concoursec | Magic in the Quad

Entry tags:

Magic in the Quad

Character(s): Merlin and Rapunzel
Location: The Quad
Rating: G
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed.
Summary: After talking to Rapunzel on the BBS, Merlin comes to the quad to meet her in person (and maybe, see some of her magic).

Merlin entered into the Quad, looking around to try and find the girl he'd talked to on the 'bbs'. The girl with magic, who'd had to hide in a tower because of it. The girl who it had been all to easy for Merlin to emphasize with.

Although the tricky thing was, Merlin didn't have a clue what Rapunzel actually looked like. She'd said that her magic would be obvious to anyone who saw her, but Merlin didn't know what that actually meant. He should have asked her what to look for, back when he was still at the library and reading all of the writings come up like magic on the computer.

"Rapunzel?" he called out, hoping that she was here somewhere.

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Rapunzel quickly made her way outside to the quad, her long hair in a braid but still trailing along the ground behind her a little since she was not yet quite as practised with it as the girls were back home who initially helped her, and it was harder to do it herself. Her feet were bare and she wore a simple purple dress as she made her way to the quad, turning when she heard her name called and seeing Merlin. Well, it looked like he had been the one who called out, at least? She moves to approach him with a small smile.

Was this Rapunzel? She didn't look that odd, but she'd responded to him calling out her name. Maybe she was just a bit confused about how obvious her magic was?

"Rapunzel? I'm Mer..." he trailed off, only just noticing that her hair was trailing along behind her, on the ground. His jaw dropped open, and he stared at it in shock.

How could anyone have hair that long?!

"Hi, Merlin!....Is...something wrong?" she asked, turning her head to look behind her with a small frown of confusion for a second. She's always had her hair long and by now most of the people she saw most often around the Garden were used to it, but she always seemed to forget it was....different. So it took her a few seconds to realize what had surprised him initially.

"I told you it would be obvious, right....?" she replied with a weak laugh and bit her lip. She was more trusting and sort of comfortable with talking about her hair and it's powers but it was still a novelty to her and in the back of her head she was always hearing Gothel's warnings.

"No, nothing's wrong!" Merlin said, snapping out and quickly moving to try and reassure her. "It's just...well, you have a lot of hair. I've never seen anyone with hair so long..."

He tried to not keep looking at it, but it was hard to keep his eyes from going back to all that hair. "Is it part of your magic?" he said, tearing his gaze from it to actually look up at Rapunzel.

"Well...yeah. I...Ihavemagichairthatglowswhenising." She explained all in one breath rather quickly, not unlike when she was trapped with Eugene and possibly about to drown. "And when I sing it can heal and keep people from aging. That's why I never cut it, except for once when I was younger," she continued, raising a hand to behind her right ear where the short brown strand of hair stood in contrast with the rest of the blonde.

"I'm sorry?" Merlin said, not quite able to completely follow that rush of words. But at least she slowed down for the next part.

He learned forward, looking at the short brown strange with a concerned expression. "If you cut it, you can't heal anymore?"

"My hair glows when I sing. When I sing a specific song, anyway." Rapunzel elaborated slowly when Merlin still seemed confused (understandably so).

"But yes, if I cut it, it will lose it's power. A gift like that....it has to be protected. That's why...why I never left the tower. At least, until Flynn showed up, anyway." She kept finding herself changing between calling him Flynn and Eugene, though mostly Eugene. She still preferred Eugene to Flynn once he had revealed his true name.

"You hair glows?" Merlin repeated, surprised. His mother (and later Gaius) had always told him that his eyes glow when he did magic, but glowing hair? That was something else.

"It does need to be protected," Merlin said, serious. He thought of Uther, who wouldn't hesitate to cut off all of her beautiful hair just to get rid of the magic - if he didn't cut off Rapunzel's head with it. No, Merlin could understand perfectly Rapunzel's fears. "I know in Camelot...the King thinks magic is evil. He wouldn't have understood that your gift is special. But it must have been hard, hiding from everybody."

"It glows. It really helped out of some situations though! It's actually quite useful." The hair being as long as it was, had been used as a rope of sorts numerous times, and she often climbed and swung on it. It had it's uses even if it became a hazard when she arrived in Corona, thus asking some girls to help braid it to keep it out of the way.

"He....really thinks that? Mother says some people might abuse it, that people might hurt me to get it, but she never said it was bad...." Indeed, Gothel encouraged Rapunzel to sing for her and keep her young ever since she could remember, never knowing that Gothel was the one she should have been hiding from and abusing her for it's power. "It wasn't so bad. I had Mother with me, and Pascal." But it was still lonely and rather monotonous, Rapunzel had to admit.

"Would it be alright if I see I?" Merlin asked, trying to not sound to eager. But he admit admit, the more he heard about Rapunzel's magic the more curious he was about it.

