Chapter 9!
Previously:
I slowly approached the table. Tears were pouring out of my eyes like waterfalls for I knew the identity of the lifeless body.
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And In that moment I knew... I had lost Merlin forever.
I felt as if someone took a sledge hammer to my heart. I burst into uncontrollable sobs. My vision came true. I couldn't believe he was gone. "I'm so sorry, Merlin. This is all my fault. I should have told you... I knew about your magic but I... didn't say anything. I pulled away because I...I was afraid... I just wish..." More tears fell. I said between sobs, ".. I should have told you... how I felt." I was crying again. I tried not to let my voice sound so choked up. "That I...I... I love you, Merlin."
I turned around. But what I saw made me freeze in shock.
Merlin was standing there in the doorway, tears brimming in his eyes.
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Merlin...
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They had just come back from the fight. They were victorious but at a cost. Sir Darion didn't make it.
Merlin wanted to go pay his respects. He headed towards the Citadel. When he was walking down the hallway he heard someone crying hard. When he turned the corner into the room, he saw Angela. She was sobbing over the body.
He could barely hear her over the crying. "I'm so sorry, Merlin..." Did she think that body was him. He wanted to tell her he was right here, still alive. But she continued. "...This is all my fault. I should have told you..." Told him what? "...I knew about your magic but I... didn't say anything..." How did she know about his magic? "I pulled away because I...I was afraid... I just wish... " She was crying harder. He didn't think he meant that much to her. "..I should have told you... how I felt." Her voice sounded so choked. "That I... I...I love you, Merlin." He could feel tears well up in his eyes. He took a step towards her. At the same moment, she turned around.
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Angela...
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He was alive! Merlin was alive!
"MERLIN!" I ran towards him. I ran faster than I've ever ran before. I ran straight in his arms. "You're alive! I can't believe you're alive." I was so happy. I was crying tears of joy.
"Of course. I'm alive." He was crying now. "What would make you think otherwise?"
"I thought that you...I saw you...I had a vision... you died." My voice was broken.
"The vision you had at the training grounds." He asserted. I nodded
I dreamt you were stabbed in a battle. And when I heard you left to fight off a village attack, I thought the worst. And then they brought that body." I barely choked out the last part. "Oh, Merlin! I'm so glad you're alive!" He held me tighter. It felt so wonderful to be held by him.
"It was just a dream. It wasn't real. Nothing is going to happen to me. I would never leave you." Merlin meant every word of it too.
"How did you know I have magic?" He asked.
"It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you're alive." My rested against his chest.
Merlin pressed his cheek against my hair. "I love you." He said before I could say it.
"I love you too"
He pulled away to look at me, he ran into another sentence run, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you. I should have talked to you first. It's just when I looked at you, it seemed to hurt you so much. I didn't want to cause you pain. You shouldn't have had to go through that. It was all my" He was cut off when I kissed him.
My heart beat faster a humming bird's wings. I have never felt more emotion than I did, kissing him. Reality didn't exist anymore. Time stopped. We both pulled away at the same time to just look deeply into each others eyes. He looked so happy. His eyes mirroring how I felt.
I heard someone clear their throat by the doorway. It broke me out of my hypnotic state. We both looked to see Prince Arthur and Gwaine standing there with wide suspicious grins on their faces. Gwaine was trying not to laugh.
"I think this counts as 'love' don't you think Gwaine?" Arthur joked. Merlin turned his head away laughing. He leaned his head against mine. I was slightly embarrassed.
"I think we should leave these two love birds alone." said Gwaine.
"Yes we wouldn't want to see anything inappropriate now would we?." Arthur replied. They walked away, laughing.
I smiled and looked up at him and he looked down at me, his face just inches away from mine.
He leaned in just a little bit closer and this time...I didn't pull away!
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The next morning I woke up, I found a red rose and folded note at the foot of my bed that had my name on it. I picked up the rose and smelled. It smelled wonderful. I unfolded the note and read it to myself.
Dearest Angela,
Meet me by the Royal Court Yard at noon.
Love,
Merlin
I smiled. I was excited. I couldn't wait! I got slipped in my dress and washed my face. I reached under my bed and grabbed several mint leaves from the bundle I kept. I chewed them until I my throat felt cold. I checked to make sure I didn't have bad breathe.
I had slept in later than normal it was around 9:00. When I looked in the mirror, the blue dress looked raddy. It was torn in several places and had dirt stains on it. I paced the floor. I suddenly felt nervous. I had never really gone on a date. If this counted as a date. 'There was that one time when Jimmy Carter left a note in my locker to meet me by the frozen yogurt machine when I was in 5th. Does that count?
