Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

M erlin woke a few short hours later with a raven cawing impertinently in his face. "Whadd you want?" he slurred, dragging a pillow over his head. It pecked gently at his hand, nudging it with its head like a dog looking for a pat. Merlin lifted up a corner of the pillow. "Stop bothering me, or I'm going to put you in a pie."

"Kraw!" it replied before coughing up a red berry onto his chest. As he tried to brush it away, it burst, and Eirianwen's voice echoed around his bedroom.

"Join me for a meal before you leave, Merlin Seren Du, and I'll give you what you need."

Why didn't she just come to the palace? Merlin dragged himself out of bed. The raven hopped impatiently on his covers as he washed and dressed.

"You crap on my bed, bird, and I'll crap on you," Merlin threatened.

"Kraw!" came its angry response.

"That's what you always say." Merlin held out his hand to it, and after it jumped onto his palm, he placed the bird on his shoulder. "Let's go find your mother."

Merlin followed the raven out of the palace and into the streets of the Night Court. It wasn't hard for him to forget that he was inside of a tree; the Court streets had the energy of a city as Unseelie went about their business, pulling down market stalls and hurrying home before they went to sleep for the day. Merlin had decided it best to hunt for Gwyn's temple in the daylight, but it left precious few hours of sleep before they went.

The raven perched itself on a gate made of wood and squawked at him. Merlin touched the smooth handle, and the sense of Eirianwen's magic told him that he had the right place. By the time he walked through the small garden, she was waiting for him at her front door. The raven flew to her shoulder, and she gave it an affectionate kiss on its head before it flew away again. Her hair was pulled back into a messy braid, and she was wearing a men's night robe.

"Good morning, my lady. I didn't realize it was a pajama party," he said, giving her a short bow.

"I refuse to be uncomfortable in my own home," she replied with a strained smile. "Come in, young Merlin."

Unlike the palace that had a distinct unlived-in feel despite its restoration, Eirianwen's mansion was a warm, inviting place. Carpets covered the cool floors, and fires were lit in every room. Books were neatly filed on shelves, and hanging on every wall were paintings of beautiful, alien landscapes.

"Who's the artist?" Merlin asked.

"My mother was before the queen killed her," Eirianwen said, leading him into her kitchen. Breakfast had been laid out on a polished wooden table, and Merlin smiled.

"Here I thought you would be more formal," he said.

"What gave you that impression? You are like me, little wolf. You don't really care about propriety, and I'd like you to be at ease in my house." Eirianwen poured him tea. Despite her words, she looked tired and edgy.

"Nice and comfortable so I let my guard down and spill some secrets?" he asked, sitting down on one of the wooden benches.

"Only if you want to. Are you ready to provoke a death god?"

"I'm always ready to provoke a death god. Bleddyn is more worried about it than I am."

Eirianwen studied him with her violet eyes. "He's your father. From what I can tell, you don't always make that job particularly easy."

"I take after him that way."

Eirianwen's smile was lightning quick before it was gone again, replaced with a frown.

"He can be difficult," was all she said before biting into a fresh roll.

"Is this breakfast about Gwyn or Bleddyn? You seem…upset. Did he do something?"

"No."

"That feels more like a yes to me."

She placed her tea down with a frustrated sigh. "Can I ask you something confidentially?"

"Of course you can. Your secrets are my secrets," Merlin said solemnly.

"Has Bleddyn been a good father to you?"

"He has his moments of being an overprotective git, but on the whole, yes, he's been as good a father as any to this ungracious son. He was lighter hearted when my mother was still alive, but she had a way of bringing it out in him. Rosa is a lot like her in that regard," Merlin said, wondering what she was really asking. He wasn't blind. Something had happened between her and Bleddyn, and she wasn't pleased about it.

"You can see how much he loves Rosa," Eirianwen agreed. "Tell me about your magic, Merlin. It doesn't feel all Unseelie."

Like that, she moved the discussion away from Bleddyn and to conducting an obscure interview about himself. One thing was made abundantly clear—whatever had happened the previous evening had been enough to rattle her cold heart.

