Sorry that this chapter is so short. I'm trying to update every day. Also, I felt like this was the best place to break. I might try to upload again tonight. We'll see. I still don't own Merlin.
Another memory took place of the one they'd just seen.
Merlin was older now, probably five or six. He was outside playing by himself. Hunith hardly ever let him out, but she needed to go help a patient and Merlin had begged relentlessly. When he looked up at her with his big blue eyes, she caved.
A large group of children passed by Merlin.
A boy pointed and shouted
"Hey, look. It's the bastard!"
All the children laughed and chanted bastard until Merlin walked away.
"Come back here, you freak!" one of the children taunted.
"You're a monster that nobody likes," another shouted.
"I'm not a bastard," Merlin said as he walked toward the woods.
He came to a big tree and sat against it. Little Merlin started crying.
The knights looked angered.
"Let me at them," said Gwen, shaking her fist.
"He got teased mercilessly from this day and every day after until he left for Camelot," said Hunith, looking at her brilliant son sadly.
"He endured a lot," added Guias.
"Don't worry, it'll be okay," said Will, smiling.
Merlin sat chatting happily to the tree he was sitting by.
"Anyways, so I broke the plate. I haven't told mummy yet, because she'll get mad, but maybe I don't have to tell her. Maybe I can fix…" he trailed off realizing he was about to say something he shouldn't.
He sat for a minute looking at his hands.
"Do you think I'm a monster?" he asked the tree.
The tree gave no reply, but the knights were all shouting.
"Not a damn monster," mumbled Percival, staring furiously.
"Stupid snot nosed kids need to keep their traps shut," Elyan hissed with Leon agreeing.
"Merlin, you're not a monster!" shouted Gwaine furiously. "You're the kindest, most decent human I've ever met. You're the purest soul. Please, don't ever say that about yourself."
Adult Merlin's eyes swam with tears. He blinked them away rapidly, trying to gain some control.
"Thanks, Gwaine," he said.
Memory Merlin nodded.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I am a monster. That's why nobody likes me. That's why they all make fun of me, avoid me, they even hurt mum, because of me. Maybe it was better if I wasn't here."
Gwaine glared at the adult Merlin.
"What did I just tell you?" he asked, growling.
"I'm sorry, Gwaine, I can't hear you," Melin said, pointing to his younger self.
Arthur gave Merlin a small smile, which was quickly replaced by a scowl.
A small voice called them back to the memory.
"Why are you talking to a tree?"
Everyone turned to see a boy walking towards Merlin. He was larger than Merlin, both in height and stature.
"No reason," said Merlin.
"I think I know why," said the boy. He continued. "I think you're that boy everyone talks about. The weird one that no one ever really sees. The bastard, the freak."
Young Merlin's eyes glisten. The boy smiles.
"Who the Hell does this kid think he is?" said Elyan, his voice rising with his temper.
"Damn kid's lucky he's just a memory, or I'd pound him," said Gwaine. Gwen hit Gwaine's shoulder.
"Ow, what was that for?"
Gwen placed her hands on her hips.
"He may be an ass, but he's still a child. You can't hit children." Gwaine scowled at her.
"But," she continued, "you can scare the shit out of them." A smile played on her lips.
Gwaine grinned at her.
"Right you are," he said.
"You're Merlin," the boy said.
"See, why couldn't he have just said that," said Percival.
"Because he's an ass," said Merlin, smiling.
The boy smiled and continued.
"Oh, don't listen to them. They're idiots, the lot of them. They don't know anything, so don't let them get you down."
He holds out his hand to Merlin.
"Hi," he said with a smile taking up his whole face. "I'm Will."
Six angry faces turned to glare at Will.
"You really couldn't have been nicer?" asked Leon.
Will shrugged.
"Not my style," he said.
Merlin smiled at his best friend.
"He may be an ass, but it's a good thing, he's saved my hide a few times."
"Nothing changes there, then," said Arthur. He still was frowning, but his eyes seemed to have softened. Merlin took that as a sign he was coming around.
A/N: Sorry for leaving it there. I promise, things will start to pick up a little more. We'll soon be getting into where the series starts in like 3 or 4 chapters? Maybe? You'll know when I know. Anywho, please read and review and follow and favorite. All that good stuff. You don't know how happy it makes me to get e-mails saying people have reviewed and stuff.
*Adri
