jessisnotnormal

[jessisnotnormal]

The problem w writing fiction is that you'll be like tee-hee I'm going to write a story about a fucked up little scenario that's got nothing to do with anything in real life, just some pure messed up nonsense, and then you finish it and take a step back and go aw rats I made a metaphor again

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 24: The Black Knight

Masterlist

<- Chapter 23

When Merlin awoke, he couldn’t remember for a few moments why he felt so content. Then he sighed, turning onto his back as he recalled the memories of the previous night with Jada. She was so easy to be around; she made him feel so relaxed and comfortable, and it was such a welcome change to not have to be constantly on guard, whether it was from being attacked or being revealed.

            “How’s your head?” Gaius asked, once Merlin appeared on the stairs.

            He flashed a crooked smile, giving a small laugh. “Fine. We only had mead.”

            “Makes a change, for you,” Gaius teased.

            Merlin crossed the room to get himself some breakfast, spooning it into a bowl. “Jada doesn’t like to drink. Or, she doesn’t like other people drinking. I’m not sure.”

            “So you took her to the tavern?”

            “I asked her before I knew. I offered to go somewhere else.” He sat down, beginning to eat as Gaius collected his things together. “She said she had fun, anyway.”

            “Good. Did you?”

            Merlin grinned. “Yes. Even if she did make me dance.”

            Gaius raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. “Did she? I thought you said you only had mead.”

            Merlin laughed, feeling his cheeks ache from his smile. “I did. I’m telling you, if I’d have been drunk, I definitely would have fallen over.”

            Gaius chuckled, closing up his bag and swinging it over his shoulder. “Eat your breakfast, before you’re late.”

            Merlin sighed, shovelling another spoonful of porridge into his mouth. Today was going to be a good day.

            “So, why exactly is your father only crowning you now, then?” Merlin asked as Arthur struck one of the training dummies with his sword.

            “Because,” Arthur began, landing another blow. “Winters in these parts can be harsh. Many of the other noble families wouldn't have been able to make it to the ceremony if we'd done it when I first came of age.”

            “Couldn't you have just done it anyway? What does it matter if some people are missing?”

            Arthur straightened up, lowering his sword and looking at Merlin like he was stupid. “Do you have any idea how important this ceremony is?”

            Merlin made a face. “He’s just going to put a crown on your head. You’ve already had one at some of the feasts.”

            Apparently that was the wrong answer, because Arthur looked irritated now. “This ceremony is to recognise me as heir to the throne of Camelot. It officially makes me the future king. It’s kind of important.”

            “Not important enough to do on your actual birthday, though,” Merlin muttered.

            “Merlin!”

            “I mean, it's already autumn! You've been of age for months now--almost a full year already, if you think about it.”

            Arthur attempted to dismiss this with a wave. “Feasts are better around harvest-time. And during the summer there's too many tournaments. And in spring the weather can still be unpredictable, so we couldn't ask people to travel then.”

            Merlin gave him a sideways glance, trying to assess whether these were excuses Arthur that Arthur genuinely believed, or just ones that had been fed to him. “So how important can it be then? If there's no real rush to get it done?”

            “Merlin!”

            “Right. Crown Prince. Very important. Everyone in the kingdom must be invited.”

            Arthur gave him a typical Arthur-look, bulging his eyes out slightly to let Merlin know what he’d said was apparently obvious. He turned back to his training, and Merlin’s gaze wandered over to where Morgana was training Jada with their own dummy.

            He’d never seen Jada wield a sword before, especially not since she started practising. Morgana seemed to be training her well, though. She was a little sluggish, and sometimes a bit stiff, but Merlin thought she definitely seemed to be getting the hang of it.

            They paused for a break, and Jada turned to get some water, her gaze landing on Merlin as she did so. She returned the smile he sent her, though Morgana noticed and followed her gaze, before sending Merlin a little smirk of her own when she spotted him.

            “Merlin, are you even listening?”

            Arthur’s voice called him back to attention, and Merlin turned to him with a questioning look. “What? Who, me? Yes, I was. Um…”

            Arthur turned to see what Merlin had been so focused on, then rolled his eyes at him. “Perhaps you could spend more time doing your job, and less time watching the girls?”

            “Sorry. What did you say?”

            “I said you’re going to have to make sure my armour is freshly polished for the ceremony, and that my cloak is washed.”

            “Does it not get uncomfortable, wearing all that armour all the time?”

            “It’s a royal ceremony, Merlin, not a party. Everybody has to wear a uniform. Even you.” The last he said with such a smirk that Merlin felt a spike of fear.

            “I’m not wearing those ridiculous robes again.”

            “You’re a servant of the royal household. You have to.” The prat was definitely enjoying this.

            “Not the hat. Please, Arthur. Or the cape.”

            “I think it’s a cloak, actually.”

            “It’s definitely a cape. Did you see the thing? I’m not wearing it.”

            “You know, some people would be honoured to serve in such a prestigious position.”

            Merlin narrowed his eyes, but Arthur’s grin only widened. “You call washing your socks prestigious?”

            There was definitely a hint of evil in Arthur’s smile, but at the last moment, he compromised. “You have to at least wear the crest.”

            Merlin sighed, blowing a breath out. “Fine. But that’s all I’m wearing.”

            Arthur grimaced. “I hope not.”

            “No!” Merlin slapped a hand to his face. “Obviously not! That’s all I’m wearing of your stupid uniform.”

            “Good. Because I’m not sure Lady Edna would ever return, otherwise. You might even give her a heart attack.”

            Merlin shook his head, feeling the tips of his ears burn. “Is she the one that’s about a hundred years old?”

            “She is warden of Castle Blythe and a respected guest,” Arthur said, miming offence for a moment. “And yes, that’s the one.”

            Merlin grimaced at the thought of wrinkly old Edna seeing him in just a tabard, then gave a violent shudder. “Yeah, I think I’ll wear extra clothes to the ceremony, now.”

            Arthur gave him a smug look, but before he could open his mouth, Merlin cut him off. “Still not wearing the hat.”

            The castle soon began teeming with activity in preparation for Arthur’s ceremony, and guests from all across the land were arriving in their droves. Everyone was kept busy, Merlin in particular, as he stood by Arthur’s side throughout all his royal greetings and social calls.

            After an early morning and a long day of frantic preparations, the evening finally arrived. It was typically chilly for late September, with a howling wind rising up as night fell, but some of the other servants had lit the larger braziers in the Great Hall to try and keep the cold of autumn at bay.

            Merlin had been given the task of holding the wine jug for the evening instead of attending to Arthur, though at least Arthur had finally agreed he only had to wear the tabard. He had helped the Prince dress and prepare before Arthur headed to Uther’s chambers, likely to receive some final words of wisdom. All the nobles and servants were now gathered in the hall to await the Guest of Honour.

            “So, what exactly is all this about?” Jada asked, standing beside him as they waited.

            “It’s celebrating Arthur’s coming-of-age,” Merlin replied.

             “How old is he, then? Since everyone’s making such a song and dance about it, I’m assuming either eighteen or twenty-one.”

            “Twenty-one.”

            She put on a gruff voice, flexing. “He’s a man, now.”

            “Allegedly since December. Not that you’d be able to tell,” Merlin laughed. “He still can’t dress himself.”

            They giggled together for a few moments, earning some strange looks from some of the more serious nobles seated nearby. Then, Jada nudged Merlin.

            “So, when’s your birthday, then?” she asked.

            “Mine?” Merlin frowned, perplexed she’d even ask. “I don’t have one.”

            She laughed, but another look at him changed her expression. She tilted her head. “Really?”

            “Really. Only nobles and important people celebrate their birthday.”

            “But you must know when you were born, surely? Even if you don’t celebrate it.”

            Merlin gave a half-shrug. “Sometime in summer. That’s what my mother counted from, anyway.”

            Jada looked strangely sad, which only confused Merlin more.

            “Does that mean you have a birthday, then?”

            “What, am I not important enough?” she teased.

            “No, no, that’s not what I meant, I…”

            She gave a grin. “Everybody has a birthday where I’m from. Mine’s the 16th of April. Emily’s is the 30th of December. Jim and Izzy are both in January; his is the 20th and hers is the 12th.” Her face fell again. “Everybody has one.”

            Merlin gave a helpless gesture. “Not me.”

            She fell silent for a while, and Merlin thought the topic was over. At last, she turned back to him. “You should pick a date. Just any date you like in summer, and celebrate it then.”

            “How would I celebrate it? I can’t hold a feast or a tournament.”

            “You just…” He’d never seen her look so lost before. “You just do whatever you want. You can have a party, or go out to the tavern, or for a meal, or take a day trip. Whatever you want.”

            “This is important to you, isn’t it?”

            She looked up at him, seeming surprised. A confused mix of expressions passed over her face, but one corner of her mouth tried to smile. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be pushy or anything. You can do nothing, if you wanted to. It’s just that where I’m from, it’s kind of sad to not have a birthday, you know? It’s a celebration of you, of your existence.” She shrugged, her gaze dropping. “I don’t know, I just thought you deserved that.”

            Merlin smiled. “I’ll ask my mother if she remembers. Then you can help me plan how to celebrate, all right?”

            Jada’s smile was slower, more shy. “If you really want me to.”

            “Of course. If you’ve had twenty-one birthdays, you must be an expert by now,” he teased, grinning.

            Jada returned it, but just at that moment a murmur began to ripple through the crowd, a new excitement in the air as all the guests got to their feet.

            “Looks like Arthur’s on his way,” Gwen noted, appearing at Merlin’s side with a tray of tomatoes in her hand.

            “Finally,” Merlin joked.

            The King arrived dressed in his ceremonial robes, with Morgana in a gown and Arthur in his chainmail closely following. The red of the Prince’s cloak caught in the firelight, his hair golden as he advanced to the centre of the room. All eyes were on him.

            Uther took his place before them, turning to face his son as Arthur knelt at his feet. Silence fell amongst the onlookers.

            After a long and dramatic pause, Uther began. “Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs, and laws laid down by your forebears?”

            “I do, Sire,” Arthur answered.

            “Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgements?”

            “I do, Sire.”

            There was a sceptre in Uther’s hands, and now he turned it to hold it down to Arthur. “And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?”

            Arthur grasped the sceptre firmly, his voice clear. “I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples.”

            Uther gave a flicker of a smile before he turned to a servant who stood nearby holding a velvet cushion. Atop the cushion sat a golden circlet, and this Uther now held before him as he turned back to his son.

            “Now,” he said. “Being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot.”

            He placed the crown on Arthur’s head, and the room burst into applause. Arthur rose, turning to face the onlookers with a small smile on his lips.

            “So, how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?” Gwen asked, a playful light in her eyes.

            “Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege,” Merlin retorted.

            Jada snorted from just behind him, having turned to undertake some last-minute tuning of their lute.

            Gwen snickered. “You’re proud of him really. Even though you complain about him constantly.”

            Merlin gave a surly pout. “I am not.”

            “You are. I can see it in your face.”

            He turned his face to her, his expression serious. “Those socks are very clean. Of course I’m proud of them.”

            Gwen gave a giggle, giving up. Jada looked up as she finished fiddling with the lute, turning it into its proper position.

            She was halfway through saying “Wish me luck” and turning away when the window shattered, sending shards of coloured glass flying into the room. Merlin looked up just as Jada bumped back into him, sending the wine jug clattering to the floor as his reflexes tried to steady the two of them. The sound was covered by the screams coming from a few of the nobles, but he felt the wine soaking through his clothes where it had splattered him.

            It must have been a storm, his brain rationalised, or the wind blowing the window in, but looking back at the scene told him a different story. A knight in black atop a dark horse had burst in through the window, and was now approaching down the aisle between the tables. The knights surrounding Uther drew their swords, but the King himself remained frozen, stunned.

            “What in the devil’s name?” Uther blurted.

            The approach seemed to take an age, the only sound in the room now being the steady clop of the horse’s hooves against the stone floor. At last, the knight halted, throwing something onto the ground before him.

            Merlin’s breath caught in his throat: A gauntlet.

            There was silence. For several long moments, none of the knights made any movement, until at last Arthur sheathed his sword. Before he could bend and pick the gauntlet up, however, one of the younger knights beat him to it.

            “I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge,” he said confidently, an almost arrogant smirk on his face.

            The Black Knight turned his head sharply towards Owain, and the smirk vanished. “Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death.”

            His voice shook Merlin to the core, but without another word he turned his horse and exited the same way he’d entered. There was something wrong about him, something uncanny and unsettling. Why had he come here?

            Jada shifted, and Merlin suddenly became aware that he was still holding her up, his arms around her chest as she tipped unsteadily back against him.

            “Sorry,” he said quickly, helping her get her balance back. “Are you all right?”

            She straightened her dress, but gave him a smile. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that. Oh, Merlin, your leg…”

            He looked down at himself, having forgotten about the wine in all the confusion. His right leg was practically soaked, having taken the worst of the spill, and his right boot had a distinctly soggy feel to it now. Even his torso hadn’t managed to remain unblemished, and though it was only a splash on his stomach, he was fairly certain it had managed to soak through both the tabard and his tunic already.

            Jada had bent down to retrieve the jug, as though by picking it up again all the wine would just hop back in.

            “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice worried.

            “It’s all right,” he replied. “Um…”

            He looked around them for some sort of solution, thinking.

            “I’ll make it up to you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

            He looked back to her, but Jada’s eyes were on the pool of liquid at his feet. “Jada, it’s all right. It’s fine, really.”

            She looked up at him, her eyes wide and confused. “But… you’re soaked.”

            “It’s fine, it was an accident. It just means I need to figure out a way to sneak out of here to get changed.” He looked at her fingers tightly clutched around the jug, and an idea dawned.

            “Here,” he said, taking it from her gently. “I’ll go and take this back to the kitchens to be refilled, and while I’m out I’ll go back to my room and get changed. Arthur will just have to put up with me not wearing the tabard. Can you and Gwen clean the rest of it up?”

            He turned to Gwen. “You wouldn’t mind that, would you, Gwen?”

            Gwen had been watching Jada, but now she smiled sweetly. “Not at all.”

            “O- okay,” Jada nodded, bending to pick up Merlin’s discarded tray.

            “Where is the Royal Bard?” Uther’s voice broke into their little circle, and Jada shot to her feet.

            “Here, Sire,” she replied, eyes wide again.

            “Come, sing us a song.”

            “Uh…” She looked back at the mess uncertainly. Merlin saw Arthur’s gaze follow hers, and disapproval filled his features as he landed on Merlin.

            “Merlin, is there anything you actually can do without mucking it up somehow?” he asked.

            Merlin put his hands behind his back, suddenly aware that Uther’s intense gaze was now on him, as well. “Sorry, Sire. I just dropped it.”

            Arthur gave a pained sigh, rolling his eyes. “Perhaps serving food and drink was a bit too advanced for you.”

            “It was my fault.” Jada spoke up unexpectedly, though she shrank as Uther’s gaze turned onto her. “I’m sorry. I bumped into him when the knight burst in.”

            Uther sighed. “Go and get yourselves cleaned up. When you return, I expect a performance worth waiting for.”

            They bowed and curtseyed, then set the tray and jug down before scurrying out of the hall, heads down.

            “Sorry for getting you in trouble,” Jada said once they were outside.

            Merlin gave her a lopsided grin. “Don’t worry about it, I’m always getting myself there anyway.”

            She gave a brief smile, but it didn’t even remotely reach her eyes.

            “Jada?” Merlin asked. “What’s wrong?”

            Her arms folded themselves across her chest, wrapping around her.

            “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry.”

            “You don’t have to keep apologising to me.” She looked up at him silently. “Look, come here.”

            With a hand on her back, he guided her quickly into one of the alcoves at the side of the hallway. She turned to face him once inside, still just as guarded, but Merlin kept his voice soft.

            “Whatever it is, whatever you’re worried about, I’m here for you,” he assured her. “I’m your friend. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I still want to help, if I can. I’m on your side. We’re a team, you and me. Just tell me how to help.”

            She hesitated, seeming to fight behind her guarded walls for a few moments. Then, at last, some of them disappeared, and she stepped forwards and wrapped her arms around him. She pressed him against the wall, burying her face in his shoulder, and took a deep breath. Merlin’s response was immediate, hugging her close to him also. He turned his head to her, ignoring the tickle of her hair on his face, and sighed.

            After a few moments of comforting silence, Jada stepped back, though neither of them let go of the other completely. Merlin kept his hands lightly on her shoulders, and Jada put her own hands on his arms with a smile.

            “Thank you,” she said softly, then sighed. “I needed that.”

            Merlin flashed the hint of a grin. “Anytime. Although you’re probably going to stink of wine, now.”

            “Oh, gosh,” she said, laughing. “I’d forgotten about that.”

            “Come on.” With a chuckle, he touched a hand to her arm, guiding her back out into the hallway. “If you didn’t need to change before, you definitely do now.”

            “Promise you’re not mad at me?”

            He let his hand slide down from her shoulder, over her wrist until it gently took hold of her fingers. He gave a gentle squeeze—barely a movement at all, it was so soft. “I promise,” he murmured, letting go again.

            Jada looked up at him, searching his face for any hint of deception. He kept his gaze on her, steady and open, and at last she smiled. It was small, but this time it reflected in her eyes, and Merlin felt his own face mirror the motion.

            “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go and get changed so we can head back.”

            It wasn’t until the feast was over and everyone had returned to their chambers that Merlin’s thoughts returned to the Black Knight. He was just getting ready for bed while Gaius was finishing up his work at his bench, when Merlin paused on the stairs, looking back.

            “Have you ever seen this Black Knight before?” he asked.

            Gaius didn’t look up. “I don’t believe so.”

            “You didn’t recognise his crest?”

            The physician turned to him with a frown, now. “Crest?”

            “Which house is it?”

            “I’m not sure. I didn’t see it that clearly.”

            “Yeah, but he’s not someone you’d forget in a hurry, is he?” Merlin didn’t think he’d be forgetting the knight anytime soon, at least.

            “No,” Gaius agreed, fetching something from one of his other tables.

            Merlin turned to lean his back against the wall. “So you don’t think he’s from around here?”

            “That would seem likely.”

            “Then what’s he doing here?”

            “Merlin, your faith in my all-seeing knowledge is both touching and wholly misplaced,” Gaius responded. “Maybe if you’ve finished your work, you could go to bed and leave me to finish mine.”

            Taking the hint, Merlin straightened up. “Okay. I’m going.”

            He turned and began heading further up the stairs, but only made it a few steps before turning again. “Gaius?”

            Gaius’ voice had all the patience of an exasperated parent. “Merlin.”

            “Do you think Owain can beat him?”

            The frustration had left Gaius when he turned to Merlin again, and Merlin could see his guardian choosing the words carefully. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

  ��         Merlin’s heart sank, his thoughts going out to poor Owain. He hoped they were both wrong, and that tomorrow Owain would win and that would be the end of it. But his gut told him to prepare for the worst.

            As he turned for bed, Merlin tried to ignore his worries. Gaius was right: They’d find out soon enough.

Chapter 25 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 23: The Rising Sun

Masterlist

<- Chapter 22

It was two days before Jada saw Arthur again. According to the talk around the castle, the Prince had returned late the previous night, but it wasn’t until morning came that all his fellow conspirators met in his chambers to hear his tale.

            “The meeting went off rather smoothly, in the end,” Arthur told them. “We arrived to find some of the Druids already waiting there for us, and then he just went off home with them.”

            “Well, that’s good,” Jada said. “It’s all over and done with now.”

            “Mhm,” Arthur agreed, then turned his attention to Morgana. “Did my father suspect anything while he was with you?”

            “He threatened that if he ever found out I was involved in the boy’s escape, I would live to regret it,” Morgana replied bitterly. “But he can’t charge me with anything, so I imagine this will pass soon enough.”

            “And there’s been no lead for the guards to follow?” Jada asked.

            “They found the grate pulled off its hinges,” Arthur said. “But my father believes the Druids did it. As far as he’s aware, the boy used magic to break out of his cell and then met some of his people at the grate. He’s angry, but there’s little he can do about any of it now.”

            “When isn’t Uther angry about something?” Morgana joked with a mischievous wiggle of her eyebrows. Arthur rolled his eyes at her, but it seemed more in jest than protest.

            “So, all’s well that ends well, then?” Jada said, relaxing now that it seemed the incident was finally over.

            “I don’t suppose any of us are going to get a reward?” Merlin prodded, giving Arthur a hopeful look.

            “Your reward, Merlin,” Arthur began, “Is not being executed for treason.”

            “Ah.” Merlin pressed his lips together and sighed.

            Now that everybody was informed, they all began to make towards the door, each of their moods seeming lighter now.

            “Oh, there was one more thing,” Arthur said, calling their attention back to him. “The boy told me his name. I don’t know if any of you would find it particularly important, but he was called Mordred.”

            “Mordred,” Morgana repeated, smiling, but Jada felt her blood run cold.

            “Mordred?” she said, her voice rising in pitch.

            Arthur seemed not to notice, and Morgana had already passed through the door, but Jada could feel Merlin’s eyes on her as he followed her into the hallway.

            “Hey, are you all right?” He dropped his voice low, tugging on her arm slightly to turn her towards him.

            “Yeah, fine,” Jada said distantly. She couldn’t understand; she was supposed to save Arthur, but Mordred was supposed to kill him. She’d just helped save Mordred’s life. Morgo had told her to save Mordred’s life. “I have to go do something.”

            She wished she didn’t sound so vacant, but she needed answers, and she needed them now. She turned away from Merlin’s confused gaze and headed down the corridor, out of the castle and into the woods.

            Morgo had no reason to come back, she knew, now that he gotten what he wanted from her. But she had to try. She had to know.

            She’d only been in their meeting-spot for a few minutes when he stepped out of the brush, his brows furrowed and a cautious expression on his face.

            “What the hell are you playing at?” Jada blurted, but she had no intentions of stopping herself. “You send me all the way back here, away from my family, away from my friends, to stop Arthur being killed, and then you have me save Mordred? What the hell, man? What do you want from me?”

            Morgo hesitated, those eyes watching her steadily.

            “If Uther had executed him, Arthur would never even be wounded by him! Everything would have been fine! I don’t understand what kind of game you’re playing, but I want no part in it.”

            “You would be content to let Uther murder a ten-year-old boy if you knew who he was?” Morgo asked. His voice was steady, his gaze focused, and whatever he was thinking or feeling, his expression was utterly controlled.

            “I…” Jada began, though she couldn’t find the words to finish.

            “He has done no wrong. His only crime so far was to be born. Would you really punish him for that?”

            “If he’s not going to kill Arthur, then why am I here?” Her voice was back under control now, matching Morgo in focus.

            “You were not brought here as an assassin.”

            “Then why am I here?”

            Morgo regarded her for several long moments, his jaw set almost as stubbornly as Jada’s. Then, he seemed to slump, the tension leaving him suddenly and the fire in his eyes dying away.

            “I have tried,” he said, a strangely hopeless note in his voice now. “I have tried everything I can think of to change his fate. He is my best friend. I’ve looked after him ever since he arrived in our camp.” He gave a fond smile, though it was tainted by sadness. “If there was anything I could do to rewrite destiny, I would do it. But I cannot.”

            He looked up at her now, his tear-filled eyes a sudden reminder of how young he was. “All I can do is try to right the wrongs that he is going to commit. But I need your help for that. My magic may be strong, but it only allows me to see the future. I cannot fight with it—we Druids are pacifist—and I cannot even master the basic healing spells that our people are known for. I cannot save Arthur.”

            “Neither can I,” Jada said, her voice softer now. “I have no magic. None.”

            Morgo gave her a small smile. “But you do happen to know the most powerful sorcerer who will ever walk the earth.”

            She folded her arms defensively, hesitant to either confirm or deny his statement.

            “You do not need to fear me,” Morgo reassured her, then tapped his temple. “Remember, I can already see him.”

            Jada hesitated, then asked in a quiet voice, “What do you see?”

            Morgo sighed, passing a hand over his eyes. “Too much. It’s all very confusing. You might not believe me, but I would love for none of this to happen so I can just go home, too.”

            Jada gave a soft snort. “Adventuring’s cancelled. Everybody go home.”

