Fic: The Heart of King Arthur (1/?)
Title: The Heart of King Arthur
Author: dk323
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: violence, implications of incest, mind control
Spoilers: None - AU! version of Camelot
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, past Arthur/Morgana, Merlin/Nimue, Gwen/Lancelot, Richard/Kahlan, The Great Dragon (Kilgharrah), Cara, Mordred, Morgause, Ygraine, Uther, OCs
Disclaimer: The show “Merlin” is property of the BBC. Legend of the Seeker is property of Terry Goodkind. This story was initially inspired by the 1996 film “DragonHeart” directed by Rob Cohen. “Once Upon A December” lyrics sung by Liz Callaway. Dialogue (slightly edited by me) taken from “Snow White: A Tale of Terror”, a movie based on the Grimm Brothers’ version of Snow White (Little Snow-White). Elements from variations of Arthurian legend have been blended together here. No money being made.
Masterpost: Here
Summary: The Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, reluctantly agrees to save a young Arthur from certain death. To insure his gift is not in vain, the Dragon has the immortal Dragonlord Merlin, Kilgharrah’s Keeper, mentor the young King. Centuries later, Arthur is reincarnated and when he is 29, he is visited by Merlin’s daughter, Morgana, who has bad news. Arthur is torn between happiness at reuniting with old friends and frustration that they haven’t seen him sooner when they could have.
The last thing Arthur expected is for his world to turn upside down when Merlin’s secrets are unraveled. And he finds out just why his mentor kept him at a distance back in the days of Camelot. Merlin knows the real reason behind the curse on Arthur’s daughter, the unplanned child he had with Morgana during his early years as King of Camelot.
But that’s just the start of it. Centuries removed from his former life, Arthur will finally discover all that Merlin is hiding. But will Arthur’s love for Merlin overcome the alarming truths? Or will Arthur die before he can come to terms with what he has learned?
One thing is for sure. Merlin may be a shoddy actor, wearing his heart on his sleeve, but the immortal Dragonlord guards his darkest secrets zealously from most.
~ * ~
Merlin: "You know, lad, that love business is a powerful thing."
Arthur: "Greater than gravity?"
Merlin: "Well yes, boy, in its way... yes, I'd say it's the greatest force on earth."
(Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963))
~ * ~
Nimue should have known that her audience wouldn’t be the most attentive when she saw Kilgharrah laying about, bored, and in the middle of yawning. And Merlin was no better. The Dragonlord was seated in a floating chair and his full attention was on the book he was reading.
“Merlin, there’s a transition meeting-oh, honestly,” Nimue cut herself off when Merlin gave her no notice.
Even after the dragon breathed out a puff of fire in Merlin’s general direction, he still didn’t look at her. He just raised his hand to keep the fire blast away from him.
“Merlin! Would you listen to me? Your presence is required, mine as well, at the meeting. Everyone will be there. It’s important,” she emphasized.
“Can’t you just sit in for me, love?” Merlin suggested, turning the page of his book, “Surely they don’t need both of us.”
“Merlin’s reading a murder mystery,” the dragon piped up idly, smirking.
Merlin threw Kilgharrah a glare. “Tattle-tale,” he muttered without feeling. He looked to Nimue who looked at him expectantly. Merlin sighed in exasperation. “It’s Sherlock Holmes. What is wrong with that? It’s one of the few excitements I get these days.”
“Reading a book?” The dragon snorted, incredulous.
“Do you know how many centuries I had to live through with books being difficult to get a hold of?” Merlin argued. “It’s amazing how much the world outside of Avalon has evolved. Even since Arthur’s time…since Camelot, it’s like a whole different world.”
“Very well,” Nimue said tiredly, not feeling it was worth her time now to row about a book.
She wasn’t Merlin’s babysitter, but being married to him for centuries now certainly did not come without its share of troubles. Everything was littered with imperfections and this marriage between them was no different. But they had muddled through somehow.
