History's Ashes and Future's Flame

I told you it was not the end so here is the next chapter!

There will be a bit of simple Elvish that hopefully you would've picked up by now, or that's quite obvious.

This was written: 20th Jan 2014

Chapter 14

Past Pains

It is not knowing the past that hurts,

It feeling it,

Living it,

Doubting it.

The warm morning sun streamed through the windows and Merlin breathed in the crisp summers air, before rising up and with a wince noticed the change of scenery. He wandered over to the window and flung open the wooden shutters, birds composed melodies in the tree tops he took a deep breath of the moist forest air. He realised, to his relief he was still in his black leathers and he cloak was still fastened to his shoulders, but his hood had fallen revealing the cropped hair beneath, he self consciously pulled the hood back over his head. As he turned he surveyed the room, it had a familiar feel but looked unloved and slightly abandoned, he smiled at a familiar wooden chair, but his face soon turned slightly sterner when his eyes settled on his bow and knives, clean and repaired and laid neatly on the table.

Thinking of the surreal events of the last time he'd woken, Merlin looked from the window and down at the floor, his face was grave and solemn. What the King had said felt familiar and his replying words came to tongue as quick as a vixen to her kit, but Merlin just couldn't't register the happenings in his head. He had always been Merlin… but then Amerlas was Elven.

"My Lord!" A voice echoed around the room and Merlin turned to see a she-elf just older than himself, her face was set in a bright smile and she set a goblet of wine on the table, "We were beginning to worry, you have slept for two days, I grant you your ordeal must have been tiring, but… Anyway it is wonderful to see you up."

"Two days!" Merlin cursed quietly in Black Speech which was responded by an involuntary gasp by the she-elf. "Is it true what you say?"

The she-elf looked confused, "My Lord, whatever do you mean?"

"My name is Amerlas…" The words felt foreign yet familiar to his tongue.

"Of course Lord Amerlas, I served you when you were but and elfling and as we all say those eyes, we could never forget." Merlin took in a sharp breath, "If you feel ready, King Thranduil, Prince Legolas and Lady Tauriel have long awaited to speak with you, there are a few tunics and clothing in the closet."

"Ok." Merlin muttered still deep in thought,

"Are you sure you're okay, my lord. You are awfully pale and your are extremely dull."

"I am fine." Merlin muttered a little too harshly, "I am not dull as you so colourfully put it."

"I-I am s-sorry my Lord." The she-elf bobbed a quick bow before making a hasty retreat, tears brimming in her eyes.

Merlin cursed himself for scaring the elf, he kicked the table and let his fists fall on to the wood. His shoulder tugged painfully and he groaned slightly as he stood up fully. He ambled over to the closet, Merlin's eyes darted from the warm greens and burgundys to the incandescent , icy blues and silvers. A final choice seemed impossible. "Black!" Merlin muttered to himself slamming the closet door shut. He turned a spied a small chest and thankfully inside were simple shirts, he slipped on a dark green cotton garment and pulled his black leather waistcoat on over the top. Thankfully his wrist guards were laid next to his bow and he pulled them on wincing slightly as he strained his shoulder. He found his boots at the foot of his bed pulled them on taking more care to use his better arm, he wondered whether to carry his weapons. He decided against arriving with his bow, but it felt totally wrong to leave being completely unarmed, so he slid his knives in to their sheaths on his thick belts.

Turning to the only mirror in the room Merlin looked at himself, he had not changed since he'd last been in Isenguard and he did not wish to. He felt strong, a warrior and he felt like an elf, even if he didn't look like a conventional one. He tugged pettily at his hood and made sure it covered all of his wild, raven strands, he regretted having his hair cut, but then he'd learnt to live with it. But being around elves made him feel as if he were intruding, as if he was an outsider.

Wandering around the halls of Mirkwood Merlin got many glances, luckily few people recognised him. He noticed how many she-elf maids seemed to avert their sight of even swap paths to avoid the sinister looking figure strolling thought Mirkwood, thankfully he soon found the main hall. He was suddenly hot and his head buzzed with the abrupt silence, his mind told him to run, but he stood his ground a surveyed the room quickly. Thranduil sat at the head of the table and his face was set with an uncharacteristic, but reassuring smile; next the him sat Legolas an expression of slight worry across his face and next to him Tauriel, the red head shared the same expression as the Prince, but the young brown haired elf next to her had an expression of fear. Merlin feared to move.

"Amerlas… Take a seat we have much to talk about." Thranduil gestured to a chair opposite Legolas and Merlin lowered awkwardly in to it, keeping his head down, hair covered.

Merlin felt all the eyes of the room fall upon him, judging him, "Amerlas, we know little of what happened and we understand you are confused."

"Do you understand?" The anxiety made Merlin snappy.

"We try but…" Tauriel began quieting quickly.

"What we are trying to say is we are glad your back. Now tell us what happened." Thranduil smiled again.

"If you want a story is heroics and bravery go ask the men of Rohan or Camelot." Merlin said shortly.

"We know you were treated badly, Amerlas and we really want to understand, we saw you…" Legolas suddenly silenced.

"…Back," Merlin finished, "Well welcome to the real world…"

"There is no need to be sharp, Amerlas, you are still a royal elf among us, we respect and understand you." Thranduil placed his hand on Merlin's shoulder and he stood up quickly.

"Respect… you don't respect me, don't you understand, I don't want your pity I just want to be normal!" Cried Merlin.

"Please Amerlas keep your voice down." Hissed Thranduil begging him sit, as eyes started staring.

"No!" Cried Merlin wildly, "I won't change for you, you can have me as I am or not have me at all." At this all Merlin' shame left him and he swept off his hood to a few gasps as his hair fell wildly out, little below his ears. He smirked at the horrific reactions and left quickly with long heavy steps.

End of Chapter

OHH BADASS!