The Tower Is Home To...

Chapter One

King Uther, Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana were standing proud on the balcony overlooking the courtyard of Camelot palace. The king (a grey haired,
green eyed stern man) stepped forward to address his people down below who had gathered round for today's occasion. But before he did, he glanced to is right where his children were standing. The prince (blonde and teal eyed), Arthur Pendragon was comforting his sister, Morgana (black curled locked,
green eyed) 'Somthing's missing' Uther thought as he gripped the balcony. He spoke in a loud clear voice with a firm but soft tone:

"Today is the anniversary of a young prince. Ten years ago, this day, a deadly sickness struck Camelot. I know some of you do not want to be reminded as you too have suffered losses. You have our sympathy. Unfortunately, Prince Merlin was amongst them. I asked our Court Physician, Gauis, what the best option would be. He said to seperate the siblings from each other, so the illness would not spread to them. So that's what I did. I had to lock my own son away in the high tower."

Uther moved his eyes left towards that very tower. He blinked a few tears away as he looked back to the crowd.

"That was where he spent the rest of his days. Being cut off from his family. His friends. His life. It was hard. Very hard. Imagine a four year old boy being taken away. The thoughts that ran through his mind. It was unthinkable. 'Did we not love him anymore ? Were we ashamed of him ?' Yes we loved him.
Ashamed ? No! Proud would be the word. As all of you know, Merlin wasn't someone who dreamed of being knight. He perfered to be with nature then be with a sword. And we respected that. We miss him. Everyday. But I don't think no one misses him more than Arthur does. They were not just brothers. They were friends. Best friends. There was not a moment when you would find them apart. And to have that bond between them broken. Something so precious taken from each other, it breaks you. Arthur fell into a very deep depression. He is gradually getting better, but he will never the same Arthur he used to be. But you'll be glad to hear that he didn't die alone. Me and Gauis were with him till he drew his last breath. His last words were 'Goodbye dear sister, goodbye dear brother.'"

He looked round to Arthur "Son ? Would you to say a few words ?"

The prince nodded and stepped forward as Uther hugged Morgana who cried harder on his shoulder.

"Everything my father just said is true. I do miss him, but nothing will bring back. Every night, I make a wish that when I wake, he will be in his chambers,
but every damn morning, that chambers is empty. I know you see me sometimes standing in the middle of this courtyard, staring up at the tower. You ignore me and I appreciate that. I..I sometimes think I see him. Looking at me with pleading eyes, silently begging me to let him out"

He missed the wince and frown from Uther.

"But I just stand there and do nothing as I know he isn't there."

Arthur bowed his head and sighed deeply, feeling his depression creeping up inside him.

"When depression started to come, I was also diagnosed with hallucinations. So that's why I think I see him, when he really isn't there. Every ten years we will gather here and have a moment silence for him. We will start now."

The courtyard fell into silence.

After the minute passed, Arthur spoke again "I ask you this as your prince. Do not talk to us about him or try to comfort us if you see us crying. Let us grieve in peace for a beloved prince, son and brother who met an unfair, undeserving fate at such a young age. Thank you."

With that, Arthur walked back into the castle, followed by Morgana. Once inside, the siblings hugged and cried.

Over his sister's shoulder, Arthur saw his father walk by them and the room.

'There he goes' he thought 'Up to the tower.'

Uther walked down a long corrridor and through a door. He climbed a long tall spiral staircase.

Once there, he stopped and knocked on the door. His reply was a whimper.

He opened it and smiled at the sight that greeted him.

A young boy of fourteen was chained to the wall. Heavy iron shackled wrapped round his wrists and ankles. A red leather collar round his neck. He was dressed in skin coloured, torn dirty rags too big for him. He had raven hair messy and mattered, piercing blue eyes and skin white and pale. He looked exhausted and weary. His eyes looked up as the king walked in. He flinched and pressed himself up against the wall, but winced when the pain came from his back. Tears streaked his cheeks as they slid down. Uther's smile grew when he saw this.

"Hello, Merlin."

A hoarse whisper replied "Hello father."

So the prince is alive.
What next ? Find out in the next chapter :)