That feeling of elation had all but disappeared when he had finally returned to his chambers, the same one that Arthur had been given use of. Merlin had laid down on the bed, only to find himself tossing and turning, unused to the soft down-filled mattress. After what seemed like hours, he’d gathered a blanket and pillow to stretch out on the floor in front of the fireplace, where he finally fell into a restless sleep. The long night translated itself into even more apprehension as he stood next to his horse, awaiting the rest of the royal party to be ready.
He trembled in the chill of the morning air, but it wasn’t from the cold, it was the anticipation he felt. Rodor had informed him over an early breakfast that they were going deep into the Forest of Gedref to a place near the foot of the mountains, where the hills rose up into sharp cliffs from the great labyrinth. Having only been there once before, when Arthur had gone to placate Anhora after killing the unicorn, unsettled him. Merlin remembered his determination to not allow his prince at the time to sacrifice himself for his people along the rocky shore.
He also recalled how Anhora’s magic seemed to be part of the maze itself. The whole area was enchanted. He had felt the power of the land, but at the time, he had been so focused on his mission to save Arthur that he hadn’t taken a chance to really see or feel the area. “Is something on your mind? ” The princess’ soft voice broke Merlin from his thoughts. He turned to see her standing next to his horse and quickly slid out of the saddle to stand next to her. “You,” he lied smoothly and wondered if Gwaine’s smooth flirtatious nature was rubbing off on him.
He’d never really had a chance to court a woman Mithian threw her head back in a full, musical laugh. “I’m flattered, but tell me truly. ” Merlin shrugged, feeling a sudden bout of shyness overtake him. Her dark brown hair was braided and pinned back on her neck to keep it out of her face while they rode. Enough of it was left loose that it framed her face like a portrait and accentuated her beautiful, dark eyes. Mesmerized, he chuckled along with her, questioning how she knew him so well when just two days earlier he had wondered if she even knew he existed. I don’t even know where to start,” he finally confessed, taking her hand in his. He marveled at the silky-soft texture of her skin and reminisced about how her fingers had held the back of his neck when they had kissed. Licking his lips, he stared into her eyes. She didn’t know him, not yet really, but in her returning gaze he saw the acceptance he had craved for so long. It didn’t matter to her that he had magic and was the son of a Dragon Lord, nor that he’d been a servant and a peasant his whole life. “I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you, to learn all these things about your father.
If I had known, I would have told you what I learned about him from my own father long ago. ” The flowing, angled line of her jaw, her thin nose, luscious lips… they all set his blood flowing and his breathing came in shallow shaky gasps. Merlin wanted nothing more than to bend over and kiss her in that moment. He always dreamed of a day when someone would see him, would want to know him beyond the face he showed to the world. His hand moved of its own accord and lifted to cup her face. Leaning in, he prepared to kiss her. Mithian’s face tilted to accommodate his unspoken desire.
Voices of men and the clopping sound of hooves on cobblestone announced that the king had arrived. Embarrassment flooded Merlin’s cheeks and his movement turned into a quick, darting peck on Mithian’s cheeks. It wouldn’t do for her father to catch them in an embrace in the courtyard. He mouthed an apology. She smiled in acceptance, though he could see the mild irritation in her eyes at being denied what they both wanted. King Rodor either didn’t notice or ignored their sudden awkwardness as he came up to Merlin and his daughter. “Are you ready, son? ” he asked.
Merlin nodded and tried to drop Mithian’s hand, even though she stubbornly held on. “I think so, Sire, though I’m not sure what it is I’m supposed to do. You said you wanted to test my abilities to prove that I am who you say. ” Rodor inclined his head towards the gates where a group of noblemen sat waiting. The whole entourage seeming eager to be on their way. “Those are Lord Bertrand and Lord Travis. They are my two most trusted advisors, along with Sebastian. They knew your father, though I dare say they didn’t exactly see eye to eye on things. Not many in my kingdom did, sadly. Pursing his lips, Merlin evaluated the nearby lords. He felt Mithian tighten her grasp and made a mental note to ask her about it later. “Why is that? ” “They thought after Myrddin died that Balinor should take up the cause against Camelot, both for the last dragon and for the magic that had been lost. Sebastian especially felt Balinor was a fool to try and parlay with Uther for peace. They got into a very heated argument and all but disowned each other over it. “Years later, when Camelot declared that the dragon had been killed following his escape, it hit Sebastian hard.
He swears that he has seen the dragon, though and that the herald from Camelot had been mistaken. If the dragon did survive it gave him, and myself, hope that Balinor still lived… which did not sit well with any of the others. They considered him a coward and a liability for the way he walked into Uther’s trap. ” Gulping, Merlin shook his head nervously. Arthur now knew that the Great Dragon was still alive, and he wasn’t happy about finding out. Merlin really wasn’t sure he was ready for others to know, but it seemed that calling Kilgharrah was the only thing that would assure King Rodor’s lords that Merlin was indeed who he claimed to be.
Exhaling loudly, Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. “I understand, I think. ” The king smiled and started moving toward his waiting horse. “We’ll discuss this more as we ride. ” Merlin bit his tongue. Each bit of new information only served to pile on more anxiety. Turning to Mithian, he saw something he hadn’t seen since he’d left his mother back in Ealdor to find his fate in Camelot… someone there for him, standing with him, no matter what. “No matter what happens, I won’t give up what we have found,” she reassured him. “What about your kingdom? ” It would mean nothing without you at my side. ”
He wanted to believe her, but he couldn’t fully convince himself. His destiny with Arthur still hung over his head, despite all the new developments. “You’re thinking again. ” “Me? Thinking? You really don’t know me that well if you can accuse me of that. ” “Well, since I can’t seem to stop you, at least let me distract you as you help me on my horse. ” Merlin grinned and didn’t argue. The opportunity to touch her while helping to lift her up as she climbed into the saddle was simply too tempting to pass up.