Merlin was suddenly hoping he was far away in the Underworld when the brewing argument between his father and this fierce woman came to a head.

Rosa walked out of her rooms to find Bleddyn waiting with breakfast set out on the table. Merlin and Arthur had yet to appear, so she dropped a kiss on the top of his head.

"Morning, Father dearest. You're here early," she said, sitting down beside him.

"I didn't want you to leave without me seeing you off," he said, his green eyes darker than usual.

"Are you okay? You look…worried," Rosa frowned at him. When she had left him at dinner the previous evening, he and Eirianwen looked like they were getting along, but there was an edge to him this morning. Something was definitely wrong.

"Of course I am worried! My children and one who I see as mine are off to the Underworld," Bleddyn said, passing her a basket of bread.

"We will be okay. You know that. Have you seen Eirianwen this morning?"

Bleddyn shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "No. She hasn't entered the palace walls. Why?"

"She was going to give us a map to the temple. I thought she'd come." Rosa raised an eyebrow at him. "Did something happen last night after we left?"

"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with," he replied, his calm, cool mask neutralizing his face.

"Uh huh. Just don't stab each other while we are gone. We need her."

"Who's stabbing?" Arthur mumbled, rubbing his face sleepily.

"Nothing. Here, eat something," Rosa pushed the bread at him. "I'm going to have to put a bomb under Merlin if he doesn't get up soon."

"No need. I've been up for hours," Merlin said, coming through the outer hallway.

"Where have you been?" Bleddyn asked suspiciously.

"I have been having breakfast with the lovely Eirianwen." Merlin waved a scroll at him. "She sent a raven to me this morning, inviting me to dine with her and give me a map to Gwyn's temple. She is formidable , Bleddyn. I can see why you wanted to marry her. If Nimue hadn't ruined me for all other women, I would have a hard run at her myself." He made a delighted groan in the back of his throat as he sat down.

Bleddyn gave him a look that would've set a lesser man on fire. "She wouldn't tolerate your bullshit, Merlin."

"Oh, I don't know. She seemed pretty amenable to my bullshit this morning," he replied, taking a bunch of grapes from the platter in front of him, "and I quote, 'If you live through this expedition, I would love for you to have private lessons with me to explore your deep magic, dear Merlin. There is so much I can teach an unbelievably clever and devilishly handsome magician such as yourself.'"

"Yeah, I'm sure she did," Rosa said, rolling her eyes at him. "Don't listen to him, Bleddyn."

"Why should he care if I have lessons with her?" Merlin said, his face suddenly the picture of innocence.

Arthur shook his head. "You're in a fine shit-stirring mood this morning. Try to focus on the bigger task at hand, Merlin."

"Yes, sire. Here is the map she drew for me." Merlin unrolled the parchment in his hand. The local area surrounding the Night Court was spread out around them. "It should only be half a day's walk from here. We can leave after we eat."

Rosa gave his forearm a pat. "Sorry, Bleddyn. Looks like you are on your own with the generals for the next few days."

"Daesyn and I can handle the generals. We will finalize our attack on the queen's temple and the moving of the marker stones."

"Don't wait for us before you get it done," Merlin said.

"I wasn't planning on it. I know better than to wait for you, boy," Bleddyn replied, his tone undeniably patronizing.

"Good to know. You can talk to Eirianwen about the magic to move the marker stones." Merlin stretched back in his chair. "I showed her how to work it this morning. Her magic is curious. Maybe it's because she has a touch of Seelie in the mix that it tastes sweet, like the first bite of spring in the winter air and as dark as desire…"

Rosa froze as a growl came out of Bleddyn, so feral and threatening that her magic threw up a defensive shield around herself and Arthur.

"Merlin! Shut the fuck up!" she hissed, kicking him hard under the table. Her eyes flickered uncertainly to Bleddyn. Long black claws had sprung out of his hands and were cutting deep furrows into the arms of the chair.

"What? I was only saying?—"

"No, shut up. For God's sake and my own. Bleddyn! It's enough. Keep your Unseelie shit under control. I have enough to worry about without you two at each other all the time." She held up her hand when Merlin opened his mouth. "Seriously, if you say one more word, I will tell Nimue about your behavior."

