Hi!
I am French and I recently wrote a French fic on Merlin (until then nothing strange ^^). But some 'people 'strongly advised me to translate it into English if I don't want to push up the daisies: small well threats get in by English-speaking friends. So, I tried as I could translate this fic by knowing however that I am very far from being gifted in English ^^
So, here we go, I post you the first chapter, sorry in advance of all the mistakes which he could have there, and don't hesitate to say to me all that is wrong (hope this is comprehensible at least)
(Besides if somebody feels of generous soul to be my béta, this would be with big big pleasure ^-^)
This fic is already ended and completely posted in French on Fanfic.
- Disclaimers : The characters and the universe of Merlin do not belong to me (Even if I would like …).
- Summary: the expression 'there is no telling what tomorrow will bring' does not apply necessarily … For the biggest Arthur's confusion.
(Sorry I'm very bad in summary… even in French, so…)
- Spoilers : this story set after 4x03 but probably before 4x12 /13.
No SLASH and this is not a reveal fic either.
This is my first fanfic Merlin and this the very first time I translate something, so please be indulgent and nice ^^
Enjoy ^^ (well hope so)
Again, and again… and then one more time
In a land of myth, and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man. His name... Merlin.
chapter 01.
The frozen rain of this mid-December seemed to fall more than necessary on both individuals running frantically through the trees and thickets of this forest in the heart of the kingdom of Camelot.
A dressed man with a chainmail pushed a young brown hair boy, slovenly, in the back, encouraging him to move faster, while looking above his shoulder, being on the lookout for their pursuers.
They stopped a few seconds, out of breath, looking around, and judging the place looking for a way out. The fair-haired man caught his mate by the sleeve of his jacket and pulled him towards a mass of rocks rising on their right.
- « Here! We are going to take shelter in this cave, we will be safe for a while… » The first man blew, trying to take his breath back.
- « I thought however that you were a matchless hunter, Arthur. After all these years by your sides I must confess that I am disappointed of your skill to run away in front of misfortune …
- If you had the ability to find it would be only a semblance of your indiscernible brain Merlin, you would know that a single man faced with a herd of boars is not an equitable battle and that the chance of getting out alive are very limited!
- There are two of us …
- But I do not really count you as a man actually Merlin, rather like a millstone …
- Dumbass… » The young warlock whispered, raising the eyebrows, annoyed at the fabled self-importance of his friend.
- « Excuse-me ?
- I said: … there is a way to pass! » The servant said, smiling, following the semblance of the way through the rock.
Arthur pushed his manservant shortly with a shoulder's blow, to pass in front of him and followed the path which was offered to them, showing without restraint a jolly grimace hidden behind a sullen and upper wrong look. An attitude which declared distinctly: 'if you think that I did not hear you… '
In spite of their uninterrupted quarreling, both men shared without hindrance, a sincere friendship. Even if Merlin had servant's simple title, the young king considered him and was particularly very fond of him. He was much more to him than a simple valet; No, he was his advice, his confidant, his ally… a loyal friend, dedicated by an unwavering trust. Always by his sides even when danger was at its maximum; always ready to sacrifice his life to save his. And although Arthur did not show and did not say under any circumstances, Merlin had undoubtedly helped him become the man he was in today's day: an unassuming, strong, fair King, provided with a pure heart. Of course Arthur did not confess to his friend how he was so precious to him; He extensively preferred leading hard life and pulling him of its uninterrupted malicious retorts, belittling him inexorably in every opportunity; a way like another to prove the expression: 'spare the rod and spoil the child'.
Both men sat down for a moment against the humid rock to take back their strength. They stood in silence a few minutes to recover their breath and to make sure to be able have left again as soon as possible.
Merlin smelt a glacial air crossing his spine. He raised his head and pointed his look towards the bottom of the cave. He fixed the void with the apprehension that something was there.
- « We should leave Arthur…
- Let us wait a little longer that the pack of hounds of boars is completely moving away.
- No, I think that it would be preferable to come back to Camelot, the night is going to fall soon enough and it would be safer to take haste » The young warlock said softly, his eyes still fixed inexorably towards the bottom of the cavern.
