Merlin fic: Friends in Need
Title: Friends in need
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Morgana, Gwen, Lancelot
Spoilers: None. This takes place during Arthur’s reign as king. Events of 2x12 did not happen.
Disclaimer: The show Merlin is property of the BBC. No money being made.
Summary: Winter festivities are underway. Merlin has a fondness for turning into furry animals, Arthur tries not to find that endearing, and Morgana takes everything in stride.
But as it always seems to be the case, nothing stays trouble-free for long in Camelot.
And so, when an unfortunate incident happens, Merlin almost pays the price.
Author’s Note: This fic is my merlin_santa gift for ikeepfishinmytv. Apologies for the lateness - I hope you had a great holiday and Happy New Year. :)
~ * ~
Morgana bent down to the ground to pick up the small black puppy that had stopped before her. The dog had been looking up at her with earnest blue eyes.
She carefully positioned the puppy in her arms and she pet the dog’s head, stroking generously behind its ears.
Arthur shook his head, rubbing his brow in consternation. He peered down at the dog who looked all together pleased at the attention it was getting.
“Merlin, I don’t care what Morgana says; you’re doing this on purpose. Don’t think I believe that you’re stuck like this,” Arthur reprimanded him. Morgana only continued to pet Merlin - or puppy Merlin - or whatever you call it, which Arthur didn’t have the time or energy to contemplate.
He gave the Court Seer a pointed look. “Morgana, would you please stop petting him? You’re only making this worse.”
Morgana only moved the dog up to her face, so he could lick her cheek. She cooed at him like Merlin was a small child.
And he wasn’t, Arthur thought in frustration. Merlin was the Court Sorcerer and king’s - Arthur’s --advisor. Such esteemed positions did not warrant Merlin to take far too much amusement in wandering about as a dog - a puppy no less. No matter how adorable he - no, Arthur stopped that line of thought immediately.
Morgana looked to Arthur with a patient look gracing her features. “Oh, Arthur, really. It’s almost the Yuletide, Merlin is just having some fun. Spreading good cheer. I’ll have you know that the servant girls can’t stop talking about him. He has been a joy to have around.”
“Still there is work to be done,” Arthur countered, looking down at puppy Merlin - hoping he would get the message.
Merlin only looked at him like Arthur had lost his mind.
And then he barked.
“Merlin, if I tell you there is a meeting you must attend, will you--”
But then Merlin’s eyes shifted to a gold color and a moment later, Morgana smiled.
She looked to Arthur. “Merlin says that he knows the schedule better than you do. There are no important council meetings today.”
Arthur suppressed a groan. He pointed an accusing finger at the puppy firmly ensconced in the Seer’s arms.
“I know you can talk to me silently, Merlin.”
The puppy’s eyes only glowed golden again and Morgana, who seemed to be enjoying this a little too much, relayed the message back to Arthur. “Merlin said that he’s sorry, but that it’s easier to speak to those who are attuned to magic--especially when he is a dog or any other sort of creature.”
The blonde shook his head. He relented and reached out his hand to lightly pat Merlin on his head, his black fur soft to the touch.
Merlin moved his head against Arthur’s open palm, expressing his pleasure at his stroking as he rubbed against his hand.
They continued walking down the corridor. Arthur bit his tongue every so often when any female servant stopped to pet Merlin and coo at the puppy. Now everyone in Camelot knew full well that Merlin could turn into different animals. Morgana as well, though she preferred to turn into different birds.
But still, that didn’t stop those in Camelot to treat him like he were an actual puppy - momentarily so enchanted by him that they forgot that this creature, this dog, was really a human being (albeit a magical one, but the fact remained).
Arthur had about given up trying to convince them otherwise, and Merlin certainly did nothing to dissuade the citizens of Camelot away from the treatment. Rather, Arthur knew, Merlin liked to make others smile, see the happiness on their faces, as they went over to pet him while he was a furry sort of animal.
Merlin did manage to change into a small dragon at times as well. This transformation was a feat that astounded even Morgana. And, quite frankly, this awed Arthur too, though he never dared to admit that to Merlin. He could just see the smug pride in Merlin’s eyes upon hearing Arthur’s praise. The king preferred to show his appreciation for his sorcerer in less verbose ways at any rate.
But as he watched the attentions that Merlin was receiving, Arthur recalled how recently Merlin had comforted a young daughter of a castle squire. She had been recovering from a terrible sickness. So at least once a day during her recovery, Merlin had become a black kitten to keep the child company as she regained her strength. Arthur had seen them at one of these times, and he had smiled at how the girl’s face visibly brightened as she played with the kitten.
