MERLIN
I should be sleeping. I'm exhausted enough. After I mucked out the stables, Arthur assigned me a ridiculous amount of chores. I even used a small amount of magic for some of them. In my defense, I didn't have much choice. I didn't want to work all night. Instead of sleeping I'm sneaking into the library. Camelot's library is too tempting to pass up. I want to take advantage of it as much as possible while I'm here. I quickly look for guards. There are none in site, but I still shouldn't stay out here any longer than I have to.
"Álíesan," the language of the Old Religion comes naturally.
The door quietly unlocks and opens. Well, that was easy. The front bookshelves contain material on history. The next seem to be medical and plant related. The farther into the library I go the older the books are. I suddenly feel myself pulled toward the end of the library. I reach out with my magic. I recognize a small amount of magic coming from that direction. I can tell that the magic isn't malevolent. I'm now walking as fast as I can without running. I wonder what it could be.
There are three long rows of books. They all look as if they might turn to dust if held. The magic is coming from the bottom left corner of the third row which is empty. Something must be there. My eyes feel warm with magic and suddenly a book appears. The hum of magic is stronger now and my hands are shaking with excitement. I carefully flip throw the contents. It's a book of prophecies. One section has been bookmarked: The prophecy of Albion.
Interesting title.
When the balance of earth has been torn two figures shall be born. The first is a leader unlike any other bathed in the light, one destined to fix his father's mistake and to reunite and rule all of Albion. The second is magic itself and is hidden in the shadows till the time comes to stand in the light. Magic is born to protect Albion and her king for the road to Albion is filled with danger from friends and foes alike. For without the other, neither will succeed. For one side of a coin is not complete without it's other half. For a time will come when the One and Future King takes his place on the throne and Emrys standing by his right.
A long forgotten memory floods thrown my mind.
"It's not fair!" I cry. "Why did they kill him? All he was trying to do was heal his son."
"I know little bird."
"They called him a monster because he used magic. Does… does that make me a monster?"
"Emrys never say that." Mommy only ever calls me that if it's important.
"You were born with a wonderful gift. People fear what they cannot understand, but no matter what they say you are not a monster."
"Mommy, why do you call me Emrys?"
"Because you're very special and one day everyone will see that."
No I can't be. I'm not Emrys. Am I? No, that's ridiculous. My memories disagree. I now remember those hazy memories of the few times mother called me that name. When I was four and mother's old friend came to visit and I accidentally turned his hair green. Then there was six and froze time to catch a plate from shattering. The last time she ever called me that name was the night before she left. I was crying begging her to take me. All she would say was, "You'll understand some day Emrys."
Okay, hypothetically, if I am Emrys then the Once and Future King would have to be Arthur. It could only be him in this hypothetical equation. Fix his father's mistake would be the Great Purge. Also I wouldn't serve another king. This is impossible, though. Arthur hates magic now, and who in their right mind would believe me to be Emrys? But… no matter how unbelievable it sounds I know that I'm Emrys and so Arthur must be the Once and Future King.
My magic is humming as if in recognition of the truth. I always wanted a purpose for my magic and now I've found it.