As Time Passes (Merlin Fanfic)
Title: As Time Passes
Author: Woodsgal
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2860
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin sadly.
Spoilers: Up to the end of season 2 to be safe, especially episode 12.
Summary: Time has passed and Morgana has grown powerful, Merlin needs to encourage her to re-join them but when they meet things do not go to plan. Hearts are stirred and emotions are revealed. Strange, what one confrontation can do. Arthur/Merlin and hinted Merlin/Morgana.
Author's Notes: I started to write this randomly after I decided I wanted to write evil Morgana. Okay, she may have turned out kind of psycho and rather OOC but she's cool evil that way ha ha.
The forest around them was ancient, dense. Long shadows jumped off columns of ageing bark as the scattered light danced around them, bathing them alternatively in darkness and light. The female figure stood tall and menacing, head held high as sharp blue eyes glared daggers into the male. Long dark curls hung loosely around her, draping across her purple clad body. She looked regal, like a Queen standing up against some sort of vile creature. And in her eyes she was, she was facing a treacherous coward, a man she had believed to be her friend but had yet poisoned her. She had even started to believe that perhaps he loved her, in the way that she had admired him but no. He had made it clear where his loyalties lie as well as who stirred his heart and it was not her.
The man she so despised stood across from her, his own shoulders held high as he stood strong, all gangling limbs and big blue eyes. He looked nothing like the great sorcerer he would grow to be. But his eyes, his beautiful cerulean eyes held a hidden sadness and a deep regret. He had not wanted to poison her, she was his friend and he had gone through such pain and heart break when he found out that it had to be done. But he’d done it anyway and though he did regret it he didn’t wish that he hadn’t done it. He would kill her as many times as necessary if it was to save his Prince, his kingdom. That was why he was stood in front of her now, for the sake of his Prince. His brunet locks dropped slightly into his face; shadowing his bright eyes in the half darkness but the stubborn set of his jaw the fists clenched by his sides said everything that was needed to be said. He would not back down, neither sorcerer would but the results of the coming battle were indeterminable.
The woman’s painted red lips curled up into a smirk as she crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture on anyone but her. On her it just seemed to be a sign of confidence, a challenging gesture. She was confident but the male was not afraid of her. He knew that he probably should be, he had seen her temper enough times but he could not drop his unusually stony expression. He needed to win this battle of wills for otherwise how could he ever return to his Prince? How would he ever look him in the eye and tell him that it was useless, that she would never return to them and that they would never win. If he lost that would be the inevitable.
“Well, I have answered your calling Merlin. What is it you wish to so desperately talk to me about?” she asked, her tone fraught with haughtiness as she eyed the taller male with distaste. The smirk was still playing at her lips and it only grew as Merlin bowed lowly to her,
“My Lady Morgana, we wish to invite you back. I apologise for any ill treatment I caused you before but we do not wish to be enemies with you,” he said, as clearly as possible but it was obvious it was something he did not wish to do. Morgana cackled slightly, her smile almost wild with glee.
“I never thought I would have you beneath me Merlin. You were always so stubborn, refusing to even bow down to your master’s commands,” she commented, mocking. She pretended to stop and think then,
“Then again I suppose you're beneath him in more ways then one now,” she added. A blush creeped up the man’s neck, the innuendo painfully obvious and to hear such words coming from the Lady’s mouth, filled with cruel intent stung him.
“What has happened to you Morgana? You were never like this before, I understand that you’re angry and maybe even frightened but it just isn’t…right,” he responded, his voice dropping, softening as he stepped forwards towards her.
With a wave of her hand, Merlin was thrown back into a tree as she scowled down at him. She swaggered forwards towards him, the sway of her hips once again showing her over confidence,
“This isn’t right? Then what is right? Hiding your magic as you work under a Prince who treats you like muck? Being scared of being caught every time something magical is discovered because you're lusting over him?” she hissed, every word laced with poison as she stepped over to the male. She stood over him and held a hand above his chest, her lips opened to begin a spell but suddenly she stopped. She simply tipped her head to the side and pouted down at him,
“No. I can't kill you just yet, Morgause wishes to play with you some more,” she commented though it sounded like she was more speaking to herself then him. Merlin began to push himself to his feet but Morgana simply kicked him back down again,
“Nuh uh uh, you're not going anywhere just yet Merlin,” she tutted but she should have been paying more attention. The male knew that he wasn't going to get away from her without using his magic, he just had to. It wasn't like she didn't know now anyway, he didn't know how Morgana knew but she did so there was no use hiding it. He needed to stop her. So slowly he raised his own hand and as a few simple words fled his lips, his eyes glowed gold and the beautiful female went flying off of him, landing with a thump in the clearing in front of them. She was on her feet in an instant but she stumbled around, disorientated by the fall. Malice flashed in her eyes as she snarled ferociously and tried to right herself. Merlin leapt to his feet but before he could hit her with another spell her mouth was open and a curse was spilling out.
