Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. BBC does.
Merlin sighed as he looked out the window, not really paying attention as he should have been to his tutor sitting across the table from him.
"Master Merlin," he sighed, as the young boy turned to look at him, "I can see that you're not really interested in what I'm trying to teach but this is something you need to learn, so please pay attention."
Merlin let out a sigh, turning back to the pages in the book in front of him. Once he had gotten settled in the castle at Camelot, Uther had had him receive the same education as Arthur had. Since then, he had been tutored in everything he could think of and some things he had never heard of.
Needless to say, he would rather be out in the sunshine than inside his chambers going through the history of Camelot's trade routes. Many of them hadn't been used in over a hundred years, more convenient and time saving routes having been found or created.
It had been nearly five years since he had come to Camelot and while he was grateful to Uther and had come to care for the man as he would have a father but there was always an underlying note of fear when he was around the king. He had practised the art of not letting it show when he was around anyone else but he never knew what could happen.
He knew that, ward or no, there would be punishment for him if Uther found out that he had magic. As he had become older, his powers had grown and he had had trouble controlling them for a while. Thankfully, anything that happened could have been easily explained away but there was always the worry that something would happen and there wouldn't be any other way to stop Uther from finding out.
There were two people within the castle that knew of his magic and he knew that they would never allow any harm to come to Merlin.
Arthur had found out not long after Merlin had come to Camelot. Merlin had been having a nightmare and the prince had heard him, even from down the hall and through the thick stone wall. It was as though the young prince had become attuned to the young boy that his father had taken in. He had crept down the hall and let himself into Merlin's rooms. He had crept over to the bed and hauled himself up, crawling over to his new 'little brother' as he had taken to calling him. He had tried to rouse the young boy, trying to wake him from his nightmare when he had shot up, his eyes flying open and glowing a brighter gold than Arthur had seen before.
Instantly, Arthur had been terrified. The young boy that his father had taken into his care had magic. Immediately after, Merlin had woken, seeing Arthur sitting there, staring at him and bursting into tears, begging that he not tell his father. When Arthur had heard and seen his fear, his cries that he didn't want to die and that he couldn't help it, Arthur knew that he wasn't evil. He wrapped his arms around the boy, murmuring in his ear that he was safe and that he wasn't going to tell his father.
Since that day, their bond had become as strong as if they were brothers. They didn't have any secrets from each other and they knew that no matter what happened, they would always be there for one another.
The other one to know about his magic was Gaius. Gaius had found out much later about Merlin's magic, a little less than a year ago when it had become to seep out of him without him being able to stop it. He had been feeling unwell – something that actually happened to be due to a questionable pheasant that had been served for dinner the previous night as both Arthur and Uther had come down with the same illness Merlin had – and he had gone to see Gaius for a remedy. He had knocked and entered, looking around but not receiving an answer. He saw that the old man was on the small upper level he had in his chambers. He had turned to see who had come through the door, losing his footing and tumbling down.
Merlin hadn't acted with any conscious thought, his magic purely taking over to save someone in need. Without consciously thinking it, he had slowed the physician's fall and moved his bed to stop his fall before he hit the floor.
Gaius had known immediately that magic had been involved and he had known that it was Merlin that had used it. Merlin had tried to deny it but Gaius wasn't having any of it. He too, had promised that he wouldn't turn Merlin in, the old man seeing the young orphan boy that Uther had brought into his chambers and declared he would be caring for all those years ago.
Even with those two in the know, it was unnerving to be around Uther when he was ranting and raving about those with magic. He knew that Arthur was uncomfortable with his father's words as well, knowing that just because you have magic, it doesn't mean that you're evil. His little brother could attest to that.
Once they wrapped up the lesson for the day, Merlin eagerly ran out of the room and down to the training grounds, ignoring the guard that trailed after him, trying not to lose sight of the young boy. Not yet being ten he wasn't allowed to train with the others but mostly for him it was being out in the sun rather than sitting inside all day when the weather was as beautiful as it was.
Looking over at them now, he didn't envy the knights and squires in their armour. He was warm in his jacket so he didn't even want to think about what they were going through.
"Managed to escape then?" He turned to see Arthur walking over and he grinned.
"Finally." He moaned as Arthur stopped beside him. Having just turned thirteen last month Arthur had been training with the squires for the last three years. There was no doubt that he would become a Knight of Camelot before becoming King. Merlin was just glad that as the king's ward, he didn't have the pressure that Arthur did being his son. "I think your father does it on purpose."
"Finds the most boring tutor there is just to torture us?" Arthur chuckled and Merlin nodded, laughing as well.
