#and uther should stop breathing
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"You will go to your chambers!"
"And you, Uther, you will go to hell."
#i need a gif of this scene#best interaction with uther#god#why is this show so damn frustrating#morgana is right#merlin needs to stop listening to the stupid dragon and instead act in kindness and help those he knows are good#arthur should stop being an asshole#and uther should stop breathing#ughhhhh#leg is watching merlin#leg is live blogging#merlin bcc#merlin bbc#merlin#morgana pendragon#morgana
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Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU
Tagging @aceauthorcatqueen , @fallenxjas , @smileytrinity ,@lucifertookmyshoe , @an-entity-i-think , @thecornerofbelu , @griffonskies , @odinjm , @cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu , @thelady-mary , @bennedict , @nightninjaboy , @st8-of-grace , @star-rie , @error-username-not-available , @dogberryrowan , @jamieweasley13 , @tansyuduri , @tercais , @robynnemrys because we deserved a better epic battle between Merlin and Nimueh.
LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 , PART 12 (You're here) , PART 13
More of "The Poisoned Chalice"
Arthur: Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?
Merlin: (thinking) Not those ridiculous ceremonial robes again! (says) My clothes, obviously.
Arthur: (smiling brightly) No, the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot!
Merlin:(fakes excitament) Oh, I can't wait to see them.
Arthur: (pulls out a very nice and elegant robes, nothing to do with the buffon custome he wore in his timeline)
Merlin: (mouth open) You... you can't be serious.
Arthur: (frowns in confusion) You don't like them?
Merlin: Are you kidding? Arthur, they're gorgeous! They look more like noble's clothes than servant's clothes. I... I can't use that.
Arthur: Too bad. You're using them. (throws robes at Merlin, who catches them in reflex) In fact, Keep them. They're now yours.
Merlin: What?! Wait! Arthur-
Arthur: You're welcome (leaves before Merlin can't give him the clothes back)
Merlin: (in shock for a few seconds, but then puts the robes on and smiles) Uhm, they fit perfectly. Just like the other ones. (processing) Wait, how did he know my measures? 😧
Time skip. Just after the revelation the cup was poisoned.
Uther: (furious) Who dare to try to poison my son!
Merlin: (raises his voice) I know who did it!
Arthur: Merlin don't-
Merlin: (points at Nimueh) It was her! I saw her entering the room were the ceremonial goblets were at night!
Nimueh: (surprised pikachu face)
Uther: (suspicious, to Bayard) Doesn't she work for you?
Bayard: (unsure) I don't recall her face.
Merlin: (mumbles a revelation spell to undo the glamour Nimueh put on herself)
Arthur: (subtly stands infront of him, so nobody sees Merlin's eyes turn gold, thinking) Has he always being this careless for gods' sake!
Uther: (livid, shouts) Nimueh! (to guards) Seize her!
Nimueh: (Runs)
Arthur: (tries to go after her)
Uther: (stops him) Don't. She's too dangerous.
Arthur: Do you know her? Who is she?
Uther: Nimueh. She's a very powerful sorcerer. No one you should mess with.
Arthur: (thinking) And yet you messed with her (turns to Merlin) Merlin, we have to-
Merlin: (already gone)
Arthur: Merlin! (thinking) He did not go into danger alone again! He did not just go to confront a powerful sorcerer all by himself. This motherfu- (shouts, between furious and concerned) Merlin! (leaves where the guards went)
Uther: Arthur! (sighs and turns to his knights) Go with him.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the woods.
Nimueh: (stops running to take a breath)
Merlin: (appears) I must say that was a really intelligent plan. Pretending to be some innocent maiden and trying to make me believe Bayard poisoned the goblet. But you won't fool me. (thinking) Not twice.
Nimueh: (laughts dryly) I understimated you. I'll give you that.(straightens up, smirking) Come now. We are too valuable to each other to be enemies.
Merlin: (dryly) I share nothing with you.
Nimueh: Don't you want Arthur to become king?
Merlin: You just tried to poison him!
Nimueh: No, I was trying to poison you. You keep interfiring in my plans when we have the same enemy. I have nothing against Arthur. It's Uther I want to destroy.
Merlin: By killing innocent people? Sorry if I'm not okay with that.
Nimueh: Sacrifices must be made for the greater good.
Merlin: You just seek revenge, not justice. Nothing justifies what you've done. (Steps forward) I'll make Arthur king when the time is right. But you won't see that day. (extends his hand) Astrice! (strikes her with light of energy)
Nimueh: (traps energy in her hand) Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. It's a shame, you could've been a powerful sorcerer, perhaps, if you had the time, the training and the experience, but you are no more than a newly hatched chick that hasn't learned how to fly. I, on the other hand, have been practicing magic for decades. I'm a Priestess of the Old Religion. I am an opponent you could face but not defeat Forbearne! Akwele! (Throws fireball at him)
Merlin: (stops fireball midair without moving a finger)
Nimueh: (utterly confused) ... What? 😨
Merlin: You're right. Immature talent can't overcome decades of experience. But an experienced talent can. Akwele! (Throws fireball back with more force and bigger)
Nimueh: Scildan! (makes a invisible shield so the fire doesn't touch her) Forbairn ypile! (Makes a circle of fire around Merlin)
Merlin: Cume þoden! (Makes a whirlwind that blows the fire and then strikes Nimueh against a tree) Fire is not the only element you can work with, you know?
Nimueh: (smiles) Oh, I know. Gewican ge eorðe (makes a hole in the ground and Merlin falls there while he screams. Then she stands up and starts walking to the hole, limping a little, and says to herself, rubing her back) Oh, that hurt.
Merlin: (emerges floating in a piece of earth and stone, eyes golder than ever) This is going to hurt more. Eorðe, stanas, hiersumaþ me. Akwele! (Jumps from the rock and it goes to strike Nimueh)
Nimueh: Stanas tobrytan! (manages to break the rock into pieces but she's still hit by them and is severely injured)
Merlin: (stands over her with a somber expression)
Nimueh: (recoiling in fear, weakely) How...? How can this be? You shouldn't be this powerful! You manipulate magic as if you've been practicing it for a life time!
Merlin: (coldly) You don't have to know. (Starts to create a fireball in his hand, about to make the final blow)
Lancelot: (appearing in the distance, meters behind Merlin) Hey! What's happening?
Merlin: (the flame dies as well as the gold in his eyes and he turns around, wide eyed, whispering overcome with emotion) Lancelot?
Nimueh: (takes advantage Merlin is distracted and pulls out a dagger hidden in her leg)
Lancelot: Look out! (Runs to them)
Merlin: (moves away just in time so the dagger cuts his neck superficially)
Knight 1: (far away, but getting closer) I think I heard something!
Knight 2: (far away, but getting closer) This way!
Nimueh: (runs away as fast as she can with all her body hurting)
Lancelot: (goes to Merlin) Did she hurt you?
Merlin: I... (falls)
Lancelot: (catches him before he hits the ground) By the gods! She did! (Checks him, full panic mode)
Merlin: (thinking in Lancelot's arms, only able to move his eyes) No, she did not. The wound is barely a scratch but she put a paralyzing poison on the blade, the sneaky bitch. 😑
Lancelot: (sees Merlin's neck is bleeding, worried) There's so much blood.
Merlin: (Thinking) No, there isn't. 🙄 Honestly, Lancelot, have you seen a serious wound before? (Analysing his symptoms) Hum... It's not a letal one, the effects should go in an hour or so.
Lancelot: (checks his vital signs and sighs in releaf) He's still alive.(shaking Merlin) Hey! Can you hear me?!
Merlin: (Thinking) Yes I can! I just can't talk or move, damn it! 😠 I did miss you though 🥺. Why did we have to meet again like this? 😖
Arthur: (arrives with his knights) Merlin! (raises his sword, furious) Stay away from him!
Lancelot: (puts Merlin on the ground gently and steps back, hands up) I was just helping him! The girl. She did something to him. He's seriously hurt! He needs help!
Merlin: (thinking) No I'm not! I'm just... ugh, never mind 😒.
Arthur: (finally sees Lancelot's face and his features harden due to the resentment he feels towards the man he once considered a friend but then betrayed him by getting involved with his soon to be wife in his other timeline) Arrest him.
...
Before you ask why doesn't Arthur know Gwen was echanted and Lancelot was a shade that time if he's from the future, well the only one who could've told him that was Merlin and he was a tree so... And I don't recall Merlin ever mentioning any of this to Gaius. But even if he did, I think Gaius just focused on telling Arthur everything Merlin did for him with his magic, and the man is old, he could easily have forgotten to tell him a couple of things.
#merlin bbc#bbc merlin#merthur#merlin#merlin fanfic#merlin fic#merlin prompt#merthur fic#arthur and merlin#merlin and arthur#merthur prompt#Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU
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au where arthur first catches merlin using magic is when Arthur is injured come up with deep plot points here it's just the two of them out in forest, he's bleeding and slightly feverish, both getting increasingly desperate to find help.
Merlin tries his usual "perform magic while I distract arthur with a stick cause he is a 5 year old child" to heal/reduce pain for arthur he gets caught.
EXCEPTTT arthur thinks that it's the first time merlin is resorting to magic, and it's only because arthur himself is gravely hurt. He's oddly very touched by it and concerned about what this means for Merlin's heart, so he pretends and turns a blind eye (it's just one time nothing is going to come out of it. It's his bubbling fool, probably learned a trick or two from the druids or his sorcerer friend. He's not going around doing magic all day)
But, once he's seen it, he can't un-see it. The next time he's fighting off a bunch of bandits, he keeps track of merlin whose golden eyes are barely barely hidden behind a tree to stop a rogue 6 foot man from plunging his sword into arthur. Doing magic twice is dangerous territory, someone needs to warn his merlin about the dangers he's exposing himself to. And since he's doing all of this to protect arthur (and isn't that a thought!), it should be arthur's responsibility to have this talk with merlin.
"You've had your fun, Merlin. You can stop doing it now."
"What?"
"I know you get a kick off of breaking the law but magic is serious business-"
"I have NEVER done-"
"AND I appreciate you doing it for me. Truly, I do. But this needs to stop before we put ourselves in more danger. Alright?"
"??????????????"
"Good talk."
ofc merlin instead starts to see how much magic he can get away with (always saying that's a new trick he learned instead of something he knew from birth) since arthur doesn't seem keen on murdering/reporting him for it. except every time he does something, arthur looks like he's about to hyperventilate and pass out.
This continues for a while; Arthur will catch Merlin doing some magic mostly to protect him and he'll resort to giving a stern talk or begging or yelling at merlin to stop doing it. The longer this goes on, the cheekier Merlin gets and Arthur just gets more miserable.
He starts having nightmares of Merlin dying; sometimes caught by Uther, sometimes caught by one of his enemies. Other nights, he has nightmares of the magic corrupting merlin so much that the man beside him is unrecognizable (these are the ones that has arthur waking up gasping for breath with red rimmed eyes but you won't hear that from him).
something happens that pushes arthur over the edge to have a full blown breakdown in front of merlin
"I don't want you to corrupt your heart, Merlin. Not for anyone" the words are muffled between his sobs but Merlin hears them as though they're shouted from the rooftop, "Least of all for me. I'm not worth it. Please stop. I'm not worth it. Please. Please. I want you to be you. please... "
#merthur#bbc merln#merlin#arthur pendragon#merthur fanfic#merthur prompts#liya writes#prompts#basically arthur genuinely believes that doing magic will corrupt the person's soul and make them evil in future#and he thinks merlin is ruining himself for arthur#and arthur proceeds to have a mental breakdown (I love seeing arthur having a mental breakdown he's been through so much he deserves one)
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snippet of arthur snapping to banished!merlin in s4 of my fix it au
Arthur has really been an idiot hasn’t he?
He’s not one to overthink things. Arthur has always rely on efficiency. Running a kingdom needs to be orderly. He doesn’t have time to think unnecessary things. Mundane tasks such as ironing his clothes and preparing his food are left to the servants. Kings does not have time to think of such things, let alone dispensable things.
Now he’s cursing himself for being so negligent. It should be obvious from the very beginning. Branches does not fall from the sky at proper timings, nor do fire blows up indoors, dancing up the ceilings. Arthur thought it was merely coincidence, but after running a kingdom for a year he sees now that coincidences usually happens for a reason.
Arthur felt the blowing of the wind too often on his expeditions. He knows how unidentifiable creatures shows up in the morning, in the forests of Camelot. Or how assassins made a fool of themselves, dying before they even had the chance to take Arthur’s life. And each time it happens, he always saw a blur of a figure, so quick Arthur thought he is hallucinating.
He knows Merlin is there. Hiding in the shadows, watching Arthur from every corner. He was enraged at first. How dare he? Did he really think that Arthur was that stupid not to notice his little stunts? But every time he tries to catch him, it always ended up in concerns
Guard: (in a flashback) Is everything alright my lord?