            Morgo laughed, a gesture which made his face seem much younger. It must have been a terrible weight, Jada thought then, to be able to see the future in a place such as this. He looked tired, and older than she’d first thought, though from what Iseldir had told her, it didn���t sound like Morgo slept much.

            “All right, then, fortune-teller,” she teased, putting her hands on her hips. “What do I need to do? How am I supposed to help you set things right?”

            He smiled, dropping his hand from his face at last and inhaling. “Honestly, I’ve no idea.”

            “Wow. I think I want my money back.”

            He snickered at that. “I told you I can’t control it very well. Just do as you please for now, I suppose.”

            “But what if I accidentally rewrite history by doing something wrong?”

            “I think you underestimate time. From what I’ve read and what I’ve seen, the universe has a way of protecting itself from things like that. Besides, what you consider history has already happened with your influence. You were always meant to come here, so your actions won’t change anything. I hope.”

            “Well that fills me with confidence,” she joked. “But I don’t remember ever reading about a Jada in any of the legends, so I’m going to assume I don’t mess anything major up that badly.”

            “There’s the spirit,” he laughed. “Now, if you’re done shouting at me, I expect not to see you again for some time. I’ll find a way to let you know if I learn anything about the portals, or if anything pressing occurs that you’d need to know about. If you want to find me, however, just come here. I’ll see you coming, one way or another.”

            “I’m assuming that the owl is some sort of magic spy, right?”

            “An informant. When I can get her to cooperate.”

            “Sure. That makes perfect sense, and isn’t odd at all.”

            “Albion has its own idea of normalcy,” Morgo said. “You’d probably go mad if you questioned everything.”

            “Oh, believe me,” Jada replied, eyebrows raised. “I know.”

            Once back in Camelot, Jada returned to her chambers. She was supposed to meet Morgana for training at noon, now that everything had returned to normal, and she had just finished getting ready when there came a knock at her door.

            Opening it, she found Merlin on the other side, and he greeted her with a cheery smile. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

            Jada couldn’t help but smile back warmly. “I was just on my way to train with Morgana, but actually I was hoping to see you today. I wanted to apologise for losing my temper last night.”

            “Oh, don’t worry about it,” he said, shrugging it off. “I can walk you down there, if you want? If you’re in a hurry.”

            She grinned, grabbing her training sword and shutting the door behind her. Merlin fell in step beside her, and Jada liked how natural it felt to have him there now. “Are you sure Arthur’s not going to miss you?” she asked.

            “No, I’m on a break right now,” he replied.

            “And you chose to spend that break talking to me?” she teased. “I’m surprised you’re not sick of my face by now.”

            Merlin snorted, his grin widening. “I actually wanted to ask you if you wanted to do something with me tonight. But, if you’re sick of my face, that’s fine.”

            She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Well, what exactly did you have in mind?”

            “Well, I thought that you should really get to experience Camelot life while you’re here,” he began.

            “And dodging attacks from magical beings isn’t the true Camelot experience?”

            She loved it when he smiled like that. It was so open and warm. “Maybe, but I thought going to the tavern might make you fear for your life a little less.”

            “Oh, uh…” Jada slowed, all that warmth suddenly gone.

            It only took a second for Merlin to notice, and he turned to face her. “What is it?”

            “I just…” She tried to think of how to word it. “I’m just not very comfortable around drunk people.”

            “Oh.” She could see him processing it, but then a hint of his smile returned. “Well, most people don’t really get that drunk there, anyway. You remember Lancelot’s feast?”

            Jada nodded.

            “It’s just like that, really. Most people can only afford the mead, and there’s hardly any alcohol actually in that. Occasionally, there’s some wealthier people who come in and drink the wine, but they don’t really get rowdy, or anything.”

            Jada was still uncertain, and Merlin softened again. “We can do something else, if you want. I just thought you might like the music. That’s what most people go for, anyway.”

            “I…” She frowned, feeling torn. “I’ll have to think about it.”

            Merlin relaxed, giving her another warm smile. “Okay. Just let me know.”

            He turned and began walking with her again, chattering easily by her side all the way to the training yard, where Morgana and Gwen were waiting.

            “Well, I guess I’ll see you later, then,” he said. “Let me know what you want to do.”

            “I will,” Jada replied, giving a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

            “It’s nothing, really.” He waved it off, though one side of his mouth was turned upwards, and made to leave. He gave Gwen and Morgana a wave before he departed, and Jada watched him head back through the castle gates.

            When she turned, Morgana greeted her with a barely-restrained smirk, her eyebrows quirking at her playfully.

            “What?” Jada asked, hurrying into position.

            “Nothing,” Morgana sang innocently. She turned to exchange a look with Gwen, who was doing a much better job at hiding whatever it was they found so amusing.

            “Ugh, just get to beating me up already, would you?” Jada scoffed.

            Morgana twirled her sword, a cocky tilt to her head now. “If you insist.”

            It wasn’t until after training was over that Jada remembered Merlin’s offer. She was no closer to deciding whether to accept it or not, and she felt a bubble of anxiety at the thought of being surrounded by a crowd of rowdy drunks.

            Although, Merlin had said that nobody really got themselves that drunk. She’d even tried the mead herself, and that certainly only barely counted as alcoholic. She’d enjoyed Lancelot’s feast, too, even if she had technically been there to work. She just didn’t know what to do.

            “Is something the matter?”

            She looked up to find Gwen looking softly at her, and Jada realised that she’d stopped gathering her things up in her preoccupation. Morgana had already headed off.

            Jada tried to laugh it off. “Sorry, just miles away.”

            “You looked like you were worried about something.” She wasn’t pushing Jada, not really, but her warm eyes were encouraging.

            Jada deflated. “It’s nothing, really. Merlin invited me to go to the tavern with him, but I’m not really sure whether I should go. I tend to get a bit nervous around… well, those sorts of places.”

            “If you don’t want to go, I’m sure he’d understand,” Gwen reassured.

            “It’s not that I don’t want to…” She paused, once again torn. She did want to spend more time with Merlin, and the teenaged Skyrim-fan within her was secretly dying to see what a real tavern was like, but… “It just makes me nervous.”

            “You could always go for a little while, and then leave if you don’t like it.”

            She considered this, then nodded once. “Yeah, I guess I could. And if I don’t like it, at least I’ve tried it, and I’ll never have to go again.”

            Gwen beamed at her, and Jada wondered how the entire season of spring could be embodied by just one woman. “There you go.”

            “Thanks, Gwen. I’ll go tell him.” She began to head back towards the castle, but spun on her heel suddenly. “Uh, you wouldn’t happen to know whereabouts he’d be, would you?”

            Gwen started walking with her, and gave a soft laugh. “Probably fetching Arthur’s lunch. If you’re quick, you might catch him in the kitchens.”

            “Thanks Gwen, you’re the best!”

            Merlin was in the kitchens, as Gwen had predicted, and seemed to be having some sort of disagreement with the cook when Jada poked her head round the door. She couldn’t make out what the woman was saying to him, since her back was to Jada, though from the tenacity of her ladle-waving, she didn’t seem too pleased. Merlin responded by nodding, though his lips were pressed together and his eyebrows raised, and the second the cook turned her back he was scowling at her and muttering under his breath.

            He headed towards the door with Arthur’s plate of food, his scowl splitting into a grin when he saw Jada.

            “Are you giving that poor woman a hard time again?” she teased.

            “Poor woman?!” Merlin scoffed, flabbergasted. “It’s not my fault it’s ruined. Maybe if she didn’t have such a sour face, the cream wouldn’t have curdled.”

            “Merlin!” Jada reprimanded, giving him a smack. It was half-hearted, though, and she could tell by his fake offense that he knew it.

            “Well, it’s true!” he defended. “What are you doing down here, anyway?”

            “I just wanted to come and tell you that I’d like to go out tonight. But, um…” She hesitated, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay there for. I haven’t been out in ages, and I might, um…”

            “It’s okay.” His smile was understanding, and he nodded once. “If you don’t like it we can go and do something else. I don’t mind.”

            Jada sighed, relieved. “Okay. Thanks. Thank you.”

            “It’s not a problem. Now I, uh…” He gestured down the hallway with one thumb, glancing down at the plate. “I’ve got to go give this to Arthur, before he gets mad.”

            “Oh, yeah, sure,” Jada replied. “That was all I wanted, really. I’ll see you later.”

            “Okay.” His grin widened, showing a dimple on either side. “See you tonight.”

            The tavern was called The Rising Sun, but the depiction of the sun on their sign outside did not look like it was all too thrilled about rising. It was a bright yellow, except for around the eyes, which were much greyer and looked to Jada as though it was suffering with its own hangover.

            The building itself was bigger than Jada had expected, particularly as it was situated in the lower town and surrounded on either side by much smaller, one-roomed houses. It was, however, the main hub of city life—a place where people from all across the kingdom could gather and mingle, and travellers could stay in the rooms upstairs for a few gold coins.

            “Remember, we can leave whenever you want,” Merlin said as they approached. “Just let me know you want to go, and we’ll go. How are you feeling?”

            Jada tried for a smile. “A little nervous. I definitely wouldn’t do this on my own.”

            Merlin put a hand on her shoulder, reaching out for the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after you.”

            He pulled open the door and held it for her, but kept a hand on her back as she passed through. Jada was glad of it as she stepped inside, a reminder that she wasn’t alone as she scanned the room warily.

            To her surprise, it really wasn’t as busy as she’d been expecting. There was a fair amount of people there, sure, but where she’d been expecting a mass of people confined in one place, in reality most people were sat peacefully at their own tables. There was a space cleared in the centre where a handful were dancing, but overall the atmosphere seemed more jovial than outright chaotic.

            Merlin scanned the room beside her for a moment, then gestured towards a table in one of the nearer corners. “Is that one okay?”

            Jada followed his gaze, then turned back to him and nodded.

            He led her over there, carefully weaving through some of the other people, and flashed her a smile as they sat down. “How are you feeling?”

            She looked over her shoulder at the room, then back to him. “Okay so far. It’s a lot quieter than I was expecting.”

            “Yeah, it gets a bit busier later on, but it’s still nothing too hectic. I thought coming earlier might be better to start off with.”

            “Thank you,” Jada said, her tone sincere. It meant a lot to her that he would consider something like that.

            Merlin gave her a crooked smile. “It’s not a problem. Really. Now, what do you want to drink?”

            “Um…” She pressed her lips into a line as she thought. “I think I’ll probably just stick with mead.”

            He nodded, pulling a bag of coins out of his pocket and beginning to count them out. Just as he seemed to finish, a young-ish girl maybe in her mid-twenties appeared, wiping the table down vigorously.

            “Afternoon. What’ll it be, then?” she asked cheerily.

            “Two mugs of mead, please,” Merlin replied, sliding one of his coin heaps over to her. Jada fumbled with her own purse, but Merlin shook his head. “It’s all right, I’ve got it.”

            “Merlin…” Jada began. Like he hadn’t already done enough for her.

            “It’s fine, really. I’ll let you get the next round.”

            She sighed, shaking her head at him but setting her purse down. The barmaid scooped the money into her pouch, and disappeared.

            “You do far too much for me, you know,” Jada said.

            Merlin chuckled. “Why? I don’t mind. I like helping.”

            “Just when I start thinking I’ve paid you back, you go and do something else.”

            He shrugged. “You don’t need to pay me back.”

            “I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”

            “I’m offering.” He nudged her knee under the table with his own. “You worry too much.”

            Jada laughed, dropping her head to try and hide it.

            “You do pay me back, anyway,” he continued. “It’s just not in physical things.”

            Jada frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

            Merlin shrugged again, leaning forward on the table. “I like being around you. I can just… be myself. I don’t have to worry that I’ll say too much, that I’ll give something away. I’ve not really had this that often before, especially since coming to Camelot.”

            “What about Gaius?”

            He sighed, his gaze on the rest of the room. “Gaius, is… I can tell him some things, but then sometimes I think that keeping things from him is for the best. I don’t want to worry him.”

            He traced a knot in the wood of the table with his thumb, pushing down on it distractedly. “I don’t know. Like with the boy; I knew he’d lecture me on risking my own life for a stranger, and being stupid enough to do it right underneath the guards’ noses. I know it’s because he was worried about me getting myself killed, but… I don’t know. I don’t know what else I could have done.”

            “I think you did what you thought was right,” Jada said. “I think Gaius probably just wishes that it didn’t have to be you that does it all.”

            He gave a soft laugh. “He’s not the only one.”

            “Definitely not.”

            He looked up at her, seeming surprised, then gave a soft smile.

            The barmaid returned, appearing suddenly beside them with a handful of drinks. She set two of them down on their table to a duo of “Thanks,” then bustled off to a group on the other side of the door.

            “Did you really mean what you said yesterday?” Merlin asked quietly over his mug. “About Uther.”

            “Of course. I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”

            “You’d really do that for me?”

            “Call me an idiot,” Jada laughed, looking down for a moment. When her gaze returned to his face, she was serious again. “But yes, I would.”

            He smiled, though it was a small, gentle movement, before worry entered his eyes. “You shouldn’t.”

            “Camelot would be boring without you,” she joked. “Besides, who else would I get to pay for everything?”

            He snorted, shaking his head. “I should have known you were just using me for all my riches.”

            “How could you have been so blind?”

            He looked up at her through his lashes, a smirk across his lips, and Jada grinned.

            Just at that moment, the minstrels burst into a livelier tune, snapping Jada’s attention to them. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

            “Do you dance?” she asked.

            Merlin looked shocked, and gestured down at himself. “Have you seen me? Do I look like a dancer?”

            “You look like you’ll be gangly and awkward,” Jada admitted, standing up. “But I can’t dance, either. So come on, it’ll be fun.”

            “You and I have very different ideas of what the word ‘fun’ means,” Merlin replied.

            “Oh, come on.” She held her hands out for him to take. “I don’t even know how to dance in this era, so you’ll have to teach me. Please?”

            He looked around as if searching for help, but upon finding none, he sighed, downed the rest of his drink, and took her hands. “You’re definitely going to owe me for this one.”

            Jada giggled as she led him towards the central space, her adrenaline surging. “You’ll almost definitely be better at it than me, so at least you won’t be the worst dancer in the room.”

            “Thanks,” Merlin replied sarcastically.

            They joined the circle that had formed around the space, and were quickly swept up into the dance. It wasn’t what Jada had expected, consisting of the entire circle sidestepping one way a few paces, then back the other, and then the man to the left would lift the woman on his right across to his left, and the dance would begin again. It took her a few tries to get it right, but before long Jada had been spun halfway around the circle and was grinning from ear to ear.

            She looked back at Merlin as she landed, just managing to catch sight of him whirling a small slip of a girl around to his left and grinning just the same. He still looked a little ungainly as they sidestepped, but Jada didn’t imagine she looked much better herself, and all his reservations seemed to have been forgotten.

            At last, she’d made it almost all the way around the circle, and now Merlin was to her left.

            “Hello, stranger,” he greeted as she landed, clasping their hands together.

            “Fancy meeting you here,” she replied.

            First to the left, now to the right, then turn to your partner and—She jumped into the air, Merlin’s hands at her waist, and he twirled her round to set her gently down again on his other side.

            The minstrel directing the dance clapped for all the participants, beginning a round of applause all through the room, and then another song sprung from their instruments and the circle dissolved.

            “Thanks for not dropping me,” Jada joked, nudging Merlin with her elbow. “See, I told you it’d be fun.”

            “Can we go and sit back down now?” he asked. “I’m tired.”

            Jada snorted, prodding him in the side with a finger. “Wow, you really need to get in shape.”

            “Hey, you weren’t lifting half the people on the floor!” he pointed out, pouting a little.

            “You were barely lifting us, we jumped.”

            He pouted more now, his lower lip jutting out as he rubbed a bicep pitifully.

            “God, you’re so dramatic.” She rolled her eyes at him, though she couldn’t keep her grin hidden for long. “Come on, then. Do you need to go all the way back to Gaius and ask for a remedy, or will the table do?”

            “The table is fine,” he grinned, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her back to their corner, all arm pain now miraculously cured.

            He sat beside her this time, between Jada and the rest of the room, and peered into her mug before sliding it over to her. “You didn’t drink much,” he commented.

            “No. You can have some of it, if you want.”

            “Do you not like it? I can get you something else, if you want.”

            “No, it’s fine. It tastes like honey,” she replied. “I just thought it might save you getting another.”

            “You wouldn’t be trying to get out of your debt, would you?” he teased, one eyebrow quirking upwards.

            Jada grinned, lifting the mug to her lips and taking a swig. “Not at all. Here.” She pulled her coin purse out again, tossing it onto the table in front of him. “Get what you like. This’ll probably do me, for now.”

            “Sure you don’t want to try any of the others?” he asked, already counting out coins again.

            “I’m sure. Just don’t get wasted.”

            “Wasted?” he frowned.

            “Super drunk. I’m not carrying you home.”

            “Oh, I see, so you’ll commit treason for me, but you won’t carry me home if I get too drunk?” He tutted, shaking his head. “What kind of friendship is this?”

            Jada laughed, unable to stop herself from beaming at him. “I’m only here for your riches, remember. I’ll just drag you back to the castle by your ankle.”

            A laugh erupted from his chest, his grin turning his eyes into almond shapes with little crinkles at the edges. He turned away to call the barmaid over, a taller girl this time with darker skin, and ordered another mead.

            “Are you not going to have one of the other things?” Jada asked once he’d paid and the girl had headed off.

            “No,” he replied, turning back to her. “I tend to get drunk quite fast, so I’ll just stick to the safer stuff for tonight.”

            He didn’t want to make her nervous, Jada realised as she took another mouthful of her drink.

            “You’re so sweet to me,” she said. “I’m not surprised you’re a lightweight, though.”

            His expression somehow managed to mingle amusement and confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

            “Well, look at you. You look like a stiff wind’d blow you over.”

            He bit back another laugh, his tone sarcastic once more. “Again, thanks.”

            “It’s not a bad thing,” she remarked. “It’s just a thing. You pull it off.”

            Her brow furrowed as she tried to figure out whereabouts in her brain that had come from, lifting her mug to her mouth again.

            Merlin looked like he was trying to figure out whether it was a compliment or not, too. “Um, thanks? I think? You’re not getting drunk off of mead there, are you?”

            Jada a made a ‘pfft’ sound. “No, it’s just the adrenaline from coming here wearing off. Jim and Izzy say Sleepy Jada always sounds like she’s drunk.”

            “We can go home, if you want,” Merlin offered, his expression softening.

            “Not yet.” She gave him a sly smirk. “I want to get you to dance some more, first.”

            He scoffed, but looked behind him at the circle anyway. “I don’t think there’s a group dance on again yet. They probably won’t do many more until towards midnight.”

            “I don’t care,” Jada said. “I want to dance with you. Please?”

            “I’m not very good at it,” Merlin warned. “Really.”

            Jada peered past him, over his shoulder to the pairs already leaping and spinning about together. “How hard can it be? Even if we make a fool of ourselves, we’ll just pretend we’re really drunk and don’t remember it.”

            Merlin shook his head, sighing in defeat. “I really have to stop listening to you,” he said, getting up anyway and offering her his hand.

            She grinned, taking it and rising to her feet. “Am I really that bad an influence?”

            “Let’s find out.”

            They made their way back to the circle, trying to examine the technique of the other dancers. From Jada’s perspective, it looked very much like the way the Hobbits had danced at Bilbo’s party, or when Jack and Rose had gone to the party below deck in Titanic. One hand in your partner’s, the other on their waist or shoulder, and then what looked like a combination of skipping and spinning and hoping for the best.

            “Ready?” she asked, taking a breath and looking up at Merlin.

            “No,” he replied, offering her his hand, anyway. “I don’t suppose I could change your mind, though.”

            “Nope.” She took his hand, resting the other on his shoulder and grinning.

            Merlin put his free hand on her waist and drew a nervous breath. “If I die through dancing with you…”

            “I’ll make sure your memorial is fitting. Now, 3�� 2… 1…”

            They jumped into the space, and the current from the other dancers immediately swept them away. An exhilarated cry escaped Jada as they spiralled away, whirling and twirling together around the floor. Merlin looked simultaneously thrilled and terrified, clutching tightly onto her hand and giggling ecstatically. The rest of the room was a blur around them, and Jada could only hope that they didn’t crash into anything or anyone in the chaos.

            Despite the both of them being complete beginners, so far neither of them had managed to trip, stumble, or get their legs tangled together, and as they continued to spin Jada felt both of them relax into the energy of the music. They held onto each other as though they would fly off across the room if they let go—which Jada wasn’t entirely sure wouldn’t happen—their knuckles white and their faces beaming. It was exhilarating; like Jada imagined riding water rapids would be for people who weren’t deathly afraid of still ponds. She trusted Merlin not to let her be lost to the current, and he was counting on her not to do the same.

            When the music ended, the two of them were so out of breath that they had to just stand for a moment, still in position and grinning at one another wildly.

            “Okay,” Merlin said, chest heaving. “Maybe I’ll let you talk me into things more often.”

            “See?” Jada panted, the two of them separating now and stepping back slightly. “I told you it would be fun.”

            “I need a drink.” He took her hand, leading her back to the table and settling in beside her again. One of the barmaids had brought a new mug while they were away, and he took a long swig of it.

            “Thank you for inviting me here,” Jada began, resting her chin on her hand and letting her eyes shut for a moment. “This has been the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

            “I’m glad.” She opened her eyes to see Merlin smiling at her, drink still in hand. “Thank you for joining me. Do you want to head back?”

            She nodded, the exhilaration wearing off now and leaving her sleepy.

            “Okay. Just let me finish this, and I’ll walk you back.”

            They finished their drinks in content, tired silence, then headed back out onto the streets of Camelot.

            “Are you warm enough?” Merlin asked, touching the back of his fingers to her arm.

            Jada nodded.

            “Gosh, how are you always so warm?” he remarked. “Every time I touch you you’re almost burning up.”

            She gave a groggy shrug. “I just run hot. I always have, I think.”

            He touched her arm lightly again. “I’d hate to feel how hot you are with a fever. I think you might burn my hand.”

            She chortled. “Maybe. But hey, nice warm hugs!”

            Merlin gave a chuckle, the crooked smile appearing again. “Well, that’s definitely one benefit.”

            “We should hug more often. I like hugs.”

            He eyed her sideways, his expression amused. “Are you sure you’re not drunk?”

            “No, I told you. I just get like this when I’m sleepy.”

            “All right. Well, you’ll be back home soon, and then you can sleep.”

            “Not home. Not really.”

            She’d said it casually, and not really thought about it other than the semantics, but she could see it had had a different effect on him.

            “No, I suppose not. Sorry. I just meant you’ll be back in your chambers.”

            She watched him for a few moments, at his downcast eyes and downturned mouth. “When I get back, I’ll have to do the spare bedroom up for you. It’s a bit full of junk at the minute, but I’m sure I can sort it out. Then you’ll have a place to stay when you come visit us.”

            He gave a soft laugh, some of the sadness lifting. “Good, because I’d miss you otherwise.”

            “I’d miss you, too. Plus, I’d have to prove I didn’t imagine this whole thing, or else they’ll probably try and put me in a hospital. So I can take you back as evidence.”

            His laugh was louder now, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. “I’m starting to think you might have a few secret motives for keeping me around.”

            “Not secret ones. Just the money and the evidence.”

            “Of course.”

            Before long, they had arrived at the castle and reached the door of Jada’s chambers. Merlin leant against the doorframe as Jada stepped inside.

            “Thanks for coming out with me tonight,” he said. “I had a lot of fun.”

            “Me too,” she replied. “Thanks for inviting me.”

            “So, now that you’ve been and experienced it, would you do it again?”

            She nodded. “Yeah. I’d like to.”

            He widened his eyes, giving her a hopeful look. “Would you… do it again with me sometime?”

            Jada grinned. “Definitely.”

            His face burst into a bright smile. “Okay. Okay, good. I’d like to do it again sometime, too. With you. Um…” He gave a shy laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

            “Go on,” Jada laughed, gesturing with her head for him to go. “Before Gaius starts to wonder where you are.”

            “Right,” he said, straightening up. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

            “As if you even have to ask, at this point,” she teased. “See you tomorrow, Merlin. Sleep well.”

            “You too.”

