Merlin Xmas Fic
My fic from the Merlin 2008 Forum xmas challenge and I won!
Fandom: Merlin
Ships: General
Warnings: None except a tendency towards fluffiness
Notes: Merry Christmas!!!!
Merlin stared out of a window from Camelot Castle despondently. No sign of snow. At home he was used to snow in the village every year. It made it bitterly cold, true, but it made it feel magical at that special time of year.
But here in Camelot, the ground was dry, the sky was clear. It just didn't feel like Christmas Eve to Merlin. He sighed and with a last lingering look at the sky, hurried off to do his chores. Typically Arthur had reeled off a list; make his bed, clean his boots, wipe his table, polish his shield etc You name it, it needed sorting. It didn't seem to make a difference that it was almost Christmas if you were a servant, chores still needed doing after all. It was going to be a long evening.
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Somewhere else in Camelot, another servant was pondering things. Her life had become so different since her father's demise. Gwen hadn't realised how much she had depended on him, he had been such a cheering presence in her life and made it easier for her to get on with her servant duties. Every time she had cleaned something or scrubbed a floor, she had done it for her father. But now, who was there to put a happy face on for? True she didn't have ideas above her station. But it just made it harder to be happy about her life now.
The only other person in her life who she felt close to was her mistress, Morgana. But lately Morgana had been having troubles of her own and not been confiding in Gwen, so things had been a little strained between them recently. Gwen had noticed Morgana kept sending her to get some "rest" as though being sympathetic for her. However, she knew this wasn't the only reason, Morgana wanted to be alone these days and even though servants were not meant to be friends with nobles, Gwen felt like she was losing something more than a servant-mistress bond. Tutting to herself, feeling sorry for herself wouldn't do - not on Christmas Eve, she left her empty house and headed towards the castle determined to do some work, anything to keep her busy.
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Back in the castle, the son of the King was angsting over his last few weeks. He just didn't feel like anything he did was ever any good to his father. He did everything Uther told him, fought off the evil that threatened Camelot and yet he received little praise for it. Leaning against the fireplace in his chambers, Arthur stared deep into the fire, watching the moving flames become him against his past enemies in his imagination. Only this time, they beat him, he was not victorious.
Sometimes it seemed like he was just the warrior of Camelot, the crown prince and yet not a son. Arthur just wasn't sure how he was supposed to become a great king if he didn't even believe in himself. The Lady Morgana sometimes seemed to be on his side, saying the things he himself wanted to say to Uther. But he felt like she used him to get what she wanted from the king, and maybe she didn't really believe he had potential for greatness. He sat down in his chair, deep in thought, not conscious of the darkening sky.
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The noblewoman mentioned previously was trudging outside as it got steadily darker. At times she couldn't bear to be in the Castle, it felt stifling. Uther continously showed himself to be unjust, yes he often regretted it but acting without fairness, even for the good of his kingdom, did not make him a good king. Lately it had become more difficult for Morgana to voice her concerns, the king would merely shrug them off or tell her it was not her place. But this reminded her of her father, who Uther had allowed to advise him and persuade him in many matters.
It had not always mattered to Morgana what rules the King of Camelot passed, as they usually had little effect on her life, but since she had gained Gwen as a servant, she had started to see how they affected people in ways she had never imagined. Furthermore, her dreams were still plaguing her, but she felt unable to discuss them with Uther, the element of foresight would be unpleasant to him. Morgana felt sure he would see it as a form of magic, unacceptable in the realm, even and especially for, a king's ward. She pulled her ermine wrap close to keep warm on that chilly evening and headed back to the castle - Uther would expect her back indoors when it was dark.
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Merlin arrived at the door to Arthur's chambers and was about to enter, carrying in a set of armour he had just spent the last hour cleaning up. However, his keen eyes spotted a slip of parchment underneath the door. Bending down and picking it up, Merlin saw that it was a note to him, written by Arthur. Nothing long-winded and sentimental, that wasn't his way. It told him he was free to go home for several days, Arthur didn't require his services for Christmas. But it was the next words that really warmed Merlin's heart.
