[FIC] As His World Trembles - Part I (Arthur/Merlin; PG-13)
Author/Artist/Vidder: Anon
Title: As His World Trembles
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Arthur/Merlin, Uther, Gwen, Morgana
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Merlin grows up as a slave to King Lot. Yet due to his friendship with a fellow slave, Euan, and the support of the King’s second son, Prince Gwion; life isn’t so bad.
Once Merlin is eighteen, his world collapses after an emotional loss and an unexpected sacrifice.
When he goes to Camelot with King Lot, Merlin meets Arthur and finds that happiness can still be found in life amidst the tragedy.
Content notes/warnings (if any): violence (not graphic), slavery, character death (neither Merlin nor Arthur), grief-caused eating disorder, incest (goes as far as kissing)
Total Word Count/Length: 15,786
Original prompt number: 95 - Submitted by gold_lion7
Disclaimer: This story/artwork is based on characters and situations created and owned by the BBC and Shine TV. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's/Artist's/Vidder's notes (if any): There is no magic ban in this AU version of Camelot. Ygraine dies in childbirth, but magic isn’t the reason why. Therefore, the Great Purge doesn’t happen.
Beta(s): Anon and Anon
( Read on AO3 )
~ * ~
“Forgive me, Ygraine,” King Uther said quietly.
He stole his second son away into the night. Uther simply couldn’t keep the child that had led to his beloved wife’s death. If she hadn’t become pregnant again two years after Arthur’s birth, then his dear Igraine would still be alive now.
Yet this child, this dark-haired little babe, was the reason why Igraine was lying cold and dead underground. So he had to get rid of Merlin somehow. Killing him would be unthinkable. No matter the torment Uther was suffering because of the child’s existence, he still couldn’t bear to kill his own son.
So he made an arrangement with King Lot to take the child. Uther told him that he’d found the newborn without a mother and he wasn’t going to spare any time and care for a child of a simple servant.
Fortunately Lot agreed to take the child. He told him he had another infant, a boy as well by the name of Euan, whom he thought would benefit from having a friend his age. They would both be slaves - meaning unpaid servants -- and once they reached a certain age, they would be given certain other duties. Uther hadn’t wanted to know those details.
Though Uther was not happy about a son of his becoming a slave, at least there would be someone at Lot’s castle who would be a confidante to him.
And it was a relief that he wouldn’t have to look at Merlin every day and be reminded of his wife dying because of his birth.
King Lot sent a representative, Desmond, to take away the child. And after Uther gave his second son to the man, he felt a burden lifted off of him.
Arthur would be his only son now.
Fortunately everyone bought his story that Prince Merlin had died suddenly - as babies were wont to do. Uther had kept Merlin close to him in his bedchambers. That decision had left all of Camelot -- even the Court Physician -- believing that he wanted to be close to his second-born after the Queen’s unfortunate demise.
King Uther never thought the lie he had weaved would eventually unravel one day.
~ * ~
King Lot’s Castle:
“Corin, Desmond has brought the baby Father told us about. Someone to keep Euan company.”
Corin looked at him with cool blue eyes. Gwion almost wished he hadn’t bothered. His older brother never seemed to be in a good mood. “Who bloody cares, Gwion,” he told him. “They’re both slaves and beneath us. Why don’t you find something more interesting to do rather than waste time thinking about poor, pathetic children?”
“I’ll tell Father you said that!”
“Yes well, try that, Gwion. We know how often he listens to you,” Corin said dismissively.
Being only five, Gwion knew there was little he could do to compete with his eight-year old brother and his often harsh words. But there were times when Gwion saw the goodness in his brother…they almost made up for his unpleasant behavior. Gwion wished Corin would be friendlier. Was that too much to ask?
“I’m going to see the new baby. I don’t care what you say.”
“Fine. Go ahead,” Corin said with a shrug.
“Don’t you want to come with me?” Gwion asked him.
“Not at all.”
“You’re dull,” Gwion said, all matter of fact.
He glared at him and left the room.
“One day you’ll understand what it means to be a real prince,” Corin shouted after his retreating form.
Gwion ignored him, determined that his frustrating brother wouldn’t ruin this for him.
~ *~
“Come to see the little one, love?” Chelsea, the nursery maid, asked him.
“Yes,” Gwion told her with a smile.
“There he is. His name is Merlin.”
Gwion peered into the bassinet and saw a baby with hair as dark as his but his eyes were bright blue - open and curious - so different from Corin’s cold blue eyes.
Gwion had pale brown eyes in comparison. Next to his blond-haired, blue-eyed brother, he looked unremarkable and sometimes felt it too.
But Merlin was really nice-looking, like all babies he supposed; he was cute in his smallness. Gwion wanted to hold him but Chelsea said he was too young to do so.
Gwion settled for grasping his hand, watching as the child’s hand wrapped around his finger.
“I’ve decided to come,” Corin’s voice from behind him startled Gwion.
He turned around.
“My Lord, are you interested in seeing the baby?” Chelsea spoke first.
“No, but since Gwion finds me dull, I thought coming here would help.”
“I knew you would,” Gwion said.
“I’m sure,” he said, appearing to not quite believe Gwion’s faith in him.
Corin looked into the bassinet and commented, “He’s very small.”
“He’s a baby, Corin,” said Gwion, rolling his eyes.
“Be nice to your brother, My little Lord,” Chelsea admonished him.
Gwion stuck out his tongue at his brother anyway when Chelsea wasn’t looking.
~ * ~
10 years later
“I have a secret,” a ten-year old Merlin told Euan excitedly with a grin.
“What is it?” Euan asked.
He looked at Merlin and took his attention away from his miniature knight on a horse wood carving.
“I found a hidden passageway, just behind a bookcase in the library.”
Euan frowned. “Didn’t Prince Gwion tell us he knew all the hidden passageways and rooms? I’m sure he knows about this one. It isn’t much of a secret then.”
“Maybe. But it’s nicer to pretend it is and that we’re the first to discover it. Like we’re adventurers.”
Euan nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
Merlin usually managed to persuade him to go along with his plans. He hoped that maybe Euan would be braver if he did more adventurous type things yet his friend’s naturally quiet demeanor was hard to shake. Still, Merlin was grateful to have him as a friend. Prince Gwion, who was fifteen and therefore wise, told Merlin that he could learn a lot from Euan. Like patience and that there was a time to speak and a time to be quiet.
Merlin wasn’t quite sure he was succeeding in learning all that, but he felt he was doing his duty by ensuring Euan did something exciting once in a while. Considering how unexciting and generally dull their life was in their low-born positions, Merlin was certain they needed to do something fun every so often.
As they headed to the library, Merlin asked Euan about the knight and steed carving.
“Prince Corin gave it to me. He said he wanted to get rid of his old toys, and he let me have this. Isn’t it really nice?” he asked Merlin.
“I guess so,” Merlin said. “Could I see it?”
Euan nodded. “Here.” He handed it to him.
Merlin carefully traced the outline of the horse and then the knight. It was worn in some places from years of play, but it was a good carving all the same.
“I can’t believe the Ice Prince gave this to you,” Merlin commented in a soft whisper that came out as a hiss.
He didn’t want any lord passing by and hearing the name a lot of servants and slaves called the eighteen-year old Prince Corin. As a slave, he’d be punished without question.
Euan took the toy back from Merlin. “Prince Corin is nice. He likes me, I think.”
Merlin shrugged. “I don’t see him really liking anyone except his father, of course, and well…Prince Gwion maybe. Although that might be only because he has to since they’re brothers.”
“I believe Prince Corin likes me. He wouldn’t give me this toy otherwise.”
“You’re lucky then,” Merlin decided.
He didn’t want to argue the point further. For his part, Merlin doubted Prince Corin would ever stop glaring at him like he had done something wrong - even if he hadn’t - whenever they passed each other.
When they entered the library, Euan started coughing loudly. Merlin was sure it was all the dust that made its home in the library. He should have remembered Euan was sensitive to the dust. This had been a bad idea.
“Sorry,” Euan said. “The dust - is - bad…”
Merlin gave him a crooked smile. “Don’t say sorry. You didn’t ask for this.”
They quickly left the library.
But Euan was still coughing despite being out of the library. He leaned against the wall, one hand to his mouth as he kept on coughing. His light-coloured eyes were watery and red.
The knight and steed toy fell from his other hand. Merlin, who naturally had quick reflexes - like magic sometimes he thought -, grabbed the toy before it could fall to the ground.
“I’ll keep it safe for you,” Merlin assured him.
Euan smiled gratefully at him, but he still looked miserable. Merlin didn’t like it at all that he continued to cough. He needed to stop.
Prince Gwion approached them.
“My Lord, I need your help,” Merlin asked of Prince Gwion.
The prince looked deeply concerned as he surveyed Euan. Merlin noticed that Euan had begun to cry
“I don’t feel well,” Euan said quietly.
Prince Gwion knelt down before him, and he touched his brow. “Your brow is a bit too warm. You must see the Court Physician.”
He swept aside an errant red lock of hair from Euan’s forehead.
“I can take him there!” Merlin volunteered.
“Thank you, Merlin,” Prince Gwion said to him kindly.
Euan lay down on his back and whispered, “I don’t think I can walk there, My Lord…”
Merlin felt nervous when he saw Prince Corin coming down the same hallway. But at least Prince Gwion was with them, so Merlin didn’t have to deal with the Ice Prince directly.
“Corin, Euan needs to be taken to the Court Physician,” Prince Gwion told his older brother. “Could you take him there please? Or find a servant to help?”
