I'm sure you guys are getting tired of hearing this, but I am REAAAAAAAAAAAAALLy sorry! The week-before-finals-week hit, and that is hell. And then finals week hits and you wish you were in hell, cuz at least then you'd be dead. Our aparment is void of chocolate, I've been chugging Mountain Dew like it's water, a combination of drizzly/rainy weather and stress-related hair messing has given me a look to rival 80s rock band members, and I haven't had a decent nights sleep in almost two weeks! BUT I handed in my all my creative writing re-writes on Monday, my printmaking portfolio on Tuesday, took my pre-calc final yesterday morning, and my art history final this morning, and now I AM DONE!
So, in honor of the end of the semester and to make you guys happy, I wrote this! :) And yes, Merlin's secret is FINALLY revealed! *laugh*
Part of this chapter has dialogue that is not mine, but instead taken directly from the show. I have put all of those lines in italics, so hopefully that's not too confusing. And yes, I did combine two scenes from the show. It just made more sense to how my version goes.
Anyway, I will shut up now so you can read. Finally, right?
After Gwen's little speech, Merlin began to talk more and more. The thought of Arthur being proud of him made Merlin very happy. The smile on Arthur's face every time Merlin spoke made Merlin warm inside. He wanted to see that smile all the time, and soon Merlin became very talkative around the Prince. He would ramble on and on about anything and nothing, while Arthur would pretend to be annoyed by it, telling Merlin to shut up, but he always said it with a grin and a ruffle of Merlin's raven hair.
Merlin also grew fairly comfortable with talking around others, though not as much as with the Prince. Gaius has seemed pleased with the development, and Morgana had been ecstatic. The castle staff at first was shocked with the mute boy suddenly responded to their greetings, but Merlin's polite hellos only made him more endearing to them.
Merlin was in Arthur's chambers, tidying up, when the Prince tromped in with a groan. His tunic was soaked with rainwater, and he was rubbing his neck, his face in a grimace. "Merlin, could you go to Gaius and get some oil for my muscles. The last bottle he sent is all out."
"Yes, Arthur," said Merlin, dashing out of the room.
He hurried to the physician's quarters, smiling at all the servants he passed, happily greeting them. He ran up the stone steps, to the familiar wooden door.
Merlin knocked and peered in through the slightly open door. "Hello?"
Getting no response, he walked into the room, looking at the work benches full of equipment, herbs, medicine jars, and other various items.
"Hello?" he said again, quietly.
Hearing a small noise, Merlin glances up. Gaius was up on the small balcony, looking through stacks of books.
"Gaius?" he called, clearing his throat.
The physician looked over his shoulder, crying out as the rickety railing suddenly broke and he fell.
Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and Gaius' fall slowed. He frantically looked around the room, his gaze falling on a cot, and as his eyes flashed gold once more, it slid across the floor and underneath the physician, who crashed onto it with a gasp.
Merlin breathed a sigh of relief.
"What did you just do?" asked Gaius, struggling off the cot.
Merlin's eyes widened. "Um…"
"Tell me!"
Merlin glanced around, stuttering. "I-I uh, I've no idea what happened."
Gaius stared up at the balcony. "If anyone had seen that-"
"Oh, no!" cried Merlin, his eyes wide. "That- That was- That was nothing to do with me! That-That-That was-"
"I know what that was," said Gaius, spinning around and fixing him with a stare. "I just want to know where you learned how to do it!"
"Nowhere," replied Merlin hurriedly.
"So how is it you know magic?"
"I don't!"
Gaius eyed him. "Did one of your former masters teach you?"
Merlin stared at him, swallowing nervously.
"Answer me!" shouted Gaius.
"I-I've never studied magic or been taught," stuttered Merlin.
"Are you lying to me, boy?" asked Gaius, stepping closer.
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth!"
"I was born like this," said Merlin.
"That's impossible!" cried Gaius.
Merlin just stood there, unsure how to respond. Gaius stared at him for a while before shaking his head. "What are you doing here, anyways?"