Take my horse. Three little words spoke volumes. Arthur never let anyone ride his horse, it was reserved for the crown prince only and that he would let Merlin take the fine steed meant he truly valued their friendship. Merlin smiled at the words formed in the messy scrawl and left as silently as he could, though this failed as he knocked over a bucket on his way.
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Meanwhile Gwen was heading into the castle. Turning a corner she bumped into none other than Morgana herself. She gasped, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there milady" and knelt before her. She felt Morgana's hand on her chin, turn her face up and help her up.
"Don't be silly Gwen, there's no need for any of that around me," Morgana said sternly but kindly. "What are you doing back at the castle, I thought I told you to rest".
Gwen couldn't keep her emotions locked up anymore and decided just to speak her feelings, "Please Morgana, I know you mean well, but I can't bear to be home on my own. Without my father, especially on Christmas Eve."
Morgana stared at her in surprise, it was rare that Gwen spoke out. She had had no idea how Gwen was truly feeling and it brought home to Morgana the realisation that she hadn't been there for her friend, not really. "I'm sorry Gwen, I've not been a good friend to you. Of course you don't want to be alone on Christmas." She smiled at the younger girl before continuing, "You can stay with me in the castle for a few days until we can find better arrangements. Go there now and wait for me, I will be along in a while."
The kind gesture brought tears to Gwen's eyes and for the first time since her father's death she felt happy again. Hugging Morgana briefly, she said "By the way, Merlin asked me to give this to you" and placing a note in the noble girl's hands, she left her to continue on her way.
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Arthur had been sitting in his chair for some time and almost on the brink of sleep when he heard a clink outside as something, maybe a bucket, was knocked over. Arthur smiled to himself. Merlin. He'd found the note, only Merlin was that clumsy. He stretched and got up, wondering what time it was, when there was a knock at the door. "Enter".
To his surprise Morgana walked in. He had not been expecting her, things had become a little fraught since he had not stopped Gwen's father dying. He watched her walk elegantly to the window and look outside at the now dark horizon.
"To what do I owe this honour, Morgana?" he asked, curious as to what could bring her here on this night. She turned to face him, ducking her head a little under his gaze.
"I just- the other night when I said you were a better man than your father. Well, I meant it. I know you never meant for Gwen's father to get hurt and you tried your best. For that I thank you." She smiled at him and he felt a warm feeling that he couldn't describe spread through his body. She continued, "You will be king one day and I just wanted you to know, I think you will make a wonderful king". Arthur stood stunned as the words sank in and Morgana left the window to make her way out his room, back to hers. He spoke, stopping her in her tracks, "Morgana, Merry Christmas".
She turned and smiled at him, making that warm feeling appear again, "The same to you my lord" and he sat down as she left the room, feeling indescribably happy and unable to explain to himself exactly why.
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As Morgana left Arthur's room, she remembered Gwen had given her a note from Merlin. She stopped in a corner of the castle's corridors, wanting to read it privately and opened the note. The contents shocked her. Merlin wrote how he had known she'd been planning to kill Uther and how he'd known she had the stone. But that was not the most shocking thing. The note also mentioned that the stone she had given to the king's enemy only worked when held by those who had magical abilities. This would be nothing, but Morgana remembered when she had taken the stone out and held it in her hands. It had glowed and she had felt something, a pull of her inner being and mind. Morgana had put it out of her head until now.
Merlin had just confirmed her fears, she had some magical ability. Morgana knew this was dangerous, her relationship with Uther was difficult enough. However, the note didn't end there. There was a cryptic message detailing how he didn't judge her for this and how he'd like to meet up with her, though he couldn't say why in a note. It was all very intriguing and oddly the fact that Merlin knew about her, actually comforted Morgana. Yes she wasn't sure how he knew or what he would say to her when they next met, but it was a weight off her mind that someone else knew. Morgana folded up the letter, sighed to herself and headed towards her chamber, to greet Christmas Day in with Gwen.
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Later on, as the sun began its slow creep upwards to start the day, the four lay asleep in their respective chambers - Arthur in his chamber, Morgana and Gwen in the other and Merlin dreaming of his journey home the next day - unaware of a soft scattering of snow beginning to fall over the kingdom of Camelot.