In a land of myth, and a time of a magic. The destiny of a great Kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name? ... Merlin.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly in the light blue sky and the grass a young boy stood upon was a bright green. Several gusts of wind blew across the land as the boy walked back onto the sandy road. He covered his eyes as the offending wind tried to blind him with the sand he walked on. He wasn't a Noble or a Knight, he was a just a simple looking boy clad in brown slacks, a blue cotton shirt, a belt, leather shoes and a brown coat. Around his neck he also wore a red neck scarf of some kind. Perched on his back was a large backpack with a rolled up blanket attached to it, a water skin hung from one of the straps as it swung with his every step. The boy panted slightly but plodded along. His destination was Camelot and if what his Mother had told him was true, he'd be able to see the outer village as soon as he'd walked over this hill. Up ahead he saw large mountains and a slope of another hill waiting for him to climb it. He sighed and his pace quickened slightly.
After the hill climb he got onto a dirt road and the mountains were now behind him. He passed a man on horseback and was soon wrestling with tree branches as he tried to walk through them. They gripped his clothes and scratched his face very lightly. He paused for a break and adjusted his back pack before getting back into a strong stride as he faced another hill. 'Soon...' He told himself, 'I'll get there soon.'
Once he was stood at the top of the hill he realised how close he was to Camelot. He shrugged off his backpack and gulped down a few mouthfuls of water. He wiped the sweat of his brow and looked out towards Camelot. The castle towered over the small village, it looked so big and breathtaking too. Admiring the scene for a few moments the boy picked up his bag and soon enough began to plod along once more.
Soon enough he found himself walking around the village. The sounds and smells overwhelmed him as he smiled in anticipation, 'Maybe it won't be so bad to live here.' He thought to himself as he laughed at the two children who ran past him cheerily. The crowd was surprisingly large as everyone bustled on doing their jobs or the shopping. The boy paused to look around him in wonder as he got his bearings. His old village was only small, he didn't want to get lost in this one. Turning around he spotted the castle and grinned, he now knew where he was going.
Walking towards it he walked under an archway, where two guards stood, into a large courtyard. Horns sounded as he curiously looked upon a small crowd beginning to form in the centre. He approached the crowd where they all stood gazing at a wooden stage where a chopping block, complete with axe, was sat. Drums sounded slowly as two guards dragged out a peasant man. He wore simple clothes and even though he was inevitably walking to his death he didn't show fear. A little bit of apprehension spread itself throughout the crowd as the man approached the stage.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all," Sounded out a deep booming voice.
The sound grabbed the attention of everyone stood down in the courtyard as they peered up at the balcony where a man stood wearing a dark red tunic, jewels and draped in a blood red cloak. The golden crown on his head gave away his identity. The King of Camelot looked down at his people,
"This man." He indicated to the prisoner, "Thomas James Collins. Is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic."
The crowd continued to look worriedly at their King as the dark-haired boy suddenly felt the weight of the bag on his back, a sudden dread filled him as the King uttered the word 'magic'. What had he gotten himself into?
"And pursuant to the laws of Camelot. I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practises are banned...on penalty of death."
The boy gasped slightly as the King spoke, 'Death?' He thought as he swallowed nervously. He frowned, 'What kind of King was he?' The boy wished he'd never come to Camelot, as nice as the Kingdom looked this place held lots of dangers for him. Maybe he should turn back now while still he had the chance.
"I pride myself as a fair and just King. But for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass..." Everyone held their breaths as the words left the King's mouth. The King himself nodded towards the guards who held the prisoner. This action didn't go unnoticed as every head turned to look once more upon the prisoner stood on the stage. The boy looked on in horror as the man was forced to his knees in front of the block. The executioner held the axe in his hands as he neared its prey. Standing by him the executioner swung the axe high into the air.
The boy held his breath as the drums continued to pound their slow, low and dull beat as death approached the prisoner quickly. The King raised his arm in the air...
His arm swung down.
So did the axe.
A man died as the onlookers groaned in pity and remorse at the sight. The boy turned his head towards the King in disgust, he killed a man because of magic?
"When I came to this land, this Kingdom was mired in chaos." He paused as everyone turned their gaze to him, "But with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival, to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery." He lifted both arms in the air to emphasise his point as he looked down on each of the faces in the crowd. "Let the celebrations begin!" The King walked away as everyone in the crowd dispersed mumbling to each other while the boy stood silently in place, watching the retreating back of the King. A loud wail of sadness interrupted his musings as he turned bemused to where he thought the sound was coming from.
An old woman with long grey hair dressed in shabby clothes wailed and wailed as she clutched the long dress she wore. The King had not left his balcony so he too heard the wail and turned around to see where it came from.
"There is only one evil in this land and its not magic...it is you!" She stared at the King as her voice wavered. The King neared the edge of the balcony and looked down with curiosity at the elderly woman, "With your hatred, and your ignorance..." She paused to gather herself as the boy watched her sadly.
The woman pointed behind her, "You took my son!" She wailed slightly as her gaze turned into a glare, "And I promise you, before these celebrations are over you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." The woman sobbed, "A son for a son." The King pointed at her and ordered,
"Seize her!" Guards made their way over to her but she grabbed her pendant and muttered a strange incantation. And with that the wind blew furiously as she slowly disappeared whilst everyone watched on in shock. The wind eventually calmed down as the old woman completely vanished from sight as the people tried to overcome their surprise at her magical ability. The King simply glared at the spot where the woman once stood and stormed away from his balcony. Once again everyone moved away and spoke to each other in hushed voices about what had just happened.