What am I going to do?' I thought to myself. 'I need to talk to Gwen.'
I went to her house. Thank Goodness she was home. "Gwen, I need your help!" I came inside. I showed her the note as she read it she smiled. "I know just what you need." She replied.
She went over and grabbed a old dusty tin can. She dumped the contents on the table. It was gold coins. "I've been saving this for a rainy day."
"Gwen, I can't..."
"Please, I think now is the perfect time to use it. I want to do this for you... and for Merlin. He's never had someone special. As close as he is to Arthur and me, I know he feels alone. You make him happy. So this is my way of saying thank you." Gwen smiled at me. "Come on. We have some shopping to do." She grabbed my hand and yanked me out the door.
"Shopping?"
We stopped by a little shop that had the most beautiful dresses. I was looking through them when I saw the perfect gown. A beautiful turquoise dress. Only it wasn't like the one I was wearing. It had much more to it. It was long sleeved and floor length, slim and fitted. Pearls and lace were embroidered all over it. And there was a white lacy shawl that came with it.
"It's perfect." I gawked.
Gwen looked to the woman who was in charge."It'll take it." We bought perfume and soups that smelled amazing and some white flowers.
We came back to her house. She drew a bath for me and I washed with the soups we bought. After I was done, I slipped on my white undergarment. "Now we just have to fix your hair." Gwen stated. She left the room and came back 5 minutes later clutching a small burning rod with a cloth so she wouldn't burn her hand. "Now what I'm going to do it wrap a portion of your hair around the rod. The heat will cause your hair to curl. This is my little hair secret." Gwen told me. So that is how they curled their hair these Medieval days.
"So it's like iron that curls, curling iron?" I said trying not to smile.
After she was done with my hair, she sort of braided the white flowers into it. She helped me get into the dress. "Make sure its nice and tight." I said to her trying to divert her attention away from my necklace. Then she sprayed me with a lovely fragrance. It was called 'Black Amethyst'. I loved it because my birthday was in February which meant my birthstone was Amethyst. I looked in the mirror and scratched my lips with my nails to try and redden them a little more. I didn't have much to work with Ok?
I looked in the mirror. I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked at myself. I had no make-up on, no lip-gloss and no modern-day mermaid-tight, knee length dress on and I loved it! I didn't feel 'sexy' or 'hot' (I hated those terms)I felt... beautiful. I looked like I just came out of Cinderella's pumpkin.
Gwen stood behind me and gasped, "You look lovely." I turned to her and gave her the biggest smile I could manage. "Gwen Thank you so much for all of this!"
"Anytime for a friend." We hugged each other. "Now you better get going or you'll be late." She smiled.
"Thanks again!" I walked out the door and headed to the Royal Court Yard. I went through the Castle, I wanted to come out the main doors. What girl doesn't want to enter a scene walking down the stairs like Cinderella? Before I went through, I put my back against the doors. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly. I needed a second. "You can do this, 'you' can do this." I felt my courage build up as my heart fluttered. I opened the doors and stepped out.
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Merlin...
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Merlin had everything ready. He had asked Gwaine for help but what was really strange was Arthur heard about his plans and refused to let anyone help but him. He liked the fact that Arthur would do something like this for someone who was just a servant. Maybe they really were friends. He woke up extra early to get everything ready. Merlin rolled his eyes when Arthur made a sarcastic comment like "NOW you wake up early!" He was actually surprised when Arthur insisted on helping him. Arthur went ahead and set up everything in the forest for them. Arthur told him he would own him BIG-TIME. He was going to make Merlin enter in the Annual Jousting tournament. It was coming up in a few months. Merlin was going to have to plan an escape.
Before he left, Gauis came up to him holding a book. "Merlin, I think I found something. I wasn't really sure where to look but those books you brought back from the restricted section in the library revealed something quite interesting. I found a story from long ago, before the Great Purge and even before Camelot. The story tells of a warlock with a "Monali Temporis" which is translated as "magic timepiece."
"Does the story mention a name?" Merlin questioned.
"Yes. It says this sorcerer was called Medicus. But it also mentions something about a 'Aenean tincheidunt.'
"What is an an..eon tinchi..di?" Merlin asked.
