SereneMayhem : They really should. :D Thanks!
CaptainOzone : Lol, Oz! I had so much fun writing it and you absolutely touched on everything I loved about it. ;)
Katerina Riley: They are. I wonder how cute was Colin as a kid...he must've been adorable.
AFellowMerlinFan: YES IT WOULD! :D Thanks! He's one of my favorites too.
RavenclawMerlinFan : Lol, you are very welcome. ^^
MamzelleHermy: Thanks! *hugs* and c'mon Merlin is the cleverest on the show, clearly. ;) (Perhaps except for Gwen.)
and then to Guest, it will be up soon enough! ^^
Title: Turning Pages.
Summary: A ficlet miscellany inspired by random music/desserts/quotes/movies or thoughts. No slash.
Inspiration: Song Challenge, 'Iris' by Goo goo Dolls.
A/N: Had to post it. :D Don't worry, the second part of kid Merlin will be here soon. ;)
Oh, sweet bromance!
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
- 'Iris' by Goo goo Dolls.
Stronghold.
It wasn't the near defeat what saddened him.
It was the loss of his youngest knights, sent to fight a battle in the name of their King, never to return. And even if Arthur hardly made it through the fruitless search for survivors he had maintained the stony façade that his kingship required and that his people so desperately needed because, no matter what he felt as he wrote to the families of the ones lost, he could not show any weakness.
So he shook Vortigern's strong hand as the old king wished for a quick peace and congratulated Arthur on his hollow victory. He laughed and smiled with those who remained but yet the shadow of misery did not dissipate from his face. Queen Annis, tired and weary on her own, had come and tried to lift his spirits but she left with the frown of one who had been defeated. The terrible deaths were fixated on Arthur's heart and not even the Queen's wise words could penetrate the silent barrier of indifference he'd created.
He declined the banquet.
Because he did not deserve any of the claps upon his weary shoulders, nor all those words of praise. What kind of King would let mere boys die at the hands of cowards for the sake of victory?
When the flutter of the royal tent and quiet -but never hesitant-steps announced hispresence behind him the High King of Albion did not turn around. It wasn't until a soft, lean hand found his shoulder that he allowed his body to relax, ever so slightly, and closed his eyes.
Neither of them said anything. King Arthur would've been a statue carved in stone. And Merlin, kneeling beside his King, searched with his eyes that somber face whose misery became his own.
"It is my fault." said the High King after a while. "I sent them all to their death."
He needn't say more because one glance at Merlin's soulful eyes told him his friend understood. And it was then when the High King felt the tears he'd held back throughout the day descend down his cheeks and drip on his soft beard, breaking the stronghold that he'd built as the man beside him squeezed his shoulder and, with that silent and yet heartfelt way of his, conveyed everything that lay unspoken but that shone in his clear blue eyes.
Merlin said nothing- he didn't need to- as his King turned around and cried silently into his bony shoulder. Yet this was not the fabled King of Albion (for that man remained silent and stone-faced as a king should be), but Arthur Pendragon, the man who was Emrys' soul-brother and who'd watched as his youngest knights were massacred.
The next day they would once again be The Emrys and the High King, unmovable, unyielding. But until the sun came up and the first rays of light brought with them the shrill sound of battle Arthur let his heart tremble and weep for those he could not save.
Because Merlin- and only he- had come to understand that such costly victories, even if they were necessary so that Albion could remain united, weighed heavily on Arthur's soul.
Let's go dive into kid Merlin fluff, shall we? :D