Hi there :D

I've always loved the idea of strangers reflecting on Merlin and Arthur's relationship and marveling at the beauty of it. But I've been too lazy to carry it out until now ^^

This will be a series of ( rather) lengthy one shots, all in first person point of view ( since apparently I need practice with that ;) )

WARNING: There will be lots and lots of bromance with sprinkles of angst, humor and everything I can think of ^^

Any ideas and requests are welcome and received with wide arms but keep in mind that this is canon so no Mergana or ANY slash.

I have to give credit to A Flame By Any Other Name for "An Unfortunate Merchant" which basically gave me the idea, to ForIHaveOvercomeTheWorld for her brilliant series "Why You Don't Mess With Merlin" which has inspired me too, and finally to Colin Morgan for being so adorable that it makes my heart melt! :D

*This first installment was inspired by Merlin and Arthur's hunts gone wrong and the obvious and sometimes annoying lack of depth in the druids of the show.*

A/N:
{ this is a re-upload of the chapter thanks to the amazing jediyam who pointed out that there is NO WAY neither in heaven or earth the healer ( she still lacks a name, if any of you have a suggestion let me know! :D) could be that old. She was portrayed as ANCIENT when Arthur is only what...26? and so she could not have been alive THAT long unless this was set a bunch of years in the future which is not. Again, thank you, jediyam! Cookies and strawberry milkshakes to you! :) }

Change Of Perspective

I have to admit that I never thought I'd meet the Emrys in this lifetime.

I'd grown up as a young girl hearing stories about his kindness and power, and like all young druids I became fascinated by his mystery cloaked figure. The Emrys was a man I'd pledge allegiance to if I ever could, a man I would go far and high to help if I ever could be of assistance.

But those childish dreams were soon crushed after the burning logs that took away my family, Uther's Great Purge. My whole life, shattered like a broken glass before me, went away with the first whispers of the winter winds.

I lived and worked alone, on a hut in the Darkening Woods were I could hardly be persecuted anymore. I had been a remarkable physician during the years of peace but after my children and friends were taken from me, I did not trust mankind to be merciful. It was better to be unknown, unaided and hid from King Uther's dark eyes. Thankfully, My gifts of natural healing served its purpose when I made my living by helping a few wounded knights that sometimes came stumbled into my poor home with what little herbs I had in storage.

I grew old and wrinkled, you see. My hands were no longer steady, my hair no longer the color of the rising sun. I had spent all my life persecuted and hated, even after Uther finally took his last breath, for no one raised the question of magic's true nature. No one even breathed a word of compassion towards us, the oppressed sons and daughters of the Crystal Cave.

And by then my wrinkled body had long since extinguished the fire of hope. I no longer believed in fairy tales. I laughed at the face of the morning sun, which seemed to still wait for his Golden King. There was no Once and Future King anyone could seek, no Emrys to kneel in front of.

.

But my world would be shaken out of place one gloomy night in which I was sitting across the fire, staring hard at the flames and trying to think of how it would feel if I'd burned with my friends and family.

Curled fists suddenly attacked my fragile wooden door while a voice bellowed: "HELP PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP!"

I jumped out of my sit, stared hard at the door and felt my old heart pick pace like a reared horse.

"PLEASE! SOMEBODY….!"

I could take it no longer. Sprinting towards the door I opened it brusquely to find myself staring at a tall young man with a mop of raven hair and piercing eyes, soaked to the bones. The sheer desperation on his voice was plastered on his features, as clear as clean water. He was supporting another man heavily, which blond head was resting wearily on the young man's shoulder. I must've just looked at him with puzzlement in my eyes because he repeated again a strangled "please…." adding softly "he needs shelter…"

Still in a daze I opened the door and let them pass. Bowing his head, the young man walked carefully towards the small cot I kept for the people who needed my attention and laid the muscular man in there, as gently as a mother would do with her child. That's when I had a chance to observe him better and I was struck by the paleness of his features the protruding blue neckerchief and how wet he looked as he passed a hand through his dark hair, breathing heavily while kneeling besides the other man.

"Alright you big dollop head" he said, completely disregarding my presence "You need to pull through this, is only a flesh wound see...?" I saw his shaking hands press against the side of the blond man's chest and come out red with dissolving blood. In my experience, I have to say, I'd never seen such a gaping wound before. I could practically see where the – spear, if my calculations were correct- had penetrated the man's chain mail.

With a start I realized that I was harboring a knight of Camelot on my home.

