From the beginning

Arthur and his knights stood still, their eyes fixed on the two enormous dragons facing each other. But it was not the dragons that made Arthur's heart race and his hand itch to reach for his sword. It was the woman who stood behind the two beasts: Morgana, the sorceress who had once been Arthur's friend but was now his enemy. Arthur wondered what Morgana was up to. Was she controlling the dragons, or were they under her spell? As the minutes ticked by, Arthur and his knights remained motionless, waiting for the dragons to make their move. The tension was palpable, and the fear of what might happen next hung heavy in the air.

The older dragon looked at the young King with a sense of calm assurance. "You have nothing to fear," it said in a deep, rumbling voice. "No blood will be spilt from either side today." The young King felt a sense of relief wash over him. The older dragon let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "I swore upon my dragon lord that no harm would come to you," it replied. "And I always keep my promises." The young King looked at the older dragon with a newfound respect.

Arthur's expression was carefully neutral, hiding the turmoil within. This was the same dragon that attempted to obliterate Camelot, the very dragon he believed he had killed. How was he supposed to trust the word of such a creature? The mere thought of it made him uneasy.

"I understand your apprehension, young King," the dragon spoke in a deep and authoritative voice, "but it's essential for you to learn the truth so that Albion can thrive in peace and prosperity." The dragon's eyes glinted with wisdom as it continued, "I have made your journey to the throne more challenging especially in getting you to see that magic is neither entirely good nor evil. It's a tool that can be wielded by the righteous or the wicked, depending on its intent." The younger dragon nodded in agreement, supporting the elder's words.

"It's vital to know that magic, like any other force, has its own rules and consequences," the younger dragon added.

"Indeed," the elder dragon said, acknowledging the younger one's input. "And that's why, young King, I want to take you back to the beginning so that you can understand everything that is present. You need to see the history, its magic, and its people, to truly comprehend the significance of your role as a ruler."

On a warm and sunny day, Merlin made his way through the gates of Camelot, his gaze taking in the majestic castle walls and the bustling activity of the people around him. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with apprehension. He knew he had an important task to fulfil and couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Meanwhile, Gwen was inside the castle, looking out the window when Merlin arrived. She opened the window to let some fresh air in for her mistress, Lady Morgana when she saw Merlin walking towards the gates. Her eyes widened in surprise and concern as she noticed the execution block nearby. She knew it was a grim reminder of the harsh justice that King Uther often meted out to those who broke the law.

As Gwen watched, King Uther appeared on the royal balcony above, looking imposing and cold-hearted. She couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine. Despite her years of service to Lady Morgana, she still needed help to get used to the King's stern and unyielding demeanour. Nonetheless, she knew that she had to remain composed and professional, as always.

The only thing she could not do was watch as the excitations took place…

Merlin was present when the execution took place, and he watched in horror as the events unfolded. However, he couldn't bear to witness the spectacle and quickly left after the disgusting display. The incident left him with a feeling of deep concern and fear. He couldn't comprehend how one man, blinded by his hatred and prejudice, could condemn an entire group of people without any regard for their individuality or humanity.

The experience was unsettling and confusing for Merlin, and he couldn't shake off the unease lingering with him long after the event. He wondered how such a deep-seated hatred could exist and how it could drive someone to commit such an atrocity.

Despite his apprehensions, Merlin knew that he had to carry on with his life and fulfil his duties. However, he was still perplexed as to why his mother would send him to her friend Gaius, knowing that he would face such disturbing events.

As Merlin stumbled upon Gaius' chambers, he couldn't help but feel intrusive, as he was neither invited nor announced his arrival. With a curious tone, he called out, "Hello?" into the seemingly empty but messy physician's chambers. The room was in disarray, with books, papers, and vials scattered everywhere. However, the silence was broken when he heard a sound from the second level of the chambers. Upon looking up, Merlin saw Gaius searching through the books, focused entirely on his task. Not wanting to startle or interrupt him, Merlin cleared his throat and gently said, "Gaius? Ahem."

