Emrys: Magic Unleashed

A/N: I do not own Merlin. I only own a nice IPhone 4 which I lost in the back of the taxi and found again. Enjoy this next chapter.

Actually if everyone gave me a review I would be happy. You don't even need to log in to do so.

Chapter 3: Halcyon days


For the first time in his life, Merlin understood why people called him a hill-billy. When he caught sight of the capital, his jaws dropped open and had been catching flies ever since they passed through the gate. There were so many people! Fat, young, old, sick, healthy, rich, poor, you name it and there they were. Also the noise and bustle of the market was a never-ending cacophony of screaming merchants and haggling housewives. It was such a stark difference from the peaceful and small village where everyone knew their neighbors. Here, you were more likely to be robbed by your neighbor rather than befriending them.

Exotic spices, brightly colored fabrics, and assortments of magical trinkets were on display for sale. It was the first thing Merlin noticed, the second thing he noticed was the number of pickpockets in the area. After warding off the fifth attempt to pick his pocket, Merlin grew weary. His keen senses felt their finger brushing over his pocket and the weight of his wallet being displaced. With his highly attuned senses it was easy to catch the perpetrator in act but most of them were young children. He couldn't exactly hand them over to the authorities.

As novel and refreshing as it was to experience the city life, Merlin was sure he would have ample opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the capital in due time. The more pressing matter was to locate the forge. In his haste to reach the castle, Merlin stumbled into a young girl roughly his age. The resulting collision displaced the assorted packages of ingredients in her wicker basket and he fell onto her in a mass of tangled limbs.

Merlin sprang apart from her with a recoiled snap of embarrassment and horror. He offered the young girl his hand, profusely apologizing and hoping that she did not misunderstand his intentions. "I'm most sorry miss, It's my honest error in not paying attention to the road. Let me help you up."

The girl huffed angrily a bit and bit her cheek. Some bumbling idiot bowled her over and landed on her in an inappropriate manner. She was tempted to shout "Pervert!' but held against the irrational and emotion-clouded choice when she saw the young man spring off her with post-haste and regret written in his eyes.

Ooohhh those beautiful green eyes. She had never been so mesmerized by the flickering hue of green that shifted subtly in the mid-noon sun. On a normal day as a serving girl for the kitchen, Vivian would have never bumped into Merlin, she would have gone on with her life as normal and eventually die during a rather violent uprising but as fate would have it, she met Merlin and everything changed.

Vivian took Merlin's aiding hand and he helped her to his feet, gathering her spilled ingredients and placing them back into her basket. The young man gave her a lopsided smile, partly embarrassed and partly delighted. "I was so preoccupied in locating the Royal Forge, I did not see you. My name is Merlin and I'm terribly sorry to have bumped into you Miss ...?"

He looked at her quizzically with those wide and honest eyes of hers as if he actually expected her to give a random stranger her name. However, he was openly honest and a bit cute to boot. She gave him a polite smile, "My name is Vivian. I actually and a serving girl in training at the palace. You are looking for the forge? I can show you there." Her offer was a bit forward for a lady but she doubt that Merlin would do anything dangerous like kidnap her in broad daylight.

Merlin couldn't help but hug Vivian with a brief hug. "Oh thank you so much. I'm actually here for an apprenticeship so I should be seeing you more often."

Vivian's face was flushed, color showing in her cheeks. "I-is that r-right?", she stammered out, flustered by the sudden and intimate contact. She was shocked and surprised when he wrapped his strong arms around her in such an open display of affection, most people from the city would not engage in this behavior, thus she concluded that he must be from a far away village. She showed him along, making small talk along the way. After all, what better way to make a friend than to ask them inane questions that no one else would ask?

xXxXxXxXx

Vivian showed him all the way to the inner sentry point to the lower level and bade him the best of luck. "This is as far as I can take you, find me anytime in the kitchen Merlin! Don't be a stranger okay?" Without waiting for an answer, she gave him a brief hug and hurried away in a fast pace.

Merlin smirked as another person fell to the power of his infectious hug, soon the land of Estecia will be his, free hugs for all!

Delusions of grandeur aside, the guard stood at attention looking at him expectantly. Their hands were not so subtly placed on the hilt of their weapon, ready to draw and cut down any threats at any given moment.