Arthur: …fine
The castle staff never question his disappearance, oddly quiet of Merlin’s banishment. Guinevere didn’t talk to him for a month. He didn’t miss the glare that came from his army. Lancelot and Gwaine have always been fond of the manservant. They stopped after a few months.
Arthur thinks that the camelot notice him. And they pretend not to. But he can’t really do anything can he? Not without sounding like a lunatic. So he never addresses it. Even when it’s so blatantly obvious.
Arthur is sick of it truthfully. It reminds him of him in a way. Is it too much for them to trust him? Morgana and his father too…and now Camelot. Is it because he’s such a fool for a king?
So one night when they were on an expedition, when Arthur is sick of all the lies, and the hypocrisy and everything. Arthur sneaks out of the camp, to where the banshee is last spotted.
Arthur waits for it to come. He waited and waited, until he heard a scream, when it almost got him, it dissolves into dust, hit by a spell so powerful Arthur still feels the intensity.
Voice: It is not safe out here, go back to your camp Arthur Pendragon
Arthur: Stop taking me for a fool Merlin, I know it’s you
When there’s no reaction, he groans, drawing his sword
Arthur: COME OUT MERLIN STOP BEING SUCH A COWARD!
It was quiet for a while and Arthur screams. He thrust his sword into the ground.
Arthur: I’LL LET YOU KNOW MERLIN- THAT’S RIGHT I KNOW IT’S YOU -THAT I HATE YOU! YOU LIAR! I TOLD YOU TO NEVER APPEAR IN FRONT OF MY SIGHT EVER AGAIN! AND WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU STALK ME LIKE A CREEP! HAVE IT EVER CONCURRED TO YOU THAT THE THINGS YOU DID AREN’T NORMAL? WELL YOU ARE! DO YOU REALLY THINK I WON’T NOTICE THAT YOU’RE IN CAMELOT THIS WHOLE TIME?? YOU’RE AN IDIOT AND A INEPT INCOMPETENT RUDE BUMBLING OF A FOOL!! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!!
Arthur wipes the tears that starts to fall out of his eyelashes
Arthur: I hate that you won’t go away, I hate everything about you, I hate that stupid grin of yours, I hate your attitude, I hate your stupid face, I hate that stupid haircut, I hate your tears, I hate that I think of you each night
Arthur grips the hilt of his sword, struggling to speak
Arthur: I won’t forgive you Merlin of Ealdor. For as long as I breathe I will make sure you can never go back to Camelot nor will I ever allow magic to roam free in the land. I will follow my legacy as Uther Pendragon’s son
Arthur went back to the camp. He feels warm despite the cool winter air and his heart feeling like lead.
When morning came, there are no more banshees. Arthur saw a cloaked figure behind the trees, watching.
#bbc merlin#merlin#merlin bbc#arthur pendragon#merthur#arthur bbc#merlin emrys#merlin x arthur#arthur x merlin#merlin prompt#merlin fic ideas#merlin fic idea#merlin snippet#merlin fic snippet#merthur fic snippet#merthur fic ideas#merthur fic idea#merthur snippet
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MERTHUR - YOU WERE ALWAYS ON MY MIND
When Merlin returned to the lake years later, he found that everything had changed. Lost in his thoughts, he was unaware that he was being watched. The man who had his eyes on him since his arrival was none other than Arthur - the man whom he had to leave behind because he had gone to a place where no one could follow.
The hurt ran deep on both sides, even after all this time. The Lady of the Lake had shown Arthur the grief Merlin felt and how it had nearly destroyed him. But he lived on, waiting all this time for Arthur to return. Arthur was unsure whether he should reveal his presence...
He was filled with dread at the thought of Merlin not recognizing him or, even worse, rejecting him. He wasn't sure he could handle the possibility. Despite his fears, there was a strong pull he felt towards Merlin since he arrived and laid eyes on him. But it wasn't just a pull; it was a deep-seated longing, something Arthur had never felt before. He watched Merlin's every move, noticing how much his friend had changed. Gone was the lanky lad he once knew, replaced by a handsome man.
Arthur was sure he would be able to recognize his friend anywhere, even in a crowd. Yes, Merlin had changed, and so had Arthur. His long hair and clothing were vastly different from the regal king he was. The dragon had called him the once and future king, but there was little remaining of that. The kingdom he had ruled was long gone, forgotten by all except his loyal servant who still remembered him.
Only, Merlin had never been just a servant, but he had always been loyal. He had saved Arthur's life and the lives of his knights countless times, using powers that were punishable by death under Uther's reign. Arthur was astonished and saddened by the fact that Merlin had been his guardian angel all these years without telling him. Although he felt hurt at first, he did not blame Merlin for keeping his abilities a secret. Instead, Arthur was angry with himself for not recognizing Merlin's true worth.
How ignorant had he been not to see it? To not realize what Merlin had done, not just for the Pendragons but for the whole kingdom. And all the while, Arthur had treated him as a servant, sometimes as a friend. It took Mordred's death blow from a sword forged in a dragon's breath for Merlin to reveal his secret to Arthur. A sword like the one he carried at his side. Arthur grabbed the hilt of Excalibur. It was the only thing he had left, apart from his memories, until Merlin appeared.
Since Merlin had come here, he had felt the presence of someone else. Whoever it was must think he was stupid. As the sun set, Merlin felt it was time to leave. He walked cautiously down the steep path from the lookout to the shore of the lake. He braced himself for a possible attack. Then Merlin had an idea. He stopped, closed his eyes and let his magic do the work. He hated surprises.
"Let's see who's lurking in the dark," he muttered.
Merlin was taken aback by what happened next; it came as a complete surprise and shook him to his core. However, the person who had been watching him had no ill intentions towards him, quite the opposite. The feeling was so palpable that it caused Merlin to snap his eyes open and gasp for air. He couldn't believe it, but he knew that his magic wasn't playing tricks on him or betraying him. He forgot all his caution and ran down the path. He stumbled along the way until he reached a clearing, where he came to a sudden stop and looked around in despair.
Arthur had sensed it. It was like a gust of wind. Merlin's magic had sought him out and touched him. Unmistakably. As he saw his friend approach, he knew he was right. There was no point in playing hide and seek any longer. Arthur revealed himself.
When Arthur stepped out from behind a tree, Merlin knew it wasn't a hallucination. He remained rooted to the spot. He couldn't move or say anything. Both men just stared at each other, more or less in disbelief. Both seemed to be searching for words.
"How do you properly approach someone who died in your arms over a thousand years ago?" Merlin mused. He swallowed.
"How do you properly approach someone who held you in their arms, watched you die and laid you to rest over a thousand years ago?" Arthur thought.
Merlin was the first to regain his composure. He cleared his throat. "To say we start where we left off would be wrong, wouldn't it?"
Arthur nodded slowly, "I suppose so. I'm not really in the mood for a boat trip today."
"Watching you die isn't on my agenda either," Merlin replied.
"Tell me, what was on your agenda before we met?" Arthur asked.
"The usual. Running errands, visiting my mother's grave. Go home, read a book, watch some TV, go to bed early."
"I see, you've got a pretty tight schedule." Arthur snorted.
Merlin smiled. "It is what it is. And what were your plans for today?"
"Hunting for food. Gather wood, make a fire, prepare food, eat. Take my usual walk around the island, go back, go to sleep. The things a former king does. You know?"
"Not much has changed for you then, Sire. You still hunt. Oh wait, gathering wood, wasn't that something your servant did for you? I remember it vaguely."
"I traded a castle for a cave. Well, it's not exactly a cave, more like an old abandoned shack. And yes, I used to have a servant who turned out to be the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth. So, in retrospect, he was never a servant. There was no reproach in Arthur's voice. It was tinged with sadness and probably disappointment.
Merlin lowered his eyes. "I have explained my reasons to you. I hope you remember them."
"Don't worry, Merlin. They are still in here," Arthur tipped his temple, then pointed to his heart. "And here."
Hearing his name out of Arthur's mouth after all these years rendered Merlin speechless. The lump in his throat threatened to choke him.
"Before you ask, I remember everything. From Mordred's death blow to the moment, I closed my eyes. And I meant every single word I said to you at the end. I still feel like an ignorant, ungrateful bastard. And I have no idea why on earth you would still come here."
"Because I never gave up on you, Arthur. Because I moved heaven and earth to get you back."
"Wait, you mean you actually moved heaven and earth?" Arthur interjected.
Merlin shook his head and smiled. "I was speaking metaphorically. But I did try to bring you back to life until Kilgarrah the dragon told me I couldn't. It nearly destroyed me. It took me by surprise when I felt your presence. I thought you were gone forever."
A storm was brewing, and thunder could be heard in the distance.
"This doesn't look good," Arthur said after glancing worriedly at the sky. "How about coming with me to my humble shack? You can conjure up something tasty for us while we take shelter there."
Merlin gave Arthur a skeptical look.
Arthur chuckled, "I was speaking metaphorically."
#merthur art#merthur#merlin#arthur pendragon#bbc merlin#colin morgan#bradleys james#arthur and merlin#merlin and arthur#missing merin#merthur fanart#merthur manip#modern merlin#digital art#merlin gif#merthur au#merlin sequel
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It Only Takes A Spark
Summary: Arthur sees something he shouldn't have, and realises everything he is missing. (Also on AO3)
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Arthur stepped out of the door or the Rising Sun, leaving the easy laughter and revelry of the other patrons behind him.
Once, his trips to the tavern had been few and far between. Gwaine had changed all that. For all that he was a long-haired irritant in Arthur's life, he had to admit that the man was observant. He had taken one look at them – the Crown Prince and his chosen knights – and decided they needed a place where they could bond. Somewhere away from the castle and Uther's disapproving gaze.
The knights were not the only ones who had claimed the private room above the inn’s main bar as their refuge. Normally, Merlin would be with them, not as a servant but as a friend, fleecing them at dice and brightening the room with his irreverent jibes and that wicked smile.
Tonight, however, he'd made his excuses: something about collecting night-blooming herbs for Gaius. Arthur would deny until his dying breath that Merlin's absence was his reason for cutting out after only two pints of mead, but his knights did not care about his reasons. Instead, they had given him those same patient, disbelieving looks – the kind that bordered on treason and implied he was an idiot.
At least they didn't say it out loud, unlike some people.
Now, the warm evening air closed around Arthur like a velvet glove as he made his way back towards the castle. This close to midsummer, the sky did not truly darken until late, and a soft dusk collected in Camelot's streets, chased off by the braziers lit at street corners.
His father would have insisted a guard accompany him, but Arthur was not concerned for his safety. He was armed, and no more than a touch relaxed from his drinks. If anyone made an attempt on his life, they'd be run through before they had a chance to do more than lunge for him.
Still, he would not be so foolish as to completely let down his guard. It was second nature to be watchful as he left the Lower Town and entered the nicer area closer to the castle. Here the air was perfumed with the heady scent of the delicate roses that rambled over the walls of the merchant's houses, and the streets carried with them a fragile sort of peace.
It was romantic enough, Arthur supposed, hiding a smile as he noticed two shadowy figures sharing passionate kisses against the alley wall by the Horse and Hare, the inn favoured by the wealthier of Camelot's traders.
They were oblivious to him, lost in each other's caresses. Normally, he would have ignored them, diverting his eyes and carrying on towards the castle. That was his intention, right up until the one against the wall tipped back his head with a groan, his face slipping from shadow to light as his lover turned their attentions to the column of his throat.
Merlin.
Arthur had no real memory of drawing himself into the pools of gloom that lined the street, ducking into the mouth of a narrow, cobble-lined path between two houses. Darkness covered him in its mantle, and he braced his hand against the wall, his breathing unnaturally loud in his ears as his heart pounded out a fretful, ragged beat.
A surge of something raced through his body, striking a confusion of sparks as it went. Pain fluttered in his belly even as heat traced its lines down his thighs. Sweat itched between his shoulder-blades. He was struck by a desperate need to move, not away, but forward: quick, angry strides. He wanted to drag the blond stranger – not some sweet young maid, but someone broad-shouldered and strong – away, to snarl and snap until he left and stopped touching...
He swallowed hard, feeling like his skin was too tight, prickling and sharp. He did not know what to do with himself. Escape would be the best option. He should flee back to the castle and put this from his mind, but he was locked in place, helpless to do anything but stare.
He had never seen Merlin like that: his lashes painting dark fans on his cheeks and his lips flushed with kisses. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the flex of his forearms as he gripped his lover's hip, holding him close.
The stranger leaning into Merlin's space shifted, angling his head and doing something to Merlin's neck – biting maybe. The noise that escaped Merlin's lips ghosted over the still night air, rough and needy, igniting Arthur's body like a lightning strike. His laces felt tight over the hardness of his swelling cock, and he pressed against it with the heel of his palm, stifling a sound as his hips gave a helpless little grind.
