Merlin fic: A Dog's Life
Title: A Dog’s Life (Sequel to "The first reincarnation was peculiar, to say the least.")
Author: dk323
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Merlin, Arthur, mentions of Gwen and Morgana, Lancelot
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: The show Merlin is property of the BBC.
Summary: Merlin is reincarnated as a puppy in his first reincarnation - 1500 years after the days of Camelot. Despite not knowing his true identity, he is compelled to seek out Arthur’s reincarnation. Arthur takes Merlin in as a pet - and he wonders if Merlin will remember his previous life in Camelot.
A few weeks after Arthur adopts him, Merlin is transported away magically - his magic almost with a mind of its own - and puppy!Merlin reunites with an old friend.
Author’s Notes: For otterfudge as a belated birthday present and also because I always think of her when I’m trying to write about dogs…she knows far more about them than I could ever hope to learn. ;) You’re awesome. :)
Puppy!Merlin is two to three months old in this fic and he first appeared at Arthur’s doorstep when he was a little over a month old.
Merlin is supposed to be a Labrador, a runt, but…er, a magical runt, so yeah. The first bit of this sequel has a brief retelling of the previous story’s events through Merlin’s POV.
~ * ~
Merlin wanted to go outside, but Arthur wouldn’t let him. The puppy didn’t see what the problem was - it was raining outside, true, but Merlin liked the rain. He really did. And from his seat on the second floor window alcove, he had a perfect view of the light rain, which left funny-shaped droplets on the window.
The rain didn’t look too bad - it didn’t seem to be coming down hard, only a drizzle or a shower…or one of those words that they said on the telly when they went on about the weather. He stared so hard at the water droplets clinging, seeming to defy gravity in their frozen state, on the glass that Merlin swore that the raindrops shifted form.
Suddenly, outside the window, he could see little water birds flying before him. That wasn’t supposed to happen, was it? Could water do that? Turn into birds? He thought they were pretty though, and he ignored the weird feeling that had overcome him before the birds were inexplicably created. And then without warning, the birds disappeared a few minutes after they had been conjured.
It was only a few weeks since Arthur had adopted him. The puppy was puzzled by his frequent talk of reincarnation and how he, Merlin, was - had to be - a reincarnation of a close friend of his, this sorcerer, a magic man named Merlin. And that’s why Arthur had named him, ‘Merlin.’ He had gotten a collar and tag and everything - Arthur had looked amused upon attaching the gold tag - in the shape of a wizard’s hat and ‘Merlin Pendragon’ engraved on it in a Gothic-type font - to his collar.
Merlin didn’t know what was so funny about it, but he figured that it had to do with his owner’s belief that he was a reincarnation of that sorcerer friend. Merlin couldn’t even tell him that he had no idea what he was on about. He had always been a dog, hadn’t he? The puppy couldn’t remember ever being human no less in a previous life...
But then there were times like this with the birds, where a magical event occurred in his presence and he could give no explanation for it except that it had to be him, Merlin, doing the act of magic. But Merlin couldn’t control it - he was just a puppy, a dog after all - and the magic just happened. And Arthur only gave him an ‘I’m not surprised’ look whenever he witnessed anything magical in the puppy’s vicinity, whether Merlin wanted the magical moments to happen or not.
The puppy did discover though that if he needed something badly enough, wished for something earnestly enough, that the magic he had would give it to him. Unfortunately, this did not work all the time…like when he wanted more to eat when he had already had his fill. It was like his magic knew what he needed and did its best to help him, but when Merlin simply wanted something, almost a selfish desire for it, then the magic would deny his wish. That had annoyed him, but there was little he could do about it other than accept it. There were also the times when he was idle, like just now staring out the window, and his magic acted up in a playful manner which, in turn, cheered Merlin on a day where the rainy weather kept him inside.
No matter the obvious signs of him possessing magic, Merlin could not understand how he could be a reincarnated version of a human who lived just over 1500 years ago, according to Arthur.
That was such a long time ago…the notion of being reborn so long after his first life was confusing to the puppy.
But then there were the flashes of visions even before he found himself at Arthur’s doorstep.
He had felt comforted by visions of a petite dark-haired woman with kind eyes. His heart ached for her, and he felt a deep yearning to see her again. Merlin remembered one time seeing her cradling a dark-haired baby, a boy, in her arms in one vision and the sight of that left Merlin feeling hopelessly wistful. Though he missed the woman terribly, Merlin felt a pleasant calm whenever he thought of her.
When the dog catchers came and took his mother, brothers and sisters in the alleyway he had called home for his first weeks of life; Merlin had been scared. Very scared. When one of the men had reached out to grab him, not even the memory of that unknown yet familiar woman could ease his fear.
He had backed away, trying to seek a safe place and he remembered wishing desperately to be somewhere else, somewhere safe. And then, suddenly he had ended up at someone’s doorstep as if some strange magical force had heeded his plea. And while Merlin had not known why he was there, when he had seen the blond man, he felt like something that had been missing before was not so anymore.
A flash had come before him then, he recalled, of the blond in different clothing and a gold crown shining brightly upon his head. He heard the words ‘Long Live the King’ and then the flash had passed leaving the joyous cheers of others ringing in Merlin’s ears. With that image, he had become earnest in his pleading to get Arthur to listen to him, to not turn him away. If only he could speak, Merlin had bemoaned, then he could tell him what he wanted. He had been grateful for the kitten being sympathetic to his plight and that she had raised her voice to join his. When Arthur had allowed him inside the house, Merlin had been overwhelmed with happiness.
He felt more content than he ever remembered being since Arthur had decided to let him stay. And then there was the kitten, Guinevere, who had intrigued Merlin as she was intrigued by him. There was a strange mental link between them that allowed them to communicate with each other and understand one another no matter their different species. It was a mystery to him as to why this was the case - he had never talked in such a way with his family during his first weeks of life back in the alley.
