An Undying Truth

Ghosts of the Past: Chapter 1

Merlin awoke with a start, he glanced out the window it was still dark. He got up, thinking of the dream he had, no not dream, memory. He had dreamed of the day his homeland was sieged. 'No no push those thoughts away' he thought, 'Amor is gone. Be like mother she has forgotten.' Another part of him spoke up with a hiss, 'Mother has amnesia because of a concussion!'

"DAMN IT ALL IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE!" he thought aloud.

'Shit.'

"Merlin I heard yelling is something wrong?" Gaius called up the stairs. "No, I'm fine," Merlin replied, hoping he would not remember these events. Luckily Gaius shrugged it off and went back to sleep.

Merlin tried to return to bed, his sleep was restless and full of images of his dead family.
***
"MEEEERLIINN!!!!" Called a voice. Merlin's eyes fluttered open, he half thought it was Elaina, 'No No, it's Arthur you are his man servant.' He grumbled as he pulled himself out of bed, trying to shake off the funk his restless night had given him.

He switched into his day clothes, and ran to meet Arthur. "What is it your royal prat?" Merlin said giving a slight smile to Arthur.

"Ah, good!" Arthur started, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Merlin, "Someone requested an audience with the King, they said it was of 'utmost importance' so I have to attend."

Merlin rolled his eyes, and began to start helping Arthur get dressed, he tried not to stare at Arthur's body.
***
Merlin stood to the side, watching Arthur shift in place next to his father waiting for some knights to get in place. Arthur gave Merlin a look as one knight shuffled to the side opening the large doors. Arthur quickly moved  his head to face the guests.

Uther signaled for the group of six to come in. They were led by a young woman, she had a sharp face, strong brown eyes, and gorgeous black hair pulled roughly into a bun. Next to her stood a younger girl, with stormy blue eyes, a round face, and black hair in two long braids. On the other side of the leader was an older man with a tired looking face, graying brown hair, and light blue eyes. Next to the man stood two boys near adulthood, one had curly red hair, and gentle blue eyes. The other was equally handsome he had a shaved head, deep brown eyes, and milk chocolate skin. Another man about the same age as the two boys, had dirty blonde hair, brown eyes and a large build.

Uther questioned, "What was of such importance that I must call my entire court?"

"I am Princess Elaina of Amor, this is my sister Cordelia," said the brown eyed girl. Merlin's eyes widened as he felt his heart began to soar and mind began to curse.

Elaina continued, "These are our Knights, Arnold, Charles, Micheal, and Samuel." She pointed towards each respective knights after to saying their name, first to the graying Arnold, next to the red-headed Charles, to the shaved Micheal, and finally to Will's twin Samuel. "We have come to ask for your help in freeing Amor," Elaina said with a firmness, quite unlike her younger self. Merlin looked at them sadly, the years had taken a great toll on the seven friends.

Uther spoke, "I need time, Amor although our views differed on magic have long been our allies, you- if I do say no are welcome to stay here as citizens." Elaina bowed her head and Merlin knew what she was going to say, "If I were to fail my kingdom, and within that my family, I could not forgive myself, but your offer is kind and we will stay until you have made your decision." Uther smiled, "You have grown from the trouble maker I knew years ago." The Arthur leaned over to his father and said something inaudible, Uther nodded, "My son's manservant will look after you, if needed just call him," he beckoned Merlin.

Merlin's two sides were erupted when Uther came to that conclusion. One side wanted nothing than to say he was the lost prince, the other contented with his life as Arthur's servant. Merlin stepped forth both sides not wanting to be recognized in such a public place, luckily ten years is a long time. Only one who has watched many children grow and had known the prince well could tell that Prince Merlin stood in front of them. Of course Sir Arnold was one such person, and he was shocked that the young prince was a manservant he was also outraged that the oldest of the king's children was a servant.

Merlin nodded kindly, "Please Princesses, and Sirs follow me." Arthur called out, "Please don't mind him Merlin can be such an oaf." The group was dumbfounded, "Did he say Merlin?" Cordelia asked, well more muttered. Merlin simply nodded saying, "That would be my name, now you will be next to the prince, Follow me please!"

They stared at the man as he led them through the long winding halls of the inner citadel. Finally he pushed through a pair of doors and- what seemed to be a magical feat, but was only the impeccable servants of the citadel- were six ornate beds separated by changing screens, each perfectly made. Merlin looked back at the party and asked, "Erm, do you have any things?" The shook their heads sadly, Sir Arnold spoke, "We have only what we wear on our backs." Merlin put his hands out, "Please allow me." Shocked but tired they all handed their knapsacks to the boy who shared the name of their crown prince.

He began to remove their things from their knapsacks, mainly dirty clothes of course, but he found a small box engraved with the crest of Amor, he knew immediately that this was the Crown Jewels. Elaina has been watching him and froze saying, "I believe that you should put that back." He looked over at them a weariness that should not have been there, "Nonsense the Crown Jewels would be much safer here. He stood on his toes reaching to a small panel at the top of the bureau, pressing down it slid open to reveal a small space he slid the jewels into it, and shut the secret compartment. The party stared at the boy who smiled and said, "I'll be going now, if you need me just call!" He turned to leave, but then Elaina called, "I have one more thing to ask of you." Merlin turned nodded and said, "Yes milady?"

"Show me your arm." He winced at her request but obliged, revealing a white dragon with golden spikes running down its spine, its eyes were also a brilliant gold, but the most eye catching thing about the dragon was the fact that it jumped from his skin to reveal a deep indigo spot on its chest. They gasped and Merlin ran as fast as his feet could carry him.