Just a Sparrow
Author: Gilli_ann
Title: Just a Sparrow
Rating: G
Characters: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Merlin is saddened by the sight of a dead little bird
Word Count: 350
Prompt: 515'Scrap'
Author's Notes: Canon-ish with an AU element
Just a Sparrow
Merlin noticed it as he hurried across the courtyard.
Some tiny fluttering feathers, a scrap of torn flesh and minuscule bloodied and mangled bones.
A sparrow had been searching for sustenance under a grain cart, and had clearly paid with its life. The grey and brown little bird had been crushed under heavy, iron-rimmed wheels. It was no more. It never had brilliant plumage, and warbled no enchanting songs, but now it didn't even have its precious spark of life. Extinguished, flattened, already nearly unrecognizable. A rain shower would be all it'd take to wash away the last of it, and there would be no indication that the sparrow ever existed.
Merlin was filled with a deep sadness as he contemplated the lost little life. The bird, small and unassuming, had never had much going for it. It wasn't fair that this had happened. But life is never fair. How often hadn't he seen proof of that?
He sighed, and made to move on, but suddenly knelt down instead. Reaching out, he covered the feathered remains with his hand, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Somehow, it worked. Somehow, his wish turned into a command and a spell so powerful that for this one most unimportant of lives, the clock turned back to the time when it was still ticking.
He felt movement under his palm, and moved his hand. The sparrow, whole and alive, eyed him in fear. It hastily hopped away from him, spreading its wings.
Merlin watched in wonder as the bird took to the air.
But he had no further time to contemplate this marvel, for just then, a familiar voice spoke up behind him.
"Merlin! What are you doing, trying to catch that bird, you idiot? Leave it alone. It's too small to make a meal, and it's probably got vermin."
Merlin sighed and stood up. "Yes, Arthur."
"You've got all your chores still waiting, I'll wager. Come on!"
"I'm coming, Arthur."
Perched on one of the castle's window ledges, a sparrow chattered excitely after Merlin as he left in the prince's wake.
Title: Just a Sparrow
Rating: G
Characters: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Merlin is saddened by the sight of a dead little bird
Word Count: 350
Prompt: 515'Scrap'
Author's Notes: Canon-ish with an AU element
Just a Sparrow
Merlin noticed it as he hurried across the courtyard.
Some tiny fluttering feathers, a scrap of torn flesh and minuscule bloodied and mangled bones.
A sparrow had been searching for sustenance under a grain cart, and had clearly paid with its life. The grey and brown little bird had been crushed under heavy, iron-rimmed wheels. It was no more. It never had brilliant plumage, and warbled no enchanting songs, but now it didn't even have its precious spark of life. Extinguished, flattened, already nearly unrecognizable. A rain shower would be all it'd take to wash away the last of it, and there would be no indication that the sparrow ever existed.
Merlin was filled with a deep sadness as he contemplated the lost little life. The bird, small and unassuming, had never had much going for it. It wasn't fair that this had happened. But life is never fair. How often hadn't he seen proof of that?
He sighed, and made to move on, but suddenly knelt down instead. Reaching out, he covered the feathered remains with his hand, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Somehow, it worked. Somehow, his wish turned into a command and a spell so powerful that for this one most unimportant of lives, the clock turned back to the time when it was still ticking.
He felt movement under his palm, and moved his hand. The sparrow, whole and alive, eyed him in fear. It hastily hopped away from him, spreading its wings.
Merlin watched in wonder as the bird took to the air.
But he had no further time to contemplate this marvel, for just then, a familiar voice spoke up behind him.
"Merlin! What are you doing, trying to catch that bird, you idiot? Leave it alone. It's too small to make a meal, and it's probably got vermin."
Merlin sighed and stood up. "Yes, Arthur."
"You've got all your chores still waiting, I'll wager. Come on!"
"I'm coming, Arthur."
Perched on one of the castle's window ledges, a sparrow chattered excitely after Merlin as he left in the prince's wake.