- « I did not know that you were afraid of the dark so much Merlin? Though it does not surprise me of you anyway… »
In front of the absence of an answer, Arthur also raised his head. In the usual state of things, his friend would have argued with just as much of acerbity as his interlocutor. The fact that he did not make it proved that the young man was not in his normal state.
- «Merlin?
- We have to leave this cave…
- And would you be kind enough to tell me why we should go out of a place to the shelter at that one, to go back under this glacial rain with boars who think only of shredding us alive?
- … Just…Bad feelings…
- Of course! That is obvious! It is so logical as an answer, I expected nothing less from you, Merlin! »
The young warlock remained dumb and stood up slowly without taking his eyes of the sinister bottom of the cavern in the certain expectation that something happen. Arthur seemed perplexed, fixing his friend, a mixture of frustration and anxiety being displayed on his face in reply to the behaviour of his servant. He also got up however immediately when he saw a hooded figure emerge from the shadows. The strange man seemed of a certain age, certifying of his bowed position. He was big and very thin. His body as well as the face was draped of a black shroud of nephrite. He walked towards, pulling an old wooden cart creaked frightfully on every inch traveled; in his left hand, a big grey scepter surmounted by a stone of onyx.
- « Stay where you are! Declare yourself! » Arthur cursed, authoritarian, raising his sword nonchalantly in front of him.
The man looked up lightly letting catch a glimpse as black as coal teeth of a perfidious smile under the hood of the mantle.
- « I am Ankou » He growled in a barely observable voice.
- « What do you do on the lands of Camelot? » The young King asked, inquisitor.
- « I am here for the harvest…
- What harvest, there is no harvest right in the middle of December!
- You are wrong my Lord, it is precisely the month of collection! » The old man said slyly, going closer slowly to Merlin. « And I think that it will be particularly fruitful this year! » He mumbled by brushing against the hand of the young warlock of a hurried gesture.
The blood of Merlin froze immediately on the contact with the man. He recoiled instantaneously, but his pain was already deeply installed. Arthur made a step forward instinctively to support his friend ready to collapse. When the King turned his head towards their attacker, the individual and his cart had completely disappeared.
- « Sorcery! » Arthur cried, supporting his so pale manservant as death. « Merlin, are you all right?
- I am fine… just a bit cold …
- You are frozen! What this sorcerer has done to you?
- Nothing, he just… touched me!
- You were right; we must leave this place and go back to Camelot quickly. Gaius must examine you and I have to fetch the council. This man, or whatever it may be, is not going to come through it so easily. We shall go after this sorcerer with the knights tomorrow at dawn to stalk him.
- For God's sake, perhaps it is not necessary to hunt him as an animal, after all he has done nothing wrong …
- How could you say that while he has just transformed you into an ice cube living Merlin?
- Maybe it was just a reaction of defense of my body …
- You mean that you were so much afraid that your blood froze of itself in your veins?
- Well…
- You make me frustrated, Merlin, do you know that?
- What I mean is that he did not kill anyone!
- Maybe. Not yet at least! Besides, he has disappeared before our eyes, this can only be the work of magic, and sorcery is still prohibited in this kingdom in what I know!
- But…
- Not of 'but ' Merlin, I remind you that I am the King and on this fact I decide, and you … you abdicate! » Arthur said intransigent, raising Merlin by his shoulders, helping him stand. « Now, let's leave! The boars must enough have moved away; well, I hope so... If we walk fast, we should reach Camelot before nightfall. »
The serving boy grumbled for the uncompromising attitude of his friend. However, Arthur was maybe right on a point; this man was a sorcerer, or at least, a being existent of magic. Even if he did not want to accept it completely, there had happened something when he had touched him and he is inevitably at the origin of his actual weak physical condition. For now, he had to regain the castle, and this was, in his sense, the only positive point of this event.
Arthur looked inconspicuously at his manservant to ensure that his strength returned to him and that his complexion was back to a normal color. He took the direction of the exit without taking his eyes from his friend who was walking beside him apathetic. He tried unsuccessfully being insensible to the situation, but he was not less anxious and terribly worried about him. The presence of this man in the cave had more or less paralyzed himself of dread. He could not allow an individual of this type goes for a walk freely in his kingdom. On top of that, he had also, this very bad feeling …