Prince Corin looked at each of them in turn, and Merlin didn’t miss the distinct note of concern as he peered at Euan and his undeniable state of misery.
“I’ll take the boy,” Prince Corin declared.
He lifted Euan up into his arms and started to walk toward the Physician’s chambers.
“Thank you, Corin,” said Prince Gwion.
He nodded at Prince Gwion.
Merlin hoped his mouth wasn’t agape like an idiot. He was shocked. He could tell from Euan’s face that he was just as surprised as Merlin was.
Euan got better to Merlin’s great relief. But that moment with Prince Corin forever cemented the fact that the Ice Prince could actually warm up to someone. Even a slave like Euan. It turned out to be a rare occurrence as the years wore on.
Prince Corin was a curious and infuriating puzzle to Merlin.
~ * ~
Eight years later…
“Do you have a problem?” Prince Corin asked Merlin. His tone was one of disinterest - something Merlin was all to used to. Prince Corin was as different as night and day to his younger brother.
“Euan isn’t feeling well, Sire. I’m coming in his stead.”
“You were whipped yesterday for your insolence to the visiting Lord Laramere. Unless you wish for an infection…”
“I didn’t know you cared, My Lord.”
“I don’t,” Corin answered softly after a long awkward silence. “It wouldn’t do if both you and Euan are unable to complete your tasks.”
“I was given the lash only five times, and I was treated. Teyrnon said I was fine. I’ve always healed fast.”
“I thought you’d do anything to avoid coming into my rooms.”
“I wanted to help Euan while he was ill by covering for him. Prince Gwion said it was all right,” Merlin explained, though Prince Corin did have a point.
Most of the servants and slaves were unnerved by Prince Corin and found him unpleasant to talk to. And that included Merlin.
Merlin winced though as he knelt down to light the fire. He had a bad feeling that one of his wounds had re-opened.
“It appears that your healing abilities are failing you,” Prince Corin commented idly.
“Maybe I should--”
“Yes, I think you should,” the Prince said, his words a dismissal of him. “And tell Euan to get better soon.”
He bowed. “I will, My Lord.”
~ * ~
Merlin wasn’t sure what possessed him to be disrespectful to nobility… there was always this itch inside him that made him want to speak his mind. And that Lord Laramere deserved the tone-lashing since he’d insulted Merlin’s mother and called her a whore.
Now Merlin had never known his mother and wasn’t quite sure what she’d been in life besides a servant, most likely. But he had been so frustrated that the Lord had the nerve to say that, that just because Merlin was a lowly slave, he was meant to brush off the insult from some high and mighty Lord and pretend it didn’t happen. So he felt justified in telling Lord Laramere that his face resembled a pig’s arse, and it was not a shock at all considering he acted like a pig’s arse too.
The punishment was worth it for that opportunity to defend himself and the ridiculous aghast look on the Lord’s face. Merlin had a laugh about the moment with Prince Gwion later on.
The whipping he had got yesterday wasn’t his first time. The most he got was twenty lashes at one time a few years ago. Fortunately, since then, the number had never gone over twenty. It was almost a miracle his back wasn’t destroyed with all the signs of bad behavior.
Prince Gwion did what he could to help Merlin, to limit the times he was punished, but he could only do so much as he was not King - and as second son, he was not heir to the throne, which further decreased his power and authority. In the end, his father had the ultimate say.
Of course there was the Prince Corin, who was heir apparent. Yet Merlin had always got the impression that Prince Gwion wasn’t that successful in swaying his older brother to his opinions. There was a reason after all why servants and slaves of the castle called Prince Corin, “the ice prince,” in hushed whispers behind his back. And the name wasn’t simply due to his white-blond hair and light blue eyes.
On his way to the Court Physician’s chambers, Merlin encountered Prince Gwion who was looking rather happy.
“Hello, Merlin,” the Prince said with a smile.
“What has you smiling, My Lord?”
“Princess Flora. I’ll be visiting her in a fortnight. We’re to be married next summer.”
Merlin knew that Prince Gwion had been betrothed to the Princess for the last few years, and that they were both quite in love with one another. There had been a delay though to them taking the final step. King Lot had wanted Prince Corin to find a wife first, a future Queen, but the elder Prince seemed thoroughly disinterested in making any sort of real connection with any of the visiting princesses.
Lot despaired of this predicament, Merlin was aware thanks to Gwion relaying the information to him with the trust that Merlin wouldn’t use it for fodder in castle gossip. Although it was quite easy to see for anyone who worked and lived in the castle that Prince Corin did not act normally.
But now King Lot must have assented to the match between his younger son and the princess. Princess Flora was just the third daughter of a King, so they were marrying more for love than for financial gain. Merlin liked the thought - and was glad Gwion would marry his love instead of being forced into an arranged marriage.
Merlin hoped, however wistfully, that he would one day find the love of his life. He knew realistically that would never happen as he was simply a slave and had little to offer a girl. The only choice he had was find a girl who was a slave too and try to woo her. Yet none of the female slaves really caught his interest, and he’d never had sex so that made the situation even more hopeless. He’d be a fumbling mess in bed, he was sure of that.
He was eighteen now and he wondered if that meant he’d have the chance for sex. He didn’t want to die a virgin.
“Merlin, are you there?” Gwion spoke up, pulling Merlin out of his thoughts. “You seemed somewhere else for a moment.”
“Oh sorry, My Lord!” Merlin said. He felt embarrassed for thinking about sex when Gwion had been speaking to him. “I’m happy for you and the princess. I know how much you’ve wanted this.”
Gwion nodded. “Of course no matter what, I do plan to take you with me.”
“I can’t imagine surviving long without you,” said Merlin with a grin.
Prince Gwion smiled, patting him on the back.
Merlin bit his lip, his back still a little sore and reminding him where he had planned to go in the first place.
“Sorry. I was headed to see Court Physician Teyrnon. To check on my wounds…”
“Oh Merlin. Don’t apologize. I should. I should have remembered. You go on.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” Merlin said, and he bowed to him.
“I’ll just be going to see my dear brother,” Gwion said. “Say hello to Euan for me. Hope he gets better. What a misery he must feel.”
“Of course.”
Merlin and Gwion parted ways, but not before Merlin turned back around. He had to bring this up before he lost his nerve completely.
“Prince Gwion…I was wondering. I’m eighteen now, and yet I haven’t…er. Nevermind.”
Fortunately, Gwion looked like he understood what Merlin wanted to ask.
“My father wanted you to start when you were sixteen, but I persuaded him to leave you be. Sometimes he takes my advice, sometimes he doesn’t; but for this, I’m glad he agreed. But if you feel you’re ready, then you can speak to the King about it.”
Merlin nodded, swallowing. “Thank you. I appreciate what you did.”
“I consider you a friend, Merlin. Never forget that,” said Gwion in a firm voice.
Merlin smiled genuinely. “I won’t. Good day, My Lord.”
~ * ~
Unfortunately this wasn’t one of the times that Euan would recover. It was not long after supper that Euan had taken a turn for the worst. Merlin was by his bedside, pleading with him to hold on, to fight this.
“I was never as strong as you, Merlin.”
“Please, Euan. You can’t. We’re supposed to be together until the end.”
“I’m sorry,” he said as he coughed up blood. “But I’m glad you’re here. If I must die, then I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather see before I do.”
“Please don’t talk like that. What about Prince Corin? You’re one of the few he actually seems to like. I can’t imagine another serving him. You have to defeat this, Euan. You can’t leave me. I won’t let you.”
“Merlin, the Physician tried all he could. I can’t…I tried, Merlin. Believe me, I did… I have little left in me to fight any longer. Tell Prince Corin that I am sorry.”
“No. Wait. I’ll go get him. You can tell him yourself.”
“Merlin…” Euan said to him, reaching out for his hand. Merlin obligingly took his friend’s hand in his own, squeezing it to comfort him. “Stop it. I don’t want him seeing me like this. Just stay here with me. That’s all--”
Euan looked about to say something further, but he instead sucked in a breath, and fell back on to the cot.
Merlin couldn’t bear to look at him, to see his chest not rising and falling as it should.
“Euan? Euan!” Merlin exclaimed, wanting to shake him awake. Like that would take him out of death’s grip.
The old physician Teyrnon came immediately to Euan’s side, previously letting Merlin a private moment with him.
Merlin barely heard the physician confirm Euan was dead upon checking his pulse. Still numb with disbelief he watched as Teyrnon closed Euan’s eyelids to give the futile impression that he was simply sleeping.
Except in this case, it would be an eternal rest.
“I should go and…” Merlin trailed off, unable to speak as he looked at Euan’s lifeless body.
His shock of red hair that Merlin had teased him about, how it reminded him of a blazing fire, now seemed duller in death. He’d never see him open his eyes again, the light colouring always making him look blind, or see him smile and hear his voice. Merlin couldn’t stand it.
“I’ll inform Prince Corin. Why don’t you tell Prince Gwion?” Teyrnon suggested to him.
Merlin nodded. “Of course, I will do that.”
He walked out of the physician’s chambers in a daze.
Walking down the hallway, the image of fire couldn’t get out of his mind. Trembling with grief and numb disbelief, he slid down the wall despondently. He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes as if that would stop the silent tears from falling. Euan had been his truest, oldest friend and he couldn’t bear losing him. Not now. It was too soon.
He wrapped his arms around his folded knees, resting his head on top of them. Merlin couldn’t help but hiss when he felt his right hand growing warmer.
Alarmed, Merlin shot out his arm, opening up the palm of his right hand. A hot, lively yet small flame appeared in his hand.