"I don't know. I haven't found any words that translate it yet. There is also other words in this particular text that I've never heard of. Muliebris?" He looked rather puzzled but he continued. "Anyways, it says that the "Monali Temporis" originated from this man. But what is odd, is this story the only mention of any magical necklace like it in all of Camelot's history.
"So your saying the necklace came from this Medicus?" Merlin asked
"It is the 'only' mention of him or the necklace anywhere. I do not know anything else about it."
"Do you think Kilgharrah would know?"
"There's only one way to find out." replied Gauis
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Merlin rode into the forest, heading to a familiar clearing. When he reached the break in the trees, He called on the power of the Dragonlord and summoned The Great Dragon. His felt it's magic surge through him. Not long after, Merlin heard the roar of giant wings flapping. "You called, young warlock."
"I need to speak to you about a sorcerer named Medicus and a magical pendant." Merlin replied. He brought Kilgharrah up to speed about what had happened this past two weeks.
"I have heard of such a pendant only once. It is a legend. Nothing but a story I learned when I was but a youngling. This magical necklace was created long ago by an ancient sorcerer." The Dragon said.
"Medicus?" asked Merlin.
"He was known by many names. Medicus, Dominus Tempus, Muliebris. But not much was known about him. He was just a myth. The legend says he disappeared long before Camelot ever existed."
"You must know something?"
"I'm afraid I do not Merlin, but I do know something that might help you. That is if you can find it."
"What?" asked Merlin.
"The Well of knowledge... Do you know of it, young warlock?" .
"Yes but only in stories. If you place the object of your choosing into the well, it will give you the knowledge you wish to seek. Does such a thing really exist?" questioned Merlin.
"The only way to know for sure is to journey to the Chamber of Secrets. It is said to be located in the Valley Of Aeridian's Kingdom. Only there, is known to be the resting place of The Well of Knowledge."
"I see. Thank you Kilgharrah for answering my questions." Merlin turned and headed back to Camelot.
"Good luck on your journey, Merlin." Kilgharrah called out to him. "And be careful. For even I have not traveled there."
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Merlin came back and told Gauis about his conversation with Kilgharrah. "Can we discuss this later Gauis? I have... important business to attend to." Merlin was in a hurry to get to the Court yard.
"Important business you say?" Gauis gave him a questioning look. Merlin smiled at him.
"See ya later Gauis." Merlin waved and ran out the door.
Gauis shook his head and sighed "Young love."
Merlin waited anxiously in the Court Yard. He started to pace back and forth. "I'm not nervous. Not nervous at all." He told himself. He bathed extra hard this morning. "I hope I didn't forget anything." He counted one more time all the things he planned. 'Yes everything was ready and waiting.' He heard the doors of the main entrance open. He turned around to see who was coming out.
There she was.
All of his thoughts, his worries and even his heart melted away at the sight of her. She wore a gorgeous blue dress with a white lace shawl loosely draped around her shoulders. She also wore her necklace outside of her clothes. The silver pendant fitting in perfect with her attire. But it wasn't the dress, or her hair or her necklace that made her so pretty. It was her character, her spirit. The way she could find beauty in everything. The beauty from the inside out-shined her beauty on the outside. She had such an elegance when she gracefully walked down the steps. There were no words to describe how beautiful she was. She looked like a noble. She was definitely more prettier than any princess he'd ever seen.
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Angela...
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As I slowly walked down the stairs, I couldn't help but laugh at Merlin gawking. It made me blush. He was standing by two horses. Was he expecting me to ride a horse?
"Merlin, where are we going?"
"You'll see." He smiled at me.
"I need to confess something to you. I've never ridden a horse before."
Merlin taught me the basics of horse riding. And after getting on and riding around in a small circle for a little bit, I felt like a pro. "Ha ha, You're a natural." Merlin commented.
"I am, aren't I?" I smiled.
We rode through the trees for about 15 minutes into a dark part of a thicker forest. We came to a large weeping willow. And when I say large, I mean enormous! I'm not kidding this tree was as big as a house. Merlin helped me down from the horse and held my hand as he led me into the weeping willow.
He pulled the draping leaves back and allowed me to step inside. What a marvelous sight it was. Candles were lit all around. A large blanket laid on the ground, with pillows and a basket with a variation of fruits, bread and cheese. "Merlin...I don't know what to say." It was wonderful. No one had ever done anything like this for me.
"Would you dine with me?" He asked with a big smile on his cheeky face.
"I'd love to." I replied. We sat down and ate. The food was delicious.
"Merlin, I'm very curious to know about your magic. Can you tell me about it?"
