A Journey to Heaven

Taking place in an alternate timeline where Morganna kept power after season four of Merlin. The opening note is from a friend names Sasha who had been with them since moment one. Arthur himself narrates the story.

Arthur asked me once why I never bring up Merlin's four words in conversations he can remember. Those four words being “I don't want that.” His refusal to prop himself up over Prince Arthur. My answer is the same as it was the first time: It's his business whether to share that stuff! Come to that, Merlin never has been one for recognition. “Better to serve a good man than to rule with an evil one.” One thing I was able to detect was Arthur's place in this new world. And how he stood with and worked with one of his former knights.

“How do you find your life? The queen inquired.

“It is honest work and a quiet life. I like it well, thank you majesty.

“Is your instructor treating you well?”

“Elyan has much wisdom to share. And he is patient with me, yes.” My head burned behind my eyes, but I tried to remain calm, and respectful.

“Elyan.” Morganna called sweetly. When Elyan had walked up and bowed briefly, she turned to him. “Is your apprentice's work satisfactory?”

“Indeed yes Majesty.” Elyan answered steadily. “He has much to learn but he IS learning. He is an able student and knows his...place. Thank you.”

You are telling me he earns neither knocks or favor from you?” She said with a queer laugh.

“Majesty, any student to the trade needs shaping up. I simply meant he is needing very few lessons and is shaping up quickly.” At those words I dropped my jaw in half-genuine shock. I knew he was probably saying what he thought Morganna wanted to hear. The words stung anyway. “Majesty, if I may, how did you find my last sword?”

“It was well-balanced and clean-cut. Did you work every step of the process yourself?”

“In forming and melding the metal, yes. I used my aides help sharpening and pressing the steel. He might collaborate with me on such work pretty soon. But I wanted to see if...”

“You didn't want to disappoint me by using a novice without telling me about it. I more than understand Elyan. And you are quite correct, he needs to do as much as he can to help you. Perhaps after your next project. I have a sword I need you to make. He can watch to learn, but I need your attention to detail on the etching of it. This ceremonial sword will have a very special job to do.” Morganna tossed Elyan some coins. “Come to the citadel later tonight. I'll fill you in.”

“Yes, majesty.” Elyan said with a bow. Morganna walked away.

A moment later I turned back into the house. I sat on the mattress and sighed. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to be alone. Elyan walked in a few moments later. He looked at me, almost nervously. I waited but he did not speak. “If you have something to say, just say it.” I told him tiredly.

“Can you ever forgive me? I feel like I'm so busy keeping my head down that I forget who I am in my heart. When she speaks I feel like squirming in place or ripping her head off.”

“Elyan...are you saying what I...think you're saying?”

“You are MY prince and my lord sire. The way of the world has changed, my loyalty to you has not. And I cannot think of anything that would change it, EV-ER.”

I couldn't help feeling flustered. This was beyond surprising, and more than a bit humbling. “For your own sake you had better start calling me 'Arthur'.” I said with a smile. “Since you don't want to degrade me and cannot affirm me, simply call me by my name.”

“Very well, thank you...Arthur.”

I smiled as strongly as I could. Apparently Merlin wasn't the only friend I'd ever made who would stand fast with me whatever came. I just hadn't noticed the same devotion in the others before. “Do you know where Gwaine is?”

“Sasha sent him on a mission. He didn't tell me anything else.”

“Wait, Sasha is still around?”

“Arthur, as long as Merlin and Gwaine are around, Sasha will never be far away... And we never told you about that.”

“What do you mean, what happened?”

“Do you remember when Merlin and Gwaine left to rescue Sasha from the red cave?”

“Of course.”

“We heard A-lot about it when we were locked up together. Sasha held Morganna at bay, she put up some kind of...well Morganna couldn't enter our cell and she provided food for us but took very little for herself. Eventually she grew weak, even more unguarded than she usually was. She told Morganna to her face that if either Merlin or Gwaine were in danger she would literally do anything to keep them safe. That she valued the two of them higher than anyone else in Camelot. I have never seen Gwaine as speechless as he was in that moment.”

“If anything could shut him up... I wish I'd been there.”

“She told us that Gwaine gave her her name. I don't understand what she meant.”

“I do. Elyan, when Sasha first came to Camelot, her name was Nikita. She said it meant 'hidden strength'. She had made a deal with my father...well you know all this already but as far as anyone but my father, Gaius and myself were concerned, Nikita died in her cell the day before she was to be executed. She walked away, into the dawn. She said she'd come back once she sorted out who she really was. It was a little more than a year before she returned. And Gwaine had just been banished. When she showed up again, she called herself Sasha. She never explained what it meant. But it must have been a name Gwaine had given her. Suggested for her at least. Anyway after that we met up with Gwaine at least 2 more times, including right before the army of the dead. She was there both times and I had never seen her so...entirely committed to the fight. It makes sense to me she would and does value Gwaine, above almost anyone except Merlin. But it goes beyond that, doesn't it?”

“They are completely devoted to each other, the three of them.” Elyan agreed.

“Nikita...Sasha, she kept quiet around me in the later days. She didn't want to 'mouth off' to me and so she was keeping herself quiet. And when she finally does speak...”

“She speaks with power, with not only conviction but certainty. With a previously...”

“...Hidden strength.”