Gaius was standing on the balcony, lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, he turned around to face the room. As he did so, the railing gave way, and he started to fall backwards. Meanwhile, Merlin was in the room and reacted quickly to the situation. He saw Gaius falling and knew he had to act fast to prevent him from getting hurt.

Merlin's eyes glowed gold as he used his magic to slow down time. He quickly scanned the room for something that could break Gaius's fall. His eyes fell on a bed, and he used magic to move it directly under Gaius, who was still falling.

The bed landed on the floor with a thud, and Gaius landed safely, avoiding serious injury.

He was clearly confused and disoriented and quickly turned to Merlin for an explanation. "I-What did you just do?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Merlin hesitated, trying to figure out how to respond. He knew he had to find an excuse quickly, but his mind was blank.

Gaius, however, would only let him on the hook slowly. "Tell me!" he demanded, getting up from the bed and stepping towards Merlin.

Merlin could feel his heart racing as he tried to think of something. He knew he had to come up with a convincing explanation, but nothing seemed to make sense. "I- I- I have no idea what happened," he finally stammered out, feeling more than a little embarrassed. He avoided eye contact with Gaius and looked around the room, hoping the older man would drop the subject and move on.

"If anyone had seen that…."

Merlin, feeling uneasy, swiftly attempted to conceal his actions, realizing what the old man was referring to. "Um, no! That was, that was not my doing. That was..." he stammered.

Gaius cut off his excuses quickly, his eyes narrowing. "I know what it was! I want to know where you learned how to do it!" he demanded, his voice firm. He scrutinized Merlin's face, waiting for an answer.

"No, I-" Merlin tried.

"So how is it you know magic?" Gaius demanded.

"I don't," Merlin quickly countered.

With a calm tone, Gaius asked the person standing before him, "Where did you study?" He was curious to know more about the person and their background. However, when Merlin did not respond, he became impatient, and his tone turned harsh. He repeated the question, "Answer me!" emphasizing each word, making it clear that he expected a response.

Merlin's body flinched involuntarily as he stammered out his response. His voice was laced with uncertainty and a hint of fear, "I have never studied magic before."

"Are you lying to me, boy?" Gaius asked suspiciously.

"What do you want me to say?"

"The truth!"

"I was born like this!" Merlin said desperately.

"That's impossible!" Gaius retorted.

"Who are you?" asked Gaius, like it just occurred to him to ask.

As Merlin searched through his belongings, he suddenly remembered the letter that Hunith had given him earlier. After rummaging, he finally found it and pulled it out of his pack. He carefully unfolded it and handed it over to Gaius, standing nearby. It was the same letter that Hunith Merlin's mother had placed in Merlin's pack before he left to come to Camelot. As Gaius read the letter, Merlin watched intently, eager to hear what Hunith had written.

Gaius held a letter and began to wave it around frantically. Frustrated, he exclaimed, "Ah! I can't seem to read it. I think I forgot my glasses at home." He looked around momentarily, hoping to find a pair of glasses lying around. However, he couldn't locate them and realized he would have to find another way to read the letter.

Merlin looked amused, "I'm Merlin."

As Gaius ponders a particular matter, he slowly realizes an inevitable fact. Suddenly, with a burst of comprehension, he exclaims, "Hunith's son!"—finally connecting the dots and putting the pieces of information together.

After Merling arrived at the meeting, Gaius was taken aback when he saw her. He exclaimed, "But you aren't meant to be here until Wednesday!"

Merlin's face falls, "It is Wednesday."

With a comedic flair, Gaius pulled a face of surprise and exclaimed, "Oh!" to emphasize his point. He said, "Alright then, it would be better if you put your bag in there," with a friendly yet authoritative tone.

As Merlin walks towards the storage closet, which will be his room, he hesitates midway and points towards a broken rail. He asks Gaius if he will mention it to anyone.

Gaius agrees to Merlin's request not to reveal the broken rail to anyone.

Merlin nods in response and turns around to complete his task. However, Gaius stops him again and expresses his gratitude towards him.

"Although Merlin, I should say thank you," Gaius says, leaving Merlin surprised but pleased.

