Origins of a Future King

by Cambian

Prequel to ANOTHER LIFE. This is the story of Talon's life before he saved Harry from the war and became King of New Camelot. Contains slash. You should read ANOTHER LIFE first. Rating is subject to change.

2. Let You Down

Trust me
There's no need to fear
Everyone's here
Waiting for you to finally be one of us

Come down
You may be full of fear
But you'll be safe here
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

I will let you down
I'll let you down I'll
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

Trust me
I'll be there when you need me
You'll be safe here
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

I will let you down
I'll let you down I'll
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

I will let you down
I'll let you down I'll
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

Never want to come down
Never want to come down
Never want to come down

Down, let you down

I will let you down
I'll let you down I'll
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

I will let you down
I'll let you down I'll
When you finally trust me
Finally believe in me

(Let You Down – Three Days Grace)

Chapter 2

14-20

Part 1

The Sorcerer in the Forest

The three villages closest to Talon's new home were all abuzz with the gossip. It was said that the sorcerer would provide spells and potions for appropriate prices. If you were nobility, then you would pay with gold and silver, if you were a poor farmer, then you would pay in vegetables. If you were poor but not a farmer then you could pay in certain labors. If you were woman you could help him clean out his home or go about collecting herbs with him. If you were a man then you could cut some fire wood for him. No matter your position he could always find a way for you to pay quite easily for his services.

It was on a chilly winter day that he had his first true customer. A woman had come to him in tears, holding her stomach protectively.

"Please. I have been with my husband for five years and we have not been able to conceive. We wish for a child. Is there anything you can do?"

Talon gave a soft hum before taking the woman inside and sitting her down, offering up a cup of tea. As the woman sat there relaxed he took his opportunity to scan her body with his magic. A curse had been placed upon her, more than likely from a woman who had wanted her husband. The spell was a joke really, so easy to take care of.

"Well, it should be an easy fix. Some jealous amateur placed a cure upon you. I will provide two spells and one potion. The first spell will remove the curse; the second will ensure your protection and protection for your future children from this woman's curse. The potion will help insure that the next time you lay with your husband that you will conceive your child."

The woman seemed absolutely ecstatic that she would soon have a child.

"Now for the means of payment."

The woman looked worried. "My husband and I are poor. We barely have enough to get by."

Talon laughed softly. "I only charge the rich actual money. Now then…I have heard down the grapevine that you are an amazing cook. I would enjoy a stew for dinner; I have everything that you require to make the stew as well as a nice loaf of bread for my dinner. Your payment shall be that you make me this dinner while I go about making that potion for you. Is that a fair enough trade?"

The woman shook her head. "How could that be a fair trade? You will give my husband and I what we want most and all you will get is a meal out of it."

Talon laughed softly. "Yes, I even undercharge nobility. However, I only truly seek what I need to survive. The money I receive from nobles is used to purchase clothing and items for about the house. I hunt for myself and even have a small garden. I am quite comfortable with the little bit that I charge others."

Talon stood slowly and pulled out the things that the woman would need for his dinner.

"I will be back in a few hours and I will send a fairy light to escort you back home safely."

Talon bowed to the woman and left the house so that he could make the potion for his customer.

~~~~~****~~~~~

The woman had given birth to twin boys nine months later. Talon soon became swamped with customers and found himself enjoying helping others.

Part 2

Marry My Daughter

Growth spurts were annoying facts of life. Talon had seemingly sprung from five foot six to five foot ten over night. It was more than seemingly of course…it had actually happened.

Talon sighed as he walked through the village. Two weeks prior he had been measured for new clothing that would be made so that he could grow into it. The new wardrobe would cost him nearly all of his savings. Sure he could have made his old clothes grow with him as he had done often, but it was time to change his clothing to show his status as a sorcerer.

At the moment he was covered up by a robe, hiding his face. A fierce gust of wind blew back his hood and Talon gulped, knowing what was about to come

"It's the sorcerer!"

Men and woman alike came up to him, all asking him to marry their daughters. Talon held up his hands and laughed softly.

"Please everyone, calm down. I'm still just a boy, not even sixteen summers old." It was always like this when he came to town.

~~~~~****~~~~~

Talon had his new cloak wrapped around him, the inside was lined with the softest of black furs and the outside was of a very expensive fabric. Talon carried his bundle of new clothes close to his body for a bit of added warmth. He was shocked when a hand touched his shoulder.

Talon frowned when he saw a woman richly dressed out in the middle of the forest so late at night.

"M'Lady, what has you about in this forest at night?"

The woman smiled softly, her crimson eyes boring into Talon's soul.

"I seek a protection spell."

Talon nodded softly, somehow feeling that he would need protection from this strange red eyes woman.

Part 3

Hunter in the Night

The harsh winter wind blew through the midnight forest. Many hunters had been found dead within the woods, and Talon had taken it upon himself to search them with his magic each night to find anyone that might be in need. It was on this night that Talon dawned his cloak and began running through the forest. He soon came upon a snow covered lump shaking against a tree and seeking shelter by it. Talon removed his cloak and wrapped it around the man, using his magic to keep them both warmer. He ran with the man floating behind him back to his cabin and set the man up in a nest of blankets next to the blazing fire.

The man watched as Talon filled a bowl with stew that he had made a bit earlier in the night. It would help warm the hunter up.

"Y…you are the Sorcerer of the Forest?"

Talon frowned. "You say that like I am the last person you would expect to be a sorcerer."