"Uh, Ar- the Prince wants some oil for his muscles. He's sore from practice with the Knights today, it was cold and rainy out and-"
"Alright, alright," said Gaius, waving his hand absently and wandering over to one of the benches. He paused at it, looking around. As he reached out to grab a bottle, his arm knocked a bucket of water off the table.
The bucket and spilling water stopped, suspended in midair.
Gaius spun to face Merlin with a gasp, as the boy's eyes faded back to blue, his hand stretched towards the bucket. Merlin's gaze snapped to him and the bucket and its contents crashed to the ground with a splash.
"How did you do that?" asked Gaius.
Merlin simply stared at him.
"Did you incant a spell in your mind?"
Merlin's eyes widened. "I don't know any spells," he said, shaking his head.
"So what did you do?" asked Gaius, staring at him with a confused look. "There must be something."
"It just happens," said Merlin.
Gaius stared down at the spilt water, his face still showing confusion. Merlin hurried across the room for the mop, sopping up the wet mess.
"You haven't been doing magic in front of Prince Arthur, have you?" asked Gaius, eyeing the boy.
Merlin's eyes widened again. "No!" he cried, before biting his lip nervously. "W-Well, not intentionally."
Gaius brow rose.
Merlin gulped. "I accidently c-cracked his mirror during a nightmare once. A-And I… broke your jars, the first time we met…"
It was Gaius turn for his eyes to widen. "That was you?"
Merlin nodded. "P-Please, Gaius, don't turn me in," he pleaded, his lower lip trembling. "I swear, I don't do these things on purpose. I know it's bad, that I shouldn't, but I can't help it sometimes," he cried, falling to his knees. "My masters tried to use me for bad things, and I swore I wouldn't use m-magic anymore, but sometimes it just happens." He wrapped his arms around his torso, rocking back and forth.
Gaius sighed, his eyes full of sadness. "Merlin," he said softly, moving forward and grabbing the boy's shoulders, pulling him up to stand. "I am not going to turn you in. But I must remind you that the use of magic is forbidden, so be careful," he stressed the last two words greatly. "You must learn to control your magic, so you don't have these random outbursts."
"H-How?" asked Merlin, quietly.
Gaius stared at him for a while before answering. "I… I can help you."
Merlin blinked. "You?"
Gaius nodded. "I have books, on magic. I can help you study them."
Merlin blinked again, before his face split with a big smile. "You would help me?" he asked happily.
Gaius smiled in return. "I would."
"But what do I tell Arthur?" asked Merlin.
Gaius thought for a moment. "I can ask him if I can train you as my apprentice. The poor boy never had much of an interest in science, so I can assure you he will not bother use unless it is an urgent matter."
Merlin's smile grew. "Thank you, Gaius."
Gaius nodded, walking back to the bench and grabbing the oil. "I shall ask him tomorrow," said Gaius, handing the bottle to Merlin.
Merlin took the bottle, biting his lip nervously. "Y-You won't say anything about, um…" Merlin trailed off, pointing to the balcony.
Gaius glanced at it also, nodding. "No."
Merlin turned, heading for the door.
"Although, Merlin," called out Gaius.
Merlin paused, turning back.
"I should say, thank you," finished the physician.
Merlin nodded, before walking out of the room.
Well, was it worth the wait? *laugh* Prolly not.
I think I might lower the rating on this story. Some of the things I had initially planned when I started, ended up not happening (which is okay, they were horribly cliche). That was back when it was only suppose to be about 5,000 words, and I had planned to end it rather meanly (for poor Merlin, anyways).
P.S. I LOVE all of your reviews, I really do. I especially wanted to thank Rijii Teira, general zargon, and limnamae. When I read the emails with your reviews, it made me want to stop all studying and just write the next part. But the possibility of having to take pre-calc for a third time if I failed my final prevented me from doing that. But thanks so much for all the lovely reviews, everyone! *hugs and kisses*
Now, I'm gonna go watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off (christmas present from one of my room mates). XD Tootle!