Walking away the boy headed inside the palace and asked a nearby guard where he could find Gaius, the Court Physician. Once he was pointed in the right direction he climbed up some spiral stairs and walked down a passageway that led up to some more stairs. He approached a wooden door which he opened cautiously, he knocked on the old wood and peeked his head around the door,
"Hello?" He called out as he let himself inside the room. There was no reply so the boy took the time to observe the room he was stood in, it was very large and there was another door on the opposite side of the room. Benches were filled with books, potions and science equipment. Shelves took up nearly all the space on the walls, and the sun shone through a nearby window. The boy curiously walked forward a few paces and stood next to the nearest bench. Looking around the room a little bit longer, the boy just so happened to see a short figure clad in simple, boring coloured robes. The figure was on a wooden balcony that was accessed by some stairs, the man had not yet seen him as he was too busy looking for something on the shelf in front of him. "Gaius?" He called out as he gripped his backpack a little tighter as his nerves overtook him. The man still hadn't heard him so the boy coughed loudly to get his attention. The figure looked behind him and saw the boy, slightly startled the figure stepped back and leant on the wooden staircase but the wood couldn't hold Gaius' weight and collapsed.
"Woah!" He exclaimed as the boy watched in shock as Gaius fell. Acting quickly the boy's eyes donned a pretty golden hue as he slowed down the older man's fall. As Gaius was suspended in mid air the boy looked around him frantically for something to break the man's fall. Spotting a bed his eyes glowed golden once more and the bed moved by itself and rushed to the spot underneath Gaius so it could catch him. Another flash of golden eyes and Gaius' time sped back up again as he no longer found himself in mid air but spread-eagled out on his bed. He groaned slightly and seemed to remember what happened, sitting up Gaius turned around and asked,
"What did you just do?"
"Um..." Replied the boy as he began to think of excuses to tell the older man. He was dead... so dead.
"Tell me!" Gaius said as he got off the bed.
"I, I have no idea what happened..." He mumbled as Gaius walked over to him with a look of disbelief on his face, he looked around at the broken pieces of wood and back up at the remaining balcony.
"If anyone has seen that-"
"Oh, no, that was... that was nothing to do with me. That, that was-" The boy looked around as his panic grew higher.
"I know what it was!" The boy looked at Gaius blankly, "I just want to know where you learned how to do it."
The boy shook his head, "Nowhere!"
"So how was it that you know magic?" The boy's panic continued to grow at the word 'magic', he was going to die because of his own stupidity. His mind replayed the execution of that poor man, he was going to end up like him too.
"I don't!" The pair turned silent for a few seconds as the boy stared at the floor, the panic evident in his eyes, he didn't want to die here. Gaius seemed to notice his distress and in a calm, hushed voice asked him,
"Where did you study?" The boy looked up at him. "Answer me!"
"I don't I... I've never studied magic. Or, been taught..." The boy looked at the old man in fear as Gaius stepped forward and hissed,
"Are you lying to me boy?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth!"
"I was born like this."
"That's impossible!" Gaius sighed and looked to the side and then back at the boy who continued to look at him fearfully. "Who are you?"
The boy shrugged off his bag and handed him a letter. Gaius looked at it and groaned,
"I don't have my glasses." He explained as he held the letter up. The boy's lips twitched as he tried to hide a smile.
"I'm Merlin." Surprised Gaius said,
"Hunith's son?" Merlin smiled happily at him.
"Yes!"
"But you're not meant to be here until Wednesday!" Merlin looked at him confused,
"It is, Wednesday..."
A pause, "Ah..." Said Gaius as he continued to look at Merlin. "Right then, you better put your bag in there." He pointed to the door behind him that Merlin saw earlier. Merlin nodded and began to walk towards the door. He paused and turned around,
"You, you won't say anything about...erm...?" Merlin asked anxiously as he indicated to the broken balcony.
Gaius looked up at it too and said, "No." He looked back at Merlin who nodded at him gratefully before turning back around to go open the door behind him. "Although, Merlin!" Gaius called out to him. Merlin turned around again curiously, "I should say thank you..." Merlin nodded and opened the door behind him to escape into the tiny room beyond.
By the time Merlin had settled in to his new room the setting Sun had finally set as night began to creep out. He lit several candles and noticed the small window in his room, upon opening it he smiled in amazement at the beautiful night time scene of Camelot. It looked like someone had painted it as many lights shone out from different houses illuminating the darkness. He smiled in content, he was safe for now and he was glad that Gaius was the only one that had witnessed his powers. If it were anyone else he wouldn't be as lucky. The moon shone down on Camelot as the sound of laughter and chatter made its way up to where Merlin stood peering outside. His smile widened as his sapphire blue eyes drank up every sight he saw. Maybe he was right after all, maybe Camelot was a nice place to live.
As Merlin watched the scenery Gaius finished reading the letter sent by Merlin's mother, Hunith. She had asked him to look after Merlin and to guide him onto the right path so his gifts of magic could be used for only good things. At that moment Gaius decided he would do everything in his power to look after Merlin, he was special and was his friend's son. He'd keep him safe.
In the morning...
"Merlin!" Whispered a gruff voice. At the sound of his name being called Merlin's eyes opened as he sat up in his bed, he ran a hand through his short, dark, messy hair as he surveyed the room. No one was in there and there was hardly a stir from beyond his door so it couldn't of been Gaius either. Shaking his head he forgot about it, thinking it was just his imagination.
After getting dressed he left his new room, shrugging his brown jacket on as he went through the door. Gaius was just pouring a bowl of what looked like some kind of porridge. Merlin's stomach churned at the sight of it as Gaius pointed out a bowl full of water so he could wash after his journey yesterday. Gaius placed the bowl of slop down on the bench near the bowl of water,
"I got you some breakfast." Merlin sat down and grabbed a spoon. He scooped up a spoonful of the goo and was disgusted by the sight of it as it wobbled. He placed the spoon back in the bowl as Gaius scooped a hand around the bowl of water and gave it a slight push. Alarmed Merlin stared at the water as his eyes turned golden once more, standing up he flung his hand out and pointed at the bowl. The bowl and its contents slowed down and hung in mid air, like Gaius had done the day before. Both males stared at the scene before them and looked at each other at the same time. Gaius looked amazed but Merlin frowned at the older man before they both turned back to once again gaze at the stopped water and bowl before Merlin lifted his hold over them and they tumbled to the floor. The bowl making a loud bang and the water making a small puddle on the floor.
"How did you do that?" Asked Gaius as Merlin turned to look at him with a stern face. "Did you, enchant a spell in your mind?"
"I don't know any spells."
"So...what did you do?" There was a pause. "There must be something!" Merlin looked away and turned back to face Gaius with a serious expression on his face, he really wished the old man would stop asking him so many questions.
"It just happens." Merlin mumbled as he grabbed a mop from near the door. As he began to mop up the mess Gaius spoke to him,
"Well we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some work for you. Here," Merlin stopped mopping and walked over to Gaius to see what he was holding. "For Lady Percival." He held up a brown bundle. "And this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weasel so warn him not to take it all at once." He gave Merlin a bottle of yellowish liquid.
As Merlin walked off Gaius said, "Oh, and here..." He held out a plate for him that had a delicious looking sandwich placed on it. Merlin smiled and grabbed it as Gaius smiled back. "Off you go." He said as Merlin left Gaius to clean up the spilt water.
After finishing off his job (and his breakfast) Merlin's curiosity got the better of him. He decided to go for a walk into town to admire all the different stalls they had there. As he walked out of the archway that led into the palace Merlin heard a very arrogant sounding voice call out, "Where's the target?" Merlin stopped and looked around to find where the voice was coming from, hoping that the person wasn't talking to him.
That's when he saw him surrounded by his lackeys as they all laughed at a poor servant. The leader, who's voice had gotten Merlin's attention, was very attractive, even to Merlin who had never seen men as attractive before. The leader was tall, muscular and well built. He had a charming face, bright blonde hair and, from what Merlin could see, bright blue eyes like himself. Merlin seemed to forget himself as he stopped and stared.
Meekly the servant nodded towards the target and replied, "There Sir." As he clutched hold of the stuff he was carrying.
"Its into the Sun." Said the blonde bully.
"...Its, not that bright..."
"Ah, bit like you then?" The blonde grinned at his remark as the servant looked down.
"I'll put the target down the other end shall I Sir?" As the servant placed the stuff he was carrying down, Merlin noticed the group talking, no doubt plotting to tease the servant even more. Merlin frowned, no matter how nice this man looked it still didn't give him, or his friends, the right to pick in other people like they were dirt under his boots. The Sun shone down as the servant lifted up the target and proceeded to carry it to the other side, Merlin watched in disbelief as the blonde took a dagger out of his belt and aimed it at the servant, who was covered by the shield he was carrying. The bully threw the dagger and it hit the target with a satisfying thud. The group of men laughed as Merlin frowned once more.
The servant popped his head up to look down at the shield he was carrying to find out what that sound had been. Seeing the dagger he looked up in panic and said, "Hey! ...Hang on!"
"Don't stop." Said the blonde man, as the servant reluctantly began to walk once more.
"Here?" He inquired as he stopped in a reasonably good stop for target practise.
"I told you to keep moving." After that was said another dagger was thrown as the servant hid behind the shield. "Come on... Run!" The servant did, he moved quickly back the way he had come as another dagger was thrown at the target. "We want some moving target practise." Many other passers-by looked on as the poor servant was tormented by the blonde man. Merlin was confused as to why no one stopped to help, that's when he decided, if no one was going to help then... he was.
Another dagger was thrown, and then another. The servant was tired after running up and down, after the final dagger had been thrown the servant's arm grew tired and he let go of the target. He ran after it as the group of men laughed. The target rolled closer and closer to Merlin who stepped up and stopped it with his foot. The servant was knelt next to it and looked up at him with a confused but grateful expression. Now was his chance, Merlin looked up towards the group of men and said, "Hi," He grabbed the attention of the blonde leader, who looked towards him. "Come on that's enough." The man looked at him confused.
"What?" That one powerful word shook Merlin slightly but he carried on. He couldn't let this bully get away with being mean, no matter how attractive he looked.
"You've had your fun my friend." Merlin said as the blonde leader walked towards him. His heart sped up as the man got closer to him,
"Do I know you?" He asked as the servant moved out of the way so he didn't get trampled on. They both stood in front of each other as Merlin held his hand out,
"Err, I'm Merlin." He said.
"So I don't know you?" Replied the blonde. Merlin didn't like the man's attitude and dropped his hand so it once again hung by his side.
"No." Replied Merlin as they continued to look at each other.
"Yet you called me friend..." Said the arrogant man. Merlin looked him up and down, it was a shame that for someone so attractive he had to be so arrogant.
