Chapter 10: Strength of the Scarred

Merlin stepped into the cave, eyes shimmering in the light of the crystals surrounding him. He didn't know what to do. Did he need to say a spell? Would the crystals just suddenly heal him? Shaking the never ending questions from his head he continued walking until he was in the farthest part of the cave. That's when he noticed the glow of crystals begin to grow. Merlin dropped to his knees and stared closely at the crystal.

"Emerys," a voice whispered from the crystals. Merlin stiffened, surprised at hearing the name the druids gave him. Well, it was a magical cave full of crystals. What did he expect?

"C…can you help me?" Merlin questioned. "Can you help me fix my magic?" he questioned, pulling back his neckerchief and shirt to reveal the raw scars.

"Emerys you are the son of the Earth, sea, and sky," the voice whispered. "You were born with magic and are magic itself. You cannot lose who you are." Merlin frowned at the crystals' words. Hadn't he lost himself though? Every time he used his magic he felt more and more of himself drain away along with the agonizing pain. Without his magic what was he? A boy. He wasn't a sorcerer anymore. He was just a boy with ugly scars. "Believe, Emerys," the voice said suddenly, sensing Merlin's troubles.

"In what?" Merlin questioned. "My powers are killing me slowly with these scars. What do I have to believe in with this treachery happening to me?"

"The future king of Camelot." Merlin froze. "He is the light in the darkness, young warlock. Follow him, believe in him, and you will find your strength." The light glinting off the crystals dimmed and Merlin slumped, staring at them for a long while. He thought of Arthur. Memories of the young prince hovering over his body with a knife came to mind. He remembered Arthur giving him food and clothes. He re-lived the scenes, watching how Arthur's eyes had seemed to look into his soul and see the fear and good. Merlin found himself dragged through all the old memories of his prince…no, his friend. Merlin's body and eyes began to glow faintly, but he didn't notice. All his life he had heard from others how Arthur was just as cruel and murderous as his father, but he now knew that to be a lie. Arthur was no murderer. The prince stood up for his beliefs and followed his own heart. If there was anybody to believe in it was Arthur. Merlin closed his eyes, suddenly feeling lightheaded. An image of Arthur appeared behind his eyes and Merlin felt himself smile. Warmth spread throughout his body and Merlin felt himself collapse, exhaustion hitting him like a ton of bricks. Merlin forced his eyes open. He lifted a hand to brush the hair from his eyes, but stopped when he looked at the pale skin. He turned his hand over and then his other. They were bare of scars. Merlin shot up, looking over his chest and feeling around his neck, but he found no scars. He lowered his hand and cupped them gently. Taking a deep breath, Merlin leaned close to his cupped hands, breathing deeply. Here goes nothing.

"Gweyre an lif," he whispered softly against his hands. Merlin waited, heart pounding against his chest. Something fluttered gently against Merlin's palms then and the warlock gently uncupped his hands. A butterfly of a soft blue color left his hands and flew around his head before landing back on his extended index finger. Merlin stared at the butterfly, tears in his eyes as relief hit him. He'd done it. He used magic! The butterfly left his finger and Merlin scrambled to his feet, yelling out with glee, stopping when the shining of the crystals caught his attention. Merlin turned his gaze on the crystals, eyes widening when images flooded his mind.

Arthur approached a sorcerer with curly dark hair and glowing eyes. People booed around him as he tossed away his swords and shield and Merlin held his breath. The sorcerer frowned at Arthur, confusion on his face as Arthur smiled gently at him.

"You don't have to be afraid," Arthur whispered gently, reminding Merlin of how the prince had spoken so softly and gently to him when they first met. The crowd around Arthur looked on in shock, fear, and even disgust. Arthur looked out to them, but kept reaching out his hand towards the sorcerer. "We don't have to hurt them," he shouted out. "They're scared just as much as we are. We don't have to fight them…" Arthur's gaze turned back towards the sorcerer. Golden eyes had dimmed away and now the frightened boy stared at him with curiosity and hope. Just as Arthur was about to take the sorcerer's hand, Uther shot from his seat.

"ENOUGH!" he screamed, pulling his own sword from its sheath. The sorcerer startled at the sudden movement, fear and anger returning in its eyes. It rounded on Arthur and held out a hand, shooting flames out at the prince. Arthur cried out, but rolled out of the way just in time. Screams broke out all around the arena then and Arthur stared in terror at the sorcerer as it came at him.

Merlin shot from the cavern, shouting as he ran. "O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup' anankes!" The sound of wings flapping against the wind stopped the warlock and he looked up, watching as Aithusa appeared above him. Merlin quickly used his powers to carry him to the dragon's back. He stroked the scales of Aithusa's neck gently. "Take me to Arthur, Aithusa. Please." Aithusa let out a little chittering noise and they were off, flying through the sky at high speeds. When they came to Camelot Aithusa dropped Merlin off and the warlock waved farewell before dashing through the gates and into the arena that was now engulfed with flames and screaming people. When there, Merlin spotted Arthur on the ground. The sorcerer attacking him lifted a hand, ready to end the prince. Merlin flew from where he stood, letting his power and the wind carry him to Arthur faster than if he had ran. "Lyft sy be in baelwylm ac forhienan se widere!" Merlin shouted, holding out both hands as he threw himself in front of Arthur.

"Merlin, no!" Arthur screamed, but he stopped when he noticed that Merlin's neck was bare of scars. "I…it worked?" he gasped. Merlin turned his head and smiled at Arthur over his shoulder before turning his gaze back to the sorcerer currently being hit with flames. He reached out a hand to attack again, but several bodies plowed into him. Merlin gasped as he smacked into the hard ground. He opened his eyes, finding several knights holding him and the other sorcerer down. Uther approached. Merlin grit his teeth together and stared into the raging eyes of Uther Pendragon as the king readied to bury his blade into the warlock's flesh. "Father, don't!" Arthur screamed, throwing himself in front of Merlin protectively. Uther's rage grew.

"Out of the way, Arthur. I shall deal with you later –"

"No! Father, please, listen to me. They aren't all bad. They're only trying to survive…to protect themselves! Merlin took me to their lair and I saw that –"

"Wait…" Uther interrupted, the anger turning to something more terrifying in his eyes. "You saw the lair?" Arthur swallowed, realizing his mistake. Uther turned his gaze towards Merlin. "Chain him! We leave for the sorcerers' lair immediately!" The crowd around them cheered. Arthur struggled to his feet as several men began to drag Merlin away, wrapping chains with magic repelling symbols carved into them around him. He reached out, trying to grab for Merlin, but his father grabbed him and pulled him back.

"Father, please!" Arthur shouted, but Uther gave him no remorse.

"Don't call me your father!" he shouted. Arthur froze, staring at Uther with wide eyes. Uther dropped his hold on Arthur and turned his back on the prince to follow his men. "You are no son of mine." Arthur dropped to his knees and watched as his father and the others dragged Merlin away, tears streaming down his face.