"Let's see, The palace Forge. I need to find Smith Master Virol?" Merlin consulted his letter for the stoic guard, perhaps you could guide me kindly?"

"Through the door and down the hallway. Take the winding staircase down and let me know when you are done collecting your horseshoes." The guard drawled.

Merlin was affronted. Horseshoes? Why he ought to stick a horseshoe up the guard's pompous ass! Not wanting to jeopardize his new apprenticeship, Merlin swallowed the indignity and walked inside. There was not much lighting in the lower level of the castle; the torches generated flickering shadows that traveled along the walls looking like demons. A piercing and painful scream rent the air making Merlin shuddered. He did not want to know who made that horrible keening wail.

"What are you standing around here for?" A gravely voice asked. Instant panic set in as his senses detected nothing.

Merlin spun around. "Did you hear that screa-aaaAAAHHH!" His question turned into a higher pitch yell as he laid eyes on what must be a giant or at least a descendant of one. Well, there was a possibility that the man was simply big but he found himself doubting it.

The immensely tall man had huge bulging muscles on the shoulders and the arms. Not to mention his chest and stomach was twice as wide as his. Long brown hair fell straight to the man's shoulder and the scar running from the forehead across his left eye to the left cheek was angry red. Also the man was three heads taller than he was.

"Stop your screaming! The dungeons are right next to the forge and I hear enough screams as it is. Those lazy bastards had the bright idea of putting the interrogation chamber and the forgeside by side because they were too lazy to heat up their own coals for their torture implements. 'Oh why burn twice the amount of fuel when you can walk next door and borrow some hot metal?' they say. Damn lazy dogs." The hulk of a giant cursed a few more times. He lifts an eyebrow and looked at Merlin.

"I'mherebecauseI''mfromEladorandpleasedon'teatme." Merlin begged in one immense rush of jumbled words. Merlin did his best to use his puppy eye look and got a cuff to the head that sent him spinning.

"None of the freaky eye thing." The man growled. "I am Virol and you must be that hill-billy boy that was due to arrive today.

Merlin got back onto his feet groggily. "Is that right? It's nice to meet you Master Virol."

Virol clasped Merlin around the shoulder with a grizzly hand and grizzly it was as it covered half the span of his back. "Don't be so quick to call me master yet. I need to test to see if you have the physical capabilities of working metal. I don't need some snot nose momma's boy who can't even lift a hammer to hound me for four years. How old are you again boy?"

"Twelve as of this spring sir." Merlin replied succinctly hoping his maturity would show through.

Virol whistled in surprise. "Good lord, what has your mom been feeding you? I thought you were fifteen at least!"

At that proclamation, Merlin looked a bit sheepish and embarrassed. "Actually, I do tend to eat a lot. I need to eat five regular serving for one meal… Is that going to be a problem because I don't have any more money on hand. I could go hunting bu-"

"What is your name again?"

"Oh right. Merlin. Nice to meet you."

Virol gave him a sly grin. "Well Merlin, assuming I take you on as an apprentice. Us blacksmiths can eat as much as we want because it takes energy to be able to work the forge all day. No one wants their sword to break or their armor to fail in battle simply because the smith was to hungry to work properly. That is impeccable logic." Virol declared as he directed Merlin inside the forge.

Merlin could fight off the infectious smile that found it's way on his face. "This sounds like the start of a beautiful apprenticeship. I'm ready for the test!"

XxXxXx

The temperature inside the forge was sweltering and Merlin found himself sweating already. There were other young men working around in various workstations. Some were using the bellow to fan the flames to brilliant white fire. Some were pounding away at slabs of metal. One was even using tools to trace delicate designs.

Virol introduced Merlin and got their attention by slamming a hammer down on the anvil. "Alright lads, we have fresh blood with us today. Merlin here is from Elador and he's here to take the apprenticeship test." One of the teens with black curly hair and blue eyes jeered at him. "I never even heard of this Eldaor. It must be some backwater village." Merlin flushed, he was proud of his village, it wasn't something to be ashamed of!

"Well I guess I'm glad I was raised in some back water village that actually taught values such as good manners and politeness isn't it?"

Virol growled at them both. "Settle down. Remember Jerry that you're just a hired hand and I can get a replacement anytime."

Jerry frowned at the threat and said nothing. The rest of the teens introduced themselves.

