I have recently devoured the BBC Merlin series starring Colin Morgan and I am in love, with him, with the show - just everything about it really.
This story is set just after Uther dies (early season four.)
DISCLAIMER - I do not own any of these characters, they all rightfully belong to the BBC.
Chapter One - The Warlock's Wish
The stars twinkled high above them, the dark sky covering them like a blanket. With quiet steps King Arthur and Sir Gwaine followed the silhouette of a young man. They followed him like two unnoticed shadows as he glided through the forest.
Every night for the past week Merlin had vanished from the castle, only to return the next day with deep purple bags under his eyes and prepared with feeble excuses that he had never left his bed.
"I fear he may be under a spell." Arthur had told Gwaine that morning. "I wish to follow him this evening, will you join me?"
Of course Gwaine had not hesitated. And now, here they were.
The trees were thinning now, and they had to be careful not to be seen. Arthur and Gwaine slowed their pace, through the trees Arthur could see water, a few more steps and he could see that it was a large lake.
Merlin knelt at the edge of it, such a romantic figure. Everything about the scene was eerie to Arthur. He motioned to Gwaine to follow him and the two solders made their way through the trees so that they stood in a cluster of bushes to the side of Merlin a mere thirty feet away - with a perfect view.
For a moment or two Merlin merely knelt at the water's edge, a solemn look etched upon his face. And then he leant forward and placed his hand in the water.
"Oh Lady, my Lady!" He called into the air. "Lady of the Lake, reveal yourself so that I may look upon your face."
At first nothing happened, but then a ripple appeared in the water, spreading wider and wider and from the ripple a woman appeared. She rose slowly from the water, her purple dress floating around her like the waves of a stream. Eventually she stood before Merlin, her bare feet resting above the water.
"Very poetic Merlin." She said, her voice clear like a bell.
From beside him Gwaine made to jump up but Arthur held him still - they needed to watch more, to find out just exactly what this Sorceress had over Merlin, for surely there must be something.
"Hello Freya." Merlin said and a smile like the sun broke out across his face. For a moment Arthur felt his heart skip faster, something was not right.
Merlin remained kneeling at her feet and for a moment the two figures simply gazed at one another and Arthur's sense of unease grew.
"I thought for a moment that you would not come." She said quietly.
Merlin shook his head forcefully, "I will always return for you. You know that."
The Lady of the Lake nodded and Merlin blushed. Silence swept over them once more and Merlin's gaze fell to the ground.
"What's wrong Merlin? I sense something pains you."
Merlin shook his head, his gaze still fixed firmly on the floor. "Uther is dead. I could not save him!"
Arthur's heart stilled in his chest and he felt Gwaine hold his breath next to him - what was happening? What was Merlin doing?
The Lady of the Lake looked pained and she lowered a hand to stroke Merlin's cheek.
"Oh Emrys, he was not yours to save."
Merlin raised his head and placed his hand over hers. "I tried to save him and I failed and now...and now Arthur's hatred for magic is as strong as his fathers." Tears rolled freely down Merlin's face now. "I have failed in my destiny but Arthur is now King...he does not need me anymore."
"Merlin you know that it not true, your destinies are entwined and will be forever until Albion is united once more. You know the prophecy."
Prophecy?
Merlin shook his head again, desperate. "We spoke of a life once. Of lakes and farms and happiness together. Now is our chance Freya, we can have that life."
Merlin stood up now, so that he and the Lady of the Lake faces were a mere inch away from each other. Merlin's eyes rested on the Lady's lips and Arthur knew that there was a history here.
"We can have that life." Merlin repeated, his voice hoarse.
Freya sighed and the water around her sighed with her. "But it would not be a life Merlin. It would be a death."
She leaned in and then Merlin was kissing her, his eyes shut fiercely closed and his hands holding onto her sides so tightly, as if he was afraid she was going to slip away at any moment.
They parted.
"It's not fair." Merlin whispered - so quietly that Arthur barely caught the words. "My heart belongs with you."
Freya smiled sadly, "But the rest of you belongs with Arthur. Go to him Merlin, you cannot keep returning here every night - you are stretching yourself too thin."
Merlin nodded slightly, his blue eyes still shining in the moonlight. "I can't keep lying to him, I can't keep hiding who I am. This secret weighs so heavily on my chest that some days I want to let it crush me. What do I do Freya?"
The Lady of the Lake shook her head, "That is for you to decide." She motioned to the sky, where the moon now hung behind dark grey clouds. "Our time is up Merlin. I hope that you find peace the way that you have given it to me."
"I wish that we could have more time together - I wish that you didn't have to go."
"Me too."
Merlin wiped his eyes and he pulled her towards him, they embraced once more but this time the kiss appeared softer, more gentle. Then the Lady fell back into the water disappearing from sight for good.
Merlin fell to his knees and his cries echoed through the sky. From their hiding place in the leaves Gwaine turned to Arthur, his eyes wide and bright.
"Well, that certainly was enlightening."
But Arthur found that he now had far more questions than answers.
Hope you enjoyed! I shall post more soon :)
MsDeacs x