A/N: I've kind of lost my emotional connection to this show recently (on purpose) , but I will still make chapters for fun. Hope you all enjoy.
Let me know how you like or dislike this.
Materialized Memories
Where the hell am I going to live?
It was nighttime. After the execution, Merlin had decided to get away from the castle. The emotional shock was too much; he needed to get away for the night.
He trudged through the long grasses. The moon caught his eye; it watched him intently, as if it knew he didn't belong.
A treehouse. I treehouse could work. It would have to be high up, so that patrols won't notice it.
He came to the clearing where Kilgharrah used to talk to him—
Wait! I forgot, the blasted dragon is alive right now—and in the dungeons under the castle!
The warlock shook his head. It was too much. He would figure it out later. Right now he needed to get his head on straight.
He saw a large tree on his right at the edge of the clearing.
Perfect.
With magic, he scaled the tree, which rose over forty meters. When he reached the top, the view of Camelot was astonishing.
Before he knew it, tears filled his eyes again.
I'm 400 years old, he thought. By now, I should be able to control myself.
But his heart did not listen; it throbbed with an emotion he could not explain.
† † †
He used wood from fallen trees to build the floor, walls, and roof. He kept large spaces in the walls and ceiling so that the wind would blow through.
He built a small fireplace and lit a magical fire that would burn out. In the end, the structure was about five meters high and ten wide. He fortified the wood with magic, giving it a strength far greater than iron.
I can't see why that will be necessary, but better safe than sorry, he thought, starting to cast another spell to rid insects from the wood.
It took only a quarter of an hour until he was done; he fashioned a hammock from vines—which was surprisingly comfortable—and relaxed by the fire.
Slowly, he drifted off the sleep.
† † †
The next morning, Merlin rose early.
Immediately, he thought of young-Merlin's first morning in Camelot.
Ah yes, the fight with Arthur. He couldn't resist. He had to see it.
The castle's market was bustling, so Merlin wore a dark cloak with a hood and stood on the edge, waiting for young-Merlin to appear.
A few minutes later, a gangly boy arrived—
Damn, I looked stupid.
—and started to banter with Arthur. As the fight began, Merlin moved around to get a better view, cringing when Arthur almost took his head off.
† † †
Later, Merlin slowly made his way to the stocks, where vicious children threw chunks of food at young-Merlin. He started when he saw Gwen approach.
I forgot about this! This is where I met Gwen.
Gwen kindly made conversation with young-Merlin as Merlin watched from afar, a smile on his face.
He noticed the look on Gwen's face as she left him—
Did she have a crush on me?! He thought to himself, chuckling quietly.
† † †
Late that night, he decided to have a look around the castle. Avoiding the guards as he had done on numerous occasions, Merlin explored the halls, feeling waves of nostalgia wash through him.
And then—
He found himself at Arthur's door. He approached cautiously, not completely knowing what he was doing. Suddenly, with a rush of impulse he knocked.
"What the hell do you want?"
The impertinent shout caused Merlin to chuckle.
The door was flung open. "Who the hell are you?" Arthur demanded.
"Er…" said Merlin, "I'm...Emrys." It was the first non-Merlin name he could think of.
Arthur squinted, studying him. "You sound familiar," he said, "lower your hood."
Merlin tensed. "I can't do that," he said, knowing he could be recognized even with his beard and slightly more matured appearance.
Arthur looked suspicious. "Then either get out or I'll call the guards to arrest you."
Merlin nodded and strode away, his head buzzing.
† † †
I've just met Arthur. I've just met Arthur.
He stood alone on one of Camelot's towers. The air was freezing; it bit at any exposed skin.
The courtyard below him was almost completely empty apart from a few guards.
It was late; the night was dark.
Suddenly, he heard a faint scream. It came from inside the castle—
Morgana.
He instantly climbed down onto the wall and made his way to her room with magic.
Morgana's room was quite far; even with magic supporting his handholds, Merlin was exhausted when he got to her window.
He looked inside, prepared for the worst….
She sat up on her bed, alone. Small rays of moonlight reflected off the tears running down her cheeks.
She's okay. She had a nightmare. Of course.
But in the look in her eyes was not okay. It was wild, confused, and alone.
He wanted more than anything to go in, to comfort her, to tell her she wasn't alone. But he couldn't. She didn't know him yet.
He couldn't help her, not yet. Young-Merlin would have to bumble into her life first. He would have to be patient.
But he waited there for hours until she fell asleep again.
Do any of you ever wish you had a Merlin/Morgana in your life? :P