            He turned and headed off down the hall, and Jada waited for him to disappear from view before she shut the door. She changed quickly into her nightgown and all but fell into bed, settling into a deep and peaceful sleep. She hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

Chapter 24 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

Thank you to everyone who got me to 50 likes!

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 22: Escape

Masterlist

<- Chapter 21

When a knock sounded at Jada’s door, she hardly expected Arthur Pendragon to be on the other side. The Prince looked awkward, as though he hadn’t expected to be there himself, but in his eyes there was an intense purpose.

            “Oh, Arth- Your Highness,” Jada said dumbly, her brain refusing to work in its confusion.

            “Jada. I have a matter of great importance that I wish to discuss with you. May I come in?”

            She stepped back to allow him entry, still frowning as she shut the door behind him. What important business could he possibly have with her?

            “I have been informed that you have some manner of contact with the Druids,” the Prince stated.

            Jada’s blood went cold. She could feel it drain from her face, but she struggled to conceal her guilt before she turned around to face him. “I only read about it in a book, sire.”

            Did that count as a crime? Shit, was she about to get Geoffrey in trouble, as well?

            Arthur pursed his lips. “Interesting. I’d have thought my father would have used such information to find the Druids himself by now, if it lay within a book here in Camelot.”

            “It didn’t tell me where to find them, exactly,” Jada said, scrambling for an explanation that wouldn’t cost someone their head. “It just told me of a place where they meet outsiders. You know, for supplies, and stuff.”

            Arthur seemed very relaxed for someone who had come to accuse her of treason. He regarded her casually, his hands clasped behind his back, and Jada only now noted that he was unarmed and unguarded. If he’d come to arrest her, would he really have come alone?

            He turned then to look out of the window, wandering slowly over to it. “I need you to get a message to the Druids. Tell them that we’re bringing the boy to them tonight, and that they will need to meet us by the grove of oaks on the south-west side of the forest. Can you do that?”

            “I… what?” Jada blurted. “You’re not… you’re not arresting me?”

            He turned back to her, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “No. But I do need you to do something else for me when you get back. Merlin is going to meet me at the grate on the north-east side of the city with a grappling hook after dark. I need you to pack some food for me and the boy and then help him pull the grate off.”

            Jada was surprised. “Merlin is helping?”

            “Yes. Now, can I count on you to be there?”

            “This isn’t some sort of trap?” Like he’d tell her if it was, she thought.

            Arthur fought a smile. “No.”

            She couldn’t see what had suddenly made Arthur change his mind, but she hoped that it was a sincere change. Not wanting to give too much away, she tried for a casual shrug. “You’re the Prince. It’s not like I can really say no, is it?”

            His lips quirked, but he covered it with a professional nod and began moving towards the door. “Good. I will expect to see you later, then.”

            “I guess so,” Jada responded, getting the door for him.

            Once he’d gone, Jada still found herself feeling just as confused. Somebody had gotten Arthur involved, and somebody had told him about her knowing where to meet the Druids. Had it been Merlin? He was apparently involved in this new plan, but would he really risk ratting her out like that, if Arthur had remained loyal to his father?

            Morgana and Gwen both knew too, though Arthur hadn’t mentioned either of them. Could one of them have told him? Whichever the answer was, Jada couldn’t help feeling a little ruffled by the thought of such information—which could have easily gotten her killed—being passed about behind her back like that. They could have at least discussed it with her beforehand.

            No point worrying about it now, though, she decided. It seemed the rescue operation was back on, and she had to get to the forest and back before nightfall.

            For the first time since she’d met him, the boy in the forest was not alone. She arrived at the usual spot to find him accompanied by a much older man with wispy silver hair and a serious countenance, dressed in the same earthy tones that seemed to be common amongst the Druids.

            “Jada Thorburn,” he greeted, his voice seeming as expressionless as his face. “What a pleasure it is to finally meet with you.”

            Jada glanced at his hand on the boy’s shoulder, then to the boy's round, childish face, trying to get a read on the situation. She wasn’t sure she liked this man at all. “And you are?”

            He smiled, just a flicker of his lips, but it never even neared his eyes. “You have no need to fear me. We are allies, after all.”

            “I think I’ll be the judge of that,” she replied, folding her arms. “And I like to know who my allies are, if it’s all the same to you.”

            He sighed. “Very well. I am Iseldir, leader of my particular Druid camp. I believe you have already met one of my pupils.”—He gestured to the boy beside him—“And I had hoped you would have returned another to me by now.”

            Jada didn’t relax. “Something came up.”

            Iseldir sighed again, his nose letting out a whistle. His hand left the boy as he moved closer to her. “We are a peaceful people. We mean you no harm, much as Uther has convinced himself otherwise. I only wish for the boy to be returned safely to us.”

            Jada regarded him, then turned her attention to the boy she knew. “What do you think? I know you. I trust you not to lie to me. Tell me the truth, and I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

            The boy smiled, stepping forwards now too. “Iseldir is a good man. He took me and my parents into his camp when we needed a place to stay, away from Uther and his tyranny. He has guided us all over the years, and the Druids likely only exist today in such numbers because of him.”

            He stepped closer, passing Iseldir with a cheeky smirk. “He may not be the most charismatic of people, but he is sincere and honourable. You can trust him as you trust me.”

            Jada hesitated, turning her gaze back to Iseldir. Then she sighed, dropping her arms to her side. “The boy was caught as we tried to smuggle him out of the city. He’s in the dungeons as we speak, but Prince Arthur has a plan to get him out. He wants you to meet him at…”—Where had Arthur said, again?—“At the oak grove on the south-western side of the forest. If all goes to plan, the boy will be delivered to you tonight.”

            Now Iseldir’s smile was more genuine, though Jada wasn’t entirely sure it would ever look wholly natural. “Thank you. Once the boy is returned safely to us, we will have no need to disrupt your life further.”

            Jada nodded and turned to head off, but after a moment of thought, she paused. “I hope things get better. I hope you’ll be able to live freely someday soon.”

            “As do we,” Iseldir replied. “But until that day should arrive, my people will remember those who helped us. If you or your friends ever require our aid, we will be willing to give it.”

            A thought occurred to her then, and she stepped closer. “You don’t happen to know anything about liminal zones, do you?” It was a long shot, but better to ask now than kick herself later, she thought.

            Iseldir turned to look at the boy, whose eyes had filled with an unusual excitement. He looked up at the older man as if awaiting permission, and at last, Iseldir sighed. “Morgo here has taken a keen interest in studying them recently, but I am afraid I only know-”

            “Wait, wait, wait. Morgo?” Jada interrupted.

            The boy placed a hand over his heart as he bowed, swishing his cloak out behind him dramatically. “Yes, Morgo is I, and I am Morgo. I think you have earnt the right to know, now.”

            “You’re Morgo?” How was that possible? The last time she’d seen him, he’d been taller, older, and back in the real world. “What are you, a shapeshifter, or something?”

            He cocked his head to the side, frowning but faintly amused. “Me? No. No, certainly not.”

            “Then how are you so young?”

            His frown remained for just a second longer, before he turned to Iseldir and began tugging his sleeve excitedly, bouncing where he stood. “It was her, it was her! I told you! I told you she’d come through the tear!” He stopped bouncing, a childish pout appearing. “You didn’t listen to me.”

            “And so you took it upon yourself to find out?” Iseldir was unimpressed, his tone even scolding. “What if you had been wrong? You would have endangered yourself and the rest of our camp.”

            “Um, excuse me,” Jada interrupted. “But what the hell is going on?”

            “I see the future,” Morgo blurted, lurching towards her before Iseldir could stop him. “I saw you arrive from the other world, but when I told Iseldir, he didn’t believe me. He didn’t think there was anyone capable of passing through a tear like that, but you did!”

            “It hasn’t been done for decades,” Iseldir defended, still irritated. “And even when it used to occur, the people who passed through always returned to their realms before the tear was closed again. You shouldn’t still be here.”

            “I…” Jada’s thoughts were far too jumbled for her to make any sense of, so she ended up gaping like a fish as she stared at him.

            Now, Morgo was pulling at her sleeve, his blue eyes wide enough that she could see the ring of gold in the centre. “How did you do it?”

            “I…” She shook her head, trying to clear it enough to answer. “I didn’t. You did. You brought me here, against my will, and just… just abandoned me. If you are really Morgo, that is.”

            He frowned, his tugging stopping as he mulled it over.

            “No, I…” She could almost see the lightbulb flicker on over his head. “Wait! Are you saying…”

            Suddenly, he released her sleeve, beginning to pace back and forth over the grass. His voice was just loud enough for Jada to hear him, yet she got the distinct feeling that he was talking to neither her nor Iseldir now. “I suppose that, theoretically, it would be possible for you to come from a dimension in which time is already farther along than it is here. But if I am of this world, and this time, then how would you have come to know me without having passed into this world yourself? Unless I managed to somehow pass into your-”

            He cut himself off suddenly, turning back to her with an intense expression. “Don’t tell me anything that isn’t absolutely necessary, but did you first meet me in your own world?”

            Jada was struggling to keep up, but that was a question she could answer, at least. “Yes.”

            His excitement was back, but this time he turned it on Iseldir. “Did you hear that, Iseldir? Do you know what that means?”

            Iseldir looked about as lost as Jada felt, which she found strangely comforting. He sighed, shaking his head at the boy. “You astound me, Morgo. I do not.”

            “It means that someday, somehow, I am going to learn how to cross worlds.” He stood proudly with his hands on his hips, grinning.

            “Unless it’s a complete accident,” Jada pointed out. “Like what happened to me.”

            His beaming ceased, a glower replacing it. “Yes, I suppose. Perhaps,” he muttered.

            “The important question is, though: can you get me home?”

            “Um, well,” he began, his hands doing half the talking. Jada had never seen him so animated. “The short answer is that no, I cannot. Because I don’t know how, yet. But someday!”

            The grin returned, and Jada imagined that she was supposed to find that helpful.

            “Someday? How long is that going to take?” she asked. “You can see the future, you said. Can’t you give me something more specific?”

            He gave her a disapproving look. “I can’t see my own future. Anything that I am involved in is a complete blank.”

            Jada folded her arms, unimpressed. “Of course. So what can you see?”

            He gave a non-committal sound, shrugging. “Some things about Albion. Arthur and Emrys, mostly. I get glimpses of you every now and then.”

            “Right.” Jada pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling as though if she didn’t take a few breaths she was going to start pulling her own hair out. “So you can see my future, but not the parts that you’re involved in. Well, can’t you just look and see how much of my future takes place here, before the blank spot that better be you taking me back home? At least then we can get a rough estimate.”

            “Oh, would you like me to go and fetch my crystal ball?” He seemed genuine, but in less than a second the disapproving frown was back. “It doesn’t exactly work like that. I’m not in control of this. Not yet, anyway. It just…”—His arms gestured vaguely, a little erratically—“…Happens.”

            With a blank expression, Jada turned to Iseldir. The elder Druid seemed to have given up entirely on keeping Morgo under control, instead simply watching with a baffled look to his otherwise immovable features. When he noticed Jada’s attention turn to him, it mostly vanished.

            “There are many young Druids amongst us with immeasurable gifts. They come to me and my camp for guidance, and we help to guide them, to hone their talents until they are no longer spontaneous and erratic, but something that they can command.”

            “Must be quite a collection of chaos you have there,” Jada commented.

            Iseldir looked at Morgo and hummed, and Jada thought his eyebrows raised just slightly. “Morgo is still young. He has not yet perfected his ability, and so his visions are beyond his control. They appear most often in his dreams, but sometimes the most powerful ones can occur even in his waking life. Some prove to be of great importance, whereas some are… less so.”

            “I saw a man milking his cows in some forgotten village last night,” Morgo said, wrinkling his nose. “You’d think if I was going to lose sleep over something like this, it would be something important. But, no. Thirteen cows I watched him milk. Clarabelle was clearly his favourite.”

            Jada found herself squinting at him, half-wondering how her life could possibly get weirder than this moment. “So, just to be clear, nobody currently knows how to get me back home to my own world, and you still want me to go help bring your friend back to safety?”

            “…Yes,” Iseldir responded, though he looked as though he’d had to cycle back through the conversation in his mind, also. “I’m afraid I do not know anything about this crossing worlds or defying time, but I do know that if this boy is not rescued, he will be executed. Whatever else you believe, you must know that this would be a terrible thing to allow to happen.”

            Jada nodded, glad at last that she had something she could keep up with. “Sure. Clearly I’m more of a mercenary than a leader. Just point me in the right direction.”

            She turned away again, before another thought occurred to her. “Does he have some kind of special power? The boy, I mean.”

            Iseldir’s face was grave. “He has a more powerful magic than I have seen in a long time. But he has little control over it. You must return him to us.”

            Jada nodded. “We will. Be sure to meet us where the Prince arranged.”

            Now it was Iseldir’s turn to nod, and they parted ways. Jada wrapped her cloak more tightly around her as she headed back to Camelot, her mind trying to process all that had been revealed in just one conversation.

            It was strange, really. Despite her rightful mistrust of adult-Morgo, she found herself warming to his younger self much more easily. She wasn’t pleased with that fact—he had to turn into a deceptive asshole at some point—but she suspected that it was the babyish face that misled her.

            Still, if Morgo had really grown up in 6th-century-Camelot, it did explain a lot about how he’d acted in the present day. He’d seemed so out of place, even in his own home—or, well, what Jada had presumed to be his own home. She wondered when he had acquired it. Or where, since it certainly didn’t look like anything she’d seen in Camelot.

            And then there was Ubi. When exactly had he shown up? Was he from Camelot, too? She’d known Ubi for roughly three years now, and yet somehow he’d managed to hide all of this from her. Was he even the person she’d thought she knew? Maybe when she got back, Jim would reveal himself to be a shapeshifter and Izzy an alien from outer space.

            She shook her head, wondering how many shreds of her sanity she still had a hold of. At this point, she was almost willing to accept anything, whether it be boys with pet owls, fearsome beasts of legend, or even a skinny little thing with galaxies in his eyes and the weight of the world on his shoulders. Camelot defied the rules she thought she knew, and it was both terrifying and enthralling to be free of them.

            Once she’d made it back to Camelot, her first port of call was the kitchens. The sun was just beginning to set, so Jada was hoping that all of the servants had already packed up and gone home for the night and she would have little trouble.

            As she arrived, however, she saw that there were still a few people lingering about, tidying up the last of their equipment while the cook watched over them with a stern expression. Jada had heard about the cook from Merlin, who insisted that she was one of the most unpleasant old boots he’d ever encountered, and from just the look on the woman’s face, Jada certainly did not wish to challenge her.

            A few more minutes wouldn’t make her late, she thought, deciding to wait for them all to leave. She posted herself up against the wall, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible until the servants begin to pile out.

            “What are you lurking around here for?” A scathing, abrasive voice demanded, making Jada jump. The cook was standing in the doorway glaring at her, and wielding a ladle in one hand that she pointed at Jada.

            “I, uh…” she scrambled for an excuse, eyeing the ladle nervously. “I’m waiting for someone.”

            “Waiting for someone? Waiting to go mess up my kitchen, more like. Shove off.”

            Jada frowned, opening her mouth to respond, but then thought better of it. She’d only waste time by arguing with the woman, time which she was beginning to run out of. She sighed and pushed off the wall, though she couldn’t help the eye roll as she moved away.

            “You’re lucky you’re not working for me, or I’d have clapped you round the ‘ead for that,” the cook warned.

            Jada didn’t answer, instead ducking around the corner to wait for the old bag to leave. Merlin had been right; she was awful.

            After several more long minutes of waiting, the cook emerged once more. She gave a few hateful looks up and down the hallway, probably expecting to find Jada back again, but then she shut the door behind her and left. Jada was relieved that she didn’t lock the place up; she wasn’t sure how she’d have broken in, otherwise.

            Once she was satisfied that the cook had gone completely, Jada sneaked her way back up the hall and through the door. The kitchen was exactly how she’d imagined it would be, with great metal cooking pots hung over now-extinguished fires, slabs of meat hanging from hooks in the ceiling, and counters large enough for multiple servants to work at at once.

            She didn’t have time to marvel at it much, though; she was on a mission. She wasn’t exactly sure what kind of food Arthur expected her to get for their trip, but Jada figured that some of the bread on the counter would be a good start.

            What did a prince eat on a human smuggling trip? She raided the cupboards, managing to scrape together some meat and a few slices of cheese, though her nerves had her checking the door every few seconds for fear of getting caught.

            Eventually, she managed to pull together two parcels that would probably pass as decent packed lunches, if the child in question was going out into the wilderness for several days. She was just wondering whether she was expected to do anything about drinks when she heard voices right outside the door, and dived with the packages behind one of the counters.

            The door opened, and Jada all but held her breath. She could hear the quick shuffling of feet on the stone floor, though thankfully they seemed to stop still by the doorway.

            “Come on, no-one will find us down here,” a female voice whispered, a hushed giggle punctuating her words.

            There were more footsteps, followed by the door squeaking closed, and then Jada heard a lower voice hum, “Are you sure?”

            The first voice giggled again, and suddenly Jada became aware of how very urgently she needed to get out of there. Her eyes darted around the room, before settling on another door on the farthest wall from where she had entered. It was certainly a possible escape route, but she’d either have to crawl behind some of the shelving to reach it without being seen, or clutch her packages tightly and just make a break for it.

            Silently cursing whatever deity had led her to be there in that exact moment—who, she imagined, was probably laughing their ass off right now—she fastened the bags up securely, tossed them over her shoulder, and started to crawl across the stone on her hands and knees.

            “I’ve missed you,” the girl was saying, though Jada was trying her best to block them out.

            “I’ve been busy. I’m sorry.”

            Jada halted, frowning. It was hard to tell since they were keeping their voices so low, but that one had almost sounded… like Merlin? She couldn’t stop herself from looking back over her shoulder, awkwardly trying to peek around the counters to prove herself wrong.

            “You’ve not found someone else, have you?” the girl asked, failing to hide the sour note behind her teasing.

            “No,” Maybe-Merlin replied, giving a low chuckle. “There’s only you.”

            A bitter taste appeared in Jada’s mouth. Merlin would have told her if he was seeing somebody, wouldn’t he? Hell, they’d talked about it often enough. It wasn’t like he hadn’t had the opportunity.

            But it wasn’t like it was any of her business, either, she realised. Stifling an automatic sigh, she started to crawl towards the door again.

            Giggle-Girl giggled again, living up to the nickname Jada had just now appointed her with. “That tickles!”

            Merlin could do better than this, Jada thought. He could do much better than some seedy romp on a kitchen counter. She wasn’t sure who exactly that ‘much better’ involved, since she’d never even considered that he might have eyes for a fellow servant, or anyone other than Gwen or Morgana, for that matter. But she knew he could do better.

            In her distraction, one of the bags slipped off her side, knocking against the shelving and sending a pot clattering to the floor. Somehow, despite countless years’ worth of human evolution, Jada’s fight-or-flight reaction managed to utterly fail her in that moment, some prehistoric rodent instinct awakening instead and throwing her flat on the ground in a prone position. She grazed her chin on the stone and knocked most of the wind out of her lungs, but her brain had clearly decided that this was the hill she would die on and froze her body entirely.

            She heard the surprised gasps behind her, and then Giggle-Girl whispered, “What was that?”

            There was a moment of hesitant silence, before footsteps began to creep towards Jada. Whether it was Merlin or not, Jada realised, she couldn’t let them find her here. If he was a complete and total stranger, he would probably report her for thievery, but if it was Merlin… Well, she’d never be able to live down the embarrassment.

            As if her brain had suddenly managed to reboot itself, Jada unfroze, leaping to her feet and racing out the door. She heard Maybe-Merlin shout a “Hey!” behind her, but she didn’t stop to look back at him. She sped out of the kitchen and down the halls, all the way until she reached the edge of the courtyard.

            Here she had to slow to a walk, since if anyone happened to see her sprinting across the cobbles it would almost certainly arouse suspicion. She tried to catch her breath as she headed for the gate, all the while listening behind her for any sounds of pursuit.

            None came, and by the time she’d made it out of the city, her heart was almost back to its usual rhythm. She turned her thoughts now to the task at hand, which first involved finding the grate that Arthur had described, and then waiting for them all to arrive.

            God, she really hoped that hadn’t been Merlin. It couldn’t have been, could it? If it was, he’d never make it to the grate on time, and they were counting on him to help pull it off and get the boy out.

            And that wasn’t even mentioning how awkward it would be.

            No, she thought. It would be fine. Merlin would be here, and everything would go to plan. She just had to wait.

            She found the grate with a certain amount of ease, after following the city wall around until she reached it. Jada settled herself on a patch of grass behind some bushes, trying to calm her nerves while she waited. She must have been the first to arrive, which was good, since it would likely be all-systems-go once Arthur appeared. With any luck, Merlin would be next, and then Arthur and the boy.

            She wasn’t sure how long she waited there before she heard Arthur’s hushed voice. “Merlin! Jada!”

            Jada emerged from behind her bushes, holding up the bags of food she’d scavenged. Arthur nodded once, then turned his attention back to the shrubbery.

            “Merlin!” he hissed, obviously assuming Merlin simply hadn’t heard him.

            “There’s been no sign of him, Sire,” Jada said. “I don’t know where he is.”

            Arthur looked down at the boy, who looked much healthier than he had the last time Jada had seen him. His skin was less grey, and his eyes were bright, and Jada realised that this was the first time she’d seen him standing up, instead of huddled in a corner.

            “Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Arthur said, reassuring him. The boy said nothing.

            The silence that followed was threatening to smother Jada, and she chewed at her lip. Had it really been Merlin she’d seen? If it was, what did that mean for the three of them waiting for him?

            Merlin wouldn’t abandon them. Not now, not like this. Not when he knew the price they’d pay for getting caught. The price she’d pay.

            So where was he?

            A clamour of bells rang out, breaking the silence, and Jada looked to Arthur wildly. Arthur didn’t seem much calmer himself, sending worried glances at her, the boy, and back down the tunnel behind them, but then his brain began to kick into gear.

            “Here, Jada, help me get this off,” he commanded, grasping the bars of the grate and preparing to push. Jada took hold of it from the other side, and on Arthur’s count they pushed and pulled until Jada thought her biceps were about to tear in two.

            The boy watched them, his eyes wide with fear, but without the grappling hook their efforts were useless. Jada’s grip slipped, the rough metal scraping her palms, and the force of her pulling sent her sprawling onto her butt.

            Arthur slammed his hand against the bars, his face red with hopeless frustration. “Damn it, Merlin!”

            A door clunked behind him, the sound of it echoing down the tunnel towards them all. Both Arthur and the boy turned to look behind them, freezing at the echoes of footsteps and voices that reached them next.

            With eyes wide, Arthur looked to the boy, then at Jada. It took him only a moment to make a decision, and then he threw his torch on the ground, stomping on it to put it out.

            “Jada, get out of sight,” he ordered. “They don’t have to catch all of us.”

            Jada did as she was told without a second thought, grabbing her bags and retreating back into the bushes as she heard Arthur draw his sword. She could hear the footsteps continuing, but whether they were growing closer or it was just their echoes, Jada could not tell. She could see nothing, could hear nothing from either Arthur or the boy, and if she’d thought the silence before was suffocating, this one was maddening.

            There were footsteps outside now running directly towards them, and Jada sank lower into her cover and prayed. The bushes beside her rustled. She held her breath, trying her hardest to not disturb even a single leaf as they passed by her. They halted at the grate, and she knew that it was over. Arthur and the boy had been found.

            “Hey!”

            Wait a second, Jada thought. That voice- it couldn’t have been…

            “Where the hell have you been?” she heard Arthur hiss, and suddenly all of her muscles seem to relax in one exhale.

            Merlin.

            “I had trouble getting out of the castle,” Merlin was explaining as Jada left her cover again. She saw the boy give him a disbelieving look, but neither Merlin nor Arthur seemed to notice.

            “Get this grate off,” Arthur demanded, and Jada had to admit she was grateful that at least one of them could remember the plan right now. “They’re coming.”

            Merlin attached the hook to the bars, then retreated to the end of the rope. Jada fell in beside him, and together they were finally able to haul the grate off the wall. Arthur and the boy wasted no time in getting out of there, and the four of them hurried to get themselves away from the scene as fast as possible.