"Yes. His wife died because of magic, and ever since then...when it comes to magic, he's blind. He never listens to reason. It doesn't matter if someone uses magic for good or for ill - Uther will have anyone who uses it executed," Merlin said. "Still, I imagine it would have been lonely. I love my mother, but I think I'd go mad if I only ever had her to talk to. Didn't you say you did end up leaving, though? And, well, you're here now."

Rapunzel gave a nod, taking a deep breath before opening her mouth to sing.

"Flower, gleam and glow
Let your power shine
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine
Heal what has been hurt
Change the Fates' design
Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine."

Her hair lightened to a bright yellow as she sung, fading back to it's usual blonde after she had finished, opening her eyes and looking at him a little hesitantly. He wasn't going to freak out, was he? She had told him what it did, after all. She sighed, biting her lip a little as she listened to him.

"I...guess that's sort of understandable, his reaction, if a little....what's the word, excessive? I'm sorry about his wife though. It's not fair that her death causes those who use magic to live in fear of being discovered like that....." she frowned, not liking the sound of the situation but knowing there was nothing she could do, lest of all from the Garden.

"I did leave, yes. I made Flynn head with me to take me to see the floating lights--I mean, the lanterns that appear in the sky every year on my birthday."

Merlin was far from freaking out - he was staring at her hair with a look of amazement and wonder. "It's beautiful," he said simply, feeling touched to have been able to witness it.

"No, it's not fair. Uther's killed countless innocent people in his quest to purge magic from the land," Merlin said, turning away and biting his own lip. His mother and Gaius had always told him how he needed to keep his magic secret, always, how he could never ever let anyone know. He knew that they were right, that it was safer to stay hidden...but Rapunzel was like him. She had magic too - but she couldn't even hide like Merlin could. And it was so lonely, not having anyone who knew what it was like, that he could just talk to about magic.

He shouldn't tell her. Gaius would tell him not to, if here were here. But he wanted to, and if he didn't have someone to talk to here Merlin thought he might go mad. She'd shown him her magic, even though she looks as scared and nervous about doing that as he feels. "Rapunzel...I'm sorry, but I didn't tell you the truth earlier," he started, tentative.

"So you didn't have to hide forever, did you?" he added on with an uncertain smile. If only he could stop hiding too...

Rapunzel was relieved when Merlin didn't seem alarmed or freaked out. She was almost uncertain with how well he seemed to take it but she was grateful for it at least. After all, he had mentioned magic existed where he was from, in this Camelot. It was just that their king did not seem to approve of them using it. Being in the tower was lonely, and her safety and companionship with Mother Gothel and Pascal were initially enough for her, but as the years passed, she became more and more restless and curious about the world outside her tower.

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning slightly at the confession. He hadn't told her the truth about what? About his home? It was not as if Rapunzel would know either way if he did lie to her, given how new she was to so many things since leaving her tower and arriving here in the Garden.

"I didn't, no. Corona was....it was amazing! It really was. There were so many people, and so much to see and do there!" So much to learn, to experience and discover, here and back home.

Nervously, Merlin looked all around the Quad to make sure that there wasn't anyone nearby who could see him. They'd said that magic wouldn't be persecuted here, but they'd also said that the people here didn't like anyone with strange abilities - he wasn't going to be taking any chances.

Well. Except for the one he was taking right now, with Rapunzel.

"Forbearnan" he whispered, his eyes flashing gold as he raised his hand to cup the small fire that flared into existence. He let it burn for a moment, before letting the flame disappear again. He looked around the Quad again, doubling checking that no one had arrived in that moment to see, and sighed a little with relief when he saw that there was still no one around.

"Back in Camelot I always have to pretend I don't have magic," he said, his words all rushing out quickly. "And here...well, it might not be illegal but they still say that the people here don't like magic, unless it's the kind they use. And if I actually wrote down somewhere that I have magic...anyone could find out."

Merlin smiled, glad for Rapunzel even as he was just a little bit jealous of the fact that she wasn't hiding anymore. "I remember when I first came to Camelot. I couldn't believe how big it all was!"

The girl's green eyes widened as the flame appeared in Merlin's hand. She'd never seen anything like that before, though she understood there seemed to be different magics from different places, including the Garden.

"That's....wow, that was amazing!" Merlin certainly wouldn't need matches to light candles at night, it seemed. His magic was different and probably a lot more powerful than her own, she mused.

"Are you sure there isn't some way to change your King's mind? I mean, being...cautious about magic is one thing, about some intentions, but mostly I am sure the people with it, like you, just want to help if they have these powers that most don't....." she bit her lip thoughtfully as he continued.

"I think we're okay here. I mean, as long as we're responsible about it. I've only used my healing in the infirmary, and I have only told a few people, really. I'm sure as long as you don't cause trouble it's okay. Corona was big too! Really big!" But then, everything seemed huge and impressive to her after leaving her tower.

Merlin's face lit up. It was so rare that he could just...enjoy magic, use it just because he wanted to and have someone else appreciate it.

