Merlynn
Chapter one: The Dragon's Call
No young woman, no matter how great, can know her destiny. She cannot glimpse her part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, she must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A girl that will, in time, father the legend. Her name: Merlynn
Merlynn was all set to go to Camelot, apart from one thing, she lacked answers, apart from, and she quoted her mother: "to learn to control your abilities." But how would sending her to a place where she couldn't do magic altogether help? She would never know, but she trusted her mother regardless so she agreed to go and find Gaius, whom was like an uncle to her. She hoisted her bag over her shoulder. "Are you sure you have everything?" Hunith, her mother asked worriedly, Merlynn nodded mutely. Hunith pulled her into a hug, Merlynn rested her head on her mothers, if there's one thing peculiar about Merlynn that isn't her ears, and magic of cause, it's her height. She was about a foot taller the her mother and Hunith wasn't sure where Merlin's height came from, it wasn't from her and certainly not her father, ok it might be from her father but it still remained a mystery. "Make sure you send a letter as soon as you get there." Hunith said brushing Merlynn's dark brown hair over her ear, it only flopped back over her blue eyes." I will." Merlynn promised. Hunith sighed in frustration, at this Merlynn grinned a cheeky 'I know what your thinking' grin. "Why I ever let you cut your hair is a mystery to me." Hunith said with a shake of her head. Merlynn's grin widened, she leaned in and pecked her mother on the cheek while her left hand picked up a piece of rolled up paper and an envelope on the table beside them she took a step back and turned to leave, but not before saying one last 'I love you.'
Merlynn jumped on a fallen and stood, tall and alert, like a meerkat. Reason for this? Her friend a boy named Will was creeping around this part of the woods, his original plan was to scare her but she got a heads up from his mom, she said he was going to 'stalk his prey and kill her with water' he should remember to NOT tell his mum his plans. There was a rustle of someone moving around. Here he comes she thought. She jumped, did a backflip in the air and landed behind the bushes. Splash! Merlynn stumbled back In shock, drenched in icy cold water, she shook her head like a dog after a swim. Will laughed. Merlynn grinned. "Four point for team Will Four points for team Merlynn, it's a draw." She said when Will finally calmed down. he sat down on the fallen tree, still grinning like an idiot. Merlynn sat down next to him "couldn't let you leave in the lead now could I?" He asked. She rolled my eyes. "Would it damage your ego?" She asked in a slightly taunting voice. It was Will's turn to roll his eyes. Then his faced turned serious, well as serious as Will could get, which wasn't very mind you. "I'm gonna miss you." he said. She nodded. "I'm gonna miss you too." Merlynn replied, then eyed the horizon or what light you can see through trees. Merlynn jumped down from the tree followed by Will. They said their goodbyes and Merlynn set off again, for real this time and with one purpose only, make it to camelot before nightfall.
Merlynn stopped, the castle was in view and boy was it beautiful, her clothes had dried out with a little bit of magical help and she took a swig of water from her flas. Securing the image in her mind she continued onwards.
Soon she made it to the front gates and entered excitedly, everyone was running around doing chores and shopping, she grinned, no one was paying attention to her which gave her a chance to explore, she traveled further into the city and she came across a large crowd of people gathered around the town square. She pushed her way into the crowd just a tiny bit to see what was going on. A man around 30's was being lead to a chopping block. Merlynn watched in horror as the man's head was shoved onto the chopping block. "Why doesn't he fight back?" A little boy asked his mummy. "Because he accepts his fate." The mummy replied pulling the child away from the crowd not wanting the child to see what comes next.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all." The king began, Merlynn's head snapped in the direction of the voice which silenced everyone when he spoke, he was the king, King Uther Pendragon. "This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." A feeling of dread crept up Merlynn's spine making her shiver. She lowed her eyes hoping that the king wouldn't scan the crowd pick her an execute her for being who she was. Uther raises his arm, then lowers it as a signal to the executioner. The signal was followed by a silent swing of an axe and a crack then thud as it beheads Thomas and hits the block. Everywhere around her there were gasps. Merlynn stayed still paralysed by what just happened.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, 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. Let the celebrations begin." When Uther finished he was smiling, welcoming like his son just won a game of checkers or something. Festival? Killing an innocent man is no coarse for a festival! She thought bewilderedly. Suddenly a loud wailing filled with pain and grief filled the air. People departed to let pass an old woman, she looked at Uther with fresh hatred. "There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son." She said taking a few steps forward. "Seize her!" Uther shouted. The woman grabbed a pendent that's was hanging around her neck and chanted a spell before disappearing in a whirl of wind and smoke. Murmur's began to rise up in the crowd as they all departed, continuing with their day.
