Merlin and the Three Musketeers

 

It had slipped out.

 

Gwen hadn’t meant it, but she’d called Merlin a ‘she’ during that tournament. At first, she thought it was to cover for the fact that Merlin had just kissed the Prince and it wouldn’t do to spread any rumors of Arthur’s male servant kissing him. But she couldn’t stop thinking about it, couldn’t stop looking at Merlin and seeing just how pretty the male was (and believe her, she’d always been aware of that and what had helped along her crush). Mind, not that it changed anything. Feelings like the ones Gwen had for Merlin don’t just disappear, no matter what.

 

Even if Gwen had realized she was –is –in love with another girl.

 

It made sense now why Arthur always seemed to pause when addressing Merlin as a ‘he’, and the way the Prince seemed to act sometimes. Looking back, she knew that he hadn’t known Merlin wasn’t male for a while then either, and had clearly loved Merlin even when he thought the female was male. But now that it seemed he’d found out, Gwen could see how it had grown even more (or more really that barriers from before had fallen and there were less obstacles them coming together had, therefore letting Arthur let loose with his feelings and be free with them). She now also understood why Arthur seemed extra sympathetic to her and amused at Morgana’s antics, concerning Merlin.

 

The subject of her musings was rushing passed her and she saw Merlin, whose face was etched in worry, heading somewhere with her hands holding something covered in a cerulean cloth.

 

She sighed and wished that things had been different.

 

Meanwhile, Merlin had finished her light breakfast with Arthur and had quickly made her escape, rushing to the King’s chambers with an urgency she didn’t understand. Why should she be so bothered about a sword? Yes, she’d seen it in her dreams…but it meant nothing. It had to mean nothing.

 

“You…look like you’re running from a monster.”

 

She blinked back into awareness and realized she’d already made it to Uther’s rooms, with the King himself looking at her worriedly. Angrily whipping the cloth off of the glass sword, she held it out to Uther.

 

“What the hell is this? Why did Arthur have it and why did he give it to me?” And now she was angry, and she just honestly didn’t know what emotion she should be actually feeling at that moment.

 

Uther’s face blanked out and he took the sword from her, twirling it around elegantly in experiment.

 

“It was Ingraine’s.”

 

Her mouth shut tight and she stared at him.

 

“When you told me about your dream, I recognized the sword’s description. When I recalled the sword you’d furnished for Arthur from the dragon, I too went to see him and had him furnished this sword for you. I gave it to Arthur to give to you.”

 

He handed it back to her and she held it lightly, staring down at it in trepidation.

 

“Who knows of your dreams, Merlin. If they do or do not come true. All I know is that sword is meant to be yours, and I am happy to give it to you. Although, I’d already had it furnished by the dragon for you before I even knew, when you told me your dreams in detail, that it was supposed to be yours in the future,” Uther smirked slightly.

 

But she didn’t smile at all, too busy staring down at the sword.

 

“This is not the only thing bothering you, is it?”

 

“Why would you have Arthur give this to me?” she asked stoically, looking up at him.

 

“Why shouldn’t he?”

 

And the dam basically burst and she tossed the sword away from her and at his bed, where it landed softly. She pulled at her hair and paced.

 

“Don’t you get it? Arthur shouldn’t be getting me extravagant things! I’m his servant and all eyes are watching! Hell, to everyone, I’m male. And when it comes out I have magic, people will think he’s been enchanted!”

 

“Merlin, calm down,” he ordered, and she slowed down but didn’t stop pacing completely.

 

“He’s going to be King, Uther. He needs a proper wife,” and by then, it didn’t seem like she was even talking to him anymore and was just talking to herself. And it looked to be a conversation she’s talked to herself about many a time.

 

“And why can’t you be her?” Uther interrupted.

 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Merlin snapped, frowning and not looking at him as she continued to pace in thought. “The Queen cannot be Court Sorceress also –”

 

“High Sorceress,” Uther cut in again. “The dreams said you were High Sorceress, which I think is distinct from Court Sorceress in more power and being an absolute role and title. Or something of the like.”

 

Merlin glanced at him in irritation, though in hindsight she hadn’t actually thought of that. “The Queen cannot be High Sorceress,” she corrected herself. “That’s too much power and creates an imbalance. And the prejudices against magic will never go away, not that fast and not everywhere at least. I don’t even know anything about ruling the kingdom –”

 

“You spend quite a bit of time with me and you really know the why behind my reasons in the decisions I make,” he interjected, but she only just went on.

 

“And I focus more on Arthur and would put him above anything, even the kingdom. A Queen shouldn’t do that…I have too many responsibilities…And I manipulate him too much anyways! Besides, there was Morgana’s vision of Gwen being Queen and it’s much, much better than the other vision she had of me being the same…and I don’t want to get hurt when that time comes…

 

“It’s a perfect political move too. The royal king marries a commoner, a servant. It’ll endear him to the people and everyone, even nobles deep down, loves a good old romance story to enjoy and talk about –or scandal, if it boils down to it. She has no magic, she’ll be just fine…”

 

“What’s this about Guinevere?” Uther panicked, listening to her and becoming incredulous. But she continued to ignore him, muttering to herself and deeply focused on her planning to think or hear anything else from anyone.

 

Frankly, he was about just ready to hit her upside the head and snap her out of this, as well as smacking some sense into her. Finally, he just snatched her arm and pulled her out of her pacing, roughly leading her to the bed and sitting her on it as he grabbed a fruit bowl.

 

“Light breakfast,” he growled, handing her an apple and taking one for himself. “Now why don’t you walk me through this and explain everything more clearly?”

 

Then she mechanically told him about the visions Morgana’s been having of her and of Gwen, her issues about a marriage to Arthur and how impossible the idea is, and how he wouldn’t have to worry because she was going to make sure Gwen stayed clear of Lancelot and that Morgana’s maid and Arthur were going to have a perfect marriage and nothing was going to ruin it –

 

By the end of it, his headache was growing steadily worse and he was rubbing the bridge of his nose raw.

 

“Guinevere wouldn’t have to end up cheating on Arthur if you would just marry him yourself,” he pointed out.

 

She bristled at him and he sighed.

 

“Alright, just…I think a big part of this is that you’re afraid, since hearing about that vision, that Arthur will eventually end up leaving you and you’ll end up hurt. I can promise you he won’t and he wouldn’t ever hurt you. I’ll clobber him upside the head myself…so just please stop this nonsense.”

 

She didn’t look at him and she stubbornly stayed silent, so he sighed again.

 

“Morgana is going to travel to her father’s grave today, so if you don’t mind, will you please take Guinevere’s place and come with her and protect her for me?”

 

He could feel her silence become more melancholy for some reason, and she nodded her head to him stiffly.

 

“Thank you, Merlin.”

 

And the two of them suddenly slumped in their seats on the bed, morosely eating their apple breakfast together and completely and utterly exhausted from that awkward, crazed, strange and demented talk they just went through.

 

Merlin rubbed at her forehead though, feeling hot. It would just be her luck that she had a fever.

 

“Are you alright?” the King asked her, noticing her preoccupation.

 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m okay. I’ll go now and get ready to accompany Morgana,” Merlin mumbled.

