#mistressoflothlorien

Despite the laws of the land, the Prince did not hate people who used magic. Perhaps he was weary of its use, but the Prince was kind-hearted and believed in giving people the benefit of the doubt.

The Prince was a simple man, who loved to ride and hunt when he had the time. It was during one of his rides through the forests of Camelot that he came across something unique. The prince had been tired of being cooped up in the citadel all week and had decided to ride deeper into the forest in order to explore. It was when he came across a new part of the forest, a part he had never been through before, that he came across it.

There was a path, only small enough for a man to walk through. The Prince left his horse tie to a nearby tree and walked along the path, admiring how the forest seemed to be bursting with life around him. The path led to a pool of water, filled by a cascade of water coming down from the rocks on the north side. In the water was a man, his skin pale and hair dark black. He spotted the Prince immediately, though he did not greet him.

“Are you lost?” The man asked.

“No” The Prince answered, “I was riding through the forest when I came upon this path.” The Prince could not look away from the man, who was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. “Are you a forest nymph?”

The man smiled wide, his eyes crinkling with the movement. “No, I am not.” The man stepped out of the water and began to dry off with a sheet hanging on a nearby branch. “You should not be here.”

“Why not?” The Prince asked.

“The path was not supposed to be seen by anyone.” said the man, “I wonder why it showed itself to you?”

“I do not know.” The Prince replied, watching the man slip on a loose shirt and trousers. “Are you sure you’re not a nymph?”

The man laughed this time. “You flatter me, stranger.”

“Arthur, my name is Arthur.” The Prince said, stepping forward. “What is yours?”

“Merlin. I was named after the falcon.”

“Merlin.” Prince Arthur repeated. “Would you like to go for a ride with me?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Merlin said, “But perhaps one day.”

“Then I will be back again, until I can convince you.” said the Prince, and he honored his promise.

The Prince returned to the path every time he could. Sometimes it was in the far edges of the forest to the East or it was in the center of the forest, but Arthur always found it. During his visits, the pair would explore the forest, swim in the water as Merlin showed him the caves behind the waterfall, or sometimes Arthur would prepare a meal by firelight if his hunting proved successful.

Arthur knew the path to Merlin must have been magic, but he did not care for as the time drew on, he began to fall in love with Merlin.

“Why can you not come back with me to Camelot?” Arthur asked one night. He had snuck out of the citadel to find Merlin, as he was so lonely without him. Now he rested against the trunk of a tree with a fire by his feet and Merlin lying close by his side. “Why won’t you tell me why you must stay here?”

“I must. I’ve told you that.” Merlin said.

“But you will not tell me why. Nor who traps you here so cruelly.” Arthur said, his hand running up to Merlin’s face, tendering holding it. “I want to be with you in Camelot.”

Merlin shook his head. “All my life I was told to stay away from kings and princes, especially Camelot. I’m sorry Arthur, I cannot go.”

“But why?” Arthur asked.

Merlin sighed, pressing his face into Arthur’s side as they both waited for his answer. After a moment, Merlin lifted his head and looked to Prince Arthur. “Have you heard of the tale of Emrys?”

“No, is it a magic tale?”

Merlin nodded and told him the tale of the boy born of pure magic.

“Then, he was brought to a forest, far away from those who wished ill upon the world. Those who wished to protect him cast a spell on the forest and created a path that only the good of heart and noble intention could walk through.”

Merlin sighed, “He was told, since before he could properly speak, that he should never speak with royalty, for fear of what they would do with his magic.”

“Merlin.” Arthur said softly, holding Merlin’s face close to his, “Oh, Merlin.”

Merlin smiled, his eyes dewy, “I have fallen in love with a Prince of a kingdom that hates the very essence of my being.”

“I do not hate you.” Arthur said.

“I know, but what is there to do?”

Prince Arthur dwelled on this question for weeks and weeks after that night. He thought about his kingdom’s laws, enacted out of fear, and about Merlin in his forest, tucked away and almost forgotten also out of fear.

Years passed, and Arthur continued his trek through the forest to visit his love. Every week the Prince visited Merlin, for years upon years. It was not until the third year when things changed.

“Merlin, come take a ride with me?” Arthur asked, holding out his hand.

“Arthur, you know I cannot.”

“You need not fear Camelot anymore.” Arthur said. “My father has passed and now I am King of Camelot. I will not allow fear to dictate you or I any longer.”

Merlin, the man of pure magic, took hold of the King of Camelot’s hand and they rode out of the forest together.

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