Once and Future Wizard
Set after Merlin Series 5
"Merlin. Open your eyes," the voice echoed through the cave. He awoke from a deep slumber, a slumber that had lasted for millenniums. But a slumber that was full of pain and misery. A slumber that reminded him of the day where his best friend had sailed off into the isle of Avalon. But he knew his friend would rise again. And he knew that he will be by the side of Arthur once more.
Expecting to crumble to the floor, Merlin stretched his limbs slowly to get the blood running. A sudden gush of energy passed through his veins and nerves, causing him to almost tumble over. He felt so refreshed, so renewed and so young… "No, it can't be..it cannot..how.." his thoughts trailed off to face the large, white sparkling crystal that was in the middle of the cave. He slowly walked towards it, each and every step as soft as a mouse. He closed his eyes, not wanting to believe what he would see when he opened them.
"Go on then, young warlock. This has been your destiny all along, then why fear to face it again?" echoed the same voice that awoke Merlin. Ray by ray, light started to filter through Merlin's startling blue eyes. The first vision was a shock. A young boy with ruffled black hair stood there in the crystal, staring at him. Light blue eyes, high cheekbones..it was an exact replica of Merlin when he was just 15 years old. Still young and bright at heart, prancing around, playing tricks on the villagers using magic, it was the same young Merlin. Just that it wasn't a replica. The crystal cave would not show a vision without a cause. This time, it showed the present. Now and right now. Merlin couldn't understand any of this; he had lost count of his age a few centuries back. Energy started seeping from his body. His mind started to wander around the past. He was too tired to even stay alive then that he fell into a deep sleep, only to be woken up by a voice. A voice.
That was not just any lady's voice. It was a voice that sent chills down Merlin's spine. It was a voice that caused Merlin to stone, then and there. "Merlin. Don't be scared. You have been called back for a reason." Merlin frowned for a second and then started laughing. "Is there another destiny for me to fulfill? Is that why you called me back here?", and then tears started trickling down his face, "I've seen too much for a lifetime, I can't afford to see more. Leave me to die. Please," he begged. "Even if it's your best friend who needs you? Even if Arthur yearns for your belonging?" the voice reasoned. Arthur. It was a name that Merlin had not mentioned for such a long time but was still ever-present in his soul. It was a name that brought back a small smile to Merlin's face and then, more tears. "Fear is just an illusion, warlock", it said, "It's just an illusion." Inch by inch, muscle by muscle, Merlin turned to face the source of the voice.
Grey eyes. It was the first thing that occurred to Merlin when he faced the White Goddess. Her grey eyesstared straight into Merlin's own. Light from the crystals reflected off her pale, white face. She was dressed in a long-sleeved gown, decorated with pearls and diamonds. Long, wavy platinum hair fell over her shoulders to her waist. It was as if light was emanating from her. Even Merlin was dumbfounded. The White Goddess had such a striking presence that was firm but gentle at the same time. He walked towards her, invited by her Highness. But more than ever, Merlin could not deny that he was seeking her direction only for Arthur. What had she meant by Arthur was yearning for his belonging? What had she meant by Arthur needed him now? The answers lied with her Highness..
"Arthur. Wha..Where is he?" Merlin stuttered. "He has risen again, as was said to you by Kilgharrah. Both of you have a destiny to fulfill," the White Goddess said. "What's it now? Another Morgana? Another betrayer, like Mordred?" Merlin asked, not willing to hear an answer.
" No. It's a scar. A scar that is threatening to scar Arthur's own life."
" Scar? Wha..what do you mean? I need a proper answer," Merlin said, clearly confused and slightly frustrated. He had heard too many riddles about his destiny from the Great Dragon and he didn't want to hear anymore. Even the greatest sorcerer can be tickled by the simplest of matter.
" You are in the Crystal Cave. Where magic was first created. Look into a crystal and you are shown a vision," the White Goddess said as cautiously as possible, for Merlin had seen too many visions in these crystals. It started with Morgana's betrayal to the Pendragon clan followed by Arthur's death in Mordred's hands. Merlin had seen too much. But he still inched forward to the nearest crystal in sight. He peered his head over the tip of the crystal and looked into the very depths of the sparkling substance.
The first vision was of a boy, slightly younger than Merlin, smiling brightly, with round-rimmed spectacles over bright green eyes. He had unruly, ruffled jet-black hair and was so skinny, even a slight breeze could push him over. And another vision of both Merlin and the boy appeared. They were shaking hands. The next vision was of Merlin shoving the boy down to the floor and unidentified rays of light hitting Merlin. It seemed like a sacrificial act. That was then followed by a vision in which a man was torturing the boy. His features were blurred, only a dark snake-like mark running over his wrist. The fifth vision was of Merlin holding the unconscious boy close to his chest and crying out loud. It reminded Merlin of an unfortunate day. It reminded him of Arthur, uttering his last words, "Thank you!". But there was another vision that passed in a split second. An equally haunting vision. Now, it was of the boy holding Merlin and the vision disintegrated into fiery smoke. Startled by what he had just seen, Merlin was thrown back to the floor by utter shock. "Who..was..that? The boy..it can't be..how.." his voice trailed off…
"Arthur. He needs you now. What you saw, Merlin, what you saw was just a vision. A minor thought that is part of a destiny. A bond," the White Goddess said, her eyes full of sorrow
" That was Arthur. That boy was Arthur?"
" Yes."
" What do they call him now? What's his name?"
" Some call him The Boy Who Lived."
"Others?"
"Harry Potter."