 

Soon enough, she was dressed and ready in the courtyard, sitting on her horse as Arthur helped Morgana onto hers. They left after a brief trade of pleasantries, and Merlin and Arthur gave each other a final gaze.

 

“Where are they going, Sire?” Guinevere came up to Arthur, inquiring politely.

 

“Morgana’s on a pilgrimage to her father’s grave,” Arthur said, still gazing in the direction they’d gone.

 

“So you won’t be jealous then? That they are traveling together…alone? Then again, you wouldn’t have to be since Merlin is a female and has absolutely no interest in Lady Morgana,” Gwen teased.

 

Arthur sputtered and nearly gaped at the serving girl.

 

“How did –You know Merlin’s a girl?”

 

Gwen shrugged. “I figured it out. Finally.”

 

“Well, I suppose that’s everyone then. Who knows about Merlin. You know, being a female.”

 

Gwen coughed. “Er, well…Morgana still hasn’t actually…”

 

“…I see…”

 

“Though it was hard with you and the King making it so clear that Merlin is male. Oh! Your father! Does he know…?” she asked apprehensively.

 

Arthur snorted. “Yeah, even before me. Don’t ask –I don’t know why he kept it secret or why he does what he does. I don’t get him at all. Merlin gets him better than I do.”

 

“I see, Sire…But why and how would Merlin know the King –”

 

“Ah! Training time for the knights! I’m getting late. I’ll have to talk with you some other time, Guinevere. Goodbye!”

 

Well, Arthur had no problems sticking around for a fight…but he’ll admit he can be a bit of a coward when it came to answering questions about certain things.

 

Alas, while he fled to the training grounds, Morgana and Merlin, surrounded by knights, were in the middle of a path and discussing something Merlin wished she could run from.

 

“It’s a beautiful day,” Morgana hmmed lightly, leading her horse closer to Merlin’s. “Thank you so much, Merlin. You’ve helped the nightmares go away. I feel so much better these days.”

 

Merlin cleared her throat awkwardly, ignoring the quiet snickers from the knights.

 

“…Of course.”

“You look troubled though,” Morgana glanced at her worriedly and with another emotion Merlin couldn’t identify. She might have chanced her aura sight if it weren’t for the fact they were utterly surrounded by Camelot soldiers.

“I’m fine,” Merlin smiled at her assuredly.

“You’re very secretive these days. I’m beginning to think there’s a…woman involved,” Morgana glowered at the floor at that.

Merlin laughed uncomfortably. “Trust me –I’ve no interest in any women around Camelot. Besides, when do I get to meet any decent women? Of my station,” she hurriedly added.

 

“Who cares of station –”

 

At that moment, they were attacked by bandits and Morgana freaked out. Merlin stayed close to her, trying to calm her and the horses while she looked around for any danger their way, despite the fact she was feeling hotter by the second.

“Milady, Merlin! You must follow me!” Sir Robert screamed at them in worry, before he was shot in the back.

 

The two of them were pulled off of their horses, but one of the knights managed to kill the men holding them.

“Merlin! Head for the path! Go!”

 

They ran up the hill, but unfortunately they were met with the head of the bandits.
 

“I warn you. I am Uther Pendragon’s ward. He’ll have your heads if any harm comes to me,” Morgana lifted her chin defiantly.

“I have no intention of harming you. At least not yet. You’re much more valuable to me alive, Lady Morgana,” Merlin remembering hearing one of the others address this man as Kendrick.

 

She and Morgana were manhandled into following them, and were pushed into a tent together.

 

“Can’t you…can’t you, I don’t know, use magic?” Morgana whispered.

 

Merlin frowned. “I don’t think I can, Morgana. I just…I feel really sick right now and my magic doesn’t seem to be working. I don’t know what’s going on.”

 

Morgana’s eyes widened and she looked extremely worried for her, moving close to the sorceress and putting a hand against her forehead.

 

“You’re burning up!” the King’s ward exclaimed in a quiet voice to avoid being heard.

 

“We have to get out of here, Morgana. We need to come up with a plan,” Merlin rushed out, trying to think through her fever.

 

“I’ll ask for a bath,” Morgana said suddenly.

 

“What?” Merlin blinked in confusion, looking at her strangely.

 

“I’ll ask for a bath and when the guards are distracted, we will fight them off and then run.”

 

It was simple, but it could very well work. They ironed out more details before deigned it as ready a plan as it could be.

 

“He’s coming. You know what you must do?” Merlin whispered to Morgana anxiously.

 

Morgana nodded and Kendrick came in with a smug grin, glancing at Merlin for some reason.

 

“I trust you are comfortable?” he asked, not really caring.

 

“I demand to know where you’re taking us,” Morgana started her part.

“You’ll find out soon enough. We’ve a long journey ahead of us. Get some rest,” he dismissed her easily.

 

He turned to leave, but Morgana walked out of the tent after him.

“I wish to bathe,” Morgana asked shakily, wishing she could look back at the tent to Merlin for comfort and courage.

“You wish to bathe?” Kendrick asked in amusement.

“I am the King’s ward and accustomed to certain standards. I am sure you are quite contented to stink like a pig, but I am not,” Morgana spat out, glaring at him in contempt.

“The Lady Morgana wishes to bathe! Who wants to help me guard her?” Kendrick snorted and asked around mockingly.

 

Coarse laughter spread around the camp and Morgana flushed red, but stayed silent, knowing Merlin would tell her to be patient and ignore these men.

 

The ruse worked rather well actually and it looked like they were both going to get away when Merlin tripped from the blinding and excruciating turn her fever had taken to her and she ended up hurting her ankle.

 

“Merlin!”

 

“Run, Morgana,” Merlin hissed at her, wincing when she moved her ankle slightly.

 

“But, if you put your shoulder around me – ”

 

“We’ll never outrun them. I’m injured and sick and you’ll be slowed down for me. Go, Morgana! You can get help. Just go!” Merlin weakly shoved Morgana away.

 

Morgana persisted and went back to her.

 

“I won’t leave you behind,” she insisted.

 

Merlin hated to do this, but there would be no other way to get through to Morgana. She yanked the female down and kissed her thoroughly before shoving her away again.

 

“Go.”

 

And this time, Morgana listened to her, reluctantly leaving with a backwards teary glance at her and leaving behind a sword for Merlin to have. A man’s scream echoed in the forest and Morgana paused, before forcing herself to keep running, sobbing to herself as she ran away.

 

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“There’s been no word from Morgana’s camp,” Arthur told his father, gritting his teeth. “They’ve not returned to Camelot yet and there’s been no sign of her anywhere. Or of Merlin.” His hand clenched at that.

 

Uther stood up abruptly at that, before forcing himself to a calm and sat down heavily.

 

“Send riders to all the outlying villages. I want every guard, every sentry looking for her.”

 

“I’ll dispatch them immediately,” Arthur promised.

 

“And Arthur…bring her back, won’t you? Bring her back,” Uther actually almost looked pleadingly at him, and it was so strange to see his father like this.

 

“I will.”

 

Though he wasn’t so sure by ‘her’, that his father meant Morgana anymore. He didn’t want to admit that his father and Morgana truly have grown apart; perhaps too much it seemed at times…

 

When Arthur arrived at the scene of the first attack, he found the ransom note and inwardly cursed. Then he followed the tracks and was led to a somewhat hysterical and startled Morgana, having almost shot an arrow at her.

