Recent Posts

As the druid looked up at Merlin, still slowly regaining his strength, he prayed he could live up to the expectations that the warlock had now set. He would have been truly willing to die in order to avoid the fate of being the King's assassin, especially as Merlin had once seemed to believe there was no way for him to avoid such a fate. But now, it seemed the warlock had, for some reason, changed his mind "I'm sorry... for everything. The warlocks voice spoke, and Mordred blinked up at him, surprise clear in his features. Merlin was... apologising? To him? But why? All the warlock had been trying to do was protect his King; to prevent Mordred's destiny. Mordred managed a small smile, swallowing around the thickness in his throat, before speaking quietly

"There is nothing to forgive, Merlin. You have saved me from a fate, and now I owe you everything."

Too exhausted to reply as the life force drained from him, Mordred looked over at Merlin with tired, age-old eyes and a air of finality about him. The warlock's reaction to what he had done surprised the druid no end; did Merlin not want him dead, after all? Then why the flames? Why the fire, why the threat? Why the hatred? He let Merlin grasp his shoulders, not having the strenth to flinch away even if he had wanted to, managing a tiny, bitter smile, keeping his eyes to the ground. Ridding you of one more doubt. Was his telepathic answer, as the druid's lips began to turn blue from the lack of oxygen.

You would have forever been in doubt, forever feared me, and forever burdened yourself with the task of being my keeper. He argued,, using their telepathic connection alone now; too exhausted to attempt speaking. You may tell your King I took my own life, ashamed of whom I was. he paused, thinking. No. Tell him... tell him what you will. He does not need another reason to hate magic, as I fear he would if he learned why I have done this.

His face was beginning to turn an awful grey-blue as the life drained from him, and Mordred's eyes no longer held the glow to them that echoed his personality. I will not let you die like this. Merlin's words would have earned a snort out of the druid if he had had the strength, but the world was beginning to drift from him; drifting and sliding in and out of focus. Mordred sent a final thought to the warlock, using the last of his strength to do so.

I choose my fate, Merlin.

Mordred no longer knew what game Merlin was playing, as he watched warily as the flames seemed to spread a little further out. For a moment, he had been truly terrified that the warlock was going to sentence him to death by fire. All the good--givings he had had toward Merlin (and not that there had been many - had been ready to fly from his heart, ashe contemplated death. And now...? Now Merlin seemed to be swaying in his decision. As he heard Merlin's words in his head, the druid swallowed, realising what this meant.

What would you ask of me? He asked softly, telepathically. If you wish for my death, then at least make it quick. Afford me the kindness denied to my kind by Uther and his in the past. To compare Merlin to the late King was perhaps a mark too far, but Mordred had nothing to lose anymore. He swallowed his pride, and let his left knee fall to the ground as he moved into a kneel; somewhere between a prayer and submittance, the flames causing his head to pound

Do what you will to me, Emrys.

At last. Mordred's smile concealed itself as finally, some cracks appeared in the armour around Merlin's heart. With a calm expression, he turned back to the warlock, noting the tears that seemed to shimmer in Merlin's eyes, one eyebrow raised a little. "What more would you wish of me, Merlin?" he asked, pausing at the voice inside his head. Why should I stay? What possible reason could you want me here for? He asked in return, his eyes meeting Merlin's.

"You do not want me here." He spoke clearly, a fact rather than a question, his voice flat and unemotional. "You will never accept me." The druid took a step towards Merlin, feeling power crackle deep within himself, glancing over to see the curtains in the hall as they began to move with a sudden viciousness. "Perhaps, Merlin, after all... perhaps the propecies are correct."

I once warned you that I would never forgive you. That I would never forget. I too know of the propecies concerning us, Emrys. I was willing to forsake them, turn fate into fortune for us. Together, we could have helped Albion come about... but you choose to do so alone. Perhaps that is why you fear me. Perhaps you fear that the King is more likely to accept a Knight to be magical rather than a mere manservant like yourself. Mordred's head lifted, and he stared right at Merlin, giving a slow, small smirk. "You were wrong to judge me, Merlin." With that, Mordred closed his eyes, concentrating on the power; natural as blood itself; swept through him, gathering it and suddenly pushing it toward Merlin in a forcefield. You could have changed our destinies, Merlin. This is YOUR doing. he accused, telepathically, as he sent another tidelwave of power at Merlin.

[ooc: Merlin, it is up to you what Mordred's magic does to Merlin ]

Merlin was so, so close to letting him in. In the way he held himself, everything about Merlin suggested as much to the druid. He knew that Merlin was not a cold-hearted person. If he could reach deep enough, and grab hold of the warlock's humanity... just perhaps, the tide might turn. Mordred stepped forward a little, his eyes wide, showing childhood honesty as he met the gaze of the warlock, even as Merlin spoke, speaking of Arthur understanding. "And until that time, what of you, Merlin? Will you stay in the darkness, forever alone? Will you allow yourself to be dismissed and rejected by the very people that you call friends? You and I, Merlin, we coudl help each other. I know how it feels to be alone yet in a room filled wth people. I know how it feels to have to hide what you are, for fear of it being exploited or worse. I alone know how you feel, Merlin." He kept his voice soft, despite the power that was building within him, uncontrollably.

