Basically Merlin [A Merthur Fanfiction]

Episode One: The Dragon's Call: Part One

Episode One: The Dragon's Call: Part One

I walked through the trees, wind sweeping over me and the sun warming the back of my neck. I looked up to see Camelot, not too far in the distance.

A smile rose to my lips.

It wasn't long before I was walking through the small village skirting the town. Loud horns sounded and I couldn't contain my grin while walking further into the unfamiliar territory.

I followed the stream of people, getting closer to the castle. Drum beats were starting to emerge over the sound of the people.

It was strangely ominous and I felt the grin on my face fall.

The crowd took me to a large courtyard and we all stopped. I adjusted the pack I wore, feeling it's weight. I forgot about that annoyance quickly when a man walked into the courtyard, escorted by two guards.

They took him through to a platform, almost like a stage and I frowned, puzzled. What was going on?

"Let this serve as a lesson to all," thundered a loud voice. "This man: Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic."

I looked up to see the king looking down on us. His golden crown fit him perfectly and his cold eyes surveyed us all. People in the crowd looked worried. The word magic had seemed to scare them.

It felt as if someone had pinched my throat. Why did magic have to be feared? Hated?

I looked back to the man I now knew as Thomas James Collins. His hair was brown and his eyes were beady.

"And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."

My eyes widened as he signaled to what could only be an executioner. I couldn't look away and felt my eyes sting as Thomas Collins' head was severed from his body.

Uther wasn't done though. "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. 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."

The words sickened me and I found myself turning away from him, hoping to forget about this quickly.

The loud wails of a woman made me look up.

Her hair was grey, skin wrinkled and eyes wet with unshed tears. "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! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."