TSitS - Unfinished Business
Title: The Sword in the Stone Series
Pairing: Pretty Gen. Kind of one-sided Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Arthur, hinted Gwen/Lancelot. It’s about as gay as the series is, which is pretty gay.
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC’s Merlin. If I did, I’d be pretty happy because I’d know Colin and Bradley personally.
Summary: The legend of Excalibur is not as simple as everyone thinks. Arthur pulls a sword from a stone, beginning a chain of events that will lead him to his destiny and the sorcerer prophesied to stand beside him.
Chapter Summary: Arthur and his knights face off against the Chimera again and Pelleas proves his worth as a knight despite his heritage. Once the battle is over, Arthur makes a decision that contradicts the very Code of Camelot and Uther is given a choice. When the dust settles, will Merlin burn at the stake?
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Part III - Unfinished Business
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…
A/N: Thought I'd include a picture of the beast they're fighting; for clarification purposes: www.andyparkart.com/images/gallery/concept/god_of_war_ii/chimera.jpg
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…
The horses hurried along at an easy yet forceful pace. Arthur led the troop with Merlin just behind him, followed by thirteen knights and Pelleas. They'd been traveling in the direction the beast had vanished towards for several hours but still had come up with nothing. The sun was beginning to rise in the east and the whole company had stopped by a small river to let the horses drink and the riders rest.
Merlin took a seat on a rock. "I spoke to Gaius before we left and he says the beast is probably a Chimera."
"A chimera?" Arthur asked, splashing water on his face.
"Yea," Merlin nodded. "It's a magical creature. It's made when a sorcerer fuses together several animals. Typically, in history, it's been recorded as having the head of a goat, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon."
"This one had three heads, Merlin," Arthur corrected.
Merlin nodded. "Gaius said he thought maybe the sorcerer who created this Chimera used more animals in the hopes that it would be more powerful and harder to kill."
"How do you kill it?" Pelleas asked as he walked over.
Merlin shrugged. "Gaius said a man condemned to die was sent to kill one in hopes that he would die trying, but he stabbed it with an iron spear, which melted down its throat and hardened in its stomach, suffocating and effectively killing it."
"Um…sorry but, I don't think we have any iron spears," Pelleas commented. "Did…Gaius, know of anything else that can kill a chimera?"
Merlin shook his head. "No one's really managed it. Chimera's are really powerful and I don't think many have even gotten close enough to attempt killing one. There was one guy who killed one, no one knows how, because just after he managed it….he died of exhaustion."
"That encouraging," Arthur mumbled as he stood up from his spot by the river. "Alright! Get ready to go! There's a village only an hour or so away. The beast probably went there. We need to get there before it kills everyone…and kill it instead!"
The knights all yelled in agreement before beginning to pack up their things. Pelleas moved back over to his horse to gather his own things while Arthur turned to Merlin.
"Don't tell anyone else about no one killing one before," he said. "And stay out of the battle. I can't concentrate on a Chimera if I'm busy protecting you."
Merlin held up his hands. "I won't even get near it," he promised.
Arthur cast him a look that clearly stated his unbelief in that statement, but motioned for Merlin to gather anything they'd taken off the horse and get ready to ride anyway.
…
…
They heard the screaming first, smelled the fire second, and saw the smoke and the wreckage last. The village was bigger than Ealdor but much smaller than Camelot. About forty buildings made up the whole of the main area. About half were on fire.
"Let's go!" Arthur shouted behind him over the yelling of the villagers, spurring his horse forward into the village. Merlin followed to the edge of the destruction before stopping his horse and dismounting, using it as a shield to hide himself should he need to use magic.
Arthur jumped off his horse, smacking it on the butt so it would keep moving, and ran forward with his sword drawn toward the chimera. He dodged the goat head and its horns and slashed across the wound Sir Leon had given it the day before. The chimera growled angrily and the snake head lashed out at him, fangs dripping what was no doubt poison and ready to sink into Arthur's flesh. Suddenly Pelleas was there, his sword descending on the snake head like the executioner's ax. The head came off cleanly and landed at Arthur's feet.
The chimera backed away from Arthur, its tail waving in the air aimlessly with blood pooling down the sides of the snake body and onto its ox-like hindquarters. Arthur pat Pelleas on the shoulder but never got to say any words of congrats because the chimera roared, a horrifying sound, and charged. It didn't charge at Arthur, it was too close for that, but at Arthur's knights and the villagers.
Sir Leon stepped in front of it, looking scared out of his mind, with a pitchfork he'd picked up from one of the houses. When the chimera was a bit closer to him, Leon jabbed the pitchfork at its lower head with the prongs facing up. He knew he'd hit something when the lion roared independently of the goat head. Sadly, that didn't stop the charge and now it was too late to dodge.
"Cléofan," Merlin said in a rush, his eyes flashing gold a second before the horns of the goat….fell off. There was a clean slice through the bone and all but an inch of each horn split away and dropped to the ground.
The chimera still rammed into Leon with the force of a charging bull, but at least there were no sharp objects to impale him. He flew backwards even after the chimera stopped running and rolled over himself a few times before stopping when he hit the wall of an as-of-yet undamaged building. Merlin ran over to him and knelt down, checking his pulse. He looked up and saw Arthur looking over at him while the chimera was being still for a moment. Merlin gave a nod and a thumbs up to let him know that Leon was still alive so he could get back to the battle.
Arthur nodded in return and turned his attention to the chimera and his remaining knights. "Surround it! It can't defend against us all! Attack it all at once!"
All of the knights and Pelleas gathered around the chimera like lightening at their leader's call. Swords drawn, every one of them raced forward. The chimera kicked two of them back with its hind legs but without the snake head or its horns, it couldn't defend against the rest and soon twelve swords were piercing the lion hide of its body. The goat head spit fire out in a last desperate attempt to take its enemies down with it and then the chimera fell in a bleeding husk to the ground. Merlin jumped when the fire managed to skirt the ground long enough to catch his left pant leg on fire and quickly pat it out with his own jacket.
"I told you to stay back," Arthur chastised, a laughing smile on his face as he came to stand by Merlin's side.
Merlin glared at him. "I was back! I'm like…more than twenty feet back!" he complained.