“Blódlætan,” she screeched the words echoing around her. They seemed to bounce off the trees and the spell hit Merlin square in the chest. The dark haired male stumbled back, mouth dropping open and he felt something inside of him rip. He shakily lifted a hand to see deep cuts criss-crossing across his arms, streams of blood starting to run down the pale skin. As he looked he could see blood starting to stain the front of his chest as well and Morgana simply shook her head at him,
“You killed me once Merlin and now it is your turn to die. Morgause will accept that I'm sure,” she informed him before the woman turned and started to walk away.
As Merlin crumpled to the ground, the shadows and the light around him seemed to be doing a strange little dance and the last thing he saw before everything went black were the leaves above waving goodbye.
*****
Not that far away rested the city of Camelot, the city was a bustling place with people talking and selling, children playing and old people complaining. The citizens just went about their normal day not knowing of the distress their Prince was going through inside the cold, uncaring walls of the castle.
Inside a room with a roaring fire a handsome blond male paced. The clothes that adorned his broad frame looked expensive if not well worn but such trivial vanities were far from what was on the mind of the young man. It had been hours since he had first been placed in the room, guards almost having to drag him there before being placed on watch outside of the door. He could not believe that Merlin had agreed, it was complete suicide but the stupid idiot had agreed. Morgana was no longer the woman she had once been, whatever had happened to her when Morgause had spirited her away had changed her for the worse. He was worried for Merlin, what would he do if he was hurt? Merlin had gone out to meet her alone and the King had agreed, encouraged it even! A white hot anger stirred in his gut and he was powerless against it as he pounded the stone wall over and over again. Self-destructive behaviour but it didn't matter. He hadn't been allowed to go along. He hadn't been able to protect a servant from a woman he had once regarded as a sister. Merlin was just a servant whereas his life was important the King had said. That maybe that idiotic servant could actually do something worthwhile for once. He punched the wall again, once, twice, three times. A warm hand grasped his then and turning his head he saw a beautiful dark skinned woman shaking her head at him.
Guinevere.
“You're going to hurt yourself Arthur. You're tearing your knuckles up,” she told him, softly as usual. That was the thing with Guinevere, you could always rely on her when upset because she was so quiet and gentle. He let himself relax in her hands and the blond man was slowly led to sit down. The raven haired woman had brought some warm water and bandages along with some food, apparently the guards had seen his activities and had called for a servant to help. She spoke to him about random things as she cleaned and dressed the wounds, trying to distract him but Arthur wasn't listening.
All he could think about was Merlin, Merlin, Merlin.
Guinevere knew it was pointless, she had only seen him this determined and upset about something once and that was when Merlin had drunk poison for him and his father had tried to stop him from helping his servant. Arthur had been angry and Morgana had told her that she had helped convince Arthur to go against the King's orders but she wasn't there any more. She was the one that Merlin needed protecting from. It was Guinevere's turn to convince him to follow his heart not his head, to go against his father to do what he really thought was right. She just hoped he would be safe, he hadn't been reckless when trying to rescue her after all but she didn't think her life being in danger was any comparison to Merlin's being in danger. No matter what Arthur claimed.
So she finished tying the bandages onto Arthur's hands and started to gently stroke the injured area with her thumb. Blue eyes looked up at her, confusion obvious in his expression no matter how hard he tried to keep it blank.
“Go. He needs you just...promise me you'll be careful. If you kill yourself saving Merlin then the King will never forgive him,” she said. Her words seemed to have an effect though as he stood up and asked Gwen to help ready him in his armour.
He just hoped he wasn't too late.
*****
Time passed too quickly for our two young heroes, Merlin was running out of time as his blood abandoned his body for the welcoming dirt beneath him and a sinking feeling was growing in Arthur's gut as he galloped through the countryside, trying to reach the arranged meeting spot before it was too late.