Merlynn walked up to a guard in the palace. "Where would I find Gaius, the- the court physician?" The gaurd pointed me in the right direction and She nodded her thanks before following his directions. She reach a door which was slightly ajar,she nocked and peeked inside. "Hello?" She called out uncertain. She opened the door fully and walked inside. "Hello? Gaius?" Silence, she cleared her throat when she spotted an old man presumingly gaius. He tripped fell backwards from the bookshelf stair and the railing broke under his weight and he fell. Out of instinct, Merlynns eyes flashed gold, slowing down time. Her eyes darted around the room before landing on a bed, her eyes flashed again and the bed moved under gaius, she released her hold on her magic, time sped up again Gaius landed safely on the bed, he sat up, shocked but strangely unfazed. "What did you just do?" He asked.
"Erm..." Merlynn said her brain working like a hurricane and yet not one excuse came to mind, there was no denying it, will this be the end? "Tell me!" He demanded getting up and walking towards her, she took a step backwards.
"I- I- I have no idea what happened." She lied stupidly she mentally face palmed. "If anyone had seen that..." He started. "Er, no! That- that was, that was nothing to do with me. That- that was..." She tried again. Looking around the room for anything that could help her. "I know what it was! I just want to know where you learned how to do it!" He said. She cocked her head, you can learn this stuff? "Nowhere." She replied simply. "So how is it you know magic?" He asked getting straight to the point. "I don't." She said uncertainty. "Where did you study?... Answer me!" He demanded, she jumped a bit. "I- I've never studied magic or, or been taught." She said truthfully. "Are you lying to me, girl?" He asked, Merlynn dispute everything, felt offended. "What do you want me to say?" She replied. "The truth!"
"I was born like this!" "That's impossible! Who are you?" He finally asked. "Oh, erm..." Merlynn pulled off her backpack and started shuffling through the bag before grasping the letter and pulling it out. "I have this letter." He took the letter from her. "I- I don't have my glasses."
"I'm Merlynn."
"Hunith's son?" "Yes!" Merlynn smiled. "But you're not meant to be here till Wednesday!" Gaius exclaimed. Merlynn's smile faltered. "It is Wednesday." Gaius look awkward. "Ah, right then. You better put your bag in there." He pointed to a room up a few stairs."You- you won't say anything about, erm..." She turned and asked. "No. Although, Merlin, I should say thank you." Gaius replied with a small smile before Merlynn went into her new room.
That night Gaius sat down, with his glasses and opened the letter that Merlynn had given to him earlier that day. My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust. It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlynn were not so. Ours is a small village and she is so clearly at odds with people here that, if she were to remain, I fear what would become of her. She needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help her find a purpose for his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her daughter, keep her safe, and may God save you both. He sighed put the letter down and sat there for a moment thinking.
Morgana was stared out the window from the Griffin Landing when Uther entered. "Morgana." The tone in his voice pretty much said that he wanted her to do something and she disobeyed. "Yes?"
She simply asked with fake innocence. "What is this? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" Uther asked. "I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for a celebration. That poor mother." She said coolly. "It was simple justice for what he'd done."
"To whom? He practiced some magic, he didn't hurt anyone."
"You were not around twenty years ago, you have no idea what it was like."
"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?"
"Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom! You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen."
"I told you! I want no part in these celebrations!"
"I'm your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect at least respect our finest singer."
"You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create!" she called after her guardian.
"Merlynn... Merlynn..." Called the voice Merlynn woke with a start. She was confused as to who and why the voice was calling to her, brushing it aside she got up and got dressed she stumbled down the steps and enter the physicians chambers. "I got you water. You didn't wash last night."
