So here I am again. I'm back with another story. This time for Merlin! Tis is my second Merlin fanfic, and I hope you enjoy this one!
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin. The only thing I own is the plot that doesn't happen in the series, the OC's you will be introduced to, and on occasion, Arthur Pendragon, Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Leon and Sir Mordred.
MERLIN'S P.O.V:
I walk into the citadel, a smile on my face. Then I hear the drums, and sight the crowd of people. I hear a man speaking. I look up and come face to face with King Uther Pendragon of Camelot.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant of the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass." he finished, raising his hand, I, realizing that the axe was rising with it. Then with a swift downward hand motion, the axe cut through the air and the man's neck, beheading him. I heard gasps all around me.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin!" Then everybody started to turn away from the sight and the King when a distant wailing was heard. An old woman dissembles herself from the crowd.
"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You killed my son! But I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son." she was starting to speak about murder of the king's son.
Uther recognising this as well, yelled to the guards down on the ground. "Seize her!"
Her eyes flashed gold, and she started to speak in the language of old English, then she was gone in a puff of wind and smoke. Then everybody got back to their usual routine.
I walked up to a guard, hoping that he could help me.
"Where would I find Gaius, the Court Physician?" I asked with what my mother taught me, politeness. I never heard of it to be honest.
The guard points behind him and up some stairs. I thank him, and ascend the stairs and knock on the open door to his chambers and peer inside. I peer around a little more, to find the chambers empty, probably running some errands. But still, not harmful to check a little more, would it?
"Hello?" I practically whispered, but even that sounded like a yell, as it echoed through the room.
I walk inside to see that it was still empty, but there were herbs hanging from line across the roof, and books on medicine and healing on every shelf you could find. Sleeping draughts, medicine, poison scattered across the room. It truly was a sight for someone who didn't know what they were doing. I caught sight of the man I was looking for, up in the top corner of the room, looking through a couple of books.
"Hello? Gaius?" the man in question, turned his head around, and leaned back just a tinch, and the railing breaks. I instantly feel my magic flowing throughout my body, time slowing enough for me to sweep a mattress under Gaius before he becomes a Gaius pancake. For an old man he could move fairly quick. He was up and off that mattress before you could say "sorcerer".
He looked at me, accusingly. "What did you just do?" he demanded, looking from the railing to the bed, back to the railing and then at me.
"Erm..." I struggled to come up with an excuse.
"Tell me!" Mother was right, he was VERY demanding.
"I... I... I have no idea what happened." I started to stutter, a good sign that I was under pressure and lying. Hopefully I would get better at it.
"If anyone had seen that..." Gaius trailed off, his eyes looking into mine, trying to find out if I really was a sorcerer.
"Er, no! That, that was, that was nothing to do with me. That, that was..." I trailed off and got interrupted by him.
"I know what it was! I just want to know where you learned how to do it!" he said. Crap, he knew.
"Nowhere." I said trying to protect my secret like Mother advised me to do before I left.
"So how is it you know magic?" he asked me casually, as clear as day, just straight out with it. I nearly choked on the air and my own saliva.
"I don't." I whispered, praying to some sort of God that he would believe me and just leave me be.
"Where did you study?" I was about to tell him that I didn't study when another demand came through, "Answer me!" I can't believe Mother sent me here.
"I, I've never studied magic or, or been taught." my eyes were darting around the room, trying to find a spot to settle so I didn't have to look him in the eye. It didn't work.
"Are you lying to me, boy?" he asked, accusations coming at me left, right and centre. I was starting to fear for my life now, and I just couldn't hold it in.
"What do you want me to say?" My voice raised just a little, not echoing as much as it did, now that the room was a little fuller.
"The truth!" he practically yelled. If he wanted yelling, I will give him yelling.
"I was born like this!" I yelled in his face, because it was the truth. I had never studied magic or been taught, I could move objects with my mind before I could talk.
"That's impossible! Who are you?" His face, scrunched up with confusion and concentration. I kind of forgot that I hadn't introduced myself.
"Oh, Erm..." I pulled my backpack off my shoulders, and pulled out a letter addressed to Gaius. "I have this letter." I handed him the letter, while he started tapping his tunic.
"I, I don't have my glasses." he confessed. I decided to make it easy for him.
"I'm Merlin." I said, smiling a little at the surprised look on his face.
"Hunith's son?" he was clearly surprised, but why I wonder?
"Yes!" I confirm. The mentioning of my Mother's name brought back memories of my village. They'll be safer now, I hope.
"But you're not meant to be here till Wednesday!" this guy needs to get out more.