“What? I don’t understand…” Merlin muttered to himself.
With trepidation, he put his other hand over the red and orange flame to smother it. He pre-emptively cringed, expecting his hands to suffer burns.
But to his great surprise, the flame vanished after he put his other hand over it. Even touching the flame didn’t hurt him as it should have.
This was happening at the worst possible time. Merlin couldn’t spare a thought to consider the strange flame that hadn’t hurt him. His friend had just died, and the easiest thing for now was to pretend that the appearance of the flame had never happened.
He swiped at his eyes as tears flowed regardless of how much he wanted to stop them. He wasn’t supposed to cry. He was not a child, he was…
Merlin stopped his train of thought as he heard footsteps coming in his direction.
He thought that maybe he should get up. He should be going to see Prince Gwion after all. And if it was a noble approaching, he knew as a slave he couldn’t be seen sitting and idle. He should hide, somewhere.
“Merlin.”
It was Prince Corin. Probably the last person Merlin wanted to see.
“I’m sorry, My Lord,” Merlin said quietly.
He made no move to stand up as he should, and he knew he was playing with fire for not acting as he should in Prince Corin’s presence. The elder Prince was strict about propriety, and he would not condone Merlin’s improper conduct.
But Merlin was shocked when Prince Corin knelt down in front of him. He took out a handkerchief and proceeded to wipe Merlin’s tears as they trailed down his cheeks. Merlin was at a loss about what to say or do. After a few long confusing moments for Merlin, Prince Corin stopped and placed the handkerchief in Merlin’s hands.
“Euan has passed on,” Merlin told him.
The prince nodded. “He was a good man who was dealt an unfortunate hand,” he said softly.
Merlin nodded back, still uncertain how to handle this unexpected tender gesture from Prince Corin. He would never have imagined the “ice prince” to ever wipe his tears after kneeling down before him. It was surreal.
Prince Corin stood up. “I’m going to see him now,” he said to Merlin.
Merlin bit his lip, trying to force himself not to cry as a fresh wave of tears threatened to fall. He must not think of Euan. Doing that would stop him crying. But that felt near impossible and tears fell once again and Merlin wanted to scream. How was he to go on now?
When the prince was about to depart, Merlin spoke up, “My Lord. Your handkerchief.”
“Keep it. It’s yours,” Prince Corin told him.
“Thank you, My Lord,” Merlin said, choking up with emotion as he said the words.
The prince granted him a nod of acknowledgement and then walked away toward the Physician’s Chambers.
Merlin wondered if the world had gone mad as a result of Euan dying? He wanted to know what had caused Prince Corin to act so, well, warmly. But he was still too uneasy around him to dare ask such a question.
After composing himself with a shaky breath, Merlin stood up and went to tell Prince Gwion the sad news.
~ * ~
A week later, Merlin found himself cornered by two of Lord Laramere’s sons. He really didn’t need this now after Euan’s death, but he knew he should have expected revenge after his insult to the Lord from the previous week.
“I’m sorry. I just want to be left alone,” Merlin pleaded with them.
“We don’t take orders from a slave. You will pay for your words,” the taller son, Drake, said. He was thin, but threatening due to his height and he loomed over Merlin.
“Maybe we should cut out his tongue,” said the other shorter and sturdily built son, Joffrey.
Drake smiled with intent.
Merlin backed away with his hands raised in surrender. “I said I’m sorry. I’ve already been punished. Isn’t that enough?”
“No,” Drake said bluntly. He took the knife he had in hand and pressed it against Merlin’s throat.
“We decide when it’s enough. It’s not enough until you’re dead.”
“No one will care when you die. You’re only a slave,” said Joffrey.
Merlin bit his tongue when he wanted to shout back that Prince Gwion would care, he would never doubt that. But he didn’t think that would help his situation. Neither brother was listening to reason.
Drake spoke then. He took the knife away from Merlin’s throat to his relief.
“I think we should give you the courtesy of a slow and painful death,” he decided.
“Please, don’t! No. Please don’t do this,” Merlin begged them.
“Shut up,” said Drake.
And soon, all Merlin could think and feel was pain and panic…wondering if he would die, if his life would end before it had truly begun.
~ * ~
Afterwards, Merlin lay on the ground of the stables - Drake and Joffrey kicking him viciously before leaving him to die as blood pooled all around him.
He was having trouble breathing and he was almost certain that some of his ribs were cracked. Blood came out of his mouth.
He extended an arm, not really reaching for anything and only coming up with dirt in his hand. But Merlin felt the same hand growing warm. It was like the time shortly after Euan’s death.
He gasped when he saw the flame appear in his hand. He hadn’t expected it to return. Calm settled over him and he felt like the flame was his friend. That this would have to do, that if he had to die now then at least this little flame had come to warm him and keep him company as it flickered and danced in his hand.
“Can you help me?” Merlin asked in a whisper, delirium coming over him, as he hoped wildly that the flame could be his savior. Somehow.
The flame just continued on burning brightly. Merlin felt his eyelids droop, but before he fell into an uneasy slumber, he heard footsteps approach and someone say his name.
His last thought was that it sounded very much like Prince Corin.
~ * ~
Merlin found himself in a place of white mist. He could barely see anything around him as everything was cloaked in a thick fog.
“Merlin, it’s good to see you,” Euan greeted him, smiling, as he appeared out of the blinding mist.
Merlin went to embrace him without a second thought. “I’ve missed you so much,” he told him fiercely.
Euan returned the hug. “Me too,” he agreed as he pulled away from him. “But it’s not your time to be here,” he informed him, a hint of sadness in his voice. “I’m sorry. I am glad to see you though.”
“Am I dead?” Merlin wondered, assuming so if Euan was here.
“I think so, but not for long. You have so many great things ahead of you, Merlin. You can’t die now. But know that I will be here to welcome you when your time to be here arrives.”
“I want to be with you. You’re my true friend, Euan…if I have to die to be here with you, then I will gladly pay the price.”
“Don’t say that, Merlin. Please. You must feel it, you must know it deep down in your heart that this isn’t the end for you. Just promise you’ll live the best life you can live. That would make me happy.”
Merlin thought back to the flame appearing in his hand twice already. He couldn’t deny that the flame was as a result of magic… but it was a ridiculous thought, him with magic? He was only a slave after all. Maybe he was meant to live to discover more about himself? To learn more about this flame-producing magic? Maybe he was meant to do something bards would be telling stories about. Still, to think of himself as a conjurer or some type of sorcerer was almost absurd to wrap his head around.
Merlin nodded. “I’ll do my best,” he assured him.
Euan looked pleased. Then something appeared in his hand. It was the old knight on a steed toy Euan had received from Prince Corin eight years ago.
“I want you to have this. I know you’ll take good care of it,” Euan said to him.
“I promise,” Merlin told him, taking the toy from him. “It will be the most precious thing I own,” he declared with a small smile.
He looked at his hands and arms and saw them fading away. He was leaving.
“Goodbye, Merlin. And good luck, my friend,” Euan said to him.
Euan waved to Merlin as he faded away from the strange land of mists.
~ * ~
Merlin woke up with a gasp, sitting up as he did so.
He opened his eyes to see that he was in the Court Physician’s chambers. Prince Gwion and Teyrnon were there beside him. The prince urged him to drink from a glass of water. Merlin drank some water to soothe his dry and scratchy throat.
It was then that Merlin looked carefully at Prince Gwion’s face. He was paler than usual, and his eyes were red-rimmed like he had been crying. He looked miserable.
“My Lord. What’s wrong?” Merlin was desperate to know. He hated to see Prince Gwion look so upset.
Prince Gwion looked like he couldn’t bear to say the words. He shook his head, mustering a weak smile. “I’m glad you’re awake, Merlin. We were all worried about you.”
“You were asleep for two days,” Teyrnon informed him.
“Tell me what’s wrong. Please,” Merlin pleaded. He wanted to know now instead of letting others delay what was really on their minds.
“My brother is…gone,” Prince Gwion admitted quietly. He turned away from Merlin as tears came down silently his face.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“When I told Prince Corin that there was a strong chance you would not survive, he wasn’t happy about it,” Teyrnon said. “You were hurt very badly, Merlin. I didn’t know Prince Corin would do what he did.”
“What did he do?”
Prince Gwion chose to speak then. He let out a shaky breath. “There’s a lake - a different one to the lake Euan was sent across -- not far from the castle. Tales have been told about how it can save someone’s life…if a sacrifice is made,” he said. “After Euan’s death, Corin was very upset…I could see it in his eyes. I guess he couldn’t live with himself if you died too. You were Euan’s closest friend after all.”
“The prince appeared to have drowned himself. We found him and he was pulled out, but it was too late,” Teyrnon informed him.
Prince Gwion nodded.
“It was my fault!” Merlin exclaimed. “Lord Laramere’s sons were after me because of the insults I made to their father! I spoke out of turn when I should have had my lips sealed shut. I’m so sorry, My Lord. If I’d known you’d lose your only brother, I would have not been so foolish. Please forgive me,” he asked him, his voice full of desperation.
Tears fell unbidden down his cheeks.
“No,” Prince Gwion said firmly. “Do not excuse their actions. Whatever you said does not mean Drake and Joffrey should have acted so barbarically. You did not deserve that. It does not matter if you are a slave, you are still human and you deserve to be treated with respect and not as a target of someone’s bloodlust. They should not have left you for dead simply for a few words you spoke. You are a better man than Laramere’s sons any day.”
