Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 2: A Reunion And a Deal

Heyyy, love you guys!
Above picture is grown up Rose.
Summary: Rose and Merlin get reunited, just as Regina planned.
This one is mostly filler though there are a few important parts. Read on!

     Years passed. Rose and Merlin grew up in different environments. Rose lived a fancy life in a palace,  being trained in arts, science, math, literature, music, and many other areas of learning. She was also pampered and had the best of everything. Meanwhile, Merlin grew up in the Outlands, hunting, fighting, and training for the day that he would finally bring about the death of King Nicholas.
     On the morning of Rose's 18th birthday, Regina called Merlin to await her in their makeshift throne room. When she arrived, Merlin was sitting on the throne that was carved outta rock. He stood when she entered and she got a good look at him.
     Merlin was tall and well-built, not too much but just enough to be attractive and useful. His black hair had been freshly cut short. (AN: Imagine his hair in season 3. Btw, I love his hair all the time!) His blue eyes were hard and cold. He was dressed in a dark blue ragged tunic, breeches in similar condition, ridiculous boots, and a red neckerchief.
     "You are ready!" Regina said in delight. "Finally! After more than 10 years, you are just like your father. I am so proud of you, my son." Merlin nodded to show acknowledgement of her compliment. "Now, final test before we begin. What is your destiny?"
     "I must avenge my father and King, Karayan. I must take his place as the rightful king of Paradise."
     "Yes! What have I taught you?"
      "Nicholas is the enemy. He must be punished. Starting with his daughter."
     "What is her purpose?"
     "To serve as a way to get to her father. Nothing more and nothing less."
     "And what must you do?!"
     "I MUST KILL THE KING!!"
     At this, everyone cheered. Regina stood proudly as she and Merlin called all the dragons that were hanging from the ceiling and walls. As the dragons flew, Regina yelled, "At last, vengeance shall be ours!"
                             * * * * *
     Meanwhile, Rose was awoken by her maids who pampered and dressed her in the dress she'd wear on her first hunt alone.