            Merlin had managed to hold up his end of the plan eventually, and led them to Arthur’s horse. The Prince mounted it swiftly, and Merlin lifted the boy up to sit in front of him before Jada handed him the bags.

            “If my father asks where I am, I’ve gone on a hunting trip,” Arthur said. “You’d better make yourselves scarce, or they’ll execute you in his place.”

            Merlin nodded, and Jada noticed the boy staring intently at him. Arthur turned his horse away, before it carried the two of them off into the night.

            Once they were out of sight, Merlin and Jada turned to head back to Camelot.

            “I almost thought you weren’t coming,” Jada said, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. She tried to laugh her nerves away, but something in Merlin’s eyes told her it hadn’t been nearly as convincing as she’d hoped.

            “I’m sorry,” he replied quietly.

            He’d told Arthur he’d had trouble getting out of the castle, and Jada remembered her escapade in the kitchens once again. On the one hand, she really had no right to know the ins and outs of Merlin’s personal life, but on the other… On the other, she could have been executed.

            “What happened, Merlin?” she asked. “Where were you?”

            His gaze had been fixed to his feet, but he looked up at her now. He took in the slight furrow to her brow, the seriousness of her voice, and sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I’m sorry. I just… I had a bad feeling about it all. About the boy.”

            “A bad feeling?” Her frown deepened, but she didn’t want to get angry yet. “What kind of bad feeling?”

            The corner of his mouth quirked in a way that wasn’t a smile, but vanished before Jada could pinpoint what it was. “It’s hard to explain.”

            Jada waited a few moments, but it was clear he wasn’t going to elaborate of his own accord. “Try. Please.”

            His gaze flickered to her again, seeming surprised that she wasn’t dropping the subject. “I don’t know if I can,” he started, but then changed tactics. “It’s… part of my powers.”

            “You’re lying.” Jada stopped walking, folding her arms. She could tell by the ‘innocent’ light that came into his eyes, the way his face smoothed in a mockery of openness. She’d seen him use that expression on Gaius often enough.

            Merlin stopped, too, turning back to face her with a curious expression now. She could see him register that she was hurt, but it only seemed to confuse him more. “Does it matter? Something told me not to help the boy, so I wasn’t going to. But then I changed my mind. I ignored it, and everything’s okay now.” He gestured after Arthur and the boy, as though that sold his point.

            “Does it matter?” Jada repeated, incredulous. “You were going to leave us to get caught, and let me and the boy be executed because you had a ‘bad feeling’, and you’re asking me if it matters?”

            “No, that’s not what I meant- I-” There was a strange look of surprise on his face, as if he’d somehow been entirely blindsided by her. “You know I wouldn’t let Uther execute you. Don’t you?”

            “But it’s fine for him to execute a child? That bit doesn’t bother you at all? And as for not letting him execute me, unless you were specifically preparing for some sort of jailbreak, you almost did!”

            “Jada!” He was hurt, she could see it in his eyes, but she could have died. She could have died. “Why are you even so attached to this boy? You, and Morgana. You don’t even know his name, yet you’re both so willing to die for him.”

            “Because he could have been you!”

            The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them, but immediately silence fell. Her fists were clenched as she stared at the floor, jaw clenching and unclenching, the only sound in her ears being her uneven breathing.

            Merlin’s voice was quiet, though he couldn’t quite keep the shock out of it. “What?”

            Jada took a deep breath, though she couldn’t quite force herself to look at his face. Her voice was low too, though where Merlin’s had been soft, Jada’s was defeated.

            “It could have been you. If Uther ever caught you, I…” Her voice failed her, and she lifted her arms in a helpless, clueless gesture. “I don’t know what I’d do. No, actually, that’s a lie. I’d do this. All of it. I’d find a way to break you out because there’s no way in hell I’m letting him hurt you.”

            The silence that followed seemed so long that Jada started to count the number of times her heart hammered against her chest. Eventually, she looked up at him.

            Merlin was frozen, his eyes wide and his lips parted, and none of the rest of his body seemed to know how to react at first. Then all at once, he seemed to spring back to life, moving so quickly he was almost a blur. Before Jada could even blink, his arms were around her, pressing her to him so tightly that she forgot how to breathe.

            Although, she admitted, that could have just been due to her surprise, as it took her several slow seconds before her sluggish brain caught up enough to hug him back. Then she was matching him in ferocity, pressing her face into his shoulder as her arms tightened around him.

            “I’ll fight him, you know,” she mumbled without lifting her head. “I don’t care if it’s treason. I’ll still fight him.”

            Merlin chuckled, his breath tickling her neck, but he made no other response for a long time. He tucked his face into the crook of her neck, and Jada though she heard him let out a content sigh.

            “Thank you,” he murmured at last. “I’ve never- I’ve never had…”

            He gave up, hugging her more tightly instead, before letting go and stepping back. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I didn’t mean to put you in danger. I just didn’t know what to do.” He sighed once more, though this one was more frustrated, and ran a hand through his hair. “I promise I’ll think things through properly next time.”

            “Next time?” Jada laughed, before becoming serious again. “I’m sorry for shouting. I didn’t mean to get so upset.”

            Merlin was watching her steadily, a fond smile on his lips.

            “What?” Jada laughed, brushing her hair back with her hand.

            “Nothing,” Merlin replied. “I’m just glad to have a friend like you.” He tossed his arm around her shoulders as they turned and headed for home, grinning.

            Jada chuckled, turning her head to look up at him with a smile. “Yeah, me too.”

Chapter 23 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

Love writing. Hate writing. Love my prose. Hate my prose. Writing today (positive). Writing today (dying). There’s always tomorrow (yay!) There’s always tomorrow (FUCK).

[jessisnotnormal]

Hello, I'm hamdi 🇵🇸 After 100 days of displacement, my family and I found ourself forced to leave our home and land in Gaza. 🏡💔 The journey to Egypt was not a choice, but a necessity imposed by the harsh conditions. we crossed the border, carrying with us scattered dreams and hopes for a better life, but we quickly realized that displacement was not the end of the suffering, but the beginning of a new chapter.

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We may still have 300 days to reach the “goal” that we do not yet know, but until then, we will continue to face the challenges of life with patience and strength, waiting for the day when safety and stability return to us and our loved ones. 🍉🌈🤲 Donate now: In these difficult times, every donation makes a difference. Your support can help alleviate the suffering of families living under siege in Gaza and facing the challenges of daily life. 🇵🇸❤️🍉🤚 Please put your hands in mine and support my children🙏🙏

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[jessisnotnormal]

worlds slowest fanfic author tries really really hard

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 21: Worry

Masterlist

<- Chapter 20

After walking Jada to her chambers—she insisted on donning her cloak before she headed out—Merlin bid her farewell and headed down to the stables. The plan, as they’d all agreed upon, was that Morgana would sneak the boy out of her chambers and meet them at Gwen’s house, collect the supplies Gwen was preparing, and then Merlin would walk both Morgana and the boy to their horse. Morgana would then head out of the city and meet Jada, who would take them to the Druids.

            It seemed simple enough, but Merlin couldn’t help the worry that settled in his stomach. If they weren’t successful, if something went wrong, he was afraid to think what might happen.

            He made sure that Morgana’s horse was fed and watered, but he thought that tacking it up so late in the evening would seem more than a little suspicious. Better to wait until they came back, he decided, giving what he hoped was an innocent-looking smile to Tyr the stable-boy as he departed.

            Merlin headed next to Gwen’s house, where he found her hurriedly packing food into a bag.

            “Is your father still at the forge?” he asked after she’d let him inside, returning quickly to her packing.

            “Yes,” Gwen replied, giving a small laugh. “I don’t know how I’d ever explain this to him, otherwise.”

            Merlin hummed in response, recalling how terrified he’d been of letting Gaius know what had been going on. “Do you need any help?”

            “No, it’s all right. I’ve just got a few more things to add, and then I’ll be finished.”

            At a loss as of what to do with himself while the minutes dragged on, Merlin soon found himself pacing. Morgana should have left by now, he was certain. She should be arriving any minute, providing she’d not been caught by the guards, but the warning bells hadn’t been sounded yet, so there was no reason to worry. No reason at all, he tried to assure himself. Everything would be fine.

            “I hope they’re okay,” Gwen said, breaking the anxious silence. “Morgana really cares about the boy. I’ve never seen her this way with anyone.”

            Merlin slowed his pacing, leaning beside the fireplace to look at her. “I’m sure she just wants to protect him.”

            Gwen hummed, but her expression remained unconvinced. Whatever she was thinking about, Merlin had no time to ask because in the next instant the warning bells broke out, their clamouring chimes reopening the pit of worry in his stomach. He rushed to the door, opening it just a crack to peek out into the street, but there was no sign of anyone anywhere.

            “Come on, Morgana,” Gwen murmured from behind him, and Merlin could hear her beginning to pace now.

            He wished he knew what was going on. They wouldn’t have sounded the warning bells if they’d caught Morgana; there’d have been no need. Perhaps they’d been spotted? If that was the case, then it was going to be even more difficult to get out of the city since the guards would be on high alert.

            Merlin worried his lip, his brows knitting together as he stared out into the night.

            At last, two hooded figures appeared at the top of the street, one significantly shorter than the other but both hurrying towards them.

            “They’re coming,” Merlin announced, but there was little time to feel relieved as the two burst through the door.

            “There’s enough food for three days,” Gwen said, handing Morgana the bag she’d prepared.

            “Your horse is fed and watered,” Merlin added. “I’ll take you to it.”

            “No,” Morgana protested. “There’s no point in all of us risking our lives.”

            Merlin frowned. “What about you?”

            “I’m the King’s ward; I’ll take my chances.”

            “Morgana!” Gwen reprimanded, horrified.

            “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to either of you,” Morgana insisted. Before either Gwen or Merlin could respond, she made for the door again, pulling the boy behind her. “We must go.”

            Goodbye, Emrys.

            Merlin looked in shock down at the boy, who’s intense gaze was fixed on him. It was not the first time he’d heard him ‘speak’ in his mind, but each time it had happened Merlin found himself taken by surprise.

            He gave no response, instead slamming the door shut quickly behind the two of them and turning back to Gwen. He didn’t feel any better now that Morgana had been and gone, and from the looks of things, neither did Gwen. The worry still nagged at his edges, even more so now that the guards were on their tail and Jada’s stage of the plan had yet to begin. He didn’t know what he would do if any of them were caught.

            As he bid Gwen goodnight and began the walk back home, he found that this part of the plan was much worse than the first. At least earlier he had been waiting to do his part and had been able to keep himself occupied with rehearsing it all in his mind. Now, both he and Gwen could only wait helplessly to learn of the outcome, suddenly useless in the whole situation. It was torturous.

            If Morgana made it to Jada and then on to where the Druids were waiting, he wouldn’t know about it until the morning when the two of them returned. But if they were caught…

            Morgana might be able to use her standing to receive only a light punishment, but the boy would most certainly be executed. Merlin wanted to believe that there might be some loophole for Jada, too, but in his heart he knew that she was more likely to face the same fate as the boy, and not Morgana.

            He shouldn’t have gotten her involved, he thought to himself. He should have waited until it was just him and Gaius to ask for help. He’d known Jada would never betray them, but if she was sentenced to execution now because of him, because of his naivety, he didn’t know what he’d do.

            Gaius was fast asleep when he returned, but Merlin knew that he wouldn’t be so lucky himself. His worry kept him up into the early hours, acting out different scenarios over and over again in his mind, full of what-ifs and doubts. He imagined breaking Jada out of the cells, though where she’d go after that, he had no idea. It wasn’t like he could send her away somewhere else; she’d already been isolated from her home, and cutting her off entirely from everything she’d grown accustomed to in this world just seemed cruel beyond measure.

            Maybe he’d have to go with her. That seemed fair; it was his fault she was in this mess, after all. He wasn’t sure how he’d juggle keeping her hidden and fulfilling his destiny with Arthur, but it wasn’t as though he was a stranger to multiple identities. The Druids were already calling him ‘Emrys’, apparently, so it seemed Merlin had more identities than even he knew about.

            He could take her to Ealdor, he thought sleepily. That way his mother could keep Jada company while he was off in Camelot with Arthur. He’d visit whenever he could, obviously. He’d been meaning to visit his mother for a while, actually, but it was hardly as though all the bandits and witches and magical beasts took his personal schedule into account whenever they attacked the kingdom. It was rather rude of them, really. Didn’t they know Merlin was supposed to have his own life, too? A few days between catastrophes was really all he was asking for.

            He must have dozed off eventually, because the next thing Merlin knew, it was light outside. He didn’t exactly feel well-rested, but a part of him was grateful that the waiting, at least, would be over now, and he could stop worrying at last.

            He washed and dressed and headed downstairs, but the look on Gaius’ face as Merlin bid him good morning set the worry gnawing at him again.

            “What is it?” he asked, almost too afraid to listen to the answer.

            “Morgana was caught last night,” Gaius responded gravely. “The boy is sentenced to be executed.”

            Merlin hardly dared to breathe, but there was still one piece of the puzzle missing. “Jada?”

            Gaius shook his head. “As far as I’m aware, she was not arrested. But I have not seen her since yesterday.”

            Before his brain could give the signal, Merlin’s feet were already carrying him out the door. Morgana wasn’t going to be executed, or Gaius would have said so, so it appeared that Uther was going to let her off lightly. She would be fine—probably distraught, but not in any physical danger.

            He had to find Jada. As soon as Merlin knew she was safe and well, they could figure out what to do next. He hoped that she’d simply returned during the night after Morgana failed to meet her, and Gaius just hadn’t seen her yet today. She’d probably slept in. She didn’t seem to cope well with nightly adventures, he noticed. She always looked so tired afterwards. He’d probably arrive at her chambers to find her still asleep, and then he’d feel bad for disturbing her, but at least he would know she was safe.

            There was no answer when he knocked on her door. Probably asleep, he assured himself. He tried again, louder this time, and when that didn’t work, he called her name.

            Still, there was silence.

            He didn’t want to just barge in there and invade her privacy, but he had to know that she’d made it back all right, so after looking up and down the hall, Merlin eased the door open just a fraction, calling her name again.

            It took him a moment to notice that the room was light, and another to realise why that was wrong. The curtains were open, so Jada couldn’t have been sleeping, since daylight was pouring into the room making it impossible. Either she’d already been and gone, or she hadn’t come home at all last night.

            Merlin stepped further into the room, hoping to find something that indicated which situation was true. The bed was made, though that didn’t tell him much since the other servants were already doing their rounds of the castle.

            The wardrobe, he thought. Jada had insisted on wearing her cloak the night before; if it had made it back to her wardrobe, she must have made it back to the castle. He opened both wardrobes—though one, he found, was completely empty—and even checked behind her changing-screen. He couldn’t find her cloak anywhere.

            The worry was starting to take hold of him now, but before he let himself panic, Merlin forced himself to stop and think. If it had been him, if he had been the one waiting on Morgana, what would he have done when she’d never arrived? Eventually he would have come back, he thought, wondering what was going on. But if she hadn’t made it back, then something must have stopped her.

            He hurt his knuckles knocking on Morgana’s door, uncertain whether he would even find her inside. For all he knew Uther might have locked her in the dungeon, but fortunately for Merlin the door opened before he could question himself too much.

            He was surprised to find a rather pale Morgana answering the door instead of the usual cheery face of Gwen, but he didn’t have time to worry about her morose expression just yet.

            “Have you seen Jada?” he asked.

            Morgana looked surprised at his brashness, but then her brows furrowed. “No, why?”

            “I don’t think she came home last night. You didn’t see her at all?”

            “Not since she left here with you.”

            Merlin exhaled, running a hand through his hair. So she hadn’t met Morgana, and she hadn’t been brought in after Morgana was captured. That was both a good thing, and a bad, he thought.

            “Have you tried her chambers?” Morgana suggested.

            Merlin nodded. “I don’t know where else she could be.”

            Morgana moved back, holding the door open for him. Not knowing where else to turn to, Merlin stepped inside, crossing the room to lean against her table.

            “Where’s Gwen?” he asked.

            “At home,” Morgana replied. “I gave her the day off. It’s not like I’ll be leaving my chambers, anyway.”

            Merlin sighed, his hand anxiously rocking the chair beside him back and forth as he thought.

            When Morgana spoke again, her voice was broken. “I promised him I wouldn’t let anything bad happen.”

            “You can’t blame yourself. You tried your best.”

            “It’s not enough.”

            Merlin looked at her properly now, focusing on her for the first time since his arrival. Morgana looked utterly distraught, barely holding back tears as her bottom lip quivered.

            “He’s in jail now,” he said. “There’s nothing more we can do.”

            A fierceness filled Morgana without warning, and she moved towards him with such determination that Merlin almost took a step back. “I will not let him die,” she insisted, but in the next moment her ferocity had vanished, leaving her uncertain and vulnerable once more. “Can I count on your help?”

            Merlin hesitated, feeling the pain of indecision clawing at him. He wanted to help Morgana, but he was beginning to feel more and more uneasy about the whole situation. Breaking the boy out of the dungeons was hardly going to be any easier, after all.

            Morgana was still waiting, her eyes watery but firm. Not wanting to disappoint her, Merlin finally nodded, and she returned it with a relieved smile.

            “Thank you,” she said, and before Merlin could say another word, she spun on her heel and left the room, heading out on whatever life-risking mission she was planning now.

            Well, that could have gone better, he thought to himself. He really had to stop letting himself get roped into every illegal plot that happened in Camelot. But, more importantly, he had to find Jada.

            As he made his way through the castle, Merlin thought back over the night. If he retraced Jada’s steps, he would surely find the answer sooner or later; after all, she’d only gone to the gates of the city.

            With a jolt, he suddenly realised how unguarded the outside of the city gates were. Of course, the guards at the gate were there to prevent any suspicious arrivals, but if Jada had been hiding out of their sight in the forest, then anything could have happened to her. And no-one would have seen a thing.

            No bandits would dare come that close to the city, would they? What would they be looking for, anyway? They usually waited for travellers farther down the road, as far as Merlin knew, to pose less risk to themselves from any of the guards intervening.

            He’d reached the courtyard now, and was only brought out of his thoughts by the scrape of a whetstone against a blade. Looking up, he saw the executioner back on his platform, lazily sharpening his axe as though he hadn’t a care in the world.

            Merlin swallowed, forcing his gaze away from the blade and trying to resist the urge to tug his scarf higher up his neck. He’d worry about that later.

            For now, he had enough to worry about with remembering that Jada had been kidnapped once already. What if Morgo had found her again, and had snatched her away to finish whatever strange business he had attempted the first time around? Merlin felt his fists clench. Whoever this Morgo was, Merlin would be damned before he let him harm any one of his friends. Even if he had to go after them alone, Merlin wasn’t going to let him take Jada without a fight. Morgo had no idea what he was bringing on himself.

            A familiar sight stopped him short, his feet halting in the middle of the courtyard. He was sure he’d just seen a head of brown curls push their way into the throng of people milling about, but a withered old man with a scraggly beard had cut off his line of sight to them.

            He searched the crowd for several moments, leaning this way and that to try and get a better view, and then he spotted her again over by the row of stone columns.

            “Jada…” he breathed, rushing towards her and dodging several other people on his way. He grabbed her by the wrist, spinning her away from the crowd until they were safely behind one of the pillars and out of earshot of any passers-by. “Jada!”

            “Merlin!” she gasped, seeming just as surprised as he was. Her surprise quickly gave way to confusion, however. “What happened?”

            “Morgana was caught. I thought…” He looked her over, his eyes scanning for any cuts or bruises or other sign of harm. The bottom of her cloak was covered in mud and leaves, and there was some dirt smudged on her cheek, but he could see no injuries. “Where have you been?”

            “I was waiting for Morgana,” she explained. “But she took so long I fell asleep. I guess that explains why, though, if she got caught.”

            “You…” Merlin wasn’t sure when he’d taken hold of her other arm, too, but he gave her a small, urgent shake by them now. “You fell asleep? Jada, I…”

            Suddenly, he let go of her, stepping backward with a shake of his head and an exasperated laugh. “Of course you did. I knew you’d slept in.”

            She gave him a frown, tilting her head slightly to the side. “What do you mean?”

            “I was looking for you. I was worried about you.”

            A slow smile spread onto her lips, and her gaze dropped to the floor. “Thanks,” she said after a moment. “And, I’m sorry. But you really didn’t have anything to worry about”—She reached up to pull the necklace off, holding it out to him in her palm—“It’s kept me as safe as you like.”

            Merlin exhaled, unable to help the smile that appeared as he looked down at the necklace. “I’m not sure I should take it back. You seem to need it just as much as I do.”

            “Definitely not,” Jada laughed, stepping closer to loop it over his head. “I really don’t think falling asleep has the same danger level as constantly being attacked at all.”

            “We’ll have to get you one that gives you more energy, then,” he joked. “Then maybe you’ll be better at staying up late.”

            “Now, wouldn’t that be useful?” she remarked, turning to head back to the castle. “A stone to help you pull an all-nighter. University students would buy them by the bucket.”

            He gave her a questioning look, falling in step beside her.

            “University is where you go to learn stuff when you’re an adult, basically. From about age eighteen onwards. I’ll tell you more about it some other time, if you want, but first I need to know what’s happening with Morgana and the Druid boy.”

            “The boy’s going to be executed, but as far as I know, Morgana isn’t facing any punishment.”

            “So we have to find a way to get him out again, then.”

            “Wha-” Merlin stuttered, taken aback, then tried again. “He’s already in jail. There’s nothing we can do.”

            “I don’t believe that. There’s got to be something.”

            “Why is everybody so determined to risk their lives over this?” he blurted, exasperated. “If Morgana gets caught again, Uther won’t let her escape so lightly, and if you or I were to try anything…” He looked at her seriously, willing her to understand. “It’s over, Jada.”

            Jada halted, the two of them now in the hallway, and stared back at him fiercely. “No.” As her gaze continued to hold his, she softened. “I understand if you’re afraid. That’s okay. I’m afraid, too.” She lowered her voice, though there seemed to be no-one else within earshot. “But I can’t let Uther get away with this. I can’t stand by and watch him kill an innocent person, let alone a child. I’m already involved in this now, I can’t just stop.”

            She shifted her weight, her brows puckering. “Can you understand that?”

            Merlin sighed. “I do. But I wish you wouldn’t risk your life because of it.”

            She gave a flash of a grin, there and gone in just a second, and Merlin wished she would take this more seriously. She began walking again. “Hey, you started all this, remember? You’re the one who risked your life first.”

            “Jada, I’m serious. What if you get caught?”

            His tone made her falter, and as her gaze returned to him he saw the fear and uncertainty that lay hidden there. “I don’t know,” she admitted. She wrapped her arms around herself, falling silent for a long time.

            “I’m sorry I dragged you into this,” he said after a while.

            Jada smiled at that. “That’s okay. It was my decision, really. I was going to ask you about the boy, anyway.”

            Merlin shook his head, a fond smile of his own appearing. “I think I’ve had a bad influence on you.”

            She let out a laugh, her head tilting back as she did so. “I don’t mind. I’m sure Gaius thinks I’m the one corrupting you, anyway.”

            “Well, you are the one suggesting a prison break,” he teased.

            “For a fugitive you hid!” she giggled, but immediately dropped her voice again, looking around them fearfully.

            Merlin laughed, then sighed. “I’ve got to get back to Arthur, now. Just… don’t do anything stupid until I get back, all right?”

            Jada’s smile returned, but she nodded. “All right. I’ll see you later.”

            “You better had.”

            She turned off and headed down the hall, and Merlin smiled after her for a moment before returning to his duties.

            When he stepped inside Arthur’s chambers, he found both the Prince and Morgana deep in discussion. They were sat at the table, heads bent conspiratorially towards one another, but upon Merlin’s entrance they both froze and looked up.

            “Sorry,” Merlin said sheepishly. “Was I interrupting something?”

            “Nothing you need concern yourself with,” Arthur replied immediately. “Go make yourself useful, muck out my horses.”

            Obviously something was going on, but Merlin knew his place, and that was not to question his betters. He started to shuffle back out the door.

            “I trust Merlin.” Morgana’s voice was quiet yet steady, and it stopped Merlin where he stood.

