The Cold Light of Morning part 12 - Merlin Fanfic
Author: clea2011
Title: The Cold Light of Morning Part 12
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin, Gwen/Lancelot
Character/s: (In this chapter) Arthur, Merlin, Leon, Gwaine, Morgana, Gwen, Gaius, Agravaine, Percival
Summary: Gwaine and Leon go in search of answers.
Warnings: Omegaverse
Word Count: 5969
Author's Notes: Thanks to the lovely fififolle for the beta. This is the next part of 'His' and 'The Cold Light of Morning'
Here on A03, or under the cut on my LJ
Tamworth was a busy place.
Gwaine had been there before and knew his way around. Leon had never set foot in the place in his life, and although he would never admit it he was glad to have Gwaine's local knowledge. Even if that local knowledge mainly consisted of where the best (or worst, depending on your point of view) taverns could be found.
The first place they visited was possibly the worst tavern Leon had ever frequented. They had borrowed clothes so that they were no longer instantly recognisable as knights of Camelot, and therefore at risk of discovery, because the chances were that their descriptions would be widely circulated as companions to the missing prince. Even so, heads turned as they entered and there was that ominous silence that let them know everyone in that room had them marked down as newcomers before they had even opened their mouths.
Leon wisely let Gwaine do all the talking in that place. Gwaine had travelled widely before signing up as a knight of Camelot, and Leon supposed he would just go back to that lifestyle if they couldn't regain their position at court. He stood quietly, watching as Gwaine chattered easily to the suspicious innkeeper, asking after someone who had apparently worked there years before, that turned out to be the man's father. He must have passed some kind of test because the conversation around them bubbled back up again and they were no longer the subject of much curious interest. Gwaine got very little information from anyone there, but that was hardly surprising. Leon could tell just by looking at it that nobody in that place would ever have anything to do with anyone in Camelot except possibly to pick their pockets. He studied the thick layer of scum on the ale he had bought and wondered just how ill they would be by the time they had finished touring Gwaine's dubious old haunts.
"Next stop, The Flying Horse!" Gwaine announced cheerfully when they got outside.
That sounded far too magical for Leon's liking, but he followed anyway. He had a suspicion that Gwaine might just think it was amusing to drag him around the worst places possible.
In fact, The Flying Horse (which wasn't called The Flying Horse at all, it had no name that Leon could see and Gwaine was not as funny as he thought he was) was quite a decent establishment with a better class of clientele. Feeling far more comfortable, Leon ordered them a couple of tankards of ale then headed out to the toilet. Gwaine was already deep in conversation with a vast giant of a man when Leon returned to their table. Possibly deep wasn't the correct word, but they were certainly getting along well.
"...then he said, it's not a real chastity device and I said well that's okay because I'm not a real priest!"
The huge man thought that was hilarious and Leon decided he didn't want to know any more about that particular story.
"Leon! This is Percival. Order him a drink, would you?"
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Gwaine to get it himself, but that would mean he'd have to make conversation with Gwaine's new friend while Gwaine was distracted so he sat down and signalled to the girl who was very, very slowly making her way around the tables that they'd like another mug of ale.
"Percival's just come back from Camelot," Gwaine explained, and suddenly Percival was far more interesting. "His friend's still there. They were hoping to sign up as knights but Uther's still insisting they all have to be of noble birth."
"To uphold the standards of chivalry," Leon agreed, and Gwaine kicked him under the table.
"Any decent person can be chivalrous," he pointed out.
"Lancelot, the man I was travelling with, is more chivalrous than anyone I've ever met," Percival told them, but didn't venture anything more than that.
"This Lancelot is still in Camelot," Gwaine said. "He's not given up hope of being a knight. Apparently there's a shortage at the moment. Prince Arthur's run off with a sorcerer, and his two best knights went with them. Scandalous! Apparently it's the most interesting thing one of the knights has ever done!"
"Unsurprising, as I hear that knight spends all of his time drinking in taverns and was the worst knight in all Camelot as a result."
"Drinking sharpens the mind. See how it's sharpened your wit? Who knew it even existed?"
"I wouldn't expect you to know anything."
Percival regarded them both, then asked: "Is Prince Arthur here with you, in Tamworth?"
"What if he is?"
"Gwaine!" Leon protested, but Gwaine just shrugged and waited for an answer.
"There's a bounty on the omega's head," Percival told him. "A good one. A man could live well on that much money."
"A man like you?"
"Never. I earn my money honestly. Perhaps, if this Arthur is ever king, he'll consider noble deeds over noble birth when he knights a man? Or is he cut from the same cloth as his father?"
"Arthur will be a great king," Leon told him and for once Gwaine simply nodded agreement. "But he isn't here."
Percival didn't say anything, just looked at them both.
"His omega is a common servant," Gwaine told him eventually. "I think he would prove a fairer ruler than his father."
Leon wasn't sure there was anything common about Merlin, but he kept that opinion to himself. "We've sacrificed a great deal to remain at Arthur's side. Tell me why we should trust you?"
Percival looked at him as if he'd just asked the oddest question. "I'm an honest man," was all he said.
And strangely enough, Leon believed him.
---
Morgana sat stony-faced throughout the meal her father... and she would never get used to thinking of Uther Pendragon as that, so... the king insisted she sit through with him. Servants put food before her, but she barely touched it. All she was conscious of, all the time, was the way Lord Agravaine kept watching her.
It made her flesh crawl.
Days ago, she had thought there could be nothing worse than discovering her beloved mother had been unfaithful to Gorlois, and that the father she adored was never more than a guardian to her. She was wrong. Uther had declared that there would be a wedding before the next full moon and no amount of protests on her part would sway him. It didn't help that Agravaine was always there at Uther's side, never giving her a moment alone with the king to plead the fact that she found the man quite repellent. And the more she watched the two of them together, the more certain she was that Arthur had been right and the king was under some form of enchantment.
Morgana knew little of magic. She knew it was something to be feared and hidden away. She knew that she was herself in some way tainted with it, that the dreams she had were more than that because what they showed so often became true. She knew that if the king ever realised what she was, even though she barely understood it herself, she would be replacing her brother's omega on that pyre and there would be nobody left who was powerful enough or cared enough to save her.
Agravaine gave her a sparse, tight smile. It never reached his eyes. She didn't think she had ever seen him really smile, as if he were genuinely pleased about something. Not like Arthur, who could laugh long and hard, throwing his head back because he was real and open and honest. Sometimes she had been the butt of those jokes, but she could give as good as she got so it didn't matter. This was different. Agravaine had the upper hand, and he knew it. The way he looked at her, it was almost as if he knew what she was. She shook the feeling away, as he couldn't possibly.
"This creature," Uther was saying. "It's killed everyone who has tried to stand against it. Seven villages now have been attacked. There are reports that it is some monstrous thing, half-bird, half-beast."
Agravaine nodded. "It is clearly a creature born of magic, Uther. It's almost as if... but no, that couldn't be."
"Couldn't be what? Tell me!" Uther demanded.
And there was that sly look again, half-masked by fake concern. "Well, it's only that it seems such a coincidence that there should be a known sorcerer with cause to hate Camelot just as this magical beast appears. But I don't feel it could possibly be the prince's omega, because surely Arthur would have him under control? And Arthur would never turn against you."
