Oh dear again by happy-rea

Chapter 1

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Merlin lived happily in Eledor. He pushed his past – or was it future – memories to the back of his head and he only allowed himself to think of them on All Hallows Eve.

He made people smile and everyone knew and liked him.

He was hardly ever seen without his best friend Will. And the two of them pulled many pranks on other villagers, but they always knew where to stop. Merlin would always utter two words after a prank had worked successfully and one day Will asked him about it.

"Merlin why do you always say 'Mischief Managed' after a prank?"

The look in Merlin's eyes as he answered scared Will and he vowed never to say anything that might bring up that look again.

"It's a memory of the future Will. A future history, a history that one day everyone will know. It will become a sign of happiness, of laugher. It is just a memory of what is yet to come. Nothing more." Merlin replied not looking at Will but looking through him. In Merlin's minds eye he could see a werewolf, a stag and a large black dog roaming around a dark forest enjoying life.

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What no one knew about Merlin was that he crept out every night to practice with weapons. He could now fight properly with a sword in both hands, something he was only learning to do before the battle. He never used a shield but relied on his body to protect him. He taught himself gymnastics and, by watching the village elders, he learnt to dance - knowing it would help in his fighting. He would not allow people to die for him. He would be the one protecting not be protected. Merlin would have to practice being clumsy. So that everyone would under estimate him.

He remembered what was said to him that day. 'You will have a great destiny in front of you. But you may have to fight again' He didn't want to fight but he knew that he would if it was required. He lived by his own rule of 'Protect the innocent, because without the protectors the innocent no longer exist' If he fought a child would not have to fight in his place. He would be the protector for all the younger children. They would not lose their innocence in a war if he could help it.

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Many years passed, and Merlin was happy with the simple lifestyle he had in Eledor. But he knew that he would have to leave to follow his destiny. When the time came he was happy and as ready as he felt he could be for what was going to happen.

He pretended to be annoyed that he had to leave – it would have looked odd if he didn't. But as soon as he started to walk towards Camelot he knew it was the right thing and whatever he was supposed to do in this lifetime was in Camelot. He would have to be extra careful however. King Uther hated magic, and although he had no wand he still had his magic, it was instinct to use it. He couldn't do much however but he could move things with his mind. He decided he would have to train himself in magic again.

Not the simple useless stuff – like cleaning or turning a hedgehog into a pin cushion. But defence. He had to learn how to fight, and he wanted to make his patronus again. Hopefully he wouldn't need it. But he wanted to be sure he could call on it if necessary, plus it was nice to see his father's animagus form in the dark nights. When the castle was deadly silent, maybe learn how to be an animagus as well. But he definitely had to practice his magic no matter Camelot's laws. He was sent for a reason, and he would have protected others even if it was not his purpose.

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