So I'm uploading this now so people have a general idea about what I'm actually talking about…basically I shall now provide some back story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
Merlin had been very young when it had happened, he liked to think he could remember his mother, the village he had grown up in but all the finer details were hazy. He remembered his mother's smile and the song she would sing when he couldn't sleep when nightmares struck. He remembered the smell of the grass and the fields in the morning in Ealdor after a night of heavy rain. It seemed so long ago that he had been home and had known a quiet life.
A quiet life was never written in the stars for Merlin, he should have known, he had read his future on their blinking dots from a young age when he first discovered his ability. He could see the future and the truth in people's eyes; if he concentrated he could tell whether someone was lying. If he gazed into the stars for long enough eventually they would tell him their secrets and the destinies and the prophecies that the dragons once spoke of.
He had met Will and Archer growing up as they were both from Ealdor as well, and they had instantly formed a strong bond. Their friendship grew and they promised each other they would always be there for each other despite their differing ambitions. Will had longed to be a soldier, to regain his father's honour and avenge his death, and Archer wanted to study literature and the art of words a fact Will and Merlin often teased him about.
Merlin just wanted a quiet life, to help his mother and to learn to control his gift of foresight so he could help others. Will and Archer knew of course about his gift but they warned him to keep it a secret, they told him it wasn't allowed. His mother did too, but it was something he had been born with, he couldn't conceal it no matter how hard he tried. He saw things other people didn't he read in Old Tom's eyes that he was cheating on his wife with Sue, he knew from the stars that Lily and Evan's son David would not live to see twenty. But he kept silent and kept the knowledge to himself. The future could always change, nothing was certain.
At the age of eight Merlin's power shifted, he found he could move things with his mind; make his eyes glow a golden as he performed magic of extraordinary skill. His mother had cried had begged him to stop it, and he had cried with her, begging her to understand that he couldn't help it. Will and Archer weren't afraid of him, they loved him, but they feared what others would do if anyone found out.
They took it upon themselves to become Merlin's protectors; they claimed it was a game at first charging at imaginary foes that came "close" to Merlin. But gradually the game became reality, Will took up his father's sword, he shed his puppy fat and muscle began to grow as he moved through forms with a skill the men from Ealdor raved about. Archer made a bow from the branches of the ground; he carved it into shape and made arrows that were sharpened to a deadly point with metal he got from the blacksmith. His aim was true and he could shoot an animal from a hundred paces. His skill was incredibly valued in winter when food was scarce.
At the age of twelve no one in Ealdor believed that the three boys were ordinary, there was just something about them that spoke of a bond that went deeper than blood or friendship. They were brothers and they would never fail one another.
That promise was put to the test when Cenred's soldiers marched into Ealdor one autumn day they drew the men and women from their houses and lined them up in a single line. At the head of the line an important man sat straight with a remarkably beautiful crystal that sat on his desk.
The people of Essetir knew this crystal, it was the crystal of talent, an ancient magical object of the old religion that when blood was dropped onto it showed the persons talent, whether it was dancing, cooking, or in Merlin's case, magic. Every year the crystal went around the villages in Essetir's kingdom but Ealdor was on the border near Camelot, it was no wonder they had not been to visit in Merlin's lifetime.
Uther and Cenred both had a lust for power and the land between their kingdoms was fought over in battles of bloodshed. Uther's knights were well trained though and had the advantage, but by discovering the crystal of talent Cenred had found of way of improving his army. Little did he know the prize he was about to discover in the small village of Ealdor.
Hunith hugged Merlin to her chest and sobbed as she realised what would happen but the soldiers dragged them apart and forced Merlin into the queue. Will was up first, his finger was pricked and blood found its way onto the crystal the man held it in his hands and gazed into its depths as images began to swirl. A golden sword appeared in the crystal and began to glow blue, the soldier's face erupted in smile and Will was dragged over to the right hand side and forced to wait as the queue got further down.
Archer was next and as with Will a bow appeared in the crystals surface and it also glowed blue and Archer was forced to stand next to Will. Merlin was next and he knew what was coming, although the stars hadn't told him this would happen, his destiny was changing, Cenred had gotten there first.
Merlin's finger was pricked and his blood collected then dropped and it was as if time stood still as Merlin watched the drop of blood with a sense of dread. The blood splattered onto its translucent edge and at once the crystal began to vibrate, to glow a brilliant gold and the soldier dropped it in shock.
Merlin was grabbed and forced to stand next to Will and Archer, the head soldier looked warily at Merlin as if expecting an attack at any second.
"Well, well, well, aren't you boys lucky!" The soldier grinned clapping them all on the back causing Merlin to stumble.
"You are being given the chance of a lifetime, to serve under the most noble king Essetir has ever seen, to join his majesties rank and bring wealth and respect to your family," The soldier grinned but the boys stared back confused.
