Merlin's Choice (Stand Tall 2)

Part Ten: Apple of His Eye

"Ouch, damnit!" Arthur swore as the tip of his chest plate dug into his flank. It was a rather groggy morning, which was never pleasant - for Arthur, or those around him.

"Sorry, sire," muttered the servant who was helping him. The King brushed aside the other man, and fixed it himself.

"I told Merlin he could have a few days off, and then he just vanishes! What kind of respect is that?" he vented in annoyance. There was a quiet knock at the door, and it opened a second later.

"What's this?" Queen Guinevere asked in confusion.

"Merlin's gone," Arthur explained as the replacement servant left them. Gwen smiled to herself, hands on hips.

"You said he could have time off. I don't see why you're objecting," the Queen gave him a look. A look that said he was being his typical, irrational, morning self.

"I would still expect him to stay in Camelot, in case we find any more news of Braith's kidnapping."

"He's left to visit his mother, Arthur. He told me yesterday afternoon. I am sorry that I forgot to tell you."

"He goes to visit her now?" the Pendragon said after a pause of surprise.

"Yes! Merlin hasn't seen or heard from her since we went to protect their town, and that was four years ago now. And besides, a brush with death will make anybody think of their loved ones." She specifically thought of her parents, mostly her father. She was lucky her brother Elyan was made a knight. That way they wouldn't be to far away, being the only family each other had left.

Arthur stood, and pulled his wife into a warm embrace. "Every day makes me think of my loved one," he spoke softly into her hair. Gwen smiled. The King kissed her forehead.

---

The Dane jolted awake, thrashing frantically at the covers she'd wrapped herself in. Once free, she caught her breath. Fear gripped her heart like an icy hand, and her limbs felt light, and twitchy with adrenaline. Where was she? Had Morgana begun to wrap her body for a live funeral? She tumbled out of her blankets and into the mess of hay.

"Finally!" exclaimed a sarcastic voice from below. The Dane Queen looked over the edge of the loft to see Merlin standing in the barn below, a half-eaten apple clutched in his hand. Maybe it was the friendly note in his voice, or the very fact of his presence, but suddenly the panicky hand on Braith's heart let go. She felt normal again, her memory finally catching up with the times. He'd rescued her. They were in Ealdor, the village he was raised in. She was safe.

"What time is it anyway?" she asked, pulling pieces of straw out of her hair.

"Few hours past noon. You slept like a rock," the young man laughed. The Dane smiled, and climbed down ladder, being extremely careful as to avoid getting splinters in her toes. Merlin took another rather noisy bite of the apple, and held the rest out to her. The girl shook her head and pulled a face. He tossed the remains carelessly over his shoulder. "Are you hungry at all?

"Yes, but not for something you've gotten your spit all over," Braith retored with her eyebrows raised in a mocking fashion.

"Right then," the servant said, obviously finding her comment strange. Wasn't that basically what happened when they kissed? Spit? Whatever. The warlock held his hands out in front of him, like he was hiding something inside them. "Æppel," he spoke in the old language, eye flashing gold. The Dane watched him expectantly, and he watched her with mischief. Merlin opened his hands with a flourish and a grin. Braith laughed in shock and wonder. In the palm of his hand was an apple, perfectly red and round. "M'lady," he held it out to her. She lifted it gingerly, a childlike smile plastered to her face. The young queen took a bite, half expecting it to be an illusion, but fruit was crisp, and ever so slightly sweet in her mouth.