            Arthur glanced back and forth between the two of them, before relenting and gesturing Merlin inside. Merlin shut the door behind him, but continued to linger uncertainly by it.

            “We’re going to break the Druid boy out of the dungeons,” Arthur stated.

            “You can’t do that!” Merlin blurted before he could stop himself.

            Morgana was obviously confused by his change of heart, but was nevertheless insistent. “We have to. Uther’s going to execute him at dawn.”

            “I mean…” Merlin began, wracking his brain for a reasonable excuse. “It’s too dangerous. You’ve already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time, he’ll never forgive you.”

            “I’m not worried for myself,” she replied.

            Fortunately, Arthur was swayed by Merlin’s logic. “Merlin’s right. When my father finds out the boy’s escaped, he will suspect you of being involved.”

            “It’s suicide,” Merlin added, relieved that Arthur, at least, was willing to listen to him.

            Another glance at the Prince told him a different story, however, as an idea seemed to be dawning in his mind. “You must go to my father and apologise,” Arthur began, addressing Morgana. “Dine with him. He cannot hold you responsible if you’re with him when the boy escapes.”

            Morgana frowned. “You need me if the plan is to work. You can’t do this on your own.”

            Arthur turned his gaze to Merlin, a sly grin appearing on his face. Merlin did not like that look at all. “Merlin will take your place.”

            “Me?” he gawked, but Arthur was already springing into action, rising from his seat and approaching Merlin.

            “I’m going to take the boy out through the burial vaults,” he said. “There’s a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There’s a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel, bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off.”

            “No, no, I can’t-” Merlin protested, but neither of them paid him any heed.

            “Jada knows where to take the boy. If we ask her, I’m sure she’ll agree to meet you at the grate and lead you there,” Morgana interjected.

            “No!” He’d just spoken with Jada about this. He knew she’d agree undoubtedly, but he’d already spent one night worrying about her. She didn’t need to be put into any more danger.

            “Merlin’s right,” Arthur agreed, much to Merlin’s surprised relief. “If my father notices her absence, he will accuse her of being involved. I’ll have her send word to the Druids of a different meeting place, one that I know, and then I won’t need her to guide me.”

            Okay, that wasn’t so bad, Merlin thought. He didn’t have to worry so much about that. He was, however, worried about the way Arthur was eyeing him up.

            “Merlin won’t be able to pull the grate off alone,” Arthur said. “He won’t be strong enough.”

            Despite himself, Merlin took offence, glancing between himself and Morgana. Surely he wasn’t that much weaker than her?

            “Well, I won’t be able to help, if I’m dining with Uther,” Morgana pointed out.

            “No…” Arthur agreed, twirling the ring on his finger as he thought. “Jada will, though. She can prepare some food and water for the journey while Merlin readies the horse, and then we can all meet at the grate.”

            Merlin was practically pleading now. “Arthur, no. Jada-”

            “Merlin! Do you understand?” Arthur cut him off. “If you’re not there to meet us, we’ll surely be caught.”

            Merlin hesitated, but the look on Arthur’s face was not one to be argued with. At last, he gave in, nodding. Without another word, Arthur swept out of the room, heading off to drag Jada back into the mess that they’d created.

            Giving one last, morose glance to Morgana, Merlin left also.

Chapter 22 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

January: "May I Have This Dance?"

A/N: Bit late I know, but better late than never, eh? Inspired by the Year of the OTP prompts, but I don't have an up-and-running ao3 (yet) so they'll be here exclusively for now.

--

The Great Hall was aglow with firelight; candles of white and green and red dotted the banquet tables, candelabras stood dripping a steady trickle of wax, and in the large hearth at the head of the hall the Yule log burned bright and hot, crackling as it spat out a flurry of embers.

            It was always a difficult task, Merlin knew, to keep a hall of this size warm enough to be comfortably inhabited in the depths of winter, but for tonight at least its occupants were able to forget the chill of the lazily falling snow that veiled the world just beyond the stained glass of the windows. Instead, they filled their bellies with hot food, warmed their blood with rich wine, and swirled and spiralled around the room in one elaborate dance after another, until their faces glowed almost as brightly as the candles that illuminated them.

            Not Merlin, of course. No, Uther’s annual Yule celebration was always reserved for only the most noble-blooded members of the court—of which Merlin most definitely was not—and so he had been left to soak up the warmth and the joy second-hand from his usual position behind Arthur’s chair, a pitcher of wine held almost half-forgotten in his hands.

            But this did not dampen his spirits any, his face still lighting with a bright and goofy grin as he watched the dancers spin and prance across the floor, mesmerised by the way their bodies moved with the music so naturally, as though it were a part of them. It almost seemed a kind of magic, the way they moved—the way they were compelled to move, all in time and sequence as one body by little more than some expert fingers on the strings of a lute or fiddle.

            His gaze travelled upwards to the balcony then, where he knew the musicians had been stationed out of sight overlooking the hall. Of course, the noble guests could not be expected to ruin their night by having to acknowledge the existence of the castle staff, Merlin thought with a repressed snort—save, of course, for the ones like him who were clearly more like furniture—but oddly he thought that the facelessness granted to the musicians only made them seem more mysterious—almost alluring, even.

            Or perhaps that was only really the case for one of them, he considered. A specific one, a particular one, whose fingers he could hear plucking the strings of the lute he’d loaned to them with an energy and a precision that made his chest swell with pride.

            Jada was up there, he knew. He hadn’t had the chance to see her yet tonight, but there was no way that Uther’s Royal Bard would be able to miss a night like this. He wondered what she was wearing—the blue dress that brought out the steel in her eyes? Or perhaps the red skirt had seemed more festive? Either way, he could picture her so clearly in his mind’s eye grinning as she stomped along to the rhythm, her face flushed with mirth and energy as she and the other musicians goaded each other on into more and more elaborate flourishes; or swaying to the more gentle melodies; or laughing as she took a break to swig her own mead.

            Even if it was only in his imagination, he thought she was probably having a much better time up there than he was, standing mostly in the same spot all night as he had been.

            He would sneak away, he decided—sneak away and join her, even if just for a moment. If he timed it right, he could see Arthur never even noticing that he was gone until he hit the bottom of his cup and had reason to turn around again.

            So he waited patiently, biding his time until Arthur drained the last of his wine and held his goblet out again, barely pausing in his merry conversation with his father and Morgana. Merlin stepped forward dutifully, making sure to fill the cup as much as he reasonably could in order to provide himself with as much time before the next refill as possible. Then, stepping back and setting the pitcher down on the low table behind them, he gave a mischievous waggle of his eyebrows to Gwen stationed behind Morgana.

            “Got to attend to a call of nature,” he lied in a low murmur. “Be right back.”

            The sideways look of amusement she gave him suggested she didn’t quite believe him—perhaps the eyebrow waggle had been a little too mischievous—but she said nothing, merely adjusting her posture as though she had decided to take their job seriously enough for the both of them. But the curve at the corner of her mouth betrayed her, and Merlin couldn’t help but mirror it on his own face as he passed her by and ducked out of the hall into the corridor.

            It wasn’t a particularly long walk up to the balcony—simply one corridor along the length of the hall, and then a left into the spiralling stairwell that led up to one area of the battlements, but instead taking the door about halfway up that exited directly out onto the balcony itself—and then he was stepping out into what felt like a secret pocket of warmth and joy and music. They’d lit a few candles to see by, though most of the light was emanating from the hall below, and it cast an almost golden glow into the space that gave Merlin an instant pang of nostalgia for winter evenings by the fire with his mother in Ealdor.

            The tune they were playing was focussed mostly on the fiddler at that moment—Oriel, he thought he remembered Jada calling them at some point—but it only took Merlin’s gaze a moment to skirt past them and land on Jada further back in the shadows. All five musicians had turned their heads towards him at the sound of the door opening, but at the brief recognition and his obvious contentment to wait for the song to end, all but Jada had turned their attentions back almost immediately to the music.

            Jada herself gave him a bright smile in greeting that melted into a curious look as he lingered, but she too had little choice but to wait until the end of the piece before she could sate that curiosity. When at last her fingers stilled, she leant in to murmur something to the flute player beside her—Sam? Merlin thought—as she handed her lute to him, then began to manoeuvre her way between the fiddler and the drummer and around the lyrist until she had reached Merlin at the door.

            “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” she teased by way of greeting, her eyes fond with amusement.

            “Arthur won’t miss me for a moment or two,” Merlin answered with a matching smile. “What about you? Can I borrow you for a moment?”

            “Borrow me?” she echoed with a quirk of her brows, before looking back over her shoulder. “Sam, am I all right to dip out for a song or two?”

            The flautist, who had now begun to pick just as comfortably at the lute strings for the next song, tilted his head a moment in consideration. “A song or two,” he agreed. “But don’t make me come and find you.”

            “I promise she’ll be back soon,” Merlin assured. “I won’t keep her for too long.”

            “See that you don’t,” Sam replied, but there was no real malice in his tone, only the sternness of a man who knew he’d be the one answering to the crown if any of his employees were to be found skirting their duties.

            “Thanks, Sam,” Jada called back as she darted after Merlin into the stairwell, then began following him down the stairs. “So, what exactly have you come to steal me away for this time?” she asked as they went. “I hope it’s not another undead sorcerer trying to bring the castle down on our heads.”

            “No,” Merlin said with a laugh, “Nothing like that. I just thought it seemed unfair that the nobles get all the fun. It is Yuletide, after all.”

            They’d reached the bottom now, and as they stepped out into the corridor Merlin had turned and lifted a hand to interlace with hers. “I know we can’t hear the music as well out here, but at least we have some privacy, for the moment.”

            “Nothing like the privacy of an open corridor,” Jada joked, though the fingers of her other hand interlaced with his too, now, and when the teasing faded from her eyes a second later, there was nothing left to hide the intense warmth that she looked at him with. Merlin decided that he didn’t need any of the wine to warm his blood. “What did you have in mind?” she all but hummed.

            He gave a tender smile, brushing his thumbs over her knuckles once before releasing her and stepping back. “We can’t be long,” he said. “I don’t want someone to miss us, or for you to get in trouble.”

            “I notice there was no mention of yourself in that second part,” she murmured with amusement.

            Merlin gave a lopsided shrug and crooked grin. “You’ve seen how I live.” Sobering again, he took another step back, gesturing with his head to draw her with him until they were a comfortable distance away from the door. Then, he stepped slightly away from her, making a big show of straightening up like the nobles he’d been watching all night, before crossing an arm over his chest and giving an elaborate bow.

            “My Lady Jada,” he said with great pomp and affect, “May I have this dance?”

            She was grinning when he looked back up, shaking her head fondly like she couldn’t quite remember why she deigned to put up with him, but after another second or two cleared her throat and adjusted her own posture, settling into character as she dipped into a curtsey. “Why, my dear Lord Merlin, I would be delighted.”

            He tried his best not to snort as he giggled, but when it slipped out regardless, he swore he saw Jada’s grin widen in response. They stepped in closer, setting their right hands together and beginning to circle in time with the muffled music they could hear through the stone walls. “You really are ridiculously adorable, you know,” Jada stated.

            Merlin rolled his eyes to distract from the heat rising in his face, though made no effort to hide his grin. “Still not ‘dashing’ or ‘ridiculously handsome’, I see.”

            “Hm,” Jada mused, tilting her head as she studied him appraisingly. “Perhaps it’s more ‘ridiculous and adorable.’”

            That earned her another eyeroll as they switched directions, left hands brushing together now. “You know, someday I’ll find someone who truly appreciates me and my incredible looks,” he joked.

            “Is this you finally deciding to leave Arthur?” she exclaimed with mock surprise. “Oh, I’m so glad! Can I be there when you tell him?”

            Somehow, this eyeroll was even bigger than the last, and Merlin worried he’d get stuck like that if he didn’t cut it out soon enough. “You know I can’t,” he answered, a little more soberly.

            Jada’s mirth had dimmed a little too, though her eyes remained warm and focussed on him as they stepped back and forth away from one another, then in close again. “I don’t want to go over all that again right now,” she said after a moment.

            Merlin conceded, giving an apologetic little smile. Though she’d been the one to bring it up, he could admit that he’d let some of his annoyance from past discussions slip through in his tone.

            “You know I just want you to be happy, right?” she asked, sincerity entering her gaze now as they began to circle again. “And if being here is what you want, then I’ll be here with you.”

            Twisting her hand, she managed to reach around to take hold of his, stepping in close enough to brush a kiss across the back of it. “I just want you to know that you have other options, if ever you decide to take one.”

            She must have seen Merlin opening his mouth to protest, as she stopped their circling then to step even closer, cupping his face in her hands and stilling his lips with both thumbs. “And if you still feel like you have no other options, then I want you to know that I’m with you, regardless. Hell or high water, Merlin. I’m yours.”

            He felt himself melt, felt the familiar warm ache in his chest swell, and chose to brush all his other thoughts aside in favour of bending his head enough to brush a kiss to her mouth. Jada pulled his face closer to steal a second, and the press of her body against his caused a dizzying heat to explode across his face.

            “I love you,” she whispered, pulling back just enough to say the words.

            “I love you,” Merlin murmured in return, letting his eyes close and his forehead rest against hers for a moment. It didn’t need to be more complicated than that. Not tonight, at least. Not until something else made it so—whether destiny or time or the universe itself. He would enjoy what they had now, while they had it, and any future complications would be just that: for the future.

            Jada drew in a breath. “Shall I show you how we dance at parties like this where I’m from?”

            He opened his eyes now, lifting his head and searching her face. “Is it so different?”

            “A little,” she murmured, sliding her hands down his arms until she could guide his to the small of her back. “It’s a little more… personal, I suppose. More intimate. Though I’ll admit it does take significantly less skill and rhythm,” she added with the huff of a laugh.

            Looping her hands now around the back of his neck, she pulled his forehead back to hers and began to sway them slightly from side to side. Merlin followed her movements, unable to break his gaze away from hers or focus on anything really beyond the soft lines of her face, or the warmth radiating from her body into his.

            “Is this it?” he asked, his voice rough in its lowness.

            He felt the soft huff of her laugh across his face this time. “I told you it didn’t exactly take a lot of skill.”

            “N-no, no. It’s… nice.” He swallowed, wondering how he could possibly break free from the enchantment she seemed to have bound him in, and then wondering if he even wanted to. “Though I certainly can’t imagine doing it in a room full of other people.”

            Her hand had slipped around to cup his jaw again, guiding him close enough to bump her nose against his, and he swore he could feel the rumble of her laugh reverberate through his own chest. “We’re a lot less concerned about propriety than in this age.”

            “Seems like,” Merlin responded, mostly because it seemed like it was his turn to say something, but then her lips on his wiped away any other thought or word he might have uttered. He heard himself sigh into her, felt his body warm as he pulled hers closer, and tasted the sweet honey of the mead she’d been drinking on his tongue as he melted into her kiss.

            He could have stayed there forever, could have easily been persuaded to abandon his post as Arthur’s cupbearer, would have followed her into whatever empty chamber or darkened broom closet she might have desired, but just then a sudden cheer broke out on the other side of the wall that startled the two of them back to their senses.

            Jada gave a breathless little laugh as she looked back to him, wiping a thumb across his bottom lip. “We should get back,” she whispered regretfully.

            Merlin couldn’t help his disappointed hum. “Probably.”

            That made her smile wider, a wonderful little sparkle in her eyes that Merlin wanted to keep there all the time. “We’ll have plenty of time to see one another after the feast is over.”

            “I’ll make sure Arthur drinks enough that he immediately passes out when we get back.”

            A laugh burst from her, almost spraying him before she slapped a hand over her mouth and took a small step back. “You’re wicked,” she remarked despite her equally devilish grin.

            Giving a shrug, Merlin joked, “That’s what he gets for being so difficult every other night.”

            Jada only shook her head disapprovingly, trying to fight her amused smile.

            “Go on, then, head back,” he bid, taking her face in his hands now and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see you later.”

            “See you later, Merlin,” she murmured, warmth and love in her eyes, and as he turned to head back to his post, Merlin couldn’t resist flashing her one last smile over his shoulder as he went.

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 20: The Plan

Masterlist

<- Chapter 19

After a night of deliberation, Jada had resolved to ask Merlin directly about his involvement with the hiding of the Druid boy. She already had enough evidence to conclude he was involved in something shady, with his lying about Gaius’ ingredients and the suspicious questions, and so confronting him directly seemed like the most efficient way to find out exactly how much he was involved in. His only options then would be to either come clean or lie to her face, but she hoped that Merlin trusted her enough to make it a relatively easy decision for him.

            So she made her way to Gaius’ the following morning with this explicit intent. Gaius himself was still bumbling about packing up his equipment for his morning round, but once he had left Jada and Merlin alone, she would ask, she’d decided. She didn’t know what Gaius would do if she exposed Merlin in front of him, but she didn’t intend to find out.

            “The search for this Druid boy is becoming a real nuisance,” Gaius was saying. “With all the extra security around the castle, it’s taking me twice as long to do my round.”

            He gave his bag a final once-over, thinking out loud. “Is that everything?”

            Merlin was sat on the steps up to his room, strangely quiet, though Jada barely noticed as she went over and over her plan in her mind. As soon as Gaius was gone, she would ask. As soon as Gaius was gone.

            Gaius closed his bag, heading towards the door.

            “Morgana’s hiding the Druid boy in her chambers.”

            Both Gaius and Jada froze, turning to look at Merlin slowly. He’d barely moved, and if it hadn’t been for Gaius’ reaction, Jada might have thought she’d imagined him saying anything at all.

            His every movement now slow and deliberate, Gaius set his bag back down on the table. His face was dark, his eyes barely concealing the anger that lay within, and his voice was low. “When you say that Morgana’s hiding the Druid boy, I take it that means that you’re helping her?”

            Merlin’s voice revealed nothing, though it was still just as quiet as before. “Sort of.”

            “Merlin, you promised me that you wouldn’t get involved.”

            “I know. I’m sorry.” Merlin got up from where he was seated, descending the stairs to face Gaius’ wrath. “I had no choice.”

            Gaius was speaking quickly now, barely pausing for breath. “Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy, and you’re harbouring him under their very noses. Can’t you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?”

            “Was I supposed to hand him over to the guards to be executed?”

            “You think you can save this boy?” Gaius was angry now, his calm façade starting to vanish. “What happens if you’re caught? Who’s going to save you?”

            “You’re saying it’s wrong to harbour a young magician?” Merlin looked pointedly at him, knowing full well he’d managed to corner Gaius. Whatever answer he gave, he’d be a hypocrite, and from the look on Gaius’ face, he knew it too.

            Jada was still frozen by the windowsill, completely lost in the situation now that her plan had gone so suddenly out the window. All she could do was watch the two of them.

            Merlin moved away to lean on the table, but Gaius followed him, his voice softer now. “The difference is, Merlin, that your magic is still secret, though it’s a wonder how, considering how careless you are.”

            Merlin sighed. “The boy’s hurt. He’s really sick. I’ve tried to treat him…” He shook his head, turning to Gaius with pleading eyes. “We need your help.”

            “So now you want me to risk my neck, too? I wish the boy no harm, but it’s too dangerous.”

            “If you don’t, we may as well hand him over to the guards because he’ll die anyway.”

            Gaius turned to Jada then, his expression reproachful. “You’ve been very quiet throughout all of this. I take it that means you knew about this, too?”

            Jada’s gaze flickered to Merlin, her lips pressed into a hard line. “I had my suspicions, but I didn’t know anything for certain.”

            “What do you think should be done?”

            She rose, coming to stand beside the two of them, who watched her steadily. “He needs to get back to the other Druids. He can’t do that if he’s injured. He’s not done anything, Gaius; he’s just a kid.”

            Merlin’s voice was soft as he pleaded with Gaius one last time. “You didn’t turn your back on me. Please don’t turn your back on him.”

            Gaius stared at him a moment, his expression unwavering. Then, at last, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I will examine him, but if I cannot aid him, I will hear no more of it.”

            Merlin’s face split into a grin, his lungs releasing a rush of breath in relief. “Oh, thank you, Gaius! Thank you! I promise, as soon as he’s better again, we’re going to get him out of the city, and then you won’t have to worry anymore.”

            Gaius raised an eyebrow, picking up his bag once again. “I hope this promise holds more weight to it than the last one you made me. For all our sakes’.”

            Merlin’s smile disappeared, but Gaius was already heading for the door. Sharing one last glance, both Jada and Merlin followed him, making straight for Morgana’s chambers.

            Merlin tapped his knuckles lightly against the wooden door as they arrived, leaning in close to it. “It’s Merlin.”

            Just as when Jada had visited only a day before, Gwen answered, though this time she smiled at Merlin before she took in the presence of the other two. “Gaius. Jada?”

            “It’s all right; they know,” Merlin reassured her, but still Gwen did not look comfortable as she stepped back to allow them inside.

            Morgana was crouched in a small, curtained-off alcove on the far side of her chambers, but she stood up quickly and strode over to Merlin when she saw them.

            “Merlin,” she said quietly, her jaw tight. “I told you to ask Gaius for help, not to bring in everybody else on your way.”

            Jada probably wasn’t supposed to hear that. She couldn’t exactly blame Morgana—they were all risking execution here, after all—but it still stung a little.

            Merlin’s response was a comfort, however. “No, no,” he replied, at the same volume as Morgana. “She helped me convince Gaius to come. I trust Jada. Really.”

            Morgana’s fierce gaze captured his for a few moments, but at last she nodded. She gestured them over to where she’d been crouched, and as they rounded her table Jada and Gaius could see that what at first looked like just a huddle of blankets was a young boy.

            He was younger than the boy she had met in the forest, this one being maybe ten or eleven, at most. He was caked in sweat and breathing heavily, his tiny lungs panting against his fever, and though his eyes were mostly closed, occasionally his lashes fluttered restlessly as he tossed his head back and forth.

            Gaius set to work immediately, with Morgana crouched beside him and the others stood over him. After what seemed like an age, he sat back, turning to address them all. “I will treat the boy, but as soon as he’s well, you must get him out of Camelot. And woe betide anyone caught helping him.”

            He unfastened a bandage around the boy’s left arm, revealing a nasty puncture wound with a thick white substance oozing out of it.

            “Well, one thing we know for certain,” Gaius announced.

            Merlin leant over him, his arms folded. “What’s that?”

            Gaius straightened up, turning to look back at him. “You’re no physician.”

            Under Gaius’ care, the boy’s fever was brought back under control and his desperate panting eased. His wound was bound in a new bandage, and then Gaius was off, leaving behind only instructions to let the boy rest and then get him out of Camelot as soon as possible.

            It was Morgana’s idea that they all go and scout out the city gates, hoping to find some opening that they’d be able to sneak the boy through when the time came.

            “The guards are searching everyone leaving the town,” Gwen said, watching from their cover as a man with a cartload of kindling was forced to stop and have his goods examined.

            “There is another way out,” Merlin suggested, pretending to be interested in the wares of the stall they hid behind. “There’s a secret door in the armoury. It leads to the lower town. I’ll take the boy out that way.”

            “No, it’s too dangerous,” Morgana argued. “I’ll do it.”

            Gwen frowned at her, but Morgana didn’t seem to notice.

            “Well I- I’m good with secret doors and things,” Merlin said.

            “If you get caught, Uther will execute you,” Morgana countered in a tone that left no room for argument. “The boy’s my responsibility. I’ll smuggle him out of the castle.”

            Jada caught Gwen glancing between the two of them, seeming ever more perplexed. She wondered if Gwen had voluntarily gotten involved in the whole affair, or if she’d merely been pulled in by accident.

            “I think that makes sense,” Jada agreed, turning her attention back to Morgana. “You’re probably the only one of us who could get caught and survive it. I’m sure Uther wouldn’t hesitate to chop any of our heads off.”

            “Well, you’ll need a key for the door,” Merlin said.

            Morgana frowned. “Who has it?”

            “Arthur.”

            Jada let out a quiet snort. “That seems like a job for you then, Merlin.”

            He sighed, though the corners of his mouth quirked upwards. “Great.”

            “Do you know where to take him, once you get him out?” she asked Morgana.

            Morgana’s face fell. “The Druids have been a secretive people for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure anyone knows exactly where to find them, anymore.”