For his part now, Merlin looked rather pleased at the attention as his tail wagged each time someone petted him.
When at last, a brunette maidservant, one of Guinevere’s - if Arthur recalled well -- had moved on past them down the hallway; Arthur turned to Morgana.
“Morgana, I’m sure Merlin can walk. There’s no need to carry him around.”
She just gave him an indulgent look. “Well then how will people pet him? You wouldn’t want them bending down to do so. You should think of others, Arthur. And poor Merlin may get trampled if I set him down.”
Arthur stared at her incredulously. He waved his hand to indicate the area around them. “This isn’t exactly a crowded corridor. Really, Morgana.”
Morgana opened her mouth to give a witty reply, Arthur was sure, when a female servant came up to Morgana and spoke urgently to her.
“My Lady, the Queen is requesting your presence.”
“Did she say why?”
The servant shook her head curtly.
Morgana sighed and she exchanged glances with Arthur. They both hoped that the reason for the request was not a matter of concern - especially during this festive time of year.
She handed the puppy over to him.
“You take Merlin. I’ll go check on Gwen.”
“Report back to me if there is anything troubling, Morgana,” Arthur directed her.
Morgana nodded in agreement and then she left them - heading in the direction of Gwen’s chambers. The servant followed in her wake.
~ * ~
Once Arthur had reached his chambers, he set Merlin on the ground and stared down at him.
“If I have to persuade you to change back--” He warned.
Despite repeated attempts to get Merlin to turn back into a human, Arthur had fought a losing battle.
The puppy barked at him. Then he walked around in a small circle as if he were marking a spot to sleep upon.
Before Arthur contemplated throwing a pillow at him, Merlin finally relented and he changed back into his normal, human self - big ears, open smile, blue eyes and all.
Merlin spread his arms wide, his deep blue robes hanging off of his arms. “Are you satisfied, Your Majesty?”
Arthur narrowed his eyes at him. He wagged his finger at him. “You were having me on, weren’t you?”
Merlin’s smile was tight-lipped, but Arthur could see his lips quirking up into an amused smile and his eyes twinkled mischievously.
Merlin shook his head. He schooled his features into an innocent expression. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Arthur.”
The king was not fooled.
“Oh, I know you too well, Merlin.”
“Well, I admit that I did find some enjoyment out of it…”
“Merlin…” he said slowly, the warning tone clear.
“…Arthur?” He responded cheekily, a grin on his face.
Arthur approached him until he had backed Merlin up against the wall. “Would you like me to punish you for teasing me in such a way, Merlin?”
With feigned unease, Merlin eyed Arthur’s hands now placed on either side of his head.
“Not particularly, no…” Merlin replied, grinning at him - completely unperturbed by his current entrapped position.
Arthur smirked at him and then he leaned toward Merlin, his lips touching Merlin’s - before he moved down to nip at his long, pale neck.
“Gods, Arthur,” Merlin moaned as the blond continued his ministrations.
“There’s some use for you yet,” Arthur said in a heated, soft whisper into Merlin’s ear.
Merlin groaned -- his eyelids fluttering as Arthur moved his hand down until he was cupping Merlin’s crotch, his hand teasing as the material acted as a barrier to skin. Merlin almost couldn’t control himself as he fought to keep steady on his feet, but it was a losing battle.
“These robes are as ridiculous as those neckerchiefs that you were so fond of,” Arthur complained, his blue eyes piercing Merlin’s with want and impatience.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t find use for my neckerchiefs -- because that would be a lie,” Merlin shot back - their usual banter coming out easily for as long as they’ve known each other. It was a familiar constant now.
“Shut up, Merlin,” he retorted before he crashed his lips onto Merlin’s once again.
When they pulled away from each other to breathe, Merlin said, “Morgana’s at your door. She said that she wants to tell us something urgent.”
“Morgana was speaking inside your head while we were snogging?”
“Well, would you rather she knocked and interrupted us?”
Arthur sighed and he conceded grudgingly. “All right. You have a point.”
“You can come in, Morgana,” he said in a louder tone.
Morgana opened the door and came into the room, an anxious look on her face.
Arthur waved a hand toward a chair and Morgana sat down as directed. Her hands were clasped in her lap as if she were trying to keep them from fidgeting.
Merlin remained standing beside Arthur who moved a chair over to sit across from Morgana.
“Morgana, what is it?” Arthur asked.
She looked up, making eye contact with each of them in turn. “We all thought Gwen was recovering after she lost the baby…” Morgana began.
“Yes,” Arthur and Merlin both said in unison.
