Discussion of Christian beliefs/Christianity ascribed to specific characters.
Title: Eyes Wide Open
Category: Het (Canon AU)
Characters: Merlin/Freya, Arthur/Guinevere, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Morgana, Gwaine, The Triple Goddess
Ratings/Warnings: T/Discussion of Christian beliefs, Christianity ascribed to specific characters. AU. No Slash. Alter-Ego!Morgana. Possibility of OOC-ness. Whump. BAMF... so far. :3 Oh, and insanity!
Summary: The weight of destiny has never been this heavy for Merlin. Until now. Destiny has been turned on her heel, starting with Morgana and the Book of Magic. Arthur's eyes are opening, fate is closing in, a new enemy has begun to rise, and nothing is what it seems, especially when the Triple Goddess comes into play… and, quite frankly, that is the least of his worries.
Chapter One: A Noble Heritage
Fire.
A form that has no true substance but is capable of influencing everything within its reach. With its nearly supernatural energy, it is unstoppable once it begins its blazing. Such passion, such willpower, is rarely found and highly prized, but in the wrong hands, it will bring about nothing but tragedy.
Air.
Active and forceful, its invisible energy can overpower many with little effort. Despite this, it is, above all, pure: simply a sense of motivation to drive the worthy forward. It is intelligent, helpful, and kind, but in the wrong hands, it will bring about nothing but tragedy.
Water.
That which is integral to life can also be the end of everything. It is unstable and irrational; it changes without warning with devastating consequences. Despite these terrible things…when it chooses to be, it can be nurturing, sensitive, and intuitive. Whichever way this volatile—and vital—being is looked upon, in the wrong hands, it will bring about nothing but tragedy.
Earth.
By far the stablest of all the components of the universe, it represents rigidity and permanence. No matter what happens, no matter what anyone does, it will simply continue to exist. Such constancy is to be commended, certainly, but along with such a thing comes great power. In the wrong hands, it will bring about nothing but tragedy.
One is all, two are two, one is air, one is fire, one is earth and one is water. What will happen when they collide? Will they make peace, and become the Lords and Ladies of Magic? Or will they become enemies?
Who are they?
Arthur Pendragon glared daggers at the book he was looking into. In the library. He could be doing so much more important stuff, like training with his knights, giving Merlin chores, reading about the History of 'Albion' (as he started calling it in his head), learning about magic, reading druid prophecies (they were interesting! Even if some of them were in the Old Religion or Latin, neither of which he was good at), or playing with his daughter (Elizabeth was adorable, especially when she smiled), but no, he was stuck here, learning more about the nobles, his father's nobles.
Why couldn't Merlin do this?
Oh right, he was busy teaching Kay about how to write. Arthur smiled, knowing that he was drifting out but not caring about it. He had been surprised when Gaius had offered Merlin of all people to teach his squire the basics of math, science, history and English, at least.
"Isn't he a peasant himself?"
Gaius looked at him drily. "Yes, but he was taught well. He's an excellent scholar."
"You would know that, wouldn't you Gaius?" Arthur replied, a tad sarcastically. Gaius shot him a reproachful look as he pulled out various tomes.
"Better then you where at any rate."
"Still, Merlin? He's an absolute idiot."
Arthur smiled fondly as he remembered Merlin's rather nasty glare when Gaius had told them their conversation. The warlock (Harry had confirmed it) who still walks with a limp, back then even more so, had rattled off so much Latin ("Fortuna bonae! Ambulo! Laboro, Arthur, I work."), along with math and long complicated words that had made Arthur feel rather befuddled. He agreed to let Merlin teach Kay and the warlock really had looked to smug about it, although Arthur really couldn't blame him… much.
A lot has changed in a year, hasn't it, Arthur?
Oh, shut up.
Arthur pinched his nose, again, and looked back down at the tome that had many lines connecting names. "You just love to make my life difficult, don't you? I could be with Elizabeth, or Guinevere, or even Merlin, if he's not tutoring Kay."
