The Letter

I rushed through the door into Merlin's main study, still wearing the clothes from yesterday. Merlin stood up, looking startled and eyes almost completely taken over by dark circles. My heart beat quick and each breathe seemed to be shorter then the first as an angered feeling took place in my soul.

"Why?" I cried, "Why didn't you wake me?"

Merlin stepped forward as if to give some kind of explanation but no words came from him. I noticed the open letter sitting on the table in front of him and rushed forward to take it up. Merlin made no notion to take it from me as I began to read.

My Dear Friend Merlin,

I'm writing this letter as a kind of goodbye that cannot be spoken in the presence of others. I want you to know that I do not hold you responsible for my death, you merely had a vision which cannot be helped. I know now that it is necessary if my brother is to become king and father the chosen heir of my beloved Camelot. I have accepted my fate, and parish I shall. It is of no consequence to finally be rid of all this pain a king must uphold in sending his people to war; I have fought far too long.

Our friendship is very dear to me, Merlin. So, as a friend, I am going to ask you to do something very hard. There is no doubt you know how dear your sister has grown to me. I could not bear it so see her one more time, Merlin. I would lose all sense of logic and polite behavior that a king must uphold before a battle, surely. Thus, I beg of you Merlin, keep her from me this coming morning. Spare my tormented heart, it has all ready chosen to fight 'till death for her.

Your Friend,
Ari

I dropped the letter and ran to Merlin's bookshelf and pulled down one of the leather bound books of Arthurian legend that Edgar had brought with him from his cottage. I flipped through the pages as fast as I could with my hands shaking from a tremor I could not get rid of. Within the first few pages was a family tree that gave a very brief description of people before Arthur, and sure enough it spoke of Aurelius' dying in a battle.

I stood there shaking and Edgar came to take the book from me gently as my fingers let it droop towards the floor.

"Sister..." Merlin whispered.

I shook my head and ran to my room, grabbing my red cloak. I tied it well and made my was as quickly as I could to the door.

Merlin grabbed my arm, his grip as strong as an eagle's. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked, trying to repress his feelings from becoming a scream of anger towards me.

"Changing the future." I said, trying to get out of Merlin's grasp. "I have magic, I can save him!" I cried, "I owe him that much." I whispered.

Merlin's face looked hard at me, just as he had the night of the dragon. Edgar tugged on Merlin's pant leg, looking up at him knowingly, shaking his head slowly.

"You must let her go, son." Edgar said softly.

"And why should I do that? Haven't I lost enough people in my life?" He cried, yet lessening his grip nonetheless.

"Yes, but love is a completely different matter, Merlin." Edgar replied.

I yanked my arm from Merlin's hand, and without a second glance found my way out of the castle, clutching Aurelius' letter in my hand.