Hi guys! I bet you all thought I was dead! Well this is my first story that has actually made it out of my brain for a while and I hope you all enjoy it. You might want to know that I have not actually seen any of the episodes for a while so I might be a bit rusty, please excuse me and feel free to help correct me at all. This IS and AU so of course things are going to be different. And yes, I will be rewatching and catching back up on my Merlin so never fear! This story is my motivation for getting caught back up!
Warning: This will eventually have Merthur slash, so please don't say I didn't warn you if you don't like it! And I might also add that this will have a bit more "grown up" themes at times, fair warning.
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with BBC's Merlin and am making no money writing this story.
Now for the story!
Caged Magic
Prologue: The Capture
Dark clouds settled over the countryside, hanging low and ominously in the sky. The villagers of Ealdor watched warily as a cart with a cage on it pulled into the center of the settlement. A big, burly man and two of his accomplices climbed down from the cart and stood intimidatingly, waiting.
The village head cautiously stepped forward "Witchfinder, move on, we don't have any sorcerers here,"
"I do believe you have one, I can sense it," The Witchfinder said with a sadistic grin, "Now either you'll give them up or I'll have to let my friends have a little fun with this fine settlement,"
The villagers started whispering in fear, the women clutching their young close to them. One man reluctantly came forward pulling a boy of no more than seventeen along with him, "I'm sorry it has to be this way," he murmured to the boy.
The boy nodded, eyes blown wide with fear and tears threatening to spill over, "For the village," he murmured back.
Children threatened to run after the boy and cling to him, but mothers clutched them even tighter, wishing they could help the poor boy they all loved dearly. Tears stung at everyone's eyes as they watched him be handed off to the Witchfinder's thugs and roughly manhandled into the cage. A pair of cuffs meant to contain the wearer's magic was shoved onto the boy's wrists and the door was slammed shut with a clang that echoed through the village like a deathbell.
"I thank you for your cooperation. C'mon boys, best be getting 'fore the rain sets in," The Witchfinder gestured for the other two men to follow him. The three men clambered back onto the cart and urged their horses forward, sealing the boy's fate.
One woman burst out in loud wails, "Merlin! My baby! MERLIN!" As the cart rattled off with the Witchfinder, his two thugs, and the boy-Merlin, the people of Ealdor gathered together to console Merlin's mother and to say their prayers for the boy who they would most likely never see again.
Ending Notes: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to drop me a review if you so choose to! Don't be shy and feel free to help correct me! And yes, the chapters will eventually get longer and my notes shorter! It's just the first chapter guys!
Much love!