AN: Hello! So this is basically the first Merlin fic I've ever attempted at writing, and publishing. I hope it goes well.
I loved the movie, 'Frozen', so much that I made an AU. Elsa really reminded me of Merlin and how she had to hide who he was, so I just thought about writing it. I have a lot planned for this, and I'm gonna try to make it so it's not exactly like the movie. So I'm crossing my fingers that it goes well. So, thanks for checking out my fic, and I hope you enjoy!
It was the middle of the night. The halls of the Camelot castle were quiet, and the only ones that were awake were the night guards that were roaming the halls.
"Merlin!" Arthur whispered from his own bed in their shared room. He quietly tiptoed over to the other boy's bed across the room and climbed into his bed. Merlin grunted and swapped Arthur's hand away when he poked the sleeping boy's cheek. "Merlin!" The young prince whispered louder.
"What is it, Arthur?" Merlin groaned back, half asleep.
"Let's play!" Arthur said cheerfully. The 8 year old prince tried pulling the younger boy out of his bed.
"It's the middle of the night. Go back to sleep."
"But I can't sleep! We should play!"
Merlin kicked Arthur off of his bed and onto the floor. "Go play by yourself." he said and continued to sleep.
Arthur pouted. He thought for a second and got an idea. He climbed back onto Merlin's bed and right in his ear, he whispered. "Do you want to play King vs Sorcerer?" Merlin opened his eyes and smiled.
The next thing they knew they were running through the halls of the empty castle, laughing.
They burst into a large, empty room and closed the door. "Come on, Merlin!"
Merlin shushed him, knowing that their parents could wake up at any moment. "Okay, okay." Merlin extended out his arm and his eyes glowed bright. From his hand, bright yellow strings of light started to burst all around the young boys.
"Wow.." Arthur whispered. Merlin flicked his wrist and suddenly a dragon formed and started chasing the young prince around the room. "Hey!" Arthur cried out.
"You better run, Arthur! It's gonna catch you!" Merlin joked. The bright dragon chased the young prince all over the room.
"Not fair, Merlin! Stop this blasted dragon!" Arthur yelled.
"Her name is Aithusa, Arthur." Merlin grinned.
"Well, make Aithusa stop, then!"
Arthur was running out of breath as he slowed to a stop. The dragon came straight for him but at the last minute, circled around him, went up into the ceiling and burst into fireworks. "Woah!"
Different colors formed and the lights danced off of the walls.
Arthur grabbed the wooden sword that his father had given him from the corner of the room and faced Merlin. "Sorcerer! I will not let you harm my kingdom!" He said in a powerful voice.
"Why am I always an evil sorcerer? Can't I be a good sorcerer?" Merlin whined.
"But that's no fun!" Arthur smirked. "Now, face me!" Arthur lunged forward and attacked Merlin with his toy sword, knowing he would deflect it with magic.
"Prat.." Merlin said quietly, but loud enough for Arthur to hear.
Arthur attacked and each time, Merlin defended himself with a shield. Every once in a while, he would send lights to attack the prince, but missed each time.
"You are defenceless against the great, King Arthur of Camelot!" Arthur cried out after another thrust of his sword.
"King? You're barely a prince!" Merlin teased.
"Well, I'll be king someday!" Arthur replied. He slammed his sword into Merlin's shield repeatedly, his attacks growing stronger each time.
"Woah!" Merlin cried out after a very close call. "Slow down, Arthur!" The young prince didn't pay attention. He kept hitting towards Merlin.
Merlin's worries grew. Arthur was hitting really fast. "HEY!" He yelled after almost being struck on the head. "That almost hit me!"
"But it didn't!" Arthur grinned.
Merlin glared at him. Arthur went for another attack but before he could, Merlin sent a blast of light, hitting him right on the arm. Arthur stumbled at the surprise attack and fell, hitting his head on the hard stone ground.
When Arthur didn't get up, Merlin grew worried. "Arthur?" he said, stepping forward. "Arthur?" cried out louder as he raced to the prince.
Merlin reached his body and he noticed the young prince was unconscious. He dropped to his knees and lifted the prince's head onto his lap, crying out. "Father! Mother!" Tears started to fall from his face. "I'm sorry, Arthur. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." he whispered to the unconscious body underneath him.
Minutes later, Merlin's parents and Arthur's father burst through the doors. They found Merlin cradling Arthur on the floor.
"Arthur?" Uther whispered.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Uther." Merlin sobbed.
All three ran to the boys on the floor. "Merlin, what happened?" Balinor, Merlin's father, asked.
"W-we were playing. And I-I accidently hit him on the arm and he tripped. I think he hit his head." Merlin said, trying to control his sobs.
Balinor took Arthur from Merlin, and Hunith took a hold of the young warlock who continued to cry.
