Peppermint

The Merlin's

This is my first story, so I hope you like it! I promise it gets longer and better. Thank you for reading! 🤍

"But Grandfather, I don't want to go," I said rather loudly to my grandfather.

"You must. It will be a good education," he answered.

"Good education? I have been homeschooled my whole life, and now suddenly, when I turn 16, you want to send me to bloody ShadowSpire?"

You might know my grandfather. I would give you his first name, but you'll probably recognize him by his last—or should I say our last name, Merlin.

"You have already taught me up to year 8 there. I'm too far ahead," I whined.

"Listen, dear. Then don't go for the education; go for the people." He paused, letting out a sigh as if recalling a memory. "When I went there, it became like a second home to me."

"But I don't need a second home. I have this one with you, Grandfather." I didn't see any reason to go to ShadowSpire in the first place. Things were fine just as they were. I knew he didn't want me going just for the friends or education—he wanted me to find... a husband.

He thinks that just because my parents met there means I can meet my husband there too. I have no intention of getting married anytime soon. Finding a boy who doesn't want me just because of my Merlin name will be especially hard in ShadowSpire. But I know my grandfather worries about me—about what will happen when he's gone. Who will take care of me?

My parents are both gone. They said the magical world was too much for them, erased their memories, and just left to live somewhere in the muggle world, leaving their only child behind. But it was better this way—at least, that's what I told myself. My grandfather, whom I call Pappa because he's pretty much my father, raised me. The thought of him being gone makes me worry too.

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts about my parents when I heard a loud, rather large trunk hit the floor right in front of me.

"You expect me to use all those clothes in there?" I looked at it, stunned.

"Don't ask me, dear. The gnome packed your things." The gnomes were probably my only friends growing up since I couldn't go out much; the second a Merlin was spotted, the whole world seemed to know.

"Oh, okay. I'll just go get ready for the train then." I gave my grandfather a reassuring smile so he would stop worrying about me and walked up to my room to get changed for the train.

In my room, I quickly grabbed my bag and shoved my uniform into it. My grandfather had sent the house-elf shopping to get everything I needed for this stupid school. I looked into my mirror, trying to decide what to wear to show off the Merlin in me.

"We must leave now unless you want to miss the train," my grandfather called out from downstairs.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming." I decided to dress comfortably and casually since it was a train ride, after all. I wore ripped jeans with a cropped tank top and a jacket over it—did you really think my grandfather would let me leave the house without a covering? I also decided to keep my long, wavy brown hair with blonde highlights down to be more comfortable.