MERLIN'S POV
----------------------------------------
"Arthur what are you doing." I ask, sneaking up on the crown prince as he sat crouched behind a rose bush. He jumped at my question not expecting me to suddenly appear out of nowhere. Placing a hand over his heart he glared me down, a scowl upon his prattish face.
"Merlin don't do that." He snapped angrily, and honestly you can't blame me for biting on the worm he just extended to me. He makes it to easy. Composing my face, I attempt a serious expression as i fold my arms politely behind my back.
"Sorry sire. I would have thought, with you being the best knight in the kingdom, that you would have noticed me. I guess even big strong knights can be scared by a lowly maidservant." He sputtered at that. Frantically attempting to rescue the pride I just shattered.
"Of course, I saw you coming. Like you could actually sneak up on me. I just wanted to make sure you weren't trying to sneak up on anyone else."
"Then why did you jump." His mouth flapped like a fish on dry land as he desperately searched for words i already killed. After a moment he composed himself turning from me in a failed attempt to hide his embarrassment.
"Don't you have chores to be doing." He huffed returning to hiding behind the bush as his eyes scanned the area. A hint of fear in his eyes. I frowned at that but decided not to question his weirdness. For now, anyway.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. I was wondering if starting tomorrow I can have the next few days off." He snorted at that not even bothering to look up as he continued his sweep of the castle grounds.
"What so you can spend the time in the tavern getting drunk." I rolled my eyes at that cursing Gaius for coming up with that lame excuse.
"No actually my mom’s birthday is coming up and I was hoping to travel home for a few days to celebrate with her." He instantly fell silent at that. An almost sad expression flickering across his eyes as he no doubt remembered all the birthdays he would never spend with his own mom. After a moment of silence, he spoke. His voice softer than it was.
"Of course. You can have the week off. I will have a stable hand saddle a horse for you in the courtyard." I smiled throwing myself at him and wrapping him up in a hug.
"Thank you so much Arthur. Thank you. Thank you." I sang holding his stunned body close. Suddenly I stiffened as I realized exactly who I was currently hugging. Squeaking in embarrassment, cheeks flaming red, i leap away from him. Avoiding his gaze as I awkwardly begin walking away from the shocked prince.
"Er anyway I will see you later. Lots to pack." I nervously stammered bolting out of there as fast as possible. Only when I was safely back in my bedroom with the door shut and bolted, I realized. I never did find out why Arthur was hiding behind a bush.
----------------------------------------
The next day I was heading toward the court yard, where the horse should be waiting, when i paused. Brow creasing in confusion as I noticed both Arthur, Morgana, and Gwen sitting atop a horse each waiting for me. Beside them was another horse already saddled and ready for me.
"Um what’s going on? Why are you three here." I ask approaching and hooking my bag onto my horses saddle.
"Well seeing as you can't even walk 2 feet without tripping over your own feet. I figured I should come along just to make sure you don't fall off your horse and kill yourself on the way there." Arthur claimed smirking at me atop his black stallion. I narrowed my eyes seeing right though his weak excuse. It took me a while, but I figured out shortly before dawn why Arthur would be behind that bush. I can also guess that would be the reason for his presence.
"Oh, and I assume it has nothing at all to do with you avoiding a certain scarlet haired princess?" I hummed smirking as he blushed tomato red.
"Of course not. Princess Annabeth has nothing to do with it. I merely want to make sure I don't lose my maidservant to her clumsiness. It would be a right pain to have to train a new servant after all." He retorted attempting to hide his embarrassment. Causing my smirk to widen into a grin.
"Of course, sire." I mocked before turning to the other 2.
"What about you, my lady. Why are you and Gwen tagging along?"
"Oh, I am just tired of being cooped up in the castle. Besides I think it would be lovely to meet your mother Merlin, and Gwen is coming as my companion." Morgana happily chirped. Smiling and shaking my head at the 3 amigos I swung myself into the saddle before following Arthur out the city gates.
----------------------------------------
"What are you doing Merlin?" Morgana enquired sitting beside me by the fire. Looking up at my friend I smiled before going back to my project.
"I'm making a gift for my mom." I answered not even bothering to ask why she wasn't asleep like Gwen.
"A gift?"
"Yeah, I'm making a bird out of wood. She once told me I received my name from a golden eyed bird called a Merlin. She said it was her favorite animal for how beautiful its eyes shone in the morning light. So, I decided to make one for her to keep." I replied to a soft smile on my face as I focused on my project. Only for it to vanish into a scowl at the prats voice.