Merlin shut his mouth, but the smirk remained.

Rosa got up and went to collect her sword, hoping she wouldn't have to use it to get in between the two quarrelsome Unseelie males in the other room. Once they were alone, she was going to give Merlin an earful. What had gotten into him?

"Fucking Vanes," she murmured, picking her bag up off the ground. "I swear, Bal, I don't know how you put up with this shit for so long." She held a hand to her breastbone and pressed against the pain there. She would get Gywn's help, and if Merlin didn't behave himself, she'd let the Lord of the Hunt skin him for a banner.

Her bag had mysteriously been packed during the night, complete with a flint stone, dried fruit, and black bread wrapped in cloth. There were two sets of underwear, black tunics, socks, and trousers that she knew without a doubt would fit her perfectly. It made her wish she could take a brownie or two back to the real world with her.

Rosa took three steadying breaths before stepping back out to the argument that was happening in her dining room. Bleddyn was glaring openly at Merlin, who pretended he didn't notice as he sung a bawdy song in Welsh about the allure of a springtime lass. Arthur looked like he wanted to slide under the table with embarrassment.

"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go," Rosa announced, buckling her sword around her hip.

"Christ, be praised," Arthur said with relief.

Bleddyn rose in one smooth movement and wrapped his arms around Rosa.

"Good luck, little one," he said, his magic lightly touching hers in farewell. "Try to keep Merlin alive, even if he is acting like a brute."

"But what if I really have to murder him? Like in an extreme case or just to make myself feel better?"

Bleddyn kissed her forehead with a smile. "Maybe satisfy yourself with throttling him a little."

Rosa sighed painfully. "Fine, but only because you asked."

"You'd miss me if I were gone," Merlin said, pushing her out of the way so he could give Bleddyn a forced hug. "Don't be mad at me for teasing you, Father. I'm going to the Underworld and will probably piss off a god. You can't be mad at me before a journey like that."

"If that is how you truly feel, stop doing all that you can to aggravate me." Bleddyn gave Merlin's shoulders a hard squeeze. "Don't get yourself killed."

"Ha! If only it were that easy."

"If you make me mourn for you again, Merlin, I will resurrect you so that you live to regret it," Bleddyn said sternly.

"Don't be so dramatic," Merlin replied. "I'll make sure I get Rosa back to you."

"And what about me?" Arthur asked.

"You're on your own. Christ, I've saved you enough over the years."

Arthur pulled a face as they headed for the doors. "Sounds to me like your memory spell hasn't completely worn off."

Bleddyn walked with them out of the palace and through the city. A few curious Unseelie stared at them openly, and Rosa tried to smile pleasantly back at them. It wasn't long after dawn, and thankfully, nearly everyone had gone to their beds, making the streets bare in comparison to when they had first come in.

"So much for being able to sneak out quietly," Merlin said. "Couldn't you have stayed inside, Bleddyn? They're out here to see you after all."

"You'll live," came Bleddyn's calm reply.

Rosa had a not so sneaking suspicion he was doing it on purpose to pay Merlin back for his comments about Eirianwen.

Rosa glanced about, hoping to see her so she could say goodbye, but without any luck. Ever since the night Eirianwen helped get rid of the thorns, Rosa had begun to warm up to her. Being amongst her own people again had helped Eirianwen relax, and seeing the way she interacted with Bleddyn last night had made Rosa like her even more.

Finally clear of the massive tree, Bleddyn pointed them towards a road heading south. "There's your path, children. Follow Eirianwen's map. I'm sure she won't lead you astray."

Rosa gave his hand a squeeze. "We'll be back as soon as we can. I expect you to give the Autumn Queen absolute hell while I'm gone. Make her remember why she used to fear the Seren Du."

"I promise. Be careful of Gwyn. Don't promise him anything you can't deliver on. The fae are literal in their agreements, so try not to jest," he said. "Look after the boys."

"Ha! Maybe. I might just feed Merlin to Dormach and be done with it."