"Prince Arthur, Lord Merlin," the two of them looked at each other before turning to look at the servant that had addressed them both, watching as he gave a small bow to the two boys before stating his message. "The King wishes for you to come to the council chambers, immediately."
The two of them looked at each other, slightly nervous about what the king could want to see them about. In all the years Merlin had been in Camelot, they had only been summoned like that once before and that was when Uther had learned of an attack on Camelot and wanted the boys safely guarded within the castle.
They immediately made their way into the castle, Arthur pausing to explain to the knight training them for today that his father had sent for him before catching up to Merlin.
"What do you think is going on?" Merlin whispered and Arthur shook his head, not having an idea either. There was nothing that either of them had heard of that would cause the king to call on them. Unless . . . they shot each other a slightly worried look, wondering if their secret had been discovered.
The doors to the council chambers were opened by the guards as they approached and they walked through, seeing Uther standing at the head of the table, a solemn expression on his face.
"Arthur, Merlin," he gestured towards the seats either side of his own. "Sit." The boys looked at each other, worried as they took their respective places as Uther sat in his chair at the head of the table.
"Is there something wrong, father?" Arthur asked, glancing between Uther and Merlin.
"There is grave news from the North," Uther explained softly and the two boys felt themselves relax a little. Whatever had happened it wasn't anything to do with them. "My dear friend, Gorlois has fallen in battle. His daughter, Morgana, will be coming to live with us here in Camelot." The two of them nodded, understanding. "I need the two of you to be welcoming to Morgana. I know that the two of you understand what she is going through."
The two of them nodded again and Uther stood up, walking away from the table. The two of them knew that they had effectively been dismissed and left the room.
"What's Morgana like?" Merlin asked once the two of them were in Arthur's chambers.
"I can't remember," he admitted, pulling off his jacket and flinging it over the back of one of the chairs by the table. "It's been a long time since I've seen her. Since before you came here."
"Wonder what she's going to be like." Merlin mused, looking out of the window down into the courtyard.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
Merlin woke the next morning to the sound of horses arriving in the courtyard. Due to the warmth he had had his servant leave one of the windows open. Blinking blearily he climbed out of bed and made his way over to the window, peering out to see what was happening. Though the sound of horses in the courtyard itself was a daily occurrence, hearing them at just after dawn was something that was not so regular.
He looked down to see a group of knights, halting in the middle of the courtyard in front of the castle, surrounding another figure. Merlin realised that she was a young girl, no older than he was. He realised that this must be Morgana. She had the hood of her cloak pulled up so he could not see her face but he could see the long dark tresses that hung over her shoulders. He felt a pang of sympathy for the girl, knowing how it was to have no family left and to feel all alone in the world.
He turned away from the window as the door to his chambers opened and his servant, Samuel brought in his breakfast. He glanced back down to the courtyard, seeing one of the knights helping the girl off of her horse before making his way over to the table and starting on his breakfast.
While he was eating, Samuel made his way over to his wardrobe, picking out the clothes he was to wear for the day and the door opened for a second time, Uther stepping into the chambers. Upon seeing the King, Samuel stopped what he was doing and bowed before placing the last item of clothing by the dressing screen and quietly leaving the room.
"Merlin," Uther walked over to him, gesturing for him to continue eating his breakfast as he sat down. "I wanted you to be aware that Morgana arrived a short while ago."
Merlin nodded, having known that already. "I heard the horses arriving. They woke me."
Uther nodded, glancing over to the window that was still left ajar. "I'm sure that I do not need to remind you that she is fragile at the moment, with what she's been through."
Merlin nodded again, sitting back in his chair, placing his fork on the plate. "I know how she feels, My Lord. It is . . . hard knowing that you have no family left."
The King's eyes softened as he took in his ward, the first that he had taken into his care. "But you do have a family, Merlin. Arthur, myself and now, with time, Morgana. Never think that you are alone, my boy."
"I know, My Lord. I only meant that . . . I know what she's going through. I may have only been young but I remember what it felt like when I realised that my mother was gone and she wasn't coming back. I understand what Morgana is going through."
"I know you do." He placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder giving him a small smile. "And I have counted myself blessed every day since I decided to take you into my care. That day I gained another son."
"And I gained another family, sire." Merlin nodded, giving the king a smile. He had never known what had prompted the king to take him into his care rather than allowing him to be taken in by another family but he would always be grateful. While Merlin and Uther knew that they would never be able to replace his mother but it allowed the boy to grow up with a small but tight-knit family. Uther may not be the best at showing his emotion but Merlin knew that he was cared for by the King. "Maybe I could talk to Morgana. Let her know that she's not alone. That there's someone that knows what she's going through."