"Arthur turned against me the moment he threw in his lot with that sorcerer!" Uther snarled. "Of course it's them. That my own son could so turn against me, turn against his own people..."
"We don't know that it's Arthur," Morgana protested. "There have been many magical attacks on the kingdom in the past. Your hatred of magic makes Camelot a target. Any magic user knows that we have no defences. Arthur's omega could have protected the kingdom if you'd let him stay. This wouldn't be happening!" She got up, knowing she was about to be dismissed for speaking out of turn anyway and wanting to leave on her own terms. "Arthur would never turn against Camelot. Never."
Uther glared at her. Apparently the period where he was being as kind as possible due to the unpalatable truth about her parentage was over. "The sooner this wedding takes place, the better. You'll obey your husband even if you won't obey me. That kind of talk is treason. Go."
Agravaine got to his feet, gave a short bow to the king, and followed her.
"Morgana, my dear."
She walked faster. If she could have run without losing dignity she would have done so.
"Wait a moment, I have something for you."
"Really you have nothing I could possibly want," she called back, not even turning her head.
Somehow he managed to catch up with her.
"I said wait. Unless you want Uther to know your secret."
He couldn't possibly know. She told herself that over and over and fought to keep the panic out of her face and voice. "My secret? What secret can that possibly be? I have no secret. It was the king, and my mother, they were the ones with the secret."
That sly smile again. How she hated it. "Your mother had another secret. Did you know she was a magic user? You must suspect, surely?"
Morgana just shook her head, still not convinced that he wasn't just fishing.
"Of course you are loyal to her memory. Admirable. I apologise, it must sound as if I'm running her down."
"She was a good woman. And has no means to defend herself now."
Agravaine gave a little bow. "Of course. Let me make amends." He drew a small box from his pocket. "This is for you. A token of my regard." When Morgana made no move to take it, he opened the box. It contained a golden pendant with a single green stone. "It will match your eyes. Please," he held it up. "Take it."
"I don't..."
"Take it."
There was something compelling about his voice as he said those last two words, and she found herself reaching out involuntarily and closing her hand over the stone.
For a moment it felt curiously warm, and then she was dropping it, her hand stinging as though the stone had burned it.
"Ah." Agravaine bent to pick it up. "Interesting."
"What did you do?"
"Me? Nothing. These are used to test for magic in some parts of the world. A minor user feels the stone to be slightly warm to the touch. A normal response is to feel that it is quite hot. Only the more powerful warlocks... and witches... feel it burn their skin."
"I just dropped it, I was clumsy."
"Yes, that's what normally happens. Show me your hand."
Reluctantly, Morgana uncurled her fingers. There was, of course, a tell-tale burn. Small and faint because she had dropped the amulet so fast, but it was definitely there.
"Ah," Agravaine repeated. "Interesting. The king will be deeply disappointed to learn that both his children have betrayed him with magic."
"I've done nothing!" Morgana snarled. "Nothing!"
"And he will see it that way, of course." He paused, then added: "It's not as if he were willing to burn your brother along with his omega, is it? And so, unless you would prefer me to take this to Uther, perhaps we should discuss our wedding?"
Morgana gave an involuntary shudder at the thought. "Why would you want someone who you believe has magic?"
Agravaine smiled. "You're the heir to the throne, Morgana Pendragon. Your husband will be king. I will be king. If you weren't already... and you are, of course... then that alone would make you very attractive. And think on it. If we ruled Camelot we could remove the ban on magic. You wouldn't have to hide any more."
That last part, at least, was tempting. Not tempting enough, but she was starting to wonder if she had any choice.
He seemed to take her silence for acceptance, and held out his arm. "Shall we return to the king? My dear?" When she hesitated, he added: "I shall return anyway. It's up to you what it is that I tell him."
No choice then. She reluctantly took his arm, feeling her flesh creep as she did so, wondering how long it would be before she had a chance to get away.
---
It was the waiting around that was the worst.
Arthur had been half-tempted to follow Leon and Gwaine anyway, heavily disguised, but eventually decided against it. With nothing to do he took the opportunity to spend time alone with Merlin and get to know him better.
Getting to know him better soon led to them going back to their room and staying there, taking advantage of the fact that the others would be away for a while. Much later Arthur held Merlin close as the last sunlight of the day filtered in through the window, both of them tired and contented.
"I still know very little about you," Arthur admitted, carding his fingers through Merlin's short, curling hair. "Tell me about yourself. What did you do before you came to Camelot? You came from Ealdor? In Cenred's kingdom? What's it like there?"
"It's a small village."
"Like this one?"
Merlin gave a short huff of a laugh. "Nothing like it! This would be a huge, prosperous town in comparison. We were very poor. When I came to Camelot that was the first time I had my own room, regular food, and working for you I was going to have money of my own. You really did take up with a peasant, Arthur, just like your father said."
"Not any more."
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Is being an outlaw really any better?"
"We're not outlaws. Father will see reason."
"The same way he accepted me as your mate? It doesn't seem very likely."
"I'll find a way to get through to my father. Agravaine won't be able to fool him forever."
Merlin looked at him sadly. "Oh Arthur. He will, if he's using magic."
"But you're stronger than him. We could sneak in and you could overpower him and then I could try to talk some sense into my father."
"It's unlikely to be that easy. He was using a charm, so he's probably not actually got magic himself. I didn't sense it from him."
"You can sense other magic users?"
"Usually."
Arthur couldn't help laughing at that. "All this time, father was so concerned about finding out whether there were sorcerers in Camelot. He could have just employed you to sniff them all out!"
"He could," Merlin agreed sagely, then glared at Arthur, rapping him on the head with his knuckles. "Except for the whole business of sorcery being illegal and the fact that when I'd finished he'd have me killed too! Idiot!"
That didn't stop Arthur laughing, despite the fact that after what had nearly happened to the pair of them it wasn't really funny.
"That's going to be your official title when I'm king. Court Sorcery Sniffer. Did your dragon tell you about that?"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "No. But then he didn't tell me what a clotpole you can be either." It was said fondly, and Arthur tried not to wonder at the insulting names that seemed to be turning into terms of endearment between them.
Arthur was still desperately curious about the dragon, and the prophecy about himself. He wondered how he could have lived at the castle all his life and never seen the beast. Part of him wanted to go back just to see it for himself and hear what it had to say. But mostly he wanted to go back to regain his father's good favour, unlikely as that was with Merlin in tow. Arthur would never give up either of them, but he knew in his heart that even if he managed to show Agravaine up for what he was, Uther was never going to welcome Merlin at Camelot.
"How does the dragon say I'm going to bring back magic?" he asked. "I mean, if he can see the future, surely he could see that we'd be exiled? He didn't give you any clues about how we get around that?"
"He can be a bit cryptic," Merlin admitted, then added in a deep voice: "There are some things you can only find for yourself, young warlock..."
"That's just a fancy way of saying he doesn't know," Arthur pointed out. Then he thought about it. "Young warlock?"
"Um... that's what he calls me. It's just another word for sorcerer."
"Strange title for an omega. But I like it."
