Camelot University Chapter 1: Prologue, a merlin fanfic

"Frey! I'm home!" The front door slammed and the girl, Freya, let out a sigh. She had been waiting for him to get back, getting worried with each passing second. She sprung from her chair and rushed to the kitchen. The raven haired man had begun to pull groceries from their bags. He had short black hair, high cheekbones, and stunning blue eyes. Under different circumstances, Freya would had thought him awkwardly attractive, but being her brother… ew. He was tall and thin, but unnaturally clumsy. Freya could see the trip before it happened. She reached out and snatched the jar out of his hand before he went down. "Thanks Frey," he said from the floor.

"Merlin you are so clumsy." He gave her his best goofy smile, and she laughed softly. Her face became hard and stony quickly though. "Now where have you been?"

"Calm down Frey, I just went for groceries. Oh I got the post as well." Merlin hoisted himself off the ground and took the jar from his sister. She was always a little frail, but lately things had been getting worse. Her cheeks were slightly hollow, but that was made worse by the similarities in their high set cheekbones (though his were much more prominent) and her big sad brown doe eyes. He knew she would run as long as possible, but he was still worried for her. "Okay I need to shower. Sort the post please." He blundered out of the room before waiting for a response. Their flat was small, but they never really stayed in one place for very long. Merlin's fear for Freya was too great to lay down roots. He slipped into the shower and let his shoulders relax. Freya was safe and no one knew what they were. As soon as he convinced himself of that, Freya had to ruin it.

"Merlin! Guess what came in the mail!" She practically screamed as she burst into the bathroom. Merlin yelped in surprise.

"Jesus Frey! I am in the shower!"

"Well get out and come look at this!" With that she fled back to- he assumed- the kitchen. So much for relaxing. He got out and quickly toweled off, throwing on a pair of black sweats and a blue t-shirt. He found Freya in the kitchen, just as he predicted, holding a thick parchment envelope. She turned round and smiled wide, handing him the letter. Merlin Emrys was scrawled across the front in black ink. In the top right corner a coat of arms and 'Camelot University' were printed. As a 19 year old, Merlin had been looking at many universities, bur he knew they would never be able to stay. Now he held what definitely a letter from a very fancy (Probably very expensive) university. "Why didn't you tell me that you applied to uni?" Freya broke him from his thought bubble.

"Uh… because I didn't?" Merlin answered awkwardly. Freya's face changed as she looked at the envelope with distrust. Merlin took a deep breath and slipped his finger in between the fold, ripping the parchment apart. There were two pieces of paper inside, one white and clearly handwritten and the other, the same material as the envelope. Merlin carefully took out the folded parchment and read:

Merlin Emrys,

We are pleased to find that your intelligence and skills have come to our attention. At Camelot University, we strive to make every student succeed in his or her own skill set and you have caught our eye especially. Our herb and medical practice professor has spoken to us of the skills you possess and we are willing to offer you a full scholarship for you to attend. Please let us know by August 1st if you will be attending.

Yours Truly,

Headmaster Kilgharrah

"Okay pretty sketchy. Who is the herb and medical practice professor?" Freya gestured to the remaining letter and Merlin retrieved it, and read aloud:

Merlin,

I am unsure if you remember me, but my name is Gaius. I was a good friend of your mothers and she had informed me of you and your sister's predicament and skills. I have spoken to Camelot University, and, if you wish, I will take you as my apprentice in the medical herb practices as well as anything that needs help. Your sister, Freya, and you are welcome to stay with me if you wish. Please let myself and the school know as soon as possible.

You're Friend,

Gaius

"Oh! I remember Gaius! He used to come over all the time when we were kids!" Freya exclaimed, clearly excited.

"Frey, I'm not going. It's too dangerous to stay in one place for too long." Merlin said softly. He saw her face fall, but it was quickly stone.

"Merlin Emrys this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! You won't look after me my entire life, and you know I'm capable of taking care of myself. It's your turn to take care of yourself." Freya looked at him coldly. "You need to do this. For both of us." With that she turned to find a notebook of paper within one of the kitchen drawers. She laid it in front of him along with a pen. Merlin could tell he would lose this battle, and began to prepare for the things that were going to come. They both took sheets of paper, Merlin writing to the University and Freya to Gaius.

The next few weeks were a blur as Freya twittered about, packing their small apartment, which didn't take long. The only possessions they liked to keep were their books, and those all fit in Merlin's car easily. The University and Gaius both returned their letters, exclaiming how pleased they were, and in Gaius's case, making arrangements for them to move in. As the start of the school year drew closer, Merlin's shoulders became tenser with each passing day. An entire year was too long in one place, but Freya would hear nothing of it. They were leaving two weeks before the start of the term, and that was final.

When the day arrived to leave, Merlin had no idea what they were getting in to, but he knew nothing but trouble would come of it. And off they were to Camelot University.

Prologue: