A haunting we will go - part 2
Author: archaeologist_d
Title: A Haunting we will go - part 2
Rating: G
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin, OCs
Summary: Merlin knew he should have waited until the kids were gone before playing with his magic. Now they thought there were ghosts.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 942
Camelot Drabble Prompt 520: Aftermath
Author’s notes: had to break this up into two part because of length - also the leaves are changing and I thought a little Halloween was appropriate
Disclaimer: I do not own the BBC version of Merlin; They and Shine do. I am very respectfully borrowing them with no intent to profit. No money has changed hands. No copyright infringement is intended.
--------------
Looking askance at Merlin, she said, “Sorry that she’s bothering you.” Then she turned to the girl. “Moira, you are late to dinner. We were worried.”
“Oh, Mr… umm,” Moira bit her lip and Merlin supplied her with his name. “Mr Merlin was telling me about his magic. Did you know that ghosts can’t come outside and that sometimes regret is the ghost that haunts the most?”
Moira’s mother looked sharply at Merlin. “Is that so?”
“The children thought my home was haunted. Unfortunately, my gate was the victim of the boys’ enthusiasm and Moira was helping me gather the pieces.” Merlin threw the wooden joist onto the pile. “It’s pretty much given up the ghost,” Merlin said, smiling.
Moira’s mum said, “I’m sorry. Can I help?”
“No, I was going to replace it anyway.” Merlin shrugged. “I just hope that they don’t try again. I know children are always curious but what they saw was just me practicing my magic tricks. It’s my hobby. No ghosts. But I would hate if they got hurt trying to break in. The place needs work.”
“Moira, you shouldn’t be bothering Mr Merlin,” the woman scolded. “I know it’s a bit of a haunted house like you see on the telly, but really, you need to leave the man alone.” Then she must have realised what she said. “Oh, sorry.”
“It is a bit of a haunted house,” Merlin said. “I was wondering what to do about it.”
“I always thought it would make a great attraction, really, you know, those haunted houses where people pay to be scared. It’s got lovely bones.” Moira’s mum blushed. “Oh, bother, I’ve put my foot in it. It’s really none of my business but John and I were talking about it the other day. What with All Hallow’s eve coming up. A few skeletons here and there, some fake spider webs. Some parlour tricks inside and bob’s your uncle.”
“But Mum, there are ghosts inside,” Moira said, sounding very certain. “They can’t come outside but if you go in, then… that could be scary.”
“My lady,” Merlin said, one knee down on the pathway, his face even with hers, “I swear to you that there are no ghosts inside. I was just having a bit of fun.” As he got up, his bones creaking a little, Merlin nodded toward the house. “But it might be exciting to see the old girl dressed up. Fake spider webs and skeletons? It might be a treat after all.”
Moira’s mum grinned. “I know quite a few people who would pay good money to see it.” But then she turned, pulling at Moira’s hand. “Time for supper, young lady, and after we will have a few words about bothering people.” She gave Merlin another smile. “I’m Elaine, by the way. It was lovely to meet you at last, Mr Merlin.”
With that, they walked away down the street, and left Merlin there, thinking about ghosts.
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On All Hallow’s Eve, there was a line out the door of his haunted house and down the street, waiting to get in. Merlin’s magic had come in useful, making his comfortable house inside look just was wonky and dilapidated as the outside. Plus using spells and people just thinking it was tricks and nonsense was wonderfully freeing. There were conjured ghosts wandering the hallways and a few scary bits for impressionable kids, drawing laughter and screams from the adults, too.
Moira had come in all her glory, fairy princess and wings, her wand at the ready to zap any ghosts who got in her way. Her parents were all smiles, they had even dressed up a bit in ridiculous costumes, Elaine’s witch’s hat a bit askew and John’s wizard robe covered in stars and moons.
Moira had a wonderful time, chattering away afterwards, waving her fairy wand around a bit as she told Merlin about the best bits.
Smiling, Merlin said, “My ghosts are very happy to have so much company.”
Her little hand pulled Merlin close to him, as Moira whispered, “Next year, I’m going to be a witch and use magic. Can you teach me some?”
Merlin smiled. “I know a few tricks.”
Shaking her head, Moira said, “No, not tricks, real magic.”
Oh, the innocence of youth. What could Merlin say but, “Of course, my lady.”
With that, her grin brilliant, she danced between her parents, her little wand almost a weapon as she wiggled it around. Then she stopped, looking up at him, and said, very solemnly, “You are going to have this again next year, aren’t you? Oh, please, Mr Merlin, it was such fun and even Tom and Ewan said so. Although Will was a bit of a baby about it.”
With that, Merlin laughed. He hadn’t so much fun in years, and even though he shouldn’t, he was already planning for next year, scarier ghosts and a few monsters lurking in the dark. He might even need to hire a ticket taker.
Nodding, Merlin said, “For you, my lady, my ghosts will happily haunt my house another year.”
Moira clapped her hands and gave Merlin the biggest grin, running around shouting her excitement. Her mum gave Merlin an exasperated look and then Elaine and John chased after her, calling for her to stop and promising candy when they got home.
It had been a good decision after all, to open his house and his heart to others, and it looked to be even better next year, with neighbours talking to him and a sense of community.
