Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
The Dragon's Call
Taliesin stands in the crystal cave watching as Arthur and the Knights turn around and draw their swords, pointing them at him as soon as they catch sight of him.
"Who are you?" Arthur demands.
"My name is Taliesin," He replies. "I mean you no harm. I'm here only to show something of great importance, so that you may understand more about your friend: Merlin."
"You know where Merlin is?" Gwaine asks, lowering his sword.
"Indeed, I do. And once we have finished here I will take you to him or he will come here, I am yet to decide."
"What is it you wish to show us?" Isolde asks.
Taliesin smiles, "The Adventures of Merlin. He has had many adventures over the years, I fear we will not have time to see them all..."
Gwaine grins, "Well then, let's get started!"
"The first of Merlin's adventures I wish to show you is from the time Merlin first arrived in Camelot and it was also the first time Merlin saved your life, Arthur Pendragon." Taliesin states waving his hand and the crystals around the group begin to glow. A screen made of white light appears before them. "Let us begin."
)o(
The screen changes to show Merlin walking over a sandy ridge, a single pack on his back, with a bedroll and water skin attached to it. He glanced around as he walked.
"No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot know his part in the great story, that is about to unfold."
At this point, Merlin glanced round to look at a passing horseman.
"Like everyone, he must live and learn."
The scene changed to show Merlin ducking under a low branch.
"And so, it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot."
"Is Merlin insane!?" Gwaine yells. "He's a warlock and he's about to enter Camelot! He must have a death wish!"
Gaius smiles, "I fear at the time Merlin didn't quite know what the laws were like in Camelot. He was not born in Camelot and had never before stepped foot in Camelot. He knew people feared magic and could be killed for it, but I think he believed that was only for people who used it for evil or great crimes."
"A boy that will, in time, father a legend. His name…. Merlin."
Merlin smiled as Camelot came into view, a stunning castle of white stone. The scene changed to show Merlin entering the city, he looked around with a look of awe on his face. As he made his way through the city, he smiled.
"I take it, Merlin had never been to a city before," Percival smiles.
Gaius nods his head, "Merlin came from a small village within the borders of Cenred's kingdom. He had never before seen something like Camelot."
"Merlin's not from Camelot?" Elyan asks, sounding surprised.
Gaius nods, "Anyone who met him would think he was, he's risked so much for this kingdom and lost many people in the process."
"How many people has he lost?" Tristan asks.
"Too many," Gaius answers sadly.
Merlin crossed the drawbridge and entered the courtyard, around him horns sounded. Upon entering the courtyard he saw a large crowd surrounding a wooden platform. As he drew closer the sound of drum beats filled the air. Merlin watched as a man was pulled towards the platform by two guards.
"Let this serve as a lesson to you all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantment and magic. And pursuant the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king,"
As Uther starts speaking everyone turned to look at him and Merlin gulped, and a look of horror crossed his face.
"But for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."
It changed from Uther to show Morgana looking out a window. Uther nodded and the man was forced to his knees, Morgana looked away and Merlin watched in horror. The axe was raised, and Uther lowered his hand. The axe came down with a sickening thump. Merlin looked away looking slightly paler than before, as the crowd let out a collective gasp. Morgana took a deep breath and turned her back on the sight before her.
"What a welcome to Camelot he had," Gaius mutters, shaking his head. "I'm surprised he even stayed after that. If that had been me I would have turned and left right then!"
Gwen nods, "That must have been horrible to watch. Especially when it could have been Merlin in that poor man's place."
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos. But with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm. So, I declare a festival, to celebrate twenty years since the great dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."
"How could anyone celebrate the death of someone like that?" Isolde asks, shocked.
The people watched as Uther spoke, but none of them looked happy as he declared a time of celebrations. Merlin looked positively horrified. As everyone turned to leave, a woman's wail sounded from the crowd. Everyone stopped and turned to look at her: an old woman dressed in rusty coloured robes.
"There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic," She cried. "It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance." She wailed. "You took my son, and I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears…. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."
"An eye for an eye, makes the world go blind," Percival mutters wisely.
"Seize her," Uther yelled.
