized it was because of a person. He’d never seen Merlin in love before and couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease him about it. Gwaine was determined to find Merlin after practice and made it his mission to meet this mysterious woman.
Tracking them down was easy since everyone knew Merlin's face. As he rounded a corner, he spotted Merlin, eyes fixed on the lady in front of him.
"What do we have here?" Gwaine said, throwing an arm around Merlin. "Oh, is this the lady that's caught your fancy?"
When Gwaine looked at her to see what was Merlin's type, he thought her eyes flashed red for a brief moment before settling on brown. She looked momentarily surprised, but before Gwaine could process it, Merlin shoved his arm off.
"Leave us," Merlin snapped.
Gwaine put his hands up in mock surrender. "Easy there, Merls. Didn’t know you were so touchy about your love life."
Merlin's eyes narrowed, a look Gwaine had never seen directed at him before. "Mind your own business, Gwaine," he snapped.
Aura stepped closer to Merlin, placing a hand on his arm. "Let's go, Merlin. We have much to discuss."
Gwaine watched as Merlin and the lady walked away, something gnawing at his instincts. Merlin's behavior was off, and that brief flash of red in her eyes unsettled him. He had never seen Merlin act so dismissive, especially towards him.
As they disappeared around the corner, Gwaine couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. He stood there for a moment, lost in thought, before turning on his heel and heading towards the castle.
***
Gwaine entered the physician’s chambers and saw Gaius hunched over a book, glaring at it as if it had personally offended him. Gwaine knocked lightly on the door to announce his presence. Gaius's head snapped up.
“If you’re looking for Merlin, he’s not here today,” Gaius said.
Gwaine stepped further into the room. “Actually, I’m here to see you.”
Gaius stood and immediately began scanning Gwaine for injuries with a practiced eye.
"I'm not hurt," Gwaine assured him. Gaius turned to fetch the hangover potion. "Or hungover," Gwaine called out, "I just need to talk to you about Merlin."
Gaius turned around, raising an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What about Merlin?"
Gwaine took a deep breath. “I had a strange encounter with him today. He was with Lady Aura, and he snapped at me. That’s not like him at all. And... her eyes, they turned red for a moment. Have you ever seen anything like that?”
Gaius frowned, his expression skeptical. “Red eyes, you say? Are you sure it wasn’t just a trick of the light?”
“I’m sure,” Gwaine insisted. “It was brief, but I saw it.”
Gaius sighed, waving a dismissive hand. “It was probably nothing more than the light playing tricks on you. Merlin has been under a lot of stress lately. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”
Gwaine hesitated, sensing something off about Gaius's response. “But it felt wrong, Gaius. Merlin's never snapped at me like that before.”
Gaius patted Gwaine's shoulder reassuringly. “Thank you for your concern, Gwaine. I’ll keep an eye on him. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important work to finish.”
Gwaine left the chambers, feeling uneasy. Gaius's dismissal didn’t sit right with him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong with Merlin. If Gaius wasn’t going to help, it seemed it was up to him.
***
The next day, Arthur was prepared to drag his lovesick manservant back to work no matter how much he whined, so he wouldn’t have to deal with George and his brass jokes again. What he wasn’t prepared for was finding Gwaine spying on Merlin.
"What are you doing, Gwaine?" Arthur asked, narrowing his eyes.
Gwaine, clearly startled, jumped and quickly turned to Arthur. "Shh, keep it down!" he whispered urgently.
Arthur raised an eyebrow and looked past Gwaine to see Merlin laughing at something Aura had said. He shook his head, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Are you serious? Spying on Merlin? This better not be one of your pranks, Gwaine."
Gwaine shook his head vehemently. "This isn't a joke, Arthur. There's something off about that woman. Merlin’s been acting strange, and I saw her eyes flash red earlier."
Arthur scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "You expect me to believe that Merlin's acting odd because of some lady's magic? He's just infatuated. Why would anyone want to enchant Merlin of all people? It doesn't make sense."
Gwaine smirked. "Why not? He's got those sharp cheekbones and he's one of the most eligible bachelors for any servant. Besides, who wouldn’t want a loyal and kind-hearted manservant?"
Arthur replied dryly, "Thought about that a lot, have you?"
Gwaine's smirk faded into seriousness. "It's not like that. Merlin is my friend, and I'm worried about him. This is serious."