Arthur shrugged and motioned to Leon. "How is he?"
Still glaring, Merlin turned his attention to Leon. "I think he's fine…His ribs are probably bruised if not broken though, so we should be really careful with him."
"Oh, somebody's learning a useful skill," Arthur commented lightly. He seemed rather pleased with the victory over the chimera.
Merlin through him a suffering look but didn't get to comment because Pelleas and two of Camelot's knights hurried over to them. All three of them bowed before the knight in the center began to speak. "Sire. The beast destroyed half the city before we got here. There are many injured villagers and not enough medicine to care for them here."
Arthur's smile dropped and looked around the village. Many of the houses were still burning while others were nothing but ash. Children were crying and men and women alike were moaning in pain. Arthur's expression contorted into one of guilt. How had he not noticed before?
"Leave the injured men here with me while two of you head back to Camelot as fast as you can," he said. "Bring Gaius back here along with all the food, clothes, and medical supplies you can manage. The rest of us will help put out the fires and rebuild the homes as best we can. Go. Now."
The knights hurried off but Arthur kept Pelleas there with his eyes alone. "Sire?" the peasant warrior asked once the other two were gone.
Arthur placed his right hand on Pelleas' left shoulder and stared him directly in the eyes. "You saved my life today, and helped defeat a terrible beast that was destroying a kingdom that is not your own. You've proven your courage and your honor. When we're finished here and we return to Camelot….I will see to it you become a knight of Camelot."
"But the Knight's Code-" Pelleas began.
Arthur shook his head and Pelleas stopped. "I met a man once before who was the epitome of a knight. He passed the knight's tests and proved himself many times over, but he was a peasant and my father would not allow him to be a knight. I regret that. I will not let my father's paranoia dictate my decisions. I need men I can trust at my side when I am king, and I am certain you are a man worthy of that trust."
Merlin was certain that Pelleas' heart was about to burst with the pride he felt at that admission. "Thank you, sire," he managed to breathe out, his face turning red from the strain of not passing out with joy.
Arthur nodded to him. "Go. Help put out the fires."
"Of course, sire." Pelleas turned and hurried over to where some villagers were already bringing buckets of water over from the well they kept just out of the village and took a particularly heavy looking one from an older woman, who thanked him.
Without turning around Arthur said, "Wipe that smile off your face, Merlin. You look ridiculous."
Merlin shook his head and looked at Leon for lack of anything better to do. "You're fulfilling your destiny," he said in a way that confused Arthur: not because it was an odd tone but because he couldn't decide if Merlin was just smiling really big or if Merlin was actually teasing him in some way.
He decided not to answer to cover his uncertainty. "Stay with Sir Leon," he ordered. "I'm going to go help the others."
"Aye, sire."
…
…
When the knights arrived that evening with the supplies and Gaius, both Merlin and Arthur were shocked to see Gwen along for the journey. She hurried over to Arthur, standing by a partially rebuilt house.
"Guinevere," Arthur let out. "What are you doing here?" he asked through his shock.
Gwen looked him in the eyes for a moment, and then blushed lightly and looked away. "I heard you needed help and….well, I was worried and I couldn't just sit by and do nothing." She looked up at his eyes again. "I want to help you."
Arthur and Gwen stared at each other for a full four seconds before Arthur nodded, looking away. "The majority of the injured have been moved over there by Merlin," he said with a motion of his hand to where several people were laying or sitting down by Merlin. Gaius was already walking that way.
"Right," Gwen said before swiftly moving over to where she was needed. Arthur sadly watched her go.
He was conflicted when it came to Gwen. She was a servant. He knew next to nothing about her personally, but felt like he'd known her for years….Technically he had because she'd been Morgana's maidservant since they were kids but he'd never really met her before Merlin came to town. Heck, he hadn't really known her name before Merlin mentioned getting a flower from her! But she was sweet and kind and spoke her mind and had taught him a lot about what it was to be a good king, a good person, over the years. And she was beautiful. Everyone could see she was beautiful.
And then there was Lancelot. Arthur was almost completely positive that Lancelot held Guinevere in the same regard that Arthur himself did. Lancelot was a good man, better than Arthur was, and he deserved Gwen more for it but…Arthur's heart beat double time when he saw her face and he worried about her like….like he worried about Merlin….but not. Because Merlin was, well, Merlin, and that just explained everything didn't it?
Arthur turned away from the sight of Gwen talking to Gaius and moved to help finish building a home. On the way over, the elderly woman Pelleas had taken the water bucket from earlier stepped up to him. "Arthur Pendragon," she said humbly, giving the best bow she could manage.
"What can I do for you?" Arthur asked.
She stood up, her grey hair brushing along her shoulders gently, and looked at him with kind old eyes. "You saved us from that beast, and now you are helping us rebuild our homes and our families," she gushed.
Arthur shook his head. "No. It's nothing. How could I not help you?"
The woman nodded her head, her eyes wetting with unshed tears. "I hope I live to see you crowned king, my lord….I hope I live to see the shining world you create."
Meanwhile, Merlin and Gaius and Gwen were bandaging the wounded. Gaius looked around once he was finished with a young boy's leg and then over to the wagon they'd brought full of food and supplies. "Gwen," he said. She looked up. "Could you get me some more bandages from the wagon?"
"Of course," she answered with a nod, hurrying over to get what Gaius needed.
Gaius turned to Merlin. "Merlin," he practically hissed. Merlin looked up at him. "You're in danger."
"What?" Merlin stepped up to him. "What do you mean?" He looked around for an attacker.
Gaius shook his head. "Not here. In Camelot." He was whispering so no one else would hear. "Uther knows about you. He knows about your gifts."
Merlin's eyes widened. "But…but…how?"
"The seer from the canyon mentioned a sword." Merlin nodded. He knew that sword. "Uther remembered the sword you gave him to fight the wraith. He knows it's the same sword."
Merlin nodded again, and then narrowed his eyes a bit. "Wait…If he knows I'm the one who is supposed to help Arthur…why would he hurt me?"
Gaius let out a long suffering sigh. "Merlin, magic is magic to Uther. It doesn't matter if every bit of proof points to a good sorcerer, he'll still have them executed for treason."
