SO! This is a remake of my Original Knight of Merling story. I want to do this a bit differently already since there is so much more we know now. LIKE HOLY SHIT! I HAVE SO MUCH MORE I CAN DO WITH THIS NOW! Like Douxie and Jim dynamics as well as knowing exactly where Merlin and they lived during the time period. Also how LONG AGO THIS SHIT ACTUALLY WAS! Like I feel stupid only saying it was 300 years ago instead of 900. Like God oh mighty.
SO HERE WE ARE! A new version of my story with maybe a new name. I have no idea yet.
Hope y'all enjoy it!
"After the child! Don't let him give you the slip!" I turned my head behind me as I dashed as fast as my small legs could take me. Jumping over a blacksmith trying to pick up one of his latest creations that he had dropped. I had caused the older man to tumble as I was forcing my way through the streets, but at least I didn't damage his possession.
"Sorry!" I yelled out over my shoulder as I tried my best to skid to a stop before taking a quick turn down an alleyway to escape the knights after me.
Note to self: Never try to gain a meal by tricking the guards ever again. If I'm able to live through this, that is.
I found a small cavity within the alley walls that I could slip in and I took it to my advantage, hiding within the dark wall as the silver and gold plated soldiers came barreling down the dark alley. I tried my best to calm my uneasy breath as I listened to the fleeting heavy footsteps fade from the small alleyway. I waited a few moments and listened closely to make sure that I was alone within the cement confinements before I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I pulled out of the small cavity as I turned to where I had come from only to be greeted by a tall red-headed woman covered in green robes and a long ponytail wrapped in a matching ribbon.
"Oh, the great mother of Merlin." My words seemed to bring a smile upon the woman's face.
"Well, I am no mother of Merlin, but I have witnessed your struggle." She kneed down to my level. "If you are in that much need, little one, I will be willing to lend a hand."
"But you're-. I'm-." My incapability to speak drew a small chuckle out of the woman.
"Do you need a moment to ease your mind? Your tongue seems to be racing it as if it was a hare against your poor tortoise within your mind." I found myself chucking along with the fair lady. Even though I was only six, I was not oblivious to the idea of who it was before me. I knew it was the king's sister herself, Morgana. Princess and witch of Camelot. She smiled widely at me as she knelt down further so her knee was laying against the ground. "What is your name, young one?"
"My name is James, my lady." I gave the princess a small bow as I placed my hand upon above my heart. Morgana gifted me another sweet smile as she placed a hand upon my shoulder as I raised myself back up to my full height.
"No need to be so formal, my friend."
"How could I not be, my lady?" Her face grew soft as she raised to her full height once more as she lent her hand out towards me.
"How about learning more about one another. I could use some company and I could tell you could use a warm meal." I was hesitant at first and it was obviously placed upon my face as she gave me a small laugh once more. "You do not need to stay longer if you do not wish, but I can tell you could at least use that. What kind of woman would I be if I would let such a young child on his own?" She hummed softly towards me as her green eyes had a soft gleam dancing within her irises.
"Are you sure that you want me to go with you? I'm nothing more than a thief, my lady. I would hate to bring you trouble."
"The only trouble you could bring is not coming at all. It would haunt my dreams if I leave you alone within this alley."
When we arrived at the castle gates, I was welcomed within it with ease and I would never leave the high walls without the fair lady of the court ever again. I was gifted with the title of her assistant and Arthur gifted me with my own room within the castle walls after seeing his sister's fondness with me. I was told that my service to the kingdom was to be my Morgana's side and protect her to my best ability once I grew old enough. As the years passed and I became a young man, I kept my promise well. I learned swordsmanship from Lancelot while Morgana was in a mince of her lessons with Merlin. Once fitted with my own armor and gifted my own sword, I swore to the king I would protect his sister with my life. Gifting my protection inturn for her gift of a new life. I personally believed that it was a fair trade since she had saved me from what would have been a short life for me.
Once I was fourteen, I was given the order to follow and keep Morgana company as far and as well as I could. I never faltered with this idea since it was something Morgana had asked of me from before as well. I had grown attached to the older woman. Seeing her as a mother figure as mine was no longer around within Camelot.
"How did you find yourself within Camelot, young one?"
"My mother led me here." I was only twelve when Morgana had presented the question to me. I knew it was something that she had contemplated the idea for a while since she had more than likely had it trapped within her mind since she had found me. I had been six at the time and it had been six years since. I was actually shocked that she had contained it for such a long time. "She knew I would be safe in Camelot in comparison to her herself."