"Mmm, you would, it probably conjures up images of battles. Magic isn't supposed to be all about fighting, you know?"
"I know. And war is about defence as well as offence, did you know? And..." Arthur sat up, suddenly seeing everything far more clearly. "That's what we'll do. We won't try to raise an army and storm the castle. We'll sneak in quietly, just a few of us. Can you shield us? Make it as if we weren't there?"
"Possibly. Probably. I'll need to research a spell."
"Good. That's good. Gaius can help you. Perhaps some of Edmund's family can too. And if it's as you say and Agravaine doesn't have magic in his own right then he'll be no match for you. We can take him, find what he's done to my father and then you can reverse it."
"Spells, especially from charms, can't always be reversed," Merlin warned. "And he may have someone there at Camelot with him, helping him."
It was a possibility, Arthur knew. "We'll have to risk it. Come on, get dressed, you've got spell research to do."
He wished Merlin wouldn't look quite so disappointed. It was really distracting.
---
Morgana kept her head held high as she stood before Uther. She would do as Agravaine said for now, but was all the more determined to get out of there as fast as she could.
There was something unnatural about Uther's face when he smiled. It was as if something alien had crawled across his features and briefly tried to settle there. It didn't suit him.
"I hoped you'd see reason, Morgana. You're a sensible girl, you'll be a great queen."
Not trusting herself to speak, Morgana merely inclined her head. It was taking everything she had not to rage at the pair of them. An alpha through and through, quiet acquiescence did not sit well with her. And marriage to a beta... which she was sure Agravaine must be because surely no alpha could put on such an act of subservience to the king for so long. Uther liked to surround himself with betas, they were no threat and normally made the most learned advisors. Morgana could see the reason in that, but it wasn't what she'd wanted in a mate. She had hoped for either a strong alpha like herself, someone she could respect as an equal, or a gentle omega with a sweet scent and total devotion to her. How she envied Arthur that.
"We thought the wedding could be in three days hence," Agravaine said smoothly. "It would be a joyous occasion for the people. Take their minds off recent... unfortunate events."
"Is this your wish too, Morgana?"
Agravaine lifted his hand as though he were reaching for something in his pocket.
"Yes."
Agravaine's hand stilled. Morgana wondered if burning might not be preferable. Then he continued the motion and drew out another pendant, similar to the first.
"This is indeed a joyous day. How happy my dear sister would have been to see this. Please, dearest Morgana, accept this token of my affection."
Morgana flinched, eyes wide. He couldn't reveal her now, not without losing his own chance at the throne. This one, she supposed, would have to be safe. Still she barely suppressed a shudder as he fastened it around her neck.
There was no burning sensation, thankfully. And she thought that the vaguely uncomfortable feel of it around her neck was simply down to the person who had given it to her and what it represented.
She hoped Gwen had managed to persuade her Lancelot to help them. If she hadn't, Morgana was going to take her chances and escape that night without help. It had to be better than the alternative.
She would rest first though. The events of the day were leaving her feeling really quite tired.
---
It was late when Leon and Gwaine returned, and they weren't alone. They were accompanied by a huge bear of a man whose threatening size was completely at odds with his gentle manner. Arthur liked the newcomer instantly, moreso when he discovered that the man brought news from Camelot. None of it was good news though.
"As we feared, the lady Morgana has been made Uther's heir," Leon reported before they'd even left the stables.
"She's his daughter!" Gwaine added, rubbing his hands together in the chill of the night air.
"What?" Arthur stopped dead still, looking at them both in turn.
"Your half-sister," Leon confirmed.
"Who knew the old boy had it in him?" Gwaine grinned. Arthur glared at him, but Gwaine just shrugged and looked unrepentant.
"Let's get inside," Leon said quickly. "It was a long ride. I'm freezing."
Arthur didn't really care how cold it was after a shock like that, but he walked in with the others, feeling more than a little dazed.
"Are you all right?" Merlin whispered as they all settled around a table. Gaius and Edmund had joined them.
Arthur nodded briefly, but he could see from Merlin's concerned look that his mate wasn't convinced. Sometimes that bond was going to be tiresome, he realised. Nothing could be completely hidden any more. Still, after a revelation like that Merlin probably didn't need their bond to tell him Arthur would be upset.
Merlin sat very close, leaning into Arthur. Arthur was glad of the warmth and reassuring contact, because Gwaine's revelation had sent a chill through him. Morgana was older than he was. Did that mean his father had been less than faithful to Arthur's mother, to the woman he had always professed to love above all others? Arthur wasn't sure. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember how long his parents had been married.
Leon and Gwaine were talking, with the occasional word or two from Percival. Arthur couldn't concentrate on any of it, unable to think of anything except the revelation his two knights had returned with. This was worse than learning about Merlin's magic, more shocking because it turned everything he had ever known upside down.
"Arthur?" Merlin whispered a little more urgently. "Arthur!"
They were all looking at him expectantly, and he realised that he must have been asked a question.
"There's a griffin attacking the towns and villages of Camelot, Sire," Gaius told him.
"What's a griffin?"
"A creature of magic. From Percival's description, that's what it sounds as if it must be. Those things have the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. Without magic it would be impossible to stop it so I imagine your father has his hands full at the moment. Whatever charm Agravaine is using won't have any effect on it. It may possibly be actually attracting it to the castle. Apparently it's heading that way."
"There may be no Camelot for us to return to," Leon put in. "If the tales of the destruction this thing has wrought are even half true there's no way to stop it."
"Oh, there's a way," Gaius told them. "But Uther would need a sorcerer at his side, and all he has is a charlatan who has purchased some powerful magic. Agravaine's source, whoever he or she may be, is probably their only hope of defeating the creature. But it's unlikely Agravaine would want to reveal his sorcerer's existence and risk proving Arthur's accusation to be correct. That could break whatever enchantment it is that he has over Uther, no matter how powerful it is."
"So Agravaine's in just as much danger as the rest of Camelot?" Arthur said. "Perhaps this creature will do us a favour and kill him and we can go home?"
Gaius sighed. "Unfortunately it's more likely that the creature will kill the king. Agravaine is no fighter, unlike your father. When the knights are depleted, and without you there to lead them, Uther will take it upon himself to lead the attack. Your father is many things, but a coward is not one of them. He will defend Camelot with his last breath."
"And then Agravaine, married to my sister..." Arthur couldn't help the bitterness in his voice as he spoke that word.
"Will take the throne, yes. At that point he can safely call in his accomplice and have the griffin destroyed."
"Making him a hero," Arthur spat disgustedly. "All those people that it kills would mean nothing to him."
Leon leaned forward, lowering his voice even though there was nobody close enough to hear. "So do you think he asked his sorcerer to summon this creature? That it's his fault people are dying?"
"It's quite possible," Gaius admitted.
"And if we go up against it we'd stand no chance?"
"Oh, we'd win," Gwaine told him confidently. He tore a small chunk of bread off the piece on his plate and flicked it at Merlin, ignoring the growl from Arthur that provoked. "We've got our own sorcerer."
Arthur tried not to feel angry with Gwaine for his over-familiar attitude towards Arthur's mate. He favoured the knight with an angry glare, but Gwaine just shrugged.
