Chapter 4
"Well, this is awkward." The dark haired peasant with brown eyes said, breaking the almost defining silence.
"Oh come on! You can't actually believe them!" the dark haired one with blue eyes snapped.
"Err, excuse me but we are right here!" Arthur shouted just before I could. "Anyway, how can you prove that it is 2065?" The peasants just looked at each other and smirked.
"In many ways kid, in many ways!" The dark haired one with blue eyes said, causing the others to burst out laughing. I watched silently as Arthur turned red with anger.
"What did you just call me?" He bellowed, instantly stopping the laughter. "I am Prince Arthur of Camelot and I should think I have a right to know WHAT IS GOING ON!"
I was just about to let out a little snigger that I had been holding on to when suddenly Arthur roared and raced into the water jumping on the leader or eldest, sword in hand.
"ARTHUR!" I shouted, running forward to restrain him. I pulled him back just before he could cut the guy's head off but he still got a pretty deep gash on his arm. The peasant screamed in pain and grabbed his bicep that was now pouring with blood. The others crowded around him while I tackled Arthur to the shore.
"What did you do that for?" He spat in my face.
"Arthur, if we are on an island in the middle of nowhere, these guys are the only ones that can help us." I said, grabbing his shoulders.
"Help! From them! Over my dead body, Merlin!" He snorted.
We sat there talking things through for about another five minutes, occasionally glancing over to the huddle of peasants further along the beach. I was in the middle of a really good argument when I was distracted when the huddle got up and departed, the red head and the two dark haired ones got up and headed back to their camp but the blond hung back. He watched the others go, sighed and started heading towards us. Arthur tensed when he came to a stop about two meters away from us. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it, obviously rethinking what he was about to tell us.
After a while he finally said, "Can I speak to you for a moment?" He asked me politely. I looked over at Arthur who simply looked in the opposite direction. I turned back to the peasant.
"Yes I suppose." I replied, getting up. He led me into the forest of palm trees along the edge of the sand where he turned to face me.
"I guess you guys aren't joking then." He said.
"I still have no idea whether you guys are or not." I said. He looked at me confused. "About the whole future thing. The year 2065?" I hinted.
"Oh… right! Yeah, no joke." He said seriously. I let out a deep breath. Wow. This was big. We were in the 21st centaury! I had no idea what to expect. Maybe magic wasn't banished anymore!
"You know, my brothers still don't believe you and I apologize for Scott's behaviour." He said disturbing my thoughts.
"Oh! So they're your bothers!" I said in realisation. The blond laughed a little at this.
"Yes and Scott's they one your friend injured."
"I guess I should apologize for that then." There was an awkward silence while neither of us could think of something to say.
"I should really introduce myself shouldn't I? My name's Alan. Alan Tracy." He said holding out a hand for me to shake. I accepted it.
"Merlin." I replied.
"Interesting…" He said drifting off into thought. "And your friends name is Prince Arthur right?"
"Yes." Alan froze on the spot.
"You mean like King Arthur?" he asked.
"Err, well he is meant to be a king when he's older." I said, purely confused.
"There is something I just have to show you! Grab Arthur and follow me." He said and began heading back to the beach when suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks. "By the way," He began turning back to face me, "Why do you two keep calling us peasants?" He asked.
"Because… err… that's what you are?" I said shrugging. Alan laughed.
"Well then, you know nothing buddy!"