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Chapter Text

Princess Guinevere of Camelot, alongside her brother, Prince Elyan, and their parents, Queen Colette and King Thomas, stood at the steps of Camelot castle together, as a whole family unit. The day promised to be an interesting one, as the royal family was meant to be welcoming the Dragonlord Balinor, alongside his own family; a wife, and their adult children, who were accompanying the man of great renown to the citadel.

From what Guinevere, who went by Gwen to most, knew of the children, a future Dragonlord, and a sorceress, they were supposedly around her age, and were said to be twins. If what she had overheard about them was true, then Balinor was not the only auspicious guest set to enter their kingdom. There were whispers amongst the corridors which had seeped from conversations in council meetings about the power which the dragonlord’s children could wield. Amongst certain people, the two were heralded as a definition of magic for a new age. To say she was a tad nervous to meet the siblings, was an understatement.

“What do you think they’ll be like?” Gwen whispered to Elyan, for probably the third time in a sennight.

She did not have to look upon him to know that Elyan was rolling his eyes. 

“What use is making guesses when they are due to arrive any minute?”

While Gwen did not have a proper answer, she could not help but wonder, still. Elyan, of course, did not share the sentiment, as he had mentioned before. 

Royals their age were not uncommon, and though Balinor did not reign over a single kingdom as a proper monarch would, he was a ruler in that vein of his own right. After all, he was a Dragon lord . That title was more than a fanciful word, and as such, his children were no more nor less than any other royalty they had met, as well. Even so, they were still unlike most that she and her brother had been asked to entertain; they had magic, of a powerful sort. It was enough to encourage all manner of allegations and rumors alike, because what was a castle court without its gossip?

There were mild and fanciful tales told of the family, which were of a good natured sort. However, there had been, of course, the far fetched whispers that swore Balinor, and others like him, would one day rise up and take over Camelot and kingdoms around it. Following the lead of her parents, Gwen dismissed that unfounded theory for the rubbish that it was. The magic that ran in the veins of magic users had been around since time out of mind; why would anyone such as Balinor bother with a coup if he hadn’t done so before?

The sound of horse hooves drew closer, but just as Gwen thought she might catch a glimpse of their anticipated guests, Elyan cursed sharply beside her, which drew her attention to him.

“What is it?”

Her voice was soft, conspiratorial even. 

“Father entrusted the gifts for Balinor’s children with me, but I left them in my chambers. Would you mind fetching them?”

Gwen was taken aback. Her facial features denoted as much, before she said, “You cannot be serious, Elyan. They’re moments from entering the courtyard.”

The gall of him to ask then, of all times. She knew he was hardly thrilled at their newest guests’ imminent arrival. Regardless, it was more than folly for him to have forgotten something the King had entrusted him with until then; Elyan was not known to make mistakes such as that. 

The princess narrowed her eyes as her brother nodded. It was a wonder that neither of their parents had heard them quarrelling to begin with. 

“Please, Gwen. All of the staff have been dismissed for the day, unless they’ll be cooking or serving food.”

Once her brother had pleaded his case once more, she considered allowing him to fall on his arse for once, but she was not that sort of person, nor sister. 

The woman in question sighed, then said, “Alright.”

As Gwen turned around, she was met with her mother, resplendent as ever in a layered light blue dress adorned with intricate embroidery, with ringlets of her dark black hair falling in cascades on either side of her face, bestowing a look upon her that only Queen Colette could. It was hardly the time to be venturing inside yet, but beneath the disapproving gaze, she mumbled something that resembled an appropriate excuse for entering the castle without their guests, and soon Princess Guinevere passed by those assembled to greet Balinor and his family, in favor of entering the tall double doors, once more.

Chapter Text

Gwen had searched for a great length of time before she resigned herself to the fact that either Elyan had tricked her into searching for the unfindable, or she truly was piss poor at recovering the gifts. Whether it was the former or the latter, to not show her face soon would displease their parents, which was not something the Princess of Camelot aimed to do, considering how much she cared for them, and they for her.

Huffing, Gwen stood up and brushed off her dress, after she had been crouched down, searching beneath Elyan's large four poster bed. Once that was through, she made her way to the exit of her brother's chambers, hoping she had not missed much, as it were.

Bustling down the corridor, Gwen hurried along to the Great Hall, where she assumed her parents would be hosting their guests with the limited staff that they had retained for the day's events. So intent was she on not missing out, that while rounding a corner, she found herself colliding with another person, then falling to the floor.

 A voice Gwen did not recognize uttered something rather profane as they stood up and rushed over to her side, before she had fully recovered. The person crouched down near her head and all she saw peering down at her were guileless dark blue eyes.

"I am so sorry. Are you alright?"

Gwen allowed herself to be hauled up by the thin but strong hands that were held out, after they embraced her own when she grasped on, then said, with heat blooming in her cheeks under the intense scrutiny, "I've been better, but I'll survive, thank you."

"Thank the Gods for that."

Gwen cleared her throat, then glanced over to the objects that had been splayed out all over the corridor, and quickly began helping to pick up what she could before a hand reached out and clasped hers again.

"No need to worry. If you're wearing a dress like that, I imagine you have somewhere important to be.”

Her hands stilled, and she snuck a glance at the one who had a hand over hers. For a moment, she felt beside herself, beneath the person’s unfamiliar gaze. While Gwen liked to think she knew everyone in the castle, there was always some new staff member 

Someone else walking down the corridor broke the split second of indecision, and after, as the larger hand was quickly taken off of her own, the person said, “Don't worry yourself over me. I'm prone to these sorts of spills."