Merlin gave a hesitant smile and slowly went inside, shutting the door noiselessly behind him. He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping a little as he leaned his head against the excellent wood of the door.

"Well," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. At least I lasted longer than ten minutes. So, Will wasn't right after all."

Arthur stood outside, his gaze fixed on the entrance as he watched Merlin disappear inside the building. He couldn't help but feel unease, knowing Merlin had been acting strange lately. His mind was racing with thoughts, not only about Merlin but also about Guinevere. The memory of her being taken away from him because of an enchantment was still fresh in his mind and made his blood boil.

He couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal, knowing that the women behind the Dragons had conjured the enchantment. He had known this woman for years and considered her a close friend. However, something changed. He never thought that this woman, who had been a trusted friend, would cause such pain. It was a betrayal that shook him to his core, and he struggled to come to terms with how someone he trusted so much could hurt him and his loved one. A loved one was her best friend at one point.

He then turned to look at his knights. He couldn't help but notice the stunned expressions on their faces. They were all knights of the realm, brothers-in-arms who had fought alongside him in countless battles, but they were all speechless. Even Gwaine, known for his quick wit and never-ending banter, was at a loss for words. The silence was deafening, and it was clear that the gravity of the situation had affected them all deeply.

The revelation that Merlin possessed magic had left him feeling lost and confused. He couldn't comprehend how he had failed to see it all along, and the realization had led to a sense of betrayal that left him feeling raw and vulnerable. His mind was plagued with doubts and insecurities as he tried to make sense of the situation. He was torn between wanting to lash out and express his anger and feeling guilty for not seeing through Merlin's facade earlier. The emotions were overwhelming, and he struggled to find a way to process them.

Merlin woke up early the following morning and hastily dressed before going to the main chambers. Upon arriving, he was greeted by the sight and aroma of Gaius preparing breakfast. Gaius looked up and smiled at Merlin as he approached, welcoming him to sit down and enjoy his prepared meal. Merlin took a seat at the table, feeling grateful for the kindness and care that Gaius always showed towards him.

"I got you water. You didn't wash last night," Gaius commented, looking over his shoulder to the bucket of water on the table.

"Sorry," Merlin murmured.

Gaius extended his hand and offered a bowl to the person before him. "Help yourself to breakfast," he said warmly and friendly. Merlin accepted Gaius's bowl of food without a word of complaint. Though his expression betrayed a hint of disappointment, he tried to maintain his composure and poked at the contents of the bowl with his spoon. Meanwhile, Gaius, the court physician, watched him with a curious gaze.

As Merlin continued to eat, he suddenly knocked over a nearby bucket of water. However, instead of falling to the ground, the bucket and its contents froze midair. Gaius gasped in amazement as Merlin held the bucket with magic, his eyes fixed on the frozen water droplets.

For a moment, the two stared at each other in shock. Gaius couldn't believe what he had seen, while Merlin was unsure how to react. Eventually, Merlin broke eye contact, causing the spell to dissipate, and the water splashed onto the floor.

"How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" Gaius questioned.

"I don't know any spells," Merlin said quickly, looking uncomfortable.

"So what did you do? There must be something."

"It just happens," Merlin answered with a shrug. Then, unable to stand still, he grabbed a mop from the nearby utility closet and began dabbing the wet floor, carefully ensuring the water didn't spread any further.

Gaius responded to the individual, saying, "Well, we are going to have to keep you out of trouble." His tone of voice had a hint of concern, implying that he was aware of the difficulties that may arise in doing so. He turned around to where his supplies were located, taking a few steps to retrieve them. As he did so, he looked back at the individual, making sure they were still standing there. "You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here. Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival-"

With his usual smoothness, Gaius issued a warning as he handed over a medicine vial to his assistant. "Make sure this is for Sir Olwin," he said, "and be sure to caution him not to consume it all at once." An experienced physician, Gaius was well aware of the dangers of overconsumption, particularly for Sir Olwin, who had poor eyesight and was as blind as a weevil. Despite the challenges, Gaius could seamlessly step into his role without missing a beat.

