I was rather hesitant at first. But I also had to think of my boy. Living in Ealdor the rest of his life won't do him any good. He's young and adventurous...farming was not his forte, neither was tending to cattle. I just had to send him away, especially knowing that he wasn't like the other boys. I never told him about his father; didn't see the need to since he up and left before Merlin was born. I raised him by myself, and it wasn't a simple task – how DOES a simple farm-girl like me raise the son of a Dragon-Lord?
He began to realise that he had a gift, and a very dangerous gift it was if he wasn't careful. He was barely learning to crawl when I learnt of King Uther's decree: Magic was outlawed and anyone found to possess magic would be executed! As my boy grew up, his powers became stronger. He never abused his gift, but I realised it would only be a matter of time before the villagers suspected him. I feared that one day Uther's army would be at my doorstep, dragging my boy away.
So I wrote to an old friend in Camelot. He was also a sorcerer once, but he put aside his days of magic in favour of being the Court Physician. He was glad to know that I offered Merlin to be his apprentice. With a heavy heart, I sent my dear son away...away to a city I had only heard about but never seen. I hoped he would be happy there, doing what he does best – helping people! Yes, Merlin was kind and self-less. He would rather put himself in danger if it meant to save someone. It would seem rather foolish at times, risking so much even to help a complete stranger. But that was Merlin, and that was something else he inherited from his father.
Gaius agreed to take Merlin in. I received his letter a week after Merlin arrived in Camelot. Gaius also knew that Merlin was indeed a sorcerer, but he warned Merlin to keep it a secret. It was then that I realised my mistake – I had sent Merlin to the work for the very King who outlawed magic! But Gaius assured me of Merlin's safety. I had Merlin write to me at least once a month, telling EVERYTHING that happened to him. I missed him dearly the first few months, but then I had gotten used to it, through his letters.
He used to write about the most trivial of matters: from gathering herbs, to making potions, to shining the Prince's boots and making his bed...etc. Ah, so Merlin's house-keeping skills were going to be of use after all then! He also told me about a book of spells that Gaius gave him to practice. Of course, he practiced in secret...lest Uther caught him and had him killed. After almost six months, Merlin's letters took a different form. He sometimes asked cryptic questions and talked about his feelings for a certain someone.
So my boy had fallen in love! Oh, I wondered if it was that servant girl he frequently mentioned...Gwen I think her name was. But Merlin insisted that she was nothing more than a friend...perhaps like a sister. Naturally, I began to worry. If my boy had fallen for a noblewoman, he would only have his heart broken. But as I read deeper into his letters, I found myself smiling – it wasn't a noblewoman after all; my son had fallen in love with the Crown Prince of Camelot! I warned him initially, knowing he might be making the biggest mistake of his life.
It wasn't until I met the Prince himself that my worries began to diminish. One look and I knew...I just KNEW...the Prince was head over heels in love with Merlin too! I was happy for the both of them. Merlin had found someone to grow old with, someone who had accepted him for who he was. Yes, he did tell the Prince about his gift. And the Prince seemed fine with this revelation. I suppose I should start worrying less about my dear boy – after all "a son is yours till he finds a wife..." but in this case, my son's literally found his "Prince Charming"!