Merlin . . . Merlin . . . Merlin . . .
He stared at the face across the throne room in the castle of the kingdom he was visiting. Camelot, with a tyrant of a king and an ass of a prince . . . Or so he heard. But now as he watched the young servant run back and forth to king and prince trying to please the royals Cenred a sense a burden.
Prince Arthur didn't seem to appreciate the hard work the servant was doing, even when Merlin had tripped trying to get back to Arthur as fast he could when the prince called for more wine. Cenred was disturbed to see Arthur insult and literally push Merlin so he can get to his chambers to clean up. Then the prince called upon another servant, insulting Merlin even more when he explained that he didn't need a useless servant tripping up the stairs.
Merlin only stared at the stone floor as Uther laughed at the remark.
Cenred frowned as he watched the young man hurry out the room wiping tears from his eyes. The king turned to his host and stood up.
"I will retreat now. I've had a long journey and am very tired." Without waiting for a response he bid the king a happy night and went on his way as fast as he could.
King Cenred was happy to see that no other person walked the hall for at least half his walk to his chambers. That was until he reached the last corridoor. He watched as Merlin stared out the hall window, which was very large. Cenred's curiousity and worry grew when he saw the young man slowly climb the stoned edge so he stood directly in the center of the window.
"Don't do it." Before he knew it, Cenred spoke and he was slowly walking forward.
The most clear-blue eyes, darkened with sadness stared towards the king.
"No matter what you think, you still have much to live for."
Merlin gave a laughing scoff and stared back out the window. He stared down at the many stories and gulped deeply. "They killed my parents."
Cenred blinked in sadness. "Surely there is somone out there . . ."
Merlin only shook his head.
"Everyone has somone. Even those who think they are alone."
"There is no one. King Uther slaughered my entire village, keeping only me alive."
Cenred frowned deeper. "Why?"
Merlin exhaled a slow breath and turned towards the king. "I could control minds."
Cenred stared for a second before tilting his head in confusion. "Then why not use that power to escape?"
Merlin only smiled before he lifted he arm sleeve' showing a seal of some kind. Round and black with some king of encantation burned into the skin.
"I've tried everything to take it out." Again he sighed and looked back out the window. "Do you think I could fly . . . if I just . . ." He slowly slid his foot closer to the edge.
"I doubt angels could not fly." Cenred retorted after a very long few seconds. Which surprised even himself when the young man frowned and looked back his way. Cenred licked his lips and risked walking closer. "If you want, I would make you fly in a different way. You would feel no hurt. No lonelyness." He slowly reached out a hand. "You would have somewhere to belong."
Merlin eyed the man, then the outstretched hand warily.
"I would not hurt you."
Merlin blinked out a tear. "But you are a king, like he is." He gestered with his head as if Uther were standing behind him. "How would I know you tell the truth?" He had to ask. It was a long time he trusted no one. All the beatings he recieved by not only Uther, but most of his followers and knights as well.
Cenred smiled, a very sincere smile, one Merlin hadn't recieved in years. "I would rather show you than to tell. Words do not mean anything, or show. Actions, they are what can give you certainty."
The best answer he'd ever heard. So Merlin took the hand.
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