Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter One:
In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man. His name… Merlin.
)o(
Merlin sat on a bench on the far side of the training grounds, sharpening a sword as he watched Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table train. Arthur was currently fighting Mordred who was holding his own quite well against the King.
"Lower right," Merlin suddenly said telepathically to Mordred, who moved just in time to block Arthur's attack
"Thank you, Emrys," Mordred replied.
Merlin smiled to himself and continued to sharpen the sword in his hands. Finally Arthur disarmed Mordred and the fight was over. Merlin glanced up briefly and watched as Mordred reclaimed his fallen sword while Arthur regained his breath.
"You're getting good, Mordred," Arthur said once he'd gotten his breath back. "Very good."
"My lord," Mordred bowed his head.
"I may have to start trying soon," Arthur added, causing the other Knights to laugh.
Mordred quickly made his way over to the bench Merlin was sitting on and sat down beside him.
"You did well," Merlin smiled.
"Thank you, Emrys," Mordred replied. "I wouldn't have done as well, if you hadn't helped me."
"If you didn't have any skill with a sword, my help would have been useless," Merlin pointed out.
"I thank you all the same," Mordred smiled slightly.
"Merlin!" Arthur suddenly exclaimed.
"My lord?" Merlin asked.
But suddenly the world around Merlin began to slow and everything sounded like it was underwater.
"Heo cwaeth. Se wyrdes last bith ansiene. Nu syndon his folma blodige ond tha ne maeg he feormian. His endetime is on ofost. Heo cwaeth. Se wyrdes last bith ansiene. Nu syndon his folma blodige. His endetime is on ofost," An eerie chanting filled the air.
"Osgar," A voice said. "You know what must be done?"
"I do," Another voice answered.
"Stand," The first voice said again. "Take it. The fate of Arthur Pendragon is in your hands now. See that you honour it."
A chill run down Merlin's spine and suddenly the world around him resumed its normal speed. Merlin swayed where he sat and Mordred quickly grabbed hold of Merlin's arm to keep his steady. Merlin blinked rapidly and looked round, feeling disoriented.
"Emrys?" Mordred questioned.
Merlin ignored him and looked up and Arthur, who was giving him a strange look.
"Merlin!" Gwaine greeted as he approached them. "Are you alright, my good friend? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine," Merlin answered, quickly. "Just a little dizzy."
"Maybe you should go and see Gaius," Mordred recommended.
"I'm fine," Merlin repeated, before turning his attention back to Arthur. "What did you need, sire?"
)o(
Merlin followed Arthur through the doors to the royal chambers, picking up the laundry basket by the door as he did so.
"Mordred used a contre quarte to my high-line attack," Arthur said as he walked towards his desk and sat down. "It was skillfully done, really."
Merlin didn't answer as he bent down to pick up a dirty shirt from the floor… How did Arthur create such a mess?
"You do understand what a contre quarte is, don't you?" Arthur asked.
"At a guess, a type of parry," Merlin glanced up at Arthur briefly. "Beginning in the quarte position, ending with a twist of the wrist."
"You have been paying attention," Arthur nodded. "And what do you think of young Mordred?"
"He's, er," Merlin paused. "Making progress."
"He has all the makings of a fine knight, don't you think?" Arthur questioned.
"There are many fine knights in Camelot," Merlin answered. "And he'll make a fine addition."
"Yes," Arthur nodded to himself. "But if I'm not mistaken, he'll be one of the finest, and I'm determined he'll receive nothing but encouragement from me."
"Will that be all, sire?" Merlin asked, having picked up all the dirty laundry from around the room.
He could feel a headache beginning to build behind the back of his eyes and he really wished he'd listened to Mordred when he'd said he should visit Gaius.
"Yes," Arthur nodded.
Merlin bowed and walked over to the door, only for it to open and Gwen to enter.
"Merlin," She greeted with a warm smile.
"My lady," Merlin couldn't help but smile.
"I've been looking for you everywhere," Gwen said. "I need you to deliver a letter for me."
Gwen held out a letter.
Freya.
Was written across the top.
"Of course, my lady," Merlin said, taking the letter from her with a nod.
"Thank you, Merlin," Gwen smiled. "Promise me you'll visit Gaius."
Merlin frowned, "My lady?"
"Sir Mordred told me what happened at the training grounds," Gwen answered.
"I'm fine, my-" Merlin began to say.
"Go and see him, Merlin," Gwen said, sternly. "Sir Mordred was very worried."
Merlin nodded and Gwen stepped to the side, allowing Merlin to exit the room.
)o(
"You think he's not ready?" Gaius questioned upon seeing the look on Merlin's face as he entered.
"What?" Merlin asked, looking up to see Gaius working on a potion at one of the benches an open book resting beside him.
"Young Mordred," Gaius answered.
"It's not that," Merlin shook his head. "He's an excellent swordsman."
"You think he's too young? Too headstrong?" Gaius raised an eyebrow.
"He's always been thoughtful and modest," Merlin replied, twirling Gwen's letter to Freya between his fingers.
"The boy sounds perfect, Merlin," Gaius said.
Merlin sighs.
"It dangerous here, Gaius," Merlin explained. "If anyone was to ever find out…"
"He is more than able to look after himself, Merlin," Gaius pointed out. "But not against every Knight!" Merlin exclaimed. "Arthur's already questioned how Mordred was able to hold his own against Morgana… What if he looks deeper into it? What if he finds out?"
"Mordred would never betray your secret, Merlin," Gaius said sternly.
"I know he wouldn't," Merlin answered, slightly hurt Gaius would think that was what he was worried about. "I would happily take the blame for him."
"That would be an incredibly foolish thing to do," Gaius scolded. "Camelot needs you alive."
"Does the name Osgar mean anything to you?" Merlin suddenly asked.
"I can't say that it does," Gaius replied. "Why do you ask?"
"I had a vision, at least I think it was a vision," Merlin reached up and rubbed his forehead. "I heard voice… The one named Osgar, he was told Arthur's fate now lay in his hands… What does it mean, Gaius? Does he really control Arthur's fate?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Gaius answered. "The future has many paths."
Merlin nodded and walked up the steps to his room. He pushed the door open and entered his room, looking down at the letter in his hand. He pushed the door shut behind him with his foot and jumped when he looked up to find Mordred sitting on his bed.
"Mordred," Merlin greeted.
"Emrys," Mordred replied.
"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked.
"I came to see if you were alright," Mordred explained. "You had a vision?"
"You heard that?" Merlin questioned.
Mordred nodded, "You do not need to worry, Emrys. They won't find out about my magic."
)o(
Hey! I hope you enjoy the start of this story. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.