Hey look, another chapter so soon! Well technically not soon just in my prefered time range. Anyway I'll be quick.
Thanks Metahme for following!
Meri Lay: Thanks for the support!
Kokkini Panselinos:Thanks for the support! I'll explain everything as it goes but don't expect anything soon.
Chapter 6: Someone lost their head.
Arriving in Camelot was like stepping into a dream.
Dressed in his usual clothes of brown breeches, blue shirt and leather coat with his Druid neckerchief securely around his neck; he strode through the great city to find his Uncle and begin his apprenticeship with nothing but some clothes in his pack and a letter from his mother. The three day journey had been a marvelous time with no responsibilities and the freedom to practice his magic. Even though he had to hide it again inside Camelot the city still amazed him.
The great stone walls shone brightly in the afternoon sun. The people were friendly enough to greet him when he made eye contact and everywhere he looked, people smiled.
That changed when he walked into the castle keep.
His first clue something was wrong, were the drums beating slow and steady. Next, was the crowd gathered around a platform. Finally, the man brought out in chains drove home what this was; a public execution. Watching the man wearily as he was made to kneel before the chopping block he heard the voice and looked up to see the boogie man of his life. Uther Pendragon was every bit the King he was made out to be. Dressed in chainmail with a red tunic, his royal jewels hung from his neck and atop his head a crown. A blood red cape, no doubt with the pendragon crest, a roaring dragon on its hind legs and it's wings outstretched, was fielded in its center.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiracy to use enchantments and magic."
Merlin felt his blood run cold and his fear staked him to the ground. Magic, of course the Butcher would be publicly executing someone with magic. Right there was someone just like him about to die for existing. Just. Like. Him.
His fear induced thoughts were cut, quite literally off, as the axe fell he couldn't watch so he turned his head away and felt his fear change to astonishment. It was her! The girl he kept visiting on his birthday! Wearing a blue dress her hair shone a brilliant raven, the frown on her face and the displeasure he knew that would shine in her brilliant emerald orbs made her an entrancing sight. Then she was gone and he stood there gobsmacked till he heard a what sounded like a sob and a scream mixed together.
The sound came from a woman not even ten feet away as the crowd parted around her, old and dressed in grey rags, looking like she hadn't bathed in a month.
"There is only one great evil in this land Uther Pendragon," she spat " and it is not magic. It is you! You took my son and before these celebrations are over you shall know my pain!"
"Seize her!" The King shouted.
Looking around she grabbed her necklace and mutter some strange words under her breath before shout and disappearing in a vortex of wind.
Transportation magic?! That would be incredibly useful to learn, a little showy but what's the point if you can't leave them amazed after all?
Everyone was dispersed following that display for the feast( when had anyone mentioned a feast? Was he not paying close enough attention again?). After getting some directions from the guards he walked through the corridors of the castle leading him to where he was now.
Standing, at the home of the court physician and his Uncle. Giving a knock he enters and looks around. He was greeted by a chamber the size of the meeting house back in Ealdor. Straight through there was a door up a few steps of stone stairs that was firmly shut. To the right of that was an array of bookshelves with books and jars of many things, after that was a fire place set slightly apart and into the wall followed by a sleeping area with a cot and a changing screen. Tables covered in many glass vials, books and other tools he couldn't identify lay scattered about. The left of the room had three alcoves with light streaming through them and what appeared to be beds in each, probably patient cots. The ceiling was quite tall and a wooden walkway took up nearly the entire upper left wall with the staircase winding down the back near the rear door. Taking a few steps in he calls out.
"Gaius?"
"Hm" answers him before a shout of panic and the sound of breaking wood meets him. Seeing, what is presumably his uncle falling from the second floor he quickly stops time. Looking around for a quick solution it comes in the form of one of the beds. His eyes flash then blankets and pillows line the bed as it moves under his uncle. Satisfied with his work he let's time resume it's march.
On an unrelated note Morgana was quite annoyed when time stopped just long enough for her to finish her sentence to Gwen without Gwen actually hearing any of it, leaving her in a bad mood at having to repeat herself on top of foul events she had to watch today.
Back with Merlin, he watches his uncle safely land on the bed. Said man gets up with a sputter and looked between Merlin and the bed for a few seconds. Gaius, is the eldest sibling of his mother and the only living relative he has to his knowledge. His hair is white and his face covered in the vestiges of time, bright blue grey eyes looking at him wearily. He wears a red robe with a blue over robe and fingerless gloves.
"What did you just do!" He demands finally.
"I-I I have no idea what just happened!" He replies. His memories of his mother causing him to stick to a well versed script, deny everything.
"If anyone had seen that…" Gaius trailed off meaning anyone but him would have him killed.
"Er- no that wasn't. Em- I mean I had nothing to do with that, it was…" Merlin racked his brain to explain his blatant use of magic.
"I know what it was!"Gaius harshly said but softened his tone to only a hard edge" I want to know where you learned it."
"Nowhere" because really he hadn't.
"So how do you know magic?"
"I don't!" He really didn't.
"Where did you study?… answer me!" Gaius certainly is persistent.
"I've never studied magic or been taught," technically true? The Druids only showed him some tricks they never sat down and taught him.
"Are you lying to me boy?"
"I swear to you I was born able to do this"
"Impossible, who are you?"
"Oh" Merlin scrambled to pull out the parchment his mother gave him"I-er, have a letter for you"
He holds out the letter in which Gaius takes but doesn't look at. " I don't have my reading glasses" he says giving Merlin a look demanding answers.
"Ah, I'm Merlin."
"Hunith's boy!" He exclaims looking considerably friendlier "But you're not supposed to be here till Wednesday?"
Merlin looks around awkwardly as if Gaius would figure it out but after a few seconds he gives in.
"It is Wednesday."
"Oh" was the eloquent response. Seems it's a family trait. "Right then, through there is your room, best get yourself settled for now" Gaius says gesturing to the rear door.
Merlin begins to move towards it the turns to Gaius, "you won't say anything about... you know"
A shaking head relieves his fears, "No, but Merlin, I should be saying thank you." The smile Merlin received put one on his face as he enters his room.
The inside was small, enough for a dresser, a cot and some room to move around. Sitting down on the bed he glances out the small window to the sky and relaxes for a moment. He made it!
—
In the other room Gaius sits down and opens the letter from his dear sister.
My dear Gaius,
I turn to you for I do not know who to trust. Every mother thinks their child special but I would give my life that it was not so with Merlin. Our village is small and he is clearly at odds with the people the stronger he grows. I fear what would become of him should he remain. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide him and someone who might help him find purpose in his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe and may God save you both.
Finishing the letter Gaius sighs and rubs his forehead wondering what he was getting into.
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