Merlin's Chosen

Rated: T

Arthur has slept in Avalon, the otherworldly place just beyond the reach of magic for all but Merlin and his chosen, recovering from the injuries sustained in the battle at Camlann. Years have passed and times have changed and Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry has taken it's place on the edge of the Lake of Avalon, unknown to modern witches and wizards. The world is in need of the Once and Future King to protect Albion again but to do that the immortal Merlin, the man that has learned to live backwards, must be there and he is nowhere to be found. It is now the job of Merlin's Chosen. Only, Harry Potter thinks he's going mental.

This is based on the mountains that are around the movie version of Hogwarts and the lake that Merlin takes Freya to in season 2 episode 9.

AN: There are some assumptions on how magic works in the Merlin Universe.

Chapter III

Harry turned over and burrowed deeper into the covers of his bed. He heard and felt a sneeze on his face and he opened his eyes to see a blurry black mass of fur that was his godfather.

"Thanks, Padfoot," he said, his speech muffled by the duvet. "I was going to shower but now I don't think I need one." The black dog whined and Harry sat up. He reached for his glasses just as Sirius transformed. "What time is it?"

"Early still."

Harry groaned and turned over. "Then why did you get me up?"

"To wish you a happy birthday. I wanted to be the first." Harry had almost forgotten it was his birthday with everything that had happened in the last 36 hours.

"So do you have anything planned for the day?"

Sirius pouted and fell into his chair with a huff. "I did and then ol' Voldemort had to go and kill the Ministers and take over the government so Dumbledore won't let us out of the house."

"Figures." Harry snorted and leaned up against the headboard. "They both always ruin my fun."

Sirius grinned. "'Course we could always create our own fun when the rest of the Weasley's arrive later today."

"For the surprise party I am not suppose to know about?"

Sirius eyed him for a moment and Harry knew he didn't know how to answer, yet his god-father knew they were caught. "How did you know?"

Harry smiled. "I didn't, but don't worry. I am surprised all the same." Harry stood and sat across from Sirius. "I am just glad that I get a birthday with you."

"Harry..." Sirius trailed off. They both knew they needed to have the conversation but didn't know where to start. "Harry, you don't need to say anything."

"But I do, Sirius. I do. If I hadn't been so impulsive, so reckless, you wouldn't have needed to go after me." Sirius tried to stop him from continuing. "No, Sirius! You almost died. You would have if Bellatrix wasn't hit by that boulder that threw off her aim."

"Harry," Sirius started and then paused. He seemed to be contemplating what he wanted to say and how to say it. "There is something I have learned that I wish I never had to. Life is short. I will admit that I was looking for a way to get out of this house and you gave me that reason. However, if I got a choice of how to go, it would be like your dad and mum, fighting. Fighting for you."

Merlin stood looking out the window of the highest tower. Looking out at the land he had come to call home for nearly a decade.

"Merlin?" He turned at the sound of Gwen's voice. "It's Gaius. He's asking for you."

"Thank you, Gwen." He shivered at a sudden cold breeze. He took one last look at the dull landscape of late autumn before turning and following his friend down the stairs. He paused at the door of the physician's quarters and touched the well worn wood of the door. He felt the eyes of his knighted friends as they stood watch over the door. He sighed and he heard Gwen stifle a sob before pushing the door open and entering the room alone. Near the roaring fire lay his mentor and father figure looking frail and pale.

Merlin gingerly took his hand and the elderly man woke from his light doze. "Merlin." His voice was weak and raspy. Merlin reached for a cup of water and helped Gaius take a sip. He choked a little and coughed to clear his throat. "Merlin." His voice was still weak but a little less raspy. "Not much time now."

Tears started to fill his eyes and Merlin wiped them away furiously. "Gaius..."

"None of that now, Merlin. I've lived a long life. I wouldn't ask for anything more."

"But I could save you," Merlin pleaded. "I could have healed you a long time ago if you had just let me."

"Then I would have been living on borrowed time and it wouldn't have been worth it. It is my time, Merlin, and I am at peace."

"Please, Giaus. You are the only one that knows my secret. I don't think I can do this without you!"

"You are stronger than you know, Merlin." Giaus took a shuddering breath. "You don't need me, an old man. The world needs the young now. Now more than ever."

"I can't just let you die!"

"You can and you will." There was nothing Merlin could do to disaude him and the pair sat in silence.

"Do you want me to get anyone else? Everyone is waiting outside," Merlin asked. Giaus nodded and Merlin stood and opened the door to let them in.

"We'll stay out here, Merlin," Gawain said. The other knights nodded. "We've said our goodbyes."

He nodded his thanks to the assembled knights as they stood guard and in vigil around the door. Tears were slowly and silently rolling down Gwen's face and Arthur's eyes were hard. The three took seats around the dying man's bed ready to wait out the night.

It wouldn't take that long.

... ... ... ...