“But we were wrong. Gwen said that she heard a child crying - sounding quite lost and desperate and in need of help…and she was determined to follow it. I couldn’t stop her. I tried, but Gwen--” Morgana stopped then, replacing a loose strand of hair behind her ear distractedly.
“What happened?” Arthur demanded.
“She left the castle - the noise had come from outside. And in this harsh weather, who knows how long she’ll…” Morgana trailed off, but the words left unspoken were clear.
“I’ll send my knights out after her,” Arthur decided, standing up - ready to do just that.
She shook her head though. “No, that’s not necessary.”
Morgana gave Merlin a significant look.
Before Merlin could say a word, Arthur spoke forcefully, “No. With that sorcerer Obsidian still lurking about--”
Morgana shot back at him, impatient in her frustration. “Arthur, you don’t know how long it’ll take for your knights to find her in this weather. Better to find her by magical means! It’ll be quicker.”
“Then why don’t you go ahead, Morgana? Don’t let me stop you!” He replied in irritation.
“Merlin is better at this sort of thing. And anyway, Gwen can’t have gone far. I’m sure it won’t be any trouble.”
Merlin quickly put his hand over Arthur’s mouth before he could answer. “There is no need to worry. Everything will be fine,” he tried to reassure Arthur.
Arthur only gave him a piercing look in return.
“Of course I’ll help. Gwen is my friend. I want to make sure she’s all right,” Merlin said obligingly, nodding to Morgana. “Are you able to scry for her location, Morgana?”
Morgana nodded in the affirmative.
“I’ll sound the alarm and gather the knights,” Arthur announced, though he still looked unhappy about Merlin’s decision.
He turned to face Merlin and said firmly, “And watch out for Obsidian, Merlin. Be careful.”
“You know me, Arthur. I’m always careful,” Merlin gave him a quick smile.
The king gave him a pointed look.
Merlin nodded at him solemnly, serious now. He knew what he was up against - Merlin had had an all too recent altercation with the dark sorcerer Obsidian. The enemy sorcerer was a strong opponent - enough to worry Merlin, and, in turn, Arthur for Merlin’s safety.
Then Arthur left the room. Merlin and Morgana followed suit not long after to scry in Morgana’s chambers.
~ * ~
“It’s not your fault, Merlin,” Morgana said quietly as she prepared what she needed for scrying.
Merlin sat down with a weighted sigh. “It seems that Gwen losing her baby has affected her more than we had realized. Or maybe that loss was something that she could not take after everything else…”
Morgana’s glittering green eyes pierced Merlin’s and she said determinedly, “Gwen accepted the arrangement. She gave her blessing, remember?”
“Yes, but--”
“She made her peace with it. Gwen wanted Arthur to be happy - for you to be happy. She knew that Arthur would be miserable - though of course he would deny it - without you. That it was difficult enough that Arthur had to marry to conceive an heir. She accepted it. Losing her child - Arthur’s child - was not at all related to you or your relationship with Arthur. Whatever Gwen is going through is not the culmination of troubles, but an incident in of itself. She’s just in mourning, like any mother who has lost a child would be.”
“Gwen loved - still loves - Arthur. What she accepted was a terrible sacrifice on her part.”
“Merlin, you know what your trouble is?”
“What?”
“That you care too much. Arthur loves you - Gwen saw that the affection between you two was mutual. She saw that the both of you were deeply in love with each other. I know this because she told me so. And Gwen has Lancelot, remember. Not all is lost.”
Merlin shifted his gaze, looking squarely at the table in front of him. “I suppose you’re right, Morgana.”
“Of course I’m right,” Morgana said smartly, smiling at Merlin.
Morgana concentrated on finding out where Gwen was via the scrying bowl, but she ended up biting her lip in clear frustration.
“Nothing is showing?” Merlin inquired, leaning over to look into the bowl.
“No, unfortunately not. I don’t understand. It should not be this difficult. Someone is preventing me from finding her.”
“Obsidian?”
“If I would have to venture a guess, I would say yes. I don’t know what he’s planning…”
Merlin had a decisive look on his face. “I’ll just have to go and ask him then.”
“Merlin, who knows what he’ll do! You’re playing right into his trap. He knows you’ll want to find Gwen. I would not be surprised if Obsidian lured her outside somehow.”
“But what choice do I have? I’m not going to sit here and do nothing. I don’t desert friends, Morgana.”
She gave a resigned sigh. Looking to Merlin, Morgana said, “All right, but like Arthur said, make certain that you’re careful. I’ll be on the watch for you. If anything goes wrong--”
Merlin nodded. “I’ll contact you,” he said with a nod, pointing to his forehead to signify mind-to-mind communication that he depended on especially as a means of urgent communication. “Though I’m sure you’ll come after me regardless.”
