Millions of years after the fall of Camelot at the hands of Morgana

Writers note: This is a sequel to the first chapter of the series "Arthura Pendragon"

As the teacher, Mrs Smith, starts the lesson, everyone settles down and starts to take out their books. "Good morning class," Mrs Smith says cheerfully. "Today we're continuing to talk about the history of England. Can anyone tell me what we’ve been talking about for the past few weeks?"

My hand shoots up voluntarily, surprising the teacher. “Yes, Athena?” Mrs Smith calls out to me. “King Arthur who was a famous king of England and had a magical sword called Excalibur,” “That’s right,” Mrs Smith nods. “What else?” “He had a queen called Guinevere.” one of my friends, Noel says. “He also had a wizard adviser called Merlin.” Liana says. "Now, can anyone tell me what happened to King Arthur?" "He died in battle against his enemy Mordred," answers a boy called Tyler confidently. He’s so arrogant and always seems to know everything. "That's one version of the story," says Mrs Smith, "but there are many different versions with different endings. Some say that King Arthur didn't die, but went to live in Avalon, a magical land".

Bored out of my mind. The teacher goes on and on about mediaeval Europe, and I can't help but tune out. Looking around the classroom, I notice something strange. There's a painting of a knight on the wall. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels familiar in a way I can't explain.

Suddenly I feel a jolt of pain shoot through my head. I close my eyes and when I open my eyes, I’m no longer in the classroom. Instead, I’m standing in the middle of a vast, open field. Confused and disoriented, I try to figure out what's going on. Then I hear a voice calling her name "Athena," the voice says. "You must remember who you are." I look around but can't see anyone. I feel like I’m losing my mind. Then I see something that makes my heart stop. In the distance, I see a knight on horseback riding towards me. As the knight gets closer, I realise that it's the same knight from the painting in my classroom.

*

As I walk out of the schoolyard with my rucksack slung over my shoulder, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease. My little brother Theo, who runs up to me at full speed, seems to pick up on my worry. "What's wrong, sis? You look worried," he said, his bright eyes looking worriedly at me. I gave him a small smile and shrug, not wanting to burden him with my worries. "It's nothing, Theo, don't worry." Theo's face lights up with excitement as he asks, "Are we going to see Merlin again today?"A chuckle escapes my lips at his enthusiasm and I nod. "We certainly are," I replied, "we call him Merlin because the old man insists he's the wizard of the great King Arthur days. My brother thinks he's crazy, but I think he's wise. He can be a bit of a clumsy oaf sometimes, but he's a great person to talk to.

*

As we approach the small bookshop where Merlin works, I can feel my heart rate rising. I have no idea what kind of mood Merlin will be in today. Will He be happy to see us, or annoyed by our presence? I push open the door and step inside, the soft chime of the bell overhead announcing our arrival. “Hello, Mr Merlin.” I say a bit uncertain. Merlin is perched on an old ladder, his eyes scanning the shelves for a particular book. Suddenly he loses his footing and tumbles to the floor, taking the bookshelf and all its contents with him. Without thinking, Theo and I rush to his aid. We lift the bookshelf off him and I help him to his feet while Theo scurries around picking up the fallen books.

Merlin dusts himself off and glares at us with a scowl on his face. "Have you got nothing better to do than come into an old man's shop every day and scare him to death with your loud talking that doesn't even help!" he grumbles. We only want to help him, to be a friendly presence in his otherwise lonely life. But when I look into his eyes, I see a hint of gratitude there too. "Glad to see your day is going well too." I say very quietly, hoping he hasn't heard me. Theo picks the books up while I help Merlin to his desk. Merlin doesn't say anything and just starts writing with his quilt and feather. I walk to the end of the bookshop, where there are many boxes of books and old parchments. I make my way to a broom and an old duster. I pick them up as I tie up my hair in a messy bun. I also pick up a rusty bucket and fill it with water from outside. I go out the back door where there is an old stone well. Although there are almost no wells left, Merlin insists on keeping his. He almost slapped the Inland Revenue man who came to collect his water bill for trying to put in a proper tap for him.

I go back inside and find my brother has already put all the books back on a pile, waiting for me to dust them off so he can put them back on the shelf. Satisfied, I got to work. I started dusting the books one by one while Theo sorted them alphabetically. After a while I look over my shoulder at Merlin as he writes. I think Merlin feels someone watching him and he looks up at me, I look away in a flash. "Athena," Merlin says, calling me with a wave of his hand. I put down the dustpan and walk towards him. "Yes, Mr Merlin." 

"What happened in class today?" he asks me, raising one of his eyebrows. His forehead is very wrinkled and his eyes seem to be losing their colour. I look at him and say, "Nothing, Mr Merlin. Merlin sighs, picks up his quill and says, "Your fifteen, I think you know better than to lie to an old sorcerer. This is one of those times when I wonder: is he really a wizard? How else would he know that something had happened in class? I haven't told anyone, not even Theo. Merlin strokes his beard and says, "It's all right, you don't have to tell me. Just sit with it." I roll my eyes, knowing he's just saying that to get me to tell him what happened in history class. "Fine, I'll tell you."

- To be continued