Here's an update for you audiences. This week had been a hectic. So much tests and quizzes and I did horrible on them... :'( But... I managed to squeeze time to write this which was today and yesterday (Friday). Anyways...

Merlin is about 17? I'm not exactly sure. If Merlin is about 17 than Arthur is 19 right now. Does someone know their exact age? If you guys do, please tell me.

Also, any suggestions, critiques, or you absolutely HATE the story... than... tell me. Harharhar...

I kind of like this chapter. A lot of emotion coming from Merlin. It's still night time. The next chapter will start the next day. I'll probably update next week or so.

Thank you for reading this. :)

Chapter 6

A new world. A new adventure. A new life. His heart was thumping so loudly. Merlin was afraid that his companions could hear it. So far, the dungeon had been dull and had been almost like the caves. No light. No life. Nothing. Not even a breeze.

Merlin wondered if outside was like the books he read: bright, adventurous, and full of light. Oh, he was excited but scared. There was so many questions in his mind at this exact moment.

He stared at his companions. They were both beautiful but he didn't know if they were considered beautiful or average.

He looked back at the way they came from. The cave entrance was getting smaller and smaller as they walked away. The dungeons were dark but, who was it? Ah, yes, Gwen. She was holding a torch. Merlin wondered if she knew that he could only snap his fingers and light would fill the room. He decided against doing it. They didn't look very comfortable about it, especially Gwen. Morgana had looked gleeful and slightly mischievous.

Hmm... would Kilgarrah be extremely mad? Would Gaius? The warlock hoped that they understood him. After all, Kilgarrah spent a large amount of time outside and Gaius is living there now. He hadn't been. He deserved it.

Merlin turned his attention back to his walking feet. The path was rough and Merlin was glad that he hadn't left alone. Left, right, right, another left, forward, left, forward, up the stairs...

"We're almost there. We have to sneak past the guards. Won't be hard. They usually are playing games at night."

"Games? What kind of games?" Merlin asked, curious.

Morgana looked back at Merlin, "Gambling."

Merlin pondered what gambling was but didn't ask. Looking over at the girls, "What is it like?"

"What?" Morgana asked.

"Outside, the sun, the grass, the people, everything!" Merlin asked excited.

Morgana frowned, "It...well... the sun is very bright. During the summer, it is hot. During the winter, it is cold. Seasons... change."

"Oh," Merlin answered disappointed.

"It's beautiful." Merlin looked at Gwen, who had spoken. Her face cast shadows from the torch but was illuminated by the light. She gazed forward, her eyes softening as she spoke. "Everything is beautiful. When I wake up, the sun light shine through the window and I can hear chirping from the birds and talking from the people. The town is very lively. There are people working. People laughing. When I go out to work, I hear, 'hello!' 'Good morning' 'You look very lovely!' They're all so kind. They don't judge me when I wear worn out dresses or stumble on my words. Everyone lives their own life while caring for their neighbors. The people of Camelot are caring people. I am proud to be one of them."

Morgana looked at Gwen, surprised. Morgana had never experience the town like Gwen had. She went outside from time to time to buy jewelry or clothing in the market, but other than that, she stayed inside the castle. Being Uther's adopted daughter, she was protected and wasn't allowed to travel very much. She did have enough freedom to walk outside the castle and watch the men sword fight or the children playing. Hearing the town from Gwen's point of view sounded wonderful.

Merlin smiled and sighed happily, "What about the fields?"

"There aren't any meadows in the town but outside the walls is a vast field and a forest near. I've only been out to collect herbs or flowers."

"Flowers. Do you think I could see flowers?" Merlin asked.

Gwen nodded, "Of course. We'll be able to go out to the meadow."

"Shh," Morgana hushed. She pointed toward and Merlin could see two men wearing armors (as he had learned from Gaius) shouting at each other. Merlin's eyes widened as one of them slammed pieces of cards on the table. He yelled at the other guard that he had cheated and the guard that was yelled at, yelled back saying he didn't. Gwen put out her torch. It was easy to get past them. They were too occupied in their game.

When they arrived at the exit, Merlin stopped. The girls motioned him to come but Merlin stood still as rock, too shocked by the reality. Did he want to go out? Yes, he did... but why is he... stopping? Morgana grabbed Merlin and dragged him away. A guard, who had heard a small noise, had come to investigate. Not finding anything, he went away.

Merlin stared as the guard walked away and back to the dungeons. He could cry. Yes, happy tears. He could laugh but Merlin didn't. His mouth was frozen. His mouth wasn't smiling. Wasn't he happy? Yes... he was. Extremely happy but stunned. The escaped warlock whispered, "I'm... free. Free." Free? An unfamiliar word. What is it to be... free? Is it this feeling? Something was pounding inside his heart, tickling his stomach, scratching his lungs. He gasped and smiled.