This wasn't who he was, hiding in the dark and watching. He did not want to be a voyeur. It was Merlin who held Arthur here, enchanted, torn between captivation and the bitter surge of jealousy.
He tried to excuse it in his head, remembering that it was a long time since he had lain with anyone. Needs had a way of creeping up on a man, only to pounce, but that was a gossamer lie at best. This, his reaction, was less about what two men were doing together in the shadows and far more about the fact that one of them was Merlin.
Gods.
Merlin was a grown man, attractive, despite the ears. It was simply that Arthur had never allowed himself to imagine him like that: flushed with passion, warm and willing. Every time his mind had started to stray in that direction, he had reined it in.
Now, to have not just vague imaginings hastily stifled, but the actual image of Merlin right in front of him – still clothed, still decent – but wrecked all the same, had smashed apart all of Arthur's carefully constructed boundaries like a siege engine.
How was he meant to look at Merlin and not see this? How was he supposed to meet that sparkling blue gaze and not imagine himself in that stranger's place, crowding Merlin against a wall and wringing those tight noises from his lips?
A flicker of movement tore him from his thoughts, and he watched as the stranger eased himself back, holding out a hand in invitation. They didn't utter a word – they didn't need to. It was a communication of darkened eyes and flushed cheeks – a bid to find somewhere private to finish what they had started.
Arthur told himself he didn't care what Merlin did. It meant nothing to him when those long-fingers – surprisingly deft over Arthur's armour and sword for someone so clumsy – slid into the other man's palm. A moment later, he pulled Merlin away, no doubt intent on finding somewhere more comfortable to pursue their pleasure to its summit.
Arthur let out a ragged breath, sagging back against the wall of his hiding place. The weathered bricks bore his weight as he gritted his teeth, painfully hard and dizzy with want. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he closed his eyes, trying to will the heat that surged through his frame to ebb. It was a losing battle, but one he fought all the same, forcing his body back under his control.
So much for "gathering herbs", he thought, a fresh surge of unflattering jealousy blazing through his chest. Was that what Merlin had really been doing, on those occasions he had ducked out of spending time with his friends? Had he claimed he was doing chores for Gaius, when really he was losing himself in the touch of another?
Arthur grimaced, opening his eyes to stare up at the narrow strip of night sky above his head, where the stars were starting to glimmer. How Merlin spent his free time was none of his concern, yet he could not help the bitter churn of his emotions: a thin veneer of anger over a stupid, helpless sort of hurt. Morgana always said he was bad at sharing anything he thought of as his. He had just never consciously placed Merlin in that category.
At least until now.
'Ridiculous.'
Pushing himself away from the wall, he winced, adjusting the front of his breeches before checking the coast was clear and stepping back out onto the street. It did not matter what he had seen or what he had felt. The sparks of dazzling awareness that skittered over his skin would fade. The high, eager hum of want, not just for anyone, but for Merlin's in particular, would dim. Arthur's world, so rudely tilted on its axis, would set itself to rights once more.
He would awaken tomorrow to Merlin's obnoxious cheerfulness, and he would think nothing of tonight and all that he had witnessed. It would be forgotten, and everything would return to normal. He was resolved. Merlin was his manservant and, Arthur could grudgingly admit, his friend, but that was where it ended. Merlin's love would always belong in the hands of another. He could never be Arthur's, not like that.
Not now, and not ever.
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A Quiet Moment
My Comfortember 2022 contribution for the prompt : A Quiet Moment.
I’m sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.
Summary : Merlin strode along the halls of the castle, worried. He could not find Arthur. After blowing into the horn to return Uther's spirit to the afterlife, Arthur left without saying a word. Merlin could not imagine how Arthur might feel. If he were him, if his father had told him how disappointed he was and that he had tried to kill him, he would be at his worst. Arthur should not be left alone, Merlin thought.
Disclaimer : Merlin belongs to Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy.
@comfortember
AO3 / FF.NET
Merlin strode along the halls of the castle, worried. He could not find Arthur. After blowing into the horn to return Uther's spirit to the afterlife, Arthur left without saying a word. After all that had happened, Merlin could not imagine how Arthur might feel. If he were him, if his father had told him how disappointed he was and that he had tried to kill him, he would be at his worst. Arthur should not be left alone, Merlin thought.
He opened the doors of the great hall where the Round Table was. Arthur was there. He stood with his back to him and he was in front of the table. Merlin thought he was foolish for not immediately thinking he was here. After all, the Round Table was the symbol of change. Arthur's reign had begun around this table. It was normal that the king wanted to take refuge in this place. Merlin approached him.
“Arthur,” he said quietly, almost in a whisper.
“What do you want Merlin ?”
Arthur had not turned, preventing Merlin from seeing his face, but he could hear the turmoil in his voice. After all these years spent with him, he knew all his tones by heart. When he was annoyed or angry, Merlin had often bored the brunt of that anger. When he was happy or when he was sad. Merlin stood next to him.
“I came to see how you were doing.”
Arthur's gaze was fixed on the Round Table.
“I needed a quiet moment for myself.”
Arthur took a deep breath before speaking :
“I will never be the king my father wanted me to be. I tried. But I realized a long time ago that I'm not him and that I will never be. And I don't regret any of the decisions I made since I've been king. But even so, to hear him saying that he disapproved of my choices and how disappointed he was in me...”
He stopped talking for a few seconds before adding :
“And when I blew the horn, it was like killing him a second time.”
Merlin said nothing. He knew Arthur did not need reassurance or comfort. He needed to talk and he would be there to listen. He put his hand on his shoulder, showing him that he was there for him in this adversity and that he would always be there. Arthur put his hand over his and squeezed it. They remained silent. It was a comforting silence where only the presence of the other was enough. Merlin could not tell how long their hands had been linked, but what mattered to him was giving Arthur all the strength he needed to keep moving forward.
The end
#comfortember#comfortember 2022#merlin#merlin bbc#merthur#merlin x arthur#arthur pendragon#fanfiction#My writing
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Monthly Fic Recs - January 2024
As well as my participation with Fic Feature Friday for older favorites, I promised myself this year that I would take a page out of my good friend @miyamorana's book this year and try to do a monthly rec post of new things I've loved.
I am very very behind on keeping up with new stories right now, since I got caught up with Bookmarking Project of Doom, but I do at least have a few recent reads to share! :D
Please keep in mind, my tastes vary and fluctuate with the tide. I read across a wide variety of fandoms and ships. Hopefully if you decide to keep up with my rec posts (assuming I keep up with them, and I'm going to try really hard!), you will find something to your taste!
STRANGER THINGS
love my baby like the finest wine
by glorious_spoon, ~6,000 words, Steve/Eddie
"Where the hell did you learn to bake?" Eddie asks, fascinated, as Steve leans down to peer into the oven, curses under his breath, and fumbles a pair of oven mitts on.
"Oh, you know, here and there," he says breezily.
"He ruined three batches before you got here," Robin says, ducking her head in. "Hey, Eddie."
-
Or: Eddie spends Christmas with Steve and Robin, and maybe it's the start of something new.
A Festive Mix for a Friend
by entangled_now, ~2,300 words, Steve/Eddie
Steve learns that the ingredients don't have to be exactly right, it really is the thought that counts.
they're going to send us to prison for jerks
by greatunironic, ~16,000 words, Steve/Eddie
GARETH 11.46am
it’s been like five hours
should we do a welfare check on him?
JEFF 11.47 am
why? you think it’s possible to die from jerking it too much?
GARETH 11.47am
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
In which Eddie is TikTok famous, and his personal favorite creator just had an unexpected face reveal.
THE SANDMAN
Cottagecore 'verse
by apocryphal, ~23,000 words, Dream/Hob
The love story of a fae prince and a hedgewitch in the middle ages. <3
MERLIN
like there's hope in this story
by queerofthedagger, ~10,000 words, Merlin/Arthur
“Calm yourself,” Gaius finally says. “You’re alright. Gwaine is alright. Do you remember what happened?”
Merlin’s brows furrow and his gaze flickers through the chambers until it lands on Arthur. He tilts his head, the confusion on his face only growing.
He asks, “I’m sorry, have we met?” and Arthur’s world not only stops, but crumbles.
Things have finally been going well in Camelot; Arthur knew about Merlin's magic, their relationship had been changing, and their plans for Albion—even if for now only shared with a trusted group—were almost too good to be true.
Then an attack leaves Merlin without his memories since Uther's death and, strangely enough, of Arthur specifically, and Arthur's world threatens to come crashing down once more.
SUITS
many times, many ways
by spqr, ~15,000 words, Harvey/Mike
The only reason he’s even in the damn registry is because it’s required when you pass the bar, like a background check, fingerprinting; he literally hasn’t spared it a single thought since he bared his forearm for the NYSSR representative and looked away while they took the scan. Soulmates are something that other people worry about, normal people, the masses, like marriage and kids and mortgages in the suburbs, and besides, Harvey’s not the sort of person who wants a life partner.
Which doesn’t explain why he’s rushing across town right now, but – he can’t leave his own soulmate rotting in Rikers three days before Christmas. It’s a point of professional pride.
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Aftermath: Arise
Read on Ao3 Part 1 Part 2
Warnings: child abuse
Pairings: merthur, can be platonic or romantic you decide
Word Count: 2099
As soon as he sees him, Merlin's heart jumps into his throat.
***
As soon as he sees him, Arthur's heart jumps into his throat.
As soon as he sees him, Merlin's heart jumps into his throat.
Arthur's curled up in Morgana's arms, his head weakly pillowed against her shoulder, hands horribly shaky and tense in the fabric of her gown. He peers over her shoulder the way children do when they fear the monsters under their bed and oh, oh, Arthur should never look like that. Like he's scared of a phantom that swings open doors too hard.
Ignoring the knights' protests, he hustles forward and throws his arms around him, hugging him as fiercely as he dares with all the bruises he knows are beneath that white shirt. Morgana simply moves out of the way as he buries his nose in Arthur's hair and breathes in the scent of him. Warm, alive, safe.
"Merlin," comes the horrible voice, "Merlin, I'm so sorry, I—"
"Don't." His voice comes out horrible too. "Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong. You did absolutely nothing wrong, you hear me?"
Arthur remains quiet for a moment. Merlin's heart pounds before there's the quietest nod against his neck and he can breathe again.
"Uther's not going to hurt you anymore," he promises in a low voice, "I swear it. No more. None of this, not ever again. I'll kill him before he does."
Threatening the King is treason, Merlin, Arthur would say any other time, even if his eyes belied the truth. But not now. Not when he's shaking and bruised with tears still drying on his cheeks. Threatening the King is treason.
A King that beats and abuses his own son is no King of Merlin's.
He leans back, just enough where he can take Arthur's face in his hand and brush away the tears. Once he starts, he can't stop, running his thumb over and over his cheek, just to feel that he's okay, he's here, Arthur's okay, he's here, he's okay. He leans down and presses his forehead against his, breath shuddering between them.
Arthur's hands come up to take Merlin's broken one, pulling it tenderly into his lap and holding it there like it's something precious.
"He won't hurt you either."
You're mine, they say to each other, your soul is stitched to mine and whatever hurts you hurts me.
"We can't let him do this anymore," Morgana says softly after a few moments, prompting them both to look at her, "you know we have to stop him."
"You can't." No, Arthur, don't sound so hopeless. "He's the King. He's got absolute power. We can't do anything against him without him calling for our heads."
"You're the Crown Prince of Camelot, Arthur, you can—"
"I can't," Arthur insists, "no one would believe me."
"They would."
They look over to see Gwaine take a step closer.
"Do you think it goes unnoticed when Uther orders someone dragged away in the middle of the night? You think the guards don't know exactly what they're doing when Uther tells them to go on midnight patrols for thieves in the poorest parts of the city? People know what sort of King Uther Pendragon is."
"The council would believe you too," Lancelot adds, "they always act like they're in agreement with Uther about everything, but you should hear them when the meetings end. They're more on your side than you think, sire."
"What about Gaius," Percival asks, "surely he'd come to your defense?"
Something dark flickers across Arthur's expression. Merlin catches it, frowning. Then he thinks about what's been happening for a moment and comes to an absolutely awful realization.
"He's known," he whispers, horrified, "Gaius has known this has been happening your whole life and he's done nothing, has he?"
At Arthur's silence, he whirls around with a glare.
"Get him. Now."
Elyan nods sharply and is out the door before Merlin can blink. He feels Arthur's head raise and looks back down, softening.
"He never said anything," Arthur says, eyes fixed on the door, "when I was younger and he—he knew where the bruises were from even though I never said anything. He never—"
"No more," Morgana promises, stepping up to lay a hand on his shoulder, "no more, Arthur."