The young man with those striking blue eyes started shaking. It was soft, almost unnoticeable at first but then I realized he was crying. I understood why. No human could ever survive such a thing.

So I did the only things I could think of and the only things that made sense at that moment. I offered my help.

My request was met by a pair of incredulous; tear filled blue eyes, innocent and wide as he said softly "are you a healer?"

I told him I was.

He stood up like if he'd jumped out of his skin, hands shaking and grasping my delicate arms tightly, saying almost breathlessly " save him, save him….!"

I tried to nod but he was shaking me so hard that I was sure I'd snapped my own neck if I did. So I settled for smoothing his hair back with my trembling hands, trying to soothe him although I knew there was no hope for his friend.

"Just hold still my dear…." I said, stumbling upon my own words as I dragged the young man to a nearby chair (which he immediately scooted towards his dying friend.) "You've received quite a shock, now…what's your name?"

"Merlin" he said softly, his eyes fixated on the rise and fall of the other man's chest.

I felt my tongue like dry parchment as I saw his- Merlin's- eyes dart through the empty hut, taking in my lack of supplies…my empty promise. A thunder roared outside, like a hungry beast.

I saw Merlin's eyes widen when his companion's breathing became labored and became even paler. He got up from his seat, paced around like a caged lion before finally kneeling down besides the poor cot, his hands tangled between his messy raven locks.

"Please do something" he said quietly, directing that unnerving gaze towards me while he tried as he might to stop his teeth from chattering "please…!"

I lowered my eyes, unable to look at the disappointment in those dark blue ones.

And I said the truth.

"I cannot do anything, my boy"

The hope in his eyes shattered in less than a second. But it was not gone, oh no, not gone yet. He still had hope. There was mad hope in the thin line those lips formed next.

"Tell me what you need…anything…please, tell me"

I looked at him, barely comprehending what he was saying when he pointedly looked outside as another thunder threatened with throwing the skies upon our heads.

"No" I said before I could catch myself, my own survival instincts acting up. Because he couldn't possibly be thinking about going out in that storm just to save a man who had slim chances of living anyway.

He looked at me with those clear eyes, as if he'd read my mind.

"I've endured far worse for him, and if you think I'll sit here and let him die you're wrong. So tell me, please. I know you'd want some yarrow…"

Another flash of light illuminated the horizon and I could see the firm resolution on his face as the cold white light touched his elfin, pale features. And I made sense of it in a second, because I had seen families torn apart and rely heavily on the members who were left, as my own had. And I had no doubt that this two youngsters...had to be related, somehow. Brothers.

"Young man, I…."

Another thunder, followed by a weak moan from the bed and a feverish coughing of "Merlin…."

The young man turned his head sharply towards the sound of his name, burying his head on his hands for a moment before sighing softly.

"And I guess some periwinkle if I can find some…"

A loud echoing scream from the night.

"And some comfrey maybe…."

He started fidgeting with his neckerchief, wringing it thoroughly before tying it around his neck again, looking at me with those determined blue eyes.

Still, I kept trying to make him see reason "My boy, you shouldn't go outside with this…."

"Where can I find them?" he asked, not even acknowledging the sincere concern in my voice "Just tell me where they are, I'll be here as fast as I can"

And for some reason, something inside me clicked and I gave up. Who was I, after all, to keep this young man from getting killed by a lightning bolt? If he wanted to charge into that furious storm for his agonizing brother then….I wouldn't stop him.

"All right" I conceded "Yes, some yarrow and comfrey will be necessary if we are to treat that kind of wound…."

He nodded and to my great astonishment didn't even ask for a cloak. Directing a last concerned glance at the immobile man on the bed , Merlin went out of my poor hut, running through the night as if he couldn't feel the way water poured down on him. I stared at his tall form as he disappeared through the trees, my mind reeling with a thousand questions. The first: Was I harboring a knight of Camelot in my home?

I turned around and walked to the blond man's bedside, taking in his handsome features and drenched appearance. But for some reason his aspect was less soggy than that of Merlin. It was as if he'd had some special protection to get him through, although the blood loss certainly made up for the lack of wetness. There was blood everywhere, all over my gray sheets and in his hands, traveling down his chain mailed torso.

I stared into his face, trying to see the features of a murderer beneath the frig of golden hair. But his expression was one of anguish, anxiety almost, not one of a cold blooded killer. He looked almost…compassionate… Just.

As I studied that strange combination….( for no knight of Camelot had ever shown any dignity in my perspective) the man's eyes flew open. Eyes as blue as the morning sky, wide and teary. They roamed around my room, almost in a daze before he fixed his gaze on me.