"That was my mistake."
"Yes, I think so." The man smirked as Merlin smiled back pleasantly.
"Yeah... I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Feeling that he'd done enough, and just so he could get away without doing something he'd regret, Merlin walked away as the blonde scoffed.
"Or I, one that could be so stupid." Merlin stopped his exit. "Tell me, Merlin. Do you know how to walk on your knees?" Merlin turned back around to see the blonde approach him once more.
"No." He answered back as he looked up into the blonde's blue eyes.
"Would you like me to help you?"
"I wouldn't if I were you..."
The blonde laughed at him, "Why? What are you gonna do to me?" Merlin shook his head, if only he could use his magic...
"You have no idea..." He replied. The blonde smirked and stepped back, holding his arms out he said,
"Be my guest...Come on!" Merlin continued to stare at him, "Come on!" Merlin looked around to see if he could get himself out of this, he didn't want his magic to be found out by this prat. And said prat still held his arms out as if he wanted a hug,
'Huh... I wouldn't hug you in a million years.' Thought Merlin.
"Come on!" Said the man. The condescending tone in his voice made Merlin see red as he flung his right fist at the man's unprotected face. Before it made contact the man grabbed his wrist and turned him around, he held him close to his chest with Merlin's arm still in his grasp as he pushed it up his back to keep him in place. Everyone gasped as Merlin filled with dread, he had messed up. The blonde sneered at him, "I could put you in jail for that." Angry Merlin snapped back,
"Who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin couldn't believe the nerve of this man, he acted like he owned Camelot!
"No," Merlin basked in triumph, "I'm his son. Arthur." And that's when Merlin realised that he had definitely messed up...big time. Panting slightly the man behind him made him fall to the floor and in next to no time he found himself thrown in a jail cell. 'This is great... just great. Well done Merlin!' He thought as he sat on the bed of straw
The next day...
"Merrrlinnnn..." Said the same gruff voice he heard the other day. "Merrrlinnnn." Startled he sat up now fully awake as he looked around the cell, a confused expression on his face. 'What on earth?' He thought as he laid back down and pressed his ear to the floor, 'Where'd that voice come from?' A familiar voice called out his name, he sat up once more and grinned as Gaius was let into the cell. Standing up he approached the older man who frowned at him.
"You never cease to amaze me! The one thing someone like you should do, is keep your head down. And what do you do? You behave like an idiot."
'It wasn't me that was the idiot... it was Arthur or whatever he was called.' Thought Merlin as he pretended to be sad. He replied, "I'm sorry..."
"You're lucky...I've managed to pull a few strings to get you released." Merlin grinned at him,
"Oh...thank you! Thank you!" Gaius looked at him, calming down Merlin said. "I won't forget this."
"Well...there is a small price to pay..." Gaius walked out of the cell as Merlin stood looking at his retreating back with a bemused expression. 'What did he mean?'
He soon found out a few minutes later. Shackled into the stocks he groaned, "Oh God..." As several overly eager children threw rotten vegetables at him, Gaius laughed in merriment and walked off leaving Merlin to his doom. "Thanks!" Merlin called after him as a rotten tomato just missed his face. 'All of this because of that prat's fault...huh, I regret ever thinking he was attractive...' The children ran out of 'ammo' and rushed off to fetch some more, looking up Merlin saw a pretty olive-skinned girl approaching him warily.
"I'm Guinevere." She said, "But most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid."
"Right...I'm Merlin." He said as he tried to hold his hand out for her to shake. She shook his hand gently as she smiled warmly at him. "Well... most people just call me, idiot." She shook her head.
She refused to let him belittle himself and explained how she thought he was brave.
"Well I'm glad you walked away, you weren't going to beat him..." She said. Merlin chuckled at her,
"Oh... I could beat him." Merlin replied, 'Yeah if I could use my magic he wouldn't know what hit him...' Gwen looked at him slightly puzzled,
"You think?" She asked as she eyed his skinny frame up and down in disbelief. "Because you don't look like one of these big, muscle-y kind of fellows." Merlin frowned up at her.
"Thanks." Realising what she'd done Gwen tried to cover up what she's said,
"No, no! I'm sure your stronger than you look." Merlin looked at her so Gwen looked down embarrassed. "Its just err...Arthur's one of these real rough tough 'save the world' kind of men. Well..."
"What?"
"You don't look like that..." Merlin leaned forward and indicated she should do the same, he whispered,
"I'm in disguise." She laughed at him as he smiled at his own joke. Gwen proceeded to tell him that everyone thought he was brave for defending that man yesterday because Arthur was known for his bullying. People thought he was a real hero, and Merlin liked that. However, the eager children form earlier ran back with more bucket full's of rotten vegetables.
"Erm...excuse me, Guinevere? My 'fans' are waiting." She looked behind her and also saw the children, smiling she quickly walked away leaving Merlin on his own again as he stood in the stocks defenceless against the children.
As soon as he was let out he rushed back to his chambers and cleaned himself up, he washed his hair and face and changed into some clean clothes. Coming out of his room he noticed that Gaius had just laid out some bowls of food to eat. Both sat down on the bench across from each other as Merlin pulled his bowl towards him.
"Want some vegetables with that?" Teased Gaius as Merlin laughed.
"I know your still angry with me." Said Merlin as they talked while they ate.