Arthur looks up at her, squinting slightly. "Why're you doing this? Don't you hate me?"
Her expression twitches. "I've never hated you." At his scoff, her hand tightens a bit. "You're obnoxious, yes, but I've never—"
Something catches in her throat and she swallows. She watches her fingers fiddle idly with the seam of his shirt.
"You and Gwen were all I had sometimes," she says quietly after a while, "how could I hate you?"
Arthur makes a sound like he's been punched and reaches up to cover her hand. She offers him a small, sad smile before she shakes herself.
"They're not going to get away with this," she says firmly, "not anymore."
Not a moment later, the door swings open and Elyan escorts Gaius into the room, who looks surprised to see everyone looking at him with various degrees of hostility.
"Sire," he nods, "My Lady. Is something amiss?"
How dare you, Merlin thinks, how can you stand here and ask if something's wrong? You've been around this for his entire life and you've never spoken up once? You're supposed to heal and protect and care for people, how can you stand there as a physician and know that you've let someone be hurt their whole life?
In the end, though, it's Arthur who speaks first.
"Why did you never say anything?"
Gaius frowns. "Sire?"
"Before," Arthur asks, voice growing stronger, "why did you never say anything? You knew what he was doing. You always knew."
Merlin glares when Gaius looks to him for help. You knew. You did. Now answer him.
As Gaius looks around the room, he seems to realize that no one here is going to help him and at long last, bows his head in shame.
"Forgive me," he rasps, "forgive an old man for the mistakes he has made."
"Why," Morgana bites out, "why should he forgive you?"
"I was afraid—"
"And how do you think he felt?" Morgana's words make him wither. "You left a child to be abused by his father with no one to turn to. Why should you be forgiven for that?"
Gaius is quiet for a long while. Then he slowly raises his head. There are tears in his eyes.
"I was a coward," he admits, even as it pains Merlin to hear his mentor so defeated there is vindication in the words, "and too afraid to speak up against Uther Pendragon. But I was wrong. I was wrong to ignore your suffering then, and I am wrong to ignore it now."
"I was alone," Arthur says, "I was alone with him. You let me be alone with him."
"I did." He bows. "And I will be sorry for that for the rest of my days."
"So help," Morgana says, "help us rid Camelot of Uther Pendragon for good."
Merlin's chest clenches as Gaius glances around one more time and Arthur tenses under his hands. For long seconds, no one moves.
Then Gaius stands up tall. "What would you have me do?"
***
As soon as he sees him, Arthur's heart jumps into his throat.
He knows this is the plan. He's been a part of it for a while now. He knows that eventually, this has to happen.
It started with staying in his chambers. He was already absent from dinner, it was easy to be absent from everything else. Only Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, and the knights were allowed in to see him. Gaius's orders. Merlin would go down to the kitchens to fetch his meals and then come right back.
Merlin's broken hand was hidden, but not too hidden. Enough for curious servants to see and gossip about, enough for the cook to frown and ask if he wanted help carrying the tray up to the Prince. Each time Merlin would dodge the questions and decline answers, but drop just enough hints to get people talking.
The knights wouldn't say either. They would turn away questions with it's rude to talk about the royal family like that, knowing full well the gossip would find out that the King and the Prince were there that day. They would warn the squires not to train without the training masters, lest they pick up things that would later have to be corrected. The squires that had been there that day would whisper that the Prince had been defending them when the King picked up his sword.
Leon and Gaius were tight-lipped at Council meetings. Arthur was always recovering, or attending to his other duties, or otherwise engaged. Leon would be formal and polite but quietly undermine the more aggressive proposals with reminders that the people deserved to be people first and subjects second.
Morgana was colder, more distant. Holding herself with the sort of quiet rage and simmering anger that made the nobles whisper. Whisper what the beloved ward was so upset over, why the King's son hadn't been seen in so long.
And when he finally did emerge, it was to do his duties in the town. To tend to the people and ensure their happiness. He lets himself look battle-worn, tired, overwhelmed and yet doing his duty for his people, not for himself. Gwaine is his favorite on these days, when he's bantering a little to keep their spirits up and not at all shy about getting brasher to ward off the unwanted comments about Arthur's lack of appearance. Leon and Morgana are his second favorites, each affording him little bits of affection, given more freely among his people than up in the castle. The people worry about what happened to their Prince, smiling when they see him, concern creasing their brows when they notice the bruises his tunic fails to hide completely.
The King protects the kingdom, he says, our loyalty is to him.
It was a sparring accident, he says, the King still has things to teach me.
He's my father, he says, and he is the King.
Rumor spreads and gossip deepens and Merlin whispers no more.
And after all of this, when the whispers have grown to murmurs, the festival arrives.
Arthur walks into the great hall where the people have gathered, his crown on his head and his best clothes draped across his shoulders, and there at the end, on his throne, is King Uther Pendragon.
You can show them you're afraid, Morgana had whispered, it's alright. They won't think less of you for it.
Merlin's behind him and he can do anything. So he takes a moment longer to shake off his fear and walks down, smiling and shaking hands with the few people who reach out for him. When he arrives at the base of the stairs Morgana is there, offering him her arm and they walk up the steps together.
He looks up and into the eyes of Uther and for a moment, he feels the weight of a sword lifted over his head.
But sometimes all they have are appearances and he looks back down, stepping up and to the side to take his place as Morgana takes hers.
He lets himself be afraid.
Lets his eyes glaze over, his expression fade, his body become a vessel while his mind hides away from the man in front of him. He focuses on Merlin's presence just over his shoulder, on Leon standing in wait, on the rest of the knights that have gathered in his line of vision so he can look at them without fear.
No more, they say silently, holding his gaze, no more.
When the day is over and he can rush back to his chambers, he spends too long sitting with his head in his hands, breathing heavily because he will always be afraid of his father and ashamed of himself for letting it get so bad. But he will have Merlin and Morgana there to reassure him and tell him that they're almost there.
He's almost gone.
Uther isn't happy. He snaps at servants and orders guards about like they're toys. He yells at the knights and threatens council members. When he can't summon Arthur he slams his door so loudly the echo reaches their chambers.
He stops being careful.
And in the middle of court one day, when Arthur disagrees with him over an unjust punishment, he slaps his son across the face so hard, it staggers him.
And that is the last thing Uther Pendragon does as King of anything.
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I’m feeling violently against him tonight
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Arthur x Morgana [ArMor]
Arthur kills Morgana's husband, and they have a long-needed talk following his burial. This is AU + older ArMor + possessive/jealous Arthur. A bit angsty but overall happy.
Morgana does not speak to him until they are the only ones left standing by her husband's grave.
"Arthur." is the first word that passes her mouth, and it stops him dead in his tracks. She has not said his name in so long, constantly referring to him by his appropriate titles to show her spite for him, no doubt, to rub in the distance between them, and yet his heart still skips a beat.
"You should not have done this." She sighs as she turns her face towards him, her lengthy hair flowing in the wind; as the blond man looks at her now, free from the shackles of her marriage, he couldn't disagree with her statement more. In fact, he thinks that he should have done this the day the man came to ask for Morgana's hand in marriage, but he was not King then. He did not possess the powers he does now.
"Married life didn't suit you." He states simply while he tucks a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear, smiling faintly as she leans into his touch. Despite herself, Morgana shudders beneath his touch; she has spent days and nights longing for a soft touch like this, for a caring look much like the one that he gives her, for Arthur, she has longed for him all along in the solitude of her marriage.
"It won't suit you either unless you marry the right person." She retorts, implying that the man she was forced to wed for the good of Camelot (one of Uther's last wishes before his passing) was not the one for her. He was not that bad either all things considered, but he was far from the man her heart cried for.
"Hmmm, sounds like you are speaking from experience. Perhaps, I did you a favour, too, by putting an end to his life, my lady." Arthur muses as he takes a step back from her, afraid that he has taken things too far. Morgana's gaze flickers to his raised hand with longing, already craving its warmth against her skin.
"Who else benefitted from his death?" She scoffs at him; her husband was no King, no Prince. He was a wealthy merchant whose money granted Uther full coffers, while Morgana gave the man the respect that came with a noble title.
"Camelot." He grits his teeth as he holds back from saying what he truly wants to say. He does not wish to scare her off, not when he can have her back now.
"I see," She nods in understanding as she reaches out to adjust the lapel of his coat which makes him relax against her touch. "And what are Camelot's desires now?" Morgana questions him with a smirk.
"For you to come home, everybody misses you." He takes her cold hand in his own, brushing his fingertips over her digits so softly as if he fears that she would break if he touched her with more force. The King is delighted when he finds that her wedding band is not present on her ring finger until he catches the sight of a ring dangling from her neck. Could it be? He ponders to himself.
"Even you?" She asks while she stares into his eyes, into his soul, expecting a clear, straightforward answer to her question this time around, as entertaining as their games are.
"Especially me," Arthur admits as he moves her hand to his mouth, kissing each of her knuckles. "Camelot hasn't been the same without you in it." He mutters against her soft skin, heady with the scent of her, with the taste of her on his lips.
"Oh dear, it must have been truly miserable for you to say it so plainly." She teases him, pulling her hand back from his lest he manages to elicit an illicit response from her with his innocent kisses. Morgana moves to adjust the ring on her necklace out of habit, but instead, his hand is the one that wraps around the chain, lifting the ring up to examine it with furrowed brows while she waits with berated breathe for his reaction.
"This is... ." He swallows in realisation as he looks between her and the ring in his hold. "I gave it to you before you left." Arthur lets go of the ring then while Morgana moves to rest her hands against his chest to prevent him from moving away from her, not that he seems to intend to do such a thing, however, she cannot risk losing him.
"You didn't think I would forget about that night, did you?" Her mouth moves, and he recognises the playful tilt to her tone, but all he can focus on is how lovely she looks with her cheeks flushed from the cold, with his ring on her. If only he could put it on her ring finger. Perhaps marriage would suit her after all, so long as it would be with him.
"Morgana," He utters her name in a reverent whisper as he dives forward to kiss her and wrap her in his arms. Vowing to himself to never let her go away again, not to anyplace where he is unable to follow her.
#ArMor#arthur x morgana#morgana x arthur#the lady and the champion#//listening to Cat Pierce's You belong to me while writing this fic was an experience#//+ Hozier's NFWMB
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Richard Siken ask game: #3 please ❤️
#3: love always wakes the dragon and suddenly flames everywhere
dark!merlin, mcd, 5x13 coda, d a r k, MCD!! (494 words)
merlin twists the knife. morgana dies and arthur tells him he's brought peace with a smile he can't mirror. he simply tells his king, whose breath is rattling and whose body is heavy and slumping, that they need to go. need to hurry. need to jump five years into the past. maybe arthur’s life would be better if merlin never stumbled into it.
because even the light sizzling out in morgana's eyes, the thunder that struck down at the call of her death — it's not enough. doesn’t calm the raging storm in his veins that wants to stop the inevitability, the passing of time. merlin wants to uproot the ground from underneath him like it would serve a distraction large enough to change this.
arthur is dying. there will be nothing to bring merlin peace, and now he is meant to be glad that camelot possesses it, deserves it? that arthur might die for his kingdom like he'd always wanted, like uther would be proud of?
arthur deserves more than that. they'll never understand the king the way he does, all he's done for them. all merlin has done to keep him there. why would he change his tune now?
merlin should have ripped the skies open on the cliffs of camlann, he should have hid arthur away and let aithusa do what she intended.
that would be nothing. it would mean not this, not hold me.
arthur falls on pale grass with a pale face in a dull dawn and merlin wants the lake to swallow them whole and drown them like this: arms around arthur, seen and loved. nothing more asked of them from this world.
his outrage doesn't subside when the world keeps turning, when the earth denies his call and leaves him fumbling.
power builds like blisters in his fingertips, and arthur says all your magic and you can't save me and merlin hones in on it like a vice, pulls it toward them until arthur's last words falter on merlin's unbidden scream. he won't hear them.
"merlin? please," arthur says it tiredly, a last effort to make the greatest sorcerer halt his last effort. "i love—"
no. not here, not in this lifetime.
merlin screams and arthur's eyes widen, the flames catch in the grass by his ankles, the fire builds until its roaring louder than him, until they are in the mouth of a dragon's breath stronger than any. merlin clutches arthur through the agony, watches him pass out from the glowing hot chainmail, the pain overwhelming him too fast. merlin's flesh burns and he shudders, sees the horror of a triple goddess behind his eyes.
destiny can't take him away from me, merlin thinks.
there's a smile on his face just before the embers burn so bright that he becomes a statue of ash, the king leaning against him, forever in a moment.
a crow hears the gasp of the gods and feels a breeze ruffle its feathers. and all that's left of merlin and arthur is a pile of ash.