The woman looked around quickly, before grabbing the crystal hanging around her neck, she shrieked the words of a spell and vanished in a whirlwind before the guards could even get close. Merlin looked slightly pleased that she had gotten away. But Uther just stormed off into the castle. And Morgana shut her window.
"Can Merlin do that? The transporting spell, I mean." Elyan asks.
Gaius shrugs a shoulder slightly, "I have no trouble believing he has enough power, whether he knows the spell is a different matter. He doesn't have much of a chance to practice in Camelot."
Merlin quickly made his way towards the castle and stopped to ask a guard where he could find Gaius, the Court Physician. Merlin quickly made his way towards Gaius's Chambers. He knocked on the half-open door, before entering, the seemingly empty chambers.
The sight that greeted him were tables full of jars and bottles filled different coloured liquids. Stacks of books and papers were piled high around the room, with the odd paper lying around. There was even an odd rabbit styled mask lying on one table.
Merlin looked around as he made his way further into the room, he finally spotted Gaius standing on the balcony on the far side of the room, sorting books and papers.
"Gaius?" He called.
When Gaius doesn't hear him, Merlin cleared his throat to get his attention.
Gaius turned and looked down, but as he did so, he falls back through the balcony rail, which gave way under his weight.
"Gaius!" Everyone yells.
Merlin's eyes flashed gold and Gaius's fall slowed, Merlin quickly looked around the room and spotted a bed on the far side of the room, his eyes flashed again, and the bed moved across the room. His eyes flashed once more, and time returned to its normal speed. Gaius crash-landed on to the bed, he lay there in shock for a moment before he quickly got to his feet.
"Wow," Tristan mutters. "He just watched someone lose their head for using magic and not five minutes later he risks being caught to save the life of someone he didn't even know."
Arthur turns and looks at Gaius, "You knew from the start, that he was a sorcerer."
Gaius nods, "He saved my life, within minutes of me knowing him."
"What did you just do?" Gaius demanded.
"Umm…" Merlin replied.
"Tell me!"
"I-I, I have no idea what happened."
Gaius looked at Merlin then back up at the broken balcony, "If anyone had seen that…."
"Err, no…. That-that was nothing to do with me, that-that was…."
"I know what it was, I just want to know where you learnt to do it."
"Nowhere!" Merlin quickly answered.
"So how is it you know magic?"
"I don't!"
"Where did you study?... Answer me!"
"I-I, I never studied magic. Or been taught!"
"Are you lying to me, boy?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth!"
"I was born like this."
"That's impossible!"
"Is it impossible?"
"No. Merlin was born with his magic, he could use it within seconds of being born, and when he first opened his eyes they glowed gold." Gaius answers.
"Wow!" Gwen mutters.
Arthur just huffs.
"Why did he never tell me?" he whispered.
"Who are you?" Gaius demanded.
"Oh, erm," Merlin stuttered. He pulls his pack from his back. "I have this letter." Merlin pulls a letter from his pack.
"I don't have my reading glasses," Gaius explained looking down at the letter Merlin was holding out.
"I'm Merlin."
Gaius visibly brightened, "Hunith's son?"
"Yes!" Merlin agreed with a grin.
"But you're not meant to be here until Wednesday!"
Merlin's face fell slightly, "It is Wednesday."
Everyone laughs, and Gaius goes slightly red.
"Just you wait until you get to my age," He mutters darkly.
"Arrr, right then. You better put your bag in there," He pointed to a room up a couple of steps at the back of the chamber. Merlin quickly started walking towards it. But he then turned back to Gaius halfway.
"You won't say anything about, erm…." Merlin trailed off, pointing towards the balcony.
"No," Merlin turned to walk away upon hearing Gaius' answer. "Although Merlin, I should say thank you." Gaius smiled.
Merlin smiled and nodded and quickly made his way up to his new room. Gaius looked up at the balcony once more than watched Merlin walk up to his room.
"If it wasn't for Merlin, I more than likely wouldn't be standing here now," Gaius smiles. "I owe him my life more than once. We all do."
The scene changed to show Merlin sitting down on the bed in his new room. He looked around the room and spotted a window, he got up and made his way over to it. He climbed up and pulled the window open and looked out with a smile.
