15 July 1983 - 17 August 1983
Gwenhyfer reached over and slapped the back of his head. Gwaine turned towards him with an incredulous look.
”All of that, sire, and that’s your take away? The gender changing? What about the suicidal tendency, the depression, the lack of confidence, that we will be talking about,” Gwaine turned and growled the last bit at her, and she duccked sheepishly behind Leon’s shoulder. “How is it that all of that passes you by?” Arthur fumbled for words, and Merlynn took pity on him.
”Because, Gwaine, everything else was something he could make plans for. My changing genders doesn’t quite fit into any plan.” She paused, glancing around the room. “To be completely honest, even back in Camelot, I held the belief that gender is nothing more than a social construct meant to control half the population. That’s why I didn’t fight so hard when it was assumed I was male. I was wearing trousers to help protect me against bandits while traveling - they left men alone more often than they would women. Then I just didn’t like the feel of skirts while getting used to stairs. Before Camelot, I hadn’t had to worry about stairs, not in Ealdor.” She sat back, cradling a still sleeping Rheane. Poor child must have been exhausting herself with all the magic. Leon leaned over to whisper an observation to her.
”I think he’s stuck on the more… carnal… possibilities of a gender changing you. He has a glazed look on his face.” Leon gave her a sharp grin as she elbowed him. But as she glanced over towards Arthur, she could see him beginning to shake off that glazed look Leon had mentioned.
”If it helps you any, I’m usually female in body. I just don’t care if my physicality does not match my mentality. Sometimes, I’ll be in a male body, but I will have a very female mentality. Anyway, that’s all I’m willing to sit through, so I’m going to Gaius’ quarters, before Rhea wakes up. But, now you know. George, I will have that letter for you after we run diagnostic charms on Rhea to get an idea of any real damage.” With that, Merlynn swiftly removed herself from the room, grabbing the breakfast burrito that Poppy silently offered her as she passed. Gaius followed her, grabbing Leon’s wrist as he went.
“That’s really just the tip of the ice burg. I know Merlynn keeps a near daily journal, even now. She started doing so, she told me, about ten years after that first scene.” George’s soft voice stilled the remaining occupants of the room, and he smiled bitterly. “Her words were her only true companions for four hundred years. And after that, she still didn’t want to be near us for anything other than arguments. But with her wish to die, she was vicious. And she knew just which buttons to press to make Leon forget his Knight’s Oath. Not that it took much, considering Merlynn accidentally killed Leon’s lover. She didn’t intend to; her magic had lashed out in her grief after your death, Arthur. It wasn’t until these last forty or so years they began to truly get along. From just before the slitting of our throats and then, they could manage bouts of civility. We all turned to each other for physical comfort too, in all forms, with the knowledge that it meant nothing beyond our friendship.” Arthur bristled, and George stared him down, a far cry from when he had been the Crown Prince’s manservant. “We all called out the wrong names in those times. We knew it meant nothing other than being able to be ourselves. In fact, Arthur, Leon and I had to inform her just how blind and oblivious she was.” George stood, withdrawing a wand and began to bottle and label the memories from the pensieve. “I suggest we don’t mention much about what we saw just now for the rest of the day. Those two will be on edge - fighting as many wars as they have takes it’s toll.” Uther was the first to rise, holding a hand out to Ygraine.
”Well, I believe I can do that. While I digest the implications of what I have seen and heard here, Where would you suggest we start to catch up with the modern world, George?” George looked up, thinking.
”Magical World, most likely. They’re still behind the Non Magical World in terms of inventions and innovations. Will be easier to get used to. Library is where it used to be, and I would ask Alexandria for further recommendations.” George turned back to the book, finished up his self-appointed task, and placed the vials in a cabinet. When he turned around, Hunith and Balinor were leaving the room, hands clasped, heads bent, and George was left with Arthur, the Knights, Morgana, and Gwenhyfer.
~~
Gaius and Merlynn stood over a small table, a visibly upset Rheane in Merlynn’s arms. Leon sat to the side, quill flying as he took notes for the two Healers.
