Chapter Text
Fire and Life
calikocat
Word count: 4730
Disclaimer: Merlin and Hercules the Legendary Journeys don't belong to me. However, Lara is an original character, you might also know her as Lesedi.
A/N: So, I kinda wrote myself into a corner...which put this fic on hold for YEARS. It’s also why all the Ancient Greece stuff had to happen. Once the Ancient Greece stuff was done though I was finally able to alter and finish this fic. Enjoy.
XXX
Lara opened her eyes with a start, not used to feeling arms around her first thing in the morning. She sat up quickly, dislodging the arm over her hip, and looked behind her at the person sharing her bed. Merlin. Ah, right. He didn't go home last night. Hmm.
With a sigh she slipped out of bed, the young man completely unaware and sleeping like the dead. Lara had to wonder how she went from mentor to lover when it came to Merlin. Her good intentions and determination to stay in Camelot and protect the three magicals had gone awry, just a bit.
The past few months had been interesting, training with Morgana and Gwen, mentoring Merlin in magic, and trading sarcastic barbs with Arthur. Lara felt more spirited than she had in years, maybe a century. It was like waking up...coming alive again. So maybe that's why things with Merlin had become sensual.
She dressed quietly with a smile and watched Merlin roll over into the warmth she'd left behind. Yes, being around so much magic and two dragons revitalized her and Merlin was of age so she should feel no guilt. With that, she let it go and reveled in the feelings she had for him, and decided she would enjoy the time that fate allowed them. However, she had a feeling it wouldn't be too long, he was meant for someone else, of that she was certain.
With a lighter heart she started breakfast and set the table for two. It wasn't much, a bit of meat and bread and just a little cheese. Arthur tended to work him hard so a heavy breakfast wasn't a good idea. As if conjured by her thoughts she sensed the prince as he approached her cottage.
Not wanting him to wake Merlin just yet she unlocked the door and stepped out, putting herself right into the prince's personal space. His eyes were wide and his hand was raised to knock on the door. “Good morning, Sire.”
“Uh, yes. Thank you, good morning to you too, Lara.”
“Can I help you with something? Breakfast perhaps?”
“Ah, no. I was looking for Merlin, he's late. He should have been in my chambers serving ME breakfast an hour ago. Gaius said he might be here.”
Lara tried to look apologetic and cast her eyes downward for a second. “That's my fault.”
He raised a brow at her, with just a bit of a smile. “Oh?”
She stepped back and allowed him to peek inside her house and watched with a giggle, and she couldn't believe she just giggled, as Arthur's jaw dropped. “We slept in.”
His jaw shut with a snap and he stepped back. “I see.”
Sensing the change in his demeanor she began to worry. “Sire? Arthur? Are you alright?”
Arthur nodded and cleared his throat. “Tell him he has the morning off, but I want him to find me around noon.” He started to pull away and she put her hand on his arm.
“I'm sorry.”
Finally, he offered her a smile, it was sad, but it was real. “You've nothing to be sorry for Lara. I'm happy for both of you.” With that he walked away and Lara had a moment of clarity.
“Damn.” Arthur cared very deeply for Merlin, something beyond friendship that perhaps he hadn't fully admitted to himself yet. “Double damn.”
xxx
After breakfast she headed to work with Gaius while Merlin scrambled to get his things together to look for Arthur. She'd waited until after he'd finished eating to tell him the prince had been by, and his reaction had almost been comical. Except there was real worry in his eyes, she could see it when he kissed her goodbye. Merlin was in love with Arthur as well. Triple Damn.
When she arrived at Gaius' quarters, he gave her a disapproving look and she closed the door with a sigh. “Get it out of your system Gaius. Tell me how wrong I'm being.”
“Merlin is a boy.”
“Merlin is a young man.” She countered. “He is not a child, and last night was not our first time together.”
“Alright,” He hesitated and took a moment to find his words, “but perhaps if you turned your attentions to someone just a bit older-”
“Gaius the only being in Camelot that is older than me is Kilgharrah. No man even comes close to my age, not even you.” She folded her arms. “Now I once knew of a Giant who decided to raise three harpies with a human woman, but I'm not sure how they made things work. But the old goat down below is like an uncle to me and I'm not inclined to romance him.”
“My apologies.” He blushed a little and cleared his throat, it was adorable. “Do you think Merlin is your soulmate?”
She shook her head, sad. “I don't have a soulmate; I'm not a true dragon after all.”
Gaius flinched, as if he hadn't thought about that, about how lonely she must have been outliving so many dear to her. The friends that were still alive she hadn't seen in years. “I'm sorry.”
