Merlin Fanfiction

Lady Falcon

Chapter 1

I was out on my morning hunt, I was able to catch a scrawny hare for breakfast and was eating it on a branch when I heard a twig snap, I paused in my eating and looked to where the sound came from and was shocked.

Lord in heaven, it was him.

He too had stilled as he stared at me staring at him, he must have tried to take a better look at me or was simply walking by, although he was hiding behind a bush so I kind of had my doubts about the later. I really wanted to smile; he was amusing that was for certain, thinking I wouldn't be able to see him and all his bright colors.

I turned away from him, making him think I didn't see him as I went back to munching on my lunch. What surprised me was that he didn't move on, in fact he was coming closer to me, this got me a bit wary as I once again looked back at him.

I chirped at him before taking flight up into the sky and towards Camelot, I looked behind me to see Merlin actually following as I heard him called out to me to wait. What a strange boy he was.

No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it shall be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will in time father a legend, His name… Merlin.

I shook my head as I flapped my wings using the wind currents as I glided back to the castle. Completely ignoring the colourful and strange boy.

Since when did I understand the language of the dragons?

As I flew through the city I was thankful that I am under the protection of the King and Gaius so no hunters had the gall to try and shoot, they could tell who I was with leather bracelet around my neck. Then again if you are an 'experimented' white falcon with silver wings, you tend to be noticed and fortunately easily recognised.

I cried in greeting to Morgana as I flew to her opened window and perched in front of her. I looked to where she was looking at and saw that an execution was about to start.

And so it begins

I had instantly forgotten about Morgana while I was watching them bring the man up onto the stage as I suddenly felt a hand touch my back. I jumped a little, giving out a surprised chirp making Morgana laugh.

"Got easily distracted did you?" she asked as I turned my head to her.

I shook my feathers as if to shrug before turning my head back to the execution, King Uther walked out to the balcony.

Morgana sighed. "The man was spotted doing magic; he was healing a sick child."

I blinked, was that what the guy was doing by using magic? Huh I never knew that.

Morgana's pets stopped as she to watch the execution unfold and shook her head. "When did healing a child become such a heinous crime?"

Since the king decided to use it for selfish reasons, although it wasn't quite explained as to how it works so he is pissed.

The horns were blown and the people of Camelot came to the square.

"Let this serve as a lesson to all!" Uther shouted. "This man; Thomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death."

'Well at least he knows the guy's name before chopping his head off' I chirped again, catching Merlin's attention along with gaining attention to Morgana as well as she slowly pet me, to comfort herself or me I do not know.

"I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." He said before giving the executioner the signal.

After the axe flew and the people gasped, I gave a cry, as if to say goodbye to the poor innocent soul.

"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from this realm." He continued proudly. "So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from evil of sorcery, let the celebrations begin!

Sooo Merlin is 20 years old? Along with Arthur? Wait what!

Before I could think further on the subject, I heard what god only knows was a wale. I didn't know whether she was laughing, really needed to go to the bathroom or just stepped on a nail with the way she was acting. You would think with her son dead she would be making more noises than that one single cry. I know I would be bawling my eyes out and sounding like a donkey if I lost a son… then again I am a falcon so I guess I would just make noise and never shut up.

The sound caught everyone's attention, including Uther as the crowd stepped away from a very fugly lady.

Woah lady! You have magic, work on your face ugh!

"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you." She cried out.

And I do believe that she is not the only one thinking that, that is for sure.

"With your hatred and your ignorance, you killed my son!" she whimpered before breathing in deeply with anger. "But I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son!"

"Seize her!" Uther immediately ordered.

As the guards began forming around her, the old hag grasped the stone around her neck and began speaking words before disappearing in a whirl of cloth, smoke and wind.

"Go on Lady." Morgana told me as she turned to the window.

With a leap I flew off as Morgana closed the window.

Merlin…Eileen

I made my way through the city and finally came upon Gaius's home. I flew to my perch and chirped, notifying my return.

"Ah! Lady Falcon, welcome home!" Gaius greeted me with a smile as he walked over to my perch and stroked my neck.

