Season 01 Episode 03: “The Mark of Nimueh”
Guinevere had started spending more time with Brenna and I much like we used to, she’d been requesting our help with some tasks that had unfairly been assigned to her so of course we were more than happy to help her, I still felt a little uncomfortable around her though, I’m convinced that both her and Merlin like one another and don’t want to get in the way of my friends happiness but I also wanted that happiness for myself. I’d had a free morning and planned on going riding by myself, Brenna of course refused to let that be the case and wanted to join me which of course I allowed, I’d dressed in one of my more simplistic outfits a woodland brown shade of leggings, a faded white blouse with a dark corset belt, a dark brown pair of boots and a leaf green cape, my hair lowly tied back just so it was out of the way. I was about to mount H/n when I saw Gaius and Merlin pulling a heavy cart behind them, in a blink of an eye Gwen was there and he stood talking to Merlin before handing him a purple flower from her bouquet they spoke briefly once again, before Merlin and Gaius continued on the purple flower sticking out of the top of his blue neckerchief. I looked away mounting my trusty H/n before clenching the reigns tightly and galloping past Gaius, Merlin then Gwen without so much of a friendly smile accidentally leaving Brenna and her horse Raven in our dust.
All I wanted was a nice calm serene ride and now, I’m agitated and upset pushing H/n to their limits. I shouldn’t care this much, yes I’ve got to know Merlin better, yes I like him even more and yes I know his secret, I know he has magic but for all I know Gwen could know and feel all of these things too. What Merlin and I have isn’t special, it’s less than my bond with Gwen, with Arthur, with Morgana, with Brenna, heck probably even less than my bond with Uther. So why is it getting to me so much.
“Hey, Y/n you might want to slow down a bit, I’m sure you don’t want to take out all your frustrations on H/n.” Brenna yelled from behind me on a sprinting Raven.
I pulled the reigns slightly indicating for H/n to go at their own speed.
“What’s bothering you? You were perfectly fine, and looking forward to your morning ride and now you’re racing ahead as if you’re running away from something. I’d honestly thought you’d be glad Uther consented to you leaving the castle grounds so you didn’t have to sneak out but-“
“It’s Gwen.” I spoke cutting Brenna off.
“What’s wrong? Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s perfectly fine I dare say she’s even beyond that, I think she’s in love.” I reply.
“Well isn’t that a good thing?” Brenna asked as she rode beside me.
“Yeah of course it is just; I wish she were in love with someone else.”
“Why? Who is she in love with?”
“I think she might be in love with Merlin and…I think he feels the same about her. For all I know they’re already courting.”
“I doubt that they’re courting but, why is it bothering you so much?”
“I’m not sure.” I sighed, our horses stayed at a steady walking pace as we talked about other events in our lives but my mind focused on trying to come up with an answer to Brenna’s question.
An hour or so had passed by the time we decided to head back, I was feeling better despite still not achieving a conclusion. We dismounted in the courtyard and led our horses back to the stables before bumping into a rather on edge Arthur.
“Y/n. You’re alright.” Arthur exclaimed checking me over.
“Yes, I ‘m alright. Shouldn’t I be?” I asked confused at Arthur’s relief.
“There’s a plague spreading around Camelot and it’s very deadly we don’t know what it is but we know it’s some kind of sorcery.”
Fantastic something goes wrong in Camelot it’s magic. Uther finally let’s me go riding and now I’m back to being forced to stay in the castle and do nothing whilst the people of Camelot die.
“So what’s going on as of now to prevent it?”
“Father’s ordered me to lead some of our guards in tracking down the sorcerer behind it all.” Arthur answers, “You should probably get inside and let Morgana know you’re okay, she’s been worried about your absence.” I nodded my head leaving my horse for the kind stable boy to attend to.
As I made my way into Morgana’s chambers, I was barely even a step in when I was tackled into a tight hug from my sister.
“Thank goodness you’re okay!” She sighed in relief however still not letting me go. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m perfectly fine, I promise. It is ironic though, the one the one time I’m allowed outside the castle grounds, a plague infects Camelot.” I laugh in attempt to lighten the mood.
“You do realise that privilege has probably been revoked.”