“-But you can not miss this meeting,” Nimue pressed on. “Kahlan and Richard will be present, of course. Even Cara and her group will be there.”
Merlin raised his brow at her. “What is this, a war council now? Why would she and the other Elites come?”
“I could use a good war about now,” Kilgharrah remarked wistfully.
“Like I said,” Nimue repeated slowly. “Everyone will be there. So you have to come.”
“That war with the London Blitz? Which one was that?” The dragon mused out loud.
“World War Two,” Merlin answered him without a glance in his direction.
“…the last full-scale participation by Avalon, wasn’t it? That was years ago, and Arthur wasn’t even born yet? Or reborn, actually?”
“Yes, and you were reincarnated at the same time as well,” Merlin told him.
“Hmm, yes,” the dragon said, nodding. A puff of smoke came out of his mouth and he made small circles of smoke with his clawed hand.
Nimue only shook her head. “Merlin?” She said, drawing his attention back to her.
Merlin nodded at her. “All right. If Morgana wants me there, then I’ll attend.”
He magicked his chair to return to the ground and then he stood up.
“Of course she does. She wants to be thorough for this meeting. Despite the information being a rehashing for you, Morgana is our daughter. We should abide by her request.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Merlin agreed, carrying the book for later perusal.
Before he left with Nimue, Kilgharrah said that he would head off outside of Avalon for a bit. Merlin told him to be careful for Arthur’s sake. Even with the magical protections on the dragon, one could never be too cautious.
The Great Dragon nodded in understanding. Though Merlin could tell that the dragon was being agreeable because he was eager to stretch his wings and explore, bored as he was.
Merlin couldn’t blame Kilgharrah.
He had known the dragon since he had first hatched out of his egg and chose Merlin as his Dragonlord, charring the edge of Merlin’s robes in the process. Merlin knew the moods of his dragon as well as Kilgharrah knew him.
~ * ~
Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns to remember...
“What do you plan to do now, Arthur?” Gwen asked him.
Arthur thought he could use a bit of a break. He had just completed his residency in internal medicine. And so, Gwen and Lancelot invited him to a celebratory dinner at a fancy restaurant in honour of the accomplishment. Almost a year away from turning 30, Arthur found himself one step closer to becoming a cardiologist. Still, it seemed like the end goal was as far away as ever.
He tapped his spoon against the clear glass, the clinking sound ringing in his ears.
Flashes of images rushed into his mind. Arthur couldn’t quite grasp what it was that had invaded his mind’s eye, but it felt familiar somehow.
A dark-haired, pale-skinned man in robes stood on the top of what appeared to be castle ramparts. Though the twenty-something man was thin, he was not one to be intimidated. The dark-haired man had great power at his command. Arthur didn’t know what made him come to that conclusion, but it just…made perfect sense in his mind.
His vantage point was from the surrounding courtyard. He was looking up at the mysterious man. Arthur saw a crowd watching along with him.
The man turned to face the crowd, his arms wide open. He was saying something, but Arthur couldn’t hear him or anyone else for that matter. It was like watching a silent film except it was in color. Then the robed man shifted position and his back was to his audience.
Arthur watched in numb horror as the man walked backwards to the very edge of the ramparts and stepped off the edge. The man had to have had a death wish!
But the man only fell a few feet before a big dragon appeared and swept in to catch the man before he hit the hard ground.
The man rode the dragon around the courtyard. Arthur could see the others cheering, impressed by the display.
Arthur was impressed as well, but more so, he was worried about his sanity. Why was he suddenly being assaulted by images of dark-haired men and dragons? And castles? He thought it was all very Camelot - that was the conclusion he couldn’t help jumping to.
Arthur had read some books on Arthurian legend when he was younger because he had been curious. With a name like his, of course he’d be interested in it (and well, his mum had told him a number of times that she had, in fact, named after the king of legend). But the interest had tapered off as he got older, started university…and so, there really was no reason why he was now seeing this foreign event in his head.