“I still…I’m still sorry. I wish I could turn back time. I hate seeing you so sad.”
“And I you,” Prince Gwion retorted with a slight smile. “My father told Drake and Joffrey to leave immediately for their deplorable actions toward you. They left in the evening on the same day they attacked you, so we are rid of them at least.”
Merlin privately wished that his attackers would have been executed for what they did. But such was the injustice in the world…the wealthy and powerful usually received lighter punishments. If Merlin had attacked a noble to the same extent, then he’d surely be dead now by public execution. Not that Merlin ever imagined himself acting so terribly - he would never stoop to Drake and Joffrey’s level.
Merlin was able to return to his room, the antechamber connected to Prince Gwion’s rooms. He was declared well by the physician as if he had never suffered a violent beating. He dreaded thinking about the fact that Prince Corin’s unexpected sacrifice was the reason he was still living and breathing now.
It hurt too much to think about.
But maybe now Euan and Prince Corin could reunite in death. Maybe out of this tragedy, there was a bit of hope to cling to. A blessing in disguise.
On his small bed, he noticed the knight on his steed toy that Euan had given to him. He’d almost forgotten about it. A chill passed over him as he realized that his near death experience had really happened. Merlin didn’t forget that the toy was placed with Euan on the boat that was set afire, sending his friend’s spirit into the afterlife as the fire blazed upon the lake. No other explanation existed for the toy being here in his room.
So there was no doubt. He had seen Euan, and his friend had entrusted the childhood toy to his care.
He wanted to throw the toy against the wall…hating this tangible reminder of both Euan and Prince Corin. Could he bear to look at it every day and be reminded of them? And wonder if he deserved this second chance at life?
Merlin knew it would be hard, but he owed Euan a promise. He had to live his life no matter the struggles that might come his way. He wanted to make his friend proud, make him happy.
And also, he just couldn’t let Prince Corin’s sacrifice be in vain.
But for now he only had the energy to lie on his side in bed with the toy in hand, and let the tears fall. As he stared unseeingly at the toy, Merlin allowed his sadness and misery to take over.
At least for a few hours.
~ * ~
Six months later…
“Are you ready to journey to Camelot?” Prince Gwion asked Merlin upon entering his room.
“No,” Merlin said. “Lothian is my home… I’d be lost in Camelot. I wish you were coming with. King Lot doesn’t seem to like me.”
“My father can be a hard man, but I do know that he took Euan as a baby even if he was aware that Euan was not well.”
“He took pity on him,” Merlin concluded.
“Yes.”
Merlin sighed. “I wish I hadn’t pushed Euan to do things he probably wouldn’t have done on his own. I should have just let him do what he’d rather do.”
“Merlin, don’t say that. You got Euan to make the most of his life, to experience more than he otherwise would have. Your friendship was the best thing that happened to him. Euan told me so when he was alive.”
“Really? He did?”
“Of course.”
Merlin smiled slightly, remembering when he and Euan had been just children. He had wanted to search the forest for fairies and sprites, and Euan had come along as usual.
While they hadn’t encountered any elusive fairies or sprites, they came upon a lot of small furry creatures. That had been good enough for them.
Then Prince Gwion poked him gently. “And you, Merlin, should eat more. It wouldn’t be good to be fainting in a foreign kingdom.”
Merlin shrugged. “I’m only a slave, My Lord. No one will care,” he said.
He couldn’t deny that after Euan and Prince Corin’s deaths a few months ago, he had lost most of his appetite and interest in eating. While he knew rationally that this wasn’t what the two of them would have wanted - for him to starve himself, it was difficult. Grief and guilt ate away at him - some days were worse than others.
It had come to the point where either Teyrnon or Prince Gwion had to sometimes force food into his mouth or sit by him during some meals to ensure he ate his food.
“Well I care, and I don’t want you speaking like that. You’re valuable to me.” Prince Gwion said fiercely.
“That’s why I don’t want to leave. I want to stay by your side especially now that you’ll be the future King of Lothian. I wish to help you in any way that I can,” Merlin told him in earnest.
Prince Gwion was remaining at Lothian while his father went with Merlin and a few other servants and slaves of the castle. This was a test for Prince Gwion to see how well he could run the kingdom while his father was away. Since Gwion was now the heir apparent, his father was putting more pressure on him to grow into the effective leader he needed his son to be.
Prince Gwion put his hand on Merlin’s shoulder. “You’ll be helping me by going to Camelot. It could be healing for you to be in a place away from the dark cloud of tragedy here at Lothian. It’s hard for me too to walk the halls and know that I won’t see my brother or Euan alive and well again. And Camelot is where you came from too, so it will be like returning home for you.”
“I was only a baby when I was taken from Camelot. I don’t remember anything about the kingdom.”
“That’s the wonder of learning and discovery,” Prince Gwion said, patting him on the back. “And I’ll be fine. Princess Flora will be with me for moral support.”
Merlin was happy to hear that. He liked the princess. Not long ago, when she came for Gwion’s ceremony to make him the official Crown Prince, she had given Merlin a bouquet of blue flowers because she thought the blue matched his eyes. She was beautiful with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Her kind heart assured Merlin that the prince could not have found a better bride. She would make a good Queen for the kingdom one day.
“That’s good, My Lord.”
“I hope it’s persuasive enough to get you to go,” Prince Gwion said with a small smile. “I’ll miss you, of course, but I look forward to your stories about your time there.”
Merlin thought to himself that the only story he’ll really have to tell is avoiding the Prince of Camelot. He’d heard stories of his arrogance, and this prince was the last person he wanted to see.
~ * ~
Prince Arthur never felt as affected by a look of disapproval as he did now. At the castle training grounds, he was doing some moving target practice as his manservant, Morris, carried the wheel. It was something he did often, and he felt a little defensive when that dark-haired stranger looked so displeased.
He must not know, of course…that man had to be a newcomer to Camelot. But how dare he judge him when this person didn’t even know Arthur?
Well, all right, so he wasn’t exactly being nice with his servant, but with his friends behind him, he couldn’t resist some joking around. His friends expected it of him and Arthur had to admit Morris was a bit useless, honestly. But anyway, he was the Prince of Camelot. He could do whatever he liked.
And yet, that damnable stranger. Why did he care what some man he’d never seen before thought?
The stranger started to walk away from Arthur without even saying a word, just the unhappy look that Arthur could not ignore.
Arthur would not let him leave. He shouted, “Hey! Do you have a problem?”
The dark-haired young man stopped and turned around. A fleeting haunted expression - mostly in his blue eyes - crossed his face before the stranger frowned. The man looked about his age, maybe a few years younger. His dark hair contrasted sharply with his paleness and blue eyes - eyes that seemed to carry a deep pain that Arthur almost dreaded to unravel the cause of. Some things were better left secret. His poor quality of dress told Arthur that he must be a servant from a visiting kingdom.
Though the mystery man frowned, he did not speak. He turned around and proceeded to walk away.
“I wonder if he’s mute,” Arthur said aloud. “I think I’m done with target practice for today, Morris,” he announced.
His manservant looked relieved.
He dismissed his friends who looked at him oddly, but Arthur paid them little mind. So he had abruptly ended target practice because of some dark-haired stranger that had sparked his curiosity. What did it matter?
After a few minutes of searching, Arthur finally found him inside the castle. He was in one of the quiet, abandoned corridors.
“Hey you there. I’m the Prince, and I demand you speak to me unless you are mute.”
The man still remained silent, but he did peer at the dagger Arthur still held in his hand.
“Come to kill me?” the stranger finally spoke, and Arthur did not miss that he actually sounded half-serious about it.
That was the last thing he’d expected to hear.
Arthur stared at him in disbelief. He sheathed his dagger. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not. I’m not a barbarian. What’s your name? Where are you from?”
The man looked thoughtful for a long moment as if weighing the possibilities of answering. Arthur didn’t think he was that bad of a person to converse with - he could be civil and polite when he wanted to.
Then he said, “I’m Merlin of Lothian. I serve the royal household of King Lot.”
“Oh. I missed his arrival. Was out hunting…anyway,” Arthur said, waving his hand. “I’m Arthur.”
“-the Prince of Camelot,” said Merlin. “I’m sure you have other things you’d rather be doing like bullying your servants. I’m just a slave, and not worth your time. Good day, My Lord.”
Merlin turned away from him and headed in the opposite direction.
“You can’t leave without me dismissing you!” Arthur called after him.
Arthur didn’t know what had come over him, but he didn’t feel this discussion was finished. A need to see more of this Merlin was strong within him. He went after Merlin, grabbing his arm to stop him from turning a corner.
“I still want to talk to you,” Arthur told him. “I’ll decide if you’re worth my time or not. You can’t tell me what I should think.”
Merlin looked at the hand still grasping his arm. “Let me go,” he said quietly.
Arthur almost jumped back when in Merlin’s other hand, a flame suddenly appeared.
“I didn’t know you had magic!” Arthur exclaimed.
Merlin smothered the flame with his other hand without a burn forming on either hand. “I can only do the flame. I can’t control when it comes.”
“That’s comforting,” said Arthur dryly.
Merlin gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I won’t tell anyone about the magic,” Arthur assured him.
Even if magic was permitted in Camelot, it was still frowned upon for lower classes to possess magic and they were subject to punishment if they used magic to harm others.
It would be better for Merlin’s sake to keep his magic quiet.
“Thank you, My Lord. I’ll try to control the flame better so it doesn’t appear in front of others.”
“Lucky it was just me that saw it then.”
Merlin shrugged. “Maybe. Good bye, My Lord.”