Best of all, the ghosts inside his chest were content at last.
Title: A Haunting we will go - part 2
Rating: G
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin, OCs
Summary: Merlin knew he should have waited until the kids were gone before playing with his magic. Now they thought there were ghosts.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 942
Camelot Drabble Prompt 520: Aftermath
Author’s notes: had to break this up into two part because of length - also the leaves are changing and I thought a little Halloween was appropriate
Disclaimer: I do not own the BBC version of Merlin; They and Shine do. I am very respectfully borrowing them with no intent to profit. No money has changed hands. No copyright infringement is intended.
--------------
Looking askance at Merlin, she said, “Sorry that she’s bothering you.” Then she turned to the girl. “Moira, you are late to dinner. We were worried.”
“Oh, Mr… umm,” Moira bit her lip and Merlin supplied her with his name. “Mr Merlin was telling me about his magic. Did you know that ghosts can’t come outside and that sometimes regret is the ghost that haunts the most?”
Moira’s mother looked sharply at Merlin. “Is that so?”
“The children thought my home was haunted. Unfortunately, my gate was the victim of the boys’ enthusiasm and Moira was helping me gather the pieces.” Merlin threw the wooden joist onto the pile. “It’s pretty much given up the ghost,” Merlin said, smiling.
Moira’s mum said, “I’m sorry. Can I help?”
“No, I was going to replace it anyway.” Merlin shrugged. “I just hope that they don’t try again. I know children are always curious but what they saw was just me practicing my magic tricks. It’s my hobby. No ghosts. But I would hate if they got hurt trying to break in. The place needs work.”
“Moira, you shouldn’t be bothering Mr Merlin,” the woman scolded. “I know it’s a bit of a haunted house like you see on the telly, but really, you need to leave the man alone.” Then she must have realised what she said. “Oh, sorry.”
“It is a bit of a haunted house,” Merlin said. “I was wondering what to do about it.”
“I always thought it would make a great attraction, really, you know, those haunted houses where people pay to be scared. It’s got lovely bones.” Moira’s mum blushed. “Oh, bother, I’ve put my foot in it. It’s really none of my business but John and I were talking about it the other day. What with All Hallow’s eve coming up. A few skeletons here and there, some fake spider webs. Some parlour tricks inside and bob’s your uncle.”
“But Mum, there are ghosts inside,” Moira said, sounding very certain. “They can’t come outside but if you go in, then… that could be scary.”
“My lady,” Merlin said, one knee down on the pathway, his face even with hers, “I swear to you that there are no ghosts inside. I was just having a bit of fun.” As he got up, his bones creaking a little, Merlin nodded toward the house. “But it might be exciting to see the old girl dressed up. Fake spider webs and skeletons? It might be a treat after all.”
Moira’s mum grinned. “I know quite a few people who would pay good money to see it.” But then she turned, pulling at Moira’s hand. “Time for supper, young lady, and after we will have a few words about bothering people.” She gave Merlin another smile. “I’m Elaine, by the way. It was lovely to meet you at last, Mr Merlin.”
With that, they walked away down the street, and left Merlin there, thinking about ghosts.
--------------
On All Hallow’s Eve, there was a line out the door of his haunted house and down the street, waiting to get in. Merlin’s magic had come in useful, making his comfortable house inside look just was wonky and dilapidated as the outside. Plus using spells and people just thinking it was tricks and nonsense was wonderfully freeing. There were conjured ghosts wandering the hallways and a few scary bits for impressionable kids, drawing laughter and screams from the adults, too.
Moira had come in all her glory, fairy princess and wings, her wand at the ready to zap any ghosts who got in her way. Her parents were all smiles, they had even dressed up a bit in ridiculous costumes, Elaine’s witch’s hat a bit askew and John’s wizard robe covered in stars and moons.
Moira had a wonderful time, chattering away afterwards, waving her fairy wand around a bit as she told Merlin about the best bits.
Smiling, Merlin said, “My ghosts are very happy to have so much company.”
Her little hand pulled Merlin close to him, as Moira whispered, “Next year, I’m going to be a witch and use magic. Can you teach me some?”
Merlin smiled. “I know a few tricks.”
Shaking her head, Moira said, “No, not tricks, real magic.”
Oh, the innocence of youth. What could Merlin say but, “Of course, my lady.”
With that, her grin brilliant, she danced between her parents, her little wand almost a weapon as she wiggled it around. Then she stopped, looking up at him, and said, very solemnly, “You are going to have this again next year, aren’t you? Oh, please, Mr Merlin, it was such fun and even Tom and Ewan said so. Although Will was a bit of a baby about it.”
With that, Merlin laughed. He hadn’t so much fun in years, and even though he shouldn’t, he was already planning for next year, scarier ghosts and a few monsters lurking in the dark. He might even need to hire a ticket taker.
Nodding, Merlin said, “For you, my lady, my ghosts will happily haunt my house another year.”
Moira clapped her hands and gave Merlin the biggest grin, running around shouting her excitement. Her mum gave Merlin an exasperated look and then Elaine and John chased after her, calling for her to stop and promising candy when they got home.
It had been a good decision after all, to open his house and his heart to others, and it looked to be even better next year, with neighbours talking to him and a sense of community.
Best of all, the ghosts inside his chest were content at last.