63Title: Where Nightmares Come True
Fandom: Merlin
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Dragoon (not a pairing, just in case you wondered), Arthur, and Morgana, mostly. Also some OCs.
Spoilers: Set a little bit after Series Four, so . . .
Warnings: Mild violence in later chapters, and maybe some disturbing descriptions.
Disclaimer: Here's looking at you, BBC.
Beta: DeleaMarie
AN: This chapter answers some questions . . . and raises a few more . . . Enjoy!
Chapter Two: The Scream
Arthur had a lot on his mind. There was a monster attacking his peoples' livelihoods, a sorceress haunting the woods, and, to top it all off, Merlin was in a good mood. Well, that hadn't been so bad, but it was a little bit annoying, since Merlin never seemed to conform to the mood that Arthur wanted him to have. In this case, some appropriate anxiety for what might come in the future would not have gone amiss.
The king shook his head as he shut the door to his chambers and started down the corridor. He was just thinking about heading back and asking Merlin to beg him a sweet roll from the kitchens when something happened that made him stop.
A sound came from his room. Arthur had only heard this exact sound two or three times in his life, but he knew immediately that it was Merlin.
Screaming.
His brain took about one second to overcome sudden panic, and then he was turned around and flying back the way he had come. The door was not an obstacle, not when he was Arthur and frightened for his friend.
Adrenaline made it easy to take in the scene in an instant, and so he did.
Merlin was backed up against the wardrobe, eyes wide and hand clutching for his heart. The laundry lay forgotten on the floor. And before the terrified manservant was-
Arthur's sword seemed to leap into his hand.
-Dragoon the Great.
The old sorcerer turned from his curious, if contemptuous, survey of Merlin to face Arthur. "Ah, there you are," he said, squinting at the king standing frozen before him. "We need to talk."
Arthur stared, and the words of Gaius about how Dragoon was not a dangerous as he seemed flashed through his mind. He took a deep breath, willing himself not to react without thinking first. "Yes," he said, endeavoring for calm (but oh, the sorcerer was standing so close to Merlin, too close, and that made it difficult). "Yes, I do believe you're right."
Dragoon looked surprised at how easily Arthur had acquiesced, and again the king was struck with a feeling of familiarity. "Well then, why don't we arrange a time and place to meet?" Dragoon suggested, his voice deepening. "Midnight tonight, in the Valley of the Fallen Kings sound alright to you?"
Arthur lowered his sword and stared. Alarm bells were going off in his brain; there was something not right about the situation. Something was missing . . . "Why can't we do it here, now?"
Dragoon snorted. "Right, and be stuck full of swords if I so much as sneeze? I don't think so, your most royal majesty. Meet me at the entrance at midnight, alone if you please, or not at all."
Arthur's nostrils flared, and his chin went up. "And why should I give in to your demands?" he countered.
The sorcerer narrowed his eyes. "Well, if that's how you're going to be . . ." Then, quick as a lightning flash, he had grabbed Merlin's arm and dragged him closer. "I'll take this one, as a surety that you'll come."
In that moment, Arthur realized what had been wrong. The whole conversation, Merlin had said nothing, simply stood against the wardrobe in a daze, staring. But he snapped out of it as soon as Dragoon touched him.
"What?" he gasped. "No. Arthur-"
"Merlin!" Arthur cried, stepping forward with fear in his heart, but it was too late: Dragoon the Great's eyes flashed, and with a rushing of mighty winds, warlock and manservant were gone.
Gaius was alone in his chambers when Leon entered, sifting through a pile of strange items. "Sir Leon," the physician said, straightening with a slight wince. "How may I help you?"
"I'm sure you've heard of the creature attacking villages, yes?" When Gaius nodded, the knight continued. "I am riding out this morning with Sirs Brennis, Gwaine, Percival, and Geraint, and I wondered if either you or Merlin would accompany us, to provide medical aid if needed."
Gaius hesitated, surveying the pile of objects before him. Leon, taking a closer look, realized it was things they had taken from the witch's house. Many of her possessions had been destroyed in the fight, but the rest had been taken back to Camelot for Gaius and Geoffrey to categorize.
"I believe you should take Merlin with you, Sir Leon," Gaius replied. "I've been putting this off for too long, and it needs to be done."
"Of course," Leon said, and with a respectful nod of his head, turned to go.
Suddenly, the door of the chamber crashed open, causing Leon's hand to fly to his sword. But it was just Arthur, albeit an Arthur with windswept hair and a slightly mad expression.
"Merlin's been kidnapped!" Arthur cried, skidding to a halt in front of the two men. They both started at the news, and Gaius grabbed the nearest chair and sank into it.
"Who?" was all he could say.
Arthur tried not to sound accusing as he pronounced the name: "Dragoon the Great."
Both knights waited as Gaius took this in. A flurry of emotions flashed across his face: confusion, disbelief, fear, and then confusion again.
"I'm sorry?" he said, frowning. "Could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you correctly."
The plot thickens!
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