For the Ones We Love (Merlin Fan Fiction)

Chapter Twenty-Six

I slept fitfully on the straw-filled mattress that night. Every time I woke, the light from the torch was softer and softer until eventually became nonexistent. However, I fortunately slept without the disturbance of dreams. No images of Gwaine’s death or Mordred’s solemn gaze disrupted my sleep. Once or twice, thoughts of Merlin did enter my waking mind, but those weren’t quite as troublesome.

                More often than anything, I contemplated the ultimatum Talon had given me. I thought of when he’d ordered me to kill the king of Caerleon so many years ago. It had seemed so easy then to run away, to get away from the man who had been controlling my life. But he, as always, was one step ahead of me. He always knew where I was, what I was doing, who I loved.

I wished so many things had happened differently. Most of all, I wished I had never met the sorcerer. Though there had been heartache in my life before him, there was so much more now. Everything seemed so threatening after I met him. I felt like nearly everyone was out to get me.

I looked around at the barren cell walls and laughed. It had been proven that nearly everyone really was out to get me.

I woke up at daybreak, unconscious of the fact that I had fallen asleep. After combing straw out of my hair, I called for Stella.

How is Gwen? I asked.

Stella, in white crow form—something I hadn’t seen before—perched in the window between the steel bars containing me. She’s worried about you. She’s angry at the prince. It’s quite humorous considering their romantic feelings for one another.

I didn’t realize you understood what humor was, I teased gently. In all honesty I loved Stella and I was under the impression that she felt some sentiment towards me as well. Joshing each other just came so naturally.

I’ve come to appreciate it to an extent, she retorted. I assume I’ve been spending too much time with you and your human friends.

What a shame. How is Merlin?

Just the same as Gwen; worried about you and angry with the prince. Of course his anger is much less humorous with the lack of romance between them.

Oh, you never know. Romance can spring up anywhere. Especially between good friends.

The slightest of footfalls sounded down the hall and I immediately ordered Stella to flee. Keep watch on Gwen! I told her. How strange it would seem to see me staring at a white crow in my window. I smiled if only slightly at the thought.

“Has confinement gone to your head already?” an almost familiar voice asked.

I looked up to see Prince Arthur standing outside my cell. “What an honor!” I exclaimed. “The prince himself has come to pay me, the lowliest of peasants, a visit! Oh if only I had known you were coming, dear sir! I would have tidied up a bit!”

“You’re worse than Merlin,” was all he said, but he did lend the deepest of scowls.

“It all depends on how you look at it.” I leaned back against the cold wall. “So, to what do I owe the charming visit?”

Arthur pulled out a ring of keys. “Technically,” he began as he started to unlock the door. My heart leapt in a way I wasn’t aware it could leap. “I have no real proof you have magic, so I must let you go. Unfortunately, I cannot have you executed on the pretenses of mere dislike.”

I stood. “Oh if only you could!” I gushed. “I fear the afterlife may be the only place I could possibly go get away from you.”

“Of course I’m sure I could keep looking for some offense I could have you hanged for.” He opened the cell door and for the first time we looked at each other on even ground. He wasn’t unattractive.

“Good luck with that, Arthur Pendragon,” I said as I strolled out of the cell.

Once out of the dungeon, I took off down the hall. I needed to see Merlin. I needed to find a way to get rid of Talon. I needed to be happy for once.

By the time I reached the top of the tower, I was slightly out of breath. Inhaling and exhaling a few times first, I knocked on the door. Gaius answered only a few seconds later.

“Cleo!” he exclaimed. “I thought Arthur had—. Did you break out of prison?”

“No,” I answered, still breathless. “Arthur let me out. No evidence. Couldn’t hang me. Is Merlin here?”

Gaius looked over his shoulder at the closed door leading to Merlin’s room. “I assume so. His door hasn’t opened once this morning, which is quite uncharacteristic of Merlin. I thought he’d be up before dawn trying to argue with Arthur.” The old man shook his head. “Why don’t you go talk to him. I have to go look for,” he paused, looking around, “a bucket.” Without another word, he scurried out, leaving me alone with two closed doors.

As I walked across to the one between Merlin and me, I saw a bucket out of the corner of my eye. However, I chose to ignore it and continued. I knocked twice and waited with no answer. “Merlin?” I called, knocking again. The idea that maybe he wasn’t inside crossed my mind. I wondered where he might’ve gone. “Merlin?” I heard something from within the room and decided to open the door. “Merlin?” I whispered.

The dark-haired lad was in bed, his back turned to me and his head half-covered by the blankets.

I walked to him and shook him. “Merlin, are you okay?”

He only groaned.

I reached around to place my hand on his forehead. He felt fine. He wasn’t hot. I sat down on the edge of the mattress. “Merlin, wake up.” I shook him once more and he finally rolled over.

He opened his eyes slowly and as he did I noticed dark circles under his eyes. “Are you real?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes, I’m real. Are you tired?”

“Yes.” His eyes slid shut again. “I was up very late trying to convince Arthur.…” His sentence trailed off.

Laughing, I shook him again. “Merlin, I need your help.”

“I need sleep.”

“You can sleep later. I need help now.”

“I need sleep now.”

“Merlin.”

He rolled back over.

Sighing, I stood and walked to the other side of the bed. I looked down at his dozing figure. He really was very handsome. As he slept, he resembled a puppy. He had the same lovable, innocent look.

Kneeling, I whispered, “Merlin,” softer than ever. I reached out to stroke his cheek. “Wake up.” As a last resort, I leaned forward and kissed his lips. With my eyes open, I watched him wake up with a soft burst of energy. I smiled. “Good morning.”

“You’re not in prison?”

“Arthur let me out.”

Merlin nodded. “Oh.”

As Merlin ate breakfast, I explained to him what Talon had said to me. Together, we brainstormed once more for ideas of possibly defeating the man, but all of our ideas came up faulty. As far as we could see, there was no way around it.

“We’ll figure something out,” Merlin assured me.

I nodded, although I wasn’t quite as sure. “Thank you,” I murmured. I sighed inwardly as I stood, ready to leave. “I’m going to let Gwen know I’m okay. She’s probably worried sick by now.”

Merlin smiled. “You do that.”