Chapter Text
Merlin thought it would be a normal day. Merlin thought he could catch a break. Merlin thought that at least for one day nothing life changing would happen. Merlin was sorely mistaken.
The whole castle had been in disarray, and Merlin was scrambling just to get out of Gaius’s cottage because apparently there were magic users arriving that morning that had been caught by the guards the night before. Two if he was told by Gauis correctly. Now he was to rush to Arthurs side in the balcony above the courtyard to see the trial.
Merlin nearly triped over himself more than once running down the halls, every time he's late Arthur smacks him in the back of the head. He’d rather skip it, just being there at those trials and knowing what the outcome will be and knowing he couldn't do anything to stop it… Merlin's steps falter. Just how many more deaths of magic users would he have to witness at the hands of the king, he asked himself. He'd been able to smuggle out as many magic users he'd come across out of the kingdom but even then it seems there were executions every month. His anger flared each time the king dared to justify the deaths.
“MERLIN.”
Merlin whirled around to a furious blonde marching at him in his signature red tunic and scowl.
“Arthur, sire, aren't you supposed to already be at the trial?” Merlin said, trying to immediately deflect from himself and from the inevitable lecture about being late.
“I could ask you the same thing, you idiot. Being late again? I should have you clean the stables”, replied the prince, grabbing the other boy's elbow and dragging him forward. Merlin thought inwardly he would actually prefer that then seeing more innocent people hanged or burned alive.
Merlin and Arthur arrived at the balcony that is to the right from the one where two guards stand at each side of king Uther, who looked grim and intimidating. No doubt to appear so to the incoming magic users.
Merlin as well as the rest of the people in the courtyard, from the king at the top of the highest balcony to the servants and guards on the ground, knew exactly how this would turn out. The gallow that stood in the middle of the grounds, being a very large reminder. Still, it stayed quiet, then there was the sound of armor marching toward them from the entrance getting closer. As the guards entered escorting the magic users forward, Merlin's breath hitched. There were two magic users but they were children. Merlin saw Arthur stiffen from in front of him and glance urgently at his father.
Uther merely looked down at the children as if they were filth that needed to be gotten rid of, looking as high and mighty as he is. As he has all the power. Merlin’s heart thundered against his chest as he looked at the children getting a better look at them. The tallest and seemingly the elder had her arms protectively around a smaller frail boy. The boy looked absolutely terrified and clung onto the older girl never taking his eyes off the gallow as if afraid it was going to get up and hang the boy itself. The girl squeezed the boy closer to herself as she looked up to the balcony, as she looked up to the king, with only what could be called as absolute loathing. She looked at him like he was the only person there besides the other child in her arms.
If looks could kill, was the phrase that immediately came to Melins mind, except her glare could kill a hundred times over. Merlin followed her gaze to the king and saw that the king seemed uncomfortable with the daggers he was reserving from this girl, he was used to people looking down too afraid to look at him, yet this girl was doing the exact opposite. The discomfort was only shown for a moment before went back to looking unfeeling toward the children below him. The trial had begun.
“Are you aware of what you are being charged with?” The king’s voice boomed.
The children stayed silent. The boy, startled from the sudden yelling, clung tightly, while the girl kept her head up defiantly. Merlin looked around him to see if the reactions to the magic users that are being put to death, are children, is as appalling to them as it is to him. Arthur sat still, looking at his father dreadingly knowing what he would say next, his hands in fists.
And the king speaked again, “The use of magic has only one punishment.”
The girl then started to visibly shake, not with fear but with fury. He could tell that she was trying to hold herself back, she knew that she was outnumbered and she would not be able to fight the guards surrounding her while keeping the younger child safe. He could see that all of these thoughts were going through her head, because he had thought the exact same whenever he was close to having to use his powers in front of people. Merlin then has a very bad idea. The king continued to give the same speech he did at every execution.
“Let this all be a lesson to the rest of the kingdom, no matter what age you are, magic is still a threat to this kingdom and will be treated as such and I will protect this kingdom from such threats no matter what.” Then there’s the attempt at justification that makes Merlin rethink all his decisions to sit still. Merlin stared at the back of Arthur's head and he knew that he could feel him staring yet he said nothing.
“Arthur.” Merlin said firmly but quietly enough for only the prince to hear. But the prince remained silent. Merlin looked then desperately to see if anyone, anyone, would say anything to oppose this. A servant, a knight, Arthur. If no one would say anything then…
“If you have nothing to say then that only proves your guilt. Guards-“, as he was about to give the order, and the guards moved toward the children, the eldest spoke hastily, moving the younger boy out of the guards reach and taking a step forward. Her voice cut off the kings as it rang out steady and recalcitrant for everyone in the vicinity to hear.
