Merlin had always known that his mother had some secrets.
But he never expected one of this magnitude.
He stared at her from across the small table, still gaping as his brain whirred, trying to make sense of what she had just said.
"N-No. You must be lying, or joking." He calmed down a little at the thought, slightly comforted by his inner reassurances.
"It is a joke, right?" he laughed nervously.
She shook her head slowly.
"I'm sorry." she murmured, as she took his hand into her own. He snatched it back, shocked beyond reason. He stared into her wide brown eyes, and gauging that she wasn't lying, spoke, stuttering through his words.
"I-I'm a… but…how!"
Hunith smiled sadly at her only son.
"Your father." she said softly, and inwardly cringed as she saw realization dawning upon Merlin's face.
"My father…" he whispered.
"My father was a royal?" his voice was loud now, steady. Hunith braced herself for an explosion. She watched as Merlin's clenched fists shook, and then looked up to meet fiery blue eyes.
"MY FATHER WAS A ROYAL!"
His voice dropped then, as he clenched his eyes shut. He forced himself to calm down before he continued in a terse voice.
"And you never thought to tell me?"
Hunith winced. Hurt was practically emanating off her son.
"I'm sorry." She apologized again, gently.
"Wait." Merlin's eyes opened, and his piercing blue gaze held hers.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Hunith stared into her son's eyes, finding herself unable to utter anything false or placating as she replied.
"Your father wants to meet you."
XxXxX
Merlin stood in the throne room of Avalon, gazing up at his father, who was still oblivious to his presence. He smiled softly as he watched his father interact with his servant. Instead of the usual haughty condescension that Merlin had bore witness to in Camelot; his father was smiling fondly at his grinning servant.
Merlin couldn't help but think that perhaps the kingdom wouldn't be so horrible to rule.
Wait, what? Of course it'll be horrible!
His loyalty to Camelot came rushing back.
Realizing there was nothing else of interest to observe, Merlin cleared his throat. King Balinor turned around curiously, smiling when he recognized Merlin. He beckoned to his son, who shyly walked forward, only to be engulfed in an embrace. Merlin, a little uncertainly, hugged his father back.
XxXxX
After a few weeks, Merlin was slowly adapting to his new life.
Avalon was certainly nothing like Camelot.
Here, magic was allowed, even revered.
Everyone in the kingdom was kind to Merlin. He lived in luxury, and he was no longer a servant, not even close.
In fact, he himself had a servant.
Leon was around the same age as Merlin, and he and Merlin had become rather good friends. Sometimes, when he caught Leon gazing at him, Merlin wondered if he only liked him for his crown. But then Leon would say something sarcastic, and his worries would dissipate almost immediately.
Leon hardly did any work. Merlin refused to ask him to serve him, preferring to have him around as an equal. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had asked Leon to perform a manservant-like task. It was much easier to just use his magic, after all.
Magic was certainly the biggest difference. Here, his magic was seen as the gift it was, instead of a feared weapon. In Avalon, he didn't have to hide, or feel guilty for having been bestowed with such powers.
Merlin came to enjoy life in Avalon, though he couldn't help but feel guilty as he remembered Camelot and all those he had left behind there.
He sank on to his soft bed for a few minutes, reminiscing about the beautiful, lively place that he used to reside in. After a few minutes of indecision, he rose, heading straight to the throne room, where his father was.
Taking a deep breath, he looked into his father's twinkling eyes before he spoke.
XxXxX
Merlin asked for his father's permission to return to Camelot temporarily, to inform the others that he was staying in Avalon, and to properly say goodbye. `
His father had gazed down at him, scrutinizing him a little unnervingly. As Merlin shuffled uncomfortably, his father had beamed and nodded his assent.
Of course, he told Merlin to take a few knights with him. Oh, and Leon.
Mostly, the older man had requested this of his son so that no-one would mistake him for the servant he once was. He knew very well how easily Merlin could protect himself. It was quite obvious, after all. The boy summoned mini-cyclones to whirl around his room for fun.
Smiling at the thought of his eccentric son, the King settled down into his throne.
XxXxX
Merlin strode confidently into the city, watching in amusement as the townspeople practically tripped over each other when they registered his wealthy attire, the royal seal he was clasping, and the small procession of knights trailing behind him.
Of course, it didn't help that his father had forced him to wear his crown.
Did he mention that it was extremely shiny and encrusted with colossal jewels?
XxXxX
King Uther sat up abruptly as Merlin entered the throne room. He looked furious, recognizing Merlin as a servant. Before he could open his mouth, however, Merlin extended his hand. Nestled in his palm, was the royal seal of Avalon.
Uther's eyes practically bulged out of his head. He stared, dumbfounded, for a few seconds, before quickly coming to his senses.
After apologizing, the King arranged chambers for Prince Merlin. Uther invited Merlin to dine with him that night. Merlin, of course, graciously accepted the offer, and the king's apologies with a smile.
Minutes after he left, Uther was clinging to the arms of his throne, still recovering from the shock.
XxXxX
Morgana and Gwen visited Merlin in his chambers that day.
"Can I... touch it?" asked Gwen softly, her eyes wide in fascination.
Merlin snickered quietly.
"Sure."
Gwen slowly poked his crown. She beamed excitedly and then placed it back on his head. Morgana put a hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh.
The two girls gushed at his new hair, hugged him, and were generally ecstatic to have him back.
Arthur, on the other hand, hadn't heard that his former manservant had returned. He was strolling haughtily through the corridor when he heard Merlin's familiar voice. Turning to the guest chambers, he froze. When he heard that laugh, he barged in. He was greeted with the sight of a smiling Morgana, Gwen and Merlin for a split-second, before they turned to the flung open door.
The two girls watched him carefully, their eyes shifting between both men. Merlin simply smiled good-naturedly.
Arthur frowned at him.
"How long have you been back?" he asked, but never gave Merlin time to answer.
"Never mind, just go and muck out the stables, then wash and mend my clothes, then clean my chambers, then-"
"Arthur!"
The blonde turned to Morgana, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Are you trying to start a war?" she hissed, while Gwen attempted to stifle giggles.
Arthur just stared at her nonsensically. She rolled her eyes.
"You haven't noticed anything about Merlin?" she clued, gesturing towards said man.
Huh. That was weird. Merlin was wearing a crown. He was also wearing clothes of the standard of Arthur's.
Arthur had just begun to suspect something, when another man who looked around their age walked in.
"Sire" the man said, bowing towards Merlin respectfully, gazing at him admiringly. "Leon, I told you to call me Merlin" replied Merlin, shaking his head fondly at the man, who rolled his eyes, blushing.
At this exchange, Arthur froze, his eyes sliding rapidly from the man to Merlin.
"M- Merlin?" he stuttered, his jaw feeling like it was about to drop off.
"Oh, right." said Merlin, grinning. "Did I forget to mention that I'm Prince Merlin of Avalon?"
Author's Note:
Just a note, I'm in the middle of re-writing this story, and updating at the same time. Hope you enjoyed this :)
I've rewritten up to Chapter 2, so beware of the sudden drop of.. quality around then :)
Don't worry though, it picks back up around chapter 12.
Well, actually, that is a bit owned. But, I digress.
X