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Bouquets and Sunny Days
Ship: Morgana Pendragon x Gwen
Summary: Gwen is stressed and Morgana wants to do something nice for her.
Word Count: 714
It was summer in Camelot, and the warm weather was lifting everyone’s spirits.
Everyone except Gwen.
Morgana had noticed the change in Gwen’s behaviour immediately. She seemed tired, like she wasn't sleeping well, and she spent her days hurrying through the castle, juggling a hundred different tasks.
Morgana couldn't help but feel guilty. Gwen was so busy because she was helping with the preparations for Morgana’s birthday banquet. Morgana’s heart broke every morning when she saw Gwen, the bags under her eyes getting darker each day.
She couldn't wait for this stupid thing to be over. She had told Uther that she didn't want anything extravagant this year, but he had ignored her wishes. And now Gwen was paying the price.
Morgana was so grateful to have Gwen in her life, and she wanted to show her how much she appreciated her. But how? Morgana had been pondering over that question for days. She didn't want to do anything too over the top because she knew that Gwen hated when people made a fuss over her. But she was worried that a gesture too small would go unnoticed by the overworked woman.
So she tried to put herself in Gwen’s shoes. What would she like someone to do for her when she was stressed? Her eyes landed on the vase of flowers on her windowsill.
Once, when she was troubled with nightmares, Gwen had given her freshly picked flowers. That little bouquet had meant so much to her, and she had been upset when they eventually died. She smiled at the memory, love for Gwen filling her chest.
She knew exactly what she wanted to do for Gwen.
Morgana spent the whole morning out in the fields around Camelot, carefully picking the most beautiful flowers she could find. The sun moved slowly across the bright blue sky, the warm season causing the days to last longer.
It was just past noon when she returned to the castle, her hands full of pink roses, hydrangeas, and gardenias. Back in her room, she found Gwen waiting for her.
“My Lady, you didn't attend lunch with the King. He was worried something had happened to you and sent me to look for you.” Poor Gwen sounded even more distressed than usual.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any alarm. I only went outside to take in the nice weather.”
Gwen breathed a small sigh of relief. Then she caught sight of the bouquet in Morgana’s hands. “From an admirer?” She grinned teasingly.
“No, actually. These are for you. I know the upcoming banquet is taking its toll, and I wanted to give you something nice to say thank you.”
The surprised expression on Gwen’s face softened into an adoring smile. “That’s sweet of you, Morgana. Thank you. Truly.”
Morgana blushed at Gwen’s sincerity. “You should take the afternoon off. You've worked hard the last few weeks, and you deserve a break.” Morgana handed Gwen the bouquet, admiring the way her dark eyes sparkled in the midday sun.
“Are you sure?” Concern crossed Gwen’s face. “I still have so much to get done today–”
Morgana placed her hand on Gwen’s arm reassuringly. “I'm sure Merlin would be happy to help out. Or even the knights. All they ever do is laze around in the sun all day, so putting them to work will do them some good.”
Gwen laughed, and Morgana cherished the sound. She hadn't heard Gwen laugh in weeks; she hadn't even seen her smile. It was reassuring to know that, despite being tired and overworked, Gwen’s bubbly personality was still there.
As Gwen left the room, she lifted the bouquet to her nose, inhaling the sweet scent. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she thought about Morgana going out of her way to get her something nice. Morgana was thinking about her; Morgana was concerned about her; Morgana wanted to get her something nice. She couldn't stop smiling, even after she got home.
~~~
“They're nice. Did you pick them yourself?” Merlin asked. Morgana’s birthday banquet was over, and he had offered to walk Gwen home. She followed his gaze to the flowers sitting in an old vase on her table.
“No.” She smiled affectionately. “They were given to me by someone very special.”
~~~
*pink rose - gratitude, appreciation
*hydrangea - gratitude, beauty
*gardenia - ‘you're lovely’, also a symbol of secret love
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A King's Journey
Just a little thing I'm working on. Probably going to be a big thing by the end of it.
Premise:
Merlin is caught red-handed using magic in Camelot despite Arthur's warnings and is sentenced to the pyre. Arthur, overcome with fear for the man he loves, makes it his personal mission to free him. Once Merlin is free from the Pyre, they find themselves far from Camelot, and Merlin convinces Arthur that they have to return. Arthur has to be king. Their journey takes them through places Arthur has never seen, and Merlin proves he really will do just about anything to stay at Arthur's side.
Merlin stared down at the manacles around his wrists, the coldness of the iron long warmed by his skin. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been in the cell; there were no windows to mark the passage of time. Still, he appreciated every minute he continued to breathe. He could still see the rage in Uther’s eyes as he’d sentenced him to the dungeon, the promise of a pyre on his lips.
Merlin had been so careful. So careful. Never in a million years did he think his magic would be revealed – at least, not in such a stupid and innocuous way. He could kick himself. He could vividly remember the door to the armory opening, and he hadn’t been quick enough to un-enchant the sword sharpening itself mere feet from him. The knight who’d walked in on him had stared, eyes wide, before turning and running so quickly that Merlin had no hope of catching up.
He knew there was no use denying the knight’s claims, even if he was new to his position. A noble’s words were worth more than his life in the king’s eyes. It hadn’t stopped him from trying, of course, but he’d been marched down to the dungeons either way, pointedly ignoring the stunned and broken expression on Arthur’s face as he was hauled past him.
Arthur.
The prince had warned him so many times. Don’t use your magic in the castle. He’d said it so often it’d begun to lose it’s severity. He should have known better. He should have listened. Now he was going to be ripped away not only from his life, but the man he loved. The man who loved him. How could he protect Arthur if he was dead? His absence would destroy the prince. Merlin knew this, but with the cold iron on his wrists, he could do nothing.
He let his head fall back against the cold, unyielding stone of the wall. His only regret was getting caught.
He was pulled out of his thoughts at the sound of footsteps. It was only one set – unlikely to be guards marching him to his imminent demise. The footsteps were quick and quiet, and as they got closer, Merlin felt his pulse spike. He’d recognize that gait in his sleep.
Arthur’s face appeared outside of his cell, pale and frightened in a way Merlin had never seen.
“What are you doing here, Arthur? You’re going to get caught.” Merlin was up and by the bars in seconds, reaching through as well as he could with the cuffs holding his wrists together. Arthur took his hands, swallowing thickly. His eyes were red-rimmed, his expression warring between hopelessness and determination.
“I had to see you, Merlin. I bribed the guard. Gods, Merlin… what were you thinking?” Merlin winced. Arthur’s tone wasn’t accusatory – far from it. He sounded exhausted, heartbroken. Merlin let his gaze fall to their joined hands.
“I’m sorry, Arthur. I shouldn’t have done it.” He sniffled, the tears he’d thought he’d run out of stinging at his eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Merlin…” Arthur tipped his head forwards, resting his forehead against the warlock’s. “I’m going to do everything I can to get you out of this. I can’t… I won’t lose you. I would rather die. Give up my title. Whatever it takes.” His thumb was rubbing back and forth over the back of Merlin’s hand, the heat contrasting the chill of the dungeons.
“Don’t say that, Arthur. You know you can’t. You have to stay. You have to be king. Don’t let my death be for nothing, I have worked too hard to make you the man you are for it to be for nothing.” Merlin’s voice was thick, and he hoped the determination in his voice carried it to where it needed to go. Arthur was silent, continuing his caresses on the back of Merlin’s hand.
“You’re not going to die, Merlin.” He said, voice small, and lacking the conviction it normally held. Arthur wasn’t sure. Arthur was afraid. Merlin was sympathetic.
“But if I do, Arthur. You have to promise me. Please promise me. You’ll become king. Your people need you... I need you. I need you to be strong enough.” Merlin pressed, desperation leaking into his tone. Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but another voice cut in.
“Arthur. Step away from him.” Uther’s voice was cold, angry. Arthur dropped his hands so quickly that Merlin could still feel the heat of them.
“Father, please. Merlin is my best friend. He’s never done anything—”
“It doesn’t matter, Arthur. He is aware of our laws. You can’t trust a sorcerer, he is not your friend. His sentence holds. He’s to be put to the pyre by morning. …He’s not worth your goodbyes, son.” Uther’s voice was gentle, as though he was comforting Arthur, though he and Merlin both knew that it was a farse. Uther didn’t give a single whit about the harm he was causing. Merlin was a means to an end. An example.
Arthur gave Merlin one last lingering look, the heartbreak plain on his face, before turning to walk past Uther. The king didn’t grace Merlin with any more of his presence, following his son out of the dungeons. Merlin tried not to let the hopelessness consume him.
Morning. That was how long he had.
He rested his forehead against the bars, feeling the strength drain out of him. He was tired. Tired of hiding, tired of fighting.
o0o
Arthur paced his rooms, anxious desperation fueling his steps as he crossed to the window. He could barely feel his body moving, so deep in his own mind he was. He wanted to crawl out of his own skin, be free of the inevitability and pain. There had to be something. There had to be.
The sun loomed just below the horizon, painting a pale blue against the blackened sky. Birds sung merrily in the distance, unaware of the tragedy unfolding around them. How could things continue? How could the earth still turn, when Merlin was so close to dying for something so innocent as existence?
He swallowed. He had a bare inkling of an idea. It was barely anything. It probably wouldn’t work. It would probably get them both killed. But he had to try. He couldn’t do nothing.
Arthur had been hiding in an alcove by the dungeons for so long that his feet were going numb. It was a small price to pay for even the chance of success. He tugged his cloak closer around him, shuffling farther behind the statue in front of him when he heard footsteps.
Two guards were leading Merlin from the dungeons, and while the warlock looked exhausted – he clearly hadn’t slept at all, something Arthur couldn’t blame him for – his head was held high. This wasn’t the face of a defeated man facing the inevitable. He looked every bit the powerful being of magic that he was. Arthur’s breath caught in his throat and he stifled the noise pushing it’s way out.
His plan had to work. He couldn’t let this happen. He waited until the trio turned a corner, before leaving his hiding place and tearing down the steps into the dungeons. There was one guard present – the man in charge of holding the keys for the cold iron shackles. Arthur didn’t hesitate, ignoring the questioned ‘Sire?’ in the process of slamming his fist into the man’s face.
He ignored the explosion of pain in his knuckles, seizing the keys from the dazed guard’s belt and grabbing the candlestick off of a nearby table, slamming it into the back of the man’s head for good measure. He wouldn’t die, but he’d surely wake later with a terrible headache. Arthur didn’t stop to give an apology. That could come later. He had to act.
He barely took note of anything in his haste to make it out of the castle. He didn’t know how long he had. He wished desperately that the dungeons were closer to the courtyard. His muscles burned with the exertion of carrying him from one end of the castle to the other, and his mind raced. He didn’t exactly have a plan. He didn’t know what he was going to do once he broke through to the court yard. He didn’t know how many guards would be present, if they would expect him.
He didn’t care. He raced, lungs heaving and calves aching, before bursting through the doors into the courtyard. Heads turned to look at him, whispers and surprised shouts fading into the background as he shoved through the crowd. He only had eyes for Merlin. His warlock, tied to the pyre with flames growing closer to him every passing second. He was staring directly up at the king, eyes hard and jaw set.
The flames were high, and Arthur distantly heard his father yelling for him to stop before his velocity took him straight through the flames. He could feel the heat on his skin, knew he would have burns later. He pushed through it, immediately moving behind Merlin and unlocking the shackles. The warlock moved so quickly they hadn’t the time for a shared look or spoken words.
One moment, Arthur was standing with the blinding-hot shackles in his hands and his back to the flames, and the next, Merlin’s strong arms were wrapped around him and the earth was sliding under his feet, the shackles falling from his grip and a disorienting shift in reality making him turn and hurl instantly into flower-dotted grass.
He could hear Merlin’s panicked breathing behind him, his name tumbling from the Warlock’s lips in a litany of disbelief.
“Don’t you ever do something like that again!” Merlin cried, grabbing him roughly by the back of his tunic once he was done emptying his stomach. Arthur didn’t have time to respond before he was pulled into an embrace. “Gods, Arthur. You could have burned right along with me. How could you be sure I’d be able to get us out?” He was already sobbing, the words forcing themselves around hiccupped breaths.
“I couldn’t. I didn’t want to lose you, Merlin. Gods above I was desperate!” Arthur couldn’t keep his voice level, crushing the warlock to his chest with the force of his relief. “You don’t know what losing you would do to me, Merlin. I wouldn’t be the same. I would never have been able to go on.” He knew it, deep in his heart. He knew for a fact that if Merlin had died, he would have died with him, physically or otherwise.
“You bloody idiot.” Merlin sighed, finally seeming to get in control of himself, but his arms squeezed around the prince, holding them together. Arthur could feel the warlock’s heart hammering in his chest, they were so close. Merlin was silent for a long time, simply holding him, face buried in Arthur’s neck.