But at the mention of the king, his expression darkened and he shook his head. "No. Uther will never change his mind. He's even killed people just for harbouring a sorcerer, when they didn't even know that he was a sorcerer. But his son...Arthur's different. Well, he still doesn't like magic. He's grown up with Uther telling him every day that it's evil and not to be trusted. But he's not like his father - Arthur can listen to reason. So maybe when he's King..." Merlin trailed off. He had to hope that when Arthur was King, things would be different.

Unlike Rapunzel though, Merlin wasn't so sure. "I don't know. It's different with you, you're magic like me - but I don't think I can just tell everyone I have magic."

"So maybe when Arthur becomes King he might be able to change things and let people use their magic? I'd like that. Nobody should feel like they have to hide or lie...." Rapunzel murmered in response, feeling empathetic and that the conversation was quite close to home for her too, albeit slightly differently.

"I was nervous too, but the people here are pretty accepting. We have people with all sorts of different powers here in the Garden. It's more the locals you have to worry about. But as long as you're careful it should be okay."

"I hope so," Merlin said quietly. "It'd be nice to just...be myself, without worrying about whether someone will find out and I'll end up on the pyre."

"Maybe," Merlin said, not sounding convinced. Even just telling Rapunzel was risky enough. "So, what were those floating lanterns like?" he said, changing the subject. "They must have been magic."

"It would. I wish I could help, but I don't see how I could." In some ways his situation was even worse. At least she could use her magic, even if it was to help Mother and Pascal. At least in the tower she knew she was safe.

At being asked about the lanterns Rapunzel's face lit up. "They appear every year on my birthday. Only on my birthday. Mother says they are stars, but I don't think so. Flynn said they were lanterns. I don't know if they are magic, I just know I really want to see them. I've been looking out the window for eighteen years dreaming of seeing them in person....."

"Oh, it's alright. You don't have to do anything," Merlin reassured her. If it was anyone's job to change how people thought of magic, it was Merlin's.

"On your birthday? You must have been born on a special date then," Merlin said, grinning. "I hope you get to see them one day. But who is Flynn? You've mentioned him before."

"If you say so. If there is some way I can help, let me know, okay? Maybe if your King comes here and sees how some of us are using our magic he might change his mind. I don't use mine to hurt people, I just want to help. If I have these powers and not everyone does...don't we have that responsibility?" Rapunzel mused, contemplating this, her motivation for helping at the clinic in spite of her nervousness at being discovered.

"I don't think I was born on a special day, but the lanterns only seem to appear then. Flynn is a....well, he's a thief. I am making him take me to the lanterns in return for returning his satchel after he snuck into my tower." Rapunzel was still quite proud of herself in her initial dealings with the man, really.

"...The King could come here?!" Merlin said, all the colour draining from his face. Uther...here? In this place where at least one kind of magic was permitted? Where there were glowing boxes and never-dying sources of light that had no fire and trolls?!

And not to mention, a place where few people who had already accused Merlin of having magic without him even doing anything to make them think he had it in the first place.

The King, here?!

"You're traveling with a thief?" Merlin said, blinking in surprise. "...Don't you think that might be a little...well, unsafe? Especially if he's already tried to steal from you before."

Edited 2011-12-06 02:08 (UTC)

"Well, maybe. It seems Time Compression brings all kinds of people in to the Garden. The King might show up at some point." Rapunzel said with a small shrug. It was hard to say who would turn up next or when, but she could empathize a little with Merlin's obvious panic. "But--if he does, I promise I won't tell him about your magic!" And when she promises something, she means it.

"Yeah. Well, it was the only way to get him to take me. I need a guide, I've never been outside the tower before. I'd be lost if it weren't for him, trying to find my way to Corona on my own with Pascal." And besides, Flynn wasn't so bad......

Knowing that Rapunzel wouldn't tell Uther was, well, a little bit reassuring, but not enough to return the colour to Merlin's face. "I can't let anyone else know now," he said, sounding a little panicked. "If Uther comes here, and he hears anyone even mentioning that I have magic..."

And not just Uther. If Uther could be brought here, then who else? Arthur? One of the knights? Or even Morgause. Any one of them finding out that he had magic would be a disaster.

"Pascal? So you had a friend you could rely on come with you, at least?" Merlin said. He still though going off with a thief was probably not the best idea, but if Rapunzel had had someone to protect her if need be, that at least was a lot better.

Rapunzel bit her lip. Merlin still seemed so nervous and pale. "But....I mean, if the King did show up here, a lot of people have magic of some kind, and the Garden even teaches some to us, so maybe it could be a chance for him to see how it can help. But, I promise I won't tell him about you. And when I make a promise, I never break it." she exclaimed, a frown and slight pout as she tried to look serious.

"Oh! Yes, Pascal is a very good friend. A chameleon." Rapunzel replied with a smile. Pascal was not very big so he was easy to hide from Gothel, as well as his ability to blend into the background with changing his colour.

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