I won NaNoWriMo again this year!
And miraculously had motivation to finish this chapter right afterwards. So without further ado...
Merlin checked his email and groaned. It was time to start thinking about DVD extras. And suddenly they wanted his department to feature this season. He didn't know how it would work. All the really cool stuff involved magic in one way or another and he couldn't exactly let that secret be widely known.
But he had not actually watched any of the other DVD bonus features. Maybe he would be able to make it work. Perhaps he didn't have to explain everything, but just talk about the theory and not show the magic he used to actually make it work. Or maybe he could show the finished result and explain whatever excuse he had given to the team. He pulled the previous series off his shelf and settled down to watch.
It didn't take long for the warlock to begin laughing. He couldn't help himself; he pulled out his phone.
M: 'Merlin's Magic Tricks'?
C: What?
M: Series one bonus feature
C: Oh no.
M: Oh yes. Whose idea was that?
C: We don't talk about that. It was not one of my best ideas.
M: So it was your idea!
C: Angel was the one who brought it up with the producers.
M: Sure blame Angel for that hilarious segment.
C: Shut up. Wait, why are you watching that?
M: No reason.
C: They asked your department do make something this year, didn't they?
M: Maybe
C: And you are stuck bc it is all magic
M: Not all of it! But yeah. I thought watching the other bonus features might help.
C: Have fun.
Merlin sighed and resumed watching the bonus features. There were some snippets from the CGI department talking about creating the magical creatures in post and a couple tours of the sets and of Pierrefonds. It was another featurette involving Colin that had him laughing again. Watching the two actors attempt a road trip across Wales to discover The Real Merlin and Arthur through some very strange means. Once again, he pulled out his phone.
M: How did you manage to keep a straight face while walking around with those sticks?
C: I should have known you would find that one too. It was hard. The editors did a good job. Even without knowing who you really are it was hard to believe all of it.
M: I'll admit not all of it was wrong.
C: Really? What's true?
M: Some of the battlegrounds were real battlegrounds, but none of them were where Camlaan was located. That was actually in France. Most of it is underwater now.
C: Didn't expect that. What about the ley lines? Surely that can't be true.
M: No. There are some places that do have stronger magic but no relation to what that man was referring to
C: What about the possible burial grounds of Arthur? I'm guessing you didn't bury him in France
Merlin hesitated, not knowing what to tell him. He kept that location very secret. He did not even tell Guinevere, although he thought she figured out the most important part. At first it was out of a selfish need to have something for just him to be with Arthur, untainted by passing years and fleeting mortals. Then, as more rumors spread about ways to resurrect the King and make him serve nefarious purposes, it became a matter of security. And although he liked technology, he still did not think it safe to ever say or type the location.
C: Sorry that was rude. You don't have to answer. Forget I asked.
M: No worries. Perfectly valid question except that it is a secret that I have never divulged for fear of the consequences. His public funeral was held in the castle courtyard.
C: Which castle was originally Camelot?
M: Richmond
C: The one in Yorkshire?
M: Yeah
C: I hadn't thought it would be that far North
M: Says the boy from Belfast
C: True. Is it sad seeing it in ruins now?
M: It only looks like it is in ruins
C: What? I've visited and its mostly grass
M: That's the beauty of magic, it allows me to preserve the castle without it being questioned. Now that you have the gift, you will have to come visit again. See what it really looks like. Meet some of the others living there.
C: People live there?
M: Most of them only stay a short time. It's like a research library for magic. Of course there are places to stay on the grounds and some people rent places nearby.
C: Do you live there?
M: Not always. It is a nice place in the summer though.
They talked a little more about what life was like at the castle now and how the two worlds managed to coexist without issues. But then Colin had to go and Merlin had to seriously think about the featurette he was in charge of again. At least he had some ideas now.
Finals start this week so look for the next chapter on December 19th. And thank you all for being patient during November.