“If you so much as touch us, Emrys will-“ Merlin's heart nearly stopped.
“Emrys?” The king cut off in turn, confusion in his voice.
“He’s only the embodiment of magic, last of the dragon lords, and is the most powerful warlock that has ever roamed the earth.” There is only silence as the girl's words hang in the air. The girl smirked when she saw the king flinch from the implications that someone like that could still exist. Merlin felt satisfaction from the reaction. But then it was immediately replaced with a sinking realization that he can’t let these kids down. Merlin then noticed that the boy stopped looking at the gallow and instead turned his face to look at the eldest, with hope and admiration on his face. He won’t let them die. He could not and would not stand aside this time.
Merlin then turned to leave, not caring when Arthur called after him because he won't be able to follow. When he was out of earshot, he sprinted to the bottom of the castle, while powering up his magic. No one was in the halls, they were all in the courtyard for the execution. Not that there will be an execution Merlin thought. A laundry basket was left unattended near a door and Merlin quickly riffled through to find a cloak and put it on. As he ran, the clouds turned dark and shadowed themselves over the sun. As his eyes turn gold, thunder is heard in the distance.
Where he stood just outside the doors of the courtyard, Merlin could hear the screams of the girl and the crying of the boy. He had to act quickly. The young warlock’s anger had been building all for this moment and each incantation he uttered was accelerated by the emotion.
Outside, strong winds blew in all directions making the knights in their heavy armors unsteady. Merlin looked out into the courtyard to see who was where. The children were still in the middle of the courtyard next to the gallow but each child’s arm was in a knight's grip. Thunder and lightning brought out in the sky, then as the guards look around helpless at the suddenly aggressive weather change the eldest took this opportunity to twist herself around the guard, kicking him in the back of his knees, making him fall to the ground, still holding onto the arm that was only moment ago holding onto her, Merlin blinked and a yell of agony came from the knight as he fell to his chest holding his shoulder with one hand.
A moment later lightning struck down to the top of one of the towers of the castle. This startled the knight that was holding onto the boy enough that the girl ran to the knight and kicked him between his legs. Thus letting go of the boy and allowing her to grab the boy to her side, she held on to his hand firmly as she surveyed the next move. Then she finally noticed that the winds aren’t nearly as strong in the small circle that both the children were in.
While she looked around, she and Merlin met eye contact. Merlin saw realization flash on her face as well as disbelief as she stared at the golden eyes. This is where it got risky. Merlin put the hood of the cloak over his head, closed his eyes and desperately hoped this would work.
He muttered a spell, then suddenly he was standing directly in front of the two children, both of whom were startled that he showed up mere inches from them.
The little boy gaped at him, “Are- Are you-u..”
“Emrys”, the girl breathed out.
“No time to talk, I need you to hold on to me if you want to get out of here.”, Merlin said pressingly. Both children glanced at each other then without a second thought, hugged Merlin, who put his arms around them, closed his eyes and said the same enchantment that brought him in front of them.
When he opened his eyes once again he was in Guias’s work chambers with the children still in his arms. Merlin then whirled around and went immediately to the front door to lock it. When he did, he put his back to the door and took a deep sigh of relief.
Then he looked up to see that the children were still standing there. Looking at him with an awed expression, the girl still gripped the younger boy's hand. There were a few moments of silence as the adrenaline started to ebb away, which then broke to all three people's stomachs groaning in unison.
—--------------------
Merlin poked his head out of the chamber door, looking both ways before fully opening the door to let himself out.
It had been about ten minutes since his great escape with the children and since then he had situated them to stay inside his room should Gaius return from collecting herbs, then told them he would be right back to get all of them some food from the kitchens in an attempt to take advantage of the still chaotic situation that was in the courtyard, where everyone was sure to be in disarray and confusion and fear.
The children themselves had appeared fine physically but were still in shock of all that had transpired. He had told them that he was going to use a special knock when he came back so that they knew it was him when he returned with the food. The eldest merely nodded with her eyes looking at him but not really focused on Merlin.
Just as he thought, Merlin could see scarcely any one in the halls of not only the occasional maid or servant. They all greeted him in passing, sparing only a hello as they kept busy on their own chores. Merlin then thought now he had an alibi, maids and servants had seen him, if he was questioned by Arthur he could have others vouch that he was near the kitchens.
