The Golden Age Universe
As Shadows Fall - Prologue
~Fran Gipani
Disclaimer - So I obviously don't own Merlin no matter how much I'd love to :'( but the OC Brooke is totally my creation! :)
Note from the Author - This is the first in a series of stories in 'The Golden Age' universe that I created within the Merlin fandom. It is the prologue type thing which will introduce you to the main OC and other things that I have tweaked within this Merlin universe. I am not sure at the moment how many stories I will write for this universe but I am sure this will be the first of many :) Please review and tell me what you think :) Thank you to my Beta SailorPetal for checking it over :)
~Fran xx
In a land of myth and a time of magic the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man. No young man no matter how great can know his destiny, he cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot, a boy that will in time father a legend...his name...Merlin. Merlin's destiny has always been linked with that of Prince Arthur but what if the destiny of another was linked to Merlin's and they entwined to make one? What does that mean for Prince Arthur and the future of the land of Albion?
~O~O~O~
Merlin was curled up in his bed trying to get to sleep but what with arriving at Camelot and meeting Prince 'Prat' Arthur there was too much to think about. Honestly he needed the sleep. Sleeping in a bed was luxury compared to the floor he slept on at home so he needed to make use of it but his mind was to active to want to sleep. He closed his eyes again, willing for sleep to takeover.
'Merlin' Merlin heard a gruff voice echo in his head as if calling him, and somehow suddenly he knew where he needed to go. He sat up quickly and waited a second as if wanting the voice to speak again. When he heard nothing else he slipped on his shoes and grabbed his jacked of the end of his bed. Quietly he crept out of his room and down to Gaius's chambers; being careful not to wake Gaius he left the room closing the door behind him.
'Merlin' he heard the voice again as he left the main castle and walked a bit quicker with the cool night air nipping at his fingers and face. He followed it down into the dungeons and then further down in the lowest of dungeon right under the castle itself. As he walked further down it began to get darer so he walked back up and lit a flaming torch to show him the way, 'Merlin' the voice called again sounding more impatient now. He followed the quickly darkening passage down into the depths of the castle where he eventually came to a cavernous room. From where he stood he could see the enormity of the space around him but nothing would have prepared him for what happened next.
"Where are you?" He called cautiously and held his breath waiting. Merlin jumped back as from beneath him under the rocky platform where he stood came a huge dragon which flew high up to the caves covering before gracefully landing on a ledge facing Merlin.
"How small you are for such a great destiny...and linked to another's destiny double the greatness." The dragon chuckled
Merlin stared up to the huge dragon feeling slightly confused, "Wha...what?"
"Your gift Merlin, you know the one I mean, was given to you for a reason. Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion."
"Prince Arthur? Ok...but what's he got to do with me and who? You said another was linked to me and my destiny" Merlin asked creasing his eyebrows in thought
"Prince Arthur will face many dangerous from friend and foe alike but without you and another he will not succeed and as a result there will be no Albion."
"No, no, no..." Merlin protested, "You must have got this wrong and who else? And tell me who else. "He stared up to the great dragon and waited for a reply.
"Merlin...there is no right and wrong but only what is and isn't in this situation. The one whose destiny is linked to yours, you do not know her yet but you will in time. "
"No, you have got this wrong...how can mine and this girls destinies be linked if I don't even know her yet? Also let them go ahead with their plans to kill Arthur and I will gladly help them with it...the guy's a prat."
The dragon chuckled darkly, "You can't choose your destiny Merlin...no one can and you also can't escape it, like the girl you are linked to, she doesn't know of your destinies yet but she will all in good time. Like you she cannot escape it. You both are destined for each other and will unite to help Arthur and you Merlin cannot run from that."
"No...You're wrong I can't be destined to protect that idiot even if there will be someone there with me."
"Then maybe it is your destiny to change that..." The old dragon suggested knowingly before spreading his wings and taking off away from Merlin towards the cavernous space below.
"No wait! Don't go...I need to know more!" Merlin yelled after him in frustration as he watched as the huge dragon fly off into the distance. Accepting he wouldn't get anything else out of the dragon at that moment in time he turned and followed the passage back up to the castle and to bed where he now finally managed to sleep.
~O~O~O~
It wasn't until the royal banquet the following night when Merlin realised the truth in the old dragon's words. The court was gathering to celebrate 20 years of peace and prosperity and as Merlin wasn't of noble birth he was there as a servant and as an assistant to Gaius. He stood to the side invisible, like a shadow listening to the King, Uther, introduce the entertainment for the night, "It is an honour to introduce Lady Helen form Mora, who will sing for us tonight."
Everyone applauded in welcome as all eyes were drawn to the back of the hall where Lady Helen was standing. Merlin turned his head to look as well to see a very beautiful woman with long brown hair standing waiting for silence so she could begin to sing. When she did begin to sing, to Merlin it was the most beautiful sound he had heard in a long while. As Lady Helen sang she looked to be almost gliding towards the head table where the king, Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana sat. Merlin watched horrified as the guests began to fall asleep and rest their heads on the tables. Merlin clamped his hands over his ears and watched in horror silvery webs began to form over the lifeless figures of the people around him. The room grew dark as the candles blew out as Lady Helens song became louder and more viscous; Merlin's eyes grew wide as the woman slipped a dagger out of her sleeve and as she approached where Arthur was sitting raised it above her head ready to plunge it into the Princes heart.
Without thinking twice Merlin looked to the metal chandelier above Lady Helen and used his gift of Magic. His irises glowed gold and the chandelier fell from the ceiling landing on Lady Helen who hit the floor with a sickening thud; the chandelier had landed on her back. Merlin lifted his hands from his ears and looked around to see everyone waking up. Nearest to him the King and Prince Arthur standing staring at Lady Helen who had now transformed into the old woman who had lost her son at the execution the day before.
