Destinies Intertwined (Mordred/OC Merlin BBC Series) - IN PROGRESS

Chapter 14

"I owe you a great debt. We both do," Arthur told us. "If there's anything I can do in return... Perhaps some new dresses?"

"Arthur!" Gwen scolded, outraged at his blatancy.

"They like clothes," Arthur shrugged, and she lay her head back on his chest in thought. I shared a look with Merlin before looking back to Arthur.

"There is one thing," Merlin said.

"Name it."

"Remember what saved her, Arthur," I told him. "Sorcery."

"It was also sorcery that bewitched her."

"There are powerful Kings who reign in darkness, sire... But there are also those who reign in light," I pointed out, and he looked thoughtful. "It is not the power of sorcery where evil lay. It is in the hearts of men. Our request is merely that you remember this."

"You have my word," Arthur conceded with a nod.

"And one more thing," I began. "I have some information that may be of interest to you..." I looked between the three of them. "All of you." They looked more attentive.

"There was a young lady who we recently met, one with blonde hair, who spoke very highly of all of you. And the... gangly boy as well." I almost sniggered at that, remembering that was what Merlin called himself earlier.

"Ariella?" Mordred stepped forward, a look of hope alongside a heartbreaking mixture of happiness and sadness in his eyes.

"Yes," I nodded. "She is doing very well. She told me she's been on a journey to find herself."

"Will she be back anytime soon?" Mordred asked, and it suddenly seemed not only as though we were only speaking to each other, but as though he knew exactly who he was talking to. Which wasn't unlikely. I knew he wasn't stupid. I hadn't even realized how long I had waited to answer until Mordred spoke again. "Please, I have to know," he begged.

"She indicated she would still need a few more weeks on her own," I told him, and he looked uncertain of how to feel. "She seemed determined to be more involved in a few things in Camelot, how she desires to aid her King. Though she has admitted that she is still uncertain about the person she wants to become."

"More involved?" Arthur asked, and I looked to him. "How?"

"I think you'll just have to wait for her to come and tell you herself, sire. Just make certain you keep an open mind."

"You know," he said thoughtfully, shifting his weight a bit. "I can't help but feel like she'll be kinda like you when she gets older."

"Er..."

"Minus the... magic, of course."

"I'm going to... go... get the gangly boy," I told him quickly, tripping a bit as I turned and walked off, sparing one last glance at Mordred. He looked... Well, I'm not certain. It frustrated me how I used to be able to read him like an open book and recently, I had no way to even hope to understand him half the time.

I turned back around and went down the hill, the exhaustion beginning to take hold once again. I heard Merlin talking from over the hill and I began peeling off the ugly dress. It wasn't long before Merlin came over the hill and began scrambling to get out of everything.

"What's the incantation to turn myself back into my own age?" I asked, and he did it to himself, me following close behind. I helped him get back to himself before I gave him a tight hug.

"I'm going to miss you," he told me quietly.

"And I you." I pulled away. "Take care of everyone for me. Including Mordred. Please."