"He's powerful, Arthur. You're all about fighting, but that's the strongest weapon we've got. If you're embracing magic now... and it looks like you are, literally... then take it for what it is. Your omega there's bonded to you. If what you say about your escape is true then that's really powerful magic and it's yours to command. Agravaine's charms don't stand a chance."
"It is yours," Merlin whispered almost shyly. "Totally." Then he added, more confidently, "We should go back before it's too late. You're the rightful heir. You have to be king one day."
Arthur knew it was unlikely they would change his father's mind any time soon, but he hated the idea of leaving Camelot to its fate. "Do you know how to stop the creature?"
Merlin gave him a small, almost embarrassed smile. "No. But I'll find a way."
"What if he goes into heat again?" Leon pointed out. "Gaius had to stop it last time." He looked at the old physician. "Isn't it true that it could flare up again at any time now because of that? What if it happens just as we get back to Camelot and he loses his magic?"
"It's a risk," Gaius agreed. "There's no way of telling what could happen. But from what you've told me," he nodded to Arthur, "in that state Merlin becomes Arthur's to command. Quite frightening, really. In the wrong hands that sort of power could be badly abused."
"Arthur would never abuse it," Merlin put in quickly, and Arthur was touched by how defensive and protective that sounded. "Never."
"Of course not," Gaius continued. "But another might. What if there's another omega magic user out there? What if they were bonded to an alpha with far less scruples than Arthur?"
"Lucky that old Agravaine's a beta," Gwaine grinned. "Otherwise we'd be worried!"
Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Indeed." And then he looked pointedly at Arthur. "We would."
"We've just assumed he's a beta," Arthur said slowly. "It's the impression he gave."
"Your father would be more likely to trust a beta. A beta would appear to be less of a threat. And," Gaius paused, obviously unsure whether to continue with whatever else he wanted to say.
"Say it. Whatever's concerning you. Tell us," Arthur urged.
"He's apparently going to be wed to Morgana."
"Who's no omega," Leon put in. "The lady Morgana could never be anything but an alpha."
"Morgana is many things," Gauis told them. "Including, yes, a very strong alpha. She's also a magic user, though has little idea of this herself as yet." He put up a hand to silence Leon, who had given a gasp of disbelief.
"My sister, a witch... what else are you going to tell me about her?" Arthur sighed. "It's as if I never knew her at all." But he found himself accepting it fairly calmly. Compared to every other revelation that had taken place in the past week, Morgana's apparent magical abilities were quite minor.
"Perhaps you didn't."
"Anyway, she's still an alpha," Gwaine insisted. "He can't control her."
"He can," Merlin whispered. "He will. He does." He gazed at Gaius in horror. "That's what the dragon meant."
"What?" Arthur frowned, puzzled. "What did it say?" He couldn't see how the great destiny Merlin said that the dragon had foretold had anything to do with Morgana. And it certainly didn't have anything to do with Agravaine, other than making sure he was removed from any position of power as soon as possible.
"What dragon?" Leon asked but nobody answered him.
"It suggested that Morgana could, possibly..." Gaius began reluctantly.
"She could be your downfall," Merlin told him. "The witch would be better dead, that was what he said."
"Merlin!" Gaius snapped.
"Well, he did."
"If," Gaius looked to Arthur, but not before giving Merlin one of those looks which had always slightly terrified Arthur as a child. Actually, he thought, that stern, disapprovingly raised eyebrow probably still did. "If she travelled a particular path, took a certain destiny."
"A destiny at Agravaine's side!" Merlin carried on regardless.
"It sounds more like enslavement," Leon pointed out. "If she doesn't want the marriage, and he forces her to use whatever magic she might have... that isn't any sort of destiny and it's not at his side. It's sorcery. The lady Morgana would never turn against Arthur."
"Leon's right." Arthur tried to put aside his annoyance that Merlin hadn't told him this aspect of the dragon's premonitions. They were supposed to be honest with each other, no more secrets. "If we go now, put a stop to Agravaine's plans..." He looked to Percival. "Morgana definitely hasn't consented to the marriage?"
"Not when I left. Lancelot, the man I was travelling with, he was friendly with her maid. Gwen told him the lady hated the idea."
"So we go back, Merlin can kill the griffin, then we stop Agravaine and save Morgana from whatever he's planning for her. Even if she has to leave with us afterwards, it's got to be better than staying there." It was reassuring to see that all his companions were nodding agreement. "We'll leave at first light."
"You're assuming I know how to kill the griffin," Merlin pointed out. "And we don't know what sort of spell he's used on Morgana. There's an omega charm..."
"She's an alpha," Arthur reminded him.
"Sire, the omega charm is for alphas," Gaius told him. "It bends them to another alpha's will. Just as you were able to order Merlin to use his magic, so will Agravaine be able to command Morgana. It has... other, even less palatable uses. Particularly if Morgana is unwilling to be wed."
Leon swore under his breath, and got to his feet. "We should leave right now!"
"Sit down," Arthur told him. "We're all sickened by this, but we have to wait until morning. It's dark, you and Gwaine have been riding all day. We'll travel faster in daylight and after you're rested. And apparently Merlin needs to research a spell to kill the griffin."
"And to break the omega charm, if that's what he's going to be using on Morgana," Gaius agreed. He got up. "Come on, my boy. I won't be going with you, I'll slow you down. So let's not waste time."
Arthur watched a little regretfully as Merlin and Edmund followed Gaius out. He had a feeling he wouldn't see Merlin again until morning.
"There's the king to consider as well," Gwaine pointed out. "He's still under Agravaine's influence."
"Perhaps he has one of those... what was it? Omega charms?" Leon offered, and Gwaine almost choked on his ale. "What?"
"I'd like to see that! Uther Pendragon being... No, actually I wouldn't. Forget I said that, Arthur!"
Arthur had to know, though he was fairly sure that he wasn't going to like the answer. "Being what, Gwaine? You've obviously come across these things. What do they do? It's more than Gaius said, isn't it?"
"It won't be an omega charm on the king," Gwaine assured him. "Someone would notice. Honestly, I've seen those things. He wouldn't be fit to rule."
Arthur wasn't entirely sure his father was fit to rule, given some of the decisions he'd made. "Come on, Gwaine. Even if it hasn't affected my father, Gaius seems to think it's going to be used on Morgana. What, exactly, does it do?"
Gwaine glanced at Leon a little apprehensively. "It simulates an omega heat to make the victim more compliant. It's devastating for an alpha because we're not used to losing control like that. It puts them effectively in heat for days and they just can't help themselves. The king... Arthur, don't even think it because honestly, he can't have used that on the king. I'm not the only knight who grew up outside Camelot's laws. Someone else would have recognised what was happening. It would be too big a risk for Agravaine to take at this stage."
It was also something Arthur really, really didn't want to think about as far as his father was concerned. The consequences for Morgana were bad enough. Ignoring the fact she was apparently his sister, because that was still just too much for him to get his head around, they'd grown up together and even if they weren't exactly friends he wasn't going to let something like that happen to her. And besides, Arthur wasn't one to run from a battle. Camelot was his birthright, and he wasn't going to let anyone take that from him.