“I’d go one step further and say it’s definitely been revoked.”
“Please pay attention to it though Y/n, for once listen to Uther. For me.” Morgana pleaded I couldn’t exactly refuse her and I wasn’t stupid.
“I promise.” I say leaving her room to get myself a drink.
Guinevere ran right past me sobbing, she was on her way to Gaius’s by the looks of things, as was I to see if there’d been any developments on the sickness situation. Merlin sped past me a bucket of water in his hands which did seem a bit odd, I was about to take a sip from my goblet when in a flash it was smacked out of my hand, it’s content spilling onto the ground.
“Merlin! Why did you do that?” I snapped as he’d appeared in front of me, I was dehydrated and desperately wanted a drink since I hadn’t drank anything since last night.
“Don’t drink that, in fact don’t drink any water.” Merlin ordered.
“Gaius and I believe the plague is being transferred through the water supply.”
“Couldn’t you just have used your magic and made my water safe to drink?” I huff feeling a headache coming on.
“You should probably keep your voice down, at this rate I think you want to see my head cut off. And also, Gaius told me not to use my magic for this, that we’d find another solution.” Merlin said as we walked to Gaius’s chambers.
The door was open and I could hear Gwen crying and pleading inside. When we entered Gaius was explaining the situation to her before apologizing to her. Gwen turned around tears streaming down her face as she ran from the room, I fled too wanting to catch up with her, to see if there was any way I could help her. Upon catching up to her I pulled her in for a hug.
“It’s my father, he’s been infected Y/n.” She cried, “He’s all I have. There must be something they can do.”
I rubbed her back soothingly as her sobs came harder and less controlled.
“Don’t worry, I’m certain Merlin and Gaius will be able to come up with something for you and your father before it’s too late. Take the rest of the day off, Brenna and I will do the rest of your tasks today I’m sure Morgana will understand.” I coo to her in attempt to calm her down.
It must’ve worked because she’s pulled away and wiping away some of her tears before nodding and leaving the castle to spend the day with her father. I walk back to Gaius’s room and see Merlin is nowhere in sight.
“Y/n, can I help you?” Gaius asks his attention now on me.
“ Well yes, I was wondering if you could make me one of the draughts you used to do to ease the pain of my headaches.”
“Certainly, is that all?”
“No, where’s Merlin?” Gaius nods his head to the wooden door leading to the back room.
I smile and thank him as I walk over to the door and enter without knocking, quick as a flash Merlin shoves the book he was reading under his pillow before seeing that it was me.
“Didn’t mean to startle you, I just…I know Gaius said no magic but, it’s Gwen she’s only got her father she can’t lose him.” I say firmly.
“I know.” Merlin says pulling out the book from under his pillow. “And she won’t once I’ve got this spell perfected, he should be fine.”
Oh…of course he was already doing it. Why wouldn’t he be? He does love her after all.
“Right…I’ll leave you be then.” I say before hurriedly leaving and turning in for the night.
The next day Arthur had hurried out to the lower town to interrogate Gwen’s father as word spread that he was no longer sick which was great, Merlin must’ve done it however looking at it now and Gwen’s father being the only one to have survived did make it seem a bit suspicious.
“Y/n come quickly!” Morgana pleaded.
“What’s going on?” Brenna asked confused by my twins outlandish intrusion.
“It’s Gwen. They’re arresting her. They think she’s the sorcerer.”
I leapt up and ran to the throne room where Uther would inevitably pass his judgement on her Brenna directly behind me and Morgana a bit after her. We arrived at the throne room before anything happened and saw a pleading Gwen on the floor.
“He got better. He’s recovered, I didn’t do anything.” Gwen begged.
“I believe you.” Morgana says marching in with us.
“Perhaps this disease is not always fatal.” I say standing my ground beside my friends. “Have you thought of that?”
“Perhaps he recovered naturally.” Morgana adds.
“And what of this poultice that was found?” Uther asks calmly.
“What poultice? I don’t know anything about a poultice.” Gwen states.
“It was found in your house.” Uther says standing up from his throne to talk down to Gwen. “Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion.”
“I can show you no mercy.”