And he was gone. Arthur didn’t follow him this time.
Part II
Title: As His World Trembles
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Arthur/Merlin, Uther, Gwen, Morgana
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Merlin grows up as a slave to King Lot. Yet due to his friendship with a fellow slave, Euan, and the support of the King’s second son, Prince Gwion; life isn’t so bad.
Once Merlin is eighteen, his world collapses after an emotional loss and an unexpected sacrifice.
When he goes to Camelot with King Lot, Merlin meets Arthur and finds that happiness can still be found in life amidst the tragedy.
Content notes/warnings (if any): violence (not graphic), slavery, character death (neither Merlin nor Arthur), grief-caused eating disorder, incest (goes as far as kissing)
Total Word Count/Length: 15,786
Original prompt number: 95 - Submitted by gold_lion7
Disclaimer: This story/artwork is based on characters and situations created and owned by the BBC and Shine TV. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's/Artist's/Vidder's notes (if any): There is no magic ban in this AU version of Camelot. Ygraine dies in childbirth, but magic isn’t the reason why. Therefore, the Great Purge doesn’t happen.
Beta(s): Anon and Anon
( Read on AO3 )
~ * ~
“Forgive me, Ygraine,” King Uther said quietly.
He stole his second son away into the night. Uther simply couldn’t keep the child that had led to his beloved wife’s death. If she hadn’t become pregnant again two years after Arthur’s birth, then his dear Igraine would still be alive now.
Yet this child, this dark-haired little babe, was the reason why Igraine was lying cold and dead underground. So he had to get rid of Merlin somehow. Killing him would be unthinkable. No matter the torment Uther was suffering because of the child’s existence, he still couldn’t bear to kill his own son.
So he made an arrangement with King Lot to take the child. Uther told him that he’d found the newborn without a mother and he wasn’t going to spare any time and care for a child of a simple servant.
Fortunately Lot agreed to take the child. He told him he had another infant, a boy as well by the name of Euan, whom he thought would benefit from having a friend his age. They would both be slaves - meaning unpaid servants -- and once they reached a certain age, they would be given certain other duties. Uther hadn’t wanted to know those details.
Though Uther was not happy about a son of his becoming a slave, at least there would be someone at Lot’s castle who would be a confidante to him.
And it was a relief that he wouldn’t have to look at Merlin every day and be reminded of his wife dying because of his birth.
King Lot sent a representative, Desmond, to take away the child. And after Uther gave his second son to the man, he felt a burden lifted off of him.
Arthur would be his only son now.
Fortunately everyone bought his story that Prince Merlin had died suddenly - as babies were wont to do. Uther had kept Merlin close to him in his bedchambers. That decision had left all of Camelot -- even the Court Physician -- believing that he wanted to be close to his second-born after the Queen’s unfortunate demise.
King Uther never thought the lie he had weaved would eventually unravel one day.
~ * ~
King Lot’s Castle:
“Corin, Desmond has brought the baby Father told us about. Someone to keep Euan company.”
Corin looked at him with cool blue eyes. Gwion almost wished he hadn’t bothered. His older brother never seemed to be in a good mood. “Who bloody cares, Gwion,” he told him. “They’re both slaves and beneath us. Why don’t you find something more interesting to do rather than waste time thinking about poor, pathetic children?”
“I’ll tell Father you said that!”
“Yes well, try that, Gwion. We know how often he listens to you,” Corin said dismissively.
Being only five, Gwion knew there was little he could do to compete with his eight-year old brother and his often harsh words. But there were times when Gwion saw the goodness in his brother…they almost made up for his unpleasant behavior. Gwion wished Corin would be friendlier. Was that too much to ask?
“I’m going to see the new baby. I don’t care what you say.”
“Fine. Go ahead,” Corin said with a shrug.
“Don’t you want to come with me?” Gwion asked him.
“Not at all.”
“You’re dull,” Gwion said, all matter of fact.
He glared at him and left the room.
“One day you’ll understand what it means to be a real prince,” Corin shouted after his retreating form.
Gwion ignored him, determined that his frustrating brother wouldn’t ruin this for him.
~ *~
“Come to see the little one, love?” Chelsea, the nursery maid, asked him.
“Yes,” Gwion told her with a smile.
“There he is. His name is Merlin.”
Gwion peered into the bassinet and saw a baby with hair as dark as his but his eyes were bright blue - open and curious - so different from Corin’s cold blue eyes.
Gwion had pale brown eyes in comparison. Next to his blond-haired, blue-eyed brother, he looked unremarkable and sometimes felt it too.
But Merlin was really nice-looking, like all babies he supposed; he was cute in his smallness. Gwion wanted to hold him but Chelsea said he was too young to do so.
Gwion settled for grasping his hand, watching as the child’s hand wrapped around his finger.
“I’ve decided to come,” Corin’s voice from behind him startled Gwion.
He turned around.
“My Lord, are you interested in seeing the baby?” Chelsea spoke first.
“No, but since Gwion finds me dull, I thought coming here would help.”
“I knew you would,” Gwion said.
“I’m sure,” he said, appearing to not quite believe Gwion’s faith in him.
Corin looked into the bassinet and commented, “He’s very small.”
“He’s a baby, Corin,” said Gwion, rolling his eyes.
“Be nice to your brother, My little Lord,” Chelsea admonished him.
Gwion stuck out his tongue at his brother anyway when Chelsea wasn’t looking.
~ * ~
10 years later
“I have a secret,” a ten-year old Merlin told Euan excitedly with a grin.
“What is it?” Euan asked.
He looked at Merlin and took his attention away from his miniature knight on a horse wood carving.
“I found a hidden passageway, just behind a bookcase in the library.”
Euan frowned. “Didn’t Prince Gwion tell us he knew all the hidden passageways and rooms? I’m sure he knows about this one. It isn’t much of a secret then.”
“Maybe. But it’s nicer to pretend it is and that we’re the first to discover it. Like we’re adventurers.”
Euan nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
Merlin usually managed to persuade him to go along with his plans. He hoped that maybe Euan would be braver if he did more adventurous type things yet his friend’s naturally quiet demeanor was hard to shake. Still, Merlin was grateful to have him as a friend. Prince Gwion, who was fifteen and therefore wise, told Merlin that he could learn a lot from Euan. Like patience and that there was a time to speak and a time to be quiet.
Merlin wasn’t quite sure he was succeeding in learning all that, but he felt he was doing his duty by ensuring Euan did something exciting once in a while. Considering how unexciting and generally dull their life was in their low-born positions, Merlin was certain they needed to do something fun every so often.
As they headed to the library, Merlin asked Euan about the knight and steed carving.
“Prince Corin gave it to me. He said he wanted to get rid of his old toys, and he let me have this. Isn’t it really nice?” he asked Merlin.
“I guess so,” Merlin said. “Could I see it?”
Euan nodded. “Here.” He handed it to him.
Merlin carefully traced the outline of the horse and then the knight. It was worn in some places from years of play, but it was a good carving all the same.
“I can’t believe the Ice Prince gave this to you,” Merlin commented in a soft whisper that came out as a hiss.
He didn’t want any lord passing by and hearing the name a lot of servants and slaves called the eighteen-year old Prince Corin. As a slave, he’d be punished without question.
Euan took the toy back from Merlin. “Prince Corin is nice. He likes me, I think.”
Merlin shrugged. “I don’t see him really liking anyone except his father, of course, and well…Prince Gwion maybe. Although that might be only because he has to since they’re brothers.”
“I believe Prince Corin likes me. He wouldn’t give me this toy otherwise.”
“You’re lucky then,” Merlin decided.
He didn’t want to argue the point further. For his part, Merlin doubted Prince Corin would ever stop glaring at him like he had done something wrong - even if he hadn’t - whenever they passed each other.
When they entered the library, Euan started coughing loudly. Merlin was sure it was all the dust that made its home in the library. He should have remembered Euan was sensitive to the dust. This had been a bad idea.
“Sorry,” Euan said. “The dust - is - bad…”
Merlin gave him a crooked smile. “Don’t say sorry. You didn’t ask for this.”
They quickly left the library.
But Euan was still coughing despite being out of the library. He leaned against the wall, one hand to his mouth as he kept on coughing. His light-coloured eyes were watery and red.
The knight and steed toy fell from his other hand. Merlin, who naturally had quick reflexes - like magic sometimes he thought -, grabbed the toy before it could fall to the ground.
“I’ll keep it safe for you,” Merlin assured him.
Euan smiled gratefully at him, but he still looked miserable. Merlin didn’t like it at all that he continued to cough. He needed to stop.
Prince Gwion approached them.
“My Lord, I need your help,” Merlin asked of Prince Gwion.
The prince looked deeply concerned as he surveyed Euan. Merlin noticed that Euan had begun to cry
“I don’t feel well,” Euan said quietly.
Prince Gwion knelt down before him, and he touched his brow. “Your brow is a bit too warm. You must see the Court Physician.”
He swept aside an errant red lock of hair from Euan’s forehead.
“I can take him there!” Merlin volunteered.
“Thank you, Merlin,” Prince Gwion said to him kindly.
Euan lay down on his back and whispered, “I don’t think I can walk there, My Lord…”
Merlin felt nervous when he saw Prince Corin coming down the same hallway. But at least Prince Gwion was with them, so Merlin didn’t have to deal with the Ice Prince directly.
“Corin, Euan needs to be taken to the Court Physician,” Prince Gwion told his older brother. “Could you take him there please? Or find a servant to help?”