Another thing had happened in that year, other than Elizabeth being born and Kay becoming Arthur's –and Merlin's- squire (Merlin joked that he was both of their apprentice one day, Arthur agreed with that, much to even his own surprise). Merlin's serving duties had become considerably less, him becoming more of an apprentice to Gaius and a tutor to Kay and some of the younger children. Arthur was rather pleased with that new development; he could talk to Merlin as an equal more so then ever before.
In other words, Merlin had become a scholar and the Court Physician's Apprentice, although it wasn't official, yet. None of the younger nobles had dared to try to persuade Arthur from that fact.
In the last three months Arthur had begun to breach the possibility of magic not being evil (to Ron's delight, although Harry couldn't stand the council) and surprisingly it wasn't the older generation that protested that fact, but the younger.
Well, except for Ron, Freya and Hermione of course. Arthur had promoted them (along with Harry and Ginny) to nobility although neither Harry nor Ginny could stand the council. Not that Arthur minded, in fact he kind of suspected that before. Both were too impatient (and spirited) to even sit still for five minutes, let alone listen to the noble's BS.
And so, that was how Harry and Ginny both became knights.
Many of the nobles had protested the idea of Ginny being a knight until she came in with her red hair flowing behind her and sparks flying off of her, literally. That had put an end to their protests.
Merlin had once stated to Arthur that Morgana had been "surprisingly quiet in the last year". That was about six months ago, two or three weeks after Elizabeth had been born. The warlock had been folding clothes at the time and was watching the baby gurgle happily at her father (who had been playing with his fingers) with a smile on his face.
"Arthur?" A strong voice asked and Arthur looked up in surprise before he smiled slightly.
"Did you finish your lessons?" Arthur raised an eyebrow as he nodded frantically. "You sure?"
He smiled sheepishly. "Okay… maybe Merlin didn't dismiss me but its history, Wart, history!"
Arthur rubbed his temples and put his elbows on the table, ignoring the disapproving glare that Geoffrey shot him. "How many times I've got to tell you this, Kay, do not call me that. I don't care if you're turning thirteen soon." Kay crossed his arms and sat in the chair across from him. Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're going to be the death of me," he complained. Kay grinned, instantly uncrossing his arms, knowing that he had won over the king (whose iron will seemed to be not as strong anymore, when confronted with Merlin or Kay. He knew Elizabeth would be next).
Arthur suddenly stood up and began to look at the book titles, before lifting his hand up and pulling one out. Kay tilted his head in confusion as Arthur walked over and placed the book on the table. Kay looked at the king then down at the book, his eyes clouding with confusion as he reached out and opened it.
"What is it?" He asked tilting his head curiously.
"Something that I read a lot when I was younger and Merlin caught me reading multiple times after I met him." He smiled fondly, remembering his friend. "In fact, he was actually the one who got me back into reading it." Arthur chuckled, he had caught Merlin in the library once reading the book, but it wasn't that that caught his attention, it was his expression that was surprisingly full of hope, and maybe a bit of peace, although he wasn't sure. "I wish I never stopped…" Kay frowned and Arthur chuckled. "Read the cover."
Kay bit his lip before looking down at the red bound cover and his eyes widened as he read the golden words. "My father had one of these!" He exclaimed. "It's a Bible!"
"So, you're remembering stuff?" Arthur asked, although it was more of a statement as he tilted his head curiously, watching as Kay's awed eyes took in the red cover and golden letters.
Kay frowned slightly. "Maybe," he admitted, running his hand over the spine. "But it's frustrating… at times it seems like my memory is coming back fully but then everything just slips, like water running through your hands."
Wisdom, indeed Arthur.
Why do I have to stick with you again?
"I guess I'm glad I haven't lost my memory." Arthur said with a smile and Kay returned it.
"You don't strike me as a Christian, sire. No offense." Kay said tilting his head but there was a faint smile on his lips.
