Merlyn's Fate

The Lady of the Lake P1

Nothing good ever happens when it's raining. Merlyn had finished putting Arthur to bed a little early, so Gaius had sent for her to help him as he administered to the lower town. Running through the streets, she felt heavy droplets of water fall on her leather jacket, the thin layer barely protecting her from the cold. Finally, she reached the physician, wiping away the rain from her hair. She always found watching Gaius do his work rather dull, but she was sure she was learning something useful as he applied a wet cloth to one victim's forehead.

"If he's not better in the morning, let me know." Gaius addressed a woman, probably the wife of the poor, feverous man lying in the bed. Merlyn helped the physician into his cloak and gathered his things, hauling his bag onto her shoulder.

It had stopped raining by the time they stepped outside, Merlyn following the physician to their next house. They walked passed a cage, where a girl, maybe a little older than the witch herself, was chained to the bars, the links rattling as she shifted on her knees, watching the servant as she stared back.

"Gaius!" Merlyn couldn't take her eyes off the girl, shocked by her ragged clothing, how tightly the manacles cut into her wrists.

The physician turned back, sighing miserably. "She has fallen pray to a bounty hunter."

"She's only a girl!" Merlyn exclaimed, still unaccustomed to how cruel Camelot could be. She'd partially forgotten, what with her ability to get the druid boy out of the kingdom and her own friendships with Morgana and Arthur, the number of prejudices ingrained in the city's culture. Even Uther, who had personally granted her safety despite her heritage, commended this behaviour. Nobody should be dragged through the streets half naked and starved. Nobody should have to face this humiliation, and yet, it was common practice.

"She'll still fetch a good price." Gaius muttered gravely, causing Merlyn to tear her eyes from the poor girl.

"Someone's going to pay for her?" The witch tried to keep her voice down, but it was hard with all the emotions running through her head.

The physician nodded solemnly. "Uther offers a reward for anyone with magic."

"There must be something we can do." she whispered, not really intending Gaius to hear. She already knew what he would say.

"Merlyn," he warned, "Bounty hunters are dangerous men, with whom you should not meddle. You of all people should understand that."

The witch nodded slowly, but turned to glance once more at the shivering, helpless girl in the cage. There was no way in hell that she was going to leave her there.

∆

Merlyn snuck out of the physician's chambers rather stealthily, managing not to knock anything over, which was surprising. She made her way hurriedly through the streets, peaking into the tavern to ensure that the bounty hunter wasn't planning to check up on the druid girl any time soon. Then, she ran back to the cage, sure that she had just about enough time to unshackle the druid, although she wasn't sure where she could hide her. Gaius would never allow her in his chambers and it wasn't like she could ask Morgana again. The plan was in working progress.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you." Merlyn soothed the girl, who honestly looked utterly terrified.

"Tóspringe."

The gate to the cage burst open, sparks flying as Merlyn jumped in between the bars. The girl had shuffled backwards, pressing herself against the far corner of the small space, evidently terrified. The witch couldn't really blame her: the blatant display of magic could scare anybody, especially in the centre of Camelot. Carefully, she took the other girls hand in one of hers, placing her other in the air just above the shackles.