Work Text:
Out in the open sea, under a glaring hot sun, a ship sailed on the deep blue waters. The boat appeared to have been thrashed and had taken a beating. The crew of the ship had been out on the water for many years now. Their numbers dwindled and dragging their feet, they worked under a sun that beat vengeance down on their backs and a wind that carried salt and a warm breeze. They were low on supplies of food and fresh water and were being targeted by angry gods. What a lovely Tuesday.
The journey to Avalon had been long and perilous for King Arthur and the knights of the round table. Some of the knights had been lost during the quest and the grief of losing friends and good soldiers was strong in their hearts. They had watched their friends drown, be snatched up by sea monsters, and in particular, they had witnessed Sir Alynor, their navigator, be eaten by the troll, Catrina, during a stop at an island for supplies.
Alas, the men knew they had to continue on their journey. They sailed onward, seeking provisions and a safe way home, after nearly a decade at war with Essetir and seven years out on the open waters (Alynor, despite having been a good navigator, had been no match for an angry sea god).
From the bow, the king gazed upon the blue horizon, as he gave orders to his men. Land had been spotted and they sailed to the island. Arthur and his knights anchored their ships and headed ashore to explore and collect resources. The Island of Avalon was known to be home to the powerful sorcerer Merlin. He was said to embody magic itself and his appearance had been noted as quite pleasing to the eye.
Arthur split the knights into two groups, one under his leadership and the other under Sir Lancelot. They cautiously began to explore, to get a better bearing of the shore and terrain. Not too long after, one of the knights from Sir Lancelot’s group found a way up the rocky cliffside and into the forest. Once the rest of them followed suit. They walked for quite a while through the woods, searching for Merlin’s home. Eventually they stumbled upon a stream that parted from a river and led past an alcove in between some large trees. In this small hidden area they came upon a house of polished stone- the house of Merlin.
Surrounding it were ancient creatures of magic, created by the Triple Goddess in time immemorial. The greater dragon was the color gold and the smaller one white as a cloud, and several griffins, some of which were preening their feathers, guarded Merlin’s house. The beasts made no move toward the king and his men.
To the surprise of Arthur and his frightened men (not including Arthur of course. This would never frighten him, obviously.), the creatures showed no sign of aggression. Instead, the great golden dragon spoke with them and then the smaller white dragon guided them through the wide passages of the house to the garden. Then Arthur saw him.
He was sitting amongst a bed of sweet-smelling basil, his raven hair shining in the sun and with his alluring voice he sang in an ancient and strange language.
Merlin was working on a loom, his magic seemed to sing and entwine with each string he wove into fabric. Like he was plucking a lyre, he moved his fingers through his threads, creating something that seemed to almost shimmer and hum, as if it were made by a god.
Arthur turned and in a hushed tone said to his knights, “There is a lovely man working with a loom and singing beautiful music, go call for him to come out.”
Sir Elyan stepped forward and did so. Merlin came out.
Merlin rose to greet them. He walked over to the stone entrance to the garden.“Welcome to my home, please, come inside,” he said.
Arthur could feel the lull of the sorcerer’s magic as he followed him inside. As soon as they stepped past the threshold of the doorway, the sorcerer froze the knights. They simply stood there. Unseeing and unmoving.
Arthur lunged towards the sorcerer in anger, but Merlin stopped the king and gazed at him with cautious and confused eyes, “Who are you? Where are you from? No man should be able to resist my magic. Put up your weapon and we shall go to the main room so that we can share a meal and find trust in each other. There’s no need to be a prat about this.”
Arthur replied “How can you ask this of me when you have frozen my friends and you insult me? How can you expect me to trust you? For all I know you could be planning my demise in the other room! The only way a sorcerer such as you could gain my trust is to swear a vow that you wish no harm to me.”
Merlin complied and they went to sit at a magnificent table. A golden pitcher materialized and poured water into a basin for them to wash their hands. Then, a grand feast appeared on the table.