Morgana touched his shoulder gently, "Are you all right?"

"You spaced out," said Gwen.

"I'm fine," Merlin turned to his companions. He could feel a tear forming in the corner of his eyes. Out... out of the darkness. That darned caves. Now, light, food, people... "I'm... fine." Oh, he wanted to scream out loud. Laugh at Uther! Yes, laugh! Laugh at the stupid king who banished him to the darkness. Oh, how he wished to tease the king that he had escaped. If Uther thought that Merlin wouldn't leave, then the king was WRONG! Ha ha... ha. Ha... Laugher. Please, world... laugh. Smile at him. Rejoice with him. And of course, be happy for him.

The Lady and her servant didn't look like they believed Merlin but didn't question it. They walked down the hall. There were few windows but it was too dark to see anything specific. Merlin stood outside a window. The sky... he breathed and coughed. The air was chilly and so... pure. He wasn't used to it. Heck, he wasn't used to anything. The night sky was brighter than he thought. Squinting his eyes, Merlin stared a bright silver circle in the sky. "Is that... the moon?"

"Yes."

"What is that around it?"

"Stars."

"Amazing..." he was breathless. It was more beautiful than he imagined it. Merlin reached out his hand as if to touch the moon. His hand became paler as the moon light hit his hand. Merlin whispered, "Hello, Lord Moon. It's nice to finally see you." The stars blinked at him, smiling down at him.

Morgana urgently said, "We have to go. I can hear someone coming."

Merlin bit his lips. He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay right here, looking at the moon and the stars, breathing the fresh air. But... they were his saviors so he nodded and followed them.

They reached a room. Merlin stared incredulously. So many things. A big gorgeous bad, cabinets, jewelry, mirrors. Mirrors? Hm... A mirror. He walked to it and stared. There was boy. Definitely male. He had short sloppily cut dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a noticeable cheek bone. He raised a hand to his face. Is this really him? He stuck a tongue out and gasped as the strange figure on the mirror stuck his tongue out too. Merlin looked back at Morgana and back at him. He was so... pale. So awkward looking. Merlin blanched, "I look like a vampire." He had read about vampires in Gaius's book. He looked like a vampire since he was so... pale.

Morgana laughed nervously, "No... no... you don't look like you drink blood, Merlin. You look like you don't eat anything at all, like a corpse." She gasped, "Oh, dear, I didn't mean it like that."

Merlin chuckled, "It's fine. I think I look dead too."

"I'm sure that sunlight will be best for you."

"Merlin!" Gwen said, "Look!"

Merlin looked and saw that Gwen had opened a window. Oh, yes. He had forgotten about the night sky. So beautiful. For a while, he stared, entranced by the beauty.

Yawn

Gwen and Morgana giggled while Merlin blushed. "I'm sleepy."

"Speaking of sleeping, where will Merlin sleep?" Gwen asked.

"He can stay in my room."

"But, my lady!" Gwen protested, "Even though he probably never seen a woman before, he is still a man."

Morgana sighed, "All right. Send him to the unused room down the hall. That way, I'll be able to keep track of him."

Gwen smiled, "Yes, my lady." She said to Merlin, "Come. We're going to your room."

"My... room?"

Gwen nodded, "For now. It isn't right to stay in a woman's room. Especially a lady's."

Merlin didn't question. He had the general idea. "Thank you, Gwen," he said with a bright smile. To Morgana, "Thank you. I would have could have gotten the courage to walk out without your help. Thank you so much."

The lady grinned, "My pleasure. Have a good night sleep, Merlin." She tilted her head, "After all, we have a busy day tomorrow."

Merlin followed Gwen out the door and into another room. It was smaller than Morgana's but Merlin was grateful nonetheless. There was a small gray bed in the corner and a window next to it. He quickly hurried to it and opened the window. Again, the fresh air greeted him. The stars twinkled at him, overjoyed to see him again.

"Good night, Merlin."

"Good night, Gwen." Merlin stared at Gwen, "I'll see you again tomorrow, right?"

"Of course, Merlin," answered Gwen. "Don't stay up so long and try not to make any sounds. We wouldn't want anyone to hear you." Merlin nodded and she left closing the door silently behind her.

With his head back to the stars, Merlin closed his eyes. Yes, freedom. It was the feeling of the fresh breeze breathing on his face. The rays of the moon shining on his hand. The joyful tears forming in his eyes. The silent bursting laugher coming from his chest. He decided that he liked this feeling.

"I'm sorry, Kilgarrah. I don't care about Uther. I actually don't care much about dying. I already look like a corpse," Merlin sighed. With a determined look, he said, "I have made my decision. I'm going to stay."

Wasn't that short and weird? (and a bit plotless |whatever that means| and cheesy?) I thought so too...

Reviews are embraced with joy and tears!