Gwen nodded, then handed over the bits she had managed to gather. After, she stood up, slowly. Whoever the person was, they were not wrong about her having somewhere to be. For a single heartbeat though, she had forgotten about that, given what had been occurring. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but somehow this stranger had startled her and entranced her at the same time.

“Good luck, then,” she managed.

After smoothing her dress over, Gwen smiled awkwardly then walked off towards the Great Hall. The corridors were largely vacant, save for a spare knight or guard. Every one tipped their head as the Princess passed, and Gwen acknowledged each with a brief hand wave, so as not to be rude. 

As she drew closer to the Great Hall, the King’s booming voice became distinguishable to her; he was laughing in response to someone. This would be the best time to enter, she presumed. 

When the Princess of Camelot made her entrance into the Great Hall, her eyes were drawn to the head table, of course, and those seated behind it, to her. Immediately, she caught her mother’s gaze, which was warm, but sharp. Gwen knew she would have some explaining to do later. Her eyes quickly panned over Elyan, who happened to have chosen that exact moment to be looking down at his plate, while her father’s smile never faltered.

“Ah, Gwen, there you are,” King Thomas said, as if to announce her presence, in the absence of the callers, who had been dismissed for the day, as well. 

The woman in question bowed appropriately before her parents, before seating herself to Elyan’s right; she was the furthest from their guests, so she could hardly see any of them, as she had avoided full on staring when she entered.

“There were no gifts, were there?” she whispered to Elyan, who was conveniently still avoiding her gaze.

The look he cut her was anything but innocent. 

Irritation welled up in the normally mild mannered Gwen, then she hissed at Elyan. 

“We will discuss this later.”

Elyan made a noncommittal noise that largely went unnoticed by her, as her attention was drawn afterwards to the large double doors, which had opened once more, to reveal the person who she had collided with earlier.

The man appeared bashful as he looked up towards the other end of the table, and once again, her interest was piqued. Was he some sort of servant for their visitors? He had been in plain clothes, after all. 

It was only once her father called across the hall, welcoming him, that she understood; he was Balinor’s son.

Chapter Text

Gwen hadn’t been seated for more than a minute before her mother’s voice rang out, “Now that we are all present, I do believe a change of seating arrangements are in order. Balinor, would one of your children care to give us a hand with that?”

A smaller woman, who easily resembled Balinor’s son with her curly dark hair, stood up, then said, “Leave it to us, your Highness.”

Afterwards, everyone rose from where they sat, and stood aside, to allow for whatever was to take place next. Gwen, at least, was eager to see what would happen. Though she was no stranger to magic, it was mostly used for mundane purposes near her.

So, with great enthusiasm the princess watched as the young sorceress extended her small hands, then made a few motions along with a spell that was unintelligible to Gwen’s ears. It spoke of knowledge, and strength, though; a culture she knew was as inherent to their visitors, as her father’s knowledge of blacksmithing was. 

The long wooden table that had previously been placed before the royals rose into the air and hovered until it moved further into the hall, where Gwen then noticed Balinor’s son stood by his sister. She watched as he for some reason turned to her, winked, then looked away to mutter a spell of his own, and then the siblings were transforming the once straight table into one that became rounder by the second. Soon, it was a circle entirely, made so that there was a place where everyone could see one another. 

Gwen felt her cheeks warm, as she joined her parents and Elyan, in clapping. 

When she glanced at Elyan, he was glaring towards Balinor’s son, and it could only be assumed he had witnessed the brief moment between them. 

Balinor’s children then floated the chairs to the table, and everyone present walked forward, and seated themselves. While Gwen appreciated the chivalry on occasion, she was also capable of sitting in a chair, without the help of her brother or some other wayward knight. Afterwards, Gwen focused on her food, and glanced up occasionally, but attempted not to look too long in any one direction; most especially towards Balinor’s son. 

Soon, Arthur and George entered; they were a few of the castle staff that had not been released for the day, for obvious reasons. 

Plates full of food were placed before the royals, and then both men disappeared. George was no doubt regaling Arthur with the latest joke about brass, which would only make Arthur grind his teeth, but that entertained Gwen endlessly, knowing the former prince was subjected to it. Though he had grown to be one of her friends in more recent years, with his bluster much deflated after her father had led the revolt against Uther that had won the citizens a more generous Kingdom, and their own rights back, there were times when she was grateful that there were those around to keep Arthur humble, still. 

Camelot’s King clearing his throat brought her attention back to the moment at hand. 

Her gaze drifted to Balinor’s family for a moment, where she noticed that she was not the only one allowing her eyes to stray; bright blue ones stared back at her, and she received a smile in return. That was, until his sister nudged him with her elbow, and pointed toward Gwen’s father. 

Knowing it was only proper, Guinevere did the same, too. Embarrassment filled her face though, knowing that Elyan or someone else might have noticed the odd exchange, while something warm fluttered in her stomach. A hopeless romantic, the princess felt a rush of excitement, wondering what that had all been about. Still, she remained looking towards her father, for fear that if she didn’t, she might willingly allow herself to be drawn back towards the impish, but kind blue eyes across the table.

“First, I would like to thank you, Balinor, and your family, as well. We are grateful to be able to welcome each of you here.”

The visiting family raised their glasses in unison, and then, they alongside Gwen’s own family did the same, in turn, out of a mutual respect. 

“Second, I would like to make a toast, to new friends, and the possibility of a stronger friendship between Camelot and those beyond our borders.”

“May it be so,” Balinor said, and his family followed in echoing his words, thereafter.