            Jada folded her arms, turning her gaze towards the guards, who had finished searching the man’s cart now. She’d have to ask the boy in the forest, but she wasn’t sure whether her knowledge of him would be incriminating. “I’ll have a look in the library. Maybe I can convince Geoffrey to let me into some more forbidden areas.”

            “No, he’s far too protective of his books,” Merlin said, shaking his head. “You’ll never get in.”

            Jada laughed. “That’s because he thinks you’re reckless and impulsive. He wouldn’t let you near them.”—She turned to him with a grin—“But I spent a lot of time in there when I first came to Camelot. Geoffrey and I are pals, now.”

            Merlin snorted. “If you say so. You go and ask Geoffrey, then; I’ll get the key, and you two make sure the boy’s ready to leave. Gaius said he should be recovered enough to leave tonight.”

            “Simple enough,” Morgana nodded. “Until tonight, then.”

            They all headed back to the castle before splitting up; Morgana and Gwen heading to Morgana’s chamber, Merlin to Arthur’s, and Jada under the guise of heading down to the library. In truth, she headed back out into the city, passing through the guards at the gates and out into the forest.

            She tried her best to remember the way back to where she’d met the boy, despite there being a good chance of him not even still being there. It was the best option she had, however, and so she trekked on.

            A loud hoot made her start nervously, looking around until she spotted the owl watching her from the tree.

            “I thought you might look for me here.” The boy stepped out of the brush with a warm smile on his face. “Jada.”

            “I know where your friend is,” she said. “He was injured, but he’s getting better as we speak. He should be well enough to try and escape the city tonight, but we need to know where to take him.”

            “You know where he is? He’s going to be all right? Oh, thank you!” Before Jada could respond, he had wrapped his arms around her waist in a tight hug. It didn’t last long, however, as he stepped back quickly, his eyes cast downwards. “I’m sorry. But I’ll be glad when he’s safe and home again, and everything can go back to normal.”

            “Yeah, me too.” He looked at her questioningly, so she added, “I’m not really the hero type. I’d rather everyone just live safe, happy lives.”

            His blue eyes twinkled, though they were still mostly hidden by his hair. A strange smile appeared. “If you say so. But you said you needed to know where to take him. There’s a small clearing not far from here at the crest of a hill. I’ll show you it now, and then I’ll tell some of the Elders to meet you there tonight.”

            He patted his shoulder, and before Jada could wonder what he was doing, the owl swooped down from the tree and landed on his arm. The boy didn’t even flinch as it aimed its talons at him, acting as though it were the most normal thing ever to happen, so Jada thought it best not to comment on it.

            But if she were the only one who knew where to meet the Druids, that meant that she would have to show Morgana where to go, she realised with a sickening feeling. If they were caught, she’d be executed for sure. “Are you sure there’s not a better landmark you could meet at? I wasn’t really intending on being the one to bring him.”

            “I’m afraid most of this forest looks the same. And we can’t exactly come to the edge of it, or the guards will see us and arrest us, too.”

            She wasn’t pleased with this turn of events, but she followed the boy anyway. “Can’t your friend guide us to you? And I still don’t know either of your names.”

            “We’re a hunted people, Jada. It’s likely better for the both of us if we have as little to do with one another as possible.”

            He said it so matter-of-factly that she had to turn and look at him for a moment. She’d been appalled by how Merlin had had to live his life and the things that he’d grimly accepted, but this boy was so much younger, so much more hardened by the cruel world that Uther had created for them.

            “And as for him knowing where to go,” he continued, “I’m not guiding you straight into our camp, for the same reason. He wouldn’t know how to get to the meeting spot without your help.”

            She had to admit that that seemed reasonable, but she still wasn’t happy about it. “You know my name,” she said, rather sulkily.

            He grinned at her. “You offered it. You might want to be more careful doing that; there’s power in a name. Also, when doing illegal business that has a high chance of getting you killed, a cloak is good. It stops the guards from seeing your face and what you’re wearing, and natural colours help you blend in.”

            “I really hope I don’t have to use this advice, you know.”

            “You’re planning on smuggling a fugitive out of Camelot at the request of a stranger. You’re going to need it.”

            She laughed at that, noticing how much it sounded like a conversation she’d have with Merlin. She hoped he hadn’t rubbed off on her too much.

            The two of them continued walking for a short while before the boy halted. The clearing was just as he’d described it; small, remote, and atop a marginally steep incline.

            “Here,” he said, gesturing around them. “Do you think you can remember the way?”

            Jada frowned, unsure. “I don’t know. This whole forest looks pretty similar to me.”

            The boy laughed. “Not to worry. I’m sure you’ll know where to go when the time comes.” The glint in his eye returned, suggesting that he had some other trick up his sleeve. Jada wouldn’t have been surprised if he had her playing ‘follow-the-owl’ through the forest in the event of her getting lost.

            “All right, sure,” she sighed, deciding not to push him on whatever undoubtedly magical thing he had planned. All this witchcraft and wizardry was starting to get a little overwhelming.

            “Now, you should return and tell them what you know.” He gave her a hopeful smile, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly. “I hope to see you tonight.”

            It was evening by the time she returned to Camelot, and immediately Jada headed to Morgana’s chambers. Merlin was just knocking on the door as she arrived, and he gave her a nervous grin as he saw her approaching.

            As usual, it was Gwen who answered the door, and as they entered they found Morgana wearing one of her maidservant’s dresses, crouching beside the boy and smiling with him. He was awake now and sitting upright, his brow no longer fevered and his breathing regular, and Jada was surprised how alike he and the boy from the forest seemed. Both had brown hair, though the younger was slightly darker and much less unruly.

            But the most striking thing about him was his eyes. Set against the dark hair and pale skin, the piercing blue of them would have been unsettling, had it not been for the round, babyish face. They were eyes that saw things you didn’t want them to, eyes that made you feel as though your soul was exposed and all your secrets laid bare before them, and Jada felt suddenly uncomfortable as he turned them on her.

            His eyes reminded her of Morgo.

            “You ready?” Merlin asked, bringing Jada back to the present.

            Morgana nodded. “Did you get the keys?”

            Merlin, too, had begun to stare at the boy, but quickly switched his attention back. “Yeah. Uh, the door is behind the shield at the far end of the armoury.”

            He handed Morgana a clunky metal key set, and she nodded.

            “I’ve managed to find out where to take him,” Jada added. “I’ll meet you outside the city gates to show you the way.”

            “I’ll pack you some food and water for the journey,” Gwen said. Morgana gave a grateful smile. “Be careful.”

            Merlin and Jada began to head for the door, and Gwen kindly escorted them out, leaving Morgana and the boy to finish preparing.

            Once the two of them were out in the hall, Merlin turned to Jada. “Are you sure about this?”

            “What?”

            “Going with them. What if you get caught?”

            Jada smiled. “That’s why I’m meeting her outside. There won’t be anyone around to see us, then.”

            Merlin sighed. “Just… be careful.”

            Her smile widened, and she nudged him playfully. “Oh, how the tables have turned. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

            He rolled his eyes at her, though he was smiling, too. Suddenly, a thought seemed to dawn on him, and he reached up to pull the necklace she’d given him over his head. “Here. I’ll let you borrow it, just for tonight. If it’s managed to keep me out of trouble so far, it should do the same for you.”

            Her grin softened as he spoke, and when he offered her the necklace, she took it.

            “All right, but that means you have to work extra hard to not get in trouble tonight. Got it?” She pulled the chord over her head, the agate resting just above her heart.

            “Promise,” Merlin said, and when she looked back up at him, she could see that he meant it.

            She was doing a very dangerous thing, Jada realised then. In the eyes of the King, she was committing treason. Merlin was right; if she was caught, there would be no mercy from Uther.

            Absently, she felt her fingers close around the agate. If Merlin was worried about her it really must have been dire, considering all the dangerous situations he got himself into. He’d been joking about the necklace, but so had she when she’d first given it to him, despite underneath it all hoping that somehow it really would work. Underneath, she wanted to keep him safe, but she’d never stopped to consider that the sentiment might be mutual. It made her feel warm and good, and even more determined to not get caught.

            “Merlin?” He turned to her, eyes so very blue and sincere. Jada smiled softly. “Thank you.”

            He didn’t reply verbally, but the corner of his lips curved upwards and he gave her a nod. Yes, Jada thought to herself as she looked at him, the sentiment was mutual.

Chapter 21 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

HOLY HELL I'VE WRITTEN SOMETHING. I'VE ACTUALLY FINISHED MY JANUARY PIECE FOR YOTP!!! MIRACLES DO EXIST!!!

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 19: Of Owls and Druid Boys

Masterlist

<- Chapter 18

It was a beautiful day in Camelot as Jada strolled through the market. The sun was shining, the crowds were buzzing, and despite autumn seeming to have finally decided to stay, the air was still fairly mild and not chilly. A host of new fruits and vegetables were beginning to appear on the stalls, and there were still a few flowers beautifying the street with a burst of colour. Apparently there had been some sort of disturbance there earlier, but nothing remained of the incident now but gossip.

            Uther had recently requested her musical services at a few of his council meetings—something about background music helping them all come to a decision sooner—so she had a little extra silver lining her purse.

            She could get used to life in a castle, Jada thought; no rent to pay, food brought straight to her chambers, and no water bills since they all used the same well. Any coin she made she could spend on what she liked, as long as she paid Uther’s taxes. If she could only have her friends and Emily here with her, she could probably deal with the lack of internet or electricity permanently, she thought.

            She wanted to buy a gift for Merlin today—just something small to thank him for helping her so much since she’d come to Camelot. She did intend to eventually buy something for everyone who had helped her, but for now her funds were still rather limited, so she would have to do them all one at a time.

            So far, she’d found very little that she had considered buying. Most of the stores that weren’t food-related seemed to be selling dresses or ‘beauty’ products, though Jada looked with suspicion on some of the ingredients of those.

            The next stall that she came to seemed to be a basic jewellery shop at first glance, but there was something odd about all of the pieces when she took a closer look. They were all rather simply made—apparently not attempting to compete with the higher quality silver and gold of some of the other stalls—and each had a different, roughly-hewn stone as the centre piece.

            “What is all this?” she asked the owner.

            “Ah, they are stones for protection,” he replied, a smile appearing across his stubbly jaw.

            “For protection? How?”

            He leant in closer, leaning his forearms on the edge of his stall. “It is simple. Each stone has a different purpose, a different type of protection. You put one on, and the bad energies will no longer bother you.”

            Jada was certainly intrigued—with all the trouble he got himself into, Merlin probably needed a whole array of ‘protective stones’—but she was still cautious. “Are they magical?”

            The shopkeeper’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but then he quickly laughed it off. “No, no, my dear. Do you really think I’d be fool enough to sell magical stones out here in the open like this? Eh?”

            He laughed again, a hearty sound that led Jada to believe him. “They are science, new science. Take this one, for example.”—He held up a thin leather chord with a black stone hung from it—“Black obsidian. Formed from molten lava that had no time to turn into glass. See the way the one side is polished? It reflects the negative energy sent towards you, and sends it back again from whence it came.”

            Jada wasn’t sure she followed his logic, but his delivery and enthusiasm certainly brought a smile to her face. “What about this one?”

            His face lit up in awe as she picked up a different stone—all part of the sales pitch, she presumed, but still entertaining, anyway. The one she had chosen was more brown in overall colour, though reds and oranges and even some yellows swirled through it, with a small patch of white on one corner.

            “Now that is a fire agate,” the man explained. “There is no protective stone quite like it. It fills you with a spiritual fire, sharpens your desire to take action, and creates a powerful shield around your body. Imagine standing in a circle of fire, eh? No-one will want to cross it to harm you.” He took the necklace from her, running the chord across his fingers. “And yet, it is a calming stone, bringing feelings of safety and security. You know that the fire cannot harm you; it is there to keep you safe.”

            “How much is it?” At the very least, Merlin would get a kick out of the story behind the stone. And if it really did do what it was supposed to, then all the better, Jada decided.

            “For the agate? One silver coin, and it is yours.”

            She reached into her purse and handed him the money, still unsure whether that was a reasonable price or not, and he slid the necklace into a leather pouch to hand to her. She hooked it onto her belt, thanked the man, and headed off back to the castle.

            A crowd had formed in the courtyard when Jada returned, and it took her a few moments of shuffling into a better spot to see that in the centre was a man stood on a platform, his hands tied behind his back. He had curled, unkempt hair and wore green robes, and he was staring up at the royal balcony defiantly.

            As Jada followed his gaze, Uther appeared on the balcony, accompanied by Arthur and several others whom she had never learnt the names of. The King stepped forward to address the crowd.

            “People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic.”

            Jada gasped and looked to the man, though he made no response to Uther’s words.

            “Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We’re still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor.”

            She could feel the anger rising in her, though she tried to keep it hidden.

            Uther turned to the man, his voice hard. “Let this serve as a warning to your people.”

            “You have let your fear of magic turn to hate,” the man responded. He didn’t sound afraid; he just sounded disappointed. “I pity you.”

            Uther straightened up, clearly offended by the pity of a man he saw as being so far beneath him, and raised his hand into the air. The executioner—a hooded, terrifying figure—forced the man to his knees, his chin pressed against a block of wood on the ground.

            At the same time that Jada realised what she was about to witness, Uther swung his hand downwards, and the executioner’s axe mirrored the action. In her panic to avoid the sight, Jada’s gaze fixed itself to another face; Arthur. The Prince looked indifferent to the event occurring below him, his arms folded across his chest.

            It could have been Merlin on that platform.

            Jada turned away, the rest of the crowd beginning to disperse now also, and headed towards Gaius’ chambers.

            “Ah, Jada, I was wondering when I was going to be seeing you today,” Gaius greeted her, though his smile faded as he noticed her expression. “Is everything all right?”

            “Uther just executed someone,” she explained, too shocked to put it less bluntly.

            “Ah, that’ll be the Druid they arrested this morning, then,” Gaius replied grimly.

            “Mhm.” She was quiet for a moment, before remembering why she’d come. “Uh, is Merlin here?”

            “No, I’m afraid he’s out at the minute. He should be back for lunch, though, so you’re welcome to stay until then.”

            “Thanks, Gaius.”

            She helped Gaius measure out some of his ingredients while she waited, but it was not much later when Merlin arrived. He greeted the two of them and tossed his jacket through the door to his room, before returning to get himself some lunch.

            “Here, I got you something,” Jada said, leaving Gaius’ workbench to toss her leather pouch to Merlin.

            Merlin caught it ungracefully, then gave her a confused look. “Me? What for?”

            “For helping me out. It’s to say thank you.”

            He opened it up, tipping the necklace out into his palm.

            “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, but the guy that sold it to me said it was supposed to be a protective stone, or something.” She let out a nervous laugh, then shrugged. “I’m still not sure I believe him, but the amount of trouble you get in, I thought it probably couldn’t hurt.”

            Merlin looked down at the stone in his hand, then a crooked smile appeared on his lips. “Thank you.” He nodded once sincerely, though his voice was still jovial. “I’ll probably need it.”

            Jada raised her eyebrows at him, though she was smiling too. “Let’s hope not. You promised, remember?”

            He softened. “I remember.”

            Jada returned to Gaius’ side, leaving Merlin to eat his lunch, and it was some time after when he spoke again, addressing Gaius this time.

            “Do you know much about the Druids?” he asked.

            Gaius was busy jotting some measurements down on a piece of parchment. “Very little. They’re very secretive people. Especially now they’re being hunted by Uther.”

            Suddenly, he straightened up, turning a burning stare onto Merlin. “Merlin, please tell me you haven’t got yourself mixed up in this.”

            Too quickly, Merlin responded. “Me? No. Mixed up in what?”

            “For someone with such a big secret, you are a terrible liar.”

            Merlin set his spoon down on the table. “Well, I haven’t done anything.”

            “Merlin…”

            “What are you talking about?” Jada interrupted.

            “The Druid that Uther executed today wasn’t alone. A boy escaped the guards, and now they’re hunting for him in every corner of the city,” Gaius explained.

            Jada nodded, recalling Uther’s speech. “Uther said he was going to execute anyone who helped hi-”

            All at once, she realised. She turned to Merlin, her eyes wide with fear for him. “Merlin, you didn’t…”

            Merlin hesitated, then finally gave in. “I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him… Like he was inside my mind.”

            Gaius nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard of this ability. The Druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices. While they’re searching for this boy, you must be especially careful, otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block.”

            Merlin smiled in a way that Jada thought was supposed to be reassuring. “I’m always careful. You know me.”

            “Yes, Merlin,” Gaius replied, unamused. “Unfortunately, I do.”

            He returned to his work, and Merlin turned his attention back to his meal. Gaius cast another look over his shoulder, apparently still suspicious, but Merlin only gave him a small shrug. After a moment, Jada turned back to work, too, though the worry in her stomach gave no sign of easing anytime soon.

            It was the following morning when Jada knocked on the door to Morgana’s chambers, dressed in her training gear. There was no answer for a few moments, but then Gwen appeared, though her smile seemed tighter than usual from Jada’s perspective.

            “Hi, Gwen,” she greeted nevertheless. “Is Morgana there?”

            “Um…” Gwen gave a nervous glance back over her shoulder, where Morgana floated gracefully into view.

            “I’m sorry, Jada. I don’t think I’ll be able to train with you today,” Morgana said. “I should have told you sooner, but I’m afraid it slipped my mind.”

            “Oh…” Jada responded. “Is everything all right?”

            Morgana gave her a smile, nodding. “Yes, everything is fine. I just have a lot of things I need to attend to today. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

            Jada was surprised, but nodded. “Of course. Let me know when you’re free again.”

            Morgana smiled now, nodding, and Gwen shut the door.

            Well, that had been a little strange, Jada thought, and now her plan for the day had been scrapped. She stood outside Morgana’s chambers for a moment, wondering what to do with herself now, before beginning the walk to Gaius’ chambers. Maybe he had something she could help with, and she could kill a few hours that way.

            Gaius was nowhere to be seen when she stepped into his quarters, but Merlin was. He looked as though he’d been rifling through Gaius’ vials, but froze when Jada entered, looking up with wide eyes.

            “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she said, closing the door behind her. He seemed at a loss for an answer, and it was only then that Jada noticed the tips of his ears burning red and his shifting glance. “…What are you doing?”

            “Nothing,” Merlin responded. “I just… um… Gaius wanted me to fetch some things for him.”

            Jada nodded, though she remained unconvinced. He was absolutely hiding something from her, she knew, but he must have had a good reason for it. “Right. Do you mind if I…?”

            She pointed in the direction of the lute sat on the windowsill, and Merlin followed her finger, before realising. “No, no. Not at all. Be my guest.”

            She headed over to the steps, while Merlin continued his rifling. Jada watched him as he gathered up various ingredients, but every so often he would glance at her over his shoulder, and she would have to return her gaze quickly to the lute. He was definitely up to something.

            Before long, he had gathered a selection of vials up into a little cloth bag and looked ready to head out. At that moment, Gaius entered.

            “Ah, there you are,” Gaius said as he spotted Merlin. “I need you to pick some heather for me.”

            “Can I do it later? I was just going out,” Merlin replied.

            “Uh, I can get the heather for you, if you want?” Jada offered. Maybe she’d live to regret helping Merlin with whatever it was he was doing, but she trusted him enough to hope that whatever it was, it was important. “That’s the one with the purplish flowers, right?”

            Gaius looked over to her, then nodded. “Yes. Thank you, Jada.”

            He set his bag down on the table as Jada rose from the step, returning the lute to the windowsill. “Who’s had this book out?” he asked suddenly.

            Both Jada and Merlin’s gaze followed Gaius’, though Jada’s was slightly faster. She turned to Merlin just as his eyes widened for a split second, before his cheery composure returned. “It was me. I was doing some reading.”

            He gave Gaius an innocent smile, and Gaius’ face lit up. “Oh? I’d given up hoping you might take more of an interest in my work.”

            “No, it’s fascinating.”

            “Merlin, you are a riddle wrapped up in a mystery.”

            “That’s me.” He held up the bag he’d packed. “I was just getting some cleaning supplies. Arthur’s been complaining about the state of his chambers.”

            He began moving hastily towards the door, keeping his eyes on his escape route, as Jada noted the differing lies with a frown. Gaius, however, stopped him.

            “I think Arthur’s chambers can wait,” Gaius said. “I’m not missing the chance to begin your education.”

            “Really, I should go,” Merlin protested.

            “Sit!”

            Giving in, Merlin did as he was told, and Gaius turned to retrieve the biggest book Jada had ever seen.

            “We’ll start…” The tome was so enormous he couldn’t speak and carry it at the same time, dropping it onto the table in front of Merlin with an almighty thump. “With some basic anatomy.”

            Merlin’s face paled, though he flashed an unconvincing, slightly pained smile up at Gaius as his mentor began flicking through the pages.

            There was no helping him out of that one, Jada decided, trying to conceal a snicker as she headed out the door. Hopefully whatever he was sneaking about for wasn’t too pressing, as he wasn’t going to get to it soon, if Gaius had any say in the matter.

            There were guards patrolling the streets as Jada made her way out of the city into the forest, and they were searching everybody at the gates. The entire city seemed to have been put on red alert, just for the sake of finding one boy. Jada found herself hoping he managed to get away somehow. Uther would burn in hell no matter what, she was sure, but he didn’t need to add a child to his list of victims.

            She thought about the situation as she searched for Gaius’ heather, wondering what would become of Uther if he continued down this path of hatred. Much of the history she’d read didn’t spell good fortune for him, but it had been twenty years since he’d declared war on magic, and nothing had happened to him yet.

            Jada was brought out of her musings by the distinct feeling that she was being watched, and looked about the forest surrounding her. Her gaze landed on a fairly small white owl sitting amongst the tree branches, its golden eyes watching her steadily.

            Strange, she thought to herself. She had thought owls were supposed to be nocturnal creatures. Although, in truth, she had seen several out during the day at falconry displays, and there had been one that lived in the tree outside her school that she’d often watched during lessons as it hunted over the field.

            She’d collected all the heather she could see in this particular spot, but still she wasn’t sure it was enough for Gaius. Deciding it was better to get too much than too little, Jada headed deeper into the woods, leaving the owl behind her, until she found another shrub covered in the same purple flowers.

            She had only been there for a few minutes when she looked up again to find the owl’s golden gaze on her once more.

            “Is there a reason you’re following me?” she asked it.

            The owl made no response, its only movement being a slow, almost lazy, blink.

            Her curiosity finally overcoming her, Jada began to edge closer to the bird, moving cautiously so as not to startle it. As she got closer, she could see that it had several charcoal-coloured flecks in its feathers, and its hooked beak was of a dark grey.

            It watched her as she approached, seeming neither afraid nor aggressive, though she froze for a moment as it shuffled slightly on its perch. Once it had settled back down again, Jada continued, her feet making as little sound as possible as they crept across the grass.

            Suddenly, the bird dived at her, its piercing shriek shattering the tranquil setting. Jada ducked away from the threatening beat of its wings, her arms instinctively covering her face as she dropped into a crouch.

            “No! Ule gestillan!” a voice suddenly shouted only a few steps away, but Jada didn’t dare look for fear of having her eyes clawed out. After a moment though, she realised that the owl had ceased its attack, and she straightened up.

            The bird had returned to its perch in the trees, and before her now stood a boy of about twelve or thirteen. He had curled, unruly brown hair that all but hid his eyes, and he wore a cloak of green wrapped around himself.

            “I’m sorry,” he said. “She’s not usually like that. You’re not hurt, are you?”

            “I…” Jada began, though confusion made her voice fail. “No, I’m fine. You have a pet owl?”

            “More like a companion.”

            “…Right.” She frowned for a moment, then held out her hand, unsure what exactly the protocol was for a situation like this. “I’m Jada?”

            “Jada.” The boy didn’t take her hand, but the corners of his mouth quirked upwards into a brief smile. “You live in Camelot, Jada.”

            She shrugged. “I… I guess you could say that. But you didn’t tell me your na-”

            “I need your help. Please.” A new urgency entered his face. “I don’t know who else to ask.”

            Jada folded her arms, leaning in. “What is it?”