"Why not just buy an already made carved bird instead of taking so much time to make one?" I rolled my eyes at how naive and oblivious the prat is.
"Well sire for one thing. I don't have the money for something like that. It usually cost about a month worth of my paycheck. Even than I would be short."
"Then why not just ask me for money. I could have he... eep" He yelped as I threw a small pebble at him. Not large enough to hurt him, but big enough to shut his mouth.
"Because you prat if you paid for it than it would be your gift. Not mine. Besides I like to take the time to do it myself. I feel like it means more when you sacrifice time out of your busy schedule to do something nice for another. It shows that you care. At least that’s my opinion anyway. There I'm done." I triumphantly crowed passing the little figure to Morgana who examined it with awe in her eyes.
"Where did you learn to carve so well Merlin." Morgana curiously asked carefully passing the bird to Arthur for his inspection.
"Well for that I will have to explain a little about my life thus far. You see I grew up without a father and a mother who struggled just to put food on the table. I was often seen as a little demon by the other villagers as I was born out of wedlock. So, they kept their distance. The adults were afraid my "curse", if you will, of being fatherless was contagious. They were worried it would spread to their children any they would also grow to sleep outside of marriage. So, for the most part my mother and I were on our own. We had very little money so on times of celebrations the best we could do was scrounge up maybe a second bowl of porridge rather than one, and my mom’s birthdays were all but forgotten. I was 6 when I decided I wanted to give my mom a gift. I didn't want her to go another year doing so much for me without so much as 1 present. I got the idea when a traveling peddler showed me one of the carvings he was selling, but when I asked, I found they were too expensive. Not that I had any money anyway. Disappointed I retreated to the woods. I was wandering around wallowing in self-pity when I had the idea. Why not make a carving me? I admit I am not proud of what I did next, but in my little kid mind I justified it with making my mom smile on her birthday. As I was little, I wasn't actually allowed to play with sharp knives, but I knew where my mom kept her favorite knife. So, when she was busy, I snuck in and took it. When mom noticed it gone, she freaked out crying and tearing the place apart looking for it. I was terrified I would get in trouble. I didn't understand why my mom was so upset until after I had returned it with the gift. It was the last thing my dad left mom before he left." I paused letting my words sink in a moment before I continued.
"I was worried I would get in trouble for taking it so Instead of fessing up. I kept quiet justifying yet again that once the carving was done, I would return it and my mom would forgive me. It took me longer than I thought to figure out how to do it. I didn't actually figure it out and finish a semi decent one until after a whole year had past. I cut myself more than I could count but I always told my mom i tripped. Don't think she believed me, but she didn't press the issue. Just bandaged my hand. During that time the loss of the knife weighed heavy on my mom’s heart. I felt bad for taking it, but I was convinced my mom would forgive me once she saw the carving. She did but I was grounded for 2 months after. On the day of her birthday after I finished the carving of a bunny rabbit, I gave it to her all smiles. She at first was awed by my gift but after a moment of looking at it her eyes narrowed, and she began questioning me how I made it. That’s when I admitted to taking the knife and returned it. She was relieved to have it back but was furious I took it as I could have been hurt. She walloped my backend so hard I couldn't sit down for a week begore grounding me for 2 months. It was when I was 12 on my birthday that she gave me back the knife deciding i was now old enough to care for it. She than told me the story of how my dad before he left was into carving figurines too. It was a favorite past time of his. When he left, he gave my mom his carving knife as a promise that when it was safe, he would return. He never returned. So, every year on her birthday since I got the knife back, I have made her a different animal from wood." I explained taking the bird from Arthurs outstretched hands.
"But why did he leave in the first place?" I jumped slightly as Gwen’s quiet voice joined the conversation. Her slim figure appearing from the darkness to sit beside Arthur on the log across from us.
"He had no choice. A very bad man who were after my dad sent some people to raid our villager searching for my dad. My dad worried my mom would be caught in the cross fire left promising to return once Ut. i mean once that man stopped looking for him, but he never did stop looking so my dad never returned. He didn't even know my mom was pregnant with me when he left. Anyway, I am going to turn in. See you in the morning. That’s all I really know of my dad though as it’s a sore topic for my mom, so she preferred not to talk about him to much. I don’t even know his name, only a knife to remember him by because of a man who couldn't let a peaceful man go even beyond borders." I sighed giving away more than I intended. Not that they would connect the dots that it was Uther who drove my dad away. I can only assume my dad also had magic and that’s why he was chased. Though why Uther was so desperate to capture him even after crossing to Cedric’s territory is beyond me.