Prince Corin looked at each of them in turn, and Merlin didn’t miss the distinct note of concern as he peered at Euan and his undeniable state of misery.
“I’ll take the boy,” Prince Corin declared.
He lifted Euan up into his arms and started to walk toward the Physician’s chambers.
“Thank you, Corin,” said Prince Gwion.
He nodded at Prince Gwion.
Merlin hoped his mouth wasn’t agape like an idiot. He was shocked. He could tell from Euan’s face that he was just as surprised as Merlin was.
Euan got better to Merlin’s great relief. But that moment with Prince Corin forever cemented the fact that the Ice Prince could actually warm up to someone. Even a slave like Euan. It turned out to be a rare occurrence as the years wore on.
Prince Corin was a curious and infuriating puzzle to Merlin.
~ * ~
Eight years later…
“Do you have a problem?” Prince Corin asked Merlin. His tone was one of disinterest - something Merlin was all to used to. Prince Corin was as different as night and day to his younger brother.
“Euan isn’t feeling well, Sire. I’m coming in his stead.”
“You were whipped yesterday for your insolence to the visiting Lord Laramere. Unless you wish for an infection…”
“I didn’t know you cared, My Lord.”
“I don’t,” Corin answered softly after a long awkward silence. “It wouldn’t do if both you and Euan are unable to complete your tasks.”
“I was given the lash only five times, and I was treated. Teyrnon said I was fine. I’ve always healed fast.”
“I thought you’d do anything to avoid coming into my rooms.”
“I wanted to help Euan while he was ill by covering for him. Prince Gwion said it was all right,” Merlin explained, though Prince Corin did have a point.
Most of the servants and slaves were unnerved by Prince Corin and found him unpleasant to talk to. And that included Merlin.
Merlin winced though as he knelt down to light the fire. He had a bad feeling that one of his wounds had re-opened.
“It appears that your healing abilities are failing you,” Prince Corin commented idly.
“Maybe I should--”
“Yes, I think you should,” the Prince said, his words a dismissal of him. “And tell Euan to get better soon.”
He bowed. “I will, My Lord.”
~ * ~
Merlin wasn’t sure what possessed him to be disrespectful to nobility… there was always this itch inside him that made him want to speak his mind. And that Lord Laramere deserved the tone-lashing since he’d insulted Merlin’s mother and called her a whore.
Now Merlin had never known his mother and wasn’t quite sure what she’d been in life besides a servant, most likely. But he had been so frustrated that the Lord had the nerve to say that, that just because Merlin was a lowly slave, he was meant to brush off the insult from some high and mighty Lord and pretend it didn’t happen. So he felt justified in telling Lord Laramere that his face resembled a pig’s arse, and it was not a shock at all considering he acted like a pig’s arse too.
The punishment was worth it for that opportunity to defend himself and the ridiculous aghast look on the Lord’s face. Merlin had a laugh about the moment with Prince Gwion later on.
The whipping he had got yesterday wasn’t his first time. The most he got was twenty lashes at one time a few years ago. Fortunately, since then, the number had never gone over twenty. It was almost a miracle his back wasn’t destroyed with all the signs of bad behavior.
Prince Gwion did what he could to help Merlin, to limit the times he was punished, but he could only do so much as he was not King - and as second son, he was not heir to the throne, which further decreased his power and authority. In the end, his father had the ultimate say.
Of course there was the Prince Corin, who was heir apparent. Yet Merlin had always got the impression that Prince Gwion wasn’t that successful in swaying his older brother to his opinions. There was a reason after all why servants and slaves of the castle called Prince Corin, “the ice prince,” in hushed whispers behind his back. And the name wasn’t simply due to his white-blond hair and light blue eyes.
On his way to the Court Physician’s chambers, Merlin encountered Prince Gwion who was looking rather happy.
“Hello, Merlin,” the Prince said with a smile.
“What has you smiling, My Lord?”
“Princess Flora. I’ll be visiting her in a fortnight. We’re to be married next summer.”
Merlin knew that Prince Gwion had been betrothed to the Princess for the last few years, and that they were both quite in love with one another. There had been a delay though to them taking the final step. King Lot had wanted Prince Corin to find a wife first, a future Queen, but the elder Prince seemed thoroughly disinterested in making any sort of real connection with any of the visiting princesses.
Lot despaired of this predicament, Merlin was aware thanks to Gwion relaying the information to him with the trust that Merlin wouldn’t use it for fodder in castle gossip. Although it was quite easy to see for anyone who worked and lived in the castle that Prince Corin did not act normally.
But now King Lot must have assented to the match between his younger son and the princess. Princess Flora was just the third daughter of a King, so they were marrying more for love than for financial gain. Merlin liked the thought - and was glad Gwion would marry his love instead of being forced into an arranged marriage.
Merlin hoped, however wistfully, that he would one day find the love of his life. He knew realistically that would never happen as he was simply a slave and had little to offer a girl. The only choice he had was find a girl who was a slave too and try to woo her. Yet none of the female slaves really caught his interest, and he’d never had sex so that made the situation even more hopeless. He’d be a fumbling mess in bed, he was sure of that.
He was eighteen now and he wondered if that meant he’d have the chance for sex. He didn’t want to die a virgin.
“Merlin, are you there?” Gwion spoke up, pulling Merlin out of his thoughts. “You seemed somewhere else for a moment.”
“Oh sorry, My Lord!” Merlin said. He felt embarrassed for thinking about sex when Gwion had been speaking to him. “I’m happy for you and the princess. I know how much you’ve wanted this.”
Gwion nodded. “Of course no matter what, I do plan to take you with me.”
“I can’t imagine surviving long without you,” said Merlin with a grin.
Prince Gwion smiled, patting him on the back.
Merlin bit his lip, his back still a little sore and reminding him where he had planned to go in the first place.
“Sorry. I was headed to see Court Physician Teyrnon. To check on my wounds…”
“Oh Merlin. Don’t apologize. I should. I should have remembered. You go on.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” Merlin said, and he bowed to him.
“I’ll just be going to see my dear brother,” Gwion said. “Say hello to Euan for me. Hope he gets better. What a misery he must feel.”
“Of course.”
Merlin and Gwion parted ways, but not before Merlin turned back around. He had to bring this up before he lost his nerve completely.
“Prince Gwion…I was wondering. I’m eighteen now, and yet I haven’t…er. Nevermind.”
Fortunately, Gwion looked like he understood what Merlin wanted to ask.
“My father wanted you to start when you were sixteen, but I persuaded him to leave you be. Sometimes he takes my advice, sometimes he doesn’t; but for this, I’m glad he agreed. But if you feel you’re ready, then you can speak to the King about it.”
Merlin nodded, swallowing. “Thank you. I appreciate what you did.”
“I consider you a friend, Merlin. Never forget that,” said Gwion in a firm voice.
Merlin smiled genuinely. “I won’t. Good day, My Lord.”
~ * ~
Unfortunately this wasn’t one of the times that Euan would recover. It was not long after supper that Euan had taken a turn for the worst. Merlin was by his bedside, pleading with him to hold on, to fight this.
“I was never as strong as you, Merlin.”
“Please, Euan. You can’t. We’re supposed to be together until the end.”
“I’m sorry,” he said as he coughed up blood. “But I’m glad you’re here. If I must die, then I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather see before I do.”
“Please don’t talk like that. What about Prince Corin? You’re one of the few he actually seems to like. I can’t imagine another serving him. You have to defeat this, Euan. You can’t leave me. I won’t let you.”
“Merlin, the Physician tried all he could. I can’t…I tried, Merlin. Believe me, I did… I have little left in me to fight any longer. Tell Prince Corin that I am sorry.”
“No. Wait. I’ll go get him. You can tell him yourself.”
“Merlin…” Euan said to him, reaching out for his hand. Merlin obligingly took his friend’s hand in his own, squeezing it to comfort him. “Stop it. I don’t want him seeing me like this. Just stay here with me. That’s all--”
Euan looked about to say something further, but he instead sucked in a breath, and fell back on to the cot.
Merlin couldn’t bear to look at him, to see his chest not rising and falling as it should.
“Euan? Euan!” Merlin exclaimed, wanting to shake him awake. Like that would take him out of death’s grip.
The old physician Teyrnon came immediately to Euan’s side, previously letting Merlin a private moment with him.
Merlin barely heard the physician confirm Euan was dead upon checking his pulse. Still numb with disbelief he watched as Teyrnon closed Euan’s eyelids to give the futile impression that he was simply sleeping.
Except in this case, it would be an eternal rest.
“I should go and…” Merlin trailed off, unable to speak as he looked at Euan’s lifeless body.
His shock of red hair that Merlin had teased him about, how it reminded him of a blazing fire, now seemed duller in death. He’d never see him open his eyes again, the light colouring always making him look blind, or see him smile and hear his voice. Merlin couldn’t stand it.
“I’ll inform Prince Corin. Why don’t you tell Prince Gwion?” Teyrnon suggested to him.
Merlin nodded. “Of course, I will do that.”
He walked out of the physician’s chambers in a daze.
Walking down the hallway, the image of fire couldn’t get out of his mind. Trembling with grief and numb disbelief, he slid down the wall despondently. He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes as if that would stop the silent tears from falling. Euan had been his truest, oldest friend and he couldn’t bear losing him. Not now. It was too soon.
He wrapped his arms around his folded knees, resting his head on top of them. Merlin couldn’t help but hiss when he felt his right hand growing warmer.
Alarmed, Merlin shot out his arm, opening up the palm of his right hand. A hot, lively yet small flame appeared in his hand.
