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Merlin fic: Nothing Has Changed (2/?)
Author: dk323
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Morgana
Spoilers:
Merlin ~ tag to season 1 finale, “Le Morte D'Arthur”
Disclaimer: The show Merlin is property of the BBC. No money being made.
Summary: Arthur has a new responsibility. Merlin is demanding.
Author's Notes: This chapter is longer than expected - I knew where I wanted it to end, but it was taking a while to get to that point. I managed it at least. :-) I'm considering writing an epilogue after the third part, so technically there will be four parts. Hope you like this!
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7a | Part 7b | Part 8a
“What have you done to him?!” Arthur demanded.
He had his sword pointed at the blonde woman in front of him. She was holding a small box in her hands where the last of something -- Arthur wasn’t sure what it was, but he took a wild guess and decided it was magic – went into the box and the box clicked shut.
And it had been coming from Merlin.
The magic had been coming from Merlin.
That would make him a sorcerer…
The woman, appearing unperturbed at the sword on her person, looked upon Arthur with a perceptive gaze.
“This could be a test for you. I was planning on sealing this back inside of him, but I’ve decided you should have it. He trusts you, does he not?”
She held the box in her hand, and offered it to Arthur. She looked expectantly at him. “Well, take it.”
Arthur eyed her suspiciously. “What is inside of that box? What have you done to Merlin? The least you could do is explain that to me.”
“Merlin has decided to bind his magic, so he will be unable to use it. He feared he was losing control over it, which would lead to unintentional exposure of his abilities.”
“He’s a sorcerer then?” Arthur wanted to confirm.
“Yes, he is. It’s a pity he didn’t feel he could trust you enough to tell you, but well, I’m sure you know what caused his hesitancy.”
Of course Arthur knew. And while he felt not just a little hurt that Merlin had not trusted him with the secret of his magic, he understood why he had kept it from him. No matter how often Merlin had stepped over the boundaries of what constituted a master-servant relationship – and Arthur could not deny that he allowed it even welcomed it because, well, there was just something about Merlin and he really couldn’t explain it, there just was – he knew that such a secret would be kept closely guarded.
Arthur was still King Uther’s son after all, so the risk Merlin would have been taking to tell someone thrown between loyalty to his father and the laws of Camelot warring with his inexplicable fondness for his manservant would have been great. It would have been simply too much of a risk.
And Arthur was grateful that Merlin had not revealed his magic in his father’s presence. It would have been much harder to defend him against the king’s law. And his father was unyielding, absolute when it came to ridding the kingdom of sorcery. Arthur couldn’t bear it if he had to see Merlin burning at the stake. He would never let that happen, never.
A feeling of trepidation took a hold of him as Arthur took the small box from the sorceress.
“What is in here?” He asked with bated breath.
Though he had seen what had taken place, what had gone inside this rather tiny, decorative box, he needed to hear it said out loud. Just to make sure.
“You saw, Pendragon, with your own eyes. It is Merlin’s magic, all of it, contained in that box. I want you to have it for safekeeping. You and Merlin should come back in a week’s time and I will be able to help Merlin. Hopefully he will be willing to listen the next time.”
Arthur traced his finger over the raised silver forming the ornate detailing on the box’s exterior as if it were something precious. He looked up and shook his head.
“No, I can’t take this. Merlin should get his magic back. This isn’t fair to him.”
“Merlin asked for this. He is still young – this could be a lesson for him. This could turn out to be a good thing.”
Arthur stared at her in disbelief. This did not look like a good thing from where he was standing. He turned to look at Merlin, who was lying very still on the hard ground. His face was paler than Arthur had ever seen it and his fists were clenched, one hand was tightly grasping a fallen twig.
The woman walked toward him and when she was right in front of him, she placed her hand over the box.
She made him look her in the eye and then she spoke in a manner not unlike a mother trying to soothe her child.