Merlin stared at Gaius, fear creeping into his face. "So…what do I do?"
Gaius shrugged and shook his head. "I'm not sure. I'd tell you to stay away from Camelot, but I know you won't. You need to stay at Arthur's side. All I can say is….be careful around Uther, keep your head down, and try not to do any magic where he can see it."
"Here you go, Gaius," Gwen announced herself, holding the bandages and salve out for him to take. Gaius thanked her graciously, shot Merlin a look, and went back to work.
…
…
As the horses reentered Camelot, Arthur turned to Merlin on the horse beside him. "Don't look so glum, Merlin," he said. "The creature is dead. It can't hurt you. Stop sulking."
Merlin gave Arthur his best grin while Gaius frowned deeper. "Right…sire. I know. I'm not sulking."
"Yea," Arthur snorted as they dismounted the horses and servants ran to help the knights. "That's why you look about to faint, because you aren't scared of the chimera." He shook his head. Merlin stepped up to take the reins of the horse from him. "Just help Gaius and Gwen. Also, I want a bath ready so I can clean up before dinner."
Merlin frowned. "But…it's barely noon."
Arthur nodded like Merlin was an idiot. "Yes. Which means you have plenty of time to clean my room, and brush and clean my horse. I'm going to speak with my father."
Arthur motioned to his knights and Pelleas and they all followed him up the steps to report to Uther. Gwen immediately hurried off to find Morgana. Gaius walked over and stood next to Merlin with his hands clasped in front of him.
"Don't worry, Gaius," Merlin assured him. "I'll think of something. You should go help the other villagers."
"You're sure?" Gaius asked, not believing in Merlin's 'plan.' Merlin nodded with a little smile, nervous but real, and Gaius sighed. "Alright then. I wouldn't use spells though. Just a bit of advice." Merlin's smile became a tad less nervous and Gaius returned it before meandering off.
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…
"The carcass was taken into the woods far from the city and burned," Arthur informed his father.
Uther nodded. "Very good. You have all done well. Go and rest now."
Arthur nodded to his knights and they all left to help the villagers. "Pelleas," Arthur called simply, not loudly, and Pelleas of Mora stopped on his way out the door. Arthur motioned for him to come forward and he did so. "Father."
"Hm?"
"I wish to make Pelleas a knight of Camelot."
Uther's face contorted, but not in rage. It seemed more like he really wasn't quite sure if Arthur had spoken English just then and he was trying to translate before answering and wasn't having much luck. He looked at Pelleas and waved a hand at the door. "Leave us." Pelleas bowed and hurriedly exited the room "What?" Uther asked in a hushed and yet angry tone of voice.
Could his week get any worse?
"You've always told me that a king must have those he trusts by his side. You invented the knight's code because you believed only the nobles who had sworn fealty to you in the beginning could be trusted," Arthur began. "I have seen Pelleas in battle and he has proven himself to be an honorable man. If I am to be King, I will need men I trust in my service. I trust Pelleas."
Uther didn't speak, he just stared. After a long silence as tense as overworked muscles, Uther took a deep breath. "He is not of noble blood, therefore he cannot be a knight of Camelot."
Arthur drew himself up to his full height. "The seer from the canyon never said the King of Albion had to be of noble blood. If the King does not need to be of noble blood, then neither should the knights. Besides which, a king is worthless without his subjects. They should have the ability to protect the land just as much as anyone else."
"They may have the ability," Uther agreed with a nod, "but it is not their right."
"Then give them the right!" Arthur yelled. "You have always been so set and stubborn in the knight's code, except when it came to me. Lancelot had more than what was required in a knight, and yet you dismissed him like common garbage. But for me…for me you would break the code a thousand times over!" he accused, taking a step closer to his father. "If that's the way it will continue to be, then the code must be rewritten. When I am King, I will rewrite it myself if I have to. Anyone who proves themselves worthy of the honor of becoming a knight shall be given it, regardless of their position or bloodline."
That last bit almost made Uther double over as if he'd been punched in the gut. It sure felt like it. 'When I am King.' He'd always known Arthur would become king one day. His son was born into that privilege and so he would have it. But more and more as time went on, and especially now that he was destined to be King of all Albion, Arthur had been standing up to Uther and shoving his dissent with his father into the light. He was forming ideas about what kind of kingdom he wanted, and that was fine. Every man who would inherit such a position was bound to think of that at some point, but Arthur never used to question Uther's methods.
Until….
Uther's eyes widened.
Merlin.
Uther narrowed his eyes a bit. "You present a valid argument, Arthur," he admitted. "I will consider your request."
Right after he killed a certain sorcerer who had been casting spells on his son for almost five years! Then he would see just how much of these thoughts were Arthur's and how many were Merlin's in his plot to destroy the kingdom! Letting peasants be knights! It would be the downfall of the kingdom! The downfall of Arthur!
Arthur blinked a few times, surprised, and then bowed. "Thank you, father."
Uther waved him off and Arthur left the room to tell Pelleas, who was doubtless waiting outside the room, about the conclusion. Uther placed his left hand on his sword hilt and his right hand on his throne, attempting to balance himself. He felt he might pass out. Gaius had said Merlin was a good sorcerer, but he'd been casting spells on Arthur the whole time! Arthur. His son. Under a spell.
"Ahem."
Uther shot to a full standing position as he flipped to see who had made the noise. There. Standing just next to the closest pillar to the throne on the left side was Merlin. His head was bowed, but he was still making eye contact with Uther. Anger flared through Uther's veins and he took three heavy steps towards Merlin, down the stairs.
"You!" Merlin took a step back and Uther stopped walking. "You placed a spell on my son."
Merlin's eyes widened. "What?" he exclaimed, and then lowered his voice. "I would never-"
"Ever since you arrived in Camelot, Arthur has been challenging my rule. He scrutinizes my every move, contradicts me at every turn. You must think me a fool for not noticing!" The king accused.
Merlin was silent for about half a second before he glared right at Uther, no head bowed or anything anymore. "You are a fool, Uther Pendragon," he stated defiantly, "if you think I would do something like that. When I first arrived here, I had no idea magic was even banned. I had no idea who you and your son were. If I have somehow changed Arthur's beliefs it's because I am a terrible servant, which I tried to tell you when you offered me the job, or because I'm a commoner and I've been around him so long he's noticed I have some semblance of a life outside of helping him and helping Gaius," Merlin rambled. He broke off, taking several deep breaths, and hoped he hadn't just said something that would end his life. After a moment of silence in which Uther simply stared at him with an unreadable expression, Merlin pressed on. "And I don't even know if it was me that made him disagree with you. It could've been someone else. It could've been just that he's growing up. Or maybe it was something you did yourself that made him start rethinking things."
The glare was back on Uther's face. "I have done nothing to make Arthur into the man he was in this room today," he hissed. "I raised Arthur the best way he could've been raised. He never questioned me before. You are a lying sorcerer and I will see you burned for treason!"
"Then do it!" Merlin shouted, and then glanced at the door a moment to make sure no one had heard him. In a softer voice he continued. "If you're so bent on killing me, then do it. If you think it's what's best for the kingdom, then go ahead and build the pyre, tie me up, and kill me. If you think it's what's best for Arthur."
Uther scoffed. "You think I am so blind, sorcerer?" he sneered. "The moment you get a chance, you will use your magic to save yourself or kill me or Arthur. If you are so bent on the pyre, then I will use the executioner's block."
Merlin shook his head almost tiredly. "You don't understand. I'm not lying to you, sire." That caused Uther to stop his thought process. "My magic was given to me at birth for a reason." Oh, there it went again. Thoughts gone. "That reason isn't to save myself or kill the Pendragon line. It isn't to destroy your kingdom. For that matter, I've been told it isn't even for changing the bed sheets or sharpening a sword," he said with a minute laugh. "My entire life has led me to this point, to this place in time, to this destiny," Merlin emphasized. "My destiny to help your son in any way I can. And I don't care if he ends up being exactly the kind of king you are today: bitter and hateful towards magic and distrusting everyone. I'd follow him unto death and beyond, to Avalon if I'm allowed. But I know he's going to be a great king, a king that will be remembered in legends and songs and magic for all of time, because he is kind, empathetic, compassionate, strong, brave, honorable, and true. And I don't care what you think of me, sire, not in the least, as long as you let me continue to serve Arthur until the day he decides he's through with me and sacks me."
Uther looked at Merlin, standing ten feet in front of him, and couldn't understand. Magic was evil. Magic had taken his wife away from him. Magic corrupted the soul and the heart. Those who studied magic were only out for their own gain. And yet…
Merlin sighed and lowered his eyes to the ground. "Arthur wants me to draw him a bath. You can arrest me once he's had it so maybe he won't be so irritable," he said in a defeated tone of voice. "Tonight then, my lord," he said in good-bye before slowly walking to the servant's entrance of the hall and vanishing behind the door.
…
…
The sun crept onward toward sunset. Merlin bathed and brushed Arthur's horses, cleaned his rooms, and prepared the bath. Arthur came in, dirty and tired from helping in the city that day after the fight and work the day before, and immediately undressed and stepped into the still hot water. Merlin helped him bathe and engaged in conversation about the fight and the plight of the people, but his mind was elsewhere so the conversation went nowhere. Arthur didn't fail to notice.
"Once dinner is over, go get some sleep, Merlin," he ordered in the soft tone of voice he saved for when he was truly worried about someone and for once wasn't trying to hide it. "You look worse than I do and I did all the work."
Merlin managed to grin at him. "Right. Thank you."
Dinner came and went. Uther kept staring at Merlin the whole time and when Morgana passed a confused look to Arthur, Arthur noticed it too. "It's pathetic, isn't it?" he said, catching everyone's attention. "I fight a chimera and help rebuild two cities with my knights, and my servant is the one who looks overworked," he commented almost cruelly. Merlin gave a little grin.
"Well then, maybe he's coming down with something," Morgana added. "He shouldn't be around the food," she said, casting a mildly angry look at Uther like he'd been the one to say that. "Perhaps he should go lie down and get some rest. It'd be terrible if he got sick and couldn't keep Arthur's chambers looking at least moderately clean," she teased at Arthur.
He cast a bit of a scowl at her and took a large sip of his wine. Uther nodded and began to speak before Arthur ever got the chance to open his mouth. "Right. Boy," he called and Merlin flinched visibly, turning to face the king with his eyes trained on the floor. "You may leave us."
Merlin nodded meekly, placed the wine pitcher on the table next to Arthur's goblet, but not too close, and left without a word. Arthur cast an actually openly worried look after his manservant before turning his attention back to his food.
Merlin lay awake in bed until deep into the night. He kept imagining he heard the footsteps of soldiers coming to get him. It wasn't until almost dawn that he finally fell into a restless sleep. He must have looked at least a bit as bad as he felt because when he woke up later than afternoon, Gaius said both he and Arthur had taken one look at him and decided that perhaps he really was ill and not to wake him.
"Has….has anyone….," Merlin managed, but he wasn't sure how to word it.
Gaius understood him anyway and shook his head. "No. Uther hasn't sent anyone to collect you. He hasn't spoken to me since then either, but I think the fact that you're alive is a good sign at least. What did you say to him to keep him away?"
Merlin shrugged, staring into the cup of something Gaius had handed him. "I don't even really remember. I know I said something about helping Arthur and that I wouldn't fight him if he really wanted me dead….I told him…what kind of king Arthur was going to be….oh, and I told him he was wrong. I am not the reason Arthur's been rethinking Uther's laws."
Gaius made a noise between a laugh and an 'ehh'. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Merlin. You've been his servant for years now. I'm sure you've rubbed off on him at least a little bit…though whether or not that's a good thing has yet to be seen. For now though, it seems as if you've kept your life."
Merlin nodded. "Now all I have to do is keep it." He downed the whole drink in one go and grimaced at the taste. Eck. Medicine.
…
…
Next Time: The Kelpie
Morgause summons a Kelpie, a magical horse creature, from a lake. In the form of a beautiful woman, the Kelpie steals Arthur away in the dead of night. Uther charges Merlin with an ultimatum: retrieve his son or die on the pyre in the morning.
...
...