Merlin spoke to Gaius on how his Mother thought he was special and that his gifts were a great thing, Gaius nodded and explained that he'd never seen anyone quite like him before. When Merlin inquired if Gaius learned magic Merlin discovered how magic had been banned 20 years ago because many people had used magic for bad deeds, so King Uther made it his mission to ban it. Merlin nodded and took in this information.
"...Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then. Even the Dragons." Merlin stopped eating when he heard this.
"What, all of them?"
"There was one dragon he chose not to kill. Kept it as an example, he imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the Castle...where no one can free it." Merlin's face turned thoughtful as they ended their talk on magic. After Merlin had finished eating Gaius told him to take a preparation to Lady Helen, who would be singing at the celebrations that night, as she needed it for her voice.
After accepting the bottle from Gaius, Merlin set off to the room where Lady Helen was staying. He knocked on the door but when he received no answer he let himself inside. The room was large and grand and he spotted several old looking books stacked on the table in front of the door. Placing the bottle, for Lady Helen, down he looked at the old books curiously and then noticed something else nearby. Laid next to the books was some kind of straw doll, he picked it up and inspected it closely. However, he heard footsteps coming from outside the door and quickly tidied up the table before turning around just in time to see a woman walk in through the door.
She was slim and very beautiful. Her hair was a dark brown and was quite long, she had a very pretty face and the purple dress she wore complimented her figure nicely. Merlin stared slightly dazed at her beauty, in his old village he never saw women that looked like that. She stared at him accusingly, her expression cleared his mind as he grabbed the bottle from the table behind him.
"What are you doing in here?" She asked him as she stared at the bottle in his hands.
"I-I was asked to deliver this." He walked closer and gently handed her the bottle. He smiled nervously as she looked at the bottle with disinterest, she gave him a small smile back as he quickly escaped the room. He couldn't help but think her as creepy even if she was beautiful. Although the woman frightened him, he was glad to find out that he had completely lost his mind yet and that he still found women attractive. His reaction to Arthur yesterday was disturbing and very unexpected.
Finding that he had some time left Merlin decided to return into town so he could look around properly, last time he didn't have a chance as he was thrown into jail faster than you could say 'Sorcerer'. Unfortunately whilst in town he happened to pass by Arthur and his cronies, he groaned to himself and asked why? Why today? He really didn't want to end up spending another night in a cell, Gaius would kill him before the King could even look at him.
"How's your knee walking coming along?" Called Arthur as he watched Merlin's back stiffen. The boy didn't stop however so Arthur walked forward a few paces and dramatically threw his arms out and exclaimed, "Oh, don't run away!" Merlin stopped in his tracks and rolled his eyes, he breathed deeply out of his nose as Arthur also stopped a few feet behind him.
"From you?" He called back, still not turning around.
"Thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb." Merlin shook his head and turned around to face Arthur and his small gang.
"Look, I told you, you were an ass. I just didn't realise you were a Royal one." Arthur turned and grinned at his friends. "Oh...What are you going to do? Get your Daddy's men to protect you?" Arthur laughed at him as several of his friends grinned at Merlin.
"I could take you apart with one blow." Said Arthur.
'Depends what type of blow you mean...' Thought Merlin who was half tempted to say that out loud, but keeping his mouth shut he said. "I could take you apart with less than that..."
Arthur looked at him in disbelief, "You sure?" A few seconds past by as Merlin thought what he should do. 'Ahh, what the hell.' He thought as he took off his brown jacket. Arthur looked surprised and laughed heartily, 'Don't be so happy, I'm not stripping for you...' Thought Merlin as Arthur was handed a mace.
"Here you go big man." Said Arthur as he threw the mace at Merlin who didn't catch it. Bending down to pick it up Merlin saw Arthur also being handed a mace. Arthur walked towards Merlin menacingly as he swung the mace around his head, Merlin wasn't impressed in the slightest. "I must warn you, I've been trained to kill since Birth."
Merlin smirked, "Wow... and how long have you been training to be a prat?" Slightly taken aback by what Merlin said Arthur peered at him.
"You can't address me like that." Merlin chuckled at Arthur as he gripped his mace.
"Sorry, how long have you been training to be a prat... My Lord?" Arthur grinned as his friends laughed once more, Merlin laughed with them and ducked in alarm as Arthur swung for him with his mace. Walking backwards to escape the mental Prince, Merlin began to think whether or not if it was really a good idea to challenge Arthur like this...
"Come on then Merlin...Come on!" Encouraged Arthur as he walked closer to Merlin. The poor boy crashed into as stall and got his mace stuck, leaving it there Merlin dodged out the way as Arthur charged towards him. Arthur lashed out at Merlin several times and each time Merlin had just managed to dodge it. Arthur swung at Merlin again, and in his effort to dodge the mace Merlin fell backwards over a fruit stall and landed on his back. Temporarily knocking the breath out of his lungs. That didn't stop Arthur, as soon as Merlin scrambled to his feet the Prince jumped over the stall and chased Merlin down into a dead end where several other stalls were. Merlin fell and laid back on several bags while Arthur stood in front of him swinging the mace threateningly.
"You're in trouble now..."
"Oh God..." Whispered Merlin as he looked around for anything to help him. Near the Prince hung several small scythes, using his magic he moved the scythes so they tangled up in the Prince's mace. Shocked Arthur turns to unravel his mace giving Merlin time to rush off and hide behind another stall. As soon as the mace was freed Arthur advanced once again, Merlin looked around and spotted a wooden crate that was stood on its side, using his magic once again he quickly moved the box into the path of the Prince. Who upon standing on it banged his shin painful, he let out a bellow but continued to walk towards Merlin. However, the young magician still had a few tricks up his sleeve, when Arthur was about to walk around the stall where Merlin was hiding, Merlin enchanted a piece of rope to tighten and trip the Prince over.