My heart weighed a bag of bricks by now as thoughts of what could have been if my dad wasn't forced to leave, danced through my head. Walking away before they could respond. I curled up under my ratty old blanket by the fire and closed my eyes. I could hear the others quietly whispering as they discussed what i just said, but I ignored them in favor of blocking out all thoughts a tear sliding freely down my cheek.
----------------------------------------
"Merlin when you told us about your home village, I admit I expected it to be.... I don't know more populated" Morgana stated. A frown on her flawless face as she scanned the seemingly lifeless town. Not a single soul could be seen on the street. If it weren't for the eyes stealthily peeking out their windows I would have started wondering if we had entered a ghost town.
Stolen story; please report.
"Mother." I whispered worriedly racing away from the others toward a little cottage at the edge of the forest. I could hear the others following but I ignored them in favor of focusing on getting to my mom.
"MOTHER!" I yelled flinging the door open and startling the poor woman half to death as she stood washing dishes.
"Merlin?" She whispered shocked. Wiping her hands on her apron she approached me tears pooling in her blue eyes.
"My baby girl." She cried leaping into my arms when close enough. Pulling slightly away I gently cup her bruised cheek. Staring worriedly into her swelling left eye, and split lip.
"Mother who did this to you." I whispered horrified at her battered form.
"Kanen." She whispered closing her eyes as a tears slid down her abused flesh. I gasped in shock my trembling hand releasing her cheek to cover my quivering lips.
"Kanen, but no one has seen him in years." I whispered terrified remembering the day the villagers chased him away.
"I thought he was dead."
"We all did my dear, but he appeared in the village yesterday with a band of men demanding our harvest. We refused of course so he sent his men to attack us. Beating people and killing a few of the men. When he was satisfied, he ordered his men to retreat. He told us he would return in 3 days and if we still would not surrender the harvest, he would take a young woman for each of his men." I shivered in dread at that. I could just imagine what he would do with those girls he took.
"Who is this Kanen fellow?" Arthur piped up alerting us to his and the others presence. Nervously licking my lips and wringing my trembling hands together. I gazed into his ocean eyes as I explained.
"He used to be one of the villagers who lived nearby, but then he attacked one of the young women in her home. The girls dad tried to stop Kanen but was killed for his troubles. He was banished and chased from the village soon after. That was 5 years ago and until today everyone thought he had died as we hadn't heard from him. Obviously not since he is now the leader of a group of bandits." I replied shivering as the young woman’s tear filled eyes and bruised and battered skin haunted my memories.
"And the girl. What happened to her?" Gwen hesitantly asked taking a careful step toward me. I turned away at this crossing my arms protectively over my chest in an attempt to hide my pain filled eyes.
"She killed herself a week later." I softly answered not realizing I had started crying until Morgana had pulled me gently into her arms. Her chin resting atop my black curls.
"I'm so sorry Merlin." She whispered pressing a comforting kiss to the top of my head as she held me close. It’s in this moment that I truly understood what it meant to have a sister as Morgana held me close, and Gwen rested a gentle hand on my trembling shoulder. Arthur unsure how to deal with my tears stayed glued in the doorway awkwardly running his fingers through his golden locks. After a moment he cleared his throat attempting to gain control once more.
"Well, no matter, he will not succeed. If you will allow me, I would like to help."
"And how do you plan to do that your highness." A cold voice asked behind Arthur. Spinning around Arthur, Morgana, and Gwen stared wide eyed at the intruder. While my mom merely sighed in exhaustion, and I gasped in joy.
"WILL!" I happily exclaimed taking a step toward him. Only for him to lift his hand to stop me. His hateful eyes never leaving the prince's.
"Well?" Will prompted a snap in his tone. After a moment Arthur shook off his surprise straightening his posture as he composed his face.
"I thought i could start by training the men and teaching them to fight." Will scoffed at that, causing Arthur compose to crack slightly before he once more composed himself.
"Sorry to disappoint your highness, but the men here are farmers. They aren't fighters."
"Maybe not but with a little bit of training anyone can learn to defend themselves." Arthur calmly answered only for Will to roll his eyes.
"It won't make a difference. Those bandits are stronger and more experienced. It doesn’t matter if you train us. It will still end with Kanen killing the villagers just like he did my dad. So why don't you just butt out and mind your own business. It’s what you royals are good at after all." He spat turning on his heel and disappearing through the door.
"What was that about. I thought you said Kanen only killed 1 person and assaulted another?" Arthur demanded not connecting the dots as he turned his frustration on me.
