Chapter Text
Whilst preparing for sleep and very likely nightly endeavors to save his fool of a king, as one does, Merlin hears a light knock on the door. He hasn’t a clue who it could be, Gaius is in another town to help with a rapidly spreading disease and no one else visits, so Merlin has no clue what to expect as he clicks open the lock to crack open the door.
Of all sights he could behold, Merlin could not possibly be as flabbergasted as he stands now. Even Arthur venturing down to inform him of a day off would be less absolutely astounding as the little druid boy before him, dressed in a very familiar cloak if only a shade slightly lighter. It takes a moment of careful observation to his face, soft locks of deep brown shadowing eyes of much more depth than before, and features slightly less youthful and much more structured, invaried to the past just enough for Merlin to recognize this dirtied and ragged young lad as none other than Mordred, the druid that has been prophesied to kill Arthur.
Despite knowledge of such prophecy, Merlin does not find it in himself to let this poor boy back into the unforgiving cold of Camelot nights and, cursing his kindness, opens the door to usher him in, checking to make sure no one follows before closing the door and turning to inspect Mordred for any sign of ill intent.
Upon finding none, he inquires,“Why are you here? Are the druids in need of help?”
Mordred only looks at him, taking an unnerving amount of time to determine a response, before tilting his head downward and answering through his mind,“No, there is nothing you can do for my village.”
“What does that mean? Has something happened to them?” Merlin asks frantically.
Mordred opens his mouth to speak a few times before being overcome with an undefined emotion and opting for his most comfortable method of conversing and talks without his mouth,“They came in the night, I think I saw red capes. They killed most of us, the few that fled were injured. In the forest, Chief told me I could not stay, that I was not safe. He told me to find you, Emrys, and give you this.”
Taking from Mordred’s outstretched hand a large rusted coin of sacred silver, Merlin spins this information in his head a few times, analyzing every side of it; red capes means Camelot patrol, the druids couldn’t have meant to ask Emrys to save them if they are all beyond saving, and he must ask Gaius when he returns but he believes this coin to be an artifact of magic, implying an exchange of protection. He cannot ignore this boy’s destiny, but his conscience will not allow him to turn down one of his own, especially with this desperate offering of these peaceful people.
Breathing in deep, Merlin drops to his knees and places his right hand upon Mordred’s shoulder, and says to him through their telepathic bond,“I will not allow any harm to come to you. But, you will not be safe here. A druid within Camelot would be killed on sight. Stay here tonight, but tomorrow I will take you somewhere safe. Okay?”
Now is yet another unnerving pause of Mordred debating his reply, thinking if he should simply accept a bed for the night and leave, or find a way to be allowed to stay as an apprentice to this great wizard. Ultimately it comes to him to let himself of the morrow be the decider and simply nods, accepting Merlin’s hand to be led to a table in the corner, the dirt on his face gently rubbed off with a damp rag and a half loaf of bread stuffed into his hands. It is much more food than he’s had for two days, and as such only manages a few bites before choosing to adjust slowly to normal amounts of food. Merlin accepts this - listening dutifully to the bags under his eyes - and offers Mordred Gaius’s bed as he shouldn’t return until midday tomorrow. Graciously, Mordred nods, and they are finally off to bed.
Some time deep in the night, Merlin is awoken to a sharp crash beyond his slightly ajar door. Lifting his exhausted self from his cozy bed, he staggers through his door and down the steps, sobered from his sleep speedily by the reminder of the boy he’d allowed in earlier in the night. He is quick to recognize the source of the sound; a stool nearby to the bed has fallen, knocked over by sheets being rustled by a frightened little kid.
It appears as though Mordred has had a nightmare by the way he clutches the sheets to his chest, eyes wide and form quaking. Merlin rushes to sit beside him, opening his arms in an offering of comfort and watching Mordred hesitantly accept, falling against his chest and trading the sheets between his fingers for Merlin’s shirt. Absolutely awed by this display of affection, Merlin pets Mordred’s head with whispers of comfort until he’s calm enough to ask what happened.
Conversing still with his mind, Mordred explains much too calmly for someone in his state,“I had a dream, a bad dream. I saw them, my entire village, slaughtered like animals, and I couldn’t- I couldn’t save them. I couldn’t do anything for them except watch. Watch, then run.”
This strikes something within Merlin, a feeling evoked that he knows well and understands now that Mordred knows very similarly. As Merlin holds him tight to his chest he thinks damn the prophecy, this child is still just a child, and Merlin knows he would die for this boy over and over if it kept him from any and all hurt.
At some point, they had fallen asleep, Mordred cradled gently in Merlin’s arms like mother and child, seeking comfort in the alikeness of their respective trauma. They are awoken, however, by a loud cough from within the doorway. Eyes creaking open, Merlin’s ‘good morning’ is a disapproving look of utter confusion upon the face of Gaius, freshly returned from his trip and likely in want of a nap in a familiar bed, unable to have this lovely nap for he has found two grubby sorcerers in his room.
Sensing the oncoming doom as signaled by Gaius’s raising eyebrow, Merlin scrambles - quietly as to not wake the boy still sleeping beside him - to say,“I-I can explain, last night, he-”
Gaius raises a tired hand, lowering his eyebrow slightly as he says,“Let me make breakfast first.” And upon a pleading look from Merlin,“Of course, I’ll make him some too. You can explain after we eat. You’re both skin and bones.”
Over a silent meal of wet and warmed grains - which Merlin made sure to compliment profusely - Gaius's stare does not soften until they have all emptied their bowls and are able to converse. No words must be spoken aloud, but a gesture of inquiry from Gaius sends Merlin scrambling into explanation;
“This is Mordred, a druid I helped escape a while ago. His entire village was wiped out and they sent him to me to protect. Please, let him stay. He doesn’t have anywhere else.”
Gaius sighs as if contemplating before asking of Mordred to wash their bowls that Gaius and Merlin may talk alone. Once Mordred is out of earshot, Gaius begins,“You know he isn’t safe here.”
Ashamed in agreement, Merlin looks down,“I know, I planned to take him away from here to somewhere safer, but I realized something last night. He is prophesied to kill Arthur, so if he stays and I keep an eye on him, that will never happen.”
Hopeful eyes of youth stare into Gaius’s and as he takes his contemplation moment, he is ultimately won by the duty in his young apprentice as he answers,“I supposed I’d get in just as much trouble hosting one sorcerer as I would two. He may stay, but he is your responsibility and yours alone.”
Nodding giddily, Merlin thanks Gaius before making across the room to talk to Mordred, just barely missing the look of foreboding spread over Gaius’s features.