 

“Where’s Merlin?” he asked, dread pooling in his gut.

 

Morgana burst into tears again and Arthur started to feel numb.

 

It was a long and upsetting journey back to Camelot. Morgana was sent to be calmed and fixed up and Arthur blankly went to his room and removed his armor, struggling to do it by himself. Then he put his face in his hands and tried not to cry.

 

Afterwards, pulling himself together, he went to the council chamber (meeting up with Morgana along the way), where everyone was gathered and the King sat on his throne and looked pleased and relieved to see his ward. But his smile faltered where he saw someone missing.

 

“It’s such a relief to see you safe. I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone harming you,” Uther stated, smiling grimly at Morgana.

 

“The bandits still have Merlin,” Morgana said in distress.

 

“I believe they were Mercian. We’ve received reports that Hengist has crossed the border,” Arthur reported stoically, itching to go out and find Merlin already.

 

“Hengist?” Uther clenched his jaw at the name.

 

“You must send a rescue party,” Morgana blurted out.

 

“If Hengist is holding him, it would take a small army to rescue the servant,” but Arthur could see the quick flash of anger in his father’s eyes.

 

“We can’t abandon him!” Morgana cried, starting to get teary again.

 

“How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant?” But Arthur could recognize the self-hate and anger in his father now.

 

“As many as it takes! Merlin gave himself up so that I might escape. I owe him my life,” Morgana pleaded. “And he’s done it several times over! Saved me –and Arthur! We cannot just repay him like this.”

 

“He did so willingly, and he will be honored for it,” Uther said dismissively, but Arthur could already see his father’s knee almost unnoticeably bouncing anxiously.

 

“I don’t want him honored, I want him rescued! He is more than just any servant. He’s my friend –and Arthur’s,” she looked pointedly at him.

 

She hesitated but took a chance.

 

“And I love him.”

 

“A servant is of no value to these bandits. I fear he’s dead already,” Uther said blandly, ignoring the last part. However, the rest of the room erupted into quiet whispers, everyone murmuring about the King’s ward’s confession.

 

“No! We cannot give up hope! Arthur? I’m begging you. You have to do something,” she turned fully to Arthur now, but besides reeling with the fact that Morgana had actually confessed that to everyone just like that (and stupidly feeling jealous again), he didn’t know what to say when he knew that he couldn’t speak out against his father in public.

 

“My father’s right. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do,” he reluctantly said, though he knew his father didn’t even truly feel this way or speak truth to the hall.

 

“How can you say that?! How can you live with yourselves?! All of you!” Morgana screamed at them all, before turning and fleeing from them.

 

Arthur went to his room and began packing, when Morgana burst through the door.

 

“How can you be so heartless?! Merlin is the most kind, loyal person that you would ever meet, and he has been more than a friend to all of us! And you would leave him at the mercy of those animals! You…you…and to think you supposedly had feelings for him!” Morgana shouted angrily.

 

“Morgana...”

 

“Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself?” she went on, not stopping or noticing anything else.

 

He put away an extra shirt into his bag.

 

“Morgana...”

 

“I knew you were many things, Arthur Pendragon, but I didn’t know you were a gutless coward!”

 

Finally, Arthur had enough. “Morgana! Perhaps if you would stop shouting at me for one second, you would notice that I am packing.”

 

“You’re going after Merlin,” Morgana said dumbfounded.

 

He rolled his eyes. “Of course I’m going after him. What do you take me for? I couldn’t disagree with Father in public. And you stole my thunder –I wanted to shock those old goats and confess I loved Merlin to everyone.”

 

A smile flitted onto her lips. “Arthur? Bring him home.”

 

Again, Arthur’s door burst open just as they shared a smile, showing none other than the King.

 

“Ah, so it’s a party in here already, hm?” Uther said dryly.

 

Morgana had her mouth slightly open from shock, while Arthur simply raised an eyebrow (he learned it from Merlin, he proudly remembered, knowing it was a distinctive style of raising one’s eyebrow and it was an exact certain way), though he did note his father was strangely…dressed in full regalia…er, full battle regalia, that is. He could see the chainmail hidden underneath his father’s simple shirt, the sword faithfully strapped to his waist, and the missing gloves, crown, and cape.

 

Wait a second…

 

“Uther, you…” Morgana trailed off, still in shock.

 

Uther raised an eyebrow, and Arthur idly wondered if Merlin learned it from him in turn.

 

“Did you really think I was just going to leave it at that? I said I wasn’t going to send men after Merlin, but I didn’t say I would leave things be. Now hurry up, Arthur. I don’t have all day.”

 

Uther turned on his heel and strode out, and Arthur nodded respectively at Morgana before following after his father.

 

“Was that wise?” he asked before they left the corridor. “You weren’t so keen on having others know of you and Merlin before, and now you are acting rather obvious. This, itself –you coming along and doing something at all, it looks suspicious, doesn’t it?”

 

“I don’t care,” Uther declared. “And I know you don’t either.”

 

And that practically just answered everything and pushed aside any concerns.

 

“You said it would take a small army to rescue Merlin, so how do we do this?” Arthur started to strategize.

 

“I said a small army for a rescue,” Uther huffed. “But for an infiltration, the less the better. Just in and out. Besides, between the two of us, we can make up a small army. And that’s not even including Merlin.”

 

Arthur looked strangely at his father for that, wondering what on earth Merlin could to do to fight. Then again, he didn’t really know about her fighting skills or what she was capable of, to be honest…

 

“What are you going to say to the others, when those old goats start asking?” Arthur asked, genuinely curious.

 

“If they absolutely have to know,” Uther rolled his eyes, “You were obviously going to go, and from previous experience, there’s just no stopping you. I came along to protect my heir and make sure you come back safely…and spend some quality time with my son. Besides, the council will take care of things in my absence, with Gaius taking charge and making sure they’re in line.”

 

“The first part was okay, but then the last part is barely passing,” Arthur muttered, not believing for a second anyone would actually buy it. Then again, his father was King…

 

No one was really going to question him.

 

“Shut up,” Uther slapped the upside of his head. “Or I’ll go on without you and leave you behind.”

 

“I’ll fetch the horses and you can distract the guards,” Arthur hid his pout.

 

“Why don’t I fetch the horses and you distract the guards?”

 

“Don’t be difficult, Father!”

 

Uther sniffed haughtily. “I’m not. Truthfully, you are.”

 

Why did Arthur get the feeling his father was doing this on purpose?

 

“Oh, forget it. Just stand there and wait a second,” Uther sighed irritably.

 

He watched as his father marched up to the guards, who stood up in attention at the sight of him.

 

“You there –fetch two horses from the stables!” Uther ordered one of them. “I wish to spend some time with my son. And you, there were whispers of sorcery being performed over there. Conduct a subtle inquiry and report tomorrow on your findings.”

 

The two guards immediately left and Arthur mentally groaned. That was so…unfair. That went so easy…

 

Besides wishing getting to see his father flounder, he was envious of how smooth that had been done and his father’s ability to have had no trouble with it.

 

The horses were brought over and the two of them rushed off.