Balinor examined Arthur. He checked his pulse, and set his warm hand on the young boy's forehead. "Magic is running through him. Let's be glad he didn't hit him on the head. It would have caused extreme damage."
"Can you heal him?" Uther asked in a frantic voice.
"I can." Balinor's eyes glowed just as Merlin's had and faded away in seconds.
"Well?"
"He should be fine by tomorrow morning. Although, I-"
"What is it?"
"I took away his memories of Merlin's magic."
"What?" Merlin cried. "You mean- you mean he won't remember I have magic?"
"It's for the best, son. I'm sorry."
Uther's eyes went glossy for a moment. "That's it." he said.
"What is?" Balinor asked.
"You. And your kind. Magic has done nothing but ruin my family. I lost Ygraine because of magic, and now it has harmed my son."
"What are you saying, my friend?"
Uther focused his eyes and looked up at Balinor. "Starting tomorrow, Magic is banned. Everyone who possesses magic will be executed."
"Uther! You can't!" Balinor cried out.
"I can, and I will."
Balinor suddenly remembered that his son was witnessing the whole scene.
"My friend, can I speak to you in private?"
Uther looked at Merlin in his mother's arms, tears still falling from his big blue eyes. He nodded, and the two headed to the back room.
Merlin could barely hear the two men talking. "Uther, please! You have to understand! He's just a boy!" He heard his father say.
"Mother, what's going to happen?" Merlin sobbed.
"I don't know, my dear." Hunith flinched when she heard Uther yelling. "Hey, why don't we bring Arthur to his room so he can rest? You can sleep in our room tonight."
Merlin nodded. Hunith gathered the young prince into her arms and they walked to Merlin and Arthur's shared room. She tucked Arthur into his own bed and they left.
oooo
The two fathers walked silently to the backroom. "Uther, please tell me you aren't doing this, please." Balinor said.
"I am. Magic has been nothing but trouble to my family. It killed Ygraine and now it has harmed Arthur!" Uther yelled.
"Uther, You are over-exaggerating. We have been friends for many years. Please listen to reason!"
"I don't know what else to think. Between the magical attacks on the kingdom, and this, magic just seems to be trying to destroy my family."
"Then remember the times where magic has been a good thing. Remember all the times we stood together, side by side, facing those foes. Do you not remember those times, my friend?" Balinor pleaded.
Uther paused for a moment before replying. "After seeing Arthur being harmed by magic, I don't want anything to do with it. I don't want Arthur to grow up with something as dangerous as that. I've seen the dark that it can do. I don't want my son to be harmed by magic again."
"Uther. You know that magic can be used as a good thing too."
"It harmed Arthur!" Uther yelled. "And Merlin was the one who caused it."
"You've watched Merlin grow up for seven years! He would never intentionally harm Arthur. It was an accident!" Balinor desperately tried explaining to his long time friend.
"An accident that shouldn't have happened." Uther said in a low rage. "If you have not gone by the end of the week, I'll have both you and Merlin executed."
"Uther-"
"NO. Four days! You have four days to be gone! Be glad I've given you that much time. Your title as Court Sorcerer has been revoked as of now." Uther turned and left a stunned Balinor in an empty room.
oooo
Merlin was fast asleep in Balinor and Hunith's bed with his mother's arms wrapped around him. Balinor walked in; his eyes were glossy and unfocused. Hunith carefully slipped out of the bed, trying not to disturb the young boy.
"What happened? Balinor?" Hunith whispered.
"He's given us until the end of the week to be gone." Balinor said quietly, so Merlin wouldn't wake up.
"Gone? Gone to where? We have no where else to go!" A knock on their door interrupted them. They quickly hurried out of the large room and into the hall. Unfortunately for them, Merlin was wide awake and had heard the whole thing.
"Gaius." Balinor said when he saw the older man.
"I heard what happened. I'm terribly sorry." Gaius looked at the couple sadly. "Fortunately, I know where you can stay for now. It's right outside Camelot. Ealdor. I have a friend who lives there. He can help you get settled."
"You'd do that for us?" Hunith said, hopeful.
"Of course, my dear sister." Gaius took hold of her hand. "I'll contact him right away."
"Thank you." Balinor said holding his wife closer.
oooo
Three days had passed and Arthur hadn't seen Merlin the whole time. Every time he wanted to go to his room to ask him to play, his father would tell him not to disturb them and to go do his studies.
When Arthur finally slipped away from his studies and away from Uther's eyes on the fourth day, he quickly raced over to Merlin's parent's room and knocked loudly. "Merlin?" He said loudly, "Do you want to play?" There was no reply. "Merlin, I know you're in there! I haven't seen you all week! Let's pla-" The door opened and Merlin stepped out.
His eyes were focused on the ground. Behind him, Arthur saw Merlin's parents gathering their bags from inside. The room seemed to be empty of their belongings. "Wh-Where are you going?"