"I'm Gary, born and raised here. Trying to pick up a few tricks to work with metal of my own."

"Bryan, I want to be an artisan and I'm learning metal design here."

"William, Blacksmithing pays well."

"Jeffrey, I want to be a Master Armor smith."

"Jerry, I'm here to make some money. It pays well and unlimited food."

Virol lead Merlin the other way into the back room while dismissing the rest of them. "Finish up with your daily workload while I test this baby chick."

Merlin entered what he assumed to be Virol's private workplace judging by the half finished swords of superior quality. There were also several completed swords displayed on the wall, each having a keen edge with a distinct wave pattern on the blade. The two most outstanding swords were a pair of black and white sabers with a a inverse Tao design. Without a doubt they were forged and created as a pair.

"Wow." he said breathlessly. He had never seen such craftsmanship on any piece of metal. "They must cost a fortune."

Virol stood next to him with a proud grin. "Not for sale. Those are my personal swords Kanshou and Bakuya. They are the culmination of my study under a master from the land of Asia.

They were crafted more for the sake of crafting, rather than for any real idea behind their creation. They were created without vanity, and lack a sense of purpose found in other swords. They contain no fighting spirit to defeat others or competitive spirit to beat other weapons, and they contain neither the desire to be famous nor the faith to accomplish great deeds.

They are identical in shape with the only difference being their color. Kanshou, the black Yang sword, is covered in a hexagonal pattern, and Bakuya, the white Yin sword, has less of the shine of a polished metal in its ore than it has the haze of a cloud.

"And what happened to the Asian Master?"

Virol was quiet for a moment, contemplating whether or not to tell Merlin as what happened was very personal. He had known the boy for less than two hours but already he feels that he could trust him. He decided to tell Merlin the abridged truth.

"He had reached the pinnacle of his trade and was forbidden from his king to teach anyone else his secrets but he broke that rule. He taught it to me and told me to pass on his teachings, he said that one day, I will meet an apprentice who will forge a sword that will be known to the entire world. That's why I give everyone who wants to be my apprentice a test. Nothing matters if they have the heart but no talent. Merlin, do you think you can take up this challenge? Forging a sword that will be remembered for all of time?

Merlin had no idea how to respond. He was twelve for crying out loud! He was too young to be dedicating himself to such a goal. He wanted to learn the trade and go back home to care after his mother but Virol was obviously expecting an answer. Merlin thought about his mother's words about saying what his heart felt and took a deep breath.

"I think you are going at this the wrong way." he said.

Virol stared at Merlin, "Oh how am I wrong?" he growled.

Merlin continued, "I think that what you had with your master was more than a sense of duty to spread his teaching. I think you should stop worrying about finding the apprentice that will make the sword and focus more on making sure his teachings never die. The dream of one man doesn't die with his generation. If you truly care for the dream but cannot achieve it yourself. Isn't it your duty to pass on that flame of desire to those who shall succeed you?"

Virol said nothing but turned away. "You are wise for one so young but you are still taking this test."

Merlin groaned into his hands, he nearly broke his brain coming up with that deep and wise answer but apparently it failed. He still had to take the test.

Virol plunked a cube of grayish metal the size of his fist in front of Merlin. "I want you to make something with this. I don't care what. It can be a blade, a dagger, or anything like a medallion."

Merlin's shoulder sagged in relief and he gave an relieved smile. "Well, then this out to be easy."

Virol started chuckling. "There is a reason why so far the success rate is 0% and I have never took on an apprentice. You can use anything in this room and I will be back tomorrow morning expecting something." He gave one last chuckle before leaving Merlin there sweating nervously.

Merlin looked at the cube of metal. "How hard can this be?"

Famous last words.


He encountered a multitude of problems, the first one being the forge. Merlin had no idea how to work the forge. He knew that the flames were fanned by air forced through the bellow so he started there first. He loaded up the coal and firewood and started the fire, using the bellow to sustain the fire. That was when he discovered the first problem.

He didn't know how to operate the bellow properly. When he pumped too quickly, the fire splutters and jumps up in temperature. When he pumps it too slowly, the temperature drops. Merlin might not know a lot about forging but he knew that the flame had to be an even temperature for the metal to be rid of impurities. It took him several logs of wood but he found a way to operate the bellow using his leg, freeing his hands to work with the metal.