 

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Kendrick was furious at his men, screaming at them for allowing Morgana to escape. Merlin just scowled off to the side, glaring at the water. Her chin was roughly grabbed and she was forced to face Kendrick.

 

He scrutinized her face and then his eyes trailed downwards, stopping at her chest.

 

“I wonder…”

 

Before she could jerk away, his other hand shot out and had pressed against her breasts, cupping one and squeezing hard. She snarled at him and snapped a leg into a kick that could have broken his jaw, but he laughed and dodged her. Damn it, why was she so sluggish right now?

 

“Well, well. A girl masquerading around as a male servant. Perhaps you are the real Lady Morgana, and the other was just a decoy? A double to ensure the real one was safe,” he purred, caressing the side of her face.

 

If her mouth wasn’t dry, she would have spat at his face.

 

She was forced to dress into Morgana’s clothes, grimacing when she realized it was too tight around her chest. She put up with the others leering at her as they traveled to their destination, and she knew the minor glamours she’d put on her neck and her chest were long past dropped, and that she was getting hotter and tired by the second. Her eyesight was getting blurry and she couldn’t concentrate worth a damn. She barely noticed when they finally were in front of Hengist.

 

“I present to you the Lady Morgana,” Kendrick bowed and made a sweeping gesture toward her.

 

She sneered.

 

“And here I thought you’d gone and failed me Kendrick,” Hengist grinned. “But…here she is. And you, milady, are as beautiful as they say.”

 

“Whatever you want from Uther Pendragon, what have you, nothing will be begotten. He is as cold as ice and carved from stone,” Merlin stated coldly, giving them her iciest glare.

 

“I hear he is very fond of you, on the contrary,” Hengist didn’t lose his grin. Merlin inwardly snorted. As if. She was sure she had Uther’s favor at least. And maybe he did care for her as a daughter. But not to the level of degree for Morgana…“I have no doubts he would be eager to pay the ransom for his beloved ward.”

 

For Morgana, definitely. For Merlin, no. He’d probably expect her to save herself and always be able to take care of herself and everything while she was at it.

 

“Take her to her new living space!”

 

She was unceremoniously dropped into an empty cell in the dungeon and she thought that it was over, at least for now. However, she thought wrong when Kendrick slipped into the cell, eying her smugly.

 

“You know, you probably aren’t Lady Morgana. Doesn’t matter much to me,” he shrugged. “Actually, you’re more to my taste anyway,” he smirked, eyes looking her up and down.

 

Merlin looked at him blankly, resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at him childishly. Her head was still aching anyways, and any movement that required large effort taxed her.

 

He walked over to her, towering over her sitting form, and she just barely managed to glare up at him. Without warning, he pushed her onto the bed and she struggled to get him off her, kicking out with her legs and lashing out with her fists any which way she could. Just as his mouth latched onto her neck, she brought her knee up into his gut, bringing the wind out of him and causing him to curse loudly.

 

In return, he slapped her and was reaching for the bottom hem of her dress when another guard called out for Kendrick.

 

“Hengist wants to see you.”

 

Grumbling under his breath, he reluctantly got off of her and briskly walked out of her cell, with only one last glance at her. She lay there exhausted from what fight she’d managed to put up against him, all energy drained out of her.

 

Later, she was dragged to the feast Hengist was holding in her honor, and after the food, he decided for her that she was bored and needed entertainment. In moments, a gladiator was in the cage and then another person she was surprised to see come out as challenger.

 

She and Lancelot traded looks, hers disbelieving and his surprised. Then her look turned into a ‘are you kidding me?’ look and he had the gall to look sheepish for a moment, before he focused back to the present.

 

Lancelot and the gladiator fought, and Lancelot easily won the fight. However, he spared the man’s life, got out of the cage and got up in front of Hengist, who tossed a bag of coins to the ground in front of him.

 

“What is your name?” Hengist asked.

“My name is Lancelot,” her old friend spoke steadily, but he couldn’t help the glance at her.

“You have proved yourself to be a skillful warrior. I believe you may even have impressed our royal guest, Lady Morgana,” Hengist laughed gleefully.

 

Surprised, Lancelot bowed to her and thankfully didn’t say anything.

“My Lady.”

 

Merlin nodded stiffly.

Hengist laughed again, only cruelly this time. “Next time you fight, do not expect any mercy. Release the Wilddeoren.”

 

Merlin looked to the ceiling indifferently, as the gladiator’s screams echoed from being devoured, but her hands clenched tightly on her lap.

 

She didn’t have to wait long to see Lancelot again, when he’d snuck down to the dungeons to see her, whispering to her from an opening near the top of the wall.

 

“Merlin, is that really you?”

 

“Lancelot! What on earth are you doing here?”

 

“After Camelot, I went out in the world so full of hope. But I soon realized I was being foolhardy and naïve. There were few opportunities for men like me, so it seems I am destined to entertain men like Hengist, earning my living in the only way I could –with a sword in my hand.”

 

Merlin growled. “If I could be beside you now, I would clobber you upside the head, you dollophead. Don’t you dare say things like that. That is not the Lancelot I know and I would be ashamed of this Lancelot. Gwen would be disappointed.”

 

She was satisfied to see Lancelot look at least somewhat regretful and very chastised.

 

“Why does Hengist believe you to be Lady Morgana?”

 

Merlin huffed. “Kendrick brought me here and presented me as her, in reward for money. Hengist now believes I am her and is keeping me captive, waiting for the King to pay my ransom. And he won’t –and when it becomes obvious, I will be thrown to those beasts.”

 

Lancelot stared at her in horror. “Can’t you, you know, magic yourself out?”

 

Merlin thumped her head against the wall in aggravation. “I think I’m sick. I cannot concentrate enough to do anything. Any magic I perform will not only be liable to expose me because of my lack of control, but may even cause more harm than good. That is to say, when I can actually do any magic. Maybe instinctually, it’ll still work and help, but I’m not at that point of desperation yet. You’d have to, I don’t know, poison me or something,” she smirked at that, but Lancelot didn’t get the inside joke and had no idea of the background on that, and therefore continued to look at her in horror.

 

“Has…has Guinevere talked or thought of me at all?” Lancelot changed the subject, becoming bashful.

 

She snorted and grinned at him lopsidedly. “Oh, definitely. You should come around Camelot sometime. Drop by her house or something. I don’t know, maybe bring along a ring?” she teased.

 

Lancelot sputtered and she laughed good-naturedly at him. They heard a door being unlocked, cutting their amusement short.

 

“Someone’s coming,” she murmured.

 

“I promise I’ll get you out of here. No matter what it takes, I will find a way. I swear it, Merlin. I will,” he looked at her seriously.

 

Merlin just gave him a tired smile.

 

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“You’re impossible, Father. I don’t know how Merlin puts up with you,” Arthur grumbled.

 

“Same way she puts up with you,” Uther drawled.

 

“I mean it, Father! Merlin’s life is at stake. We cannot afford to waste a second,” he insisted.

 

“You think I don’t know that?” Uther snapped at him. “Of course I do! I’m beyond furious at this and will make Hengist pay, you can be sure of that.”

 

They both sort of quieted after that and looked at everywhere but at each other.

 

“Well…we’re certainly family, aren’t we?” Arthur stated sardonically.

 

“This is…rather awkward.”