”Basically, we cannot do anything for her vision until we take care of the remnants of magic in her scar, and Merlynn, you cannot do this. This is not the same as Sigan and Cedrik! It is similar, yes, but not the same. And she is young. Too young.” Merlynn growled in frustration.
”Too young is right. That utter monster she had to call uncle should be castrated! Or just put out of his misery. And I am very willing to do that! But Gaius! Her scar!” Leon sighed and set down the parchment, choosing instead to pen an outline of a letter he had seen her write many times in the last millennium. Might as well make things easier for her later. He glanced up as the argument reached a new tonal pitch, before standing up and pulling Rheane into his arms. Merlynn barely paused as he stepped outside the room with the silently crying toddler.
”Hey, don’t worry,” he awkwardly patted her back, holding her stiffly as he attempted to comfort her. “No one here will hurt you. The shouting just happens because we’re a loud bunch. In fact, those two like to shout at each other for three minutes, saying al sorts of things, and then they’re just fine, all out of their system, ready to tackle to problem calmly. They just need to clear their heads, and this is how they do it. See, all quiet now.” And it was. Rheane was barely sniffling how, her golden gaze locked on him in wonder. He shifted restlessly, glancing at the open door. “Why don’t we go check on them, yeah? They’re done shouting, now they’re trying to fix things, like always.” He turned towards the door, just as a soft growl emanated from the room.
”I do not sound that bloody pretentious in my letters Leon!” The words were soft, and Leon chuckled, settling Rheane even further at ease.
”Have you looked at the laws recently, Merls? The Ministry is requiring Gringotts to use dragons in their security. Again. Yes, in this case, you would sound that pretentious. And you’re welcome. Just sign and date the damn thing and give it to George. There’s very little we can do until they get here.” Gaius sighed, waving a hand at Leon, facing his niece.
”He’s right, child. Now, will the two of you please let me see what I’m working with in terms of scars?”
~~
"Merlynn, I was reviewing one of the memories you showed us, where you saved that boy." Merlynn looked up at her uncle as he fiddled with a potions book. "Something looked wrong. With the child. I just can't identify it." She sighed, setting aside her journal. She had been writing everything down from the last several days so that she could read it later.
"Let me start this by saying that line was sick in the head. A line of only sons, made that way by choice. A man would marry, have multiple children, kill every daughter at birth, then, when the youngest son was five, make every son fight to the death. The last one standing would continue the family line. The mother would be killed right before all this." Gaius stared at her in horror, but Merlynn was staring off in the distance, anger filling her eyes. "But his father, the man I killed, was sicker than the rest. He wanted a daughter. He had fantasies, and a son just did not fit in those. But his wife bore a son. He killed her, and then... then..." Merlynn turned cold, angry eyes on her uncle. "Oh, I should have done worse than throw a knife at that man. Salazar was a eunuch. He castrated his own son at birth." Tears spilled from Gaius' eyes, and Merlynn closed hers in resignation, fully aware that she was unable to do anything now, nearly a thousand years later. "That's what was wrong. He tried to make his son into a daughter. It was with luck that his aunt, the woman in the memory, was truthful, and told Salazar that he was a male. I later found out that, because he was unable to use his own child in his fantasies, Salazar's father would... he would use random young girls from other villages in those fantasies." Merlynn stood and stalked out, heading for the gym, ready to whale on a punching bag to release some of her anger.