“What? I don’t understand…” Merlin muttered to himself.
With trepidation, he put his other hand over the red and orange flame to smother it. He pre-emptively cringed, expecting his hands to suffer burns.
But to his great surprise, the flame vanished after he put his other hand over it. Even touching the flame didn’t hurt him as it should have.
This was happening at the worst possible time. Merlin couldn’t spare a thought to consider the strange flame that hadn’t hurt him. His friend had just died, and the easiest thing for now was to pretend that the appearance of the flame had never happened.
He swiped at his eyes as tears flowed regardless of how much he wanted to stop them. He wasn’t supposed to cry. He was not a child, he was…
Merlin stopped his train of thought as he heard footsteps coming in his direction.
He thought that maybe he should get up. He should be going to see Prince Gwion after all. And if it was a noble approaching, he knew as a slave he couldn’t be seen sitting and idle. He should hide, somewhere.
“Merlin.”
It was Prince Corin. Probably the last person Merlin wanted to see.
“I’m sorry, My Lord,” Merlin said quietly.
He made no move to stand up as he should, and he knew he was playing with fire for not acting as he should in Prince Corin’s presence. The elder Prince was strict about propriety, and he would not condone Merlin’s improper conduct.
But Merlin was shocked when Prince Corin knelt down in front of him. He took out a handkerchief and proceeded to wipe Merlin’s tears as they trailed down his cheeks. Merlin was at a loss about what to say or do. After a few long confusing moments for Merlin, Prince Corin stopped and placed the handkerchief in Merlin’s hands.
“Euan has passed on,” Merlin told him.
The prince nodded. “He was a good man who was dealt an unfortunate hand,” he said softly.
Merlin nodded back, still uncertain how to handle this unexpected tender gesture from Prince Corin. He would never have imagined the “ice prince” to ever wipe his tears after kneeling down before him. It was surreal.
Prince Corin stood up. “I’m going to see him now,” he said to Merlin.
Merlin bit his lip, trying to force himself not to cry as a fresh wave of tears threatened to fall. He must not think of Euan. Doing that would stop him crying. But that felt near impossible and tears fell once again and Merlin wanted to scream. How was he to go on now?
When the prince was about to depart, Merlin spoke up, “My Lord. Your handkerchief.”
“Keep it. It’s yours,” Prince Corin told him.
“Thank you, My Lord,” Merlin said, choking up with emotion as he said the words.
The prince granted him a nod of acknowledgement and then walked away toward the Physician’s Chambers.
Merlin wondered if the world had gone mad as a result of Euan dying? He wanted to know what had caused Prince Corin to act so, well, warmly. But he was still too uneasy around him to dare ask such a question.
After composing himself with a shaky breath, Merlin stood up and went to tell Prince Gwion the sad news.
~ * ~
A week later, Merlin found himself cornered by two of Lord Laramere’s sons. He really didn’t need this now after Euan’s death, but he knew he should have expected revenge after his insult to the Lord from the previous week.
“I’m sorry. I just want to be left alone,” Merlin pleaded with them.
“We don’t take orders from a slave. You will pay for your words,” the taller son, Drake, said. He was thin, but threatening due to his height and he loomed over Merlin.
“Maybe we should cut out his tongue,” said the other shorter and sturdily built son, Joffrey.
Drake smiled with intent.
Merlin backed away with his hands raised in surrender. “I said I’m sorry. I’ve already been punished. Isn’t that enough?”
“No,” Drake said bluntly. He took the knife he had in hand and pressed it against Merlin’s throat.
“We decide when it’s enough. It’s not enough until you’re dead.”
“No one will care when you die. You’re only a slave,” said Joffrey.
Merlin bit his tongue when he wanted to shout back that Prince Gwion would care, he would never doubt that. But he didn’t think that would help his situation. Neither brother was listening to reason.
Drake spoke then. He took the knife away from Merlin’s throat to his relief.
“I think we should give you the courtesy of a slow and painful death,” he decided.
“Please, don’t! No. Please don’t do this,” Merlin begged them.
“Shut up,” said Drake.
And soon, all Merlin could think and feel was pain and panic…wondering if he would die, if his life would end before it had truly begun.
~ * ~
Afterwards, Merlin lay on the ground of the stables - Drake and Joffrey kicking him viciously before leaving him to die as blood pooled all around him.
He was having trouble breathing and he was almost certain that some of his ribs were cracked. Blood came out of his mouth.
He extended an arm, not really reaching for anything and only coming up with dirt in his hand. But Merlin felt the same hand growing warm. It was like the time shortly after Euan’s death.
He gasped when he saw the flame appear in his hand. He hadn’t expected it to return. Calm settled over him and he felt like the flame was his friend. That this would have to do, that if he had to die now then at least this little flame had come to warm him and keep him company as it flickered and danced in his hand.
“Can you help me?” Merlin asked in a whisper, delirium coming over him, as he hoped wildly that the flame could be his savior. Somehow.
The flame just continued on burning brightly. Merlin felt his eyelids droop, but before he fell into an uneasy slumber, he heard footsteps approach and someone say his name.
His last thought was that it sounded very much like Prince Corin.
~ * ~
Merlin found himself in a place of white mist. He could barely see anything around him as everything was cloaked in a thick fog.
“Merlin, it’s good to see you,” Euan greeted him, smiling, as he appeared out of the blinding mist.
Merlin went to embrace him without a second thought. “I’ve missed you so much,” he told him fiercely.
Euan returned the hug. “Me too,” he agreed as he pulled away from him. “But it’s not your time to be here,” he informed him, a hint of sadness in his voice. “I’m sorry. I am glad to see you though.”
“Am I dead?” Merlin wondered, assuming so if Euan was here.
“I think so, but not for long. You have so many great things ahead of you, Merlin. You can’t die now. But know that I will be here to welcome you when your time to be here arrives.”
“I want to be with you. You’re my true friend, Euan…if I have to die to be here with you, then I will gladly pay the price.”
“Don’t say that, Merlin. Please. You must feel it, you must know it deep down in your heart that this isn’t the end for you. Just promise you’ll live the best life you can live. That would make me happy.”
Merlin thought back to the flame appearing in his hand twice already. He couldn’t deny that the flame was as a result of magic… but it was a ridiculous thought, him with magic? He was only a slave after all. Maybe he was meant to live to discover more about himself? To learn more about this flame-producing magic? Maybe he was meant to do something bards would be telling stories about. Still, to think of himself as a conjurer or some type of sorcerer was almost absurd to wrap his head around.
Merlin nodded. “I’ll do my best,” he assured him.
Euan looked pleased. Then something appeared in his hand. It was the old knight on a steed toy Euan had received from Prince Corin eight years ago.
“I want you to have this. I know you’ll take good care of it,” Euan said to him.
“I promise,” Merlin told him, taking the toy from him. “It will be the most precious thing I own,” he declared with a small smile.
He looked at his hands and arms and saw them fading away. He was leaving.
“Goodbye, Merlin. And good luck, my friend,” Euan said to him.
Euan waved to Merlin as he faded away from the strange land of mists.
~ * ~
Merlin woke up with a gasp, sitting up as he did so.
He opened his eyes to see that he was in the Court Physician’s chambers. Prince Gwion and Teyrnon were there beside him. The prince urged him to drink from a glass of water. Merlin drank some water to soothe his dry and scratchy throat.
It was then that Merlin looked carefully at Prince Gwion’s face. He was paler than usual, and his eyes were red-rimmed like he had been crying. He looked miserable.
“My Lord. What’s wrong?” Merlin was desperate to know. He hated to see Prince Gwion look so upset.
Prince Gwion looked like he couldn’t bear to say the words. He shook his head, mustering a weak smile. “I’m glad you’re awake, Merlin. We were all worried about you.”
“You were asleep for two days,” Teyrnon informed him.
“Tell me what’s wrong. Please,” Merlin pleaded. He wanted to know now instead of letting others delay what was really on their minds.
“My brother is…gone,” Prince Gwion admitted quietly. He turned away from Merlin as tears came down silently his face.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“When I told Prince Corin that there was a strong chance you would not survive, he wasn’t happy about it,” Teyrnon said. “You were hurt very badly, Merlin. I didn’t know Prince Corin would do what he did.”
“What did he do?”
Prince Gwion chose to speak then. He let out a shaky breath. “There’s a lake - a different one to the lake Euan was sent across -- not far from the castle. Tales have been told about how it can save someone’s life…if a sacrifice is made,” he said. “After Euan’s death, Corin was very upset…I could see it in his eyes. I guess he couldn’t live with himself if you died too. You were Euan’s closest friend after all.”
“The prince appeared to have drowned himself. We found him and he was pulled out, but it was too late,” Teyrnon informed him.
Prince Gwion nodded.
“It was my fault!” Merlin exclaimed. “Lord Laramere’s sons were after me because of the insults I made to their father! I spoke out of turn when I should have had my lips sealed shut. I’m so sorry, My Lord. If I’d known you’d lose your only brother, I would have not been so foolish. Please forgive me,” he asked him, his voice full of desperation.
Tears fell unbidden down his cheeks.
“No,” Prince Gwion said firmly. “Do not excuse their actions. Whatever you said does not mean Drake and Joffrey should have acted so barbarically. You did not deserve that. It does not matter if you are a slave, you are still human and you deserve to be treated with respect and not as a target of someone’s bloodlust. They should not have left you for dead simply for a few words you spoke. You are a better man than Laramere’s sons any day.”
“I still…I’m still sorry. I wish I could turn back time. I hate seeing you so sad.”