It was times like these that I wish I was either a dog or a cat to get more cuddles.

"I have finally found your breed of Falcon!" Gaius suddenly announced. "I was looking through one of my old friend's books he had on birds up north."

I looked at him. And it took you… a year or so to find it?

"Now don't give me that look." Gaius scolded me. "I had other pressing things to do than to figure out what you are!"

I puff up my feathers at him. Well excuuuuuse me Gaius, I also had pressing matters like how in god's name could I ask Merlin to change me back to a human permanently! Or even better how to convince you to allow me to hunt turkey and chickens again!

"Now, let's see… Oh dash it all where did I put it!" he said walking away from me and towards the staircase.

I watched him carefully, those rails up there were quite unsteady and if he fell, lord knows what might happen.

A knock came at the door and I turned to see Merlin, peeking out from behind it, his adorable ears sticking out.

"Hello?" he called out as he walked in, looking at all the herbs, pots and potions of science… and a weird bunny mask I remembered in a creepy video game. "Hello."

Hello.I greeted from my perch sarcastically since I knew he could understand me. Welcome to Gaius's Herbs and drafts I am his secretary Ms. White Falcon how may I help you?

"Hey." He said looking at me in confusion and yet wonderment. "You wouldn't happen to be the same bird I saw in the woods would you?"

I do not know was it almost pure white and eating a hare for lunch?I chirp at him, staring at him with a tilt of my head.

He walks closer to me, a bit wary but looks determined to get closer to me.

I decided to show off a bit and wave my wings gently as to not to scare him. When I stopped and settled down a bit, I looked at him, he was smiling at me as he was in arms reach of me.

"You are a beauty." He told me, looking me up and down.

I nearly puffed my feathers off, making him laugh as he reached out and stroked my breast.

Why sir! That is very forward of you after our third meeting!I thought saucily.

Once my feathers returned back in their place Merlin looks around and finally spots him.

"Gaius?" he calls out, still not getting a reaction Merlin clears his throat.

Gaius finally takes notice but suddenly trips and falls off the rail.

GAI- us?

He was suddenly on his bed, which had been in fact on the other side of the room. I left my perch and landed on one of the bed posts yelling at him for scaring me like that.

"Yes yes Lady Falcon I am fine." He told me waving his arms. "But there are more important matters to discuss!"

More important than your life? I think not!

"What did you just do?" Gaius asked, more like demanded as he got off his bed and walked towards Merlin.

"Umm." Merlin muttered looking all over the floor as he tried to think of something.

"Tell me!" Gaius ordered.

"I ah huh uh I have no idea what happened." Merlin lied.

"If anyone has seen that-"

"Er uh No that, that was, that was nothing do to with me." Merlin stuttered. "That was-"

"I know what it was!" Gaius interrupted. "I just want to know where you learned how to do it!"

"No, I-"

"So how is it you know magic?" Gaius asked.

"I don't!" Merlin replied.

Feeling rather left out I flew over and perched onto Merlin's backpack, making the both of them pause as I chirped a bit, settling down on it.

"Where did you study?" Gaius continued to ask.

Hey, would you give the guy a break he thinks his head is going the next one rolling in the square!

Merlin was silent and I had a feeling he was biting his lip, but I wasn't paying too much attention, not when I can smell something edible.

"Answer me!" Gaius shouted.

Poor Merlin began stuttering. "I never studied magic o- or been taught!"

"Are you lying to me boy?" Gaius almost growled.

"What do you want me to say?" Merlin asked slight frustrated.

That you love me?

"The truth!" Gaius replied.

Eh, close enough.

"I was born like this." He told Gaius, truthfully.

"That's impossible!" Gaius scoffed.

I almost fell off the bag in exasperation, I gave a demanding shrieking, making Merlin jump and wince at the same time as I walked onto Merlin's shoulder, grasping it in my talons.

Gaius raised an eyebrow at me. "You have never acted like this before Lady."