"You two," the soldier said pointing at Will and Archer "Will serve in the army and rise up the ranks to greatness the world has never seen."
The soldier then turned his gaze to Merlin's blue frightened eyes "And you, will serve Cenred himself as his right hand man, yes I believe you will do very nicely," The soldier said running keen eyes over Merlin's figure.
"And if we don't want too?" Archer asked nervously.
"Why would you not want to?" The soldier said his eyes smiling "this is the chance to give this village respect and gain titles and riches this village has never known, you will be in a place your talents will be valued."
It sounded wonderful, Merlin had thought, he wouldn't have to hide who he was, he wouldn't have to be afraid if ever someone found out about his magic, he would be respected his gift would be able to do great things.
The three boys had agreed enthusiastically not knowing what they had signed up for. They tearfully said goodbye to their parents and set off on their own adventure and were brought quickly to Cenred's castle. Merlin should have known then, he could feel the darkness coming off the walls. The very air stank of evil and hatred. But he was too caught up in his friend's enthusiasm.
They ere thrust harshly into the throne room where they were greeted by none other than the king himself.
"Bow before me," Cenred instructed, and the young boys quickly remembered their manners and fell to their knees.
"I hear we have some talented boys here?" Cenred asked smiling easily showing none of the evil that had corrupted his soul.
"You shall be rewarded for joining me, step forward boy," Cenred said staring at Merlin with cold eyes.
"Your name?"
Merlin gulped and walked towards the young king. "Merlin my Lord,"
"You shall be a treasured guest, your talent for magic has never got such a powerful reading from the crystal of talent, here take these as a token of my appreciation," Cenred said and unopened a box lined with red velvet.
In the box two wristbands of the most beautiful silver Merlin had ever seen were laid. He brought out a hesitant hand to the wealth before him and was encouraged by Cenred.
"Take them they are yours," Cenred said.
Smiling and not recognising the runes of the old religion that were engraved on the metal Merlin took them without questioning and onto his wrists he signed his life away. They clasped down and bit into his skin. There was no room between the metal and his skin and he felt pins pierce as they broke the barriers of his skin.
He fell to his knees in pain and watched as Will and Archer ran towards him in shock.
"What did you do to him?" Will shouted.
"I have made him my slave," Cenred said. Will shouted in outrage and raised his small fist to Cenred but he was easily pushed back despite Will's skill he was only twelve, the same happened with Archer. Cenred took up another box and fastened another silver fastening around Merlin's neck that also bed into his skin.
"These are creations of old magic, they were made for beings of extraordinary talent, to keep their magic at bay," Cenred explained "Should you reach for magic in any attempt to harm me or Essetir the silver cracks and releases a poison into your veins that will kill you instantly."
"No!" Archer screamed tears pouring down his face.
"I'm afraid so," Cenred said "there is a war I want winning and you will win it for me Merlin."
"I won't," Merlin said.
"You will have no choice," Cenred said "You will read from the magic books I will give you and I will train you to become the most powerful sorcerer in the world, you will be under my control and all of the five kingdoms will fear me."
"What about my friends?" Merlin asked.
"They are talented too and will be of great use in protecting you," Cenred said.
"What makes you think they'll do anything for you?" Merlin asked.
"Because I can kill you at any moment, if they want to ensure your safety then they will have to stay won't they, and should they try to attack me, know that in my death the silver on those bracelets will break and you will still die," Cenred said.
"You will never have our loyalty," Archer said.
"No, but Merlin will have it, and I have Merlin's loyalty albeit forcefully so therefore I do have your loyalty boy, you will be loyal to Merlin and Merlin will be loyal to me, we'll be one big happy family," Cenred said.
From that day the council of shadows was born, a trio of slaves forced into servitude of an evil tyrant who kept Merlin prisoner and forced him to use magic for his own ends. He was taught well from the best books Cenred could lay his hands on, and in turn Will and Archer learnt their craft from Cenred's experienced generals until they surpassed their skill, they were determined to become the best they could be, to give Merlin the best kind of protection they could offer. They would give their life to protect Merlin. They would give their life for his freedom. A loyalty Merlin didn't understand how he had achieved.
"For being who you are," they simply replied when he asked.
As they aged their legend grew and Cenred rose in power until he overcame Uther and became the most feared kingdom in the whole of Albion. And Now at eighteen years of age the council of shadows was about to be sent on their most dangerous mission yet. To Camelot, the very place Merlin had once thought he had feared, but now looking back on his past he should have known there were worse places than Camelot.
Wohoo for backstory! And I thought I'd throw in merlin having a talent for foresight since Morgana probably won't be in this fic unless I can squeeze her in somewhere. Let me know what you think!