Heh... don't kill me. I'm sorry I left it too long but what yer going to do about that hey? Anyway, I've been looking at the views and where you guys are reading this from and it's so cool to see that you guys are reading from all around the world! If you want to leave a review from what country or state you're reading from because that'll be really cool to know. Anyway, enjoy!
A few months later...
Merlin opened his brother's door and peeked his head in slightly.
"Ah good, he's asleep," He looked at Arthur sprawled over his bed with his duvet hanging off the edge. Merlin shut the door behind him and crept towards him. He spied a metal pitcher along the way and picked it up along with a brush off his bedside table. Merlin grinned mischievously and moved Arthur's sword away before clashing the brush and jug together to make a loud sharp clang which achieved its goal of waking Arthur.
Merlin laughed as Arthur jumped up and dived for his sword but only succeeded in landing face first on the floor when the duvet tripped him up.
"Merlin!"
Merlin stood coiled over holding his stomach laughing as Arthur dragged himself up. "Happy birthday Arthur." He struggled around the laughs.
Arthur sighed. "Happy birthday to you too."
Merlin's laughs eased up and he flicked away the tears in the corner of his eyes. "Huh?"
"Um...we're unidentical twins remember? We have the same birthday," Arthur watched Merlin's face morph into realisation.
"Oh shit yeah," He recalled scratching his head. "Ow!" He shot a glare to Arthur when he smacked him around the back of his head and he gave an arrogant smile in return.
You'll regret that.
Before Arthur had the chance to react to Merlin's eyes glowing gold the rug under him was pulled away by an invisible force and he was once again sent sprawling across the floor.
"MERLIN!" He bellowed and Merlin sprinted away giggling.
*~/0\~*
As Merlin ventured the streets of Camelot he was surprised by how many warm smiles and birthday wishes he was given. He couldn't help the permanent smile plastered across his features as he run his errands.
Further up Camelot servants were bustling around preparing for the princes' birthday banquet later on that day. Uther had pulled a lot of strings to make this banquet special as it was Merlin's first birthday with his family. He stood in the dining hall, hands clasped behind his back firmly watching everyone to make sure it all went smoothly.
"Sire?" A servant came up to Uther and bowed.
"Yes?"
"All the food arrangements have been made, the band has accepted your offer gratefully and will play later and the performers will also."
"Good good,"
The servant bowed once more before going back to decorating the hall.
*~/0\~*
The sweet taste of blackberries danced over the king's tongue as he sipped and savoured the blackberry mead from his goblet. The hall had been decorated nicely and a group of musicians played soft faint music in the background. You could hear in the crowds of people that they were all enjoying themselves by their cheerful tones which would soon become slurred with alcohol as the night went on.
The two princes sat either side of the king and at the time they were talking around Uther to each other.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Uther stood up and everyone quietened and turned their attentions to him.
"Thank you all for being here tonight we all do appreciate it. Today is a very special day, the day when my two precious sons, our princes, were born. We all know the story of their births and the terrible passing of our beloved queen but seeing these two today assures me that her death was not in vain rather her sacrifice was a great gift to Camelot. This year will be the first year we celebrate our young prince's birthday which makes this day even more special," Uther raised his goblet and everyone did the same. "To the princes! Happy birthday!" Everyone cheered the verse in union and the pair shared a smile as everyone's goblets chinked together.
"Thank you father," Merlin placed a hand on his arm and Uther sat down again.
"Here," Uther said getting out neatly wrapped packages from under the table and pushing them towards them both. Merlin's was a large long package and Arthur's was a small square package.
Arthur opened his first, he carefully eased off the top of the box and looked inside. On a bed of velvet lay a circular signet made of metal which was expertly crafted, at each quarter of the circle strips of metal were plaited together to then join at the centre in a knot. "Beautiful..."
"It was your mothers," Uther rubbed his back softly.
"Father I cannot take this-"
"Please Arthur, I want you to have it," Uther cut in before Arthur had the chance to argue.
"Thank you," The older prince engulfed his father in a hug who received it with a smile.
Merlin opened his next albeit awkwardly because of the sheer size. Inside in the package was a large long bow made of polished wood with intricate carvings down the upper and lower limbs.
"That also was your mothers, she was an excellent marksman and I can see it in you too."
Merlin started to sob quietly and Uther wrapped his arms around the young boy and held him closely while stroking his raven hair. "Thank you, father." He struggled.
*~/0\~*
It was a few hours later and the mead was flowing like water leaving most of the guests either tipsy or drunk with no in-between. Merlin, Arthur and Uther were no exceptions from this as the two princes managed to get their father up and dancing with them.
Whilst the brothers were dancing with the king Merlin was approached by one of the ladies.
"May I have this dance, my lord?"
