The Prophet's Song (A Merlin Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

Merlin hated the town square, especially in the summer.  It was hot, stuffy, and crowded with people from every corner of Camelot.  It reeked of sweat, horse manure, and rotting fruit from the endless parade of vendors who came to sell their wares.  He would have much rather been home in bed on a Monday morning like this.  Hell, he would rather be on a hunting trip with Arthur, then at least he might get some real fresh air.  But today, he didn't have that kind of choice.  He was on his way to deliver supplies to Gaius, the court physician.  An outbreak of flu had been spreading in the lower town, and unfortunately for Merlin, that meant plenty of long hours in stuffy houses, helping Gaius tend to the sick.

He leaped over a horse and cart as he rounded the corner, its driver yelling angrily at him as the cart's contents spilled onto the street.  But Merlin could not afford to stop.  He was supposed to have brought fresh supplies to the patient's house an hour ago.  He would have made it on time too, had it not been for Arthur holding him up.    

He darted into an alley and into another street, then stopped when he saw that the path ahead was blocked by a large crowd of spectators.  Merlin cursed under his breath as he tried to move around them.  It didn't take him long to realize that they were watching a flogging.  The convict was a young girl, probably no older than 16. She was small and slim, with a round, pale face framed by dark hair, lashes, and brows.  She was just sitting there, her gaze fixed and unmoving on some fixture far off in the distance. Even as bits of slimy tomatoes and rotten cabbage flew past her head and into her eyes, she continued to stare, unabashed and un-nerved. Merlin couldn't help but cringe as he approached. Having been in the stocks plenty of times himself, he knew all too well how unpleasant it was. His unease only grew as he got closer.  As he got near, Merlin could see that she was afraid. Her eyes were wide and glistening, and her breathing was sharp and panicked.  It reminded him of a rabbit caught in one of Arthur's hunting traps.  

As He passed in front of the pillory, the Girl suddenly turned her gaze towards Merlin, her fingers stretching out as though trying to grab him.  Merlin quickly ducked his head hurried to the other side of the square.  He turned once more to see that she was still there, staring at him with terrifying intensity, like some starving animal looking for a piece of meat.  

Merlin shivered as he disappeared out of sight down the next street and into the house where Gaius was waiting for him.  He didn't know why, but he felt as though the girl in the stocks had known him somehow, and something told him he didn't what to know why.   

-I-I-I- 

I struggled against my restraints, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps.  Sweat running down my neck.  My heart racing.  I wished I had never come to this awful place.  It was hot, vile, and full or the most repulsing creatures I had ever seen.  Creatures who now surrounded me, screaming in tongues I couldn't speak, nor understand.  I wanted so desperately to leave, but I couldn't turn back now.  Not until I got what I came for.  

Another one of those disgusting red fruits exploded as it hit my face, and I felt it trickle down my neck to the skin beneath my dress.  Flies and yellow jackets had begun to gather, greedily lapping the juices from my skin. 

Suddenly, I saw him.  After waiting so long, I wasn't even sure I'd be able to recognize him.  And yet, there he was.  The sorcerer the ancient ones always spoke of.  The one the earth had sung of for centuries. The man with magic blazing through every crevis of his being.  I tried calling his name, but all that came from my throat was the rasp of some wretched, dying creature.  I desperately tried to reach out, but my hands were bound and useless.  

And then, he was gone.  Fading into the chaos of yelling faces.  I screamed for him in my head.  I screamed until the brightness of the square began to blur, and the world dropped out from under my feet.  

"Emmrys," I begged, "Please, you need to help me.  You need to get me out of here."

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There! First ever fanfic chapter done! Feel free to offer suggestions (I know I probably screwed up a lot), and make sure to vote if you like it.  Thanks a bunch.  Hope you like the rest.