Maybe he just hadn’t had enough sleep last night. That was it.
“Arthur?” Lancelot said, looking at him strangely.
Shrugging, Arthur answered him, returning to the conversation at hand, “I’m thinking of going on holiday. It would be nice to get the chance to relax. My mother has a house in Ireland. I could go there. Or New Zealand, maybe.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease a knot there. “You both have gone there, haven’t you?” He inquired.
“Oh yes, Lancelot and I went to New Zealand last year for our wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time,” Gwen enthused, her dark eyes lit up as she spoke of the country.
“Best way to relax: fly halfway across the world where no one knows you,” Lancelot joked. “I’ve actually been telling Gwen that we should move there.”
Arthur raised his brow. “Really?”
Gwen waved her hand. “It’s a silly thought. We have to see if we can find work there first. It’s just a dream now. And of course we don’t want to relocate. You’re our good friend, Arthur. We would miss you.”
She elbowed Lancelot when he didn’t say anything. Getting with the program, he nodded. “Yes, Gwen’s right. You know how it is. Just a nice idea now.”
“Whatever works for you two. I’ll be fine. There’s no need to worry about me,” Arthur assured them.
Gwen bit her lip, frowning at him. She didn’t look convinced.
“You haven’t had a steady relationship since Sophia, Arthur. And that was months ago,” Gwen reminded him.
Arthur waved his glass at her and pointed out, “It’s not my fault she was a witch.”
Lancelot gave a good chuckle at that.
Arthur was pensive for a moment and he amended his statement, “Well, Sophia thought she was a witch at any rate. I think she had a chemical imbalance in her brain. And that wasn’t exactly a ‘steady’ relationship.”
“At least it was better than a one-night stand,” Lancelot gave his input.
Arthur wagged his finger at him. “I do not have one-night stands,” He countered.
“…except when you’re drunk,” Lancelot said in a knowing tone.
Arthur glared at his friend. But he had to admit, Lancelot did have a point there…sadly.
“My point still stands,” Gwen interjected smoothly, “You went out with her for half a year. I had a feeling that it wouldn’t end well, but…”
“Gwen, I’m fine,” He reiterated, tone firm, “My mother is doing an expert job of setting me up on dates, hoping one will stick. I appreciate your concern, I do, but I lead a busy life. I want to focus on becoming a cardiologist. That’s my priority. Not to date witch-women,” he rushed to correct himself.
Gwen covered her mouth, hiding a giggle, while Lancelot laughed.
Arthur pretended not to notice as he cut into his steak.
“So…” Arthur spoke up again after he chewed his piece of meat, “Any children in your sights? What now - it’s going on five years of marriage?”
“Well, we’re considering it. Aren’t we, Lancelot?” Gwen said, looking to her husband.
Lancelot nodded. As he spoke of their planning, Arthur was treated to another inexplicable, soundless vision.
This one was brief though. He saw a little girl with dark hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a blue and purple dress and she was twirling around. Then the girl smiled at someone who Arthur could not see.
The image of the girl faded away and Arthur was left thinking that the color of her eyes was strikingly similar to his own.
“Arthur, Arthur…you’re going to spill your glass,” Gwen’s warning tone of voice returned Arthur’s attention back to her.
Arthur shook himself, and he gave her a smile as he righted his glass. “I apologize. I drifted off there. I haven’t been paying attention.”
“Well, we can see that. If you’re tired…” Gwen began, concerned.
“Yeah, maybe I am,” Arthur agreed, sounding regretful. “But I appreciate the gesture here. It was nice to see the both of you,” he said genuinely.
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Lancelot and I wish you well,” she said with a smile.
“Yeah, best of luck, mate,” Lancelot told him.
And not long afterwards, the three of them parted ways, promising to meet up once again in a week or so.
When Arthur climbed into his car, his mobile rang.
