For the Ones We Love (Merlin Fan Fiction)

Chapter Nine

I was dreaming. Of course I was dreaming. How could it be anything but a dream?

In the dream, I was standing on a green hill surrounded by a multitude of other green hills. The sky was so close, I could almost touch it. Not a single cloud was visible on the pale blue canvas. It was late morning or early evening, I couldn’t tell.

Out of the gray, I cottage appeared on a hill opposite me. I started walking towards it. In moments, I was at the front door. Time is funny in dreams.

I lifted my hand to push open the door, but a familiar voice stopped me.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Merlin asked.

I turned to face him. “Of course I’m sure, Merlin. It’s just door. What harm could it cause?” I turned again to open the door, but Merlin appeared in between me and the slab of wood.

“This door was put here to protect you, Cleo,” Merlin told me.

“What could this door possibly protect me from?” I asked, rolling my eyes. “It’s just a door.”

“The door is here to protect you from knowledge,” Merlin whispered. His breath touched my ear and a strange feeling of warmth settled in my stomach. I smiled a little.

“Merlin, please. I doubt that anything you know could possibly hurt me.” When I pushed Merlin out of the way, the cottage was on the next hill. “Look what you’ve done, Merlin!” I yelled, but when I looked around, he was no longer there. I sighed and started walking again.

I was about to reach the door when I was interrupted again.

“Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

This time the voice belonged to William.

I smiled. “I don’t plan on it.” Before he could stop me, I pushed open the door.

William grabbed me by my upper arm. “Cleo, think about this.”

“There’s nothing to think about, William.” I shrugged off his hand. “I’ll see you later, okay?” I gave him little more than a passing glance as I stepped into the cottage.

Inside, it was dark, as if night had fallen. A fire was going and two of the chairs in front of the fire were occupied, but I couldn’t see by whom. They were talking, but they’re conversation was quiet and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.

I cleared my throat, announcing my presence.

One of the figures stood and turned to face me. He was small and when he spoke, he had the voice of a child.

“You risk much coming here,” he said.

“Excuse me?” I asked. “Who are you?”

The figure stepped toward me, allowing me to see his face. I did not recognize him and I wondered briefly why he was in my dream.

“This is your last chance to turn back,” said the boy. His blue eyes glinted in the firelight.

“Turn back from what?” I yelled. “What’s going on?”

“So be it,” murmured the boy. “Your fate has been sealed.” On that, he vanished.

I turned back to the second figure still sitting in the chair by the fire. “Who are you?” I asked.

The figure laughed with difficulty. The laugh turned into a cough and then a gag. They cleared they’re throat and went on. “Oh please, Cleo. You don’t mean to say that you’ve forgotten your favorite brother, do you?” He choked the sentence out as if each word was murder to him.