The man took the stew thankfully and began eating the hearty meal. After a few bites he spoke.

"I expected an old man with a long white beard…like Merlin. Not a beautiful boy."

Talon began to blush the lightest shade of pink as a strange feeling welling up inside of him.

"Merlin was a wizard. Not a sorcerer."

Talon sat down beside the hunter and sighed, letting his magic go back to searching the forest for any other lost hunters.

"So what is your name sorcerer?"

Talon smirked. This was the first time anyone had asked, he was always just referred to as Sorcerer.

"My name is Talon."

"Well Talon, I'm William." The hunter smiled and finished off his stew as Talon added some more logs to the fireplace.

"You should get some sleep William. It's late."

Talon was about to go deeper into the cabin when a hand wrapped around his wrist and he was pulled back, landing in William's lap. Talon was filled with confusion for a moment before he began struggling against him until William's winter chilled lips met his own warm ones.

Talon's eyes widened in shock as William kissed him before slowly falling closed. Talon's body relaxed against William's as the pleasant sensation ran though him.

~~~~~****~~~~~

Talon groaned as the sun poured in through the windows and began to shine on his closed eye. He opened his eyes slowly and looked away before shifting to get up. An intense pain ran through his spine and he gasped.

He wasn't sure what had happened the night before. He had never kissed anyone before and never been attracted to anyone. In one night that had changed everything. He smiled at the memory of the amazing feelings his body had been subjected to.

Talon looked around, searching for William. He stood slowly and made his way to the door, thinking that perhaps William had left. Upon opening the door Talon saw William with his throat ripped out, killed by some monster that had lured him from the cabin.

Part 4

High Sorcerer

It had been two years since William had died, making Talon eighteen years old. It was two days after his springtime birthday that the knights came to knock upon his door.

Talon was in mild shock when they took him to their king.

"You are the Sorcerer from the forest? I expected…well…old and a white beard."

"You are not the only one that had confused me for Merlin. Now then, what can I do for you?"

The king looked over Talon before speaking.

"A dragon has been seen flying around the villages nearby and all that I have sent out to slay the beast have been killed."

Talon could feel a headache coming on.

"What is it with you people? You all assume that because it's big and breaths fire that it wants to destroy your villages and roast your people alive."

The king stood, trying to assert his dominance.

"They are beasts and they have been known to destroy villages."

"All dragons that have taken human life have done it in their own defiance. There was a time when we used to live together with them in peace. Granted there are some species that are more likely to harm humans but they are not bad being on a whole. They are magnificent creatures."

The king sat back down. Talon could already tell that he was arrogant and power starved.

"Do what you must to make him leave then."

"No, I think I'll let the dragon do as he wishes."

A knight brought a sword to Talon's throat.

"Rumor has it that you are the son of the legendary Sir Gawain, knight of the Round Table. It is also said that you are the late King Arthur's nephew and that your entire family is dead. How sad it would be for your lineage to end with you. The Sorcerer that deserted Camelot in its time of need. Perhaps I shall tell my brother that you are alive so that he can destroy you just as he destroyed the rest of your pathetic home."

~~~~~****~~~~~

Talon looked up as the dragon landed before him. He could feel the mark upon his back tingling as it allowed the dragon to know that he was a friend.

"You must leave this area dragon. I fear that they will not stop coming after you until you have left."

The dragon let out a cry. "But my egg is near. I can not simply leave my baby."

That changed things.

"Take me there and I shall make sure that your egg is safe. I will ride upon your back and hold the egg as you change your location. You can come to live within my forest. It will be safe there."

~~~~~****~~~~~

"You did well Sorcerer. There is just…one more thing. You shall use your magic to ensure the victory of my army as we take control over the nearby kingdoms."

Talon knew something like this would happen. Hate brings forth more hate, and greed brings forth more greed. Talon closed his eyes, trying to keep his emotions under control. When he opened his eyes they were pure black and energy was humming around him.

"You do not deserve to rule."

~~~~~****~~~~~

Talon sighed as he walked away from the burning remains of the castle, the scent of burning flesh clinging to him. He would have to find the nearest stream and bathe. He didn't notice the crimson eyes that watched him from the direction of the village.

Part 5

Never to Sleep Again

Talon stood with sweat pouring down his body. He brushed his hand across his brow and looked back down at the wood he had been cutting. He could have used magic, but if he used magic for everything…he would begin to look like unattractive. He wasn't sure why, but he had gotten vein sometime in the past couple of years. All of the women falling at his feet didn't help…not that he wanted any of them. He still thought about his night with William often.

"You are quite good at that."

Talon turned quickly and sighed in relief. "M'Lady. What brings you here? Do you need another spell?" This woman with crimson eyes had come to visit him almost weakly since he was fifteen, each time seeking out new spells, though he doubted that she ever used them.

"No Talon, I do not need another spell. I do however need a companion to pass the cold lonely centuries."

Talon laughed softly. "M'Lady, are you proposing marriage. I have many offers but I am not interested in marrying. I think I shall become like a hermit and live alone forever."

The lady laughed darkly. "Talon, you misunderstand me. I seek a companion…to join me forever in this unlife that I have been cursed to. You will also share my curse Talon."

Talon cried out when she was upon him in an instant and pain coursed through his body. This woman was a demon and he had not seen her for what she truly was. Now he would pay with his life.

As Talon was dropped to the ground he closed his eyes, praying that he would be reunited with his family soon, but knowing that he would burn in hell for betraying them.