Hi guys. A new chapter today! We continue with the story! In this chapter, you will see Merin's thoughts. For me is somehow interesting to read, and of course to write. I don't want to tell you more. Only say that the chapters will be somehow a little longer, like this one. More or less, it is longer. And the next chapters will be longer and longer, but with the condition that some days you will not have a chapter. Sometimes I will publish one chapter per two days. Well, enjoy the chapter.

I'm not own from Merlin.

"We've arrived."

Merlin wasn't quite sure if this was a good idea, but it was his only chance. The Eóten Gorge was quite dangerous at night, so always, if you had the possibility, you had to travel by day. He remembered the journey he made from Ealdor to Camelot a few years ago; when it all began. He had come by the same gorge, but always careful of the times, so as not to end at night in the middle of the gorge. As had happened to them now.

Luckily, Merlin knew someone who lived around this place, and, in fact, he knew where his lair was. He knew perfectly well that they wouldn't find him at the time, because at night he didn't use to be. For the day, if they didn't leave earlier, they'd see him. And Merlin hadn't chosen this shelter by chance. No, there was something about the man who lived here that he'd like to know.

As well as saying that through Ealdor the way was shorter if they wanted to go to Engred. It was a bit of a lie, although it was true that going down the gorge shortened quite a bit. The only reason he had to go to his home village was to see his mother. And not just for visiting her and commenting on what had happened in the last few months since they went to Ealdor to defend her from bandits, but to learn more about her father.

Yes, it was true that the monster inside had disappeared. At least for the time being. And, not having his tentacles pulling his chest box, he felt better than ever. He had spoken, smiled and joked. Yes, without a doubt, that was better than being cocky all day. What he didn't understand was how that monster, when he appeared, made him have bitter and pessimistic feelings. He felt bad when he had it. And, most rare of all, never in his whole life had he had anything like it. Ever since he had known who his father was, the monster had been growing and growing to disappear last night.

Yes, the night he had gone to visit Druid Cardel. In the same Cave of Time, he had been able to see a little of his father's past. Not only had he seen it, but he had lived it within it, as if it had literally been himself who had such emotions. He had felt them perfectly, and it was not something to be proud of. At that point in the past, his father had felt even worse than him the day before. And that was saying a lot.

He also saw that Balinor had to flee. He had assumed that from Camelot, for otherwise he could not have been. He felt bad; like betrayed. Betrayed for what? For being insulted and persecuted for being a Dragonlord? Of course. He had been persecuted ever since. And, as Gaius had told him, almost executed if it wasn't for him. That really impressed Merlin. Gaius being daring and thrown, helping magical people risking his own life. It was a different time.

He recalled that he also saw how, after yelling at Hunith in anger, not knowing exactly why, his father had felt really tired and had fallen to the ground. He said something he felt... To him. He felt like... And he hadn't said much more. Him? Who did you mean by him? That's what mostly rounded Merlin's head when he and Arthur returned to camp. And, actually, he was very intrigued. Almost what intrigued him the most, and that there were many things to intrigue about, like who knocked on the door at the time and what he wanted. But that was something else he wouldn't know either. Oh, if Arthur hadn't been there! He could have seen a lot more. Maybe his father's whole past. He almost cursed Arthur for being so nosy, but he warned that he couldn't blame anyone like that. And much less to curse him, because Arthur wasn't an ordinary person. He was supposed to protect him with his life, not just think of him and his affairs like his father's. Yes, maybe he'd been a little selfish these last few days.

And then there was Arthur, of course. What was he doing there? What had he seen? That also bothered him, because he didn't want his best friend to just find out everything. He hoped with all his heart that he would not suspect anything. It is true that he had asked several times what he had done that night, to which he always answered the same thing: night walk. Well, after all, it could have been a perfect night walk. And, if he had suspected the waterfall, he would have simply said he wanted to take a bath. And it would have worked, for at that moment, even though he had spent some time inside the cave, he had had some of the clothes soaked.

But well, it was Arthur, and Arthur was someone quite blind, as he had witnessed these last few years. He hadn't suspected anything for three years. And that he had used his magic thousands of times to save the prince. But he still didn't realize it. He knew one day it should be known, but he was hoping that day would not be near.

His friend's lair was hidden enough for anyone to repair it. We had to cross a kind of opening in the rock of the gorge, where it gave way to a long stone corridor until reaching an open grassy area, quite beautiful, with a large cave in front of it. The open place was surrounded by high irregular stone walls, and, in one corner, was a tree that Merlin knew his own friend had planted. Besides, there were a few flowers around it, and it had to be said that it made that place even prettier.

The four entered the cave, where a lit bonfire lit up the room and surrounded by it several logs lay so that they could sit by the fire. It seemed that they had already prepared this for them, or that not only one person lived but several.

There was no one inside, as Merlin had already foreseen, so they came in. The cave was not an ordinary cave, but inside there was a wooden table, with some chairs of the same material (something rustic and poorly constructed, to tell the truth), a bookshelf that kept a couple of dusty old books, and a single bed.

Merlin realized that the faces of his companions were a bit of insecurity and frightening. They didn't know who lived there. They'd think he was someone wild and dangerous, but as long as they were with Merlin there would be no problem, as he and the man who lived here liked each other pretty much.

They poured more firewood and prepared something for dinner. Within a few minutes, everyone was well satisfied and sitting around the fire. Everyone chatted, sang, and told stories, happy to be together and not alone in the fearsome cave.

"Merlin, tell us something," Arthur said, brazenly smiling at his servant, "I'm sure you have something good to tell."

Merlin had neither told any stories nor sung any songs throughout the evening. In addition, it was well known among them that Merlin was the one with the best stories. He always had very good stories up his sleeve to tell. And this was no exception.

He knew exactly what story to tell.

So, Merlin began to narrate.

Oooh. What will Merlin tell? What do you think? I have more or less the story and I like how it is going. This story that Merlin will tell isn't only something to fill in, but it will have a relation with the plot. You will see it in the future:)! It is all planned. Tell me what you think, and I hope you liked it. See you.

Next chapter: Merlín's story. What will be about?

LegolasHV