 

“Why don’t we ever have normal family time?” Arthur complained. “It’s always something strange or dangerous or mystical or –”

 

“Because we’re a dysfunctional family,” Uther deadpanned. “Now come along.”

 

“You know, Guinevere knows Merlin’s female now,” Arthur informed him.

 

Uther was definitely amused by then. “So that’s everyone then, hm?”

 

“Mmm, not quite,” Arthur reluctantly admitted.

 

“…Do I want to know?”

 

“Morgana still thinks Merlin is male.”

 

Uther winced. “That…will end badly.”

 

“Oh, I know,” Arthur mumbled. “I have a very bad feeling about it.”

 

“So do I,” his father muttered. “Anyways, Merlin’s been having nightmares.”

 

“What? What about?” he started to panic.

 

And then Uther launched into the whole thing, explaining everything Merlin had told him.

 

“She had a nightmare where you were married to Guinevere,” being one of the main parts. He told whatever he could, from all of Merlin’s concerns, only editing out the magical aspects.

 

“Ugh. I see,” Arthur grumbled, rubbing a hand down his face. “I have no idea where she got the idea that Guinevere and I should be together…or how she thinks we like each other like that, seeing as Guinevere still has feelings for her and I’m as devoted to her as she is to me. And that scene in the hall, when Sigan was attacking…if that’s the one you said she saw –the irony might be too much to handle. She was thinking Guinevere and I were a possible couple then, when the supposed closeness she saw was over us bonding over our feelings for her. Besides! I would never hurt her like that or leave her!”

 

“Yes, that was what I was trying to tell her,” Uther sighed in exasperation.

 

“I’ll talk to her,” Arthur glowered. “In the meantime, it’s your turn to be enlightened. Did you know Merlin’s jealous?”

 

Uther looked at his son in confusion. “Over what?”

 

“Of you and Morgana. Oh, she tries not to be, I could see that. But she gets all moody and despondent every time she sees you with Morgana or you mention her in some way. And especially after Morgana’s gone off and done something stupid or you two get into fight, and yet still speak fondly of her afterwards. And I have a feeling she’s all insecure about your relationship with her and doubtful about how you feel about her,” Arthur shrugged. “And she doesn’t like talking about it or how she feels overall because she thinks she’s being silly or needy or something like that. And just plain doesn’t like not focusing on herself anyways.”

 

“I had no idea,” Uther frowned. “Looks like I’ll have to have my own talk with her.”

 

Though, some of Merlin’s looks, behavior, and words made a lot more sense now, looking back…

 

“How long are we?” Arthur was the one to change the subject again, worried about the time it was taking them to reach Merlin.

 

“Let me check the map. You said the ransom was to be delivered at the Veil of Denaria. If they’re holding Merlin anywhere, it has to be there.”

 

“We can cut a day’s riding cutting through the tunnels of Andor,” Uther commented, rolling up the map.

 

“They’re…infested with Wilddeoren, aren’t they?”

 

“Merlin’s on the other side.”
 

Arthur put on a determined face, steeling himself. “Alright then. Let’s go. We’re wasting time.”

 

They rode along quietly, thinking of Merlin as they did.

 

“These, um, Wilddeoren. They’re rats, right?” Arthur found his sword and held the hilt tightly.

 

“…Baby rats,” Uther coughed uncomfortably.

 

“Giant baby rats.”

 

“That eat human flesh.”

 

Arthur shook his head, smiling fondly. “The things we do for Merlin.”

 

“The things she’s done for us,” Uther added in amusement.

 

“Yes, well…apparently she’s rather used to and brilliant at this kind of thing…while we probably will be bumbling about.”

 

His father laughed.

 

Arthur hid his smile. This was nice. It was rare that he got to really spend time with his father, more so when it was just to have fun and enjoy each other’s presence. This was actually kind of great, being able to joke, tease, and just talk with his father like this.

 

Maybe when they were all together in Camelot, he, his father, and Merlin could spend time outside and have a picnic. Though Morgana couldn’t come. She would most definitely try to cut in on his ‘Merlin time’ and he couldn’t be openly affectionate with Merlin with Morgana in the way. Plus, Merlin might get jealous of Morgana and Uther, and then end up feeling horrible for feeling that way.

 

So no Morgana. And it was definitely not his jealousy talking.

 

“Gaia berries, Arthur!” his father called out, a little ahead by then. “Wilddeoren are blind, so they hunt by smell. These should mask our smell well enough that we could probably trek through the tunnels passed them, if we’re careful enough.”

 

“Toss me some,” he came closer, and his father lightly tossed a few his way.

 

He started smearing it on his face, wrinkling his nose from the smell. He was going to make sure to tell Merlin all about what he went through to rescue her, so she would be impressed and hopefully shower him with lots of grateful affection. And maybe he could propose then…

 

He again wrinkled his nose at the smell though, and looked over at his father to see how he was faring. The King showed no sign of his discomfort, aside from moments of twitching.

 

“I want to propose to her after this,” Arthur told his father solemnly, thinking about it more. “I want her to know. I want to give her some kind of reassurance.”

 

Uther nodded. “Good then. Why are you telling me?”

 

The blond rolled his eyes. “Seriously? What about Sophia? I had to ask your permission and you were dead set on a no.”

 

“One, you were enchanted, remember –”

 

Arthur was alarmed. “No, actually, I don’t!”

 

Uther looked uncomfortable then. That’s right –he and Merlin never told Arthur the whole truth about that instance.

 

“Uh, well, I suppose I should inform you now, that she wasn’t…human. And you were under an enchantment.”

 

Arthur threw his hands up into the air. “Are you kidding me? Now you tell me!”

 

Uther just coughed ‘politely’.

 

“Anyways,” Arthur glared at his father. “I had to ask permission. Enchantment or otherwise.”

 

“And I hated her. I wanted her dead actually,” Uther added as an afterthought, with Arthur gaping at him at that. “I told Merlin so. Of course I was going to say no when you asked for permission to marry the tart. And it’s different this time –it’s Merlin.”

 

Arthur shook his head.

 

“Don’t worry about that though. Merlin took care of all that, and it’s all old news,” Uther ended nonchalantly.

 

Arthur growled and sped his horse up, muttering about how he’d thought he’d gone temporarily insane back then.

 

Uther snickered to himself and made a note to share this with Merlin once they got her back.

 

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Hengist entered her cell and she didn’t even bother looking up. She was sweating slightly, sitting on her prison bed with a knee up and her other leg curled. Her hair was sticking to her a little, and if one were to look closer they would see her body lightly shaking.

 

“You look sickly, milady. Perhaps I shall have a bowl of soup come your way?” he spoke congenially.

 

“That would be nice,” she said stiffly.

 

“If I feel kind then,” Hengist shrugged, turning in a circle and observing her room. “Although…I’ve yet to receive word from Uther Pendragon. I would have assumed he would be eager to pay; anything for his ward. I was informed he was extremely fond of you. Was I wrong? Are you not surprised it seems he has left you here to die? Or sooner than one can assume, if one can gather by your appearance and sickly manner.”

 

Merlin laughed self-depreciating. “I would not be so sure. Uther is a hard man and harder to care for others and have others care for him still. My surprise is minimal.”