When the sorcerer noticed that Arthur sat still with a look of sadness upon his face, Merlin asked “ Why, Arthur, do you sit this way? You look as if you have lost your voice and your heart has been torn apart. Why do you neglect your food and drink? Do you expect poison from me? You have nothing to fear. I swore my vow to you.”
Arthur looked at him from across the table and responded “How can I enjoy food and drink, when my friends are prisoners under your spell? If you truly wish for me to be happy, set my men free so I may greet them once more.”
Merlin gave Arthur an expression of understanding and then with an exasperated look said, “ Honestly, there is no need to be so dramatic, truly.”
He then got up and raised his hands slightly into the air, the way a priestess might say a prayer or sing a hymn and spoke in his old and queer language. Seemingly, from thin air, he conjured numerous bottles and poured a potion into the mouth of each knight. The men jolted awake and, once again, moved freely. Arthur’s knights greeted him with joyous salutes and shouts. Merlin, looking pleased with himself, welcomed the men to food and drink.
Afterward, when the knights had started to settle down and the joy that hung in the air carried a hint of wine and sleep, Merlin stood to pull the king to the side and spoke to him, “ Your men make for good company you know. I don’t have visitors often. I was thinking that perhaps you should stay a while. You and your men should go ground your ship and settle your possessions in the cliffs on the beach, and return with your friends.”
Arthur considered the notion of staying. They honestly didn’t know where they were to go next and with Sir Alynor dead, they lacked a navigator, and the prospect of getting to know Merlin better was enticing to day the least.
He was persuaded and went to convince his knights to help him pull the boat ashore and store their things.
Once Arthur returned, Merlin pulled him aside again, placed a hand lightly on his shoulder, and said to him, “Arthur, I know of all the pain you have endured on your journey both on the sea and on land. You should eat and drink and rest until you regain the strength you had when you left Camelot. You are all lacking in spirit and motivation.”
Arthur had decided to stay and with every passing month, he chose to stay just a little longer. He ended up spending a year in Merlin’s company. Those were peaceful days spent on sunny beaches and gardens and in the shady forest. Arthur spent most of his time either training with his knights or with Merlin, meeting all the strange beasts of his island or laying in the grass somewhere eating figs together. Arthur came to find that Merlin was witty and kind. Merlin learned that Arthur could be headstrong and full of himself, but he was also caring and generous.
After a year of bliss had passed the knights approached Arthur, missing Camelot, and reminded him of his queen Guinivere. He knew he needed to return. He had a duty to his people and Gwen. He couldn’t abandon them, but he had never been more tempted to do so in all his life than in that moment.
That evening, Arthur took Merlin out to the garden to speak with him, “Merlin, my knights are longing for their home, Camelot. I am afraid we must leave.”
Melin peered up at him when he said this, but lowered his head and answered with a sad look, “I understand, Arthur. I would not force them to stay if they do not wish to be here. First though, you must travel to the underworld to consult the soul of Teiresias, the blind prophet. He can show you the best way to Camelot and give you advice on how you should proceed from now on. I might have magic, but my power only extends so far.”
After he spoke, they sat on the ground and sat in silence, a heaviness hanging in the air of what was to come.
Arthur cried. His heart did not wish to go on. He asked, after he had finished, if Merlin was certain that he could not come with him and be their guide.
Merlin replied somberly “ I am not a god and I do not know the way. You do not need me on this quest, King Arthur. I would only hinder you.”
Come dawn, Arthur and his men, after gathering supplies, hoisted anchor, setting off to find the underworld, and leaving Merlin and the island of Avalon behind. The knights, while wary of what lay ahead, they seemed to have a hopeful air about them. They were sailing home. Their king on the other hand, could not think of the future, not when Merlin was left behind, but Arthur dared not look back.
He knew he would see Merlin watching from the beach, and the sight of him would be too much for his broken heart to bear. He would come back here someday, to this small Elysium. He had to try.