“I am not a witch! I don’t know how to stop the illness.”
“If you will not undo your sorcery you force my hand, I must find you guilty.”
“But I can’t, I’ve told you-“
“It is my duty to pronounce judgement. Under the circumstances, I have no choice but to sentence you to death.”
“I can only that when you die, this evil plague dies with you.”
With that Gwen is dragged away still pleading her innocence.
“Are you seriously that blind! She’s clearly innocent, yet you chose to believe otherwise because if you don’t then you have to face the fact that you don’t actually know what you’re doing!” I growl at Uther my glare piercing through to his soul.
“Silence! You will not take that tone with me, you will not disrespect me in front of the court. Need you be reminded what will happen to you if this behaviour continues!” Uther seethes venomously his glare just as harsh and yet I don’t back down.
“You can lock me away for a week, as long as you spare the life of a clearly innocent girl that’s done nothing but serve us and love her father.” I challenge I’m about to take it to a whole new level when Morgana intervenes.
“I know Gwen. She’s my maidservant, not an enchantress.”
“Have you ever seen an enchantress?” Uther asks coldly. “Believe me they bare no sign of the mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye.”
“I’ve seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress , then why would she do this, why would she kneel on a cold stone floor, morning after morning, when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king.” Morgana finishes.
“You have no right!” Uther hisses at her.
“Yu have a right to cast judgement on-“
“I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom. I take no pleasure in this.”
“You’re sentencing the wrong person.” Morgana’s voice comes softer this time not wishing to rile Uther up any more.
“She’s right, Y/n too. You hear the word ‘magic’, and you no longer listen.” Arthur joins.
“You saw yourself…she used enchantments.”
“Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn’t make her guilty of creating a plague. One’s the act of kindness of love, the other of evil. I don’t believe evil is in this girl’s heart.”
“I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl she must die or the whole kingdom may perish.”
“One day you may become king. Then, you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom.”
“I know. Witchcraft is an evil, Father. So is injustice. Yes I am yet to be king and I don’t know what kind of king I will be. But I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I wish to live in. It will be where the punishment fits the crime.” Arthur speaks calmly trying to meet Uther on even ground.
“I fear you are right. She’s played with fire. And sadly she must die by fire.” Uther says before swigging the contents of his goblet leaving, Morgana exits the throne room in the opposite direction.
“Arthur, we can’t let her die she’s innocent.” I say.
“I’m aware Y/n but at this point I don’t know what we could do to prove her innocence.” Arthur says as he two leaves the room leaving Brenna and I alone with two guards at the main entrance.
We decide to go and see Gwen in the cells to see how she’s coping but on our way down my sister rushes past us trying to fight her tears.
“Brenna, you go ahead. I need to see if my sister is okay.” I say hurrying after her. “Morgana, talk to me what’s wrong?” I ask despite being fully aware of the situation.
“She’s our friend Y/n. She’s going to pay the ultimate price for a crime she did not commit.” Morgan cries holding onto me.
“No she won’t. I won’t let that happen to her or anyone else that’s falsely accused.” I promise.
“How can you be so sure you heard Uther-“
“It’s me, I’m not going to randomly start listening to what Uther says and agree with it if I don’t, I fight him. Yes he may not like me as an outcome however; I’d have done the right thing, something Uther gets to say he does on the rarest of occasions.” Morgana was silent for a moment as we separated.
“Please help her.” She eventually whispered before walking away, with a new sense of determination I snuck past the guards as Brenna distracted them for me.
I heard voices as I approached, Merlin and Gwen.
“It’s all right. Don’t worry about me. There’s no point crying about it. I mean, I’m not saying that you were going to cry about me. Obviously I don’t think that.” Gwen stammered.
“Oh Gwen.” Merlin whispered, “I can’t have this happen.”
“Please, one thing. You, you don’t have to. But…”
“Remember me.” Gwen asked, my heart broke at her words.
“You’re not going to die. I’m not going to let this happen.” Merlin vows as he turns and leaves making me hide behind one of the convenient stick out-ish walls that are all over the castle as he runs right past me.
