Underground

Author's Note: It has been a while since my other two stories for "Merlin", but this tale has been percolating for years. I am glad to finally get it out. It is already completed, and will be posted in five installments, one every three days. I want to thank my beta, mam711, for all her hard work and advice.

Disclaimer: BBC, not me.

Prologue

The young widow Mari knew she had to leave Camelot as soon as possible with her little family. She had heard rumours of secret and safe passage, so she went to see Old Harald to find out what he knew. Not much, he said, but then he told her where to meet someone who could help her. As soon as she left, Old Harald set the wheels in motion.

Late that night, a blue-capped beggar wandered into the bakery and picked up a charred bit of wood. He drew three marks on the outer wall of the oven. Then he left to find a place to sleep under the stars.

The next morning the baker found the three charcoal marks. He rubbed them away and quickly prepared an order to send to a particular house in the lower town. Then he grabbed a tray of sticky buns. When a certain young woman came in to get her daily breakfast bread, he handed her three sticky buns. She thanked him and left, feeling the sudden weight of responsibility - as well as a thrill of excitement.

The young woman ate on her way to the castle. There was a broken flagstone in the courtyard near the stairs, with a smooth patch of dirt where the missing bit of stone should be. With her shoe, she quickly traced three lines in the dirt, and then went into the castle to begin her duties.

When Merlin followed Prince Arthur down those very same steps a candlemark later, he glanced at the broken flagstone out of habit. When he saw the three lines, his heart began to beat faster. He hurried after Arthur, half of his attention on what the prince was saying, and the other half on how he was going to get away at midday. Three people needed to escape from Camelot, and it was up to Merlin to get them on their way―without getting caught!

Chapter I

Merlin practically whistled as he left the castle carrying a large bucket. It was a beautiful day, clear and crisp, and furthermore Arthur had completely bought his excuse for needing a little time off. Sometimes, mused Merlin, the prince was not the brightest candle on the table.

He sobered as he approached the water pump. As he filled his bucket, he scanned the people around him. Sure enough, there was a group of three: a mother with her two young children. She was alternating between looking about nervously and trying to keep the younger child quiet. He was a cute little thing, around two, with dark hair and big brown eyes. The girl appeared to be about six, with similar features. The mother tensed up as Merlin approached them with his pail of water.

"Pardon me," Merlin said. "Do you have any lavender?"

To her credit, the woman didn't falter as she gave the countersign. "No, I prefer roses."

Merlin smiled. "I know where you can see some beautiful roses."

"Indeed?"

He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Do you know the tavern called The Three Bells in the lower town?" At the woman's hesitant nod, he continued. "Go now. Turn left at the street just past the tavern. Soon you will see a beggar wearing a blue cap sitting at a corner. Turn there, and go to the third house on the right. Knock and use the same code words: lavender, roses. The people there will help you." He looked at her encouragingly, and in his normal voice said, "Good day, madam."

Merlin turned and walked away quickly, lugging his full bucket back to the castle. When it began to feel heavy, he reached out just so, his eyes flashed golden, and the pail began floating to the castle all by itself. Merlin held on to the handle just for show. Ahh, much better!

Mari stood for a moment. Go now? She had hoped to take a few keepsakes with her, gather some clothes and food for the children. But that curious boy had said to leave now, so she probably shouldn't return home after all. She shook off a feeling of loss and pulled herself together.

"Come, Alis," she said. "Let's go for another walk."

The little girl followed obediently as Mari bounced Rupert in her arms. They still had such a long way to go. But at least they were going. She sighed in relief and headed for the lower town.

It was getting on towards sunset, and Uther's court was almost finished. There were just two more people to hear from, and Arthur was glad. Today had been a particularly boring court, and he was tired of trying to appear interested in his father's business dealings. All he wanted right now was a hot dinner, served to him by his lazy servant Merlin.

Arthur glanced at Merlin as he thought this, and caught him in a yawn. He scowled at the boy. Would he never learn manners? Forgetting his own boredom, Arthur began to think of a few choice words to say to Merlin as soon as court was over.

He was distracted from his happy musings by the word "sorcerers", and the mood in the room became tense. Arthur began to pay attention to the woman who was speaking to Uther. Her clothes were shabby but clean, and there was an earnestness in her face that made him want to trust her. But what she was saying could not possibly be true!

"I swear it, Your Majesty," continued the woman. "There are rumours about a way for sorcerers to escape from Camelot. And odd things are happening in that house. I've seen strange people go in, and I've heard them ride away again in the wee hours. More strangers went in just today. They're hiding there until they can disappear, I know it! Please, Your Majesty, you've got to do something!"

Uther's face had darkened to a deep shade of purple. "Arthur!" he exploded. "Take your knights to this house and investigate. Arrest the sorcerers and anyone helping them."

"Yes, Father," Arthur replied dutifully. He led the woman aside to get directions to her neighbour's house, then signalled to Sir Leon and left the throne room.

"Gather some torches and three other knights," he ordered Sir Leon. "We'll leave at once. And you," he added, turning to Merlin, "had better have my dinner ready for me when I get back. And it had better still be hot!" Arthur turned on his heel and strode briskly down the corridor, leaving a shaken Merlin behind him.

Merlin didn't know what to do. The directions the woman had given Arthur ― that was exactly the house where he had sent the woman and her two children earlier that day. The whole secret operation was in jeopardy, and several lives were in immediate danger. Merlin knew he should stay away from the house; members of their organisation weren't supposed to interact. But he couldn't just sit idly by while a mother and her children were arrested by the knights. He could never live with himself if he were to see them executed. No, his mind was made up. Merlin was going to go warn them. He started running.