AN: Happy Memorial Day to all of my American readers. I meant to write one of these for my Australian readers back on April 25th and one on May the fourth for those from the Netherlands, but it didn't happen. I am planning on writing a second chapter in November for my readers from Germany and the UK.
Also, please pardon spelling and grammar errors there might be. This story was written in less than an hour…
Let me know how you liked it by dropping me a short review, or long if you want.
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Every year Uther commemorated the start of the Great purge with a series of celebrations. Thankfully the meaning of this celebration changed under Arthur's rule. It was no longer a celebration of the mass murder of people used magic and those who had helped them. Under Arthur, it was a day to celebrate and remember those lost in battle, be they soldier or civilian, so that the people knew that they were all important to their king.
One year, on the day of memorial, Arthur saw Merlin sitting on the main flight of stairs into the citadel, writing a list. The list had three columns and was written on both sides of the parchment and Merlin had already filled five sheets already and seemed to still be hard at work. Arthur left Merlin to his list and went to eat lunch with the knights.
Three hours later, Arthur returned from a hardy meal and hours of tales of fallen brother-in-arms. Arthur found Merlin still writing that list, but a breeze had come through and slightly scattered the pile of filled parchments. Seeing that Merlin was too absorbed in his task to notice the sheets slowly escaping, Arthur reached down and started straightening the goodly sized mound of parchment.
Arthur had not meant to pry, but while shifting the sheets, he noticed a name. The name was Lancelot. Upon a closer look, Arthur realized that this was a list of names. But not just any names, those who had died since Merlin had come to Camelot. The list had three parts: Name, occupation, and how they died.
At that moment Arthur felt like he had been hit by a mace in the gut. Merlin had already filled out at least a dozen sheets, each with twenty names on each face and Merlin was not finished yet. That meant that Merlin had known at least five hundred people who had died in the last seven years.
Looking closer at the list, Arthur found a number of names he knew and many he didn't. Some died in the Afanc plague, others in the dragon attack, but what real shook Arthur was the entry for Gwen's father, Tom.
"Thomas or Tom One of Camelot's finest blacksmiths Killed for being forced to work for a sorcerer in fear for his daughter's life"
Arthur realized something about his servant friend at that moment. Merlin kept everything that happens around him hidden away in his heart. It was little wonder that Merlin always had the deeper part of him that would sometimes show itself in those wise moments. It was the inner sadness that Merlin didn't wish to bother others with.
Looking over at his oblivious manservant, Arthur saw tears running down the young man's face. Looking down at what Merlin had written he was the only three entries on that side of the parchment.
"William or Will Town troublemaker and my best friend growing up Arrow to the chest saving Arthur
Balinor The last Dragonlord and healer Run through with a sword protecting me
Freya Druid girl and my first love Stabbed by my best friend and died in my arms"
Reading this brought tears to the king's eyes. Arthur quickly finished tidying the pile and fled before Merlin noticed him.
Back in his chambers, Arthur let the tears fall. Merlin had a deep sadness inside him that was hidden behind jokes, taunts, laughs, and smiles. If Arthur hadn't read those parts of the list he would never have believed Merlin capable of hiding anything, let alone something this big.
There was only one thing that seemed to comfort Arthur about all of this. No one that Merlin had ever known, alive or dead, would ever be forgotten. And that was a comfort to the king.