The Prince fell on some sacks and the mace was flung out of his hand. Merlin, feeling braver, walked towards the mace and grabbed it, seeing this Arthur stood up and walked backwards out of the way as Merlin began to swing the mace around. "Do you want to give up?" He called to Arthur.
"Do you?" Asked Arthur.
"Do you?!" Shouted Merlin. "Do you want to give up?" The Prince walked backwards and tripped over a bucket, landing on the same pile of sacks Merlin had earlier. People cheered as Merlin grinned in satisfaction, looking up he saw the disapproving look from Gaius, this distracted Merlin and allowed Arthur to get back up to his feet. Behind him Arthur grabbed a wooden broom and smacked Merlin on his lower back, startled he swung round only to get hit in the stomach as well. He bent over slightly to clutch his middle which allowed Arthur a perfect chance to smack Merlin across the head with the broom. Merlin fell to the floor and groaned as he watched Arthur grin in victory as he twirled the broom around in his hand before he proceeded to sweep a little bit of the floor.
'Show off...' Thought Merlin as he was dragged to his feet by two guards, 'If you weren't such a prat I'd probably be interested...' Before the guards took him away the Prince ordered them to stop. The guards let him go as Arthur told them too as Merlin looked at him bemused as he took a step back as Arthur stepped towards him.
"He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one." Standing next to one another they looked into each others eyes in puzzlement. "There's something about you Merlin...I can't quite put my finger on it..." Looking at him a moment longer than necessary Arthur walked away and left Merlin standing there confused,
'You can put more than one finger on me if you like...' He thought before he realised what he was thinking, he looked down in embarrassment. 'Why...why did I just think that? I hate this guy! He's so self-centred...' His thoughts were interrupted however when Gaius approached him.
Together they walked back to their chambers. Once there Merlin received a severe telling off from Gaius, Merlin retorted back saying that he was using his magic to teach Arthur a lesson. However he received a lecture on how magic wasn't supposed to be used like that. Merlin became angry and complained that without magic he'd have nothing... would be nothing. Gaius didn't say anything as he watched Merlin closely.
"If I can't use magic..." He paused, "I might as well die..." Before Gaius had anytime to say anything the argument was over before he knew it as Merlin stormed into his small bedroom, the comment lingered in the air as Gaius remembered the hurtful look on Merlin's face. 'That poor boy...' He thought as he stared at the closed door. First things first, he needed to help Merlin with any wounds he might of received during the fight with Prince Arthur.
After attending to his wounds, Merlin was left alone by Gaius as he sat on his bed. The potion was already numbing the pain from the wound in his shoulder but he was still hurting, not from any physical pain but more of a mental one. His mind was full of Arthur the prat and he didn't know why. Merlin thought that the Prince was pompous and self-centred when he actually prevented him from being locked in a cell once again. Merlin ran a hand through his dark hair, ruffling it up even more. So far his stay in Camelot had been very eventful: meeting a very attractive Prince being locked in a cell; being locked in the stocks and that strange voice calling out to him.
The strain was piling up on Merlin, he was so confused about everything. Why did he feel so attracted to Arthur? Why did his Mother send him here? Why did he have to be born with this...with this curse? Merlin put his shirt back on and laid on his bed, his aching muscles needed rest and he wanted a break from his haunting thoughts about Arthur.
Later that night...
"Merlinnnnn!" Called the voice awakening Merlin from his slumber. Sitting up blindly Merlin looked around his room to find, yet again, that there was no one there with him. His heart thumping loudly in his chest Merlin ran a hand through his hair, 'That voice...why does it call to me?'
"Merrrlinnnnn!" Merlin jumped at the sound of the voice and shot out of bed. The voice seems to pull him, to lure him to where the voice was hiding. Getting dressed Merlin snuck out of his room, past a snoring Gaius and soon found himself near the dungeons. Two guards were sat playing with dice, Merlin stared down at them from the stairs and turned his gaze to the dice. As one of the guards rolled them Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the dice tumbled off the table and rolled across the floor. The guard got up to grab them but the dice moved across the floor again, slowly guiding him away from the door Merlin needed to go through. The guard's companion followed his friend and the mysterious moving dice leaving the door unguarded and safe for Merlin to sneak through. Lighting a torch Merlin walked through the door and cautiously walked down the steps, something guided him and he knew that whoever had been calling him was down here somewhere.
Turning a corner Merlin stopped himself walking of a stone ledge into a dark, never-ending drop. It was a cave of some kind, and very cold. Merlin's breath came out in little clouds as he shivered from the temperature, there was no way someone could be hiding down here, it seemed impossible. However his doubt was crushed as he heard a deep rumbling sound, it took a few moments before Merlin realised someone was chuckling. Looking around Merlin could see no one,
"Where are you?" He could out to the darkness as he waved his torch around to look out past the ledge he stood on. An almighty rumble sounded out as a large slightly golden dragon rushed around a rock face straight towards Merlin, panicking the boy stumbled backwards, 'Oh Gods...' He thought as the dragon's wings drew the magical closer to him. However the dragon didn't consume him in a breath of fire. Instead, the beast landed on a large island of rock in front of the ledge where Merlin stood.