At this moment the old woman lifted herself up onto her elbows and snatched at the dagger. With surprising force she pelted the dagger at Prince Arthur who, still groggy from the enchanted sleep, just stood there eyes wide. As the old woman fell forward dead Merlin ran forward and pulled Prince Arthur out of the way and onto the floor. With all eyes on Prince Arthur and Merlin on the ground no one noticed that the dagger didn't hit the back of the chair where Prince Arthur had been standing moments ago. No one noticed the figure of a woman appear in front of the table and take the blow from the dagger, no one noticed as she fell out of sight from the King slumping in front of the table.
"You saved my boy's life." Said the King to Merlin, shock still evident on his face, "you must be rewarded."
"No...no that not..." Merlin protested awkwardly, a little embarrassed to be addressed by the King.
"No absolutely, this merits something quite special...you will be awarded a position in the royal household, you shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."
The two boys made eye contact to see the look of horror on each of their faces before looking away which was when Merlin spotted the young woman lying on the ground with the old woman's dagger logged into her chest. "Gaius over here, quick!" Merlin cried out to the physician ignoring the look that Arthur gave him, before he too, realised what had happened and knelt down next to the young woman as well.
"Oh my," Gaius exclaimed when he saw and hurried over checking to see if she was still alive, "She's still breathing, Merlin get her up to my chambers I will follow behind." Merlin moved to pick her up but Arthur beat him to it and tenderly picked up the young woman in his arms and walked out of the hall. Merlin, Gwen and Gaius walked behind him following out of the hall.
"Lay her down on the bed," Gaius said, hurriedly collecting bandages, "Merlin I need you to hold this to the wound as I pull out the dagger ok." The old man's hands shook as he placed them round the dagger. Merlin nodded and slipped a comforting hand into the young woman's shaking ones. The young woman screamed out in pain as he pulled the dagger out her eyes snapping open to reveal two dark brown irises. "Gwen I need you to please fetch me some fresh warm water and a cloth and Arthur, I know I shouldn't order you but I need you to go down to the hall and let everyone know what is happening."
Gwen nodded and ran out the door as Arthur said, "That's fine, what should I say?" He looked worriedly from the young woman to Gaius.
"Say...say that we are not sure what is going to happen but jus reassure and let your father know that you are fine. You'll know what to do."
Prince Arthur nodded and ran from the room as Gwen came back in with some fresh warm water and some clean cloth. "Here," she handed them to Gaius, who set them down next to Merlin, "do you think she'll be ok?"
"Honestly at this point Gwen I don't know, you should get back to Morgana, we'll be fine here." He said to her with a hint of worry in his voice. Gwen nodded and left the room.
Merlin had torn down the shoulder of the young woman's dress and had begun to clean the wound one handed. Gaius took over from him so that Merlin could concentrate on keeping her calm, he squeezed her hand gently, "Don't worry we are doing everything we can to help...What's your name?" Merlin asked her quietly.
"My n...names Brooke, Brooke Myers." The young woman's voice shook as she spoke looking up into Merlin's blue eyes.
"I am so sorry this happened to you Brooke, we are doing our best to help you," he tenderly brushed a strand of Brookes long blonde hair out of her face, "I'm Merlin, and this is Gaius."
"I kn...know. I need you t...to trust m...me Merlin, It's ne...never been more im...important." a tear leaked from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek, "I know that th...there is nothing you ca...can do to save m...me. It has al...always been my f...fate to die h...here with y...you."
"What? But we just met Brooke I have never seen you before." He squeezed her hand gently and brushed the fresh tears off her cheeks. Gaius, who had just finished applying a bandage to the wound, subtly got up and left the room not wanting to interrupt the conversation.
"No you only j...just met m...me," she groaned and squeezed her eyes shut in pain, "Merlin I n...need you to t...trust me, I...I know about y...your magic. I am from your future, some time in your f...future you will meet m...me and y...you will kno...know me but I w...won't know you."
"You don't have to talk," Merlin began but Brooke protested so he asked, "You know me from the future but how did you get here then?"
Brooke nodded in reply as fresh tears leaked from her dark brown eyes, "Y...yes, you cast a sp...spell to save m...me and it went wr...wrong, so instead of s...saving me you acc...accidentally sent me h...here."
Merlins cheeks were damp with tears now, "Oh...Brooke, I am so, so sorry." He kept one hand in hers and the other he placed on her cheek, to wipe away more tears that had leaked from her dark brown eyes.
"M...Merlin I can f...feel myself sl...slipping away so I need you to kn...know this, and please r...remember I forgive y...you entirely. And now that you kn...know you can't ch...change what ha...happened I need to d...die here. Please tr...trust me you can't st...stop this from happening in the fu...future." She turned her face so that she could easily look directly into his eyes. "I love you." She whispered as her eyelids fluttered closed and she breathed out a sigh.
"Brooke...no Brooke please, don't be dead." More tears fell down his cheeks just as Gaius entered and walked over to him, putting an arm around Merlin's shoulders. Merlin never let go of Brookes hand as he lent into Gaius's shoulder for comfort.
They burnt her body the next morning at sunrise in a proper ceremony, Merlin stood there till the last remnants of the fire were ash. He didn't know why he waited... after all he had only just met so her why did he care so much? Then he realised, Brooke was the young woman who the old dragon had spoken of, whose destiny was tied to his. He didn't know when he would meet her but he looked forward to the time when he would.
Note from the Author- That's the first chapter and it's really only an idea at the moment but it is possible to leave as a one-shot. Please review and tell me what you thought, I would really appreciate it :)
~Fran xx