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tamingthemuseTitle: Stubborn
Fandom: Arthurian legends
Prompt: Prompt 362 - Malleable
Warnings: None.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The Arthurian legends are in the public domain. I make no reference to any copyrighted work. So all is mine.
Beta: None, so any mistakes you see are mine.
Summary: he was trying a new spell he had taught her. He had quickly learned that Morgana was a very stubborn girl and she would not budge until she got the spell right. He didn't mind.
Merlin sat down under an old oak tree, seeking refuge in the coolness of its shade. The sun was blazing high in the sky in that particular summer day. His young apprentice, Morgana, was standing very still in the grass, her small body exposed to the heat and colouring red very fast. He knew she was very likely to get a sunburn that day but he didn't want to bother her. She was trying a new spell he had taught her. He had quickly learned that Morgana was a very stubborn girl and she would not budge until she got the spell right. He didn't mind. He admired this determination in her. She was fierce and would go far in the world. He only hoped she would be able to harness that power and not let it consumer her. He wasn't too worried about this. There was plenty of time for him to teach her restraint and self-control. As for sunburns, he had the perfect remedy for that. He closed his eyes and waited to feel the magic in the air.
Morgana was sitting cross-legged in the grass. She knew it was a very hot day. She had felt the heat as soon as she had stepped outside with Merlin but it was completely forgotten now. All she could sense was the magic rising inside of her and her mind focusing on the sword lying in front of her. A few seconds later it levitated in the air, but this was nothing, a mere trick that any gifted children could do. She focused harder, her gaze intense on the glistening blade. Slowly, very slowly, she murmured the spell Merlin had just taught her. The words were difficult to pronounce without making her lose her concentration. They were almost hurting her throat as she pronounced them. Nothing happened. She had half expected it. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and starting again.
Half an hour later, the sword was still in the air absolutely intact. Morgana was still sitting on the grass but her expression had changed. Her jaws were clenched and drips of sweat trickled down her cheeks. Her eyes were as focused as ever. She opened her mouth and with a strength of will that was stronger than any other time that day, she clearly spoke the spell. The metal bent under her command.
Merlin opened his eyes then and saw the sword spinning towards him, the blade folded in itself. He smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgement.
Morgana got up and swayed on her feet for a few seconds before regaining her balance.
"And it took me less than an hour," she added proudly.
"Indeed." Merlin got up to join his pupil. "But was it worth it," he asked as he placed a hand on her back, helping to steady her and leading her gently back inside the castle.
"What do you mean?"
"You've exhausted yourself."
"This time," she replied resolutely. "Next time it'll come easier."
Merlin saw a fire burn in her eyes and for the first time, this strength of will he was facing sent a chill down his spine.
Fandom: Arthurian legends
Prompt: Prompt 362 - Malleable
Warnings: None.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The Arthurian legends are in the public domain. I make no reference to any copyrighted work. So all is mine.
Beta: None, so any mistakes you see are mine.
Summary: he was trying a new spell he had taught her. He had quickly learned that Morgana was a very stubborn girl and she would not budge until she got the spell right. He didn't mind.
Merlin sat down under an old oak tree, seeking refuge in the coolness of its shade. The sun was blazing high in the sky in that particular summer day. His young apprentice, Morgana, was standing very still in the grass, her small body exposed to the heat and colouring red very fast. He knew she was very likely to get a sunburn that day but he didn't want to bother her. She was trying a new spell he had taught her. He had quickly learned that Morgana was a very stubborn girl and she would not budge until she got the spell right. He didn't mind. He admired this determination in her. She was fierce and would go far in the world. He only hoped she would be able to harness that power and not let it consumer her. He wasn't too worried about this. There was plenty of time for him to teach her restraint and self-control. As for sunburns, he had the perfect remedy for that. He closed his eyes and waited to feel the magic in the air.
Morgana was sitting cross-legged in the grass. She knew it was a very hot day. She had felt the heat as soon as she had stepped outside with Merlin but it was completely forgotten now. All she could sense was the magic rising inside of her and her mind focusing on the sword lying in front of her. A few seconds later it levitated in the air, but this was nothing, a mere trick that any gifted children could do. She focused harder, her gaze intense on the glistening blade. Slowly, very slowly, she murmured the spell Merlin had just taught her. The words were difficult to pronounce without making her lose her concentration. They were almost hurting her throat as she pronounced them. Nothing happened. She had half expected it. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and starting again.
Half an hour later, the sword was still in the air absolutely intact. Morgana was still sitting on the grass but her expression had changed. Her jaws were clenched and drips of sweat trickled down her cheeks. Her eyes were as focused as ever. She opened her mouth and with a strength of will that was stronger than any other time that day, she clearly spoke the spell. The metal bent under her command.
Merlin opened his eyes then and saw the sword spinning towards him, the blade folded in itself. He smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgement.
Morgana got up and swayed on her feet for a few seconds before regaining her balance.
"And it took me less than an hour," she added proudly.
"Indeed." Merlin got up to join his pupil. "But was it worth it," he asked as he placed a hand on her back, helping to steady her and leading her gently back inside the castle.
"What do you mean?"
"You've exhausted yourself."
"This time," she replied resolutely. "Next time it'll come easier."
Merlin saw a fire burn in her eyes and for the first time, this strength of will he was facing sent a chill down his spine.