Arthur sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Alright, let’s say I believe you. What do you suggest we do?"
“I still haven’t quite figured that out yet,” Gwaine said. “Just trying to get proof.”
Arthur frowned. He saw the spark in Gwaine's eye and knew he wouldn’t let this go. If Arthur tried to drag him to training, Gwaine would make training hell and then continue to spy on Merlin anyway. Arthur decided it was worth dealing with George for one more day just to put an end to this. "Continue to watch them, then. If something happens, report to me immediately."
Gwaine nodded and resumed his watch. Arthur glanced once more at Merlin, noticing how the shadows under his eyes had lightened in just two days. Merlin's wide grin was unsettling; Arthur hoped this was all one big misunderstanding on Gwaine's part. The thought of Merlin returning to his glum, tired self was something Arthur didn’t want to face, but he felt in his gut that something was wrong.
"I’m going to check some records, see if she is really who she says she is," Arthur said, hoping to prove Gwaine wrong.
Arthur slipped away towards the library. When he arrived, Geoffrey raised an eyebrow at the king's unexpected presence but quickly fetched the records. The library, with its layers of dust, could use a good cleaning—another task for Merlin, Arthur mused.
Arthur settled into a chair, sifting through records. The monotony was almost unbearable. He fidgeted, longing for action rather than poring over dusty documents. Hours passed, and Arthur struggled to keep his eyes open, forcing himself to focus on each painstaking detail.
"Anything I can help with, sire?" Geoffrey asked eventually.
Arthur shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm almost done."
Finally, Arthur found Lady Aura's name on the list of attending nobles. She was listed as being from the north of Camelot, from the House of Arandale. As the candle burned down to a stub, Arthur checked the records of noble houses but found nothing—no evidence of the house or of Aura herself.
Just as Arthur groaned and prepared to search once more, the library door swung open to reveal Gwaine.
"She's on the move," Gwaine said. Arthur got up, a little too eagerly, and followed him.
***
Aura moved through the dark corridors of the castle, barely containing her annoyance. She had promised to keep the king safe. Though the idea of turning him into a dog and taking him to the Summer Court had crossed her mind, she dismissed it. Emrys would likely break free from the enchantment, thinking she meant harm.
Mortals were so foolish. If Emrys cared about himself even half as much as he did for the king, her enchantment would never have held. With a sigh, Aura set protective spells around the castle. Simple, but effective enough. Emrys would probably sense them and realize she had kept her promise. Soon, all her dreams would come true.
Reaching the left side of the wall, Aura chanted a spell of protection, her voice soft but firm. The air shimmered as the spell took hold. Just as she finished, a twig snapped behind her. She whirled around, eyes narrowing as she scanned the shadows.
Nothing.
She frowned, her wings twitching nervously, hidden under her disguise. With a final glance around, she continued her task, muttering under her breath about the endless complications of dealing with mortals.
***
Arthur's heart raced as he watched Aura use magic. He couldn't believe Gwaine was right, and now Gwaine was holding him back from stopping whatever she was doing.
"Let go," Arthur snapped.
"Hold on," Gwaine whispered urgently.
Arthur glared at Gwaine. "She has magic!"
"I have eyes," Gwaine shot back. "But even I know there's a time to be reckless and a time to be smart. Plus, you don't even have your sword."
Arthur instinctively reached for his sword, only to find it wasn't there. He clenched his fists. "If anyone gets hurt because I didn't act—"
Gwaine interrupted, "We'll handle it. But right now, we need to know what we're dealing with. And besides, I'm the one who usually rushes in. You need to think like a king."
Aura's spell shimmered briefly before fading into the night. She glanced around one last time, her eyes glowing red once more, before disappearing into the shadows.
Arthur let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Let's go," he murmured, signaling for Gwaine to follow him.
They slipped out of their hiding spot and made their way back through the castle. Arthur's mind raced with questions and plans. He needed to trap Aura and catch her off guard before she realized what was happening. If they could ambush her, they might uncover her intentions. When they got back, Arthur would organize the guards to cover all entrances and exits, minimizing the risk of Aura escaping or causing further harm. It was time to arrest a witch, and this time, he would be prepared.
***
After Arthur organized the guards and armed himself with his sword, they went to the room where Aura was staying. They opened the door, only to find it empty.
