Title: Arthorius - the lost Prince
Author:JennnyJ
About the story: Roughly based upon the children tale Anastasia
Arthur turned his head and looked back at the orphanage that had been his home for the last fifteen years, children were climbing on the very walls to wave him goodbye and he sent them a shivering smile.
"Where will you go Artie?" A young girl with long, blond hair came running down the path with tears streaming down her cheeks, as she stood before him Arthur sank down in the mud so that she could hug him.
"I don't know Elena", he whispered and stroke her hair. "Now, now – don't you cry, I will be fine. Trust me."
The young girl nodded into his shoulder and didn't want to let go.
"Perhaps, one day, we will meet again", Arthur said before he gently backed away from her hug. "And I trust you will look after Leon for me?"
He glanced towards the gate where Elena's elder brother stood with his arms crossed, not wanting to show what he actually felt about his best friend leaving him behind at this God forsaken place.
"Yes I will", Elena said before she firmly told him to stay right there whilst she ran over to her brother, pulling his sleeve 'til he bent down so that she could whisper something in his ear.
Arthur watched with a smile how Leon nodded and opened the backpack which he always carried around and the smile shivered as he saw what he pulled up.
"Artie, Artie", Elena returned with a brown, scruffy teddy bear in her outstretched hand. "Sir Galahad wants to follow."
He couldn't take it, knowing that it was her absolute favorite teddy – he pulled a hand through his golden hair.
"But he will miss you terribly much Elena, why can't he stay with you?" Arthur asked when she put the teddy in his lap.
"This is a mission, right?" The young girl asked with wisdom far beyond her age. "And even though he will miss me terribly much this is his duty as a knight – to serve and protect you."
Arthur closed her in a hug and hid his face in her long, blond hair so that no one would see the tears in his eyes. "Thank you, m'lady – thank you."
Parting from her, he gently put the teddy bear in his backpack. "I hope we meet again, Elena."
With a last wave with his hand he turned around and walked away, swallowing his tears.
At the same time, not that far away..
"Father, it is me – Artorius!" The dark haired man pretended to embrace his long-lost father, tears filling his already watery eyes. "I'm home."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Gwen sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Valiant, right? I'm sorry pal, you're not too convincing."
She waved him off the stage before she leant back in the chair, sweeping the last of her drink.
"Merlin, I think it's best if we give in for today", Gwen turned her head and looked at the dark haired man who still clapped his hands at the performance he had just witnessed.
"But why not Valiant?" He asked with a gesture towards the quite handsome chap. "What does Uther Pendragon care as long as he gets a son? This one is of heritage-material, don't ya think?"
"He wants no one but his son – Artorius", Gwen sighed and left the chair she had been sitting in the last three hours, wrapped a purple scarf around her neck and made her way towards the entrance.
Merlin swallowed the last of his tea, shouted good bye to Valiant, who still tried to realize that he hadn't got the role, before he ran after his colleague.
"Gwen, wait for me!" He hurried through the door and his blue eyes searched the crowded street for her curly mess of hair. "Gwen, where are you?"
"I'm here Merlin", her voice came floating from a big carriage and Merlin nodded to the driver before he jumped up beside Guinevere who rolled over to her back where she lay in the massive pile of hay.
"It has been a month Merlin", she said and sighed.
Merlin lay down beside her and watched the peaceful sky as the carriage continued through town. "When will we find someone that can play Artorius? Our last one was a joke, really, I'm glad that Gaius even let us meet the king."
Merlin shrugged. "I don't know Gwen, but we can't give up – think about all the money."
She nodded; both of them needed the award that was promised if finding the lost prince – one thousand golden pieces. Merlin could use his share to get away from this magic-hating kingdom and she, well, she just needed it to survive.
"Then", she said, closing her eyelids. "I suppose the only thing we can do is continue our searching."
I know this one was really short but I'm not so good with long chapters - oh how I wish you could read my Swedish stories and see how I really write, because now my lack of knowledge when it comes to English words stops me from writing the way I use to.
Anyway - if you want to read the next chapter (where the trio will meet for the first time) I suggest that you leave a review! I love you all for doing that.
Hugs, Jenn