“..Thank you, for saving my life. I didn’t want to die.” His fingers curled into Arthur’s shirt, and Arthur let himself finally relax, pressing a kiss to the soft skin just in front of Merlin’s ear.
“I would do it a thousand times over.” He promised, only then realizing he was shaking.
Merlin finally pulled away from him, looking out around the field they’d found themselves in. There was a sheer cliff not far, and a forest beyond.
“I have no idea where we are.” He mumbled, brows knitting together as he tried to find something, anything, that might be a landmark. Arthur turned to look as well, not quite as concerned as Merlin that they were lost. They were out of Camelot, and that was all he cared about. He squinted into the distance, a mountain range beyond the cliff catching his eye.
“I think… I know where we are. We’re west of Cadian.” It was a kingdom Arthur was only minutely familiar with. He’d passed it once on a diplomatic journey with his father to another kingdom far north of Camelot when he was a boy. They were very far from home.
“We have to go back, Arthur.” Merlin said, frowning deeply. Arthur turned to look at him so quickly he heard his neck pop.
“Are you mad? We’ve only just escaped! You’ll be executed the second we walk through the gate!” He couldn’t keep the anger out of his voice, his hands curling into fists and only then reminding him that they were burned – quite badly, from the feel of it.
“You can’t abandon your kingdom, Arthur. Not for me, not for anything. Your people need you. You’re the—”
“The Once and Future King, yes, as you’ve bloody mentioned. I won’t do it. I won’t…” He trailed off and grit his teeth, staring down at his feet and feeling for all the world as though he was being sentenced, himself.
“Arthur, look at me.” Merlin had stepped closer to him, and Arthur just barely managed to peek into the softness of his eyes. “We will figure something out. But you can’t run from your destiny. We’ve come too far for that.”
“Destiny can eat rocks.” Arthur grumbled, the fight leaving him. He winced as he uncurled his hands, and Merlin reached down to take them, turning them palm-up so he could inspect the burns. “We should take care of this. Let’s find some water to clean them and I’ll try to see if I can heal them.” They both knew Merlin was rubbish at healing magic, but Arthur let it slide and turned to follow the warlock into the forest.
The sun was high in the sky by the time they’d built camp. Merlin had assembled the beginnings of a fire, not bothering to light it as the air was still warm and the day was still relatively young. They’d found a stream to drink from and clean Arthur’s hands. Merlin had tried a few different healing spells, and while the burns weren’t completely gone, they were greatly diminished.
They sat side by side on a fallen log, the silence thick with tension between them. They’d argued twice more about returning to Camelot. Merlin was refusing to budge on the matter.
It felt like at least an hour later before Arthur grumbled something about finding food. Merlin followed him into the forest, his hunger outweighing his hatred for hunting for once. He’d barely eaten in the dungeons. There was no need to feed a man who’d be dead soon.
They found a few squirrels, and Merlin used his magic to kill them with whispered apologies. Arthur couldn’t bring himself to tease him for it, the air heavy around them as they returned to camp. Soon, the fire was lit, and the squirrels were roasting merrily above them on a skewer.
The flames sizzled and popped as fat dripped down from the meat, and Merlin’s stomach grumbled loud enough to tug a small chuckle from the prince’s lips.
“Starving, are you?” He asked, unable to help himself. Merlin offered a small grin. “Perhaps.” He answered, leaning his head sideways onto Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur turned to press a kiss into his hair. “Don’t worry. They’ll be done soon enough.” He promised, linking their hands together now that it didn’t burn horribly to do so. Merlin gave his fingers a squeeze and sighed.
They’d have to find a town, and soon. They couldn’t survive in the wilderness forever, much as Arthur was loath to admit it, and he’d finally agreed to go back to Camelot when Merlin insisted he’d find a way to make sure he could return with him, however that may have been.
They sat in the now comfortable silence until their lunch was finished cooking, and Arthur gave Merlin the bigger pieces. The warlock tore into it, fingers shiny from the greasy meat and indecent noises falling from his lips. Arthur watched him, unable to stop the love-struck smile he knew he was wearing. Hours ago he’d been sure he was going to lose the man beside him, and the sight of him alive and quite happily enjoying his food was enough to put the prince’s heart at ease.
Between the two of them, they would figure it out. They had to.
#Merthur#merlin#fanfiction#this is probably gonna be several chapters long smh#idk why i do this to myself lmfaooo#arthur pendragon#should REALLY do some classwork now rip#but this has been living rent free in my head for about a WEEK#writing
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Writer's Month 2022, Day 21: "Pain"/"Lost Heir"
Original fiction/Arthurian adaptation
Word count: 932
Summary: Arthur and Kay, right after that whole "Sword in the Stone" incident.
Author's notes: Sort-of sequel to yesterday's entry.
Kay's stared down at the sword in his hand, his mouth opening and closing like a drowning fish. His brain didn't seem to be working right. He was only vaguely aware of his father's questions or his brother's stammering attempts to reply.
"Hey! You there."
Some guards was coming. Kay looked up, blinking owlishly. The guards stopped and stared.
"Is that the sword from the stone?" the leader asked in an awed tone.
Arthur and their father stared at Kay, who stared from the guard to the sword and back again.
"Yes?" he said, his voice oddly highly.
"And you pulled it out?"
"Yes. I mean―"
Kay was still in a state of shock. He turned to Arthur, and Ector, still unsure of this whole situation, did the same. The younger boy swallowed and stepped forward.
"Please, sir―I took it out. For my brother. He needed a sword for the competition, and...um..."
He trailed, though he remained standing very straight, looking the lead guard square in the eye.
People around them were starting to stare and murmur. One of the other guards glanced around, then motioned for them to follow. "Come this way. Please."
They led them back toward the churchyard. Kay sucked in a breath when he saw the stone with the anvil on top. No sword. He looked down and was surprised to see that he was still holding it. He glanced up at Arthur, but he was walking in front of him, so Kay couldn't see his face.
There was a crowd marveling at the empty anvil, and the chatter increased as the group approached. Kay saw people staring at him. He went red when he realized―he was holding the sword, so everyone thought...but it wasn't him, it was Arthur, Arthur who had somehow...
"Stay back! Stay back!" one of the guards said as the crowd pressed closer. Another had run off, and now returned with a man dressed in very expensive clothes and jewelry. He was probably an advisor or a minor king or something ridiculously important like that.
"Please put the sword back in the anvil," this important man said to Kay.
"Put it―back?"
"Yes."
Kay looked down. There was a thin crack in the anvil. The blade slid in easily.
"Now. Try to take it out again."
Kay pulled.
It should have come out easily. But as Kay heaved, straining the muscles in his arms and chest, the sword remained as stuck as if he had been trying to uproot a massive oak. Finally he gave up, stumbling back and panting.
The man turned to Arthur. "Are you the young man who pulled it out before?"
He swallowed. "Yes, sir."
"Please try to do it again."
Arthur hesitated. He put his hands around the pommel, pursed his lips―and pulled.
Arthur was several inches shorter and quite a bit scrawnier than Kay. And yet, the sword slid out without any trouble.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Ector covered his mouth with his hand. Arthur looked pale. Kay just kept staring.
The important man exhaled. Then, quietly, he asked, "What is your name, my boy?"
"Arthur, sir. Son of―Sir Ector," he added, nodding at his father.
The man raised his hands and called to the crowd. "I present to you! The new High King, Arthur, son of King Uther Pendragon!"
"No―" Arthur began, but suddenly there was too much noise, and the man and the surrounding guards knelt before him.
Kay felt his father's hand on his arm.
"Kay. Kneel."
He stared. "To Arthur?" he asked, barely able to hear his own voice over the racket.
Sir Ector pulled him down with him, and Kay, as if lost in a dream, knelt with his father in front of his younger brother.
Arthur regarded this with a look of horror. "Father! Kay! What are you doing?!"
"Arthur," Ector said thickly, his head down. He took a deep breath. "I never lied. When I said I did not know your parentage―"
"Father, stop!"
"I never expected that it could be―Arthur." He swallowed. "My king."
"Father, stop it!" Arthur screamed, as if he didn't notice the chattering crowd or the people swarming into the churchyard or the presence of any other kneeling people. "It's too horrible, please just―get up or―"
His face scrunched up, and the fifteen-year-old king began to cry like a little boy.
Finally, Kay's brain seemed to jolt back to reality. And instantly, without even thinking about it, he jumped back to his feet and grabbed his little brother by the arms.
"Arthur! You stop it, right now!"
He heard his father cry out his name, but Kay's gaze was on Arthur, whose face immediately froze.
"You baby! Stop crying!" He snorted. "You think I want my squire bawling in front of all these people? And you're about to become a king, Arthur! A king!"
One of the guards grabbed Kay's hand in a steel grip and retched it from Arthur's arm. The brothers stumbled back from each other. For a moment Arthur looked dazed, his lip still trembling. But then he gave a little nod, biting that lip as his eyes became misty yet hard.
The next thing Kay knew, he and Sir Ector were being led in one direction, Arthur in another. He turned and looked back at him. Their gazes met for a few seconds, and then the crowd intervened between them.
Within the next hour, everyone in Londinium would be celebrating the discovery of King Uther's lost heir. But Kay had a horrible fear that he had lost his little brother in the process.
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Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story)
Chapter 30: The Fires of Idirsholas
Masterlist
Amelia's POV
Arthur and Merlin leave Camelot with a bunch of Knights to go search Idirsholas after smoke was seen rising from the Citadel, a Citadel that hasn't been entered in 300 years. Considering the legend is that when the fires of Idirsholas burn, the Knights of Medhir will ride again, it's a cause for worry.
Morgana had found a little box on her window ledge, with a note placed inside to which she shows Amelia as it is addressed to the two of them. Amelia quickly reads it when given to her.
"My dearest Morgana and Amelia, Meet me tonight after sundown in the woods outside the Castle gates. I will wait for you both by the marked and distinctive oak trees. Until then, keep well."
"Who do you think this is?" Amelia asks Morgana.
"I do not know but perhaps we should have a look?" The woman suggests.
"But this could be anyone! We do not know if this is safe!" Amelia argues. The "My dearest" might imply well but they have no idea if this is a trap or not.
"But it could be important. We have to take this chance!" Morgana insists.
"Fine, I'm going but only to keep an eye on you," Amelia replies. Morgana sends her an amused smirk.
——
Amelia and Morgana sneak out of the Castle at night to meet the mysterious stranger in the woods. They reach the spot, look around and it is only when Amelia turns around does she see Morgause standing there. Amelia relaxes at the sight of her other sister despite not knowing her well.
"Morgause," She breathes.
"You both look well," Morgause says with a smile, walking over to them and taking one hand from both of them to hold in hers.
Amelia smiles at her. "Thanks to you." She touches the enchanted bracelet Morgause gave her and sees Morgana do the same for her own. Amelia feels incredibly grateful to Morgause. "We wear them all the time. We can't remember when we last had a bad dream."
"Neither of you seem happy. Why is that?" Morgause questions concerned.
"I would be if we didn't have to pretend," Morgana replies.
"Pretend?"
"That I'm Uther's loving ward when I hate him," Morgana says, her tone full of venom. While Amelia agrees with her, the amount of hatred in Morgana's tone shocks her.
"What about you Amelia?" Morgause asks worriedly.
"His actions have been despicable," Amelia replies. She doesn't respond with the same strength as Morgana as she is still curious about what Morgause has to say.
Morgause walks around them, causing the two of them to turn. "Have you ever imagined a new world, Morgana, Amelia? One where Uther was no more?"
"Sometimes," Amelia replies. Of course she had but she's unsure because of all she has done with Merlin and Anne, keeping Uther alive until Arthur is ready, which isn't yet despite her anger at Uther.
"And is that what both of you would like?"
"I once had the chance to be his assassin," Morgana admits instead. Amelia feels the anger build up inside her because of the memory of Gwen's father's murder.
"And what stopped you?" Morgause asks curiously.
"I don't know. I believe he cared for me. But not anymore. He cares for no one."
"So, you want Uther destroyed and his reign to end?"
"Perhaps," Amelia replies. The whole conversation is making her nervous. "But it doesn't matter what we want. The future's not of our making." She is trying to waylay Morgause a bit.
"You are wrong, Amelia. You underestimate your importance." Morgause circles round them again, causing them to turn, as she speaks. "The decisions you make now will change the shape of everything that is to come."
"What do you mean?" Amelia asks. Suppose she's right about the decisions she makes. Maybe Amelia is being too cowardly – not doing enough. Alvarr had shown her that she needs to do more than she has. This waiting is harming everyone.
"Whose side are you on, Morgana, Amelia? Are you with Uther? Or are you with me? Are you both prepared to help me bring about his downfall?" Morgause asks. Amelia feels panicked at the strong declaration. Is she?
