Hello and a story.
Back on computer again. Feels good.
So I was scrolling through Tumblr - as I do a lot nowadays hehe - and came across this gorgeous picture and was inspired to write something. I had a beginning in my head already but this gave me my ending.
So here it is.
A little Merlin/Arthur resurrection/re-birth story.
His hands were the first to change. The strength in them slowly returning after centuries. It was the only sign he needed to see. No flashes of light in the sky, no shaking earth beneath his feet. It was all he needed to know. Now he could rest. He could wait for a while safe in the knowledge he would soon be going home.
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From the moment they looked into their baby’s eyes, they knew there was something truly special about him. “Welcome to the world. My little prince.”
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It was strange to see his face again without all the signs of age. He was happy that the process had taken it’s time.
He wouldn't have been ready otherwise. But now he was. The photos on the table beside him pointed the way. His heart had been broken that day on the shores of Avalon. Now he hoped this time it would be healed.
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He hadn’t planned for the event to happen here. It was all his father’s doing. He loved the man to death but when it came to his career he could be overbearing. With his natural charm and astute mind, politics had been a natural fit for him. Here he was, in his late twenties, campaigning for party leadership. He had everything he needed to succeed - an influential father, a solid plan for the party and a strong circle of advisors and friends around him. This speech was the last thing to do. One last call to rally the troops before the vote.
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He could feel the rain slowly seep through his hood but he didn’t want to hide under an umbrella. Not today. He wanted to be seen today. He had to be. So he made his way through the gathering crowd as they waited. _____________________________
The sound of the rain echoing on the roof was driving him insane. He wanted to be out there. He couldn’t explain it. So he grabbed his coat and was halfway to the door when his campaign manager popped his head in .
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Good.”
With a reassuring smile and a pat on the back, he made his way out towards the stage. As he climbed the stairs, a small red butterfly landed on his shoulder.
“Wish me luck” he whispered before it flew away into the rain.
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It was like time had restored everything as it had been before. A loyal crowd enraptured by the words of their leader. He knew it would have been a magical time, even if he hadn’t had been there.
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The applause was rapturous. It couldn’t had gone better for him. Even on this miserable day, people had turned out in their thousands to see and support him. As he looked out into the crowd, he saw the butterfly again. It was dancing over the crowd, almost as if it was looking for someone. He stood and watched as it dived into the crowd and landed on the shoulder of a, oddly familiar looking, young man.
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“Hello, old friend. I wondered if I would see you again. It has been too long.” he whispered to the creature on his shoulder. All the pieces were falling into place.
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He moved through the crowd like a man possessed. He knew where to go without a second thought. He was almost shaking with anticipation at what waited in the middle of the crowd. The young man talking to a butterfly.
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“Hello.”
The familiar voice caught the breath in his throat. He’d gone so long without hearing it that it felt like a dream. But when he looked into those eyes, he knew it was real.
“Hello, Arthur.”
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That voice. Those eyes. His smile. Arthur blinked and reached out. Their hands met halfway and a jolt of heat coursed through his body.
He remembered.
He remembered it all. His life. His death. His love.
Arthur pulled the man into his arms and brought their foreheads together.
“Merlin” his voice was barely a whisper, he was so scared to be wrong.
“I’m here.”
“How?”
Merlin’s eyes shone a brilliant gold.
“Magic”
The world around them (and all the camera flashes and murmurings) faded away as their lips came together. It had taken centuries, but finally Arthur and Merlin were home.
Tomorrow their work would begin, but today was theirs.