Arthur talked of Guinevere being a reincarnation as well and despite Merlin’s puzzlement over reincarnation; that explanation did seem the most likely reason why he could communicate with Guinevere easily, and why they were friendly with one another. According to Arthur, dogs and cats weren’t meant to be friends. The blond seemed to think it the height of amusement that Merlin and Guinevere got on so well in complete disregard of their respective species.
That dark-haired woman, Morgana, who took care of Guinevere, miffed Merlin whenever she visited. While she was nice enough and liked to pet him, which Merlin always enjoyed, she was under the impression that he couldn’t understand simple words. Morgana seemed to prefer cooing at him as if he were a baby. He had watched something similar occur on TV with a baby and a woman bouncing the baby on her lap as she said nonsense words to the child. Surely he was smarter than a baby? He was only a few months old, yes, but his comprehension was just fine, his sense of smell brilliant and he could catch a ball better than any baby. But then, he never let himself get too upset over it because Arthur’s stepsister had a knack for knowing the best place to stroke him.
Just then Arthur came up to him at the window seat, petting him on the head in greeting as he took a seat beside him. Merlin rested his head on his thigh, thumping his tail against the wood.
“How are you?” Arthur asked him as if expecting the puppy to answer him in words.
Merlin gave a sad whine in response.
The blond sighed, scratching him behind the ears. “I know you want to go out, but it’s raining…do you need to go?”
The puppy raised his head and barked in the affirmative.
Arthur relented. “All right, I don’t want you doing it in the house. As long as you’re quick about it,” He said in a slightly reprimanding tone.
Merlin licked his hand in gratitude.
The puppy jumped off the seat and followed after him, tail wagging happily, as they headed down the stairs and toward the back door leading to the yard.
Merlin didn’t really have to go, at least he was sure he didn’t, but any way to get a chance to play in the rain, he was going to take it.
Seeing that the rain was light, Arthur decided to come outside as well, wearing a raincoat and holding an umbrella.
The blond rolled his eyes as he watched his puppy sniff at different plants and at the base of a young tree…and Merlin went once, but Arthur could see he was pretending…nothing came out. He shook his head in bemusement and called him over.
Merlin went to him and sat down, looking at the blond expectantly. Arthur rubbed his brow and, giving in; he procured the blue ball he had taken with him as well.
“Catch!” Arthur told him and he threw the ball across the yard.
The puppy looked thrilled and immediately gave chase to retrieve the ball.
He soon returned it and Arthur threw the ball again.
And because Labrador puppies really never tired of retrieving items, they went at the game for a solid half an hour. But when the previously comfortably light rain turned heavy, almost hailing on them; Arthur knew it was time to head back inside.
“Merlin!” He called after him, expecting him to come back with the ball he’d thrown.
But the puppy didn’t run back to him. Arthur surveyed the yard, which was difficult with the heavy, pounding rain obscuring his vision, and he couldn’t see Merlin anywhere.
He swore, worried, and wondered where the dog could have gone. The yard was enclosed, so Merlin could not have left the vicinity…unless…
Arthur knew very well that this reincarnated version of Merlin had magic and he had seen him use it not long after he had taken him in. It was not out of the realm of possibility that Merlin’s magic could have transported him somewhere - whether the puppy had done it intentionally or not. He didn’t know why Merlin would want to leave, but that’s not what concerned Arthur most at the moment. Merlin was still such a young puppy and even with his magic, he could be in danger if he had landed in a bad place. Merlin was Arthur’s responsibility, and he hoped fervently that the puppy was nearby…maybe inside the house or in the front yard.
After checking those places, Arthur still could not find him. This was definitely not good.
“Where the hell are you, Merlin?” He muttered, worry and frustration mixing.
~ * ~
Merlin had little time to wonder why his magic had sent him here - to what looked like a room in a house. He had felt the same rush come over him when he arrived at Arthur’s doorstep a few weeks ago.
A big, chocolate Labrador and an old-looking Bloodhound were in the room as well.
“Hey, who are you?” The Labrador asked him. “How’d you suddenly appear?”
Merlin stared at the other dog. The same connection he felt with Guinevere, he had with this dog.
“I don’t know. I just have this magic in me and sometimes it does things I have no control over. If I knew why it sent me here, I would be happy to tell you.”
“You’re one of us, aren’t you?” The Bloodhound asked him gruffly. He stood up and his slightly grumpy look shifted to one of interest as he took a closer look at Merlin.
Merlin noted that the same mental link existed between him and the Bloodhound too.
“Er…what do you mean? I’m Merlin…” Merlin said, puzzled.
“You’re a reincarnation,” The Bloodhound said matter of factly. “Like me - I’m Leon - and Knight here,” He said, nodding toward the Labrador. “You look young. I can understand if you don’t know it yet.”
“Oh, Arthur - he takes care of me -- talks about reincarnation. He named me Merlin because he believes I was a man named Merlin centuries ago. But I’m not too sure myself. I don’t remember being human,” He explained.
“I can’t remember who I was in a past life either,” Knight informed him reassuringly. “Leon, though, you would do right by listening to him because he remembers.”
“You never know what’ll trigger the memories. Knight has lived for three years now, and I think he’ll remember soon. I have been reincarnated multiple times - last go around was a flying squirrel,” Leon sniffed at that as if the memory was distasteful for him.
Merlin was positive that Knight snickered in response to what Leon had said…it was a laugh he heard in his mind, he was sure, because dogs couldn’t laugh out loud like humans could. He had tried to mimic the sound of human laughter once or twice, but Merlin had not managed it. He had concluded the closest equivalent was excited barking.