Lara nodded and waved her hand, as if trying to sweep the issue away. “Let’s make our rounds, shall we?” They were more subdued in their work that day, but friendly enough. Lara figured in a day or two things would be better between them. She'd been truthful and hid nothing and he would just have to get used to things as they were now.
More than once throughout the morning she heard him mutter out loud to himself, because he too now wondered how a giant and a human had had a relationship. Served him right.
xxx
The rest of her morning was uneventful; she made the rounds with Gaius to treat the sick and the injured. She'd been mostly right; by the time they were done he was treating her as he had before. Despite his grumblings and the puzzle she'd given him. When they were done, she excused herself for a light lunch and then met with Morgana and Gwen for their practice.
She passed Arthur and Merlin in the halls; the encounter was an odd one though. The prince would not look at her, and poor Merlin looked absolutely miserable. Lara wondered if Merlin would tell her what was going on, or if she even needed to guess. Perhaps Arthur was just pouting.
That night she made supper for two and Merlin showed up, only to eat. The poor man was exhausted as he trudged into her cottage and plopped himself in a chair.
“Busy day?”
“Arthur was cross all day and any menial task he could think of I had to do. I have no idea what's wrong with him. I've been late to my chores before, so I don't really think that had much to do with his attitude.”
“Perhaps you should go home early and turn in?”
“You don't mind?” He looked at her grateful, and then blinked in surprise because somehow, he'd eaten all his food. “I must have been starving.”
“Have you eaten since breakfast?”
“No.”
“That could be why.” She handed him her extra bread and finished her own food. He did stay long enough to help her clean up a bit, but he was so tired that she took pity on him. “Go on now Merlin, go home and rest.”
“You're sure?”
She ushered him out the door. “I'm sure. I'll see you tomorrow. Go, sleep.”
Merlin smiled at her softly and leaned down to give her a kiss goodnight. Lara watched him leave with a smile of her own. She could sense Arthur nearby, but didn't look in his direction; there was no need for him to know that she knew he was watching them.
Jealousy was unbecoming of the young prince.
xxx
She waited until late, waited until she was sure Arthur was nowhere near her cottage, before she headed back to the castle. By this time, it was easy getting to Kilgharrah's cavern deep beneath Camelot. The guards were never aware of her as she slipped inside under the cover of darkness.
Lara had no need of a torch as she descended the last stairs to the cave, all the light she needed floated just above and in front of her. The small bundle of flame lit the way down the now familiar path. Once she stepped into the cavern on the ledge, she made more spheres of flame and scattered them about to light up the darkness.
Kilgharrah looked at her from his perch amused. “What news do you bring from above Little One?”
Lara huffed and folded her arms. “I may have interfered in a way I didn't mean to.”
He grinned at her. “Oh?”
“Merlin and I are lovers.”
“Is that all?” Why didn't he seem surprised, at all?
Lara frowned up at him. “It hasn't set well with Arthur...I think...they care for each other deeply. I may have gotten in the way of that.”
“That is quite the predicament.”
“Do I need to kick you again?” She asked in all seriousness.
He laughed, but shifted a bit in case he needed to dodge her. “Do you think they might be soulmates? Is that what you're getting at?”
“Maybe. We have no way of knowing since Nimueh had that spell set up in her home. We can only assume it was to keep dragons from changing.”
“That is true. So, what will you do, Child?”
“I don't know...that's why I came to you.”
Kilgharrah laughed again, a bit of smoke coming from his mouth. “And what would I know, or care, about romance?”
Lara threw up her hands in exasperation. “You're right; I don't know why I bothered. Good night, you old lizard.” She extinguished all but one of her fire bundles, keeping it close to light the way back. His laughter grew louder and just before she ducked into the staircase, she tossed some fire in his direction.
It’s not like it would burn him...but it did sound like it had knocked him off his perch at least. Good. Unhelpful old goat.
xxx
A week went by and since Merlin no longer had to help Gaius, Arthur kept him plenty busy. The young prince's reasoning seemed to be that since Lara was Gaius' new assistant; he could work Merlin into the ground. Really, she was fed up with Arthur's jealousy and was ready to go a round with the young man. Just because he couldn't get his head out of his arse long enough to treat Merlin like a person wasn't her fault.
That morning in particular she wanted to let him sleep in a bit, he'd been so tired the night before he only ate half his supper. However, Merlin wanted to get an early start, so he only grabbed some bread to eat on the way out and kissed her goodbye. As she watched him go, lacking a certain bounce in his step, Lara's anger at Arthur grew. The royal brat was fast getting on her nerves.
