For the Ones We Love (Merlin Fan Fiction)

Chapter Sixteen

                         Part 2

I looked at Mordred as the rest of the group stopped. He had grown so fast his bright blue eyes were now level with my nose. Though druids usually didn’t keep a very detailed track of time, I knew it had been one year, ten months, and eight days—give or take—since I had joined them. We had moved twelve times to five different locations, but this was the first time since we left that we were back in the forest outside Camelot.

“How does it feel to be so close to home?” Mordred asked. I still didn’t like using telepathy all the time. It was untraditional, but when most people talked to me, they spoke aloud.

I smiled. It wasn’t a sad smile, but it wasn’t a completely happy one either. “Camelot is just a place on the map, Mordred. It may have been home to me at one point, but it’s not anymore.”

“Well, I’m glad to be back. I think this forest is good luck.” His voice was so deep now.

“Whatever you say,” I replied. I set down the tent I had been carrying. “Come on, the sooner we set up, the sooner we can eat.”

Mordred smirked and silently obeyed.

After we were done, I set out to find a woman named Agrona. She had cut her hand a few days before and it was up to me to make sure it didn’t get infected. All druids knew the basics of healing, but as the healer’s apprentice, I had more responsibility than some.

“It looks much better,” I told her after changing the bandage. “It’s healing nicely. I think it will be completely healed in a matter of days. Try not to reopen the wound, though.” The young woman nodded. I put the unused bandages and salves back in the pouch I kept them in and stood up. Before I could turn away, though, she grabbed my wrist.

What do you know about pregnancy? she asked, her a little wider than normal.

Not much, I replied. Why?

I am. She paused. Pregnant, I mean.

I lifted my eyebrows. For how long?

Two months at least. Maybe more.

I sighed. Try not to exert yourself. The trek here couldn’t have been good for you. In the meantime, I’ll find out what I can.

Agrona nodded. Be careful about what you say. I don’t want everyone to know. Not yet.

I agreed and left. Knowing that Healer would be out making sure everyone was hydrated instead of in his tent, I snuck inside. I tried not to look at the body lying on the cot inside. Even now, Talon’s comatose face gave me a bad taste in my mouth.

After carefully lighting a torch, I began flipping through the books Healer hadn’t yet put on the collapsible shelf.

Can I help you?

I almost jumped, but managed to hide my surprise. Calmly, I turned to look at Healer. Sorry. I looked for you, but I couldn’t find you, I lied. Do you have anything on child birth.

The druid’s brow furrowed. I might. Why?

Just in case I ever need it. You won’t be around forever, you know.

The healer still didn’t seem to believe me, but he gave in and grabbed a book from the bottom of the pile. Read this. Let me know if you have any questions.

I nodded and tucked it under my arm. Thank you. Again avoiding looking at Talon, I stepped outside. “Eavesdropping isn’t polite, Mordred,” I said.

The boy appeared from behind the tent. “It’s not like I heard anything.”

“That doesn’t make it not rude,” I replied. “Come on, It’s time for dinner.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and together, we walked across to the small fire where dinner was cooking.

As we ate, Mordred looked over at me. “Did you grow up in Camelot?” he asked suddenly.

My brow furrowed in confusion. “Why do you want to know?” I asked.

He shrugged. “When I first met you, you told me that Camelot was your home. Did you grow up there?” I shook my head and explained to him how I grew up in Caerleon.

“Why did you leave?” he asked.

I took my time answering. “Things… changed.” I smiled sadly.

“What type of things changed?”

“Well, for one… my mother remarried after my father died.” I stabbed a potato with my fork. “For another, I met Talon.”

“Has he always hated you?”

I looked Mordred in the eyes. “Why are you asking all these questions?”

“I’m just curious.”

“Okay, why don’t you tell me something. Last year when you disappeared… where did you go?” I raised my eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

“Nowhere. I got lost.” I knew he was lying, but I didn’t push him. “So… Talon?”

“No, he didn't always hate me. He never liked me, but he didn't hate me at first." I sighed before continuing. "When Talon first found me, it didn’t take him long to find out I possessed magic. When he found out, he was eager to use me. The catch was… I didn’t know how to use it.”

“So he taught you?”

I nodded. “The basics. And then he ordered me to kill King Caerleon. I couldn’t, so I ran.”

The boy took a bite from his stale roll. “Have you told anyone else? Besides me?” He took a second to chew. “I mean… anyone else in the camp.”

I shook my head. “You’re the first to ask,” I told him. I blinked a few times. “I guess we all come from backgrounds we don’t really want to talk about.”

It was then that Iseldir walked up to us. “Cleo, he said. I’d like to talk to you when you’re done.”

I nodded. I could feel Mordred’s eyes on me, but I avoided his gaze. When I was done eating, I found Iseldir. “Yes?” I asked expectantly.

The druid stopped what he was doing and gestured for me to follow him. “You’ve been with us for almost two years now, I believe.”

I nodded.

“Talon hasn’t yet woken.”

I shook my head. “Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not. I was wondering, though, what will you do if he does wake?”

I took a deep breath, thinking over my answer carefully. “Well, the druids are all I’ve known for the past two years. I think that if he were to wake up, I’d let him go.” I paused, thinking further. “He would threaten to kill the ones I used to love, but after all this time, they’ve been separated from me. And I understand now that his fate isn’t up to me.”

Dedicated to Jeneva because she was my first fan and I wouldn't have posted FOWL if she hadn't asked me to