"You can try, Rhosyn," Merlin said. He lit a cigarette and waved at her. "Come on, Bleddyn can look after himself. If he doesn't, I'm sure Eirianwen will."

"Unlikely," Bleddyn said softly under his breath.

When they reached the cover of the forest and out of Bleddyn's eyesight, Rosa turned and punched Merlin hard in the shoulder.

"What was that for?" he complained.

"For being an absolute dick this morning. What has gotten into you?" Rosa demanded.

"I had to be sure."

"Of what? That you're a bastard?" Arthur asked. "Aye, we all know."

"Are you two daft? I wanted to see if Bleddyn had started courting Eirianwen yet. Or if he was interested in it at least. Now we know," Merlin replied, his smile wide.

"I don't see how provoking him to rip your throat out proves anything," Rosa said.

"Oh, my sweet, Rhosyn," he slung an arm about her shoulders, "remind me to explain to you the complexities of faerie mating and courtship one day."

"If it involves decoding Bleddyn's sex life, I'd prefer to remain ignorant," Rosa replied. "I hope you weren't that rude to Eirianwen this morning."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Bleddyn would hesitate before hitting me, but I know she wouldn't."

"If I had a piece of gold for every time Merlin was hit in the face for being an ass, I'd be Midas," Arthur said.

"And if it weren't for me being an ass, you wouldn't have ever been a king."

"An occupation I never wanted and I'm glad to be relieved of now," Arthur countered hotly. "Rosa, your cousin is intolerable at the moment. Can you tell me a story instead?"

Merlin made a sarcastic sound in the back of his throat and rolled his eyes at them.

"What story would you like?" Rosa asked, incapable of turning Arthur down when he fixed his stormy eyes on her.

"You did say you'd tell me what an Outlander is," Arthur said, and Merlin choked on his cigarette smoke as he laughed.

"Listen closely, my king!" Rosa exclaimed, dramatically flicking her middle fingers up at Merlin at the same time. "And I will tell you the legend of the great Scottish hero, Jamie Fraser."

As they walked, Rosa talked. Arthur listened attentively as she rehashed the plot of Outlander , and only interrupted when he was unsure of historical or political events.

Within an hour, the forest around them changed, growing darker and more overgrown with each step. An itching began in between Rosa's shoulder blades, a tingling of tense watchfulness pressing in on her.

"Am I the only one who is feeling a bit?—"

"Yes," Merlin snapped, giving her a meaningful shut up look. "I love these trees. This is by far the most beautiful forest I have seen in the Aos Si. Wouldn't you agree, Rosa?"

"Oh…oh, yes. I'll have to bring our father, King Bleddyn Seren Du back here to admire it," she fumbled, and the tension in the air eased ever so slightly.

What the Hell? She mouthed silently at Merlin.

Later , he replied. He held out the map, tracing a line to a red circle. They weren't too far away, but the closer they got to the temple, the stronger the aura of danger grew.

"It's like it's beaming a big 'Fuck off, you are not welcome here' signal," she whispered.

"This part of the forest belongs to Gwyn and the Hunt," Merlin said, looking around him at the moving shadows. "It's trying to scare people off in order to protect the temple."

"But wouldn't Gwyn want people to find it so they could pay him homage?" Arthur asked.

"He might not want to risk it with the Autumn Queen's soldiers always on a rampage." Merlin pulled a bar of black metal from his pack, and it took a moment for Rosa to recognize it as a torch from the throne room.

"Did you steal that?" she demanded.

"I borrowed it. I wasn't going to be stupid enough to burn the smallest of sticks in this forest." Merlin pulled out his lighter, and a flame sprang to life, chasing the creeping shadows away from them. "Arthur? Do you remember that song you and the lads used to sing before going hunting?"

"Aye, good idea, Merlin." Arthur started to sing in a language that sounded to Rosa's ears like a complicated mixture of Gaelic and Welsh.

