Chapter 2

Closer to home.

Discalimer: Don't own Merlin.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and alerted or favourited. Love getting reviews... they make me happy :D I'm sorry if it's a bit confusing at the moment, you should understand it slightly better this chapter x

"Goodbye Merlin. Be brave"

The sun was just rising as Merlin left the only house he ever remembered living in and a life he loved. He mounted his young mare giving a final wave to his mother, trotting down the path that lead out of Ealdor to start his own life, away from those he loved. He had no idea where he was going so just decided he would ride until he could find somewhere he could live, work and start a new life.

It was a week since Merlin had the dream that was slightly fuzzy, although he had it before it hadn't happened in years he couldn't get rid of it, he kept thinking about what he saw and had a strange feeling that it meant something, something he couldn't understand. He shoved it forcefully to the back of his mind as his horse wound its way through the woods and began to wonder what lay ahead for him in the future. He imagined meeting a pretty girl and having kids and going to work every day to provide for them and just having a perfect life. He sighed as he came out of his imagination and back into the real world with a hard thump, literally. He looked up a little dazed at his horse standing over him nudging him concernedly with her nose.

"Time to rest I think." Merlin said climbing to his feet and taking hold of his horse's reins glancing up.

Night had fallen since last time he remembered looking up and concluded he must have fallen asleep while riding. He tethered his horse to a tree close to where he made a fire near a small stream that he collected water from. He made dinner and pulled out a rough itchy blanket his mother had packed for him and quickly fell asleep, not realising how tired he had been.

Merlin rose with the sun the next morning, quickly having breakfast and setting off. He wanted to get to his destination as soon as possible and decided if he had not found the right place in a couple of days he would stop anywhere. The day dragged as Merlin kept up a steady speed, wanting to travel as far as possible in one day, this time he did not think about his future but his past. He didn't remember much about his childhood but he remembered a friend he had when he was younger, although he couldn't remember many details of his friend he was almost certain that those fuzzy dreams he was having included the boy he used to know.

It was nightfall by the time he stopped again, a small clearing in the woods made for a nice place for him to set up camp for the night. He tied his horse to one side of the clearing, patting her neck for being so good and rolled out his bed roll sitting by the fire he made. After eating his dinner he laid down pulling his blue cloak over his face to prevent the worst of the wind freezing him and fell into a fitful sleep.


He stood to the side of the room a firm hand held his shoulder almost painfully preventing him from running to his mother who was being made to kneel in front of a large throne. The king sat in the throne looking disdainfully down at the woman, his best friend stood beside the throne looking away from the scene in front of him, his eyes pleading for understanding from Merlin. Merlin had no idea what was happening, he just knew he couldn't get to his mother and he really needed her comfort. He began to struggle against the man holding his shoulder.

"Take him away" Uther's cold voice rung through the hall.

Simultaneous Hunith screamed 'No' and Arthur ran forward "Wait, let me stand with him, he'll be fine." Merlin hadn't realised he had been shaking until a warm hand gripped his and he began to warm down slightly. Uther gave the pair a disapproving look but decided to ignore it for now and rose from his seat.

"You have been charged with the act of sorcery, you will be burned at the stake at sun rise." Hunith didn't reply or struggle against the hands still holding her down, just her body began to shake with uncontrollable sobs. Merlin still didn't know what was happening but knew his mother was distressed making him agitated, he made to move but Arthur gripped his hand tighter muttering "Don't, trust me, don't." Merlin stilled, trusting Arthur as his mum was hauled to her feet a dragged towards the door.

"Take the boy too" Uther ordered, one of the guards pulling Merlin away from Arthur making him struggle.

"No! He will stay with a friend! He has done nothing wrong! He's only a boy" Hunith screamed as Merlin was pulled towards his mum but far enough away not for him to be able to reach her.

"Burn them both." Uther growled now looking completely evil. Merlin stopped listening after that, he faintly heard Arthur's protests before he was taken from the hall, the large wooden doors closing behind him.


Merlin was sweating as he sat bolt upright from the nightmare he had just had. This dream was clearer than the rest, he knew they were linked, he couldn't explain it but the dreams seemed more real than just his imagination. He couldn't understand it. The sun was rising so he decided to pack up and begin his journey for the day, trying to forget what he had just witnessed in his sleep.

He climbed up onto his horse, nudging her on and leaving behind the same clearing him and his mother had sought refuge in fourteen years previously, without even realising it.

As the sun set that evening after a long day of riding a large fairytale looking castle appeared in the distance, framed by the dropping sun, creating an almost halo like image. Something about the building on the horizon drew Merlin towards it and as he left the cover of the tree's onto an open field he spurred his horse into a gallop towards the place that Merlin had decided his new life would start.

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