After the toast, everyone began to eat in earnest, including Gwen, who was quite peckish. 

It was only after all of the food from her plate had been thoroughly eaten, that she glanced up again, to see Arthur and George entering, with pitchers of what was probably mead and water, respectively. The doors to the Hall, however, did not shut. The guards that were posted on either side could be seen, but the Princess also noticed Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival entering the room, before shutting the doors once more. 

Sir Percival came to stand behind Elyan, even going so far as to bend down and place a chaste kiss on his partner’s left cheek. 

Lancelot, however, went over to where Balinor’s son was seated, and immediately the man jumped up and said his name, then the two embraced as if they, too, were long lost lovers, together once again.

A former flame of hers, Lancelot’s presence bothered her so little, given that he had taken up with Arthur more recently, and she had long since stopped pining for him. However, it was interesting to see that he appeared to know at least one of their guests, before she did. Given that he traveled at a whim, subject to her parents’ approval, and his duties as a knight, of course, there was no doubt that they had met at some point while he was away. 

Arthur, who was pouring her some water, muttered beside her, “Well, they seem rather friendly.”

While she and Arthur had become close, Lancelot was a subject they rarely discussed, as it was awkward to remember they had both kissed the same man, albeit at different times. If he were purposely speaking of his own partner to her, then it obviously got under his skin that the Knight was on friendly terms with the young sorcerer.

Before Gwen could respond, the servant huffed and walked away, after having refreshed everyone’s water.

The princess smiled, as she took a sip from her goblet. He could be jealous all he wanted, but Gwen had seen the look in Lancelot’s eyes, and heard the soft tenor of his voice, when he spoke of Arthur. Whoever Balinor’s son was to Lancelot, a threat to his relationship with Arthur was hardly what she expected from him. 

“It was good to see you again, Merlin,” Lancelot said, then bowed towards both King Thomas, and Queen Colette, as well as Balinor and Hunith, before leaving with Sir Percival in tow. 

Merlin, so that was his name. Amidst everything that had happened, Gwen realized she only just heard his name properly, for the first time. Once both of the knights were gone, with the doors shut behind them, Gwen’s mother said, “So, tell us, Merlin, how do you know Sir Lancelot?”

Gwen perked up, as she had wondered much of the same.

Merlin who had only just taken a sip, then set his drink back down, and wiped his face after, to say, “Oh, it was nothing. Just a run in with a griffin, and a minor moment of aid. You know, typical stuff.”

Gwen noticed Merlin’s sister roll her eyes, before she said, “My brother is too humble for his own good. He saved Lancelot with his magic in the nick of time, before he had a chance to die by the griffin’s talon work, so to speak.”

Merlin looked uncomfortable with the praise he was being given, as not only his mother, but also Gwen’s parents, agreed with his sister’s retelling. He gave a strange, albeit fake smile, unlike the one she had received twice earlier. His eyes flicked to her again, and she watched as at that point, his face became flushed, and he looked away once more.

“Thank you,” Merlin stammered.

The conversation devolved shortly after, and then everyone was standing up to leave the Great Hall, in favor of sound rest, after the day that they had all endured.

Chapter Text

While their parents had retired for the evening, Gwen still had energy to spare, despite their busy morning, so she went to Elyan’s chambers, after freshening up a bit. 

Once she had knocked at the door and it swung wide, the first thing from her lips after her brother had ushered her into his own space was, "So, what did you think of them?"

"Well, they're not what I had imagined," Elyan admitted, after he shut the door then walked back over to where he had most likely been seated by the hearth, next to Percival.

In front of their two plush golden chairs was a low mahogany table, which had scattered parchment and scrolls, most likely all sensitive in nature. The Prince sat down on the one to the left of his betrothed, angling his body so that he could see the documents before him, but also so as to continue to speak to Gwen, who had walked over to stand in the empty space just to the left of him and their table.

"Is that why you sent me on a wild goose chase?" Gwen demanded, forming a stern expression in place of the more curious one she had just sported moments before.

Elyan held up his hands in the air, and said, "You've caught me, Gwen. I meant to protect you, if some of the more dangerous claims were true."

She huffed, then responded with, "Well thank you, but I'll have none of that. Save for childhood, I've never needed protection before, and I certainly don't now."

Percival glanced up from the map he was poring over, seated at Elyan's right, and shot a   mischievous, conspiratorial grin in Gwen's direction.

"I'd imagine not, given the number of knights you've felled before."

Elyan shook his head, then said,  "Don't encourage her, love. She'll only be more insistent from now on, regarding such matters."

"Is that so wrong, Elyan? I am more than just my title, you know."

Elyan sat up and reached across the table to give her hands a brief squeeze, before he said sincerely, "You are. However, I am older, which makes it my job to protect you."

His intonation made it seem equal parts placating, and sincere.

Gwen snorted, then rolled her eyes for good measure. 

"Yes, well, as much as you think that warms my heart, it doesn't. You are set to rule one day, but I am not helpless, Elyan. Do not treat me as such."

"Noted."

Elyan then leaned back and whispered something to Percival. Whether intimate or otherwise, Gwen was unaware, as she turned away from them, feeling a sudden sliver of loneliness that threatened to metastasize soon. She had never needed a partner, but sometimes watching the close bond her brother had with Percival made her yearn for something with someone else.

Ever the third wheel as of late, whether it was with Lancelot and Arthur or her brother and his partner, she had grown weary of it. Morgana was the only one with whom she could commiserate with on the matter, that she knew well enough to do so, but unfortunately her friend was out training amongst the High Priestesses at the Isle of the Blessed, and was not due back for some time. 

