Chapter 1
7 September 1940
We watched through the mists as the bombs fell on our kingdom. Through the fires and flashes we saw people screaming and running. A little girl crying out for her mother while her hair and dress burned. Surely it was time for us. We had watched Mordred take one country after another across the continent. We watched as his madness consumed him and he slaughtered those he believed caused the pain and suffering of his country.
We had seen many wars and injustices in our wait. Each time we were sure it was our time to rise and fight and each time we were told, 'Not yet.'
We screamed and railed against the fates. 'How can it not be time! How can there be worse than this! They need us!' That he needed us as well was never spoken. Each time a war broke out, and there was once a war that lasted over one hundred years, Merlin would find himself at the shore to speak with Freya. It broke our hearts to see him and know that he could never see us. To know that only in the most dire circumstances would we stand by him. This had to be our time.
"Freya, the Germans are killing innocents. They're dropping bombs on civilians. Please. Please. I need him. I can't do this alone. I can't stop it this time. There isn't anyone to advise. There isn't a peaceful end to any of this. The crystals show only bigger bombs and more death." Merlin sobbed and screamed. We knew then that this wasn't our time. Not even Freya could appear to him. The mist stopped her somehow.
After a time Merlin stood and slowly made his way back through the woods and didn't look back.
The war progressed and it was atrocious. People starved and died in huge camps, they were gassed and burned for their beliefs. Beliefs that were as personal as religion or private as their choice of bed partner, and they were burned for them. Millions of people were victims of a madman and no one was strong enough to stop him until it was almost too late.
After the bigger bombs dropped we expected Merlin to come back. It had been a long five years for all of us. Gwaine needed to see his friend and make sure he was ok. Lancelot thought maybe Merlin had decided to help people in the camps. Surprisingly, Morgana wanted to hug Merlin and never let him feel alone again. I just wanted my brother back. I missed his smiles and corny jokes. Freya, well Freya thought that Merlin would come when he needed to remember. I was afraid that he wanted to forget.