I step out and slowly approach her, her brown eyes glossy and wide from the tears that currently stained her cheeks. Guinevere was the most innocent and kind soul around, practically everyone in Camelot was friends with her or were at least pleasantly acquainted with her. If the public were allowed to give their verdict they’d all say she was innocent despite the heinous accusations.
“Gwen.” I spoke softly not wanting the guards to know I was there.
“Y/n what are you doing here? If you were to get caught goodness knows what King Uther would do.” Gwen said startled by my presence.
“It’s okay, I can look after myself. But now I’m here to look after you, I promise you Uther will not have his way, you will live I’ll see to that personally.”
“Y/n don’t make promises you can’t always guarantee to keep.” Gwen replied as a fresh tear fell down her face. “Could you promise me something else though? If I am to die tomorrow, please look after my father, he doesn’t have much and I know my death will consume him so please, show him the kindness you show to me and everyone else you encounter, don’t let him fall onto a dark path.” I kept her gaze, I could feel her hopelessness and her sorrow.
“I promise. If that day comes I promise you he’ll be in good hands.”
“Thank you.” Gwen whispered as I took my leave, Brenna once again following after me once I was passed the guards and rounded the corner.
“Y/n Uther is holding a court in process now if we hurry we could try intervene in some way. Brenna spoke causing me to run up the stairs and take the quickest route that would lead us the passage way at the front of the court room.
Upon arrival the double doors burst open and a semi-out of breath Merlin appeared.
“It was me. It was me that used magic to cure Gwen’s father. Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am.” Merlin boldly announced causing Gaius to stand abruptly.
“Merlin! Are you mad?” Gaius spoke in efforts to discourage him.
“I cannot let her die for me. I place myself at your mercy.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Gaius tried as he faced Uther.
“Then arrest him.” Uther ordered taking his seat at the head of the table.
“Father, please I can’t allow this. This is madness! There’s no way Merlin is a sorcerer.” Arthur spoke quickly.
“Did you not hear him? He admitted it.”
“He saved my life, remember?” Arthur tried once again.
“Why should he fabricate such a story?” Uther then asked.
“As Gaius said, he’s got a grave mental disease.” Arthur attempted causing everyone to look over at Merlin.
“Really?” Uther spoke unconvinced as Arthur crossed his arms and nodded even though his face clearly gave away the fact that he was lying.
“He’s in love!” I blurt stepping into the room properly making everyone’s attention including Merlin’s to land on me.
“What?” Merlin asked taken aback by my accusation.
“With Gwen.” I continued to Uther.
“Yes, you are.” Arthur said quickly siding with me, it stung slightly if Arthur could see it, it had to be true.
“I saw you with that flower she’d given you.” Arthur too nodded his head as he approached Merlin.
“But…I’m not in love with her.” Merlin said his eyes locked on mine.
“It’s all right.” Arthur said wrapping his arm around Merlin’s shoulders.
“You can admit it.” I added.
“I don’t even think of her like that!” Merlin snapped his eyes never leaving mine.
“Perhaps she cast a spell on you.” Uther teased before laughing making Merlin fall silent for a moment.
“Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he’s such an idiot.” Arthur spoke shaking Merlin whom remained quiet. “There’s no way he’s a sorcerer.”
“Don’t waste my time again. Let him go.” With that Merlin was released and Arthur moved back to his original position at the table.
Not sure of what else to do Merlin awkwardly left, Gaius soon politely dismissing himself to follow after the young sorcerer. Brenna lightly tapped my shoulder and signalled for us to take our leave back through the way we’d entered. We were making our way to the physician’s quarters when we saw Gaius and Merlin leaving it.
“Wait.” I called Brenna and I catching up to them.
“Ah, Y/n. I’m afraid my dear we can’t stop for too long your draught for your headaches is on my bench if you’d like to help yourself?” Gaius spoke.
“Thank you Gaius but, that can wait. Where are you two going?”
“We’re going to try to find out what is causing this disease to prove Gwen’s innocence.” Merlin answered actively avoiding looking at me, he must be angry that I told the court about his love.
“Y/n. I’m afraid I must insist that you don’t, this could be dangerous.” Gaius attempted to dissuade but, I was having none of it.