Merlin paced and paced waiting for the King to return from supervising a training session, something he decided to do at least once a month in order to get out of the stuffy council rooms and to make sure the knights were being trained properly. Merlin was nervous. Really nervous. Because he was about to do something he promised Giaus.

It was nearly a week after his mentor's death and five days since his funeral and while the grief was fresh and would be for a long time to come Merlin had something that he needed to do before he exploded from trying to keep it in or did something really stupid.

His head jerked up at the sounds of voices and footsteps and he nearly cursed out loud at his dismal luck. He wouldn't be able to tell Arthur anything with an audience. He wasn't even sure if he would be able to tell him alone. So then Merlin wasn't sure if he was relieved or outraged that the extra pair of footsteps was Gwen's as they entered Arthur's chambers arm in arm.

"Ah! Merlin! Good. You save me the trouble of having to track you down."

Merlin breathed in relief for the excuse of putting it off for a little while longer. "What do you need, sire?"

Arthur turned him sharply and Merlin mentally cursed himself. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing?" Merlin said.

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Out with it, Merlin. You never call me sire unless something is wrong. So what is it?"

"Promise not to kill me?" Arthur must have heard something in the simple request because he didn't mock him.

"Should I leave?" Gwen asked and Merlin wasn't sure how to answer.

"You better stay. Not for protection or a witness or anything, but because this pertains to you, too. In a way." Merlin started pacing again and he didn't realize until the fourth time that he was also chewing on his thumb. He dropped his hand and faced his two oldest friends. "There is so much to tell you and I am not even sure where to begin."

"The beginning maybe?" Arthur said then Gwen elbowed him.

"That won't really work considering it started before either of us were born." Merlin stood facing the fire debating whether this was a good idea in the first place and how long it would take Arthur to react if he bolted when he heard the voice in his head echo the words from so long ago. The half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole. Merlin extended his hand and whispered a phrase. The fire went out and while he heard the exclamations, it wasn't until he turned around with the fire in his palm that they understood.

Arthur's expression ranged from anger, confusion, and fear while Gwen's was thoughtful. Merlin whispered again and the fire reappeared in the hearth. Arthur flinched. "I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry."

"How long?" It took Merlin a moment to understand what he was asking him. "How long have you been a sorcerer?"

"I was born with it." Merlin tried not to shiver at the words and squashed down the unwanted memory.

"That's not possible! Every person with magic has to learn it!" Arthur stood and Merlin took an unconscious step back, almost into the fire. He tried not to take it as a sign. "That was the thing that was drilled into my head the most, that sorcerer's chose to learn and that is was corrupted them!"

"And that's true!" Merlin paused. "Except for the corrupted part, but it's true that everyone but me has to learn it!"

"What makes you so special?" Arthur blurted and Merlin tried not to feel hurt.

"For a long time I didn't know," Merlin said. Arthur looked shocked that he even answered. "I guess I came to Camelot hoping to find out and I did, just not in the way... I expected."

"And what way was that?"

"A dragon told me."

"A dragon?" Arthur sounded like he didn't believe him until it clicked and the look of shock turned to rage. "IT WAS YOU!" he roared and Merlin flinched and nearly fell over a stool trying to get away. "Hundreds of people died, Merlin! Homes and crops were destroyed!"

"I didn't know okay! I didn't know what he was going to do! But I gave him my word! My word that I would free him and I knew no peace until I fulfilled my oath!"

"People died and you are worried about a promise!"

"I know, Arthur! More than you realize!"

"Really?" His tone was disbelieving and Merlin wished this could have gone a completely different way. "How would you know how it feels?"

"Because my father died! In my arms! All because you wanted a Dragonlord to kill Kilgharrah!"

Gwen gasped and Arthur reeled back. "Balinor was your father?"

Merlin nodded wrapping his arms around himself and fighting the urge to curl up. "I didn't even know until Giaus told me right before we left. Before then, my father was a faceless being that I wished for on cold nights in Ealdor when I could hear my mother crying."

Silence rang in their ears until Gwen said softly. "You better start at the beginning, Merlin."

So he did. His tale lasted well into the night and by the end it felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders. He knew that him and Arthur weren't all right and they wouldn't be, not for close to a year later when the ban on magic was finally repealed and Merlin was chosen as court sorcerer. But Merlin, at least, felt better. And Arthur finally understood.

Harry sat at the end of a rather rambunctious table, full of people he called family. To his left sat Sirius and Remus, next to them sat the twins. The four of them were laughing at a particularly good memory of the twins' pranks on Delores Umbridge, the joke of a defense professor from the previous year. Next to the twins was Bill looking a little uncomfortable next to the serious looking Percy who was holding a conversation with Mr. Weasley who sat right across from Harry at the other end of the long table. Molly was once again fussing over Charlie's long hair, while Ginny and Tonks joked about what Tonks should do next. And next to him sat Ron and Hermione speaking quietly between them and he was feeling neither left out or annoyed at their budding relationship. He was just content to sit and watch the group around him enjoy themselves.

