Sir James had been a knight of Camelot fro close to two decades. He had been there when Uther had declared magic evil and deemed it necessary to rid his land of sorcerers, sorceress', Dragon Lords and the dragons. The King had even thought the Druids needed eradicated.
And so began 'The Great Purge'.
Sir James went along, but wasn't completely convinced that all magic was evil. He had known a family that could only heal small cuts. That was all, nothing else. They had been the nicest, furthest thing from the meaning of evil to exist- in his mind anyway.
Uther murdered them mercilessly. He condemned them to death by fire. Their screams still echoed in his dreams sixteen years later but not as loudly as the screams of the children he had seen killed for only a minute connection to magic. Their cries that they were innocent, that they wouldn't do it again, tears of pure unadulterated fear… It was enough to make stronger men afraid to sleep.
He let out an exasperated sigh, causing his companion, and fellow, Sir Alistair to jerk his head towards him. It was quite comical but James didn't laugh as he had seen that look lots of times while he had trained the younger man.
"What's with 'the sigh'? What have I done wrong?" Alistair asked.
"No, it is not you that has done wrong Al. It's just the thought of another innocent child's blood on my hands, that's all."
Alistair smiled sadly. He understood, really, he did. James had two children with another on the way, while he himself was about to become an uncle and wanted to be a father someday. Uther didn't show mercy when magic was mentioned, guilty or innocent. The pyre was the only punishment he deemed worthy.
James did 'the sigh' again as the small outlaying farming village in came into view. The only reason they were here was because one of the villagers had told the King there was a sorcerer living here. A young, barely in his teens, sorcerer lived in Ealdor.
Uther's face had literally managed to go as red as one of their cloaks, while his court physician, and trusted advisor, Gaius, had raised one of his eyebrows at the information. They had shared a glance before the King told Sir James and Alistair to mount and ride out to the village at dawn.
Both knights couldn't help but notice the pure look of glee that appeared on the villagers face.
A few minutes later, the knights were riding into the little village of Ealdor. The villagers that were out looked at them in confusion, neither James nor Alistair blamed them for being confused- they were part of Cenreds kingdom, after all- so ignored them until a fairly young man stood in their way. He had reddish brown hair and beard with unremarkable blue eyes. He wore the usual peasant farmer attire- tunic, breeches and cheap leather boots that had seen better days.
James glanced at his companion, who clearly didn't understand this defiant display. James knew it was typical for villages so far from their King to not be as cared about as those closer to the Kings castle of choice and he doubted Cenred cared for his people like he should. Villages like this ended up looking after themselves and refused help unless the situation was dire.
This, obviously, was one such village.
"I believe you've crossed the border, Sir Knights, and we wish for no trouble so, please, turn and leave," the defiant man remarked.
James dismounted his horse. "What if we're not lost?"
"Then I think you're King should stick to his treaty as our King has stuck to his." In was in that sentence that James realised he liked the man.
"I'm Sir James and my friend is Sir Alistair," he placed his hand out to the man, hoping he would shake it. The man glared, eyeing it up like it was dangerous. James thought he should explain a little more. "A villager for here came to Camelot. He spoke to King Uther and told him there was a powerful sorcerer here. We're just following orders and would like to know if this… claim is true."
The man stared at his still outstretched hand a moment longer before taking it. "My names Matthew and, no, there aren't any magic users here that I know of. Did this man give you a description of any sort?"
"Aye," Alistair replied, dismounting and offering his own hand for Matthew to shake as well. "He said he was 'about fifteen years of age, dark hair and blue eyes, pale skinned, tall and very clumsy.'"
At this Matthew started laughed. "There is only one boy in the whole village that matches that description but he is no magic wielder. He's a good lad, helps his mother and the rest of us. You were told he is clumsy but he only ever seems to be somewhere between flat on his face or standing. There is no way Merlin could be this sorcerer you're looking for." Matthew shook his head in amusement. James started to feel his stomach tie itself in knots. The more he knew about the boy, the worse his nightmares would be later when this was all over. Damn his caring soul!
"All the same, we would like to come to our own conclusions. Can we meet this Merlin?"
Matthew glared at them before beckoning for them to follow him. He led them to a small hut at the other end of the village. As the small group drew closer, three voices could be heard, One of a woman and two of young boys.
"-can't believe you two sometimes," came the woman's voice," I never thought it would be possible to meet a pair of people that simultaneously bring out the best and the worst in each other."
"Mum!"
"Hunith," the two boys exclaimed at the same time.
Matthew knocked lightly on the door. When Hunith acknowledged him, he said," Hunith, these men are looking for a sorcerer and my bet is on Simmons for the accurate description of your son that was given to them."
Hunith, a woman with dark brown hair, raised an eyebrow. She sighed and nodded, turning to look at the boys in her house. "Well, why don't you two go and cut some wood," she looked pointedly at the broader of the two. "Will, your mother has been complaining about feeling cold, it might help."
The young boys, knowing where they weren't, wanted left without a single protest but the broader of the two made sure to glare at the knights as they went past. The skinnier boy hurried after the other, disappearing from their sights only moments later.
A/N: Thank you to all those who have waited patiently for this chapter. It is long overdue but I'm still in school and teachers seem to have it out for me in terms of homework (seven pieces and three were English!). This story has had the best response ,out of all the other stories I've done, in the first chapter so the rumours are true about the Merlin Fandom and I'm proud to part of it. ;D
I did get a request from a guest reviewer, IreneGypsy, asking if I could make Merlin "a little BAMF but not to obvious"... I'm good at writing but not brilliant and, in my mind, Merlin is a BAMF without my help.
Please review, I like to read comments on my work.
I-O-U-a-picture.