And that’s when everything changed.
It wasn’t like before. This time, there was an explosion of sound, images, and it all felt so real. It was like watching the lengthy trailer to a film, but it was…this was his life.
When Arthur was five, he couldn’t sleep one night. A day of seeing sorcerers executed had traumatized him. His father had looked about ready to hit him when Arthur threw a tantrum in front of some members of the Court. His mother had consoled him and assured Arthur, as she always did, that if he ever was feeling troubled, his angel would listen to his worries and comfort him whenever he needed it. His mother told him that everyone had their own guardian angel and to rest assured, one was never truly alone because one’s angel was always there--
“--right there in your heart, my dear,” his mother said to him, placing her hand over his heart.
That night Arthur saw a floating blue ball of light appear by his bedside. Arthur did not feel afraid though. He knew the ball of light was conjured by magic, and magic was dangerous according to his father, but still, Arthur felt calm and at peace upon sighting the orb. He decided that surely this must be a sign from his angel. His mother had been right after all.
Arthur slept well after that, knowing his angel was keeping watch over him.
~ * ~
“Long Live King Arthur! Long Live the King!” The people cheered in the hall.
Arthur looked over at Merlin. The Dragonlord was resplendent in deep blue robes and he was clapping enthusiastically along with everyone else. His wife, Nimue, was beside him. Arthur found his smile mirrored on his mentor’s face.
Arthur thought he could never be happier than he was right now.
~ * ~
“Sire, please, you need to eat,” Merlin pleaded with him.
Arthur groaned. He felt absolutely miserable, the fever giving him a sort of heavy, drowsy feeling. In a fit of frustration at the forced bed rest, he had thrown his covers off the bed.
“This isn’t your job,” Arthur pointed out, grumbling.
Merlin gave him a half-smile. “Since your mother hasn’t returned yet, the court physician thought I would be the best person to get you to eat.”
“Myrddin probably couldn’t find anyone else to bother with me. All the servants know how I am when I’m ill.”
Merlin shook his head, looking bemused. “I believe I can handle the challenge. I’ve had to look after Viviane and Morgana numerous times while they were sick. And they weren’t the easiest of patients either. I’m certain Morgana would have you beat in that category,” he teased him while Arthur looking affronted at Morgana beating him at anything. Merlin then insisted, “Now, please eat.”
Arthur sighed resignedly and Merlin guided the spoon, full of bland-looking gruel, into his mouth.
“You don’t have to feed me,” Arthur told him in mild exasperation after eating a few spoonfuls. “I’m not a child.”
Merlin smiled quietly at him. “After how many years I’ve lived, most people are children to me. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“…do you wish you could relive your childhood?” Arthur wondered.
Merlin appeared thoughtful. “It would be nice, I admit.”
“What was it like when you were a child?” Arthur asked him, curious.
Merlin swept aside some blonde locks from Arthur’s brow. Then he spoke, “My friends and I used to spend hours exploring the forest. And we liked to dream up what we wanted to do when we were older. The more outlandish idea, the better. I was never happier.”
Arthur smiled; feeling tired all of a sudden. “That sounds really nice.”
Merlin returned the smile and then he leaned down to press a kiss to Arthur’s forehead. “Sweet dreams, My Lord,” he wished him as Arthur’s eyes closed.
~ * ~
“You just said there was a horrific creature in that pond, Morgana. Why are you going into the water? Are you mad?” Arthur asked her.
“Braver than you, oh great king,” she said smartly, challenging him to prove her wrong.
Morgana stripped off her dress, leaving her in her white shift underneath.
“Morgana, what are you doing?” Arthur said incredulously.
“I don’t want to get my dress wet,” she explained smoothly, smiling sweetly at him.
Morgana started walking toward the pond. She looked back at Arthur who was staring at her dress that she had left on the shore.
“Well, Your Majesty? Are you going to join me or stay and guard my dress like an idiot?” She teased him, grinning.