 

Hengist cackled. “I wasn’t informed the Lady was so cynical. One would think, though, that you of all people would know Camelot’s King best.”

 

Most probably, if Merlin were truthful. That is, Merlin herself probably knew the King best of anyone –alive at least.

 

“How can I know the King’s mind when I am locked in your sticking cell?” she said tiredly, putting what little bite she could in the statement.

 

“If I do not hear from Uther by dawn tomorrow, this stinking cell will be the last place you ever see,” he cackled again, before leaving her behind and slamming the cell door behind him.

 

Merlin slumped further on the bed, losing even more energy. It was getting harder to breathe and she decided that it might be a good idea to lie down. She fell asleep, waking only when she heard the door open and someone drop a bowl of broth by the door.

 

She was having trouble moving, but she forced herself up. That didn’t do well for her and she fell back onto the bed. Groaning, she pushed herself off the bed and landed on the stone floor. She let out another groan and winced from the pain of the impact, before focusing on dragging her body across the floor over to the bowl. She forced herself to feed herself, moving very slowly.

 

She passed out after feeding herself as much as she could. She only woke up when she heard someone whispering her name urgently.

 

“Merlin!”

 

Merlin opened her eyes lethargically, seeing Lancelot at the same opening, looking at her worriedly and like he was about to panic…and probably do something stupid.

 

“Are you alright?” he whispered anxiously to her.

 

“Oh, I’m definitely sick,” she winced, feeling her head ache when she tried to sit up.

 

She gave up and lay back on the stone floor, looking up at Lancelot pathetically.

 

“I was terrified I’d come see your cell empty,” he muttered, gripping onto the bars tightly.

 

“I think Hengist is growing suspicious. There’s been no word from Uther, but I think I’ve managed to make him believe that Uther is as cold-hearted as ever, even to the ‘Lady Morgana’. Not that that’s hard to believe,” she held back from snorting.

 

“Keep up the pretense,” Lancelot urged. “I will not allow you to die here. I swear.”

 

“You are everything that is right with this world,” Merlin laughed happily, though she cut it short when she felt her chest constrict painfully.

 

“I didn’t know you felt that,” Lancelot gave her a small smile.

 

“Lancelot, you are one of the most honorable, noble, and kindest men I’ve ever known. It will be an honor having known you,” she told him sincerely.

 

“Don’t speak that way, Merlin!” Lancelot started to panic again, having caught her more hopeless tone underneath. “I will not let you die here! Please, Merlin! The Prince Arthur cares for you deeply and will be most devastated if you don’t hang on.”

 

“Okay, okay,” she grumbled, feeling her body wrack with pain.

 

“You know, you have given me reason to live,” Lancelot murmured, trying to keep her conscious. “After losing so much hope and giving up so many times, to see you again has relit the fire in me. To hear of your belief in me, to have news that the woman I love is still attainable to me and possibly waiting for me in Camelot, and lastly that I must live to first protect and save you from this place and then continue on to cherish your comradeship and your trust. You are truly a most wonderous and special woman, Merlin, and I wish to live to keep knowing you and live as kin. You are like a –no, you are very much a sister to me, and I will live to honor that familial bond.”

 

Merlin chuckled in her head, remembering that she and Lancelot actually had been siblings in that other world…

 

Making herself get up, ignoring Lancelot’s urging for her to lay and rest, she stumbled over to him. She pricked her finger and grabbed his hand, with him going silent, and then started making a large symbol on his hand with her blood. Then she pricked his other hand and held out the hand she hadn’t pricked.

 

“Copy,” she said breathily, already losing her breath over her managing to come over there and just standing up.

 

He took the hand, careful not to mess up the blood drawn symbol on the hand he used to grab and steady hers, and began drawing the exact symbol carefully and with his full concentration. Once he was done, she took her hand and held it up, he copied, and then she placed them together. Their hands glowed gold, before fading away.

 

“And now we are officially blood siblings,” she declared. “Though I probably should have asked first…”
 

Lancelot shook his head vehemently. “No, I am honored…sister. I will get you out.”

 

She nodded tiredly and he practically flew at the sound of footsteps. She slid to her knees and leaned against the wall, her breathing picking up.

 

Merlin was woken up roughly and dragged to see Hengist in that horrid cage.

 

“Morgana, Morgana! I keep asking myself, ‘Why does Uther not pay the ransom? He’s a rich man, why would he leave his beloved ward to suffer a slow and terrible death?’”

“I don’t know. Please. Please...” Merlin mumbled incoherently, gone with fever.

 

She backed up into the corner of the cage and he grabbed one of her hands. She couldn’t help the whimper that escaped from her lips.

“It must be very upsetting to know that Uther has abandoned you. It seems like no one in the world cares for you.”

 

‘Yes, no one,’ Merlin screamed in her head. She was all alone. And it wasn’t surprising that Uther had –after all, the real Morgana was safe in Camelot and she was just Merlin.

“I don’t know why he doesn’t pay. Please, I don’t know,” she moaned in pain.

 

“I don’t think he is taking me seriously,” Hengist decided darkly. “Why else is he not paying for one he supposedly cares so much? He must think me a fool or cowardly liar.”

 

She tried to yank out of his hold but he just gripped her tighter and slammed the hand he was holding against a bar. She screamed in pain.

 

“Your hands, your skin is so soft,” he licked his lips, leering at her and bringing his face disgustingly close to hers. She remembered a time when Arthur and Uther had told her the same things, and had the urge to bash this man’s head against the bars of the cage. “It is such a shame to have to kill such beauty.”

 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Merlin glared weakly at him. “Uther will declare war on you.”

 

“Then he should have taken me seriously,” Hengist sneered. “This will teach him a lesson. If he had taken me seriously from the beginning, he would not have to suffer the loss of his beloved ward.”

 

He let her go and her knees buckled, causing her to crash painfully to the floor.

 

“If Uther thinks he can make a fool out of me, I will show him. And I’ll use you to do it,” he scowled. “Take her to her cell.”

 

She was thrown back to her cell, landing thankfully on her prison bed. She lay there, unable to move much and her mind going hazy. All she knew next, somehow Lancelot had gotten into the room, telling her he’d drugged the guards, and was now dragging her out of that place. She tried to help as much as she could, but she could barely stand up, much less control her movements.

 

“I’m so sorry,” she muttered. “I am slowing us down.”

 

“No, no. It’s not your fault. You are sick. I must get you out quickly and find someone to heal you,” Lancelot squeezed her tightly, trying to focus on getting them out of there while making sure she was alright and helping to move her along.

 

He stopped in the tunnels, looking around hopelessly. He had no choice. He would have to stay behind.

 

“Merlin, Merlin. Please, listen to me carefully,” he shook her lightly, trying to make her focus on him. “Go through this tunnel. I will stay behind and buy you as much time as I can.”

 

“I am not leaving you,” she protested.

“You must,” he said firmly, standing her straight and stepping back from her.

“No. I will not leave you here to die,” she stated angrily, hitting his arm.

 

He winced. For being sick, Merlin could still pack some damage…

“I would die for you 100 times over. Live for me, or everything that I am has been for nothing,” he announced fervently. “You have helped to make me who I am, Merlin. I would not be here today, be the man I am, if not for you.”