~~
Merlynn paced around the den, a homey room filled with comfortable chairs, loungers, and couches, walls lined with shelves containing books, games, and toys. None of this held her attention, not while Healer Griswald and Curse Breaker Stormclaw were in the nearby ritual room, removing the damned Horcrux from Rheane’s bloody scar. King Ragnok sat at one of the smaller tables, across from Balinor - across from her father (and she was still wrapping her head around that - everyone had returned, not just her Arthur), sorting out the details on repealing the law forcing Gringotts to use Dragons. Uther sat near by, books containing Magical Laws and history surrounding him. Hunith sat by the fireplace, teaching Ygraine how to crochet, Morgana and Gwenhyfer sitting nearby, trying no to seem too eager to learn by proxy. George and Leon were having a silent argument on the opposite side of the room, likely about the Horcrux. Arthur was standing nearby, waiting for her to slow down, again, so that he could draw her into an embrace, again. Elyan and Lancelot were playing chess, kind of. After they had gotten over the fact that the chess pieces were, in some manner, sentient, they had taken to befriending them and were using the chess board as a literal battlefield, taking scrap metal and creating terrains. Merlynn made a note to actually create something to that effect for them, to save her antique chess board. She knew how to enchant the men, anyway, so it should be simple enough. Gwaine and Percival were curled up on a couch, Percival reading from a book while Gwaine was writing in a journal at a frenzied pace. She placed a hand on Arthur’s chest as he stepped in her path, but she did not try to continue pacing. Instead, she placed her head in the crook of his neck and breathed. Each inhale brought in more of that natural scent - leather, steel, and sweat over the base notes of a summer time forest that made Arthur. The opening of a door brought her attention back to the room. Healer Griswald and Curse Breaker Stormclaw reentered, Rheane toddling behind them, eyes a bright gold.
”She should have been brought to us the night she was orphaned. We are lucky she is young yet - she bounced back quickly. The shard did not want to let go of its living host, but it was not entirely tangled in her core yet. Using that shard, however, we have discovered five other shards. We do not have enough to determine who it is, but given the age of that shard? We would say the man once known as Tom Riddle, now Voldemort. Other than the five remaining shards, there is the main soul left as well.” Curse Breaker Stormclaw finaly paused in his torrent of words, glancing at King Ragnok, who stood from his seat at the table.
”I do believe that we will spend the years before Heiress Potter is of an age to go to Hogwarts searching discretely. I assume the shard is in tact, just moved to a new vessel?” Healer Griswald held up a steel strong box.
”Contained in a gem in this box. Now,” she turned to Gaius, looking him straight on, healer to healer, “I was unable to fix her eyes. The damage had already been done, exacerbated by the shard. The nutrient potions Emrys has in stock are still good, and I would recommend at least once daily for a couple of months, as well as these,” she handed over a list of potions, dosages, and times as well as a dietary plan, “to help her body heal fully and grow stronger.” Healer Griswald turned and eyed Merlynn, Leon, and George. “Healer Myala expects you three every day for the next week to work on the scar removal, and daily sessions. She’ll increase or decrease as she deems necessary until the de-aging.” With that, Healer Griswald and Curse Breaker Stormclaw left through the floo, King Ragnok not far behind as he gathered up his notes and set up another meeting with Balinor and Uther. Leon’s head hit the wall.
~~
Merlynn emerged from her final potions bath a week later, and gaped in awe at her unblemished skin. She had never been truly ashamed of her scars, but the sheer number of them had limited her movement, and raised many questions she didn’t want to answer over the years. Now, the only marks that remained was the Mark of Emrys and her bonding mark with Aithusa. It was… refreshing, she decided. Now she could wear scarves because she wanted too, not because she didn’t want to answer any questions. George had only needed a single bath, since he had preferred to keep out of trouble, as he put it. Healer Myala had convinced him to de-age down to the younger adult age, so that he wasn’t mistaken as a “grandfather” (and Merlynn had laughed so hard she had given herself the hiccoughs at his face, Leon not too far behind her). She strode out of the ritual bathing chamber, still in the process of pulling on her lightweight summer robes over her shorts and tank top, sandals and a pack containing the clothes she had been wearing before floating along behind her.
"Whoa. Wha-?" Merlynn looked up, and laughed at Arthur's glazed look. She had spent the last week teasing the man, starting intense snogging sessions, straddling his body early in the morning to leave the bed, and generally working him up before wandering off. She knew it was mean, but the other side of the coin was because Rheane was still in their room. The child was calmer about leaving her side during the day, but refused to sleep anywhere else.
