"FATHER!" A young teen cried as she bolted from her bed, tears streaking down her tanned complexion. Almost instantly the doors slammed open, a tall man with black shoulder length hair and stubble beard strode in purposefully, his blue eyes too focused on the distressed girl to notice the dirt collecting on the rim of his cloak.
The younger looked up at him with teary blue eyes through locks of wavy blond hair as she choked out his name.
"M-Merlin-"
Merlin gave her a sympathetic look as he sat on the edge of the large bed, beckoning her into a comforting hug whilst he whispered into her ear, "It's ok, I'm here Eirian calm down"
"H-He...Father he was b-bleeding...I was so scared I couldn't help him- I-I-"
"Shh, I know, I know..."
"I miss him Merlin... every night I see his death and know that mothers gone-" the young princess choked again as she buried her face in the shirt of her father's old friend.
"I know, I miss them too." The warlock leaned back to look into the girls eyes, "but we will see them again, you must remember that. They love you dearly and I know for a fact that Arthur would never forgive me if I let you get upset like this- not to mention what Gwen would do to me" he smiled sadly his eyes reflecting many fond memories.
Eirian blinked up at him and sniffed before nodding slightly as she shuffled closer to Merlin, breathing deeply to calm her nerves as he stroked her hair soothingly. The two had been close since the king and queen had made the court sorcerer their daughters guardian and mentor, they had a sort of older-brother-younger-sister relationship that Arthur had often huffed about saying something like 'that idiot will be a bad influence on her, mark my words, soon he'll be teaching her how to trip over her own feet!' but they both knew that he was just a bit jealous really.
Merlin let his thoughts drift back to the child in his care, no longer having her loving parents to care for her he had decided to move to the room next door so that he could always be sure that the one royal heir was safe and sound at all times.
The aged warlocks face lighted as he smiled slightly, knowing exactly what could bring a smile back on his 'sisters' face. "Do you know why you were named 'Eirian'?"
Eirian wiped her face and looked up at him, shaking her head, her eyes showing a small gleam of curiosity that mirrored her father's perfectly. She always liked to hear the stories about her parents from Merlin, he always seemed to make even the most mundane moments feel magical.
The thirty-eight year old smirked at the look as he continued, "It is an old name meaning 'bright' and 'beautiful'. At the time of your birth, your father wanted to create a new time full of peace and love, he wanted your name to symbolise the future of this kingdom for all in the land. Well of course your father was never good at using his brain for such a task- you were very luck that I was there- he almost named you Rosalind in front of the whole court!"
The girl scrunched her nose slightly at the name and Merlin nodded as he carried on, "Yep- I had to work hard to prevent that, of course your mother was a great help. I almost felt sorry for Arthur by the time Gwen finished" he laughed lightly before continuing "And so they decided to look up some old family names and the like- well I say they- I was the one who had to search through every book in the castle since I was the manservant and he was the king, not that I'm complaining of course. Eventually when nothing preferable came up your mother decided to go about the lower town and show you off to all the people of Camelot, all praised how you seemed to light up the place and the beauty you inherited from your mother. But it was the moment that you first laughed and the sun shone through the clouds that your name was decided, me and your father had been watching and it was almost as if the way was finally clear, both Arthur and Gwen brought up the name and it was announced in front of the whole of Camelot to mark the new age of beauty and magic."
Eirian grinned widely, the story making all her sadness dumb down as she looked into her mentors eyes and could almost see the whole of Camelot celebrating within the blue orbs. Suddenly her face become questioning and she asked the warlock, "You say that my parents named me 'Eirian' for that reason yet sometimes you call me 'Laetitia'? What does that mean?"
A mischevious look came over the warlocks features. "Ah but that's the thing- to Arthur and the kingdom you were the 'beauty' and 'brightness' they were searching for, but 'Laetitia' is what those of magic such as the druids and myself know you by."
"What does it mean? Please tell me, I really want to know!" Merlin seemed to muse for a moment under her expectant stare.
Just hiding a grin the man shook his head with a slight pout that wrinkled his nose, "Nah, I don't think you'll find it that interesting."
"Merlin!" the teen groaned, grabbing a cushion to whack over the sorcerers head with a slight pout on her lips as he laughed.
"Ok, ok! Just save what little is left of my intelligence!" he sighed dramatically as she dropped the pillow but kept it in range to be used again if need be, "Before your birth the Druids spoke of your father's reign and how it would bring happiness and peace, the moment you were born the Druids named you 'Laetitia', in the Druid tongue it means 'happiness' and 'joy'. You are the symbol for the happiness and joy of all who have magic, for your birth marked their freedom."
The two sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the warm feeling surrounding the tale.
"I miss them Merlin. It's just not the same..."
The warlock smiled sadly "I know, but we must hold strong, if not for us then for them."
Giving her protector a quick hug Merlin stood up and made his way to the door.
"Good night, Laetitia."
"Good night, Emrys"
...