He didn't know what he'd do if he got there too late.
The ride that would usually take twenty minutes only took ten with the speed that Arthur was going at. He was desperate to get there and as he reached the clearing he practically threw himself of the horse.
Merlin.
His Merlin was laying crumpled on the ground in front of the tree, his rough blue shirt stained dark with what could only be blood. A strangled noise rose up in his throat as he stumbled over to the injured brunet. He checked him over quickly, hoping to god that the other male was still alive.
There! A heart beat.
He was alive, Merlin was still alive! But only just, Arthur didn't have to be a physician to see that Merlin had lost a lot of blood. His usually pale skin had lost it's usual sheen of life, there should be colour in those cheeks. He would do anything to see the male blush that tell tale shade of red, anything to see those closed eyes open once again even if they were looking at him in horror. He needed to get Merlin back, he didn't know if there was anything Gaius could do but he had to try.
What would be the point in going on otherwise?
He looked around, Morgana was no where to be seen. She had probably long fled, she probably hadn't seen Merlin as having much of a chance. Where she was though was of no importance to him at the moment, what mattered was helping Merlin live. Quickly he unbuckled his armour as well as he could by himself, the metal clattering to the ground with a careless crash. He bent down and slowly lifted Merlin up, cradling him to his chest. Trying to make him as comfortable as possible in his unconscious state.
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you face her. It was too dangerous,” he whispered, his voice hoarse and he felt tears prick at his eyes. No, he couldn't cry. Not out where anyone could see him, his tears would be reserved for Merlin and no one else.
Turning slowly so he wouldn't jog Merlin's body too much he started the long back to Camelot, praying all along that Merlin wouldn't die in his arms on the way back.
*****
Whatever was watching over them must have been a kindred spirit for Merlin made it back to Camelot alive. Gaius had informed Arthur that if it had taken much longer Merlin would have died in his arms. The only problem was that Gaius was unsure whether he would be able to save Merlin or not.
He had promised to try his best though so all Arthur could do was wait outside Gaius's room. Just sit and wait. It felt like hours were passing when it was only mere minutes.
Arthur kept replaying how he'd found Merlin over and over in his head, what could have happened if he hadn't made it. What if he hadn't bothered to go find him, they may never have known what had happened to him. Arthur had to fight not to shed tears as he waited, the worst situations playing out in his mind, like a premonition of what was to come.
Eventually the door opened with a creak and Prince was on his feet, face more expressive then Gaius had seen it in a long time. The old man solemnly studied the Prince and watched as he drooped, all hope fading from his eyes.
“He has survived sire but he is very weak. He won't be getting out of bed until he has managed to regain the blood he has lost,” Gaius told the young blond, unable to stand seeing him seem so broken. The old man's words elicited a very different reaction from Arthur as his head shot up, eyes wide before he pushed past Gaius to get into the room.
There lay Merlin on the work table, breathing now steady as his body rested, trying to get more blood into his system. There was no way he would awaken for a while but Arthur was not going to leave him. He had to make sure he was okay.
*****
A groan stirred Arthur from his slumber, he had fallen asleep beside Merlin with his head resting in his arms. Whenever Merlin moved his bandaged side brushed against Arthur's hair.
The Prince slowly sat up to see Merlin blinking at him, raw regret and confusion in his beautiful cerulean eyes. Arthur surged forwards, hands clasping that once again warm face as he pressed his lips against Merlin's. The brunet didn't react at first but slowly he softly kissed back.
Only minutes later he pushed the other away from him, turning his head slightly as he repeated no over and over again but it sounded weak even to his ears.
“Don't...I failed you. Morgana hates Camelot even more...hates you, hates me,” he explained, pain evident in his voice but Arthur shook his head and reached out to gently tilt the brunet's head upwards so their eyes could meet.
“That doesn't matter. As long as you're safe I don't care,” he told him. With those words he leaned forwards and kissed Merlin once again.
He would deal with his father and Gwen and Morgana later, all that mattered then was that Merlin was alive. His Merlin was alive and in his arms and kissing back. He didn't care what other people thought, he didn't care about battles he would later have to face, he couldn't even think about what he would do later that day.
All that mattered was Merlin, Merlin, Merlin.
His Merlin.
Everything else would just have to wait.
_________
So was my randomness any good? Thanks for reading and please comment, comments make me write more and make me happy ha ha.