Merlin's POV
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"Merlin!"
"Coming mom!" I call over my shoulder. Hoisting the bucket of water off the ground. Trudging wearily from the stream, cargo weighing down my lithe form. I sigh sadly. Everyday just seems to be the same. Wake up at the crack of dawn. Gather food from the garden. Help my mom prepare breakfast. Listen to the nosy old ladies chatter on about the latest gossip while my mom bandages some injury of theirs. It’s always the same. Not that I'm not grateful for all my mom has done for me. If it weren't for her no doubt i would have found myself drowned at the age of five by the villagers, when I accidentally turned an apple into a piece of candy. If it weren't for my mom’s quick thinking and producing some lame excuse no doubt the whole village would know of my forbidden magic.
So, as I said it’s not that I am ungrateful for all my mom has done for me, but... I want more. I don't want to sit here toiling away as a farmer, or even just listening to the latest gossip about little Jeremy pretending to be a knight again and accidentally sticking a branch up someone's....
"Merlin there you are? What were you doing that it took you so long to gather water? I sent you for that water a while ago." Biting my lip I avert my gaze from her penetrating stare, unwilling to admit I had gotten lost in another daydream again. So instead, I merely walk past her into the house. Setting the bucket on the table as I massage my sore shoulders. Turning around I freeze as I notice my mother’s stern frown plastered on her face. Hands planted on her hips. I wince knowing I was in trouble. Yet instead of the usual lecture I was expecting only a sigh of exasperation met my overly large ears.
"Honestly, Merlin. Well, if you don't want to work you might as well find something else to do. Mrs. Francis son has just been afflicted with a nasty case of poison ivy all over his..."
"Woah mom I don't want to hear where his rash is. I'm going to the forest." I squeak flapping my arms frantically in the air as I made a hasty retreat. I could hear my mother’s quiet chuckles as I scurry away. Reaching the edge of the forest. Away from prying eyes and embarrassing medical topics. I sigh in relief. Slowing my pace and walking over to a large elder tree with long drooping vines that overlook the entire village.
Plopping down on the ground, dirtying up my dress, I lean back against the wooden trunk. Sighing happily at the silence surrounding me. One of the few good things about this village. The amazing scenery, and wildlife. If my mom would let me. I would build a tiny little cabin deep in the woods away from all those judgmental villagers. I would spend my time caring for the animals and enjoying nature. It’s preferable than constantly called a bastard because of my parentage and receiving the harsh glare and quiet whisperings of the adults when they think I am not looking. I may not know my dad but that doesn't mean I'm blind. I can see that no one is comfortable with my presence.
I sigh sadly. Running my fingers gently through the fur of the bunny that just happened to plop itself in my lap. While my other hand softly petted the back of the deer that had chosen to nuzzle its face right into mine. The first time this had happened. Animals suddenly taking a liking to me. Mother had panicked. Locking me inside for a week while the animals surrounded the place choosing to graze on the grass right outside my window, and occasionally dragging dead rats to our doorstep as offerings. (Never really understood why the cats found it a cool thing to bring me dead animals as a gift. Took me forever to train them not to do that anymore. Now they just bring me leaves around fall when the colors are changing. Guess they think it’s pretty. Though it’s better than dead rats.)
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The worse had to be when I was ten. I had gotten myself lost in the woods surrounding the village. When a mother bear had decided I was now her cub. She tried to raise me as her own. My poor mother nearly had a cow when she found me nestled against its stomach surrounded by its babies. She refused to let me enter the woods after that for 2 years. It’s not like it’s my fault my magic makes me good with animals.
I am forced from my thoughts as the deer jerking away from me, and the bunny leaping out of my lap, scurried away deeper into the woods at the arrival of three smirking boys. Groaning Internally at their appearance I rapidly leap to my feet. Brushing off my simple brown dress as I prepare my exit. Only to be yanked back to the ground by the ringleader. Coughing at the dust that fluttered into my lungs I glare in annoyance at John and his friends.
"Well, if it isn't the little bastard girl. Playing in the dirt are we." He mocks. Sneering as he kicks more dirt in my face. I sputter raising my hands in a futile attempt to stop at least some of the dirt from going in my eyes.
"What do you want John." I sigh exasperated as he finally ceased flinging dirt in my face. Getting once more to my feet and glaring at him. I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Did you hear that boys? The little freak wants to know what we want." He laughs glancing at the two boys snickering on either side of him. Rolling my eyes, I turn to head home when I felt a rough hand on my shoulder spinning me around and pushing me harshly against the tree.
"Hey where do you think you’re going freak. I ain't done with you yet." He spat glaring at me. Opening my mouth to retort I paused as a new voice joined the Frey.
"I think you are." I smile happily. Peering over my attackers’ shoulders at one seething Will.
"Well, if it isn't the little freaks boyfriend. Come to save the day have you." He chuckles his hand still holding me against the tree.
"Let Merlin go John. Your fights with me now."
"Hmm maybe, but where's the fun in that." He hums. His eyes darting to the side. Only then did I realize that while John and Will have been talking. His friends had picked up a fallen branch and silently crept behind Will. Opening my mouth to scream a warning I stare in horror as it came too late as they hit him over the head. Knocking him to the ground but thankfully not hard enough to knock him out.
"WILL!!" I screech watching him groan in pain as they continued to smack him repeatedly. I could see a scary pool of blood begin forming around wills head. Yet it was the moment Wills unfocused eyes finally managed to meet mine that I snapped. Eyes glowing gold I sent our attackers flying in all directions. Knocking them out on impact. I only had eyes for Will. Racing to his side I frantically flutter my hands over him. Wishing I had paid more attention to my mom’s lessons in medicine.
"Merlin?!" Tears streaming down my face I gaze in relief at my mom hurrying toward us.
"This is not what I was expecting when I decided to come looking for you. You have a lot of explaining to do young lady, but for now help me get him back to our hut." She said in her physician’s voice as she placed her hands under wills shoulders. While I grabbed his legs. Hurrying back to the hut, Will between us. We quickly deposit him on my bed. My mom immediately began work on stitching up his head wound. It took all night, and many tears but finally Wills eyes opened.
"Will your awake. How do you feel." I asked happily kneeling beside my mom by the bed as she wiped the sweat off his face with a rag. Ignoring my question and gazing at me tiredly he only managed one question before he once more fell unconscious. A question that drained both my mom and I of color. One that would change my life forever.
"Merlin, you have magic?"