The Beginning:
Merlin’s Quest Part Three
Suzanne Montpetit
Smashwords edition
Copyright 2005 Suzanne Montpetit
There is always a beginning, being born, new understandings, new lodgings, and new life; all become the beginning of change. For me it’s the surreal, the imaginative, I am and I am no one else. I have been given a gift and that gift is eternal, a saving grace for all mankind. Although it is gifted it comes with a price and that price is my freedom to live a life as a normal man. A man that lives and dies like everyone else. A person who makes choices not based on the good of all people but based on his own welfare, and selfish interests, humble yes, but selfish none the less. A bird in a gilded cage, I am, to be picked at and prodded, sent to do the biddings of magic and more. Yet I am who I am and not any less than a wizard. I have been this for as long as I can remember and into many lifetimes. Sweet earth is my saviour and the many that have come before me to do the same as I and the bidding of the people, for their own saving grace. I shall continue to abide by the laws of the universe until no longer needed, and then I can finally find resting peace, and a place to rest my weary head. I shall do what I can to lead the way into this internal war that has been created by those who choose to rule hard on the outside wishing for indulgence on the inside. Unaware that the heart longs for nothing more than love and gratitude, to mature to a place in itself that is at peace with the world and the earth they live on.
I shall go on, I shall withhold nothing, I will allow the darkness to overtake me once again and bring the light home.
Darkness came; the night sky dimmed with the light of the fallen sun, and somewhere in the distance a bird sang its last song of the evening. The forest sighed as the wind blew serenity through the trees and once again a magician sat quietly thoughtful and serene.
He sat by a fire seeing into a future not yet a reality and saw within the flames of heartfelt wishes. If only he could remember, if only. Night time brought for the wizard memories of past and past glory, some he wished to forget and some he held onto very tightly and never to let go of. His knowing he knew he could be losing and he was in need to find it somehow.
There had been times when the forest was his only nurturing and his place of being a cave in the mountains but lately Merlin sat and sat a long time trying to move into the next phase of his long life. It could be time, this time, he thought, and the time he could be thinking about was the return to the forest and the future of the magic.
The Forest of Forgetfulness always held a place in his heart but it had been awhile since he had been called there to rest and think beneath the trees. War had come to the land of Nothingness and many a king tried to enter but so far their ambitions held them into the distance. This is a protected place and Merlin protected the magic that held this place unknown. Magic, their only weapon against men that knew nothing of it, could make this kingdom safe again and Merlin needed time to make that happen. The king, wise unto himself had the army but the army could only be of some use and he knew these others had magic too, but magic that is unsavoury and evil to say the least.
Merlin sat and contemplated while the fire kept his body warm and the food he ate content. He must venture out and find the answers to sought and the only place is the forest and the tree in which had the answers. He would make some magic and protect the land he loved and the king he loved more, but the magic would only last for a time and in that time he will have to return with the answer and a prayer to complete the magic. I shall go on, he whispered to himself and the wind that blew outside his door. I will go and find my friends and the answers, come back and know what to do.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystal. Held it tight and continues to look into the flames from his hearth.
His eyes began to close, and soon the man slept before the flames reaching deep within his soul for a dream to begin his journey. The darkness reassured the wizard that within the void all reality begins but also within the dark were enemies that longed to steel his strength and his power. Those whose power came only from others and never theirs, for they were the ones whose war they waged against. They were the seekers of reverse power, the wizardry that came with a price and the price is the strength of the soul. Merlin calls them the wizards of no heart, for they have none, they were given willingly in exchange for this dark power. Merlin flinched as he saw them coming and wanted to awaken but could not, they held something Merlin needed to find and he needed to reclaim that right they carried for the king and the Land of Not.
Moving deeper in dream he clenched tighter the crystal he held and chanted words no one but another could understand.
As he slept Serenity came and they had a conversation in which Merlin expressed his uncertainty and requested the strength of his friend.
Outside the wind changed direction and blew directly toward the house where Merlin slept, an omen of change brought warning and the words spoken out of the wizards mouth came also with uncertainty. Can I start here and be totally in my reality, or does one need to venture outside the box of one’s mortality, to find the clues to reason out the questions that need to be answered uncomplicated in what has been started?