"It is Wednesday." I said, trying my hardest not to laugh at the poor man's face. Confusion and probably counting the days in his head.
"Ah, right then, you better put your bag in there." he said pointing to a room at the top of the stairs.
"You, you won't say anything about, erm..." I trailed off, trying to figure out a way of saying it.
"No. Although Merlin, I should say 'thank you'." he sighed, probably just figuring out that he had a brush with death today.
GAIUS' P.O.V:
I opened the letter addressed to me from Hunith about Merlin. I put my glasses on and started to read.
My dear Gaius,
I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust. It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so. Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with people here that, if he were to remain, I fear what would become of him. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe, and may God save you both.
Hunith.
MORGANA'S P.O.V:
I stand at a window at the Griffin Landing, overlooking the place where that innocent man was executed early today. Why should such things as practicing enchantments and magic be a cause for death? I heard footsteps behind me and automatically knew that it was Uther. I pretended I didn't hear him come up. Maybe if I slink into the shadows he wouldn't see me? Not a hope in hell.
"Morgana." he greeted. Damn it, he's seen me. No chance but to reply.
"Yes?" I asked, not turning my head away from the window. How could I look at someone after this ordeal.
"What is it? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. Well, looks like I have to tell the truth, or lie. Uther wouldn't hurt me if I tell him the truth, would he?
"I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for celebration. That poor mother." I didn't want to think of what my mother would have done if I was executed.
"It was simple justice for what he'd done." Uther explained, like he had done it time and time before. He probably had for all I know.
"To whom? He practiced magic, he didn't hurt anyone." I argued, I wasn't even sure if that was true or not. But I had a feeling that he didn't.
"You were not around twenty years ago, you have no idea what it was like." he threw one right back. He was as stubborn as a mountain goat.
"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?" I asked, I could feel that my anger was about to snap.
"Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom! You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen." He ordered. I admit he was putting up a good fight. But this was my time now.
"I told you! I want no part in these celebrations!" I argued. I think his anger snapped before mine did.
"I'm your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect at least respect our finest singer." he cried, turning and storming off towards the banquet hall.
"You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create!" I yelled after him. Him not seeming to notice.
NORMAL P.O.V:
The Lady Helen was sitting in her tent, humming to herself when she heard something, a gasp maybe, outside her tent.
"Hello? Gregory?" she called for one of the Camelot knights that were escorting her to Camelot.
The said knight, pulled back the opening of the tent, and addressed her, "Lady Helen?"
"Is all well?" she asked, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Yes, ma'am. With luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow." he reassured her. She smiled.
"That's good." she said, again with a smile on her face."I'll be outside if you need me." he said, again reassuring her.
Gregory close the tent and walks outside. He stands there for a few seconds then notices something moving in the trees. He draws his sword.
"Who's there? Who's there?" he demanded, his body filling with adrenalin like it always does when he faces something he does not know about. An old woman comes out from the shadows, and doesn't give time for him to react, killing him instantly. She walks into the tent, and startles Lady Helen.
"Akwele seo magdp. Akwele seo magdp. Akwele seo magdp." Everytime she uttered those cold as ice words, she stabbed the effigy, effectively killing the Lady Helen.
The woman sits down at the vanity, where the real Lady Helen was only moments before holding was seemed to be a crystal, with a bit of hair wrapped around it.
"Ghefrolinz grimpoxin kouata." She then felt the change of the body, picking up a mirror, only to see that the same face stared back at her. It was time for her revenge against Uther Pendragon.
MERLIN'S P.O.V:
All I could hear all night, was my own name. Over and over, a voice inside my head. Why am I hearing voices inside my head?
"Merlin... Merlin..." I woke up, my eyes blinking, and then burning my head further into my pillow, praying to fall asleep.
The next morning I wake up, and walked into Gaius chambers. He acknowledged my presence with a nod.
GAIUS' P.O.V:
"I got you water. You didn't wash last night." I said, pointing to a water bucket on the table. He thought I wouldn't notice.
"Sorry." he apologised. He's already starting to learn. Interesting.
"Help yourself to breakfast." I said, turning back to the sleeping draught I was preparing for the Lady Morgana.
He sits down to the sight of watery porridge, he seemed immensely absorbed in it. I turn to the bucket of wash water, and pushed it off the table. Merlin leaps up from the table and stops it in mid-air. I gasp, and I look at him, his eyes glowing gold, he looked at me with fear. Then the water just dropped to the floor.
"How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" I was grilling the poor boy, I knew, but he must be protected.