He inserted the cube into the heart of the fire and waited for the metal to soften. He waited and waited and waited but the cube did not change from it's grayish appearance. The metal needed to be heated to the point where it appeared orange and white before it was malleable enough to be wrought and hammered. He took it out of the flames and set it down on the anvil, the cube looked deceptively normal. It was when he struck it with the hammer when the second problem became apparent.

The hammer had struck the metal cube with a resounding clang, sending vibrations up his arms and through his bones. He held up the head of the hammer and gaped at the indent caused by the corner of the cube. This was no ordinary metal. The cube needed to be heated up further in order to be hammered so Merlin stuck the cube back into the flames and waited.

After a straight hour in the flame, the flame stayed the same color, so Merlin waited.

Two hours later, Merlin was still waiting.

Four hours later, "I give up! this is impossible!" Merlin collapsed on his back, spent from bludgeoning the cube with the hammer repeatedly in hopes of even denting the metal. Merlin sat up and glared at the innocuous gray cube, it can't be done! You would need magic to-"

Merlin blinked at the simple realization. Normal fire couldn't even begin to heat this particular metal, maybe there is a magical component to this metal that can only be smelted through magical flames? Eager at this prospect, Merlin sat up and glared at the cube, willing it to heat up and become malleable.

He glared and grit his teeth in focus, he could almost feel it happening. His eyes glowed with restrained power but dimmed in the end.

Nothing happened.

Merlin slammed his fist down in frustration. He could almost feel it, the buildup of power to power the magical flames but it slipped away at the crucial moment. He had heard stories from his mother about him creating spontaneous combustion of flames as a toddler so he knew it was within his capabilities. That was when he remembered the cause.

"You must never take this leather band off unless it is an emergency. It holds back your special abilities and keeps you out of trouble."

Those were his mother's exact words to him, his name sake written on the band. He traced the golden letters of his name, unsure whether or not the situation counted as an emergency. Still it couldn't hurt to take it off for a bit. He had it for as long as he could remember and if something happened, he could always put it back on.

Holding his breath, he undid the cloth knot and closed his eye to prepare himself for the rush of magical power that would engulf him.

The power slammed into him like a tidal wave, making him gasp with surprise. It was the best drug, a feeling he never wanted to part from. He was finally whole again!

Well, that was what he was expecting but in reality, he didn't feel any noticeable difference at all. He set the band to the side and checked himself over, no extra arms or third eye appearing. That ruled out the theory that he was secretly a half demon sealed into a normal human state. In fact nothing was different at all he observed as he leaned over a bucket of water to examine his face.

Whoa! The water reflection showed his face but with one stark difference. He had blue eyes!

He examined the reflection eagerly. Staring back at him were the familiar blue eyes that his mother had! He was told that he was born with bluest eyes as a baby but the green came from the sealing. He checked himself in the mirror and found that blue really did suit him. He focused on the water, his eyes flashing golden yellow, and slowly but surely, the water started rising in the air in huge globes as if lifted by an invisible force.

Merlin laughed gleefully, his magic was back! He looked at the bellow and to willed it to pump at a constant speed. Immediately the bellow went to work unguided by human hands. Now it was time to create a magical fire. The metal cube that was sitting in the flames appeared a bit differently to his senses. This time he could see a low blue glow emanating from the metal. he didn't know the specifics but it was definitely magical.

He focused on the fire in the forge, willing it to become hotter, burn brighter. His magic responded to the command and and the flame flared a bright dazzling white of which he had never seen before. Within minutes, the cube started turning orange, showing progress in the smelting. When it started turning white, he pulled it out and set it on the anvil.

He lifted the hammer above his head and swung down. The cube gave way to the blow, becoming a bit flatter. Merlin started cheering as he pounded away on the metal, not knowing what it was that he wanted to make but excited with working the metal. It was like a new toy, one that he was playing around with. Virol himself said that it didn't matter what he made as long as he could work the metal.

Merlin was struck with an evil idea and started laughing when he imagined the look on Virol's face tomorrow when he would see his new creation.

That night, Merlin discovered a life long love for creation, a love that would surpass all other enjoyment.

xXxXxXxXx

Virol yawned when he entered the forge. As he expected, he found Merlin curled up on the floor in front of the bellow. It was disappointing that Merlin gave up since he actually liked the kid, not that he would ever admit it out loud. Still what Merlin said yesterday struck him as true. He really shouldn't be too caught up on the apprentice business, if he was meant to meet them, they would come to him.