The view before him was stunning. The sky was slightly cloudy, and the moon was full. The city around the castle looked amazing with candles lighting the odd window or the torchlight from the guards patrolling the lower town. Merlin just kept smiling as he took in all the details.
)o(
The scene changed to show Hunith writing a letter. Her voice echoed around the cave.
"My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust. It is every mother's fate to think her child is special and, yet I would give my life that Merlin was not so. Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with the people here that, if he were to remain, I fear what would happen to him. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. I beg, you if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe and may God save you both."
As the letter was read the scene changed to show Gaius reading the letter. He looked up towards Merlin's room once he finished reading the letter, he then folded the letter up.
)o(
The scene changed again to show Morgana watching out of a window.
"Morgana," Uther greeted from behind her.
"Yes?" Morgana turned to look at him.
"What is it? Why are you not joining us at the feast?"
"I just don't think chopping off someone's head is a cause for celebration," Morgana replied, turning back to look out the window. "The poor mother."
"It was simple justice for what he'd done."
"To whom?" Morgana demanded. "He practised some magic, he didn't hurt anyone."
Utherglared at his ward, "You were not around twenty years ago. You have no idea what it was like."
"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?"
"Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom!" Uthur almost yelled. "You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen."
With that Uther turned and stormed away.
"I told you, I will have no part in these celebrations!" Morgana yelled after him.
Uther turned back to Morgana.
"I am your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect at least respect our finest singer," Uther turned on his heels and stormed off.
"You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create!" Morgana yelled after him.
"I miss the old Morgana," Gwen sighs.
"So, do I." Arthur agrees, taking her hand. "But that is what magic does to people."
)o(
The scene changed to show a small camp in the middle of the forest. Guards surround the camp, and there was a fire burning in the middle of the camp. It showed Lady Helen sitting combing her hair in front of a mirror, humming as she did so. Outside her tent a branch snapped, Lady Helen jumped and looks around wildly.
"Who is she?" Gwaine asks.
"That is Lady Helen, she was a brilliant singer," Arthur answers. "My father often got her to sing at feasts and other celebrations."
"Hello?" she called. "Gregory?"
A Knight appeared through the entrance to the tent.
"Lady Helen," He bowed his head.
Lady Helen smiled with relief, "Is all well?"
"Yes, ma'am." He replied. "With any luck, we should be at Camelot tomorrow evening."
"That's good."
"I'll be outside if you need me," Gregory informed her, stepping out of the tent. A noise sounded from the forest and Gregory drew his sword.
"Who's there?" he demanded. "Who's there?"
Back in the tent Lady Helen is holding a hand mirror and cleaning her face. She almost dropped her mirror as a branch cracked underfoot outside her tent once more. She turned in her chair to see the shadow of a hooded figure walking past.
Lady Helen quickly got to her feet and grabbed the support pole in the middle of her tent, she gasped as an old woman appeared before her, Mary Collins, the woman who swore to kill Prince Arthur. Lady Helen watched in horror as she started to chant and pulled out a straw doll and a knife.
As Mary plunged the knife into the doll, Lady Helen doubles over in pain. Mary repeated the action twice more and Lady Helen fell back onto her bed, dead. Mary walked past her and sat down in front of the mirror.
She picked up her crystal and started chanting, the crystal started to glow a fire like orange. As soon as the chant was finished Mary's form changed into that of Lady Helens'. She quickly reached up and felt her face and picked up a mirror.
But the mirror showed her true form.
)o(
"Merlin," A deep voice boomed. "Merlin."
Merlin opened his eyes. Looking around his room he noticed it was early morning, but there was no one around. He quickly sat up and looked at the sunlight streaming through his window.
)o(
The scene changed to Merlin walking down the steps from his room, pulling on his jacket.
"I got you water," Gaius said, pouring what could be porridge into a bowl. "You didn't wash last night."
"Sorry," Merlin muttered as Gaius puts the bowl down on the table.
"Help yourself to breakfast," Gaius told Merlin walking away a couple of paces.
Merlin picked up a spoonful of porridge and let it drop back into the bowl… He wasn't even sure if it was food. Without Merlin noticing, Gaius edged forwards and pushed the bucket of water off the table. Merlin noticed the bucket drop and his eyes flash gold, he held out his hand and jumped to his feet.