Merlin came into this world a wizard, many lifetimes spent preparing for the one he lives now, his mind in pain his heart beyond the pain will continue to war against the unknown and bear the burdens of all kings until he is called to once again become the energy that he holds within soul, to be the oneness of all.
What choice, do I have? I only begin here, because somewhere in the void of my consciousness, I have the answer. What is the relationship to one’s soul, my friend? How much effort does one put into one’s life to complete the soul’s desire to its destiny? When will this fated life come to its end so I will find relief from the darkness I carry? I am only a man, yet I am fated to carry the responsibility of so many.
What is my destiny and how can I find it. I am told there are many ways but how does one choose. I sometimes feel nothing more than a pickle in the barrel of life hoping that someone may choose me, and I would not have to wait an eternity to be chosen to do the work I am to do.
Just as I have come I will go on and venture out into my own unknown finding pieces here and there that are to make sense of this whole thing.
So here I am a man, and with that choice alone I have come to this reality in which I will now stop, rest and go back in time to where it all began.
Serenity listened to the old man, held him tightly and let him rest his wishes on his shoulders. He brought him a dream of long ago when he was a teacher to a special young man
“Jack, Jack where are you?” Jack listened as his mom called him but he was too caught up in the things he was doing to pay attention. Being only five there were priorities to attend to other than running home every time his mother called him. If he were older he may have thought of the things older people do, like is he hurt, been accosted or even dead? Has some large ogre attacked him and taken back to the forest to use him for a play thing or maybe some wizard has turned him into a frog. Such is life in a child’s world and it has no place in what Jack was doing.
“Jack, one more time I will call you and then I will send Manion to find you and if he does... well you know what will happen.”
Jack laughed because he knew when mom sent Manion he never did the things his mom said he would do. Manion was his friend, his big friend, and I suppose also his babysitter. He was an ogre, a man born too big for the others who lived in the Land of Nothingness but he did not care. Jack liked him and did lots of things together, and his mom knew that he would be protected from harm.
In fact mom did not know but Manion was here with him now, so how could she send him here. He was always with him, at least most of the time, except maybe when the night came. Everyone went home when the night came and no one ventured out.
Mom said magicians looked for children then and sometimes older people to use in their magic, but I knew in my heart it was not true. Magicians are good people and I have never met a bad one, well at least not yet. I had one favourite and he is my teacher, his name is Merlin and he lives in a cave, beyond the beyond. Well that is what he tells me. He also has an assistant her name is The Dragonfly Princess, and she is very pretty. She helps me with my lessons and also tells me lots of tales of the magic Merlin does. He is a great magician from what I can tell and I want to learn everything he knows.
So there they sat contemplating what to do with the red flame they had just created inside the jar, and now that they have created it how do they get rid of it. Magic is magic and one can never tell how it will end.
“I guess I could send you off to get Merlin, Manion, but what happens if you cannot find him and this flame becomes something else. I should have listened to the last part instead of looking out the window yesterday but this magic is so boring. I want to do something great like Merlin. “Into the fire magic begins, into the flame desire comes awareness, see into the fire find consciousness and feel the magician nearby.”
The flame inside the jar was no ordinary flame it was magic, and magic is truly great in any form. What Jack did not know is that Merlin sat just outside his range of vision and would not let any harm come to this boy. He knew the potential that someday would be and this would be his wonderment to the world. This boy would someday be a man and a great magician too
So he sat off to the side and watched to see if he could rethink his strategy and find the answer to the flame.
Merlin dreamt of the day he met Jack and Jack’s mother outside the edge of the forest so many years ago. Jack, a new born, rested quietly inside the sling his mom wore, while she picked fresh herbs there at the edge of the forest. He saw the boy and wanted to see further into the dream but could not. He asked why this had come but no sooner than he had asked the dream changed once again.
The three of them, watched closely as the flame turned from red to blue and back to red again. “Merlin in his dream and the two others in a past they will soon bring into the future.
Jack wondered what could be happening but was not going to wait to find out. Out from his mouth came a command and with that command the flame dwindled down to a flicker and then went out.