It was almost as if he wasn't seeing me, and I believe he didn't. His eyes went beyond my own and fixed themselves on something outside of my poor hut as he murmured something unintelligible. Just before he lost consciousness again I saw a flicker of recognition on those irises.

But as I peered into his handsome face, into the tired lids and marble white cheekbones I couldn't help but feel my own heart constrict at the reality that there was no salvation for this man, at least, no natural salvation. If I wanted to save him, if I truly wanted to prevent Merlin from breaking down when he returned from his fruitless, false hope giving hunt for herbs I'd have to use something I feared more than the burning pyre.

Magic.

Magic, that thing that pulsed through my vein and that never left, not even when I hid it on a corner of my soul, too afraid to use it, too afraid to wield it. Magic, what had killed my family, what made my daughter burn while I could do nothing but stare.

And then this man, wounded and dying in my hut with his friend….( maybe brother?) battling a storm to save him…

People always told me I have a soft heart and I believe it was proven that night. For I couldn't help but place my hands above the other man's chest as I drew a long, gasping breath and listened to his short, almost nonexistent ones. I called for that magic I had battled for so long after it had proven itself to be the death of me and my loved ones... and let it fill me. Its power shocked me, the warmth and eagerness….

But I had barely used it in more than 60 years, and it was not enough. As I forced it into the dying body beneath me, the only flickering light that left my hands faded before it could make any change.

The man was dying.

And my magic, my last resource, was useless.

But I tried again, steeling myself and taking another large breath as I forced every inch of my magic out. Still just a flickering little warmth left my palms and I shook my head, believing I was witnessing this man's last breaths…

And then the unexplainable happened. Two damp hands took mine and I looked around to find Merlin behind me, looking down at me with an inscrutable gaze.

I believed for a moment that he would strike me down there and then. I was using magic, prohibited in the kingdom of Camelot and I would surely pay with my life. So much for keeping my magic at bay for almost sixty years…

But that was not what happened. And I cannot do nothing but describe, in awe, how Merlin's eyes turned a beautiful molten gold and his face morphed in concentration.

Immediately I felt magic rushing through my veins, stronger than ever, driven by a purpose that was no other but to save the man who was seconds away from death. This magic was power, gold and warmth, purity, nobility and honor, friendship, loyalty and….love.

All in all, Merlin's magic rushed through my frail body and my hands trembled before they were steadied by his as two rays of light shut out from my fingers, reaching the blond's still chest and enveloping him with a warmth that was not unlike that of the rising sun.

I glanced up at Merlin's face and saw his eyes closed, lips parted as he breathed in and out, forcing his magic into my old bones to save his friend.

And I saw a miracle as the man's wound closed until there was nothing but a thin red scar on his chest. Merlin and his brother breathed deeply at the same time. Merlin from obvious exhaustion and the man from the lack of oxygen after death had brushed past him.

I looked up to Merlin's face again and saw he was smiling with relief. There was an odd look in his eyes, as if he'd emerge victor one more time and then, the most stunning words rang in my ears.

"Thank you." he said.

Meeting his grateful gaze with mine I let my jaw drop.

"Thank you?" I repeated, blinking as the warmth of his magic left my being "boy…it is I who should be thanking you! You…."

He held his hand up with a modest smile "I did what was necessary. But it was your affinity with healing what made this possible. So thank you."

Awed, as if struck by the lightning that was still roaring outside, I saw Merlin kneel by the blond's side, taking one of his large hands in his and dropping his head upon the rough mattress in silent thanks. There was no denying there was something more than what met the eye in this and as I tried to make sense of what I'd just seen I became aware that the young sorcerer was shivering. Then I remembered the storm and looked with wide eyes at the damp clothes that hung from Merlin's too thin frame and his dripping black hair.

"You need to warm up." I said, quieting a soft gasp that had escaped my throat. I placed my hands on his shoulders "You need to warm up now, darling, come here…come by the fire."

He nodded, a half laugh left his lips as he squeezed the other man's wrist in reassurance and I guided him towards my little hearth, which was slowly dying.

It looked as if the adrenaline was slowly leaving my young friend's body. His shoulders slumped and his teeth shattered as he hugged his knees while he whispered slowly "Forbearne"

The fire immediately regained strength, blazing with a lovely dance and spreading warmth throughout the small hut. I stood up and fumbled with my little cupboard, bringing out the only two blankets I had.

Another thunder roared outside.