"Sorry." Merlynn replied clearly not sorry. "Help yourself to breakfast." Merlynn did just that but just that second Gaius nocked the bucket of water off the table and out of pure instinct Merlynn jumped up and stopped it with magic. Gaius gasped and they looked at each other. Merlynn let it drop onto the floor and it splashes everywhere. "How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" "I don't know any spells." "So what did you do? There must be something." "It just happens." Merlynn said. She picked up a mop and started to clean it up.
"Well, we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here." He places a small sack and a bottle on the table. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once."
"Okay" Merlynn replied picking up the sack and bottle."And here." Gaius handed her a plate with a sandwich on it, Merlynn smiled and took the sandwich. "Off you go. And Merlin!, I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed." She nodded, as Merlynn walked down the corridor she munched on the sandwich happily, she crossed the square and to a door which was sir olwin's. She nocked. The door swung open to reveal a squinting old man. "Erm, I brought you your medicine." Merlynn said passing the drink to him, she opened her mouth to speak again but it was to late, sir Olwin uncorked it and started gulping it down "Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at..." Sir Olwin finished the remedy. "I'm sure it's fine." Merlynn finished walking off.
Merlynn crossed the drawbridge gate and walked into the training grounds, her journey was cut short by the sight of a blonde-hair-knight training. A boy, possibly younger than Merlynn, holding a target.
"Where's the target?" Arthur, the blonde knight asked. Arthur's gang laughed and Merlynn frowned. "There, Sir?" The boy asked, holding up the target. "It's into the sun?" Arthur asked. "But, it's not that bright." He protested. "A bit like you, then?" Arthur replied smirking. Merlynn's frown deepened, who was he to treat a young man like dirt? Arthur's 'friends' laughed. "I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" He said carrying the target towards the wall.
"Teach him a lesson. Go on, boy." Said a knight. "This'll teach him." Said Arthur holding up a dagger, ready to throw it. "Yeah." Said another. Merlynn watched disapprovingly. "Haha. Teach him a lesson." Said one knight. Arthur threw the dagger and it hit the middle slap bang. "Hey! Hang on!" Morris exclaimed. "Don't stop!" Arthur shouted at the boy. Morris took a few steps back. "Here?" He asked. Out of an upper window, a dark-skinned girl shook a curtain with a disapproving look on her face.
"I told you to keep moving!" Arthur shouted getting ready to throw another dagger. He threw the dagger and Merlynn watched as it sailed through the air and hit the target. Bullseye. "Come on! Run!" Arthur shouted at his servant. Morris shuffled his feet along trying to carry the large target as Arthur throws dagger after dagger at him.
"Do you want some moving target practice?" Arthur asked to no one in particular.
Morris finally dropped the target and it rolled to Merlynn's feet, a side of Merlynn told her to just walk away, leave it, but the other side, told her to intervene, it was enough. So Merlynn, ignoring the angel, placed her foot on the target so Morris couldn't pick it up.
"Hey, come on, that's enough." She said loud enough for the crowd to hear.
"What?" Arthur asked confused, a mere boy, a pheasant! Giving orders? To him? The prince.
"You've had your fun, my friend." Merlynn continued.
"Do I know you?"
"Er, I'm Merlynn." Merlynn said holding out her hand for him to shake. It was ignored.
"So I don't know you."
"No."
"Yet you called me "friend."
"That was my mistake."
"Yes, I think so." Arthur nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlynn turned and started walking away. Arthur snorted in amusement. "Or I one who could be so stupid." Merlynn stopped walking. Arthur smiled, success. "Tell me, Merlynn, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
"No." Merlynn replied puzzled. What has walking on your knees got to do do with anything? She turned around."Would you like me to help you?" Her mouth slowly turned upwards an plain cheeky or evil smile on her face. "I wouldn't if I were you." She warned. Arthur chuckled. "Why? What are you going to do to me?" He asked mockingly scared."You have no idea." She said smirking.
"Be my guest! Come on! Come on! Come oooooon." He encourage. Merlynn swung at him. Arthur grabbed her arm and twisted it around behind her back.
"Whoa." A few knights said.
"I'll have you thrown in jail for that."
Merlynn grimaced. "What, who do you think you are? The King?"
"No. I'm his son, Arthur."