Virol dropped a sack of coal next to Merlin, "Rise and shine. Had a late night right?" Merlin jolted up and blinked through bleary eyes. He stretched and yawned, pulling out a back scratcher to get an itch he couldn't reach. "You had no idea." Merlin confessed.

"It was hell. Working the bellow took me a few hours to operate decently and then I find out that the fire wasn't hot enough to melt the metal. After four hours of trying to heat it up, I kind of gave up." Merlin shrugged, his back scratcher braced on his shoulder.

Virol gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Don't worry about it. No one else has passed the test. It just takes a certain approach and a unique skill set in order to do so."

Merlin nodded, "That's why all I could make was this metal is this back scratcher."

Virol nodded, "That's right, a metal back scratcher is wa-wait. What!" He snatched the metal back scratcher from Merlin's hand and examined it for any trace of trickery. It was a fairly normal looking as far as a back scratcher went. It was a long flat bar of metal that curved at the tip to form a blunt five prong scratcher. Without a doubt it was made from the material he tasked Merlin to use. The final proof was Merlin's named etched proudly into the handle near the base.

"It isn't the best work but on short notice and with my meager skills, I can't think of anything else to make." Merlin tried justifying.

Virol started shaking, his head downcast. Merlin edged away with a bit of trepidation. Maybe he made the wrong choice in choosing to make a back scratcher, it was made of precious metal that could have served a greater purpose.

"Merlin!" Virol roared.

"Y-yes sir?" Merlin squeaked out.

"I take you on as my apprentice! I had no idea that you knew magic. The flame spell was a pretty simple one but not many people know about it or can cast it. Forbearnan is the simplest spell to light a small fire as long as there is material to burn. Spells with no material source is harder to cast and maintain." Virol handed the back scratcher to merlin who took it reverently, staring at Virol in awe.

"So that means that your swords are forged using..."

"That's right, Kanshou and Bakuya were forged with magic. The metal I gave you was Wizard's Iron and it won't melt unless heated with magical flames. The metal is a lot more resistant to wear compared to normal iron. With the proper smelting techniques and magic, we can actually refine it to a purer state. Wizard's Steel."

Virol's lecture opened so many possibility and ideas for weapons and forging. "Does this mean that the swords can actually be imbued with certain spells and powers?"

Virol nodded gravely, there were indeed weapons of such legends. Swords that could split mountains and shields that healed the wielder. Such items were said to be forged by the old gods and took magic to operate.

"Legend says that in the Gate of Babylon, weapons of immense powers are sealed away. Most of the weapons we make are rather mundane. Kanshou and Bakuya for all of their craftsmanship is mostly ornamental. I did not imbue it with any special property beside the inherent ability to kill magic creatures."

Merlin's breath hitched, "Can it kill a dragon?"

"No, Dragons are pretty much on the top of the food chain when it comes to magical and physical defense. You would need a high level B+ Weapon in order to slay a dragon. Kanshou and bakuya are mid-C class weapons, capable of slaying other mundane magical creatures."

Virol withdrew two books from his blacksmith apron. "These two books can explain a lot about basic information you should know. The first one is an encyclopedia of the various monsters sighted throughout the times and what is know of them. The second one is about using magic in conjecture with blacksmithing. There are only a few basic spells in there but I expect you to start trying to use them."

Merlin leafed through the books reverently. Never would he have been able to read such text back in Elador, he was truly thankful for his mother for sending him here.

"Welcome to a whole new side of magic Merlin. I will teach you everything I know and push you to the highest limit possible. One day you will even surpass me but I will be here to support and guide you." Virol promised.

Merlin was so touched, his throat closing up on him with the swell of emotion. The promise was so strong, Merlin couldn't help but give one in return.

"Thank you. I will do my best to fulfill yours and your master's hope. That I promise."

And it was a promise that was fulfilled.


A/N: And we have more about the magical aspect of smithing! I can't wait until Merlin starts working with blades and rare materials. I also think it's time to introduce some more OC and develop on Vivian. Three guesses as to who is the Lady of the Lake.

You can see it right? MERLIN FORGING THE EXCALIBUR!

Like usual, read review discuss!

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