The Two Princes (Merlin Fic)

The dragons Call

It had been years since Merlin had seen such a large city, and Camelot was, in fact, large. The secret prince couldn't believe his eyes when the citadel came into view. Walking into the city was even more amazing. People scurried about all the different market stalls. A few guards and knights weaved through the citizens during their rounds.
Merlin had missed the bustling streets of Maelidor, and Ealdor was too small to sate the homesickness the young warlock felt. Camelot, on the other hand, felt the same as walking around the market square of his home without the hum of magic, lingering in the air.
Merlin moved through the waves of bodies towards the castle courtyard.The boy was met with a pyre in the center of a gathering crowd. Atop the pyre stood a man. His sandy hair was cropped short to reveal just the slightest hint of age, creeping to his face. He wore a knitted, grey coat that opened to reveal  his mustard tunic and trousers. Confusion crossed merlin's face as King Uther stepped forward on his balcony.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Tomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic,"
Merlin furrowed his brow at this.
"And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death."
Merlin looked to Tomas, and back to Uther, fear evident in his eyes.
"I pride myself as a fair and just King," Uther looked down across all the faces. "but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." With that he raised his hand, signaling to the executioner with his axe. With a fluid movement the axe swung down striking square on the man's neck. His head rolled from the chopping block trailing blood with it as the rest of the body fell to the other side, now partially out of view, but the sickening smell of blood grew strong in the courtyard. Merlin was stunned. Never had anyone been executed during his time in Maelidor.
"When I came to this land," the King started again."this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm." His eyes swept over the crowd again. "So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the great dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."
Merlin grew furious at those words. It was apparent to Merlin that the King wasn't true to his boastings of justice. True, Essetir frowned upon the use of magic but people weren't executed for it, and the Maelidor Merlin remembered, would never have stood for this.
Amongst the dispersing crowd a woman began to cry. People moved out of her way as she moved forward.
"There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic. It is you, with your hatred and your ignorance. You took my son!" She pointed to the dead man. "I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth," she glared at Uther, seething with hatred for the man.
"A Son for a son," she finally proclaimed.
"Seize her," Uther ordered.
Guards began to advance toward her as she muttered a spell and disappeared in a whirlwind. Everyone started to murmur as they dispersed. The guards looked stunned, and the King glared at where the old woman once stood.
Merlin quickly made his way out of the square not wanting to get involved. He wandered around a bit asking a couple guards where the court physician was. The warlock made his way up a spiraling staircase and down a hall till he spotted a plaque on the wall informing him he had made it.
"Hello?" Merlin called, peeking his head through the door.
The smell of numerous herbs swirled in the air, remedies boiled over flames, and many bottles of liquid littered the tables.
"Hello?"
After a second the young warlock noticed the physician atop a second level bookshelf, just a simple railing keeping him safe.
"Gaius? Ahem!"
The sound startled the old man. The wooden rail broke under pressure and Gaius was left falling to the stone ground. Before he could, however, everything seemed to slow and Merlin quickly moved a bed over with his magic.
Gaius sprung from the bed. "I- what did you just do?"
"Um..."
"Tell me."
"Well, I-I have no idea what happened," Merlin Sputtered.
"If anyone had seen that-"
Fear grew witching the boy. "Oh, no that- that was nothing to do with me. That-"
"I know what it was. I just want to know where you learned it." Gaius stated.
Merlin stood silent not sure what to say.
"How is it you know magic?"
"Um..." Merlin glanced around himself.
"Where did you study?" Gaius stared at the boy, growing annoyed. "Answer me!"
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth."
"I was born like this," Merlin replied.
"Thats impossible." Gaius looked the boy up and down. "Who are you?"
"Oh, um," the warlock dug through his bag. "I have this letter. There." He handed the paper to Gaius.
"I don't have my glasses," the physician shrugs.
"I'm Merlin."
"Hunith's son."
"Yes." Merlin smiles.
"But your not meant to be here till Wednesday."
The smile quickly fades.
"It is Wednesday."
Realization crosses Gaius's face.
"Ahh. Right then, you'd better put your bag in there." The physician gestures to a door behind himself.
Merlin walks forward remembering recent events.
"You won't say anything about, um..." Waves his hand toward the broken railing.
"No. Although, Merlin, I should say thank you."
The boy smiled once again and nodded before entering his new room.
As evening fell, Merlin takes in the city from his window, almost feeling at home. He rested his hand over his heart, where his family crest was tattooed on his chest. Even without looking, the secret prince could see the dragon and unicorn facing the sword between them. All of Maelidor's majestic mountains with snow at the top year round, and the glistening lake, the bustling streets and the blue and black banners that waved proud. That was Home, enchanting and beautiful.
A tear rolled down Merlins cheek, thinking of the gorgeous lands he grew up knowing. It was infuriated knowing he would probably never set foot there again.
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Gaius unfolded the letter, recognizing the penmanship of his dear friend, Hunith.