Merlin and Gaius looked at each other for a moment. The bucket of water was frozen in mid-air. Merlin let the bucket crash to the floor and water spilt across the floor.
"Now that is cool," Gwaine grins.
"Why did you do that, Gaius?" Percival asks.
"I wanted to see how Merlin's magic worked. I didn't believe that he could simply do magic without spells."
Gwen smiles, "I can't believe you would play a trick on Merlin like that what if someone had walked in and seen."
Gaius looked slightly ashamed, "Luckily no one did."
"How did you do that?" Gaius demanded. "Did you incant a spell in your mind?"
Merlin shook his head, "I don't know any spells."
"So how did you do it? There must be something."
Merlin shrugs, "It just happens."
Merlin quickly rushed off, grabbed a mop and rushed back over.
"Well, we better keep you out of trouble," Gaius sighed as Merlin started to clean up the mess.
Elyan snorts, "Good luck with that, Merlin always seems to find trouble."
Gaius chuckles, "Merlin and I have found ourselves in quite the tight spot over the years. Almost makes me feel young again, helping him on many of his adventures."
"You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here," Gaius handed Merlin a couple of bottles. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival and, this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blinds as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once."
"Okay," Merlin nodded taking the bottles.
"And here," Gaius held out a plate with a sandwich on it, which Merlin grateful took. "Off you go."
Merlin quickly made for the door.
"And Merlin," Gaius called after him. "I need hardly tell you that the practice of any enchantment will get you killed."
)o(
Merlin walked through the halls, eating his sandwich. He crossed the courtyard and made his way towards the Knights' wing in the castle. He knocked on a door. An old, nearly blind man answered the door.
"I bought you your medicine," Merlin held out the small bottle. The man held out his hand and Merlin quickly placed the bottle into it. Merlin turned to walk away, but then stopped and half turned.
"Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at…." Merlin trailed off as Sir Olwin downs the bottle in one gulp.
"I'm sure it's fine," Merlin muttered, before quickly leaving.
"Merlin!" Gaius exclaims as everyone else laughs.
)o(
Merlin walked out into the training yard to find Arthur and some of his Knight's training.
"Where's the target?" The Prince asked.
"There, Sire," The servant answered pointing towards the target.
"It's into the sun."
"But it's not that bright."
"A bit like you then," Arthur half laughed.
All the Knights around him laughed too.
"I'll put the target at the other end then, shall I, Sire?" The servant asked.
Arthur nodded, and the servant began to carry the target to the other end of the field.
"Teach him a lesson, go on, boy." One of the knights laughed.
"This'll teach him."
"Yeah."
"Ha-ha. Teach him a lesson."
Arthur threw the dagger at the target that servant was still carrying.
"Hey! Hang on." The servant said, stopping.
"Don't stop!" Arthur yelled.
The servant moved the target. "Here?"
From a window in the castle, Gwen watched the scene with a look of disappointment.
"I told you to keep moving!" Arthur yelled as he threw another dagger.
"Come on, run!" He yelled, getting ready to throw again.
The servant moved as fast as he could, whilst carrying the large target. Whilst Arthur just kept on throwing more daggers.
Everyone turns to look at Arthur, who looks ashamed.
"You really were a prat," Gwaine growls.
Everyone nods their agreement.
"Do you want some moving target practice?" Arthur called to the other Knights.
The servant suddenly tripped and dropped the target. Merlin put a foot on it so the servant can't pick it up.
"Hey, come on, that's enough now," Merlin said.
"What?" Arthur demanded.
"You have had your fun, my friend," Merlin replied.
"Do I know you?" Arthur asked.
"Err, I'm Merlin."
"So, I don't know you."
"No."
"Yet you called me 'Friend'."
"That was my mistake."
"Yes, I think so."
"Yeah. I could never have a friend, who could be such an ass." Merlin carried on, before turning and walking away.
"Go, Merlin." Gwaine cheers.
"Or one who could be so stupid."
Merlin stopped walking, but doesn't turn around, he sighed slightly.
"Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
Merlin turned around and shook his head, "No."
"Would you like me to help you?"
"I wouldn't if I were you."
"See Arthur, he warned you about his magic."
"Why? What are you going to do to me?" Arthur laughed.