So, with that in mind, Gwen stood and made for the door. She had no doubt that her brother wished for some space, and although she loved both he and Percy, she had no desire to come between them, and their free time. 

“Goodnight, then.”

Both men wished her well, then she found herself walking towards the castle steps, if only to sit and enjoy the cool night air, before retiring for the evening. When she got there, Gwen realized she was not alone. Of all people, Balinor’s son was leaned up against the wall directly to the right of the entrance, his legs haphazardly spread out before him. 

When she walked out though, he jumped up and mumbled something about needing some fresh air, and so she did the only logical thing, and said, “Sit down, alright. There’s no need to make such a fuss about me.”

It came out a bit more irritated than she had meant to sound, but he seemed chastised enough to do as she bid, and so Gwen sat on the left side of the stairs, and then glanced over at him. 

“What’s it like, being the most powerful sorcerer to ever walk the earth?”

It was quite a forward question, but she was bored, and curious, too. Elyan had no doubt planted some doubts within her, but given the way Merlin had moved around her so far, it was easy to see that he posed no danger towards her. He was far too kind, and awkward for that, if she were being honest.

He pursed his lips, then said, “Lonely.”

For a moment, she digested the brief tidbit she had been given, then was surprised when he asked, “What’s it like, being Camelot’s newest princess?”

She thought for a moment, considering how candid he had been, she opted to be that in return.

“Lovely, but rather lonely, too.”

While she was grateful that her father had led the rebellion that led to Uther’s demise, and their family’s subsequent crowning, there were times where she longed for how close their family had been before it had happened. More often than not, especially when Morgana was away, Gwen found she wasn’t sure what to do with herself, now that she was no longer bound to servitude, and their stations had been changed for the better. Elyan was off being the prince he was born to be, while her parents managed a large amount of Camelot’s affairs, and though she helped them in all of this, they gave her plenty leeway to do as she wished outside of all of that. Sometimes, she would return to their old forge or help out Gaius, too, simply to do something with her hands to take her mind off of the changes she’d endured.

“My father grew up in Camelot, you know. Back then, he wasn’t a dragonlord as he is now, so his mother wanted a stable life for her son, before he would join my grandfather in later years, to train up properly under his tutelage. When he was young, it was a place filled with magic around every corner, and an abundance of kindness between magical folk, and not. He said that after Uther ascended, and Ygraine passed on, that he thought it might never return to its former glory. It is because of your family that it has been, though.”

Gwen, who hadn’t been looking at Merlin before, glanced back up at him to see that he appeared as if he were awestruck, which felt a bit isolating, once again. Frustrated, she said, “That’s all well and good. I am elated that our family could help, but I’ve never stopped being myself, either. Where once nobles looked down on me, now they’re curtseying to me, and it’s all a bit much.”

She stopped, realizing she’d said far too much, then, thinking sod it all, as she asked, “Haven’t you ever felt as if people’s adoration and expectations of you managed to eclipse your own desire to be seen as you are, and not what they wish for you to be, for themself or another cause?”

Merlin exhaled, then nodded, slowly. 

“I apologize. I’ve done to you what others have to me, without even realizing it.”

For the first time in a while, Gwen felt seen in a way she hadn’t been, since before their reign began. The warmth inside her grew, as she then said, “Not to worry. It hasn’t tarnished my estimation of you, yet.”

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“What can I do to make it up to you, then, your highness?”

She tsked.

“Call me Gwen.”

Chapter Text

The following morning, Gwen entered the small dining hall that her parents had designated as off limits to everyone, staff included. Seated at their small family table were Elyan and their parents only. Sir Percival would join them on occasion, but right then, it was solely the four of them, together, once again. 

“There’s Gwen,” her father said, beaming from ear to ear, as she sat down. 

“Goodmorning, Dad, Mum, Elyan,” she said, then began to cover her lap with a cloth, so that she could begin eating. 

The meal was simple, but delicious; there were fruits, cheese, bread, and some meat. It was not too much, but enough for the four of them. After placing a bit of each on her plate, then eating it all too, Gwen glanced up to see her mother scrutinizing her with apparent curiosity, as she took a sip of what her daughter assumed was water, given how early it was in the day. 

“I have it on good authority that you were seen last night, speaking with young Merlin, on the front steps. Anything you would like to share, my dear?”

Put on the spot, Gwen smiled softly, then said, “We were both needing a spot of fresh air. That’s all.”

“I see.”

Queen Colette raised an eyebrow at her in suspicion, but lapsed into silence, as she sat her drink down.

“Was he kind to you, then?” her father asked, his fork suspended in the air, laden with a whole sausage stabbed in the middle.

Gwen nodded, immediately.

Though the meeting yesterday had been cordial, verging on jubilant even, there was still much suspense surrounding their visitors' arrival. One foul word from her against Merlin alone, could cause more than just tension, to say the least. Elyan had made that perfectly clear the night before, regardless of the fact that Gwen could handle herself. 

“That’s good to hear,” her father said, then continued on eating.

The Queen cleared her throat not long after, then said with an air of authority that only a mother could have, “Speaking of our visitors, children, I have a request to bestow upon each of you; would you both entertain Merlin and Freya today? We have urgent matters to discuss with their parents, and it would be easier to start negotiations if it were just the four of us.”

While Gwen had no problem getting to know the siblings better, Elyan was quick to object, or attempt to at least. 

“As crown prince, should I not be there, to bear witness?”

Their mother shook her head to quickly dispel that notion. 

“If anything comes of it, you and your sister will be the first ones to know why we have asked them to travel all this way,” Queen Colette assured her son, as she reached out and briefly squeezed his right hand. 

