Arthur's Return (Merlin BBC)

Chapter I.

The year 2000, Bristol

It was a cloudy day in Bristol but that didn’t stop my mom to go on the anual flea market. She just loved buying stuff that we barely even need. What to say, she’s just a typical mom. I couldn’t really stop her because I was only 4 years old. But I loved these markets as well. There were lots of interesting things to see.

Some old bags that were polished so they looked like "never used" ones, cups with different patterns on them, colorful paintings but also beautiful accessories. I was overwhelmed my so many various shiny rings and earrings. As I walked past them I somehow got lost.

People were standing and talking from every side. I turned around softly whispering "Mom?", then I heard someone laughing so hysterically I turned around agian."Mom!" I said louder now with tears streaming down my face. I started walking faster and faster hoping that I see her anywhere. And then suddenly I bumped into someone.

I looked up with my redish eyes and saw an old man with a long white beard. He looked down at me and gave me a little smile.

“Santa Claus is that you?”  I asked sniffing and whipping the tears away. He smiled again. 

“No, my dear I’m not Santa.” He said softly. “What are you doing here alone? Where are your parents?”

 “I’ve got lost.” Was all I could say before I started crying again.

“Shh… Don’t cry I will help you find them. How does your mom or dad look like? ” he tried to calm me down.

I took his hand and looked up at him as we were walking past people.

“My mom has a red hat and a green dress on.” I simply said.

“Isn’t it too cold to wear a dress today?" he looked down smiling.

I giggled. “My mom loves dresses. And hats.”

“And let me guess… she loves shopping as well?” he laughed.

“She loves it more than dresses and hats.Sometimes I think she loves it more than me...” I said looking down.

“No, I think she loves you the most. ” he stopped and looked at me.

“ I think I found her.” He picked me up. “Is that her?” he asked me while pointing to my mom.

“Yes.” I said. He slowly put me down and kneeled down with trouble,he was obviously really old. He looked me straight into the eyes.

“It was nice to meet you Emma.  And before you go I have something for you.” He said.

I looked into his closed hand and hoped for a sweet or something like that, you know what else would a four-year-old wish for. When he opened the hand, my eyes widened. He was holding a necklace with a purple crystal that was shining just like my joyful eyes. 

“This is a crystal that will bring you luck in life. It’s a magical gift from me to you. And I hope I will see you again because we are friends now, aren't we?” as he was telling me that I heard someone shouting something. 

I wasn’t paying attention to that, I was so fascinated by the necklace that laid now in my hands. I knew I would never took it off.

Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind.

“Emma! You, you just disappeared! I was searching everywhere for you! You can’t just go somewhere without me! ” she was so angry. 

“But mom. I wasn’t alone, an old man with a long, long beard helped me find you. ” I looked around to see him but I couldn’t find him anymore.

“Oh dear God… there is no man with a long beard here.  It’s your imagination.” She said pulling my hand and walking past strangers.

”But he was here.” I looked around but he was really gone.

“Listen…” she kneeled down and looked at me.

“I died of worries. Let’s just go home and forget everything.”

And after that she took me in the arms and carried me to the car. I looked at my necklace and suddenly remembered what he said to me. I maybe was 4 years old but I was still confused. How does he even know my name? Did I said it? I can't remember that I did.

I broke the silence when I saw the necklace in my hands.

”Look what he gave me!” I shout and gave my mom the necklace.

She first looked at it carefully but then said  ”Did you stole that?!”

“No mom! I told you that the old man gave me this.”

“There was no old man.” She signed putting me down and went to unlock the car.

  I looked down a my  necklace, sad that my own mother doesn't believe me.

“But still, it’s pretty” she said looking at me with a small smile.

I smiled back and we went home.