“Would you like to know why I’m entrusting you with this? With keeping his magic?”
“No,” he muttered, glancing over at Merlin, who was breathing shallow breaths. He was worried about him.
She sighed. “It is not my place to tell you, but just understand, there are not many people who can keep a sorcerer’s magic without losing their heads. They attempt to seize power and rule the world -- using magic for cruel and selfish means. But for you, Pendragon, it is different. Any magic given to you will have no effect on you. It will lay dormant, unused inside of you.”
“Inside of me?” Arthur uttered in shock.
Was he meant to swallow this box then?
“Why yes. It is the best way to protect the magic. No one will find it. No one will suspect,” she explained.
And then she waved her hand over the box and it turned into a goblet full of liquid.
“Drink that and the magic will be in your blood. You won’t even feel it’s there.”
Arthur tried not to feel nervous as he downed the drink. An assault of taste took over him. It was hard to explain what exactly the drink – Merlin’s magic, he reminded himself abruptly and the awkwardness set in of what he was doing – tasted like, but he thought it tasted good. Very pleasant, in fact – and it wasn’t exactly the actual taste that got him, but the sensation, the feelings that swept through his mind of warm, breezy summer days watching the clouds lazily roll by. The sound of laughter, running in the fields, and standing atop the castle parapets looking down below. And finally, gazing upon the dark night sky adorned with twinkling stars, a peace settled over the land. All of it took Arthur’s breath away. He had to admit it was beautiful and endearing in a way that suited Merlin rather well.
Once he drank it all, he let out a gasp of surprise when his injured shoulder suddenly felt as good as new. It didn’t hurt anymore and he certainly didn’t need the sling any longer.
He narrowed his eyes at the sorceress. “You said the magic would have no effect on me,” he accused.
She said calmly, “That is true, but magic is still tied to the emotions of its owner. It is unavoidable. In this case, Merlin does not wish to see you hurt.”
“Oh,” Arthur said, feeling more than a bit overwhelmed.
“Remember the magic is in your blood. Only I can take it away from you magically. Just--” she paused, looking away, appearing uncomfortable all of a sudden.
“Just what?”
“Nevermind, it’s of no import,” she said quickly, and then she composed herself and nodded at him. “You should know that while you cannot perform magic, a drop of blood will work just as well as a spell or incantation. Though I doubt you would have need of it during the week you will be with his magic.”
Arthur nodded. “Will Merlin be all right? Without his magic? Will he be okay?”
“I would fear hardship ahead. It will not be easy for him. He was born this way, the magic flowing through his veins since birth. He was not trained in sorcery, you must understand. It comes naturally to him – as naturally as breathing, I would say. But you’ll be there for him, won’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
The sorceress smiled at him. “Good. My name is Luna by the way. It was a pleasure to meet you, Pendragon.”
And then she disappeared after that.
~ * ~
“Merlin?” The prince shook him lightly.
He had heard his manservant groaning a moment ago, so he decided there was a chance he was waking up.
“Geroff me,” Merlin muttered incoherently.
Unbidden, the sorceress’ – or Luna as she called herself – words came to mind, “--a drop of blood will work just as well as a spell or incantation.—”
He shrugged, figuring he might as well as try it out and see if it worked. He took out a dagger he had with him and sliced his palm open. He adjusted Merlin’s head and instructed him to open his mouth.
Merlin did so, and feeling suddenly very weird about this, Arthur let a drop of blood fall into his manservant’s mouth.
Merlin moaned. His tongue swiped over his lips to clean off any blood that had not made it into his mouth. He opened his eyes, looking up at Arthur, a dazed look on his face.
Arthur tried not to dwell on the gold in Merlin’s eyes that flashed briefly before fading out.
Suddenly, Merlin stood up easily, without any assistance from Arthur, and said that he was feeling just fine.
Arthur blocked his way to get to his horse and said urgently, “Wait, Merlin. I know.”