"He did, and that was Wills dad and older sister."
Arthur stared at me in a stunned silence. I could tell by his slack jaw and widened eyes that he did not expect that. I knew he probably had a lot of questions. Namely why Will hates Arthur when it was Kanen who delt the killing blow. Not that I could tell him he hates Arthur because I have magic and Arthur burns people like me. So instead, I said nothing. I know he will no doubt be furious for me running off before answering those questions but right now my friend needs me. So, nodding once at my mother I fled the room. Leaving my Camelot friends behind in stunned silence.
Following the trail left behind by my furious friend. I hurried to catch to him. The moment he was in view and saw me following he sped up. I grinned at his pitiful attempt to out run me. He should know by now he can't outrun me. Making sure no one was watching. I allowed my eyes to flash golden causing a yelp to slip from Wills lip as he suddenly found his shoe laces tied together. (Ignoring the fact that shoe laces aren't invented yet.) Sending him crashing to the ground. Laughing in triumph i pounce on him just as he had turned over and prepared to get up. Sitting on his chest and pining him to the dirt. I grinned down at his scowling face. My eyes twinkling mischievously.
"That’s cheating." He grumbled folding his arms over his chest and turning his face away from me. Laughing and getting off of him I extended my hand to help him up.
"No that’s called using my resources." I teased pulling him onto his feet.
"What do you want Merlin. Why are you and that idiot here.”? Will sighed glaring at me. Arms folded grumpily over his chest once more.
"Well, we originally came because my mom’s birthday is coming up and the others wanted to come along. Though to tell you the truth I am pretty sure Arthur just wanted to escape the visiting princess." I laughed remembering Arthur's terrified eyes as he hid behind a bush. Will merely rolled his eyes at this.
"Though now I am pretty sure Arthur, and the others now want to remain long enough to get rid of Kanen." Will scoffed at that.
"And how is the prince going to do that. He he faced against a band of bandits, plus Kanen with nothing but a sword and 3 women." Will mocked ignoring my frown at him basically calling me useless.
"Don't give me that look. I know you aren't defenseless but how do you plan to help without revealing your magic. I am sure the prince would be thrilled to discover his maidservant possessed the thing he hates most. Maybe he will even let you build your own pyre."
"Arthur's not like that. He wouldn't kill me if he knew." I weakly replied not quite believing my own words.
"Sure. Than let me ask you this. If he truly wouldn't kill you the first chance, he got than why haven't you told him yet?" At that I found I had no answer.
"I will tell you why it’s because deep down you know you can't trust him. If you could have told him ages ago." Will spat sending one last glare my way before walking away. Turning away from the retreating form of my friend. I quietly headed back to the others. A million thoughts running through my head. Was will right? Would Arthur burn me at the stake if he knew? Have I just been fooling myself?
----------------------------------------
Later after I had returned from talking to Will. I had found Arthur and the others gone. My mom told me they had left to talk to the villagers. After tracking them to the village square, I had watched in silence as Arthur convinced the people to fight for their homes and children. To not just take this lying down. It had taken much convincing and arguing with Morgana over training the women as well, but finally Arthur had succeeded.
Which brings me to now 2 days later. Leaning against a cottage watching as Arthur finished training both men, and women (Morgana wore Arthur down on women fighting. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.) In the art of self-defense before the battle. Will of course had put up a fuss and argued that they weren't going to win but he was ignored. So instead, he retreated to his home to sulk. They had also already moved the children and those men and women who did not want to fight into the forest to hide. Seeing as Kanen could arrive at any moment.
"Alright good job. Go and rest up for now and prepare for battle. Kanen could arrive at any moment and remember you can win." Arthur called tearing me from my thoughts as he tiredly approached me. Straightening I greeted the prince as he stopped in front of me a serious look on his face.
"You know there is still time to join the others in the forest." I snorted at that making it perfectly clear what I thought of that idea.
"Arthur like Morgana and I told you before we aren't going anywhere. You may have convinced Gwen to stay with the children, but if you think Morgana or I will just sit back and watch you fight you have another thing coming." He sighed nodding as if he knew my answer before I said it. He probably did though.
"Yeah, I know but I thought I would try anyway. Where is Morgana anyway." He asked looking around.
"She is with one of the other females borrowing some pants for the battle. Can't very well fight in a dress." I stated waving to my own brown shirt and black pants. My curly hair pinned into a messy bun. Nodding he turned to head back to my cottage. Biting my lip, and taking a huge leap of faith, I prayed Arthur truly was as trust worthy as I thought he was as I did something stupid.
