Hey, I totally feel bad for ditching OHE, my HxC story, but I am in the thrall of Merlin. And I wrote this chapter listening to Colin and Bradley 'sing' You're The Voice by John Farnham. Those two make me laugh. And some nice Merlin inspired chamber/baroque music, which got my creative juices flowing. That and my loving beau who made me tea the whole time I was writing this. Please, review, and I will respond to each and every one. Also, anyone who hasn't done so, please read Don't Let Me Go by Kylechan1788. Fair warning, this will be an 'M' story, but for now, it is rated 'T'. I will give you fair warning before the rating changes. And I took some liberties with the storyline. Please assume that until further notice, the chapters will still have the same connection with the main plot, but I may add or exclude characters. Lancelot may not have a huge part. But you'll see! Oh, hmmm... Balinor was a knight, at one point in my story here. Which makes Merlin nobility. Just an FYI.
Chapter One – The Journey
The light shone over Merlin's face through the open window, and his face twisted into a smile. "Merlin," Hunith, his mother, called from the doorway, "you have to get up. Gaius is expecting you, and Camelot is a long walk. Hunith bustled about his room, packing his bag, and folding clothes for him. "You know, you'll like Gaius. You'll see. He's a good man. Been very good to me, and i'm sure you'll like learning to be a physician." Merlin groaned at the thought.
"But, I want to use my magic! Walking into Camelot isn't really conducive to that end, is it?" Merlin said, causing his mother to look at him in sadness. "I'm sorry, it isn't fair." Merlin sat up, rubbing his face, and feeling for his neckerchief. Hunith raised it from his bed and smiled at him. "Mum, you know I need it!" Hunith smiled and handed it to him.
"I'm going to miss you, Merlin." She said, tears gathering in her eyes. "Ealdor will miss you."
"You know that's not true." Merlin said sadly, rising and grabbing his bag. "I better go. Camelot is a long ways walk, as you said."
"At least have some breakfast!" Hunith said, standing and wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Mum, I don't have time. I love you, but I have to go." Merlin said, heading for the main door.
"Don't forget about us, Merlin." Hunith said after the door shut.
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Merlin sat down outside of Camelot, as sunset broke over the citadel, his eyes aglow as the sun cast golden light upon the white walls. "Latian byre!" The breeze that was coursing through the trees slowed, and time seemed to move impossibly slow, and Merlin's eyes twinkled at the beauty that was before him. He laid his head on his bag, and looked up at the sky. "I could never tire of this time of day." Merlin realised he had been sitting for about an hour, and the sun was still setting over Camelot. "I should reach Gaius before nightfall." Merlin set off for the gates, holding time still as molasses until before the gates were in view. He released the spell, and walked towards the gates, nodding at the guards who were standing there. He revelled in the sound of the lower town as everyone bought their daily dinner supplies, and Merlin walked towards the castle. He spotted a blonde haired man in a red tunic, and tapped him on the shoulder. He gasped slightly as he turned around, Merlin's ice blue eyes catching the other man's. "Excuse me, do you know where I can find Gaius? I have business with him." Merlin smiled and the man stared dumbfounded.
"Do I know you, peasant? Do you have right to touch me?" The man practically bellowed in Merlin's confused face. "You don't know who I am?" Merlin shook his head.
"Should I?" The man's face went red, and Merlin tried to stifle a laugh.
"I am Arthur Pendragon! Son of Uther Pendragon!" The man shouted, and Merlin paled.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you would be so-" Merlin mumbled off.
"So what? Pray, tell me, what did you expect me not to be?" Arthur shouted once more, and Merlin shook his head.
"Alright then, if you won't tell me, then I have no choice! Guards, put the young ser in the stocks!" Arthur called, and stalked off, "Honestly, the nerve of some people!" Gaius heard the commotion from his open window, and he heard the guards asking the boy some questions. He heard the boy say his name was Merlin. Gaius' eyes popped, and he ran outside to try and stop the guards. Though, it was too late, and Gaius just looked slightly amused as Merlin had fun getting fruits and vegetables thrown at him. To Gaius, it seemed like Merlin thought it was all a game! Merlin was released, and Gaius introduced himself.
"My lord, how good it is to see you finally. How is the Lady Hunith?" Gaius said, as he offered a cloth to Merlin.
"I'm not a noble, Gaius. I don't want that on me." Merlin said coldly, wiping his face with the cloth. "My mother is well, she asked me to give you this," Merlin mumbled, as he pulled a letter from his bag. Gaius took it and placed it in his robes.
"You'll have to forgive me Merlin, I didn't mean to offend you. But you are of noble birth." Gaius whispered, as they walked towards Gaius' quarters. Merlin frowned, and shook his head. "Uther will want to see you tomorrow morning. He knew your father quite well. But first, you and I should have some supper. You'll have to excuse the mess, I had a particularly nasty case of boils to deal with, and I couldn't find the proper procedure for the tincture that was required." Merlin just laughed and placed his bag on the floor.
"Afeormian!" The scrolls and books began to sort themselves, and Gaius' mouth just hung open.
"MERLIN!" Gaius shouted, "Do you know the penalty for magic use?" Merlin shook his head. "Death. Uther has declared a war on sorcery." Dinner came and gone, and Merlin sat in his bed, wondering why Gaius hadn't used the attic as his room, and asked Merlin to stay in the main apothecary, but Gaius insisted. As Merlin sat, he swore he heard a voice in his head, calling his name, but he put it off to exhaustion, and laid his head on the pillow. The voice continued as he slept, and Merlin bolted out of bed as the voice grew impatient.
"Emrys! Answer me!"