Leon emitted a low growl at Knight’s amusement at his expense, which the younger dog heeded well enough and bowed his head, muttering a “Sorry.”
Satisfied, Leon continued on, “And for me, I usually recall my past lives - or life as it could be for you - later in life. The memories came to me without warning. Maybe you realizing now that you’re a reincarnation will help bring about the memory quicker, I don’t know. But there’s no doubt that you were reincarnated. If you don’t trust what humans are telling you, then I hope hearing it from me, a fellow dog, will get you believing it,” Leon told him, lying back down on a soft, purple rug.
Merlin supposed it did help to hear about reincarnation from another dog. Even his kitten friend, Guinevere, could not recall ever having a past life like Merlin. But to have a dog who knew for a fact that he was a reincarnation gave Merlin pause for thought. So it was possible then…there was a chance that Arthur and Morgana sometimes too were telling him the truth. He just had to figure out how to remember, truly remember…if only the process for it wasn't something he couldn't control (like his magic). But for now, he could only live life day by day as best as he could.
“This Arthur…how did you meet him?” Knight wondered.
Merlin shrugged. “I uh-well, like I ended up here suddenly, my magic transported me to his home. And then he took me in. I was only wishing for a safe place and then my magic took care of the rest.”
Leon spoke up, “Your magic seems to know more than you do, pup. There must be a connection between you and this man,” He surmised.
Merlin could not deny that. Sometimes he thought Arthur was a little weird, but he still loved him very much all the same. He was glad to have found him and he couldn’t think of a better person to be with in the whole world.
And then he felt a rush of guilt overcome him knowing that Arthur would be worried about him. He had been transported here so suddenly after all. If Merlin himself did not know where he was, then Arthur surely wouldn’t. He knew that he had to find a way back home soon, earnestly hoping that this house was not far away from his own home. And Leon and Knight could help him too - he resolved to ask them for assistance.
With that decision made, Merlin answered Leon’s ponderings. “I do get these flashes that feel somewhat familiar. When I first saw Arthur, I had a flash of him wearing a crown and people cheering ‘Long Live the King.’ And that’s what assured me that I was meant to be there, with him. But even with flashes like that, I still don’t feel like they’re my memories. I don’t feel connected to them.”
“I understand the feeling,” Knight told him. “Even when Leon told me - I’ve known him as long as I can remember - that I’m a reincarnation, I didn’t believe him. I have flashes of a past life like you, but I feel like I’m watching someone else’s life.”
Merlin didn’t feel so alone anymore, knowing that another dog was feeling as disconnected as him when it came to reincarnation.
“But I didn’t mind too much - Elaine was really nice and she kept me when my siblings were all being adopted. I was worried that I would have to leave, but she chose me…and I…” He couldn’t continue on and instead went over to paw at a ball somberly.
“Who’s Elaine?” Merlin asked, curious. “Does she take care of you two?”
Knight looked sad at the query and Merlin regretted asking.
Leon informed him, “Elaine used to take care of us. Knight was a year old when she died due to old age. She was a very kind woman and she raised her granddaughter, Sam, after her parents died. Sam looks after us now - this is her home. Elaine was a wealthy widow and Sam inherited her money once she died.”
“She’s nice too,” Knight put in, though his eyes still held a touch of melancholy in them.
“I’m sorry,” Merlin said contritely, “about Elaine…”
“It’s how things work…life and death. She lived a long life. There is nothing to be sorry for.” Leon said, his honesty cutting like a knife.
“Everyone, even Arthur, will die?” Merlin asked, suddenly gravely concerned. He let out a small, distressed whine at the thought. He didn’t want Arthur to die. He didn’t want Arthur to leave him.
“One day, yes. It’s the way of life, Merlin,” the Bloodhound told him gently, his voice soft. “If you’re lucky, if your Arthur’s lucky, then you both will be reborn once again. So maybe, those like us, reincarnations…we don’t ever truly die. We get a second chance. If you make sure you’re good in this life, you’ll be rewarded in the next… and hopefully you won’t be a flying squirrel.” He said, trying to make a joke in the midst of a somber topic.
“Thank you,” Merlin said gratefully, reassured a bit by his words. He knew that Arthur had a past life just like him…so he was comforted by the knowledge that surely Arthur would have another life after this one. That Merlin would never have to truly lose him.
The thought that he himself would go before Arthur did not occur to him. Dogs did not live as long as humans after all.
Merlin was about to ask the other two dogs to help him in finding his way back home when the door opened.
Leon, a bit slower due to age but still his enthusiasm shone through, and Knight headed toward the door, barking happily and tails wagging.
“How are my boys?” Said a young woman about Arthur’s age.
She reached out to pet each of the dogs.
The woman had curly dark hair and dark eyes, her face pale but pleasant-looking. What was odd about her was the noticeable bulge at her midsection, which looked out of place with her slim figure.
Upon sighting Merlin in the room, she gasped an, “oh” and then she asked, “And who are you, little puppy? Where did you come from?”
“That’s Sam,” Leon told him.
Merlin figured that much.
She knelt down in front of Merlin, though he could tell it took some effort for her due to weight in her middle.
The woman peered at his tag and she smiled, clearly amused. “Your name is Merlin, is it? Regular old Houdini, aren’t you? Appearing here just like that?”
Merlin wondered who in the world Houdini was… He barked in answer to being Merlin just to be polite anyway.
She pat him on the head once and then slowly stood up, Knight coming to stand beside her so Sam could use him as a support.
“Thank you, Knight,” she said appreciatively, stroking him on the head.
“Well, it looks like I have a number to find…Merlin Pendragon…Pendragon…that name sounds familiar…” She mused, looking thoughtful.
Sam ushered the dogs out of the room, which had been on the second floor. They went down the stairs and the woman took a look out the front window opposite the foyer. A displeased look graced her face as she surveyed the heavy rain outside. The loud sound of pouring rain could be heard easily within the house.
