Merthur - The King and His Guardian Angel

Chapter 5 - The Boy From Ealdor

Arthur wakes to the smell of freshly baked bread. He sits up, a dreamy smile on his face as he takes a big whiff. He licks his lips in anticipation, mouth watering at the very though of breakfast.

He stretches his arms in the air, letting out a quiet yawn. He turns towards the windows, seeing the sun filtering through the open windows and the white, fluffy clouds in the sky. The sound of birds chirping, and chickens clucking mix in with the hustle and bustle of the other villagers outside, already up and about.

Arthur smiles, for once feeling the weight of obligation lift off his shoulders. He looks towards the inner room, seeing Hunith preparing a meal while Merlin looks over her shoulder, chatting with her idly with a wide smile on his face. Neither have noticed him wake.

He basks in the peace for a moment, simply watching the two smile and laugh with each other. He feels a wistful smile cross his face, before turning away, smile dropping. He can't help but envy the pairs relationship with each other. He wonders if his mother would have been like this as well.

Merlin's the first to notice him awake. He sends him a beaming smile, one that stretches from ear to ear. "Rise and shine," he says cheekily.

Arthur smiles back at him, struggling to his feet before Merlin approaches and helps him up. He sits the king down on the bench while Hunith sets down a plate of bread and cheese in front of him.

Arthur licks his lips, feeling his stomach rumble. "It's delicious," he says after taking a large bite.

Hunith smiles, wiping her hands off on her apron. "It's not a problem."

Arthur looks away from Hunith to see Merlin lugging two, what Arthur assumes are, makeshift crutches into the house. He leans them against the table beside Arthur, again with that ear to ear grin on his face. He rests a hand on one of them, "I made these for you this morning. Should help you walk, hopefully," Merlin says.

Arthur reaches a hand out, taking the two sticks in hand and using it to try and stand. They hold firm, helping to keep him balanced and to hold his weight. "Thank you, Merlin," he says, genuinely meaning every word.

Merlin smiles again, ripping a small chunk off Arthur's bread and receiving an irritated glare from the king before saying, "When you finish eating, I'll show you around Ealdor."

Arthur almost chokes on his food at the boy's words. He coughs a couple times, pounding at his chest until he can breath again. He looks up at him, eyes wide and hands trembling. "...E-Ealdor?" he manages to stutter out, voice still hoarse.

Merlin raises an eyebrow at him as he chews on the bread. "Yes, Ealdor. It's the village name."

Arthur grabs at the boy's shoulders, spinning him around so they are face to face. Arthur's mind is spinning with the sudden discovery, the sense of duty returning. "Is there a man, or anyone for that matter, named Emrys here in Ealdor?"

Merlin shakes his head, still slightly confused at the king's sudden outburst. Hunith has turned around as well, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the king's grip on her son.

Arthur leans in closer, speaking in a hushed tone. "Then what about a sorcerer? Is there a sorcerer here?"

Arthur can feel the boy stiffen under his grip. He notices Merlin's eyes going wide with fear and trepidation. His fingers twitch at his sides, before it all disappears just as quickly as it had happened. The carefree glint returns in his eyes. His shoulders slump back down and his body relaxes. He smiles at him, and brushes the king's hands away nonchalantly. "No. There are no sorcerers here in Ealdor. Ask anyone, I'm sure they'll tell you the same."