"Okay," Merlin acknowledged quietly.

Gaius reached behind him and retrieved a sandwich wrapped in a brown paper bag. As he handed it to Merlin, he said, "And here, my boy, is a little something to keep you going." Merlin's face lit up as he took the sandwich, looking slightly embarrassed but grateful for the unexpected treat. It seemed that Gaius had noticed the longing look Merlin had given his breakfast earlier. The sandwich smelled delicious, making Merlin's mouth water with anticipation.

After handing Merlin his breakfast, Gaius gestured towards the door and said, "Off you go then." However, he quickly warned, "But please be careful, Merlin. You know very well that practising any enchantments is strictly forbidden and will get you killed."

Gwen's morning routine was always the same. She woke up at dawn and dressed quickly, not wanting to disturb her father, who was still fast asleep. She went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, ensuring it was ready when he woke. She took pride in her cooking and always tried to make it as perfect as possible.

After breakfast, she cleaned the kitchen and headed to the castle, where she served Lady Morgana. It was her duty to assist her Lady in any way she could, whether running errands or attending to her wardrobe. She enjoyed her work and was grateful for the opportunity to serve someone she admired and respected.

Despite the routine nature of her mornings, Gwen found comfort in the familiar tasks. It gave her a sense of purpose and stability in an ever-changing world.

Gwen often daydreamed about a world where everyone possessed the same level of fairness and compassion as her beloved Lady. Her Lady was a person of exceptional character who had not a single malicious or malevolent bone in her body. Her only priority was safeguarding and defending those she held dear, and she never ceased to amaze the individual with her unwavering kindness and selflessness. It was a source of great comfort for Gwen to have such a shining example of what a perfect human being could be, and she often felt inspired to emulate her Lady's virtues in her own life.

Arthur was perplexed about why he could hear his beloved's thoughts but couldn't shake off what he had heard. He lifted his gaze towards the Lady his beloved had mentioned, trying to discern what could have caused the tears in her eyes because it certainly couldn't be his beloved, considering what she had done to her. Still, he studied her demeanour closely, noticing the curve of her lips and how her eyes glistened. It made his fist clench.

Merlin found himself on the other side of the castle, wandering, trying to locate Sir Olwin. Despite getting lost multiple times, he didn't give up and kept going until he finally found his way. Upon reaching Sir Olwin's room, he knocked on the door, and a voice from inside said, "Come in."

Merlin entered the room and handed over the medicine to Sir Olwin. Sir Olwin snatched it from Merlin's hand, popped the cork, and began to drink it immediately. Merlin tried to warn him, saying, "Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at once..." but Sir Olwin ignored him and finished drinking the remedy in one go.

Merlin watched as Sir Olwin finished the medicine, hoping everything was alright. Sir Olwin reassured him, saying, "I'm sure it's fine." Merlin couldn't help but feel a little worried, wondering if Sir Olwin would experience any side effects from drinking the remedy all at once.

After leaving the chamber, Merlin descended the winding stairs and across the castle courtyard, his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. He observed a commotion near the far corner as he approached the training grounds. As he drew closer, he saw a tall, blond man towering over a small, skinny servant boy. Merlin's heart sank at the sight of the bullying, knowing he had to intervene. "Where's the target?"

As he looked at the scene, he could sense the lingering looks of his knights, the disappointment and disapproval etched on their faces. Even Arthur himself felt a deep shame as he recalled the memory. It was a moment that he wished he could erase from his past, leaving him feeling far from proud.

"There, Sir?" The servant replied hesitantly.

"It's into the sun."

"It's not that bright."

"A bit like you then?" The blonde's words dripped with condescension and sarcasm, causing the other knights to laugh.

The servant approached the blonde hesitantly, his eyes cast down as he spoke in a low voice, "I'll put the target on the other end, Sir?" The servant's voice was reluctant; he knew he would be the target of his fellow knights' ridicule again. The blonde nodded in agreement, a mischievous glint in his eye as he whispered to the other knights, "This'll teach him."

