Guys, this is my first Merlin fanfiction, and also my first written in english. I'm brazilian, so obviously, my english is not perfect. Please, i'm sorry for the grammar, try to be patient with me, ok? If there's anyone who wants to help me with the translation thing, PM me. I'll really appreciate that. I hope you enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A philosopher once asked, "Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?" Pointless, really… "Do the stars gaze back?" Now that's a question.
Merlin looked at the druid symbol on the man's wrist. He was dead or almost that, he thought. His papery skin was a sick shade of gray.
The sorcerer looked around for a second. He was in a cave on the outskirts of the small village of Asgorath. Merlin, Arthur, and some of the knights had found the place whilst setting off for Ismere, the infamous fortress Morgana had settled down. While looking for any survivors from the saxon attack, Merlin heard the man calling for him, and now he was staring at his almost lifeless form.
A bad feeling was slowly taking over him. Of course, the fact that the village has been attacked and its villagers murdered little did to lessen his uneasiness; but, since he entered the cave, the uneasiness has turned into something more powerful, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. However, whatever it was, terrified him.
Suddenly, he felt a hand grab his wrist, making him jump. The druid had his deep blue eyes wide open and firmly stared at Merlin. Looking for answers, the young one leaned over, quickly questioning, "What happened to you? Who did this to your village?"
"That it happened at all is all that matters." the other hastened to say, swallowing once, his voice becoming darker, "I have been haunted by this moment for many years... since long before you set foot on this Earth, Emrys. I have waited for its arrival with sorrow in my heart." he admitted.
Gathering his last strength, the man propelled himself forward, holding on to Merlin, forcing the young sorcerer to look at him and understand what he was about to say, "For even as Camelot flowers, so the seeds of her destruction are being sown. The prophets speak of Arthur's bane. You would do well to fear it, for it stalks him like a ghost in the night." he whispered, "Unless you act quickly, Emrys, even you cannot alter the never-ending circle of his fate." the druid advised.
The temperature inside the cave dropped, and a shiver ran down Merlin's spine. He shook his head and felt his eyes widen. A second later, he realised he wanted to let go of the man and just walk away. Forget his ominous words. But he knew it was his duty to protect the king, so he just couldn't do it, "If this man knows so much about the prophecies and its consequences, therefore he must know a way to save Arthur." he thought to himself.
Leaning over once more, Merlin asked hopelessly, "There must be a way to reverse the prophecy. If there's a way, a slightest chance, please, tell me." he pleaded.
The man took a deep breath, laying his head back, exhausted. After a few seconds, he finally said, "The latest prophecy speaks of a star. She will fall from the sky and, filled with compassion for the misery brought by Arthur's bane, will decide to intervene and help to reverse the circle of Camelot's destiny." he whispered, giving Merlin a stern look, "But you must be careful, Emrys, because the star will act through the person you most fear. You must be sure she succeeds. Otherwise, everything will be lost."
Then, with a final gasp, the druid closed his eyes. His hand tilted sideways, fingers touching the water of a fountain. As soon as his skin touched the surface, images began to appear, drawing the attention of the young one. Frowning, Merlin stood there, watching:
A blood red sky. Fire. A battle field. Bodies scattered everywhere on the grass while the metallic noise of swords clashing fills the air. An indistinct figure slowly moves through a mess of corpses, armors and swords. A second later, Arthur, slightly astonished, watches the figure come near him. It's Mordred, staring at the king with a look of hatred. He raises the sword intending to attack him, but Arthur defends himself. Taking advantage of the still stunned state of Arthur, Mordred strikes again, stabbing the other. The king falls to his knees while a strangled and loud cry is heard not far from them. It's a woman. Her creamy pale skin, her blonde hair halfway down her back. She runs to them, a hurt look in her turquoise eyes. She kneels beside the king, uncontrollably sobbing. She looks up to Mordred, staring at him in a mixture of sadness and pity.
"Is he alive?" Arthur's voice is heard, abruptly interrupting Merlin's vision. Noticing for the first time his servant's uneasy face, Arthur frowned, " What is it?"
Still bewildered, Merlin looked down to the water once more, as if to make sure that the vision had really gone. He simply shook his head, unable to say a word.
"Come on, Merlin, you've seen a dead body before." Arthur tried to comfort him, "As soon as we've given these people a proper burial, we're moving out." he informed, leaving the cave.
At night, Merlin couldn't sleep. He closed his eyes, trying to hold the thoughts from coming. But to no avail; the events in Asgorath insisted on staying in his head, unnerving him, filling him up with doubts. After all, could possibly the girl in the vision be the star of the prophecy? It was an explanation. She looked human, though. Could she do that? And would act through whom?
Merlin has never heard of something like that. Perhaps Gaius knows something, he thought to himfelf. The sorcerer mentally groaned. It was going to take a while for him to see the physician again, he realised bitterly.
Sighing, he silently stood, sneaking out of the camp. He needed answers, and he needed them as soon as possible. Finding a place far enough from the camp, Merlin used his powers to summon Kilgarrah.
"I need to know about a druid symbol." he demanded, as soon as the dragon landed in front of him, "A black spiral, within it a thin, yellow coil."
"It is the mark of a Vates. A druid seer." the dragon said promptly, then narrowed his eyes at Merlin, "Where did you encounter him?"
"On my journey here. He warned me of Arthur's bane." the sorcerer told him.
"His bane?" the creature questioned.
Merlin nodded, "And then he showed me a battle. A terrible battle. Arthur was fighting for his life. I saw him wounded. I saw him fall." then he remembered the star and quickly added, "He also told me about a new prophecy. It spoke of a star, it will come to Earth and will help to reverse Arthur's fate."
"A star?" the dragon seemed surprised and remained thoughtful for a moment, "If what you say is true, young warlock, then you should consider yourself lucky. The stars are a symbol of hope. However, it is rare for them to come to Earth and intervene in human affairs. Usually they prefer to watch, without taking sides. Only a few of them that sympathize with human suffering come to Earth. It's too dangerous for them. Beyond those who desire their divine power, there is risk of them being corrupted. Sometimes human temptations are too strong." Kilgarrah commented, "Anything else?"
Merlin hesitated, lowering his gaze, his brows knitted together, "He told me she would act through the person I most fear. What is that mean?"
"It is hard to say, Merlin. That you will find out when the time is right. For all we know, the star has not fallen yet." the creature tried to reason.
"There is something else." Merlin hastened to say, "I think I saw her. In the battle. She looked human. Is that possible?"
"Yes, it is a way they found to mingle and interact with humans. It's part of their powers." Kilgarrah explained.
"So, this battle will come to pass?" Merlin questioned, the doubt bothered him.
"I do not know, young warlock, but the Vates power of prophecy is unrivalled, even by a high priestess. One thing is certain: this was no chance meeting."
"You think I should heed his warning?" the sorcerer asked, uncertain.
"There was a time when the words of a vates were considered a gift."
"Then why do they feel like a burden?" Merlin bitterly retorted.
"A wise man is not cowed by knowledge, Merlin. Instead, he uses it to guide him." the dragon censured.
"How?"
"That is something only you can decide. But remember, the Vates singled you out for a reason." the creature warned, "Now, more than ever, it is you and you alone that can keep Arthur safe."