"Got a bit of drool there, sire." Leon grinned at Arthur as he exited the room across from her in a pair of cargo shorts and a collared polo, buttons undone. he was wearing trainers, lugging his own pack, and his robe was slung over his arm. George was sitting in a chair off to the side, shaking his head at their antics, having watched them all week as they started to act like siblings, but didn't interfere. He had been making notes as he had waited, but was currently packing up. "So, Merls, given any thought to what you wanted your room in the child's wing to look like?" Merlynn glared at Leon as Arthur shook his head, discretely wiping his mouth as Merlynn answered.
"Dragon themed. Dad's already picking everything out - he's through the roof, especially since he's technically a first time parent. I think Aunt Ygraine is also going wild. I've never seen so many toys outside of a toy store before. Mum is also making so many things. Mostly blankets, dolls, and stuffed animals, but I suspect that, once we're de-aged, we can expect crochet clothes as well. Mum always liked to make things. Once the Goblin Nation finishes the crash courses to get everyone caught up on history, pop culture, and technology of the times, Mum plans to get the supplies to start a store. I still don't know what she's going to sell, though. Mum has always had a strong creative streak." Leon nodded, remembering the few times the knights had followed her back to Ealdor, and left with a multitude of Hunith's creations - clay, cloth, yarn, and even a woven works. "Uncle Gaius is definitely set to become a healer again, in both worlds. Uncle Uther," she paused and chuckled, leaning into Arthur as he pulled her close, "and I still have a hard time believing I'm saying that, and meaning it, seems to be drawn to politics. I'm not really surprised." Arthur chuckled.
"No, dad has always had a head for politics. He just never had a clear head, thanks to the loss of mum's influence. I think mum is planning to join Aunt Hunith. She likes the process just as much. What surprised me most was Uncle Balinor's decision to join dad." After the issue of the ministry forcing Gringotts to use dragons, Balinor and Uther had joined forces, and were often found in the library, researching laws and politics. "But what were you going to do, George?" George joined them, bag slung over his shoulder, and grinned.
"Basically? Seneschal. Someone needs to keep you lot on schedule." George grinned, and Merlynn laughed. Arthur had made her in charge of the household servants, and she had immediately made George her second in command, due to his rigorous scheduling. She had implemented several new successful security measures, but George had been better in dealing with the minutia. "Best make your requests soon."
"Gymnastics, martial arts, and medieval weaponry. By the time I'm five, I want to be in the first two." Merlynn was quick to list off, having thought about it a week and a half ago when the idea had first been introduced to her. "I wouldn't object to ballet, but it could very likely be too much. It would be the first thing I'd say goodbye to." George's grin slid off his face and he stared at her in slight horror. She grinned widely. "Just ask my mum. Keeping me busy is the best thing for everyone as I relearn control over my magic."
"Martial arts and medieval weaponry, I understand, but gymnastics?" Leon and Arthur looked at her, an eyebrow raised on each face, and she turned her grin on them.
"Flexibility and core strength. Ballet would technically do the same thing. I like to be able to fold myself into a human pretzel. See?" She sat down and proceeded to practically tie her body into a series of knots. The three men all winced, though she could see interest in Arthur's eyes at various possibilities.