The servant struggled to lift the large and heavy target onto his back. The clanking of the chainmail and the rustling of the leaves were the only sounds that could be heard as the servant made his way to the other end of the clearing. The knights in training jeered and taunted the servant as he walked past them, but the blonde remained focused on his plan.

Without warning, the blonde took out a knife from his belt and threw it at the target, still being carried by the servant. The knife landed with a thud just inches away from the servant's ear, causing him to flinch and cry out in alarm, "Hey!" The other knights roared with laughter at the servant's expense.

Gwen was standing in an upper window, shaking a curtain out, when she saw the commotion below. Disgustedly, she observed Prince Arthur, the king's son, treating others cruelly and disrespectfully. She couldn't help but wonder if he had inherited these traits from his father.

As she watched, the Prince laughed at one of his servants before throwing a dagger in his direction. Gwen felt a rush of anger—how could he treat someone so poorly? She longed to confront the Prince, to tell him how wrong he was, but she knew better. No one dared speak against the Prince, not even her.

Despite her agitation, Gwen continued to watch, her eyes fixed on the Prince's every move. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What kind of man was he to enjoy the pain and suffering of others?

It was then she noticed a young boy no older than the Prince. "Hey, come on, that's enough."

'She thought that poorly of me." Arthur thought though it was nothing less than he deserved.

"What?"

Merlin saw that he had stirred the blonde and immediately tried to defuse the situation. "I think you've had our fun, my friend," he said, trying to sound friendly.

The blonde, taken aback by the term' friend', said, "I don't believe we've met. Do I know you?"

"I'm Merlin," he said.

The blonde looked at him sceptically and replied, "So, we don't know each other, and yet you called me 'friend'?" he seemed more annoyed than ever.

Merlin nods, "Yeah…That was my mistake."

"Yes, I think so."

"I would never be friends with someone who could be such an ass," replied Merlin with a wry tone as he walked away.

The blonde found the situation quite amusing and couldn't help but chuckle. "Nor do I want someone who could be so stupid," he called out to Merlin, who was walking away. Merlin stopped abruptly, his expression hinting at his annoyance, and it seemed as if he was clenching his jaw to resist the urge to say something back. "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

Merlin, known for his unwavering resolve, stood tall and looked unflinching at the prince. His expression was stern but calm as he spoke with conviction. "No."

"Would you like me to help you?"

"I wouldn't if I were you," said Merlin with confidence.

Arthur failed to catch the hint. He asked laughing, "What are you going to do to me?"

"You have no idea," said Merlin.

The Blonde with a mocking tone, opened his arms wide, gesturing and inviting Merlin to attack him. "Be my guest," he said, taunting him. "Come on... Come on! Come onnnnn!"

Without any hesitation, Merlin swung his arm towards the Prince to strike him. However, Arthur, with his well-honed combat skills, easily blocked the blow.

Gwen was in disbelief at what she was witnessing. The boy had dared to attack the Prince, which was a bold move that could have resulted in dire consequences for the boy. Nonetheless, Gwen couldn't help but feel pleased at the attempt. She had thought about punching the Prince herself on more than one occasion.

"I can have you thrown in jail for that," Gwen heard the Prince say.

"Who do you think you are? The King?" asked the boy mockingly, struggling to break free from the Prince's grip.

"No, I'm his son. Arthur," the Prince replied. He then pushed the boy to his knees before the guards took him away.

Gwaine spoke seriously to Arthur, not taking his eyes away from the memory. "It wasn't your finest hour, Princess," he said. Arthur realized that Gwaine was right, but he was still in shock about Merlin's magic and the thoughts that had run through his lover's head. He wasn't sure how to fix it.

All he could do was stay quiet for now.

As Gwen opened her eyes, she realized that she had been resting for an unknown amount of time. She was startled by Merlin, who shook her awake with a sense of urgency. As she glanced around, she was met with pitch darkness, which made her shiver in the cold. She couldn't tell where they were or how they had gotten there. It all felt like a dream, or rather a nightmare. As she sat there, she couldn't help but feel a knot in her stomach, wondering what was going to happen next.