They had decided that the kitchen was too small to hold his "surprise" birthday party and had cleaned out the formal dinning room for the occasion. Dinner wasn't on the table yet because they were waiting for a few more people to show up, though Harry didn't quite know where they were going to sit. The floo flared to life and Professor McGonagall gracefully walked through.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said. She stopped beside his chair and set two wrapped packages in front of him. "Professor Dumbledore sends his regards. He couldn't get away from the school governors today."

Harry tried not to feel overwhelmed. While he may have gotten gifts from his friends in the past he never had the opportunity to open them in front of them at his own party.

"Are you going to stare at them all night or are you going to open them?" Ron said and Harry started from his thoughts.

He reached for the first package, a brightly colored gift and saw that the gift was from both the twins. "Should I be worried?" he asked and the pair looked far too innocent. He was about to break the tape seal when a peaking sound echoed through the room. Sirius stood and let the haggard looking owl in. As it landed on Harry's shoulder it gave him a squawk that told him "I've been trying to get in forever!"

Harry reached for the letter only to stop when Remus's hand clamped on his wrist. "Let me check it for spells first." A few flashes later he pronounced it safe and shared a few pointed looks with Sirius while Harry turned it over to see the Gingott's seal. As he broke it a wind rushed through the room making everyone shiver and when he opened it he realized why.

October 30, 1981

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this then I am dead and unable to tell you in person the secrets of our family. Trust, my son, that I would not leave you willingly and I hope that I died defending you and your mother.

Now for the Secret. You don't have to worry about anyone else reading this because of the enchantments I placed on the parchment. It is for Potter eyes only.

The Potter family was entrusted with the Knowledge of and Ability to open the way to Avalon. However, it is only when we are called upon and that has not happened for nearly 100 years and I hope you are not gifted with that trunk with Merlin's seal etched into the top.

If you are, then what your mother and I have been fighting for, that peace for the Wizarding World, has not happened. So a piece of Fatherly Advice: Kill the Bastard. I will offer another piece of advice; one that has been handed down from generation to generation: read everything in the journal. I assume there is a book in the trunk so I hope it helps.

I have been having a foreboding feeling in these passing weeks in hiding that my time for this world is growing short and my only regret is not being there to watch you grow. Know, Harry, that I will always love you and you will always make me proud. If your mother is there, give her a kiss for me. If Sirius, Remus and Peter are there, tell them: Mischief Managed.

Love you always,
Your Dad
James

Harry knew there were tears running down his face when he looked up from the letter. He refolded it carefully before looking over and Remus and Sirius. "Mischief Managed." The pair's expressions wavered between shocked, sad, and happy. And it was at the twin's loud exclamation that he remembered that the ginger pair didn't know who the Marauders really were. "It was a letter from my dad," he declared to the rest of the table and their responses were drowned out by: "Your dad was a Marauder!"

"How long have you known?" Fred or maybe George asked.

Harry smiled at their outraged expressions. "Since third year when Remus told me how my dad became Prongs." The pair rounded on the werewolf with a sheepish expression on his scarred face.

"Moony?" they whispered in tandem.

When Remus didn't say anything, Sirius said with a grin on his face, "Aren't you going to say anything, Mr. Moony?"

"Shut up, Padfoot."

The twins went from staring at Remus awed like and transferred the look to Sirius.

"Boys," Mrs. Weasley scolded. "Not now." She turned to Harry. "What did your dad say Harry?"

"That he loved me and that he would always be proud of me." Faces around the table seemed to soften and he had to look away. Harry scanned the letter again and said, "He wrote this the day before he died. He said that he felt like he wouldn't be living for much longer and wanted me to know some things. Family things." He added the last bit when it seemed like both Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were about to say something. Harry refolded the letter and gently placed it on the table and reached for a gift. He knew that questions would be coming at him unless he distracted them. The ploy worked and he opened gifts until dinner was placed on the table and everyone dug in.

Later that night Harry deposited his armload of gifts on his bed and smiled. It had been a wonderful day, especially because of the letter from his dad. His smile waned a little at the thought of his parents and wished for the innumerable time that they were alive and with him.

"You okay, Harry?" Sirius asked from the doorway and Harry smiled sadly at him.

"Yeah, I just wish Mum and Dad were here."

Sirius settled into his chair and Harry sat opposite him. "To be honest, I am glad that letter came today. I'm not sure if I could have convinced you other wise that your parents would be proud of you no matter the choices you make." His smile turn mischievous. "Except the choice to become the next Dark Lord of course."

Harry snorted. "World domination isn't on my list of career goals." Sirius barked out a laugh and Harry smiled. "Dad also left me bank information and told me to ask you to teach me how to manage the estate."

Sirius smiled. "I'd love to, but it will have to wait till morning. These old bones need their rest with all this keeping up with 16 year olds."

"You're hardly old, Sirius," Harry countered as his godfather stood to head to bed. Harry's hand on his arm stopped him. "Thank you for a great birthday, Sirius."

"You don't have to thank me, Harry, but for what it is worth, you're welcome."