“Nasty weather outside,” Sam said, shaking her head. “I pick the worst times to go out. But I had this craving for ice cream…and pickles. How weird is that? Cara is going to owe me for this…” She said, patting her belly. “But being the crazy friend I am, I did agree to it,” She finished, biting her lip.
Merlin had little clue what the woman was talking about. He asked Knight and Leon what she meant, and the Bloodhound told him that Sam was pregnant, carrying a child for a close friend of hers who couldn’t have children.
Merlin didn’t know you could do something like that, but he chalked it up to an inexplicable human thing.
She grabbed a spoon and a newly-bought pint-sized container of ice cream from the kitchen. The woman said something about checking a phonebook or the Internet before she headed down the stairs, eating the ice cream as she did so.
~ * ~
Later that evening, Merlin was elated when Arthur came to the house. He jumped on him as soon Sam opened the front door and moved aside to let the puppy through.
“Merlin, gods. Don’t scare me like that again,” The blond said fiercely, kneeling down to embrace him. The puppy barked happily, his tongue licking Arthur’s face enthusiastically. “Ergh, Merlin,” he muttered as his face became covered in doggie drool.
Arthur was happy though, and relieved too. Arthur knew that magic was a part of Merlin, but it really did cause a lot of trouble in Merlin’s current reincarnation. Clearly puppies and magic didn’t mix too well.
Arthur stood up then to address the woman.
“He definitely is thrilled to see you,” Sam said, smiling.
But once he had a good look at her, he couldn’t believe he hadn’t made the connection before. Samantha Allison, she had called herself when they had talked on the phone.
“You’re the dagger girl, aren’t you? Back in sixth form?” He asked her.
Sam looked like she had been caught red-handed. “I’m glad I made an impression,” Sam decided to say, trying to be casual about it. “But then it’s not like I wanted a teacher to find the dagger.”
“You shouldn’t have brought it in the first place,” Arthur pointed out.
“Ha! Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you were like. We might have hung around in different circles, but anyone who didn’t know who Arthur Pendragon was had to be living under a rock,” She remarked.
“That was over ten years ago. Things have changed,” Arthur said in his defense.
“I can see that. Never thought you’d be the type to get a dog. So naming him Merlin - were you trying to be cute? Into Arthurian legend, maybe?” She inquired.
Arthur shrugged. He didn’t think she’d believe him if he told her that he was a living reincarnation of the Once and Future King. “Something like that,” he said simply. “Anyway, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I just wanted to thank you for looking after Merlin. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, don’t know why he ended up here. Sorry for the trouble.”
Sam waved her hand. “Oh, that’s all right. I have two dogs on my own. I understand what it’s like to have a dog.”
“Knight, Leon! Come here,” she called.
The two dogs left the kitchen at her beckoning. “I didn’t want them to get in the way while you reunited with Merlin,” She said by way of explanation.
“Knight? You named a dog, ‘Knight’?” Arthur asked her, unable to help being intrigued. Any mention of knights always reminded him of Camelot and his Knights of the Round Table…
“It was actually my grandmother who named him,” Sam said, patting the chocolate Labrador on the head. “She had a fondness for the medieval era.”
“Oh, is she…?”
Sam nodded. “Two years ago. She lived a long life, died peacefully. You can’t ask for better,” She told him, speaking briskly as if she didn't want to dwell on the loss too much. Then she abruptly changed the subject. “Well, it’s dreadful outside with the rain, so I was wondering if you would like to stay for tea? At least until the weather improves,” Sam offered.
Arthur nodded. “Sure, I’d like that,” he agreed.
The two of them went to the kitchen, Merlin staying so close to Arthur that he rubbed against his leg. He had really missed him - even if he had had Knight and Leon to keep him company, nothing compared to being with Arthur.
~ * ~
“Hey Merlin,” Knight said to him. Merlin looked up from his place next to Arthur who was sitting on a bench seat at the table. The woman sat across from him. Merlin’s head had been resting on the blond’s thigh, the puppy feeling all together content with everything.
Knight was standing before the table while Leon was getting his tummy rubbed by Sam, her bare foot lazily moving back and forth against the dog’s stomach.
“What?” Merlin asked Knight.
Meanwhile, Arthur was asking if his eyes weren’t deceiving him, that Sam was really pregnant.
“I think you were there,” Knight said rather cryptically.
“Where?” Merlin asked, confused.
“When I said, ‘Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of coming here. It’s my life’s ambition to join the Knights of Camelot.’ You were there…your past self…in Camelot. Merlin, I think…when I saw Arthur…just now, I remembered, Merlin. I know who I am. If it weren’t for you coming along…I remember,” Knight said in a breathless rush.
He was wagging his tail excitedly.
“Who are you?” Merlin wanted to know, trying not to feel too sad about Knight remembering while he himself still felt disconnected from his past life.
“Lancelot…Sir Lancelot. That’s who I am,” He told him resolutely, without any doubt in his voice.
“Oh,” Merlin said. He didn’t recall having any flashes of Lancelot, but he hoped he would. He had flashes of Arthur, didn’t he?
“What I don’t get is why Arthur got to be human this first time while we’re dogs… strange, don’t you think?” Knight inquired.
“I don’t know…Arthur told me that fate had a twisted sense of humour. Maybe this is it,” Merlin suggested.
“Maybe,” Knight answered.
Arthur laughed at something Sam had said, both unaware of the revelation one of the dogs was having.
Merlin didn’t know when he would remember his past life, the memories that always seemed to be out of his reach even with the flashes he saw every so often.
But he had a long life ahead of him, he thought, and he just had to be patient.
One thing Merlin could be certain of was of his unconditional love for Arthur. That would never change.
