Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 1

Merlin awoke to sunlight streaming through the windows of his small cottage. Well, it was small at first glance, but Merlin had a pocket dimension set up in the basement, which held all of his magical artifacts and work spaces and the house itself was a mansion on the inside. Most of the rooms were empty, ready to be used for a new project at a moment's notice.

He moved aside the heavy curtains to peer out at the lake. At seeing no change from the day before, his heart ached. For 1,400 years he had waited loyally for his king, checking the lake every morning when he awoke and every night before he laid down to sleep.

Merlin knew that, when Arthur returned, his king would need his help. So, he studied magic more than ever before. He learned everything there is to know about magic, magical creatures, magical artifacts, and much more. He had done many great things as well, while waiting for Arthur.

He thought of one of these accomplishments as he dressed for the day.

He had built a whole magical society, away from the non-magical people. He became famous, much to his displeasure. He preferred to stay in the background, helping out from the shadows. After a while of this, he faked his death and went into hiding until he was naught but a legend.

Then, he created a new identity in the muggle world, staying out of the magical society completely, with the exception of only a few who he trusted to leave him be unless an emergency arose. Namely, the leaders of the governments and the occasional child that he took on as an apprentice. He also had a few friends in the magical world, but he didn't tell them everything. He met with each new leader after the previous secret keeper had passed.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by a knock that he knew could only be one person. No one else knocked in such a pattern. "Enter," he called.

His young apprentice entered with a bright smile. "Breakfast is prepared," he said happily.

Merlin smiled softly. "Thank you, Colin."

Colin was small boy, even for his age of ten. He had dark brown hair and striking blue eyes that were uncannily similar to Merlin's own. He was tan from so many days spent outside in the garden or at the lake, snapping pictures of anything he found interesting.

Colin was always looking to help, and Merlin felt it was his way of thanking his mentor for everything he had done for him, so he let him continue. His parents had abandoned him at an orphanage as a baby, and he was neglected there until the age of three, when Merlin had sensed considerably high levels of magic and decided to take him under his wing. He adopted Colin and raised him, teaching him about magic once he was old enough to read. He wouldn't let Colin practice using magic until his eleventh birthday.

Merlin thought of Colin as his own child, more so than any other apprentice he had taken on. The young boy filled in a piece of his heart that he lost when Arthur died. He didn't make the ache disappear completely, but he made it bearable.

Merlin glanced out the window once more before following Colin into the kitchen, where the table was neatly set and porridge sat, ready to be consumed.

During breakfast, Merlin caught Colin looking at him nervously, like he did every time he had a request. He chose to wait until the younger boy was ready, so he didn't ask what was bothering him.

Eventually, Colin said, "Merlin?"

Merlin looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, Colin?"

"You know how my birthday is tomorrow?" he began hesitantly, receiving a nod from the warlock. "Well, I was wondering... could I get a familiar?"

Merlin thought for a moment. Having a familiar would be good for Colin. He didn't have to worry that the animal would die and crush Colin's spirit, since, once bonded, a familiar would live until their wizarding companion died. The only problem was that it required entering the magical world. Yet, as Merlin glanced at Colin's wide, pleading eyes, he knew he would do it.