"We need to go back," was all he said. "At first light, we ride."
---
Title: The Cold Light of Morning Part 12
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin, Gwen/Lancelot
Character/s: (In this chapter) Arthur, Merlin, Leon, Gwaine, Morgana, Gwen, Gaius, Agravaine, Percival
Summary: Gwaine and Leon go in search of answers.
Warnings: Omegaverse
Word Count: 5969
Author's Notes: Thanks to the lovely fififolle for the beta. This is the next part of 'His' and 'The Cold Light of Morning'
Here on A03, or under the cut on my LJ
Tamworth was a busy place.
Gwaine had been there before and knew his way around. Leon had never set foot in the place in his life, and although he would never admit it he was glad to have Gwaine's local knowledge. Even if that local knowledge mainly consisted of where the best (or worst, depending on your point of view) taverns could be found.
The first place they visited was possibly the worst tavern Leon had ever frequented. They had borrowed clothes so that they were no longer instantly recognisable as knights of Camelot, and therefore at risk of discovery, because the chances were that their descriptions would be widely circulated as companions to the missing prince. Even so, heads turned as they entered and there was that ominous silence that let them know everyone in that room had them marked down as newcomers before they had even opened their mouths.
Leon wisely let Gwaine do all the talking in that place. Gwaine had travelled widely before signing up as a knight of Camelot, and Leon supposed he would just go back to that lifestyle if they couldn't regain their position at court. He stood quietly, watching as Gwaine chattered easily to the suspicious innkeeper, asking after someone who had apparently worked there years before, that turned out to be the man's father. He must have passed some kind of test because the conversation around them bubbled back up again and they were no longer the subject of much curious interest. Gwaine got very little information from anyone there, but that was hardly surprising. Leon could tell just by looking at it that nobody in that place would ever have anything to do with anyone in Camelot except possibly to pick their pockets. He studied the thick layer of scum on the ale he had bought and wondered just how ill they would be by the time they had finished touring Gwaine's dubious old haunts.
"Next stop, The Flying Horse!" Gwaine announced cheerfully when they got outside.
That sounded far too magical for Leon's liking, but he followed anyway. He had a suspicion that Gwaine might just think it was amusing to drag him around the worst places possible.
In fact, The Flying Horse (which wasn't called The Flying Horse at all, it had no name that Leon could see and Gwaine was not as funny as he thought he was) was quite a decent establishment with a better class of clientele. Feeling far more comfortable, Leon ordered them a couple of tankards of ale then headed out to the toilet. Gwaine was already deep in conversation with a vast giant of a man when Leon returned to their table. Possibly deep wasn't the correct word, but they were certainly getting along well.
"...then he said, it's not a real chastity device and I said well that's okay because I'm not a real priest!"
The huge man thought that was hilarious and Leon decided he didn't want to know any more about that particular story.
"Leon! This is Percival. Order him a drink, would you?"
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Gwaine to get it himself, but that would mean he'd have to make conversation with Gwaine's new friend while Gwaine was distracted so he sat down and signalled to the girl who was very, very slowly making her way around the tables that they'd like another mug of ale.
"Percival's just come back from Camelot," Gwaine explained, and suddenly Percival was far more interesting. "His friend's still there. They were hoping to sign up as knights but Uther's still insisting they all have to be of noble birth."
"To uphold the standards of chivalry," Leon agreed, and Gwaine kicked him under the table.
"Any decent person can be chivalrous," he pointed out.
"Lancelot, the man I was travelling with, is more chivalrous than anyone I've ever met," Percival told them, but didn't venture anything more than that.
"This Lancelot is still in Camelot," Gwaine said. "He's not given up hope of being a knight. Apparently there's a shortage at the moment. Prince Arthur's run off with a sorcerer, and his two best knights went with them. Scandalous! Apparently it's the most interesting thing one of the knights has ever done!"
"Unsurprising, as I hear that knight spends all of his time drinking in taverns and was the worst knight in all Camelot as a result."
"Drinking sharpens the mind. See how it's sharpened your wit? Who knew it even existed?"
"I wouldn't expect you to know anything."
Percival regarded them both, then asked: "Is Prince Arthur here with you, in Tamworth?"
"What if he is?"
"Gwaine!" Leon protested, but Gwaine just shrugged and waited for an answer.
"There's a bounty on the omega's head," Percival told him. "A good one. A man could live well on that much money."
"A man like you?"
"Never. I earn my money honestly. Perhaps, if this Arthur is ever king, he'll consider noble deeds over noble birth when he knights a man? Or is he cut from the same cloth as his father?"
"Arthur will be a great king," Leon told him and for once Gwaine simply nodded agreement. "But he isn't here."
Percival didn't say anything, just looked at them both.
"His omega is a common servant," Gwaine told him eventually. "I think he would prove a fairer ruler than his father."
Leon wasn't sure there was anything common about Merlin, but he kept that opinion to himself. "We've sacrificed a great deal to remain at Arthur's side. Tell me why we should trust you?"
Percival looked at him as if he'd just asked the oddest question. "I'm an honest man," was all he said.
And strangely enough, Leon believed him.
---
Morgana sat stony-faced throughout the meal her father... and she would never get used to thinking of Uther Pendragon as that, so... the king insisted she sit through with him. Servants put food before her, but she barely touched it. All she was conscious of, all the time, was the way Lord Agravaine kept watching her.
It made her flesh crawl.
Days ago, she had thought there could be nothing worse than discovering her beloved mother had been unfaithful to Gorlois, and that the father she adored was never more than a guardian to her. She was wrong. Uther had declared that there would be a wedding before the next full moon and no amount of protests on her part would sway him. It didn't help that Agravaine was always there at Uther's side, never giving her a moment alone with the king to plead the fact that she found the man quite repellent. And the more she watched the two of them together, the more certain she was that Arthur had been right and the king was under some form of enchantment.
Morgana knew little of magic. She knew it was something to be feared and hidden away. She knew that she was herself in some way tainted with it, that the dreams she had were more than that because what they showed so often became true. She knew that if the king ever realised what she was, even though she barely understood it herself, she would be replacing her brother's omega on that pyre and there would be nobody left who was powerful enough or cared enough to save her.
Agravaine gave her a sparse, tight smile. It never reached his eyes. She didn't think she had ever seen him really smile, as if he were genuinely pleased about something. Not like Arthur, who could laugh long and hard, throwing his head back because he was real and open and honest. Sometimes she had been the butt of those jokes, but she could give as good as she got so it didn't matter. This was different. Agravaine had the upper hand, and he knew it. The way he looked at her, it was almost as if he knew what she was. She shook the feeling away, as he couldn't possibly.
"This creature," Uther was saying. "It's killed everyone who has tried to stand against it. Seven villages now have been attacked. There are reports that it is some monstrous thing, half-bird, half-beast."
Agravaine nodded. "It is clearly a creature born of magic, Uther. It's almost as if... but no, that couldn't be."
"Couldn't be what? Tell me!" Uther demanded.
And there was that sly look again, half-masked by fake concern. "Well, it's only that it seems such a coincidence that there should be a known sorcerer with cause to hate Camelot just as this magical beast appears. But I don't feel it could possibly be the prince's omega, because surely Arthur would have him under control? And Arthur would never turn against you."