“Wow, did you see that, Manion, did you see what I just did?”
Manion saw the wonder in this child’s eyes and smiled knowing he too saw what Merlin had seen so many years before
I am and I am no more. What I was, where I am and what I will become can happen in one moment, one breath of time and that is all.
I will continue.
As the dawn approached the center of his universe Merlin still slept unsure of how he would commit to what he knew he must. His dreams took him from this land to the many others he had traveled to in hopes of finding an answer. Justice prevails he has been told by many kings but justice has also fallen in the wake of man and his missions to self destruct. He went to the places of his dementia only to see peace resurrect itself from the grave and there he found himself enlightened. He is a wizard of many resources and would find the power and the strength to prevail. He knew in that moment he would travel to the place he needed to go, and that being. The forest of Forgetfulness where he would find his serenity by the tree, drink from the waters of gratitude and come back triumphant. He would defeat these monsters that call themselves men and once again protect the land he valued so dearly. For after him would still come many and those many would become many more all in the name of peace.
The sun rose high into the sky and Merlin made ready his trip. He would prepare for his journey by gathering his tools and wizardry, and make potions to protect the king and kingdom for the time he is gone. This would take the rest of the afternoon so Merlin took his time and decided to venture out into the garden to seek nature’s approval for the way.
Putting on his coat and hat, he decided to dress as ordinary as he could, not just for protection from the eyes that knew, but because wizards did not dress like wizards all the time. He found his leather pants for riding and a cotton shirt to wear under his tunic of wool. His hair he braided long into the back and left it there so it would not be in the way as he rode fast into the forest that night. The journey would be long and could take most of the night but if he timed it right he would be able to ride through the night and get there by dawn. He assured himself that the herbs he would take would fill up his hunger and the water he purified exempted him from stopping from thirst.
So he gathered quickly and quietly as not to risk suspicions from the locals who are usually trust worthy but in times of war could turn not a wizard for any reason except being bribed with power.
Merlin dressed and walked with the reserve of a magician into his garden where he sat by a pool of tranquil waters. Taking out his crystal ball he cupped the cool waters with his hand and saying some enchanted words doused the ball and placed it before him. Within seconds the water turned into bright colors sending streams of energy above his face and head. Twirling and swirling over and over it became a tornado of brightness that sent shivers down Merlin’s spine. He turned his head left and right to make sure no one was suspecting him of doing other than what he normally does and continued to make his magic.
With tears on his eyes the wizard began to chant and chant he did silently to himself until the words came pouring out of his mouth in tune with the singing of the birds.
He began, “Quicken comes, the quickening returns, to the hearts of all men, once turned to stone. Melt them with magic; soften them with the magician, molten and hot white lightening strikes into the forest, where wizards walk, where wizards walk. Words unspoken only wise men hear, whisper to no one speak of nothing. Walk softly, unseen voices muted, no ears to hear only wizards know when and where. Seek the unknown, the unknown magic, in the land of Nothingness, amongst the Forest of Forgetfulness, under the tree, under the Tree of Knowledge. All is undone and to be done again. This is the truth of Merlin that of which I sing.”
Through the night he walked and walked softly but firmly into a future not even he could foretell.
At the same time as Merlin walked toward his destiny a young man also prepared for his, although he did not realize it at all. A young man tall and strong he practiced with his sword among the trees of the forest he has grown up in. The war of men could be coming his way and he and his friends wanted to be a part of the fame the war would bring to them. They all talked of the glory and wealth that winning would be for all that lived in the land they called home, but most of all it was the protection of the land and the families they hoped to bring home. This, they called the special war, the war of thee men and the magic. The strong of heart came to heal the land against those whose might came from gold and slavery, than the magic they know so well. The men of stone were not far away and they knew the magicians gathered to find a way to protect and drive these men away. The men of stone came from the hills beyond the mountains and although the young men knew not much about them, they did know of their strength and fiendish ways. Their king had no army of his own but came to find thieves and murderers in his wake to defend his worth. Yet what worth is it he has, Jack wondered, when you find pleasure in murder and slavery among men. What truth is there in the words he speaks to those that follow when his own heart is shallow and lifeless? The people say he has no soul and he has given his heart to the black darkness, a magic that is so black that no one possess it yet it possesses the men who give away their hearts to it.