~ * ~
Sequel ~ Different Ways of Living: Reincarnation
Author: dk323
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Merlin, Arthur, mentions of Gwen and Morgana, Lancelot
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: The show Merlin is property of the BBC.
Summary: Merlin is reincarnated as a puppy in his first reincarnation - 1500 years after the days of Camelot. Despite not knowing his true identity, he is compelled to seek out Arthur’s reincarnation. Arthur takes Merlin in as a pet - and he wonders if Merlin will remember his previous life in Camelot.
A few weeks after Arthur adopts him, Merlin is transported away magically - his magic almost with a mind of its own - and puppy!Merlin reunites with an old friend.
Author’s Notes: For otterfudge as a belated birthday present and also because I always think of her when I’m trying to write about dogs…she knows far more about them than I could ever hope to learn. ;) You’re awesome. :)
Puppy!Merlin is two to three months old in this fic and he first appeared at Arthur’s doorstep when he was a little over a month old.
Merlin is supposed to be a Labrador, a runt, but…er, a magical runt, so yeah. The first bit of this sequel has a brief retelling of the previous story’s events through Merlin’s POV.
~ * ~
Merlin wanted to go outside, but Arthur wouldn’t let him. The puppy didn’t see what the problem was - it was raining outside, true, but Merlin liked the rain. He really did. And from his seat on the second floor window alcove, he had a perfect view of the light rain, which left funny-shaped droplets on the window.
The rain didn’t look too bad - it didn’t seem to be coming down hard, only a drizzle or a shower…or one of those words that they said on the telly when they went on about the weather. He stared so hard at the water droplets clinging, seeming to defy gravity in their frozen state, on the glass that Merlin swore that the raindrops shifted form.
Suddenly, outside the window, he could see little water birds flying before him. That wasn’t supposed to happen, was it? Could water do that? Turn into birds? He thought they were pretty though, and he ignored the weird feeling that had overcome him before the birds were inexplicably created. And then without warning, the birds disappeared a few minutes after they had been conjured.
It was only a few weeks since Arthur had adopted him. The puppy was puzzled by his frequent talk of reincarnation and how he, Merlin, was - had to be - a reincarnation of a close friend of his, this sorcerer, a magic man named Merlin. And that’s why Arthur had named him, ‘Merlin.’ He had gotten a collar and tag and everything - Arthur had looked amused upon attaching the gold tag - in the shape of a wizard’s hat and ‘Merlin Pendragon’ engraved on it in a Gothic-type font - to his collar.
Merlin didn’t know what was so funny about it, but he figured that it had to do with his owner’s belief that he was a reincarnation of that sorcerer friend. Merlin couldn’t even tell him that he had no idea what he was on about. He had always been a dog, hadn’t he? The puppy couldn’t remember ever being human no less in a previous life...
But then there were times like this with the birds, where a magical event occurred in his presence and he could give no explanation for it except that it had to be him, Merlin, doing the act of magic. But Merlin couldn’t control it - he was just a puppy, a dog after all - and the magic just happened. And Arthur only gave him an ‘I’m not surprised’ look whenever he witnessed anything magical in the puppy’s vicinity, whether Merlin wanted the magical moments to happen or not.
The puppy did discover though that if he needed something badly enough, wished for something earnestly enough, that the magic he had would give it to him. Unfortunately, this did not work all the time…like when he wanted more to eat when he had already had his fill. It was like his magic knew what he needed and did its best to help him, but when Merlin simply wanted something, almost a selfish desire for it, then the magic would deny his wish. That had annoyed him, but there was little he could do about it other than accept it. There were also the times when he was idle, like just now staring out the window, and his magic acted up in a playful manner which, in turn, cheered Merlin on a day where the rainy weather kept him inside.
No matter the obvious signs of him possessing magic, Merlin could not understand how he could be a reincarnated version of a human who lived just over 1500 years ago, according to Arthur.
That was such a long time ago…the notion of being reborn so long after his first life was confusing to the puppy.
But then there were the flashes of visions even before he found himself at Arthur’s doorstep.
He had felt comforted by visions of a petite dark-haired woman with kind eyes. His heart ached for her, and he felt a deep yearning to see her again. Merlin remembered one time seeing her cradling a dark-haired baby, a boy, in her arms in one vision and the sight of that left Merlin feeling hopelessly wistful. Though he missed the woman terribly, Merlin felt a pleasant calm whenever he thought of her.
When the dog catchers came and took his mother, brothers and sisters in the alleyway he had called home for his first weeks of life; Merlin had been scared. Very scared. When one of the men had reached out to grab him, not even the memory of that unknown yet familiar woman could ease his fear.
He had backed away, trying to seek a safe place and he remembered wishing desperately to be somewhere else, somewhere safe. And then, suddenly he had ended up at someone’s doorstep as if some strange magical force had heeded his plea. And while Merlin had not known why he was there, when he had seen the blond man, he felt like something that had been missing before was not so anymore.
A flash had come before him then, he recalled, of the blond in different clothing and a gold crown shining brightly upon his head. He heard the words ‘Long Live the King’ and then the flash had passed leaving the joyous cheers of others ringing in Merlin’s ears. With that image, he had become earnest in his pleading to get Arthur to listen to him, to not turn him away. If only he could speak, Merlin had bemoaned, then he could tell him what he wanted. He had been grateful for the kitten being sympathetic to his plight and that she had raised her voice to join his. When Arthur had allowed him inside the house, Merlin had been overwhelmed with happiness.
He felt more content than he ever remembered being since Arthur had decided to let him stay. And then there was the kitten, Guinevere, who had intrigued Merlin as she was intrigued by him. There was a strange mental link between them that allowed them to communicate with each other and understand one another no matter their different species. It was a mystery to him as to why this was the case - he had never talked in such a way with his family during his first weeks of life back in the alley.