“No! I made a promise to myself, to Gwen and to my twin sister! I’m proving Gwen’s innocence whether you let me or not.” Gaius smiled, his eyes filled with pride.
“Of course, you and Brenna may join us but it could still be dangerous.”
“I’m not afraid.” I spoke confidently as Brenna nodded in agreement her face showing an equal amount of determination.
We walked just outside the castle grounds and along the side wall following it around until we reached a wooden door, Gaius pulled out an old key and unlocked the door as we hurried inside. There was one flaming torch at the entrance and the room only had a dark murky set of stairs that lead downwards, Merlin picked up one of the potential torches that lay on the dusty stone ground and lit it off the main flame creating our own source of light as we continued down the uneven steps. Upon reaching the bottom we found other torched lit along the walls granting extra visibility however, Merlin still kept a hold of his.
“This water supplies the whole town. Take a sample.” He spoke to Merlin as we approached a large basin filled with water.
To do as requested, Merlin handed the torch to Brenna before he searched through the satchel grabbing a vial and scooped up some water. Once he’d put it away securely in the bag Brenna handed the torch back to Merlin as we turned to leave.
“Let’s take it back and examine it.” Gaius spoke.
“Well I don’t know about you guys but that wasn’t remotely dangerous.” Brenna said a silly grin on her pale face.
There was a sudden roar behind us and a splash of water causing us to all turn back to the basin. After seeing nothing but suddenly no longer feeling completely safe we hurried back to Gaius’s.
“It was an Afanc.” Gaius spoke after finding something in one of his many books.
“An…A what?” Merlin asked looking down into the book.
“A beast born of clay and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer.” Brenna responded making us look at her in confusion and bewilderment.
“Now we have to find a way to defeat it.” I said.
“But where?” Brenna asked as we all looked up at the collection of books Gaius possessed.
“That could take days. Gwen’ll be dead by then.” Merlin spoke anxiously.
“Have you got a better idea?” Gaius asked a smirk made its way onto Merlin’s face as he hurried away.
“Well seen as though he’s ran off we best get started.” I spoke up as I grabbed our first set of books to begin our search for information.
We’d made our way through a fair few books scanning the text on every page for anything about an Afanc, Gaius ended up leaving to go on his supply run promising to be back as soon as he could. I’d moved onto another book when Merlin burst in looking at every book title and occasionally skimming through some text, but Brenna and I remained focused on our task at hand.
“Merlin, what are you doing?” A curious Gaius asked an energetic Merlin, as he entered and placed his satchel down.
“Care to tell me which one?”
“Yes. Which one would I find them in?”
“Most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of scientific process.” I spoke up my eyes never leaving my book.
“But, how will they help me kill the Afanc?” Merlin asked.
“Well the Afanc is a creature made of earth and water, that’s two of the four base elements.” Brenna answered.
“What about the other two?”
“Well, perhaps they will destroy it.” Gaius suggested. “You want fire-“
“Wind and fire.” I interrupted putting my book down.
“How did you find this out?” Gaius asked Merlin.
“Erm…I just knew, ya’know. Part of my powers.” Merlin replies, my eyes widen in shock, I’d already assumed that Gaius knew but I’m pretty sure Brenna didn’t and here they were off handedly talking about it in front of her.
“What else do your powers tell you?”
“That I’m one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously.” Merlin says quickly.
“And who’s the other?” Brenna asks seemingly unfazed by all the other revelations.
The door creaks open and in comes my sister.
“They’re bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen’s innocence.” She speaks.
“We’re trying.” Gaius replies.
“Please just tell me what I can do to help.”
“We need Arthur.” I say standing up.
“Arthur?” My sister asks.
“There’s a monster-“ I begin.
“An Afanc in the water supply that’s what’s causing the plague.” Merlin continues as walks toward Morgana.
“We must tell Uther.” Morgana insists.
“The Afanc is a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther would just blame Gwen for conjuring it.” I say and she nods.
“We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop and Uther may see sense.” Merlin says.
Personally I wouldn’t bet on those odds but we have to have faith I suppose.
“And that’s why you need Arthur.” Morgana says having caught up with the situation.
