( I promised you a song at the beginning of every chapter, I'll try to vary genres as much as I can. Enjoy the chapter! )
The Waltz: One Republic
"Rise and shine. It's a terrible day out, go make it better."
Merlin yawned widely and stretched in the tiny bed, his black hair ruffled, his white bed shirt crumpled. He groaned. "What time is it?"
"Does it matter? Your new life starts now, boy, and if you don't get up, you'll find it'll end before it's really begun."
The boy groaned again, but complied, pulling himself off the bed and getting dressed as Gaius fixed breakfast. When he at last fastened his bright red neckerchief round his throat, Merlin made his way down the stairs and towards what he now knew was the dining table. Gaius looked him up and down, eyeing his outfit critically.
"What?" Merlin asked, following his gaze and looking down at himself, before continuing in a near panicked voice. "Don't tell me I have to dress like that Michael guy."
"Martin," Gaius amended. "And no, what you're wearing will have to do. But chances are that if the professors think you have promise and you're officially welcomed to the court, you'll have to dress in finer clothes."
"But I can't afford anything else. I have no money—"
"The King gives his wards monthly payments for necessities, housing, clothes, and food, but since you're working for me you have both food and housing covered, and you can save the rest for other things."
Merlin nodded in understanding, and the two continued their meal in silence. When they were finished, it was Gaius who broke the quiet. "You are to meet the other wards and your professors now. You'll need to go to the library."
"How do I get there?"
"Just walk and ask around. It'll help you get to know people."
"Thank you." Merlin pulled on his jacket and began to walk towards the door when he felt Gaius's hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Here." Gaius brushed the boy's hair back, fixing it as best he could. "Remind me to give you a haircut when you get back. Now off you go."
When the door closed behind him, Merlin walked confidently down the hall before stopping and seeing two passages. Suddenly, the warlock realized his predicament—he had absolutely no idea where he was going. "Find someone and ask. Get to the library," Merlin muttered to himself under his breath. Inhaling in preparation, the boy chose right and began to blindly make his way through that labyrinth of a castle.
Turning a corner, Merlin finally caught sight of long purple skirts-somebody who might now their way around "Hey!" Calling out, he jogged towards the figure at the end of the corridor. "Hello!"
The figure turned around just as Merlin reached her, and he stopped dead. She was beautiful, with smooth copper skin and long, dark, curly tresses. "Sorry," he fumbled, trying to reorganize his thoughts. "I'm hopelessly lost."
"And I'm not, "she replied with a smile. "Where do you need to be?"
"The library."
The beautiful girl smiled again. "That's where I'm headed now. Are you a new student?"
"Yes. My name is…" Stopping, he tried remember it "…Merlin," he said confidently, proud at having remembered—but he blushed when he realized what a fool he must look.
"Gwenivere Leodogrance, but most people call me Gwen. It's a pleasure meeting you, Merlin."
"Likewise," he replied in awe. "You're the Princess."
"That's what happens when you're the King's daughter," Gwen teased. "Now come on, we can't let you be late for your first day of classes."
Together, they made their way down the hallways, and pretty soon the pair was laughing after realizing that they had quite a bit in common. Every now and then, Gwen would point out a landmark and Merlin would tuck it in his mind to help him remember his way around the vast citadel.
"Here we are," she said finally, as they reached large, tall doors, guards opening them at the sight of the Princess. "The royal library."
Merlin's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Reaching from the richly carpeted floors to the lofty painted ceilings, shelves carried thousands upon thousands of books. Thick volumes to thin volumes, their multitude was unrivaled in all the seven kingdoms. Gargantuan ladders attached to small wheels carried students and scholars alike to the texts of their choice. Merlin's ears filled with the sound of excited talk and the rustling of paper, the sound of ladders rolling across to different shelves. Across from the great doors at the entrance was a wall made of nothing but glass. The polished window gave those inside a view of the whole kingdom, from the seas to the great mountains, from the great wide open fields to the vast forests, from the borders of Cenred's kingdom to the borders of Uther's.
Gwen leaned over. "I know. It's my favorite part of the castle-other than the roof."
Merlin nodded in agreement, his blue eyes still struggling to take in all that he could of the stunning view. But Gwen would have none of it and took him by the elbow, dragging him towards the end of the room where there was a large mahogany desk, behind of which sat three finely robed men looking over the individuals in the incredible space.
"Those are the head scholars; they watch over us, assign our teachers, and work. They'll tell you what to do. Now come on, close your mouth, you don't want them to see a bug fly in there—you look enough of a fool already."
"Sure, yeah….hey!" Merlin said, finally snapping out of whatever spell the room had cast on him. Gwen just giggled.
"Go, I need to get to work."
