Love has its Price

It was dark as they were walking through the woods. Little lights flitted in the trees as they trudged their way to the cottage, created by fairies and their dust. But only those who had purity of heart could catch a glimpse: the walkers were oblivious.

Merlin was watching the progress of the two women through his all-seeing glass and knew their intent. He was expectant and prepared.

"Are you sure that we'll be able to get it?" Morgan asked her sister.

"It will be easy," Eve answered, lifting her skirt with one hand whilst holding a torch with the other.

"And he'll fall in love with me? You are sure, Eve?" Morgan looked worried.

"Yes, little sister, he will," Eve reassured her.

She knew nothing of the sort but she told Morgan what she needed to hear.

Merlin listened to the sisters and stole a glance at his shelf of potions. A love potion, no doubt, he thought and shook his head. They would be successful but with a price.

*

The sisters were giddy with excitement at the success of their heist.

"We just stole from Merlin!" Morgan whispered excitedly.

As Merlin watched them leave, he smiled.

Fools.

+++

Those of you who have read Boiling Sea, a previous Top Story entered for the Word Hunt challenge, may recognise the character of Merlin that I used in that story as an omniscient magical presence.

I like the legend of Merlin and don't see him as the Disney mentor of The Sword in the Stone but more like Nicol Williamson's depiction of him in the 1981 film Excalibur: a powerful manipulator, unpredictable and selfish, using magic to shape and distort. As I am Welsh, the legend of Merlin is a powerful one from my country's history, mixed with dragons and the power struggles of kings, relying on the supernatural to assist them in their acquiring of status.

He is a force but not necessarily for good and that is what I wanted to convey in my depiction of him. But despite all that underhandedness, I do quite like him!

I have a feeling that Merlin may yet appear again.