"Here, my boy." I said softly, putting a blanket upon his shoulders and wincing at the coldness of his skin "This is the only two blankets I have…"

"You should keep this one then." he said rapidly, taking it away with a swift movement.

"You need it more." I said, shaking my head and giving it back with a firm push "Just…make good use of it."

He looked at me as if I was his personal savior, that gentle boy, before he stood up and placed one upon his friend's still body, hesitated a bit….

And also placed his, almost tenderly, upon his companion.

I watched, mesmerized. I must say, I'd never seen anything like it. My only companions were my herbs. My only love was my own survival. How could I understand, at that moment, a love so true and pure, a friendship that transcended the rules and walls of everything I'd ever known?

He came and sat with me at the fire, trying to warm up his cold hands. But that smile that graced his lips was so wide and so full of happiness that I dared not say a word against what he'd done, even if I knew it may cost him a bad night.

So I said what had been swirling in my mind since the moment he placed those hands in mine.

"You have magic."

He shrugged as he fingered his pockets and placed a bunch of soaked herbs on his lap.

"So have you." he answered softly, looking at me as if he could see my soul.

And I stayed quiet because I still didn't understand. What was a friend of a knight of Camelot doing with magic?

"But yours was…restrained." he added softly after a moment of cold silence "You were…afraid of it."

I didn't ask how he knew but I did let my old eyes travel to his friend, gazing at his Pendragon seal which shone brightly on the red fabric of his chest.

"He's a knight of Camelot." I said, almost in a conspiring tone.

Merlin looked at me with a half amused smile "In a way." he said, eyes twinkling.

I didn't catch the meaning of his cryptic words but at that time they mattered little. What I wanted to know was the reason for this…odd, almost suicidal act. A sorcerer being friend with a knight of Camelot.

"And you have magic…."

He nodded, the coldness still sweeping through his clothes as one violent shiver coursed through him. There was something about him, something about his eyes that gave me…almost hope.

"Arthur doesn't know, though" he said, almost as if he was talking to himself, his eyes lost in the warm flames. "He still doesn't know…."

My heart jumped out of my skin when I heard that name. Arthur…as in King Arthur Pendragon?

Was I harboring a murderer on my home?

Scandalized, I shot up from my seat and walked to that…that monster's side. My eyes filled with tears of rage when I realized what I had done for there was no doubt in my mind now. This was…this was the King that was murdering my people….

"We ought to kill him." I said, my voice trembling "we ought to kill him boy, he is a murderer…he is the King…!"

"I'm afraid we can't do that."

I spurned around, in shock, to find that Merlin had stood up, hands across his chest while the shivering reduced to a minimum "I'm afraid we can't do that" he repeated

I looked into his eyes and saw absolutely no doubt of his intentions. He wanted to protect this man…a man that had murderer his kind…!

"Would you please listen to me…." He said, walking to my side and taking my trembling hands in his "Please…it is not what you think…."

"Not what I think?" I couldn't help the hurt that swept through my voice "He is a murderer and you are a traitor boy…!"

"No" Merlin said firmly "No. He is not like his father. He is…Arthur's the Once and Future King"

I heard the words but the only thing that left my mouth was a dried, ironic laugh. Years of hoping and waiting for the fabled King had dried every drop of faith I ever held within me. And although I was surprised to hear the terms after almost 60 years…I couldn't help but feel bitterness inside me….growing.

"Don't say that, boy"

"And I am Emrys."

My heart stopped for less than a second when he said those words. That name, so dear to my heart for all of my infancy, slipping so effortlessly from that young man's lips. What game was he playing?

"You are not….Emrys." I managed, trying to regain sense of what was happening "You cannot be Emrys…"

"I am…" Merlin repeated, forcing me to sit by him in front of the fire. "Arthur will bring a new age of peace to our lands, I can assure you that" a soft smile tugged his lips upwards "I know him as if he was my own blood"

The theory I had formed around him being some kind of …long lost brother ( remember, reader, that I was not well acquainted with the outside word at that time.) suddenly crumbled down and I stared at him in incomprehension.

"Aren't you…his brother?"

He laughed well naturally, obviously pleased that it looked like I had abandoned the idea to kill his precious King "his brother? No…I'm his servant."

I couldn't help but stare at him with my eyes wide. Of course at that time I didn't understand…but Emrys, the hero of the legends, being a servant to the King? Where was the justice, the honor of my people? How could Emrys go so low?

Which meant this man was not Emrys.