Translations:
Cléofan = Split.
Pairing: Pretty Gen. Kind of one-sided Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Arthur, hinted Gwen/Lancelot. It’s about as gay as the series is, which is pretty gay.
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC’s Merlin. If I did, I’d be pretty happy because I’d know Colin and Bradley personally.
Summary: The legend of Excalibur is not as simple as everyone thinks. Arthur pulls a sword from a stone, beginning a chain of events that will lead him to his destiny and the sorcerer prophesied to stand beside him.
Chapter Summary: Arthur and his knights face off against the Chimera again and Pelleas proves his worth as a knight despite his heritage. Once the battle is over, Arthur makes a decision that contradicts the very Code of Camelot and Uther is given a choice. When the dust settles, will Merlin burn at the stake?
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Part III - Unfinished Business
…
…
A/N: Thought I'd include a picture of the beast they're fighting; for clarification purposes: www.andyparkart.com/images/gallery/concept/god_of_war_ii/chimera.jpg
…
…
The horses hurried along at an easy yet forceful pace. Arthur led the troop with Merlin just behind him, followed by thirteen knights and Pelleas. They'd been traveling in the direction the beast had vanished towards for several hours but still had come up with nothing. The sun was beginning to rise in the east and the whole company had stopped by a small river to let the horses drink and the riders rest.
Merlin took a seat on a rock. "I spoke to Gaius before we left and he says the beast is probably a Chimera."
"A chimera?" Arthur asked, splashing water on his face.
"Yea," Merlin nodded. "It's a magical creature. It's made when a sorcerer fuses together several animals. Typically, in history, it's been recorded as having the head of a goat, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon."
"This one had three heads, Merlin," Arthur corrected.
Merlin nodded. "Gaius said he thought maybe the sorcerer who created this Chimera used more animals in the hopes that it would be more powerful and harder to kill."
"How do you kill it?" Pelleas asked as he walked over.
Merlin shrugged. "Gaius said a man condemned to die was sent to kill one in hopes that he would die trying, but he stabbed it with an iron spear, which melted down its throat and hardened in its stomach, suffocating and effectively killing it."
"Um…sorry but, I don't think we have any iron spears," Pelleas commented. "Did…Gaius, know of anything else that can kill a chimera?"
Merlin shook his head. "No one's really managed it. Chimera's are really powerful and I don't think many have even gotten close enough to attempt killing one. There was one guy who killed one, no one knows how, because just after he managed it….he died of exhaustion."
"That encouraging," Arthur mumbled as he stood up from his spot by the river. "Alright! Get ready to go! There's a village only an hour or so away. The beast probably went there. We need to get there before it kills everyone…and kill it instead!"
The knights all yelled in agreement before beginning to pack up their things. Pelleas moved back over to his horse to gather his own things while Arthur turned to Merlin.
"Don't tell anyone else about no one killing one before," he said. "And stay out of the battle. I can't concentrate on a Chimera if I'm busy protecting you."
Merlin held up his hands. "I won't even get near it," he promised.
Arthur cast him a look that clearly stated his unbelief in that statement, but motioned for Merlin to gather anything they'd taken off the horse and get ready to ride anyway.
…
…
They heard the screaming first, smelled the fire second, and saw the smoke and the wreckage last. The village was bigger than Ealdor but much smaller than Camelot. About forty buildings made up the whole of the main area. About half were on fire.
"Let's go!" Arthur shouted behind him over the yelling of the villagers, spurring his horse forward into the village. Merlin followed to the edge of the destruction before stopping his horse and dismounting, using it as a shield to hide himself should he need to use magic.
Arthur jumped off his horse, smacking it on the butt so it would keep moving, and ran forward with his sword drawn toward the chimera. He dodged the goat head and its horns and slashed across the wound Sir Leon had given it the day before. The chimera growled angrily and the snake head lashed out at him, fangs dripping what was no doubt poison and ready to sink into Arthur's flesh. Suddenly Pelleas was there, his sword descending on the snake head like the executioner's ax. The head came off cleanly and landed at Arthur's feet.
The chimera backed away from Arthur, its tail waving in the air aimlessly with blood pooling down the sides of the snake body and onto its ox-like hindquarters. Arthur pat Pelleas on the shoulder but never got to say any words of congrats because the chimera roared, a horrifying sound, and charged. It didn't charge at Arthur, it was too close for that, but at Arthur's knights and the villagers.
Sir Leon stepped in front of it, looking scared out of his mind, with a pitchfork he'd picked up from one of the houses. When the chimera was a bit closer to him, Leon jabbed the pitchfork at its lower head with the prongs facing up. He knew he'd hit something when the lion roared independently of the goat head. Sadly, that didn't stop the charge and now it was too late to dodge.
"Cléofan," Merlin said in a rush, his eyes flashing gold a second before the horns of the goat….fell off. There was a clean slice through the bone and all but an inch of each horn split away and dropped to the ground.
The chimera still rammed into Leon with the force of a charging bull, but at least there were no sharp objects to impale him. He flew backwards even after the chimera stopped running and rolled over himself a few times before stopping when he hit the wall of an as-of-yet undamaged building. Merlin ran over to him and knelt down, checking his pulse. He looked up and saw Arthur looking over at him while the chimera was being still for a moment. Merlin gave a nod and a thumbs up to let him know that Leon was still alive so he could get back to the battle.
Arthur nodded in return and turned his attention to the chimera and his remaining knights. "Surround it! It can't defend against us all! Attack it all at once!"
All of the knights and Pelleas gathered around the chimera like lightening at their leader's call. Swords drawn, every one of them raced forward. The chimera kicked two of them back with its hind legs but without the snake head or its horns, it couldn't defend against the rest and soon twelve swords were piercing the lion hide of its body. The goat head spit fire out in a last desperate attempt to take its enemies down with it and then the chimera fell in a bleeding husk to the ground. Merlin jumped when the fire managed to skirt the ground long enough to catch his left pant leg on fire and quickly pat it out with his own jacket.
"I told you to stay back," Arthur chastised, a laughing smile on his face as he came to stand by Merlin's side.
Merlin glared at him. "I was back! I'm like…more than twenty feet back!" he complained.
