The Glass Princess (Merlin FanFic) (Book 2)

Chapter 2 - Shocks

Chapter 2 – Shocks

That night Merlin lay thinking, he remembered the stories of Camelot and Nilemah Gaius had told him and he worried that peace between the two kingdoms would not be as easy as merely signing a piece of paper. Gaius had told him that the king of Nilemah and Uther had fallen out over Arthur’s mother. They had both loved her but when she chose Uther (Though Merlin couldn’t understand why she picked him) after which the King of Nilemah had been enraged and declared war between the two kingdoms. The battle had been a bloodbath resulting in no clear winner and after that Nilemah and Camelot had been mortal enemies. But then Uther was now dead and Nilemah’s king was on his death bed so, perhaps with them both gone Arthur and this Eldred Blakewood could come to an agreement. Merlin sighed and rolled onto his side. He looked at the dark shape next to him and whispered to it. “Gwaine? Gwaine? Are you awake?”
“No” Came the weary reply. Merlin sighed.
“Gwaine!”
“Ok, ok.” Gwaine muttered as he rolled over to face Merlin. “What is it?”
“Do you trust this Prince Blakewood guy?” Merlin whispered. Gwaine seemed to consider this before sighing. “You know my view on nobles Merlin.”
“You are a noble, so is Leon and Arthur.” Merlin reminded him.
“Yeh ok, you know my views on most nobles.” Gwaine said.
“There is a ‘but’ isn’t there?” Merlin said.
“Yes. But I also believe we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, we know nothing about the guy we haven’t even met him; all we know is his father was an evil old squirrel.”
“And evil old squirrel?” Merlin asked half smiling half very confused at Gwaine’s term of phrase. “He wasn’t a nice guy basically, but then look at Arthur and Uther, we can’t judge the man on what his father was like.”
“Right so he is probably a prat but not evil?” Merlin asked with a grin.
“Yep, just like Arthur.” Gwaine grinned back. “Right now are you done quizzing me because I need my beauty sleep?” Gwaine said and Merlin sighed. “Good, anyway, if things don’t go to plan we always have you.” Gwaine said rolling back over and becoming still. Gwaine, it had turned out, had been very good at keeping Merlin’s secret, admittedly he was no better at covering for Merlin as Gaius as the first place he thought of would be the tavern, and he often would encourage Merlin to use his magic to get more mead or to play jokes on people, but overall Gwaine had been very good with it all. Merlin sighed as he thought about how the others might react, he got the feeling they wouldn’t be quite so laid back about it as Gwaine, especially Arthur. Then Merlin slowly drifted off into sleep imagining the day when he’s secret could finally be revealed.

The next morning Percival awoke to find Gwaine and Leon already up which was unusual, especially for Gwaine who was often the last one to wake. “Morning” Gwaine said cheerily. Percival nodded and came to join them by the burnt out fire. “What’s got you two looking so cheery?” He asked and they smiled.
“Nothing.” They said in unison.
“Right.” Percival said looking at them suspiciously. Soon the others were awake and Arthur was hurrying them to pack up and get ready to leave. “Where’s my stuff?” Percival asked as he looked around the camp for his things. “Mine too!” Elyan said as he too began to search. “Gwaine!” Percival said accusingly pointing at Gwaine who was sat on a log eating some sort of porridge. “Where is it!?” He demanded. Gwaine shrugged; a spoon still in his mouth, and made some illegible noises that made Percival even more annoyed. “Words! Speak words!” He cried frustrated. Gwaine took the spoon from his mouth and swallowed. “I said, how would I know, it’s not my fault you forget where you put things.” Gwaine said with a grin. Percival let out a frustrated sigh. “I am going to kill you!” He growled as he continued looking. “Too bad you have lost your sword; I guess killing me will have to wait.” Gwaine called after him. Leon came up behind Gwaine and whispered. “How long do you think till they find it?” He asked with a grin.
“Not sure but I hope not for a while, I’m loving this!” Gwaine said as he watched Elyan and Percival. Merlin looked up at them suspiciously before looking over to Elyan and Percival. Then he noticed, high in the branches above Percival’s head hung Percival and Elyan’s cloaks and bags. Merlin smiled and his eyes flashed amber and a cloak fell from the tree and landed on Percival, smothering him in the red cloth. Percival cried out in shock and thrashed around while the others laughed. Gwaine was laughing so hard he was almost crying and Leon had to sit down for fear he would collapse with laughter. Even Arthur stopped trying to hurry everyone up to laugh as Percival staggered about. When a very annoyed and embarrass Percival finally managed to pull the cloak from his head he looked up to see his and Elyan’s things high in the tree. “How the hell did they get up there?!” He demanded glaring at Gwaine. Gwaine, who had barely recovered from laughing shrugged. “Maybe a mad evil squirrel stole them.” Gwaine suggested laughing at the irritated look Percival gave him. “Come on, enough mucking around we need to reach Nilamah by night fall.” Arthur said cutting in to stop Percival and Elyan tearing Gwaine and Leon to shreds.

