Heeeeyyyyy...Yeah I haven't died...
Sorry for the long wait in between chapters. School has been killer this year and I've got pretty much no free time what-so-ever. I managed to take a few minutes every once in a while to write so finally, after five months, chapter 4 is complete.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates or Merlin.
R&R and Enjoy...
...0.0
Merlin was considered to be a light sleeper. He woke at the softest sounds, he woke when he felt the use of powerful magic, and even when he had one of his 'funny' feelings. So of course he jerked awake as soon as he heard the sound of hinges creaking and metal scraping against the stone floor.
"Merlin," Arthur greeted as he stepped into the small prison.
Merlin looked up at the prince in surprise. He hadn't expected anyone to come see him, and he certainly hadn't expected Arthur. "A-Arthur," he stammered before launching into a hurried apology. "Arthur I'm so sorry! I wanted to tell you for years I just was scared and I wasn't sure how-"
"Silence," The blond cut him off.
"But, Sire, I-"
"I said silence!" Arthur barked.
Merlin snapped his mouth shut and watched Arthur carefully as the blond, who was hopefully still his friend, studied him in return. He didn't understand. During his trial, Arthur had defended him, but now...he wasn't so sure.
"I don't understand, Arthur," Merlin said softly.
"Well I don't understand either, Merlin!" The prince snapped at his servant. He ran a stressed hand through his golden hair before pacing in the small area.
It must've been pretty uncomfortable pacing like that, Merlin mused as the golden prince hunched slightly so he wouldn't hit his head on the low ceiling.
"Why would you betray me like this? I thought you trusted me. I trusted you! You were my friend! I surrounded myself in lies, because all I know now is that not only did I let a pirate get close to me, but I let a pirate with magic get close to me!" Arthur rambled in frustration.
"It's still me, Arthur," Merlin explained gently. "I'm still the same Merlin,"
"Magic is evil, Merlin," Arthur stated grimly. "Why would you choose to learn it?"
"Arthur? Do you think I'm evil?" When Arthur refused to respond, he continued in the same low and quiet voice. "I didn't choose to have magic you know," he had dropped his gaze to the floor and paused debating how to explain. He wanted Arthur to understand. It didn't matter if the prince listened, he just felt like he owed him. He needed to tell Arthur his entire story. "I didn't choose to be a pirate either,"
Arthur finally slid to the floor and sat against the wall next to Merlin. The pirate didn't miss the obvious space that the wary prince had put between them though. "Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. People have to choose to study magic. They don't just know how to use it,"
Merlin chuckled darkly. "But that is exactly it, Sire. I was born with magic," His gaze stayed on the metal door. "I never had a choice, and...and sometimes I'm not sure whether or not I would have chosen to keep my magic if I had been given the choice. I think that it's been a part of me forever and I just can't imagine what it'd be like without my magic,"
"Can't you just stop?" Arthur asked. Merlin wasn't evil, but every single day of his life his father had told him that magic was evil. He was told that those with magic had chosen to learn the dark art and should be killed because of their choice. But, Merlin said he didn't choose.
"No," was Merlin's simple response.
Arthur turned to look at the servant in surprise. "No?"
"Arthur I can't!" He nearly pleaded when he saw the prince's sharp glare. "It's not that simple!"
"Then explain," Arthur answered.
"My magic is like- Well I guess I could say it's- " Merlin sighed in frustration. Then he started again. "I don't just have magic. I am magic. My very being is filled with it, and every moment of every day I feel its warm hum as it flows through my veins alongside my blood. Using magic for me is like you and I breathing," a small smile had slid onto his face and his eyes had lit up as he talked about his magic. Abruptly he turned to Arthur, the smile fading from his lips. "Do you want to know why I can't stop using magic, Sire?"
Arthur nodded slowly suddenly afraid of the answer.
His gaze softened and he answered in a sad voice, "Arthur, if I can't use my magic, I'll die,"
"You-you'll die?"