Arthur talked of Guinevere being a reincarnation as well and despite Merlin’s puzzlement over reincarnation; that explanation did seem the most likely reason why he could communicate with Guinevere easily, and why they were friendly with one another. According to Arthur, dogs and cats weren’t meant to be friends. The blond seemed to think it the height of amusement that Merlin and Guinevere got on so well in complete disregard of their respective species.
That dark-haired woman, Morgana, who took care of Guinevere, miffed Merlin whenever she visited. While she was nice enough and liked to pet him, which Merlin always enjoyed, she was under the impression that he couldn’t understand simple words. Morgana seemed to prefer cooing at him as if he were a baby. He had watched something similar occur on TV with a baby and a woman bouncing the baby on her lap as she said nonsense words to the child. Surely he was smarter than a baby? He was only a few months old, yes, but his comprehension was just fine, his sense of smell brilliant and he could catch a ball better than any baby. But then, he never let himself get too upset over it because Arthur’s stepsister had a knack for knowing the best place to stroke him.
Just then Arthur came up to him at the window seat, petting him on the head in greeting as he took a seat beside him. Merlin rested his head on his thigh, thumping his tail against the wood.
“How are you?” Arthur asked him as if expecting the puppy to answer him in words.
Merlin gave a sad whine in response.
The blond sighed, scratching him behind the ears. “I know you want to go out, but it’s raining…do you need to go?”
The puppy raised his head and barked in the affirmative.
Arthur relented. “All right, I don’t want you doing it in the house. As long as you’re quick about it,” He said in a slightly reprimanding tone.
Merlin licked his hand in gratitude.
The puppy jumped off the seat and followed after him, tail wagging happily, as they headed down the stairs and toward the back door leading to the yard.
Merlin didn’t really have to go, at least he was sure he didn’t, but any way to get a chance to play in the rain, he was going to take it.
Seeing that the rain was light, Arthur decided to come outside as well, wearing a raincoat and holding an umbrella.
The blond rolled his eyes as he watched his puppy sniff at different plants and at the base of a young tree…and Merlin went once, but Arthur could see he was pretending…nothing came out. He shook his head in bemusement and called him over.
Merlin went to him and sat down, looking at the blond expectantly. Arthur rubbed his brow and, giving in; he procured the blue ball he had taken with him as well.
“Catch!” Arthur told him and he threw the ball across the yard.
The puppy looked thrilled and immediately gave chase to retrieve the ball.
He soon returned it and Arthur threw the ball again.
And because Labrador puppies really never tired of retrieving items, they went at the game for a solid half an hour. But when the previously comfortably light rain turned heavy, almost hailing on them; Arthur knew it was time to head back inside.
“Merlin!” He called after him, expecting him to come back with the ball he’d thrown.
But the puppy didn’t run back to him. Arthur surveyed the yard, which was difficult with the heavy, pounding rain obscuring his vision, and he couldn’t see Merlin anywhere.
He swore, worried, and wondered where the dog could have gone. The yard was enclosed, so Merlin could not have left the vicinity…unless…
Arthur knew very well that this reincarnated version of Merlin had magic and he had seen him use it not long after he had taken him in. It was not out of the realm of possibility that Merlin’s magic could have transported him somewhere - whether the puppy had done it intentionally or not. He didn’t know why Merlin would want to leave, but that’s not what concerned Arthur most at the moment. Merlin was still such a young puppy and even with his magic, he could be in danger if he had landed in a bad place. Merlin was Arthur’s responsibility, and he hoped fervently that the puppy was nearby…maybe inside the house or in the front yard.
After checking those places, Arthur still could not find him. This was definitely not good.
“Where the hell are you, Merlin?” He muttered, worry and frustration mixing.
~ * ~
Merlin had little time to wonder why his magic had sent him here - to what looked like a room in a house. He had felt the same rush come over him when he arrived at Arthur’s doorstep a few weeks ago.
A big, chocolate Labrador and an old-looking Bloodhound were in the room as well.
“Hey, who are you?” The Labrador asked him. “How’d you suddenly appear?”
Merlin stared at the other dog. The same connection he felt with Guinevere, he had with this dog.
“I don’t know. I just have this magic in me and sometimes it does things I have no control over. If I knew why it sent me here, I would be happy to tell you.”
“You’re one of us, aren’t you?” The Bloodhound asked him gruffly. He stood up and his slightly grumpy look shifted to one of interest as he took a closer look at Merlin.
Merlin noted that the same mental link existed between him and the Bloodhound too.
“Er…what do you mean? I’m Merlin…” Merlin said, puzzled.
“You’re a reincarnation,” The Bloodhound said matter of factly. “Like me - I’m Leon - and Knight here,” He said, nodding toward the Labrador. “You look young. I can understand if you don’t know it yet.”
“Oh, Arthur - he takes care of me -- talks about reincarnation. He named me Merlin because he believes I was a man named Merlin centuries ago. But I’m not too sure myself. I don’t remember being human,” He explained.
“I can’t remember who I was in a past life either,” Knight informed him reassuringly. “Leon, though, you would do right by listening to him because he remembers.”
“You never know what’ll trigger the memories. Knight has lived for three years now, and I think he’ll remember soon. I have been reincarnated multiple times - last go around was a flying squirrel,” Leon sniffed at that as if the memory was distasteful for him.
Merlin was positive that Knight snickered in response to what Leon had said…it was a laugh he heard in his mind, he was sure, because dogs couldn’t laugh out loud like humans could. He had tried to mimic the sound of human laughter once or twice, but Merlin had not managed it. He had concluded the closest equivalent was excited barking.
Leon emitted a low growl at Knight’s amusement at his expense, which the younger dog heeded well enough and bowed his head, muttering a “Sorry.”
