Something Wonderful (Merlin x F! Reader) (Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves)

Chapter Nine

Merlin's POV
I could feel myself walking on air as (y/n) and I made it back to the house, hand in hand. The moon was beautiful and bright in the dark sky, and I couldn't help but compare its beauty to (y/n). She would always brush it off any time I mentioned how gorgeous she looked in the moonlight, but I felt that she needed to know.
"So how are we going to tell the others?" (Y/n) questioned, squeezing my hand lightly. I chuckled a little.
"I'm sure they've already figured it out by now," I answered, and I could see her cheeks redden in the pale light. But I also noticed her eyebrows furrow.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
She sighed, stopping in her tracks. I stopped with her, taking both of her hands in mine.
"I'm... worried," she breathed out, and her (e/c) eyes locked with mine. Worry painted her face, as she mentioned, and I felt my heart ache. I hated seeing her like this.
"About.. the prophecy?" I raised an eyebrow, and she nodded. (Y/n) let go of my hands and made her way over to a rock. I noticed green, sparkling smoke emerge from the stone, and in a quick blink of an eye it morphed into a living, breathing chipmunk. My jaw dropped open, and I swear I felt it hit the floor as the creature sniffed, then climbed up (y/n)'s leg and to her shoulder. She turned to face me as the chipmunk squeaked happily, then jumped off her shoulder and scurried away.
"This...thing I have. It's so powerful. I can create life and destroy it," (y/n) spoke. "I can transform someone, I can transform myself. I'm scared that I'll use it in the wrong way one day."
I frowned as I realized how true her words were. Without a mentor, she can't learn from anybody, and she can't learn how to control her powers in the right way.
Smiling slightly, I walked over to her and took her hands in mine. I looked down at them, spreading her fingers with my thumbs. How could something so delicate create life?
And could something so delicate destroy its image?
"I know my magic doesn't even come close to what you can do," I looked up at (y/n) and into her (e/c) eyes. "But I will do my best to help you with this."
Her face relaxed into a smile with my words, and I pulled her in slowly and kissed her lovingly.
"I love you," I whispered, pulling my lips from hers. Resting my forehead against hers, I heard a huff of happiness escape her breath.
"I love you too."
~*~
Before we even made it inside, I could tell something was off. There were palace horses stationed next to the barn, and I could hear Arthur's voice from outside. (Y/n) and I exchanged worried glances before making it to the door.
"Stay out here for now," I assured her, patting her shoulder as she shimmied out of the view of the door.
I opened the door to the other six men surrounding the table. Everyone turned to face me, and as they did I was revealed to the face of none other than King White.
"Merlin," he nodded, his hands folded together on the table. "Nice to see you again." I looked around the room even more to find a group of royal guards in the corner.
"Your Majesty," I bowed in respect, yet my brow stayed furrowed. Why was he here?
"You're probably wondering why I'm here," he spoke, taking the words from my mouth. He stood, adjusting his crown.
"I've come for the girl."

(Y/N)'s POV
"I've come for the girl."
My heart skipped a beat as the realization slapped me in the face.
I was the girl.
My brain told me to run, to hide, to disappear from Fairy Tale Island forever. But my feet were glued to the ground. I couldn't move. My body was frozen.
Merlin spoke up; "What do you want with (y/n)?"
"I suppose you think we're stupid, Merlin," the King's voice boomed through the house. "You didn't think that you could harbor a fugitive in this house without us finding out, did you?"
"She's not a fugitive! We told you, she's Jack's sister!"
I suddenly was drawn from the conversation by a tough grip on my arm. I looked forward to see a royal guard picking me up and bringing me to his majesty. As I passed Merlin, I saw the anger in his eyes soften to fear.
The guard practically threw me onto the ground, to where I tumbled. As I lay there, Merlin ran up to me, but the king pointed his scepter to block him.
The scepter then slowly crept to my boot heel, and the king took out my wanted poster from his coat pocket.
"The star on her boot matches exactly with this one," he stated, shoving the paper back into his pocket. "Even if she wasn't our famed thief, she is the maiden of the prophecy. She's too dangerous. She needs to be contained. You're lucky that you're so important to this island, or else you seven would be arrested, too."
I scanned the room in worry, my eyes making their way to the other boys. They were barricaded with royal guards, but I could see their faces.
Worry. All of them. Even the triplets, whose eyes were hidden, expressed fear in their own ways.
I turned back around to see the most worried of them all; Merlin. He was mere feet apart, but he felt so far away due to King White between us.
I growled under my breath, feeling my body transform, but before it could do anything I was flipped over by the royal guards and cuffed with cold, heavy shackles.
"What.." I whispered, trying to resume my transformation, but nothing happened.
"There will be no magic for you, my dear," the King turned his face to give me side glance. "Those shackles prevent magic."
I felt a noise escape my throat as his majesty lifted his scepter, freeing Merlin.
"Say your goodbyes,"
He walked outside, and as soon as the barricade between us was gone Merlin nearly collapsed to the ground next to me. He quickly pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair. I felt cold tears drop down my back. The whole room was silent after the marching of royal soldiers left the house. Sniffles broke the air.
None of us said anything. My arms were tight around Merlin's torso, at least as tight as they could be with shackles. My own tears rained onto his coat.
Finally, his cracking voice whispered in my ear;
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you any better."
That single sentiment broke me, and a sob escaped my throat. I gave Merlin one last squeeze before pulling him away. His eyes were puffy and his face was coated with shiny tears.
I stood and turned to the others, seeing that their faces didn't look too much different.
They didn't move. They didn't speak. There was silence.
This was no longer the Fearless Eight.
I turned to leave, when all of a sudden I heard, "wait,"
I turned to see Jack running over to me and hugging me close. I froze before hugging him back.
"Don't forget to empty your pockets before going in there, sis," he whispered, patting my head in a brotherly manner before backing away, swiping at the stray tears on his face.
I looked behind him to see Merlin, who was now standing. Jack moved over as Merlin walked up to me, cupping my cheek.
"I meant what I said, (y/n), I love you. And I'll never stop loving you. You're something wonderful."
I opened my mouth to respond, but the King's voice boomed from outside.
"Time's up! Let's go, witch!"
My heart shattered, and the royal guards scooped me up like I weighed nothing.
I thrashed around, but with my hands cuffed I couldn't do much.
"I.. I love you too!"
I realized that by shouting that I could've put us in more danger than before, but I knew that I'd never be able to forgive myself if I hadn't said it.
I was thrown into the back of dungeon carriage, and the door slammed shut behind me. I gripped the bars and peeked through to get one last look at the boys before my disappearance. My eyes locked with Merlin's, and I saw fear, anger, sadness. He cried out and tried to follow the moving carriage, but the boys held him back. He sobbed, and I couldn't help but sob as well as my heart broke into pieces.
As the house left my field of vision, I turned to rest my back against the carriage walls.
I slipped my hands into my pockets and felt something in there. My heart skipped a beat.
"Don't forget to empty your pockets before going in there"
Jack's words echoed in my head as I pulled out the engraved compass, taking a look at it and reading the transcription in the moonlight.

They say home is where the heart is...
No wonder I always feel at home when I'm with you.
Merlin.

Tears splashed onto the compass, and I realized that we were nearing closer to the King's castle. I quickly shoved the compass down my brassiere, and prepared myself for what lie beyond those walls.