"I'll do better than that." He lifted his hand and directed it at the the candles. He said some words I didn't understood and then his eyes glowed a brilliant gold. I gasped as the flickering flames from the candles lifted off the wicks and floated in the air like little drops of fire. They morphed into the shape of a unicorn. I was awestruck at the sight of it. He smiled at my response. "How could something so wonderful be forbidden?" I asked him.
I asked him about his destiny and he told me lots of adventures he experienced through the years. He talked about his life, his mother, his friendship with Arthur. He told me about Kilgharrah the Great Dragon and about his encounter with his father. "You got to meet him. I would give anything to see mine. I never had a father." My mom never said anything about my father. She always acted as though he never existed. When I thought about the life I had back in the future, it almost didn't feel real. Like it was just a dream and in that life, I was just a shell.
"Angela?" I looked at him.
"Sorry, I do that sometimes. I get lost in my thoughts." I replied. I laid down, propped up on my elbow.
We talked for what seemed like ages. We laughed a lot too. I told him about the time I fished 10 gold coins(which meant $20 worth of quarters) out of the royal fountain(local park fountain in my town) until the 'authorities'(over weight lady cop) yelled at me to get out of the fountain because she thought I was swimming in it. Or when I went to a noble camp-sight(mattress store) and jumped on all the beds.
He laughed so hard at that one. "Let's just say I like to do a lot of running." I smiled at him.
"You are something special, Angela." Merlin grinned at me.
I told him about my life and how different it was. I tried not to mention anything about the future. "It must be difficult living in Camelot." I commented.
"I love Camelot with all my heart. Sometimes when I'm there I feel like I can hardly breathe, my destiny expects so much of me. But being here..with you. I can be myself. I don't feel the weight of the kingdom resting on my shoulders."
"Have you ever used magic in front of Arthur before?"
"Oh, yes many times." He had a dreamy look in his eyes, probably thinking about the many stories that were behind that statement.
"Really?" I said skeptically
"I may look like an idiot but I do have a brain you know." He joked back
He laid down on his back and rested his head on his hands. I scooted closer to him and leaned in to kiss him. This time it was more passionate, not held back. I felt a swirl of feelings rush through me. He placed a hand on my cheek as he deepened the kiss. He pulled away and looked at me. I laid down next to him. He wrapped an arm around me and I closed my eyes. I was content.
"Gauis found out where you're necklace came from. He didn't find much though." Merlin stated. "I went to see Kigharrah to find out more. The sorcerer who created it 's name is Medicus." When he said that I felt a tingling come my necklace. I heard a whispering that seemed to respond to that name. It sent a shiver down my spine. Merlin continued. "I need to go to the Valley of Aeridian's Kingdom to find the Well of Knowledge. It will tell me what the necklace is and who sent it to you."
"How does it work?" How can a well tell you things?
"You place the object you need knowledge about into the well and it will give you the answers you seek."
"That simple?" How could it be THAT simple?
"I won't sure until I get there." Merlin replied.
"Then I'm coming with you." I sat up and looked at him
He also sat up as he responded. "No you can't. I have no idea what kind of creatures are in the Valley of Aeridian's Kingdom. It could be very dangerous."
I punched him in the arm. "Ow. What was that for?"
"So you're saying I can't take care of myself?" I said
"No... I just don't want you to get hurt." Merlin quickly covered.
"Please I have the most powerful warlock in all of Camelot by my side. You'll be there to protect me if anything happens." I joked with him. "Besides you have to place MY necklace in this Well of Knowledge and I'm not letting it out of my sight."
He signed in frustration. "You are so stubborn. Is this one of your better qualities?" Merlin complained. I punched him in the arm. "Ow. Enough with the punching already." I laughed.
He looked at me. "So I guess were going to the Valley Of Aeridian's Kingdom... together."
"Together." I repeated
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PLEASE READ!
To make the first scene of Angela in the Citadel more realistic play the song "Blue Beard" by Band Of Horses.. And right at 2:40 in the song, she runs into Merlin's arms. Try it. Its so much more easy to imagine it. PERFECT BACKGROUND MUSIC! If only you could see it through my eyes lol
Anywho...
Ok so maybe the "Well of Knowledge" and the "Valley Of Aeridian's Kingdom" might sound really lame but I hate coming up with names. I just came up with the first thing that came into my mind. And yes I did copy "the chamber of secrets" from harry potter. Not very original but whatever. lol I love movie references!
How am I doing so far? Comments? Ideas? Tips? Anyone?