"You have no idea."
"Be my guest," Arthur grinned. "Come on, come on, come on."
Merlin goes to punch Arthur, but Arthur grabbed his arm and twists it behind his back. In the window of the castle, Gwen looked surprised.
"I'll have you thrown in the dungeons for that," Arthur hissed.
"Why? Who do you think you are? The King?"
"No. I'm his son. Arthur."
A couple of guard's escort Merlin to the dungeons where he is thrown into a cell. Merlin looked around, but apart from that doesn't look too bothered.
Leon shakes his head, "What a way to start your time in Camelot."
)o(
The scene changed once more to show Lady Helen arriving at the castle. As she arrived outside the castle, she is helped down from her horse by one of the guards. As she walked towards the steps her true form is shown in a puddle.
"How did no one notice that?" Elyan asks, shaking his head.
She quickly walked through the castle to the throne room where she is greeted by Uther. Morgana and Gwen and some other people are there too.
"Lady Helen," Uther greeted. "Thank you so much for coming to sing at our celebrations."
"The pleasure is all mine." She smiled.
"How was your journey?"
"Oh, the time it took, Sire."
Uthur took both her hands and kissed them, "Well, it is always worth the wait."
"It will be," She replied somewhat darkly, gripping her crystal necklace as she does so.
"Come on, she couldn't sound eviler if she tried," Elyan complains.
)o(
The scene changed to Merlin asleep in the dungeons.
"Merlin," A voice called.
"Whose voice is that?" Leon asks.
Gaius smiles, "You will find out soon enough."
Merlin woke up and looked around.
"Merlin," The voice called again. Merlin stumbled backwards as he got to his feet.
"Merlin," Noticing the sound seems to be coming from underground he knelt and placed his ear to the ground.
"Merlin," Gaius yelled from behind him. "You never cease to amaze me! The one thing that someone like you should be doing is keeping your head down. And what do you do? You go and behave like an idiot."
"I had wondered what he was doing," Gaius said to himself.
"I'm sorry," Merlin muttered but he didn't look at all sorry.
"You're lucky. I managed to pull a few strings to get you released."
"Oh, thank you, thank you."
"Well, there is a small price to pay."
)o(
The scene changed to show Merlin in the stocks, laughing and smiling.
"Only Merlin could find the stocks fun," Arthur mutters.
"Thank you!" He called to Gaius as he walked past laughing.
"Oh no," Merlin muttered with a smile as the kids pick up some more vegetables.
As the kids run off to find more vegetables, Gwen walked up to Merlin, who looked up as he noticed her approach.
"I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen," She smiled as she introduced herself. "I'm Lady Morgana's maid."
"Right," Merlin muttered. "I'm Merlin."
He held out his hand the best he can and Gwen shook it.
"Although most people just call me 'idiot'." Merlin grinned.
"No, no, no." Gwen cried. "I saw what you did. It was brave."
Merlin shook his head, "It was stupid."
"Well, I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him."
"Oh, I… I can beat him." Merlin snorted.
Tristan smiles, "I bet he could."
"You could? It's just you don't look like one of those big, muscle-y kind of fellows."
"Thanks."
"No! No, I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just, umm, Arthur's one of those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men…. And…. Well…."
"What?"
"You don't look like that."
Merlin grinned and motioned Gwen closer, looking around he whispered: "I'm in disguise."
"See he actually almost told you he had magic."
Gwen and Merlin both started laughing.
"Well, it's great you stood up to him."
"What? You think so?"
"Arthur is a bully and everyone thought you were the real hero."
"Oh, really?"
"Mm-hmm."
Merlin watched as the children come running back.
"Oh, excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting." Merlin grinned. Gwen smiled and quickly moved on, as Merlin got more vegetables thrown at him.
)o(
The scene changed to show Merlin and Gaius back in their chamber.
"Do you want vegetables with that?" Gaius asked as they sat down to eat. Merlin just laughed.
Everyone laughs.
"I know you are still angry with me."
"Your mother asked me to look after you."
"Yes."
"What did your mother say about your gifts?"
"That I was special."
"You are special. The likes of which I have never seen before."
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.
"Well, magic requires incantations, spells. It takes years of study. What I saw you do was…. Elemental, instinctive."