There are many stories that have been told about this black darkness, and how it came to be. The war that has gone on for many reincarnations among the magicians who fight it, only to hold it at bay until one day it arises once again and finds a man who will sell his soul for power. Jack knew that Merlin, the greatest magician in the land is about to go to find an answer to this dilemma and to find the light magic to conquer once and for all the black darkness, but could he succeed? Will his will fall also to the strength of the dark power and take his teacher with it to the depths of the oceans never to allow him to return again?
He played out in his mind the thoughts of fighting at Merlin’s side his power and Merlin’s against this black darkness and how he would take his sword and his own magic and take him to the depths to return no more.
Jack laid down his sword for a moment and found before him a beautiful butterfly, its wings golden and sun lit. They stared into each other’s eyes and within the eyes of both shown a light so bright it took Jack to another universe and then back to the forest where he stood. What is this he thought, and why had this come now. He remembered as a boy the magic of the butterfly and thought it to be a girls magic so when Merlin would mention it he would laugh and go about playing with the flames he would control wanting only to be a great warrior and nothing more. Yet this butterfly comes now once again and although Jack’s power as a wizard is still young and growing he sensed something more and called out to send wishes of a safe journey to his teacher.
So as his friends came to where he stood he looked once again into the eyes of the insect and a voice called out to him. “Jack it is time”, and that is all that was said.
The young men carried on with their day as young men do planning their war and the victory they knew would be theirs, and Jack too, carried on as he too did but his thoughts carried him onward.
Both Merlin and Jack had tasks at hand yet little did they realize their paths would soon cross. Merlin continued to walk into the forest toward the Tree of Knowledge and Jack too prepared for his journey as a warrior of God’s and of men. Most people carry on and do not come close to their destinies as they are to be played out in lifetimes met, but once in awhile to meet and the whole world explodes into a whirling wind of men destined to believe that they are the ones and to end the torrent of selfish people who have come to rule this land. The God’s have spoken and Merlin knew that as he walked he came closer to the moment of truth. He did not know how it would play out, but knew he would become a major player in the battle of this earth. If he died he would die for a cause and if he lived his magic would go on another day in the mind of a man who could do much more than he realized. His time had come and he is ready to fight. His steps moved quickly through the dense part of the forest eyes ever vigilant to the evil that could be somewhere hidden. The magic as old as time and even older that some possessed in an evil way. This magic is and has always been good magic but in the hands of the dark ones they have changed its dynamics to that of fear in the minds of all men. It did worse things that to make you go away and never return it made you into pieces and parts of other things more terrible than a man with no hands. You would never really know until you are no longer who you once were and no more. This magic, his magic, Merlin’s magic had to bring the evil back into the arms of his magic, the light of all divine Gods, the light that carried men in peace and harmony to live forever. Up a head Merlin could see a waterfall and thought it to be a good place to rest for a short while, while he thought about his next move. This forest is tricky and he wanted to be fully rested and fully prepared when the time would come for his fight. The waterfall and river below gave him a place to hide and rest and to maybe get his magic working. He wanted to contact Jack and a few others to get a feeling of how strong the magic is. Jack would be preparing for his part in this Great War and he hoped he would remember everything he had been taught. “No fear and remember the magic inside” Merlin would drill into the young boy’s head and do not ever turn your back on another magician just in case he would do harm to you.
There is Manion too; his big giant of a friend who he knew would be here in this forest somewhere with the Dragonfly Princess, who he had saved many a times from harm. Also his very dear friend and spirit helper Darkness the Crow, which he is, sure, is not far away for Darkness could find Merlin always. He called out to his mentor Serenity and with a small incantation for safe being he moved forward to the river and followed it closer to the base of the waterfall. He picked berries to eat, and mint to place into the water bag he carried to refresh his spirit and his hunger. He found refuge in a sheltered cave and decided to rest there for the night, and awake early to begin again. Warmth by fire and warmth by magic would keep Merlin safe that night even though he knew something lurked close by. His magic close at his side one eye always open Merlin waited for the right time to begin. He waited for the stars to align themselves and the moon to release the energy of night time and once that is he could make ready.
