Just noticed I never put an author's note on the last chapter. Oops.

Anywho, here's the next chapter.

Hope you enjoy.

Snow fall and the reveal of Emrys

I looked up to see two shadowy figures sneaking out from behind the cabinet, but this time they weren't headed for the door. The two of them had snuck out several times before. The first time I found that they were gone I thought they had been found by the king's knights. I immediately went to Holt for help but on my way there I saw them in the field. I gave them quite a lecture when I ran out there to catch them. I never knew I could give lectures.

I remember my mother giving long ones when she found me doing things I shouldn't be. Usually Hunith and I were in on it together. They just always thought I was the instigator. Well, let me tell you, Hunith had some pretty mischievous ideas up her sleeves. We even got away with a few of them. I always thought my mother was overreacting, but now I understood. When you care about someone you want them to be safe. Jasper still doesn't trust me. Even so, I don't know what I would do if something happened to either of them.

They had snuck out several times after that and lately I've let them. They need their freedom. I know that. They are going through what my mother called a rebellious stage. It was natural, especially if you've been cooped up in an attic for several months without going out. We made the odd trip here and there. Ok, I'll admit I may have been a little over protective. So, I let them have their little adventures, as long as they came back before sunrise. If they weren't back by then I was going to have a proper freak out.

This was different. It was morning and they weren't headed for the door. Instead the two of them were sneaking towards us. Hunith was so wrapped up in looking at little Merlin that she hadn't noticed. My head snapped up and watched them come closer. I knew that they could see me watching, but still they did not hide. I was confused.

Aida came until she was only a few feet away from us. Her hands were wrapped together and she looked nervous. Jasper appeared behind her looking equally as wary. Slowly I stood up, catching Hunith's attention. She looked up to see the two teenagers. She got to her feet as well, holding Merlin close.

"Joone? Who are they?" She looked to me for an answer.

I froze. I didn't know what to say. The truth, it seemed to be my only option.

"Joone?" She asked again.

"Hunith." I began. "This is Aida." I placed my hand on Aida's shoulder. "And the one hiding behind her is Jasper." He shot me a dirty look for that.

"What are they doing here?" Hunith adjusted her grip on the child.

"Well." I hesitated. "They're hiding in my attic." I cringed, waiting for her to yell at me.

"They're sorcerers!" She was surprised for a moment then her features softened. "And you were going to lecture me about Balinor."

I smiled. "I guess I was being hypocritical."

"But they're so young." She noticed. "How old are you?"

"Fifteen, almost sixteen." Aida spoke up first. "Both of us." She said when Jasper remained silent.

"How did you get yourself into this Joone?" Hunith looked to me again.

"It's complicated." I shrugged.

Aida took a step towards Hunith. "It is an honor to meet you."

"Why do you say that?" She asked.

"You have given this world it's salvation, it's savior." Aida explained.

"I don't understand."

"Your son." She continued. "He will bring peace and magic back to this realm. He will grow to become a Hero."

Aida closed the space between them. Hunith was stunned at this information. The two of them looked down at Merlin. Aida reached out to touch his little hand that was sticking out from under the blanket. Her hand recoiled slightly as a spark ran between his hand and hers. His eyes opened slowly and he giggled at the sight of a new face. Aida's hand completely enveloped his. I saw a tear come to her eye.

"Jasper." She gestured to her friend. "Come see him."

Jasper walked forward and Hunith didn't stop him. They were both quite in awe of the child. I went to stand by Hunith's side. Merlin's eyes were blue, very beautiful. It was the first time I had ever really seen them since they arrived. He had been asleep almost the entire time.

Merlin looked up at the four of us with wide eyes. So many new faces for him to take in. I could tell he was enjoying himself.

"All is not lost." Aida gasped. "One day, when he is old enough, he will make the journey to Camelot and lead us out of the dark. He will change the world."

"This baby will save us?" Jasper didn't seem to believe it.

"Not for a while. When he is older and stronger." Aida almost laughed for joy.

"Why my son?" Hunith asked. "Why not someone else?"

"He will be the strongest. The wisest. He can do it." Aida tried to breath. She was so excited. "I know he can."

"But he is only a baby now." Jasper argued. "He won't be strong enough for a very long time."

"Then we'll just have to be patient." Aida looked to Jasper. "Freedom is worth waiting for. It will happen. We will be free one day and it will be because of this boy."

"What's his name?" Jasper asked Hunith.