"We are." Morgana declares. Amelia is alarmed as she doesn't know what Morgana has just agreed to for them. Shouldn't they know the plan first?
"I can't tell you how much it means to hear you say that." Morgause puts her hands on their cheeks then her eyes glow. What hold—
It goes dark before Amelia can finish the thought.
——
The next morning, Amelia finds herself waking up in her bed. She looks around confused, wondering how she got here last night.
"Amelia?" She's startled by Anne's voice and looks up to see said woman standing by the bed.
"Yes?" Amelia can't remember how she got here though but sees she's dressed for bed and the sheets are creased from her sleeping in them.
"Did you sleep well?" Anne asks through a big yawn.
"Yes," Amelia mutters, still trying to piece together what she last remembers. She notices Anne yawning. "Better than you, by the looks of it."
"Sorry." Anne sighs. "Let's get you dressed." She walks away to the wardrobe.
——
Throughout the day, Anne just keeps on getting worse, so Amelia sends her off to Gaius despite her protests.
But for the rest of the day, the entire Kingdom begins to fall asleep. The Knights, the Guards, the servants, Gwen, Anne, Gaius and Uther. Amelia and Morgana are the only ones awake.
Morgana paces worriedly in Amelia's Chambers. "What are we going to do, Amelia?"
Amelia is staring out her window before turning to Morgana. "I don't know. I just- I don't know."
"There must be something we can do!" Morgana exclaims.
"There's still Arthur and Merlin. As well as all the Knights they took with them, maybe they'll be able to help." Amelia suggests.
Morgana nods with a sigh. "I feel so useless."
"Me too." Amelia feels it even more so as she can no longer get hints on what is going to happen.
There is a sudden noise coming from the hallway, and they both stiffen.
"Amelia...?" Morgana quietly murmurs.
"Quick behind the curtain." Amelia grabs a sword and they quickly hide. Two people enter from what Amelia can hear and she tightens her grip on the sword, ready to jump out and surprise them.
Amelia hears someone stepping closer to where they are hiding and she takes her chance and jumps out, swinging the sword, which makes contact with another. Amelia gapes when she realises who's in front of her.
"Arthur!" She yelps, dropping her sword.
"Amelia!" Arthur exclaims, sheathing his sword.
"Arthur?" Morgana says as she steps out from behind the curtain.
"Morgana?" He asks, frowning in confusion.
"Merlin!" Merlin calls out causing the other three to stare at him. Amelia feels herself smile a little.
Arthur shakes his head at him before turning to the two women. "What's happened?"
"People were complaining, saying they weren't feeling well." Amelia answers. "And then, for whatever reason, they started falling asleep. Everyone, everywhere we went."
"Was someone here?" He asks. Morgana and Amelia shake their heads.
"Then why were you hiding?"
"We didn't know who you were," Morgana replies.
"Where's my father?" Arthur demands.
"We don't know."
"She's right when everyone was falling asleep, we hid," Amelia adds. She doesn't like how demanding Arthur is being.
"But both of you were awake, you must have seen something," Arthur argues.
"We told you we didn't see anything. We were in here!" Amelia counters.
"You saw people getting sick, what did you do?"
"What could we do?!" Morgana exclaims.
"I don't understand. Why is it that you two are the only people awake?" Arthur says.
"How are we to know?" Amelia retorts. "Trust us, Arthur, we have no idea what's going on here either."
Arthur hesitates then nods. "We need to find my father." They all nod and follow him out of the room.
——
Arthur, Merlin, Amelia and Morgana walk down the Upper Corridor.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything," Merlin says once Arthur is far enough ahead.
"About what?" Morgana asks.
"The illness."
"What's that got to do with us? We haven't done anything." Amelia wonders.
"No, of course not, but you both have magic."
"You haven't told anyone that!" Morgana panics. The three of them stop still. Amelia hopes he hasn't considering she's kept his secret for so long.
"No, and I won't tell Arthur, but..." Merlin insists. "...there must be something keeping you two safe, and I think that must be it."
Amelia frowns. No that doesn't make any sense. "But—"
"I found him!" Arthur's distant voice yells.
——
They burst into Uther's Chambers to find Arthur lifting his father from his slumped position over the table. Amelia isn't surprised to see that the man tried to work despite feeling unwell.
Arthur nudges his face. "Father."
"See, he's all right," Merlin says.
Arthur grabs both of Uther's cheeks in one hand and points it at the rest of them. "He is not "all right"." In any other situation, Amelia would find this hilarious.
"He's just asleep," Merlin argues as Arthur rolls his eyes as he lets his father go and Uther slumps on the table once more. "All we have to do is find the cure. A way to wake them."
"Who could have done this?" Arthur mutters before turning to the two sisters who had not spoken. "Amelia, Morgana, you're the only ones who've not been affected. There must be a reason."
Amelia and Morgana glance at each other before looking at Merlin for help but he just stares back. Amelia honestly doesn't know what is going on. She suspects it is not their magic but she also has no idea what's going on and doesn't know what to say.
Morgana also looks panicked. "...I don't know."
"That's all you keep saying!" Arthur exclaims, walking over to the two of them. "You must know something!"
"Arthur, we told you, they just fell asleep one by one!" Amelia cries. Why do they have to know something?!
"It's obvious." Merlin buts in, they all turn to look at him. "When they started feeling sick, Gaius gave them a potion, right?" Amelia looks at him confused.
"When were they sick? They never said that." Arthur replies.
"They were one of the first ones to be affected. Somehow the potion must have helped." Merlin continues.
"What about everyone else?" Merlin struggles to answer as Amelia and Morgana look on in desperation.
"By then Gaius was too ill. He didn't have a chance to treat anyone else." Merlin answers. Amelia feels relieved.
"Go and see if you can find this potion." Arthur orders. Amelia can't believe he fell for Merlin's lie. "I'll search for signs of life in the Lower Town." Amelia watches as Merlin leaves, hopefully he'll check his magic books for an answer. "Morgana, Amelia, you stay here. You look after my father. Keep him safe. Here." Arthur hands Morgana a sword as Amelia still holds hers. "Protect him with your life, you understand?" The two nod and Arthur leaves.
The two women sit in silence, too shaken about what is happening to talk. Amelia notes how ironic this is, them being left with Uther after declaring they want him gone.
——
Merlin and Arthur burst into Uther's Chambers after a while. Amelia and Morgana have not moved nor spoken since they left, too lost in their own thoughts.
"This will be one of the first places they look. We have to get him somewhere else." Arthur says.
"What's going on?" Morgana asks.
"We're under attack." Arthur grabs Uther under his arms and drags out of his chair. Oh no, they're far too vulnerable right now. "No time to explain. Grab his legs, carry him." Merlin grabs Uther's legs to carry him but Uther is still half on the floor. "You're not meant to be sweeping the floor with him! Pick his feet up!"
"His feet aren't the problem." Merlin retorts.
"Morgana, give him a hand. Amelia, you be the lookout." Arthur tells them. Morgana puts her sword down and grabs another one of Uther's legs and Amelia holds up her sword, taking a deep breath.
They manage to get him out into the corridor with Amelia leading them. Uther is snoring and Merlin must have an amused look on his face or something as Arthur tells him, "It is not funny, Merlin. Did you find the potion Morgana and Amelia took?"
Amelia tenses as Merlin replies, "Er... no."
——
Amelia opens the door to Arthur's Chambers and holds it open for Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana to drag Uther into the room. Merlin and Morgana drop his legs and Amelia shuts the door.
"We can't leave him here! We have to lift him onto the bed." Arthur declares as he still holds his father's arms.
"He's fine, he's asleep so who's going to know?" Amelia remarks.
"Amelia!"
"Well... I'll get him a pillow." Merlin darts to the bed.
"He's the King!" Arthur exclaims.
"All right. Two pillows." Arthur drops Uther's arms in annoyance.
Amelia tries not to laugh but when Arthur staggers as he stands up after he and Merlin have put pillows under Uther's head, Amelia feels dread pool in the bottom of her stomach as she watches them as Merlin looks no better.
"You alright?" Merlin asks Arthur.
"Are you feeling the same?" Arthur wonders.
"We're getting sick," Merlin concludes. If Merlin is sick then his summary that magic is what is keeping them safe doesn't hold up. What is keeping Amelia and Morgana safe?
"We can't let that happen." Arthur declares. "We must keep my father hidden."
"Why don't we disguise him?" Merlin suggests.
"That might just work."
"We could dress him as a woman."
Arthur frowns. "That, on the other hand..."
"I don't know, I think he'd look quite fetching." Amelia tries to joke. She gets a raised eyebrow from Arthur and a small smile from the others.
"We could dress him as a servant," Merlin suggests then.
"That's better," Arthur says.
"I'll get him some clothes." Merlin leaves the room. Amelia watches him worriedly but knows he has his magic to protect him.
"Are you alright, Morgana? You seem quiet." Arthur says. Amelia had noticed this as well but to be honest, can't blame her.
"I'm fine." Morgana replies but Amelia can tell she doesn't mean it.
"You sure? I can always tell when you're lying." Arthur replies. "Don't worry. I won't let any harm come to him." He is right that Morgana is not okay but Amelia knows that it isn't because she's worried about Uther.
——
Merlin's POV
Merlin hides from the undead Knights wandering through the Castle. He goes down to the Dragon's Cave, hoping he'll provide some answers to what is going on.
"What's going on?! Why is everyone asleep?!" Merlin demands. The Dragon is curled up on his rock and is snoring. "Please not you as well. I need your help! What am I going to do?!" It clicks then that it's all a pretence. "Don't pretend. I know you're listening to me."
The Dragon sits up yawning. "I don't need to listen to you, Merlin. You always say the same thing: "Help me". And yet you refuse to give anything in return. Now you will face the consequence of that decision. Camelot's end is nigh, and there's nothing you can do about it."
It takes Merlin swearing on his mother's life for the Dragon to agree to help him.
"It is one thing to cast a spell that puts everyone to sleep. The power to maintain it is a very different matter. It will need more than just words to break this enchantment." The Dragon explains.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks desperately.
"You must eradicate the source, Merlin."
"Great. What is that?"
"Not 'what', but who," The Dragon reveals. "Such spells need a vessel. A constant living presence to give them strength. The source of this pestilence is the Seer, the Lady Amelia."
Merlin's stomach drops all the way to the floor. "It can't be. Amelia would never harm Camelot."
"That is true." The Dragon agrees. "But she is easily influenced, a strong loyalty to the Lady Morgana. She has been tricked into becoming the vessel for this spell, yet she is unaware of it."
"Well, how do I stop her?" Merlin asks, fear creeping up inside of him.
"That is easy, young warlock." The Dragon answers. "You must kill her."
Merlin steps back as if the words had burned him. "No! I won't!"
"The spell is woven with magic of such power that even you are not immune," The Dragon warns. "You must act now, before it's too late."
"I cannot do that to her," Merlin says fiercely. "I won't!"
"I understand she's your friend, young warlock. But all of Camelot is not worth it." The Dragon replies.
"She's also Anne's friend and I cannot do that to her!" Merlin cries. "You said it yourself, she didn't do this intentionally, she was tricked! Does she deserve to die for it?"
"No, she does not. But the action has already been taken, it is too late. If you do not stop her, then Camelot will fall and Arthur will die. And the future you were destined to share, will die with you." The Dragon argues.
"But you said that Amelia is on two paths!" Merlin tries again, anything to dispel the horrible truth that he will not let himself agree to. "This cannot mean that she's become dark for certain."
"How do you know that this isn't where her destiny is supposed to end?" The Dragon asks. "You must do it, young warlock. For your sake, her sake, and Camelot's."
——
Amelia's POV
After a while, Arthur leaves the room in search of Merlin. Morgana begins to look tired.
"Morgana, are you alright?" Amelia asks concerned.
"I feel a bit tired, it's nothing." Morgana dismisses as she sits down.
Amelia frowns. She still feels fine and how did it take Morgana so long to be affected? But Morgana could be tired from dragging Uther around, which Amelia hasn't been doing.
Nothing else is said until Merlin re-enters on his own with a bag.
"We were worried about you," Morgana says to him
"They're here! They're in the Castle!" Merlin tells them as he runs over to Uther.
"Where's Arthur?"
"Gone to find somewhere safe to move to." Amelia doesn't like the fact that Merlin isn't looking directly at either of them.
"Thank you for not saying anything to him," Amelia says, hoping he'll look at her. His attitude is unnerving her.
"It's all right." Merlin dismisses without looking at them, focusing on what he is doing.
"You're a good friend," Amelia adds. Merlin eventually turns then and Amelia is unsure on how to interrupt his expression.
Arthur enters and runs over to grab his father. "We have to move my father before Morgause gets here." Merlin joins him.
Amelia's eyes widen and Morgana gasps, "Morgause!" The two share a glance and the both of them come to the same conclusion.