The light of the fire grew brightly and made shadows on the cave walls, shadows that danced in ceremony moving closer and then farther away as the he fire grew and then waned in the night air. Gathering his tools Merlin took powder from his bag and crystals from his pocket and a blanket to cover the chill. With words whispered into the night Merlin began:
Watch and wonder, ponder not,
Wither and twitch, wither and twitch.
The time has come to gather round, gather ground
For the war among the men, good and evil who will conquer?
Magic begins magic.
I am the giver of potions, the maker of wisdom among the stars.
Who will come when I call? Who will the wind call upon to make visible the magic?
Now is the time, now is the words spoken, come one come all to me and make good the magic.
Be strong my friends I await you, I await you, I await you.
So Merlin continued to chant and feared not that night for he understood more than any human did the power of the night, the power of the magic, and the power of the light that would guide his way to the Tree of Knowledge that held the final knowing he needed to understand.
As the fire held his attention something else began to happen to Merlin, something strange but fascinating. He began to separate from his body. He could feel his energy and his spirit being lifted upwards toward the night sky like a balloon unstrung from the hand that held it grounded. Up he floated, and as he floated he strained to see his self still fully attentive to the fire and the cave below. His body grew bigger rounding out full of energy and air. Higher and higher he went until he saw the sky darken even more and the atmosphere leave behind a glow of colors from the where the universe met the heavens. As he enjoyed the ride he began to worry as to where he is actually headed, wondering if this will be a ride he will be on forever until something comes along to either rescue him or hit him hard enough to deflate his body plunged him back to Earth. Yet he knew that unconsciously he is ok and doing just fine. So Merlin settled back and watched the Earth below him fade and the stars grow brighter ahead. As his joy expanded his thoughts turned as to why he experienced this and to what understanding did it take him too? His mind began to mellow and his eyes closed into a place, a void, where wizards sometimes go when they needed clarification.
He could see many things now and the one thing he did see was his body still staring at the fire in the cave. Attentive to those actions Merlin moved farther into his consciousness to see more. His thoughts and inner sight moved backed to the Earth and motioned closer to the forest in which he sat his body that is. The cave rested high on a ledge and surrounded itself with foliage to dense to be seen. He followed the cliff higher and higher until it reached a summit. All around his sight could see, fields and large towns, the Forest of Forgetfulness, and in the center the Tree of Knowledge in which he sought. Farther down the valley on the other side of the forest he began to climb a mountain, a mountain he recognized but had not been to in many years. He zoomed into a figure that also sat by a fire on the mountain and seemed to also stare into the fire. Next to him a butterfly flew he could see its colors dance within the flames and wore brightly the colors of a wizard. The butterfly danced around the young man and he did not move. It then nestled itself down onto the shoulder of this young man and began to whisper in his ear. As Merlin watched attentively the young man looked up into the sky, his inner vision sought out something far away, and as he did Merlin could feel something about him. He saw the man transcend and become something more than the human that sat there motionless and transfixed. He saw him look directly at Merlin and smile. Merlin took a short leap back into his consciousness and thought about who he had seen. It is Jack he thought, Jack. How wonderful to see the young man again as he had wondered many times what had become of his student over the years. He had not seen him since he had taken to the forest the day the dark energy took hold among the men of this world. He smiled too and knew there is something more that his vision saw. So he went closer and saw that Jack recognized him too, and their minds began to intermingle. It did not take long for the spirit of Jack to meet Merlin in the same way he had entered the universe. Looking at each other they transfixed their thoughts into words and began a conversation that would last many hours. They spoke of time and wizardry. They spoke also of their duties as men to meet the war face to face and undo the darkness that has surrounded the people of their planet for a long time. Merlin and Jack knew the first thing they would do is to meet themselves back into their bodies and then meet in the reality that now stood still. Jack would come down off his mountain and Merlin from his cave and they would descend into the Land of Nothingness, into the Forest of Forgetfulness and meet at the Tree of Knowledge. “It is written, Merlin said lastly and as it is written it shall be.”