She didn't eat herself; breakfast was just unappealing this morning for some reason and put it away for later. Then she was off to help Gaius. When she strode into his quarters, he only handed her a stopped vial. Lara recognized the liquid within.
“Morgana's sleeping drought?”
“If you'd be so kind.”
“I still don't agree with your methods.”
Gaius nodded. “But you haven't done anything for her either.”
She conceded Gaius' point but said, “When her dreams start to trouble her again I will.”
He nodded again and looked at her closely. “Are you feeling well my lady?”
“I skipped breakfast, I'll be fine.”
“Alright, off with you then.”
Lara left with a smile and made her way to the castle; glad she didn't get lost anymore on the way to Morgana's room. She knocked on the door as she always did and Gwen answered in the like. Today however she wasn't smiling. “Good morning, Lara.”
“Morning Gwen, is something wrong?”
“Morgana had a rough night, I think. I'm glad you're here actually; I was going to fetch some fresh water. Would you sit with her a while? Maybe she'll talk to you.”
“Of course.” Lara entered the chamber as Gwen left and closed the door behind her. “Morgana?”
“Good morning, Lara.” Morgana's voice was a bit weaker than normal and Lara walked further into her rooms to find the young woman still in bed. She was paler, dark smudges under her eyes, and she did look a bit rough.
“Guinevere said you weren't feeling well.” Lara sat beside her on the bed, facing her. “Anything I can do?” She produced the vial from her pocket and set it on the table beside them. “Other than deliver medicine from Gaius.”
“No, nothing really helps. Gaius' potions help me to sleep but they don't stop the dreams.”
“Dreams, not nightmares?”
Morgana shook her head. “Just dreams this time.”
“What did you dream?” Lara asked.
“You'll think it’s foolish... and... they’re just dreams.”
Thinking now might be the time she and Gaius had spoken of; Lara took one of Morgana's hands in her own. “Have any of your dreams come true, Morgana?”
Morgana pulled her hand back, nervous now, even a little scared and her eyes cut away. “Don't be ridiculous.”
“It’s nothing to be frightened of. Dreams of the future aren't always set in stone. The ones that do come true, well it’s nice to have a little warning of what may come.” She started to move, as if to stand, and Morgana grabbed her sleeve.
This time their eyes met. “You believe in dreams that come true?”
Again, Lara took Morgana's hand in hers and held her gaze. “People who have dreams that show them the future are called Seers. Sometimes a seer's dreams can give them warning of coming evil or how to avoid it. Those dreams can seem like nightmares. Other dreams can show good things to look forward too. Either way they're nothing to fear.”
“It sounds like magic.” Morgana's laugh had a terrified tone to it.
“Seers are magical. If they're trained, they can cast spells, even do magic on a whim. Some can be very powerful.”
Her hand trembled in Lara's. “This isn't the sort of talk that Uther would allow.”
“Uther isn't in this room.” Lara sighed. “His view on magic is much skewed.”
“Now that's an understatement.” Her smile was at least real, though there was still fear behind it.
“True.” Lara sighed, hating all the damage Uther had done over the years. “Magic is like an object, Morgana; it can be used for good or evil. For example, one of Gaius' books on herbs can help cure the sick with the knowledge on its pages. Or, it can be used to bash someone on the head.”
“I'm not sure Gaius would approve of that.”
“Probably not, unless there was an intruder in his home. Then he might do just that. However, some books can be dangerous no matter what, say a book full of poisons. That's something an assassin might own. Some magic is truly dark and evil. Your dreams though are not evil. You are not evil.”
“You make it sound like I have magic; like, I'm a seer.” Her voice had lowered to a terrified whisper.
“I'm going to trust you with something very important, my own secret.”
“You can trust me, Lara.”
“I know I can.” She looked around the room and saw Morgana's brush on her sitting table. With just a bit of will she made it rise in the air and floated it over to them where she grasped it with her hand and gave it to Morgana.
Morgana stared at her brush, and then at Lara. Her eyes were full of tears about to fall, tears of relief that she was not alone. “You have magic.”
“So do you. Now, tell me about your dreams.”
The tears fell and Morgana wiped them away. “I dreamt that you were going to have a baby.”
Lara blinked in surprise and took her hands back from Morgana's, sitting straighter and thinking about it. Hmm. Then she put her hands on her stomach and concentrated, and felt her eyes widen when she felt a bit of magic inside her that wasn't her own. “Oh...well...looks like you're right.”
xxx
They sat for a while in stunned silence. Morgana was obviously still processing the news that her dream about Lara being with child was true. Lara, for her part, was wondering why she hadn't noticed. Eventually the door opened, making them both jump a little, and Gwen eyed them worriedly.
