"Parents give their children two things; one is roots, the other wings"
Things were… awkward.
One of Arthur's childhood friends was visiting, trying to befriend Merlin. "Trying" being the operative word. The conversation was awkward and forced for everyone involved.
"So… have you always lived in Camelot?"
Merlin's eyes lit up as he thought of home. "No. I'm from a tiny village. Ealdor?"
The young lord shook his head. "Never heard of it."
Merlin laughed. "Course you haven't."
"Must be a nice place, though. People tend to turn out like the place they call home."
Merlin nodded, but he wanted to say being from Ealdor didn't make it home. His mother did.