So Merlin floated once again down into his body, as did Jack knowing that they would soon meet in reality, yet they did not know that two others also witnessed their meeting that night as well. Two others sleep in deep peace under the protection of a wooded grove outside the perimeter of the forest and dreamt of spirits of Merlin and Jack that night. One was a girl, and her friend a giant who always kept to her side. These two also knew of something more and had come to the forest to try to understand their visions only to see that they too would meet under the tree in the following days. The Dragonfly Princess and Manion slept in peace and contentment and envisioned the day they would all meet to heal the Earth once more.
Off in the distance the Sun began to emerge from its own darkness and alone bird cawed. Darkness knew his master is near, just as the sun knew it is to rise that day.
Two men, one mission, and no one could foretell the outcome.
Darkness flew above the trees and as he did he searched for a clue as to where Merlin could be. He knew he is near but which path he would follow even the bird could not tell. Darkness understood Merlin’s mind but when the forest took hold of your memory it could be useless to try and remember. The best thing a person or other could do is to just continue on the journey and use different tactics to trick the mind in remembering why you had come and where you were to go. Merlin knew the forest well and he had wizardry at his side so darkness knew he would be ok. He, Darkness, also knew that he was the luckier of most because as a bird the trees and the forest had no hold over his mind. He had free will as did others but his free will connected to the sky and the universe in a different way so as for this luck it is good luck to be a bird.
At the same time as Darkness traveled the tree tops in search of Merlin, Merlin walked below. He hid within the forest like an owl could hide in the trees from others and he did it well. It is not that he did not want anyone to see him it is just that he did no longer know who to trust. This war had changed many and the many involved some of his past friends, other wizards caught up in the energy of desires, desire of magic that is dark and forbidden. Merlin was safe, safe from all there is because he had thought long and hard the first night and made sure he brought much magic and crystal stones to enlighten his way and see into the hearts of all men. He walked quietly and he pursued nothing more than a song in his heart. He knew that soon enough he would be called into action and if he could postpone the inevitable he would, for as long as he would. This war came near to his home and his heart and he would not let the power of a dark wizard take this from him. Off in the distance Darkness cawed again and this time Merlin heard.
He is near; he too has come to seek my nature and the faith I to hold close to him. He crossed a small creek and refilled his water skin, and tried looking into the clarity of the water as it drove itself downstream to a pool of more inner clarity. Clarity is what he searched for and if he followed the creek he would sit by the pool to seek inner solace and wait there for his friends and together they would walk the distance to the Tree of Knowledge where they would have their plans in place. The water clear and a Moorish green stood before him and the sunlight glistened in the background. Over his shoulder he felt the warmth of the sun and he also felt something more, the power of this solar energy prompting him to go deeper within himself. He felt safe and did as such. He closed his eyes and imaged the forest as it is, focusing more on the area by the tree. Under that very tree sat a friend, a man he knew well, the man slept and kept his inner vision open in case he was called upon to defend himself. He looked at peace and his inner being shown brightly. Beside him also sat a bird, Darkness as he is called, and that very bird looked at him as if he knew no other. Magic moves and magic is making it way closer he could sense and the power of the sun beckoned him to awaken and move faster to his friend’s side. He could also envision just beyond the edge of the forest close to where the mountains make their way into the valley he saw two more, and these two could be the ones he hoped would also appear, the maiden in her glory and the giant by her side. She held the power to move those mountains and the faith to make men into mice, she being the Dragonfly Princess and he the giant Manion. Merlin smiled and as he did they all saw and made way to the tree to find him.