“As long as I live, my feelings for you will never fade,” Merlin clenched her hands, staring at the ground. “You are one of the best men I know, Lancelot. This,” she held up her hand, where the blood was still in the process of fading away, “is sign of my bond to you as sister, and I will hold true to that bond. You better come back alive, Lance.”

 

He blinked in bemusement, wondering if she had just called him ‘Lance’…

“Run. Don’t stop running until you are well away from here,” Lancelot focused back on the present. He saw her hesitating. “Run. Run,” he kept urging her.

 

Lancelot fought off the bandits that began to stream in as Merlin ran. She paused when she heard a yell, hoping that wasn’t Lancelot, and then forced herself to keep running. Unfortunately, she stumbled and then blinked several times, vision going away and coming back randomly, making it hard to see.

 

She stumbled one last time before blacking out.

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“You are just showing off,” Arthur huffed at his father as they scaled the stone walls of the castle.

 

Surprisingly, though both of them were doing fine climbing, his father seemed even better at it than Arthur.

 

“I had practice with your mother,” was what his father replied with.

 

“I did not need to know that.”

 

Uther rolled his eyes and they managed to get inside. They found some bandits guarding and father and son looked at each other.

 

“You distract them, I’ll knock them out,” Arthur said first.

 

Uther shook his head at his son. “You just do this because you have no talent in distraction, isn’t it?”

 

“I have no idea what –!”

 

But Uther had already gone in and brought attention to himself.

 

“Who the hell are you?!” One of the bandits yelled at Uther.

 

“Me? I’m King,” Uther nodded surely.

 

The two bandits burst into laughter.

 

“Yeah, right. And I’m King of Camelot,” the other bandit snickered.

 

“No, actually that’s me,” Uther said in boredom. “But my son wants to take charge for once, I suppose he is temporarily King for one second.”

 

The bandits stared incredulously at him, before Arthur knocked them out.

 

“Completely useless,” Uther looked down contemptuously on the bandits.

 

“That actually worked out pretty well,” Arthur commented. “Ready to go?”

 

“Lead the way, King Arthur.”

 

Arthur glowered at his father. “Shut up, old man.”

 

They dressed in the bandits’ clothes, sneaking their way to where it seemed everyone was gathered and the entertainment was. They saw, strangely, someone they didn’t think they’d be seeing any time soon. Lancelot was in the middle of the cage, tied up as he glared at Hengist.

 

“Before you die, I can promise you the most unimaginable pain,” Hengist declared with sadistic glee.

“You can do what you will with me. I do not care. You can do no harm to Merlin.”

 

Both men secretly listening in were tensed with anticipation, though hope filled them that Merlin might have gotten away.

“Oh, was that her name, huh? The serving girl? Yes, yes –I found that out just as you two attempted to escape. And you really believe she’s worth dying for?” he asked in dark amusement.

“She is worth more to me than you will ever understand,” Lancelot defiantly sneered.

 

Uther frowned, but also glanced at Arthur, seeing his son still and mouth pressed into a frown.

 

Hengist nodded, and the gate was opened. All three men watched in horror as Merlin was dragged into the cage, sickly pale and head lolling around raggedly.

“You thought she got away. No. You failed her. And that must hurt you ‘more than I will ever understand,’” Hengist laughed cruelly.

 

Surprisingly, Kendrick was dragged out as well and Hengist’s sadistic grin widened.

 

“Now the fun will begin! I will let one of you live, providing that the winner is the one who gives us the most entertainment. Who shall it be? The current champion who will undoubtedly continue to fight again and again in this cage for our amusement,” Hengist gestured to a furious Lancelot.

 

“To my most useful man, who has always given me his best and done his job well,” he gestured next to an alert and tense Kendrick.

 

“Or…to the lovely, pretty servant girl, who –I must commend you, my lovely –played the part of noblewoman quite well, even in her sick state. I can see some…very desirable outcomes and uses for you.” Merlin just moaned in pain, but the men close to her were shaking in anger at the implications.

 

“Restraints,” Hengist called out and Kendrick’s rushed to the bars and held out his arms for the ties to be cut, while Lancelot did the same, hoping to be free first to defend Merlin, who was unable to move and was pretty much unconscious and laying helpless.

 

Unfortunately, he could tell his restraints were being cut slower and he froze as he heard a scream behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Kendrick enjoying straddling his sister and trying to roughly grab at her, while she fought as much as she could in her weakened state.

 

“I have been waiting patiently to be able to do this, pretty little temptress,” he heard Kendrick’s guttural moan, the words echoing in the chamber and bringing more jeers and encouragement from the crowd.

 

“Come on, come on!” Lancelot screamed at the person cutting his bonds. Cursing to himself, he said forget it and turned quickly, rushing to them and throwing himself at the brute who was trying to take advantage of his sister.

 

He managed to get the rope tying his hands over Kendrick’s neck and started to try to strangle the man, who furiously fought him off. He started hearing screams and loud boos, but didn’t figure out why until he saw Arthur Pendragon himself, standing angrily in front of him and swinging his sword in their direction. He gulped and managed to get off of and away from Kendrick in time for the Prince’s sword to pierce Kendrick dead.

 

Without a word, and still looking angry, Arthur cut his bonds efficiently.

 

“Pick her up and support her,” he ordered Lancelot, pointing at Merlin. “Drop her or let her get hurt, and I will kill you.”

 

He nodded vehemently.

 

“Release the Wilddeoren!” Hengist screamed.

 

Arthur cursed and held out his sword in front of him, and Lancelot shifted his hold on Merlin more protectively. Hengist aimed his crossbow at them, but Lancelot looked down and saw Merlin weakly staring in that direction and mutter something. Next he knew, there was a chandelier coming down on Hengist, who managed to dodge at last second.

 

However, Uther was still there and had been able to sneak up on Hengist, grabbing the man from behind and pulling him further back and be hidden.

 

“Did you really think I would let you get away with this slight?” Uther hissed into his ear. “You are a fool, Hengist.”
 

“But why?” Hengist croaked out. “She is just a servant, after all. She is not your precious Lady Morgana.”

 

“She is not Morgana, but she is precious to me all the same,” Uther squeezed his neck warningly, digging the point of his dagger into the man’s side a little more.

 

“Ah –ah!” Hengist closed his eyes. “I…suppose you aren’t so ‘cold as ice and carved from stone’ after all,” he choked out.

 

Uther clenched his jaw tight, knowing whose words those were from.

 

“Important enough that I would come personally to retrieve her,” Uther growled and then shoved the dagger into Hengist’s side without further warning.

 

Hengist screamed, bringing attention on them and Uther kept him in front of him, dragging him to the entrance of the cage. He kicked the man through it before jumping in as well, going into momentum and taking a good swipe at the Wilddeoren’s tail and slicing a piece of it off. He dodged when it angrily swung about to face him, giving the opening Arthur needed to drive his sword fatally into its neck.

 

“The tunnels! It’s our only hope!” Arthur screamed at him.

 

He nodded and they quickly came together, rushing towards the entrance of the tunnels. Hengist, bleeding out, still managed to come after them, not wanting to stay behind by the (while dying) still alive Wilddeoren. He glanced over at Merlin to check on her, seeing her mutter something. The rope holding the gate was cut and Hengist was trapped in the cage with the beast, leaving them free to run away. The man’s scream echoed, but no one cared or looked back.