"Merlin." She replied.

"A bird." Jasper smiled. "Seems he's a part of the organization already."

"The organization?" Hunith wondered. "You don't mean the organization of the Black Feather, do you?"

All three of us nodded to her astonishment. "He may never know we exist but we will stand behind him the entire way." I finally spoke up. I had really meant to say that in my head but it just came out.

"You're a part of the organization?" Hunith looked at me, surprised.

"I told you it was complicated."

"He is so small." Jasper noted.

"With such a large destiny." Aida added. "He has been spoken of in prophecy. They called him Emrys."

"Then how do you know Merlin is this Emrys?" Hunith was trying to take everything in. It was a lot, to find out your son had such a large destiny on his shoulders.

"His magic is powerful. We could sense it all the way from upstairs. Only one person could have such magic." Jasper explained.

"Magic?" Hunith looked afraid now. "But he hasn't learnt any."

"Merlin is one of the rare few to be born with the power already running alive through him. For most it is dormant until they awaken it, but with him it has awoken on it's own." Aida smiled down at the child.

"Oh my baby." Hunith began to cry. "I'm proud of you already. You're just like your father."

"Hunith." Aida spoke softly to her. "You must never tell him of his future. He cannot know of his destiny until the time is right. You will know when the time is right for him to make the journey to Camelot. Do you understand?"

"I do." She spoke with confidence. "I will keep him safe."

"He will not be alone in this." Jasper confirmed. "His journey will bring him many things. Friendship is one of them. He will cherish it."

"Who doesn't cherish friendship?" I whispered.

I stared down at Merlin. So that is what I saw when I tried to read his hand. All I could make out was that there was something large in his future. I had never imagined it would be something like this. He was a part of a prophecy. I felt jealous for a moment. His future was certain. He had a path, a place to go, and a goal. He would grow up and live his life.

I didn't know what the future held for me and sometimes I couldn't bear to think about it. There was a very large possibility that we wouldn't make it through this alive. We may not live to see this peaceful world that they spoke off. We may not make it to the day we are finally free. Though I would never tell anyone of these thoughts.

I would give anything not to have to hide anymore. I could be patient. I would wait forever for the day when I didn't need to be afraid anymore. There wasn't a problem there, but I had a bad feeling that waiting wouldn't be an option. We may not have that kind of time.

"Look it's snowing." Jasper noticed.

I looked up to see small snowflakes floating down from the cloudy sky. They were slow, like the sand in the hourglass that sat next to my bed. It counted down the time that had passed and the time we had left. How much snow was left up in the sky, waiting to float down to earth? How much time did we have left?

"It's beautiful." Aida whispered.

The world was a beautiful place, but sometimes-ugly things could be seen. The world wasn't perfect. Nobody was perfect. I especially wasn't perfect. We can't go through life without seeing a little darkness, but now and again we need to take time to look at the beautiful things. Without the darkness there would be no such thing as beautiful because it would only seem normal.

"Look at that Merlin." Hunith brought him close to the window to see the sunrise and the snow falling.

Merlin wouldn't remember this day. He wouldn't remember how the snow fell from the sky or the other three people in the room other then his mother. He wouldn't remember the revealing of his destiny. Merlin was only a child, not able to understand quite yet what the world had in store for him.

I watched him stare at the snow falling from the sky with eyes full of wonder. I noticed he was a very quiet. He didn't laugh and squeal at this new sight. He didn't gargle the odd word or sentence. He just remained silent, taking in the moment.

No matter how much he took in he would never be able to keep these memories. It just wasn't in the cards. He would forget and Hunith had promised not tell him, not to remind him of what happened this morning. A part of me wanted him to remember us. Everyone wants to be remembered, to feel as if they had somehow made an impact.

Merlin would forget, but I wouldn't. I will remember the falling snow and the words that were spoken. I would remember the small child destined to save us all. He made an impact on my life and would live to impact the lives of others. He would be remembered.

Jasper, Aida and I were amongst the many that would disappear from history. It would be as if we had never lived at all. No one would tell our story because soon enough no one would remember, except me.

I would always remember. I will never forget.

Two years, seven months, and twenty-five days. That's how long has passed since the day this world plunged into darkness. How long would it be before someone came along to pull us out? Would we be around to see it happen?

Thank you for reading and please (I am on my knees here) REVIEW!

How do you think the story will end? What is Joone counting down to?

I need help thinking of a better summary for this story. Any ideas?

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