"She might return. When she does, arrest her and alert the rest of the guards. If anyone sees her, they are to arrest her immediately," Arthur commanded. Turning to Gwaine, he added, "Get the Knights of the Round Table. We need to meet."
Gwaine nodded and rushed off.
***
Arthur stood in the dimly lit council chamber, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on the faces of the gathered knights. He glanced around at his men, noting their tired expressions and bleary eyes, a testament to the late hour.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Arthur began, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. "We have a situation that requires immediate attention."
Leon rubbed his eyes, trying to focus. "What's going on, sire?"
Arthur took a deep breath. "Tonight, Gwaine and I followed Lady Aura. We discovered she has powerful magic. We saw her casting spells around the castle. We organized the guards to arrest her, but when we went to her room, she was already gone. We don't know her intentions, but it seems she's influenced Merlin somehow."
The room buzzed with murmurs of surprise and concern. Percival, looking more awake now, leaned forward. "Magic? Are you sure?"
Arthur nodded. "Her eyes glowed red, and she was chanting incantations. It's clear she's a sorceress of some kind."
Elyan, rubbing his temples, looked thoughtful. "So, what's the plan?"
Arthur spread a map of the castle on the table. "First, we need to figure out exactly what she cast and what her plans are. Gwaine, you and Percival will handle that."
Gwaine nodded, his usual grin replaced with a look of determination. "Got it."
Arthur continued, "Leon, Elyan, you two will be in charge of the search party to track down Aura. Find her, arrest her, but be careful—we don't know what she's capable of."
Leon and Elyan exchanged glances before nodding. "Understood," Leon said.
Arthur's gaze hardened as he looked at his knights. "I'll talk to Merlin tomorrow. See if he knows anything despite whatever she did to him. Maybe it will lead to more clues."
Gwaine couldn't resist a jab. "Just don't scare him off with that royal temper, Princess."
Arthur rolled his eyes but managed a small smile. "I can manage, Gwaine."
The knights shared a brief, lighthearted moment, their laughter easing the tension in the room. However, Arthur's expression soon grew serious once more.
"We don't know Aura's ultimate goal, but we can't take any chances. Be vigilant,
be cautious, and report anything unusual immediately. Track her down, arrest her, but stay alert and be prepared for anything."
The knights nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in despite their weariness. Arthur felt a surge of pride and gratitude for his loyal friends and warriors.
"Alright, let's move. The safety of Camelot depends on it," Arthur said, his voice firm.
As the knights dispersed to their tasks, Arthur lingered for a moment, looking at the empty Round Table. He trailed his hand along its edge, briefly remembering a time when he used to be alone, before Merlin came along, always following Arthur into dangerous situations. Now, Arthur was surrounded by the Knights of the Round Table, always having someone to trust. But when did Merlin start isolating himself and becoming so cut off from everyone? And why?
Arthur shook himself out of the thought. He needed to focus on finding Aura and making sure Camelot, especially Merlin, was safe.
***
The next morning, Aura finished her spells and was about to rest when she noticed something was wrong. Guards were everywhere. She cursed under her breath. Where did she go wrong? Everything had been planned perfectly. Now, it was time for some improvisation. Instead of going to her room, she slipped into Merlin's quarters.
Sneaking past the old physician was surprisingly easy. Merlin was sound asleep when she shook him awake. He started but relaxed instantly when he saw her, giving her a stupid grin. “Aura, what is it?”
“We need to leave now,” she said urgently. Merlin, still groggy, sat up in bed.
“Alright, let me get packed and say goodbye—”
“There’s no time,” she insisted, her voice laced with magic. Realizing she needed to be careful, she softened. “Just pack a few things and meet me outside the east gate in half an hour.”
Merlin nodded, still half-asleep. “I’ll see you then.”
Aura smiled, feeling the excitement of being so close to her goal. As Merlin began to gather his belongings, she glanced at his chest to ensure the pendant was still there, its faint glow confirming its presence. Satisfied, she decided she no longer needed her mortal disguise. She let her wings unfurl and her ears return to their natural pointed shape. Merlin, busy packing, didn't even notice. Aura flew out of his window, her heart racing with anticipation.
***
The next morning, Arthur entered the physician's chambers, noting Gaius’s stressed expression and the crumpled note in his hand. When their eyes met, something twisted in Arthur's gut.