"Arthur turned against me the moment he threw in his lot with that sorcerer!" Uther snarled. "Of course it's them. That my own son could so turn against me, turn against his own people..."
"We don't know that it's Arthur," Morgana protested. "There have been many magical attacks on the kingdom in the past. Your hatred of magic makes Camelot a target. Any magic user knows that we have no defences. Arthur's omega could have protected the kingdom if you'd let him stay. This wouldn't be happening!" She got up, knowing she was about to be dismissed for speaking out of turn anyway and wanting to leave on her own terms. "Arthur would never turn against Camelot. Never."
Uther glared at her. Apparently the period where he was being as kind as possible due to the unpalatable truth about her parentage was over. "The sooner this wedding takes place, the better. You'll obey your husband even if you won't obey me. That kind of talk is treason. Go."
Agravaine got to his feet, gave a short bow to the king, and followed her.
"Morgana, my dear."
She walked faster. If she could have run without losing dignity she would have done so.
"Wait a moment, I have something for you."
"Really you have nothing I could possibly want," she called back, not even turning her head.
Somehow he managed to catch up with her.
"I said wait. Unless you want Uther to know your secret."
He couldn't possibly know. She told herself that over and over and fought to keep the panic out of her face and voice. "My secret? What secret can that possibly be? I have no secret. It was the king, and my mother, they were the ones with the secret."
That sly smile again. How she hated it. "Your mother had another secret. Did you know she was a magic user? You must suspect, surely?"
Morgana just shook her head, still not convinced that he wasn't just fishing.
"Of course you are loyal to her memory. Admirable. I apologise, it must sound as if I'm running her down."
"She was a good woman. And has no means to defend herself now."
Agravaine gave a little bow. "Of course. Let me make amends." He drew a small box from his pocket. "This is for you. A token of my regard." When Morgana made no move to take it, he opened the box. It contained a golden pendant with a single green stone. "It will match your eyes. Please," he held it up. "Take it."
"I don't..."
"Take it."
There was something compelling about his voice as he said those last two words, and she found herself reaching out involuntarily and closing her hand over the stone.
For a moment it felt curiously warm, and then she was dropping it, her hand stinging as though the stone had burned it.
"Ah." Agravaine bent to pick it up. "Interesting."
"What did you do?"
"Me? Nothing. These are used to test for magic in some parts of the world. A minor user feels the stone to be slightly warm to the touch. A normal response is to feel that it is quite hot. Only the more powerful warlocks... and witches... feel it burn their skin."
"I just dropped it, I was clumsy."
"Yes, that's what normally happens. Show me your hand."
Reluctantly, Morgana uncurled her fingers. There was, of course, a tell-tale burn. Small and faint because she had dropped the amulet so fast, but it was definitely there.
"Ah," Agravaine repeated. "Interesting. The king will be deeply disappointed to learn that both his children have betrayed him with magic."
"I've done nothing!" Morgana snarled. "Nothing!"
"And he will see it that way, of course." He paused, then added: "It's not as if he were willing to burn your brother along with his omega, is it? And so, unless you would prefer me to take this to Uther, perhaps we should discuss our wedding?"
Morgana gave an involuntary shudder at the thought. "Why would you want someone who you believe has magic?"
Agravaine smiled. "You're the heir to the throne, Morgana Pendragon. Your husband will be king. I will be king. If you weren't already... and you are, of course... then that alone would make you very attractive. And think on it. If we ruled Camelot we could remove the ban on magic. You wouldn't have to hide any more."
That last part, at least, was tempting. Not tempting enough, but she was starting to wonder if she had any choice.
He seemed to take her silence for acceptance, and held out his arm. "Shall we return to the king? My dear?" When she hesitated, he added: "I shall return anyway. It's up to you what it is that I tell him."
No choice then. She reluctantly took his arm, feeling her flesh creep as she did so, wondering how long it would be before she had a chance to get away.
---
It was the waiting around that was the worst.
Arthur had been half-tempted to follow Leon and Gwaine anyway, heavily disguised, but eventually decided against it. With nothing to do he took the opportunity to spend time alone with Merlin and get to know him better.
Getting to know him better soon led to them going back to their room and staying there, taking advantage of the fact that the others would be away for a while. Much later Arthur held Merlin close as the last sunlight of the day filtered in through the window, both of them tired and contented.
"I still know very little about you," Arthur admitted, carding his fingers through Merlin's short, curling hair. "Tell me about yourself. What did you do before you came to Camelot? You came from Ealdor? In Cenred's kingdom? What's it like there?"
"It's a small village."
"Like this one?"
Merlin gave a short huff of a laugh. "Nothing like it! This would be a huge, prosperous town in comparison. We were very poor. When I came to Camelot that was the first time I had my own room, regular food, and working for you I was going to have money of my own. You really did take up with a peasant, Arthur, just like your father said."
"Not any more."
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Is being an outlaw really any better?"
"We're not outlaws. Father will see reason."
"The same way he accepted me as your mate? It doesn't seem very likely."
"I'll find a way to get through to my father. Agravaine won't be able to fool him forever."
Merlin looked at him sadly. "Oh Arthur. He will, if he's using magic."
"But you're stronger than him. We could sneak in and you could overpower him and then I could try to talk some sense into my father."
"It's unlikely to be that easy. He was using a charm, so he's probably not actually got magic himself. I didn't sense it from him."
"You can sense other magic users?"
"Usually."
Arthur couldn't help laughing at that. "All this time, father was so concerned about finding out whether there were sorcerers in Camelot. He could have just employed you to sniff them all out!"
"He could," Merlin agreed sagely, then glared at Arthur, rapping him on the head with his knuckles. "Except for the whole business of sorcery being illegal and the fact that when I'd finished he'd have me killed too! Idiot!"
That didn't stop Arthur laughing, despite the fact that after what had nearly happened to the pair of them it wasn't really funny.
"That's going to be your official title when I'm king. Court Sorcery Sniffer. Did your dragon tell you about that?"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "No. But then he didn't tell me what a clotpole you can be either." It was said fondly, and Arthur tried not to wonder at the insulting names that seemed to be turning into terms of endearment between them.
Arthur was still desperately curious about the dragon, and the prophecy about himself. He wondered how he could have lived at the castle all his life and never seen the beast. Part of him wanted to go back just to see it for himself and hear what it had to say. But mostly he wanted to go back to regain his father's good favour, unlikely as that was with Merlin in tow. Arthur would never give up either of them, but he knew in his heart that even if he managed to show Agravaine up for what he was, Uther was never going to welcome Merlin at Camelot.
"How does the dragon say I'm going to bring back magic?" he asked. "I mean, if he can see the future, surely he could see that we'd be exiled? He didn't give you any clues about how we get around that?"
"He can be a bit cryptic," Merlin admitted, then added in a deep voice: "There are some things you can only find for yourself, young warlock..."
"That's just a fancy way of saying he doesn't know," Arthur pointed out. Then he thought about it. "Young warlock?"
"Um... that's what he calls me. It's just another word for sorcerer."
"Strange title for an omega. But I like it."