Jack opened one eye and then the other sliding from a depth of sleep that brought insight to his weary body. He uncrossed his legs and began to stretch out still absorbed within his second sight when he heard a gruff sound coming from right next to him. “It’s about time you woke up, thought you would sleep forever and miss everything.” Darkness coughed at the end of his speech. Yes whatever he says seems to always turn into a speech and he was not done yet. “So, have you seen him yet? Has he contacted you? I tried to see him through the forest sky but he cloaked himself well.” Darkness continued. Jack tried to get a word in but birds tend to talk a lot unless you can grab them by the throat and hush them up. “I know that The Dragonfly Princess and Manion are coming I saw them off in the distance. They look great and well rested. I hoped for this because we will have to you all our strength as a group to fight is dark power and beat it. I am actually quite excited you know been awhile since I have seen a good fight.” Darkness took a breath and that is when Jack took charge. “Can you be quiet for a moment so I can talk? I have seen him in my dreams and yes we have connected. I know that he is coming and not far from here that is why I decided to sleep awhile in waiting for him to come.”
Jack took his strength for granted but he did not take the wizard that way. He knew when Merlin arrived he would sit patiently and listen to the man talk. He is still his teacher and always will be. The young boy now a man remembered the nurturing he gave to him and honoured him for it.
Darkness regained his vocal cords and as he was about to begin again a voice cornered him in not speaking. The voice came from out of nowhere but soon the man followed and a large smile and handsome handshake removed any fear that either the bird or the young man had. He carried his wand and his walking stick. He looked refreshed and had with him a large backpack in which he carried his magic. It had been a long path but now that he arrived the plan would come together. The three talked long into the night in preparation for the remainder to arrive by dawns light and they were ready.
The animals expressed themselves at the arrival of the Dragonfly Princess because this is her home. She and Manion cared deeply for the forest and the tree they sat beneath. A reunion of magic never seen or felt before and this forest and its ancientness knew it. All Creation knew what is about to take place and they stood silent and in awe of the five beings that are willing to remove themselves from living to complete their destiny. They sat and ate, slept and talked and soon the talking was done. Deep within they knew and could feel the dark power converging somewhere in the distance and they remained calm. None wanted the dark power to sense their fears and to gain power from it. Their army is large made up of men and wizards who wanted no more than to control life as they chose no matter what, going beyond what was right and good. They sat beyond the forest and waited for the moment they would take the five and do what they must. Terror and fear filled their hearts, hearts that were as black as the night and hatred to take the fire in their eyes burn through the soul of any man. The wizards who followed saw the fear that these men and their king held inside and they knew they may be on the wrong side.
Many days went by and many nights in waiting for the battle of minds and hearts began. Merlin and his group waited patiently and continued to use their magic to connect to the forest and surrender to the knowledge the tree offered to enlighten them. Merlin knew it would soon begin and he offered one last word to all.
“Faith in the hearts of all good men will win this war and nothing more.” He saw off in the distance the darkness of black power and he also saw the many others of good too that had come to share the battle. For this war would take place on two fronts, one being the war of the men and the chivalry to win back the kingdom, a war of steel and horse, blood and death. The other war would be the battle of wizards and magic, the battle that would ultimately see the sun shine no more in the sky and the evil take hold over the entire universe. So as it is foretold the battle began. Man against man, faith against fear. It would take many years and within those years many fell and many lived to see the outcome.
As we always know evil and darkness never win and good always survives and so it was with this ancient war of men and minds. To go into the details would not be considered good for the stories ending but the details one can still imagine in their minds.
The day the war finally ended there was a celebration of many types. Men came home to their wives and families and kings to their kingdoms, and all was good again. The sun shone and rested each and every day and the wizards became strong again in their power to keep peace within the hearts of all men.
Jack went home to be a well known soldier and eventually a king. His skills to be someone well grounded and powerful made stories to be read forever and the man who became the essence of a butterfly still held itself in his heart. He would come to know more in the years ahead but that is another story of man and wizardry.
The Dragonfly Princess stayed in her forest with her friend the giant and made well the care taking of the Forest of Forgetfulness, healing hearts that came to this forest to forget and to forgive and to find their way home again. The Land Of Not survived that time and became what it always was nothing more than a place hidden from man and his ruthless way only being known to the wizards who carried the light in their hearts and in their soul. Merlin came and went as always venturing into the forest on any given day only to forget and be rescued by his friend Darkness.
Serenity believed that a man’s worth is never measured and always experienced within the very being that he is. Serenity never left Merlin’s side and never would until the time came for serenity to take Merlin home to the place where all good wizards go.