In a rather remote village named Ealdor, two children with almost identical features chased one another in a game of tag. If it weren't for one of them having slightly darker hair and amethyst like eyes they truly could not be told apart.
At one point, one of the boys grew tired of giving chance and lunged at the other. Trying to grasp him but failing spectacularly, he fell face first on the mud. In stead of scrambling to get up again, he just laid there with out even trying.
"Get up Merlin, mother will be angry if you get your clothes too dirty," the other boy commented, poking at the one on the ground, Merlin.
Raising his head, Merlin scrutinized his younger brother. " Whatever Cyprian. It's not like you really care," Merlin blurted out, not minding his brother's smirk.
Slowly he got up and went towards the well to wash his face. Cyprian followed along, smiling.
"You're dead when we get home," he teased, giving Merlin a wet smile. Oh how he enjoyed messing with his brother. Though to be fair, it was the only entertainment this village in the sticks provided.
He never quite understood why, but he felt like an outsider here. And he was pretty damn sure being able to wield magic—a trait he shared with his brother, wasn't the reason.
Interestingly enough, at just eight, he could comfortably levitate five carriages without breaking a sweat. Merlin on the other hand, had terrible control over his magic. His was more instinctual and random, but magic was magic nonetheless. Obviously they kept their abilities a secret from anyone other their mother. Persecution of magic users was common knowledge after all.
"Merlin, could you please be more careful next time, I'm going to get scolded too you know," Cyprian said, leaning against the well's ledge.
It was true. Whenever one of them messed up both would get a scolding, no matter how unfair it may be.
Merlin rolled his eyes, wiping the remaining mud on his chin with a damp sleeve." You love getting scolded. Mother always gives you more honey on your bread to appease you after a scolding."
Cyprian said nothing at that, he did indeed receive preferential treatment. Call it the perks of being the youngest child no matter how small the age gap between the brothers. Merlin will always have the shorter end of the stick.
They began the short walk home, their boots squelching slightly in the damp earth. The village of Ealdor was quiet this time of day, most folks still working the fields or tending livestock. A few chickens scattered as they passed, and old man Kenley waved from his porch, pipe clenched between his teeth.
Cyprian waved back, though his mind had drifted to the evening ahead. Mother would be finishing the stew soon, and if he was lucky, she'd let him help with the bread. He liked the way the dough felt beneath his fingers. Not like magic. Well, nothing felt quite like magic.
"Stop daydreaming," Merlin muttered, bumping his shoulder against Cyprian's. "You'll walk into a tree."
"I was thinking about bread."
"Of course you were." Merlin's tone was dry, but there was no real bite to it. He glanced sideways at his brother, taking in the slightly darker hair and larger build.
He had to admit, he couldn't compare to his brother in discipline. Always out on the field running or doing weird exercises, he honestly had no idea why his brother did that. Especially when they had magic, which was much more interesting. "Does it ever bother you? The way they look at you?"
Cyprian shrugged. "You aren't much better off either."
"You know what Will said last week?"
"I don't care what Will said last week."
"He said your eyes are unnatural," lowering his voice to imitate their friend, he continued. "Like the eyes of a witch's cat"
Cyprian stifled a laugh."A witch's cat? That's a new one."
Merlin sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. Forget I said anything."
They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments. Their home sat slightly apart from the others, a small cottage with a garden tended to well by their mother Hunith.
"Merlin?" Cyprian's voice had gone quieter, lost in thought.
"Hmm?"
"Do you ever feel like we're waiting for something? Like there's something we're supposed to do?"
Merlin stopped walking, turning to face his brother properly. For a moment, the teasing mask slipped, and Cyprian could see something ancient and knowing in those familiar blue eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by Merlin's usual grin.
"You've been listening to Mother's stories again."
"Have not."
"Have too. Next you'll be asking if we have a destiny."
Cyprian opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. Because yes, actually, that was exactly what he'd been wondering. But saying it out loud felt too embarrassing.
Merlin seemed to understand anyway. "Come on," he said softly, tugging at Cyprian's sleeve. "Race you to the door. Last one there is sewer rat."
"You're a terrible person," Cyprian muttered as he followed along, not even trying pass Merlin. A task quite easy to accomplish if he felt the need to do so.
(End of chapter)
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Hope you enjoyed it. The story won't be following cannon for longer than at most five episodes.