"Merlynn, that is some of the freakiest shit I have ever seen." Leon offered her a hand up, before swinging his robe on as they left the antechamber, meeting up with everyone else. Gaius was grinning, holding several books and folders as he spoke with Gwenhyfer and Morgana, Lance standing with them. Uther and Balinor were once again in a debate, Hunith and Ygraine not far off, looking over several lists. Percival and Gwaine were entertaining Rheane, who was clinging to Gwaine's shirt. Mordred and Elyan had several pamphlets around them, and Merlynn could see that they pertained to many different programs that could help them in the long run. "Elyan wants to continue with blacksmithing. Gwaine was interested in sharpshooting. Gana wants to find a seer to train under. I've set out a few feelers, already, but it looks like Pandora Lovegood may be our best bet. Her daughter, only two years old, is showing signs of being a seer, though I believe it's the druidic blood in her father's line. Pandora isn't exactly a seer, or a prophetess, but she knows tricks on control, astral projection, and lucid dreaming. Gana could benefit there. Gwen, well, she's torn. Blacksmith's daughter, through and through, but she says she wants to try something different. Won't say what though. All of the knights, Leon, Arthur, definitely want to continue, or rather, relearn fighting practices. I'll make sure an appropriate training field is set up, as well as a forge. And what ever else anyone wants. One thing is certain, Merlynn, between everything over the years, we're set." George clapped a hand to her shoulder, and she grinned, leaning her head against Arthur's as she glanced around. Rheane's eyes were a clouded green, slowly becoming clearer, but she knew Rheane was forever blind. The power contained within the toddler was immense, and she wondered what Dumbledore had planned for her little cousin.
~~
It was mid-August, and everyone had gathered in the family room. Rheane was already asleep, curled up in her cot that had just been moved into the room she would be sharing, for a few years at least, with Morgana, Gwenhyfer, and Merlynn. Arthur, Leon, and Lance were sharing a room, as were Percival and Gwaine, and Mordred and Elyan. They did have rooms set up for their older years, when privacy was preferred. Uther and Balinor had started a ripple, whispers of the royal line returning, and "the Coming of Merlin" (and Merlynn had been miffed to realize the Wizarding World thought she was male - she had never interacted with the magicals as a male). Hunith and Ygraine had started a shop that catered to both worlds, selling from little knick-knacks to tailored clothes. Merlynn laughed at the odd selection, but even in just under a month, everything was doing quite well. Gaius had enjoyed his little practice set up, taking on an apprentice, and hiring an associate who had no family to help out when Gaius had to drop everything for their large family. George had settled the household, working closely with the house elves to ensure everything ran smoothly (not that he had much to do, but this Camelot was a sanctuary for magical creatures and species, so he continued the work Merlynn had started, being the go between between the races and the Wizarding World to sell the product produced in Camelot, and the man was happy, but ready for the increased work load that came with twelve toddlers in one household). They're paperwork had been integrated, and the trail of life set down. All that was left was to drink their potions. Gaius, Balinor, Uther, Ygraine, Hunith, and George downed theirs first, and the change was a slow regression as time was turned back on their bodies. Once they reached their appropriate ages, they just stood there, twisting this way and that, taking in the changes. George, Hunith, and Ygraine were much the same as before, with fewer lines, more vibrant colors, and bright eyes. Balinor still had a wild look to his hair, though it had grown less so this past month with the proper care, but didn't look all too different. His steps as he strode forward to embrace Hunith, were definitely lighter. Uther, however, looked much different. His hair had lost the grey, his face was no longer lined, and his eyes sparkled with joy. Merlynn hadn't realized just how old the king had been.
One by one, the eleven remaining adults downed their potions, and Merlynn shuddered as the liquid coursed down her throat. Her skin shifted, and she fidgeted as it tightened, and her bones shrank, and her clothes became too large, and her world view changed as everything got larger. Soon, she just sat down, eyes closed as nausea rolled her stomach. Vertigo, she thought faintly. She had never had a problem before, quite enjoying flights on Aithusa's back, and even when Kilgarrah would scoop her up in a clawed foot and fly that way. She knew he would never drop her. But this? It was too much for her strong stomach. Soon, the feeling stopped, and she carefully opened an eye, glancing around. There, around her, were her friends. Mordred, just two weeks away from turning one, and Elyan, a year and five months, both had scrunched looks, but she was quickly distracted.
"Art'ur!" She launched at him, not even paying attention as she launched right out of her clothes. Her arms wrapped around him, and they began trying to talk, most of it slurring together to form wordless sounds, but they understood each other. They didn't notice as, one by one, everyone was gathered, dressed, and settled into bed. They were already curled together, asleep.