"What's the point if it can't be used?"
"That I do not know. You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin."
Merlin looked down for a moment, "Did you ever study magic?"
"Uther banned all such work twenty years ago."
"Why?"
"People used it for the wrong ends at the time. It threw the natural order into chaos. Uthur made it his mission to destroy everything from back then…. Even the dragons."
"What? All of them?"
"There is one dragon he chose not to kill, he kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle, where no one can free it," Gaius explained. "Now eat up. When you're finished, I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice."
)o(
Merlin walked up some steps and along a corridor. He entered Lady Helen's room. He put down the bottle and looked around. He noticed a straw doll and picked it up. He put it down as he noticed a book half hidden by a cloth, he picked it up and goes to open but heard Lady Helen approaching and quickly put in down.
"What are you doing in here?" She demanded from behind him.
"Umm…I, I was asked to deliver this," Merlin handed her the bottle with a smile, before quickly leaving the room.
Behind him, her true reflection is shown in a mirror. Merlin stopped outside her room for a moment, glanced back and then carried on walking.
)o(
Merlin quickly made his way through the lower town.
"How's your knee walking coming along?" Arthur yelled from behind Merlin. "Oh, don't run away."
Merlin stopped but doesn't turn around, "From you?"
"Thank god. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb."
"Look, I've told you, you're an ass. I just didn't realise you were a royal one," Merlin noticed the Knights behind Arthur. "Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy's men to protect you?"
"I could take you apart with one blow."
"I could take you apart in less than that."
"Are you sure?"
"Come on, then?"
"Fight."
And so, their fight began.
"Come on, then," Arthur smirked. "I have to warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth."
Merlin laughed, "Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?"
Everyone glances at Arthur before they start to laugh.
"You can't address me like that!"
"I'm sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?" Merlin asked, with a mocking bow.
"I had always wondered when he first called you a prat," Gwaine mutters. "And it was the second time you meet. He's such a good judge of character!"
Arthur swung his mace at Merlin, who ducked out the way.
"Come on, Merlin, come on."
Merlin quickly ducked into the marketplace and tripped and fell on a pile of sacks, Arthur was slowly gaining on him. Merlin quickly got to his feet.
"Ha-ha, you're in trouble now."
"Oh God," Merlin whispered. His eyes flashed gold and Arthur's mace got caught in a hook. After finally untangling the mace, he started towards Merlin again. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and a box moved, Arthur stepped towards it and banged his shin.
"Ow! Argh!" He cried.
As he moved towards Merlin again, Merlin's eyes flashed gold and a rope on the floor tightened, causing Arthur to trip. Merlin picked up his mace and grinned slightly.
Arthur sighs, "I always did wonder what happened that day."
"Do you give up?" Merlin asked.
"To you?"
"Do you? Do you want to give up?" Merlin started to walk towards Arthur, he backed up quickly, tripping over a bucket and falling on a pile of sacks. Merlin noticed Gaius in the crowd, Arthur using this to his advantage attacked Merlin with a broom. As the guards came forward to take Merlin to the dungeons, Arthur held up his hand.
"Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one. There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it."
"Merlin truly is brave," Isolde smiles.
)o(
Merlin stormed into Gaius chamber shortly followed by Gaius.
"How could you be so foolish?"
"He needed to be taught a lesson."
"Magic must be studied, mastered and used for good! Not idiotic pranks!"
"What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could even talk!"
"Then, by now, you should know how to control yourself!"
"I don't want to! If I can't use magic, what have I got? I'm just a nobody and I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die!"
"It's true, Merlin is magic. Without it, he will die," Gaius smiles sadly.
With that Merlin turned and stormed up to his room. Gaius followed him a couple of minutes later, carrying his medicine bag. He looked at Merlin lying on his bed, looking quite depressed.
"Merlin, sit up. Take your shirt off."
Without a word, Merlin does as he is told.
"You don't know why I'm like this do you?" Merlin finally asked.
"No," Gaius replied.
"I'm not a monster, am I?"
Everyone gasps.
"How could he think that?" Gwen asks.
"Merlin may not have known about magic being punished by death. But he knew people feared it. Back at his village, he was often called names. Or heard people saying those with magic were monsters."
