Chapter 14: Blaise's Task

"Merry Christmas Merlin!" called Blaise as he entered the room he and Merlin shared. It was Christmas morning and Blaise was kneeling under the tree, reaching for one of Merlin's presents.
"Here you go lad," said Blaise, handing Merlin the present he had found. Merlin, meanwhile, was still waking up. After nearly a month of vigorous training, Merlin was looking forward to sleeping in. Unfortunately, it was Christmas, Blaise's favorite holiday. No matter what Merlin did or said, he knew Blaise wouldn't leave him alone until he unwrapped the present.

"Thanks," said Merlin, blinking his eyes rapidly. Merlin slowly unwrapped the present, still not all the way awake. When the present was unwrapped, there before him lay a chalice. The chalice was unlike anything Merlin had ever seen. It was an iron-gray but shone as if it had been polished endlessly. It was decorated lightly, holding only a few symbols Merlin didn't know how to translate. Despite the fact it looked like it had been picked up on the side of the road, the chalice had a aura of power about it.

"Do you like it?" asked Blaise.

"Yes. Where did you get this?" replied Merlin.

"I'll tell you when you're older. What do you have for me?"

Merlin climbed out of bed and walked to the tree, taking his cane-wand with him. He tapped the tree with the cane and muttered a few words. Moments later, a sword revealed itself.

"This is what I got you," said Merlin holding out the sword. Tears came to Blaise's eyes.

"Where did you get this?" he asked.

"I made it myself. All those hours I was gone after training I was learning how to forge a sword from the elves."

"What is the sword's name?" asked Blaise, still looking at the sword in wonder.

"Excalibur." replied Merlin.

"Fighter. I like the name. It fits great. Thank you Merlin. Thank you."

As Blaise removed Excalibur from its scabbard, he revealed the true beauty of Merlin's craftsmanship. The sword had two little rounded squares cut out of it where the blade met the hilt on either side, which would provide a harder hit by easing off the weight. The sword came to a good point before slightly curving to a side, which would act like those hooks the fishermen that Merlin had seen used. Running down the middle of the sword was a small indentation, like a shallow trench, which took more weight off the sword. The entire sword was a light gold, and sparkled like star in the sky. It was a truly beautiful sword.

"I'm only sorry blood will be on this sword so soon," said Blaise. Merlin couldn't tell whether or not Blaise's tears were of joy or not.

"What do you mean?" asked Merlin, curious as to why Blaise would say such a thing.

"The Council believes they have found a rogue Dark wizard, and they would like me to convince him to join our side. If he doesn't, I am to remove any evidence he existed." replied Blaise.

"Then how will I continue my training?"

"You will train with Geoffrey. He is a good a wizard and I trust him with my life."

"When will you be back?" asked Merlin, already knowing the answer.

"I don't know," said Blaise, "It all depends on how powerful this wizard is. I fear he may be part of an elite organization that is part of the Dark. If he is, our battle will be legendary."

"When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow. The Council is allowing me to celebrate Christmas with you."

The rest of the day passed quickly, Merlin and Blaise performing magic for the peasants of Caernarfon Castle, and Blaise humored Uther with his tales of long ago, while Merlin put on a flight performance even natural born birds would be jealous of. Come dusk, Blaise and Merlin left Caernarfon Castle, and traveled by magic to the Light's make-shift headquarters. Geoffrey was waiting for them.

"Good day Merlin, Blaise," said Geoffrey, bowing to both Merlin and Blaise in turn, "We are glad you took this obligation upon yourself. You are quite well suited for this particular job."

"Thank you. I look forward to completing it." replied Blaise.

"Merlin, you will be studying with me until Blaise returns. Understood?" asked Geoffrey.

"Yes." replied Merlin.

"Farewell Merlin. I hope see one another again soon." said Blaise.

"As do I," Merlin said calmly, watching Blaise mount a brown horse and ride off into the forest.

"Come Merlin. I have had a small cottage built for you." said Geoffrey, leading Merlin towards the small village that had been erected.

"Halt! Who goes there?" asked a guard who stood up top the wooden fence that encompassed the village.

"Tis I, Geoffrey of Monmouth. Let me pass."

"Yes sire."

A moment later, the gates swung open, revealing a delightful celebration.

"It is the Wizard's New Year," said Geoffrey, seeing Merlin's puzzled face,"Always we celebrate the Light's existence on the anniversary of Betrayal. You have never witnessed it before because you have always fell asleep before it began."

All around were wizards, dragons, elves, and all sorts of other creatures, having a jolly time in the dim light of candle-lit street posts. Regardless of how tired he was, Merlin joined his fellows, and began to shift different features of his face, giving himself a pig-nose with cat-ears and wolf-teeth, and a good many other humorous combinations.

Hours later, as people began to go home, Merlin shifted back to his normal self, much to the disappointment of small children. It was time he got some rest that night. He began his walk towards his small cottage, admiring the different homes that had been built by some one's own hand. They were all beautiful.


"Merry Christmas Merlin," said a voice behind him. Merlin turned around to see it was Nimue.


"Merry Christmas to you as well," replied Merlin.

"It's been a while since we last saw each other."

"We saw each other two months ago. That's not that long ago."

"All the same, I'm glad to see you again."

"As am I." replied Merlin in a flat tone.

"I don't remember you being a stone wall last time we saw each other."

"A lot has happened in two months; I killed someone for the first time. I began training as a wizard. I became an advisor to a king. I am not the same person, nor shall I ever be for as long as I live."

Frustrated, Merlin turned around and began to walk towards his cottage. But he saw something; he saw his uncle in a forest, dying.

"Merlin," Blaise wheezed, "I am dying. Take this."

Slowly, Blaise handed Merlin a ring he had never seen Blaise wearing before.

"Spirits. . . Have I redeemed myself on this day?" Blaise asked of the sky. Then he was dead.

"Blaise! No! Don't leave me!" screamed Merlin, falling down in the snow.

"What's wrong Merlin?" asked Nimue, worry written on her face.

"Take me to the Council! Now!" commanded Merlin, knowing if he was to succeed, he would need to move fast.