“And I you,” Prince Gwion retorted with a slight smile. “My father told Drake and Joffrey to leave immediately for their deplorable actions toward you. They left in the evening on the same day they attacked you, so we are rid of them at least.”
Merlin privately wished that his attackers would have been executed for what they did. But such was the injustice in the world…the wealthy and powerful usually received lighter punishments. If Merlin had attacked a noble to the same extent, then he’d surely be dead now by public execution. Not that Merlin ever imagined himself acting so terribly - he would never stoop to Drake and Joffrey’s level.
Merlin was able to return to his room, the antechamber connected to Prince Gwion’s rooms. He was declared well by the physician as if he had never suffered a violent beating. He dreaded thinking about the fact that Prince Corin’s unexpected sacrifice was the reason he was still living and breathing now.
It hurt too much to think about.
But maybe now Euan and Prince Corin could reunite in death. Maybe out of this tragedy, there was a bit of hope to cling to. A blessing in disguise.
On his small bed, he noticed the knight on his steed toy that Euan had given to him. He’d almost forgotten about it. A chill passed over him as he realized that his near death experience had really happened. Merlin didn’t forget that the toy was placed with Euan on the boat that was set afire, sending his friend’s spirit into the afterlife as the fire blazed upon the lake. No other explanation existed for the toy being here in his room.
So there was no doubt. He had seen Euan, and his friend had entrusted the childhood toy to his care.
He wanted to throw the toy against the wall…hating this tangible reminder of both Euan and Prince Corin. Could he bear to look at it every day and be reminded of them? And wonder if he deserved this second chance at life?
Merlin knew it would be hard, but he owed Euan a promise. He had to live his life no matter the struggles that might come his way. He wanted to make his friend proud, make him happy.
And also, he just couldn’t let Prince Corin’s sacrifice be in vain.
But for now he only had the energy to lie on his side in bed with the toy in hand, and let the tears fall. As he stared unseeingly at the toy, Merlin allowed his sadness and misery to take over.
At least for a few hours.
~ * ~
Six months later…
“Are you ready to journey to Camelot?” Prince Gwion asked Merlin upon entering his room.
“No,” Merlin said. “Lothian is my home… I’d be lost in Camelot. I wish you were coming with. King Lot doesn’t seem to like me.”
“My father can be a hard man, but I do know that he took Euan as a baby even if he was aware that Euan was not well.”
“He took pity on him,” Merlin concluded.
“Yes.”
Merlin sighed. “I wish I hadn’t pushed Euan to do things he probably wouldn’t have done on his own. I should have just let him do what he’d rather do.”
“Merlin, don’t say that. You got Euan to make the most of his life, to experience more than he otherwise would have. Your friendship was the best thing that happened to him. Euan told me so when he was alive.”
“Really? He did?”
“Of course.”
Merlin smiled slightly, remembering when he and Euan had been just children. He had wanted to search the forest for fairies and sprites, and Euan had come along as usual.
While they hadn’t encountered any elusive fairies or sprites, they came upon a lot of small furry creatures. That had been good enough for them.
Then Prince Gwion poked him gently. “And you, Merlin, should eat more. It wouldn’t be good to be fainting in a foreign kingdom.”
Merlin shrugged. “I’m only a slave, My Lord. No one will care,” he said.
He couldn’t deny that after Euan and Prince Corin’s deaths a few months ago, he had lost most of his appetite and interest in eating. While he knew rationally that this wasn’t what the two of them would have wanted - for him to starve himself, it was difficult. Grief and guilt ate away at him - some days were worse than others.
It had come to the point where either Teyrnon or Prince Gwion had to sometimes force food into his mouth or sit by him during some meals to ensure he ate his food.
“Well I care, and I don’t want you speaking like that. You’re valuable to me.” Prince Gwion said fiercely.
“That’s why I don’t want to leave. I want to stay by your side especially now that you’ll be the future King of Lothian. I wish to help you in any way that I can,” Merlin told him in earnest.
Prince Gwion was remaining at Lothian while his father went with Merlin and a few other servants and slaves of the castle. This was a test for Prince Gwion to see how well he could run the kingdom while his father was away. Since Gwion was now the heir apparent, his father was putting more pressure on him to grow into the effective leader he needed his son to be.
Prince Gwion put his hand on Merlin’s shoulder. “You’ll be helping me by going to Camelot. It could be healing for you to be in a place away from the dark cloud of tragedy here at Lothian. It’s hard for me too to walk the halls and know that I won’t see my brother or Euan alive and well again. And Camelot is where you came from too, so it will be like returning home for you.”
“I was only a baby when I was taken from Camelot. I don’t remember anything about the kingdom.”
“That’s the wonder of learning and discovery,” Prince Gwion said, patting him on the back. “And I’ll be fine. Princess Flora will be with me for moral support.”
Merlin was happy to hear that. He liked the princess. Not long ago, when she came for Gwion’s ceremony to make him the official Crown Prince, she had given Merlin a bouquet of blue flowers because she thought the blue matched his eyes. She was beautiful with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Her kind heart assured Merlin that the prince could not have found a better bride. She would make a good Queen for the kingdom one day.
“That’s good, My Lord.”
“I hope it’s persuasive enough to get you to go,” Prince Gwion said with a small smile. “I’ll miss you, of course, but I look forward to your stories about your time there.”
Merlin thought to himself that the only story he’ll really have to tell is avoiding the Prince of Camelot. He’d heard stories of his arrogance, and this prince was the last person he wanted to see.
~ * ~
Prince Arthur never felt as affected by a look of disapproval as he did now. At the castle training grounds, he was doing some moving target practice as his manservant, Morris, carried the wheel. It was something he did often, and he felt a little defensive when that dark-haired stranger looked so displeased.
He must not know, of course…that man had to be a newcomer to Camelot. But how dare he judge him when this person didn’t even know Arthur?
Well, all right, so he wasn’t exactly being nice with his servant, but with his friends behind him, he couldn’t resist some joking around. His friends expected it of him and Arthur had to admit Morris was a bit useless, honestly. But anyway, he was the Prince of Camelot. He could do whatever he liked.
And yet, that damnable stranger. Why did he care what some man he’d never seen before thought?
The stranger started to walk away from Arthur without even saying a word, just the unhappy look that Arthur could not ignore.
Arthur would not let him leave. He shouted, “Hey! Do you have a problem?”
The dark-haired young man stopped and turned around. A fleeting haunted expression - mostly in his blue eyes - crossed his face before the stranger frowned. The man looked about his age, maybe a few years younger. His dark hair contrasted sharply with his paleness and blue eyes - eyes that seemed to carry a deep pain that Arthur almost dreaded to unravel the cause of. Some things were better left secret. His poor quality of dress told Arthur that he must be a servant from a visiting kingdom.
Though the mystery man frowned, he did not speak. He turned around and proceeded to walk away.
“I wonder if he’s mute,” Arthur said aloud. “I think I’m done with target practice for today, Morris,” he announced.
His manservant looked relieved.
He dismissed his friends who looked at him oddly, but Arthur paid them little mind. So he had abruptly ended target practice because of some dark-haired stranger that had sparked his curiosity. What did it matter?
After a few minutes of searching, Arthur finally found him inside the castle. He was in one of the quiet, abandoned corridors.
“Hey you there. I’m the Prince, and I demand you speak to me unless you are mute.”
The man still remained silent, but he did peer at the dagger Arthur still held in his hand.
“Come to kill me?” the stranger finally spoke, and Arthur did not miss that he actually sounded half-serious about it.
That was the last thing he’d expected to hear.
Arthur stared at him in disbelief. He sheathed his dagger. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not. I’m not a barbarian. What’s your name? Where are you from?”
The man looked thoughtful for a long moment as if weighing the possibilities of answering. Arthur didn’t think he was that bad of a person to converse with - he could be civil and polite when he wanted to.
Then he said, “I’m Merlin of Lothian. I serve the royal household of King Lot.”
“Oh. I missed his arrival. Was out hunting…anyway,” Arthur said, waving his hand. “I’m Arthur.”
“-the Prince of Camelot,” said Merlin. “I’m sure you have other things you’d rather be doing like bullying your servants. I’m just a slave, and not worth your time. Good day, My Lord.”
Merlin turned away from him and headed in the opposite direction.
“You can’t leave without me dismissing you!” Arthur called after him.
Arthur didn’t know what had come over him, but he didn’t feel this discussion was finished. A need to see more of this Merlin was strong within him. He went after Merlin, grabbing his arm to stop him from turning a corner.
“I still want to talk to you,” Arthur told him. “I’ll decide if you’re worth my time or not. You can’t tell me what I should think.”
Merlin looked at the hand still grasping his arm. “Let me go,” he said quietly.
Arthur almost jumped back when in Merlin’s other hand, a flame suddenly appeared.
“I didn’t know you had magic!” Arthur exclaimed.
Merlin smothered the flame with his other hand without a burn forming on either hand. “I can only do the flame. I can’t control when it comes.”
“That’s comforting,” said Arthur dryly.
Merlin gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I won’t tell anyone about the magic,” Arthur assured him.
Even if magic was permitted in Camelot, it was still frowned upon for lower classes to possess magic and they were subject to punishment if they used magic to harm others.
It would be better for Merlin’s sake to keep his magic quiet.
“Thank you, My Lord. I’ll try to control the flame better so it doesn’t appear in front of others.”
“Lucky it was just me that saw it then.”
Merlin shrugged. “Maybe. Good bye, My Lord.”
And he was gone. Arthur didn’t follow him this time.
Part II