Garrick was taken back to Sythian in a carriage sent from Camelot. Merlin rode behind it despite Arthur's concern for him. They travelled without rest and it was halfway through the next day when they had returned to Sythian.
When Aster heard the commotion coming from the servants in the halls, she went to her bedroom window to peer into the courtyard. She watched the carriage be pulled into the square with Camelot knights at every side and her brother nowhere to be seen. Fear took her in.
She ran out to the halls and straight to the front steps of the castle where Eldon held her back with a heavy heart. The carriage came to a halt and the dread overcame her as she understood what had happened. Eldon held onto her tightly even as she screamed and cried and nobody could say a thing to console her. Merlin could not speak or look away even as the king came into the courtyard. It was Arthur who told King George of his son's passing.
The funeral was nearly silent, not a word being spoken as Garrick's boat drifted out across the vast ocean. The people watched in mourning from the cold cliffs of Eastern Sythian. Merlin swallowed tears and was one of the last to leave. Arthur watched over him even as the sun went down. Neither spoke a word.
Back at the castle, Merlin and the others from Camelot were being allowed rest before journeying back in the morning.
The silence in the castle was nearly deafening. Merlin stood at the window of his room while watching over the square which was alight with flickering candles. The few people who remained this late into the night were watching Garrick's window almost expectantly, like it was all a lie and the man who went down in an embellished boat was not their prince. The longer Merlin was left to himself, the more he was convinced that he was to blame. Garrick died protecting him. If he'd surrendered, that would have been the end of it. Garrick would be alive. Sythian would still have its prince.
The price for Garrick's life would have been his own, however, and while it seemed best for a servant to die in a prince's place, Garrick valued Merlin beyond his status. He also understood that Merlin had a greater purpose than polishing armor and fetching breakfast. Keeping Arthur safe was his duty, his destiny. Day by day it had become less of a chore and more of a gift, even if that gift came with more tedious chores. Merlin knew even now that he wouldn't have been able to leave Camelot completely. He was also realizing he may soon have to do exactly that.
In the castle's throne room, King Alder stood at the far end with his back to the entrance as its doors opened. Prince Arthur entered and the guards promptly drew the doors closed to allow the two royals privacy. George took many slow breaths before he was able to face his guest. Even when he did, Arthur could see the redness of his eyes and cheeks which came with his mourning.
"I am sorry, your majesty." Arthur apologized, his eyes lowered in that moment.
"I appreciate the courtesy but I did not call you in for formal matters." The king replied firmly. The prince lifted his gaze at that, already guessing at what the king wished to discuss. "My son made it aware that he would speak with you about the matters regarding his death. I would like to confirm that you did listen to him."
"I did." Arthur admitted.
"Then he must have known his time would come so soon." George nodded as a way to reassure himself; as if the information would put him at ease, which it did not. "I was told it was his own sword."
Arthur nodded solemnly, again saying "I'm sorry." He could still clearly remember Garrick's words. The requests he made at the campsite echoed in his thoughts.
"This curse is unpredictable." Garrick had said. "I want to believe it's alright now and that we're safe when we're together but this is dark magic. It isn't some mindless spell that does what it's told. It learns. It comes back stronger each time and if it happens again, I don't know that there will be anything left of me to control it…I'm asking you that if that happens…kill me before I hurt him. You must protect him, always."
Of course Arthur hadn't been able to do it. The way things unfolded, so fast and sudden, it was disorienting. That along with the discoveries he made about Merlin left him conflicted.
"He told me you would understand." Arthur told the king who kept a strong face.
"I mourned my son many times in my life." He said. "There were times when I thought he wouldn't make it through the night. As time went on, I started to believe that letting him be at rest would be the only solution. When he did get better, I put that kind of thinking behind me. Now I mourn again." The king finally sat down on the throne. His body had grown heavy under the thought. "I do not hold you accountable, Prince Arthur." He said. "I wish to maintain peace with your kingdom and that was certainly the wish of my son. We will see great things come of our alliance."
"I believe that to be true." Arthur agreed humbly.
"And we will see great things come of your forgiveness."
For a moment, Arthur didn't understand, but again Garrick's voice found him.
"You must protect him, always. No matter what happens or what he's done, you must forgive him. I know what he means to you and I know what he means to this world. He can never be made to leave your side."
Arthur hadn't thought much of those claims. They only sounded like a man's love. Now, however, after all that occurred in that dreadful cave, he knew what both men spoke of.
"I take it that you knew." Arthur said with no particular tone.
"That he is gifted?" the king asked. "Power such as his is incredible and couldn't have been bound to a more worthy soul."
Arthur didn't reply. He was willing to forget all that he'd seen and heard about it.
"I know your father's beliefs," King Alder said and Arthur kept an immovable look about him. "But I also know that every man is his own. When you return to Camelot, I hope you will make the right decision."
Not wanting to give the king any more grief, Arthur didn't come to his father's defense. Instead, the two parted formally and the king left his throne room to retire to his chambers, leaving Prince Arthur alone with his thoughts. Standing in that silent space, he had only one thing on his mind: a promise he had made.
"I know what he means to you and I know what he means to this world. He can never be made to leave your side." Garrick had said.
"I don't understand." Arthur replied rapidly, for he was confused at the time.
"You will, eventually." Garrick assured him. "You must protect him then. You must keep him safe and you must never leave him. Do you promise this?"
"Why do I-"
"Do you promise this!"
"…I do."
Arthur stared somberly at the second tallest throne at the left of the king's. His voice came at barely more than a whisper.
"I promise."
Thank you so much for reading! Follow me to see when The Prince's Promise is published ^u^