Love's Labyrinth

pairing: Mithian/Merlin

Set after an AU 5x13 where Arthur survived.

Summary: They had always had something, but fate kept pulling them apart. It will take the strength of a dragon to bring them together.

Rated: M

Romantic Angst, steamy scenes

Disclaimer: IDOM

AN: Unbeta'ed. This fic was made as part of a fic exchange with ExcaliburMaiden. She wanted some steamy Merthian. I based it off a Merthian drabble I wrote for one of the HoC challenges. I was actually sort of inspired by Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" song and video for this.

(So, although originally posted late last night as one piece, nearly 9k words long...I thought it might be better to separate it into 4 smaller chapters...so for those that have already read the whole thing, and the one review I got, thank you! I'll post a chapter a day over the weekend to give those who like the shorter chapters a chance to read them.)

"I would give up my own kingdom, to be so loved..."

Festivals, all across the land were taking place. The heralds had come from Camelot, Morgana and her army had been defeated at Camlann. For over a week, every good nation sat with baited breath, awaiting news of the king. When it came, it went against the prophecies that had been written eons ago. Arthur survived. Much more than that, he survived because of magic. His servant, it seemed was a powerful sorcerer, and had healed him from the mortal wounds brought on by a traitor during the final hours of the bloody combat.

For all the celebrations throughout the land, there was still a level of anxiety that permeated the very fabric of its existence. Each kingdom began to plan how to handle the various outcomes that would likely fall in the wake of revelations. Would magic be allowed once more across Albion, or would Uther's spirit linger on in his son?

Another herald arrived; Camelot's king had accepted his manservant and the magic that came with him. Smaller kingdoms, that once trembled in fear of Uther's reign, rejoiced and celebrated. Druids held rituals in the open, free once again. From the gleaming white cliffs of Albion's coast on the east to the ports of Caerleon and Nemeth they sang and danced. The Princess of Nemeth smiled gaily. She had a feeling after being taken hostage by the wicked Morgana earlier that year, that the man who eventually defeated her, was more than he appeared. Almost five years had passed since the time she first met him...and after their last encounter, he was never far from her thoughts.

Amidst the festival, in the capital of Nemeth, was a seer. Rodor's own laws for his people did not dissuade the use of magic, but until the verdict came from Camelot, it was not a well-known fact. When Mithian had her brief betrothal to Arthur, one of the worries for the kingdom was that Camelot's laws would become Nemeth's. Something the people were rather uneasy about. After the failed engagement, many of the citizens breathed a sigh of relief. Mithian, however, did not...to be cast aside by the King of Camelot was a slight that would not heal, and she was not the first to have experienced such a sting.

Even before he was crowned, any woman who was slotted for a possible match, and turned away, had yet to marry. Alliances were broken, no treaties were made out of marriage...for all intent and purposes, these women were now cursed, or so the whispers and gossip of the noble ladies proclaimed. The chestnut haired daughter of Rodor was determined to break that curse.

Mithian strode down the cobbled street and found herself in front of the seer's house. Her father had always forbid her from dealing with such nonsense, but he was busy today, and Mithian...nearing her late twenties was feeling rather independent. Glancing around, to ensure she had not been followed, she slipped into the hut.

An elderly woman with a nearly toothless grin sat at a table. The walls and ceiling were hung with drying plants, incense choked the air, a multitude of candles burned, carved with symbols of the old religion. "I have been expecting you, child. Come in and ask me what it is you wish me to see." Her voice croaked.

The princess had one thing on her mind. Would she be able to break that curse? The words that came from her mouth were more political than fanciful. Even though, she wished they could be born from her heart. "I would like to know if I will ever marry."

"Ah you wish to know if you will be with your true love..."

"That is not what I said..."

"Perhaps not with your words, but your heart says differently." The old crone rose and took up a turtle shell from a shelf. Her joints creaked loudly as she returned to her seat and wiped away clutter on the table in front of her. Knotted and speckled hands shook the shell, causing it to rattle loudly. Tipping it over, small bones fell out in front of her. Rheumy gray eyes studied the way they fell with solemnity. She picked up one bone and eyed it gravely.