Arthur shrugged and motioned to Leon. "How is he?"
Still glaring, Merlin turned his attention to Leon. "I think he's fine…His ribs are probably bruised if not broken though, so we should be really careful with him."
"Oh, somebody's learning a useful skill," Arthur commented lightly. He seemed rather pleased with the victory over the chimera.
Merlin through him a suffering look but didn't get to comment because Pelleas and two of Camelot's knights hurried over to them. All three of them bowed before the knight in the center began to speak. "Sire. The beast destroyed half the city before we got here. There are many injured villagers and not enough medicine to care for them here."
Arthur's smile dropped and looked around the village. Many of the houses were still burning while others were nothing but ash. Children were crying and men and women alike were moaning in pain. Arthur's expression contorted into one of guilt. How had he not noticed before?
"Leave the injured men here with me while two of you head back to Camelot as fast as you can," he said. "Bring Gaius back here along with all the food, clothes, and medical supplies you can manage. The rest of us will help put out the fires and rebuild the homes as best we can. Go. Now."
The knights hurried off but Arthur kept Pelleas there with his eyes alone. "Sire?" the peasant warrior asked once the other two were gone.
Arthur placed his right hand on Pelleas' left shoulder and stared him directly in the eyes. "You saved my life today, and helped defeat a terrible beast that was destroying a kingdom that is not your own. You've proven your courage and your honor. When we're finished here and we return to Camelot….I will see to it you become a knight of Camelot."
"But the Knight's Code-" Pelleas began.
Arthur shook his head and Pelleas stopped. "I met a man once before who was the epitome of a knight. He passed the knight's tests and proved himself many times over, but he was a peasant and my father would not allow him to be a knight. I regret that. I will not let my father's paranoia dictate my decisions. I need men I can trust at my side when I am king, and I am certain you are a man worthy of that trust."
Merlin was certain that Pelleas' heart was about to burst with the pride he felt at that admission. "Thank you, sire," he managed to breathe out, his face turning red from the strain of not passing out with joy.
Arthur nodded to him. "Go. Help put out the fires."
"Of course, sire." Pelleas turned and hurried over to where some villagers were already bringing buckets of water over from the well they kept just out of the village and took a particularly heavy looking one from an older woman, who thanked him.
Without turning around Arthur said, "Wipe that smile off your face, Merlin. You look ridiculous."
Merlin shook his head and looked at Leon for lack of anything better to do. "You're fulfilling your destiny," he said in a way that confused Arthur: not because it was an odd tone but because he couldn't decide if Merlin was just smiling really big or if Merlin was actually teasing him in some way.
He decided not to answer to cover his uncertainty. "Stay with Sir Leon," he ordered. "I'm going to go help the others."
"Aye, sire."
…
…
When the knights arrived that evening with the supplies and Gaius, both Merlin and Arthur were shocked to see Gwen along for the journey. She hurried over to Arthur, standing by a partially rebuilt house.
"Guinevere," Arthur let out. "What are you doing here?" he asked through his shock.
Gwen looked him in the eyes for a moment, and then blushed lightly and looked away. "I heard you needed help and….well, I was worried and I couldn't just sit by and do nothing." She looked up at his eyes again. "I want to help you."
Arthur and Gwen stared at each other for a full four seconds before Arthur nodded, looking away. "The majority of the injured have been moved over there by Merlin," he said with a motion of his hand to where several people were laying or sitting down by Merlin. Gaius was already walking that way.
"Right," Gwen said before swiftly moving over to where she was needed. Arthur sadly watched her go.
He was conflicted when it came to Gwen. She was a servant. He knew next to nothing about her personally, but felt like he'd known her for years….Technically he had because she'd been Morgana's maidservant since they were kids but he'd never really met her before Merlin came to town. Heck, he hadn't really known her name before Merlin mentioned getting a flower from her! But she was sweet and kind and spoke her mind and had taught him a lot about what it was to be a good king, a good person, over the years. And she was beautiful. Everyone could see she was beautiful.
And then there was Lancelot. Arthur was almost completely positive that Lancelot held Guinevere in the same regard that Arthur himself did. Lancelot was a good man, better than Arthur was, and he deserved Gwen more for it but…Arthur's heart beat double time when he saw her face and he worried about her like….like he worried about Merlin….but not. Because Merlin was, well, Merlin, and that just explained everything didn't it?
Arthur turned away from the sight of Gwen talking to Gaius and moved to help finish building a home. On the way over, the elderly woman Pelleas had taken the water bucket from earlier stepped up to him. "Arthur Pendragon," she said humbly, giving the best bow she could manage.
"What can I do for you?" Arthur asked.
She stood up, her grey hair brushing along her shoulders gently, and looked at him with kind old eyes. "You saved us from that beast, and now you are helping us rebuild our homes and our families," she gushed.
Arthur shook his head. "No. It's nothing. How could I not help you?"
The woman nodded her head, her eyes wetting with unshed tears. "I hope I live to see you crowned king, my lord….I hope I live to see the shining world you create."
Meanwhile, Merlin and Gaius and Gwen were bandaging the wounded. Gaius looked around once he was finished with a young boy's leg and then over to the wagon they'd brought full of food and supplies. "Gwen," he said. She looked up. "Could you get me some more bandages from the wagon?"
"Of course," she answered with a nod, hurrying over to get what Gaius needed.
Gaius turned to Merlin. "Merlin," he practically hissed. Merlin looked up at him. "You're in danger."
"What?" Merlin stepped up to him. "What do you mean?" He looked around for an attacker.
Gaius shook his head. "Not here. In Camelot." He was whispering so no one else would hear. "Uther knows about you. He knows about your gifts."
Merlin's eyes widened. "But…but…how?"
"The seer from the canyon mentioned a sword." Merlin nodded. He knew that sword. "Uther remembered the sword you gave him to fight the wraith. He knows it's the same sword."
Merlin nodded again, and then narrowed his eyes a bit. "Wait…If he knows I'm the one who is supposed to help Arthur…why would he hurt me?"
Gaius let out a long suffering sigh. "Merlin, magic is magic to Uther. It doesn't matter if every bit of proof points to a good sorcerer, he'll still have them executed for treason."