Uther smiled again, clapping him on the shoulder. "That is a good idea. But best to wait until she's settled in a little. She has her father's temper and is quick to anger. Anyone that disturbs her while she is upset does so at their own peril."
"That's alright, sire, I've got years of experience in dodging things thrown by Arthur." He grinned at the king who chuckled and stood.
"We will be taking our midday meal together in the council chambers. I will introduce you and Arthur to Morgana properly then."
Merlin nodded, standing as the king did. "Yes, sire." He sat down again as the king left, pushing his breakfast plate away, having lost his appetite at the conversation. He looked out of the window from where he sat, seeing nothing but the blue sky of morning and hearing the people bustling below.
He turned and quickly got dressed in the clothes that Samuel had left out for him, placing his sleep clothes in the basket by the screen. He didn't understand how Arthur never seemed to be able to do that. The basket in his room was right next to his dressing screen just as Merlin's was, yet the days dirty clothes always seemed to be strewn all over the place for his servant to scramble round and tidy up.
It must take some effort on Arthur's part.
He sat on the sill next to his window again, watching as the people went about their daily business. It wasn't often he was permitted to go to the lower town, being so young and the king's ward he was a prime target for those that would wish to cause Uther harm. As he got older, he was permitted to leave the castle more and more but he always had to have a guard with him, just to be safe. He didn't mind, knowing that Uther was trying to keep him from harm. The same held true for Arthur. While he was permitted to the training grounds, he too had to have a guard with him while he was outside the castle walls. It wound both boys up but they knew that there was no arguing with Uther when it came to their safety.
He didn't look around when Samuel came in to collect his breakfast tray and he didn't notice the small frown on the servant's face as he took in the fact that some of it had been left. While Merlin had always been slight, he had always been one to finish what was in front of him. He didn't like overly indulgent food so Samuel knew to bring up porridge mixed with fruit, some crusty bread and another separate bowl of fruit. Normally the boy finished it all but this morning there was a slice of the bread and half of the bowl of fruit left.
He didn't say anything to him, knowing that unless he wanted to talk, Merlin would clam up tighter than the vaults of Camelot and nothing would get it out of him. If he wanted to talk, he would come to him.
Merlin rolled his eyes as another knock sounded at his door, roughly fifteen minutes after Samuel had left, signalling that his tutor had arrived. He let out a sigh as he slid off the windowsill, calling for him to enter, plopping down into his usual chair.
The man walked through the door, closing it firmly behind him as Merlin regarded him. Lord Geoffrey was in actual fact the archivist and historian of Camelot and Uther had decided that he wanted him to be responsible for Merlin's education rather than any of the other tutors that had been employed to teach Arthur.
He was an old man, his voice deep and raspy. He was clearly overweight and was not very tall. But Uther respected him and Merlin doubted that there was anyone around that knew more about Camelot's histories than the old archivist.
"Right, now, young man," he set the books and scrolls down in front of him as Merlin raised an eyebrow, "we shall be picking up where we left off at the end of yesterday's lesson." He unravelled the same large scroll he had been going over with Merlin the day before regarding the ancient trade routes in and out of Camelot.
"These routes haven't been used in over a hundred years," Merlin grumbled planting his chin on his hand. "Why do I have to learn about them now?"
"Because they are part of Camelot's history." Geoffrey stated simply and Merlin gave him a bland look. "And it is important that you are well versed in every aspect of Camelot's history."
"If that's the case, how come Arthur didn't have to go through all of this?" Merlin shot back and Geoffrey leaned forward, linking his fingers in front of him, resting his hands on the table.
"Because while Arthur is being groomed to be King, you are being groomed for a different role entirely." His gaze didn't waver as he watched the young boy.
"What do you mean?"
"Uther knows how strong the bond between you two boys is, even as young as you are." Merlin leaned forward, wondering what he meant. "You, Master Merlin, are being groomed to become Arthur's First Advisor when he becomes King,"
"Me?"
"Yes," Lord Geoffrey leaned back, grabbing one of the large books he had brought with him and opening it, signalling that the previous conversation was over, leaving Merlin with more questions.
Just because Merlin now knew why he was being subjected to the daily lessons, didn't make them any more interesting. He was actually thankful when a guard knocked on the door and told him that he was there to escort him to the council chambers for his midday meal with the King and Arthur. That is until he remembered what else was to happen at this meal.
He was to meet the king's new ward, Morgana.