Love and Destiny

Camelot,5th century A.D King Arthur has outlawed witchcraft,a and ordered the death of any druid,practitioners of magic After a long and bloody war,arthur was victorious,a and brought many years of peace in Camelot But the druids never forgot,and their hatred simmered beneath the surface... ***** Me and my parents have been living happily on the countryside of camelot,today I turn 18 "Come quick Merlin."I hear my father's voice call and run quickly out the door Yeah yeah who names their daughter Merlin "Help me get your mother on the bed Merlin." "Mother." I gasped,my mother was laid out on a plank carried by two men,hearing my voice she tries to get up "Merlin."she said gripping her wound,crying out in pain as her lips trembled "Mother,my god,what happened to you."I carefully proped my mother and feel her body tremble as I help move to the bed When I look down my hands and chest are covered in blood "Mother...what...." "Keep her talking,keep her awake,i've got to stop the bleeding..."father said My mother struggles to open her eyes "Merlin....don't be afraid."she whispered as I grabbed her hand Her skin was so cold.... "Hold on mother you'll be alright." She smiles weakly,nods,then her eyes fall shut "Mother! mother!" My father checks her pulse "She's unconscious but still breathing."he muttered Mother moans painfully in her bed,sweat beading her on brow "Who did this to her."I said "Who else could it be?,those Lords up the manor!" I clenched my fists,filled with hot rage "After what they did to the Baker's daughter...and ruining the blacksmith's life...and now this?!" "I know."he said "It's like they barely see us as human beings." "Help me clean the wound." I fight and hold back the tears as I clean her wound,she gasps in agony and clutches the bed sheet in a death grip "Sorry,mother...I know it hurts."I mumbled "I'll make them pay,ill go to the manor tomorrow."I muttered "No!I forbid you!" "But you see what they did to mother." "And they'll do the same to you." "I can't stand by and do nothing while she suffers." Tears fill my father's eyes,he turns away watching my mother's face "I'm sorry...it's all my fault-i couldn't protect her,oh Kate..."he touches my mother's hair as he gently says her name "Merlin I beg you...do not go to the manor...I can't lose you too." "Father..." The others stretch into nights as I sit with my father,the bright moonlight seems especially cold tonight "Water.."I hurry over to see my mother's eyes slowly open "Mother!" "Thank go your awake." I offer her water.she takes a sip between her parched lips and suddenly starts coughing "Take it slow, mother." She gulps down the water then leans on the pillow "Tell me what happened mother." "It was an accident...I fell from the ladder..."she looks away from me "You didn't get these injuries from falling."he said "Forget it...that's not important.what's important is that we're still together."she said "I thought I wasn't going to see you again...and on your birthday." "Shh it's alright."I smiled,she holds my hands and I gently kiss her forehead "Open the cabinet by the bed,merlin."she said I open it and see a necklace,with a small stone hanging on it "You turn eighteen today Merlin,and this is for you happy birthday." "Happy birthday,merlin."he said "Oh...thank you both!" "Asher put it on her,i want to see her wear it." My father gently puts it around my neck as I caress the smooth stone and feel oddly comforted "Thank you mother,this is the best gift you've ever given me."my mother smiles at me and gives my hand a squeeze "I'm glad you like it." "Okay get some rest Kate." "Oh your right I have some work tomorrow.we're counting on the pay of the month." "Have you gone mad!you can't stand,m much Less work."he snapped "But how are we going to live without money coming in." "Don't worry I'll figure something out." "I can go work at the manor in mother's place,father." "Your not going anywhere,m Merlin! we'll get through this."he's stern tone leaves no room for debate,s o I swallow my unspoken words Early next morning,i wake up early kissing my mother's cheek as she sleeps Don't worry mother I can take care of myself I lightly close the door behind me and leave home I stand infront of the manor and give myself a pep talk Okay...smile you're an unthreatening girl here to work Keep it together.keep smiling.deep breaths you can do this I slip through an ivy-covered walkway and see a man lecturing a group of servants "As the high steward I'm deeply disappointed with how lazy you lot have been."the man said "If I catch you idling again you'll be sweeping pig stalls for the next week."steward said "Wow his strict this is going to be harder than I thought."I mumbled "Now go back to work,n o more slacking off!