"I'm here..." Spoke the dragon, Merlin immediately recognising the voice as the one who had been frequently calling to him. Merlin looked at the dragon wearily and held up the torch to see it better, the dragon stared back and peered at him. "How small you are...for such a great destiny." Merlin gained some more courage and stepped forward.
"Why? What do you mean?" He asked. "What destiny?"
"Your gift, Merlin. Was given to you for a reason..." Said the dragon.
"So there is a reason...?" Asked Merlin as he grew interested in what the dragon had to say.
"Huh...Arthur is the once and future King who will unite the land of Albion."
"Right..." Merlin said as he stared at the dragon in disbelief. Surely he didn't mean that Arthur?
"But he faces many threats, from friend and foe alike."
Suddenly not interested about his destiny and why the dragon mentioned Arthur, Merlin said, "I don't see what this has to do with me."
"Everything!" Exclaimed the dragon, "Without you Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there'll be no Albion."
Merlin shook his head, so the dragon did mean that Arthur, "No, you've got this wrong."
"There is no right or wrong. Only what is, and what isn't."
"But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him they can go ahead! In fact, I'll give them a hand."
The dragon chuckled, "None of us can choose our destiny Merlin...And none of us, can escape it." Merlin suddenly felt very tired, he wasn't going to baby-sit that prat! Yes he was attractive...very attractive in fact, but a prat nonetheless. Shaking his head Merlin replied,
"No...no way, no! No, there must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot."
"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that..." Said the dragon. Merlin peered into the dragon's golden eyes, what does this dragon mean exactly...what is he implying? The dragon began to flap his wings once more, alarmed Merlin shook his head, he needed to know more. The dragon launched itself into the air,
"Wait!" Cried Merlin but it was too late, the dragon was soaring high into the air. "Wait! Stop, stop! I need to know more!" The dragon didn't turn back, he flew higher leaving Merlin by himself on the ledge, confused and annoyed Merlin turned back and fled to his chambers.
In the morning...
After being woken up and lectured by Gaius at the state of his room, Merlin was instructed to give the Lady Morgana her sleeping draft, upon entering the Lady's chambers he was mistaken for her maid and was asked to pass Morgana's dress to her. Embarrassed he did as instructed and listened to her complaints about Arthur while he tried to figure out how to escape without being noticed. The Lady was beautiful but didn't captivate Merlin as he knows she should of done by now, he was already entranced by Arthur the prat which infuriated Merlin. He wasn't going to show or tell anyone about how he was feeling, he wasn't going to give the spoilt Prince the credit.
Merlin panicked as Morgana asked him to assist her with a fastening on her dress, Merlin looked around worriedly as Gwen walked in the room and saved him from, what could have been, a disastrous situation. Nodding his thanks Merlin escaped the room to rush and pick those herbs for Gaius.
At the feast...
Gaius and Merlin walked into the Great hall where everyone of importance was gathered for that night's celebration. Merlin looked around in wonder at the outfits people wore and the luxurious food laid out on long tables. Soon enough his gaze found Arthur laughing with his friends about something, unable to look away from the shiny blonde hair and the superb clothing he was wearing Merlin watched Arthur in a trance. Feeling eyes on his back Arthur looked around and paused as he saw Merlin, his first thought was him wondering about why Merlin was there in the first place but then he lost himself...even in dull clothes there was something about Merlin that wanted to draw him in. Arthur took in the skinny boy and a part of him wondered why he was staring but the blueness of Merlin's eyes, that were deeper than his own, stopped him as their eyes met. A jolt of electricity shot through Arthur as he observed the paleness of Merlin's skin, and the way his hair shined in the light of so many candles. Merlin's blush, made Arthur feel smug as he realised it was him who put it there, as he caught Merlin staring at him.
A nearby Knight murmured something about Morgana and pointed in the opposite direction, Arthur's attention changed and the eye contact he had with Merlin broke. Morgana looked beautiful but he couldn't stop himself thinking of Merlin of all people. Merlin also gazed upon Morgana, jealous of her beauty and how she easily stole Arthur's attention. Jealous Merlin watched as Arthur approached Morgana and spoke to her, he was entranced as both of them together looked breathtakingly stunning...like they were made for one another.
Gwen approached him, "She looks great doesn't she?"
"Yeah..." Merlin sighed. 'But Arthur looks better...' He thought as he continued to stare.
"Some people are just born to be Queen." This sentence startled Merlin out of his fantasies as he turned to look at Gwen,
"No..."
Gwen nodded, "I hope so, one day. Not that I'd wanna be her...Who'd wanna marry Arthur?"
A part of Merlin agreed with what she was saying but then he also wouldn't mind being wed to one so attractive... Remembering the conversation Merlin said, "Oh, come on Gwen. I thought you liked this real rough tough save the world kind of men?"
"No, I like much more ordinary men like you." Merlin scoffed and said he wasn't ordinary in the slightest, Gwen argued that she didn't mean him specifically but people like him. Merlin just stared at Gwen in bafflement as she shamelessly hurt his pride...again. They walked away from each other and Merlin walked and stood against the wall as horns sounded signalling the King's arrival. King Uther stood in front of the table where Arthur and Morgana were already sat,
"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. Its brought the Kingdom and myself many pleasures." Merlin watched him bitterly as he spoke bad things of magic. "But few can compare with the honour of introducing, Lady Helen!" People applauded as the King took his seat. Music played as everyone else began to sit down and turn towards the small stage where Lady Helen was stood.