"It's a song to get Gwyn's blessing for a hunt," Merlin explained to Rosa before he joined in, his beautiful lilting voice making her heart pound and hair stand on end. Whether Merlin knew it or not, magic poured out through his song. She could feel it reaching out to her. Rosa didn't know the words to the song, but she focused and gently pushed her power out to join him, offering it up to the forest and the god who ruled it.

The trees leaned back from where they had been encroaching around them. In the distance, Rosa spotted a dilapidated structure of stone and wood.

"Look, there it is," she pointed.

"I can't see it," Arthur said, moving behind her so she could see where she was pointing. The building looked organic, roots and tree branches supporting the structure, but it was right in front of them.

"It's there," Rosa insisted. "Can you see it, Merlin?"

He shook his head. "Lead us to it, Rosa. There is a glamour at work here, and for some reason, it chooses only to reveal it to you."

"It's because I'm so pure of heart," she insisted.

"I doubt it," Merlin said. "More like whatever happened with Gwyn when you were a child made it so you could see through his glamour. A dangerous trick to have."

"He doesn't have to know," Rosa said, her stomach doing an odd flipping the closer they stepped to the temple.

Merlin and Arthur followed her off the road and into the trees. Merlin took hold of her back and Arthur grabbed his.

Rosa's ears popped as she stepped into the doorway of the circular structure. Merlin and Arthur stumbled behind her when the magic allowed them through.

"Well done, Rhosyn," Merlin said, lifting his torch. It was a single overgrown room, with faded murals depicting battle scenes covering the walls and at the center of the painting, the Lord of the Dead himself. Rosa reached out and brushed the dust away from the horned helm, and she shuddered with longing and memory.

As the memory took hold of her, she could taste the lightning and salt spray in the air. A huge figure of shadows sat astride a black faerie mount. Rosa could smell forest and earth and metal-tinged ozone coming from them. Dormach, more wolf than dog, sniffed her with a slight growl.

Why have you summoned the great Lord of the Dead? A voice as deep as the earth and as silky as night brushed against her mind.

Merlin grabbed Rosa's shoulders, pulling her back from the wall and out of the memory.

"Focus," he warned, his golden eyes flashing. "That is what we are looking for."

It was covered in cobwebs and ivy, but a large, curved bell hung in an archway. They stepped over the roots and rot covering the paving stones to an old rope.

"Are we just meant to ring it?" Arthur whispered. "No special ritual words or anything."

"That's what Eirianwen said."

Rosa bit her lip and stared at the bell. "Are you sure this is going to be a good idea? I mean it seems very stupid now we are here. Maybe we should just leave Gwyn alone."

"No going back." Merlin reached for the rope. "So now is probably a good time to tell you that Gwyn may have a bounty on my head from a few centuries ago."

"What? Wait!" Both Arthur and Rosa shouted at once.

Merlin laughed maniacally. "Excellent! Let's do it." And he pulled the bell rope as hard as he could.

A deep tolling resounded through the temple, pulsing out into the forest around them in a shock wave.

Rosa gripped Arthur's arm, and the ground shuddered. She screamed as it gave way beneath them, and they tumbled down under the earth. Her hands stopped flailing when she recognized the sensation of a fae portal. It felt like only seconds before the ground spat them out.

"God, I hate you, Merlin," Rosa muttered and risked opening her eyes.

"I got us here, didn't I?" he heaved with rasping laughter.

"I think I have a broken rib," Arthur complained.

They were in a ring of stones, a storm raging over them, pelting the ground with rain and lightning burning fire across the sky. Rosa climbed to her feet, and that was when she saw the sheen of eyes. In the gaps between the tall stones stood fae warriors watching them silently.

"Get your asses up," Rosa whispered tersely. Her hand went to her sword when the warriors parted, clearing a space.

A hulking black hound as tall as she was and solid as a bear, trotted forward, its nose scenting the air as it came towards them. Dormach .

The blood rushed from her head as a huge figure made of shadows rode forward through the darkness, the horns on his helm curved white death. The creeping, alluring dread of his presence touched her as pale silver eyes glowed above a slash of a cruel smile.

"Rosamund Wylt," a voice emanated from the helm, as old and strong as mountains. "You have grown."