Merlin’s blue eyes darkened slightly before he did the last thing the prince was expecting him to do.
Merlin grinned.
“Well, it’s a moot point now. I don’t have it anymore.”
And with that, Merlin shoved past him, effectively ending the conversation.
Arthur did not know what to make of Merlin’s behavior, but he heeded the sorceress’ words. He was certain that the next few days would not be easy for Merlin. One did not lose something so integral to their being without there being unwelcome consequences.
So with grim anticipation, Arthur rode back to Camelot with Merlin riding alongside him.
Merlin may not have thought that Arthur didn’t notice the frequent side glances directed at him, but Arthur did notice.
Merlin suspected something.
~ * ~
When they got back to Camelot, Arthur could see that Merlin was looking tired, weary even. The small bit of magic only lasted so long, it seemed.
Merlin said he was feeling exhausted and told Arthur that he was heading back to his room to get some rest.
Arthur let him.
~ * ~
“I’ll be all right. I promise,” Merlin said earnestly to his mother.
“Merlin, you shouldn’t have given up your magic. There had to be another way. You know I worry about you,” she said softly, caressing his cheek.
He leaned into the touch. “I know. I’m sorry. But I’ll be fine. You should go back to Ealdor.”
Hunith sighed, a look of concern still showing on her face.
“I’ll be leaving at first light tomorrow,” she informed him.
She made to leave the room, but then Merlin spoke up from his seat on his bed.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said solemnly.
His mother turned around and sat down beside him, giving him a hug. “Oh, Merlin.”
“I’m scared,” he whispered.
He cried silently into her embrace, his mother stroking his hair in a soothing manner.
~ * ~
It began not too long after Merlin left Arthur’s side.
One servant after another came to Arthur saying that Merlin needed to see him. While at first, the prince thought nothing of it and nodded to each of these servants, acknowledging their relayed message, but telling them that right now, he was far too busy with his duties to see him.
The last time that a servant had come by, Arthur was almost certain that someone was watching the two of them speak. And he most definitely could not ignore the servant’s nervous glances around him. As if he was afraid of someone accosting him.
But then he couldn’t see the servant anymore and a knight wanted to talk to him. So, no matter how much the prince wished to find out where that servant had gone and question him, Arthur pushed down his need to satisfy his curiosity.
~ * ~
He found it odd that Merlin was not there to attend to him for dinner in his chambers. Surely he wasn’t that tired to sleep the whole day away?
The servant who had come with dinner appeared to be preoccupied with his thoughts. He looked, Arthur concluded, as if it’d rather be anywhere else but here.
Once the servant set the tray down on to the table, he spoke with a noticeable tremor in his voice.
“Merlin asked me if I could tell you that, “If you don’t get your royal – er -- something down to see him, then he will make sure to kill you in your sleep” sire.”
Arthur could do nothing but stare at him. What in the world was going on? Was this what Luna had meant by “hardship”? That his manservant would resort to threatening murder?
Unfortunately, he knew he couldn’t blame this on Merlin’s supposed mental affliction.
Unfortunately.
~ * ~
Merlin was knocked down in the courtyard.
“Can’t take a walk, can I?” Merlin grumbled.
He looked up and saw Morgana bearing down on him, a scolding look in her eyes.
“Gwen told me you needed to speak to me,” Morgana said without preamble, her hands on her hips. She did not look pleased.
“Yes, but you didn’t have to knock me down, Morgana!” Merlin retorted, irritated.
“You’ve been scaring the servants, I’ve heard. I’m not going to let you do the same to me. Anyway, I know in this state, you couldn’t even harm a fly.”
“Oh, believe me, Morgana. I know it’s a wasted effort to really scare you,” he told her, barely just suppressing an eye roll. “Have any dreams lately?”
Still on the ground, Merlin moved away from her when she looked like she was about to kick him.