"Come on! Let's go!" Arthur urges, snapping them out of it. Morgana grabs the other leg and Amelia opens the door, sword in hand.
"Neither of you are surprised?" She hears Merlin ask Morgana. Amelia doesn't like the accusation.
"No, we are." Morgana quickly answers.
Amelia is worried. Was all of this part of Morgause's plan? They had said they'd be on Morgause's side so that's probably why they had not been affected before though Amelia doesn't understand that while Morgana has begun to feel the effects, Amelia hasn't. None of it is what she wants. She doesn't want Arthur, Gwen, Anne, Gaius or Merlin harmed.
——
"Should be safe in here for a while," Arthur says as they drag Uther into a servant's Chamber.
They drop Uther on the low bed. Merlin and Arthur sit down looking even more exhausted. Morgana slumps on the bed feeling tired but looks way more alert and okay and Amelia stands at the window unaffected by the spell.
"Must be the potion Gaius gave them."Arthur comments.
"Yeah, must be the potion." Merlin agrees but there's something in his tone that rubs Amelia the wrong way.
"We can't keep this up much longer." Arthur points out.
"I know." Merlin agrees. "Wait. We're in a servant's quarters. If we leave him here, they'll just think he's a servant."
"Not if Morgause sees him. We need to get him out of Camelot." Arthur corrects.
"When we arrived, there was a cart in the Main Square, remember?" Merlin says to Arthur.
"You are full of good ideas today, Merlin." Arthur pats Merlin on the shoulder. "You go and look."
Merlin looks reluctant but goes. Amelia, Morgana and Arthur fashion a sledge out of the sheets to try and move Uther better.
"They're closing in! We won't make it to the cart, not carrying Uther." Merlin announces as he runs back in.
"That's why we've made this. We're gonna pull him." Arthur declares, gesturing to the sledge that Uther now lies on. Arthur peeks out of the servant's Chamber to check the coast is clear, but runs back drawing his sword and hides behind a column. "Get down. Keep quiet."
Amelia, Merlin and Morgana hide behind another column. An undead Knight enters and Arthur attacks.
"Protect the King! Get him out of here!" Arthur cries.
Merlin and Morgana drag Uther out of the room and down the Upper Corridor with Amelia following them with a sword in her hand. Amelia sees an undead Knight pursuing them.
"Come on!" Amelia urges but then Morgana trips and falls.
"Amelia! Merlin!" Morgana yells fearfully.
"Keep going," Amelia tells Merlin, which he does and she rushes forward to protect Morgana, who is able to get away and follows Merlin, but Amelia gets disarmed and knocked down.
Amelia watches frightened as the Knight goes to strike her. She screams and cowers on the floor. The undead Knight stops and looks at her as if trying to recognise her, then goes after Merlin and Morgana. Amelia gapes after it in surprise. Why didn't it kill her? What has Morgause done?
Arthur then appears. "What are you doing, Amelia? Come on."
Amelia lets Arthur pull her up and they head after Merlin, Morgana and the Knight. They had pulled Uther into the Red Ribbon Corridor but the Knight has caught up with them. Arthur jumps in to fight it and kicks the Knight down a spiral set of stairs.
——
They dart into the Council Chambers.
"Merlin, help me." Arthur orders. Merlin and Arthur bar the door but slump on the door and Amelia can also see that Morgana is sitting on the floor tired. "Amelia, Morgana, we need the remedy that Gaius gave you. Amelia. Morgana."
"We don't have it." Morgana insists wearily.
"I know that, but you must remember what it was, what was in it?" Arthur pleads. Amelia looks to Merlin but he seems to refuse to look at her.
"Arthur—" Amelia starts.
"Come on, Amelia, Morgana! We can't keep going much longer! Think!"
"I'm sorry! I..." Morgana stumbles.
Finally, Merlin helps them. "It doesn't matter. We can't get it now anyway, we're trapped."
"Also, if you can't tell already but Morgana is exhausted so clearly it isn't a long term solution or it doesn't work on everybody," Amelia argues. Honestly, she's confused as to why it's only her that is unaffected.
"There has to be something we can do!" Arthur cries in frustration, walking away.
Merlin walks over to Amelia, gasping, "I saw what happened with that Knight. Why didn't it kill you?"
"How am I supposed to know, Merlin?" Amelia snaps getting fed up with his attitude. "I do not know what's going on here!"
Merlin reluctantly nods.
"Unless we can rid ourselves of this sickness, then I don't see how we're going to hold out," Arthur says, wandering back over to them.
"We have to destroy the source of the magic," Merlin tells them.
"Which is?"
Amelia thinks Merlin looks at her then but she can't be sure before he turns to everyone and says, "I don't know."
"Our only chance is to get out of Camelot." Arthur declares. "Help me with my father."
Amelia nudges Morgana. "Morgana, they need our help."
"I can't, Amelia. I—" Morgana looks incredibly exhausted and looks a second away from dropping off.
"You stay here," Amelia reassures.
"Amelia!" Arthur yells. Amelia goes over to him and the two of them drag Uther closer to his usual seat, away from the door.
"You cut the blanket up with Merlin as Morgana won't be any help. We'll tie it to my father, and we'll lower him onto the cart." Arthur instructs before walking away.
"Arthur..."
"Amelia, please just do as I say." Arthur drags Merlin over to the door. "I'll fetch the cart 'round to the window." They both slump against the door.
"You're going out there? I'll come with you." Merlin argues.
"No. No, you stay. You protect my father." Arthur protests though he looks like he doesn't have the strength to.
"You won't reach the cart alone. It's suicide." Merlin argues, not looking much better.
"We have no choice." Arthur declares.
Merlin slumps even more. "How you feeling?"
"Not bad." Lie.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, you?"
"Never better."
"Get me a pillow, could you," Arthur mumbles, eyes closed.
"Don't mess around. Arthur you... Arthur? You need to stay awake." Merlin smacks him.
It wasn't the nicest way to wake him up but it works and Arthur straightens up and pulls away from the door yelling, "Merlin!"
"That's better!"
"If you ever do that again..." Arthur threatens.
"Well, don't fall asleep, then!" Merlin counters.
Arthur takes the water skin from Merlin and splashes his face with it. Amelia flinches as the undead Knights growl outside the door.
"That your knees again?" Arthur remarks, an inside joke that Amelia doesn't understand. Arthur and Merlin unbar the door. Merlin holds onto the plank of wood.
"If I need a servant in the next life..." Arthur starts as he leans against the door, gathering his strength.
"Don't ask me." Merlin finishes. Amelia can't help but smile at the two of them.
"Ha-ha!" Arthur draws his sword and jumps out into the corridor. Merlin re-bars the door.
"He's not going to survive out there." Amelia unnecessarily warns tearfully.
"I know," Merlin says, not looking at her.
"We've got to do something Merlin!" Amelia protests. "What good are we in here?!"
He looks at her then. "I know."
"Can't you do anything?" Amelia asks him pointedly as he walks past her to where Uther lies.
"No, I can't." Merlin glances at Morgana. Amelia follows his gaze and sees that Morgana looks like she's fully falling asleep.
"Morgana!" Amelia cries. She runs over to her and shakes her.
"I'm awake," Morgana mumbles sitting up.
"Please I cannot lose you," Amelia says.
Morgana holds her hand. "You won't."
Merlin tosses them Uther's dragging cloth. "Here. You tear this up. I'll make some rope."
Amelia nods as she begins to do what he says and hands some to Morgana to hopefully keep her awake. Amelia is panicked and afraid of what's happening. She really wishes she hadn't been dragged into this.
She's snapped out of her thoughts by Merlin offering her the water skin. "Here, have some water."
Amelia shakes her head. "I'm not thirsty."
"If we get out of here, you may not get another chance to drink." Merlin insists.
Why is he urging her so much? Oh god, she remembers now what her notes said when she once dared to peep further, Merlin's actions had triggered the memory. Didn't it say that Merlin poisoned Morgana because she's the source of the sleep spell? But this time it can't be Morgana, not with how drowsy she now is so it has to be Amelia. She's the source. Amelia shakes the thoughts from her head. It can't be true.
"If we get out of here," Morgana mutters drowsily.
Arthur's yelling draws their attention. Amelia winces at the sound. Merlin goes over to the door, handing her the waterskin, but she puts it down as if it is on fire. Merlin checks the door and comes back and picks up the water skin. He turns his back and pretends to drink.
He offers it to Amelia again. "Here."
"I'm fine." She really doesn't want to be poisoned.
"No, you have some before I finish it." Merlin insists. She looks at him and realises maybe she has to, to save her friends, her family. Amelia feels like all of this is her fault.
She steels herself and sighs. "Thank you."
Merlin turns away as if he can't watch and she doesn't blame him. Amelia takes the water skin and drinks. At first, she feels fine as she puts the cap back on the water skin and quickly casts it aside then goes back to ripping and tying the fabric. Then the burning starts. It starts at the back of Amelia's throat but quickly escalates. She coughs slightly as if to get rid of it but it doesn't, it makes it worse. Merlin turns around as she rubs at her throat like she's trying to claw it out. Amelia keeps coughing but it leads her to start gasping for air as her airways start closing. Morgana notices something's wrong.
"Amelia? Amelia! What have you done to her?!" Morgana drags herself to Amelia, holding her, rocking her back and forth as the flames inch their way closer to Amelia's heart. Tears escape her eyes; her face goes red and her eyes widen as if she's shocked.
Merlin falls to his knees and tries to hold Amelia as she struggles to breathe but Morgana pushes him away. "How could you do this?! Why?!" Amelia wants to tell Morgana that she knows why and that she understands why Merlin is doing this. She can't blame him for trying to save everyone. She wishes she can say all of this but she can't speak.
The Council Chamber doors are blown open and Morgause rushes to Amelia and Morgana, taking Amelia from Morgana's arms to assess her.
"What has he done to you?" Morgause asks worriedly, stroking the long brown hair away from Amelia's face. She has her eyes partially closed, so it looks like she is passed out already.
"I had to." Merlin gasps out.
"No, he did not! He poisoned her!" Morgana snaps, trying to stand.
"Ssh Morgana. Try and reserve your strength." Morgause urges.
"You gave me no choice." Merlin declares as he stands.
"Tell me what you used and I can save her." Morgause urgently demands. Amelia wants to scoff. It's Morgause's fault she's in this situation!
"First, stop the attack!" Merlin proclaims.
"You're nothing but a simple servant! You don't tell me what to do!" Morgause snaps.
"If you want to know what poison it is, you will undo the magic that drives the Knights!" Merlin tells her.
"Tell me the poison or you'll die!" Morgause threatens. Amelia doesn't understand how that'll help.
"Then she'll die with me." Merlin counters.
Morgause doesn't say anything. She just leans her forehead on Amelia's. Amelia tries to say something but instead, it is a gurgled, pained noise as the flames lick her throat.
"I don't want this any more than you, but you give me no choice. Stop the Knights and you can save her." Merlin repeats.
"Please Morgause. You have to save her." Morgana pleads tearfully.
There's a pause before Amelia hears Morgause begin chanting, "Astýre ús þanonweard! Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft."
Merlin hands Morgause a bottle. Amelia then hears a few people burst into the room.
"What have you done with my father?" Arthur demands.
"He's safe!" Merlin says. Sure enough, Amelia hears Uther groaning as he wakes.
"Amelia! Morgana!" Arthur calls.
"Keep away from us!" Morgause snaps. "Morgana stay by me."
"What for?" Morgana asks. Amelia is thinking the same. What's happening now, the Knights have stopped.
Morgause doesn't answer her and instead begins chanting, "Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard!"
There's a huge gust of wind picking up around them. Amelia turns her head with little strength she has left and opens her eyes, looking at Merlin one last time before wind and black surround her, Morgana and Morgause. This sends Amelia into unconsciousness.
——
Amelia wakes up lying in a bed in a room she doesn't recognise. She panics for a moment before she feels a hand stroking her left cheek. Amelia turns her head to see Morgause sitting by her side on the bed.
"It's okay, you're safe now," Morgause reassures.
"Wha—" Amelia tries to sit up.
"Ssh..." But Merlin, he had— oh god...
"You need to reserve your strength, Amelia," Morgause tells her. "You are still recovering."
Then Morgana barges into the room sobbing and flings herself at Amelia. "You're alive. Merlin had almost taken you away from me."
Amelia smiles at her sister. "You cannot get rid of me that easily but you need to let me breathe."
Morgana pulls away. "Of course, but I promise you they will not get away with this." This fills Amelia with dread.
Morgause and Morgana soon leave to let her rest, leaving Amelia with her thoughts. She wonders what's going to happen now that her and Morgana are away from Camelot with Morgause. She knows they'll be searching for them but Amelia also knows that Morgause won't let that happen.
——
A/N: Um, yeah so that happened.
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