The old woman cackled, "You are pure and true. A quest I put before you, to find your true love. If your heart is strong enough to see past the atrocities...Creatures of magic are awaiting their return to this land, but without the sun's light to guide their hand, they will become lost in the shadows forever. Go to Gedref, the ancient land tells ancient stories, and will guide to the next step in your journey."

"What does that mean?" Mithian asked, trying to cover her anxiety.

The sound of a crash outside the door turned Mithian's attention away from the crone. When she turned back, she was shocked to see the seat was empty, the candles were burnt out, and the herbs were dusty and covered with cobwebs. Only the single bone remained on the table.

Pulling her cloak around her in fear, Mithian shivered and left the house. Outside, the bright festive day had turned to dusk. Bonfires on the hillsides surrounding the town tempted her with their warmth. The princess paused for a moment to consider the crone's words before turning towards the castle, where she knew her father was waiting for her.

.~~~*~~~.

"I won't let you do it, Arthur."

"You have no choice in the matter, Merlin. The beast was a creature of Morgana's, and it attacked us at Camlann. I can't take the chance that it's out there, ravaging the countryside. Why, is this a big deal to you anyway? Don't you have more important things to be worried about? Like assisting me with rewriting the laws, so that you, and others like you, can be free from persecution?"

They were gathered in the king's solar, Merlin, Gwen, the king's personal knights, Gaius, and Geoffrey, speaking of the changes that would need to be made when they had been sidetracked with a report of a recent sighting.

Merlin sighed. 'One step at a time.' He thought to himself. The now outted warlock may have saved the king's life, but there were still many other secrets he held close to him, including the fact that he was a Dragon Lord.

Arthur had been unconscious when Merlin summoned Kilgharrah to fly them to the lake of Avalon, so if he remembered the flight at all, he had most likely chalked it up to being a dream. With the Sidhe's magic, and a promise of freedom for their kind, Kilgharrah's remaining life was given to the king, so that he might live. Now, the only dragon that remained was Aithusa, and Merlin had not seen the misshapen creature since he commanded the dragon away at Camlann.

He knew he was responsible, at least in part, for the white dragon's state. Kilgharrah had instructed Merlin that dragons were not like other creatures, they grew at their own alarmingly fast rate, and could fend for themselves since hatching. When Merlin saw Aithusa in Ismere, he realized though, that the elderly dragon was wrong. Deep in his soul, he knew he had to find the young beast, but Arthur...for all his steps forward in accepting the things his own father fought against...was still a stubborn prat.

His love for his kingdom obscured his vision. Merlin knew the king's concern was born from that, but he feared the retribution upon himself if he were to admit to being even more than what Arthur thought.

"I need you here, Merlin. I've already sent out knights to attempt to track this creature down. We will get the beast. I mean it's not like it's a dragon or anything." Arthur rolled his eyes and turned away, so he did not see Merlin's shoulders stiffen at his words.

Gaius cast a meaningful glare at his ward. The fact that there was a dragon left and that for the time being Arthur should remain ignorant, was a sentiment they both shared. To the king, it didn't matter what the creature was. If he knew it was a dragon, things could get worse...he held no love for their kind after having witnessed the destruction Kilgharrah had wrought upon the city when Merlin had released him.

Merlin nodded his head and smoothed down one of the sleeves of his new purple tunic Gwen had commissioned for him. "If I may be excused, Sire, I have some other things that need attention at the moment. Including checking on how Gwaine is healing."

Arthur waved his hand dismissively and continued his discussions with Geoffrey and the others about the past laws.

Slipping out of the room, Merlin took a moment to sigh and slouch against the wall. Gwaine was actually healing very well, after being tortured to the brink of death. So much had changed in the past weeks. Arthur had insisted on Merlin becoming his advisor, much like Gaius and Geoffrey had been for his father. This included no longer being Arthur's servant, and instead taking a sort of apprentice position under Geoffrey, as well as continuing his work with Gaius. Other than that, Arthur had told Merlin to never change...and so far Merlin really hadn't. He still offered his advice, unasked, and made fun of his friend and king, and kept his other secrets close.

Pushing away from the wall, Merlin began walking down the familiar corridors of the King's Wing of the Palace. He heard a voice call out from behind him, and turned to see the queen making her way towards him. Stopping, he waited for her to catch up.