"Where's Merlin?" Arthur demanded.
"He left... Sire, there's something I failed to report—"
"I know Lady Aura is not all she seems," Arthur interrupted. Gaius's eyes widened, and Arthur briefly wondered when Gaius had discovered this and why he hadn’t come to him sooner. But there was no time for that. "Do you know where that idiot went?"
"No, but he just left in a hurry. You can still stop him," Gaius urged.
Arthur nodded sharply and raced out, asking the guards if they had seen Merlin. They pointed east, and Arthur ordered them to alert the knights. Then he sprinted towards the east gate, his heart pounding.
He had no idea what Aura wanted with Merlin, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. He couldn't lose him. Arthur pushed himself to run faster, his eyes scanning for any sign of Merlin.
Finally, a familiar brown jacket came into view. "Merlin!" Arthur shouted.
When Merlin turned around, he looked at Arthur curiously. "Arthur?"
Arthur felt a surge of relief mixed with frustration as he grabbed hold of Merlin. "Merlin, thank goodness I found you. Come back to the castle now. We need to stop Aura before it's too late."
Merlin's expression shifted to one of confusion and defiance. "Of course, you try to stop me!" he shouted, a hint of pain in his voice. "This is like Freya all over again!"
Arthur froze. Freya? Who was Freya? But there was no time to ponder that now. "You're enchanted, you idiot!"
Merlin’s eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions. "No, Arthur. Aura seems to care about me. She listens to what I have to say, and she wouldn't... For once, I am going to live my own life, outside of what everyone wants from me! So just let go."
Arthur stepped closer, wondering how much of what Merlin said was the enchantment and how much was truly him. His voice softened. "Merlin, listen to yourself. This isn’t you talking. Please, you know me. Sure, sometimes I can be a prat and arrogant, just like you said, but I always cared about you. I might not show it well, but I’ll do better. Please come back to the castle with me, and we can figure this out.”
He saw the hesitation in Merlin's eyes for a second until a female voice sounded. “He's not going anywhere with you, Your Majesty.” Arthur saw Merlin's eyes harden as Aura approached, her wings like fire, with orange and yellow swirling patterns, and she seemed to glow.
“Sorry, Arthur, but this is for the best,” Merlin said, trying to wiggle free.
“I’m sorry too,” Arthur replied, drawing his sword. With a heavy heart, he struck Merlin on the head, causing him to crumple to the ground.
When he looked at Aura, she hissed, and he could feel heat simmering under his skin as he said, "Your fight is with me now."
Aura lunged at him, her wings flaring with a fiery glow. Arthur dodged her attack, rolling to the side. She tried to summon a spell, but it fizzled out, leaving her eyes wide with shock.
“How dare a mortal king try to stop me! Me, the future queen of the Summer Court!” Aura raged. “You mortals are nothing but a bunch of flies, gone in the blink of an eye, with nothing to show for it!”
For a moment, Arthur was reminded of Morgana when she took over Camelot, but he steeled himself. He had faced this kind of hatred before.
Aura attacked again, her movements erratic with fury. She attempted to move toward Merlin to take him, but Arthur stepped in front of her, blocking her path. The sound of approaching knights distracted Aura for a split second, and Arthur seized the opportunity. He swung his sword with precision, landing a solid hit on her side.
Aura screamed in pain, stumbling back. Her fiery wings flickered as she struggled to stay upright. The knights surrounded them, their weapons drawn, ready to defend their king.
Arthur stepped forward, his eyes locked on Aura. "It's over, Aura. Surrender now."
Breathing heavily, Aura glared at Arthur, her eyes burning with a mix of hatred and desperation. Her eyes flicked to the sword, turning red for a second. “Of course,” she sneered. With a final, frustrated scream, she vanished in a flash of light, leaving behind only the echoes of her rage.
Arthur took a second to catch his breath, then gently scooped Merlin up, cradling him in his arms. "Have scouts patrol the area for any signs of her," he commanded. Without waiting for a response, he began carrying Merlin back up the tower.
***
Arthur watched as Gaius examined Merlin. The physician frowned as he pulled a wooden pendant from Merlin's pocket—the one from Aura. Of course, it was probably magic. Arthur huffed, studying it for a second before tossing it into the fire.
"What was that?" Arthur asked.