Satisfied, Leon continued on, “And for me, I usually recall my past lives - or life as it could be for you - later in life. The memories came to me without warning. Maybe you realizing now that you’re a reincarnation will help bring about the memory quicker, I don’t know. But there’s no doubt that you were reincarnated. If you don’t trust what humans are telling you, then I hope hearing it from me, a fellow dog, will get you believing it,” Leon told him, lying back down on a soft, purple rug.
Merlin supposed it did help to hear about reincarnation from another dog. Even his kitten friend, Guinevere, could not recall ever having a past life like Merlin. But to have a dog who knew for a fact that he was a reincarnation gave Merlin pause for thought. So it was possible then…there was a chance that Arthur and Morgana sometimes too were telling him the truth. He just had to figure out how to remember, truly remember…if only the process for it wasn't something he couldn't control (like his magic). But for now, he could only live life day by day as best as he could.
“This Arthur…how did you meet him?” Knight wondered.
Merlin shrugged. “I uh-well, like I ended up here suddenly, my magic transported me to his home. And then he took me in. I was only wishing for a safe place and then my magic took care of the rest.”
Leon spoke up, “Your magic seems to know more than you do, pup. There must be a connection between you and this man,” He surmised.
Merlin could not deny that. Sometimes he thought Arthur was a little weird, but he still loved him very much all the same. He was glad to have found him and he couldn’t think of a better person to be with in the whole world.
And then he felt a rush of guilt overcome him knowing that Arthur would be worried about him. He had been transported here so suddenly after all. If Merlin himself did not know where he was, then Arthur surely wouldn’t. He knew that he had to find a way back home soon, earnestly hoping that this house was not far away from his own home. And Leon and Knight could help him too - he resolved to ask them for assistance.
With that decision made, Merlin answered Leon’s ponderings. “I do get these flashes that feel somewhat familiar. When I first saw Arthur, I had a flash of him wearing a crown and people cheering ‘Long Live the King.’ And that’s what assured me that I was meant to be there, with him. But even with flashes like that, I still don’t feel like they’re my memories. I don’t feel connected to them.”
“I understand the feeling,” Knight told him. “Even when Leon told me - I’ve known him as long as I can remember - that I’m a reincarnation, I didn’t believe him. I have flashes of a past life like you, but I feel like I’m watching someone else’s life.”
Merlin didn’t feel so alone anymore, knowing that another dog was feeling as disconnected as him when it came to reincarnation.
“But I didn’t mind too much - Elaine was really nice and she kept me when my siblings were all being adopted. I was worried that I would have to leave, but she chose me…and I…” He couldn’t continue on and instead went over to paw at a ball somberly.
“Who’s Elaine?” Merlin asked, curious. “Does she take care of you two?”
Knight looked sad at the query and Merlin regretted asking.
Leon informed him, “Elaine used to take care of us. Knight was a year old when she died due to old age. She was a very kind woman and she raised her granddaughter, Sam, after her parents died. Sam looks after us now - this is her home. Elaine was a wealthy widow and Sam inherited her money once she died.”
“She’s nice too,” Knight put in, though his eyes still held a touch of melancholy in them.
“I’m sorry,” Merlin said contritely, “about Elaine…”
“It’s how things work…life and death. She lived a long life. There is nothing to be sorry for.” Leon said, his honesty cutting like a knife.
“Everyone, even Arthur, will die?” Merlin asked, suddenly gravely concerned. He let out a small, distressed whine at the thought. He didn’t want Arthur to die. He didn’t want Arthur to leave him.
“One day, yes. It’s the way of life, Merlin,” the Bloodhound told him gently, his voice soft. “If you’re lucky, if your Arthur’s lucky, then you both will be reborn once again. So maybe, those like us, reincarnations…we don’t ever truly die. We get a second chance. If you make sure you’re good in this life, you’ll be rewarded in the next… and hopefully you won’t be a flying squirrel.” He said, trying to make a joke in the midst of a somber topic.
“Thank you,” Merlin said gratefully, reassured a bit by his words. He knew that Arthur had a past life just like him…so he was comforted by the knowledge that surely Arthur would have another life after this one. That Merlin would never have to truly lose him.
The thought that he himself would go before Arthur did not occur to him. Dogs did not live as long as humans after all.
Merlin was about to ask the other two dogs to help him in finding his way back home when the door opened.
Leon, a bit slower due to age but still his enthusiasm shone through, and Knight headed toward the door, barking happily and tails wagging.
“How are my boys?” Said a young woman about Arthur’s age.
She reached out to pet each of the dogs.
The woman had curly dark hair and dark eyes, her face pale but pleasant-looking. What was odd about her was the noticeable bulge at her midsection, which looked out of place with her slim figure.
Upon sighting Merlin in the room, she gasped an, “oh” and then she asked, “And who are you, little puppy? Where did you come from?”
“That’s Sam,” Leon told him.
Merlin figured that much.
She knelt down in front of Merlin, though he could tell it took some effort for her due to weight in her middle.
The woman peered at his tag and she smiled, clearly amused. “Your name is Merlin, is it? Regular old Houdini, aren’t you? Appearing here just like that?”
Merlin wondered who in the world Houdini was… He barked in answer to being Merlin just to be polite anyway.
She pat him on the head once and then slowly stood up, Knight coming to stand beside her so Sam could use him as a support.
“Thank you, Knight,” she said appreciatively, stroking him on the head.
“Well, it looks like I have a number to find…Merlin Pendragon…Pendragon…that name sounds familiar…” She mused, looking thoughtful.
Sam ushered the dogs out of the room, which had been on the second floor. They went down the stairs and the woman took a look out the front window opposite the foyer. A displeased look graced her face as she surveyed the heavy rain outside. The loud sound of pouring rain could be heard easily within the house.