No stranger to the affection of either of their parents, Elyan nodded, but did not seem to be thrilled about the prospect.

G wen eyed him from where she sat after, and noticed the taut lines that stretched across his face, with his mouth pulled into a grimace. 

This did not seem right to Gwen, and so she chose to speak on it. 

“Elyan, you are just about the friendliest person I know. Why does being near Merlin trouble you so much?”

Her brother gave her a look, then sighed. 

“Do the rumors not bother you at all then?”

Her brother was the crown prince, and set to one day rule an entire kingdom. That knowledge weighed him down, as it no doubt mystified him as well, given when he was born their family were nothing more than paupers. Yet, there they were, bonafide royalty, meant to lead not only their own lives, but an entire country. Of course, his misgivings were amplified, given the scale to which something could go wrong if any of them miscalculated. Still, as she and Merlin had discussed last night, they were still people, too. Something in her gut told her that there was not an inherently malicious bone in Merlin’s whole body. That counted for something, right?

Still, the question did give Gwen pause; she had worried and considered multiple angles before ever laying eyes on Balinor’s family. After being in their presence, her fears had largely been allayed. They seemed to have come in good faith, so why doubt?

“All the powers in the world could not change the fact that who he is as a person would only be implicated if he allowed it. From what I’ve been privy to, he appears to be a kind person.”

Elyan scowled.

“Don’t think I didn’t see the looks between you two. Are you sure that’s not your newfound infatuation talking?”

Irritation flickered within her; Gwen knew she shouldn’t have broached the subject right then, but she had made her bed. 

Her eyes narrowed.  

Before Gwen could make a well thought out, but petty response, their mother broke in and said, “Gwen, you shall be with Freya, for the day. Perhaps you both can commiserate about your brothers, hmm?” 

Her mother gave her a soft, knowing smile, before Gwen returned it. The Queen then looked to her eldest child, and said, “Elyan, you’ll be with Merlin. Regardless of what you do, be kind. Prior judgement based upon rumors is nothing more than folly. Remember that, dear.”

“Yes, mum,” Elyan said, then wiped his face, and stood. 

“You both are representing Camelot, and the new age we aim to build, where prosperity shall exist for all. I trust you two will consider that in all you both do today.”

A sense of pride filled Gwen as she nodded at her mother, before she wiped her face as well, then exited the hall behind her brother.          

Gwen, who had changed into more plain clothes after the morning meal, met Freya on the steps of Camelot castle, where she stood engrossed in conversation with Lancelot, and Arthur. Arthur, who it appeared had been relieved of his duties for the time being, stood near his partner, in close proximity.

The former prince in waiting stood in clothes befitting his station; while they were well maintained, the colors were subdued, and clearly not meant to denote any sort of power. Whatever had happened to the wardrobe of his youth, Gwen could only wonder. There was every chance that her parents had ordered it repurposed in some fashion, as they were not known to waste. Still, remnants of Uther’s reign had largely vanished. His son was one of the few living relics that existed within Camelot still, and even he had changed for the better. 

A nicker caught her attention, and Gwen glanced out into the courtyard to see multiple horses saddled up; her brother meant to take Merlin out for a hunt, it seemed. No wonder Arthur had been given time off; he lived to roam the rolling hills and great expanses within Camelot on horseback at any chance he had. It was a past time from a life no longer his own, after all. 

Sir Leon, who was both hers and Elyan’s oldest friend, alongside Percival, Sir Gwaine, who was a newer edition to the Camelot retinue, as well as Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin, all appeared to have mounts for themselves. 

Freya’s laughter drew Gwen’s attention back over to where she and the couple stood.

Walking forward, she heard Arthur say, “Well this ought to be interesting.”

Afterwards, he acknowledged her with a brief nod, then strode over and mounted a horse at the back of the party. Lancelot drew himself atop one to Arthur’s right, and then the rest of the men joined in doing so all around them. 

At the front, Elyan called out to see if everyone was ready, with Merlin at his left, and Percival at his right. Once everyone agreed, they all took off in waves together. It was only once they were all gone, and the stablehands that had brought the creatures round front disappeared, did Gwen first acknowledge Freya properly.

The young woman in question turned to look at Gwen, who took this as her opening.

“Hello. My name is Gwen.”

The young woman smiled softly in response, then said, “Freya. It’s a pleasure.”

The words seemed genuine.

After the two scrutinized each other for a moment, Gwen asked, “So, what would you like to do today?”

“Anything that keeps me outside, will do, please.”

That, Gwen could manage. 

It had been some time since she’d shot a bow, so she wondered, why not right then? 

“Have you ever done any form of archery before?”

Freya nodded, emphatically. 

“Loads of times, actually. Fa says we should know how to use more than magic, because at any moment, someone could block it, especially in a fight.”

Gwen would just have to take her word for it.

“Alright, well, if you’ll follow me to the armory, I’m sure we can find something fit for both of us.”

The two women loped towards the building in question, and Gwen grabbed for her trusty, well-crafted wooden bow; it had been a gift from a craftsman in the lower town, who had made it just for her after the downfall of the Pendragon reign. He and his family were blessed with common magic, and now could live in peace, after Uther had been dealt with.

After the princess had retrieved all that she would need, she turned to Freya, who was perusing their stock, and asked, “What sort do you prefer, short bow or long bow?”

Freya gave Gwen what could only be a sweet, but mischievous sort of look, then said, “May I try my hand at one of your crossbows?”