The chefs weren’t scheduled to start cooking until later on so Merlin quickly grabbed bread, cheese, and grapes. The reality of what had happened dropped on him like pounds of weight dropped on his shoulder. He had saved two children, two magic wielding children from execution and they were hiding in his room and he had no plan on what to do next. When Gaius found out… should the king find out…if Arthur found out… Merlin shook his head to focus on what was really important at the moment. There were two hungry children that were afraid and needed his help.
Merlin knocked the rhythm he had taught the children to let them know that it would be him. Then waited a moment before letting himself inside then locking the door. He put the food gently on the table and made his way up the stairs to his room.
Merlin knocked lightly on the door, “Hey it's me. I brought food.”
There was silence on the other end and Merlin had a terrifying thought that they snuck out and fled, before he heard shuffling from inside. The door opens to show the girl, looking slightly up at Merlin with a guarded expression and the boy right behind her.
“Hey” Merlin said softly, he tried smiling a small reassuring smile to show that he wasn't going to hurt them and just wanted to help. That he wasn’t gonna let anyone hurt them, he would protect them. As if all of that could be conveyed just from a facial expression, Merlin thought pathetically to himself. But the girl must have seen something in his meek smile, because her face softened and she opened the door wider to let the boy go out before her. His face brightened at the food and quickly went down to the table as he said a thank you over his shoulder. Merlin stayed by the door and glanced at the girl who was looking at the boy and the food on the table and her face welled up and her eyebrows furrowed together. Merlin could tell she was on the verge of crying but had been trying not to for the sake of the younger child. He thought that the sight of him alive and in front of her was finally hitting her. He could understand that feeling, every time Arthur had a brush with death, the relief would sometimes leave Merlin drained which could lead to a breakdown. This child should not have that much stress on her shoulders, but being magic users, that just came along with the magic, the constant threat of imminent death.
“Do you need a moment?” Merlin asked. The girl continued to look at the younger boy. “I promise I’ll take care of him for a bit, or if you want to stay with him.”
“I… I want to stay with him.”, The girl's voice broke and tears couldn't help but make their way down her cheeks as she tried to rub them away.
Merlin nods, “Ok, but you need to eat as well, alright?”
The girl raised her head up to look at Merlin with those tear stained eyes and gave a broken little smile. Merlin’s heart broke because he didn't deserve her gratitude, he watched dozens die before them, it was just about time he did something. He hated himself for not doing anything. He hated that it had to take two children almost dying at the hands of a tyrant before he did anything. But they didn't die, they were here and they were safe, so Merlin watched as the eldest quickly wiped away her tears and joined the younger boy in eating the food on the table.
The children were inhaling the food as if at any moment it would be taken from them. Merlin kept refilling their cups with water and they downed almost everything Merlin had brought and the whole jug of water before they both slumped in their chairs sighing satisfactorily. Merlin put away what was left then sat back down in his own chair, then looked at both children, indicating that he was going to say something, but was then interrupted.
“Our parents are dead.” The girl said blatantly.
Merlin shut his mouth because he was actually going to ask what their names were.
“I’m sorry,” he said instead.
The girl dropped her eyes and nodded, but the boy's eyes simply looked down at his hands that were under the table.
“I’m going to ask some questions”, Merlin began, “Would that be alright?” Both children sparde a glance at each other, seeming to come to the same conclusion before both nodding at Merlin.
“What are your names?” Merlin tried again, “And how old are you?”
The girl put her elbows on the table and crossed them, “My name is Pandora, I’m thirteen, and this is my little brother Roland, he's ten.” Roland softly smiled. Merlin smiled back, but turned his attention back to Pandora.
With finally a chance to have a conversation with both the children he was able to get a good look at both of them. Pandora’s skin was slightly sunburned with auburn hair tied back in a long braid over her shoulder and what looked like a mixture of dirt and freckles covering her face. Her brother, however, was not as sunburned but was much ganglier than his sister, even for his small stature. Roland had a mess of dark, frizzy curls on his head with what Merlin could make out as a dry leaf sticking out. Even with their differences they both had one thing in common, and that was their steely gray eyes, that bore into Merlin as if trying to figure him out. Merlin decided that then would be the best time to ask what's been on his mind since he saw them walk into the courtyard.
“What happened that led the two of you here?”
Pandora’s jaw tightened, Roland’s gaze went back to his hands fidgeting with his shirt. Both children look incredibly guilty, and Merlin prayed that they didn't end up accidentally hurting anyone using their magic.
