Chapter 10: Aftermath of the Fall

As Merlin was walking to Uther's tent, he saw the sun peak over the horizon. Much had happened since the sun the last rose. Merlin had celebrated his birthday, received a sword, wand, and bow, met the Young One, learned the truth about Bernie's past, and had lost Shiroix and Nasuada. All in less than a day.

When Bernie had recounted his life, he had made Merlin swear not to tell anyone of anything that had been said in the tent. Reluctantly, Merlin had sworn.

As Merlin walked along the beach, he noticed he wasn't the only one on the beach. Many others were also on the beach, pondering the many questions that had risen the previous night, such as how did the Dark find the Light, why did the goblins, trolls, giants, and sirens betray the Light, and what was going to become of the Light? No one really knew; everything had been lost in the Fall except for what you had carried with you. Vast libraries had been lost, and many had given their lives so the Light could escape. More Atlantians had come to where the former residents of Ala Bora resided from where they had taken themselves through the works of a spell. After the recent tradegy, the Light's future still looked bleak.

Merlin saw many people were mourning the death of a loved one. Merlin stopped momentarily and mourned for Shiroix and Nasuada. When he had finished, he saw a small ball, glittering in the sunlight. As he came closer, Merlin was astonished to see it was the crystal ball Shiroix had given him the previous day. As Merlin suffered from the pain of knowing he could have saved Shiroix, he pocketed the ball, and continued on to Uther's tent.

"Greetings, Merlin. I see you salvaged your crystal ball. i hope you still have your sword King Envok made for you." said Geoffrey, a grim expression on his face.

"I do. How are things going with the rest of the Council?"

"Not so well. Atlantis had been our capital for millennia, and now . . . it's gone. Everything we've worked for is gone, and I'm being blamed for it! Everyone says it was my fault that the Dark got past the gate, that I didn't have enough soldiers posted to the guarding, that-"

"It wasn't your fault," Merlin interrupted, "and we didn't lose everything we've worked for."

"How did we not lose everything we worked for?"

"Because we were working for peace, and still are working towards that goal. The Fall was just a set-back. We can still win the war."

"You are most certainly right," said Geoffrey, " it was just a set-back. Thanks for helping me. Oh, and before I forget, the Council is meeting to discuss what should happen next. They want all of the most well-known and respected wizards to be there, and they've asked me to invite you. After all, your reputation as a warrior has made your name one of the most recognizable in the world of wizards. Anyhow, would you like to attend the meeting?"

"I'll be there."

"I'll tell the Council to reserve your spot."

Geoffrey's spirits heightened, Merlin continued to Uther's tent. Soon he stood at the small canvas structure.

"Come in Merlin. I've just received grave news." said Uther, noticing Merlin's shadow.

"What has happened?"

"The Saxons have revolted. I couldn't give them the land they wanted fast enough, so they betrayed me. I give them hospitality, and they turn on me."

"So it's war with the Saxons?"

"Yes. With the coming war, I have to ask yeh if would yeh would be so kind as to become my advisor. Will yeh?"

"Yes. I have no one except Bernie, who will most certainly agree to accompany me in your castle."

"Thanks Merlin. I know how tough it must be for yeh, what with losing everyone you've come to think of as family. It happened to me too."

"I know." said Merlin, finishing their conversation.

As Merlin trekked back to his tent, he saw Nimue walking down the beach.

"Hello Nimue." said Merlin as he walked past her.

"Hello to you too Merlin."

"It must be terrible."

"What must be terrible?" said Nimue, obviously surprised.

"Losing the only home you had ever known and watching it disappear, knowing you will never return there for as long as you lived."

"How do you know how it feels? It's never happened to you!" snapped Nimue, trying to keep from crying.

"It's all right. I may not know how it feels, but I do know how it feels to lose something you had never thought you would lose. For you see, my mother died in the Fall, trying to keep the Dark from discovering the secrets of Atlantis."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I really am."

"Its alright," mumbled Merlin, not wanting to be troubled by the painful emotions triggered by the memory, "I just don't like to think about it. But I can sense you want to tell someone how you feel. You can tell me anything you'd like to."

"How did you-? Never you mind. I- I do want to share what I feel, but its too painful."

"Everyone feels pain. It's what makes us human. If you don't want to share, you don't have to. Just remember, I will always be available to listen to you."

"I'll remember that. Thanks." sobbed Nimue.

"You are most welcome."

As Merlin turned away from Nimue, he saw something that he would remember for as long as he lived.

"Hello my old friend," said a cold voice that Merlin didn't recognize, "We are friends right? Or has it been too long for you to remeber?" Horrified, Merlin looked up, and he saw the handsome face of someone who looked very much like the Young One. Overcome by shock, Merlin started looking around, seeing he was alone on a forested hill with the man, a battle raging below. Slowly, the man took a sword from his belt and brought it level with Merlin's throat.

"Where has your fighting spirit gone?" chuckled the man, "Gone with the Fall? Well, no matter. You wouldn't live even if you were fighting back." With those words, the man swung his sword at Merlin's throat, slicing it clean in half, severing Merlin head from his body. Merlin felt no pain, and yet, he found he was screaming.

"Calm down Merlin," soothed Nimue, "It was only a dream."

Seeing he wasn't on a battle field, Merlin looked around the medical tent, wondering why it was so cold.

"You've been asleep all day. For some reason, you fainted when you started walking away from me this morning. What was your dream about anyhow?"

"Nothing I want to recall. It was a nightmare, and that's all you need to know."

"Alright," Nimue replied, "I was just curious. Here, I'll help you get back to Bernie's tent."

As Nimue helped Merlin up, he noticed that there was snow just under the edges of the tents. There had been no snow this morning. It must be getting close to Christmas again. After all, that was when it snowed.

"Thanks for helping me get here," said Merlin when he and Nimue had reached the end of their journey through the two feet of snow that had piled up during the day.

"It was my pleasure."

Just then, the two heard a slight whoosh sound above them, and saw a mistletoe.

"How did that get there?" asked Merlin, already knowing the answer.

"I don't know, but tradition is tradition." replied Nimue, bringing her eyes level with Merlin's as she looked down from the mistletoe.

"Yes, you're right." siad Merlin, looking straight into Nimue's ocean-blue eyes.

* * *

"It was you wasn't it!" accused Merlin as he walked in to the tent, pointing a finger at Bernie.

Bernie, it seemed, was very ammused by his use of magic, and was bursting with laughter.