Our Story (Merthur)

2. King Rick's Fair

//Though it's only briefly hinted at, I'll put a trigger warning for scars.\\

Katie, Jim, Nicole and Merlin all walked together and explored the "town". The "town" was created in the middle of some woods. A large area was aside just so this fair could come to be. Buildings looked like they did actually belong in a medieval times town. 

As Merlin walked, he couldn't help but feel déjà vu. This whole place seemed familiar. Not in a way like he had been to this site before, just the feeling it gave off. Everything just felt... normal, almost. Merlin couldn't really explain it. 

Jim and Nicole were chatting while Katie was looking around at everything in awe. There was so much to see and just as much to do. 

Nicole was the first to spot a bow and arrow shooting range for visitors. Just seeing it made her get all the more excited. "Can we go over there?" She asked, her voice high. Jim said yes. 

The shooting range had seven rows. Each row was made for one person to stand and shoot. The four friends got into line and waited. It took a few minutes but it wasn't long until it was their turn to go. 

Jim, Merlin, Katie and Nicole all stood side by side. They each picked up a rounded bow. There was a line of hay that was being used as the target. On the three foot high walls that separated the rows was a pack of dull-pointed arrows for use. 

Merlin took the bow and held it correctly without being instructed on how to hold it. He grabbed an arrow and lined it up with the bow's string. Merlin pulled back and breathed in. Just as he released the arrow, he breathed out. The arrow flew from the bow and hit the wall of hay. 

The arrow didn't hit the place where Merlin wanted it to go, but at least it hit the hay. The other three weren't doing as well. 

Nicole's arrow hadn't even gone ten feet. Katie's hadn't gone much further than that. Jim's was closest, but he hadn't hit his mark. 

Katie gaped at how good Merlin was doing compared to everyone else. 

Merlin took another arrow and attached it to the string. He pulled back once again and let go. This time the arrow hit his mark. Merlin smiled softly at his achievement. Though he was honestly surprised that he had hit his target in the first place. 

"I bet you're cheating. Are you cheating?" 

"No! I would never cheat!"

"Suuuure. You're an awful shot, you've got to be cheating." 

"I swear! I'm not!"

Merlin froze in his place. That voice... it was a voice he knew. But who's was it?

"Merlin." 

The young man snapped back to reality with a blink. He shook his head softly and looked over at Katie, who had been the one to call his name. "You still have a few arrows left. We have already finished, just waiting for you," she informed her friend. 

Merlin nodded. He picked up another arrow and mindlessly pulled it back on the string. The arrow released and flew through the air, once again hitting the line of hay, but not the intended target. 

"If I find you're cheating..." 

"Will, I swear, I'm not! At least, not this time!"

Merlin stopped again. Will? He doesn't know a Will who sounds like that... then who is it? Who's voice has suddenly appeared in his head for no apparent reason? 

Merlin felt a hand touch his shoulder. He jolted at the sudden touch and looked up at Katie. Katie had a frown on her face. "Are you alright? You've froze twice now..." 

"I'm fine," Merlin responds dryly. "I think I'm done with this." He put the bow down and stepped away from the shooting stall. Katie looked at Merlin, a bit concerned. 

A new family stepped up and took their place on the shooting field as the four walked away. 

"I'm hungry," Nicole complained after a few minutes of walking around. The little girl's eyes were glued to a medieval restaurant that had a line coming out of the door. 

Jim frowned as he spotted the long line. He knew it was going to be a wait but he also knew from looking at a map previously that this was the only place Nicole would eat at in the entire fair. Nicole was a picky little child and she was stubborn too. 

"I'll get in line with Nicole," Jim said earning an excited laugh from the small kid, "should I get you guys anything?" 

Before either could respond, Merlin felt something grip his arm. He looked down to see Nicole tightly holding his arm. "Merlin stays," she demanded, making Merlin smile down at her. 

"Since I'm unwanted, I'm going to go explore a bit on my own. See what cool outfits the cosplayers have to display," Katie said, "oh and, Jim, I'll just have whatever you're going to get." Without even having time for Jim to reply and explain that he hadn't been planning on buying anything for himself, Katie was off. 

Merlin, in the kindest way possible, tried to gently pull his arm away from the young girl's grip. Colie let go when she felt him tug. 

"What's that?" Nicole asked, tilting her head up at Merlin. The said man had just rubbed his upper back, under his shirt with the hand Nicole had just released. The movement of Merlin's arm pushed away the old, battered, out-of-this-time shirt and revealed part of his back. 

Merlin looked down at the girl and replied, "what's what?" 

"There was a mark on your back, I saw it!" Nicole exclaimed, pointing a finger towards where she had seen the long, whiter than the other patches of Merlin's skin. 

"Oh. That's just a birthmark," Merlin said, offering the young girl a simple smile. 

Nicole nodded cheerfully.

Merlin began to look around at everything around him. Multiple people were walking about, talking and exploring. The young man's blue eyes scanned the place. He did a double take when he saw a flash of red clothing. But when he looked again, there was nothing of the sort around. 

The trio eventually made it to the front of the line. Jim ordered a grilled cheese for Nicole and two burgers. 

"Merlin, you in there?" Jim asked. 

The said boy looked up when his name was called. "Uh, yeah. I'll just have a burger," he said flatly. 

Merlin went back to his thoughts. And then he saw it again. But this time, it wasn't just a glimmer of red, no. This time, Merlin stared at a young, blonde man who had a bright red shirt on. 

And his only thought was: 

Arthur.