"You are not Emrys." I said out loud, looking straight into those blue eyes "Emrys would not humble himself so."

"Believe me." Merlin said, combing a hand through his slowly drying hair "It is not a choice."

I didn't want to believe it but the sincerity on his words disarmed me.

"Why?"

"I need to protect him" Merlin said fervently, casting a glance at his sleeping King… at Arthur Pendragon. There was something crawling in my veins each time I saw that man, a deep distrust that didn't lessen when I saw the protective look Emrys was giving him "He needs to live, no matter what. Being his servant I am there whenever he needs me…and I can protect him better."

How could I deny what I was seeing, the obvious fulfillment of that prophecy I had grown up hearing…two sides of a coin? But even if they were the Once and Future King and Emrys…they'd arrived too late now…

Too late for me anyway.

"If you really are Emrys…" I said in a soft whisper, trying to stop the tears that were filling my eyes at the slow revelation that was dawning upon me "If you really are Emrys then…why did you come so late? Everyone is dead now, everyone I ever loved…"

Merlin looked at me with those dazzling blue eyes and something in them made me realize he had understood the meaning of my words when his forehead frowned and thin lines of worry appeared on his face.

"I don't know why" he admitted "But I know that everything is going to be alright. Arthur will accept magic and he'll change this land. I know it. And I…."

He shrugged and smiled sadly "And we'll see what happens to me. He may banish me, even kill me. But I will never stray from his side. He is my King. I won't abandon him, even if he forsakes me."

"Are you really that willing?" I had said at that time, not even taking into account the prophecies of my people because I could not believe that a Pendragon could be capable of mercy,less that a Pendragon could return magic to the land. "Are you willing to give your life for him? What if he is not the foretold King? Because if you are Emrys…"

I could tell he would not agree with what I was about to say, but he nodded, as if to invite me to say it anyway.

"If you are Emrys…." I continued "You could rise up with us…you could make great things and overthrown the Pendragons…"

"No."

The word was cutting like a sharp knife. His eyes blazed, as if that suggestion was absolutely outrageous but the kindness on his voice when he answered me proved me, a skeptic at that time, that he was indeed, reflecting the gentleness of the earth…of the Emrys.

"I cannot even stray away from Arthur for a few days, God knows how he'll managed to get killed if I do." he said, as if it was the whole truth, which, looking at his eyes…it was "He needs me. And I need him. I will not, ever, make anything to hurt him. And he is the Once and Future King. He'll make everything right. I know it"

My disbelieving heart felt stabbed by a sword because the little hope that had blossomed on my chest had been cruelly uprooted. My voice was laced with desperation when I spoke what was in my chest "You are putting the destiny of the whole magical community on one man…."

"On a great man. To him I trust my life"

I regarded the words with a heavy heart for if it was true that he was Emrys, and the power I'd felt running through my veins was enough of a proof (although I didn't know it at that time) he was trusting everything to a murderous King which was going to betray him and doom us all…

"At least come to us when he betrays you." I pleaded, forgetting for a moment my voluntary isolation and speaking of the druids as if we were a whole while casting a glance at the sleeping man who had been trained to kill my kind since birth. "don't let him kill you Emrys…you are our last hope."

Merlin's face crunched in pain as I said those words, as if I'd put salt on the wound. He looked at me as he smiled sadly and said "I like to think he won't do that. I like to think that he…will accept me for who I am."

"You can't seriously believe…"

"No, I don't believe." he interrupted me with a quick glance towards King Arthur, who had stirred restlessly beneath two heavy blankets "I know. I know him. Arthur is courageous, honest, loyal, brave…he is the Once and Future King."

He laughed as he threw another glance at the man, deep affection shinning in his eyes "Not that I'd ever tell him that…arrogant prat."

His smile was wide when he turned to look at me "I have faith in him." he said simply, as if in those words the whole mystery of the reasons destiny had... was explained.

And I, unable to do nothing but stare in deep apprehension at first…let him talk about his King.

He told me about his bravery and resilience and explained to me the prejudices he'd grown up with. He told me about Uther's failure as a father and from his lips I heard the unmatchable devotion he felt towards this man.

When he finished, as the last embers of the fire extinguished, I was in tears. Because I knew, as I know now, that indeed, a new age was coming to these lands brought, finally, by the Once and Future King. Who happened to be resting on my poor home.

Because I couldn't think less, I still cannot think less, of a King who defended his people so, who offered his life for mere servants and who rode out to rescue handmaidens. Who took pity on the deaths of druid children and asked for forgiveness, who tried as he might to make everything right…

I had found a reason to live again, to hope again, in the words of Merlin about Arthur Pendragon.