            “My friend…” His eyes widened, filling with fear. “He went in to collect supplies, but he was supposed to be back by now. I’m really worried—if the King catches him, he’ll kill him, I’m sure. Can you help him? Please? I’m not allowed to enter the city, but you can. You can bring him home.”

            Jada blinked slowly, trying to keep her thoughts from revealing herself on her face. “He’s not, by any chance, a Druid, is he?”

            The boy’s brows furrowed. “Yes. Why? Have you seen him?”

            She pressed her lips into a tight line. “Not exactly.” Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, sparking a slow grin. “But I think I know someone who has.”

            Obviously Merlin would get himself involved in something like that. It made so much sense to her now, she wondered why neither she nor Gaius had figured it out sooner. All the sneaking around he’d been doing, the questions he’d been asking; if he’d heard the boy crying out, as he’d claimed, there was no way he would have been able to stay out of it. He’d have gone to investigate, Jada was sure.

            She was going to have to think of a way to get the truth out of him.

            The boy’s urgent face had become hopeful, now. “You’ll help us?”

            That brought Jada crashing back to earth. Was she really prepared to risk her own life to help two complete strangers? She’d hoped the boy would find a way to escape somehow, but was she truly capable of bringing about that escape herself?

            She looked at the boy in front of her—his round, childish face awaiting her decision—and thought of Emily. These were children—small, defenceless, innocent children. And Uther was willing to execute them for the crime of being born.

            “Yes,” she said, her expression hardening. “I’ll help you.”

Chapter 20 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

I want to be reading fanfic, not writing it. Unfortunately, I want to be reading very specific fanfic which I will in fact first have to write.

[jessisnotnormal]

50 posts!

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 18: Rain

Masterlist

<- Chapter 17

Merlin had decided to remain in Arthur’s chambers with Gaius until the Prince awoke, but Jada was so exhausted from it all that she returned to her room to sleep. After two eventful nights and her meltdown at the lake, she all but fell into her bed despite morning already having broken, and drifted off before her head even hit the pillow.

            When she awoke a few hours later, talk around the castle said that Arthur had too, and she headed to the throne room to hear just how exactly he was going to explain everything to Uther. Gaius and Merlin were there also, taking their place behind Arthur, and Jada joined them as Uther rose from his throne.

            “When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you’d eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion,” Uther said, clearly waiting for his son to explain.

            Arthur turned to give a pointed look to Merlin.

            “I- I wish he had,” Merlin began, shrinking slightly as Uther turned his stern glare to him. “’Cos then I wouldn’t be stood in front of you feeling like an idiot… again.”

            Uther strode over to stand in front of Merlin. “This is becoming a near-daily occurrence for you.”

            Merlin gave a dramatic sigh, as though he, too, was exasperated by himself. “But there was a mistake. And I would not say it was anyone’s fault…” He trailed off as Arthur turned to frown at him. “Not- not really… um…” He glanced between Uther and Arthur, then finally seemed to catch Arthur’s point. “...You could say it was mine.”

            Uther was losing interest by this point, beginning to move off. “Could somebody tell me what happened?”

            “Well-”

            “Someone with a brain.”

            At last, Arthur stepped up to explain himself. “After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her, so I went for a hunt.”

            Morgana frowned at him from her seat. “And killing things mends a broken heart?”

            “No, but it’s good fun. Merlin was meant to inform you that I wouldn’t be back until later today.”

            Uther returned to stare at Merlin. “Have you some kind of mental affliction?”

            “Probably,” Merlin replied.

            “I’m looking into it, sire,” Gaius assured.

            “Well, I hope for our sakes you find a cure, or we’ll find ourselves with a food shortage on our hands,” Uther replied.

            Merlin chuckled. “Food shortage.”

            All of a sudden, he seemed to realise what Uther was implying, his laughter dying and being replaced by something that was almost a pout. With a wave of Uther’s hand, two guards stepped up to escort Merlin out of the room, his skinny frame seeming even smaller between the two of them.

            “What’s happening?” Jada asked Gaius, panicked.

            Gaius raised a hand to reassure her, chuckling a little. “It’s all right, they’re just taking him to the stocks again.”

            Jada frowned. “That hardly seems fair…”

            Gaius was already moving off, but as she turned to follow him she caught Arthur glancing at her. “Does Arthur know what really happened?” she whispered to Gaius, once they were safely out of earshot.

            “No,” he replied. “We told him he eloped with Sophia, but Merlin followed him and managed to knock him out and bring him back to Camelot.”

            “Hm.”

            “Is everything all right?”

            They were out in the corridor now, and Jada stopped walking. “Yeah. You go on, I’ll see you later, all right?”

            Gaius looked confused, but he didn’t argue. He disappeared around the corner, and Jada leant against the wall, waiting.

            She was only there for a few minutes before Arthur emerged, and thankfully he was alone.

            “That was a little cowardly, don’t you think?” she asked.

            He must not have seen her, because he jumped at the sound of her voice, looking around for a moment before spotting her. “What?”

            “Merlin saves your neck, and you repay him by letting him take all the blame?”

            Arthur folded his arms. “My father would have my head if he found out what really happened. It’s only a few tomatoes, I’m sure Merlin’ll be fine.”

            Jada straightened up, folding her arms too. “That’s not the point. Did you at least thank him?”

            Arthur shrugged, though his sullen expression was answer enough. “He’s my servant. It’s his job.”

            Jada made a sound that was not quite a laugh, but cut it off quickly. After a moment, she shrugged, letting the conversation go. “It’s not my place, sire.”

            She bowed her head, then headed off round the corner, though as she passed him she caught a glimpse of Arthur’s scowl.

            She was beginning to wonder what it was that made him special enough to have entire legends written about him, but she supposed that he probably wasn’t as old as his legendary counterpart yet. At the moment, he just seemed like any other rich kid Jada had encountered; cocky, slightly petulant, and certainly used to getting his own way. He was going to have to grow up an awful lot to match the tales of legend, but she was aware that he wasn’t all bad. There had been moments where his arrogant mask had slipped to reveal a good, kind heart; after all, she doubted that Uther would have stopped to help her after finding her in the forest, and in moments where he wasn’t performing for a crowd, Arthur had a real sincerity about him.

            Still, he’d have to grow up before Jada was impressed by him, and if giving him a nudge here and there would help, she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. They’d make a legend out of him yet.

            It was evening by the time Merlin was let out of the stocks at last. He returned to Gaius’ chambers and cleaned himself up, before he, Gaius, and Jada sat down for dinner.

            Just as they were beginning to eat, a knock came at the door and Morgana stepped inside.

            “Morgana,” Gaius greeted.

            “I’ve… had some troubled nights,” she explained.

            Gaius got up from the table, heading over to one of his shelves. “I prepared another draught for you.”

            Morgana nodded, then turned her gaze to Jada—who gave her a smile—and then Merlin. He skirted her gaze.

            “Have the dreams stopped?” Gaius asked, but Morgana no longer seemed interested in his remedy, her eyes still on Merlin.

            “Arthur told me what actually happened,” she said.

            Jada glanced at Merlin, who stiffened before looking up at Morgana slowly.

            “You must have hit him round the head really hard,” Morgana continued, seeming to be pressing for more information.

            “Yeah, I feel really bad about that,” Merlin lied. Morgana continued to stare at him, and Jada wondered what exactly she was piecing together in her head.

            “Here you are,” Gaius said, handing her the draught. “Remember, every night just before you go to sleep.”

            At last, Morgana’s attention left Merlin. “Thank you, Gaius.”

            She turned to leave, and Merlin gave her a small smile as she cast one last glance at him.

            Gaius followed her for a few steps, before he was satisfied that she’d left completely. Then he whirled back to face Jada and Merlin, his expression deadly serious. “She must never find out the truth.”

            Merlin frowned. “Why not? She had a premonition that helped save Arthur’s life.”

            “And it would have cost her her own if Uther had found out. Things would never be the same again.” He leant on the table to look Merlin in the eyes. “It must remain a secret.”

            Merlin promised nothing, instead turning the topic. “Is she like me? Can she use magic?”

            Gaius sighed, sitting down again. “No-one’s like you, Merlin.”

            Merlin gave a small laugh, looking down at his dinner bashfully for a moment. “But she has the gift?”

            “For her sake, I hope not.”

            “How are you feeling?” Jada asked as Morgana handed her the wooden training sword. “Are you sleeping any better now that Sophia’s gone?”

            Morgana looked at her with guarded eyes, before giving a nod. “Yes, thank you. I don’t know what came over me.”

            Jada shrugged. “I think it’s fair. She obviously had some kind of ulterior motive. I mean, that whole time Arthur was arguing with Uther she just stood there smugly. It just seemed weird.”

            Morgana didn’t answer, but Jada thought that she looked as though she were considering her words carefully. She thought the conversation was over, before Morgana spoke again. “When Gaius said that he was going to find someone who could help…” she trailed off, seeming uncertain.

            “Yeah?” Jada tried her best to look encouraging.

            “Why did he get Merlin? Not that there’s anything wrong with Merlin, it just… I don’t know… It seemed like a strange choice, that’s all.”

            Jada shrugged, hoping that it seemed convincing. “I don’t know, isn’t that part of his job?”

            “But surely it would have been easier to bring Arthur back to Camelot if a couple of the guards had been sent instead?”

            Jada inhaled, stalling for time as she tried to think of a convincing reason that wasn’t a complete lie. “Maybe. But from the sounds of it, Arthur didn’t want anyone to know that he really tried to elope with her. If Uther had sent a whole bunch of guards after him, everyone would have known about it.”

            “I suppose…”

            Jada eyed Morgana, noticing how troubled and confused the usually confident lady seemed. “You should be proud, you know. If it wasn’t for your… feeling about Sophia, then Gaius would never have even gone to find Merlin to bring Arthur back. He wouldn’t have even known they’d gone without you.”

            Morgana still looked uncertain, but as Jada watched, the worry lines between her brows seemed to lessen. “Do you think so?”

            Jada grinned. “Absolutely. I think you helped save Arthur’s neck just as much as Merlin.”

            Maybe that wasn’t entirely true, but it wasn’t far off. Merlin would probably still believe it was ‘love at first sight’ if Morgana hadn’t had her dream. And it made Morgana smile, anyway.

            “Well,” she said, a glimmer of her cocky head-tilt returning. “She’ll have to try harder than that to get past me.”

            Jada laughed, mirroring Morgana as she moved into a fighting stance. “So it would seem.”

            It was late afternoon when Jada made her way to the brook, armed with Gaius’ poetry book and her sword. Merlin was already there when she arrived, his boots on the grass beside him and his toes swirling in the water. The entire woodland was bathed in a golden light as the sun slowly began its descent to the horizon.

            “Merlin, it’s September, your feet’ll freeze.”

            He looked up at the sound of her voice, giving her a warm smile as greeting, and she sat down beside him.

            “It’s quite warm today, actually,” he replied. He squinted up at the sky, before a thought seemed to occur to him, and he turned back to Jada. “Are you afraid of this water, too?”

            Jada curled her lip. “Not really; it’s only shallow. But I’m still not gonna stick my feet in there. I’ll stay here on dry land, thanks.”

            He gave a soft laugh, laying back on the grass and shuffling up so his feet were out of the stream. “What is it exactly that you’re afraid of? You don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to. I’m just curious.”

            She lay down next to him, careful not to dip the toes of her boots into the water. “I don’t know, really. Deep water, like the ocean, is obviously terrifying in all aspects, because we don’t know what’s down there and it’s all so huge and it could just snatch you up if you’re not careful and you’ll never be seen again.”

            “I’ve never seen the ocean,” Merlin said.

            “Really?” Jada shifted to look at him.

            He shrugged. “I’ve never needed to.”

            The corner of her lips quirked upwards. “I suppose it’s different here. Back at home it’s just normal to go to beaches and sail to different countries. People just love the sea, I guess.” She thought for a moment, then smiled. “I’d say I’d take you someday and show you, but I’m staying right up on the beach where it’s safe.”

            Merlin chuckled, a dimple appearing beside his mouth. “What about smaller bits of water, then? You were terrified at the lake.” He looked at her quickly. “Sorry, I- I didn’t mean…”

            “It’s fine,” Jada laughed. “Just don’t tell anybody else. I have a reputation to keep up.”

            She turned her gaze back to the sky, her laughter fading. “No, I don’t mind talking about it with you. Most of the time, though, I just make up some other excuse as to why I can’t go swimming or whatever.” She was silent for a long time, her thoughts flitting back over the events at the lake. “I just felt so useless,” she admitted at last.

            Merlin turned towards her, propping himself up on an elbow. “Hey. You’re not useless at all. It’s my fault, I didn’t know it scared you.”

            “Just…” She gave a shaky laugh. “Just promise me you’ll try to stay out of trouble for a while. I think my poor heart needs time to recover from the stress.”

            He gave her a crooked grin. “I promise. No more juggling flaming knives.”

            Jada gave a laugh, shaking her head at him. “You’re ridiculous.”

            He lay back down, still flashing a bright smile, and folded his hands across his stomach. “What about baths?” he asked suddenly.

            This time, Jada’s laugh was louder, and much more embarrassing. “Well, I prefer showers anyway, but I think I can just about cope with a bath.”

            “Showers?”

            “Yeah. It’s like…” She frowned, wondering how exactly to explain it to him. “Like being rained on? I guess? But inside this special glass chamber thing. And you can make the water warm.”

            “Okay, now that sounds terrifying. A rain box? How do you even control it?”

            Jada’s laugh was now some kind of a hybrid between giggling and cackling. “No, no! It’s not just some glass box; you can get in and out. And it has dials on the side, which lets you control how much water you want to come out, the temperature, which showerhead you want it to come out of… stuff like that.”

            “And you just lie on the floor while it rains on you?”

            “No! You stand, usually, though I think you can get ones that you can sit in. It’s much easier, honestly, and you don’t have to worry about sitting in dirty water for ages.”

            Merlin shook his head as though she’d just described some obscure torture method. “No, thank you. I think I’ll just stick to buckets and baths.”

            He looked so adorably confused that Jada could do nothing but grin at him. “Suit yourself,” she said at last. “But I’ll be done in no time while you’re still squashed into a watery coffin filled with your own dirt.”

            Merlin looked offended. “How dirty do you think I am?”

            Jada raised her eyebrows. “I’m not sure that’s a question I want to know the answer to.”

            “What do you mean?” he asked innocently, and in that moment Jada knew that their minds had gone to very different places.

            “Nothing,” she replied quickly. Maybe euphemisms hadn’t been invented yet.

            To her relief, Merlin jumped to another topic. “Oh, I asked Gaius to see if he could find anything out about any of the other High Priestesses.”

            “You did? Did he find anything?”

            He shook his head. “Not yet. But there must be some record somewhere.”

            “Did Uther keep track of who he was executing?”

            A shadow fell across Merlin’s face. “I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me if he hadn’t. But maybe that’s how Gaius found out who Edwin’s parents were.”

            “Possibly. I’m sure Gaius will know where to look, anyway.”

            “Yeah.” His smile came back, banishing the shadows. “We’ll figure something out.”

            Much to her surprise, Jada felt two droplets hit her face, and she reached a hand up to wipe at them. “Is that rain?”

            As if in answer to her question, the heavens opened on them, thousands of tiny, cold raindrops hurtling downwards in a matter of seconds. Merlin quickly stuffed his boots back on as Jada grabbed for her book, and then they were running for the cover of the nearest tree.

            “Here,” Merlin gasped, suddenly breathless from the cold shower. He held his jacket above the two of them, though his hair was already dripping, and inched closer.

            “Thanks,” Jada replied. Her heart was racing from the sudden surge of adrenaline, and as she thought back over the afternoon, she laughed.

            “‘It’s quite warm today, actually,’” she mocked, recalling Merlin’s earlier words.

            He laughed, widening his eyes defensively. “It was. Not anymore, though.”

            “Oh really? What would give you that idea?”

            “Just a feeling I have. An instinct, you might say.”

            Jada’s grin was threatening to split her cheeks no matter how hard she fought it. “I swear, if I didn’t need your jacket…”

            “What?” he challenged, raising his chin. “What would you do?”

            Jada just shook her head. “Just be grateful I do need it, that’s all I’m saying.”

            He gave a mischievous smirk, eyeing her sideways as he turned back to watch the rain.

            Gaius rolled his eyes at them when they returned, turning to brew some tea for them both. “I should have known you’d both be daft enough to get caught out in that.”

            “We didn’t even see it coming,” Merlin replied. “One minute it was sunny, and the next…” He gestured down at himself, at his soaked trousers and still not-quite-fastened boots, and then plonked himself down on a bench.

            “Hm.” Gaius eyed Merlin’s dishevelled state with his eyebrow raised, then turned back to the tea. “You should change into some dry clothes; you’ll catch your death, otherwise. Jada, if you want to go to your chambers and change, your tea will probably be ready by the time you get back.”

            Jada nodded, turning to head out the door. “Thanks, Gaius. I’ll be back in a sec.”

            “Ah, Jada?”

            She paused, turning back.

            “You appear to have a leaf in your hair.”

            Confused, she reached to the back of her head, her fingers brushing against the coarse edge of a fallen leaf. It must have gotten tangled in there when she was lay on the ground, she thought, but she could feel her face burning as she pulled it out.

            She gave an embarrassed laugh. “Ah. Um, thanks, Gaius.”

            She hurried out of the room, hopefully before the blush spread too high, and headed back to her chambers before anybody else could see the state she was in.

            She undressed speedily, pulling Ubi’s outfit on once she’d finished and tying her hair back. By the time she’d finished changing, all her embarrassment had faded, and she was whistling as she headed back to Gaius’.

            She didn’t knock, but as she stepped inside she saw Gaius almost leap to his feet, hurrying back over to where the water was now almost boiled. He’d been sat on a bench opposite Merlin, but whatever conversation they’d been having had died the moment she’d entered the room.

            Merlin himself was sitting in exactly the same place he had been when she’d left, though he’d changed into some dry clothes and now his face was flushed a bright pink. Even the tips of his ears had not managed to remain unaffected, and his eyes were fixed on the floor as his fingers fiddled with the leather bracelet around his wrist.

            “Hey,” Jada said, sitting down beside him. “You okay?”

            He looked up as though she’d startled him, before giving an uncertain smile. “Me? Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Great.”

            His laugh was unconvincing, but before Jada could press him Gaius was bringing their tea over.

            “Thanks, Gaius,” she said, taking it from him.

            Several moments passed in awkward silence, with Jada wondering what exactly had happened in the few minutes she’d been gone. Whatever it was, they hadn’t wished to continue discussing it when she walked in, so the annoying, niggling voice in the back of her head was attempting to convince her that it must have been about her.

            “Where did you get a sword from?” Gaius spoke suddenly, breaking the silence.

            Jada grinned, her nerves dissipating. “Morgana gave it to me.”

            She filled the silence with talk of her training, telling Gaius nearly every detail in hopes of keeping the awkwardness at bay. She decided not to tell him of her recent conversation with Morgana, however. She wasn’t sure Gaius would approve, but if he didn’t expressly forbid her, then she wasn’t breaking any rules.

            Eventually, the evening wore on, and Jada took her leave. Merlin offered to walk her back to her chambers, and once they were alone again, Jada took the opportunity.

            “Can I ask you a question? Obviously you don’t have to answer it, but I’m just wondering.”

            Merlin nodded, his face and ears well and truly back to their usual paper-white now. “Anything.”

            “What happened with you and Gaius before? Before I came back in.”

            He gave a nervous chuckle, or maybe it was an embarrassed one. Jada couldn’t quite tell. “Gaius just wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything stupid.”

            “Anything stupid?” Jada repeated. “Like what?”

            He shrugged, but Jada thought that his cheeks were beginning to change colour again. Merlin ran a hand through his hair, before rubbing the back of his head.

            “He seems to think that you and I, uh…” His eyes darted to her face, then away again. “But it doesn’t matter, because… Well, because he’s wrong, obviously.”

            Jada frowned, tilting her head slightly. “Me and you?”

            “Yeah, you know…” He made a vague motion, his eyes popping a little. “But I don’t think of you like that.” He looked at her suddenly. “N-no offense… it’s just, you’re my friend, you know. I really like you,”—He flashed her a sweet smile, but then it was gone again as he continued stumbling over words—“Just… not like that.”

            “Don’t worry, I get it,” Jada laughed. “And I feel the same. Besides, it’d be pretty stupid if we did have feelings for each other.”

            “Stupid?”

            “Well, yeah. I’ve got to go home at some point, right?”

            “Right.”

            “Besides, you’ve got Gwen.”

            “Gwen?” Merlin turned suddenly, confusion clear on his face.

            “Morgana, then.”

            This time, his expression looked more like an ‘I wish’. “Apparently, she’s going to marry Arthur someday.”

            “Poor her,” Jada joked. “I guess that rules him out, too, then?”

            Now Merlin looked horrified, which made Jada giggle.

            “No? Come on, Merlin. What’s your type?”

            He blew a breath out, holding his arms up cluelessly.

            “Well, who have you dated before?”

            “Dated?”

            “Y’know, held hands with, kissed, arranged a special outing with?”

            He shrugged again. “Gwen kissed me, once.”

            “Ha! I knew it!”

            “What are you talking about? She only did it because she thought I was dead.”

            Jada stared at him blankly for a moment, then began shaking her head. “Oh, that poor, poor girl.”

            “What?”

            “She was flirting with you, Merlin. Actually, I think she was doing a bit more than that.”

            “No, she wasn’t! We’re just friends!”

            “Okay, that whole never-had-a-date-before thing is starting to make sense, now. You’re totally oblivious.”

            His brows puckered. “I’m not. Am I?”

            Jada couldn’t help her laugh. “A little bit. Even I could tell she liked you.”

            “But… it’s Gwen.”

            “No wonder she gave up and moved on to Lancelot.”

            “Hey!” He was smiling now, but his lower lip still jutted out slightly.

            “So you’ve really never been with anyone?”

            He looked at her, then shrugged again. “It was a small village. There were hardly any people my age.”

            “But you knew you liked boys and girls.”

            His smile now was secretive, and it made Jada wonder. “Yeah.”

            They had arrived at her chambers now, but Jada would have been happy enough to stand outside and talk all night.

            “What about you?” Merlin asked. “There was Emily’s father, obviously.”

            “And one other guy a few years before that. Though I’ve had a good unrequited crush or two.”

            For some reason, he seemed genuinely surprised. “Really?”

            “Mhm. My best friend in high school—oh, uh, that was when I was about fourteen—and then when I was nineteen there was a guy on my university course.”

            “Anything in common?”

            Her nose scrunched up as she considered it. “Both the crushes wanted to be actors, if that’s anything. Other than that… I guess they all had dark-ish hair. Though you’d have to use the word generously, in some cases.”

            He gave a soft laugh, before gesturing back down the hallway. “Well, I guess I should go.”

            “Yeah, probably. See you tomorrow?”

            Merlin smiled, his eyes lighting up. “See you tomorrow.”

Chapter 19 ->

[jessisnotnormal]

Chapter 17: The Lake

Masterlist

<- Chapter 16

Merlin seemed to be forming something of a habit, Jada thought as he entered Gaius’ chambers covered in red tomatoes and purple bruises the following day.

            Gaius was sat at his table reading, but at the sight of his ward he abandoned the book. “Not again, Merlin, surely?”

            “You would think that the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while,” Merlin said, crossing the room to throw his jacket down, “But, oh no!”

            “Fruit?” Jada exclaimed, alarmed at the sight of a particularly large bruise blossoming along his cheekbone. She got up to get a closer look. “Are you sure it wasn’t rocks?”

            “Well, fruit and potatoes,” he clarified.

            “I heard that Arthur wasn’t at the knighting ceremony,” Gaius said.

            Merlin began filling a bowl with water from a nearby pitcher. “Yeah, he wanted to make the most of his time left with Sophia.”

            “So you helped him?”

            “I’m his servant. I had to.” He started to wash his face and hair again, but Gaius looked grave.

            “You shouldn’t have done that, Merlin. I fear that Sophia may not be all that she seems.”

            Merlin stopped washing, straightening up with a frown. “Why?”

            Gaius rose, approaching the two. “What do you know about seers?”

            “Not much. They’re supposed to be able to see the future? Like prophets?”