Morgana smiled wanly. “Yes, well. With the trouble you get up to, I’m used to it.”
Merlin grinned. “It’s Arthur’s unsavory influence, you know that, Morgana.”
She smirked at him. “Oh, just go, Merlin,” Morgana waved him away, though not before she kissed him on the cheek and wished him a fervent, “Good luck.”
Merlin disappeared, leaving swirls of blue and golden light upon departing.
~ * ~
Merlin did manage to find Gwen, but he also encountered Obsidian as well.
Arthur sent the knights back to Camelot - the snow had hindered their search and he wanted to spare them the trouble of a fruitless rescue mission.
Together with Morgana and Lancelot - who had insisted on coming - Arthur set off to get Merlin back. Morgana - from what Merlin had told her via mind-to-mind communication -- had informed him that Merlin had a run in with Obsidian and, expectedly, it didn’t end well.
While the dark sorcerer had gone, he had trapped Merlin somewhere with no chance of escape without help. Though Morgana did not tell him what exactly had happened - a rather shifty look when Arthur asked her - Arthur let it go in favor of making sure they retrieved Merlin and Gwen.
Going on what Morgana knew, Merlin had found Gwen in one of the outlying villages and that Obsidian had managed to trick her into following him there. The sorcerer had been planning on Merlin going to look for her, and Merlin had, unfortunately, played right into his hands. Still, Morgana had been certain that Merlin wasn’t in danger of dying - this time at least - as long as they rescued him in good time.
The journey there was long and frustrating as the impeding snow fell - causing the landscape to be covered with a thick blanket of snow.
When the three of them arrived in a clearing at the outskirts of a village, they saw a distraught Gwen kneeling on the ground. She was using her hands to dig at the stubborn, heavy snow.
They quickly went to her, and Morgana softly entreated her to tell them what was wrong.
“Merlin found me, but Obsidian was here - he was keeping me here against my will. Merlin fought Obsidian after he placed a shield around me as protection, so I could only stand there and watch. I couldn’t help or do anything--”
“What did the sorcerer do to Merlin?” Arthur asked. “Where is he?”
Gwen looked down, her fingers turning blue from the cold. Morgana took Gwen’s hands in hers and murmured a heat spell to warm her friend.
“Obsidian turned him into a kitten and buried him in snow. I think Obsidian meant for him to stay that way, so Merlin wouldn’t escape.”
Arthur gave Morgana a look that was a cross between displeased and possibly a hint of bemusement. “Is that what you didn’t wish to tell me, Morgana? That Merlin was turned into a kitten of all things?”
“Oh, be quiet,” Morgana said sharply, though her shifty demeanor told Arthur otherwise. Then she turned to Gwen. “If you could, Gwen, move aside? I can get Merlin out faster with magic.”
Gwen nodded quickly and she stood up and stepped back to make way for her. “I am truly sorry. I did not mean for this to happen to Merlin. I should have fought harder against whatever trickery Obsidian had employed.”
Morgana shook her head. “It was beyond your control, Gwen,” she said reassuringly, giving her Queen a small smile.
Then Morgana put her hand out before her and directed it toward the snow. She said an incantation that caused the snow to melt.
Lancelot went to Gwen’s side, comforting her as he laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. “You could not predict what could happen. This could have happened to anyone. You aren’t to blame, Gwen.”
“Lancelot and Morgana are both right,” Arthur said resolutely.
Gwen looked earnestly to Arthur, an apology clear in her brown eyes. “Oh, Arthur. If I had known I would be placing Merlin in harm’s way…”
Arthur put his hand up to halt her words. “All that matters is that he will be all right. And rest assured that Merlin can get into plenty of trouble by himself. He wanted to find you - it was his choice - no matter if he knew Obsidian would be out for his blood or not. A target for trouble, Merlin is.”
Morgana shook her head in disbelief. “I recall Merlin saying that it was your unsavory influence that is the cause, Arthur,” she retorted.
“I think Merlin was just confused,” Arthur asserted, sounding quite sure of himself.
Morgana smirked at him. “Right, Arthur.”
Soon, Morgana had melted away enough snow that Merlin was freed from his snowy prison.
They found a small, black kitten curled up in the snow.
Steadily, Morgana floated the kitten to her and she held him in her arms.
Arthur looked uncertainly to the kitten and then Morgana. “You will be able to turn him back into a human, right, Morgana?” He questioned.
Morgana placed a warming spell on Merlin and then answered, sounding quite certain. “Yes, I do think so. I’m sure Obsidian only prevented Merlin himself from using his magic to change back. And he also must have enchanted the snow somehow so that Merlin couldn’t free himself either through magical means.”