"Lady, sir?" Merlin inquired, looking slightly confused but started grinning when I began to nuzzle his cheek.

Gaius looked back at Merlin. "Who are you?"

Another silence between the three of before I gave a chirp right next to Merlin's ear and startled back into talking again.

"Oh uh, I have this letter." He said taking off his backpack and making me balance on his shoulder making him hiss in pain.

"Come on!" he said trying to shoo me off his shoulder but I wouldn't have any of it.

Gaius watched us in slight annoyance but a hint of amusement. "There is no use getting her off boy."

"Right." Merlin muttered as he lifted his pack forward and took out a letter and giving it to Gaius.

Gaius looked at it and sighed. "I don't have my reading glasses."

Merlin looked annoyed. "I'm Merlin."

Gaius's eyes widen in realization. "Hunith's son!"

"Yes!" Merlin said excitedly.

"But you are not meant to be here till Wednesday." Gaius told him, waving the letter at him.

And let the awkward moment commenced.

"… It is Wednesday." Merlin notified him.

"… Ah." Gaius said in a 'oops' tone. "Right then, you better put your pack in there and leave Lady Falcon out here."

Merlin picked up his pack and was half way across the room when he turned back to Gaius, I on the other hand flew off and headed back to my perch and sort of froze when I saw Gaius staring at me.

Uh oh.

Merlin distracted him. "You, you won't say anything of the umm.."

"No." Gaius assured Merlin looking back at the railing and the bed.

Merlin nodded with a sigh of relief before heading into the room, only to stop when Gaius called out.

"Although Merlin." He spoke up. "I should say thank you."

And with a smile Merlin left.

Gaius turned over to me once more and raised an eyebrow. "Never in all your years did I ever seen you get so close with a stranger, what makes him so different from a prince? Hmm?"

I chirped at him before gliding over to the bed and once again landing on the bed post. Gaius looked from the bed to the railing then the room Merlin was staying in then finally to the letter in his hand.

"Ah." He said with a smile. "Oh! And I just remembered I put the book right here."

He walked over to one of his desk, when he turned to look at me I gave him such a look.

He actually looked embarrassed. "I didn't think I would fall to my death!"

I gave a huff before flying over to the desk where we and the book were. Giving it as a sign, Gaius opened the book and turned a few pages before a picture of a falcon came.

"You are a gerfalcon, the largest of the falcons, and since you are female you are also stronger and bigger than the males. And also one that is often of the whites so you being a bit whiter is not unusual, however they do not have silver wings like you which I can only assume is a caused by the sorcerer experimenting." Gaius explained.

Oh yeah that.

Apparently someone – probably the arsehole who brought me here in the first place- gave me silver wings as to distract the enemies of the 'sorcerer' which I thought was stupid, it he –or she- had enough powers to take me from another realm, force the falcon form on me yet keep my human conscious AND give me silver wings I think they would be able to make a better distraction.

Gaius gave me a smile before turning to the other desk that the letter Merlin gave him was on. I gave a chirp before setting off towards Merlin's room which was thankfully not closed. He was at the window looking over the city of Camelot and the full moon.

He turned around at the sound of my wings and found me on his pack once more. He gave me a smile and walked towards me, only to stop. He looked shocked and blinked a couple of times before rubbing his eyes and looked at me again.

I tilt my head at him, gave him a chirp.

"I must be tired." He muttered to himself.

He shook his head and walked up to the bed, sitting down beside me as I tried to open the pack with my talons and beak.

He watched me for a couple of minutes before taking his pack from me, making me almost fall off it. I gave him a cry of indigence but became quiet as he opened his pack and began taking a few things out.

"I think I know what you are after." He mumbled to me in amusement.

If it has anything to do with that left over sandwich then yes my dear Merlin it is.

Low and behold it is the left over sandwich, I made my way over to him, chirping at him as he took a piece and handed it over to me as he took a bite of the sandwich. After we had the rest of his sandwich he changed into his nightwear and went to sleep and I nestled down on the bed beside him.

Oh if only I could become human again! This is going to be a day to remember.