Arthur chuckled and stretched. "I'm not exactly sure if I am or am not, Kay. I know Lancelot is though, and Merlin."
Kay tilted his head, confusion seeping into his eyes. "Merlin? I understand Lancelot, but isn't Merlin a… well, you know?"
Arthur paused and frowned deeply, that had been something that he had wondered for a while. "Christians have been persecuted a lot, apparently their lord was crucified. But, their God is a much more… merciful one. I think Merlin believes in Christianity because it gives him hope, and the Old Religion hasn't been very kind to him either."
I agree with you on that, the Triple Goddess is nasty. I think she might have influenced some of those Jews…
Aren't you her, technically? And not all Jews are bad, are they?
Nope. I'm not her, I'm much more ancient. And no, not all of them are. They're just misunderstood. Greatly.
Kay tilted his head, his eyes becoming thoughtful and Arthur smiled warmly. "…maybe I could go talk to one of them?" Kay asked, slightly hesitant but his gaze serious.
Arthur nodded his smile widening as he opened a page on the Bible. Kay looked at it curiously. "Yes," he nodded. "But, do Merlin first, Lancelot will just ramble on about it and you'll never get what he's saying. Merlin's gentler in that respect surprisingly."
Kay's eyebrows shot up. "Lancelot? Why does this say...? Genesis?" He added, looking at the Bible.
"It's a book," Arthur explained. "And yes, Lancelot." He rolled his eyes.
Kay smiled then began to read it out loud. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the Earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw that the light was good…" Kay's voice began to fade in and out of Arthur's ears as the young king sat back and relaxed, letting his voice drift, soothing him and a small smile stretched across his face. He really was getting better at reading.
I should go to Merlin sometime and learn more… I already know the scripture but how do you believe in something that you can't see?
"…Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark…" Kay's voice suddenly brought Arthur back into reality and the king jumped up.
"That's it!" He shouted in realization. Kay blinked owlishly at Arthur and tilted his head. Geoffrey appeared and glared at the king who smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"What's it?"
"Kay, what was your father's name?" Arthur asked, looking at him urgently and he grabbed the book of nobles.
"My father…? Ector, I think. Or it might have been Hector…"
Arthur paled drastically and he began to flip through the pages. "No… not that… E… house of…" Suddenly he stopped and stared. "Right. Found him. Ectorius Ector… was that-Kay? Are you alright?"
Kay had paled drastically. His blue eyes were wide and the freckles sprinkled across his face were very visible. "That's…"
Arthur gulped. "So, that's him?" Kay merely nodded and Arthur interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on them. "I… he was… I was his squire." Arthur whispered.
Kay blinked. "What?" he asked. "You mean… you knew my father, he squired you and now you're squiring me?"
Arthur smiled wryly. "Looks that way."
Arthur watched as Kay's fists clenched his expression, not exactly angry, but confused and bewildered and maybe a bit betrayed, although, Arthur noted in mild surprise, there was a bit of hope in his eyes. "I… I need to think about this." Kay whispered, almost brokenly.
Arthur smiled sympathetically; he had been in the same position almost a year before, with Merlin. "Take all the time that you need." Suddenly a loud gong chimed and Arthur looked up in surprise. One, two, three … "We better get ready for the banquet," he added and Kay smiled tensely at him in relief. "It's Samhain's Eve after all." He added cheerfully and Kay smiled, not as tensely but more genuinely.
"Remember Ron's face when Hermione told him that it's…" he frowned slightly, trying to figure out the word. "Hall-of-wee?" He tilted his head and Arthur chuckled and ruffled his hair slightly.
"Come on, and tell Merlin that he can have some of the food this time." Arthur smiled as Kay stood up, his expression becoming hard with resolution.
"Of course, Wart."
The moment passed when Arthur rolled his eyes.
Author's Notes: Eight summaries people. Eight summaries. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO CHOOSE?! I SPENT MOST OF YESTERDAY TRYING TO! Enjoy! =)