Arthur nodded curtly to her. “Take him back to the castle using your magic. I don’t want Merlin to spend any more time out in the cold.”
Morgana agreed. “I’ll see you back at the castle then.”
Before she left, Gwen reached out to pet Merlin gently. She murmured softly, “I’m sorry, Merlin.”
The kitten opened his eyes to her - the color of his eyes shifting back and forth from a dark blue to gold in quick succession - and meowed softly at her.
“It’s all right, Gwen. Merlin tells me that there’s nothing to forgive,” Morgana relayed to her, reassuring her.
Morgana departed from the small group then; kitten in hand - a swirl of bright, green light surrounding a plume of white smoke left in her wake as she disappeared.
“We have to take care of Obsidian once and for all. That is a certainty,” Arthur vowed.
“Bit of a trickster. It won’t be easy,” Lancelot pointed out. Gwen leaned into Lancelot, and he placed his arm around her shoulders.
Arthur only clapped him on the shoulder in camaraderie. “You’re right, Lancelot. But the easy ones are never as satisfying when they’re defeated.”
Lancelot nodded. He couldn’t argue with that reasoning.
The snow seemed to be finally letting up. They could see ahead of them better than before when they had left Camelot. Before getting back on their horses, Arthur gave Gwen a fur-lined coat to keep her warm during the journey back.
So the three of them made their way back to Camelot - a much more relaxed trip now knowing that everyone was safe and everything would turn out fine.
~ * ~
Morgana sat before the fireplace in her room with Merlin - still a kitten - snuggled up in her lap. She pet him idly as she looked into the fire - the tall flames reflected in her clear, green eyes.
On Merlin’s advice, Morgana waited until he was properly warmed and his weakened state improved before changing him back into his normal self. Something about making sure that his condition was stabilized before risking a powerful transformation spell.
“I do wonder what Obsidian’s game is if he decided to turn you into a kitten instead of aiming to kill you straight out.”
“Maybe he was in a good mood because of the Yuletide?” Merlin ventured, speaking silently to her.
He raised his head to look up at her, his eyes -- still a constant shift of blue and gold - held a curious gaze to them. Merlin blinked at her and then he proceeded to lick his paws in an effort to clean them.
Morgana sighed and nodded. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Arthur came to see them once he, Gwen and Lancelot returned to Camelot and he took Merlin from Morgana - citing that he wanted to spend some time with him. No matter if he was still a kitten or that - though Arthur did not believe it for a second - Merlin couldn’t silently talk back to him in his current state; Arthur was left undeterred.
Morgana couldn’t help but giggle as Arthur left her carrying Merlin in his arms. Of course, Arthur would never admit to something as unmanly as finding cute, little furry animals irresistible. And well, Merlin did have an uncanny penchant to turn into rather sweet looking animals - no matter if it was a forced transformation or not. Though it wasn’t too hard to convince Arthur to be with Merlin - the two of them were inseparable at the heart of it after all.
~ * ~
Morgana took Gwen along with her, telling her that she knew just the thing to cheer her up and make her smile.
So with Gwen following her, Morgana headed to Arthur’s chambers.
“You’ll love this, Gwen,” she assured her.
Opening the door quietly, Morgana and Gwen snuck a peek into the room.
“What do you--?” But then Gwen saw what Morgana pointed out to her.
Gwen smiled widely then - the sight before her cheering her greatly. “Oh, how precious,” she murmured softly.
“Aren’t they just?” Morgana whispered back in response, smiling as well.
Arthur was in his fur-backed throne chair before a fire that was beginning to die down. His eyes were closed, but his fingers were moving - still petting the black kitten curled up in his lap. Merlin meowed - sounding rather pleased as Arthur’s fingers stroked him on the head.
“Come on, let’s leave them to it,” Morgana said to Gwen after they watched Arthur and Merlin for a few minutes.
Gwen nodded. “Yes, wouldn’t want to get caught after all,” she said reasonably.
Morgana shut the door quietly. She offered her arm to Gwen and, grinning, Gwen slid her arm inside hers. Their friendship only grew stronger over the years. Some things didn’t change.
They walked down the corridor in the direction of their rooms. Morgana smiled as she heard Merlin’s voice inside her head.
“Good night, Morgana,” he said in an amused tone of voice.
Merlin missed nothing apparently.
“Sweet dreams, Merlin,” she silently replied.
All in all, Morgana thought that the day couldn’t have turned out any better. They had all survived to tell the tale and Merlin wasn’t permanently stuck as a kitten-
-- always a good thing.
~ * ~