Her singing was beautiful and entranced everyone except one. Merlin couldn't but ignore the woman's singing as he stared longingly at Arthur who seemed as bored as him, 'Look at me.' Thought Merlin pleadingly. As much as he hated Arthur he couldn't deny himself that lovely, pleasant feeling he had experienced when gazing into the Prince's eyes. But even so the Prince didn't turn and look at him. However, his gazing proved useful when he saw the Prince's head droop in tiredness as silky spiders webs draped themselves over him, Morgana and the King.
Lady Helen's voice still rang out loud and beautifully clear, suspicious Merlin looked around and saw the victorious small on the singer's face, alarmed he noticed everyone else in the same situation as Arthur and his family. Merlin clamped his hands over his ears as he watched Lady Helen stalk towards the table where the Royal family were sat unprotected. Light dimmed as all the candles were extinguished, a sudden chill overtook the room making Merlin shiver unpleasantly. Lady Helen's influence put everyone under a state of sleep as Merlin watched horrified as she turned her gaze on Arthur and glared darkly at him, her eyes promising death. Merlin glanced at Arthur and then back at Lady Helen as she moved closer to the table. Pausing she pulled a dagger out of her dress sleeve as her song reached its end, she held up her hand where her dagger was placed. Looking up Merlin saw that she was stood under a large chandelier. 'I must protect him!' Thought Merlin as his eyes flashed gold just as Lady Helen aimed her dagger. As the last note of her song sounded out the chandelier fell from the ceiling straight onto Lady Helen who stared up at it in shock.
The chandelier connected with the woman with a loud crash as both collapsed to the floor. Lady Helen's spell was lifted as everyone began to wake up, alarmed King Uther stood up and examined the Lady Helen who laid crumbled under the chandelier. Merlin took his hands away from his ears as everyone stared at the body. But Lady Helen was no longer Lady Helen, lifting her head up to glare at Uther the once young face was now old and wrinkled, it was none other than the old woman who had threatened Uther on the day of her son's execution. Arthur also stood up and the old woman's gaze shifted to him, grabbing the discarded dagger she sat up straighter and threw it straight at Arthur.
Merlin was clenched in a sudden burst of energy, 'No, Arthur!' He thought as he lunged towards Arthur. The Prince was frozen in a state of shock even as Merlin tightly grabbed hold of his shoulder, Merlin pulled as hard as he could dragging Arthur out of the dagger's path as it crashed into the back of his chair. The old woman looked on as she failed her task, collapsing she took one last breath and died.
Astonished, the King turned to look at his son who was sprawled out on the floor with Merlin beside him. They both looked at the dagger embedded in the chair as they stood shakily to their feet, onlookers gasped as they looked at Merlin in disbelief. He looked around uncomfortable as his skin still prickled from where he had touched Arthur, the Prince in question looked at him in shock and gratefulness as King Uther walked over to stand by his son and also look at Merlin.
"You saved my boy's life." Merlin rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "A debt must be repaid."
"Erm...well..."
"Don't be so modest, you shall be rewarded."
"No honestly you don't have to Your Highness." Mumbled Merlin as he looked down and shuffled his feet.
"No, absolutely this merit something quite special."
"Well..." Arthur just peered at Merlin as Uther clasped his son on the back.
"You shall be rewarded a position at the Royal Household." Merlin smiled, "You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant." Uther walked off as people applauded, Merlin's smile slipped.
"Father!" Arthur protested but Uther had already walked away. People stood up as Merlin and Arthur glanced at each other in disbelief before looking away in disappointment.
Merlin walked back to the chambers, with Gaius, still in shock. This was his reward? To be a servant to that... prat?! Once back in the chambers Merlin escaped in his room and sat near his window and sulked, he was just about getting used to ignoring Arthur (even after the strange eye contact earlier) but now...being his manservant was just going to make things worse!
A knock at the door interrupted his musings as Gaius walked through the door. "Seems you're a hero."
"Hard to believe isn't it?"
"No, I knew it from the moment I met you... well you saved my life remember?"
Merlin looked at Gaius in shock, "But..." He paused. "That was magic."
Gaius nodded. "And now it seems we've finally found a use for it."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw how you saved Arthur's life."
"Ah! No!" Merlin protested, he didn't want to be a baby-sitter.
"Perhaps that's its purpose."
"My destiny?" Merlin thought back on what the dragon had said to him.
"Indeed." Gaius said as he approached Merlin, a large book, covered with a red cloth, in his hand. "This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." Merlin took it of him and looked at it curiously before looking back at Gaius. Unwrapping it Merlin uncovered a large, brown book that looked quite old. It was fastened with two, detailed metal clasps. Opening it Merlin shifted through the pages looking in wonder at the spells written on beautifully illustrated pages. Merlin laughed in happiness as he looked at Gaius with a small smile before looking through the book once more.
"This is a book of magic." Said Merlin grinning.
"Which is why you must keep it hidden." Replied Gaius, a smile in his voice.
"I will study every word!" A knock sounded on the door breaking the warm ambience between the two of them. A voice called out,
"Merlin! Prince Arthur wants you right away!" Gaius smiled at Merlin.
"Your destiny's calling." Said Gaius as Merlin smiled back. Indicating his head towards the door Gaius continued, "You better see what he wants." Putting the magic book down on the table Merlin left his bedroom and went to face his 'destiny' no matter how annoying the part was. Merlin knew this journey was going to be an interesting one.
Somewhere under the castle a dragon laughed, if only the young warlock knew how tightly his destiny was bound to Arthur's not only in friendship or companionship...but also in love.