"Fate Comes Knocking Once Again" (Rose)
Merlin smiles, "Thank you," he says, but his lips didn't move. It was like I heard him inside my head. I give him a funny look because of this. Is this a part of his magical abilities? Or something more? Do we share some deep and strange connection I don't know about?
"Merlin, Rose," Gaius addresses us from the other room, "Dinner is ready. Come and get it."
Merlin hops onto his feet, "Coming, Gaius," he shouts to him. I rise, forgetting I haven't stood up in a few days. A dizzy spell claims me. I sway to the side just a bit. Merlin catches my arm and pulls me closer to him. He supports me with his left arm around my waist. He bends over a bit and puts my right arm around his neck. "Just take it slow," he warmly instructs me, "Don't worry, you won't be so tipsy after being on your feet a bit. I think it's safe to assume, you're an old pro at walking, right?"
"Surely," I laugh.
He brings me to the little wooden table with stools set up around it for us to perch on while eating. The food is steaming, although I have no clue what it is. I have a feeling that I might not want to find out Gaius secret ingredients, or his main ones for that matter. Merlin helps me sit, and takes his place beside me. Gaius positions himself across the table and begins to serve us our plates. I take mine with a smile, "Thank you, Gaius."
"You won't be so thankful once you eat it," Merlin jokes. Gaius shoots him a sharp look, and Merlin's countenance straightens immediately. I giggle at this, and they both relax a little, Merlin more so than Gaius does. I can feel the tension exuding from him. I begin to absorb this and tense as well. I set my hand with my utensil in it down on the table and let the handle drop. Merlin places his hand over mine and brushes my hand with his thumb. I look him in the eye and he smiles reassuringly. With him by me, I know everything will be all right.
Gaius clears his throat, making Merlin and me jump. I think we forgot about his being right in front of us. I suddenly get hot and my cheeks start to flush. "Now, you two," Gaius eyes us both, "Heed my words. You are more connected than you think." I raise my eyebrows in question, and he continues, "I have had numerous amounts of talks with Merlin on matters such as these, but this will be the first of many for you, my dear," he turns solely to me.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," I shake my head in confusion.
"Rose," Gaius exhales, "Your father and I had the opportunity to discuss the destiny that was sure to befall you. I had not known that it would come so quickly, but you have every right to know all that I can tell you. I am sure you are aware of the powers that every Woodward can wield, if chosen, and that you possess more than the norm, being of noble birth." I nod, still unsure of where this is going. "You can be sure the reason the fire lit after two strikes of the flints was no mere coincidence. It was significant. You are now the last of your kind-"
"We don't know that for certain," I cut him off.
He gives me a doubtful, but understanding gaze then breaks away from it. "You are also the most powerful to have ever lived."
"Me?" I half-laugh, exasperated, "You've got to be joking. Gaius, I've never even seen our abilities at work. I can't even communicate with animals! I'm next to useless when it comes to such things."
"Have you ever tried?" he lifts a brow. I open my mouth to answer, but clamp it shut. I never have. "When you lit that fire, how did you feel?"
"I- I felt something flow through me, down through my arms and into the rocks, and then it happened. I realize now I hadn't taken the time to think about it afterward, but it did initially strike me as odd," I admit.
"You contain the ability to control the four elements. That is why such a sensation occurred. I also suspect that that sudden storm we encountered sprung from your reaction to your father's murder. When you cried out, the heavens responded. You need not utter spells to work your magic, which goes along with the Woodward's subtle and stealthy ways. You are a natural healer like your mother. You will become a skilled physician with some direction from me if you so wish," he offers a smile.
"Magic is banned in Camelot," I state the obvious.
"This would not be an act of magic. Your brain is tweaked in such a way that you can obtain many certain types of information. For instance, your vast knowledge concerning nature, mostly animals is a good example." I have to agree with him on this. Woodwards are wired for knowing things on these subjects. "This is who you are, not just what you are or what you can do ... Do you understand?"
"Yes, I think I do," I nod cautiously, in a slow manner.
"We will help guide you in anything you seek counsel for."
"Right now, I do not seek counsel. I need answers," I stare down at my barely touched plate.
"What is it you want to know?" Gaius asks.
"I want to know what my destiny is. You said you conversed with my father on the matter."
"There is a part of the prophecy of our very own Prince Arthur which is unknown to all but a few being those who still practice the Old Religion or those who did and survived the Purge."
"Like you?"
"Yes," he nods, "Like me. Prophecy speaks of a woman most commonly referred to as The White Lady, and sometimes The Angel of the Forest. She is the one who keeps and preserves the life of Emrys, the most powerful sorcerer ever to live. Emrys is meant to protect Arthur so that he may become king and unite the land of Albion. I never would have guessed that the two beings referred to in this foretelling would be sitting before me," he looks at the two of us in wonderment.