The pirate nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry,"
Arthur shifted uncomfortably on the floor, and thought about how little he actually knew about his servant. Where did he come from? Why did he choose to come here of all places? Why did he leave? What did he mean when he said he didn't choose to be a pirate? He had so many unanswered questions. "Tell me," he said simply.
"Everything? That will take hours. Will you listen to all of it without interrupting?"
The comment earned him a hard glare from the prince.
"Alright, alright fine," the pirate grinned a real smile for the first time since they had returned. "I was born in Ealdor,"
"The town right out side of Camelot?" Arthur couldn't help but interrupt already. "Right inside of Cenred's lands?"
"Yes. Now shush Arthur. I've only just started. As I was saying I had been born in Ealdor. My mum raised me. She taught me to read and write and educated me relatively well. That's why I can help Gaius a lot with his work. Well, that and I've around the world quite a bit. Anyways, when I was six my father, Jack Sparrow came and collected me from my mother. She didn't want to have to give me up, and I'm not sure I had wanted to go either, but he threatened to burn down the whole village and take both me and my mother onto The Pearl."
"The Pearl?" Arthur asked.
"Mmhm," Merlin hummed his yes, "That is the name of my father's ship. She's a beauty. I wish I could show her to you."
"Mm, no," The prince pursed his lips, "I'd rather keep both feet on dry land,"
Merlin laughed a little. "Don't worry. You get used to the water underneath you. I should know. I guess I had been on the Pearl for at least ten years,"
******************************Flashback Time!*******************************
"Merlin! Come here!" Hunith called to the little raven haired boy running around the farm.
"What is it, Mother?" The raven haired boy called as he ran down from the forest. Will was trailing slightly behind. Hunith probably just wanted them to come inside. After all, it was starting to get dark out. He stopped in his tracks and Will ran into him.
"Hey what'd you stop for?...oh..." Merlin's father was standing behind his mother. His hand was gripping her shoulder tightly.
"D-daddy?" Merlin's voice shook. "W-what are you doing here?" He stayed rooted to the spot.
"Merlin, me boy! You've grown big since the last time I saw ye," He held out his arms as if he expected a hug from the child.
A small whimper escaped the boy's lips. He took a small step back and Will gripped his hand tightly. "H-hullo, Mr. Sparrow," The slightly taller boy ducked his head.
Hunith twisted away from the captain and stood in between the boys and the pirate. "Please, Jack! Don't take Merlin. He's just a child!"
"We've already talked about this, Hunith. I take the boy with me, or I burn down the whole town and still take the boy with me," He stepped around the mother and took hold of Merlin's wrist. "Come boy. We've got a long way to travel,"
"Mother!" Merlin howled and yanked his arm from his father's grasp. "No! Mother please! Don't let him take me!" He rushed into his mother's arms and clung to her like a lifeline. Will had shuffled behind them both, hiding from his friend's father.
"I'm sorry, Merlin," Hunith sobbed and dropped to her knees in front of him. She brushed the child's raven hair from his eyes with a shaking hand. "I'm so sorry," She hugged him tightly. "You must be brave. You must be very brave,"
"I-I don't want to be brave, Mother," The frightened young warlock hid his face in his mother's shoulder.
"You have to be brave," She lifted Merlin's head up so she could see his beautiful eyes. "You must be brave. You're saving the lives of many men and women today, My Boy. Do you understand?"
Merlin wiped the tears from his eyes with a small fist and nodded, "I love you, Mother," he said.
"And I love you more," She stood back and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'll see you again, Merlin. Now go,"
He turned to face his father before swiftly tuning back to face his mother and Will. "Goodbye, Will," Merlin hugged the older boy. He then ran to his father's side.
Will watched for a while. When the pirate and his son could no longer be seen he spoke quietly to the setting sun. "Farewell, Merlin,"
...0.0.0
Good ending spot, yeah? I really wanted to get this chapter up for you all. I hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you think and leave a review ;)
I'm honestly not sure when the next chapter will be up. I'll try my best though. Happy slightly late Thanksgiving everyone. And early Merry Christmas.