Watching her as she left, Merlin shook his head in amazement at the girl who had led him here. But apprehension soon overtook him as he looked towards the masters of the hall, and he swallowed as he slowly walked over.
"Umm…hello…My name is Merlin…" The boy choked out as he reached them, and their eyes turned to him, eyebrows narrowing in unison.
A tall man with black hair and frighteningly-pale skin spoke first in a deep voice. "Ahhhh, Mr. Merlin, the farm boy. Our new…celebrity."
"Sorry, sir, I don't understand—"
"Yes. I don't suppose you do."
"Enough." The man seated next to him spoke. His hair was light brown, and he wore a simple brown tunic, nothing in comparison to the two men seated beside him. But that wasn't at all his most notable feature, because the left side of his face was terribly disfigured; however, that didn't dull the twinkle of kindness in his eyes. "This is probably a lot to take in. How are you finding the palace, Merlin? I hope you are beginning to like it here."
"I've not been here long, but I like it so far," Merlin replied, his eyes still on the dark-haired man.
"My name is Edwin. And I, for one, would like to welcome you here, because some clearly have forgotten that you are still a guest here, and so deserve the utmost hospitality." His eyes flashed towards the dark-haired man, who merely sneered. "This is Surevres." Edwin gestured to the sneering man. "And this is Phillip." The old man at his right nodded his head in greeting. "Now, Merlin, if you could follow me, please."
Edwin rose to his feet and began walking up stairs near the desks, Merlin following, and the other two scholars walking right after the boy. The staircase was made of black iron and spiraled up to a door embedded in the shelves. Through the doorway and the following stone hallways, the three men and boy made their way to an impossibly large room, devoid of anything but the gray stones it was made of.
"This, Merlin, is our training area. We generally fill it with weapons for our knights to practice with, but the only weapon you need is inside you, isn't it?"
"My magic?" Merlin asked in surprise at his gift being referred to as a weapon.
"Well, of course your magic, boy, why else would you be here?" Surevres snapped with a sneer—a facial expression that Merlin was coming to believe to be the only one the man could manage.
"Yes, Merlin, your magic. Now, what do you know about the subject?" Edwin asked softly, ignoring Sureves's remark.
"Nothing really, it just…comes to me."
"Do you know any spells?"
"No."
"Potions?"
"No."
"Creatures?"
"No."
"Do you know anything, boy?" Surevres interjected sharply.
"I'm sorry, sir, I know nothing of magic- only that I was born with it."
"A warlock," Phillip breathed, the old man finally speaking.
"Yes. That's what my mother called me," Merlin said apprehensively, doing his best not to back away when the old man approached him, coming uncomfortably close as he studied the dark haired boy.
"We three are the only in the court capable of harnessing the powers of the Old Religion, so we'll be your teachers, "Edwin said softly, trying to put the boy at ease.
"And it seems like we have a lot to do," Surevres muttered.
Edwin shot him another look. "Now, Merlin, we are going to see what you're capable of. We are going to practice a few basic spells, just to get a gist of how easily the incantations will work with you. Can you do that for me?"
"Yeah." His stomach filling with butterflies, Merlin swallowed his fear and squared his shoulders.
"Repeat after me. Forbearnen." Edwin held out his hand, and from his finger leapt a small ball of flame. "Say it strongly, and try to focus all your strength and power into it."
Merlin nodded and held out his hand, concentrating on the palm of his hand. "Forbearnen." His eyes glowed gold and flame leapt out of his hand, the blast sending his new teachers to the other side of the room.
"Sorry!" Merlin closed his palm and the fire was gone.
"No, no, Merlin. That was good, very good." Edwin brushed himself off, helping Phillip to his feet, his blue eyes wide.
"Good!? The boy has absolutely no restraint," Surevres snapped as he brushed off his own black robes, attempting to slick back his greasy shoulder length black hair.
"Well, of course. He hasn't been trained. " Phillip walked towards Merlin. "Son, could you do that again, but not concentrate as much?"
Nodding again, Merlin-still shocked at the fire that had just shot from him mere moments ago-opened up his palm again, whispering the incantation under his breath.
A small ball of flame leapt up, and Merlin stepped back in surprise, wincing slightly as he expected the fire to burn him. But it didn't. It just was soft in his palm, warm and slightly ticklish. The warlock looked at it in wonder.
"Wonderful, "Phillip breathed. "Absolutely splendid."
Merlin looked up at him, to Edwin, to Surevres, then back down at the lick of flame he had conjured with only a breath.
"Yes, Merlin. I think…I think that'll be all for today, "Edwin said softly and Merlin closed his palm, dismissing the fire. "Here." The scholar left the room for a moment, and returned with three thick volumes. "Read and practice with the blue one, you can study the green if you choose, but don't open the red until we are with you."