She spoke with accusation lacing her words. “You know while I feel that I have the right to be outraged that you and Gaius kept this from me, I can only feel sorry for you. You think I wouldn’t suspect on my own? Do you take me for a fool, Merlin?”
Merlin shook his head, making to stand up. Morgana, for her part, let him get back on his feet and didn’t push him down again.
“All right, I’m sorry. Gaius made me swear that you not know about it. I went along with it -- reluctantly-- I might add.”
“Well, I received confirmation from Gaius nevertheless. It wasn’t easy, but he gave in eventually. In time, I may accept your apology,” she informed him.
Merlin groaned and said impatiently, “Morgana, did you see anything related to me? Can you tell me anything?”
Morgana looked at him smugly. “What you worry might happen – it won’t come to that. That’s all I can tell you.”
Suddenly, Merlin had a knife in his hand and was glaring at her with intent. “Is there anything you’re keeping from me?”
Morgana stared at the knife and then back to his face, looking into his eyes. Merlin knew what she was seeing – and in front of her, he felt exposed, vulnerable. She wasn’t threatened by him. Sometimes she unnerved him greatly. But for right now, he decided not to dwell on it.
Morgana shook her head. “Of course not. That is all you wanted to know? If things will turn sour? I wouldn’t lie to you. Not like you’ve been lying to everyone about your talents…”
The knife vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Merlin didn’t say a word.
Seeing this, Morgana asked, “So what Gaius said is true? Arthur has your magic? Gave you a taste of it without knowing the consequences?”
“He didn’t understand. If he knew what would happen, I’m sure he wouldn’t have done it.”
“Merlin, you should talk to him,” she implored him. “If Arthur isn’t coming to you, you should go seek him out yourself. You should have done that in the first place. Really, Merlin. What were you thinking?”
“All right. I know what I should have done. It’s not that easy though,” Merlin said tiredly.
“No, Merlin. You’re the one who is making it hard,” she countered.
Merlin could do nothing but agree with her. Morgana was right. Still, despite what she had told him, despite her reassuring him that there was nothing to fear in his near future, Merlin knew he couldn’t depend on that alone.
But he had to see Arthur some time. He couldn’t let this go as it was any longer.
~ * ~
Arthur had decided not to visit him. He had this inexplicable concern of what would happen if Merlin confronted him about what had occurred between Arthur and the sorceress while he was unconscious.
Merlin’s magic was currently in Arthur’s blood and the sorceress had said that only she could take it from him through magical means.
Only her. That meant – the non-magical means would be to bleed the person out.
And he wasn’t an idiot. Merlin had to be suffering through withdrawal. The persistence in sending servants after him, wanting to see him – even, even threatening to kill him. And true, Merlin had been disrespectful to him more times than he could count, but the fear he’d seen in the servant relaying Merlin’s death threat – the prince knew that this could not be taken lightly. Merlin wasn’t himself anymore.
~ * ~
In the middle of the night, Arthur was abruptly woken up by – he could not believe it – an actual roar. A dragon’s roar.
He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. He then stared at the sight in front of him.
A conjured dragon, outlined by fire licking and hissing about its shape, was flying around and making such a loud roaring sound that Arthur feared that the whole castle could hear it.
Arthur sighed. “How did you do that, Merlin? Without your magic?”
Merlin was standing in shadow by the door. He didn’t make a move.
“It’s my magic. I know how to manipulate it – to stretch even the smallest amount. Thank you for that little bit you gave me, Arthur. You shouldn’t have done that though.”
“And why not?” Arthur countered.
Merlin walked toward him. Arthur could see that he was holding a knife.
“It’s my magic. Mine. I would like it back. All of it,” Merlin practically growled at him.
~ * ~
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I love the creepy magical blood-bond you have going on here. Oh Arthur, in his devotion he hardly knew what he'd gotten himself into. I hope that Merlin comes to his senses. Even though evil!Merlin leaves me a bit tingley, I'm not gonna lie.