"Pure Magic" (Rose)
It's been a few months since the attacks on Camelot and we finally have a little extra time on our hands for other things. After dinner, Merlin looks at me with anticipation. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be," I nod.
He disappears into our room and reappears all in the same moment. "Take this," he hands me his book of magic, "And meet me in the clearing outside of Camelot."
My forehead scrunches a bit, "Where are you going?"
"Em," he pauses. "I just think it'll be easier to get by unnoticed if we go separately." I know this doesn't usually matter to Merlin, but I conclude that he must have a sound reason for his thinking. I readily agree and set off, grab my cloak, and sneak through the castle halls and down the stairs.
I practically tiptoe all throughout the lower town and make my way outside of the city. I break into an all out run, weaving in and out of the trees, feeling stronger than ever before and freer than the wind. I bound into the clearing I haven't laid eyes on since the night Merlin faced his first dragon. To us, it's a bit of a hallowed ground now- a sacred place of solace.
I scan the area with my hazel orbs, taking in the sight of the fireflies. They dart around, shining their little lights, brightening the darkness, even if it is just for a second at a time. I've loved them ever since I was a small child. I place the book of spells down, giving in to the silly drive inside me and chase them around, catching them and setting them back into the air again with a ridiculous grin on my face. I spin around and flop into the grass with a girlish giggle escaping my lips.
I behold the stars for the first time in a while- too long really. There's such wonder in them. What would the sky be without stars? What would our thoughts be without stars upon which we ponder and wish? I close my eyes and heave a contented sigh with a twinge of sadness, recalling how my mother taught me about the stars when I was a little girl. I open my eyes again to see a smiling Merlin standing above me. "Lose something?" he produces the book from behind his back.
"Only my mind to my sense of whimsy," I reply, sitting up and smiling at him.
"Good," he takes a seat next to me, laying the book in my lap. "That's a fine start."
I take the binding in my left hand and stick my fingers between some random pages, lifting and revealing the concepts written out for the spells within the paper. "How is it that I perform these enchantments without speaking the incantation?" I inquire.
"From what Gaius has said, you need to merely channel the specifics inside yourself. You have the words in your mind, and you enact them without speech. For example," he grabs the book briefly, thumbing through the pages, landing on a certain spell. "Try this."
I survey the words, drinking them in, and concentrating on their meaning, somehow the pieces fit together. I push my hand out in a slow and controlled motion, forcing the wind forward with my palm in a line, the grass in the exact direction bending backward. I laugh through a gasp, "I did it."
Merlin laughs, "You sure did! Try this one," he stands, holding both his hands out to me, pulling me to my feet. "Spell something," he points to the fireflies.
"Using the bugs?" I ask with a laugh and he nods with a goofy grin. "I'll give it a go," I giggle. I reach out with my mind to the will of the little critters, manipulating their flight patterns to follow my guidance with once swipe of my hand, picturing what I want to say. The words "Thank You" fan out, flashing before us in sequence.
"Thank you?" Merlin questions, "Why did you choose to say that?"
"Because you need to hear it, too, sometimes, you know," I release the fireflies into total freedom once more. "And you're doing all this for me ..."
"You're the one flying through the principles of magic. I'm not doing anything."
"You're the one teaching me to do it," I state with a smile, "Accept it, Merlin."
He holds his hands up, chuckling, "You got me."
"Precisely," I laugh with the pure magic of these moments, this place, the stars, my friend's heart, all surrounding me like a swirling breeze of sweetness. I can think of no better way to spend my time.
"Speaking of getting things ..." Merlin trails off with a sly grin.
"What?" I ask.
"Rose ... Don't move," he motions for me to stay right where I stand.
"Where are you running off to now, Merlin?" I call over my shoulder.
"You'll see!" he shouts back, his voice fading into the distance.
"I'm sure," I whisper in happiness.
"Giving" (Merlin)
I quietly make my way back to where she stands, seeming quite content to be standing there in oblivion. It is nice to forget every once in a while. I hope this is just the thing to bring a bigger smile to her face every day.
"Merlin?" she calls out, unsure. "Is there someone there with you?"
It seems the extra footsteps have no escaped her keen ears. "Why don't you tell me?"
"Does that mean-"
"Yes," I laugh, "You can open your eyes."
She does so, one eye at a time, biting her lower lip. Her jaw drops. "M-Merlin! What is this?" a pleasant exasperation overtakes her countenance.
"I believe he's a horse," I look quizzically at the dashing white beast besides me.
"But why have you brought him here?" she puzzles with a grin.
"Well, as you know, I've been working a lot more than usual, which is really quite near impossible, but I stumbled across my friend here, and it turns out, he's in need of some loving care. I couldn't think of anyone better for that than you," I hold the reins out to her, feeling my own eyes shine with glee.
She clasps her hand over her mouth, "You didn't ... You couldn't!"
"I can, and I did," I beam. "Here," I lead the animal up to Rose, he instantly nuzzles her, making her giggle.
"Oh," she gasps, "He's perfect."
"I hope you don't mind, but I've sort of given him a name already," I fear I'm putting a damper on the moment.
"What do you call him?" she strokes his large nose.
I begin my explanation, "You see here," I point, "How he has gray splotches on his underbelly, leading up his sides, and gray streaks in his mail and tail?" She nods, eagerly awaiting the reveal of his newfound identity. "He is now affectionately known as Storm because of his markings." She repeats the name with a satisfied smile. "I- Uh," I start up again, not entirely thinking things through, "Well, I also thought of the night ..."
"The night?" she presses me softly.
"The night we met," I sigh with a smirk, "It was storming."
"I remember," she says hushed.
"And it was your birthday," I recall. "I obviously hadn't known at the time Gaius shoved you into our chambers. I never imagined in that moment that my life would take a turn for the better, all because a broken young lady was sent to look after me of all people. I wanted you to know that you've done more for me than you know ... You're my best friend. I can tell you absolutely anything and you're always there for me. You share in my burden, even though I don't wish that on your gentle soul, you are strong- stronger than I could ever hope to be. I didn't want the memory of your last birthday to be completely deplorable, so I decided to get you something you would love as a very, very late birthday present. I remembered what you told me about always wanting a horse as a little girl, but never being able to keep one. I told you that maybe one day you would, and that day is today."
She throws her around about my neck, "You're incredible, Merlin. I only wish that I could give you the life you deserve- full of recognition and respect. Thank you ... thank you so much."
"No, thank you," I hold her close, "For you have granted me that. I've never been more blessed by giving up my bed for anyone else before."
She laughs in my embrace. "No matter what, Merlin, I am glad to have met you. I couldn't have imagined that my life would fall apart in such a way, and that you would be the one to help me put it back together. You're the greatest friend I'll ever have." I can't help but think ... that's all I'll ever be- a friend. My heart sinks at the thought, and I know, I've been lying to myself for a good long while now.