Merlin nodded, accepting the heavy books, looking at his teachers and waiting.
Surevres's thick eyebrows narrowed. "That means you're dismissed boy."
"Oh, sorry." Merlin walked quickly out the room, but as he reached the doorway, Edwin's voice stopped him.
"Merlin. You're going to need this to read the books." The scholar handed him a small slip of paper, on which were runes and their Latin equivalents. "Good luck. Practice. If you need any help, just ask Gaius."
"Gaius?"
"Yes. Gaius used to study the Old Religion, "Edwin replied.
"Why used to? Did he stop?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I think that is up for him to tell you." The scholar winked, a motion that Merlin found disturbing when coupled with his disfigured features. "Now off you go."
Merlin looked at the three one last time before finally walking out the door and down the stairs, joining the other pupils in the vast library.
Edwin, Philllip, and Surevres watched him as he disappeared in the crowd.
"Well?" Edwin broke the silence as he looked at his companions. "What do you think of him?"
"He's powerful, more so than I anticipated," Phillip replied. "He's spectacular—"
"Are you both blind?" Surevres snapped. "The boy is dangerous. To teach him would be to the seal the demise of the kingdom."
"Or it's salvation."
"You think that, Phillip? You saw what he could do. With power comes corruption, and it'll only be a matter of time before his power is even greater than ours, and no one will be his equal."
"Why do you hate him so much, Surevres?" Phillip asked. "The boy has not yet given you a reason to dislike him."
"What does it matter what he does? What matters is what he's capable of. I say we stop this nonsense and forget about the boy before his magic becomes more than innocent."
"So much raw power, "Edwin murmured, and the two stopped, finally quiet. "So much raw power in such a young person. Surevres, whatever you might say, the boy cannot be ignored. If we do not train him, than someone else will, and they might have ill intentions."
"Then, Edwin, you know what we must do—"
"Kill him?" Phillip cried. "I'm appalled at you, Surevres. I never thought that your jealousy could go so far—"
"Jealousy? How dare you make such an accusation, you feeble-minded old buffoon—"
"Then what other reason have you for hating him—"
"I have nothing but the needs of the kingdom in mind—"
"ENOUGH!" The two stopped, still glaring at each other. "Enough bickering, the both of you. This doesn't help us." Edwin turned to Surevres. "We won't be killing anyone, and that leaves us with no other option. We will teach the boy, and we will treat him like one of our own. Is that understood?" he asked, fixing Surevres with a look.
"Edwin—"
"No. The boy has done nothing wrong, and so does not deserve your anger. We will watch him, teach him, and guide him—"
"Edwin, I implore you to see reason." Surevres walked towards him. "You heard the prophesy. You heard what Kilgarrah said."
"Yes. That the boy is and will be the most powerful to ever live, and that when the crimson moon falls into eclipse with the sun, the boy will make a decision that will either destroy or save the seven kingdoms."
Surevres nodded. "But still you seek to teach him. Can't you see the folly?"
"But you forget, my friend, that Kilgarrah also said the boy is Emrys, the one destined to bring forth the land of Albion, to bring magic back to the seven kingdoms—"
"You know as well as I, Edwin, that could either be light or dark."
"Yes, that is why we must guide him to the light, so that when the time comes for him to make the choice, he'll choose salvation instead of destruction."
"Wouldn't it be better just to be rid of him?"
"Surevres, you know that the prophesies cannot be avoided. They will come to pass. Merlin will have to make that decision when the crimson moon eclipses, no matter what happens in the time before it."
"Edwin, the moon eclipses in four years. We don't have enough time—"
"Then we'd best stop wasting it," Edwin snapped. "And that is the end of it, Surevres. I have made my decision. The boy will learn, he will live here, and he will be treated with the respect he deserves."
"Fine, but you will regret this." With that, Surevres was gone.
Phillip sighed and put a comforting hand on Edwin's shoulder. "You did the right thing."
"I hope so." Edwin walked to the doorway and looked down at the students, finding Merlin's disheveled black hair seated at a table with the princess. "Do you think he'll be ready?"
"Only time will tell."
"Merlin!" Gwen smiled as the young man approached her. She was seated at one of the great tables in the library—alone.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
"Of course not!" Gwen moved her books to the side to give him room to set his things. "Sorry, I have a lot of materials…"
"What are you studying?" He asked as he took his seat.
"The law of Glendale. It's what's expected of the heir to the throne. It's probably the dullest material on Earth, but it's what I have to do. My professor would kill me if I didn't do my homework-but enough about me. Tell me, how was your session? I saw the scholars disappearing with you to the training area."
"Yeah. They're my teachers."