"Mmm, you would, it probably conjures up images of battles. Magic isn't supposed to be all about fighting, you know?"
"I know. And war is about defence as well as offence, did you know? And..." Arthur sat up, suddenly seeing everything far more clearly. "That's what we'll do. We won't try to raise an army and storm the castle. We'll sneak in quietly, just a few of us. Can you shield us? Make it as if we weren't there?"
"Possibly. Probably. I'll need to research a spell."
"Good. That's good. Gaius can help you. Perhaps some of Edmund's family can too. And if it's as you say and Agravaine doesn't have magic in his own right then he'll be no match for you. We can take him, find what he's done to my father and then you can reverse it."
"Spells, especially from charms, can't always be reversed," Merlin warned. "And he may have someone there at Camelot with him, helping him."
It was a possibility, Arthur knew. "We'll have to risk it. Come on, get dressed, you've got spell research to do."
He wished Merlin wouldn't look quite so disappointed. It was really distracting.
---
Morgana kept her head held high as she stood before Uther. She would do as Agravaine said for now, but was all the more determined to get out of there as fast as she could.
There was something unnatural about Uther's face when he smiled. It was as if something alien had crawled across his features and briefly tried to settle there. It didn't suit him.
"I hoped you'd see reason, Morgana. You're a sensible girl, you'll be a great queen."
Not trusting herself to speak, Morgana merely inclined her head. It was taking everything she had not to rage at the pair of them. An alpha through and through, quiet acquiescence did not sit well with her. And marriage to a beta... which she was sure Agravaine must be because surely no alpha could put on such an act of subservience to the king for so long. Uther liked to surround himself with betas, they were no threat and normally made the most learned advisors. Morgana could see the reason in that, but it wasn't what she'd wanted in a mate. She had hoped for either a strong alpha like herself, someone she could respect as an equal, or a gentle omega with a sweet scent and total devotion to her. How she envied Arthur that.
"We thought the wedding could be in three days hence," Agravaine said smoothly. "It would be a joyous occasion for the people. Take their minds off recent... unfortunate events."
"Is this your wish too, Morgana?"
Agravaine lifted his hand as though he were reaching for something in his pocket.
"Yes."
Agravaine's hand stilled. Morgana wondered if burning might not be preferable. Then he continued the motion and drew out another pendant, similar to the first.
"This is indeed a joyous day. How happy my dear sister would have been to see this. Please, dearest Morgana, accept this token of my affection."
Morgana flinched, eyes wide. He couldn't reveal her now, not without losing his own chance at the throne. This one, she supposed, would have to be safe. Still she barely suppressed a shudder as he fastened it around her neck.
There was no burning sensation, thankfully. And she thought that the vaguely uncomfortable feel of it around her neck was simply down to the person who had given it to her and what it represented.
She hoped Gwen had managed to persuade her Lancelot to help them. If she hadn't, Morgana was going to take her chances and escape that night without help. It had to be better than the alternative.
She would rest first though. The events of the day were leaving her feeling really quite tired.
---
It was late when Leon and Gwaine returned, and they weren't alone. They were accompanied by a huge bear of a man whose threatening size was completely at odds with his gentle manner. Arthur liked the newcomer instantly, moreso when he discovered that the man brought news from Camelot. None of it was good news though.
"As we feared, the lady Morgana has been made Uther's heir," Leon reported before they'd even left the stables.
"She's his daughter!" Gwaine added, rubbing his hands together in the chill of the night air.
"What?" Arthur stopped dead still, looking at them both in turn.
"Your half-sister," Leon confirmed.
"Who knew the old boy had it in him?" Gwaine grinned. Arthur glared at him, but Gwaine just shrugged and looked unrepentant.
"Let's get inside," Leon said quickly. "It was a long ride. I'm freezing."
Arthur didn't really care how cold it was after a shock like that, but he walked in with the others, feeling more than a little dazed.
"Are you all right?" Merlin whispered as they all settled around a table. Gaius and Edmund had joined them.
Arthur nodded briefly, but he could see from Merlin's concerned look that his mate wasn't convinced. Sometimes that bond was going to be tiresome, he realised. Nothing could be completely hidden any more. Still, after a revelation like that Merlin probably didn't need their bond to tell him Arthur would be upset.
Merlin sat very close, leaning into Arthur. Arthur was glad of the warmth and reassuring contact, because Gwaine's revelation had sent a chill through him. Morgana was older than he was. Did that mean his father had been less than faithful to Arthur's mother, to the woman he had always professed to love above all others? Arthur wasn't sure. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember how long his parents had been married.
Leon and Gwaine were talking, with the occasional word or two from Percival. Arthur couldn't concentrate on any of it, unable to think of anything except the revelation his two knights had returned with. This was worse than learning about Merlin's magic, more shocking because it turned everything he had ever known upside down.
"Arthur?" Merlin whispered a little more urgently. "Arthur!"
They were all looking at him expectantly, and he realised that he must have been asked a question.
"There's a griffin attacking the towns and villages of Camelot, Sire," Gaius told him.
"What's a griffin?"
"A creature of magic. From Percival's description, that's what it sounds as if it must be. Those things have the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. Without magic it would be impossible to stop it so I imagine your father has his hands full at the moment. Whatever charm Agravaine is using won't have any effect on it. It may possibly be actually attracting it to the castle. Apparently it's heading that way."
"There may be no Camelot for us to return to," Leon put in. "If the tales of the destruction this thing has wrought are even half true there's no way to stop it."
"Oh, there's a way," Gaius told them. "But Uther would need a sorcerer at his side, and all he has is a charlatan who has purchased some powerful magic. Agravaine's source, whoever he or she may be, is probably their only hope of defeating the creature. But it's unlikely Agravaine would want to reveal his sorcerer's existence and risk proving Arthur's accusation to be correct. That could break whatever enchantment it is that he has over Uther, no matter how powerful it is."
"So Agravaine's in just as much danger as the rest of Camelot?" Arthur said. "Perhaps this creature will do us a favour and kill him and we can go home?"
Gaius sighed. "Unfortunately it's more likely that the creature will kill the king. Agravaine is no fighter, unlike your father. When the knights are depleted, and without you there to lead them, Uther will take it upon himself to lead the attack. Your father is many things, but a coward is not one of them. He will defend Camelot with his last breath."
"And then Agravaine, married to my sister..." Arthur couldn't help the bitterness in his voice as he spoke that word.
"Will take the throne, yes. At that point he can safely call in his accomplice and have the griffin destroyed."
"Making him a hero," Arthur spat disgustedly. "All those people that it kills would mean nothing to him."
Leon leaned forward, lowering his voice even though there was nobody close enough to hear. "So do you think he asked his sorcerer to summon this creature? That it's his fault people are dying?"
"It's quite possible," Gaius admitted.
"And if we go up against it we'd stand no chance?"
"Oh, we'd win," Gwaine told him confidently. He tore a small chunk of bread off the piece on his plate and flicked it at Merlin, ignoring the growl from Arthur that provoked. "We've got our own sorcerer."
Arthur tried not to feel angry with Gwaine for his over-familiar attitude towards Arthur's mate. He favoured the knight with an angry glare, but Gwaine just shrugged.