Merlin stared at Gaius, fear creeping into his face. "So…what do I do?"
Gaius shrugged and shook his head. "I'm not sure. I'd tell you to stay away from Camelot, but I know you won't. You need to stay at Arthur's side. All I can say is….be careful around Uther, keep your head down, and try not to do any magic where he can see it."
"Here you go, Gaius," Gwen announced herself, holding the bandages and salve out for him to take. Gaius thanked her graciously, shot Merlin a look, and went back to work.
…
…
As the horses reentered Camelot, Arthur turned to Merlin on the horse beside him. "Don't look so glum, Merlin," he said. "The creature is dead. It can't hurt you. Stop sulking."
Merlin gave Arthur his best grin while Gaius frowned deeper. "Right…sire. I know. I'm not sulking."
"Yea," Arthur snorted as they dismounted the horses and servants ran to help the knights. "That's why you look about to faint, because you aren't scared of the chimera." He shook his head. Merlin stepped up to take the reins of the horse from him. "Just help Gaius and Gwen. Also, I want a bath ready so I can clean up before dinner."
Merlin frowned. "But…it's barely noon."
Arthur nodded like Merlin was an idiot. "Yes. Which means you have plenty of time to clean my room, and brush and clean my horse. I'm going to speak with my father."
Arthur motioned to his knights and Pelleas and they all followed him up the steps to report to Uther. Gwen immediately hurried off to find Morgana. Gaius walked over and stood next to Merlin with his hands clasped in front of him.
"Don't worry, Gaius," Merlin assured him. "I'll think of something. You should go help the other villagers."
"You're sure?" Gaius asked, not believing in Merlin's 'plan.' Merlin nodded with a little smile, nervous but real, and Gaius sighed. "Alright then. I wouldn't use spells though. Just a bit of advice." Merlin's smile became a tad less nervous and Gaius returned it before meandering off.
…
…
"The carcass was taken into the woods far from the city and burned," Arthur informed his father.
Uther nodded. "Very good. You have all done well. Go and rest now."
Arthur nodded to his knights and they all left to help the villagers. "Pelleas," Arthur called simply, not loudly, and Pelleas of Mora stopped on his way out the door. Arthur motioned for him to come forward and he did so. "Father."
"Hm?"
"I wish to make Pelleas a knight of Camelot."
Uther's face contorted, but not in rage. It seemed more like he really wasn't quite sure if Arthur had spoken English just then and he was trying to translate before answering and wasn't having much luck. He looked at Pelleas and waved a hand at the door. "Leave us." Pelleas bowed and hurriedly exited the room "What?" Uther asked in a hushed and yet angry tone of voice.
Could his week get any worse?
"You've always told me that a king must have those he trusts by his side. You invented the knight's code because you believed only the nobles who had sworn fealty to you in the beginning could be trusted," Arthur began. "I have seen Pelleas in battle and he has proven himself to be an honorable man. If I am to be King, I will need men I trust in my service. I trust Pelleas."
Uther didn't speak, he just stared. After a long silence as tense as overworked muscles, Uther took a deep breath. "He is not of noble blood, therefore he cannot be a knight of Camelot."
Arthur drew himself up to his full height. "The seer from the canyon never said the King of Albion had to be of noble blood. If the King does not need to be of noble blood, then neither should the knights. Besides which, a king is worthless without his subjects. They should have the ability to protect the land just as much as anyone else."
"They may have the ability," Uther agreed with a nod, "but it is not their right."
"Then give them the right!" Arthur yelled. "You have always been so set and stubborn in the knight's code, except when it came to me. Lancelot had more than what was required in a knight, and yet you dismissed him like common garbage. But for me…for me you would break the code a thousand times over!" he accused, taking a step closer to his father. "If that's the way it will continue to be, then the code must be rewritten. When I am King, I will rewrite it myself if I have to. Anyone who proves themselves worthy of the honor of becoming a knight shall be given it, regardless of their position or bloodline."
That last bit almost made Uther double over as if he'd been punched in the gut. It sure felt like it. 'When I am King.' He'd always known Arthur would become king one day. His son was born into that privilege and so he would have it. But more and more as time went on, and especially now that he was destined to be King of all Albion, Arthur had been standing up to Uther and shoving his dissent with his father into the light. He was forming ideas about what kind of kingdom he wanted, and that was fine. Every man who would inherit such a position was bound to think of that at some point, but Arthur never used to question Uther's methods.
Until….
Uther's eyes widened.
Merlin.
Uther narrowed his eyes a bit. "You present a valid argument, Arthur," he admitted. "I will consider your request."
Right after he killed a certain sorcerer who had been casting spells on his son for almost five years! Then he would see just how much of these thoughts were Arthur's and how many were Merlin's in his plot to destroy the kingdom! Letting peasants be knights! It would be the downfall of the kingdom! The downfall of Arthur!
Arthur blinked a few times, surprised, and then bowed. "Thank you, father."
Uther waved him off and Arthur left the room to tell Pelleas, who was doubtless waiting outside the room, about the conclusion. Uther placed his left hand on his sword hilt and his right hand on his throne, attempting to balance himself. He felt he might pass out. Gaius had said Merlin was a good sorcerer, but he'd been casting spells on Arthur the whole time! Arthur. His son. Under a spell.
"Ahem."
Uther shot to a full standing position as he flipped to see who had made the noise. There. Standing just next to the closest pillar to the throne on the left side was Merlin. His head was bowed, but he was still making eye contact with Uther. Anger flared through Uther's veins and he took three heavy steps towards Merlin, down the stairs.
"You!" Merlin took a step back and Uther stopped walking. "You placed a spell on my son."
Merlin's eyes widened. "What?" he exclaimed, and then lowered his voice. "I would never-"
"Ever since you arrived in Camelot, Arthur has been challenging my rule. He scrutinizes my every move, contradicts me at every turn. You must think me a fool for not noticing!" The king accused.