“Someone saw us trying to steal food with our magic…” Pandora said quietly.
Then Roland’s face looked up at Merlin and added rushingly to their defense, “But it was leftovers from the people living there, and we were hungry! We didn’t mean to steal.” He said the last part with a hint of guilt.
Merlin’s heart couldn’t help but break a little, because they were guilty for trying to steal food. They didn't hurt anyone, they were just hungry. And they felt guilty for doing what they had no other choice to do. The worst punishment for that would have been simply maybe a night in the dungeon, Merlin should know, he's gone for less. But since they used magic… instant death as the penalty.
“Wait, how did you use magic?” Merlin doubted that Pandora would be as reckless as to try to steal food where someone could see.
Roland whispered, “I was going to surprise Pan with the devel- devl- deveo-”
“Development.”Pandora supplied gently.
“- of my magic. So I tried floating the food out the windowsill.”, he said the last part rushed and looked away from Merlin.
Merlin stared at Roland. Merlin blinked a few times, having to repeat what the little boy had said over and over again in his head. Floating the food out the windowsill. That’s what he said but he’s a child for the gods' sake! And yet he knew enough magic to do levitation. That reminded him of when he and Will, his childhood friend, would steal food from neighbors that were better off than them. Merlin’s heart tightened at the memory of the friend he had lost, but resigned his focus back to the two children in front of him.
They both looked at him withered and tired and scared. It was only barely the afternoon and they looked ready to pass out. Merlin opened his mouth to say something when the door suddenly was being rattled in an attempt to be opened. The children froze while Merlin quickly stood and waited.
“Merlin?! Are you in there?!”
Merlin then felt like pulling his hair out and screaming out in frustration because of course Arthur was there. But Merlin stayed silent and just glared at the door, hoping, praying, that the prince just leaves, and to Merlin's relief, he hears the boots that he polished the night before stomp out of earshot. He breathed a deep sigh for the second time that day and looked back at the children.
Pandora had her hand on the back of Rolands chair with her steely eyes still trained on the door, looking ready to go into either flight or fight mode. Roland has the same face of when he was looking at the gallows in the direction of the door, like it could kill him at any moment. It takes a full minute since Arthur left before the siblings could look away from the door and finally relax their stiffen postures.
One thing is for sure. They can’t stay there with Merlin, he needs to find a place for them to stay until he comes up with what to do next. He could try to contact the druids, they seem to have spent some time with druids before they had gotten to Camelot, there was a good chance that they were in fact Druids but Merlin couldn’t be sure because of how they were dressed. Druids had a specific way of weaving their clothes as well as a specific type of stitch, the kids before him had none of that. He filed away to ask them about it at a later time, for now they needed rest and Merlin needed to come up with a plan.
“Pandora, Roland.”, the set of siblings looked over at Merlin, “How about you go sleep for a bit while I come up with a way to get the both of you out of this kingdom?” He said with the kind of tone that promised as much as he was saying.
Roland and Pandora both nodded, Roland because he seemed genuinely exhausted and Pandora because while she was tired she also understood that they needed to keep their strength up. Merlin led them back upstairs where Roland crawled into the stiff lump Merlin called his bed like it was the most comfortable thing he’s laid on and immediately fell asleep. Pandora watched this all unfold with Merlin at the doorway and laughed lightly as the tightness in her shoulders loosen just a bit.
Pandora turned her gray eyes to Merlin, “Emrys-“
Merlin put up his hand, interrupting her, “Please, call me Merlin.”
Pandora paused, then corrected, “Merlin… thank you.”
Merlin frowned to himself, he didn’t deserve her thanks. He watched others die from a similar fate and did nothing, even if he was trying to defend himself saying he couldn’t reveal himself, that he had to make sure Arthur became king but all it would be is excuses. The guilt would forever hang on his shoulders from all the lives he couldn’t save. From those he wouldn’t save. Merlin shook his head, untangling himself from his plaguing thoughts.
“Of course.”
Pandora looked at him a moment longer, searching his face for something when she turned inside the room and closed the door. Merlin moved his gaze over his guardians workspace, he would need to do a bit of work so he could prove to Arthur that he was doing work, make some medicines for Guias, ground herbs, things like that. So Merlin put a small protection on his room before going to the work table.
Two hours later, Merlin hears the stomping of worn leather shoes making their way to him outside the door. At this point, he had already memorized the sound of footsteps and to whom they belonged . He only said a small curse to himself when Guias barged through the door with his signature look of raised eyebrows on his face and with the wrath of a small army.
“Merlin. What did you do?!”