“I’m coming,” he declared. “You’re half-mad, but I’m coming.”
~ * ~
“You’re staring at my father again, Arthur,” Morgana remarked to him.
Arthur hit his goblet so hard with his fork that the cup almost fell. He righted it quickly.
“I was doing no such thing…” He denied firmly.
Morgana gave him a knowing look. She moved her hand to rest over his. Arthur hadn’t realized that his anxiety was showing. His hand stilled under her touch.
She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, “Mordred is looking at us.”
~ * ~
Arthur observed Merlin as he cast a knowing look in Nimue’s direction. And then the Dragonlord raised his goblet and drank from it. To Arthur, it seemed like a sort of challenge, but he wasn’t sure what the game entailed.
Merlin excused himself from the feast and slipped out. Arthur, curiosity getting the better of him, followed after him.
Morgana blocked his way from the hall, and he just noticed the other girls nearby watching them with keen eyes.
Morgana smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Hello.”
“Morgana, please, I don’t even want to know,” Arthur said with a sigh.
Her green eyes twinkled and she offered him a dark red handkerchief.
Baffled, Arthur took it. He saw that his name, Arthur, was embroidered upon it. There was a picture of a knight falling off his steed below the name.
She graced him with a mischievous smile. “I’ve been practicing; you see… do you like it?”
Arthur just stared at her. “It’s definitely you, Morgana,” he finally said.
Appearing pleased with the answer, she nodded at him and this time, she properly curtsied at him before returning to the other girls.
As he exited the hall, Arthur could hear Morgana and the other girls talking excitedly and giggling behind his back.
When he spotted Merlin and Nimue in a darkened corridor, both oblivious to anyone but each other, Arthur felt like an idiot.
It had been a lust potion, of course, or something like it. Arthur’s hand clenched tight around the red handkerchief Morgana had given him.
~ * ~
It was a sudden, horrific jolt that he was falling; that he was going to die that brought Arthur back to himself.
He had been tricked. His mind had been in a haze and he hadn’t been thinking clearly.
But then inexplicably, he stopped falling and he didn’t hit the merciless hard ground as he’d feared.
Arthur felt scales underneath him, firm and a bit rough, but blessedly welcome.
“I’ve got you,” Merlin reassured him. He looked back at Arthur. “Hold on, all right?”
“I-I’m not sure what happened,” Arthur admitted, though he had enough presence of mind to wrap his arms around Merlin’s middle.
Kilgharrah was suspended in flight, his wings flapping up and down to stay in the air.
“If I am to be bonded to him, I’m not going to let him die in a ridiculous manner,” the dragon said gruffly.
“Oh, hush, Kilgharrah,” Merlin said lightly, stroking the dragon’s scales as if he were a pet.
“You saved me,” Arthur declared.
Merlin turned his head to look at him and smiled at him softly. “Of course I did,” he said easily.
Merlin squeezed his shoulder, nodding at him, and then he directed Kilgharrah to fly higher, to return home.
With Arthur resting in bed, safely returned in the castle, he was close to telling Merlin that he loved him. He knew it was wrong - Merlin wouldn’t take it the way Arthur meant it, but Arthur was so overwhelmed with gratefulness and relief that he needed to say the words.
But then Morgana rushed into his bedchambers and wept with relief that Arthur was all right. She embraced him, and Arthur tried to scoff but his complaints were weak and he accepted the hug. He relaxed in her arms, smelling the sweet scent of flowers on her.
Arthur saw Merlin follow Nimue, who had come with Morgana, out of the room. Morgana drew his attention back to her and Arthur answered her, doing his best to set her at ease.
~ * ~
“Morgana, Morgana…” Arthur cut into her speech, exasperated.
Morgana paused, looking at him. “-what?”
And then he kissed her. “It’s you, all right?” He told her firmly.
She still looked unsure.