Gwen hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not she should allow it, before realizing that casting doubt on Freya’s abilities was unkind, to say the least. Freya was old enough to know if she could handle herself with the weapon in question. Who was Gwen to deny their visitor such a thing? More to the point, if Merlin was anything like Elyan, then he no doubt cast his own worries onto Freya, and shielded her from far more than he needed to. 

Gwen grinned brightly, giggling a bit too, as she tucked an errant curl behind her right ear, then said, “Why not?”

Chapter Text

Elyan had anticipated the hunt being illuminating, perhaps exciting in a way they hadn’t been before, because their party, though small, was traveling with someone who used magic. What quickly became apparent, however, much to his surprise, was that Merlin did not enjoy hunting, in any manner of the word.

The prince did not discover this immediately, because in truth, he was grateful not to be cooped up in the castle, which was stifling to anyone as active as he and Percival. Likewise, the prince knew his friends were itching to go out, as well. Given that he was tasked with escorting a stranger, what better way to do so than take him out on a hunt, right? Well, that is what he had thought earlier that day. However, it became gradually more clear throughout that was not the case.

There were multiple times when Elyan had a clear shot on a deer, or a rabbit, and somehow there was a noise which alerted it to others nearby. At first, given the number of people in their group, he had chalked it up to being unavoidable at certain times, no matter how seasoned they all might be. It wasn’t until Gwaine pointed out that he had a deer in his range, then a distinct, practiced but muffled noise rent the air, and Elyan recognized what was happening; Merlin was alerting the animals to their presence. 

Halfway through the day, with multiple grousing men around them, Elyan called everyone to a halt. Percival then brought himself and his mount closer to converse.

Out of the ear shot of nearly everyone, Elyan said, “I think we should head back. Today seems to be a let down, all around.”

Whether or not Merlin heard him, the man continued to pet his horse, and talk to it, as if he had not. 

Whilst out on the hunt, he had not been unpleasant, otherwise though. Lancelot, Gwaine, and even Leon had seemed to enjoy his company. Elyan was not unkind to him, as his mother had asked, but scaring away any chance at bringing home a bit extra for the cooks to make, did sour the Prince’s opinion of him, if only slightly. 

Of the few younger royals who had visited Camelot since Uther Pendragon’s fall, each of their sons and a few of their daughters had willingly agreed to a hunt, while some even requested it. However, it occurred to Elyan that of the few words he had spoken with Merlin, not a single one had denoted he wished to engage in such an activity. 

“How about we water the horses, and take a break ourselves? If you still feel this way after, then we can do so.”

Percy’s gentle suggestion had Elyan nodding in agreement. Afterwards, the latter dismounted his horse and brought it to the river alongside his partner. All around he could hear the others following suit, but remaining a bit further away from the couple. 

Once Elyan had tied off the reins around a sturdy tree, he turned to Percival, who was scrutinizing him. 

“Something bothering you, love?”

Elyan crossed his arms over his chest.

“Merlin, he’s -”

Percival gave him a knowing look.

“Not what you expected?”

Elyan sighed, then looked away, before he said, “No, not at all.”

“Is that such a bad thing, El?”

Admittedly, no it wasn’t. His sudden interest in the Prince’s sister aside, Merlin seemed of a decent sort. However, for reasons Elyan was still puzzling out, he had caused the hunt to be less than successful. Given that Camelot was thriving, it was not an issue of hunger that worried Elyan, but more so that Merlin had done so at all.

“He’s sabotaged the whole hunt, and I’m not sure what to think.”

“How do you figure that?”

Elyan glanced upward at his partner.

“Surely it did not escape your notice that every time someone had an animal within their sights, he scared it off.”

Percival nodded, then pressed a kiss into Elyan’s forehead. The latter leaned against the tall man’s chest for a brief respite from the world, in an uncharacteristically soft way that some would say is not befitting of a prince to conduct himself out of doors, but he could not give one care about that. 

“To my knowledge, Merlin and his family spend a great amount of time outdoors.”

Elyan nodded. 

He knew that much, at least.

“Yes, but what’s that to do with it?”

Percival peered down at Elyan, then nodded back over to where everyone else was. 

“Allow me to show you something.”

The knight stepped away from the prince then walked safely around the front of the latter’s horse, so as not to put himself within immediate kicking range of the royal stallion, then Elyan followed. 

What he found when his partner led him over to an area closer to Merlin, was the man stood beside the riverbank they had all stopped near, conjuring all manner of delicate insects; amongst them were blue butterflies. He was putting on a show that was easily one of the most beautiful sights that Elyan had ever witnessed with his own eyes. The whole time, he noticed that the sorcerer took great care in the way he stepped; he was conscious of the earth and the roots of the trees near him, as well as things others might overlook. It was the happiest that the prince had seen him since arriving in Camelot.

The obvious had been staring Elyan in the face, and he realized what his mother had meant earlier; his own fears had managed to obscure the truth - Merlin was simply a person, in touch with nature in ways that to Elyan were a bit different, but not unimportant. 

It was at that moment, as he watched Merlin conjure the display, that he realized what a mistake it had been to bring him on the hunt. More to the point, if he wished to know more of Merlin, then he should speak with him directly, instead of making assumptions.

“The day is still young. Perhaps you could lead the rest out further, while I spend a bit of time here with Merlin, if he’d like, that is.”

“Sure, love.”

Elyan smiled, before breaking away from Percival to speak to Merlin.  

The sorcerer’s golden eyes caught him off guard, but almost immediately, Merlin dispelled the illusion he had been weaving. 

After, he affixed Elyan with a neutral gaze.