“My ladies?”
Morgana took Lara's hand again. “I trust Gwen with my life.”
Lara nodded. “Lock the door would you Guinevere? We have something very serious to discuss.”
Gwen nodded and locked the door, putting the pitcher of water she'd brought on the dining table before joining them. She pulled the seat from the dressing table closer to the bed and sat down. “What is it?”
“I have magic, Gwen.”
Gwen paled a little, as if her life had been frightened out of her. “My lady, if the King should hear such nonsense-”
“My dream is going to come true Gwen...Lara is with child.”
Gwen looked at Lara, then down to her stomach. “Truly?”
Lara nodded. “Can I trust you, Gwen?”
“Of course.”
Lara looked at Morgana's brush again, and it floated up in the air, past Gwen and set gently on the dressing table. Her eyes met Gwen's steadily. “I, too, have magic.”
“Oh my. Lara, you and Morgana must be very careful.”
“Yes, we must. You'll keep our secrets? Morgana is going to need my help.”
“How can you help me?” Morgana asked.
Lara reached up to give her cheek a kind pat. “I can show you a trick or two to help calm those pesky premonitions. We can't do away with them because they are a special gift, the ability to glimpse into the future may save your life and those you care about. I can, however, help you clear your mind so you can sleep easier.”
“Can you teach me to do magic? Spells? Have you met another seer?”
“I can, and I have met a seer or two over the years. The first was a woman named Casandra in Greece. I can tell you about her if you think it will help.” Her words made Morgana look ecstatic.
“If you can help Morgana sleep easier, that's enough for me.” Gwen told them. “But Lara, what about your child?”
Lara brought her hands back to her lap and frowned down at her middle. “Actually, I'm a little annoyed that I hadn't noticed, I suppose it’s been so long since I had a child that I forgot what it was like.”
This time it was Gwen who took her hands. “You've had children before?”
“Many times...I don't...”
“Lara?” Morgana asked, putting one hand on her knee.
“I've had many children, and I've outlived them all.”
“They died young?” Gwen asked.
She shook her head. “No Gwen, not all of them. Many grew old and I stayed the same.”
Morgana met her eyes; the sympathy in her gaze was warm. “Lara, how old are you?”
“I'm not sure. I know I've been around more than a thousand years. Memories can run together and blur when you get to be my age...not that many do. Well, more than one would think.”
“A thousand years.” Gwen shook her head, her hands comforting on Lara's. “How long since you had a child?”
“Close to a century I think.”
“No wonder this little one is a surprise to you.” Gwen smiled. “And the father?”
“Oh, that's no surprise, its Merlin of course.”
“Does he know about your magic?” Morgana asked.
“He does.”
Suddenly Morgana's eyes widened a bit, as if she'd thought of something. “Does Merlin have magic?”
“That's not my secret to tell...if you want to know my origins, we can talk about that.”
They nodded in understanding and Gwen asked. “How can you be more than a thousand years old?”
“To tell you that, I need to tell you about dragons-” She stopped suddenly. “Open the door Gwen, Merlin is on his way.”
“How do you know?” Gwen asked, even as she released Lara's hands and stood. “Can you feel him with your magic?”
“Something like that.” They watched as Gwen unlocked the door and a second later Merlin appeared in the doorway, eyes a little wide. “Hello Merlin.”
“Hello.” He entered, curious and a little wary as they watched him stagger inside under the weight of the chain mail he carried. “Here you go Morgana.”
“Did you polish my chain mail?”
“And Gwen's, and Lara's.” He sighed tiredly. “Sorry for holding up your training, Arthur insisted.”
“We aren't training today.” Morgana told him. “I'm a little tired.”
“Oh, well I hope you feel better soon. What have you ladies been up to then?”
Lara grinned at him. “We were talking about magic, seers, and dragons.”
His eyes got wide and he looked a little panicked. “What?”
“And... Merlin...I'm with child.”
His eyes rolled up and he collapsed on the floor. Gwen rushed to him even as she scolded Lara. “You could have eased into that my lady.”
“Just wait for it.” Lara forced her grin away and managed to look concerned and stood just in time for Arthur to peer into the room. “What have you done to Merlin?”
Arthur frowned and looked down at Merlin. “What happened to him?”
“You've worked the poor man into absolute exhaustion. He barely put the chainmail down before he collapsed. By the gods Arthur, if he'd still been carrying them, he'd have been hurt badly, shame on you! I don't know why you're so angry with him, but surely, he doesn't deserve this!”