He touched her cheek, sweeping aside a loose strand of dark hair and placing it behind her ear.
“And you’re beautiful,” he told her honestly.
“You’ve lost your mind,” Morgana replied in a disbelieving huff.
He kissed her again. “Maybe I have,” Arthur remarked afterwards, smirking at her. “But I don’t mind.”
She rolled her eyes and then pulled him back toward her. This time, Morgana initiated the kiss. She didn’t hold back.
~ * ~
Arthur entered Morgana’s chambers and she smiled quietly at him from her bed. She held their daughter in her arms.
“How is Kahlan?” He asked after a long pause, trying to gauge Morgana’s mood. But she looked relaxed, albeit tired.
“She threw a little fuss early, but she’s asleep now. How are you?” Morgana asked him. He sat down in a chair by her bed, and he bent down to kiss Kahlan on the forehead before he looked up at Morgana.
Arthur started uncertainly, “I was just wondering…have you ever seen this power Kahlan is supposed to have? Confessing someone?”
Morgana shook her head. “No, but my mother assured me that it’s a fate worse than death in its own way. But as long as control is learned early on, Kahlan will be all right. This doesn’t make her a bad person.”
“I’m not saying that, I just…I don’t know. I don’t know what to do,” Arthur confided in her hopelessly.
Morgana gave him an understanding look. “I know how you feel, Arthur, truly I do. I’m in the same situation as you. But Kahlan will be safest at Avalon, and the best we could do is to love her.”
Arthur nodded in agreement.
“…our little princess,” Morgana murmured to the baby as the child roused from her sleep.
And when Arthur cradled Kahlan in his arms, a warm, peaceful feeling swept through him.
~ * ~
Merlin officiated the wedding ceremony between Arthur and the Lady Guinevere. There was some trouble near the beginning as Kahlan, who was three, started fidgeting and then began to cry.
Her hands were bound together with enchanted rope, so she couldn’t disentangle it.
Kahlan hated the binding and she made it known, throwing a fit about it. Morgana and Nimue tried to get her to settle down, but Kahlan wouldn’t have it. She was inconsolable. Arthur knew that Morgana normally did not to do this to their daughter, but with her being in public now; this was done as a precaution. Everyone present at the ceremony knew what Kahlan was capable of doing.
Arthur felt awful for his daughter, but sometimes the necessary solution was unpleasant.
Guinevere looked just as sad for the child’s predicament. “Oh the poor dear,” she murmured. Arthur looked at her apologetically. The ceremony stalled for the moment during Kahlan’s disruption. Merlin appeared thoughtful.
Before anyone could stop her, Kahlan managed to disappear in a burst of accidental magic. She reappeared by Merlin’s side. She looked up pleadingly at him.
Merlin knelt down and set the book he was reading from aside. He sighed, resigned. Arthur knew well that Merlin was quite permissive when it came to his granddaughter. Kahlan had learned this truth rather quickly.
Merlin unbound the rope around her hands. He kissed her on the head and she grinned at him. “Thank you,” Kahlan said happily.
Kahlan turned to Arthur then and opened her arms, gesturing that she wanted a hug. Arthur smiled at her and he lifted her up, her arms wrapped around his neck.
A flurry of hushed whispers pervaded the hall, but Arthur tried to pay them no heed.
“Love you,” Kahlan said sweetly.
Arthur kissed her on the nose. “And I love you too. Now will you be a good girl and go back to mummy?” He asked her.
She nodded and he set her down. Kahlan went back to Morgana and Nimue. Morgana took her in her arms, and the little girl rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.
~ * ~
He had been reborn.
And the memories came flooding in, wave after wave, invading his mind’s eye as a cavalry would strike hard against their enemy. It was too much to take in, but Arthur felt like his eyes were finally open for the first time in his life-reincarnation. He felt complete when he hadn’t thought he had been missing anything. But he had missed so much.
~ * ~
Part 2