“He’s our best chance.” Merlin says firmly.
“But he won’t want to disobey the King.” Brenna states, Morgana’s eyes flick between us.
“Leave that to me.” She says confidently as she goes to locate Arthur.
Gaius hands Merlin the key to the door from earlier and he leaves, me following closely behind him as Brenna and Gaius remain. Merlin and I wait for Morgana to hopefully show up with Arthur in the courtyard so that we can kill this creature and save Gwen’s life. We wait by the makeshift burning stake seeing Arthur and Morgana approach as we lead the way, Arthur drawing his before we even leave the courtyard. We reach the entrance, this time Arthur and Morgana light the torches and carry them as we head to the stone basin.
“You better be right about this Merlin.” Arthur says taking the lead.
There’s a low rumbling growl which startles my sister making her stop and gasp, whilst Arthur scans the area.
“You two should stay here.” Arthur says to Morgana and I.
“We’re coming with you.” I say forcibly.
“Scared we’ll show you up?” Morgana teases.
“Father would slam us all in chains if he knew I’d endangered you.” Arthur speaks honestly making me wince at the memories of my last chaining.
Morgana looks at me sympathetically before making her decision.
“Good thing he doesn’t know, then.”
“I’m telling you, turn back. You could get hurt.”
“So could you…if you don’t get out of my way.” With that my sister walks forward taking the lead.
“How’re we gonna find it?” Morgana asks after we hear the Afanc’s growl again.
“Just hope we do, before it finds us.” Merlin says as we continue on.
“Stop!” Arthur calls as we all turn back around.
“What?” Merlin asks before we see a sudden movement.
“It’s just a shadow.” Arthur dismisses, so we continue our search.
“Spread out.” Arthur suggests, there were only three directions to go so I went with my twin.
Within a couple of seconds we hear Arthur grunting and hurry back to him.
“Are you alright?” Morgana adds.
“Did you see it?” Merlin asks hurrying back to us.
“It, it’s quick.” Arthur right as my sister screams and the beast roars. “Where is it?”
“I think it’s gone this way.” Merlin calls as we follow him.
The Anfac grumbles as is slowly prowls towards us.
“Arthur, use the torch!” I command as he advances toward the creature.
Next to me Merlin begins to chant a spell of some kind whilst Morgana and Arthur are busy with the Anfac, I notice something I’d never noticed before though Merlin’s eyes go a beautiful shade of gold when he casts a spell. For a moment I’d completely forgotten the Anfac was there as I gaze in amazement at Merlin before a gust of wind winds through the tunnels and manipulates the flame on Arthur’s torch allowing it to consume the Anfac. We leave the tunnels after making sure the beast was indeed dead so that we could share our triumph as Arthur sends word to Uther.
Morgana, Merlin and I meet with Brenna and Thomas her father before we rush down to the prison cells, thankfully I’d been granted access seen as though I was with Morgana and we hurried to see Gwen. The moment the cell gate was opened Thomas ran in and hugged his daughter tightly overwhelmed with joy and relief.
“Thank you.” Gwen said to my sister as she parted from her father.
“Don’t thank me. It was more Merlin and Y/n.”
“He’s more the real hero here.” I said putting a smile on my face.
“I don’t know what to say.” Gwen sighed looking up at Merlin.
“I didn’t do anything.” Merlin laughed uncomfortably.
“I’m grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen.” Her father says as he ushers her out of the cells but not before Brenna pulls her in for a hug and leaves with them leaving me, Morgana and Merlin in the cell.
“Merlin, I wanted you to know…your secret’s safe with me.” Morgana says a serious expression on her face.
She saw, she heard I didn’t think she had but I was relieved that I now needn’t worry about hiding Merlin’s truth from my sister.
“My secret?” Merlin says acting oblivious.
“Merlin, don’t pretend. I know what you did.”
“Saw it with my own eyes.”
“I understand why you wouldn’t want anyone to know.”
“Well obviously.” I murmur.
“But I won’t tell anyone.” She says smiling up at Merlin as he smiles back at her. “You don’t mind me talking to you about it?”