"What could that possibly mean, my friend?"
"She's a witch." Silence hung between us as I continued what I was doing, finishing the green wrapping around her braided hair. I swallowed hard knowing that her brother's actions against the magical beings within the land was a soft spot for the maiden. I knew the truth struck a chord within the woman, but I also knew that she would feel betrayed if I never told her the truth.
I would rather let her feel pain for me than feel pain because of me.
I stood beside the main door within Merlin's creation chambers as Morgana was ranting towards the old wizard himself. Beside me was Hisirdoux, the older wizard's apprentice. He looked over to me with a simple smile as the two older beings within the room were still fuming against one another once more.
"How are you, my friend?" I smiled towards the fellow youngling within the castle walls as his familiar found it's way to his shoulder. I knew Hisirdoux well. Even though his magic within his veins kept him at the same age as I grew normally between the two of us, we were raised together like brothers. When Merlin wasn't around and Morgana had a say, she would let us talk freely towards the both of us as well as act like the children we truly were. We were close. Even his familiar had grown close to me over time as he realized I could make his favorite salmon with ease due to my time as a lonesome street dweller making my own meals to survive since I was young.
"As well as one can be, Hisirdoux." The young wizard chuckled at me as placed a hand on my shoulder even though I kept myself in my normal stature as my hands stay secure behind my back as my stand stayed wide at my feet. But my shoulders gave away, showing how truly at ease my friend made me as his small laugh at my reaction conflicted against Merlin's and Morgana's scuffle.
"At least you don't need to hear the old man act as if it wasn't his fault."
"I would rather deal with that than worry for Morgana's mental well being." As I glanced back over to the older wizards, I saw that Morgana was fuming still against the old man's contradictions to her worries for the magical creatures within Arthur's ceils. "She feels as if she was anyone else that her brother would have her in the same place as those she worries for."
"I couldn't blame her. I start to think the same if it weren't for Merlin's graces when he found me."
"You and I the same. Set for if you replace the old man with the fair lady." Hisirdoux's laughter was hard to contain as it caused the other two human figures to look over to us as if we were distracting them from their normal conversation.
"Sorry. It wasn't about your conflict if that brings your anger to a smaller amount for the two of us."
"I ask for forgiveness as well. I caused the disturbance." I placed a hand over my heart as I nodded my head towards Morgana specifically. It caused her features to soften as she walked over to me. She placed a hand on my shoulder as a small smile fluttered across her face.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. The both of you. We shouldn't have this conversation before you." I felt my own smile appear on my face as she spoke to us in a soft tone she kept only for Hisirdoux and I. I knew her words were true as she looked between the two of us as her green orbs kept a soft gleam within them. She glanced over to Merlin for a second before looking back to his apprentice and me. "Let's go, James. I believe I have done enough damage here." I nodded my head as I allowed her to lead the way as I made sure to give a symbol of my goodbyes to both Merlin and my friend before following her. Once we made it out into the hallway, Morgana pulled me into a small hug that I instantly reciprocated. Morgana was never one to showcase her emotions so the action was rare for the young woman. So when she would, I accepted it with ease. Especially when I knew she thought of me as more than her servant, but more like her own child.
"If you're still sorry for what had happened, Morgana, you have no reason to be." I pulled back from my mother figure with a wide smile as she placed her hands on my shoulders.
"I know, my young friend, but I still believe that you shouldn't have been victim to that sight."
"I am your obedient servant, Morgana. As well as your friend. I am here to see you at your worst, may you agree to it or not." She chuckled at me as a wide smile appeared on her face.
"You have always been my friend, James. Even as a child, you made my days brightened. Sometimes, I even think of you as my own." I smiled at the idea.
"I had a feeling you would and I think the same at times. You are like a mother to me and I could never repay the kindness you have given to me." I was pulled within her arms once more as the idea was set out in the clear air between us.
"You have repaid my kindness in more way than you could ever understand, James. You have kept me sane in times I was near to lose myself." I chuckled as we pulled apart as she toyed with my jet black hair. "My young friend, you have saved me the same as I have saved you. Your only job to me was only ever being my dearest companion."
If only I knew how little time I had with Morgana and the war that was soon to come. I would have lived within those moments for much longer than I had allowed myself.