"Some enchantments need an anchor to keep them going, especially powerful ones," Gaius explained.
"But why Merlin?" Arthur asked, the question gnawing at him.
Gaius brushed a part of Merlin's hair aside, revealing a red area that was likely to bruise. "From what you described, Aura is a fae. They rarely enter the mortal realm, so we know little about them. But when they do, they love to toy with mortals, creating seemingly fair bargains that lead to madness and enchanting them. Merlin might have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Typical," Arthur huffed as Gaius grabbed his leather medicine bag. "I need to collect herbs in case Merlin has a concussion," Gaius said, giving Arthur a pointed look. "Can you watch him while I'm gone?"
Arthur nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "Of course."
Arthur watched over Merlin, his concern growing as the minutes turned into hours. Finally, Merlin slowly stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He moaned and rubbed his head. "What happened?"
Arthur, sitting by Merlin's bedside, leaned forward. "You were enchanted."
“My head feels like you just beat me up with a sword and called it practice. I’m not in the mood for your jokes. What actually happened?” Merlin complained, trying to sit up. Arthur helped him, placing pillows behind his back for support.
“I’m being serious, Merlin,” Arthur said, trying to convey the truth behind his words. Merlin squinted at him before tensing a little and wincing.
“How is that possible?” Merlin mumbled under his breath before saying, "Please tell me I didn't do anything embarrassing like you did when you were enchanted."
Arthur chuckled. "You did go out into the street almost completely naked to confess your love to Lady Aura.” He tried to keep from smiling as Merlin's eyes widened. “Everyone was mortified, and then there was the time you—”
“Stop! I don’t want to hear more,” Merlin said, and Arthur let himself grin. Merlin caught it and said, “You’re an ass.”
“I’m the king, Merlin,” Arthur pointed out.
“Sorry, a royal ass,” Merlin corrected, closing his eyes and wincing from the pain.
Taking pity, Arthur said, “You didn't do anything too bad, just acted like a lovesick puppy.”
“That’s a relief,” Merlin managed a weak smile.
Arthur fidgeted with the ring on his hand, unsure if he should ask, but his curiosity got the best of him. "Merlin, you did mention something when you were under the spell. It’s, well, you mentioned a name—Freya.”
Merlin's smile faded, and Arthur instantly knew it wasn’t just the enchantment talking. He waited patiently until Merlin finally said, “She was someone I thought I could love.”
Arthur noticed Merlin was speaking in the past tense and couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
"She died," Merlin sighed, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. His eyes glazed over, lost in memories. Like a shell closing up, Merlin stopped talking. Arthur knew he wouldn’t get any more out of him. Arthur felt a pang of guilt for never noticing Merlin's pain. How much more had Arthur failed to notice?
"I'm sorry," Arthur said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"It's not your fault," Merlin replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He tried to muster a smile but failed, his gaze dropping to the floor.
Just then, Gaius entered the chambers, carrying a satchel full of herbs. He went to examine Merlin and sighed, “He needs rest, sire. My fears were right.”
Before Merlin could protest, Arthur stood up and turned to him. "Take a couple of days off."
Merlin looked surprised. "Are you sure I was the one who was enchanted?"
Arthur gave him a small, encouraging smile. "Yes, I'm sure. Rest and recover. We'll manage without you for a bit." Even if it made Arthur's day miserable.
Merlin sighed, leaning back into the pillows. "Alright, but if anything happens—"
Arthur interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. "We'll be fine. Focus on getting better."
As Arthur left the room, he vowed internally to pay more attention to Merlin. He wanted to help bring back the cheerful and bright Merlin he had first met. Pausing at the door, Arthur glanced back at Merlin one last time. He saw Gaius attending to him, the old physician's care evident in his every movement. Arthur's determination solidified—he would do everything in his power to make sure Merlin found his happiness again.
Outside the chambers, Arthur issued orders to ensure the castle's defenses were on high alert. Aura was still out there, and he couldn't take any chances. Walking through the corridors, he couldn't shake the image of Merlin's haunted eyes. He needed to find a way to lift the burden from his friend's shoulders.
Arthur realized that, moving forward, he had to be more than just a king to Merlin. He had to be a friend, someone Merlin could confide in and rely on. With a renewed sense of purpose, Arthur made his way to the knights' quarters, ready to strategize and protect those he cared about.