"Arthur." He paused looking over his shoulder a question in his eyes.
"There is something I need to tell you, but before I do promise me you won't think too badly of me when I do." He frowned at this turning fully around to face me. Walking over to my shaking body he placed gentle hands on my shoulders. Soft blue eyes staring into mine.
"What is it, Merlin. What has you so worried?" He softly asked. Worrying my lip, I shook my head.
"No promise first that you won't hate me once I tell you this." His frown deepened at this, but he nodded.
"I promise. Now what is wrong?"
"I..."
"HE'S HERE! KANENS HERE!!!" A villager shouted dragging Arthurs attention away from me. Momentarily forgetting about me Arthur raced toward the shouts hand falling to grip his sword. Sighing in exasperation I followed. I just hope he isn't to shocked after my reveal later.
----------------------------------------
"Who did that! Who created that whirl wind!?" Arthur demanded striding angrily toward Will and me. The battle though long had finally ended. Will had appeared sometime during the battle and had started cutting down bandits apologizing to me. When the bandits started surrounding us, I knew I had no choice. So, with will by my side I conjured a massive dust storm to take down the rest of the bandits. Ending the battle once and for all. Only problem is Arthur had seen. Though he didn't yet know which one of us conjured it.
Stopping in front of us. A scowl on his face. He crossed his arms angrily over his chest as he waited for an answer.
"Well, I asked you a question. Who used magic.”? He demanded eyes flicking between Will and me.
"Arthur I..."
"LOOK OUT!!" Will shouted cutting me off and pushing Arthur out of the way of an arrow aimed at his back. I screamed i horror as the arrow instead lodged itself in Wills chest. Arthur spinning around drove his sword through the man who shot the arrow before returning to Will and I. Crouching down beside me. Arthur stared at Will in awe.
"You saved me?" Arthur said more a question than statement.
"Y... yeah I don't k... know what I w... was thinking. That’s t... twice I have saved you n... now." will stammered blooding leaking from the sides of his mouth as he coughed.
"Twice?" Arthur asked confused. I felt dread pooling in my stomach as I realized what he was about to do.
"Will no."
"It’s ok Merlin. It was me. I c... conjured the dust s....storm." He coughed weakly eyes already beginning to flutter shut.
"Wha u do? Kill me...me?" He slurred no longer able to form complete sentences.
"No. Do what you can for him." Arthur sighed briefly looking to me before standing up and walking away.
"Will why did you do that." I cried tears leaking from my eyes. Instead of answering he merely smiled raising a shaking hand to my cheek.
"I l....love you M... Merlin." He whispered eyes falling shut and arm falling limply from my cheek to the ground. His chest moving one last time in his final breath before falling still.
"Will? Will? WILLL!!!!"
----------------------------------------
"I assume that’s what you were going to tell me earlier?" I ignored him. Choosing not to reply as I tearfully watched the flames consuming my deceased friends body.
"I understand now why you made me promise not to think differently of you. Though I wouldn't have treated you differently for your friends crimes." My eye twitched slightly as I attempted to contain my anger at his light use of crimes.
"But Merlin you should have told me. Sorcerers are not to be trusted. He may have been fine now, but it was only a matter of time before the magic corr...." He squawked surprised as I landed a solid punch on his nose. Hiding my golden eyes beneath my hair as I ensured it broke beneath my fist. He stared up at me from the ground in surprise as he brought a hand to his bleeding nose.
"You have no right. No right to talk about Will that way. Especially after he just saved your life. You didn't know him like I did. He may have been rough around the edges, and a bit grumpy. Yet he was still my friend, and I... I loved him. You have no right to desecrate his memory with your prejudice. No right, oh and news flash prat. We aren't in Camelot. Magic isn't out lawed here. I only to tell you earlier because I believed you to be a better man than your father. I respected you enough to give you a heads up. Obviously, I was wrong. You are just as bad as Uther. You know what. I can't deal with you right now. Just take the others and leave. I will return to Camelot in a few days. Right now, I need time to grieve, and I can't do that if I keep wanting to punch your face in every time your mouth opens." I spat turning away and beginning to walk away.
Arthur jumping to his feet reaches out to grab my arm, but I yank it away. Hissing like a cat at him. If I had claws, they would be out and scratching. Arthur seeing this backed up. Holding his hands up in placation. Huffing and sending one last glare his way I turned and headed home. Where my mom promptly wrapped me in a hug as I sobbed my eyes out not just for my lost friend, but for how wrong I was about Arthur. Will was right. Arthur really would light my pyre if he knew.