"I don't know any spells." he confessed. That was impossible, unless he was a... A warlock.
"So what did you do? There must be something." I'm going to figure this boy out.
"It just happens." he shrugged, grabbing a mop to clean up the spilt water.
"Well, we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here." I places a small sac and a bottle in front of him on the table. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival, and this," I indicated to the bottle, "is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once.
"Okay." he shrugged as if it was easy. Haha, he'll have fun learning.
"And here." I handed him a plate with a sandwich on it. He smiles at me, thanks me and takes the sandwich.
"Off you go. And Merlin! I need to hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed." I warned, pointing a finger in his direction. He nods, with a mouthful of sandwich, exiting my chambers quickly and silently walking down the corridor and through the square to deliver the medicine.
MERLIN'S P.O.V:
I knocked on a door, to find a squinting old man answered the door. I wasn't really sure what to say.
"Erm, I brought you your medicine." I say, loud and clear. The old man puts out his hand, and I put the medicine in his hand, turning to leave when I remembered Gaius' warning.
"Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at..." I started but trailed off, seem that he had already finished drinking it all.
"I'm sure it's fine." I shrugged. Hopefully.
I cross the drawbridge gate into the training grounds. I see a blond knight, bullying a serving boy. And then ground knights, and two girls on horseback, wandered in. I hear him talk.
"Where's the target?" he asked. Great. Arrogant. The girls on the horses and the found knights came to an abrupt halt. His gang laughs behind him.
"There, Sir?" the serving boy shrugged.
"It's into the sun?" Great, he complains also.
"But, it's not that bright." he shrugged again.
"A bit like you, then?" he retorted, again his gang laughing.
"I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" the servant then picks the target up and starts moving toward the castle wall. One of the first knights started to snicker.
"Teach him a lesson. Go on, boy." he encouraged the blonde knight.
"This'll teach him." the blonde ought joked. The second knight agreed.
"Yeah!" the second knight said.
The first knight laughed and then replied, "Teach him a lesson." The blonde knight throws a dagger at the target. One of the girls dismounted her horse, and started walking over toward the knight.
The serving boy, looked up, quite confused and shocked. "Hey! Hang on!"
The blonde knight smiled. "Don't stop!" he laughed. The serving boy takes a few steps back.
"Here?" he asked, again.
A girl with chocolate skin and black hair, was shaking a curtain out an upper window in the castle,watching the confrontation.
"I told you to keep moving!" the knight yelled, throwing another dagger at the servant. "Come on! Run!" he says, as if it was obvious that was what he wanted the servant to do.
The serving boy shuffles his feet across the training ground, trying to carry the large target as the knight throws more daggers at him.
"Do you want some moving target practice?" he smirked, throwing more daggers.
The servant finally drops the target and it rolls to my feet. I put my foot on it so he can't pick it up. The girl that got off her horse walks to the serving boy and leans down to his level, giving him her hands to get up.
"What is your name?" she asked. I could just see her face. She had golden with a tinge of red blonde hair, and her eyes were the most outstanding blue I had ever seen. Better than mine at least.
"Morris, Milady." She was noble!?
"You are dismissed Morris." she smiled. She then turned to the knights, and pulls her hood back from her head. The knights gasp.
"Princess Eliza." the blonde knight gasps.
"What kind of Prince treats his subjects like this? I am truly appalled Arthur. You have not changed since my last visit. The knights behind him snickered, but was immediately silenced when Arthur threw a look over his shoulder.
"I have changed, Princess. I'm older. And bigger. I'm not sixteen anymore." he said. She just rolled her eyes, and walked back to her horse, one of the ground knights giving her a leg up onto her dapple grey horse. She then nudged him forward, and they lurched forward. I caught a slight glimpse at the other girl to, she was gorgeous from what I could see. Maybe they were sisters? I wouldn't know. Eliza does not ring any bells.
Arthur turned to Morris.
"Hey, come on, that's enough." I said.
The blonde knight turned to me. Probably shocked that commoner would talk to him like that.
"What?" he asked. Yep, shocked seemed like the right word for it.
"You've had your fun, my friend." I said, clearly defying him. What did that girl call him? I'm still not entirely sure who he is.
"Do I know you?" he asked me. Well, clearly he doesn't know me because I just got here so... No.
"Er, I'm Merlin." I introduced myself. This was not going to end well.
This is my second Merlin fanfic, and as you can see its longer than the other one. This took me about three days to write out, so I'm actually pretty glad. The next part should be up in about three days *fingers crossed*. Thanks for reading, and leave a review!