Arthur looked embarrassed now, like a child caught doing something he shouldn't. Especially as all three women were frowning at him accusingly.
“I'll take him home.”
“Put him to bed properly when you get there.” Lara told him. “Shoes off, feet up, and a decent blanket.”
He nodded. “You have my word.” With that he knelt to take Merlin in his arms and put him carefully over his shoulder. Then he left the room and Gwen shut and locked the door once more, then all three of them burst into laughter.
When they calmed down Gwen poured them each a cup of water and Lara began her tale. She told them about the Great Spell, about her birth, and about the few precious hours she had with her mother. Over Morgana's cold breakfast she told them about the dragons of today, how they could hide in plain sight and not even know they were dragons. Lara told them about Nimueh's spell, and that Arthur himself was an unchanged dragon. She didn't want them to be blindsided in case he changed in front of them.
“Do you think Arthur's soulmate is here in Camelot?” Morgana asked.
“I'm almost sure of it.”
“Will your child be a dragon?”
“No, I would have noticed them sooner if they were.” Then she rolled her eyes. “I'll have to make plans. If Braxus can sense this he'll want to visit.”
“Who is Braxus?” Morgana questioned.
“My little brother...” At their incredulous looks she giggled and started her tales of Greece.
xxx
On her way to Gaius' quarters Lara nearly ran into Arthur, which was odd. Arthur should have been back for a while now. “How is he?”
“Gaius said he's underweight, some sleep and food, and he'll be fine.”
“It’s no wonder.” She was honestly mad at him and she intended to let him know it.
“What is?”
“Why do you think he collapsed, Arthur? You've worked him so hard he passed out.”
“He should have said—something.”
“To you?” Lara asked. “You're the crown prince; you get cross when you don't get your way. You've kept him so busy; he's been too tired to eat properly. He's only had a bit of bread today and last night ate hardly any supper.”
“I didn't realize.”
“A dead servant isn't of any use to you now, is he?”
Arthur looked angry at that. “He's not just a servant...he's...”
“Whatever he is to you, you need to apologize to him when he wakes up. A wise man knows to apologize when he's in the wrong. Don't let your pride hurt those you care about.” She stepped around him and left him there with his thoughts and guilt.
When she got to Gaius' quarters, he wasn't there so she left the empty vial on his work bench and went straight to Merlin's room. He was still unconscious, so she sat beside the bed on a chair before leaning close to give him a poke in the ribs.
He flailed a bit as he woke and stared at her in shock, one word making it passed his lips. “Child?”
“Yes.”
“How?” He asked and she raised a brow at him. Merlin blushed. “I mean. You're... we're...oh...”
Lara reached for the plate of food Gaius had left on the small table and handed it to him. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“That's right. Magic. You were talking to Morgana and Gwen about magic.” His eyes got wide. “And seers.”
“Morgana had a dream about me being with child.” She put a hand to her stomach. “I'd forgotten what it felt like...this baby is going to have its own magic, Merlin.”
“You can tell?”
“I don't know if it’s a boy or girl yet, and I know they're not a dragon, but they have magic.”
“How can you tell?”
“Experience. It’s just been about a century since I had a baby...I don't like watching my children grow old while I don't.”
He reached for her hand. “I'm sorry to put you through that again.”
“I haven't felt this alive in a long time Merlin...it will be an honor to have your baby. I don't mind at all.” Then she grinned. “Besides, some of my great-great-grandchildren are still alive.” His expression was priceless. “You may yet get to meet some of my family and friends.”
A couple of days later Lara and Merlin took Morgana and Gwen on a picnic. Merlin told them about his magic, about all the things he'd been doing in Camelot. He apologized to Gwen for getting her arrested when he tried to help her father when sickness fell upon Camelot at Nimueh's hand. There were hugs, tears and forgiveness; after all he'd saved their lives more than once.
They no longer had any secrets between them. They would get through things together, no matter what the world threw at them. That day though, was one for joy, as Lara took Morgana and Gwen flying for the first time. Morgana enjoyed it more than Gwen, but both agreed it was glorious and would like to do it again. With the endless sky all around them, they felt anything was possible.
XXX
A/N: I hope no one gives me any flack for briefly putting Lara and Merlin together (mostly because she's an OC). Arthur/Merlin is definitely in sight; however, Lara has a lot of descendants and those bloodlines all need their starting points. So, Lara having a baby with Merlin is the start of one bloodline in particular. I drop a clue here and there so you can figure out who is descended from the baby they'll have.