"He's powerful, Arthur. You're all about fighting, but that's the strongest weapon we've got. If you're embracing magic now... and it looks like you are, literally... then take it for what it is. Your omega there's bonded to you. If what you say about your escape is true then that's really powerful magic and it's yours to command. Agravaine's charms don't stand a chance."
"It is yours," Merlin whispered almost shyly. "Totally." Then he added, more confidently, "We should go back before it's too late. You're the rightful heir. You have to be king one day."
Arthur knew it was unlikely they would change his father's mind any time soon, but he hated the idea of leaving Camelot to its fate. "Do you know how to stop the creature?"
Merlin gave him a small, almost embarrassed smile. "No. But I'll find a way."
"What if he goes into heat again?" Leon pointed out. "Gaius had to stop it last time." He looked at the old physician. "Isn't it true that it could flare up again at any time now because of that? What if it happens just as we get back to Camelot and he loses his magic?"
"It's a risk," Gaius agreed. "There's no way of telling what could happen. But from what you've told me," he nodded to Arthur, "in that state Merlin becomes Arthur's to command. Quite frightening, really. In the wrong hands that sort of power could be badly abused."
"Arthur would never abuse it," Merlin put in quickly, and Arthur was touched by how defensive and protective that sounded. "Never."
"Of course not," Gaius continued. "But another might. What if there's another omega magic user out there? What if they were bonded to an alpha with far less scruples than Arthur?"
"Lucky that old Agravaine's a beta," Gwaine grinned. "Otherwise we'd be worried!"
Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Indeed." And then he looked pointedly at Arthur. "We would."
"We've just assumed he's a beta," Arthur said slowly. "It's the impression he gave."
"Your father would be more likely to trust a beta. A beta would appear to be less of a threat. And," Gaius paused, obviously unsure whether to continue with whatever else he wanted to say.
"Say it. Whatever's concerning you. Tell us," Arthur urged.
"He's apparently going to be wed to Morgana."
"Who's no omega," Leon put in. "The lady Morgana could never be anything but an alpha."
"Morgana is many things," Gauis told them. "Including, yes, a very strong alpha. She's also a magic user, though has little idea of this herself as yet." He put up a hand to silence Leon, who had given a gasp of disbelief.
"My sister, a witch... what else are you going to tell me about her?" Arthur sighed. "It's as if I never knew her at all." But he found himself accepting it fairly calmly. Compared to every other revelation that had taken place in the past week, Morgana's apparent magical abilities were quite minor.
"Perhaps you didn't."
"Anyway, she's still an alpha," Gwaine insisted. "He can't control her."
"He can," Merlin whispered. "He will. He does." He gazed at Gaius in horror. "That's what the dragon meant."
"What?" Arthur frowned, puzzled. "What did it say?" He couldn't see how the great destiny Merlin said that the dragon had foretold had anything to do with Morgana. And it certainly didn't have anything to do with Agravaine, other than making sure he was removed from any position of power as soon as possible.
"What dragon?" Leon asked but nobody answered him.
"It suggested that Morgana could, possibly..." Gaius began reluctantly.
"She could be your downfall," Merlin told him. "The witch would be better dead, that was what he said."
"Merlin!" Gaius snapped.
"Well, he did."
"If," Gaius looked to Arthur, but not before giving Merlin one of those looks which had always slightly terrified Arthur as a child. Actually, he thought, that stern, disapprovingly raised eyebrow probably still did. "If she travelled a particular path, took a certain destiny."
"A destiny at Agravaine's side!" Merlin carried on regardless.
"It sounds more like enslavement," Leon pointed out. "If she doesn't want the marriage, and he forces her to use whatever magic she might have... that isn't any sort of destiny and it's not at his side. It's sorcery. The lady Morgana would never turn against Arthur."
"Leon's right." Arthur tried to put aside his annoyance that Merlin hadn't told him this aspect of the dragon's premonitions. They were supposed to be honest with each other, no more secrets. "If we go now, put a stop to Agravaine's plans..." He looked to Percival. "Morgana definitely hasn't consented to the marriage?"
"Not when I left. Lancelot, the man I was travelling with, he was friendly with her maid. Gwen told him the lady hated the idea."
"So we go back, Merlin can kill the griffin, then we stop Agravaine and save Morgana from whatever he's planning for her. Even if she has to leave with us afterwards, it's got to be better than staying there." It was reassuring to see that all his companions were nodding agreement. "We'll leave at first light."
"You're assuming I know how to kill the griffin," Merlin pointed out. "And we don't know what sort of spell he's used on Morgana. There's an omega charm..."
"She's an alpha," Arthur reminded him.
"Sire, the omega charm is for alphas," Gaius told him. "It bends them to another alpha's will. Just as you were able to order Merlin to use his magic, so will Agravaine be able to command Morgana. It has... other, even less palatable uses. Particularly if Morgana is unwilling to be wed."
Leon swore under his breath, and got to his feet. "We should leave right now!"
"Sit down," Arthur told him. "We're all sickened by this, but we have to wait until morning. It's dark, you and Gwaine have been riding all day. We'll travel faster in daylight and after you're rested. And apparently Merlin needs to research a spell to kill the griffin."
"And to break the omega charm, if that's what he's going to be using on Morgana," Gaius agreed. He got up. "Come on, my boy. I won't be going with you, I'll slow you down. So let's not waste time."
Arthur watched a little regretfully as Merlin and Edmund followed Gaius out. He had a feeling he wouldn't see Merlin again until morning.
"There's the king to consider as well," Gwaine pointed out. "He's still under Agravaine's influence."
"Perhaps he has one of those... what was it? Omega charms?" Leon offered, and Gwaine almost choked on his ale. "What?"
"I'd like to see that! Uther Pendragon being... No, actually I wouldn't. Forget I said that, Arthur!"
Arthur had to know, though he was fairly sure that he wasn't going to like the answer. "Being what, Gwaine? You've obviously come across these things. What do they do? It's more than Gaius said, isn't it?"
"It won't be an omega charm on the king," Gwaine assured him. "Someone would notice. Honestly, I've seen those things. He wouldn't be fit to rule."
Arthur wasn't entirely sure his father was fit to rule, given some of the decisions he'd made. "Come on, Gwaine. Even if it hasn't affected my father, Gaius seems to think it's going to be used on Morgana. What, exactly, does it do?"
Gwaine glanced at Leon a little apprehensively. "It simulates an omega heat to make the victim more compliant. It's devastating for an alpha because we're not used to losing control like that. It puts them effectively in heat for days and they just can't help themselves. The king... Arthur, don't even think it because honestly, he can't have used that on the king. I'm not the only knight who grew up outside Camelot's laws. Someone else would have recognised what was happening. It would be too big a risk for Agravaine to take at this stage."
It was also something Arthur really, really didn't want to think about as far as his father was concerned. The consequences for Morgana were bad enough. Ignoring the fact she was apparently his sister, because that was still just too much for him to get his head around, they'd grown up together and even if they weren't exactly friends he wasn't going to let something like that happen to her. And besides, Arthur wasn't one to run from a battle. Camelot was his birthright, and he wasn't going to let anyone take that from him.
"We need to go back," was all he said. "At first light, we ride."
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