Merlin was silent for about half a second before he glared right at Uther, no head bowed or anything anymore. "You are a fool, Uther Pendragon," he stated defiantly, "if you think I would do something like that. When I first arrived here, I had no idea magic was even banned. I had no idea who you and your son were. If I have somehow changed Arthur's beliefs it's because I am a terrible servant, which I tried to tell you when you offered me the job, or because I'm a commoner and I've been around him so long he's noticed I have some semblance of a life outside of helping him and helping Gaius," Merlin rambled. He broke off, taking several deep breaths, and hoped he hadn't just said something that would end his life. After a moment of silence in which Uther simply stared at him with an unreadable expression, Merlin pressed on. "And I don't even know if it was me that made him disagree with you. It could've been someone else. It could've been just that he's growing up. Or maybe it was something you did yourself that made him start rethinking things."
The glare was back on Uther's face. "I have done nothing to make Arthur into the man he was in this room today," he hissed. "I raised Arthur the best way he could've been raised. He never questioned me before. You are a lying sorcerer and I will see you burned for treason!"
"Then do it!" Merlin shouted, and then glanced at the door a moment to make sure no one had heard him. In a softer voice he continued. "If you're so bent on killing me, then do it. If you think it's what's best for the kingdom, then go ahead and build the pyre, tie me up, and kill me. If you think it's what's best for Arthur."
Uther scoffed. "You think I am so blind, sorcerer?" he sneered. "The moment you get a chance, you will use your magic to save yourself or kill me or Arthur. If you are so bent on the pyre, then I will use the executioner's block."
Merlin shook his head almost tiredly. "You don't understand. I'm not lying to you, sire." That caused Uther to stop his thought process. "My magic was given to me at birth for a reason." Oh, there it went again. Thoughts gone. "That reason isn't to save myself or kill the Pendragon line. It isn't to destroy your kingdom. For that matter, I've been told it isn't even for changing the bed sheets or sharpening a sword," he said with a minute laugh. "My entire life has led me to this point, to this place in time, to this destiny," Merlin emphasized. "My destiny to help your son in any way I can. And I don't care if he ends up being exactly the kind of king you are today: bitter and hateful towards magic and distrusting everyone. I'd follow him unto death and beyond, to Avalon if I'm allowed. But I know he's going to be a great king, a king that will be remembered in legends and songs and magic for all of time, because he is kind, empathetic, compassionate, strong, brave, honorable, and true. And I don't care what you think of me, sire, not in the least, as long as you let me continue to serve Arthur until the day he decides he's through with me and sacks me."
Uther looked at Merlin, standing ten feet in front of him, and couldn't understand. Magic was evil. Magic had taken his wife away from him. Magic corrupted the soul and the heart. Those who studied magic were only out for their own gain. And yet…
Merlin sighed and lowered his eyes to the ground. "Arthur wants me to draw him a bath. You can arrest me once he's had it so maybe he won't be so irritable," he said in a defeated tone of voice. "Tonight then, my lord," he said in good-bye before slowly walking to the servant's entrance of the hall and vanishing behind the door.
…
…
The sun crept onward toward sunset. Merlin bathed and brushed Arthur's horses, cleaned his rooms, and prepared the bath. Arthur came in, dirty and tired from helping in the city that day after the fight and work the day before, and immediately undressed and stepped into the still hot water. Merlin helped him bathe and engaged in conversation about the fight and the plight of the people, but his mind was elsewhere so the conversation went nowhere. Arthur didn't fail to notice.
"Once dinner is over, go get some sleep, Merlin," he ordered in the soft tone of voice he saved for when he was truly worried about someone and for once wasn't trying to hide it. "You look worse than I do and I did all the work."
Merlin managed to grin at him. "Right. Thank you."
Dinner came and went. Uther kept staring at Merlin the whole time and when Morgana passed a confused look to Arthur, Arthur noticed it too. "It's pathetic, isn't it?" he said, catching everyone's attention. "I fight a chimera and help rebuild two cities with my knights, and my servant is the one who looks overworked," he commented almost cruelly. Merlin gave a little grin.
"Well then, maybe he's coming down with something," Morgana added. "He shouldn't be around the food," she said, casting a mildly angry look at Uther like he'd been the one to say that. "Perhaps he should go lie down and get some rest. It'd be terrible if he got sick and couldn't keep Arthur's chambers looking at least moderately clean," she teased at Arthur.
He cast a bit of a scowl at her and took a large sip of his wine. Uther nodded and began to speak before Arthur ever got the chance to open his mouth. "Right. Boy," he called and Merlin flinched visibly, turning to face the king with his eyes trained on the floor. "You may leave us."
Merlin nodded meekly, placed the wine pitcher on the table next to Arthur's goblet, but not too close, and left without a word. Arthur cast an actually openly worried look after his manservant before turning his attention back to his food.
Merlin lay awake in bed until deep into the night. He kept imagining he heard the footsteps of soldiers coming to get him. It wasn't until almost dawn that he finally fell into a restless sleep. He must have looked at least a bit as bad as he felt because when he woke up later than afternoon, Gaius said both he and Arthur had taken one look at him and decided that perhaps he really was ill and not to wake him.
"Has….has anyone….," Merlin managed, but he wasn't sure how to word it.
Gaius understood him anyway and shook his head. "No. Uther hasn't sent anyone to collect you. He hasn't spoken to me since then either, but I think the fact that you're alive is a good sign at least. What did you say to him to keep him away?"
Merlin shrugged, staring into the cup of something Gaius had handed him. "I don't even really remember. I know I said something about helping Arthur and that I wouldn't fight him if he really wanted me dead….I told him…what kind of king Arthur was going to be….oh, and I told him he was wrong. I am not the reason Arthur's been rethinking Uther's laws."
Gaius made a noise between a laugh and an 'ehh'. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Merlin. You've been his servant for years now. I'm sure you've rubbed off on him at least a little bit…though whether or not that's a good thing has yet to be seen. For now though, it seems as if you've kept your life."
Merlin nodded. "Now all I have to do is keep it." He downed the whole drink in one go and grimaced at the taste. Eck. Medicine.
…
…
Next Time: The Kelpie
Morgause summons a Kelpie, a magical horse creature, from a lake. In the form of a beautiful woman, the Kelpie steals Arthur away in the dead of night. Uther charges Merlin with an ultimatum: retrieve his son or die on the pyre in the morning.
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Translations:
Cléofan = Split.