Don't You • Merthur ✔️

VIII: Afterglow

"Leave me, I can't bear to see you."

Daylight. The warm rays of the morning sun blinded Merlin's eyes. They felt heavy. In fact, he could hardly drag his own weight across the bed. He looked out the window to see the straw houses and mooing cows that he was well familiar with. A wave of content spread throughout his whole body, causing a warm smile to creep up his lips. But it was not long before it started to fade. 'Right.', Merlin thought.

It's been two weeks. He hasn't seen the blond prince since that day. Merlin hated the fact that it kept replaying in his head like a broken record. He wish he could get rid of it all. He was simply tired of feeling.

It was just another day that he overslept, thinking it would stop the hurt that he felt, that he kept reliving every second. Yet no amount of tears and slumber were enough then.

"Good morning.", a soft, familiar voice greeted from across the room.

"Morning, mum."

"Are you hungry? There's food out for you now.", she flashed a smile, a warm smile that Merlin had known his entire life.

"Thanks.", he replied groggily, still refusing to leave the comfort of his bed.
"Merlin, you haven't left your room in five days. I'm worried about you."

"I'm alright, mum. I can help you with the wheat farms if you'd like."

"Are you sure? What about your prince? He must be worried sick about you, you've been staying here for the past two weeks now. You know there is nothing else left for you here in Ealdor. I sent you to Camelot and I see now that is where you belong.", Hunith consoled as she sat beside Merlin on the bed.

"Oh, trust me, he doesn't need me anymore."

"Merlin-"

"I'll go eat now."

"Merlin, listen to me.", she pulled his arm back, dragging him down on his bed again.

"I have seen the way you two are, around each other. He cares for you a great deal. As do you. And if he was your true friend, he would accept you as you are. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I wish that were true."

"Merlin, I don't want you to think of yourself in shame. You are gifted. You have been gifted beautiful talents. And I'm not just talking about your magic. You've always been the brightest child, you are loyal, kind, and worthy of trust. I could not ask for anything better-", she went on, rubbing circles with her thumb on Merlin's hands.

"-And I know Prince Arthur can see that."

A brief silence ensued. Merlin was still drowning in hesitance. He knew he could never forget.

"Thanks, mum.", he said sheepishly, trying to disguise the tremble in his throat.

---

"I'm thankful at least some of them survived the drought.", Hunith mentioned as the two began harvesting crops in the broad daylight.

"A patch of the rice didn't survive unfortunately", she added, pointing to the dried, brown patch over to the left.

"I can bring it back for you.", Merlin looked back and smiled, communicating his exact idea to Hunith. She grew a faint smile on her face, failing to hold it in.

Merlin raised his arm as his eyes glowed a flashing gold color. After mere seconds, the once dried up patch of dead rice fields all rose up in unison as they begin to fill a bright, green color.

"Oh, Merlin, you didn't have to.", Hunith looked away, slightly abashed.

"You know, this is my home too, mum."