            “It’s said to be an innate ability,” Gaius explained, moving to sit at one of his benches. “Those who have it are born that way. Some aren’t even aware that what they see is the future. It comes to them in their dreams.”

            “What’s this got to do with Sophia?” Merlin asked, at the same time the realisation clicked in Jada’s head.

            “Morgana…” she breathed.

            Gaius nodded. “Morgana had a dream the night before she and Aulfric came to Camelot. Sophia was in it.”

            “Before she arrived in Camelot?” Merlin repeated, clearly surprised.

            Gaius didn’t answer directly, instead plunging on into his explanation. “I’ve been watching Morgana since she was very young. And though I tried to persuade myself otherwise, I realised that some of the things she said she’d dreamt came to pass.” Intrigued, Merlin sat beside him. “I kept it secret from Uther, of course. The gift of prophecy is too close to the work of magic.”

            “You think Morgana is a seer?” Merlin asked.

            “I don’t think it. I fear it. Morgana said she dreamt that Sophia killed Arthur.”

            Merlin’s eyes widened. “Couldn’t that have just been a dream? Maybe the woman Morgana saw just looked like Sophia.”

            “That’s what I hoped. But Aulfric caught me in Sophia’s room and, in a flash of anger, his eyes changed colour.”

            “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to kill Arthur, does it?” Jada interjected. “Having magic doesn’t automatically make them bad people.”

            “No,” Gaius agreed. “But it was not the usual gold that his eyes changed to; it was red.”

            “Red?” Jada frowned. What could that mean?

            “Who are they?” Merlin asked, his voice low.

            “It’s not who they are that worries me,” Gaius replied. “It’s what they want with Arthur.”

            “We’ll have to watch them,” Merlin decided. “Find out what it is they want.”

            Gaius nodded in agreement. “But you must be careful. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”

            “I’ll help,” Jada offered. “Whatever you need.”

            Now it was Merlin’s turn to nod. “We’ll start tonight, then, once Sophia comes back from her day with Arthur.”

            Jada hadn’t exactly planned for her night to consist of squatting outside Arthur’s chambers with Merlin, tucked just out of sight around the nearest corner, but she supposed that it would at least be more interesting than heading back to her room alone to sleep. Even if nothing happened, spending time with Merlin was never boring, so she settled into the nook he’d selected for their super-secret spy mission and prepared for the long night ahead.

            They didn’t have to wait long before the arrival of an elderly, bearded man and a young girl with the rounded, childlike face of a porcelain doll.

            “That’s them,” Merlin whispered, hardly daring to raise his voice louder than a breath. Fortunately, the nook had squished them close enough together that his lips were right next to Jada’s ear, her hair stirring only slightly at his whisper.

            Sophia had disappeared immediately inside Arthur’s chambers, leaving Aulfric to pace anxiously outside in the hallway. He clutched at a mystical-looking staff as he did so, seemingly made of twisted tree roots that held a large blue gem at the top.

            At last, Sophia emerged again, shutting the door quietly behind her and turning to face her father. “He’s ready. Tomorrow he’ll do what we need him to.”

            “Good, you have done well,” Aulfric replied. “I must go to the elders.”

            He turned with haste and headed off, whilst Sophia began to move in the opposite direction towards Jada and Merlin. Merlin’s hand suddenly came up to cover Jada’s mouth as she passed them, the two of them holding themselves perfectly still for fear of being discovered. As the sound of her footfalls retreated down the hallway, Merlin released Jada, exhaling in a rush.

            “Sorry,” he said, voice still hushed.

            “No, it’s fine.”

            He climbed to his feet quickly, pausing to help pull Jada up. “We have to go after him. Are you coming?”

            Jada nodded, and then they were hurrying down the corridor after Aulfric. Jada’s heart was in her throat the entire time as they followed him out of the castle, keeping a cautious distance between themselves and him as he headed out into the forest.

            At length, they came to the edge of a lake, where Aulfric finally halted. Merlin and Jada hid themselves behind a tree, peeking around the trunk to watch.

            “I seek an audience with the Sidhe elders!” Aulfric announced, seemingly addressing the lake itself. “Not gwithim sar! Dar labran trimshah!”

            He raised his staff, and a pale blue glow rose from the water. As Merlin and Jada watched, strange specks of light began to appear in the air, darting this way and that like fireflies.

            “What’s happening?” Jada asked, her voice barely more than a murmur.

            She felt Merlin’s hand wrap itself around her wrist, and she looked down at it questioningly. As she turned her gaze to his face, she caught the flash of gold, and then time itself began to slow around them. The wind in the branches above was less hurried, the ripples on the water grew lazy, and even Jada’s own heartbeat seemed somehow affected. She looked at Merlin incredulously, but he only smiled before turning his attention back to Aulfric.

            The specks above the lake had now slowed down enough for Jada to see that they were not, in fact, fireflies; they were more like tiny blue humanoids with wings. They swirled about in the air, occasionally dipping their toes into the water, and seemed to pay no mind to their summoner.

            Once again, Aulfric addressed them. “I come before you to plead for the chance to win passage back to Avalon and a life of immortality!”

            At this, one of the beings descended from the sky to float in front of Aulfric’s face, pointing an accusing finger at the man. “Your punishment for killing another Sidhe is a mortal body and a mortal life. You will never be able to return to Avalon.”

            Strangely, Aulfric’s voice grew soft. “The crime was mine, not my daughter’s.”

            The being was undeterred. “The gates of Avalon remain closed to your daughter unless the soul of a mortal prince be offered up to them.”

            “Thank you!” Aulfric cried. “An immortal life for my daughter is all that I desire, so I promise you the soul of the greatest prince of all: Arthur Pendragon!”

            The being said nothing more, instead flying away along with the rest of its kind. Aulfric, however, seemed to see this as a success, beginning to cackle maniacally as he watched them go. After a moment, he turned to look behind him into the forest, and in a panic Merlin pushed Jada back behind the tree, pressing the both of them as tight against the trunk as possible so as not to be seen.

            Time seemed to lurch back to normality, making Jada’s pulse race even as the rest of her remained frozen, and then Merlin was urging her around the tree as Aulfric’s footsteps approached them.

            At last, Merlin stepped back, satisfied now that Aulfric was a safe enough distance away not to spot them.

            Jada suddenly found that she could breathe again, and her frozen muscles relaxed as she rubbed a hand across her eyes.

            “I think that spell’s messed me up a bit,” she said. “I feel dizzy.”

            Merlin attention now switched to her, and he took a concerned step forwards, touching her elbow lightly. “Are you all right? Do you need to sit down?”

            “No, I’ll be fine,” she replied. In truth, a quick rest would probably do her good, she thought, but she wasn’t going to be that dramatic about it. “Just give me a minute.”

            She put her hands on her waist, stretching her torso and trying to get her breathing back to normal. The pounding in her head was beginning to subside, at least, so after a moment, she nodded. “All right. We’re good to go.”

            Merlin nodded back, smiling. “Good. Let’s go, then.”

            Dawn had already broken by the time the two made it back to Camelot, heading straight for Gaius’ chambers.

            “Avalon!” Gaius gasped once they’d finished explaining all that they’d seen. “What you saw at the lake. It’s Avalon, it must be!”

            Merlin frowned, perplexed. “What’s…”

            “The land of eternal youth,” Gaius clarified. “Mortals are only supposed to glimpse it the moment before death.”

            “Well we’ve seen it, and we’re still here.”

            “Extraordinary. What did it look like?”

            “Does it matter?” Merlin asked. “They’re going to sacrifice Arthur and we don’t even know who “they” are yet.”

            “We do now.” Gaius sat at his desk, pointing at a page in one of his books. Jada and Merlin moved to get a better look, and found the page covered in a squiggly, alien text. “I found writing like this at the top of Aulfric’s staff. It’s Ogham, an ancient script. ‘Abas ocus bithe. Duthectad bithlane.’” He looked at the two of them as he translated. “‘To hold life and death in your hands.’ From the writing on his staff and what the two of you saw at the lake, I’m afraid I’m now certain. We’re dealing with the Sidhe.”

            “The ‘she’?” Jada repeated, tasting the unfamiliar word.

            “That does not sound like a good thing,” Merlin remarked.

            “They’re masters of enchantment,” Gaius said.

            Merlin looked at him sharply. “You think Arthur’s been enchanted?”

            Gaius gave a grave nod. “Almost certainly. I’m afraid Morgana’s dream is coming true.”

            At that moment, a firm knock came at the door, and a guard’s head poked around it. “Prince Arthur has requested an audience with the royal court,” he announced, looking expectantly at Gaius.

            Gaius, however, turned to Merlin. “You go. I’m going to stay here and see if I can find out anything else.”

            Merlin nodded, and he and Jada headed up to the throne room as the guard headed off to inform other members of the court.

            When they arrived, sneaking quietly towards the back of the crowd, they found Arthur already addressing his father, and by his side stood Sophia and Aulfric. Uther himself looked rather relaxed, seated comfortably beside Morgana and looking up at his son from some pages in his hand.

            “It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tirmawr have grown very close,” Arthur began.

            Uther smiled, chuckling slightly. “Not too close, I hope.”

            Jada couldn’t see Arthur’s face, but his voice sounded unamused. “We’re in love.”

            Uther turned to give Morgana a befuddled expression, though Morgana simply looked horrified as Arthur continued.

            “Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry.”

            Jada heard Merlin gasp beside her, and when she looked up at him his face was pale. Uther, on the other hand, was looking from Arthur to Sophia and back again. Unexpectedly, he burst into laughter. “I assume you’re joking,” he said, still unable to look serious.

            Arthur shook his head. “No. I’m going to marry her.”

            “But you only met two days ago.”

            “We’re in love.”

            “In love?” Uther turned to Morgana. “We had no idea you were such a romantic, had we, Morgana?”

            Morgana clenched her jaw, her gaze fixed on Arthur. “No. He’s full of surprises.”

            “I’m going to marry her,” Arthur insisted. “I don’t care what either of you think about it.”

            At last, Uther’s expression grew dark, a warning clear in his eyes. “I thought you’d come to ask my permission.”

            “Out of courtesy, nothing more.” Arthur took Sophia’s hand and turned, heading towards the door.

            Looking almost bored about the whole affair, Uther handed his paperwork to the nearest council member. “Guards, door,” he commanded, rising from his throne.

            Jada felt the atmosphere in the room shift, and suddenly Uther was every inch a king, his power on display as a warning to his insolent son. Arthur halted, turning back. “You’ve forgotten whose court you’re standing in.”

            “You won’t stop me,” Arthur insisted. “If I want to marry her, I will.”

            “Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tirmawr,” the King commanded.

            Immediately, several guards stepped forward to seize the two, and it gave Jada a strange swell of satisfaction to see the smug look wiped cleanly off Sophia’s face. Had Uther figured out that Arthur was enchanted?

            “What are you doing?” the Prince demanded.

            “And inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning.”

            “You can’t do this!”

            “Yes, I can, and until you show me some respect, I will.”

            Arthur hesitated, then after a moment backed down, bowing his head in submission.

            “Release them,” Uther commanded. The guards obeyed. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.” He held his hand out for his papers again, signalling that the discussion was closed. “Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won’t be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can.”

            He sat back down on his throne, the tension dissipating, and Arthur bowed his head before leaving the room. Sophia and Aulfric followed, hot on his heels.

            “Well, the problem was almost solved,” Jada muttered, turning to Merlin as the crowd of nobles began to disperse.

            “Almost,” Merlin agreed. “I’m going to go and talk to him.”

            “All right, I’ll see you later. Good luck.”

            Jada had returned to her usual position in Gaius’ chambers, though Gaius had not yet found any new information regarding their otherworldly guests. She had offered to help him look through his books, resting her chin on her hand as she flipped through the pages, but the all-nighter that she and Merlin had pulled was beginning to take its toll. Soon, the words were blurring together on the pages, and she could feel her head growing heavier and heavier as she held it…

            “He’s gone! Arthur’s gone with her! She’s taken him!”

            Jada was startled back to her senses as Morgana came hurtling into the room, her panicked voice preceding her.

            Gaius stood, seeming just as startled as Jada, and held his hands out calmly towards Morgana. “Slow down.”

            “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m so sure it’s going to happen. My dream’s going to come true.”

            “I do believe you,” Gaius replied, his quiet voice a direct contrast to Morgana’s. Jada was doing her best to focus on what was happening, blinking back sleep.

            “I’ve got to tell Uther,” Morgana decided.

            “You can’t,” Gaius protested.

            “I’ve got to do something, if I don’t then Arthur’ll die.”

            Arthur. Arthur was in trouble. Why was Arthur in trouble? Ah, Sophia. But Merlin had gone to talk him out of it. Wait… Jada looked around the room. Where was Merlin? It was dark out; he should have been back by now. But if he was with Arthur, and Arthur was in danger…

            Gaius seemed to be dealing with other issues, ones that suddenly seemed significantly less important to Jada all of a sudden as she scrambled to her feet. “You can’t tell Uther about your dream. If Uther thinks you’ve got the seers’ power, he’ll charge you with witchcraft.”

            Morgana was shaking her head. “I don’t have a choice. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d let him die.”

            “Wait,” Gaius insisted. “We’ve known each other a long time. You trust me, don’t you?”

            Morgana nodded. “Yes, you know I do.”

            “Then trust me now. Stay here and don’t say a word to anyone about this.”

            “But Arthur-”

            Gaius raised a hand to silence her. “I’ll take care of it.”

            He began to head towards the door, but Morgana’s shrill voice stopped him. “Where are you going?”

            There was a pause, before Gaius replied. “To find someone who can help.”

            He gestured again for Morgana to remain where she was, then hurried through the door. Morgana’s wild eyes turned now to Jada, but she only gave her an apologetic look before darting after him.

            She caught up to Gaius easily, but he only gave her a quick glance as she appeared beside him, so intent was he on his mission. “You should have stayed with her. I don’t know how long she’ll stay put for.”

            “Where’s Merlin?” Jada asked.

            “I presumed he was with Arthur. But if Sophia and Aulfric have taken him…” He trailed off, giving a worried look instead. They doubled their pace, heading straight for Arthur’s chambers.

            Gaius opened the door when they arrived, and the first thing that Jada saw around him was Merlin slumped against the wall opposite them. She felt her heart stick in her throat, robbing her of her voice, at the same time that Gaius exclaimed, “Merlin!”

            The two of them rushed over to Merlin’s side, and Jada’s breath rushed out of her as his eyelashes fluttered against his pale skin.

            “What happened to you?” Gaius quizzed, but Merlin only groaned as he stirred. When his eyes opened, they were dazed and unfocused, but his hands reached out for them to help him up. Gaius and Jada took a hand each, guiding him into a more upright position.

            “Aulfric… Where’s Arthur?” His searching gaze became frantic. “I have to go after him. What’s that buzzing noise?”

            He scrambled unsteadily to his feet, though neither Gaius nor Jada were willing to let go of him just yet as he swayed back and forth.

            “Careful, Merlin, you can barely stand up,” Gaius said.

            “I have to go,” Merlin insisted, making to leave. Gaius pulled him back.

            “You can’t, not in this state. You owe it to your powers that you survived this at all.”

            “I’ll be fine, he needs me.” He tried to pull away again, but still Gaius refused to let him go.

            “Has that buzzing stopped?”

            “Yes.”

            “Liar.”

            Merlin’s eyes were earnest. “I have to go, Gaius. He’ll die if I don’t.”

            If she was as brave as Merlin, Jada thought, she would have offered to go in his place. She would have told him not to worry, because she’d go and bring Arthur back for him. But she was no hero. She didn’t have the slightest idea how to beat the Sidhe, and she didn’t have any magic to put her on equal footing with them. If she went alone, she’d almost certainly be killed. And death was terrifying.

            Maybe she and Gaius had more in common than she’d first thought.

            Gaius seemed to be having a similar realisation, as he finally let go of Merlin’s arm. “The Sidhe are a vicious people,” he warned. “You must be careful.”

            Merlin did his best to straighten up, flashing a lopsided grin. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

            He tried to leave, his other arm slipping out of Jada’s hold, but seemed to have mistaken the window for the door.

            “Merlin?” Gaius called. Merlin stopped, turning back. Gaius pointed towards the actual door. “This way.”

            “Just testing,” Merlin replied as he broke into a jog, disappearing round the corner.

            Jada shared a look with Gaius, and then before she had even consciously made the decision, she was running after Merlin. She might not be as brave as him, she decided, but that didn’t mean that she was going to let him risk his life alone.

            “Jada?”

            She caught up to him as he reached the stairs, and he seemed surprised to see her speeding after him.

            “Did you really think I was going to let you go by yourself in this state?” she replied, keeping her tone light. “Come on.”

            With Merlin leading, the two of them raced through the city and out into the forest. Jada could feel her lungs burning as her feet pounded against the earth, but she focused all of her energy on keeping step with Merlin’s pace. She wasn’t sure what time it had been when they set out, but as they ran the first rays of sunlight began to creep through the trees.

            Suddenly, Merlin tripped, falling flat on the ground with a thud. Jada skidded to a halt and hauled him up again, too out of breath herself to ask if he was all right. Merlin didn’t even pause to dust himself off, however, grabbing Jada by the wrist and breaking back into a sprint as soon as he was upright.

            God, how far away was the lake? Jada had assumed that that was where they had taken Arthur, but in the dark the distance had seemed much shorter. Merlin seemed to be having a similar thought, as he slowed to a halt, looking around uncertainly.

            “You haven’t forgotten the way,” Jada reprimanded, then immediately felt guilty as she realised that she should have remembered just as much as Merlin.

            Merlin flung his arms out helplessly, panting too hard to defend himself.

            “Sorry,” Jada apologised, also looking around for anything that seemed even slightly familiar. “Was it this way?”

            Merlin looked in the direction she was pointing, though he looked unconvinced. Having no better options, they set off again, desperately hoping that Jada was right.

            They began to hear a voice in the distance, the chanting of a man floating to them through the trees. “Dolce nur. Sue ar. Igbeth dolce nur. Anvin. Flatau. Dondiay.”

            “Aulfric!” Merlin gasped, grabbing Jada’s arm again and veering off towards the sound of the voice.

            They could see the end of the treeline, the lake stretching out before them, and stopped running before they reached it to take in the scene before them. Aulfric was standing at the shore, his staff raised into the air as he chanted, whilst Sophia was waist-deep in the water with her hand stretched out above it, her palm facing downwards. Arthur was nowhere to be seen.

            “Diobor colt ogham,” Aulfric continued, his voice resounding across the lake.

            With a jolt, Jada realised that they must have already begun the sacrifice, and turned to Merlin in a panic. “What do we do?”

            Merlin’s gaze flittered about for a moment, then fell on something at Aulfric’s feet.

            “Onbregdan,” he commanded.

            Sophia’s staff—seemingly identical to that of her father—flew suddenly through the air towards them, hurtling right into Merlin’s hand. Wasting not a second, he pointed it fiercely towards Aulfric’s back. “Swelt goldbeorht!”

            Aulfric turned towards them just as a bolt of lightning forked its way from the end of the staff that Merlin held. He screamed as it struck him, before suddenly exploding into tatters.

            Jada felt her muscles freeze again as she watched, but Merlin had no time to spare. Sophia had stopped whatever she was doing at her father’s cry, and was now trying to run back through the water towards them.

            “Father!” she cried, but a new terror seized her as Merlin pointed her own staff now towards her. “No! No!”

            “Og kelis!” The lightning sprang from the staff again, before Sophia, too, exploded. Still, Merlin did not stop, immediately pulling his jacket off and casting it to the ground. “We have to find Arthur!”

            He took Jada by the arm again, forcing her stiff limbs into a run, but as they reached the water’s edge she slammed on the brakes. Merlin’s hand slipped off her as he plunged into the lake, but Jada could not set one foot into the water.

            She watched helplessly as he waded deeper, her heart pounding but her muscles frozen in fear.

            “Arthur!” he cried, already waist-deep. “Arthur!”

            Jada couldn’t tell whether he fell or dove forward, but her heart lurched into her mouth all the same. He stayed down, frantically searching beneath the lake’s surface.

            “Arthur!” Merlin looked back to Jada, his voice pleading. “Help me!”

            She couldn’t even reply. She opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat, and no matter how much she wanted to go to him, her body would not move.

            Merlin must have decided that she was a lost cause, tearing his gaze away from her and diving under. An electric shock jolted through Jada as the water closed over his head, and she found that she could move again, but not into the water. She paced at the edge as though that would bring her closer, not once taking her eyes off the spot where Merlin had been.

            After too long, Merlin resurfaced, but Jada’s relief was short-lived as he immediately went under again. This time, the seconds seemed to drag by even more slowly, and soon Jada found herself digging her nails into her palms as tears of white-hot anger threatened to spill over.

            She was angry at herself, at her complete and utter uselessness, but still she could not force herself to take one step into the water. Merlin needed her, he needed her help, but all she could do was pace at the shoreline like a distressed dog. What if he never resurfaced? What if he drowned out there, and all she could do was watch and pace and clench her fists as the water filled his lungs?

            She hadn’t even realised she was biting her lip until she tasted blood, but releasing it seemed impossible for her mind to comprehend. What if Merlin was dying? What if Merlin was dying and he’d asked for her help and she was so utterly, utterly useless and-

            Merlin’s dark head burst to the surface, and Jada heard something like a sob escape her chest. He was clutching Arthur round his middle and kicking furiously back towards the shoreline, but the journey seemed to take forever to Jada before he reached the point where he could stand up again.

            Ever dutiful, Merlin hauled the Prince out of the lake, but as soon as he was within arms’ reach of dry ground Jada wrapped her arms around him and pulled. They both fell backwards, Arthur landing safely on top of Merlin, who landed securely in Jada's lap, and then she buried her face into his shoulder and burst into tears.

            “Jada?” Merlin asked, his confused voice echoing in his chest. Then his attention shifted, his priorities coming into order. “Jada, hang on for one minute while I make sure Arthur’s breathing.”

            Jada complied, her shaking arms releasing their grip. Merlin rolled off her, depositing Arthur gently onto the grass while he bent over the Prince and listened for breath. Drawing away, Merlin turned Arthur onto his side, slamming the heel of his hand squarely between Arthur’s shoulder blades multiple times.

            Jada dimly wondered whether it would even work with all that chainmail in the way, but then Arthur spluttered and coughed and drew in a long breath. He remained unconscious, and after becoming satisfied that he was no longer going to die, Merlin turned back to Jada.

            His eyes were sincere as he regarded her, but Jada couldn’t help feeling a little ridiculous at the concern there. He scooted closer to her, touching his fingertips to her leg in comfort. “Jada, what happened?”

            “I’m sorry.” Her trembling was beginning to subside, though it still remained in her hands as she looked down at them. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help. I wanted to, I just…”

            “Just, what?” His soft voice made her want to cry all over again.

            “I couldn’t. I’m too scared.”

            “Scared? Of what?”

            She bit her lip again, recoiling at the coppery taste. “Water. I’m scared of water. Fucking terrified, actually.” She gave a shaky laugh and ran a hand through her hair, though she was certain that Merlin wasn’t fooled by it.

            “You’re scared of water?” Merlin repeated, seeming confused.

            Jada couldn’t bring herself to look at him for long, so it surprised her when she felt his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest. She froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms back around him. The shaking returned, along with the tears.

            “I thought you were going to die,” she confessed, keeping her voice hushed to try and hide her sobs. “I thought you were going to die and there was nothing I could do.”

            “It’s all right,” Merlin soothed, one hand rubbing her back softly. “I’m still here. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

            Jada gave a watery laugh, squeezing him more tightly as if to check that he really was there. Then, she let go, sitting back and wiping her eyes. The water that had dripped from Merlin’s hair and clothes onto her would probably have disguised her tears, but she was sure that her red eyes and blotchy face would be a dead giveaway.

            “I’m sorry I’m such a baby,” she said.

            “I don’t think you are,” Merlin replied, his hand back on her leg again. “Do you feel any better?”

            She nodded, giving him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

            He got to his feet, offering his hands to help her up. Jada took them, though her legs still felt wobbly. “Anytime,” he said with a warm smile. His eyes wandered over her again, then he drew her into another hug, squeezing her once before letting go. “Come on, help me get Arthur back to the castle. I’m not sure I can carry him on my own.”

Chapter 18 ->