 

“I see you’re still up to your old tricks, Merlin,” he heard Lancelot mutter to Merlin in amusement.

 

Uther was only slightly surprised (because it made sense) that Lancelot knew about Merlin’s magic. Probably saw how the gryphon was defeated truthfully…

“It’s probably best you don’t tell anyone about that,” Merlin replied in equal amusement, just a lot more exhausted.

 

The three of them, plus the girl Lancelot carried, stopped running when they reached locked bars at the end of the tunnel. Arthur tried to break the chain, while Uther silently held out his arms and gestured for Lancelot to give Merlin over to him, which he hesitantly did while in shock.

 

“Good to see you both. Where are your knights?” Lancelot said lightly, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

“It’s just us. Got to keep moving,” Arthur bit his lip hard as he worked.

“Thank you, Your Highness, Arthur. We owe you our lives,” Lancelot was in awe that the two royals had actually come all the way out there, by themselves at that, to save Merlin and even managed to save him also.

 

Uther waved it off. “This little one does that for us all the time. Give it a pass, because we’re just returning the favor.”

 

“And because we care so very deeply about her,” Arthur teased his father, just as he managed to break the chain and the gate.

 

Uther rolled his eyes, but didn’t say anything.

 

Lancelot smiled to himself, glad that father and son looked to be now on very good terms with each other.

 

Soon enough, the three men were sitting at a campfire in the woods, with Arthur pouting at an unconscious Merlin while Uther hovered over her.

“I’m surprised you would undertake such a rescue mission...with just the two of you,” Lancelot hesitantly brought up, though he was very curious.

 

Arthur, he could understand, as he remembered the Prince had deep feelings for his sister, even though at the time Arthur had thought Merlin a male. But the King…

 

Arthur glanced at his father, knowing the question was more about him anyways.

 

“I treasure Merlin’s advice and her company very much so,” Uther surprisingly spoke, making both younger men startle and stare at him wide-eyed. “She has helped me to make my hard decisions and stand by me when no one else would.”

 

Lancelot licked his lips nervously. “I am sorry, Sire. It is just that it is a surprise to see you come personally to rescue her…especially when the both of us had not thought you would care to pay the ransom and she seemed completely sure you wouldn’t care.”

 

At that, Uther looked pained.

 

“I don’t think she knows or understands just how important she is to me,” Uther actually revealed, flooring both Lancelot and Arthur (who even knew that his father cared greatly for his fiancée).

 

“I am sorry,” Lancelot repeated, looking down. “I just hadn’t thought you would come after her yourself, or know you two were so close. And especially alone and without any guards, particularly when you are the King himself.”

 

Awkward silence descended upon them.

 

“What were you doing there, Lancelot?” Arthur blurted out.

 

“I came to save Merlin,” he answered, slightly confused at the Prince’s behavior. “What about you?” He had been about to be sarcastic…but he was never really good at sarcasm, as he was always too honest and straightforward sounding all the time, it seemed.

 

“Likewise,” Arthur deadpanned.

 

It was awkwardly silent again.

 

“You have…feelings for Merlin, don’t you?” Lancelot hesitantly ventured, glancing worriedly at the King and wondering if he really should be bringing this up in front of him. But Uther didn’t seem altogether surprised or at all angry about it, and he could maybe guess that the King even knew about it…“It’s so obvious. A blind man can see it,” Lancelot smiled at that.

 

“Of course,” Arthur murmured. “How can I not admit that I think about her all the time? Or that…I care about her more than anyone. I wouldn’t know what to do if any harm were to come to her.”

 

“So thank you,” Uther interrupted quietly. “For taking care of her and making sure she was as fine as she could be in that place, especially when it was obvious she was too sick to defend herself. That she could be so helpless…” He looked aggrieved at that. “Yes, and especially when that man tried to do the most unmentionable things to her in that cage…” At that, the King looked even worse.

 

“I would never let any harm come to her,” Lancelot resolutely said. “She means a great deal to me also.”

 

Arthur flinched. “Do you…do you have feelings for her?”

 

Lancelot blinked, feeling something amiss and hesitant. “Well, yes. She is my blood sister. Er, in name and every bond imaginable, though we are not truly by blood,” he added, glancing at the King who was watching him closely at that. He started sweating nervously.

 

But Arthur was relieved and didn’t notice anything wrong. “I see.”

 

It finally clicked. “Oh. Oh! No, no. Merlin is truly my sister,” Lancelot explained steadfastly. “Truthfully, I am very fond of Guinevere and talks with Merlin have granted me hope that I may pursue her.”

 

All three men shared a bonding laugh and the atmosphere lightened up.

 

“I…I must leave though,” Lancelot said suddenly. “I must continue my travels and hope to be the man Merlin put so much faith in me to be. I had lost hope, but Merlin has brought it back to me. My journey is not yet complete, and I wish to finish it and come back to her proud as I am and honorably.”

 

“You will not stay and say goodbye?” Arthur asked worriedly.

 

Lancelot shook his head. “It will be less painful this way. I do not wish to aggrieve Merlin any more than I must, especially in her condition. Please tell her that she has changed me forever and I look forward to coming back to her as a better man.”

 

“Then know, when you return to Camelot, that your knighthood will be restored,” Uther declared in a quiet voice, surprising them again.

 

Lancelot looked at him gratefully. “Thank you, Sire. Goodbye to you both.”

 

Lancelot left them and Arthur threaded his hand through his feverous fiancée’s hair, while Uther leaned against a tree, hands in his pocket as he stared at the stars in contemplation.

 

The next morning, Merlin awoke first and looked around in a panic for Lancelot.

 

“Where is Lancelot?” she cried out, waking the other two. “Where is he?”

 

“He is gone,” Arthur murmured to her, hugging her in comfort.

 

“He wished to express to you how you have changed him forever,” Uther spoke up, still strangely quiet.

 

Merlin sniffed and cried, holding onto Arthur.

 

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Arthur walked up the stairs, having Merlin hide behind him. Uther followed behind, amused at the semi-prank/gift his son was going to pull, and wanting to see it happen. Morgana stood on the Gryphon’s Landing, staring out the window worriedly.

 

“Morgana,” Arthur cried out, looking at her. “There’s someone here to see you.”

 

And then he stepped aside to reveal Merlin, dressed in the extra men’s clothes they packed with them, waving weakly at an overjoyed Morgana, who ran over to the sick sorceress and hugged her tightly.

 

“Merlin! I thought I’d never see you again.”

 

“Nghh…” was all the warning they had before Merlin fainted.

 

Morgana cried out in alarm and did her best to hold onto Merlin and not drop her, and Arthur took over and rushed to them, picking up Merlin and carrying her.

 

“He’s sick,” Arthur told Morgana quickly. “I’ll tell him that you’re happy he’s back and would like to see him, but wait until he’s better, alright?”

 

And then he was rushing her to Gaius’, where the physician immediately began to work on her, worrying about Merlin just as much as the Prince was. A few moments later, they were joined by the King who quietly stood in the back and let Arthur stay close to her and let Gaius do his job, practically blending into the walls.

 

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, starting to worry about his father also.