Gaius gripped Merlin's shoulder and forced him to look him in the eye. "Don't ever think that!"
"Then why am I like this? Please, I need to know why."
"Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me."
"If you can't tell me no one can," Merlin muttered looking away.
Gaius holds out a cup, "Drink this, it will help with the pain."
)o(
Uther and Lady Helen sat eating together, with only one servant to help serve them.
"Will you sing for me tonight?" Uther asked.
"You will have to wait, sire."
"You will not deny me."
"I'm saving myself for my performance tomorrow. Will everyone be there?"
"Who would dare to miss it?"
"How about your son?"
"Well…"
"It seems a shame not to have met him."
"That's Arthur."
"Poor child."
"Hmm?"
"Poor child. It can't have been easy, to grow up without a mother."
"No."
"That bond between mother and son, it's so hard to replace."
"Hasn't been easy."
"I'm sure," Lady Helen agreed, smiling at Uther who smiled back. "Perhaps if you found someone…. If you remarried. I'm sure you'd have the pick of all the ladies in the kingdom."
"Well, perhaps I'll find love again…. But I'm afraid it's too late to replace Arthur's mother."
"Yes, it certainly is too late for Arthur." She muttered in a dark tone.
"How could he not find that even slightly wrong?" Gwaine asks. "She is quite clearly evil."
"I believe, Uther just refused to believe what he thought to be impossible."
)o(
"Merlin," The voice called again. "Merlin."
Merlin got up and quickly leaves the Physicians Chambers. He made his way through the castle and across the courtyard.
"Merlin."
Merlin headed down the steps towards the dungeons, following the voice. He stopped when he sees a pair of guards playing dice. His eyes flashed gold and the dice go flying down a nearby corridor, the guards both chased after the dice and Merlin smiled. He quickly grabbed a torch from the wall and headed down some steps.
Leon sighs, "I really have to talk to the guards when we get back."
"Merlin," The voice called.
Merlin finally came out onto a ledge overlooking a large cave.
"Merlin," The voice laughed, and the sound echoed around the cave.
"Where are you?" Merlin asked.
The Great Dragon suddenly flew out of nowhere and landed on the rock before him, causing Merlin to take a step back.
"I am here," He looked at Merlin for a moment. "How small you are for such a great destiny."
"Merlin spoke with the Great Dragon?" Arthur asks.
"Well that is quite obvious, princess, he's talking to it, is he not?"
"Shut up, Gwaine!"
Everyone laughs.
"What do you mean? What destiny?"
"Your gifts, Merlin, were given to you for a reason."
"So, there is a reason."
"Arthur is the Once and Future King, who will unite the land of Albion."
"I'm what?"
"Right…"
"But he will face many threats from friend and foe alike."
"I don't see what that has to do with me."
"Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion."
Gwen turns to Gaius, "Is that true?"
Gaius nods, "Without Merlin, Camelot would have fallen years ago. Without Merlin, you would never have been able to take back Camelot the last two times Morgana has taken over. You would all be dead without Merlin here to stop it from happening. Merlin has the power to do pretty much anything, even what I thought impossible.
"He could bring Camelot crashing down with a click of his fingers. He could destroy an army without a word. He is the most powerful warlock who has ever lived or will ever live. Be grateful he is loyal to you because if he wasn't, you wouldn't stand a chance against him. All these years, he has been helping from the shadows. Think what he can do now that he is free from hiding."
Percival thinks for a moment, "Merlin is Emrys, isn't he?"
Gaius nods.
"No, no, you have this wrong."
"There is no wrong or right. Only what is and what isn't."
"But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can. In fact, I'll give them a hand!"
Arthur snorts, "Some friend he is."
"Nome of us can choose our destiny, Merlin, and none of us can escape it," The Dragon laughed.
Merlin shook his head, "No, no way. No, no. There must be another Arthur because this one is an idiot."
"I agree."
"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that," With that, the Dragon flew off.
"Wait! Wait! Wait, stop! No, I need to know more," Merlin yelled after the Dragon.
)o(
The following morning when Gaius walked into Merlin's room, there are clothes everywhere.
"Boy," He exclaimed. "Have you seen the state of this room?"