Merlin looked back at Arthur stumped on what to say. Arthur just gave a grin and a thumbs up. Very helpful.
"Um, er, sure," He took her outstretched hand and was lead away into the thick of people. He let the unnamed woman take the lead as he had never really learnt what to do in this situation.
"My name is Fæhth," She pointed out like she could read his mind.
"That's a beautiful name, I'm Merlin...though I'm sure you knew that," He laughed nervously and mentally facepalmed. "I'm sorry I'm new at this kind of thing."
Fæhth giggled lightly and took his hands and placed one on her waist and held onto the other. "Have you ever danced?" She placed her hand lightly on his shoulder and took the lead as she begun to dance.
"No I'm new at that as well," He blushed.
"That's quite alright, I can lead us," Her voice reminded Merlin of the soft wind through a meadow of flowers on a warm spring day. He looked her over and really took her in for the first time. She was beautiful. Long brown wavy hair reached her waist and swayed lightly around her like a veil, her unblemished skin was pale and freckled and her face was young and all her features seemed to align perfectly. She wore a white dress that brushed the floor as she walked and when it caught the light, it was like there were thousands of tiny gems encrusted in the skirt as it twinkled. Merlin lastly looked into her eyes and was startled by how they did not fit her at all. While the rest of her gave the impression of a gentleness and vulnerability her eyes were a misty grey that was hardened with loss and the feeling of the calm before the storm.
Something isn't right here. This thought snapped Merlin out of his daze and he noticed that he was no longer dancing but was being led to the main doors.
Arthur watched with a pang of jealousy. Lucky...
"Where are we going?"
"I'm sorry, I felt faint in there so I thought it'd be nice to go outside for a breather." Fæhth turned back to him and gave him a gentle smile which made Merlin nod quietly. What was I thinking about?
Fæhth was right, the night's cool breeze was a welcome feeling against Merlin's flustered skin. Fæhth... He rolled the name around on his tongue, where had he heard that before.
"You know, I'm from Mercia."
"Really? The riots must have been awful," He replied sympathetically.
"Yes, they were, I was even too afraid to leave my house."
"I'm sorry."
"You will be," She spat like venom.
"Wha-?" His head whipped in her direction only to be met with the sight of a palm sized rock striking his temple knocking him onto his back.
Fæhth, revenge - vendetta.
His eyes fluttered shut.
*~/0\~*
"Where's Merlllliinn?" Uther slurred.
"He went off with a girl," Arthur pouted and was surprised when Uther broke out in a warm chuckle.
"Oh, young boys...Ah! There he is now!" He giggled pointing to the door before stumbling over to him. "Merlin!"
"Father," He greeted. If Uther's mind wasn't clouded by the alcohol he would have noticed the squirms of the young boy as if he was uncomfortable in his own skin. "You're drunk, I think I'll take you back-"
"Ah, bollocks, don't mind me, you have your lady friend to get back to," He interrupted.
"She went home and you should really get to bed," Merlin took his arm and led him out the hall.
"Such the fun ruiner Merlin."
"I'm taking you back before you embarrass yourself if you haven't already done that," Merlin shook his head and pushed the bedroom door open with his hip before leading the king to the bed. "Get a good nights rest father."
"You too Merlin, I hope you had a nice day I...I love you, Merlin."
Merlin smiled and pulled him into a hug and Uther rested his head against Merlin's shoulder and rubbed his son's head. Merlin's smile lost its warmth and morphed to a sneer as he drew a long blade from his sleeve which caught the light before it was plunged deeply into Uther's stomach.
A pained gasp escaped the king's lips and his arms around Merlin loosened only to be shoved away roughly from said person.
"I hope you rot in hell."
Uther crumpled to the floor and looked up at his son, eyes full of pain and betrayal. "M-Merlin..."
Merlin spat at the slowly paling body and walked to the door. "Goodbye Uther, may your death be slow and painful," He sneered cooly before leaving and locking the door.
There were no words. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
My own son just stabbed me...? I'm going to die here.
Uther couldn't muster any words to call for help, he could only accept his impending doom.
Merlin. Was he really my son? There was no proof that he was, we just accepted him after seeing that necklace. Oh god, I was such a fool. Who was he? A sorcerer that's what he was. I was such a FOOL! How could I have let myself fall to such a pathetic trick? From the beginning, he was just here to get close to me, to repeal the ban on magic and to kill me. I was such a fool. My real son is dead. Magic can never be trusted how could I ever think it could, Merlin must have been laughing so much at our stupidity, at seeing how easily we accepted his lies. After everything, my undoing is magic...
A steadily growing pool of blood was forming underneath Uther's body and his time left was drawing to an end.
Oh God! Arthur! What is he going to do to Arthur!
These were Uther's last thoughts as his final breath quivered past his lips and his body became still.