“Er, no. You have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden.” Merlin replies giddily as my sister laughs, I feel like I should’ve left already but for some reason I remained.
“Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen’s a very lucky woman.” Morgana finally says, so she didn’t see his magic and she too had picked up on their fondness for one another.
“It’s our secret.” Morgana says smiling as she places her finger to her ruby red lips prior to walking away and Merlin lets out a sigh.
“Well, it’s not much but, I still know. I haven’t forgotten and I haven’t told anyone.” I smile at him shyly trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah that’s true, you know, Gaius knows, my mum knows.-“
“What? I thought you said you didn’t tell anyone.”
“I didn’t. She was in the same room as us when you and Gaius were talking about a book about elements, heck she even explained some things to you.” I defended before walking away from him.
Who does he think he is? Thinking that I’d betray someone’s trust like that. I think as I storm up to my chambers to retire for the evening after a hectic day. Brenna knew her services wouldn’t be required for the rest of this evening to I didn’t have her to worry about barging into my room as I began to strip out of my dress and corset abandoning my clothes on the ground before making my way over to my chest of draws and pulling out a night gown when I hear my chamber door slam shut. Instinctively I hide my exposed body behind the night dress.
“Y/n, Gaius asked me to-“ Merlin began before his eyes landed on me.
“MERLIN! Turn around!” I screamed at the raven haired boy, once he did I ran behind my changing screen and put the dress on.
Once I’d regained my modesty, I stepped out from behind the screen and picked up my abandoned clothes and put them in my laundry hamper.
“You can turn around no Merlin. What is it you wanted?” Merlin turned around to face me a familiar vial in his hand.
“Gaius told me to give you this, said they’d help with your returning headaches.” He said placing the vial down on my table.
“Thank you Merlin. Is there anything else you wanted?” I asked my cheeks still slightly flushed from the earlier incident.
“There is one thing.” Merlin said as he walked over to stand directly in front of me.
“Yes?” I questioned trying to slow my pounding heart.
“Why did you tell Uther I’m in love with Gwen?” Okay not what I was expecting if I’m completely honest.
“Well it’s just kind of obvious that she likes you and that you like her, so obvious that not only did Morgana notice but Arthur has done too.” I reply avoiding giving him eye contact.
“What does Brenna think, you value her opinion don’t you?” Merlin urges.
“Well…she thinks you like someone else.” Not entirely a lie.
“And who would that be?” He asks taking a step closer to me his eyes shining with mischief.
“I…I don’t know, she didn’t say.”
“Are you quiet sure of that My Lady?” He says suggestively, this time leaning closer to me.
“I’m honestly not entirely sure of anything right now.” I laugh anxiously not knowing how else to react to his intense line of questioning and closeness.
“What if I were to prove to you I didn’t love Gwen?”
“I seriously don’t know how you’d manage-“ I was cut off by Merlin’s soft lips landing upon mine, my eyes instinctively closing, I’d never been kissed before I didn’t know how to respond.
His lips moved against mine encouraging me to copy his movements as one of his arms slithered around my waist pressing me tightly to him, my right arm cradled around the back of his neck giving me some more support and deepening the kiss. Once I finally realised what was happening I pulled away.
“I’m sorry Merlin, I didn’t mean to…” I couldn’t finish my sentence I was blushing, my heart was pounding and I felt conflicted.
My friend is in love with him, I know she’s in love with him, I can’t be kissing him! I’m ruining her chance at happiness. But I could also be ruining my chance at happiness.
“No, please forgive me that was too forward of me.” Merlin stammers his cheeks pink as he straightens out his clothing, “I just thought…never mind.”
“Merlin. What did you think?” I ask eagerly as he scurries away bumping into some of my furniture, his confidence long gone his clumsiness now returning.
“Nothing, it doesn’t matter.” With that Merlin leaves.
I was overwhelmed by everything that had just happened. Why would Merlin kiss me? He likes Guinevere doesn’t he? Maybe he was just caught up from all the excitement earlier with the Afanc. If ever there was a time to have a Seer to show you or tell you your future. Attempting to push all my thoughts away and out of my mind I drank my requested draught from Gaius and staggered to my bed hoping to put this all behind me.