“Percival has agreed to lead the others elsewhere, so that they might actually hunt today.”

There was not an iota of remorse in the look that he was afforded after. Given the internal revelations Elyan had, he did not allow that to rankle him as he might have earlier. 

Instead, he asked, “What would you like to do, once they have left?”

Merlin considered him for a moment, then came, “How attached to your shield are you?”

Chapter Text

While their children navigated potential new friendships, Queen Colette and King Thomas sat across from Balinor and Hunith in a space far removed from anywhere that any casual person, or even someone amongst the castle staff, might find.

Though the couples had been allies ever since their overthrow of Uther in years past, this was their first face to face meeting since they had left the city and its people to rebuild in the aftermath of what had occurred ten years prior. Even so, Hunith and Colette had maintained a friendship via letters sent back and forth between them over the time in which the former and her family had not been within Camelot.

Queen Colette knew that Balinor had never been one to mince words, and so she was unsurprised when once they were all seated, and the chamber had been proofed so that no others but those within were privy to their conversation, that he looked between her and Thomas, whilst raising an eyebrow, silently demanding answers.

Clearing his throat, Thomas spoke up beside her.

“First, I would like to thank you for coming to Camelot. We understand that this was not easy to do, given each of your histories here.”

Hunith nodded, before Balinor said, "I am a Dragonlord, therefore nomadic in nature. So, it is not often we settle in one place for long, you know. What is it you want with us?"

His voice was firm, and took up much space within the little chamber that they had come to occupy for the matters at hand. It was not unkind, but candid, as well as authoritative. 

Colette glanced at her husband, who nodded, then casually reached out and took her right hand in his left, before she responded, evenly.

“There have been rumors that a King in a neighboring land by the name of Cenred, aims to contest our rule, and all those who would ally themselves with our family.”

Balinor scowled, while Hunith sat up in attention. 

"The only allegiance we have is to our dragons; petty squabbles between kingdoms do not concern us."

Colette looked from Hunith to Balinor, before she said, "He seeks to do more than begin a petty squabble, Balinor. If our sources are correct, then you have a stake in this too, as Cenred has been using a band of rogue magic users to hunt dragons for sport. With how their population has dwindled in past years, is it wise to cast aside this news?”

Balinor glanced briefly at Hunith, then stroked his chin. 

Without further deliberation, Hunith stated with no hesitation, "Alright then, we’re listening."

Elsewhere, Elyan and Merlin were out in a field further away from the castle still, doing what might be classified as somewhat dangerous. With Merlin’s magic though, it was less so. Even then, their current activity was a sight to behold, Merlin had to admit.  

Taking inspiration from his favorite mythical creature, the sorcerer had conjured a bright red dragon with a lifelike form that had the ability to have a rope tied around it, which he had also conjured out of thin air. Someone, somewhere, might be missing it for a while, but he hoped it wouldn’t be anyone who actually needed it anytime soon. 

The Prince of Camelot had been skeptical of his query about his shield at first, but once the dragon was conjured, and the set up was done, he looked positively thrilled. No one could tell Merlin that the young prince did not have a playful streak.

In order to further foster good will between him and Camelot’s Prince, Merlin sat on the shield, and urged the red dragon forward. Soon, he was being pulled throughout the open field they had found. At first, it had started slow, but then he was allowing himself to be swayed around, and all the while, Merlin laughed wildly as he was thrown about. It was a moment of unrestrained fun that he hadn’t been allowed in a while.

He and Freya did their best to enjoy their days. However, given what was expected of each, neither could be seen as acting too unruly, lest others somehow come to think less of  them or their family. Likewise, it was their duty to foster peace amongst magic users, as well as hear out their pleas, while also maintaining the freedoms that in more places than not had been hard won. Not to mention, Merlin was being prepared to take the mantle of the lineage of a future dragonlord. Needless to say, their duties did not leave them much time for things such as these.

Despite the somewhat rocky start the day had begun with, happiness flowed through Merlin, even when he dismounted with somewhat of a shaky flourish, in order to let Elyan do as he had. 

Elyan, who had a wide grin upon his face, and indeed there was mischief in his eyes, came to where Merlin landed and picked up the shield, as the dragon hung above them, waiting to be further directed. 

“When you asked for my shield, this is not at all what I had expected.”

After dusting himself off with a bit of wind direction, Merlin smiled at Elyan in return. 

“Freya and I would do this as children, with old cooking pot lids. It drove our parents mad, but it was a concentrated way to practice our magic, so they eventually allowed it.”

“Can the average magic user do such a thing?”

Merlin shrugged.

“I suppose it’s possible. Our abilities come more naturally to us, but there are others who have managed certain spells we are capable of with much more effort.”

Elyan nodded, seemingly taking in what Merlin had said. 

“Can I give it a go?”

“Yes. I’ll direct the dragon, and you just hold on tight.”

And so it went; Merlin and Elyan took turns, seeing who could maintain their grip on the shield the longest. The former, of course, was fair in the way he moved the dragon. Merlin even went so far as to not use magic to hold himself on, and that gave Elyan a larger advantage, because despite Merlin’s own strength, his stamina without magic was no match for something that rigorous, in comparison to a knight’s.

Eventually, the pair had tired themselves out thoroughly, and as the sun set, Merlin cleared away the dragon, and returned the rope to wherever his magic had pulled it away from. Once that was done, he sat down in a part of the grass that had been pressed down by the repeated runs over it, beside where Elyan had earlier.

“So, I take it you’re not much for being indoors, then?”

Merlin glanced at Elyan, who was watching him carefully. 

“Not at all,” he admitted.