At last, my young friend yawned sleepily and curled up in a corner, still trembling a little though his clothes were significantly drier. I looked at him, waited until he was under the heaviness of sleep and covered him with a poor little mantle I reserved for winter before I sank down into my bed and dreamed in peace for once since my family, my sons and daughters, were ripped away from me.

.

I woke up at dawn.

I blinked around and saw the morning sun entering through the window and something warm placed on my body. Surprised, I found the poor mantle I'd placed over Merlin was tucked around me and the man in question was now kneeling besides his King, which was drowsily calling his name.

"Get up you lazy daisy!" Merlin said cheerfully, waving a hand in front of King Arthur's face.

"What the hell happened?" I heard King Arthur ask.

"You were knocked out by a bandit" Merlin lied skillfully, offering him a charming smile "And I had to bring His Royal Pratness to the first hut I found or we'd drowned in that rain. Thankfully this courageous Lady…" he waved towards me and winked at me "was able to provide us assistance."

King Arthur poked his head around Merlin's body to cast a confused look at me before his brow scrunched and he pouted as he thought.

"But I don't remember…"

"You were knocked out."

King Arthur glanced into his servant's eyes and the complete, unwavering trust I saw in them broke me apart. I had to bit my lip to stop myself from gasping when he accepted what Merlin had said without another moment of thought. He got out of the cot agilely, completely healed. It was hard for me to believe he was the same man who was dying yesterday. He glanced around, took his sword from the place I had propped it against the wall and bowed quickly at me.

"Thank you." he said, walking up to me and placing a few golden coins on my hands "You'll be rewarded for your kindness."

I could only stare into those eyes and see what Emrys meant. The compassion, the bravery, it all was there. Open for the world to see.

And then, as Arthur Pendragon's sky blue eyes and mine met for the first time and sealed the promise that The Emrys had placed in my heart... Merlin coughed and sneezed.

King Arthur turned towards him with a roll of his eyes although for the smallest of moments I saw something similar to concern shine in the depths of those irises, and sighed heavily.

"Only you Merlin" he drawled. "Would get sick after a few drops. Honestly, you are such a girl."

I glanced at him indignantly, opening my mouth to tell him off but a warning glance from Merlin stopped me. With a cheeky grin, the servant shrugged.

"Only you would get knocked out with a lump of wood, but stranger things have happened in the world." To my astonishment I saw King Arthur smile widely, clapping the servant in the back before ordering him to go get some water for the trip, and he and I stood alone in my hut, both glancing in other direction.

Finally, almost timidly, the fabled King glanced in my direction and said with the barest hint of emotion on his voice "How long has he been coughing?"

If there was ever a moment in which Merlin's words finally convinced me was when I saw the pure concern in those blue eyes. I had to force my tears down, tears of joy and relief for I could see in that display of affection the complement to Merlin's devotion. Now that I recall this with the little light that it's still in my candle, I can almost see what I saw that moment. The bond.

Oh, yes, that bond. I had glimpses of it throughout my life, from the first time I saw them in the middle of that storm, to the few encounters we had, all appointed by destiny I presume, and all which left me with a deep peace in my soul, destroyed by Uther's rage. In each one I caught more glimpses of their friendship, deep and wide and the ocean, tall and strong as the mountains, passionate and enduring as the flames that illuminate this light parchment.

And yes, after I'd answer with a timid " I don't know sire" the steel mask of indifference crept over King Arthur's face once more. He bowed lightly at me and said quietly an understatement I'd learn to fear later on.

"Merlin is such a self-sacrificing idiot"

Merlin returned with two flasks full of water, placed one on King Arthur's hands and winked at me as Arthur placed a kiss on my wrinkled hand before he went out, starting to walk through the singing grass.

And then Merlin came to me and said.

"Magic will be free once more. I promise you that."

I didn't know at that time I'd see the fulfillment of his words but I can't deny that, at that time, it set my heart ablaze with hope. He smiled at me, The Emrys, and answered to the loud call of MERLIN with a quick "Coming!" before walking out that small door.

And I watched them go, side by side, bantering and teasing each other as the brothers I thought them to be.

And for once, that newly ignited fire of hope stayed there, flickering until the time I saw them again.

-Fin-

For now.

So how was it? Should I continue this idea? Is there something you'd like to see? Someone's perspective on a situation?

Lots of Love

Ocean Mint Leaves :D