"Merlin...You're going after her, aren't you? Despite what Arthur said."

He shook his head, a bright smile on his face, but his eyes were guarded.

"Don't lie to me, Merlin. I know you too well now. I just think there are some things you should know before you do leave." She glanced around the vacant hallway. "I don't remember much of what happened when I was..."

He reached out and brushed her arm with his fingers, suddenly curious. "What is it, Gwen?"

"I do remember something from when the Sarrum was here. Partly, I think, because Arthur and I spoke of it later, when discussing Morgana. Did you know, he held her and the dragon captive for nearly two years in a pit?"

Merlin's breath stopped, and he felt his heart drop. "No...I didn't. Probably, because I was too busy trying not to die, and stopping an assassination."

Gwen nodded sadly, she still felt guilty for having allowed herself to fall prey to Morgana's mind control. Linking her arm through his, she began walking with him towards his new room. "I'll explain what I can, and help you pack. I don't know if you can do anything with your magic, but if anyone can, it's you."

.~~~*~~~.

"I'll only be gone for a couple of weeks, Father." Mithian chuckled at Rodor's latest attempt to dissuade his daughter from leaving. "With all the changes, we need to make our presence known in the kingdom. I will have guards with me, and I will not leave their sight. I swear it."

"Famous last words..." She spoke to herself, thinking about her last conversation with her father. Her dress was torn and muddy, the heel of one boot had broken clean off, and the other was threatening to do the same. Her hair was a mess, and she had used a strip of cloth from the torn hem of her dress to tie it back.

Her party had entered the ancient lands of Gedref, as the seer had instructed. There weren't many villages or towns in this area of the kingdom. They made camp for the night, planning on heading across to the border town of Foxview* near the mountains south of Camelot. A heavy mist shrouded their western view as the sun sank below the horizon.

Mithian had breathed in the air, feeling a sense of wonderment surrounding her that she could not explain. The forest felt so alive. As twilight fell over the camp, she excused herself from her men to attend to her basic needs in private. The rising moon reflected off of something in a small glen, and she was immediately fascinated by the gleaming white of the pristine coat of a unicorn.

Her gloved hand shot to her face, covering her own mouth, frightened that the slightest sound might scare the beautiful beast.

It seemed to sense her presence and raised its head, beautiful golden eyes sparkling through the long white mane. The eyes entranced her and the unicorn nickered softly, almost imploring her to follow.

She felt as giddy as a young maid. All her life, she had dreamed of seeing a unicorn...as many girls did. Casting a cautious glance back towards the camp, she could hear the men speaking in rough words, outside of a lady's presence. Surely, they would not miss her if she stayed out just a little longer.

The unicorn was nearly out of sight, silently walking along a dry stream bed. Mithian took a breath and followed. So enraptured by the creature and the magical feel of the forest, her mind didn't notice just how far or how long she had traveled from her guards. The fog that had encased the western horizon before dusk was lit with an eerie glow, as the moon sank into its depths. Soon after, her world was encased in darkness.

She had lost sight of the magnificent creature, but something in the atmosphere kept her thoughts calm. Mithian began to feel rather sleepy. Normally she was very level headed, and could sense when something wasn't quite right. However, all she felt now was content.

The bed of grass and wildflowers, just off the side of the path seemed very inviting. Soon, the Princess of Nemeth was sound asleep.

She had awakened to find herself surrounded by tall green hedges, covered with wildflowers, along a path she did not recognize. Panicked, Mithian had begun trying to retrace her steps the night before to no avail, and she became more lost inside the maze.

Growing up, she had heard stories about the labyrinth, but she always thought they were just that. Mythical tales, meant to scare children. She hadn't seen the magnificent unicorn since that first night...that was a few days ago.

Every so often, when Mithian would turn a corner, she would catch sight of something white either in front of, or behind her. It was not the unicorn, of that she was certain. She began to try and follow it, calling out to the creature. It started to move faster, ahead of her, and more than once she thought she had lost it, but her well-practiced tracking skills from years of hunting, served Mithian well.

She turned a corner, through a rounded archway and suddenly found herself face to face with what she thought was sure to be her utter demise.

.~~~*~~~.