The Rising of Merlin

The One Where Ron Opens Up

Chapter 7 The One Where Ron Opens Up

Merlin woke before everyone else the next day, so he decided to go out in the garden. It didn't take long before the gnomes came up to him; being able to sense his magic just like every other magical creatures.

"Hello." he said with a grin.

"Emrys." they all replied in chorus, at least that's what he thought they said. It had been a while since he had talked gnome. But then they bowed which convinced him further.

"No, no don't bow. Please, just don't." He said and waved his arms to make them stop. He didn't like getting praise for something he couldn't help. To him he was just Merlin and not this powerful Emrys the prophecy talked about.

"Emrys?" they all said again.

"Yes it's me, but please don't bow or the others will get suspicious. They don't know my true identity yet. Just eh, just treat me like you do anyone else." He said with a begging look.

The gnomes shared a look with each other before nodding and scurrying away. He was left alone on the grass where he sat and just relaxed; watching the fields. He didn't know how long he had sat there when he felt someone sitting down next to him.

He turned his head to the left, towards the new person, and saw that it was Ron.

"Mum wanted me to get you for breakfast." He said but didn't make a move to stand up. "It's relaxing out here isn't it?" he asked Merlin. He didn't face him; instead he continued to look out over the fields beyond the garden.

"Yes, it is." Merlin answered, he too looking out over the fields. He made a quick glance over at Ron and saw that he seemed upset about something. "What's the matter Ron? You seem upset."

"It's nothing." Ron said but he was chewing on his bottom lip.

"I can see that it's not nothing Ron. Please tell me." He said and gave Ron a reassuring pat on his shoulder, and he could see Ron finally giving in.

"It's just that..." Ron started. He sighed before he continued. "This past year has been hard. Hell, these past years have been hard. It's like each year just gets worse and I don't know if I can take it much longer... Harry is my friend and he needs my support, but how am I supposed to give it to him if I don't know how I will cope with it all." He turned to Merlin when he was finished, and Merlin could see tears threatening to spill from his eyes which he hastily wiped away with his hands.

"I'm sorry; I don't know why I'm telling you this."

"It's okay, Ron" Merlin said and put his left arm around his shoulders. "Everyone feels this way from time to time. Is this the first time you've felt like this?"

"No." He said and turned toward Merlin. "I felt it last year when he returned. I just haven't told anyone before. I don't know why I told you now to be honest. I guess there's something about you that makes me open up. I don't know what it is." Ron said with a hint of a smile.

Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at that. When Ron gave him a confused look he clarified.

"You have no idea how many people have told me that. But you can trust me. I know we have only known each other for a few days, but I want to...I want to be your friend Ron" he said hesitantly. "I want to help you, Harry and the others anyway I can. And I'm sure that if you are honest to yourself about how you feel about these things, then nothing can stop you. There's nothing wrong with being scared. It's human. Just don't let it control you." He thought about Morgana. She had been scared which had then turned to anger and hate. And that only led to suffering for everyone around.