There was silence for a few moments, before Elyan spoke up again. 

“It appears I owe you an apology.”

Merlin, whose eyes had trailed away elsewhere while no one was speaking, found himself looking over at the Prince again. There was a firm set to the man’s mouth, with his arms slung over legs drawn up to his chest, that crossed at his ankles. It was a closed off position, that only became less so, after he sighed, and released the tension by allowing his legs to splay out in front of him, and his arms to go to either side of his chest as he leaned back against them. 

“Before you all arrived, there were rumors about your powers; yours and your sisters, specifically. A Dragonlord, such as your father, is not so much an unknown as you both, who somehow have garnered the attention of nearly everyone around.”

Merlin knew this, as those pesky pieces of gossip followed their family, and sometimes he felt that such things would be to their detriment, someday. 

Still, he listened. 

“I allowed my fear of who you both might be, to impact my judgement of who you both actually are, before I came to know either of you. I should have never done that, and I apologize.”

The conversation with Elyan’s sister aside, this was the most candid another person had ever been with him about something such as that. It was refreshing, to say the least.

“I will not fault you for it, because while it is frustrating to be met with such a reaction more than once, I can imagine that hearing what you might have, both my sister and I can sound quite intimidating.”

Elyan exhaled, heavily. 

Afterwards he nodded, then said, “Thank you.”

A more comfortable silence overtook them, until Elyan broke it a few minutes later.

“Speaking of sisters, I wonder how Gwen and Freya are faring.”

Merlin leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, in an outstretched sort of way, so he could look up at the painted but darkening sky. 

“Probably better than we initially did. Freya was ecstatic to find out you have a sister near her age. That's all I’ve heard from her, for days on end.”

“You too, then?”

Merlin rolled his eyes, and then huffed a laugh after. 

“Yeah. You would think she’d never met another woman her own age.” 

There was a shuffling, and when Merlin glanced over at Elyan, he was propped up against his left elbow, angled toward where the former was laid out on the ground, further in front of him. 

“What’s it like, being nomadic? There was a time when I considered making a run for it from Camelot, before Uther was dethroned.”

That got Merlin’s attention, and so he mimicked Elyan to face him properly, whilst being propped up on his right elbow. 

“Really?”

The prince nodded, slowly.

It appeared to Merlin that there was more to it, but he remained silent, eagerly listening. 

“Yes. I felt that perhaps I did not fit the mold that Camelot had placed me in. From a young age, I was trained as a blacksmith alongside my father, so I knew there were other places I could go, and make a livable wage.”

“What made you decide to stay?”

Elyan looked away from Merlin for a moment, before he said, “I heard my parents furtively whispering one evening, discussing the possibility of overthrowing Uther, and that was all it took. I couldn’t leave them to go through that alone, especially when the venture could have orphaned both Gwen and I. So, I prepared for the worst, but hoped that the best would happen.”

“Now you’re the Prince of Camelot. I would say it went well.”

Elyan exhaled shakily. 

“I suppose, but I never expected that, you know? One minute we’re planning a siege of the castle, and the next, there’s our fellow citizens pushing us to take over.”

Merlin nodded, knowing the weight of being pushed towards something he hardly understood, much less wanted.

“How old were you?”

“Fourteen summers.”

So much duty thrust upon someone, so young. Merlin could certainly relate.

“Wow.”

It had been roughly ten summers since, so they were all relatively quite close in age. 

“I would never trade the outcome for what I thought my life would be, but there are times where,” Elyan paused, glancing at Merlin, “I wish I could tear off, and go somewhere new.”

 He understood, probably better than anyone. 

After all, Uther had been a scourge to all magic kind. He and Freya had not been allowed to partake in what occurred at the citadel, but he as much as the next magic user had been impacted by the outcome, regardless.

Merlin frowned.
 
“Why don’t you? You are not yet king, and we are all at a time of relative peace.”

Elyan had a far off look, which Merlin caught, before the sound of multiple horses and their pounding hooves, entered his ears. Their own horses were close by, grazing, so immediately both men shot up onto their feet, and searched the immediate area to find the group they had been a part of earlier, riding towards them. 

Back at Camelot castle, Gwen was putting away her own bow and arrow, while one of the knights who hadn’t ridden out, Sir Owain, assisted Freya in dealing with the crossbow she had borrowed. 

Hanging her own arrows up against the tacked wall, the Princess exhaled, grateful that the day had been a good one. Though she had briefly wondered whether or not it would be, once out in the field, she and Freya had fallen into stilted, but manageable conversation. It had only gotten better from there, as they bonded over their archery skills at first; which Freya was indeed well versed in. It had only gotten better from there.

Once she had shed her gear, Gwen turned to see Freya waiting by the door of the armory.

“I imagine our brothers are back by now,” the former said, as they stepped out into the rapidly cooling night, whilst the sun descended. 

It was hard to believe they had been outside for so long, given that there was every chance to go indoors and eat a midday meal. 

“Let us hope. Merlin cannot stand to hunt unless there’s a purpose. I can only imagine the grousing he’ll do.”

Gwen’s eyes widened. 

“Was that what you were laughing about earlier with Lancelot and Arthur?”

Freya gave an impish smirk, then nodded quickly, in confirmation. 

“Yes. But, he set himself up for it, after he declined to mention that to your own brother, when asked.”

Gwen felt a laugh bubble up inside of her, as she shook her head.

“Oh no.”

A few moments later, they were at the front steps of the castle, when the sound of horse hooves permeated her thoughts. 

Turning around, Gwen was met not with the sight of her brother, but the Lady Morgana, instead.