A/N SEQUEL! If you haven't read Emrys: Seeds of Destruction, I suggest you do because that one comes before this story.
Umm, this takes place a year after the first one (Not the prologue, of course, but the rest does.) This one is going to have more love stuff in it, which is why I marked it as Romance.
Still Merthur.
Always Merthur.
Gaius is in this chapter, yay! (But only this chapter because it's a flashback.)
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or Hellboy
Douglas Air Force Base, New Mexico- December 24th, 1955
5:48 PM
"Merlin, will you turn off that wretched puppet and brush your teeth?"
The small dark-haired boy with bright red skin rolled his eyes and turned to look at the middle aged professor standing behind him."Dad, don't call him a puppet."
Gaius raised his eyebrow to his hairline and frowned. "I beg your pardon?"
Merlin sighed, standing up from his seat in front of the television and crossing his arms. "He's not a puppet. Howdy-Doody's real." He stated with a firm nod.
"Well, I believe it's time to tell Mr. 'Dee-Dee Doo-Doo' good night." Gaius smiled as he walked over and turned off the television set. "You know Santa only visits children who are sleeping."
The little demon nodded in understanding and began slowly walking to his room, until something outside the window caught his eye. "Dad, look! It's snowing again!" The boy tottered over to the window excitedly, standing on his tip-toes to see outside. Gaius shook his head and joined his son on the window ledge, picking the boy up and placing him on his lap. Merlin sighed contently and rested his head on his father's chest as they watched the snowfall.
"Dad, he whispered. "Will you tell me a story?"
Gaius pressed a kiss on the top of his head and chuckled. "Only if you promise to get ready for bed."
Merlin jumped down and ran towards the bathroom, pulling out his toothbrush and showing his father that he was getting ready. Gaius pulled a large, leather bound book from a nearby bookshelf and walked over to sit in a chair positioned between the bathroom and Merlin's bedroom.
"Now, let's see." He flipped through the pages until he found a satisfactory story and grinned. "How about 'The Legend of the Golden Army'?"
Merlin nodded, unable to talk as he brushed his teeth. Gaius cleared his throat and began.
"It is said that at the dawn of time, man, beast, and all magical beings lived together under Aeglin, the Father Tree. But man had been created with a hole in his heart, a hole that no possession, power, or knowledge could fill. And in his infinite greed, man dreamed of expanding his dominion over the entire earth. The blood of many a magic-folk was spilled in their war with man, and King Iseldir, the king of the Druids, watched the slaughter in dread and despair.
"But one day, the master of the goblin blacksmiths offered to build the king a golden mechanical army, seventy times seventy soldiers, that would never know hunger, and could not be stopped. Princess Morgause begged her father to agree.
"Build me this army," the king said. And so, a magical crown was forged that would allow those of royal blood to command the Golden Army, if unchallenged. 'I am King Iseldir, leader of the Golden Army. Is there anyone who disputes my right?'
And in his throne room, no one challenged his word."
"But what if someone did challenge him?" Merlin asked, eyes wide with wonder as he climbed into bed. "Would the king have to fight them?"
"Yes, Merlin, I suppose they would. Now do you want me to tell the story or not?"
The boy bit his lip and nodded enthusiastically, pulling his knees to his chest as he listened.
"So, the world was changed, and the next time man's army marched, the earth trembled beneath their feet." Gaius continued, moving to sit on the corner of Merlin's bed. "And the sky darkened with monstrous shapes. The Golden Army had no remorse, felt no loyalty or pain. And King Iseldir's heart grew heavy with regret. So, he called a truce, and divided the crown into three pieces, one for the humans, and two for himself. In exchange, man would keep to the cities and magic-folk would own the forests. This truce would be honored by their sons, and the son's of their sons until the end of time.
"But Princess Morgause did not believe in the promises of man, and it is said went in exile, vowing to return when her people needed her most. So, the Golden Army lay dormant, locked inside the earth –waiting.
"And there it is until this day. Awaiting the day the crown was made whole again. Silent, still and indestructible."
"What does indus…industriable mean?" Merlin stammered, tilting his head curiously.
"Indestructible." Gaius corrected, stroking a strand of black hair from his son's forehead. "It means they cannot be destroyed. Now, go to sleep."
Merlin laid his head back on his pillow and frowned. "Dad?" He squeaked, pulling his blanket up to his chin. "It's not real, right? The Golden Army and all that –it's just a story?"
Gaius grinned and kissed the top of his son's head. "I'm sure you'll find out someday. Good night, son."
"Good night, Dad. I love you."
"I love you, too, my little Merlin."
Santa came that night, bringing dreams of sugarplums and snow to all the little children, except for one little demon who, instead, dreamt of an indestructible magical army locked miles beneath the earth.
A/N I love writing little Merlin. He's just so cute!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and you continue to read!
Please take a little bit of time and leave some criticism or love! (Review)
Thank you!