"I am this White Lady?" I gape, "And Merlin... is Emrys."
"That would be correct," Gaius nods, "All the evidence points to this conclusion. You are a White-hart, and not only is white in your name, it is in your blood. Your clan's very color was chosen to be white. This is no accident. Now, angels are messengers, and you do possess the skill to converse with animals. You are to be their voice. They are more important to us than they seem. In addition, you have heard of guardian angels, I am sure. Like Merlin is to protect Arthur, you are meant to watch out for Merlin."
"Well, there's a switcheroo," Merlin blurts, seeming flabbergasted himself.
"Why the sudden onslaught of all this? How am I suddenly able to do what I am meant to do? I have never been prepared," I say, scared to death that not only must I look out for myself, but for the wizard who was meant to save the king who brings about the greatest of kingdoms brought about by mankind. Indirectly, this means we are all supposed to save the world while saving each other.
"You, Arthur, and Merlin are all essential, core pieces to a giant puzzle in which we all play part. You could not summon your full potential until your father passed on. Now, you are able. I think your father sensed the time was coming, which is why he spoke to me about it. I am glad he did. Because this is part of you, you need only be shown how to bring it out and contain it. You cannot be prepared for life anymore than you already are. It is one big learning process, and you will learn. You needn't worry about that. I will do all I can to help you as I have done with Merlin," promises Gaius, "You can now begin to fulfill your destiny."
"The Brighter Side of Things" (Merlin)
I watch Rose's face fill with horror at the weight of the burden that has just been placed on her shoulders. I share that weight- the weight of the world. 'Poor girl,' I think as strong empathy fills my heart. "I will do whatever it takes to help you in your journey," I tell her, hoping that I can actually be of assistance, but I'm not so sure. She is supposed to preserve my life, not the other way around, so maybe that is not as assuring as I had wished.
"Thank you, Merlin," she responds quietly, but genuinely before saying how she feels about all this. "Growing up, my father would always sit me on his knee and tell me tales of great heroes. After every story reached its end, he would say to me, 'And you, my lovely, have a greater destiny than you can possibly imagine'. I never knew he indicated something of this measure. I sort of figured it was just a ploy that most parents pulled to make their children feel better about themselves. He always reminded me in that way about my future whenever he noticed I felt down on myself ..." she trails off. Remembering her father's tender words brings tears to her eyes, and I can't stand to see her cry.
"Well, he believed in you. He knew that you could do it," I speak up, "I believe in you, too."
"As do I," Gaius backs me up.
She smiles, only slightly, the tears still lingering, and worry still creasing her forehead. "What am I to do?" she asks softly, "Where do I start?"
"Your journey began the moment your life did. The gears of this leg in the pilgrimage that is your life have already been set in motion. As long as you do what you believe to be right, your fate should play out just the way it was meant to," Gaius puts a hand on hers.
"What if what I deem right, is, in actuality, the wrong?" a tear falls straight into her lap.
"You are still human," I say, "We all make mistakes, but these can be corrected. I can't begin to tell you how many times, just since I've come to Camelot, that I've had to clean up my own mess."
"I cannot help but feel like I have been misplaced. Surely, I am not meant to carry out so great a task," she shakes her head in disbelief.
"I cannot think of anyone more suitable for it," Gaius smiles, "Although, it will not be easy, it can be done, even if Merlin is an idiot."
"I apologize in advance," I blush. I also begin to worry about this whole thing. I agree with Gaius in both instances. I think that Rose can do what she is meant to do, and will fight to protect me no matter what the circumstances. That's also half of what scares me. I am a fool. I could very much cost this girl her life with one mishap. A heavy silence sets in the room. I can hear my heart pounding.
"Should you like to see more of the kingdom when you feel ready for it?" Gaius completely changes topics, for which I am utterly thankful. Even though this will be nagging at me in the back of my mind, I can at least push these thoughts to the side for now.
"I would be pleased by this, yes," she speaks with such eloquence. It is clear that she is of high blood. I feel great inferiority to her. Here I am, a lowly servant, and one who should be royalty is supposed to save my backside.
"...Merlin?" I hear Gaius call me. I guess I was lost in thought.
"Mm?"
"Would you do the honors of giving her a private tour of our fine lands?"
"Oh ... oh, yes, of course," I nod rapidly.
"Thank you, Merlin," she manages a bigger smile this time.
I return a smile, but I am unsure of how it looked, for I am of many emotions right now. "When do you feel you would be able to venture about?"
"How does tomorrow morning sound?"
"It sounds lovely, but Arthur-"
"I will see to it that Arthur is taken care of," Gaius interrupts, but rightly.
"Well, then, tomorrow, I'm all yours," I grin.