     Outside, everyone was chatting excitedly about Rose's first hunt. Rose came out the castle, escorted by Gaius who announced she was ready. Rose hugged her mother and father and then was off, not realizing that her father had sent Gwaine and Lancelot after her until after two failed attempts to catch deer. Angry, she ran off, unaware that she was soon to be in a lot of trouble.
                            * * * * *
            Flashback: 13 Years Ago....
    Regina looked off into the distance, a bored expression on her face. Next to her, the Outland's midwife, Natalia, stood, holding a little pink bundle in her arms.
    "Milady, do you not wish to hold your daughter? Or name her?"
     "There's no reason to. I have more important things to worry about."
     Regina stalked outta the cavern. Merlin came forward. As a boy, he was curious. Natalia smiled as she saw the 8 year old eye his baby sister and motioned that he could take her. Merlin did so without hesitation.
     "Y'know...you could always give her a name."
     Merlin stared down at the little girl. A tuft of golden hair had already begun to grow. "Callista. Her name is Callista." Natalia nodded, seemingly satisfied with the name. "Don't worry." Merlin whispered to the baby. "I'll always be here to protect you. I promise."
          Flashforward: 8 Years Ago....
     Merlin sat, brush in hand, Callista at his feet, as he brushed her long, golden locks. She was now 5 years old, bubbly, and laughing, happy. He chuckled as he righted her, yet again.
     "Now Callista, we've talked about this. You have to stay still if I'm going to brush your hair."
     They both giggled. Merlin, 13 now, was growing up, even though he didn't like it. Soon, he'd have to follow through with his mother's plot for revenge.
     In the meantime, he was being trained to be ruthless and fearless. And he was, on the battlefield. Outside, around all the Outlanders​, he was vicious and willing. But, here, in the privacy of the cavern, he was still who he'd always been. He was still the sweet boy he'd been, untainted by the world.
     Suddenly, Regina burst in the room, looking for all the world like someone had just told her a secret.
     "What is this? Merlin, you should be outside, training for your destiny. And I find you here, horsing around!"
     "I was just about to let myself out, Mother." Merlin said in as calm a manner as he could muster. With Regina, being polite and following orders was the better part of valor. "Not to worry. I shall be absolutely cruel in training."
     "I expect you will." His mother said, suddenly cool and calm. That was always a bad sign, for it meant she was up to something. Before Merlin could make a move to stop her, Regina stepped forward, a knife in hand, and sliced off Callista's hair!
     "Mother!" Merlin called as he ran to Callista's aid, soothing the crying girl. "What have you done?"
     "I did what needed to be done. Love is weakness, Merlin. Best you learn that now."
     "She's just a child!"
     "And now she shall learn the lesson as well. It's time you both took this seriously. If I have to take everything you love, I swear you will learn that all of this is the king's fault!"
      And, with that, she swept out the room.
          Flashforward: 3 Years Ago....
     Merlin had become cold-hearted and cruel, just as his mother wanted, duty and honor-bound, willing to follow all orders. Callista, on the other hand, was mischievous and tried to prevent Merlin from turning heartless but only succeeded in the inevitable.
     After another one of her pranks went awry, Regina grew angry and called for Merlin.
     "What do you think of your sister's behavior?"
     "Disgraceful. She should be punished."
     "Exactly. And you shall provide the punishment. 20 lashings."
     Callista looked into her brother's eyes, pleading. He nodded, and her heart dropped.
     Later, after the punishment had been delivered and everyone had gone, Merlin gently started to clean and stitch up the cuts.
     "I'm sorry. I'll do what I can to make this more bearable for you but you must learn to control yourself, Callista."
     "You hurt me. I'm a child still and you hurt me. Why?"
     "I had no choice. You are my sister and I love you but I cannot afford to be weak. Not when we're so close to getting our revenge."
     "That's not what you want."
     "Yes it is."
     "Liar."
     "Hold your tongue, sister! Next time, the punishment will be more severe."
               Back to the present.....
     Callista, now 13, and Charles, now 26, snuck around the border between Paradise and the Outlands, setting the plains on fire. Rose, having snuck off into that area, was now trapped in a wall of fire.
     Merlin and Regina stood on a hill overlooking the valley. Regina admired her handiwork as she said, "The plan is in motion. Go!" She snarled at the end.
     Merlin found Rose easily. Now, the next part would be crucial but he was prepared. He was prepared for anything...except love.
     He brought her back to the safety of Paradise unaware that Nyx, who'd been sent to find Rose after Nicholas learned the plains we're on fire, had seen them.
     Minutes later, Rose woke up.
     "Don't worry. You're safe now."
     As angry as Rose was, her anger tampered down when she realized who saved her. "Merlin?"
     He grinned. "Hello, love." She rushed to hug him. "I missed you, too."
     "How? I mean..."
     "That doesn't matter."
     Before anything more could be said between them, a sudden noise was heard. They both turned, to find Nicholas rushing towards them. Anastasia was there too and she rushed to hug her daughter.
     "Father, what's going on?!"
     "I received word you were in danger. No more hunts for you, not ever!"
     "That's not fair! If I don't learn to do things my own way, I'll constantly have to be saved by you or Merlin."
     "Merlin?!"
     Suddenly, Gaius appeared. "Sire, if I may, I have just received news that this man rescued your daughter."
     Nicholas rounded on Merlin. "You saved her?"
     "Yes. I'm hoping that in return, you would offer me a place to stay."
     "No! You were banished with the other Outsiders!"
     "As you can see, I am not one of them. Apparently, I am an outsider among Outsiders."
      "Daddy, just give him a chance. What harm could it do?"
      "I should be judged for who I am and what my actions deem me as. Or am I to be judged because of the family I was born into?"
      At the words of Merlin and Rose, Nicholas began to pace. His father's law told him not to trust Outsiders but this one had saved his daughter's life. Anastasia spoke up, "Nicholas, you owe him our daughter's life. We are indebted to Merlin. Surely allowing him a chance to prove himself would be acceptable."
     "Fine! My father's law will prevail. For now, I'll reserve judgement. We'll find out the truth soon enough."
     With that, the group headed to Paradise. Once everyone else had gone to rest, Rose took Merlin to one of the guest rooms.
     "Thanks for saving me today." Rose said at last.
     "What kinda hunter are you anyway, Princess?"
     "What?"
     "You could've died!"
     "So? You saved me, just like you've always done when we were kids."
     "I'm not that kid anymore, Rose. I'm not that little boy you once knew."
     "I think he's still in there somewhere. You just gotta find him." She gave Merlin her sweetest smile. "How about you teach me to hunt?"
     "And what will you do for me?" He asked, smirking.
     "Anything you want."
     "Deal." The two hugged then Rose bounded off, leaving Merlin stunned.
                           * * * * *
     Regina and Charles crouched, watching the entire scene.
     "Do you see what he did?! He's acting like a love-sick puppy!!"
     "Calm yourself, Charles." Regina said quietly. "The fire rescue worked perfectly and Nicholas fell for it. And Merlin pretending to care for Rose and giving her what she wants means she will grow to trust him. Now, the closer Merlin gets to the daughter, the closer he gets to Nicholas." Charles thought for a moment. Actually, it was an ingenious plot. "And once he gets the king alone..." Regina blasted the nearest tree with magic, making her point perfectly clear. "Long live the king."
      Charles nodded in fear as he shakingly replied, "Long live the king!"

To be continued....

Filler!! Seriously tho, I couldn't help myself. The flashbacks help to further cement how far Regina is willing to go to get what she wants, while also proving that Merlin still has a good heart.
See ya in the next chapter! Bye!!