“Nasty weather outside,” Sam said, shaking her head. “I pick the worst times to go out. But I had this craving for ice cream…and pickles. How weird is that? Cara is going to owe me for this…” She said, patting her belly. “But being the crazy friend I am, I did agree to it,” She finished, biting her lip.
Merlin had little clue what the woman was talking about. He asked Knight and Leon what she meant, and the Bloodhound told him that Sam was pregnant, carrying a child for a close friend of hers who couldn’t have children.
Merlin didn’t know you could do something like that, but he chalked it up to an inexplicable human thing.
She grabbed a spoon and a newly-bought pint-sized container of ice cream from the kitchen. The woman said something about checking a phonebook or the Internet before she headed down the stairs, eating the ice cream as she did so.
~ * ~
Later that evening, Merlin was elated when Arthur came to the house. He jumped on him as soon Sam opened the front door and moved aside to let the puppy through.
“Merlin, gods. Don’t scare me like that again,” The blond said fiercely, kneeling down to embrace him. The puppy barked happily, his tongue licking Arthur’s face enthusiastically. “Ergh, Merlin,” he muttered as his face became covered in doggie drool.
Arthur was happy though, and relieved too. Arthur knew that magic was a part of Merlin, but it really did cause a lot of trouble in Merlin’s current reincarnation. Clearly puppies and magic didn’t mix too well.
Arthur stood up then to address the woman.
“He definitely is thrilled to see you,” Sam said, smiling.
But once he had a good look at her, he couldn’t believe he hadn’t made the connection before. Samantha Allison, she had called herself when they had talked on the phone.
“You’re the dagger girl, aren’t you? Back in sixth form?” He asked her.
Sam looked like she had been caught red-handed. “I’m glad I made an impression,” Sam decided to say, trying to be casual about it. “But then it’s not like I wanted a teacher to find the dagger.”
“You shouldn’t have brought it in the first place,” Arthur pointed out.
“Ha! Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you were like. We might have hung around in different circles, but anyone who didn’t know who Arthur Pendragon was had to be living under a rock,” She remarked.
“That was over ten years ago. Things have changed,” Arthur said in his defense.
“I can see that. Never thought you’d be the type to get a dog. So naming him Merlin - were you trying to be cute? Into Arthurian legend, maybe?” She inquired.
Arthur shrugged. He didn’t think she’d believe him if he told her that he was a living reincarnation of the Once and Future King. “Something like that,” he said simply. “Anyway, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I just wanted to thank you for looking after Merlin. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, don’t know why he ended up here. Sorry for the trouble.”
Sam waved her hand. “Oh, that’s all right. I have two dogs on my own. I understand what it’s like to have a dog.”
“Knight, Leon! Come here,” she called.
The two dogs left the kitchen at her beckoning. “I didn’t want them to get in the way while you reunited with Merlin,” She said by way of explanation.
“Knight? You named a dog, ‘Knight’?” Arthur asked her, unable to help being intrigued. Any mention of knights always reminded him of Camelot and his Knights of the Round Table…
“It was actually my grandmother who named him,” Sam said, patting the chocolate Labrador on the head. “She had a fondness for the medieval era.”
“Oh, is she…?”
Sam nodded. “Two years ago. She lived a long life, died peacefully. You can’t ask for better,” She told him, speaking briskly as if she didn't want to dwell on the loss too much. Then she abruptly changed the subject. “Well, it’s dreadful outside with the rain, so I was wondering if you would like to stay for tea? At least until the weather improves,” Sam offered.
Arthur nodded. “Sure, I’d like that,” he agreed.
The two of them went to the kitchen, Merlin staying so close to Arthur that he rubbed against his leg. He had really missed him - even if he had had Knight and Leon to keep him company, nothing compared to being with Arthur.
~ * ~
“Hey Merlin,” Knight said to him. Merlin looked up from his place next to Arthur who was sitting on a bench seat at the table. The woman sat across from him. Merlin’s head had been resting on the blond’s thigh, the puppy feeling all together content with everything.
Knight was standing before the table while Leon was getting his tummy rubbed by Sam, her bare foot lazily moving back and forth against the dog’s stomach.
“What?” Merlin asked Knight.
Meanwhile, Arthur was asking if his eyes weren’t deceiving him, that Sam was really pregnant.
“I think you were there,” Knight said rather cryptically.
“Where?” Merlin asked, confused.
“When I said, ‘Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of coming here. It’s my life’s ambition to join the Knights of Camelot.’ You were there…your past self…in Camelot. Merlin, I think…when I saw Arthur…just now, I remembered, Merlin. I know who I am. If it weren’t for you coming along…I remember,” Knight said in a breathless rush.
He was wagging his tail excitedly.
“Who are you?” Merlin wanted to know, trying not to feel too sad about Knight remembering while he himself still felt disconnected from his past life.
“Lancelot…Sir Lancelot. That’s who I am,” He told him resolutely, without any doubt in his voice.
“Oh,” Merlin said. He didn’t recall having any flashes of Lancelot, but he hoped he would. He had flashes of Arthur, didn’t he?
“What I don’t get is why Arthur got to be human this first time while we’re dogs… strange, don’t you think?” Knight inquired.
“I don’t know…Arthur told me that fate had a twisted sense of humour. Maybe this is it,” Merlin suggested.
“Maybe,” Knight answered.
Arthur laughed at something Sam had said, both unaware of the revelation one of the dogs was having.
Merlin didn’t know when he would remember his past life, the memories that always seemed to be out of his reach even with the flashes he saw every so often.
But he had a long life ahead of him, he thought, and he just had to be patient.
One thing Merlin could be certain of was of his unconditional love for Arthur. That would never change.
~ * ~
Sequel ~ Different Ways of Living: Reincarnation