"We're leaving." Merlin replied softly.
"L-leaving? But you can't leave." Arthur
"I'm sorry, Arthur." Merlin said, not meeting the prince's eyes.
"'Sorry'? W-when are you going to be back?" Arthur questioned.
"We won't be coming back, Arthur." Balinor spoke up from behind Merlin. He urged Merlin out of the door and the family of three stood out in the hallway with the remainder of their things.
"But why? Has something happened? Where will you go? Why aren't you coming back?" Arthur's questions popped out one after another. Merlin's eyes started to water.
Balinor knelt down to Arthur's height and said softly, "Arthur, my boy. I'm sorry. But we just have to leave. Be good while we're gone, okay?" Arthur nodded. "Good. Now give me a big hug."
"I'll miss you, Uncle Balinor." The two broke apart and Arthur walked to Merlin's mother.
Hunith smiled at the young boy. "Oh, Arthur. I'm sorry I can't watch you grow any more than I have. I'm sure you'll grow to be a strong young man." Hunith swept Arthur off of his feet and hugged him tightly.
When Arthur was back on the ground, he turned to Merlin. The last person to say goodbye to. Merlin still wouldn't look at him in the eyes.
"Merlin?" Arthur said.
"I'm sorry, Arthur." Merlin's eyes were pouring out tears.
Arthur pulled him into a tight hug. "You're such a baby, Merlin." At first Merlin didn't return the hug, but in time, he wrapped his arms around the older boy. They broke apart, and Merlin finally looked up at him.
There was a silence between the two children. "Here." Merlin finally said, outstretching his arm. In his hand, he was holding his favorite toy. A wooden dragon his father had made him.
"What-"
"I want you to have it." he said urging it into his hand.
"But I can't- It's your favorite toy." Arthur tried to give it back but Merlin only shook his head.
"I want you to have it. I can always ask Father to make me another one."
Arthur gave Merlin another hug. When they separated, Arthur turned back around to Merlin's parents. "I'll walk you-"
"Arthur." Uther's interrupted from down the hall. "You are suppose to be doing your studies." His footsteps were thunderous in the hallway as he walked to the group.
"But, Father! I wanted to say goodbye to them." Arthur whined.
"Uther." Balinor said stiffly.
"Balinor. Leaving so soon?" Uther challenged.
"Yes. I'm afraid so.."
Uther looked at the young warlock. Not once did Merlin look up at Uther. He shifted closer to his parents and hid behind his mother's dress.
"Well, I hope you have a safe travel then." Uther said. Arthur noted the message was warm but the way Uther said it was so cold. Something was wrong.
"Is everything alright?" He asked. Balinor was about to say something, but Uther answered first.
"Everything is fine, Arthur. You should be working on your studies. Off you go then." Uther pushed his son towards the other end of the hall.
Uther didn't let his son protest. They were already at the end of the hall and he could see the family leaving with their belongings.
Arthur was in his chambers minutes later. He was at his desk and reading a story about some warrior. He wasn't interested in it at all. He glanced out the window and realised that he could still see Merlin and his parents in the market. He quickly jumped up and ran towards the window. He got an idea and ran to his dresser to grab something small.
"Arthur! What in the world are you doing? Did you finish the section?" His tutor exclaimed.
"I'll be right back!" He said and quickly ran out of the room. He was gone before his instructor could protest.
He ran quickly through the halls, hoping not to be caught by his father. He reached the door leading outside and raced through the crowds.
He spotted Merlin's dark hair through all the people. He was almost at the gates. "Merlin!" he called out. Merlin didn't hear.
He jogged quicker to catch up with them and was able to catch him before they left. "Merlin!" He said in between his breaths. "Here." Arthur passed a small box into his hands. Merlin looked at him, confused. "Open it." Arthur encouraged.
Merlin opened it and found a necklace. At the very end of it, he found a small carved dragon. "Arthur, it's amazing. What's this for?" He said quietly.
"It was supposed to be for your birthday next month, but.." Arthur paused, not knowing what to say next. "I just.. wanted you to have it." Merlin smiled.
"Thank you, Arthur." Merlin tossed it over his head and found that it hung perfectly on his chest. "I love it." He quickly gave the older boy a hug.
"You'll come back. Won't you, Merlin?" Arthur asked as they separated. Merlin looked behind him to his parents. Neither said anything. They just looked at the two boys sadly. He looked back to Arthur and he tried to smile as best as he could.
"Goodbye, Arthur." He said. And left with his parents. Arthur didn't move. He just stood at the gates and watched them leave.
AN: So.. How'd I do? Yay? Nay? I really hope I did okay. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop some in the review box. And tell me how I did! I'd really like to know! Thanks for reading! I'll see you for chapter 2!
By the way, thanks to Courtenay and Gabrielle for beta-ing and the great advice. And Mel, for the title idea! You guys are the best! :)