Merlin shrugged, "It just happens."
"By magic?"
"Yeah."
"Yes, well, you can clean it up without magic. And then I want you to get me some herbs: henbane, wormwood and sorrel. And deliver this to Morgana, the poor girl is suffering from nightmares."
"Mmm, I know the feeling."
Gaius shakes his head fondly, "My boy."
)o(
A knock sounded at the door to Lady Helen's room, a serving girl entered in carrying a bowl of fruit.
"Come in," Lady Helen called.
"Lady Helen," She said bowing her head. "Compliments of the King."
"So sweet. How can I ever repay him?"
"When he hears you sing. Well, that will be more than enough won't it? I'm really looking forward to the performance," The girl explained, whilst tidying up the room.
"So am I."
"I love singing, you know. I sing all the time. My betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel," The serving girl spotted Lady Helen's true image in the mirror and turned to leave but Lady Helen grabbed the girls' wrist and drained the life from her.
She fell to the ground dead.
)o(
Merlin and Gaius entered the Great Hall. Merlin glared at Arthur who was talking to some of his Knights, who then does a double take when he sees Morgana enter the hall.
"God, have mercy," Arthur muttered.
Merlin watched Morgana as she walked past.
"Remember Merlin, you are here to work."
"Oh, yeah."
"Some people are just born to be queen," Gwen sighed appearing beside Merlin.
"No!" Merlin exclaimed, looking at Gwen.
"It's almost like he knew what Morgana was to become, even then," Elyan mutters.
"Merlin's magic, knew his destiny, even if he didn't." Gaius answers. "His magic knew Morgana could be a possible threat, and that it was destined for Gwen to be Queen."
"I hope so. One day. Not that I would want to be her though. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"
"Thanks," Arthur mutters.
Merlin laughed. "Oh, come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men."
"No, I like much more ordinary men, like you."
"Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary."
"See he told you again."
"No, I don't mean you, obviously. Not you. But just… You know… I like much more ordinary men like you."
"Thanks," Merlin muttered.
They glance at each other before they quickly parted ways. As the guests take their seats, Uther stood up.
"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."
As people stopped clapping, Lady Helen began to sing, causing people to start falling asleep. Merlin noticed what was happening and covered his ears. The people around him began to get covered in cobwebs and the candles went out.
Lady Helen began to walk forward, towards the royal table, she pulled a dagger out from up her sleeve. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the chandelier dropped on her as she was about to throw the dagger at Arthur.
With the song stopped, people began to wake up. Mary Collins now back in her true form, threw the dagger with the last of her strength. Merlin's eyes flashed gold once more and the dagger slowed down, Merlin raced forward and pulled Arthur out the path of the dagger. As they get to their feet, Uther turned to Merlin.
Gaius smiles, "That was the first time Merlin saved your life and he hasn't stopped since then. You may not have known it, but you have escaped death more times than I can count because of Merlin. Most of the time Merlin even risks his life to stop you being killed."
"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid," He stated.
"Oh, well…"
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded."
"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness."
"No, absolutely, this merits something quite special."
"Well…"
"You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Arthur manservant."
"Father," Arthur complained, as Merlin and Arthur looked at each other in disgust.
)o(
Gaius knocked on Merlin's door as he entered Merlin's room, holding a book wrapped in red fabric.
"Seems you are a hero."
"Hard to believe, isn't it?"
"No. I knew it from the moment I met you. When you saved my life, remember?"
"But… That was with magic."
"And now it seems, we have finally found a use for it."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw how you saved Arthur's life."
"Oh, no."
"Perhaps that's its purpose."
"My destiny…"
"Indeed. This book was given to me when I was your age, but I feel it will be of more use to you than it was to me."
Merlin took the book and pulled back the cloth, opening it he flipped through the pages, "But this is a book of magic."
"Which is why you must keep it hidden."
"I will study every word," Merlin vowed with a smile.
Behind them, someone knocked on the door, "Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you right away."
Merlin and Gaius looked at each other.
"Your destiny is calling. You'd better find out what he wants," Gaius nodded towards the door.
The screen fades leaving them standing in the crystal cave once more.
Everyone looks at each other, there was so much they didn't know about Merlin.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed that. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.