A while later, when the bags had been retrieved from the tree the group set off again and it didn’t take long for Gwaine to begin chattering. “I went to Nilemah once.” He said. “That’s nice Gwaine.” Arthur said not really listening.
“I must have been about 19. I met the king you know.” He said smiling at the memory. “Not the most pleasant of fellows.” Gwaine recalled.
“Why did you meet him?” Merlin asked.
“Long story.” Gwaine said before pausing waiting of somebody to ask him to tell it, but when nobody did he just continued anyway. “You see I was in a tavern and had just won a game fair and square winning quite a bit of money, when the knight I was playing against accuses me of cheating and stealing!” Gwaine explained not even caring nobody was listening. “And it turned out this man was one of the king’s closest knights and I ended up in front of the court. I don’t think he was in the best of moods as the next think I know I am being sentenced to death! But of course I escaped using a brilliant plan.”
“Such a shame.” Percival muttered making Elyan smile. Gwaine then went on to explain his dare devil escape which Arthur suspected was only half true if at all. “There it is; the castle of Nilemah.” Arthur said as the large castle with tall spiral towers stretched up to the skies ahead of them. The party rode over the drawbridge that lay over the river Haimelyn that surrounded the city admiring the view of the twisting old towers. As they rode up to the castle a tall, dark haired man with striking features and deep brown eyes came to greet them. “King Arthur, welcome!” He said hold out a hand to Arthur. “Thank you Prince Eldred. Nice to see you.” Arthur said taking the Princes hand and smiling. “Please follow me; I have some people you should meet.” Prince Eldred said leading the way into the castle.

He led them through to a rather grand looking throne room, from the walls hung triangular flags all bearing the Blakewood crest and in the centre of the room stood three thrones, the centre one, obviously the kings, was incrusted with beautiful blue sapphires. The other two were not as finely decorated but in one sat a strikingly beautiful woman which Arthur couldn’t help thinking made up for the lack of gems. “King Arthur Pendragon, meet my sister the beautiful Princess Adeline.” Prince Eldred said as the woman got to her feet and walked forward to greet them, her long blue dress brushing along the floor. Arthur took her hand and kissed it as she curtsied making her long flowing blonde hair fall over her shoulder. “A pleasure to meet you my lord.” She said her voice soft and airy, her blue eyes sparking as she smiled. Arthur, the knights and even Merlin were stunned by her beauty. Then there was a sound of doors opening behind them but the men were all too busy staring at Adeline to notice. “Ah, there you are darling.” Prince Eldred said as the woman walked slowly to his side and everyone’s eyes turned for Adeline to stare. “Arthur, meet my beautiful wife, Princess Eirawen.”           
                                 

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Dun Dun Dunnnnn!!!! She married him! Lol i hope u liked this chapter! I am not going to say much cause i am dead tired (I stayed up to get this finished for u guys!) But one thing i just realised is Percival is in a bit of a mood with Gwaine! Lol but they are like real good friends! Lol not sure why i wrote him being all moody...probs cause i was annoyed at my friend when i wrote this (U know who u are!!!) So it rubbed off on Percival! Lol Anyway Hope u liked this! Not sure when i will update next cause i will have school tomorrow and have loads of homework! :( Lol but i will try and not leave u waiting to long! :) Anyway please vote and comment! It would mean so much! thanks so much for reading! You are all amazing! :)

                                                HazelJ :)