"Morgana!" I screamed out into the flames as I dashed through the dark forest. The sounds of clashing swords against hard stone rang around me as I continued to scream out towards the red hair woman. "Morgana! Where are you!?" I knew that it was futile as I slashed through some of the Gum-Gums that came before me to try to slow my feasible rage. I dashed through the dusted corpses as I continued my search through the dark forest only to witness Morgana standing in front of all of Arthur's best soldiers as she split her shadows into more of herself. I whispered to myself as I watched her attack those that were sworn to protect her, her brother, and the land of Camelot.
"Morgana."
She whipped her head towards me as I realized the friendly green orbs that I was accustomed to were replaced with pitch-black pools that made me feel as if I was watching a ghost of who I used to know. Suddenly, a soft look danced across her face while a flash of her green irises was given my direction before they returned back to their darken predecessors. As soon as the moment happened, she disappeared.
"MORGANA!" I felt my voice grow raw as I stood there, sword in hand, and dried blood above my left brow as she faded from my view while her silhouette danced across her handmade battlefield against her kingdom's own people.
"I have a suggestion for you, young James." I stood before Merlin as a broken young man seeing what Morgana had become, yet I was true to my training as I stood in the same stance I have always have before Merlin and those of the higher caliber within the castle walls.
"And what would that be, sir Merlin." I nodded my head as I spoke, knowing my voice was nothing like it had been months prior.
"There is a war brewing and I want your hand within bracing for the future."
I looked at Merlin for a moment as I counted the heartbeats that passed as silence hung between us.
One.
Thud.
Two.
Thud.
Three.
"What would you mean with that, sir?"
"I want to place you under a spell." Merlin walked up to me as he placed a book on his large working table that I was standing before. He placed a hand on my shoulder as he looked me deep in my eyes. "I know the loss of Morgana within your life has struck a chord that I could never heal, but you are sworn to protect her as well as the line between humanity and magical creatures that Camelot danced between. I want you to continue this for an era you could not live toward on your own."
"So you want to place me in a slumber?"
"Something of the likes." I glanced away from the wizard as I looked around the empty room, only noticing now the lack of Hisirdoux's presence.
"Where is sir Hisirdoux? Does he know of your plan?"
"He is the one entrusted with the unfolding of it." I looked back to the older wizard once more. Searching through his blue orbs with my own as time itched on slowly between us as my mind had already decided on my future.
"I'll accept this proposition."
A few days later, I was led by Merlin from Camelot to a land I have never had laid a step on before. I was shown a small cavern on top of a mountain where I was bound to lay until I will be needed next. There was a stone altar where I was told to lay as Merlin's green magic flowed around me.
"You agreed rather quickly, young man. I have to present the question that has been haunting me since our talk. Why did you take the opportunity so quickly? You have no clue of the world that you will awaken in." I smiled up at the older man as he held his staff tight in his right hand.
"Sir, I would rather awaken to a new world than end my life within a time where I failed my only mission." I placed my hands on my chest as I closed my eyes, awaiting his magic to take over my mind as I said my final words to him. "Maybe a different time will give me another chance. Maybe then I can accomplish to protect those within the future. I can only hope to be forgiven by Morgana when I awaken for failing her." A softness found its way in Merlin's voice at such a degree that I regretted closing my eyes before seeing his face myself as he spoke.
"Only time could tell, young James. Now, sleep well."
Then suddenly, my body and mind felt as if I was drifted off into a dark land of slumber that I would unknowingly be acquaintances with for nearly a millennia.
As if time had never passed, a familiar voice called out to me.
"Hello, old friend. We have a lot to catch you up on." Slowly but surely, I opened my eyes as if it was there was weights constraining them. Feeling flowed into my body as I was able now to move my limbs. I went to lean up, but a hand placed itself on my shoulder and it felt like a familiar aura had surrounded me. "Be careful there, James. It has been centuries. Your body must be numb due to the lack of movement." His chuckle filled the air as I knew all to well know who was trying to constrain me.
"Hisirdoux, you of all people should know I was never one to do as I was told if it went against what I thought was right." I looked over to who was like a brother to me to only be showcased how the time had changed his hair and cloth, but not his figure or face. "Is there some kind of elixir I need to be welcomed to since you still look not even a day over eighteen?" The young wizard only smiled as I spoke.
"Well, as you will witness yourself, magic can be a powerful being to keeping one the same for years to come." He turned away from me, his familiar Archie upon his shoulder. "Come, we have much we need to do." With a smile, I placed myself up on my feet, bouncing a little between each foot to gain feeling in each leg before following him.
"With you, my friend? I'll follow you to the Darklands if need be."
"And you as well, James."