"The heads are your teachers?" she asked in surprise. "What did they say? What did you do?"
"Nothing really. I was so overwhelmed the whole time that I probably looked like an idiot." Seeing that he had not sated Gwen's curiosity, he continued, elaborating more. "They tested the strength of my magic by asking me to practice a spell. I did well—I think. It was terrifying, " Merlin admitted, and the princess laughed.
"I'll bet."
"By the way, what's up with that Surevres guy? He really didn't seem to like me…"
"Don't take is personally. He doesn't like anyone, but don't get on his wrong side and he won't be too vicious."
"I think it's too late for that. I guess I did something to annoy him, if only I knew what…"
Gwen gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well, then I guess you just have to get on his good side. What is it that they gave you to do?"
"I have to read and practice from the blue book," he said, looking down at the thick volume. Opening it, he froze.
"Merlin? What's wrong?" Gwen asked, leaning over to look at the book. "What is that?"
Merlin picked up the slip of paper Edwin gave him, and looked back down at the book. The thick volume was written in the runes, every last page. "I have to translate all of this?" he breathed.
Gwen stifled a laugh at his expression. "It appears so. You'd better get to work."
"This is going to take forever," he groaned, flipping the pages and seeing nothing but rune upon rune.
"I'll bet it will."
Merlin looked up at her, the two locked eyes, and after a moment's silence they burst into laughter.
"I am screwed," he gasped, struggling for breath.
"Yes, yes, you are." Gwen said, doing the same. "Now we have to be quiet; people are starting to look."
They looked at each other again, and were overcome again by another fit of laughter.
"What is so funny?" A stiff voice cured them and they looked up to see Martin looking down at them with narrowed eyes.
"Nothing, Martin. Merlin just told me a funny joke," Gwen replied, giving the garishly-dressed adult her best poker face.
"Did he now? Well, Princess, remind Mr. Merlin that this is a library in which we don't tell… jokes (saying the word as he would say 'mouldy haggis'). Is that understood?" he replied coldly, directing the last comment at the dark-haired newcomer.
"Crystally." Merlin watched Martin as he walked away, before turning back to Gwen. "Who is Martin anyways?"
"I guess you could say he's the head of the wards and the head butler. I don't think there is a real word for what he does. He's a pain in the ass, though."
"Gwen!" Merlin exclaimed, pulling a shocked face, hiding his smile. "I didn't think princesses used such common language."
The aforementioned snorted. "Well, you could say I'm not much of a princess. My father expects me to work just like everyone else, says it keeps me grounded and nice."
"It's working," Merlin said, then seeing the look on her face, he turned beet red and began to flounder. "I mean you aren't terrible to hang out with. You're actually the nicest person I've met here."
"That's because I'm one of the only people you've met here." Gwen giggled. "And thank you, you're not bad yourself—for a magical farmboy."
"Glad to please you, my Lady." Merlin gave her a cheeky smile and the two laughed again.
And so they stayed like that for the rest of the day, enjoying the pleasure of each other's company while dually mocking each other because of the dull work they had been assigned. When the library finally emptied and the sun set, the two lifted their books and left, Gwen leading Merlin to Gaius's chambers. When they reached the familiar doors, Merlin turned to the princess, a blush creeping up his pale cheekbones.
"You know, it's customary for a man to walk a woman to her door, not the other way around."
"Says the farmboy to the Princess," Gwen said, lifted her head up high to feign authority. "Who's got the power here?"
"You never know. Someday, I might become some powerful sorcerer, and I'll remind you of that comment when you come begging at my doorstop to help you with my awesome powers."
"That day is far off, Merlin, so I won't hold my breath," the Princess replied with a satisfied smile.
"Touché."
She giggled and brushed down her dress. "Tomorrow we don't have classes, just in case you're still unfamiliar with the schedule here. We have classes every other day; the additional day is for you to work. I'm guessing Gaius will have plenty for you to get done."
Merlin sighed. "Don't you ever catch a break here?"
"No—not unless there is something big planned and classes are canceled. They work us like mules, but that makes it all the sweeter when you finally graduate."
"It's not sweet now."
"No," Gwenivere laughed. "No, it's not."
"Well then," Merlin trailed off. "I'd better get inside. Who knows what Gaius has planned for me…Goodnight, Princess."
"Goodnight, magical farmboy."
Sorry, not much action, just a little drama and fluff. Next chapter will welcome the start of an adventure so stay tuned!
If you didn't notice, I updated the story cover. It was done by my lovely, perfect, brilliant, beta Merlyn Pyndragon. READ HER STUFF! IT IS BLOODY BRILLIANT ( I know, shamelessly promoting my friend, but what else am I going to do when such a brilliant writer has graced my story?)
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-ladywarlock