"All I wish for is a chance at normality, Emrys. A chance to be acknowledged but not to be feared. A chance for a friend who understands me. I know you could be that person, if you allowed yourself. If you let go of the stigma you seem to hold against my kind." Mordred took another step forward. "Merlin... Emrys.... please"

Before he could say another word, however, Mordred was blasted back by a force much greater than he had ever anticipated the young warlock capable of producing. As he flew back, eventually landing on the floor a few feet away, the brunette took a moment to catch his breath and collect his thoughts. He would have thrown the prophecies to the wind; he would have happily become the warlock's confident... but Merlin had set the tide, chosen the turn of the wheel against them, and clearly wished for nothing more than Mordred's dimense. Picking himself up off the floor, Mordred took a breath to calm himself, ignoring the power crackling beneath his fingers, as he turned, and looked at Merlin, tears appearing at the corners of his eyes. "I see you will never forgive me for my heratige. Very well then." Closing his mind off completely, the druid sighed softly. "I will be gone from Camelot by morning."

Keeping his head high and proud, Mordred, destined assasin of the King of Camelot, began to walk, the sound of his steps thudding dully in the hall, despite the slight way the nearby curtain still flickered; now a little more pronounced than before. Mordred came to Merlin's side, and raised a hand to the warlock's shoulder. "I wish with all my heart that you could have seen me for who I am, Merlin." The hand slipped from the warlock, and Mordred began to walk toward the large mahogany door.

"You say that, but how can he fufill something by himself when you are always at his side?!" The Druid pointed out, shaking his head. "You must make up your mind, Merlin! But think - think upon how we could change things for the better if we both were reveal ourselves to Arthur! He would see magic for what it truly is - not a source of evil, but a source that can be used for good! You need no longer be the idiot manservant he sees you as!!"

The druid sighed, shaking his head a little as he turned to Merlin. Are you so afraid of your own power, Emrys? he asked, telepathically. Out loud, he said "Merlin... you and I, together, could do great things. We could help your King become what you wish so hard for. We could be by his side, respected for who we truly are, not having to hide or pretend. No masks. No illusions, only truth. Do you not want that?" He was appealing now to the lonliness he knew the warlock must feel, having felt it himself for so many years now. And for Meriln, it almost had to be worse. Working as a manservant under the son of a man who had seen thousands of magic folk murdered for the simple crime of nature that was their power... yes, he could understand why Merlin was terrified. But that did not mean that Merlin was right.

Mordred sighed, stepping forward, until he was a few feet away from Merlin. "I pity you, Merlin."

Set: Daytime, around mid afternoon

Location, weather: The gardens of Camelot. It is sunny, with a cool wind.

The day had started off plesently enough. A quick jaunt on a horse around Camelot; part of the Knight's general work, apparently, to make sure things were going smoothly, and that the people were happy, and then Mordred had decided to go and find Arthur. The King was quickly becoming - not quite a father, they were far too close in age for that, but almost somewhere between an uncle and a brother. And being here, in Camelot, felt... normal. Nice, even. The burdens of Mordred's past hadn't been swept away, but he at least felt as though he somewhat belonged here. The men had all been so kind to him, all apart from Merlin, of course, who seemed to... dislike Mordred... to quite some extreme.

Mordred frowned, upon thinking of the young warlock. He could not deny there was respect there that he held for the boy - for Merlin to be able to work under Arthur and yet keep his secret so well... he had to have intelligence. Mordred half wondered whether the King already knew about his friends powers, but simply had not said anything. After all, he had yet to mention anything of Mordred's past, and the druid was fairly certain that Arthur was aware he was a magic user.

So wrapped up in his thoughts was Mordred, that he barely noticed the small family playing in the gardens until he almost bumped right into the redheaded lady. Quickly stepping back, and making sure he was not abotu to bump into anyone else, the Knight swallowed, suddenly unsure. "My deepest apologies, my Lady!"

Mordred's anger rippled through him like a tidal wave, and his hands shook at his side. So... this was the reason Merlin hated him so? What proof did he have that Mordred held anything but respect for Arthur? There was none! There was no need for him to wish Arthur's death - at his hands or any others! "It was not the KingI wished harm to!" The druid's words left his mouth as he suddenly exploded, his words bouncing off the walls of the Hall, before he could stop them, but there was no remorse in them being spoken. Mordred quickly lowered his voice, his gaze meeting Merlin's unwaveringly "It has never been Arthur."

Mordred's eyes narrowed, and he glared at the warlock hotly. "You are a fine one to talk of death, Merlin. Do you remember, some years back, what you did? Do you remember how you nearly let those... guards murder me?!" His words came out in a vicious hiss, but he didn't care. "I came to Camelot with nothing but good intentions upon you and Arthur - I was even willing to forgive you your past doings; after all, everyone makes mistakes. I assured you that I would protect your secret, Merlin! If I wanted Arthur at my feet, we both know I could have done so long ago." He was ranting, but he no longer cared. Taking a deep breath, the druid boy visably composed himself, raising his head a little.

"So, what would you have of me, Merlin? Do you wish for my death now? For I will not give it to you so easily."